DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS
Prologue
"This is it guys. No more backing out." A boy of thirteen with curly black hair spoke to a group of boys and girls seated in front of him. Some were nervous; others excited and the rest remained indifferent of the event that is bound to happen a few moments later. The boy stared at each and every one of his ten man group, giving them an encouraging smile, especially to one mushroom head girl as he called her.
In just a few strained minutes, a concert awaits them. It will be the moment that'll mark either the closing or continuation of their journey towards music. Failure won't be an option for its success would be the only hope they had to prolong singing as a single group- as friends.
They, the Racketeer, consist of a twelve man group of middle school boys and girls hall from diverse infamous schools in Japan. All were tightly roped onto one sport. Tennis. But, even when some were well-known as pro to the world of tennis, no one, not even themselves expected they would end up as singers one faithful day.
Their admittance to music was extraordinary, unbelievable as most put it. It struck the whole Tennis Community so hard, mostly the team they were part of. Some got furious, criticisms became out of hand, others tried to make them willfully stop while some even came to the point of restraining them using force and threats. Only few were open minded enough to support their new found passion and to find time understanding the situation. But with the majority still opposing, it was still a tough ride.
A tough ride. So tough that they almost broke. But then again, as tough as it was, they were still firmer-holding onto each other's, never willing to let each hand go.
But on the road, there will be paths that'll require choices. Two different routes that lead to two different upshots.
And this is that road. A gig conducted as a fund raising concert that will judge what's to see at the end of the road while at the same time pulling unfortunate hands along the way. Because that was the primary reason for which they were built. Never for money nor for recognition.
Charity. Enjoyment. That's what it's all about.
A girl with long auburn hair that almost reached her bottom (good thing it was curled, making it shorter than usual) fiddled with the hem of her greyish ruffle dress which is a few inches away from her scar less knees. She was scared to hell, she admit it. Yes, they had been awfully a lot in crowd and her passion for music is second to none, but this time was different. For there was a nagging feeling inside of her- the one that shouts how one mistake will blow everything up.
Her partner's alarming absence was not helping either. Sighing hard, she looked up at the wall clock on the far left wall.
6:50 P.M.
10 minutes left before the concert and there was still no sign of him. Not even a single phone call to notify them of his condition. She tried texting him for the twentieth time but still she received no response. Worry is now clinging inside her, not for the failure of the concert but rather for his safety.
Sakuno almost jumped when a manly hand grabbed her fiddling ones and squeezed it. "Don't worry, he'll come."
"Thank you Yuuta-kun." There was Yuuta, reassuring her and somehow she felt her heart calming for a bit. She gave him her sincerest smile which he gladly returned.
"YOSH! Let's do this! I'm already thrilled!" she shifted her gaze towards her ever enthusiastic friend who agitatedly stretched as if he was to enter his usual tennis match. How she wished she could be as carefree as her friend, seeing this as the time to be enthusiastic as usual.
"Keep your voice down Kin-chan! Preserve your voice for later." Then her eyes shifted towards another member with long black straight hair, wearing the same attire as hers named Megumi.
"Ryoma's late again I see." Kirihara, now beside An, stated as he fix his bow. The girl by his side watched in amusement as he struggled to tie it.
"Maybe he got into an accident or something. Oh I knew I should've sent the car to fetch him!" That was Choutaro looking at his expensive watch, worry clinging on his voice. Rich-worrywart man as ever.
"No! I think he was so nervous he couldn't get out of the bathroom! Ha!" Stated Kamio making the backstage waiting room echoed with a chorus of giggles and laughter no one could repress.
"Stop it you guys! If the person trips all his way here I'll blame it all to you." Yuuki, a sophomore with middle length navy hair and golden orbs, pointed a finger on Kamio as she fixed Yuuta's already messed up bow with her delicate fingers, Yuuta almost blushing from the small distance between them.
"Great! It all comes back to me. Oh come on. The guy is a professional walker and it'll probably the streets' fault when he trips."
"Wha-what if he really trips? I should've"
"Quick worrying Chou…"
"Get ready! The show will start in five minutes!" Almost all of them jumped when a man, probably one of the staff, entered the room to announce the most awaited start of the concert and left again, giving them time to gather themselves up together- especially now that they're killing themselves with anxiety.
"Ok. We practiced this a lot. Stop getting fidgety." They gathered, forming a circle in the middle of the room with Akaya, as always, leading them.
"Who said were even nervous?! Let's finish this in an instant! Come on! Come on! COME OOONNN!"
"Would you calm down?! Not all of us are whacko like you who get all jumpy in heart pounding situations like this!" Riuka, a second year with cute perm dark green hair reaching her shoulders hit his head on the back, earning him only a grin from the guy.
"The senpais, especially the buchous are watching; we can't let them think badly of us. Remember, the purpose of this concert." Seriously said by Yuuta before all of them had to swallow the forming lump on their throats. It was up to here- right at this moment and stage. If they fail-
"Of course! That is to have fun! Right?" And so the tension was swept through Konan's cheeky grin. How could they ever forget? It was how they were built and would continue to build.
Continuing the motto it with a smile, "In order to have more fun in the future.". An held out her hand upside down, palm facing the ground, in the middle of the circle. Akaya followed next, putting his on top of hers before exchanging smiles with her.
"Are those ants? So cheesy. Che." Kamio joked before putting his hand on top followed by the rest of the team, Riuka, then Kintarou, Konan, Yuuki, Yuuta, Megumi and Choutarou.
Counting that'll be ten, two still missing. Wasn't Echizen the only person missing a while ago? Raising an eyebrow, Akaya, looked at the only member left in the room.
"Sakuno-chan…?" He murmured a little bit worried as the rest of the group looked at her as well. In response, she watched each one of them stare at her, confusion evident on their eyes.
Friends. Sakuno thought. Six boys and five girls, together there were eleven, the other one hasn't swoop her with his presence yet. With a few months they had between them, they had formed unbreakable bonds. Difference was never an issue. Sure each of them was different, but they had lived up to fill those gaps that threaten to break their bond.
Once upon a time she was nothing but a meek girl, voiceless and lacking of back bone, but they taught her how to stand up for herself and be able to know who she really is, what she really wants, and how to make impossible dreams come true.
Undisputedly, coming from schools set poles apart, they were meant to rival each other out. But that never obstruct them from creating bonds to carry for a lifetime. One unique attachment she had made with a boy of few words was more than she could ever imagine…
Memories came flooding on her mind and she was sure she was close to crying. But she can't cry now. No, that'll just ruin the assertive scene playing. And so, with a very confident smile, she put a hand on top of theirs to gladly receive their genuine smiles.
"RACKETEER!" Kintarou said on cue.
Yes, she, Ryuuzaki Sakuno was nothing before, just a girl who was built to fulfill dreams created and manifested onto her by strangers. Strangers who never knew who she really is. But they had changed that, molded her back to reality and gladly nourished her with affection.
And that is why; she vowed to keep this group singing until they could sing no more.
"Let's fly!"
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The concert hall was echoed with deafening voices that make silence very appealing to the ears. Fans were screaming, some were chanting, others ended cursing. That so happens when six rival schools gather at the same place for the same reason except tennis where they could cheer their own school team. One school proclaiming war against another. Another school backstabbing their rival. Then who would forget the school that carries grudge over the other because of a stolen title. Chaos would really ensue between them just as it always arose before.
"Isn't this interesting Tezuka? To see us all here for a reason beside tennis?"
"This is imprudent. We shouldn't be giving them false hopes Shiraishi-san."
"Yukimura-san, I'm sure St. Rudolph would do better than yours this time. Since music really isn't Rikkai's domain."
"I wouldn't be so certain, Mizuki-san. Besides, it would be an understatement to say that my sister is below or at average on the music department."
"Oh are you plebeians even knowledgeable of true harmony? It would be Hyotei's glorious talent which will be excelling in this performance. Although it would be more admirable if these young'uns excel in tennis where they would be most fitted. Pitiful."
"Heh. Funny how you guys find this concert similar to a tennis match than as a coming together."
"Don't tell me you're now assenting on this derisible and ridiculous collaboration too, Tachibana? Just because you're sister's there, don't get so prickly."
"No Mizuki-san. We as their superior and buchou need to know what's best for them."
"Thought so…"
But a group of twelve students are about to change the history. To express and flaunt to them that difference and rivalry don't limit friendship.
Twelve students will mark the old oak tree of Tennis with a yellow ribbon in just a few seconds.
Though, have you ever wondered how stormy a journey could get towards friendship? As for me… I do.