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***Outdoor Field, Gekkoukan High School***
"So, it was all over huh…the Self-Defence Show…" Minako asked, she was guilty about his absence.
"The team should do fine without me, just some basic techniques. Since the Training Room was locked, they must be at the Club's booth now...let's check it out later…" Akihiko patted her head, reassuring her it wasn't her fault.
The couple made their ways to the main lobby, headed out to the school entrance way.
"This… is impressive, quite different than previous years..." Akihiko amazed with excitement, turning his gaze to the outdoor field near school entrance way. The school was indeed filled with people, there were queues everywhere.
"Student Council sure did a good job this year…look at the crowd." Akihiko gaped in amazement at the continuous inflow of visitors, standing at the stairway outside main lobby.
"Really…? Thank you…" Minako was pleased with his appraisal, feeling a glow of pride at her own achievements.
"Oh…you are member of the Student Council too…huh…? I totally forgot…It was your idea, wasn't it?" Akihiko questioned, somehow he knew it was her effort to make this year's Cultural Festival a success.
"What do you think…? You like it…? This year we invited outsiders to participate, much more interesting I guess. It's the last Cultural Festival for you and Mitsuru-senpei, I just want everyone to have a memorable school life…" Her lips were parted in a half smile, knowing the day would be near, the day they split apart.
"I'll be with you always, nothing will change, I promise. Just like your prayer, our future is ahead of us, you won't be able to get rid of me so easily…" Akihiko chuckled assurance of their future - together. He could feel her worries and uncertainties within, it's not something could easily pledged with words alone.
"I'm sure your prayer was heard, and reached somewhere…look at the weather…it's already a blessing itself." He continued with a plastic smile on his face. Akihiko, too, felt the uneasiness, but the only he could do was simply supports for his girlfriend and the team's leader. He would protect her no matter what, she's everything and only thing he cared for, she's the strength that kept him moving forward, dreaming of a future with her, her alone.
Minako just nodded. "So…where do you want to go first…? Boxing club's booth?" She asked while glancing across the field. She was avoiding the topic, she didn't know what lay before them, it was the first time she felt so helpless. She could only pretend to be fine…
"LOOK! It's Akihiko Sanada…the Boxing Champion…"
"He's so HANDSOME…Totally chariming"
"He looks so much better than the pictures in magazine…!"
…
…
The sudden howls at the school gate brought the couple's attention. There were a group of girls from other schools running towards the couple's direction, Akihiko's direction precisely. Minako stepped backwards unintentionally, giving ways for his fans girls like she always did. Akihiko held her hand and dashed into the crowd, before the girls was about to run up the stairs.
Minako was still catching her breath, not from the running, but the instant stun of his admirers.
"…You…don't…have to walk away…It makes me feel…rejected…It's distressing when you do so…" Akihiko looked somewhat depressed.
"I...I don't mean to…I am sorry…" Minako apologized, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. She couldn't explain why, it was like an auto-defend mode she put on without realizing it. Her body just moved what her instinct, it could be the sudden fear or the force of Akihiko's fans that overwhelmed her. Akihiko may not understand, but his fans could be quite scary in times without a doubt.
"Please…stay by my side always…" He looked right into her eyes.
Minako nodded and returned a big smile, still feeling apologetic for her unawareness. "So…boxing club participates too huh…? Where is the booth…?"
"Hidetoshi-san was persistent…it was hard to say NO…" Akikiho heaved a long sigh.
"Once Hidetoshi-senpei sets his heart on pursuing something, he would totally be in the zone, declination would not be an option…" Minako tittered.
"Don't you need to help your team then? They must be busy…aren't you the captain?" She teased him, waiting to see him bashful face. He was someone who tried to stay out of social life concentrating on trainings and studies, she was glad that he opened up to her. She could notice a subtle change in him towards her.
"...I…Ummm…nevermind…let's check them out now…" His eyes shied away from hers.
"Let's go…then…" She grasped his arms and headed towards the designated section for Clubs' booths.
Minako was surprised to see that almost all the School's Clubs had participated in the Cultural Festival, she was totally amazed with Hidetoshi-senpei's efforts and determination in doing everything right.
"Minako-chan…you were much more adorable in the Maid Outfit…" Someone pat Minako on her back. As Minako turned around, she found Yuko (the sports team's manager) giggling your presence with Akihiko.
Yuko dragged her aside, and whispered "Isn't that the famous Akihiko-senpei? The Boxing Captain? No wonder you kept it a secret when I asked you in Yasoinaba. It's just totally not fair…"
Minako realized Akihiko wasn't comfortable standing there, as Yuko was like scanning him upside down. "Let me introduce him to you…" Minako chuckled.
"Well…this is Yuko, she always comes to help us in Tennis Club…" Minako introduced.
"Akihiko Sanada…thanks…for helping Minako always." He muttered a greeting, scratching his head. The awkward response of Akihiko made Minako giggle, but Minako was grateful that he tried to interact with her friend.
"Oh…not at all…Nice to meet you, Sanada-senpei…I have heard so much about you, you are so popular in my class too…" Yuko was very excited about meeting Akihiko.
"…" Akihiko gave a vague smile.
"…I promised to help Rio with her stall, I should better hurry…" Yuko bowed goodbye, blaming herself for upsetting Akihiko.
"Aki…mind if I drop by to the Tennis Club's first…?" Minako pulled his sleeve asking for approval.
Akihiko gave no answer, but a nod.
Minako chased behind Yuko, while Akihiko just followed closely after her, giving her room for Yuko.
***Tennis Booth, Outdoor Field***
Everyone was in their tennis club's apparels - sleeveless tops and skirts. It wasn't hard to recognise them from the crowd with such uniformity.
"How's business…?" Minako and Yuko spoke together.
Minako remarked the tense atmosphere as soon as they stood in front of the booth. The girls in the club totally ignored Minako and Yuko, gazing admiringly at the person behind them. The girls pushed Minako and Yuko aside, opening a path in between them.
"Welcome…Sanada-senpei…" The girls in the club screeched.
"…..." Akihiko paused for a second before reacting, "…Uhh….I'm with Minako…" he answered as he moved to Minako's side.
Minako made a brief introduction of Akihiko and the club members, knowing the fact that Akihiko would never remember all the faces and names of the members.
"Rio, you need a hand or anything…?" Minako looked at the Club's captain, before the other girls in the club raised another question.
"…Nah…it's fine…you must be exhausted from your class's morning activity. I have got enough helps here…already." Rio approved of Minako's excuse, signalling her to leave with an unobvious wave.
"Alright then...but do call me if you need a hand…ok?" Minako grinned her appreciation of Rio's action.
"That's so CUTE…how can I win that…?" Minako pointed at the silvery grey rabbit doll, pulling Rio's hand with her free hand.
"Members of the club are not allowed to play, just to be fair…" Rio chuckled over Minako's disappointed face.
"I really like it…it would be a good match for my bunny-chan…" Minako stood there pouting at Rio.
"…Uh…would you like me to give it a try…Minako…?" Akihiko looked somewhat confident, he removed his gloves and slightly stuck them into his side pocket.
"It's easy, just hit the one you like with a tennis ball. All gifts are tied with a piece of iron bar though, make sure you hit it with full strength. You win the gift, as it falls from the shelf." Rio explained to Akihiko, she then passed him a tennis-racket with 3 tennis balls.
As Akihiko put down 2 tennis balls at the side, he looked at the racket at his hand. He then flipped the racket over in his hand, trying to get a comfortable hold of it. "Tennis huh…? It shouldn't be so hard…I guess…" He turned around and smirked at Minako. He slowly stepped backward, allowing more space and distance for himself.
He stood sideway, positioning his front foot angled diagonally, and placing his back foot behind angled parallel with the booth. He then gave the tennis ball a squeeze, bounced it on the ground before throwing it up high.
BANG~~~
The grey rabbit doll dropped as the tennis ball flew towards its head, hitting the centre spot of its face.
"You ever played tennis, Aki…?" Minako was still shocked at his perfect standing pose, so were the other tennis club's members.
"Nah…it's my first time actually…I have learned some tennis basics on TV though…" He rubbed his nose.
"WOO~~ Sanada-senpei...You are so COOL…"
"I like the teddy bear so much…can u get it for me please, Sanada-senpei"
"Me too, me too…Sanada-senpei…PLEASE…"
…
…
The crowd suddenly squeaked out with excitement. A crowd, mainly female students, gathered around Akihiko, he pushed his way through ignoring the girls.
"Here…it would be a perfect much for bunny-chan I gave you…right? Please do take good care of it…" He collected the doll from Rio, handed it to Minako with a bright smile on his face.
"Yes…of course…Thanks…so…this is bunny-san then…" Minako cuddled her new doll, beamed with delight.
The crowd looked at Minako with jealousy and hatred, she had this feeling of being skinned alive, making her distressingly uncomfortable. She turned her attention to the doll, acting like her usual composure as if nothing were on her mind.
"Uh…you still have 2 shots left, Sanada-senpei" Rio held the racket on one hand, and the tennis balls on another.
"It's ok…she's got what she wanted…" Akihiko answered, looking at Minako who caressed her new doll lovingly. "Shall we…?" He asked his girlfriend, gazing at stalls ahead. She then responded with a light nod, waved goodbye to her friends before disappearing into the crowd.
"So…Do you usually wear the tennis apparels too…during practice…I mean…" Akihiko blushed slightly, keeping his head down.
"Yes…it's like our uniform…Rio is quite strict, she would totally not allow us to play if we don't dress properly…" She felt that Akihiko wanted to say something else.
"Oh…right…" He was glaring at Minako for some reason.
"What is it…? Something wrong…?" She looked at him in confusion.
"It's just…umm…it's ok…don't worry about it…" He seemed somewhat nervous and embarrassed.
"Just tell me what you want to say…" Minako suddenly stopped in front of him, looking up at him.
"Umm…it's nothing…it's just that…your club's apparel…the skirt is quite short…" He fluttered wearing a bright red blush. "I know…I know…it's the club's uniform…but I can't act ignorant of what just happened in your class…forget what I just said…" He blushed to admit his anxiety.
Even though he could be very possessive sometimes, she learned to realize Akihiko's seriousness for their relationship and was glad to know that all his attention centred on her.
"How about keeping me close to you all the time…?" She smirked putting her tongue out, then turned her face back to the crowd.
Akihiko was actually in deep thought, even though it was a mere joke. Trying to figure out which may be the best possible way to keep Minako close to him, or at least protect her from those annoying admirers. After evaluating all possible alternatives, he drew a deep breath and mumbled to himself, "It's never going to work…"
Knowing the fact that Minako was all over the places in school, attaining Student Council, Tennis Club, Library Committee, Cooking Club and even Home Economics Club, Akihiko, himself, was also busy with his intensive training schedule. Watching her all the time was never an option.
He then remembered the day on the rooftop… he was resolved to work to protect what's precious to him – Minako. "Nothing can be achieved without power…I'll break through anything that's ahead of us…no matter what…" He walked towards the girl he felt in love with, his eyes were filled with confidence and determination at the time.