How Ouran Gets Physical

The next week, we had a Physical Exam. Where the nurses and doctors of Ouran evaluate our physical fitness. Actually, it was an opportunity to shower students with compliments, but hey- we don't have regular classes that day.. But afterward, the athletes of the school showcase their talent.

Oh I didn't have any sport what so ever. I think I got enough physical activity from carrying my heavy camera and running after the Host Club.

But Toshiro was a striker for the football team.

So I went through the motions of getting checked up: normal checking of weight, height and etcetera. Nothing out of the ordinary happened-though I did hear that there was some perverted doctor. But the Host Club was involved in that, so it was still normal in the sense that nothing the Host Club did was normal. Yep, totally normal.

I was also assigned to cover the sports that day. To be posted on the school's website to show of the students of Ouran's well-rounded-ness.

There I went taking pictures of track and field, archery, baseball, polo - and almost getting trampled by a horse, in the process- and many other sports.

I only had a few sports left to cover so I made my way to the soccer field. As I got closer I noticed that there was a huge crowd watching. Most of them were girls.

"KYAAAAA~!" They screamed. A number of girls wore the Ouran colors. Some had banners saying "Go Ouran!" and some girls had cut outs of the players faces, most were those of Toshiro's. I sweat drop. It was a game between the Ouran players, not one against another school. What's with all this…insanity then? Shrugging, I turned to do my assignment, when I felt my face heat up.

Ah.

I see why there's such…enthusiasm from the crowd. I thought as I blushed.

The game was simply between Ouran players, but-and this is quite a big but- it was a game of shirts versus skins.

Half of the team played shirtless.

…yes, a good number of them were good looking.

…

Yes, Toshiro was shirtless.

M-m-moving on.

I stood mouth agape at the side of the field. Shaking myself – and my blush- off, I started taking pictures.

I always enjoyed taking sports pictures because the players zone in the game and the game alone, so the subjects don't notice me taking their picture. Emotion is evident on their faces. Then again, it is also difficult for the fact that they ran and it was hard to follow them.

I felt like I was seeing everything close up. I felt the thrill of the game. There was a goal and the crowd erupted in cheers.

The referee called the a time out, saying they only had about two minutes left in the game. The two teams huddled up.

"TOSHIRO-KUN!" a group of girls yelled from behind me.

A head popped up from one of the huddled team of shirtless players. Toshiro brushed off his messy sweaty hair from his face and grinned as he waved to the girls. Seeing this, his Captain rolled his eyes and pulled him back into the huddle.

I heard, "KYAAA~" and "I can't take this! I think I'm going to pass out!" "Stay strong Asami!"

I think I was the only one who felt embarrassed.

Oh how prone I am to second hand embarrassment.

The game resumed and Toshiro got the ball. I followed him with my camera, watching evade his opponents. He passed it to a teammate then got the ball back. He danced past the defenders and headed straight towards the goal and its keeper.

I felt more than heard the crowd get up from behind me and scream for him. I clicked away, seeing the absolute concentration in his eyes, waiting for the opportune moment then-

There it was.

He made a powerful kick and the ball whizzed past the goalkeeper.

The crowd went mad.

Toshiro had a wide grin at his face and pumped his fist in the air. Then he disappeared when all the players pilled on him. I smiled as I snapped pictures of the team, that was just playing against each other only seconds before, laughed as they helped each other off Toshiro.

They made their way back to the stands greeting their fans. Some even posed for me, blushing I took their picture.

"Did you catch the game?"

I whipped back and almost bumped into Toshiro's sweaty chest. Burning up, I looked up at him. His hair clung to his face; a towel draped on hi shoulders and a bottle of water in his hand.

"Th-the later half," I told him. "I caught your goal though. You were amazing out there." I blushed my hands tinkered with my camera, trying to get my mind off his state of undress.

"Thanks," he ginned. "My good luck charm's here so I can't lose."

Confused, I asked, "What good luck charm?"

"Well, my best friend of course." He smiled. I bushed-again.

"A-a-ah…I'm far too clumsy to be your good luck charm, I would cause more harm than help."

"I'll prove you wrong. Look we have a game coming up and I was thinking-"

"The Kendo match will start in ten minutes." The announcer said, cutting Toshiro off.

My eyes widen. Wracking my brain, I tried to remember where the match would be, I needed to cover it.

"Gomene, Toshiro. I have to go." I said hurriedly as I shouldered my camera. "I have to cover this!" I rushed out. "See you later?"

"Yeah..." He said seeming a bit deflated.

"Sayonara!" I called back as I ran to the match.

I quickly ran through the past bonsai, bamboos, and various rock formations. I realized that the match would be in the dojo hidden in the traditional Japanese part of the school. I whizzed past my spot, a rock under a Sakura tree by a small pond, where I'd usually hide away when I needed peace.

I skipped on the rock path and heavily sat down on the steps of the dojo to take off my shoes. Clambering up the stairs I shoved the sliding door open.

It opened embarrassingly loud. I blushed and hoped that no one noticed. I was relieved that most of the audience didn't but I saw someone in armor turn at the sound.

Of course he was there.

Mori.

He was- no, is- the national Kendo champion.

I shut the door and stood there awkwardly as I looked for a spot.

"Ko-chan~" I saw Hunny's head popped from behind his cousin waist holding Usa-chan. He jumped up and down, waving me over. His taller, battle ready cousin, watched as I quickly, and awkwardly, shuffled my way across the room towards them.

"H-hi, Hunny-kun," I stammered. "M-m-m-ori-ku-kun."

"What are you doing here Ko-chan~?" Hunny said excitedly, bouncing up and down with Usa-chan.

"Uh, I'm here to c-c-over the m-match Hunny-kun."

"Ooooh," he said cutely. "Have you ever watched a Kendo match, Ko-chan?"

"N-no. I don't follow it," I said somewhat embarrassed. It was a Japanese sport after all.

"Really?" He said looking shocked. He skipped towards me and added, "don't worry Ko-chan, I'll sit by you in case you have any questions."

"A-arigato, Hunny-kun."

"I bet this will be a fun match ne, Takashi?"

Mori was concentrated on fixing his kote that he didn't bother to look up as he replied, "Ah."

"Takashi is the national Kendo champion, you know." Hunny said proudly.

"R-r-really?" I turned to Mori, forgetting my shyness for the moment,

I saw him raise his head. Though his face –for the most part- remained stoic, the corners of his mouth slightly tilted upward. "Ah."

"That's," his eyes met mine, "amazing," I breathed out.

"Morninozuka-kun, we are about to begin," a man- who I assumed was his teacher-said.

Mori gave a nod signaling that he had heard his master. Tilting to his head to his cousin then, to my surprise, me, he picked up his men and shinai and made his way to the middle of the room.

I got my camera ready. The room quieted down. The two opponents put on their men and raised their shinai. Takashi was marked with a white sash and his opponent with a red one. They went to opposite sides of the room, turned to one another then bowed.

I felt kind of embarrassed since the only noise that could be heard in the dojo was the clicking of my camera.

They walk towards each other, met at the center, the crouched. A signal was given.

The match begun.

Mori's opponent let out battle cry as he moved to strike.

Shocked by the sudden noise I fumbled with my camera. When I got it together I noticed the three white flags being raised by the three referees.

"W-what happened?" I asked Hunny.

"Takashi scored the first point." He said, swinging his legs and held his bunny to his chest.

Even if I didn't fumble with the camera, I don't think I would have seen the point. He was so fast. It was incredible.

You should check out some of the Kendo matches on YouTube.

The match started once more and I tried to follow them with my camera.

Kendo isn't a quiet match. Usually, the two fighters make a lot of noise, kind of like in tennis.

But Mori, was different.

Though he was allowed to scream or yell, he didn't.

He was the same quiet Mori.

He moved so fast that before I could catch up, it was all over. Mori won.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

After bowing Mori walked back to us and took of his men.

"Good job, Takashi~" Hunny exclaimed, leaping off the bench and onto Mori. He shifted so he clung onto Mori's back.

"Yes-s-s, that was r-r-eally c-c-c-oooll, Mori-kun." I stuttered out. The uniform suited him. He really seemed like a modern day samurai. I couldn't help but swoon.

You Americans may have your knights, but…there's just something about samurais.

"Arigato." He said.

"Maybe the next time Takashi has a match, you can come watch with me Ko-chan~! That would be so fun, ne? It's fun to have someone besides my relatives to talk to during the game. You're going to watch one of Takashi's matches with me, ne Ko-chan~?" Hunny said over Mori's shoulder. He looked so cute and excited that I had to say,

"S-s-sure, H-h-unny-k-kun," I fidgeted under both their gazes. "As l-l-ong a-a-s M-mori-k-kun doesn't m-m-mind me b-being there."

"Oh, Takashi doesn't mind! He wants you to watch him. Ne Takashi~?"

Mori and me looked at one another. One of us anxious whiles the other remained stoic as ever.

"Ah."

I practically fainted on the spot.

Hey there home skillets! Got a random flash of inspiration today so I wrote this all in a day! :O Woweee.

men - helmet

shinai - sword made from bamboos, used in Kendo

kote - protective gloves

Review Replies! The Midnight Shadow Star Why are you sending the Ootori Police Force after me? :O lksdhflkjdfl Hahhahah By the Light of the Harvest Moon No apologies necessary, I LOVE long reviews. Thank you for yours, it was touching. :) 70Seiji07 Hello there again! I'm glad you're stickin' with How! I'm gald you got to picture the...picture. Hahahhaa LadyMaeror HIIII! Thanks for another review! Oh believe me, I actually don't like making OCs, it's difficult to keep track of everyone. -_- It's confusing for you and me, Hehehehehe I just wanted to highlight that Noriko does have a life outside of the Host Club. :) I'm SO happy to hear that she isn't a Mary Sue!

Thank you also for those who alerted and favorite-ed! BUT I would just LOOOOOVE to hear from you guys! Reviews are Usa-chans of my life! (What does that even mean? Lol.)

-Shnitzel