First and foremost, apologies for the late update. I was suddenly called abroad and had to prepare loads for it. But I'm back now with my trusty laptop. Thanks for waiting this long! Also, thanks for the reviews, favs and alerts! Really makes my day when I see the notifications!
To XNX: I'm glad you're loving the story and found Akemi interesting. Haha well being the underclassman has its downside. But one day, that might change. Who knows? ;) Ah, but I'm not going to reveal the old madam's identity yet. Thanks for reviewing!
8:47am…at Rikkai
or
Scheduling the festival at 9:30am on a Sunday, whose bloody good idea was it?
Far from the reaches of the prestigious private institution known simply as Rikkai, Tokyo Bay glistened in the early morning sunshine. The school sat smacked in the middle of the urban residential area of Kawasaki. Any large body of water claiming to be an ocean was miles off. A bus ride to the heavily industrialised port would take at least half an hour. Thus, recreational walk's out of the question.
(So she's told)
Rikkai Ocean Festival wasn't an event commemorating the wonders of the sea in hopes of pacifying a bloodthirsty monster.
(So she's told)
Student participation's compulsory should one wished to graduate from high school. Expect diverse visitors arriving in numbers from the surrounding community and districts, including officials from other schools. Many reputation's at stake, and not just the school as a whole, but also the individual clubs and classes. They'd be inspected, assessed, and criticised to the minuscule detail.
(So she's told)
Daunting though it seemed, everyone's entitled to enjoy themselves on this action-packed day. And the tennis club was no exception.
So Yukimura amiably informed the congregation of fifty strong men assembled before him. When he went on calmly emphasising how pleased he was with everyone's earnest efforts for this faithful day, there was a subdued passion underlying his voice.
Yes.
One tiny mistake and someone's going to pay for ruining the whole play. That's another positive way of looking at it.
At least having firmly established her resolve, Akemi wouldn't think of disappointing him, herself and the rest of the club. She wasn't the only person thinking along that line.
Judging from the way their eyes were lit up with the same eagerness as Marui on a spree at the hotel buffet (had the misfortune of tagging along – never again), everyone's equally devoted. Despite the accumulative enthusiasm rolling off in waves from the assembly, it easily paled in comparison to the one and only Yukimura.
Akemi sensed it – the pride a captain held towards his club.
'But, really now.' A soft sigh escaped through her parted lips.
Couldn't he at least hold off his enthusiasm until then? Why called for an assembly when the play's hours away? And was there a need for a pep-talk at the tennis courts of all places?
Of all the…
Eyebrows furrowed into an irate scowl.
...he's even wearing the school blazer on his back like he always did with his jersey.
Standing beside him and just a couple of paces behind, the manageress was not amused. Not least when she'd allegedly became the source of the wind's amusement – and by the looks of things – the regulars lined up at the front of the assembly. Every time the breeze whipped up the hem of the blazer, her face would get hit by the cuff of his left sleeve.
Her fingers twitched faintly, itching to pull that irksome blazer off him in one swift movement. But that's just tempting fate. With a heavy heart, Akemi reluctantly tossed aside Plan A and mulled over the alternative.
She could move up. Though after a moment of hesitation, she figured it would only make it seemed like she wanted to add something to his speech, and thus turning the nice atmosphere awkward for –
"Akemi-san?" a voice penetrated the bubble of thoughts.
The noirette snapped her eyes up, blinking owlishly. 'Oh?' She glanced about the empty tennis courts. 'Since when did he dismiss everyone?'
Yukimura tilted his head at her, motioning for them to walk with a wave of his hand.
The noirette wordlessly followed him to the clubroom.
It was a while before he spoke. "You're being unusually silent. Feeling alright there?"
A look of puzzlement crossed her features. Being silent was…unusual?
"If you're not careful, that'll bend out of recognition." He pointed one long finger at the object in her hands.
Akemi dropped her gaze and was met by an already tattered-looking script book gaining more ugly crinkles. She instantly released the vice-like grip.
"Nervous?" the Rikkai Captain guessed, giving the props and costumes stashed inside the room a quick once-over.
"I…suppose…" Akemi murmured, absently curling a finger around her hair.
More like mixed feelings.
Since getting startled by her alarm clock this morning, there's a strange sensation growing in the pits of her stomach. She'd quickly ruled it out as nerves, and perused the script back to front several times on the way to school despite the fact it was written by her. Well, Yukimura did edit some parts. It was only thanks to her ever vigilant neighbour she didn't end up walking straight towards traffic or a streetlamp.
(Actually, she did in fact have a couple of close calls with a bus and a lorry. Sanada's heart nearly stopped then.)
"You'll be fine," Yukimura smiled sympathetically, locking up the clubroom. "The play is in the afternoon." Read her like a book. "There'll be plenty of time to relax. Enjoy the festival. It's a once in a year event, after all. That said, Akemi-san…" He held out his hand expectantly "…I'm confiscating the script."
That was rather straightforward.
Akemi stared at him in stunned silence, holding the book possessively away from the clutches of evil in the guise of the Rikkai Captain. "B-but I want to –"
"It'll only put you on edge," he smoothly cut her off. As if she's not close to falling from the peak already.
No insistence. No reasoning.
Wearing a bitter scowl on her face, Akemi merely surrendered the script to him and left the tennis courts without another word.
As the initial shock abated, the Rikkai Captain regarded the retreating form grimly; his pensive eyes glinted in the weakening morning light.
XXX
A mixture of exhilaration and tension filled the entirety of the school as students frantically put finishing touches to their works. Chorus of shouts, chatters and laughs rang throughout. Up ahead, faint voices and two sets of feet falling on the dirt path drifted over to her ears. Akemi couldn't make out what they were saying, and cared less when she caught a glimpse of them gesturing in her direction.
Eyes on her moving feet and one hand pressed against her sluggishly churning stomach, the buzzing atmosphere was making her feel a little queasy.
'Is anxiety really what it's all about?' Deep inside, she knew it wasn't as simple as nerves. 'Then what is -'
Something was heading straight towards her at an alarming speed. Yet, she stood stock-still on the spot; petrified to the core. It whooshed past her rigid form, blowing up a cloud of dust and ruffling her hair.
'-that?'
Akemi blinked in complete bewilderment. Was that just her imagina –
"Excuse me, miss."
She jumped back with a cry of surprise, not expecting a face to appear right before her.
This voice – it belonged to one of the two boys who were walking on the same path. Once several good feet away, now only about four inches stood between them. Well, at least with this distance, she could now put a face to that voice.
"I-I'm so sorry! Did I startle you?" the boy apologised, scratching the back of his brown hair sheepishly.
Panting heavily and clutching the front of her shirt where she could feel her heart beating soundly, one wondered if she's not making it obvious enough for him?
'Strange.' She regarded him curiously. '…this boy…he looks familiar.' Had they met before? And his accent…Kansai-ben?
A bandaged hand appeared on the boy's shoulder.
"What my friend was going to ask," another voice with the same accent spoke. The owner moved around to stand beside the brunette, revealing a left arm that's heavily covered in strips of bandages up to his elbow. He was slightly taller than his Kansai pal. His hair was brown too, but more towards a silvery hue, thus giving an allusion of light brown. "We're not from around here. Do you know the way to the greenhouse?"
That's it?
After giving them the direction and a hastily drawn map (carried pen and notepad on her person), the two boys thanked her after the darker brunette apologised again. They parted ways, the lighter brunette seemingly teasing his friend about the little scare.
"If you'd remembered the way, this wouldn't happen at all," she distinctively heard the darker brunette retorted, sounding rather peeved.
"But Kenya, didn't you notice the way that girl's eyes lingered on you?" his friend sniggered, nudging the darker brunette playfully on the ribs.
Akemi quickly turned around, pocketing away the stationeries, and started down the path in the (thankfully) opposite direction.
Well, it's not like she could help it. That darker brunette reminded her of someone. Question was who?
Wait a minute…
Her feet faltered a little as she glanced over her shoulder at their backs.
…was the lighter brunette carrying a rhinoceros beetle in a transparent carrier?
'Come to think of it,' she pondered. 'Didn't Genichiro-san bring his pet beetle, Fuurinkazanrai (what a name), with him? Something about a Kabu-chan competition?'
Shrugging her shoulders, she hastened her steps into a brisk-walk.
She had more important business to attend.
XXX
9:45am
The school festival officially commenced at the opening ceremony attended by all students and teachers. The whole school from classrooms to the compound were once again filled with the buzzing excitement, but tenfold increased.
Students who were given special permission strutted about in their fancy outfits suited for their respective events. As part of their jobs, the student council body and a selected few from the committee team overseeing the smooth running of the festival donned their school uniforms with pride. They're easily marked out by the bright yellow armband around the upper arm…
…which was how Kirihara spotted Yanagi in the throng as he carefully navigated the busy corridor.
"Yanagi-senpai has such an easy job," the first year sighed wearily. He wanted to stop and say hi, but the Data Master was at the far end and there were ten immobile blocks of humans between them. He miserably glanced down at the safety goggles sitting on the pile of freshly laundered lab coats in his arm. "Why do I have to be the one to carry all these stuff from the lab?"
He continued grumbling all the way back to his classroom. A typical journey from the chemistry lab usually took a maximum of three minutes.
Seven minutes in, he's nowhere near his final destination and his grumbling didn't cease until…
'Cake? Is this cake I smell?'
A few steps ahead, the door to the home economics room was slightly ajar, allowing the heavenly aroma through the thin gap, out the corridor and into his nostrils.
Kirihara inhaled the air deeply, turning his mouth wet and rousing the animal inside his stomach from sleep. A pit-stop shouldn't be a problem. The stuffs he's carrying were spares anyway. That decided, he started towards the door dazedly; a silly grin on his face.
A wave of heat smacked him in the face upon entering. But he didn't mind as long as the stuff inside the source of all this heat would be in his stomach.
The room was empty, except for that one person removing her shoes and climbing onto the stool. She opened the window, letting a nice breeze in, and poked her head out whilst leaning over the sill rather precariously. At least, she's gripping the frames for support.
With her back facing him, Kirihara couldn't tell who it was.
Then, she moved her head to the right and the freshman caught a glimpse of her features.
One second…
Two...
Three…four…five…
"NO! AKEMI-SENPAI! DON'T DO IT!"
Kirihara threw his hands up in a moment of panic, sending everything he so cautiously ferried into the air. He darted forwards, wrapped his arms around her abdomen and plucked a screaming Akemi from the window. Both of them toppled backwards and collapsed onto the tiled floor in a heap.
Unfazed, the freshman hastily shuffled to crouch on his knees and propped his senpai up by her upper arms as though she weighed nothing.
"Senpai! What were you thinking!?" he cried.
"K-kirihara-kun?" his senpai stammered weakly, looking every bit like her blood was completely drained off. Undoubtedly, she's badly shaken.
"It's okay! You're not alone!" He released one shoulder and pressed his hand on his chest. "If anything's troubling you, I'll lend my shoulders for you to cry on! You can have all my manga stash hidden underneath my bed –"
"Kirihara-kun…"
"Or is it because of the lack of progress?" the freshman continued his passionate rambling as though she didn't speak. "Then, I'll work harder for next month's exam! I'll double up my effort! Never mind if it means tripling English assignments. As long as it'll make you happy, I'll –"
"Kirihara-kun?"
That feminine voice sweetened with lethal poison dreadfully familiar to his ears rendered him speechless. It's an automatic reaction – one triggered by his infuriated senpai whose icy stare sent shivers down his spine and tremors rocking his knees.
'Eeekkk! M-monster no. 4!' the terrified freshman inwardly screamed, terrified beyond words.
(Monster No. 1 = Yukimura, 2 = Sanada, 3 = Yanagi. Adding the cold-hearted side of Akemi to the equation, they're secretly known in the tennis club as the 'Monster Quartet')
"Aren't you a little quick in assuming I would do something as foolish as jumping off the building?" she casually inquired, curling her fingers around his necktie in case of an escape. It didn't take her long to guess what he was yapping about.
Kirihara nodded feverishly, fearing if he'd answered otherwise or kept silent, he'd never live to see the afternoon sun.
"Then obliterate such an absurd thought from your head right away," she ordered, tightening the grip several notches to send the message out clearly.
He nodded again and freed her shoulders, looking suitably guilty which seemed to have an effect on melting the icy stare.
Akemi brought her hands to her hips, raising one disapproving eyebrow at him. "Geez, you really should think properly before you jump into the fray," she admonished lightly; miffed still. "I was only looking out for a car, but the trees weren't giving me that privilege so I had to resort to such (drastic) measure."
"I'm…really sorry, senpai," Kirihara mumbled, drawing circles on the tiles dejectedly. He peered up at her piteously through his lashes.
A sigh of exasperation escaped through her parted lips as her expression softened. Honestly, how could anyone stay mad for long with that kind of abandoned puppy face?
"Fine. Just promise me you won't –" she broke off abruptly, sniffing the air curiously with a frown. "What is this smell? Kirihara-kun, do you smell it too?"
True to her words, there's an acrid whiff and…black smoke?
"Did someone leave the oven on?" a voice at the doorway piped up. It was Yanagi, whose keen senses brought him to investigate the ruckus coming from the home economic room. Also, passing by and looking in through the small window set in the door helped aplenty.
Two pairs of eyes followed the trails of smoke; the brown ones widening in horror when they landed on a particular stove the user occupied not long ago.
Oh dear…her poor brownies.
Gloved hands holding the dish, Akemi gazed down at the awfully charred fruits of her labour staring forlornly back at her.
For her class event, she was given a different job by class president Yagyuu. But finding this a perfect opportunity to make her special guests a surprise welcome gift, she'd volunteered to help her five classmates tasked with the food preparation. Between lending an extra pair of hands and working on her brownies, Akemi managed to whip up a perfect concoction using her trusty recipe book. She'd opted to keep track of time using the well-functioning wall clock.
Now though, those efforts had gone to waste…
Eating this abomination was definitely out of the question. Was it charcoal or a pool of dried mud in the dish?
"I've opened all the windows, Akemi-san," Yanagi informed, appearing behind her. "That should let some fresh air in. With the ventilation fans on, the smell should go in no time."
"Thank you," she muttered; her voice betrayed no emotion as the oven dish was gently set on a placemat.
"Where are your classmates?" the Data Master inquired, glancing about the clutters of ingredients and equipment on other counters. Obviously, (but unless she sprouted extra hands) those weren't hers.
"Left early." Mission accomplished, her classmates returned to their event venue five minutes before disaster struck. "They'll be back to clean up the place. So, don't worry."
Suddenly, the phone sitting on the only clean spot on her counter buzzed to life.
Sighing wearily, Akemi pulled off the oven gloves, snatched the phone up before Yanagi could peep and was about to answer the call when she realised something…rather peculiar projected on the glass.
She stared bemusedly at the picture and name – no, title.
King
His head tilted backward so that he's smirking from an angle at the camera and his hand frozen halfway through sweeping his dark hair, the young man looked roguishly charming (never going to openly admit) in the picture. Too bad the image's spoiled by the cartoonish sticker of a crown sitting loop-sided on his head and the tacky sparkle next to his eye. Such a sleazy king…
Oh, there's something else on the bottom left corner.
Akemi squinted.
In the background, a small and fairly easy to miss perplexed-looking monkey gazed at the him, mouth agape like it wasn't sure what that human's doing.
This was undoubtedly taken at the outdoor restaurant they'd stopped by for lunch during the trip to Ueno Zoo last week. Did she accidentally leave her phone on by mistake when left for the toilet? But she's certain it was locked when she returned. Unless of course, somebody locked it up for her after swapping his profile picture for this without her consent.
Her shoulders trembled, but not with laughter.
That forbidding aura enveloping her form was evident enough.
'This is bad,' the freshman tentatively stuck one foot back, but a pair of brown eyes stopped him from going any further.
"Kirihara-kun," Akemi smiled stiffly; the corner of her lips twitching rather violently (failing every bit in being pleasant). "I'm needed somewhere else. If you make a new batch using the recipe on the counter and bring it to me after you're done cleaning up the mess, I'll let this quietly slip."
"B-but I need to –" he gestured uselessly at the stack of coats and goggles.
The grip around the angrily vibrating phone tightened considerably, turning her knuckles ghostly white.
"ROGER THAT!" he saluted sharply, not dropping the stance until she was safely out of the room. He vented a weary sigh and reluctantly went about leafing through her recipe book before hunting down the ingredients.
So this was what it meant to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Though for Yanagi, bidding his dejected underclassman goodbye, he just saw something interesting.
XXX
Akemi wasn't sure what to think.
Sure, the picture's amusing and all, especially with the little monkey in the back. That larger than life primate in the foreground however…
She shook her head furiously, tucking her now silent phone safely in her pocket. She'd let him off just this once. If anything, she could always turn it into blackmail material.
Once out of the entrance halls, she lengthened her stride and nearly broke into a run – a task made difficult by the black pencil skirt. It restricted her mobility, but there's not much she could do about it. As long as she could walk from point A to B without triggering another disaster, she's fine.
XXX
10:13am…outside the school gates
Ocean Festival
Dark blue eyes hidden beneath a pair of aviators studied the unassuming sign hanging above the school entrance with disinterest.
A haughty smirk tugged at his lips as he surveyed the busy scene, all the while ignoring the loud chatters, whispers and curious (sometimes hopeful) glances thrown his way from the steady stream of visitors flowing under the arch.
Dressed in his smart casual glory, Atobe Keigo scoffed at the squalid sight that was Rikkai. "This place hasn't changed one bit since the last time (two weeks ago) ore-sama was here – shabby as ever." He tilted his head to the side. "Na, Kabaji?"
"Usu!" the titan Hyotei freshman standing behind him nodded.
His smirk grew into a toothy grin when he spotted a certain someone awkwardly jogging towards them. "Oh, our cavalry's arrived to receive us." Atobe effortlessly heaved his back off the tree he was reclining against and walked out of the shade with Kabaji following closely behind.
Akemi staggered to a halt and stooped over, clutching her knees for support as she took in several deep gasps of air.
The Hyotei Captain almost didn't recognise her. It wasn't the waitress outfit (changed after Yukimura's pep-talk) that threw him off.
In all the time they'd met, the noirette seemingly preferred wearing her long hair down (he didn't mind). Only one section of her side-parted fringe's tucked behind an ear, while the other freely framed her face and it tended to conceal much of her features (minded a lot).
Perhaps just for today's festival, her hair was swept into a loose ponytail that draped over one shoulder, and a pair of modest hairclips made sure her pesky fringe was out of the way.
Nevertheless, her dishevelled state bugged him.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" she apologised, standing up properly. "Got held up by a problem! Ah! But, everything's (hopefully) fixed now," she briskly added with a sheepish chuckle, brushing the unruly strands of hair that managed to slip loose behind her ear.
Atobe raised an eyebrow.
"Problem?" he drawled, arching his back forward so that his dark blue eyes glared up into those brown pools. "Why shouldn't ore-sama be surprised? You, girl, are a magnet for…" he trailed off, picking up a strong stench in the air which seemed to be coming from the magnet standing nonplussed before him.
Akemi leaned away from his nosey nose, if only to avoid getting clipped on the cheek by his sunglasses.
Unaware of the little to nil space between them, Atobe gave her hair a quizzical sniff and scowled. "You smell like burnt chocolate."
Reminded of the brownie incident, an angry blush crept up her cheeks. Not that he's ever getting it out of her.
"Nothing you should worry about," the noirette asserted, firmly pushing him back by the shoulders. Goodness, he's sure as light as a barrel of bricks.
When he remained sceptical of her claim, she diverted the subject by asking him to introduce his friend whom she was informed would be accompanying the Hyotei Captain…just that he didn't seem bothered to give her a name.
"You've met Kabaji before."
Akemi blinked in surprise, craning her neck to view the quiet boy who held both the bulk and height that could be the envy of their school's rugby team.
"Have I?"
"At the national tournament?" Atobe supplied.
"Ehh…" she glanced at him blankly; clueless.
'This girl also has a tendency to forget the people she'd met once upon a time,' the Hyotei Captain gathered as Akemi apologised profusely to the ever benevolent Kabaji.
XXX
Being inconspicuous' definitely not his thing.
Without making much of an effort, Atobe stood out like a sore thumb in a crowd; too flashy in her own words. Perhaps it's the way he innately held himself – proud, confident and dignified. His presence demanded unequivocal attentions…often than not…his actions.
Their footsteps falling in harmony, Akemi spared the young man casually strolling beside her a dubious look.
"It's actually not sunny at the moment," she pointed out as the party headed to her class's event. "Shouldn't you take off those aviators?"
Bit silly wearing shades in an overcast weather.
A familiar mischievous smirk crossed his features.
"Oh? Missing ore-sama's stunning eyes already?" Atobe smoothly drawled, one hand reaching over his temple in a slow and deliberate manner. "Well, if you've so graciously asked…"
Of course, he could have done it on purpose just to get a reaction out of her. Seriously, this attention-seeking child…
Biting back a sigh, Akemi rolled her eyes in exasperation and turned her head pointedly back to the front.
At least, those sunglasses were off.
XXX
10:27am…
Proper round tables and chairs (borrowed from the cafeteria) littered about in an orderly manner; a barista busied over the coffee machine (also from the cafeteria); displays of various pastries and cakes sat on the improvised counters. Surrounded by trees and sweet-smelling flowering shrubberies, the garden square wasn't full, nonetheless lively with customers gossiping over drinks, the occasional waiters popping by, and the live music drifting from the centre.
So this was her class's event?
Hands on hips, Atobe studied the open-air café with mild interest, subconsciously tapping his finger to the deep beat of the double bass accompanying the ongoing session.
The atmosphere's not too bad for his taste.
"Jazz theme?" the Hyotei Captain asked, gazing at the chalkboard by his feet. Why are there so many sketches of bees bordering the menu? His eyes roamed to the large words artistically scrawled at the very top.
Toby's Café?
"Hmm?" Akemi tore her eyes from her classmates playing a rendition of Miles Davis' Bag's Groove. "Oh, just music in general," she smiled pleasantly, waving vaguely at the impromptu bandstand. "We thought if we're going to attract customers, limiting the genre won't do. So there's a good mixture of classics, oldies, music from films – just to name a few."
"We take turns hourly so everyone gets a chance to serve and provide entertainment," Yagyuu walking towards them added. A simple white apron tied around his waist and a tray tucked under his arm, he too was decked out in a waiter outfit. He pushed his glasses up his nose-bridge and bowed courteously. "Welcome to Toby's Café, Atobe-san and Kabaji-san."
Seriously, who's this Toby?
'But if this is class 2-B,' Atobe gripped his chin pensively, scowling at the bee doodles as Akemi and Yagyuu chatted in the background. 'Two-bee…too-bee. Omit the 'o' to give 'to-bee'. If 'to' is pronounced in the Japanese way instead then…'
The Hyotei Captain snorted derisively, breaking the Rikkai student's conversations. "Such pathetic naming – uncreative," he ruthlessly criticised. "Whose idea was it?"
The girl beside him obediently raised her hand.
Awkwardness ensued…
…made worse by the (rather shifty) appearance of the café's pseudo-owner.
"Yo! Welcome to my café," greeted Niou, seemingly nonchalant by his yellow-and-black striped trousers and the pair of black antennae (also Akemi's idea) poking out of his hair.
A wild Toby appeared!
The Trickster's gaze landed on the figure hovering gloomily beside the Hyotei Captain. "Puri~" he sneered; a knowing glint in his eyes that alerted his doubles partner to possible troubles if he didn't intervene.
Yagyuu deftly steered Niou away from the trio, mumbling something about greeting the customers sitting by the (furthest) lamppost. Those two exchanged an enigmatic look and, like a message was passed between them, glanced fleetingly over their shoulders at the now-recovered manageress getting chummy with the Hyotei regulars.
"Anything on the menu takes your fancy?" Akemi inquired somewhat frostily; obviously a tiny drop of peevishness remained.
"Actually, there's this competition ore-sama's attending first." Anyway, he's not that hungry at the moment.
Oh, that's new.
"Don't look at ore-sama like that!" Atobe demanded heatedly, glaring back at the disgruntled Akemi. It's not like he'd deliberately forgotten (much to his chagrin) to record the date on his phone. Thankfully, a challenge text from his rival reminded him of the occasion while preparing to leave the manor. "Be back once it's over," he assured, waving one hand dismissingly.
The noirette bit back a sigh of resignation. "So, which one?" she prodded quizzically.
This being a school festival, there're several competitions held by various clubs and classes alike and everyone's welcomed to join.
An arrogant smirk worked its way across his lips.
"Prepare to be awed by the sight of ore-sama's insect!"
As if acting on cue, Kabaji moved away from his spot and stepped forward, revealing a transparent pet carrier between his hands.
Oh, that's…
…the third rhinoceros beetle she'd seen all day perching on a log.
'All this time, Kabaji-san was carrying that behind us!?' thought Akemi; utterly flabbergasted. She quickly brushed off that thought and blinked a couple of times.
The sheer size alone disconcerted her. Honestly, if she used the smugly grinning Hyotei Captain for scale, the beetle's almost the length of his upper arm.
After a moment of hesitation, Akemi moved closer to examine the behemoth critter. Since Kabaji's holding the carrier at a convenient height for her, she didn't have to bend down. Once she'd gotten used to the (surely) unnatural size, it's rather beautiful.
"Didn't know you're into this sort of thing, Keigo-san," she commented, watching the not-so tiny legs move inquisitively.
"Ore-sama breeds them," he aptly informed; pleased that this girl's in awe of something he possessed (albeit her eyes weren't on him) for once.
Squinting at the horns, the noirette wouldn't find it the least surprising if they're genetically engineered too.
"You might be up against Genichiro-san, then," Akemi mused aloud, shifting her gaze from the beetle to Atobe. "Confident you'll win?"
"Without a doubt," he scoffed disdainfully as though she'd asked a ridiculous question; chest puffed out in pride and arms over chest. "This year, ore-sama will be the winner!" he proclaimed with all the certainty brimming from his body.
XXX
About an hour later…11:42am
The moment Akemi tore the paper cleanly from the notepad, a sudden revelation hit her.
'That guy from this morning asked for the direction to the greenhouse,' she recalled, handing the order slip to the barista. 'But Keigo-san definitely said the tournament's at the indoors basketball court. Maybe those Kansai guys were meeting someone there.'
"Akemi-san! Table 1 requested for you!" the voice of class 2-B's vice president broke into her thoughts.
The noirette in question turned away from the barista counter.
"Eh? A request?" she raised an incredulous eyebrow; one hand casually balanced on her hip. "This is the first time I've heard a café provides such a service. What do they think this is? A host club?"
"Well, he's quite insistent about it," Hinata chuckled sheepishly, scratching her chin.
He?
Eventually, curiosity won over.
After being assured Hinata – who's meant to be heading for an exhibition at the art room – could spare five minutes taking over the next order for her, Akemi muttered her thanks and begrudgingly headed towards the table.
Oh, shouldn't be a surprise.
Arms crossed behind his head and lounging imperiously in his chair, Atobe cracked open an eye aimed at the approaching figure.
"Akemi," he greeted with his usual smirk.
"Keigo-san…" she sighed wearily, stopping before the round table. She nodded at Kabaji before turning back to his majesty. "So, how did it go?"
The dark blue eye disappeared behind its eyelid.
Atobe inhaled deeply and leaned further back in his seat; the chair balancing perilously on two legs. "Ah, ore-sama learnt many valuable lessons today…"
Diverting the subject and not shamelessly bragging like his usual self…what's more, deliberately not looking at her as he explained (in full details) each and every life lesson he picked up from a mere beetle tournament.
'Keigo-san, you lost didn't you?' Akemi resignedly summarised. Knowing how (excruciatingly) sensitive he could be, she prudently remained silent.
"…an enjoyable experience thus far," the Hyotei Captain finished exhaustingly wordy reflection with a flourish of his hands. "Na, Kabaji?"
"Usu!"
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes proved challenging.
Akemi glanced about the vicinity; the carrier's nowhere to be seen. "What happened to Hades?"
Honestly with that kind of name for his beetle, he had no right ridiculing her.
"Ore-sama had Michael bring him home."
The butler came all the way from Tokyo just to pick up a beetle? Blimey, even his pet insect lives a life of luxury –
"He was on standby in the limousine behind Rikkai. It's a hassle to carry such a large object around." Atobe lifted his gaze and raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "You're blushing."
XXX
By the time Akemi returned with their orders, the flushed cheeks were (fortunately) a thing of the past.
Carefully setting the heavy teapot on the table, she was reminded of Atobe's surprising preference of plain English Breakfast Tea over so many varieties.
"When do you take payments?" Atobe asked as a teacup was placed in front of him.
"Normally, after you're done." She placed a finger on her chin contemplatively and shrugged. "But I suppose it's fine if you want to get it over now."
A familiar black and gold card was promptly pulled out. Even in this bleak weather, the robust surface of the credit card shimmered strikingly.
Oh right, he never carried cash on his person. Seriously, why get a wallet in the first place?
"Umm…sorry to burst your bubbles, but we don't accept cards," she straightforwardly told him.
"Harh? No cards!?" Atobe shouted incredulously, earning weird looks from the next table. It took him a lot of willpower not to slam a fist down in objection. "What kind of establishment is this?"
In contrast, Akemi was a small step from smashing the tray on his head.
"A café set up for a school festival, not a department store! And keep your voice down!" she hissed, casting a furtive glance at the nosey table. Luckily, the curiosity was short-lived and his voice was drowned out by the music. She exhaled wearily and resumed arranging the cutleries around the plates of pasta salad. "Honestly, is it so much to ask you to stop living such a carefree life?"
"But, that's all ore-sama have," he pointed out grouchily, waving his card in front of her face.
"It's fine. I've already paid for both of yours."
(Could have said so earlier)
"Harh!? That cannot do!" he disapproved hotly, glaring menacingly at that sneaky (not to mention aggravating) girl completely ignoring his melodrama. "What kind of refined gentleman allows a lady to pay? Na, Kabaji?"
"Usu!"
Could he also be the refined gentleman who would give her a peace of mind?
Akemi sighed. How many times had she done this today?
"It's only fair. You paid for the zoo tickets when it's supposed to be my turn," she defended obstinately, reminding him of the moment he'd shoved right in front of her at the ticket booth. "Anyway, you can't pay unless you have cash." A challenging eyebrow was raised like a regiment's banner in a battlefield. "Do you have cash, sir?"
No argument there.
Atobe seethed in silence, scowling irately at that delighted smile on her face as the condiment rack was added to the table.
Something was amiss.
His first clue materialised itself when she'd mistaken the teapot for his cup. But he'd stopped her before she could commit such ghastly act.
Equally mortified, Akemi reddened and rectified the mistake, filling the steaming teacups with the right amount of milk.
Taking a dainty sip from his cup, the Hyotei Captain watched her hastily leave with the empty tray, smirking in amusement.
XXX
Next person to have a go on the bandstand was none other than Akemi.
Table one wasn't exactly far from the centre of the square where all the instruments were set up, but Atobe made it (extremely) clear he wanted her near his table – if size permitted, right next to him.
Again with the ridiculous request…
Strangely though, Akemi found herself pulling a chair to sit beside their table; a guitar in one hand.
'Just for today. He's my guest after all,' she sighed wearily, pulling the strap over her head. She could just sense the restless anticipation burning into her skin. 'At least the sound will have no problem carrying to the far ends of the garden. This place isn't huge.'
Wanting to avoid a heap of guitars at the bandstand, her classmate had offered to lend the guitarists in the class his for their event. Despite being previously used by the owner, Akemi tested the strings for any oddities out of habit.
Before she'd picked up this string instrument, she took lessons on the piano from a private teacher until the old piano was given away because their new home in the city centre back in Scotland didn't have space for it. She was heartbroken, but found a new form of tranquillity in the form of a gift from her father's university colleague.
Smiling contently, she readjusted the position of the instrument on her lap and started her round with a slow, relaxing tune of Moon River.
From an old conversation, the Hyotei Captain had already known she played the classical guitar. Allegedly, she was often mistaken for a guy…
"What's with everyone? A girl can play just as well!" Akemi had vented her frustration over coffee, glowering threateningly at a bemused Atobe for confirmation.
It was a perfect picture of a bar scene, where one reluctant worker was forced into listening to his colleague expressing her displeasures at the boss, except neither of them were intoxicated (ha…well) and the setting's a modern-style café.
Regardless, he wasn't allowed a single chance to add in his two cents as she continued ranting.
"….but you know," she (finally) paused long enough to drain the remains of her coffee. "Lately, I've been thinking up a strategy – call it a pay-back."
"Pay-back?"
"When they barge into the music room with that sparkly hopeful look, I'll break out in hysterics," she divulged in a deadpan manner.
"No, the only thing that's breaking will be their hearts," he swiftly amended, unnerved by her malicious intention.
Hearing the stifled giggles (not doing her best), Atobe wasn't the only person who recalled the conversation, and his reaction when that irksome girl admitted to pulling his leg about the revenge.
Biting back a sigh, he propped an elbow on the table and leaned his head against his hand.
Honestly, this girl…
Atobe closed his eyes; the smooth vibration of the strings caressing his ears gradually soothed him.
Judging from the sound alone, Akemi played unreservedly and poured her heart into the strings, striking her fingers carefully to create crystal-clear notes as though desiring for them to mature flawlessly towards the end. With this being a fingerstyle piece, the Hyotei Captain (remembering their previous dance lesson) couldn't fathom why her feet didn't have the same blessings as her dexterous hands.
Despite all the praises, there's one thing that bothered him…
"Oi, Akemi."
His dark blue eyes made a reappearance and shifted to the back of the figure bent over the guitar.
"Methinks the caterpillars appreciate your performance dearly," Atobe drawled, stirring his tea absently with the teaspoon. "But surely, it's about time you face your human audience?"
The music abruptly died.
Clammy hands hovering over the strings, the noirette was extremely reluctant in conforming to his new request.
Confident and brave enough to perform solo in public, but not so much in the area of actually facing the audience. Such fundamental requirement she couldn't oblige because of what? Shyness?
This wouldn't do for the Hyotei Captain who wanted a good view of her expression when she's playing the guitar.
"Kabaji, turn her around," he commanded, taking his tea in his hands by the saucer.
"Usu!"
The move underwent so smoothly, Akemi was taken aback by the sight of the sneering captain. Wasn't she looking at the bushes moments ago?
"Kabaji, set her on the table."
Wait, he did not say that.
"Usu!"
Luck or skill, Akemi somehow managed to stay put as the titan effortlessly hoisted her chair off the ground, missing the clutters when it was placed on a higher platform.
Conversations around them stopped, hushed whispers arose and all eyes were on the bizarre display which have had suddenly popped up on Table 1.
They weren't the only ones staring in utter bewilderment.
Head titled back, mouth agape and teacup in his hands, the dignified Hyotei Captain was openly gawking up at her from his seat.
"K-Keigo-san! How dare you!" Akemi blurted fiercely; cheeks attaining the lovely hue of tomato.
"What!? Ore-sama did nothing!" Atobe protested with as much fervour.
"Well you most certainly said something!" Even though she was quite certain his lips didn't move then. "It was your voice I'd heard alright. Keigo-san, I thought –"
"Akemi!"
Said girl fell silent at once, not because of the intensity of his voice.
Looking strangely uncomfortable scratching his cheek, Atobe pointedly turned his head away much to her puzzlement. He cleared his throat, seemingly struggling to find his voice as he tugged the lapel of his blazer uneasily. Then –
"For Pete's sake…close your knees."
Legs immediately slapped together in a tight clinch. The skirt might be knee-length, but it would slip up a little when sitting. She really shouldn't move around in the chair.
"H-how much d-did you see?" Akemi whispered furiously, casting a sweeping glare around the square for the benefit of those watching (including the hopeful-looking boys) before turning her eyes down at the insolent fool.
"Nothing!"
It was unbelievable. His face's as red as hers.
Before things could escalate even further, mediator Yagyuu arrived at their table.
"I think it's best if you come down from there, Akemi-san," he advised; conversations in the background rekindled in a reluctant manner. He gave his glasses a brief push. "It's dangerous."
Easier said than done.
Finally realising the even severe treacherous situation she's in, Akemi refused to budge, terrified that one small move might send her straight to the final stage of life.
Stuck in a high place like a cat, this seemed awfully familiar to the Hyotei Captain.
He made a move to rise from his chair, but was beaten to the punch.
"If it's alright with you, I'll help you down," Yagyuu offered, holding out a hand.
'Well, since he'd asked so nicely,' Akemi contemplated.
The bespectacled class pres. stared at the guitar now in his possession; stumped for words. Supposed this was part of helping…
As the table was emptied, the noirette stubbornly declined any further attempts thrown her way, saying she could get off on her own.
Just what's she trying to prove?
She frowned at the present complexity.
Theoretically speaking, jumping straight from the chair and onto the grass shouldn't be difficult. Making sure the skirt wouldn't rip in the process was. So she settled with getting on the table, then a chair below, and finally grass. It's a good stepping-stone for touch down without any adverse results unless one's still stuck on her chair.
Even with hands free, reaching for her shoes, ensuring the chair wouldn't give, and trying to retain whatever's left of her dignity at the same time was tougher than envisioned.
Torn between pulling her down and respecting her decision, Atobe stood restlessly behind his chair and kept a sharp eye on the girl. Should she make a bungle, he's right there.
Eventually, one shoe was off. But seemingly expended her energy, she was having difficulty with pushing the last one off using her fingers.
Brows knitted in a deep frown, Akemi was noticeably getting increasingly flustered by the second as she struggled with the shoe dilemma. Strands of hair had came loose from the ponytail, though this time, they're not doing a good job in hiding those flushed cheeks. Her breath turned raspy from the effort and her cheeks reddened further.
Heart beating wildly (for a morally different reason), the Hyotei Captain couldn't take it anymore.
This…this kind of –
"SENSEI! CLASS 2-B IS PUTTING UP A RAUNCHY PERFORMANCE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!"
XXX
12:32pm…
His face lit up with delight at the sight of the manageress having her lunch break at the table with two Hyotei regulars for company.
"Ah! Found her!" Kirihara grinned boyishly, hastening towards them while keeping a secure grip on the oven dish. Drop, break or spill, neither bode well for him. "Senpai!" Atobe and Kabaji glanced over at him. "Akemi-senpai! The brownies are…" His feet faltered reluctantly to a stop at their table. "…done?" em, hastening his feet a firm grip on the oven dishting at the table with two Hyotei regulars for companies.
Sitting rigidly in the very same chair and ignoring the scrumptious food before her, an incredibly red-faced senpai of his scowled down at her clenched fists on her lap.
Not only did she become the centre of humiliation, she was dreadfully mistaken for performing something dodgy in full view of an audience. That was the single most mortifying moment of her adolescent life. Luckily, no teachers were nearby when that student all but raised several alarms and the customers were fully aware of the real situation.
But turned out…it was all Niou's doing – right from the start of the chair-on-table incident to luring the gullible prey. That silver dummy-head mimicked the innocent Atobe's voice to a tee (apparently, this wasn't the first time), duping both Kabaji and her into thinking it was the Hyotei Captain giving the order. Needless to say, the Trickster was banished to the naughty corner (anywhere but the café) by Yagyuu, who'd apologised to the trio on the former's behalf and the entire café for the disruption.
Then, it was Kabaji's turn. The gentle giant had looked suitably shamefaced letting his guard down. But he – as Akemi frantically assured – wasn't alone in that department.
After all…
The knuckles turned ghostly pale, unsettling Kirihara.
…being in the same class as that Machiavellian should have given her enough incentive, and yet...
The Junior Ace started to backpedal discreetly, chuckling nervously. "Erm…I'll just c-come back later."
A hand on his necktie roughly pulled him back.
"What are you saying?" Akemi retorted airily, cocking her head at him; complexion returned normal. "You're here, might as well hand over the brownies."
Despite the lack of hostility in her voice, Kirihara knew there's no room for argument.
"S-since I didn't want to ruin this batch, I'd asked for help," he admitted sheepishly, readjusting his freed tie (should stop wearing around her) as the manageress cleared the barely eaten lunch and placed a mat on the table.
"That so?" Akemi set the dish down, peeled open the aluminium foil keeping warmth and peeped inside. "Hmm…how exactly has Marui-san been helping?"
Because he was going to reveal his guardian angel later, Kirihara gasped in amazement. "Eh!? Senpai, are you psychic?"
"No…it's very obvious." She ripped off the foil completely and tilted the dish up for him. "Look, there's a small chunk missing from this corner."
Of course by small, she meant nearly half the batch; and by missing, she meant sitting somewhere in the pits of a red-rat's stomach.
Akemi calmly pushed the chair back as she stood up and apprehended a terrified Kirihara on the wrist. "Come, we have an infestation to eradicate."
"But Marui-senpai's class –"
"– is holding a bake off at the home economics room," she interjected smoothly, dragging him along for the ride. She paused in her tracks and looked over her shoulders at her two befuddled guests. "Oh, you're welcome to join us."
After a moment of deliberation, Atobe who had been in a pensive silence during the conversation willingly complied.
If not for keeping a close watch on the noirette, there's always the entertainment to look forward.
Now, before anyone asks, I'm merely adhering to Konomi-sensei's comment on who'd win in the beetle tournament. Yes, it's canon. Look no further than Googling 'My Kabu-chan is the Best Cup' for enlightenment!
I'm not sure if the two Kansai boys will make another cameo. Definitely, the one with the name Kenya though. Prominent role? Depending on you, readers ;)
Yukimura, Yanagi, Niou and Yagyuu (also Atobe?) seemed to have caught on something strange about the manageress. What could it be? Before that, more trouble resumes in the next chapter.