Title: Grandeur
date: 10-12-06
And so it was decided at the end of his second year that Atobe would become the ruler of the great Hyoutei tennis club, and there was much rejoicing.
The boys at the table stared at him.
"Yeah," said Shishido, "so?"
"So," said Atobe, "Ore-sama has now been officially recognized for his magnificent talent and brilliance."
The others continued to stare. Lunch, Atobe realized, may not have been the best time to announce his impending leadership of the club. The people he ate with clearly did not know exciting news when they heard it and therefore could not react accordingly.
"Atobe," Oshitari said slowly, apparently choosing his words carefully, "we've known you were going to be picked as captain since our first year. Who else would they possibly choose?"
"Exactly," said Atobe, smugly. "Which is why, in light of this momentous occasion, the rest of you are to attend a celebration that is being held at the estate this evening. Ore-sama expects each one of you to bring a suitable gift."
The others exchanged glances and gave up, deciding that it just wasn't worth it to argue.
The celebrations were long and glorious, and many a reveler was moved to tears as they looked upon the splendor and glory that was Atobe.
"Atobe, were the ice-sculptures of you really necessary?"
"Aahn? Oshitari, is there a reason you object to the manifestation of Ore-sama's beauty in the purity of ice?"
"We were just wondering what the hell they're for."
Atobe ignored Mukahi's coarse speech and instead deigned to answer the question.
"They are for the unfortunate souls who Ore-sama will not have time to grace with his presence this evening. While the ice-sculptures are clearly inferior to the true wonder that is Ore-sama, some of the multitudes will have to be content with gazing upon them instead. Ore-sama does not have time for everyone."
"…"
"Atobe… there are seven of us."
The grateful masses showered him with gifts, wishing in their hearts that they could give him all they owned.
"I can't believe you actually brought him a present."
"Of course I did, Shishido-senpai, it would be rude not to. Besides, now that he's been appointed Buchou for next year, Atobe-san will need all of our support."
"…Choutarou, this is Atobe we're talking about. His own ego could support a building."
Atobe was much respected throughout the land and all who knew him were in awe.
"I think Atobe's delusional."
"More so than usual, you mean?"
"I'm serious, Yuushi! He's gone nuts! He just told me to be 'awed by his prowess'. I don't even want to think about what that might mean."
"Perhaps he is just overexcited."
At long last the festivities were complete and Atobe bid his guests farewell as, reluctant to leave, they returned to their own dwellings.
"Goodnight Atobe-buchou! We'll see you at practice tomorrow!"
"Jeez, Choutarou, don't encourage him, let's just get out of here!"
Atobe ignored Shishido's rude comment, deciding that Shishido would learn to respect him once he had taken over as the captain of the team and Shishido was given his first set of punishment laps. There would be a lot of them, he was sure. He looked over at his two remaining guests.
"Kabaji."
"Uss."
"Wake Jiroh up, the party is over."
"Uss."
After a round of shaking, Jiroh yawned and looked around.
"Eh? Wha's goin' on?"
"The party is over, Jiroh, you may return home."
Jiroh blinked.
"Party? Oh, right. … ano… what was the party for again?"
Clearly Jiroh had slept through the lunch announcement. How he had ended up at the party at all was a mystery.
"To celebrate Ore-sama being named the head of the tennis team, of course."
"…Buchou?" Jiroh blinked again, eyes suddenly widening, then— "SUGOI!! Wow, Atobe, that's awesome! Next year's going to be so much fun! Say, when you're buchou we can still play matches right? Cool!"
Atobe's last impression of that night was an unusually excited Jiroh standing on his doorstep and waving happily.
"Congratulations, Buchou!!"
And the world was indeed a better place.
Author's Note: uh... you can blame Atobe for this one. He wasn't satisfied with his subdued role in the last story and demanded something centered on him. Yeah, so it's basically all his fault. :P Oh, and just in case somebody asks, yes, I know Hiyoshi isn't there. He never is. I mean, I love Hiyoshi, but in the anime Hiyoshi doesn't make an appearance, except once by name, until Ryoma has to play him. Seriously, watch the Hyoutei arc and look for him. He's just not there, not on the bleachers, not in the crowd of sixty million trillion Hyoutei kids... Taki is there, but not Hiyoshi. It's like they conjured him out of nowhere when they realized they needed someone to play the tie-break match. Poor Hiyoshi...