*** 2 WEEKS LATER***
"Why must I go and collect?" Ling-chan grumbled as she looked at Tohru. "You are the President, you should go and collect for the school!"
"But I can't make it due to piano lessons! Come on, just collect and go. In case you are thinking of pinning your hopes on my Vice-President, you can jolly well forget about it. He is terrified of Genichirou Sanada who had confirmed that he will be picking up the trophy for his school. You are the only one who can withstand Genichirou-san!" Tohru said exasperatedly as she packed her books away for the day. "The details are on the paper, just follow the directions! Anyway, I told Genichirou-san already. His number is on the paper."With a quick fleeting smile, Tohru walked off briskly.
"! Tohru!" Ling-chan yelped.
***FLASHBACK***
"Since there are 2 winners this year, the trophies have to be prepared so as to give them out accordingly. We will like to request the schools to pick it up in 2 weeks time. Details will be given out in due time. Thank you" The Head Judge said, smiling at the eager students before him. Reaching out to both Ling-chan and Sanada, he spoke "Well done, both of you. I am very impressed this year. Both of you had raised the standards of the competition to new heights and had set a record for all to come. I really enjoyed the teas that you had prepared. You two should try out each other's tea. It will give you a deeper understanding of each other and your styles." So saying, he beamed and walked away, leaving the 2 teenagers standing quietly next to each other.
Finally, Sanada spoke "Omedeto, Hitachinn-san." "The same goes for you, Genichirou-san." At a loss for words, both kept quiet for a while longer. Just as the silence is getting to both of them, a new voice rang out. "CONGRAULTIONS, LING-CHAN!" With that Eiji bounced into sight and practically pounced on the girl, who lost her balance, falling onto Sanada who caught her quickly and held her steady. He then snapped at Eiji, "Be careful, Kikumaru-san!"
That tone really snapped Eiji back into his senses as he practically leaped back from Ling-chan who was trying to recover her balance "Yikes! It's the emperor of Rikkai!" "Gomen nasi, Genichirou-san, Eiji-kun…can be overly excited at times." Ling-chan said as she withdrew away from Sanada's arms. "I know that. Daijoubu, Hitachinn-san?" Sanada asked. "Hai, I am fine, arigato." Looking at Eiji who was now hiding behind a pillar, she smiled gently, just as she would coax a frightened cat "Come on now, Eiji-kun, just apologize to Genichirou-san. He won't bite!" "Gomen, Genichirou-kun!" Eiji squeaked in fear.
Turning around to face him, Ling-chan said "I didn't know that you are familiar with Eiji-kun. How did you know him?" Sanada just grunted "Tennis." "Ano…no wonder! You are the fuku- bouchou, aren't you?" At Sanada's nod, she continued "Then you will know the rest of the boys then! Kawamura Takashi is my cousin. Would you like to meet them? I suppose they will be coming in a while since Eiji-kun is here."
Just as Sanada was about to answer, an arrogant voice suddenly drawled out "What a surprise gathering here today! I didn't know that there is a tennis meet today! Did you plan this, Oshitari? Otherwise, don't tell me you skip school and refuse to go out for lunch with ore-sama because you are interested in tea ceremonies!" Looking over at the source of trouble, Ling-chan narrowed her eyes a little as she spotted an arrogant guy with an attitude to match walking next to Oshitari, who in turn, was walking towards her. Looking behind the pair, Ling chan found the Seishun's tennis boys walking in.
Franked on all 3 sides by boys, Ling-chan felt a little trapped in. Looking over at Oshitari who stood in front of her, she asked "What brings you here? It's supposedly school time!" "I came to watch and observe the competition. Nee-san asked me to take photos of you in the kimono that she designed." Smiling at the expression on her face, Oshitari grinned "Anyway, I wanted to skip class too. It's boring." Jerking a thumb over at his companion, "this is Atobe Keigo, my classmate. When he heard I am skipping class, he came along too."
"Pleased to meet you, Atobe-san. I am Hitachiin Ling." Ling-chan said, bowing slightly. Next to her, she felt Sanada tensing up. Waving a hand, she said "This is Genichirou Sanada." "Hai, I knew him before you, Ling-chan." Atobe drawled. Inwardly, Ling-chan frowned at the easy way that Atobe addressed her by her name but did not show anything outwardly. Instead, she said "Indeed." "Of course! Anyway, now that you won the competition, how about coming to lunch with ore-sama? You should be honored that ore-sama is granting this privilege to you. Not many girls get such chances, you know! Ore-sama is going easy on you because you are Oshitari's friend!" Atobe said, looking down his noise at her.
"Chee…Monkey King. Drama queen. Or is it supposed to be drama monkey king?" A quiet voice to the left of Ling-chan suddenly sounded out. "Ryoma! Don't be rude!" Oishi admonished, just like a mother. At this, Atobe raised an eyebrow "Oh, that little brat is here as well? I don't see him anywhere! The consequences of being too short I suppose. Poor baby!"
At this, Ling-chan snapped. "Atobe-san! That is enough! As a sempai, are you bullying your kouhai? Shame on you! Picking on someone who is younger than you to boot! Despite your wealth and family, you know nothing about manners! Please leave here immediately. You are not welcome and you shouldn't be here in the first place! If you don't, I will have the Security hustle you out now!" At this, Atobe raised another eyebrow too "Oh, we got a spitfire here! I like it! Initially, I thought you are those that are meek and docile kinds, so as to appeal to the likes of Oshitari!"
"That's enough, Keigo." Oshitari interrupted. "Gomen nasi, Ling-chan, to spoil your day like that. I came to offer my congratulations. I see you online alright?" Without waiting for Ling-chan's answer, Oshitari turned and grabbed Atobe, who protested at leaving so early. Looking over at the silent group on her left, who showed different expressions, Ling-chan observed stunned looks to awe and to smiles. Glaring at the center of the lot, she beckoned and Ryoma strolled out, with hands in his pockets, caring not a wit in the world. "Ryoma, that is plain rude. I am expecting better from you. As much as you don't like him, that is no room for rudeness. Don't do it again, alright?"
Sighing softly, Ling-chan turned to Sanada, who had been on her right all the while. "Gomen, Genichirou-san, for you to witness such an outburst like that. Can we meet some other day for the sampling of the tea that you made? I would like to try it as Sensei suggested." "Hai, Hitachiin-san. Perhaps I will see you again when our schools collect our respective trophies. As for Atobe-san, don't worry about it. In fact, it is impressive that you stood up to him. I don't see any girls standing up to him at all. You are the first." He gave a tiny smile. "Well done." Ling-chan laughed out loud at this.
***BACK TO PRESENT***
"Sigh… where is it again? It stated that it is at near Tokyo Hospital, just around the corner. I am now in front of the Hospital but I don't see it anywhere!" Ling-chan sighed softly.
"How about going together?" A male voice suddenly spoke up. At this, Ling-chan practically jumped out of her skin. Whirling around, she saw Sanada leaning against the wall, looking at her. Wearing a cap and dressed in tennis clothes, he walked towards her. "Sanada-san!" Ling-chan smiled. "Konichiwa!"
"Konichiwa, Ling-san. Lost, are you?" Sanada tried to suppress a smirk but was not too successful about it. Hearing and seeing it, Ling-chan pouted a little. "Mou… Genichirou-san, you are mean! I just arrived in Japan after all! As a sempai, you should be more forgiving." She waited until Sanada walked beside her, leading the way. "A new student?" "Hai! I arrived from Singapore a few weeks ago." "Hm."
While Sanada was leading the way, Ling-chan made some idle chatter, so as fill in the silence. As compared to the first time that they met, the atmosphere was definitely more relaxed. After the competition, both of them exchanged handphone numbers and e-mail addresses, so as to follow up on each other's offer of the tea that was prepared for the competition. In addition, after getting the order that she was to pick up the trophy for her school, Ling-chan sent a short message to Sanada, informing him about the date when she will go down and collect the trophy. A friendship between the 2 of them bloomed as time passed as they do text each other regularly about tea and other activities. However, Ling-chan did not tell him about her being an exchange student, until now. As much as she tried, she cannot get Sanada to address her as "Ling-chan." The most that he was willing to was to address her as "Ling-san." Eventually, Ling-chan gave up.
Reaching the door of the tea store, Sanada stopped as he gestured to Ling-chan to enter before him. Opening the door, Ling-chan stepped in and glanced around. Teapots and cups of various colours and designs were showcased all around the room, reflecting the teas available around the world. Eyes widened with wonder, she stepped closer to the display cases as Sanada walked towards the counter where an elderly couple was seating behind the counter. Bowing low, Sanada addressed the couple respectfully, "Konichiwa, oji-san, oba-san."
"Ano…Sanada-san!" The woman smiled gently at him. "Welcome, welcome! Are you here to pick up the tea leaves for yourself and your family?" Looking at Ling-chan who was still observing a particular beautiful Chinese tea set, she gestured "Did you find a girlfriend at last?" "Wife, don't jump to conclusions! Give poor Sanada a break will you? Are you really that eager to see him attached?" Her husband shooed her away, as he brought forth some packages to Sanada, who nodded his thanks. He then asked "Are you here for the trophies? Seishun called to say that they will be collecting today. Is that the girl?"
"Hai, Oji-san. I am Hitachiin Ling, pleased to meet you. Pardon my manners earlier, it's not everyday that I can see a very beautiful set of Chinese tea set from the Qing Dynasty. I was mesmerized by it." Smiling at the old man who beamed back at her for her observations, Ling-chan continued "I am here to pick up the trophy for Seishun while Sanada-san is here to pick up for his school." "Ah! You are the girl who tied with our dear boy here? That's incredible! For years, Sanada-san won the championship with no one coming close to his standard at all! I wonder, can I try some of your tea someday?" The old lady exclaimed, eyes shinning bright.
"Of course! It will be my honor." Ling-chan bowed. "I brought the ingredients required today, as I promised Sanada-san that I will brew it for him today. Perhaps you can enjoy it with us?" Hearing this, the old lady bustled from her counter and to a door on the right side of the store. Sliding the door open, she gestured them in as she hurried to fill a kettle so as to boil the water required. "Which tea set would you like to use?" The old man asked, looking on in amusement at his wife. "A clear Western set." Sanada replied for Ling-chan while she unpacked her shoulder bag carefully, bringing out a box with all the required ingredients. In addition, she took out a bento box and uncovered it, showing layers of little western cakes and cookies.
"You certainly came well prepared." Sanada murmured as he sat down next to Ling-chan, who was busy ladling all the flowers required into the pot. The elderly couple was watching it, mesmerized as the flower bloomed. Setting down the kettle carefully on the stove, Ling-chan replied "It was meant for Yukimura-san, your bouchou. You mentioned to me that you are visiting him today, aren't you?" Serving the couple in front of her first, before pouring a cup for Sanada, Ling-chan looked at him directly in the eye. Her reply was to get a raised brow in return.
A few days ago, after Ling-chan informed Sanada about the appointed date to collect the trophies, Sanada mentioned that he was going to visit his bouchou afterwards, who was in hospital. Hearing about Yukimura Seiichi from her own cousin, Ling-chan was curious about the bouchou of Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku. When asked whether she can visit as well, Sanada could find no reason to deny her as Yukimura was curious about the girl who tied with him during the competition too. He agreed but he did not expect that she would bring a visiting gift for his bouchou!
After an hour or so, Ling-chan and Sanada took their leave, while the couple bowed them out of the store, telling Ling-chan to come and visit them more often. At this, Ling-chan promised before she took her leave of them. Stepping out of the store, she reached over for the trophy that Sanada was carrying for her but was denied of it as Sanada whipped it out of her reach. Surprised, she asked "What's that for? You got your own trophy, Sanada-san!" "I am helping you to carry it. You got packages to carry too, don't you? After all, Oji-san decided to gift you with a pair of the Chinese tea cups that you so admired." Sanada replied, as he led the way into the hospital.
"Jealous?" Ling-chan teased, as she walked beside him, pausing in front of the lift doors. When the doors opened, Sanada grunted "4th level." "Hai." While the lift ascended, Sanada asked the question that was nagging at him for the past hour "Why did you bring cookies and cakes for Seiichi? To visit a patient, the common gift ought to be flowers or something."
Just then, the doors opened and both of them stepped out together. Ling-chan replied while walking "Because I want something practical. Flowers are nice to see but practically useless, don't you agree? Plus, you told me that he had some breathing problems. There is pollen in flowers, which can cause allergies for people with respiration problems. Since I promised to brew the tea for you, I thought of bringing some for Yukimura-san as well. The tea was meant to go with cakes and cookies and they are just something extra that I made yesterday at the same time." Halting out the door that carried the sign "Yukimura Seiichi", she knocked softly. A soft voice called out "Enter."
When Ling-chan opened the door, she was struck speechless. Seated on the bed, reading a book was one of the most beautiful boys that she had ever seen. Wavy black hair with hints of blue and deep brown soulful eyes that one can drown in. A gentle expression was on his expression as he looked over at his visitors. Catching sight of Sanada behind her, Yukimura smiled gently as he placed the book he was reading earlier aside. He then reached out a hand to Ling-chan. "Welcome, Hitachiin-san. I am Yukimura Seiichi."
"Ano…Pleased to meet you, Yukimura-sempai. How did you know my name?" Ling-chan asked, as she took a seat next to Yukimura while Sanada deposited all the parcels and his bag on the floor. "Sanada told me." Yukimura replied as his eyes searched the girl's features seated in front of him. Liking what he saw, he continued "I was curious how the girl who tied with Sanada looked like and I must say, I am impressed." At Ling-chan's puzzled expression. He explained "For years, Sanada won the Tea championship as if it was his event. No one really gave him a hard time for it. You are the first one who did so. In fact, Sanada told me so himself." Throwing a teasing look at his friend, who humphed and looked away, Yukimura turned back and saw Ling-chan was grinning away.
"Well done, Sempai, you are the only one I know who can make Sanada-san make such a disgruntled expression! Students from both your school and mine are terrified of him." Ling-chan laughed as Sanada's expression soured a tad further. "Oh, first name basis already?" Yukimura asked, with a tilt of his head as he looked at Ling-chan. "If that is the case, may I call you Ling-chan, Hitachiin-san?" "Of course! I would prefer no other way!" Ling-chan smiled warmly back. "Speaking of which, I brought something for you!" Saying so, she got off the bed and to her bag and retrieved a familiar bento case. "I made all these cakes and cookies last night and thus, they are very fresh. There was supposedly more but some got eaten earlier as I went to pick up the trophy from a store nearby here. Please try it while I go get some tea for you. It's the tea that tied with Sanada-san after all!"
While Ling-chan went out of the room in search of some hot water, Yukimura looked over at his friend who was seated in the only chair in the room. Catching his eye, Sanada grunted and look away while Yukimura grinned. There was no need for words between them as they are friends for so long already. However, Yukimura could not resist teasing his fuku-bouchou. "Mou…Sanada, Ling-chan is certainly a wonderful girl, right? Imagine a girl to give you such pressure at the competition!" "Just eat those cakes, Seiichi." Sanada growled. "Did you have them earlier?" Yukimura asked as he took a bite out of them. "Oh, these are good! Do you want any?" "No! I tasted the cakes and cookies already." Sanada replied.
"Did I hear the word 'cakes AND cookies'?" A bubbly voice burst out as the door burst open. The demon and baby of Rikkai, Kirihara Akaya clamored as he sprinted in, with the rest of the team following behind slowly. "Akaya, manners. You should have knocked at least." Yanagi Renji admonished softly. "I can't help it! Can I have some of those cookies, bouchou? They look good! Chocolate too!" Laughing at their baby, Yukimura refused as he said "No, Akaya. These are gifts from a new friend of mine. How would it look if I gave it to you straight without asking for her permission? How would she feel?"
"She? It's a girl?" Kirihara yelped in shock as he looked at his bouchou in awe. "Even in the hospital, you are able to get girls to give you cookies? Bouchou, you are the greatest! Can you teach me how to do that huh? Please?" "Oh please, you will never be able to get the girls, no matter how hard you try." Sniggered Kuwahara Jackal as he clamped a hand on the baby's shoulder, pulling him away from the cookies. The rest of the team, save for Sanada, Renji and Yukimura were all laughing away.
"How would you know? He had never tried after all." Ling-chan spoke up as she opened the door with a thermo flask and cup in hand. Smiling at the stunned expressions on the player's faces, she nudged Jackal aside as she handed Yukimura a cup of tea that she had prepared. Smiling in return with thanks, Yukimura took a sip and closed his eyes as the flavor hit his taste buds. While Yukimura was distracted, Ling-chan stole a cookie from the bento in his lap and offered it to Kirihara with a mock whisper "Hurry up and eat it! Else you won't get it!" At this, Kirihara nodded and hastily chomped down on the cookie, crumbs flying all over the place.
"You are going to spoil him rotten, Ling-chan." Yukimura remarked as he opened his eyes again. Looking at his team, he waved a hand towards the girl, who sat on the bed next to him. "Gentlemen, this is Hitachiin Ling, the wonder girl who tied with your fuku-bouchou in the Tea Arena competition this year. Thank her, Akaya. She made those cookies, cakes and tea." "Oh, arigato, Ling-chan!" Kirihara said with his mouth full, spewing out a few cookie crumbs. Sighing, Sanada reached out and yanked the demon away, while Yukimura offered Ling-chan a tissue to clear her skirt as some crumbs were spilled on her skirt. Pulling the demon to the side, Sanada snapped like the emperor that he was named for. "Address her as Hitachiin-sempai, Akaya! She is your sempai after all!"
"No, I am not. I am younger than him." Ling-chan called out as she threw the tissue paper into the waste basket with a single flick of her wrist. Jackal whistled as the paper went in perfectly. At this, Yanagi spoke up. "You are Hitachiin-Ling, the cousin of Kawamura Takashi, powerhouse of Seishun Middle School right? Though you are supposed to be in the first year, you were assigned to the third year, first class, as your entrance tests were outstanding. So in truth, Akaya must still address you as sempai as your rank is higher than his, despite the age difference." Glancing over at the spectacled boy, Ling-chan raised an eyebrow as she enquired "Yanagi Renji, I presume? Inui-sempai told me about you."
Following which, the whole team was introduced to Ling-chan. However, when it came to Kirahara, the little demon was up to his tricks again. Standing in front of Ling-chan, he proclaimed "I am Kirihara Akaya, the best tennis player on this team! Nice to meet you, Ling-chan!" He ducked a punch thrown to him by Niou Masaharu as he continued "However, because of my sempais, I must address you as Hitachiin-sempai! But if you make even more cookies for me, I will address you as Hitachiin-sempai willingly!" Ling-chan was laughing away at this as Sanada glared at the little demon.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Another long chapter! Phew! I hoped you all enjoyed it! Within a few weeks, Ling-chan accumulated the might of 2 powerful tennis teams in Japan! What will happen next? Stay tuned and find out! **hint: Atobe Keigo is coming out next! What will happen between Ling-chan and the self proclaimed "ore-sama"? **
Please review!