A/N: I have completely revised this story. I was bored, and it needed doing...I've changed some mistakes and taken some small things out of the story. And I have also added an extra chapter; which I had accidentally - not entirely sure how - missed out beforehand...which was troublesome...and I wanted to add it in...therefore you might want to read the story again; although you won't be missing overly much if you don't. Although I do like the story much better the way it is now...Thankies muchly to anyone who has reviewed in the past! :D WOopWoop! I love you all...and I hope you enjoy the new version of the story...
Song for this chapter: The Logical Song - Supertramp
Chapter 4: New beguinnings
'I know it's a bit late in the term,' their teacher continued, 'However, today we have a new transfer student! I want you all to be very welcoming to her of course, and I hope you'll help her find all her classes. Now I'm sure she'd like to introduce herself.' The teacher then turned to the door and beckoned someone inside.
For the first time in his life, Tezuka Kunimitsu almost had a heart attack. Because from the hallway emerged a girl he thought he might never see again. Certainly not in a Seigaku uniform. A lot of people in the class stared rather pointedly at the girl who had just entered, the boys in particular, Tezuka noted. The girl wore her hair down to her waist, but her fringe hung just above her eyes, which were bright green. She was almost too skinny, but you could see she was muscular, in a sort of feminine way. As she walked in, she smiled, and it was a smile which reminded Tezuka a little too much of a certain tensai he knew.
'Konichiwa', she said, bowing to the class, 'I am Echizen Ayame, please look after me!'
Ayame straightened up and beamed at the class in front of her. Several of whom had their hands up.
'Would you like to answer some questions about yourself?' Takai Sensei asked kindly, gesturing to the people with their hands held up.
'Ah, hai!' Came Ayame's enthusiastic reply, 'I wasn't too sure of what to say anyhow…' She pointed to the nearest boy with his hand up.
Kin cleared his throat before asking his question, 'You said your name was Echizen Ayame, are you related to Ryoma san?'
Ayame laughed, 'Hai hai! We're cousins; I'm living with him right now actually', She grinned, baring her teeth, and blushed a little.
'Does that mean you play tennis? Nya!'
'Kikamaru san! Don't speak out of place!' Their teacher scolded from her desk. Ayame just giggled, and answered with an affirmative. The next question came from someone Tezuka recognised as one of Ryoma's fans. Or Ryoma's 'disciples' as the regulars had started to call them, much to the freshman's distaste.
'Are you anywhere near as good as Ryoma sama?' Was her question.
'Better', Ayame replied, with a grin and a wink.
'Hmph', said the fan, 'And what would he say about that? I wonder…'
Tezuka was probably the only one who noticed how the corners of Ayame's lips twitched up at that point. He watched, holding back a laugh as she proceeded to tip her imaginary hat and say 'Mada mada dane' to the girl. Several members of the class burst into laughter; including Eiji and Fuji, who were seated just a few places from Tezuka, while the girls looked somewhat shocked, and sent disapproving looks at Ayame.
'Ahh', came their sensei's voice from the corner, 'I think that's enough excitement for one day, hmm? Ahh Echizen san, there are several seats free, please take your pick.
'Maa, I think I'd like the one by the window please…I've been meaning to work on my tan…' More laughs echoed around the room, before the teacher made gestures to tell them to quieten down. Everyone then pulled their eyes away from their new classmate to look at the board. Tezuka watched discreetly out of the corner of his eye, as Ayame took her place next to him and pulled out her stuff, before turning his attention to the board as well.
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When the bell rang to tell the students of Seigaku that it was break, Tezuka quickly packed up his belongings, and pushed them carefully into his school bag. Usually at this time he would rapidly think up an excuse to get away from the group of girls who almost always approached him, and make his way to somewhere quieter, usually the school library. Today however, he slid round in his chair to face the girl who now sat beside him.
Ayame's hair was hanging down the sides of her face, as she tilted her head down to read her work, and her brows were furrowed in concentration as she remembered the last few points of the lesson, and hurried to jot them down before she forgot. A few moments after Tezuka had turned to her, she raised her head and smiled at him through her red bangs. Then, quickly, she packed her things away and turned to her friend.
'So,' Said Tezuka, 'What brings you here to Japan?'
'Ma,' She replied softly, 'I thought I'd come and welcome you back after your long trip away to Germany.'
'Bit late for that isn't it?' Tezuka deadpanned.
'I seem to recall you telling me that 'it's never too late' hmm?' The corners of Tezuka's lips twitched up into a small smile, Ayame just grinned at him.
'Ma, Tezuka, aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?' Came the voice of Fuji Shusuke, who had appeared at Tezuka's shoulder. 'Don't keep her all to yourself, ne Buchou.'
Tezuka shot the tensai a warning glare.
'Nya! Fujiko! I want to be introduced too nya!' Eiji joined in, soon to be followed by Shuichiro Oishi, 'Hey Eiji, maybe we shouldn't crowed them eh?'
'But Oishi!' Whined the hyperactive acrobat. Ayame giggled at the two of them, she recognised them as the Golden Pair from what Kunimitsu had told her.
'Pleased to meet you', she said, smiling at them once they stopped bickering. 'I am Echizen Ayame.'
'Ma, I am Fuji Shusuke, Echizen san.'
'Ayame is fine', the girl told him, still smiling, 'And you two are?' Ayame already knew of course, but it was more polite to ask of course.
'Kikamaru Eiji! You can call me Eiji though Ayame chan!'
'Hai hai, of course, Eiji kun'
'Ahh, and this is Oishi! He is my doubles partner, nya Oishi!' Kikamaru had latched onto Oishi's arm and was jumping up and down by this point. Oishi grimaced at Kikamaru, before turning to shake Ayame's hand. 'Nice to meet you, Ayame chan.'
Tezuka stood up suddenly, making them all jump. 'How about a tour of the school then, Ayame, I wouldn't want you to get lost on your first day.'
'Hai hai, lead the way then', The girl replied, jumping up, before smirking and adding 'Buchou' as an afterthought.
Fuji didn't think he'd ever seen Tezuka look so annoyed.
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Ayame had already had a tour of the school, before the day had begun, as all new students did, the headmistress herself had shown her around. The student body president was indisposed, allegedly. But Ayame supposed it was more fun to walk in to Kunimitsu's class and see the shocked look on his face, rather than to meet him before school started. Now she trailed through the corridors behind him, smiling, and watching his back as he walked. She knew that he wasn't going to take her on a tour of the school, but obediently followed as he lead her up to the roof.
'Such a beautiful day', Ayame thought to herself as she stepped out into the sun behind her friend. She walked across to the side of roof with him, before he turned around to face her, and opened his mouth to speak.
She shoved him to the side, grinning, and said 'Ne Tezuka, stop blocking the sun, I was serious when I said I was working on a tan here!'
'Hn,' came his ever nonchalant reply. 'So what really brings you here to Seigaku then?'
Ayame turned her back on him, and leaned on the railings, looking out towards the tennis courts. 'Information like that comes at a price Kunimitsu chan', she replied fondly, 'Information like that costs, hmm, maybe lunch?'
'Will you always sidestep serious questions?' Tezuka said softly, 'You're too stubborn.'
'I was serious about lunch, Mistu chan,' Ayame teased, 'I will tell you then, on Sunday okay? It's a long story.'
'Hai,' Her friend replied, 'I understand.'
A bell rang out from the school below them, signalling that it was time for them to get to their lessons. Ayame turned around to leave, expecting Tezuka to follow her. 'He's never late after all' she told herself.
'I'm sorry, Aya, I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye, but I knew how much you hated them, and it would have been…hard for me.'
Ayame stood still, she was surprised by his words, 'Baka, Kunimitsu', she thought to herself. 'Don't be a fool,' she said aloud, 'It doesn't matter anymore'.
'Hai', Tezuka replied, following her back to class.
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