Chapter 11: Tanjoubi Omedetou Ami!
Disclaimer: PoT does not belong to me.
Gomennasai if the last chapter took too long to upload and was rather crappy, I hope this chapter is better *fingers crossed*
-oOo-
The cold wind blew on Amani's nape as she walked on the connecting bridge of their main school building on her way to her locker. The colder season is here, which means, my birthday is just around the corner…and Kunimitsu's still not back. He hasn't e-mailed me too, maybe it won't work since…well…is it even possible for inter dimensional e-mailing?Amani was thinking to herself not taking note of the time, she was awaken by the school bell ringing signalling that the day was over and it was time for club activities.
"Hey Ami." A male voice called her from somewhere in the crowded hallways. "Ami over here!" A tall boy with half-framed spectacles and clean-cut hair waved at her.
"Timothy. What's up?" Amani waved back at the boy.
"Miss Gray wants to talk to you about something." Timothy replies as he grabs Ami by the arm and lead her towards the Science Hall.
"What about? I didn't day dream in Physics class today." Amani tried to reason out causing Timothy to laugh.
"No, it's not about your frequent day dreaming Ami, it's about something else." Timothy explained still dragging Ami through the crowded hallways going to the Science Hall.
"Did I fail a test or something?" Amano still dumbfounded as to why she was being called by her Physics teacher.
"No, nothing of that sort, it's actually good news." Timothy happily explained. "Although, you do day dream in class very often these days." Timothy chuckles before finally letting go of Amani's arm.
"Very funny Timothy. I've just been thinking of a lot of things lately." Amani sarcastically explained to his classmate.
"Why, has Harry been bothering you lately?" Timothy inquired.
"Oh, you know about that incident too?"
"The whole school knows. He's a jerk anyway, so don't let it get to you." Timothy assured Amani as he opened the door to the Science hall. "Here we go. Good afternoon Miss Gray." He greeted to a woman in her middle years.
"Good afternoon you two, Have a seat." The friendly face of their Physics instructor greeted them.
-oOo-
"Wow. This is such a big camp, don't you think so Oishi?" Eiji jumped on his doubles partner as they got down from the school bus. Being the top team at the Kantou Tournament has landed the Seigaku regulars a spot in the Junior Invitational camp.
"Yes it is Eiji. Alright everyone let's gather." Oishi signalled to the other regulars as they formed a line noticing other regulars from different schools.
"Oi, there's a lot of people here too, look." Pointing at the regulars from Hyotei, St. Rudolph, Rikkaidai, Fudomine, Yamabuki and Rokkaku. "Oh, did you want to see as well Ochibi?" Eiji asked Ryoma after noticing that he was trying to peak from behind him.
"Never mind Eiji-senpai." Ryoma sulked and went back to line.
"Okay everyone, gather." Ryuzaki-sensei called out to all the regulars from the different schools and began to explain the purpose of the training camp. After which the regulars where dismissed as they patiently waited for the listing of their grouping.
"Oi Echizen, I hope we both get picked for the Junior Invitational games." Momoshiro exclaimed full of hope and excitement to the first year regular.
Echizen simply nodded and smiled at his Momo-senpai.
-oOo-
"So that's it for now, you two go on ahead, I've already informed the other participants , I'll meet you again once I've organized a review schedule." Miss Gray summed up and dismissed Timothy and Amani.
"Thank you Miss Gray." The two seniors said before exiting the science hall.
"Isn't that exciting Ami? We get to compete in an international science quiz bee?" Timothy cheerfully asked Amani as they walked away from the science hall.
"I guess so." Amani answered half-heartedly.
"What's wrong? You don't seem excited at all?" Timothy inquired after Amani's unenthusiastic response.
"I don't know Timothy, it's just…I haven't been myself lately." Amani explained.
"You have been day dreaming a lot." Timothy teasingly replied.
"Yeah. I guess so." Amani still not interested in the flow of their conversation.
"O-Okay…Uhm, do you want to walk to the bus stop together?" Timothy inquired hoping for a more enthusiastic response.
"I don't see anything wrong with that, Leah did already leave for home early today." Amani answered causing Timothy to smile, his eyes sparkling in joy. "I just need to get some things from my locker, is that okay?" Amani not noticing the sparkle in Timothy's eyes.
"Sure. No problem with that." Timothy answered with a smile.
-oOo-
"Okay everyone; starting today we will all be rivals. Let us all do our best." Oishi instructed the Seigaku regulars after seeing the groupings for the training camp. Fortunately for him and Eiji, they were grouped together, with Momoshiro and Echizen included in their group.
"Oi Kamio, how's Tachibana doing?" Kirihara teasingly asked Kamio.
"How dare you ask about him?" Kamio hot headedly answered Kirihara'a question.
"Hey you guys, relax." Oishi jumped in as well as the other Seigaku and Fudomine players trying to separate the two from almost biting each other's head off.
-oOo-
"So Ami, what are your other interests besides art?" Timothy tried to begin a conversation as they started to walk out the school gates.
"Music." Amani answered tamely.
"Really? What kind of music?" Timothy continued to inquire eagerly despite Amani's lack of interest.
"The kind that people like me listens to." Amani answered.
"Oh." Timothy finally getting the point that Amani was not interested in discussing with him right now.
"Ami, do you mind if I ask, but, What do you day dream about in class?" Timothy shyly asked.
"Nothing that would interest you." Amani answered frankly. "I'm sorry, did I offend you?"
"Eh, no, not really. I didn't realize you were this frank and honest Ami." Timothy scratched his head.
"I'm really sorry Tim, I'm not usually this frank and blunt and whatever other words you can think of to describe my attitude right now. I just have a lot of things in my mind right now." Amani tried to explain apologetically to Timothy.
"It's okay Ami, thanks for letting me walk you to the bus stop." Timothy said happily as he prepared to leave Ami who was just about ready to ride the bus.
"Thanks for understanding Tim, and thanks for walking with me, it's sad walking home without Leah." Amani smiled before turning to ride the bus.
-oOo-
"This camp has really brought out the best from everyone hasn't it?" Oishi gladly commented to Eiji as he thought about their group showed remarkable progress.
"Hai! It's nice to be grouped with Ryuzaki-sensei; at least I don't have to adjust much on the coaching style of the other Sensei." Eiji responded while jumping around.
"Eiji-senpai, you're hurting me." Echizen complained as Eiji was rubbing his head while almost choking him with his grip.
"Oi, but I still can't believe what happened between Kamio-kun and Kirihara…" Momoshiro was not able to finish what he was saying since Eiji suddenly covered his mouth after seeing Oishi looking towards Momoshiro.
"Oi, Momoshiro! You shouldn't talk like that, we don't even know if what Kamio-kun is being accused of is even true." Oishi said with a firm voice.
"Oishi…" Eiji tugging on Oishi's side "Where's Ochibi? He was standing here a moment ago."
"Oh, where did Echizen go?" Momoshiro suddenly noticing the absence of the freshman.
"What are you guys doing here?" Kamio suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Oi!" Eiji shouted as he jumped on Oishi in surprise to Kamio's sudden appearance.
"N-Nothing, we were just talking…" Oishi tried to explain as he tried to get Eiji off of him.
"It's still free time for us, you guys mind if I tag along?" Kamio asked quite shyly knowing that he was that talk of the camp after the Kirihara incident.
"Sure." Oishi responded enthusiastically not noticing Momoshiro and Kikumaru's menacing face behind him.
-oOo-
"Ami-chan!" Cathleah shouted from across the hallway full of students.
"Leah-chan." Amani responded with a wave as she watched her friend struggle to get pass the ocean of students.
"I heard the news…you, Kannah, and Timothy were chosen…to represent the school…in the international Science Fare for…robotics." Cathleah managed to say in between gulps of air.
"Yeah." Amani answered unenthusiastically.
"Huh?" Cathleah noticing Amani's lack of enthusiasm for the news. "What's wrong?"
"I'm an artist Leah, not a scientist." Amani sighed and leaned against her locker.
"But still…" Cathleah grabbed Amani by the shoulder and started to shake her rather violently, "It's a chance of a lifetime! You get to travel abroad!"
"It's not like we're going to Japan." Amani argued.
"Huh? But you still get to travel…and beside…" Cathleah stopped herself before saying anything more knowing that her friend would end up feeling more sad if she continued what she was about to say.
"But what?" Amani asked.
"Oh, nothing." Cathleah tried to make an innocent face to get Amani off her case.
"Don't give me that look Cathleah, but what?" Amani's voice now probing.
"Never mind Ami." Cathleah turned her back to her friend but was stopped before she could even step forward by Amani's hand of her shoulder.
"Don't you never mind me Cathleah Rose Jin." Amani emphasized her friend's name.
"Wow. You're scary…ehehe…" Cathleah tried to break free from Amani's hold. "Oh, okay…Besides, even if the robotics fare was to be held in Japan, it's not like Kunimitsu was there, I mean he's in Germany right now." Cathleah mellowed her voice to avoid offending Amani.
Amani let go of Cathleah's shoulder and started walking towards her classroom in small sad footsteps. "And even if he was, it's not like this inter-dimensional friendship was going to permit us to see each other."
Cathleah could sense the sadness in her friend's voice as she watched her walk away. But what if he's real? What if there really was a Kunimitsu waiting for you Ami? Will you forever believe that this is but a fantasy?
-oOo-
"Oi!" Shishido and Choutarou called to their group mates who were talking to Ann Tachibana. "Echizen and Kirihara are having a match!" Shishido managed to report as he and Choutarou were both panting.
"What?" Oishi blurted out as he led his group to run towards the court where Echizen and Kirihara were already starting a match.
-oOo-
"Miss Gray, can I talk with you?" Amani shyly asked her Physics teacher.
"What is it about Ami?" her teacher replied with a smile on her face.
"About the robotics fare in Singapore this weekend; my parents have agreed that I can join the team that will represent the school. Can I ask when we will be back?" Amani asked scratching her head.
"We'll be back before your birthday Ami, if that's what you're worried about." Her teacher smiled sweetly knowing that Amani was about to celebrate her birthday near the end of the month.
"Oh, Okay. Thank you Ma'am." Amani bowed a little before heading out the classroom door.
-oOo-
Ryuzaki-sensei walked out seeing her group spending their free time watching Echizen and Kirihara playing a match, "Oh, spending your free time playing practice matches eh." At this time Ryuzaki-sensei suddenly felt a sharp pain across her chest causing her to fall to her knees with a clenched fist to her chest.
"Ryuzaki-sensei!" The freshmen shouted catching the regular's attention.
"Sensei!" Oishi ran towards Ryuzaki-sensei followed by Momoshiro and Eiji.
-oOo-
"Are you getting packed Sis?" Rainan asked as her entered her sister's room.
"Sort of." Amani answered with a sad voice.
"You miss him." Rainan stated the obvious, it was not a question, and he didn't need to ask.
"Yes." Amani admitted to her brother before a tear fell from her eye.
"He'll be back." Rainan placed an arm around her sister to embrace her.
"I know…I hope so." Amani buried her face in his brother's arm.
"You go and knock 'em dead in that science fair, okay?" Rainan gave a light punch on her sister's shoulder.
"Thanks Rai." Amani almost whispered.
"I love you Sis." Rainan tightened his embrace and Amani's tears began to fall down like a downpour of a storm. "Shhh…He'll be back. He might even make it in time for your birthday." Rainan assured his sister although he himself did not know when and if Kunimitsu would return.
"Yeah…I really hope so." Amani still sobbing.
"I'll punch him hard if he makes my sister cry even more by not coming back." Rainan kiddingly punched a few jabs into the air making Amani smile a little, "There's that smile. Been waiting for that since I came in." Rainan smiled back at his sister.
"Thanks Rai, you're the best brother." Amani hugged her brother tightly before going back to packing her suitcase.
-oOo-
Oishi was pretty busy keeping his group together in the absence of Ryuzaki-sensei, he couldn't help but think of Kunimitsu had he been there, What would he have done differently had he been here? Oishi questioned himself.
Meanwhile a tall familiar figure was waiting for his luggage.
-oOo-
"Go get them Ami." Cathleah encourage Amani as she and the other members of their school representative waited for their flight.
"Thanks Leah." Amani forced a smile on her lips.
"Don't forget to bring me home something nice Sis." Rainan hugged her sister.
"With whatever I can bring back with the pocket money that Dad gave me Rai." She hugged back.
"You kids listen to your faculty adviser and don't go roaming around Singapore on your own." Amani's mother reminded the team and hugging her daughter.
"Yes Mam." Timothy and Kannah said in unison as they themselves hugged their parents.
A paging for their flight was heard.
"Okay you three, that's us." Ms Gray called on the three student representatives as she signalled for them to grab their bags and started walking to the departure area.
-oOo-
"Your coach has arrived." Kunimitsu said firmly as he opened the door to the court where a match was being held.
Oishi knew that voice, he knew that voice even with his eyes closed, he knew that voice even if it were drowned by a million voices. Tezuka! He thought in his head before turning to see, that it was indeed him.
Eiji, Momoshiro and Echizen ran towards their buchou and happily welcomed him.
During lunch it was announced that Tezuka was chosen by Ryuzaki-sensei to take her place in coaching her group. Different reactions from the crowd welcomed the decision, after all Tezuka Kunimitsu was just a middle-schooler like the rest of them. After much debating and a Kunimitsu proving that he deserved to be coach Ryuzaki-sensei's group and the rest of the camp welcomed him as a coach. However, Kunimitsu had something else in mind.
"Tezuka!" Oishi called after the rest of the group went back to the dormitories to clean up for the welcome party that evening.
"Oishi." Kunimitsu turned towards Oishi with the same stoic expression.
"How are you?" Oishi asked unsure of what he was concerned about.
"I am fine Oishi, Arigato for asking." Kunimitsu continued to write on his clipboard.
"Did you ever e-mail her?" Oishi finally blurted out the real question in his mind.
"Iie." Kunimitsu answered in a cold voice.
"But…" Oishi wanting to ask again, but decided this question was best handled by Fuji, after all if interrogation was to be done, Fuji would be the best person to do it.
"Let's go Oishi." Tezuka called to his fukubuchou and walked with him back to the dormitories.
-oOo-
I wonder how he is. He never e-mailed and Shuichiro-kun never came back to deliver a message…not even Syuusuke-kun came by his house. Amani was drowned in her thoughts as she looked out the plane window. The clouds always amazed her, she felt like she was in heaven…well, almost.
"Ami." A familiar voice called her.
"Yes?" Amani turned her head towards the voice.
"You're day dreaming even in an airplane." Timothy joked.
"But it's the perfect place to day dream, you're close to heaven yet you can see the earth." Amani reasoned out before returning her gaze on the plane's window.
Timothy just stared at Amani without saying anything more; he knew he couldn't argue with that reason.
-oOo-
"You didn't mail her didn't you?" Fuji interrogated Kunimitsu as he leaned on Kunimitsu's window pane. He and Oishi decided to drop by Kunimitsu's room before dinner.
Kunimitsu gave Oishi and meaningful look, but Oishi shook his head as if to say 'I didn't say anything to him.'
"You never sent her a message personally nor send her a message that Oishi or I could deliver to her." Fuji's voice was angry. It was rare to see or hear the tensai's voice in such a tone.
Oishi fringed a little, he knew this was trouble.
"Tezuka, what's wrong with you?" Fuji's voice was shaking; he was obviously stopping himself from shouting at Kunimitsu.
Oishi stepped back a little farther from Fuji; he didn't want to be anywhere near him when he explodes.
"Gomennasai." Kunimitsu answered in a firm voice.
"Is that all you're going to say?" Fuji's eyes pierced open
Oishi could feel the tension building up between his friends, he knew better than to say anything more, so he stood a silent witness to what was happening before him.
"I didn't know what to say to her," Kunimitsu admitted.
"Say what you feel." Fuji's eyes were focused on Kunimitsu and if his stare could kill Kunimitsu would probably be bleeding to death.
Oishi became pale, he knew Fuji was about to let out anytime soon.
"Fuji, I know I made you promise to take care of her in my absence. It's just, maybe this is one thing I'm not good at." Kunimitsu's voice began to shake as if he was about to cry.
Oishi could swear he heard Kunimitsu's voice shake, Is he going to cry? Oishi thought to himself but dared not say it out-loud.
Fuji turned his back to face to window, the stars were shining brightly, "She's waiting for you Tezuka, and she's been waiting patiently."
Kunimitsu lifted his head towards Fuji before bowing again.
Oishi felt the tension decreasing in the room; Finally these two are cooling down.
"I love her." Kunimitsu said his eyes not moving from staring at the floor.
Did he just say he loved her? Oishi thought silently as his gaze swung from Kunimitsu to Fuji.
Fuji smiled and gently nodded, he was satisfied with Kunimitsu's answer.
-oOo-
"Ami!" Cathleah hugged her friend that cold Monday morning.
"Hey!" Amani hugged back, "I was only gone for three days Leah." Amani smiled before handing Cathleah a small paper bag of souvenir.
"Wow! For me?" Cathleah happily took the paper bag.
"Hope you like it."
"Are you kidding? This is amazing!" Cathleah immediately attached the keychain to her bag, "So did you enjoy your stay there?"
"Well, we didn't win, but it was really fun meeting all those students from other countries." Amani enthusiastically explained.
"It doesn't matter, I'm still happy for you, and I'm so excited for this coming Friday." Cathleah jumping and clapping around.
"Why?" Amani totally forgetting about the special event of Friday.
"What? What are you saying? Friday!" Cathleah being overly hyper emphasized the day.
"Friday?" Amani still thinking what was so special.
"Come on!" Cathleah obviously being frustrated.
"Oh! My birthday!" Amani remembered…finally!
"Yup! We are going to p-a-r-t-y at your house." Cathleah embracing Amani's arm.
"We are?" Amani totally surprised by her friend's declaration.
"Well…not really party, but your mom invited me over for dinner." Cathleah explained.
"Really?"
"Yup!" Cathleah looked at her watch, "Oh my, look at the time, let's go, time for class."
-oOo-
"So congratulations to the participants of the Junior Invitational, please everyone pack your things and prepare to assemble in the ground where your respective school buses will pick you up."
"Tezuka." Fuji called to his friend before finally moving to fix his things.
"Hai?"
"You're excited to see her tonight aren't you?" Fuji said with a smile.
"Hai." Kunimitsu obviously forcing himself not to smile. He was more than excited to see her, in fact if he was not a coach he would have gone home ahead of everyone just to prepare to see Amani after so long.
Fuji and Oishi gave a meaningful smile before walking with the rest of the Seigaku regulars to pack their things.
-oOo-
Amani cleaned up and was ready to go to bed early, after all Kunimitsu was not there to keep her company so why stay up late when she didn't have homework. She turned her lights off and got into bed. "Goodnight Kunimitsu. I hope your shoulder is better now." She whispered before covering herself with her sheets. Just as she was about to close her eyes she noticed a light coming from the direction of her desk, thinking that she forgot to turn her lamp off Amani stood up from bed towards the source of the light not really paying attention to the tall figure in the mirror.
"Konbanwa…Ami-chan." Kunimitsu greeted gently.
Amani raised her head, sleepy as she was finally realized the light was not coming from her desk lamp, the lights in Kunimitsu's room was open and he was there. Amani blinked a couple of times, and tried rubbing her eyes to make sure she was not dreaming. "Kunimitsu-kun?"
"Hai. I'm back." Kunimitsu stepped forward a little and placed his hand against the mirror, "Gomennasai Ami-chan, for leaving you like that."
Amani stepped forward and examined the figure standing in the mirror, Is it me, or does he look more handsome than when I last saw him? She thought to herself before placing her hand on the mirror. "It is you." Her voice full of disbelief.
"Tadaima, Ami-chan." Kunimitsu's voice was shaking
Amani's eyes suddenly betrayed her as all the tears she has been holding back suddenly poured, which made Kunimitsu ache in his heart knowing those tears were because of him. "Okaerinasai…"
"Gomennasai Ami-chan."
"No…it's okay…I'm just…really happy…that you're back…" Amani managed to answer in between sobs.
"Please don't cry Ami-chan." Kunimitsu pleaded.
"I'm…I'm so sorry, I'm just really happy…and…and…I…I missed you so much." Amani continued to cry and fell on her knees in front of the mirror.
"Ami-chan…" Kunimitsu knelt down so their faces were almost face to face on the mirror. "I missed you so much too."
Amani wiped her tears and forced a smile, "Now my birthday will really be special—now that you're here."
Birthday?Kunimitsu thought to himself, When is her birthday? I forgot.
Amani noticed the bothered look in Kunimitsu's face and asked, "You don't remember don't you." She sounded disappointed and Kunimitsu wanted to figure a way out of his mess.
"I…uhm…Gomennasai Ami-chan." Kunimitsu finally admitted, he couldn't possibly make a story to cover up his forgeting.
Amani smiled before answering, "It's okay Kunimitsu, my birthday is on Friday."
Friday…what month is it anyway? Kunimitsu tried to recall in his head. How could he forget, that was just plain stupid; being the smart person that he was.
"So, how are you?" Amani asked while looking at Kunimitsu's shoulder.
"I'm well, it really helped going to Germany to heal. I might even make it to join the team in the Nationals." Kunimitsu happily answered.
"Nationals? Wow! Seigaku made it! I'm so happy for you Kunimitsu-kun!" Amani was jumping all around making Kunimitsu smile a little at how happy his friend was, finding out that the team was going to make it to the Nationals.
"Calm down Ami-chan." Kunimitsu tried to pacify his friend.
"But I'm so happy for you." Amani stopped jumping and around and rested on the floor.
"Arigato Ami-chan for all your support." Kunimitsu bowed lightly, "It looks like you're ready to sleep."
"Oh…I went to bed early since you left for Germany…too early that is." Amani shyly explained.
"Well, let's go get some rest, I'm tired as well." Kunimitsu reassured his friend.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow then." Amani waved goodbye before going back to bed.
-oOo-
It was Thursday and Kunimitsu still haven't figured out what to get Amani for her birthday gift. His brows were burrowed deeply and he was a bit cranky…a little too cranky that he was making the regulars flinch each time he passed by.
"Buchou is scary." Momoshiro whispered to Echizen.
"Momo-senpai, I think that is a given, buchou has always been scary." Echizen replied pulling his cap down a little to avoid eye contact with his buchou.
"Fssshh. Anything scares you." Kaidoh hissed at Momoshiro.
"What? Say that again Mamushi!" Momoshiro (as usual) started an argument with Kaidoh while Oishi and Eiji tried to separate them.
"There is a 97% chance that Tezuka is having a problem analysing a certain situation that does not involve tennis." Inui stated while writing something on his green notebook.
"I think I know." Fuji suddenly exclaimed making all the regulars stare at him.
"E? Fuji do you know something that we don't?" Kawamura asked his doubles partner.
Fuji chuckled, "That's for me to know and you guys to find out." Teasingly answered his teammates. "And besides, Oishi knows about it too." Leaving the regulars now staring at Oishi.
"E? Oi, Fuji! You didn't have to say that!" Oishi now backing a little as the regulars were walking closer to him with scary faces on.
"Oi, Oishi!" Eiji having an evil look on his face, "What do you know about Tezuka?"
"There is a 100% chance that Oishi will not tell us anything even if we make him suffer for it." Inui adjusting his glasses.
"Fssshhh. You are like girls, fussing over buchou's concerns." Kaidoh hissed pretending not to be interested.
"Oi Mamushi! Stop pretending, I know you want to know about it too!" Momoshiro retaliated.
"Kaidoh-senpai, Momo-senpai, do really think Oishi senpai will say anything if we tell all his fangirls that he will sign autographs for them later this afternoon?" Echizen suggested.
"Oi Ochibi! That's a great idea!" Eiji jumped in still with that same evil look on his face.
"Where did Fuji go?" Oishi shouted trying to distract the other regulars. And the moment that they turned their head to look where Fuji was Oishi ran as fast as he could away from them.
"Oi! Oishi!" Eiji shouted as the regular ran after Oishi.
Oishi was still panting when he reached the rooftop where Kunimitsu and Fuji were talking. "Oi Fuji! You didn't have to do that." Oishi complained under his breath.
"Gomen Oishi. I just needed to steal Tezuka away from those nosey boys." Fuji apologized with a smile.
"I think my lungs are going to fall out." Oishi still panting from all the running that he did.
"Tezuka has a problem." Fuji explained.
"That is obvious." Oishi now resting his back against the wall, still trying to catch his breathe.
"He doesn't know what to get Ami-chan for her birthday." Fuji explained to OIshi.
"E? When is her birthday?" Oishi asked Kunimitsu.
"Tomorrow." Kunimitsu answered.
Sweat drop on Fuji and Oishi's head.
"I've been trying to figure out what to give her since Monday night." Kunimitsu continued.
"Why didn't you ask earlier?" Oishi said
"We could have helped you pick up something, if you said it earlier." Fuji exclaimed.
"Gomen. I wanted to figure it out by myself, but now that her birthday is tomorrow…well, I guess I'm not good at these things." Kunimitsu's cheeks had a tint of pink in them.
"Go figure." Fuji answered sweat dropping again.
"Hehe…that's obvious." Oishi added scratching his head.
Kunimitsu suddenly turned his head and looked sharply at his two friends. Causing them to wince and say in unison, "Gomen, gomen, Tezuka."
"Are you going to help me or not?" Kunimitsu finally asked.
Just at that moment the other regulars arrived all panting after running after Oishi all over the school. "Oishi!" Eiji complained, "Oishi-senpai..." the juniors complained as well all of them trying to catch their breathe. But they were all stopped when Kunimitsu gave all of them a sharp look.
"Eto…it's okay Oishi, never mind." Eiji scratching his head.
"There is a 93.5% chance that Tezuka…" Inui not being able to finish his sentence after Momoshiro and Kaidoh covered his mouth.
"That is an additional 20laps for everyone this afternoon." Kunimitsu said still looking sharply at the regulars, "Including you Oishi, Fuji."
"E?" Fuji and Oishi sweat drop.
-oOo-
"Ami! Ami!" Cathleah ran after Amani carrying parchment and paint in her hands.
"Oh you got them already?" Amani referring to the art materials that Cathleah were holding.
"Yes, I got them before coming here." Cathleah placing the art material on the table.
"Well, let's start with this so we can finish early." Amani started drawing and painting on the parchments.
"You're really talented." Cathleah admired as her president started with the figures like it was second nature to her to draw.
"So are you Leah, you wouldn't be with me in this club if you were not." Amani kindly praised her friend.
Cathleah blushed a little before changing the topic. "So, are you excited for tomorrow?"
Amani blushed a little at her friend's question, "A little I guess."
"What do you mean a little? It's your birthday! And Kunimitsu's back, so that means it's an extra special day." Cathleah happily explained.
"Yes, it is isn't it?" Amani thought of how happy her birthday would be, knowing that Kunimitsu made it in time to celebrate it with her, despite the fact that he completely forgot when it was.
"What do you think he'll give you?" Cathleah asked imagining of all the possibilities of gifts that Kunimitsu might give her.
"I don't know. It's okay even if he doesn't give anything. Him making it home in time is enough for me." Amani reservedly explained.
"You're blushing!" Cathleah teased her friend.
"No I'm not!" Amani retaliated.
"Yes you are!" Cathleah continued to tease her friend. "You like him that much huh?"
"No, it's just…"
"Aw! Admit it Ami, you like…no…you're in love with Kunimitsu!" Cathleah continued to tease her friend
Amani who was still holding a paintbrush suddenly painted a dot on Cathleah's nose, "Stop teasing me!"
Cathleah wiped the paint off her nose and began teasing Amani a little more, "Ami loves Kunimitsu!"
Amani tried her best to ignore her friend, but secretly enjoyed the teasing knowing to herself that she did like Kunimitsu very much, it's just that she wasn't sure he liked her that way as well.
-oOo-
"This looks nice." Oishi offered a yellow blouse on the rack to Kunimitsu.
"How about this one?" Fuji offered a scarf with flowers on them.
"I really don't know." Kunimitsu was getting frustrated, they've been in the department store for almost an hour since they left tennis practice and he still couldn't figure out what to give Amani.
"Sakuno, isn't that Tezuka-senpai, Oishi-senpai and Fuji-senpai." Tomoka asked her friend as they walked pass the three seniors in the department store.
"Huh, it is isn't it?" Sakuno agreed.
"What do you think they are doing here? In the ladies section of the department store of all places." Tomoka added.
"You're right, why here?" Sakuno sweat drop.
"Maybe Tezuka-senpai, Oishi-senpai and Fuji-senpai likes a girl and are trying to buy a gift for her." Tomoka concluded.
"E? I don't think they're that type of guy Tomo-chan." Sakuno argued.
"What? They are still boys, it's normal for them to like a girl…but which one of them likes a girl?" Tomoka has an 'I must investigate' look on her face, which did not escape Sakuno's eyes.
"Tomo-chan what are you thinking?" Sakuno had a scared tone.
"Let's go find out." Tomoka pulled on Sakuno before she could say anything. "Oishi-senpai, Fuji-senpai, Tezuka-senpai!" Tomoka called to the three boys.
"G-Gomen senpai." Sakuno said shyly.
"Oh, what are you two doing here?" Oishi asked with a smile on his face.
"We were going to buy a gift for our classmate's birthday, when we noticed you were here." Tomoka happily answered while Sakuno just nodded with a blush on her cheeks.
"We're…" Oishi stopping before blurting out anything to the girl, "Trying to find a gift for a friend."
"Girlfriend?" Tomoka asked with a crafty look on her face.
"She is a girl, and she is our friend." Fuji explained.
"We can help if you're having trouble finding one." Sakuno offered shyly to her senpai.
Oishi and Fuji looked at Tezuka before answering, "Okay, I guess we do need a little help." Oishi admitted to the freshmen.
After about half an hour the five Seigaku students finally decided on a gift, "This one is perfect senpai, it will surely remind her of you, and it's cuddly too." Sakuno raised a small light brown teddy bear in a tennis jersey and holding a small racket.
"It's perfect, isn't it Tezuka." Fuji smiled as he showed the bear to Kunimitsu. Kunimitsu nodded and walked to the counter to pay for the bear.
-oOo-
Amani woke up early that Friday morning, it was her birthday and she was excited. She checked her watch; it was 5:44am which means the mirror still reflected Kunimitsu's room. She got up to see if he was still around, but his room was dark and it seemed he had already left. She did however notice a small gift wrapped box at the foot of her mirror. A small note was attached to it.
Ami-chan,
Tanjoubi Omedetou! I hope you like the gift…Oishi and Fuji helped me pick it (and a couple of freshmen)…I'm really bad at picking up gifts. Hope you enjoy your special day. I'll see you tonight.
Kunimitsu
Amani smiled and opened the box to find a small light brown bear in a tennis jersey holding a small racket. I love it Kunimitsu, and thank you. Amani hugged her gift before getting ready for school.
The day went by fast for Amani it was like everything was being fast forwarded so she could celebrate her birthday with Kunimitsu that night.
"Come on Leah, I want you to meet him." Amani pulled on Cathleah after eating dinner.
"Okay." Cathleah excitedly joined Amani in her room.
"Oh goody, the lights are on." Amani ran towards the mirror. "Kunimitsu!" she called to Kunimitsu's room
"Surprise! Tanjoubi Omedetou Ami-chan!" Oishi and Fuji appeared with party hats on their head and showering Kunimitsu's room with confetti.
"Oh, you're here as well." Amani happily responded to the greeting.
"Oh, and who are they?" Cathleah not failing to notice the two handsome boys in the mirror.
"These are Kunimitsu's friends from the tennis club." Amani explained to Cathleah. "Where's Kunimitsu?" she asked the two regulars.
"He's right here." They stepped to the side to reveal Kunimitsu holding flowers.
"Tanjoubi Omedetou Ami." Kunimitsu placed the flowers at the foot of the mirror.
"Arigato gozaimasu." Amani bowed before smiling sweetly at Kunimitsu. "I want you to meet someone Kunimitsu-kun."
"Who?" Kunimitsu asked enthusiastically.
"This is my best friend, Cathleah." Amani stepped aside so Kunimitsu could see Cathleah.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Kunimitsu-kun." Cathleah bowed lightly
"The pleasure is mine entirely Cathleah-san." Kunimitsu bowed as well.
"Oh you two look so cute together, let's take a picture!" Cathleah pulled out her camera from her bag, "Ami stand a little closer to Kunimitsu-kun."
Amani adjusted herself that if there was no mirror between them she looked like she was really standing next to Kunimitsu. Cathleah took the picture a couple of times before finally putting her camera down.
"A picture is worth a thousand words they say." Cathleah smiled at her friend. "But I have to go now; my Mom might get worried if I get home too late."
"But please stay a little longer." Kunimitsu asked of Cathleah causing the girl to blush.
"Ami, he's a charmer isn't he?" Cathleah shyly slapped Amani's arm.
"Meet his friends as well, This is Oishi Shuichiro and this is Fuji Syuusuke." Amani introduced the two boys to her friend and the two bowed and said their hellos before Cathleah insisted that she had to leave.
"Well, we too have to get home now." Fuji poked on Oishi's side to signal that it was time to leave Amani and Kunimitsu alone.
"Oh, yes. Time to go home as well." Oishi getting what Fuji was trying to say.
"I'll just see Leah to the door, okay Kunimitsu-kun?" Amani asked permission before he began to walk to the door.
"Okay. I'll see Oishi and Fuji to the door as well."
"Ami." Cathleah called one last time before hugging her friend and stepping out of their house. "You and Kunimitsu look beautiful together, and you share something really special. I'm happy for you Ami, Happy Birthday."
"I love him." Amani answered while Cathleah was still hugging her.
"Say what?" Cathleah pulled away. "Say that again."
"I love him." Amani repeated with a smile.
"I knew you did!" Cathleah jumping with joy as her friend finally admitted directly that yes she was in-love with the boy in the mirror.
"Take care Leah, call me when you get home okay?" Amani hugged her friend one more time before seeing her off.
Amani walked her way back to her room with a smile on her face. When she entered her room Kunimitsu was already waiting for her in the mirror.
"You look happy Ami-chan." Kunimitsu smiled at her.
If only that smile was mine exclusively. Amani thought to herself before sitting next to Kunimitsu in the mirror. "I am."
"Did you enjoy your birthday?" he asked.
"I did. Especially now that you are here. And I loved the bear by the way." Amani said sweetly showing Kunimitsu the bear that he got her as a gift. "Arigato Kunimitsu-kun."
"Ami-chan can you do me a favour?" Kunimitsu asked.
"What is it?"
"Can you, just call me by my first name?" Kunimitsu stared into Amani's eyes.
"Really? Then you have to call me by mine. Okay?" Amani agreed.
"Okay Ami."
"Okay Kunimitsu."
-oOo-
Wow! That was long! Been dealing with writer's block and lack of inspiration lately and when I got over it this happened. ^_^v
Hope that was not boring for you…next stop it's Kunimitsu's turn to celebrate his birthday =) I made Amani's character's birthday only more than a week before Kunimitsu's.
