Disclaimer: If I owned anything of value, I'd tell you. And probably get overwhelmed by lawyers, but I'd tell you anyway. See? Honesty is a virtue (that can screw you for life).
Warnings: Shonen-ai (FujiRyo, OishiKiku, InuKai?), mild OOC-ness on Tomoka's part (so that she could fit the role I needed her to play), multi-parted, nameless multitude of fictional fangirls, and massive pov changes...:cringe:
Author's Note: So here's the first part of my overdue grand tribute to the FujiRyo fandom, a piece inspired and prompted by all that Jennifier D. has written for the TeniPuri community. This has been sitting on my hard drive for over a month, about averaging a scene/week... and I haven't even started on the next part yet. It's been a while since I've even attempted a multi-parter, so I'm aiming for it to be as relatively short (and painless) as possible.
I'm actually rather nervous if I could pull this off, considering I got the original idea from a ficlet Jennifier D. wrote awhile back. She gave me permission to try my hand at the idea, but I'm still unsure... :le sigh: The things I do for my favorite pairing. :D They deserve each other anyway. :gets pelted by stray tennis balls: Feedback is always much appreciated.
Edit: Went through this again and fixed some inconsistencies, bad writing, etc. But I regrettably noticed that after I reposted the edited copy, all the tildes, underscores, asterixes, and even double colons were stripped from the document. That affected the visual appeal of the "fangirling," something which was previously a source of much amusement. Thus, the seemingly rampant use of bad capitalization. In of any case, I might make another format for my Fic Journal, but only if I have time. So please bear with this semi-structurally correct, but less interesting, edit for the time being. :3
Intrigue Part 1 - Scheming
by kasugai gummie
Through junior high they had stalked his every move. During graduation, they'd worshipped the ground he walked on. In short, he was their their idol, their savior... their god.
However, upon entering high school, his forever-faithful followers sensed that something was amiss.
It was an issue that left all his fangirls in denial, thoroughly perplexed, and no less than half of them in worried tears...
Osakada Tomoka, founder, president, and Number One Fan of the Echizen Ryoma—Seishun Gakuen Senior High no Oujisama—Appreciation Fan Club (read: the Ryoma-sama Fan Club) stared irately at her little book of Ryoma related statistics. As the kaichou of the Ryoma-sama Fan Club, it was her duty to keep track of ALL that was Echizen Ryoma, and make sure that the appreciation was duly spread and upheld in the student population.
... or maybe not ALL that was Echizen. Taking into consideration the senior members who were stationed at the Echizen's household, it seemed that they could do better without the porn-reading Echizen senior.
Chewing absently on her pen (upon which dangled a miniature tennis ball), she scanned the statistics of love confessions for the month of April, all the while mumbling to herself.
"... doesn't make sense...?"
The detached preoccupation caused Ryuuzaki Sakuno to glance over worriedly at her best friend.
Ever since they'd entered Seigaku Senior High, Tomoka had most definitely changed... or was it matured? Perhaps it was the responsibilities of power that came with when she'd officially formed the Echizen Ryoma—Seishun Gakuen Senior High no Oujisama—Appreciation Fan Club.
Or maybe it was just her hormones trying to ration things out with whatever logic she possessed as a human being. But that couldn't be all. Maturity wasn't in fact the only thing to have come with their entrance into secondary school.
Sakuno tried to ignore the group of wandering second-years who paused to stare at them. She hated to admit to it, but Tomoka was getting scarier (albeit subtly) each day.
"... Tomo-chan, did you say something?"
Tomoka paused in her private ramblings to give the group of gawking girls the evil eye before flinging her hands into the air in a fit of frustration. The pen flew out of her grasp.
"I don't GET this! WHY AREN'T THE NUMBERS ADDING UP?"
Ducking hastily to avoid a violently ricocheting pen, Sakuno stared.
Ignoring the plaintive look, Tomoka pulled out another pen to chew on and continued to analyze the notes she'd scrawled done the day before yesterday. Compared to the past ratings, she decided while gnawing angrily at the much-abused utensil, there was something very wrong going on. But what exactly, she wasn't entirely sure. According to the first year Club Secretary's calculations, not only did the rejections quadruple in the past three years, but there had also been reports of increasing difficulty to track down boy wonder.
It was complicated in the most convoluted manner; even though the club membership had doubled in size during the first semester of its actual existence, their darling Ryoma-sama had also unobtrusively (but successful) distanced himself from his fan club. The only times they'd been able to so much catch a glimpse of the now elusive boy was—
Wait. Tomoka flipped through the notebook trying to pinpoint the nagging feeling that usually meant that she was missing something relatively important.
Mmn... She scrutinized her already written synopsis: Apparently, when it really came down to the basics, Ryoma-sama was technically only avoiding one half of the population; he certainly wasn't avoiding his senpai-tachi on the tennis team...
She froze as realization suddenly hit her.
"... impossible."
"Eh?"
Whipping out her cell phone (whose miniature Ryoma key chain decal never failed to make Sakuno blush), Tomoka proceeded to enter the Club Secretary's number.
"Number Three!" she barked into the mouthpiece. "Where are you right now!"
Sakuno shrank against the wall, trying to (unsuccessfully) huddle and avoid the barrage of stares directed their way.
"U-um... Tomo-chan... Maybe we shou—" The timid girl trailed off miserably when she noticed that her best friend was now in her element and, as a consequence, ignoring her.
"Never mind that! Get me the files of all the recorded Ryoma-sama sightings for the past six weeks! And on top of that, I want you to call up EVERYONE for an emergency meeting today... Yes, even those who called in sick... No, I guess not... But there's something that needs to be discussed! Fine, fine. Have runners posted for any member who's not here today!"
Sakuno watched her best friend bark commands into the hand device, positive that she could hear the hurried string of "Hai, Kaichou!"s following each snappy exclamation mark. She flushed, still wishing she were anywhere but stuck in a hallway full of staring people. This time her tearful whimper wasn't stifled.
"Ryoma-kun no bakaaa..."
"In the name of our one and only Ryoma-sama, I call this meeting to order!" Tomoka waited impatiently for the melee to quiet down.
Then the random cell phone rang.
"Kyaaaaa! Sorry, Kaichou!"
Tomoka waved off the panicky girl's stricken anxiety with a sigh. "Make it quick."
"Hai Kaichou! Moshi moshi?"
Tomoka looked up, attention piqued, when Number Two Hundred and Twenty-Four suddenly gasped shock.
"K-kaichou! Number Four Hundred and Ninety-One said that she just saw..." Here the girl seemed to flounder. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Number Two Hundred and Twenty-Four managed to force the words out of her mouth. "...that she just saw Ryoma-sama kissing some person on the balcony!"
A moment shocked of silence, followed by a ripple of disbelieving shrieks made its way through the clubroom. The room was almost immediately thrown into chaos.
"Really! Quick, Number Two Hundred and Twenty-Four, give me your phone! Number Four Hundred and Ninety-One! Is this true!" The words were already out of her mouth before she even raised the mouthpiece to her face.
All around her, the fan club began to chatter excitedly.
"Ryoma-samaaaa! I'll bet he's a really good kisser!"
"Hey, did she say whom he was kissing?"
"Wait, isn't that a violation of the club's code of ethics? What if she's not even a club member!"
"Uwaaaah, I'm so jealous!"
"Yeah, yeah, but Ryoma-sama KISSING. Can you imagine what it's LIKE? Aaah, that girl is so lucky..."
Collective sighs.
Meanwhile, Number Three stood poised over her Kaichou's shoulder, pen scribbling furiously.
"Yes, uh huh. Right, I see... wait. I'm not sure I heard you correctly...What? WHAT? What do you mean 'clearly NOT a GIRL'!"
Number Three's pen clattered to the floor abruptly.
Another moment of shocked silence followed the impact as all struggled to process the unexpected bit of information.
All... except Ryoma-sama's Number One Fan.
While one might've thought that Osakada Tomoka would've been in the ultimate denial, to have faithfully followed Seishun's boy wonder for such a long time, it could also be say that she had a certain edge when facing whatever new surprise thrown at her by her beloved prince.
Not to mention, the fact that this one major detail in her Ryoma-sama's life had managed to escape her meticulous grasp was unallowable...
Thus in the depths of her flexible and calculating mind, was one (triumphant) thought.
'Bingo.'
"... uniform? Wearing a... boy's uni... form..." Here she took a steadying breath. "Fine. Either way, keep us informed, Number Four Hundred and Ninety-One."
The conglomeration waited breathlessly as their president handed the standard Ryoma paraphernalia decorated cell phone back to its owner. Tomoka bit her lip as she thought furiously at how she should proceed with the given situation.
Finally, "Number Five?"
The addressed first year snapped into attention. "Hai, Kaichou?"
"Let's see... if my theory is correct, then we should start by contacting the presidents of the Tezuka-senpai, Fuji-senpai, Kikumaru-senpai, Oishi-senpai, Momochan-senpai, and Kaidoh-senpai fan clubs. That's your job, by the way Number Five, and—"
Number Five blinked. Why did their Kaichou suddenly seem... giddy?
"But Kaichou..."
"Isn't Tezuka-senpai studying abroad, Kaichou?"
"Right! And hasn't Momoshirou-senpai already declare that he was interested in Fudomine High's Tachibana Ann?"
Tomoka resisted the urge to rub her hands together in glee. "That's right, isn't it? Good call Number Two, Number Eight, I completely forgot! This makes things kind of easier though. Just contact as many heads of the ex-Junior High Tennis Club Regulars' fanclubs possible, ne?"
"Kaichou..."
"What Number Five?" Tomoka drew herself up and over her podium to loom over her subordinate. "This is of the utmost importance to the well being of our Ryoma-sama! Remember, loving him is not enough! We must also protect him from all harm! The situation demands this unprecedented action! You will GO out there, and CONTACT the other presidents for the sake of our prince!"
"RYOMA-SAMAAAAA," came the answering cry as hearts literally erupted throughout the clubroom.
Number Five looked startled, but saluted sharply. "H-hai Kaichou!"
Fuji watched with open eyes as the babbling fangirl dashed away, making sure that there were no more curious by-standers before turning back to bestow a decidedly amused smirk at his boyfriend.
Ryoma twitched inwardly at the possessive glint in the tensai's sharp blue eyes and glanced off to the side, sullen frown fixed in place.
Fuji was annoying, he decided once again, for the... well, some number of times ever since they started dating. But it made no difference really. He'd come to accept the fact that Fuji was simply very, very annoying, quite a while ago.
However... ever since he'd graduated into Seigaku Senior High, Ryoma discovered that there was also a sudden increase of things that somehow annoy him (Horio being a given, of course.)
Take for example, his height. Needless to say, he was none too happy when one day he got out of bed and suddenly noticed that he was still shorter than Fuji (by what Inui measured to be a meticulous 2.7 centimeters.)
Regardless of whatever growth spurt the milk-diet and the Regulars training from hell had coaxed out of him, he was still unsatisfactorily short... even more so than his already vertically challenged boyfriend. Upon retrospect, that day had been privy to one very much-amused Fuji and a genuinely upset tennis-genius who'd continuously cursed Inui and his "failure to calculate in the percentage chance of a dominative Japanese height gene." It was also probably the one time when the data player's miscalculations failed to wash smug glee over boy wonder.
Unfortunately, the frustration Ryoma had in regards to his height had nothing on the annoyance that was the mutation of his once manageable fan club. During junior high it was of a moderate size, headed by its self-proclaimed president... Osakada was it? He grimaced. Back then he couldn't quite understand the girl's habit of drawing gaudy hearts around any published article featuring his picture. But in retrospect, he would be forced to admit that the attention was harmless. Back then his persistent but limited followers were all confusing in their fanaticism, but still a generally ignorable bunch.
Only until recently (specifically after graduation) did the tennis club's oblivious baby boy find out just what exactly hormones did to people.
When he started dating his senpai after the summer of his second year at Seigaku Junior High (after much subtle manipulation courtesy of said senpai), the head count of zealous followers Inui oh-so-helpfully gave him was nowhere close to what was recorded for Tezuka's or Fuji's worshippers. Now, according to more helpful updates from his data-obsessed senpai, his fan club membership could rival that of his boyfriend's.
That wasn't what was important though; the main point was that they were SCARY... maybe even more so than Fuji, although that was a highly debatable issue itself. Not only did the stalkage begin in earnest, he also began to see an increase in older women and also another noticeable increase of stuttering love confessions, love letters in his shoebox, gift-wrapped bento boxes, crazy nameless people tracking him down into isolated library corners... the list went on.
Ryoma's frown turned decidedly petulant.
And people had the nerve to wonder why he looked so dismal in the mornings.
Of course the annoyances didn't stop there, although he was ready to admit that perhaps he was just in a stage where crossing the street annoyed him (as opposed to the what crossing the street did to Momo-senpai...) Ultimately though, he decided that it was probably Fuji's fault for being so damn conniving. It didn't take a genius to notice that Fuji was more annoying and harder to understand than most...
"Hm..."
"Something wrong?"
"I was just wondering—have you been talking to Inui-senpai again?"
Smile. "Nn. Are you referring to what just occurred a few minutes ago?"
"Aa."
"Then I'm guilty as charged." Fuji's expression melted into one of innocence. "Though Inui was the one who suggested this. I believe he overheard your complaints about the four consecutive ambushes at practice last week?"
Ryoma leveled a calculating stare at the tensai. "Did he now?"
The smile remained unwavering as Fuji continued on airily. "They're bound to find out sooner or later you know. I personally think sooner is better and was hoping that you felt the same. Unless of course, you LIKE being accosted in public places by random strangers."
"... you already do that."
"Yes, but I'm not a random stranger."
"..."
"You have to admit that this was an effective hint." Fuji paused, smile turning thoughtful. "Think they can figure it out?"
Rolling his eyes towards the sky, Ryoma huffed and merely muttered, "... Mada mada dane," before shrugging. Needless to say, he was still more than a little bit miffed at Fuji, of course, but also because Fuji had decided to give a free show to the not-so-unobtrusively spying fangirl in particular (or maybe because practice had just been canceled).
He knew from personal experiences that Fuji Syuusuke was not one to pass up an offer of free entertainment; nor in the process was the tensai one to let go of that source of amusement. Instead, and again from personal experiences, boy wonder was fully aware that Fuji preferred to see and exploit whatever held his attention to the very end (his height for example: it made Fuji very happy because cornering Ryoma was just so much easier as a result). Had the smiling tensai ran for class president, the American saying, "Milk it for all it's worth," would probably have seemed most appealing as his campaign slogan.
The younger boy blew away a strand of errant hair in exasperation, making his displeasure known.
Fuji, on the other hand, was not at all dismayed. He brushed a light kiss against the sulking boy's cheek in apology; He didn't mind a slightly peeved Ryoma. Not at all. Rather, the tensai admitted that it was amusing to see how far he could actually prod the younger boy before his startling control over his ire snapped.
Everything Fuji did had its reasons, and his previous actions where of no exception; what was to be left unsaid was that Fuji Syuusuke greatly disliked sharing, and unless anybody challenged his claim on what was strictly his, he'd maintain his peace.
Too bad his claim had been challenged... had been challenged, in fact, ever since his boyfriend had entered their lives. He knew he was a very possessive person, and the student population was just about to find out how vindictive Fuji could really be.
Besides, things were getting a bit complacent lately and he could use some fun.
"Saa."
Sharp blue flashed briefly before he closed them with a sweet, satisfied little smile and bestowed another lingering kiss onto the parting lips.
'Go wild, Inui.'
Snobby. Conceited. Selfish.
Tomoka was doing her best not to jump and tackle attack the head of the Fuji Syuusuke Triple AAA (Admiration, Appreciation, and Adoration) Fan Club to the ground.
It was hard.
Not only was the girl a shameless bitch, Tomoka was positive that their club name was ripped off of some cheap fifty-yen battery product; something that Fuji-senpai didn't very well deserve, regardless of Club rivalries.
"I really don't think repeating this will explain the concept any further, but obviously you don't understand what's going on here."
"Actually, I understand perfectly."
"Why don't I believe you?"
"That's up to you. But trust me when I say that it's you who doesn't understand the situation."
"Really?" Tomoka scoffed. "Enlighten me."
"No."
Sakuno cringed again as icy silence settled like a suffocating blanket around the arguing girls.
"No?" Tomoka stared incredulously at the blonde (dyed) third year student.
The president of the Fuji Syuusuke Triple AAA (Admiration, Appreciation, and Adoration) Fan Club smirked, tossing her head as if to say, "Look, I know more than you. So, suck it up stupid." Flanked by her own fuku-kaichou and elite members, the prissy looking girl sighed exasperatedly. "There's no way that we," she gestured to her followers, "the fans of this school's one TRUE oujisama would collaborate with any heretics and blasphemers."
Tomoka's returning stare spoke volumes that could've been verbalized as, "Woman. What are you smoking?"
"Mou, let's leave Tomo-chan..." Sakuno tugged hurriedly on Tomoka's sleeve.
Sakuno wanted to cry. Since none of Tomoka's club members were available for this inter-club meeting, she'd once again dragged Sakuno along for moral support. Moral support she was, incidentally, failing to produce.
"Your precious 'Ryoma-sama' isn't worth half the talent of the TRUE ouji-sama. Syuusuke-sama is soooo much better than him at tennis anyway."
Collective nods from the other fangirls.
The little vein above Tomoka's right eye looked as if it were ready to burst.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" She exploded, pointed a trembling accusatory finger at the smirking (but now puzzled) Fuji Fan Club Kaichou. "How DARE you call Ryoma-sama 'Ryoma-sama'! Only club members have express permission to call him that!"
Smirks reluctantly gave way to confusion. The Fuji Triple AAA Fangirls stared at the condemning finger.
"TAKE IT BACK RIGHT NOW!"
Sakuno cowered. The situation was going from bad to worse and considering her streak of luck in all public situations, she was certain that she was going to walk away with one less notch in her sanity. However, before any slaps were exchanged and further bouts of hissy fits could be thrown, the saving grace came... in the form of a cell phone ring. Sniffing imperiously, the Fuji Triple AAA president leveled a distasteful glare at the fuming first-year and accepted the proffered device (upon which hung a standardized Fuji key chain decal) from one of the many other Fuji fangirls.
"Moshi moshi? Yes, this is the Kaichou of the Fuji Syuusuke Triple AAA Fan Club speaking. Yes, I'm busy; I'm in the middle of an battl—Hai. Ha—aaaaaaahh? WHAAAAAAAAT! ...What are you saying! Our prince has found a girlfriend? When did this HAPPEN! Eeh? What do you mean you're not sure!"
Tomoka blinked, then suddenly grinned, a rather scary calculating glint (which furthered Sakuno's worry) proceeding to enter her eyes.
... this sudden feeling of déjà vu could actually be exploited...
While a multitude of worried murmurs babbled around the older Club president, Tomoka moved slightly away and let her overzealous thoughts take over. This—occurrence, if you will—not only involved Ryoma-sama, but now apparently Fuji-senpai was also in an uncannily similar situation. There seemed to be a trend forming.
Interesting...
Suddenly all smiles, Tomoka grinned broadly and grabbed onto Sakuno, dragging her protesting friend back to the Ryoma fan club HQs in order to debrief her second, third and sixth on her revelations. Throwing one last smirk over her shoulder Tomoka giggled wickedly at the Fuji Club's misfortune being left behind.
"Number Six, you're late!"
"What's happening Kaichou?"
"Number Seventy-seven just disclosed some very disturbing information..."
Eiji glanced furtively at the enigmatic boy beside him, hardly paying attention to the random conversations around him. Even though practice had been called off a little while ago, he had still gravitated towards the relatively empty tennis courts, anxious and fidgeting. The redhead trained a suspicious stare on the unperturbed visage of his best friend who'd just arrived from who-knows-where and sporting a rather pleased grin on his lips.
Fuji, noticing the attention, tilted his head to one side. "Something wrong Eiji?"
"Hmmm..." Eiji looked decidedly embarrassed, but also managed to seem determined. "Unyaaa... Fuji..."
"Aa?"
"What did you do, nyaaa!"
Mock surprise. "Did I do something?" Fuji had a (seemingly) genuine look of innocence on his face.
Eiji scowled at the closed expression. "I knew it nya! Iyaaaaa, so you DID do something! Mou..."
Fuji still maintained a perplexed look. "Ne, Eiji. What are you talking about?"
The cat-like tennis player threw his hands up in the air, almost defacing an unlucky passerby in the process. He leveled an accusing finger at the smiling tensai as he prepared to deliver his ultimatum. "Girls nya! Oishi's fan club asking me if the rumors that I was dating Ochibi were true!" He pouted. "They threatened me! Saying that they'd chain me to Oishi's bed if I were to cheat on him nya! And then MORE fangirls showed up, claiming to be from my fan club. Hmph, I know Oishi's still really, really, REALLY shy, and is still uncomfortable with public displays of affection—"
Oh. Fuji smirked inwardly. So his little ploy did work. It was good to know that things were already running so smoothly.
"—but that doesn't mean that they have the right to automatically assume that it's ECHIZEN I'm after! And why CHAINS! I don't even like chains! Gyaaaaaah!"
The shorter boy laughed at his friend's dramatic antics. "Don't worry Eiji. I'm sure they wouldn't do that. Besides," he added thoughtfully, "weren't you complaining that you and Oishi never did much together anyway?"
Eiji flushed. "FUJI!"
Still chuckling at Eiji's complaints (and momentary discomfiture), Fuji turned inward to speculate. FINALLY, it was starting to get more interesting. Having most of the former Regular members' fan clubs cooperating and somehow communicate like this when they'd usually avoid each other as if each were an Ebola virus infested carcass... we-ell...
Already he'd witnessed a variety of high school girls sporting different badges and other assorted identifiers attempting to spy on him, Ryoma, Eiji and Oishi. He'd yet to check up on Kaidoh and Inui.
He glanced out his classroom window to the school grounds below. Belatedly, he wondered how exactly his other teammates were doing.
Fuji chuckled softly. Inui must be having a field day.
Off in an undisclosed location, left relatively alone in plain sight, a peculiar shimmer glinted in the afternoon sun.
"Ii data."
While Oishi might've been a little more reserved (read: horrified) when faced with the whole scheme, Inui, on the other hand, had no problems at all. Fuji's proposition had offered him something that was now surprisingly rare: an unprecedented chance to collect new and up-to-date data.
The spiky-haired third year scribbled some more notes as he watched a gaggle of girls rush past him. His gaze followed their path almost impassively.
Ah. So they found Kaidoh. Technically, or at least according to Fuji's original idea, their two other kouhais weren't even supposed to be included in the equation. However, when word got out that Echizen's fan club had also contacted Kaidoh's following, the much-amused tensai only smiled indulgently and said, "The more the merrier."
Inui watched with interested as a hissing Kaidoh suddenly ran past, face flushed bright red, from where he was semi-concealed.
Five tennis Regulars; five fan clubs; a hell of a lot of intrigue, possibilities of misunderstandings, and one particular scheming, possessive, sadistic prodigy...
Interesting. Without so much a blink, the tall boy started to walk after his fleeing underclassman and the persistent fangirls, jotting a quick calculation into his notebook.
"Probability of the tennis fan clubs having a collective apoplexy..."
A monotonous chuckle granted the data-specialist a wide berth as the pencil came to a scratching halt.
"One hundred percent."
End Part 1
Completed: 12/10/03
Revised: 04/03/05