Research

“Wow!” exclaimed looking through the fences, “Seigaku is really serious when they practice.” As her goldish eyes trailed over the players that were so dedicated to their training, they had eyes for no one except the people on the court.

“That’s Seigaku for you.” Oshitari Yuushi spoke, adjusting his glasses by pushing them up to the ridge of his nose.

Smiling at the tensai of Hyotei, looked down from where they stood as the Seigaku regulars practiced vigorously with each other. “Which one is their buchou?” she asked looking around trying to pinpoint him.

“That would be Tezuka Kunimitsu.” Oshitari answered, “But he is not here.” Crossing his arms.

“Yeah well…” looking at him a bit disappointed, “Thanks for showing them to me.” As they walked out of there. was a senior at Hyotei Gakuen. She played tennis and was actually good comparing to some of the other girls. “Thanks for helping me out with the paper, Oshiatri-kun.”

“No problem.” Walking outside the gates of Seigaku.

had a paper to write about tennis and techniques. That meant research for her, so she had decided to target all the captains of each school and do her paper on them and talk about the different techniques they used. Since she was fairly new in town and didn’t know anyone, she had asked one of the boys in her class to help her out with the research.

“Which school is next on your list?” Oshitari asked.

chewed her pencil as she looked at the list, “Well we covered Hyotei…” putting a check mark next to Atobe Keigo’s name, “We saw Tachibana from Fudomine…” making a mental note to herself. “Minami Kentarou from Yamabuki is all clear….”

“You’re starting to sound like Shinji,” Oshitari smirked.

stopped, crinkling her nose. “Are you referring to the guy that stood next Tachibana Kippei mumbling all the time?”

Oshitari laughed, “Well it’s good that you have a good memory.” Taking the book from her, “We can go see Akazawa Yoshirou, St. Rudolph is not far away.” As he checked the list of names before him.

nodded following him to St. Rudolph.

~~~

As the hours went by, it was finally late afternoon when found herself standing in Rokkaku territory. She was fascinated by the playground and the amount of kids that gathered there by the courts. Looking around, she stood alone watching the kids while Oshitari spoke to someone with dark and silver hair. The guy had his arms crossed and was listening to what Oshitari was telling him nodding lightly.

Chewing her pencil again, a bad habit she had stuck to when she was thinking. She looked around to see if she could pinpoint the captain. looked by the playground and saw two really tall powerful looking guys. But she couldn’t help smile every time the orange haired one said something, the taller guy with dark hair smacked or kicked him.

walked up to them, “Konichiwa.”

They both looked at her, “Hello.” Said the dark haired one. “Are you -chan?” he asked already have spoken to Oshitari.

“Hai.”

“I am Kurobane Harukaze.” He introduced, “And this is Amane.”

As Amane just opened his mouth for a pun to come out.

“Don’t even think about it!” Kurobane smacked him on the back, “Don’t scare her away with your stupid puns!”

smiled. “Just as she was about to say something.”

“ !” Oshitari yelled.

Looking at him, noticed he was with a short guy standing not so far away. “Nice to meet you guys.” Bowing to Kurobane and Amane, “Coming!” running towards Oshitari.

~~~

“Wow!” exclaimed, “A freshman as a captain?” clearly impressed with she met Aoi.

Oshitari smirked, “A loud one though, eh?”

“No bad mouthing.” She scolded seriously, and then looked at her list again. “Rikkai Dai is next.” She announced.

“Yukimura Seiichi is in the hospital, its’ closer.” Leading her towards the hospital.

“It’s alright to visit?” asked a bit worried, she didn’t want to inconvenience anyone.

“Of course.”

~~~

’s breath held in her throat, she knew it was rude to stare but she just couldn’t. Yukimura Seiichi was like a doll, a fragile doll that if left unprotected would break so easily.

Oshitari smirked as he nudged . Looking at him, then realized when eyes were on her, she blushed lightly. She looked again towards Yukimura Seiichi, next to him she saw another boy who had a serious expression on his face. “Gomen, Yukimura-san.” said softly. “I came hoping you would help me with my research.”

Looking at her with clear violet eyes, “Research?”

“Hai.” smiled at him, and then proceeded to explain her idea to him thoroughly.

~~~

“Impressed, aren’t you?” Oshitari asked , he couldn’t help notice how her face was glowing.

looked up at him blushing, “Gomen..” she said softly. ‘I never expected a buchou to look like that.” She admitted. “When you took me to the hospital, I really thought it was Sanada-san who was buchou, he looked too serious and strict.”

Hands in his pockets, “Well don’t let Yukimura’s physical appearance deceive you, he is known as one of the three monsters after all.”

“Nani?”

Ignoring her confused look with a laugh, he looked up. “Want to call it a day? Or night?” he said sarcastically noticing that the sun had already set.

She looked at her watch and frowned, “Gomen, Oshitari-san.” Bowing lightly, “I’ve wasted most of your day because of this.”

Looking at her, Oshitari smiled. “No worries.” He told her, “Let me drop you home and then I’ll be off.” He offered, “We’ll do the others tomorrow.”

“lie.” Bowing, “You don’t need to walk me, I have to go and get some stuff anyway.” Picking up her bag and notes. “Arigato again!” waving at him and leaving before he insisted on escorting her.

Oshitari just smirked.

~~~

“Hmm…” murmured softly looking at the list of things she had to buy from the store. “Rice noodles.” Walking aimlessly to the aisles. She reached for it without looking and felt something soft under her hand. Curious at what she was holding, as she realized her cheeks went into a deep reddish haze when she noticed that she had been holding someone’s hand. “G..g…g…gomen!” bowing quickly.

A boy looked at her, pushing his glasses up. A light smile hid behind his serious eyes. “Its alright.” Picking up the packet of rice noodles from the shelf and then handing it to her. “Here.”

Smiling, “Arigato” taking it from him, she sneaked a glance at him and realized for the first time in her life and after meeting all those boys today, she liked what she saw. Although hidden behind his glasses, she noted he head beautiful eyes, with brown hair messy-ish a bit. He was taller than her, but not quite as such – she was one of those fortunate girls not to be born short. In one words, she found him to be cute!

hoped to see him again, really soon as she saw him walk away and continue with his things.

~~~

“Oh my!” said softly, “You don’t sound so good.” Speaking on the phone to Oshitari the next day. They had arranged to meet so she could finish her report, but…

*cough* *cough*  “G…gomen.” Came Oshitari Yuushi’s voice over the phone, “I don’t think I can accompany you today.” *cough* *cough*

“Stop talking…” pleaded, “Rest, Oshitari-san.” Smiling to herself. “I’ll be fine today.”

“But…” *cough* *cough*

“Get some rest.” She assured then hanging up. Sighing, she put the phone away and looked at her list, “Tezuka Kunimitsu…” realizing that she still hadn’t met him. “Also, Kajimoto Takahisa.” Chewing her pencil. “I might as well go to Jyosei first.” Picking up her things and heading to the door.

~~~

“Can you please not do that…” said embarrassed as she stood on the Jyosei courts. She was red, no red was not the word. She was beyond red now as this weird looking guy with a cap stood next to her and…. “Could you please remove your arms off my shoulders?” her voice barely recognizable.

“Hmmmm.” Smiling with cheerful eyes, “Why?”

“Aa…errrr….ano….”

“Wakato!” someone snapped.

They both looked up to see someone standing by the courts gates with his arms crossed.

“Aaaah… buchou!” Wakato said amused.

Buchou….so this is… thought.

~~~

“Gawd!!!” said wryly walking towards Seigaku, “I’m never going to Jyosei alone again.” She complained to herself, “What a weird bunch.”

As she reached Seigaku’s courts, “Momo! Fifty laps for being late!” shouted a stern voice. ’s ears perked up, “That could only be the command of a buchou.” She spoke excitedly. “I can finally finish my report.” Running towards the gates entrance.

~~~

I don’t believe it! thought breathlessly.

It was him.

The boy from yesterday.

The boy with the beautiful eyes and charisma, Tezuka Kunimitsu.

~~~

“Hoi!” someone said snapping out of her thoughts. She looked to see a hand being waved in front of her face. Looking at the person, “Anou.”

“You were daydreaming.” Poking her nose lightly.

blushed taking a step back from him, he seemed rather friendly.

“A student from Hyotei.” Spoke someone with dark glasses; she could not see his eyes. “Snooping?”

paled a bit, then got a bit defensive, “I do not snoop!”

“That’s your territory, Inui senpai!” spoke someone tall as he smacked Inui in the back.

“Momo…” Inui said seriously adjusting his glasses.

“Why aren’t you practicing?” Tezuka walked towards them, “All of you, 50 laps.”

They all froze, “Buchou…” Momo began.

“Don’t make me say hundred.” Tezuka warned.

“Hai! Hai!” Eiji muttered as he started to run followed by Inui, and Momo.

~~~

“Gomen…” said shyly, “I hope they don’t blame me for making them run laps.”

“Don’t worry about it,” replied Tezuka with his arms crossed and a stern expression on his face.

“Are you sure…?” trailed off unsurely and Tezuka nods to her in response.

“So what is your reason for being here?” questioned Tezuka, glancing at the Regulars to make sure that they were practicing.

smiled explaining her research to him. She was surprised by the interest he showed in what she was telling him.

Tezuka nodded his arms still crossed.

~~~

“Wow!” exclaimed at the end of the day looking at her notes, “I have more material on you than anyone else.” Then turning to look at Tezuka as they both walked out of the club room.

“Good luck on your assignment.” Tezuka told her, somewhat less strict than his voice normally was.

“Arigato, Tezuka-san.” Bowing, “You helped.” Smiling, she took a few steps away wanting to go home, but her heart still wanted to stay there and get to know the buchou.

“ .”

stopped, “Hai?”

“Let me know how you do on that assignment.” Starting to walk away. “Make that a promise, .” As he left.

smiled, a mischievous smile ran across her lips. Then I better make sure I do it well, and keep that promise, hai?

~~~

Weeks Later

“Tezuka-san, I got my assignment back,” called out with a large smile on her face. She runs towards the tennis courts while holding her folder containing the assignment. The Seigaku Regulars turn their gaze towards her, raising an eyebrow of question and half-wondering why she is here. Tezuka turns around to face , A light smile touching his lips as he saw her running figure.

“Laps everyone!” Yelled Tezuka, twitching slightly at their lack of practice. sweat drops at his command but did not say anything as she approaches to him.

“Guess what, I got that assignment back today and I’m here to keep my promise,” said with a huge smile on her face and continues, “And guess what I got,”

Tezuka merely raises an eyebrow in response, but the small amused smile still on his face, “How did you do on it?”

“You have to guess what I got,” insisted , holding the folder behind her back.

Tezuka looked at her, “Guess?”

“Yes.” Smiling. “And…” looking down shyly, “If you guessed right, then…” looking at him, “You win two dates with me?”

Crossing his arms, “And if I guessed wrong?” watching her seriously.

“You only get one date.” Winking at him.

~~~

Written by DeVeliCious & Miyuki (acting muse for Dev on most occasions)

Requested by Babybel