Prejudice
Krizzie: Hiya! This story doesn't seem to be making much, ne?
Yuki: The whole Captain Tsubasa category isn't making much.
Krizzie: Tell me about it. Very few people appreciate the series, compared to those who ignore it anyway.
Yuki: Well, enough about that. Just continue the story.
Krizzie: Okay, by the way, thanks to aa1234567 for reviewing the last chapter... you are a source of inspiration, even enough to take some time off studies... THANK YOU!
Chapter Three: The Disastrous First
Sanae watched as Taro mixed his mug of coffee, his eyes staring out into space.
"Something bothering you?" she asked, sitting on the chair beside him before giving him a concerned look. Taro smiled back and simply shook his head before sipping some of his morning coffee.
She looked out the window to look at the rising sun. The little bitch she was supposed to be serving was still fast asleep. It was a weekend and Kumi shall not be disturbed until eight. "What time is it?"
Taro looked at his watch. "A quarter before six… you still have two hours to go outside and inhale the morning air."
Sanae smiled. Her friend knew her like the back of his hand. Standing up, she made her way towards the front doors.
--
Genzou woke up to the rays of sunlight streaming from the windows and into his sleeping form in the bed. Grumbling, he sat up and brushed his hair aside. "I need a haircut." he muttered to himself before going inside the bathroom to wash his face.
Just as the cold liquid came in contact with his face, he heard thundering footsteps outside on the hallway.
"Genzou! Breakfast's ready!" Izawa called from outside, knocking on the keeper's hotel door.
"Yeah…" Genzou replied groggily. "I'm up!"
"I'm going downstairs. The others are there too! Remember, we're at the Italian restaurant!" And Izawa left.
Genzou stared at his reflection. A boy in his teens, with unruly hair, eye bags and a sour look stared back at him. Genzou scowled and splashed cold water all over the mirror before splashing some more on his face. He got ready to take a bath.
--
Sanae sat on the grass, smiling as she felt the cool breeze make contact with her face. Morning was her favorite time of the day, since the sun always reminded her of a new hope, a new day, and a new start.
One day, she would be able to get away from all this. One day, she would be like the sun and be a symbol of hope for people.
She sighed after she took a look at her watch. She hadn't noticed time pass by. She stood up and made her way towards her master's room.
--
"Nakazawa!" Kumi yelled, looking at her smudged make-up. "What kind of a fucking clumsy girl are you?" she hissed, trying desperately to even out the colors on her cheeks.
"G-gomen n-nasai K-Kumi-sama!" Sanae stuttered. She tried to help but Kumi pushed her away.
"What the heck do you think you're doing, bitch? Planning to ruin my day even more?" Kumi snapped, her catlike eyes glaring at the young maid.
"G-gomen…" Sanae repeated, looking panicked more than ever. Kumi rolled her eyes before relaxing on her chair. She waved Sanae away.
"Leave my sight bitch!" Kumi spat. Sanae stole one last look on the girl preparing herself in front of the mirror before moving out and closing the door behind her.
"I wish the ground would just open wide and swallow me up…" she moaned out before going back into the kitchen.
--
Genzou was drying his hair with a towel when a knock came on the door. Grumbling, he stood up to get it. "What?"
"Tsubasa's angry… go down and make him shut up." a very pissed off Reijan told him once he opened the door.
"What?"
Reijan narrowed her eyes. "I don't like repeating things." With that, she left.
Genzou glared at her back before he went back inside to ruffle his hair, put on a cap and arrange the collar of his shirt. He went to the restaurant and ordered a drink for his dried-up throat.
"Hurry up." Reijan said from the door. "The captain is making a racket out there."
"Fine, fine." Genzou grumbled, taking his order and making his way outside.
--
"What happened?" Taro asked once he saw Sanae's tears when she entered the room. He took her into his arms and tried to sooth her with calming words, waiting until she was ready to tell him everything.
"Sugimoto-sama… w-wanted to look beautiful for a celebration t-tonight… I…I didn't know and I slipped into one of the piles of clothes and accidentally fell on h-her…" Sanae wiped her tears away. "I was so scared…what if they fire me? Where will I go Taro?"
Taro's eyes softened and he hugged her closer. "Don't worry… if they make you leave, I'll come with you."
Sanae sniffed and smiled at her best friend. "Thanks…"
Taro smiled back. "No problem."
Sanae broke away from the embrace and wiped away the stray tears. She mustered up the courage to smile and walk away. She shouldn't need Taro to comfort her every time she had a problem. She should be able to handle it on her own. Didn't she promise that she would stand up for herself? She hated herself for being weak, she really did.
--
Oozora Tsubasa looked at his watch and scowled.
If they don't get a move on, they're going to be late.
"GUYS! Hurry up would yah?" Tsubasa yelled. "I told you to sleep early yesterday so don't you complain to me now! Hop in the van!"
Most of the players groaned. They knew they shouldn't have watched Resident Evil last night but it was just too tempting they couldn't resist.
"I had a nightmare…" Ishizaki muttered. "Mental note: Never watch scary movies with creepy mum--!"
"Not interested." Raijen said before sitting in the front seat with Shizuka. Izawa hopped on beside her and Genzou sat down on the driver seat. The rest of the team sat in the back.
"I really hate her." Ishizaki whispered to Tsubasa before Genzou started the engine and went on their way.
--
"S-Sir?" Sanae stammered, looking bewildered in front of her employer's eyes. "B-But…I…"
The man smiled and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Come on. It wouldn't hurt to try."
"But sir… I have never…"
"Come on Nakazawa. Just once and I'll never ask for anything again. Please?" he smiled.
Sanae began to play with the hem of her uniform. What should she tell him?
"I… Kumi-sama would be mad…"
"I can control my daughter. Besides my wife has agreed."
Sanae's head shot up and looked at him.
"If you won't do it as a favor, then I'll have to order you to."
Seeing as she had no choice, Sanae nodded.
Mr. Sugimoto smiled. "Good, go to my wife and she'll choose a dress for you to wear."
Sanae nodded. She didn't know what to do. She didn't have any experience on this kind of stuff… she just wished the party would be nice.
--
Tsubasa watched out of the window as they sped off. Maybe he really did need a girlfriend. Well, he was going twenty in a few months… and Genzou was right, He had been a little rough with them during training.
"Tsubasa?" Teppei called, looking behind him to see his captain. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah." Tsubasa replied with a smile. "I was just thinking…"
"About what?" Genzou asked, looking at the rearview mirror to catch a glimpse of Tsubasa's red face. He chuckled to himself.
"Random stuff…" Tsubasa managed before spacing out again.
"If Tsubasa continues on like this, Genzou would replace him as captain." Izawa joked, laughing together with the rest of the team. Genzou smiled at them from the front.
"That won't happen guys." he said. "I'm sure Tsubasa's 'focus' would come soon enough."
The whole team smirked, getting the hidden meaning of the star keeper's sentence.
--
Kumi scowled as she reflected on her mother's sentence. "Tell me you're joking mother dear." she snapped, glaring at the woman that brought her life.
Mrs. Sugimoto didn't pause in arranging the new dress. "No." was her short reply.
Kumi's frown went deeper when Sanae entered the room, her hands playing with the ends of her hair while her eyes scanned the ground.
"But why her?" Kumi questioned. "I could easily be spotted." Kumi flipped her hair. "I'm way more eye-catching than her."
Her mother sighed before standing up and placing a hand on Kumi's bare shoulder. "Look Kumi, we have bigger plans for you… and this is just one opportunity… let your maid take it." she said, a hidden glint in her eyes.
Sanae winced inwardly. Being referred to as a 'maid' was something she still wasn't used to, even having her whole life in the mansion as a servant. But the young girl dared not open her mouth, for fear of being kicked out. Even if she hated it, this was the only home she had.
Kumi sent another glare her way before walking out of the room, clad in her red off-shoulder gown that hugged every perfect curve the young Sugimoto have. Sanae bowed down low when her master passed by her with elegant grace.
Once the door was closed, her employer looked at her closely then walked over to a cabinet. "You better not tell Kumi about this…" she warned before opening the closet.
Sanae's mouth was left open when a gown of pure beauty was revealed to her eyes. To put it simply, she didn't have the power to reply.
--
Genzou coughed, cursing the driver of that smoke-belching vehicle in front of them before stepping on the brakes. "We're here guys!" he exclaimed before pulling out the keys from the ignition. "Wake up sleeping beasts!"
He stared at the people on the passenger seat. Reijan was already completely awake, actually, she hadn't slept at all, Izawa was practically drooling, his head leaning awkwardly against the door and Shizuka was still fast asleep.
"Wake Izawa up, would you?" Genzou asked Reijan.
Reijan looked at him with the same bored look. Genzou countered her with his glare. The cook rolled her eyes and leaned over Izawa. Genzou's eyes widened. She's not going to fucking kiss him, is she?
But turned out she just opened the door.
Let's count, shall we?
Genzou felt bad for Izawa.
As soon as he heard the sickening sound of flesh meeting pavement, Genzou winced. When it was over, he opened one eye. "Ouch."
Reijan said nothing as she stepped down from the van, sidestepping Izawa while he moaned in pain.
Genzou looked at the retreating Reijan before settling his gaze over the other slumbering manager and shaking her up. "Himamura… we're here."
Shizuka slowly opened her eyes and Genzou found himself enamored with her hazy amethyst orbs. She sat up and rubbed them. "Thanks for waking me up Wakabayashi-kun." she said sleepily before going down from the van and following Reijan towards the luxurious building.
"So…Tsubasa would find his 'focus' eh?"
Genzou turned around to find Teppei looming over him like an idiot. "From here, it looks like you got yours first." He yelped when he caught sight of Genzou's irritated look and made an attempt to jump out of the cursed vehicle.
Genzou growled and took off his seatbelt, catching the Kisugi before he even landed on the ground.
Yuki: (Blinks) Okay… I expected that from you. Letting Izawa fall out like that.
Krizzie: Endure my wrath! Mwahahahahahahaha!
Taro: Like I said before… she's a hopeless sadist…
Yuki: TARO-KUN!
Krizzie: Yeah… like Yuki is a hopeless romantic. But heck, nobody's perfect!
Yuki: EXCEPT TA-KUN! (Squeezes the life out of Taro)
Krizzie: Yeah, that guy is a saint!
Taro: Um… h-how about we continue?
Krizzie: …good idea.
Sanae squirmed as she felt eyes scan her from head to toe.
She was wearing a white silk dress that hugged her every curve. A white sash was wrapped around the waist area, secured by a white Lily flower. It was an off-shoulder gown, much like Kumi's but much prettier and a little less revealing. The gown went below her ankle and whenever she moved, a glimpse of her silver sandals was shown. Her hair was curled, flowing freely below her shoulder blades.
In short, Sanae Nakazawa looked like an angel from heaven.
Mr. Sugimoto placed a heavy hand on her shoulder and led her in front of the mirror. Sanae gasped. Her face was painted with light make-up. Her eyelashes covered with dark mascara that made them appear longer. Pink eye shadow on her eyes, light pink blush on her high cheekbones and lip gloss on her soft lips.
"You look divine." he complimented.
"A-Arigatou Sugimoto-sama…" Sanae stammered, not really used to being given compliments.
Taro appeared behind her. He blinked at first then smiled. "You look lovely." he told her.
Sanae looked at her best friend, who had volunteered to escort her on the party. He was wearing an ordinary tuxedo but nonetheless, he looked as cute as ever.
Yuki: I would love to see Taro-kun in a suit. Won't you guys?
"You too." she told him, smiling. Taro offered his hand and Sanae took it. Mr. Sugimoto led them towards the dance floor just as the music began.
Yuki: TARO-KUN!
Krizzie: Stop interrupting would you?
Teppei massaged his bruised neck, smiling sheepishly at the still-pissed Genzou.
Shizuka and Reijan were sitting together at a table. They had changed from simple tee and jeans to formal blouses and simple skirts. Genzou found himself focusing on Shizuka's green blouse and black skirt.
"See?" Teppei whispered in his ear slyly. The keeper colored and instantly punched him on the head.
"Would you just shut up?" he hissed.
Teppei stuck out his tongue before walking away to have a drink with the Hajime, Shingo, Ishizaki and Izawa. Which left Genzou with Tsubasa and the two girls.
They were talking, or rather, Shizuka was talking while Reijan just nodded from time to time, taking sips of her wine occasionally. She sent them her bored look once they went their way.
"Hey Satsuko-san!" Tsubasa greeted, sitting beside her.
"Nice party." Reijan said with heavy sarcasm, too bad our little dense captain didn't quite catch it.
"Yeah!" Tsubasa said animatedly.
Reijan gave him a bored look.
"Yeah…" Tsubasa sighed and slumped on his chair, now understanding what she meant. He lazily scanned the dance floor; and his eyes stopped at a certain dancing pair, and found himself unable to look away from a devastatingly beautiful young lady.
--
Sanae felt uncomfortable, as if someone was gawking at her. And when Taro twirled her, she caught sight of a familiar face, but it was instantly covered by none other than her master, Kumi.
She watched as Kumi squealed in delight upon meeting her favorite soccer player. "Taro… my feet hurts… can we rest?" she asked.
Taro nodded and brought them to a table near Oozora Tsubasa's.
She watched amusedly as Taro's eyes narrowed upon seeing the captain. "Isn't that the guy Sugimoto-sama is addicted to?"
"Sure is." Sanae replied. She walked over to the buffet table. "I'm going to get some punch."
"Want me to get it for you?" Taro asked.
Sanae shook her head. "I'm not a little girl anymore Taro-kun."
--
Tsubasa blinked as his view was obscured by a young girl with straight hair wearing a slightly revealing red gown. He had to admit she was painstakingly beautiful, but not as beautiful as the angel he had seen. When he took a glance behind the girl, however, the angel had disappeared.
He excused himself from the girl, who had repeatedly introduced herself as Kumi, the daughter of the famous Sugimoto family, and went over to the buffet table to find Ishizaki.
--
Sanae was about to return when she tripped on her dress. The glass of red punch slipped from her fingers as she gasped, seeing who was in front of her.
But before she could stop herself from completely falling, a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her slender waist, not even caring that the drink had stained his expensive clothing.
A little reluctantly, Sanae released herself from his hold and flushed. "G-Gomen… I…I'm so clumsy…I should've… I'm sorry… Oozora-sama…"
Tsubasa blinked and waved his hands frantically in front of him as Sanae began to bow down as an apology. "It's okay…really. There's nothing to get all worried about. I'll just dry this up and everything's fine. A-And please call me Tsubasa… Oozora-sama sounds a little too formal." he smiled sheepishly. "You have only probably seen me in soccer games, haven't you?"
Sanae opened her mouth to reply but found that words wouldn't come out. She hung her head in shame.
"NAKAZAWA!" Sanae and Tsubasa turned to see Kumi heading their way. "How dare you do this to Mr. Oozora? Apologize this instant!"
"She already did, Kumi-san." Tsubasa replied for Sanae, a little surprised as how Kumi had treated Sanae. "It's alright, really."
Kumi turned to him and Sanae was forgotten. "I'm sorry Oozora-san. I didn't know my maid would cause this much trouble. I allowed her to come to the party for her to enjoy herself. I never imagined she would do something like this. Again, I am truly very sorry."
Tsubasa blinked. "It's okay… but… she's your… maid?"
Kumi nodded, smirking inside her mind. Take that Nakazawa, he wouldn't respect you now. That was for making a move on him.
Tsubasa turned when he saw Shizuka coming over him, beside her was Izawa. "Captain, we need to go now, you need to rest and train tomorrow for the upcoming games." Izawa said while Reijan just walked past them towards the pastry section of the buffet.
He turned to Kumi and smiled. "Well, thanks for everything Sugimoto-san…we must be going now." Izawa grabbed Tsubasa by the arm and they went out.
--
Sanae slumped on her chair and sulked. Not only did she spill punch all over a soccer superstar's tuxedo, she was even humiliated in public!
"Sanae-chan…?" Taro tried to talk her out of her misery but he could tell she was not in the mood. "Um… do you think we could ask Sugimoto-sama's permission to leave and go home?"
Sanae shifted her gaze towards her friend and forced a tired smile. "Thanks Taro, I would like that very much."
Yuki: TARO-KUN! (glomps Misaki)
Taro: (Bright blue) R-Review…--! (faints)
Yuki: (shakes Taro violently) Taro-kun? TARO-KUN? NOOOOOOOOOOOO! "DON'T LEEEEEEEEEAVE MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Krizzie: (shakes head) Sigh… like what Taro-'kun' said, review people… PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF THE UNCONSCIOUS MIDFIELDER!