The Little Things - Seravy
Part 6 - The Suzushiro Conspiracy (Part 1)   

Summary: In a time of crazy substitute teachers, evil make-up exams and road-rage drivers, a school in turmoil cried out for a heroine… and it wasn’t her. She… was Suzushiro Haruka, the mighty executive board director (that was rarely useful), forged in the heat of rivalry. The power… the passion… the danger. Her courage will rampage the school… (sounds familiar? Hint: Xena)

NOTE:

Kyoto-ben – Shizuru uses a very polite form of the Kyoto accent

Ookini – Kyoto accent for “thank you”

Bubuzuke – Kyoto accent version of ochazuke which is rice with tea

Onna – woman (bubuzuke onna is what Haruka calls Shizuru)

Chadou – tea ceremony

Kadou – flower arrangement

Chabouzu – tea boy. Haruka’s nickname for Reito

Ikezu ya wa – Kyoto accent for “meanie” or “such a tease” and Shindou Naomi pulls it off with the most sexy and seductive VA

MADS: Mad Addiction to Devastating Sauces. The consumption of heavy western foods (i.e. pizza, potato chips, pasta. Fried chicken is especially effective) topped with all imaginable sauces (i.e. Ketchup, mustard, vinegar, sour cream. Mayonnaise is a must) in large quantities before the intended target. The mere sight of the consumption process shall induce sickness and nausea marked by blue and green face colour. Only one victim is ever known to be subjected to this torture (hint: Kyoto council president). On one occasion, MADS had even sent the subject running to the washroom, emptying her stomach. WARNING! Please use at your own discretion as the abnormal calorie count is fatal to human beings whose initials are not K.N.

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From the day that she was born, Suzushiro Haruka knew she was meant for greatness. She was the sole heir to the entire Suzushiro fortune, raised and groomed with nothing but the finest in life. The entire school looked up to her perfect attendance record and untarnished student file as the exemplified model of a perfect student. As executive board direction, she led a force of dedicated followers in protecting the peace and harmony of Fuuka Academy…

… a position which should have been student council president.

Haruka’s head immediately exploded with that familiar surge of hot rage. She could still clearly recall the day the world was spun right off its axis to smack her in the face. It was a day like any other. The sun was shining, not a cloud in sight. She had gotten up at six O’clock sharp to welcome the first day of her third year in middle school. For breakfast, she had a piece of toast, one hard boiled egg and a side serving of orange. With her childhood friend Kikukawa Yukino by her side, they rode to school while going through her grand plans for the year. Everything had been normal up until her new homeroom teacher announced the entrance of a new transfer student from Kyoto.

The entire class had let out a cohesive gasp. (Haruka did as well although she later found out that it was due to a whole different reason.) The nerve of that girl to show up in a high school uniform while the rest of them obediently abided to the middle school dress code. However, the despicable uniform infraction was only the appetizer to a decadent and unforgettable full course meal.

After a twenty one second self-introduction, Fujino Shizuru stole her rightful place as class representative; a position which she was confident in attainting ever since she began attending Fuuka Academy. (note: Haruka was only ever elected once as class representative back in kindergarten. For some odd reason, no one ever dared to vote for her ever again after that semester. Anyways, back on topic.) She never understood what exactly happened in those twenty one seconds. It was as if everyone had been suddenly infected with some sort of Kyoto virus. Symptoms included swooning girls and boys at the mention of THAT horrid name, chadou, kadou and bangs being in style again as well as the establishment of OUFAFSSWSAAYF: Official Underground Fuuka Academy Fujino-Shizuru-sama-We-shall-always-adore-you Fanclub, more widely known as FIH! Fan club (Fujino-sama is Hawt!). The infection soon spread across the entire school but even with this piling amount of solid evidence, not a single soul seemed to notice or care aside from herself and Yukino.

How could someone who only ever drank tea and smiled (damn that smile!) gather so much attention and popularity? That woman was known to constantly skip school but everybody worshipped the ground she walked upon on the days that she did show up. It was very frustrating but Haruka was a survivor and had easily adapted to this intrusion within her life. Instead of waking up at six, she rose at five, spending a good hour everyday with her Fujino Shizuru punching bag. If she felt like variety, there was also her Fujino Shizuru dart board and bubuzuke moving targets.

But no matter how sweet and charming Fujino Shizuru was, how aromatic and delightful her green tea tasted, how exotically beautiful and mature she looked, how amazing her grades were despite her terrible attendance record, those were but insignificant and superficial qualities that couldn’t even begin to truly measure one’s worth. Fujino Shizuru never once contributed to the school’s well being unlike herself who was a dedicated member of the executive board and other various after school activities. Haruka wasn’t about to lower herself to petty high school popularity contests.

If only she knew then that it was the start of a clearly planned conspiracy. Two week before the council elections, Fujino Shizuru entered the competition in a move that shocked the entire school and herself. At that moment, Haruka finally realized her true opponent and how she had underestimated her. All this time she was led to believe that those chadou lessons and lunch picnics were just gimmicks of popularity when in truth, they were a veil of illusion to conceal Fujino Shizuru’s true intentions. That tea-sipping woman had been hiding for the right moment to strike, relaxing and weakening her defenses while stealing important territory. To completely ruin her, that bubuzuke onna had even appointed the school’s infamous pretty boy and womanizer, Kanzaki Reito, as vice president. Haruka couldn’t think of a combination worst than this.

Gods above, Fuuka Academy had plunged into an age of tyranny and darkness, ruled by lax morality and irresponsibility. Luckily Fujino Shizuru was smart enough to realize how invaluable her services were and had wisely chosen her as executive board director so the school was able to retain some semblance of order. However, to truly save Fuuka, Haruka knew it was now up to her leadership and guidance.

Council president for next year may have been decided but if she could rally the entire school on her side, a re-election was highly plausible… or even a school-wide usurpation. A large grin relaxed Haruka’s taunt and grinding jaw. Fujino Shizuru may have made history through an unprecedented majority in the elections, but she was going to outdo her by being the first executive board director to ever overthrow the reigning council president.

Her last defeat was understandable as she had concentrated solely on servicing the public to the best of her ability while neglecting the importance of capturing the public’s heart. Most students were unable to see past surface values and have cast their vote according to their preference without truly considering the candidate’s actual capabilities. Fujino Shizuru had shrewdly played that fact to her advantage. However, an eye for an eye. She shall beat that bubuzuke onna at her own game.

As taught by her grandfather, no human being was perfect. They all had their weaknesses and all she had to do was find Fujino Shizuru’s. ?After all, know thy anatomy, know thy enemy. ( Suzushiro Haruka version)

With the latest surveillance technology that respected the target’s privacy and a team of Suzushiro Corp.’s best employees backed by two years of unforgettable experience, Haruka observed the following.

Observation No.1: Whenever she saw Fujino Shizuru, she was always leisurely walking or sitting. She was never seen performing any sort of strenuous labour or physical activities.

Observation No.2: Her rival was in constant slow mo mode. No matter how her surroundings hurried by her or whatever sort of emergency occurred, this woman was incapable of speed.

Observation No.3: Her rival was often absent for the majority of her classes, ones especially for physical education.

From these observations, Haruka had come to the logical conclusion that Fujino Shizuru was hiding her weakness of physical incoordination while suffering a serious case of lethargy. Although Haruka was a strong believer in fair competition, targeting an enemy’s weakness, especially one that was left so carelessly unattended, was a tactic as old as time itself.

Haruka strode proudly through the campus grounds of Fuuka Academy as the school bell rung its clear voice. It was finally the last class of the day. Up above, the sun was shining luxuriously, temperature at exactly 25 degrees Celsius with a wind speed of 34 km/hr. The Suzushiro Corp weather satellite had been 99.98 accurate as usual.

Now to go through her DOG list. (DOG Deadly Orgasmic Gear. Please be aware that Haruka had absolutely no idea what the second word meant aside from the fact that sophisticated English adjectives are always a great addition when creating your acronyms. Yukino simply couldn’t bring herself into correcting this one.)

$1999.99 US custom-made titanium frame Wilson Racket…

CHECK

Puma extra-cushion-S.H.-initialed-performance-enhancing court shoes

CHECK

Hair curvature and shape to flutter elegantly in the wind as she sprinted towards victory

DOUBLE CHECK

Miniskirt with the perfect length to perfectly show off her perfect legs and capture young male voters…

TRIPLE CHECK

The revolving fence gave a long wail as it drew open like grand curtains. The wide expanse of dull green courts sunk into her vision, presenting her to her audience. Light green balls emitted that unique dull crisp “shuck” echo as they made contact with tightly strung rackets.

That is right, everybody. Suzushiro Haruka shall challenge her rival to a match of tennis. Before a sizable crowd like today’s, Haruka shall reveal and exploit the council president’s embarrassing flaw through a most humiliating defeat. In this land where rumours and news traveled as fast as sneezes, word shall spread of her glory and of Fujino Shizuru’s shameful defeat (Haruka was counting on her rival to cry and stomp her feet in anguish). Her DOG preparation shall enhance this memorable event, successfully boosting her image to the public’s taste. Once she had dented Fujino Shizuru’s reputation, it would only be a matter of time before people began to see the lazy and oblivious woman beneath the tea-sipping smile. Their insecurities shall direct their lost souls in search of a new and dependable leader and Haruka shall be the one to answer their desperate pleas for salvation.

It was a foolproof plan.

Haruka immediately knew where to look as one could always locate Fujino Shizuru where high pitched chattering and squeals were most concentrated. Lucky for her today, that woman was right in front of her eyes. With her back to Haruka, she was dressed in a modest white skirt and pale purple t-shirt. That unique chestnut hair was pulled gently back into a light ponytail unlike its usual free-flowing placement. From what she could see, Haruka had definitely won in terms of attire; a victory that shall go unnoticed as she had learned time and time again. In terms of appearances, there were a few that could rival that Kyoto beauty but Haruka knew it took more than just looks to gather loyalty and respect. It was that subtle something that drew these crowds and made Fujino Shizuru unique and it was that certain something that Haruka strived to defeat.

A familiar rush of frustration swelled right from the very pit of her stomach. The teacher just announced the official start of class and without a second’s delay, Haruka marched her way towards her target.

One of the girls surrounding the council president caught sight of her and Haruka quickly initiated GoDS (Goddessly Demented Stare. Once again, the second word’s definition was not noted). Haruka saved this look for when she meant serious business, and as usual, it worked miracles on weak-willed creatures. The crowd began to disperse once the executive director’s presence was made known to the others using the FIH! Code-Red hand signal. Students paired off as instructed, leaving Haruka with a clear path to her defenseless victim. Everybody knew better than to stand in the way of a Suzushiro rampage marked by that distinct crazed look and crab-like stride, plowing through everything with overwhelming enthusiasm, bordering madness.

“Gokigenyou, Fujino-san.”

Haruka quickly replaced GODS with a pleasant smile just as her rival turned around.

“Gokigenyou, Suzushiro-san,” greeted Shizuru. The distinct Kyoto intonation accompanied by that oblivious and annoying smile immediately fiddled with Haruka’s patience but the impulse was quickly subdued at the thought of the beautiful future that awaited her within the span of minutes.

“Ah, I see that you do not have a partner yet. If it would be fine with you, I’ll be your partner for this exercise,” suggested Haruka.

“My, how kind of you, Suzushiro-san.”

“Just lending a helping hand wherever possible.”

The executive board director let out a short string of chuckles. And just beneath that smiling exchange… (please read the following in one deep breath)

‘Today shall be the day that I wipe that annoying smile right off your tea-drinking face, Fujino! You shall lose so hideously that never can you walk the face of this planet with your head held high! I shall crush every last bit of your conceited arrogance and have you crawl on all four in utter shame, begging me for mercury and forgiveness!’ thought the executive board director as she waited for the last bit of her perfect stage to fall into place. (And yes… Haruka meant to say mercy but she had warned me well in advance not to correct her in anyway especially in her mental rants. )

“I’d also like everybody to keep score as taught last class. Report your scores by the end of three rounds,” announced Kurosawa-sensei.

Haruka gave a loud mental cheer. She had picked today especially for this reason after seeing the P.E. lesson plans. Yukino and her had had to disguise themselves, among various other “sacrifices”, as janitors in order to capture this valuable piece of information. (Due to her rival’s horrid attendance record, Haruka and Yukino had also joined FIH! (in disguise) in order to track her rival’s appearances. (Fan Member No. 576 and 577) It scared her to even think about those loud shrieks of “delight” that almost rung her ears deaf when the topic turned to the sort of tennis miniskirt their “Fuji-sama” was going to show up in.) Now to settle the score after all the humiliation that she had had to endure.

After graciously giving her rival the first serve, they parted to an unoccupied court, each taking the opposite side. Bending her knees, and shifting her weight, Haruka felt absolutely ready for beneath that killer DOG (Deadly Orgasmic Gear) laid the most lethal weapon to back up her flawless plan: She had one of the world’s top players, Dana Fairbanks, flown in from the US to train her personally for one full week. Two nutritionists and two personal trainers ensured her peak physical condition. She felt unstoppable, sweet victory coursing through her veins in anticipation.

Haruka couldn’t help but wonder whether Fujino Shizuru had delivered her presidential speech feeling this same surge of amazing energy from perfect planning and absolute confidence. She could clearly envision the process and outcome, her mind’s eye assertive over every detail. Was this what was behind Fujino Shizuru’s unwavering smile?

After giving a heads up, Fujino Shizuru delivered her first serve. In comparison to her professional training, the ball seemed to be moving at snail speed. Haruka waited patiently until her shot came into range then delivered an exacting forehand. Her rival made no move to receive this shot…or rather, was incapable of reacting. A stunning silence touched the air, mimicked by all those who had just witnessed that brief exchange.

For a short moment, a look of disbelief flashed across that face of traditional beauty. Haruka allowed her unwavering stance and eyes speak for themselves. As expected, Fujino Shizuru recovered quickly with one of those signature bubuzuke smiles. Their eyes met briefly though and Haruka could have sworn she saw that woman smirk before launching the second serve.

Haruka didn’t even have time to blink. A rush of cool beside her left calf and a solid sound of contact was the only proof of her rival’s strike. She should have known. Fujino Shizuru was not one to leave a weakness wide open.

“Please excuse my previous rudeness for underestimating you, Suzushiro-san,” said Shizuru, her voice unusually sharp and focused.

“However, seems like this was a mistake you’ve made as well,”

In those placid maroon eyes that now silently raged with frustration and red anger, Haruka saw a reflection she had never seen before… herself. Words she long deserved followed that revelation.

“I accept your challenge, Suzushiro-san.”

The second serve of the match was carried out. The executive board director barely caught its path, feeling the blatant challenge behind its power and fully returning it with equal force and intention.

By now, the outskirts of the tennis courts were swamped with students. Those within have completely stopped their games to observe this bout that reeked of private hostility.

The battle raged on, neither contestants conceiving an inch. By the end of the second match point, Haruka’s entire body burned with unbearable heat, each of her limbs screaming as they were being forced beyond their threshold. She could tell that her rival was also at her limits, panting and sweating, revealing a side of her that no one had ever seen. At this point though, surface aesthetics were the least of their concerns.

Haruka knew from the look in those glistening red eyes, reflected in her own, was the only reason Fujino Shizuru was still standing. It was no longer about tennis or the game but the simple desire to win against the other. The world could end right now but this war shall continue until a victor was pronounced.

At 40 love of the third round, they were down to the final match point, each with one win. Who could have thought that that fragile body hid so much strength and endurance, capable of matching her two weeks worth of intensive training. However, such was the existence of Fujino Shizuru; a woman of shrewd hidden might constantly besting her with surprises.

However, today shall mark the end of that era. She shall equal and surpass everything that the council president delivered under all circumstances. By accepting this match, Fujino Shizuru had knowingly accepted herself as the one she had ignorantly dismissed and now capable of rivaling herself.

It was Fujino’s turn to serve. Haruka was beginning to regret giving up that advantage in the beginning. At this point, the slightest err shall end everything.

The ball came rushing at that same devastating speed she had finally adjusted to. Haruka successfully returned the vicious hit, starting yet another round of that demanding challenge of one’s mental and bodily functions. The ball rapidly moved back and forth between their territories, tactics and strategies being challenged and exchanged in a split of a second.

However, it finally happened. Fujino Shizuru, in a rush of impatience, had taken one too many steps to the left in attacking her sharp backhand. The pain in Haruka’s body exploded into a piercing force to deliver what she knew was going to be the deciding hit. Instincts and that familiar burning desire launched the ball into the far right corner. The council president, too, had realized her mistake.

Shizuru immediately dashed to the opposite end of the court, her shoes loudly squeaking from the abrupt switch in direction. Haruka was so certain that it was too late until the council president leapt out from her sprint, her racket making what looked like impossible contact.

Even Haruka couldn’t believe her eyes. The ball flew into the air. From her judgment, she was sure that it was going to pass over the net and into her side of court. There was nothing left inside of her. She had given everything in what she had assumed to be the final shot. Her eyes quickly settled on the woman who was rapidly regaining her stance despite having just hit the ground not even a second ago. Fujino Shizuru had given her everything despite having nothing left. Haruka wasn’t going to lose to that determination… no, she was going to answer that challenge head on.

Haruka wasn’t even aware of her legs moving, simply noting the ball’s closing distance. Despite holding the last of her strength, it was a rather feeble hit, the ball weakly bouncing off the strings of her racket. It fell a mere centimeter away from the net. The loud explosion of cheers and applause that erupted around told her it was finally over… it was a whole new game now.

“Good game, Fujino.”

Haruka wanted to just collapse from utter exhaustion but it just felt imperative that she said that, making the torturous trip of walking all the way to Fujino Shizuru. Behind her, Kurosawa-sensei was dispersing the crowd who were all rather reluctant to leave, scattered remains of vivid discussion and applause still surrounding them. Neither Haruka nor her rival noticed though.

“Good game, Suzushiro-san,” echoed the council president. The subtle difference in Shizuru’s smile did not go unnoticed to the executive board director’s eyes… eyes that have always watched the transfer student from Kyoto since two years ago.

“Come on, Fujino, we’re a little beyond that honorifics stuff,” said Haruka, her pale eyebrows raised in mock exasperation.

“Well, that’d only work if you’d stop calling me Fujino. You give my name such a hostile ring to it, Haruka.”

The executive board direction gave an exasperated shrug. It suddenly occurred to her that this was the first proper conversation she and the bubuzuke on—Shizuru—had ever had.

“Excuse me if it sounds that way, Shizuru.”

Brief smiles were exchanged.

…And that was the master plan… at its worst case scenario that was. (I’m sure all you intelligent folks out there have realized sometime early on the absolute wrongness in the above exchange.) Of course, the ideal situation was for Fujino Shizuru to cry and stomp her feet in anguish but a true leader must be ready for all situations. Hence, she had included the possibility of her rival being highly athletic and was merely luring her to strike through the apparent revealing of a fake weak point. (A full version of Haruka’s fantasy shall be included in the next chapter’s bonus section. Mild Haruka/Shizuru savisu for the hell of it :p)

Now, back to reality.

As the plan dictated, Haruka had given her rival the first right to serve. She shifted eagerly in anticipation of witnessing first hand the serious effects of physical incoordination/lethargy…

The ball was lifted three feet off the ground-- that’s right, Haruka, three feet—and with the most incorrect forehand posture she had ever seen, the ball came cheerily bouncing onto her side of the court in the most comfortable parabola. Her arms went limp, allowing the ball to roll away without another touch.

That was wrong… so very wrong.

Something snapped inside of her, launching the executive board director into a full speed sprint, stopping just centimeters away from her rival.

“FUJINO!” yelled Haruka, her voice reaching all four corners of the tennis courts.

“Yes?”

The executive board director’s limbs moved with incoherent spasms in an attempt to explain herself.

“What was that!”

The relaxed and clueless look on that Kyoto woman’s face fueled another surge of rage through her hot head.

“Your serve!” pointed Haruka, “Your serve! Was that some sort of mockery! You were supposed to give the most devastating ser--”

The executive director quickly stopped herself. Thankfully, her rival didn’t seem to notice the slip up.

“Oh!” said Shizuru, as if finally comprehending the meaning behind that outburst, “You see, I don’t know how to serve overhand. I’ve only played tennis on a few occasions.”

A curt noise left Haruka’s constricted throat as she stared at her “ultimate” rival.

“Is there a problem, Suzushiro-san?” asked Shizuru.

Haruka shook her head before moving back to her side of the court. She had to remain calm. After all, she had yet to reveal the fruits of her training. Maybe then, Fujino Shizuru shall reveal her true nature.

Another “happy” shot came her way but this time, Haruka returned it with her perfected forehand. Fujino Shizuru stuck out her racket in what looked like an attempt to hit the ball.

“Ara, I missed,” remarked Shizuru, casually.

Haruka wanted to rip her hair out. One step. All it took was ONE step and the council president couldn’t even be bothered to commute that distance! She had to fight the urge to make a second trip across to yell out her building discontentment.

When the next “serve” came, Haruka returned it with just enough strength so it landed conveniently beside Fujino Shizuru at a comfortable speed.

Good, at least that woman could hit that.

Haruka increased the strength by a small notch, hoping to slowly draw out the challenge she knew resided just beneath the surface. The council president walked a few steps to the left but made no move to even lift her racket, allowing the ball to easily pass her by. The nerve of that woman to wave and comment on her “nice shot”. Haruka couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Fujino! Put a little effort into it! You’re playing so miserably a granny could out play you!”

Unfortunately, her volume had distributed her message throughout the entire class and without even having to justify herself, Fujino Shizuru’s defense came.

“That was uncalled for, Suzushiro-san!” responded a girl on the court left of her. That student’s exercise partner delivered another one.

“Fujino-sama is trying her best already!”

To temporarily appease the crowd that she had set to dazzle today, Haruka spent the rest of the match returning those bubuzuke infected shots. She won the first round, 15-45, without even trying.

Everything was going wrong, wrong WRONG. Among all the various scenarios that she had envisioned, this was definitely not one of them. Worst of all, that tea-sipping lardy woman didn’t even feel a slight pinch of shame for her miserable performance! In fact, that pathetic playing was constantly being rewarded with cheers and encouraging comments from the sidelines! The Kyoto virus was a lot more resilient than she had thought. These students have reached the last stage of the condition, marked by severe delusion and the corruption of logic and reasoning functions.

Nevertheless, the ever persistent executive board director was not one known to give up easily.

With the second round commencing in her favour, Haruka relished in the opportunity to finally reveal her secret weapon. Time to do things her way. If she couldn’t bring the public’s awareness to Fujino Shizuru’s pathetic existence then might as well direct all her efforts onto herself.

Bouncing the ball twice, Haruka tested its pressure and size before tossing it into the air. Winding her right arm back, she gave out a loud grunt as she released the beast from its cage. This serve was the result of eight full nights’ practice. She didn’t rest until it was perfected to the speed of 85 miles/hr. Even a seasoned female professional will have trouble returning this one.

As expected, the ball sped right past Fujino Shizuru before the woman even had a chance to blink. The crowd was silent. Haruka quickly looked to her rival for the reaction she knew she deserved.

“Nice serve, Suzushiro-san,” waved Shizuru, smiling brightly.

A sinking sickness dropped into her stomach. Haruka immediately delivered a second one, even more vicious than the last to distract the pain that was beginning to set into her entire body. The public rallied for her to “Take it easy” due to the insignificant and non-competitive nature of the game. By denying the challenge, Fujino Shizuru had won yet again.

0-30

Student council president had always been her dream, working diligently in the executive board while balancing her after school activities and grades. Out came Fujino Shizuru to take it away from her without flexing an extra muscle in her body. When she learned of her rival’s entrance into the run for council president, Haruka had doubled her campaign efforts while that woman did nothing. Fujino Shizuru had just gone about her usual routine as if Haruka hadn’t even existed.

“Suzushiro, tone it down! Fujino-san is just a beginner!” warned the tennis club head, Inokawa Ren, a few courts away.

0-40

What was winning without competition? No one could push her limits like this woman could. No one could make her heart burn with so much passion and motivation to the point of absolute frustration. She wanted to be the first one to make Fujino Shizuru feel this same unquenchable need to win against one single person. And yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t even get this woman to even spare her a second look. This seemingly endless pool of hidden strength strode with such power that anything that stood in its way fell with insignificance… like ants being squished along side walks.

“What a show-off, that Suzushiro,” was what Haruka caught amidst the discussion that went around.

She could care less though. One more and it would be over and more than ever, she hated Fujino Shizuru.

“Suzushiro-san. Wait a moment please.”

Haruka paused, glaring in her that despicable woman’s direction. Her palm stung as her nails dug deeply into its flesh. It was the only thing that kept her from screaming out loud. She sometimes wondered if Fujino Shizuru was knowingly torturing her, or was she not even worth that amount of attention? Haruka watched with itching irritation as that damn woman began retying her hair.

When the council president was done, the loose ponytail was gathered into a much tighter version. As usual, those deep maroon eyes were looking into the distance in a world of her own.

The pain she had felt earlier had dissipated into numbness. Haruka tossed the ball into the air at its perfected height, allowing two weeks’ worth of effort to fly with it. She wasn’t sure if it was intentional or an act of subconscious but as Haruka threw her body into the serve, the ball had sped straight past the net. It was heading for her opponent without the customary bounce in the service box at the speed of 88 miles per hour.

What had she done!

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