Me: Hahaha, I decided to put a little fluff for Kiyone and Shiraishi since I feel as if I've been neglecting that pair. I'm sure everyone's on the edge about Ayane and Atobe since they're heading into the climax of their little "bet". Will the tangerine haired vice captain forgive her long forgotten childhood friend [and crush] or will a certain red head still manage to win? Oishi's still torn by the fact he's in love with two girls but somehow – let's make it work now shall we? I know a lot of people are miffed about the sudden SanadaxShizuru moment but that's all part of the plan [of Yukimura] anyway. Guys, please don't forget that I don't own Prince of Tennis! If I did, there would be more girls and Tezuka would have fallen in love as part of the plotline.
imnobeautyqueen: Yeah I know he should have but don't worry – Shizuru will have her fluff with him too. It's just that he's all the way in Germany and if you look at the e-mail part of this story. I think you might see a little development there no? XD
Thanks to .animelove13, imnobeautyqueen, Ayane2996 and Kyouei_shurei!
Chapter 43 – Numbered
Ever since the gathering at the Atobe Mansion, Rin warily checked everywhere she passed while imagining the worst case scenario. The five girls had just emphasized on travelling around as a group to avoid being kidnapped or getting caught in a crossfire and she went solo all because her house stationed itself at the other end of Tokyo. As the black acrobat swam through the stressful crowd at the subway, the chattering and blaring of announcements racked Rin to the point of completely sweating and shivering. Her mahogany red eyes scanned the crowd suspiciously until someone touched her shoulder.
"Rin," –a hand dropped gently onto Heilongjiang's shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Without any warning, Rin grabbed the person's arm and let out a bloodcurdling shriek, flipping over the perpetrator in the process. Down at the subway, everyone focused their attention to the screaming female teenager and a groaning brown haired male who visibly winced from the agony of being slammed onto the cold concrete floor.
"Oh my gosh," Rin gaped and covered her mouth in shock, only to find Kajimoto groaning on the ground. Argh, right reaction, wrong guy! I slammed Kajimoto-kun by mistake!
Kajimoto, rubbing the back of his head before sitting up, chuckled sheepishly. "Well, that should be a good reminder not to sneak up on you like that."
Rin extended her hand to him, helping him clamber up to his feet. "I am so sorry! This place really kills my hearing and everything seems so loud, kuwee~!"
"No worries," Kajimoto twisted his body a bit, hearing a few cracks here and there. "I've gone through worse really..."
Rin yelped and started yanking her low pig tails before dragging Kajimoto by the arm into the bullet train. "Wait; let's go inside the train first!"
Being completely ignored, Kajimoto seated himself next to Rin as the train hummed to life and lurched forward. An awkward silence wedged in between them while Rin suddenly faced him and started apologizing repeatedly, earning more bewildered looks from people on the train. Despite him assuring her everything was fine, the black acrobat continued to wail.
"I'm really sorry, Kajimoto," Rin bawled while slumping onto the floor. "I hope your tennis style remains unaffected...!"
Kajimoto, seeing no other way to silence her, leaned in and pressed his lips firmly onto the acrobat's. Noticing her vision was starting to fog up, Rin drew back but slowly relaxed into the kiss when Kajimoto grasped her shoulders tightly to prevent her from escaping. A few cat-calls and wolf-whistles echoed throughout the freight car as Kajimoto pulled her up onto the chair, continuing the intensity of the kiss. Rin shivered as his hand started travelling up her back and pulling off her hair tie. The black dragon, starting to find her vision spinning, pushed away to breathe.
"Kajimoto," Rin murmured softly until she realized their faces were almost in contact, bonking her head childishly. "Oh no - why do I keep doing stupid things today, kuwee~?"
Kajimoto, watching another one of her crazy outbursts again, resigned himself to the fact that Rin will continue to whine and freak out. "Rin, its okay..."
Heilongjiang finally lowered her voice while averting her gaze away from the male acrobat. "K-Kajimoto-kun..."
"Yeah?"
Her body trembled violently as she remembered the straightforwardness of the Jyosei Shounan male's kiss. The tenderness caused her hair to stand on its ends while she imagined the passion again in her head. She couldn't evade him forever; Haruka would be laughing at her and would be having kittens if she found out how the acrobat received her first kiss. The Wu Shu practitioner traced her finger across her lips and recalled the sensation screaming inside her conscience.
You just got owned by a hot man, Shimohi Rin! A captain nonetheless...
Despite trying to speak, the raven haired acrobat tried to break the silence only to have her fail miserably due to the voice trapped in her throat. She could already imagine the business-like smile of Hitomi in her head when she finds info along with Mai's and Haruka's triumphant smirk seeing that she had her first kiss taken by her Jyosei's acrobatic counterpart, Kajimoto Takahisa.
Racking his mind for a subject meanwhile, Kajimoto's thoughts remained clouded by how sweet her lips tasted due to all those donughts she had grown fond of eating. His body screamed for him to alleviate the awkwardness between them but nothing seemed to suffice. Instead, both acrobats' heads were filled with the intensity of the last contact they made. Skating and holding hands, fine – kissing on a bullet train to silence someone...
Kajimoto, that was the worst idea ever.
The Jyosei Shounan captain rummaged through his thoughts for anything that could salvage the situation only to let out a defeated sigh and accidentally bumped his head against the window. Again, the acrobat let out a disgruntled groan as a pregnant pause forced its way in between them. Both tennis players could feel other people's eyes focusing on them, waiting for a plot to develop or at least a small reaction or exchange between the two. However, the uncomfortable staring and silence made the two even more cautious on what to say, hoping not to get any of their ideas mixed up.
"I," both of them faced each other, not realizing all the heat rushed up to their faces as the image of them kissing flashed again into their head.
This should be no different from confronting an opponent right, Kajimoto bit his lower lip hard nervously. Why can't I concentrate properly?
Okay Rin, think of it as a high leap, the female acrobat inhaled sharply before shifting her position to face Kajimoto but only to fail miserably and become as crimson as a tomato. No, it's not! This is totally different! Calm down... it's no big de- NOOOOO, ITS DISASTERIFFIC!
"Disasterrific," Kajimoto repeated only to have Rin whimper and whine but slowly started chuckling at the sound. "Nice way of putting it."
Soon, both of them started to laugh themselves sick while the tension seemed to lift up easily. The humour softened things up before the situation would have been more disasterrific as the two had put it. The bullet train suddenly jerked everyone forward as the PA announced their destination. Finally boning up on some courage to respond, Kajimoto faced Rin with a softened expression other than his serious one.
"Want to," Kajimoto chuckled nervously, offering his hand to Rin. "You want to get some yoghurt or something?"
With her eyes sparkling at the mention of something sweet, the girl gleefully nodded before hauling over her tennis equipment and bag. "Sure, where to?"
Checking out for a small ice cream parlour, Kajimoto walked along with her while pulling out an umbrella for them to walk under. All of a sudden, Rin started whistling and splashing the small puddles at their feet, earning herself a snicker from the brunette. Unlike most that would be in contempt, Kajimoto found her childishness quite... endearing for lack of better word. Many girls could be childish but Kajimoto found most of their childishness directed to him cloying and irritating which added more stress onto his mind in finding ways how to avoid his fan girls. How Wakato managed to live a life like that without snapping remained to be a mystery ever since their freshman year.
"Ne, Kajimoto-kun," Rin ran out into the rain while stepping into huge puddles. "Join me, kuwee~!"
Kajimoto glanced at her for a moment, completely bewildered. "Wait, Rin-chan – that's not really..."
Latching onto his wrist and forgetting about the yoghurt idea, Rin yanked Kajimoto and dragged him into the plaza nearby with huge puddles of water and the most amount of rain. Despite the typhoon coming in, the rainfall had weakened considerably and couples took their daily stroll with either their boyfriend or someone they want to confess to. For Rin however, she started splashing water into her companion's face to which Kajimoto could only shield himself from the watery barrage using his hands and umbrella.
"Aww come on," she pouted impishly, folding her arms. "Don't be such a spoilsport!"
"Rin-chan, you're really going to get a fever," Kajimoto responded tersely while trying to get a word in edgewise through the watery ambush. "Besides, I think we're the only ones playing with the rainwater. Everyone else is probably huddled up in their kotatsu."
"Boo," Rin stuck her tongue out cheekily. "That's no fun in the rainy season, kuwee~."
Kajimoto scratched his head, wondering how Haruka managed to pacify a hyperactive Rin. Perhaps the black dragon was simply meteoric? Impossible, that would mean she would be miserable in the rain and not the other way around. However, her playfulness and wild splashing caused Kajimoto's mouth to curve up into a smirk. Although talking would have been a solution to him, the captain felt a little challenged himself.
"Alright," Kajimoto placed his umbrella down on the ground, drawing out two lines. "These will be the boundaries and whoever forces his or her opponent behind the lines first wins."
Rin, seeing that Kajimoto caught in pretty quickly, showed no hesitation in sending waves of water flying his way. Being an acrobat gave Kajimoto a huge advantage and despite the slippery surface, the brunette landed easily with only slight skidding.
Whoever invented rubber shoes is a genius, Kajimoto splashed another ripple of water towards Rin who cheekily dodged it and sent more torrents of water coming.
"Wheee~," Rin leapt up into the air to evade Kajimoto's attempt to splash her backwards. However, the watery terrain sent Rin sliding and sprained her ankle. "Owie..."
Kajimoto rushed over to her, slinging her arm on his shoulder. "Rin, what happened?"
Realizing that he had dropped the suffix, Kajimoto inwardly cursed at his carelessness but his self-annoyance suddenly got washed away by Rin's cheeky grin. "Victory...!"
Quizzical at first, Kajimoto then looked at the ground and saw that he had indeed stepped past the designated lines but ignored it all together soon after. "Rin, we should get you inside. The rain composition isn't normal anymore. There's a chance it could be acid rain."
"Global Warming," Rin sang as Kajimoto positioned her for a piggyback ride, adjusting herself effortlessly. "Yay, Kaji-kun's giving me a piggyback ride!"
A defeated sigh escaped from his lips but the weight didn't seem as burdening as it should. Kajimoto himself didn't understand why but perhaps it was because the black dragon he loaded onto his back snuggled against his body while falling into a short slumber. Glancing at the stormy grey skies, the captain snuck one last peek at the napping female before deciding where to go: his place or hers whichever was closer. Bending down as to pick up his umbrella, Kajimoto could not comprehend as to how he, a serious and mature person, had developed feelings for someone who was completely opposite to his personality and could effortlessly and innocently send his mind driving onto a huge emotional highway.
Then again, a wistful smile appeared. I guess that's Wakato meant about the weather messing up everything...
As if things could not develop, he felt Rin nuzzle her cheek against his back while murmuring things softly. Kajimoto felt a chuckle bubble from his throat while he shifted her sleeping position, taking care not to drop her or anything. His expression softened considerably while feeling a sense of relaxation and relief flood through the fibres of his being. A black strand strayed towards his shoulder but the said captain chose to ignore it and continue making his way towards his house. Fortunately for him, Hanamura-sensei remained out of sight otherwise – the teasing would be endless. Wakato had always nagged him to get a girlfriend and use whatever charms he had [to which Youhei and Kouhei mentioned he had an abundant amount of] to snag any girl he wanted. Kajimoto refused the first time, seeing how fast his friend managed to crash and burn when he accidentally asked out a college student.
No one ever said about a knight and a dragon being together... especially when the dragon was actually the princess...
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Strolling alongside Oishi, Hitomi found themselves taking the detour after hearing how crowded it was. Being forced to circle around, the blonde Mastermind felt more comfortable than waiting in a train station. According to her research, there were higher chances of them being ambushed there and none of them were well-equipped to deal with a contract killer. The Seishun Gakuen male vice captain solemnly gazed at the neon green ball in his hands, attempting to recover from the news of his cousin's death.
"I," Hitomi mustered enough strength to lightly place her hand on his shoulder. "My condolences and... I'm sorry about my captain's insensitivity..."
"That monster," Oishi murmured softly while fingering the fur off the tennis ball with a melancholic sigh. "That Peasant... those were just remains of Haruhi right?"
Hitomi stiffly nodded, a part of her tightened as her stomach tied itself up in knots. His miserable expression knocked all the wind out of her, forcing her to settle with simply analysing and observing him as the boy with the strange haircut stared into nothingness. Her blue green eyes glimmered sadly before she slid off her glasses to wipe off some salty crystalline hindering her vision.
"Yamaguchi-san," Oishi handed her a handkerchief with a bittersweet smile. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make the atmosphere that depressing."
"A more dangerous storm is the one that does not start rainfall first but signals with nothing but flashes of lightning," the Mastermind gave him a hollow giggle before placing her round framed eyeglasses back on. "It's alright; you're probably overwhelmed by everything that occurred within the last three days..."
Although the two sat next to each other, Hitomi felt an impregnable wall surround her as she tried to comfort the grief-stricken male. Seeing people die may have not be a daily incident but the curly blonde haired team manager found her own heart sinking at the imagination of losing people around her. Despite often being left alone in the house, Hitomi never found herself used to the dark emptiness that filled the place she supposedly called "home". No one had been able to fill that void and her friends at least managed to remedy it gradually but they could only reach a certain extent.
"Oishi Haruhi," Hitomi suspended her hand above Oishi's with a consoling expression. "She was one of the people who always gave me a run for my money in academics. Truly, her intelligence was fearsome... But, I don't believe she is the type also to relish in her family's suffering."
The dark haired vice captain subconsciously leaned against the female while letting out a yawn. "Thank you..."
"We're not the type to tolerate things like this," Hitomi assured him with much determination, balling her hand into a fist. "This time... the perpetrator should consider himself blacklisted."
Another awkward silence came in between them until Hitomi decided to clarify a few things. "I want to know something..."
The groggy male faced Hitomi who had a serious expression etched onto her face. "Tezuka-san, when will he confess or at least admit to himself that he loves her?"
Oishi sighed in defeat, knowing how stubborn his best friend could be. "Tezuka's not the type to impose and neither is he the type to act upon impulse. Secondly, he's a disaster in the emotions department. Normally, he'd get someone to go in between in terms of emotional issues."
"But in this case," Hitomi assessed Tezuka's behaviour. "He's not going to do anything at all... Unless..."
Oishi noticed a strange glint in the Mastermind's eye as she started muttering something about using "Sanada's invitation" as a springboard to provoke Tezuka into making his move. "Yamaguchi-san, Tezuka I think would appreciate us more if we stay out of his romantic affairs. It's already bad enough that everyone now knows that he loves her."
"A well-guarded secret doesn't always stay sealed away forever," Hitomi evilly sniggered at the many inspirations she had gained from the information laid out before her because all that remained was to manufacture different coincidences. "Shizuru may not wait for him forever. Even if she herself has a strong attachment to him, there will come a moment when he will realize his mistake too late."
Checking out the grey skies, Oishi admitted feebly while watching small droplets drizzle against the train's windows. "Yeah but... what can we do? Sanada has Niou and Yukimura reinforcing his chances. Rikkai Dai can be violently supportive if they want to be especially if it will work all in their favour."
"Fuji Syuusuke won't be alone in his attempts," Hitomi grinned, earning herself a shudder from Oishi. "While the girls and he manufacture chances, you have to pound and drill into Tezuka's head about his affections towards Shizuru and that he should confess unless he wants to surrender her to Sanada."
"Even a bulldozer won't make a dent on Tezuka's thick head," Oishi snorted at his poor attempt to sound optimistic. "Knocking him on the head with a tennis ball won't do either."
"Perhaps a slap from reality may affect his judgement a little," Hitomi mumbled to herself while structuring her plans together, calculating the risks of being found out but then again – most of her plans were foolproof and idiot proof. "Honestly – who do you believe deserves her more?"
Oishi simulated the thoughts in his mind with different scenarios along with Fuuka's and Shizuru's contrasting characteristics and personalities. Bluntly put, Shizuru has a greater amount of inner strength that Tezuka would appreciate more. Fuuka on the other hand can earn up to the same amount of motivation as he can. Both girls command the same level of ability; both of them are capable of making an assassin beg for mercy...
"Won't I be a little biased," Oishi folded his arms while rethinking through Hitomi's ideas.
Hyotei's Data Master shook her head while pulling out a notebook. "Psychologically speaking, you're the only one who knows him for every mannerism he makes. Fuji although may have some dirt but that is for his blackmailing purposes. I do not want your suggestion but only your opinion on who you feel he's better off with."
"Shizuru," Oishi mechanically replied before tossing the ball up into the air. "Tezuka may not show it but his eyes reflect his emotions towards her. Those incidents in the tennis camp made him rethink his playing style and instead of risking his injury, Tezuka works around it instead. Ryuuzaki-sensei found that to be a big improvement on his part."
"Somehow," Hitomi giggled at their similarities. "I wonder why that part of him didn't influence our captain on their primary meeting."
"Maybe it's out of fear or concern," Oishi shrugged while dribbling the ball with his racquet. "So, what do you intend to do now? Sanada's going to be her companion for that whole time and anything could happen. Tezuka's going to be in Germany until the start of the Nationals and by then, Sanada would have at least attempted to confess due to Yukimura-san's prodding."
Hitomi, tugging her lower lip lightly, constructed a scenario until an evil glint appeared in her eye. "Who's the one who can irritate him the most?"
There was a little bewilderment and an 'oh-no-what-does-she-have-planned' expression. "That would be Fuji."
"Fuji will have to be the scapegoat for this one," Hitomi drew out the schematics on her notebook. "Another is – someone has to intercept Yukimura often to make sure he forgets. While retarding the progress of their plans, we can drill some sense into your captain's titanium head while Momo tries to foil any attempt that Sanada has. This is a chess game now; worst part is – our opponent is Yukimura and Niou. Only Kami-sama knows what that devil and trickster can do."
Before anyone could react, a car slid across the slippery road and nearly collided into two of them if not for Oishi's fast reaction that sent them both tumbling onto the ground. People yelped out in fear, murmuring and crowding up the scene of the accident before the police came running. The light post however dangerously loomed above the two tennis players while the light nearly fell out of its housing along with the wires sparking to life.
"It's an honour to work with you," Hitomi chuckled, only to have her face betray her when she discovered the distance between her body and Oishi's and considered their compromising position.
His groin area nearly came in contact with her pelvic area.
Both kids were soaking wet, making the clothes cling against their bodies.
His hands were firmly locked onto her wrists and he was on top.
Now, does anyone not get this picture?
"Oh no," Oishi and Hitomi chorused in unison before pushing each other away and adjusting their clothing, avoiding the falling debris just in time.
I would have been the whole laughingstock of the team if they found out, Hitomi pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head disbelievingly.
If Inui were here, everything would have been more complicated, the vice captain fought down the blush as his eyes strayed towards Hitomi's blouse which clung tightly to her breast. No, my hormones are running insane! Relax, focus on tennis-related subjects...!
"Oishi, there's a 90 percent chance that Inui will still find out what happened," Hitomi pointed out in a matter-a-fact voice while the male continued to contemplate on the situation. "Secondly, the chance of this appearing in the news and reaching our teammates has now increased to 75 percent."
Oishi gulped hard at the worst case scenario. Rumours would be flying all over the place, incessant teasing would be ringing out the court and Tezuka probably demanding an explanation. His parents too would be really disappointed that it happened in public. Private, fine – public embarrassment remained taboo to every family member. Oishi felt the need to write his will while he envisioned that horrible nightmare. However...
He couldn't convince himself to think that the view in his former position was quite breathtaking.
With her bright blonde hair falling behind her ears along with her round rimmed glasses, Oishi found his throat tightening up and his lungs screaming at his brain to gasp for air. The blonde had a very pretty smile also instead of that scary and sadistic one that she and Hyotei's tensai seemed to share. However, Hitomi proved to be a very intellectual individual and even without knowing Tezuka personally and basing it only on his observations, she managed to construct a plan within minutes during their little walk. A sheepish sigh escaped from his lips as he watched Hitomi focus intently on generating plans in case on fails. Her blue eyes glimmered with anticipation and excitement as well as confidence on the success rate of her plan. So many equations flooded out of her pen to the point Oishi could've sworn she was the daughter of a professor from Massachusetts University.
"Tezuka inherited an insane level of deductive skills from his grandfather," Oishi started wondering; his best friend never left openings for his opponent to exploit. "The moment he sees something suspicious he'll counter it right away."
Hitomi grinned sardonically at that thought. "Hence, we will anticipate that counter and thus, I need Inui's data. Do you mind if I pull him out of practice for awhile?"
"Sure," Oishi gave her an approving nod. "I'll just have to settle things with Ryuuzaki-sensei although, I highly doubt that sensei can restrain him from getting into something this juicy."
Upon hearing this, an expectant smile graced Hitomi's lips. The data master of Seigaku had a knack for finding the darkest secrets of each and every tennis player possible which made her plan work better than expected. The possibilities were all calculated; everything started to fall into place and all she needed now was someone to initiate it. Her eyes scanned her notes and characteristics of each of the tennis players and a grin carved itself on her lips while making a small list people who could fall in without realizing that they were being manipulated by a puppeteer.
"You have anyone brash enough to start a huge commotion," Hitomi sardonically grinned at Oishi who slightly shuddered at the dark aura but recalled that there was one pair that could.
"Momoshiro and Kaidoh."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Despite the bloody instances, Atobe convinced [although more like forced] Ayane to go with him to a French restaurant to go grab something to eat. He refused to hear anymore of the tangerine haired girl's vehement protests as they arrived at the fanciest place in Japan. The vice captain gaped at him while still fuming, undecided whether or not she should ditch him or beat him up for dragging her out without giving her much say in anything.
"Atobe," Ayane balled her hands into a fist before spitting out venom. "You have exactly twenty seconds to explain why you dragged me all the way here!"
The purple haired captain chuckled before sexily smirking at her. "Shall we go inside?"
Ayane, puzzled by his sudden invitation, begrudgingly walked inside while attempting to discern the reason for him to bring her to a swanky European restaurant. His blue eyes flickered with the usual arrogance but the tangerine haired freshman could tell the nervousness from his hands. Trembling violently didn't match the usual arrogant Atobe Keigo and neither did a worrisome flicker in his icy blue orbs. Although Ayane remembered one thing about the Hyotei captain, he can make even the most incomprehensible things become sensible.
The prices here are so freakin' exorbitant! Doesn't this man have any sense of thriftiness?
Taking the seat that the waiter had pulled out for her, Ayane warily watched Atobe silently pick up the menu. She let her emerald pools focus on the icy blue ones that quickly scanned through the menu as the older teen gave out the orders already. Being abnormally quiet somewhat unnerved the both of them as their eyes kept on meeting but never held fast to one position. The Hyotei tennis players, the same two who often had an argument in three seconds upon coming across each other, remained in a dreadful silence while trying to sort out one another's thoughts.
"Atobe," Ayane raised an eyebrow, quizzical by his sudden impulse. "Did you get struck by a bolt of lightning or something?"
Atobe, chuckling on Ayane's assumption, swirled the water in his glass before taking a sip. "Is it wrong to go out and eat dinner?"
"No," she retorted darkly before folding her arms. "But it's presumptuous of you to think that I'd want to go out right now!"
"Your vocabulary somewhat expanded, Ayane," he smirked, noticing her lower lip tightly curling up. "The dictionary appreciates your hard work."
"That's because buchou speaks in English almost everyday!"
Despite the extremities of Ayane's snapping, Atobe restrained his urge to retort back at her while trying to maintain a gentlemanly stance. His temper flared up as well but his face maintained calm and collected. Although he was known for exploding as well, the male Hyotei captain knew that his time with the kansai genius had been very helpful to situations regarding Ayane. The poker faced bastard [as Atobe often addressed him] somehow maintained his cool head despite having people raving at him and how he did it, Atobe could only leave that as an unsolved mystery.
"How can you be so apathetic," Ayane curled her hand into a fist, seething her teeth in anger. "When you know that the your most respected person is out there, getting involved with some shady government business that could cost her life? Can you actually settle the feeling of being helpless and sleep peacefully tonight? I don't know if you're just insensitive or too stupid to understand the situation, Atobe Keigo! Besides, I know you don't give a damn because she doesn't worship you like most girls do! So why even bother confiding these things in you?"
During those moments, Atobe silently watched Ayane rant endlessly before taking a small breather. "Feel better?"
The girl's anger simmered down almost immediately. "W-what?"
"Ore-sama is asking if you feel better," Atobe repeated until a sigh escaped from his lips. "Don't tell me you became deaf due to the volume of your own screeching, banshee."
Ayane's blood started boiling while the said girl started sputtering. "E-Excuse me!"
"Your screeching definitely can shatter several window panes," Atobe retaliated hotly. How does that kansai bastard stay collected even with Kobayagi Ayane threatening to tear his head off?
However, instead of snapping or trying to decapitate him – the vice captain smiled wryly before taking her seat. "Yeah... somehow... that was... relaxing..."
"Arn~, she always makes your life so damn stressful," Atobe raked his elegant fingers through his hair with a disgruntled snort. "Doesn't that woman care or is she just that insanely reckless? Oh, there's actually an adjective for that kind of persona: masochistic?"
Upon hearing Atobe's words, Ayane couldn't control her urgent desire to laugh as she started throwing fits and giggling. The king of Hyotei, seeing her finally crack up, relaxed himself a bit on the chair while a sincere smile engraved itself on the male's face. His heart's pounding became much lighter than before, memorizing the moments in which they did not get into a wild argument or a destructive quarrel like always in Hyotei. Most students along the Hyotei hallway would even describe the debates similar to a volcano that had been dormant for the last three hundred centuries. Although being a senior would have at least inherited some respect, there were times that the brash freshman across him would stubbornly refuse to comply.
"If you say it that way," she wiped a tear from her eye before giggling again. "Yeah, buchou can appear to have a distorted, pain-loving personality."
Atobe nonchalantly shrugged as their pasta came in. "Getsugan did harp about something about you being carnivorous..."
Ayane's eyes widened at the size of the meatballs on the plate along with the aroma of the Spaghetti Bolognese wafting through her nose. She smiled dreamily after mumbling Itadakimasu and twirling her past around her fork. Atobe snuck a few glances at her, chuckling inwardly to himself before reminding himself to start eating.
I could stare at this forever...
"Atobe," a teasing tone separated him from his fantasy followed by a giggle. "Unless food's better eaten mushy and soggy along with some mosquitoes, suggestion: start shovelling food into your mouth."
As dinner finished up, Atobe flagged down a waiter as a Panna Cotta was placed in front of them.
"Are you that obsessed with Panna Cotta," Ayane grumbled before scowling at the perfectly decorated gelatine. "Or was mine so disgusting that you came here everyday to rid yourself of the taste?"
The King nearly choked on his food. Heavens no, it was probably the best he's tasted so far. Of course, the only one armed with that knowledge would be his ever-faithful companion Kabaji and the nosy kansai poker faced tensai who he spends most of his sanity with. Atobe smiled distantly at the thought of the pudding melting in his mouth. The wild combination of tastes often made him rethink whether or not his sanity had taken a drastic decrease when he agreed to the unintentional bet of the vice captain in that supposedly "friendly" match of badminton.
"Kobayagi Ayane, never let it be said that ore-sama had insulted a woman," Atobe managed to clear his throat after that sudden inquiry. "Just enjoy the night before worrying yourself to oblivion."
Muttering a small 'thank you', the tangerine haired female spooned a small slice of the pudding before sliding it into her mouth. Unlike the Panna Cotta she made, Ayane felt the complement of the flavours as it sent her on a really sweet ride of bliss. Her eyes stared dreamily at the ceiling for a moment before relishing and savouring the taste.
"I'm not too fond of the flavours," Atobe's critique snapped Ayane out of her state.
"But it's even better than mine," Ayane vehemently protested before waving her arms into the air. "Had you tried this more than once, how can you still believe mine tastes better?"
"It's not straightforward enough. The taste's impact is too negligible and abysmal," the Atobe heir poked his food, making it slightly jiggle.
"Desserts are not supposed to be strong or metallic in taste like champagne, retard," Ayane facepalmed before putting another spoonful into her mouth. "You're impossible."
"And making you understand my emotions is mission impossible," Atobe countered with slight cringing at the snappiness of his current companion.
Ayane fell silent before shaking her head at him. "No, you're the one who's impossible! After all these years, you never learned how to be sensitive at all! Britain probably didn't hammer you enough damage to engrave some permanent thoughts about sensitivity! Didn't my words back then mean anything to you...? Damn it, you're freakin' taking advantage of the fact I'm overemotional!"
However, Atobe stood up from his chair only to cup her face gently to make her gaze straight into his eyes.
"If they weren't effective, ore-sama wouldn't have had any complications of bidding you farewell that day."
The freshman finally understood why so many of Atobe's fan girls longed to see him up close and personal. Her heart skipped a beat and her blood rushed all the way to her face, adding a new rosy feature. She mentally cursed her weakness for blue eyes, especially those that withheld strength and confidence. Her brothers would have been hooting in laughter and the teasing would never stop ringing in her ears but the vice captain conceded to letting Atobe move in much closer.
"Ore-sama is and has always been in love with you," Atobe pressed his forehead against hers before closing the proximity between them, releasing all his pent up aggressions and emotions. "Honestly, is this what all the ruckus and grudge-bearing was about?"
Spluttering while feeling her hair stand up on all ends, Ayane trembled slightly as his warm breath fanned against her skin. "S-shut up, most dangerous and screwed up things happen only when you're attempting to do something grandeur and freakin' out of proportion..."
"If that is what ore-sama needs to do to get his spring fairy's attention then, why not," Atobe hummed with his usual deep sexy smirk plastered on his face.
Ayane, flustered and bewildered, let Atobe's hands guide her as he crashed his lips against hers. The scent of the Panna Cotta mixed with his musky scent, melting Ayane all the way to her knees instantly. She tried to shove him away but his arm snaked behind her and pulled her closer to him as the female freshman felt her bosom touch Atobe's perfectly toned form.
"This is what they usually mean by female fatale," Atobe smirked mischievously as he parted to inhale deeply. "A woman can be so addictive that she can easily bring a man down without sweating."
"Let's not forget the injection-phobia," Ayane giggled while teasingly poking his cheeks, earning her a childish pout. "God, it must be the atmosphere. It's too romantic."
"Who's complaining?"
"I definitely wasn't," Ayane hummed contentedly as Atobe continued pressing his lips against hers. "This is the agreement's entire fault."
Atobe sniggered at the dizzy strawberry blonde vice captain before he paid the bill and helped her up. "You're the one who interrupted ore-sama before he started giving the conditions."
"Yeah, minor details," Ayane waved her hand dismissively, rolling her eyes with indifference. "No one's gonna want that anyway."
Atobe scowled for a moment, flicking her elbow. "Don't curse; the last thing wanted right now is hearing the condescending tone of that cocky brat from Seigaku."
"Tezuka-san allows Echizen to use profanities?"
"You still beat him in the snarling and insults department," Atobe chuckled at his former childhood friend now girlfriend, holding her hand tightly.
"Someone has to make sure your ego doesn't humiliate Andromeda," Ayane's emerald orbs sparkled while giggling simultaneously before ruffling his hair; something only she managed to get away with.
"Kobayagi Ayane," Atobe faced her with his icy blue eyes gleaming seriously. "Those fan girls should be afraid if they try to make your life miserable."
Ayane shrugged nonchalantly, earning an "are-you-insane" expression. "I'm no princess, kumquat. Who was the one who bullied those European brats for you?"
"Ayane, you're not allowed to bring a frying pan everywhere," Atobe argued heatedly albeit more concerned, knowing her weapon of choice for every bullying encounter the two formerly had. "Kobayagi-san will erupt when he realizes that the impression on his old skillet is the result of your gorilla-like temper and strength. Secondly, expulsion from school – you know how the rich and the luxurious work. Your teammates are counting on you and Getsugan to seal Doubles One and your captain will not be happy to hear that you thrashed several people again."
Horrified, the vice captain whimpered at the nightmare of her brother discovering. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"The origin of where your temperamental thinking came from is evident," the senior ran his fingers through her hair before sighing exasperatedly, seeing a flower shop on one end. "Wait here."
The vice captain glanced at Atobe buying something and came up with several instances: one, he'll give her a dozen roses, two: he's gonna fill her house tomorrow with flowers and three: he's scanning for potential gifts to fill her room with. However, Ayane disregarded the latter choice and submitted herself to the fact that there may be a garden in her room the tomorrow. Although, the vice captain always resorted to break his eardrums like almost every time they get into a quarrel and a hullabaloo. Besides, Ozuma couldn't stand too much flowery scents – his allergies would evolve into nonstop sneezes and coughing.
This guy is so, Ayane folded her arms in disappointment with annoyance marring her features.
"Cliché may be the description you're looking for," Atobe stood in front of her without a bouquet but with definitely something hiding behind his back. "Ore-sama may not be an elephant but he definitely remembers that the eldest Kobayagi-san cannot tolerate the presence of flowers very well."
As Atobe revealed the small potted plant behind his back, Ayane fingered the delicate petals in her hand gently. "Wh-what the... Alright, how many zeroes did it have this time?"
Atobe gaped at her stupidly before exhaling sharply. "Ayane, have you forgotten who your boyfriend is?"
Again, Ayane could have sworn she had this conversation centuries ago. "Atobe Keigo, duh."
"And what am I exactly?"
"A dobe who has no romantic expertise unless he asks his kansai teammate who is a hopeless romantic? Or," Ayane pretended to stroke an imaginary moustache and formulated another insult. "A rich brat who burns more money than owner of Microsoft ever will. Shall I go on?"
"Arn~," Atobe grumbled before he averted his icy pools from her, shoving one hand into his pocket. " Do you really think that badly of ore-sama?"
Ayane flicked his nose impishly with a grin, laughing at his stupefied expression. "Silly man, that's why some relationships don't work. Besides, Atobe..."
"Keigo," the purple haired male groaned before measuring the distance between the house and them. "Is it that difficult to pronounce?"
"Tsk," Ayane clucked her tongue in irritation, whipping around away from the Hyotei senior. "Just because you bedazzled me doesn't mean I can address you instantly first-name basis, Keigo!"
"You just did."
"Darn it," Ayane pursed her lips while Atobe broke out laughing. "QUIT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MY CARELESSNESS, YOU HORNY IDIOT!"
Atobe teasingly ruffled the locks of his dearest tangerine haired freshman, laughing at her vermillion coloured face. "Ayane... do you happen to know what flower this is?"
"You bought a flower without knowing what it is," Ayane folded her arms with a quizzical look. "Geez, you're more impulsive and insane than portrayed."
Atobe gave her his mock-offended expression before giving her his usual charmed smile but expressed more sincerity. "Ayane, this is... a Myrtle."
"I hate symbolisms," Ayane swivelled her head towards his direction, folding her arms in defeat.
"Ask your buchou. She's a romance writer like that damn Oshitari. She should know its meaning."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Saturday morning strolled by with the winds continuing to howl and the roads being flooded. Nobody expected that kind of heaviness coming from a tropical rainfall but many were fortunate to live on higher ground. Students stayed huddled in their kotatsu or their beds while the temperature suddenly dropped.
However, that didn't work with five specific girls who stood in front of a mental asylum.
"Phew this place stinks with enough sociopaths ta make the world go round," Natsuki scornfully grunted before moving under the shade to retract her umbrella. "Fuuka, why in tarnation are most of yer sources basket cases?"
"Despite being psychologically inept," Fuuka swung the door open, letting out a low snarl. "At least some of their intelligence remains intact."
Shizuru stood in between the two, casting a glance to the two princesses. "Fighting won't get us anywhere. Let's just meet Souma-san's client, okay? After our conference, we can go home and brainstorm with whatever info he has."
"Who said anything about my client being a 'he'," Fuuka sniggered at the Hyotei sophomore captain as the remaining three sauntered after the female Seigaku captain.
Patients groaned and clambered against the walls, some other inhabitants even started headbutting against the steel-reinforced barriers. The hallways echoed with the whines and complaints whereas there were some distinct bestial howling in the background and wailing in horror. Banging sounds echoed off the wall as the warden of the area led the girls in.
"You sure you kids will be alright," he chuckled humourlessly, spinning the keys around his finger. "These people aren't humans anymore."
"We get it, dickface," Fuuka shoved the chubby man aside roughly, hissing venomously. "Get out so I can conduct my business!"
Shizuru apologized along with Yukimura while the other three L.X.A members found a woman sitting down in a straight jacket. Her wavy blood based blonde hair cascaded past her shoulders while a pair of dull silver eyes stared at the dustless floor. The room remained empty with only a window as the source of illumination in the elder woman's confinement quarters.
As the metal dungeon door was slammed behind them by a grumbling warden, Fuuka introduced the team of four to the woman.
"Everyone, this is Marishka Eidoleon – the former Leon-representative."
Hanging her head albeit low, Eidoleon chuckled darkly while pitifully grinning back at the red haired captain. "Tsk, tsk, is that the way to treat an old upperclassman, Otome-chan?"
"Che, you've degraded yourself into the dirt that's under a worm that I've crushed under my shoe," Fuuka exhaled sharply before sitting in front of her. "So, anybody fancy your tastes?"
Eidoleon licked her lips, malevolently gazing into the dark lavender eyes of the red haired teenager. "It's been awhile a delicious meal walked in. By the way, who's the new Piscean?"
"Shizuru," Fuuka beckoned the brunette standing a considerable distance between them. "Kurenai Shizuru replaced Garnet after her and your so-called 'discharge'. You guys fucking razed a village to the ground and only God knows how many children were digested into your disgusting stomachs."
Ignoring Fuuka's disgusted grunt, Eidoleon grinned evilly as her silver eyes gleamed lustfully at the four. "So... you're all part of the Twelve Zodiac Princesses?"
"Ahm not comfortable talkin' ta someone who had her Coronation. So ya better make this quick," Natsuki growled at the beastly woman, curling her hand into a fist. "Give the information ya promised Fuuka."
"How unfitting for a Capricorn personality," Eidoleon tossed back her long wavy hair, unfolding her legs to reveal her elongated body. "Humility is also a virtue respected by the Earth Signs."
The Rikkai Dai captain then plopped down on the ground with pleading eyes. "Please Souma-san might go ballistic and the damages might escalate..."
"According to Natsuki, Peasants have been showing up all over Japan," Florence questioned further with her arms folded together while crossing her legs elegantly. "Kurenai-san, there are two possible methods to dealing with this: either, we beat it out of you or negotiations can be made."
Eidoleon clucked her tongue before facing the current princesses. "You guys know what those weapons you really wield are right?"
Baffled by her statement, the five girls exchanged glances with one another before the elder continued with her explanation.
"Those weapons you wield are what the organization dubbed as CHroMEs which is the abbreviation for Constellation's Harmonic Mechanized Emblem," Eidoleon sneered darkly at the five princesses for their naïveté. "There are only 12 Constellation CHroMEs and probably more than 200 Nova CHroMEs on this planet. The materials used to create those abominations came from their former experiments known as the "Royalty Project" in which bio-engineered weapons were created to attack and destroy opponents who would dare threaten Japan. However, a problem came about – the experiment resulted into creation of monsters such as the Peasants which were failed females who were supposed to be converted into a Princess. Only 1 out of every 50 can have a 100 percent success rate of the girl becoming a Princess. And only one out of every seven hundred girls can control the Constellation CHroMEs and if they don't... they become a Royalty."
The five girls drew back, revolted as Eidoleon's canines gleamed maliciously despite the dim lighting. "You five were lucky. Your bodies were practically perfect in combination all except one..."
They all turned to Yukimura as Eidoleon let out a gleeful cackle.
"That's right – the CHroMEs only work on females for it reacts to the double X chromosome in our DNA structure. They wanted Yukimura Seiichi but because he was a male – the organization was left with no other choice but to resort to invitro-fertilization in which they manipulate which genes were accepted and others denied. The four girls – Souma, Kurenai, Hoshimura and Amakusa were all rejects and failures. The flaw is that you can only use one CHroME whereas Yukimura..."
"Purdy much has the major constellations a' her disposal," Natsuki whispered, horrified before staring back at the frozen pale blue haired female. "That purdy much sums up as ta why she got Hoshimura's level of agility, Kurenai's skill power, Fuuka's berserker-like strength and fury and mah flexibility. The only thing lacking from our composition is the cunningness and sadism comin' from Yukimura Seiichi."
Fuuka, however, slugged her with a mean left hook and sent the elder woman to the floor. "Bullshit, if that were the case – we would have all been dead and the organization would have only needed Yukimura! That doesn't even answer the question as to why there are so many freakin' Peasants and how ZODIAC managed to get hold of the technology similar to L.X.A so damn effortlessly!"
Eidoleon sniggered at the obnoxious teenager. "Why don't you check the basement?"
An uncomfortable silence settled between them until Shizuru's phone started ringing. "Hello?"
"Buchou," a familiar child-like voice wailed on the other end. "Yane-Yane's missing and even mole diva doesn't know where she is! Not only that, he's in the hospital!"
Shizuru's eyes widened considerably, resisting the urge to crush her phone. "Kiyone, where are you?"
"I'm with Shiraishi-kun in the police station filing for some missing person whatever," Kiyone continued to wail and panic. "Buchou, what am I gonna do?"
"Remain calm and don't leave, I'll come and get you," Shizuru put down the phone line. "Guys, we have a problem."
Everyone's eyes widened at Shizuru's revelation.
"Kobayagi Ayane has been kidnapped and Atobe Keigo has just been hospitalized."
A pregnant pause came in between them, forcing them to retrace their steps and trying to solve the whole thing. Peasant attacks were coming everywhere and now Shizuru's vice captain has vanished without a trace. Atobe didn't retain the slightest idea of where she may be taken and Kiyone fortunately had Shiraishi who probably had better memory retention than the latter captain. Somehow, Shizuru exhaled in relief while remembering that Tezuka had his rehabilitation in Germany so by the time he would return – all of this would be over... hopefully. Her friends had already gotten a gist of the situation and how Shishido's reaction would be; she wasn't looking forward to it. Ohtori would probably be as confused and bewildered as they all were which would completely stunt the progress of the investigation.
"So, they've made their move," Eidoleon darkly grinned into the nothingness in the room. "You girls better start moving."
Fuuka stormed out of the room whereas the others trailed behind, leaving Yukimura Ai to converse with her.
"Eidoleon-san," Ai's lower lip quivered as the mental patient raised her head to meet the fifth princess. "Is what you're saying true...?"
The woman let out a soft chuckle until it started getting hair-raising and maniacal. A psychotic sneer etched itself on the elder's face as Ai trembled from where she stood.
"What do you think?"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Ore-sama can only remember a blinding flash and several gunshots," Atobe sourly hung his head while gripping the blanket tightly. "Before he knew it, blood pooled by his feet and figured it out only later that the liquid on the ground splattered from him."
The whole Hyotei team along with the five princesses' demeanours plummeted down immediately, leaving nothing but a horrible deathly silence. The members of both the male and female tennis team then forged an alliance while contemplating on their next move. Gakuto gaped at the state of his captain and even Kabaji showed a visible sign of wincing at his best friend's state. Oshitari leaned his head against his elbow, shaking his head in distraught and the other teams rushed over to check on the Hyotei male captain's condition.
"If Kobayagi were here," Oshitari scanned his eyes all over the luxurious room. "She would have murdered you. This place is like a suite and you reserved the whole hospital for yourself."
"Frankly, ore-sama would like to get out of here as quickly as possible," Atobe scornfully chortled at his injured state. "Ore-sama will personally hunt down those kidnappers and before they know it, they will wish they have never existed."
Hitomi went over the details from the crime scene provided by Shiraishi, Kiyone and Isane's brothers, imagining the scenario in her head. "It was a hit and run situation. Snagging Ayane off the road like that while taking a running shot at Atobe would have only been possible if they had a vehicle. Do you remember what the vehicle was?"
"Ford Fortuner," Atobe shook his head bitterly and vehemently, slamming his fist against the bed. "Ore-sama doesn't recall seeing the plate number but he remembers hearing Ayane's screams..."
Fuuka punched her hand with a determined yet cocky snigger. "Kobayagi shouldn't be so hard to find. All we need to do is anticipate where they may strike next."
"Don't worry about that," Isane shyly volunteered although nodding eagerly and firmly. "We'll handle the paperwork and digging. Hitomi, did you find the venue and schedule for the Urabutousatsujin?"
Hitomi gave them a business-like smile. "Don't worry, your transportation, profiles and registrations have all been taken care of. The matches will be held in an island near Kyushu and most of the fighters will be veterans coming from the army. Many of them are currently AWOL and some are psychotic criminals. Souma-san, Kurenai-buchou, Yukimura-san, Amakusa-san and Hoshimura-san, are you sure of your survival rate? The chances can dwindle to the single digits as well."
"If we hesitate, we die," Fuuka bluntly stated. "That's how the jungle works."
"Ah love these do-or-die situations, Yamaguchi-san," Natsuki cracked her knuckles with a cheeky sneer. "The only thing remaining will be the trail of destruction left bah us. This ain't mah first rodeo, Yamaguchi-san."
Shizuru showed no reluctance in her crimson eyes, resorting to her merciless and ruthless persona. "... Kare-tachi da itte shindemiru..."
Florence shrugged nonchalantly while sighing in defeat. "Someone will have to watch two of the nitwits destroy half of the island and annihilate every living organism. Shizuru's probably going to go on a vengeance spree while competing over there...so, why not before my surgery? Carpe Diem, excitement – it's demolition time!"
Ai graced them with no response while hanging her head, absorbing whatever Eidoleon had revealed to them. Accepting the fact that she never would have existed if not for her brother was already difficult but her being a combination of the other four made her imagination race more wildly than before. A heavy depression dropped down on her conscience while she tried to define her existence; if she did not exist, who would have been the captain of the tennis team? Will her brother even remember or bother acknowledging his younger sister?
"Oi," a snap dragged Ai back to reality. "Are you coming or do we ditch?"
Quivering at the angry aura, Ai gulped at the annoyance evident in the headstrong Seishun Gakuen female's condescending tone. Souma-san's so eccentric... it reminds me of that character from Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya! Waa, now I know how Kyon feels like when he's being commanded.
"A healer is an essential in every team," the Rikkai Dai sophomore, grinning widely, tousled with her curly blue hair while whispering feebly. "You can totally trust me~!"
Skeptical of Yukimura Ai's emotional stability, Fuuka brushed the issue off her shoulder before turning back to the team. "When's the departure?"
"You guys give the go signal," Hitomi typed out on her laptop, handing them also their tickets. "Everything has been accounted for. The hotel you'll be staying at is part of the Getsugan Enterprises. Your suites have been reserved and Kiyone's mom generously lent us the luxurious suite so you guys can relax in full comfort."
Fuuka tossed her duffle over her shoulder, swiping her tennis racquet and sledgehammer and headed for the door. "Let's bust this joint. We got some garbage to throw out."
Shizuru glanced one last time at her team before packing up any of her necessities. "Um, Florence – why do you have... 4 luggage bags?"
Ai, Natsuki and Fuuka threw a surprised and flabbergasted look at Florence who calmly dragged her suitcases. "One suitcase has my medicines for my Alpha 1 Antitrypsin and my nebulizer. Another would be my clothes," –the British Jyosei enumerated monotonously. "My toiletries have its own storage. Don't you guys prepare this way?"
"Not with the whole house," Fuuka distastefully shuddered at the amount of junk Florence insisted she bring along.
"The only thing left that ain't in there's yer kitchen sink," Natsuki coughed out before slinging her own set of things on her shoulder. "Yukimura Ai, we're leaving!"
Without any hesitation, the blue haired sophomore dashed after her comrades for the Urabutousatsujin.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Watching the clouds swim by him, Tezuka inhaled sharply before releasing the tension burdening his shoulder. Germany broadcasted the bright blue sky along with some flying doves and pigeons, gifting him with a sense of relief. He gripped his shoulder, remembering the agony that shot through him that day during the Kantou semi-finals and how he worried his teammates. However, the worried expressions written across their faces did nothing to alleviate the disappointment that disoriented him when two familiar Hyotei females stood by the bleachers.
The situation itself unnerved him and the thought of him not being able to muster enough courage to tell her was simply exhilarating.
"Aww, what's wrong with my little rookie," a teasing voice came from the doorway, earning a sigh from the bespectacled teen. "Are you having romance problems, sweetie?"
Rubbing his temples, Tezuka raked his fingers through his coffee blonde hair before focusing on his studies once again. "My concentration's a little fuzzy. Maybe..."
"Maybe you're thinking about this pretty princess you left at home no," the buxom trainer leaned against the desk with her breast in plain view in which somehow – most men would have their faces changing into vermillion whereas his expression remained very stolid that soon transformed into a deathly glare. "Ooooh, jackpot~!"
"Coach Rothenberg I'm sorry," Tezuka biting his lip hard while restraining his furious blush as much as possible only has a twitch replace it. "But, weren't you supposed to deal with some other businesses of the other trainees here?"
She wagged her finger with a mischievous smirk, as if implying a certain bespectacled male was that dense. "Try dialling up her number; striking a conversation between you two should be good enough to re-establish your concentration. Birds of the same feather flock together after all."
Tezuka felt that his sanity had taken a drastic drop ever since he had started his rehabilitation in Germany. His dark orbs focused on the misty morning sky with his imagination somewhat wandering away and not towards the algebraic equations that sat in front of him. For the first time, he started daydreaming and the only thing he could see was that bewitching smile that somehow – entered his head again.
"Ooooh, you have some interesting gossip on your phone," his coach sang before pressing a few buttons on his phone and trespassing on his privacy.
Managing to disguise the horror that would arrive on his face, Tezuka immediately snatched it back while trying to defy his "blessed" coach. "Coach, I'd like to read my messages now... in peace."
Her lips formed into a childish pout before skipping away merrily. "Okay, but you'll have to narrate every detail that was written in that phone~!"
Closing the door behind her, Tezuka exhaled in relief and somewhat in annoyance while scrolling through the messages in his phone. Many of them came from Oishi until a distinct one caught his eye and instead of a written message, it was a video call.
"Hi buchou," a loud chorus in unison nearly blew his eardrums as many faces appeared on his small cellphone screen.
"Hoi hoi, when are you coming back buchou," Kikumaru cheerfully waved while squeezing in to fit in the tiny screen. "The whole club feels different without you, nyah!"
Oishi sheepishly chuckled in the background. "Yeah, the physical presence you emit is actually noticeable when you're all the way there in Berlin. Don't overexert yourself okay?"
"Saa Oishi, always worrying," a familiar smiling tensai identified himself in front of the camera, chuckling bemusedly. "Tezuka... there's some news that we need to tell you~."
Momoshiro waved his hands in the air frantically, knowing the consequence of what Fuji was going to spill. "Senpai, maybe we shouldn't tell him about that Rikkai Dai vice captain who's escorting Kurenai-san to the Rikkai Autumn Ball," –he gulped and clamped his hand on his mouth. "Uh-oh."
Tezuka froze at the whole sentence that Momoshiro had sputtered out. The Seishun Gakuen senior distinctly heard the Boomerang Snake-specialist yelling and strangling his rival in the background but the words thundered once again.
Sanada... Rikkai Dai Autumn Ball... Kurenai... escort...
Somehow, Tezuka felt slight annoyance and some bubbling anger from deep inside as an image of them dancing appeared in his mind. Normally, the ever-mature captain wouldn't blow a fuse and would use his authoritative tone to easily win something but against Shizuru – all his defences melted away immediately. The smile completely disarmed him and Sanada sounded serious in pursuing her that night; unless Someone decided to electrocute the vice captain with a thunderbolt, the latter asking out Shizuru had low probabilities to happening [according to Inui].
"Saa~ are you going to let him win, Tezuka," Fuji's amused voice sliced through his thoughts. "To think I thought you had more gall..."
Right now, he didn't care whether or not Fuji goaded him and although his expression didn't alter – the coffee blonde male curled his hand into a fist while trying to think of a method. As of now, being in Berlin placed him in a disadvantage while Sanada had Yukimura to prod and propel him forward to give the other male more balls to confess his feelings to the brunette. He shook his head at the horrible scenario; glancing at his left shoulder, Tezuka tightened his grip on his fist.
He was going to have to impose on himself to auto-regenerate faster than ever, whether his coach liked it or not.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Ooooh, I know Tezuka may be a bit OOC but he can have several ways to demonstrate his passion for something after all. It's about time – I didn't expect Ayane to succumb easily to Atobe either but then again – the captain did win the bet prior to the events anyway...
Ayane: I WAS NOT IN DENIAL!
Me: Weh, states the girl who agreed to be his girlfriend in a bet.
Ayane: WELL, YOU'RE THE AUTHOR!
Atobe: You shouldn't have interrupted ore-sama in the first place.
Ayane: AGH, SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE MOLE DIVA!
Me: Anyway, someone remind our dear readers...
Hiyoshi: Please don't forget to review...
Me: O_O Where did you come from!
Hiyoshi: ...