Here's the next chapter, please enjoy!!

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

'Flashbacks'

Disclaimer: I do NOT own PoT

You may not love me today,

tomorrow, or ever,

but I will love you until it kills me,

and, even then,

you'll be in my heart.

Chapter 9

Today, the tennis club has Saturday practice. It was harsh as usual, even though they followed Yanagi's training menu. Apparently he adapted his training menu to Misao's. The sun was blazing hot so they decided to end practice early. They decided to go to a burger store to get some lunch. Misao's short black hair was tied into a pony tail even though it was so short that a few strands were hanging down. Marui was busy devouring huge amounts of ice-cream. Kirihara was just complaining. Sanada had he usual stoic face. Yukimura had a smile on his face. Kiri also tied her hair up to cool he neck down. Niou was too tired to do his usual trick on people, such as adding extra stuff into their meals or swapping them around. The National Tournament was coming up, but it was nearly impossible to practice in this weather.

They decided to resume tennis practice when it got cooler. Now, at five in the afternoon, they started practicing. Kiri played against Kirihara and she lost 6-2. Niou played against Yagyuu and he lost 7-6. Marui played against Yukimura and he lost 6-0. Jakal played against Yanagi and he lost 6-3. Misao played against Sanada and she lost 5-7.

After changing, the regulars all went home.

~-~-~-~-~

On Monday, the girls in the class were getting excited and anxious because of the upcoming cultural festival. Usually it was just normal events, but this year they're also going to be holding a beauty contest.

Three girls from each class has to enter, they must be nominated by the class. The three girls in Niou's class were Miyabi, Kiri and Kumiko. The girls in the class chose the dresses and did the make up for each person, Misao took care of the hairstyles and they looked gorgeous.

In the end however, the winner was a girl from the second year. Kiri looked around for Misao, but spotted Marui instead. She quickly caught up to him and asked him to go to their 'Sweets & Things cafe' which he gladly accepted. When they got there, the waiter and waitress were all dressed in Kimonos. Niou wore a deep blue colored yukata with silver-grey circles on them, Misao wore a crimson Kimono with golden-yellow flower patterns and a purple obi. Kiri asked Marui to take a seat and she quickly went to the changing rooms to get dressed as well.

In the afternoon, all the other tennis regulars went to 'Sweet and Things'. Yukimura chuckled when he saw a very annoyed Misao, a very bored Niou and Kiri who was trying to raise their spirits. Misao offered them some cake which Marui and Kirihara grabbed their slices the moment the plate came in contact with the table. Sanada didn't seem like the type that likes sweet, being him, he refused. Everyone else ate their pieces gratefully.

In the evening...

Everyone gathered outside for the last event which was the dance. Most of the students danced happily, they then swapped to another partner when the music changed. Misao stood at the side and watched her friends dance with a smile on their faces. Niou saw Misao standing on the side without a partner so he offered her a dance which she accepted gracefully. Niou stared at Misao carefully. Misao felt Niou's gaze upon her so she blushed unconciously. Niou smirked when he saw the blush appear on her face.

Yukimura saw Niou and Misao together, he smiled when he saw the gentle expression on Niou's face. It seems he worried for nothing 'he cares for her and he'll never do anything to hurt her' he thought to himself.

~-~-~-~-~

Kiri, Misao and a few other girls sat at the desk chatting about the Cultural festival from the previous day.

"He confessed to me after the dance," said the one girl.

"Really?!" the other girl squealed.

"Then what about you two?" they asked Kiri and Misao.

"Yeah," the other agreed, "Kiri-chan looked so pretty during the competition, I'm sure a lot of boys would be heads over heels for you!"

Kiri sweat dropped. "Nobody confessed to me," she said.

"Yeah, says the person whose locker was stuffed and over flooded with undying love letters," Misao stated sarcastically.

"What about you Maiko-chan?" she asked Misao.

"Nothing happened to me," she stated calmly.

A grin was plastered on the girls' faces

"I saw you dance with Niou, so what are your thoughts on dating a super popular guy?" she asked slyly.

"Yeah, tell us!" agreed Kiri.

"Nothing much," she lied to them.

Niou just happened to walk into the classroom and overheard their conversation. "What about me?!" he asked casually.

"Nothing!" they replied in unison.

~-~-~-~-~

The tennis regulars went to a nearby cafe after practice, Misao and Kiri tagged along as well. The steam that rose from the hot chocolate covered Misao's glasses. She got so annoyed with them so she took them off. Everyone at the table stared at Misao. "You have the same color eyes as Akaya, I always thought he was the only one with an unusual shade," stated Niou.

"You're right, it has a darker color than when her glasses are on," agreed Marui.

"When will you guys stop it?!" she half yelled.

"Gomen"

"Well they just find it unusual for you to take off your glasses," said Yukimura.

Niou studied Misao carefully. "Why don't you keep your glasses off?" he asked.

"Well I can't really see that well without them," she explained.

"You look much cuter without them though," he said again.

"Niou-sempai, your flirting ways won't work on her," said Kirihara, "Her heart is as cold and solid as ice."

Niou stared at his kohai and then back at Misao, his eyes softened. Everyone at the table except for Misao and Akaya noticed Niou's behaviour.

'Akaya's wrong, I'm just another ordinary girl who had her heart melted by his spell'

A/N: Sorry for the late update, school just started so I've been kinda busy. Anyways, how was it? Please review and tell me your thoughts and give me suggestions!