Title: Interlude: No Fun at All
Author: shy-hinata
Rating: PG, for some swearing
Summary: Gakuto is far from happy that they bet didn't quite go their way
Disclaimer: I don't own PoT

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Dammit. That was not supposed to happen.

Mukahi Gakuto, 3rd year high school student at Hyotei here. I'm half of the best doubles team in Kantou, and don't you dare believe that stupid Golden Pair or Silver Pair are better than me 'n Yuushi. Just cuz they've beat us once or twice doesn't mean they've got it where it counts. Anyway…I digress. Must be cuz I'm pissed off.

Yes, I'm pissed off. Stupid Ann had to go and wreck all our fun. And stupid Atobe for acting so smug about it the day after. You know what he did? The next day at practice, when all the girls showed up as usual, he asked them to leave so we could have some peace and quiet. Even though he WON the bet, he asked them to leave. What the hell was that about! It's like he had to rub it in or something. God I wish I could've rubbed that bastard's smirk off his face. It's enough for me to want to get some sort of payback. Hmm…Now there's an idea…

"Hey Yuushi!"

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Oshitari Yuushi here. While I usually consider myself the brains behind Hyotei's D2 team, this time I have to give credit where credit is due. Gakuto has come up with a rather intriguing idea. While I usually don't have any interest in attending events held at other schools, going to Fudomine for their little dance party seems like an excellent idea. I've done my research, and despite the 'couples only' rule, they don't seem to mention anything about other schools not being welcome. The only part I think Gakuto's overlooked is the fact that you have to go as a boy/girl pair.

Oh…wait. That could explain why we're stopping in front of a dress shop on the way home. I can't help smirking a little. I need to give my partner more credit sometimes. Well, as long as he doesn't think I'm going to be the one wearing the dress.

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Shishido Ryou here, half of Hyotei's strongest doubles team, no matter what that brat Mukahi will tell you. My partner Choutarou and I are near invincible, though I have to admit that Seigaku's Golden Pair give us a little trouble once in a while. I really can't say enough good things about my partner, except sometimes I think he needs to develop more of a mischief radar, especially the Gakuto kind.

That bastard redhead called up Choutarou, telling him to meet him in Shibuya, and to bring me. Said it was important. Of course Choutarou, being the kind and gentle soul that he is, agreed immediately.

And that's why I'm standing in front of a fucking DRESS SHOP, being practically black-mailed by the Dirty Pair.

"C'mon, Shishido! You act like a princess already, why not dress the part?"

"Shove it, you shrimp." I step away from the scheming duo and call over to my partner who's looking at some books in the window next door. "Choutarou, you done over there?"

"Now, now Ryou. Don't be so hasty. We just thought you might be curious about Atobe and Ann's little dance date, hmm?"

That damn Kansai devil. I'm this close to telling him to shove it because no matter how curious I am, it is NOT worth getting into a dress for. But then…

"Then again, maybe Ohtori-kun is even more curious about his partner's feelings for him, hmm?" That glint off his glasses and small smirk tells me that Oshitari thinks he's won. Nothing a punch to the face won't fix though, and I'm about to plug him a good one when…

"Shishido-san? Is everything alright?"

I feel my partner come up behind me, and it stops me in my tracks. I'm not gonna punch a guy's lights out in front of Choutarou.

"Oh, Ohtori-kun. We were just talking about you."

Damn. Damn, damn, DAMN! That bastard Oshitari's got me cornered now, and he knows it.

"Really?" Choutarou's eyes are wide and expectant, like he thinks we're going to tell him.

"Yup! We were just wondering what kind of dress you'd want Ryou to wear when you two come with us to the Fudomine dance." The glee on Mukahi's face makes me want to punch him about 100 times, then kick him 100 times more.

And then there's the look of total puzzlement that comes across Choutarou's face. As the Dirty Pair shoves us through the door, he gives me a look that says 'What the fuck!"

"I'll explain later, Choutarou. I promise."

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Ohtori Choutarou here. When I got Mukahi senpai's phone call, I had a feeling something was up. I mean, why would he phone me to ask me to bring Shishido-san somewhere when he could call Shishido-san himself? The only logical conclusion is that he's going to try and rope Shishido-san into something that my partner doesn't want to do. Ordinarily, that would probably be enough to send alarm bells off, but since Mukahi-senpai said that I should come too, I figure it can't be that bad. And even I have to admit that some of the things that Oshitari-senpai and Mukahi-senpai cook up can be pretty amusing. I'm willing to bet this has something to do with that bet with Atobe-buchou, and since Shishido-san was involved with that, maybe it would be a good idea for him to find out where all his meddling has gotten him to.

But even that doesn't prepare me for what we arrive too. Why are Oshitari and Mukahi-senpai in front of a dress store? They pull Shishido-san over and start to talk quietly. I take that as my cue to pretend not to be interested and step just far enough away to hear most of what they're saying. I know I really shouldn't be eavesdropping, but how am I supposed to look out for Shishido-san if I don't know what's going on? I know I wanted him to stop meddling in things he shouldn't, but sometimes Mukahi and Oshitari-senpai can go a bit too far.

After a while, it all makes sense: Fudomine's couples only dance party, wanting to spy on Atobe-buchou and Ann-san, and why we're in front of a dress store. But if they want to put Shishido-san in a dress, who are they planning to be his date? I inch a tiny bit closer wanting to catch more details. It sounds like Shishido-san doesn't like the idea at all, and when he calls me I figure that means he wants to leave. I take my time straightening up though because 9 times out of 10, Oshitari-senpai has something more to say.

And it's that little bit more that he has to say that nearly does me in. What does Oshitari-senpai mean by that? Does Shishido-san really have feelings for me? And while that would be great news if it's true, I don't have the time to reflect on it. Shishido looks like he's about ready to punch Oshitari-senpai's lights out, and if I let him do it he'll just regret it later. Hopefully my voice doesn't sound too weird or anything like that.

"Shishido-san? Is everything alright?"

And then it hits me. They're intending for ME to take Shishido to the dance. Not that I mind of course, but all this information flying at me is starting to be a bit much. Based on the look of concern on Shishido's face, I must look like a goldfish out of water. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to explain that later.

Once inside the shop, I feel even more like a fish out of water. Mukahi-senpai seems hell bent on picking out the frilliest, pinkest dresses for Shishido, who can do nothing but snort at them and glare. He finally settles on a simple black one that has a hint of sheen to it.

"This okay?" Shishido's looking at me, a helpless look in his eyes as he comes out of the dressing room.

I don't have the heart to tell him just how cute he looks.

"It's fine. Let's get you out of here."

Shishido grumbles the whole walk to the train station, and I don't blame him. But part of me is also looking forward to things. Maybe Shishido's meddling wasn't all bad after all.