My Worst Enemy

Chapter Three

Green.

I placed the grip under the light again to double check and was sure I saw a green grip instead of the blue grip I remembered buying. Most of all, in the shopping bag, the rest of my shopping had disappeared too. With a sigh I knew there was only one explanation. I must have accidentally grabbed Tezuka’s shopping instead of my own when I ran away in a rush.

Since I need my grip before the final game this weekend, and since I believe Tezuka probably needed his as well, I decided to make a detour after school to deliver it to him. Unfortunately with the final game coming up this weekend, there was no way I could skip the club activities after school, so the only choice I have is to skip the student union meeting and try to rush back for the club activity.

With the thought I picked up my mobile phone and dialled a number that I have never dialled before. After a few tones, the other end picked up.

“Humph,” Atobe hummed in arrogance through his nose, “ , finally even you couldn’t resist calling this number.”

“Hello, Atobe-san.” Not buying his charisma I replied calmly.

“Well, go on, I am listening.” Don’t know why but I swore I sensed a strange happy tone in Atobe voice. “If you are requesting a date I might consider fitting you in.”

With a big sigh I replied in boredom. “Anyway, Atobe-san, I am calling to let you know that I won’t be there for the student union meeting today.”

“ARN~?” From the sound of it, Atobe wasn’t too impressed with what I said. “You are the vice-president you know? It is not an option.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Totally ignoring his authority I replied. “Bye bye.” Before he could say another word I quickly hang up and headed out the school gate.

After a few stops on the bus, I arrive at the front entrance of Seishun Gakuen. With the Hyotei uniform I have on me, as expected I attracted a few eyes of curiosity, but ignoring them I headed for the direction where I believe the tennis court would be.

Pleased with my intelligence, I really found the tennis courts and to my joy the club activities have already started. With excitement I knew if I was lucky I might be able to see Tezuka play today! However searching through the Seigaku club members I saw no sign of Tezuka among them, rather I noticed a person smiling at me.

“Hi,” I greeted remembering him to be one of the poor victims Tezuka made to run the laps that day.

“We meet again.” The person walked up to me with a friendly smile, his hair of light brown shone in the sunlight.

“Ugh…Fuji-san right?” I asked smiling back as a response.

With a light laughter Fuji replied. “What an honour, you know my name.”

“Of course,” I nodded. Since Seigaku have become Hyotei’s strongest rival, we have already read through all the player data given to us by Sakaki-kantoku. Remember reading through the data, Fuji Syuusuke was known to be the genius player of Seigaku and no one really knows how strong he is. Looking to that friendly smiling pretty face before me I asked in curiosity. “Who is stronger out of you and Tezuka?”

“Tezuka I guess?” Without second thought Fuji replied. “He is the buchou right?”

“Hmm,” I tilted my head with his reply. “So how much better is he compared to you?”

To my surprise I saw Fuji’s deep bluish eyes opened but it was only for an instance as the friendly smile returned to his face. “Not sure, we have never competed against each other.”

“Huh? Then how do you know he is stronger than you?”

Before Fuji replied a person called out to us. “Fuji-senpai! It is your turn!”

Turning to the court I saw witch’s hats of green, blue, yellow and red lined up on the ground. On the other side was a basket of tennis balls that also had green, blue, yellow and red painted along the rubber lines.

“What is this for?” Never seen anything like it before; I asked again sensing my heart pumping faster with excitement.

“Fufu…it is a kind of practice we are trying out today.” Fuji replied. “When Inui serves the ball to the player, he will call out the colour painted on the ball, and the receiver has to return the shot hitting the correct colour of witch’s hat lined up. If we missed the shot or hit the witch’s hat with the incorrect colour, then there is Inui’s penalty tea waiting for us.” Fuji said as he pointed to the table with olive coloured juices on it. My eyes opened wide with shock when I saw it bubbling and smoke coming out of it.

“Fuji-senpai~”

Hearing the call again Fuji apologised, “I guess I better go now.”

“Sure.” I nodded and felt it totally exciting to see how the genius Fuji was going to handle this challenge. How come we never have anything fun like this in Hyotei?

I watched with amazement when I saw Fuji hitting every shot correctly to the colours called out to him. Immediately I understood the reason why this person was known as the genius of Seigaku! The control, the reflexes, this person was born with it! However after four correct shots, I saw clearly Fuji purposely hit the fifth shot toward a different colour.

“Fuji-senpai! You missed the shot on purpose!” Momoshiro called out.

“Fufu…I just wanted to try out Inui’s new juice.” Fuji replied lightly as usual accompanied with a smile. As if the bubbling smoky juice didn’t bother him, Fuji drank it all and with satisfaction replied. “It is delicious.”

Ignoring the eyes of bewilderment from his team mates, Fuji walked up to me again and asked. “Want to try?”

“The juice?!” Shaking my head like crazy I declined. “No thanks.”

Laughing Fuji explained. “No, I meant the practice.”

Upon Fuji’s question, to be honest I was very tempted. However this is after all a Seigaku practice and what is a Hyotei student like me doing here? “No, it’s okay. I am not a Seigaku student and not that I will be able to do it anyway.”

“Really? I think you are just being humble.” Fuji replied. “Buchou of Hyotei.”

My whole body jumped with Fuji’s statement. “You knew who I was all along?”

“Like you have known me, it is no surprise that we have studied through the data of Hyotei right?” Fuji explained calmly and the smile never left him. “So you are here to study Seigaku for the final this weekend?”

“No!” I justified immediately. “I am here to see Tezuka-san.”

“Tezuka?” Fuji nodded in a teasing way. “Of course.”

“What do you mean of course?” I sensed the inside meaning Fuji was referring to. “I am just here to deliver something Tezuka forgot.” Passing the bag to Fuji I explained. “Can you pass this to Tezuka-san when he returns?”

“As the president of the student union, he has to attend the weekly meeting today. He shouldn’t be too long if you want to wait for him.” Fuji continued to grin.

President of the student union and the buchou of Seigaku tennis club? For some unknown reason Atobe’s face popped up in my head. However quickly shaking it off my mind I declined Fuji. “No, I have to rush back for my own practice too. So please just pass the bag to Tezuka-san when you see him.”

Bowing to thank Fuji, I waved good bye and left there as fast as I could before I was further mistaken to be a spy. Unfortunately it was not until I returned to Hyotei that I realised I had forgotten to ask Tezuka about my own shopping!

Holding onto my head I couldn’t believe my stupidity. Rubbing my temples I guess I had to return tomorrow to visit Tezuka again. However I could just imagine the look on Tezuka’s team mate when they see me visiting him again tomorrow.

“ -chan,” Aya teased when she saw me frowning and sighing away during our practice. “Had another fight with Atobe-san?”

“No,” I shook my head and continued to frown. “And don’t mention Atobe when I am having a headache.”

Aya giggled when she heard my words. “You would be the only girl in the entire school that dislikes Atobe-san.”

“Thank god…” I rolled my eyes. “I really don’t understand what is so good about that guy. He is totally in love with himself.”

“Well, he should be.” Aya said as her eyes looked to Atobe who was standing in his perfect pose overseeing the men’s practice. “He is stunningly good-looking, rich, intelligent, sporty, confident…” With a sigh Aya concluded. “He is perfect.”

“I thought your boyfriend is Shishido?” I reminded her with tease.

“Ryo-chan is different.” Aya’s face turned pink with the thought of her beloved. “Ryo-chan is real and I can relate to him. But Atobe-san is like an emperor; he is born to rule, and born to be adored.”

“Alright, enough of Atobe talk for today,” I quickly stopped Aya before she gives me more praises on Atobe. “It is rally practice between you and me now. Who ever lose has to shout ice cream.”

“Sure.” Aya giggled. As a conclusion to our practice, Aya and I always have a rally competition to see who lose it first. Being the top two women player of Hyotei, our rally usually goes on for quite long and always an excitement for the rest of the team to see.

“It is -chan versus Aya-chan again.” Oshitari smiled with the rest of the boys looking towards our final practice. “Who do you think will win today?”

“ -chan!” Jiroh called.

“ .” Gakuto nodded in agreement.

“Yes, Kabaji-senpai.” Ohtori also said.

“No, it’s going to be Aya!” Shishido called with full support to his girlfriend

“Who do you think, Atobe?” Oshitari asked Atobe whose eyes remained fixed on the rally game between me and Aya.

“Do you really need a reason to ask?” Atobe crossed his arms and replied in boredom. “ is the buchou so it means she is the best. Na, Kabaji?”

“Usu.”

“Such confidence, Atobe.” Oshitari smirked. “Is this from your insight ability or are you just bias?”

“Arn~?” Atobe’s eyebrow lifted with Oshitari’s mocking. “You don’t believe in my insight?”

“I do of course. But with such confidence I am suspecting you believed in -chan out of another reason.” Oshitari challenged with a grin.

“Fine,” Atobe smiled in pride and confidence. “If loses to Horie, I will shout all of you to yakiniku buffet.”

Upon Atobe’s words, all the boys hoorayed although they all still believed I would win.

“What do you think Yuushi?” Gakuto asked. “You didn’t think was going to win?”

“Well,” Before he replied Oshitari’s eyes noticed a familiar figure approaching the girl’s court. “I am going to say that Aya-chan will win.”

“Really?!” Gakuto called in disbelief. “So if you lose then you will be buying us yakiniku instead?!”

With a mysterious smile Oshitari nodded. “The bet is on.”

***

“What’s the matter, Aya-chan? Looks like you are the one buying ice-cream!” I called and swung a sharp shot cross court to the opposite side of where Aya was standing.

Rushing quickly to reach for the shot, Aya managed to swing it back cross the net. Impressed with Aya’s play I ran forward and faked a drop shot.

“You are so mean!” Aya called and ran forward all the way from back of the court.

Laughing I moved backwards knowing Aya will still be able to return this shot. However I would be standing at the perfect position to make her run back again. Just when I thought it was going to work as planned, from the corner of my eyes I think I saw a tall figure wearing Seigaku uniform standing there talking to one of my team mates.

“Excuse me; is Kabaji-san here please?”

“Kabaji buchou? She is there on the court.”

Hearing my name mentioned, as a reflex I turned my head and saw clearly now it was Tezuka standing there!

“Tezuka-san?!” I turned around and called in astonishment. “How come you are here?”

Just at this moment, Aya chuckled and I heard her called out in tease. “ -chan, thank you for the ice-cream!”

“Ah!” By the time I turned around it was too late, Aya had already dropped the shot just before the net. In panic I ran up but to my horror I saw the ball bounced twice before my eyes.

“Woohoo!! It is my victory!” Aya bounced up and down in joy ignoring the shock on my face.

“Wait! It’s not fair! I was distracted!” I objected with my hands on my waist.

“Boo~! Boo~! -chan goes back on her words!” Aya teased and patted my shoulder. “Anyway, I want macadamia nuts and butterscotch flavoured ice-cream~”

With a big sigh my eyes looked to the person that distracted me. “Tezuka-san, it is your entire fault!”

Unmoved with a poker face Tezuka replied, “Strong players would never allow anything to distract them from the match before their eyes.”

Although knowing Tezuka was right I still pulled a face and walked up to him. “So what brought your presence here?”

Holding a shopping bag in front of him Tezuka replied. “Thank you for delivering mine to my school. Here is yours.”

“Ah thank you!” With joy I took the bag from Tezuka’s hand.

“Okay. Bye.” With a nod, Tezuka turned to walk away.

“Wait!” However I stopped before he walked away. “You have to buy Aya-chan the ice cream!”

Tezuka looked at me blankly, “…Huh?”

“I was winning until you showed up. So you have to take up the responsibility!” I insisted.

“I don’t mind who buys me ice-cream as long as I get one.” Aya grinned.

Sensing two pairs of eyes of anticipation on him, with a sigh Tezuka gave in. “Fine.”

On the other side where the men’s team are, the boys danced around in ecstasy with the outcome. A free feast from their buchou!

“Thank you Atobe!”

“Let’s order the most expensive meat!”

Not saying a word Atobe continued to frown. Not because he has to buy his team mates yakiniku but the fact smiles at Tezuka. Worst of all not knowing what was going on, he saw Tezuka waited for and left together with her. It totally looked like he came here to pick her up after school for a date! Since when have they become so friendly with each other?!

“Hmm...” Oshitari grinned noticing the look on Atobe’s face. “Tezuka and -chan? Interesting, I heard that Tezuka is a serious committed and most of all legendary tennis player. Looks like you are in trouble, Atobe.”

Brushing through his fringe in charisma, Atobe gave a cold hum. “In trouble? Who do you think I am? I will never lose to Tezuka.”

“In tennis or…?” Oshitari paused on purpose.

“In everything.” Oshitari noticed a look of determination from Atobe’s eyes with the answer. Turning to the big wordless second year behind him Atobe asked. “Oi, Kabaji. What other than tennis is your sister proficient at?”

***

“Who do you think is stronger in tennis out of you and me?”

“Huh?” Out of the blue Atobe approached me after practice today and asked. “Of course me.”

“Don’t think so.” Crossing his arms Atobe shook his head in confidence. “I am the top of Hyotei tennis club and everyone knows that.”

Although I hate to admit it but I know he was right but I still replied. “That is only because women’s team and men’s team never competed before. But don’t forget I DID join the tennis club a month before you.”

“Time has nothing to do with it.” Atobe replied with an arrogant smile. “Some people are just born with the talent.”

“So what is your point?” I narrowed my eyes at his self-boasting.

“No matter what, I can beat you in everything.” Atobe asked looking at me in challenge.

“Ho…” A challenge I see, most of all Atobe had no idea he had just dug his own grave. “In everything?”

“Everything, you name it.”

Smiling back in challenge I felt it was about time to slap Atobe in the face and let him know he is not always the best! “Want to try bowling?”

“Bowling?” Atobe’s eyebrows lifted in despise. “The game of commoners?”

“Scared?”

“Humph.” Laughing through his nose again Atobe smiled back at me in challenge. “Very well, I will take the challenge. But if you lose there will be great consequences.”

“Consequences?” I laughed at the word. “Shouldn’t the warning be addressed at yourself?”

“Atobe Keigo and consequences never go together. I will always be the winner.”

“Really? We shall see.” Crossing my arms I smiled in confidence.

Unfortunately just when I thought it was going to be the chance to slap Atobe Keigo on his face, to my horror I saw on the scoreboard he had miraculously defeated me 278 to 249. How is this possible?! I felt blood rushed to my feet, bowling was supposed to be my strongest but now seeing the victorious smile on Atobe’s face I felt I had just slapped myself instead! All of sudden it hit me; Atobe had set me up for this!

“Alright, what did you want from me?” I sighed at my misery. “You planed this didn’t you?”

“Planned this?” Atobe continued to laugh. “You were the one that suggested bowling.”

Although he had a point but still I sensed from the joy on his face, he had predicted it. My doubts were confirmed when Atobe rubbed it in ignoring my miserable condition. “Don’t forget what I said before. If you lose, there will be great consequences.”

“Alright, hit me. What is it?” Finally giving up I asked.

Leaning close Atobe whispered in my ear, “I want you to be my girlfriend for a month.”

“WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!” I stepped back in horror. “Are you crazy?!!”

Totally enjoying my reaction Atobe continued in demand. “I mean it. That means you have to do everything a girlfriend does. You have to call me every night before you go to bed to say good night, accompany me when I requested so, make me lunch and eat with me. Most of all you have to address me as Keigo…”

“Stop.” I interrupted before he scares me any further. “I won’t do it.”

“Arn~~?” Atobe frowned. “Are you going back on your words?”

“I am not!” I blushed and called. “How about this? I will buy you lunch for a month instead.”

“No deal.”

“Breakfast and lunch then.”

“No.”

Clenching my fists I knew Atobe Keigo had planned for this a long time because he knew this would really kill me. “Fine, I will do it. But just for a week.”

“A month.” Atobe ignored my request and smiled at me with his legs crossed. “Or I can increase it to three months if you want.”

“Alright! One month it is!” I groaned and glared at him. “But only under one condition!”

“Arn~? You want to discuss condition with me?” Atobe frowned.

“Accept it before I change my mind.” I threatened.

“Fine, what condition is it?”

“I will do those things you ask me to, but during the month there will be no physical contact between us and this bet should be only between us because I don’t want the whole school to know.” Yes, knowing Atobe only made such request to humiliate me, I would hate to be murdered by his fan girls because of it.

Looking straight at me, after a while Atobe sighed. “Alright, agreed.” Standing up from the seat he added. “Now on my first request, accompany me for dinner.”

“Fine…Atobe-san.”

“It’s Keigo.”

“Fine…Keigo.”

Although I would be in hell for the coming month, but for some reason I noticed an extreme joy on Atobe’s face. It was not the joy of finally embarrassing me, but I sensed tenderness when his eyes looked when I called him Keigo…

***

Kaho