This chapter is credited to trulyanimelover06 who suggested the whole idea for the festival.
Thank you so much everyone for reviewing! This is the longest chapter ever; the length is the usual two chapters combined! But I doubt the next chapter will be as long.
Dedications in alphabetical order: .CriMsonxLadY., Alice, Byron Lancaster, cagallifangurl, Dhevz, Fii aka Ficchan, hellopanda23, Jodeist, KazumiSakura, Litari Hatake, Miyu Nanami, mokonamodoki93, patzie24, sakurayamato1, SaKuRaYukIe, The Blue Mask-cara, The Only Love For Soujiro Seta, trulyanimelover06.
Disclaimer: I do not own gundam seed.
Chapter 9
Cagalli Hibiki was thinking about a certain blue haired boy. She had always seen him eating alone in a corner at the cafeteria. There were times though where she would spot a bunch of girls joining him at his table. Their courage however had gone unrewarded. Somehow they would all end up in tears. Athrun would just completely ignore their presence or just leave for an empty table when those girls got too annoying.
The bell had rung signalling the end of the lesson and the start of the break. Cagalli turned to Athrun who was packing his books.
"Athrun, why don't you join me and my friends for recess?" Cagalli asked him with a smile. "Kira would be there..." Cagalli suddenly regretted her last few words. Though Kira and Athrun were good friends, they had been on bad terms recently. This was all because of Cagalli returning home 'a minute and forty three seconds' late. Athrun barely escaped Kira's wrath if not for a close save by Lacus who called just in the nick of time.
"It's alright. I'll pass," Athrun replied.
"Ok..." Cagalli said disappointed. "Wait for me then. Let's walk to the cafeteria together."
He was still expressionless. He merely stood beside Cagalli's desk and waited for her to finish packing. Cagalli hurried and they walked out of class together.
When they reached the cafeteria, Athrun found himself surprised when Cagalli followed him to his table and placed her bad beside his. He raised an eye brow at her.
"What are you doing?" he asked her stupidly.
"What do you think? I'm sitting here of course!" she replied.
"No, I meant why aren't you sitting with your friends? Why are you sitting with me?"
"Well, I am sitting with my friend." she said. "Besides, it's a good change of atmosphere. I won't have to eat watching Kira's sour face. Not until I get home anyway."
"He's still angry with you? But won't sitting with me make it worse?" Athrun asked her.
"It's already at its worst. So it can't possibly get any worse than this," Cagalli told him matter-of-factly. By this time, both Athrun and Cagalli had bought their food and had settled down.
"Sorry," Athrun said quietly.
"What? Don't be ridiculous! It's not your fault! Kira's just being over protective. He's always like that," Cagalli assured him.
Cagalli then started rambling about her and Kira when they were young. She talked about how even though Kira was over-protective now; he was quite a cry-baby when they were young. She told Athrun that she would often get scolded by her father for making Kira cry. Athrun would then chuckle at her. He would listen intently to her.
The two were in a world of their own; they were oblivious to those around them. Kira was shooting daggers at Athrun, Meer was seething with jealousy and the other boys who had crushes on Cagalli were envious of Athrun for hogging all of her attention.
... ... ...
It was now gym class and everyone was assembled at the gym for a briefing about the upcoming festival.
"So, Cag," Miriallia said to Cagalli. "How far have you gone with Athrun?"
"Yea! What stage are you guys in?" Shiho joined in excitedly.
"What? What on earth are you girls talking about?" Cagalli asked dumbfounded.
Both Shiho and Mir rolled their eyes together.
Shiho then said, "Geez Cagalli! Are you playing dumb or are you really that dense?"
Cagalli raised an eye brow. "What?" she said.
Mir sighed, "Have you guys made out yet?"
"WHAT?" Cagalli exclaimed so loud that the other students, including her twin and Athrun, turned to look at her and Cagalli immediately turned away in embarrassment. "What is wrong with you girls? There is nothing going on between me and Athrun!" Cagalli said in a hushed whisper this time.
"Don't try to deny it Cagalli! Lacus told us you went on a date with Athrun to the carnival!" Mir told her. "And why were you sitting with him instead of us during the break? Come to think of it, you are always with him!"
Now it was Cagalli's turn to roll her eyes. "That is not true! I am not always with him! We just so happen to have quite a number of classes together. And that was not a date! We are merely friends, though he never really acknowledged it. But that's not the point! There is nothing going on between me and him ok? Besides, Kira will never allow it. You know how my dear twin is, he will terrorise any boy that tries to date me."
"Ok listen up everyone!" Miss Natarle Badgiruel the gym teacher barked. "As you all know, the upcoming Archangel Festival is a compulsory event, all students have to participate be it competing in the race or helping to organise the event or cheering for their fellow students."
"I heard from Lacus that Kira was rather scary when Athrun took Cagalli to the carnival," Mir whispered to Shiho, careful not to let Cagalli hear what she said.
"Yea! Notice Kira's sour face? He has been like that lately!" Shiho added quietly.
Both girls immediately kept quite when Miss Badgiruel glared at them. Natarle then continued, "Those interested in joining the race can sign up at the notice board outside the gym from tomorrow onwards."
Suddenly, Mr Mu La Flaga came out of nowhere and cut in. "Of course their will be attractive prizes to be won," Mu grinned. "Other than the usual prize, the winner will also get to accompany our very own Miss Cagalli Hibiki to the closing ceremony and of course, get a kiss from her."
"WHAT?" Both Kira and Cagalli shouted at the same time. The whole gym had erupted into excitement. When Mu announced the prize, most of the boys went wild, they wanted to join and compete in the race. But Kira and Cagalli were appalled.
"YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU WERE THE PRIZE!" Kira yelled at his sister.
"THAT'S BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS THE DAMNED PRIZE UNTIL THIS MAD OLD MAN ANNOUNCED IT! I WASN'T EVEN CONSULTED!" Cagalli growled back. She then turned to face the eccentric teacher and glared at him. Most people would have scurried away but not this man.
"Ok, I may be a bit mad at times but I'm not old! I'm only 28!" the blonde teacher laughed. "And I was actually hoping you would volunteer."
"WELL I REJECT! I DO NOT WANT TO VOLUNTEER! GO AND FIND YOURSELF ANOTHER PRIZE!" Cagalli boomed.
"I SECOND THAT!" Kira supported.
Mu knew that the youngster would say that. He signed, "You see Miss Hibiki you are the incentive for the other students to take this festival seriously. So please help me out here!"
"No thank you! Find someone else!" Cagalli said. She was beyond pissed. How could they do this to her without even consulting her first? She hated being used.
Mu sighed once more. He had no choice. He was one of the other teachers in charged of this festival too. He bent down and whispered something in her ear.
"THAT'S BLACKMAIL!" Cagalli bellowed.
"Sorry Miss Hibiki, I'm at my wits end you know. You can have my head later," Mr La Flaga said apologetically.
Cagalli merely glared at the teacher and stomped off dragging the poor Kira with her. Kira did not hear what the teacher whispered to his sister. She was beyond furious as she dragged him out of the gym.
... ... ...
It was now the day of the festival almost everyone looked forward to it. The school was decorated with banners and balloons. The tents were set up and food and drinks stalls tended by the students lined the entire school. The booths for the amazing race were also set up. Almost everyone was excited for the race. For the first time ever, there were many participants, boys and girls alike. The boys all wanted to get the kiss from Cagalli while the other girls idolised Cagalli and wanted to spend time with their idol.
This was how the race works: Students have to race around the school and go through check points in sequences where they will receive a special rubber band. Once they received all ten bands which they can wear on their wrists, they must make their way to the finishing/starting line. There's also a limit to the number of bands given at each check point. Once all the bands in a particular check point has all been given out, the rest of the participants who were unable to collect those bands will automatically be eliminated.
The participants were all lined up. In a few minutes, the race would start. Kira looked at his competitors' eager faces, there were so many of them. He recalled last year that there were hardly thirty who signed up. This year seemed to have half the school signing up and Kira reckoned that the whole school would probably have signed up if there was no limit to the number of participants.
Kira remembered having to sleep in school so that he would be the first to sign up for the race. His efforts were paid up as within five minutes, all the slots for the race had been filled up. As a brother, it was up to Kira to save his sister. That meant that he had to win the race. He could not fail Cagalli, he promised her that.
Kira glanced around once more; ready take down anyone in his path. A familiar long lavender hair caught his attention and Kira cringed in disgust. Yuna was competing too. Of course! That lunatic was obsessed with his sister. He recalled him harassing Cagalli a few times even after both Kira and Cagalli beat the crap out of him. Kira was now even more determined to win the race. There was no way he was going to let some psychopath lay a finger on his precious sister.
"Athrun?" Kira suddenly spoke as he saw his friend beside him on the starting line. "What are you doing here? Why are you competing?" Kira was bewildered.
"Why are you competing?" Athrun asked back, not answering Kira's question.
"Of course I have to join! My sister is the damned prize for goodness sake! I have to protect her!" Kira nearly shouted. "And what about you? You have no reason to join!"
"Cagalli is my friend too. I just want to help out. Besides, two people is better than one don't you think?" Athrun replied. The truth was that Athrun could not stand the fact of Cagalli going to kiss another guy. Just the thought of it makes Athrun mad. He knew that Cagalli was forced into it as he knew that she was not one to volunteer. Still, he was thinking of giving her a good lecture afterwards for getting herself into that mess.
Kira raised a brow at his friend. He was not sure what on earth Athrun was thinking. Sure Kira trusted Athrun with his life, but not with his sister's. No one will be good enough for his sister. But then again, among all the other boys in school, Kira would very much prefer Athrun. He would have to let that one pass for now.
At the spectator stand, something else was going on.
"Twenty bucks on Zala!" Yzac said confidently.
"I say twenty on Kira!" Shiho replied. "No one should ever underestimate the power of sibling love!"
"I'll take my chances with Zala!" Mir said. "Though Kira is one of the best sportsmen, everyone knows Zala is better. Twenty bucks on Athrun!"
"But I agree with Shiho! You should see Kira's over-protective-mode! He becomes a berserker! He'll surely win! Ten bucks on Kira!" Dearka joined in.
"I thought you're confident of Kira winning?" Mir questioned Dearka's bet.
"Yea I am, but I'm also broke," Dearka chuckled.
"OK GET TO YOUR POSITIONS COMPETITORS!" Miss Badgiruel barked. Suddenly everyone else tensed up. The race was about to start.
"READY, GO!" Natarle shouted and the race began. The crowd erupted into roars and excitements; they were rooting for their friends. The participants were all rushing for the first check point. The tennis court was the first stop. Participants have to complete a series of Sudoku puzzles. Once they have completed the puzzles and are correct, they will receive the special band and they can move on to the next check point. There were only fifty bands to be given for the first check point. In less than twenty minutes, only fifty participants were left, the rest were all eliminated.
"Cagalli?" Kira exclaimed when he caught sight of his blonde twin at the second check point. "What are you doing here? You didn't join the race too did you?" Kira asked.
"Of course I joined the race! You expect me to sit still and wait for you to save my butt? I don't think so!" Cagalli replied.
"Of course," Kira thought. He did not spot her earlier on due to the massive number of competitors. Only when there were less people did he finally see her. His sister was no damsel in distress. She could very well take care of herself. He would be just behind her for backup.
Athrun was surprised too. Though he knew Cagalli would probably put up a fuss, he never thought about her joining the race. Cagalli was sure something. She was predictable yet unpredictable at the same time. Athrun knew that it's very contradicting but that's the only way he could describe her.
It was now the last two check points before the finishing line. There were five people left: Cagalli, Athrun, Kira, another boy called Heine, and surprisingly Yuna. No one would expect a loser like Yuna to be in the top five but no one would be surprised either if he used underhanded means to get to his position.
The second last check point was Archery. There were only three bands for that stop and the first three students to get bulls-eye will receive the bands. Athrun and Cagalli were the first two to receive their bands and they preceded to the last check point. Kira however was having trouble concentrating. Lacus was in charge of that check point. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of her.
"Go Kira! You can do it!" Lacus cheered.
This however made Kira all the more nervous and frantic. He could feel her blue eyes looking at him with excitement and anticipation. Athrun and Cagalli already passed that station and Kira knew that he had to buck up if he were to join them. "Breathe Kira breathe! You can do this! You have done this many times before!" Kira told himself. Kira took aim, pulled the elastic string of the bow and released it.
Bulls-eye! Kira looked towards Lacus triumphantly, only for her to look back at him with an apologetic smile. Kira suddenly frowned. He didn't know what was wrong. He had hit bulls-eye didn't he? He followed her gaze to another student who handed the band to a smirking Yuna.
"WHAT?" Kira shouted in his head. Apparently, Yuna had miraculously beaten him to the bulls-eye. Kira was stunned. Of all the people, it had to be Yuna. Kira then started praying and hoping that either Athrun or Cagalli would win. He could not even bear the thought of Yuna coming near his sister.
Kira was angry and disappointed at himself for losing concentration. If he focused in the first place, he would have gotten his bulls-eye the same time as Athrun and Cagalli. He had failed his sister. He could only watch now. There was nothing else he could do.
The final check point was to look for a needle in a haystack, seriously. They had to look for the final band amidst an enormous pile of haystack. There were two bands in the haystack and only when a band was found that the participant and can make his/her way to the finishing line.
Athrun and Cagalli who were the first two to reach the last check point were already busy searching for the bands. Yuna came minutes later to join them. Cagalli was livid. She was screaming inside her head. How come Yuna was here? Where was her brother Kira? Athrun was surprised too to see Yuna instead of Kira. Seeing Yuna only made Athrun more determined to win the race. He could not and would not allow Yuna to touch Cagalli.
"I found it!" Yuna cried out. "Cagalli darling you are mine now!" Yuna had found one of the bands and was now laughing like an idiot while running towards the finishing line.
Not giving up, Athrun continued to dig until his pale hands suddenly touched something elastic. He gave a tug and out came the last band. He looked up at Cagalli and she noticed that he had found the last band. He had a confused look in his face. Actually he was deliberating whether to give the last band to Cagalli or to keep it and run to the finishing line hoping that he could beat Yuna.
"What are you waiting for Athrun? Go!" Cagalli screamed. "You can't let that pervert win!"
She had made the decision for him. Without thinking about in anymore, he rushed off to the finishing line. Yuna already had a head start, but Athrun was a fast runner and obviously way more athletic than Yuna.
The crowd at the spectator stand were shouting and cheering. They had spotted one of the competitors running towards the finishing line. Kira was already there too waiting and his jaw dropped when he saw the person he least expected. Yuna was in the lead and running towards the line. Kira suddenly found himself cursing and swearing profanities. He could not believe and did not want Yuna to win. In Kira's mind, he was already thinking of a hundred and one ways to kill Yuna before the prize presentation.
The sudden increase in the volume of cheers and roars of excitement of the crowd snapped Kira out of his thoughts. He wondered what had gotten into the crowd for suddenly screaming louder and his heart leapt with joy as he saw another figure behind Yuna. Maybe it was not too late. Though Yuna was close to the finishing line, the other competitor wasn't far behind and was catching up.
"ATHRUN YOU BASTARD YOU BETTER RUN FASTER!" Kira hollered and cheered for his friend. Athrun was his last hope of saving Cagalli from the evil clutches of Yuna. "I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU IF YOU DON'T WIN THIS ONE!"
"ZALA RUN FASTER! EVEN YZAC'S MOTHER CAN RUN FASTER THAN YOU!" Dearka yelled.
"SHUT UP ELSMAN!" Yzac smacked Dearka's head before shouting, "ZALA YOU HEAR ME! YOU BETTER NOT EMBARASS US SPORTSMEN!"
"You can do it Athrun!" Lacus cheered.
"Yes Athrun! Run!" Shiho and Mir joined in.
Athrun could hear everyone cheering for him. Though running was a natural thing for him, he was really pushing himself this time. He had to beat Yuna to the finishing line for himself, for Kira, for everyone, and lastly for Cagalli. Suddenly a flash of blonde caught his attention. Cagalli was already at the finishing line. Since Cagalli was no longer in the race, she didn't have to take the marked path and she could take the short cut.
"Athrun you can do it! You are almost here!" Cagalli cheered.
Looking at her and hearing her voice rooting for no one but him, Athrun felt himself flying towards the finishing line, towards her.
And the crowd erupted into applause. The race was now over.
Athrun's heart was pounding really hard and really fast from the running he did. His face was dripping of sweat and his neck and the exposed part of his chest that the jersey did not hide seemed to be glistening due to the colourless liquid that covered them. Athrun spotted a wave of blonde running towards his direction. Her small frame was suddenly slammed against his as Cagalli jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a hug.
"You won! Thank goodness! I'm so glad!" Cagalli was squealing in delight.
Athrun didn't know what to say. He just stood there blushing. He was stunned and happy at the same time because Cagalli was hugging him. "You shouldn't hug me, I'm sticky and sweaty. I'll get you all dirty," Athrun decided to say.
"It doesn't matter! You won! You saved me and that's what matters!" Cagalli replied.
Athrun returned the embrace. Since she wouldn't care about him being sticky and sweaty, he wouldn't either. Right now, all he wanted was to hug her back and keep her in his arms for as long as possible. Both of them were oblivious to the stares pointing at them.
"Geez, for a moment there I thought I was doomed! I really thought I had to kiss Yuna! That would have been grossed!" Cagalli continued talking as she broke their embrace. It was a good thing they stopped hugging too or Kira would have jumped in and pulled them apart.
Athrun's eyes suddenly hardened as he thought of the reality that would have happened if he had not won. "Just what were you thinking getting yourself into the mess? Why did you agree to it in the first place?" Athrun scolded her.
Cagalli knew what Athrun was talking about. She tried to explain. "It's not like I volunteered you know! I was forced! He blackmailed me!" Cagalli said pointing to Mr La Flaga who was walking towards them grinning.
"Congratulation Mr Zala!" Mu said to Athrun.
Athrun glared at the teacher. He was partially mad at the teacher for making Cagalli the prize.
Mu sensed the threat and anger coming out of Athrun. "Hey there kiddo, calm down! No harm done you know! You won!" Mu tried to pacify the raging Athrun who still continued glaring at him.
"What did I ever do to you?" Dearka was scolding the brunette. "I lost ten bucks because of you Kira! Ten bucks! What did I do to deserve this cruel fate?" Dearka dramatically lamented.
"Don't complain Dearka! I lost twice as much as you did! I lost twenty bucks! Twenty! Why didn't you win Kira?" Shiho cut in.
"Err... Sorry?" Kira said unsure of saying anything else.
While Dearka and Shiho were moping for their loss, Mir and Yzac were rejoicing away.
"We won Yzac! We Won! Yay!" Mir was exclaiming. "This is a worth while investment!"
Yzac grunted in agreement as he counted his money.
... ... ...
It was now the closing ceremony for the annual Archangel Festival. The golden trophy was handed over to Athrun as he humbly bowed before the crowd. Cagalli and the rest of the gang stood beside him as they clapped their hands.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss" the students suddenly started chanting.
Cagalli immediately stiffened. She almost forgot about the last part of the prize. She had to kiss Athrun!
"It's alright, you don't have to," Athrun assured Cagalli. She merely looked back at him with wide eyes unsure of what to do.
"Kiss! Kiss!" the others were still chanting.
Cagalli looked around and saw everyone's expecting faces. She really had no choice but to go along with it. Her pride forced her to do it. Looking at her face, Athrun noticed that she was blushing.
"Close your eyes!" Cagalli hissed at Athrun. She did not look at him in the eye.
"What?" Athrun asked confused.
"I said close your eyes!" Cagalli replied in a hush whisper. "And keep it closed until I tell you to!"
"Alright," Athrun whispered back. He obeyed her and closed his eyes.
Finally looking up to make sure Athrun's eyes were really closed, she wound her arms around his neck as she tiptoed to peck Athrun on the lips.
To be continued...
Gosh I'm glad that I managed to update this. I thought I would not make it. Ok see you folks towards the end of December! Sorry for the long wait! I really hope you like this chapter! PLEASE REVIEW!
To trulyanimelover06: Thank you so much for your idea though I made slight changes. I hope this is not below your expectation.