Notes: Hello, I'm back! Kind of~ :) I know I haven't been updating this for years but recently, I started watching animes again, and under pressure of my assignments, I decided to procrastinate and wrote this instead. I guess it might still have some grammatical errors but I hope it's better from the previous chapters. I'll be working on the next chapter as well as revising and editing the earlier chapters once my summer holiday started (I'm doing the Australian program, so yeah~ XD). Enjoy~ :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Chapter 4

"Game set. Won by Echizen, 7-5," the umpire announced after the ball Ryoma returned entered Hiyoshi's side of the court.

Ryoma tilted his white cap downwards, "Mada mada dane."

"Brat," Hiyoshi muttered. After they shook hands, both went out of the court. While the other members congratulated Ryoma on Seigaku's side, Hyoutei's members just left Hiyoshi to brood.

"So this calls for a celebration," Rika said with a big smile.

"The usual celebration at Kawamura sushi," Taka exclaimed. "My dad just closed the shop for us."

"Yay, sushi!" Eiji cried happily. However the hyper third year stopped jumping around when his doubles partner gave him a chastising look.

After being debriefed, and the players shook hands with one another, they prepared to go home. Rika was walking hand-in-hand with an annoyed looking Ryoma and the other regulars minus Tezuka and Coach Ryuuzaki when she saw Atobe sitting at the café, looking at her.

"Hey," Rika said as she stopped walking, causing the others to do the same. "Why don't you guys go ahead and I'll meet you at Taka-san's sushi place?"

"Are you sure you'll be able to find your way, Rika-san?" Oishi asked. "Since you haven't been here long, you might get lost."

"And based on the data I've gathered, there's 80% chance that Echizen-san would get lost due to the fact that she has no sense of direction," Inui added in.

"Thank you so much, Inui-san for stating that," she replied through gritted teeth. "But I'm not THAT bad with directions. It's just that the kanji confuses me. Besides, I don't think there'll be much trouble. I'll ask Keigo to show me the way." After Rika mentioned Atobe's name, then the Seigaku regulars noticed Atobe at the café, still looking at the older Echizen.

"Are you sure it's safe to go with him?" asked Momo, and a few minutes later, after he realized what Rika said, he looked at Rika with wide eyes, "Rika-senpai, since when are you on first name basis with the monkey king?!"

Rika mocked looking offended, "That's none of your business and Keigo is not a monkey king." She laughed at the look of horror on Momo's face. "Anyways, Keigo will see to it that I get to my destination safely." She kissed Ryoma's cheek, causing the younger boy to choke on his Ponta. Rika laughed, and waved at the Seigaku regulars, "I'll see you later."

After gulping down the last drop of his Ponta, Ryoma said, "Nee-san's business is her own so what she chose to do is her choice." He then went and walked ahead of them.

The remaining six regulars just stared at Ryoma, dumbfounded. "Did ochibi just become wise?" Eiji asked.

Oishi shook his head. "Ryoma's right. No matter how curious we are, it is none of our business. Fuji?" he called when he saw the Seigaku tensai looking seriously at Rika, who had just taken a seat next to Atobe with two drinks in her hand. "Fuji?" Oishi said again, and this time, Fuji turned to Oishi.

"Yeah, you're right," he said. "Let's go, we shouldn't let Taka-san's father wait."

"Uh, y-yes," Taka added in. "I guess we better get going."

"Why are you waiting for me here?" Rika asked as she took her seat next to Atobe.

"What makes you think ore-same is waiting for you?" he replied haughtily.

"So what? You were just being creepy and stalker-ish by staring at me from here?" Rika gave him a look.

"Okay, fine, ore-sama WAS waiting for you," Atobe finally admitted.

"See, it's not that hard to admit, is it?" Rika smirked.

"God, you're an annoying brat," Atobe said. "Come to think of it, it must be a family trait since the younger Echizen is equally bratty," he added as an after thought.

"Hey, I resent that," Rika pouted, and then they laughed. "Here," she said, handing Atobe the other can of mocha latte.

"Only you would give ore-sama cheap drinks like this."

"Don't be picky," Rika chastised.

"Fine, fine," Atobe surrendered.

"So, where are your teammates?" asked Rika.

"Ore-sama dismissed them for today," answered Atobe. "How about you? I bet the Seigaku regulars are curious about us."

"A little curiosity doesn't hurt anyone," Rika said, smiling.

"And so you say," Atobe muttered.

Rika playfully smacked Atobe's hand and the other teen gave her an annoyed look. "So, what do you want to talk about? Make it fast, because I have an after party to attend."

"Fine, let's us walk to my limo while we talk."

"Always so down to earth, Keigo," Rika rolled her eyes.

"Ore-sama never said ore-sama is one."

"Anyways, get on with it, what did you want to talk about?" Rika asked as they began walking towards the entrance of the park.

"Why are you here, Rika? Why are you not in England? Why are you here as Seigaku tennis club manager instead of joining the figure skating club?"

"Always so straightforward, Keigo," Rika muttered, "and so many questions too."

"You should have expected this."

"Well, it's rather a long story."

"I have time."

"But I don't!"

Atobe saw that Rika was reluctant to answer, so he said, "How about this? Why don't we have dinner tomorrow and you'll tell me everything then." He quickly added, "For old time's sake."

"Fine," she sighed. "So, is that all?"

"Does ore-same need a reason to spend time with his best friend?"

"You rarely ring me, or write to me when you moved to Japan, Keigo," Rika stated. "And you didn't even remember me at first."

Ouch. "So what? We're no longer friends?"

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Of course we're still friends, best friends even," Rika smiled. "Anyways, it's getting late. Would you tell me how to get to Kawamura Sushi shop?"

"You? Trying to go somewhere with only directions alone?" Atobe asked, as if that's the most ridiculous thing he heard. "Come with me, and I'll take you there."

"Dropping the "ore-sama" act, Keigo?" Rika teased.

"Fine, ore-sama will just give you the directions and you can spend the rest of the evening getting lost!"

Rika giggled. "Oh, don't be upset, Keigo. I was just joking." Looking at the not-amused look on Keigo's face, she giggled, "Oh, Keigo, lighten up. You're just like Tezuka-buchou sometimes." At Keigo's horrified look, Rika laughed, "I was just kidding. So, are you still going to show me the way?"

"Of course ore-sama will. Ore-sama will never back out of ore-sama's words."

"You've grown into a funny teenager, Keigo," Rika teased.

"Hey!"

At Kawamura Sushi shop, the Seigaku's are celebrating their victory. For once, Fuji wasn't acting like himself, he was there but his mind was some place else.

"Echizen, don't you think Fuji-senpai is acting weirdly?" Momo whispered to his best friend. Ryoma just shrugged and took a bite of his ebi sushi.

"Fujiko nyaa~" Eiji exclaimed, trying to get his best friend's attention. "Are you listening to me?" He waved his hand in front of Fuji. When the other guy still ignored him, he whined, "Fujiiiii~!"

The brunette blinked and saw his best friend. "Yes?"

"You were ignoring me, nyaa~"

"I'm sorry," Fuji replied, putting on his usual smile. "Is there something you need?"

"No," Eiji replied. "I'm just wondering what's taking Rika-chan so long." And before Fuji could warn him, the red-haired regular popped one of Fuji's small sushi into his mouth. A few seconds later, his eyes watered as the wasabi got to his head. "Fujiko, why didn't you warn me earlier?" Fuji smiled, trying to calm his best friend. At that moment, Rika entered silently and took a seat next to Tezuka, who is sitting at the counter with Ryuuzaki-sensei.

"Ah, Rika-san, you made it," Taka smiled. He then introduced the older Echizen as their new team manager to his father.

"Echizen-san, thank you for looking after my boy," Taka's father said, giving Rika a slight bow.

Rika blushed. "N-No, thank you for having us here, Kawamura-san," she bowed slightly.

"Now that you're here, Rika, you definitely have to try your favorite unagi nigiri. The one that Kawamura-san made is definitely to die for," Ryuuzaki-sensei exclaimed.

"Ah, sensei, your compliment is too much," Taka's dad laughed, blushing slightly.

"Then I'll have one set of unagi nigiri," said Rika. "It's been awhile since I ate a decent sushi."

"Well, you won't be sorry for trying our sushi, Rika-san," Taka told her, before he went to serve Ryoma another set of spider maki.

Rika smiled widely before turning to Tezuka. "You're awefully quiet, buchou. Why aren't you in celebration mood like the rest of us?"

"It's just my nature, Echizen-san," Tezuka answered, his face stoic as ever. People who heard Rika's question and Tezuka's answer snickered quietly or tried to hold in their laughter.

"Buchou, don't you ever loosen up?" Tezuka just answered with a stern look. "Okay, shutting up now," Rika, muttered. Thankfully Kawamura-san saved the day by serving Rika her unagi nigiri. On Tezuka's right however, Ryuuzaki-sensei was trying to hold in her snickers. When a snort escaped, she disguised it as a cough. But Rika, who heard, knew better. From her seat, she sent Ryuuzaki-sensei a glare.

"…Don't you think so, Fujiko?" Eiji asked his best friend. When Fuji didn't answer, he called out louder, "Fujiiiii~!" This time, Fuji heard. He stopped looking at Rika's direction and turned to Eiji's.

"Yes?"

"Weren't you listening to what I was saying?"

Fuji gave Eiji an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, my mind was elsewhere. Care to repeat what you've said?"

Eiji gave his best friend a strange look. "You really are acting strangely today, Fujiko."

Fuji gave his best friend his signature smile. "Sorry, sorry, I'll listen carefully this time." Thank god Eiji didn't notice where I was looking.

"As I was saying, why don't we show Rika-chan around town tomorrow. Since it's Sunday, and she's new here."

"Well, you'll need to ask her if she's free."

"You're right!" And without wasting any time, Eiji went to the seat next to Rika.

After Eiji left, Oishi took the seat Eiji vacated. "What's Eiji planning?"

"Hmmm~ he wanted us to show Rika-san around town together."

"Ah~," Oishi replied. Then, he asked, "Fuji, is there something bothering you?"

"Not at all."

"But you're-…"

"Hey, Oishi, don't you think our new manager is a mystery?" Fuji cut in. "It's interesting."

"Fuji, you're not planning anything now, are you?" Oishi asked suspiciously.

"Nope, nothing at all."

"If you say so." But somehow, Oishi wasn't convinced. In fact, knowing the tensai, he knew trouble was brewing, and THAT is what bothered him.

Two hours later, the regulars decided that it was time to return home. Ryuuzaki-sensei had left earlier due to some things that needed to be dealt with. Before they went their separate ways, Eiji had reminded them about their tomorrow to show Rika around the area. He had asked Rika earlier, and she had agreed to it.

Rika had woken up two hours after dawn; early enough to do her morning jog and light exercise, and not to be late for the meeting with her new friends. Dressed in her workout gear; a purple tank top and gray shorts, and her iPod strapped to her arm with her black armband, Rika went to the entrance of the house and put on her black jogging shoes. She had left a note in case any of her family searched for her.

Rika smiled as the early morning air hit her face as she jogged down the road. It was fairly cold for a morning in summer, but Rika wasn't complaining. She had always loved to jog in the morning, because it will leave her fresh right after. It was her daily routine back at Roedean, but as she was trying to adjust to her new life in Japan, she hadn't got the chance to jog.

Although she was sad not being able to continue her life in England, the only home she knew, but she did not regret coming to her father's motherland with her cousin. The people in her neighborhood were friendly, like the old lady at the end of the street and the old man who likes to take morning walks at the park. When she passed the riverbank, she saw someone familiar in the river so she decided to check it out.

"Kaidou-kun!" she called out as she slid down the slope of grass towards the riverbank.

Upon hearing someone calling out his name, Kaidou stopped practicing his swings with the wet towel.

"Hey, Kaidou-kun!" Rika called out again, waving at the younger teen enthusiastically.

"E-Echizen-senpai?"

Rika glared. "What did you just called me?"

"R-Rika-senpai," Kaidou stammered, blushing slightly.

"That's better," Rika grinned. The thing she hated the most when in Japan was being called by her surname, so when she was officially introduced to Seigaku's tennis club, she insisted that they call her by her first name. However, Tezuka and Inui still called her by her surname, much to her detest.

"How long have you been practicing?" Rika asked, sitting down next to Kaidou's tennis bag.

"Two hours," came Kaidou's straightforward answer.

"You're really hardworking," Rika complimented, causing Kaidou to blush once more.

"What brings you here, Echi-, I mean, Rika-senpai?"

Rika grinned when Kaidou corrected himself. Then she answered, "I was jogging around the neighborhood."

"Hmmm~" Kaidou sat cross-legged next to Rika.

Rika saw something peeking out of Kaidou's bag and noticed what it was. "Hey, are those dumbbells?" she asked. Kaidou nodded. "Can I borrow them? I hadn't worked out since I came here." Kaidou gave Rika a surprised look. "What? Is it weird?"

Kaidou shook his head. "No. It's just…surprising." At first he hesitated, but then continued on, "I thought you're not that type, since you became the club's manager instead of actually joining the girls tennis club."

At this, Rika laughed. "Just because I have the Echizen blood, doesn't mean I can play tennis." Kaidou looked embarrassed and Rika smiled inwardly. Kaidou was always being misunderstood because of his attitude, but actually he's quite the sweetheart. Cute. "My dad was a decent tennis player, although he didn't has any skills like Ryoma's dad. He tried to teach me whenever he weren't away for business but I just have no talent for it. But when I was four, we discovered that I have talent for figure skating." Rika was glowing when she mentioned figure skating, Kaidou noticed. "So I've been doing that ever since."

"Then why didn't you join Seigaku's Figure Skating club?"

"I decided to start afresh." Lies.

"Why?" Kaidou looked puzzled.

"Because figure skating is a cut-throat world. You don't know who's a friend and who's your enemy." Then, Rika giggled. "I suddenly talked too much." She tilted her head at her kouhai, "Kaidou-kun, I hope you won't repeat this conversation to anyone."

"You have my word, senpai," Kaidou answered. He wanted to know more about his senpai, but he knew he shouldn't push. He stood up. "I should continue practicing. You could just take the dumbbells from my bag if you want to, senpai."

"Thanks," Rika grinned widely. It looks like she had found her favorite junior.

"Nee-san, why do I have to tag along?" Ryoma yawned. It was a quarter past eleven in the morning and both of them were waiting for the rest of the members at the fountain in the centre of the shopping district.

"It's such a nice day. It would be a waste to spend it at home."

"I'd rather catch up on my sleep, thanks."

Rika laughed. "Oh Ryoma, don't be an old man." Ryoma growled at this and Rika laughed harder. To make matters worst, someone glomped Ryoma from behind. It was Eiji.

"Ochibi! Rika-chan nyaaa~ did you wait long?" A hyper Eiji asked.

"Kikumaru-senpai, let go," Ryoma said, trying to pry the third year off him.

"Eiji," Oishi chastised.

"Fine, fine," Eiji said, finally releasing Ryoma.

"Tezuka went fishing with his grandfather so he wouldn't be joining us," Oishi told them. "And Taka-san had to help out at his father shop."

"Eh?" Eiji exclaimed. "Then how many people can actually make it today?"

"Momo-senpai will be a bit late," Ryoma, answered. The spiky-haired teen had called him earlier about it. It seemed like he overslept.

"Kaidou-kun told me he had a family gathering today, so he wouldn't be able to come as well," Rika added in. When three surprised faces looked at her, she asked, "What?"

"When did you talk to Kaidou?" Eiji asked.

"This morning," she answered. "I met him coincidentally when I went jogging."

Before Eiji could ask more, they heard Momo calling out their name and looked at that direction. Sure enough, the spiky-haired teen was running towards them.

"Sorry I'm late," Momo apologized, panting.

"No worries," Eiji said.

"Are we the only ones?" Momo asked after looking around. Rika shrugged, and Ryoma just yawned.

"Inui was meeting up with Yanagi, but Fuji said he'll come," Oishi answered. Just as Oishi said that, they saw the tensai across the street.

"Fujiko!" Eiji called out, waving at his best friend. Fuji turned towards Eiji's voice, and smiled. Then he walked towards them. He was wearing a grey v-neck t-shirt under a black vest, unbuttoned, and black khakis.

"Glad you could make it," Eiji exclaimed.

"I had nothing better to do."

"Shall we get going?" Oishi asked.

"Yes, yes, let's go," said the excited Eiji. Rika giggled and agreed. The excited Eiji led the way, with a worried Oishi on his heels, and Fuji, Ryoma and Rika just followed from behind.

The tour guide by Eiji was fun and interesting, Rika really had a fun day. They went to an outdoor café for lunch, and then continued the tour. They even went bowling. After two rounds, Rika and Oishi practically had to drag the other four competitive Seigaku regulars away from the bowling centre. Then, Eiji, Momo, and Ryoma found themselves glued to tennis shop near the bowling centre and Oishi decided to "chaperon" them lest they create troubles. Fuji offered to continue showing Rika around so that she won't feel bored in the tennis shop. It was around four in the evening when they passed a small, cute looking boutique shop. The dresses were really different from the usual, sophisticated dress. Then, among the displayed dresses, Rika saw something that caught her eyes. It was a blood red halter dress with ribbon straps, and V-neckline. The left side of the body is slightly gathered down the asymmetrical drop waist. The dress drops down to a handkerchief cut bottom hem, and is adorned with tonal glitter.

"Do you want to check it out?"

Rika turned to see a smiling Fuji. "You don't mind?"

"Of course not," he replied. Then, Fuji's eyes opened wide when Rika suddenly surprised Fuji when she took his hand and drag him into the shop with her.

"Ah! There it is!" Rika exclaimed when she found the dress. After she found one in her size, a sales lady went over to the pair.

"Would you like to try it on, miss?"

"Yes, please," Rika, answered, a wide grin on her face. The sales lady gestured for Rika to follow her so she told Fuji to wait for her there. "I won't be long, promise," she said.

"Don't worry, take as long as you need," Fuji reassured her. Rika mouthed 'thank you' to the taller teen before following the sales lady to the changing room.

While waiting for Rika, Fuji decided to look around the shop. The boutique not only sells clothes, but Fuji found that it also sells shoes and accessories. However, everything is for females. When Fuji passed the accessories section, he saw a locket that caught his eyes. It was a simple heart shaped necklace with a pair of angel's wings embroidered with small diamonds.

'That would look good on Rika-san,' Fuji thought, holding to locket up to see it more clearly. When he realized what he was thinking, Fuji shook his head. 'What the hell am I thinking?' he thought, placing the necklace at its place once more.

"Would you like to purchase that, sir?" a voice came from his right. Fuji turned to see another sales lady, a girl with short brunette hair, looking at him. "We have a special discount on accessories for first time customers. It would look nice on your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend," Fuji corrected.

"Oh," the sales lady said, blushing slightly, embarrassed that she was wrong.

Fortunately, Rika had gone out of the changing room before things get more awkward. "Fuji-kun, what do you think?" she asked. She cat-walked in front of Fuji and then gave it a spin before stopping in front of Fuji.

For the first time in his life, a girl has mesmerized Fuji. The blood red dress look really good with Rika's pale, white skin, Fuji thought.

"So, what do you think?" Rika asked again.

Before Fuji could answer, the shop's bell rang indicating new customers entering the shop.

"Rika-chan, you look beautiful!"

It turns out the newcomers were Eiji, Ryoma, Momo and Oishi. After the four went to where the pair was standing, Momo had to agree with Eiji. "Yeah Rika-senpai, you look really amazing!"

Rika giggled. "Thank you."

"The dress look really expensive," Oishi commented.

"Don't worry. While I was at boarding school, I rarely spent my allowance, so my monthly allowance that Ryoma's dad banked into my account are still there," Rika explained.

At the others confused look, Ryoma sighed and decided to explain. "As nee-san's guardian, my father was the one who took care of nee-san's inheritance until she is off-age."

One thing crossed everyone's mind, 'Inheritance?' but when they saw the look Rika gave Ryoma, they understood that she didn't want her business to be known.

"Anyways, senpai," Momo said, "Where are you going to wear this dress?"

"Oh, I have dinner with Keigo tonight," she answered, at the same time trying on a pair of cute and simple red heels with straps. She then walked around wearing the heels and looked at herself in the full-length mirror.

"Why are you going on a date with Atobe nyaaa?" Eiji asked.

"First, it's not a date, Keigo and I just wanted to catch up," Rika answered while turning to face her friends. "And second, how do I look with this heels?"

"Perfect," Fuji answered before anyone else could. Rika grinned. Suddenly, Ryoma who seemed to have realized something, asked.

"Nee-san, why do you need new a dress to meet monkey king?"

"I left my dinner dresses and heels back in England. Didn't realize I would need them," Rika shrugged. Then, when nobody said anything anymore, she told the sales person that attended to her, "I will purchase both of this then," The sales person nodded. Rika took off the shoes and gave it to the sales lady to be packed. "I'll be back," she told the guys before disappearing into the changing room.

"Ryoma-san, get that door, will you?" Nanako shouted from the kitchen.

"Che," Ryoma muttered as he stood up from where he was laying on the couch to play with Karupin. "Meow," mewled the cat as he followed Ryoma to the door.

"Ah, monkey king," Ryoma said after opening the door.

"Brat," Atobe muttered. Then, he cleared his throat. "Is Rika here?"

"Nope," Ryoma lied before slamming the door shut. "Let's go, Karupin," he said to his cat and the white Himalayan feline followed him into the living room. He didn't get far when Rika came downstairs wearing the dress she bought earlier.

"Was that Keigo?" she asked. Ryoma just answered her with a shrug and left for his room. Rika shook her head at this. She then went to poke her head into the kitchen. "Nanako-chan, I'll be going now, kay?"

Nanako turned her head towards Rika's direction and nodded, "Have fun."

Rika grinned. "I might be late though."

"Don't worry, I'll inform auntie and uncle," she said, referring to Rinko and Nanjiroh.

After putting on her shoes, Rika opened the front door. Atobe was waiting for her there, a bouquet of Rika's favorite flowers in his hand, fuming. "How dare that brat slammed the door in ore-sama's face?"

Rika laughed. "I'm sorry about Ryoma's behavior," she apologized, half amused. "I don't know what got into him tonight."

"It's good ore-sama is kind-hearted and will let that slide for tonight," he said.

Rika giggled, "Oh Keigo."

Then, the Hyoutei's leader handed the bouquet to Rika, "Here's to you," he said. "You look beautiful tonight. Ore-sama must say, this flowers are nothing compared to you."

Rika giggled again, "Oh, stop it Keigo." She smiled brightly when she received the bouquet of baby's breath. "Keigo, you didn't have to," she exclaimed.

"Nonsense," said Atobe. "The governess ore-sama had as a child would not have a sound sleep if she knew of ore-sama's manners."

Rika giggled. "Well then, wait a moment, will you? I'll just put this in a vase." Before she entered the house, she asked, "Would you like to come in?"

Atobe shook his head, "It's fine. Ore-sama will just wait out here."

"Suit yourself," Rika said before disappearing inside the house. A few minutes later, she went out again, and then, Atobe led her to his limousine. It was a forty minutes ride to Atobe's favorite high-class French restaurant in Ginza. During the limousine ride, both of them talked and had fun like they used to when they were still in England. They were reminiscing, and Rika had laughed so hard at one memory while Atobe gave an annoyed look. It was a memory when both of them were six; the first time Rika's parents brought her to a business party. The party was hosted by the Atobe family, at the castle that once belonged to his great-grandfather at the outskirt of London. When Rika and Atobe first met, they didn't get along well, but before the end of the party, they were inseparable. None of the adults knew what happened between them that night, but that was the start of the beautiful bond between the Atobe family and the Echizen family.

"If only they knew what mischief's we were up to that night!" Rika laughed. Atobe was annoyed at Rika for bringing up his embarrassing, bratty side, but then laughed away with Rika. Seeing her best friend laugh, the little bit of disappointment Rika felt when Atobe didn't recognize her washed away.

Rika looked at Atobe with a raised eyebrow. "Seriously? You ordered us starters with escargot stuffing?" she asked when a plate of Vol-au-vent d'escargots was served.

"I am a person with class."

"Really? I wouldn't be surprised if they serve us caviar next," Rika muttered, continued eating her clam chowder. True enough, minutes later caviar was served. Rika sighed. Atobe's aristocracy was drilled to his bones, so he everything he has must be of high standards. Rika didn't mind though. She knew Atobe has good intentions. She smiled remembering one of their conversations in the limo.

"How could you stand commoners food?" Atobe had asked.

"Well, its good food," Rika shrugged.

"I don't care what else you ordered, but I must have my crème brûlée," Rika exclaimed. Atobe smiled widely after being given the complete power over their dinner.

While going through their main dish, Atobe asked, "So, care to tell me what really happened in England?"

Rika put down her fork and knife, and gently wiped her mouth with the napkin. Then, she looked straight at Atobe. "I doubt you didn't hear about it till now," she gave Atobe an incredulous look.

"The United Kingdom and Europe are in an uproar right now regarding the only Echizen heiress," Atobe stated. "However, I don't care about rumors and scandals. I want to hear the truth from you."

"You could find the truth with just a snap of your finger."

"I think ore-sama deserve to hear it from you seeing how we are best friends and all."

Rika smiled gently at Atobe. Then, she let out a deep breath. "Alright, I'll tell you the whole truth." Atobe listened attentively while Rika began the story from the beginning.

tbc