Heart Strings
Chapter One: Takishima Miyuki
I kept on staring, just watching. There was nothing else I could do. With every passing minute, every passing second, I feel a pang in my heart. I recall the feeling, the thrill that I had felt before. But now…it's all gone…. What I had once loved has turned into something that now brings me misery and despair. But … I can't runaway forever…no...I have to face it once and for all…
Today, unlike the other days, was an extremely hot and humid day; not a cloud in sight. There I was, standing right beside the tennis courts with the scourging sun hovering right above me. Beads of sweat were forming on my forehead. I wiped them with a small white handkerchief that I always carried. I couldn't take it anymore; it was way just too hot. If I couldn't stand the heat, I wonder how they must be feeling right now. They've been running under the scourging sun for quite a while now. I bet they feel worse than me; they're probably really tired and annoyed by now.
Hm… seems like it's just the regulars again….time to have some fun!
"Ne, minna-san! Whoever finishes last gets to drink two whole pitchers of Inui-sempai's 'Special Improved Deluxe Penal Tea'!"
Inui juice is somewhat like an "incentive" for the tennis club members. As soon as they, especially the regulars, hear the word 'Inui juice', they all start practicing like crazy! They run faster when they are running laps or play a lot better during practice matches just to avoid Inui-sempai's juice. It's pretty amusing really, how everyone gets all worked up over a small amount of beverage. Honestly, who wouldn't? It's the deadly Inui juice we're talking about here! I've never tasted that…. thing before but just by looking at it… it didn't seem very….edible.
As soon as the regulars heard what I had said, their faces turned pale. And from the expressions plastered on their faces, it's pretty obvious that none of them wanted to drink that…er….liquid….thing. All of the regulars started running as though their lives depended on it! Even the honourable captain of the tennis club himself, my cousin, Tezuka Kunimitsu, or Kuni-chan as I like to call him. Kuni-chan is my first cousin; my mom and his dad are siblings. And even though we're cousins, we act nothing like each other! I mean, I'm a happy and bubbly person and he's well…he's like a block of ice. But Kuni-chan isn't a complete iceman; he can be sweet in his little own way.
Oh, here they come, let's see who gets to drink Inui sempai's 'Special Improved Deluxe Penal Tea'.
I waited and watched intently with anticipation, but to my dismay they all came at the exact same time…I sighed. I guess no one will be drinking Inui-sempai's juice today…again… As strange as it may sound, I was a bit disappointed. I was hoping that I could see someone, anyone face the wrath of the deadly liquid. I pouted, pursing my lips. Oh well that's life, you can't really get everything that you want. Okay time to work again… I sighed as I started distributing the towels and water bottles to the now panting and sweating regulars.
I'm sure you're wondering about who I am and my reason for being here. My name's Takishima Miyuki, a freshman at Seigaku and I'm also the tennis club's current manager. And let me tell you this, it's not easy for a little and petite girl like me managing a big club like this. So why am I still here you ask? Why didn't I quit a long time ago? To put it simply, it's just fun being here. Despite the fact that I have to carry heavy equipment, clean the club room and do a lot of ridiculous things for Inui-sempai, it's still pretty fun and…entertaining at the same time.
"Saa, Miyuki-chan, you seem a bit disappointed." A calm and amused voice came from behind me. It was the sadistic tensai, Fuji Syuusuke. I approached him, handing him his towel and water bottle "I am disappointed, Fuji-sempai" I sighed once again "it's a shame no one got to drink Inui-sempai's juice…maybe I should've just spiked your water bottles instead…." I snickered at the thought of the regulars, thirsty from all the running, desperately in need of water, happily taking a sip out of their water bottle only to come face to face with Inui juice. Wait a minute, am I starting to sound just like Fuji-sempai?
Everyone, minus Kuni-chan and Fuji-sempai, just stared at me in horror. Kuni-chan had his stoic face and Fuji-sempai was just smiling, as usual. How does he do that anyway? Walk around, let alone play tennis, with his eyes closed; must be a tensai thing. Anyway like I said they stared at me in horror. They stared at me like I'm some kid of psycho maniac who was going to wipe out the whole human race.
"Miyuki-chan…." I turned around, nervously might I add, as I heard my name being called in an eerie and creepy manner. There in front of me were some of the Seigaku Tennis Regulars. They didn't seem too happy about what I had said regarding their water bottles and Inui-sempai's juice. They reminded me of zombies about to eat the flesh of their next victim. "Get her!!" I heard someone voice out. I think it was momo-sempai….it sounded like him…
Uh-oh….RUN!! "Eh ?! I was just kidding!!"I practically screamed as I started to run for my life, running away from my friends, the Seigaku Tennis Regulars.
"Mah, I'm tired…" I had finally finished cleaning the clubroom and returned all the materials used during practice. Usually, I wouldn't be this tired after doing my job as manager. But today, the regulars chased me around like a hungry pack of wolves hunting for their prey, me…and then Kuni-chan made us run laps for disturbing practice, seriously what's up with him and laps! Once, he made me run laps around the house for not "properly cleaning" my room. I sighed today just wasn't my day.
I felt a tight hug from behind me. "Ne ne, Mimi-chii, come with me to the sporting goods shop. I have to get my racket stringed. After that we can get something to eat, Momo and Ochibi are coming too." I turned around to see where or from who the hug came from. I saw my cat-like sempai, Eiji-nii, grinning. If you're wondering If I'm related to Eiji-nii, the answer would be no. I'm an only child and he's the youngest in his family after all. I just like calling him Eiji-nii due to the fact that he's like an older brother I never had.
I grinned "Okay! But you're treating me!"I giggled as I ran and dragged Eiji-nii to where Momo-sempai and Ryo-kun were. "Mimi-chi!" I could hear Eiji-nii whining about treating me, I giggled some more."I was just kidding Eiji-nii!" I reassured me "and besides Kuni-chan would scold me if I asked you to treat me" I sighed, remembering how strict and adult-like my cousin was. I can't even count how many times he reminded me of my parents! But he's much worse.
Speaking of Kuni-chan, I better tell him that I might arrive home a bit later than the expected time. I wouldn't want to worry him and my aunt and uncle… I sighed.
I looked around for my dear cousin. There he was, talking to Oishi-sempai inside the courts. "Kuni-chan!!" I screamed as I ran up to him, leaving my favourite cat-like nii-chan behind. He turned around as I hugged him from the side. He looked down, acknowledging my existence "Miyuki-chan…" he blinked. As usual, he said that in a very monotonous tone.
"Kuni-chan, I'll be going somewhere with Eiji-nii, Momo-sempai and Ryo-chan, so I'll be home a bit later than usual okay? Okay! See you later! Tell aunty and uncle!"I ran back to where Eiji-nii was, I was looking forward to eating. It's been a long day and I was really hungry. As I was running, I heard a noise coming from under my feet, seems like I had stepped on something. I looked at the object that made contact with the sole of my shoe, it was a tennis racket. I bent down to pick it up. It was an old wooden racket, it's gut was really loose. It was the same racket Ryo-kun used in a match against Aria-sempai a couple of months back.
I swung the racket, once, twice, thrice. I smiled. When was the last time I stood on the court with a racket in my hand? How long has it been since I played? I couldn't remember at all. It's been such a long time. And even though I'm the tennis club's manager, I haven't touched a racket over the few months that I've been here. I smiled half heartedly, thinking of how much I missed it, the feeling, the thrill, the excitement….I missed it, I really did. I really missed playing the game, I really missed tennis………
Hey there, Kur-chan here! So what did you think about the first chapter? too short, fast, boring, wordy etc. ? Did i reveal too much? Honestly i felt that there are some things miising, It was lacking "interest factors" and that some sentences and paragraphs weren't so well connected. Anyway, review ! Feel free to criticise (constructive please) and suggest some stuff. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AND SUGGESTIONS ARE VERY MUCH WELCOMED! THANK YOU !
Translation
Minna-san = everyone
Tensai = genius
Sempai = upperclassmen