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A Close Call
6
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Once Echizen Ryoma arrived home, he immediately went up to his room. Making sure no one was watching, he took the book out of the brown paper packaging and hesitantly opened it. Just then his father, Echizen Nanjiro, burst into the room, causing Ryoma to quickly shove the book under his bed.
"Echizen! It's dinnertime!"
Nanjiro then noticed the empty packaging and a nervous Ryoma sitting on the floor. He frowned.
"Echizen, are you trying to hide something from me?"
"N…no…"
Suddenly Nanjiro's face split into a big grin.
"Echizen! I never expected this!"
Huh? Now it was Ryoma's turn to frown.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm proud of you son. I'm proud that you too share the same passion."
"Either tell me what the hell you're talking about or get out."
"This is going to be fun. We can swap magazines!"
Realisation suddenly dawned on a horror-struck Ryoma.
"NANI!!! I am NOT secretly reading stupid childish magazines like you!!!
"Hey! Watch what you call stupid and childish! If you're not reading those fabulous magazines, then what is it you're hiding?"
"N…nothing."
"Oh come on. You can show me."
"Don't be stupid. You're one of the last people I'll show. Now GET OUT!"
Ryoma shoved his dad out of his room and shut the door. It's time that I got a lock.
"Oi! Echizen! You have to come downstairs for dinner."
Ryoma flung open the door.
"Fine. Let's go."
Dinner was a mini-war, if anything else. Nanjiro and Ryoma crammed food into their mouths as if they hadn't eaten in years. They both knew that whoever finished their bowl of rice first would be able to leave first, and whoever left first would get their hands on the book first. Ryoma's mum was surprised to see her husband and son take such an interest in her cooking after so many years. At last, Ryoma emerged triumphant and rushed up to his room. As he slammed the door he quickly seized the book from under the bed and stuffed it under his pillow. Dammit. I can't read it here anymore. Dad's bound to find out. Ryoma changed into his pyjamas and went to bed.
The next morning, Echizen Ryoma woke up before his alarm and checked under his pillow. Good. It's still there. He knew that he was being paranoid but he would have hell to pay if anybody else found that book. He picked up his bag and racquet and was just about to leave when his eyes darted back to the pillow where his book was hidden. I can't leave it here. Dad's bound to find it when I'm at school. I guess I'll just have to take it with me. He hastily shoved the book into his schoolbag and quickly headed off to Seigaku. Dammit, I'm late.
A/N: Hehehe, still haven't told you what the book is! XD. Don't worry, I'll tell you in the next chapter. I promise (I didn't promise anything last chappy. XD). In the meantime, review. Please. For my ego's sake. Arigato!