My Worst Enemy

Chapter Four

Atobe’s Point of View

With the squeaky sound of the rooftop metal door opening, I saw ’s head popping in searching carefully for any sign of human form on the roof. Seeing her reaction I wanted to laugh but held it in and said instead in a tone of annoyance.

“I have checked already, there is no one else here.”

Upon my voice turned to look at me and finally moving her whole body out from behind the metal door she closed the door again making that irritating squeaky sound. I sat there and watched with my arm leaning on my bended right knee and the soft summer breeze brushing pass my hair.

“Why the roof?” I finally asked as she walked up and sat down a distance from me.

“Because no one else comes here, and I don’t want to be seen eating lunch with you.” She replied and pushed a lunch bag towards me. “Here you are, your lunch!”

To be honest, I was rather curious with what she had in the bag. Eating everyday at my very own Hyotei Brassiere, this would be my first experience of a commoner’s meal. Opening the bag I saw a bento with a pattern of a cat on it. That was not all, opening the bento there were two layers of food, top layer of little things in different shapes and sizes and the bottom layer with rice and some green stuff sprinkled on it.

Noticing the look on my face when I was studying through the bento, blushed and pulled a face. “Yes, it is not a big deal compared to the luxurious meals your chef cooks for you. But remember,” Stopping she pointed her finger at me. “You better eat it all because I had to get up earlier this morning to make this for you, and consider yourself very lucky because I have never made lunch for anyone before.”

She had never made lunch for anyone before? With the statement uncontrollably the smile crept up on my lips victoriously with the thought that I am the first. Of course I am expecting myself also to be the last. However not knowing what was going through my mind passed the chopsticks to me. “Go on, start eating.”

“What’s this?” I asked pointing to an octopus shaped Frankfurt.

“Frankfurt.”

“I know.” My eyebrow lifted with her reply. “Why does it look like an octopus?”

“Because it’s cute!” She pointed to a rabbit shaped apple next to it. “This is apple, and you know how long it took to cut it like this?! So stop complaining and eat it”

“Humph.” Uncontrollably I laughed again when I heard that she actually took a while to prepare this lunch for me. She is cute. So strong willed and stubborn but that was what made me want to tease her more. With the thought I have thought of my next request already.

“Feed me.”

Nearly dropping her own bento ’s cute big round eyes stared at me in disbelief. “What?”

“Feed me.” I repeated my request again. “You are my girlfriend right? That’s what girlfriends do.”

“Eat it yourself! Are you a kid or something?!” Blushing in embarrassment complained. “And for the record, I am NOT your girlfriend, this is only temporary.”

“Exactly, so feed me.” As if nothing she said entered my ears I repeated again. “If you do not, I would think of something else and you would regret that you did not take the first offer…”

“I hate you…” Mumbling glared at me before she finally picked up the octopus Frankfurt and place it before my mouth. “Open you mouth.”

Knowing I won again I opened my mouth and let her put the Frankfurt in my mouth totally enjoying how she reacts after the action. To my surprise the food she cooked although was not as grand as the food I was used to, but somehow I do feel a sense of warmth whirling up inside me. Maybe it was the thought that she had cooked it for me, or maybe it was because she fed it to me it tasted better.

Damn, this is bad, I think I might become addicted to this and would think food is no longer delicious unless she feeds them to me. Last night when did her first duty of calling me before she goes to bed, she set out a few rules. Firstly she will only call me Keigo when we are alone, and she had ‘requested’ for lunch to be eaten on this dirty, non-popular rooftop because she insisted that she did not want to be caught eating lunch with me.

I laughed at the thought, she should be grateful actually. How many girls out there are dying to have lunch with me and she didn’t want to be seen doing it? Knowing her disposition, if I had pushed further she probably will flip so I agreed and now here we are eating on the rooftop quietly and to her hope without being seen.

Oh well, I am surprised how fine it turned out, for without being seen also means without distraction. Here I am eating a commoner style home-made cooking enjoying the sunshine and soft summer breeze. From time to time the wind would subtly send over the natural fragrance that came from ’s long soft silky hair. Sitting here on the concrete floor of the school rooftop with alone reminded me of the time when we were small. It was the time where she was happy to be around me and the time that we could talk normally without trying to fight all the time. My eyes looked over to with the thought and found her trying to brush her hair off her face from the wind. With a smile I stretched forward my hand and assisted her by brushing her hair and put it behind her ear.

Upon my action ’s body jumped a little and her cheeks turned pink as she spoke with a soft teeny voice in embarrassment. “Don…don’t touch me. But thanks anyway.”

Damn it. I cursed again secretly inside me. Doing something nice like that was just so not me. Worst of all, I can not stop the urge to want to touch her hair again. However remembering the ‘contract’ between and I, if I touched her again she would be free to leave and I won’t be able to enjoy this anymore.

Just when I thought I could continue to take pleasure in this tranquillity, I heard sounds of footsteps and people talking as they head up the stairs towards the rooftop. In panic stood up and whispered in horror. “Someone is coming! I got to hide!”

“Arn~? It’s too late.” I frowned when I saw her in total dread trying to clean up the lunch and already the intruders have opened the metal door.

In shock, gave up on cleaning but turned to run away in fright of being seen. With a sigh I knew she was never going to make it and running away like this will only make it look worse.

“Come here, it’s too late.” Grabbing onto her arm I pulled her to myself. Before she could complain or figure out what was going on I held her tightly in my arms and pushed her back against the wall.

“Ato…?!!”

“Shh..Be quiet.” I hushed her as we both heard the talking voices just next to us.

As expected the intruders stopped talking when they saw me with a girl in my arms. “A…Atobe-san?”

Hiding in my arms so they couldn’t see her I looked to the intruders in extreme unpleasantness. “Arn~? Can’t you see the rooftop is taken?”

Blushing in embarrassment with the scene before them, the intruders turned their eyes away as a reflex and apologised before they fled quickly from the rooftop taken back by the irritated tone in my voice.

Finally after they have left, I sensed the soft tiny body in my arms started to struggle like crazy. “Let go of me! Atobe Keigo!”

“Arn~?” Moving away from I found her glaring at me. However from my insight I noticed there was about 60% anger but 40% of shyness as her face blushed while she tries to catch her breath. “Why are you looking at me like that? I just saved your ass.”

However before she could say anything we heard somebody whistled and clapped from above us. “Woohoo!! I can’t believe it! It’s -chan and Atobe!”

Not expecting someone else to be hiding at the rooftop. Both and I looked to the voice and found Jiroh grinning at us from the upper floor. “That was passionate! Since when have you guys got it going on?!” Jumping off and landed on the ground like a ninja Jiroh gave a sigh in exaggeration. “I am so heart broken. -chan was supposed to be everyone’s princess but now she is taken by Atobe…”

“Jiroh?!!” Finally regained her posture and called in shock. “Since…since when have you been here?”

“Keigo darling, would you eat this Frankfurt? I got up this morning just to make it for you…” Shrugging his shoulders Jiroh continued to grin as he copied the scene of feeding me the Frankfurt.

“I did not say that!!!” Holding her head in horror complained. Like she was about to cry she looked to me. “It is your entire fault, Atobe-san! You said you made sure no one else was here!”

“Sorry, -chan.” Jiroh patted ’s shoulder and comforted. “I tried to act invisible and continue my sleep until I just saw you and Atobe doing that scene…but it’s okay, I promise you I won’t let other people know about it.”

“We didn’t do anything!” justified in panic. “If you were here the entire time you would know!”

“Jiroh,” Finally I stepped up knowing was really on the verge of breakdown. “This is a bet between us. So there is nothing going on.”

“You two are not going out?” Jiroh blinked in disbelief knowing he did see we hug and stuff.

“No.” I replied. Letting out a deep breath I brushed my hands through my hair, “ lost a bet so I was just making fun of her. She was going to be my slave for a month.”

“Eh?” Jiroh called in surprise. “So -chan is not taken?”

For some reason a sense of irritation came up in me with Jiroh’s question. But still maintaining my perfect posture I replied. “No.”

“Oh yeah!!” Jiroh hoorayed while dancing around in joy. “Our princess is not taken!”

Not expecting me to do that for her, ’s eyes looked to me. I saw her lips moved as she whispered “thank you”. However I felt a prick against my heart when I saw that.

“Jiroh,” stood before Jiroh and pleaded. “Please don’t tell anyone about this.”

“Okay!” Jiroh nodded in enthusiasm. “This will be the little secret between us?”

“Something like that.” laughed dryly.

Due to the unexpected incident, the lunch became a three people gathering with Jiroh joining us today. However I have already made up my mind, tomorrow I will get Kabaji to stand watch outside and make sure this won’t ever happen again.

***

Just when I thought I have planned everything well and nothing will go wrong again, that man appeared. I frowned with the scene before me, smiling and talking to that man although it was me that won all the points.

Going back to about half an hour ago, according to my request, followed me after practice today to the street tennis court that Kabaji and I have recently found interesting visiting. The joy of seeing the look of defeat on the other players who thought they could play tennis until they met me.

“So, where are we going?” asked while she followed Kabaji and me to our destination.

“You will see,” I smiled. “It is a new fun place Kabaji and I enjoy going to, na Kabaji?”

“Usu.”

Upon our arrival, the people who were already there looked to us in horror like rats being caught by a cat. Well, of course, for the past two weeks no one could last over five minute against us. With my arms crossed I looked at them with my victorious smile. “So who is it going to be today, arn~?”

With my question, all the players looked at each other and finally one of them laughed dryly and replied. “Atobe-sama, we know you are the king of this court. So none of us could possibly play against you and…” Pausing they looked up at the Kabaji in fear. “Your friend…”

“Arn~? Isn’t there anyone else?” I lifted my eyebrow in despise.

“No, no one.” The man shook his head rubbing his hands. “So we figured it is time we move on and here, the court is all yours.”

Agreeing to what was said, the rest of the players nodded and all quickly packed their things and in a few minutes time the only people left on the court were only me, Kabaji and .

“Everyone’s gone.” stated as she looked at me eyes narrowed. “How are we going to play now with just the three of us?”

“Humph.” I crossed my arms and replied. “I can offer you a game if you want.”

“No thanks.” She muttered not yielding as a yawn escaped her lips. “Besides we are not allowed to privately play tennis against each other remember? It is the rule.”

When at this time ’s eyes fixed on a person walking pass and expression of joy painted her face. Waving her hand she called out, “Tezuka-san!”

Tezuka? Unlike I was not excited at all when I saw Tezuka turned around responding to the voice calling his name. With the Seigaku tennis bag on his shoulder Tezuka nodded to greet. However I did not respond as I was most irritated why this man had to show up at this time? Most of all the irritation increased when I saw skipped up to Tezuka and offered.

“Tezuka-san, want to join us for a game?”

“No. I am fine.” Tezuka didn’t expect that and declined. Yes that’s right, step out of here if you are smart enough.

“But we are one man short!” insisted. “It won’t take long, besides I am not going to let you get away this time. I want to see you play!”

Noticing the frown getting bigger on my face Tezuka replied. “I am just on my way home so…”

“If you don’t join us I will tell them what you did the other day!”

Upon ’s sentence I noticed although faint but Tezuka’s poker face was finally moved. Slightly, I think.

Tezuka sighed as he put down his bag. “Fine, I will play, but only one game.”

“Thank you!” smiled and teased. “It’s okay, your secret is safe with me.”

Don’t know whether my luck was going to get any worse today, I looked to Tezuka from the corner of my eyes, “Tezuka, I guess we can call this a foretaste before you are thrashed by me in the real game.”

Not reacting to my challenge Tezuka calmly took the racquet out of his bag. “So how are we teaming up?”

“I am with Tezuka-san, and Atobe-san is with Munehiro!” suggested.

“Arn~?” I frowned with the combination. “Why are you with Tezuka?”

“Because otherwise it would be weird,” explained. “If you teamed up with me Tezuka will be with Munehiro, but they don’t know each other at all. Do you want to team up with Tezuka against me and Munehiro?”

Teaming up with Tezuka? Indeed that would be the worst combination possible and no way could I see it happening. Still not wanting to team up with Tezuka I suggested. “Rock paper scissors, winner with the winner, loser with loser.”

“Fine, whatever.” Pulling a face finally agreed.

Since no one else objected, we paper rock and scissors to decide our partner. The outcome was:

“Yeah! Munehiro, you are with me!” patted her younger brother in joy. “We won’t lose right? For the Kabajis!”

“Usu.”

Feeling like a dark cloud had overshadowed me I looked to my ‘partner’ Tezuka. How can this be?! I have planned this for me and and why the hell is that man standing right next to me?!

However without any expressions, Tezuka asked. “Do you want to serve first?”

Secretly regaining my perfect posture, I closed my eyes and smiled acting calm. “Tezuka, consider yourself extremely lucky to partner up with me. Don’t pull my leg in this game, arn?”

“I will serve then.” As if we are on a different wavelength, Tezuka’s words and mine did not match at all.

Despite the fact our conversation was on a different wavelength, to be honest I was impressed with Tezuka’s skills. I have heard that he is a legendary player and everything, even with the fact that he wasn’t playing with his full strength right now, the power, the control proved him to be the man that holds Seigaku together.

However I was not going to let Tezuka run the show here, don’t forget that I am Atobe Keigo, the king of Hyotei, I am the one that rules the tennis club in the best school of Tokyo region. Upon a shot returned by Kabaji, I ran forward and with both my arms jack-knifed it sharp and fast to a spot where I knew both Kabaji and was not going to make it no matter what.

With a groan, reached for it but unable to handle the power with her single arm, the racquet flew off with the impact.

“Oresama no bigi ni yoina.” I smiled and pointed at victoriously. “Na, Kabaji?”

“Usu.”

was half laughing and complaining, and then turned to look at her brother. “Munehiro, you are supposed to be my partner!” Turning back to me she gave me a genuine smile that I haven’t seen from her for a long time. “Although I hate to admit it, but that was a good shot.”

“Of course.” Feeling my heart floating with her smile I replied. All of a sudden it didn’t bothered me that my partner was Tezuka, I realised was just a genuine lover of tennis, and if she was attracted to Tezuka because of his play style, I too could win her over with it.

Walking back to the service line I challenged Tezuka seriously. “Tezuka, I will defeat you in the up coming game, I will defeat you in everything.”

Not sure if he knew what I was referring to, Tezuka looked straight at me and replied with a solemnity I sensed man to man. “I won’t lose to you, Atobe.”

***

Kaho