Chapter Twelve

An Ace in Action

"I can tell that you're mad at me."

Fay turned her head, and found her father standing next to her. She was seated on the veranda of the beach house while watching the crowd. She had decided to stop mingling a bit, and clear her mind. "I'm not mad," she remarked. "Just annoyed that you didn't trust me to do it." Why go through all this trouble to meet someone who is just my partner? Did I give father the wrong impression?

Mitsuru sat down next to her. "I do trust you."

"Your actions don't show it sometimes," she looked at him with a sad face. "I don't know why you went through all this trouble anyway. He's just my partner."

Mitsuru didn't make any comments at that. He picked up a drink that was offered to him from the waitress, and sipped it. "Anyway, I have no objections if you want to do your projects outside of campus with him. His father is actually a good friend of mine. They're a good family."

Fay knew what he was telling her, but she decided not to say anything. So you're telling me it's okay for me to hang out with him. Do I have to do that with everyone?! Just because he's from a good family and you know his father? This really doesn't make any sense to me.

She normally argues by this time. Why is she quiet and not saying anything. "How come you're not arguing with me?" Mitsuru asked in a surprised tone.

Fay bent her knees and hugged her legs on the floor. "Because I really don't have anything to say. Father. You're assessing the situation as if he's someone I'm planning to date. I don't even know him."

Mitsuru was about to speak, but they were interrupted by shouts.

[WOOH]

[WOAH]

[KNOCK 'EM DEAD]

They both were overwhelmed by the crowd, and cheering. Fay quickly realized that there was a volleyball game set up, and it seemed that it was going on furiously.

"Looks like Takeda is causing a fuss," Mitsuru remarked. "I need to see this." It would be interesting to see what kind of an attitude and sportsmanship he possesses. It tells a lot about a character, he thought leaving Fay and walking towards the volleyball setup.

Father is really pushing this. He's never been interested in sports. Why now he wants to see it? She thought suspiciously. She stood up, and decided to watch from her position. There were 2 teams of 6 playing, and most of them were older. Oh, Kurobane is playing as well? she thought.

She also noted that her brother was watching the game from afar as well. He seemed to intently eye the players. He was surrounded by girls, but she could observe that his eyes were only on the game. To think he could've participated, but I wonder why he's watching only. Knowing him, he'll probably want to be the star of the game.

She decided to concentrate on the game. She watched as they played a few sets, and her admiration kept growing as the game continued. She eventually was awed by the game. It was so intense that she couldn't breathe. Takeda's team was scoring point after point. He really is an ace, she thought. It was going really well until…

An Hour Later

Takeda was inside the beach house seated on the floor, breathing really hard. He had sweat trickling down his face and arms, and leaning against a wall with a towel around his neck.

"I'd love to call you an idiot right now," Fay walked in carrying a bag of ice. She placed it on his knees, making him wince. "If you knew you had a weak knee why did you keep spiking the ball like that the entire time?" She said almost sternly. She realized that he wasn't looking at her, and for the first time Fay could actually make his whole features out as his hair was pulled back with a head band. He really is good looking…

Takeda didn't know what to say as he tried regulating his breathing.

The game had gone so well, but in the last set Takeda's knee gave in, and he collapsed onto the floor. Panic was caused on the set with everyone giving room for the player to breathe. Finally, he was carried to the room and placed in the position he was at now.

To think that my heart skipped a beat when he fell down. Was it out of worry? Fay thought. Do I like him? Find him unique?

Mitsuru walked into the beach house, and found his daughter on the floor holding an ice bag on Takeda's knees. "I've called a Doctor, he should be here soon," Mitsuru told them. I can't seem to tell what Fay's thinking? Does she have a look of worry on her face because he's hurt? or a look of anger because he did something stupid? He sighed, and smiled. Keigo and Fay dislike each other, yet they can be so alike. I sometimes can never tell what their facial expression is saying.

Takeda looked up. "You shouldn't have done that, Atobe-san. I can manage to…"

"Ren!"

The voice startled Fay, causing her to look behind her. She found a rather tall and strict looking man walk in. He had the same features as Ren but with clear blue eyes. He was dressed casually in black loose pants and a white shirt.

"Don't argue. You know you need one. We've called Yamaguchi Sensei," the older man said harshly. "I'm sorry Mitsuru, we've caused a fuss." He bowed slightly towards Mitsuru.

'Nonsense, Jin. I've got my own hot head, so I know the feeling." Mitsuru laughed. "Let's go back outside, the Dr. shall arrive soon. I'm sure Fay can keep your son company until then." I'll give them some time alone. I think my daughter still can't tell what she's feeling. It is too soon, but I feel that he can be a healthy match for her.

Takeda seemed embarrassed. He moved the towel onto his head, and closed his eyes. He really did seem in pain as he tried not gritting his teeth.

"Umm… Is the ice helping?" Fay asked, worriedly. Is he having trouble breathing? He's sitting so close to me, and I can't help but feel giddy. Do I like his closeness?

He opened one eye, and nodded. "It's helping," he confirmed.

Fay's heart skipped again when he looked at her. He does posess beautiful eyes, she thought, standing up. She walked over to the bar, placed some ice in a glass, and poured a cold soft drink into it. She came back and leaned down. "Please drink this." I'm sure a cold drink can soothe him a bit. He seems worn out and dehydrated.

"Thank you, but I can't take it now. I really need to keep still," he said with an effort. He was really having trouble breathing. He put his hand on top of the towel above his head, and rubbed it.

"You're still acting impulsively, Ren?"

Again Fay looked at the beach house entrance, and found An walking in with two guys. They were both tall, and dark haired. One had curly black hair, while the other had a shaved head. Both of them had fierce dark eyes, they almost looked the same but weren't quite.

An smiled at Fay, and waved casually. "This is my older brother, Kippei and the other one is his friend, Chitose Senri. We all went to the same school with Takeda," she explained.

Tachibana Kippei shook Fay's hands, and then looked at Takeda. "We came in to see how you were."

Takeda raised his hand, and gave him a piece sign.

Chitose leaned down and touched his knee making Takeda swear slightly. "I thought your knees healed already. Does it still give you problems?"

"Obviously!" Takeda hissed.

Chitose looked at Fay. "Girlfriend?" he asked.

Fay shook her head. "Nope," she said, smacking his hand away from Takeda's knee. "No touching. You can see that he's in pain." Another idiot who acts without thinking!

Chitose stood up, and laughed. "She's strict, Ren."

They were chatting for a while Takeda kept quiet, and the Dr finally arrived. The Dr. looked like a harsh old man. He walked in with the support of a cane, and looked at the four of them who were standing above Takeda. "Three of you out. I only need only one person in here."

Tachibana, Chitose, and An looked at each other. "I guess that means you, Atobe-san," Chitose smiled at Fay as he walked out with the others.

The Dr. leaned down and tapped Takeda's knee with his cane making him wince. "Young man, didn't I tell you that I don't want to see you again for another two years?"

Fay seemed surprised. "Oh, you know him, sensei?"

"Know him? He's spent half of his high school year with me," he muttered.

Takeda looked at him, "Good to see you too, old man."

[SMACK]

"Argh!" Takeda hissed, as the cane hit him hard on the knee. "You shouldn't be doing that to me!"

"Hmph, you're lucky that nothing's broken," he said, sitting on the floor. "You," he told Fay, "Help me bend his knee."

Fay looked stricken, "are you sure that's alright?" she asked worriedly. Takeda really seems like he's in pain, and I don't want to be the one to cause him pain.

Yamaguchi looked at her sternly, "it needs to be done. If you can't do it then get me one of those people that I threw out." He ordered.

It was that moment that Jin and Mitsuru walked in. "I'll do it sensei. You can't have the poor girl witness this," Jin said amused.

"Get out, Fay," Mitsuru told her, waving his head towards the door. The last thing I want is for my daughter to do something discomforting.

Fay hesitated, as she stood next to Takeda. I'm worried. The three of them look like they just want to get this over with. "Are you sure you won't hurt him?"

Both Jin and Mitsuru looked astounded at her. "Interesting," Jin said. "You're actually worried. Did you hear that, Ren?"

Takeda ignored his father's remarks, and looked at Fay. "Please just leave. The sooner you get out, the sooner it'll be over," Takeda said. "I'm prepared for the worst."

Fay glanced at him, then at their fathers. She nodded, and walked to leave but stopped by her father's side. "I'll be sorely disappointed if you hurt him, my grades depend on him."

Mitsuru smiled at her comment. Interesting. Still not admitting that you like him? or maybe she doesn't know yet how she's feeling.

Half an hour later

Takeda was being escorted by two waiters as Jin and Mitsuru walked behind with the Sensei. Mitsuru felt Fay standing next to him with a troubled look on her face. "He'll be fine, they need to take him to the hospital for a scan," Mitsuru told his daughter. The look of worry is so obvious on her face. I still wonder…

Fay walked over to Takeda who was now seated in a limo with the sensei, and leaned towards the window. "Let me know.'

Takeda nodded.

Takeda Jin walked towards Fay, and bowed to her. "It's good to see someone caring, and thank you." He turned around to look at Mitsuru, "always good to catch up."

Mitsuru bowed lightly as well. Fay turned back towards her father as Takeda Jin left with his son. By then, most of the crowd had left. Only her brother and some of his friends were still there by the barbecue area eating. Even the girls that were hanging around her brother were long gone by now. "I think I'll call it a night," she said, "I'm tired."

Mitsuru nodded, "I'll do the same, Keigo can manage the rest of the barbecue with his friends. Almost everyone's gone by now."

Fay bid him a good night and walked to her room. Locking it, she quickly undressed, changed into her pajamas and got under the sheets. It was only until 3am that she got a text from Takeda when she was finally able to sleep.

Message

Takeda Ren

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Will be in a case for four weeks, nothing broken =p