DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN KAICHOU WA MAID SAME OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS NO MATTER HOW MUCH I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO. I ONLY OWN THE PLOTLINE AND THE CHARACTERS I'VE INTRODUCED IN THIS FIC.
Miyabigaoka Sports Festival, like every other event Miyabigaoka hosted, was unlike any other. Not only was it a whole three day ordeal, it took place four times an year for all separate years in the University because of which the Student Representatives for all years were different.
Tora Igarashi had been organizing sports and cultural events for Miyabigaoka since his first year in highschool and he was so good at it that he could have pursued event management and aced it. Only, Tora's interest lay in showcasing to the World his immense influence and wealth and to make to every opposing party clear just how dangerous and fatal it was to cross paths with him.
Since the time Tora had been old enough to play with them, he had loathed sharing his favorite toys. And so, as he stood next to Misaki watching his fiancee make polite conversation with Tomoe Nakamura, the urge to strangle the bigger man was making his fingers twitch.
Misaki, who'd been proof to Tora's well concealed demon aura for the past few minutes decided it was better to seek answers from the candy boy "Who's that?" She quietly asked, gesturing toward Nakamura.
"Who?" Hinata looked up, noticed who she was talking about and went back to chewing his bread crumbs "Oh that? That's Tomoe Nakamura"
"The Golf prodigy?"
"That's him" Hinata nodded.
"But why is Igarashi-san looking ready to murder him?"
Shintani Hinata looked up yet again, marvelled at how Misaki had managed to look past Tora's facade of polite nonchalance and decided it was no harm to confide into Misaki about his bestfriend's competition "He fancies Chiyo-san"
Joining the dots, Misaki nodded her understanding as she turned to look at the said duo again. In her opinion, they didn't look half as good together as Chiyo and Tora did when they stood next to each other and so it was almost a pity they hadn't ended up on the same team.
Then again, so was the fact that after almost two months of training for the three-legged race with Takumi, they hadn't ended up on the same team either.
Misaki knew that making of the twenty teams with ten members each had been strictly impartial and had been done using lots but she couldn't shake off the feeling that all of this had been planned in advance. Her gaze stray toward Tora who was giving out instructions on the phone but she quickly shook her head. The way Tora had looked at Nakamura with murder in his eyes would never have let him put Chiyo on the other team.
Misaki was right on one account. Tora had only chosen to put Misaki and Takumi, Sakura and Kuuga, Shizuko and Kanou and for the sake of fairness Chiyo and himself in separate teams. Never in his wildest dreams had he anticipated that Tomoe Nakamura would end up on the same team as Chiyo. If he had known or even belatedly guessed such an outcome, he would have completely divided all twenty teams and tossed Nakamura in one of the remaining eighteen teams.
"Don't worry so much, Tora" Kuuga consoled, putting his arm around his friend as he watched, Masaru Goda flirt shamelessly with Sakura, through narrowed eyes "Or you'll get permanent creases in your forehead"
"Who's worried?" Tora shot back, grinning to cover up "I can't wait to beat Takumi"
"Takumi or Tomoe?"
"Whoever comes in my way first"
"Tora is all fueled up and ready" Kuuga joked, patting Tora's back. Turning to the others, he asked "What about you guys?"
"Fueled up and ready as well. Aren't we, Misaki?" Ryusuke asked, putting an arm around her shoulder in an imitation of what Kuuga had just done.
"I suppose so" She smiled back, surreptitiously avoiding Takumi's gaze as she had been ever since the day at the library.
Misaki had been feeling she had committed treason by pledging loyalty to Ryusuke. So much so that even looking at Takumi made her feel as if she had betrayed him.
She betrayed him? What on Earth? She wasn't betrothed to Takumi that she would do his bidding. She was single. She was happy and she would flirt with whomever she wanted and go around with whoever she pleased.
With that in mind, she slid out of Ryusuke's hold and promptly turned to her other team members, introducing herself and befriending them all the while feeling as if Takumi was staring at her.
Again, Misaki was right on one account. Takumi was looking at her but he wasn't merely staring, he had been glaring at her turned head, furious at her flirty self that had resurfaced with renewed force, furious at Ryusuke for being overly friendly with Misaki and furious with himself because the sight of Misaki in those snug gym shorts was doing much more violent damage to his body than he thought was possible. He was furious because he thought the battle of wills between Misaki and him had ended the day she had acknowledged his presence and in the span of few seconds reconciled with him. But as he watched her go out of her way to do everything she could to avoid him, he almost stomped his feet in annoyance.
Pulling his hair off his face and into a ponytail and tying a bandana around his forehead, Takumi made up his mind with new found determination. They were behaving like kids. Arguing pointlessly and then being too willful to admit to their mistakes until circumstances brought them together. That, Takumi decided firmly, had to change. If Misaki still wanted to play games with him after driving him crazy as she had been ever since she first entered his life, he was going to drive her nuts the very same way.
And he wasn't going to rest. Not until he had pursued her.
"Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen" Kanade Maki's voice boomed through the speakers that were placed everywhere they could have managed to fit one "and welcome to Miyabigaoka University's 83rd Sports Festival"
Misaki had always thought that the rich and the elite socialites behaved with dignity and sophistication and that nothing could make them break character but she was wrong. As the cheers erupted and the whole stadium shook with the thunderous applause, Misaki put her arms around her stomach and grinned as the scene reminded her of her school days.
"Please line up with your groups as we hand out the team numbers. For confirmation sake, I'll be reading out the members of the twenty teams present here before going over rules and regulations"
Slowly and one by one, Maki clearly read out the names of the students who were in one team, issued the team a number and requested them to choose a team leader. It was after nine teams had been listed, did the students finally hear names they had been waiting for.
"Number 10" Maki's clear voice rang around the quiet stadium "Tora Igarashi, Kuuga Sakurai, Hinata Shintani, Misaki Ayuzawa, Ryusuke Tatsuya, Shizuko Kaga, Ichitarou Tomekouji, Li Yi Hua, Aoi Hyoudou and Honoka Kuro" A moment's pause "Team Leader of team number 10, please raise your hand"
Tora slowly rose his hand for Maki to acknowledge and the stadium that had been silent ever since Maki first started listing out names broke their quiet by applauding and cheering for their Student Council President.
"Show off" Kuuga snickered as the noise slowly died down and he put an arm around his team leader's neck.
The naming went on and then eight teams later:
"Number 18; Takumi Walker, Kanou Soutarou, Chiyo Sakurai, Sakura Hanazono, Tomoe Nakamura, Kaon Umekouji, Tomu Umekouji, Tenryuu Arayashima, Hirofumi Koganei and Masaru Goda" A moment later, Maki requested again "Team Leader of team number 18, please raise your hand"
The entire stadium waited with bated breaths for Takumi to raise his hand but two things happened at once. Kanou clasped a hand on Chiyo's shoulder, as if to reassure her, and Takumi placed his hand below Chiyo's elbow and rose it.
That clear indication of a challenge from Team 18 to Team 10 made all hell break loose as another cheer erupted, this one louder and wilder than the previous one.
"I request everyone to remain calm" Maki spoke but he, too, was trying to hide a smile.
Once finished with the announcement of the teams, the light dimmed and a projector was switched on "Please direct your attention to the screen here. Given on the screen are sixteen different sports which will be played. For the individual category, we have the following sports: The Marathon, The Triathlon, Tennis, Badminton, Swimming, Golf, Chess, Discus, Shotput and Javelin. Tomorrow, is the group category for which the teams will be jumbled; I'll get to that in a minute. The group category includes - The Relay Race, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Softball, Sailing and Miyabigaoka's compulsory - the three legged race followed by the customary 'Banner Capture' in the afternoon. The day after tomorrow as tradition, is confidential for which the teams or the points you've acquired are disregarded. There will be only two teams consisting of all the 98 ladies and 102 gentlemen first years, on opposite sides with a common goal. The prize of winning the contest on the third day is" Drawing in a large breath while he waited for the suspense to overcome the stadium, Maki quietly spoke in the microphone a heartbeat later "getting to choose the theme of the Halloween Ball"
Cheers erupted, maddening with every passing second before Sakura pulled Chiyo aside and asked "What's the big deal about getting to choose the theme of the Halloween Ball?"
"It's more about an ego boost than getting to choose a theme" Chiyo quietly started explaining "You see, almost everyone around here is an heir or heiress to their family business. Those that do not wish to acquire the family business are striving to become entrepreneurs. Most of them are rich elites in their own right, meaning, they have rivals too. Winning what only looks like a mere contest is a boost to their inflated egos and a way to dismiss their rivals. The theme of the Halloween Ball doesn't matter much in this case"
"Every person can only be allowed to participate in any three events and only one member of each team can participate in an event, that is, except the Banner Capture which requires participation of all ten team members from those ten teams which acquire most points by tomorrow afternoon" Maki continued "Now, do not indulge in foul play of any sort..."
Turning to his team, Tora took charge as he had been taught to since his elementary school days "We'll decide who participates in which sport, right now. I know Kanou will participate in Discus, Chess and Basketball. Chiyo - san will compete in Javelin, Relay, Softball or Tennis. Takumi is jack of all trades, no" He corrected himself "master of all trades, he'll be good at every sport he decides to take part in so we'll need to get a lead before that happens"
Misaki shrugged "Then we simply need to make sure he only plays for the group category. From what I understand, the only way to earn maximum points in the group category is based on how well you perform individually, that means, the number of baskets or goals you manage to score, right?" When Tora nodded in the affirmative, she continued "That means if we acquire enough points in the individual category and either of you boys manage to get on the same team as him for a team sport all you need to do is make sure you lose!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, the ravenette mentally kicked herself. She was asking them to cheat! In the name of sportsmen spirit, she was asking the impossible!
Immediately opening her mouth to counter her previous statement, she started to speak but Tora cut in "They would probably come to the same conclusion which is why we need to think of an alternative" Smiling apologetically at Misaki, he turned to the others "Let's start by dividing how many of us will participate in the group category"
Chiyo's team as Tora had rightly predicted had indeed come to the same conclusion "You" Chiyo was telling Takumi "need to win by a large margin in the sports you'll be participating in. Javelin and Relay is my responsibility. Chess and Discus is Kanou's area of expertise. Sakura is taking up Badminton and Softball, Tomoe - san is going for Golf and Volleyball which means Sailing, Football or Basketball and the Triathlon are on you"
"What about Tennis?" Kaon Umekouji questioned, clutching Edward tighter to herself "You do know that's President's area of expertise"
"I'll challenge him for Tennis" Chiyo said, making up her mind a moment later "Umekouji - san" She spoke, referring to Kaon's elder brother "Arayashima - san, Goda - san and Koganei - san will do the relay race instead. Because Arayashima - san was the football team's goalkeeper in highschool, he can participate in football. Which leaves Basketball for Takumi. What's left?"
"Shotput, Marathon, three-legged race, swimming" Tomu counted off his fingers "Yep. Those four"
"Do we have any takers?" Chiyo joked.
"I think I should take up chess instead. Seeing as to how I'm a National level player" Koganei snickered, pushing his spectacles further up his nose
"That invites a change of plans. I think then-"
Interrupting Chiyo by raising a palm, Takumi finally spoke "Kanou is better at Sailing than I am so he can take up Sailing. Koganei can take chess and I'll take shotput"
"And we" Tomu put an arm around his twin sister "will win the three legged race for you"
"Which leaves the marathon for me" Goda sighed.
Nodding toward her team, now that the discussion was over, Chiyo beckoned Takumi and Kanou to come closer as she casually gazed at the only team capable of giving them a tough fight "Who do you think you'll be up against?"
"For starters, I know for a fact that Tora will go for tennis. He could've been an Olympic level player if he had pursued that field. Plus" The quietest bunny of the popular boy squad summarized "its because his ego will drive him to it and refuse to let him do otherwise, he'll take Golf up as well"
"Even though he has zero chance of winning against Nakamura. Kuuga might go for the triathlon, he's good at swimming" Takumi pointed out.
"But terrible at cycling" Chiyo shook her head "More chances of Ryusuke going for it. He's a superb swimmer and a national champion at cycling"
"But a lousy runner. I'd have loved some competition" But Takumi didn't mean it. He was going to thoroughly enjoy beating Ryusuke.
"Oh you're going to get one" Sakura interjected, shamelessly eavesdropping "Misaki is going for the triathlon" When three pairs of eyes turned to regard her in amazement, she elaborated "Misaki isn't merely a superb swimmer or a great cyclist. She's a terrific swimmer, a spectacular cyclist and a gifted runner" Sakura's words brought a smile on Takumi's lips and made him look forward to it even more as his gaze stray past Kuuga and toward the ravenette who was talking to him.
"Isn't it unfair that they let athletes and sports champions participate in a Sports Festival?"
"Not really" Kuuga shrugged "A few years back someone brought the same matter up with the committee and so they banned all the students who've had any previous athletic achievement to their name from participating and the number of students left were a mere 18 in number" When Misaki gaped at him, the popstar further clarified "At Miyabigaoka, excelling at atleast one sport is mandatory which is why a lot of students went quite further in sports than what they planned for. Even if we didn't want to, our parents and the school wanted us to. It's not all that bad" He vacillated "We might look like a bunch of maniacs but it keeps the competition strong"
Nodding her understanding, Misaki smiled at him but Kuuga's line of vision had strayed before it came to rest on her face again "What about Hanazono-san? What do you think she'll be participating in?"
Misaki took one look at Kuuga's sheepish expression and her smile widened "Softball for sure. Despite her petite figure she has very strong arms"
"She certainly doesn't look like it"
"I can set you up for a hand wrestling match with her for you to experience it first hand. The only reason she's lost to me is because she's scared of unleashing my demon aura" Misaki laughed.
"Demon aura? You have a demon aura?"
"Quite so" The ravenette revealed "As you know, Seika recently turned co-ed which meant the guys didn't know how to properly treat girls. After I became Student Council President I took it upon myself to set them straight and so they started calling me the Demon President"
Kuuga's face broke out into a grin "That's interesting. Think you can unleash your demonic self to help our team win?"
Amber eyes twinkled and her full lips formed a single word "Absolutely"
In less than two hours, Kuuga found out exactly why Misaki Ayuzawa had been called the Demon President.
She finished the half marathon ten minutes faster than everyone else who had participated but she looked as if she was merely catching her breath when she had crossed the finish line. In his ecstatic state of mind and absolute excitement at having gotten a suitable lead, Tora had broken character and slapped Misaki on the back his face, positively gleeful.
Chiyo's team that that finished third knew that this was only the start and that the next sport would gain them a tremendous lead and leave Team 10 in the dust.
As Tomoe Nakamura placed his golf ball on the tee at the tee box, Chiyo handed him his club and slyly traced a fingertip up his arm as she coyly asked "Can I expect any hole-in-ones today?"
Misaki's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as she stopped herself from choking on her drink at the last second. Chiyo, Sakurai Chiyo, one of the most modest, smart, endearing and reserved women Misaki had ever met in her life was shamelessly flirting with the guy she knew was in love with her, well aware that her actions were being displayed on the big screens all around that had been put up so spectators could simultaneously watch all the events taking place, right infront of her fiance who had ended up on the same fourball as them coincidentally (or as Misaki was guessing correctly, courtesy Maki).
Misaki wasn't the only shocked spectator. Sakura, who was on the same team as both Chiyo and Tomoe was equally surprised. She turned to the only member of her team who wasn't busy preparing for their turn or were busy participating/accompanying those who were "Did you see that?" She shrieked.
Smirking to himself, Takumi nodded. Not only had he witnessed what Chiyo had done, he was proud that she had done so well after heeding his advice.
"No no no! I can't do that!" Shaking her head vigorously, Chiyo backed away a step "You're asking the impossible!"
"Am I?" Takumi asked quietly, watching her with amused eyes below raised eyebrows "This is the one time where you can defeat Tora while infuriating him so much that he'll be unable to perform. You can't give it up, Chiyo. Not this chance"
Sighing defeatedly, she rose imploring turquoise eyes to him "What do I do?"
As Tora's caddie handed him his club, Chiyo's intentions were beginning to become crystal clear to the Igarashi heir as he put on his glove. Tomoe Nakamura had fallen straight at her feet and in his madness to impress the Lady who had stolen his heart, he had hit his ball on the green at the first swing of his driver. He knew Chiyo had purposely volunteered to be Tomoe's caddie so she could be his driving force to victory. That was a very dirty move on his fiancee's part and he was going to make sure he didn't let it get to him.
Plopping down next to Misaki, Kuuga looked around the empty tent that was allotted to Team Number 10 and asked "Where's Ryusuke?"
"Swimming" Misaki replied without looking up at him, her eyes fixed on the screen that was right outside their open tent. The screen was displaying Tora taking a practice swing before he hit the golf ball on his tee.
Following her gaze, Kuuga turned to the screen as well picking up a bottle of lemonade as he did so. After taking a sip, he spoke "I saw what Chiyo did, on my way here. Gotta admit, had to pinch myself to make sure it was real"
Nodding, Misaki finally turned to him "She played her cards well. Half the University knows that Nakamura is crazy for her, even though I came to know, like, this morning I realized everyone else is pretty aware of it. The commentator hinted on it more than twice now"
"And half the University also knows" Kuuga added "that she's crazy for Tora"
"What about Tora-san? Who is he crazy for?"
"His position. The only driving force in Tora's life is his position as the heir to the Igarashi Empire. If he ever would have wanted to create genuine feelings for my cousin, he simply never got the chance to"
"Then what Chiyo did is a little spiteful, don't you think? Especially because he's her fiance and he was right there"
"Hardly!" Kuuga laughed "Only reason Chiyo and my soon-to-be cousin brother-in-law are strangers in their own engagement is because Tora has time for everything and everyone but her"
"Then he kind of deserved that even though I'm a little surprised at Chiyo" Misaki concluded.
"If you thought that was a low blow, wait till you see all that is bound to happen"
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is" Kuuga smiled devilishly "We are masters of foul play and no one loves foul play more than the rich"
"For real?!"
"Yep. Bribing, seducing, scheming, cheating, shortcuts are very normal here. Ofcourse, we only practice them in a limit" Winking good naturedly at her, he leaned back on the blanket.
"No way" Misaki breathed "You're all a lot worse than I thought"
"The conditions in which we are required to participate aren't the fairest, are they?"
"On your mark, get set..."
Arching her back straighter with her fingertips grazing the cement, Misaki straightened in her position, aching to get the triathlon over with. Badminton had been an easy win for Li Ye who came first, Tennis; Tora had come first as well when he vented out all his pent up frustration against Chiyo by defeating her in finals. Shotput, Discus and Swimming had given them runner ups and the chess finals between Koganei and Kanou was still underway. The only way they could get on par with Team 18 or possibly get a lead was by winning the triathlon.
"Go!" As soon as the referee whistled, Misaki's face hit the water and she swam with the agility of a Dolphin, striving to come first.
The only person on par with her was Takumi who was swimming even faster, itching to defeat Misaki.
By the time he was finishing his 14th lap, Misaki had considerably slowed down but was still faster than others but almost a lap behind him. Hauling himself out of the pool using both arms, Takumi ran toward the shoerack after tossing his goggles and cap aside which made the crowd go wild. He had finished putting his shoes on when he saw Misaki pulling herself up on the edge of the pool and so he turned and ran toward the bicycle stand.
Misaki who had also noticed Takumi as she was pulling herself out of the pool almost slipped and fell back into the water. She had been so busy trying to leave everyone behind that she didn't notice when Takumi had surpassed her. Discarding her cap and goggles, Misaki put on her shoes whilst running toward the bicycle stand. Roughly tucking her helmet in the crook of her elbow, she started to peddle with her helmet dangling on her arm as she started to gain speed.
Once in full control Misaki put on her helmet, securing it in its place, peddling like a mad woman gaining on Takumi from behind.
The track was seven kilometers long, build around the entire length of Miyabigaoka University and so Takumi knew there weren't any cameras for the next four kilometers as he heard Misaki coming up behind him. Deliberately slowing down so that Misaki would catch up to him, Takumi started peddling leisurely.
Once Misaki reached him, Takumi opened his mouth to greet her but she clearly didn't share his intentions. Misaki sped past him with no intention to relax making the blond gentleman chuckle and increase his speed till they were cycling side by side "Hi" Takumi spoke first, failing to maintain a serious facade.
When the ravenette didn't reciprocate and instead tried to cut in his path, Takumi realized she would not talk to him during the duration of the triathlon. Deciding that if she was annoyed or irritated she would acknowledge him better, he gained speed and surpassed her. Once he was cycling directly in front of her he deliberately cut her path and prevented her from overtaking by cycling in a zig-zag manner.
Her annoyance indeed getting the better of her, Misaki finally snapped "Damn you!" She huffed "Either cycle properly if you're in front of me or cycle like a clown on a tricycle behind me! Don't do both!" She panted, drawing in large gulps of air.
"How rude, Princess" Takumi fake whined, now cycling beside her "I'm being so considerate toward you and this is how you repay me?"
"You? Considerate?" Misaki scoffed, thoroughly irritated "Give me a break! The only person you are considerate about is yourself!"
Takumi looked so genuinely stung as they cycled side by side together that Misaki thought that she had indeed been too harsh as rationality came back to her "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly"
"As I rightly concluded in my head" He replied, dryly.
It occurred to Misaki then that even though both of them had a considerable lead in the triathlon, both of them had reduced to cycling at a comfortable speed as if they were in a park and not in the middle of a triathlon. Instead of speeding up and leaving Takumi in the dust as she normally would've under normal circumstances, Misaki started to laugh "Has it occurred to you?" She chuckled, turning to Takumi "That we're cycling as if we're in a garden, out here to collect flowers?"
It was because her laugh was contagious that Takumi found himself smiling too "If I get to put flowers in your fragrant hair, I don't mind collecting them with you"
"Fragrant hair?" Misaki repeated, incredulous but still laughing "How do you know my hair is fragrant and not well, uh, reeking with sweat?"
"That's because" Showing off all his pearly whites, Takumi laughed huskily "We've been close plenty of times for me to be able to sniff you at my convenience, Cupcake"
"Why you-"Jutting out a leg with the intention to kick Takumi, who siddled out of the way, Misaki went dangerously to the edge of the road and had to place a foot on the ground to regain balance but it wasn't enough. She would have tipped over if Takumi hadn't reached out and grabbed the handle of her bicycle to steady her.
"Easy, Cupcake. One second late and I would have to carry you onto the track in my arms" Even as he said it, Takumi instantly started fantasizing the idea and how he should've probably thought of that before.
Angrily glaring at him but well aware that it was her fault, Misaki refrained from saying anything as she gritted her teeth in frustration. A moment later, Takumi's awed tone made her head snap toward him "When you're angry, your eyes turn the color of a dampened Sun"
An incredulous laugh escaped her lips "The color of a dampened Sun? This is the first time I've heard such a compliment. I thought you of all people could do better than that"
"Fetching for praise in your honour?" He teased.
"Certainly" She shot back, smilingly.
"Well" Pretending to be deep in thought, he waited till they had rounded a corner before he spoke "You have lush lips, the color of litchi" That made her burst out laughing "And your porcelain skin reminds me of the clouds"
"Care to explain how?" Chuckling, Misaki asked.
"It looks fluffy and soft, like a cloud"
"Have you ever touched a cloud?"
"Obviously not"
"How do you think a cloud feels like?"
"Certainly not as soft as your skin feels beneath mine"
Half expecting Misaki to retaliate with sarcasm or a punch, Takumi braced for the impact but it never came. Instead, Misaki grabbed the handle of his bicycle till they were right next to each other, leaned all the way up to Takumi's face, smiled into his eyes and spoke softly "You need to be careful, Mr. Walker. I could be a thundercloud and a lightning strike to your heart could be fatal"
Stunned into silence, Takumi watched Misaki wink at him before letting go and picking up speed, taking advantage of the situation.
Takumi saw her getting away and his mind registered it but he didn't pick up his speed. Very slowly, a smirk spread across his lips as he gazed at her retreating back. There was no denying it. Misaki Ayuzawa was an enchantress. Together they were a chemical reaction meant to combust. Takumi remembered his very first encounter with said heartbreaker as he picked up speed to catch up with her.
"Well then , Sugar. Wanna be the one adding frosting on the cupcake?"
Gods, he liked her a little too much.
Internally bursting with joy as Misaki started running on the track to finish the triathlon, Misaki heard the commentator announce-
"In first place we have, Misaki Ayuzawa of Team 10"
Hearing her team holler from the spectator box, she rose a hand to acknowledge them as she picked up speed and started sprinting faster.
As she neared the 500-metre line, she heard the commentator announce "Entering the track field now is Takumi Walker of Team 18"
Another cheer erupted but neither did Misaki hear it nor did she acknowledge it. With her ears ringing and her leg throbbing with the pain that was surfacing ever since she twisted her ankle while getting off the bicycle was making black spots dance at the back of her eyes but still she kept running. Knowing that she only had a 500-metre lead, she was determined to keep it.
At the last kilometer, however, Takumi caught up with her "You wound my heart, Princess" He teased "I thought we were going flower picking"
When Misaki didn't answer, Takumi noticed her slouching posture and her limping form finally registered on him. Eyes shifting downwards, his gaze fixated on her ankle which was turning an ugly shade of blue. Emerald eyes shot up to the ravenette's beautiful face with her dazed gaze, wobbly eyelids and the real truth of the pain she must be enduring came to light.
Wrapping his palm around her elbow, he slowed her down to a stop "You need to stop running, Misaki"
The only two words that registered on her were 'Stop running' and that made her push his arm away "No!" Breaking into a run that increased her pain tenfold, Misaki half limped and half dragged herself toward the finish line.
With his heart wrenching in his ribcage, Takumi watched her and so did the rest of the crowd. Takumi quickly scanned the faces in the crowd and when he saw Chiyo, she nodded. What happened next, no one had expected.
Reaching Misaki, Takumi put her arm around his shoulder and made her place her injured foot on top of his "Run with me, Princess" Putting an arm around her waist, he steadied her.
Through the daze of blinding pain, Misaki didn't understand what was happening but what she did feel was the lessening of the pain she felt in her leg and so she went along with it.
Slowly and slowly, the crowd that had been watching in stunned silence started clapping and cheering for this tremendous display of sportsmanship and the clapping didn't cease until Takumi crossed the finish line with Misaki.
The raven haired beauty was half passed out in Takumi's embrace and just as Takumi decided Misaki needed medical attention immediately, Ryusuke materialized by her side, already lifting her up and in his embrace.
For a moment, Takumi contemplated punching Ryusuke but then he saw Misaki clutch Ryusuke's teeshirt in an obvious display of comfort seeking and he dropped the idea, turned around, shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his shorts in his usual bored manner and walked away.
Squinting before her eyes opened, Misaki stretched on the bed registering that she was in the infirmary before she turned to her side and noticed Chiyo sitting by the bed.
"Hi" The turquoise eyed girl asked softly "How are you feeling?"
"Like I'm in Heaven after going through Hell"
Laughing at her summation, Chiyo nodded "You've been in hell, alright. The nurse was furious that you ran three kilometers with that ankle. She said and I quote 'You got her here just in time and the gentlemen who helped her obviously knew her injury could prove to be more fatal if she continued running like that. Could've resulted in a ligament tear' " Chiyo finished gravely "It's a miracle you ran with such a badly injured ankle and now you're the University's heroine for your sporting display of tremendous bravery"
Misaki heard her but her mind was on other things. Memories of laughing in the middle of cycling, blinding pain she had endured on the track, of her hand around someone's neck, her foot on top of someone else's feet and finishing the race together hit her with the force of a convoy of trucks.
Takumi. It had been Takumi.
"How bad is it?" She asked Chiyo, dying to get out of bed and see Takumi.
"The swelling's reduced considerably but you cannot participate in the rest of the events"
"What? Why?"
Raising an eyebrow, Chiyo waited for Misaki to acknowledge the reason herself "It's not that bad, I'm sure" Moving her right leg side to side and up and down, Misaki grinned at Chiyo "I don't feel any pain!"
"It was your left leg, Misaki"
Leaning back against the pillows, Misaki sighed "What time is it?" She questioned, gazing out the windows at the orange scenery.
"Half past five"
"Where's Takumi?"
"Haven't seen him since the triathlon ended"
Raising confused amber orbs to turquoise ones, Misaki asked "Who carried me here then?"
"Ryusuke did"
"And Takumi let him?"
The question was out before she had a chance to stop herself and she mentally slapped herself as Chiyo rose an amused brow at her before sobering up and replying "Clearly he did"
Satisfied that Chiyo won't think anything of her next statement, Misaki quietly requested "If he's still on campus, could you ask him to drop by my place later and see me for a while? I need to talk to him"
Chiyo nodded and got up "I'll take you home after I finish talking to the Nurse, okay?" She smiled after Misaki nodded and eased onto the pillows then quietly left, the door softly shutting behind her.
For a while, Misaki just lay there, staring at the ceiling. She had shamelessly sought comfort and it hadn't even been the right person. She hadn't realized who it was that had lifted her and her brain had automatically concluded that it had been Takumi.
Placing an elbow over her eyes, Misaki pressed her lips together. God forbid, she was sorry that it hadn't been Takumi.
Unable to cope with the embarrassment that came with thinking that, her mind shifted to other things. Things like how nice it had felt to be at ease with Takumi when they had cycled together, how protected and safe she had felt when he had put his arm around her and guided her to the finish line and just how much she already liked him.
He had been there for her from the very start. The first time they had gotten punished together, he had stayed back to help her clear the ground even though he probably didn't need to. After pouring an entire soda can on him in front of his friends, he had helped her out by renting out his other penthouse to her. The time she had lost her housecard, he had let her stay over, cooked for her and even let her sleep in his bed. Then, ofcourse, was the night he had gallantly stepped in and punched Asahi Takamiya then taken her home and comforted her.
And she, for the lack of a better word, had acted like a complete bitch toward him.
Exhaling, she grit her teeth knowing it was high time she stopped playing games with Takumi. This was the only way Takumi and her could remain friends in the future.
What she had said to Ryusuke came back to her and she actually felt guilty for lyng to Ryusuke for the first time since she had done it. She didn't feel sorry because she had lied to Ryusuke, she felt sorry 'cause she had made Takumi the culprit by not taking his side when Ryusuke accused him. She was turning into a more and more horrible person as time passed.
With a jolt, Misaki realized she was feeling foreign in her own body. She was acting like a lovestruck fool torn between her mixed feelings for two men. She had broken hearts of men in a heartbeat without a single feeling of remorse but now she was making a cake out of herself.
Sighing, she shook her head. She owed Takumi too much and no matter how Takumi behaved in the future, she'd be courteous till the very end.
Opening her eyes and sitting up, Misaki decided to drive herself home, purchase flowers on the way and then apologize for the trouble caused as well as thank him for all that he had done for her.
Swinging her legs off the bed, Misaki started to reach for her shoes when the door opened making her look up. She had been expecting Chiyo to walk in and insist on driving her home but it was Ryusuke who peeked inside "Oh good! You're awake now. How are you feeling?"
"Much better. Thank you for your help"
"It was nothing" He waved it off, entering the room and leaning on the door after closing it "You can't participate in the events tomorrow"
"Yes I can" Moving her right leg side to side in a demonstration, Misaki happily exclaimed "See? No pain at all!"
"It was your left leg, Misaki"
"How does everyone know?" Whining, she impatiently moved her hands about.
"Because everyone is worried about you thanks to that stupid stunt you pulled by continuing to run even after you were hurt"
"Did we lose?"
"You seriously can't be worried about that of all things?"
"I am. Now, did we lose?"
Sighing, Ryusuke shook his head "We're in second place. Koganei lost to Kanou in the finals for chess and even though you finished the triathlon, it was because of Takumi's help and so we got only half the points we should've gotten for coming first. Still, we're only second"
"Second to who?"
"Team 18"
"As expected"
Nodding in agreement, Ryusuke pushed himself off the door and came closer to her "Chiyo-san said she'll drive you home. Take adequate rest and don't show up tomorrow"
"You know you're asking the impossible"
"Thought so" Flicking her nose, he crouched and placed his palms on his knees coming to eye level with her "Take care, okay?" Caressing her cheek with his bent forefinger, Ryusuke silently implored her to listen to him. Satisfied when she nodded, he straightened and walked toward the door and paused before he opened it "I'll tell everyone to call you at home instead of pestering you now and driving the Nurse insane. Hopefully I'll see you in a wheelchair tomorrow, unable to participate"
"I can't wait to disappoint you" Misaki called back, laughingly.
"Counting on it! I'll see you later" With that he shut the door behind him.
Staring at the door for a moment, Misaki resumed her earlier task of putting her shoes on before Ryusuke had interrupted her. This time when the door opened, she was busy tying her shoelaces to look up "Chiyo" She started "I can drive myself home but thank you so much for offering. I'll be okay if I drive carefully enough"
"Ofcourse"
Misaki's head snapped up when she heard a deep baritone instead of Chiyo's usual gentle voice "I'm sure you could drive yourself home but Chiyo already sent her driver to drive your car home"
Her mind blank because she hadn't expected to see Takumi so soon, so suddenly, Misaki couldn't come up with a single intelligent think to say so she said the first thing that came to her mind "Oh"
Shooting her an amused glance, Takumi walked closer "How're you feeling?"
"Like I returned from Heaven"
"Funny. You look more like hell" He replied in a scathing tone and said it with such a straight face that Misaki self consciously patted her hair to make sure it was in place.
Bending so he was eye level with her, Takumi tucked locks of her hair behind her ear before quietly asking "Was it really necessary to go that far?"
It was then that Misaki realized Takumi was furious with her and in an unconscious effort to calm him down, she laid her hand on his cheek "I'm alright now. My ankle doesn't hurt anymore. Look" Moving her right ankle for his inspection, Misaki said innocently as she pulled her hand back "I'm perfectly alright now!"
"Is that so?" Crouching lower, Takumi took her right foot in his hands and for one moment Misaki was relieved and overjoyed that atleast Takumi didn't seem to know which ankle it was "You're right. It looks like it healed already"
"Right?" Misaki smiled "No problem at all!"
"Ofcourse not" Takumi smiled back and it was because Misaki was so preoccupied with feeling relieved that she didn't see the warning look in his eyes as she smiled back "Obviously because your right ankle has completely healed you are not bound to feel any pain in your left foot, right?" Before she could stop him, Takumi pressed his forefinger on her ankle making her yelp with blinding pain.
"What is wrong with you?" Misaki exclaimed, tears stinging at the back of her eyes as she glared at him through them "You knew it was the left ankle!"
"And you knew that running three kilometers with you ankle injured like that was dangerous!"
Stunned because he was concerned for her but not angry, Misaki visibly relaxed and with soft candor, she replied "Thank you for all your help today and I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you"
Dumbstruck beyond belief, Takumi quietly studied her face until the telltale tint on her cheeks gave her away and it struck him that she was actually embarrassed by the events that had taken place and that she was trying to salvage her pride.
A little wondrous of her courage and with his own conscience screaming that he had gone insane, Takumi decided to spare her pride "Let's go home" Holding out both his palms, he waited.
Graciously accepting his gallant offer and admiring his impeccable self Misaki slowly stood up, carefully balancing on the toes of her left foot and ignored his outstretched palms. Instead, she brushed the hair out of his eyes and grinned "Did you forget?" She asked, holding the hair out of his eyes "I can't"
Her touch was driving him insane and for a moment her words didn't register on him "I beg your pardon?"
"I don't have a car to go home in!" She laughed.
"I'm driving you home" Takumi replied without missing a beat.
"That's a problem. Two members of the opposite team offering to drive me home. Just what are you guys planning?" Misaki teased.
"Chiyo offered to ram her car into a tree but she thought my idea of driving over the side of the bridge was better" When Misaki burst out laughing, he held her gaze and sobered up "Chiyo told me you wanted to speak to me"
"Well, er, yes" Pulling her hand back, Misaki's gaze drifted to the floor and she started wringing her hands.
Helplessly enchanted by this shy version of Misaki, Takumi put his forefinger below her chin and lifted her face up so he could see her eyes "What is it?" He asked softly.
Gulping, amber eyes rose to meet his gaze "I wanted to apologize for the things that I might have said to you and done..over time" She paused "And I wanted to thank you for all the things you've done for me. I realized I never did that before" She finished.
Pulling her into his arms, Takumi buried his face in her hair "That's what you wanted to say?" When she nodded against his chest, he laughed.
"Are you laughing? I knew you'd laugh" Her words were muffled but Takumi heard them and sobered up.
"I couldn't help myself. You're way too adorable" Tightening his arms around her, Takumi reasoned.
Takumi understood that Misaki had put her pride down to apologize and thank him and the courage it must have taken her to do that "It's nothing and you're welcome" He responded, correctly.
Nodding against his chest, Misaki leaned back in his embrace a moment later and smiled at him making Takumi's breath hitch "Remember what I said said about your eyes looking like the dampened Sun?"
"When I'm angry? Yes" Misaki nodded, confused by this sudden change in topic.
"When you smile, you light up the World" He quietly complimented, completely at ease with his arms around her and unaware that his compliment had made Misaki's pulse go into overdrive.
"Now that sounds more like a compliment" Misaki teased in turn, trying to calm her racing heart "Did I light up your World?" She questioned, mischievously.
"Since the day you entered it" Takumi honestly replied, dying to kiss her.
Reaching up further on her toes, Misaki kissed his cheek shyly but as quickly she could manage to before exaggerating "Then won't you take the only ray of sunshine in your life home?"
"It'd be my pleasure"