Bribe me

By Jerui

Author's note:

I'm back!

To those who have read Taisetsu na Tomodachi, I'm very grateful. Haha. I hoped that people would like it since I wasn't able to update Bribe me for a couple of weeks.

Jewlygem – thank you. Your review made my day somehow.

Ryosaku12 – haha. I hope you do review every time I update. What keep the authors writing are inspirational feedbacks after all. It means a lot when people review.

To the others who reviewed and are awaiting the next chapter, thank you!

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Looks like I can't thank you guys enough. Lol. READ AND REVIEW GUYS! Sorry this is so short.

Chapter 6 Compromise

"I'm never joining."

Whose mouth said that again?

"I am Ryoma Echizen. I never played on any tennis team. I am an all-rounder," I introduced myself.

"What a short intro, o-chi-bi-chan, nya~" a human cat said.

"Eiji-senpai, he's not that small," the second-year regular countered.

"But I'm still taller, nya."

"Hn." I held my cap low, covering my eyes. "I'm still growing…. I assume you all heard about me. That's why I am here, right?" With that scheming data man and cunning manager tricking me, there's no helping but join. Tsk.

"Maa," the old coach said, patting my head heavily. "Ryoma here will join practice in the afternoon. I'll leave you to Tezuka."

"There will be no announcement for now. First years, pick up the balls before you go. Dismissed," the captain ordered. "Echizen, come with me, I'll lead you to your locker."

"Uh, I'm not helping the other freshmen?"

"Not yet," replied the stoic captain. I wonder if he knew why I joined.

Better get this done.

I never thought that the day would arrive that I will be deceived.

We were at the rooftop again, arguing over what has happened so far. Here I was, fighting my rights to refuse a thing I never even thought of wanting since I first stepped here in Japan. But I dug my own grave after all.

"Then, is it all right if we tell everyone?"

"That won't work."

"Is that so? I'll tell everyone 'Ryoma Echizen confessed to me!'"

Cunning, huh.

"What, you're blackmailing me now? After bribing me with your packed lunches, gathering data through my mom? Who's lower between the two of us?"

"But senpai said that if you join, we could raise our chance of going to the national tournament!"

"Your team already did that even before I came."

"But I also want to tell you to join since the day of the tournament! That's why we bribed you because we know if we say it first, you'd flat out refuse like you did with grandma."

"You got that right."

"So? It was such a waste, playing singles. All alone."

"So?"

"Are you joining, or not?"

As if I had a choice. My mom was so into this joining-the-tennis-club thing. I walked past Ryuuzaki and slowly sat onto the floor, my back on the wall, my eyes following a pigeon flying around. If I don't have any option, maybe I could negotiate my benefits. It wouldn't hurt to join, maybe, except that my time would be spent more on the club meetings.

But what do I need to gain? This is the time to think about it.

"Hey, do you have that bugging device on you?" I inquired.

"No, why?"

"I see. Then, can this issue be negotiated? Since you don't give me a chance to refuse, maybe I could discuss what I could get from this."

Confusion could be seen on her face.

"I still want you to be my girlfriend."

"What?"

Now she looked outraged. Funny how she could make her face that red, I don't know if she was embarrassed or angered.

"Pretend to be my girl. And I still want my bento."

"I understand the bento part but why pretend to be your girlfriend?!"

Because you should be if you didn't deceive me. As if I could say that. "You have to help me get those confessions stop. And I need you to come with me and be introduced to my mom. This is all your fault anyway. Or do you like someone else?"

"N-no."

"Then there's no problem, isn't it? I'll even help you if you do have someone you like."

"That's none of your business."

"Then is this settled?"

Silence.

"Ryuuzaki?"

"Fine," and then she stormed her way inside the school building, leaving me behind.

To be continued.