Tumble into Love

Chapter 3

‘Oh god did I just say that?’ thought as she saw his face light up. But as she watched him confidently stride towards her, she knew the words had really come out of her mouth. She could literally feel the blood draining from her body; she felt weak. Her body swayed and Atobe put his arms around her as she wobbled.

“Feeling weak in the knees already, arn~? Haha, I get this a lot you know." He smirked as he ran his fingers back through his hair. “I guess you aren’t that much different from other girls after all.” He smiled as he helped her over to a bench that faced the now empty girls’ tennis courts.

“Not much different from other girls?” asked as she sat down, glad to be off her feet. “What do you mean by that?” He studied her for a moment and then sat besides her.

“Any girl would kill for what you’re getting, -chan, or should I just call you ‘ ’ now, arn~?”

“What I’m getting? I… I’m sorry, but I don’t really know you…” she said quietly. “I mean, I know your name but that’s only because I’ve heard you were the captain of the opposing team. And I’m sorry, but I honestly don’t know why you want me of all people to be your girlfriend. You don’t even know me.” She looked at him, confusion written on her face.

Atobe smiled as he looked at her. ‘Too cute’, he thought. “For one, you’re different. You look different, act different. You’re just different. Just listen to what ore-sama says.” He smiled at her, twirling his finger in his hair. “Two, you don’t know me, and honestly I didn’t think there was a girl alive that wasn’t aware of who I am. I like that.”

“Those are not reasons. Or at least not very good ones," she said softly. “Honestly I’m nothing special. Really, I mean it! I’m just a student who works part time. I don’t even play a sport nor have any skills. So why are you...”

“This un-confident act really has to go,” Atobe interrupted. “Saying you aren’t special is a sign of weakness and is rather unattractive. But you’re lucky because you are attractive, in a different way from what normally catches my eye, but attractive nonetheless. So stop being so unsure of yourself.” He tilted her head as if studying her again and then smiled, looking into her eyes.

“In closing, you interest me, and I’m the type of person that pursues his interests.” He leaned in rather close and added softly, “To the fullest.”

gulped and pulled away, her face burning red. ‘Oh my gosh! He was really close then, and wow! Did he say I was attractive?! Oh umm... What do I say?’ She looked down nervously, her fingers playing with her rings.

“For whatever reason,” she said in a soft voice. “If I do this, you… You promise not to tell anyone right? About what happened after that game? Those are the conditions, right? I do this and you don’t tell anyone what I did?”

Atobe made a face. ‘Not tell anyone? She’s still stuck on that? She should be thinking more about dating me. What’s wrong with her?’

He sighed, “Of course I’ll agree, but that’s only if you live up to the entire girlfriend part of the deal.”

shifted in her seat, her fingers nervously pulling at the hem of her skirt. “Umm, what exactly do you mean by that anyway? Entire girlfriend part?”

Atobe looked at her and realized she really did look nervous. No, nervous would be an understatement; she looked scared. Her face was slightly pale. “Arn, what do you mean? Haven’t you ever had a boyfriend before?”

“Umm… Well, you see, not really,” she said looking away from him. “Laugh if you want to, other people do. I know I’m 19 and should have had one by now but it hasn’t ever really come up. You’re the first guy to ask.”

Her confession floored him and once again this girl had the great Atobe Keigo taken aback.

“Never?” he asked moving closer, an odd look of confusion twisting across his beautiful face. ‘Is she serious? No she can’t be. And she’s 19 and wait... WAIT! That’s means she’s a vir…’

He smiled and touched her face, turning her to face him. “I’m sorry and frankly surprised to hear that. But really, it’s their loss. Trust me, I’ve had a few girlfriends and I’ll show your every step of the way.” He spoke in his ever-sexy voice, inching closer to her as each word left his lips until they were almost touching hers. She could feel his breath softly moving on her lips, the closeness of his body, the…

[SLAP]

’s hand met his face and Atobe was almost knocked off the bench. Her eyes widened as she looked at him in horror.

“Oh no! I did it again! I’m so sorry! Really I, I...” she was cut off as he sat up, his right cheek bright pink. He looked at her for a second, his expression a mix of amusement and anger. He then moved quickly grabbing her forcibly by both wrists. She felt herself being pulled towards him and his lips pressing onto hers. After a few moments he pulled apart and sat back on the bench.

“Step 1; do NOT hit your boyfriend,” he snapped as he sat back rubbing his face. “And Step 2, don’t ever fight back, it just makes things messy.”

He turned towards her, shaking his head, “What’s with you and hitting me anyway? Honestly, I’ve never been treated this way before in my life!”

“I’m sorry! It’s just… I’ve never been treated this way before either! This is too fast and I guess I just. Well I don’t know… I get scared so I hit. Genichiro always said it was a good idea…” Her voice trailed off as she looked down, her hands between her knees.

Atobe smiled at that. ‘He would say that.’ he thought with a grin.

“ ... That’s what I’m going to call you, just . And you’d better call me Keigo,” he said as he looked at her. “Now give me your cell phone so I can give you my number. I’ll need yours as well.”

She sighed and made a face as she turned towards him. “Are all boyfriends this bossy?”

“Only the good ones,” he replied with a smirk

+ + + + + +

“Oh my god, I’m going to die. This is it. There’s no way in hell I can pull this off. He’s going to find out and go boom. That Atobe guy’s gonna die. I’m gonna die. He’ll go to Rin’s house and then she’s gonna die.”

Hitomi shook all over as she walked across the court, her rant continuing, “It’s going to be all over the news: Rikkai Dai student kills three during afternoon tennis practice, their bodies found…”

Hitomi’s soft voice trailed off as she approached the team. Yukimara was standing beside Sanada while addressing the team about the following weekend’s match. Hitomi had never been so scared in her entire life. Yukimara spotted her and stopped talking, smiling as he addressed her.

“Hitomi-chan, what can I help you with?”

“Well… I was just wondering if, you know. I mean… Yeah, there was this thing and…” She stood balancing back and forth on her feet while she looked down, trying to think of something to say while the team sweat-dropped.

“What is it, Hitomi-chan?” Marui asked, popping a bubble.

“Yes, what is it indeed…” Hitomi said softly, her voice shaking

“You’re odd,” Akaya mumbled shaking his head, “I’m going to get a drink,” he announced as he turned and began walking towards Hitomi. ‘Oh crap! The drink machines are in the direction they went! Oh no! Ahhh! I have to stop him! But how?’

“WAIT!” Hitomi yelled, making Akaya jump so high he dropped his racket. “You can’t go because I have an announcement. Yes. That’s it. An announcement.”

Niou smiled to himself. ‘How cute, she totally trying to divert our attention. But from what, I wonder?’

“And I need to be here because…?” Akaya asked.

“Akaya, that’s rude.” Yanagi scolded his underclassman.

“Well. I’m sorry, we’ve been training for over two hours, it’s really hot out and I’m thirsty. And since when does she care what I hear her say?” he asked his senpai.

“I’m right here, you know,” Hitomi hissed. “So don’t talk about me as though I’m not here, ok?”

“Sorry, senpai,” he said as he bent down to pick up his fallen racket.

“So, what’s your announcement, Hitomi-chan?” Yukimara asked, politely.

‘Good question’, Hitomi asked herself.

“Yes, do tell, Hitomi-chan,” Niou said with a sly grin.

‘I’m going to kill you tonight in your sleep,’ she thought.

“Well...” she started

“Where is ?” Sanada interrupted. He had noticed that wasn’t on the bleachers. In fact, he couldn’t see her at all and this was beginning to worry him. He turned towards Hitomi, awaiting his answer.

“Umm…” Hitomi began, her eyes widening.

“Where. Is. ,” he said again, in a louder voice as he started walking towards her.

“Oh dear,” Yukimara sighed, noticing the look on his friend’s face. When it came to , Sanada was no joke.

“She’s umm… She went to get…” Hitomi’s heart was racing. ‘This is it! The end of my short unfulfilled life! I’ll never see Paris!’

“Hitomi,” he said as he came within a few feet of her. “Where is..” A loud noise caught everyone by surprised followed by a curse of “Shit! That hurt!”

The group turned to see , most ungracefully stumbling down the bleachers, purse in hand.

“ -went-to-get-sodas-from-the-machine,” Hitomi spat out quickly. “Right, ?!”

“What?!” froze. ‘Oh no I’ve been spotted!’

“I was just telling Sanada how you went to get sodas. For everyone. So they don’t have to go over there. By the machine. At all. Right?” She looked at with ‘Help Me’ written all over her face.

“Really -chan? You’re getting us all sodas?!” Akaya asked happily.

sweat dropped. ‘Great, spending my hard-earned money on sodas. But at least they won’t come over there and see HIM,’ she thought, feeling her face heat up at the very mention of him.

“Yes, of course. You’re all working so hard I thought I’d treat you guys.” She flashed them her gentle smile as she held her purse to her chest.

“So, what’d ya do, ? Forget your purse?” Hitomi cried out, thanking god mentally for saving her at the same time.

“Uh, yeah. Yes. Exactly, you know me.” She smiled again, happy for once that being forgetful was a habit of hers. “I’ll be right back ok?” She called out.

Sanada nodded and then turned back towards Hitomi, an eyebrow raised. “Why did it take you so long to answer?”

“Because she was thinking about her announcement.” Niou interrupted. He slid an arm around her shoulder and shot Sanada his best smile.

‘I love you!’ Hitomi thought with a smile as she looked at Niou.

“We’re going out,” Niou said with a grin.

‘I hate you!’

“WHAT?!” The team shouted. Even Sanada seemed taken aback by this.

“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?” she shouted as she shrugged his arm off her shoulder.

“I know, I know. You wanted to wait for the right time, but this is it, trust me.” He added with a sly smile.

“Wow, and I totally thought you hated him,” Marui said with another pop of his gum. “Congratulations… Umm, I guess?”

Hitomi felt the need to pass out she felt Niou’s arms around her.

“I loath you,” she hissed.

“I know,” he whispered. “But, at least Sanada has backed off. That’s what you wanted right?” he added. Her eyes widened. Had he done that for her? Had he seen how scared she was? WAIT! Hold up, Niou did something nice? For her?

+ + + + + +

“That took too long. What were you doing?” Atobe asked as sat down on the bench.

“I had to get my purse. My cell phone is in it. And now I have to find my wallet.”

“That wasn’t the question. Why did you take so long?” He paused for a moment. “And do you always wear such wonderful clothing?”

“Huh?” She looked up from her purse, confused. “What do you mean?” She looked down at herself. What was so wonderful? She had on a tight white top that had ‘Starlit’ written in black glitter, a short dark gray plaid pleated skirt with black sneakers and black knee-highs. “What’s so wonderful?” she asked as she handed him her phone.

“It’s just not what I’m used to seeing. Most of the girls that I associate with wear brand names, not the colorful stuff you’re in.” He smiled, looking her over again. ‘Not to mention such short skirts… And who wears black bras under white shirts? I’m liking this.’ He grinned.

looked at him. ‘Was that an insult? No, I have a feeling he talks this way to everyone.’

“That was rude,” she said quietly, reaching into her purse and taking out her wallet.

“Hmm? What was? What are you doing?” he asked as he watched her walk towards the vending machine.

“Gettng a soda. For everyone.”

“Everyone?”

“Well, Sanada saw me and was asking where I was off too. So Hitomi told him I was buying sodas. For the entire team. I guess that was so that they wouldn’t come over here and see you, which is a really good thing. But still, this is costing me so much and - ouch!” Her ranting was cut short by a knock on the top of her head. Atobe stood beside her shaking his head.

“Why did you hit me?” asked as she rubbed her head.

“I didn’t hit you. I’m not you or Sanada; I don’t hit. I knocked. And I did so because here you are complaining about money in front of your boyfriend. Don’t do that. Ever. I have enough for the both of us.” He sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a rather thick wallet.

’s eyes widened as she watched him insert bill after bill. And each time he would ask her what drink and she would hit the round button and then hear the clink as the beverage fell. Soon she had a small stack piled beside the machine.

‘Maybe he’s not so bad after all’, she thought as she watched him.

“Umm, I guess I can put them all in my bag. I’ll have to make two trips.” began to mumble as she moved a few things in her purse and crouched down to load the sodas into her bag. “You just wait here. I… I’ll be right back”

“Why can’t I help you?” Atobe asked as he leaned against the machine. “It was, after all, my money.”

She paused and looked up at him. “But Sanada will see you. Isn’t that the deal? No one will find out about us. Right?”

“So? I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone we were dating. All he has to know is I came to see Yukimara about the upcoming regional match. I just happened to see you and helped you carry a large quantity of sodas.”

“But wait… Aren’t those like two months away? Why would you come now?”

“Hmm, what? Oh, you mean the regional matches? To gloat of course,” he said, giving her a ‘well duh’ look. She raised an eyebrow.

“Umm…”

He smiled. “Look. This school and my school are the best. Ever since we’ve entered high school it’s been a tug of war between the two establishments. Each year we’ve both made it to nationals. And each year I come here a few times, gloat about winning my regional match and seeing them there so we can beat them. It’s a thing I do. Yukimara does the same thing too, but only when we are at matches. He would never come to Hyoutei”

“I don’t think he would do that. Gloat I mean,” she said quietly, handing him a few cans. “He’s always so nice.”

“There’s a side of him you haven’t seen then, arn~.” Atobe smiled at her as she stood up besides him. “He’s not always so nice.”

shrugged as she continued loading up her bag with sodas. She had five in there so far. “Hmm let’s see. Sanada, Yukimara, Hitomi asked for Sprite. Pepsi for me and Akaya. Umm Marui wanted grape...”

“I have the grape,” Atobe said as he lifted a third can to carry in his arms.

“Oh. Ok.” Her voice was soft and he tilted his head to look at her.

“So you’re letting me come with you?” He gestured to the four remaining cans in his arms and she nodded. The pair stood up and began to walk towards the courts. ’s heart was beating so loud she swore he could hear it besides her.

Atobe looked at her. Her cheeks were a dark shade of pink and she had a worried look in her eyes. ‘Sanada’s not going to buy this. They’re going to find out. Everyone’s going to know what we did. What I did.’

“I swear I’ve never met a girl who looked so scared of being seen with Ore-sama.” He sighed, shaking his head.

“I’m sorry. I’ll try not to be. But… But could you please not tell?” she asked softly as the courts came into view.

“Arn? You’re asking me again? You sound like a broken record. I told you, the deal is you be my girlfriend and I won’t tell.”

gulped. “Umm Ato… I mean Keigo. Could we not tell them I’m your girlfriend?”

Atobe stopped in his tracks, almost dropping the sodas. “Arn?! What did you ask?”

“I mean just not right now. Everyone would be able to tell that I’m lying.” She paused, trembling.

“Sanada knows I don’t know who you are. If you just appear and we say that I’m dating you he’ll get mad. So can we wait. Till next week at least. Please.” Her voice trailed off and she looked down, afraid to meet his gaze.

Atobe thought about it for a few minutes. She did have a point, and pissing Sanada off while he was alone on their turf wasn’t exactly the best idea.

“Agreed.”

“Really?!” She looked up at him, her eyes bright. Atobe smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I promise. I always keep my promises.”

“Thank you Atob…Keigo.” She blushed as she walked besides him. 

+ + + + + +

“So are you going to tell me what you’re hiding?” Niou asked Hitomi for the hundredth time.

They were standing inside the court against the chain link fence. She was leaning against the fence while he was standing besides her, arms crossed.

“Not at all.” She smiled at him. He smiled back at her and she realized she never noticed how good he looked when he smiled. She shuddered and turned watching the two courts in action. Akaya was getting direction from Yukimara on one court and in the farthest court Sanada was talking to Jackal and Marui about something. The others were packing up or sitting down, cooling off. After a few more minutes practice was officially over.

“Come on,” Niou continued, “I did you a pretty big favor.”

“I don’t remember asking you for a favor,” Hitomi teased as she began to walk over towards Akaya and Yagyuu. Niou shook his head. She was cute when she wasn’t yelling or threatening his life.

Akaya let out a loud sigh as he walked over towards his bag and began packing up his racket. He grabbed a towel and began to wipe off his face and damp hair.

“Tough practice?” Hitomi teased as she looked at the very sweaty boy. He shot her a look and she was convinced she heard him growl as well.

“So hotttt!” he groaned. “I want something to drink. Now.”

“Akaya, you need to learn to be more patient, -chan already went to get you a soda,” Yagyuu scolded. The underclassman smiled sheepishly and nodded.

‘Speaking of sodas,’ Hitomi thought to herself, ‘ should have been back by now. Unless HE’S still here. I’d better go check.’ She turned around, looking in the direction her friend had gone.

“I just don’t understand why you aren’t telling me. I did save you after all and…” But Niou’s voice just trailed off as he saw Hitomi’s eyes widen. She looked terrified.

“Hitomi?”

“Doesn’t matter if I tell you or not…because I’m going to die anyway!” she hissed as she spied and Atobe coming towards the courts. ‘Oh god it’s all over now…’

~~~

Kashii

Edited by Elenniel