Act 1.0

"Ugh! I'm so going to kill him!" Reira growled, stomping her way out of the university. Kaho with a bow of apology, quickly threw a glare at her brother and followed her friend. This had been the umpteenth time she argued with Nioh Masaharu. And the nth time she desperately wanted to strangle his soul out of his body so that she will be left in peace for the rest of her walking life.

"Chotto matte ne, Reira-kun!!" Kaho shouted, trying to keep pace with Reira's angry strides, "Its not wise for your age to stomp out like a defeated seven years old girl you know!!"

"I am not a defeated seven years old girl Ka-ho," Reira snarled, slowing her pace to half enabling Kaho to reach her in no time, "Its just...I couldn't take it anymore! I have to kill him, one way or the other!"

Kaho shook her head in sympathy and hooked an arm on Reira's right arm, "Sanada-kun will be mad if you kill one of his members."

And with the mention of Sanada, Reira's face swung from angry to frustrated, "Then I'll have to ask Genichirou the approval of killing that brat since the Kantou Regional Finals is now over!"

"Great!" Kaho sigh glumly, slapping a hand on her forehead, "I mean those word to discourage her, not to encourage her!" She muttered under her breath as she haplessly walk behind Reira who is still fuming about her great brother. Whatever will happen in days to come, Kaho doesn't want to think about it. All she has to do now is to scold Masaharu for his habit so that he might still keep his soul inside his body in many years to come.

And after five minutes of Reira's disappearance, Sanada couldn't help but to grimace, with the fact that he couldn't even think of any good idea to stop his cousin from possibly killing one of the regulars. He is actually growing tired of being a pouncing bag for Reira, instead of Nioh who is the cause of her frequent visits in his house...toppling it upside down. He has no certain idea of what to do to stop the con-artist from crossing his cousin whenever Nioh has the chance and oppurtunity to do so...that may also stop Reira from breaking Nioh's every bone.

"I could tell how hard it is to handle both Masaharu and Reira-san at the same time...ne Genichirou?" Yukimura interrupted, his soft voice strutting through Sanada's thoughts. "You just have no idea," Sanada replied eloquently.

So, when did this headache started?

It has been exactly three months ago...

When he, of all people, accidentally forgot his Japanese Literature notebook in Reira's flat when he payed her a visit. Too unusual right? Especially with someone like Sanada Genichirou. The ever focused fukubuchou of Rikkai's Junior division's Tennis Club. Which is very untypical of him.

So, what is he going to do about it?

Ask Yanagi. Or Yagyuu. Or maybe anyone who can stop them. Just to stop Nioh. And Reira along with it.

Because whatever he do with Nioh, Nioh wouldn't just listen. And so is Reira. She would just shrug him off with those puppy eyes of hers he hates to see.

"Mama, is Masaharu home?" Kaho called after opening the door in the kitchen. A pair of mischievous green eyes welcomed her as her mother didn't bothered to reply since the person she is looking is for is sitting comfortably at the kitchen counter. She took the sit across him and snatched a peach on the fruit basket.

"What seems to be the problem Kaho?" their mother asked, seeing her two children smirking at one another, "Did something happened in the university?"

"Oh nothing Ma. Its just this great son of yours did something prankish to my friend again," she replied, causing Nioh-kaasan to shoot a puzzled look at Masaharu's direction. Masaharu, in return only shot back an innocent look that actually didn't convinced their mother. "And this time, he might get more than what he bargained for."

"Masaharu, I told you to stop pestering that girl. Its not good annoying other people just for your own amusement," Nioh-kaasan chided tenderly, patting his shoulder.

"But she's so cute when she's getting really pissed Ma, you should see it," Masaharu replied, grinning. "Besides, she's Sanada's cousin."

"Isn't Sanada your tennis fukubuchou?" their mother asked, remembering that name since the owner of it had payed her a visit once with the rest of the team.

Kaho sigh defeatedly, "Yes Ma, Sanada Genichirou is. And he is also my friend's cousin. And please, do tell that overgrown sized walking mischief to save those two the nutcase? Sanada might be immune at his pranks, but not my friend."

And before Nioh-kaasan could utter another word, Masaharu stood up from the stool and gave their mother a chaste kiss on the cheek and Kaho a ruffle on her hair. Their mother chuckles, seeing Kaho frown and defeatingly finished the peach on her plate, "He is always like that, if he don't stop what he's doing, Reira might separate his soul from his body."

"And why is that so Kaho?" her mother asked, her dark eyes amused, "Is Masaharu enamored of this Reira?"

Her face tilted surprisingly at her mother who has this casual happy smile on her face, "Reira? Masaharu is in-love to her?"

"You see, boys tends to do every jokes or pranks on a girl if they are really attracted to her. Like the boy will always pull her neatly tied hair everytime her attention is not on him. Or yet, he'll call her names so that her mind will only set on him alone, telling other boys to back off since she's his or do some childish tricks to that unsuspecting girl," Nioh-kaasan explained, amusement still lurking on her voice, "Is any of this already occured between your friend and your brother?"

A smile slowly crept on Kaho's face, nodding her head in fascination. She had seen all what her mother had just said. Reira might not yet recognized it but she as Masaharu's sister is not that poor compared to her brother's sharp observations. She had seen it before, yet she ignored it since she believed that her brother's interest are all just for fun.

Kaho quickly left the counter after exchanging a knowing smile with her mother. And on her way to her room, she quickly took her phone out of her bag and dialled Yukimura's number.

21:07 p.m

Reira tossed and turned on her bed, mentally berating Nioh as if he's just right there standing beside her bed, "That numerical smart-ass! Why me of all fortunate being of this walking earth? Did I did something awfully wrong in my past life?" She smashed the soft pillow against her face and childishly kicked her legs up into the air.

"Reira? Are you still up? Its me, Shin," a mellow voice echoed through her bedroom door, "May I come in? I want to have a talk with you..."

"H-hai! Chotto matte, Shin nii-chan!!" she scurried up from her bed and opened the door, revealing a male version of herself, standing with a smile on his face, "Why are you still up? Don't you have any work for tomorrow?"

Shin stride gracefully across her room and took a seat at the corner of her bed, "I can't sleep, that's why I decided to check you up. Did I bothered you?"

Reira seated herself on her study chair and crossed her legs on it, "Oh no, I can't sleep either. I, uh was thinking of something."

"Oh?" Shin raised a quizzical brow above his chestnut brown eyes. Reira laughed nervously, knowing that her brother is not thoroughly convinced of her reason. "Is it about someone in particular? Is it about Miyata-kun?" He added with a tease. Reira frantically shook her head and pouts back at him.

"Saa, then mind telling me what's bothering my little monster?"

"Mou, Nii-chan! I am not a little monster," Reira shot back, making her brother chuckle amusingly. "Besides, I am thinking of someone else, not Miyata-kun."

He stopped and gave her a questioning look, "Someone else? So that means, you did moved on?" he prodded, making her a bit adamant.

"No, I don't mean that," she flails her hand in mid-air defensively, "I am not thinking of that person because I like that person..."

"And I presume that this certain someone is someone you dislike, is that what you mean?" Shin countered, observing Reira who is obviously flustered at the sudden turn of their conversation. "Just be careful not to fall too deep...imouto-chan¹."

Her door suddenly burst open, revealing three other figure landing on her bedroom floor. She shot them a sharp glare making the three of them smile nervously in return, "And how long had been you've eavesdropping, nii-tachi? Didn't you know that its unethical to do that?"

"Don't be so strict Reira-chi, besides its just a minute or so, I guess," Hatori, her second eldest brother piped in, toppling the other two above him flat on the ground. Reira glanced back at Shin who just shrugged his shoulder and pretending that he's busy looking at his fingers. "So that means we have another victim, ne?" Hatori gave Kakuya, brother next to him, a knowing look.

"And you're in with the same idea, Hinata nii-chan?" she asked rather furiously at the youngest among her older siblings. Hinata casted her an innocent look on which she didn't buy, "Not really...since I have other ideas in mind," he replied, making her want to bash them all at once out of her bedroom door. But knowing them all, it will take her for like an eternity just to stop them from interrogating her until they hear the answer they wanted from the start. Reira sigh defeatingly, giving her brothers the cue that she is surrendering to their whim.

"I hate this..." she thought sarcastically.

She couldn't help but to think that three months before, that she, Hijikata Reira is one happy senior high student. Well not until that fateful day when she met Nioh Masaharu, the con-artist. The pesky 14 years old prankster from the university's junior high division. Everything started to change in a 360 degree turn. Normally, it is very unlikely of her to loose her temper within and every thirty seconds. And with that, she refuse to believe that she is actually loosing her control everytime she discovers another childish prank from Nioh.

Worst, he would just act oh-so-innocent whenever she storms right into his room. Welcoming her with his face blank, then he'll pull that annoying smirk everytime she put her guard down.

Reira wants to break every bone in his body, with a wish that the earth would just open up and graciously swallow him alive. Actually, anything that could stop her from thoroughly cursing him to no end is gratefully accepted. She just prays that it will come soon enough before everything turns romantically drastic...

Because the more she tries to cook up ways of countering his crazy ideas, the more she can't stop thinking of him as a result. And with that intention of his, she started to think of him, exactly a month ago.

Now one question troubles her. Is he doing this immature things to make her think of him always?

"No, that's not possible. I am nothing but an entertainment for him. Just someone who amuses him, as simple as that," she thought wryly, "But, if that's the case, then why am I constantly thinking of him?"

She mentally shook the idea furiously. Of course, she doesn't believe in the saying age doesn't matter. Young men tends to find older women comfort for them, someone they would run to whenever they are hurt. Someone who'll try to understand them. Someone they'll look up to. Those older women who are more of an older sister or more of a mother figure for them. And why isn't she a believer? Simple. Its because she wants the other way around. Because deep inside her, she needs that protection. That minus the admitting, she desperately crave that very same comfort and understanding for herself.

Definitely, April can never meet and definitely can't marry September. And that case also applies to the both of them. Right?

"Reira-kun, is spacing nowadays had become a habit of yours too?" With a violent jerk of her face, Reira scowls seeing Nioh Kaho's face leaning down to her. She drew out a sigh and buried her face on her folded arms.

"Go away, Kaho. I am not in the mood to talk or anything. And on the tone of your voice, I'm encouraging you to zip it," Reira warned with a mild censure, making Kaho chuckle in which made her frown in return. "What's so funny?" she turned her head up, her brows furrows in annoyance.

"You don't need to be so defensive around me Hijikata Reira. Besides, if my guess is correct, my Masaharu had done something disappointing again to you for you to have that smile on your face," Kaho replied, ignoring Reira's glare. She actually symphatize with her friend's situation but, knowing her little brother, it will take more than herself to stop him from deliberately annoying Reira until she gives up. She just hope that Reira would just yield before she finds herself inside an asylum.

"Disappointing? Oh no, no! He is annoying! Didn't you know that he put a bunch of mice in our locker room this morning? And as to be expected, it scared most of the girls that caused havoc all over the place! And speaking of that devil brother of yours, do forgive me if I happen to kill him one of this day Kaho," she reprimanded sarcastically, straightening herself up from the chair.

"Its my pleasure since I can't do that myself, I'll let you do the killings for me. You know it is a mortal sin to kill one's kindred," Reira accidentally rolled her eyes in disbelief and opened the window while Kaho only smiled seeing another unusual sight on her friend's face. "When will you stop being a grouch Reira? You had been like that ever since Miya---" she stopped midway seeing Reira raised a hand, deliberately cutting her off.

"Please. Don't you even think of finishing that. That has nothing to do with my mood right now. Its just your brother is confusing me that I---" Reira stop herself abruptly, seeing the gleam in Kaho's emerald eyes, "Oh no, did I just said that?"

"Uh, which part of that?" Kaho smiled, realizing Reira's difficulty. She didn't intend to say that, it just slip right out of her lips. Reira glared accusingly at Kaho, only to make Kaho even more amused.

"Sigh, anyways, how is it going with Seiichi-chan?" she suddenly asked for some change of topic. Luckily, Kaho sighs dreamily, obviously thinking of the very handsome young captain. It makes her part grinning and part frowning knowing that even though Yukimura is three years their junior, he and Kaho still decided to give the romantic relationship a shot. Of course, not minding about the age gap between them. Much in her disdain since Kaho believes in the saying age doesn't matter.

"We are doing fine, he always make sure that he do all the worrying ever since he recovered. I tell you, I feel so loved."

"Yeah, you don't have to tell me. It is very obvious," Reira murmured with a smile, "I am happy that Seiichi-chan makes you this chirpy."

Kaho watched her carefully while releasing that happy statement. The female Nioh could tell that Reira is still absorbing all the impact her ex-fiancee made after the break-up they had a year ago. That moving on is that hard for someone like her who wishes nothing but someone to take the burden of protecting away from her. That for once, she wanted to be the one protected instead.

Reira and Kaho are both heading to the classroom door when they saw Sanada standing there patiently, waiting for her to notice. They both approached him quietly and with a smile. But in her outmost disbelief, the very object of her confusions is standing just a couple of pace away from her cousin, waving mockingly straight to her. And if looks could kill, the name Nioh Masaharu will be nothing but pure history...as her rational side always reminds her.

"I am sorry to interrupt you Reira nee-san, but may I borrow some of your time? Its about Hinata nii-san," Sanada interrupts, making her glower. Sometimes, even Sanada frustrates her that she want to pounce him even if its in public.

"Genichirou, you don't have to be so formal as if I am the crown princess or something," she replied sternly but with a tinge of softness in her voice.

"But..."

"No buts. And the next time you do that, I'll pounce you right we you are standing...is that understood?" she said firmly, poking a finger on his chest.

The strict fukubuchou lowered the rim of his cap and nods. Nioh noticed it and hides a sly grin. If annoying Sanada is one of his profound hobbies, then this moment is one perfect piece to add in his collection of ideas about annoying their fukubuchou.

"And what is that walking bamboo shaft doing here? Entourage? Oh, hello Akaya-kun...Bun-chan. Where's the others?" she asked simultaneouly, ignoring Nioh's raised eyebrow above those cool green eyes of his. And when he's about to retort, he saw the glare on Sanada's eyes. So instead, he pursed his lips close like a clam and watched her talk to the others. Its lunch break so its okay to slack off for a while. He propped his self on the wall and crossed his arm on his chest and contents his self watching her from where he is standing.

So, how did he knew her? Ah, yes. It was in the tennis court. Exactly three months ago.

When Sanada was busy scolding him in an early Thursday morning.

And just when he thought the fukubuchou will blew his head off, she came. In time to save him from his impending execution.

When something seems to stop everything around. Her eyes. They are golden and soft. So soft that even the angry Sanada stops and soften a bit.

And what happened next? The per usual tryst. Pulling up tricks that annoys her in the mornings. Being stormed at in lunchbreaks for some revenge. Then having those amusing arguments after tennis practice, which is his favorite above all since he has all the time he needs to keep her as long as he wants.

But unfortunate for him, she is the kind of girl who could always come up as an equal to his tricky and mischievous attitude. Who can always cook up ways of annoying him instead. That everytime he makes an attack, there are always that annoying 75 that she can counter him back double the size.

But what is his reputation for if he couldn't even handle a girl?

"And your not thinking of how to handle me, brat? Because right now, I am telling you, you can't," Reira stopped short after noticing him staring at her and pulled him out of his abstracted musing. It's no longer a surprise to him if ever she could read his thoughts. He loves it on the contrary. It just shows that she has spirit. And that very spirit challenges him greatly. She can go head to head against him.

"Bet on it Hijikata-midget," Nioh replied smoothly, annoying her because he wasn't in the least bit ruffled by her open lack of public discretion.

"Yeah right brat. Just a reminder, the score is now 2-0. So better hurry up so you could at least keep up with me," Reira smooths a hand on her forehead, a habit Nioh noticed everytime she tries stopping herself from snapping at anyone. "I hate people who ain't a challenge."

"Then better keep an eye on your lead, midget. I don't intend to give away the lead too long...I'm a selfish person, for your information," Nioh smiled, seeing death in Reira's eyes, darting straight at him.

"Yeah, I am very much informed," she countered back with a boyish smirk across her beautiful face.

Kirihara let out a sigh, after seeing the sweet exchange and knowing where their argument will lead to. For anyone who is sensible enough, it is not good to mess up with a girl, especially if that girl happens to be Sanada Genichirou's first degree cousin. So the very good advice about this matter is to always stay on her good side at all times and never piss her off.

"Sumimasen ga...anou atarashii shousetsu no Shugo o yomimashita ka², Reira-senpai?" Kirihara thrugged in, stopping both Nioh and Reira from what they are doing. She nods back at him and gave him a sweet smile, making him blush like a tomato. Marui pouts at the scene, jealous of the affection Reira's giving to his kohai. Jackal, who shortly arrived with the rest, manages only to chuckle seeing his doubles partner pouting like a ten years old kid. While Yagyuu pushed his glass up, observing Nioh frowning, seeing how their sea-weed headed junior enjoys the attention he is getting from Reira.

"So can I borrow it? And help me as well with it, if you don't mind," Kirihara adds, earning another nod from her, "Then I'll walk you home."

"Sure. No problem," Reira voiced out while tucking a hair behind her ear, which results to Kirihira nodding vigorously and hugging her tightly. She smiles back as sweetly as she can, for she knew that the same honeyed up curving of her lips produces an interesting irritation on Nioh's face.

"Oh, I almost forgot. What is it you want Genichirou?" Reira asked after hearing the interruption of Sanada's voice calling her. Sanada politely pulled her away from the others so that they can converse in private. Her face suddenly aglow with tints of pink as Sanada said something to make her flush like that. A smile, a very rare sight, shines on her face. A slight scowl suddenly lifts from Nioh's face.

"So I guess the score is now 3-0 Nioh," Marui teases after seeing the trickster's face, witnessing the contortion of annoyance on it. Kirihira and Marui chuckled, knowing well enough that they hit him at home.

"You wish Marui. The day isn't over yet, so don't count on it," the con-artist audibly murmured with a smile.

"Yeah, yeah Nioh-senpai. And don't count on it either," Kirihara countered, watching Reira and Sanada conversing deeply.

Of course, he will count on it. No one, not even a girl could intimidate him. Not Reira, especially. Kirihara slung an arm on his shoulder and traced the direction Nioh's eyes are darting to. A whistle suddenly broke his reverie. He payed a glance on his right seeing Kirihara grinning like an idiot.

"There is an 67.4 percent that the score will raise to 3-0 Masaharu. So save her the nutcase because the percentage of you winning the score is less than 10 percent," Yanagi calculated from nowhere, scaring the life out of Marui who nearly jumped out of his skin.

Nioh glared at Yanagi with a silent "thanks, you're helping". Yanagi ignored his glaring, making him frown even more. It is not really good to involve them in any situation he's in to. Instead of helping, they mostly screw him up. So its better to ask for help when its really needed. More like if it is really an emergency.

And after Sanada finished talking with Reira, he and the rest bid goodbye and started walking away from them. But before she and Kaho could even step inside the classroom, Nioh gave Reira's hair a tug from behind which caused her to twitch. She quickly turned around and tried hitting him whichever she could possibly reach him. But in her chagrin, Nioh managed to evade her fist and gave her a mocking wave of hand. And of course, it made her more irritated than the usual. Kaho only shook her head in response to what she just witnessed. Every exchange between Reira and Masaharu are starting to get more clearer this month. And she bet if ever Reira realize the meaning behind all this, she will be definitely get mad.

"So, mind sharing that little conversation with Sanada-kun?" Kaho prodded, snatching Reira's attention away from the court, "Does it has to do with him?" she added when Reira was unable to answer back as quickly as before.

Reira nods before tossing her glance away from Kaho's sharp observation, "He came back just last week...Hinata nii-san saw him in the college department this morning...I know I wasn't suppose to be smiling at that but..." she added with a confused smile after releasing an arrow to the target.

"...you are smiling, Hijikata-buchou. Anyone could tell...even a first grader could slap that truth on your face," Kaho teased, making Reira's expression swing from confused to frowning, "Besides, there's an old saying that 'first love never dies'."

"When will you stop stuffing words on my mouth Nioh-fukubuchou?" Reira countered sarcastically, a perfect shaped brows raising above her golden, stormy eyes. "And aren't you supposed to be in the volleyball court right as of this moment?"

"Ow buchou wa hidoi! Alright, alright. I'm going now...just remember, falling for someone doesn't have to be connected to the age department. Even events such as this happened in the olden times where the norm is much more conservative compared to today," Kaho responded, a wide grin on her face. Reira on the other hand wishes to bang her head to a nearest wall so that she wouldn't loose her brain in no sense.

"Oh why do I let myself be involved with two crazy people?" Reira scowl, walking away from her friend. As Kaho watches Reira's disappearing figure, she couldn't help but to worry herself for the things to come. "Well, decide carefully Reira... three hearts are at stake, you know that yourself."

Later after practice, Kirihara is already busy tossing his things inside his bag while Reira is patiently waiting outside the court. Of course while waiting, Nioh and Reira are busy having the pleasure of their afternoon catfights which the others referred to as lover's quarrel. All they could do is just watch them from where they are standing and do nothing.

"And what is a midget like you doing in here?"

"Well as if it will likely affect you brat."

"It doesn't actually, how about you? Does it affect you?"

"Will you stop that? And stop calling me midget."

"So it means I'm having an effect on you huh?"

Reira 's face flushed a bit. Nioh take it as a yes and smirks that made her blush a bit more, "Damn it Nioh! If you don't stop that I might end up kiss--" she suddenly stiffened at that very unconscious thought. "Why on earth would I think of such thing?" she shakes her head furiously while quickly pulling herself up together.

"Oh, does that blush mean yes?" she glares straight into Nioh who has this old, familiar teasing note in his voice. Her cheeks flushed more furiously, making him much more amused.

"So I guess the score raises up to 2-1, ne midget? Told you, I don't intend to give the lead for too long. I am a very sel-fish person," he grinned teasingly, leaning forward to stare into her eyes.

"In. Your. Dreams. Brat." Reira spats with a small hit of defensive tone, separating every word into slow and distinct words with every poke of her fingers to his chest. Nioh, on impulse, caught her fingers and brushes his lips across them and he found that it was suddenly hard to breathe.

"Ready to go, Reira-senpai?" Kirihara's laughing voice inquired softly, breaking into whatever they had been doing. Reira began to extract her hand from his hold and felt an unfamiliar trembling in his strong, yet thin fingers, as he reluctantly released her. She met Nioh's green eyes, which were resting considerably on her face.

"If you'll excuse me...brat, I need to go. Still, I lead the score so better luck next time. Make sure by that time then, you'll show me how selfish you really are."

Nioh looked down briefly on his hand and then back up to Reira. The same lopsided grin appears on his handsome face that she almost wanted to faint.

"Until then, my Lady Luck," He said softly and smiled at her. Her lips unconciously moved into a slight frown hearing Nioh's fetishes for nicknames, with something very sweet behind it. Their eyes meet again, and then she's gone with Kirihara.

Nioh stood for a moment, allowing his eyes to follow her disappearing figure. "You will be the death of me, Reira," he said softly as Reira thoroughly vanished from his sight.

Another week ends as Nioh finished his round of pestering Yanagi about the information he is asking. Of course, it wouldn't be Yanagi if he doesn't have any data about her. So he gave some useful hints that he hope Nioh would not use in any of his crazy ideas. Though, he considered it not important for Nioh to give a damn if the trickster himself had made a declaration that Reira is just amusing him.

"She is not an entertainment for you to be amused about Masaharu. If ever Genichirou hears you, you know that he'll be very angry," Yanagi cautioned in a low voice. Honestly, everyone of them are very protective of someone or something, and even though many thought that Sanada is incapable of feeling anything, then they could prove theirselves wrong. He is actually, of no excemption when it comes on that certain department.

"And since when did Sanada became so affectionate about others?" Nioh questioned as a matter-of-factly.

The dataman drew out an exasperated sigh and open his bag for his notes. Of course Sanada is. It is only Nioh who is just not good to realize that its the vice captain's cousin they are talking about. He flips the pages of his notes and looked casually at Nioh.

"You know the answer, besides as my data informed me so, she hates you," Yanagi replied, "That it looks like she wants to break every bone in your body if you don't stop that."

"She hates me because I'm taller than her."

"Its not the reason Nioh-senpai," Kirihara said, popping from behind the door after knocking softly with Yagyuu, Jackal and Marui behind. Nioh is about to say something back when Yukimura and Sanada appeared a minute shortly. He unbuttoned his school blouse, took it off and slid his jersey on.

Actually, if he review things carefully, its been three months already and surprisingly, he hadn't bother to make a single decent move...aside from brushing his lips against her soft fingers, if you could call that decent. Now there's a question he always ask to his self. Where do he stand to her?

Nioh slams the door of his locker and picked up his racket from the bench. For three months, he cautiously kept his feelings on check. And now, he is quite confused of what to do about it. He shakes his head to realize that even a Nioh Masaharu could get this confuse over a girl. Karma is quickly taking its toll on him. Luck is absent. And destiny isn't helping either.

"Masaharu, you should know that its not wise to play tricks on Reira-san. Even though she is three inches shorter than you, it doesn't mean you could scare the hell out of her."

He tilted his head to the right to see Yagyuu walking beside him. Its a common rite for Yagyuu to reprimand him a bit about his prankish behavior towards those stubborn girls he happened to lay an eye on. And as much as he wanted to get tired of it, he can't. Its just simply there, and it will possibly stay there as long as Yagyuu is his doubles partner.

"She asks for it. She's so stubborn," he jestingly answered, waving Yagyuu's meanings aside.

"She didn't ask for it, you gave it to her without warning," Yagyuu replied.

"What did you see on her Hiroshi?" Nioh suddenly asked, trying to put his doubles partner on the hotseat. The bespectacled gentleman paused and rub a finger on his jaw. Nioh is very much aware of the others special affections for Reira. Affections beyond friendship. Minus Sanada and Yukimura.

After pausing for awhile, Yagyuu's gaze darted across the wirefence then back at Nioh, "A girl and a woman who deserves to be lifted from protecting for once, Masaharu." Yagyuu replied, his voice not missing a notch which confuses Nioh. Yagyuu dismissed his glarings and walks ahead towards the court. And Nioh was once again left alone thinking by himself.

These bothers him. The affections. The attentions. The masculine attentions. Those stupid, annoying head turning attentions she pulls from other male species aside from him. "But why is it affecting me this much? Ain't I just told myself that she is just for fun?"

Nioh stopped on his tracks when he saw Reira with some of her clubmates passing by on the other side of the wire fence. Stunning, attractive and seductive as always, now on her favored black gi and hakama, her hair pulled back on the base of her nape. The sway of everything in her never failed to amaze him...whether she's in her normal school uniform or just in her club uniform. But those same amazing traits also kills him deep inside, everytime he surpress the urge to hold her in his arms or even kiss her even if its just a light kiss. The temptation of whispering words on her ear and to breathe in that intoxicating fragrance of her skin. The urge of holding her small hands and feel it against his face. The extra effort he puts his self into just to resist the temptation of sweeping her off her feet. All of these...

But why is he hesitating?

Reira shook the question off her mind as she tries her best to keep up with the conversation she and her clubmates are engaging. She adjust the bow on her right and saw Nioh on the other side of the fence, staring at her. He is like as he was when she first laid eyes on him. Beautiful, alluring and enticing. She denied herself the truth of wanting desire she had kept for the sake of her pride. That she wants her fingers to run through his hair. The feeling of his arms around her, embracing her. The feel of his soft lips against her own, teasing her. The warmth of his breath against her skin. The feel of his voice whispering softly on her ears. The feel of his presence just for her. But...

Her face flushed at that very thought that just crossed her mind, "No...no...no! If I ever think of that thing again, I should think of it to the one who treats me not as an entertainment!"

She let out a sigh and rub a hand on her forehead. She hates to admit it but, the brat is corrupting her system. That in everyday God had created, he always make sure that he is noticed. One way or the other. And she, of all people, is the unwilling participant of the trickster's game.

The question here is, where does she stand to him? Reira shook the question off and let her rational self surface, "I don't believe in age doesn't matter...why should I think of where I stand to him?" she whispered more to her herself, closing her eyes to recollect all the broken pieces of what she called 'supposed to be a norm' idea. And even though distracted, she flipped her phone open without even bothering to look at the caller ID.

"Hey midget," Her grip on the phone tightened upon hearing Nioh's silky baritone voice on the other line. Her heart wanted to leap out of her chest, her cheeks flaming. All those thoughts before came rushing back into her mind, making her acting like a foolish junior high school girl in-love for the first time. She regrets picking it up in the first place.

"I can tell that I really have an effect on you," Nioh concluded when she didn't manage to answer sharply as she always does.

"Don't rub it in!" her mind scream, wanting to jump out of her head, "Where did you get my number brat? And what do you want?" she finally answered, but not without with her voice cracking. Snickers and chuckles echoes on the background, which she recognize are from Kirihara and Marui, "Those idiots..."

"Oh, you're seem to be nervous? Anyways, you know where did I get your very elusive phone number," he replied, causing her to grit her teeth in disbelief. She could only rolled her eyes remembering that Yanagi is this brat's team mate. That Yanagi is always generous about his precious datas whatever the reason was.

"Are you going to tell me what do you want? Because if you won't, I'll cut this off since you're wasting my time!" Reira snapped sharply. She didn't intended to sound rude since the anger is more directed to herself than to Nioh. But knowing the con-artist, it pleases him, rather than intimidating him everytime he embarrasses Reira whether it is on private or in public.

"Hai. Okay. Chill down, I won't let my woman wear that frown tomorrow as if I'm the grim reaper and your worst nightmare," Nioh explained on the other line, his voice fascinated and teasing as well.

"What the?! I am not anyone's woman! And not certainly yours!" she hissed, wanting to throw the phone to anywhere far from her.

"Meet me at the park on tomorrow."

"And what made you think that I'll go, especially with you?"

"Of course you will. Cause if you don't, I'll get you there myself. Dress you up myself and drag you out myself."

"Do you have a death wish?"

"If getting you on a date, yes. So I'll see you tomorrow. Dress to be comfortable and to please. I don't want my woman to look shabby and uncomfortable to be around."

She is about to say something more when the line without a warning became busy. She released her breath in a slow, audible sigh and tucked her phone inside her pocket. "Its just like before, ne Miyata? Only, he is bolder compared to you..." she thought wryly, still reeling at the effect that unexpected phone call had made to her. Reira frowns, knowing that in every expectations there's a side effect waiting.

"Is it really wise to do this Nioh-senpai? You might not make it alive," Kirihara jestingly puts with a violent nod from Marui, knowing full well that Nioh is isn't exactly on Reira 's list of favorite person. But aside from that, Nioh knows that Kirihara is also jealous because he couldn't ask her out just like what the trickster did. Nioh only shugs his shoulder and taps the phone on his hand.

"That's the highlight Kirihara," he replied, confusing Kirihara, "Besides, what is life without risking?" Nioh said in finality, leaving his kohai even more confused.

"Yeah, the highlight would be your head on a silver platter," Marui distractingly countered while unwrapping a box of strawberry parfait Jackal is supposed to give to Kirihara. "Hey! That's my share!" Kirihara bellows, trying to snatch the parfait away from the red headed tensai's grasp.

beep...

beep...

While Kirihara and Marui are busy arguing, Nioh lazily flipped the phone open to see a text message flashing through the screen. He turned around so Kirihara and Marui faces his back and pressed the message button. His face broke into a grin, seeing Reira's message in an obvious angry mode.

Aren't you too chauvinistic about asking me out?! And who gave you the permission to do that?! Reira

No, I am not "chauvinistic" about asking you out. And besides, I gave myself the permission to do that. Nioh :3

He typed with an amused expression and hit the send option. And without a record of 30 seconds, a new message finally arrived, making his boyish grin broaden.

Oh poor me, very poor me since I am the "flavor" of the past three months for you. Reira

Don't worry, you are the kind of flavor that will stay for let's just say, a couple of decades or so? Nioh :3

After seeing the "Message Sent" alert, Nioh could clearly imagine the cute flush on her supple cheeks she happened to display this fast few weeks, "If that's what I think it is, then..." he cut his thoughts off and saw another message.

Don't expect too much, brat. I am not the best date there is. Reira

And that's his cue. He knows what it meant and according to Yanagi's ever accurate datas, it simply means yes. So whatever happens tomorrow, he's quite optimistic that he'll not regret it. Only, if the others won't start sneaking up on him. Especially Kirihara, Marui and worst, Yanagi. Luckily Yukimura is busy with something or else he'll join them and thoroughly make his life more miserable than he always does to those he plays tricks at.

"Kyou wa korede owarimasu, minna-san,³" Reira declared, exhaustingly wiping a towel on her face. As the rest of the team disappeared before her eyes, she remained standing, her mind flying off somewhere else. And after spacing out for enough time, she turned around only to find out that it has been quite awhile since someone is standing just beside her without her knowing.

"I thought someone like you don't space out?" It was Nioh, with that undying amused smirk on his face, "And I didn't know you look very beautiful when you're doing that." He added, slowly backing her off to the nearest wooden wall. But before Reira could know it, its already too late. Her back is now touching the wall, his arms both blocking her way out and he's just an inch away from her.

She tried making her way out without even touching him, but in her utter disappoinment, there's just simply no way out, "Would you mind letting me go? You are blocking my way brat." She spats, meeting his teasing green eyes. And in Nioh's amusement, she blushed instead.

"I'll let you go, only if..." he leaned down to her, his lips only a hairbreath away from hers, "...you allow me this kiss."

Reira just couldn't believe what she just heared, "You, asking for a kiss? I thought you like stealing them instead," she muttered surprisingly, her mind distractedly fixed on their awkward position. "We are not Romeo and Juliet, so stop acting like we are in a Shakespearean drama."

"I was just teasing midget," he tapped a finger on her nose and smiles seeing the contortion of mixed embarrassment and anger lurking around her face. "Just testing my girl if ever she would give in or not."

She raised her eyes so that she could gaze back at him straight, her stormy brown pools dark with pent up emotions, "I am nobody's girl brat, so don't you use that pronoun as if I'm yours. Nobody owns me, except for myself."

Nioh dropped his other arm, giving her a free exit from his captivity, "I know. That's why I am informing you that I'm going to make you mine." He declared amusingly, his other arm dropped as well, allowing her all the exit she needed.

"Then goodluck to that conquest of yours," Reira announced sarcastically, "Not every girl that crosses your path will yield to your way of conquering. I on the particular is one of their kind." She walked away, leaving him rather more amused than he was before.

Late at night.

"Sorry to keep you at this time of the night Genichirou," she apologetically murmured. Sanada only responds with a firm shake of his head with Reira quietly resting her head on his shoulder.

"How's the performance Nee-san?" Sanada started, feeling a bit awkward on her silence.

"It went as always. People are enjoying the night while we try our best to play every songs they request. We're lucky since our alternate band is as good as the last one. The only headache there is that we have to stay a little bit long than the usual...then the others..." she vibrantly explains as if she is not yet tired from that long performance she has been to.

While he only quietly listens while she finish her words. Amidst of her talkings, he is somewhat worried about her since she always tends to overdo herself from school, playing in the band and sports. And when there are times he tried reminding her, she will just smile at him and whisper her famous "no worries" line. Which only makes him worry more. Sensing his deep thoughts, Reira glanced up to his face.

"I am okay, if that's what you're thinking. No---"

"...worries, I know," he abruptly cut her off.

Reira smiled and snuggled his arm tight. His concerns only surfaces more obviously everytime they are sharing times like this. With that, she is happy because he cares. The it makes her happy because they finally found time to spend together. She is happy because aside from his mother and her aunt, she is the second woman in his life that owns half of his attention, let alone tennis.

"Anything to do tomorrow?" Sanada asked, again feeling conscious with her then again unusual silence. She stood up from the bench and faced him with a wry smile.

"Unfortunately, yes. Your god of tricks ask me out on a date. Honestly, I still hadn't decided on it yet...so what you do you think?" she said, feeling her ears burning with embarrassment, remembering the way he asked for a kiss this afternoon.

"What are their comments about this?"

Reira sigh, replacing her embarrassment with a nervous laugh, "My loving brothers didn't knew anything about it. You know them, they might kill him in the process instead of me of doing that."

While Sanada couldn't help but to smile at what Yanagi calls 'unexpected predicaments that all it needs is a little push', Reira, who is too absorbed with her situation, didn't realize the dawning of a smile on her cousin's handsome face. Honestly, with some persuasions, well more like of a threat from Yukimura and Yanagi, he gave Nioh a little push. It is a good idea though, since he will benefit from it. But he feels apprehensive since it is Nioh whom his cousin will go out with.

"And the reason why I asked you to come to see me play is because I want to know what do you think of me, going out with that brat. You're blessing is what I mean," she looked up to him with those puppy eyes he hates to see. He let out a sigh and gaze straight back to her since with those eyes, he knows he couldn't say no, even though he really wanted to.

"You have it, even though you don't ask for it. Since you are okay with it then everything will be just fine itoko," He gently pulled her to him and gave her an embrace.

Sometimes, those who always protects are the one who needs more protection from falling apart. Reira always gives her best to protect those she loves, leaving herself susceptible from everything. She did fall, once. And that is quite a time ago. And if Nioh cause the second falling apart, Sanada will make sure that Nioh would not live the light of another day, "I'll make sure of that," he solemnly promised to his self.

"By the way Genichirou, how is it with you and Fay-chan?" Reira mused, grinning after seeing the sudden blush on Sanada's cheeks. He didn't made any effort to answer back that's why the smile on her face broadened.

"Oh, speechless?" she teased, clutching the collar of his shirt, "You can be defensive if you want to," she continued teasing, now childishly shaking his shoulders. And when she looked up, she still can see his face glowing bright red, his eyes avoiding contact with hers. She knows that he is deeply enamored of this Fay, that's why she is encouraging Sanada to pursue the cause of his unintentional reveries this past three months, "You are so cute when you're blushing like that, Gen-chan," Reira cooed, knowing that her cousin hates that particular nickname.

"Let's...just go home," said Sanada, as he pulled her back to her car. "Let's just go home," he once again uttered when Reira seems to be having fun of teasing him relentlessly. And beneath the dark shadow casted by the rim of his cap, a smile loosely escaped his lips.

end of act 1.0

notes:

1. Imouto means little sister

2. Sumimasen ga...anou atarashii shousetsu no Shugo o yomimashita ka is literally translated as "Excuse me but...had you read that new Shugo novel?" Ka responds as the question mark in the sentence.

3. Kyou wa korede owarimasu is literally translated as "That's all for today."

author's note: the text-thing is inspired from DeVelicious' Battle Of Wills novel from the Endless Dreamers PoT Novel Site.