When a tennis player meets a monkey....
Ryoma Echizen was a beautiful girl; silky black hair with a green tint to it, cherry pink lips, rosy cheeks, and the most beautiful eyes. Her eyes were a coppery hazel that shone gold in the sun. Despite her beauty she was one cocky brat. She was quite arrogant, but not stuck up. Not that she didn't have every reason to be slightly arrogant. Mainly because shes the only girl on the boys tennis team. Her school didn't have a girls team, so she tried out for the boys team. After much protest they let her play. She was after all one of the best players on the team. Singles only of course.
Ryoma was 13 years old a second year at Seishun Gakuen middle school. Her best friend was Momshiro, or Momo, he was the same age and also on the tennis team. She enjoyed living her simple life playing tennis and petting her cat Karupin. But that all changed as soon as she met...him.
⌠Che you suck Momo, mada mada dane■, Ryoma mocked. ⌠Mou, Ryoma hold back a little, hold back■! ⌠Heh whatever you say Momo, so who are we playing again next week■? ⌠For the last time Hyotei■! ⌠Right, anyways practice is over■, Ryoma began walking away. ⌠Oh yeah wanna go grab a burger■? ⌠Che■, was all Ryoma said. But Momo knew Ryoma well enough to know that was a yes. The girl can eat huge amounts for such a small person.
Ryoma was walking towards the girls changing room when she bumped into Fuji Shusuke; one of the regulars on the team. ⌠Ah, Fuji-senpai■. ⌠Ryoma-chan leaving already■? ⌠Yeah, but me and Momo are going to go eat burgers■, Ryoma had no idea why she told him that. ⌠Saa, maybe I'll join you then■. ⌠Do whatever■, Ryoma said then continued walking to the changing room. ⌠I will■, she heard Fuji shout back.
Ryoma was a pretty quite person, only saying something when shes being rude. So it came to no surprise that Momo and Fuji were doing all the talking. ⌠I can't wait to play Hyotei■!, Momo shouted. ⌠We'll get them back for what they did too Buchou■! ⌠Yes, but Tezuka is in Germany right now. Too bad he won't be able to see■. Ryoma recalled the events of the first time they played Hyotei, Buchou had gotten really hurt. He told her to be the pillar of Seigaku. ⌠Heh right■, Ryoma muttered agreeing with Momo and Fuji. Once they beat Hyotei, Seigaku will be moving onto the finals.
On the way home, Ryoma asked ⌠Who do you think is gonna play Monkey King■? Momo answered ⌠Hmm either you or Fuji-senpai■. ⌠Why do you think that■? ⌠Ha ha, thats easy you two are the best players on our team right now■. ⌠Heh, right bye Momo■.
We will definitely beat Hyotei were the thoughts that ran through Ryoma's head as she slept.
In Hyotei....
⌠Be awed by my prowess■. ⌠Atobe, we should be getting ready to play Seigaku and not being fooling around■, Oshitari said getting annoyed. He didn't want to lose their shot at the National finals. ⌠Ah, but by watching ore-sama you can improve your skills■. With a loud sigh Oshitari concentrated on ignoring Atobe and playing tennis.
⌠Hey, Buchou have you even considered who your going to play next week■?, asked a curious Gakuto. The acrobat tennis player wanted to play against Kikumaru Eiji; Seigaku's acrobat again. ⌠Hmm my instinct says Echizen Ryoma■. ⌠Eh, the girl you mean■. ⌠Right, and ore-sama will definitely not lose to the brat who calls me 'monkey king'■. ⌠But don't forget, shes good Atobe■, Hiyoshi warned. Having played Ryoma and lost he knows shes strong. ⌠Don't worry she'll be awed by Ore-sama■.
Contrary to popular belief Atobe always thought Ryoma was quite good looking. Not as good looking as himself of course. But still quite pretty. There was always a strange attraction between them and he knew Ryoma felt it too. The stubborn brat was just to proud to admit it. Atobe at the very least could admit that.
⌠Play me monkey king■, Ryoma mocked. ⌠You only lose brat■, Atobe shot back. ⌠Are you scared■? ⌠Not at all■.
They played a quick rally, nothing like a real game. But still tennis full of passion and the will to win. Even if there was no one keeping score.
At the end, they went to shake hands but they got a little too close. ⌠Your pretty good■, Ryoma whispered. ⌠Yeah■, Atobe whispered back. Ryoma leaned in a little closer, and so did Atobe. Their lips were just about to meet when, ⌠What the heck are you two doing■?. And there stood Oshitari by the gate too the tennis courts. ⌠Nothing■!, they both shouted while jumping away from each other.
⌠Later, monkey king■, was all Ryoma said as she left.
⌠Gah■!, Ryoma sat up with a start. 'I really have to stop thinking about that', she thought. She still couldn't believe she almost kissed the monkey king! Then his friend saw, the whole thing was so embarrassing. The only thing she was interested in about monkey king was his tennis! Nothing else!
Yeah Ryoma you can go ahead and keep telling yourself that.
⌠In less than 4 days we'll be playing Hyotei so everyone be prepared■, Oishi told the regulars. ⌠Ne Ryoma wanna play a set with me■?, Fuji asked. ⌠Che■, was all Ryoma said, but she went to go get her racket. ⌠Saa, it'll be either you or me playing Atobe■. ⌠Whatever■, Ryoma said. But Fuji noticed that lately Ryoma got a little red every time Atobe was mentioned. Still smiling Fuji let it go this time, even though he was sure something went on between Atobe and Ryoma.
⌠Ne, Ryoma you seem distracted lately is something wrong■? All Fuji heard in response was a grunt. Now he knew something was up. ⌠Hoi Hoi is something wrong with ochibi■?, shouted Eiji. ⌠Don't bug Ryoma Eiji■, Oishi said as he tried to pacify his doubles partner. ⌠Che, practice is over I'm going home■.
'I think Fuji-senpai is catching on, I hope I'm not the one playing Atobe-I mean monkey king'. Ryoma scowled the whole way home. Making the ride home silent as Momo was too afraid to talk.
⌠Everyone the day has come, the match against Seigaku■, Atobe's loud and arrogant voice could still be heard over the mass amount of Hyotei fans. ⌠We better not lose■, was all Oshitari said as he went to warm up. ⌠First up doubles 2■.
⌠Next match Atobe Keigo vs. Echizen Ryoma■. The score was tied at 2-2, they needed to win to move on to the finals. ⌠Heh how bout we make this interesting, Ryoma■? ⌠Hmm how so■? ⌠A bet, if you win you can do anything you want to me, if you lose I can do anything I want to you■. ⌠Fine, if you lose be prepared to have you hair shaved off■. ⌠Heh, brat ore-sama does not plan on losing■.
'I can't believe I lost'. ⌠Well brat it seems like you won■. ⌠Heh, and look I have a shaver, ready to say good bye to your hair■? Atobe didn't say anything, he just walk towards Ryoma and took her hand. She gave him a curious look. ⌠What are you doing monkey king■? Atobe slowly loosened Ryoma's hand and took the shaver from her. ⌠Ore-sama will do it himself■. ⌠What are you doing Buchou■!, shouted Atobe's team. ⌠I'm keeping my bet■. Everyone watched as Atobe shaved off his precious hair.
When Atobe was finished, he turned around and said ⌠Good luck in the finals Seigaku, lets go Kabaji■. Ryoma stared after him as he left. ⌠Hey, monkey king■. ⌠What brat, and must you keep calling me that■? ⌠Play me again■. Atobe looked shocked for a second, but he just smirked. ⌠We'll see■. Ryoma didn't know this, but there was a small smile playing on her lips.
⌠Hoi hoi, we made it to the finals nya■!, exclaimed Eiji. Then he ran over to Ryoma and squished her to death. Ryoma grunted ⌠Eiji-senpai, I can't breathe■! ⌠Ah, let Ryoma breathe Eiji■, Oishi was always the worry wort. ⌠Thanks to you Ryoma, I got more data on Atobe's natural style of play■. ⌠Che■, was all Ryoma said as she tugged on her hat. 'I'm tired'. ⌠Hey, Ryoma wanna go for some burgers, you know to celebrate■? ⌠If your going can I go? nya■! ⌠Saa, then I'll go as well■. Ryoma just sighed so many people, all she wanted to do was sleep with Karupin.
By the time Ryoma got home, it was dark out. ⌠I'm home■, she shouted. ⌠Ryoma-chan someone called you, I think it was an Atobe-kun■. ⌠Thanks Mom■. Grabbing the phone on her way up she saw Karupin and let him inside her room. ⌠I wonder what the monkey king wants Karupin■. It may seem strange, but Ryoma actually knew Atobe's number. By heart. How she knew it well he told her.
⌠Ryoma, you finally showed up its rude to make ore-sama wait for you■. ⌠I don't get why you couldn't give me hat when we played at the semi-finals■. Ryoma had rushed out so fast last time they met, she forgot her hat. ⌠But ore-sama wanted to talk to you without your troublesome teammates around■. 'What about your troublesome teammates■, she thought. ⌠Che, whatever just give me my hat■. ⌠If you say so■. Except Atobe didn't just give her hat back , he gave her something else too. He leaned in and swiftly brushed his lips gently across hers.
⌠What the heck■!? ⌠Heh, don't complain you should be honored ore-sama kissed you■. ⌠Whatever, monkey king■. ⌠You say that, but your beat red■. With that Ryoma turned around refusing too look at him. ⌠Here, I'll give you my number so next time if you forget something you can just call■. Atobe wrote his number down on a paper he got from god knows where and handed it to her. ⌠T-thanks, Atobe■. ⌠Oh you finally decided me to call me by my name, but call me Keigo■. ⌠Che■, was all Ryoma said.
But before she could leave Atobe grabbed her arm, and kissed her again. Blushing a bright red she quickly scampered off. ⌠See you later Ryoma■, Atobe shouted after her.
⌠Atobe■. ⌠Keigo■, Atobe corrected. ⌠Keigo , my mom said you called. What do you want■? ⌠Ore-sama wanted to ask you out■. Blushing hard Ryoma had no idea what to say to that. ⌠Ryoma are you still there■? ⌠Y-yeah, um, err■, was all Ryoma could stammer out. ⌠I'll ask you again, do you want to go out with me■? ⌠D-do you mean on a date and not tennis■? ⌠Of course a date, its the only way you can be properly awed by ore-sama■. Twitching at Atobe's arrogance Ryoma sighed. 'I hope I don't regret what I'm about to do'. ⌠Okay, Keigo I'll go on a d-date with you■, even as Ryoma said the words she was blushing. ⌠Wonderful■.
Ryoma sure was shy towards anything but tennis. And maybe Karupin.
Perfect. Atobe Keigo finally got a date with the Echizen Ryoma. 'Soon enough Ryoma will be my girlfriend'. ⌠Hey, Atobe why are you so happy■, asked the ever curious Gakuto. ⌠Hmph, who cares■, Shishido grumbled. ⌠Its probably because of his date with Echizen Ryoma■, supplied Oshitari. ⌠What you have a date with Ryoma■!, shouted Taki. ⌠Did ore-sama say you could spread his personal affairs around, Oshitari■? By now Atobe had captured everyones interest including the perpetually sleeping Jiro. ⌠Well is it true■?, pressed the whole entire Hyotei team (well more like just the regulars). ⌠Yes its true ore-sama does have a date with Ryoma, lets go Kabaji■. But just before he left, Atobe turned around and said ⌠One more thing do not interfere■. With that he left.
'I was hoping the team wouldn't find out, stupid Oshitari'!! Atobe was currently banging his head against a wall. When suddenly, ⌠Keigo what the hell are you doing■? ⌠Ryoma, have you come to visit ore-sama at his school■? ⌠Uh, no your currently outside the burger shop■. ⌠If were at the burger shop wheres Momo■? ⌠Getting his bike■. ⌠Oh■. Atobe still hadn't noticed the strange look Ryoma was giving him. 'Had I really wandered off that far'? ⌠Keigo, why were you banging your head against the wall■? ⌠No reason, I'll see you saturday Ryoma■. What he did next would always bug Ryoma. He lent down and kissed her. But what surprised Atobe was the fact that Ryoma didn't blush. She even kissed him back this time. ⌠Ja ne Keigo■. Next thing he knew she was gone.
Atobe Keigo was a happy boy. You could clearly see the smug smirk on his face. Then if you watch closely enough you could see it changing into a very very cocky grin. 'She kissed me back'. He couldn't wait for saturday to come.
'I can't believe he just did that, I can't believe I just did that! I can't believe I liked it'. Ryoma may deny it but she was slowly falling hard for the one she would always use to call monkey king. ⌠Stupid, stupid monkey■, she grumbled. ⌠Huh, whats wrong with you Ryoma■?, Momo asked. It was a fair question considering the scowl and blush on her face. ⌠Nothing, just take me home■, Ryoma almost growled. ⌠S-sure■. Momo scrambled to put her stuff on the bike. He knows how scary Ryoma can get when shes angry.
Brrriinnnng Brrriinnnng, went Ryoma's cell phone. Picking it up she wondered who could be calling her now. ⌠Ryoma-chan, its me■. ⌠Fuji-senpai, hey■. ⌠Ne, I was wondering if you wanted to play a match with me on saturday■. ⌠Okay, what time■? ⌠Around 2:00, sound good to you■? ⌠Che■. ⌠Great I'll talk to you later Ryoma■.
⌠Oh crap■! Ryoma just remembered she had a date with Keigo on saturday. At precisely 2'o clock! Not good if anything she knew Keigo would be mad. But she didn't want to cancel on Fuji-senpai, because he would ask why. She knew he would be able to pressure her to tell the truth and she didn't want to tell anyone she was going on a date with Atobe. 'Crap crap crap, I need a plan and soon'.
Boy did Ryoma get herself in some deep shit.
Atobe did not expect the loud ringing from his phone at around 1 am in the morning. ⌠Hello■, he answered quite tiredly. ⌠Its me, monkey king■. ⌠Ryoma, I thought I told you to call me Keigo■. ⌠Right, Keigo but I have a problem■. As Ryoma said those words Atobe got a little worried. ⌠Are you okay? Whats wrong■? ⌠No nothing serious itsjustImomentarilyforgotwe hadadateandsaidokaytoFuji-senpaisrequesttoplaytenniswithhimatthesametimeasourdate■! Ryoma said it so fast it took awhile for Atobe to decipher it. ⌠Ryoma, how could you 'momentarily' forget■? ⌠Che, I just can■. Sighing Atobe decided to accept the answer, really he should've figured as much it was Ryoma after all. ⌠Why don't you just cancel with Fuji■? ⌠If you know Fuji-senpai you know you don't cancel on him without severe punishment in the form of humiliation■! Holding the phone a little ways away from his ears because of Ryoma's outburst he gently said ⌠■Okay then we can reschedule 3:30 instead■? ⌠O-okay■, Ryoma said a little taken a back at Atobe's selflessness.
'Sigh the things she makes me do'. The truth was even Atobe was a little shocked at his selflessness usually hes all for himself. He began to wonder if he could fall even harder for the girl.
Well that was the end of the first chapter. Yes this is a slight AU, slight meaning Ryoma's a girl, Tezukas still in Germany(but he'll be back soon), and theres no girls Seigaku tennis team. As you can see theres not much of them actually playing tennis because thats hard to write. The story mainly focuses on Atoryo, but there maybe a love triangle. We'll don't be confused by the thoughts changing I had another file with seprate fonts for Atobe and Ryoma but it wouldn't let me upload it. So sorry if its slightly confusing but its easy to differntiate whose thoughts are whose. As well as the fact its only Atobe and Ryomas thoughts.
Please review, even if you hated it and just want to tell me so. All reviews are appreciated and welcomed. And please excuse my pathetic attempt at humor. Till next time.