Sorry for taking a while with this chapter. I am still not in my homeland of Canada, so I'm using someone else's computer to do this. Sigh. I miss my keyboard. Even though this one is way better.

Anyway. I quite like how this chapter came out. It's necessary, and it sets up the path for the next couple of chapters.

Question - I'm trying to stay as canon as possible. Except, it's really, really hard when Atobe's hair is brown in the manga and gray (?) in the anime. Seriously. Why would they do that? And should the time ever come where I need to mention Atobe's hair color, which one do I use? It's maddenning me.

Ah. Well. Enjoy the chapter!

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One Step Forward
Chapter 3 - The Subtle Plan

Suffice to say, Atobe had won the match. It didn't matter that for the last few games Sanada had played better than ever before - in stark contrast to earlier, when he was sure he was acting as though it was his first week with a racket.

Atobe had gotten the lead quite easily when he was acting like the biggest amateur player ever. And it just kind of sucked that Atobe was already such an excellent player. Otherwise, Sanada may have had some hope of regaining his game, like the semi-finals match of the Nationals - Seigaku's Fuji versus Shitenhouji's Shiraishi.

Of course, Fuji had sill lost, but the tie break was something.

But 7 games to 5 after that rather embarrassing display of poor tennis skills was quite the feat, Sanada admitted to himself. If it wasn't for the fact that he was retired from his team and it was a match that held no real value, then he would've seriously considered asking someone to hit him again.

And by someone, he meant everyone. From Yukimura all the way down to Kirihara.

Which was why it was an excellent thing that this match held no value at all. He was pretty sure even Atobe didn't think this match counted for anything. Sanada even felt slightly bad for wasting both of their time.

"Oi, Sanada!" Fingers snapped in front of his face and Sanada blinked up at Atobe who was standing in front of him, looking at him oddly. "Is the sudden heat making you act even more Sanada-like than usual?"

"Eloquent," Sanada said dryly, wondering if Atobe's mouth was programmed to sprout insults as a default setting.

"Be in awe of Ore-sama's prowess," smirked Atobe, taking a drink from his mineral water imported from Switzerland or something. "Ore-sama excels in everything from grammar to tennis."

"I think the only thing in between those two would be the art of being pompous."

"Your ever sharpening wit strikes again, Sanada. Ore-sama believes you've graduated to being as sharp as a tennis ball now. Quite the accomplishment. And only in one hour, as well. Keep it up, and you may catch up to Ore-sama in the next century or so."

"I'm honored."

Atobe took a seat beside him before dousing his head with the remainder of the water in his bottle. "As you very well should be. Ore-sama doesn't hand compliments like these out ordinarily, you know."

"Hmm," replied Sanada glaring down at his own bottle. He knew he should have brought more than three. Now his throat may have been not so parched, but the rest of his head felt like he was on fire.

"How unbecoming of you, Sanada," said Atobe amusedly. "Not being prepared with extra water bottles."

"I let my guard down," Sanada replied flatly, causing Atobe to chuckle. "For shame."

Droplets of water were still hanging on to the strands of Atobe's hair. Which, in reality, were a few centimeters shorter than the wigs that Niou and Yagyuu had managed to get their hands on. The hair didn't fall around his ears as much as it did with Fake Atobe Number One and Two.

Really. There were some obvious differences, now that he thought back at it. Atobe walked as though the world was beneath him and everyone should have known it. Niou walked in a more subtle manner, as though he was having an inside joke with himself. Like the world was stupid for not knowing Niou knew everything that was going on.

Similarly, Atobe hardly ever reached for his eyes unless he was trying to use his Insight to dissect a person. Yagyuu reached near his forehead all the time, perhaps as a habit of his glasses or bangs - which would even be common when he would be impersonating Niou, whose hair fell across his forehead as well, but in a more haphazard manner. Atobe's forehead, on the other hand, was always uncovered.

And Sanada blinked, and did a double take, realizing just how weird it was that he was recognizing these things.

He tuned back into the conversation.

"Yes, well, I suppose I could just give you one of my extras," said Atobe, and even though he said it in a way that implied the sentence to be over, Sanada knew there was going to be more.

And sure enough, "...If you ask Ore-sama very, very nicely, that is."

Sanada rolled his eyes. "I'll pass."

"Mm hmm," nodded Atobe, before taking opening up another Switzerland-imported water, twisting the cap off very, very slowly, all the while maintaining eye contact with Sanada. "Your pride will be your undoing, Sanada."

At that, Sanada gave Atobe a, look who's talking, moron, kind of look that even a blind person could interpret.

It was weird that he was suddenly okay with Atobe again. Sanada wished that Renji was here so he could explain what was going on with some elaborate and inconsequential mathematical problem that he probably wouldn't understand anyway.

He supposed it kind of made sense. Once he managed to - however grudgingly - accept that his hormones were acting up, it was surprisingly easy to ignore them and interact with Atobe normally.

Normally meaning Atobe throwing complicated insults looking down upon Sanada in every opportunity he got, and Sanada dryly commenting back uninterestedly, which was always a good tactic to take with Atobe. Nothing ticked off the high and mighty more than being treated nonchalantly did.

Although, Sanada had to admit that it was really quite inconvenient to be attracted to Atobe. And really, it was all something physical. Because Atobe Keigo had absolutely no positive traits to speak of.

He wished his first experience with this sort of thing was with someone different. Someone who had a personality which was not one part ego and the other part vanity. Someone sweet, someone his parents would approve of, someone who he looked forward to seeing everyday.

Like... Yukimura.

Yes. Yukimura would've been a good choice for a first crush.

And not Atobe. Who was someone who fit into none of the categories he mentioned before. If he was being completely honest with himself, he would admit that Atobe was, in fact, the complete opposite.

"Sanada, Ore-sama does not like being ignored."

"Yes, well, I don't like you but I'm still being subjected to your company."

Atobe scoffed. "As if. Everyone enjoys Ore-sama's brilliant presence. Try to make the basis of your lies just the slightest bit believable in the future."

"Hn."

"That was not a word, Sanada. That would be classified as a barbaric grunt."

Sanada rolled his eyes. Goodness knew that if he took all of Atobe's comments seriously, then he'd never have a moment of peace.

"Ore-sama expects a rematch, by the way," Atobe said. "This victory was not at all satisfying. Your concentration was severely lacking at the beginning of the match, and the lead that Ore-sama got - however expected it may be - was not one done by skill. It was done by your ineptness."

Sanada didn't reply, because he wasn't the type to lie, and he very well couldn't tell the truth right then. So he just settled with a, "Why not."

"Why not, indeed. We'll do that at the courts at the mansion," said Atobe, looking at the street courts with some disdain. Which, Sanada thought was absolutely ridiculous, because compared to other courts, these were in excellent condition. "These conditions are just barely adequate."

"Hmm."

"Aren't you wondering why we didn't play there today?" asked Atobe, looking rather insulted at Sanada's lack of enthusiasm.

"...Not really."

"You do know that your manners are something to be desired, right, Sanada?"

"Yes, I do know."

"I see that my obvious sarcasm didn't register in your ever dulling brain."

"Really now."

"Indeed, Ore-sama is shocked that such a level mental dullness can exist within a human being without being put in the same category as a vegetable."

"Hmm."

Sanada didn't know if it was sadistic of him or not to be feeling some kind of smug pleasure at the sight of Atobe's glare, which grew more and more fierce in terms of magnitude with each of Sanada's answers.

"Your company is most displeasing at the moment. It is basic etiquette to continue a conversation with someone who's obviously gracing you with their time."

"I see."

No, Atobe was just getting annoyed that Sanada wasn't lavishing him with the same attention that the rest of the human population poured upon him. He hid it quite well, of course, but... It was Atobe. What else could possibly be the reason for his queations.

"Ore-sama has better things to do than waste time talking to the likes of you," said Atobe haughtily as he simultaneously dragged a hand through his hair while the other snapped its fingers.

Immediately, a suited man appeared at Atobe's side.

"Take my bags," he ordered, waving airily at his tennis equipment and jacket. "And try to make it home in the next twenty minutes. There's a show that Ore-sama wants to watch that only comes on once a week."

"Yes, sir," said the man, hurrying after Atobe.

"Good-bye, Sanada," said Atobe. "Your company shall not be heartily missed."

"Hn," was his only response, although, if Sanada was the type to talk a bit more, he would've said, "Your sentiments mirror my own, Atobe."

On second thought, he did say it to Atobe, and Sanada thought Atobe might have smiled (smirked?) a bit as he entered his limo regally, and gestured the driver to go as he closed the door.

A cool breeze blew by and Sanada sneezed. He glared at the black vehicle that was slowly becoming smaller and smaller into the distance.

The bastard.

The least Atobe could've done was give him a ride to the subway.

--

On Sunday, Sanada found himself once at some sort of eating establishment, sitting across from Renji and Yukimura.

Now, Sanada wasn't stupid in any sense of the word. He knew that the both of them had been dying to know just what had occurred on Wednesday (which, of course, was nothing). But they were trying to be nice and gave him space, hoping that he'd come to them.

Clearly, they didn't know him at all.

"I think I want to try the Triple Chocolate Delight," said Yukimura brightly, setting down the flat menu on the table and looking at Sanada and Renji. "What about you two?"

"Hmm, I hear that the coffee flavored pastry is supposed to be quite delicious," said Renji, looking thoughtful. "Seiichi, are you sure you want to eat the TCD? Rumor has it that it's enough to give an average twenty-seven year old male a coronary."

Yukimura smiled. "Well, as I am neither average in health-"

"No, you're worse," interrupted Sanada bluntly.

"I'm in recovery, there's a difference," pointed out Yukimura. "Anyway. I'm fit. I exercise daily. And I'm still more than eleven years away from being twenty-seven. I'm sure I'll be safe."

Sanada looked wary. "Well, we can't exactly stop you..."

"No, you can't," replied Yukimura pleasantly, and for some reason, Sanada felt a shiver creep up his spine at Yukimura's tone. It wasn't that Yukimura looked threatening - out of the tennis courts, that is - with his soft smile and sweet behavior. Something about him was just... slightly off.

Not that Sanada minded.

Usually.

"So it's decided then," said Renji, putting down his own menu. "Except for you, Genichirou. I myself will be having the Folded Coffee Flakes. Although, it should be pointed out that coffee in its original form is not at all a good thing for our health, especially at this age. It not only stunts-"

"I'll have a blueberry muffin," decided Sanada.

Renji stopped talking for a second to gape at him.

"What?" he asked defensively. "It's healthy. Well. Healthier than whatever you and Yukimura are having, anyway. And I like how it tastes and stop looking at me like that."

"Sanada," said Yukimura with a shake of his head, "it's just that out of all the selections that this place offers, you chose the least exciting one out of all."

"It doesn't even have a catchy name,"added Renji. "It's just... a blueberry muffin. No special ingredients. Just a batter of eggs and flour and blueberries. No special folds or flips or layers or anything."

"You should really take up cooking," said Sanada dryly in response. "Your vocabulary is all set, at any rate. And I haven't changed my mind."

"You don't have a romantic bone in your body, Sanada," said Yukimura, smiling slightly before walking up to the line to the counter. "But that's just as well. I wouldn't know what to with you if you did."

Sanada adjusted the cap on his head. "He makes it sound like a bad thing."

Renji smiled. "Well, it's not a bad thing, really. But for one to not have any sense of romance at all is slightly unnerving, not to mention unrealistic. Because for every trait someone has, they also have a little bit of the opposite to balance it out. I'm sure Jung has a theory on this somewhere in his works..."

"Jung?" Sanada dared to ask.

"Yes, Carl Jung," nodded Renji. "Surely you must've heard of such an internationally renown theorist-"

"The psychiatrist?" asked Sanada, suddenly having a recollection of that documentary he had watched in television a few years ago while advertisements were going on during Wimbledon.

"Well, I guess he could be classified as such."

"Really now."

"Yes. In fact, his books are used as the basis for many of the new research papers that are being written. Of course, he is one of the more famous ones alongside of Freud. There's also brilliant research done by the German-"

"What are we talking about now?" asked Yukimura as he came back to the table, and putting whatever each person had ordered in front of them. "By the way, Sanada, the muffin is huge. It's bigger than my cake and Renji's pastry combined."

Sanada looked skeptical. "That can't be possible."

"Oh, it is," assured Yukimura. "Just look at it."

Sanada took it out of the bag and blinked. "..."

"Amazing," said Renji, forgetting his discussion of famous psychoanalysts as he looked at the muffin as though it were a rather interesting scientific phenomenon. "The color of the top is just the perfect shade to be baked throughly and so the crust has a stronger flavor than the inside."

He reached out and poked the top with his finger. Sanada didn't even care. He too was fascinated by the very large, very perfect looking muffin.

"It's soft," continued Renji. "But not enough so we don't get to chew and savor the taste. Hmm, it seems that this store has found the exact balance in how much baking powder to use to achieve the perfect level of height to take the most advantage of the softness. Chefs have been trying to do that for decades."

"I thought it was baking soda, not powder," frowned Yukimura thoughtfully.

"No, I'm certain that it is baking powder."

Sanada wished he had something to add to this conversation. It wasn't like he couldn't cook - he could follow a recipe just fine - but Renji was talking as though he knew all, and Yukimura was listening, enraptured.

Sanada broke a piece from his overly large muffin, and plopped it in his mouth.

"At any rate, Genichirou," said Renji suddenly and Sanada paused in mid-chew to look at him. Not that it was an exceptionally comical sight, as Sanada chewed with his mouth closed at all times. "Let's stop pretending that you have no idea as to why we're here."

Sanada decided to play oblivious. "I thought it was to enjoy the good food."

Yukimura smiled. "That was a perk of coming here, yes. Though, I must admit, this place far exceeded my expectations. The Triple Chocolate Delight is delicious! Truly a bite from a chocolate covered heaven, as the catch phrase said-"

"Seiichi, we're drifting off topic."

"Oh. Right." Yukimura turned his attention directly to Sanada. "Sanada, we have been waiting quite patiently for the last few days for you to tell us exactly what happened on Wednesday so we can agree on the next step of the plan."

"I purposefully steered the conversation many times to leave you an opening, Genichirou," added Renji. "Anyone could've gotten the hint. I was shockingly surprised when you didn't."

And Renji was saying nothing but the truth. If Sanada was honest, he'd admit that they were bring rather obvious about the whole thing. In fact, at one point, Yukimura was talking about continuing their tennis in high school, which led to talking about the best players in the league, to which Renji had said, "It's a pity we're not in contact with many of them. I wonder how they're doing?"

The rather pointed look that had been thrown his way from both Yukimura and Renji at that point had put him rather on edge. He had just replied with a, "I'm sure they're doing as well as can be hoped."

Why those two continued to persist was beyond him.

"At any rate," Yukimura was saying. "Now that we've successfully landed on the topic without any trouble... You'll tell us, won't you Sanada?"

Sanada rolled his eyes. "There's nothing to tell."

"There's a twenty percent chance that what you're saying is true," said Renji in a matter-of-fact way. "But the remaining eighty says otherwise."

"Why are you two so fixated on this, anyway?" Sanada had to ask. "This isn't a big deal. It's just a phase. From what I hear, almost everyone goes through this. It'll be over and done with in a few weeks."

And it was true. Once Sanada found out that a lot of people went through this thing - attracted to some bastard with a horrendous personality but oddly good looks - he had been so relieved. Because it meant that nothing weird was going on.

Sure. He would've preferred to not be going through this at all. He was happy with his life before.

But, of course, Renji, with all of his smart chances and proofs theories and Yukimura with his determined optimism and penchant in overlooking the obvious to whatever suited his fancy thought otherwise.

"Genichirou, don't you think we know that?" Renji said patiently, and Sanada glared. Had it been anyone else, the tone would have been condescending. But Sanada wouldn't really bring himself to believe that Renji would ever look upon him like that.

"Then why are you continuing to... I don't know. Push this?"

Renji gave Yukimura a look, and Yukimura sighed, before stating delicately, "Sanada. Remember that time at your first Senbatsu camp. When you first met Atobe?"

"Yeah."

"Do you remember that you talked about Atobe? A lot? More than a lot?"

Sanada frowned. Yes. He did remember... "But I don't think I ever said anything good about him. Nothing that could remotely support your crazy belief that I like Atobe as even an acquaintance, much less more."

"But there was such passion in your eyes, Sanada!" said Yukimura sincerely. Sanada thought he might throw up. Perhaps seeing his expression, Yukimura back tracked, "As in to say, you were really... interested. Yes, that's the word. Interested. In him. And not just his playing style. In him."

Sanada folded his arms across his chest. "I have no recollection of this."

"I think I see what Seiichi is on to here, Genichirou," said Renji thoughtfully. "I have never seen anyone who can get your attention as fast as Atobe does as soon as he enters the near vicinity."

"It's kind of difficult to ignore the screaming crowd that arrives with him," said Sanada, hoping, if nothing else, his uncharacteristic use of sarcasm might get the message through.

"That is not what we mean and you know it."

Sanada rolled his eyes. "You are such a Pisces."

Sanada shifted as Yukimura raised his eyebrows coolly, but didn't say anything to further his mistake.

This was not good. At all. Because Yukimura only got that look on his face when he was warning the poor soul who was steadily ticking him off. Sanada thought it was lucky that he was one Yukimura's best friends - otherwise he would not even have gotten that warning.

Thankfully, Renji interrupted with a chuckle, seemingly oblivious to the tension - which, of course, he wasn't. "He's right, Seiichi. You're a complete romantic at heart."

Yukimura blinked before smiling slightly. "Saa, I guess I am."

That was smooth. Sanada couldn't help but admire Renji at that moment, who had already weaved Yukimura into a conversation. To take something potentially insulting into a compliment took skill.

Skill that Sanada apparently didn't have.

"Remember that match that you had with him?" Yukimura asked, looking over at Sanada again sweetly.

"Which one?"

"The one you had in August. Right before the Nationals."

Sanada slouched a little on his chair and dipped the cap on his head. Yes he remembered the match. No, he didn't wish to talk about it. At all. Ever. "...I remember."

"You were very determined to break that technique, Sanada. And before you say anything else, yes,I'm glad I put a stop to that match. It prevented you from losing, and gave you a look at that move." Yukimura frowned. "What was it called?"

"Ice World," provided Renji. "A brilliant creation, if I do say so myself. It's unique to Atobe though. I don't think anyone else could have such insight on an opponent's weakness the way Atobe can."

"Yes. After that match, Sanada. Remember how much you admired his skill and talent?"

"But what does that have to do with... what you say it has to do with?" asked Sanada impatiently, not willing to specify what exactly it was. "I respect Echizen. Tezuka. Renji. You."

"Ah, but you're not attracted to me, are you?" smiled Yukimura.

"I think that you're good looking," Sanada said, in vain hope that it would get Renji and Yukimura off of his back because what they were saying was starting to make sense in his head. Which was not how it was supposed to go at all.

Sadly, neither of the other two occupants even batted an eyelash. In fact, Renji took another forkful of his Folded Coffee Flakes and said, "That didn't answer Seiichi's question, Genichirou," before putting it in his mouth.

Sanada decided he needed new friends, and didn't bother to answer the question.

Which, he reflected upon later, was a bad move, because Renji and Yukimura exchanged rather satisfied looks at that, and Sanada sunk lower in his chair.

Words wouldn't begin to describe how thankful he was that no one else he knew was around. He would lose his reputation as the Emperor if anyone saw him being mentally taken advantage of by these two.

"Anyway," said Renji, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a planner of some sort and flipping through the pages, "We have news that you might be interested in hearing. It took us a lot of effort to find this out."

"Does it involve Atobe?" Sanada wanted to know.

"Yes."

"Then I'm not interested."

Renji sighed. "Why are you being so difficult?"

"Because you're putting me in a position where I can't be anything but."

"What we were going to ask you," interrupted Yukimura before Renji could say something else which would cause Sanada to argue in response, "was if you had any plans for the twenty-third."

Sanada blinked. "Of December?"

"Naturally, as November twenty-third has already passed," said Renji, pointing at the calendar of his planner.

"Oh," frowned Sanada. "No, I don't have anything. But it's pretty far off, so I'm not sure if anything will come up or not."

"Well, we'll just have to make sure that nothing comes up," said Yukimura determinedly. "Because that date will be the key step in achieving some kind of a platform in your relationship with Atobe."

Sanada would have smacked his forehead.

But he didn't, because he was Sanada Genichirou, and Sanada Genichirou didn't do things like that. Instead he turned to Renji and gestured at the planner. "May I?"

Renji quirked an eyebrow. "Sure."

Sanada started flipping through the pages - deciding he didn't want to know why or how Renji knew some of the things that he knew - and stopped on the week of the twenty-third.

"Well, what do you know," said Sanada, not even looking at the event underneath, just the date. "I completely forgot that day. My brother's girlfriend is coming over for dinner that night. I wouldn't want to miss that."

"Because I predicted you'd pull something like this, Genichirou," said Renji, calmly plucking the book out of Sanada's hand. "My planner is made for three years. So you are, in fact, looking at next year's December."

Sanada gaped.

People like Renji should not be allowed to exist.

They made even perfectly competent people like himself look like fools.

"At any rate," said Yukimura, looking back at Sanada intently. Sanada feared for what was to come.

He chewed on another piece of the muffin.

"Through many phone calls, connections and blackmail - courtesy of Niou and Yagyuu - we have found out that Atobe is throwing an end of the year bash at his mansion on that date."

"A bash," repeated Sanada flatly.

"A bash," confirmed Yukimura.

"Of course," continued Renji, "the blackmail, connections, and calls were actually needed to find a way to get invited to the party without it seeming suspicious. I'm sure such drastic measures weren't really necessary..."

"Drastic measures?" asked Sanada, wanting to clarify.

"We found out about the event itself from Marui," said Yukimura, and Sanada couldn't help but be slightly on edge from the knowledge that neither of them had answered his question. "Apparently his cousin's paternal uncle is a high class chef who will be catering the party."

"I see," said Sanada, even though he didn't, and watched warily as Yukimura took a huge forkful of chocolate cake, and hoping that he wouldn't face an early death because of it, "but I'm not going to go."

"Genichirou, this meeting is essential in solidifying the basis of your relationship," said Renji calmly. "Bluntly put, all the factors and variables in this situation are set against you. You go to different schools. You aren't exactly his favorite person-"

"And he isn't mine, either," muttered Sanada under his breath, knowing that it was of no use.

"I was quite surprised about the tennis invitation you had last week," Renji continued. "Because it means that Atobe doesn't necessarily mind your company, and our chances of everything working out in the end increases by fifteen percent if we approach our plan with this fact clear in our minds."

"Now this party," began Yukimura, seeing that Renji had finished his part. "It's most likely the last time you will ever see him in a public gathering, seeing how you live so far apart, until tennis season starts again. And even then I don't know if Hyoutei High School let first players play or not."

"This is why it's necessary for you to make an attempt at companionship at the party," said Renji. "You have to be subtle, otherwise he'll read you like an open book. But you have to be - and I cannot believe I'm saying this - friendly."

Sanada glared. "I can be friendly."

Then seeing the bright smile on Yukimura's face, he hastily added, "I said can. Not will."

"At any rate," said Yukimura, not looking the slightest bit daunted by Sanada's lack of co-operation. "You must make sure that you appeal to Atobe as an interesting person. You already have a bit lof a head start there - he clearly respects you and your skills. I may even go as far to say he admires you."

"That might be stretching it, Seiichi."

Yukimura sighed. "I'm just trying to be optimistic."

Renji sympathetically patted Yukimura on the shoulder and swallowed down his food. "But clearly, if you two don't spend any time together, the obvious potential that you have will never be harvested."

"Potential?" Sanada dared to ask.

"You both find each other interesting, respect each other, so on and so on," said Yukimura. "And, you know, you two just have that spark. But it's all in a rather impersonal level. I'm sure once you get past the bickering stage that you two are stuck on, your meetings will start to get much better."

Sanada didn't want to think much of meeting with Atobe. Mostly because it was Atobe, and no way any meeting with him would go without one of them throwing an insult with would start a verbal war. But also because everytime he thought about it, that image would come in his head and proceed to make him even more uncomfortable than before.

"We went to a lot of trouble to make sure that this can happen, Genichirou." Renji took a sip of water, and looked as calm as though they were talking about the weather. "We had to make sure there was a justfiable reason why the entire Rikkai team would show up. I had to call in favors. I had to make threats. Although, having Seiichi there did help things along..."

"And it was all for the sake of your happiness and well being," finished Yukimura, looking rather serious. "And you're not going to mess this up."

Sanada wanted to say something about how they were being way too melodramatic. But he didn't, because he was quite possibly sitting across from the two most deceptively dangerous people in his generation.

Save for Fuji Shuusuke, but that was another matter entirely.

And then his phone rang, and from the tune he recognized it to be his mother. It was only a text message though - dinners at 6. fish or beef? - but it reminded him of something he'd been meaning to do for a while. After texting back the answer - fish - he started to scroll through the options his phone offered.

"What're you doing?" asked Yukimura curiously as he watched Sanada press numerous buttons.

"I'm changing the tune for Atobe's number," said Sanada absently, feeling rather satisfied as he found the song. "No need for another misunderstood fiasco to start."

But both Yukimura and Renji's hand reached out to stop him as he was about to press delete.

"What?" asked Sanada, annoyed.

"Don't delete it," Renji admonished. "Kouri no Emperor is quite the catchy song. I would've downloaded it, but I couldn't find any torrents."

"But the lyrics are so..." Sanada couldn't find the correct word to describe them.

"Yes, they are something to be remembered," laughed Yukimura. "But I think it completely captures the essence of Hyoutei."

Of course, Sanada believed it had more to do with them knowing if it was Atobe who was calling - should he ever call - rather than them actually enjoying the musical concept.

"Right," said Sanada, not wanting to admit that he too liked the song. "Anyway. We should get going. Don't you have to stop by and pick up whatever package you're expecting from the post office, Yukimura?"

"Oh, yes," Yukimura smiled, before getting up. "But I was rather hoping to try another slice of the Triple Chocolate Delight-"

"No, Seiichi."

"He's right, Yukimura. I have to put my foot down on this, too."

Yukimura was looking like he wanted to pout. "But it's so good!"

"Seiichi, we'd rather that you suffer without cake and live beyond the age of forty," Renji commented dryly.

"Exactly," nodded Sanada. "I was hoping that I'd be the first one of us to die. You know that I'm not good with the speech things - though I'm sure I'd have nice things to say about you two."

"Don't think like that, Genichirou. Otherwise you'll see that you really will be the first one to die. And much earlier than what you were expecting, at that."

Sanada took a moment to decide how he'd interpret the sentence.

"Are you threatening me, Renji?"

"Of course not," Renji replied calmly.

Yukimura started towards the counter. "So I'll be getting my-"

"No."

At least they were both in agreement about that.