DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS. NOT NOW, NOT EVER!
Chapter 1- The Match Ups
It took the captains nearly two and a half hours to come up with the match ups. They decided in the end, to draw lots. They made numbers and had gotten a box and placed them in. Instead of a team tournament, they would hold an individual type of tournament. So that everyone can play everyone else. People could choose to do singles or doubles. And from there, singles can be scheduled by drawing lots again to see who plays first and a chart will be made soon as the lots have been drawn by everyone.
"Now, we all will deal with who will referee which game." Tezuka spoke which made everyone turn to him. "all take turns. Those who do not have matches can be the referee for a match." Tachibana suggested which made everyone nodded. Everything was now going faster. "Ore-sama hoped to face Seigaku's Pillar of Support. He owes Ore-sama a game." Atobe said with his usual tone. Yukimura and Aoi understood this. "I wish the same thing as Atobe-san. I wish have a match with Echizen-kun again." Aoi said with an excite smile on his face.
The mock tournament hasn't officially started and Echizen Ryoma was being reserved already. Tezuka turned to Yukimura, "Do you wish the same thing, Yukimura?" he asked the brunette. The Rikkaidai Captain simply smiled and nodded. "However, I am sure that Sanada and Kirihara will wish the same thing I do." He added, smiling somewhat like Fuji. "For Josei Shonan, it isn't a mystery as to who would want a match with your freshman, Tezuka-kun. Reiji has been training hard to beat Echizen again, be it an official or unofficial match." Kajimoto told the group.
"Well, Ibu will be having more people to compete for the right to face Echizen then. As far as I know, Shitenhoji's red head, St. Rudolph's Fuji Yuuta, and Higa Chuu's Tanishi-kun has business to settle with Seigaku's rookie." Tachibana said with an amused tone. "Well when Akutsu heard of the mock tournament, he came back hoping to face Echizen again. Add Atobe, Hiyoshi-kun and Choutaro-kun to the list and Echizen will already be having a field day, facing everyone and a few numbers of one or two teams." Minami pointed out.
This caught everyone's attention, specially Atobe's. "Otori Choutaro? He is a doubles player is he not?" asked Tezuka. Minami smiled, "Well, it seems that since Atobe is surprised, he doesn't know this little trivia then. Well, to be honest, it was from Mizuki of St. Rudolph that I even gotten such information. Akazawa-kun, I do not know how that manager of yours gathers his data but it's frightening in some sense." The Yamabuki Captain pointed out. "Well, since its draw lots, whoever will face the brat will be either lucky or be cursed. Echizen doesn't easily give up and won't accept defeat." Atobe said with a smirk.
"Well, I ask you all not to let this certain information of Otori-kun be known. From what Mizuki has shared, Ibu-kun, Kirihara-kun, and a few others I wish not to mention feel the same way towards facing Echizen. We should let this tournament bring out the truth that surrounds Echizen Ryoma." He asked them which he was glad to have gotten good response. "Yes, even you Yukimura, Aoi-kun, and you Atobe feel more than just court rivalry for Seigaku's freshman. And everyone will watch as the story unfolds itself." Minami thought to himself as he smiled and stood up. It was nearly time for the games to begin. And as Mizuki had told him, "Let them all discover this amusing fact for themselves. It'll be fun to see who will make their move and actually pursue that Pillar."
When the Captains came back out, everyone gathered in the courts. However, Ryoma had yet to show himself. Choutaro had stood next to Shishido and simply smiled as his sempai raised a brow that was non-verbally asking where he was. "Welcome everyone to the Mock Tennis Tournament. After a few hours of deliberation, each captain of every school participating has come to an agreement that we all play individually and not by schools." Tezuka began and everyone was already whispering in excitement.
"We will still have singles and doubles matches. Those who wish to play doubles would only need to sign up on the doubles game sheet while the singles do the same on the other. For the singles matches, those participating will draw lots to see which number you are and who will be your opponent. Same rule applies for the doubles." Tezuka continued. "Before we start, is everyone present from every school?" the Seigaku captain asked. Everyone looked around and most of them nodded. Until Momoshiro raised his hand, "Tezuka-bucho, Echizen isn't here yet." Said the sophomore.
Tezuka sighed and wondered where his last regular was. He was about to send his team to search for him when Ryuzaki-sensei and Sakaki-sensei came with the freshman in question followed behind them. The old lady was smirking as Ryoma entered the courts, rubbing his eyes. "Echizen, fifty laps after the drawing of lots are cast for being late." Tezuka commanded sternly. Ryoma yawned once again, "Hai…" was all he said before he stood next to Momoshiro who was snickering.
"Alright, now that everyone is here, those who wish to participate in the singles matches, proceed to Ryuzaki-sensei. And those who wish to play doubles, proceed to Sakaki-sensei. Oji-san and Banda-san will be in charge of keeping track of the wins and losses. We have first aiders as well when needed." Tezuka continued. Sakuno, Tomoka, An Tachibana, and the Seigaku freshman trio bowed. Everyone began to moved around.
Shishido turned to face Choutaro, "Ready to face Seigaku's Golden Pair again, Choutaro?" he asked with a confident smirk. Choutaro turned and smiled politely before he bowed, "Gomen Shishido-sempai. This time around, I wish to participate the singles match. You have experience on that field while I have not. I wish to see and experience for myself what you and the rest have." He told his sempai. Those who were close enough to hear including the other members of Hyotei were in shock. Jirou was actually awake now and was in shock as well.
Shishido shook his head and smiled wider, "I knew you had to face this challenge soon. Go on Choutaro. We'll both participate in the singles matches. And if we face each other, I want you to not hold back on me. Got that?" he told the blond boy who smiled and nodded. "Hai, Shishido-sempai!" This made Atobe wonder what Minami and Mizuki know as he turned and saw the two smiling. "Gomen, Choutaro. But it will be Ore-sama who will defeat the brat this time in the final games." The Hyotei Captain thought to himself. Yes, it was him and Echizen who were going to face each other in the championship.
After everyone had drawn lots, the match ups were being written. "For the singles match, first match will be Hiroshi Wakato of Josei Shonan versus Kojiro Saeki of Rokkakku to be followed by Hiroshi Yagyuu of Rikkaidai versus Munehiro Kabaji of Hyotei." Ryuzaki-sensei called out. Everyone got ready to watch the first two games. Ryuzaki-sensei, Sakaki-sensei, Oji, and Banda smiled as they looked at the list and saw who was Echizen Ryoma's first match. "Well, it came sooner that I thought." Banda commented with a smile on his face.
"The tenth game will be amusing then. Echizen Ryoma versus Akutsu Jin." Sakaki mused. Ryuzaki sensei simply smiled and turned to see Ryoma being ambushed by her granddaughter and the best friend. Not too far behind them were Dan and Kintaro and the Seigaku freshman trio. "Yes, Ryoma's matches never fail to amuse and entertain everyone who watches." Was all she said as she began to write down who was playing who and which number they are on the board.
TBC… ^_^
A/N: Am I off to a good start? Read and review, my good people. You reviews matter to me and it'll determine if Choutaro will have Ryoma with or without oppositions. *laughs*
