Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Prince of Tennis!
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"Parseltongue"
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...
They all stared when Ryoma started the match against Akutsu with a new move called Drive A and planting a ball directly between the Yamabuki player's eyes making him fall back and land on his back after skidding several meters.
"That is for threatening Hari," Ryoma said darkly.
Hari frowned slightly.
"Hari?" Ryoga asked from his place next to her. "What is he talking about?"
"Nanimonai," she said without looking away from the court. She looked at Ryoma and saw the protective note in his eyes as he glared at Akutsu who was getting back at his feet with a pensive frown on his face. He didn't look to be hurt or anything.
Ryoga frowned but didn't ask deciding to wait until later.
What followed was an intense and furious match and for a long time, it looked like Ryoma was going to be overpowered completely by Akutsu (who Hari reluctantly admitted had talent in tennis). He was a bad match for Ryoma and much too violent. But Ryoma being Ryoma never gave up.
She smiled at Kaido when he came and stood next to her ignoring Ryoga's speculative look as he did. He just hissed ("a whole lot of fun for one coin") and pushed his hands into his pockets as he watched the match.
Hari would never admit the way her heart felt like it stopped for a moment when Ryoma fell back after what looked like a ball to the face but turned out to be an act, he had managed to get the racket up in time to hit the ball back over the net and gaining a point.
The whole team was tense with worry and anticipation and one could practically feel it in the air as they watched Ryoma fight against Akutsu with everything he got and evolving in front of their eyes.
"I can't get over how fast Ryo-chan is learning," Hari smiled proudly as she watched her little brother take yet another point against Akutsu.
"The little runt is a growing bush," Kaido hissed. "He is strong."
Hari's lips twitched amused as she glanced at her friend who was glaring at the match. She smiled and looked back as well.
Hari frowned though as she let her eyes linger on Akutsu. He looked like he was having fun and some of the harsh lines around his eyes and face vanished. He didn't look as hard and unapproachable as before and suddenly she was wondering if this was the side that Dan saw in this teen?
She looked to the Yamabuki side and found Dan easily standing in between the players where he was watching the match with an awed expression on his face and hands clutched together. He was kind of adorable in a puppy-sort-of-way.
"I wonder…" she said turning her eyes back to Akutsu.
...
"He won!" Hari laughed as she released Kaido's arm which she had grabbed at the last part of the match as they battled fiercely for the match point.
"He did," Kaido said allowing a small smile to cross his lips and Hari beamed up at him before she rushed onto the court and threw her arms around her little brother.
"You did it!" she cheered.
"Hari…breathe…" Ryoma gasped but Hari just continued to hug him. He gasped and tenderly patted her back and let out a relieved sigh as she pulled back and let go of him.
"You're crazy," Hari grinned at him.
"Oi! I don't want to hear that from you," Ryoma scoffed.
"Why? It's true," she laughed and ruffled his hair making his cap fall off and land on the ground behind him. He swatted her hand away with a small glare.
"Ryoma!"
"Ryoma-sama!"
The rest of the team joined them and soon surrounded them on the court.
"Are you fighting?" Momoshiro grinned as he took in the pout on Ryoma's face.
"Who? Us?" Hari smiled innocently.
Ryoma sighed and shook his head but smiled slightly when Hari threw an arm around his shoulder.
"You did great, Echizen!" Momoshiro grinned down at Ryoma.
"You really did," Oishi smiled.
"Sugoi, Ochibi" Kikumaru grinned.
Hari smiled amused at the pleased look on Ryoma's face that he tried to hide underneath a blank face. He was just so cute.
...
"Interesting match," a voice said and Hari looked up and saw Banda standing there looking at her with a smile on his face.
"Um, arigatou," she said and straightened up a little.
"You're Echizen Hari?" he asked even though he knew.
"Yes," she nodded.
"Nanjiro's kid?" he tilted his head a little and Hari shifted a little on her feet as she wondered what he wanted.
"He's my adoptive father," she said. "Why?"
"No reason," Banda smiled. "I was just curious. I knew him when he was a young player himself, you know. Before he became a pro."
"I see," Hari said.
"You think I'm an old man, right?" Banda said.
"Eh? No…" Hari blinked.
"Haha," he laughed. "No reason to be worried, Hari-chan. I am just curious about you. You played a very interesting match against Sengoku-kun."
"It was a fun match," Hari smiled.
"It sure was," Banda nodded. "I am curious to see what else you can do. You and your brother."
With that, he turned and left Hari standing there looking confused before she shrugged and sighed as she found herself attacked by a bouncy acrobat.
"Hari-chan!" Kikumaru yelled.
"I'm going to become deaf," she winced and somehow managed to get free from the bouncy boy. "Don't yell into my ear, Kikumaru-sempai."
He just laughed and she rolled her eyes fondly.
"What did Yamabuki's coach want with you?" Momoshiro asked as the rest joined them.
"I have no idea," she shrugged. "Talk. He asked if I were Nanjiro's kid…"
"Oyaji would be pleased with that," Ryoma smiled and Hari looked at him briefly before she looked away.
...
Hari stilled as she noticed something from the corner of her eyes as she was talking with the team and she narrowed her eyes.
"No." She suddenly said.
"Hari?" Ryoma asked looking at her curiously. The others also fell silent as they turned to look at her.
"Please tell me he didn't," Hari said and looked at Ryoma who smiled.
"Didn't what?" he asked but the growing smirk on his face had her narrowing her eyes at him.
"That he hasn't been hiding in the bushes all day spying on me?" Hari said.
Ryoma laughed while the others looked something between confused and curious. Hari groaned and hung her head.
"What are you talking about, nya?" Kikumaru asked unable to remain silent anymore.
Hari remained still for a moment before she straightened up and got a determined look on her face.
"Nanimonai," she said and started to walk.
"Where are you going?" Momoshiro called after her but she didn't answer as she stalked off toward the bushes where she had spotted the brown hair and monk outfit.
"Eh? Hari-chan!" Kikumaru called as well before he turned to Ryoma and Ryoga who both looked amused and in Ryoga's case also sympathetic. "Where she's going?"
"Cause trouble for Oyaji," Ryoma said.
"You mean your dad is the one she talked about spying?" Sakuno was the one who asked while Inoue and Shiba looked amused as they stood to the side watching them.
"That brat," Ryuzaki shook her head having come up to join them and heard what her granddaughter said. "He is impossible."
They heard a yelp and saw a man running with Hari taking off after him looking angry. They only saw the back of the man who was wearing a monk outfit and had short brown hair.
"Ah, he's an idiot," Ryoga nodded before he laughed and tossed his orange up in the air. "He should have made a run for it when he saw her coming toward him."
"He really should," Ryoma nodded.
"But why is your dad spying on Hari-chan?" Kawamura frowned.
Ryoma looked at him.
"He's worried she has met a boy and I'm sure he's trying to figure out if it's one of you," Ryoma deadpanned.
Fuji smiled looking amused.
"So, she has met a boy has she?" Fuji smiled.
"Eh? Hari-chan?" Kikumaru blinked owlishly. "No way!"
"She has?" Momoshiro frowned. "Who?"
Ryoga looked at them and laughed again suddenly looking even more amused and shook his head.
"Poor Hari…" he said as he turned around to walk away. "Poor, poor Hari… She'll never get a moment of peace…Bye Ryoma! See you at home!"
Ryoma looked after his brother for a second before looking back at the team.
"I don't know," Ryoma shrugged. "But Oyaji is always suspicious about Hari and boys… I think he is developing a complex. He is hopeless."
...
Hari stopped chasing Nanjiro when he jumped on his bike calling something about having a nice day or something. He was such an idiot! She couldn't believe that he had spent the entire day hidden behind bushes or trees just so he could spy on her!
She blinked. Okay…so maybe she could believe it. But who did that? He was crazy! Argh, that man was impossible. She ignored the part of her that warmed up at the thought that he cared enough to worry about her and wanted to protect her (even if he did go crazy).
She was also pleased that he had seen her first official match. She grinned. She had played her first official match and she had won! It had gone better than she could have dreamed! She felt like skipping and suddenly she really wanted to tell Seiichi.
He would be happy for her if he knew. She paused and bit down on her lower lip as she suddenly pictured Seiichi's proud smile and happy look in his violet-blue eyes as he looked at her… She flushed.
Why did she suddenly want to tell him? Well, he was her friend. A good friend. It was only natural to want to share something like this with a friend, right?
Right?
Would he mind if she called him?
She pulled out her phone and found his number and stared at it. She moved to press the call button before she hesitated. Would he think it was strange that she called him just to say that she had played tennis in an official match? Would he even care? Maybe he thought she was just bragging and that it was no big deal…
No. He wouldn't think that. She was sure.
Ugh. This was too complicated. She wanted to call him so she would. That's all there was to it. She pushed the call button and brought the phone to her ear.
...
Seiichi was seated on a small sofa and flipping through a magazine as he thought about how to proceed with his plan to make Hari his. He wanted to make it perfect.
"You're here," Sanada commented as he entered the room.
"What a welcome," Seiichi said dryly and looked up at his best friend. "You've been practising tennis?"
"Hai," Sanada said. "We made it to the Kanto Tournament, but there still are improvements to be made."
"You even tougher than me sometimes, Genichiro," Seiichi commented as before he looked back down at his botanist magazine.
"What are you doing?" Sanada said ignoring the last comment.
"Trying to decide what to do next," Seiichi said and glanced up at him. "I want to find the best way to show Hari-chan that I like her."
Sanada chocked on the water he was drinking as he turned stunned eyes to Seiichi.
"What?" Seiichi asked innocently.
"You openly admit that you like her?" Sanada asked.
Seiichi looked up at his best friend for a moment before looking back down at the magazine.
"Mochiron," Seiichi said. "To you I do."
Sanada would have rolled his eyes if he did that sort of thing, but instead, he let out a small sigh and put his water bottle down.
"I thought you did, but you never said anything," Sanada said.
Seiichi just shrugged.
"She's too popular for her own good," Seiichi frowned slightly. "So, I have to make a plan and win her heart before someone else does."
Sanada looked at him and smiled slightly leaning against his desk.
"You really do like her," he observed.
Seiichi nodded but before he could say anything else his phone rang and he pulled it out before smiling softly.
"Hello, Hari-chan," he greeted.
"Hey, Sei-chan," Hari's voice sounded a little breathless but happy.
"What has you smiling?" Seiichi asked curiously.
"How do you know I'm smiling?" Hari asked.
"I can hear it in your voice," Seiichi answered. "So?"
"I guess I am smiling," Hari said with a light laugh. "I just played my first official match today! And I won!"
Seiichi arched a brow before he smiled.
"Really? That's great," Seiichi said. "Who did you play?"
Sanada arched a brow as he looked over at Seiichi who was smiling in a way that Sanada never had seen before and he blinked feeling a little stunned.
"Sengoku Kiyosumi, of Yamabuki," Hari said.
"That's amazing," Seiichi said. "He's a good player too."
"I know," Hari laughed. "I was really surprised when Tezuka-Captain said I was playing. I thought he was joking at first, but then I remembered that Captain doesn't joke."
Seiichi snorted. No, Tezuka wasn't one for jokes. At least not too many and not about tennis.
"So how was your match? Tell me," Seiichi said.
And she did. Well, she told him the fast overview of the match but it was enough to make Seiichi wish he had seen it.
"I look forward to hearing more about it," Seiichi said when she finished. "I wish I had seen it."
"Mm," Hari agreed.
"So, you saw Akutsu again too, then?" Seiichi asked with a frown.
"I did, but it went fine," Hari said. "Ryo-chan beat him in their match. It was amazing! Ryo-chan really is amazing."
"I see," Seiichi smiled. "I look forward to seeing your brother play, then."
"You should," Hari agreed.
Seiichi could hear something in the distance and heard the sigh from Hari.
"I'm sorry, Sei-chan, but I have to go," she said, "Ryo-chan and the others are coming and… I don't like the teasing look on Shu-chan's face…"
"Fuji?" Seiichi asked.
"Mhm, he's got that look on his face that says he knows something and can't wait to tease me with it," Hari grumbled, "but, anyway, I'll talk to you later! Bye!"
"Okay, bye," Seiichi said and hung up.
...
"I guess that was Hari-chan?" Sanada broke the silence.
"Yes," Seiichi nodded absentmindedly.
"And she played in a match?" Sanada probed.
"Eh?" Seiichi blinked and looked at him before he nodded. "Yeah, she played Sengoku from Yamabuki and won."
"Impressive," Sanada noted and Seiichi nodded again. "So, what do you have planned for Hari-chan, Seiichi?"
...
Hari slipped away and went to the bar to get something to drink. She smiled at Kawamura's father who smiled back at her and handed her a bottle of coke.
"Arigatou," she said.
"You're welcome," he said kindly.
She looked around the room and took in her laughing teammates and their happiness over their victory made her smile. Momoshiro and Kikumaru were causing chaos like normal while Oishi tried to calm them down but laughed at the same time so he failed. Tezuka was seated next to Oishi and was mostly silent as his eyes scanned them all; it was like he was looking out for them all.
Fuji was eating some sushi that had Ryoma and the other first years looking a little green and Hari rolled her eyes at them. She had finally gotten free from his teasing and insinuating and she was a little worried about what exactly it was he knew…
"Hari-chan," Kawamura smiled at her and she blinked as she realised that he had come up to her. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Kawamura-sempai," she smiled at him. "Just got thirsty."
He nodded and accepted the soda from his father as well.
"You owe me a sushi-lesson by the way;" Hari suddenly said and turned to face the older boy.
"I do?" Kawamura blinked while his father looked amusedly at her.
"Yeah, you promised that you would teach me how to make sushi," Hari nodded.
"I see," Kawamura said. "Then, when do you want your lesson?"
Hari took a drink before smiling.
"What about now?" she asked.
"Now?" Kawamura looked confused and Hari nodded.
"Yeah, you can teach me some now, can't you?" she asked.
Kawamura looked over at his father who nodded in agreement.
"Okay," Kawamura agreed.
...
Hari watched as Kawamura showed her how to slice up the fish in perfect bits and the best way to hold the knife. She had never really thought it took that much effort to just slice up the fish correctly. But she had fun watching him and it looked like he had fun as well as he explained.
"You really look like you're enjoying this," Hari commented when they were finished.
"I guess," Kawamura rubbed the back of his head while he smiled embarrassedly. "I want to help my dad."
Hari nodded and glanced over at his father who was now talking with Ryuzaki.
"He is a kind man," she said.
"He is," Kawamura agreed.
Hari was silent for a moment.
"You knew Akutsu before, right?" she suddenly asked.
"I did," Kawamura frowned.
"Has he always been that…rough," she grimaced slightly at the last word but it was the best she knew how to describe him.
"He has had a tough life," Kawamura said after a moment. "His mother is rather young and a single mum. He was bullied because of it and it made him…well, angry."
Hari frowned slightly as she thought
"I know that what he does is wrong and that he provokes a lot of people," Kawamura continued, "but I still worry about him. He does have a softer side, but he rarely shows it."
Hari glanced at Kawamura with a pensive look on her face.
"I see," she said thoughtfully before she smiled. "You are very kind, Kawamura-sempai."
He blushed embarrassed and looked away but she just smiled.
"Hari, we should go," Ryoma called over to her.
"Alright!" She said and looked back at Kawamura. "Thank you for the lesson, sempai."
...
Hari raised an unimpressed brow at Nanjiro who was looking at her suspiciously. Rinko rolled her eyes at her husband as she passed him and pulled Hari into to a hug.
"Congratulations on your first official match, Hari-chan," Rinko smiled when she pulled back. "I wish I had been there to see it."
"Thank you," Hari smiled back at her.
"You let those boys touch you way too much;" Nanjiro whine interrupted them but they ignored him.
"I heard you did great," Rinko said. "Ryoga said you played like you hadn't done anything else for years."
Hari blushed and looked over at Ryoga who was lying on the sofa looking perfectly relaxed but she met his eyes and saw his smile.
"I don't know about that," Hari said modestly. "I know I made mistakes and that Sengoku-san probably underestimated me a little, but it was a fun match."
"That's what's important," Rinko nodded.
"I mean, the way that bouncy boy grabbed you and hugged you," Nanjiro continued to rambled and even started to pace up and down the floor.
"Are you hungry?" Rinko asked looking at Hari and Ryoma.
"We just ate," Hari said. "We celebrated at Kawamura-sempai's place. His father owns a sushi restaurant."
"And that other boy…the one who ruffled your hair…"
"Really?" Rinko said. "That's nice."
Hari and Ryoma both nodded.
"Kawamura-sempai even gave Hari a lesson," Ryoma smiled and Nanjiro spun around to stare at her.
"Which one is that?" he demanded.
"The kind, shy one," Hari rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Otou-chan, you are impossible…"
She stilled when she realised what she had said and so did everyone else. Nanjiro blinked his wide hazel eyes at her.
"I…um…" Hari flushed and looked down as she bit her lower lip. How could she be so careless and let that slip out? What must… "Ouch…"
She suddenly found herself yanked into a tight bone-crushing hug that threatened to cut off her air supply. It took a moment for her to realise that Nanjiro was the one who was hugging her and she felt him shake slightly as he did.
"Finally!" Nanjiro cheered and started to spin around the room and since he still hadn't let go of Hari she was being spun around as well but she didn't really mind. She just leaned into his hug and allowed him to hold her up as he spun around and around while laughing.
Eventually, he put her down and grinned down at her with the widest grin she'd seen on his face. She smiled nervously back feeling uncertain but at the same time hopeful… this didn't seem like the reaction of someone who was upset at being called 'Otou-chan' by mistake.
"You finally called me Otou-chan!" Nanjiro said.
"I…you don't mind?" Hari asked gingerly.
"Mind? Of course not!" Nanjiro said. "I've been waiting for you to do it."
"We have waited for you to be ready or decide on your own that you wanted to call us by Otou-chan and Okaa-chan," Rinko smiled warmly and pulled Hari into another hug and held her for a long moment. "We're so happy if you want to call us that."
Hari swallowed the tears she felt coming and hugged Rinko back and let out a staggering breath when she felt Nanjiro hug them both.
"Okaa-chan," she whispered. "Otou-chan."
"Our girl," Nanjiro said quietly.
Hari was finally released from the hug only to find herself in front of Ryoga who was smiling at her and blinked when he reached out and ruffled her hair.
"I have a new little sister," he said and she blinked again. "You should call me Nii-chan."
Hari couldn't help it. She laughed and nodded.
"Okay, Nii-chan," she said and he grinned and hugged her.
"Can't be the only one here to not hug you," he whispered in her ear. "Or… Ryoma, come over here…"
"What? No…" Ryoma protested and Hari heard him yelp when Ryoga managed to grab him and pulled him into their hug and she could hear Ryoma grumble something but he did hug her as well.
...
Hari yawned as she walked through the school the next day but she couldn't help but smile even if she was tired. She had not fallen asleep until late because she kept going over everything that had happened, the match and then the family time. She still felt the warmth from their hugs and their acceptance.
She had never felt so…accepted and safe and…and home before in her life. The way they lit up when she called them 'Otou-chan' and 'Okaa-chan' would remain as one of her happiest memories for a long time. She was sure she could cast a Patronus charm with that memory.
"You look happy," Fuji said as he came up beside her. "Is it your boyfriend who makes you so happy?"
Hari rolled her eyes and shot him a glare.
"Ha-ha, very funny," she said. "I told you yesterday, I don't have a boyfriend."
"Hmm," Fuji smiled his signature smile, "I don't believe you."
"Whatever," Hari said just as they reached the tennis court and joined the others for their practice.
"Hari-chan," Kikumaru waved and she blinked confused for a moment before she realised that Oishi was holding his shirt. So that was why he hadn't hug-attacked her yet.
"Hey, Kikumaru-sempai," Hari waved back.
The practice started when Tezuka got there having talked with Ryuzaki about something.
...
Hari looked up when she noticed a new person enter the court and she looked at him curiously. He was dressed in a pair of black trousers and a simple white shirt, it was clearly a part of a school uniform but it looked more laid back without the jacket. And without the jacket, she had no way to see which school he belonged to. His hair was also messy and dark and even from where she stood she could tell he had green eyes. Much like hers, actually.
Who was he? She wondered curiously just as Oishi and Inui noticed him and Oishi, polite as he was, asked who he was. The boy looked a little startled like he had hoped to remain unnoticed but soon smiled confidently.
"I'm Rikkai Dai Jr. High's junior ace," he said with a smirk, "Kirihara Akaya."
Hari felt her eyes widen as she looked at him with a new interest in her eyes. So he was one of Seiichi's teammates? She did remember Seiichi talking about someone named Kirihara Akaya before and knew he was looked at like the "baby" of their team.
Hari ignored Inui and Oishi's comments as she observed Kirihara who now rubbed the back of his head sheepishly and grinned.
"I came to do some spying," he said bluntly and Hari felt her lips twitch as she noticed the temperature rise around her as the club started to whisper and mutter among themselves. She eyes Arai because he was the one most likely to lose control of his temper, but so far, so good…
Hari stepped to the side and pulled out her phone and hit the call button.
"Hello?"
"Hey, are you missing a player?" Hari asked.
"Eh? How did you know that?" Seiichi asked surprised and heard him shush someone at his side.
"Because I'm psychic," Hari smiled.
"No, seriously, how did you know?" Seiichi asked.
"He's here," Hari said.
"Where? At your school?" Seiichi sounded confused and she smiled.
"Yes," Hari said. "Currently he's trying to pick a fight with Tezuka-Captain… I wonder if Tezuka-Captain can actually frown any more than he currently is…"
Seiichi sighed.
"Seriously," he muttered. "I'm sorry."
"Nah, don't worry," Hari said before she stopped to take in what was happening now. He hit a ball back to Arai (who of course had snapped and hit a ball at him) and then, of course, the ball missed Arai (was that on purpose?) and hit Momoshiro in the face. Causing Momoshiro to fall back and lose his grip on his racket that flew through the air and hit Kachiro who was carrying a basket full of tennis balls….which led to tennis balls all around the court and somehow ended up with Kaido with his drink over his head, hissing and spitting as he glared doom over the entire club as he demanded to know who had done it.
It was very much like watching dominos fall…
"On second thought…." Hari blinked at the chaos that erupted. "I think maybe he should run before Ka-chan kills him…"
"I would come to get him, but I'm tied up with our practice match," Seiichi sighed. "I can't leave…"
"Where are you?" Hari asked. "I'll get him to you."
"Really? Are you sure?" Seiichi asked.
"It's no problem," Hari said before adding in her mind; I get to see you again too.
...
"Captain?" Hari approached Tezuka and Ryuzaki while the others went for their run. She saw the arched brows since she hadn't joined the others and winced slightly.
"Yes?" he looked at her.
"I wondered if I may be excused?" she asked.
"Why?"
"Well," she cleared her throat and fought off her blush. "I know Rikkai Dai's Captain and I talked to him… He apologizes for the mess Kirihara-kun caused, by the way, and I sort of promised that I would get him, Kirihara-kun I mean, to them."
Tezuka arched a brow again as he looked at her while Ryuzaki looked pensively at her.
"You know Yukimura Seiichi?" Tezuka asked.
"Yes, Captain," Hari nodded. "He's a friend."
There were no signs of surprise on Tezuka's face as he stared at her blankly. Hari felt like squirming but kept herself still.
"I didn't know that," Tezuka finally said.
"No, I guess I haven't told anyone," Hari shrugged. "It hasn't come up."
"Is this the boy Nanjiro is sure you have met but don't know who is?" Ryuzaki asked curiously. (å
Hari glanced at her.
"Who knows?" Hari shrugged, "perhaps. But Sei-chan is just a friend."
Why did it hurt her heart to say those words?
"I see," Ryuzaki said.
"Alright," Tezuka said. "If you complete a series of training by yourself by tomorrow, I will allow you to leave now."
Hari smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Tezuka-Captain," Hari waved and turned around and ran off after Kirihara.
...
"Oi!" Hari called out when she saw Kirihara standing leaned against a wall watching the team make their laps.
"Eh?" he turned his head and looked at her and she saw his eyes widen when he took in her training clothes. "Are you a player for the boy's team? Wait, I saw you on the courts, didn't I?"
"You probably did," Hari nodded. "Nice to meet you, Kirihara-kun. I'm Echizen Hari."
He blinked at her.
"So, what do you want?" he asked tilting his head. "A match? I'm sorry but I don't really play girls…"
Hari rolled her eyes.
"As if I would play you," she said. "Now, I've come to take you back to your team."
"What?" he asked surprised.
"Yes, so please wait here while I go and change," Hari said and turned to go to her changing room.
7 minutes later she was out and she found Kirihara waiting for her and looked at her curiously.
"Why are you going to take me back to my team?" he asked when she walked up to him. "Did your coach order you to?"
Hari snorted.
"No," she said. "I asked Tezuka-Captain if I could be excused early because I promised Sei-chan to take you back to your team. Now, come on, Kirihara-kun!"
Hari grabbed his arm and dragged him with her toward the school gates.
...
Kirihara watched the girl who had by now let go of his arm but was leading him in what seemed like circles. They had taken a bus and since he wasn't on his own he hadn't fallen asleep, well, trying to figure out this girl might be one reason for not falling asleep. But now, after they had stepped off the bus, they walked in circles and…yeah, that was the bus stop again.
"We're back where we started," Kirihara commented.
"It moved," Hari scowled.
"What moved? The bus stop?" Kirihara asked incredulously.
"Hey, don't mock," Hari pouted at him. "Sei-chan didn't really explain how to get to the school you are playing your practice match…"
Kirihara frowned again as he wondered who 'Sei-chan' was because it couldn't be the one he was thinking about. There was no way… but who else? Again he looked at the girl with the dark auburn hair and green eyes as she looked around.
They started to walk again and this time they walked in a different direction, so hopefully, they would end up where they were supposed to be. Kirihara looked at the smile playing on her lips as she looked around and pulled out her phone before putting it back.
She was a strange one. And he had no idea what to think about her, she was pretty. Really pretty, he thought as he glanced at her again. And the way she just told him that she was going to take him back to his team… and he had no idea why he even followed her.
"Ha! There it is!" She grinned and pointed as she cast a look over at Kirihara. "I found it!"
Kirihara smiled amused and shook his head.
"Good for you, then," he said.
"Oh, come on," she said. "I'm sure your matches are almost done, but hopefully your team is still here… Sei-chan hasn't said anything about leaving, so…"
...
"Is Akaya coming?" Marui asked looking at Seiichi.
"Hai," Seiichi nodded. "He should be here soon…though…"
He frowned.
"Seiichi?" Sanada arched a brow at him.
"Hari-chan is bringing him," Seiichi told him.
"Hari-chan?" Marui and Nio looked at each other.
"Hari-chan?" Sanada repeated and looked at Seiichi. "Then we could end up waiting for a while… she's a master on getting lost, isn't she?"
Seiichi sighed but he nodded. The team was gathered around him and talking lightly among themselves while they waited, while the other team had already left.
"I wonder who this Hari-chan is," Marui said.
"She's probably a friend of Yukimura-Captain," Yanagi said.
Marui rolled his eyes but didn't say anything else.
"Sei-chan!" a voice suddenly called and they all looked around to see a girl with long auburn hair and green eyes coming toward them with Kirihara slightly behind her. She was grinning and waved as she skipped toward them leaving Kirihara behind as she made her way toward Seiichi.
"Hari-chan," Seiichi got to his feet and smiled softly and his eyes widen slightly when he felt arms around him and then her cheek right against his before she pulled back just as suddenly as she had hugged him.
He stared at her and noticed the blush in her cheeks as she looked down and shifted a little on her feet.
"Hello, Hari-chan," Sanada said breaking the tense and slightly awkward silence that had occurred between them and Seiichi cast his best friend a grateful look.
"Sanada-kun," Hari smiled at him and seemed to have gotten control over herself again. "Nice to see you again. How are you?"
"I'm fine," he said. "And you?"
"Fine," she smiled. "So, did you win?"
"Of course we did," Seiichi said and Hari looked at him and laughed.
"Of course," she agreed.
"Wait!" Kirihara burst out and Hari looked around to see him stare at her and Seiichi with wide eyes.
"What?" Hari asked him.
"Yukimura-Captain is the one you call 'Sei-chan'?!" Kirihara asked.
Hari blinked and looked at Seiichi who looked impassively at Kirihara.
"Well, yeah," Hari frowned, "who else would it be?"
Seiichi just smiled and shook his head while his team looked a little lost and a whole lot of confused.
"Um, Captain-san?" Marui asked. "Who's your friend?"
Seiichi looked at him for a moment before he looked at Hari who blinked and smiled.
"Echizen Hari," Seiichi said. "Hari-chan, this is my team."
He continued to give the names and she nodded at them as she looked at them as they were introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Hari said when Seiichi finished.
"Hello!" Marui grinned. "Do you like cake?"
Hari blinked at him.
"I love treacle tart," she said.
"Ooh, I've never had that before," Marui said his eyes lighting up. "Is it really good?"
"It's the best dessert that's been made ever!" Hari declared. "My best friend's mother back in England makes the best treacle tart in the world, though the one at my old boarding school was also very good."
"I must try it one time," Marui said and pulled out a small book. When he noticed her looking at the book he explained, "it's my book of cakes and desserts I must eat before I die."
"You're going to freak her out, Marui," Jackal sighed.
"I'm not freaking her out, Jackal" Marui protested.
"Puri, puri," Nio smiled at Hari. "Do you attend school here in Tokyo, Echizen, puri?"
"I attend Seigaku," Hari answered.
"Seigaku, huh?" Yanagi said tilting his head slightly and she noticed that he too had his eyes closed.
"Do you play tennis, Echizen-san?" Jackal asked stopping his bickering with Marui to ask.
"I do," Hari grinned.
"She just won her first official match against Sengoku of Yamabuki yesterday," Seiichi added with a proud note in his voice. Hari flushed lightly as she glanced over at Seiichi who had been rather quiet so far, just observing her talk with his team.
"You did?" Kirihara asked and looked at her sceptically.
"What? You don't think a girl can do it?" she arched a brow at him.
"Well…" Kirihara said.
"Akaya," Sanada said sharply and the younger boy snapped his mouth shut and looked away.
"Interesting," Yanagi said. "Interesting data…"
"Indeed, puri," Nio agreed and looked at Hari with a new interest in his eyes.
...
Somehow Hari ended up joining them for their dinner and sat beside Seiichi at the restaurant nearest the train station. She smiled as she observed them talking and celebrating their win, but she noticed that they were much calmer than her own team.
"Thank you," Seiichi said bringing her attention over at him.
"For what?" Hari asked curiously.
"For helping to bring Akaya back to us," Seiichi said. "I'm sure you had to go out of your way to do it."
"It's fine," Hari smiled shyly. "I didn't mind."
"He is a good kid, but he can be a little…" Seiichi sighed.
"He's amusing," Hari said. "I very much liked the way he made our training grounds a complete mess and even got a reaction from Tezuka-Captain. I don't think I've ever seen him frown that much before…"
Seiichi shook his head and frowned a little.
"Calm down, Sei-chan," Hari said and nudged his shoulder lightly. "We're used to chaos. We got Kikumaru on our team and Momo-chan… those two can create chaos out of thin air."
"And you?" Seiichi arched a brow at her and she noticed that the slight tension that had been around him was gone and smiled.
"Me? I have no idea what you're talking about, Sei-chan," Hari protested with a mock glare. "I never create chaos."
"Sure, you don't," Seiichi snorted.
Hari laughed as she shifted in her seat a little so she could more easily face him. Neither was aware of the watching team or the curious and wondering looks they got from the others, or the knowing look that Sanada had in his eyes as he looked at Seiichi.
...
"I thought you were going with them back home," Hari said looking over at Seiichi who was still standing beside her while his team had left to catch the train.
"I will stay in town for a couple of more days," Seiichi said.
Hari smiled as she looked down to hide just how pleased she was hearing that.
"I see," was all she said.
"So, do you have time or do you have to go home?" Seiichi asked.
"I suppose I have some time," Hari said and looked at him. "Why?"
"No reason," Seiichi said calmly. "Just wondered if you wanted to take a walk with me."
Hari looked at him for a moment longer before she nodded.
"Sure," she said. "That sounds good."
They walked in silence for a little while and again they ended up down by the river. Hari glanced at the water before looking back up at the path in front of her.
"How're your legs?" she asked breaking the silence.
"Fine," Seiichi said. "I'm a little tired but nothing too bad."
"Should you be here and walking then?" Hari asked worriedly. "We can go and sit down somewhere…"
"It's fine, Hari-chan," Seiichi reassured her.
"Okay," she said but still cast him a worried look.
"So, tell me more about your match," he said.
Hari grinned and started to go into more detail about the match.
...
Finally, she arrived home and found herself still smiling, though a little confused by the last comment from Seiichi.
"Find out what they mean and answer me tomorrow, after you've finished school," his voice was calm but there was a note of nerves underneath that she didn't understand. "I will wait for you at the botanic garden we met last time."
With those words, he had pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and pressed a soft kiss to her hand like he normally did before he turned around and walked away and leaving a confused Hari.
Find out what, what meant?
"Hari-chan," Nanako's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hey," Hari smiled slightly.
"You got a delivery while you were out," Nanako said with a smile.
"I did?" Hari asked curiously.
"I put them in your room before Nanjiro-oji-san saw them," Nanako said and winked. "He probably would have a heart attack."
Hari looked confused.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"You'll see," Nanako said and nodded toward the stairs. "You should go and find out."
Hari gave her one last confused look before she started to walk up the stairs and to her room.
...
She paused as soon as she stepped into the room and saw the beautiful bouquet of flowers that was standing in a vase on her desk. She felt her mouth drop open as she looked at the flowers and she tried to figure out when she had ever gotten flowers last. Never, she realised. She had never gotten flowers before.
Had…Had Seiichi been the one to give them to her?
He must have been. She walked over to the flowers staring at them all the same. They were beautiful but she had no idea about what kind all of them were. She didn't move for a long moment just staring at them. There must be at least seven different types of flowers in the bouquet.
She reached out and let her finger touch the petal of a lily. She loved lilies. Something fell from the bouquet and she looked down at the desk and saw a card.
Hari-chan,
Congratulations on your first official match! Flowers have their own language and these tell what I want to tell you. I will let you figure out the hidden meaning.
Yukimura Seiichi.
She really did need to find out what kind of flowers these were and their meaning, but how could she do that? She looked at them and wished that these were the kind of flowers they used in Herbology because that would have increased the chance of her knowing them.
She smiled.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
Happy New Year! :D Hope you have had a good start on the new year! :)
Japanese words used:
Nanimonai - Nothing
Sugoi - Awesome
Ochibi - Little
Arigatou - Thank you
Sempai - upperclassman
Oyaji - Old man/dad
Hai - Yes
Mochiron - Of course
Otou-chan - Dad
Okaa-chan - Mom
