Today awoke better than usual, and headed for the
morning practices of her school club.
A little lightfooted, I walked the usual road to school. Today consisted of an honestly
excited ; me.
"On days with a good awakening, something good will happen."
A little phrase which had continually been said to me by Mum since I was
small. Obviously, I believe in so too.
"Those who believe are saved."
Another motto passed down from Mum. Until now, every time I've had a good start,
something good has happened. A good enough reason to believe, isn't it?
"Hey, isn't it !"
Hearing my name from behind, I turned around to see Mukahi-Senpai coming towards
me from down the streets a little bit, waving his arms enthusiastically like an
over excited toddler.
"Oh, Mukahi-Senpai, good morning!"
"What's this? You seem to be very happy today."
"Good morning, Oshitari-Senpai!"
I greeted Oshitari-Senpai who came a little later than Mukahi-Senpai. Hearing
the words of Oshitari-Senpai, who seemed to see right through me, I laughed out
and let out my feelings honestly. Was I that obvious???
---
We arrived at school talking about nothing important in particular; the usual
gossip. School, clubs, what rumours where spreading around... Nearing our
destinations, in order to get changed into our uniforms the two Senpais
went to the club room and I headed towards the girls' change rooms, the group splitting up as
a result.
"Uh...the maintenance of the meeting room..."
The morning practices had started and all the members were running through their
training programs given by Atobe-Senpai and Sakaki-Sensei. In order to complete
one of my main jobs as the manager, I headed for the club room which happened to
be next to the school's horse riding grounds.
A voice was heard calling me from behind as I placed my hand on the door knob to
enter the club rooms which would be used for the meeting; part of the next menu
on the training program for the regulars of the Hyotei tennis team.
"Hey!! Morning, -!!"
"Huh? Oh, morning, -chan!!"
-chan, a member of the horse riding club and a friend of mine a
year older than me, came nearby the fence, riding on a grand horse.
"What? Cleaning the club room? Atobe could just do it himself..."
-chan, who hated Atobe-Senpai, started complaining about him, soon enough.
Glaring down at the horse's neck in a gloomy mood, eyes hidden, the atmosphere
dark, she mumbled
under her breath. I couldn't help but to laugh to myself quietly at the action;
you never got sick of it even if it happened everyday.
"Atobe-Senpai is the captain of the tennis club and is busy himself...besides if
I, the manager, don't do it, what do I do?"
Thinking of me as a little sister, -chan continued to mumble with an
expression of disagreement on her face; face still down staring at the long furry
neck in front of her.
"Um...huh? A new one?"
In order to change the heavy atmosphere being created, I asked the question I
had in mind since a few minutes ago. I neared the fence and I placed out my hand
to the horse's nose. Hearing my words a bright smile came in response to my
question, as if the previous conversation had not occured. She always seemed to
become excited all of a sudden when this topic comes up... I meekly smiled as
-chan laughed cheekly as she answered.
"Hehehe, I was given him by my Auntie in Miyazaki!"
"Oh I see..."
As if using the gleeful answer from -chan as a signal, a beautiful white
nose came towards my hand voluntarily. Allowing the nose to take in my scent, I
slowly run up my hand up the front of the horse's head and patted it just under
the part of the mane on top of the head, the forelock; where -chan had told
me horses like to be patted the best.
"He's a Russian warmblood breed called "Trakehner"! Isn't he beautiful? In the
world's top classed shows, there actually happens to be a lot of them..."
And with that, patting her tall white horse from above, she started to explain
in details using specific horse terms which I would never understand in my life.
In turn, I ran my fingers down just below his eyes and towards the horse's muzzle; the softest part of the horse's coat.
"Oh, he's really beautiful. Male or female?"
"Male."
"What about his name?"
A moment of awkward silence passed, before a slight answer...
"Um...
...I have a feeling I just heard a funny name...
"...What was that?"
No, that can't be right, it's just a mishearing...more like please let it be
a mishearing... Thinking so in my mind, I asked again for the name; for
reassurance for my own sake more than anything.
"..., you're just asking because you know, aren't you...?"
"Uh, no, your voice was a little low so I thought that I may have misheard...so?"
Pause.
"............are you serious............??"
I
thought back to the conversation at the boy's tennis club Nationals Tournament
some time last year...
----
"It's finally against the Champion school."
"Yeah. ...More like, it's already Singles 1, this is the end..."
"And, that's Atobe's opponent............"
"...Fine ignore me..."
".................."
"Hn?"
".................."
"-chan...???"
"He..."
"...?? Yes...?"
"He's so hot...!"
"What-?!"
----
That time, before her glance was...the 'Emperor' of the junior high school
tennis world, Sanada Genichiroh-san. Following her glace I had to keep looking
back and forth to make sure that I wasn't going mad...watching -chan
looking a little in her own world, I sighed at the thought of my childhood
friend's type subconsciously.
"Wha...! , you just sighed didn't you?!"
"Yes. I did."
"Ur--...what about you!? What about Atobe?!"
Perhaps from not being able to say anything back, -chan got me back where
it hurts most. A little vexed, I opened my mouth as a reflex to say something
back in response.
"That's nothing to do..."
"What about me, ?" A familiar voice was heard, a
figure in view.
"Huh, wha, Atobe-Senpai?!" Surprised by his entrance, I stumbled over
my words at first.
"Uck! Atobe!!" -chan scowled, obviously not happy Atobe-Senpai
was there
"If you rumour, a shadow." Yet another
phrase. It really is true isn't it.........my face is...burning...
"Hn? What's this, a newcomer?"
Coming up close to me, Atobe-Senpai observed -chan's......"Gen-chan".
"Oh, a Trakehner. He's grand...and seems to be well cared for..."
"Of course! He's mine!!"
"However, he's no chance compared to my Silver Meteor..."
Atobe-Senpai seemed to be quite satisfied after replying.
"What!?"
As if snickering at her, Atobe-Senpai mentioned something almost taboo. ......Oh
no......it's going to start......
"Um, I'll just be going no-w......"
Quietly declaring my action and excusing myself from the site, I quickly left
the scene. An everyday event was just about to outbreak... It had happened to be
like this since the day I entered Hyotei Juniour High and -chan had found
out I was going to be the manager of the Hyotei Boys' Tennis Club. Apparently
Atobe-Senpai 'opposed her justice' of things...whatever that means...
As soon as I shut the door of the club room behind me, a tremendous quarrel
started. Hearing the yelling and arguing from the other side of the almost thin
wall of the door, I couldn't help but to give myself a slight pat on the back.
Go me with the timing!!
---
"-!!!!!!!"
The moment I delightfully thought 'Lunch time!' and joyfully turned to my bag,
there were 2 voices perfectly in sync calling my name. ......I have a bad
premonistion...... As soon as that thought processed through my head the
classroom door slid open, and at the same time -chan and Mukahi-Senpai
ducked through the door in high spirits...and charged towards my desk like dart
being thrown towards a dartboard...
- Bad premonition = Bulls eye -
"What are you saying?! You move it, !!"
Stopping right in front of me, they start a (most likely) pathetic quarrel.
Facing each other, both hands on my table, curses throwing in the space
of...ten or so centimetres... The rest of the regular seniors came towards us
coolly ignoring the usual two as if they didn't exist. Lining up around Chota-kun's seat next to me, having nothing better to do for the time being they
too watched over the worthless fight; appalled.
"Since when were you ever 's sister?!"
"Even if we're not blood related, our spirits are, you blockhead!!"
"Gosh! Don't you think has enough pity already!?"
"Wha?! What are you implying?! If I never said in the first
place......"
The fight that continues to rapidly escalate.
"Um...Senpai, -san, did you want to shiftplaces?"
Due to the excellent request by Chota-kun a quick discussion was held and was
decided that we would go to the roof top; more peace and nothing to make us, the
observers only, look as if we're part of the problem... Also keeping in mind
that -chan and I wouldn't be so glared at by the fan girls of the famous
Boys' Tennis Club regulars.
---
"So? What was all that commotion for...?"
A little on the irritated side I ask out what the reasons were for the
ridiculous act of the similar but different pair previously in the classroom...
"Here! Here! this!!"
"Argh! That's unfair!!"
Without even considering my emotions I was passed some kind of small box by one
of the nosy pair. It was a sky blue box perfectly wrapped in a baby pink ribbon.
"?? This is...??"
Taking the box, I asked for the reason for such a gift with large amounts of
question marks floating around my head; obviously a tad confused.
"Happy Birthday, !!!! Tanjyoubi Omedeto-!!!! ..., I'm not going to
let you say you forgot your own birthday..."
Hmm.
I'm sorry. I truly forgot.
"God. You've had enough, haven't you, ! Move it!! Here, ! This is
mine!!"
While glaring at his classmate mumbling "I was actually meant to be first..."
Mukahi-Senpai passed me a smallish box; his gift. Following Oshitari-Senpai,
Akutagawa-Senpai, Chota-kun, Shishido-Senpai in order passed some kind of
presents of their own to me. Unexpectedly I even got gifts from Wakashi-kun and
Kabaji-kun, and my arms quickly became full of presents.
"Th, thanks...thank you!!"
As if the previous arguing had never happened, with my thanks as a sign, -chan and Mukahi-Senpai
shouted "Yeah-!!" together and popped the party crackers. The
next thing I realised, from out of nowhere, food and drinks were placed out and
it had become a party. For some reason I was in the centre, and everyone were
trying their best to make me joyful by pampering me.
As quickly as it started, lunch break ended and the packing away of the party
was swiftly finished. To make sure we weren't late for class -chan, the
other Senpais and I, in order to get down from the roof and back to our
classrooms, made our way down the stairs in turns.
"."
After everyone else had left, the moment I went to the stairs to go down, my arm
was grasped and stopped. Being turned around by force, before my eyes was
Atobe-Senpai; the person I had kept in mind since the day I set foot in
Hyotei...or maybe more due to -chan's school photos...
", my present: I have not given it to you yet."
With earnest eyes Senpai looked at me, only just, but with a gentle look. I
became lost in admiration; who wouldn't confronted by the one and only Atobe
Keigo.
- I can't breathe -
What should I do...?
"I'd say I would give it to you now...but there would be no meaning for it if it isn't
after school..."
Laughing shortly with confidence as he usually would, he finally took his glance
off me. The grip around my wrist slowly loosened and I was freed; my eyes still
observing his every move.
"After school, after everyone else has left the club room, patiently wait for me
in there."
After saying all he wanted, he continued his way down. Hand slightly raised
beside his head as he walked down, Atobe-Senpai turned the corner and disappeared
from sight.
"Oh my god..."
My face was burning.........on top of that it was the second time this day... At
the sudden change in atmosphere, I slowly collapse to my knees.
"...? Are you here? I kinda just passed by Atobe, did something
hap...??"
From behind -chan came to look for me, worried as I didn't seem to be
coming down. But I didn't hear her voice. Peering into my most likely reddened
face, she silently watched over me until I calmed down.
---
- After school, after everyone else has left the club room, patiently wait
for me -
That's what Atobe-Senpai said...but its almost been 20 minutes since...
"I wonder if he's forgotten??"
Little by little, I start to feel a slightly down.
Maybe I had simply misunderstood his words...?
Tick...tick...tick...tick...tick
It was another 10 minutes when the fact that I was still alone was starting to
get to me at the limits.
There was a familiar voice yelling as loud as possible from outside; extreme
anger embedded in their voice. Wondering what was going on, I stepped out of the
club room to have a peek.
"Hello. I apologise for keeping you waiting."
When I thought a large shadow cast upon me, my view fell completely white and
the
voice I had wanted to hear was heard from above me. Slowly, ever so slowly, as I
looked up, and there before my eyes, was a knight.
"Here, your hand; hand it over."
Not really understanding what was going on, I offered my hand, and watched his hand
smoothly flow to strongly grasped mine.
"Make sure you hold on tight!" A mischievous smirk stretched across
his face.
"What...? Kya?!"
When I noticed my arm was gently pulled up, at the same moment, I was lifted
with the ground, eye shut instinctively at the rush of events.
"Are you alright?"
I opened my involuntarily shut eyes with the sound of a gentle voice. The next
thing I knew I was on the horse, and sitting against something warm. Processing my frozen mind quickly, I soon realised that I was sitting on
Atobe-Senpai's lap; being carried like a princess from a fairy tale.
"I finally caught up with you! Now give me back my hors - ...Atobe! What on earth
are you doing to ...?!"
Hearing -chan's voice yelling from behind us I finally realised. Currently,
the horse Atobe-Senpai and I was sitting on was undoubtedly..."Gen-chan"...
"The loud one is here, so, we're gonna move it. Got it?" The smirked
grew wider, as if he was enjoying this moment. It seemed the question was a signal,
for I was gently drawn closer, and the horse
accelerated.
"Kya?!"
Surprised by the unfamiliar horse riding and slightly losing my balance, I
subconsciously clung onto Senpai.
"It's just a little longer...put up with it."
Senpai's low voice whispered into my ears, causing me to blush from the gesture all the
way to my ears. Embarrassed, I wrapped my arms around Senpai, buried my face
into his chest, and gave a small nod in response.
---
"You've never ridden a horse before?"
Finally getting off the horse's back, Senpai asked me; worried at my condition
and form.
I wasn't as bad as I thought I would feel...probably because I had no direct
contact with the saddle...
"Ah, no. Occasionlly, after school -chan lets me ride with her."
"Is that so?"
Somehow I managed to answer. Tying up the horse, Atobe-Senpai sat down beside me
at my spot a little distant from the horse's reaching district. Ah, oh no...my
face...
"Here."
What was handed to me was a small navy coloured box with no fancy
ribbon or outside decoration on it; typical of Senpai. The moment I took it,
Senpai turned the other way, avoiding my line of sight. A slightly cute gesture...
"Thank you...very much..."
"Sure."
A moment of silence swept over. ......this was awkward......
"Ah, um! Can I...open this...??"
The only question that came into my head in order to do something about this
atmosphere...I wondered why I couldn't think of anything else. Looking at me from
the corner of his eyes, Atobe-Senpai nodded silently.
"Of course. It's a present I gave to you. Is there any reason why you cannot you open it?"
"Ah...I'm sorry..."
"...why do you apologise..."
"Sorry..."
"So why do you...oh, forget it! Just...open it." Atobe
snapped, but softened his voice, encouraging me to open his gift.
I opened the small box in my hands. The inside of the box was purple velvet,
contrasting beautifully with the gift which lay upon it in the box, a silver necklace
with a lovely
small flower pendent, a lime green stone embedded in the middle, surrounded by
its five silver petals. Its was,
really gorgeous...
"Its a balloonflower. The stone is a peridot."
He stated to me the answer to my one question.
"Put it on."
Doing as I was told, I placed the present, which I had become fond of, from Senpai
around my neck. I hung delicately around my warm neck; icy cold at first touch, stating its
unfamiliar newness.
"Just as I thought, there is no blunder in my insight -..."
Slowly Senpai's hand came into contact with my cheeks and tipped up my chin.
"It suits you ------"
Ah...firstly one word:
So-, this is a Akina Birthday Celebration Atobe Dream Novel!!
In fact, I started writing this one month early thinking "I have a slow writing
pace so lets start early!"...I wrote the first line and left it for 2 weeks...I
forgot about the existence...
Just a minute there lady, its not finished yet ya know-?
(Any comment, regret and such will come after that.........)
----------------------
Karyu Rou
- First Half -
"I wonder what's going to happen today??"
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Postscript:: 08/28/2005
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
There was a certain conversation recently about 'If we were students of XX', and
decided to write a DN based on that!!
And the other day I happened to find in 20.5...Hyotei Horse Riding Club...I
honestly thought how nice that'd be... *looks into distance dreamily*
Keeping into account Akina and my own personalities (apart from the fact that
Akina is the Tennis club's manager...) I sewed bits and pieces together!
Mukai, was extremely easy to move around...though I was trying to bring out
Akina's favourite Oshitari a bit more but... People who came out came out, and
those that didn't didn't...
The day I finished writing: There was another one whole week until Akina's
birthday...
It continues to the second...
25.April.2006
Originally in Japanese
Translated into English by Karyu Rou
Minor adaptation for English version by _ k a r i n u i