Fianlly, another chapter. This one was fun to write D I hope everyone enjoys it. Expect an update as soon as my exams are over with!
Atobe was immensely relived when Jiroh snatched him away from the awkward silence that had been plaguing both he and Sengoku. Admittedly, he wasn't very good at dealing with emotions, whether they be his own or another person's, so the emotionally tense circumstances had been quite disconcerting. Uncertainty and discomfort were also two feelings that Atobe didn't handle well. He felt much better once he got the karaoke microphone in his hand. All doubts and fears were washed away as Atobe belted out the words to his favorite song. The cheers and applause were like fuel for the diva's hungry ego and he quickly forgot that for a moment he, Atobe Keigo, had been in a situation which he was not in control of.
Once he finished, Sengoku, who looked as though he also had emotions which needed to be released through song, snatched the microphone away from Atobe. The crowd watched Sengoku in hushed awe. His voice was just as beautiful as Atobe's and he had such a presence while equipped with the mic that he demanded the attention of everyone in the room. Atobe was captivated. He assumed he was the only diva in the area. That he was the only one who commanded such attention. He was the only one with the power to captivate and silence an entire room. Apparently he was wrong.
There was a side of Sengoku that Atobe had obviously missed. "I didn't miss it; I just never bothered to look. DON'T bother to look. I'm not going to try and get to know him. Not now, not ever."
Before Atobe knew it, Sengoku had finished up his song and everyone, save for Atobe himself, was spouting out praises. Impulsively, Sengoku's head turned towards the silent diva.
"I could do better," Atobe told him.
Sengoku smiled, "I figured that's what you'd say." Without another word he faced away from Atobe and addressed the rest of his guests. "So, who is ready to really get this party started?" he asked, gesturing to the alcohol. There was a loud roar of voices which Sengoku took to mean "yes".
"Well then, what are you waiting for?" And with that everyone rushed forward to retrieve the aforementioned beverages. Atobe scoffed and retreated sulkily to the corner of the room. He wasn't taking part in this. It was unlawful and immature. It was….
"Here you go Atobe," Sengoku said, simultaneously interrupting Keigo's thoughts and shoving a drink in his hand.
"If I wanted something I would have gotten it myself," Atobe retorted.
"Oh, my bad. I thought Keigo-oujisama was used to being waited on, so I figured I would bring your drink to you."
"You know, you are really quite feisty sometimes Sengoku."
"I know. It's one of my best attributes."
"Cocky too."
"Now, now, let's not confuse me with you."
Atobe smiled. A genuine smile. While Sengoku had no way of knowing, this was the first time anyone had put a true smile on Atobe's lips. Atobe knew, in the back of his mind at least, that smiling so authentically in public wasn't true to his nature. It frightened him that Sengoku could erase all of this self-consciousness with a few choice words, how joking around with Sengoku seemed natural, how when he was conversing with the orange haired teen everyone else in the crowded room seemed to melt away, how Sengoku seemed to know him so well.
"Whatcha thinking Atobe?" Sengoku inquired.
"That this party is lame," the diva lied.
Sengoku forced the drink into Atobe's hand. "Well you should at least make an effort to have a good time before you call it lame."
Atobe tried to return the drink, but Sengoku had already left, disappearing into the crowd of people. Atobe couldn't help but thinking about how stubborn Sengoku could be. He didn't think it was a bad thing. Interesting was more the word he would use to describe it. If one didn't know Sengoku well, they could never fathom that there was anything more to his personality than happy-go-lucky demeanor he choose to show to the world. However, the peppy orange haired boy had a deeper persona than most gave him credit for. Get to know him and one would learn he was loud, brash, stubborn, and aggressive, but at the same time, very sensitive. Atobe rubbed his temples in frustration. Why were all of these thoughts flooding his brain? The pampered teen concluded it was all of the flack he had been taking about Sengoku from his peers. It caused him to have all of these thoughts. Yes…that must be it…
"What's on your mind?" Oshitari questioned, startling Atobe into reality.
"Sengoku," the diva replied absentmindedly. A gleam of interest dancing in his friend's eyes made Atobe realize the gravity of what he had just said. "And how annoying he is," he quickly added in an attempt to salvage himself.
"I don't know why you don't ask him out. You like him and the feeling is obviously mutual."
"Look, I love you Yuushi, but if you continue to pester me about Sengoku, I will resort to punching you in the face."
The blue haired boy threw up his hands in surrender and sauntered away in apparent retreat. Atobe knew better though. The smirk on Oshitari's face informed the Hyotei captain that his friend was scheming up some horrible plan. What is was, Atobe didn't know, but he had a sinking feeling that whatever it may be, it wouldn't be pleasant for him.
Atobe had only to wait until the majority of the guests, including Oshitari himself, were intoxicated before the plan was unveiled. The bespectacled boy clambered to the table top and shouted for silence.
"I have a dilemma!" he proclaimed. "I have a friend. This friend is stupid. He is too stubborn to date the guy who is perfect for him. Everyone knows they are perfect for each other except him. Anyone else ever encounter his problem?"
Nearly everyone in the room nodded or yelled in agreement.
"Who wants to try and remedy this situation?"
More cheers and nods followed.
"Okay! I have a proposal! Firstly, everyone write your name on a piece of paper."
Atobe noted that Oshitari conveniently had a surplus of small paper pieces, which he was now handing out. Reluctantly, Atobe took one and scribbled down his name, knowing he would later regret this action. The evil grin that Oshitari wore when he collected Atobe's paper was more than enough to confirm the diva's fears. He was tempted to snatch back his paper, but Oshitari, who seemed to be reading Atobe's mind, had walked away before he was even able to extend his arm.
Once he had papers from every party attendee, Oshitari stole Shishido's hat and tossed them inside. "Okay. Here's what we do. Reach in the hat and take a name. Whosever name you pull, is the person you will be pairing up with another guest at this party, preferably the person who you think would make the best boyfriend for them. All of the people who are coupled up tonight must date for one month. If you aren't happy at the end of the month everyone here who has ever pestered you about dating will be required to stop. We meddlers will admit that maybe we don't know what's best for others. Okay who wants to draw the first name?"
Atobe wanted to protest. He wanted to smack Oshitari, wanted to scream, wanted to declare what a horrible idea this was, wanted to convince others not to take part, but his mind and mouth didn't work fast enough. Inui's hand had already shot into the air. Oshitari brought the hat his way and with an evil grin the data master plunged his hand into it. His smiled broadened when he read the paper. He held it up and said, "I have Oishi. I want him to date Eiji for a month."
Both members of the Golden Pair turned a crimson color and exchanged awkward glances.
"So be it. Inui are you a meddler or a victim?" the leader of the game asked.
"Meddler."
"If Oishi and Kikumaru don't work out, do you promise to stop interfering in other's lives?"
"Definitely."
"Great! Moving on…who would like to be next?"
Fuji grinned and announced he would like to be. He drew Inui's name. Laughing, he decided to pair him with Kaidoh, who blushed furiously and lowered his eyes to the floor. Atobe though the mamushi was going to die when Inui put his around him, proclaiming that he was looking forward to the month they would spend together.
Fuji stated the obvious by telling Oshitari that he was a meddler and shocked people when he swore to give up meddling if the couple split. Atobe guessed there were many people in the crowd who were rooting for Inui and Kaidoh to break up.
After Fuji, Momoshiro decided he wanted a turn. "I got Fuji-sempai!" The violet eyed boy shouted, madly waving his paper around.
"Who would you like to pair him with?"
"Tezuka-buchou!"
"I object!" the Seigaku captain said, jumping to his feet.
"This isn't a courtroom, objections are not allowed, and no one really cares if you don't like it. That's part of the game," Oshitari coolly informed him.
"You know that hurts my feelings Tezuka," Fuji said, feinting sadness.
After Oshitari got everyone settled down and made Momo promise to end his meddling ways if his couple split, he moved on to the next volunteer, who happened to be Sengoku. He drew Sanada's name.
"Damn I got a hard one!" he whined. "Let's see…" his eyes whirled around the room, looking for the next victim in the game. His face lit up as his gaze fell upon Kirihara. Smiling broadening, he announced that Sanada should be paired with the devil of the Rikkaidai team. Both looked absolutely appalled by the idea of dating, but Sengoku assured the crowd that they would stay together or he would give up meddling.
"Okay who wants to be the next matchmaker?" Oshitari asked.
"Oh, I think I'll volunteer," Mizuki said, a smirk resting upon his lips. Oshitari brought Shishido's hat to Mizuki who gracefully selected a piece of paper from it. As he read the name his smile turned into a pout. "Aw, I don't get to have any fun! I picked Yagyuu. Obviously he should date Niou."
"Why is that obvious?" Yagyuu demanded.
"Hush! No explanations are necessary!" Oshitari snapped.
"You're a mean drunk," Yagyuu grumbled.
Ignoring the comment, the leader of the "game" proceeded with the next step of the process, making Mizuki swear to stop interfering with other's lives if the couple he created failed. Confidently, the St. Rudolph's manager agreed to the terms.
The next meddler to volunteer was Eiji, who happily grabbed a name from the hat.
"Bunta!" he cried. He jumped up and grabbed Bunta by the hand. The Rikkaidai regular was too startled to ask what Eiji was doing, but things quickly became clear. The acrobatic tennis player bounced over to the passed out Akutagawa Jiroh, who quickly sat up when Eiji screamed in his ear that the house was on fire. Once Jiroh had calmed down and it was explained that Eiji had been kidding, the bandage sporting boy took Jiroh's hand and placed it in Bunta's.
"Ne, ne, ne? Don't you think they'll be a cute couple?" Eiji asked to no one in particular.
"Only time will tell," Oshitari responded.
Eiji eventually settled down enough that Oshitari was able to make him promise to quit being a busybody if things didn't work out after a month's time. The bubbly boy announced happily that he would comply.
The now wide awake Jiroh decided he wanted to join in the fun. He grabbed and slip of paper and his eyed widened as he read the name scribbled down. Atobe wondered what his teammate was up to, for the boy ever so slowly began edging towards the doorway. It almost looked as if he were about to make an escape. Atobe had no idea just how right he was, for Jiroh had selected…
"Mizuki…I'll pair him with Yuuta." The name of the second person was barely audible for the boy had taken off running. It was only a few seconds before Fuji had leapt up and began to peruse Jiroh.
"When I catch up I promise you will pay for pairing my baby brother with that monster."
Doing his best to keep things running smoothly, Oshitari asked for another volunteer. Ohtori said that he would be next so, as per normal, he was allowed to choose a name. He chose Kamio, whom he predictably paired with Shinji.
The names in the hat were rapidly disappearing and Atobe was being to panic, though he showed no outwards signs of that despicable emotion. As he sat in worry, the hat became even lighter, for Gakuto paired up Ohtori and Shishido.
The selection was again narrowed as Kirihara put Momoshiro with the reluctant Echizen. When Niou picked Oshitari and matched him with Gakuto, Atobe's heart sank. Oshitari had been the only person left that Atobe wouldn't have minded dating. Now his only choices were Tachibana, Yanagi, and…
"Sengoku," Oshitari said, waving the piece of paper proudly above his head. The only thing Atobe could manage to think as his best friend told the spectators that he wanted Sengoku to date Atobe was that the system was somehow rigged.
Needing to keep up his cool demeanor, even if it contradicted this true feelings, Atobe scoffed and said, "Fine by me, but be prepared to stop meddling for the rest of your life, Yuushi."
Atobe couldn't help but notice the hurt look that momentarily spread for his new boyfriend's face as he spoke those harsh words.
Don't kill me if you don't like the pairings. Actually, I am not fond of some myself, but it was hard to pair everyone up! Anyway, please leave a review to let me know what you think!