Special thanks to runningwithfire for the plot . :)

--

Since it was a public holiday, there was no school or tennis practice.

A brown haired tensai was admiring his blossoming cacti on the windowsill.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

As it was just a few meters' walk, Fuji went to answer the phone.

"Moshi moshi," Fuji greeted cheerfully, "Syuusuke speaking."

"Fuji," a deep voice replied.

Fuji froze. He recognized this voice. Suddenly, his eyes were open. Now, he was serious.

"Kirihara."

There was a short silence until Akaya spoke.

"Meet me at the tennis courts at 2. We have some unfinished business to do."

Before Fuji could reply, Akaya hung up.

He just can't face the fact that he's beaten, Fuji told himself.

--

Street tennis courts

Fuji arrived at the tennis courts 10 minutes earlier than planned. But someone was already there.

"Thought you weren't gonna show up," Akaya smirked.

"Don't forget: You were the one who was beaten," Fuji smiled

As they walked into the court, Fuji noticed that Akaya had become more muscular then before.

Oh well, the game's starting, Fuji reminded himself as he got into his position.

--

"My final shot- The Devil's Return!"

The ball zoomed towards Fuji in an unbelievable speed, threatening to hurt him if he doesn't get out of the way.

But Fuji was as stubborn as usual.

Although he was already black and blue all over, he still kept his hands on his racquet.

The ball was a heavy burden for someone as skinny as Fuji, not to mention he was already hurt.

As expected, Fuji's racquet was easily blown away by Akaya's Devil Return.

He kneeled down on the court, his left hand holding his right wrist tightly, hoping to stop the pain.

Kirihara 6 games to 2

Tears streamed down Fuji's face. Either by the fact that he was beaten or that his wrist hurts like hell.

"Think twice before beating the devile," Akaya taunted.

As he was about to walk away, a ball zoomed pass Fuji and hit Akaya in the face.

With a thump, he fell down.

Fuji turned around and saw Yamabuki's Sengoku Kiyosumi, a tennis racquet in his hands, his eyes full of anger.

Sengoku went to Fuji and said, "We've gotta get you to the hospital, fast."

Fuji just nodded in agreement, with a smile on his face.

Sengoku smiled back as he carried the small prodigy to the nearby hospital.

--

Sengoku was waiting patiently for Fuji in the waiting room.

After a while, a nurse came out.

"Sengoku-san," she called out. Sengoku immediately stood up. "You may visit your friend now," she said and walked to the next room.

As Sengoku walked into the room, he saw Fuji lying on the hospital bed, his hand was bandaged.

"Hi," greeted Fuji weakly.

"Hi. Feeling better?"

"Yea," replied Fuji. Sengoku knew that he wasn't telling the whole truth.

"What's the matter?"

Fuji stared into space for a while, then came back to reality.

"I won't be able to play tennis again," he said sadly. "Oh, and thanks for just now."

"No problem. So, does anyone know?"

"No, not yet," Fuji shook his head. "I'm planning to tell them at school."

"I see."

"You're a great friend, you know, Sengoku-san," smiled Fuji.

Sengoku shrugged. "As they say, 'a friend in need is a friend indeed.'"

Fuji chuckled.

--

The End