A/N: Well...Hello there people! :) Summer is here, and I think my brain is suffering from slight dehydration. Hehe. Anyways, I know you don't like hearing/reading about excuses, so yeah...I won't be making any this time.
This chapter covers part of the tennis try-outs...and some interesting scenes. Volleyball try-outs will be on the next chapter. Hope you all will like this.
Disclaimer: I do not own PoT.
Chapter 36: When Paths Cross
The university press office can be found at the second floor of the main building, which is a bit far from the Business department building. Tucked at the left end of the hallway, the stairs separates it from another room, the door facing the wall of another room across from it.
It is a medium-sized office, with white walls filled with magazine and newspaper clippings, yet over-all clean and organized with only the few customary piece of paper or a photo lying somewhere either on the desk or the long table found at the middle of the room.
There are two of those tables, with six chairs on both sides neatly lined with their cushions pushed under the wooden furniture. Documents in folders are placed at the surface of the table, pens and pencils abound the surface, a scissor and few paper clips. Two enormous shelves are stacked up high with magazines, newspapers and books and are pushed back to the wall—atop were some accolades in form of certificates and plaques of wood and glass.
A couple of framed articles and photos are at the small cabinet housing most of the club's awards, from private institutions to recognition from prominent tertiary education organizations, both local and international.
A large mahogany desk houses an open computer, a telephone currently hung-up, a paperweight resembling a swooping crane, few strewn papers and some sign pens. A chair is pushed back and reclined—empty, behind it an open window which lets in the breeze, providing much needed ventilation to the room.
Yagyuu thought the condition of the room—that of being clean and overly-organized—is a bit unexpected, considering this room was supposed to be the press club's.
Though of course—he muses, his eyes resting on the silent fifty-something female instructor in front of him— the press club has someone like Saeko Watanabe to keep everything in order. Yagyuu has had the pleasure of being in her class on his freshman year, and he can tell—as well as Oshitari—that she is someone not to be crossed, especially when it comes to keeping everything organized.
Gruffly, she motions at the chairs in front of her desk, slumping herself on her own big, comfortable one.
"So," her long and wrinkled fingers started drumming on the surface of her table, eyes dark-gray and aged, her voice gruff, "what do you say, Yagyuu-kun?"
His eyes follow the movement of leaves behind her, where the window is wide open. Leaves are falling as the wind sways on the frail twigs of the branches, their golden brown hues illuminated by the afternoon glow of the sun nearing the horizon. He can hear the distinct sound of tennis balls being hit repeatedly below, mingling with the manly shouts of encouragement and discouragement.
He was there the other day with Oshitari-kun and the rest, to meet their captain and to see how the current team is doing.
Yagyuu left after five minutes while the others remain on the courts.
"Not joining then?" Fuji asks in an even tone, a smile in his lips.
Yagyuu did not answer—for Fuji and the rest know already.
Watching him with her uncanny eyes, Watanabe-sensei continues on with her prepared monologue.
"Your essays are mostly impressive, and you have a distinct way with your words as well as very keen eyes for details." She nodded as if to convince herself of some ideas she has in her mind. "Though I won't be surprised to lose you as well. I know the tennis club wants you, and some others."
Indeed, it wouldn't be a surprise if he does refuse. But—now that he has decided not to join the tennis team, he has to decide whether he would join the other club that has been convincing him since the last term.
His interest to writing may not be as big as it is when it comes to golf and tennis—but he is good at it. Really good—if the personal invitation to work for the university's paper is any indication.
Uncanny eyes still on him, Yagyuu eases himself out of the chair and bows.
"It will be an honor to be a part of this club, Watanabe-sensei." His decision was set even before he made his way to this room, and Yagyuu hopes it is the better one, for he is not sure himself.
If the elderly female was surprised at the response, she didn't show it. Instead, she leans back on her chair and regarded Yagyuu with a look indecipherable even to the normally perceptive young male.
It is as if she is reading him, and Yagyuu suddenly thought of two very familiar females. His smile becomes fond, and Watanabe-sensei raises an eyebrow at the sudden change.
Yagyuu decided to ignore the silent inquiry; instead, tilting his head to side as if to wait for further elaboration. He silently waited for the elderly's reaction to his acquiescence.
"Well," she smacks her lips, and her eyes were either amused or confused, "that was unexpected—though in a good way."
A very good way, Watanabe Saeko thought to herself.
The next thirteen minutes were spent discussing about the club's timetable, upcoming projects and some protocols they observe.
"Give me a copy of your schedule so I can work around it." Handing Yagyuu a form, the instructor sighs a relieved one, "You have to meet all the other members by next week—old and new."
Yagyuu gave the form a glance before nodding his head. "Ah. When should I return this?" It is a rather long and very-formal looking application form, the kind that would normally intimidate others. Yagyuu was reminded of his Rikkai years, when he headed the student council and handed the same papers to interested (qualified by his standards) applicants to fill in.
Waving her hand, the elderly female' eyes were at the clock. "Anytime before Friday. " And then she frowns. "I wonder where that girl is. She is normally early." She mumbles, but before Yagyuu can even ask, she brightens up at the sound of approaching footsteps.
The door opens, and the smiling face of a female greeted the two current occupants of the room.
"Gomen, sensei!" her laugh is soft, and Yagyuu thought her voice is the gentlest he has ever heard. "The falling leaves caught my attention." She apologizes, before her eyes found Yagyuu's. "Oh…"
She has shoulder-length dark-blue hair and a heart-shaped face, her dark eyes beautiful and mysterious—Yagyuu couldn't help but feel like he had seen her before.
Chuckling, Saeko leans back once again and regarded the younger girl in front of her, before her eyes went to Yagyuu. His interest is reflected by the glasses which ironically are hiding his eyes, and the older female couldn't help but let out a silent snicker at the possibilities forming in her mind
This is going to be interesting.
"Close that door, Sato-chan." She instructs, and has to smile at the shy blush that took over the girl's cheeks. "And come over here so I can see those photos you took. They should be worth looking at, or else I will punish you for being late." Her chuckle eliminated her threat instantly, and the midnight blue-haired girl only laughed.
She is being overtly careful with her steps, Yagyuu noted with amusement as the girl—Sato-san—walks towards them after closing the door behind her.
She threw him a polite smile as she sits herself down at the chair opposite him. Setting her camera down at the desk, she then folded her hands in her lap.
Watanabe-sensei took the camera, and then proceeded to looking at the shots the girl has taken.
"These are good, Sato-chan." She murmurs, "Let's put some of these to use in our first issue."
"Hai, sensei. Uh—"she tucks a strand of her hair behind an ear. "If you don't mind sensei, why is Yagyuu-san here?" her eyes flickered to him, polite inquiry swirling in their depths. She has sooty lashes curling upwards, and a glimmer of silver lining her lids.
Taken aback that she knows him, Yagyuu sets his eyes on her, catching her blush before she faces the elderly who only chuckles in amusement.
"Oh. You know him?" she asks, and Yagyuu was thankful the two of them have the same question in their minds.
The girl flushes harder. "Hai. I am from Rikkai Dai." There is pride in her voice, and her back straightens unconsciously at the statement.
Well, Yagyuu thought to himself, that explains why she knows him alright. Gathering his self, Yagyuu gave her a polite nod.
"Ah…then you won't mind if I ask for your name, since you already know mine?"
Laughing softly, she straightens herself from the seat, and then gave him a bow. "My name is Kiyoko Sato. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
Her bow is deep, bending on her waist. In doing so, her hair fell on either side of her face in a cascade of thick, dark-blue, each strand seem to catch the light streaming through the window.
Catching himself in the act of blatant admiration, Yagyuu save himself the further embarrassment by returning her gesture. "Yagyuu Hiroshi. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
He can hear Watanabe-sensei's snicker in the background.
In her defense, the elderly instructor had been bored most of the years she's been in the club. Only last year did she had a pretty interesting time, when the amateur photographer sauntered into the room and asked if she can be a part of the somewhat prestigious club.
One look at the determined young maiden was all it took for her to agree (of course, after discovering who the girl was did Saeko patted herself for her decision). After that, it was mostly monotonous once more—with only the exception of a gossip here and there about her writers.
Now, here—what she saw transpire between these two—would no doubt be more interesting than their feature writer's admission to his real sexual orientation, Saeko is certain of that.
Hmmm...but just to make sure...
Catching of the youngsters' amused glances at her, Saeko clears her throat and assumes a serious disposition.
"Well, I can already see the two of you will get along well. I'd say this club is in good hands for the rest of the year." Not to say things are going to be interesting around here, she added with a mental cackle.
Yagyuu isn't too sure of that, but the smile on Kiyoko Sato's lips is more than enough to convince him.
"Now for our first issue, I want both of you to..."
…
"Oh! If it isn't Kobayashi-chan..!"
The soft gasp of surprise—though it is of a pleasant one—had Hikari turning her head to the left, momentarily abandoning the book she was reading.
That part of the library is the least visited, and Hikari loves it there. It provides her most needed 'privacy', something she can't find on the first two floors of the massive building. Students there are a bit 'loud' (in library references, of course), and just a bit too crowded. Concentrating on what you're reading is hard, especially for someone who has difficulty staying wholly focused.
She'd been the better part of last year, claiming the solitary table at the very corner of the whole third floor, separated from the rest by a shelf. The window provides her with an abundance of fresh air, and the huge, old tree outside gives her shade from the glaring afternoon sun—for she is always here in the afternoon after lunch.
The chair opposite her is almost always vacant—for she is always here alone.
But it seems she won't be for this specific afternoon. Smiling, she nodded at the two females standing beside the table.
Ai Mitsuko is a gentle, compassionate sempai. Two years older than her, the girl has calm-blue eyes that remind Hikari of summer seas and hair in soft waves of brown is the epitome of perfection—and Hikari has admired her for two years running.
"Mitsuko-sempai," Hikari greeted the older girl with a small bow, before inclining her head to the other girl. "Mitsuko-san."
Beside her older sister, Ari Mitsuko is like a breath of fresh air in a wintry, cold night. Her hair is darker than black, and her eyes are blue as the skies can get on clear, summer days. Her fair skin is almost translucent, even more so with the clothes she is wearing. Red and white look divine in her and the smile in her lips were friendly as it is cold.
Hikari has always been wary of her ever since their first meeting a few months back, though couldn't find any reasons to be. The girl looks as innocent as a babe.
Letting out a soft giggle, the younger sibling crinkles her nose at Hikari. "You're such a nerd, Kobayashi-chan! And call me by my name…its annoying being called the same as my sister!" she chided, pouting in a childish way that had the two other girls chuckling in amusement.
Slapping her younger sister's arm playfully, Ai turns to Hikari with an indulgent smile. "Ignore her, Kobayashi-chan." Her eyes went to the book that is in Hikari's hands. "Advance reading?" she asks.
Nodding, Hikari grins bashfully at the sisters. "Hai, sempai. This year's going to be a lot tougher than the last, so I decided not to waste any of my time dallying."
Nodding intelligently, Ai glanced at her sister. "You should take after her, Ari, instead of going after whoever has caught your attention." She scolded in a voice that reminded Hikari of her mother—stern and yet there is an underlying gentleness.
Puffing her cheeks, Ari rolls her eyes at her sister. "I do study hard too!" she then went on a lengthy explanation of how hard she is studying and how her 'pursue of happiness' isn't affecting her in a worse way.
The stare that Ai is giving her younger sister had Hikari smiling fondly at the two. She has always dreamt of having a sister—may it be a younger or older one. Being an only child is not fun at all. But because of her father's job, her parents decided early on not to have another child after Hikari. For a family that finds it hard to settle at a place long enough for them to know their neighbor's names and where the local establishments are, having more than one child is out of the question.
Though Hikari wouldn't say she had a lonely childhood. The years she's spent in Kanagawa—although she only get to stay there in alternating months and years—have given her plenty of memories to carry with her to their next home.
"Please excuse my sister for being loud and overbearing, Kobayashi-chan." Ari cuts through her sister's rant after two and a half minutes, by then which Hikari had a pretty good idea of how the younger Mitsuko goes about her daily life and studies.
Hikari grinned at the pouting Ari. "Ah…it's no trouble at all sempai! I'm pretty sure my friends can be a bit worse if they wanted to."
"I know them Kobayashi-chan," Ai chuckled, eyes taunting playfully her younger sister, "and they are such sweethearts. Nothing like Ari at all."
"Mou! You're mean!"
"I'm not," Ai argues back, "and we should be going. We've wasted Kobayashi-chan's time."
Shaking her head at the apologetic glance the older girl has given her, Hikari rises from her seat, slowly enough not to make too much noise. "No, not at all sempai!" though it wouldn't really matter, since they are the only ones at the said part of the library.
Still wearing an indulgent smile, Ai patted Hikari's shoulder gently. Admittedly fond of the younger girl, Ai always finds the time to talk to Hikari a bit. Being in the same department, Ai knows about the brown-eyed girl enough to be impressed—and being someone who isn't easily impressed, Ai would like to say Hikari Kobayashi is simply an interesting girl. Interesting enough to get Ai's attention—for her to garner other's envy and ire. Too bad the girl didn't know, nor seem to care.
Her innocent nature is her gift and curse.
"Nevertheless, it's time for us to leave." Adjusting the bag on her shoulder, Ai continues, "By the way, I'm looking forward to working with you at the department student council, Kobayashi-chan. Let's do our best, ne?"
The thought of being appointed as the junior representative brought on a faint hue of pink on Hikari's cheeks, and she scratches the back of her head in a show of embarrassment. "Ah…hai, sempai!"
The gesture had Ari laughing, her blue eyes twinkling in amusement. "You're so cute Kobayashi-chan!" she gushes, hand stretching to pinch Hikari's cheeks.
"Ari!" the older girl scolded when Hikari yelped in surprise.
Blinking, Ari looks surprised herself. "Ah..! Gomen, Kobayashi-chan!" she bowed, hair falling like a silk curtain over shoulders. Hikari waved her hands at her apology.
"No harm done, Mitsuko-san!"
"Ari! Call me Ari, Kobayashi-chan!" the girl insisted once more, her smile like a burst of sunshine, lighting up the slightly dark corner of the room where they are standing.
Almost blinded, Hikari nodded her head, sighing. "Okay, Ari-san."
"YAY!" without any preamble, Ari launches herself to Hikari, engulfing the girl in an embrace. "We're friends now, okay?!"
Catching Ai's sigh and nod, Hikari acquiesces with a helpless nod of her own head. Ari laughs once more, the sound a twinkling of bells…but Hikari couldn't help but still feel that bit of apprehension towards the other girl.
Tugging her sister's arm with a bit of force, Ai sent Hikari an apologetic smile, once again expressing her intent on leaving her kouhai to herself.
"Bye bye Kobayashi-chan!" Ari waves at her enthusiastically, her arms a blur beside her face. "See you next time okay?!" Ai tugged on her even more.
Hikari can hear Ari whining and complaining as her sister pulls her down the stairs.
Once silence again envelops her, Hikari sighs and turn to stare at the window. The sun has almost set, and she can see more students loitering around the campus than earlier. Even though it is only the second week of the term, classes were already picking up. More so now that the tournament season is coming earlier than it did last year.
Speaking of sports tournament…
That was their topic last weekend. Her housemates have finally caved in to the calls of their beloved sports. Hikari thought it not surprising at all—she's been waiting for it to happen, actually.
Yuki-chan and the rest of the males are obviously still as 'engrossed' with their sports as they were in high school, and Hikari can say the same for her friends as well. It would be such a waste if they stop playing just because they are now in university.
Sighing, Hikari drops herself back down to her chair. Misaki-chan and the others invited her to join the volleyball club, but Hikari immediately declined.
"I'm now at our department's student council," she has told them, a shy smile in her lips, "and I will be working part-time at the testing center so I won't have much time for practice."
Misaki's shoulders drooped in disappointment, while Risa and Asuna interrogated her about the said job.
Risa was interested; Asuna was asking whether if it was the same testing center Akutagawa-kun apparently will be working at.
Kaede asked her in worry about her working schedule, and Chisaki simply smiled at her and told Hikari teaching would suit her.
Hikari wanted to of course—to be able to play with her friends was something she'd wanted to do. But, compared to the five, Hikari knows she is nowhere as skilled as them. She is an average player herself, and to be in a club like ToDai's, being average is not enough. She'd rather be involved in something she knows she can do.
She'd still support each and all of her friends of course—that is something that she won't ever stop doing.
But whilst she's at it, Hikari would start making something for her own future as well. She is in her third year—two years more and she's out of the university. She has planned on enrolling for a graduate course, and for that, she needed something to support herself with. She cannot rely on her parents' money for forever.
Speaking of something to support herself—she has somewhere she needed to be.
Gathering her things into her bag, Hikari made her way down and out of the library. A slight chill in the afternoon air greeted her, and Hikari took a lungful of the chilly air. Her chest hurt a bit, and she curses herself for not bringing a scarf. Although it is still the beginning of September, the air is turning a bit chilly, signaling the coming of autumn. Too early, Yuki-chan has said this morning, reminding Hikari to always bring a scarf with her for the cold.
Smiling to herself, Hikari started walking down the path leading to the engineering building.
She just hopes Akutagawa-kun isn't anywhere sleeping; else she will have to spend time looking for him once again.
…
"The school paper, Yagyuu-kun? I didn't know you like writing!" munching on a fried chicken leg, Risa threw the amused male a grin from where she is seated. Yagyuu shrugs, before taking another spoonful of the stir-fried vegetables that was on his plate.
It is the first weekend of the term, and all housemates were somewhat around for dinner. Their schedules vary, and so they hardly had time to eat either meal at home together. Even when at the university, only some of them are free at the same time.
"Hai. It is mostly impressive, the club I mean. I'd like to be a part of it somehow." Of course, almost all of the clubs in their university are impressive. Some more than the others, and yet the press club is sitting at the top. Yagyuu thought it'd be the best place for him- well, it's the press club or the student council.
And he didn't want to be in the same chaotic place again. No, a total of four years in middle school and high school is enough.
"He also wrote for Rikkai in high school." Yukimura offers, chuckling at the mock glare Yagyuu has sent him. "I remember he enjoyed it as much as playing tennis."
"Because of your incessant haggling, I remember." The dry comment had the others laughing, though Yukimura feigned a look of hurt that is quite misplaced in his face.
"I had the best of intentions, I assure you." Yukimura quips back easily, a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Of course." Yagyuu acquiesces readily in a wry voice. "By the way, how was the practice going?" he asks, eyes lingering on his male housemates, except Jirou, who is smiling in his seat with his eyes almost drooping.
Shiraishi smirks at him. "We're doing great, Yagyuu-kun. A shame you're not with us in the team."
Sanada grunted, but they took that as an agreement to Shiraishi's words.
"I heard all six of you will be joining the team!" he exclaims in an excited voice, eyes growing wider- though still looking as sleepy as he did earlier. "I'm sure all of you will make it!"
The vice-captain invited him as well—being in the same department—but Jirou has already decided against playing tennis in university. Aside from the fact that third year is going to be hard, their class will also be having site visits—something he cannot pass up. It just so happens that tennis season coincides with the trip schedules.
"Oi! Stop with the hand gestures!" Asuna chided, slapping the male's hands. Jirou laughs, rubbing his arm where Asuna has hit him.
Chuckling, Oshitari nodded at the narcoleptic male. "How about you Akutagawa-kun? Don't you want to be in the team?"
Jirou shook his head, before responding in a rather weary voice, "We'll be busy visiting company sites this year, right, Sugimoto-chan?"
The girl shrugs a shoulder, a thoughtful frown in her face. "I almost forgot about that."
"Wouldn't that be a problem, Asuna-chan?" Hikari asks, brown eyes on her plate, "I mean, with the practice and all?"
Practice is almost every day during the tournament season, which starts on middle of November to January. It would definitely be a problem if it coincides with any major academic events in part of the players.
Giving the brown-eyed girl a wry look, Asuna purses her lips. "We still need to try-out you know. It's not like we're already in the team."
Hikari beamed at her. "As if you won't be accepted! I mean, you guys were the best when we were in high school!"
"True." Shiraishi agrees, ignoring Yukimura's raised eyebrow. "I wouldn't be surprised if you five will be starting for the team right away."
Risa snorted, though did not argue with her cousin. Of course, she knows that. Still-
Misaki chuckles, a nervous edge in her voice. "I sure hope so, Shiraishi-kun. I mean, I'm not saying I am that good, but I really want to play again."
"You will Misa-chan! I'm sure of it!" Hikari says brightly, her smile a bit shaky; Yukimura kept his silence.
"When is the try-out?" Tezuka asks, his eyes on the silent Chisaki. A bit startled, Chisaki blinks her eyes before answering.
"Next Wednesday." Was Chisaki's short answer.
A look of disappointment painted the males' faces. "We have our own try-outs on that day as well." Sanada supplies, lips tugged down at the corners. He was hoping to watch the girls play volleyball, only because Yanagi told him that they are rather...good. And good coming from Yanagi means extraordinary for some.
"We have ours in the morning though." Oshitari pipes in, a smile playing in his lips. "Or we can always skip and tell the captain we forgot."
"You're saying that as if your captain will believe you." Risa commented, leaning back in her chair in contentment. "It would be impossible for you guys to forget because all clubs will be having their try-outs on that day."
Smiling, Fuji nodded at Risa. "Well, you can say the captain of our team is a bit...on the unconventional side, Risa-san. So it won't be impossible at all if he does believe us."
"You mean, his head is knocked out of few screws?"
"You could say that."
Risa grinned. "I'd like to meet him then! I bet he's fun to talk to!"
"If you like talking to idiots, then please do." Sanada said to Risa, before nodding at the others and leaving his seat. "Thanks for the meal." Silence followed his words, and even Tezuka blinked after him.
Blinking, Risa stared after the retreating male. "What the hell is wrong with him?" Not that she cares, of course. She's just asking- there's nothing wrong with that, the last time she checked.
The rest shrugged, though Yagyuu and Yukimura exchange a look. The smile on Yukimura's face told the others not to ask anymore.
Blissfully ignorant of the slight tension that Sanada has left in the kitchen, Hikari offers. "So…desserts, anyone?"
...
Left in the kitchen to worry about the dishes, Kaede and Chisaki work in efficient silence. They are used to this: clearing the table, washing the dishes and pots, hand-drying them, putting them back to their proper places and then cleaning the sink and the counter, all the while a comfortable small talk between the two of them.
That is how they normally go about the task. That is normal. Familiar.
But tonight, the small talk is absent. It was replaced by a palpable tension that is grating on Kaede's skin.
She hated this the most: Chisaki's stern silence. She'd rather hear the girl's endless ramblings. Silence from Chisaki Kanai is always cold- so cold that Kaede wanted to be anywhere but with her friend.
After many years of being friends, this one thing never has changed. And Kaede still didn't know what to do in times like these.
There are only two things Kaede didn't want to be: one is to be confused, the other is to be lost.
The latter is the case right now. She is lost as to how to get around this...whatever this tension is about.
"What position will you be trying?"
Startled, Kaede looks up from where she is looking to meet Chisaki's eyes- only her friend's eyes were also trained at the plate she is drying.
"Setter." She answers, "Or libero." She added immediately, remembering that Asuna will most probably be chosen as the setter. The girl is better than her in that position.
Chisaki nodded, face blank and calm. "Misaki and I will probably be designated as blockers. We're almost the same height."
"Or spikers." Kaede automatically added, "You are formidable at the back row as well. Risa-chan can be the open spiker."
"No," Chisaki argues, "she'll probably be the back-up setter or libero. Yue-chan is an open-spiker, same as Hayate-san. They have two other fourth years who can be either blockers or utility."
"That's understandable." Letting her mind wander on the people Chisaki has mentioned, Kaede studied her hands under the bubbles. "You've researched them already." It is not a question, for Kaede knows of Chisaki's habits.
Shrugging, Chisaki remains quiet.
Yue gave her a rundown of the current members, and showed her the list of the other girls who will be trying out for the team. Some of them Chisaki remembers to be players from high school, some she doesn't know.
Although, that is not what she really wanted to talk about right now. Sparing the girl beside her a glance, Chisaki notices the telltale signs of Kaede's nervousness-as if being this near Chisaki is that scary.
Kaede sure is getting restless, and Chisaki had the sadistic urge to let her friend suffer from the silence far longer.
She quelled it. They won't resolve any of their issues if they both keep their silence. Between the two of them and Risa- Kaede is the worst when it comes to silence and the tension it brings.
Risa can endure it, until her temper and impatience kick in. Chisaki on the other hand...
Sighing and closing her eyes, Chisaki sets the plate down on the counter, careful not to break it. "We're finished here." She motions at the plates.
Kaede nodded mutely, her eyes wide and lips pursed tightly.
Chisaki took that as a sign that her friend is now ready to answer her questions. She clears her throat, and then gave Kaede a pointed look. "So?"
That is Kaede's most hated word for the day. Or the year.
Groaning, Kaede threw the dish rag unto the counter. "Fine." Her voice sounded defeated, and Chisaki almost chuckled. "Fine. What do you want to know?"
"I don't know. How about 'Shusuke-kun'?" The name brought a cringe out of Kaede, and Chisaki nodded to herself. "Let's start with that."
"Can't you ask about another thing Chisaki?" Kaede desperately pleaded, gulping at the resolute glint in her friend's eyes. "Anything but that please?"
"No."
"Damn it!"
Raising an eyebrow at her friend, Chisaki let Kaede gather herself. It's almost funny, that Kaede couldn't even answer a simple inquiry as the one she'd asked.
It's just a matter of saying either - "Yes, he's my boyfriend." Or- "No, he's not my boyfriend. We're just playing charade. Would you like to join?"
The latter is mostly the case, but Chisaki still wanted to hear it from Kaede herself. And if indeed her suspicion is correct, Chisaki would very much want to know how and why did it happen.
Misaki wouldn't even tell her, and so it might be a pretty big issue.
Frowning, Kaede watches as the water on the sink dry. The kitchen is silent save for their intakes of breath. From the living room she can hear Yagyuu-kun and Oshitari-kun arguing over their papers; Shiraishi-kun is talking to Risa-chan (trying, at the very at least). Misaki-chan is probably in her room, since the girl was talking about finishing a sketch for the autumn project. And it seems that the two engineering students are not around either.
Kaede wondered briefly about Fuji- Shusuke—since the male seems to be not at the living room either.
She has tried talking to him about their so-called 'relationship', but Kaede never seem to get the right time to do so.
Actually, after coming back from the resort, the male seem to be avoiding her. That morning when they all walked to the university, his demeanor seems to be a bit-off. His words are sort of sharp, and his eyes were cold and blank. Just thinking about those is giving Kaede shivers.
But then whenever they are at the cafeteria together, he would be his usual charming and smiling self. He is so contradicting that it is confusing Kaede.
And then there's Chisaki, who has been giving her asking glances ever since coming back from her camp. Asuna didn't seem to mind that something happened while she was away, but the same doesn't apply to the black-haired girl. Though, it is to be expected.
If Kaede is over-protective of her friends, then Chisaki is downright paranoid about them. The girl may not show it, but Chisaki can be the worst one amongst all of them when it comes to worrying.
Unlike Kaede though, Chisaki doesn't go about it in an obvious manner. No, Chisaki will only show that side of her when she thinks she needed to.
In normal circumstances, Kaede would've been touched, but—not this time. Right now, she is hoping Chisaki will just drop the issue and go back to being her usual nonchalant self.
But since she isn't letting up...
"We're dating."
Chisaki wasn't even surprised. Nodding, she hums. "I can see that."
Letting out a deep sigh, Kaede frowned at her friend. "Fake dating. My mother caused it."
"Oh?" Shuffling on her feet, Chisaki faces Kaede wearing a slight crease in her forehead. "How so?"
Sighing once more, Kaede berated for a few seconds, before relating to Chisaki what has caused the situation between her and Fuji. "We were at the supermarket, and kaa-san saw us. We were calling each other by our names, and my mother heard. Next thing I know, we were at a French cafe having tea and little cakes. It's a great place by the way, just in case you and Tezuka-kun go in a date."
"Hm. And then?"
Giving her a friend a wry look, Kaede continue her story. "Well, mother asked why we were being familiar with each other. And then she discovered I am living with males in this apartment. I couldn't lie about it, and you know she is against my living here with you and Risa-chan." She chuckled dryly, remembering the time when she and her mother argued about her decision of leaving their house for university. If it wasn't for Satoshi-san..."Anyways, one thing led to another. To help me with the situation, Shusuke-kun told kaa-san we're dating. As you probably would expect, kaa-san was ecstatic. She even told Shusuke-kun to not forget about protection. Can you believe that?"
The story sounded funnier now than the time when she told the other girls and their male housemates. Kaede was grateful that they all understood her dilemma. But she couldn't help but feel pathetic even now.
"I see." Slowly, Chisaki lets the words out of her lips, her eyes boring deeply on Kaede's. She isn't the least surprised, as she had expected as much. But still, for Fuji Shusuke to do that...Chisaki can't help but smile at the thought.
It seems the Tensai may not be that slow as she first suspected.
"That's it?" Bewildered at her friend's lackluster reaction, Kaede's frown deepens. "That's all you can say Chisaki?"
"Well," shrugging, Chisaki gave Kaede a small smile, eyes still sharp on those violet orbs, "what else do you want me to say? It's not as if I'm against the idea of the two of you dating."
"Fake-dating." Kaede insisted, teeth gritting. "And quit it. I can see devious schemes forming behind those eyes of yours Chisaki."
Chisaki did not laugh. Instead, she tilted her head to the left, eyes never leaving Kaede. "That reminded me—how about Atobe-kun?"
Stiffening, Kaede laid her palm on the cold counter. A flash of cobalt-blue eyes had her clenching said palm to a fist."What about him?"
Chisaki shrugs a shoulder. "He seemed interested."
"I don't care." If possible, Kaede would've breathed fire to Chisaki's face. "We are over—ages ago."
Chisaki thought it a good thing they were done washing and drying the dishes, lest they would have to buy a new set if they want to eat properly. "But I thought he said he'd get you back no matter what? And you love him, don't you? He was your first love."
"Loved him, you mean." Kaede corrected, "And that does not matter. I don't love him anymore."
Smiling softly, Chisaki's eyes lowered to Kaede's neck, where the chain holding the small pendant made of amethyst is visible. Kaede has always been the sentimental type of girl, but Chisaki knows her friend will never hold on to something she doesn't want anymore. The fact that Kaede is still wearing that necklace disproves her statement just now.
Thankful that Kaede is too occupied to notice her looking at the necklace, Chisaki nodded her head, smiling as Kaede throws her a glare. "I understand. So, does that mean you like Fuji-kun then?"
"Of course not!" Kaede responded far too quickly that Chisaki's smile turns even softer. "We are just...acting, okay? He just wanted to help." I guess...
"Really..?" Slowly, Chisaki chooses her words carefully. "I wonder about that."
"What...do you mean?"
Shrugging once more, Chisaki left the counter to stand beside the table, her hand resting atop the chair in front of her. "It's just that...I don't see both of your actions to be just that of an act. When we were at the resort—especially when we were there...you two acted like a real couple."
"Of…of course not!" Kaede sputters with her face burning red as she waves her hands in front of her to dissuade Chisaki's thought from going any further. "That was just your imagination!"
"Hmm?" Her head still tilted to the side, Chisaki frowns at Kaede. "But you two kissed, right?"
"Chisaki!"
Chisaki merely smiled as Kaede went on to a lengthy explanation of how she is not in-love, or even in-like with Fuji Shusuke. That she will not fall in-live with him no matter how handsome he is and how smart and witty and talented and…
…
"Hey, Yuki-chan..." trailing off, Hikari shifted from where she is sitting to face Yukimura who is besides her reading. He hummed, inclining his head towards her, eyes never leaving his book. "What time will your try-out start?" she asks, hugging the pillow closer to her chest, knees bent under her.
With the book open in front of him, Yukimura leans back to his chair and spared the girl sitting in his bed a glance. "Seven." He answers, "You'll be there...right?" He didn't mean to be pushy or demanding, but Yukimura is hoping she would be. He'll get in no matter what, and he wanted her to be there to see him play. She's always said she likes watching him play, even back in middle school. And he always is happy when she praises him, though he won't ever admit it, of course.
With a smile, Hikari leans towards him with her left palm flat on the surface of the bed, hair falling on either side of her face. "Of course! I'll even walk with you and the others to the courts!" she added cheerfully, her lips split open in a wider smile.
Chuckling, Yukimura left his book for a moment to ruffle her hair playfully.
They came to his room just as soon as they finish eating dinner, with Yukimura wanting to read the book he borrowed from the library (for advance reading purposes). Hikari followed him, jumping up from where she was sitting on the couch with Misaki and Risa, saying something about sleeping early, but took a detour when she remembered something she'd been wanting to ask her best friend.
They were bantering on the stairs up to the second floor, filling the hallways with laughter and teasing. Their rooms (which they are sharing with Asuna and Akutagawa) are across each other, left of the stairs- Yukimura's room is on the right side, closer to it. Standing beside him, Hikari took a peek and decided she wanted to see just how her best friend's room is. Seeing nothing wrong with that, Yukimura merely shrugs and invited her in.
It wasn't as if this is the first time they've been in the same room anyway. Back when they were younger, she would always come over to his house and spend most of the day in his room- eating, reading, or just plain sleeping on his bed. On winter days (only a few times though), they'd sit close to each other on the living room and huddle with blankets thrown on their shoulders, their feet under the kotatsu. They'd read and drink hot chocolate and tea, with his mother humming away in the kitchen.
So, yes, this is not an unusual thing at all.
(But of course, Yukimura seems to have forgotten that they are not eight or nine year old kids anymore.)
She forgot about whatever it was she has to ask Yukimura just as soon as she steps inside the room and spotted an intercollegiate sports magazine that was on Yukimura's nightstand.
Taking a seat on his bed, Hikari read the magazine from cover to cover, stopping only to make some comments or to ask Yukimura something.
Two hours went by quickly, with Yukimura reading his book whilst Hikari was busy browsing through magazine after magazine.
Shifting to his left side, Yukimura turn to face Hikari, taking in her smiling face as she hums and flip a page.
Her skin a translucent pink: her legs are stretched out to work out the constricted muscles from sitting on her knees for almost two hours, her arms now behind her head, raising them above before finally setting them on her sides.
Her face is blissfully calm and content and Yukimura couldn't help but just look at her.
He knows that this is completely innocent on her part, and Yukimura would like to think it is the same with him. But somehow, thinking only that is a bit difficult, seeing as she is sitting on his bed, wearing shorts that cover only the middle of her thigh and a sleeveless shirt, leaving her arms bare. And with her hair wild like that...she looks nothing like the innocent girl Yukimura has always thought her to be.
Realizing what he has just thought, Yukimura's eyes widen a fraction. He did not just think of that about Hikari..!
Those are very dangerous thoughts, and Yukimura berates his self for even having them, on his best friend nonetheless.
Jaws clenched, and thankful that Hikari wasn't looking at him, he asks, "Don't you have class on that day?" Returning to his book, a palm cupping his face as the other hand held on to the book. His eyes are reading, but his mind is drifting.
Innocently unaware of what the male with her was thinking, Hikari shook her head, sitting under her knees once again. "Nope!" she answers cheerfully, before blinking her brown eyes at Yukimura, her forehead creasing. "Wednesday classes are suspended, didn't you hear?" she asks, tilting her head towards Yukimura.
Yukimura certainly didn't hear about that, so he shook his head in response. "Is that so?"
"Yeah. Sports club try-outs will be done simultaneously so classes won't be affected too much."
Curious, Yukimura mumbles under his breath, "I wonder why the captain didn't tell us." He should, he thought, so that Yukimura and the others joining won't be too worried about missing any of their classes. But, as an image of the tennis club captain and his rather careless demeanor came to his mind, Yukimura's bafflement ceased. Turning to Hikari once more, he asks "How did you know about it, Kari-chan?"
"Mitsuko-sempai told me of course!" Grinning, Hikari flops on the bed, her arms behind her head, "She's in the student council, so she knows a lot about things going around the university." She would always tell her things that normal students have no business knowing, and so Hikari always seem to know and understand things going around their university better than the rest of her classmates and friends. And now that she is a part of their department's student council…
"Mitsuko-sempai?" Raising an eyebrow, Yukimura sent a teasing smile to Hikari. "Isn't she the one you said you admire?"
Crinkling her nose at him, Hikari threw the pillow that was on her side towards Yukimura, who dodged it effortlessly. "She's a great role model you know, so it's okay for me to admire her!"
Laughing softly, Yukimura bent to pick the pillow that was on the floor. "Hmm. If you say so." Placing the pillow on his lap, Yukimura turn to stare at the girl lying on his bed, pouting at his teasing smile.
"Ah. Try-outs will be on the same day huh?"
"Hm! That way, classes won't be affected too much. And students can watch as well. I think it's a good idea."
Nodding, Yukimura returns to his book, a small smile still on his lips. "You'll be there for both try-outs then."
"You're being redundant Yuki-chan!" she chided, though she is grinning at him, raising herself slightly on her elbows. Of course she'll be there- she wouldn't miss it for the world! "So you better make it to the regulars, okay?!"
As if there's any question of him making it.
Knowing that, Hikari hummed, before settling back on the bed. Closing her eyes, she let the silent hum of the air conditioning in the room lull her. The occasional light thud from below is almost rhythmically mixing in with the faint sounds from the street closest to their apartment. Along with their calm breathing, the sounds make a strange sort of lullaby. She rolled on her left side, facing Yukimura- her eyes took in his calm face, the pattern of his breathing, the way his fingers seem to trace the characters of the book unknowingly. Looking at him is an experience in itself. It is as if you are looking at a breathing masterpiece—he is handsome and beautiful, safe and dangerous, strong and gentle, open and mysterious. He is a never-ending stream of contradictions, yet Hikari never tires of just looking at him.
So many times she has looked at him like this- and so many times she has the same sense of awe washing over her like a cascade of a waterfall. It is simply a wonderfully confusing thing- for someone as simple as her to be friends with someone who resembles a God in the way that he is just perfect.
She knows that perfection doesn't really exist (it is stupid to be even think so), but looking at him—Yukimura Seiichi—Hikari wanted to believe that it does. In him, maybe—perfection isn't a very foreign and unusual concept.
Or maybe that is only true in her world.
…
"Good morning, Yagyuu-san."
His eyes immediately seeking the owner of the voice, Yagyuu found a smiling Kiyoko Sato a few steps behind him. She's donning very casual attire: light-blue sleeveless buttoned shirt tucked under dark denim jeans and black flats. Her hair is in a ponytail at the top of her head, her camera hanging off her neck.
Nodding at her, he returned the greeting. "You're here early, Sato-san."
The time is seven fifteen, and the office is bare except for the two of them. The silence is a well-received token, for Yagyuu knows days like these will be rare once they started working on their parts on the publication.
Walking towards the long table to pick up the file that their sensei has given them the other day, Kiyoko lets out a soft chuckle.
"I can't believe Watanabe-sensei gave this task as your first in the club Yagyuu-san." Kiyoko's smile is thin, and her cheeks are pink and her eyes darker in what seems to be amusement.
Shoving his hands to the pockets of his black denim jeans, Yagyuu regarded the female an inquiring look. "Is there anything wrong with that, Sato-san?"
Checking to make sure they have everything they needed, Yagyuu waves a hand towards the door. Kiyoko walked ahead of him, with him closing and locking the door behind him. They started walking down the empty hallway, their footsteps echoing around the two of them.
Laughing, Kiyoko shook her head in response to Yagyuu's previous question. "Oh…nothing really. It's just that—well," she shrugs, her hand lifting the camera she had on hanging around her neck, a playful smile tugging on her lips. "The captain of the tennis club is a difficult person to convince. We've always had trouble asking him to let us take pictures of the players—especially the regulars. So I thought that maybe sensei is going to be testing your patience with him."
"Is that so?"
She nodded her head, humming her reply. "Every article we've written about that club, we've only included photos of the players out of the courts—I've never had the chance to take a picture of them while in training. It is a bit frustrating."
They are now leaving the building, walking down the path leading towards the back where the tennis courts are. Students are moving all around them, both sides of the walkways crowded. They walked on, sure steps leading them to their destination.
Remembering the captain of the club they are talking about, Yagyuu understood what the female is saying. Asakura Kyo may seem to be a bit careless and rambunctious, but he is someone who can be very stubborn when it comes down to things that involve the team.
They may get permission from the school board or the coach, but Asakura Kyo still has the last say on whether they can or cannot get anything out of the club other than them winning their games and championships, because that's all that matters—apparently.
Yagyuu respects that, as well as his friends, because that is how mostly his captain (and the others too) did when they were in high school.
Arriving at the tennis courts, he saw said friends preparing for the try-outs. There were at least thirty hopefuls, but only few of them will make it, of course.
They walk towards the bleachers, eyes wandering around them, taking in the scene.
It is easy to pick out the regulars, as they are wearing the standard varsity jersey. At the moment, there are five of them—excluding the captain, who is currently not wearing his own jersey.
The applicants are in their own training gears. But still, particular players had no trouble standing out.
"This is a good atmosphere we have." Kiyoko commented, looking around her as her hands came to rest once more in her camera. "I can feel competitiveness in the air."
Competitiveness is the right term; Yagyuu digressed—as the club is the top, and therefore will only accept the best of the best. He can almost see and feel the tension hovering at the courts as the players size up their opponents silently.
"We still have a few minutes before it starts." Yagyuu said, nodding at Fuji who waved at him from the courts where he is talking with Oshitari. "Do you mind if I talk to some of my friends?"
Tilting her head to the side, following Yagyuu's line of sight, Kiyoko nodded. "Alright. I'll come find you once the try-outs start."
Nodding, Yagyuu turns on his heel and left towards where Oshitari and Shiraishi are smirking at him smugly.
…
The tennis courts were one of the loudest and most crowded places in the university today, Risa thought to herself. After all, it is not every day that you get to watch the high school tennis legends play a game all the same time. She can understand the hype, since she herself is getting pretty excited.
"Why are we here again?" Asuna though mumbles with a frown, standing with her hands on her hips and looking around her.
The seats around the courts were filled, and the area surrounding the club area is brimming with students as well. She knew some of the players were popular back in high school, but she did not expect for them to be still as popular until now.
Chuckling, Misaki tugged on her sleeve. "Asuna-chan, we're here because Oshitari-kun and the others asked us to be. Now please, take a seat." She pleaded in a soft voice, eyes warily looking around them.
Sighing at Asuna's frown deepening, Misaki felt even more nervous than she was earlier. There are too many people, and they are all looking at the five of them.
Smiling at Misaki's patience, Kaede threw Asuna a warning glance. "Come on, Asuna-chan. You're only attracting unwanted attention."
People are staring, and Kaede cringed upon seeing most females glaring at them. They are seating at the bleachers inside the courts after all—the ones reserved for players and club members.
Not to say some of them saw Fuji's small spectacle of kissing her cheek when she and her friends arrived at the courts. She should really talk to him about these kinds of things soon.
Snorting, Asuna sat herself down beside a beaming Hikari. "Whatever." She grumbled moodily, cupping her cheek with her palm and glaring at the ground in front of her.
Snickering, Risa nudges Misaki, whispering loudly "so, we're here 'because Oshitari-kun asked us huh?'"
"Risa-chan!"
Loudly, Risa laughed at the red-flush that Misaki's face has become. "Oh…! You're so red Misa-chan!"
Shaking her head, Kaede patted Misaki's shoulder gently. "Ignore her, Misa-chan." She advises her, casting a stern look at the still-laughing Risa.
They don't have classes, as per announced by the school board. Most of the students are around the campus either trying out or just watching. There are few who are making use of the empty libraries, something that Hikari and Kaede have planned on doing as well, but Yukimura and Fuji thwarted those plans the other night.
As his girlfriend, Kaede should be there to watch and support him—Fuji has smiled at her last night.
And as a supportive best-friend, Hikari should also be there—Yukimura has said quite plainly to Hikari, a soft smile gracing his angelic face.
And of course, the two females couldn't very well argue with those. And so, here they are. As for their friends, well—
Misaki clearly stated she's here because Oshitari-kun asks them (her) to be—
Risa denied vehemently that she wanted to see her cousin and a certain other male play, but of course the other girls did not believe her—
As for Asuna—well, she actually was planning on missing said try-outs and sleep, but then was dragged out of her bed and into these courts by her lovely friends. Oh, how lovely it is to wring their pretty little necks..!
"Where's Chisaki?" Asuna asks, her head whipping around her, "Out of all of us, she's the one who should be here."
Kaede refuses to wince at the words, since—technically, they were the truth—"She went to her department with Tanaka-san, remember? I remember it was something about one of their classes this year."
The ash-blonde hummed, leaning back onto the seat and crossing her arms in front of her. A whistle blew, and the first of the many games started.
…
"Game: Sanada! Five games all! Change courts!"
The excited announcement of the acting umpire echoed all throughout the courts, and the spectators sighed aloud almost at once in relief.
Chuckling, Yukimura handed Sanada a hand towel as he approached the bench. Sanada looks as if a man possessed, and he knows Tezuka is the same.
The second round of the try-outs is almost over, with only Sanada and Tezuka finishing their one-set game. But, at the look of utter concentration on his friends' faces, Yukimura knows it would be a long time before the set is finished. Currently, the two are tied at five games apiece—unbelievably, the match had been going on for more than an hour. Just to show how much the two wanted a spot in the regulars' line-up.
Honestly, Yukimura was a bit surprised when the captain—Asakura Kyo, who happens to be a sempai of his as well—paired up the two for a match. Shiraishi almost laughed at the thought that the two will be playing doubles, but then blinked in surprise instead when the laughing captain announced that it will be a singles match.
Oshitari sighed in relief and what seemed to be exasperation when—upon hearing the announcement—both Tezuka and Sanada gave their captain a withering glare. The temperature dropping a few notches as the two towering males stiffly made their way to the waiting courts.
Everyone in the courts seemed to have frozen in their feet, and Yukimura can perfectly understand.
After witnessing two matches between the two, Yukimura himself almost left the courts—if only Fuji didn't smile at him whit his blue-eyes open. Yukimura may have been made of dragon scales for skin, but he still felt the gaze that the Tensai has given him—and the shiver that passed up his spine is simply too terrifying that Yukimura stood there nodding his head at the smiling angel/devil.
Though, seeing who Fuji was supposed to play against with, Yukimura decided staying would be for the best.
After all, a showdown between the original Tensai and the King is simply too divine to pass up.
Yukimura watches as Sanada leaves the bench to start their eleventh game, before taking a generous gulp of water from his own bottle that was on the bench. Looking around, he saw that there are only two games left being played: Tezuka-kun's and Sanada-kun's, and the one between Fuji-kun and Atobe. He himself has played against a good enough sempai, as well as Shiraishi and Oshitari—winning in scores 6 games to love, of course.
His opponent is—was—good enough, but Yukimura Seichi is Yukimura Seichi. And besides, the sempai wasn't part of the regulars, and so his skills were mediocre at best. The five remaining regulars, sans captain and vice-captain—will be playing at the third round of the try-outs, and so Yukimura still wasn't able to gauge their skills and potential.
"If you want to play with us," their captain told them through droopy green-eyes, yawning behind a hand, "then beat the second stringers first. The tournament starts after a month; you brats have that much time to oust us, if you can." He added the last words flippantly, but the look in his eyes spoke of challenge being thrown at them.
And so, they took it as one, of course.
…
Twenty minutes past nine o'clock—
In all honesty, Kaede didn't even know why she—of all the people in this big, big world—is sitting here beside an extremely excited Risa watching the tennis club try-outs. The auburn-haired female is positively glowing, as her eyes follow the movements of the players at a very particular court.
She had seen tennis games of course (living in the same apartment complex with males who apparently have one-sided love affair with the said sport made sure of that), and so she can understand a little about it. But that doesn't mean that she enjoys watching it like this.
Okay, she admits, Tezuka-kun and Sanada-kun playing against each other is exciting and interesting—because the two were supposed to be rivals, or something like that—and seeing the two go at it is something that invokes Kaede's somewhat hidden admiration for the two. And that was all and well, really—because she isn't the only one who is surely feeling that way (looking at her friend's wide eyes and listening to Risa ramble on and on about forehand and backhand and drop shots and whatnots gave Kaede a pretty solid proof that Risa is absolutely enjoying watching the game in front of her).
"Geez! At least appreciate the sport Kaede-chan!" Risa nudges her with an elbow as Tezuka and Sanada took a break after the tenth game. "Why are you even here if you're not going to watch the goddamned games?!"
Risa looks absolutely angry at Kaede not appreciating what they are watching that Kaede wanted to retaliate crudely just to ease her anger at being dragged down here.
Misaki and Hikari nodded their heads; Asuna rolled her eyes while typing something in her cell phone.
It's not as if she wanted to be here in the first place, Kaede thought to herself, sighing in silence as Risa crosses her arms in front of her with a huff and a snort.
She was peacefully reading in the blissfully empty library when her phone buzzed of an incoming message. Flipping it open, she was greeted by a message so vague yet straightforward at the same time that the only person she knows who can do that is the same who had been the reason for her current predicament.
Apparently, as his girlfriend, Kaede has to watch Fuji Shusuke play during his try-outs. She initially planned to decline, say that she has something to do at that time and so she cannot possibly come, and she was sorry.
She was about to press the 'send' button when another message came. Saving the draft, she opened the message and read.
She found herself walking towards the tennis courts two minutes later.
Really, she should've known it is next to impossible to say 'no' to Fuji Shusuke. But if she does, then maybe she wouldn't be in this situation…right?
She absolutely feels like an idiot now for agreeing to 'fake-date' the smiling Tensai. She knows she should've listened to her high school classmates when they were gushing over the perfection that is Fuji Shusuke.
But still, he has saved her back then. If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be here sitting with Risa listening to her whine and admire and bash Sanada all at once. Nor would she be able to enjoy the freedom of being away from her family.
So maybe watching his games is a small compensation for that.
Kaede once again lets her eyes return to where Fuji—Shusuke-kun—is playing, a small smile in his lips, his racket tilted down, his eyes blue and open and cold.
At the opposite end of the court—another pair of orbs is staring back just as coldly and maybe twice as deadly. Though this time, they were the shade of a stormy sea.
She just really hoped that Atobe Keigo isn't here as well.
"Game: Fuji! Five games all!"
…
"Ugh! That was exhausting!" Yue groans as soon as they are outside the room, "I can't believe you have to do that every month Chisaki! How can you be alive after that?!"
Yue is talking about the monthly meeting Chisaki had been attending in connection with the foreign exchange program she was part of. Yue, as a member of the national level volleyball team, was chosen as the club's representative for the same program as well. She felt lucky, but now, the pressure is on.
Chuckling, Chisaki ushers the complaining girl towards the stairs, eyes darting towards the clock at the end of the hallway. 9:21. "It's not that bad; you're just overreacting as per usual."
"Am not!" Pouting, Yue slaps her friend's arm playfully. "And it was hard too!"
"It's not." Chisaki stubbornly insisted, turning on a corner, getting closer to the door that will lead them out of the building. "You just have to answer them, right? What's so hard with that?"
Yue grumbles, but remained silent.
Chisaki admits that the interview is indeed hard, especially for the first time. But like Yue said, she'd been doing this for a long time, and so Chisaki has gotten used to it already. She has to, after all.
"By the way," tilting her head to the left, she nodded at Yue, "are you coming with me to watch the tennis club try-outs?"
She is running late, but Chisaki would very much want to still be able to be there. It has started more than two hours ago, and so most probably in its second round already.
Or maybe the last round already.
Shaking her head, Yue frowned. "I have to prepare for our own try-outs, remember? Buchou will kill me if I ditch her."
An image of the red-eyed female captain flashes through their minds, and the two shared a cringe. Not a very pleasant mental image.
"I see. Well," Chisaki steps out of the building, Yue on her left, "see you later then." She took the right, the path leading towards the back of the building, where the tennis courts were.
Waving, Yue grins at her. "Say hi to them from me!"
Laughing, Chisaki nodded her head, turning once again to her front.
The tennis courts were a bit far from her department, and so Chisaki hurried her steps to reach her destination before the try-outs are over. It is now twenty-two minutes past nine o'clock—and the games started around seven, as Mitsu has texted her earlier. She wasn't able to send a reply, being at the 'meeting' and all. He is probably playing thus won't be able to read or reply to her message, but still Chisaki took her cell phone out and hastily composes a message, sending it without re-reading, and then shoving her mobile back to her jeans' pocket.
Turning on a corner, her eyes caught sight of rusty-orange head up ahead, having just stepped out of the small café Asuna loves so much because of its pastries and cakes.
"Akutagawa-kun!" she hollers, thankful that the male heard her.
With a smile, Jirou answers her call, waving his hand as well. "Kanai-chan!"
Her steps halting in front of him, Chisaki smiled at him largely, "I thought you'd be at the library still!" the male had been gathering materials for an upcoming project, with Asuna promising to do the same after her own try-outs.
Shaking his head, Jirou moved to take Chisaki's bag from her. "Sugimoto-chan texted me saying she's hungry, but can't leave since the matches are getting more exciting." He showed her the bag he has on his left, along with a paper bag where the aroma of chocolate and vanilla are coming from.
Letting go of her bag, Chisaki laughed, gesturing to the bags with her hands. "Am I right in assuming the other girls also asked you to be their savior from hunger as well?"
Grinning, Jirou nodded. "It's alright though. I was getting sleepy being all alone at the library anyway!"
"Still. You're such a sweetheart, Akutagawa-kun." Chisaki smiles, and then it turns into a grin. "Say, did you by any chance buy anything for me Akutagawa-kun? I'm rather hungry."
Jirou's chuckle was warm and soft. "Of course, Kanai-chan! Vanilla right?"
Laughing, Chisaki tugged on Jirou's arm, urging him to walk a bit faster than he is at the moment. "We have to hurry! I want to watch Mitsu play!"
Chuckling, Jirou let the girl drag him towards the courts, her laughter ringing in his ears.
…
Green eyes lazily scan the two adjacent courts where the last two games of the second round were being played.
All other games were over and done with, the results not surprising if one would consider who the players were.
Glancing briefly at the paper bearing those results, Kyo sought the three players that already have their names at the regular's wait-list. All they need to do is beat some of the regulars (there are six of them currently, and so Kyo has to play as well when it comes down to the third round). He saw some of the matches, and Kyo is more than satisfied of the games themselves.
YIPS is such a scary thing to experience and even watch, Kyo Asakura knows that first-hand, and so he wasn't the least surprised when Yukimura Seiichi's current opponent is making quick work of the acclaimed Child of God. Admittedly, Hiroto Shibasaki is a good player, but against a player such as Yukimura, he's good as done.
"Game and Match: Yukimura. Six games to love!"
Thirty-five minutes is all it took—good. Good.
At court 2B—Oshitari unleashed a few of his famed Thousand Moves, and the player on the opposite end of the court is huffing and panting like a deprived camel in Sahara—not that Kyo has seen one.
The game was finished in six games straight, taking only thirty-nine minutes.
The Bible is a joy to watch, and it seems his opponent was so engrossed in thinking of how to break such perfection that he forgot they were playing a real match—not a computer-generated one he always plays. Shiraishi won in six games as well, in a game he predicted he will finish at forty-minutes. Kyo reckons he has a good thirty seconds to spare.
Hmm. Maybe he's not as perfect as people claim him to be. Though—is there something more than perfection? Kyo would like to find out someday.
Those games went well—maybe too well, considering this is just the try-outs. Only the second round, and the players are giving it their all.
Of course—that is all part of Kyo's brilliant idea.
You see, as the captain of a national champion team, Kyo knows how to gauge a player's potential just as they take their first shot at the courts. That is an ability he has always had, and honed during his years in high school and now in university. Knowing he couldn't possibly be the captain for as long as he wanted to be, he has started looking for someone to take his place two years from now—someone strong enough to lead the team to continuous victory.
Someone who is as dependable as he is ruthless.
He saw four players who have those qualities, and he had them play each other at the second round of the try-outs. His philosophy is simple—the strongest will be the last one standing, those who fall, are not worthy.
If that means losing a few stronger players than the ones who played easier games at this point—then so be it.
He needed one strong man to lead the team in his stead—not four. Just one—the rest will have to suck it up for not being the strongest of them all.
With the resolve firmly sketched into his mind, Kyo left the bench he is currently sitting at and stretched his arms over his head.
The two games he is mostly excited of are still going strong, with the players unrelenting and unwilling to yield even a centimeter to the other.
Just goes to show he wasn't mistaken at all.
But for now, there are some things that have caught his attention. Smirking, he motioned to one of his regulars to take his place at the bench that is reserved for either him or the coach.
Shoving his hands on his pockets, Kyo started his way towards the other side of the courts—where a few beautiful faces caught his eyes.
One of them in particular has the most beautiful auburn hair he has ever seen in his life. His mother has the same shade of hair, with sparkling green eyes that puts emeralds to shame.
Nearing the group, he notices the five girls are equally beautiful—but then his attention went back to the one who initially caught his eyes. His footsteps speeding up, and in no time he was but a few feet away from them. His steps didn't falter a bit.
Closer to them now (though they are still unaware of him), he can see that her eyes are greener than emeralds—greener than green could ever get—and they are shining in what he would say admiration and something else as she watches the on-going game at court A3—Sanada and Tezuka huh?
He wonders—wait, he heard Tezuka has a girlfriend—does that mean this girl..?
'Dammit!' He groaned to himself. 'How can that stoic brat get a girlfriend as beautiful as this one?!'
But still—Kyo won't be deterred. Squaring his shoulders, pasting a smirk on his face (the one he is sure always gets the girls blushing and stuttering), he closes in on them.
"Yo!" he greeted when he was but a foot away from them, green eyes alight with mischievousness that made the girls wary, "what are you beautiful ladies doing inside the courts, eh?" he asks, his voice a bit louder than he intended to (but since he was trying to get their attention and all…)
He didn't notice how the courts have seemed to quiet down just as soon as he opens his mouth. No, it doesn't really matter, because she is now looking at him. Her eyes are blinking, her mouth partly open as if she was in the middle of saying something, or maybe cheering on either of the players.
The other girls blinked their eyes on him as well, though no blushes were apparent. Where did all his charms go?!
Keeping his smirk intact, he took a step forward, bringing him closer to the green-eyed girl. This close, he can tell just how flawless and clear her skin is. No trace of make-up, all fresh and beautiful.
How hard it would be snatching her from under Tezuka's nose?—Kyo wonders.
"Etou—"the girl with strawberry-red hair started, but Kyo shots her a winning smile, effectively cutting the rest of her words.
Returning his attention to her, Kyo lets her eyes roam in her face—taking in all of her features.
Yes, how hard it would be stealing her from whoever her boyfriend is?
Deciding he needed to get her name, Kyo took another step forward, noticing how her eyes widen and how her friends squeak and snicker.
He ignored all of those expertly, and instead started lifting his hand, planning on gallantly introducing himself to her.
When he is close to taking her hand, he opens his lips, the flowery words ready at the tip of his tongue. The time is just right, with her frozen there and just staring at him, confused.
"Well—"he started in a drawl, "I asked—OI!" he shrieks, startling the girl in front of him. Pulling his hand away, he turns around to glare at whoever dared to interrupt him. "WHAT THE HELL IS THE BIG IDEA?!" Shouting, he narrows his eyes at the four players standing in the middle of the courts.
Fuji was smiling; Atobe frowned before smirking like the haughty being that he is. The two then proceeded to their respective benches to prepare for the tie break.
Tezuka only stared at him for five seconds, before going back to his game. Sanada is readying to serve.
Clenching his jaws, Kyo then returned to what he was doing earlier—before he was oh so rudely interrupted.
"As I was saying—"
His ears caught the sound of an incoming ball at the speed that even he—a seasoned tennis player and is the best in returning even the most vicious serves out there—would have a difficult time dodging if he is anywhere near the one who sent it.
Jumping away from the girl, and instantly embarrassing himself in front of at least five hundred spectators and the girl with green eyes and her beautiful friends—Kyo lets out a stream of colorful words that had the strawberry haired girl near to fainting.
He heard snickers from the courts, and Kyo whips his head around ready to yell at Tezuka—whom he is sure sent him the ball—to leave the courts immediately and never come back again…
But then he felt it—a menacing aura twenty feet away from him. A glare so piercing Kyo felt the back of his head being peeled away so slowly and thoroughly. But Tezuka isn't glaring at him, so who—?
"Fault! Second serve!"
His mind catching up with him, Kyo lets his mouth drop from surprise. 'Sanada?!' Unbelieving, Kyo stares at the two small, green balls lying innocently two feet away from him.
Sanada…Sanada was the only one with a ball earlier, as he was serving. Does that mean…?
Daring a peek at the said male, Kyo found dark brown eyes drilling holes at him—as if its owner is trying to bury him deep under the ground.
He heard an amused chuckle. Looking up, he saw the girl with ash-blonde hair giving the green-eyed girl an amused look. After sharing a meaningful look with the one with violet eyes, she then says in a voice drawling like a cat's—
"I've never pegged Sanada to be so over-protective—oh wait!" she mocked a thinking pose, a finger on her temple, "Is jealous the right term?"
Ahem! There. I hope I have fulfilled RiSada fans' fluff requests. As well as the others. XXD
There're more coming, so hang in there people! :)
Special Thanks to: AnImEbLuEpRiNcEsS13 , RockPrincess410, sweet-Lia, le me fan, Espeon14 , XxBloodandButterfliesxX, smileycupcake , A la whatever, A.K. Heredia for the love and the reviews!
To all readers: Please READ AND REVIEW! :D
XXD YUNA