A/N: Shorter chapter, sorry! I'm trying to work on the new TCAFS chapter.
Plus, isn't it nice to have a shorter chapter once in a while? HAHAHAHA.
This chapter is still very wordy. I promise, it'll start getting more interesting in the next!
Dedicated to coffeelatte, who wrote It's All Greek, the story that inspired this all.
~x~
If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
- Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
~x~
"Okay."
Oshitari blinked, certain he'd heard her wrong. "Come again?"
"I said, okay. We can date." Oshitari's eyes lit up slightly, so she quickly added, "On a few conditions."
He locked his fingers together under his chin. "Name your terms, my lady."
"For one, we're not going to 'go public'," Minako said sternly, narrowing her eyes. "So don't even think about doing a tacky school-wide announcement on the tennis court."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Oshitari said sunnily, while making mental note to return the megaphone he borrowed.
"And this is only going to last a month, you know," she said firmly. "Per your suggestion."
"Oh, Minako dear." He sighed, shaking his head patronizingly. "You aren't going to be able to end this after a month."
She quelled the indignation that flared up within her, like pouring water over flames. "Care to make it a wager, then?" she suggested instead, her voice a low purr.
The light on his glasses shifted ominously. "Interesting. What do you want if you win?"
Her lips curved mischievously. "If I can end this 'relationship' after a month, you have to wear one of my ballerina tutus to your next official tennis match."
"How cruel." He seemed impressed. "I would expect no less from you."
"And if you win?" she prompted, feeling just a little apprehensive. "What do you want?"
"Just an evening with you," he murmured, a faint glint in his eye. "With an activity of my choosing."
At this, she gave him a strange, wary look. "Within reason."
His eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense and smoldering and hot hot hot. "Define reason."
His stare practically knocked the air out of her lungs. (Dear god, and that was just the power of his gaze…) She recovered with a little shake of her head. "PG-13."
He sighed again. "Well that limits my options. Fine. I will honor your wishes."
"Is this wise, Oshitari?" Minako couldn't help but ask, crossing her arms, a superior smile on her lips. "You're making a wager with someone who is in complete control of the outcome."
"I suppose," he responded loftily. It was clear what his expression said. We'll see about that.
Minako smirked. She would enjoy the challenge. After all, she did not relinquish control easily.
"Shall we seal the deal?"
She extended her hand for a solemn handshake.
"What?" Oshitari said, disappointed, his face as innocent as a puppy dog's. "No kiss?"
"Palm to palm is holy palmer's kiss," Minako quoted, taking his hand. She held up Romeo and Juliet tapped him on the cheek with it, winking. "Study up, Oshitari."
~x~
Contrary to popular (and Atobe's) belief, Oshitari Yuushi was not in love with Shigohara Minako.
He'd read enough romance novels to have an idea of what true love was like, and he wanted it all; the nauseating, intoxicating, sheer desperation of being unable to breathe without the other person.
He wanted a huge, love-sick love like that, with all the pain and suffering that came with it.
And he did not feel that with Shigohara Minako. At least, not all of it.
His heart did give an odd sort of flutter when she was nearby. And despite appearances, Oshitari was a hot-blooded male just like any other high schooler; he certainly felt a twinge of something undeniably physical upon seeing her.
But no, he was not in love with her.
Rather, Oshitari was in love with the idea of being in love.
He dreamed about a fairy tale romance much like young girls did, much like his sisters did when they was younger. Now, it was more of a bitter, wistful longing, as while his sisters still had a chance to find their happy endings, Oshitari had all but given up on his own.
When it came down to his own future, he had to be a realist.
Oshitari's parents were very caring… but they also happened to be very traditionalist. As the only son in the family, he was held to vastly different standards. His older sister Haruka was a brilliant chemical engineering grad, and younger sister Erina was already making a name for herself in local fencing tournaments… but the Oshitari family eyes were always on Yuushi. He was the son. He was the heir.
And because of that, everything was different.
No, Oshitari was not held to the same standards as an Atobe (and for that he was eternally grateful.) But that didn't mean that others' expectations were anything short of sky high. It didn't mean that his life wasn't already painstakingly planned and spelled out in document form.
So when Suzuki asked him why he liked romance novels so much, Oshitari only smiled. Said some made-up nonsense about romance and the human psyche.
In truth, he liked them because they made him wonder. Made him dream about white horses and castles and happily ever afters. Because then, at least for a moment, he could pretend that he would throw it all away – the money, the lifestyle, the responsibilities… for the right girl.
~x~
Family dinners, Minako decided, were a stupid idea. Especially when her father was in attendance. Her stomach was in so many knots that she felt like she was going to projectile vomit over his Gucci suit.
She wasn't sure he'd appreciate that sort of unladylike behavior.
"The plan is to keep the Oshitaris' attention occupied," her father was saying. "And as of right now, I'm sure they haven't even noticed that you're dating their son again."
Minako pushed the julienned vegetables around her plate with her fork. "Father, I'm doing the best I can. We don't want Oshitari-kun to be suspicious, now do we?"
His tone was sharp. "You are making a pitiful effort."
"Mother," Minako pleaded, turning to her for support. Her mother was always easier to deal with than her father, though that certainly wasn't saying much. "If you could see me in school… I'm practically throwing myself at him."
That was a lie. Minako knew she hadn't been very obvious with her affections towards Oshitari; had held back on any sort of PDA that might draw attention. Instead, she opted for more subtle displays – leaning flirtatiously closer to him, chuckling at his witty remarks, purposefully grazing her hand against his.
Some rumors had begun circulating about the revival of their relationship, but of course, the majority of the gossip was still centered on Atobe and his new girlfriend, Suzuki-san.
Stupid Atobe, always stealing her thunder.
She'd been hoping to get by without involving herself too deeply with Oshitari. Hoping that her father would let her off if she merely flirted with him a little more. Because the minute she started to truly involve herself, to return his touches, reciprocate his kisses, and god forbid, do more… it would cease to be a game.
And if it was no longer a game, then someone would end up getting hurt.
"Minako," her mother said, folding her delicate hands on top of each other. "All your father is saying is that you could've made some sort of… announcement of your relationship."
"Like what?" she shot back, the words out before she could stop them. "Have Principal Musashi put it in the morning announcements? On the P.A system at school? Maybe Father could buy me a billboard advertisement?"
"I will not tolerate that tone, young lady," her father boomed, just as her mother said, "Well, it worked for young Atobe, didn't it?"
"Mother, that's because it's Atobe." That bastard could go to school in holographic clown pants and a rainbow unicorn horn on his head, and all the magazines would declare it the latest fashion trend. She shuddered. "Please. I have more grace than that."
Her father let his fork clatter on the table. A bad sign. "You realize that Atobe-kun and his girlfriend Suzuki are all the gossip columns are talking about?"
She wanted to shrug and say, "So?" obstinately, but she dared not. So she held her breath. Waited.
"Now tell me..." There it was, that venomous tone. Minako flinched again – she couldn't help it. "Tell me. What is the point of having you date young Oshitari if his family doesn't notice?"
Minako looked to the other side. "Mother," she said quietly. Begged quietly.
Her mother just gave her a dissatisfied look. "Just make something happen, Minako. Your father is unhappy."
When her father was unhappy, he made other people unhappy. That statement alone was a threat enough. Minako gripped her fork. "Fine," she finally said, her voice tight and her smile tighter. "Fine. I'll figure something out."
~x~
Oshitari Yuushi was feeling rather frustrated, to say the least.
He and Minako had supposedly been dating for a week, and yet not much had happened. Granted, he'd been occupied with Keigo's dramatics regarding Suzuki-san, but even so… he hadn't even gotten to kiss Minako since they started dating.
And he wanted very much to kiss her again.
The problem was, every time such an opportunity presented itself, Minako would wave it away with about as much warmth as an ice sculpture.
It was just like her to do so, he thought with an exasperated sigh.
To the masses, Minako was the perfect example of an ice queen, the sort that was representative of Hyotei. Oshitari could appreciate that, because their upper-class world was cold, frigidly so, and one had to be equally icy to survive.
(It was a miracle that sweet, warm Suzuki Nanao turned out the way she did.)
But he'd seen a different side of Minako. She was not all ice, no. He'd seen her reign in her fiery emotions and sharp tongue on more than one occasion; hide them under her frozen façade.
She'd tasted of fire. And more than anything, he had the urge to douse her in oil and set her aflame.
Figuratively, of course.
(And quite possibly literally, if she kept frustrating him like this.)
"You know," Oshitari mentioned idly as they were finishing tennis practice. "I'm not sure how our relationship now is any different from what it was before."
Minako adjusted the tension on her racket strings. "I am tolerating your existence now. Don't push your luck."
"You tolerated me very well before," he drawled, putting his face extremely close to hers.
She coolly pushed him back with the frame her racket.
"Minako, I don't understand you." His voice still had that teasing lilt, but his eyes had taken on a hard light.
She stilled, and decided to feign innocence. "What ever do you mean?"
His voice was layers of blades and daggers. "This… this hot and cold game you have going on. It's getting rather old."
Oshitari saw something flicker across her face, but it was gone in an instant. She was always good at suppressing in her emotions, he thought to himself. She could compose her face like a Kabuki mask, and Oshitari wanted very much to strip her of it and let it shatter. He took a step forward, smirking. "We are dating, aren't we."
"Yes," she said noncommittally. "Yes, I suppose we are."
"Perhaps we ought to act more like it."
She tilted her head. Smiled darkly. Drew herself close to him in a smooth motion, and murmured, "Well. What did you have in mind?" Before he could answer, she said, "Something like this?" and pressed her lips to his jawline in a light kiss with the wickedest touch of tongue.
But when he leaned in for her lips, she drew back.
Annoyance flashed through his eyes. "Minako."
She smiled, bright like a dagger. "Yuushi."
~x~
"I don't like her," Shishido declared.
"Me neither."
"Atobe hates her."
"I-I like her."
"Choutarou, you can't be a good judge of character. You like everyone."
"Who are we talking about?"
"Shigohara."
"Oh." Mukahi made a face. "Ugh. That girl. I hate her."
"Mukahi, you're just angry that Oshitari can get a hotter girlfriend than you."
"Nah," Taki disagreed, while Mukahi was sputtering insults at Shishido. "He's just angry that Oshitari can find someone prettier than he is to hang out with."
"I'm not- She's not prettier- Shut up!"
~x~
As much at Mukahi would attempt to deny it, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Shigohara Minako was very attractive.
Obviously, one would expect her to be, considering who her mother was. Like her mother, Minako had long, slender legs, a willowy physique, and deep brown hair that flowed like silk woven with threads of gold. Her face put Roman sculptures to shame; Michelangelo would've spent hours on crafting the classic length of her nose, sharpening the edge of her high cheekbones, polishing the curve of her smile, smoothing out the moonstone-like perfection of her skin. Her muscles were impeccably toned from tennis practice, her waist nicely cinched from ballet.
Yes, Minako was attractive. But so was the majority of the Hyotei student body. (People often speculated that Hyotei weeded out 'unsuitable' students based on the pictures they sent with their application.) Among the well-above-average-looking student population, Minako was still considered pretty, but perhaps not quite as much of a standout. There were plenty of pretty girls at Hyotei.
Which led to the following conversation, when they were watching the girl's team play against Seigaku in the prefectural finals. Women's tennis attracted its fair share of crowds, though perhaps for the wrong reasons.
"I think Matoko has nicer legs that Shigohara," Taki murmured, eyes glazed. "What I would've give to have those wrapped around me…"
"Hey," Shishido warned, eyes flashing. "Don't talk about her like that." Vice-captain Matoko Rie was a childhood friend of Shishido's, one that he was overly protective about.
"Jesus, Ryou," Mukahi said irritably. "If you aren't going to date her, at least give the rest of us a crack at her."
"Narita-senpai is prettier," Hiyoshi said stubbornly.
Atobe scoffed, "Hiyoshi, your preferences are solely based on what's below the neckline." Narita Ayumi, another regular on the girl's team, was the definition of curvaceous. She was built like a bud vase with two oranges balanced on top.
"…Gekokujou."
"How is that even relevant!" Mukahi snapped.
"He just says that when he can't think of anything to say."
"Gekokujou," Hiyoshi muttered again, most likely out of spite.
"Maybe… maybe we should watch the game?" Choutarou suggested worriedly.
"An excellent suggestion." Atobe regally sat down and snapped a finger. "Kabaji. Some shade, if you wouldn't mind."
"Usu." Kabaji pulled out a pink, lacey parasol for him. What was even more ridiculous was that Atobe could actually pull it off.
"Game, Hyotei! Six games all! Tiebreak!"
All of them turned their attention back to the game, which had just gotten interesting. And when Shigohara finally let loose and played, they all felt their jaws drop.
Because when she played, she was stunningly, brilliantly, undeniably beautiful.
Her eyes were alight with the glorious, glorious thrill of the game. Just watching her, they could feel it… the blade-like slice of the racket, the curved shot of the ball, the rush of adrenaline. A soft smile on her lips – one that they could tell was genuine because they knew what it was like - how you loved the sport like it was a lifeline, how a good game could make your blood race and your heart pound so much that you couldn't help but smile.
This was Shigohara Minako, in her element.
On the courts, she was unstoppable. She was magnificent.
It was reminiscent of the way Atobe played, they all thought, though he probably would reel in horror at the association. There was no other way to explain it - she made tennis beautiful.
So, when the match concluded with Shigohara Minako as the victor, Mukahi finally voiced what all of them were thinking:
"Damn that Yuushi. He's one lucky son of a bitch."
~x~
"Congratulations to the Hyotei girls' tennis club for being the champions of the prefectural tournament!"
Minako shook hands with the short, pigtailed girl from Seigaku before going up to accept her trophy. Her eyes suddenly caught onto Oshitari, amidst the camera flashes and cheering crowds. He was looking at her contemplatively, and faint smirk on his lips. Even when she broke his gaze to smile for a reporter's camera, she could still feel the weight, the burn of his stare on her.
Disregarding the remaining journalists, she moved through the crowds towards the stands, beckoning him forward with a finger. He stepped to the edge of the elevated stands, looking amused.
As soon as he leaned forward enough across the banister, she stood on her tiptoes and sealed her lips over his.
She could hear the crowds gasp. Hear the clicks of hundreds of cameras.
Well, she thought, might as well go for a dramatic finish. Without breaking the kiss, she let the trophy fall to the ground unceremoniously. Reached up to cup his face with one hand, to clutch the front of his shirt heatedly with the other.
Stunned whispers started to fill the courts. The cameras kept clicking.
After what felt like an eternity (and a thousand camera clicks later), she broke apart from him. Responded to his questioning gaze and the dumbfounded crowds with a self-satisfied smirk. Then she fixed a mechanically-perfect, flawlessly-photogenic smile on her face. "And that's how you make an announcement."
~x~
End Chapter Two
A/N: Yes yes, there are inconsistencies in terms of TCAFS. I just want this fic to be a standalone one, so bear with me.
In the next chapter, I will tackle how Oshitari's family views Minako. And also, the party scene in IAG's chapter 10.
I'm still hoping to end this story in the first 10 chapters. We shall see if that happens. Review review reviewwwwww!
