My Worst Enemy

Chapter One

Who do I hate most in the entire world, you ask me? I will give you the answer without hesitation. It is no other but that arrogant captain of Hyotei Man’s tennis club, who also happens to be the president of the student union, top in the year, the heir to the Atobe Group Empire, the voted number one prince of Hyotei High etc…etc

My eyes narrowed with disgust when I saw the very person walking towards this direction accompanied by screams from crazy fan girls yelling “Atobe-sama~~”

My eyes narrowed even more when I saw him turned around with one hand in his pocket and the other brushed beautifully through his hair. With a proud egotistic smile Atobe winked at the fan girls causing even more ear deafening screams.

However the screams of pleasure soon turned into groans and murmurs when Atobe stopped before me with his arms crossed and his beautiful lips lifted with pride. “Oi, , you still haven’t handed me the student lunch survey summary from last month.”

“Oh my god!! He called her !”

“Who does she think she is?! Pretending to be acquainted to Atobe-sama!!”

Sighing secretly inside and ignoring the remarks from those crazy fan girls, I replied Atobe with no smile but a most unfriendly look. “Please do not address me so inappropriately as if we known each other quite well, Atobe-SAN.”

“Arn~?” As if he didn’t hear any of those remarks Atobe replied with his eye brow lifted. “What are you talking about? You don’t expect me to call you Kabaji too, do you?”

“Of course I do,” I replied as my eyes landed on the tall giant standing behind Atobe like a servant. Immediately the expression on my face changed as I smiled to the wordless tall man behind Atobe. “Munehiro, have you eaten your lunch yet?”

The giant behind Atobe nodded and replied. “Yes, sis.”

“This is really ridiculous,” Atobe interrupted and shrugged his shoulders in mocking. “Are you two really of the same parents? Kabaji is twice your size.”

“It is none of your business.” I rolled my eyes at Atobe’s statement. Indeed it was not the first time I have heard such remark about my brother Munehiro and me. Kabaji Munehiro, 190cm, second year Hyotei student often described as a gorilla because of his feature and looks. Where as me, Kabaji , only 157cm, third year Hyotei student, not that I am boasting, but I am quite well-known for my cute delicate appearance. So with such contrast, no wonder everyone doubted whether we were of the same parents.

“Arn~?” Atobe replied in displease. “So where is the summary that you owe me?”

“Yeah, yeah, I will get it to you this afternoon.” Scratching my head I replied without interest. I can not believe despite the fact how much I hate Atobe; I am voted the vice-president of the student union. Worst of all, I am also elected the captain of the Hyotei girl’s tennis club. So no matter how much I wish to not come into contact with Atobe, it just appears impossible.

Why do I hate Atobe Keigo? You might ask again. Well it goes long way back, a long long way when we were both five. It was that day when the coach of my tennis club introduced a new member.

“Everybody, we have a new member. This is Atobe Keigo, the only heir to the Atobe-Group.” The coach smiled and added in emphasis. “DO be nice, because our tennis club belongs to the Atobe-Group too, remember?”

As if it had the opposite effect, the coach’s comment made it worse for Atobe Keigo; all the other children wanted nothing to do with him. Poor Atobe Keigo was left sitting there on the bench by himself playing with his racquet.

Well, since I have a younger brother Munehiro, I have become more a big sister figure to the group. So I took the initiative and approached Atobe. “Here,” I said and held a tennis ball out in front of me. “You need a tennis ball to play tennis.”

A little surprised with what I said, Atobe looked up at me for a while before he finally took the ball from me. “Thanks…”

“My name is Kabaji ; I just joined this club a month ago. I hope you will enjoy it here too.” I attempted once more with a friendly smile.

“Sure,” Atobe replied me with a smile too.

Seeing the smile, I was surprised that despite the fact that he is the heir of the Atobe-Group, he is no different to us. So from that day, I worked hard and helped Atobe become friends with rest of the group. Atobe and I also became close friends where he would call me “ -chan” and I would call him “Keigo-tan”.

“Oi, are you listening to me?” Atobe’s arrogant voice pulled me back from my memories. “I expect the summary to be done by the meeting this afternoon, got it?”

“I will okay?! Atobe-san.” I groaned.

“Good.” Atobe nodded and turned to my brother behind him. “Let’s go, Kabaji.”

“Usu.”

I gave another sigh secretly inside me as I watched them walk off. If Atobe and I were such close friends before, how come we have become like this? If I used to call him Keigo-san, how come now I can only call him Atobe-san?

Unlike how he was treated by other children when he was in kindergarten, when we both reached primary school, Atobe became extremely popular. The fact that he was the heir of the Atobe-Group no longer gave him enemies, but rather it became one of the main reasons everyone wanted to be his friend. The girls in my class started to talk about him all the time, and it didn’t take long until the admiration of Atobe Keigo spread into the entire school. Worst of all, I don’t know where that weird annoying egotistic attitude started taking over Atobe. The more and more I realised he was not the Keigo-tan I used to know, but the Atobe-sama that everyone adores. When I had noticed, I stopped calling him Keigo-san and addressed him just as a fellow classmate, Atobe-san.

***

Crossing my arms in unpleasantness I frowned as I heard the screams becoming louder towards me once again. As expected up came Atobe Keigo in his tennis uniform and followed by his parade of Hyotei regulars.

“ , what is with this report?” Atobe swung a piece of paper in front of me. “Suggestion for next month’s special ‘Atobe Keigo Special with a bonus kiss from Atobe Keigo?!”

Sighing I called out to my fellow girl’s team who have all lost their concentration the moment the boy’s team showed up. “Your swings are slowing down, girls! If I catch anyone slacking off, the penalty is to do fifty laps around the tennis courts!”

Hearing my threat all the girls quickly turned their eyes off Atobe and the boys and continued with their training.

“You are still such a strict captain, -chan.” Oshitari teased.

“Heeeeeello -CHANNNNNNNNN!! We are here to C you!!” Jirou waved at me, obviously now in his hyper mode.

“Yo, Kabaji.” Shishido greeted with his beautiful long hair flowing in the wind. I can not help but think that this guy must have put a lot of time and effort into his hair.

“Good afternoon Kabaji-senpai.” The tall shy junior Ohtori greeted politely.

Finally turning to the boys I complained. “For the last time would you boys please not parade over here causing such distraction to our practice?”

“So cold…” Oshitari teased. “We are all concerned how the girl team is doing; besides our buchou-san seems to have some matter to discuss to you about.”

“Yes, I do.” Atobe placed the piece of paper in front of me again. “Explain to me what is this ‘Atobe Keigo Special with a bonus kiss from Atobe Keigo’?!”

“Well, you asked me to write up the summary of the surveys we received, and it is exactly what the surveys said.” With innocence I replied. I mean what do you expect? 99% of the participants are from Atobe Keigo Fan Club anyway.

However not believing my explanation, Atobe brushed his hand through his hair again as he let out a sigh. “I know you are trying to use my name as a selling point and it would work of course, but I would have preferred that you came up with something more.”

“I was not trying to use your name…!!”

Before I had a chance to justify myself, Atobe pointed his finger at me. “That’s it; after tennis practice, you stay back and redo the summary. I won’t let you leave until I am satisfied with your work. Got it? Vice-president?”

I couldn’t believe my ears of what Atobe is saying to me. Now you know the reason why I hate him so? What is he to think he has the right to tell people what to do and make decisions for others?! Although totally unwilling and full of groaning and complaints, it is too unfortunate that I am the vice-president of the student union. I have no choice but to stay as the president demanded.

“Can I go now?” I murmured after I passed the new updated summary to Atobe.

Reading through my update, Atobe’s eyebrow lifted again, “I get how you would include a warm chicken salad, main meal, and pudding into a three course set meal. But what is with this ‘Pudding served on a bonus Atobe Keigo plate’?”

“Well, or would you rather have everyone eating off a Kabaji Munehiro plate?”

With a confident and proud smile, Atobe sat back into his chair. “Arn? You think Kabaji is going to give the same effect as me?”

“I would prefer Munehiro actually,” Not yielding to Atobe’s ego I stood up from my chair. “I have done my end, now it is your part to prepare that Atobe Keigo plate. Although I don’t want to admit it, but it will sell well.”

“Alright then,” Atobe stood up from his seat too. “I will take you home.”

“No thanks,” I shook my head at Atobe’s offer immediately. “I can get home by myself.” No way will I want to spend another minute with this guy. Most of all I can not imagine the attacks I will receive from his crazy fan girls if we were seen together.

“It is quite late now already, I would be the one to blame if anything happened to you on the way home.” Atobe insisted too. “Everyone knew I was the one that made you stay back.”

“Nothing is going to happen to me.” I was not going to back down. “Besides I would be in more danger if I am seen with you.”

“Arn~? What are you talking about?”

“Anyway, I am not going straight home,” I continued trying to make sure Atobe doesn’t walk me home. “I am going to buy something on the way home.”

“You shouldn’t be wondering around on the street at this time of the day. Head straight home!”

“I am not a kid okay? I can look after myself!”

“That’s it, I am going to follow you to the shops. If I don’t see you get home I am not Atobe Keigo!”

“What…?!” Not knowing how to continue, my mouth opened and stunned with what he said. I am supposed to get him off my back but why am I getting the opposite effect?! Finally calming down I thought through another excuse to get rid of him. “Alright, Atobe-san. You can not follow me to the shops because I am going to buy some lingerie.”

“Arn~?”

“Yes, so you will be seen as a weirdo following me to a woman’s underwear shop.” With a serious look I nodded. “So, I appreciate how you would take me home. But for the benefit of both parties it is best I go alone, okay?”

“Fine,” Atobe finally gave up. However before I hoorayed for joy, he picked up his mobile phone and made a call. “Oi, Kabaji. Your sister is heading off to the shops on her way home. Meet her there and take her home, is that understood?”

***

Sighing away I headed toward the shops now since Atobe had arranged for Munehiro to pick me up there. However to be honest I was a little surprised with the sense of responsibility Atobe actually has. I had thought he was just an arrogant egotistic man, but it is rather nice to know he had felt responsible for making me stay back to do the work.

While I was walking along the rail line, I heard the sound of tennis ball coming back and forth on the court. Familiar to the sound, I was surprised to find that from the fast swift sounds, both players were really strong. With curiosity I headed toward the sound and saw a tall man with glasses playing against a little boy.

“What’s the matter Echizen, is this all you’ve got?” The man with glasses challenged as he with a beautiful stroke spin the ball toward the opponent.

With a cry the little boy swung with all his might at the ball and like magic the ball curved back before the tall man in glasses. As the captain of Hyotei girl’s tennis club, I knew immediately it was no accident that the ball curved back toward the man in glasses. He had applied so much spin on each stroke that no matter where the opponent hit, the ball will always return to him.

This is magic.

That was all I could say about the scene before me, how could this man control his strokes so well to produce such a curving zone? Who is this guy before me? Without knowing I headed toward them even more and stood hypnotised watching the man’s tennis. Knowing tennis my whole life I have never seen such a captivating play. What struck me more was when I saw the man swung down a slice shot and when the tennis ball landed on the other side, without bouncing, it rolled back towards the net as an exquisite fine shot.

“Damn it!” The little boy cried as he ran forward. However there was no way anyone could have saved a shot like that. In shock and frustration, the little boy collapsed before the net panting in anger.

“Echizen,” The man in glasses walked up to the little boy. “Become the pillar of Seigaku.”

Pillar of Seigaku? My eyes looked to the man in glasses whose face remained beautiful despite that it shows no emotions. Is he the captain of Seigaku tennis club? At the same time the little boy’s body jumped with astonishment at the statement just made to him. From the gleam in his eyes I knew immediately whatever the boy was confused with have now became clear just because of this one statement.

Finally standing onto his feet again, the little boy looked up at the tall man in glasses. “I am going to become stronger. I will climb higher.”

After the little boy left, the man with the glasses sighed and held onto his left arm with a frown.

“You really shouldn’t have done that last shot if you have a damaged left shoulder.” I said as I walked up to him.

As expected the man turned around in shock with my statement. Instead of replying the man’s beautiful eyes stared at me wondering how in the world I noticed his damaged shoulder and probably how long I have been watching them play.

“Hi, my name is Kabaji . What is yours?”

“Tezuka Kunimitsu.”

“Want to play a game?”

“Huh?” Not expecting me to ask that the man stared at me again.

“Sorry,” I scratched my head and explained. “I just watched you play and I am so dying to play one game with you. Please? Just one game.”

“No,” The man shook his head uninterested.

“Hmm…” I raised my eyebrow knowing he didn’t think he had time playing with a girl. Most of all with a girl he knew nothing about. Walking up to a tennis ball, I took my racquet out of my bag. “Is this how you did the last shot?”

Immediately after my question, I threw the ball up and with a slice the ball bounced forward and landed on the ground. However instead of bouncing forward, the ball bounced backwards into my hand again.

Tezuka’s eyes widened a little seeing my sliced shot. Slowly he put down the tennis bag he had picked up before.

“Hmm…no, it is harder than I thought.” I poked out my tongue and said. “I can not make my roll backwards, but only bounce backwards. But I suppose if it still bounces then there is still a way to save it.”

Tezuka’s eyes landed on my tennis bag and asked in slight surprise. “Hyotei?”

“Oh yes, I am from Hyotei.” I replied and held out my hand to shake his. “From your bag and your skills I am guessing you are either an ace of Seigaku or captain?”

“Captain.” Tezuka replied still short and straight faced. “And my left shoulder is not damaged.”

“In denial I see,” I smiled. “How about this? We won’t even play a game, just have a rally. I have been a bit bored practicing with the same people everyday.”

Not saying a word, Tezuka took his racquet out of his bag again as consent.

“Alright, here we go.” Throwing the ball up I served it with all my might. With an easy swing Tezuka returned my serve not putting extra power nor spin to it. Knowing he was no way planning on using that curvy zone he used on the little boy against me, with a proud smile I turned my wrist and curved the shot back at him.

Tezuka frowned when he realised all his shot had curved back in front of me. It was the same Tezuka Zone he had used on Echizen before. Of course the zone produced by me was nothing compared to his, but he was still astonished to see a person watched and copied his techniques in such a short time! Although he had agreed on this only being a rally game, however for some unknown reason with a turn of his wrist, Tezuka applied more power and more spin on to his next shot. As expected the ball no longer curved back toward me and flew sharp and swift down the line.

“Wow, I knew I couldn’t keep the zone going.” I laughed and walked up to him. ‘Alright a rally is a rally. Thank you for accompanying me.”

“It’s okay.” Still without a smile the man placed the tennis racquet back into his bag.

“So I guess I will see you around?” I asked.

“I guess not.”

“Why not? I want to see how many more techniques you have!”

Instead of answering my question Tezuka greeted goodbye and walked off. My eyes followed his tall figure and made up my mind, I will see him again. This is the play I have been looking for, Tezuka Kunimitsu, the captain of Seigaku.

***

Kaho