A/N: No, nothing. Haha. Just trying on a new material. Give it a try, guys.
Chapter 1: Hello...Hello
The chants coming from the opposing side is deafening, her team mates' were of dim prayers for a miracle, and Sakuno's heart is pounding so hard she was afraid her chest is going to burst from it.
On the other side of the net, her opponent looked every bit calm and cool and deadly— making Sakuno tremble in fear and oh god, oh god, I'm going to lose—
The look in her opponent's eyes did not change, not when she tossed the ball into the air, not when her back snapped like that of a spring after a recoil, not when her racket slammed the ball into submission.
And the serve came, bullet—tore through Sakuno's feeble defense—
And the whole world erupted in an even more deafening roar.
Still, the look in her eyes did not change, not when Sakuno fell to the ground, and cried.
The water is cool on her skin, but her tears were hot—
Maybe we shouldn't have put her in Singles Two...
We should've put someone else...
What done is done—we'll be playing the consolation games for that wild card.
We can't afford to lose even one, single game.
So..?—
The water running down her temple to her chin and to her feet was cold—but colder is her heart.
Sakuno knew she is being stubborn—which in itself is rare. She is not stubborn, quite the contrary actually, she is mostly amiable. Mostly so it's sickening at times.
"You can't just decide you don't want to play anymore, Ryuzaki!"
"But I lost, Buchou. I always lose."
"You are being unreasonable, Ryuzaki."
No, I'm not being unreasonable, Sakuno firmly stated, softly, her voice carrying through the small room their club occupies. Littered on the floor were her club mates' things: a mismatched pair of socks, a hair clip and a tie or two, pieces of paper filled with doodling of names and hearts and smiles…
She remembered the smiles...mostly the smile.
Sakuno felt her throat clump painfully. Three years…her eyes are seeing three years of companionship shattered by her lost.
I should have quit…no, I shouldn't have joined the club. Her voice was pure acceptance, and Sakuno saw and felt her captain's frustration.
I apologize for this, Tatsuki-Buchou. With a bow, she left the clubroom, her bag as heavy as her steps, but her heart is calm and steady, like her resolve.
Outside, the sky turned dark gray, and Ami Tatsuki watched as Sakuno Ryuzaki's figure obscure through her hot tears.
Her fists clenched, not minding the protest of pain that shot through her nerves.
Goddammit all!
Sakuno was prepared for Tomoka's shriek.
She was not so prepared for the pillow that was pushed into her face though.
"Are you crazy?!" she felt her best friend glared at her muffled laugh, "why would you quit the team?! Just because you lost a match?! We're still moving on to the next stage, aren't we?!"
Sakuno sighed as she removed the pillow from her face, putting it on her lap. They are currently in her room, where she invited Tomoka to stay after their last class in the pretense of doing their homework together.
Tomoka used 'we' though she wasn't part of the tennis team. She quitted when they were juniors, having no time at all for the morning and after-school practices. Sakuno supposes she should have done the same as the other girls.
"I don't understand you, Sakuno." Tomoka sighed once more, shaking her head as her brows furrowed, at the same time, gathering the blanket that had fallen. "Why? Tell me."
Sakuno thought it's quite obvious. She's quitting because the team doesn't need her to continuously drag them down.
She is a burden, and it will not do her team any good if she stayed.
Her team mates probably wouldn't want her to stay, anyway.
"I just…I can't continue to lose, Tomo-chan." She said softly, her eyes refusing to slid towards the racket she'd held so dearly.
The red and black reminds her of her lose so much she couldn't stand looking at it for more than a second.
"I should stop while I still can."
Tennis has become her passion, the one thing that connected her to him—the only thing she has in common with him. It has become a substantial part of her existence for the last two years, and Sakuno knew that in her heart, tennis will remain one of the things she will forever cherish, treasure.
But it shouldn't shatter other people's dreams—it shouldn't be a source of tears for people who really love the sport for itself, not as a reason, not as an escape.
"But still—"sighing, and seeing Sakuno's resolute face, Tomoka stopped on her rant. She instead dropped her hands. "So…what now?"
Hmm…what, indeed? Aside from tennis, Sakuno doesn't have any interests. Cooking is exempted.
"I think I'll just start studying for the entrance exams." Her English still needed fixing—a lot of it, actually—even though her grandmother said it has definitely improved. The high school division of Seishun Gakuen has implemented a strict ruling when it comes to the specific subject.
"Too early." Tomoka scoffed. It is only the last week of June, after all.
Sakuno lifted a shoulder, leaning back at the couch. "You know I need a lot of help with English."
"True…"
Playfully nudging Tomoka's shoulder, Sakuno looked outside the window. Spring is almost ending, along with the district tournaments.
"I think I'll pick up a new hobby."
Her best friend groaned. "Just don't do knitting or sewing, please!"
Sakuno lets her soft, short laugh be drowned by her friend's groan of complaints.
That Saturday, Sakuno found herself almost willingly be dragged by Tomoka to an amusement park.
"It's a beautiful day, and you shouldn't waste it sulking!"
Sakuno wanted to say she was not sulking—but Tomoka's frown was a sure sign of impending doom is she was denied.
So Sakuno dressed herself up in a modest light pink button-up shirt and skin tight jeans which was Tomoka's gift to her last January, and a pair of flats. Her hair she braided loosely, hanging on one shoulder down her waist. Tomoka is dressed in a loose dark green shirt, denim pants and black sneakers with neon green laces. Her hair is up in a ponytail, her bangs framing her lightly made-up face. Sakuno thought her friend looked pretty; Tomoka thought Sakuno was being far too conscious when she started fiddling with the end of her braid.
"There are a lot of people here, Tomo-chan." She commented—becoming self-conscious as some catcalls and appreciative whistles and glances the two of them were subjected. She felt the warmth of the air in her cheeks and neck.
They were at an open field, where groups of young people their age are gathered, a raised platform at a corner, where she saw some crew of sorts preparing some sets of what looks like amplifiers and musical instruments.
"Of course! Oh—"Tomoka turned to her, a small frown settling between her brows, "Didn't I tell you there will be a live performance here later?"
"Uh—no, you didn't."
Tomoka bristled at herself, prompting a laugh from Sakuno. "It's okay, Tomo-chan…"
"Anyway—my cousin, Yana-nee, you remember her?" Sakuno nodded, her mind recalling an older girl with beautiful chocolate brown hair and rusty-brown eyes. They were introduced earlier this year, when the older girl visited Tomoka and her brothers during the spring break, dragging behind her a guitar which she played for the young, rowdy boys while Tomoka and Sakuno did their nails (mostly Tomoka; Sakuno was far too engrossed watching the older girl play the instrument).
She didn't know she has a band though.
"She and her band will be playing! It will be awesome!" Tomoka squealed as she drags Sakuno deeper into the open field, sampling some of the foods and drinks some stalls were selling. Up ahead Sakuno saw a huge banner announcing some sort of event—an early summer music festival, it says.
So that's what those set-ups are for, Sakuno thought, remembering the stage she was being prepped when they first arrived here.
Tomoka's enthusiasm lasted until two hours after, flitting from one stall to the other—getting a bracelet here, an earring there and something else she probably won't be wearing or be needing anytime soon. Sakuno's feet were tired and her legs were aching by the time they stopped, seeing that the field is already packed with teenagers of all clothes and styles, some in groups of twenty and five and some alone.
With a cherry pop soda in each hand and giggling like the teenage girls that they are, they found a spot almost fifty feet away from the stage, the two of them a little far and singled out from bigger groups.
Sakuno felt a bit more relaxed, loose— the past week's memories almost forgotten.
The night has already fallen when the first performer took the stage, and all of a sudden multi-colored lights are now dancing above their heads and loud music—electronic and pop and rhythmic thumping—almost deafening her ears. Chants and laughter drowned her, and smiles brighter than the lights blinded her, and Sakuno looked around her, and felt a sense of something familiar—a sense of not belonging she recognized almost immediately—came to her.
But Tomoka's eyes were steadfast as the grip of her fingers around Sakuno's elbow, and Sakuno knew Tomoka knows.
"We will stay here and sing and dance and have fun, Sakuno." Her voice was steel, and the fire-brown of her eyes are burning, "and by the end of tonight, you'll feel a whole lot better, I vow to you."
And Sakuno smiled because she knows Tomoka knows—and understands. And so she stood there and let the loud music drown her thoughts and feelings.
Three sets after, Tomoka had twirled around and squealed. Sakuno thought there was a rat on her friend's feet, but it turns out she just saw her cousin, and her band.
"Yana-nee!" Tomoka, standing on tip-toes, waved her hand above her head, her hair wilder than her movements, "Here! We're here!"
It was a surprise that the girl whom Tomoka was yelling at was able to hear her voice through the crowd, Sakuno thought, but didn't pursue it as the five girls sidle up to them.
Sakuno has to blink her eyes to make sure she isn't dreaming.
These girls are gorgeous.
They are wearing shirts and pants of silver and black, on their feet identical dark red sneakers. Two girls have guitar cases strapped to their backs; another is twirling in her hand what looks like sticks. Drumsticks, Sakuno concluded when they were a little closer. Two others were behind, so Sakuno wasn't able to see them fully.
"Tomo-chan," the girl whose striking resemblance to her bestfriend made Sakuno to think Tomoka is going to be so beautiful once she reaches that age spoke, eyes and lips smiling warmly, "Sakuno-san, right?" she laughed, and Sakuno thought that was how angels laugh.
"H-hai." She suddenly felt so young and yet so jaded, in front of these girls.
"Geez, no need to be shy." This one has wavy black hair falling gracefully down her shoulders, eyes a smoky green and lips sinful red.
Sakuno almost choked on her own spit. "Ta-Takeuchi-san..?!"
The girl lifted an elegantly trimmed eyebrow, regarding her with a look. "Hmm." Her hum was throaty, and her gaze smoldering. "Glad you remember me." She murmured, fingers running the length of her silver embossed shirt. 'Rock Princess' is printed in shining black, and the petals are fluttering sakura pink, the material hugging her svelte figure perfectly. With a flick of her hair, she gave Sakuno another look, this one with a touch of amusement. "I like it when I am remembered."
Well, how can Sakuno not?! She—Hoshimi Takeuchi—was the girl who thrashed her when she was in her junior year, filling in for an injured Singles Three player of their team.
To say she was under classed was an understatement. Sakuno was way out of her league—
Hoshimi Takeuchi—the one who made even her captain then seethe—though for a completely different reason. Sakuno is not about to forget such a person.
She gulped. To meet her this time…it's almost ironic, as if the gods are laughing at Sakuno, mocking her further more.
Another girl peeked from behind the tall Takeuchi's shoulder. "Now, now. Don't scare the poor girl, Ho-shi-chan." A Cheshire-cat grin was thrown towards Sakuno, and this time, she did choke on her spit.
"Sempai?!"
Kazue Ishii threw her head back, rose-gold strands shining as her mirthful blue eyes twinkled, and laughed.
After fifteen minutes of extended introduction, Sakuno was both tired and astonished. Koharou Satou left her with her own version of a wave—her fingers closing inwards to her palm, like a child learning how to play with them for the first time.
"Bye-bye." She said, and Sakuno couldn't help but gawk.
Tomoka chuckled beside her, patting her arm. "Surprised you just right, huh?"
Sakuno croaked an agreement, her eyes following the girls' movements as they check their instruments.
She never knew nor suspected that Kazue Ishii, her sempai and former team mate, the one who helped her perfect her volleys, is a member of a band, playing the organ.
Actually, she didn't know any of these girls are in a band and are famous—well, not commercially famous, but they are well-known in the high school music circuit. And although she only knows some of them by names and faces and mere acquaintances, it was still a surprise.
She lets her eyes scan the group, who are laughing whilst talking about their upcoming performance.
Hoshimi Takeuchi, the beautiful Hyotei former regular, plays the violin and the guitar, while Junko Mikami, a pretty brunette with laughing brown eyes is the lead vocalist.
Ayana Osakada, Tomoka's cousin, plays the guitar (electric and bass) and provides the back-up vocals, while Koharu Satou, a voluptuous girl with long, pale blue hair in loose half-bun and ice-blue eyes plays the drum.
Kazue Ishii walked up to them, still grinning. "Do come closer when we perform okay?" she said, though Sakuno had a feeling the words were for her.
Tomoka nodded for both of them, since Sakuno still hasn't shaken out of her surprised stupor. She watched as the grinning older girl left them with a wink and a smile.
"They'll be performing an original song—well, bands here play only originals, so that would explain the lack of good quality to those earlier performances." Tomoka was explaining, tugging Sakuno to the front of the crowd, their bodies pressing to the others, making Sakuno cringe a little—she is not used to this kind of crowd…
Sakuno thanked the heavens above that Tomoka is tall, and has no qualms about going through the sea of sweaty bodies when they were standing just a mere three feet away from the stage. It is still not as close as Tomoka would have wanted, but Sakuno supposes it was better than where they were standing earlier.
A band—two girls and three guys—are playing still, an upbeat tune that has the crowd somewhat engaged. Some are dancing, while some has their hands above their heads, swaying with the music.
"Hmm. They're quite good, don't you think?"
Both Sakuno and Tomoka turned, and saw a smiling Junko Mikami. Her eyes up-close were more gold than brown, and are emphasized by a dust of sandy glitter and dark kohl liner, lashes curled up and full. Her cheeks are dusted with a light pink hue, and her lips are cherry-glossed. Sakuno has never felt uglier in her whole life.
"I suddenly feel nervous." Her chuckle is an indication that she was anything but nervous.
"Eh? I thought you were at the back stage Mikami-sempai!" Tomoka exclaimed, eyes wide as she saw some of the audience inch towards them, eyeing the female vocalist.
Mikami laughed a soft one, musical, lilting, and it has a desired effect as almost visibly every male around them falls in-love with her. Sakuno and Tomoka can only watch as it happens.
"Hm. Yana and the others are prepping." She locked her palms in front of her, lips tilting in a sweet smile. "I am feeling a little nervous, so I decided to just take a breather first." She nodded to herself, though her eyes are on the stage, where a band is still playing.
It occurred to Sakuno then that the crowd, or at least a large portion of it, is now paying more attention to Mikami Junko than the performers, and that the alluring female knows it.
Sakuno didn't know why, but she felt suddenly apprehensive of the brunette in front of her.
Twirling a strand of her silky hair around a dainty finger, Mikami tapped a feet, sighed, before gifting Sakuno a smile that is sweeter than earlier. "I must go. Please enjoy the performance." She bowed, more like tilted her head to a side, and in a flurry of silver and black and sighs, she was gone.
Sakuno didn't know what to think of that. Mikami Junko looked sweet enough, but…
She heard Tomoka sigh an annoyed one beside her, but when she turned to look, her best friend's eyes were already fixed on the stage.
An emcee—if the colorfully ensemble of a female on the stage could be called that—is now encouraging the crowd for an applause of appreciation for the previous performance, and is now introducing the next one.
"Here they are—HeartStrings!"
Sakuno has to cover her ears when, along with Tomoka, the crowd erupted as one—chanting, clapping, whistling—every possible way of making a loud sound Sakuno knows now, and wide eyed, she saw and feel the crowd's reaction.
It was astounding, electrifying. The crowd maybe at least a few hundred, but the intensity is like that of a million and more. This is crazy—Sakuno thought, disbelieving—this is—
"Konbanwa minna!"
There, in the stage, Mikami Junko is smiling as if the world's entire spotlight is on her, and the four other girls with her glimmered behind that sparkling smile—a smile that sent the whole crowd into another uproar.
"We are going to perform—for the very first time—another original song." Her smile is contagious, the lights on her seemingly making her shine, and Sakuno knew the whole crowd is on Mikami Junko's very feet at this moment.
Hoshimi Takeuchi's guitar strap was adjusted on her shoulder, and she sent Ayana, who was on Mikami's right, a subtle nod.
The brown haired girl returned the gesture, and started tapping her feet. One-two-, one-two-three-four—
Hello…hello…
Hello…hello…
Her voice is husky and soft, her eyes cast down her lips in a small smile, and then her hands are clapping, her feet tapping rhythmically, and Sakuno felt herself swaying to the beat she was creating. Around her, the crowd started clapping their hands as well.
Hello…hello…the loud thumping of the bass drum was heard, the beat lingering, getting louder…Koharu Satou's head bobbing to the beat her drum set is creating.
Hello…hello…
"This song is for all those who have been deceived…" her brown eyes twinkled, and the crowd responded even louder, "by a smile."
And then Hoshimi and Ayana were strumming their guitar, the crowd still clapping, the beat still building up…
Kazue was smiling a wide one as she started pressing keys, and Mikami Junko grabbed the mic stand with her hand, and started singing.
How many koishiteru no?
I can see sugu ni wakaru wa
Makka na jealousy kakaete
Chigau jibun ni kidzuiteiru
Kiken na yume, furetaku naru
Douka shiteru?
Ah rakuen no saki ni
Akogareteiru
Demo ne chotto
Tobikomenai wa
Konna atashi no koto
Anata kitto warau desho?
Madowaseru yasashii akuma
Hello hello...
By the time the night had ended, and Sakuno was in her pajamas with her hair unbraided and wild around her head and in her bed, the words of that song lingered, the beat like a steady thumping of her heart, and the words were on her lips.
And later that night, she dreamt of a stage and a million people shouting and clapping and singing along, with her.
I do not own Prince of Tennis, or Yui's 'Hello'.
