Secrets, Socials, and Seigaku

Chapter 24

Kamio, Momo, and Ann just looked at me in astonishment at how I could find this hostage scenario funny. “Oh come on!” I said trying to justify myself. “I mean, Atobe, She’s like in what sixth grade?” I said accusing him with a pointed finger. ”And you’re in what, eigth? That’s just not right.” I continued still laughing but managing to criticize him at the same time. He paled at the points I was making. “Does this mean you’re a-“ I whispered the next word. “Peda-.”

 “Ore-sama is not a pedaphile!” he shouted trying to make this point clear. “He has too much dignity for that sort of thing.” He finished somehow managing to maintain his ego.

I sighed. There was just no way to bring this guy down. From the corner of my eye I caught a sly smirk suddenly appear on his face. “Fine then, you can take her back.” He said pushing Ann forward to Kamio.

After making sure Ann was all right Kamio looked up to Atobe skeptically. “What’s the catch?” he asked cautiously.

“There’s not really a catch,” he said shrugging his shoulders. “More like a trade.” He said sneakily.

And then his eyes landed on me and I already knew what was up. Horror quickly over took my features. “No, no, no. Oh, hell no! Never. Not happening. Not in a million years! I would rather be stuck with Tachibana!” I protested.

His smile only grew at my protest. Atobe had always loved a good chase before catching his prey. And he knew exactly what buttons to push to get his way. “Oh? I didn’t know you only had that much trust in them.” He stated slyly. After hearing this I quickly stopped my ranting to glare at him. “I can understand not trusting Kamio, but not even your own teammate?” he asked disdainfully.

He crossed his arms across his chest and smirked. He had left the bait there for me, now all he had to do was wait for me to take it. Then he would just reel me in. But what caught everyone by surprise was my answer. “Exactly.” I said bluntly.

Atobe’s eyes widened with surprise along with everyone else. “W-what do you mean?” Momo stuttered. ”You don’t trust me?” 

I turned to face Momo who was still wearing a bewildered look on his face. I observed him a moment before answering. I stuck my nose in the air trying to look egotistical. “What? Are you telling me you can beat him?” I provoked.

He automatically looked offended. “Beat him? I can crush him!” He assured.

“Yeah, right.” I countered. “You suck when it comes to doubles. I did see the match that you played with Kaidoh. If you play like that with a person who’s on your team I highly doubt your going to get anywhere with someone who’s from a different school.” I said haughtily 

Steam seemed to come out of his ears at how angry I had made him. He walked right past Kamio and Ann and roughly brushed pass my shoulder causing me to stumble a bit. “Oy, Momo! What are you doing?” Kamio called out.

Momo stopped before turning around. “What do you mean what am I doing?” he asked back. 

Kamio just stood there with a perplexed look on his face. “Huh?” he said finding no words for this situation. 

Momo rolled his eyes at his ‘partners’ density. “If you’re going to ask that question then it should be ‘what are we doing?’” He threw back at him.

Kamio put a fist in his hand in understanding. “Oh~.” He said like a child figuring out that two+two is really four and not twenty-two. Momo laughed at his stupidity. “And what we’re doing,” he said glaring at Atobe and me. “Is kicking his ass.” He said pointing at Atobe, who did not seem to like his comment. “And proving her wrong.” He said sternly pointing at me.

I kept up my arrogant act with one of Atobe’s smiles on my faces. I shrugged. “If you think you can beat him then I would love to see you try.” I said, sarcasm lacing my every word.

He quickly noted this and continued his way out onto the court with Kamio following close behind him. As Kabaji made his way to the court, under Atobe’s orders, Atobe followed right behind him, which seemed unlike him. He stopped for a moment beside me his eyes seemed to ask ‘Just what are you planning?’ To bad for him he wasn’t getting an answer. I just ignored his stare and watched Kamio and Momo go over there strategy. Seeing that I wasn’t going to answer anything for Atobe he just sighed and continued on but not before I left him with a little tip. “I wouldn’t underestimate him.” I said referring to Momo.

 He turned to look at me curiously. “You’ll be surprised,” I said smiling with anticipation. “Momo can do a lot with just a little determination.” I explained.

Everything seemed to click in his head now and come together. He quietly laughed a bit before smiling to himself and walking to the courts. “We’ll see.” He whispered to himself.

Ann had seemed to catch some of the conversation and could pretty much deduce what I had done. “Don’t you think he’ll be a little angry with you?” he she asked innocently.

I shrugged once again taking the possibility into consideration. “Maybe, but we need to show Hyotei that we’re not a team that they can just push over. Kamio does too.” I said seriously. She nodded understanding what I meant. “Especially since you guys are facing them in the tournament first, so I’ll leave you to take care of them.” I said confident in my decision. 

Ann just smirked. “We won’t let you down!” she said happily. 

A few moments of awkwardness passed before she brought up another good point. “Um, but?” she said thoughtfully. 

I looked at her confused with her sudden mood swing. “What?” I questioned.

She looked up at me worried with a strained smile. “What if they don’t win?” She said hopelessly. I almost laughed from how suddenly depressing the thought was. Looks like she has her doubts in her team too when it comes to Hyotei. 

I put one hand on her shoulder reassuringly. “No worries.” I said with a smile. “They’ll definitely win.” I said. Silence again. “Maybe.” I added quieter. looked to the side avoiding eye contact with her. “Maybe not.” I said once again, my confidence draining with each passing second. 

She then found me in a fetal position on the ground. “Hey!” She said slightly scared of my major mood swings now. She proceeded to stare speechless at my form. “You’re starting to remind me of Tamaki Suoh.” She said with a sweat drop. “Do you want to end up in a hamster cage like him?” she continued. 

After she said this I quickly stood up and began to recompose myself. “Ahem.” I coughed a bit regaining my mental state. “Let’s concentrate on the game shall we?” I asked.

Ann could only stare with wide eyes and nod. “Yeah.” She said unsure.