"First strings? So what. Ryoma won't lose."
—Frei Fuyuki

The Empress | Chapter 26

Mukahi, Jiro, and Marui were surprised when their door opened and a half-dressed beauty showed up.

Fuyuki glanced at the three before pressing her back against the door.

They all blushed at the sight of her as Jiro scrambled to close the magazine and shove it under his pillow. If they thought the magazine photos were revealing, then her nightgown was sinful.

Marui was confused and nervous and his flustered cheeks wouldn't cool down, "Fr-Frei-chan?"

"Yuki is waiting for them to leave."

"Them?"

"Sanada-kun is scolding Kirihara-kun outside." When she said that, there was almost an inner glee in her hazel orbs. But that couldn't be. "Yuki doesn't want to be scolded."

Somehow Marui doubted his vice-captain can scold the beauty without being too flustered to speak based on her clothing.

"Why is Sanada-san scolding Kirihara?" Jiro asked, mostly to stop himself from staring at her exposed skin.

"Kirihara-kun threw a pillow at him."

'Another pillow fight? That explains the noise outside.' the three males thought in sync.

Taking this as a chance to get some information, the beauty walked over to the slightly red-faced middle-schoolers. "Kirihara-kun also hit Yuki." she pouted, lifting the bottom of her top to show the slight red skin. It wasn't painful but perhaps Fuyuki could get sympathy from them. "See?"

"Pffft-" Mukahi spat out the beverage he was drinking and coughed violently. The other two were far too shocked to help him out.

Seeing the extreme reaction. Fuyuki immediately covered her stomach again. "Why did he hurt Yuki?" she quickly changed the subject. They weren't Ryoma; Ryoma couldn't react like that to her pain.

"A-Ah, they were having a pillow fight?"

"Pillow fight?" Fuyuki repeated in confusion, "What is 'pillow fight'?"

The three exchanged a funny look before looking back at the beauty, "Frei-chan doesn't know what a pillow fight is?" Jiro asked.

Fuyuki frowned; she didn't like the implication of his words. So what if she didn't know what a pillow fight is? She is still smart, she knew a lot and she didn't like that they thought she was clueless.

Seeing her frown, Jiro quickly continued in case she misunderstood, "A-ah! It's no big deal! A pillow fight is just a game where we mock fight with a pillow as a weapon."

'Pillow as a weapon... Boys are strange.' Fuyuki decided. Of course, her Ryoma wasn't under the same category.

If they thought she was unusual for never having a pillow fight, thankfully, they didn't say.

Accepting that as an answer, Fuyuki stared at the snacks on the table and felt saliva gather in her mouth. Her diet was always watched and she didn't feel the need to ruin her body shape by indulging herself because she was good at avoiding food. But now that it was right in front of her, it was quite tempting.

"Would you like some?" Mukahi, who recovered, asked gently.

Fuyuki looked between the middle-schooler and the snacks before shaking her head slightly. "Nein, Yuki can't." She really wasn't allowed to have snacks this late and just before bed, "Yuki has a figure skating tournament soon."

"Figure skating tournament?" Mukahi repeated, slightly shocked.

"Frei-chan also figure skates?" Marui asked. He knew the girl was a skilled tennis player and he did see one of the headlines mention her skating. Only, to avoid suspicion, he had to act bewildered. Still, to be applying for figure skating tournaments? She seems very capable.

"Ja." was her short answer.

They wanted to see the beauty skate. Although they didn't know much how the sport, they knew from first glance, it was an elegant and beautiful sport.

"What was everyone looking at before Yuki came in?" Fuyuki certainly didn't miss the quick response from Jiro to hide something under his pillow when she walked in.

Immediately, the three returned to their flustered appearance.

"A-Ah, it wasn't a-anything-" Mukahi was horrible at lying.

"It was a sports magazine." Jiro cut in.

Fuyuki didn't quite believe them, "Hmm," she knew they were hiding something more. Still, she wasn't curious enough to continue interrogating them. She assumed they were looking at some sort of playboy magazine and didn't want her to find out. For a moment, Fuyuki wondered how they would react if she told him she has her own collection of playboy magazine—for research of course.

Not wanting to embarrass them any further, Fuyuki changed the subject, "Do you know Ryoma's room number?" she stared directly at Jiro because she felt a sadistic joy from his squirming.

Immediately, they were on alert, 'Echizen again?'. It was no secret in the camp that the beauty is only interested in one male—Echizen Ryoma. But it doesn't stop them from feeling slightly annoyed at the freshman. They don't even know what kind of relationship the two shares for the beauty to be going into a room filled with boys at this time of the night. Though it wasn't like either of them will be confessing either. And the way the girl often saught out the freshman seems unhealthy. Perhaps she had some sort of attachment issue?

Seeing the awaiting hazel orbs, Jiro blurted, "Room 201."

Nodding, the beauty stood up and thanked them before exiting their room—much to their disappointment.

Jiro regretted telling her. Perhaps if he stalled, she would have stayed longer. Also, Jiro wasn't sure if the freshman's room was 201 or 206. Hopefully, he guessed correctly.

Seeing the same disappointed look on his roommates' faces, he pulled out the magazine from under the pillow to console themselves.

Fuyuki had stopped by her room to grab her and Ryoma's Karupin stuffy and checked to ensure the girls were sleeping.

Room 201.

Seeing the correct number on the wooden door, a small yet excited smile lit up her face. Fuyuki wanted to bust into his room and hug him tightly. He can lull her to sleep. There were many nights like this where she couldn't sleep and her only cure was her childhood friend.

However, she knew he also shared a room with three others.

So instead, she wiped the smile off her face and gripped Karupin to her chest. She slowly opened the door, "Ryo-chan, Yuki brought your fa-"

Inside the room, Yukimura, Shiraishi, and Fuji Syusuke were staring at her half-dressed form.

Ahh, Yuki really doesn't want to see any other middle-schoolers tonight.

The three middle-schoolers were conversing about plants once again—after being interrupted before and knocking Kuwahara unconscious. The last thing they expected was a visitor. Still, the door opened slowly as a certain beauty appeared, "Ryo-chan, Yuki brought your fa-"

They froze in shock.

She was barely dressed and there was a white stuffed Himalayan cat in her arms, pressed against her full chest. The cat looked strangely familiar with a dark brown circle around its small face, ears, legs, and surprisingly fluffy tail. Its realistic dark blue eyes seem to be looking at them judgingly.

Fuji recognized it as Ryoma's cat that once came with the freshman to their tennis club.

"Fuyuki-chan?" Yukimura approached the still beauty.

"Ah," the girl tilted her head in confusion, "this isn't Ryoma's room." It was more of a statement than a question as she glanced around.

Fuji frowned. Why was she looking for Echizen-kun at this time wearing her nightgown?

Fuyuki didn't say anything more as she was staring at Shiraishi.

The other two raised a brow and wondered what was so interesting about Shiraishi.

At first, Shiraishi froze and felt strange under her gaze then noticed she wasn't exactly looking at him. Rather, what was behind him.

Fuyuki was looking at the flower behind Shiraishi; the pot full of red Camellias.

Seeing the interest in her eyes, Shiraishi smiled gently and approached the pot of flower. "Do you like Camellias?"

She was suddenly beside the male and being slightly taller than her, he firmly stopped himself from looking down; her attire was revealing more than he could handle.

"Yuki only likes red Camellias."

"Red Camellias?" Fuji asked, also standing beside Shiraishi.

Yukimura perked up, recalling their conversation while she was gardening. He had wanted to ask the meaning of red Camellias, "What is the meaning behind them, Fuyuki-chan?" After witnessing her tennis play, he was intrigued. He felt her tennis style was like his previous violent style.

Fuji didn't appreciate the captain's need to keep calling her by her first name though he didn't say anything.

Fuyuki faced Shiraishi as he was the one who asked about her interest, "You're a Flame in My Heart."

His heart skipped a beat as his eyes widened. Yukimura and Fuji both knew she was talking about the meaning of the flowers- she wasn't confessing to the captain. Regardless, it bothered them to hear those sweet words directed towards their roommate. Even if she might be currently hiding something from them.

"That is what it means." her hazel eyes returned to the flowers and Shiraishi's shoulders slumped, either in disappointment or relief he wasn't certain—at least that's what he told himself. "Red camellias symbolize love, passion, and deep desire." The beauty said.

Yukimura absorbed every word like a sponge. He wanted to ask her who she was thinking of as she stared intensely at it last time. Was it her basketball player boyfriend, Ryoma, or someone else entirely?

"Ryoma."

Yukimura was almost startled as he turned his focus back on her.

"Yuki was looking for Ryoma in room 201."

Yukimura smiled at her 'tenderly'.

"Echizen-kun is actually in room 206," Fuji cut in with a closed-eyed smile, "I can take you there."

Yukimura just stared at Fuji while Shiraishi thought him sly.

With a nod, Fuyuki agreed, much to Fuji's delight and the dismay of the others. Fuji had a strong feeling that if they were to spend more time together, he would be able to see what's beneath the surface of her half-smiles and cruel eyes.

Yukimura and Shiraishi exchanged a look before following them to the doorway. Room 206 was a few doors away from them so the two can watch them from their doorway.

Fuyuki didn't feel like she needed help but Fuji seems intent on it so she didn't refuse. Although she was disappointed when they arrived two doors away and there was no Ryoma when the door opened. In fact, the lights were off and the room was empty of people. Fuyuki has never been to his room before; he was the one that always came to her room. To top it off, when she asked why she wasn't allowed in his room, all he said was that it wasn't just his room.

Fuji saw her downcast expression, "Looks like Echizen-kun isn't here." he stated the obvious.

"Ja," Fuyuki closed the door softly, "Thank you for accompanying Yuki." she nodded slightly then looked behind him to see the two captains still watching. She nodded at them as well before turning back to Fuji, "Yuki is going to sleep now. Goodnight." she turned to her room, which was at the end of the long hallway. She heard a low 'Goodnight' back. And she could feel his intense gaze on her back.

In truth, Fuyuki went inside her—the freshmen girls and her—room and waited a few minutes—she knew the males had watched her enter her room—before leaving the room again. Holding her white skates in hand, she went to the basement of the camp. It was unlikely she'd be able to sleep anytime soon. Whenever this happens, she likes to focus on something else than trying to force herself to close her eyes in hopes of sleep.

The trip itself wasn't too long. Just that the whole camp was quiet and felt ominous.

As she was passing through the long hallway with a roof-to-floor glass view, she saw him.

She thought of walking past without another glance. But when her eyes landed on him, they refused to look away.

With racket in hand, he was running back and forth on the court as his blond-haired teammate returned the serves. The sweat on his skin glistened under the low lights of the courts. His red hair stuck to his forehead. He was clearly tired. Yet he was smiling.

Ah, Yuki's dear Hiraoshi Akiko... But-

Placing a hand over the glass, Fuyuki's fingers trembled slightly. She ran her fingers on the spot where his smile reflected. It almost seemed like he didn't change. Almost. After a moment of staring,

-he abandoned you as well, didn't he?

she snapped out of it. Fuyuki turned away from the scene and walked much faster than she did before. For once, there was no sound of the clicking of her heels because she had changed to running shoes.

Fuyuki reached her destination soon after. Seeing the familiar large rink in low lights, she turned the lights up slightly to medium light on the center of the ice rink. It wasn't dim nor bright. It has been a while since she used this particular rink.

Walking to the edge of the ice, she tied the skates around her legs and turned the music player placed on the side just loud enough to travel inside the rink.

The next morning, the players were buzzing with nerves and excitement as they gathered for breakfast.

"I can't wait!" Toyama nudged Ryoma, "Do you think they're strong Koshimae?"

The freshman raised an eyebrow before taking a sip of his miso soup, "Who knows."

Toyama pouted at the boring answer before looking at his other roommate, the younger Fuji brother. "What about you Nii-chan? Do you think they're strong?"

"Eh?" Fuji paused at the sudden question, his spoon halfway in his mouth, "A-Ah, they must be. Otherwise, they wouldn't be Japan's representatives." he replied with a nervous smile, his spoon placed back on his bowl.

"Right!" The hyperactive freshman's eyes glowed with happiness.

"Yuki," Ryoma noticed the beauty approaching his table with the rest of the freshmen girls with a tray in their hands—except Fuyuki, whose tray was being carried by Haru.

"Ryoma-sama!" Ryoma's fangirl rushed over to their tables. Her loud voice attracted some attention, "Good mor-"

"Osadaka-chan."

The girl paused and looked back at the beauty. Seeing the look in Fuyuki's eyes, she said the rest of her word much quieter, "-ning."

Ryoma was impressed as he looked at Fuyuki with questioning eyes.

Fuyuki had a talk in the morning with Osakada about her volume when the first thing she woke up to was the girl's loud voice hurting her half-asleep brain. The fact that she fell at the rink didn't help her sore body. That's why she prefers to be supervised; she didn't know when to stop pushing. Thankfully, the freshman heeded her warning. Or perhaps she was afraid of the butler behind her because he, too, was unused to such a loud voice first thing in the morning. And unlike Fuyuki, Haru doesn't try to hide his two-faced nature and he certainly wasn't above a firm warning.

Furthermore, it was amusing to see the girls' wide eyes when Haru picked out her outfit and helped get her changed. Especially because they changed in the washroom attached to their room.

The beauty smiled at the acknowledgment, "Ryoma." before taking the seat next to him much to the envy of Osakada. The tray was set down in front of her as the butler stood behind her seat. The others may grow uncomfortable by his hovering, but both Fuyuki and Ryoma were used to it.

The Prince noticed the beauty was wearing formal clothing. A sheer white turtleneck top with long sleeves that wrapped elegantly around her wrist and dropped to her fingertips. She wore a black tight cami underneath. Tranquil green high-waisted pencil skirt and mid-thigh stocking. She had jewelry for once; sparkling silver earrings that drop down to touch her shoulders and a charm necklace around her slim neck. Her striking jewelry distracted him for a second. She carried a black clutch shaped like a hand-fan with rhinestones decorating it. Her long hair was let loose and curled on the ends.

"Are you going to see Alexander-san?"

Fuyuki nodded, "Ja. He's expecting me."

"Alexander-san?" Ryuzaki repeated.

"Is he your boyfriend, Frei-senpai?" Osakada asked in a curious matter. She had overheard some of the middle-schoolers talking about the beauty's mysterious boyfriend yesterday during dinner.

The rest of the table perked up, except An wanted to faceplant.

Fuyuki glanced at Ryoma's fangirl and shook her head slightly, her chandelier earrings sparkling and flowing with her curled hair, "It's Yuki's papa."

Osakada looked embarrassed as she muttered a soft 'Oh'. Right. Smith did say her boyfriend was someone named Murasakibara Atsushi. Although the light in Fuyuki's eyes seemed very affectionate when 'Alexander' was mentioned.

"Onee-chan, you're not staying for the strengthening matches?!" Toyama was shocked to hear that. He looked forward to seeing her play again. She was definitely strong enough to take on the first string. She had to be.

Fuyuki thought it was strange how he called her 'Onee-chan' yet she never corrected him; she noticed he called most of the older males and fellow middle-schoolers 'Onii-chan'.

"Unfortunately, Yuki has to drop by FREI Corp." she was slightly surprised by how attached the redhead seems with the idea of her staying. It almost felt nice.

Silly Yuki.

"But Yuki looks forward to the results when she comes back." she smiled at the younger male blandly. At least she thought so.

Being on the receiving end of her angelic and expecting smile, Toyama's head spun for a second. Still, he grinned. "Yatta! I'll be taking on Oni-san again!"

Fuyuki wasn't sure what the boy was expecting from her. Did he want her to cheer him on?

"Gumbatte." was all she managed before staring at her tray. There was only a smoothie, yet that's to be expected.

"Eh? Is that all you're having Frei-chan?" An questioned. That couldn't be enough for a growing girl. Japan breakfast was known for its variety of options.

"Ojou-sama needs to consume low-fat low-carb low-categories breakfast. She has a skating tournament soon." Haru replied instead.

"Frei-chan skates?" Fuji questioned in surprise. When he looked her over, he secretly thought it suited the beauty.

Before Fuyuki could say anything, Haru's eyes glowed as if he was just waiting for a question like that. "Ojou-sama has won numerous tournaments and even represented Japan last year in the Olympics."

Fuyuki felt second-hand embarrassment by the way the older male was acting in front of middle-schoolers. She, herself, knew she was no good at it. Her performance last year was no-where near perfect. It was to the point Fuyuki believed she won due to reasons other than her skills. But she was too afraid to ask.

And after last year's lacking permanence, she wasn't sure why she's participating this year.

To perfect it of course.

"Frei-chan also represented Germany before in Olympics." An added and Fuyuki felt ill. That victory didn't feel right either.

Haru looked at the female middle-schooler with a look of approval. Clearly, he liked it when others admired his Ojou-sama. However, only if they had no romantic interest in the beauty.

Osakada looked at her best friend in pity; how can Sakuno-chan win now? The fangirl was counting on Fuyuki's boyfriend to be as cool as her—mostly Ryuzaki's—Ryoma-sama then maybe the beauty couldn't compete for the freshman.

Seeing the look of clear pity, Ryuzaki blushed in embarrassment. 'Tomo-chan really needs to stop doing that!'

Fuyuki wanted to invite her childhood friend to watch her tournament in-person but she didn't want to say it in front of everyone—she feared that they may want to tag along. With an inward sigh, she decided that she would ask him when they're alone.

Noticing the time, the butler grabbed the beauty's tray—she'll have the smoothie to-go. "Ojou-sama, it's time to go."

"Ja," she stood up and walked to Ryoma's side, "Good luck Ryo-chan." she tilted her head down and turned to peck his cheek, closer to the left corner of his lips.

"!"

Most of the middle-schoolers were not surprised, though not please either at the action. Meanwhile, the three girls' cheeks flushed at Fuyuki's bold move.

"W-What?!" Osakada exclaimed, pointing at the pair.

"Mada mada dane." The prince lowered his cap; everyone sitting at the table was staring at them.

Fuyuki held back a smirk. She wanted to tease the girl however decided against it—she needed to go now or she'll be late and Haru didn't look pleased with her peck on the cheek.

So with a polite nod to her tablemates, Fuyuki left with the butler trailing behind her.

"...After 1 month, we're back to the U-17 Japanese Selection Camp."

"I wonder if those 2nd stringers got any better?"

"It would be careless of us, who train so seriously every single day, to have the carpet pulled from under us."

"I hope you're right."

"It seems we're not going to be greeted."

"Later, I'm going to have to have a talk with the coaches about this."

"Aren't those 2nd stringers all just running in fear?"

Once Fuyuki entered the limo a few miles away from the gates, she noticed the large bus parked a few miles outside.

"...I'm gonna go on ahead." Koyo Akiba, a third-year high-schooler and U-17 Japan Representative no. 20 said as he walked towards the camp.

"Shell we investigate," Mutsu Yuuho, third-year high-schooler, no. 16

"I can hear the sound of shots from over here" Mutsu Yuuma, twin of Yuuho third-year high-schooler, no. 15.

"Hey, I can hear sounds from way over there too." Kaji Kazena, third-year middle-schooler, no. 5.

"Oh, I see... They'll be greeting each of us at the courts it looks like." Buke Watanable, third-year high-schooler, no. 3.

"Everyone from no. 10 through no. 20, go have as much fun as you want. When you finish your fun, gather up at court 16!" Byodoin Hoo, third-year high-schooler, no. 1.

"Yes sir!"

Fuyuki watched from her seat inside as they all passed her limo. They all gave questioning look at the limo but didn't linger.

She could tell the remaining first strings inside the bus were looking at her. Especially that person. At least they tried to. The windows were tinted so they couldn't see inside.

Ryo-chan probably doesn't even remember him.

"Haru."

The butler didn't need to be told twice as he drove past the parked bus.

"Welcome back, Akiba-kun." Kanata greeted.

"Just you... Irie." Koyo responded.

"I will now announce the players selected for strengthening."

Almost 4k words again (●'ω｀●)

I hope you liked the chapter! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ

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Edited: Oct 16, 2020