My Auburn Princess

by Reinne141

Chapter 11: Sakuno's Knights in Shining Rackets to the rescue! Tezuka is angry.. Beware. Mizuki is a certified pervert, Kirihara wants to bomb St. Rudolph, Fuji's a happy Yandere, Shitenhouji gets crazier, Sakuno has the best bestfriend ever and the future bride and groom.. revealed! With appearances by Voldemort, Ron Weasley, Ootori Kyouya & Piyo-chan-.. Oh, just read and review.

11. TAADOHF (Part 2)

Chapter Eleven:

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Having Fangirls (Part 2)

...

I snuggly curled to my side, facing Ryoma-kun, and shifted a little to get into a more comfortable position- or as comfortable as a plane chair would allow, with both of my legs folded beneath me, covered by a white blanket that kept me warm against the cold breeze the air conditioner gave off. Once again, the cool air touched the skin on my nape, causing a small shiver to run up and down my spine. Instinctively, my right hand pulled the hem of the said blanket up to my shoulders, nestling it closer to me.

Ah, this feels nice.

Raising my head a little, I briefly peered at Ryoma-kun. The gentle rise and fall of his muscled chest and his even, steady breathing clearly indicated that he was indeed asleep already, and probably dreaming about Karupin, golden tennis racquets and dancing Ponta cans. That absurd thought almost got me giggling.

Seeing him from this low angle gave me a better view of his beautifully-sculpted features, which is a remarkable scene any other girl would kill for just to see. It reminded me again of how lucky I am to be this close, literally and metaphorically, to the famous Prince of Tennis, who is not only popular in Japan, but all over the whole wide world. I heard some film producers even offered to make a movie based on him and it will be titled "The Prince of Tennis", which will practically chronicle his life, his beginnings as a middle school regular in Seigaku and how he magnificently conquered the Nationals. Oh, I'm sure it will be a hit! And who knows, maybe it might even get a sequel with the title, "The New Prince of Tennis"!

I can't wait to watch it!

Even with him beside me right now, it all still seem like an unlikely dream. I mean, who would've thought that Ryuzaki Sakuno, the little girl with the mile-long twin-braids who'd stutter every two seconds and awkwardly fiddle with anything she can get her hands on when nervous, the clumsy walking-disaster with the wobbly hips who attracted trouble everywhere she went, would be sitting beside her once-upon-a-time-crush-now-a-tennis-superstar in a plane back to Japan after ten years?

Sometimes, I can't seem to believe it myself so much that I'd feel a bit scared that I'd suddenly wake up inside my freshman year classroom again, with all of my classmates laughing at me and find out it's all just a product of my wild daydreaming. I'm scared that all of these crazy and wonderful memories gifted to me by my crazy and wonderful friends might be just a figment of my imagination.

But the good thing is, it's not. I really am on my way back to my beloved country now, calmly sitting (and proudly not swooning, mind you) beside a really good-looking man.. or, quoting the words of some of the girls we met in America, a 'mouth-wateringly sexy beast', who used to be the boy I'd always dreamed of. A level up for me, right?

Again, who would've thought?

I know, I know. I'm being silly for feeling this kind of disbelief even after all these years, especially when there are a lot of more unbelievable-bordering-on-supernatural things that occurred around me. Things that left everyone baffled and just a tad more dumbfounded with how things turned out after ten years.

"Like this," I quietly muttered as my fingers reached out to take the personalized lavender-colored invitation card resting atop the armrest between me and Ryoma-kun. My lips can't help but lift into a smile as soon as my eyes scanned the elegantly embossed golden lettering on its front. A sweet floral scent wafted into my nose as I held it closer, and a nostalgic image pressed itself unto my mind. This familiar fragrance made the statement on the card all the more true. It's really happening, isn't it?

No one saw it coming, not even me.

Really, I shouldn't be so disbelieving about how my life became when things like this happen.

I mean, who would've thought?

...

Seigaku..

Sakuno realized something as she witnessed one of the most unexpected turn of events in her young life unfold before her large eyes: God listens. Yes. Yes, he does. Kami sent a savior from the heavens to save her from her current predicament. A brown-haired savior donned in the prescribed Seigaku school uniform; white polo and black pants, with thin-wired glasses adorning his serious face. The auburn-haired lass could've cried in gratitude right then and there.

"T-Tezuka-sama!"

Haruna's whole face shaped into a look of mortified startlement, as if she knew that what she was doing was not right and that she was horrified that she was seen with such an awful behavior by the man she deeply worshipped. And as she took three uneasy steps backwards, completely exposing Sakuno to Tezuka's keen vision, her expression slowly morphed into one of stubborn indignation, though embarrassment could also be seen in her face.

"What do you think are you doing?" the esteemed Captain of the Seigaku tennis club and President of the Student Council inquired with a very firm, crisp tone that made both Yukiko and Norika fumble for the right answer- or at least, words that could get them out of this mess. The weight of his mere hard stare and intimidating form right there at the doorway were already frazzling their nerves into shambles.

Ooooh, they're definitely, certainly, doubtlessly, thoroughly dead.

"I-I was just telling her off, Tezuka-sama! I didn't do anything more than that," Haruna responded defensively, making herself believe that she didn't do anything wrong. With an insistent shake of her head, the defiant girl added, "I swear, I didn't even touch a single strand of her-.."

"I heard what you said," was the sharp and abrupt words of the inwardly seething Buchou. If Tezuka's dark-brown eyes could emit fire, they would have already turned into heaps of charred human bones. That must've been the same thought that was running through the three female sophomores' minds as they blanched when his virulent stare homed in on each of their faces. He felt another vein pulse on his temple, and if not for his hands tightly balled into fists, he would've made a move to ease his oncoming migraine. His stern gaze then travelled to the surprised and obviously shaken auburn-haired girl in front of him.

And he scolded himself for not coming earlier.

He can't let this go on further. He won't let them hurt her like this when she's not even aware of what's going on. His back stiffened with quiet rage and he swiftly examined her with one glance, checking to see if she was hurt in any way, and only when Tezuka was sure that the girl was well that he allowed himself an internal sigh of relief. Only then did the tension in his whole body decreased and he unfurled his balled hands, but his instinctive urge to protect Sakuno was so strong that he had to force himself to relax.

Trying to regain the stoic calmness he was known for, the brown-haired lad gave his glasses a quick nudge, logically assessing the situation. He can't let this get to him. He has to remain calm and carefully choose the right way to tackle this. So once again, he returned his eyes to the other three, taking on the role of a strict school leader. "Those offensive and crude words are unbecoming for a Seigaku student, and definitely inappropriate to be spoken, much less shouted, within the vicinities of our respected school."

It would not do for them to think that he's being protective of Sakuno. But.. he could at least do something. After all, he vowed to watch over her, even without her knowing about it.

"B-But Tezuka-sama..!" Haruna sputtered out in alarmed desperation, unable to accept that her Tezuka-sama would think badly of her as someone uncouth and unlady-like. She can't let that happen! "I was just warning her not to-.."

"Student Code of Conduct Article 1: General Behavior, Section 2 states that students shall refrain from using bad language and from committing acts that are disrespectful, vulgar or indecent or which in any manner may cause or tend to disturb others," Tezuka stated in an icy textbook-perfect way, his arms crossed as he continued to convey his extreme displeasure through his intense stare. And he was certainly successful in doing it. Haruna was downright petrified with the cold anger radiating from him, while Sakuno could only watch in stumped awe, her doe-like orbs widening more and more with each word he uttered. "You have committed the following violations: Using vulgar words and rough behavior, and use of abusive or obscene languages which are both subjected to a penalty which is a written letter of apology."

The redhead allowed her pig-headedness to get the better of her and she protested, "W-What? Why would I-.."

"Shouting or creating noise inside and outside the classroom, the offender will be required to do Community Service."

"Tezuka-sama..!"

"And lastly.." Tezuka's spectacles gleamed dangerously under the dim light, his line of vision pointedly trained on Haruna as he muttered without even a pinch of mercy, not overlooking the fact that this is one of the people who tarnished Sakuno's name by spreading the rumor that she's pregnant. Unforgivable. "Oral defamation, which will subject you to suspension as penalty for your first offense."

His heavy utterance of those words was enough to prove that he was not bluffing. And no, he was not power-tripping, he was simply following the rules, see?

Wait. S-Suspension? Sakuno drew her head fast to the girl who was cursing and cussing at her moments ago, to the ever-admirable Tezuka who stood in front of them in all his glory. She understood that those rules were indeed in the rule book but it just all seem too much for her, her mouth agape as she absorbed the tennis Captain's solid statement. Suspension? That's.. That's too much! Hai, she asked Kami for help, but she didn't wish to cause them this kind of trouble!

"T-Tezuka-senpai.." the auburn head tried to call out to him, her heart feeling pity for the three who all had various expressions of shock and bewilderment on their faces. She can't let her Senpai-tachi get suspended because of her, especially poor Yukiko-san and Norika-san who didn't do anything to her. She had to at least clear things up! "T-Tezuka-senpai, anou.. I'm sure they didn't mean to do any h-harm. I-I think there was just a misunderstanding.. E-Eto.. Please, they're not-.." and she trailed off when they all whipped their eyes to her, apparently surprised by her sudden interruption.

Didn't mean to do harm?

Tezuka's eyebrows furrowed together into a slight frown as he averted his eyes to the petite girl, and if it weren't so uncharacteristic, his face would've shown the incredulousness he was feeling at the moment. Did she already forget what that girl was screaming at her face only seconds ago? He could understand if she wants to somehow exclude the other two, for they at least tried to hold their friend back. But to say that it was all just a misunderstanding?

Norika, on the other hand, was rolling her eyes. She was sure that if given the chance, Haruna would've done her more than a little harm. Is she missing a few screws in the head or she's just the reincarnation of Mother Theresa? It made the blonde's conscience heavier as she eyed the little slip-of-a-girl who took it upon herself to defend them- the people who are older than her and supposed to be more mature- from the stone-hearted Tezuka Kunimitsu. A bit of regret made its way into her chest; she should've done something to stand for this kind-hearted freshman.

Yukiko had her hand over her mouth as she listened to Sakuno, looking like she was near bursting into tears. She knew she didn't do anything to the auburn head, but she just couldn't find the courage to explain herself to the council President. She was so scared, because she can sense the passive anger he was trying to conceal. She was already meek to begin with, so how can she even talk back to him? But this young lass, who was verbally lashed on by Haruna, spoke for them. Now she knows why that Kirihara liked her! She's like a little angel!

Haruna could only rapidly blink in perplexed silence, her mind slow in comprehending what Sakuno was trying to do. She thought this girl would cry to Tezuka then point at her, blame her or tattle at her for all the things she said. She knew that she crossed the line by calling her rude names, although her pride won't let her take them back. So Haruna already prepared herself for a catfight if push comes to shove, and she was even unconsciously accepting her punishment, because she's well-aware that her Tezuka-sama is a person of honor and he abides by the rules no matter what.

It's actually the trait she loved most about him.

Haruna expected Ryuzaki Sakuno to use this opportunity to get back at her, not protect her like that. What is she doing? Isn't she supposed to be angry, or at least indignant? The hell is she doing?!

Gripping the side of her green skirt in nervousness, Sakuno did what she can to muster the words to say, thinking that they could just talk things over without anyone getting unreasonably punished. She can't let that happen, no. So the auburn head tried to plaster on an appeasing expression and said, "O-Onegai, Tezuka-senpai. I-I don't think they intended to do anything mean. I-I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding, so please.." and she bowed her head timidly, taking them all aback.

She can't possibly think he'll just let this go. Tezuka's lips thinned into a straight line, his jaw clenched. How can she just say those things when her good image was just repeatedly slandered? Heaving a subtle, inward sigh that contained his mild frustration, the brown-haired lad pointed out with an authoritative air, approaching another way to give them the punishment they rightfully deserve, "Ryuzaki-san, this doesn't just concern if there was a misunderstanding or not," His stoic eyes then purposely flicked to Haruna, giving her a long, measuring stare, "It won't change the fact that she violated the school rules. Therefore, she's liable to the penalty system our school implements."

"Tezuka-sama.." Haruna breathed in hopelessness. She wanted to protest her case, but his words sounded so hard that she knew she won't be able to do anything to change his mind. His every word is law in this school, afterall.

Sakuno appeared to have become more anxious because of that, and for a second Tezuka thought she'd already given up when she lowered her brown orbs, her long braids falling over her shoulders. But when he was just about to tell them to come with him, she suddenly snapped her head up, her eyes filled with renewed conviction, making him widen his eyes.

"T-Tezuka-senpai, please, hear me out. I-I don't want anyone to be put in s-such a situation just because of me. I'm sorry.. I-I didn't mean to sound imposing, but.." and her hold on her skirt tightened. "There was no harm done, r-really. And, I-I didn't take anything to heart. So.. it feels w-wrong for me to let t-this happen to them."

The three sophomores were all patently stupefied as they watched this small-framed girl with the large, doe-like orbs, whose puny height didn't even reach their chests, reason with the feared Tezuka Kunimitsu with all her might. And Haruna suddenly bit her lip, mixed emotions taking hold of her. A part of it was plain embarrassment, but it was mostly remorse that poked her heart. Now she couldn't think of the reason why she even confronted this girl. Dang it, why did she have to be so.. ugh- like that?!

Was she.. wrong about her?

And as she took a gander at the little lass stammering awkwardly with that child-like voice of hers, her expression just as equally child-like, Haruna wondered if the rumors floating around had even an ounce of truth in them, if she had acted a tad too rashly and if her Tezuka-sama would ever forgive her for doing something so vile.

She asked herself.. if Sakuno was even capable of the things she had blatantly accused her of. Drat, she screwed up.

"Please, Tezuka-senpai.."

How can Sakuno be so determined to help someone who aggravated her? Tezuka's brown gaze then took in the sincere concern and panic in her visage, the honest innocence in her chocolate brown eyes as she sent him genuine pleading looks, and the sight unconsciously softened his eyes, and his heart. A rush of a strange yet warm sensation instantly flooded him as he closed his eyelids shut in utter defeat, a corner of his lips quirking upwards so imperceptibly that he was sure no one noticed it but himself.

Only Ryuzaki Sakuno can triumph over Tezuka Kunimitsu with that single look of immaculate purity on her lovely face. And she will be the only one he will ever allow that privilege.

After all these years, she's still the same kind Sakuno whose caring heart never ceases to amaze him.

"Then," Tezuka began, making Sakuno and the others perk up as they eagerly waited for his judgment. In that split second, Yukiko thought that his brown eyes almost seemed like it lightened up with something akin to affection upon taking a glimpse at Sakuno, before he averted his gaze at Haruna, and it vanished. Was she imagining things? "Apologize."

It was not a request, but an absolute order. Norika and Yukiko nearly went all nervous again at this, knowing that Haruna wouldn't be the sort to admit her wrong-doings and they would've apologized in her place, but then they stood still in their places when the female red head had slowly whirled to face Sakuno directly as a half-regretful, half-defeated sigh escaped her throat. An embarrassed blush crept unto her face and her eyes were looking at anything but the auburn-haired girl when she opened her lips to speak, her voice so low yet her apologetic tone was still detectible. Haruna was truly sorry.

"I.. I'm sorry, Ryuzaki Sakuno-san."

God listens. And Sakuno smiled.

...

Inui's tall stature descended down the stairs from the second floor (he just came from Kaidou's classroom to tell him to find Momo), a hand carrying his beloved wifey, the always-reliable data notebook, as he mentally reviewed the past events this morning and the countermeasures he devised in order to do some damage control. It's a wonder how he's not tripping even without looking at his path.

The Dataman knew that there is no way his plan will fail, because of course, he already calculated that too. But it's compulsive for him to check and re-check, to make sure there'll be no weak link or unprecedented backfiring to his strategy. There's always the possibility of an unforeseen factor coming to the equation that could mess up his whole data, just like yesterday when Kirihara Akaya made a show of himself and temporarily resulted to his data being utterly and painfully useless at the time.

The black-haired Senior inwardly shook a fist to the heavens for that. He will do everything to regain his honor as a data man! Nothing. Nothing can ever defy Inui's data-gathering skills again!

So last night, he obsessively worked on a plan to redeem himself through helping poor Ryuzaki-san. By the scandalized looks of the spectators who were around them during 'The Pregnant Incident' and the flashes of their cellphone cameras when the regulars started a heated argument with the Rikkai ace, he was 99.999% certain that a rumor would soon be disseminated among their fangirls and would make a grave impact on the innocent girl's clean reputation. Obviously, before that could even escalate, he contacted his teammates and told them of his prediction that, to their chagrin, was terrifyingly accurate.

An immediate emergency meeting after morning practice was agreed upon and he introduced them to his ultimate plan to salvage Ryuzaki's image.

The lad continued to quietly murmur to himself, engrossed in his world of mathematical variables and theoretical analysis, his opaque glasses glinting diabolically. "There is a 98.06% chance that Tezuka has already found Ryuzaki-san and is currently helping her in a conflict that I am 83.11% sure she encountered."

According to his data of her, the young Ryuzaki tends to go to the comfort room first during the initial five minutes of lunch break before going to the canteen with her fellow Ichinen-tachi. So Inui made it a point to tell the Seigaku Captain where he'll most likely find Sakuno, and Tezuka didn't even think twice about heeding his advice, he went off to the girl's location so fast that he even left scorch marks on the floor.

That made Inui's evil-scientist grin to surface, and fortunately there was no one around or it would have surely scared the hell out of them. This is a new kind of juicy information about their Captain who supposedly had a piece of rock for a heart and never even bothered before to involve himself in other people's business. Just what is his relationship to Ryuzaki Sakuno?

He will have to investigate that rather interesting aspect in Tezuka's private life later. For the meantime, Inui has to concentrate on the present matter at hand.

"There is a full 100% probability of all of them now doing the tasks I have assigned to them."

That was already a given. No one refused to help the auburn-haired damsel in distress when he laid out his plan because, of course, this is their Kouhai they're talking about. Even the ones who didn't even spend that much time with her were willing to lend a hand, while the others were too eager to help, like Kikumaru and Momo, that Inui increased the percentage of them jeopardizing the plan instead by doing something stupid. Another reason is that she will be facing their blood-thirsty fans, so they felt partly responsible for her misery and lastly, this girl is their coach's cherished granddaughter.

That reason alone was enough to motivate Inui. It's incredible how those girls bad-mouth Sakuno, unabashed, although they knew she's their fiery Sensei's granddaughter. But they don't plan on letting her know because their Dragon coach would surely go on a rage fest and chomp their heads off for letting her little princess be troubled by their fangirls. Then she'd probably whip out a bazooka or something equally lethal and wage a world war III against those pitiful hormonal females, then eat their internal organs for breakfast. And no, Inui's not being irrational. He is never irrational.

Ryuzaki Sumire will indeed do everything in her power to protect her Sakuno.

So, they must accomplish their mission without the issue reaching Ryuzaki-sensei or else, they won't be able to graduate middle school with complete body parts. Doing that task shouldn't present much of a problem, though it might be a bit disconcerting at first, and might cause them a bit of their sanity, he was pretty sure they will all success within the day.

After all, even though having fangirls have a lot of disadvantages such as lesser privacy due to stalkers following them everywhere they went and watching their every move (like how Inui does when in stalking!mode), rightfully justified paranoia concerning the fact that 90% of the foods their fans oh-so-generously gave them had clipped nails, hair strands or some strange gooey substance Inui identified as self-made love potions, missing items like towels/pencils/socks/wristbands (oddly enough, the only one who hadn't been a victim of this series of thefts is Fuji who has one of the biggest fanbase in Seigaku, but there was a rumor about his locker though, Inui noted to check that out soon), permanent ear damages due to their fangirls screaming at them 24/7 and finally, sick and twisted, but mostly sick, rated-M gossips about them being gays and crazy in love with each other.

He even discovered that their fans lovingly pair him with Kaidou and dub them the 'Emerald Pair'- he tried, but could not, suppress a shudder. And there are also other 'BL couples' too like the 'Perfect Pair', 'Pillar Pair', 'Golden Pair', so on and sooo forth. How the hell do they come up with these?

Yes, there are bloody disadvantages to having fangirls.

But..

...

"I know right?" Momo shook his head in exaggerated disappointment before taking another large bite of his cheese burger. Around him were scattered pieces of burger wrappers and dozens of young girls sitting with him on the grassy grounds near the annex school building. Swallowing his food, he added with a dramatic sigh, "That poor girl.. It must be so embarrassing. I mean, the rumors are not even true! Shame to those who spread them!"

The girls, who were more known as the members of the 'We Heart Momo-chan Society' fell silent, unable to look their precious idol in the eye. And Momo had to hold back a grin.

But then, one of the bolder ones spoke up, "H-How are you so sure it's not true, Momoshiro-kun?" and the rest nodded their heads collectively.

The spiky-haired Second year cleared his throat, a mischievous spark playing in his violet-colored eyes, "Because it was all just a plot of that evil Kirihara to mess with us. And he just dragged that young musume into this because she is the granddaughter of our coach!"

Audible gasps echoed his sentiment. Now they know why they are taking her side!

Meanwhile, Momo was cackling like a maniac on the inside.

"Kami, how mean!"

"He's horrible!"

"That's why.." nodding in whole-hearted agreement, Momo declared with a passionate ardor, a flag of Japan figuratively waving behind him, "As her Senpai-tachi, it's our utmost duty to protect her! Seigaku students should look out for each other! She got into trouble because of us, so we should do what we can for her! We can't just leave her alone, we just can't!"

"You're so honorable, Momo-chan!"

"I see, so that's why the regulars were trying to help her.."

"Oh, I get it now! That's so admirable!"

In his mind, Momo did a little victory dance. Inui was right; these girls will believe everything he says, as long as he makes it apparent that he acts out of the goodness of his 'heroic' heart. This is the first time he met his official fansclub, and they don't seem so bad.. as long as they don't do anything violating to him. The black-haired lad's actually enjoying this sort of doting attention. Now he knows why Atobe-san keeps his fangirls around all the time, they're like an instant ego-booster!

He would've basked more in their fangirly love but then, from the corner of his perceptive eyes, he caught sight of a serious-faced person striding towards his direction with a bentou. And he was again reminded of the reason why he kept away from these nutters for a long time.

"It's Kaidou-san.. He's going this way!"

"He looks scary, but if he's heading here where Momo-chan is, then does this mean..?"

"My dreams are finally coming true! FANGASM.. INCOMING!"

Yeah, he almost forgot. Inui-senpai said that they should make an appearance together to get in the good sides of these fangirls. They don't have to do anything, just show up in one place and let these Yaoi-loving creatures make their own interpretations. Feeling like a bucket of ice was just poured on him, Momo straightened up with a face that was quickly becoming green. Holy smokin' balls.

But of course, he had no choice but to stop himself from puking out his lunch and instead, slapped on a happy face that made smiling so effin' painful. God, this is a big blow to his manly manliness. "Oi, mamushi," he called out with a stiff wave of his hand, "Care to join us?"

Kaidou, who appeared just as nauseated as him, gravely nodded and went to them with the air of someone who'd gladly welcome an Avada Kedavra from Voldemort than be there.

Really, Momo liked girls. But this.. this embarrassment is freaking torture. He wanted to be hit by a car and have amnesia after this, forget how these girls squealed and blushed when they sat near each other. Dammit, he wanted to die! In the name of Konomi-sensei, why..?

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA! MOMOxKAI FOR THE WIN! KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Oh God, he felt so dirty.

Echizen's girlfriend better be grateful that they're doing this for her.

...

"It's so sad, nya~.." Kikumaru glumly placed his chopsticks beside his bentou box, seemingly not hungry anymore. His lips were turned into an adorably sad puppy pout as his teary big blue eyes travelled across the sea of feminine faces in front of him. "She's such a nice girl who can't even hurt a fly, that's why I don't get how people can just gossip about her."

The 'GoldenPair4Ever' gals very much wanted to hug their Kikumaru-sama and coo calming words to him, while some of them were already sniffing and dabbing their cheeks with their hankies. But at the same time, their fangirl instincts were struggling to come out into the open. OHMIGOD, WHY SOOO CUTE?! They so wanna squeal right now because of the cuteness overload that was their Kikumaru-sama, but they're afraid to ruin the moe-instilling atmosphere around their sweet cupcake and Oishi-mama who was soothing him oh so tenderly.

Sweet heavens, their OTP are sooooo meant for each other!

"There, there, Eiji. She'll be fine." Oishi gently crooned, his hand resting on his partner's back. He was uneasy about the plan before, as it appeared as though they were going to deceive these ladies. But somehow, with how the way things are around Sakuno and the genuine emotions the red-haired acrobat were displaying, his guilt diminished enormously. The red head was giving a rather amazing performance to gain their fans' cooperation but the Seigaku Fukubuchou was perfectly aware that not all of it was an act.

Oishi can tell that the growing distress oozing in Kikumaru's voice and reflecting in his eyes were partly from the worrying news that Sakuno was missing. If after this and the first years still haven't found her, then they themselves will go as the search party for her. But right now, he can only hope that, by this time, the auburn head was already with Tomoka and the others, and not in any danger.

"But Oishi.." Kikumaru mumbled quietly, his downcast orbs shimmering in sheer sadness that the girls' hearts cried a river for their precious sweetheart. "The rumors are not true but people are still spreading them. They're so mean, nya.." Then his lips quivered slightly, making the girls want to embrace him, and care for him and give him all their LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! "A-And you're girls too. If any of you were in her place, I'll also feel bad. No girl deserves to be talked about like that.."

"Aa, Eiji. It's unfair for girls to be victims of degrading rumors. They're to be treated with respect and care. " Oishi didn't just say that to press their point, but he truly meant it. They truly meant it. And their sincerity shone through their words, making their devoted fans sigh dreamily, their adoration going through the roof.

The fangirls were so moved that it was as if their personal distaste for Sakuno was replaced with repentance and remorse for precipitating the rumor and inadvertently causing their big-hearted Kikumaru-sama and Oishi-sama such loneliness. They're not siding with her because she was flirting with them (just like what the outrageous gossips said about her trying to seduce the regulars too), but simply because they were too sympathetic and good-natured. Pure hearts! They were so kind and sensitive and wonderfully endearing that the girls suddenly wanted to take away the pair's sadness and do everything they can to ensure their happiness.

"Kikumaru-sama..! Oishi-sama..!"

They don't care now if whether the rumors were true or not. What matters is that they have to make their much-loved idols smile again! They will whole-heartedly go along with what the Golden Pair decides on!

The fanclub's president, whose background had all of a sudden turned into wild flames of fangirlish determination, made a rapid nod of mutual agreement towards her co-members and spoke for all of them, "For Kikumaru-sama and Oishi-sama, our two most treasured idols, we will do everything in our power to put a stop to the rumors! Anyone from our club will be forbidden to talk about it, and we'll gladly tell other people that it's not true!" and every girl behind her echoed her declaration with fistpumps and claps.

Like a cat presented with a big, delicious fish, Kikumaru leapt to his feet in giddy excitement, his large blue eyes twinkling and his wide smile blinding, "HONTOU, NYA~?!"

"HAI, KIKUMARU-SAMA!"

For the first time, Oishi's deep apprehension and wariness towards their rabid fangirls lessened. By a few centimeters. Of course, it won't just disappear after all the frightening experiences he had before with them that once made him feel unsafe and a bit too violated. But now, at least, he can face their fangirls without the need for another Temporary Restraining Order and the niggling fear that one of them might randomly lock him and Kikumaru in the Janitor's closet again while shrieking, "Kiss him already!", and just feel at ease.

Even only for a while.

...

"So in other words, Fuji-sama, Ryuzaki Sakuno is not pregnant?"

"She's not Kirihara-san's girlfriend?"

"And she doesn't even know about the rumors?"

"Yes. And it will be best if it stays that way." Fuji's gorgeous cerulean blue eyes, that seemed to enthrall them more and more by its mesmerizing depth, slid towards them from under his thick lashes. An angelic smile tugged on the satin softness of his lips, making his brunette-fringed face even more breath-takingly handsome. "Saa.. I'm glad you all understood it so easily."

The hypnotic note in his voice was purity itself, enticing and compelling them to do whatever he wants them to do. The 'Fuji's Angels', along with the 'BURNIIIIIIIING BABIES', sighed dreamily as if they were in a trance.

How can someone be this beautiful?

"..Fujiko-chan," Kawamura sweatdropped at the picturesque scene. Those unfortunate girls, who thought themselves lucky because their dream boys accepted their invitation to eat lunch with them, took the full impact of the Seigaku Tensai's enigmatic smile and were now under his unbreakable spell. His extraordinarily alluring charm really does wonders.

What the taller boy didn't know was that the girls melted when they heard his affectionate nickname for Fuji. They're so close to each other! Is it possible that the two of them are-.. C-Could it be..?

MUST. STOP. NOSEBLEED! OHOHOHOHO..!

The brunette lad made it all seem like a casual conversation at first, smoothly mentioning Sakuno's name which perked up the fangirls' interest. They begged and begged him to continue what he was saying, to explain why their Fuji-sama expressed such pity for someone so low as Ryuzaki Sakuno. That snide comment nearly wiped off the smile on the Tensai's lips, but Kawamura promptly intervened, reminding Fuji of their goal and effectively saving the sharp-tongued gal from his death glare that could make Sanada's seem like a walk in the park.

He just has to finish this and make sure that Sakuno is safe, for her sake, as well as his peace of mind. Though only a few seconds ago, he had the gut feeling that the petite girl was already fine, Fuji still can't get himself to relax.

Putting on THE CHARM, he made an elaborate yet edited explanation of the events yesterday, leaving out many things (like Kirihara's clean intentions) and just casually gave them the most important parts of the story, so as not to reveal his true intent which was to clear Sakuno's name, in order to avoid their unreasonable jealousy. And when none of the females countered him and just agreed with his every word, Fuji knew that they succeeded. He has victoriously planted in their minds what he wanted them to think.

Seigaku's resident genius is a well-deserved title indeed.

"But I think it's too bad though, that those false rumors are still circulating. She's our dear Sensei's only grandchild, yet we can do nothing for her," and a haunting look flitted across his cerulean gaze, making the fangirls' hearts skip a beat. His tone then lowered into a caressing whisper, laced with utter desolation and regret that it tore them apart. "We failed as her Senpai-tachi." His forlorn expression was so beautiful that he almost appeared like a fallen angel. And the fangirls foamed at the mouth.

He makes their hearts go DOKI DOKI!

Instantly, a loud chorus of protests erupted in the room, led by the two fanclubs' presidents. With their feelings of hostility towards Sakuno entirely forgotten, they assured him that he didn't fail in being a Senpai, that this will all end soon, that they themselves will help solve this problem, even though they were also one of the people who disseminated it in the first place. Of course they felt outright contrite, seeing what it did to their Prince charming.

If Fuji-sama says that the rumors are not real, then it's not. If he says Ryuzaki Sakuno is an innocent young girl who knows nothing about seduction, then that's it. And what's better is that it only proves that she has no romantic link whatsoever to their Fuji-sama, and that he just looks out for her because she's a Ryuzaki.

Yosh, they will put a stop to these rumors, if only to rid of the reasons for the Tensai's distress. The girls announced that they will fully exert their best efforts to banish the ugly twaddles, and that it will only take no more than a day to accomplish it. And when avid-bordering-on-obsessive fans say they will do it.. oh, they will most certainly do it, even if it takes underhanded tactics and their every single connection to the fangirls community. All for the sake of their Fuji-sama and Kawamura-sama.

Melodious chuckles from the blue-eyed Genius chimed like sweet musical notes in the air, eliciting from them more sighs and squeals. The Seigaku Citadel of Strength's jaws dropped to the floor in bewilderment and awe for his friend.

Seems like there was no need for him to feel so anxious afterall.

"Kirihara-san.. I can't believe he'd do something like this to her just to bother us, by getting one of our own into trouble."

"FUJI-SAMA, WE PROMISE YOU THAT HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO STEP WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET NEAR OUR SCHOOL EVER AGAIN! WE WILL MAKE SURE OF THAT!"

Fuji just chuckled more. And Kawamura face-palmed.

"Fujiko-chan.."

"D'AWWWWW~3!"

...

There are also advantages to having fangirls. And Inui intends to use them for the achievement of their main objective.

Their fans adore them. They might've had scorn for Sakuno, but it doesn't affect the fact that they love their idols more than anything, so the Data man based his strategy to this one solid information. What better way to execute their plan than to grant their long-standing wish of eating lunch with their favorite prince and indulging their greatest Yaoi fantasies through sending most of the regulars by pairs?

It's fairly simple, really. All they have to do is willingly approach their fans (which is a feat in itself, because there's always that chance of them suddenly being smothered to death by them), display and use the traits those people like about them (i.e: Tezuka's remarkable sense of justice and discipline, Momo's hero complex and his cat-and-dog relationship with Kaidou, Kikumaru's cuteness factor along with the popularity of the Golden Pair, Fuji's charismatic appeal and mysterious smile paired with Kawamura's mild-mannered personality) to capture their hearts and make the girls more gaga over them, subtly change the girls' minds about young Ryuzaki and finally, get them to volunteer to stop the rumors themselves, without stirring up their possessive impulses.

They can't just act recklessly and do something in public in the girl's defense, it will only cause more unnecessary problems. Utilizing Tezuka's authority to halt the babbling mouths of these gossip lovers would've been useful, but they can't exactly punish the WHOLE student body. Instead, they should strike at the right points with planned and elaborate movements - with full discretion. The regulars must go to their respective fansclubs, smoothly steal their hearts and let their fangirl powers do the rest of the job.

The plan didn't seem so welcome to the other regulars when he first told them about it. But after realizing that this is for Sakuno, their soft-spoken Kouhai who didn't even seem to know why the girls in their school wants her dead, and that Ryuzaki-sensei AND Fuji would probably murder them as they sleep if they refuse, everyone came to an agreement and all was well in the world.

Seeing that 96.98% of the female population in Seigaku is their fans, it will be a faster and sure-fire way to erase the rumor's existence in the blink of an eye, as well as prevent any fangirl attacks to the auburn head lass in the future. One command from each of the fanclub's presidents and the members will halt in yapping about Sakuno, even see to it that no one talks about her with any hint of malice anymore. Their influence will surely reach non-fans too, may they be boys or girls. Coz honestly, who'd want to face an army of axe-wielding, loony-eyed fangirls, right?

Fangirls are better allies than enemies.

Nothing shall ever go against his predictions again. Just as he said, this problem will be solved in just a single day. And Ryuzaki Sakuno will get out of all of this safely and unscathed.

Oh. He'll have to give Renji a call after this.

Inui smiled to himself in triumph as he strolled to the Science Lab, where his own group of knowledge-loving nerdlings- er, fangirls are waiting to have marvelous discussions about quantum theory, law of parsimony and more science-ish stuff with their bespectacled god.

...

Tezuka's indiscernible gaze followed Haruna's form as she went to stand at the other end of the hallway with her friends to wait for him, her face one of barely-contained excitement.

After their earlier encounter, the Seigaku Captain remarked that he will be meeting with his own fansclub and that it will be better if they go there together, since he heard that she was the vice president. He didn't fully understand why but the next second the red-haired Sophomore's lips had suddenly trembled like she was about to cry, then she bowed to him in such a proper manner that got him well-nigh surprised, while saying, "Thank you for forgiving me, Tezuka-sama, and letting me remain as your follower!"

Tezuka didn't know what was there to thank about at all, since he'd almost got her suspended, if not for Sakuno's good heart. It was the auburn head who forgave her, not him. So he just replied with a short nod, choosing not to dwell anymore on the queer workings of a fangirl's brain. This must be what Inui was talking about.

Giving his prescription glasses a light nudge, the stoic lad turned to Sakuno who was still standing behind him, making the girl almost jump when he caught her staring. Her cheeks reddened like ripe tomatoes, her delicate fingers playing nervously with her auburn braids as he peered at her, and Tezuka couldn't stop the slight amusement from emerging in his brown eyes.

He has always thought that those braids really do look beautiful on her.

Deciding not to let her agony go on any longer, the Buchou spoke first in his usual formal monotone, "Are you alright, Ryuzaki-san?"

Hearing the question addressed to her, she hastily placed her arms behind her back, her chocolate brown orbs shyly looking up at him as she murmured quietly, "H-Hai, Tezuka-senpai.." Then she bit her pink lips, appearing contemplative over something. The crimson hue on her cheeks went intensely aflame, and for an ephemeral moment, Tezuka was strangely captivated by the fair sight.

"Anou.. I-.. I'm.." Sakuno started with queasiness lacing her voice, and the brown-haired lad willed himself to shake off the odd sensation coursing through him, "I'm sorry.. for imposing on you, T-Tezuka-senpai. G-Gomen nasai. And.." the twin-braided lassie drew a placating breath before bowing to her Savior, her auburn hair swaying to her front, "A-Arigatou! Arigatou gozaimasu!"

Sakuno was seriously scared back then, and she was clueless on what to do, on how to face the fury of a girl she hardly knew. But his arrival saved her just in the nick of time. Her reticent Senpai exuded a strong, fearsome presence even with his calm and collected exterior, and somehow it made her feel safe. Protected. As if she knew that as long as her Senpai was around, nothing bad will happen to her.

It gave Sakuno a sudden boost of strength, and she was able to voice her opposition to the suspension of the three. Or better yet, Tezuka-senpai helped her find her voice. And for that, she was truly thankful.

Just when she was about to straighten up her body, a sudden weight rested on the back of her head, stilling her movements. It was light, broad, and held a very comforting warmth that Sakuno almost wanted to lean into the touch.. until she came into a realization that it was Tezuka-senpai's hand. It struck her speechless and her heart thudded aloud against her rib cage as the hand pressed a bit down on her head so gently- once, twice. Then it was gone.

Did Tezuka-senpai just.. pat her?

Swiftly raising to her full height, Sakuno threw her gaze to the older boy's location, and found that he already had his back on her and was making his way fast to the other side of the corridor where the others were waiting for him, his arms firmly by his sides but his shoulders were seemingly relaxed, as if a stiffening load was lifted from him. And Sakuno watched him walk away with her large chocolate brown orbs, minute confusion on her young face.

But then, absent-mindedly, she smiled again.

The auburn-haired girl didn't know why, but somehow, she felt elation taking shape in her chest, bringing with it a weird sense of familiarity and nostalgia, as if she was experiencing a bout of déjà vu, making her feel like all of this had already happened before: the quiet strength, the assurance of being protected, the tender pat on the head. She didn't know when or where exactly, but it was as if the occurrence was a repeat of the past, and it sparked a light of recognition in her.

To others, what Tezuka did may have only been a simple act, an answer to her words of appreciation. But to Sakuno, his gesture meant volumes, more than words can say.

...

As Sakuno began her trip back to her classroom, a justified apprehension and fear for her life curled in her stomach, her chocolate brown eyes vigilantly watching the hallways. Constant vigilance, they say. After everything that went down in the Girl's room, the auburn missy now has a feeling that her Senpai-tachi's fangirls are not fond of her at all. In fact, she was pretty sure that they could be lurking in the shadows as she walk, only waiting for a chance to gag her then do awful, awful things to her.

They could be planning now how to get her killed. Or worse.. expelled!

In the back of her head, Sakuno could almost hear someone saying she should sort her priorities. Someone with the same voice as Ron Weasley- even though she didn't know a fig about who that guy was. Oh well, her mind's being randomly random again.

Mou, she shouldn't think so badly of other people. She can't just accuse them like that! If only her Obaa-chan was there, the woman would certainly berate her because of her unbecoming thoughts. She should just be careful and avoid, as much as possible, to get into another unwanted ordeal with them. So with the non-existent grace of a newborn doe, the petite girl did what she can to shuffle along the corridors with her stealth which was not really much, in all honesty.

Why they were disdainful of her, Sakuno doesn't know. But she didn't need an expert to tell her that fangirls are serious business and they'd stop at nothing just to get her- No, no, no! She shouldn't think like that! Think of happy thoughts! HAPPY THOUGHTS! Like Ryoma-kun dancing to Gangnam style! Yes, that's it! That's.. it. Now, relax. Inhale, exhale. Relax.. Thinking negatively won't get her anywhere, and since she has no way of knowing the truth, she should probably refrain from making conclusions. With a soft sigh, the girl continued her stride, mentally thanking the image she conjured that was strangely cheerful, yet disturbing.

Darting her wary gaze left and right, Sakuno then finally noticed that it was peculiarly quiet. By this time, the hallways should be buzzing with students now but there were only a handful of them, not that Sakuno was complaining. Nope, not at all. She'd actually be thankful if this could continue on forever, or maybe just as long as she's in Seigaku. Either of the two would be fine with her. Relief seeping through her system, the auburn head observed her surroundings and was perplexed when majority of the people she passed by were boys. Most didn't give her much attention aside from second glances while a few were making her feel as if they were expecting her to do a backflip. Her arms instinctively moved to hug herself and she doubled her pace to reach the safety of her room. Somehow, she didn't feel comfortable walking alone.

And when she finally arrived at her room, Sakuno was more than glad to have a pair of familiar arms engulf her in a tight hug.

"SAKUNO! I'VE BEEN LOOKING ALL OVER FOR YOU! DIDN'T YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS, HUH? FOR THE LOVE OF THE TENNIS GODS, DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!" said Tomoka as she held her bestfriend close for all she was worth, her face buried on the girl's neck. Her words of concern made Sakuno return the pig-tailed gal's hug, apologetic and moved at the same time. Her friend's sweet floral scent tingled in her nose and eased her earlier feelings of anxiety.

It was a comforting fragrance she would always recognize as Osakada Tomoka.

Her brown gaze flew to the Ichinen trio behind Tomoka, who all appeared just as worried but with smiles of great relief on their faces, and it caused a part of Sakuno to feel such overwhelming warmth, rejoicing over the fact that she had such wonderful friends. Then she heard Tomoka screech in her ear, "DID THEY DO ANYTHING TO YOU? WERE YOU HURT? I SWEAR I'M GOING TO REARRANGE THEIR DAMNED FACES!"

"Iie, Tomo-chan. I-I'm fine." Sakuno leaned away to properly face her friend as she added, "Don't worry so-.." and was profoundly frozen upon seeing the state of Tomoka's white and green school uniform that had small rips on a few places and dirt clinging unto it. The pig-tailed lass even had some scratches on her arms! "T-Tomo-chan.. what happened to you? A-Are you okay?" and her chocolate brown orbs began anxiously searching her bestfriend's body for other bruises she didn't notice before. What happened?!

Tomoka dismissed her worries with a grin, "It's nothing to worry about. I just fell down the stairs, that's all. It's nothing an Amazon like me can't handle, I'm stronger than you think, you know!" and the pig-tailed girl yanked her back to her bearhug again, "I'm just glad my bestfriend's safe."

For reasons Sakuno herself can't understand, she felt tears burning in her chocolate brown eyes.

"Arigatou, Tomo-chan."

…

Rikkai..

The cool winds gently blew over the Rikkai regulars as they were gathered together at the rooftop, sitting on the floor with their bentou boxes already opened and half-eaten. It was one of the few and rare places in the campus where they could just hang around without being mobbed by rabid fangirls. It was a habit first initiated by Yukimura a couple of years back but during his awfully long hospitalization, the frequency of his friends' daily lunch routine dwindled, all for the sake of more tennis practice.

But now that the Nationals are over, the Child of God is bent on taking back their lost time.

So whenever they can, the group tries to eat together and spend as much time as possible with their teammates, seeing that graduation is fast approaching and simple yet lovely moments like this would soon become scarce. They even attend club practice although the tennis season has already passed and still train together like always. The third years want to enjoy their remaining days in middle school with their friends and of course, tennis because they were all highly aware that not everyone would go to Rikkai High, not everyone would aim for a tennis career like Yukimura and that each of them already has plans for their future.

For some of them, this will be the last time they will be able to have fun with their friends, who they treated as their own family, and play the sport that introduced them to each other and gave them the best days of their lives: Tennis.

The seniors prefer to avoid the topic though, not wanting to remind the youngest of them, Kirihara, of their coming departure from middle school and of the fact that after his Senpai-tachi graduates, he will be the only one left. Their Rikkai baby's not quite good with goodbyes, so they decided to just leave him with memories of raucous laughter, brotherly pats and annoying pranks. It's best to enjoy these kinds of things while they last.

So.. another normal day in Rikkaidai, which isn't really that 'normal' considering that they have a completely screwed definition of it. Oh, well.

"That's mine, Niou you dolthead!"

"You walkin' ball-of-fat, you got tons of boxes there full of of Onigiri's. Don't you have a heart? A big, fat and cholesterol-filled heart? Share some!"

"IIYA DA! GIVE IT BACK, OR AT LEAST LET ME HAVE A TASTE-.."

"Yukimura-buchoooou, Senpai's being a selfish schmuck!"

"YOU LITTLE SHRIMP, C'MERE AND LEMME-.."

"Oi, Marui, stop running around! Akaya, quit wasting food- AH, DARN IT! MY UNIFORM!"

"Nice shot, Bratling nailed Baldy!"

With all the idiotic ruckus they were making, Yanagi was forced to rise and find a good place to answer his phone when it rang. As he stood, his surreptitious gaze observed Sanada who was making another reach for his newly-bought bottle of aspirins (Seriously, the guy's gonna overdose himself someday) then Yukimura who was smiling with apparent amusement in his ocean blue eyes as he watched the others goof around like little kids. Yagyuu was pleasantly reading his favorite book, 'Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd', while magically dodging the stray flying food bits the raven-haired Ace (who has returned from his slump and back into his uber irritating, overly-whiny idiotic self) was flinging unto a tantrum-throwing Marui.

These witless turdbags.

Oddly, a smile twisted on the Data master's lips and he began his stroll to a quieter area, away from these mental ward escapees.

"Why do you have so much Onigiri's anyway?" the silver-haired Trickster idly motioned towards the pile of Bentou boxes situated near the cemented wall. Around his neck was Yagyuu's Rikkai scarf, which he successfully stole from the Gentleman some time ago, "Seeing you eating these instead of cakes kinda makes me suspicious if you really are Marui Bunta or you're just some sort of an uglier and fatter clone of his."

"YOU FUDGING DOUCHE! DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHI-.. STOP LAUGHING! YOU GUYS FIND IT FUNNY, HUH?"

"Hence the laughter!"

After sniggering shamelessly and receiving some ear-wrecking yells from the red-haired lad, the others turned to Marui to hear the answer to Niou's question. They actually heard from the girls in their classes that the Glucose-addict was requesting for Onigiri's the day the Jimmies Brigade went to fetch Kirihara in Seigaku. At first they thought the girls were just kidding, but now, here was the solid proof in front of their very eyes: Marui and his Onigiri-filled Bentou boxes.

Maybe they'd go with Niou's uglier and fatter clone theory afterall.

"Tch. Do I really have to have a reason? Is it that surprising for me to like something aside from cakes?" Marui remarked with an indignant huff, crossing his arms with irritated petulance. But at the skeptical looks on his friends' faces, it was pretty obvious what their answer was. So he rolled his amethyst orbs and spoke evasively, unsure of what to tell these nosy meddlers, "Okay. Fine. But it's not something that would interest you guys, really."

"You do know that saying something like that would only heighten their curiosity, right Marui-kun?" said the seemingly nonchalant Yagyuu as if he himself was not interested in hearing about it.

The others released a chorus of agreement, especially the Trickster who was egging everyone on and Kirihara who was sliding bit by bit towards the Bentou box like some curly-haired sneaky fox, making the Glucose-lover tense up in a sudden rush of alertness.

They wouldn't leave him alone, would they?

Sighing vexedly, Marui tried to make up an abridged explanation, unwilling to tell the whole details, "It's a little mission I'm trying to do-.."

"A mission?" intoned Kirihara with a curious note as he quietly tip-toed to the location of the 50 or more Bentou boxes, but Marui caught his movements, made a quick, mighty leap and blocked his way with stretched arms that was so territorial, Niou almost thought he'd say something along the lines of 'MY.. PREEEEECIOUS! MINEEEE!' or stuff. The act served to make Kirihara whine like the spoiled brat that he was (and it's mainly Yukimura's fault, seriously), "What dah-.. You can't possibly eat all of them, Senpai!"

The Rikkai Genius bristled in exasperation as he tried to ward off the Seaweed monster from his darlings, "I can give them to you later. I just gotta taste them first!"

The rest of their teammates did a simultaneous eyebrow raise that was so in-sync, it almost looked like it was planned.

Interest sparkling in his blue gaze, Yukimura said in inquiry as a genial smile played on his lips, "Taste them first?" He slightly cocked his blue mop of hair sideways, "Do tell us about this mission of yours, Marui."

The only sign of Sanada's mild state of intrigue was the furrowing of his thick eyebrows, while Yagyuu placed a limited-edition "Percy Jackson" bookmark in his book and curtly closed it shut, his fingers moving to adjust his opaque spectacles. Niou casually went to sit on the floor beside a very frustrated Jackal, who kept on wiping away the sticky rice from his white polo while grumbling bitterly. Kirihara was half-listening, half-thinking of a plan to get past his greedy Senpai and snatch a box or two.

Cue evil background music here.

"It's nothing, really.." Marui stuffed his hands inside his pockets, inwardly conflicting with himself if he should tell it to them. But there Yukimura was, smiling so sweetly, so angelically that it caused him to gulp in fear. He can't really refuse their Buchou, now can he? Dang it. With a small sigh of defeat, he reluctantly admitted, "I'm just.. looking for a particular kind of Onigiri. That's all."

"Eh? What kind of Onigiri?" His seaweed-haired Kouhai asked, a bit weirded out as to why his Senpai was doing something like that. It nearly sounds as idiotic as the idea of him searching for a girl he got pregnant. Which he did. Yesterday. And the boy deflated.

Marui shrugged flamboyantly, not really knowing how to answer that. "It's hard to explain, okay? It's just that I found this Bentou box that had some awesome Onigiri in it. The box was just left on a bench so I took-.."

"So you stole it?" Niou interrupted with wide, steel blue eyes, then nodded approvingly, his haughty smirk taking form on his face. Looking closely, he actually seemed.. proud.

Marui released an annoyed groan and retorted with a defensive huff, "No, dumb-o-dickwad. I already said it was left on a bench, didn't I? I just picked it up, I didn't steal it!" Folding his arms together, the Rikkai genius asked with a considerable amount of incredulousness (and rightfully so) in his voice, "And why do you look so thrilled about the thought of me stealing? You've got some serious boundary issues, dude."

"Yeah, I know. My neighbor's diary says that too." And Niou did the very casual act of flicking some dirt from his shoulder, as if he didn't just say something to be alarmed about.

Which may probably be true in Niou's world.

The others rapidly whipped their heads to stare at him in weirded apprehension (except for Yukimura who was contentedly watching his teammates with that ever-pleasant smile of his), urgently making mental notes to find better hiding places for their journals later. Not diaries, mind you, but JOURNALS. Because journals are manly, diaries aren't. Real men don't own diaries.

"You need a new hobby. Like knitting." Jackal flatly suggested, slightly wary and mostly creeped out.

The rest also seconded that, but the Trickster just eyed them with an innocent look that could fool old ladies in nursing homes.

Marui lightly cleared his throat, "Don't bother. You can't argue with a sick mind, so let's just pretend we didn't hear that." Niou almost gave in to the temptation to give a hoot of laughter. Yagyuu could only sigh at his doubles partner's petenshi-ish antics, while Yukimura didn't appear the least bit bothered about it (Niou would already fall victim to his YIPS before he could even step into their Captain's backyard) and signaled for the red-haired lad to go on. Slipping a hand into his pocket for a piece of apple-flavored gum, Marui got right back to the topic (as if he had any choice), "Anyways, it was while I was searching for Aka-chan the other day and-.. and I just can't let it go to waste! But when I tasted it, I just knew I had to find who made it."

His statement made their seaweed-haired Bratling momentarily forget about his Niou-senpai's rather disturbing comment and Kirihara perked up excitedly, "Was it really THAT good?"

If that single Onigiri could have the approval of his gluttonous Senpai's tastebuds, then it must be awesome!

"Oh, it totally rocked-.."

"Looks like I overestimated the number of your braincells," Niou snorted as he propped his left elbow on one of his knees, his back resting against the wall, "How are you gonna be sure that you'll find the right one amongst the legions of people here who can make Onigiri's? Even I can do it."

Stepping near his beloved boxes, Marui took the one on top (red with white hearts on its sides) and took off its cover, letting its aroma waft into the air and making Kirihara drool more, "Maybe you're forgetting that I'm the ultimate food connoisseur here and I can definitely differentiate it from the others. I have a feeling too that a girl made it, so that reduces the number of possible targets by half."

"Whoa. Connoisseur.. deep word. Got it off from google, didn't ya?"

Of course, Marui's ego won't have any of his crap. "Are you trying to insult me?"

"No. I AM insulting you."

"Life's good. You should get one," was the miffed Marui's sharp reply. Wanting to one up this ultimate douchebag from the planet of the douche and show him his food expertise, he picked a fine-looking Onigiri from the red box and promptly took a tentative bite, but then pretty much regretted it when he found it tasted like cancer. He wrinkled his nose in full displeasure. "This is sooo not the one," then returned it back to its container and generously raised it towards his Kouhai's direction. Meh, he wanted Onigiri's, he got it. "You can have it, brat."

And the raven-haired Ace bounced like a happy puppy, eager to take it from his hands with an enormously silly grin, not knowing the potential food poisoning it might give him.

The Brazilian mentally put two and two together then concluded, "So that's why you were so insistent on going to Onigiri shops the other day. And you had me spending half my month's allowance just to search for it?"

"How observant of you, Captain Obvious."

"Anytime, Lieutenant Sarcasm. And don't expect any treats from me any time soon."

"That's so cold, Jackal! I thought you were my friend!"

"Quit using that lame card. Besides, you'll be going later to buy yourself a new batch of sweets."

"Oh, that reminds me! Come with me later, there's this new shop in Tokyo that sells-.."

"Sweets and basically, kid's stuff? With your siblings? No way, you'll only make me babysit them!"

"How could you think like that about me? They just miss their Baldy-oniichan. Have you no-.."

But then, the bickering of the two was halted when an Onigiri came zooming past Jackal and splattered unto a stunned Marui's face. And before anyone could even laugh, the raven-haired Sophomore was already hurling another Onigiri to the air, his other hand wiping off his mouth with a disgusted grimace, "Senpai, that damn Onigiri's lethal! Ugh- You can freaking have it back!"

Terribly enraged, the red-haired volleyist made an all-out declaration of war, "YOU UNGRATEFUL SEAWEED BRAIN! WEREN'T YOU ASKING ME FOR THEM-.. COME BACK HERE!"

"I WANTED ONIGIRI, NOT INDIGESTION!"

And another round of food fight ensued. Again. With a pair of flying shoes now added to the menu.

Silently shaking his head, the Emperor dwelled on the impossibility of Marui doing his so-called 'Mission'. It's just an Onigiri, so why is he making so much fuss about it? Besides, how would he be able to find its maker when the female population of their school was greater than the male's? How ridiculously absurd, Sanada decided before making a grab for his Bentou box, preventing Niou from dumping it on the silent Yagyuu, who opted to return to his world of books again and ignored the chaos caused by these neanderthals.

"GIMME BACK MY DARNED SHOE, SENPAI!"

"STOP FREAKING BITING ME! CANNIBALISM'S NOT COOL, YOU KNOW!"

Yukimura appeared like he was slightly pondering over a thought, before smiling again in that enigmatic way of his and voicing out as gently as he could, "Aside from the obvious problem of Rikkaidai having a colossal amount of girl students.." his soft and almost quiet tone was enough on its own to make his teammates freeze in their tracks and stop Kirihara from gnawing on Marui's left arm- it's the great and awesome power of the Child of God, "How can you be so sure that the owner of the Bentou box you found was really from our school?"

Thwack. Bull's eye.

That seemed to have stricken the red-haired Volleyist and he suddenly lowered his hand that was holding their struggling Rikkai baby's uniform collar. Blinking in realization, Marui internally agreed that their Captain has a point. Outsiders come and go everyday, and most of them are fans bringing some token of admiration for their idols, like Bentou boxes. So there's a possibility that the one he was looking for.. is an outsider. But mother-father, that will only serve to make his search extra supah harder. Like PSP Game Big Boss harder. What the frigging heck should he do now? It's impossi- Oh, wait. Wait, wait, wait. Hold it right there.

BRAIN BLAST! If there's anyone who could help him, it's their Data master. Yanagi must know about the names of the outsiders that day! That's it! Problem solved, just like that. Dou, tensai teki? He's such a genius!

"Hey, has anyone here seen where Yanagi went off to?"

And just as people say, when someone talks of the devil, he comes. He definitely comes. Convenient, right? The Rikkai regulars' eyes flew to the owner of the approaching footsteps behind them, and Marui almost moved to pounce on him for answers but smartly stopped himself mid-jump when something came to his notice. Then he thank the gods that he had enough sense to refrain from doing something suicidal because..

Yanagi's reddish-brown eyes. They're open.. OPEN. Ohmigod. Third time in a week, this is a new record! And if that wasn't scary enough, he was looking as if someone just stole his honeypie- laptop. Really, he's in a serious relationship with it so pranks involving his laptop are off-limits. One time, Niou tried to pull that stupid stunt and the next day, photoshopped pictures of him and Yagyuu doing some triple-X matress mambo went viral over the internet. That's the dark history of the Yaoi rumors about the Platinum Pair and about Niou being the Uke/Submissive one. So if anyone thought that it was Yukimura who lit the fangirls' imaginations and started it all.. heavens, no. It was their Data master. He wasn't a part of the Three Monsters of Rikkaidai for nothing.

Fear the wrath of Yanagi Renji.

He's rarely angry, much like their Yukimura-buchou. So seeing him in this kind of seething state could only mean one thing: Something major's gonna go down. And it would be a big pain in the arse.

"O-Oi, what's up with you?"

"Yanagi-senpai..?"

"Renji? Is there something wrong?" the blue-haired Captain called in query, his blue gaze expressing his mild puzzlement over his friend's disturbed countenance. It's a once-in-a-bluemoon phenomenon, and Yukimura knew that only a few number of things can rattle their usually calm Data master's nerves of steel.

So.. did Niou send the Principal to another strip club again? He hoped not, the Trickster barely escaped expulsion from that one. It would be amusing though.

Slowly letting his shoulders sag, the Data master took in a lengthy breath before regaining back his usual composure. It was as if he was doing everything in his power to hold on to his last shred of sanity, and Sanada sent him a sympathetic nod. He knows how it feels. But Yanagi, in return, responded with a grave shake of his head and the Fukubuchou had the oddest intuition that somehow, whatever his friend was about to say would ruin his life.

God, not this crap again.

The Data master's next words got everyone to fall into a deafening silence and made poor little Kirihara drop his jaw to the floor in utter shock, his forest green orbs wide with profound horror and guilt.

"There seems to be a problem going on in Seigaku," Yanagi issued their stumped Second year teammate a meaningful sideways glance, "And it's regarding the little issue between Akaya and Ryuzaki Sakuno-.."

The raven-haired boy tried to cut in, his voice sounding as though he'll become frantic any second now, "S-Senpai, what happened to her-.." but Yanagi lifted a hand to get him to calm down and listen.

"..-But the queerest thing was-.." and Yukimura and the others watched in bated anticipation as Yanagi motioned with his free hand holding the phone to make a point, his facial features severe and grim. Somewhere in the back of Sanada's mind, something was yelling at him to run for his life and save himself from another brain-scarring crisis, but his desire to know about this new development made him stay rooted to his place. And what a fatal mistake it was, he'd think later after all the chaos. He should've listened to his instincts, "It seems that in other schools, Sanada was the one known to have impregnated her."

See? He should've listened.

The chirping of the birds and the sound of tumbleweeds rolling by were the only things that dared break the sudden quietness that enveloped the rooftop, as each one of the Rikkai regulars tried to process that piece of information into their battered minds. But the silence, of course, never stays for long in Rikkaidai and was soon disrupted by an eruption of astonished voices.

"S-S-SANADA-KUN?!"

"IN OTHER SCHOOLS?!"

"WTF-ING HELL?"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA- *hic*- HAHAHA!"

That laughing hyena was Niou. And Sanada tried not to throw him off the rooftop.

...

St. Rudolph..

In the St. Rudolph Cafeteria, which can be said to be the a model of sophistication and second only to Hyotei when it comes to high food-quality and top-of-the-class furnitures befitting only the elites, several pairs of narrowed eyes centered on one Mizuki Hajime, who was busy primping himself up in front of his vanity mirror (how appropriately named) while muttering countless self-praises that had his teammates making puking noises every five seconds, while some even kindly begged, "Please stop talking about yourself. We'll do that when you leave.." but their request sadly fell on deaf ears.

They've seen enough of his severe case of supersized self-admiration, bordering on chronic megalomania, to last them a lifetime.

Almost everyone was done with their food, but the Tennis regulars deemed it necessary to stay, seeing that their Yuuta was still in a foul mood because of Mizuki's little incident. They thought if they try to discuss things, he'd at least express guilt for assuming bad things about Ryuzaki Sakuno, but quite obviously, he's too busy with his complexion to care. It was a good thing that there's an hour of vacant time after lunch, but they didn't really want to waste it watching Mizuki make love with his reflection.

"Perfect as always," dramatically whispered Mizuki into his mirror as he gently tapped his flawless cheeks with gentle fingers, a satisfied smile tugging on his lips. That expensive skin enhancer was brilliantly effective! If it works for Justin Bieber, it would surely work for him. He chuckled in a manner that both scared and disturbed his teammates. "Remarkably gorgeous. I could stare at myself all day..~"

There's that crazy look in his eyes again.

Yanagizawa wryly glanced at his thoroughly appalled companions before tossing him a look that was between hesitance and caution, his hands gripping the sides of his plate tightly, prepared to use it as a shield when he asked, "How many bowls of confidence did you eat today, da ne?"

All the Duck look-alike received in response was a nonplussed 'hmpf' and a scowl that promised a hundred laps around the court if he doesn't sod the hell off, and he nervously scooted his chair away from Mizuki.

"Probably enough to rival Atobe-san, I think." Unlike Yanagizawa, Atsushi's self-preservation instincts weren't that sharp. "But after what happened yesterday.." the half of the Kisarazu twins sighed in mock disappointment, his index finger idly twirling the end of his red ribbon, "Do you think this is really the right time to talk to mirrors?"

Steepling his tanned fingers together above the white round table, Akazawa drawled tauntingly, "Mirrors don't talk, Mizuki. And lucky for you, they don't laugh."

His jest stung Mizuki into answering, "Bug off. I don't need your attitude, I have one of my own." Then he took his hand to his brown necktie and adjusted it slightly, lips pursed, "Besides, I don't think any of you prats can appreciate such aesthetic beauty as mine." St. Rudolph's very own version of Narcissus went back to ignoring them again, maybe checking to see if there are any hairstrands virtually out of place.

"It's okay to lie to yourself once in a while.." The Buchou relaxed into the backrest of his seat, his legs crossed, "..since clearly, you don't get enough attention at home." His dark gaze averted towards the younger Fuji settled beside him, who was silent even after all this time and just kept his brown eyes fixated on his empty glass. It appears that he was far from forgiving their Gossip King, though why he'd be so affected, Akazawa can't really figure out.

From his left, he could hear Mizuki mumbling self-compliments to himself again, while in front of him, he could see Atsushi trying to coerce a sheepish Kaneda into.. "If he goes wacko again, you go for his leg. I'll go get the ropes," and by the looks of it, his doubles partner is on the verge of agreeing. Atsushi hastily added, "How heartless, ne? For a guy to start rumors about an innocent girl. That doesn't seem like something a real man will do."

He was patently trying to coax some reaction from Mizuki, but their conversation didn't seem to penetrate his thick barrier of selective hearing, and he just busied himself more with his appearance.

"Told ya he's gay."

That got his attention and Mizuki looked around frantically, "WHO SAID THAT?!"

No one bothered to answer him again.

"For the last time, I am straight. Very. Honestly, it's becoming really infuriating that anyone would even doubt-.." but before Mizuki could even finish his rant, he was cut off by Yuuta whose venomous voice ultimately made the whole team stop and stare.

His huge resemblance with his Aniki can be really frightening sometimes.

"Don't you think you should show even a small sign of remorse, Mizuki-san?" Yuuta's cursory gaze was almost derisive, and their Manager's free hand fell unto his own lap, silence befalling him. "You wouldn't even admit that you were wrong."

"Shush. Yuuta-kun, it was a tiny miscalculation in my part.. I don't see the need to make a big deal out of it." With all the dignity he could muster, Mizuki held his chin up high in an attempt to look unaffected, his eyes deliberately avoiding his Kouhai's face. "It might've been a bit out of line-.."

A bit? Yuuta barely supressed the very, very strong urge to smack him on the face with that damn mirror.

"..and my opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am always right."

The St. Rudolph Captain then concurred that some people are only alive because it's illegal to kill them.

"Besides, it's not as if I told many people-.."

"How many people exactly have you talked to?" hissed Yuuta, his sharp gaze growing poisonous by the second. When he told them of his findings yesterday, it was before practice. And Sengoku called to clear it when their training was over, so apparently, Mizuki had a lot of time to 'share' his new discovery. A feeling of animosity and sparking irritation filled the air that it was almost tangible, and made their surroundings a tad darker.

Is it just them or is the air-conditioner suddenly switched to maximum?

The visible gulp Mizuki did turned the younger Fuji's eyes into suspicious slits, and it only worsened when the infamous tongue-waggler forced a smile and abruptly rose, "Oh, look at the time. I almost forgot, I have dozens of fanmails to go through. I think I should go do that now, so that I can take my beauty sleep earlier-.."

"Beauty sleep? You need to hibernate." Akazawa gave a long-suffering sigh, halting Mizuki from completely leaving the table, "He's trying to talk to you about yesterday, you know, so he can at least find out if you did any other stupid things regarding that rumor. You owe him an answer."

"B-But just as I said, I need to inspect the fanmails and take a rest afte-.."

The Buchou tried to protest, "Mizuki-.." but was silenced when Yuuta stood up as well, his feet falling to the floor with a firm THUD.

"Let's just leave him be, Akazawa-senpai. Let him have his 'rest'." And then the brown-haired bloke discreetly mumbled under his breath, though due to their proximity, Akazawa clearly caught every word, and it left him utterly speechless. "I tried to give him a chance. Whatever happens, I don't care anymore." Yuuta wheeled around on his heels as his hands made a quick grab for his brown school jacket, his facial expression looking as if he knew something dreadful was coming, and there was nothing he can do.

Yanagizawa called out to the fuming boy, "Oi, where are you going, da ne?"

"Somewhere he's not." Yuuta made one last glance over his shoulder and spoke words that sent cold and merciless knives straight to Mizuki's chest, before finally walking out of the Cafeteria doors. "May you 'rest' in peace, Mizuki-san."

...

Rikkai..

"Mizuki Hajime of St. Rudolph?" spat out Kirihara in disdain, his fists clenched so hard that deep, crescent-shaped marks were carved on the skin of his palm. His agitation caused his feet to become restless, and he almost wanted to storm that effin' school for the elites and throw punches at that retarded, pathetic excuse for a man. There's nothing a well-placed upper-cut can't fix. Or maybe a Knuckle serve to the face can do him some good.

Even Atobe is better than that sassy numskull. At least the Hyotei Diva doesn't talk about other people, only himself.

"He must've thought that it would never reach us and that we'd never find out that he keeps on spying on our team." The Datamaster droned absent-mindedly, feeling as if this person was outright challenging him. Yanagi was fully aware of Mizuki's continuous surveillance on them, but he just opted to ignore it because he considered it to be of no importance. Of course, nothing escapes his keen notice, but it never occurred to him that it would cause them such.. ludicrous problems.

He wondered how far the rumors went.

Mizuki can act terribly fast if he wants to, and there's the possibility- ah, no.. a certainty of him contacting other schools just to confirm if it was true, and also to spread it himself just to get dibs that he was the source of it. That git of an onee-character.

Marui smirked at what Yanagi said, his arms crossed in front of him. "Thinks he's so clever, huh?"

"Indeed." Niou pushed the bridge of his opaque glasses (that he always has with him in case the need to make an escape and pretend as his doubles partner arises) upwards in a typical Yagyuu-fashion. "The fellow who thinks he knows it all is especially annoying to those of us who do. He needs a major ass-kicking."

Pops gum. "I'm gonna go get my big boots."

"Please, cut it out, Niou-kun, Marui-kun," the true Gentleman chided wearily, his silver eyes darting towards their Vice-captain's dangerously seething form, a dark and sinister aura enveloping him wholly.

Will a single day of peace ever be possible in their school? Even just once? Kami-sama, please?

"That immoral and spineless swine.." Sanada growled lowly and Yagyuu figured his wish to the heavens was ignored. "To pry on other people's personal matters.." The Fukubuchou's left eyebrow kept twitching, and his face was slowly changing into an unhealthy shade of scarlet red, though from anger or embarrassment, no one was sure. The veins on his forehead throbbed so much in ire, to the point that Jackal feared they'd burst. He was obviously only a few seconds away from exploding in fury. And when it came, some of the regulars had to cover their ears. "IT'S UNFORGIVABLE! UNTHINKABLE! HOW CAN HE JUST GO AND TARNISH A GIRL'S NAME LIKE THAT? HAS HE NO SHAAAAME?! KISAMAAAAAAAA!"

Some of the Rikkai students walking on the school grounds glanced around in panic, fearing the possibility of an intensity 8 earthquake.

"This is a problem," Yukimura quietly muttered to himself, his usual smile gone from his lips, but not really bothered by the fact that his bestfriend was surging with rage right beside him and seemed to be breathing fire in pure anger, "How about the girl, Renji?"

"She's currently having problems with the Seigaku regulars' fangirls." At that, the Rikkai baby's heart suddenly dropped to his school shoes as troubling emotions battled inside him. Goddammit, this is his fault. Kuso. Kuso. Kuso! And Yanagi's attempt at reassurance did nothing to calm him down. "But her Senpai-tachi are doing everything they can to manage it in the subtlest way possible."

"HE'S A FAR CRY FROM THE MEN OF THE OLD DAYS WHO WILL NEVER DARE SPEAK ILL OF A LADY! TARUNDORU! HE BRINGS SHAME TO HIS ANCESTORS AND THEIR MORALITY!"

"Jackal, his veins are showing.. Is that normal?"

"Sssh- he might hear you, Marui!

Niou was pretty sure that if he doesn't settle the heck down, Sanada will spontaneously combust into chunks of burning Sanada-meat in front of them. He might even commit seppuku to punish himself for allowing such rumors to disgrace a girl.

He should've brought a camera.

With a hand swiping his glasses away from his face and tucking it into his breast pocket, the resident Trickster crowed, "Whoa there. Ancestors and Morality? I don't see any historical records showing that Adam and Eve were married."

"You complete idiot-!"

"Nah, I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing."

"NIOU MASAHARU-.."

"Tch. You're so tense. You gotta do something about your anger management issues." And you know things are bad when Niou becomes the voice of reason. Then he casually added, "It's not like that Mizuki guy's gonna get away with this." The silver-haired lad flashed him a roguish smirk. There was an undeniable devilish glint of mischief in his blue eyes, and Yagyuu could already tell that whatever it was he's thinking of doing would probably make Mizuki want to flee the country. "I'll take care of the rascal. Puri."

Shimatta.. That little kitten should know how to avoid bad dogs like Mizuki Hajime.

Despite his easy-going behavior, it sure pissed Niou to hear about some scoundrel dragging the naive girl into something like that. He couldn't care less about Sanada being pestered with rumors, in fact, he was the one who'd always spread absurd gossips about the Emperor before. Does the Tango and Alpha Pair ring a bell?

But now, this is different.

Normally, he was not someone who'd stick his nose into other people's problems, and Niou Masaharu was certainly not famous for having a strong sense of justice. But somehow, it bothered him that an extremely and stupidly innocent girl who dumbly believed a guy who lied right into her face, tripped on her own foot like a klutz, was not even angry when she was tricked and got herself victimized of a prank for someone else's sake, would get caught in a frenzy of degrading lies.

It was just wrong, dammit.

But even though it annoyed him so freaking much, his pride refused to admit the reason why it did in the first place. His trusty warning bells kept echoing in his head, and Niou just mentally to himself that he was in it just for the fun of making Mizuki 'dead-meat' Hajime suffer as much as possible.

After all, how could he possibly care about someone he just met a few days ago?

Even if she was as cute as a little kitten.

Ah, damn.

"No, Niou-senpai.." curly locks of raven hair covered his slowly-reddening eyes as Kirihara licked his upper lip like a hungry predator. He was more than a bit mentally unstable now. "I'll do it.." the boy hissed in a raspy voice, then he raised his head, exposing to everyone his bloodshot orbs that screamed BLOODY EFFIN' MURDER, looking very much like a demon-child from hell. "I'LL MAKE DYNAMITES RAIN ON ST. RUDOLPH AND DESTROY EVERY SINGLE INCH OF THAT PLACE! I'LL STUFF A 40 FT. DYNAMITE IN THAT MIZUKI'S ASS AND LIGHT-.."

Jackal paled. "Oi, oi, oi! What are you talking about, Akaya?! Dynamites!"

"NO, AKAYA. MY NAME WAS TAINTED, THEREFORE I SHALL BE THE ONE TO PULL HIS SPINE THROUGH HIS NOSE THEN CUT HIM INTO TWO!"

"Gah- Sanada! That's- I don't.. EH, Yukimura, talk to them!"

The blue-haired Captain quickly nodded in affirmative and gracefully faced his livid teammates. "That's quite creative of you, Sanada. Akaya, make your Captain proud." And the pleasantly warm smile he gave them made it all seem like they were just enjoying a cup of tea together, not planning another person's mortal demise.

Honestly, what did Jackal expect?

"W-WH-WHAT?!"

"I'LL BOMB THEM-.."

"NO! YOU NO BOMB SCHOOL, YA HEAR ME?!"

"Kirihara-kun, your plan seems a bit too complex. But with the right connections, I think you can actually accomplish it."

"YAGYUU, WHAT'S WITH YOU?! AKAYA, BEHAVE! HELP ME TIE HIM UP, MARUI!"

"I'm busy with my Onigiri. And heads-up, if the police looks for them, I don't know anything, alright?"

"ONE HELL OF A FRIEND YOU ARE! AKAYA, WHERE DO YOU THINK WE ARE? IN GINTAMA WHERE ANYTHING GOES? STOP-.."

"I'LL CRUSH THE-.. I don't know what you're talking about, Senpai."

"THIS DISHONOR WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN. I'LL PERSONALLY-.."

"Pupina. I know some people who can help you, Aka-chan. For a good price, of course."

The tell-tale signs of a panic attack was starting to show itself in Jackal.

"You won't have to, minna." Yanagi interjected all of a sudden, making his teammates turn their attention to him and the Brazilian's nerves to momentarily settle down. And when the Emperor, the Rikkai Ace and the Trickster appeared to be defiant about it, the Data master dutifully reported what his bestfriend and fellow data player, Inui Sadaharu, told him a few minutes earlier. "Someone's already working on.." and his voice lowered an octave, "..ripping his life to pieces."

...

St. Rudolph..

"Eh, Yuuta..? Yuuta!" Yanagizawa gawked at the direction of the door where his Kouhai just went through, before also yanking his jacket which was perched on the back of his seat. "That kid. He's been so moody since yesterday. What's going on with him-.. Ah! Well, I know just the thing to cheer him up. Just got them this morning, I'm gonna go swing by the dorms and get it," he threw a lewd wink at the group, his mouth stretched into a wolfish grin.

A disgusted frown tugged down Atsushi's lips and he voiced his evident distaste, "I doubt that. He's not a voyeuristic pervert like you."

Wait a sec. Pervert?

Mizuki, who went ice rigid because of Yuuta's statement that spooked him in more ways than one, broke out of his fear-induced trance to arch a questioning eyebrow while Akazawa just shook his head at the idiocy and Kaneda's cheeks took on the color of ripe tomatoes, as if he was remembering something particularly embarrassing.

"Baka, don't be such a hypocrite. Every healthy male teenager should have a couple of those stashed up somewhere," the Human duck answered back before giving them a mock salute and pushing through the students also making their way out of the cafeteria to rush off to his planned destination, intent on corrupting the younger Fuji.

Now, what was that about?

Blinking repeatedly in stupefaction, the curly-haired chap slowly pivoted to his teammates, "..What was he talking about?" then sent them an inquiring stare, though he already had an inkling of what the answer was. And it unnerved him. "A couple of.. what?"

The tanned Buchou let out a disbelieving laugh from his seat, "You wouldn't answer Yuuta's question but you expect us to tell you that? Doesn't seem fair. And weren't you going to 'inspect' the fanmails and have your 'beauty sleep'?" He idly shoo-ed the Manager away with a hand, "Go ahead, no one's stopping you now."

Atsushi positively nodded at that, "And take your mirror with you."

"This is a different matter!" Mizuki made an involuntary huff-ing sound and placed his hands on his hips, causing some of their schoolmates nearby to peer at them for more than a second.

Looks like the Tennis club's on to their daily habit of making a scene again.

Slightly peeved at the attention they were gaining, Akazawa did a rapid tap of his fingers on the wooden surface of the table, "You're being too loud."

"THEN JUST TELL ME-.."

"It was just about his new ecchi magazines-.."

"ECCHI MAGAZINES?! So you're saying.. he wants to take young Yuuta-kun into his world of immorality and-.. and.. AND SEXUAL PERVERSION?! What in the world is he thinking?!"

Just peachy. Now everyone's openly staring.

His outburst seemed to have attracted the attention of the whole cafeteria, and some even began eavesdropping to the weird conversation of the Tennis team. It's not like they had to try hard in doing that, the Manager's practically advertising it, afterall.

"Oh yeah, the louder you yell, the more right you are. You're overreacting, Mizuki-san." Looking around carefully, Atsushi murmured in a quieter tone, "I don't really approve of Yanagizawa influencing Yuuta, but it's perfectly normal for guys.." he trailed off as he examined their Manager up and down. "I dunno about you though."

"FOR THE RECORD, I AM A GUY! I. AM. BLOODY. STRAIGHT!" the Manager insisted, his face reddening in irritation and he looked like he was about to childishly stomp his foot on the floor too. His teammates' expressions honestly indicated they'd beg to differ ("You're as straight as a circle," some jerk commented), and he harrumphed. "I just choose not to immerse myself in such-.." and his nose scrunched up in absolute displeasure, "-..sinful and morally crude indecency that only proletarians do. Now, spill it. What kind of erotic reading materials were you talking about?"

A few of their listeners leaned a bit closer to their table. Wow, reaaally subtle there.

Akazawa and Atsushi coughed as they looked away, obviously not intending to dignify that with an answer, so Mizuki's sharp gaze wandered to the other regular at the table, the red-faced Kaneda Ichirou, ready to launch a full-blast interrogation but then, he stopped and almost laughed at himself for his foolishness.

Impossible. Innocent Kaneda won't know a thing about such-..

"Mizuki-senpai.. E-Eto.." the shy lad started with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion in his eyes.

"Yes?"

More blush. "Do you know what S&M is?"

Oh fiddlesticks.

That's it. They're in a parallel universe. That's the only plausible explanation for this OOC-ness. This is not something sweet Kaneda will ever say. No, not in a million light years. Definitely not. And.. And-.. For a moment, Mizuki's brain was in a state of paralysis and he would've dropped dead if not for the fact that he was too stunned to even move an inch.

And when he finally gathered enough strength to do anything, his orbs slid to their Captain, who only shrugged and uttered with an almost bored note, "You asked."

Scratching his chin, Atsushi tried to at least give an adequate explanation to somehow save the guy from being brain-dead. Well, too late for that. "Yanagizawa's being kinda.. interested in reading those and he was bragging about them to the seniors all week. Kaneda here just saw them by accident, so.. yeah," he finished rather intelligently. But when the black-haired Manager didn't respond and remained unmoving, the ribbon-wearing bloke advised, "I think you should sit down and give your mind a rest. It obviously needs it."

Nods came from the other students who were still listening to them.

"No!" Mizuki immediately replied, wildly flapping his hand as he declared, "I will not allow this atrocity to continue any further, I'll go and confiscate that satanic compilation of worldly sins before he can even try pulling Yuuta-kun to the dark side!"

Dark side? Seriously?

An amused chuckle came out of Akazawa's mouth. "You act all high-and-mighty, but you know.. you wouldn't be like that if you're not aware yourself what S&M is," and he didn't even try muffling his condescending snort as the Manager squawked at him, "How come, Mizuki? Could it be.. that you secretly read those kind of stuff too?"

The eavesdroppers made an "Ooooh"-ing sound in unison.

"Eh? So Mizuki-senpai is a fan just like Yanagizawa-senpai?"

Blood rushed up to Mizuki's face at the boneheads' ridiculous accusations. Steam was shooting off from his ears and a look of utter scandalization took over him as the students around them began whispering to each other. Oh Jesus Christ, if he doesn't do anything about it, they're all going to gossip about him! He can't have them destroy his reputation! So he yelled in his defense, commencing a long-winded speech about St. Rudolph being a Catholic school and him being opposed to those kind of dirty acts that damage the holiness of the union of a man and a woman when-..

"Mizuki-san!"

"WHAT?!" the St. Rudolph Manager snapped, on the brink of a mental breakdown. Whipping his head to glower at the new arrivee, he found it was none other than Nomura Takuya who was carrying a large box (neatly covered in a plain pink wrapper) with him that could nearly fit two hobbits in it.

He was hobbling as he made his way to them, "You've got a package-.."

"I'M NOT IN THE MOOD RIGHT NOW! I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF-"

"But it says here it's from your secret admirer and that it should be opened upon receiving." The boy eyed the card, that was taped on its side, through his glasses, "It might be food or something-.."

"I DON'T CARE, I GET LOTS OF THEM EVERYDAY! YOU GO OPEN IT!" then Mizuki promptly turned his back on Nomura and tried to continue on his state-of-the-nation-address, oblivious to the fact that his other teammates' (and schoolmates') attentions shifted to the package at the mention of the words 'secret admirer' and 'food'. "SO, as I was saying.."

Now, who would make the mistake of falling for this self-deluded baboon?

Akazawa and the others watched in earnest as Nomura shrugged and placed it on their table, his hands clumsily tearing the wrapper apart. He knew their Manager was not really fond of food given by their fangirls, as it often causes havoc among them. Mizuki would surely throw it away again, what a waste-.. the regular froze in his place as his orbs finally laid on the contents of the seemingly harmless package.

"In a distinguished sanctuary like St. Rudolph, founded by the students' strong beliefs that good moral.."

The people in the Cafeteria were hardly listening to Mizuki's preach as Nomura inserted a hand into the pink box, a furiously red blush reaching the tip of his ears.

"..is built when students are in an environment where sacrilegious instruments of the devil are.."

And soon after, Nomura was not the only one with reddened cheeks as everyone, sans Mizuki, was struck dumb at the things his hands took out from the box one by one. The students' eyes were bulging out of their sockets as a long, black whip was revealed..

"..banned, for it protects the youth's innocence.."

And followed by a pair of metal handcuffs, a red dog collar with a matching leash and a bottle of (ugh) lubricant. Atsushi already had his left hand over Kaneda's eyes at this point. It was too much for the human mind, and a few 'THUDS' sounded near them, while some were already sporting nosebleeds.

"..S&M or, more clearly, Sado-masochism.. is an art of the devil created to elicit more sins.."

Then a clear plastic box of unused nipple rings, packs of unopened condoms (even Akazawa's face was flaming a deep color of red at the mere sight of it), several pieces of blindfolds, a fireman's hat that was obviously for cosplay purposes and-..

"..from weak humans-.. what on earth are you all staring at-?"

Lastly, Nomura raised a- OH HOLY FREAKIN' COW- is that a DILD*- uhh, err.. a toy. Yes. A toy. Just a toy. A toy used to toy with- and everyone's brains were more or less fried and not a little traumatized when it dawned on them what it was used for. A number of girls were already fanning their comrades who fainted on the floor in a dead heap, while most of the boys were wearing horrified looks on them, because really, who'd like the mental image of Mizuki and his Do-S midnight activities etched in their minds?

WHAT IN THE HELL..?

Before Mizuki could even wisely follow their line of vision and do anything to impede his cruel fate, Nomura already had the second card (that had an almost inconspicuous drawing of a tiny cactus on its far right corner) in his trembling hands, unable to stop his curiosity from reading aloud the worst part of it all and earning himself, and the rest of the people in the Cafeteria, brain seizures. And yes, that included Mizuki Hajime himself.

It read: 'Dear Hajime.. I had 'fun' the other night. You sure are one hot fireman. Thanks a lot, you wild thing. And by the way, you left these in my house. See you later after school, let's play doctor this time. Wink~ With scorching love, your Megumi'.

W-Whadda hell just-

The flabbergasted Manager thinks it was his name he just heard.

How he wished he was wrong though, that it was only another nightmare, or at least a hallucination. God, let it be a hallucination. He'd very much prefer to be called 'crazy' than let this be real. But sadly, fate's not that kind.

Words abandoned Mizuki as his blank gaze swept from Nomura, who became a walking tomato in a span of two seconds, to the card that just announced his social damnation. The words it held floated in his mind, unable to truly understand what the fudge just took place. But when his eyes dazedly roamed around the whole room (that seemed to be devoid of any noise at the moment), the shocked looks every single individual there were throwing his way led his brain to register the meaning of the message.

And his features slowly, slowly morphed into an expression of horror, as he once again took a looooong good look at the gigantic amount of astounded students that just stood witness at the epic 'revelation' of Mizuki's 'dark side'.

It didn't help matters when Akazawa had all of a sudden bolted his gaze at the other St. Rudolph regulars and spoke dryly, "What do you know, Kaneda.. Mizuki's not just a fan." His usually dark complexion went pale as he disappointedly shook his head at him, "He's.."

"No.. T-That's not.." Mizuki faintly whispered in petrification as he watched his image fall right before his eyes. "No! No, no, no-.."

"..an S&M practitioner."

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Then came the onslaught of gossiping voices.

Karma really has a marvelous way of biting people back in the butt. Wink~

...

Seigaku..

"Game set and match," and a heavenly smile adorned Fuji's handsome visage as he ended the call that just ensured him of the safe delivery of his little gift to 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named', who committed an unforgivable mistake of perpetuating rumors that could gravely damage the name of the one person he holds as special to him. As he said before, he will not allow anyone who tries to hurt Sakuno get away without a single scratch. Soft sighs of contentment escaped his chest while he strolled back to his classroom with his angelic expression and soon, he was hypnotizing every single girl he walked past along the hallways.

Ten steps behind him was a sweatdropping Kawamura, who smartly chose to put some distance between them for his life's sake.

'Such a great day,' the Seigaku Genius hummed with a delighted note in his beautiful voice.

And the official moral lesson of the chapter was that one should never ever mess with a protective Yandere's beloved.

...

Shitenhouji..

Zaizen was already at the end of his sanity, and his hand was itching on slamming his racquet unto those psychopathic couple's skulls just to get them to shut up already. Around him, he could see Gin dutifully covering Kintarou's ears with his own hands, both of them turned away from the horrendous duo. The redhead was already wearing Zaizen's headphones, but the Hadoukyuu Shishou was keen on protecting their innocent rookie. Shiraishi was also doing a poor job in ignoring the Baka Pair, and once again failed to do a serve, the ball falling straight to his nose with a 'Thonk!'

"Aw, dammit."

Opposite him on the court was Kenya, who was bright-red on the face, and was looking like he'd enjoy throttle Koharu and Yuuji anytime soon now. Chitose seemed to be regretting his decision of coming back to the club, his mind contemplating on calling 911 or the number to the best mental asylum in town, whichever of the two. But since his Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami was telling him that it will be of no use and the two were beyond the curable phase, he just wisely closed his mouth to prevent more untoward jokes to come his way.

But..

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

Meanwhile, Coach Osamu was having the time of his life as he kept on guffawing at the antics of the Baka Pair, his hand clutching the court fence to keep himself upright. And seeing that, Zaizen had to ask himself about what was wrong in the world.

This is all that stupid Kenya's entire fault! If it weren't for him and his carelessness, they wouldn't have to suffer a day of hell like this.

It all started with a stupid argument involving even more stupider people..

'After their teacher for the last period announced that class was over, Zaizen was one of the first students to exit the door, the cool boredom on his face showing how interested he was with the subject. Almost immediately, he wore his headphones to drown out the noises of the students around him, particularly the fangirls who were squealing about how smexy their Zaizen-sama looked today with his band-aid (he got a bruise this morning when he came running to school and purposely tripped, his face hitting the ground hard. As they say, "One cannot just walk through the Shitenhouji gates normally"). The Shitenhouji Tensai, as per usual, ignored them and got himself busy with updating his blog through his mobile phone.

'A friend invited me to an event in Tokyo- Hey, Bishin- and it will be..'

By the time he was finished with his latest post (where he shared his thoughts about the upcoming Tokyo Battle of the Bands and Ed Sheeran's latest album), the second year boy has already reached their clubhouse and pushed open the door, just in time to see a sulking Kintarou being berated by none other than their Captain, while the rest were changing into their Tennis uniforms, watching as Shiraishi sighed to himself for the 28th time today, according to Koharu.

Whoa. What could've gotten him so bummed like that?

"I can't believe you actually said that to your teacher, Kin-chan." Shiraishi pinched the bridge of his nose, the tail-end of the white bandage on his arm hanging in the air. "Of course he'd be angry, you said the blackhole in his anus is the largest.."

Oh. That.

"But, Shiraishi.. I said 'Your.. anus', not 'His.. anus'," the red-haired West rookie shifted his weight on his feet as he pouted his lips in that fantastically heart-melting way of his, but Shiraishi was far too used to it now to be affected. Only the Bible has an immunity level high enough to resist the powers of the classic puppy-dog look (How his teammates envy him..). Kintarou then pointed a finger at the gay couple who were both trying to make themselves shrink in the background as much as humanly possible. "And they were the ones who taught me that anyway."

Shiraishi sent them a withering look. He was joyfully strangling the two in his imagination.

"You guys.." and their Captain's slight headache turned into a killer migraine. Just great. He bit back a tired sigh ('29th', the Gay genius noted with a glint of his glasses) and brought his greyish-brown orbs to their only Freshman. "Next time, if you need a tutor, get help from a legit one, 'kay? Like Zaizen here."

"Yeah, I'll be way more-.." Zaizen froze and tried to review that statement in his mind. There was something definitely wrong about it. "Wait, what- Hold on." The aforementioned regular's eyebrows automatically shot up. "Why ME?"

"Just do it, you cocky brat," Kenya chimed in as he slipped into his green and yellow jersey, deliberately ignoring Zaizen's arrogant scoff. "You're a genius, right? Why don't ya lend him some of your IQ? And he has a make-up test in english this week." The Speedstar swiped the piece of paper lying on the table and handed it to him, "If he does a repeat of these mistakes, he'd surely fail first year."

"Want me to share my IQ co'z yours would be useless, eh?"

"You just can't shut your mouth, huh? Do you always have to say something sarcastic every chance you get?"

"When people say stupid things, it's my legal obligation to give a sarcastic remark. I'm armed with Sarcasm 3.0." Then he grabbed the paper and took a look at it.

The Shitenhouji regulars turned to look at Zaizen expectantly when he scanned the exam results of his Kouhai. Five seconds later, the reaction they anticipated from him came. "..What kind of engrish bastardization is this?" he can't help but ask when he saw the answer written there for the first item. And yes, his wrong pronounciation was intentional.

Question number one was this: Spell "Ai" in english, which was, of course, "Love". But apparently, Kin-chan has other ideas and wrote "O-N-I-G-I-R-I-H-I-M-E" on the blank line instead.

He didn't really know what to think of that.

Who is this Onigiri-hime, by the way? Is she some girl Kin-chan's having a crush on? So his hormones are starting to kick in, huh?

They all began urging the black-haired Sophomore relentlessly and quite loudly, and it took his teammates loads of persuasion and bribes in the form of Nagashi soumen and Kin-chan's ultra puppy-dog look to the third power to get him to agree, so when Zaizen finally did (after 12 minutes, as Chitose predicted), the world rejoiced. As the group, donned in their Tennis outfits, filed into the courts to start on their practice, Shiraishi did a suggestion that almost had the others cheering and Gin granting him Buddha's blessings.

"Ne, I think you guys should lay-off on the green jokes a bit."

It was a simple sentence, but that had the two homo-lovers whipping their heads to him in synchro, faces too aghast for words as they held on to each other so tightly that it was almost uncomfortable for the onlookers. "EH?!" Koharu screeched, "Why is that, Kura-rin~?! Is there anything wrong with our jokes?!"

"Aside from the fact that every single joke you say sounds like a sexual innuendo? Nothing at all,"

Zaizen answered for Shiraishi, who was feeling a bit guilty about it. He was not the sort of Captain who'd be too strict on his teammates, nor did he do anything before to restrict them (with the exception of Kin-chan as he taught the boy through a 'carrot-and-stick' way), and he knew that humor is the foundation of their school, but he has to think of its influence on their youngest member.

He can still remember the golden days of normal humor, when all they did was make a pun out of everything and laugh good-naturedly at their victim's expense. But it all changed when the Gay couple started watching Highschool DxD and Boku no Pico together. How Shiraishi misses the old times..

Hitoji was understandably offended. "But that's not our fault! It's you guys and your green brains that put meaning into it! I mean.. balls, bananas and uranus are pretty normal stuff. We just use them in our day-to-day conversations, is all. I don't think there's anything suggestive about them, and it's up to the listeners on how they interpret our words. If you have no dirty mind, you'll have no problem with our jokes in the first place."

"Normal stuff? Day-to-day conversations?" Kenya echoed, his mouth hanging in total disbelief. It was obvious that he was going to retort, and Zaizen had the faintest feeling that what he was going to say would be stupid and regrettable. "You won't catch me dead saying those kind of perverted things."

Stupid and regrettable. Zaizen was right. And he cursed the fate that he expected was going to befall them.

The gleam on Koharu's glasses was wicked and way more malicious than normal. And the Shitenhouji Tensai's morbid dread infected their Captain, but he was more than too late in trying to stop it. "Oh yeah? Won't catch you dead~?"

"Kenya, chotto matte-.."

"Of course! I never say those kinds of things!"

Yuuji's arm slithered around Koharu tighter as his smirk got a tad more evil. "Then how about we prove to you how wrong you are? What if we do to all of you what you do to us? We'll give meanings to your words too and you'll see how innocent we really are! That way, you'll have no more reasons to tell us to 'lay-off'."

"Oh, just the thought of it pains us so~!"

"Kenya-senpai, they're-.."

"That's if you can! Innocent? Keh! We'll see about that!"

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. And Kenya keeps on wondering why Zaizen's being sarcastic to him? Stupid.

For the next couple of hours, the whole Shitenhouji had to endure the brunt of the attack of the Baka Pair, who would stealthily sneak into anyone's conversation and as promised, prove how wrong the Speedstar was. It was the most terrifying two-hours of the club members' lives.

The first victim was their very own Sophomore, who was beating himself up for it after. He had let his guard down, and Tezuka of Seigaku would probably reprimand him for it. Zaizen was helping the freshmen with their aim, and was beginning to lose his cool when a boy kept on hitting the ball outside the singles line. What he didn't know was that the Baka Pair was right behind him, so when he cracked and spat, "Put it in!"

He was pretty much an easy target.

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

Zaizen was utterly stocked-still after that, his own words repeating mockingly in his head. Put it in. Put it in. Goddammit. And all he could do was fist his hands as the two sauntered away while laughing, but not before Koharu winked at him and said, "How bold of you, Hikaru-chan~!"

Strangely, his arsenal of sarcastic comebacks were wiped clean. So again.. Goddammit.

Soon, innuendos came one after another from unsuspecting victims. And Shiraishi had to restrain them from bashing Kenya thoroughly.

A group of boys were trying to move the large cart of balls in front of them,

"Push harder!"

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

A thirsty Kintarou strode towards Gin who was drinking some water,

"Ah, Gin-san! Give me some-.."

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

Kenya and a non-regular second year were having a match.

"Here comes the Speedstar of Naniwa! What's this.. you're panting! Tired already?"

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

Everyone who were unfortunate enough to hear them would go frigid as they were caught off guard by the double meaning of their own words, while some of the non-regulars would even ponder about the reason why they joined the club at all. Yeah, one of it was because the team was ridiculously funny and their jokes were hardcore, but to be at the receiving ends of said jokes was a different matter altogether. They wanted to be the ones who'd laugh, not the ones to be laughed at! Why did they join again? Their million-dollar question was the exact one that played in Zaizen's brain for some time now.

He knew it; they drugged him.

"Faster! Faster!"

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

"Move your hand down and grip it tighter-.."

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

"Change your position and hit it harder-.."

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

"Nnnnh~ Ecstacy!"

"THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!"

Now, here they are, watching Shiraishi and Kenya continuously making faults and double faults as the Baka Pair bombed them with terrible 'That-what-she-said' jokes every five seconds, shortening their lifespans by half. Now, everyone wouldn't be able to hear their Captain's catchphrase without internally conjuring up a very inappropriate picture of him, for three days at most. Or drink from a straw without feeling as if someone's watching them suck it. Well, in all actuality, no one would be able to say the things they normally do anymore due to the fear of it possibly sounding.. wrong.

And the blunders just kept on coming mercilessly, their Coach's hysterical barks of laughter was adding salt to the wound and Zaizen just couldn't take it anymore.

But alas, the only solution to this would be to-..

"THAT'S WHAT SHE-.."

"WE FREAKING GET IT! YOU WIN, NOW SHUT THE HELL UP OR WE'LL MAKE GIN-SAN USE HIS 108TH HADOUKYUU ON YOU!"

..-for Kenya to admit defeat, in turn throwing away Shiraishi's suggestion into a mental garbage can.

Victorious laughter rang through the air. And the Baka Pair won again.

Another crazy day in Shitenhouji.

...

Seigaku..

With their official Tennis uniforms on and their racquets in hand, the team regulars marched their way to the courts, intent on starting their set of warm-up drills to finish early. The clouds finally parted away from the glorious sun and provided them comfortable warmth, energizing them to train with more fervour today. There were no spectators around (due to the renewed and rehashed ban on non-members), allowing them a chance to conduct afternoon practice without any unnecessary noise.

Among them, silent smiles, cheeky grins and approving nods were exchanged, the bright lights in their eyes enough to convey their internal message to each other: It's a success. No words about their earlier situations were spoken of, there was no need to. They just went on with their daily training like usual, but the glimmer in their boyish gazes and the positive atmosphere around them were impossible not to notice.

Truthfully, they all felt good, and proud of themselves. It was one thing to face their fangirls and their apparent phobias, but it's another thing to actually get along with them. Before, the idea of eating with their fans were scary because unlike Wakato Hiroshi of Jyousei Shounan or Atobe Keigo of Hyoutei, they're not really fond of too much attention. Just the notion of them getting smothered was already enough to make them steer clear of girls with heart-shaped eyes. But to think that they did all this for Ryuuzaki Sakuno, and add that to the fact of them being protective of her over her little encounter with Rikkai's Kirihara Akaya, it must mean that she'd really wormed her way into her Senpai-tachi's hearts without them being conscious of it.

It was no surprise that they easily decided to help her. It's not only because she's Ryuzaki-sensei's granddaughter (although it's one of the reasons), but also because after a year of having the meek girl as their cheerleader and a steady source of firm support, seeing her face on the other side of the court fence everyday without fail, and watching her clumsily fall for so many times these past months (waking up the protective 'Onii-chan' modes of many of them in the process), before they knew it, she already became one of them, a member of the Seigaku family.

And families always stick together, right?

They can't help but think that now, they'd become the petite, twin-braided girl's knights in shining racquets, and her their delicate damsel in distress, their adorable little princess.

Their Auburn Princess.

"Ne, ne, Fujiko-chan!" Kikumaru casually jogged by Fuji's side, a large cheshire smile curling on his lips. Around the Dream Pair, the other regulars were keeping pace with the two, the reason why their resident Acrobat was happy not unknown to them, "It's a really nice day, nya?"

The conspiratorial wink he sent the brunette Tensai made Fuji smile softly at him in return, and when the Seigaku Tensai's cerulean blue orbs caught five familiar faces walking towards them, especially the one with the long auburn braids and the remarkable chocolate brown eyes- the very girl who was the object of his hidden affection, his smile grew not only in length, but also in sincerity as he replied, "And it just got better."

"Eh? What do you-.. Are, it's Sakuno-chan and Osakada-chan, nya! HOI HOOOOOOI!"

Seeing the girls' arrival reminded Momo of the most recent phonecall he had with Tachibana An. It absolutely had him nervous, most specially when the Fudoumine Princess muttered something about the latest gossip that had the whole female population in an uproar.

"Oi, Momoshiro-kun! Oh God! Have you heard the news?!"

Gulp. "N-No. But I will if you tell me."

"Well, you wouldn't believe this but-.." and Momo held his breath in anticipation, "..Ootori Kyouya, the handsome multi-trillionaire and owner of the Ootori Corporations, stopped the Wedding Of The Year!"

"That's not true! Saku- what?"

"You heard me right! It's all over the news! Fujioka Haruhi- the famous lawyer who proved the innocece of Kasanoda Ritsu-.."

"The Yakuza leader who almost got convicted?"

"Yeah! Didn't you know? Today's Fujioka-san's wedding with Suou Tamaki, the multi-trillionaire President of the Suou companies! Oh gosh! I'm gushing with happiness right now! I knew it, Kyouya-sama loves her! I mean, he saved her from the hitman who tried to kill her before, right? Now, the fans of both of them are having an all-out war! The reporters are all in the church!"

After the Sophomore regular told Inui about it, the Dataman was quite delighted. Because of the sensational Kasanoda case, Fujioka Haruhi's fame increased to the point that a lot of the teenagers nowadays, particularly females, are interested in knowing who between the two popular and rich bachelors she'll end up with. Not only that, but it seems the three prominent figures already had a strong fanbase ever since Highschool. It had something to do with a Host club, Inui mused. With Seigaku having a large amount of fans (including him, who's a KyouyaxHaru fan because well, Megane characters should support each other, right?), it would only take a day or two before the whole 'Pregnancy Issue' is completely erased.

Kikumaru was right. It was indeed a nice day in Seigaku.

...

Ever since lunchbreak ended, there was something significantly different that Ryuzaki Sakuno immediately came to realize.

No one's looking at her funny anymore.

During class, everyone's focus was on the lessons, and never once did she catch anyone stealing glances at her again, aside from Tomoka who kept on showing her a thumbs up and the Ichinen trio who'd just smile at her with their fingers in a V-sign, and peer at each other as if they knew something she doesn't.

Sakuno sighed. Everyone seems to be doing that today.

Unlike earlier this morning, when she felt like her every move was being watched and criticized, like she was some A-list celebrity in an internet scandal, her classmates finally stopped giving her covert looks and just went on their daily routines, as if nothing ever occurred. In fact, a few of them even began smiling at her again and when they had to do a group activity, her companions were acting like how they always did before.

Eh? What happened?

Not only that, but when she went to her locker to get her textbook for Science, Sakuno didn't receive any malicious glares or offending words from the girls and leering gazes from the boys (thank God), not even from the unnamed students she specifically recognized as the ones who were actively hurling insults at her awhile ago. To her great surprise, they just strode away while chatting animatedly amongst themselves about a 'Tamaki and Kyouya Face-off', and when the auburn head bumped to another bunch of girls who she also remembered as her erstwhile haters, they helped her steady herself and even asked if she was okay, making her almost bowl over in startlement. To top it all off, when she had their backs on them, she swore she heard someone mutter a sincere, "Hontou ni gomen, Ryuzaki-san."

Sakuno could somehow tell that apology wasn't just for bumping into her.

To be honest, it actually scared the auburn-haired girl a bit. Because of the fiasco in the Girl's comfort room, it was understandable that she'd be quite jumpy and paranoid, but she quickly shook her uneasiness away, thinking she shouldn't make assumptions so fast. Besides, if Haruna-san can actually change her mind about her, what makes these people any different? Maybe they realized that she was innocent of whatever it was they thought she did, or maybe.. some type of miracle came?

Mou, she doesn't really know.

So all Sakuno can do in the end was tilt her head in wonder and go with the flow, not that she had any other options. The petite girl would've told herself that everything that happened this morning was just a result of her imagination getting carried away..

But the lingering feel of her Tezuka-senpai's warm hand on her head confirmed that it was indeed real.

Sakuno didn't understand any of it, but the incredible relief that filled her chest just made the girl grateful that her predicament was finally over, even if she wasn't sure why it started at all. She silently thanked Kami for the miracle that they gifted her, and promised that she'll absolutely double her offerings next time they visit a shrine. Thank you for the miracle, Kami-sama.

Unbeknownst to the girl, the 'miracle' the heavens above sent her was her very own Senpai-tachi.

Sakuno was not so terrified anymore to walk along the school campus again. Everything seemed to be back to normal afterall, and she had her friends by her side, which strangely gave her more courage than ever.

Just like always, the two gals went with their fellow freshmen to the Seigaku Boys' Tennis Club. Sakuno was free to spend her after-school time there because since after the Nationals, the daily practice of the Girls' team was put to a halt until the start of summer, giving more importance to the upcoming graduation and highschool entrance examination of their senior members. But the Boys' team decided to still go on with their training, not just because they're Tennis junkies, but also because they wanted to take advantage of the time they have left and enjoy it while they are still complete.. while the Seniors are still in middle school.

The bond of the Seigaku regulars, strengthened by the hardships and challenges they went through these past couple of years, is simply amazing.

On the way to the said place, with Sakuno's insistent prodding, her most-awaited explanation came, although her bestfriend made some tweaks here and there to make the issue lighter than it actually was. Tomoka can't possibly tell her that it was because the students thought she was going to be a young mother, desshou? She wouldn't know how to explain to Sakuno why that would be a bad thing, that's her Obaa-chan's responsibility. The pig-tailed girl didn't have the heart to wreck her sweet friend's innocence, so she made Kirihara the focus of the problem.

But Sakuno was still fairly surprised when Tomoka said that the students thought that the famous Rikkai ace was her boyfriend (eto.. she's still in middle school, and her Obaa-chan said she couldn't accept suitors until she's thirty, to which Tomoka just snorted), and that her proximity with the regulars and the way they stood by her was envied by their fangirls.

Despite the revision of the story, it still caused Sakuno to be troubled, saying that she was unaware that she was being unfair to her Senpai-tachi's devoted fans by abusing her privilege as a Ryuzaki to see them everyday and get to know the regulars, while the others can only watch from afar. Her bestfriend almost wanted to bonk her upside the head for it.

This is why she can't bring herself to tell Sakuno the whole truth.. she worries too much.

Which is also the exact reason why the Seigaku regulars chose not to let her know of what they did for her and told Tomoka and the Ichinen trio to keep it a secret for now, because they were sure she'd see it as 'causing them problems, burdening them and forcing them to go to extreme lengths', then she'd apologize over and over, as Inui accurately predicted. Sakuno was too kind, too caring and too considerate, so they knew precisely how she'd react.

The boys all agreed to keep it from her for the time being. As long as she's safe and sound, her Senpai-tachi won't mind not letting her know. It's not as if they did it to be recognized or be thanked, not at all. They just wanted to do what they can for Sakuno.

The regulars genuinely care for her, and that was what Tomoka wanted her to realize.

"Sakuno-chan, if they didn't truly like you, no matter how many times you go visit them, they wouldn't treat you any differently than they do the fangirls! Even if you go to the courts everyday, they could easily ignore you. So your so-called 'privilege' of being Ryuzaki-sensei's grandchild has nothing to do with your relationship to them. You're not being unfair, nor are you abusing anything. Your closeness to them is plainly because they see you as a dear friend, understand?"

Sakuno's pink lips were quivering by the time she finished her rant, and Tomoka and the Trio could only laugh (though the three had a mix of worry in their faces) when the auburn-haired lass hugged her and apologized. Sasuga Sakuno-chan, ne?

When they finally came to the Tennis club, Tomoka's statement was quickly proven true as they were warmly welcomed with cheerful smiles and acknowledging nods. Some of them even took a break from their laps and approached the newcomers, seemingly forgetting that they were in the middle of their training (the pig-tailed gal giggled to herself; their Senpai-tachi were being too obvious).

Upon the instant Sakuno laid her brown gaze on them, the auburn-haired lassie was slightly surprised, not of the way they greeted her as her seniors had always been friendly, but of the difference in the air about them.

"Sakuno-chaaan! Welcome, welcome nya! Come here, Senpai missed you!"

"You just saw her yesterday, Eiji-senpai. Anyways, 'sup, Echizen's girlfriend? The apple to his pie-.."

"How was class, Ryuzaki-chan? Oh, and have you seen Ryuzaki-sensei? We haven't seen her-.. Ah, Eiji, be careful! You might suffocate her!"

"-..and the straw to his berry? The smoke to his high, and the one he wants to marry?"

It was warmer and more genial, like there was something that changed.

"..-'Coz you're the one for him, and he's the one for you. Take the both of you, and you're the perfect two. Ah young love, young love..! When I was your age-.."

"You're a year older than her, stupid Peach. Ffffshuu.."

"Eiji, I think that's a little too tight! Give Ryuzaki-chan some breathing space-.. Osakada-san, what happened to your uniform?"

"Momo, she's all red. I don't think you should-.. BUUUURNIIING! ECHIZEN'S BABYYYYYY!"

"Saa.. I didn't know Echizen had a baby, and a cute one at that. So, who's the mother?"

And with the way her Senpai-tachi were smiling and looking at her, Sakuno felt a peculiar sense of being included in that 'change'. She didn't want to assume things, no. As she said before, Sakuno was not one to think so highly of herself but somehow.. their actions were giving her an odd tingle in her chest. The auburn head didn't know why, but it was as if something beyond her knowlege happened and she had the strangest urge to thank them and cry and thank them more. It puzzled her so much, but maybe it's because of everything that happened this morning. After all the mishaps and the hateful glares, their comforting presence overwhelmed her.

Sakuno was enveloped in a sense of belongingness, and she didn't know why.

"Fffffshuu.. Tezuka-buchou's comi-.."

"Regulars, 20 laps around the court now."

"You all should know better than to slack off. Ii data."

As the Seigaku regulars responded in unison and moved to do the assigned laps, a sweet smile broke on Sakuno's lovely face as Oishi politely excused himself with an amused expression while dragging a reluctant Kikumaru away, who still wanted to talk to their Sakuno-chan. Momo flashed her a lopsided grin before following the Golden Pair, while Kaidou nodded to her, his rough mask temporarily gone in front of the auburn head. Right after he grabbed their Power Player's yellow racket and left, Kawamura regarded her with a shy but genuine smile and a wave, then took off as well. Inui calmly trailed after them, the corners of his lips tugged a scant millimeters upwards, and if Yanagi was there, he'd definitely point out that his bestfriend was in a rather good mood. Fuji tenderly poked her pinkish cheeks as he passed by Sakuno, his smile brilliant and wider than usual and last was Tezuka whose brown eyes held the same look it had earlier as he briefly gazed at her over his shoulder, before also going off to run the same number of laps he gave his teammates.

There was something different about them now. And Sakuno's smile never left her lips as she peered at them in fascination. It almost had her thinking that even if a million people were to turn against her, it would be okay, as long as her Senpai-tachi were there. If what Tomo-chan said

was true, that they consider her a friend, then she'd bear being hated by a colony of fangirls, because her Senpai-tachi are worth it.

Sakuno didn't know if it was because of the stress she had or the sudden feeling of happiness that flooded her senses, but she later found herself shedding a few tears.

...

There was a knock on the door, and the purple-haired man wearing a white coat raised his head from his pile of paperworks, his hand pausing from reaching a ballpoint pen. He already had an idea on who it could be.

"Please come in, Ryuzaki-san."

And just as he expected, when the door to his room opened, it was the familiar face of his regular patient that came in. The old woman's wrinkled face held a small polite smile, though it didn't reach her brown eyes. Of course. Who'd be honestly glad to see the same doctor again and again, when it means that her health isn't making any improvement?

Her rubber shoes made tiny squeaking sounds against the tiled floor, and it ceased when she finally took a seat in front of the man's table.

"Good afternoon." Sumire uttered a curt greeting to the bespectacled doctor, whose general appearance reminded her of someone. But of course, it was only natural. They're father and son afterall. And for a split second, her gaze darted to the family picture he had on his table.

"So, I assume you're here for the results of the test, Ryuzaki-san?"

At her nod, Doctor Yagyuu Hiroki of the Internal Medicines Department rose from his chair, his purple hair and frosted glasses giving off a gleam when it was illuminated by the fluorescent lighting. On his table, right above the papers he was working on, was the file of another patient who was recently trasferred to his care. And when Sumire's attention flew to it, sparks of recognition lit up her eyes.

"Excuse me, is that..?"

...

Seigaku..

After two hours, Tennis practice was finally over and Tomoka discreetly exhaled in relief. She'd been sitting on the bench near the clubhouse for the whole duration of the training, while Sakuno just kept on standing near the fences to watch their Senpai-tachi play each other. Many times the auburn girl asked her to come and observe with her, but Tomoka only shook her head with a strained smile, saying that she can perfectly see from her place. Sakuno didn't buy it at first, and she even went over to ask her if everything was fine, but the pig-tailed lassie dismissed her worries as silly, accompanied with a playful swat on the arm.

Sakuno can be really intuitive at times.

From her seat, Tomoka viewed her bestfriend with a fond look in her eyes, intently watching the expressions that took form on her face the whole time. Of course, she didn't miss the tears that slid down the auburn girl's cheeks as the regulars resumed their laps some while ago. She didn't know why Sakuno was crying, but Tomoka guessed that it must be because of their Senpai-tachi.

Mattaku, her friend's such a cry-baby, but that was fine with Tomoka. Her shoulder's always available for Sakuno to cry on, her arms are always there to give the girl comfort and her fists are always prepared to punch the daylights out of the lunatics who'd try to bring harm to her friend.

That's what bestfriends are for, right?

That's why even though she had a wee bit difficulty in walking; she endured it just to see that Sakuno gets to the Tennis club safely. She knew that the Seigaku regulars already took care of the issue with the fangirls, but one can never be too careful, na? And besides, with her hurting ankle, she knew she wouldn't be able to feign walking normally later after practice, or the auburn-haired girl would notice that there was something wrong with her, so she thought that the least she could do was to ensure that her friend reaches the Seigaku regulars without a single bruise on her. The pig-tailed lass was confident that they'd protect Sakuno on her way home anyway.

Tomoka was quite thankful too that the Ichinen Trio willingly walked them to the clubhouse, so that if she ever needed help, they could do something to assist her. They knew about what really happened to her, but kept their mouth shut so as not to reveal it to Sakuno. Even though they were aware that they'd be late for practice, the three didn't mind it; Horio didn't even brag or say anything irritating (which was a first) and just watched from the corners of his eyes as Tomoka and Sakuno walked to the clubhouse. Kachirou would flinch everytime the auburn head would hug Tomoka, making her almost lose her balance, and Katsuo would bite his lip everytime Tomoka would have to put her weight on her injured left foot and act as if it was nothing.

But the pig-tailed Freshman did her best not to show any signs of limping or that she was hurting, and just kept her usual smile intact. For that, the three thought that she was incredible. Sakuno didn't even notice anything. But they knew that Tomoka wouldn't be able to keep her strong facade any longer, as shown by the fact that even though she just sat for two straight hours, beads of sweat were continuously forming on her forehead.

Tomoka figured that the Ichinen Trio explained to the regulars the reason why they were late for practice, because after their laps, several of them subtly inquired her about her foot, while the rest kept on throwing her varied looks of concern. Momo even nearly blurted out her condition ("Who did that to-.. MMMPH!"), if not for Oishi who immediately came to cover his mouth with a hand.

Now they knew why her uniform was in that kind of state.

The Seigaku Fukubuchou advised her to go to the school clinic to have it examined, but Tomoka said that she already went there and that she was told to alternately give it both hot and cold compress later tonight, and she assured them that she'd go to a hospital if the pain persists, leaving no room for argument.

She didn't want them to worry about her, she's strong and she can deal with it. Sakuno needs them more.

"Tomo-chan.." a soft voice called out to her, and the pig-tailed lass snapped her head to the younger Ryuzaki standing before her with a hand held out to her. "I-Ikou?"

Tomoka stared at her bestfriend's hand, before tilting her head and faking a look of sudden realization, "Ah!" Behind them, the Seigaku regulars were already sauntering out of the clubhouse door, wearing their white school polo and black pants. "I forgot. I left something in the classroom."

"Eh? T-Then I'll help you look for-.."

"No need to, Sakuno-chan. Besides, you still have your piano lessons with Fuji-senpai, darou? It might take me a while to find it, and I wouldn't want to interfere in your afternoon date with him~"

The Seigaku regulars glanced at each other, then at the two girls.

"T-Tomo-chan!"

"Okay, okay.. But I think you should go now. I'll be fine. Ne, Senpai-tachi, take care of Sakuno-chan, pleasee?"

They know what to do.

"Roger, Osaka-.. Tomo-chan, nya!"

"Saa.. Let's go to our 'Afternoon Date' now, shall we, Sakuno?"

"Fuji."

"What is it, Tezuka? Any objections?"

"..."

"EEEH?! I wanna go to an afternoon date with Sakuno-chan too, nya!"

"Eiji-senpai, are you betraying Echizen?"

"M-M-Momo! I was just joking! Joking, nya! C-Come on, Sakuno-chan!"

The team was, as usual, rowdy but it was enough to distract Sakuno. Tomoka certainly wouldn't be able to walk without limping anymore, and she'd rather not let her friend know about it, so she wanted her to go with the regulars. With one last smile of reassurance, Tomoka drove away Sakuno's concerns and waved goodbye as Kikumaru held the petite girl by the hand, chanting about 'Stuffed toys and cute, cuddly bears and Piyo-chan!'

Before the entire group turned around the corner, Tezuka nodded to her in a way that showed his utmost respect for Tomoka, while Fuji gave her a grateful smile, though there was a peculiar twinkle in his cerulean blue eyes, as if an interesting idea popped into his head. And that twinkle became more apparent when he saw one of his teammates who was almost hesitant to leave Osakada Tomoka, his green eyes lingering there far longer than it should.

When the coast was clear, Tomoka did what she can to stand up without putting too much pressure on her left foot, but it was easier said than done. Her hands hastily searched for something to hold on to, so she wouldn't collapse and fall on her back. But when she moved her foot tentatively, the pain shot up to her leg and she released a long string of colorful curse words, directed towards the people who caused her this injury.

It happened while she was seeking for her bestfriend during lunchbreak. Tomoka and the Ichinen Trio decided to do their searching separately to cover more ground, but that idea seemed to have backfired on her when she came upon a group of Second year girls who were loitering near the Gym. They were loudly chatting to themselves, and Tomoka's eyes saw red when she heard how those pathetic A-holes bashed her innocent friend's name, saying things that she was sure would've worsened the rumors.

The pig-tailed girl moved on impulse, and recklessly confronted the girls. Needless to say, she was outnumbered and therefore, in a disadvantage. But Osakada Tomoka won't go down without a fight, and what ensued was a full-on wrestling that had them rolling on the ground while grabbing fistfuls of each other's hair. So even though she obtained a hurt ankle, Tomoka could proudly say that those girls won't be able to go to school tomorrow without wearing caps and long-sleeved sweaters, to cover their heads and scratched arms.

Her ultra long nails came in handy this time.

Just as she said before, her fists are ready to send her bestfriend's haters into a world of pain. Tomoka didn't bother to supress the grin that crawled unto her lips at the thought of her inflicting more damage to her opponents. Hah, they deserved it, those bitc-.. her grin suddenly vanished when her left foot slipped and the grasp of her hands on the side of the metal fence loosened. She's gonna fall!

"Oh, crap!"

She gritted her teeth and prepared herself for the onslaught of pain that was about to come. But then, out of nowhere, a pair of muscled arms reached out to her falling figure. One of it latched onto her right shoulder, while the other snaked around her waist and held on to her so tightly, that she could feel through her back the hard physique of the person who just saved her. Tomoka could definitely tell that whoever was behind her was a guy. It was as if time chose to slow down at that moment, and everything around her became too vivid to her sharpened senses.

The beautiful orange hue across the sky, and the brilliant green color of the leaves. Everything.

The warmth of her savior seeped through her clothes and it was the most comfortable feeling she had ever had in a long time. His scent wafted in the air, she could detect the faint smell of soap that mingled with his masculine smell that seemed oddly familiar to the girl. From afar, she was certain that anyone who'd see them would think that he was hugging her from behind, just like how she imagined herself in her romantic fantasies. It was as if her imagination came to life.. And that thought strangely made her heart beat faster.

Who is he-..

"What are you doing? Ffffshuu.."

That all-too-familiar hiss had Tomoka gaping in shock. It couldn't be.. that it's the Senpai she feared the most out of all of them. This is bad. And before she could even stop herself, her head had already turned to confirm her hunch, and her brown eyes soon found itself staring directly into his emerald ones, freezing her in place the same time her heart did a triple somersault.

"K-Kaidou-senpai?"

That comforting warmth and familiar scent.. it was him?

Kaidou's voice was intentionally gruff, but something in its quality was different. Like he toned it down so he won't scare her away, and it seemed to have done the trick, as the girl didn't jump away from him the way she did before. "If you needed help, you should have just told us. You didn't have to act tough."

He's here to help her? The Mamushi who always had a barrier around him and seemed to hate other people's company.. wanted to help her? Tomoka was confounded, because he was the one she least expected to lend her a hand in her time of need. He went out of his way to be kind to her? It left her so confounded that she didn't make any move to get out of his arms. It was comfortable anyway.

But what troubled her more was the weird reaction of her heart to his presence. She definitely hadn't felt it before, but maybe it's because of her new discovery about his personality. With the increasing rate of her heartbeat, the only words she could think of at the time was..

"But I thought.. all of you already left."

His answer was immediate. "As if I could just leave you alone." And when he saw how her eyes widened at what he said, he abruptly cleared his throat and tore his gaze away from her, a thin line of red staining his cheeks. "I mean.. Fffshuu.. Y-You're hurt. Besides, Fuji-senpai suggested that I should escort you home. I was just-.."

If Tomoka didn't know any better, she'd think that her Senpai was being all Tsundere. It unconsciously had her smiling in amusement, and when Kaidou caught sight of it, he instantly stopped talking, his blush going up a few notches.

"Demo, Kaidou-senpai, my house is really far from yours. And with my foot, it would take us hours to arrive-.."

"Then I'll carry you home."

"W-What?"

"Fffshuu.. I said I'll carry you home. If you walk, you'll only make your injury worse."

"But, you don't have to, I can just-.. K-KAIDOU-SENPAI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THIS IS EMBARRASSING! KAIDOU-SEN-.. PUT ME DOWN-.. KAIDOU-SENPAAAAI!"

...

No one saw it coming, not even me.

Really, I shouldn't be so disbelieving about how my life became when things like this happen.

I mean, who would've thought?

Who would have thought that after ten years, Tomo-chan and Kaidou-kun will get married?

It was a long time before they told me of what really happened, and when I found out about it, I was crying again. They really are the best Senpai-tachi a girl could ever ask for. That time, Tomo-chan told me of the first time she saw Kaidou-kun for who he really was. It was also the first time she truly fell in love. She excitedly spoke about how everything seemed to stop, like it was magic and how it all just feels so right.

She even told me that she never thought the childish fantasies she conjured of her and Ryoma-kun would ever come true, but with a completely different guy. It's funny how the two of my fiercest protectors ended up together, and here I am with Ryoma-kun on our flight back home to attend their wedding, with me as Tomo-chan's bridesmaid. I'm very happy for her, because in a young age, she already met the person she'd spend her whole life with. Who would've thought that a simple suggestion from one of our Senpai-tachi would start it all?

Fate is really amazing, ne?

It's during these times that I somehow come to believe Syuusuke-kun's talks about soulmates. That each of us has a soulmate exclusively reserved for us, and it's only a matter of time before we meet them.

And apparently, mine is waiting for me in Japan.

...

TBC

...

Next: Sakuno's afternoon date with the Dream Pair, Fudoumine's cameo appearance, her awaited first meeting with Marui Bunta, Niou once again goes Petenshi and gets to be a spy with his kitten, Sumire's condition finally revealed, the real Yagyuu arrives to fix his doubles partner's mess and for all the Yuki-Saku fans, Yukimura finally meets our Auburn Princess and.. threatens her? What..?

Whatever happened to Yanagisawa's master plan of taking Yuuta to the dark side? *creepy laughter*

...

A/N:

Thank you for reading this humble fic of mine. I'm really, really grateful, especially to those kind souls who leave reviews for me to squeal over. SORRY for the long wait, my OJT's kinda being a pain. But I have no intention of leaving this story, nor discontinuing it. There are a lot of POT writers already who abandon their stories; I don't wanna add myself to that list. I love Prince of Tennis, so I will never leave this. Ever!

Thanks a lot to these reviewers: cumidodol, Nikooru-sama, CandyCutie09, AnimeObsessedGirl, White Butterfly, Tezuka kunimitsu, Yoshi2917, Alra Saez 1995, missSHUN, heartluv, lunardusk, Tenshi, Alee26606 and to the anonymous people out there who left me such lovely reviews.

So.. the identities of the future bride and groom are finally out in the open. What do you say? Oh, and I love Tomoka. She's a great friend to Sakuno in the series, so I wanted to give her her own time to shine. Kaidou too. If you guys have read my 'Baby Blues', in Kikumaru's chap, I actually wrote there that these two would be together. 'Baby Blues' is kind of the compilation of alternate endings for this story, just so you know. Poor Mizuki, but he'll have his moment of glory, don't worry. I have something nice planned for him.

I have nothing against Highschool DxD, I loved it. It was epic! About Boku no Pico.. I'd rather not say anything. I made so many Harry Potter references, haha. It's up to you guys to point out the other refs.

Actually, the parts for Fudoumine and the Afternoon date were already done, but it got too long so I had to cut this into two. Oh right, many have already asked about the contents of the letters. Gomen but I can't reveal it just yet; I have to finish writing about their connections with Sakuno first to make the final event more interesting. Yes, it will be the main course.. the climax. (Koharu: That's what she said! Me: ..Shut up.) Meaning, there will be a lot of jealousy, fluff and revelations. So sorry but I'll have to keep it as a mystery for now. Soon enough, you guys will learn about the whereabouts of Gakuto's dad too, as I mentioned in Chap. 9. I like connecting things. It's fun. I left so many clues in this chap, I hope you spotted them.

Please don't forget to leave a review for this chapter (I adore reviews) and vote for your favorite PRINCE!

VOTING POLL RESULTS:

1. Tezuka Kunimitsu

2. Fuji Syuusuke

3. Tooyama Kintarou

Jimmies Brigade: 'Jimi' is a Japanese word that means 'Boring/Plain'. So when Niou says 'Jimmies Brigade', he practically means 'Boring Brigade' or 'Boring People'. Sorry if I cleared this up only just now.

Doki Doki: It's a Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of a heartbeat.

Megalomania: A delusional mental disorder involving thoughts of personal omnipotence and grandeur.

Seppuku: Honorable suicide, much like hara-kiri.

Onee-character: Male characters who act girly.

Yandere: People who act all sweet and gentle, but furiously protective and deadly when angered, especially when it's concerning the person they love.

Tsundere: People who can be mean and rough to other people, but sweet to those they like. They are full of denials. (ex: 'It's not like I like you or anything..')

Ecchi: Sexy or erotic.

Piyo-chan: From Uta no Prince. It's the yellow chick there that Shinomiya Natsuki loves.

Fujioka Haruhi, Suou Tamaki and Ootori Kyouya: From Ouran Highschool Host Club.

Gintama: Another awesome anime that loves making parodies of another anime.

Megane characters: Characters who wear glasses.

Petenshi: Pretender/Trickster.