Princess

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“Keigo, are you listening to me?”

Atobe Keigo, fourteen years old, stared at the bottom of his teacup. He dare not look up to his father or mother. In fact, he wanted to sink deeper into the cushions of his dining chair.

“Keigo-san, you know we are only thinking about your welfare,” her mother explained, her hands wringing nervously. “We have already told them that we will meet them on Friday in our hotel…”

Atobe dropped his teacup on the saucer. A maid quickly came and whisked away the china and wipe off the spills before him. “What? You agreed to the meeting without asking ore-sama?”

His father was not swayed, though. “Keigo, you and your mother and I will go there to meet them no matter what. And don’t you dare answer back to your mother with that tone of voice!”

Miserably, Hyoutei’s prince slowly stood up and told the driver that he was ready to leave for school.

“Atobe-sama,” the maid came hurrying towards him who was stepping out of the door. “You still have your indoor slippers on.”

The boy sighed and flicked his bangs. This is definitely an unlucky day.



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“Arranged marriage?” Ohtori could not believe his ears. “Atobe-sempai, are you just agreeing to it?”

“It must be called a deranged marriage,” Shishido chuckled before he got warning looks from the other team members.

Atobe sighed as he looked out of the clubroom window. “Maa~ that’s why Ore-sama will leave early today. I need to meet up with the girl and her family.”

Gakuto was perched on their couch’s backrest. “But, Atobe, have you seen the girl before?”

“Atobe probably doesn’t know a thread about the girl,” Oshitari announced as he closed the book he was reading. “Most of the arranged marriages occur between owners of large companies. The parents mostly decide for the marriage. The children need not interfere or express their own decisions.”

Atobe sighed once more as he rubbed his temples. “With all these activities and the Nationals coming up, Ore-sama doesn’t need an annoying companion like a girl. Na, Kabaji?”

“Usu.”

“She’s probably one of those rich daughters who just know how to talk softly, play instruments, paint or do Ikebana, and nothing else…”



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tugged at her skirt. She was currently waiting inside a reserved section of the hotel restaurant with her parents. Three days ago, her mother confessed that her marriage had been arranged without her knowledge. She was furious, but no matter how she debated with her parents about it, she just can’t do anything.

Her husband-to-be is probably some purple-clad rich brat who doesn’t think of anything but himself and has someone who slaves around for him.

“Ah, they’re here,” her mother announced. Her parents sat up straight and glared at her, warning her not to act stuck-up like she always does when she goes on matchmaking sessions. She stood up like the others when they started introductions.

She looked at her table napkin as the parents from both parties greeted each other. They were the Atobes. It’s said that they own large estates and manage numerous businesses. They even have authority in Hyoutei Gakuen where she was supposed to be transferring to next semester.

Tough luck.

“Ah. Keigo-san isn’t it? You look so dashing. This is my daughter, .”

looked up, a smile plastered on her face. One look at the so-called Atobe Keigo and she knew she was right. He is just one of those royal brats.

Aside from that…Atobe Keigo was wearing a purple suit. Talk about ESP…



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One look at and Atobe knew he was right. Such is ESP… She looked really nice in that sweet, pink dress. Her smile is like those of the other girls that were paired up with him.

Atobe decided that he hated pink. And he hated that kind of smile.

He looked down to the girl’s hands. She had some fingers bandaged. Maybe she plays the violin? Or she is half-heartedly learning to sew? Somehow, Atobe felt pity for the girl.

He sat down across the girl and studied her once more. She’s pretty enough, but too quiet. Not that he liked the bubbly type anyway. She seemed nervous, but her eyes tell otherwise. Her eyes, unlike those girls before, were angry, resolved, and focused.

“So, where does -chan study?” Atobe said to get the conversation going. He could almost hear his mother giggle. He had been in matchmaking dinners for so long, he knew how to turn everyone to his favor before crashing their dreams.

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cringed at the question. Did he just say -chan? The nerve of this guy! She wanted to roll her eyes but her mother’s foot was against her leg, warning her not to do anything silly. Instead of answering as she planned, she smiled sweetly once more. “I go to Saint Rudolph Gakuin, Keigo-sama.”

“Ah, that school. It’s known for its dedication in aiding students with discipline,” Atobe’s father said, seemingly immensely curious. knew that was an act, of course. Why would you highly praise some other school when you almost own one yourself?

She smiled at Atobe’s father. “I heard Keigo-sama is a member of the tennis club in his school. They have probably faced our school in one of the matches in the Junior High Interschool Tournament.”

“Ahaha. Yes, have you, Keigo?”



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Atobe could feel a vein pulsing on his temple. Keigo-sama? This girl is not-so-ordinary after all. Either she’s too enthusiastic, or she thinks it’s really fun to go with their parents’ flow.

“Ah, we haven’t fought against St. Rudolph because they lost to Seishun Gakuen beforehand.” He gave the girl a not-so-kind smile and proceeded to sip his soup with elegance. She seemed too proud of their pathetic tennis team Atobe was sure his words were big blows to her.

The girl was quiet for a while, but smiled in returned. Atobe thought he had offended , and he was surprised she was trying to redeem herself.

“But, Atobe-sama’s team…also lost to Seishun Gakuen, ne? They are such a strong team. They are almost legendary, ne?” she sweetly replied.

Atobe felt the vein in his temple burst. He tried smiling, and glanced towards . glanced at her parents and made sure they weren’t looking before she stuck her tongue out at Atobe.

This royal pain… Atobe thought as he regained composure. Good thing their parents were letting them talk without interfering them. “We have lost to them due to our lack of training. However, Ore-sama managed to beat their captain. I am sure we can do it again in the national tournament.”

“Atobe’s tennis team has endured long hours of training for the National Tournament,” Atobe’s father was telling ’s father. “I’m sure they are going to win something this time.”

“Ah, but has taken up tennis, too,” ’s mother was telling Atobe’s mother. “She is also a member of St, Rudolph Gakurin’s Tennis Club for Girls.”

Parents… Atobe thought. They put you into this mess and then they settle themselves in their own little world while I keep up with this brat.

Wait…did he just say keep up? Until now, Atobe hasn’t admitted that he has to keep up with anyone, not even Tezuka! Slowly, he felt a crack in his manly pride. No one has dared talk back to him so ingeniously like that before, except for Echizen. And Kami-sama knows Echizen was never ingenious anyway.



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frowned inwardly at Atobe’s persistence. Usually, when she starts talking tartly, the boys would back away. This time it’s different. She has to keep debating or else she won’t feel good about this dinner.

“Sou desu ne,” she replied. She turned to her parents. They were busily discussing how wonderful it is to have children. Before she unconsciously rolled her eyes, she laid them on Atobe’s gray ones. “Keigo-sama was the defining match. It’s too bad the next player lost his game.” She watched as Atobe’s features relaxed and became smug again. Smiling sweetly as ever, she continued. “Good thing Tezuka-san was injured back then, or else you wouldn’t have won.”

“What?!”

“Ah, Keigo-san, -san, we’ll be going out for coffee, okay? You can have your dessert here and talk between yourselves. I’m sure you will have a good time.”



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Both Atobe and stared in disbelief as their parents hurried to get out of the reserved room with a slight cheer for both of them.

This sucks. This has never happened before to either of them. Usually, the parents will prod them with questions to keep them talking, or will endlessly apologize because their son or daughter is being a moron.

As the door closed behind their parents, the two of them sat in silence for a while.

Finally, Atobe heaved a sigh. “ -chan, sorry to tell you but Ore-sama is not interested in someone who does not appreciate a man’s prowess.”

“That’s alright.” Atobe looked up at ’s smiling face. “I don’t like men who address themselves as Ore-sama anyway.”

Atobe frowned. This is not funny anymore. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

busied herself with mixing her salad. “Not as much as you do.”

Hyoutei’s pride did not answer anymore. He is confused with this girl. Usually, if the girls matched for him did not like him, they’ll bawl over dinner and run away. If they stayed, it means they like him. However, this one is different. She stayed with him, finishing her dinner, yet she spoke as if he’s the worst person ever.

His eyes strayed towards her hands once more. Her fingers were long and slender, those types of hands are usually seen in girls doing flower arrangement or playing the piano. However, bandages are wound around several of them.

Atobe smirked. “Where did you get your finger injuries?”

looked up from her steak and stared at him. “What makes you so concerned? You think I’m going to be ‘Oh, Keigo-sama is soooo cool, being worried over a few band-aids’ after you said that?” She bent her head to knife her steak once more.

“I’m just wondering since when you took up tennis? Did you know I was a tennis player that’s why you took up tennis, too? Sorry, but I don’t really get impressed by those types of things.”

Just when Atobe thought he had won the little debate, placed her fork down gently and waved her steak knife at Atobe. “For your information, Keigo-sama, I was playing tennis since I was born. Instead of beautifying yourself and being so narcissistic, why don’t you try looking at other people instead? That’s probably the reason why you lost to Seigaku.”

“Excuse me?!”

placed her cutlery neatly on her plate and stood up from her seat. “Ah-hah, I didn’t think I would be set up with an idiot who only knows how to play tennis by himself.”

Atobe was not able to utter a syllable even if has already left the room. He turned to his dinner and found that he had lost his appetite. Worse, he lost to that girl!

Brat…

He thought of ways he could redeem himself. After all, that girl is forced by her parents to transfer to Hyoutei Gakuen to be close to Atobe-sama…



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“So you’re -san.”

The girl turned around and stared at the Hyoutei Tennis Club members. She was currently seated on one of the plush couches inside the clubroom. Some weird tall guy was serving her tea. The guy with glasses was staring at her intently as if he’s waiting for roses to grow on her head. A red-haired guy was literally bouncing behind him, trying to get a good look at her. A guy in a blue cap was the one who asked the question and was eyeing her with an air almost similar to Atobe’s. Beside him, a silver-haired guy was tugging at his arm, as if trying to make the one with the cap to stop talking. At the far corner of the room, a blonde guy seems to be so uncaring that he’s not even looking at her.

crossed her legs and stared at them again, one at a time. “Yup,” she finally answered. “It’s not a big deal, right? Me staying in your clubroom, I mean. I’m your captain’s fiancée anyway.”

“But… -san,” the silver-haired guy said. “Only males are allowed in the boys’ tennis club room.”

“Ohtori, let her be.” Atobe entered the room at last. He glared at the girl as if he will never glare again ever.

crossed her legs and waved to her fiancée-to-be. “Good afternoon...Keigo-sama.” She smiled widely. “I am so terribly sorry I’ve intruded into your royal clubroom.”

Atobe crossed the large clubroom to sit across the girl. “And, why do I have such the pleasure of having you here?”

“Because from now on, I’m going to be your trainer.”

“What?!”



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“I thought you don’t like me.”

sipped her tea. “I don’t.” She drank the last drop of the fragrant beverage and called out to Kabaji. “Kabaji-san, could you get me a refill, please?”

“Usu.” Kabaji immediately refilled her cup. Atobe stared at Kabaji and and was about to tell Kabaji not to serve the girl when Shishido and Ohtori opened the door and hurried inside.

“Anou, -san, is this the one you’re looking for?” Ohtori handed her a thick algebra book.

’s face lit up as she gave her cup to Kabaji, “Oh, this is it! Where did you find it?”

Shishido leaned against the club lockers. “We found it in the reserved section of the library. Really, what are you using that book for?”

The girl smiled as she handed the book to Oshitari, who was seated behind one of the club room desks. “Oshitari-san said he needs it to finish my math assignment.”

Atobe groaned. Not even Oshitari can say no to her. And to think this is happening just before the National Tournament! He wanted to tell off and have the regulars start practicing, but he doubt that will listen.

Suddenly, ’s phone rang. Kabaji gave it to her. “Hello?” she said. “Ah, Gaku-chan! Are you there already? Wait for me, okay? I’ll go there immediately.” She dropped her phone in her bag and slung the bag over her shoulder. “I’ll see you later, guys. Thanks for all the help!” With a slight wave, she went out of the door.

She did not even address a goodbye to me, Atobe thought as he called out to the regulars. “Really,” he started. “What are you doing, serving her like that? I didn’t even acknowledge her as my fiancée and you’re all acting as if she’s my wife. What’s wrong with you?”

“Atobe, don’t take it to heart,” Oshitari advised as he closed ’s notebook. “Everyone, let’s start warming up.”

“Osu!”

Once again, everyone left Atobe in the clubroom with a flustered look in his face. Weird feelings brimming up in him, he decided to ignore what’s happening and continue practicing by himself. After all, the Nationals is more important than some girl.



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The next few days, Atobe went on training himself in Hyoutei’s large gym. He would swim laps, lift weights, run, do push-ups, and perfect his style constantly, leaving no time for him to practice with the team. He thought it is alright, though. Even though Sakaki-sensei is out of town for a few days, Oshitari can handle things within the club.

He then remembered about . What was she thinking when she said she’s going to be Hyoutei team’s trainer? She hasn’t done a single project the whole week! He began feeling those weird emotions again. She’s taking too much of the club that it’s making him annoyed. She spends too much time with the other boys doing useless stuff like karaoke. Heck, she doesn’t even have the time to debate with him!

Fuming, he decided to talk to the members tomorrow about kicking out of the club. No one should have any authority there besides him, Oshitari, and Sakaki-sensei.



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“Atobe-san, you can’t do that!” Ohtori exclaimed.

Hyoutei’s captain was taken aback. The usually calm Ohtori is voicing his opinion openly. Not only him, but the other regulars, even the expressionless Hiyoshi, bore strong emotions regarding his announcement.

“Atobe, you just can tell her to leave like that,” Oshitari said as he flipped a page from his book absently. “Especially since the members have grown to seeing her often.”

“That’s right,” Shishido replied. “It’s our choice to help her. She’s not threatening us or anything and she’s not being mean to us.”

This caused Atobe to be more than surprised. Shishido, who often hates being ordered around and also hates bossy girls in particular, has taken a liking to ?

“ ‘nee-san is Hyoutei’s princess, ne?” Gakuto declared.

“Everyone, don’t tell me,” Atobe said. “That you’re all attached to -san?” The regulars all nodded. Gakuto emphasized his point by giving Atobe a thumbs-up sign. Hyoutei’s captain shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re all being controlled by a self-proclaimed trainer who’s just a pain in the neck. You’re all being deceived, na Kabaji?”

A minute had passed yet Kabaji did not reply to him. He turned to the boy. Kabaji shook his head. “Maybe it’s Atobe-sama who’s being deceived.”



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Atobe pedaled on his stationary bike faster. How could his teammates turn their backs against him? He was supposedly the authority in the club, but now, they all worship as if she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to the club since its birth.

also refuses to show herself in Atobe family gatherings, as if she’s not interested in Atobe anymore. When they meet in the corridor, she barely greets him with a nod.

Atobe gripped the bike’s handlebars tightly. She’s spending too much time on a club where she won’t benefit anyway. The regulars are stealing her time away from him!

Wait…did he just say that? Why does he care too much about that annoying girl anyway? She just debates with him endlessly about tennis and about their families. She tells him she hates his guts, yet never makes any effort to move away. Girls are so mysterious…

To stop thinking about , Atobe made his decision. He will skip his personal practice tomorrow and talk to the club about making the girl leave.



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Atobe was never nervous, except when fighting against Tezuka or Echizen. However, this afternoon, his hands are feeling extremely clammy and cold. He doesn’t know what the regulars will feel upon his announcement that he will no longer accept entering the club room as she pleases, but he has to draw the line somewhere.

After all, the club is more important than any other girl.

Upon his thought on that, the weird feeling welled inside him again. Ignoring it, he marched towards the tennis courts.

As he neared the courts, he heard voices and sounds of tennis balls bouncing. The regulars are already practicing at this moment? Usually, they either do other activities before this. He walked more briskly and glanced upon the scene on the tennis courts.

“Gaku-chan! Jump some more!”

“Hai!”

“Shishido, lower your arm a bit!”

“Grr…fine!”

“Hiyoshi, don’t do that pose. It’s annoying.”

“…”

Atobe watched as served another ball. Gakuto returned it as a drop volley. The girl ran hurriedly up front and lobbed the ball towards Shishido, who promptly did a smash. ran to the center of the court to do a perfect rendition of Oshitari’s counter smash and landed the ball perfectly into the opposite court.

“I give up for now,” Gakuto said as he collapsed in the court. “I can’t defeat ‘Nee-san…”

“Don’t give up easily, Gakuto!”

grinned and pointed her racket to Shishido. “Looks like your group is done for now. Next batch!” Shishido and the other two dragged their feet out of the court. The next batch, composed of Oshitari, Ohtori, and Jirou entered then.

“Come on!” shouted. “You want to surprise your captain with this kind of power? You’re all crazy! What will Keigo-sama think if he sees this?”

“Sorry…” came Hiyoshi’s soft reply. The others nodded their heads.

Atobe watched as ’s expression softened like a mother’s and sighed. “Fine... I guess we should all take a rest. Kabaji-kun?”

“Usu.”

“Can you call the place where we usually eat yakiniku and tell them I’m reserving again tonight?” The faces on the courts brightened. “Saa! Those successful in getting 10 shots from me will eat with me tonight!”

With a cheer, everyone started rehearsing on their own as if a new found strength had entered them.

Atobe walked away and decided to cancel his announcement.



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“Why didn’t you tell me?”

gave Atobe a questioning glance as she drank from her drink’s straw. Swallowing, she wiped her mouth. “I told you. I want to be Hyoutei tennis club’s trainer.”

Atobe knifed his steak as he spoke. “But I thought it was just some bluff so you can order people around. Besides, I never heard you mention something near tennis.” They were currently in the same hotel restaurant where they first met. Atobe decided to schedule this date so they could talk seriously for once. “I didn’t know you were a good tennis player.”

He had found out through Oshitari that is one of the nationally-ranked female tennis players in the country. She’s known for her killing styles, that’s why the club members respected her a lot.

“You’re the only one who didn’t know,” accused him, grinning slightly. “I told you I know tennis since birth. It’s just that that thick head of yours only thinks of yourself and nothing else.” She took a spoonful of her side dish. “If you had the time to look up my info, or anyone else’s for that matter, I bet the world will be a happier place since you’ll become more considerate.”

Atobe kept quiet. It was true anyway. He was too bent on beating all the strong players in the Nationals that he kept training by himself. He forgot that he’s in a team and he should consider everyone. He had been too selfish in searching for his goals.

“Actually,” suddenly said. “I can’t blame you for not knowing anything. I know you’ve been very serious with your training. The whole club knows it. That’s why they decided to keep their own training a secret. They wanted to surprise you and show you that they, too, can evolve in a short time. They have such determination I didn’t do much to help them. I just gave them time to have a match against me, since I tend to imitate different tennis styles. I guess it made an impression that they’ll having matches with different persons.”

“Sorry.”

“Huh?” stopped in mid-bite. “Did I just hear it correctly?”

“Yeah.” Atobe rubbed his forehead. I’ve been too self-centered. You’ve made me realize it. Thank you.” He looked up and met the girl’s eyes.

’s expressions softened once more, but this time, it’s not like those of a mother’s look. “I didn’t do it because I want you to change,” she softly said. “It’s because I want to show you that you shouldn’t be alone.”

Atobe gave her a gentle smile. “I know… I wanted to start over you know…without the debates.”

“So…that’s what the flowers are for?” asked with a smile.

“Yeah, well. Maybe you’ll get more…it depends.”

“What was that?”

“Ore-sama is thinking that if you defeat me, I’ll probably agree to going out with you.”

“Fine, if I defeat you, you’re going to do my math homework for eternity.”

“What?”

“Yosha. I’ll defeat you tomorrow within 15 minutes!”

“Hey, don’t decide by yourself!”

"Oh, but I am."

Atobe sighed as he held the girl's had which lay on the table. "You are really...Hyoutei's princess, ne?"

END

~nikki hiiragizawa
08/02/2006