Len has a really hard final exam to study for, so I covered for her and wrote this chapter. Wish her luck, and maybe give her a review when she comes back? It'd be her first. *wink* This chapter was her idea, and all I did was write it. -Rin
Day 4 - Four calling birds
It was the holiday season, and Fuji Shusuke was all for spreading he holiday cheer, especially when it gave him an opportunity to torment...that is, share with his team captain.
He had heard about Momo's gift to Ryoma, and Eiji's turtle doves, and the chickens Jirou of Hyotei had bought, so he thought he would follow their lead and continue the chain. Next in line was four calling birds. He would need other people, though. But then, persuading people to help him had never been a problem.
He convinced Momo to join him (though he was a willing participant), and then set about recruiting his younger brother Yuuta (who was less willing). It took all of his persuasive skills and maybe even a little bit of blackmail, but he labeled his plan a "family bonding activity" and practically dragged Yuuta from their house, with parental approval on top of everything.
They needed only one more, so Momo was given the task of persuading Ryoma to join them. Even years in the future no one knew how he'd done it, but Ryoma was somehow made to agree to the plan (even if he didn't know what said plan entailed).
Shusuke had borrowed bird costumes from the theatre department. The students in charge of costumes happened to be members of his fan club, and would do anything when smiled at in the right way.
After he and Momo had changed, they forced the other two members of their party to do the same, Ryoma being difficult every chance he got, and Yuuta sighing and wanting to "get this over with already" so he could go home. It was no mean feat, but at last, they were ready. So they hunted down...er, casually went looking for Tezuka Kunimitsu.
When they found the poor boy, they surrounded him. He looked slightly confused, but only if you knew him well enough to tell. It was then that the four "birds" began calling, though it was really just chanting.
"Buchou! Buchou! Tezuka! Buchou! Kunimitsu!" It was enough to give anyone a headache. The noise went on for a few minutes, drawing the attention of everyone on the courts. Finally, Tezuka had had enough.
"Forty laps for all of you." Momo and Yuuta protested.
"This wasn't part of the plan, Fuji-sempai!"
"I don't even go to this school!"
But Shusuke made puppy dog eyes at his friend. "Would you really give us laps for spreading Christmas cheer? It's Christmas." Tezuka merely straightened his glasses.
"Not for another nine days, it isn't. Now go run before I add twenty more as a "Christmas gift"."