Battle of the Sexes
“I disagree!” came the firm, not so delicate female voice.
The whole class went quiet.
Oshitari Yuushi sighed, ‘Oh god not again!’ he thought wearily as he sat at his desk.
“Yuushi, make them stop!” Shishido muttered, “I couldn’t bear it if they did this today.” ‘Or any other day,’ he thought to himself wryly.
Not only were the students sitting there with a cynical look on their faces, the teacher sighed looking at the young girl. Also, he glanced to the side to where Atobe Keigo sat with bloody murder on his arrogant face. The teacher faced the girl again. “Please, tell me why, -kun?” he asked, not even wanting to know.
~~~
.
Chills went down Atobe’s back when he heard that name. She was a cute little thing when she first showed up at Hyotei, but she had a sharp tongue.
A sharp tongue that was always used against Atobe.
.
Vice president of student body at Hyotei.
.
Atobe’s arch nemesis.
~~~
Atobe Keigo.
The sight of him always infuriated her. His disgusting flirting and arrogance made her want nothing more than to wring his neck at such a show he would put on when he got the chance.
An arrogant bastard she hated.
Atobe Keigo.
President of student body at Hyotei.
Atobe Keigo.
’s arch nemesis.
~~~
Shaking his head, Shishido walked with Oshitari out of the classroom. The scowl on his face was extremely noticeable, “Do they have to do that every time?” he muttered, annoyed.
Oshitari held his books, “They’re just two people with different views.” He remarked half irritated and yet quite amused as well at the fact that Atobe and had done nothing, but argue over the theory that the teacher had explained in class.
“Express them somewhere else!”
“What’s going on?” Ootori Choutarou asked, walking towards his two seniors.
“Atobe and .” They both spoke in unison.
Ootori grimaced, “Even the second graders are complaining.” He added blushing lightly, “They have to do a project together for the student body, but Atobe-san and -san keep arguing about the preparations.” He admitted, “They keep coming to me for help, but I’m just the treasurer. I can’t do anything.”
Oshitari and Shishido looked at each other, “Maybe there’s a way we can make them cooperate…” he thought, then smirked.
“I don’t like that look on your face, Yuushi,” Shishido muttered.
“It might work.” His smirk got bigger, “But we’ll need the teachers to cooperate.” He then told them what he had in mind.
Ootori blushed… “We can’t do that!”
“And no way in hell are you going to get the teachers to cooperate on something like that,” added Shishido.
Grinning now, Yuushi vowed, “Oh I will…” He took out a small book from his bag. “This will make them cooperate.” He assured showing it to them. The book held all the data he had stolen from Inui Sadaharu of Seigaku; all of the gory details some teachers wanted to keep hidden.
~~~
stabbed her food in the cafeteria, aggravated at the fact that she had argued again. And with him!? Also, because of the fact that she always argued with him, none of the girls wanted to sit with her. That was because 94.27% of the girls at Hyotei were all in the Ore-sama fan club. Sitting alone as she munched lightly on her food, she flipped the book she was reading when…
“ -chan.”
Looking up, she greeted softly, “Hello, Gakuto-kun.” Then she went back to her book.
“You look down,” he said, sitting next to her with a tray full of sweets.
“I always look like this,” she muttered as she flipped the page of the book again. “Just catching up on my reading.”
“Do you always have to study?” he asked surprised.
Her face got a distant look to it. “I just…”
“Will -san please report to the principal’s office.”
let out a sigh, “I have to go.” She muttered picking up her stuff and waved, “Sorry.”
Gakuto looked at her half eaten tray. “ , you left your dessert.”
“Eat it!” she hollered back, walking out.
All was forgotten as Gakuto claimed the sweets as his own.
~~~
“I hate her! She’s annoying!” Atobe muttered, surrounded by girls as he tried eating something.
“Yes.” Kabaji agreed obediently.
“Does she have to argue with everything I say?!” he demanded at the girls who all took a step back, and then Atobe shook his head.
"Keigo!"
"Atobe-san!"
"Keigo!"
The cooing started to put his royal highness in a good mood again and as he finally started to enjoy his time…
“Will Atobe Keigo-san please report to the principal’s office.”
~~~
As the principal sat in his office, the tension was obvious. He was sure that it would easily cut through the air if the law of physics allowed it. Kazuya looked at Atobe Keigo and . Although both were at the top of their class academically, and represented the student council, lately there had been a lot of complaints about the two and one thing he didn’t like was complaints. “I understand there is a problem between the two of you.”
They both stiffened slightly.
The principal rubbed his forehead wearily, he knew it was bad but not this bad. Kazuya did notice that when they both entered, they were ignoring each other and haven’t even glanced at the other. “May I know how the two of you work together, being representatives of the student body?”
was going to speak, but hesitated.
“Rest assured, Kazuya-sensei,” Atobe began. “ -san and I don’t have a problem,” he crossed his arms as he finished. He had purposely used ‘san’ in respect of being in the principal’s presence.
It took all the self control that had kept so far in her life in order to not snort out loud. But anyway, thinking they should be fine, relaxed a bit when…
“No,” the principal argued, “there is a serious issue going on. I have been receiving complaints about you two and I want you to resolve them.”
Atobe was going to speak…
“And if…” Kazuya began, raising his hand to silence Atobe, “If I hear another complaint from now until three weeks from now, you’re both off the student body and we will assign someone else to the post.”
“That’s not fair!” said, surprised. “It’s not my fault that we…”
“ -kun…” the principal said sternly. “One more word and you’re out now.”
“But…”
“ -kun!”
~~~
They both stood silently outside the principal's office. Atobe, known for not showing when he was annoyed, was clearly annoyed now. To be put in such a ridiculous position and because… because of HER!
Looking at her, he was going to actually say something when he saw Oshitari, Shishido, and Ootori standing there. All three wore weird expressions. Well, all that is except for Ootori, who was actually looking embarrassed. “I assume you three are somehow involved?” Atobe said, raising an eyebrow.
looked up as well.
Adjusting his glasses, Oshitari grinned. “Yes, I am primarily responsible.”
looked surprised at the confession.
“And, pray tell, how will you benefit by doing this?” Atobe asked, holding onto his anger.
“Peace,” Oshitari said simply.
“Education,” Shishido added.
Atobe’s eye twitched, “Are you done?” When he got no answer, he began to walk away, hands in his pockets.
“Just one second, Atobe.” Oshitari grinned, as Atobe turned…
[Click]
“What the…” Atobe began, but heard ….
“Shishido, what are you doing? Let go of me!” he heard argue as Shishido held her waist and Oshitari moved to her…
[Click]
As the realization of what happened hit , she stood there horrified. She was….
was….
Her right hand was handcuffed to Atobe’s left hand.
“What is the meaning of this? Get it off!” he demanded while shaking the handcuffs roughly.
“You’re hurting me!” cried holding her wrist. "Stop moving!" she snapped.
“Explain yourselves!” Atobe growled, completely ignoring ’s cries.
Ootori looked embarrassed, “Well..Ummmm… you….”
“Yuushi!” Atobe snapped, annoyed at the stuttering second year, and turned to the source of the problem.
“Well, Atobe,” Yuushi said, crossing his arms, “We have the teachers’ permission to do this. From the morning you come to school and until you leave, you two will be handcuffed since you share all the same classes.”
“We figure this is the only way you two can get along together.” Shishido added.
‘That’s if they don’t end up killing each other,’ Ootori thought wryly, wondering why he got into this situation in the first place.
was horrified. “You’re out of your minds…” she said softly. “We can’t walk around like this! We just can’t!”
“This is inhuman,” Atobe declared.
“Sorry.” Oshitari replied uncaringly.
Atobe glared at them. “That was not a request!” he threatened.
“Sorry, Atobe.” Oshitari spoke, “The teachers have all been notified of the situation, and rest assured, they will not let you in class if you’re both not there together.” He pointed out with a little smirk.
Atobe narrowed his eyes.
“This is outrageous,” argued. “What if we needed the bathroom or something, you can’t do this!”
“The homeroom teacher has a spare key and she will escort you guys when one of you has to go to the bathroom, or anywhere else that would require your separation.”
“I’m going back inside,” Atobe said angrily, yanking ’s hand with him as he headed towards the principal’s office.
stopped him, “We can’t go in.”
He glared at her, “Why not?” he demanded not to be messed with.
“Because he said if we go in anytime in the next three weeks for stupid reasons, we will be out.” said firmly, “And I want my position.”
“And you think this is stupid?!” Atobe shouted, raising his arm to show her the cuffs.
She glared at him, “Don’t shout at me.”
“This is entirely your fault that we’re…” Atobe began.
“Problem?” a voice interrupted as a figure hovered above the two.
They both looked around and saw Kazuya standing there, his arms crossed. Atobe hated authority figures like that; but he knew even with the influence and power he had, if the principal said he was out of the student body, then he was out. Swallowing his pride, Atobe answered through clenched teeth, “No, Kazuya-sensei… Just discussing how we will do this.”
“Aaah, yes…” the principal replied, smiling, “Interesting idea.” He walked back to his office.
~~~
Sitting in class, could feel all eyes on her. Or at least eyes were trying to glance her way. Or worse, eyes were watching both of them. Ignoring all the looks she was getting, she simply went back to her notebook and jotted down her notes while her other hand was still handcuffed to His Highness. It was fortunate for her that she was left handed and he was right handed. She was sure that Oshitari knew that. ‘Damn that Yuushi!’ she thought, annoyed. At the mention of cursing him, looked at his side and saw how calm he looked while he paid attention to the teacher, but he still had that stupid smirk on his face. She hoped she had a chance to strangle him some day.
Some day.
“Atobe-kun, explain this theory.” The teacher asked of him.
Atobe stood up and did some explanations where he also felt the need to add his own opinion on it as well. He kept on, and on, and on and finally sat down.
held on to her self restraint. She had disagreed completely with what he had said, and automatically started opening her mouth to object, but stopped. She clenched her teeth… ‘I must stay calm,’ she thought to herself. ‘I can not lose my status as vice president. I can not lose my self respect.’
“Does anyone else have any other opinion?” the teacher asked the class.
knew the whole class was looking at her, but she ignored them as she pretended to be more interested in her notebook than them.
Clearly the teacher was surprised, “Very well then…” he spoke, “We shall continue.”
~~~
“I don’t know what was funnier…” Shishido smiled lightly, “Atobe’s surprised look that she didn’t say anything, or ’s self restrained look trying to ignore everyone.”
“I agree. That was too much fun.” Oshitari nodded.
Ootori walked up behind them. “It’s wrong…” he said quietly. “To be smiling over other people’s misfortunes.”
“Its not hardship,” Shishido answered. “We had to put up with them for months.”
“It’s about time someone did something,” Oshitari added.
“Yeah,” Shishido agreed.
Ootori frowned, feeling sorry for Atobe and .
~~~
By the fourth class, they were tired. Both of them were emotionally exhausted. didn’t know how she was going to do this for three weeks. She stopped suddenly in the hallway, and Atobe stopped too, or was forced to stop.
“Do you mind letting me know if you’re going to stop…” He muttered, “They’re not exactly delicate.”
“I’m tired….” She whined while leaning against a locker. “And I hate this!” she declared looking at the handcuffs.
Atobe looked at her with a raised eyebrow. He realized this was the first time the two had actually spoken since the day’s events. “Well, there’s no use complaining…” he told her. “Im not going to give Yuushi the satisfaction that I’m annoyed.”
“But you are annoyed.”
Flipping his hair with his free hand, “I said I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.”
Looking at him, she muttered something, standing straight. “I’d like to go the library if His Highness doesn’t mind; I need a book for my English research.”
“That assignment’s not due for a month.”
“I need it now.”
Atobe didn’t even bother arguing. He was too busy thinking how he could have the upper hand in this situation. He was not going to be made fun of in this school; not if his life depended on it.
~~~
During lunch, the two decided [yes the first time they actually agree on anything] to have lunch outside alone behind the school. The area was filled with tall trees, and they finally decided that they needed to talk about this predicament they were both in.
“Whether we like it or not, we’re stuck together ,” Atobe told her hatefully. “We need to make compromises.”
‘Does he even know what that word means?’ thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “What do you have in mind?” she muttered.
“Coordination.”
blinked.
“Were making a spectacle of ourselves because we can’t move together.”
sighed, “It doesn’t matter, Atobe.” Leaning by the tree, she put her book on her lap. “It doesn’t matter to me what others think.”
“Maybe not to you, but Ore-sama always has to be graceful.”
“I can’t believe you actually said that out loud.” She flipped through the book she had on her lap. “I told you, it doesn’t matter to me what others think. Not like they have a high opinion of me anyway…” she added the last bit softly.
Atobe narrowed his eyes a bit; she was turning out to be difficult.
“I’d like to read my book now,” told him.
“And what am I supposed to do while you read?” he demanded.
“Eat your lunch.”
Clenching his jaw, Atobe had lost all his appetite already. Turning around, he just lay down and…
“What do you think you’re doing?” shouted looking down at him as his head found itself on her lap.
“I’m going to take a nap.” He said, while moving his arm onto his eyes as he bent one knee.
“You didn’t ask…” she hissed.
“Shut up, .” He ordered softly, “Just read your book.”
Cursing him softly, she had one mind to move and have him fall onto the ground. At the same time, she felt bad for being put in such a situation. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she opened her book and decided to ignore him. For now only.
~~~
“Very interesting. Wish I had a camera.” Oshitari walked towards as he noticed Atobe sleeping soundly on her lap while she read something.
It was not in ’s nature to be rude, well other than to Atobe, but at that moment Oshitari Yuushi was not on her favorite person’s list. “Go away, Yuushi,” She said, annoyed. “You’ve caused me enough grief already.”
“Now… now…” Oshitari said, sounding amused and crossing his arms. “Any girl would wish to be in your place.”
As annoyed as she was, her cheeks did redden a bit. “Well I'm not like that,” she said flatly.
Oshitari shrugged, “Yeah well…” He smirked as he turned around, “Make sure to wake him up, we have class in ten minutes and oh… only a kiss would do…” He waved as he left.
scowled.
~~~
After four days… it was still unbearable.
was frustrated because she couldn’t speak out her views without it coming out as an argument. Atobe was annoyed that he couldn’t play tennis during the break. Also what annoyed him was that was always either studying or doing her homework.
“Don’t you have a life?” he muttered. “Do you always have to study?”
was so engrossed in her history book that she didn’t even hear him.
“Damnit, ! I’m talking to you!”
looked up at him, “Why are you shouting? I’m sitting next to you.”
Atobe sighed, “You’re a…” he began.
“Will -san please report to the principal’s office.”
looked at Atobe and he looked back at her. Sighing, she stood up, “Come on.” He had no choice but to follow her. When walked in with Atobe, the principal looked surprised that he was there, but then remembered.
“ -san…” the principal began, “You’re to go to the hospital.”
blinked.
The principal hesitated, “Your mother seems to have collapsed and…”
“Which hospital?” asked her heart thumping.
~~~
Atobe swore for the fifth time that day. He didn’t know what the hell his business was, but here he stood by ’s mothers’ door at the hospital, while she fretted outside hesitating to go in. She had been in such a fuss and hurry to get to the hospital; she didn’t even stop to get the handcuffs removed.
“Go in and get this over with!” he ordered. “I can’t believe I missed my classes because of this.”
Finally walked in, dragging Atobe with her of course, totally ignoring his last rude comment. Atobe saw a very lady-like, sophisticated woman sitting on the bed. She had long dark hair, and beautiful blue eyes that eyed him curiously. Those eyes then widened, noticing the handcuffs linking the two people together.
“This is for a show, -san.” Atobe spoke, noticing her pursed lips turn into a frown. “We’re practicing.”
“Mother,” said softly, “Are you alright?”
Yoko looked at her daughter and moved a hand through her hair. “I’m fine, sweetie,” she said, turning away. “You do not need to concern yourself about me.”
Atobe felt stiffen by his side.
“And the young man is…?” ’s mother asked, raising an eyebrow towards Atobe.
“This is Atobe Keigo…” she said meekly.
“Aaaah yes, he did look familiar,” Yoko spoke. “I am acquainted with your father.”
Atobe nodded slightly.
“Well dear, how is school?” Yoko asked absently as she picked up a filer and started filing her nails.
’s face beamed, “its good… I got an A in most of my…”
“Hold that thought.” As Yoko’s cell phone rang, she smiled and began talking.
’s shoulders slumped.
Atobe was getting impatient; the woman kept talking, talking, and talking on the phone. Finally when she hung up, she looked at them with not even one look of apology on her face. “I am rather tired now…” she said, yawning. “I will nap a bit.”
“I’ll leave you now…” said softly, “Goodbye…”
“Nice to meet you.” Atobe muttered as they both walked out.
~~~
Standing outside her mother’s door, ’s mood changed 180 degrees. Atobe noted the shift in the body language, and the sad look in ’s eyes was one of despair. He knew he would hate himself for doing this, but...
“Are you alright?”
“Yes…” she replied unconvincingly. “I’m fine.”
Trying to replay what went on inside the room in his head, he remembered trying to speak to her mother on several occasions, but the woman kept brushing her off. ‘Could it be…?’ he wondered.
“Atobe,” she said softly, not looking at him.
“What is it?”
“C…” she began, “C…Can we not go to school?” she asked, “I’m…I….I don’t feel like going back just yet.”
“Only if you answer my question.”
went quiet.
“Does your mother hate you?”
~~~
My mother hates me…
Too busy for me…
Doesn’t care how I do? What I do?
Every time she looks at me, she is reminded of the woman that was married to my father first…
My mother is my step mother…
The only mother I knew…
As he recalled what she told him, Atobe sat still by the beach. They had ended up not going to school after all. He had pointed out to many times that they would eventually have to go to remove the handcuffs, but she wasn’t listening. Her mind was somewhere else…
Watching her now, was asleep on the sands. The jacket she had around her waist was now under her head as she slept soundly by his side while he sat down. ‘She is beautiful…’ he thought suddenly, and then he stopped. “What…?!” He shook his head lightly. “The sun is getting to me.” Realizing that they had been there for over an hour now, he shook her, calling, “Wake up…”
didn’t even stir.
“ !”
“Five more minutes…” she murmured sleepily.
“ …” he began, but then smirked. ‘What better way to wake her up than to piss her off,’ he thought. Atobe realized he hadn’t tortured her in days so, slowly leaning down, Atobe pressed his lips gently on hers. He waited for the impact of her hand across his cheek, the shouting, but….
Atobe was more surprised; started kissing him in her sleep. He indulged himself in her flavor with the sweet soft kiss and suddenly stopped. Edging away lightly whimpered a bit, ‘You idiot!’ he thought to himself, ‘One must never take advantage of a girl like that.’ He shook his head, but what Atobe was more surprised about was how that kiss shook him.
~~~
The Week After
“Something’s wrong,” Shishido spoke. It was more of a statement when he said it as he sat next to Oshitari in the cafeteria.
“You noticed it too, didn’t you?” Oshitari asked.
Ootori and Gakuto looked at them. “Whats going on?” Gakuto asked.
“They don’t glare at each other anymore….” Oshitari answered. “That look of hatred is gone and…”
“They’ve even been smiling sometimes,” Shishido added as he shuddered.
“Do you think…” Oshitari asked, and then shook his head. “Nah.” He thought to himself, ‘This is Atobe and … no way.’
Even Shishido thought that same thing.
~~~
Atobe didn’t know if it was him, but as the days had passed, was getting quieter and quieter. And what annoyed him more was that she was always burying herself in her books. “Oy!” He nudged her. “Are you done reading Newton’s Laws?”
“Hmmm….” She was too engrossed in the book to reply.
“ !”
Looking up, she asked “What? Can’t you see I’m studying?”
“I’m sick and tired of you trying to prove something to your parents!”
stopped. “What did you say?” she whispered.
“All this studying!” Atobe exclaimed, looking at her. “You’re not doing it for yourself, but for them! Do you really think getting good grades is the only thing that will get them to notice you?”
“I have to have standards.”
“And is that why you joined the student body?”
looked down. “You wouldn’t understand…” she said softly.
Atobe surprised her, maybe shocking himself even more, when he spoke the next words, “Try me.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said haughtily.
“Fine.” He stood up. “Let’s go to the tennis club. I need to practice and you have to be there.” It was Sakaki’s suggestion that during tennis practice the handcuffs were to be removed, but had to stay there and be close.
~~~
“If we don’t stop him now, Atobe will end up killing all the 192 subs that we have left,” Shishido muttered as he saw Atobe play tennis like there was no tomorrow.
“Maybe it has something to do with looking like that?” Oshitari answered as they both glanced at . She was reading, but looked like death warmed over; it didn’t help her either that Jirou had found his way onto her lap and was snoring happily.
“Get Jirou off!” Shishido muttered.
Before Ootori could say anything…
“JIROU!” shouted a deafening voice.
Everyone froze on the courts.
“What are you doing?” Atobe demanded, walking towards them. “You’re making a spectacle of yourself.” He towered over the sleeping boy who didn’t hear anything.
looked dead amazed. ‘Why is Atobe acting so…so…aggressive?’ she thought, looking at him. “I’ve given him permission.”
“Like you had the chance to do anything…” Atobe countered, knowing full well that Jirou never asked when he wanted to sleep.
‘Damn him and his observant eyes!’ she thought. “Atobe,” she began, looking up at him. “He’s tired, so I let him sleep.”
“ , this is a tennis club and you’re interfering with practice.” Looking at her, he crossed his arms. “And he’s always tired and sleeping.”
sighed. She wasn’t in the mood to argue. Moving her hand slightly between Jirou’s hair, she shook him up, “Jirou-kun…”
Atobe’s eye twitched at that gesture.
“Huh? What?” Jirou asked, yawning. Blinking, he sat up, scratching his hair. “Did I fall asleep again?” he muttered yawning again.
Atobe sighed, “Jirou, run ten laps.”
Jirou’s eyes widened almost tear stained, “But Atobe…”
“20 laps.”
“Atobe…”
“30 laps.”
“Ato…” he tried once more.
interrupted before Atobe could say 40 laps. “Jirou-kun…” she whispered smiling at him, “I don’t think Atobe is in a good mood.” She said sympathetically feeling sorry for him.
Sighing, he stifled a yawn while standing up. “Yes… yes…” he said lazily, bending down he kissed ’s cheek and went to run his laps. “Thanks for the cushion!” He yelled as he ran.
Atobe scowled, “Please refrain yourself from interfering in the team’s practice.” He went back to the court without giving her a chance to say anything.
~~~
Oshitari, Shishido, and Ootori looked at each other.
“Could it be?” Oshitari asked, not knowing what to make of the situation as he saw Atobe playing even more aggressively now. He looked at Shishido.
“It’s not possible,” Shishido muttered, looking at Ootori.
“A…A…Atobe-senpai is…” Ootori stammered, looking at Oshitari.
“Jealous!~” they all said together.
~~~
“You need to tone it down,” spoke as she walked with Atobe to class. “You’re supposed to be Captain and a role model.” She shook her head, disappointed. “Acting all aggressive and scaring all the subs.”
“ .”
“Yes?” looking at him sweetly.
“You need to shut up.”
She stuck out her tongue. “Nope.”
“Only put that out if you want to make good use of it,” he said cockily.
“How crude of you, oh great Ore-sama!” She exclaimed, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
“Hmph.”
Looking at him, muttered, “Let’s get this over with. We only have one more week to survive.”
They walked into the principal’s office. It was a weekly thing that they had to go to the principal’s office to report their progress status and make sure no complaints had been filed against them.
~~~