Author's Note: So here is part 2 of the birthday bash! The other one was boringgg, and I apologize! But I wanted to lay the foundations of just how rich the Atobes are~
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of its characters! I own Atobe Kana, Hitachiin Akira, Haninozuka Nanami and the other OCs~
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Sanada Genichirou was trying his hardest not to let his jaws drop. It was unmanly to do that. But he could not help it. Why?
First, the van's doors were opened by a butler, who saw Niou's astonished face and Kirihara drooling. Second, ten helpers greeted him and one even offered to take his present to the gift table. Third, there was a mini orchestra playing at the corner of the lobby. Fourth, everyone was dressed extravagantly from head to toe. Fifth, he did not know what the hell those maids were offering him but they were goddamn delicious. Sixth, his first champagne (the non-alcoholic kind, the butler said) soothed his throat. Seventh, he was sure he and his teammates were just out of place!
His ears took hold of a conversation between two wealthy, middle-aged women standing behind him.
"The stocks I bought from the Suzuki Corporation rose by 20%! My my, Suzuki Hajime is really doing well!" said the first woman.
"But not as well as Atobe Hideaki! My stocks in the Atobe Corporation grew by 30%!"
What stocks? What corporation?!, Sanada found himself puzzling over every conversation he had heard. He looked over at his teammates, particularly Kirihara and Marui, who were sweating.
"Marui-senpai, how are your s-stocks..!" Kirihara asked nervously, his eyes darting.
"They're doing w-well… In fact, my stocks are getting better, Akaya…" Marui replied.
Sanada had to roll his eyes; his teammates were trying their hardest to fit in. He couldn't blame them though. With everyone in the room holding at least a million in their bank accounts, it was hard not to get intimidated.
"I suggest you just talk normally like you do." A voice said from behind. Sanada turned, and saw a blue-haired guy wearing a blue suit. His glasses shone under the light.
"First time we were invited to a party like this, we ended up having to entertain middle-aged women about how 'wealthy' we are." A redhead commented. I think this is Mukahi Gakuto..?
"If it isn't the Hyoutei regulars." Yanagi said.
Oh, so these are our opponents this year.
"Best thing to do? Talk quietly and just relax. Don't think about fitting in. No one here cares about guests like us; they only care about meeting Kana and Keigo." Oshitari Yuushi adviced.
"Thank you for the advice, Oshitari-kun." Yukimura said, smiling. Marui, Niou and Kirihara visibly calmed down.
"Oh! It's Marui-kun!" Jirou exclaimed, as he ran to the self-proclaimed tensai, giving him a hug.
"Don't be surprised if Kana and Keigo come up to you and act really really nice, too." Shishido said.
"Really really nice?" Jackal asked.
"You'll know what I mean in a matter of minutes." Shishido grinned.
Suddenly, a butler standing at the bottom left of the staircase announced, "May I present, the honoured celebrants, Atobe Keigo and Atobe Kana!"
Everyone looked up.
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Yukimura Seiichi had his eyes glued to the pair, who had walked down from the top of the staircase to the landing placed between. He took note of the way the two were dressed.
Keigo was dressed in a smart, slim white polo, with a white jacket on top. His white pants, along with his white leather shoes, gave the total look class. The red rose on his breast pocket gave a nice touch to his attire.
Kana, in huge contrast to her brother, was wearing a black dress; its black sequins shining whenever she made a move. The fabric clung to her upper body, her waist and to her hips before flowing down elegantly to the floor. Silver and diamond bands were on her right wrist. She had her hair in a messy bun, to show her diamond earrings and her slim neck.
((For the dress: ))
Two microphones had been placed in front of the two. I think they're going to make a speech?
And true enough, Atobe Keigo opened his mouth.
"Good evening, everyone. Kana and I are extremely pleased to see everyone here tonight, especially that this day is a very special day for the both of us, as we are celebrating sixteen years of our existence." He smiled. Something's off with Keigo… Yukimura had noted, yet he could not place what exactly is wrong.
Kana began to speak. "Words cannot express how thankful we both are, to see that our dear friends and honoured guests have graced this humble event—" Humble, really? "with their presences. Keigo and I would like to thank each person here from the depths of our hearts for coming tonight." Kana gave off a warm smile. Yukimura's eyes widened. This was the first time he had seen Kana truly smiling. He mentally noted her lips and her crescent-shaped eyes.
But something's off with Kana, too. What is it?
The spectators applauded warmly, as the two walked down and met with a couple, who hugged the two. Their father and mother, I guess?
Kana and Keigo began walking around the room with their parents, thanking each guest personally.
"That is what I am talking about." Shishido said, referring to his earlier statement.
"I think something is off with the way they are acting? Isn't Atobe Keigo usually egoistic?" Marui asked.
"That's because Keigo didn't use 'Ore-sama' and Kana's words are just way too nice." Gakuto replied.
"Huh? Why?" Kirihara asked.
Choutarou nodded his head towards the family, who were eagerly talking to a man and a woman. "It's called doing good business. Nearly everyone in this room has ties to the Atobe Corporation. Atobe-buchou and Kana-senpai have a huge responsibility on their shoulders tonight, and that is to socialize with the business partners well enough for them to continue their bonds."
The Rikkai regulars stared at Keigo and Kana.
"Isn't this their birthday, though? Shouldn't they have fun?" Niou asked.
"Keigo and Kana both grew up in a socialite world where parties mean business." Oshitari replied. "Look, they're coming this way. Be nice."
Yukimura looked at the family who were heading their way. "Akaya, Masaharu, Bunta. Act nice." He ordered.
The Rikkai regulars watched as Keigo introduced his teammates, who all put on such warm smiles on their faces.
"Oh? Who are these lovely boys?" the woman asked. She had blonde hair, and blue eyes. She doesn't look Japanese, but her Japanese is extremely good.
"Mother, these are my friends from Rikkai Dai Fuzoku." Kana smiled at her mother, then to the regulars. Oho, friends? Yukimura smiled in amusement.
"This is Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichirou and Yanagi Renji. They're in my class, Mother. In fact, Yukimura-kun here has helped me during Math class." Kana gave him a wide smile. I think this is the first time I've seen her smile warmly. But just when did I help her during Math? She was always asleep!
"Oh, is that right, Yukimura-kun?" her mother asked, her big blue eyes blinking.
"Yes, Atobe-san. With all due respect, your daughter does not do well in Math, though." Yukimura chuckled softly, his eyes exuding kindness. Play along, Seiichi..
Kana's mother laughed. "I apologize. She must have taken that from me. I don't do well with the numbers, too! That's why I rely on Hideaki over here when it comes to finance!"
"Now, now, Mizuki. Let's not share our family secrets, eh?" her husband laughed along. They get along so well, Yukimura noted.
"And this is Marui Bunta, Niou Masaharu, Yagyuu Hiroshi, Jackal Kuwahara, and their youngest member, the 2nd year Kirihara Akaya. Actually, they're all regulars from the boys' tennis team. They've won the Nationals twice already." Kana added.
"Oh, is that so? You have very talented friends, Kana! Did you also investigate on them to help you with your play style? Isn't that what you did to Tezu—" Mizuki asked her daughter.
"Oh, Mother! Don't just spill my tennis secrets!" Kana exclaimed.
Investigate?! What is she talking about? But come to think of it, I've never seen Kana play aside from her match with Renji..
"You look like you're from another country, young man. Are you a foreigner?" Atobe Hideaki asked Jackal, whose face lighted up.
"Yes, Atobe-san. I'm half-Brazilian. I just moved here from Rio de Janeiro three years ago." Jackal replied.
"Ah, Brazil! Very nice country! The beaches are very beautiful!" Hideaki complimented Jackal's home country.
"Well, I must thank you all for coming here tonight. It's not every day that my children turn sixteen, you know." Mizuki smiled at the regulars.
"Oh, no, it is our pleasure, Atobe-san. And if I may say so, you have a lovely home." Sanada complimented. The Atobe First Lady blushed at the remark.
"Why, thank you, Sanada-kun! I do take an interest in interior design. Did you know that these chandeliers—"
"Now, now, Mother. Let's greet the other guests first before you explain who made the vases, eh?" Keigo interrupted.
"You're right, Keigo. Now, we won't bother you any longer." Hideaki bid his farewell as the family walked ahead.
Yanagi was the first to speak up after the encounter. "They were really nice people."
"But isn't it strange? Kana-senpai didn't call me 'kid' or 'idiot'.." Kirihara commented.
"Keigo and Kana get along with their parents well, but when it comes to events, they take extra effort to look and appear presentable." Oshitari said.
But she was smiling so warmly.. For the first time…
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Kana sighed. She had just finished thanking everyone present in the room with Keigo and her parents. She had also introduced Akira and her teammates. Kana winced, as she remembered how she introduced the Rikkai male regulars..
Really, Kana? Yukimura helps you in Math?!, Kana thought to herself. But she was glad. Her parents were in a good mood, and it seemed that they had liked her friends. If I could call those boys my friends..
"Hey, idiot!" Kana turned around; she had not heard that voice in real life for weeks.
Standing behind her was a girl with red hair and auburn eyes, dressed in a pale pink sleeveless gown.
"You dyed your hair again, Nanami?" Kana asked, as she ran to hug her best friend.
"Of course. Red is now my favorite hair color." Nanami proudly caressed her long locks.
"And you don't stand out, not one bit." Kana said sarcastically, referring to the looks those vain businesswomen gave Nanami.
"I do not care. Let the jealous stares of those women be! I am fabulous!" Nanami held her hands up in the air.
"Oh, by the way, in case you've forgotten, I am the birthday celebrant."
"Oh, darling, you're always gorgeous. I don't need to tell you that." Nanami winked as Kana blushed. Her best friend just knew how to compliment her.
"Ah! I have someone who I'd want you to meet!" Kana tugged Nanami's hand as she led the way to the spot where Akira was standing, drinking champagne alone.
"Akira! This is Haninozuka Nanami, my best friend from London. And Nanami, this is Hitachiin Akira, my closest friend in Rikkai and the girls' tennis team captain!" Kana said.
"Wow, you're from London, huh? Tell me about the place!" Akira beamed.
"Well, it's really nice, especially the parks, they're beautiful at dawn. And the morning air is just exqui—"
"Oh, cut the crap, girl. I wanna hear about the boys!" Akira exclaimed as Nanami raised her eyebrows in delight.
"You know, Akira, I get this feeling that you and I will get along quite nicely!" Nanami said, as she looped her arms with the captain, as she began talking about her latest crush, who had 'goddamn lickable abs' and 'the best bed hair ever'.
Kana smiled. I knew these two were gonna get along.
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Suddenly, another butler rang a bell. Everyone looked at him in surprise, as he announced, "Dinner is served."
At once, dozens of maids and butlers came out of the dining room, which was down the east hall from the lobby, as they assisted the guests to their seats. Yanagi Renji looked up as a maid led the way to the room and to their table.
The dining room was actually a ballroom. Now it held over fifty large round tables, all covered in flesh high-quality linen tablecloths. The maid led the Rikkai team to their table, which had eight sets of dinnerware and eight red plush armchairs. The boys sat down and stared at the things in front of them.
"Uhhh.. Yanagi-senpai.. why are there so many spoons and forks…" Kirihara asked.
"Akaya, maybe it's because other people are going to use this again after we eat!" Marui replied.
"Ah, you're right, senpai! Then shall I use only the small spoon and the small fork? Then, the next guest can use the bigger spoon!"
Yanagi looked at his teammates, who were all staring at the complex table setting. ((here it is: . ))
He had once read about formal table settings due to a passing whim. Thank the heavens for passing whims!
The appetizers came. Yanagi noticed the differences in their dishes. Oh, that's right. They had us check off the RSVP.
He looked at his Italian appetizer. It seems Marui and Niou checked off American, Yukimura and Kirihara had French, Sanada had Japanese and Yagyuu and Jackal had Italian.
"As expected of Yagyuu. He really is a gentleman." Niou remarked, as Yagyuu was expertly maneuvering his way through the complicated dinnerware.
"Men! Do not act so poorly! Act as if we are used to this!" Sanada whispered harshly.
"Yes, sir!" Kirihara and Marui nodded vigorously as they eyed Yagyuu.
Yanagi glanced at the others in the dining room. They were all chatting excitedly and were not even slightly panicking at the table setting. They must be used to this, right?
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"Wow, that was so good! I think this year was even better than last time!" Gakuto rubbed his now large belly.
"I know! That American steak, urgh!" Jirou exclaimed excitedly.
"It wasn't that bad…" Shishido stubbornly commented. The guests were now ushered back to the main lobby, where the final phase of the party was commencing. Now that everyone was well-fed, it was time for socializing and dancing.
"Hurry up, I want to see Keigo and Kana's first dance!" Oshitari said.
The Hyoutei regulars were just in time to hear the first notes of Norihiro Tsuru's Last Carnival, and to see Keigo taking Kana's hand.
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Author's Note: Oh god, the 2nd part is even more boring! I am so sorryyyyy! I really am! But this is the last chapter of me describing the efforts Atobe Mizuki made for the party!
Next: the regulars hand over their gifts, and Atobe Mizuki and Atobe Hideaki tell Kana and Keigo something!
