Chapter 006:
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis/Tennis no Oujisama does not belong to me. Sadly.
Bold is English. Regular is Japanese. Translations at the bottom.
"Do you think it looks like it's going to rain?" The new and youngest member of the Seigaku Regulars scowled.
"Well, Ryoma," I smiled. "The sky is grey and the clouds look heavy. I'm pretty sure it doesn't look like sunshine will be here."
He glared at me. "Shut up."
"Just answering your question. If it was rhetorical, make sure you mention that it is."
"Once again, shut up."
"You two, stop!" Giselle, the new captain of the archery club, scolded.
I stuck my tongue out at her and she just rolled her eyes. Miyuu was happily skipping by my side and Kuni was hanging behind.
Recently, a few days ago, I found out that she had a crush on my little Ryoma-kins. I'm happy for her, don't get me wrong. It's just that I think that she's going to get hurt in the process. Of course, I didn't tell her.
After dinner last night, I had spent my time talking to Ryoma.
I distinctly remember our conversation.
"So, who's on the team?"
"You know Momoshiro-senpai." I nodded until I realized that nodding wasn't effective during a phone conversation.
"Carry on."
"Kaidoh Kaoru-senpai. The one with the bandanna and acts like a snake."
"Mmhmm."
"There's Inui Sadaharu. I took his place on the Regulars. He's the one with black spikey hair, the tallest, and has those creepy glasses and notebook."
"Mmhmm. Actually, I'm going to stop 'mmhmm'-ing right now. It makes my lips tickle. So carry on because I'm still listening."
"Whatever you say, Calli-nee-chan. There's the fukubuchou(1), Oishi Shuichiro-senpai."
"He's in my class," I remembered him as the one with the funny hair.
"That's nice. There's the buchou(2), Tezuka Kunimitsu-buchou."
"Ah, Mister Perfection."
"What?"
"Nothing, carry on, Ryoma."
"There's Kawamura Takahashi. He's timid and shy but when he grips a racket, he suddenly becomes this whole new person. He has brown hair and weird sideburns and brown eyes. Typical."
"Crazy."
"Stop talking. There's Kikumaru Eiji. He's super happy and bubbly. Scary. Red hair that has a strange flip and blue eyes."
"Eiji?" That's all I heard. I didn't hear any of the words surrounding it. I cleared my throat to make sure he didn't suspect anything. "Who else?"
"There's this person who everyone calls a 'Tensai.' Brown hair, bright blue eyes, but he never shows them. Fuji Syusuke."
My heart nearly stopped at that name. I blinked quickly to recover myself from the strange reaction. "That was… weird."
"What? Did your heart stop?" His voice sounded teasing.
"Yes, it did." I wasn't joking around about this. That was strange.
"Didn't you tell me once that you have a thing for brunettes with blue eyes?"
"Yeah," I contemplated that thought. "I guess so."
After a few minutes of speaking with each other, we both hung up.
And that night, I was left pondering why my heart was thumping so hard inside of my chest.
The rain that Ryoma predicted came after fifth period. And so, his tennis practice was canceled to his dismay. Today was also the first day of photography club! I have my Nikon D3000 ready to go!
Sixth period dragged off again and I fell asleep in class. I got in trouble. I had to read a part from a story. The teacher smirked at me, thinking that I didn't know any English.
Yeah, baby. This is English class.
"'Contrariwise, if was so, it would be. If it were so, it would be, but as it isn't, it ain't.'" I paused at the strange words. "What the heck? I've read this before. Is this Alice in Wonderland?" I checked the cover. "Yes! Tweedledum and Tweedledee!"
The teacher and my classmates stared at me, dumbfounded. (Except for Tezuka, of course. [He now officially doesn't deserve me to call him by his first name.] But he's Mister Composed. Grumble, grumble…)
"Uh. Good. You may take seat." The teacher's accent made me laugh. Maybe I should stay awake in class more.
I, being who I am, went back to sleep.
"Darcel-san!" I felt a nudge at my shoulder. Didn't I just fall asleep? "Class is over. You've been sleeping for twenty minutes."
Oh, apparently I didn't.
"Thanks," I grunted, stretching. "Do you know where Classroom 4 is?"
"It's down the hall," Shuichiro smiled. He seems like a really great guy. "Photography club?"
"Yes, actually!" I beamed, I was really excited. Our photography club in the states really sucked.
"Well, I hope you have fun! One of my friends is going to be there. Ja!" He smiled and waved back at me. He left the room quickly, probably wanting to beat the rush of the crowded hallways.
I walked down to where Shuichiro (I think I should call him Oishi. Shuichiro is a mouthful.) told me where to go. I, of course, found it since it was a couple of rooms down.
I stood at the doorway, marveling at the sight before me.
"Watch it!" I did a 180 to give the guy a piece of my mind.
My face turned undeniably red once I saw who accidentally walked into me.
I knew who this was. Even if we've never met before. There was no other way. My heart had never felt like this except for last night…
His sandy brown hair going at a collar length, and his bangs spilled over onto his forehead. His eyes were closed, but I knew from what Ryoma told me that his eyes were a shocking cerulean. I couldn't wait for the moment to see them. An angelic smile grazed his face as his head was looking down towards me. His facial features were so soft that he almost looked feminine.
In his hands was his Nikomat FT SLR camera.
"G-gomenesai!" I backed up quickly, and nearly jumped when I hit another person. I turned again, and I bumped into another one, I turned once again, hoping not to hit anyone, and collided with the person who walked into me in the first place.
"I walk into you, you walk into me. We're even," He smiled at me.
My face was now a scorching scarlet. "I'm so sorry!" I buried my face into my hands, embarrassed out of my wits. "I know I'm a klutz and all, but that was an epic fail! Even for me!" I was muttering in English out loud. I mentally slapped myself. He probably thought I was crazy now.
"I think that we should take our seats," The tennis tensai, Fuji Syusuke, suggested, smiling gently. I couldn't help it, my face melted into a smile as well, despite myself.
I nodded, and placed myself in the seat right near the window. Photography club didn't exactly have a lot of people, and their cameras weren't as advanced as mine, even if mine was 'old' to some people. I felt out of place for the millionth time here.
I saw that Syusuke took a seat towards the front, where a group of girls hastily moved over to. I noticed that their cameras were all digital cameras decorated in bright colors with little mini icons. I could feel my left eye twitch. They weren't here for the photography; they were here for the photographer.
I stared off out the window, watching each droplet of water descending from the clouds, fall onto Mother Earth's soil like rapid bullets. I sighed. I knew I wasn't going to see Syusuke much because of tennis practice; it only got canceled because of the rain.
I wonder what the rest of the girls were doing.
"Ow. Ow! OW! FREAKING A!"
"Don't be a baby! It's not so bad!"
"You shot me with an arrow!"
"It was an accident!"
Maybe their day was going a whole lot better than mine was.
My phone vibrated inside of my bag and I realized that there were no teachers inside of the room yet. I pulled it out, feeling like a spy.
It was a text from Giselle.
Yo. Miyuu shot Kuni with an arrow.
I rolled my eyes. Why was I not surprised?
Just follow medical procedures, you know how Kuni deals with blood… Not so well. Fix her up. Make Miyuu do everything. And never, I mean *never* let her near your archery stuff again.
It vibrated soon after again. She found it. I stashed it. I swear that girl would do *anything* to get rid of her boredum.
I chuckled a bit, even if Kuni was in pain. This wasn't the worse thing that's ever happened to her… I hope.
Photography club would be a waste to describe. We were all supposed to introduce ourselves, but we were all rudely interrupted by the fangirls.
Stupid…
After the club was over, I managed to squeeze through everyone and sprint to the café that Ryoma and I visited. I had my samurai umbrella with me.
It's the most coolest umbrella ever!
Okay, so it's complementary with a samurai sword handle and a sheath that when you put it on your back, all that shows is the handle.
Intimidating, no?
Well, not anymore, since I told you the secret! Duh!
The café was packed with couples everywhere and I wanted to gag. The only couples I could tolerate were my parents, and Luke and Celia.
Luke (My older brother) and Celia (Girlfriend) are the most cutest couple ever! They're like Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical. I solemnly swore to them that I would never compare them to Bella and Edward.
Luke hinted to me that he will ask her to marry him. He wanted something original, but not far-fetched. I believe I have the perfect solution.
Oh, I'm going to be the one who plays all the music in the church and at the reception as well. Yes! Well, only if Celia says 'Yes,' but who wouldn't to Luke?
Whoa. Getting off track again.
I ordered a lemonade in Japanese, actually wanting to pay for something. I sighed and stared at the television placed in front of me. There was nothing interesting.
"Is there any book store nearby?" I questioned the waitress that came back. She smiled at me.
"Yeah. It's only a block away. I go there everyday during my break."
My ears perked at that. A new opportunity for a new friend! "When's your break?"
"In about five minutes. Why? Would you like to accompany me?" She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.
I nodded. "Oh, Darcel Callina. Seigaku. Third year. Call me Calli. Pleased to make your aquaintance."
"Raikatuji Aiko. Hyotei. Third year. Call me Aira. Likewise."
"Aira?" My voice was colored with confusion. "Where did that come from?"
"Oh, it's my first name and my last name put together," She nervously rubbed the back of her head, causing her glasses to fall to the tip of her nose again.
I grinned. "That's so cool! If my name was like that, I would be Cada… Yeah, I think I'll stick to Calli."
She boomed with laughter. "Okay, well, Cada, I have to head on back to work. I'll see you in five minutes."
I continued to drink my lemonade and I let my mind wander again.
But where did it want to go?
The image of Syusuke entered. I bolted up straight and immediately clenched my teeth, trying to stop my heart from leaping out of my body.
I could feel the blood rush to my face and I immediately dropped them into the palms of my hands. What was I doing? I acted so stupid around him!
My drink was ony ¼ finished once Aira came back to see me. She looked at me with worry and I simply waved it off.
"'Tis nothing, Aira. Shall we be heading to the book store?" I asked, with a fake smile on my face. We walked out of the café to our destination.
"Boy issues?" Aira nodded all-too-knowingly.
I did an anime fall. "How'd you know?!"
"I didn't. I just guessed," She shrugged, having a goofy smile. "So, who is it? Considering it's Seigaku, probably a tennis player?"
I rubbed my head sheepishly. "Yeah. Sort of. Not a big deal. There's nothing to worry about."
"Hey, I like a tennis player at my school. It is a big deal to me. I'm pretty sure we have a lot in common. So that must be one trait."
"Really? You don't seem so hung up on this guy."
"I've liked him ever since my childhood. I've gotten used to it. He's just so… Arrogant. I can't really get to him anymore. We broke apart as friends. It sucks."
"Aw. Dang, now I feel bad," I pouted. "You have it harder than I do…"
"No, no, no!" She waved her hands dramatically in front of her. "Don't feel bad. It's okay. Well, the point is, the whole 'liking-a-guy' is a big thing."
"I guess…" I trailed off, sighing.
"Lemme guess who it is? Tezuka?"
"Ew. Mr. Perfection?"
"Alright then. Eiji?"
"Don't even know him." That's technically true.
"Uh… Ryoma?"
"Sick! I will not like my own cousin. Stupid incest."
"… Fuji?"
My heart stopped like it usually did. I wanted to deny it, but I couldn't find the words inside of me. I couldn't even shake my own head!
"Ooh! Fuji-san. Mr. Pretty-Blue-Eyes-slash-Mysterious-Man. Nice choice." She had a teasing tone and I rolled my eyes. She would be able to get along with Ryoma. "So what's the story?"
"What story?"
"How'd you start liking him?"
"I dunno. I just formally met him today."
"Formally? So you like met him in your dreams?"
"No, I just talked to my cousin about him. And then that stupid feeling came up."
"That's how love works."
I barked out a laugh. "Love?! No. This is just a schoolgirl crush. I'm sure of it. I believe I've felt this before." Lies. Lies. All lies!
"Just embrace the fact that you're not a lesbian."
"Hey! There's nothing wrong with same gender lovin'."
"But you will get discriminated for it."
This was one of the times when I actually didn't have anything to really say. "Well… Yeah. Most of the time." One of my friends was same gender lovin', so that's probably why I support.
"Look, here's the book store!" She clasped her hands together, making me turn my attention to the left.
I let a low whistle out. "That… is sweet."
The place was huge. I'm pretty sure it had books galore!
"The only problem is, is that most of the books are in English."
I chuckled. "I'm from the states. Lived there for a long while. I got this."
We sauntered into the store and her eyes were twinkling.
"Ooh! Then have you read the Harry Potter series?"
"Are there one-hundred thirty-three ways to annoy people who hate Harry Potter? And eleven ways to use Harry Potter to annoy Twilight fans? And much, much more?"
"Oh my gosh~ Yes! Those lists are epic!"
I paused for a second. "I didn't know Japanese people used adjectives like 'epic.' That's world-record breaking."
"World-record breaking? Now that's something I've never heard before."
"Well, almost everything has to be in the record book. So if something is totally, completely, amazing-ly, awesome, then yeah. It's world record breaking."
"Nice."
"Thank you."
"So, did you move here recently?"
"Yeah," I shrugged. "Just a few days ago. I used to live here when I was a wee little kid though. Then I moved to the United States of America."
"Ah, that's cool." Her watch beeped on her watch. "Damn it! Sorry! I have to go! I forgot I had errands to run after this! Ja!"
I waved meekly at her running figure. I did a full circle turn to see my surroundings. My mouth nearly dropped at how many books were in here.
I'm now officially moving in here.
I know that my stories tend to be getting shorter and shorter . I'm terribly sorry about that !
REVIEW ! Please ! I get e-mails of how many people add my story to their favorites/alerts . For all those people : PLEASE REVIEW !
It doesn't matter even it's just a " Write more ! It's great ! " Or whatever . It could even be flames !
Critiquing is kind of important to me . I beg of you !
I wrote this pretty fast and " Miyuu " hasn't proof-read it yet . (Yes , all of my characters are based on my friends .)
So it might not be as good . I just wanted this chapter to be over because I have more in store for Calli and Syusuke . ;]
REVIEW . REVIEW . I DEMAND IT .
Please ?
:3 (The bunny face begs.)