Love at Greater Heights
Chapter 7
AN: Hey guys, I know it's been a really long time (to be exact 1 month 1 week and 1 day) I have a lot of reasons but still not enough to be on hiatus for so long without prior notice. So I apologize. Honestly, I don't know how often I am going to update anymorw. If anyone is still reading this, I hope you enjoy :)
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS
Kurosaki Akira's (OC's) POV
Chitose moved closer to me, one of his hands cupping my cheek and the other wrapped around my waist. His face was so close to mine that I could feel his breath fanning on my face. Instinctively my eyes fluttered shut. His lips were so close to mine, I could almost feel them when...
I woke up with a start, my face a vibrant shade of red. I couldn't believe that I had just dreamed of Chitose kissing me...well actually I could. I realised that at the back of my mind, I knew that I wouldn't last long against him but this had sealed the deal: I had a crush on Chitose Senri.
This was not how I had expected it to happen. I expected long meaningful conversations, sweet moments charged with electricity, spending every moment possible together and then the great fall. That wasn't the way things were between us, we were still at the stage of...well, um. That's another thing, like every other girl I know I too have read my fair share of shoujo manga, a bit more than the average one might say but none of them defined the kind of relationship Chitose and I had. We never went out of our way to see each other, I carried on with my usual routine of school, sometimes bakery and home and presumably he carried on with his, but the times we did meet, usually during tennis practices Yumi dragged me to, were different from when I talked to other acquaintances or even casual friends. I could literally feel the sparks flying. The air felt as though it was charged with electricity. If either of us made a move, it would change everything, though whether the change would be for the better or for the worse I have no idea. He never made a move, so I figured that I shouldn't either, especially since at that point I had no idea whether I liked him or whether the butterflies in my stomach were caused simply by the fact that he was quite attractive, yes I admit he has a certain charm.
Now that I could properly sit down (well, actually lie down, since I hadn't gotten out of bed yet) and analyse my feelings, it hit me that I didn't like Chitose because of his height, or his gorgeous blue curls, or his brown eyes though they all contributed indirectly. It was more about the smaller things, the way he ruffles my hair and calls me short, the fact that his eyes will always have a tinge of amusement in them, the way in which he argues with me relentlessly but knows where to draw a line, the way he can make me laugh just by looking at me (it's different from the laughter from when a clown looks at you) and so many other things that were lodged at the back of my brain but now come rushing out.
The realisation, somehow made me feel lighter. I felt like flinging open my windows and yelling out my realisation but something told me that that wasn't a good idea but I needed to tell someone. The perfect person would be my sister but I highly doubted she would be awake at six a.m. or that she would want to be woken up at such an ungodly hour during the weekend, especially since she had decided to pull an all-nighter last night to finish her endless pile of homework. I contemplated calling Yuki, she had a high chance of being one of those people who woke up at the crack of dawn though she had an equal chance of being one of the super cranky people in the morning. I figured I would risk it, just as I was about to call her when I heard my phone ringing,
I glanced at the caller Id, it was Chitose. I quickly answered "Hello, Kurosaki Akira"
"Hey Kurosaki!" Replied Chitose's unmistakable voice "Firstly, are you one of those people who're cranky in the mornings?" He asked.
"I am" I said seriously (it was the truth after all) , laughing to myself as I heard his audible gulp on the other side. "But I was already awake, so it's okay" I said reassuringly. I swear I heard a sigh of relief before he continued "Well, if you're free, would you come to the library, I'll even treat you to breakfast" he adds and I'm pretty sure I could hear his grin over the line.
"Wow Chitose, six a.m.! That's a new record, you really can't get enough of me, can you?" I said playfully.
"Of course I can't, that's simply a fact of life you must accept Kurosaki" he retorted playfully, though at the back of my enlightened mind I could make myself believe that there had been sincerity in his voice.
"So what is it?" I asked quickly, before my mind could arrive at any more 'conclusions'.
"It's a surpise.., so you coming?" He asked, a hint of hope in his voice.
"Hmm, let me just check my schedule," I said slowly, grinning when I heard him chuckle, "Surprisingly I am free at the crack of dawn on a weekend, I'll see you in a bit"
"Okay, thanks, bye" he said quickly and hung up. I quickly jumped off my bed and changed into a thick aquamarine sweater and jeans. It was getting colder as each day passed. I suddenly remembered that I still hadn't bought Christmas presents for my family, every year we always attend a huge family party, it's a lot of fun. I wrote the memo on my hand and went downstairs. Unsurprisingly I saw my mum reading a book downstairs. She always wakes up early. "Okaa-san, I'm going out okay, I'll eat breakfast out, is that okay?" I asked.
"Who're you going with?" She asked, not looking up from her book.
"Chitose, one of my friends" I replied.
"Is he a friend or more than that?" My mum asked slowly, looking up and raising an eyebrow.
I willed myself not to blush "Just a friend" I said. I don't lie to my mum often, it's just that if I tell her that I like Chitose, she will obviously tell my dad who will then proceed to have an overprotective moment like that one time I had brief crush on the older guy next door. When I found that I wasn't completely heartbroken when he got a girlfriend and well...even liked the idea of them as a couple, in a weird way I got over it.
"Yeah, okay I guess just be back before noon for sure" she said.
I nodded and quickly legged before she could change her mind. Enjoying the brisk and fresh morning I quickly made my way to the library. Considering Chitose was the only person there, it didn't really take that much effort to find him.
"Hey" I called out to catch his attention.
He turned around and grinned "Well, hello, any guesses to what we are going to be doing?"
I shrugged my shoulders "I have no idea", I said honestly.
His eyes twinkled as he started fingering his ear in the most unsubtle way possible.
"You have an earache?" I guessed shrugging my shoulders.
Chitose rolled his eyes "No, I'm going to get a second piercing and I wanted company"
"You want a piercing!" I asked incredulously.
He nodded, a gleeful smile on his face "I wanted one since I was got my first one" he explained "I finally got my parents to agree..for a price though." He added darkly, simultaneously blushing.
"What was the price?" I asked suddenly curious.
His blush intensified, though he managed a weak smirk (it was a mildly amusing image) "Never mind, it's a family secret"
I rolled my eyes "You seem to have a lot of family secrets" I said deadpan.
By now his blush had disappeared and only the smirk remained on his face "Well, we Chitoses are a very mysterious family." He said with his usual flair.
"Whatever, anyway I'm looking forward to see your face of utter pain and agony. I might even see a tear, right?" I asked grinning evilly.
"How do you know how much a piercing hurts, especially a second piercing?" He asked, pointing at my obvious lack of piercings.
I shrugged "Word of mouth...and a weird English movie I watched once" I said sheepishly.
"But you see, I possess great will power. I assure you that you will not hear a whimper from me." He said with a flourish
"Impressive" I said grudgingly.
"However I do not guarantee a lack of screams of pure terror" he said, half-smiling, half-grimacing.
I rolled my eyes "I am not even going to dignify that with a proper response"
"Aww, Kurosaki don't act like that" Chitose said pouting.
Feeling childish, I stuck out my tongue at him "Make me" I said.
Chitose put a finger to his chin "I know how to but I'm not going to"
"Oh, does that mean you like me when I'm childish" I asked blushing, completely aware of the implications of what I said.
"Of course not, I like you whether your childish or not" he said, a little blush on his face, making it clear he knew what he was saying.
"Oh, umm..." I said trying to form a reply but failing miserably. I was silently berating my brain for not being able to form a coherent sentence.
Thankfully, Chitose broke the mildly awkward silence soon with a "Hey, we are here!"
I looked at the small shop we had stopped in front of, it was pretty small and simple but it looked nice and clean.
As soon as he opened the door, a small bell jangled. I smiled, something about that sound entrance bells made, made me want to smile. An old lady looked up as she entered. I was pretty sure that she was older than my grandmother by the innumerable amount of wrinkles that covered her face and her seemingly frail body but past that I could see lively brown eyes brimming with energy and long hands that kept moving around and adjusting things.
"Hello Chitose!" She greeted a fond smile gracing her face "Who's this lovely lady?" She asked, shifting her gaze to me. I couldn't help but smile back
"Hi, I'm Kurosaki Akira, I'm Chitose's friend" I said extending my hand.
Her smile widened "Well, it's nice to meet you, I'm Shiba Nonoko, you can call me obaa-san if you want, like this idiot here"
I laughed as Chitose put his hand on his heart mock-offended "Idiot? Obaa-san, how could you?" He said.
The old lady rolled her eyes "So anyway, are you here to whine about how your parents won't let you have a second piercing and then drool over all the piercings here?"
Chitose grin spread from ear to ear "Nope, I have it" he said taking out a form of consent from his pocket. "It took one year of persuasion but I have returned victorious."
The old lady's eyes widened slightly "Wow, there's as surprise!" she said as she took the form from Chitose, she turned to me "One week after he got his first piercing last year, he wanted a second one and took this form from me. Never thought I would actually see it signed."
Chitose gasped "Seriously...No one has enough faith in my persuasive powers."
I couldn't help but quip "Probably because they are non-existent"
I smiled as the old lady chuckled "Just pick an earring quickly Chitose" she said "What'll it be?"
I'll get Kurosaki's pick, I only have enough money for one stud, so choose wisely" Chitose said turning to me, a small yet genuine smile on his face.
"Okay, just pick one, I'll go get the equipment" said Shiba-san quickly making her way to the back of the room.
I couldn't help but feel slightly flattered "Are you sure? What if I pick that pink butterfly there"
Chitose shrugged " I'd wear it but I have more faith in your sense of style"
I repressed the urge to blush as I walked up and down the store looking for something good. A simple yet elegant stud of the black half of the yin yang sign caught my eye. "What about this one?" I asked pointing to the said stud.
Chitose and -San who had by now returned with the needed equipment came over to look at it. Chitose seemed satisfied "It looks good,I'll take it"
-San took out the stud from under the glass counter "Well, I suppose I can sell it single, it's supposed to be a couples' stud though"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well" she said taking about a matching white stud which was the other half of the yin yang "Each person in the couple wears one of the studs"
"I have an idea" Chitose said grinning "I'll take the black stud, Kurosaki you take the white one"
"Wait a minute!" I said crossing my arms "I don't want a piercing!"
"Really" Chitose said, attempting to pout "Do you not want to me bound to me eternally by a piece of jewellery?"
Suddenly, an image of wedding rings came into my head, "Of course not" I managed to say while fighting back the back the blush that accompanied the image. But even to myself I sounded pretty disbelieving. "And plus I would need parental consent" I added before Chitose could point out how disbelieving I sounded.
"Well, you could call up your mom now" Chitose suggested.
"And what makes you think my mom will agree" I asked quizically.
"Oh come on, hasn't your mum told you a billion times about how you should get earrings so you look at least a bit more feminie?" Chitose said nonchalantly.
My eyes widened "How did you know about that?"
Chitose grinned "I'm psychic, remember? Come on Kurosaki, it'll be fun."
"No, it won't..it'll be incredibly painful" I protested loudly. I turned to Shiba-san "It's painful, right?"
"I'd love to say but I cannot tell a lie" said Shiba-san her eyes twinkling. She clearly seemed to be enjoying the banter between Chitose and I.
"Please" Chitose pleaded, resorting to the infamous puppy-dog eyes.
I couldn't help it, by now I had mentally admitted defeat. I had already braced myself for the pain. I hate physical pain, I have my adventorous side, sure but I would prefer to never physically hurt myself ever and I was doing pretty well. As a child, I got the minimal number of cuts and bruises and I have never broken a bone or anything of that sort. Sadly, my luck seemed to be coming to an end. "Fine" I said with a huff "But you have to convince my mom"
Chitose grinned "Sure thing, just give me your phone" he said. I wordlessly handed it to him. 'Stupid crushes' I thought, at this rate I would probably agree to do the Macarena on top of the Tokyo Tower if Chitose asked with his stupid grin and puppy dog eyes "Obaa-san, you are okay with an audio consent, right?" he asked. I mentally prayed that she wasn't.
Shiba-san shrugged "Not really but I can make an exception" she said with a grin.
"Hello" I heard Chitose greet my mom, he quickly put the phone on the table switching it to loudspeaker.
"Hello, what is it Akira?" my mom said.
"Hi Mrs. Kurosaki, I'm Chitose Senri, one of Kurosaki's friends" Chitose began.
"Oh yes, she mentioned you this morning" my mom broke in. "So what is it Chitose-san?" she asked.
"Well, I was wondering if you would be opposed to Kurosaki getting piercings?" he asked, his voice level as if he was asking about the weather and not my mom's permission to pierce a hole through my ear.
"Well, not really but a piercing, it is kind of sudden. Could you give the phone to Akira?" she asked.
"Yeah sure, here you go" he said handing the phone to me switching off loudspeaker.
After one mildly awkward conversation with my mum about a) was I sure about getting a piercing and b) was the place safe and sterile, I had permission from my mom to pierce a hole in my ear which I did not want...yay? Now, you might be wondering why I couldn't just tell my mom that I didn't want a piercing. To be honest, I have no idea..my brain just shut down and my traitorous
"Okay, let's get started" Shiba-san said "Chitose, you first since it'll probably hurt less the second time"
She picked up the stud which had led to my predicament and placed into her 'gun' which looked terrifying. I quickly looked away, expecting the loud scream of terror. Surprisingly, that didn't happen. I mean, there was a scream that I'm pretty sure made me go half-deaf but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be.
"Ta-da~" Chitose exclaimed getting up massaging his reddening ear, carefully admiring the little stud in the mirror on the counter.
Before I could say anything, Shiba-san piped up "Your turn, Kurosaki-san"
I blanched, I was not looking forward to this. This was going way too fast. But before my mind could protest my body had already moved and sat down on the chair. I glanced at Shiba-san who was smiling reassuringly and the terrifying gun in her hand and immediately closed my eyes.
'Calm Calm, be calm..' I whispered slowly to myself. Suddenly a red hot pain seared through my ear, before I could stop it, a scream of pain had already left my mouth.
"It's over, you can get up now" Shiba-san said, helping me up.
I groaned slowly massaging my ear, and glared at Chitose. His grin just widened. Before either of us could say anything, Shiba-san piped up "That'll be 3000 yen" she said to Chitose.
"What about me?" I asked digging the pocket of jeans for money as Chitose handed her the money, a huge grin adorning his face.
"Well considering this idiot here forced you to get the piercing, we'll consider it free of charge" she said, a sympathetic yet amused smile on her face.
I smiled and bowed deeply "Thank you so much!". In the background I could hear Chitose protest "I didn't force her, my skills of persuassion are just really good"
As we walked out, I glared at Chitose again "You know I hate you now, right?"
Chitose rolled his eyes "Yeah right, you know you love being bound to me"
I smirked, as I moved closer to him "Of course, I do" I said, I pulled sharply on his already red ear. I'm pretty sure his scream could be heard all the way in China.
As the people on the street turned to look at us I couldn't help but say "And that is the Blue Screaming Giant, you can watch him in his habitat at the local zoo from 7-9pm!"
A few people chuckled, but the majority of them looked at me probably thinking 'She's probably has some serious issues'. But, to be honest, Chitose's half-glare half-amused look (which was frankly adorable) made my 5 minute reputation on the street as a lunatic worth it.
AN: I hope you guys enjoyed. Honestly, I have no clue as to when I will be updating next, hopefully soon. Please do review, constructive criticism is appreciated. Till next time
~IceCrystal