Chapter 6

There are many reasons that Atobe did not particularly like girls. Firstly, they're frightening obsession with cute things revolted him. Secondly, the way they gained up in packs on poor tennis players and got hearts in their eyes frightened him (although he would never show it). And of course, Atobe did not particularly like girls because of their tendency to cry.

He was in no way implying that all girls were crybabies, but he was simply pointing out that the chances of a girl crying were much higher than a guy crying.

And, as much as he didn't like to admit it, when a girl cried, Atobe was at a loss of what to do.

So it was no different when Asa started crying. He just sat there, looking puzzled in all of his glorious self, before he signaled to a waitress. She gave him a dirty look (no doubt because she thought he had made her cry, much to Atobe's amusement. He only made girls speechless, never crying) and handed over a box of tissues.

"You'll get stains on your face if you don't wipe your tears," he said imperiously, although the concern was evident under the usual edge of his voice, as he pushed the tissues over to her. She accepted a tissue and huddled into her seat, trying to make herself appear as small as possible.

Atobe ordered a latté and a regular coffee, requesting extra cream on it. When his orders came, he pushed the latté over to the girl and sipped his own coffee. "Drink it. Something hot might stop you from crying. I heard warm, sweet things do wonders to cheer up a girl."

"I-is that so…?" He didn't call himself 'Ore-sama,' she noted quietly as she picked up her cup and sipping the hot liquid. He was right, more or less. By the time she had finished half of the cup she was feeling much better.

"Ano… Atobe-kun… do you want to listen?" she asked hesitantly. A raised eyebrow was all that she got to tell her that he was listening, and then she was pouring everything out. It was like a waterfall of words coming out of her mouth, and she could not, did not, do anything to stop it. When she was done, Atobe was quiet for a few minutes as he drained the rest of his coffee.

"You should stay over at my place tonight," he said shortly, setting down his empty cup on the table. "It'll be quieter than your own house, so you can get some peace of mind while you think. I'm sure the maids will find something for you to wear the night, and you can have one of the spare rooms." When she opened her mouth to protest, he held up a hand, effectively silencing her. "I'll take you to school tomorrow, so you don't have to worry about walking the extra distance." He rested his chin on his hands and looked at her. "It's a good plan, no?" he asked, but there was no flair of arrogance in his voice at all, just genuine kindness.

Deep down, Atobe-kun really is a nice person. "Hai… I'll take you up on your offer, then, Atobe-kun."

"Good." Atobe stood, motioning again for the waitress, and then proceeded to pay the bill. "I'm treating," he grunted, and then herded her out of the door.

"Oh, uh… Atobe-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"What were you doing out in the park so late at night?"

There was a few seconds of silence from the silver-haired diva, and then he said in a soft voice, "I was thinking." There was a far-off look in his eyes and he seemed distracted, but whether or not Asa noticed this, she didn't comment.

"Ah… naruhodo…"

And then they elapsed into a comfortable silence as they continued walking.

***

True to Atobe's word, the maids were able to find something for her to wear that night after she had been given a room. At first sight, her jaw nearly hit the floor, but she managed to stop that from happening, so she simply stared around in awe. Thick plush carpets covered the floor, and the walls were covered with a pretty wallpaper of light blue. The room was generously furnished with elegant furniture and a four-poster bed, and a beautiful set of French doors opened up onto a balcony.

"Does this suit you?" Atobe asked, coming up behind her as the maid finished pointing out all the light switches and other various features of the room.

"This looks like a hotel room from a five star hotel!" was Asa's answer, which meant, yes, this indeed suited her, even if it was much better than she had expected. Turning to Atobe, she gave the taller boy a bow. "Thank you so much for letting me stay overnight," she said, and he just smirked in response.

"Gather your wits about you and get back to fight another day," he said, ruffling her hair with one hand, which surprised her. "Don't forget to call your parents. If you need anything, just ask Madison-san." He gestured to the maid, who gave a polite nod of her head.

Asa thanked him again and then turned to the desk. It was late and she hadn't even started her homework yet. Thankfully, all she had to do was math, and that wasn't too difficult (they were still reviewing; it would get harder as the year progressed).

The maid, Madison, shut the curtains to the French doors and turned to Asa, regarding the girl curiously. Her employer rarely brought home a guest, especially a guest of the opposite gender. "If there's nothing you need, I'll leave you alone now," she offered, and received a nod in response. Madison exited quietly and padded away down the hall.

Asa was done with her homework in the next half hour, in which she threw down her pen and gave a happy sigh. I should take a shower and get to bed, she thought, staring ruefully at the desktop. Oh… and call my parents. I haven't done that yet and I promised Atobe-kun I would.

"Moshimoshi! It's me," she said with as much cheerfulness as she could muster, and was instantly swamped with her parents' worried voices. "I'm fine, I'm fine!" she assured them. "I'm staying over at a friend's house. He'll give me a lift to school tomorrow." And then she hung up, but not without hearing her parents nearly scream 'HIM?!' into her ear. I probably should have clarified that. Mou… too late, now. And then she vanished into the bathroom.

The feel of hot water rushing down her body was a wonderful feeling. When she was done with her shower, she felt so much better than she had before. A folded garment was placed neatly next to the towel, so after she dried off she slipped it on. It's pretty, she thought in awe. And it's comfy too, although I will admit I miss my own pajamas. Stretching her arms comfortably above her head, she climbed into bed, staring at the ceiling. For the next hour, she amused herself with finding patterns in the ceiling above her head before sleep finally claimed her.

***

Atobe picked up the phone that was next to the couch where he had situated himself and dialed a number, listening with an almost impatient air about him as it rang once, twice, thrice, and then was finally picked up.

"Moshimoshi?" came a woman's voice. It must be his mother or older sister, he thought. He remembered hearing something about his family members at some time.

"I'd like to talk to Fuji. Fuji Syusuke," he said.

"Ah… and you are…?"

"A classmate."

"Oh. Wait a few moments, please. I'll go get him." There was the faint sound of footsteps, and then, 'Syusuke! A friend is calling… he wants to talk you!' A moment of pause ensued, and then she spoke again. 'No, Syusuke, you can't blow it off. It's rude not to answer a friend's call.'

Atobe raised one fine eyebrow as he listed quietly, and when Fuji answered the phone he remained quiet, waiting for the other to initiate the conversation.

"Moshimoshi. This is Fuji Syusuke; can I ask who is calling?"

"Ore-sama demands that you come over to Ore-sama's place tomorrow morning before school."

"Huh? Atobe… what on earth are you saying?"

"Just be here." And then he clicked the phone shut, leaning back so that he could recline comfortably against the sofa, staring in front of him, looking thoughtful.

"Saki-san," he called out, referring to his butler. The old man appeared at his side, bowing politely. "Find me data on Nakamura Katsuo. Make it as thorough as possible."

"Of course, young master."

"Have it in preferably before school tomorrow, but don't work yourself too hard. We have time on our hands to play with the current situation."

"As you say."

***

The next morning, Fuji was forcibly shoved out of his house a half hour earlier than the time he normally left home by his mother and sister. "Better hurry along, Syusuke!" Yumiko called from the kitchen to her little brother. "It won't do to be late."

"I know, I know," Fuji called over his shoulder as he trotted out the door. I wonder what Atobe wants from me, he thought as he boarded the bus at the end of his street. Whatever it is, I hope he has breakfast. I'm hungry. Even a cup of tea would be alright…

He rang the doorbell and was admitted into the Atobe mansion shortly afterwards by the ever trusty butler. "This way," the man said, bowing. "Young master Keigo is waiting for you." And so Fuji was led to the sitting room, looking mildly puzzled as he was ushered along.

As it turned out, not only was Atobe waiting for him, so was Tezuka. The tensai raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw his former caption sitting on the sofa next to Atobe, holding a teacup and sipping calmly from it. "Tezuka…" he murmured, standing there feeling more puzzled then ever. "Maa… I didn't know you often came over to Atobe's often." Although, now that I think of it, Tezuka was the only one who looked comfortable the last time we were at Atobe's.

"I come over occasionally," Tezuka said, setting down his cup. "Would you like something?" he asked, and Fuji's stomach gave a little grumble.

"Ah… now that you mention it… anything edible would be nice," Fuji admitted sheepishly. "A hungry man eats anything, they say."

It was Atobe's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You left without eating breakfast?" he asked, frowning. "That won't do; that won't do," he mumbled to himself.

"Huh?"

"Whatever," Atobe huffed, and then gestured regally to the breakfast set on the table in front of the sofa. "Help yourself." Fuji needed no second invitation and helped himself quite happily to a cup of tea, blowing gently on the steaming liquid and then sipping. A satisfied look crossed his face as the warm tea made its way down his throat and into his stomach.

There was suddenly a knock on the door and a soft voice drifted in. "A-ano… Atobe-kun… thank you very much for letting me stay the night." Fuji's teacup nearly fell out of his hands as he turned around to face the owner of the voice. She looked back at him, looking equally surprised, before forcing a smile on her face. "Ohayo, Fuji-kun," she offered, before turning her attention to Tezuka and Atobe. "Ohayo, Atobe-kun, Tezuka-kun," she said.

"Ohayo," they said dutifully back at her (Atobe included), and Fuji marveled at how there seemed to be devoid amount of arrogance in Atobe's voice. Miracles did happen.

"Ore-sama's mansion has wonderful rooms, does it not?"

OK… so maybe that was a bit too far-fetched of an idea that involved combining miracles with Atobe.

"Ah… hai! It was a really nice room!" Asa replied, and then looked curiously at the three boys. "Tezuka-kun, Fuji-kun… what are you guys doing here?"

"Concocting war plans," was Tezuka's very serious answer, which made both Fuji and Asa blink in surprise.

"W-war plans…?" Asa squeaked out.

"Yes, war plans," Atobe said, sipping his tea. "Oh… look at the time!" he said, staring up at the ornate grandfather clock. "Fuji, Ore-sama decrees that you walk Ijuuin to school today."

Fuji would have spat out his mouthful of tea had he not managed to stop himself in the nick of time. "You want me to what…?" he asked, incredulous, feeling his cheeks beginning to warm up against his efforts to stop them.

Atobe looked at him. "You heard Ore-sama. Now, out you go. Shoo, shoo." When the two of them had been successfully escorted out of his house, Atobe turned to Tezuka. There was an unnatural gleam in his blue-gray eyes that made Tezuka wonder what the diva had up his sleeve.

"Now… about those war plans…"

Ah… yes. How could Tezuka forget about that?

***

"Ne, Fuji-kun… it seems like it's been a while since we last walked to school together, doesn't it?"

Fuji blinked, pulling himself forcibly out of his musings and turning his head so that he could look at the girl walking next to him. He was met with a cheerfully smiling face and felt his cheeks warm up again. "Ah… now that you mention it, it does seem that way," he offered cheerfully, his usual smile widening slightly. "Will we still be able to walk to school together… you know… after that?" he asked, uncharacteristically shy.

Asa lowered her head and stared at the ground under her feet as she walked along. "I… don't know," she answered truthfully.

"You will no longer be walking to school like a commoner. Our personal limousine will pick you up every morning and send you back home when school is over."

"Is that so…?" Fuji asked, drooping slightly. "I see…" He looked so dejected, Asa felt terrible.

"Gomen, Fuji-kun," she said, reaching out and taking his hand on impulse. He stiffened considerably and she dropped it in a hurry, cringing backwards. "Gomen, gomen!" she squeaked.

"Iie… it's fine," Fuji said. "Could you… would you mind… doing that again?"

"Eh? What again?"

He reached out and took her hand, reveling in the feeling of her smaller one in his. "This," he said softly, holding her hand gently as they continued along.

Her hand shifted in his grip, and he loosened it, drooping again inside. "What's wrong?" Asa asked. "I'm only trying to get a better grip, silly." He looked puzzled, and she squeezed his hand. "See? It's better this way," she said cheerfully, turning her face back to the road in front of her.

She suddenly broke out running, tugging Fuji after her. "Wha~~!" he yelped as he was dragged along. "What are you doing?"

"If we don't hurry, we'll be late for school!" Asa replied as she ran along. Suddenly, she pumped an arm up into the air. "Yosh! Always being sad and mopey takes up too much energy!"

"Huh?"

"Maa… life's no fun if you don't focus on the good things! That's why; I'm going to try my hardest to focus on the good things that come to me!"

"Well… I suppose that's a good resolution to make…"

She turned to him and offered a radiant smile. "Hai!"

Fuji's face broke out into a happy grin as he broke out into a run. "Race?" he asked. She nodded enthusiastically, and they took off like twin rockets, although Fuji never relinquished his hold on her hand the whole time. When Asa thought back to this event later, she would always wonder what kind of race it really was, but for now, she was content. Very content. If I worry too much, I'd worry everyone else, wouldn't I? she thought as she ran. She began to drop slightly behind Fuji, but the boy kept urging her forward, encouraging her with his kind smiles, and she ran on, even though she was beginning to pant rather heavily. And if everyone worries, I won't be able to see their smiles. Their real smiles... Atobe-kun's, Tezuka-kun's, Oishi-kun's... even Shishido-kun's.

Granted, I haven't seen some of them yet, but I know that they're wonderful. Because everyone can have a wonderful smile when they want to. That's why... this year... when I try to focus on mainly the good things in life, I will see every one of my friends smile, and I will treasure it.

Always. No matter what happens to me later on.

A/N: As usual, reviews are always loved. Please? If something's bad and no one reviews to tell me, how am I supposed to know what to fix? I'm not physic, you know (much as I wish I was, sometimes).