everything comes with a price

Chapter 25: The balloon cake

William regained consciousness after 4 days, but Pakura developed a high fever that would not go down. She has been fading in and out of consciousness, and her fever was so bad, she had to stay in bed. The champions usually brought food to her room. Now, they were plotting their next move (or rather, their next prank that guarantees revenge) against Seigaku. Philip grinned as he thought of one. "What are you grinning about, Philip?" said Tyler. Philip said, "I know what we should do." The champions perked up. "Really? What?" said Ryoma. Philip smiled. "You'll see...Derek, this time, I am counting on you to pull this prank...." Derek perked up when he heard his name

Next day, after training, Derek found himself carrying a box that Ryoma and Atobe prepared. He found the Seigaku loitering at the corridors. He ran towards them, and purposefully bumped into one of them. "Hey, watch it!" Momoshiro cried. Derek got up and apologized. "I'm sorry! I just need to deliver this box to the vice-captain! But after that, I had to meet Philip for lunch, and I am already late for the lunch appointment!" Fuji was intrigued. "If you like, I can pass it to her myself." Derek smiled. "Thank you!" and passed the box to Fuji. Fuji smiled, and carried the box back to his own floor, followed by his teammates. "Go in, Fuji, open it." said Kikumaru. Fuji complied, and found a cake full of icing and chocolate rice. "Are you sure the vice-captain can finish that all by herself?" said Inui. "Judging by her size, I don't think she can even finish three slices!" Momoshiro nodded. "I agree. Let's take a slice each. Maybe she wouldn't notice. I'm hungry, anyway." With that, he took the knife provided and cut the cake. However, as soon as he did, the balloon containing all sorts of foul ingredients (which God knows where Atobe and Ryoma got it from) exploded, showering the Seigaku regulars with the foul (and stinking) ingredients. The best part, as soon as the foul substance touched their tongues and they instinctively swallowed it, they passed out. Meanwhile, at the twelfth floor, the champions are laughing away. They heard the explosion and the thuds that followed and deduced that Seigaku has probably cut the cake. Ryoma smirked. "Knowing those regulars, instead of taking it to Pakura, they would have opened it themselves, thinking it was some evidence that they are the betrayers and they want to destroy the evidence. However, they found the balloon cake and Momoshiro would be hungry for a slice, so he would cut the cake."

"You're a smart one, Ryoma." said Atobe, kissing Ryoma on the lips.

"Why, thank you, Keigo." said Ryoma. "I want to see the vice-captain now. Let's go, Keigo." With that, they left for Pakura's room. They went in to see Ryoga replacing the cloth on Pakura's forehead. Her face was flushed and she was breathing heavily. When Ryoga saw them, he shook his head. "She's been vomiting a lot as well, and I can't seem to bring down her fever." Ryoma looked at his vice-captain. He hoped she would recover soon enough. He bit his lip and nodded. "Take care of Pakura." He said, before leaving with Atobe. Once outside, Ryoma sighed. Atobe placed a hand on his shoulder. "She will recover. She still had her promise to fight alongside you for this." Ryoma nodded. "I hope so." He said, before going to the dining room for dinner. Tonight they served cream of chicken soup, mashed potatoes, beef casserole, salad, and for dessert, chocolate chip scones. Although the food was as appetizing as ever, without the vice-captain, they might as well be eating cardboard. Meanwhile, in the penthouse, Pakura opened her eyes. Everything seemed....fuzzy and blurry. "You're awake." said a voice. Pakura turned to Ryoga. "What time is it now?" Ryoga checked the clock. "It's 7pm now."

"Aren't you going to have dinner?" she said. "I'm taking care of you. I can't let you out of my sight, can I?" Pakura widened her eyes slightly. "I'm sorry."

"It's no problem, Pakura. Everyone gets sick once in a while. Here, take this fever pill." He handed her the fever pills found in her first-aid kit and a glass of water. He raised his brow when he noticed his girlfriend putting away the medicine and glass of water on the bedside table.