Title: The Challenge (Part VII)
Author: ficeler37
Note: Don't own Mai-Hime. I'll let Sunrise take the credit.
Rating: PG
Word count: 1048
Summary: The game has finally come to an end.
A/N: Sorry for the late update, guys. I'm kinda tired tonight. Didn't get enough sleep for the past few days. yawn Time for bed. Even though the game has come to an end, it doesn't necessarily mean that the story is going to be over soon. haha.
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Their lips part ways as quickly as they came together. Before Natsuki's mind can register what just happened, Shizuru has already extracted herself from Natsuki's still body. Shizuru keeps her head down and crosses her arms, scared of seeing any possible repulsive reactions from Natsuki, who is now leaning on the pool table behind her and facing the crimson-eyed girl with a dazed look on her face.
From where the guys are standing, all they can see is Shizuru moving rapidly away from Natsuki after their failed attempt at sinking a solid ball into one of the pockets. If Takeda had seen the kiss between the two girls, he probably would have fainted right on the spot due to jealousy and embarrassment. Reito, being as observant as ever, suspects that something might have happened that was invisible to his eyes. Having spent an entire year working side by side with the ex-student council president, Reito finds it odd that Shizuru would back off so hurriedly without going for a small grope. Since when does Shizuru-san find the floor more interesting than Natsuki?
The spiky haired boy, oblivious to the strange atmosphere surrounding the girls, only cares about finishing the game at lightning speed so that he can start planning his date with the girl of his dreams. "I believe it is my turn. Kaichou and Kuga-san, nice try. Don't feel bad if you lose. You're playing against a pretty good player after all." YES! Luck is on my side today. The balls that were on my way before are gone. I now have a clear shot at the 8 ball. Thank you, Kaichou, for whatever pointers you gave Kuga. "Kuga-san, would you mind moving over a bit so that I can take my shot?"
Natsuki, whose mind is still trying to digest the kiss, only notices Takeda when his body settles at a distance too close for her comfort. Argh, get away from me. Gross. The only person I want to be close to is Shizuru, not you, you creep. She takes this opportunity to walk towards Shizuru, who still has her head down, and once again takes a hold of her hand. "Shizuru, come here." Natsuki pulls on Shizuru's hand to signal the girl to walk towards a tall table situated on the other side of the pool table.
On her way to the tall table, Natsuki starts reflecting on the size of her personal space bubble, amongst other things. When did it all start? When did the walls I built that shield me from everyone first started crumbling in front of this gentle woman? And the feeling of her lips grazing on mine…wow…it's not the first time we kissed, but how come it feels so different just now? Different in a good way, of course, but what has changed since the hime festival? Hey, we're at the table. Ok, Natsuki. Don't be so selfish. Stop thinking about yourself. You gotta make Shizuru act like herself again.
"C'mon, Shizuru. Smile for me. Look, I'm not mad at you, ok? It's not the end of the world if I lose the game. I'll just have to go on a stupid date with Takeda. That's all." Natsuki's naïve mindset leads her into thinking that Shizuru has been acting weird because the target ball did not go into a pocket earlier, so she tries to cheer her up by making it sound like losing the game is no big deal, but she also accidentally reveals the rules that came with the challenge.
Shizuru's mind has been in intense prayer mode ever since her luscious lips were touched by the kiss of an angel by chance. Natsuki, I don't want to scare you away. I know that if I see a hint of revulsion in your eyes, I will break down immediately. I don't want to be weak in front you. Natsuki, please don't run away from me. When Shizuru felt a tug on her hand, tears of relief were making an invisible trail on her heart. Natsuki, why are you always so nice and gentle with me? Thank you…
When Shizuru heard the way Natsuki was trying to comfort her, at first she could only shake her head at the silly thought of her being mad at the green-eyed angel. But when Natsuki disclosed what is at stake, Shizuru's mind was instantly devoured by anger. What? A date? With that loser? Oh no, you don't…On the outside, Shizuru's mask of perfection covers up most of her seething rage, but anyone standing close to her can feel a sudden of drop of temperature in the air.
"Natsuki, you're losing your faith in me already?" Shizuru's inquiry comes with a chilling smile.
"But the ball didn't go in." Natsuki answers with a confused look.
"I wasn't aiming for the hole." Shizuru replies with a scheming grin.
"Don't we need to shoot all the balls into the hole in order to win?" Once again, Natsuki feels like nothing is making sense with the Kyoto beauty.
"You'll just have to trust me. Now witness your victory!" Shizuru points at the pool table where Takeda has just finished making all the necessary preparations to make the shot.
Kaichou probably thought that it would be too difficult for me to take a good aim if the cue ball is placed right next to the rail. True, it is harder to line up my cue stick and take aim at a target ball on the other side of the table. But Kaichou, I'm going to show you how much you have underestimated me. Behold, the king of aim. Finally, Takeda takes a deep breath, calls the back pocket (you need to specify which pocket you want the 8 ball to go into before hitting the ball) and makes the shot.
Natsuki can only stare with furrowed brows as the merciless eight ball rolls smoothly into the back pocket of the pool table. (sigh) I guess it's over. Just when Natsuki tries to reach out to Shizuru again to try to comfort the chestnut haired girl, never did she expect to hear the words that are coming out of Shizuru, whose sinister aura reminds Natsuki of her asura days.
"Takeda-kun. I believe you have just lost the game."
TBC.
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A/N 2: For those who are worried that the end of the game means the end of sexy moments at the pool hall. Well, there's nothing to worry about. Bwa ha ha ha.