Title: Down to the wire
Author: shy-hinata
Rating: G
Summary: The last day of the bet rolls around.
Disclaimer: I don't own PoT

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When Ann went to bed that night, she couldn't seem to fall asleep. Part of her felt ridiculous for taking this dance thing so hard. After all, it wouldn't be the end of the world if she couldn't go, right? How had she managed to get her heart set on going? However, it was what happened after both Momoshiro and Kirihara turned her down that surprised her even more.

"C-can I see you again? You know, outside of tennis?"

Ann wasn't blind; she knew that Atobe was handsome. In the past, that was all he seemed to have going for him. She had always seen him as arrogant, egotistical, and self-serving, all traits she could never get past. But earlier on, he seemed like a completely different person, and it made Ann wonder if there might be more beneath that veneer of pure-bred haughtiness. Shaking her head to clear that thought, she turned on her side to try and get some sleep. She wasn't going to let herself be affected by one night's worth of kindness…right?

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DAY 7

Morning practice felt like hell on earth for Atobe. For starters, he hadn't slept well the night before. It wasn't that he was worried about Ann per say, but he had to admit to some concern for her well-being. He rationalized that anyone seeing the area that she lived in would be equally concerned. After all, she was an attractive young lady (yes, even Atobe would admit to that), and the number of dark alleys and corners he saw just didn't feel safe, no matter how low the crime statistics were for Kantou. However, the banter in the clubroom that morning was what seemed to push things over the edge for him.

"So this is it, Atobe. The last day is finally here. You wanna just admit defeat?" Mukahi beamed at him, a slight sneer on his face. Atobe simply kept his mouth shut, doing his best to shut out the acrobatic red head.

"C'mon Atobe. It's okay to admit you couldn't do it. We all knew that Tachibana girl would be a tough nut to crack. Hell, that's why we picked her. The way she acts, I'd be surprised if she got any dates at all." Shishido clapped Atobe on his back, trying in his own way to offer his captain some sort of out.

"That 'Tachibana girl' has a name, Shishido. And you would do well to keep such low-brow comments about people you hardly know to yourself." Atobe wasn't quite sure what made him come to Ann's defence like that, especially since in some ways she could be considered the source of his current dilemma.

Oshitari adjusted his glasses, gaining interest in the conversation. "Oh….I see now…" The tensai smirked as he fixed his eyes on Atobe. "So this isn't just about the bet anymore, is it?"

Atobe tried to answer, really he did, but only managed to open his mouth and leave it hanging as he stared at Oshitari in what looked to be shock. Was the tensai right? Atobe drew his mouth into a tight line as he narrowed his eyes. This was getting to be too much, too early in the morning.

"All of you, get out there and start your laps. I'll let you know when you've run enough."

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About to head home after practice, Ann found herself standing in front of a poster advertising the dance. If she wanted to go, she'd have to buy her ticket soon. After hearing about the preparations from some of her friends on the festival committee, it was becoming obvious that they were seriously going all out for it. It promised to be a party to remember.

For some reason, Atobe's words rang out in her head again. He wanted to see her again, and didn't she need someone to go with her to the dance? It wouldn't be too awful of her if she took advantage of that, would it? She'd just be really careful to make sure he didn't think too much of it.

Pulling out her cell phone, which she had reclaimed from her brother after sympathising with his discomfort at having a sparkly pink phone, she hesitated for a moment before dialling Atobe's number. Wouldn't she be a bit hypocritical if she faulted him for being manipulative, and turned around and did something like this? She bit her lip as she contemplated things before giving in and dialling. After all, even in a game of tennis, one had to use whatever opportunities they could get to turn the match in their favour.

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The Hyotei regulars were all gathered in their clubroom, getting ready to head home after another gruelling practice. Atobe had just finished his shower and was towelling his hair dry when his phone rang. Slightly perplexed, he picked it up and looked at the number, his eyes going wide. Ann? Why was she calling him? He flipped it open, perhaps a little too eagerly considering the way Oshitari was arching an eyebrow at him.

"Hello?"

"A-atobe-kun? Um…It's Ann. Am I calling at a bad time?"

"No, not at all. Is everything alright, Ann?" Atobe instantly regretted letting her name slip as the locker room erupted in hoots and hollers.

"Oh, I'm fine." Ann paused as the background noise seemed to double. "Are you sure everything's okay where you are?"

Atobe shot his team mates a look that was harsh enough to silence them, but not harsh enough to wipe the smirks off their faces.

"I'm fine. Please, go on."

"I was just wondering if…um…do you have some time to talk right now?"

Atobe looked around the room, and all the faces just staring at him. While he certainly wanted to know why she had called, he was fairly certain she wouldn't want the rest of the Hyotei team to know about it. But if he didn't agree, who knew if he'd get another chance like this one.

"For you, of course. But if it's all right with you I'd rather talk to you in person. Can we meet at the street courts?" Atobe's comment was met with more hoots.

By now Ann had figured that he was still at practice, and probably being teased mercilessly by his teammates. It wouldn't be fair to spring something like this one him with people listening in.

"Yeah, that sounds good. Meet me by the bench under that big willow tree? You remember the one, right?"

Atobe couldn't help but wince a little on the inside. Yes, he knew exactly which tree she was talking about, but now regretted the means by which he discovered that little piece of knowledge.

"Certainly. I'll meet you there shortly…Bye." Atobe closed his phone and tossed it in his bag before tugging his shirt on. He felt Shishido punch him lightly on his arm.

"Well, maybe we spoke too soon." The dash specialist looked at his watch. "I guess there are still a few hours left in the day that we can let you have before the bet's ours."

"Maybe she's calling him out to totally diss him! You know, act all nice then shoot him down!" Mukahi pretended to shoot a plane down for the sky before making a series of crashing noises.

Atobe didn't say anything as he grabbed his bags and head out the door, nearly slamming the door behind him. He didn't know why, but Mukahi's comment had made him feel angry. Even though he hardly could claim to know her better that Mukahi did, Atobe had a feeling that Ann would never be so cold-hearted as to do that to anyone.

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Ann had to admit to being a bit relieved that she had arrived before Atobe. This would give her some time to collect her thoughts and come up with a good approach. On her way there, she had resolved to tell him the full story. Tachibanas were, if nothing else, honest in their dealings with people. She didn't want to go to the dance so badly that she was going to compromise that. Seeing Atobe's ever more familiar silhouette approaching, she took a deep breath before waving at him.

"Hi, Atobe-kun. Sorry for any trouble I might've caused." Ann moved over a bit on the bench to make room for him. "Your team mates weren't being too awful, were they?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle. Don't worry about it." Atobe smiled at her as he sat down. "So, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Um…actually, there is." Ann looked down at her hands, which were wringing the hem of her tennis skirt. Her answer piqued Atobe's curiosity, causing him to arch an eyebrow up, a signal for her to continue.

"In your visits to Fudomine, did you ever hear any of the students talk about a dance coming up next week?" The puzzled look on his face was more than enough answer for Ann. "Um…well, you see…" Ann paused. This was a lot harder than she thought it would be. Ann paused and fiddled with her skirt a bit more.

"Would you like me to go with you?" Atobe chucked a little jokingly. Of course, he was convinced that she wouldn't, especially considering all the 'conversations' that they had over the past week. At least, that's what he though until he looked at her surprised face staring at him, before she quickly looked back at her hands.

"Actually, yeah." She continued to tug at her skirt, unable to look Atobe in the eye.

It was Atobe's turn to be surprised. That was the absolute last thing he expected to hear. He'd done it. He had won the bet. All he had to do was accept the invitation; but before he could do so, Ann had lifted her head to look at him, a determined resolve reflected in her eyes.

"Atobe-kun, I need to be totally honest with you. This dance…the student committee made it prom style, and one of the requirements is that you have to go with a date. Atobe-kun, I'm really sorry, but the main reason I'm asking you is because there's no other way I'd be able to go." Ann looked like she had guilt written all over her face. "Look, I just couldn't let you answer without knowing that, and…and if you don't want to go because of it, I totally understand, but,"

"But nothing. I will be happy to escort you to your dance. I can't say I expected that sort of a tactic from a Tachibana, but I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures."

The trademark smirk was back on Atobe's face as he regarded Ann's guilt ridden visage.

"Text me the details, and I will be sure to pick you up before the party starts." He stood up from the bench. "Is that all, Ann-chan? Or have you got any more tricks up your sleeve?"

Ann shook her head, her shoulders slumping. "Thanks, Atobe-kun," she mumbled quietly. She felt terrible for even trying to manipulate him, but somehow he still agreed. "I'll be in touch…" Ann managed a small smile and a wave as she watched him go.

Atobe acknowledged her with a nod before heading off. After he was well outside of earshot of Ann, he pulled out his phone.

"Oi, Oshitari. Looks like I've won the bet. I will be taking the fair Ann-chan to her school dance…Yes, it is quite amazing, isn't it…Oh, I'm sure Gakuto and Shishido will be just thrilled to hear the news as well…See you at practice tomorrow."

Closing his phone, Atobe stopped for a moment to reflect on what had just happened. Though he hadn't expected things to play out quite this way, he got what he wanted in the end. So why did part of him somewhere deep down feel just a tad disappointed that Ann hadn't actually taken a liking to him? And why was it that another part of him felt just as guilty as she looked?