BP: Writer's block, and homework is getting more! Well, please bear with me while I close my eyes and write whatever that is on my mind.
14.4.08
Dear Carumati,
I really shouldn't have played doubles with Momo against the school called Gyokurin. He sucks at it, although we did win 6-4, but that's only because we separated the court in two. Anyway, we did get punished. After the match, Momo-senpai asked me in front of everyone, "Echizen, why did you always gaze to your left?" He noticed my habit. Well, old habits die hard. Remember when we play doubles together, you always played at the left, while I played at the right? But really. What business is it of his to ask? I just snapped, "Mind your own business, Momo-senpai."
"Hey, no need to be so mean, you know." said Momo.
I shrugged. "Well, that is a question I wouldn't answer." I tried not to break while telling ihm this. It reminded me of you. I was always watching the left, wondering if you will give me that reassuring smile and give me a thumbs-up, assuring we will win the match. Together. But you stopped playing tennis after schoolwork overwhelmed you, and you spent your time studying instead.
It's ok though. Do promise me that you will play tennis once more once you finished your exams. Good luck for your mid-year!
Ryoma
17.4.08
Dear Carumati,
I played against Fudomine as a Singles 2 player today. I played against this guy called Shinji Ibu. Ibu Shinji is the renowned genius of Fudomine. He was able to defeat the star players of Tokyo-based schools which helped Fudomine reach the district finals, and that's how he ended up facing me today. He has the habit of mumbling and talking to himself, and I can hardly catch what he was saying. He can use Kick Serve, which is exactly like my twist serve. So technically, he can use twist serve. What was scary is the Spot.
I'll explain what Spot is. It is a low-percentage gamble that usually would be unnoticed and brushed off as a coincidence, by hitting a topspin shot, then a slice, then alternating in that order, the opponent who is returning the topspins and slices would feel their muscles contract for a slight second. The contraction can leave the opponent at a numb state known as the "Spot," and it only lasts for a second. However, he has mastered Spot to the point where he can see through the second of muscle contraction and score the point during that state. The Spot is even more dangerous since while in the numb state, the grip power will be lost temporarily, which was what happened to me. I twisted my body to return the serve, but the racquet flew off, and the racket hit the pole, broke, and the broken piece came flying towards my eye. The cut was very deep, but don't worry, it didn't cut my eye. I was trying to staunch the flow, and that stupid braids girl just have to come running to me, shouting, "Ryoma-kun!" Sickening, if you ask me. I ignored her and lamented about my racquet. Luckily, that one was mine, not yours. God knows what you would do if you find your racquet broken. That girl even grabbed my wrist trying to get me to the hospital. It's an insult to me, her, a fan, harassing me. Thank God her grandma, the tennis coach intervened.
The bleeding won't stop. I can't play until the bleeding on my eye has stopped. I wanted to continue playing, so Ryuzaki-sensei applied medicine and placed a gauze over it, while I told Momo-senpai to get a back=up racquet. He just has to ask, "Echizen, why does this racquet have a 'C' on it?"
"Just get the racquet, Momo-senpai!" I snapped.
He handed me your racquet. I silently vowed not to break this one. Oishi-senpai tried to stop me, but the captain took it from him, and handed it to me, saying I have ten minutes. I won within ten minutes by switching my hands then and again, and we were treated to Sushi at Kawamura's Sushi, after I was cleaned up in the hospital of course. I just ate my sushi quietly, and laughed at the fact that Kawamura-senpai's dad actually offered Tezuka-buchou (Buchou means captain. You can translate it as Captain Tezuka.) sake, because he looked like an adult and he was mistaken as a teacher.
My eye patch was drawn with well wishes form my senpais. I should keep the patch when my eye recovers for memories sake. Got to go. It's getting late. Write back soon!
Ryoma
BP: The reason why Carumati never wrote back will be revealed much later in the story, I promise. Please review!