Misaki and Shinobu just watched as the 6' foot man anticipated the trajectory of Yoshino's Topple Shot and he stopped it as if it wasn't heading at him at high speed. However, what he did as next was that he twirled with the ball which was in his left hand and sent it back at even higher speed than before. Yoshino barely saw what hit him; the ball hit his head and he fell over, confused.

All stopped their individual or paired training and ran towards Yoshino to check up on him. He sat up on the floor with a dripping nose. "Yoshino – sensei! Your nose!" Ritsu exclaimed loudly and the author palpated the area and giggled. "It's nothing, nothing! It happened all the time when I had P.E. in school. I'm used to it."

Shouta in the meanwhile searched in his sports bag and he found what he was looking for. "Don't get used to it, sensei. Come over here, we have to stop the bleeding." He scolded him.

Ritsu and Shouta helped him up, while Mino apologized to the author, who just laughed the matter off. Hiroki observed his team mates, who were much more collected than he'd expect from them. The day of challenge is approaching. All have that one special move. He had developed his special move, too. However, what Mino just pulled… that was a sports technique, definitely, but from what sport?

"Everyone, take a break. One more round and we'll wrap it up here."

The okays and yeahs floated to him from the two sides of the gym. Misaki and Shinobu sat on a bench, resting. Hiroki felt that, too. Their work and school lives were wearing them all down. And the consecutive bouts of endless dodging and attacking they've done. Anyone would feel tired.

Mino was the only one who could be described as "fresh." He didn't need special three day training like others, in fact, he already had his own attack and strategy he stuck to. His reflexes also were excellent.

Hiroki had no complaints about him. He was a fast learner. This man was a mystery. The professor couldn't contain his curiosity anymore.

While Onodera and Kisa were tending to Yoshino, he walked towards the man who stole tonight's training's spotlight. He was sweating a bit, but he wasn't drenched as half of them. This indicated he did some exercise every day. Maybe push – ups? Jogging? Guessing is for children. He'll ask him personally, also what was that crazy move.

Mino drank from the water bottle, observing the others as they bickered (Kisa and Onodera over Yoshino's still slightly bleeding nose) and joked with each other (Takatsuki and Takahashi).

"Can I sit down here?" Hiroki asked and Mino nodded with a hint of a smile. "I figured you'd be interested in my play style, Kamijou –san."

Nothing evades this man, Hiroki thought as he reached into his bag and used his towel to wipe the sweat. "That throw, can you use it again against Yanase, despite not knowing his moves?"

Mino giggled and Hiroki gaped at the editor, who oozed with confidence. "And how do you know your special attack will work on your opponent, Kamijou –san?"

He got him there. There was no guarantee it will 100% work. "I observed that some of our team mates have experience or interest in a certain sport. Kisa's posture indicates he was a libero. Takatsuki is interested in basketball, he's comfortable with one hand play, indication he wants to play as forward player, maybe. As for others, I don't know. I personally don't do sports, I don't have much spare time in my line of work and on top of that, I am caring for my son. I exercise twice a week, when I have the time for about half hour, before Yamato wakes up."

"Then, what was that crazy move?!"

"Yamato watches a lot of anime. Last month, they started airing a new sports anime and that move is from that. I've changed it somewhat to incorporate it to my height. Also, I'm very good at reading people."

Hiroki's brows knitted themselves in a confusion. "What do you mean? You can feel what people think? Is that what you are referring to?"

Mino shook head, decisively. "I can read movement, predict where they will move and what they will likely do."

The professor was amazed and he secretly thought – good thing he's on our team after all. "And that move has a name?"

Editor rose up to his feet, stretching a bit. "Cyclone Shot." He said and jogged towards the group itching for the last round of dodge ball before they wrap it up for tonight.

Hiroki's lips curled in a smile as he joined up with them. One more round and he'll announce it. Their opponents are probably taking the day off tomorrow, too. They have been training like crazy ( and Mino was a monster in his own league, so there was really no need to train more).

They started and the match unfolded with the four on three handicap match, which he, Mino and Kisa won, but it was really close call.

Worn out, they all collapsed on the ground, huffing.

Hiroki got everyone's attention when he gathered himself up as if he wasn't tired as them. He stood proud and tall over the team, a team he had confidence in. They will win.

"Tomorrow is Friday, as you all know. Since we've worked so hard to master each a unique strategy, I have faith in ourselves that we will win. Therefore, there is no need to train. A day off is well deserved, everyone, use it to relax. On Saturday, we go, we triumph and win!" He made them energetic again, all (yes, even the conservative Mino) jumped up on their feet, fist – pumping in their approaching glory. "YEEEESSS!"

Hiroki watched the team of winners. They have trained harder than them. Great effort is always rewarded, why should it be different in this case? Reasoning, he withdrew to the benches to gather his things.

They went to their homes, each engrossed in own circumstances.

XxX

Akihiko rehearsed with the the artist, Yukina. He definitely got better. Takano's training from hell wasn't so pointless, after all. The doctor got it much harder, as his was that match that was predicted to be the most brutal and unfair (Kamijou the Devil wasn't a nickname to be looked down upon) and he was playing two – on - one with Takano and Miyagi, Kamijou's colleague, who knew the fiery temper of his co – worker too well. Nowaki got a grip and eliminated Takano with a collected, cool head and calculative play. Finally, he's using his head, Akihiko thought, amused by Takano's reaction. He yelled "FINALLY!" so loud, he made the others lose concentration for a moment.

Much to Yanase's irritation and Hatori's annoyance, Takano paired them together for a training. Yuu took it as chance from heavens to settle the score with Hatori, still furious at that creep, who provoked him to enter and take part in this stupid challenge in the first place.

Yuu didn't know if he was more pissed off at Hatori for having to see his mug for a longer period of time or if he's more pissed at the thought of having to date someone he barely knows for a month, if he loses. However, the loss or win is collective, so no worries. Even if he loses his one – on – one with the infatuated stalker, team score is decisive.

However, Yuu wasn't set on losing, not on purpose. After they dragged him yesterday to an abandoned café, they had a long chat about the challenge and why they accepted. Yuu envied them, in a way. Even that bastard, Hatori for having someone who loved him with all the flaws (and oh, boy, that bastard had many flaws…) and what it would feel like to be loved by someone…

That's why, he felt a bit happier (he won't admit it to himself) for a little while, before horror and reality sunk in. A 6' foot tall man in his thirties and with a son who for some reason mistook him for mother, that mysterious (and charmingly handsome) man wants to date him. If that wasn't alarming, then nothing was.

He'd had enough of these confusing feelings. His sharp senses brought him back to reality as a incoming ball was about to hit him hard in the face. Dammit, Hatori isn't taking him seriously, nobody is! He performed a flawless back flip, evading the encounter with the ball so – so. Standing up properly, the bewilderment in that bastard's stoic look got his blood pumping.

Yuu felt how the flow tipped in his favor. Hatori is too shocked. He'll show him he's not to be made fun of, just because he's the shortest on the tall & control freak team. He spun with the ball and the extra spin around shot the ball like a bullet, straight at Hatori.

He couldn't evade and the ball's momentum was unstoppable, it him him in the face; Yuu could swear the man swore under his breath and fell, like a sack of potatoes… knocked – out?!

In that moment, they all stopped in their mid – jumps and evasions, gazing at the two, waiting for them to make a move. Neither did and Takano figured they should settle whatever they had between themselves before the game.

Yuu felt a satisfaction for taking on Hatori like that. That is for stealing Chiaki from me, Yuu thought. But then he pondered about it… It's not Hatori's fault Chiaki chose him.

He loved Chiaki for a long time… it's time to give up on that fruitless love, to move on.

And in order to move on, he settles things with Hatori. Right now.

Others felt they shouldn't get involved, so they didn't. Takano was watching with one eye, as Yanase approached the still grounded editor, who was attempting to stand up.

Yuu knelt down, seeing how Hatori's nose was bleeding and it didn't look like it'd stop any time soon. Yuu looked behind his shoulder, asking namely the doctor for help. "Kusama, can you help him? His nose is bleeding." He stated dryly, lifting Hatori up in a sitting position, with his head lowered.

Hatori refused to look at him, gritting teeth, while Nowaki hurried with the first – aid he brought in case something like this happened. "You must really love seeing me bleed. That sadistic look is that of a rejected man." Hatori said, while Nowaki tended to him, applying the right pressure to stop the bleeding.

Yuu felt the urge to laugh, so he did. Loudly. It felt good to let go of all that past frustration. Really good. Hatori finally glanced at him, unsure of why the freelance artist was laughing.

"You still think I'm upset about you and Chiaki, do you? If you asked me five minutes ago, I'd say I am mad with vengeance, but after I hit you, it came to me – one cannot make someone love you if they don't see you as love interest. So, I'm letting go of the jealous, totally not cool side of myself. I cannot best your 29 years of being together with my lousy 15 years. What I am saying is, I'll try to… get along with you from now on."

Judging from Hatori's over – reaction (he backed away from Yuu and Nowaki backwards in disbelief), he didn't see it coming. Usami, Yukina, Miyagi and Takano watched from the sidelines how the bitter rivalry ended, taking a twist for the better (hopefully!).

Yuu extended his hand to the editor, who eyed him and then he sighed, taking the offered hand. "Took you long enough. Idiot." Hatori exclaimed in his usual calm manner, which ticked Yuu off. You know, some things never change, or rather, people. A vein popped on his forehead and he let go of the hand, approaching Nowaki and snatched a towel which with he used to absorb the bleeding and threw it on at the editor, who caught it, poker – faced.

"You jerk. Don't think we're best pals now. I still hate your guts."

Hatori nodded, sharing one last look with Yanase before the artist turned his back on him, storming towards the benches.

The tense exchange between friends/past rivals was over and all other semes let out a collective sigh of relief, which was noted by both Yanase and Hatori.

The second editor of Emerald grinned as he let Nowaki finish tending to him. Takano stopped their training – there was no sense if they all were distracted. While they chattered with Yanase, he checked up with Hatori. He went after the doctor was done, so he'd have a more private talk with co – worker, friend. He found him sitting on a bench, alone, pressing the balled up towel against his now slightly red nose. Takano sat down, trying to break Hatori's silence.

"You okay? That was some throw."

Hatori snorted. "He says he's not mad, but I doubt he can let go of his feelings so easily. Do you think… change has something to do with Mino's challenge?"

Takano shrugged, looking at the fluorescent lights in the gym. "I honestly can't say. If Mino really did change something inside of Yanase, then it's his broken heart. You know him longer than the rest of us. Do you think he's changed?"

Hatori observed the back of Yanase. "I wasn't on friendly terms with him, we were "friendly" in the past because of Yoshino. Were it not for our mutual love for him, I am sure we would have become real friends years ago."

"Then, your rivalry has finally come to an end. I just wonder how exactly and when did Yanase and Mino meet. He didn't tell us anything."

Hatori placed the bloody towel on bench, standing up. "Knowing him, he won't just tell anybody. He guards his secrets and heart, really close."

Takano also stood up. "I see. Are you up for one last round?"

"Yes, I am fine now. I am grateful we have a doctor on our team."

" Take ten more minutes, everyone is looking exhausted. I'll go and have a chat with Yanase. I want to know what that move was."

Hatori rubbed his nose and hissed. It still hurt, but it wasn't so bad. He made eye contact with Yanase, who pulled the "serves you right, asshole" look that drove him mad in the past. Now, it made him giggle at their stupidity. Hatori sat back down. Things will be interesting on Saturday.

Takano approached the admiring group (Yukina asked Yanase how to do a stunt like that and Yanase showed them how easy it is to do) and the brave artist tried to mimic that back flip and he succeeded on the first try. "Good technique! But try to stick to normal dodging, okay?" Takano commented and the clapping and settled, while their trainer looked at Yanase. "What was that move, with the ball."

Yuu cocked his head to the side. "I've been helping a mangaka, who is a huge basketball freak. The manga is about basketball and it has even gotten an anime adaptation. Approximately a month ago, the author directed me to the anime and the main character did it. However, since the character plays with basketball, which is harder and weighs more, this ball was more lighter and it looked like a bullet or projectile. The move was a passing technique, but I incorporated it into my move - set. I call it Cyclone Shot."

"You only saw it in anime and used it, after seeing it once?" Miyagi asked, astonished.

"It's not that hard. I've been active in sports throughout the school years. Also, I have a sixth sense if comes to sensing an opponent's move. My loss isn't guaranteed. I'll give it my best shot, literally." Yuu laughed at his statement, while the astonishment was swapped with smirks all around.

They aren't preparing to lose. They are preparing to win. Then, came Takano's remark.

"Then, how about one last round?"

Hatori joined up with them. They decided to play a handicap match, two on five with Hatori and Yanase paired up together. It was Takano's idea (to test their new formed alliance/friendship) and they withstood the onslaught for good fifteen minutes, before the tiredness became unbearable and soon, eliminations occurred on both sides; ultimately, the duo lost under the pressure.

Once the match was over, they all sank to knees and on all fours, breathing heavily. Takano was the first to regain his stable breathing, standing up and looking at the exhausted men. "That was one hell of intense last bout! I'm proud to say I trained you. These past days have been hectic and overbearing. I questioned myself if we stand a chance, but I realized it's pointless to worry over losing. Instead, we should focus on winning. You have all improved and I expect the other team is going on a very aggressive roll from the first match, so we're taking the defensive and more strategic stance. That is why we'll win. Rationality and calculation, waiting for that moment of weakness; that is our strategy. It's also part of any strategy to not stress over. So, tomorrow, we'll take the day off. I suspect they will take the day off as well. Since that is how things will stand, they will avoid us."

Usami knew he would say something like that. They were very much on the same page. "I don't plan on avoiding Misaki until Saturday. I'm going to spend the day with him peacefully."

"Of course I am going to spend the day with Kisa –san! Although, he's at work most of the day and I'm stuck in school or part – time job at manga store…" Yukina started, pouting a bit.

"I'm going to spend most of the day at work, too, so I won't see much of Hiro –san… I will be having half shift on tomorrow and when Hiro –san won't be coming home until late at night." Nowaki added, tad sad of the fact.

"Ha! You don't have the moxie. Listen, you have to do something unexpected to break the ice!" Miyagi stated and he earned the "you dirty man" looks from his team mates. He waved hands dismissively. "I didn't mean it like that! I meant I'll… cook for him something. He was always the one who cooked for me. His cooking sucked… but it was cute that he tried at all. I miss his fumbling in the kitchen."

"Knowing Ritsu, he'll be playing the tough guy act all day, at work and out of work, too. It will be interesting, how the day turns out. At any rate, I'll try to not piss him off… much." Takano said jokingly and he earned snorts from his team mates, all but Yanase and Hatori, who stared at each other.

"Yoshino is doing the inking of the newest installment, so I'll go to his place to help. There will be plenty of his assistants around, so I won't have the opportunity to do "something" even if I wanted to. With that said, how are you going to spend the day off?" He asked of Yanase, who shrugged. "At home, chilling. The mangaka I am working with is busy with something else. She didn't specify and I didn't pry. I have nothing scheduled until next Tuesday."

"Well, just don't do something unsightly and don't go overboard. This match was as much as a challenge as it is atonement for past misdoings. Also, I'll set up the location with their trainer, Kamijou on Friday morning and I'll inform everyone of the time and place."

Sleepy yeahs echoed in the gym as they made a move for their sports bags and change of clothes. They left, one after another, scattering into the night.

Each had their significant other on mind. Yuu found himself thinking about his opponent more than he should and what would change if he lost.

He snorted, putting his hand in pockets of the coat. Something is changing… what is this feeling? Yuu couldn't pin it down. He shook head. Best not dwell on it.

TO BE CONTINUED_

Author's Notes - They have the same freakin' move! It will be interesting, right? Also, if there are some devoted readers from Marukawa Simulator, then the Yanase Yuu/ Kanade Mino aka Agape (as I named it in the last chapter's AN) is probably making you think if I predicted I would continue writing Dodge ball... well, I did not! And yet, it's happening. Thanks to the reviews, I know it's read and received well by readers, which is what counts the most. See you in the next chapter! n_n