Finally... updated... whew.
So school suddenly popped back up and I finally understand the true meaning of 'busy'. Then last week I looked at the documents in my computer and I went 'oooh...' so I finished this chapter and now it is here. Exciting things are happenin' but I would recommend rereading a few chapters before this (I had to just to write something good) but anywho. Enjoy :)
Chapter 11
"Ha... ha..." Miyori clutched her knees as she stood next to the water fountain. She was covered in beads of sweat.
"Maybe if you had taken your pace a little slower," Shishido raised a dry eyebrow. He was barely dabbled with salt. It wouldn't be a stretch to say Miyori loathed him a little for it.
"Whatever you sweatless hedgehog," she put her hands on her head, "take the fountain, I'm already done." Shishido pushed his hat down firmly on his head and took the space in front of the fountain.
He murmured something about chickens as he got a drink of water. Miyori felt like whacking him in the back of the head, but chose to walk away.
The third group had already been running for at least 10 minutes with Ootori and Jirou creating distance between them and the main group. She continued watching them until she reached Yuuki.
"How are they doing?" Miyori sidled over to her best friend. With prompting and finagling, Miyori had convinced Yuuki to take her camera to this practice.
"There's about twenty tennis boys in front of or close to Reinka and Chiro and only three of them in front of fukubucho," Yuuki noted, readjusting her lens, "Ootori-san and Jirou-san are up front."
"Really?" Miyori stretched her whole body sideways, "how did round two do?"
"While you and Shishido Ryou had run in the second round, about 17 of 50 members made it past the girls," Yuuki was still firing away shots of the runners. "Shishido and that guy named Taki looked promising for making the overall top 16."
"And round one?"
"While I, myself, ran in that round, I know for a fact that Hiyoshi, Mukahi, and Kabaji stayed well ahead of the group and that only 13 of the members passed that round because the twins kicked the pace up."
"And your thoughts on Shishido Ryou?" Miyori asked casually.
"His pace set the standard for the heat, but I feel like his breathing became irregular near the last few laps," Yuuki said in the same analyzing tone.
"You are really serious when you are taking photographs; it's intimidating," Miyori watched her with a mixture of amazement and amusement.
"I don't know why you say that," Yuuki didn't look up, "I'm always serious."
"Sure you are," Miyroi nudged her, "always serious." Yuuki either had not heard her, or was choosing to ignore her. It was frightening how much of a different person she became. A shadow covered the both of them.
"Atobe... wants to see you," Kabaji said slowly. Miyori blinked. She had not seen the towering first year approach them. She turned to Yuuki for confirmation.
"Go on," Yuuki waved her away with a hand. Miyori followed behind Kabaji as he began walking to where Atobe would probably be.
The walk was kind of awkward, considering she had never talked to Kabaji before in her life. She ran through a mental list of things she could make small talk about for the 1.5 minutes they were walking.
"So... Kabaji," Miyori rubbed her arm uncomfortably. Kabaji glanced back at her, but turned forward again.
"You've known Atobe for a long time, right?"
"Usu," he answered automatically.
"I feel sorry for you being stuck with him for so long," she said jokingly. Kabaji continued walking forward. Miyori couldn't tell if Kabaji was smiling or not.
"Atobe... is a good person," Kabaji said quietly.
"A-ah," Miyori bit her lip, "I see." Had she said the wrong thing? She tried think of something else to say that would make up for the awkward things she had said.
"Ah, Miyori," Atobe interrupted her thoughts, "I have something to ask of you." They had arrived in front of Atobe without her noticing.
Before she could say anything else, Kabaji left them to whatever business Atobe had called her for. Captain Sada stood there also, watching Miyori intently.
"On Wednesday, we have some guests coming for the challenges," Atobe started, "and I want it to be a surprise. So I would like it to be arranged for you to entertain them in the afternoon until it is time to introduce them."
"Introduce them?" Miyori said uneasily.
"Perhaps that is the wrong word," Atobe thought carefully, "reveal their presence, I suppose."
"I can't. Soccer practice," Miyori said almost automatically. It was almost a relief to fall back on Soccer as an excuse. She didn't want to think about what all 'entertaining the guests' encased.
"It's already been taken care of," Miyori's captain said smoothly. Miyori stared at her captain in disbelief. Sada Setsuko was letting her skip practice? On a whim of ATOBE?
"Really?"
Setsuko nodded, "provided that you will be running the fourth heat with us."
Miyori's heart sank. Of course she would.
"I-I still can't do it," Miyori stammered.
"Ahn? Why not?"
"My sister is coming in from America on Wednesday, and I have to pick her up at the airport," Miyori nodded quickly.
Atobe raised an eyebrow, "you have a sister?"
"I didn't know this either," Setsuko crossed her arms, frowning with suspicion.
"She's been studying in America for... 2 years now?" Miyori tried to recall.
"It will be taken care of," Atobe said smartly.
"But-"
"The third heat is finishing," Setsuko turned the runners, "let's get ready." Atobe and Setsuko walked over to the starting line. Miyori made a noise that was a cross between a sigh and a whimper.
Not more running, not more.
She slowly made her way to the starting line.
The Hyotei boys collapsed on the fencing as they reached the finish line. The three girls that had just ran stood on the court, puffing. While they looked very winded, they also looked pleased with themselves.
"Sugoi!" Jirou bounded over to the girls, smiling happily, "you guys are fast!" One of the girls shrugged.
"It's what we do," the vice captain tipped her visor. The fangirls seemed to be visibly irritated that anything remotely 'female' was interacting with THEIR tennis players.
"Arrogance?" Oshitari walked over to Miyori, who was also watching the scene. Miyori didn't know if he was talking about the soccer girls or the fangirls.
"I think we forget this is Hyotei," Miyori watched the overly excited blonde boy continue to talk to the soccer girls. "I thought it was just the tennis team that was arrogant, but I think anyone who attends this school automatically gets an ego boost. They should reconsider the name of the school."
"Hyotei Arrogant Gakuen," Oshitari said thoughtfully, "it has a nice ring to it."
"We need to forward this change to all people important in Hyotei, but wait a minute," Miyori paused, "this is Hyotei. Everyone thinks they're important."
Oshitari chuckled, "then perhaps we should forward it to all the humble people."
"They do not exist here," Miyori said balefully, "even I can be arrogant on a good day. Heh, even that was arrogant." Miyori continued to walk with Oshitari to the starting line.
"Why are you getting in line for the last run? Didn't you already go?"
Miyori muttered, "I just have masochistic tendencies."
"I thought it was because you love running," Oshitari turned to the starting line. Atobe was starting a speech.
"It is time for the last heat," Atobe announced, "and Ore-sama will lead you to victory. But this round is different. You still have to beat all the girls, but if you can't beat her." Atobe pointed to Miyori, "you get 20 extra laps."
"And Miyori," her captain called back to her, "if you don't make at least 30th place, you will get 50 extra laps yourself." If Miyori hadn't known her captain better, she might have thought Sada Setsuko had said that in an almost sing-song voice.
"Thank you for making my life easier," Miyori murmured.
"Are you in some kind of trouble?" Oshitari smiled with amusement.
"I wish," Miyori huffed, "then I wouldn't be doing something so unreasonable."
[]
Miyori laid doubled over in pain on the empty court. In fact, the whole was tennis compound was empty. After successfully making 25th place out of 50. Not that she cared. Her legs had dissolved into a pool of mush on the courts about 10 minutes ago.
"What do we have here?"
Miyori felt a shoe tap her back.
"Let me die in peace, Hiyoshi," Miyori groaned.
"Road kill," Hiyoshi raised an eyebrow, "what poor unfortunate soul ran over this thing?"
"I thought we were on a friend truce," Miyori attempted to glare over her shoulder.
"I'm just being honest," Hiyoshi walked around her so he could see her face. Her blue eyes had lost its vigor.
"Don't be," she turned over slowly, wincing slightly. "Just tell me I'm pretty and that this outfit does not make my butt look big."
"Friend, not boyfriend," Hiyoshi corrected her.
"Whatever," she grumbled.
"Why are you even still here?" Hiyoshi asked, "everyone left 10 minutes ago."
Miyori didn't respond.
Hiyoshi held in a sigh. She looked so pitiful, but he refrained from doing anything. If he played it right, he could end the bet here.
"Aren't you going to get up?" Hiyoshi tapped her back again.
"I will when I feel like it."
"When you feel like it, or when you can?" Hiyoshi asked dryly. Miyori began ignoring him again.
"I'm here if you need assistance," Hiyoshi positioned himself on a bench.
"You mean asking for help?" Miyori barked bitterly, "oh no, you aren't going to win that easily." Hiyoshi watched as she attempted to stand up. Her legs shook like a nightmare. She fell to her knees quickly and used the palms of her hands to hold her steady.
The sigh finally escaped Hiyoshi's lips. He couldn't just leave her there. Hiyoshi pulled her up by her armpits and began raising her up. This didn't qualify as 'helping', did it?
"What are you doing?" Miyori looked up at him.
"Getting you to your locker room," he dragged her past the gate, "it seems like you need assistance."
"Not this kind of help!" she struggled to get out of his grasp, "I don't need any help!"
"I've never heard that one before." Hiyoshi stared at her. Miyori went still after that.
They rounded the corner and Hiyoshi stopped in front of the locker room door.
"Can you walk?" Hiyoshi glanced over his back.
"For five seconds maybe," Miyori muttered. Hiyoshi kicked the door open and pushed Miyori in.
"You better start walking or you will be meeting concrete floor very soon," Hiyoshi called inside. He heard a string of curses and loud bangs come from inside the locker room. Hiyoshi paused for a moment.
"Should I be amused or concerned?" he called through the vent in the door. He was answered by another string of curses.
"Amused," he said to himself as he sat down on a nearby bench.
After what seemed like an eternity, Miyori finally reemerged from the locker room.
"You see this face?" Miyori pointed to herself, pushing up her glasses, "this is the face of someone who is very angry."
"I am quaking with fear," Hiyoshi replied sardonically.
"Ohhh, you will be," Miyori glared at him, limping slightly.
"Ah, I already have people to Gekokujou, thank you," Hiyoshi began walking. Miyori limped after him. He slowed just enough that she was only two steps behind him.
"Do you only think about Gekokujou, or do you actually have plans for your life?" Miyori maintained a slower speed.
Hiyoshi glanced back at her, "I suppose you think I have a one track mind."
"I don't think, I know," Miyori said smartly.
"Heh," Hiyoshi snorted, "feel free to think what you like."
"That Atobe is better than you?"
"Atobe is better than me," Hiyoshi stated, "why do you think Gekokujou applies to him?" Miyori paused.
"To usurp the ones above you and take their place?" Miyori thought through.
"That is Gekokujou," Hiyoshi nodded.
"So your real goal isn't just to beat Atobe, it's to be better than everyone," Miyori reasoned.
"You could say that."
Miyori paused again, "what happens when you reach the top?" Hiyoshi stopped.
"What?"
"What happens when you reach the top?" Miyori repeated, "at some point you will beat everyone that you can, and your work will be done. What's next?"
Hiyoshi thought about this. Her logic made more sense than he cared to admit. What would be his driving force when he was on top? Stay on top? Of course, but, the top was a long ways away to Hiyoshi. He had much work to do.
"Unless, unconsciously, you don't think you can do it," Miyori began limping again. Hiyoshi stared at her.
"How would that work?" Hiyoshi asked her.
"I don't know," Miyori shrugged, "make your work seem more than it is? It'd be a great excuse not to try your hardest."
"Oh, so now you know everything don't you?"
Miyori was insolently silent for a few minutes. Hiyoshi continued to press on. He didn't know how close to the truth she really was.
"Thanks," she said cheekily, "I'm saying it now so you don't get any ideas." she added on. Hiyoshi snorted.
"Whatever you say." Hiyoshi found it slightly annoying that she could never admit she needed help. Like a little kitten or puppy who thought it was tough stuff only to be knocked down.
But then again, it was Miyori.
[]
Sighing, Miyori flipped to the next page of her expense report for the club. Morning club activities had begun. And so had the sore leg muscles.
"Here," Atobe placed a stack of files on her desk, "can you file these?"
"Sure," Miyori lifted them to her face, "no problem." She turned in her chair to file.
"Atoshi, Igarasen," Miyori opened the top drawer and filed them away. "Wakara, Tsugura," she closed the top and went to the bottom.
"Ah, Nabura," She slid the middle one open.
AHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG GGG!
Miyori fell out of her chair and shut the middle drawer simultaneously. She laid on the ground, clutching her racing heart.
"Ahn?" Atobe glanced at the file cabinet, "an air horn in the filing cabinet? It seems someone is playing a prank."
"REALLY? I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR FUN."
"Well, you could put it like that," Atobe said amusedly.
"Make them run," Miyori gripped the arm of her chair to pull herself up, "make them run until they DIE."
"It's just a harmless prank," Atobe said indifferently, "finish your filing."
Miyori walked cautiously to the cabinet and checked her last folder. She winced. Madara.
She inched it open until there was enough room for her hand to get in. Her fingers walked over the folders looking for the spot of the last one.
"Oh for crying out loud," Atobe snatched the file from her hands and slammed the draw open, sending the air horning whining. He filed it in the appropriate spot and shut it closed once more.
"Now, that wasn't so bad-" Atobe turned around. "Miyori?" She had vanished into thin air.
"S-sure," Miyori rose up slowly from the other side of her desk. Had she dived over the desk?
"Are you afraid of loud noises?" Atobe was finding the situation more and more enjoyable by the minute.
"N-no," Miyori glared at him, "if I was, I would have been run off by the fangirls by now."
"No, you got scared by that," Atobe disagreed, "terrified by the looks of it."
"I was not," Miyori crossed her arms, "whatever you say it did not-" Atobe opened the drawer once more.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG GGG!
Miyori visibly jumped two feet. With a satisfied smirk, Atobe let the metal drawer roll back into place. Miyori was blushing furiously.
"Doesn't... prove... a thing," Miyori stormed out of the room.
AANNNNNGGG! Atobe opened once more. Miyori skittered out of the room. Strolling back to his chair, Atobe chuckled to himself.
Miyori collapsed next to the door of the clubhouse. This was more than she could take.
"Are you okay?" Ootori happened to be passing by. Hiyoshi strode up next to him.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Hiyoshi commented, having the faintest idea of what this was about.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Miyori glared.
"I'd like to see one myself," Hiyoshi shrugged, "as long as it wasn't too... ABRUPT." Miyori realized what he meant instantly. Hiyoshi returned back to the school.
"You come back here!" Miyori shook her fists at him, "I'll show you abrupt!"
"Sato style?" he called, not looking back.
"I'd show you what the meaning of prick is, but you already have that down!" Miyori yelled. Then she glanced over at Ootori and remembered the other reason for the bet. For mind screwing, this opportunity was golden.
"Wait," she called out, "I'm sorry." Hiyoshi turned, eyebrows raised.
"I didn't mean to call you a self-serving honorary grade A prick," Miyori gestured towards Chotarou, "you're actually a nice guy." Ootori was floored.
"I see," Hiyoshi walked back and helped her up, "and you aren't a helpless baby that only thinks of herself." Miyori smiled thinly. Chotarou's brain could not process the situation.
"Ah-who-he-what-mer," Ootori walked away, babbling.
"You are very cruel," Hiyoshi looked down at the dark haired girl.
"Helpless baby? Really?" Miyori glanced up at him.
"Personally, I think it's worse than being a grade A prick."
"Oh, I kind of fubbed it," Miyori waved it off, "Atobe is grade A. You are more of a B plus."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Hiyoshi said slowly.
[]
"Yo!" Shishido waved a hand, "over here!" The lunch table, currently occupied by Shishido, Ootori, Mukahi, and Hiyoshi, had gained new members because of the current 'challenge' situation: Jirou and Taki.
"Ryo!" Jirou sat in the seat opposite Shishido. Taki took the corner seat beside Hiyoshi.
"YOU should have been sitting with us a long time ago," Gakuto puffed his cheeks out at Taki.
"Sorry...?" Taki shrugged his shoulders.
"That's no excuse!" Mukahi pointed a finger at him.
"Mukahi-senpai is right," Ootori smiled, "you would have been warmly welcomed here."
"If you're worrying about me feeling excluded then you should know the truth," Taki flipped one of his bangs. "I was worried about my image. You people are weirdoes, you know."
"You're full of crap, Taki," Shishido let out a laugh, "you were just scared we wouldn't include you."
"Whatever you say," Taki shrugged haughtily.
"Oh? Does the little dog have a big bark?" Oshitari smirked as he took his place at the table. "After getting entrance at the big boy table too."
"I don't know why I bother sitting here," Taki huffed.
"Think of it as common ground," Chotarou laughed lightly, "yesterday's challenge was enough to throw us all back together."
"The fourth round got pretty intense," Shishido commented as he took a bite of lunch, "the pace was unreal."
"With Atobe and Sada-san leading the race, keeping near was a feat in and of itself," Oshitari sighed. "I think we found someone who hates to lose almost as much as Atobe."
"But she was graceful about being second place," Ootori pointed out.
"I think there's something comforting about being beaten by only the number one player," Taki said with circumspect, "you are greater than everyone, except first of course."
"If it were me, I would still be on the Gekokujou," Hiyoshi muttered.
"Personally I think it's a blow to your pride, Yuushi," Gakuto grinned at Oshitari, "being beat out by a girl."
"Sada Setsuko is very prominent in Hyotei athletics for her soccer skills and for her cross country running," Oshitari said indifferently, "I have no reason to be ashamed."
"You could at least act like it for once," Mukahi murmured.
"I think I applaud Shizuka-san the most," Ootori nodded, "she went two rounds, and still made 25th place in the heat."
"I think that says something about her character," Oshitari nodded.
"Che," Taki coughed and turned his head.
"You think otherwise?" Ootori witheld a small frown.
"It seems pig-headed to run two races just to show off some skill," Taki shrugged, "but considering the way she collapsed on one of the courts, I think she learned her lesson."
"Personally, I think those circumstances seemed to be out of her hands, so to speak," Oshitari tapped his chopsticks on the table.
"She was just showing off," Taki argued, "don't tell me people scale fences for fun."
"That was hilarious though," Mukahi pointed out, "and it makes her okay in my book."
"Well, at least she's getting the attention she wants," Taki said indifferently, "it's kind of annoying."
"Phfft!" Shishido chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Mukahi poked Shishido.
"Well, it's startling how similarly Taki and Hiyoshi think of Miyori," Shishido's chuckle subsided. "I mean, you think of her as annoying, don't you Wakashi?"
All eyes turned to the quiet boy. He remained as unaffected as ever.
"Sure. She can be annoying," Hiyoshi continued eating lunch.
"You guys are at each other's throats one minute, happy the next," Ootori sighed. Hiyoshi didn't respond.
"Whaaaat?" Gakuto stared at Hiyoshi. "Happy?"
"He's referring to how much the two of us fight in the classroom," Hiyoshi shrugged.
I was referring to how much the two of you haven't fought this past week, Ootori sighed, "until today. Then you..." Ootori couldn't comprehend the situation beyond that.
"That is quite unusual," Oshitari commented, "Is this a regular occurrence?"
"Sometimes," Hiyoshi continued eating his lunch.
"Sometimes?" Mukahi sideled up to Hiyoshi, "what does that mean?"
"It means," Hiyoshi said cooly, "that we fight, but we don't fight all the time."
"So what does that mean?" Mukahi smirked. Hiyoshi shrugged.
"Whatever you want it to."
[]
"Why is she here?" a guy murmured.
"Didn't we finish with the soccer girls yesterday?" another whispered.
"With Atobe, who knows?"
The crowd of tennis boys were jabbering amongst themselves.
"Oy, what's going on?" Shishido walked up to Oshitari, stretching his arms in the air.
"It seems the vice captain is participating with us today," Oshitari pushed his glasses up his nose. Currently, the visored vice captain was resting on the fence, holding a bamboo stick like a staff.
"Why?" Shishido stared at the girl.
"I think we're about to find out," Hiyoshi stepped up with the group. Atobe reached the center of the crowd of boys.
"20 laps for all," Atobe called out, "then the ones who are still in the challenges have 20 more." The boys were slow to pick up their feet, but they all began running.
After all the first ones dropped out, the challengers stood at the line once more. Atobe nodded for them to begin. All the boys began running.
"This is stupid," a couple players were lagging far behind, "why are we doing all these laps?"
"They are just trying to wear us down," one of the boys shrugged indifferently, "what else could they be doing?"
WHACK!
"Ow!" the first guy nearly fell down in pain.
"What the heck?" his partner turned to look at behind them. The vice captain was running behind them.
"My bad," she smiled as she swung back and whacked the second boy in the legs.
"Agh," he grabbed at his calves.
"By the way," she turned to them as she passed by them, "you two are both out of the challenges."
"What's going on?" Mukahi caught up with Oshitari, "people are dropping out of the laps."
"I don't know," Oshitari said carefully, "but it seems like it has something to do with that vice captain."
"Run," Taki was running especially fast, "run!"
"What's happening?" Mukahi called out.
"That girl," Taki turned to glance back at the vice captain half a lap behind them, "she whacks you with her stick, you are out of the competition. It's one of the challenges!"
Mukahi stared at him in disbelief.
"Somehow, I wouldn't put this past Atobe," Oshitari began to increase his pace.
[]
Tennis players laid sprawled over the first court. Some were being supported by the fence while others were hogging whole benches. Groans and Moans could be heard all round as if it was a sick hospital. Atobe, only slightly winded, stood erect and watched as the vice captain trotted over the finish line to Atobe.
"You have the exact number you wanted," she handed him the bamboo stick.
"32?" he took it from her. She nodded. "Thank you Amiya-san," Atobe placed the stick on shoulder. The vice captain tipped her visor and walked towards the soccer field.
"Well, my wounded soldiers, who's ready to begin the challenges?" the mass of groans became collective.
"If that wasn't the challenge, what was that?" Mukahi yelled at Atobe.
"Ahn?" Atobe rested the stick in front of himself, "are we all dead?" Hiyoshi stood up from his leaning position.
"Not if I can help it," he murmured.
Slowly, more and more people stood in front of Atobe. Atobe beamed a satisfied smirk.
"Alright, partner up!" Atobe called. "We are playing doubles for the next challenge. Win and you get to move on."
"Thank goodness," someone muttered, "a challenge I can understand."
[]
Ootri and Shishido rested under a shade tree overlooking the tennis courts and the track and field. Having finished their game quickly, they were done for now. The fangirls could be heard screaming as Atobe and Oshitari were playing their doubles match.
"KYYAAA! KYYYAAA! ATOBEE! OSHITARIII!"
"Che, You can still hear them from over here," Shishido stuck a finger in his ear.
"HIIIIIYYYYYOOOOOSSSHIIIIIII!"
"I'll bet Shizuka-san is proud of herself," Chotarou sighed.
Shishido glanced over at the track and field with a smirk. The soccer girls were doing drills. Then he noticed a girl in purple walking towards the field.
"Oy," Shishido gestured at the girl, "did Hyotei middle school get different uniforms?"
"None that I know of," Ootori studied the girl. The girl turned in different directions, seeming lost. Slowly and steadily she was walking towards the field. Suddenly she spotted something on the field and began lightly jogging towards it.
"Hnn," Shishido watched.
"Umm," Ootori pointed towards the track. Two very loud runners were messing with each other around on the track, not really paying attention. Both the purple girl and the the track guys were not paying attention. They were about to run into each other.
"Oy, oy," Shishido stood up, "Oy!" He began jogging down the hill. "Hey!" No one was paying attention to him. He changed into an all out sprint. Surely she would hear if he got closer. "HEEEYY!" Shishido pulled the girl down to the ground just as the runner passed by.
"OY, are you CRAZY?" Shishido stood up and shook off the dust from his clothes. The girl looked enraged as Shishido offered her a hand up. She shook out her light brown hair and took the help up.
"You were almost run over," Shishido stabbed a finger at the runner who had passed by. Her dark blue eyes went wide. She held her hands up in apology.
The girl began to speak "I-"
"FUYUMI!" she was tackled to the ground by a blue blur.
"Miyori!" Ootori gave an alarmed cry.
"Wha-what," Miyori breathed harshly, then gave up on speaking and began using her hands. Shishido and Ootori were at a loss, but the girl seemed to under the hand signals completely.
"Um, what exactly is going on?" Shishido asked heatedly.
"Sorry," Miyori stood up and pulled up the girl with her. "This is my sister, Fuyumi." The girl smiled brightly at the two boys.
"Nice to meet you," she gave a small bow.
"You as well," Shishido nodded, "but next time keep your ears open and maybe we won't have to meet on such abrupt terms." Fuyumi laughed at this and Miyori gave a small chuckle. Shishido shifted uncomfortably.
"Did I miss something?"
"I'm deaf," Fuyumi's laugher could still be seen in her eyes. She made a motion to her face. "Deaf."
"Oh," Shishido felt very awkward about his last quip.
"It's fine," Fuyumi waved it off, "how could you have known?"
"Atobe sent me to get you two," Oshitari entered their group, "ah, who is this?"
"I'm Fuyumi," Miyori's sister gave a nod and signed it at the same time.
"Nice to meet you," Oshitari signed back.
"Oshitari-senpai knows sign language?" Miyori was genuinely surprised.
"It never hurts to learn a thing or two," Oshitari winked at the girls.
"I suppose not," Fuyumi pulled her sister's arm off her shoulder.
"Um, pardon me for being so forward," Ootori raised is hand, "but if you are deaf, how can you understand us and speak?"
Fuyumi glanced over at her sister. Miyori wrapped an arm around her again, to annoy, "Fuyumi wasn't born deaf, she became deaf at about 8 so she can read lips and speak normally as long as she is facing the person she's talking to."
"But my English isn't as good," she laughed, "ASL, pretty good. English, probably not."
"ASL?" Ootori was lost.
"American Sign Language," Miyori nodded, "Sign language used in America. Every country has a different set of sign language. It can even be regional, depending. I can speak American and Japanese Sign Language decently since I used to skype Fuymi every other week."
"You speak very well, Fuyumi-san" Oshitari commented, "no accent." Fuyumi gave a flourishing bow.
"I hope so," Miyori gave her sister a light punch in the arm, "she's going to start attending Hyotei. She's going to need all the know how she can get."
"But you're still my baby sister and I'll always have more know how than you," Fuyumi hugged her sister in a bear hug. Fuyumi was almost five inches taller.
"Alright. Leggo. I have to go to practice," Miyori pushed her off, "wait for me. I'm sure Yuuki will be estatic."
"FUYUMIIIIII!" another blue blur tackled the poor girl to the ground. Miyori sighed.
"See you guys later," Miyori jogged back to practice.
"Yuuki-chan," Fuyumi pushed her off lovingly. Yuuki became a flurry of hand motions.
"Slow down, slow down," Fuyumi couldn't stop laughing, "even I can't understand you."
[]
Atobe opened the door of the club room. He shut the door behind himself to keep any more morning chill from entering with him.
"Shizuka," Atobe noticed her at her desk with a magazine in front of her face, "good. You're here. I need you to go to the office and get some requisition forms. The magazine didn't move. Atobe frowned.
"Shizuka," Atobe called her name, "Shizuka!" He took the magazine out of her hand. A light brown hair girl blinked and stared up at Atobe in disbelief.
"You're aren't Miyori," Atobe set the magazine down on Miyori's desk. The girl gave him a dirty glare with her deep blue eyes, and picked the magazine up again. Atobe rested on the window sill, observing the girl.
"Do you know where Shizuka is?" Atobe asked. The girl didn't bother to look up. "Che, cheeky girl." He wasn't used to being ignored so blatantly. Did this girl not know who he was?
"Ah," Miyori opened the door, "so you are here."
"Who is this charming young specimen?" Atobe gestured to the girl in Miyori's desk.
"Ah," Miyori flicked the clubhouse lights on and off to get Fuyumi's attention, "this is my sister. She came home early." Fuyumi blinked at her sister expectantly.
"I take it you two have met," Miyori presented Atobe to her sister with a sweeping hand motion. Fuyumi blinked at her again.
'What's WRONG?' Miyori signed to her sister.
'I don't want to speak,' Fuyumi signed haughtily and snapped the magazine open once more. Miyori chuckled softly, almost exasperated. They were going to play this game, were they?
"Is your sister deaf?" Atobe turned to Miyori.
"Actually yes," Miyori pushed her glasses up.
"Do you mind translating for me since it seems that she doesn't understand me alone," Atobe folded his arms. Miyori flicked the light again. Fuyumi glanced up at her sister once more.
"Atobe," Miyori spoke and signed at the same time, "would like to talk to you." Fuyumi put down the magazine and became immediately attentive. Miyori held off a snort.
"I apologize for my behavior, I thought your sister," Atobe pointed at Miyori, "was being insubordinate." Miyori signed all this to her. Fuyumi nodded as if understanding the situation.
'He snatched the magazine out of my hand,' Fuyumi smiled sweetly, though her signs were very rigid.
'You're being a baby,' Miyori signed quickly, 'I thought you were the older sister.'
'I ought to break your glasses.'
'Empty threat.'
'Oh, you think so?'
Atobe watched the two girls go at each other, frowning deeper by the minute.
"What did she say?"
"Hah? Well, she says she understands that mistakes happen," Miyori said quickly. Fuyumi smiled a sickeningly sweet smile.
Atobe frowned, "that was a lot of signing for that few of words." Miyori said nothing.
"Is she now starting to go to Hyotei?" Atobe asked. Miyori nodded.
"She'll be in my class."
"I would love to stay and chat, but we have those guests today," Atobe said briskly, "I need you to get some papers from the office and prepare the clubhouse. I have to start practice." Atobe opened the door to leave.
"Shizuka-san," Atobe turned to face Fuyumi, "I do hope you will abide by the rules when around the tennis club." Miyori sent a few quick signs to Fuyumi. Fuyumi nodded seriously.
"Ah and I do hope I can hear you talk next time," Atobe smiled thinly, "considering you can really can understand me, can't you?" Fuyumi's smile flickered but she tilted her head quizzically. Atobe's expression remained the same.
"Hn," he left the clubhouse and shut the door behind himself.
"Atobe saw through that one pretty fast," Miyori nodded, impressed. Fuyumi waved it off.
'I'm sticking to my story until he believes me,' she signed flippantly.
"He's going to find out," Miyori chuckled at her sister's audacity.
'What do I care?'
"Boo," Miyori puffed her cheeks, "if you are going to be that way go find Yuuki. She is outside taking pictures of the tennis boys. I know you like staring at pretty things."
"So you think the boys are cute," Fuyumi said suggestively.
'They are good looking enough to entertain you,' Miyori signed to her and shooed her out of the room. Fuyumi stuck her tongue at the closed door and searched for the caramel colored girl. Surprisingly, she wasn't that hard to spot. She was right at the fence line, taking pictures.
Fuyumi poked her. Yuuki glanced up.
"Ah," Yuuki returned to her pictures.
"Still photo freakish as ever," Fuyumi smiled.
"You can thank your sister for that," Yuuki glanced back at her.
"So, do you just take photos for the team?" Fuyumi asked.
"Nope," Fuyumi clicked away. "I did some shots of the other day and the fangirls went crazy for the photos. I'm saving the money for a later time."
"Oh?"
"Yes," she stopped taking pictures for a moment, "Atobe and Oshitari prints sell out fast, but there are a few faithful to the other players."
"So which one does Miyori like the best?" Fuyumi asked deviously. Yuuki laughed.
"You mean which one does she hate the least? I wouldn't know," Yuuki shrugged, readjusting her camera, "but if she said Shishido, I might not forgive her. Are you already going to annoy her?"
"Of course," Fuyumi gave a deft nod.
"Still as loving as ever," Yuuki snorted and took some more pictures. Fuyumi smiled at the tennis players and waved. Oshitari gave a nod and returned the ball. Ootori smiled at her in a friendly manner.
"If you are thinking about getting one of those two as a boyfriend, forget about it," Yuuki looked Fuyumi directly in the eye. "We fangirls have laid waste to others for doing less."
"We? You're a fangirl?" Fuyumi laughed. Yuuki went back to snapping photos.
"Don't push your luck."
[]
"Have you met Fuyumi-san?" Ootori craned his neck over to Hiyoshi. They were sitting in class as Miyori talked to the teacher with Fuyumi standing next to her.
"No," Hiyoshi was going through his bag. "Should I care?"
"It's Shizuka-san's sister," Ootori confided in him, "she's deaf."
Hiyoshi looked back up at him, "okay?"
"Um, that's it," Ootori shrugged. Hiyoshi dug through his bag once more.
"Hey," Fuyumi took the desk in front of Miyori's.
"Hi," Ootori smiled once more.
"I don't believe we have met," Fuyumi turned to Hiyoshi.
'Boy prowler eyes, on,' Miyori signed at her, 'but fortunately Hiyoshi isn't bought with cheap tricks.' Fuyumi smiled daggers at her sister. Hiyoshi looked up at Fuyumi. She looked much like her sister in the face, but the dark blue eyes weren't as entrancing as Mi- no, Miyori's eyes weren't entrancing. No, she was just annoying.
"Nice to meet you, Shizuka-san," Hiyoshi nodded cordially "my name is Hiyoshi." Miyori raised an eyebrow. Hiyoshi? Cordial?
Fuyumi beamed at him, "since my sister is in this class you can call me Fuyumi if you like."
"Fuyumi," Miyori smirked at her sister and pinched her cheek, 'you're so cute trying to catch guys.' She signed the last part to her sister. Fuyumi smiled widely at her sister. She had found something out about Miyori. Something was up between her and Hiyoshi.
Hiyoshi nodded then went back to his search.
"How are you going to be in class?" Ootori asked.
"Miyori explained to sensei that I will be fine as long as I can see his lips moving," Fuyumi rested an arm on top of Miyori's head, "and I will be working with her and whoever her partner is on whatever project you guys are doing." Miyori whacked the arm away.
"Oh! So you will be working with Hiyoshi too," Ootori nodded. Fuyumi smiled brightly at her sister once more.
'Like the silent type?' Fuyumi signed, smirking. Miyori glared at her sister.
'Who would like that shroom head?' Miyori signed jerkily. Fuyumi's grin grew wider.
"Uh," Ootori was lost.
"Sorry," Miyori turned to Ootori, "my sister sometimes forgets her manners."
"If you want me to say it out loud I-"
"But sometimes she just askes unimportant questions," Miyori finished quickly. Fuyumi went silent and produced the magazine she hadn't finished earlier. Miyori let out a sigh and pulled out a textbook. Hiyoshi glanced over at her.
She looks pretty harassed, he observed. He felt a note of sympathy. Then he remembered yesterday's fangirls and the sympathy was gone. He wished her the best. Or the worst, then maybe he would win the bet.
End of chapter.
Was it good? I hope so. I believe I may get out another chapter or two before the year is over, but I make no promises. Busy, busy, busy.
Fuyumi is deaf, yes. I hope I can write her charater to her full extent. She should be about 80% realistic. My mother used to work at a deaf school and I used to go to some of their summer camps. Ah, it's been awhile. I only know some American Sign Language, but everything I talk about for sign language should be realistic.
If you were confused in the dialogue, 'italicized' is where the characters are signing and not speaking, "italicized" is where the characters are signing and speaking, and "normal" is just talking. PM me if you need it cleared up any further.
I'm also thinking of adding on a little Christmas short (with or without the ocs, depending) at the end of the next chapter. Tell me if you guys want it.
Thanks for putting up with me and my long haitus and thanks for reading :)