Notes: Well, what can I say? It's been forever. I always meant to finish this story and I have every intention of doing so but…you don't believe how difficult this fic is to write! I don't know why. I tried my best with this chapter but I don't know how well I succeeded. I hope it's not total crap and that someone out there will be able to enjoy this even a little bit. That would make me happy. Thank you for the reviews!
Chapter 4 - Spying
Atobe and Ayako were sitting behind a certain bush near the St. Rudolph's tennis courts. The bush conveniently hid them from the eyes of those on the court while letting them near enough to hear what they were saying. It was a perfect spot for spying.
Which the two, as Atobe had several times pointed out to Ayako, were obviously not doing. Geez! Why should he bother, anyway? He could beat anyone with a blindfold on and while standind on his hands. He didn't need to spy on his enemies. It were the enemies who always came to him. When Ayako had shyly asked why they were going to sit behind a bush near the St. Rudolph's tennis courts, she had received a glare that had told her: 'Shut the hell up! Don't question ore-sama's decisions!'. And, being the girl she was, Ayako had immediately given in.
Ayako had now spent a whole of three months as the manager and was thus a record holder. During this time she had learnt a lot about every member of the regulars, most of all about Atobe. The first thing she would've said if asked for advice on how to get along with Atobe would've been: 'Never question his decision'. The second thing that would've popped into her mind would've been: 'Always do what he tells you to'. These two basic rules had saved her more than once when Atobe had been…a little difficult.
And now they were here. Crouching behind a bush and trying to remain as silent as possible. Not spying. Atobe had explained that if caught they would say that they were just sitting there because it had seemed like a private spot. (Ayako secretly thought that Atobe didn't even bother to make up good excuses as he expected his actions never to be questioned.) That was why Ayako had been dragged with him instead of Kabaji who usually took part in Atobe-sama's…well, spying missions. No matter how hard Ayako racked her brains she couldn't come up with any other word than spying. Yep, Ayako was there because she was a girl (sort of, as Atobe had added. Ayako would have been deeply offended if the speaker hadn't been Atobe. Atobe was expected to say things like that.) as no one would believe that Atobe would seek a private spot to spend some quality time with Kabaji. Ayako hadn't been too sure that anyone would believe he would've done that to spend quality time with her and quite frankly Atobe had shared her worry. Nevertheless, here they were now, sitting behind a bush and listening to the St. Rudolph regulars chatting away. It had proved to be rather entertaining, as Ayako had to admit.
"Mizuki, is your plan ready yet?" That was Akazawa, St. Rudolph's captain. Atobe had made Ayako memorize every member of the opposing teams by heart and Ayako being a fast learner (that's why she excelled in school) had promptly done so. Akazawa, she recalled, was short tempered, proud and loud. Constantly saying that he did not like playing doubles but even so continuing partnering with Kaneda. One line in the notes (received from the Hyotei tensai, Oshitari) had especially caught Ayako's attention. 'Prefers briefs over boxers.' Ayako had spent many hours wondering why Oshitari-san had bothered writing down something like that and even more hours speculating in which way had he obtained such information. She had not come to any conclusion. Well, at least none of the options that came into her mind could be voiced out in the presence of little children and therefore she had discarded them with flaming cheeks.
Mizuki chuckled and twirled a black lock around his index finger. Both of these actions were his habits, as Ayako knew from the notes. Besides Oshitari's neat handwriting had been Mukahi's much less dignified characters, saying: 'Makes you want to punch the bastard straight in his annoying face, break his fingers and cut his hair.' Ayako had found it quite amusig and she still did, even though after witnessing these acts she didn't agree with Mukahi. "Don't worry. I have everything under control. After we leave the courts that high-and-mighty captain of their's will be kicked out of the team due to poor performance in a match and that will be the last of the great Atobe-sama." Mizuki and Akazawa were referring to Hyotei and St. Rudolph's coming match.
"Hmph!" Atobe said in a low tone. Ayako turned to look and saw that Atobe had his cocky grin on. "As if that would ever happen, you loser."
Ayako suppressed a smile. There was nothing in this world that could waver Atobe's self-confidence. He had absolute belief in himself and didn't think anyone could beat him in anything. This made him look like a spoiled, arrogant child, especially since Atobe sought and loved attention in various ridiculous ways. But Ayako didn't dislike it. If anything, it made her want to cuddle him and shield him from the world like he really was a child. Which was ridiculous, as she had repeatedly told herself. How could she, a mere mortal, protect someone like Atobe? And why would Atobe let her? There was just no way of that ever happening. It made her a little sad.
Atobe continued his spy-- …Uh, well, he continued sitting behind a bush and listening. He seemed to be concentrating very hard. His grin had changed into a serious expression. Ayako found this fascinating. It was the same on the courts. When Atobe made his entrance he kept flashing confident smiles and boasting. But when he was playing seriously he changed completely. It was those moments that Ayako thought Atobe enjoyed the most. Atobe loved a good challenge. Of course he loved winning even more. But winning a tough opponent was the most satisfying experience. It also gave him many opportunities to flaunt himself and laugh at his opponents.
They spent the rest of the evening in a silence which to Ayako felt very comfortable. And even though she was pretty sure Atobe didn't share her opinion she was happy. She glanced at her side. It seemed that Atobe had completely forgotten that she was there. This couldn't dampen her mood though. She smiled, moved to a more comfortable position and watched the handsome, slightly frowning face next to her in quiet bliss.
After Akazawa had finally dismissed the sweating, panting and trembling St. Rudolph tennis club members Atobe stood up and stretched his aching muscels. He had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"They're training pretty hard. I think I'll have to press the regulars a bit more. I've been too soft." He looked at the sky with squinted eyes. Then he smirked and shrugged. "Oh well, at least I won't lose. They're not good enough to make me even sweat." He made his be-awed-at-by-prowess-pose and Ayako had to hide her smile. She knew this pose was a result of serious training. Oshitari had told her that Atobe had invented this pose in his first year in Hyotei and had perfected it by the end of his second year. After starting as the captain Atobe had come up with various different poses and phrases, all of them which he had thought were fitting for a leader of two hundred. They were well known amongst the students of Hyotei.
Atobe started walking away from the courts. "Come along, Ayako. We're going for a cup of tea."
Ayako sprang to her feet and hurried after him.
While they are heading towards the specific bakery Atobe had in his mind, let me explain something. Atobe had never hidden the fact that he was disgustingly rich. On the contrary, he had made it very clear on several occations by flaunting his wealth shamelessly. Of course this kind of behaviour was to be expected from Atobe-sama. However, it often surprised people that he nearly never payed for the things he ate or drank if he was not alone. He made his companions pay for him. This meant that Kabaji's pocket money always went down the drain-- Wait, no. Not down the drain because money can never be wasted if it's used on Atobe, right? Right. So let me correct myself. Kabaji's money was always wisely invested in Atobe's well-being. He had long since learnt to keep his money with him all the time. Ayako had learnt to keep hers after the grave mistake of not being able to pay for the cake Atobe had wanted. She had had the pleasure of running seventy laps around the court the very next day. Atobe had stood in the sidelines, fanned by one of his rabid fan-girls and drinking juice from a glass another fan-girl had brought him, every now and then ordering her to pick up her pace and stop slacking off. She never wanted to experience that again.
Atobe and Ayako reached the bakery and Ayako hurried to open the door. Atobe stepped in with air of royalty. Ayako felt the urge to bow down and hail the king. Instead she followed him into the bakery. Sweet odors filled her nose and she smiled. She really loved sweets. Her brother teased her about it and she had to admit that she perhaps liked sweets a bit too much. But she simply couldn't resist them. At least now that she had joined the tennis club she had no fear of getting fat since Atobe made her run laps almost every day.
Atobe clikced his fingers. Immediately Ayako stopped daydreaming and went to his side. "I want this, this and this." With that Atobe walked away and sat down near the window. Ayako made the order and payed for them. She sighed a little when she saw her money disappearing into the cash register but then she shrugged it off. She liked making Atobe happy. Sometimes Atobe even thanked her.
Ayako sat down opposite of Atobe and started nibbling at her own cake that looked really small in comparison to Atobe's luxurious, exotic pies. But she was not one to complain.
Their peaceful meal was interrupted by a booming voice coming from the door.
"I'm telling you, this is a good place. Just give it a try! You'll be surprised."
A much quieter voice replied. "I don't like sweets."
"There are other things than sweets here. Look! Like that one th--" The voice stopped abruptly.
"Who's the idiot that doesn't like sweets?" Atobe mumbled and turned to look. Ayako had already seen the owners of the voices and was staring in disbelief. Atobe's eyes widened. "Seigaku?!"
