Author's Note: I figured it was about time for a chapter in James' POV. So here it is! And here I reveal one characteristic James has~ Oh, by the way, both James and Kana are home-schooled, with private tutors and everything. /scoff/ rich kids...
I apologize if this chapter becomes cliché for you. Kana and James' relationship is like those in the books. And also, I will be skipping a few moments in their first meetings, since you guys already know what happened, in that chapter where Kana reminisces.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of its characters! However, Atobe Kana and the rest of the OCs are mine~
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"James Chandler Hatake. Remind me again why your grades have dropped?"
"Mother, it just went down a few decimal points..."
"No excuses. Look at your older brother. He's always improving, that Adrian. You should be more like him." Alexandria Jane Smith-Hatake crossed her legs as she sat down on the regal armchair placed behind her wooden desk. Her cold blue eyes pierced through James. It was a usual morning in the Hatake household, James figured. It was no surprise when his mother called him to her office again, most probably to scold him for his grades or for his appearance or for some ridiculous reason that his older brother, Adrian Philip Hatake, never showed.
"Yes, Mother. I am sorry. I will do my best next time." James lowered his head once more, exuding all guilt in his tone. How many times have I said this already...
"Make sure to fulfil this. You may go."
James bowed and then exited the large room. He sighed as he closed the door. It's not my fault Adrian is such a genius...
James could do better if he tried, he really could. But after years of only getting mere nods of approval for his excellent marks and yet long hours of scolding for one tiny mistake, the boy lost all motivation to do his best in his academics. What good is it to exhaust myself if nothing is ever good for them?
Checking his self out in the mirror, James smiled at the outfit his Mother got him.
As one of the leading fashion designers in Europe, Alexandria Jane Hatake, with her brand Alexandria Jane, had numerous connections with famous designers even in the United States. And to uphold her name, she had to make sure her sons were always dressed to the standards of the high-fashion world, which meant James' and Adrian's wardrobes were all filled with designer clothes, from Ralph Lauren to Louis Vuitton to Marc Jacobs and who else.
At that moment, James was wearing a blue navy polo shirt from Givenchy and black khakis from Marc Jacobs, with white shoes from Gucci.
He walked out the door and headed to the senior citizens' park a few blocks down his family's mansion.
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Ah, yes. Silent mornings like this, with a few chirps from the birds.
James loved spending his weekend mornings at the senior citizens' park for two reasons: it wasn't crowded, as most of the people there were elders from the home nearby, and he loved its simplicity. Other parks had big fountains, weird dinosaur statues in the middle of the bushes or even large ampitheaters. But this park was simple, with its common wooden benches and gravel walkways. There weren't any attractions at all, just grass, trees and the fresh air.
That morning, occupied with thoughts of his older brother's genius, James had wandered off from his usual path and ended up walking deeper into the park. His ears registered a sound of a ball bouncing off the walls but his mind was too busy to focus on it.
And suddenly, a ball hit him straight on the throat.
James kneeled down in pain and coughed for air. WHAT THE HELL!? Who hits a person right in the throat?! He was about to glare angrily and scold whoever demon did that to him, when a feminine voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hey, I'm sorry…"
He looked up and mygod, she is beautiful. His eyes widened as he stood up straight. And immediately, the Hatake in him reacted.
He smirked. "I'll forgive you if you lick my neck."
The girl immediately scowled. And then hit him in the throat again, this time with her racket.
James held his neck in pain, glaring at the girl. "What the hell, *toot*?!"
"Pervert! Go away!" She smacked his head with her right hand, before huffing off to a wall, where she had clearly been practicing.
He stood behind her, staring for a few minutes as the girl went back to her practice. James studied her figure, noting the Tiffany & Co. bracelet on her left wrist, the rubber shoes from Nike, the Ralph Lauren shirt and skirt, and the silver Anne Klein watch on her right wrist. Designer everything. She's rich... But why is she practicing here in a commoner park? Shouldn't she be in the arenas or something, with a coach?
The girl turned to him, that scowl gracing her lips. "Didn't I tell you to leave, pervert?!" She yelled. James chuckled.
"Yes, yes, woman Hitler." He turned and walked away, but not failing to feel the pain from the ball the girl threw at his back.
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James wasn't really a pervert. But his mischievous personality made him seem like one. He was still a decent fourteen-year-old, but the blushes on those girls when he winked at them was so amusing to look at, James just had to tease them a bit further.
He didn't want to kiss them, nor hug them at all. He just wanted to see just how red they would turn, with each comment he'd make. Comments, which he had to thank his older brother Adrian for.
Adrian Philip Hatake was the heir to the billion-dollar-worth Hatake Corporation, a company involved with infrastructure and technology, two very large fields they were trying to conquer. He was reared by Seijuurou Hatake and Alexandria Smith with the mindset of becoming the heir who would take the corporation to even larger leaps. The boy did not disappoint, however. He was an academic genius, graduating valedictorian in his high school class, and was now in the roll for summa cum laude in the University of Cambridge.
But of course, Adrian was also raised to equip the socializing skills his parents had. The man, after years of watching his parents in balls and events, had become quite the Casanova. His words, the perfect balance between flirting and complimenting, always made the young women of London blush. With this, the heir to the corporation became even more astounding.
James was always amused whenever he watched his brother flirt with the ladies. He could make them laugh, redden and even give him a peck on the cheek by the end of the night. With just a few words, Adrian had the ladies in the palm of his hand.
And James was sure he had gotten the technique right. After all, it worked on Elena Penelope Phantomhive, that girl he'd met who was apparently a member of the royal family. But how come, it did not work on that girl?
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Shit, shit, shit. It's been forty-five minutes. Did she stand me up this time again?!
James waited for Kana as he looked out the window from his seat at the restaurant. He was beginning to get scared that she had rejected him again, but he was sure he made a pretty persistent case that day.
From teasing her to actually asking her out, you have come a long way, James.
He didn't know how or why, but ever since he had met that girl, he found himself walking to that same spot in the park for the next weeks. He wanted to know why a rich girl was practicing in the park, especially an Atobe. He wanted to know just whyhis brother's techniques did not work on her. He also wanted to know why the Hatake smirk did not faze her for just a bit. But along the way, he found himself wanting more than the answers. He found himself wanting her, the her who kept herself hidden from him.
He also didn't know where he got the idea or the courage to ask her out, but he did anyway. All he knew was that he wanted her to say yes. And when she didn't show up, he was hurt. But relieved, too. Why? Because dear James has never had a single date.
Ohgod, after looking like such a Casanova, I still am clueless about these sorts of things.
James teased girls not because he liked them, but because he liked the way they turned into a puddle of giggles at his comments. He had never gone past the teasing point, of course, because the fun was all in there. And now on his first, if Kana ever shows up, date, James had no clue on what to do.
And yes, my first date ever, Kana stood me up.
Unless...
I did tell her 1st street, right?
Or did she think that resto at the 21st...
Ohgod, I think she did! Shit, she must have been waiting for me for an hour now!
And thus, James ran through the streets of London, sweating like a pig in his expensive Prada suit but not minding one bit because this date, was with the girl he couldn't begin to comprehend.
But he sure was hell not going to leave her all alone.
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"Please. Cats are better. They don't bark in the morning incessantly. They don't pester you with their saliva." James said. Kana scoffed. The two were walking down the street headed to Kana's apartment, after their lovely dinner.
"What?! Dogs are so lovable! They know when you're feeling down. They always want your attention. Unlike cats which are just pure evil." The girl retorted.
"You just offended my Fluffy." James glared, referring to his Siamese cat.
"And you just offended my Coffee." Kana glared back.
"Coffee? Really? What kinda name is that?"
"I like coffee, get over it." Kana shoved him slightly. The two finally reached the apartment complex, and Kana turned to James.
"Well, this surprised me. I actually had fun." She said.
Thank god!
"Yeah, I did too. Thanks for agreeing to go out with me.." James looked down at the ground. Crap, I'm getting nervous all over again!
"Well, see ya~" Kana waved to him, as she turned her back and headed to the apartment lobby.
No kiss at the end, but I think this date went really well. Good job, James! High-five!
He turned to his side, and began walking back to the main street to get a cab.
"Oh wait!"
Before he could fully register Kana coming down the steps, he felt a soft pair of lips on his cheek. Kana pulled back and grinned. Ohmygod, she kissed me. Ohmygod!
He couldn't fight the blush rising on his cheeks, and unfortunately, the girl noticed it.
"PUAHAHAHA! Look at you! All so red just because a girl kissed you on the cheek! Tsktsk, not so suave now, are we?" Kana teased.
"Shut up." He mumbled.
"No, no! I will enjoy this moment! James Chandler Hatake is now blu—"
James grabbed Kana's neck and quickly pulled her to him, kissing her for a few seconds on the forehead. He smirked.
"Who's blushing now, Olivia?"
"You're so full of yourself, Crap Bag."
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Author's Note: Slow update and short chapter! I am so so sorryyyyyy TT_TT
But here's a background on James! Whaddya guys think? *u* The Chandler in his name is actually derived from Chandler Bing in FRIENDS. I just HAD to incorporate my love for that show here, HAHAHA.
James is mischievous, which is why he comes off as "perverted". I hope this clears up misunderstandings on his personality, considering he IS just fourteen. But he also has a dark side to him, and that is because of his parents. Kana has the reporters comparing her to Keigo, but James has his own parents comparing him to Adrian. They complement each other in this aspect. ;)
He may be suave with his words, but he actually does not know anything when it comes to love or dating or any of that stuff. And Kana will have fun with that knowledge HAHA
Review please!~ And the next chapter will be the continuation from Chapter 25. *u*