"Excuse me," said a girl with knee-length black hair and green streaks on the bottom of her hair, "Do you know the way to Sanguko Park?" She was next to another girl on her left. She stared at a young girl who called herself Sakuno.
"Sure," said Sakuno, "Just take the South Gate and keep going straight. Are you guys competing? I just saw another one come by here looking for the gate."
"It's just to warm up for the real tournament. Well, see you some other time Ryuzaki-san," said the other girl with waist-length navy hair and silver streaks. The two walked to the gates at a hurried pace.
"I hope we're not late," said the raven-haired girl.
"There's nothing to worry about Yuki," said the one with silver streaks reassuringly.
"Kiyoko," said Yuki to the one who had last spoken, "We can't be late." It would be the first match the girls had gone to in Japan since they had moved to the U.S. and they couldn't afford to be tardy. When they got to the South Gate, there was no one there. A boy about their age dressed in tennis wear was laying on the ground with his hat over his head. They went over to him.
"Do you know where the match is?" asked Yuki in an urgent voice.
"North Gate," said the boy not looking up, "It's too late anyway. Matches already started." The girls were shocked.
"That Sakuno girl said it was here!" objected Yuki.
"No point to argue now Yuki," said Kiyoko with a resigned sigh and flopping down on the ground. Just then Sakuno walked to them hurriedly.
"Gomen nasai!" cried Sakuno to the four, "I didn't mean to mislead you. Will you be disqualified now?"
"I'm thirsty," said the boy not answering before standing up. Sakuno stopped him.
"Don't bother I'll get them!" said Sakuno running to the vending machines. The other three had to follow anyway since the girl had no change. Footsteps sounded behind the four and a sixteen year old named Sasube smirked at the boy.
"Hey," said Sasube, "Isn't that the kid I saw before? It looks like he lost so he's leaving." Kiyoko noted the scared look in Sakuno's face and the indifferent one on the boy's. She sensed trouble. Sasube lunged at the boy with his racket and the boy didn't even flinch. "Can't even defend yourself, how dare you talk to me about tennis. Thinking you can beat me with just theories is a big mistake. Remember that. Haha! Well gotta go!" Just as Sasube passed Sakuno, she accidentally spilled her drink on him (this is the only useful thing she does!).
"I'm sorry!" cried Sakuno bowing in front of him in apology.
"Unlike that kid over there I have games to play!" cried Sasube. The boy walked casually up to the two.
"Yo," said the boy looking up from his hat, "Did you learn how to grip yet? Well, if you didn't, I might even teach you a move." He had lost his expressionless face and was grinning from ear to ear. Somehow they found themselves on the practice court with Sasube and the boy on the court.
"I'm leaving," said Yuki standing up, "This is boring."
"You can't leave!" cried Kiyoko trying to pull Yuki back down, "I want to see the guy."
"Why bother with such a childish game?" asked Yuki incredulously. Kiyoko now had a small smile on her face and was looking at the boy.
"That boy is Echizen Ryoma," said Kiyoko, "His father was a great tennis player. Don't you remember?"
"Have fun Kiyoko," said Yuki before walking out of the court.
"She never gets into the spirit," muttered Kiyoko to herself before taking a seat. Sakuno followed.
"The best in one set match, Sasube service play," called the illegitimate ref.
"Time to teach you a lesson kid," said Sasube before serving.
"That serve has to be about 180 kilo!" said a bystander smirking, "I feel sorry for the kid." Ryoma returned the ball with ease.
"This is child's play," said Kiyoko with a sigh not noticing the extreme expressions the girl next to her was putting on. Sasube was shocked but then regained his old expression.
"That was a lucky hit kid." said Sasube before hitting the ball up to serve again, "But going easy on you will be my last mistake!"
"Guess I'll have to give up the act too," said Ryoma before moving back to return the ball.
"Wha! Bullshit!" cried a bystander, "He returned it again!"
"Yo," said Ryoma calling to Sasube, "Just now...that wasn't your proper hit was it?" Sasube took on another jolt of surprise.
"You're a funny kid," said Sasube, "But I won't lose." Ryoma said nothing as he got up to serve.
"Whoa! He's already at the net!" exclaimed one as Ryoma's serve hurtled to the other side.
"Amazing!" exclaimed Sakuno. Kiyoko shook her head.
"Even if he said he was giving up the act, he's holding back," muttered Kiyoko to herself.
"What the hell?! Sasube lost his service!"
"Game count 1-0. Echizen lead."
Ryoma didn't seem to be paying attention. Kiyoko watched him closely. He let the ball up and jumped hitting the ball to Sasube's right. Ryoma turned to Sasube with a smirk. "Since you're playing in the finals, I better make this quick."
"Th-that kid isn't a normal player!" exclaimed a girl.
"Still no good," muttered Kiyoko.
"He wasn't at the tennis grounds so he was at a place like this?" asked an old woman in a coach's outfit, "You sure can't reason with that prince."
"Obaa-chan?!" exclaimed Sakuno. Kiyoko turned to her and smiled in recognition. She hadn't noticed Kiyoko yet.
"Excuse me, Coach Ryuzaki," said Kiyoko standing up and smiling. The woman turned to her and grinned.
"Ah, Miss Kazumi," said the woman, "I was wondering when you and Miss Aihara would come. So, you recognized Echizen and decided to stay, huh. Why did all of you miss the tournament?"
"We were held back," said Kiyoko with a shrug.
"You two know each other?!" interrupted Sakuno in surprise.
"It's not important," said Kiyoko stopping the woman, "But I would like a more in-depth piece of information about the Echizen family. I believe Ryoma was four-time American Junior Champion?"
"Yup," said the woman, "The whole family comes back to Japan every few years so their names are only known to tennis enthusiasts." As they talked Ryoma and Sasube played. All the other players encouraged Sasube to move to the front so that Ryoma would be unable to return but Ryoma kept pushing him to the sidelines.
"Aren't you going to show me your special net play?" asked Ryoma throwing another one to him very close to the edge.
"Hang on, wasn't that out?" asked one of Sasube's friends.
"That can't be!" exclaimed Sakuno.
"Yes," said Sasube now looking confident, "It was an out."
"This is a self-judged game," said Coach Ryuzaki, "They can judge the way they want too. However..." Now Ryoma was hitting the ball inside the court and Sasube was moving in until he was up to the net.
"Now's my chance," said Sasube with a grin hitting from the net. Ryoma returned it over Sasube's shoulder into the court.
"Yo," said Ryoma, "That ball I just hit, was it in?"
"Amazing! He returned from the net with a lob hit!" Now Sasube kept hitting from the net and Ryoma kept returning. Everyone else knew it was a trap except for Sasube who did not heed their warnings. Now the ball went over his shoulder and couldn't believe it. But at that exact moment he "accidentally" threw the ball at Ryoma.
"Oops! Sorry my hand slipped. Why don't we just stop?" asked Sasube with a grin. Ryoma stood up not heeding his bruises.
"You still haven't shown me a proper grip," said Ryoma, "It's just beginning."
"Haha!" said Sasube regaining his confidence, "Let's see how long you can use such big words."
"Game Count 5-2. Echizen lead."
"That's just cruel!" said Sakuno. Kiyoko now shut her out. This was getting interesting. Ryoma now went to serve. It headed straight for Sasube.
"I got this one!" said Sasube confidently. He was wrong. The ball hit the ground and swerved the other direction. Sasube stopped in his tracks. "Was that what I think I it was?"
"Hey that ball just turned to the right."
"You don't think."
"15-0" As the bystanders watched his movements closely they gasped.
"Isn't that...the twist serve?!" The next ball hit Sasube square in the face and he fell back.
"Bullshit...the twist serve," said Sasube.
"This is the first time I've ever seen it!"
"That sharp turn gives even the adults a hard time!"
"Not bad Echizen," said Kiyoko to herself, "I may find a rival in you yet." Serve after serve came until...
"Game Set!"
"He won," murmured Sonako.
"I never said one set?! One more time," said Sasube. Coach Ryuzaki tried to intrude but Ryoma stopped her.
"Doesn't matter," said Ryoma before getting back on the court. Sasube started cursing again but was stopped short. Ryoma was going to serve with his left hand!
"That child is left handed," said Coach Ryuzaki with a smirk, "He's been playing like that with the opposite hand." Just then an employee was telling the boys to get out. Kiyoko stood up satisfied.
"We'll definitely see each other soon."
