"I'm going to higher places... just watch me!"
—Kirihara Akaya
The Empress | Chapter 18
While the beauty was away, it seems like she missed an important match. The match between Keigo Atobe and Kanata Irie.
In the dimmed room, Fuyuki watched the pre-recorded tape. Her eyes narrowed at the blond actor.
Atobe managed to return what seemed like an impossible shot in his condition and yelled, "I'll keep my promise, Tezuka!" before crashing against the wall. His back hit the cement hard.
"What? It's over?" Kanata looked on before sighing, "Man, I'm impressed." he dropped his racket before holding his left shoulder. "I can't lift my shoulder anymore."
"As neither players can continue, the match is abandoned." the umpire announced.
Fuyuki smirked before leaning back on her rolling chair. Something told her that the blond lied. It was confirmed when she watched the camera footage of Kanata lifting his shoulder to catch the water bottle thrown his way.
The next game she watched was Oni vs someone the girl didn't even bother remembering from Court 3. The giant didn't even give up a single point nor did he use any special move.
Just like Irie, Oni's much more skilled than his court number suggests. But, the beauty wondered why they were hiding it. She hummed under her breath.
That concluded the match between Court 5 and Court 3.
Now, Liliadent Crauza vs Kirihara Akaya.
Poke.
Poke.
Poke.
Kirihara felt something press against his cheek. Groaning, he rubbed that spot before rolling over.
Poke.
The male slapped it away with furrowed brows.
Poke.
"Ugh..." he finally opened an eye to see what it was.
.
.
.
A beautiful angel was staring at him with innocent hazel eyes.
Thinking it's part of his dream, the boy pulled her on his bed and pressed her against his chest before closing his eye. He slipped back to sleep contently; all the training was taking a toll on his body.
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Fuyuki went stiff in the boy's arms. She didn't like to be touched forcefully, in fact, she hated it. It was only okay if she took the initiative to touch the other person, not the other way around. She went stiff and felt the strong desire to push the boy off her the second he grabbed her but the boy was too fast. And now, hearing the sound of the rhythmic heartbeat made her go still. It felt familiar. The warmth. Their position.
Slowly, her eyes closed.
She leaned closer.
'Ryo-chan.'
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Kikumaru was unprepared for it. The sight before him.
The redhead was curious to see why Fujiko has yet to wake up. After all, the sadist is usually one of the early birds. So it was completely reasonable to go check on him but he wasn't prepared for what he saw instead of the sadist.
His sweet Frei-chan in the arms of the Devil, both sleeping peacefully.
He screamed in horror.
"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he pointed—rather rudely—at the asleep Devil as if said boy's sleeping figure had all the answers.
The seaweed haired boy opened his eyes and shot up, startled at the sudden scream. Or at least he tried to get up. There were slim and snow-white arms and legs around his form, wrapping around him almost like an octopus. He looked over to see who dared molest him in his sleep. When he saw the person's face, his jaw dropped. He couldn't breathe from the sudden shock.
There were steps in the hall as two figures walked in to see what the screaming was about.
He was frozen.
Yukimura and Fuji froze.
Kikumaru glared.
Shiraishi, who followed his roommates, widened his eyes. The male glanced at the room number again and looked back at the pair on the bed. This was definitely their room, but why were Kirihira and the beauty here?
After a moment to take in the scene, Yukimura and Fuji frowned at the frozen male and tried not to look at the beauty. Tried. because they couldn't help but look for a split second.
Fuyuki moaned sleepily but slowly unlatched from the male, bring one fist to rub her eye before opening them to see what woke her up. Her dress slipped off her shoulder while her skirt hitched up to just under her panties.
Fuji felt his pulse increase and he quickly looked to the side.
Yukimura blushed and did the same. His heart beating unbelievably fast.
Shiraishi was also blushing at the vision she made.
Meanwhile, the cat-like player didn't notice their reaction and instead glared even harder at Kirihara while covering his mouth and nose for obvious reasons. (a/n: he has a nosebleed ^^')
"Frei-chan, what are you doing here?"
The girl finally seems to be aware of the situation, but she didn't consider it as big of a deal as the others did so she calmly straightened her dress up and turned to the still-frozen male. She tagged the end of his shirt and said, "Yuki wanted to talk to Akaya, but when Yuki went to wake him up Akaya grabbed Yuki."
Said male was sweating from intense gazes that he could feel from the others. Despite the gulping sound he made, he could still hardly breathe. She was so close. She slept beside him. A-And he grabbed her. He did. He thought he was dreaming because why would the beauty be in their room by his bed?
"It was comfortable so Yuki fell asleep." 'and I was sleepy' went unsaid.
Kirihara could feel his body heat up; she was... comfortable in his arms.
As if reading the boy's mind, Yukimura's aura was intensified as he walked over to the bed and gently pulled the beauty away from the flushed, hormonal male. Fuyuki stiffened at the touch.
Fuji narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.
"And what are you doing here, Akaya?" Yukimura questioned.
"?" The freshman looked confused for a second, "This is my room?"
His captain sighed, "This is room 211. Your room is across the hall."
"!"
Seeing the look of shock and guilt on Kirihara's, Yukimura couldn't scold the male further. The boy was probably too tired to notice after his match against Liliadent. Good thing Akaya was sleeping on the unused bed in the room, though he wouldn't mind the beauty's scent on his sheets. But still, he wasn't pleased to see the beauty in the Devil's arms when Yukimura walked in.
Fuji was looking at the girl. He felt even more- towards her after the match that occurred. In fact, he was still slightly shocked by the power she displayed. He was aware she would be a good opponent but it was unexpected. He remembers her strength yet he couldn't remember some parts of the match, including the end result. It was as if some part of his memory were erased.
***[Flashback - Start]***
The beauty extended her hands and looked at them directly, the court behind her as the lights shone brighter. "This court was built for Yuki's mama."
"Let's go, Fuji Shusuke." her aura completely changed as she stepped to her side of the court.
There was intense pressure in the court all of a sudden.
She spoke softly, "Rough or smooth?"
He said something. She stilled. Yukimura watched.
The game began.
Her form was beautiful. She was beautiful. It was like she was dancing on the court.
Her eyes seem to glow in contempt as she stared at him from across the court as if he was a complete stranger that she must destroy. The look was only there for a split second yet he still felt the chill.
She smiled. But it wasn't the warm and light ones she usually gave, it was malicious and cruel and mocking.
The last thing he remembered was a flashing light and felt himself falling. When he looked across the court, she was also falling but before she could hit the floor, the Demi-god was already by her side.
***[Flashback - End]***
The sadist looked over to Yukimura, who stood beside her and rather closely too. He was very tempted to ask what happened back then but he couldn't bring himself to do it yet.
Unknown to Fuji, the beauty was looking at him from the corner of her eyes. Yukimura stared down at her then to Fuji before frowning.
"I-I'm sorry!"
The beauty was startled from the sudden apology from the seaweed haired male.
She blinked before tilting her head to the side, "For?"
Kikumaru's jaws dropped before he glared at Kirihara as if it's all his fault she didn't understand.
Yukimura gently cut in, "Fuyuki-chan, you shouldn't lay beside the opposite gender like that. It's dangerous."
". . ."
The girl was tempted to say she sneaks into Ryoma's room all the time when they are under one roof, but decided against when she noticed the intense looks she was receiving from the others. She nodded meekly before approaching Kirihara again.
"Nee, is it true you have a Devil Mode?"
It took everything in Kirihara's willpower not to faint because her face was very close to his. Her large hazel orbs looked into his plain green ones with slight curiosity.
"Y-es!" he took a step back for his own sake.
Her eyes seem to glow in excitement as she hooked her hands behind her and arched her face towards him again.
"Yuki wants to see."
There's no way he could say no to that face.
He quickly looks towards his captain for help.
"Why do you want to see Akaya's Devil Mode, Fuyuki-chan?" The young Devil sighed in relief when the Demi-God got the hint.
Fuyuki was silent for a few seconds before looking back at the captain of Rikkai Dai.
"Because it's interesting. Besides," she glanced at Kirihara, "Yuki may be able to help control his Devil Mood."
"!"
They all looked at her in surprise.
"How...?" It was Fuji that asked with slight wonder his tone.
"That's a secret~" she pressed her slim index finger against her pale pink lips.
Kikumaru blushed at the motion but shook his head, "It's dangerous, Frei-chan!" he insisted, "Seaweed head has no control when he's in his Devil Mode!"
Fuyuki was slightly touched by the concern so she patted the cat-like male's head. "It's alright, Yuki is not that delicate," she said softly.
Kikumaru flushed. Despite his desire to insist some more, he couldn't bring himself to say anything more after that.
Shiraishi was interested in knowing how she would manage the Devil. Although, his eyes still held slight worry for the beautiful girl.
Kirihara, on the other hand, was tempted. He was really tempted since he would be so much stronger if he had the Devil Mode in control. He looked over to his captain for his input.
With a slight nod from Yukimura, Kirihara was good to go.
"Alright." he agreed.
Fuyuki clasped her hands together with glee and lead them out of the room. They all slowly trailed after her. Yukimura on her left and Fuji on her right while Kirihara and Shiraishi on Yukimura's left and Kikumaru on Fuji's right.
During the walk to the court, Fuji decided to get to know the beauty better. After all, it's not often that she interacted with them. Most of the time, it seems she's outside the camp.
"What made Frei-chan interested in tennis?"
She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes before looking upfront. "Yuki's mama was a pro tennis player."
They all immediately picked up on the past tense. The two beside her also noticed how she said that as if stating a fact, not answering the question.
"Ah... My condolences." There was a pang of guilt in his tone to bring up something like that. Even Fuji looked saddened.
The beauty shook her head, "Nein, it was a long- time ago." she paused for a second before continuing. She was tempted to laugh at his crestfallen expressions but didn't deem it appropriate. "It's okay, Yuki has Ryoma."
They all seem to glance at one another at that. After that, they remained silent until the court was in sight.
"Well then, without farther a duo. Please show me." she waited for Kirihara to stand on the court.
"Um... I err- have to be angry." he scratched his cheek lightly.
Fuji, Yukimura, Shiraishi, and Kikumaru were all just outside the court lines when a couple of other players gathered around them. It seems some of them were curious when they noticed the beauty on the tennis court; it's not often she's in court. In fact, she's never been inside the court to play a match but at the moment, she held a red racket in hand.
Fuyuki hummed. "I see." she went to stand in front of Kirihara. "Follow my instructions."
The boy seemed hesitant but did as told when he noticed the change in her aura. She was serious.
"Close your eyes."
He did so.
"Remember the time you were mocked by Liliadent Crauza." She paused to allow him the time to picture it, "When he questioned your strength. When his teammate said even grade schoolers can play better than you."
The direction of the wind changed.
"When he made you bloody." she touched his temple, "the blood dripped from your head to your eyes." she slid her fingertips to the corner of his eyes. "It hurt. They provoked you. Underestimated you."
Yukimura frowned. They are only able to hear some parts of what she was saying.
"It made you angry," the beauty whisper in his ear, "So, so angry."
"...Ang-ry..." he muttered, his eyes slowly turning bloodshot.
"That's right. It made your blood boil in rage. You wanted to destroy him. Make him kneel before you. Make him beg for forgiveness."
"That... bastard." Kirihara gritted his teeth, his skin turned red.
"You want to paint him red. Make him hurt so, so..." she whispered, "...good."
Kirihara's form immediately changed completely with his hair turning white.
The wind picked up again and it seems to be wrapping around them. Fuyuki quickly jumped back when he swung his fist out.
"No way..." Kikumaru and Shiraishi were equally as shocked.
"It's the first time I've seen him in Devil Mode outside of a match." Yukimura furrowed his brows. He glanced at his junior, then the beauty. This is dangerous. Thankfully, the beauty put some distance between them just in time.
"Those bastards! I'll crush them all." he smiled maliciously.
He grabbed the racket from Fuyuki and started walking away, most likely to find 'those bastards'.
"Can you really crush them all at once?" The beauty interrupted.
Kirihara halted, "...What did you say?"
"I said, 'can you really crush them all at once?'" she repeated, "To me, it seems like you are a child throwing a tantrum over the truth."
The look in his eyes was murderous but Fuyuki continued, "You are weak. You cannot defeat them all at once with your current state of mind."
He fast-walked towards her and raised the racket above her head before bringing it down with rage in his eyes.
"FREI-CHAN!"
"!"
"STOP AKAYA!"
But before his racket could touch her, she grabbed it from his grip quicker than him and tossed it to the side effortlessly. "See? You are weak." she leaned closer to say it to his face.
"You-!" his face twisted in anger, he looked ready to hurt her.
"But I can help you get strong." her lips curved into a sadistic smile. "So strong that your beloved captain would be proud. So strong that no one will ever underestimate you again. And best of all, so strong that you can defeat Yukimura Seiichi easily." The last part was a lie, for now at least.
For a second, the Devil wandered who the real devil was. Her tone, her smile, her eyes. They all seem to be the temptation of the devil. The real devil.
"You... woman," his eyes narrowed in thought. All of a sudden, it feels like he can control his emotions better. Like he has control over his never-ending rage.
"!"
Fuyuki was startled when he grabbed her waist and pressed her to his chest roughly. "Who are you?" he stared intensely at her and grabbed her chin to get a better view of the flawless girl.
Fuyuki smiled and wrapped her hands around his neck, bringing them even closer to the point he could feel her soft breath on his cheek. But the next thing he knew, his vision turned black as he felt her fingers dig into his pressure points. "Until next time, Devil-kun."
She caught him in her arms as he slumped against her shoulder. Yukimura and Fuji rushed to take him off the beauty's shoulder.
"Are you okay, Frei-chan?" Kikumaru fussed over to checked for any injuries, Shiraishi right behind him.
The girl nodded, "Ja." she looked at Kirihara, who was being supported then met Yukimura's eyes, "It will take a while before he can control his Devil Mode but he's already halfway there." she reported. Fuyuki doesn't think the freshman needs much help getting there and she said as much.
"It almost looked like he had a split personality," Fuji said softly.
"So it seemed." Fuyuki stared at the unconscious freshman, "He should lay down."
They already had a bigger audience so Fuyuki turned and left the scene.
Meanwhile, they really wanted to ask how she was able to manipulate the Devil so easily. As if she's done it enough to perfect it.
Somewhere in the mountains, a certain coach yelled, "Men, you must crush them!" he had a fire torch in hand, "This is a revolution!"
"All right!"
"Let's do this!"
Every one of them cheered with a determination.
Just to clarify, I know Akaya doesn't have a split personality but it seems more interesting if he did. One side is a bit shy and reluctant around her while the other is forceful and sadistic. I probably have no right to do this ;-; but I want to experiment. I probably made most of the characters OOC but I can't help it, I don't know them well enough.
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Edited: Aug 21, 2020