And here's chapter 4. Exams are needless to say, gone cases, so I decided to seek some solace in writing. Sigh. Much gratitude to those who reviewed (: Ogure Michiyo, Elated and Xrucious who wrote very heartwarming reviews.
P.S.: I wrote a spinoff 'Three Qualities" which can be viewed as a parallel universe to HTTW, it's nothing too interesting but it does dissect some of Tsugi's personality and delve into the image of Yukimura in this fic as well. If you have the time, please do check it out (: it's just a little over 2k words, nothing too wordy.
I've decided to do some sharing about Tsugi on random chapters. Sometimes I'm worried that these little bits of information are too well-embedded within the text.
For a start, Tsugi's name does have a kanji translation~ Yanagi Asaitsugi: 柳 浅明 this is not in the story but I do love her name very much xD
The relevant information: Tsugi is a right-hander.
Higher than the Wind
Scandals and Training Camp (1)
Scandals, they were such the cornerstone of social life in middle school. Tsugi never liked discussing or stirring up scandals, but it would seem that she has little choice in her current predicament.
"Revealed! 'Child of God' kisses first year from the tennis club!"
Tsugi stared at the ostensible title at the top of the school forum, the asterisk next to it proudly danced around on her screen (in her own hallucination), gleefully reminding her of the topic's unfaltering popularity throughout the entire summer holiday. The glaring light of the little yellow star stung her eyes, and she shut her laptop with a forceful push.
One month. It had been one whole month since the Ocean Festival and the topic has yet to be dethroned from the top of the school's gossip column. If this wasn't indicative enough of Yukimura's influence, she didn't know what was. She ran a hand through her hair and lay down on her bed, spreading her arms across the sheets as she reminisced on the event. Her mind was awash with the image of the final scene, the thrilling feel of Yukimura's lips against the back of her hand was still vivid in her sensory system. It was light as a butterfly's wing fluttering and only lasted a split second, but her heart skipped a beat back then — it was like the kiss resonated with the very rhythm of her heartbeat.
Even though Yukimura had explained to her afterwards that he was merely attempting to cover up for the ruined skit by making a bigger topic for the audience to talk about, his touch already left an irrevocable imprint on her mind. She tried to play it cool, but she couldn't help but to stammer in front of Yukimura which made her feel really embarrassed. Prior to the Ocean Festival, she would occasionally exchange texts with Yukimura, but ever since that fateful afternoon, she stopped the casual messaging. She knew that she was overreacting, but she really couldn't control her mind. Under her strict upbringing, that was her first intimate act with a boy of her age. It was only right that she was flustered, wasn't it? She closed her eyes and sighed again, already dreading the first day of school.
~x~
She is avoiding him. Yukimura's eyes were still like calm waters free of ebbs. Serene blue pools studied Tsugi intently as she scurried off to the next class, not sparing the owner as much as a fleeting glance even though he was right beside her. If her attitude for the past three days wasn't explanatory enough, this certainly was. She had been subtle about it, but he wasn't insensitive enough to let it slip. Normally, Yukimura wasn't one to be bothered by other people's attitudes, but Tsugi was someone he considered a rare entity – a friend. When Renji raised his inquiry about about his odd (in Renji's analysis, any relationship that Yukimura forges with a person of female species beyond kinship is odd) relationship with Tsugi, Yukimura had affirmed it. He conceded that she was his first friend beyond those he made in his sport.
He knew why she was avoiding him, and he wasn't going to deny that this was his fault. He was well aware that she was a daughter of the Yanagi household, a noble family back then during the Edo period and a current distinguished family which continued to uphold traditions with pride. His action had stepped beyond the lines, so it was only natural that she would step back. He wasn't one to evade responsibilities. Quietly, he promised himself that he would find the chance to have a face-to-face talk with her and resolve this situation.
It didn't take long for the chance to come because Tsugi had been zoning out during class and missed the sound of the bell on the very same day. The rest of the class dispersed quickly as if it was pre-planned, leaving Yukimura and her alone in class. Some even turned around and smirked knowingly at them before evacuating the classroom. When Tsugi realized it, it was a little too late.
Yukimura was leaning against the door, sealing off the only exit.
"Yanagi, are you avoiding me?" Yukimura spoke slowly as he looked sharply at Tsugi. He had dropped the suffix from her surname after the Ocean Festival, an act which fueled the scandal already going rampant in school. He didn't bother to explain, not because he harbored romantic feelings for Tsugi, but because he didn't see the need to entertain the public with his private affairs. Before he was the public figure 'Child of God', he was first Yukimura Seiichi. There was a limit to how much he was willing to divulge about himself, and he wouldn't disclose his romantic life to please his fans. It's just like what Bernard M. Baruch said, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
(Oh, but there seems to be some contradiction there doesn't it, Yukimura?)
"H-huh? I-I don't know what you're talking about, Yukimura-san. I mean we are just friends, why would I avoid you. No wait, that's totally irrelevant…" Ugh! There she went again, garbling her words and saying things that didn't make any sense. She hated the current her in front of Yukimura. At the same time, she was perplexed by the Yukimura she was seeing — this domineering side of him which he was displaying in front of her for the first time.
"Could it be you're still mindful of the, last scene of the skit from the Ocean Festival?" Yukimura paused slightly, opting not to mention the kiss. He knew it was an uncouth act on his part, but it was body over mind at that time. He couldn't sit around and watch the Rikkai tennis club disgrace themselves in front of school and visitors alike.
"Of course not! I mean I know it's just to salvage the predicament we were in, it's just, I, I really don't know…" Tsugi let out an exasperated sigh as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, something she only did when she was really fed up. This was such an irritating situation.
"It's just like you said, Yanagi. Still, there's no deny that I have troubled you with my uncouth act. Please accept my apology," he lifted himself from the door and bent over slightly.
"No! Yukimura-san, it's not your fault!" Tsugi got anxious when Yukimura nearly bowed before her. She couldn't accept an apology for something that wasn't even the other party's fault — that would really make her upset at herself.
"What are you so flustered over then, Yanagi?" Yukimura lifted his head and met Tsugi's soft forest-green eyes with his piercing aquamarine ones.
Tsugi felt herself shuffle involuntarily under his intent stare. Somehow, she felt even more uncomfortable under Yukimura's cool blue orbs than Sanada's emotionless black eyes.
"I… I know it's just me who's overreacting, but it's difficult to face you," Tsugi confessed through murmurs as she looked away. "Give me some time, okay? I'm really sorry about my attitude towards you for the past few days."
"I understand. It isn't your fault," Yukimura nodded lightly, "I won't hold you up any further. Before the rumors die down, I won't approach you again."
"Thank you, Yukimura-san," She heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. This conversation with Yukimura made her feel like she was teetering on a tightrope.
"I hope that by the time we reconcile, you would've dropped that honorific, Yanagi," Yukimura smiled and he left the classroom without waiting for her reply. He had done what he should; he would let nature take its course now.
Tsugi slumped against the wall like a deflated balloon.
Was that really Yukimura? He was a completely different person from the gentle boy she had thought he was. Or was what she had known previously all a façade? Could it be possible that this domineering side of his was his true colors? Tsugi's heart was sinking and rising simultaneously in her sternum. She knew what it meant, and she was perturbed by it. Not good, this wasn't any good. She put a hand to her chest and felt the strong rhythm of her heart racing in her chest.
She was beginning to be intrigued by Yukimura Seiichi.
This wasn't a good sign.
~x~
Winter holiday ensued when the results of the final examination was released. The top three students in the cohort didn't change. Yanagi Renji was once again first, the only thing that changed this time was that Yagyuu Hiroshi successfully triumphed over Sanada Genichirou by a score of two points, earning himself the second place while Sanada was ranked third. Geishi's position dropped to 8th but she was still within the top 10 of the cohort. Yukimura's Chemistry grade improved tremendously and he leaped to 4th in cohort. Tsugi, having slackened after earning the 43rd position in mid-term examination, slipped to 221st, but considering that there were almost 900 students in their cohort, she was still well above most of her peers. Overall, they were all safe.
Before the aspiring sportsmen were allowed to enjoy their hard-earned holiday though, they were gathered at a training camp. During winter, in accordance with Rikkai Dai's tradition, all sports clubs were required to hold a week-long practice camp for potential regulars in their club. The camp was completely sponsored by the school and planned by the OBs and OGs from the high school section. All the clubs had to do was to pick out the members they believe to have potential. Since the camp aims to groom the next generation of regulars, it would make sense that only first years and second years were invited.
Not too surprisingly, Tsugi was selected by her captain. She was delighted when she was told to attend the camp, because it meant that if things went smoothly, she was going to play as a regular next year. Geishi had expressed her envy when Tsugi shared the news with her. The redhead wasn't very adept in Kendo and therefore she hadn't been selected by the club's captain to attend the camp.
Tsugi was one of the only two year one's who were selected in the girls tennis club. The other girl was called Yamatari Kichi, a really normal girl who Tsugi had conversed with on a few rare occasions. Kichi was looking uneasy until she saw Tsugi, upon which the former immediately brightened up and plopped down on the seat beside the latter.
"I'm so glad to see another first year besides myself here!" She sighed in relief as she chattered away animatedly, "I was worried that I would be singled out – you know."
"It's great seeing you here, Kichi-chan," Tsugi smiled back at the girl.
"Why if it isn't our cute juniors!" A shrilly voice chirped happily as two hands belonging to the same person reached out for the head of both first years.
"Atsunaya-senpai," Tsugi wore a helpless smile on her face as she identified the older girl, while Kichi yelped slightly upon the sudden contact. This senpai had a fetish for ruffling her juniors' hair which sometimes made Tsugi feel like a domestic cat.
Thump!
"Ow!" Himeko wailed and she removed her paws from her juniors' heads to clutch her own. "That was painful, Rei!" She screeched accusingly at her doubles partner who just promptly smacked her on the head with a stack of rolled-up magazine.
"Was it? I thought you had worse, Himeko," Rei slurred, enunciating each word slowly just to spite Himeko, "and stop bullying the juniors, your monstrosity will scar them for life."
"You're exaggerating things, Rei!" Himeko huffed indignantly and folded her arms across her chest, sinking into the comfortable seat of the six-star luxury bus - courtesy of her family – with a sulk on her doll-like face. Atsunaya Himeko was the daughter of an extremely wealthy family which was closely associated with the Atobe's. In fact, the famous Atobe Keigo was her second cousin.
Rei snorted in response and went back to reading her magazine, dismissing her juniors' grateful looks.
Looking at their spiteful attitudes towards each other, it was hard to imagine that these two girls were the undefeatable 'Ultimate Pair' of Rikkai Dai girls tennis club.
"Now, now, we wouldn't want a fight to break out on the bus, do we?" Izumi Hana sighed and ran a hand through her head of messy silver hair. How the heck did the two of them become a doubles pair when they were always fighting outside the court?
The captain spoke! Izumi Hana was a mature and perceptive second-year who was handed the mantle of captainship as soon as the National Tournament ended. She was the one who always cleaned up after her club-mates committed any troubles, which is why the previous captain chose to entrust the team to her. While she wasn't the best player, she displayed the best leadership ability in her cohort.
"Hmph," Rei and Himeko scowled in synchrony, and they shot each other another dirty look.
… Maybe there was a reason behind their winning streak after all.
"Ok girls, listen up. I have to brief you all about the schedule today. We will have breakfast when we reach there, and training begins right after that. You will do your usual warm-ups before the seniors introduce the special training program. Trust me, you better be mentally prepared for the training. Don't expect the seniors to go easy on you," The last sentence was clearly directed at Kichi and Tsugi who were the only year one's there.
"Yes, captain!" The entire bus chorused.
"Finally, we will have a bonding session with the boys team at night. We will be training closely with the boys team for the week. It would be good if you all familiarize with each other."
That meant that she would be seeing Renji and Yukimura. A weird feeling arose in her heart when she remembered Yukimura. He had kept to his words and maintained a distance between them. Aside from the occasional nods and greetings they shared when they saw each other in the corridor, they never exchanged a word outside of class. By now, the rumor had already died down; especially since an exam fever had just passed. As Tsugi thought over the entire event again, her mind was awash with guilt. Her attitude towards Yukimura after the Ocean Festival had really been quite terrible, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that he didn't deserve the ill treatment from her. (Quite frankly though, it wasn't as bad as she thought it was.) That aside, she also felt terribly embarrassed of her conservativeness. It was just a kiss on the back of her hand and that in Western etiquette, was just basic courtesy. She really, really shouldn't had been so worked up about it. By now, all she had left was apologies towards Yukimura.
But Yukimura didn't seem like he was going to approach her anytime soon. Even after the exam, the two of them still maintained the same tepid relationship. They would smile and exchange nods and greetings, but they wouldn't talk like before. She felt a little... forlorn. She missed talking to Yukimura, but she was too reserved to approach him first. A good thing that came out of this was that the weird sensation she had felt on the last day they had conversed has subsided. She didn't have that teetering over the edge feel when she saw Yukimura anymore and that she supposed, was a good thing. Things would only become awkward if she formed a crush on him...
"Ne, Tsugi-chan, isn't it exciting? I have never been to a training camp before," Kichi whispered softly to Tsugi. It wasn't hard to tell that the girl was excited.
"Um — oh? Yeah, neither have I, but I have a feeling that this will be fun," Tsugi responded half-distractedly. Kichi was a sensitive person, she noticed that there was something on Tsugi's mind and she stopped talking, but Tsugi was too deep in thoughts to notice her seatmate's considerate act.
The bus soon arrived at the location. The camp was held at a tennis club in the middle of a forest, up on a mountain. Tsugi hopped off the bus and was assigned to a room with a second year called Zachikaitou Cho. Kichi was disappointed that they weren't going to share a room, but she got over it quickly.
After settling down, they changed into their training outfit and went out to the court. It was freezing outside, but snow has yet to fall. Tsugi knew it was good endurance training. Perhaps that was why Rikkai Dai always set the middle school training camp at this time of the year. The eight selected members quickly proceeded with their warm-ups.
~x~
"The members selected this year are looking good, aren't they?" An auburn-haired, mature-looking girl grinned to the girl who wore her long green hair in a ponytail. The two of them were observing through a window facing the courts on the second floor.
"We won't know until we test them. You had said Yoko's team last year looked promising as well, but they lost at the Nationals again," the green-haired girl replied, frowning upon the memory of throwing two championships away in a row. Rikkai Dai Fuzoku had lost to Shitenhouji two times in a row. This is the ugliest mark in Rikkai Dai girls tennis club's history ever.
"I'm sure Hana-chi will be able to handle it. Even our senpai acknowledged Hana-chi's batch as one of the best they had ever seen, didn't they?" The auburn-haired girl remained optimistic.
"Whatever it is, I will reserve my opinions until I see them in action," The green-haired girl replied coolly.
"Really, Minori-chan… Well then, shall we go?" The auburn-haired shook her head as she gripped the window frame. Without waiting for a response from Minori, she leaped down.
"That Yumi…" Minori frowned but she followed in Yumi's step. They were both acrobatic players, so a little height like this couldn't hurt.
~x~
Tsugi blinked when she saw the two older girls appear from the sky. The auburn-haired girl had done a moonsault in midair while the green-haired girl did a full body spin. They both landed soundlessly, and simultaneously, they folded their arms across their chest.
"Katsuchino-senpai, Haruno-senpai!" The second years recognized their ex-captain and ex-vice-captain. Katsuchino Yumi and Haruno Minori were the most famous doubles pair in all of Rikkai Dai girls tennis club history. They were the true golden pair which never dropped a game, not even in the National Tournament. Unfortunately, despite their flawless combination which secured Rikkai their first point in the National Tournament last year, Rikkai still lost.
"Well Hana-chi, I hope your team is ready for what we have in plan for you," Yumi grinned as she patted Hana on the head, "Giddy-up kids! My name is Yumi, and this here is Minori. We will be your coach for this camp," Yumi stated cheerily.
"I expect nothing less than perfection from you," Minori warned with a stoic expression.
"Hmm just let me take attendance first… Hana-chi, Himeko, Rei, Senko, Heibi, Cho… and what's this? Two first years?" With each name she read out, Yumi glanced up to check to see if they were present. She quirked an eyebrow when she saw the last two names on the list. Prior to the camp, she didn't have the chance to look through the name list because she had been busy planning the program. First years were rare at Rikkai Dai's training camp, but Hana selected two?
"Hai, senpai. My name is Yanagi Asaitsugi," Tsugi stepped forward and gave a small bow.
"M-my name is Yamatari Kichi," Shyly, Kichi followed Tsugi's lead.
"Hmm… I won't go easy on you," Yumi rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "having said that, Minori, announce their first task."
"Since it's just the first day, we'll go easy on you. Run up the mountain there and return before the Sun sets. Should you fail, you'll be sleeping outside tonight. Believe me, if you think that the temperature now is cold, you wouldn't survive the night," Minori nodded and dictated monotonously. She pointed at a mountain that was almost too far away to be seen. In fact, Tsugi believed that if the weather was even a little foggy, they wouldn't have been able to make out the shape of the mountain.
"Hai, Haruno-senpai!" In contrast to Tsugi and Kichi's stunned expression, the year two's set off without a second word.
"Tsugi! Kichi! Don't just stand around and start running!" Hana bellowed and pulled the two of them along.
"Y-Yes, captain!"
~x~
They barely made it back before sunset. Tsugi and Kichi were young after all, and they nearly fainted on the last quarter of the journey back. Luckily for them, the seniors took turns piggybacking them until they were rejuvenated enough. The Rikkai Dai (future) girls tennis team dashed into the courts just as the last bit of sunray disappeared in the far west.
"Hmm… It looks like you people still need more training," Yumi sighed disapprovingly at the weary bunch of girls. "But anyway, you passed. Now run along to shower. I believe you have a bonding session with the boys later tonight. Maybe we should go talk to Hanashitari-kun and Wakanari-kun, Minori."
"Absolutely," Minori nodded. Just as the two were about to leave, Minori shot the team one last fleeting glance over her shoulders. Had they been wrong in thinking that this team would be the one to stop Shitenhouji's third straight win?
"Senpai, Kichi and I are okay, we just need some time to breathe…" Tsugi huffed between pants as the seniors all eyed the juniors with concern. This was the first time she had run such a long distance continuously. It must have been at least 120km worth of distance if she had been running continuously from 9am to 6pm, stopping only to rehydrate herself.
"Y-yes, we'll recover soon," Kichi interjected through hitched breaths.
The seniors had said that this was just the inception of it which means the rest of the training program is going to be much, much worse. But she will persevere on. She will definitely become a regular on Rikkai Dai's tennis team next year. These trainings are nothing, she told herself sternly. They were going to be a part of her daily routine in future.
After a refreshing shower, the girls sat down to dine together with the members of the boys tennis club. As expected, most of them looked knocked out – no, scratch that, all of them looked knocked out except for the three year one's. The girls weren't surprised. After all, they had long heard about the three demons of Rikkai who made it to the top of their club in their first year, each earning himself a unique title.
"Izumi-buchou, Senjirou-fukubuchou, Yanagi," Yukimura greeted the captain, vice-captain and Tsugi as the girls team walked in. One thing Tsugi was confused about was that he never used honorifics with her name again, despite their current weird relationship.
"Yukimura-buchou, Sanada-fukubuchou," Hana replied with a courteous nod, while Senjirou Heibi merely glanced at him dismissively, upon which she received a reprimanding look from Hana. Yukimura paid no heeds to Heibi's rudeness.
"Tsugi," Renji greeted.
"Yukimura-san, Renji," Tsugi smiled weakly and took a seat across of Renji. She knew she looked horrible.
As much as they wanted to uphold their manners, the members of both teams were too worn out to introduce themselves to each other before dinner was served.
"It's time for the bonding session!" the four seniors from Rikkai High School section barged into the room as soon as they finished – raising Renji's suspicion that they were under 24/7 surveillance – and Yumi declared, "now gather in the conference room! You have one minute! Anyone who's late is sleeping outside tonight!"
There was a mad scurry to rush into the conference room even before Yumi finished her sentence.
"Sit down in a circle," The onyx-haired male senior gestured for them to sit down, his face bereft of all emotions.
Both teams and the four seniors sat down in a circle.
"So, you'll all be training together, eating together, playing together, showering together and sleeping to- " The other male senior with bright blue hair began until he was smacked in the head by Minori.
"You're going overboard, Hanashitari," Minori stabbed coldly.
"Oww! Whatever was that for, Minori-chan!? What did I say wrongly?" Hanashitari howled in pain and exclaimed. He was only stating the facts! Minori shot him a glare and settled down on the other side of the room, refusing to go within a yard of that imbecile.
"Well, what do you say we play some icebreaker games? How about 'Truth or Dare'? How does that sound?" Yumi took it upon herself to save the day and she put forward her suggestion. Everybody stared at her with a blank expression. "No objection? I take it that you're all fine with it. We'll use this bottle. I'll spin first since it was my suggestion!" She magically pulled out a bottle from thin air and unabashedly abused her authority.
Honestly, Yumi can be so shameless when she wanted to be. Minori slapped a hand against her forehead. She was such an embarrassment.
The bottle landed on a second-year from the boys team. Typical of a man who believed that choosing truth is for sissy, he opted for 'dare'.
"Hmm, how about you take your pick between Hanashitari and Wakanari and kiss one of them? Of course I'm perfectly fine with you kissing both. Oh and don't try to find loopholes, I want a real, lip-to-lip kiss."
The second year's confident expression morphed into a look of horror before he hesitantly chose the more easygoing Hanashitari. With a look of determination, he hurriedly pecked his senior -who looked equally disgusted- on the lips.
The girls team erupted in laughter as the second year's face turned into the shade of beetroot. Even Yukimura looked remotely amused. Determined to have his revenge, the second year spun the bottle and with precise accuracy, it landed on Himeko who laughed the loudest.
"Eh? Me? Fine, dare then. Please don't be uncreative though, I'd hate to carry out something boring," Himeko grinned, daring the second year to give her an impossible dare.
The second year's attempt to pay her back at her own game was stuck in his throat.
"I, I dare you to… I dare you to pull off a strand of hair from Haruno-senpai!" A momentary silence lingered in the air as all the second years and high school seniors gave the guy a look of awe. Now he has really done it. That was indeed a creative and challenging dare… Back when Minori was still around, she was famed as the Ice Queen of Rikkai. Few people dared to incur her wrath.
Himeko's smug smile faltered instantly. Through gritted teeth, she peered tentatively at Minori's emotionless face.
Pride or life? That was a difficult question.
"Umm… Haruno-senpai…" Himeko gulped.
"Yes?" There it was! Minori's special attack – the 'Icy Glare'!
Himeko immediately wilted.
"I, I forfeit!" Himeko spat out as she balled her fists. As expected it was impossible to challenge Queen Minori!
"Splendid! Here is your forfeit game, 'Penal Tea'!" Yumi put her hands together in glee and handed her a glass of red liquid.
"What? It's just a drink? Easy, easy!" Himeko visibly relaxed when she saw the deceitfully innocent-looking punishment. She downed down the drink in one gulp. Her sensory system was a bit later to react than her body. "What the—URGHHHH!" Himeko shot out of the room and made a mad dash for the nearest toilet, throwing up everything from her dinner before she crashed on the toilet floor. The hell was that drink!?
"Hey Yanagi-kun, your friend's drink is really powerful…" Yumi rubbed her chin with a thoughtful expression. Maybe she should add that Inui person's drink to the team's diet menu. That would train up their resistance.
Renji gave an elusive smile which made everyone shiver. Honestly, that has to be more than some normal tea to make Himeko react like that.
After Himeko's example, the members of the two teams were much more cautious in the game. Most people started picking 'truth', but a few obstinate ones stuck with 'dare'. Finally, the bottle was spun to Yukimura.
Rei had been the one to spin the bottle to Yukimura. She was fired up after a very derogatory dare from Nio who dared her to give Kichi a lap dance, and so she snapped at Yukimura.
"Truth or dare?" She growled menacingly at the blue-haired captain of the foolish first year who dared her to conduct such an improper act. He's going to pay for failing to educate his teammate.
"Truth, Matsuhitsu-senpai," Yukimura was not at all intimidated by the older girl's aggressive behavior and replied in the calm manner that only he could pull off without looking impertinent in front of a senior.
"Very well then. Tell us, Yukimura, who is the most handsome boy in this room?" Rei's auburn-colored eyes narrowed dangerously. She wasn't going to let Yukimura off easily. Her question was a two way trap. Should Yukimura give a name, he'd be labeled as a homosexual from tonight onward. Should he not give a concrete reply, he would have to drink 'Penal Tea'.
"Are you sure you want to ask me this question, Matsuhitsu-san?" Yukimura gave a crooked smile, which seemed to suggest that he had everything under his control.
"Stop trying to evade the damned question, Yukimura," Rei hissed venomously, she wasn't going to let go of the boys team for a while. Right now she was about as cranky as a woman in menopause.
"Very well then. I believe that the most handsome boy is most definitely that boy standing behind you right now. He's smiling as we speak."
The room was in a deathly silence.
"W-what are you talking about, Yukimura? There's no one behind me!" Rei snapped, cold beads of sweat trickling down her face. If there was one thing Matsuhitsu Rei was afraid of, it was supernatural creatures.
"But I'm serious, Matsuhitsu-san. The boy standing behind you right now is very good-looking. He has dark hair with a fringe that goes just slightly below his brows, covering part of his piercing coal-black eyes which are currently fixated on you. He's wearing a pristine white shirt and a pair of black Bermudas, ah, he's smiling no-"
Yukimura's detailed, vivid description of a boy that didn't exist was cut off by Rei's high-pitched scream as she made a dash for the doors, slamming it before anybody could react.
"—Oh, she's gone now," Yukimura smiled innocently, as if he wasn't the one who scared her out of the room. The scary thing was that Yukimura looked genuinely sinless; there was not a hint of him being guilty.
It was that night Yukimura became the embodiment of sadism and fortified his name as one of the Three Demons of Rikkai.
~x~
The next day, Tsugi couldn't help but to notice that the training was a little lighter than what she had expected. She was able to steady her breath within half a minute after the routine ended which was a huge surprise.
"I'm sure you've realized that the training was light today," Almost as if Yumi could read Tsugi's thoughts, she grinned at the team. "That's because we have arranged something fun for you tonight. Meet us at Court B at 8pm later! Bring your racquets along." With that, Yumi hopped off with Minori following by her side.
… Tsugi wasn't sure if she liked the sound of that.
~x~
At 8 o'clock sharp, both the boys team and girls team were gathered on the same court.
"Attention please; ladies and gentlemen, we will be having a night walk tonight!" Hanashitari announced cheerily. "Please find yourself a partner from the opposite team! You will be completing the night walk together with your partner."
"T-Tsugi-chan, what if nobody wants to partner with me?" Kichi whispered to Tsugi in a worried tone. Her concern wasn't irrelevant, because this was obviously a part of the training program. It was only natural that everyone would want to find a strong partner. First years like them obviously wouldn't be their best choice. Then again, there were exactly eight pairs at the camp.
Tsugi shook her head, she knew Renji would pair up with her for sure, but she couldn't find a partner for Kichi, could she?
"Would you like to pair up with me, Yamatari-san?" Much to their surprise, Renji approached Kichi.
Tsugi blinked. Renji wasn't going to partner with her?
"Your partner is over there, Tsugi," Upon seeing Tsugi's inquisitive look, Renji gestured to behind her. Perplexedly, Tsugi turned around and she halted in her step.
Standing a few inches behind her was Yukimura with a faint smile to his seraphic face.
"Shall we pair up, Yanagi?"