Chapter 4

The Kawamura sushi shop is once again filled with the Seigaku regulars and other members. They are all busy decorating the place with party stuffs and making the banner for their 'ochibi'. They removed some of the tables from the elevated wooden floor (did you get it?) to make it as a mini stage wherein a chair is placed in the middle. Fuji worked as the designer of the venue; he is also the one who suggest in making a mini stage for the planned highlight of the party, he called it 'Echizen on Hot Seat'.

Kawamura, the head chef, prepares a variety of extra special sushi. Tomoka and the freshman trio were there to help him. Believe it or not, Tezuka was also there preparing for the party, as request by Fuji with a little help from Sumire. (Try to guess what he'll do.) The party will start at 5 in the afternoon. Tonight will be interesting. Fuji ginned, his sapphire-colored eyes opened, the same when he is dangerously serious in a match. Poor Ryoma.

From the kitchen, while preparing tea, Sakuno is listening very intently to what her grandmother and Ryoma talks about. A while ago, they are discussing some conditions with regards to Sakuno living with him. She's thankful that Ryoma didn't complain about it, though he looked sleepy and bored while listening to Sumire. Now, they are talking about Ryoma's experiences abroad. How was his family doing, his defeated opponents, his trainings, etc. She came out of the kitchen with a tray of tea. She put it down the table and sat beside Sumire.

"So, what's the lazy monk doing anyway?" Sumire asked while sipping the tea Sakuno had prepared.

"Nothing good." was his reply. He leaned on the couch and crossed his arms under his head.

"As expected, how about Rinko?"

"Same as always." And he closed his eyes ready to sleep.

"Ryoma-kun, your tea will get cold," Sakuno called his attention. And he opened his eyes only to focus his gaze at her again. Her heart started to beat faster, though she managed not to blush and looked at him straightly. He closed his eyes again as if ignoring her. "Let it." He said briefly.

"Before I forgot, Ryoma, there will be a welcome party for you at Taka's sushi shop at five. Your co regulars back when you are first year are all there, even your buchou. So you should come." Sumire said while finishing her tea. She chuckled at Ryoma's expression after hearing the party with his sempais. He looked constipated.

"Yadda." The old lady almost spit the tea from her mouth. Sakuno panicky assists her grandma. Composing herself, she faced Ryoma. "You know your sempais, Ryoma. You can't say no. You don't want them to bring the party here at your house, right?" she grinned.

"I want to have a rest." A tiny hint of annoyance is already in his voice.

"So you're saying that they just waste all the efforts in preparing the party. Don't you know that they too, didn't have a rest? From the morning practice, that I demanded even it is Saturday, they rushed to different stores and work out everything needed for the party just for you. Don't be so rude, young man." Sumire explained almost teary-eyed (lol).

"I never ask for a party. It's not my fault." He defended himself.

"If that's what you want. I'll just call Fuji and Tezuka to cancel the party. Oh, there are lots of foods that Taka prepared; maybe I should call Inui to just bring some of it here, too." She said while grinning at Ryoma whose face is pale. Those three guys, no good thing happens when they are involved, especially Fuji.

"Fine. I'll go." He annoyingly blurted out before Sumire could dial their numbers with the phone in her hands. "Then it's all settled. 5:00, okay?" Sumire smiled victoriously. Ryoma just nod.

The party is starting but Ryoma is not yet there. All the regulars are present, Sumire, Sakuno, Tomoka, the freshman trio and even Shiba and Inoue are already there.

"Fuji-sempai, are you sure he'll come?" Momoshiro asked Fuji while watching his enjoying companions.

"He knows what will happen if he didn't." he said as a matter-of-factly. Momoshiro cringed.

"There'll be a 95% possibility that he'll arrive fifteen minutes late, considering that he is forced to come." Inui adjusted his glasses.

"But a hundred percent sure that he will not dare not to go at this party." Fuji grinned.

Not for so long, the door slide, everybody looked at the guy standing in front of them. The place became quiet, not until the guy uttered, "Uis." And they all jumped off from their seats and bombarded him excitedly.

"OCHIBI!!"

"ECHIZEN!!"

They all screamed. He won't admit it, but he really missed this. He can only smirk as he watch them jumping, shouting and hugging him. Childish. He thought. They didn't change that much.

"Now, now, you don't want Echizen to be suffocated, right?" Oishi said using the microphone in the mini stage, worried that Ryoma might find it hard to breathe being in the middle of a bustling group. "Now he's here, we can officially start the party!" he said enthusiastically, throwing his fist in the air.

"YAY!!!!!" They all shouted.

They spend their time eating, chatting and watching some of the members prepared number. They all enjoyed, even Ryoma, who only smirk and half-smile while others laugh. And the time came for the highlight of the night.

Fuji went up to the mini stage and held the microphone, "Now guys, we are all in the climax of our party. Can I call on Echizen on the stage?"

"Eh?" He's surprised by that. He stood up. "Nani?" he calmly asked.

"Come here on the stage please."

"Go Ochibi!" Kikumaru yelled and everybody cheered.

Following what the sadistic sempai wants, he walked to the stage. "Now what?" he asked sarcastically.

"Sit on that chair." Fuji ordered while pointing at the said chair in the middle of the stage.

Ryoma knows something will happen. But what can he do? I mean, hey, we are talking about Fuji here.

He sat on the chair, facing the audiences. Fuji then declared, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, we shall start our program entitled Echizen on Hot Seat." Everybody clapped, whistled and screamed energetically, except for Ryoma whose eyes widen after hearing the title, "What the--- Fuji-sempai! " but Fuji ignored him, instead he turned to Tezuka on the audince. "Tezuka, will you do the honor?" Ryoma's mouth agape when his very strict buchou is, oh no, an accomplice. "B-buchou?" Ryoma uttered in disbelief.

Tezuka stand beside Fuji. "We didn't see Echizen for three years nor we didn't hear any news from him. So in this program, Echizen shall answer some intriguing questions, honestly." Fuji's head turned to Ryoma and his eyes opened as if to warn the boy. "Tezuka here will be the one to ask the questions." And he hand the microphone to Tezuka. "Echizen, be honest enough to answer the question. Be calm when answering and do not let your guard down." Tezuka reminded him.

"Che." He scowled.

"The first question is do you think with your skills now, you can beat your buchou in just minutes?" Tezuka flinched in that question.

Ryoma smirk. "Of course."

Tezuka gave him a stoic look. The audience tensed up. "The next question please," Fuji suddenly said aware of what is happening.

"Still arrogant." Kaidoh mumbled.

"Next question is did a girl caught your interest when you are away?"

"No." he curtly said.

"Because you stayed longer in America, is there someone there that you liked?"

"Betsuni."

"So does that mean that the girl you like is living here in Japan?"

He froze. His sempais noticed this and they all grinned.

"We're waiting for your answer, Echizen." Fuji mockingly said.

Luvryosaku: Your wish is my command. So please review my fic. Thanks