"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Tora laughed as he saw Misaki successfully manage to keep a straight face, while a bandage wrapped over her foot that was peeking out from beneath the socks she was wearing showed and everyone noticed it, as she approached them.
"It is because I'm sorry we're in the second position because of me. I could've won that triathlon if I had been more careful"
"Think nothing of it" Tora waved it off, his admiration for the girl increasing "Kuuga, Hinata and I are enough to beat Team 18" Even as he said it, he doubted it (only a little). Kanou and Takumi were a superb tag team.
"And so are you and I" Hinata grinned, putting an arm around his friend, correctly guessing his line of thoughts.
"I am disappointed" Ryusuke spoke, his voice filled with sham sympathy as soon as he saw Misaki "I would've liked to see you atleast use some support"
Deliberately putting an arm around his shoulder, Misaki slightly leaned her body on his "Why would I need any other support when I have you?"
"Takumi, you're changing the shape of a steel bottle" Chiyo snapped him out of his angry reverie by speaking which made the blond gentleman turn away from the sight of the ravenette and smile at his friend "Tell me something, Chiyo" He inquired, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible "Would you deliberately flirt with someone else if you knew Tora was watching?"
"He's almost never watching me so I can't really say"
"You do know that he broke his Rescue club yesterday, don't you?"
"I was there when it happened, Takumi" Chiyo shook her head as if to clear the image out of her mind "And I can assure you only anger drove him to do that"
"If that's what you want to believe" Takumi shrugged "But for more practical reasons, let us assume Tora was looking at you, would you deliberately flirt with someone else?"
It was then that Chiyo realized he wasn't even looking at her as he spoke. He had an odd smile on his face and as she followed his gaze, she saw he was watching Misaki who was demonstrating a Hapkido kick to Ryusuke with her injured leg. Shooting a long, amazed glance at Takumi, Chiyo proceeded to answer his question "Yes. Yes, I would do that" She paused a moment before adding "And to answer the question you didn't ask, yes, Misaki is deliberately spending time with Ryusuke to make a statement to you"
Takumi turned to his friend, taken aback at first before grinning and nodding and further surprising Chiyo. In the past whenever Takumi had ever been teased for showing too much partiality toward the same girl, he always shrugged it off or denied it. For the first time, Takumi had ever willingly talked about a girl and that, Chiyo knew was a good sign.
For Misaki, who was still not over the events that had taken place the night before, couldn't help but avoid Takumi's gaze and in doing so, unconsciously stuck closer to Ryusuke.
The night before, Takumi had driven her home, cooked for her, helped her change bandages with her and flirted relentlessly with her. At one point when Misaki told him she needed to shower, she thought he'd join her (he did volunteer).
At this stage, denial wasn't getting her anywhere. No more could she deny that Takumi's gaze on her didn't make her pulse race. That his touch didn't drive her near hysterics. When his voice took on that husky note, she fell deeper into the spell he was weaving around her. And everytime she was in him arms, she was deliriously close to melting.
"Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Day 2 of Miyabigaoka's 83rd Sports Festival" Maki's voice boomed around the stadium "Today's category is team sports" A loud cheer erupted as if on cue and Maki waited until they calmed down to continue "For this, even though teams would have to be merged, the points awarded will be on an individual's performance. The following are the divisions on the basis of respective sports. Kindly direct your attention to the screen here"
It was because Misaki had already participated in the marathon and the triathlon, there was only one group category sport she could participate in and she had opted for basketball already. Only football and volleyball were strictly restricted to boys as was softball for girls. While basketball was open to both, opposite sexes couldn't play against each other. Sailing, Relay and the three legged race were the only sport that allowed opposite genders to team up.
Noticing her name in one of the teams for basketball, Misaki quickly scanned the rest. Nope. She didn't know anyone else on her team. Kuuga and Hinata had ended up on the same team as Takumi and Kanou for Basketball. Tora was against Tomoe yet again in Sailing and Ryusuke and Hinata were against Arayashima and Koganei in Football. Li Ye and Shizuko were in Softball together but not against the team Sakura was in, atleast not for the semi-finals.
Chiyo, who had only exhausted two out of her three turns for participation by opting for Tennis and Javelin was wondering whether to team up with Tomoe yet again, even if it was solely to drive her fiance nuts.
The image of Takoya Orei flinging herself at her fiance when he won the finals of Tennis was still branded in her mind. The petite cheerleader had smirked at Chiyo as Tora's arms had wrapped around her briefly before he set her down. With four inches to her advantage, Chiyo towered over the cheerleader but the turquoise eyed girl hated it. She dearly wished she'd been shorter in height with less curves so she could have a small waist to her advantage but at five feet eight inches, all of Chiyo's curves showed more than ever and her dreams of ever being petite were crushed.
What Takumi had asked her came back to her and she made up her mind as she pulled away from her team to go find Maki to help her enter Sailing.
"Unbelievable" Tora grit out as he sat down in front of his team at lunch, his face positively murderous.
"Congratulations?" Kuuga ventured carefully "Our team surpassed 18, thanks to you"
Tora wanted nothing more than flipping the table he was sitting at but years of good breeding held a tight rein on his feelings and so he willed himself to smile at Kuuga and dig into his food.
He could not believe that Chiyo had not only participated in Sailing with Tomoe Nakamura, she'd almost managed to win using his tricks. Tricks that he had taught her. Hell, he had taught her how to rig her Sailboats, about the sails, different ocean currents and possibly everything that Chiyo remembered about or knew about Sailing. And the annoying chit had the audacity to try and use his teachings against him!
As he subtly stabbed his salad, he remembered the first time they had capsized in the lake that was near Chiyo's country estate. How they had to steady the boat themselves and bring the sails up again, flush out all the water before they sunk using mini buckets, sail back to the dock and clean the boat themselves using nozzled pipes before Chiyo's parents got home and noticed that two freshmen in highschool had almost ruined their favorite boat.
By the time they had finished putting it away, they were both drenched three times more than they were when they capsized, two times as tired but their day not ruined as Chiyo had picked up the nozzle pipe and unleashed its full force on an unsuspecting Tora.
Tora who had momentarily lost his balance, regained it with newfound energy as he braved against the onslaught of water, walking closer to a laughing Chiyo who was backing away until her back hit the wall and the nozzle that was inches away from Tora's face was grabbed out of Chiyo's hand by him.
For a split second they stood there, Tora's golden eyes lit with mischief and Chiyo's turquoise ones turning wary "Tora..don't you dare" She warned.
"I" Tora enunciated "can't hear you" He turned the full force of the water on Chiyo who shrieked with laughter as she started to flail her arms around "T-Tora!" She sputtered "S-Stop it!"
"Not until you say Un-cle"
Chiyo laughed harder, not caring if she gulped some of the water "No way in hell!"
"Then perhaps, sorry?"
"For what?!"
Tora's face took on a look of sham innocence "Sorry that you ever messed with me"
"Tora Igarashi! Come back here!"
Now bracing against the full force of the water was Chiyo as she moved toward the pipe and finally plucked it out of a laughing Tora's hand "Who should be sorry now, huh?"
Tugging on the part of the pipe below the part where Chiyo had it grasped, Tora pulled it toward him; nozzle, pipe and his fiancee who stumbled at the sudden movement and grabbed his shoulder to steady herself "I don't know. Is it me?" He whispered, the huskiness in his voice combined with his arm wrapping around her waist sending a wave of pleasure through Chiyo as he pulled her closer.
"Yes, it is you" Chiyo managed to get out before she took a complete leave of her senses which happened much too often when Tora was around.
"What do I need to be sorry about, Chiyo?" By now, Tora's lips were lazily sliding across her wet cheek and their clothes had stuck together.
"For not marrying me faster?" Chiyo helplessly tried to joke, her knees knocking together as she trembled in his arms.
"Well, aren't you eager?" Tora teased, his smirk almost on her lips.
"Why? Aren't you?" Chiyo questioned back, barely managing to hold her own.
"I am" Tora admitted, unabashed "so damned eager to make you mine that waiting for three years of highschool and five years of college to finish is more painful than a public flogging"
Chiyo's startled laugh was smothered as Tora's lips seized hers in that possessive way of his. Her back slammed against the wall as they further tried to close the distance between them with Tora's hands caressing her back the same time he pulled her even closer. Chiyo contributed to that by wrapping her arms around his neck and getting on her tiptoes to give her fiance better access.
That was all the permission Tora needed as his hands slid lower and below her hips, lifting his fiancee up, trying to kiss her more slowly and gently and rapidly failing to do so. He kissed her with an insistence, unyielding persistence and possessiveness meant to seduce her but every single time Chiyo surrendered willingly like this, he fell for her harder.
Brushing his lips to and fro on hers, he coaxed them to part for him and with a muted moan of surrender, the turquoise-eyed girl complied. The moment she did, Tora claimed his victory by a delicately brief, sensuous foray into her mouth. Tora's silent admission to her made Chiyo wrap her arms tighter around him and she unconsciously switched the nozzle she was still grasping on, its face upward with the water droplets pouring on them like a fountain.
When Tora finally lifted his mouth off of hers, he held her close, still holding her vertically in the air to match his height, his forehead on hers, gazing into twin turquoise gems with their clothes stuck together and water from the pipe still running down the side of their faces.
But they didn't care.
Chiyo's blush was evident but she was steadily gazing back into golden orbs who couldn't see anything but her "I think-" Tora was the first to speak, his voice unintentionally husky as an aftermath of their kissing session, his warm breath fanning her face "I'm going to go insane, waiting to make you mine"
"Chiyo!" Her Father's voice booming in the doorway made the couple spring apart as Tora lowered Chiyo on the ground and she turned the pipe off, trying desperately to restore some sort of semblance to her soaked clothes. All Tora did was shove all his hair out of his forehead.
The Sakurai couple watched the youngsters from the doorway and her Father's temper reached its boiling point. In a deathly calm, his voice lashed out like a whip "Chiyo. Go upstairs and change right away" He turned to his daughter's betrothed " Igarashi-kun, we'll see you at dinner with your parents, I assume?"
He wasn't asking.
That clear indication asking him to get out got across clear enough "Ofcourse. I will take my leave then" Despite his wet clothes, unruly hair and drenched shoes, Tora bowed and left without so much as a backward glance.
He knew that if Chiyo's parents had seen them, soon enough his parents would know of it too. Even so, he had been surprised to see his Mother standing in the foyer, waiting for him.
"Unacceptable, Tora" She started as soon as she saw the state he was in "I understand that both of you might have, er, attractions toward each other and-"
Tora couldn't believe what he was hearing "Mom" He interrupted "I'm in love with her"
Lady Igarashi's monologue faded away as she stared at her son in disbelief "It's too early to say that"
"It's not" Tora gently opposed "You chose my wife for me, I accepted that. You chose her to secure better connections with the Sakurai's, I accepted that too. It was sheer good luck that Chiyo is who she is and I've fallen in love with my own fiancee. Am I the only one who doesn't see a problem here?"
Staring at her 15-year old son, Lady Igarashi wondered how Chiyo had managed to make her proud, willful son admit to things like falling in love so unabashedly and she told him so "She's more wonderful than you know, Mom"
That evening, when they arrived at Chiyo's place, said girl didn't join them for dinner "She's taken to her bed" Yoshihiro Sakurai informed, his pointed look directed to his future son-in-law.
Tora wanted to call his bullshit but even his overflowing feelings for their daughter couldn't make him break character and behave like a rogue as he bowed and apologized for his ill-ordered conduct the same day.
Chiyo's Mom had cut in before her husband had a chance to and accepted the apology, further inviting the family in and toward the dining hall for dinner.
Tora sat through all the talks about business, politics and gossip, his face carefully neutral as he strove to look interested. After dessert was cleared away and his polite smile was threatening to turn into a scowl while the adults moved to the living room to talk and indulge in drinks, he excused himself to go on a walk, fully intending to climb to Chiyo's bedroom window to meet her if he had to.
"Tora-kun" His future Mother-in-law's voice stopped him midstep "Let me join you" She smiled.
It was because he had no other choice but to accept, he waited for her to join him before following her out and onto the lawns, walking slightly behind her as a form of respect. Only when they were clear out of earshot, did Lady Sakurai finally start speaking "Would you like to indulge in pleasantries first or would you want me to get to the point?"
It wasn't even a fair choice "Get to the point?"
"Don't bother climbing up to Chiyo's bedroom" She quietly suggested.
The night was balmy and for a second Tora thought he hadn't heard her right. When he was sure, he feigned innocence "I wouldn't ever do that, Ma'am" He tried to reassure.
For the first time since they had to come out for a walk, Hanae Sakurai turned to the boy she was one day going to have for a son-in-law and her chest filled with pride when she envisioned the man he would become one day. She rose an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to acknowledge that he was about to do exactly what she had just told him not try. With a sigh filled with shame, he bowed his head "I'm sorry"
Hanae smiled but it didn't reach her eyes "Here" She had pulled an envelope out of the pocket of her silk pants and was holding it out for him "I haven't read it and neither has Yoshi. He doesn't even know about it. But I figured you might want to be somewhere alone as you read its contents"
Tora took the envelope from her outstretched hands and after a pat on his shoulder, Hanae left. Tora flicked the envelope open and walked near one of the verandahs for better lighting and sat down on one of the steps to read it. In a clear cursive was Chiyo's letter to him-
"Dear Tora,
I'm sorry.
By the time you'll read this, I'll already be on a plane to London. None of it is your fault..."
After a reprieve of three years where they weren't allowed to meet or communicate with each other, Kuuga had suddenly dropped the bomb on Tora three months before college started that his cousin intended to come back to Japan to attend college. Instead of feeling ecstatic or upbeat about the news, Tora had felt...empty. He knew that their marriage was inevitable but the breach that had erupted between them would take time to get over. Ironically, in a country where the rich prided and boasted about their wealth in full splendor, to enjoy the company of your own partner was considered a sin. Nope, liking your own wife was a foreign notion and his Father's friends who were also business associates had never shied away from sharing such information. Then again, none of them had had a say in their own marriage and neither of them had been lucky enough to fall in love with someone you were marrying to extend business relations with.
But Tora was past that. In the three years that had ensued since Chiyo's departure, it wasn't as if his life flipped a three-sixty. He got over it relatively well. He went out with other women, dated constantly, flirted relentlessly but he never ever let someone in again. He would never be as vulnerable as he had once been for Chiyo. He would have fought the World for her but she left without meeting him, leaving in her wake a hastily written three paged letter explaining why she had to go and why it was inevitable.
No, Tora didn't understand till date why it had been inevitable. If he had known things would escalate the way they had, he would have never let his guard drop around her, would've never been caught kissing her that day though he didn't understand why her parents had reacted so violently on witnessing a couple necking together in their shed. They were supposed to get married anyway, were going to spend the rest of their lives together anyway so why couldn't they be open about how they felt for each other? Why was it a crime to do anything that showed affection, before or after marriage? Did all the couples from the elite pride themselves in hating one another?
Stealing a glance at Chiyo who was laughing at whatever Kanou was telling her, golden orbs returned their gaze to the lettuce. Never in his life had his posture slipped to reveal that he felt something for his fiancee, hell his own friends didn't know anything had ever transpired between Chiyo and him. And Tora had pretended not to feel anything for her for so long that not feeling anything started seeming right to him.
Poking around the lettuce, Tora inwardly sighed. He was again behaving like the lovestruck fool he had once been for the turquoise eyed girl. After one year of blaming himself, Tora had switched tactics because things were seemingly clear and because it was easier to blame someone else. He remembered how Chiyo wasn't open about how she felt ever. Even if it was just the two of them, she had barely ever admitted to her true sentiments , she had spirit and her will was unbreakable but if there was any hesitation she felt in her life, it was only concerning Tora. On the other hand, Tora had bared his goddamn soul for her in hopes of her returning the affection.
With his anger now escalating tenfold, it suddenly evaporated when he noticed that all that was left in his bowl was lettuce. He looked up suddenly and Kuuga burst out laughing "Ten minutes" He chuckled "It's a new record"
Turning slightly in his chair so he could look at Hinata who was pretending not to know what they were talking about, Tora shook his head smiling "Why" He grinned "Do you always leave the lettuce? If you're going to eat the rest, might as well eat it all"
"I don't like the greens as much as the rest. Besides, taking lettuce from under your nose is harder than everything else" The chocolate haired boy smiled sheepishly "Besides, you were so distracted that I picked the meat right off your fork and you didn't even flinch"
"I wasn't hungry anyway" Tora lied, smiling "Plus, if I eat more, I might not be able to run for 'Banner Capture' at all"
"What's the plan, Captain?" Misaki asked, now joining the conversation though she had silently been watching the Student Body President for a while now.
Tora grinned, one of his canines glinting "I thought you'd never ask"
"What do you think he's going to do?" Sakura asked Chiyo who was sipping on her thickshake.
"I'm not sure either. But we will not see it coming"
"He's going to play dirty, that's what" Koganei muttered, still salty about losing in football.
"He's damned smart and he's prepared to win. His team hasn't lost for three consecutive years and he plans on maintaining the record" Kanou noted, his gaze sliding over the table where Team 10 was seated.
Turquoise orbs followed suit and but her eyes were looking at only one person. She watched in helpless yearning as Tora addressed his entire team, speaking rapidly as he lay out his plans. Her eyes scanned all the rough contours of his face that she remembered better than anyone else, even him. She knew she had no right to push his buttons or that she shouldn't test her luck by pushing him to his limits but she just couldn't help it. Wanting him was the only thing she couldn't control herself for. Jealousy was driving her insane but rather than admit defeat, she was only adding fuel to the fire.
She knew that hopes of an easy reconciliation were in vain and that Tora would not meet her even halfway to pick up where they left off. It was her fault and she admitted it. Her fault for leaving him hanging and shutting him out because she was scared and because she had been so afraid to trust him. Tora had shut her out after that. And, Chiyo inwardly groaned, she deserved his hatred.
"Hate to interrupt what seems to be an important conversation you're having with yourself, but are you listening?" Takumi interrupted her thought process by gently nudging her, eyebrow raised.
"Now I am" Chiyo nodded "What's our play?"
"Divide and rule. It's easy. There's ten of them, there's ten of us and any of them could have the banner. We take on a single person, individually"
"Okay.." Chiyo mused, weighing the merits of the plans against the demerits "Pretty straightforward, don't you agree?"
"It's because everyone will be thinking it's fools play to take that approach, we'll be following it for that very reason" Takumi shrugged "Besides, we still don't know which team we're against"
"You don't?" Sakura laughed "I think it's pretty obvious"
"What is?" The rest of the team turned toward her.
"You really think the top two teams won't be put against one another?"
"There's always a chance, they might choose not to do that"
"Then this University is way more unfair than it already has proven to be" The salmon hair girl scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest which made Chiyo chuckle and give her a side hug.
"Good Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen" In unison, all the students turned toward the intercom in the cafeteria "We will now be announcing the top ten teams for 'Banner Capture' as well as the rules that should be followed for the same. In first place we have" A pause "Team 10" Cheers and applause erupted as everyone faced the team who was currently in first position and also clapping for themselves to keep the morale high "In second place we have, Team 18" The clapping didn't subside as Maki continued listing out the names "Team 5 in third position, Team 17 in fourth position, Team 15 in fifth position, Team 8 in sixth position, Team 11 in seventh position, Team 14 in eighth position, Team 7 in ninth position and Team 9 in tenth position" A moment's pause and rustling of papers was heard "The five locations for 'Banner Capture' are - The Western Wing Greenhouse, The 2nd Golfcourse, Archery Woods, Assembly Stadium and South Business Management Department. Now," More paper rustling was heard "This year, instead of ordinary water guns, we've decided on a different approach" Waiting, Maki could feel the suspense overflowing through the room as he silently breathed into the mic "We'll be playing paintball"
A buzz of awe and envy spread throughout the cafe as people exclaimed in surprise and showed immense interest in this new version of their traditional sports festival game "The rules, however, are same" Maki continued "Once your rival team's banner's camera has been drenched, the team is considered out. Do not indulge in any form of extreme violence. To hide the banner is prohibited; it should always be with a member of the Team. Rest of the rules are the same as the ones we've been following since Day 1. The rival teams are in accordance with the position of the teams where the two consecutive teams are against one another. For example, Team 10 is against Team 18"
Sakura shot a smug look toward her team at the same time Misaki knew Maki was having fun deliberately igniting tension between the two teams that were on the top "Well, that we didn't expect at all" Kuuga drawled, lazily.
"Atleast all my planning won't go to waste" Tora mused, itching to defeat Team 18 and crush their leader.
"Are you sure our plan will work? Shouldn't we have a backup?" Misaki asked even though she knew Tora's plan had been foolproof and completely within bounds.
"Not like my plan will fail but we could always come up with one" Tora agreed, not bothered.
"What approach do you think Team 18 is going to take?"
"Divide and rule. For sure" Hinata intervened and with little surprise Misaki noted he was still eating candy despite just finishing lunch "That's the only tactic Takumi and Kanou have flawlessly pulled off always. If they can catch Kuuga, Tora and me separately, consider us lost"
Misaki looked up as Ryusuke sat down beside her. He'd been gone since lunch started and Misaki guessed he had just gotten off the phone "All good?" She whispered as he shoved his plate of food away.
He looked up as if just remembering her presence "Yeah" He replied, softly "How we doing?"
"Brainstorming to kick ass"
"Team 18's?"
She nodded, returning her attention to the conversation that was taking place "-keep Kanou and him away from each other" Hinata was emphasizing.
"We need to distract Kanou" Kuuga provided when Misaki rose her eyebrows in a silent question and as if by telepathy, both of them turned their collective attention at a silent Shizuko.
"What?" Shizuko questioned, wary of their glance and matching Cheshire grins "What?" She repeated, when neither the blond popstar nor the ravenette said anything.
"You, we're counting on you to distract Kanou" Li Ye clarified when no one else dared voice their request.
"But, why me?"
Nine pairs of eyebrows shot up together as if they thought her demented "Oh, fine" Shizuko huffed, correctly guessing their reason "But it's not like that between us!"
"Then make it happen and then distract him!" Hinata grinned making Shizuko clench her jaw and glare at the chocolate haired boy.
"Now that Kanou will be taken care of, thanks to Kaga - san's priceless cooperation, Takumi is the main problem" Tora mused.
As if they had planned it beforehand, Kuuga, Hinata and Tora turned in their chairs and looked straight at Misaki who didn't take as much time as Shizuko to decipher what they wanted "Absolutely not" She shook her head in the negative.
Ryusuke backed her statement with one of his own "I'll take on Takumi if that's what you want"
"You're responsible for Koganei" Tora waved him off "Don't dent the plan"
"I'm pretty sure Misaki will be able to-"
Kuuga exhaled before looking straight into Ryusuke's eyes "If you're not an attractive girl, Takumi will be able to shake you off plenty easily"
"I could dress up as one" Ryusuke offered, eyes twinkling.
"Please don't say things like that. Makes me imagine and the imagining makes me wanna bleach my eyes" Hinata shuddered, rubbing his palms over his arms to calm his goosebumps.
"You take care of Koganei and then help Misaki-san out with Takumi after that if you want to" Tora finally offered as a compromise.
The red haired singer nodded before Misaki held a hand up, halting the conversation "I don't remember agreeing"
"But you will once you realize that you're our best shot at beating Team 18"
That piqued the ravenette's interest "What do I have to do?"
Tora smirked, the plan forming in his head "Make our backup plan, our main plan"
Misaki rose an eyebrow at him just as Maki's voice filled the cafeteria again "All our finalists are to gather in the auditorium in ten minutes"
Obviously, the greenhouse was allotted to the top finalists.
Misaki almost rolled her eyes as she changed into a plain white jumpsuit for the paintball game. Why did girls have sleeveless tops for their part of the jumpsuit but guys got a zipper sweatshirt for theirs? Granted, the material was foolproof and completely secure but why was it sexy before safety for the girls?
Oh, but she was already in love with paintball guns. Instead of a standard size for everybody, Miyabigaoka U. with their extremeness for everything they did had had special custom made guns made for the comfort of the players complete with their holsters. Even the bullets were safe enough to be shot on bare skin without causing anyone major discomfort. She adjusted the nine-millimeter Glock that was resting on her hip and picked up the other gun that was designed to look like a machine gun but was much lighter. Blowing out a slow whistle of appreciation, Misaki walked out of the changing room and went to join her team.
Her entire team was dressed in white and so finding them hadn't proven to be a problem at all. In what was a sharp contrast to Team 10, Team 18 was docked entirely in black standing close by, faces carefully neutral. The ravenette went to stand next to Shizuko who was checking the mini bazooka she had opted for.
"Who would have thought, huh?" The bespectacled girl huffed but she wasn't irritated just awed by her weapon when she registered Misaki's presence to voice her opinion "That Sports Festivals could be this extreme?"
"I'm actually excited" Misaki confided, almost giddily "Now you will finally understand that all those years of playing Call Of Duty haven't gone to waste" She teased.
"If I had ever guessed I would need to play that game for a future reference, I would have joined Sakura and you"
"You got this" Misaki assured her "Pin Soutarou-san down, color his face red and maybe take his spectacles away. Hundred and one percent success rate"
Shizuko grinned because calculation was usually her department of expertise "You think so?"
Before the amber-eyed girl had a chance to retaliate, a certain blonde popstar chimed in "Definitely" Kuuga confirmed "If you get close enough, grab his arm and you won't even have to waste your ammo"
"Whyever not?"
"Kanou" Kuuga lowered his voice to one who was telling a secret "is terribly shy"
Eyebrows shot up at that piece of information as if challenging the truth of it but Kuuga only nodded "It is what it is" He sighed "Why do you think he's so quiet?"
"Not a fan of conversation?" Shizuko guessed the same time Misaki concluded "I thought he liked speaking less"
"Oh, he speaks plenty" Tora joined the conversation, dropping a gun he had just loaded in his holster with a slight clink. With little amusement, Misaki noted that even though the Student Council President had chosen mostly various handguns, he had stocked up his entire belt "Just not with girls"
"Well, atleast you guys have something in common" Amber eyes twinkled as Misaki slightly nudged Shizuko in a teasing manner who was strapping the bazooka on and picking up a machine gun which she almost swung at the ravenette "C'mon, I'm only teasing. We're counting on you" Shizuko sighed before Misaki added "To seduce Soutarou-san. Do-" She dodged another swing of the machine gun aimed at her "me proud!" Misaki laughed as she clasped the machine gun, not letting go.
Chiyo who was strapping extra ammo just above her ankles but inside her boots, looked up when she heard the laughing. Standing up straighter, she smiled as she watched Shizuko try unsuccessfully to hit a laughing Misaki who was still managing to dodge the bespectacled girl's attack despite being convulsed in laughter "She won't be an easy catch" She quietly stated to Takumi who had also just looked up to watch the scene.
"Won't be fun if she would've been" The blond model's lips quirked as Misaki ran around the table with Shizuko still in pursuit, smugly swaying her hips to tease and ignite Shizuko's temper in a way kindergartners did. Dear Gods. That jumpsuit did such justice to all her luscious curves that trying to keep his gaze off of her was proving to be a Herculean task.
"Are we talking about the same thing here?" Chiyo asked, an incredulous laugh escaping her lips "You know we're playing man-to-man and that Misaki's your man"
Takumi rose an amused brow at the navy-blue haired girl who rolled her eyes and amended her statement "Your woman. Better?" She tiredly smiled.
"That has a nice ring to it, don't you agree?" Takumi asked, adjusting the sniper he had chosen to his preference.
"Very nice ring" Chiyo agreed before lightly smacking him over the head "Now, pay attention"
Maki waited till he had the attention of all ten members of the ten teams before he started speaking, his voice rebounding off the walls of the auditorium "Congratulations on making it thus far. However, the festival is not over yet and we haven't settled on a winner yet. This finale will only be monitored by the Committee to keep track of a team's progress. This time, however, we've raised the bar. Every team member will be given a badge representing your team's number that should be on your person throughout the period of this game. Like the Team banner, it also contains an inbuilt tracker which, once drenched, renders the player suspended for 10 minutes where they cannot move from their current location in the time they've been suspended. Once your respective badge has been drenched more than thrice, the player is out and needs to move to the nearest exit. Kindly do not try to keep playing for we'll be keeping a watch on the trackers on your person and if you do not abide by the rules, the entire team is disqualified. For comfort purposes, we will be announcing the names of players who get disqualified once they've exited the game arena. The team that manages to take out most players and the banner in record time, wins. Any questions?"
"Will you be watching us on cameras?" Someone called out from Team 14, who were entirely dressed in red.
"There's only cameras surrounding the perimeters of the allotted areas, no cameras in the middle for we didn't wish to broadcast the game"
"But you can keep an eye on us through the trackers?" The same person, asked.
Despite his pleasant expression, Misaki could see Maki was struggling to keep a straight face "They work in the same way as a cellphone tracker. We know the location and that's all we know. The only way any of us could watch what transpires within the arena is through a camera on the banner which most teams like to keep folded and in their pocket. So, if you're worried about embarrassing yourself, please don't be"
The guy turned a shade of red that almost matched his jumpsuit. Almost.
"Is there anything else?" Maki asked though he dearly wished there wasn't.
When no one voiced any more queries, he clapped his hands together "Well, then. May the odds ever be in your favor. Please proceed to your respective locations"
Shizuko and Misaki exchanged a look of astonishment at Maki having quoted 'The Hunger Games' but the others seemed unfazed as people filed out of the auditorium and ..onto Golf carts? How lazy were they that they couldn't walk?
The answer to that hit Misaki, four minutes and one and half kilometer later when they rounded around the 7-acre big greenhouse that was one of the many, many things Miyabigaoka was proud of. As they all slowly got down with only Shizuko and Misaki openly gaping, Misaki finally realized why it had been chosen as a location for a paintball match.
As they walked in through the entrance, Misaki almost swooned. The Greenhouse was a mini forest in itself complete with lush green plants and trees and was that a waterfall? It was shaped like a circular dome with tinted windows at a height of forty feet for a roof for the plants that needed the warm September sunlight. With the autumn that was just around the corner, the Greenhouse felt like a cozy recluse on a hillstation. Not to mention, the size.
"Both Teams have ten minutes to get into position before the commencement of the game" A voice spoke over the speakers and for once, it wasn't Maki's "There's only two exits for this Greenhouse; one being the main entrance that Team 10 has just entered through and the other being the backdoor through which Team 18 has entered. They are both illuminated for your convenience and we request you to exit the premises through the same must you get disqualified before the the time runs out. The time period for this is 4 hours and at 6PM, the game will be declared over. If neither team has been able to capture the other team's banner in the allotted time, we'll give points based on the number of players that have been disqualified in each team and declare a winner. The match will commence in exactly nine minutes"
The entire team turned to Tora who was fiddling with his backpack "No one said" He started to speak "that a map of the greenhouse wasn't allowed" As everyone gaped he produced ten, neatly wrapped, maps and handed them to all the team members "I've marked several landmarks that you could use to your advantage incase you think you're lost. I wasn't aware of the badge rule either so it came as a surprise but if you see anyone wearing black, shoot. Irrespective of whether they are your mark or not, if they are wearing black, shoot. Catch them offguard and stay put until the person is disqualified. Drench that -" He stopped himself before the cuss word left his mouth "Now, let's do a cheer"
Hands, one over the other, the team hurdled close "Take 18 down" They cheered before separating and running off in different directions.
"No one said their badge couldn't be taken by the rival team. So, let's steal" Chiyo enunciated "Shoot the badge down, pick it up and run for it. You can keep drenching it in private"
"That sounds-" Koganei cut in before Tomu and Arayashima convulsed into bouts of laughter.
"I mean their badge. Gods, I meant the badge, guys!" Chiyo tried to defend herself as Kanou and Takumi, too, broke out into smiles.
"How will they know that they're disqualified then?" Kaon interrupted (still clutching her Edward, even though it was a paintball match).
"If they don't leave the premises because they don't know, the entire team loses" Chiyo smiled, mischievously.
"That's a shame" The petite girl snorted "What if they guess our motives, and leave the premises in 30 minutes?"
"Exiting of the premises before the end of the game is considered disqualification. Not until they have a valid reason to do so. If we want, we can keep drenching the tracker at our convenience" Takumi informed, reloading his sniper "We have 5 minutes to go"
"Well, then. Good luck team" Chiyo turned to the others, smiling to keep the morale high "May the strongest be left standing"
"Kaon is definitely falling over then" Tomu joked making everyone laugh as his twin sister smacked him on the head.
"Alright then. Disperse" Chiyo clapped "And remember, no hard feelings. It's a game, let's all have fun!" She called out, waiting till they all disappeared out of sight before sighing. She did say she would take on Tora, but would she be able to do it?
Loading her AK47, Chiyo started walking. She would do it.
Hello my louves!
Edited: I'm wondering if some of you are not able to view my further chapters. Incase you think this is the last chapter I updated, it's not. Chapter 18 is out now.
Well, this is going to be a slightly long author's note so...yep.
First, This a little about me (completely skippable)
A usual bout of 'Gods, I can't figure out what to write' hit me in the middle so I had gone back and rewatched Maid sama for the umpteenth time to relive and remind myself exactly why I started writing fanfics for it in the first place. When I read the extended manga again, I burst into literal tears when I saw Sara and Rui. They're so precious, my uwus fell out.
And so, I sat down to determinedly write this chapter. I was listening to - Loop, Akane, Girl, Yume no Hana wo, Natsu koi monogatari and Yokan (trust me, 'My Secret' will only make me laugh in embarrassed manner because despite the initial cringe, I always enjoy it) on repeat everytime I got down to typing. It helps so much.
Plus, I got my annual exam results today and I'm happy to share that I scored much much better than I had expected, another reason to update, yay!
Also, it's 13th July here and my favorite kpop band EXO's subunit EXO-SC had a comeback today and I went absolutely berserk. The whole album is SO ARTISTICALLY BEAUTIFUL. I love Sehun and Chanyeol and I'm so proud of them! If there's EXO-Ls among my readers, make some noise, y'all! (another amazing reason to update, I'm so happy!)
Secondly,
I've said this before and I'm repeating it.
Do not underestimate the power you guys hold over me.
Chapter 17 was the second chapter after Chapter 1 to hit most number of reviews; it was a whooping 26 reviews and every new review almost moved me to tears. Seriously guys, your reviews keep me going. Your amazing support led me to write this chapter without making an outline of the chapter like I usually do and I simply wrote because I was happy and I wanted to make you guys happy.
Additionally, I noticed this chapter had a lot of Igarai (That's my ship name for Tora and Chiyo, don't judge. I thought I could call them Tiyo but that just made me guffaw) but hey, can't make it all OOC, can I? (*cough* As if that isn't what I have been doing all these past chapters *cough*) I love Tora so my good man obviously gets a side plotline too.
I've been reading these books on Dukes and Duchesses, Earls, Countesses and those type and the kind of relationship problems I've tried to show between Tora and Chiyo are very similar to the ones from that time, I'll explain it better in the coming chapters.
I understand if most of you are disappointed with the lack of Takumi and Misaki in this chapter but the original length of this chapter hit 12K so I decided to divide the chapter. I can't suddenly spring up the word limit to 12K, can I?
Can I?
Wow, my author's note is also like a story. I'm sorry, I'm a little sleep deprived but I would really like to know if you guys wouldn't mind chapters that suddenly hit a mark longer than my usual length? Though I think most chapters from now are going to be long but I would still like to know if you would like longer chapters sometimes or not.
Next chapter is going to have TONS of TakuMisa so don't worry! And I truly think I'll update it within the next week if this same drive keeps me going (fingers crossed, no promises tho)
This was longer than I intended, sorry if you read through it all lol
Thanks for reading!
XOXOXO
~Tear