Guess who's back~!
Finally my finals and the hectic semester are over. It's summer now so hopefully I'll be getting more time to update this! (If I don't have to run around like a headless chicken, that is…)
This is as promised to you, my dear Godsis~ XD
I've been playing 'Tennis no Oujisama – Motto Gakuensai no Oujisama' on Nintendo DS too! I've to say it's amusing to play and VERY annoying at the same time. Why? Well, when I was trying to get a Sanada's ending, I had to start over for God knows how many time (I've lost count) because he freaking REFUSED to talk to you UNLESS you trigger a certain event. I was running around in circles trying to trigger these events and got sick of it eventually so I had to look up a walkthrough in Japanese…
Hehehe, I feel so happy when I had to resort to find something in Japanese and I'm studying it as my major. It gave me an incentive to study! XD
Anyway, back to Sanada Genichirou. I nicknamed him 'Frigid Bitch' because he literally scared my character! He refused to talk to her, refused to let her help (since she's the school's festival's committee's member) AND 'Tarundoru' you when you find him to talk after you reached certain levels of affections.
But still, the one that scared me senseless WAS Yukimura Seiichi! I don't exactly have to go after him since he's a special character that'd be unlocked only AFTER you get all other six Rikkai members' endings. (Poor Jackal. He's always ignored…) Basically he asked for your phone number from the very beginning and you just have to talk to Sanada and Kirihara to trigger his visits to the event. And his ending is VERY scary too I tell you…
Well, he practically demanded that you become a tennis team's manager, that you let him call your first name and that you date him. The reason? He said "I want to date you because I like you. I want to call your name because since we'll be dating, that'd be more natural. And lastly, I want you to be the manager so you can be by my side and I won't have to worry. And even after I graduated (you're playing as 2nd year in this, by the way) if you're the tennis team's manager, Akaya would chase away the 'bad bugs' from you for me." He literally used the word 'waruimushi' in which 'warui' is 'bad' and 'mushi' is 'bug'!
…Seriously, when it comes to being scary, Yukimura Seiichi won without even having to TRY. It's REALLY scary. DX
YOSH! Let's get rolling! This is a Yanagi Renji's one-shot since I somehow got an idea about writing him after getting his ending! (He's surprisingly nice in the game too!)
The first time I met him was when my best friend in High School, Niou Masaharu, introduced us to each other. He was one of 'Rikkai's three demons' who stood out the least among two other.
Hell, I didn't even feel any attraction towards the guy! He was just there. When I talked to him, it was either about tennis team or class-related topics.
I was training to improve my stamina for karate at the private training room in my father's house one day when he accidentally walked in. After all, the Regulars often came by to use my father's courts (since Seiichi insisted that we'd all be able to hang out afterwards). Instead of giving me a disapproved look like many guys from our High School would, he asked, "How long have you been learning karate for, Kisaki?"
"I've been learning it since I was five." I answered and looked at him. "You… You don't think this is bad, Yanagi?" I asked curiously.
"Why would I think that you knowing karate is bad? Isn't it good that you know how to protect yourself?" He asked back. "Besides, you've been training it up until now, haven't you?"
"Well, apparently most guys don't like a girl to be so boyish." I sneered. "I've lost count how many guys made fun of me or never spoke to me again after they learned that I know karate. Not that I care what those losers think."
To my surprise, he chuckled. "Sticks and stones will break your bones. But words can never hurt you, isn't that right?" He smiled. "We all have our own preferences on things, so I can't judge anyone because I don't have that right."
"True, true." I smiled. "You really do sound like a professor, Yanagi." I teased.
"I guess you'd be right, Kisaki." We chuckled. "Mind if I watch you practice? It'd be a good data and I'll give it to you for you to see too if you want."
I shrugged. "Knock yourself out. I can't really talk while I'm in the middle of it so excuse me." I turned back to the ring in the middle of the room. "Oh and Yanagi?"
"Hmm?"
"Call me Kasumi." I grinned before getting back into the pose of fighting an imaginary opponent in front of me.
I guess you can say it was a start of something that has yet to come. Something more than any of us would've thought it would be back then…
Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku High School section, Friday, 4.30PM
"Nee-san!" Akaya tackles me into a hug. Kya! He's so cute! "I've just finished running my laps! What do I have to do next?" He grins at me.
KYA! It's the cute puppy eyes Akaya's version! I can die happy today too!
Please, knock yourself out so I'll be spared of your antics.
I mentally squish mini Kasumi to the pulp. Picking up the training menu, I skim over it before turning to Aka-chan. "Next for you is to do the smash practice, Aka-chan!" I grin. "But before you go off to do your smashes, go get something to drink first, ne?" I pet his curls. "Now go get something to drink!" I shoo him away.
"Hai, nee-san!" Akaya salutes me playfully before sauntering off to get his drink.
I smile slightly and watch the practice going on around me as usual. Today isn't too bad for a practice, other than the fact that it's been getting warmer…
I DON'T WANT A TAN! NOOO!
Much to my annoyance, my brother seems to inherit my mother's ability to tan nicely. However, I've got my father's gene. So yes, I BURN in the sun! Just thank Kami-sama that it usually takes a couple of hours before I start turning red!
"You look a little red there, darling. Are you all right?" Masaharu snickers at me and ducks away from my clipboard. "Now, now, don't get so violent, dear. You're breaking my heart!" He exclaims dramatically.
Did he just say what I think he just said? He's SO DEAD! CHA!
I feel my left eyebrow twitches furiously as soon as the people around the court start whispering. "Haru, don't make me strangle you right now." I warn him with a Seiichi-worthy smile. I smile wider as he shudders. "Now, you have to go do your reflex practice, don't you?" I ask sweetly.
"…You know, dear, I think you've been hanging around buchou way too much." Masaharu shivers. Then he grins mischievously. "But you know, it's nice to see that you are the only girl who can ruffle the feathers of our resident 'master'." He laughs and runs away as soon as I turn around to glare at him.
ARGH! DAMMIT! GET BACK HERE NIOU! I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU!
I scowl as I notice the smirking trickster giving me a victory sign from the distance. "Gen-chan! Masaharu skived again!" I yell.
"NIOU! TARUNDORU! 20 LAPS AROUND THE COURT NOW!" Genichirou bellows from the bench area. I smirk at the silver-haired trickster as he scowls and drags his feet to run his assigned laps.
HA! Take that, Niou! I can get back at you bad!
I slink back towards the shade area of the tennis courts. Taking a drink out of my water bottle, I observe the activities around the court and smile. Yep, the potential regulars for next year who will be lead by Akaya are going to be a force to be reckoned with! At the rate they're going, normal players won't stand a chance!
MWAHAHA! Watch out, Seigaku and Hyoutei! Rikkai is definitely going to squish you! CHA!
YEAH! Not to mention that Akaya is MUCH better looking than that mushroom head Hiyoshi and that brat Echizen!
…I so don't need to hear that about Akaya. Stop giving me weird thoughts!
"There you are." Seiichi's soft voice snaps me out of mentally murdering my own conscience. "Hiding from the sun again, dear?" The pretty buchou of our team gives me a kind smile.
I grin sheepishly. "You know I don't do well with staying out in the sun for a long time, Seiichi." I put my water bottle back down on the bench. "Any thing I can do for you, oh our almighty buchou?" I bow dramatically with a good-nature smile on my face.
Rikkai's child of God laughs. "Why thank you, Mi-hime. I didn't know you thought so highly of me." I roll my eyes at him before both of us snicker. "Anyway, yes, I need to talk to you, dear." Blue eyes stare at me thoughtfully.
Uh-oh… I think I know what that look is… It's telling me there's going to be trouble for me!
Knowing Seiichi for the last two and a bit more years, the pretty buchou doesn't disappoint me when he opens his mouth. "I'd like to believe there's nothing going on between you and Renji. But lately it seems that you've been looking at each other somewhat differently when no one else is watching… Is there something you'd like to tell me, Mi-hime?" He asks gently.
YIKES! He got you there! Oh boy, it wasn't me who was staring at the sweaty and shirtless Yanagi Renji! You're on your own! Adieu!
…Your ability of assisting me out of trouble is astounding… NOT!
I sigh and look towards the court where Renji and Genichirou are having their mock-match. "When did you notice, Sei?" I ask him back, all the while staring at Renji executing his Kamaitachi.
A hand grasps my hand kindly. "I noticed about three weeks back, sweetie. It took me nearly a week and a half to make sure that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me since you two were so discreet about it." Seiichi tells me. "And I hope I'm right in assuming that this has been going on longer than that. Am I right?" He looks me in the eyes.
I give him a weary smile. "You're right. This has been going on since the beginning of this spring." I sigh softly. "No, Seiichi, I'm not going to ask him about this and that's that." I say firmly as soon as he opens his mouth again.
The child of God stares at me incredulously. "May I ask what your reason is?"
I close my eyes… The first time I've met Yanagi Renji, we didn't become friends instantly like I did with Masaharu or Seiichi. In fact, saying that he crept me out would be an understatement!
Hey, you'll be too if a guy you've just met suddenly start spouting off some random facts about you, okay? I'm not exaggerating! Yanagi Renji knew where I shopped, what my favorite food is and my family's rough biography even before I met him!
But after talking to him by himself a few times, I've come to learn more about the so-called 'master' of the team. As infuriating as he can be, I value his companionship and his opinions on things too. Mind you, Renji is a Kami-send especially when I found myself ready to throttle Masaharu because the damn trickster just won't stop for his own entertainment, or when the troublesome bunch start their squabbles without Seiichi, Genichirou or Hiroshi in the vicinity to help me pull them apart!
…Truthfully, I don't even know when my eyes start following the tallest member of the Regulars. And in some way, I know that he has also been watching me too.
It's just that I don't feel comfortable enough to take it to a higher level other than being friends right now. I like him. No, I LOVE him. I'm sure I can say that. There are things that I'd like to sort out for myself first before talking to him about any possibility of being more than friends…
That includes beating the crap out of those annoying girls in our grade who like to throw degrading comments at me because I'm the only girl surrounded by the male tennis players! CHA! We shall get rid of our love obstacle!
…How about I get rid of you first, you traitorous conscience? DIE!
GAH! Be gentle with me! It's called self-preservation you know!
"I feel that there are things I've to do first before confronting him about it." I answer simply and smile at Seiichi. "Thanks for worrying about me, Seiichi. But you know I can take care of myself, ne?"
He laughs. "I believe you, dear. But you must let me know when it could possibly get out of hand, all right?" He squeezes my hand slightly.
I salute him with a playful smile. "Aye, sir!" We laugh at each other.
Kami, I'm so lucky to have such a caring friend (albeit a sadist at heart) like Seiichi! He always let me do things my way first before stepping in!
…But being his sadist self, he always let the other Regulars mess with my businesses instead of stopping them! So damn him for that! RAWR!
"Kasumi," Towards the end of the practice, Renji silently approaches me. GAH! What is he, a ninja? "Hmm, the chance of you being surprised by my approach is 79%" He smiles amusedly.
ARGH! Damn him for that smile! I'm still mad at you, Yanagi Renji! But because of that smile I'm going to forgive you for now and ogle you instead! MWAHAHAHA!
I grin back. "Yeah? Well, the chance of you getting a few extra laps is 95% and will be a 100% soon if you don't tell me what you need." I retort at him without any contempt in my voice.
The data master of Rikkai merely smiles. "There are new literature books arriving at the bookstore today. Would you like to go with me?" He asks naturally.
KYA! He's asking us out! Say yes! SAY YES!
"Sure, I was thinking about getting a book so that I can write that paper for our history class anyway." I reply after mentally beating mini Kasumi into oblivion (again). "Let me go grab my stuff and I'll meet you at the gate, ne?"
"Ah, see you there in about 15 minutes." Renji turns and walks towards the clubroom.
…Really, that guy can be so robotic some times… But oh well, it's a nice change from Masaharu or Bunta, that's for sure!
I walk towards the gate after I'm done with the club's activity and look back to the school's building. It doesn't take very long for Akaya and Masaharu to come barreling towards where I'm standing. "Darling!/Nee-san!" They both tackle me at the same time and proceed to squish me in between them.
NO! I hate my height! Why am I the small one in our family! Damn genes! Nii-san is 185cm tall, but I'm barely 165cm! NOT FAIR!
"Darling, let's go grab a bite together! It's Friday after all!" Masaharu grins and swings an arm around my shoulders from my left. "I know you like the manly type so let's ditch the brat. What do you say, love?" The trickster smirks at me.
Akaya bristles from my right. "I already asked nee-san to go to the arcade with me! I'm not a brat, Niou-senpai!" The sophomore of the team snaps.
I swear they all have mentality of a three-year old! And to think that they're either eighteen or seventeen! Kami, what have I done wrong in my past life!
I groan as they start bickering again. NOOO! It's Friday and I'm just a girl who wants some peace and quiet time by myself away from these monkeys! I need to rebuild my sanity from scratch, dammit! They're not giving me a chance to recover my sanity at all!
"Akaya, Masaharu, you should let Kasumi go." Seiichi's grin sends shivers down their spines. Thank you, Seiichi! "It's not very nice to play tug-o-war using her instead of a rope, ne?" He grins wider, resulting in both Akaya AND Masaharu releasing me instantly!
Make me your apprentice, Yuki-buchou! Please teach me how to handle these monkeys without breaking a sweat! I'M BEGGING YOU!
"But I just want to hang out with nee-san…" Akaya mumbles from beside me.
I smile at his cute dejected look. "You can always come hang out during the weekends, Aka-chan." I coo and pat his curls. "And I see you every day at school. Now, will you let me have some time to spoil myself?" I ask the sophomore of our team.
"…Fine…" He pouts but relaxes as I continue to pat him.
Good boy, Akaya! Now let's round up on that damn trickster!
"Haru, you too." I turn to give him a pleasant smile. I smile wider as he winces. "I'm in your classes every freaking day and you practically see me every day too. Now, do you want to do this a hard way or an easy way?" I tilt my head to the side and stare at him.
The trickster of the team grins but lifts his hand up in a surrender gesture. "Chill, babe, though I love it when you're feisty." He snickers at my scowl. "Have fun doing whatever you'll be doing without me." He drawls out amusedly and runs away laughing, dragging Akaya along with him as soon as I stalk towards him.
ARGH! GET BACK HERE! LET ME BEAT YOU UP! DAMN YOU, MASAHARU!
"Mi-hime, maybe you should go help out Renji a little bit. He was coming along with us but I'm afraid he's got mobbed by the girls from student council." Seiichi gives me a devilish smile. "I believe it's something to do with the festival starting tonight."
…So those fan girls of his are asking him out to the festival tonight? Well, at least they have the courage to ask him about it… I would've asked Renji but the probability of me being unable to go anywhere tonight because Father and Kenta Nii-san is very high…
My Father and my brother need to let me enjoy my springtime of youth, dammit! They are still WAY too over protective compared to the Rikkai and Shitenhouji boys!
But it's not just that… I just don't know how to ask something like that from a guy like Yanagi Renji. But oh well, I guess if this feeling was supposed to feel good then they wouldn't call it a crush! And most likely all he'd ever think of me is as a friend or a person whom he can talk about all of his data with…
I sigh. "Thanks for the head up, Seiichi. But I don't think I'll be going to that festival tonight. I may have to run an errand for Kenta nii-san." I turn to look at Renji as he approaches us. "Took you a while." I give him an amused look.
He sighs. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go?" He turns to give Seiichi and Genichirou a nod. "We'll be seeing you later, Genichirou, Seiichi."
"See you, Gen, Seiichi!" I wave and turn to Renji. "Let's go!" I grin excitedly.
Call me a nerd if you want but books are AWESOME! BWAHAHA! I'd rather get books over using those reading pads to download books to read! CHA!
"Hmm, I think it's a 96% that you'll buy a book about the literatures from Heian period." Renji speaks up after we arrived at the bookstore we often frequent.
I roll my eyes at him. "The chance of you saying something like that is 100%. And the chance of me smacking you in the head with whatever books I'll be getting right now if you don't stop with the percentage crap is also a 100%" I mimic his style of talking.
Take that, Renji! I so can bite you in the butt with your data! RAWR!
To my surprise, Renji chuckles slightly. "How about we grab something to eat after we get our books? My treat," He suggests so casually that I almost gawk at him. "I've something I want to know your opinions on."
It takes most of my willpower to stop myself from gawking. "Sorry, Renji, I have to do some things for Kenta nii-san later so I've to head home straight after I get my books." I scowl slightly at the thought. "Maybe next time?"
"Mmm…" He gives me a slightly concerned look. "Just make sure that you don't overwork yourself." He reaches out and squeezes my arm tenderly. "We're here." He lets go as we enter the store.
NOO! Please don't let go, Renji! I don't mind your slightly calloused and nice, warm hand touching me! You killed me with your gentleness, Renji-sama!
…I think I need to go see a psychologist. Heck, I just need to get rid of my stupid, useless and annoying conscience and get her replace by a more useful one!
"Renji, what do you want my opinions on?" I ask him in a soft tone as we browse through the literature row.
"Hmm… I can't really say it right now. This is not the place for me to ask for your opinion on that topic, after all." He replies vaguely.
GAH! DAMN HIM! I bet he knows that he's getting me riled up over nothing! That's it! He's getting the puppy attack! RAWR!
I feel myself torn between being confuse and wanting to strangle the guy senseless. "All right, if you say so then." I mutter and continue my search quietly.
"I don't think I can put the question together very well just yet." To my surprise, Renji follows me down the aisle. "I have a feeling if I ask for your opinion without wording the question properly, there is a high chance that my question will offend you." He explains in a soft voice. "I hope you'd understand my reasoning."
"I see…" I smile. "Well, isn't this new? The data master doesn't know what to say for once." I tease him.
He raises an eyebrow at me. "Apparently, you were the one at loss for words the other day when Niou teased you about something. I wonder what could possibly ruffled you that much…" He smirks at me.
I blush. DAMN HIM! Renji saw Masaharu teasing me about the chance of me liking the resident's data master! "It's just Haru being his usual self, that's all." I mutter.
"Hmm, if you say so." ARGH! Damn you Yanagi Renji! Stop teasing me!
GRR, if he's not so sexy and I don't have a crush on him, he'd be dead meat by now!
But you've got to admit he'd be a bloody sexy piece of dead meat! I'll jump him anytime!
I DON'T NEED SOME SMART-ASS COMMENT FROM YOU!
I smack his arm playfully. "Whatever, Renji," I tap my left temple with my finger. "Are you going to that summer festival tonight?"
"I'm not sure about that yet. Depending on certain factors that will determined if I'll be going to that festival or not." He replies, leaning over my shoulder and reaching out to grab a book at the same time.
…He smells like those little incense sticks they burn at the tea ceremony… Soothing and very Renji-ish… I know he doesn't use perfume or cologne or anything like that so I guess it's natural…
KISAKI KASUMI! SNAP OUT OF YOUR DAY DREAMING NOW! AND YOU BETTER HOPE YOU DIDN'T DROOL IN FRONT OF HIM!
"Would you like me to walk you home?" Renji asks me as we step out of the bookstore after our purchases. "I don't mind taking a detour to walk you home if you'd like me to." He elaborates after seeing my somewhat baffled look.
Awww… Isn't he such a sweetheart some times?
I guess it's the smart, somewhat silent type that you'd have to watch out for. You don't know when they're going to bust out their charms to charm you off the ground! The saying "still water runs deep" really applies to this guy!
"You know, some times you'd make a gentleman like Hiroshi runs for his money." I tease him. "It's all right, Renji. Thank you for your offer though." I give him a bright smile.
He nods slightly. "Well then, I'll see you later. Take care, Kasumi." He reaches out to tuck my loose strand of hair behind my left ear. "I'll give you a call later tonight."
"I'll see you later, Renji." I parrot back unintelligently. Renji chuckles slightly before giving me a small wave and turn to leave.
Yeah, it's really the smart, silent type you have to watch out for!
Kisaki's manor, 5.30PM…
As soon as I step into the house, the sight of my older brother running around like a headless chicken greets me.
Ooh, now this is something I don't see everyday! Maybe I should record this for further reference AKA blackmail! BWAHAHA!
I watch him run around in amusement for a bit before speaking up. "Nii-san, in a hurry to go somewhere?" I ask with barely concealed mirth.
Hehehe… If my brother is running around like this, it's either his personal stalker OR his work! I'm willing to bet on the first option today though!
But who can blame those fan girls or stalkers of his? Kenta nii-san is sure good looking! He's one of that badass, tough and strong type of guys!
"Kasumi, you're home!" My brother pulls me into a quick hug before runs over to the living room table to grab his car key. "Father has an emergency meeting, and I'm thinking about taking you out somewhere to get something to eat because that annoying lady is about to come over. Let's go!" He pretty much drags me along with him to the garage!
Yes, like a say, fan girls are scary, but stalkers are the scariest, hands down! I know how creepy it is from watching the Rikkai Regulars getting stalked by the girls on campus!
It doesn't take us too long to find a nice, quiet Japanese restaurant to eat at. After ordering our food, we made some small talks here and there until my brother brings up the question. "So how's it between you and that Yanagi guy?" He asks bluntly with a raised eyebrow.
I promptly choke on my food. What's it with people and asking me that question today! "Whatever do you mean, nii-san?" I ask carefully.
My brother shrugs. "I'm your brother. Why wouldn't I notice when a guy is taking an interest to my younger sister?" He leans forward. "Heck, I saw him giving you 'the look' the other day when I dropped by your school. Tell me, is he being good to you?"
I scowl around the blush that's threatening to appear. "Nii-san, he's just a friend! We're not dating!" I say tightly. "And you're probably wrong. He isn't interested in me more than a friend."
Amethyst eyes stare at me. "Are you trying to convince yourself or me, Kasumi?" My brother asks lightly. He holds up a finger to stop me as I open my mouth. "You like him, and he likes you. As much as I hate the fact, the only four people I'd worry about the least if you date them are Yanagi, Sanada, Shiraishi and Yukimura." He scowls. "You know what? Scratch that thought. No one deserves my little sister!"
…I can see where this is heading… Kenta nii-san wanting me to stay single for the rest of my life and die a virgin, old hag! GAH! My brother needs to learn about the female's need for romance!
I roll my eyes at his over-protectiveness. "Nii-san, you know I want kids. So if I don't have a partner how can I have my own kids? What do you think I am, a hermaphrodite earthworm?" I ask sarcastically.
He scowls at me. "Anyway," he put his elbow on the table and rests his chin on his hand. "Where is the you who aren't afraid to push forward to what you believe, hm? You know I love your pushy and bossy self better than this timid one." My brother gives me an affectionate smile. "You know, people think that love and business are different from each other. But I don't think so; sometimes, you have to take a chance in both."
Aww, my older brother is so cute! If I don't include his over-protective personality, all in all Kenta nii-san is an older brother many girls would kill to have. And I probably would have to agree with that notion!
"C'mon, I drove past this place the other day and I thought you'd definitely like it." I get up and move to follow my brother out of the restaurant, all the while contemplating about what he told me earlier.
…I know I should give it a shot at telling Renji about how I feel. After all, it hurts to love someone and not be loved in return. But what hurts more is to love someone and never find the courage to let him know how you feel, right?
But what if… what if he doesn't return the feeling? We're in the same school, and I don't think we can take it if we see him with other girl and giving her a special smile…
About ten minutes drive later I find myself looking around the shop my brother brought us to in amazement. It's a yukata and kimono shop! I squeal in delight and walk around to inspect the yukatas they have around the shop. It's summer, so yukata is definitely a must have!
Not to mention that it's much better to wear yukata in the hot, humid day! Yukata looks cuter and gives better air ventilation! Bwahahaha!
It doesn't take long until my eyes land on a very pretty yukata. Scratch that, it's gorgeous. A simple light black, soft fabric with white, soft purple and pink flowers woven into the background… It's simple, yes, but it's pretty and it is pleasant to look at!
I stare at the fabric hanging on the wall until my brother comes up beside me. "Go try it on. Take an obi and a pair of getas with you." He ushers me towards the shop assistant. "I'll be right back. I'll have to make a call, yeah?" Kenta nii-san gives me a small smile.
I smile back. "Okay nii-san, take your time, ne?" I tell him before going into the changing room to change into that yukata.
Hmm… The yukata feels good against my skin. Nice, cool and soft! The purple obi the assistant helps me put on looks good against the black fabric too. But then I don't think I'll need this since I'm not going to that festival tonight…
I refuse to go there and rescue my Rikkai boys! Think of it as a little get-back at them for all the migraines they put me through! RAWR!
"Kasumi, let me look at you when you're done!" My brother's voice from the other side of the changing room's door snaps me out of my murderous thought.
"Okay! I'll be right out!" I slip my feet into the getas and open the door. "How do I look?" I turn around for my brother to see the front and the back.
Kenta nii-san smiles, and I notice the assistant lady blushes. Really, my brother never notices the effect he has on general female's population! "Hmm…put your hair up." He tells me.
I gather my hair and put it up like I always do during the club activity time. "Nii-san, you know I'm not going to that festival so-."
My brother clucks his tongue. "Zip it, brat." He clips something into my hair. "There you go, much better." He ushers me towards the full body mirror. "What do you think?"
I reach up tentatively to touch the big, pale pink flower clip my brother puts in my hair. "It's pretty…" I say with a bright smile.
"Good, you're wearing that." He hands a credit card to the saleswoman, ignoring me gaping at him in the background.
Hey! Don't ignore me! DAMMIT NII-SAN! You're so bossy! And you called me bossy!
"Nii-san, I told you I'm going home with you." I sulk and follow him towards the shop's door. "And you wonder where I get that stubbornness from…" I mutter under my breath.
However, as soon as we exit the shop, I feel my heart skips a beat and then hammer against my chest to the point that it's almost painful… And it's all because of the silhouette of the person standing right there in front of us…
It's Renji… And he's in a casual deep blue yukata appropriate for a summer festival…
I turn to give my brother a questioning stare. However, my brother's amethyst eyes fix themselves at the male in front of us somewhat predatorily. "You got here fast. That's good." He says coolly.
The data master of Rikkai tennis team bows slightly. "Kisaki-san," he looks up and gives me a gentle smile. "Kasumi." He greets me softly.
KYA! Renji's smiling! Now I know why he doesn't smile so much! His smile can really kill!
Oh, it seems like mini-Kasumi is in a coma from blood loss via nosebleed. I'm not complaining though! She won't be able to distract me from the awesome sight of Renji in yukata for a while! YEAH!
…Hold on a second… Don't tell me this is my brother's entire scheme!
"Nii-san, what did you do?" I hiss softly at Kenta nii-san after giving Renji a quick smile.
My older brother chuckles slightly. "I'm playing the fairy Godfather for you, my dearest imouto." He pulls me into a hug. "Remember, it's better to let him know and be hurt rather than not let him know at all since that'd hurt you more." He presses an affectionate kiss to my temple. Letting me go, he turns to Renji. "I expect Kasumi home by 11PM at the latest, understood?"
"Hai, Kisaki-san." Renji replies swiftly.
"Good. Off you go, Kasumi." My brother ushers me towards the (somewhat bewildered) data master, hops into his car and speeds off.
GAH! That brother of mine! He's such a sneaky fellow some times!
I sigh gloomily. "Sorry about Kenta nii-san." I mutter in annoyance.
Renji chuckles amusedly. "Don't worry about it. I didn't think he was going to call me here so I can go to the festival with you." He gives me a small smile. "Shall we head to the festival then?"
"Sure, we should." I smile back.
We walk in comfortable silence. Renji has never been the type of guy who talks without thinking anyway, and that's fine with me since now I'm trying to figure out as to why he's here. Yes, I know nii-san called him, but he could've said no and be done with, no?
A light touch on my wrist snaps me out of my thought. "There's somewhere I want to show you." The Rikkai's data master tells me with a slight smile. "If you don't mind, that is."
I shrug slightly. "Of course not. Lead the way." I grin.
"May I?" I blink in surprise as he extends his right hand towards me.
KYA! This'd be a dream come true! Renji, I can die happy now, thank you! You're asking me to hold your hand! HELL YES!
I slip my hand into his and smile as a reply. Renji chuckles slightly but leads me towards the destination he wants. "By the way, you look cute in that yukata." He says softly.
I blush. "Thank you. You do look great in yours too." I reply. Crap, I hope he can't feel my pulse racing at his compliment!
Renji leads me to the back of this shrine on a high rising area. From there, we can see the annual summer festival down below. The festival has begun not too long ago but it's getting really lively! I can't wait to go down there!
"Kasumi," I look up as Renji calls my name.
I can feel my heart starts racing faster at the gentle expression on his face. "It's a great view from up here… No, it's beautiful. Thank you for showing me this, Renji." I smile brightly. "It looks like thousands of little stars from here."
He smiles back, and my heart does a somersault. "You're welcome." His voice drops an octave, and I feel my face burns from the furious blush I couldn't control.
He's really bad for my heart, dammit! Yanagi Renji, you're such a smooth criminal!
I gulp and try to change the topic. "I thought you'd be at the festival with the other students from the committee." I murmur softly. "I'm sorry if my brother ruined your plan…"
The data master surprises me again by smiling a little wider. "How about you let me explain something, Kasumi?" He looks me in the eyes. "Will you let me explain why I asked you to come here with me?"
…How am I supposed to say no when he's looking at me like that! I may as well drop into a dead faint right there and then when Renji turns his charm on me!
Not trusting myself to speak, I nod. He chuckles slightly. "The view here only looks beautiful when you're with the person you love." His warm left hand cups my right cheek as his other hand pulls me closer. "I wouldn't go anywhere with other girl I don't love." His brown eyes stare into my blue ones. "I wouldn't go anywhere with other girl that's not you."
Oh. My. Sweet. Kami! If this is a dream, please don't wake me up! No wait, you know what? I don't think I want to dream again when the reality of Renji romancing me is WAY better than the dream itself! CHA!
"Renji… I don't know what to say," I start slowly. Reaching my right hand up to touch his face, I smile. "I had a feeling you knew from the start, didn't you?" I accuse him with a cheeky grin on my face. "You had me scared for a while with all that stares and more."
He laughs quietly. "It's all from observation, you know that. I wasn't quite sure you'd feel the same so it took me a while. Kenta-san just gave me the opportunity I wanted, that's all." He touches my forehead with his.
I hum happily. "You know, I had a dream…" I start softly. "And now if finally came true because the special someone that I love loves me too." I look him in the eyes and smile. Breathing deeply, I continue on. "And that special someone is you, Renji. I never thought that I'd fall for you. But I did, and you should know I love you more than words can define, feelings can express and thoughts can imagine." I finish honestly and mentally give myself a pat in the back for not stuttering.
His eyes glitter with amusement. "I only had three seconds to say I love you," he lifts my hand up to his lips and kisses it. "But if you'd let me, I'd need three hours or more to explain why I love you, and I'd need a life time to prove it to you that I do." He asks honestly. "For me, meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my calculations." He smiles at me.
Seriously, Renji, I'm sure you can beat Yuushi hands down in the term of romancing a girl! And that's quite a heck of a feat! Not that I mind!
I laugh at his sincerity. Wrapping my arms around his torso, I lean further into his hold. "Trust you to say something like that, Renji." I tease him lightly.
"What can I say? We're in the same school, Kasumi." He presses a kiss to my forehead. "If I have to see you laughing and smiling at the other guys, I don't think I can take it." He chuckles. "I guess I have Akaya and Niou to thank for chasing the guys in our school away from you."
I snicker. "Just make sure they don't start doing something funny now that we're together, master." I look at him seriously. "And by the way, I better be the only girl who get to see your eyes."
Why did I say that? Let's say if other girls get to see his eyes, there'll be many, MANY fainting, incoherent girls around Rikkai campus!
His brown eyes sparkle, reflecting the lights coming up from the festival down below. "I'm sure I can do that for you." He leans towards me when I tiptoe myself to kiss his cheek. "Will you tell me how you feel about me again?" He asks me with a content smile.
I grin. "I love you because you are not perfect. I've never thought of you as perfect, but you're perfect for me." I smile. "Did I surprise you?"
Renji laughs. "You sure did. But then again, you are full of surprises." He looks as if he remembers something. "Speaking of which, how fast can you get that history assignment done?"
I blink. "It's not too hard so shouldn't take me more than a few days." The thought suddenly hits me. "I see… You really are the master." I shake my head in a mock disappointment. "Who knows my boyfriend would be ever so subtly manipulative?"
"It'd be a shame for us to not be able to spend the summer break together after all." He grins like he usually does when he's plotting something and is about to 'suggest' it to Seiichi.
I giggle cheerfully. "It seems like Genichirou and Hiroshi will be having a great time making sure Akaya and Bunta finish their assignments." I smile as Renji places a kiss on my cheek.
The most amazing feeling in the world is to look at someone you really care about and know they feel the same way about you. The love in your heart is not to stay, but to be shared… And a life without love is like a year without summer… No passion, nothing.
And for us, our summer has just begun!
You can be sure as hell that I'd make the most of my summer with my sexy data master of the team, Yanagi Renji! Watch out world, here comes Kisaki Kasumi's summer time of youth! CHA!
Somewhere nearby…
"Kenta-san, it's a surprise to see you here." Smiles.
Nods. "Ah, it's been a while, Yukimura. Thanks for taking care of my sister. What's up?"
"Have you seen Renji by any chance, Kenta-san?"
Smirks. "That chap's romancing Kasumi right now. About the damn time too."
Surprise look. "Oh? I'd thought you'd be more reluctant against the idea of Mi-hime getting together with him."
"That I am. But…" Feral grin. "Things have been kinda boring lately. And what can be more fun than picking on my sister's boyfriend? I want to see if he's going to stand his ground or run."
"I see." Smiles wider. "Please let me know if my team and I can be of any assistance."
"Sure will, Yukimura." Smirks predatorily. "I definitely will."
THE END!
Phew, that took quite a lot out of me…
Renji may be a little OOC, but oh what the hell. I've been reading about summer festival and stuff in Japan and suddenly this came into my head. So yeah, it became this one-shot!
And the damn data master of Rikkai is so hard to write! I want to keep him in character, but it's WAY too damn hard.
By the way, in the game he's hard to get (not as hard as Sanada!). So if you want a decent conversation in the very beginning that doesn't include home works and school festival's work in general I suggest you go after Niou Masaharu or Kirihara Akaya. You're wasting time with Yanagi. XD
But you get to see him with a yukata in the end so it's all worth it~
Read and review please!
Till next time,
Cers