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.

9. Chapter 8: Decisiveness

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis

Sorry for the very loooong wait due to college and stuff.

By the way, I'm sorry I couldn't reply to reviews before. Such that I only log in often times to just update. Anyways let me start it from this chapter onwards.

rommymaya. : here's the most awaited update. I'm really sorry it took a long time but thank you as well. Your review made me realize that this fic had been un-updated long enough. XD

Yuu: Oh thank you! I never thought anyone find this fic awesome. Lol! I hope the cliff hanger excited you fair enough. :DD

Rowan: Hello there! Thanks for announcing your silent support as a reader of this fic. But I do hope you'll still review sometimes. You know, when you notice anything off the catch. I'm often the silent reader as well before (I occasionally share the agony of laziness in reviewing.)

Kiki1770: You're second guessing was right after all. T'really was Kamio aaand thanks for telling me that. Lol. Only then did I realize it was really misleading to categorize this as RyoSaku so I added the other characters as well. Though I wish I could more than four characters here on fanfiction. Anyways, thanks again!

Kitsunefighter12: Aaaw. Thank you! And here I thought I was awful at writing this fanfic since I'm receiving less and less review. I'm hoping to see your review again, you know, let me know if I'm still doing a good job. XD

Yuka Montou: Yay! I'm mentioning you again! Here's more! :DDD

moonyandpadfoot07: Thanks! Will do! Will do! I'll keep up the good work. :DD

Now that's done… Can I be the first to say… wait's finally over! I present to you the eighth chapter. Ta da!

Oh! Last thing! The links down there in parentheses, if you want to view it just replace the words with its corresponding symbol to make it work. Swear! It's more exciting to read this fic when you hear their song… just imagine that it's them. (Author nosebleeds of Yuuta's singing image) XD

Chapter Eight: Decisiveness

"So you alleged your murky little secret would stay long hidden from me, ne Yuu-kun?"

A small girl on St. Rudolph's uniform giggled maliciously. Standing and hiding behind an oak tree, she flawlessly did what she finely does. Lurking.

As she giggled more to her own success of finding a certain Fuji Yuuta singing for an audition, the middle aged woman beside her could only shiver the creeps.

This girl, no matter how innocent she appears to be, can surely tie with the deadliest antagonist you can have for a show.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Pink's F**ckin Perfect-Julia Sheer and Jake Coco cover (http: forwardslash forwardslash www dot youtube dot com forwardslash watch?v=wAr8ozH72s0)

Made a wrong turn, Once or twice
Dug my way out, Blood and fire
Bad decisions, That's alright
Welcome to my silly life

Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss "no way, it's all good", It didn't slow me down
Mistaken, Always second guessing
Under estimated, Look, I'm still around

Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than, less than perfect.
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me.

"Stop! I said stop! Ugh. You commoners horrifyingly have no penchant in music. If my lobes suffer permanent damage or scrape my Buccellati jewels, I'm suing you."

Yuuta forced a grin towards her screeching partner as a so-called Atobe princess continuously lecture them of what she claimed to be veritable harmony with her perfectly manicured hot pink fingernails pointed deadly to them. "I can't envisage how perfect you commoners can snuff music akin to that. Pity."

"I'm so going to manslaughter this monster in front of me and her neon pink nails are going to die first." Maii continuously seethed and Yuuta didn't know how much longer he can hold the girl in place.

Clap! Clap!

"Boys! Choutarou!"

"Yes, Atobe-hime."

"Proceed to gather props ought for the cabaret. These ruffians need to be taught of authentic performance and endowment after all." The lady Atobe said with refine and Yuuta had to hold an even angered Yukimura girl a little more tightly. "Oh and the spotlight! Never forget the spotlight. A stage without one is not worthy of my enactment."

Choutarou, being put onto a position he never envisioned happening, could only sigh before proceeding to follow. He never should have run after the young Atobe in the first place.

"Hey! Let go. You're starting to hurt Yukimura-chan!" Kirihara shoved the Fuji boy away, ignoring the low growl coming from the said boy and darting his attention to the now freed Maii. "By the way, Yukimura-chan, what you did back there was downright cool! I never thought you could sing like that? How come you never sang to me before on my birthday? You knew I was looking for an entertainer that day."

"Not now Kirihara. I have to finish off somebody's petty face first."

"Y-Yuuki!" Kirihara, being firstly shoved by Maii was seconded by when Yuuta ran after her just in time to prevent the girl's claw from eliminating the well-conditioned hair off Riuka's head. Luckily for him, the wealthy girl was too busy welcoming praises from the audience that she didn't see what Maii planned to do. Or else, who knew where on earth he'll have to place Maii to counteract World War III…

"Uhm An-san." Sakuno tried to nudge An beside her. "I think we need to stop them." Sakuno continued as she watched the younger Fuji compellingly barring a bashing Yukimura lassie with Kirihara glaring at him in the background. But An never seemed to get the message and she ended standing to smooth everything out by her own.

If An were watching the whole commotion, she would've stopped the rich Atobe from worsening the flame; telling her she was not allowed to audition in the first place and all would be back to normal. Though unfortunately, she was far too occupied observing a certain man at her right.

The man of whose hair was red was extra skittish today, she observed. Not just skittish, but also too discreet.

His pen had fallen on the floor for the fifth time. He was shifting on his seat every five freaking seconds. His palms were wetting the audition list on his hands and she could swear the paper could just be torn apart. Then his eyes, it kept trying to shift away from a certain distraction.

A keen observer as she was, An could therefore conclude that his edginess and inaudibility was too abnormal.

Very abnormal…

She continued to watch him from the corner of her eyes, gathering evidences and answers of the subject of his edginess. And as soon as she saw Kamio's eyes stayed too focused on one thing (or person to be exact), she immediately followed his line of sight.

…Only to find an Atobe princess in the middle of an argument.

An could've laughed, rolled on the floor or smack Kamio on the head. But only one deed rose above all. She could only question Kamio Akira.

Why an Atobe of all people and girls in Japan?!

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ryuzaki Sakuno was never social. Sure she communicates well on familiar people, but never on crowds. She preferred staying on the background, just letting others to win the stage.

So she, trying to soothe everything out at this point would probably make no difference. Her charm when matched with a rather shy character was inadequate.

Sakuno glanced around, for in a matter of three and a half minutes, the venue turned into an Atobe Concert Stadium, complete with lights and props for full-show recital.

Being helpless, she looked at An for last resort only to notice how stunned the girl was, staring wide eyed at the lifeless air. Though she wished to ask the stunned girl the problem, there were more pressing matters at hand that needed immediate solution.

Take the Atobe-Yukimura confrontation for example…

"That's it! I'm digging you and your irksome nail a hole in this ground to bury you-"

"Eew! My elegance?! Underneath this ground!? You've got to be mocking me. This land will forsake to accommodate my entombment gown to begin with. Moreover, a dry land could never be worthy of my class unless it's made of the most exquisite diamond. Not to mention, it has to be pink."

Sakuno grimaced. What else could she expect for an Atobe?

"Atobe-hime, your stage is done."

"Perfect!" Riuka turned to the grimacing Sakuno and announced her presence with a dry cough for which the jittery girl responded to.

"Miss Umpire, everything is set to grace these commoners my talent." Sakuno could hear the low purr in Riuka's voice and it only made her more agitated. If anyone told her she was facing off an Atobe heiress, she would've never entered this state of affairs.

"B-b-but y-you never registered. I-I just think it'll be unfair for those who did."

"Hush." Sakuno almost cross eyed with the finger that shushed her face. "I know you want to see the most splendid talent as well, so I'll accord you a favor and assent you to witness my grace. You commoners are in a point of fact auspicious to behold my endowment unconventionally."

Sakuno never had the chance to speak again as Riuka already walked to the center of the make-up stadium and with two claps of her slim hands, the surroundings turned a tad bit darker and a spotlight focused on the well-heeled girl, now dressed on glittering and sequenced rosy sleeveless dress that flowed down to the middle her thigh; the once intimidating guards now surrounding her for the show.

And Sakuno never dared to ask how everything happened. Because with an Atobe, even the lightest bits of events would seem illogical.

For what she thought the tenth time that day, she sighed. Only now, a bit more helplessly.

Oh for the love of music.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Yukimura-chan. Your brother is calling." Kirihara softly said, making Maii stiffen. Suddenly, the commotion around them became less interesting. "Weird. He never calls me on phone, only Renji-senpai or Sanada-fukubucou does that."

Kirihara continued to stare at his phone flashing 'Yukimura-buchou calling…' endlessly on the screen. And before he could press the green button to answer the call, the ringing device was instantly snatched away from his grasp.

"Ah! Yukimura-chan! But that's buchou! He would kill me if I don't answer his call!" Maii, although knowing beforehand that it's useless, stood on her tiptoes and stretch her arm up while pushing the boy away from her, trying her best to keep the deadly device away from his grasp.

"NO! You could never talk to my brother unless this audition is over! Or perhaps… not even when the audition is over!"

"B-but if I don't, the next practice will be the death of me!"

"Don't you realize that maybe it was just a trap set up by your Niou-senpai?! It's rare that Seiichi would call you by phone so stop being like A. Freak. Attention. Obsessed. Kohai!" Maii shouted with a push on his face for every word.

"BUT I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DIE YET!"

"THEN STOP WIGGLING SO HARD OR ELSE I'LL PROMPT YOUR DEATH RIGHT HERE AND NOW!"

Maii, aside from using her left arm to push the seaweed head away had also resorted to use her left foot; not caring of dirtying Kirihara's uniform.

"Yuuta!" said boy finally blinked his eyes, returning to reality. "Instead of gaping there like a fish! Why don't you help me in this situation and get the freaking phone off my hands!"

Is he really friends with this… this… girl whose foot was now pushing on Kirihara Akaya's face? Yuuta only thought.

Surely he knew she was bossy, even bossier than a guy himself, but he never thought the demon of Rikkaidai would stoop down on her shoes. Or rather… would be shoved forcefully to her shoes. Yuuta grimaced, pitying Kirihara.

Finally noting that Kirihara have had enough of torture for the day, Yuuta took the phone from Maii's hand, the device quickly ending the incoming call from the brother of the boss herself as if perceiving that the new holder would not be needed for the call.

Odd. Yuuta thought.

"Get off me you underwater seaweed-man!" Yuuta was just in time to caught sight of Maii pushing (and kicking) too hard, leading to Kirihara stumbling backwards and bumping to a small mysterious man clad in large trench coat and hat.

The trio stared at the man for a second, completely forgetting their upheaval.

And before Kirihara could mumble his apology, the backdrops turned dark and the mysteriously clad figure disappeared in sight.

Though Kirihara never saw the man leaving, Yuuta on the other hand had spotted him run away. And the only notion he could consider was: He runs like a girl.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Sharpay Evans- Gonna Shine (For perfect view of the performance, watch this http: forwardslash forwardslash www dot youtube dot com forwardslash watch?v=ys2OKjYzzjQ)

There's a moment when you realize that something's changed
All the bits and pieces start to fit (so fab!)
When nothing that you know will ever be the same (ring a bell, that's my queue)
Gotta try something new

Gonna shine and make the moment mine
Now my time has arrived
Gonna shine so bright
The sun will run and hide
And I'll be the only star that lights the sky
I'm gonna shine

Listen up fellas

Now there's nothing in this universe to hold me back (bye, cab?)
The endless night can keep me in the dark
And I just might give my dear old dad a heart attack
But he'll live and he'll see what his girl is meant to be

"Kindly tell me what this is?"

"Oh Kirihara. Your dumbness never fails to amaze me. It's called a freak show." Maii quoted to Kirihara as two of Riuka's men lifted her up and twirled her around. Clearly looking like a monkey jumping and churning around on Yukimura Maii's train of thought.

If anyone told her earlier that this is music, then she would've locked herself in her room and despise the said thing for her whole lifetime.

Gonna shine and leave the past behind
Gonna try to fly so high
Gonna climb and make the prize all mine
And I'll write my name in letters across the sky
I'm gonna shine

And if anyone told her earlier that bodyguards could take the role of dancers as well, well she would've started taking distances from them beforehand. For who knew if they'll just carry you round-and-about like on circus.

Looking at her right to stare at Yuuta, she noticed the now patterned flinching of his eyebrow and cheeks whenever Riuka would show one of her stunts or project to him. Somehow she could not contain the leer on her lips.

"That was cool." Then her smile faded. For on the other side of the story, there goes the downturn situated hopelessly on her left: Kirihara Akaya.

The boy was surely enjoying the show as he whistled and silently gaped at every feat the buoyant girl would do, clapping whenever the stunt was to his liking.

Rolling her eyes, she couldn't shake the thought of how Kirihara Akaya looked like a kid watching fairytale drama where the tooth fairy gives children frozen marshmallows while flipping here and there.

Too giddy. Too amazed. Too uncanny.

It made her want to throw up.

Thud

Maii looked up, somehow hopeful that the girl had fallen flat on her face. Only to be disappointed as Riuka yet continued her show.

With a disappointment crossed on her face, she looked behind to try to come across another distraction. Anything but the blanching scenes in front of them.

That was when she saw their critics, the person who originally held this auditions which lead her to meeting one of the most sickening person she could ever know of (aside from her brother of course).

Behind the rows of tables seated a boy whose hair color could probably match his face. Seriously, his red hair and face would be too hard to distinguish by now.

I'm gonna shine!

The song ended and Maii yet heard another thud as the boy's held pen broke free from his hands and down to the ground. The other critic beside her slightly flinched as she heard the noise but continued to stare straightforward to the halted performance up front. Maii prevented a laugh from escaping her lips, the deafening claps and cheers around her futile.

Who would've known that even their critics found the person she despised so much as a serious distraction as well…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Atobe-san is so good! I'm so jealous."

"Mou! My talent is hopeless with that kind of performance."

"ATOBE-HIME! I'M YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN NOW!"

"Excuse me." An tried to speak above the crowd… She really did.

"Who is she by the way?"

"What are you?! She's the infamous Atobe Riuka! Cousin of the richest and most handsome man in Japan: Atobe Keigo! I heard she just arrived here for studies."

"Evidently, a talent like that could only come from an Atobe. We're utterly inept when equaled to them."

"Excuse me!" An tried again, now with a cough and a vein throbbing on her forehead.

"You're so graceful Atobe-hime!"

"Oh I'm highly aware of that. What's a princess without grace, ne?"

An, whose eyebrow continued twitching in place finally had enough as she shout an "EXCUSE ME!" that perturbed everyone around. She plainly smiled innocently as she took a step forward to announce her presence more evidently.

"First of all I would like thank everyone-"

"No need to thank me. I candidly presented to you commoners of veritable and exquisite talent."

It was the hardest thing for An to remain in poise…

"As I was saying, me and my friends…" Looking behind for emphasis and slightly frowning as soon as she saw Kamio gaping up front. "…would like to thank everyone who participated in this small event. It was really endearing to see everybody's talent on music but unfortunately, we couldn't afford to have everyone on the team. So-"

"Oh please. I know I stood above them all noticeably. Hence withhold from the drama and just pronounce my triumph."

"Could you zip your fraudulent mouth shut so she could finish what she's saying and we could all go home?!" If Yuuta could hold Maii in place a while ago single handedly, now even using his other hand to clutch her would be no use, thus needing another strong Kirihara Akaya to prevent the girl in committing mass murder at such young age.

"Ha! How dare you peasant call Atobe-hime fraudulent?!"

"Why? Do you want me to call you ugly buffoon-"

"Hey! What are you teen agers up to there?!"

Instantly looking to the fountain of the yell, An could only mutter an "Oh no." before being dragged away by a frantic Kamio. The once tranquil audition site becoming a struggle arena as teen agers appearing for the audition and gossipmongers shriek to ran away from men on flesh and black uniforms, the police.

They must've been informed of the illicit try out they had organized. Who wouldn't have if an Atobe and a Yukimura caused serious nuisance on the site?

As being dragged away, An gazed back in time to see those two troublemakers tried to ran away as well together with the other tennis players she was very familiar with. One of group was successful to escape the police, the other was not.

But now was an off beam time to be concerned about them, their own safety were far more important. Being caught by the police could seriously trigger the end of their schemes.

"W-wait! Kamio! Sakuno! Where's Sakuno?!" An tried to pull away from Kamio's grasp only to look like a goose on a wild chase, her clothing being tugged on repulsive places.

"D-don't worry about me An-san." An flinched as she saw the madly blushing shy girl befalling to be carried over Kamio's shoulder, her position appearing uncomfortable for An's liking. She could only smile apologetically at Sakuno and continue straight ahead their scuttle, but not before taking a glimpse of Kamio.

A frown. An swore she caught eye of that tiny frown sticking out of his forehead. Somehow, she believed it was related to an Atobe they left at the site.

That girl… Such nuisance…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Hey. Has anyone seen Choutarou?" Shishido looked around the courts reserved for the regulars. He browsed through the outside fences as well, in case his poor kohai was trapped by the zany girls known as fans.

"Nope. Hadn't seen him since morning practice ended. Must have been scared out of his wits by my acrobatics. Ha!" Gakuto said as he bended backwards to touch the ground behind then proceeding to place his head between his legs, earning him a cringe from the dash specialist and a series of 'ooh' and 'kyah' from the crowd.

Shishido could never understand how people took his awkward stretches fondly. Seriously, he wouldn't be surprised if Gakuto were to cast a ghost in a Japanese horror film with fan girls 'kyah-kyah-ing' along the background.

"Che." Rolling his eyes, he turned to a saner member of the team, or so he thought. "Oy Hiyoshi! You're on the same class as Choutarou, right?"

"Only on Geometry."

"Well, whatever. Did he go to class?"

"No." was the Gekkokujo master's short reply before getting back to practice, and Shishido almost flung his racket to their kohai if not for Atobe entering and silencing the courts.

"Be awed at the sight of my prowess!" Shishido grunted, the whole court shaking with the echoes of cheers courtesy by their beloved fan girls. Did he have to say that all the time?

In contrast with Japan's own proclamation of Hopelessly Insane List of tennis teams, this team might have been more hopeless than Seigaku themselves. Because fortunately for them; they gravely have no egocentric grey haired member for a captain.

"Shishido, could you get that obnoxious frown off this court. Ore-sama wouldn't want his day impaired." If there was one thing Shishido could notice, it was Atobe's beam. It was too bright for his liking. And that was enough to send Shishido away to practice before being subject of Atobe's imprudence.

Oshitari could hear the fuss around; but never let his eyes off his beloved romance novel even when Atobe seated himself in front of him on the tea table. Why a tea table was placed on the gracious courts? Ask the King himself.

"What a resplendent day today, na Kabaji?"

"Ussu."

"So… what made your day Atobe? Your grin couldn't get any wider." Oshitari proclaimed still not taking his eyes off his book, the plot getting better as he read on. It was really a splendid day for Atobe, he supposed; for Atobe hadn't barked him laps upon seeing his non-productive state in the courts.

"Hmmm." Smirking, Oshitari looked up just in time to see Atobe inspect his manicured nail. "The imp never appeared ahead of Ore-sama for the rest of the day. Perhaps that was one contraption to behold."

Oshitari witnessed Atobe's leer grew wider, if that was even possible. "But how can you be so sure her non-appearance is pleasing, my darling Atobe?"

"Ha! Please Yuushi. Quit with the epithet. It's disgusting. And you of all should be aware of how a moment without the ogre would make Ore-sama glorious."

Oshitari was about to protest about how less exciting Atobe's life would be without his cousin when a maid arrived and announce her presence. "Oshitari-sama, you have a phone call. They said it's urgent." Obtaining the phone and sending the maid away, he looked over at Atobe first before taking the call; the latter not minding the blue head's business.

"Hello. Yes. This is Oshitari Yuushi. Yes, he's with me. I see. We'll send him over in an instant. Yes. Sorry for the inconvenience."

Flipping the phone shut, Oshitari took time in glowering at the purple headed captain before the latter decided that he had ogled too much.

"Why are you staring at Ore-sama such that Yuushi? Have you been captured lavishly by Ore-sama's-"

"Atobe… your cousin's in the police station, caught in a chase."

Oshitari stared more at the King, noting how well Atobe could produce a span of expressions in as short as thirty seconds. From blank, to troubled, to mild surprised, to disbelief and lastly to elated, the King's laughter echoing in the whole courts and probably beyond the whole Hyotei.

Damn! He could almost tear up laughing and he would careless if the whole university thought of him losing his mind. As long as it was his cousin that is the subject of his mirth.

"That girl is too troublesome, na Kabaji?" Atobe said still laughing though more contained. "Ussu."

Oshitari remained silent. He of all people wouldn't want his name to be involved in this ordeal, it's too much risks. But then, maybe he wasn't as a sadist as a Yukimura or a Fuji, for after a few seconds he proposed to save the girl some care.

"Aren't you going to send somebody to fetch her, Atobe?" But Atobe continued enjoying his merriment and Oshitari perhaps thought of Atobe's great desire to wipe the girl off his lifestyle- or probably off the universe since he claimed it was his to begin with.

"Yuushi, why would I? It's the perfect phenomenon to instill the ogre a lesson. Not to mention Ore-sama wouldn't have to distress his self to send that woman away. Her father himself would seize her."

"But you do realize that it's the Atobe family name in the line, right Atobe?" Oshitari tried not to laugh, he really did. But the frozen leer on Atobe's face and the mild widening of his eyes couldn't stop a small titter escape from his lips. "If words spread of the Atobe princess being caught in wild fire, surely competitors and investors would find this a chance to break the Atobe name down. Not to mention with a name as infamous as yours Atobe, it would only take a few more blinks before the media hunt down the police station to inform people about this. Do you not agree?"

.

.

.

In only a matter of seconds, Oshitari found himself smirking at a frenzied Atobe standing up from his seat and commanding orders like a military on war- understanding the life death situation of the Atobe name.

"Hiyoshi! Contact maid Nana, tell her to never let even a single hair of media get near the mansion."

"Hai."

"Jirou! Be sure the ogre's father would never be informed about his daughter's debauchery." (Though he only received a yawn from the narcoleptic member as a response)

"Taki! Depart to the police station. Neither guaranty that media will get near the ogre nor acquire any information about the commotion."

"Sure."

"Shishido! Gakuto!" Oshitari smirked at the two. They might not be the perfect doubles partners, but they do act in sync. "Proceed to the police station with Taki. Resolve the mess the imp made."

One unusual look from Atobe and their mouths shut before they could even protest. "Oshitari! You're with me and Kabaji. We'll be dealing with the investors and the media. Organize a press con."

Shrugging, Oshitari followed Atobe exit the courts in hastened pace, together with the other team members behind them.

The crowd of fans could only watch in awe as they seem to be GIs ready for month long battle. Like the ones you see in films? Yeah; with the team in V formation and Atobe on front, his tennis jersey draped over his shoulders and fluttering along the wind.

A real life action film…

Some jaws fell to the ground; others took the liberty to specifically faint.

Oshitari only thought of how life got more thrilling with Riuka around. He pocketed his romance novel; perhaps he should give way to this more stirring battle.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"We're cutting this."

"WHAT?!"

"B-but Kamio-kun…"

At the end of the day, the three of them took a stop at a local café far from the audition site. They could only run that far before they realized that the police couldn't catch them from there (and Kamio realized his arm was throbbing). Nevertheless, Kamio carried Sakuno long enough for the girl to get stomach cramps and for Kamio to build muscle only on one arm. Why he never let Sakuno run by herself? He never knew…

"As I've said we're not continuing this audition." Casually taking a sip from a latte he ordered, Kamio ignored the fumbling hands of Sakuno and the laser beam glares An was sending her.

An's answer was firm, "No.". Even he had to doubt whether he could argue with the girl or not. But he had to; it's for their sake, it's for his sake. "We will continue this-"

"Can't you see that it's useless An." Sakuno cringed as Kamio's mug thud loudly on the wooden table. "We were almost caught by the police! And what do you think your brother would do to me or you if he found everything out? That I'm considering your immorality. Add the fact that no one is willing to be concerned about your agenda emphasizes more that it's useless."

Though infuriated, An actually thought about it the whole time they were running from the forces. If they are to be caught, surely not only she would be in trouble but Sakuno and Kamio as well.

The police forces-they were no Kamio. No puppy dog eyes or just reasoning could work with them. Only them and their guardians' dress-down with the promise that they would be monitored full-time. Police forces could never understand their deed. For that she was sure.

And the matter about their crew members doubles her doubt. Except hearing it from another person, especially from Kamio, well honestly said… it stung.

"Come on An. Let's stop this already. I wouldn't want to see both of you in trouble anyways."

But then again, looking back at the kids at the orphanage, should she really end this quest with just a single blow?

Perhaps she should, if this ordeal had gotten them all in serious trouble. In fact, it was just a selfish wish to begin with. She wants crew; she forced and pleads to these two for help- only to get them almost caught in trouble in the end.

Maybe it was really pathetic…

"Y-yeah. Maybe we should." Looking down-hearted, An stared at her reflection down on the ordered mug of cocoa. She felt an assuring squeeze on her arm. Knowing it was from her shy colleague, she shifted to face Sakuno.

"Sorry for all the trouble Sakuno-chan."

"No." Sakuno squeezed her arm again once, now more assuring. "I had fun anyways An-senpai. And I couldn't have met the kids if it wasn't for your wish to help them. You are really compassionate An-senpai. I'm sure the kids appreciate that even when you fail to enter the audition for them."

"And…" Kamio started with the girls turning their attention to him. "I will continue to repress all your hush-hush secrets from your brother. Perhaps visit this orphanage often times as well. Just to keep you in line."

Kamio winked. An suppressed a giggle.

"So perhaps this is the end of the audition." Sighing, An took out the audition list Kamio managed to save before running away a while ago. "Surely was enjoying conducting you around."

"What?" An froze before she could tear the sheets apart. She looked up to see their intruder-there were actually two of them. "Aaaw. Is it really over already? And we thought it's all going to be fun from here on out!"

"F-Fuji Yuuta-san and… Y-Yukimura Maii-san!" Sakuno exclaimed what the other two could not- still gaping at their new company.

"Oh hello there dear judges!" Maii beamed, blissfully seating at the open seat at their table and pulling a reluctant Yuuta in the process.

"H-how-?" An started cursing her tongue on how dysfunctional it became as of the moment. The audition sheets on her hands left unwounded as she settle it down on the table.

"Oh. We managed to escape the cops and luckily found you guys here. We thought you were having serious deliberations about the audition so we decided to intrude. Perhaps to know if we made it. Though it looks like…" Maii gave the audition a pointed look for which the three critics understood.

"Yes. We're asserting the search over." Kamio finished.

"But why?! I mean it was so cool to foster a group and there were so much that auditioned back there. Surely you can find some deserving ones."

"In contrast with what you said… No we didn't found one." Kamio started, finality on his voice. Maii and Yuuta only gave him the stare to elaborate. "We're looking for charitable talents, not mere talents. Colleagues not aiming to win for themselves but for others; since we're donating all the winnings for charity."

"Oh." Lost in thought, Maii stayed silent for a while before resuming. Her last words seemed to brighten up An's bubble of hope. "But Yuuta and I are charitable."

"We are?" Yuuta asked in mild disbelief.

"Of course! In fact we actually auditioned to win something as well for charity!"

"We did?! Ohw!" Yuuta bit his lip to ward off the yelp from his mouth, courtesy of his precious innocently smiling company's under the table kick.

"That's great!" If An could jump on her seat, she would have and if Kamio could scream for help, he also would have.

"You heard that Sakuno-chan! They're willing to do charity! Finally someone who's in our league!" Sakuno shared the joy her friend had. She may have indeed lost hope a while ago but the sliver of chance that peeped their way was the only thing they need to regain back buoyancy.

"B-but An we already decided to halt this!"

"Oh you two are heaven sent!" Kamio's protest became discounted as An held Maii on both shoulders and declaim her gratitude. "Truly heaven sent! Welcome to our team! I bet we'll all be in delightedly good terms!"

"Oh I know we will! To formally introduce myself, I'm Yukimura Maii and this is Fuji Yuuta."

"Oh! Tachibana An, Ryuuzaki Sakuno and that boy sulking there is Kamio Akira. Nice to meet you both! Though we had already met Fuji-kun sometime before."

"Really?! Small world isn't it? It's indeed pleasant to meet you three as well! Please take care of us!"

"Don't be silly! Kamio don't bite. Now about the continuance of the audition, do you have any ideas to suggest?"

"Sure! How about we…"

Grunting, Kamio buried his head on his arms down the table. With the giggling of the girls on the background, he could only wish he was stronger enough to carry the two girls farther from this place- farther to a place where no intruders would propose charity in front of the most benevolent girl in the planet.

God let the earth eat him now! If this goes on, who knew until when he could stand the chance staying baby sitter to a hopelessly impish girl?

But then again, maybe there's still a slight chance to escape. Sitting straight up, he ignored the girls' chit-chat of who-knows-what and focused his attention to the other guy in the dilemma.

Yuuta, Kamio observed was too behaved today. He never knew the guy to be the charitable one (not that he judges him unkind) so perhaps there was still hope. And Kamio will take this chance- grab it and lock it in a bottle.

Though even before he could talk to him, Yuuta's frown deepened as to appear as thwarting himself from exclaiming. That was when Kamio declared the Mission: Escape An impossible.

For here, sitting with him in the round table is another man wrapped on a woman's finger or rather, whose foot was mercilessly stepped on by a Yukimura Maii under the table-preventing the boy to provide any of his qualms on the situation, preventing the boy to bolt from the misfortune his company led him to: Fuji Yuuta

What poor men they are…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Yukimura-buchou calling…

Kirihara stared at the screen doubting to answer the call or not. He just lost Maii on the chase and if his protective buchou found out how he accidentally left the girl alone with the cops, who knows if he'll still live another day?

Kirihara shivered at the thought.

But if he didn't answer the call… Well he could always say the phone's in his bag so couldn't hear it. Yes, that would be a brilliant idea Akaya.

Deciding his actions, he was about to put the phone to his bag when a small figure clad in trench coat and hooded with hat bumped him, sending him to the ground and the phone clattering the concrete floor-accidentally hitting the green answer call button in the process. He cursed. Figures.

"A-ah! Ah! Ah! Ahoy Yukimura-buchou!" Panicking to answer the phone, he nonchalantly forgot the figure that offhandedly bumped him and brought his full attention to his caller. This person is not to be taken lightly with, for that he was sure.

"Ah Akaya-kun. You finally took my call." Kirihara almost shivered at the tone Yukimura used. Add his buchou's slight giggle and he almost broke down to tears. He can probably smell trouble.

"I-I-I-I apologize buchou! T-the phone was on my bag. I couldn't hear your call." Nice and easy Kirihara. Nice and easy…

"Iie. It's fine. I just want to ask if you had seen my sister down in Tokyo? I heard from a friend of yours you're taking a trip there today." That was enough to my make his hands tremble and his tongue stutter illogical words on the phone. Screw this life!

"N-n-no! I m-mean yes! I m-m-mean NO! N-no! NO! I didn't mean to leave her there! B-buchou I p-promise! I-it's just that there w-were c-c-cops and I-I was running and the o-others were a-also-! OH BUCHOU REALLY! I'M SORRY!"

If he weren't a guy, he would've cried at the few moments of silence he heard on the phone. Silence that were to decide whether you die today or you live to see one last sunshine to amend your mistakes. It was a horrifyingly daunting silence that he almost thought he heard crows by the background… then all went poop…

"Pfffftt… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my guts!"

"M-M-Marui-senpai?!" Kirihara stood up the concrete floor wide eyed. The people who gathered around him to check his sanity a while ago now taking distance from him.

"Aah. So you left Maii-chan with the cops? Puri."

"NIOU-SENPAI!" Now the people scampered to leave, for the guy could almost pop his eyes out of its sockets and slowly, those eye balls started to grow red.

"You're the worst Niou-senpai! Marui-senpai! I'm so going to kill you two!"

"Hn. But still…that doesn't mean we couldn't tell buchou of what you did with Maii-chan. Left buchou's beloved sister? With the cops? Tsk tsk tsk tsk. Such a cowardly act Akaya."

"N-no! Niou-senpai! Please don't tell him! I'll buy you a-anything you want just don't tell buchou! I'll even let you off your tricks today and not tell fukubuchou!" Kirihara cling to his phone, as if his life depended on it. Even Marui's laughter on the background seemed unheard as he desperately clings onto escape.

"Aanythiing?" Niou drawled on the phone. He was surely enjoying his kohai's demise.

"YES! ANYTHING! Just please help me spare my life!"

"…"

"I'm begging you, Niou-senpai!"

"Ok. Marui! Go list the materials I need for my next trick. Perhaps you could add your own sweets as well. It's victory for both of us anyway."

"Yosh!"

Kirihara once again broke down the concrete floor. His life was spared-though his wallet would need to face so many struggles along the way. But for now, it was enough. An empty wallet is better than a torturous buchou.

"You scare me sometimes Niou-senpai."

"Well that only makes me the best senpai of all, right? I make your life more spine-tingling!"

"Psh. Best senpai my ass. You always give me an early heart attack. And you just have to call me to trick me twice this day."

"Oh shut up dumb head. I only called you once…"

"Will you stop mocking me? Of course you called twice! The other one early in the afternoon!"

"Ha! It's up to you to believe me or not. But this is the only time I called you. Do you think Sanada and Yukimura will let us escape practice just that after the whole commotion with the courts? Though it would certainly be more entertaining to be calling you earlier but seriously, I'm not that cruel. You hurt me sometimes Akaya…"

"W-wait. So you mean you're serious?!"

"Maybe not."

"Niou-senpai!"

"Puri."

"S-so if you're serious… then that only means… it was really Yukimura-buchou… who called me earlier?!" At the sudden realization, Kirihara couldn't help but feel robbed off of serenity once again- agitation flied all over him as he thought of inhumane reasons as to why their buchou would call him.

"Hold on a second dumb head. Yukimura called you? And you had the guts not to answer?!" Why does his senpai always had to rub it straight to his face?

"Oh you are so dead Kirihara Akaya."

Over and over again until his face wounds?

"Hahahaha!"

Just then, Akaya thought he actually fainted…

…his life is a living hell.

Shoot it's finally over! Yes I'm calling this fic over. I'm never going to continue this again. No. Never.

.

.

.

Just kidding. Do you really think I'm that cruel?! Well, perhaps I'm cruel enough to make you guys wait that long but at least I'm not cruel-cruel to abandon this story. Though it's really hard for me to rob time to write this story due to my zombie-matic schedule (Ugh college).

Seriosuly! College should be full of fun and gigs and sleep and friends. But all I have are books and head aches and eye bags and heart attacks (scary professors; always conducting recitations plus surprise quizzes) and friends to argue with thesis and killer departmental exams and dramas and chasing professors for approval and… *sigh*

Sorry I took it all out to you guys. I just really miss my life. Mou! T.T

As planned, here are some things to anticipate for the next chapter:

"Ore-sama would never stoop down to that jail! How dare you accuse me of such crime? Commoner!"

"Keigo… rumors had already spread of your cousin being a famous singer abroad."

"C-Choutarou… you sing?!"

"Iie Shishido-senpai! I was just a-accompanying Riuka-san with her piece."

"But you actually sing better than her."

-.-

"Hey Echizen. I don't notice Ryuuzaki around the courts to watch your matches lately. Are you two in some lover's quarrel of some sort?"

"Momo-chan. I think you made him even madder. Mou! Look! He's chugging all of Inui's juice! Somebody call an ambulance!"

-.-

"WHAT?! You-!"

"Will you stop shouting Yuuta! I'm trying to make the toddlers take their nap!"

"But this kid just called me porcupine!"

"Oh. But you do look like a porcupine."

"ARGH!"

-.-.-

"Is Kirihara dead yet?"

"Soon enough…"

"B-BUT BUCHOU I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SING?!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Actually, writing a preview is actually more fun than writing the actual chapter. I think I'll stick with that. LOL.

As you can see I'm writing this in the middle of the Monsoon Rain and in the middle of a bad cold. So I hope my little effort would touch your heart to leave a review. *pouts plus puppy dog eyes*

Tell me what you think about it. Is it bad? Good? Worse?! Off the plot?! ANTHING!? Ok I'm overeacting…

Coletzq… Signing off!