Deceive

Kishibe Taiga

Being the cousin of Aphrodi, you were pretty close to him and, eventually, his team.

Most of them looked down at you because you were a girl, others liked your cheerfulness and knew you were a perfect fit to be a manager... and then there was Kishibe.

He didn't particularly hated you or your guts or did he like you. He was just... Kishibe. You can never be sure of him, like when he does something, you'd think he'll fail, but he really won't. You didn't like him particularly, but whenever he was with you... you seemed to grow fond of him.

"Hey, [f/n]! Are you busy tonight?" Kishibe asked you.

"Kishibe-san! E-eto... I don't think so... I have to do my project." You replied to him.

Kishibe rolled his eyes. "I told you to call me 'Taiga,' [f/n]. It's alright, though, I understand you need to do you studies."

"Arigato!" You thanked him.

Kishibe sweat dropped. "Why are you thanking me...?"

"Gomen~"

"[f/n]!"

"HAI!"

Kishibe sighed. "Honestly..."

You just smiled apologetically.

"You're too nice." Kishibe admitted.

"G-gomen~"

"Don't-!" Kishibe sighed and murmured, "I wish I could see a negative side of you, for once."

"E-eh?!"

Kishibe shook his head, "Never mind. I'll see you at practice!"

"Of course!" You flashed him a smile. Kishibe turned and ran out the building. Your smile quickly vanished and then you sighed.

"I really have to stop smiling everyday. It's too tiring." You yawned.

"[f/n]-chan~ how's your day?"

You glanced at the newcomer. It was your other cousin, Allison, and she looked like she was tired. Well, kind of more tired than you, anyway. You sighed and asked, "It's fine... what do you want now?"

"Why can't you tell Kishibe what you really are?" Allison blurted out, and then zipped her mouth shut as she didn't want to ask that question in the first place.

You scowled. "I don't hide things from people. They're the ones who want me to be this."

"[f/n]-chan... you should let people see what you are. They won't be mad." Allison frowned.

"It's not like I need to. It's nice to see their reactions whenever they found about it." You grinned and grabbed the things you need. You proceeded to walk to your next class.

"[f/n]-chan." Allison sighed, "When are you going to change?"

You recorded your data about the soccer team. Aphrodi kept quiet as he waited for you to finish your observations. Kishibe and the others continued to practice, not noticing that you were taking down notes about them. I wouldn't be surprised, boys are easily absorbed into their tasks... that they don't notice obvious things easily.

"I think this will do." You whispered and then handed over to Aphrodi.

Aphrodi smiled. "Your observations will never fail to amuse me. Most of it are all correct."

"Thanks, then." You muttered.

"Do you think you could do a little bit of research about Arakumo Gakuen? They're our opponent next week." Aphrodi crossed his arms.

You scratched the back of your head. "Maybe I could. But I have to do my project..."

"It's just a little bit of information. Besides, it's just a practice game."

"Practice game?!" Your jaw dropped, "Then why are you making me research?"

"Because we need to win!" Aphrodi put a fist on his chest.

You sighed and sweat dropped at the same time. "I guess I can do it..."

"Great! I need it the day after tomorrow!"

You groaned, "Hai~"

"Kantoku!" Kishibe came running.

You put on a worried face. "Your sweating, Taiga-san. Do you need some towels?"

"I'm fine!" Kishibe smiled at you and then turned to Aphrodi, "Is it true that we'll be playing Arakumo next week, kantoku?"

"Of course. I don't tell you lies."

"A-ah." Kishibe gulped, "Are you sure we can take them on?"

"Yes. I believe in you guys." Aphrodi grinned.

You sighed mentally, you knew he was indirectly telling you to do the research, or else.

"[f/n], why don't you prepare the drinks for the team?"

"Hai~" You saluted and went to prepare the drinks. When you came back, the soccer members were laying down the grass. They were talking, laughing and generally having a good time. You found yourself smiling at their joyfulness as you neared them. You gave them their water bottles and they thanked you.

"[f/n], are you going to the club outing tomorrow?" Kishibe asked you.

"Of course~" You smiled. Even if there was an outing tomorrow and all of you had no school tomorrow, Aphrodi would probably force you to stay indoors and do the research. You groaned mentally as you realized you weren't going to have fun with the other members.

Aphrodi held out a bag. "Move faster, [f/n]."

You grabbed the bag and scowled, "Right, right."

"Honestly..." Aphrodi then widened his eyes. "Oh, yeah, did you bring the laptop?"

"Yep." You replied and tapped the other bag you were holding.

"Hn."

"..."

You watched as the other soccer members seated their selves int to the bus. You were sitting at the front of the bus with Aphrodi next to you. When Kishibe entered, Aphrodi stood up and talked to Kishibe. You, being you, didn't listen to them and decided to close your eyes so you could rest.

Kishibe pinched your cheeks.

.

.

.

"YEOW!" you yelped.

"Ow! I can't believe you can manage to scream like that." Kishibe chuckled as he held his delicate ear.

You opened your eyes and then sighed. "G-gomene~"

Kishibe frowned. "...[f/n]."

"Yes?" You turned to him.

"Never mind," he replied and turned away.

You raised your eyebrow in question. Was he getting suspicious of you already? Or was he getting angry? You frowned your mouth at the thought of Kishibe getting angry at you. And then you mentally slapped yourself. Why are you thinking like that? Was it possible that you... liked him?

Well, if there's one thing I'll answer there; Yes. But for what question, you'll have to figure that out by yourself.

You gaped at the inn that all of you would be staying at.

Temporarily, of course. The soccer team/club was going hiking, except you. You managed to convince them that you were easily tired and that Aphrodi only forced you to come here (which was true, at least).

You clutched the bag you're holding tighter. Aphrodi looked at you with a sheepish grin on his face. You gave him a quick glare and turned your attention back to the inn.

After unloading your things, you sat with the other managers at a room adjacent to the boys'. Apparently, the other girls were going to talk about their crushes. You didn't like the topic, so your excuse was doing your studies and they all replied with: "Boring~!"

"Nee, nee, don't you think Kishibe-kun likes someone?" a girl giggled.

Somehow, you felt that this was something you'd rather not listen about. Another girl replied to her, "Really? I'd imagine it would be Eri-chan. Eri-chan and Kishibe-kun are classmates, nee?"

"Ah, ah! You've got a point!"

"I think they're cute together!"

"Yep~"

You tightened your grip of the mouse harder. When they finished talking, you drew out a deep breath and focused on the screen in front of you. You had a feeling Aphrodi wanted to win so badly that he would ask you to research just for a practice game. (That isn't a feeling, mind you, it is a fact.)

"... Arakumo Gakuen has an elite soccer team. It has a captain who is called a 'prodigy' for the members. That captain would be Amemiya Taiyou, a dedicated soccer player, who also comes out once a decade... they say." You groaned quietly and scrolled down the page (which I bet you are doing right now, hmm?).

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You pouted and scrolled up to the top page. Accidentally, your mouse hovered at the top of the page and a bar poked out. In the bar, two bold words at the center caught your attention: SIGN IN?

You clicked on it.

You frowned at the format that was printed. It was impossible to make an account... this was for members only. You sighed and then decided to hack into it. (I do not know how to hack an account, honestly.)

"Amemiya Taiyou... yet, somehow he was not part of Fifth Sector, eh?" You scrolled down the 'Secret Files' of the website and your eyes landed on his hissatsu techniques.

You sighed and stretched your arms. "I guess I have to note this down, too..."

Needless to say, you were glad you were able to finish the data.

"[l/n]-chan! [l/n]!"

You sat up from your sleeping bag and looked at your fellow manager. "Nani?"

She laughed, "Your grouchy during the mornings. We're going to have lunch soon, care to join?"

You quickly put on a small smile. "A-ah! Let me fix myself first..."

"Right-o! We'll see you later!"

"Hai!"

After your fellow manager left and you were quite sure that no one else was in the room, you lazily decided to wash yourself up. When you finished, you transferred the file about Arakumo Gakuen to your USB. You pocketed the USB and walked out of the room.

"[f/n]! Ohayo~" You heard Kishibe.

Laziness struck you once again, and you couldn't help, but say, "Ngh. Of course."

Kishibe blinked and then stared at your retreating figure.

Realization in 3

2

1

FUCK! You screamed in your mind and turned to Kishibe. "Gomenasai~" you said, hoping to cover the animosity you said to him earlier.

Kishibe continued staring at you.

"N-nani?" you said, feeling self-conscious already.

"I can't believe [f/n] actually knows how to be grouchy." Kishibe finally admitted.

"I-it's just, you know, mornings and all..." you chuckled nervously.

"Nope," Kishibe grinned, "that was definitely you."

You blushed and then you sighed, clearly defeated. You put on a disgusted face and drawled out, "You caught me, whatever. But never speak of this to anyone, nee?"

Kishibe grinned. "'Course, you're still mine, [f/n]."

"N-nani?! Oi, Ki-TAIGA!" you called after him, but he was already out of sight.

"Baka." You muttered.

At least you couldn't possibly make this day any worse.

Before the day of the practice match with Arakumo Gakuen, Kishibe had asked you to help him with something, but when you arrived at his classroom, he was getting cornered by girls.

"Taiga-kun~" a girl walked up to Kishibe.

"Ah, Eri-chan. You needed something?" Kishibe smiled politely.

"Do you want to go to the party together?"

"You mean the party the president's holding?"

"Ah!"

You averted your attention from them to the paper you were holding. Somehow, your heart was beating so loudly, like it was expecting you to do something. Like stopping Eri from talking to Kishibe.

"Gomen, Eri-chan. I was planning to go with someone else."

Now, your heart wasn't only beating loudly, but fast, too.

"Ta-taiga? But..." Eri was on the verge of tears.

"Eri-chan, I'm really sorry."

Eri turned around and walked off. You quickly picked up the sound of her sobbing. You looked at Kishibe with a disapproving look on your face. He grinned and walked over to you.

"Was that a little too harsh?" Kishibe asked.

"Not really, but you could have at least tell her you'd go with her."

"But I don't want to go with her." Kishibe countered.

"Why not?" You questioned.

"I said that I wanted to go with someone else."

You kept quiet for a moment, and then spoke up again. "What's with this party, anyway?"

"Mm... I think the Student Council holds it every year to celebrate the anniversary of the school."

"But don't we do that at our cultural festival?"

"That's a month from now, they hold this so we could get prepared. Usually, the people who go together at the party are couples. If they're the opposite genders, at least."

"Will you go?" You asked casually.

"If she says yes." Kishibe murmured.

You bit the insides of your cheeks and gathered the courage to ask, "Who's she?"

Kishibe looked surprised at the question and glanced at you. He decided, "Hmm... if you'd go to the rooftop tomorrow after your lunch, you might be able to meet her."

"Are you going to ask her out there?"

"Yep." Kishibe grinned, "Wish me luck, eh?"

"Wish you luck." You grinned back.

Kishibe's cheeks colored as he realized you two were too close to each other. You turned away and then coughed, "So, anyway, see you tomorrow. Good luck at the practice match this Saturday."

"Won't you go?"

"I oversleep." You replied curtly.

Kishibe chuckled.

You opened the door to the rooftop, where you knew Kishibe was waiting for this 'mystery girl'. You halfed wish that it was you, but you knew that it was just a fleeting dream.

Kishibe was leaning at the ledge. You were confused and then walked up to him. You decided to interview him, "Taiga, why're you just looking over the ledge? Aren't you gonna prepare or something?"

"I'm a coward." Kishibe sighed.

"Really, Taiga?" You chuckled, "If anything, you're the bravest captain I know."

"Not as brave as Matsukaze." Kishibe muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing."

You rolled your eyes. "The point is, if you can settle the problems of your team, then you're a great leader. And great leadership doesn't exist without bravery. So, yeah."

"Fine, then. If I'm brave, I can ask her out." Kishibe said.

"Yep."

"Alright, I'll prove to you I'm brave."

"Hn. So, where's the girl?" You asked, even if you felt disappointed at the thought that you weren't the girl.

"Well... is it weird if I say that she's in front of me right now?"

"Yeah, it is." You replied, "I don't see any girl in front of you."

Kishibe chuckled and then knelt in front of you. "Really? So you don't consider yourself as one?"

Your face reddened as you realized what was happening. You bit your lip and tuck a strand of hair at the back of your hair. You looked at Kishibe and gulped, "So... I'd been had?"

"Yep. Do you mind if I ask a question?"

"You already asked one, but sure..."

Kishibe laughed and then brought out a bouquet out of nowhere. "[l/n] [f/n], as much as I liked how you were nice to other people, your true personality is much more interesting than the one you pretend to have."

You licked your lips and begged him with your eyes to go on.

Kishibe's eyes sparkled and he continued, "So, [f/n], would you do me a favor of me being your escort for the party?"

If there was any occasion that made you speechless, it was this one. You were sure your heart was trying to come out of your chest. You bit the insides of your cheek and then warned him, "If this is a prank, Taiga..."

"Of course not, [f/n]." Kishibe looked relieved, like he was too worried about what you will answer and was glad that the atmosphere lightened (because he was).

You laughed and then said, "Of course, Taiga."

"Really?!" Kishibe grinned.

"Sure, Taiga."

"So, does that mean you remember what I said at the club outing?"

You recalled the club outing, and then you smiled widely. "Of course, Taiga."

"Well," Kishibe stood up and then handed you the flowers, "I knew you totally forgot. You had to recall it, didn't you?"

"Your ruining the moment." You rolled your eyes, but looked at him playfully, "I can't believe you can read me like that."

Kishibe laughed. And for you, that was already more than you could ask for.

When both of you walked back to your respective classrooms, Kishibe called, "Wait, [f/n]. You forgot something."

"What could that be?" You asked as you patted your skirt.

"This." Kishibe smiled as he put his lips on top of yours.

You didn't know how, but Kidokawa Seishuu managed to tie with Arakumo Gakuen. Once you locked eyes with Kishibe and he looked at you with such formality, that you knew what he was thinking of.

That he was going to do his best for you.

You realized quickly that, for the first time, you had dropped the act of being so friendly and nice. For the first time, you now know what it was like to be real in front of people... and not to deceive.

How did I do? :)

Anyway, thank you everyone for supporting!

Who's the next victim? :D