End-of term exams were looming ominously over Seishun Gakuen. This was marked by a very noticeable downturn in the number of attendees to after school tennis practices. The regulars still made each and every practice, of course, as did any third-year who shared classes with Tezuka-Buchou – it was something in the way he looked at you if you hadn't come the night before that made you never want to be so much as late ever again. Oishi-Fukubuchou was more understanding.
"It's only natural, Buchou." He remarked after a particularly ill-attended session. "Most people are terrified of failing these exams and having to sit the make-ups, and tennis practice takes up a lot of revision time."
"To succeed takes a lot of commitment to your goal. You know that as well as any of us Oishi." Tezuka shuffled some club reports into some semblance of order as he waited for his vice-captain to reply.
Oishi shuffled his feet nervously. "Well, yes, alright, but you've got to admit that it can be difficult sometimes, particularly for those who aren't so, ah…gifted academically. I mean…um…"
"Don't be ridiculous Oishi." Tezuka flicked his head impatiently. "You know perfectly well that you'll pass with flying colours, like you have done every term for more than two years now."
Oishi blushed. It was true; he never did seem to have trouble in the end of term tests, a feat owing less to innate talent in all subjects than to real dedication and a rigorous study schedule. "Well, ah… I suppose I…that is…" he stammered.
Tezuka abandoned all pretence of studying a list of tennis club members and swivelled round in his chair. "Is there something you're trying to tell me, Oishi?"
His vice-captain squirmed under Tezuka's penetrating gaze. It was strange, considering that he only ever appeared serious, how much Tezuka could express through his eyes alone. "Well, the thing is, um, um…ah..." He slumped into an attitude of defeat. "My mum… she doesn't think my studying can cope with the extra meetings and stuff I have to do as vice-captain. She, uh…she wants me to stop during the exam season…" He hung his head and waited for the captain's verdict.
Tezuka was silent just long enough to make it uncomfortable, then: "You want to quit as vice-captain?"
"No!" Oishi's head jerked up in shock. "No, no, it's just the meetings are tricky…"
"If you continue as vice-captain you come to the club meetings. It's as simple as that." Tezuka's tone offered no possibility of argument.
Oishi appeared absolutely wretched. "Well, ye-es, and I would, I really would, only… my mum isn't going to let this drop, you know? She's really serious about this."
"And are you serious about Seigaku?"
"Of course!"
"Well, then, if you want to honour your duties as vice-captain, we will simply have to find another way to meet."
And so, after some discussion and a few phone calls, it was agreed that the meetings between captain and vice-captain would be held at the homes of other regular members of the tennis club, under cover of a study session to help each other out with the exams ahead.