Stamina
Dropping into the chair across from Fuji, she dropped all of the bags beneath the table. “My feet ache.” She whined childishly. “Saa, should I carry you back home then?” Fuji teased gently. Hariel blushed a very pretty pink at the mere idea of being that close to him again. She hadn’t been as self-conscious of personal space and her body before, but she wasn’t as naïve as she sometimes appeared. Dense maybe, but now that he had kissed her so fiercely, she was well aware that she was very much attracted to him.
“What may I get you two, ladies?” A young man who probably thought he was being smooth asked them, he was clearly a waiter. Fuji’s sharp blue eyes pinned him in place as he answered with an icy polite voice. “I’ll have the chocolate and lime cake, and ice-water.” He could probably stand to cool down, this boy was annoying.
Hariel frowned, claiming Fuji’s hand as if reassuring him that she was there for him without even understanding why. “Strawberry cake, and water as well please.” She added, polite but distant. Seeing the waiter unapologetically checking out Fuji, made her frown. “That’s all.” She dismissed him seemingly polite, the Brit in her, but firmly.
“Ne, senpai, do you like dressing in girl’s clothes?” Hariel asked curiously. Fuji smiled at Hariel, she was very kind. He could see that she honestly had nothing against his current attire. “It doesn’t matter. Clothes are clothes, and I’m male whatever I wear. I don’t care what others perceive me as. Today for example, the misjudgement was for our own benefit.” He answered whimsically.
Hariel hummed in understanding, she didn’t particularly care either. “Hm, I don’t think I would mind if people thought I was a boy. I know I’m a girl, and so do you... and my family and friends. Which is all that matters.” Fuji nodded, gentle smile more real today, eyes closing in soft curves.
“Wise.” He commented. “Are there other things you want to do that would be easier if we both appear to be female?” He asked curiously. Hariel hummed, she was still holding his hand, and Fuji’s slender hand was deceptively strong. “I don’t know, why?” She turned the question back on him.
The pale boy idly and unhurried lifted her hand to press his lips to her wrist. For others it looked like a sweet gesture, almost sisterly affection. For Hariel, who felt the flicker of a hot tongue over her veins it was quite different. She tried not to turn bright red, again, but it was a complete lost cause when she felt him capture her calf between his own legs.
“I might invest in some female clothes, or androgynous. The dress is Yumiko-neesan's. As is the legging. The rest is just mine though. If I am going out with you again dressed as a girl, I should probably buy some clothes which I chose myself.” He told her gently, a kind smile lingering on his face.
Hariel frowned lightly. “You don’t have to, I don’t mind going anywhere with you when you dress as a boy either. You don’t have to become a cross-dresser just to make me more comfortable.” It was well known that Hariel hated attention of almost every kind. Fuji stood up, plucked her smaller frame from her chair and promptly sat down again with her in his lap. Slowly he spoke into her ear, these topics were probably not entirely appropriate in public.
“The idea occurred to me when you looked at the girls we saw together with longing, but Hariel.” Slender fingers wound through her wavy hair, pulling hard enough to force her to look him in the eyes. Stormy ocean blue capturing her gaze until they became her whole world.
“You never forced me into anything. You never would. You probably never even considered the idea. I did this because I wanted to give you an experience you seemed to long for. I didn’t change anything about myself. Maybe others might not see it that way, but for me this is just as comfortable as my usual clothing.”
“I’m not so frail and self-conscious in my masculinity that I care about the clothes I wear. I’ve never cared for the opinion of others either. You know that. You were just the catalyst that reminded me that there are clothes meant for women that I might enjoy as well, so why shouldn’t I wear those?”
He gave her a sweet eskimo kiss. “Never let anyone change you, or limit you.” Hariel nodded. “I want to go to the boy’s section with you at some point then." She told him, voice steadily becoming more confident as she accepted his words as true. “Maybe they have clothes I like." He nodded. “If we pin up your hair, and you wear your school uniform we can do that without any trouble.”
“Here are your orders.” The same waiter appeared with their cake and water. He looked between them, looking them over very obviously. “Can I have your number, miss?” He asked Fuji ‘suavely’. “No.” He didn’t even turn to look at the idiot. “You bitch, parading around in your short dress and then being so cold, admit it you just want attention from the guys.”
Hariel hopped up from Fuji’s lap, who leaned back, more than content to let her deal with this. It was attractive to see her emerald eyes flashing with temper.
“Woman aren’t there for you. She could be naked and uninterested in you and you’d still be a pathetic loser who needs to back off. Leave.” Apparently the manager had been attracted by the altercation, and the waiter was quickly removed from their vicinity. Hariel made to walk back to her own seat, but Fuji, quick as a snake tugged her back into his lap with a languid move that hid the strength behind the movement.
“Saa, where do you think you are going angel.” Attempting to be stoic, she merely looked away. “Nowhere.” It was hard to try and keep her composure with him curled around her. She was hyper aware of the strong arms caging her in, the toned powerful body hiding her from the world.
He nipped her ear teasingly. That same grounding claiming hand was in her hair again, and feeling the tight grip he had on her hair, she relaxed against him, all the tension leaving her. Fuji felt Hariel’s tiny frame melt into him, all the worry seeming to drain away from her, leaving her a puddle in his lap. Almost sleepily she tucked her head against his neck.
He could feel her breath skating over his skin as her eyelashes fluttered over his neck. “Here.” She hummed, sipping the glass of cold water as she held it with both hands. Like this she seemed young.
“What do you want do now, Fujiko-chan?” The boy hummed, the sound rumbling pleasantly through her own body as well because she was leaning against his chest. “I’d like to buy another cactus.” He admitted eventually. Hariel’s eyes crinkled happily at the corners. “Okay.”
Soon enough, they gathered up Hariel’s new clothes again, several bags hanging of their arms as they left the tiny café. Fuji guided Hariel towards one of his favourite stores with a warm hand on the small of her back.
Hariel watched as Fuji slowly wandered past the small cacti section of the gardening store. She was content to wander after the older teenager. The way he was so clearly charmed by the small hardy plants was nice. He had picked up several species and looked at several pots before finally selecting a tiny deep green cactus to put into a small dark blue nearly black pot.
As subtly as she could, she picked up several small cacti and pots. She wanted to thank him for coming with her and being so patient with her waffling around over new clothes. She paid for them quickly while he looked around for a new plant mister.
They left the store around dinner time, and without even discussing it they set off towards the Echizen’s house.
Hariel had changed into some of her new clothes and together they looked like two incredibly beautiful teenage girls out together. Which was nearly correct anyway. Hariel’s style ended up being eclectic more than anything else. She borrowed from several styles and hated or loved clothes seemingly without reason. It was never an entire style, or a type of fabric, or even some prints.
She had picked out a black legging, short jeans and a simple long-sleeved black t-shirt with a print of stars. Fuji had pinned a black-silk fake flower into her hair. She appeared quirky but it suited her. Hariel was far from bland, and her clothes hadn’t been doing her justice at all.
Rinko smiled as she saw her daughter coming up the steps from the window. She blinked in confusion when she spotted the girl walking next to her and then she had a quiet laugh when she figured out that no, that wasn’t a girl at all, that was Hariel’s Fuji-kun. Those sly kids...
Hariel unlocked the door and gleefully let go of all of her bags. Fuji added the bags he had been carrying for her to the pile. Without a second thought, Hariel dragged the boy along to the kitchen. Absently she gave him a glass of cool water as she gulped down the water herself. Ryoma, who had been utterly trashed by Nanjirou walked in to get his own glass, and then froze.
Hariel had hopped onto the kitchen counter, while Fuji leaned against her. He had just set down his own empty glass. For Ryoma the vision was... surprising. Hariel was wearing clothes which actually fit, and so her curves were on display. He knew she was a girl but it had never really been highlighted. Then he saw the other girl, they looked... sweet together. Until he registered that the honey hair was familiar...
Wide golden eyes, and a gaping mouth prompted Hariel to snicker. She tried to muffle her laughter against Fuji’s shoulder, but it didn’t quite work. “Saa Echizen, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Fuji commented, teasing the boy for his shock. “Senpai... what the hell?!” It disturbed him somewhat that he found Fuji to be very cute. Mostly because he did not want to find the sadistic teen in any way attractive.
Hariel wound her arms around Fuji’s shoulders, at ease with him so close in a way she rarely was with people. She snickered and leaned her weight against him as the laughter bubbled up. Fuji tilted Hariel’s face to the side, pressing his cheek against hers he smiled sweetly. “Don’t you think we look cute together Echizen?” He asked, appearing faintly insulted.
As if that was the problem here, Ryoma thought somewhat hysterical. “Why are you dressed as a girl Fuji-senpai?” He asked bluntly. He already knew he’d never be able to weasel an answer out of the mysterious tensai, so blunt was the only chance he had.
“Saa I wonder...” Already utterly done with the way the two seemed determined to break his reality he walked out again.
Hariel was still snickering faintly against his neck. Fuji shivered at the feeling of her hot breath skating over the sensitive skin. Her body was pressed close to his. “Chibi-chan you... are... home...” Ryoga had stepped into the kitchen, and was now just as shocked as Ryoma had been minutes before. His baby sister was wrapped around some unknown girl. She was wearing fitting clothes and her giggle was bright and happy.
“Who’s she?” He asked curiously. Perhaps his baby sister had finally followed his advice and made a female friend? He was sorely disappointed when a familiar voice answered instead. “Ryoga-san... don’t you recognize me? I’m hurt.” He very clearly wasn’t.
“Fu...ji?” The currently female looking boy nodded. “Right... uhm. Why are you dressed like that?” Sharp blue eyes were hidden from view, gentle half-moons and a soft smile were gleaming up at him almost like a trap. “Saa... I wonder.”
More than familiar with the Fuji family’s sense of humour, which seemed to have skipped only Yuuta, Ryoga decided to retreat to preserve his sanity. He ruffled Hariel’s hair in the way out. “You look nice, chibi-chan.” He complimented her sincerely, and the smile he got in return was radiant.
Rinko breezed into the kitchen right after he left. “Fuji-kun, you look nice. I like your new look Hariel, it’s far more you then your old clothes." The boy smiled. “Thank you, Rinko-san.” Hariel smiled at her mom. “Thank you.” She was pleased, she felt like she had reclaimed something fierce, something uniquely herself.
Petunia had always tried to smother her into the background. To destroy her before she even had a chance to get started. Reclaiming herself from the harsh comments and psychological damage inflicted by the bitter woman was a work in progress, but she was proud to say that she was making progress.
“Shall I help you carry your clothes to your room?” The question was innocent, the twinkle in deep blue... not so much. Hariel nodded. In silence they gathered the bags, and ascended the staircase. Hariel hesitantly opened the door. In the months since the room had become her domain more and more of her personality was becoming visible in the décor, she wondered what he would read from her belongings.
Fuji glanced around in interest. Hariel’s room was painted soft blue and violet. Her bed was a metal frame, with a blanket on it that had starry night stars on it. The swirls of yellow-green-blue were soothing. With the hardwood flooring and the old trunk it made for a strange room. Caught between antique and new. It was charmingly off-beat like her.
He smiled when he spotted the picture he had given her. It was the only frame on her walls. In different frames, some wooden, some elaborate, some simple, some silver, some gold, were pictures. Scattered all over her room. Of her parents, both adopted and blood. Of Hermione, of Ryoma and Ryoga. A sketch of Hedwig was framed as well. There were even a few pictures of Yukimura.
Slowly he set down the bags. Fierce green eyes caught his cerulean blue as she very deliberately closed the door. He slowly walked towards her, eyes already tinting darker with desire. “You are playing with fire.”
Hariel stepped forward, it wasn’t in her nature to be passive, and she desperately wanted to be close to him. That she could see her own desire reflected in him spurred her on. She pulled him to the bed, and when he sank down onto the mattress, he pulled her along. She ended up sprawled all over his lean frame.
She giggled sweetly as the waterfall of blue-black waves shielded their faces from the world. The sound faded as his hand on her neck pulled her down into a sweet kiss. She sighed against the soft lips. “Syusuke-senpai...” He groaned at the sound of his name on her lips.
In a flash he was hovering over her instead. With one knee high between her thighs and his hands holding him up over her he leaned down to kiss her. Quickly the kiss deepened, becoming an emotionally charged soft, wet deep kiss.
Tiny hands gripped onto the fabric covering his slender back. Green eyes stared up at him, wide green eyes, solely focussed on him. He revelled in claiming her full attention. Unhurried, his tongue swept over her bottom lip. She opened her mouth for him, like a flower blooming for the sun.
Tongues twined together in a dance, his weight slowly settling over her tiny frame. Trustingly, easily she spread her legs wider to make room for him. He was careful not to lean to much of his weight on her, but she only seemed to relax the more she became trapped.
Curiously he stopped holding himself up, and Hariel... curled her arms around his waist. Soft lips pressed against his skin, just below his ear. Kitten licks were flickering over his skin as she contently curled her legs around his, feet pressing flat against his calves.
“You... like this." A tentative statement. Curious deep blue, satisfied to have her so completely relaxed beneath him. She nodded, kissing his mouth softly, a mere peck of the lips. “Safe.” She was completely covered by his taller frame, utterly pressed into the mattress beneath his weight, and it made her feel so safe and wanted...
The hum that vibrated through his chest echoed through her frame. “I could fall asleep like this.” Hariel mentioned idly. For all the passion between them, it was banked, and not even the slow simmer of heat which he always ignited in her could make her move. The utter safety, every last bit of tension unwinding from her normally too tense frame was so overwhelming that she merely floated along. Warm and so far away.
Hariel kissed over his warm skin, trailing a line of sweet tiny kisses from below his ear lower over his neck. Pulling aside the hoodie and part of the dress, she curiously licked a slow trail over the pretty stretch of pale skin she had just revealed.
Fuji took of the white fabric encasing his slender form. In response Hariel glided her fingers from his shoulder blades down over his arms to the tips of his fingers. He nearly shuddered beneath the soft questing fingers.
She could affect him so easily. Hariel was unlike anybody he had ever met. Open and honest, and reticent to a fault. Introverted but so giving to her friends. Sad and too old and yet so childishly, innocently pleased with the little things. A mind full of angles at odds with everything she should have been. He never could predict her.
Catching her tiny hand, with the elegant slender fingers, he curiously kissed her palm. Then he kissed her fingertips, before slowly winding his tongue over the small digits. Hariel sighed out in pleasure at the feeling of a hot tongue twining over her sensitive fingers.
When he shifted slightly to the side, leaving her still pinned under the majority of his weight she opened her eyes to stare up at him curiously. Blue, deep like the ocean, deep enough to drown in, met her emerald green. Slowly he pushed up her shirt to just under her breasts. He stroked the long stretch of pale skin revealed to his gaze.
A toned stomach, pants set low enough on her hips that her hipbones were bared to him as well. Waist small and wider hips, tentatively he stroked the bared skin. A warm strong hand gliding over her skin soothingly. Hariel pressed her face into his neck. Breathing softly against his warmth. Breath hitching slightly when he stroked her hipbone.
His hand was curled around the curve of her waist, slowly he started kissing a line from below her jaw... lower and lower. Until he could nip her collarbones. She could feel the heat in her stomach flaring to life. A slow coil of heat. Her magic was so densely woven around his frame she was almost surprised he didn’t see it. Thick coils of hot power were undulating over his body and it felt so good.
When he claimed her lips for another kiss, it wasn’t nearly as soft and slow anymore. He claimed her mouth fiercely, and bit her lip. It was a hot messy kiss. Desire and passion wrapped up in trust and fire. Tongues tangled together as his lips slanted over hers. Clever fingers brushed over the underside of her breast and she moaned, whining high in her throat.
Instinctively her legs curled around his waist tightly. She laced her fingers through his, as if holding his hand tightly enough could keep her grounded in the face of the overwhelming feelings he was creating in her.
Fuji groaned, her skin was so soft and warm. Her curves were pressed against his frame and her slender legs were curling around him tightly. He held the tiny hand slipping into his tightly. He sucked on her tongue, trailing teasing feather soft touches over the warm skin of the girl who had been his obsession for a long time now.
It was his turn to moan when she started trailing hot messy kisses down the side of his neck.
The spell was broken abruptly when Rinko called them for dinner. Fuji sighed against her neck, the hot wash of air sending a mild shiver through her frame. She tried to breath deeply and even, letting the hot flame simmer back into coals slowly. Eventually he smiled almost ruefully and carefully pulled her along as he slowly sat up.
Carefully he guided her from the room, warm hand like a brand on her back even through her clothes. Fuji belatedly remembered that his white hoodie was still on her bed, but decided to just ignore it. The idea of her wearing it was a tempting one. Something almost dark and possessive purred deep in his chest at the mere idea.
Most of the Echizen’s were staring at Hariel and Fuji. The sight they made was... a head trip and a half. Like two delicate beautiful girls. Slender bodies which hid a wealth of coiled up power and a lot of skill. Nanjirou idly felt sorry for the poor sod who thought these two to be weak little girls. Hariel was a spitfire on a good day and Fuji would likely fuck with them until they were psychologically scarred for life.
“Saa, Ryoga-san. Oneesan has been quite happy lately.” Ryoga froze, with his spoon halfway to his mouth. Hariel glanced between them, she had forgiven him for the deception but well...
The look on Fuji’s face was more whimsical and kind then angry, but Ryoga swallowed dryly when he caught a flash of sharp ice blue. “Oh, do you know Fuji’s sister Ryoga?” Rinko asked curiously. The Samurai wiggled his eyebrows. “Ooooh, are you dating Fuji’s sister. Does she look just like him?”
Ryoma wished he had his cap to hide behind, Fuji was too clever for this to be an accident. He wondered what Ryoga had done to piss off the sly teen.
“I didn’t know you were keeping it a secret, sorry sorry." Fuji declared ‘sincerely’. Ryoga nearly sighed, well played Fuji, well played. Message understood, don’t do anything stupid regarding Hariel. Truly, his sister had acquired a terrifying guardian angel... or rather, guardian demon.
“Yes, I am dating his older sister, she’s in several of my classes. Yumiko-chan and I... we’re a recent development." The oldest Echizen sibling admitted warily.
He was promptly thoroughly interrogated (Rinko) and teased ruthlessly (Nanjirou). “Niisan, does that mean that you find Fuji-senpai attractive right now?” Ryoma asked casually. Golden eyes widened in panic. That brat, there was no good way to answer. Yumiko and Fuji were very clearly related, and he did look a lot like his sister right now...
Hariel leaned against the scheming tensai. “Thanks." She whispered softly into his ear. She had caught the play he made and was somehow not even angry. It was nice that someone would stand up for her. Beneath the table, Fuji gently caught her hand, squeezing it softly. “Echizen can be unexpectedly devious.” He commented, amused.
Hariel snorted, green eyes glued to Ryoga who was stammering awkwardly beneath gleeful golden eyes which mirrored his. “Niichan can be very clever, when he can be bothered to take note of something not-tennis.” She mentioned in turn. Ryoma was incredibly smart, but he really only had a passion for tennis.
Silently Hariel watched the chaos Fuji had oh so casually unleashed. She was content, and his presence right beside her created a happy fluttering feeling inside her. Out of nowhere, she asked him. “Syusuke-senpai, will you play another match against me? I want to improve my tennis and different opponents are always interesting.” She grinned, something innocent and sweet in her expression, her sheer delight in tennis simmering through.
He nodded before he was even aware of it, anything for her. “I don’t have my racket. Tomorrow?” He asked almost regretfully. She nodded, sated with the promise. Ryoma frowned almost jealously, then he thought back to Hariel’s little comment the day before. That the tennis club might not be for her, and suddenly he didn’t feel jealous at all. He felt sad, because he had a team who challenged him and supported him and she... did not.
After dinner Rinko shoed the teenagers to the living room. “Guests don’t need to help, and Hari-dear you help often enough.” Fuji sat down right beside her, almost crowding her into a corner of the couch. Hariel merely twisted around, leaning her back against the arm rest. Fuji pulled her slender legs over his lap.
“When do you need to be home?” Hariel asked regretfully. She did not want him to go, did not want to see him leave.
“I have a couple of hours still." He answered softly, claiming one of her tiny powerful hands. She nearly crumpled further into the couch from sheer relief. “Say Fuji, are you a cross-dresser?” Ryoga asked, sitting down right beside the prodigy. The smaller tennis player didn’t feel intimidated in the slightest.
“No.” He answered truthfully. “I don’t particularly care about clothes, if switching to a dress works in my advantage why not?” He asked almost philosophically. “Don’t you feel strange dressed like that?” The college student asked, slightly weirded out. Hariel snorted, she still didn’t see the need for gender norms. To her it would have made more sense if clothes were just clothes and for everyone. Girl or boy, skirt or jeans, what did it matter.
“No. Why Ryoga-san, would wearing a dress make you feel emasculated? Don’t worry about me, I’m not as fragile as you are." The sadistic teenager smiled at him angelically. “So you really don’t feel embarrassed at all?” It was rare for a boy his age to be so overwhelmingly comfortable with himself.
A sharp grin curled around his pale pink lips. “Should I be?" Ryoma snorted from where he had been following the discussion. “Give it up niisan, Fuji-senpai is far too amused by the world to ever be threatened into following the rules.” “Saa Echizen, so true. You know me so well. You are such a sweet kouhai." The prodigy never could pass up an opportunity to needle to team’s baby. But like always, it was all in good fun.
Hariel fell asleep between one breath and the next. Lulled into soft warm dreams by trusted voices and strong hands caressing her legs.
Fuji had felt her fell asleep, but he didn’t stop his discussion with her brothers. It was funny to tease them and they were always so delightfully bratty and blunt. Almost as good as teasing Yuuta...
“Oh did bishoujo fall asleep?" Nanjirou had stuck his head around the corner to check in on the kids. Unexpectedly coming across a cute scene. Hariel was curled into a corner of the couch, legs askew over Fuji while the prodigy talked with Ryoga who was sitting right next to him. Ryoma speaking up from time to time from where he was curled up like a cat in the armchair.
“Yes." Fuji answered softly, a tender look on his face. He shifted slightly and then he stood up. Hariel was cradled against him, an arm around her back and under her knees holding her up easily. Her head leaning against his shoulder with her eyes closed and her face peaceful. Her hair a long dark river, trailing over his arm.
He carried her to her room, rather than risk her waking up, he simply covered her with his own hoodie and then after he softly kissed her forehead he left.
She spent over an hour sketching. It was hard to do Fuji justice. He just... looked really good in that dress. She carefully outlines the draping of the fabric. The way the lose material created the illusion of a smaller waist and wider hips. The way the long fluffy white hoodie made him look cute and delicate.
‘He really is a very pretty girl.’ Luna’s looping letters appeared beneath the drawing. ‘I think Fuji-san is very brave, for not following any type of unwritten social rule.’ Was Hermione’s comment.
Hariel grinned, it was great that her friends weren’t prejudiced. She personally couldn’t imagine hating someone for their skin, sexuality or clothing choices, but then most reasons for hate didn’t make any sense to her.
Hariel met up with Kaidoh later that morning, just like always. She felt a small spark of happiness when she put on her new clothes. It was nice to see the effects of her own choices instead of cast-offs or Petunia’s hand in the as bland as possible awkwardly fitting clothes.
Simple black shorts, with a tiny line of white diamonds running up the side, followed by a tank-top that had a print of artsy cacti with the words ‘can’t touch this' scrawled beneath them. The plants had reminded her instantly of Fuji, and the English phrase had tickled her fancy. It reminded her of Ryoma when he was provoking people again. He could indeed be as prickly as a cactus.
She had grabbed it as an afterthought, the associations made her happy. One of the old t-shirts she bleached with a spell, and then she had scrawled a messy set of runes over it. It was like a white bandage strip now, she tied it just above her cast. The notice-me-knot, focused on her distinctive scars was enhanced by the runes. Pulling one strand with her teeth, she tightened the white fabric easily into place. People who knew could see the pale white lines, long since healed now. Nobody else would spot them though.
She grabbed her keys and her phone, and then she smiled, rubbing her cheek over the fluffy white fabric of the hoodie which had been covering her when she woke up. Spice and rain...
Leaving the clothing article, she gathered her tennis bag and ran out of the house. It was a spontaneous thing, but she was curious and Kaidoh might not mind...
Seeing her classmate already standing in the river, swinging a wet towel around off all thing... She ran towards the river bank and in a controlled slide came over to meet him. “Kaoru-kun. Do you want to play a match today?" She asked, eyes gleaming at the thought. “Okay." Fierce dark green met their lighter green mirror in an almost visible clash of wills. The energy between them never turned darker though, both just excited for the game and loving the thrill. She dropped her bag and took of her shoes, wading into the river to reach him.
She hugged him tightly around the shoulders. “Thank you." Kaidoh hissed and slowly, long tanned arms came up to rest around her waist. “Street court?" He grumbled the question at her, tightening his grip on her. Cocking her head to the side she consulted her mental map for a moment. Thinking about the court she usually met Yuuta on, she considered it. If they took a break after to recover, the run could serve as stamina training, and a warm up as well.
“Do you know the one in block 105?" He nodded. Easily carrying her along as he walked out of the river. Hariel pouted, she was just too short, and as a speed-based tennis player building strength just wasn’t her goal. Still, did he have to emphasize her small size.
Plopping her down on the shore he gathered the few things he had taken along, efficiently packing his bag. She dried her feet and put her trainers back on quickly. He inclined his head and she set off at a steady pace.
The two teenagers ran side by side, en easy pace that they kept to without needing to discuss it. Hariel didn’t have Kaidoh’s strength, but her endurance was closer to his then most people would guess. She trained a lot and as a female she was far more fatigue resistant. So she trained more often, since she recovered before her male opponents.
Yuuta had grumbled at her often enough, at the end of a match they were both panting, but she regained her breath and energy before him every single time. Even if he did outstrip her in strength.
As her phone rang, she blinked for a second. She wasn’t used to being called. Kaidoh came to a stop beside her as she starting rooting around in her bag. “Moshi moshi?" Not many people had her number, so this made her pretty curious.
“Hello Hariel-chan. Did you sleep well?" Fuji’s singsong voice greeted her and her face turned bright red as she realised that it very well might have been Fuji who carried her to bed.
“Y-Yes, sorry for falling asleep on you Syusuke-senpai." She answered quickly. She didn’t think he’d mind but she didn’t want to presume. “You were very cute, don’t worry about it. I’m sure that if I fall asleep somewhere you will make sure I won’t get cold. I trust you." The amused insinuation that sleeping together would be in their future made her flush.
“S-Senpai..." What was there to say, she couldn’t deny that she probably would guard him if he ever did fall asleep around her but telling him that was... Her cheeks seemed to be burning red permanently whenever Fuji was in the mood to tease her. She didn’t truly mind...
“Saa, that wasn’t actually why I called. I wondered when you wanted to have a match. You suggested one for today..." Hariel blinked, it was very early in the morning, but having two matches, one right after the other would build her stamina.
“Uhm, Kaoru-kun and I are going to the street court where I usually practice with Yuuta-kun. The one near your house. You could meet us there and then we can play a match after my match with Kaoru-kun?" She asked tentatively.
“Practicing your stamina? Sly speed demon-chan. This will be interesting." Hariel glanced at the older second-year, she jogged towards him to ask him if he would mind. He’d been politely waiting for her from a distance. “Do you mind if Syusuke-senpai comes to watch? I asked him for a match yesterday, he lives near the court." He merely inclined his head slightly. “Fsshhh, fine."
Cheerfully she ended the phone call after telling the senior when they would be there.
Kaidoh curiously glanced at the girl running beside him. She was fast becoming one of his closest friends. They didn’t talk that much, but the most important things were quietly told and kept between them on their many runs.
The silent ease between them and the many kilometres conquered together had created a strong bond between them.
“Ohayo, Hariel-chan, Kaidoh." A silvery voice greeted them the moment they stepped onto the court. Fuji was dressed in white shorts and an emerald green t-shirt. Hariel smiled at him, jogging up to meet him with Kaidoh following along in her wake. Absently the introverted boy hoped that this wouldn’t end up with him feeling like a third wheel.
“Senpai." He greeted gruffly. Fuji’s gentle trade-mark smile was beaming in their direction and Kaidoh noted that it was more real in Hariel’s presence.
Hariel tried to keep her ogling discreet, but Fuji had obviously jogged over to the court to meet them, and the rivulets of sweat running down his deceptively slender frame were distracting. She wanted to lick his warm sweat coated skin...
“I can referee for you." The third year offered kindly. Impatiently Hariel shoved her hair behind her ear again. It kept fluttering over her face in distracting feathery brushes.
“Kaidoh, have you ever played against Hariel-chan?" Fuji asked softly. He pushed Hariel into sitting down on the low wall surrounding the court. Plucking the scrunchy from her wrist, slender clever fingers gathered her hair into sections and braided the long wavy blue strands into a crown around her head. Fuji hummed to himself, idly making a mental note to take along some bobby pins for her next time. “Thanks." Emerald green met fierce blue gratefully.
Fuji swallowed, mouth suddenly dry as he watched a small drop of sweat disappear under her shirt. With the braided crown, the back of her neck was uncovered. And he wanted to bite that pale skin...
“No. We run together. It was a coincidence that she asked me for a match while I had my racket with me." “Saa, interesting." Hariel lifted her racket from her bag, taking her place across the net from her friend. “Which?" “Smooth." The clatter of a racket. “Kaidoh to serve." Fuji stated from his spot on the wall.
The snake-specialist started with a fast, powerful serve, but Hariel was already there to return the ball. With pinpoint precision she sent the ball behind him, mere millimetres from being out. “Fifteen-love." The call came.
“Fsshhhh." The bandana wearing middle school student once more hit the ball, it was returned easily but he was ready for that. Striking out swiftly, he used the snake-technique for which he was so famous in Seigaku. The ball curved around Hariel, but since she had long since observed his moves during his match with Ryoma she merely vanished with the split step, catching up with the ball to send it spinning back.
“Thirty-love." Fuji was watching the match with interest. They were still feeling each other out, but Hariel’s style was a lot like Echizen’s with the added danger of a much higher amount of stamina. This might not end well for Kaidoh if the second year couldn’t break her pace.
Kaidoh had a much longer reach though, which he used fully to his advantage. The second year was also stubborn, too stubborn almost. The sheer pig-headedness to chase after balls served him well. Allowing him to return balls others would have given up as impossible.
The game progressed evenly, points fought over with long exhausting rallies and cleverly angled shots. Fuji’s eyes were wide-open, taking in the match seriously. The two were well-matched and both of them could keep going for longer than most. Kaidoh’s snake against Hariel’s clever angles and spins created an almost even match.
The score was 5 games all, when Hariel used TsubameGaeshi for the first time and only time. Kaidoh’s eyes widened in shock when the ball crawled along the ground out of his reach. Fuji’s eyes widened minutely. She had seen TsubameGaeshi only a few times, but she had been the first to break it. To see that she had actually learned the incredibly advanced skill was... deliciously shocking.
“Saa, never a dull moment with you around. Impressive Hariel-chan." The girl in question turned her racket, pulling at the strings for a moment. Had it been anyone else Fuji might have felt jealous to see someone else using the technique he was known for. With her though... he felt a possessive sense of satisfaction.
“It is a really hard technique. How do you use it so well when you need to calculate the angles so precisely for this effect? The spatial awareness alone..." Fuji smirked, she had just demonstrated that she understood the technique, but also that it didn’t mesh well with her style. Still, just using it once would be enough to shock her opponents, mentally backing them into a corner.
The match was won by Hariel, 7 games to 5. If not for the shock of TsubameGaeshi, the result would likely have been different, but the sheer psychological attack value of Fuji’s Triple Counters worked well in her favour even against his own teammate.
“Fsshhh, good game." Kaidoh grunted in frustration. He was tempted to hit his knees with his racket in punishment, but this wasn’t actually humiliating. Seeing Hariel glowing with pleasure across the net was rewarding, because she didn’t look down on him at all. Instead her pride was also for him, for an immensely satisfying game.
“You were amazing Kaoru-kun. Next time you will probably win." She glanced slyly at Fuji. “Unless I borrow another one of your triple counters. The sheer shock is well worth the mental exhaustion." She commented cheekily. “Saa.... minx." The third year commented mildly.
“Kaidoh, you did well." Fuji told him kindly. Fuji teased a lot of people, but his praise was actually sort of rare and always sincere. The junior regular blushed with pride, happiness glowing in his chest. “Thanks." He grunted, walking away to cool down and drink some water.
After a short break, Kaidoh hopped onto the wall, silently telling them that he didn’t mind playing referee for them. “Which?" Hariel was tired, but not tired enough that the sheer excitement of playing against Fuji again wasn’t enough to keep her going. She was ready.
Amused blue met her intense eyes, the older teenager was pleased to have her full attention. “Smooth." He answered swiftly. She spun her racket, not even glancing at it yet. When it clattered to the ground, two laser-focussed sets of eyes followed it.
“Fuji to serve." Came the low voice of the snake-specialist. He was glad that he got to see this. Seeing Fuji play seriously was beyond rare. He trashed his opponents without ever revealing his own play-style normally. Hariel might just be good enough to draw him out further though... Already his eyes were visibly opened.
With a delicate twist of his hand, Fuji spun the ball while he dropped it only to hit the ball with an underhand serve. Poison green tracked the ball, she missed when it suddenly disappeared to the side. Her motion-vision was enough for her to catch how it worked, but how to counter... “F-Fifteen love."
In an almost disturbing mirror of her older brother, one hand played with the strings of her racket as fiery wilful eyes met his, as if accepting the challenge. “Interesting. I will break your Disappearing serve."
Sharp blue eyes blazed at her with amusement, tacitly agreeing to meet her challenge. With another delicate twist the ball soared. Rapidly approaching the net, she used Yuuta’s Super Rising to bounce the ball back. It went out, but still, to understand how the technique worked... Fuji’s eyes narrowed, no... not understand, she could see how it worked. Motion-vision...
The two teenagers rallied. Pinpoint precision, Hariel’s split step, Fuji’s speed... Kaidoh watched wide-eyed. The level of the match was incredible. Seeing Fuji’s conditioning in action was awe-inspiring. The prodigy almost glided over the court, he was stronger than his slender arms would suggest and incredibly swift.
His control over the ball was high enough to force Hariel to remain at the baseline. Keeping her there kept her from using most of her tricky spins and controlled the pace of the match well. Fuji’s greatest strength was his sheer skill.
Hariel was determined though, a will so fierce and bright, not even to win but to prove that she was worthy. To have an interesting match. Sheer joy for tennis, and she cared for her opponent. Fuji smiled, she was slowly figuring out how to counter the spin he used to keep her pinned.
“Three games to love." Kaidoh announced, still watching with wide eyes. Hariel was by no means weak, but Fuji was overwhelmingly skilled and for once he was showing off more of his own skills instead of playing almost frustratingly mirror-like. Hariel reached deeper, eyes sharpening almost impossibly further. With a delicate flick of her wrist, she counter-spun the ball, it bounced up at a strange angle and Fuji watched wide-eyed as his racket missed the ball.
He hummed, smiling slyly at her. “Interesting." Glowing green eyes met his. Her reaction times seemed to speed up and Fuji’s eyes widened. Somehow Hariel was growing stronger. She was... figuring things out, analysing his style and adjusting to him while they played.
His smile softened, this was what tennis was all about. Hariel had everything he was missing. She was so incredibly passionate. Winning or losing, she might have a competitive streak but what shone through in her tennis above all else was a fierce love for the game. The courts were almost sacred to her.
Fuji knew himself well enough to admit that very often something was missing for him. It was hard to be fully into something when you weren’t challenged. That Hariel seemed to be growing stronger to reach him... All that passion and fire used to fuel a drive to be better.
It inspired him, and abruptly he realised he was enjoying himself. There was a certain thrill involved in playing against an evolving opponent. If he didn’t try his best, he was eventually going to lose to her. She would keep fighting to catch up...
He did love tennis, but this was more than merely liking the sport. This match was an exchange of hearts almost. Exhilarating. Playing against Nanjirou had already reawakened his drive to improve, but seeing Hariel and her love for tennis, the freedom and peace and the energy she put into it reminded him of his own love for tennis.
Two games later, Hariel returned his disappearing serve. Fuji watched wide-eyed. Fluke? He spun the ball, sending it flying again as he sliced the ball. Hariel spun, catching the ball delicately on her racket, moving at the exact angle needed to reduce the spine enough to make it returnable.
She was smirking at him, infuriatingly like Echizen in that moment. He smiled, she didn’t even mind when he quickly crushed any resistance she put up after her. With Fuji, getting him to take you seriously was more than half the battle. That he had resorted to playing at a higher level than their last match was enough for her.
“Six games to one.” Kaidoh called the match. Hariel wasn’t even upset, she bounced towards him and without even thinking about it she threw her arms around his waist. “That disappearing serve was amazing, you were amazing. I want to see more of how you control the ball. How do you practice that?” Fuji merely smiled down at her, arms coming up to hug her around the shoulders pulling her against him infinitely tighter.
He breathed out, Hariel might not have won, but she had pushed him more than most people ever managed. Feeling her heaving chest pressed tightly against him with her every exhale was nice... Her hot slick skin sliding against his own was distracting though...
Hariel babbled at him and Kaidoh, and both of the older boys could only smile back... Her love for tennis was sweet. It was always beautiful to see someone with dedication this strong.
“Saa, shall I treat you two to ice-cream?" Fuji suggested eventually. “Fsshhh.” A shy smile was curling around the green-eyed boys' lips even as he faintly nodded. Hariel cocked her head to the side in a question as she tightened her grip on Fuji’s shoulders. When challenging blue eyes glanced back at her she narrowed her eyes and jumped.
Fuji caught her as she jumped onto his back without even pausing in his stride. Her slender legs were wrapping tightly around his waist and he could actually feel her curves. For such a short petite teenager she wasn’t flat at all... He almost blushed when he felt her shifting against him, accidentally highlighting the lines of her body where she was plastered to his back.
Hariel’s tiny hand scrabbled against his chest before pressing flatly against his ribs, where his heart was hidden in its pale cage.
Her chin hooked over his shoulder, emerald green eyes soft and steady. She could feel his heart beating beneath her palm and for her, it was one of the most beautiful things in the world.
“Fsshhh, did you ever play against Tezuka-buchou?" Kaidoh asked the mysterious senior curiously. He had always looked up to him, but seeing even this fraction of his true potential was humbling. He hadn’t regretted going along with Hariel to see him at all. With the girl there, the tensai was far more open and approachable. Usually he kept to the side-lines, always with that little smile, so amused at the whole wide world. Now he seemed... happy. Present in a way he normally wasn’t.
“In our first year. But not seriously ever since.” Came the silvery voice with an answer. “I would love to see that." Hariel breathed out softly, breath tickling his ear.
Kaidoh watched the two interact. They balanced each other out and, and yet... they created a space for him in their interactions easily. He didn’t feel like a third wheel, or ignored. It was nice...
Hariel smiled at him, wrapped around their senpai like a baby monkey. He didn’t even seem to notice the extra weight. “Kaoru-kun, let’s play another match sometime...” He looked at the girl, lighter green twinkling down at his darker green. “Fsshhhh, let’s."