Akihiko Usami has been wondering what he was doing here, in a locked college gym with four other men, practicing shooting and dodging. Their self – appointed leader Takano was teaching everyone how to throw – with more power and rotation speed, so it's impossible for their opponents to dodge. They practiced that yesterday, today dodging and using the momentum of incoming ball to their advantage was the main focus.

To him, this whole affair was ridiculous. Misaki refused to be in room with him for more than ten minutes for fear of "sabotaging" and ran off to their practice sessions practically every time he had spare time. Just like today.

One day has passed since that bet they all made and to him, it felt like eternity. Misaki never turned down his advances.

So once Misaki took off, Akihiko got annoyed and decided to join his team's "practice session" to let off some steam. Boy, was he wrong. It got worse by tenfold. Takano was having a field day, yelling at the young doctor to dodge, not just stand there and take the ball in the face.

My pity goes to him. He'll be having serious problems with Hiroki. His aiming skills are legendary in the faculty – his colleague told them that Hiroki will likely be their leader and teaching them how to hit and dodge and he'll probably fashion up some tactics, too.

He snorted, evading the incoming valley of balls like it was nothing. Thanks to his early adult years with Hiroki, he had experienced with items beings pelted at him.

However, the matter of Misaki coming up with the idea in the first place... did he really dislike his touch that much? Or was it someone else's idea? Maybe Onodera's and he dragged Misaki and others into it. Akihiko didn't know, but he knew he won't just let Misaki win. After all, their reward was on the line.

XxX

This bunch is hopeless, I thought as I hurled balls at my team mates. Out of four, only one was dodging systematically and without problems. It was the author, Usami –sensei. Others... the doctor was trying his best, but he'll have to catch up if he wants to win his match. The doctor, Nowaki was sulking currently. His cheek was red. He has to see the reality of it – his match will be hard, really hard.

If he catches the ball in mid – air and flings it back, maybe he can win. Though, he wasn't sure. From what Masamune heard, the literature professor was no pushover, he's probably coaching his team. It's gotta be him. He is an avid thrower of misc items, just like me. In office, I have to keep them alive and aware. Throwing stuff at them during the hell week is the only way to wake them all up and do their fucking work.

Speaking of work, things have been awkward between the four of us. Hatori said he's not really interested in the match nor its outcome, hence him not being present. And this is our second training. I wonder how he wants to win. If he doesn't want to gain us one point, it doesn't mean we don't stand a chance. It just means we can't lose more than half of one – on- ones.

Then, there was the young artist, Yukina. He's been trying to catch the balls from the beginning, but with no luck. The rotating ball always slipped from his grasp and hit him square in the jaw. Ouch.

And finally, the professor, Miyagi. He wasn't even trying, just let himself be hit.

What shall I do with this bunch?! And to top it all, Onodera rejected me. ME. He openly said that having sex is sabotaging! How exactly?!

Evidently, his team is taking this challenge seriously, so why the hell can't my team do the same?

XxX

I'm not fond of things flying at my head. By now, I should have gotten used to it, right? Living with Hiro –san should have made me excel at dodging, yet I'm so bad at it. I can't seem to catch even one ball and return it.

I, Nowaki Kusama never thought I'd face Hiro –san in battle. It's not a real battle, per say, but still, I can't hurt Hiro –san. Not even on purpose. How am I supposed to win?

When I think of Hiro –san and his challenge, I am struck with the sincerity. Also, with our busy schedules, we rarely see each other. And since I accepted the challenge, he shut himself in one of the rooms and refuses to let me in. If I come even closer and attempt intimate contact, he said if I let touch him just even a little, it's sabotage. Sabotaging, me? I just wanted for Hiro –san to take me seriously. I've been catching up to him and to our four years age difference and now, this.

If I win, will it change? Will Hiro –san let me take care of him like I always dreamed about?

I didn't like our reward for the win, but it's collective reward. Oh well.

Due to me not paying attention, a curved ball hit me, knocking the breath out. Knocked out, I let the chief editor take a look at my cheek and helped me up. He told me to chill and settle my thoughts before continuing with the training.

Yes, that would be best. I can't get distracted like that on the one – on – one. Hiro –san would want me to give it my best.

XxX

Kou, you can do this.

I relented against the onslaught of balls. One hit. Almost had it. Ouch! The ball slipped past my fingers. Crouching, I touched the damaged area, wincing in pain. I sincerely hope Kisa –san's balls won't be so hard to catch.

Kisa –san's superior, Takano came to me, instructing me how to do it properly, for the eighth time in row. I grasped the basics, so why can't I seem to return fire?

Is it a mental thing? I keep thinking about the face –off and it't driving me crazy. The thought of facing of against Kisa –san. How can others be so calm about it? Their lovers will be their opponents. How can they stay so calm?

On top of that, Kisa –san refused to make love with me. It conflicts with one rule, he said. It's considered sabotaging. So he told me, before he stormed off to their training, brushing my concerns aside.

Wobbly, I stood up again, instructing Takano to continue. If I can't catch it, then I'll wait for an opening and grab the ball once it's recoiling on impact. No one said I have to catch it before it hits its mark.

Kisa –san shouldn't be taken lightly, despite his harmless appearance, he has a fiery temper. I'm going to give it a shot.

XxX

Dodge ball. Really, Shinobu? Just how old do you think I am? Facepalming, I planted my face on the bench. Why did I ever agree to this charade? I'm way too old to be playing kid games. Sure, the reward was extremely satisfying, but was it really worth it?

Shinobu acts as if I'm nonexistent, ignores me and he even stopped cooking for me. (That might be a good change, though, but that's beside the point!) And when I went to our bedroom, he said that if I "forced myself on him" before the match, it would be taken as sabotage, thus breaking one of the rules.

Then, he just went to living room and slept on couch and left way too early. Just to not see my face? Maybe this whole challenge was personal for him. He wanted to show me he can beat me in something, since I'm seventeen years his senior.

Was this about the age gap crap?

Fine, he wants to win. I'll let him.

Takano's yelling didn't motivate me. Shinobu wanted to win, so I'd let him and let's get this farce over with so we can return to normal. I hated being ignored by him.

XxX

The whole matter complicated things between us. I'm his editor first and foremost. But he refused to see me and instead of working on stock pages for the upcoming month, he went to the stupid training. To beat me at a childish game to prove his point to me.

What point exactly, I didn't know. But it was ticking me off. Everyone was gung –ho about it. Even the responsible Takano went to the training, which I boycotted, second time in row.

Little did Takano forget, I agreed to take on his share of work, because he left early. Same for Onodera and Kisa, who vehemently feigned my presence as I asked for something.

See? This stupid challenge game is complicating things! I don't wanna participate in this charade. Yoshino wishes to win? Fine! He can have the victory and then sit his ass down and get his work started on the manga.

Rubbing his temples, Hatori sighed.

Yesterday, Yoshino didn't let him in, outright refused to. Told him that if he, Hatori tried to initiate something physical, it would end up as violation of one of the rules. Sabotaging. Really, Yoshino?

Is this game really so important to you? What do you want to prove to me by winning?

I was stupid enough to accept his challenge, now I must deal with the situation.

Let's hope things go back to boring everyday relations, both in private and work, once the match is over.

TO BE CONTINUED_