A/N: Another Chapter! This is specially dedicated to those had reviewed, favourited, and subscribed this story. Thank you! QAQ
This is a bit rushed because I just typed it today, it usually takes more than a few hours just to type a good story, but i rushed in the end ==
Oh well... Anyway, please tell me any mistakes you can find in the story, if my OC is too Mary Sue (yuck), and the characters are too OOC. Thanks again :D
Prince of Tennis rightfully belongs to Takeshi Konomi.
Thanks to those who had faved and reviewed, they make me even more motivated :D :D
~Fallen Love~
|Chapter 2|
-Silence and English is Golden-
Takahashi Hikari's POV
Silence. Pure Silence. I could see the shock in Niou's eyes, as he stared at me, his eyes widened, which hinted the emotions. Out of the corner of my eye, Jackal gaped, his eyes bulging and his jaw dropped to the ground in shock, and Yagyuu stood still like a statue, no emotions etched on his face. Of course, his lack of emotions is usual for 'The Gentleman.'
I heard a ball drop to the ground in the silence, it bounced onto the ground a few times, and rolled away. Tennis rackets fell to the ground, from the tennis players' grasps, it clattered loudly, the loud sound called me to my senses.
"A girl wants to break up with the Niou Masaharu?" Someone whispered loudly. No one answered. They were too busy staring at Niou and I.
'You can do this, you can to this,' I chanted in my mind. My palms grew sweaty, I licked my lips nervously. "Are you deaf, Niou?" I inquired, trying to keep my voice as level as I can, as I mentally went in hysterics, "I want to break up."
Niou blinked, snapping out of his shock. "What a nice joke, Hikari-chan," he smirked, "But I must say, that was such a cruel joke. Puri~"
"Is that girl just joking? She is just doing it for Niou's attention?"
"You got to be joking! No one breaks up with him! It's always the other way around!"
"She probably just doing for attention. Pfft. How lame."
"I'm serious," I spoke loudly, "I'm not joking."
Silence. Again. The air seemed heavy, almost...ominous. I glared determinedly in Niou's eyes. But on the inside, I was going crazy. My thoughts jumbled up, all I wanted to do, is laugh and say it was joke, though I truly meant what came out of my mouth. But I won't. I must do this. I have to do this. I refuse to back down now.
I closed my eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill, I took a deep breath, and opened my eyes again. I'm ready.
"You're joking," Niou said flatly, as he glared at me suspiciously.
I sighed, and rolled my eyes. I can do this. "No, I'm not," I jeered, "How many times do I have to repeat it? I want to break up! Simple."
No one spoke. Everyone was silent as they stared us. I could see Marui, a few metres behind Niou, his mouth opened in shock, not chewing his gum like he always does.
"What on earth is all this fuss? All of you should be practising," a rather feminine voice spoke, but his voice radiated power and authority.
There were gasps, and the clatter of footsteps as the members of the Tennis Club cleared for a pathway. I turned to see Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichirou and Yanagi Renji. Yukimura had his arms folded, and his jersey on his shoulders billowed behind him, like a cape. Sanada and Yanagi walked behind him, the vice-captain shooting glares at the members, a signal for them to resume their practice.
"Tarundoru!" Sanada barked, "30 laps for slacking off!"
"A-ah! Hai!" The members obeyed and began running their laps, though shooting looks of curiosity at me.
"Ah, Buchou!" Jackal gasped.
I bit my lip and turned to face The Three Demons of Rikkai. "I'm sorry for intruding your practice," I bowed to them, and straightened, "I only came here to return Niou-san's jersey, and to tell him something. I shouldn't have stepped into the courts, without permission"
"It's not her fault, Buchou," Jackal said, as he faced them, "I allowed her into the courts, to give Niou his jersey back."
"It's fine," Yukimura said, giving Sanada a warning glance, causing Sanada to snap his open mouth shut, "Hikari-san, have you told Niou what you wanted to tell him?"
"Ah, yes, I should take my leave. I'm intruding far too long," I answered.
Before, I could turn to leave, Yanagi spoke up, looking into his Notebook, "Takahashi Hikari. Third Year. Class, 3-C. Blood Type, AB. Favourite food, sushi. Favourite subjects are English and Music. Disliked subjects are Mathematics and Science. In fact, her Science marks are rather horrible. Favourite Composers are Yiruma and Joe Hisaishi. Favourite colours, sky blue and white. Hobbies –"
"Renji, that's quite enough," Yukimura interrupted, looking rather amused at my stunned face, and my mutter of 'Stalker.'
Yanagi nodded, "Don't worry Hikari-san, it's data."
"B-but do you really have to do that?" I stammered, a slight blush forming on my cheeks, "It's embarrassing!" I pursed my lips and added, "And you sound like a Stalker."
Yukimura chuckled. Yanagi hardly looked trouble despite my comment, and only turned to a page of his notebook which was labelled 'Takahashi Hikari.' "Hikari-san, mind telling me what you had told Niou?" He inquired, "It's data of course. And I will also put it under Niou's page as well."
"U-Um…" I bit my lip, "I should really go now…"
Marui slid quietly to my side, and used my shoulder as an arm rest, "Do you really want to know, Buchou? It was really interesting news. And I heard it because of I'm a genius!"
"Why not?" Yukimura smiled, a flicker of interest in his eyes.
"Marui!" I hissed.
Marui popped his gum. "Yes, my dear Hikari?" I sighed.
"Marui! No gum in the courts!" Sanada barked, "10 laps after this is over!"
"Genichirou, there's no need. After all, he's telling us some vital news," Yukimura said pleasantly, smiling.
Marui grinned. "Ok then, Hikari wanted to break up with Niou."
Silence. The runners stopped doing their laps and stared at the commotion, once again. I mentally groaned, 'What happened to Silence is Golden?' I thought sourly, 'This silence is too… ugh, what's the word?'
"My, this is fascinating news," Yanagi murmured as he quickly scribbled something in his notebook, "Chances of a girl breaking up with the infamous Niou Masaharu, 7.8%... Chances of this increasing, 4.1%" He looked up from his notebook and peered at me, "Apparently, you're the first one who ever decided to break with Niou. 74.6% that this is a joke, to catch his attention."
"I thought so," Niou appeared out of nowhere and smirked, "Puri~"
"I guess I will be relying on the other 25.4%" I said as calmly as possible, trying to keep my voice steady, though my hands curled to form a fist, "I'm not doing to as a joke to catch his attention. I just want to break up with him. What's so interesting about it?" I took a deep breath and bowed to The Three Demons, "I'm sorry for holding up your practice for a long time. I won't do it again. If you'll excuse me." I bowed shortly, and walked to the exit of the courts, I avoided the stares, and fought back the tears that were threatening to spill.
(No one's POV)
Hikari sighed deeply, as once as she was a few metres away from the tennis courts. She can still feel the eyes of everyone, literally on her back.
"I wonder if I'd done the right thing," She murmured sadly, "Stupid Niou, he still has my heart." She shut her eyes, fighting back the tears. 'If I open them, I probably end up pouring,' she thought.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Someone cried out as she crashed into someone. Hikari staggered back and opened her eyes, her tears spilling.
"Oh… Akaya-kun…" Hikari smiled at him weakly, "I'm sorry for bumping into you. I didn't watch where I was going."
"Gomenasai, Hikari-senpai!" Akaya gasped, "It's my fault! And on Friday, you have to tutor me, right!" He looked hurried and kept glancing at the tennis courts in worry. "Please be quick, Hikari-senpai! I'm late, and Sanada-senpai is going to kill me!" He groaned at the thought.
"A-ah…yes, t-tutoring on F-Friday," Hikari managed to choke out, dashing away the tears that escaped her eyes, hoping that Akaya won't notice. But more came, much to her dismay and horror.
"Oh, ok! I tell you about it tomorrow," he anwered, and stared suspiciously at his senpai, 'Is Hikari-senpai crying?' he thought, his panic dying down, 'But senpai is strong! I wonder what happened…and didn't she leave the tennis courts? What happened?'
"Senpai?" Akaya spoke, tilting his head slightly, "Are…are you crying?"
Hikari gasped and raised her head, to touch her cheeks with her fingers, and felt something wet, much to her horror. "O-Oh…" She sniffed and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "You better go Akaya-kun," she strained another weak smile that faltered, "You'll be late."
"Ahh! Oh no!" he gasped, "Bye, senpai!" He dashed off. Hikari turned to watch his retreating back, and her gaze flickered to the tennis courts. She eyed a certain silver-gray head for a few moments, only to result in more tears to flow down her cheeks. She bit back a sob, "Stupid, stupid!" she turned around and walked in the opposite directions, away from the courts, "I may still be love with him, but I will definitely get over him," she said quietly. But her tears denied what she had promised.
"TARUNDORU!" Sanada yelled once his spotted his kouhai, Kirihara Akaya, "Akaya! 50 laps around the courts for being late!"
"Hai, hai, fukubuchou…" Akaya mumbled, and raised his voice louder, "Did any of you know why Hikari-senpai was at the courts?"
"Akaya-kun," Yukimura raised an eyebrow, as he waved his hand to make the freshmen run faster, "You know Hikari-san?"
Akaya nodded, "She my tutor in English! I'm happy that the stupid teacher assigned me her to be my tutor. She's really nice, and cool! But…she can be a bit strict when it comes to English. Or obsessed is more like it."
Yanagi nodded, "How often does she tutor you?" He had whisked out his notebook and began writing something.
Akaya grinned, "3 times a week. We'll be having another one on Friday." His grin faded, and was replaced with a frown, "You didn't answer my question. Oh! And, did you know why she was crying?"
Yanagi stop writing in his notebook, and looked up. "Chances of Takahashi Hikari to cry, 9.7% From my data, she hardly cries," he mused, "I guess the percentage has increased by 8.6%"
"Niou," Yukimura said in a come-over-here-right-now-or-else-I-will-kill-tone.
"Yes, Buchou?" Niou swaggered over to his captain, and spoke lazily in a drawling tone.
"How long have you and Hikari-san been together?" Yukimura inquired.
Niou frowned, "Huh? Yukimura-buchou is interested in my business?"
"Did Niou-senpai make Hikari-senpai cry?" Akaya burst out. He narrowed his eyes to Niou.
"How ungentlemanly," Yagyuu commented as he pushed up his glasses again, "To make a lady cry."
Niou blinked. "Oh…Hikari-chan? What about her?"
"How many times did you go out with her?" Akaya demanded, jabbing his finger at Niou, his eyes flashing dangerously.
Niou shrugged carelessly, "A few times…that reminds me, didn't we have one yesterday?"
"And were you late for it?" Yanagi inquired, and then added softly under his breath, "What fascinating data…"
"…3:30… Oh, I forgot about it," Niou exclaimed, his fist collided softly with his palm.
"…Yukimura-buchou," Yagyuu turned to his captain, his face unchanging, "Please punish Niou-kun. Such an ungentlemanly act to a fine lady like Hikari-san."
"I AGREE!" Akaya roared, his eyes flashed red for a moment, "I can't forgive you for making my friend cry!"
"Oh, our little Akaya-kun has a girlfriend?" Marui skipped happily to Akaya, and gripped him in a headlock and rubbed his head fondly at the same time, "Whose the unlucky girl?"
Akaya scowled, "Get off me, Marui-senpai, you're heavy, stop eating so much sweets and getting fat. And I do not have a girlfriend. Hikari-senpai is my tutor in English, she's really nice, unlike you guys. Humph!"
"Eh?" Marui placed his finger on his lip, "Takahashi Hikari, as in my friend? That really nice girl from Buchou's class?" He grinned, "Oi, Akaya! Tell her that Jackal's going to treat her for me for an Ice-cream! She helped me with cleaning duties again!"
"From me!" Jackal yelled, as his eyes bulged. Marui grinned in response, which caused Jackal to sigh. "Not again…"
"Tarundoru!" Sanada barked, "Niou, 100 laps! Akaya, 60 laps! Marui, 40 laps!"
"Ehh!" Akaya and Marui chorused, "We have to run laps?"
"Of course," Yukimura smiled dangerously, "For being late, and burdening other people with your own tasks. And Niou-kun, run another 20 laps."
The 3 sighed. Sometimes, their Buchou can be so evil.
"Moshi moshi. Takahashi Hikari speaking," Hikari spoke, "Oh Akaya-kun!"
"Hikari-senpai? Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am. What do you need Akaya-kun?"
"Can you wait for me after Tennis practice on Friday?"
"For the English Tutoring?"
"Yes, senpai. You're usually at the library right? And you always lose track of time, there, causing me to run all the way to the library to pick you up after Tennis practice!"
"Oh, gomen! Akaya-kun, I'm so sorry about that, There's always these fascinating books, and I can't help but get caught in them! I'll try my best to come on time on Friday."
"Thanks, senpai. It's tiring after Tennis practice, stupid Sanada-fukubuchou and his laps. Anyway, so make it on time, senpai! And maybe, you can see my awesome tennis skills!"
"Gomen, gomen! I'll try to be."
"Arigatou, senpai."
"Your welcome, Akaya-kun."
"Ja ne."
"Ja."
Hikari sighed as she shut her phone shut. "Tennis courts, huh… I not sure if I can face him."
Friday came faster than Hikari had expected. Clutching a range of English books to her chest, Hikari slowly made her ways to the Tennis courts. She breathed slowly, as she stepped forward to the courts again. She can hear the thuds of the tennis balls being hit, and the swoosh of the freshmen swinging their rackets heavily. She can even hear Sanada roaring "TARUNDORU" to anyone who was slacking off. As she approached closer she can hear the tennis captain, Yukimura commanding some people to run faster. She chuckled as she heard the triumphed yell of "How's that for a genius?" coming from a self proclaimed genius.
She walked over to a tree, and sat down below it, she had a nice view of the tennis courts. Hikari selected a book of poems in English by the famous poet and play writer, William Shakespeare. She ran her fingers almost lovingly on the English text on the front cover. Her eyes sparkled, as she thought of what poems were inside the book. "I can't wait," she breathed, and turned the pages over, skipping the contents pages, and began reading the first poem.
[A/N: The text in bold being spoken, is in English.]
"Shall I compare thee to a Summer Day?" Hikari whispered in English, her heart raced as she read these words, her eyes brimmed with eagerness as she turned over the page and began ready.
Akaya skimmed the outside of the courts, his eyes scanned the areas searching for a certain senpai. 'Where is she?' he thought, as he turned to his left. His eyes brightened once he spotted her.
"HIKARI-SENPAI!" He bellowed loudly, waving his racket like crazy. The people around him began to edge away from his flying racket.
He grinned as she jolted up, her head turning abruptly as she looked right and left, as if she had been caught guilty of doing something. She squinted at the courts, tapping a book to her chin.
"OVER HERE!" Akaya yelled, waving both his arms, not even caring as Sanada had to duck his head to avoid being hit by his racket, when he approached him. 'She had been reading, typical senpai,' Akaya thought, his grin never leaving his face. Her eyes met his excited ones. She smiled and waved.
"WATCH ME MY COOL SKILLS TENNIS!" Akaya yelled in very broken English. He beamed proudly as he saw his senpai giggle at his 'awesome English.' She only waved again in response.
"TARUNDORU!" Sanada yelled as he smacked Akaya on the head. Hikari winced at the sound of the impact. "What were you doing!" he yelled.
"Fukubuchou," Akaya whined, clutching his head, "I was trying to get Hikari-senpai's attention, you know! I promised her that I will show her my awesome tennis moves!"
"Tarundoru!" Sanada barked, not even caring, "You were waving your racket like crazy! You've could had hit someone!" He glared dangerously at his kouhai. "Such foolish behaviour!"
"Now, now, Genichirou," Yukimura smiled, as he approached them, "Akaya-kun here just want Hikari-san to see him play."
Akaya beamed brightly at his buchou. "So, can I play now?" he asked eagerly. Yukimura nodded. "OK!" he yelled, and pointed to a random member of the club. "You!"
"M-me!" The freshman squeaked, pointing at himself.
"Yes! You! Get on the courts, and play me! This Court!"
"H-H-H-Hai!" The freshman stuttered.
"Heh!" Akaya smirked, "Hikari-senpai will see my awesome moves!" He glowered at the freshman who walked into the courts, without holding anything, "OI! You forgot your racket!"
"A-ah!" the Freshman stuttered, "S-S-S-Sumimasen!"
Akaya rolled his eyes, as the freshman entered the courts again, this time holding his racket, well, more like hugging the racket to his chest for dear life.
"Akaya!" Sanada snapped, "You're facing a mere freshman! Why not play a 2nd or 3rd year that has more experience!"
"Now, now, Genichirou," Yukimura said calmly, "Akaya-kun just wants to impress his beloved Hikari-senpai. Just let him be." Sanada gritted his teeth in response, glaring daggers at Akaya.
"15-love!"
"Heh!" Akaya smirked, and threw the tennis ball into the air, aiming for another Knuckle Serve, which only resulted in the Freshman running away from the ball away again.
Sanada sighed, "He's just doing Knuckle Serves, that idiot," he growled, "Hardly impressive."
"30-love!"
"40-love!"
"Game to Kirihara Akaya! 1-love!"
"OI! HIKARI-SENPAI!" Akaya yelled, with a grin etched on his face, "Did you see that! I won a game without any trouble! I'm going to show you other cool moves too!" Hikari only responded with a thumb-up, her eyes glued to the contents of her book, instead of watching Akaya play. "O-Oi…Hikari-senpai… YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO WATCH ME NOT READ SOME STUPID BOOK!" Hikari still ignored him.
Yukimura chuckled, "Looks like Hikari-san is more interested in reading some 'stupid book' than you, Akaya-kun."
Akaya sighed. "Whatever. I'm still going to win this match."
"Practice's over, you may now go home," Yukimura commanded. There were sighs and groans of relief as everyone stretched and exited the courts.
Akaya sighed heavily, staring at the ground, looking rather disappointed, "Hikari-senpai didn't even glance at my awesome tennis skills," he muttered, "She was too busy reading that stupid book." Someone tapped something heavy on his forehead none too gently. "Itai!" he whined, raising his head to glare at the person in the eye. "Hikari-senpai, that hurts!"
Her cerulean eyes sparkled, as a smile tugged her lips, "I don't forgive who calls English stupid." She tapped him on the forehead with her Shakespeare's book of poems again.
"Itai! Senpai!"
"Yes?"
"Why are you talking in English!" Akaya whined.
"Tsk, tsk. English is a language, and since you need tutoring in English, then you have to speak English! Besides, most of the English marks are for speaking."
"I didn't even get half of that. In fact, I never got a single word except for English!"
Yukimura chuckled, "Most of the English marks come from speaking tests. And speaking in English is a good way of practice if you want to achieve higher marks."
"Speaking English is one of the signs of a Genius!" Marui declared, as he popped his gum again, "How's genius that!"
"Marui," Yagyuu spoke, as he pushed up his glasses again, "Don't you mean, 'How's that for a genius?'"
"Or," Hikari chimed in, "How's that, genius? Or How ingenious is that?"
Marui frowned, "I liked my way better, because it's totally Genius!"
Akaya groaned and clutched his head, "Too. Much. English. Makes. Head. Spin! ARGH!" Hikari only giggled and tapped him on the forehead again.
"How are you so good at English, Hikari-san?" Yukimura asked, "I recall the teacher gave you advanced English homework."
Hikari shrugged. "I use to live in Australia when I was younger." She smiled, "English is my passion, I love it! My dream is to go to America someday."
"Data…" Yanagi mumbled, scribbling in his notebook. Hikari sweat dropped at this, thought she edged away slightly from 'The Data Master.'
"America?" Akaya groaned at the thought, "MORE ENGLISH. NOOO!"
Hikari sighed, "It's not that bad, Akaya."
"That's because to you, English is your passion!" he growled.
Hikari shrugged, "Just like you and tennis."
"Shouldn't you two be going now?" Yagyuu inquired, as he pushed up his glasses again.
"How about, Hikari-chan and Bakaya studies at a café, so we can eat and relax?" Marui suggested with a cheeky grin at Jackal. Jackal sighed heavily, and turned around to check his wallet. He groaned mentally in despair.
"That's a great idea," Yukimura agreed, "Why not all of us go?"
"Tarundoru…" Sanada sighed as he pinched the edge of his nose, and fought a headache that's coming up.
"Is that alright? I don't to bother anyone or anything," Hikari spoke up, creasing her brows, feeling uncertain.
"Nonsense!" Marui exclaimed, "We'll have fun, besides I heard there were some new cakes in that café! And I have to repay you, Hikari! And Akaya can practice saying food in English, as well."
Hikari sighed and nodded. 'If the regulars are coming that means…Niou…' she thought, a queasy feeling in her stomach. She bit her lip in worry. 'What should I do?'
A/N: I threw some flaws on Hikari here, how horrible she is at Science, and she struggles with Maths. English and Music are her strongest points, especially English because she lived in Australia when she was younger, and she developed a passion for it. BUT she struggles with LONG words, even though she has a few years of experience with English. Music - She plays the violin. And her other subjects are pretty much AVERAGE.
She also doesn't like it when people mock English (Akaya), so she kinda...tells them off.
So yea...hoped you like this chapter, and i need to go sleep. Good night! :D
My Responses to Reviews:
Aisian lover: lol, Go Hikari indeed XD Thank you!
sync94: I will update more, don't worry. It's usually favs and reviews that motivate more, lol xD. Thank you~~
