At The Top
At the top, you are what you're labeled.
At the top, the only aspect they know is your skill.
Maybe they recognize your habits.
Maybe they see your likes.
Maybe they see your dislikes.
Maybe they scratch the surface.
Not your desires.
Not your passion.
Not your reason.
Not your smile.
Not you.
Those on the out side see the label you wear and figure that's everything. That is all you are ever going to be.
Seigaku's captain knew this. He was labeled emotionless and a leader. He was unapproachable. He was strong. He would never loose and never let his team down.
But he wasn't just.
He was protective. He was proud. He felt a fire spark in his chest every time he stepped on the courts and every time he watched one he trained succeed. He loved his team beyond even his own family.
His name was Kinimitsu Tezuka and he was forever leaned upon but never looked upon.
The king of Hyotei knew this. He was called conceded and proud. He was a diva. He was above everyone else.
But he wasn't just.
He was content and he loved. He loved every member of his team because they built his empire. He knew he was nothing without them and he respected them.
His name was Atobe Keigo and he was forever looked upon but never included.
The tensai of Seigaku knew this. He was made out to be creepy and over protective. Sadistic and unbeatable.
But he wasn't just.
He was passionate to help those around him. He played to lift his precious people. He knew he frightened some people but simply used this to boost them.
His name was Shuusuke Fuji and he was forever admired but never approached.
The prince of tennis was learning this quickly.
No longer was he a boy who loved his cat and Japanese food. He was not known as the boy who loved being defeated by his father as much as he hated it just because he knew it would make him stronger. He was not laid back and content.
He was being labeled.
He was to be the freshman regular of Seigaku. The prince with the cocky attitude who would never back down from a challenge.
He was to become something else entirely.
Already the signs were showing.
But at the top, three boys noticed.
And they would be damned if they would let it happen again.