A/N: Hmm. Too lazy to write an Author's Note. Or rather, I have finally ran out of words to say (type). So yeah, just read this one guys!
P.S. This chapter will contain multiple POVs. I hope that won't confuse you guys. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own any parts of PoT. Just this story and the OCs.
Chapter 35: It Takes One to Know One
As the premier university in all of Japan, it is no question whatsoever that Tokyo University also houses some of the top tertiary level sports club. A percentage of the students here are in fact enjoying such privileges that come with being athletic scholars. Of course, being one means you are at least part of the twenty five shortlisted high school prodigies of each sport you'd want to play. From the best pitchers to the best shooters, to the beasts of any courts or fields— those who made their names highlighted during their junior and high school years are mostly found here.
Having said that, it is also expected that every athlete in this institution is in a constant tug-of-war. Between maintaining their academic standings, they also have to worry about retaining their sports in the team's line-up. Becoming a regular is hard; staying there is harder.
Of course, for the captain of the ToDai Men's Tennis Club— defending their title for nine consecutive years is the hardest thing to do. After all, no other university has ever done that. Not counting Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, no school club has ever won a championship for more than three.
It is an ambitious feat, but Kyo Asakura is aiming for the tenth and eleventh title. If he could, he'd aim for much more than that— but since he is in his fourth year in Psychology, he has to stop no later than after two years.
It is such a sad thing to think about, but— he has people in mind whom he can entrust his dreams with. In all honesty, he didn't really want them anywhere near his team, but he knows he has no other options. After all, the Director has invited them to join the club personally (Kyo wasn't even personally invited, he has to work his ass off to be where he is now). Though, looking at the profiles of the people (monsters) in his hands, Kyo understands.
These are the brats whose names rung all throughout the four corners of tennis world in their middle school years— whose names were spoken only with awe and fear by fellow players. Even he was amazed by them.
He had the luck to have played with them only once back in high school. He won each one of those three of course (though if they were of the same age, Kyo can't say whether the result would be the same), but even then it took all of him to win them three sets to two— two of those five games reached a tie breaker. He won because he had more experience, not because he is better.
And now, Kyo wonders...if they are to play once again, would he fall victim to Yukimura Seichi's YIPS? Or perhaps Oshitari Yushi's techniques have exceeded the count of a thousand.
Or...if Sanada Genichirou's Fū Rin Ka In Zan Rai is even more impressive than it was years ago.
He wanted to know so badly his hands are shaking.
Breathing deeply, Kyo lets the papers to fall from his hands to the table. He did not mind the mess a bit, his mind solely focused on the future he knows the club will be facing.
Success. Only success. There is no question about it, not with this breed of monsters who would soon be playing under his tutelage and will be crushing their opponents like an elephant would with ants.
The only question is...who among this eight will take his place?
Ah! He can't wait any longer!
...
"Saa…" Fuji breathes a soft sigh when he and his housemates made as top in front of the room labeled 'Tennis Club'.
The paint is light blue, and the windows are glass and closed, making the seven males wonder if someone is indeed inside the small building.
"Shouldn't we go to the courts instead?" Shiraishi asks, hands shoved in his pockets and a frown between his brows. "The training already started, and so it's highly logical to find all the members there, right?"
They can hear people shouting behind the building, as well as the distinctive sound of tennis balls meeting either rackets or the hard court. They know that the club has around thirty members, with only seven regulars who play in games.
Giving Shiraishi a rather wry look, Yukimura sighs and then nodded at Yagyuu. "The captain is…a bit peculiar, Shiraishi-kun. I won't be surprised to see him lounging here whilst the rest of the team are training." Yagyuu chuckles in response, before murmuring something unintelligible under his breath.
The sandy-haired male raises an eyebrow in intrigue, but decided against asking any further.
"Saa…" Still smiling, Fuji tilts his head back to look at the others behind him. "Should I knock then? It really is quiet in there you know." The Tensai though didn't do as he says, instead—stared at the building in front of him.
He is feeling a bit apprehensive—or maybe that's his excitement talking. Somehow, the thought of possibly playing with his housemates sounds promising enough to excite the normally calm and unexcitable Fuji Shusuke.
There were a few things that can excite him after all.
Behind him, Yagyuu shrugs a shoulder in response to what Fuji has said. Like the others, he stood there and merely stares at the building in front of him. It looks bleak and dull in his eyes—showing none of the prestige the club and its members wear like a badge strapped to their shoulders and arms. He wonders briefly if whether the team really is worth all the fame—but then decided the answer to that question doesn't really matter for now.
He is here to see if the sport still holds the old charm—or if he still can be charmed to play the game of winning and losing with and against the people around him.
The notion did not make his blood thrum though—and for Yagyuu, that is already half of the answer to his question.
He didn't notice both Yukimura and Sanada giving him a look that conveys what the two think Yagyuu's answer would be.
Finally having enough of his former teammate's apparent hesitation, Tezuka took control of the situation with the same familiar authority in his hands.
"Stop stalling." Murmuring, Tezuka sidesteps the Tensai to stand in front of the closed door, the others staring after him, at his broad shoulders—recognizing that same old look that is reminiscent of a pillar.
Shiraishi thought it poignant enough for him to straighten his own and to take a few steps to stand behind Tezuka.
Raising his right hand, Tezuka started knocking. Three sharp, short raps, and the Pillar stops—and they all waited.
There is the sound of hurried footsteps—and then the door opening to reveal a smugly grinning Kyo Asakura. His green eyes are lighter and his blonde hair messier than a bird's nest.
His jersey is carelessly worn with a pair of light brown pants; his shirt untucked and he is barefooted.
This person...is the captain.
Tezuka and Sanada stare at him with something close to disgust in their faces.
Yukimura and Yagyuu sighing at the look of affront on the others' faces.
Waving a lazy hand at them, the captain greeted them with a "Yo!", his grin growing wider each time his eyes set upon each of the seven males, until they all thought his face is going to split in half.
Sanada sighs ever so quietly beside a chuckling Yukimura.
This is going to be a long afternoon.
…
The room itself is not too bad—if only there were no papers scattered into oblivion, and if the chairs and the table don't look as if a hurricane has just toppled them all over the place.
Actually, if Tezuka will describe the place—the closest he can say is that a level five hurricane has just visited it, leaving only destruction and mess in its wake.
Though—the person supposedly in charge of the clubroom couldn't seem to be bothered by the said mess.
With both hands behind his head, feet up in his desk, Kyo Asakura gave them a wide smile, his green eyes twinkling in a way that is reminiscent of Risa Shiraishi.
Sanada took that as a very bad sign.
"So…all of you will be playing for the team eh?" his smile only got wider when Fuji answers him with a nod and a smile. Rubbing his hands together, he has a look of pure glee on his face that sets the alarms on both Tezuka's and Sanada's minds to full alert. "Ohhh…this is going to be so good!" cackling, he then proceeded to lean back on his chair and started talking about how he has dreamt of this day to come and how they are going to dominate the tournaments and how girls are going to go crazy over him and—
"…and then, we will get invitations to play abroad and then we'll get super famous and—"
Clearing his throat, Oshitari threw Sanada—whose eyebrow is already twitching—a warning glance. "Asakura-san, if you don't mind…should we get on the application process?" he asks when he has the older male's attention. "We have to fill in the application forms, am I right?"
Waving his hand, the captain only snorted at Oshitari's words. "No need for that shit! Hell, all of you are at least inside the top ten best players in high school. I don't need crap like that to say you are already in the team. And besides," leaning forward, he smirks, "the coach and the manager and the sports department and the school board basically begged all of you to join the team, right?"
"Even so." Yukimura murmurs, a bit hesitant that it made Yagyuu and Sanada wary. "Don't we all have to follow a certain system when it comes to this, Asakura-sempai? What would the other members say?"
Ah…I forgot three of them were captains back in middle and high school, Kyo thought to himself when he saw Shiraishi and Tezuka staring at him with something like disdain painted in their faces. Not disdain of him, rather of his current attitude.
Hmp! These brats are no fun! But—
"Don't get me wrong, Yukimura-san." A fine eyebrow lifted, and Kyo laughed ruefully at the brats in front of him. "I only said you are now members of the team. I didn't say you are regulars so don't get all formal and shitty with me." His green eyes burn with challenge, and he directed that challenge at each and every one of the seven males standing in front of him. "You need to prove yourselves to me first. And let me tell you, I am not easily impressed."
"Oh?"
Chuckling in mirth, Fuji's smile widened a tad bit—mirroring Yukimura's. "Ah…so we have to prove ourselves first huh?" his voice is light and happy, and Tezuka started praying for each and every one of them. "I can't wait."
Fuji and Yukimura smiling like that is a perfect omen of destruction.
Apparently thinking the same, Shiraishi gave a sigh so heavy Yagyuu felt the need to pat his shoulder.
"Yes." Kyo agrees, nodding his head vehemently—so eager to get his chance of playing with the monsters that made tennis the most exciting sports years back. His hands are itching to pull his racket and march into the courts.
But by the looks on the males' faces, they are more than ready to try and pummel him into the ground with just their burning eyes.
Now that's what Kyo had been waiting for—worthy opponents.
Finally.
…
Unlike the tennis club though, some of the sports club of ToDai aren't having the same luck of having top-tier class players. Nor are they enjoying an nth-consecutive year of glory. Some of these clubs are actually down in the dumps (meaning they haven't had a taste of a championship for the last two or more years).
The female volleyball team—or the ToDai Blue Spikers— is one of those so-called in-the-dumps-team. Being title-less for three consecutive years is considered a sin in this top-class institution. Falling to second or third or fourth after all is not 'winning'.
And if you are in the 'loser's bracket' for far too long, you will ultimately be labelled as a loser yourself.
Something that the captain is trying to avoid. How humiliating it is to be considered one anyway?! She just cannot accept it! Even thinking about it is giving her unpleasant shivers up and down her spine.
This year will not be the same, the captain has vowed to herself. This may be her first year being a captain (only because the three previous captains all but gave up their posts after losing to their rival schools), but she will make sure this will be when the club will regain its former glory. They will be champions once again, and the whole school and its population will no longer tag them as a sorry excuse for a team, nor will they look at them with pity and scorn in their eyes. This will be the year when her name, along with the club's will be held in highest regard, and then she will become the beacon of light and hope, and then people will look at her with respect and love and admiration and —
"Any interesting recruits yet?"
It is one-thirty, Tuesday afternoon, and Sumire Hayate all but groaned at the laughter on her vice-captain's voice. She just has to come now and cut my pleasant dream! Argh!
Arranging her facial expression to assume its usual nonchalant look, she rewarded her vice-captain a brief glance, and then Sumire re-focuses her blood-red eyes back to the monitor in her front. Her desk is littered with enough papers to give their team manager a giant migraine for the rest of the year—which has just started.
"Don't ask me please," she murmurs dryly, casting another glance—this one sharper—to the grinning female sitting carelessly at the lone couch in the room, "or else I will be forced to take a hike and leave you with that impossible task."
Looking for new players is a huge pain in the behind; convincing those few good players to join the team is even bigger pain. The biggest pain of them all? Making them stay in the team. She has lost two open spikers, their libero and their back-up setter. She has nothing left, and that is what she is facing right now.
Chuckling, Yue Tanaka—the vice-captain—shifted in her seat so that she is now facing Sumire with a wicked grin in her lips. Her brown eyes are aglow with mischief, and Sumire couldn't help but feel both worry and curiosity upon seeing the other girl with those expressions.
"I can take the job, actually." The hint of cackle behind Yue's words only serves to amplify the ember of curiosity (and worry— you cannot forget the worry) in Sumire's mind.
"Do I even want to know what's going through your head, Tanaka?" she asks slowly, wincing at the mental images she has conjured.
Shaking her short brown hair out of her face, Yue leans forward with her elbows at the top of her knees. "Well…" she shakes her head again, before cupping her face with both her palms, giving Sumire an innocent look the captain thinks is misplaced in that scheming brain of hers.
Sumire waited patiently, for she knows Yue absolutely enjoys torturing people with habit of her trying to withhold whatever it is she has to share. Bits of information she got her strong, firm hands on. How she did that, Sumire has no ideas whatsoever. Yue Tanaka probably is one of the biggest gossips in the female captain has ever known.
With her lips pursed, Sumire abandons her futile attempt to calmly ask her vice-captain whatever scheme she is sketching. It is always not a good idea to leave Yue Tanaka with any schemes.
"Tell me." 'Or else' was left hanging in the air between them.
Giggling, Yue regarded her nails as if they are the most interesting thing in the whole world—or the whole room. "I may or may not have some people in mind that can bring the team to the top this year."
The implication behind her words was there, and Sumire felt her face burn with indignation and shame.
As if Sumire needed another reminder of their near-to-dismal performance a year back. Finishing fourth may not look like a bad deal to others, but for Sumire, it was a slap to both sides of her face.
They were supposed to be the best in the league—the undefeated—the unbeatable; untouchables they were called.
But not for the last three years. All those glory dissolved into a puddle of muck when they were thrashed into the court they were playing with their bitter rival. Sumire doesn't want the same to happen this year.
And to do that, she needed girls who will play as if their very life depended on it—as if they are possessed as Sumire is.
Not even Yue Tanaka is close to that level. Oh the girl is good, but she is not as good as Sumire wants her to be—needs her to be.
"Who?" she asks, her knuckles tight around a pen that isn't being used at the moment.
"Kaede Furokawa."
Sumire frowns, her knuckles tightening even more.
"Remember her?" Yue asks, tilting her head once more. "She was that player who specialized in—"
"Yes, I remember her." Patiently, Sumire cuts through the rest of Yue's words. "I didn't know she's here in ToDai."
"Majoring in Business Management. She's a bit far from you." Yue offers, before continuing upon Sumire's glare. "Asuna Sugimoto—Engineering major."
An eyebrow rose. "Oh? That girl's good."
More than good—but still. "She was the best setter for three years. Of course she's good—more than good." Yue supplies as if to remind Sumire.
"I know. Okay." Unfolding her hands, Sumire sets aside the pen and started tapping some keys in her keyboard. "Do you think we can convince them to join the team? If I am not mistaken, they are now third years. I wonder why they didn't join the team in their freshmen year. Do you—"she stops at the smile on Yue's lips. "There's something you haven't told me yet." She stated flatly.
The smile grew. "Chisaki Kanai." Yue says simply—her mind uttering a quick apology to her classmate and friend—but that was enough for Sumire to suck her breath and for a grin to split her lips.
"Chisaki Kanai." She repeated with apparent wonder; Yue nodded. "Holy shit."
Yue laughs—delighted. Holy shit, indeed.
…
Now all that's left is to convince these girls into joining the club.
"I'll talk to them personally," Sumire announces with a determined look in her face, her crimson-eyes glowing like embers of red-hot fire, "I'll convince them no matter what."
"They are not that easy to convince buchou." Murmuring, Yue traces the names on the paper with her pointer finger.
"I said I will no matter what Tanaka." Flatly, Sumire gave her vice-captain the final words.
But Yue only shook her head. "Let me talk to Chisaki Kanai then."
Sumire frowned. "I said I will—"
Smiling, Yue nodded at her captain. "I know her, buchou. That means I know she will refuse you faster than you can say anything about joining the club."
"Then what makes so confident about convincing her then?" Sumire challenges Yue, who only grins at her.
"Oh, let's just say I know a thing or two about her. After all," shrugging a shoulder and stretching her arms above her head, she raises herself from the couch, her bag on her hand, "we are friends."
Leaving her captain behind her with a flabbergasted expression in her face, Yue pulls open the door and steps out into the afternoon sun.
Shielding her eyes from the light that greeted her, she lets her grin to drop of her lips. She has said that, but even Yue isn't that confident about convincing Chisaki in joining the club.
Even though she has a plan in mind, Yue knows the person she is targeting isn't the kind to fall victim in those kinds of puny schemes.
Yue know this, for they are friends after all.
But—
Turning to her left and starting her journey home, Yue lifted a hand to tuck an unruly lock of her hair behind her right ear.
They are friends, yes—and so Yue knows that if there is something she can use against Chisaki, that would be her friends.
For Chisaki has never treasured anything in this world anymore than her friends.
Well—maybe Tezuka Kunimitsu comes close to that—the thought made a grin to tug at the corners of her lips, and so Yue proceeded her walk back to her own apartment.
Tomorrow—tomorrow Yue will sow the seedlings of her future. And she will definitely make sure to see all her efforts to fruition.
...
"So," chewing noiselessly, Kaede peers into Asuna as they enjoy a light snack together that Thursday afternoon, "have you decided yet?"
The small cafeteria that is jointly run by the Culinary Arts department and the Business department is mostly filled, what with the lack of classes at this time. Kaede grumbled earlier that she wanted to enjoy some quiet time with a cake and a drink, but that vanishes once she steps foot at the busy establishment.
Asuna was there, sitting with Akutagawa—until the male was called forth by some of their male classmates. Kaede couldn't duck any faster, and the sharp, russet-eyed female saw her and beckoned her with a raised eyebrow and a wry look. She resigned to her fate almost immediately.
Though the lemon tart Asuna has ordered for her is absolutely mouthwatering, and therefore worthy of her time.
A shrug and a frown was Asuna's initial response to her question, and Kaede raises an eyebrow in silent encouragement for a more elaborate answer.
"I will join if you will," Asuna frowns, "and Chisaki."
"You know she won't." Taking another bite of the treat, Kaede regarded Asuna with a look that can be interpreted as 'Are-you-being-an-idiot-for-even-thinking-about-it?'
Asuna threw her a rueful glare. They know each other that well enough to read what is on the other's mind.
Chuckling dryly, Kaede leans back on her chair, eyes glancing around her, taking in her surroundings—the other students around them, the bustling servers, and the man behind the counter who gave her a flirty smirk—before falling on a laughing Jirou four tables away from them.
She was approached earlier by Sumire Hayate—apparently, the girl is in search for players for the female volleyball team. Kaede refused—but the girl was adamant she take some time to think about it.
She then later find out Asuna was also approached by the captain, and has given the same response. Though Kaede knows her friend would very much want to join the team, but only if Kaede and Chisaki do as well.
The sound of a fork impatiently tapping at the saucer brought her attention back to the female in front of her. She found Asuna eyeing her with pursed lips, annoyance clear in her eyes.
Sighing at her short-tempered friend, Kaede decided to get back to the topic at hand. Fork and knife on Asuna's hands don't look promising.
"Should we ask Chisaki then?" Kaede asks instead, her hand lifting the fork to her lips for another bite of the treat.
"We can try, but the possibility of success is just about nil—that girl is too hard to crack once she makes up her mind." Rolling her eyes, Asuna continues, "But—" she shrugs a shoulder, frowning when her eyes caught one of her few female classmates walking up to where Jirou is and striking up a conversation with the male, "it won't hurt to try asking her again. Who knows? There might be some divine intervention to help us this time." Her voice is wry, chuckling dryly on her own words.
Trying her hardest not to grin at the irritated look on her friend's face, Kaede sighs and draw lines on the table surface and lets her mind drift.
Truth be told, she wanted to join the team. This year won't be as busy as the last two, and she is certain she will have a lot of spare time in her hands—more than enough for her to spend in a club.
"This will probably be my last year, and I don't want this to end it like it did the last two years."
Those blood-red eyes are alight with determination, and just a little bit of desperation, that made Kaede to almost say 'yes', but managed to stop herself from doing so.
She instead said no—but the captain only dismisses her refusal with an imperial wave of her hand.
"Just think about it some more." She has said, completely ignoring Kaede's frown and sigh. "I'll talk to you on Monday. You can give me your final answer then."
Kaede was left standing at the hallway, looking at the back of the tall girl, shaking her head and telling herself she won't change her mind.
She wanted to, of course—to be personally hand-picked by the captain of the varsity team is something to be proud of—but that doesn't mean she would just up and grab it with both her hands.
True, she may not be as busy as the last two years, but time really isn't her worry.
"She asked me personally as well," Asuna murmurs as she shoves daintily a bite of her own cheesecake into her mouth, "and I can only imagine her doing the same with Chisaki. Actually, I can imagine her doing it right at this moment."
The captain is desperate, and so Kaede agrees with what Asuna has said. Somehow, she is hoping Chisaki would accept the invitation, so she and Asuna can do the same.
It is a dream of hers—to play with the two girls, or with any of her friends—in the same team.
Though—shaking her head, Kaede regarded her plate with a dry look. "We both know it's a lost cause already. That girl won't change her mind no matter what."
Asuna hums softly, not replying since they both know Kaede's words ring true. When Chisaki says no, she means no. It would take something dramatic and big to change her mind—like, the world ending, for example. One of her many faults, in Kaede's opinion—one of the girl's finer points, Asuna would often argue.
"I do want to play, but…" Trailing off, Kaede just sighed. Asuna knows why, and she cannot really blame Kaede.
The idea of playing against your personal hell even just once is too much for Kaede, though Asuna would love for it to happen.
How she wishes it will happen. But—she has only wanted to play seriously when she was in Chisaki's team. Because Chisaki was—is—the best and Asuna has only ever wanted to play with the best there is.
But she cannot deny that she has missed being at that court—doing what she does best and thrashing others with her skills. When was the last time she has felt that same exhilaration coursing through her veins? Heard the sound of the ball being spiked hard down into the other court just after it left her hands? Or the feel of it in her palm, or the tips of her fingers?
Playing with the high schoolers during the break doesn't even come close to that. If any, it only made her miss it even more.
She wanted to do it again—to feel those again. And she knows Kaede does too. And to some extent, even Chisaki. She knows the two girls enough to conclude that.
With a frown in her face, Asuna flicks her hair over her shoulder, her eyes seeking Kaede's and then murmuring. "What do you say we tag team on Chisaki and convince her?"
The look of surprise in Kaede's face is enough to convince Asuna it's a bad idea. It would be like convincing a wall to move…or for a fortress to fall. She can see the same thought running through Kaede's mind, though the other girl nodded her head after only about six seconds that Asuna was left wondering whether Kaede also was thinking the same.
The chuckle that left the violet-eyed female confirmed Asuna's suspicion.
"Only if you do the holding her down, and I do the talking."
Damn coward, Asuna thought fondly, but was glad her friend agrees to her plan. How hard it would be to hold Chisaki down anyway? It would be a piece of cake…like maybe as easy as to shove a girl's face down to plate of strawberry fudge.
Smirking, Asuna stabs her cheesecake a little too enthusiastically. "Done." Her russet eyes narrowed four tables down, and Kaede hid a smile at the rim of her glass.
Oh, the joys of watching your friend unconsciously writhe in jealousy!
…
In all honesty, Jirou wanted to go back to his previous table—where he left Sugimoto-chan with Furokawa-chan after setting the girls' cakes down on the table. Their classmates called out to him, and he couldn't be rude enough to ignore them.
How he wanted to be rude and ignore them—but that simply isn't him. And besides, he can always join his female classmate anytime he wanted to, since they always did have lunches and snacks together. Come to think of it, they've always had their meals together ever since they met in their first year.
Some of those times were mere coincidence—since he was always looking for a place where he can lie to get some little nap, while she was always looking for a quiet place to eat her snacks (mostly chocolate-something) alone and away from her most rabid suitors.
After three months though, she started dragging him to the cafeteria for lunch, or to buy a snack or a drink. He decided it wasn't that bad, since she isn't like the other girls he has met.
Sometimes he thought it was good that he can keep her from killing said suitors—and sometimes, he wish he can kill those guys—just coz they always wake him up from his nap to ask nonsense about him and the ash-blonde girl.
"Aren't you ordering something, Akutagawa-kun?" the girl beside him asks, eyes smiling up at him, her voice soft and quiet. Like a dream, Jirou remember one of their classmates say on their first year.
Rei Suga is as soft and gentle as the cherry blossoms in spring time.
Smiling, Jirou turns to her and shakes his head. "Ah—I already did Suga-san."
"Eh?" she blinks her incredibly large gray eyes (he has always wondered how can someone has eyes as large as hers, though— Sugimoto-chan's sometimes seems bigger and more beautiful...), reminding Jirou of a kitten. "Where is it then?"
"I left it with Sugimoto-chan. We were supposed to eat together." He replies, eyes seeking said girl, and finding her in an intent conversation with Kaede. Smiling, Jirou waved at the two, receiving an eye roll and a smile from them.
"Oh."
Few chuckles and snickers went around the table, but Jirou ignored them in favor of poring over some of the notes his classmates have shoved into him, asking him to go over them and check whether they got the details right.
He didn't see the way the girl beside him sneak a frowning glance four tables away from where they are sitting, her gray eyes narrowed in annoyance, and her lips pursed tightly as if not to let air to slip out of them.
Rei is more than aware of the rumors flying all around their department—especially in their year—about the two being 'more than friends', though the bashful male beside her denies it as vehemently as the ash-blonde girl she personally views as a nemesis—in more ways than she would like to admit.
One of those reasons being about the male who is now arguing with some of their classmates about something or the other. Rei has had more than a little 'crush' on the orange-haired narcoleptic. Even back when they were in Hyotei—ever since that time when he smiled at her as he rubs the back of his head while helping her up from the floor where he accidentally knocked her over whilst on the run from his fan girls then.
She was taken aback by his smile—thinking about how it is that he is overtly charming without even meaning to, without really trying.
She discovered none too soon that he has a girlfriend at that time. Her admiration of him did not die down though, rather it grew stronger as the passing of time—until they graduate from high school, and then eventually meeting once again in one of their classes in their freshman year.
She thought it was fate—them meeting once again, being in the same school, same major, same classes.
It was fate—she told herself with a dreamy smile one afternoon they walked back to their respective lodgings one spring afternoon, sakura falling all around them, the sun has just set, painting the sky a becoming red and pink and hazed-orange.
Like his hair, she thought fondly—
But then, before she can even remind him of their being acquaintances, she found him taking a nap under a tree behind their building, his head a feet away from the snacking Asuna Sugimoto—his hands splayed around him, inches away from where she has put her own palm to serve as her support as she sits while reading his notes.
She thought fate was playing a joke on her.
"I really should get back to Sugimoto-chan." Jirou suddenly says, his voice apologetic, though his smile is even. "We have somewhere we need to be."
"A date, perhaps?" One of their classmates, Kato, asks with a snicker. It was echoed by the four others.
Rei bit the inside of her cheeks, and smiles.
Laughing, Jirou eases himself out of the chair. "How many times do I have to tell you guys that we are not dating?" he is exasperated, that much Rei can tell. But she was quick to notice there isn't any force of conviction behind his words and voice.
Something that made her ache somewhere in her chest.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Akutagawa." Toshiro snorted, before exchanging a cheeky grin with the others, who all clearly don't believe Akutagawa.
Rei wanted to believe what Akutagawa has said—but she isn't that stupid or blind.
Shaking his head, Jirou chuckled, not even attempting to dissuade his classmates. Turning and giving Rei a smile, he excuses himself once more.
"See you guys around."
They watch him make his way back to the table where Asuna is sitting with another female, smiling his goofy smile when the ash-blonde slapped his arm playfully, an annoyed frown in her face.
"Are you confident in your bet, Sano? Those two are closer than last term."
Snickering, Sano runs a hand to his hair; Rei can see his eyes glinting. "Next year." He declares confidently, "They will date next year, and you losers will be coughing up all of your savings to pay me."
Shaking her head at the discussion around her, Rei turns her attention back to the abandoned strawberry fudge in front of her.
…
Friday afternoon
Just as they step out of the library, Chisaki tucks her hair with her right, face tilted to look at the girl fidgeting beside her.
"What did you say, Yue-chan?"
She was reading at the library when the girl asked her to leave the said place for a talk. It was a good thing she already has the material she came there for, and so she complies with the request.
Grinning nervously, Yue rocks herself on her heels, looking like a kid being scolded with her hands behind her. "Uh—I might have told my captain I will convince you to join the team?" her grin is even more nervous, and Yue almost turn her tail and run away from Chisaki who didn't even so much as blink.
Chisaki hummed, before she resumes walking. Behind her, Yue followed her, grumbling. She distinctly hears something the girl chiding herself for suggesting a stupid idea.
The path they are taking is the one that leads to the cafeteria Chisaki and her housemates have been eating their lunches and snacks at the last term. Autumn is all around her, and Chisaki thought it was beautiful.
Feeling Yue beside her, Chisaki sneaks a glance at her friend. She has met Yue in high school—the girl being a player from a rival school, yet the two of them made friends of each other easily. Maybe it was because of Yue's lightheartedness, or the fact that Chisaki never really see her as a rival.
Or maybe because they respected each other for what the other was—is.
Though sometimes, Chisaki is more than wary of how nosy her friend is. Yue can give Risa and the others a run for their money when it comes to sticking their noses to matters they shouldn't really take concerns with.
This is just one of those.
"You volunteered, didn't you?"
Hearing Yue's snort, Chisaki gave a dry chuckle. Of course Yue did. The captain probably didn't know beforehand that Chisaki is here in ToDai. Or that she doesn't have any plans of playing volleyball again.
Something that Chisaki knows Yue is aware of. And so, just what is this brown-eyed she-devil is playing at?
"I said I won't play anymore Yue. I am not changing my mind about that anytime soon."
"But—"
Chisaki gave her friend a chilling smile that cuts through the words effectively. "I don't change my mind on matters like this Yue-chan." She murmurs, eyes blinking back in front of them. "You know that."
"But—Let me finish!" Stubborn is her middle name (if she will have one), and Yue will be damned if Chisaki won't let her speak her mind. "You are good Chisa-chan! Heck, you were handpicked for the national team three years ago. I know you refused, and I know you're hell-bent on being part of that foreign exchange program. And you already are! This year isn't as busy as the last two, and you will be an athletic scholar so you won't have to worry about spending too much of your savings!" the two of them have stopped walking, and Yue is in a full throttle. "Chisaki, just say yes, and you won't have to worry about anything else aside from showing up for training and practice and games and keeping your perfect grades—which is not that hard since you're so damn good—for the rest of the year. That won't be too hard now, don't you think?"
Some students are watching and listening to the exchange with interest and curiosity, but the two females standing in the middle of the pathway seem to not notice. Yue is huffing from her tirade, while Chisaki is watching her friend with a look of wonder and amusement—though her eyes are still as hard as they were, making Yue curse in her mind.
Chisaki has always been a hard nut to crack—and so, for her to win, Yue knows she has to have some good leverage.
"Just say yes, huh?" Murmuring, Chisaki started walking once again, not bothering to see if Yue is following her—for she knows the girl does.
Nodding her head eagerly, Yue held on to Chisaki's arm, stalling her. "So please, say yes?"
"No."
Well— that was blunt, Yue pouted, but she expected it so no surprise there really.
"You really won't?"
"I won't change my mind."
Sighing, Yue lets her hand fall from Chisaki's arm. "And here I thought you joining the team would change Furokawa-san's and Sugimoto-san's minds." She mumbles just loud enough for Chisaki to hear.
Her steps faltering, Chisaki turns sideways to face Yue, her grip on her bag loose. "You're…recruiting them as well?"
"Hm? Oh yeah…" Yue frowns, taking hold of the end of her short ponytail, eyes squinting at Chisaki. "They both refused though. Ahh! Such a waste. Those two are good!" Pouting, Yue walks on ahead of Chisaki. "I really thought they'd agree y'know, coz I remember they were so passionate whenever they play. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought Sugimoto-san was your team's captain by the way she encourages everybody back then. But—"shrugging, Yue trails off, sighing. "It seems she has given the sport up. Too bad."
No, that wasn't the reason. It was because she—Chisaki—has given the sport up, that Asuna did the same.
"I will only play with you in the team Chisaki." her russet eyes were liquid fire and her words were set in stoned determination.
And then there is Kaede—
"I will never be the best unless I have beaten you. I have to beat you first Chisaki. So, I will only play ever again when you do."
Kaede told her that after their schools' very last game. Chisaki only smiled then, shaking her head because she decided then to forget about playing—she has other things to focus on, especially if she wanted to excel in her chosen field.
And—another reason why the girl won't play anymore is because she is scared of facing her sister in the courts, eventually. Kazumi Furokawa is playing for Keio, and is the captain of said team. Chisaki knows Kaede is afraid, but deep inside—the violet-eyed girl has dreams of playing for the national team.
Something that Chisaki brushed aside three years ago. She had the chance to live Kaede's dream, but she crushed it before she even had it.
She cannot forget the way Kaede stared at her almost in loathing—because how can she even forsake something that Kaede had been dreaming and working so hard for without so much as a blink of her dead, black eyes?
Chisaki knows Kaede is just waiting for another chance to live that dream, and playing has always been something that Asuna has loved.
After all, it was what gave Asuna her first few friends. It was one of the things her mother has left her.
And for them to refuse this chance is something that has brought on the guilt in Chisaki.
"Captain said if I can get them—and you, of course—to join the team, we may have the chance to trounce Keio and Hyogo, since those two have been at the top for the last three years." Yue added, smiling at the way Chisaki had remained quiet.
The brown-eyed girl knows her friend is mulling over her carefully chosen words. Yue knows she isn't as intelligent as the girl beside her, but—she knows she has an edge when it comes to scheming and planning. Just a few words here and there—poking on the others' weak spots, and then bingo! They'd play into her plot.
Though—Yue isn't too proud of that particular skill.
Silently, they continued on with their walk.
They are nearing the cafeteria now, and raising her face to look ahead, Chisaki saw her friends at their usual table, chattering—and in Risa's and Sanada's case—glaring at each other (no wonder arguing about something insignificant as per their usual).
The thought brought a smile to Chisaki's lips.
Tezuka is sitting beside Fuji—who is playing with a strand of Kaede's hair. Asuna is shooting glares on her left—and Chisaki's smile widens when she saw Akutagawa laughing with a female (probably a classmate) on that very same direction. Shiraishi and Yukimura weren't there, as well as Hikari—whom she remembers said something about having to attend a lecture—but the others are eating calmly, and Chisaki's footsteps sped up unconsciously at the thought of them waiting for her.
Yue followed Chisaki inside the café, and she was thankful she did. After her litany, she is quite thirsty—and she knew the other girls would be here as well. Her eyes literally glowed upon seeing not just one or two but four other girls who could very well be the savior of their team.
(Not to say Chisaki's male friends are hot as hell.) Her grin rivals one of Risa's biggest and therefore should have been illegal.
"You're late Chisaki." Frowning, Asuna was the one who greeted the girl first. "Where the hell have you been?"
Chuckling, Chisaki lets herself be pulled to Tezuka's side. "Library, and don't curse in front of food, Asuna-chan." She chided the girl, before nodding at the others. "Hey! have you all been waiting too long? Gomen!"
"You are a bit late, Kanai-chan." Fuji smiles at her, "My Buchou was getting lonely." His statement was followed by a snicker courtesy of the other Tensai.
Tezuka only gave Fuji a blank look, before pulling a chair for Chisaki. "Eat, Chisaki."
Laughing, Chisaki cheekily grins at him before pecking him in the cheek. The gesture made the other girls roll their eyes, whilst Risa grumbled about showing-off.
"Whatever." Asuna snorted, before her eyes went to Yue, who is standing not-so-awkwardly near Tezuka's chair, her brown eyes glowing as they stare at the other girls. Asuna's russet eyes only stare openly at the brown-eyed girl, but her lips remained silent.
Smiling, Misaki nodded at a vacant chair. "Why don't you take a seat uhm—" she trails off, not knowing how to call the new girl.
"Yue Tanaka! And thank you!"
Chuckling, Yagyuu stands up from his seat to pull the chair beside him. "Here you go, Tanaka-san."
Smiling her thanks, Yue returns her gaze on Chisaki, who is staring at her knowingly. Grinning, she notices the rather close proximity of the two. "So—you two are dating now? Omedetou!"
Tezuka nodded at her. "Hn. You're still classmates?"
"Hai!"
"Unfortunately." Chisaki murmurs, but her words were drowned by Yue's enthusiastic voice.
"Geez…you're one chipper person, Tanaka Yue." Asuna grumbles, before smirking at the girl. "Still got that kick serve?"
Yue laughed, waving her hands in front of her. "Not really…it puts too much strain on my shoulder, but I'm surprised you still remember Sugimoto-chan!"
Mumbling, Asuna lets her eyes fall to the plate in front of her. "I remember things that matter."
"You're Chisaki's classmate, right?" Kaede asks from beside a curious Fuji. "I remember you from high school."
"Hai! How are you Furokawa-san?" Yue asks politely, and then her brown eyes shifted to the three other girls. Laughing, she shook her head. "Who would have thought you five are actually friends and are all here in ToDai?! I'm surprised!" Well—she was surprised to discover they are all friends, since she already know the girls are here in ToDai. To think that the girls she was planning to recruit to their team were all here in front of her…the urge to rub her hands together is just too much.
"Hn. It's nice to see you again, Tanaka-san." Tezuka nodded at her, before sitting on his own chair. His arm at the back of Chisaki's chair, Tezuka started eating.
The other people at the table were silent, but Yue wasn't to be discouraged. She did not expect nor plan for this to happen—finding these girls here together. But she will not be Yue Tanaka if she does not take advantage of this rare chance.
One or two out of five is not too bad. Now, how to convince them?
"Yue Tanaka…" From Sanada's left, Risa frowns, abandoning whatever it was she was arguing with Sanada earlier. "Wait…aren't you the vice-captain of ToDai's volleyball team?" She asks, surprising not only Yue, but also the other people around the table.
ToDai's volleyball team is among the top four overall, and so quite popular. Though—if Yagyuu remembers correctly—they were beaten soundly during last year's tournament.
"How did you know?" was Yue's answer, eyes blinking at Risa, who shrugs. Her lips twitching wryly, she gave Yue a pointed look.
"I heard it from one of our classmates, who apparently is one of your most avid fans." Her lips twitching still, she added, "I heard him say he has pictures of you all around his room."
The blush that covered Yue's cheeks prompted chuckles and smiles from everyone around the table.
"She's lying." Sanada stated with a flat voice, receiving a punch from Risa.
"I'm not!"
"You are." And Sanada promptly lifted his glass to his lips, ending the short argument and sending Risa huffing with her nose in the air.
Yue's blush did not abate though. She is extremely shy when it comes to things like these that Chisaki wonders how can she be as nosy as she is.
"So you are quite famous eh, Tanaka-san?" Smirking, Oshitari delighted in making the blush darken.
"Not really Oshitari-san!"
Blinking, Oshitari's glass remains suspended in mid-air. "Eh? You know me?" he drawls, the smirk he let out only magnifying Yue's red cheeks.
"Why are you here?"
The blunt question raises eyebrow all around, yet Asuna merely crosses her arms in front of her. If this girl is the vice-captain of the volleyball team and she came with Chisaki—who remains silent and is looking at the new girl apprehensively—then Asuna can surely bet her bottom yen that the girl has the same intent as her crimson-eyed superior.
She's got guts trying to convince hard-headed Chisaki, Asuna can give her that. Either she's gutsy, or an idiot.
The blush now maintained in a fainter hue, Yue wasn't intimidated by Asuna's bluntness at all, instead—she returns it with a lopsided smile and a quirk of an eyebrow. She knows clearly none of the girls will agree to her preposition—if approached alone.
But together—she might have a better chance.
"I am here to invite the two of you to join the volleyball team." She stated bravely, and she congratulated herself for the brief look of shock that crosses the girls' faces, before it settled into a silent hum.
Chisaki told herself that she should have seen it coming—Yue may look like an innocent girl—but she is as manipulative and cunning as anyone could get. Chisaki knows, because they've known each other for years now.
"Two?" Sanada was the first to break the silence, and he nods at Yue with an eyebrow raised.
Nodding, Yue smiles prettily at him. "Chisa-chan, Furokawa-san and Sugimoto-san already refused, so…" she trails off, giving a shrug.
Fuji gave Kaede an inquiring look, which the girl ignored. Exchanging a cursory glance with Asuna, Kaede nodded her head at Risa—who is looking at her as if to ask her whether what Yue has said is true.
Risa's lips thinned.
"So…that only leaves you—Misaki Hoshino and Risa Shiraishi." Turning to the two girls, Yue gave them an encouraging smile. "What do you say?"
Sipping from her glass, Risa spares Chisaki a glance before answering Yue. "I'm not that good."
That's not the right answer, honey. "Of course you are." Yue argues, all formal and business-like. "After Furokawa-san, you were the second best back-court player—even though you only played limited minutes. As for Hoshino-san—" her brown-eyes found wary blue orbs, "I saw you play so many times before that it still gives me shiver whenever I think of those. If you have played on our third year, I have no doubt in mind you'd be the first to give our dear Chisaki Kanai a run for her precious money and title."
Ohhh…she's good—Fuji chuckles inwardly when he saw Chisaki's eye widen and then narrow—even more so when Kaede and Asuna squirmed in their seats.
It seems Risa is the only one catching up to the brown-eyed girl's scheme.
Maybe great minds do think the same after all.
"And besides," Yue continues on, "now that I think of it—Keio's captain knows of Furokawa-san's game, so she might not be effective at all. And these two—"she motions to Chisaki and Asuna, "are quite popular years back and so they are marked by the other teams as well. We do have three or four others who are capable enough, and so, with me and my captain and the two of you, our team will be enough to send their butts to the ground." Silence is what greeted her words, and Yue can see Kaede's eyes narrowing on her. Well, it's only a matter of time.
"I know the two of you are good, and so I am extending this invitation. You don't have to answer now. I can wait." Not for too long though…Yue added silently in her mind.
The glint in her eyes says otherwise, Misaki can attest to that. She is thankful her hands were on her lap, and so her friends couldn't see the way she clenches them so tightly her knuckles are turning white.
"Say—"Kaede started, "if we-they join, what's the catch?" her voice is even, but Chisaki and the others caught the slight tremor of excitement in her voice, as well as the slip—and somehow, Chisaki knew Yue is nearing to achieving her goal.
Damn manipulative girl.
"Well—"Yue sighs, her eyes turning contemplative—thinking about her next words. "Not much, but like me, you will be receiving the benefits of becoming an athletic scholar. You know—free tuition, allowance, use of special training facilities and all that. We also enjoy a special training trip twice a year. Last year we went to Okinawa. I heard next year will be in Sapporo—where the world championships will be held."
Misaki gasps softly. "Ohhh…"
"That's…extravagant." Risa murmurs and Sanada was surprised to see her wearing a soft smile and wonder in her eyes.
And then he remembered she has hinted on wanting to go to the northern part of Japan. No wonder she looks extremely interested.
Somehow, he won't be surprised if she does accept the offer.
"We'll enjoy those when we-they join the team?" Asuna asks, her russet eyes boring through Yue's.
The girl smiles indulgently. "Yes, if you join the team. So, what do you say?" her question is directed to Misaki and Risa only, but her eyes did not miss the way Kaede and Asuna exchange a look.
Misaki shifted in her seat, and Risa had on a very thoughtful look in her face. It is very evident that the two wanted to join, but are holding their selves back.
Asuna can see the same in Kaede, but still Chisaki's expression did not change. It really is impossible to change the girl's mind after all.
"Those are great. You two should join." Kaede smiles at Misaki, whose blue eyes are twinkling with the thoughts of watching her favorite international players. Asuna nodded her head, gulping down her own words.
There was that pinch of guilt in Chisaki's chest, remembering Asuna's words from when they graduated high school.
A promise that she will only play beside Chisaki; and Kaede—Chisaki knows what is holding the girl back from agreeing. Knowing that she has the power to convince Kaede to take a chance—no matter how scared she is—made the guilt pierce her even more.
And her resolve is crumbling—but still, Chisaki held on to it. She has made up her mind.
She's not changing it.
Though she wonders for how long she can hold on to it.
Expecting that not even those can overturn the two girls' minds, Yue silently eyes the two other girls she made the offer to. She can see hesitation clouding their eyes, and she has a vague idea of what is causing those. Researching about them entails just about everything, and that's how she knew it would be more than an uphill climb trying to convince them.
After all, why would they let themselves be caught by the shadows they've been running away from until now?
And she can see those shadows creeping stealthily around them. Maybe this is a bad idea after all.
"Why won't you join?"
Tezuka's quiet voice startled most of them, though Yue couldn't tell if his question is directed to all the girls, or only to Chisaki—whom he is looking at.
Fuji smiles in his seat when Kaede blinks furiously and tries to open her lips to answer back—but then clamps them tightly.
Asuna almost jumped out of her skin at the question, so as Misaki, who paled. Risa sat there like a stone, before she snorted and drummed her fingers at the surface of the table.
Chisaki meanwhile, turns a frown to her boyfriend, who raises an eyebrow at her.
"Why not?" Tezuka repeated, "You're good at it, and you will mostly benefit if you do join the team." He means she doesn't have to worry about spending so much of her savings now that she has decided to stop working part-time.
"Because I need time to prepare for the foreign exchange program." Chisaki argues almost automatically.
"You were already chosen." Tezuka quips back, turning sideways to face her. The arm that was behind her lifting to tuck her hair in her ear, his thumb grazing her cheek ever so lightly.
"Well—"
"You were already chosen?!" The girls—except Yue—chorused, and even Misaki was surprised she has raised her voice.
Blinking, Chisaki winces internally upon remembering she hasn't told her friends about it yet. "Yeah…"
Asuna and Risa threw her a glare, whilst Kaede looks betrayed. Only Misaki gave her a tentative smile.
"That's good news Chisa—"
"How can you not tell us about it Chisaki?!" Asuna sounded annoyed, and so as Risa.
"When did this happen?" the green-eyed girl demanded, and Chisaki sighs before throwing Tezuka a soft glare, which he returns with a twitch of his lips.
"Before the summer break." Was Chisaki's sullen reply.
The two girls glared at her, with Kaede sighing in an annoyed manner.
"I think she could have told us if we gave her a chance." Misaki intervenes in a kind voice. "We did crowd her about her relationship with Tezuka-kun, as well as we did not really have a lot of time to talk about it during the break."
"Even so…!"
Frowning, Chisaki sent Kaede a look. "If I remember correctly, I am not the only one who had been keeping secrets."
Kaede's eyes widen, before settling on a semi-glare. "Don't turn this on me Chisaki." She hisses in a manner that reminded the others of a feisty cat.
The thought made one Tensai extremely amused.
Clearing his throat, Tezuka tugs on Chisaki's hair, regaining her attention. Sighing softly, Chisaki frowns at Yue—who is looking at her curiously.
"I…" trailing off, her frown deepens when she realizes she doesn't have any other excuses.
"You wanted to, don't you?" Tezuka asks in a quiet voice, and there were no answers from the dark-haired girl. Letting her think on it, Tezuka then lets his eyes to rest on Yue.
He can almost see the gears running in her mind, and he wonders—has she really given up on convincing Chisaki in joining the team?
The glints behind those brown eyes that reminded him of a certain determined yet mischievous female housemate told him the girl is anywhere but giving up.
Somehow, that thought had created a space for respect to the brown-eyed female in front of him.
"How about you, Kaede-chan?" Fuji's soft voice startles Kaede. "Why aren't you joining?"
Like Chisaki, Kaede has no answers to that, and so she stubbornly kept her eyes in front of her.
Looking at her friends, Risa gave a snort when she finally realizes why Asuna and Kaede are hesitating. Really, how annoying can these people get? Why can't they just make decisions for themselves?
It's not as if another person holds the key to their lives. Granted, Risa is scared as shit, but at least her reason is because she is afraid—not because of some shitty arguments she knows Asuna and Kaede have.
"I'll join."
Looking up in surprise, Risa saw Misaki smiling. "I'll join the team. When can I apply?"
Yue looks positively glowing. "Right now! We can go down the clubroom and have you signed up!"
Laughing, Misaki nodded at Risa—who rolls her eyes at the blue-eyed girl. "Fine. I'll sign up too. Might be worth a shot."
Sanada nodded his head almost imperceptibly, though did not say anything.
Two down, three more to go. Yue grins to herself. With these two in the team, maybe it won't be too bad a haul. Hoshino has the height and the skill, and Shiraishi has the experience of playing the back court, and she is extremely intelligent to boot.
"Well," Yue clears her throat, smiling at her two recruits, "as I've said, we can go down the clubroom now and sign you two up. Then, we'll talk about schedules and such. I'll introduce you to the captain as well." She started standing up from her seat, nodding at Chisaki and the others, letting her eyes rest on both Misaki and Risa, letting them know how grateful she is at the moment.
Misaki smiles, and then gathered her things, Oshitari helping her. Asuna and Kaede are both silently watching Misaki and Yue as the two are now standing and waiting for Risa to do the same so they can leave for the clubroom.
Risa meanwhile stares at Chisaki, the two having some form of non-verbal conversation going on.
The green of her eyes becoming more pronounced, Risa hardens her jaw and jutted her chin at Chisaki—who shook her head, before closing her eyes.
Raising an eyebrow, Risa's lips pursed tightly. 'Don't be so stubborn dammit!' Sometimes, Chisaki can really frustrate Risa to the point of no return. If only they are not the best of friends, Risa can cut through the other girl using her words without worrying about hurting Chisaki too much.
She wanted to at times, but Risa knows Chisaki is too hard to even cut with a diamond. And besides, she never has wanted to hurt any of her friends, especially Chisaki.
And most of the times that urge would visit her; Risa wants to curse herself because of that stupid softness of hers.
Dropping her eyes, Risa turns to the other girls, specifically Kaede and Risa. "Well then, see you later when we get home." She murmurs, before pushing her chair back and hoisting her bag on her shoulder.
Taking a step, Yue started talking at once. "So, I will need to take a look on your schedules so that I can—"
"I can only play until this March." Chisaki's voice cuts through Yue's, and the others turn to her as one—the girls are shocked, the males are amused. Tezuka only nodded, letting his hand fall from her shoulder, his eyes urging her to continue. "And if a game is scheduled at the same day I have tests, I will not be playing."
Blinking, Kaede almost choke on her juice. "You're joining?!" she blurted, eyes bulging out of her sockets. Fuji smiled while patting her gently on the back.
"But—"Asuna's jaw dropped, "But you said you won't be playing anymore!"
Yue waves the two girl's surprise and questions. "No problem! I'll make sure there'll be no tests on game days!" she announces, her planner already out and her pen moving in a speed that reminded the males certain former team mates.
"That's great Chisa-chan!" Misaki exclaims, a wide smile on her lips. "I can finally play with you!"
Risa rolls her eyes, before taking one last look at the others. "Well, get your asses out of the chairs then. We're signing up."
Snorting, Asuna glared at her. "Shut up." To Yue, she says: "Fine. I'll do it." Grumbling, she left the table and went to where Jirou was being held up by their other classmates.
Eyeing the food in her plate, Chisaki sighs and closes her eyes. There she went and broke her own words. She shouldn't have brought Yue here with her. The girl is too good for Chisaki's sake.
But for some reason, she doesn't feel too bad about the whole ordeal.
There was actually some form of relief coursing through her, somehow convincing her that it's not a bad decision to break her own promise.
"Chisaki why—"Kaede was on her side, eyes brimming with questions.
Shrugging a shoulder, Chisaki looks up from her plate and smiles at her. "You want to, don't you?"
"Well—"
"And Asuna-chan wanted to as well." Chisaki continues, her eyes leaving Kaede to settle on the girl a few tables away, "She said before she wanted to play with you and Risa-chan."
"You're joining because of the two of us?!" Incredulously, Kaede blurted out the words, making the others stare at the two of them. Trembling, Kaede took hold of Chisaki's arm, shaking the other girl. "We are not that pathetic that you have to pity us, Chisaki. If you don't want to, then don't join! We don't need you to!"
"Kaede-chan—"
"Let them Misaki-chan." Lazily, Risa yawned and leans on Sanada's chair, crossing her arms in her chest. Scoffing, she turns her eyes on the two other girls.
Biting her lips, Misaki pulls her hands back to herself. Wondering, her blue eyes widen at the two. Are they fighting? Those two never fight…
"Don't get me wrong, Kaede-chan." Calmly, Chisaki eyes Kaede, her lips turning down at the corners. "I am not joining because of you two. I am joining because I wanted to. And besides," a shrug of her shoulder, "Who will help you beat Kazumi in a pulp?"
Misaki squeaks at the cold tone Chisaki has used, earning a chuckle from Oshitari. Watching the two with curious eyes, Yue leans to whisper in Risa's ears.
"What are they doing?"
Tilting her head, Risa smirks at Yue. "They are…telling the other how much of an idiot she is being at the moment."
Blinking, Yue stares open-mouthed at her. "Eh?"
"We have Tanaka-san and Hayate-san for those!"
"They lost last year, remember?"
"Oi!" Pouting, Yue, stomps her foot, indignant. "We lost because we lack power and height on our side!"
"Exactly." Smiling, Chisaki nodded at Yue, her eyes narrowed. "That's why you need me in the team."
Her frown deepening, Kaede's grip tightens. "You're saying that as if this is still high school and you are still the number one player. Don't be too conceited."
Chisaki's laugh was soft, and yet it grated through Kaede's nerves just enough to settle them. "But Kaede-chan…I am the best, remember?"
Chisaki's words prompted different reactions from her friends and housemates, mainly guffawing at the nonchalant way she has dropped them.
The girls would have thought her conceited if they didn't know of the reality that her words carry.
Time ticked away, and yet the two remained there staring at each other, their eyes unblinking and connected. For someone who isn't familiar with the two girls, it may seem that they are arguing.
But Risa knows that it is the furthest thing from what is happening. Though for someone as impatient as her, she couldn't give anymore than of her five minutes for this nonsense bullshit.
Tapping her feet soundly, the green-eyed girl decided they have stalled enough. "Oi! Break it up before your boyfriends get the wrong idea and turn green with jealousy. Let's go."
Fuji chuckled, whilst Tezuka sighed ever so softly as he eyes Risa in silence. The girl only smirks at him triumphantly.
Giving the others a brief glance, she then turns on her heel and started walking, dragging Misaki with her. Managing a weak smile and wave, Misaki follows Risa's lead.
"Well—"Yue started, but was yanked by Asuna.
"You need to show us the clubroom, Tanaka-san."
"That's fukubuchou to you now!"
"Fine. Fine."
Kaede lets go of Chisaki's arm—that turns around to face Tezuka and smiles. "Looks like our date has to wait, Mitsu."
His lips thinned, though his eyes are smiling. "Ah." Taking her hand, he helps her on her feet. "We'll wait for you."
Nodding, Chisaki started walking; Kaede following her wake. The girls ahead of them chattering on loudly.
"Geez. You guys are loud! What were you arguing about?"
"Whether your hair is natural or not."
Glaring, Asuna reaches out to pinch Risa's arm. "Hey!"
"You don't have to say it like that Chisa-chan!" Yue is still pouting, "That was mean!"
Smiling, Chisaki tilted her head to Kaede, who sighs and grumbles. "Fine." Her lips forming a small smile, Kaede reaches out to hold Chisaki's hand.
Returning the squeeze, Chisaki breathes deeply.
Left all by themselves, the males stare after the girls, all of them noticing the lighter bounce on the females' steps.
The genuine smile on Asuna's lips, even though she is currently exchanging curse words with Risa that are making Misaki's cheeks flame in embarrassment.
Shaking his head, Fuji laughs softly alongside Yagyuu. Sanada stares at Tezuka dryly.
"You're girlfriend is conceited enough to give my former Buchou a run for his money, Tezuka-kun." Chuckling, Oshitari eyes the two girls in amusement. "Now I'm excited about seeing those girls on the courts."
Exactly what the others were thinking.
Well. There you go. To all readers who were asking whether the girls will ever be playing volleyball, I guess this is my reply to that. As I've said, quite a few OCs. I hope you guys are not confused. There'll be a couple more.
Next chapter will focus on some of the housemates' activities (not all of them will be playing any sports sadly, but that doesn't mean they won't be doing anything aside from studying.)
As always, THANK YOU to all readers, reviewers and followers! You guys are awesome as always!
RockPrincess410 , A.K. Heredia, EnEn , AnImEbLuEpRiNcEsS13, le me fan , XxBloodandButterfliesxX : Thanks for the reviews! Much love from me to all of you! :)
Now, READ AND REVIEW People! XXD
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