A/N: Meh, so this is the last update I'll have until after 26th Nov (i.e. early Dec). Sickening but yeah. Exams. Same reason why it took so long to get this one out. I think I've ranted enough about this. Enjoy!
PiaTricia23, Thrill-Pair-All-The-Way, I heart MANGA and ANIME, a.k.373, Crazy Hyper Lady: Thankkkkks for the pretty reviews :D I'm kinda slow, I know. It's all exams' fault! Enjoy :P
Ice-creamy-life: Glad you likey :D Sorry to disappoint but I'm sticking with Hyotei now. This fic at least is not gonna have a Rikkai!Fem!Ryo. I don't know about any other bunnies that would pop up after my exams. But as it is, I hope you'd give this a try (:
-StreiterDestinyMiseki-: The whole blushing thing... well, in part foreshadowing, but then again, she is new to such things and I think I'd know that if it's new and all, it doesn't matter if you like the person or not, you'd blush. Or at least I did xD I've been extrapolating Syuusuke's behavior off how he tends to act (from my memory) with regard to Yuuta, so no, I haven't considered that idea yet. I usually go with instinct, much like how the whole transferring of school's came up, so whether it happens or not depends, I guess! And yes, Atobe has a pretty interesting role later and a sorta side-story of his own, I think. Like I said, instinct again!
Disclaimer: Original names, characters and places don't belong to me. I don't own anything except the general ridiculous plot-less plot and OC(s), if any. Yadablah.
As Fate Wills It
Chapter 9 - Hyotei Princesses
In one of the many study alcoves that littered the Hyotei campus, Echizen Reiko stared out at the tennis courts even as the non-regulars trained. She supposed she should be there training them but really, that was such a chore. Once again, she wondered why she let her cousin talk her out of going to watch districts and sighed, oblivious to her surroundings.
"Reiko-chan!" A girlish squeal was all the warning Reiko got before the walking whirlwind that was Nakamura Misaki bounced up to her.
"Nakamura-senpai." She acknowledged, knowing that the formality would only irk Misaki, before turning back to the courts.
And she was spun back around and forced down on the window seat. "I'd think you besotted and missing Atobe if I didn't know better." Misaki teased.
Reiko's nose wrinkled. "Monkey King? Not even if you paid me, and we weren't related! Why are you here anyway?"
"Your cousin dearest called." Misaki was bouncing in her seat. "Ask me why!" At Reiko's deadpan expression, she deflated, if only to bounce back full force. "They took distracts!"
Amber eyes rolled. "Che. It would have been more shocking if they lost." She watched her senpai deflate again. "But at least it means good food tonight at Kei's."
Misaki cheered up at that, continuing to go on about what she wanted and other off tangents from there, requiring Reiko to nod absently at intervals only and giving her time to muse over her 'new life.'
It was odd, entering Hyotei in the later part of the term. But her names had smoothed her road much. Echizen Rinko nee Takeuchi was from old money and a highly respected and sought after lawyer. Add to the fact that Reiko's father was, to the public, a mystery-cum-legend in their tennis obsessed school… And the fact that she was essentially Atobe's 'imouto.' Plus the Princess of the circuit… It was perhaps easier to say that her reputation preceded her. So it didn't surprise many – if any at all – that she had to 'hold court' and when it came down to it, it was with a small number of close friends. The Regulars – namely Oshitari, Ohtori, a sleepy Jiroh and, of course, Atobe – were obvious picks enough. But aside from them, she had other friends that were more to her taste than her 'friends' in Seigaku like Horio and Osakada. Nakamura Misaki was one of them: Being one of the few girls that called the Regulars friends rather than decry them or squeal over them, she and Reiko had hit it off well, for all that Misaki was 2 years her senior.
Life in Hyotei, Reiko decided, was good. The tennis had a bite to it. Lessons were a touch better than Seigaku. And Keigo didn't hover like Syuusuke did – that was, in particular, one point she enjoyed. She had yet to speak to her anuie, choosing to spend more time at Keigo's and making excuses for herself.
Spending her weekdays at the Atobe home instead gave her free range over who called her and what she did without fear of over-protectiveness. Keigo would step in if he felt it was necessary, but not at every turn; such was his nature. He had 'better things to do' and trusted his own blood to have similar levels of prowess – his words, not hers. It was an amazing respite from her immediate family – namely the males – and led to her friendships working out more normally.
Or as normal as they'd get, she reflected, even as her phone buzzed with a text message.
How were districts?
"Who is it that has you smiling so sweet, Reiko-chan?" Misaki pounced, snatching the phone. "Oh! Senpai says we won. I don't need to ask if you won, right? 6-0 all? Rikkai? Who from Rikkai!"
Reiko snatched back her phone and pressed send even as Misaki continued to pester her to no avail. The sole Echizen-Takeuchi daughter refused to think about romance and Misaki couldn't help but wonder.
Need you ask? I presume we'll see you at Kantou?
Reiko couldn't help but giggle. The answer was obvious.
Need you ask? Let me guess, your adri's rushing and you hardly needed it.
The reply made her smile. It was something she would have said herself, after all. Needless to say. Districts are boring. I need a challenge.
I think I'm rubbing off you.
She had hardly pressed send when noise entered her alcove. "I still don't get why we went for districts, Yuu~shi!" Mukahi's voice rang out, full-out whine.
"Because it would be moral blow to prefectural matches." Reiko answered before the tensai did. "Yes, the non-regulars could have done the job but not well enough to strike fear."
She missed the grateful look Oshitari threw her as Atobe's too-smug face caught her attention. "You look too happy, Rei-chan."
"We get a fantastic dinner tonight. Should I be unhappy, Kei-nii-chan?" She gave him an overly sugared look. "Misaki-senpai was just bugging me about dinner. I'm so excited now! You won't let us down, would you?"
Oshitari choked on a laugh at Reiko's blatant acting. One soft spot Atobe had outside family was Nakamura Misaki. They were 'just friends' but Reiko and he had long agreed something would come of it someday. Unless Atobe was like himself and Mukahi, of course – but Oshitari suspected Atobe would go both ways in that case.
Said heiress had glomped Atobe, nattering on food until he threatened to pass her to Kabaji and the two girls flanked him, continuing their endless chatter as the team exited the room.
In Hyotei briefly to pick up paperwork from one of this father's associates, Yagyuu Hiroshi was surprised to hear a loud medley of voices approaching. Surely if they were not at club activities, most people would have returned home already, not traipsing the corridors. To his surprise, he saw the self-proclaimed King of Hyotei, beleaguered expression on his face, flanked by two girls. He nearly didn't recognize Echizen who'd left her hair loose and forgone the usual cap and was properly attired in a tailored uniform. The other girl, he recognized for some heiress as well, with her long hair braided to a side, minimal expensive jewelry sparkling.
His eyebrows nigh reached his hairline when he realized the rest of the tennis team regulars trailing behind them in much the same condition as his team. They'd played districts too, apparently.
The fact that the Princess wasn't similarly attired made him wonder: was she a trump card or simply not involved? Either way, it'd seem that he'd best warn Yanagi to keep an eye out for Hyotei as much as Seigaku this season.
Having fulfilled her role as 'young mistress of the house' by ordering the servants to show the team to the showers and provide them with anything necessary then load them into cars to see them home, Reiko had disappeared to shower herself. Dinner had been a messy affair and she was eternally grateful they were in the informal (child friendly) dining room when the food fight had broken out. Now clad in a fluffy white bathrobe, she flicked through the immense wardrobe of her cousin's for something to wear – she had a preference for huge shirts to wear to sleep and Keigo never complained unless he had a girlfriend at that point in time.
Grinning when she found the shirt she'd printed him a few years back, she tugged it on before slipping on a silkier over robe, the sheer material of which made the design clear for her now-entering cousin.
"Rei… Stop raiding my closet!" The tick on his forehead grew at her laugh. She knew his sniping was due to the shirt, not the act itself.
"Monkey King." She teased, heading for the door. "We've been through this for years! Besides, I love this shirt."
He glared as she twirled out of the door. A rich purple hued shirt, it was printed with a caricature of them a few years back at the expense of his dignity. And it had been a gift for his sixteenth birthday. Reiko always enjoyed rubbing it in that she'd beat him and shaved off his hair.
By the gods, the wig itched for months!
But if one thing could be said, his baby cousin was flourishing as much as she could. And she kept smiling – even if it was at her phone. He personally suspected Rikkaidai's captain.
Maybe Reiko would like to come along the next time he chose to antagonize Sanada…
Back in her room, the girls were having a rather unconventional slumber party. Misaki flicked through Reiko's clothes even as the aforementioned girl contented herself by sprawling on the huge bed, Karupin nestled up to her, hand phone in one hand and tennis magazine in the other.
"Echizen Reiko, your wardrobe appalls me!" Misaki suddenly proclaimed. "Your uniform is impeccable – Keigo's doing, no doubt – but the rest is all tennis!"
At that, she was rudely interrupted by a very un-Reiko-like squeal as the younger girl became fixated on a part of the magazine and began texting rapidly.
The racquet I've been waiting for is out! I'm so going to prove you're mada mada dramatically with it!
Misaki snatched the magazine, sighed at the technicalities of it and all and proceeded to lecture Reiko. "You know, if you wore a girly outfit, you'll win even more. The boys would knock themselves out!"
"That's not the point in playing, senpai!" Reiko rolled her eyes, flopping back. "Kei'd be immune anyway. Unless it's you!" She grinned at the blush that suffused Misaki's face. Wait till Yuushi hears of this, she thought evilly.
Then she was forced to duct as her elder swatted her with the magazine. "I don't see Keigo that way, Reiko! We grew up together since he moved here! He's a known narcissist and being 'perfect' would want a 'perfect' girl anyway. Thank the gods it isn't me!"
"Mada mada." She flapped a hand at the brunette, distracted by her phone buzzing. "Echizen." She picked up the call.
"So your racquet means I can't win anymore." A teasing gentle voice greeted her.
She grinned, ignoring the curious look on Misaki's face. "Yup! I'm going to be awesome with it that you're going to be even more mada mada."
"So you've said. But what if I told you I already have it?" He teased. "Let's see, grip that fits perfectly in your hand, frame in black splashed with gold, perfect tension…"
"No fair!" She burst out, then realized she had fall for the bait and rolled over to bury her face into a pillow. "I hate you."
Misaki couldn't try to eavesdrop on the reply as it was heavily muffled but Reiko's reply made it clear enough."Oh yuck. No way in hell! No offense, but what the hell? Where did that come from? …No, I don't love you! Ick! You have cooties, Seiichi-san!"
She snapped the phone shut with a "bye" shortly after, and buried her face into her pillow and had a mental freak out, consisted of calling him as many nasty names as possible.
That is, until Misaki's voice permeated her consciousness.
"So…" Misaki's voice brought her back to reality and an oh-shit expression took over. She'd forgotten Misaki was in the room. "You yell at Seigaku's captain, live with Hyotei's and flirt with Rikkai's?"
"Seiichi-san and I are friends, damn it!" She felt like killing someone. "Friends!"
Many protests later, Reiko had drifted off to sleep, tired of arguing. A half asleep Misaki mumbled one last "whatever you say, liar" before drifting off herself.
A/N: I typically don't like creating OCs, but I just felt that she would need some female friend or other. It's a girl thing, I swear. I've seen fics where we have someone's sister or other, or in Seigaku fics, simply Sakuno and Tomoka, but they don't seem to work, I guess. Misaki's sorta based off my sister as well as one of my best friends. Insanely girly enough to provide some crack, and she sounds amazingly like a bimbo right now in my head. I'll probably try to give her some depth later though, so bear with me. In the mean time, REVIEW! and I'll see ya in December after the godawful exams are over :P -iirse
Editted: 15th March 2011