Chapter One: Composer

Disclaimer: For those who don't seem to know, I don't own Prince of Tennis, or any of its characters. All songs within the story have been made up by me, so please don't use them without permission. I apologize in advance for any extremely bad lyrics (that are in Romaji .)

'Language... has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone.' –Paul Tillic

When I was little I lived in England with my mother and my brother. Unlike most parents, my mother didn't believe that telling fairy-tales would be a good idea. Nor did she think that allowing us to make friends would be a good idea either.

Eventually, with glowing puppy dog eyes, we'd ask "Why mama? Why can't we make friends like everyone else?"

Day after day we'd continue to ask until she'd respond "Because you aren't like everyone else. They'd just hurt you, anyway."

So instead of fairytales and friends, I grew up with music and studying. Adorable childish eyes were replaced with dull, serious ones.

Me and my brother were almost exactly the same; we're twins after all. The only difference being gender.
He'd play the violin whilst I'd play piano, the two instruments harmonizing completely.

My room filled with more and more music books and more study guides. It became more like a library than a girl's bedroom.

Now I attend RikkaiDai Junior high school, whilst my brother says in England.
Mother doesn't really care too much for what we do, being too immersed in her latest business deal.

The sun shone evanescently through the window, glimmering down onto my bed. I opened my eyes gently, like a princess awakening from a slumber – then gracefully got out and elegantly strolled out of my room.

Well- that's how it would've been in one of those 'fairy-tales' my mother refused to read to me. However, this was no fairy-tale and I'm no princess.

Instead, the sun glimmered through the window, but was closed off my vermillion curtains. An alarm clock rang loudly, making birds from outside flee. Slowly, like a sloth, I searched for my alarm clock with my hand without opening my eyes. After finding it, I curled back up in my fortress of solitude, going straight back to sleep.

Five minutes later, the same situation was repeated. This time, I threw the alarm clock against the floor, hoping to break it. Instead, it hit a pile of sheet music.

With no one else in the house, I was fortunate enough to be allowed to sleep for as long as I'd want.

But instead, I opened my dreary, sleep ridden eyes, and dragged myself out of bed. My feet slid across the carpet until…

Paper flew into the air, a heavy object hitting the ground.
Strangely enough, that heavy object was me.

I don't particularly remember much, though I did happen to look like a post-apocalyptic zombie.

Dashing out the door, I headed off, sheet music in my hand.

I'm not sure why, but every time I go to school, I can't help but think 'wow...'

RikkaiDai stood proud, as always, whilst students slowly walked in whilst conversing, complaining and gossiping. Basically like any other school on a Monday. However, for once, there was a common topic that was being talked about.

"Did you hear? Yukimura Seiichi is back! Oh my god, it's like, the best thing in the universe!" A fangirl shrieked.

Who's that? Why are they so overly obsessed? I thought to myself.

I'll admit, I was curious. But only slightly.

From the music room, the tennis club's practice was in clear site. The tennis club's member's willpower seemed to have increased tenfold. Well… Meh, I have practice to do.

My hands reached the cold keys of the piano, my breath halting for a moment.

The melody came out, quietly at first, the loudness changing with the pressure.
My voice came out shakily, almost not wanting to be heard as my stomach tightened slightly.

"soredemo dai suki, demo watashi no kokoro ga itaii. Watashi ga shinjirou kono MELODY. Anata ga yashashii, demo sibitaii day yo." The bass kicked in, my left hand overpowering my right. The melody twisted until it was as if my right hand was playing the bass line.

At the end, with my voice gone, I whispered "owari desu ka? Tadaimazu."

I'll admit, I can't sing very well, but it's just some fun.

The bell rang, leaving me no time to get my composure back. Instead, I ran as fast as possible, my breath running out. Before long, my face and the floor met, making a thudding sound as it did so.

The ground was cold.
In front of me was an extremely tall high schooler, whom of which was wearing a cap. Next to him was a boy with navy blue hair and brown eyes. They both looked slightly threatening.
"Are you okay?" The navy blue-haired boy asked, his voice silky soft. I nodded, stood up, bowed and ran as fast as possible to my homeroom.

"Sorry- I'm- Late-" I said at the door, exasperated. I took my seat, looking out of the window.

I wonder if I could study music at a higher level… That'd be good. Yeah, but I'd enrol as an honour student.

"Kurani-chan, are you listening?" The homeroom teacher asked, tapping their finger on my desk.
"Umm… no?"

Laughter was abundant as the teacher's face became more and more red. I turned back to looking out of the window, still not caring too much. I really hate mornings.

"Sorry I'm late." The door opened, everyone in the class looked up, including me. Stood at the door was a tall boy, looking rather feminine. His eyes had a hard gaze, as he walked in.

"Yukimura-kun, your seat it the empty one by the window." The teacher smiled, then going back to taking the register. Yukimura walked to the seat, now being sat in front of me. I went back to looking out of the window, not really fussed about it. Yukimura turned back to me and smiled. "You're Kurani-san, right? Are you new? Anyway, I look forward to working with you."
"Yeah, me too." I said, whilst smiling slightly.

That was all we said to each other, though I didn't really care.
Okay, I did care a little. Just a little.

I know that it wasn't very eventful, but that was the first time I talked with Yukimura Seiichi properly.

If only I had known what was about to unfold.

Translation for the lyrics (that I created): "Even so, I still love you. But my heart hears. I believe in this MELODY. You are nice, but cold."
"Is it over. I'm home."

(Sorry that this didn't contain very much of Yukimura! Don't worry though, I'm sure that he'll get more screen time.)