Summary thus far: Tezuka and Ryoma are getting along quite all right, but that doesn't mean their troubles are gone. Mito isn't giving up, and they've now found out about Shinju's dual personality that can explode at any minute! If Toushiro can't keep him in check, who can?

TENSHI HIGH'S EVIL BUCHOU!

-Chapter Seven: The Proposal for Four-

Ryoma shyly stepped out of the dressing room in his kimono outfit. "Do I really have to wear this…?" Ryoma complained to Tezuka who was about to go into his dressing room.

"I think you look fine; it makes you look cute," Tezuka commented before realizing what he said and covering his mouth with his hands. He quickly closed the door to the dressing room and stuttered out nervously, "Umm, I mean… well, you know…"

"Haha! Kunimitsu, you're so funny! You look 'cute' too when you blush like that," Ryoma said sincerely.

The ex-Seigaku buchou blushed even more and quickly dressed into his samurai outfit. "Thank you…?" Tezuka stepped out and Ryoma widened his eyes.

"Wow… you look… your glasses are off…" Ryoma dumbly stated.

"Hn? Didn't you see me without my glasses?"

"Huh?"

"When we took the picture…"

Ryoma nodded. "Oh yeah, but I was looking at the camera and you put your glasses on quickly afterwards."

Tezuka looked pensively at Ryoma. "Ah, when you slept at my house… I took my glasses off."

"Yeah, but you turned the lights off so I couldn't see clearly."

"In the morning?"

"Your eyes were closed when you were sleeping… and they were half open when you woke up. Now your eyes are fully open and… you look great…"

Tezuka smiled. "I'm wearing contacts."

The golden eyed teen thought he was going to faint. 'Don't smile when you don't have your glasses on! It's damn hot! Shit, I am not thinking my former captain is hot… oh gods, I seriously need help…'

"Shall we go now?" Ryoma blushed and obediently hooked arms with Tezuka, following him into the inner part of the clubhouse.

"Who are you, and why are you in front of our house?" Ayana shouted worriedly.

"I apologize, you must be Tezuka's parents. I'll be out of your way soon, come on Shinju," the white haired coach urged the captain.

The teen nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Eh? Are you Kiryu-san and Hitsugaya-san? You are, right?" Shinju nodded sadly. "Aha! Ayana, these guys were the ones that kept in constant contact with us, telling us about Kunimitsu!"

Ayana smiled. "Oh! Pleased to meet you, I'm Tezuka Ayana."

"Kiryu Shinju… and this is Hitsugaya Toushiro. Ah, your son isn't home by the way, Tezuka-san."

"You can just call me Kuniharu. Where is he, do you know?"

Shinju nodded again. "We're having an annual regulars celebration at the school. If you'd like, I could bring you there."

Kuniharu smiled kindly. "That would be nice."

"Was this in your script?" a familiar voice mocked.

"I really…! Ha… ha. Really now, does a person like you really have the time to worry about the script for my play? Besides, Kuniharu had called me last night saying he'd be coming back to Japan today."

"Who is this…?"

"This is Echizen Mito," Shinju said with malice. "She's Echizen Ryoma's half sister," Shinju glared at Mito malevolently.

"Oh dear, he has that look on. Come, we must leave immediately," Toushiro muttered while pulling on his lover's arm.

"Wait! I'm going to the party as well," Mito argued and stomped her foot. "You said family members were allowed, no questions asked."

Shinju nearly snapped but took a deep breath instead and chuckled. "Fine, but don't blame me if Echizen runs away from you."

"Tezuka and Echizen look like a perfect match, ii data," Inui commented.

"You shut up, Inui-sempai. And what are you wearing, Fuji-sempai?"

The brown haired teen smiled. "A prince outfit, or so the shopkeeper told me. Taka is wearing a warrior's outfit… oh! I have an idea—"

"Whatever it is it can't be good, so NO," Ryoma said quickly and turned to see a shocked Tezuka. "Kunimitsu? What're you looking at?"

Tezuka blinked and pointed at the two people he was looking at in shock. "K-Kaasan? Otousan?"

"We wanted to surprise you so badly!" Ayana hugged her youngest child.

"Well… judging by his reaction, it worked!" Kuniharu said with a grin.

"Oh, it feels like it has been ages! What are you dressed in? Who is this young lady—GASP! Don't tell me she's your girlfriend!" the woman nudged her son knowingly and Ryoma sulked by crawling into a ball from depression.

"Umm… Kiryu-buchou wanted a costume party… and made these outfits for us… and that's not a girl… he's one of my teammates."

"Eh? No way, that's a guy?" a feminine voice asked and a finger poked Ryoma's cheek in question.

"I've been meaning to ask for a while, Kuniharu, but who is that?" Shinju asked with a peeved expression.

Kuniharu nodded. "She is—"

"Uwa? What the… why are you here Ryoko? Is Ryota here?"

"Aha, I knew it was you, Ryo! Not many people have a feminine figure that I know!" Ryoko hugged Ryoma affectionately. "Ryota's not here, though… ah, the last time I saw you was about three or four years ago…"

"What are you doing here?"

"Actually… my fiancé is here!" Ryoma tilted his head to the side and Shinju widened his eyes.

'Fiancée? Crap… she came with Tezuka's parents so the only logical explanation is that she's Tezuka's fiancé! This wasn't in my script, shit!'

"Who's your fiancé?"

"Hi~mi~tsu~!"

Ryoma widened his eyes. 'Could it be… Kunimitsu? Ouch, what's this weird pain in my heart…?' the golden-eyed teen threw Tezuka a worried glance, which did not go unnoticed by some people.

Said people were Fuji, Shinju, and Ryoko.

Ryoko smiled mischievously. "Oh~!" she said almost quietly.

"What's your last name and relation to Ryoma?" Tezuka asked while trying to suppress his anger.

'Interesting… Ryo likes this guy, and I think this guy likes Ryo too. I think they think this guy's my fiancé…'

"Ryo's my boyfriend!"

"WHAT?" both Tezuka and Ryoma shouted while Ryoko chuckled. "A joke! How could Ryoma be my lover if I have a fiancé? Besides, we're just cousins, Tezuka."

The brunette sighed in relief. "Oh, okay."

"Heh…" Shinju smiled. "This is just like last time Tezuka. With your attitude, I'd think you were jea—" Toushiro stopped Shinju from talking and held him protectively. The silverette looked at his lover in confusion. "What is it, Shiro?"

"Go get dressed, Shin. I'll meet you soon," Toushiro instructed.

Shinju tilted his head but obeyed the order. Not long after, Mito walked inside. Ryoma widened his eyes. "You!" the golden-eyed teen hid behind Tezuka.

"Please Ryoma, listen to me!" the teen ignored her. "Ryoma!"

"…Kunimitsu, tell her I won't answer her unless she calls me by my surname."

Mito sighed in annoyance. "Echizen, listen to reason! Your father wants you to come back, and your mother is just worried about you! Me as well!"

"You can tell my stupid oyaji to stay out of my life! I had already made it clear that I wasn't going to be going back, and I am definitely NOT going to go out with you!" Ryoma breathed unsteadily.

"Umm… are we missing something here, Kunimitsu?"

"As a matter of fact, you are," Shinju said with a dark expression on his face. "Echizen-san is Echizen's half sister… and their father wants them to get together. I doubt Echizen would be overly enthusiastic about it, but not to the extent of leaving his house."

"How terrible!" Ayana exclaimed.

"I hope you don't mind that he'll be staying with you, Ayana, Kuniharu."

Ayana smiled. "Oh, not at all."

Toushiro folded his arms and looked down. "Shinju…" said teen also looked down.

"Sorry again, Toushiro… but I had to—" the teen stopped and turned around. "I have to leave temporarily now, anyway. I have to go for an errand."

Toushiro followed after his koibito. "I'll go with you."

The two left and an uncomfortable silence settled upon them until, "Well, it's a party, so we should just cut loose and have some fun!" Eiji sufficed nervously.

"Yeah! Come on guys, let's go!" so their celebration continued, but there was still an air of sadness and anger.

Ryoma sat on a chair silently. "Ryoma, are you okay?" Tezuka sat down next to the teen with a worried expression. "Are you alright?" he asked again.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ryoma sadly stared at the floor. "…I'm just… I'm worried about my mom… she usually… I'm so stupid. I should've thought about how other people felt about this…"

"…If you didn't come to my house, don't you think your dad would reach his goal easier and faster?"

Ryoma sighed. "Well, yeah… I'm sorry."

Tezuka looked at Ryoma in mild surprise. "For what?"

Ryoma sighed again and looked at the floor. "I'm intruding into your hou—"

"You're not intruding at all, Ryoma," Tezuka wrapped an arm around Ryoma's shoulders and smiled lightly. "It's the exact opposite… you're most welcome into my house."

Ryoma held onto the hand that was around his shoulder. "…Thank you, Kunimitsu…"

"Anything for you, Ryoma."

Fuji narrowed his eyes in frustration as he looked at the scene before him.

"Is something wrong, Fuji?"

The teen looked up. "Hmm? No, nothing… why do you ask?" Fuji asked with a forced smile.

"Well, your eyes are open."

Fuji looked at the two teammates across from him. "I'm fine…"

'Heh, who knew I'd be so jealous of Echizen…' Fuji glared at his kouhai. 'I won't let you get the only thing I want, Echizen Ryoma.'

Mito walked up to Fuji. "Ah, Echizen-san, how may I help you?"

The woman looked at Fuji with determination. "I have a proposal for you."

"…What is this proposal?" Fuji asked curiously.

"As you know, I refuse to allow Ryoma to like guys. Therefore Tezuka is a threat to my plan. You see, it's obvious Ryoma likes him."

"Tezuka also likes Echizen."

"But neither know it. I've seen you look at Tezuka and know you like him as well. If you can get Tezuka, I can keep Ryoma away."

Fuji smiled a real smile. "Hurting Echizen is in there, I suppose…?"

Mito nodded. "You will be hurting him emotionally, yes. I will be there to comfort him through his rejection and win his heart."

Fuji smiled. "A win/win situation for us… saa, I'll help you."

"Kiryu-kun!" the silverette turned around at the calling of his name.

"Hmm? You are…"

The girl smiled. "I am Hitsumata Ryoko, Ryo's cousin. Anyway, you're thinking my fiancé is the youngest Tezuka, right?"

Shinju blinked and smiled. "Ah, I see. So your fiancé is Kyou-kun."

"Yep!"

Shinju sighed in relief. "…Ne, Hitsumata-san… do you like plays?"

Ryoko tilted her head. "Plays? I guess… I don't hate them and all."

Shinju smiled deviously. "I see. Then you should know every play has a script. Would you like to read mine?"

"I guess," Ryoko shrugged.

Shinju took out a notepad and Ryoko smiled after reading the title. "So this is the main idea… with this, I have a proposal for you, Kiryu-kun."

"A proposal? For what?"

Ryoko smiled. "It's really obvious that Ryo loves Tezuka and he loves him back… so I want to get them together. I mean, we could just tell them, but they wouldn't believe us anyway…"

Shinju chuckled. "Ah, the same as my main goal for my play. I totally agree with you, Hitsumata-san, but there are those in the audience who won't stand for this plot."

"Who?"

"Them," Shinju pointed at Fuji and Mito who were talking to each other.

"Listen to this, I bugged them before (when? O.o my character is creepy…)," Shinju clicked a small button on a small remote:

"As you know, I refuse to allow Ryoma to like guys. Therefore, Tezuka is a threat to my plan. You see, its obvious Ryoma likes him."

"Tezuka also likes Echizen."

"But neither know it. I've seen you look at Tezuka and know you like him as well. If you can get Tezuka, I can keep Ryoma away."

"Hurting Echizen is in there, I suppose?"

"You will be hurting him emotionally, yes. I will be there to comfort him through his rejection and win his heart."

"A win/win situation for us… saa, I'll help you."

Shinju clicked the remote again and sighed. "I know this is really bad…"

"What's wrong Shinju?" Toushiro asked with concern.

"I thought that Fuji liked Tezuka… but it's a shock that he would team up with Echizen-san. However, it's not unexpected completely… I've calculated this as well into my plan. I know exactly how to get rid of Fuji, but Mito is a bit of a problem."

"How?" Ryoko asked.

"It's easy. Come on, let's go back in."

Toushiro blinked in confusion then frowned. "…You lied when you said you had an errand."

Shinju winked and stuck his tongue out. "Shows how much I wanted to get away from Echizen-san."

"…Ryoma?"

The teen turned to Tezuka. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Tezuka swallowed hard. 'I have to tell him… I need to let him know how I feel.'

"Ryoma, I lo-"

"Tezuka! There's trouble with the water fountain!"

"…Get Oishi to deal with it!" Tezuka told Fuji with a slightly raised voice.

"But he won't be able to handle—"

"Of course I can! Let's see what the problem is…" Oishi dragged Fuji off of the scene and Tezuka turned to Ryoma who was giggling uncharacteristically.

"You were saying, Kunimitsu?" said teen inhaled.

"I l—"

"Ryoma! Please just listen to me!" Mito begged as she ran toward her half brother.

Ryoma growled and grabbed Tezuka's wrist. "Let's go somewhere where we can't get interrupted," Tezuka silently followed Ryoma up the stairs and through a door.

The snow covered ground greeted the two teens when Ryoma opened the door. "I… I didn't know there was a garden up here…" Tezuka closed the door behind him and Ryoma smiled happily.

"Like it? It's even prettier in the spring. That tree over there has the best sakuras in the whole town."

"I see…" Tezuka smiled. "The snow seems so… holy here…"

Ryoma chuckled. "Ne, I have something I want to say to you, too, Kunimitsu," Ryoma swallowed the lump in his throat. "Kunimitsu… I lo—"

"OH MY GOD. Tezuka, you have to come! Tezuka, where are you? Tezuka—!"

"SHUT IT OISHI! I'LL deal with Fuji personally, I owe him something anyway."

Tezuka sighed in relief and turned to Ryoma. "Umm… do you want to go first or…"

"You can go first," Ryoma said with embarrassment.

"Okay then… Ryoma, I lo—"

The door opened and hit Tezuka's head, causing him to faint. Except guys don't faint, they 'black out.'

"…It was Echizen-san again, wasn't it?" Ryoko asked with a sigh.

Shinju shook his head and chuckled. "They actually managed to interrupt them four times… four! Every time when they tried to confess…" the silverette teen closed his eyes in irritation. "That's four too many."

"You're not going to do anything about it, Kiryu-kun?"

"Believe me, Hitsumata-san… with what I have planned for them, they're bound to confess sooner or later," Shinju picked up a small pad and scribbled down a few words. "I know many things. Besides, the day after tomorrow… is Echizen's birthday… I think."

"However, Tezuka's family can—"

"Who said I was going to let them stay at home? I planned a trip on that day since we won't be playing any matches until the end of January," Shinju smirked in the way a person who was planning to take over the world would. "All the regulars will be coming."

"But what about Fuji?"

"I can handle him easily."

"Speaking of Fuji, where'd he go?" Toushiro asked.

"Hehe… I've temporarily disposed of him… but only for today… I hope."

Toushiro blinked. "…I don't want to know anymore," he answered truthfully.

"No, you don't."

The door opened and a shaking Ryoma sat on a chair. "Echizen…? Is everything okay?"

"Not really… Tezuka's head was hit… and…"

Ryoko saddened her eyes. "Its okay, I'm sure he'll pull through."

Ryoma grit his teeth. "You're only saying that because you're his fiancée, Ryoko…"

"…Actually, I'm Kyou's fiancée…"

Ryoma stopped shaking, though the worried expression still remained. "Oh… well, then…"

There was an awkward silence before the school nurse appeared. "He'll be fine; it was nothing fatal. You have nothing to worry about."

"Thank you, nurse Tomiha," the woman nodded and left to check on the next patient.

"See, Echizen? He'll be fine," Ryoko reassured with a grin.

The nurse returned. "Oh yeah, and he's awake now… so you can talk to him," Ryoma was the first to get up.

"Ha… I thought he was in there before," the woman noted with a light laugh.

Shinju chuckled and nodded at Ryoko's comment. "I could've sworn that too, Hitsumata-san."

"I'm fine, Ryoma… I thought the nurse said there were no serious injuries…?"

"She did… but I'm still worried about you, you know?"

Tezuka smiled. "I'm glad to know you care so much. Listen, about what I was saying Ryoma—"

"Tezuka! Are you okay? You should really—"

"What are you doing here? You should be tied up and gagged inside the school dumpster!" everyone looked at Shinju strangely. "…What? It was the only thing I could think of at the time (yeah, he has some creepy ideas, doesn't he?)!"

"Well, the person you tied up wasn't me…" Fuji turned to Tezuka. "Seriously Tezuka, you should get some sleep," said teen was a little more than annoyed.

"I'm fine, Fuji, I just need to talk to Ryo—"

"WAIT! No, Fuji-sempai is right Kunimitsu! What if your condition gets worse? What if you get a coma (OOC ALERT!)? You need some rest, I'll wake you when we have to go."

"But… fine. If you say so, Ryoma," Tezuka sighed in utter defeat and lay on the bed with closed eyes.

Shinju turned to poke Fuji. "And YOU! I still have to deal with YOU!"

Fuji looked around in false wondering. "Huh? Is that my sister calling? I think it is… I have to go now, bye!" Fuji left in a flash with Shinju chasing him.

"Come back here! I owe you a rope and a dumpster!" Shinju shouted loudly.

The tennis coach sighed and calmly walked after his angry koibito. "I doubt he'll calm down until he gets it done…"

"Ah, well I have to go too. See you later, Ryo," Ryoko called.

"Bye, Ryoko," the girl left and Ryoma turned to Tezuka.

"Ne, Kunimitsu, are you asleep?" there was no answer and Ryoma combed his fingers through Tezuka's hair. "…Three simple words. That's it… just three words, that I can't say when you're conscious… I… I love you, Kunimitsu…" the tennis prodigy murmured.

The older teen stirred as Ryoma continued to pat his head. "Mm, Ryoma?"

"Oh… umm… Kunimitsu…" Ryoma looked away and blushed. "I… I lo—"

"I'm sorry, but the school's going to be locking up soon, you have to get going," the nurse informed and Tezuka sighed, albeit slightly angry.

"I see, thank you…"

'All these interferences… oh kami-sama… do I… am I not supposed to love Kunimitsu? If so, why? Do you just plain hate me?' Ryoma sighed and shook his head.

"…So you knew about me teaming up with Mito Echizen," Fuji mused with a fake smile.

Shinju glared at the brunette. "Why did you do it? You know, if you hurt Echizen… Tezuka'll just hate you if he finds out."

Fuji opened his eyes. "IF he finds out…" the two got initiated a glaring match. "…And at least I'll be noticed by him if he does hate me."

"Noticed by—! He's your friend, Fuji, do you really think he doesn't notice you?"

Fuji angrily stomped his feet. "You don't understand! Tezuka didn't speak much before Echizen came… and now… he actually smiles! He learned to love, and he loves Echizen, for now."

Shinju laughed. "You are a fool! Echizen-san is just using you to get to Echizen! Figure it out: why doesn't Tezuka like you in that way?"

"I…"

"Face it Fuji… the answer is simple. No one directly asked Tezuka questions about personal things except for Echizen. Echizen went above Tezuka's expectations easily and let himself become used to Echizen's presence. He didn't mind… and he realized he loves Echizen now. But YOU and your little teammate are RUINING IT!"

"I will choose my own ending, not you. I'm not going to give up, ever," Fuji turned and left.

"Well that went well…" Toushiro sneered lightly with a scoff.

"Ha, you're right," Shinju muttered, though in a lower and cheery whisper so Fuji couldn't hear, but his coach knew something was off about the joyful part.

"…You do know I was being sarcastic, right?" Toushiro said and caught Shinju's smirk when Fuji was out of sight.

"Yes, but I believe everything is going according to plan. I said I would plan everything, didn't I?"

Toushiro pushed off of the wall he was leaning on and hugged Shinju while whispering. "So this is your plan?"

"Part of it," Shinju kissed Toushiro's cheek.

"Then, let's hope the play comes out perfect."

Shinju chuckled and nuzzled Toushiro's neck after the older nibbled on the younger' ear. "Yes, let's hope it does."

-End of Chapter Seven: The Proposal For Four-

-I'm so (super) sorry!

Ryoma: the hell you talking about author?

-Don't talk to me in that tone of voice!

Ryoma: che, whatever…

-Anyway, the next chapter is so (super!) short!

Tezuka: (reads chapter eight)…

-Ah, you found my plot… ya-be…

Tezuka: …one hundred laps around your house, now

-EH? (sniffle) At least it's a small area… since I moved…

Ryoma: what's wrong buchou? (also looks at the chapter) THE HELL DID YOU MAKE US DO AUTHOR?

-Lalalalala (dances around idiotically), I've got laps to do…