CHAPTER 2: Blue Violets – I'm watching you

"HUP!" Irah grunted as she stacked the second to the last box of veggies to be transferred to the kitchen storage room. It's the first day of the cruise and they are now sailing on the azure waters of Okinawa towards the renowned summer house of the Atobes. Yes, it was kinda hard to accept the fact that she'd be working her summer days off on some forsaken private island but then, she heard it was the best island in modern Japan so somehow, she's determined to have the fun of three lifetimes.

El Paraiso was a dream island for the sophisticated- complete with natural, breathtaking landscapes, untiring bodies of waters and exotic but tame wildlife. It's an island maintained fully well and tended to further development by the Atobe Clan itself. And it was the Student Council President's gift to all his staff and close friends. And SHE must be included in that dream too. But then again…

She almost broke the wooden handle of the box she's carrying in frustration. Damn you, Atobe…

Irah was happily sauntering in the ship when something ebiil caught her ears. "Student Body Secretary…"

The Devil King. She reeled to see Atobe with his gentle giant beside him. And as much as she hated to admit it, looking hot and dashing in his stupid, floral polo, unbuttoned. Damn…Don't look so hawt, you stupid, spoiled, rich brat. "Yes, Student Body President?"

And her heart almost stopped beating when she saw him smile. He approached her and gently grabbed her big bag from her and carried it the rest of the way inside the vessel. "Oh. You're unusually kind today." she remarked as she peered into his face since he was walking before her. "Is this some kind of payment for a favor you'll ask me later?"

"That's mean," he replied as he turned at the next corner. Then continued walking into the dark hallway. "I can be gentle every once in awhile, you know."

She began to grow worried when she gradually heard the sounds of something familiar. "Uhm… Atobe. This is the way to my room, isn't it?"

Chop! Chop! Chop!

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

"Yes. It is. I'm going to put my anger and irritation into good use." She saw an evident hint of a smirk form on his lips.

"What-!" She halted her steps. "Hey! What d'ya mean when you said good use?" She shut her eyelids close as the bright light of the kitchen blinded her vision when her devil of a president opened a two-way door. After her eyes adjusted to the light, they shone. There were people wearing toques everywhere. The air smelled of sautéed spices and almost cooked-dishes. Some were done actually and are already set on a tray for serving. Lunchtime's gonna be a feast.

"You're gonna feed me before the others? My, my," she patted Atobe's head. "Such a good boy…" She ruffled his hair. She found the feeling of his soft mane on her hands strangely comforting. The soft strands threaded smoothly across her fingers. Without her knowing it, for a fleeting moment her touch changed from pats to caresses.

Atobe noticed.

"Since you're gonna go through one more punishment for twice the embarrassment you caused me, I can give you a handful of my hair after you're done with kitchen duty, Secretary…"

She immediately took her hand away, as if electrocuted.

Now that she remembered it, she can still feel the warmth spread across her cheeks. What ebiil force made her touch his hair like that anyway? Gaaaaaah!

She looked at herself then at the dreary looking but clean and tidy kitchen storage room she's stuck in. And after she went through all the trouble of prettying herself up. She even bought this two piece pink-laced bikinis for the fun later. Her smooth, fair legs were exposed for admiration with the permission of her shorts. She had a parka on, though. She had no intention of taking it off until she found any place resembling a place for dipping or swimming.

She knew she looked cute for she had every intention of finding herself a summer love. Especially since her Luhv is here on the trip too. The thought of his handsome face made her lift the last box more forcefully than usual. As she bucked, she heard a grunt of pain. With shock, she whirled around to see who it was. As she did, she hit the man again with the sharp edge of the box.

"Ouch!"

Irah stopped breathing for seconds when she saw who it was. He flashed his incredibly cute smile that she craved for. His cheeks grew a shade redder while still massaging his aching stomach where the box's edge hit. He's here! My Summah Lahv! "Ohtori-senpai?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry. Did it hurt?" Stupid question.

"Yes." He smiled wider.

She smiled too, settled the box down with his help amidst the pile and walked towards the cooking area of the kitchen. "I'm gonna get you some ice." When she opened the door, everybody was gone. "Where is everybody?"

Ohtori stepped into the kitchen then looked at her strangely. "Everybody's relaxing at the deck. We just finished eating lunch."

"What? You guys ate lunch already?"

He nodded. "You didn't know?"

"Nobody told me."

"But Captain sent somebody to tell you."

"Hmmm." Was everything she could say. It doesn't bother her that much though. She wasn't that hung—

GROWL!

She grew red and denied. "That wasn't me!"

Ohtori looked at her worriedly for a few seconds, his smile disappearing. Then, face glowing again with an idea, he began to rummage the kitchen with fruits and bread and gathered them in a bag. He looked so cute doing his best opening cupboards – searching high and low for any trace of food. His eyes shone when he found pieces of chocolate mousse cake in the refrigerator. He turned towards her saying, "What're you doing there? Help me here!"

Puu. I would have loved to look a bit longer. "Yes, yes!"

After they're done, he dragged her to the topmost part of the ship where a giant pool was there waiting for her. Her eyes sparkled with glee.

"Aaaaaaah! It's perfect!" She said running ahead of him. "Can I jump in now?"

Ohtori looked up from his food preparation. "Go ahead. I'll jus-" He stopped in midsentence as Irah slowly peeled the parka off from her shoulders.

"AMAZING!" Adel applauded, a blue voilet on her lap, as Ooshitari won the fifth round of chess. "Good work, Ooshitari-sama."

"Thank you very much, Adel-sama." Ooshitari took a sip of tea, "You're very easy to read, Shishido."

"Shut up! That was just luck! Another round!" Shishido exclaimed in a vengeance as he began to arrange the chess pieces again on the board.

"HAHAHAHA! Shi-chan really hates to lose, huh?" Gakuto laughed and teased, as he popped the last chunk of cupcake in his mouth. "Yrru shrud harve ar birt of ar pokerface."

"Swallow before you talk, Gakuto." The energetic fellow followed Oshitari's order.

Shishido moved the pawn on the chess board. "Ora, Genius. Your move."

"I'm tired. This is the sixth round. Break."

"Are you running away from this fight, huh?"

"This isn't a fight, Shishido. It's a game. Get a grip." Ooshitari sighed. "Where in tar nation's name is Chotaro anyway?" At times like these, Chotaro's the only one who can stop the blazing Shishido.

Fortunately, the utterance of Chotaro's name snapped him from his fight trance. "Speaking of the brat, where is he?"

Silence. It seems no one knows.

Gakuto jumped up and down, eager to carry out the idea that popped in his head. "Well then, shall we commence the hide and seek game?"

"No need."

Everyone turned in wonder towards Atobe by the window who just pulled the curtains closed. He walked towards the now blushing Adel, took her hand, kissed it, then proceeded to the door with her.

"Where are we going, Atobe Keigo-sama?" Adel asked in all grace.

"Everybody's going to the pool, milady," Atobe answered without turning back. "Everybody get their swimwear ready."

"SO THIS IS where you were, Chotaro," Shishido plopped down on the bench beside his doubles partner and nudged him on the side, looking at him suspiciously and teasingly. "What's got you staring at the waters, huh?"

"Shishido-san! What're you doing here?" Ohtori jumped up in surprise.

"Is that any way to treat a concerned friend who came up to see if you're bored and needed company?"

"Ah? Eh? I'm sorry." Then, "Thank you very much."

Gakuto's laugh made Ohtori lift his head up to the crowd that tagged along. There was the captain helping Adel to a seat, Kabaji carrying the sleeping Jirou over his shoulder, and Hiyoshi and Oshitari looking bored. "Everyone?"

"How're things coming along, Chotaro?" Atobe approached him.

"F-fine, Captain…"

"R-really?" Atobe took one look at him and didn't buy his response. "You look troubled. Something wrong?"

The question sent Chotaro's anxiety meter flying but he bravely but uselessly tried to hide it. "N-nothing, Captain." The denial was the bell that signaled a staring competition. Gold eyes contested purple ones. Everyone at the poolside was oblivious to the tension that cackled between the two young men considering the amount of racket that they are making. Their battle was cut short by the refreshed yell of a woman who resurfaced from the sapphire waters of the pool.

"Aaaaah! That was refreshing! Ohto- Huh?" Irah finally saw the crowd. "Why, if it isn't the gang! What're you guys doing up there? The water's great so dive in!" She said as she waded through the cool waters and braced herself to get out.

When something forceful hit her on the face, she couldn't help but cuss and fall back into the water. "Owww!" was the only expression she can get out when she gasped for air. She felt her face thicken 1 meter more and her teeth almost falling off. Her nose flared with anger and a murderous aura filled her to the bone. "Who threw that thing at me?"

"Ore-sama…"

She looked directly up. "Atobe-san, is your mission in life to make mine miserable?"

"Sounds like fun to me." he said, a beach ball on his hand, as he slowly took his floral polo shirt off. "But I'd be more interested in having a volleyball match with you guys now than making your life miserable, actually." He gazed at her sister, saying, "I gotta show off every once in awhile." She rolled her eyes. You always show off.

Yet, she cussed again. The man had the greatest body of a creature she'd seen thus far. Muscled chest, tapered waist… Look at that butt-! She shook her head in alarm. No, no! What am I doing, actually praising this guy? She couldn't imagine the air especially if he was to know she was actually praising his figure. But there's nothing wrong in praising a beautiful figure which, in reality, really is beautiful, a mischievous imp countered within her.

"Care for a game?"

"Bring it on!"