"Wait! !"

A girl with long red hair didn't stop running, after a minute or so later, her arm was grabbed and she felt herself being twisted around. The girl barely maintained her balance and turned to face her 'attacker'.

"Um...who are you?" The girl asked as she took out her earphones and shut off her mp3 player.

"Ore-sama..." Atobe realized that he had made a mistake, and was quite embarrassed "She's not ."

"Yes?"

"I thought you were someone else..." Atobe realized that he was still clenching on to the girl's arm and quickly let go, leaving angry red marks where his hand once was.

"You mean ?" The girl asked, with a knowing look in her eye, wincing slightly as she busied herself attending to her newly found bruise.

"You know her?" Atobe asked, he was slightly amazed, but was somewhat determined to not show it.

The girl laughed, "I am , 's younger sister" readjusted her ponytail and offered "Maybe I can pass a message along?"

"Um...that's okay, Ore-sama will go find her myself." Atobe answered quickly and cleared his throat. "About your arm..."

"It's no big deal," watched as Atobe walked away and as soon he was gone from her sight, found herself surrounded by her friends.

"! You know Atobe?" asked, hardly containing the excitement.

"Why did he grab you?" demanded. "Looks like the legend is true, his tennis grip is indeed intense. Just look how red your arm is!"

"He didn't hurt you did he?" was concerned. "Your arm is getting really red, maybe you should get it checked out by the nurse?"

"He is so going to pay for this!" declared.

"Wow, guys, chill out, Atobe thought I was , that's all" said quickly "As for my arm, I will put an ice pack on it later. Remember I'm a tennis player too? This is nothing comparing to some of the other injuries I have gotten in the past."

"That's because you're never careful enough!" Complained "If things went our way, you wouldn't be playing any sports at all. You have a talent at getting yourself injured. And how dare Atobe..."

, , and exchanged nervous glances, once started on one of her 'Protect ' speeches, it usually goes on forever and ever.

"Okay, okay, I get it!" interrupted before the girl could make Atobe her new worst enemy. "I will be more careful next time, okay?"

"You know, I'm not surprised that Atobe mistaken you for your sister, you two look almost identical from the back?" said thoughtfully while circling around "I heard he is going after your sister?"

"And she rejected him?" concluded eagerly. ", what do you know about this?"

All three girls were gaining on "C'mon, spill!"

"Wow, give me some space guys! There's nothing going on between Atobe and . My sister has no feelings, romantic or not, for Atobe, actually the only feeling has toward Atobe is annoyance and she just wishes that he would stop bothering her already!"

jumped up and started twirling, showing off some of her new ballet moves, "If only I was the target of Atobe's interest...how great would that be? Sweet love..."

"You know, you should warn your sister to be careful, who knows what kind of tactics his fangirls would use on your sister out of jealous, envy, and who knows what else." warned as remained in her own little fantasy world.

", chill out, you are way too up tight, a little break from all the 'toughness' wouldn't hurt you, you know?" Said . "Right, ?"

"Sorry, can't talk now, I missed morning practice today, so I have to make up the laps now." checked her watch "I don't want the captain to get mad at me for slacking off, after all, that match for the against Seigaku's tennis team is next week!"

"Oh alright, but fill us in on the Atobe Keigo and relationship later okay?" seemed to have returned to reality "We want to know all the details!"

"There are no details!" said desperately "Anyways, I will see you guys later."

Later that day...

*click*

", you?re home!" ran down the flight of stairs "Where have you been?"

settled down her bag and was in the midst of hanging her jacket when she replied "Where else? Studying English in the library of course! I only have a few more months before my interview with those admission officers for that Med. Program in England."

"Atobe was looking for you again." Without even a preamble, got straight to the point.

"Again? Doesn't that guy ever get tired of getting rejected?" sighed, "I just wish he would stop bothering me already."

'That's exactly what I told the girls, oh I am good!' paused at the flashback, "Sis, why don't you want to go out with Atobe? I mean, he is the perfect guy! Should I make a list of his qualities?"

"I don't want to talk about this now okay ? I just came home to get some notes and then I have to head over to the university. I scheduled an appointment with one of the English professors and she is going to help me practice conversational dialogues. This is a really good opportunity and I don't want to be late."

"You're leaving already?" followed her sister into the study and watched her packing her stuff, "What about dinner?"

"I'm afraid I have to skip that tonight, besides, mother and father are both at that party." gathered her books, notes, and stuffed everything into her already full bag along with her laptop. "Why don't you make something for yourself? You love to cook!?"

"Mmmm...that's a good idea..." Answered eagerly, "Want me to save something for you?"

"If you want, but I really got to go, I don't want to be late." grabbed her coat and was already making her way out the front door.

"Don't forget your scarf! It is still January you know."

"Thanks!" took the scarf offered and disappeared into the darkness.

"See you!"

The door closed as walked toward the kitchen and looked at the cooking book on the counter "I guess it's just you and me now."

flipped open the heavy recipe book and got right to work.

"I love cooking!"

The next day...

", there's someone looking for you." said, but for some reason, she and the other girls were giggling uncontrollably. "Guess who is it!"

"Um...some teacher?" wasn't really paying attention and made a sad attempt at guessing.

"No, no ma chere¹, it's the great Atobe!" The girls were bursting with laughter.

'Atobe? Why would Atobe be looking for me?' was genuinely surprised, but a sudden image of her sister brought her back to the practicality of the situation 'This got to have something to do with ...'

"Just go already!" Several hands pushed into the doorway of the classroom and snapped back to reality as she landed in front of Atobe Keigo.

"Um...hi?" asked uncertainly 'What does he want?'

"Okay, , Ore-sama needs your help." Atobe got straight to the point, apparently and Atobe were alike in their bluntness.

"Help?" was slightly confused 'What could I help Atobe with?'

"You must help Ore-sama to win your sister! She has not yet succumb to Ore-sama's greatness." Atobe continued, in more of a demand than a plea, "Ore-sama needs advice."

"Okay, advice number 1, stop calling yourself Ore-sama." pointed out "My sister hates guys with a huge ego."

"Ore-sama is Ore-sama, Ore-sama cannot change." Said Atobe stubbornly, clearly unhappy with the direction of the conversation.

"Advice number 2, when you're asking someone for help, don't make everything sound like a command." said "Try changing your tone of voice and use words like 'please' and 'thank you'."

"Please and thank you?" From the way Atobe was pronouncing those words, it seemed as if he had never had those words in his vocabulary before.

"Say if I do agree to help you, what could you possibly offer in return for my assistance?" changed the topic.

"Ore-sama will grant you any wish." Atobe declared, "Ore-sama have influences everywhere, anything you want, Ore-sama shall grant you one wish."

"Anything?" asked with a mischievous look in her eye.

"Anything!" Atobe reinforced his offer.

"Deal!" offered a shake 'I know I shouldn't get involved in other people's business, as I have always got into trouble for being a busybody, but this could be so much fun! Sorry , your love life is going to get a lot more exciting now.'

Atobe, oblivious to the wheels turning in 's head, accepted the hand, not knowing that he was in for a ride of his lifetime.

"Deal!"

"So, , hypothetically speaking, who would be your dream guy?" asked curiously, officially starting her mission as the matchmaker between and Atobe Keigo.

", I don't have time to deal with this right now. I got more studying to do." said in desperation.

"Oh, come one sis. Just a little hint?" prompted. "I will stop bothering you if you tell me."

"Okay, let's see, he's got to be mysterious, romantic, smart, and speak fluent English." answered, "Happy now?"

"Hai!" laughed evilly 'Poor , she has no idea what's in store for her..."

"So Atobe, here are the following info about the type of guys my sister appreciate..." paused dramatically, clearly enjoying taunting Atobe, "He's got to be mysterious, romantic, smart, and apparently she likes guys who can speak fluent English."

"English?" Atobe gulped nervously, "Ore-sama know a bit, but fluent may be a stretch?"

"Well, work it out Atobe, or are you giving up already? Looks like you?re not too serious about my sister. After I went through all the trouble of helping you? At least put some effort in! If you throw in the towel now, you still got to grant me that wish you promised, are you sure you want to waste your influence and not even benefit yourself? Think about all the opportunities that are waiting for you and..."

went on and on and on and finally Atobe proclaimed, "Oh alright, Ore-sama will call up some professor...don't you ever take a breath?"

"No need, I already got you a teacher!" announced excitedly, "Presenting Echizen Ryoma!"

Atobe raised an eyebrow 'Echizen Ryoma? It can't be...that Echizen?"

"Mada Mada Dane." The signature motto erased all doubts.

"Echizen?!"

The freshman in question walked lazily from behind the door to the roof of the school building, finishing a bottle of ponta.

", you didn't say he was to be my student." Echizen said in English while pointing at Atobe, "I don't think I want to accept a student like him."

"Why you little..." Atobe didn't understand every word, but he got the gist of the meaning: Echizen had insulted him.

"Calm down both of you, this isn't about tennis!" stood sternly between the two competitive boys. "Atobe, you need all the help you can get and Echizen, don?t forget that little favor I did for you a while back, if I remember a certain cat Karupin who got lost and a certain photo I have of you while you were..."

"Okay, okay, I get it." Echizen said quickly in an attempt to interrupt "I will try my best, but I will not be accountable for his stupidity."

"Ore-sama is not stupid! You..." Atobe jumped at the chance to defend himself.

"Atobe!" One word from silenced any insults Atobe was going to make at the little freshman.

"Alright, I get it, anything for ." Atobe resigned to 's orders.

clapped her hands in delight, "This matchmaking business is too much fun!"

'For you...' For once, Atobe and Echizen both agreed on something.

A week or so later...

" ?"

"Hum?" did not lift her head from her pile of books

"You have the honor of going out with Ore-sama." Atobe's attempt at English got 's attention, but his tone was choppy and far from being fluent.

"Atobe, I'm busy, go bother somebody else wouldn't you?" replied back in English, apparently amused "And you might want to practice your English."

Atobe turned red and walked out of the library 'I'm going to kill Echizen!'

"Don't hurt Ochibi!" Said Kikumaru, "Oishi, help me!"

"Mada Mada..."

Apparently, Atobe decided to take his frustration on the boy who was suppose to teach him English and the poor freshman was now struggling for air.

"Atobe!" pulled Echizen from Atobe's grip, "What are you doing?"

"He told me that it would work! But thought of it as a joke!" Atobe complained as he let go of Echizen.

"I can't help it if you're a horrible student." Said Echizen as he smoothed his collar.

"Not helping Ryoma, Atobe, obviously languages aren't your forte, seeing how plan A didn't work out, how about we try something else?"

"Like what?" Atobe seemed really suspicious.

"Since Valentine's Day is coming up, why don't you try the romantic approach?" had a mischievous look in her eyes, again.

"Romantic? What's going here?" Fuji asked curiously. 'Oh, that look, I have a feeling that Atobe is going to have more than what he can handle.'

"Well, it's a long story, Atobe here is greatly in love with my sister , but she has rejected him multiple times, and yet he refuses to give up and try so hard for her love. And I play the part of the matchmaker in tying those two together..." Said dramatically and she went on and on and on until Tezuka interrupted.

"We still got practice, -san, please make this short."

"The point is, for Plan B, Atobe is going to make something chocolaty for my sister!" declared.

"Atobe? Cooking?" Everyone resisted the temptation to laugh.

"Hai, what do you think Atobe?? dared Atobe to reject, as the saying goes, if looks could kill...

Atobe sighed, "Whatever it takes." 'This girl is going to be the death of me and my reputation...'

"No Atobe, sugar, not salt!" stopped Atobe from putting in the wrong ingredients for the nth time. "Please pay attention to the recipe!"

There's Atobe, dressed in a chief's apron and tall hat, covered in flour, sugar, and who knows what else.

"Ore-sama told you, Ore-sama does not cook, and there are servants for trivial things such as this." Atobe made an attempt to look intimidating, but with his hat half-slipping off and his face covered in flour, it was quite difficult.

*ding-dong*

"Oh the door, I will go get it." threw off her apron and reached for the door. Moments later she returned, with more than half of the Hyotei boy's tennis team.

"Atobe?" Ohtori asked uncertainly, "Is that you?"

"It is Ore-sama."? The arrogant voice was unmistakable.

Everyone was suddenly searching through his pockets and it didn't take long to become obvious what everyone was looking for.

"Say cheese Atobe!" Oshitari flipped open his cellphone and snapped a few quick photos, "This is good for future...reference..."

"Oshitari!" Atobe wasn't too happy with the photos.

Gakuto and Jirou, who were laughing uncontrollably at Atobe?\'s get-up, were now tasting the chocolate cake that had made.

"Mmmm, these are so good! Yuushi, come and try some." Gakuto said, "I love 's cooking!"

*beep*

"Look like Atobe's chocolates are done cooling." proclaimed excitedly, "Let's try some!"

took the plate out of the fridge and sampled one of those chocolate truffles. Without any form of expression, gave her opinion. "These are okay, not bad for your first try Atobe."

"Let me try one!" Gakuto grabbed one and stuffed it into his already full mouth, "Ugh...what are you talking about? These taste horrible!"

Not believing the red-hair, Atobe decided to try some himself and ended up choking on the first bite. The only thing that refrained him from gagging was the last of his dignity.

"Don't give up yet, we got plenty of time, let's make another batch." Said while she dumped the contents of the first one into the wastebasket. "And you?re all going to help!"

"Huh?" Before the boys knew what was happening, they were all stuffed into chief outfits and snapped a few quick photos.

"What are the pictures for?" Ohtori asked, rather embarrassed.

"Just in case for...future references?" imitated Oshitari's answer, "We can't have one person holding all the cards. Now get to work!"

"So bossy..." The members of the Hyotei tennis team mumbled quietly under their breath, but got to work anyways. Under 's command, several new batches of chocolates were ready a few hours later.

Seeing the boys were rather hesitant in trying the chocolates, took a brave first stab at it, "These are great!"

The rest of the team nodded in agreement after they all tried a sample. put a few of the truffles into a clear plastic bag and tied it up with several red and pink ribbons. She curled the ribbons and handed the package to Atobe.

"Now all you need is a card and the personal delivery." reminded, but the rest of her 'advice' speech was interrupted by the excitement of freedom.

"Thank goodness this is over!" Gakuto punched the air, "I love sweets, but who knew cooking could be so exhausting?"

"No...now we have to clean up this mess." Slightly angry that she was interrupted, said in a dictator's voice, "Whenever you work in a kitchen, you must return this sacred place to the clean state it was before you made all this mess!"

"Oh, just let the maids do it." Atobe waved off 's suggestion.

"Atobe!" 's voice was rising. "Cooking is fun, and you should appreciate cleaning too!"

"Okay, okay, get to work everyone!" Atobe commanded his team.

"Why us?" Shishido complained, "We just came to practice on Atobe's courts!"

dragged the team aside, "Listen guys, if you don't want Atobe to start mopping, you should do as he says, after all, imagine all the extra laps you guys have to run if he gets rejected, again."

"I would rather run," Said Shishido quietly, 'I can't believe I'm being bullied by a girl!'

"Then I would have to resort to using certain photos of a certain someone covered in flour and such-like?? threatened, "Surely you wouldn't want those photos...um...exposed?"

Everyone shuddered at the thought, "Let's get to work!"

An hour or so later, the massive kitchen was finally clean and the only ones left were and Atobe.

"Don't forget to give those chocolates to tomorrow." reminded as she walked out the doors, "Think of something classy to say okay?"

"You have already reminded Ore-sama a dozen times." Atobe said in annoyance.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help." closed the door behind her and walked out in the cold winter air, she looked back at the mansion and felt the longing to stay.

'What is this feeling? I don't want to leave? Could it be that I...? No, it's not possible, he belongs to my sister and...I'm just the other girl.' For some reason, the night air grew colder at that thought.

", tomorrow is V-Day, are you giving out any chocolates?" prompted.

"No, too busy."

"You're always too busy!" The mischievous side was back, as started scheming again 'Then I'm going to give out a few for you...then maybe when you and Atobe are finally together, this feeling would go away...'

It was early in the morning, still hours before school starts, was walking fugitively down the halls until she reached her destination: Atobe's locker.

"Let's see, no lock? That makes my job so much easier." placed a wrapped box into the locker and before she could close the door, a voice came behind her.

"What are you doing?" Atobe demanded.

"Um...well...you see..." couldn't find the right words and said the first thought that came to her mind, "Actually, wanted to give you chocolates, but she's too shy to come herself."

"Really?"

"Yes..." Atobe's apparent happiness sparked a feeling of sadness.

"I must go find her! I never knew she was this shy..." Atobe said thoughtfully. "Hummmm..."

"Go then!" She pushed Atobe in a random direction, and held back her tears until he disappeared from her sight.

"So , how's the matchmaking business coming along?" asked, curiously.

"Yeah, your sister and Atobe together yet?" added.

tried to smile, but could only manage to hide her disappointment, "I think so, but the true result of my hard work would be realized today."

", is there something you're not telling us?" asked, concerned at the girl's lack of hyperness.

"No, no" put on a fake smile, "I'm fine, I'm just...so happy."

"Happy?" Asked , slightly confused.

"Think about it, I'm about to become the younger sister of Atobe's girlfriend, I would become an instant celebrity at this school, how cool is that?"

"You're right!" Said victoriously, "And we will become..."

"And we will all be friends of the younger sister of Atobe's girlfriend!" finished the thought. "I love meddling in other people's affairs."

"Guys, I got to go; see you guys later." couldn't take the conversation anymore and left her friends quickly without any other explanation.

She wondered aimlessly until she had reached the school garden. She heard voices on the other side.

"What are you talking about?"

"C'mon, you know you sent Ore-sama chocolates."

realized, it's Atobe and !

"No I didn't!" said desperately, "Stop believing in illusions!"

"Stop denying, Ore-sama knows you sent them to me!" Atobe tried to hug and...

*slap*

Atobe's hand automatically went to his cheek: had slapped him, and slapped him hard.

"Get away from me you freak!" shouted angrily "There is someone else I like okay!"

"Someone else..."

"Yes, he?\'s the reason why I must go and study abroad in England." was slightly taken back by her sudden violent action, "He means the world to me, and YOU ARE NOTHING!"

left Atobe stunned, still with his hand on his cheek.

, who had witnessed this conversation felt horrible, Atobe was hurt, and it was all her fault. It was all because she meddled and he got hurt and...

*sniff*

"Huh? Atobe was crying?" stepped out of her hiding place and walk toward Atobe. She had never seen him like this, this wasn't the confident arrogant Atobe, his lofty image has been reduced to that of a common man, well somewhat anyways.

"Atobe?"? asked uncertainly.

Atobe looked up, "Why did you lie and tell me that the chocolates were from ?"

"I...I'm sorry, I thought...maybe...I'm sorry..." couldn't find anything else to say.

"She was the only one who I really cared about and she already has someone..." Atobe confessed.

felt her heart ache, "Atobe, do you remember your promise?"

"Promise?"

"That if I agree to help you with , you would grant me one wish?"

"Wish?"

put her arms around Atobe, "Just because doesn't have feelings for you does not mean I don't. Give me a chance Atobe."

"But..."

"That is my wish, and you better keep your word!"

Atobe paused 'Do I want to give her a chance? The time I spent with was so different from anything I have experienced before and...I do want to spend more time with her?could it be that I missed something important during my pursue of ? Something such as another girl's feeling for me...?"

"Yes, I would...um...Ore-sama would like to give you a chance." The arrogant Atobe was back. "Be awed at my prowess!"

was slightly taken back by the sudden emotional recuperation but she smiled and simply said, "Thank you..."

Unknown to the two, they were being spied on by two different groups.

"Move over ! I can't see!" complained, "You're blocking my view!"

"Deal with it!" replied, "It's your fault for not growing taller than me!"

"Be quiet both of you! You want us to get discovered?" Hushed .

"Who knew had a thing for Atobe?" asked thoughtfully, "She hid it pretty well wouldn't you say?"

"Well, that's our ." Concluded .

"But if Atobe dares to hurt her in any way..." shook her fist, "He would be so sorry..."

"No one hurts our girl!"

"Right!"

On the other side...

"Senpai, is it really okay to spy on Atobe?" Ohtori asked nervously, "If we get caught, it would be extra laps until the end of the year."

"No problem, Atobe is too confused to notice anything right now." Oshitari answered confidently.

"Never knew there was a sensitive side to the arrogant Atobe." Said Shishido.

Oshitari took out his cell phone and started snapping photos of the couple.

"Yuushi, what are you doing?" Gakuto asked curiously.

"Just gathering some data, very useful for blackmail wouldn't you say?" Oshitari smirked and continued to click away at the image of the Atobe and . 'Especially since that girl have those photos...'

Written by Amiya
Requested by Shi-Chan
Inspired by Delicious Gakuin²
May 16, 2007

[1] Ma Chere = 'My dear' in French
[2] Delicious Gakuin, also known as Delicious Academy (DeliGaku) is a J-drama, See Official Website