[fic] Grade 2 Class 2, 3/? (KiriKam)

[stormy1x2]

Title: The Request

Author: Stormy1x2 (travelingstorm)

Rating: G

Warnings: Established KiriKam, shonen ai.

Word Count: 1745

Notes: Third in the fic series that began with 'Grade 2 Class 2', part of the LGO arc overall.

Summary: Michiko is worried about her upcoming Open Class, and wonders how she'll convince her brother's Buchou to let him skip practice. Maybe the nice boy with wavy blue hair can help?
 

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Michiko was not a happy little girl. There was less than a week before her very first Open Class, and she still hadn't managed to ask Akira-nii about it. This was partly because she was convinced that 'Kira-nii would never skip school or practice for any reason except them being sick, and she was afraid to hear him say it out loud.

Sachiko, on the other hand, had spent the last three days being a big meanie-head, telling her she was being a baby and that she should just get on with it. “The longer you put it off, the less time 'Kira-nii will have to get permission,” she had said importantly.

Michiko hated to admit it, but Sachiko had a point. But now wasn't really the best time for it, was it? She looked around the Rikkai high school tennis courts, focusing her eyes on her brother who was rallying with Yanagi-sempai. Michiko liked Yanagi-sempai. His eyes were always closed but he saw everything, even the electric green hair dye that Niou-sempai had put in Marui-sempai's shampoo (Niou-sempai had sworn Michiko to secrecy). He was nice too, and didn't tell on Niou-sempai. In fact, he had told Michiko that he would make sure Niou-sempai gave her a copy of whatever pictures Niou-sempai managed to get of Marui-sempai's hair before Marui-sempai killed him. Michiko couldn't wait for practice to end.

Michi huffed, kicking her legs out. She was sitting on the bench, being good like 'Kira-nii had told her. It wasn't a real practice, being a Sunday, but Kira-nii was a Regular and had to be there to show 'team solidarity', whatever that meant. Sachiko had opted to spend the day at Hana-chan's house, which meant Miki had nothing to do but sit and watch and fret about her upcoming class.

Maybe if she asked 'Kira-nii's Buchou, he'd let her brother miss practice? If Buchou said yes, Michi was sure 'Kira-nii wouldn't mind skipping school. He didn't like doing it, but he'd done it before, especially when she or Sachiko were sick. Michiko bit her lip and stared hard at the ground, wishing an answer would pop up out of the grass, like the Flower card from Card Captors. Suddenly a shadow fell across the ground in front of her. “Such a serious face,” chuckled a low voice, very close to Michiko, and she started, surprised, nearly falling off the bench. A hand reached out to gently grasp her arm, tugging her back onto her seat.

Michiko turned, head lowered in a bow. “Thank you,” she said automatically. 'Kira-nii had told her it was very important that she be polite to all the members of the Rikkai tennis club, and she didn't want to let her brother down.

“It's my fault for not announcing myself sooner.”

Michiko looked up and blinked. A tall boy, thin, with soft purple eyes was smiling at her. His hair was long and blue, bluer than Shinji-nii-chan's, and it was held back by a Rikkai headband, just like the one 'Kira-nii had given her to wear. She reached up and touched her own as she stared. “You're pretty!” she told the boy honestly. He really was.

He laughed at her again, but it was a nice laugh, not a mean one, and he sat down next to her on the bench. “Thank you very much. I think you're very pretty too.” Michiko beamed. “So, what was that serious face all about, then?”

Michiko's smile fell away, and she looked away, fidgeting slightly. “I have to ask someone something,” she said finally, slowly. “I don't know how to ask. I'm afraid.”

“Sounds important,” the boy said thoughtfully. “Why are you scared to ask?”

“Because I'm afraid he'll say no,” Michiko said quietly, almost mumbling.

The older boy tapped his lip. “Is it your brother that you want to ask?” He smiled again. “Because I doubt he says 'no' to you very often.”

Michiko wasn't surprised that this mysterious boy knew her brother. Her brother was an awesome tennis player. Everyone knew him. She'd be more surprised if he didn't know him. She shook her head. “Nope. His Buchou.”

The boy paused. Something flickered in his eyes; Michiko watched, fascinated, at the play of emotions she could see. Akaya-nii always said she was 'perceptive'. That meant she knew a lot about what people were thinking. This boy was interested in what she wanted to say, that much she could tell. “You want to ask your brother's Buchou something?”

“Mmm-hmmm. But I'm afraid.” Michi dropped her gaze again. “Maybe he'll get mad at me. Or he'll get mad at 'Kira-nii 'cause I asked.”

“That is a dilemma,” the boy agreed thoughtfully. “Why don't you tell me what you want to ask your brother's Buchou? Maybe I can help you think of something.”

“Maybe.” She sighed again. “I want 'Kira-nii to come to my Open Class next week. Do you know what Open Class is?”

He nodded his head at her. “I do.”

“It's my first Open Class,” Michiko confessed, almost in a whisper. Everyone was always surprised when she said that, and then they got those 'looks' on their faces, the ones that made 'Kira-nii clench his fists, and 'Kaya-nii growl about 'patronizing idiots'. “I was in Class 5 before, 'cause my ears don't always work right. 'Kira-nii went to my school and yelled at the teachers and made them give me a test.” Michiko smiled. “I did really good – they put me in class two this year!”

The blue-haired boy smiled brightly at her. “That's wonderful!”

“Yeah! 'Cause 'Kira-nii says just 'cause my ears are bad doesn't mean my head is bad, and I'm just as smart as all the other kids.” Michiko folded her arms, looking at the other boy sternly, just in case he didn't believe her.

But apparently he did. “I agree with him.”

Michiko grinned happily. This boy was really nice. Maybe after he helped her with her problem, he could be friends with her brother and she could see him again. “So, this Thursday is my very first Open Class.” She suddenly felt shy again, and she automatically began poking her index fingers together. “I know lots of other kids won't have parents there too, but they've had them there other times. I've never had 'Kira-nii watch my class before.”

The boy watched her quietly, still smiling, but it was a gentle smile, a nice one that made her feel warm and cozy inside. It felt like one of Kira-nii's smiles when she'd done something to make him proud of her – like the day she'd passed her tests. “This really means a lot to you, doesn't it?”

“Mmm-hmmm.” Michiko peered up at him warily. “Do you think Kira-nii's Buchou would be angry if I asked him if Kira-nii can come to my Open Class on Thursday? It takes Kira-nii a long time on the bus, and he might be late for practice. He might miss the whole thing.” She bit her lip again, feeling her nervousness come rushing back.

“I think your brother's Buchou would understand,” the boy said, winking at her. Michiko blinked. “How about I settle this for you right now?”

“You can do that?” Michik's eyes widened in shock. She wasn't expecting this. “Really, truly?”

The boy laughed, reaching out to tap her nose. “Really, truly,” he said, and stood up. Michiko watched, open-mouthed, as the boy strode over to the edge of the courts and called for her brother.

Kira-nii immediately jogged over, a worried look on his face. Michiko wondered why he looked like that. She'd been good for the whole practice, after all. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything's fine, Kamio-kun,” the boy said calmly. “Michiko-chan was just telling me about her Open Class coming up this Thursday.”

“Open Class?” Kira-nii blinked, and looked at Michiko. Michiko ducked her head, embarrassed that she hadn't said anything to him yet. “What Open Class?”

“She didn't tell you?” The boy chuckled, and gave Michi a finger-wag. “You should keep your brother informed, Michiko-chan.”

Michiko hunched over even more. “Sorry, 'Kira-nii.”

“It's okay, Miki-mik,” 'Kira-nii said, moving over and sitting down on the bench where the other boy had been. He tugged her hair, and she squeaked, batting his hand away. “But what did you need me for, Buchou?”

Buchou? Michiko's head snapped up again, zeroing in on the blue-haired boy who stood before them both. “He's your Buchou?”

'Kira-nii gave her an odd look before his face cleared. “Oh yeah, you didn't come with us the first time we all hung out at the street courts. Makamoto-san was watching you because you weren't feeling well. And Yukimura-Buchou didn't come to the last couple of weekend rallies because of...” 'Kira-nii paused and shot his Buchou a look Michi didn't quite understand. “...prior commitments.”

“Diplomatically put, as always.” The boy – Yukimura-Buchou, Michiko gaped inwardly – was still smiling. “But as for the matter at hand we must deal with...”

Michiko shut her eyes.

“...I don't want to see you at practice this Thursday, Kamio-kun,” Yukimura-Buchou continued. His eyes were sparkling. “I will see you on Friday though – and I expect a full report on Michiko-chan's Open Class performance.

Michiko's own eyes snapped back open.

'Kira-nii chuckled. “You got it. Thanks, Buchou,” he said. Then he nudged Michiko. “What do you say?”

“Thank you, Yukimura-Buchou-nii-chan!” Michiko jumped to her feet, bowing low to the ground. “Thank you very much!”

Yukimura-Buchou-nii-chan's eyes were filled with laughter, which was very reassuring to Michiko. “Anytime, Michiko-chan, And Michiko - “ he leaned forward, looking at her very seriously. Michiko gulped. “Next time, I hope you won't be afraid to talk to me.”

Michiko grinned widely. “I won't!” she promised. “You're not scary at all!”

'Kira-nii made a funny noise, and Yukimura-Buchou-nii-chan laughed out loud. “That's good to know,” he said. “Now, we've got to get back to practice. Cheer us on, okay, Michiko-chan?”

She nodded enthusiastically. Suddenly, the weight was gone from her shoulders; the painful little hitch in her chest had dissolved completely. “I will!” She watched cheerfully, as they went back to work, swinging her legs back and forth with an excitement she couldn't totally contain.

She couldn't wait until Thursday.

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End