Chapter Eleven

Beach Fun

Fay got out of the limo soar. Finally we reached. Argh… That was awful. I'm so stiff. An hour drive to Chiba. She stretched her arms and took a deep breath of the fresh sea air.

She glanced at her father who got out as well. Hmm… He was asleep the whole time in the limo, is he alright? She thought. He does seem more tired lately. Then her eyes went to her brother who was stretching as well. He didn't say a word either, but just browsing on his iPad.

Mitsuru looked at them both. "You can relax for now. The barbecue is later at eight. I've asked for our guests to arrive at seven."

They both nodded, and went their separate ways. Fay walked into the beach house, and went straight to her room. Her things were already brought up this morning, so she casually browsed through them.

She was still tired from the trip and in a way not in the mood for this weekend. She fell on the bed, and closed her eyes. I've been feeling weird lately. I don't know what's wrong. My mind is unstable. My thoughts keep going to the family, and then…

With those thoughts she fell asleep.

Hours later, Fay felt someone shaking her almost violently. "Oy!"

Fay sat up with a jolt, and knocked her head against the hand that was shaking her up. 'Ow," she said softly, rubbing her head.

Her brother looked at her menacingly, "its 6:30. You need to get dressed, our guests will arrive soon," he said. I shook her like ten times!

Dressed? It's a beach barbecue! She thought, and then looked at him. "You're always late for parties making a grand entrance, how come we need to be punctual tonight?"

"Father's orders," he muttered, walking back to leave. God! Sometimes I really can't stand her. It's like she's always ready to pick a fight with me… I don't have the energy anymore.

"Keigo…" Fay began, making him pause.

"What is it?" he asked, not turning around to look at her. What does she want? I just want to get her out of my sight.

Fay got off her bed, and stood up. "Have you noticed that he seems more tired lately?" I've been getting a bad feeling lately.

Interesting? I didn't think she'd notice, but she seems to have good observation skills when need to. "I've noticed," he said quietly. Until we're not sure, then we shouldn't really think too much of it. He's an adult; he can take care of himself. He straightened himself up, "we shouldn't worry for now," he said, leaving.

Fay frowned, I hope my feelings are not true, she thought. She walked to her bathroom, and decided to take a shower. She quickly showered, blow dried her hair. After wearing her bikini, she decided to apply some makeup. I'm feeling really girly today, she thought with a giggle working on her eye makeup.

She looked through her dresser for some accessories, and found a nice necklace that she decided to wear. Standing up, she walked back to her bed where the caftan was laying and picked it up. Putting on her slippers, she walked out her room.

She descended down the stairs, and looked around for anyone. Could they be outside? She walked to the door when she spotted her father standing by the den. He was holding his head lightly. Fay looked worried, and she walked over to him. "Father?"

Mitsuru looked at his daughter. "Hey, Keigo told me that you fell asleep. Were you that tired?"

Fay looked at him with admiration. He was dressed in white loose pants, and a matching loose white shirt. He looked good for his age. All carefree, tanned, and handsome. "I'm worried about you. Are you alright?"

"I'm good," he said, putting an arm casually around her shoulders as they walked towards the barbecue area outside. "I do admit though that I've been working more than necessary, that's why I planned this."

Fay looked at him lovingly now. "You're still not an old man, so don't make me worried, alright?"

Mitsuru chuckled.

Fay left him while he decided to go and greet his friends. I'm sure there are some old people here as well, he thought.

Oh wow! Fay thought, looking at her surroundings. The setting was beautiful. There was a part that had wooden floors with cocktail tables, a band playing lightly in the corner, a volleyball court was set up, and a huge barbecue and drinks area was being prepared. Already she could see people in the area, as she walked across the place.

Hmm… I really don't know anyone here.

"Fay-chan!'

Fay stopped still, and looked to where she had heard her name. She blinked twice, but then gasped. "Oh my! Kurobane!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?" she asked, shaking his hand excitedly.

"We all live in Chiba, forgot?" he winked at her. "Your father was kind enough to invite us."

That sneaky old man, she thought happily. Oh my! It's been so long… she looked around. "Did you come alone?" she asked, hoping to see more of her old friends. Only a few people had known that she was an Atobe in high school, and Kurobane was one of them.

"Saeki's here as well," he said. "He should be walking around."

Kurobane studied her quietly. "So how have you been? Home? University? All good? Or should we start worrying about you?" he asked sincerely.

Fay spent some time with Kurobane, and conversed with him. She loved this feel. The beach was crowded with guests, although not more than 50 people. The band was playing yet not too loudly. The fresh smell of barbecue enlightened her senses. This is nice! I haven't felt this relaxed for a while. She left Kurobane, and caught her father taking to a few people his age.

She looked at the crowd again, and noted that there was already a group playing volleyball. She scanned quickly looking for her brother, and found him surrounded by girls clad in bikinis. Sheesh! Cheap girls all over him… She thought sarcastically. What does he really see in them? The last thing I want is one of those sluts accompanying him in our family gatherings.

She walked along the wooded floor to get a drink, trying to move from the dance floor when someone shouted…

"Watch out!"

Fay immediately moved, just in time to miss a waiter who almost bumped into her carrying a large array of drinks on a tray. He almost glared at her, but then straightened himself when he realized who she was. "I'm sorry, Atobe-san," he said, excusing himself.

"Are you alright?" a girl walked over to her. "I'm glad you could hear me over the music."

Fay noticed a cute girl stand in front of her. She was not so tall, with shoulder-length chestnut hair, and green eyes. She was wearing a one piece swimming suit with a sarong. "My name is Tachibana An," she said, introducing herself.

Fay looked taken aback. "Atobe Fay."

"Oh," An said, surprised. "Is this your house? Oooh… Don't tell me? He's your brother? Doesn't it bother you?' Is she really Atobe Keigo's sister? She doesn't seem haughty…

Fay was trying to clear her head, and catch up with all of her questions. "Doesn't what bother me?" she asked, curiously. The way she asked that question is amusing… I wonder what she means.

An took her hand, and pulled Fay with her to a quiet corner away from the band. They sat down on the stools, and ordered drinks. "Doesn't it bother you that your older brother is popular? Argh! I have more female friends than I want to have," she said with a gag.

Fay's eyes widened. "Umm... it doesn't bother me because I was never home with him. I just returned now for University. I tend to show that I don't care."

An's eyes shone. "You need to teach me how to do that. I never know what to do with Kippei's fans."

"Kippei?"

"My older brother," she explained. An went for a while discussing herself, and older brother. She was giving Fay a fresh outtake on life and for the first time Fay felt that she had met someone who had gone through the same things she had.

Fay found out that An also went to Todai, but she was studying a different major than herself. They conversed some more when Fay's eyes then decided to scan the crowd, and she almost caught someone familiar, "Takeda?" she asked out loud.

An stopped, she looked to where Fay's line of sight was, "Takeda Ren? Do you know him?" she asked.

Fay seemed surprised that An knew him. I didn't think he was popular. He does seem to keep to himself a lot. "We share a few classes at University," Fay explained. "He's also my partner in one of them."

"Ah okay," An said with a nod. "You knew he went with Kippei to Shishigaku for a while but then decided to come back to Tokyo before he graduated high school."

"Oh? Why is that?" Fay asked. All the way from Shishigaku to Tokyo? Just like that? I'm sure something must've happened for him to do that. Why do I seem curious to know, but I really shouldn't probe. Why did I ask?!

An looked really amazed that Fay didn't know why. "You really don't know?" she said, more to herself than Fay. "Takeda was the ace of the volleyball team at the school; he even took them to the nationals. However, before the finals he suddenly decided to quit the team and come back to Tokyo. At that time, we didn't know why, but later…" She stopped.

"But what?" Fay asked. Seems like something seriously did happen, but hmm… I feel I'm asking a personal question. I really wouldn't like it if the tables were turned.

"Still gossiping about me, An?" Takeda said amused, standing behind Fay.

An's cheeks turned red, "I'm not gossiping, I'm sharing facts," she said haughtily. Where the hell did he show up from?

Am I missing something here? Fay thought, looking from one to the other. I feel that there's a history here. Were they dating maybe? Hmm… She would've mentioned it if they were, no?

An got off the stool. She looked at Fay, "it was nice meeting you," she said, pulling out a napkin from the napkin holder. She took out her lipstick from her purse and wrote something on it. "This is my email; it will be nice to keep in touch. Call me when you're on campus," she said, leaving Fay alone with Takeda.

Fay snuck a glance at Takeda who stood watching where An walked off to. Fay noted that he was in a black CK long swim shorts with a black loose cotton vest. He had flip flops on as well. He really is fit; she thought noticing his muscles and toned body. I don't think I've ever seen such a fit body like his except for Keigo's of course. That health freak… she thought knowing how her brother really liked to work out.

He caught her studying him, and smiled lightly.

Damnit! He caught me staring. Fay knew her cheeks were red, but she turned away. "Why are you here?" she asked. I can't seem to see how Takeda would be part of this barbecue. I don't think he's friends with Keigo, and father? Would father have invited him?

Takeda rubbed the back of his head. "My father's here so I just tagged along," he explained. "and oh, I just met your father."

You just did what?! She thought horrified. His father? My father? What kind of combination is that?!

"Oh you didn't like that?" Takeda asked, when he realized that Fay looked horror-struck. "I thought we won't have problems eating out now," he winked. "He seemed cool enough with me."

Fay got off the stool, "Who told you to do such a thing?!" she exclaimed. Oh my God! This is bad! Argh! Father will tease me even more now… Argh! Then she stopped realizing something… did he by any chance did all this just to meet Takeda? He wouldn't? Would he? And if he knew his father, then why didn't he say a single word during dinner last time. I feel like I'm being mocked.

She wanted to storm to her father's side, but Takeda smacked her lightly on her head. "You're way overanalyzing things, and I can see smoke coming out of your ears." He teased her. There was a devilish twinkle in his eyes. "So what if they knew each other. I'm just your classmate and your guest at the moment, so you should be entertaining me," he said, pushing her forward lightly. "Let's take a walk."

Fay didn't get the chance to object, and found that she was now walking with him along the beach. We can't stray far off, she thought. I don't know him that well at all. She kept on walking lost in thought, when she suddenly smacked right into him. She didn't even realize that he had stopped walking. I really need to pay more attention.

He held her shoulder lightly to steady her, and let go. "Are you curious about what An told you?" he asked eyeing her.

Fay tried to make out his facial expression, but she couldn't tell from the dark. The sun had set a long time ago, and only the dim lights were on now. They were also a bit further away from the beach house. She decided to choose her words carefully. "A bit curious, but I don't like to probe into other people's business." A long time ago, it bothered me when people would butt into my life because of Keigo.

"Oh?" he sounded surprised. Then he chuckled lightly, "I guess it's not important then."

"Let's head back then," Fay started walking towards the beach house. "I don't want my father to worry." He'll probably send the guards after us if I disappear for too long. He led the way while she followed. As he walked ahead of her, she couldn't help but study his form. He's rather tall, and stands out I guess. It bothers me though that I can never tell what he's thinking the couple of times I've met him, and how come he is spending his time with me? There are other things that he can be doing now.