Fight for Love!


35th Fight: Double Agent I

It was finally break time. Everyone was resting on the ground, chatting away and drinking water from their large water bottles. Hotaru and I were viewing the film which we had recorded earlier and cross-checked with the observational notes I had scribbled in my little notebook. Hotaru was the one who had insisted on cross-checking because she didn't trust me at all. Not that she suspected me, she was just afraid that I had missed out lots of important information. I couldn't blame her though. I had always been careless.

It was a fruitful spy work, I must say. I had already observed at least four members before the break, and I planned on observing another two to three more members before the training session ended. Thus far, I still hadn't gotten the chance to observe Tsubasa and Natsume. Tsubasa was always seen coaching the newbies. On the other hand, Natsume was still missing in action. Was he planning on ditching the training?

"There you are," I heard Tsubasa called out from behind.

Hotaru and I turned around, seeing the club chairperson head towards us with a grin. Wondering what he wanted to speak to us, we immediately stood up and greeted Tsubasa.

"Both of you have worked hard today. I hope the observation and logging tasks are not difficult to manage!"

"We are doing quite well. Thank you," Hotaru said confidently while I just nodded in agreement.

"Yukihira-san, are you hurt anywhere? You fell down quite badly there," Tsubasa asked me in concern.

I wouldn't say that I had a 'good' fall though. When my bottom had landed on the ground, I could feel my whole body, from my tail bone to the top of my skull, shake from the impact. With a sheepish smile, I shook my head.

"I'm fine, Tsubasa-senpai. Thank you for your concern."

"I'm glad you're okay," he replied and then turned to Hotaru. "Imai-san, are you interested in taking the orange belt examination next month? You have been training very hard for the past three months. I believe that you are well-prepared for the examination."

"Hotaru has been training very hard?" I exclaimed in awe, but it actually turned out quite a question instead.

"Yes... I didn't tell you, did I? I bet I didn't," Hotaru answered with a small smirk.

My eyebrows rose in curiosity. "Tell me what?"

"Andou-senpai has never heeded Koizumi-senpai's so-called order... behind her back. So, I have always been training for the examination," she explained. "Well then, now that the order has been lifted, we don't have to hide it anymore."

What?

Tsubasa just laughed sheepishly, probably feeling bad for not telling me earlier. No, wait. Hotaru should have told me earlier! Wasn't she the one who kept emphasising 'getting back her belt honour' to push me into the stupid game with Luna?

What the hell, Hotaru?!

I stared daggers at my best friend and whined, "That's so mean, Hotaru! You were making fun of me, right? Right?!"

"Now, now. It was a joke," Hotaru tried to appease me, but the stubbornly annoying smirk on her face made me even angrier.

Seeing that smirk which couldn't be wiped off, I could conclude that Hotaru was definitely teasing me as usual. Frankly, her tease was not funny at all.

"Andou-senpai, back to the topic, I'd like to undertake the examination," Hotaru spoke to Tsubasa, totally ignoring my glare.

"That's great. I will send in your application by this week," Tsubasa replied and then waved to us before walking away to speak to other people.

Hotaru placed her hand on my back and prompted me to sit back down on the floor. Still feeling angry that she had tricked me, I shrugged her hand off and stuck my tongue out at her.

"Alright, I'm sorry, okay? Don't be such a..."

"Such a what? I literally attempted to get back your belt honour when I do not have to do so!" I said angrily and pouted.

"That's why I'm sorry, Mikan." Hotaru looked upwards for a moment before staring at me into the eye. "I know. As an apology, I will buy you one of your favourite dishes. Wasabi soya beans!"

I pursed my lips and frowned at her, trying hard not to fall for her words. If I did, I would be just as gullible as a kid.

"Come on. Don't be stubborn. I can get you the biggest plate ever."

I cringed my nose and turned my head away from her. "I'm not being stubborn."

"Oh yes, you are."

I looked at her at the corner of my eyes. She wasn't smirking this time. She wasn't giving me that teasing look anymore. She was staring at me with slightly knitted eyebrows and pursed lips like mine. Just like that, my heart softened and I convinced myself that Hotaru was being sincere with her apology. I relaxed my facial features and sighed.

"Fine. I will accept your apology with that promised biggest plate of wasabi soya beans."

"Okay then. How about this Friday after school?" Hotaru asked.

I smirked. "Deal."

"Deal what?" came a low soft voice behind me.

I stared at Hotaru, smirk fading away rapidly as if I had realised something bad. Inhaling deeply, I turned around and faced the source. Air escaped almost quickly from my lungs at the sight of him...

"Natsume-sama!" I heard Luna's shrilly voice from the other end of the gymnasium.

I cringed at the high-pitched voice and immediately back away for the possible incoming fangirl-hug-attack from the four girls. But it didn't happen. Instead, the four girls came running towards him with looks of anxiety and asking him why he was so late. As usual, they cooed about how handsome he was in his slightly wrinkled school uniform and tousled raven-black hair. Natsume just waved them off as his eyes still focused on me. By the looks of it, I probably needed to explain some things to him... right?

"What are you doing here?" he asked me in a slightly harsh tone, ignoring the girls' coos.

I knitted my eyebrows together and muttered, "Well..."

"Ah, Yukihira-san has become our club manager," Sumire replied in my place as she stole a quick glance at me. "Luna-sama approves."

Thanks, Sumire, for making the story short and sweet although I didn't think your last comment was necessary.

"I believe Yukihira-san would make a good club manager since she's diligent and meticulous," Luna added.

Wow, hold on, Luna Koizumi. Did she just praise me? Me, diligent and meticulous? That was... creepy.

"I believe that the first day of April is over," Natsume said.

As an amused look flashed across her face, Hotaru crossed her arms and smirked at him. "You aren't wrong, senpai. Mikan is back. I hope you will treat her well unlike before."

Natsume frowned at Hotaru but the latter seemed to disregard the stare as she continued, "No harassment, please."

"Why do I feel so insulted?" Natsume bellowed.

"Because you're gay for Nogi-senpai?" Hotaru teased with a contradictory, innocent pair of deep-violet eyes.

Just then, I chuckled as I was unable to contain my laughter after hearing Hotaru's witty yet funny reply. Many pairs of eyes fell on me and I immediately stopped, looking at Natsume apologetically. I felt bad for laughing, mainly because I was accused for being lesbian before and laughing at Natsume would be the same as laughing at myself.

"Very funny, Imai brat. Very funny," Luna hissed softly as she glared at Hotaru.

"Natsume-sama is never gay! Take back your words!" Anna shouted angrily.

"But I wouldn't mind if he is," Nonoko muttered as she cupped her pinkish cheeks with a small smile.

Sumire turned to Nonoko and gasped in horror. "What the hell?!"

"What's the commotion about again? Oh, Natsume's here!"

All of us turned to look at Tsubasa who headed towards us again. He had a relieved look on his face as he walked over.

"Your lesson ended quite late today... But good thing you're here, I have something to discuss with you. It's about the upcoming tournament," Tsubasa said as he put his arm around Natsume's neck and pushed his body downwards a little. "Okay?"

Natsume cautiously turned his head towards Tsubasa and said in a softer voice, "I have something to ask you as well."

"Oh? What?"

"It's about this girl here." Natsume pointed at me. "I thought she quitted."

"Oh yes, she did. But she has returned!" Tsubasa laughed and tugged Natsume closer to him. "As my assistant to be exact."

"Club manager," Hotaru added.

"Yes, yes. Imai is right. So, did we answer your question?" the club leader asked Natsume with his usual grin.

Natsume's shoulders dropped as he turned his head back to the front and glanced at me with a look of disbelief. It was as if he was asking me why I came back all of the sudden. Pretending that I didn't understand his facial expression, I gave him a small smile and shrugged. Then, he pursed his lips and looked away in annoyance.

"What do you want to talk about?" Natsume muttered to Tsubasa.

Tsubasa removed his arm off his shoulder and said to the rest of us, "Please excuse us, ladies."

With that, he pulled Natsume away from us and went away to a far corner of the gymnasium. Luna and her gang seemed to lose their interest in mingling around me and Hotaru so they just walked back to where they came from. Turning to look at Hotaru, I just smiled sheepishly. To be honest, I had no idea what to feel anymore. Firstly, I was forced to join the Taekwondo Club again. Secondly, I found out that Hotaru didn't tell me the truth. Okay, I shouldn't be complaining either since I was actually a spy acting as a member. Thirdly, Natsume seemed displeased by my presence. It was like he didn't want me to be here. What if he really didn't want me to be here? Is it because I was so annoying? But I wasn't a fangirl so as compared to the some other female club members, I was less annoying... right?

I cupped my cheeks and grimaced. What was I thinking about? It made me like some idiot who had fallen for him and was worried about how he would look at me. Anyway, I put that thought aside and let out a deep sigh, attracting Hotaru's attention.

"You look tired. It is only the beginning and you're already sighing away."

"You don't understand, Hotaru." I looked at my friend at the corner of my eyes. "I just can't believe I'm back to this club."

"Did you miss me?" Hotaru smirked.

I scoffed and lightly punched her shoulder with a laugh. "No."

"Aww."

"I'm going to sweep the floor," I changed the subject as I secretly stole a glimpse of the two boys whispering to each other at the side of the gymnasium.

It might be a perfect chance for me to get close to them without arousing any suspicion. However, Hotaru crooked an eyebrow in puzzlement.

"It isn't your job, I thought."

"Come on, as the club manager, I should care about the cleanliness of our training ground. Look at all the sweaty boys on the floor! The floor would be so sticky and... and..."

"Then, I would rather you mop the floor," Hotaru interjected with a deadpanned look.

"Yeah, right." I mumbled as I brushed my shoe against the floor. "Look here, it's dusty."

Hotaru rolled her eyes at me and said, "Whatever. Do what you want. The broom is in the storeroom."

Smiling, I thanked Hotaru and quickly headed into the storeroom to get the broom. Then, I started sweeping the floor as I slowly moved towards Natsume and Tsubasa. However, I tried to maintain a distance from them while eavesdropping as much as I could. It was not easy to hear them because the two of them were speaking so softly. So, I closed in even more.

"I don't think it's a great idea to do so."

"Why not? It will do good for all of us."

"Tsubasa, I'm against it."

"Think about us and yourself. Anyway, I'm not participating it anymore."

I stopped sweeping and stared at the two boys. Did Tsubasa meant that he was not participating in the tournament anymore? But why?

"Be our information collector."

Natsume frowned at Tsubasa and defied, "I said, no."

"Please. I bet other clubs are sending their own people to gather information about others. There is nothing wrong to it too. We aren't cheating."

"I believe in ethics."

I gulped. I was one of those people who had to gather information about other people. For a moment, I was so afraid to be busted. But it was a good thing that I hadn't been suspected yet. I soothed my chest and heaved a sigh of relief.

"You're just being scared of..." Tsubasa crooked his head a little to his side and our gaze exchanged. "Yukihira-san?"

My grip around the broom tightened. With an awkward smile, I began swinging my broom right and left vigorously. Natsume turned around and the two of them stared at me with a curious look. I mentally admitted that I looked ridiculous or suspicious while doing the actions. Nobody would sweep like that.

"Ah, I got an idea!" exclaimed Tsubasa as he turned to Natsume. "Yukihira-san can give you a helping hand!"

"What?!" I yelled with my eyes wide opened. "No, no, no, I can't."

"You obviously eavesdropped," Natsume said with a small smirk.

"Yes, so what? This is unethical, Tsubasa-senpai!" I ran towards the club leader and shook his hand vigorously. "We will be in trouble if we do this. Natsume-senpai is so well-known in other Taewondo clubs too, so he will be busted easily."

Tsubasa moved his face closer to mine with narrowed eyes, and asked softly, "How do you know that he's well-known?"

I ignored Tsubasa's question and turned to look at Natsume with a sharp glare. Say something, Natsume!

Perhaps he noticed my hidden message when he decided to stop smirking at me. He stepped forward and pulled Tsubasa and I apart. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind him. Puzzled, I could only stare at his larger back hoping that he would reject Tsubasa once more.

"If I'm doing it with her... I don't mind."

What?

This time, I held onto his wrist and pulled his body around to face me. My glare hardened as I tightened my grip around his wrist.

"That's foolish! I don't want to do that!" I yelled.

"For the sake of our club!" Tsubasa said cheerfully, putting his hand on my shoulder. "I approve of this mission."

I bit back a growl. Why did my life have to be so bad? As if my mission to spy on these boys weren't bad enough, I had to collaborate with Natsume to spy on others. what was I? A spy who was made a spy by the targets whom she was supposed to spy on. I probably had to inform Shizuka and the rest about this. They would have better ideas to get me out of this situation... I hoped.

"Tsubasa," Natsume muttered softly, gently swatted our leader's hand off my shoulder. "Please give me a moment with this flat-chested boxer here."

Tsubasa withdrew his hand and narrowed his eyes at Natsume. "Sure, sure. Have a great time together... And you know what?"

Both of us stared blankly at Tsubasa who was giving us a weird expression. Smirking, he patted Natsume's back and leaned close to him. I saw him whispering something into Natsume's ear, causing the latter to stiffen.

"It was not like this," Natsume bellowed.

Tsubasa tilted his head and chuckled. He moved away from Natsume and put on his usual innocent smile.

"But it was so obvious. Maybe..." His eyes trailed towards me. "... it might take slightly longer for her to realise it."

"Huh?" I furrowed my eyebrows as I saw Tsubasa walking away. "Natsume-senpai, what did he say to you?"

"Nothing. It was just a bunch of bullshit. Nothing important." Natsume squatted, dropping his head low with a deep sigh. "Flat-chested boxer."

"What?"

Oh my goodness, I was actually responding to my hideous nickname. Then, he looked up. His crimson-red eyes stared hard into mine, causing my heart to stop momentarily. His face held so much seriousness that I thought I might have done something wrong to him. What could I have possibly done to offend him?

"Let's abort this mission... silently."


Hi, everyone! Sorry for another late update. I was planning to update in July but who knew that university life is soooooo hectic! It totally drains me off. Now, it is my study week because next week is my examination period. So, I decided to make use of this time to upload a chapter of this story first. Yeah, I have been studying non-stop since last week... Just taking some time off to see my fanfics. Haha (^ ^")

Back to routine. My thanks to the reviewers:

- MelodyString: Awww! Thank you! :D
- pennYnnep: Thank you! The future chapters will explain them. :)
- PaRaNoId rOsE: It might be too early for Mikan to beat Luna up. Maybe one day she will!
- newroz: Thank you!
- Iceprincess: Haha! Interesting. Maybe I will write KokoxMikan fanfic next time. ;)
- Yoshida Haru: Sorry for making you wait! And thank you for your patience! Yes, I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who felt like hugging Luna. Haha

Lastly, I would also like to thank those who had story alerted and favourited this story.

Till next time. :)


Next chapter: Double Agent II