My Racket Mic

by coletzq

They were meant to be professional tennis players. To bring victory to their teams. But no one expected that one day, the racket they were once holding would be replaced by mics and the stadium rather than the courts would be their stage. A story of friendship between juniors of different rivaled schools. Once meant to be rivals now truly unbreakable.

4. Chapter 3: The Quest

I don't own Prince of Tennis

Chapter Three: The Quest

"I have to leave now Oni-san! I need to buy that newly released book from the bookstore!" An shouted as she ran away from the tennis courts without even waiting for her brother's reply. Sorry for being disrespectful but she had to do it if she wanted to get away from her brother's one-heck-of-a-lecture.

"Be careful! And be home for dinner!" Kippei shouted as loud as he can but the last sentence seemed to be unheard from the young girl's ears. Shaking his head in dismay, he could only think about how his sister could be so reckless to run off with unusual speed. Sometimes he would get doubtful about her gender but whenever he asks her about it, she would just smack him in the chest. See how bossy she is to her brother! One might even mistake she's the older one.

"An-chan seems to be busy these past few days." Shinji said from behind and Kippei can't help but face him and agree with him. His sister really is running off from the tennis courts quite a lot. It made him think if she's even dating someone and wouldn't want to let him know about it. But he shook the thought off as soon as he started imagining An being bossy to her boyfriend as well. If An really is dating someone (the Momoshiro guy came out of his head), he could rest assure himself that she could handle herself just fine...

"I know. I can't ask her about it though. Since I'm also busy preparing our team for the upcoming competition."

"But being a brother, you should still keep an eye on her especially to her safety. Safety of a sister should be one of the top priorities of a brother. A brother who should always be the top model of his siblings. How can a brother be so incautious about his siblings most especially to a sister who is so reckless and often encounter trouble? Not that I call An a troublemaker but-"

"Shinji!" Kippei said through gritted teeth which made him earn another endless mumbling from the player about how his team mates would scold him whenever he speaks. For goodness sake! Shinji was just considerate to lecture them about things they should know!

Kamio, overhearing his brother and his team mate, couldn't help but think of An and how she had been acting weirdly. Leaving early even before practice starts, spacing out, and sometimes even speaking words to herself, alone! Was she hanging around with Shinji so much? Oh well, where am I… He tried to ask her one time and what he got was a big grin and a wicked laugh from her. Truly, she's hiding something from them… He prays it's no evil though. He doubted An could be such a sadist like the Fuji they call tensai and Yukimura they call as the Child of God. Just imagining An being one of them sent shivers down his spine.

"Everyone gather around." They did as what they were told by the captain and lined up in front of him.

"Since I have to attend a meeting together with the other team captains of the other schools participating in the next Nationals, I would have to cancel our practice today. But only today, tomorrow everything shall be back to normal. That's all, you may now go."

"Hai Buchou!" All chorused and prepared to leave. All but Kamio. With the sudden cancel of practice, he can't help but space out to think of the activities to do for his free time. Just then he remembered An. It might just be his time to find out what she's up to.

"Hey Kamio, want to go and have some match at the street courts?" Shinji approached Kamio who was hurriedly fixing his things, dumping all of them in his tennis bag. He doesn't have much time since An is one heck of a runner and she might be too far to find by now.

"I'm sorry Shinji. Perhaps next time!" He said as he tapped his friends shoulder and ran away as fast as he could. Shinji could only watch his friend disappear within a second and muttered at how people kept on running off and how he was left all alone at the courts.

Kamio was becoming hopeless; he had been searching the town for who knows how long. He entered every bookstore and even asked for the clerk if a mushroom headed girl had walked in but only received a shook of a head or an indifferent face. He even tried checking other stalls girls would visit when they are on their right mind and it only earned him odd glances most especially from the weird saleslady who looked at him like he's a good guy searching a gift for his girlfriend, which they found cute. But he had no time to think of his cuteness right now… though he had to admit it was really flattering to know that he's cute.

Sighing, he sprawled on the street beside a lamp post and tried to look around him. He had ended up on a busy street in Tokyo. People would look at him; others would even give disgusting looks at how he had slouched at the side of the street. But he couldn't care less. Man he was tired! This search thing was even tiring than tennis practice and it irritated him to know that he's losing his rhythm and temper on a thing unrelated to tennis.

'Where the heck are you An! You're giving me a headache!' He thought as he rocked himself back and forth using the ball of his feet while looking around the area. Hoping he could spot her and end this terrible nightmare.

'If I don't find An at the count of ten, I'll be leaving. I'll just ask her tomorrow about her whereabouts.'

Looking around, he started counting.

One…

.

Two…

.

Three…

.

Four…

.

Five…

.

Six…

Seven…

Three more counts,

Eight…

Nine…

Still no An…

Nine and a half

Alright he knows he's cheating, he just can't help giving her some extra time. You know, just maybe she bumped into some guy at the street.

Nine and one-fourth

Nine and-

.

.

.

.

"This is it! I give up!" Kamio shouted as he stood up, earning him more peculiar gazes from the people. Glaring at them all, he quickly shoved them away and gave himself a sense of peace, peace from the glances not peace of mind though.

Groaning, he got on his heels and was about to turn around the corner when something or rather someone caught his attention from the other side of the street. Eyeing the person carefully, he can't help but sense the familiarity of the person to him. Slowly, he made his way towards the pedestrian and immediately crossed the street after making sure the light was green for pedestrians.

Getting on the other side, he tried to melt with the crowd and hid behind a lamp post before continuing to observe the girl. The girl, she was petite with her auburn hair tied in a messy bun on top of her head. She was wearing a usual boyish striped sweatshirt and shorts that reached her mid thigh together with a body bag around her body and boots was to finish her outfit. All in all, she seemed normal to him, except that she was too familiar and she was giving fliers to the people who are too busy to accept them. Or if they would accept it, they would throw them immediately without considering the content of the fliers.

Kamio narrowed his eyes, trying his best to remember the petite girl's name. Her name. It was on the tip of his tongue but he couldn't say it. Just when he was on the verge of remembering her name, one flier made its way on his face, blocking all the view he had with the girl. Great! Just great! He wondered where his luck went today. Maybe roaming around the mall while he trip on every false rock!

"Grrr!" Irritatingly taking off the flier from his face, he glared at it as if the thing could feel the regret for having the grudge to slap him in the face. Everyone should know better than to made his/her way to Kamio's face! Especially that he couldn't see well with his one eye covered! It's called style people! Don't blame him! :P

Glaring at it more, he accidentally became aware of what's written on the flier and gradually, his glare faded and his eyebrows rose in curiosity.

'WANTED: SINGER/ DANCER/ RAPPER

AGE: 12-16

AUDITION PLACE: Seishun Miniature Park behind Seishun Gakuen

AUDTION DATE: JULY 07 AND 08 (SATURDAY & SUNDAY) from 4 pm to 7pm

Audition and be part of the next winning group to join the Tokyo Sing-and-Dance Battle'

The content drew more curiosity and surprise to the young red head that he can't help but look up at the girl-he-still-doesn't-remember then back to the flier.

So she is looking for members for her group. Why though? As far as he could remember, the girl was related into tennis, not to Music. Well, some talents are hidden, maybe that was why. And he doesn't know more about her anyway, damn, he doesn't even remember her name! But why search here when she could just have a quest in her school. The girl really gives his little brain an exercise huh. Shaking his head side by side, he decided to drop the thought and curiosity and decided to get on his way home. By now, a rest is all he need not a mind twisting situation. Turning his back on her, he started to walk but then…

"Hey Sakuno-chan! Are you done giving out the fliers?"

His eyeballs almost popped out of its places when he heard that subtle but authoritarian voice. The voice. If he had cleaned his ears right this morning, he was sure he it was hers. Still wide eyed, he turned back around to where the familiar girl was standing a while ago. And to his surprise, he found what he had been searching for in the last couple of hours.

Kamio checked her, from head to toe, and he was sure it was her for she was still wearing the Fudomine's school uniform. Gaping like a fish, he watched as An talked and laughed with the familiar girl. He heard her name a while ago. And if he heard it right, it was Sakuno. Yes he remembered now, she was the small girl Seigaku have around whenever they had matches, she's the cheerleader one. And she was the one who rushed towards the Echizen brat when he injured his eye on a match with Shinji.

Everything seemed right now. The reason why he hadn't recognized her was because of the way her hair was set for his memory only had her figure adorned with two twin braids that sway in the air.

But something inside him clicked, if An is with this girl giving fliers, does this mean she's doing the same? But why? Is this some sort of a part time work? Or is she also part of the audition search? If she is, then will she also join the competition? Is that the secret she had been oh-so-keeping? Why does she need to keep it from them? Is she giving up tennis for music?

So many questions and if Kamio is given the chance to write them all down, he's sure he'll be so inconsiderate of the environment for using up so much paper.

"Kamio?" He didn't know how long he had been staring at the two girls but he was sure he wasn't still out of focus when An suddenly called his name. Having to return back to reality, he again gaped like a fish in front of the two. What an embarrassment! He looked like a kid caught in the act of eating too much candy! Then he decided to just shut his mouth and sweetly smile at them. He can't let his preserved image get ruined by his own ridiculousness.

"What are you doing? Weren't you suppose to practice with the other regulars?" Asked An, who was, on Kamio's view, looking so worried and frantic about his sudden appearance. What's there to worry about? 'Because I found out your secret? Oh yeah like a boss!' If only he could say that in front of An's face… Tsk…

He stayed quiet, making the girl even more worried than she is. It's not that she's disappointed for seeing Kamio, it's just that he had seen her in a state where no one who knows An as a tennis player should know. Clutching the fliers in her hands, she approached the silent boy. She had to make things clear to him.

"H-hey! What's with that face An-chan! N-no need to be so mad!" Kamio stuttered as he tried to take one step back. Is this the end of Akira Kamio's lifestory? 'I don't want to die! I promise to never stalk anybody again! Especially to a person named Tachibana An with exception with her dates particularly if it's with a guy with spiky black hair!' He prayed with his eyes (or eye) closed.

"You're not telling anybody right?" Opening one eye after the other, he found An looking pleadingly at her, one of her hand clutching the right sleeve of his regulars jacket. Slightly widening his eyes, he wondered how the hell did An managed to make such an expression. From his past time together with An, never had he seen him pleading like this. She may plead but in a way that you could see the possible threat hidden within it. So why plead now? Darn! What's wrong with girl and their change sudden of attitude?

"A-a-an-chan…"

"You won't tell anyone right? Especially my brother. Promise me." Oh there goes the threat.

Staring at An's face then to the fliers she was grasping with her free hand then to Sakuno who was rooted at the back, hugging the residual fliers and staring at him with anxious eyes, and lastly to the flier he was tightly holding on his right hand, he somehow got the message the girls were saying. So they were afraid that he might spill the beans about them giving the fliers. But why? Seeing them right there and now, he somewhat got edgy, what is it that made these fliers intimidating to the girls' point of view.

Frowning and sighing, he received a slight shake from An and he can't help but look at her straight in the eyes. Bad move Kamio. Cause you just fell right into the trap of her eyes.

"I will. But you have to tell me about what this thing is first." He held the flier up so An could see.

"I don't have a choice right?" Looking up from the flier with a lousy smirk, An stared right into Kamio's visible eye. Oh she knew Kamio would comply with her request! Booyah! Who said she can't do those puppy dog eyes Sakuno is very good at! Tell her! And she'll pounce at you!

"Three hot choco for customer Akira?" Taking their order from the counter, Kamio gave one small smile to the waitress before muttering a soft 'Thanks' to her. He didn't miss the blush on her face before he turned around and walked casually to the table where two middle school girls were sitting and chattering about something he doubted he knew though he guessed it had something to do with the audition fliers they were giving at the streets.

"Hey." Signaled his arrival and the two girls stopped chattering and turned their attention towards him. Taking his sit beside An who's in front of Sakuno, he can't help but sigh about how they were too easy to read. It was like looking at a pond of very clear water where even the smallest pebble could be caught sight of. It was clear to him now; they were hiding something. And it isn't just a trifling secret about a girl keeping a diary where her crush's name is written. It's absolutely more than that… Oh how come he has to deal with this sort stuffs? If only An isn't involve in this, he would gladly walk home like he had never seen two girls who are extremely familiar, one almost related to him, without digging in through their precious secret.

After giving their respected cup of hot choco, Kamio immediately straightened up and look at the both of them in the eyes one after the other.

"Sooo… What is it this all about?" He can't help but start the conversation, seeing that they don't give the impression of talking. Hearing a shifting from his side, he saw An facing him, her face so serious that it gave Kamio the memory of her when she lost her most beloved Chow-Chow.

"Kamio… I… We…"An didn't know how to start. Sure this guy is close to her. Close to the extent where she tells him most of her secrets. KEYTERM: most. But not all. She knew this guy has a crush on her but that didn't stop her from befriending him, knowing that he wouldn't take advantage of her.

But this secret is quite different from those before. Do not get her wrong, she didn't lose her trust to Kamio nor did she not simply trust him. In fact, she completely trusts him. What bothers her most is that it's not only her involve in this tricky situation. Sakuno and the whole orphanage are connected to it and one mistake of telling others related to them would surely end their goal.

Just imagine how they would react once they found out that these two girls who were far more related to tennis are found on the street giving fliers about their quest on group members. And the group they are establishing didn't even have a pinch of tennis in it. An and Sakuno didn't care about their image. They could bad mouth about them and they would just act deaf about it all. But what about the image of their relatives? An's brother and Sakuno's family? Especially that they are most expected on the courts rather than on a crowded concert hall. Not to mention the orphanage they'll be helping. No, that's just unbearable.

Call them paranoid but they just wanted them to be safe. Remarkably now a days when people don't even know the word respect and privacy.

"Spill it out An. I won't tell anyone. Promise." Kamio even managed to raise his right hand just to prove his full honesty. Honestly! He's being honest!

"Go on An, it's ok. I know Kamio-kun is telling the truth and would understand us." He looked at Sakuno in the corner of his eyes. This petite little girl. As far as he could remember she stutters most of the times. And now here she is, talking straight and smiling at him. No hint of shyness present, just anxiousness. Weird.

Sakuno had given the floor to An a while ago. From the moment they had seen Akira Kamio standing and staring at them, she was sure only An could handle him. She decided to just be her back up when things get out of hand.

"Yeah. Just like promised, I won't tell anyone." Kamio assured again, like a father vowing to his daughter that he would buy her a doll when she obey his orders. He even managed to give her a small reassuring smile.

"Ok." Sighing first, An thought about what she practiced to say when a situation like this comes.

"You see those fliers?" She pointed to the resting papers at the table, and seeing that Kamio took a glance and nodded, she immediately continued.

"It's from us and we're spreading them to be able to find the right and deserving members for our group." Kamio raised an eyebrow, indicating her to continue.

"Do you know the famous group sing and dance competition Japan always held by the end of the year?" Upon receiving Kamio's nod An talked again.

"We're planning to join them."

"But why?" Turning his gaze back to her, he couldn't help but ask. He was sure An wouldn't join it just for fun. Tennis. That's what Kamio knew that would give her fun. Not music. Not singing and most probably not dancing. So why join? Narrowing his eyes when An took a moment, he somehow felt strange. It was like he would be held captive with the way she explains things later. He had an indifferent feeling of being soon to be manipulated.

At that moment, he didn't even know why but he, in someway, wanted to stop things from moving on. One way or another, an event will happen moments later. But what he didn't know is what it is that is bound to happen. Perhaps it's something that will change his perception of life. He shook the strange feelings away, now is not the time to think of those, he has to focus on what An has to say. He needed to understand the things going on, not the things his mind is pondering.

"Remember that orphanage I talked to you about before?" Looking down at the table, he tried to recover the memory about the orphanage and fortunately succeeded in it. It was at the beginning of classes when An talked about an orphanage she visits every Sunday before going to the street courts. She even invited him once but due to hectic tennis practice, he passed. Bringing his eyes back to An, he nodded to give his answer. He didn't know An still visits the orphanage. As far as he could remember, she was prohibited to visit the orphanage due to her failing remarks, seeing that it was the cause of it all. And after it, she had immediately recovered all her F's and scored every exam with grades not lowering B+. Right then, they thought she had stopped visiting the orphanage. But looks like they were all completely wrong, including him.

'This girl. She could really do such things without us even knowing.'

Kamio looked at him, head to toe before nodding with a small curve on his lips. He somehow can't stop himself from being proud of her, though he had to admitted, she was lying to them all.

"You see. It's for them. The orphanage is lacking in budget and, I just want to help."

"Why? I mean, there are a lot of private sectors out there that could help them An. You don't have to carry the stress of it."

"You don't understand! They don't help!" She slammed her left hand on the table, causing the mugs and the tissue holder to shake modestly. Even the girl in front of the confronting two jumped a little at the sudden rise in the voice of An. After a moment of realization, An shook her head side by side.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to…"

"No it's fine." Kamio said, though deep inside, he couldn't tell if it's really okay for him or if he is just not used to the way her voice rose a while ago. An had scolded him a lot before, heck she always scolds him whenever he contradicts her, but this time is different. Determination. He heard it within her. It says that whatever he says she would still continue what she started, somehow, he expected it. Knowing An, for who knows they had been together, he knows this girl never back down from what she had vowed, even if it meant to sacrifice her own safety, or in his case, shout at guys who are much much larger than her.

"No I'm really sorry. I-it's just that, they, I mean those private sectors you talk about, they just use the kids for their own good or should I say the orphanage. Yes they do help them, but it's just for their own good! The kids are not their priority bit rather the popularity! They bring food and facilities, give money for the orphanage and even help them clean the place, but that is just their façade when the media is there. They carry the kids and even help them with their bath but behind their backs, behind the flashing cameras and on rolling video equipment, they almost shower themselves with alcohol and scrunch their face with disgust like they had just touched a person with a deadly and infectious disease! Hell, they even go as far as advertising their firms while doing what they call as 'charity'."

An couldn't take it. She had seen them all. Being in and out of the small home of the parent-less, she had seen a lot of people, particularly the higher officials, help the orphanage. She had seen how they would smile at the cameras and tell them it was all about charity. Charity. Oh how she had heard that word a thousand times from them although she knew what they were doing was far less than that. She had seen how the rich would act as if they were as clean as God although their hearts could rival the foul smell of garbage. Disgusting, she always thought. That was why, the moment she heard Kamio said the words 'private' and 'sector', she couldn't help but react negatively.

"Kamio. You have to understand. There is no one out there who is still willing to help without getting something on return, or if there is, it would like catching lightning to find them. And I couldn't bare seeing the orphanage being used for someone else's advantage. That is why, we…" She took a glance at Sakuno. "… voluntarily had given ourselves to help them."

Kamio stared at her, stared at those magnificent eyes that could easily pull someone else onto her visions and perceptions. After hearing her statement, he couldn't help but feel remorse about the orphanage. He had never thought about it before, how less fortunate others could be and how easy they are to be used by other people. It is also by now that he thought about helping others. When was the last time he had helped? Heck he couldn't even remember. He's too busy with his tennis priority that he didn't even spare a glance on what's happening on his surroundings. For him, as long as he's breathing, and living a normal life and being able to play tennis, he will be fine. He could care less about others who doesn't concern his life with an exception to his friends.

But now, everything seemed to be turned around. To turn upside down. He started to think differently. He started to think about what An had said. Helping. Sounds good to him, it would surely do others good and perhaps a little to him too, but, the way An would help them, it's kind of… hard. Singing? And dancing? What would people think of him? A trying hard singer/dance/tennis player?

'Is this the thing that is bound to happen? For me to help An sing? Hell no!'

"But still, why do you keep it from others? Don't think your brother would support you?" He asked, still not satisfied with how An explained the whole story.

"I-I don't know. And to be honest, I'm afraid to know. You still remember how overprotective he was when he found out I'm visiting the orphanage right? What if he finds out about it again? Surely he would take action and that would only hinder me from helping the orphanage."

"But still, An, don't you think it's wrong to lie-"

"I know it is! I'm even saying sorry to him behind his back but… I have to do this. Anyway I promised that I would just visit the orphanage until the end of the year. Just give me something helpful to give them before I leave them for good."

Again, he stared right into her eyes. Right now, he's beginning to get confused. Kippei had asked him to take care of his sister when he couldn't set his eyes on her all the time. And he agreed to it, promising to tell him when An is acting on her own again recklessly and manage to get in trouble. But now, he couldn't help but blame himself for even agreeing to that responsibility. If he didn't promise that to him, he would've have considered on An's offer. Oh why is the responsibility passed to him! He can't, of all people, take care of this wild and rash being!

"An… I'm sorry but… you need to tell your brother about it. I mean, he's starting to get intrigued about where you have been going these days. And not so long after, he'll find out what you're up to and probably ground-"

"But you're not going to let that happen right?"

It is an understatement to say that Kamio is taken aback. An, had just told him to join their juvenile actions. He started to blink rapidly, is he dreaming or is he just dreaming? Again, he blinked. An's eyes were as clear as reality open before him, beholding him with pleading eyes that could counter that of a lost puppy.

"A-An…" He couldn't help but be left speechless. Never had he seen An plead to him like this before. For the second time today, she had pleaded to him! Is this situation that crucial to the extent that she is ready to lower her pride to the ground just to be able to reach her objective? This seemed to be so… un-An like.

Kamio averted his gaze to his right only to meet another pleading orbs that most probably beat An's. Damn he almost forgot Sakuno is more schooled at pleading than An!

'Darn it! Just look at the situation you had put yourself into Kamio! This is getting more and more ridiculous!'

And before he could even change his mind about telling Kippei about the existing set of circumstances, he closed his eyes and released those world crashing words out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry but I'm not falling onto your traps again An."

Riiiiiiiiing!

"Ok class dismissed! Don't forget to do your homework! Deadline would be tomorrow morning!" a chorus of groans and lifeless 'Hai!' responded on the professor's announcement. And as soon as he stepped out of the room, endless chatter erupted and blasted on the four walled classroom. Some were enthusiastic others bored and weary. While most voices try to fight each other making the classroom booming with noise, two voices remained hidden upon their ear threatening noise, making their conversation easier to keep.

"Hey An. I just found out how you could find students who could audition for your band." A mushroom headed girl immediately looked at her left where the murmured voice came from only to see a man of red hair grinning at her.

"Really? How?" His grin grew wider and the girl in front of her couldn't help but smile as well.

"Come on. I'll show you." And he picked up his bag and led the way out of the boisterous room, with the girl tailing him behind.

An, stared at the man leading the way, her smile growing wider. Who would've thought that this young man in front of her would compromise with her? Yesterday they had talked and she almost failed on convincing him to not let Kippei know about the silly things she had been doing. She was about to give up that time and just consider about what to explain to his brother to let her continue on her mission when Kamio told her that he'll consider her rash actions but only up to the end of the competition. He even offered help to them in finding group members so that the girls wouldn't have to journey the streets to give fliers. It was really sweet of him, she said and she only ended up receiving blush and a defensive response in return. Guess Kamio is really soft hearted like she thought.

"We're here." They ended up entering on a white walled room filled with technological equipment, mostly computers, and she recognized it was the computer lab they had entered into.

An slowly roamed her eyes upon the room, she less than often visits places like this. Never the techie one, she never had interest on the organized metals that they say makes life easier. Don't get her wrong, she still know what these things are called and also use them some times. But for her, the traditional way is still the best way to do things.

Everything is black, silver and white within room with the smell of knew generation gushing all over. She could tell this lab is different from the ones the students use for their subjects. Being a less than private school, their campus is careful with their facilities and equipment so they separated the computers the students can use from the ones of the faculty. And she could tell by now, this is the faculty's computer lab. How Kamio knew of this and how he had access to this place, she had no idea.

"Are you just going to stand there? I thought you guys are running out of time?" Kamio broke her out of reverie and she headed his way upon realizing that she had been out of reality for far too long.

"I thought this place is just for the faculty?" She said but not after giving Kamio a hard slap on the back. Taking a mono block from the other table, she settled beside him and gave the monitor a long indifferent gaze. Being a no fan of technology, she knew nothing more special to do with it. She had no idea on what Kamio is doing with it right now, which is typing words that are foreign to her naked eyes and simple mind.

"What the hell are you doing?" She asked annoyed that she couldn't even tell if Kamio is serious on what he's fixing or if he's just typing astonishing words to show off to her. The red head chuckled and this had set An more annoyed than she is right now so he gave the man another slap on the shoulder.

"Hey! That hurts!"

"Well it would hurt even more if you don't explain to me what's happening here."

How ironic. Weren't he the one demanding for explanation just yesterday? And now it's her on his shoes, but unlike yesterday, the one in question is being harassed by the jury. Could you remind him again how and why he agreed to this hasty girl? If only he knew he'll be distraught by this girl, he wouldn't have considered joining their inane plans.

"Ok fine! If that'll spare me from early death then I'll gladly explain! You see I'm trying to hack the school's security system to be able to use their browser." He started to type alien words on the monitor and after one minute, voila! The internet browser came to view.

"I preferred this place for us to work on the search since you told me you wouldn't want anyone finding out about your hush-hush mission and working on it outside or in the net shop would probably be a high risk since your popularity these days is rising due to your thoughtless deeds and they would probably get suspicious of you and try to find out of your exploits and wasn't it just yesterday when I accidentally found you?"

Kamio had to look at An at the last statement to intensify the dramatic statement, who was tight lipped and has just found the white walls very interesting to watch and… very white. He shook his head side by side, playing the innocent, that's just her profession. She could probably kick guys' ass and still be proclaimed innocent and un-guilty!

"Anyway, don't ask how we managed to get here because I promise you don't want to know." This time, it was An's turn to stare at him, disgust written on her face and she inched away from him.

"Hey it's not want you think! And take that expression off your face! Here! Here's the site I set up last night. I made a website about the whole team searching and making for the competition, I also included the audition date and time, so stop looking at me like that!"

An had given her attention back on the monitor and saw everything. It was a poster on the home page, screaming loudly about the audition they are going to held. Looks like the poster is specially made by Kamio himself and she has to give him credit for that. But maybe later, he still have to compensate with the whole how-he-entered-this-lab anyway.

"I also advertised it online and seems like there were already a few who's willing to audition."

He clicked a link on the upper left corner of the page with the title 'Audition List' and there appeared the full list of teen agers, ready to audition. An read some of the names, there were a handful of them who sounds familiar, but she ignored it when she couldn't even remember them. What surprised her is to find out that there were a lot out there who are willing to join her and Sakuno and isn't it just last night when Kamio made this site? So it means more would come on the next few days!

'Booyah! Fine I eat my words! Technology you rock!' She couldn't help but take back her words about the traditional way of doing things. So computers do a lot other than giving people time to waste huh?

"Kamio…"

"Yup?" He turned his head to her, only to see her staring blankly at the screen. Did he just made her insane? Fine he didn't mean to surprise her about how reality works right now but he's just trying to help okay? He knew more that An never had a thing for technology and might even combat his way of helping her but he wouldn't want to lose his friends sanity just because he's up to date with the earth!

"Hey An. You ok there?" He almost jumped when An slowly turned his head towards him, face still blank. God! She almost rivaled that of the exorcist! It's not that her head turned 360 degrees though. No, that would've probably made him run and scream for his life. But the way her expression remained still! It was just like the ones in freaking horror films!

Just when he was about to shout at An to cut it out, cause really it's freaking him out, she smiled oh so bright he almost thought the sun was there (oh what the hell is he thinking!) and lunged to him.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! OH GOD KAMIO YOU'RE HEAVEN SENT!"

Kamio blushed ten times, his face almost as red as tomato, as An hugged him so tight. What he didn't know is if he's blushing due to lack of air or if it's due to something else he never want to know. But what he's sure of is his heart is hammering hard inside of him, he almost got panicky that An would feel it. Before An could even feel his own heartbeat he tried to struggle out her hug but only ended up hurting himself more. Wait! Was that his bone that cracked? Oh God! An is going to kill him!

"THANK YOU SO MUCH KAMIO! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THANKFUL I AM TO HAVE YOU! YOU'RE THE BEST PERSON I EVER MET!"

So you just become the best person on earth when you helped An discover technology huh?

"A-an i-if y-y-you're really thankful, y-you w-w-ould s-still l-let m-e l-l-live my l-l-ife."

He choked out his words as he tried to breathe and get away from her heart-squashing hug. Good thing, as soon as he finished his sentence, An was kind enough to break away and let him breath for his life.

"Good Lord An! Maybe you… should prevent… being thankful! Cause really you… could… murder them!" Kamio panted through his words, still catching his breath.

"Sorry. I-I was just… I mean you're really amazing! Imagine it took three days for Sakuno and I to release the fliers and no one still contacted us. And you! And this..!" She pointed at the monitor before continuing again. "It only took you less than twenty-four hours to obtain such a number of auditioners!"

She exaggerated with her hand moving around her. She just can't take it, the happiness and giddiness she's feeling inside. At first she thought joining the battle would be like the most impossible thing to do, but right now, at this very moment, the wheel has turned and they are moving towards the top. Even though it's just a little progress, still it's moving. With everything seemed falling in their right places for her. And it's all because of this guy, right in front of her. So you can't blame her if she almost killed him due to her gratefulness!

"Thank you again Kamio." This time, she was calm. She just stayed constant on her place but the sweet smile on her face shows just how happy and thankful she is. Emotions started to roll down on Kamio's mind and he tried to find something else to see but the smile and orbs right ahead of him. Maybe it was better if she just hugged him to death? In that way she wouldn't have to see him madly blush.

"Yeah. No prob." His voice might be calm and poised but the blush betrayed it all. An giggled, so this man still have emotions for her huh? And just when he told her before that he has buried them all?

'Oh Akira, you're such a cute one!'

In the mission of finding something else to look at, Kamio ended up staring at the monitor, which is still glowing with the names of those ready to take their audition. Every name has their own radiance, as if telling them that they are far more than ready to take any challenge put up ahead them. But above all, one name stood out among the rest, glimmering with familiarity and making him blaze with puzzle.

Is he reading this name right? Or is his hair making the name spelled that way? Why him, of all people he knew would know of the audition and join? Is it just him or is the world playing games upon them? It was just yesterday when he found out about the bemusing revelation, and another one has surfaced like a dead animal on clear water. It might be out life but still mystifying. He again looked closely on the name on the screen, and slowly, he let the name roll out of his mouth.

"Fuji… Yuuta?"

So this is probably my longest chapter for now. Argh took me long enough to write this! So full of AnxKamio moments! Ayiiee! I'm not really a fan of the two but I have to stick to the pairings in the Anime to make it close to it. And there's slight MomoxAn out there but I doubt there would be more on the future since it's really a Anx_! Haha! Read more on the future to find out!

Anyway! Sorry if there's still no RyoSaku in here since it's a progress story and I couldn't just make Ryoma boom out of nowhere! Patience! They would come out I promise!

So I'm still looking for songs that I can use for the future chapters! And also I'm looking for Yuuta's audition song! Yay! So if you have any suggestions just tell me 'bout it! (Anyway, I'm also collecting songs to listen to every night! Music Lover! XD)

On the next chapter: (although I don't know how to start working with since Accounting subjects is driving sanity) Yuuta's story of audition! So how the hell did he end up signing up on the audition? Would he be accepted? Who's this bestfriend that had lead him into this mess? And the most important question could Yuuta really sing or dance?

Please leave a review! It really helps and motivates me!