DOUBLE STORY

Here's 7!

I admit, I rather enjoyed writing the first part. (Advance apologies if I'm perceived to be "damaging" anyone's favourite character. Heh.)

Chapter 7

The weather that day was unusually warm for that time of the year, offering a bright, sunny day just right for tennis – with the occasionally chilly wind. Saeki shaded his eyes as he glanced at the sky for a second. He figured it must be because winter was coming to an end. It was already the beginning of February, after all. He looked around him and wondered again how on earth he came to be here. His doubles partner for the moment, Kikumaru, was busy yelling something in jest at Ohtori on the other side of the court, while they waited for Fuji to change his racquet.

On the adjacent court, Atobe and Oshitari were facing off against Tezuka and Yukimura. Having Yukimura around was a surprise in itself. It hadn't occurred to him that Atobe would be in touch with the former captain of Rikkai Dai. From the scores being called out, it didn't look like Atobe's side was having a very easy time. He wondered if Oshitari felt smothered by the three playing with him. Tezuka, Yukimura and Atobe had not pursued careers in the sport that had so dominated their school years and certainly did not play as often as they used to, but it seemed to him that none of them had lost the skills which made them famous in school.

Under the large umbrellas on the sidelines sat Nishikado Sayuri and one Suzuki Kumiko – introduced to him earlier as Oshitari Yuushi's girlfriend.

"Saeki! We're starting again!" called Kikumaru.

"Ah, alright."

"Yosh! We're going to win this one!" Kikumaru said, pointing his racquet at their opponents.

"You're the ones trailing at the moment," retorted Fuji with a smile.

The game ended twenty minutes later, Fuji and Ohtori winning by a very narrow score. They joined the two women under the umbrellas and observed the game on the other court with interest.

A maid came up, carrying a tray with a jug of iced orange juice and several cups for them. Saeki marvelled at the efficiency of Atobe's staff. They replenished the drinks at an amazing rate. He settled into a conversation with Fuji, keeping half an eye on the ongoing game, where Ohtori and Kikumaru were cheering on their respective old schoolmates.

"Tezuka! Show them what you've got nya!"

"Nice shot, Atobe-senpai!"

Fuji looked at the two, and then back at Saeki. "Even though Yukimura's there, those two make it sound like a Seigaku versus Hyoutei match."

Saeki chuckled.

The clear voice of Takahashi Suzume rang out in greeting. "Hey guys!"

Atobe promptly missed a shot Yukimura sent his way.

Walking towards the courts across the garden were Suzume and Yumi, the latter in a wide brimmed hat as well as sunglasses. Saeki grinned. Yumi liked sports, but shirked from the heat if she wasn't playing. Someday he'd have to drag her out for a round of tennis again. It had been too long since he and Fuji had played tennis with her. She'd probably demand that they play badminton with her in return, but he didn't mind – even if he did screw it up by using tennis strokes instead of badminton ones half the time. He waved at the both of them and they came over to where he sat with the others.

"Not playing?" asked Yumi.

"Finished a game a while ago," he replied.

"Where did you two come from?" Fuji said. "You look fairly dressed up."

"Went to look at some new fabric samples and meet a potential distributor," said Suzume. "And we're always dressed up. Most of the time, anyway. We have reputations to keep. Fashion designers, you know."

"Ah, I forgot," said Fuji, mock apologetically. "Oh, game over already, Atobe?"

Atobe made a noncommittal action and put his racquet down on a chair. He nodded to Suzume and Yumi. "I didn't know you'd be coming."

"Just decided to drop by, since all the others would be around too," said Suzume.

Saeki saw the other three just coming off the court. He suspected Atobe had abandoned the game, rather than having actually finished it. Whether it was because he was more eager to talk to Suzume than play or because he didn't want to run the risk of losing in front of her… Well, Saeki sure didn't know. Perhaps it was a combination of both reasons. He turned to Yumi.

"Yo, Hime-san. How were the races?"

"The races?" She removed her hat, since she was standing in the shade.

"Yeah. The horse races. Don't people dress up in hats and nice outfits to go for race day?"

"Ha ha. Funny, Sae, funny." she said, placing her hat on the table. "You know I like hats. And it's a good way to keep the sun off my face. I don't have Suzume's naturally unblemished complexion."

He laughed. "Just teasing you. Anyway, come on – you don't have that poor a complexion anymore."

"It's not a perfect one, nonetheless. You like teasing me too much. Syuusuke too."

"Because we're two of the very few who can do it without getting one of your ice queen glares."

"And I wonder why I let you two get away with it." She placed her hat on the table. "Hey," she said to Tezuka, who came up to them.

While Yumi talked to Tezuka and was introduced to Yukimura, Saeki watched her in silence and wondered how much longer Tezuka was going to make her wait for him.

---------

Atobe stood on the court, waiting for Tezuka. Oshitari and Fuji were on the opposite side, after Oshitari proposed they play a game of captains versus geniuses. Those two were tricky players in their own right. He'd have to be careful or they might do him some humiliation on the court. And to be humiliated (again) with Suzume around was the last thing he wanted.

He saw her with the other ladies, talking about something funny, by the way they were laughing. Oshitari had introduced his girlfriend to Suzume and Yumi, and they seemed to be getting along splendidly.

When Tezuka came, he met him with a level gaze. "We're not losing to those two, are we?" he said, flicking his racquet in the direction of Oshitari and Fuji. He tilted his head towards where Suzume and Yumi were sitting.

Tezuka just looked at him and then said flatly, "I never play with the intention to lose."

"Hm. Just see that we don't this time."

They won the game, but Atobe was most annoyed to find that Suzume hadn't really watched it, but had instead been talking to Kumiko about some new concept stores that had opened recently.

"Don't bother, Atobe," said Oshitari, placing a hand on his shoulder as he walked past him. "They'll always be more of shopping freaks than sports freaks."

"Then what do you call that?" Atobe flung a hand to Sayuri and Yumi, who were with talking to Tezuka, Fuji and Yukimura about the game that had just ended – evident from their comments and the questions posed, like Sayuri's question about how Tezuka did the Zero Shiki Drop Shot.

"Those are the exceptions to the rule. I don't know about Yumi-san, but I hear that even in college Sayuri was dead keen on tennis and squash, so that's to be expected." Oshitari picked up a glass of cold juice. "Just let it go. It's not because she's a sports fan that you like her, right?"

Thus silenced, Atobe settled into a sort of subdued sulk. Oshitari felt like laughing but didn't, figuring that Atobe wouldn't take too kindly to it at the moment.

A manservant approached and said something to Atobe. "Oh, it's here? Bring it," said Atobe. Remembering that Suzume was around, he hurriedly tacked on a "please" at the end. Manners, he reminded himself. At least he was managing the civility with people like Saeki much better now and didn't need to constantly remind himself.

"What's here?" asked Oshitari.

"My new dog. Saluki pup, pure-bred," replied Atobe.

"What on earth is a Saluki?"

"A dog."

"… That was lame. Don't try to do that on purpose. It really doesn't suit you, Atobe."

"It's a type of hound, and never mind if you don't know what it is. You don't know how to appreciate dogs anyway."

Oshitari decided to talk to Suzume and Kumiko instead. They made better conversation partners than a half-cranky Atobe.

Minutes later, the servant returned with a rather energetic dog on a leash, which distracted everyone – even Ohtori and Kikumaru, who had been playing a singles game on the far court. It was cream-coloured and sleek-looking, even for a puppy. Kikumaru, Sayuri and Suzume exclaimed delightedly over it while Yumi chose to move away just a step (and almost backed herself right into Fuji). Oshitari suggested naming it for one of Atobe's ex-girlfriends – "the one with the really great legs" – and got a glare from the dog's new owner in return.

"It's adorable!" said Sayuri. "A little on the thin side, but adorable anyway."

"Is it a female or male?" was Ohtori's question.

"Female," answered Atobe.

"You should definitely name it after Mika," persisted Oshitari somewhat cheekily.

Yukimura remarked that it looked a little scared, and Tezuka agreed with him. "I think it's still trying to get used to the new environment."

"Aw, poor thing!" This from Suzume. "Are you scared?" She cocked her head to one side to look at the dog.

"Come now. Let me meet my own dog, will you?" Atobe said, waving the dog's admirers away. He knelt down in front of the dog, whose leash was still held by the servant. Reaching out a hand to the puppy, he said, "Hey there – OW!"

For about ten seconds, everything was pure chaos. Atobe jerked his hand away, falling backwards as he did and almost landing on Kikumaru's feet. Kikumaru moved away just in time, but knocked over the glass jug of juice on the table behind him. It toppled and would have smashed on the ground, had Tezuka not caught it before it hit the floor. The dog was growling a little and Oshitari was needlessly telling the servant to take it away when the man was already trying to move it out of the area. Yumi leapt back, accidentally elbowing Saeki and nearly stepping on Fuji's foot. Kumiko too darted away, fortunate enough to not have anyone behind her at the time. Sayuri let out a small, contained shriek of surprise and was pulled back by Ohtori's arms. And Suzume, who was nearest to the dog after Atobe, was tugged away by Yukimura.

Even when the servant removed the unhappy dog, there was still a somewhat stunned atmosphere. Yukimura and Tezuka – the only two to have kept relatively level minds throughout the chaos – brought the others out of it.

"Well! That was something," said Yukimura. "Takahashi-san, sorry about that. Hope I didn't pull you too hard."

Suzume shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you."

"Atobe, are you all right?" Tezuka asked, looking at the man who was sitting on the ground, staring at his hand.

"Huh? Oh, it's just a scratch," said Atobe, absently. He moved his hand a little. "I'm fine. Just need to put something on this I think."

He started to get up, but Suzume stopped him. She took his wrist and turned his hand so she could see it. "This isn't 'just a scratch,' Keigo. It bit you."

"It's nothing."

Oshitari bent and took a look at it himself. "I don't think it's a severe wound – it's just a small one. But you ought to get it looked at today anyway."

"There's no need –"

"Maybe," cut in Suzume. "But it's better to be safe than sorry. Even if it was merely a scratch, I'd still insist you get it checked since you didn't exactly get the scratch from a tree or a table. At the very most I think all the doctor might say is that you need a tetanus shot."

"I doubt the dog has rabies," said Atobe. "I'll be fine, so – wait. What did you say?"

"I'm pretty sure it doesn't have rabies. I said it's better to be safe than sorry, and at most they'll just give you a tetanus jab."

Watching Atobe, Saeki whispered to Fuji, "I didn't know anyone's face could change colour that fast. He's gone two shades paler already."

"There's – I don't need to see a doctor," protested Atobe. "It's nothing."

Suzume rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly…"

Yukimura leaned towards Tezuka. "Is it just me or is he actually looking scared now? Did I miss something somewhere?"

"He… Just doesn't like needles of that sort very much," said Tezuka.

"Oh?"

Tezuka thought he saw a glint of mischievous interest in Yukimura's eyes. He wondered if Yukimura would tell Yanagi Renji.

Suzume was still talking. "… But you will see a doctor, Atobe Keigo, if I have to drag you there myself. Yuushi can help me drag you there, right?" She looked at Oshitari, who smirked.

"I could, but I think you'll be sufficient force on your own to haul him there."

"The rest of us will help you, if you need us to," said Yukimura pleasantly. Atobe stared daggers at the serene-faced man. He tried to shake his hand out of Suzume's grip.

"I – will – be – fine."

"You are going to see a doctor," said Suzume, firmly. She stood, pulling him up as well. "I would add 'now or later today,' but since I don't trust you to go on your own and since I have other things to do later, you're going now, when I can make sure that you go." Turning to Oshitari, she said, "Take over, will you, Yuushi? The servants know you so it'll be fine. Sorry, everyone. But I really need to make sure – "

"Ah, er, it's okay," said Ohtori. "We understand. Don't worry, Atobe-senpai."

"Easy for you to say," muttered Atobe.

----------

Tezuka fingered his hair to make sure it was dry as he walked out of the guestroom. Oshitari had suggested that they make use of the bathrooms in Atobe's three guestrooms to freshen up after all that tennis. Ohtori had no qualms about it, being used to Atobe's ways and hospitality, but it had taken a little more persuasion before the others would.

He made his way to where he knew Yumi, Sayuri and Kumiko would be waiting for them. He found the others all there, except for Yukimura. Ohtori said that he had just gone in to take a shower a moment before, after Ohtori himself was done.

Yumi was sitting in a large, modern-looking chair, phone in hand, apparently typing a text message. He went over to her.

"You look busy."

"Mm. Not really. Just answering a text message from a friend." She pressed the 'send' button on her phone and looked up at him. "All refreshed now?"

"Rather." He pulled a chair up and sat down. "Are you free to grab some dinner later?"

A look of regret passed over her face. "Sorry, I can't. Sae asked me to go for dinner with him later."

Saeki again. "Ah. I see. That's all right then."

"I heard my name," said Saeki, propping a hand on the back on Yumi's chair. "What are you two saying about me, huh?"

"We were discussing all your deep, dark secrets," Yumi said. "What do you think we were saying? I just told him I've to shepherd you later in place of Syuu."

"Shepherd? What am I – a sheep?"

"No, a monkey." Yumi laughed at his expression. "I'm kidding. You're my own nutty friend, Saeki Kojirou."

"Good-looking, nutty friend. Don't forget that part."

She gave him a friendly shove at that, and said, "Don't be so full of yourself."

Tezuka didn't know if he should be jealous at the camaraderie they shared or relieved because, as far as he could see, it was just that – camaraderie – and nothing else.

Saeki turned to him and said, "You want to join us tonight, Tezuka?"

Tezuka thanked him, but politely declined. It sounded like a normal, friendly invitation, but he had a feeling that if he went, he wasn't going to enjoy himself at all. He wasn't even enjoying himself much at that moment.

----------

From where he stood talking to Oshitari and Kumiko, Fuji could see them quite clearly. Saeki was chatting merrily away with Yumi, and Tezuka sat on the other side of her, chipping into the conversation occasionally, but mostly just sitting there in silence.

He wondered what was going through Saeki's mind. Did he really intend to compete with Tezuka? Did he think he could win her instead? Fuji thought that a huge part of his discomfort was because he knew Saeki could do it. He knew Saeki's personality and Yumi's well enough to see that the possibility existed.

----------

Atobe's impulse to run away was checked by his pride. In the car on the way to the doctor's, he had decided that since he must suffer this, he would suffer it with dignity. He already felt humiliated by the fact that Suzume knew he was afraid; he didn't want to further degrade himself by attempting to get out of it now. He would just have to take it like the man that he was. Perhaps that would redeem himself a little.

The nurse was preparing the syringe on one side of the room. He didn't dare look that way, staying stiff in his chair, the fingers of his left hand drumming the table nervously.

Suzume saw his tension. She felt sorry for him. She hadn't wanted to force him to see the doctor, but she knew she had to or he would never go.

"Hey," she said.

He turned to look at her.

"Would you rather I waited outside? Or shall I stay?"

His initial thought was for her to leave. He didn't know if he wanted her there when It – he kept thinking of the injection to come as "It", with a capital I – happened, in case he humiliated himself further by passing out or something. But then fear overcame pride and he said, "Stay."

"Sure." She smiled and patted his hand comfortingly. "Don't worry. I'll stay."

Atobe stopped drumming his fingers on the table and turned his hand up to clasp hers in silent gratitude. He suddenly felt like he would gladly face It if that meant he could hold her hand and see her reassuring face as he did now.

"Atobe-san, we're ready," the doctor said.

The doctor was a kindly-faced man in his late forties, dark hair peppered with grey. But to Atobe at that moment, anyone involved with It was anything but kindly – except Suzume, of course. He felt sweat form on his brow, seeing the dreaded Thing on a tray the nurse held.

"Keigo."

He turned back to Suzume. "Y-yeah?"

"Ease up a little. You're crushing my fingers."

----------

A while later, it was a relieved but still rather pale-faced Atobe Keigo that emerged from the room.

I'm alive. I'm still alive.

His arm felt a little sore, but he was alive. He'd made it and hadn't entirely embarrassed himself either. It had taken all of his strength to sit quietly and not do any more than wince slightly throughout the ordeal. At the very least, he'd retained some dignity – even if he had almost taken Suzume's fingers off in the process. He hoped he'd never have to go through that again.

"Told you it wouldn't be that bad," said Suzume airily.

Atobe shot her a shut up look through narrowed eyes, but she didn't see it.

"Nothing to be afraid of, really. Just a small prick in the arm…"

Just a small prick… You weren't the one having a needle stuck in your arm!

"I think syringes just look scary. But the actual process – especially for a simple vaccine-type shot like this – isn't that bad. It's probably worse for those with the intravenous drip and –"

"Suzume!"

"Huh? What?"

"Can you not talk about it already?"

"Oh. Sorry." She rubbed the back of her neck with one hand and looked a little sheepish. "I got a bit carried away, I think."

His chauffeured car was waiting outside for them. He opened the door and motioned for her to go first, before getting in himself.

"Sometimes you're rather tactless for a woman," he said, after telling the driver where to go.

"You're not very tactful yourself," she retorted, propping her elbow on the arm rest on the car door. "But I admit I'm quite blunt most of the time. I think I learned tact. Didn't possess it naturally."

Atobe nodded in agreement. "You were a rather outspoken kid for a girl, I remember."

"Yeah. Some people are born with this innate sense of tact – I think Yumi is one of them – and others like us, need to learn it. Well, I learned anyway. Not so sure about you."

"Is that an insult?"

"What do you think?" she asked. But the spark in her eye told him she was joking. Or half-joking. Maybe.

----------

Oishi thought that if Tezuka was of a different personality, he would be sitting hunched over with his head face-down on the table, saying, "Why me?" Instead, he was straight-backed, silent and looking as he normally did, except for a faintly troubled visage. He wouldn't have blamed Tezuka if he had been banging his head on the table, though. It did sound rather frustrating to be in his shoes at the moment.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"I honestly don't know." Tezuka turned the teaspoon in his hand and ran a thumb over the engraved pattern on it. "I don't want to say something and then find out that… That it's Saeki she cares for instead. It could just about kill our friendship." He listlessly stirred the small amount of coffee left at the bottom of his cup. "And I don't know if I could stand it if she stopped talking to me."

The green-eyed medical student leaned forward on the table. "Even if Saeki is getting serious about her, there's nothing solid between them yet besides friendship. You know her just as well as I do – no, probably better than I do. She's not the type to hide these things. If she got together with him, we'd know it. I somehow think Saeki is the same way about relationships. Neither of them would like to slink around and hide it if it was 'official.'"

Tezuka continued to stir the remaining dark liquid.

"I don't need to ask if you love her or not because I know you do." Oishi smiled a little when his friend looked at him. "And because of that, you need to tell her how you feel. Keeping her in the dark about it isn't going to help either of you."

The spoon clinked against the side of the cup as Tezuka let go of it and took to just staring at the coffee instead.

"I want to tell her. But…" He couldn't find the words to say and trailed off.

Oishi waited a few moments and then said, "Tezuka, do you think that at Ohtori's party she preferred to dance with Fuji and Saeki rather than with you?"

Tezuka looked up from his reflection in the coffee.

"I had one dance with her. And I'll tell you this – I think she really wanted to dance with you. Oh, doubtless she enjoyed her turns with Fuji and Saeki. They're her close friends, after all. But… She really would have liked to dance with you."

The puzzlement on Tezuka's face changed to something more akin to disbelief.

"I don't really dance," he began.

"I don't think it would have mattered to her. I don't think your sense of balance and direction is that bad either – you wouldn't have stepped on her toes or anything. But that's beside the point. What I'm trying to say is: I think that, at the very least… She likes you." Oishi sat back, allowing it to sink in. "Rejection is part of the risk. I'm sure you know that. But if you get over this hurdle, you can rest assured that you probably won't have the same problems I had – and still have."

Tezuka saw a bittersweet expression flicker across his friend's face and he remembered how tough it was for Oishi and Miyuki, given her parents' disapproval. Both rarely spoke of it so very few knew the actual reason. But it had the unexpected side effects of bringing out the quiet strength in his long-time friend, and changing him from a rather meek and sometimes unconfident person into someone who was determined to prove himself worthy of the girl he fell in love with.

Opposition made Oishi stronger, whispered his conscience. What will competition do for you?

----------

"Sorry to have put you through all that," Suzume said, stepping up to her gate. Atobe had come round from his side of the car to hers and shut the car door for her after she got out. She took out a small black remote control and at the press of a button, the automated gate slid open. "But it was for your own good, you know. It wouldn't have been funny if you died or something."

"I thought I was going to die in there anyway," he muttered, drawing a small chuckle from her.

"But you didn't."

Atobe had to agree. He inclined his head a little. "I thank you."

"Hm? What for?"

"For being there."

"Aah. It's nothing. I had to be there to make sure you stayed," she said, with a grin. "But you survived, and you took it well, I think. I congratulate you." She held out her hand to him.

He smiled wryly at her. "Thanks." He took her hand and held it for a second. But instead of shaking it, he raised it to his lips for a brief moment, then let go gently.

Suzume stared as he returned to the car, nodded crisply in goodbye and left. She walked into her house, absently acknowledging the maid that greeted her, and went straight to her study. Closing the door, she looked at the hand he had kissed with a sort of bewilderment. If anyone had been watching her, it would have appeared as though she had never seen the back of her right hand before. She ran the fingers of her other hand lightly over it, wondering at the odd thrill she felt.

----------

Yumi was regarding the draped material on the dress form with a frown when Suzume came in.

"What's wrong?" Suzume asked.

"Something's not right about the way this drapes," she said. She started unpinning the cloth.

Suzume sat down in her chair, put down the papers she had been holding and stretched her arms. "You're rather hyper these days," she commented, observing her friend remove the last pins and hang the cloth over her arm.

"I am?"

"Comparatively."

"Oh." Yumi gazed at the dress form for a few moments, and then began to drape the cloth again.

"Try making the waist wider – as in that belted section there," suggested Suzume.

"Okay."

Suzume watched Yumi pin the material in place for a bit before picking up her pencil and continuing some sketches she had begun the day before. Minutes passed and both women worked in silence until Yumi finished draping.

"Suzu, how's this?" she said, turning the dress form towards Suzume.

"Looks good. What fabric are you thinking of using?"

"Hm… For most of this, probably the cream fabric we just ordered. The belted section here… Not too sure yet. I thought of faux leather."

"Should be okay."

Yumi looked at the dress form again, critically eyeing the draping once more. "Hopefully I can finish this today. I want to be able to enjoy the weekend with a free mind."

"Why? Is Saeki coming again?"

"Saeki?" Yumi turned around. "No. Why? Should he be coming?"

"Just asking. He's been coming to Tokyo fairly regularly of late, so I just thought perhaps he was coming this weekend."

Yumi shrugged. "Not that I know of."

Suzume put down her work and put an elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. She watched Yumi put the dress form aside and return to her own desk.

"You're not wondering why he's suddenly coming so often compared to before he came for that private coaching stint?"

Dark eyes looked up to meet large grey-green ones. "I've wondered occasionally," said Yumi carefully. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.

"And? What's your conclusion?"

Pause. Yumi seemed to not know what to say, so Suzume went on, saying, "Has it occurred to you that he's coming – and calling – more often because of you?"

"It has," was the slow answer.

Suzume rolled her chair across the floor to where Yumi's table was and propped her elbow on Yumi's table top instead. "So… What's going on?"

"Nothing!" said Yumi.

"On your side, maybe. But what about his?"

"I wouldn't know. I'm not him," she said a little sarcastically.

"And you don't feel anything at all for Saeki?"

"He's my friend."

Suzume gave her an expectant look, waiting for her to continue. "That's all, Suzu. Saeki is my friend. One of my best friends, along with Syuusuke and Emiko and yourself. But – but that's all."

"Hmmm." Suzume didn't look as though she really believed her. "Fuji-kun aside, this is the guy who has been like your constant comfort lately. You've been friends for years and years, he's a great guy, and he's extremely handsome. And now he's paying you a good deal more attention than he used to. Don't say you don't feel even the tiniest dot of more-than-friendly emotion because I don't buy it."

Yumi closed her eyes and sighed. "Alright, fine. Yes, there have been points where I've felt that. It's... It's flattering, I guess. And nice."

"Flattering indeed," agreed Suzume, nodding. "I would be flattered too, if I was in your place. Actually, if I was in your place, I think I might have started to lose my feelings for Tezuka already."

The uncertainty that clouded Yumi's face disappeared. "That hasn't changed."

Suzume let out a mock sigh. "And here I thought you might finally be truly getting over him."

Yumi smiled dryly. "Occasionally I thought I was. But in the end, I haven't, really." She leaned back in her chair and leaned her head to one side, letting her eyes drift to stare aimlessly at the pictures on the opposite wall.

"Tezuka doesn't know how lucky he is," said Suzume, with a slight shake of the head. She pushed one of Yumi's markers that lay on the table and watched it roll away and stop when it hit a book. "I really don't understand how you can go on when there's an equally great guy in Saeki just waiting in the wings."

Not caring to try explaining something she didn't quite understand herself, Yumi said, "First off, it's not definite that Sae is 'waiting in the wings.'"

"Ah, but –"

"Second, I might say that in the same way I don't understand how it is you have no feelings for Atobe Keigo – or so you say."

The sudden swing in focus stunned Suzume into a few seconds of dumb silence.

"He's a friend," she began, and then stopped, realised she was echoing her friend's earlier words.

"Now, where have I heard that before?" said Yumi, tapping a finger on her chin thoughtfully.

Both women laughed.

"Seriously though, he is," said Suzume.

"Do you have friends proposing to you all the time?"

"No, thank goodness!" exclaimed Suzume, half-laughing.

"But you do know that he's trying really hard, don't you?" Yumi laced her fingers together, elbows on the armrests of her chair.

Suzume looked questioningly at her. "I thought you didn't like him."

"Well, I didn't. He was too arrogant. Was. But it seems to me that he's a little nicer now. Haven't you noticed it? He treats other people a little better now, from what I can see. The fact that he went so far as to apologise to Sae, and then to have invited Sae – and even Eiji-kun – to play tennis at his place with the rest of them. Would he have done that before?"

"True… He probably wouldn't have."

"And seeing that all this started right after you told him off and rejected him in that spectacular fashion, it's almost certain that he's doing this for you."

Involuntarily, Suzume's eyes went to her right hand.

"Now, you tell me. Can you really stay completely unaffected by such effort?" Yumi asked.

Suzume had no answer to that.

Ergh. I was going to put a reference link for the dog here, but then I realised I can't seem to put up URLs. Oh well. Just Google "saluki" and you'll find pics easily enough.

Anyway... I hope minna-san still thinks the story's good. Thank you for reading! Few more chapters to go... :)