Right after Ryoma and Ryouko's phone call
Ryouko placed her phone down and looked at the screen for a few seconds before heaving a huge sigh. To be honest, Ryouko just made up the thing about earning the prize money to buy something for Ryoma on their trip tomorrow morning.
First of all, she has enough money on her. When Licht heard about her broken phone and the fact that it was sent for fixing, he gave back the amount she sent out for the repair fee. She didn't need the prize money at all. Ryouko's reason for kicking Ryoma was purely out of competitive spirit and the desire for her team to win the last event.
"I can't help it if I'm born competitive..." she thought, reasoning with her conscience.
"Even so... I shouldn't have kicked him..." she told herself aloud. She even made a huge fuss with Ryuzaki Sakuno about 'protecting' Ryoma. You wouldn't kick a person you're supposed to protect, right? She felt sorry towards Ryoma and wanted to make it up to him. Ryoma is such a nice best friend... "Uhm, most of the time," she added. Her conscience knows that she shouldn't treat him that way.
"Poor baby..." she said as she looked at Ryoma's name on her phone's screen. "Sorry that I'm such a terrible best friend. Let's have some fun tomorrow ei?" she added and smiled before placing her cellphone inside her pocket and getting ready for the dinner party.
During the festivity, Ryouko tried to scrape some time to at least have a small conversation with Ryoma but the Team 2 members and Keima kept on distracting her. As she watched her team members fool around, she gave tentative glances around the room, searching for the familiar green-tinted dark hair. She should at least exchange glances with him and assure herself that he's not too upset.
As she looked around, she noticed another person's absence. "How come I can't see Sei-sama anywhere?" she asked herself. She then asked Kise for Seijuro's whereabouts.
"Akashicchi?" Kise said, chewing on a piece of beef. "Haven't seen him," he added. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen him since the party started."
Ryouko quietly nodded in response.
"Why? Do you need something from him?" Kise asked back, prodding his pork on the beef steak.
"Not really..." Ryouko answered.
"Ryoukocchi..." Kise suddenly said and leaned closer to her. "I'm just asking 'cause I'm curious, but how come you and Akashichi are so close to each other? I've heard some rumors but of course, it's always the best to ask the person directly concerned with the matter..."
Ryouko flicked Kise's chin with a single upward gesture using her forefinger. "Just eat your beef please, and let's not be too nosy..." she told him before leaving.
"Ah, really... That girl still hasn't developed some manners in respecting people older than her..." Kise made a face and rubbed his chin.
Ryouko met up with Keima first and informed him about her temporary absence before going out to look for Seijuro.
The reason why Ryoma couldn't be seen was because he's been buried between the bulkier members of Team 3. He was quietly dining with them and slightly hoping that a certain person would approach him. If he said that he wasn't waiting, that would be a lie.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryoma saw Ryouko leave. He gave a huff. "See? She's all talk, really..." he thought, rolled his eyes and took out his frustration on the steak piece on his plate.
~~~
Upon going out of the main cabin, it didn't take long for Ryouko to find the person she was looking for. She just looked down the grass slope and saw the familiar red head of Akashi Seijuro.
"Hmm?" she said as she noticed the drooping shoulders. There was something melancholic with the way Seijuro's back view looked. She saw his shoulders heave as he gave a sigh. "Did something happen?" she asked herself.
She carefully slid down the slope and braked slowly a meter away from where he was sitting. She crept forward so he wouldn't notice. "Mitsuketa (Found ya)," Ryouko said, peeking from the side at Seijuro's face.
He looked at her, not really surprised, and smiled. "What's up?" he asked.
Ryouko waved away the strands of hair blowing onto her face with a stroke of one hand. She tucked the disobedient dark locks behind her ear. "Why're you here alone, Sei-sama? Everyone's having a blast inside," she said and took a seat next to him.
"I'd rather enjoy the peace here. They're too rowdy," Seijuro answered matter-of-factly.
Ryouko gave a tentative glance at him and wondered why he looked bothered. "Oh, right," she said and attempted a joke to lighten up the atmosphere. "I forgot that you're the boring type," she added with a shrug.
The smile disappeared from Seijuro's face and he looked offended. "I came out to answer a phone call," he said defensively.
Ryouko gave a small laugh. "I was just joking. There's no need to give some justification." "A phone call huh?" she wondered to herself. That must be the reason why her Sei-sama is unusually mopey.
"I'm pretty sure I've told you nice and clear in those etiquette lessons not to mock your elderly," Seijuro said, narrowing his eyes displeasingly at her.
"Elderly?" Ryouko echoed. "It's only four years," she said, making a face.
Seijuro was intrigued at her reaction. "You don't consider four years a large age gap?"
"Well, it's not like that," Ryouko answered, wondering if she was being rude again. "I just don't like it that some people act high and mighty just because they're born a few years earlier," she explained. "I'm not saying that Sei-sama is acting high and mighty though," she added immediately, quite defensive.
Seijuro smiled. "Whatever you say," he replied.
"Really. I'm not trying to mock you or anything," Ryouko said, further explaining herself.
"I got it, I got it," Seijuro said to pacify her.
After that, silence dawned to them and neither could find a topic to talk about.
Seijuro couldn't help but throw a few tentative glances at Ryouko. Looks-wise, she's beautiful. That fact cannot be denied. And from what he had heard from his peers, she's charming enough to catch the attention of high-schoolers. But to Seijuro, she just don't rub off that way. She's too young to be seen as a... Seijuro pursed his lips at the thought.
"A woman..." his subconscious completed for him.
Ryouko noticed him staring. He casually turned his head to the opposite direction. All of a sudden, he found the silence burdensome and quickly searched for anything random to say. "Oh right," he said and turned to her. "I feel like I have to apologize to you."
"For what?" Ryouko asked, blinking in curiosity.
"Second cousins or whatnot, that brat Keigo is still related to me. I'm ashamed of his behavior," Seijuro said.
"Oh that?" Ryouko said, amused at the fact that Seijuro is being apologetic for someone else's offense. "Don't mind about that. It's just Keigo being the idiot that he is," she added matter-of-factly.
"I couldn't help but notice..." Seijuro said, picking up a blade of grass and twirling it with his fingers. "You two seem close," he was a bit surprised at the edge in his tone.
"Nah," Ryouko said, waving nonchalantly. "We didn't even meet favorably. He's a narcissistic, ignorant, sexist jerk and he makes it obvious with every word that comes out of his mouth. He gives me enough reason to bicker with him. And there's that engagement thing too. I get the feeling that we're ill-fated," she said, picking a fresh grass blade and cleaning it with the hem of her shirt.
Seijuro was intrigued. He thought that Ryouko knew nothing about the engagement proposals. "What engagement?" he said, pretending to be casual about it.
Ryouko was about to press the grass blade to her lips and see if she can produce a whistle. She stopped short and looked at him. "You mean you didn't know, Sei-sama? Your grandfather also sent an engagement proposal to my family. Are there other young masters in the Akashi clan that I don't know about? I was pretty sure when I saw the letter that you're the one they're trying to force into marriage with me," she said.
Seijuro blinked. He thought Ryouko too young to be privy to matters that the adults talked about. It seems like he did underestimated her. "Oh," he said. "I thought you didn't know," he added.
"I just knew about it recently," she replied with a shrug. "Can you believe it? Grandpa is such a jerk. He should've told me earlier or he could at least make matters clear that his granddaughter isn't willing to be engaged to anyone," she added, sounding quite disdainful.
Seijuro raised an eyebrow. He was surprised that she didn't comment further about him almost becoming her prospect marriage partner. Well, forget that she didn't comment about it, it looked like she didn't even find it awkward that they were almost engaged. It's either she didn't understand the seriousness of the situation or she just doesn't care at all. It was probably the latter.
"If the Elders want marriage so much, why don't they get married to those boys? They shouldn't drag me into their mess," Ryouko frowned.
Seijuro laughed.
Ryouko was bewildered. "Sei-sama?"
Seijuro continued laughing and flicked the blade of grass aside. "You really do move consistently at your own pace, huh?" he said. "Right. She's not the type to get swayed by the decisions that the adults makes for us. In that prospect, she's a lot better than me," he thought.
Ryouko looked confused. "What do you mean by that?"
Seijuro looked at her with a mixture of fondness and amusement in his eyes. Fujioka Ryouko never disappoints. She's as unpredictable as ever. He lifted his hand and patted her head. "It's nothing," he said. "You're just cute, that's all," he added before flicking her forehead. "And I'm quite foolish for letting myself be confused," he added to himself.
"Ouch!" Ryouko exclaimed and pressed a palm on her forehead. "What was that for?" she complained.
Seijuro merely smiled. It was nice to know that inside that changed appearance still lies the child he remembers. He should stop minding what other people are saying to him. Ryouko is his precious little sister. Nothing could change that. Especially not the careless meddling of the adults.
All of a sudden, a voice from above interrupted them.
"Oi. For the camp representative, you sure are slacking a lot. They're looking for you inside," Echizen Ryoma called, eyeing Ryouko, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
Seijuro and Ryouko looked up. As soon as they have acknowledged his presence, Ryoma gave both of them a hostile glance, turned around and made his exit.
"Tch. Did you see that? If you call me rude, then that's the pinnacle of rude. He didn't even gave a proper greeting," Ryouko said, frowning at Ryoma's attitude. "It's probably puberty," she mumbled moodily while picking herself up from the grassy slope.
Seijuro gave a slight simper and brushed off a dried leaf from her leg. "That applies to you too," he commented.
Ryouko scoffed. "Excuse me but I believe that I'm taking in the puberty thing with consistent order and grace. Don't lump me in with that overly sensitive brat," she said and made a face before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'll go ahead, Sei-sama. Don't stay out too long. The sun is starting to set," she told him and started climbing up the slope to the direction of the main cabin.
"Puberty huh?" Seijuro murmured after she had gone. Although he became assured that Ryouko have not yet undergone drastic changes in terms of maturity in relationships like what his Father was implying, he had the suspicion that it won't be too long before it actually occurs. And once that happens, he may have a pretty good hunch as to who will cause her change of heart.
Seijuro felt a little disheartened at the thought of Ryouko entering that phase. Although he had denied being fond of Ryouko as a little sister at the start of their acquaintanceship, he may have been doting on her as an older brother since the beginning. His feelings for her had been wholesome all along and he is relieved to be rid of the confusion that his Father had planted on him because of the so-called engagement.
Whatever scheme that the adults would throw to cause distortion in the balance of their relationship, Seijuro is positive that he can hold his ground and protect Ryouko's innocence.
The boy Ryoma though, is something that he would not be able to meddle with. After all, there are lines that one shouldn't cross, may it be friendship or kinship. Ryouko should take care of her interpersonal relationships on her own. Especially boy problems.
"Now..." Seijuro said, standing up and stretching his torso. Before worrying over Ryouko's business, he should straighten up his own. "Time to give my Father a clear answer..." he told himself, climbing up the slope with large, steady strides.
~~~
Inside the main cabin, the arrival of the new guests was stirring up some excitement. Himuro who had noticed the presence of his former instructor had walked up to the Seirin team members and gave a greeting.
"What are you doing here, Alex?" Himuro said with a mixture of surprise and amusement.
"You should at least tell someone if you're coming instead of surprising us everytime," Kagami said, his tone half-complaining. He didn't really know whether to feel happy about his teacher's sudden appearance.
Alex heaved out a sigh. "How come I never get a warm greeting from these ungrateful students of mine?" she mumbled under her breath. "Would it hurt you to say 'hello' first?" she added, looking displeased.
"Yea..." Himuro told Kagami, placing a hand on his shoulder. "At least she didn't kiss you so suddenly as a greeting like she always does..." he said matter-of-factly.
"Oh? Did you possibly want me to greet you the usual way, Tatsuya? I'm just holding myself back actually..." Alex said and marched towards her tall, black-haired pupil and reached out her hands to his face.
Himuro caught the hands and restrained them. "No thank you. Not in front of this crowd..." he told her with a smile.
"Cheh..." Alex said, quite disappointed. She turned to Kagami with bright eyes. "What about you Taiga?"
"Don't even think about it!" Kagami shouted.
"You're so mean..." Alex pouted.
"Well, what are you doing here anyway?" Riko asked, going back to business.
"Haven't Kiyoshi told anyone? Even though he's supposed to relax here with you guys, he can't take a break from rehab. I'm invited here as a special guest to help him with that," Alex answered, freeing her golden hair from the tight ponytail pulling it together.
Everyone's eyes shifted to Kiyoshi. "Ah. Didn't I mention that earlier?" he asked and laughed quite sheepishly.
"No. You so damn didn't," Hyuga and Riko chorused.
"Man, it sure is hot out there," Alex commented and was about to pull her shirt up when Kagami and Himuro abruptly stopped her.
"Old hag, stop undressing everywhere!" Kagami shouted.
A vein throbbed at Alex's temple. "Old hag? I dare you to repeat that, you ungrateful student. And for your information, I'm wearing an undershirt," she said, irritation evident in her tone.
"A-hem," A voice from behind interrupted them. "Excuse me but I'm also here," a woman with long black hair wearing a black suit said.
"Coach!" Himuro said in surprise, his eyes widening at the sight of the dark-haired woman. "But you said you couldn't come."
Araki Masako, the coach of Yosen High School Basketball Team, merely raised an eyebrow and struck her shinai once on the cemented floor. "Well, I figured that I should consider this chance to train you and Murasakibara one-on-one. After all, I can't just let the two aces slack off and relax in a team-building. I contacted Mr. Atobe about the matter and he said that I can do as I please. All your free time aside from the main program in this project will be decided by yours truly. You better prepare yourselves," she narrated, making her point nice and clear while eyeing Himuro and Murasakibara with hawk eyes.
Murasakibara immediately gave an unpleasant response at this. "So annoying... This is so troublesome..." he said.
Masako's eyes glinted dangerously. "You were saying?" she said crisply at her student.
Himuro reached over, grabbed Murasakibara by the nape and covered the latter's mouth with his other hand. "Nothing, coach. We're looking forward to the training," he said with a smile. "Don't make this any worse or she'll double the workload," he hissed at Murasakibara's ear while still maintaining the smile.
"Sho shobolshome... (So troublesome...)" Came Murasakibara's muffled answer.
"Well, shouldn't you show your teachers where they're supposed to stay? Man, young people today are so tactless," Alex said, dumping her heavy-loking duffel bag in front of Kagami.
"She's right. We're tired from the long trip. A warm shower will be nice. Mr. Atobe assured us of the comfortable accommodations," Masako added, rotating her neck and slamming the shinai in front of Himuro and Murasakibara.
The two cringed and swallowed. Having their coach in this team-building would be absolute hell.
"I wanna go home," Murasakibara told Himuro, his tone pouty.
"Don't let her hear you," Himuro answered.
Kagami wasn't looking jolly about Alex being there either and he threw Kiyoshi a few withering glances. "Maybe I should've told Kagami earlier..." Kiyoshi said aloud.
"You should've. Just look at him glaring at you," Izuki said with a laugh.
Kagami lifted Alex's enormous duffel bag and was appalled at the weight. "What did you put in this thing? Home furnitures? Are you planning on spending the rest of the year in this place?"
"You complain too much, Taiga. Just bring it over and stop yapping. Be a man for once, would you?" Alex responded. Kagami made a face at this.
Himuro walked over to him and said, "Give that to me. I'll escort the two coaches to the main building. You stay here and inform the camp rep about the matter."
"Ryouko doesn't really have to know. They'll all be leaving tomorrow anyways..." Kagami said.
"Still, we at least have to give a heads-up about the coaches' presence. Besides..." Himuro leaned close towards Kagami's left ear. "Ryouko-chan is pretty cute and you know what Alex does to cute girls. There's also An-chan, Miyako-chan, Tomoka-chan, Sakuno-chan and Mami-chan to worry about. At least warn Ryouko and have her pass the message. She has contacts with all the junior high freshmen. They should definitely be warned," he added in a whisper.
"Hmm..." Kagami said and nodded in understanding. "You have a point in that. I'll be sure to tell them about it," he whispered back before Himuro turned around and left. After all, both Kagami and Himuro faced the horror of getting their first kiss stolen at age twelve.
It was a month after Alex agreed to coach them. She was happy about their improvement and thus drank five cans of beer. That was the moment that the two students became aware of their teacher's kissing bug. It was a nightmare. There's no reason for them to let the junior high freshmen experience the same trauma.
Riko approached Kagami curiously upon seeing the strange exchange of whispers. "What were you whispering about with Himuro-kun?" she asked.
"Nothing really..." Kagami replied absent-midedly as he craned his neck and looked around for Ryouko. He saw her enter the hall. "Excuse me, coach," he told Riko and went straight to the black-haired girl.
Riko raised an eyebrow in curiosity as she surveyed Kagami whisper something near Ryouko's ear. Ryouko was nodding in response and she gave a reply to Kagami before leaving.
"What was that about?" she thought.
~~~
The newly arrived coaches only needed half an hour to freshen up. Both didn't even bother to unpack their things. They went back to the main cabin to have dinner.
The Seirin and Yosen High team took it to themselves to assist Alex and Masako. As the coaches helped themselves to the food, the basketball players who have only heard of Alexandra Garcia gathered in small groups of threes or fours, talking to each other in hushed voices.
"I heard she's a former pro in the US," Kasamatsu commented.
"No wonder Kagami and Himuro turned out to be monsters," Kise added.
"Excuse me but I don't want to hear that from the same monster as them, thank you," Moriyama snapped.
Kise laughed. "Shucks. You're too much senpai," he said, running his fingers through his blonde hair modestly.
"That wasn't a compliment," Moriyama pointed out.
"This sure is a nice place... The VIP suites are beautiful. How long will we be staying here?" Alex asked as she cut the meat on her plate.
"You came here without knowing that?" Kagami said in exasperation.
Himuro gave a small laugh. "You sure have a lot of time on your hands, Alex," he commented.
"Hey. Don't say things that'll make people misunderstand. I'm working right now," Alex replied and motioned at Kiyoshi. "He's my work at the moment," she added matter-of-factly. Kagami rolled his eyes.
Suddenly, Himuro noticed something strange. He brought his face near Alex and sniffed.
"Oh? What's this? Do you want to receive my greeting now, Tatsuya?" Alex said teasingly.
"Have you been drinking?" Himuro asked.
Alex waved a hand dismissively. "Just a sip. It's nice to drink after a shower," she mumbled.
"A sip?" Himuro said, raising his eyebrow skeptically.
"Two sips," Alex replied.
"Three cans," Masako remarked from the other table.
Alex gave a cute gasp of surprise, her green eyes widening, then narrowed her eyes at Masako. "Tattletale," she hissed.
"Alex!" Himuro and Kagami exclaimed, both equally peeved.
"How can you drink in this place? Are you insane?" Kagami scolded.
"But it's our reunion. I'm just happy, that's all... Can't I have a celebratory drink?" Alex pouted, justifying her actions. The two students ganged up on their teacher and pelted her with well-deserved berating.
Meanwhile, Masako had finished dining and was asking Murasakibara for an audience with the camp manager that the CEO mentioned in one of their phone calls. At that instant, Ryouko had made herself known.
"That would be me, Miss Araki," she said upon her humble entrance. She reached out for a handshake. "My name is Fujioka Ryouko. Nice to meet you," she added.
"Araki Masako, coach of Yosen High Basketball Team," Masako answered and shook the hand of the teenage girl. She was hiding her surprise the whole time. What kind of a junior high schooler is this confident in talking with adults? It totally threw her off the track.
"The CEO told me to talk to you before you leave. It's about the camp management," Masako added.
"I'm aware," Ryouko answered and humbly motioned at a table, inviting Masako to sit down. Then, she took a couple of minutes to have someone call Riko and Satsuki.
The attention of the two high school girls was successfully caught. They looked at Ryouko. She nodded and gestured for them to come closer. Satsuki and Riko approached the table, cocking their heads in curiosity.
"What's up, Ryouko-chan?" Satsuki said upon arriving.
"Is there something wrong?" Riko asked.
Ryouko smiled quietly in response and gestured at Masako. The two greeted Masako first before settling around the table to talk properly.
Ryouko answered Satsuki and Riko's question with a shrug. "I just thought it would be best for the two of you to hear this conversation as well. After all, Riko-san is the coach of Seirin and Satsuki-san is the manager of Touo," she said matter-of-factly and went into business immediately.
Ryouko steepled her fingers modestly. "As you all know, the tennis players would be leaving tomorrow and that ends my role as the camp manager. It would be best to endorse the title to one of the coaches," she told them.
"Is that so? Well, if you'd kindly describe what the camp manager's duties are, that would be much appreciated. That way, we can choose the right person for the job," Masako answered. She was still at awe at how grown-up the teenager sounded and couldn't help answering as if she's talking to an adult. Fujioka Ryouko's aura was no joke. It is no wonder why the president of such a prestigious company is so fond of her.
Masako was lucky enough to be marginally acquainted with the CEO of Atobe Industries because of her career as a pro in the past. Being an avid basketball fanatic and a businessman, the CEO had always been on the look-out for promising players. Masako was one of the few that caught Mr. Atobe's interest some years ago. Apparently, the CEO was not one of those sexist jerks who thinks that Men's basketball is superior over Women's basketball. The old man had always thought it a pity that Masako ended her career early and even made the effort to ask her if she is comfortable with her job as a PE teacher and a basketball team coach in Yosen High.
CEO Atobe had mentioned Fujioka Ryouko in the latest phone calls with Masako at which he personally invited the former pro to his camp. The way he talked of her resembles how a father boasts about his daughter's achievements. Masako knew enough of the CEO's personality to know that he is hard to please. It was an adequate reason for the Yosen coach to develop a curiosity about the female adolescent that a man of that caliber spoke so highly about.
Masako snapped to reality as Ryouko launched into explanation, listing out the responsibilities of the camp manager in detail and adding in the favors that the CEO of Atobe Industries wanted to ask of the basketball teams, mostly regarding the simulation and testing of the facilities of the recreational center.
"Man, she's so business-like," Riko thought, surveying the little girl take charge of the conversation.
"Is she really twelve?" Satsuki asked herself, blinking at Ryouko with mixed awe and amusement. "What was I doing when I was twelve?" she added.
"I see..." Masako said after Ryouko had finished. "Well, the tasks seems simple enough..."
"There is also Amane-san to assist in the proceedings and serve as the third person between CEO Atobe and the camp manager... He'll be a big help," Ryouko pointed out. "I'm actually thinking of passing the role to Riko-san but it seems like a more suitable candidate has arrived..." she said, smiling modestly at Masako. "If it won't be too much of a burden, will you be alright in performing as the camp manager, Miss Araki?"
Masako nodded solemnly. "I'm flattered that you had that impression of me but I just arrived here. Won't these two be more suitable as they have already gone around the facilities for the last couple of days?"
Ryouko nodded thoughtfully. "What do you think, senpaitachi?" she asked, looking at Riko and Satsuki.
"Oh no, no... I'm not very confident... The camp manager has to talk to the CEO and report to him, right? Talking with such an esteemed person... I don't think I can do that," Satsuki said, shaking her head.
"I also think that I'm not quite up to the task. A more mature person should step up," Riko answered.
Masako raised her eyebrow at the 'mature' part. She suspected that what Riko really wanted to say was 'older'.
"Figures..." Ryouko said and turned to Masako. "Miss Araki does seem so reliable and mature for a high school senior," she mused aloud.
It took a few seconds for the words to sink into the minds of the listeners.
"High school senior?" Masako repeated, mildly confused.
"Ryouko-chan... She's no longer a student," Riko remarked.
"She's thirty-three," Satsuki said mindlessly. Masako gave her a fierce glare. Satsuki uncomfortably avoided eye contact.
"Really?" Ryouko said, genuinely surprised. "Sorry. I thought Miss Araki is the same age as Riko-senpai and Satsuki-senpai," she explained. She turned to Masako. "That's amazing. I couldn't tell that you are in your thirties. You look young," she said, blinking her innocent-looking rust-colored eyes.
"Excuse me?" the people in the vicinity said questioningly to themselves, looking at Ryouko with narrowed eyes.
"Is she for real?" Murasakibara asked aloud. Himuro stuffed a corndog in his mouth just in case their coach hears.
There was no danger of that since Masako was too busy looking delighted and she couldn't hear anything aside from what Fujioka Ryouko said. The serious black eyes of the Yosen coach shone uncharacteristically. Now she understands why the CEO is so fond of this lovely girl.
She stood from her seat, crouched down near Ryouko's chair and placed her arms around her. "Can I take her home?" she asked.
"That would be a bit of a problem," Ryouko herself answered.
The people surrounding them gave amused laughs.
"She is so interesting, that Ryouko-girl..." Miyaji commented.
Attracted by the noise, Alex had gone over to the area to see what the fuss is about. Ryouko stood up upon seeing her, stepped out from behind the table and bowed immediately. "I'm sorry that I couldn't greet you earlier, Miss Alexandra Garcia. The CEO told me to take care of you for the rest of my stay. It is nice to meet you," she said with her flawless English.
"Oh you must be Ryouko," Alex replied in her native tongue, following the language that the adolescent used in greeting her.
Ryouko nodded. "My, you are even prettier than I expected," Alex said, her green eyes twinkling in delight.
"Oh no," Kagami said as he watched his coach throw an arm over Ryouko's shoulders.
Himuro's jaw slowly dropped. His premonition was right.
"It is nice to meet you too," Alex said and leaned her face towards Ryouko.
Swift and smooth, Ryouko took a drumstick from the plate of a passing freshman who was on his way from the buffet table and held it between her own face and Alex's. Alex ended up kissing the drumstick.
"I'm terribly sorry but I have already been warned," Ryouko said, calm and composed. "Kagami-senpai had been kind enough to fill me in about your habit. Please refrain from unnecessary skinship, especially with the young members of this camp. They're not very familiar with the western way of greeting," she stated, smiling sweetly.
Himuro and Kagami were so amused that their faces kept twitching no matter how hard they tried to control it.
Alex took her mouth off the drumstick, crumbs of breading stuck on her lower lip. She looked at Kagami with an unpleasant expression. Kagami let out a snort and pretended not to notice.
Ryouko hid her amused simper. Kagami's warning was plain and simple. He informed Ryouko of Alex's habit of kissing people, especially children and women. "You and the other camp reps fit both categories. I'm telling you this just in case our teacher pulls her usual tricks," Kagami said.
"Ah, you're no fun," Alex said, taking her arm off of Ryouko's shoulders and throwing a tantrum.
Ryouko had successfully sent messages to the freshmen lot and her fellow representatives. She was at ease that they are all aware of the matter.
Unfortunately, someone was cranky before he left his room and carelessly threw his phone on the bed after getting annoyed with a call from his double-crosser best friend. Therefore, he was the only freshman not properly informed of the quirk of the newly-arrived coach. What was more unfortunate is that the boy cluelessly picked that moment to walk behind Ryouko and tap her on the shoulder.
"Hey, Amane is looking for you," Ryoma said, talking in English.
Alex's eyes twinkled upon hearing the language. "Hey pretty boy, it's nice to meet you," she said cheerily and stepped close to Echizen Ryoma.
Himuro, Kagami, Riko and the other Seirin members flinched, aware of what would happen.
Ryouko's eyes widened and it took a mid-second for her brain to catch up. As if by impulse, she pulled Ryoma by the arm and switched herself in his place.
A second later, Ryoma found himself gaping at the most peculiar sight he had seen all his life: Fujioka Ryouko and a blonde woman in liplock. His brain went haywire and he could do nothing but stare dumbly.
Ryouko's blank eyes were as wide as saucers.
Satsuki and Riko gave audible gasps of surprise. People in the middle of drinking choked on their beverages. The jaws of the Seigaku tennis team members dropped one by one.
"Oh, shoot!" Kise said and took a photo of Ryouko and Alex with his phone.
The flash of the camera made Ryoma snap to his senses. He immediately pulled himself together.
"Hey!" he yelled and forcibly pulled his best friend towards him and away from the strange woman. Ryouko's knees almost gave out. She looked as stunned as the people around them.
"What just happened?" she thought, her mind completely blank.
Ryoma placed a protective arm over Ryouko and shielded her from the unknown blonde woman. "Excuse me but what on earth do you think you're doing?" he exclaimed angrily. People who had known him since the start of school were appalled at the tone of his voice.
Before Alex could react, Ryouko had stepped forward. As if possessed, she placed her arm protectively in front of the dark-haired boy. "Get away from him please. Anyone but Ryoma," Ryouko said.
Silence dawned on the hall and it took a moment for the on-lookers to process what they just heard.
"Oh ho?" said the nosier members of the basketball teams. They watched the scene with interest.
Ryouko blinked and wondered what she just said. Anyone but Ryoma? Why would she say that? She looked confused and turned her head behind. Ryoma looked back at her, blinking in utter surprise.
All of a sudden, someone dropped a fork. Everyone's necks swerved towards the source of the noise.
Fujioka Keima was standing inches away from the stainless steel cutlery responsible for the sound. He had accidentally dropped it. He looked totally flabbergasted, his pink lips parted in silent surprise and his brown eyes strangely foggy. He looked like someone out of a freeze frame.
"Kei-chan?" Ryouko said questioningly, calling his name to make sure he's conscious.
Two words had left Fujioka Keima's mouth. "I'm telling," he said, turned around and ran to the opposite direction as fast as his exercise-depleted legs could carry him.
Ryouko's fried brain cells went back into normal, sending synapses into her blank mind. Her eyes widened in surprise, alarmed at what she thinks her cousin is going to do. She immediately pointed a forefinger at her cousin's retreating figure and looked at Ryoma in alarm.
"Get him!" she yelled.
"Huh?" Ryoma said, unable to comprehend. His eyes were out of focus.
"Get Kei-chan! Now!" Ryouko screeched out.
Looking confused, Ryoma did as he was told and ran after the fourteen-year-old.
And thus the start of another chaos.
I AM BACK! OFFICIALLY BACK! XD
Updates every Thursdays my peeps! XD
I hope you guys are entertained by this chappy. It's not as long as the preceding chapters though. XD Anyways, I'm so happy to be back. I'll be able to update weekly like before as my personal problems have finally subsided. XD
I'm looking forward to your support! Thanks so much for bearing with me! XD