A/N: At first I thought I would make my antagonist leaning on the more bubbling, chirpy idiot, but I figured that it would be much more fun (and less stereotypical drama) to have them both at about the same intelligence level.

On the other hand, I really need to review the sublime personalities of the Prince of Tennis guys. Sometimes it becomes difficult to imagine their responses to certain questions and situations. Heh…

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Ch3

The Problem with Enemies

"Actually, now that I think about it, do you even know how to cook? It would be such a mess if we were to get sick anyway because of something you aren't doing right."

"You're welcome to starve yourself to death anytime instead, Aimi-senpai."

Ever since the last blow, Nanami decided to take on a new approach. If the vice captain wanted to use her status as an advantage in the war, then she'll just have to honor her wishes. For now, of course. Remaining on defense to gather more energy for an offensive attack would suit the situation. After all, the last thing she wanted was to overplay the issue and grant her nemesis the satisfaction of knowing that she had won.

Nanami had been given the easy task of rinsing the rice, so she took the liberty of observing the practices going on, when the varsity group took their freshen-up break. Her eyes did not leave the courts even when the group approached, lead by the vice captain, ready with a Christmas wish list long of insults and humiliations for the ricer rinse-er no less. Oh, and of course, she left the captain back on the court, giving herself the complete freedom without any consequences.

"But Aimi-senpai, Nanami is just rinsing the rice. Everyone knows how to do that."

Fortunate for Nanami, Aimi was about as horrible a person as the team goes. Everyone knew of the problems between the two of them and did not dare to interfere, especially with the idea of getting in trouble with their captain. Sure Nanami had a few friends, and so did Aimi, but they hardly needed to take any stand. It seemed as if this war between the two was, well, strictly between the two. That was, until Aimi used the Captain to get to her only that morning.

To buy herself time to think of a comeback both against Nanami and the other member that so liked to state the obvious, the vice captain turned on the faucet for a much needed drink.

---

"Remember last year when I kept coming to you for advice on a hard case, Tezuka-san?" As if forcing the usually dense – if only by appearance- boys' captain, Suzumi quickly got hold of her water bottle and gracefully downed about half of its content.

"I suppose."

"A hard case?" At least one person was interested.

"That's right, Fuji-san. Last year was my first year of being captain, so I liked to seek help from Tezuka-san here. One of the biggest problems I encountered then, and even now, was how to deal with an un-cooperating tennis player."

"Who refused to come to practices?"

"Precisely."

"Yet from what I hear, she is one of the more sincere and determined players on your team." Tezuka stated as he thanked Fuji for getting his water bottle and reached out to take a sip.

"Last year I would have said so myself, but now I must admit I am having my doubts."

"It must be hard on you, Suzumi-chan." Fuji Sympathized.

"No matter what she's still a part of my team. And it would be a pity if I just gave up on her."

"One of a captain's most important job is to never doubt his or her players. She must know for sure to the best of her abilities. Otherwise, if a captain cannot trust her team, how is the team expected to entrust their group's wellbeing to the captain?"

Suzumi couldn't help but stare at the speaker in awe. Despite being neighbors since childhood, she could never shed off the inexplicable fascination she had of this man. It was no wonder he has always been mistaken as an adult. His maturity and understanding of certain human aspects excelled those of many others who have had more experience than him. Was there nothing in human nature that he could not read? Or at least one aspect that could catch him off guard?

"Suzumi-chan, if you don't mind me asking, there must be another reason besides your feeling of responsibility over her that has prevented you from asking her to leave the team."

"You're a keen observer, Fuji-san."

And with that, the conversation ended. Both men knew better then to further push the girl for an answer if she wasn't willing to let it be known in the first place.

---

It just so happened that the placement of the faucet Aimi strategically chose was right across from her enemy, blocking the line of sight between Nanami and the tennis courts.

"I'm sure the guys on the court are enjoying a nice view of your ass, senpai, but I really don't need a show of your overly enhanced breasts. I'm not interested, thank you."

Water almost squirted out of her nose when she heard the remark. A few giggles from the rest of the group actually pierced the silence. Nanami proudly snickered at the small success, despite declaring herself to be on defense for a while. Aimi slowly turned the water off, wiping the water off with the towel around her neck. All the other girls went quiet, anxiously waiting for a full blown battle.

"Funny, what with your hatred for guys, I thought you went the other way."

"Now, now, let's not offend others who may be, Miss vice captain. But even if I was, I have zero interest in the likes of you."

"If that's your way of saying that you hate me, then I reciprocate it in the same manner."

"So we hate each other, I thought we established that a year ago."

Seeing no point in continuing the conversation, both parties went back to their original tasks. The other girls figured they better get some to drink as well before going back on court.

"Ne, Nanami, we never really got it but, why do you hate guys so much? Did something happen in your past?"

"No. But if hatred had a reason, then it wouldn't really be an irrational feeling, now would it?"

"There must be something that makes you dislike them so much."

"I think they're pigs, guided by instinct and pride. They lack an ability to observe, and take no account of the human qualities in us. Hiding behind their delusions of being all high and mighty, strong and protecting, but in fact they're weak. I could go on all day, but I'm not here to preach my beliefs."

Despite the declared hate for each other, Aimi almost had to laugh at the girl's stubbornness. Exactly what experiences was she basing all of this on?

"All I know is, Nanami-chan, that this is exactly who you are: just stuffed with brags and complaints but nothing to show. I bet that even if you were faced with a chance to fight a death battle with the ones you claim to hate so much, you wouldn't have the guts to do it."

The vice captain grabbed the tennis racquet leaning against the basin and turned to head back to the courts.

"Is that a dare I hear? Because if it is, I'll be more than willing to comply."

Aimi stopped in her tracks, mildly surprised, but already planning her next move.

"I would call it more of a proposal." Turning to face the other girl, both sides found more will to outlast and outsmart the other. "You see, I've been trying to convince Suzumi-buchou to kick you off the team for a while now—no sense in hiding it from you—but she hasn't budged. Whatever the reasons are, I don't care. But, I think all the girls here would agree that if a person wishes to remain on the team, she has to work for it."

"And I suppose you don't think I've earned a right to be on the team."

"No. You rarely come to practices, and always get your way around challenge matches. Personally, I think you have absolutely no skill, and that your vacant spot would be more beneficial to others. I mean, honestly, who here has actually seen Nanami play even one single point?"

No one had anything to say. It was the truth. No one had seen her play in a match before. The only things they have seen her do were the typical drills and conditioning. Nothing that really needed to utilize her actual skills, because usually, by the time warm-ups were done at practices, she would be nowhere in sight. So Nanami ditching actual practices became a norm for everyone on the team. Sure people complained, but there always seemed to have been someone protecting her spot on the team. Definitely unfair.

The accused girl understood the sudden uneasiness around her. They didn't like her getting the credit on being on a tennis team but not actually contributing to it. On second thought, they're justified. Maybe, it was time she came out of her cocoon and actually went to practice for once… she toyed with the idea for a brief moment but decided against it. Too much of a hassle. She'll just get the bet, dare, proposal, or whatever it was, over with.

"Fine. What do you suggest then, vice captain?"

"At the end of the camp, you have to win a challenge match…"

"Done."

"I'm not finished. You have to win a challenge match against someone on the boy's team."

Deep inside, Nanami felt herself laughing hysterically. Who knew that such a great chance would actually come along? She could overlook both the destruction of Aimi and a 3-year National Champion member!

However, her mind knew better then to immediately commence to a celebration dance. Reality hit. To actually win a match against one of the country's best high school male tennis player? What was she, insane? Oh, so this was her way of being tricky, huh. If she lost, which was more than likely considering the circumstances, not only would she lose yet another battle to Aimi, but she would lose her pride! Losing to creatures she deemed weak pigs, would make her no better than… No! She would not go there. Maybe if she declined the offer…

"Aimi-senpai, isn't that a bit too unfair? Even we can't possibly win a match against any one of them."

Usually, Aimi would've snapped at miss obvious over there for, well, speaking the obvious. But for now, she just ignored her.

"So what do you say Nanami? Or are you also too high and mighty to actually come down from your delusions to play a guy?"

"Do NOT compare me to them." Actually, she didn't mind it that much considering how much of it was true, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"I accept your proposal under one condition. You will resign from your 'vice captain' status if I win."

"Done. But I also get one condition."

"No, undone. You already got to pick the game and rules."

"The game and rules are of everyone's request, as remedy for not attending practices for a whole year on the team. I should get one personal condition added."

"As long as I get to modify mine."

"Done."

"Don't you want to hear what my new condition is first?"

"Doesn't matter, there's no way you'll win anyway."

Back on the court, the captain was glaring angrily at the group by the faucets, urging them to hurry up. Everyone caught unto it quickly. Nanami collected her rice to head back to the kitchen and the girls grabbed their racquets and towels.

"When I win, not only do you have to resign from being 'vice captain' but you also have to resign from the tennis team."

Everyone froze at the mention of a team resignation. Not only was it another taboo on the team to mention the resignation from the tennis team, but it was even a clear rule on their team that the resignation of a person from a tennis team as a part of a game or bet would not be permitted under any circumstances. They could get in trouble just for even thinking about it.

The vice captain merely chuckled, as if such an offense was a mere trifling like stealing a piece of pepperoni off someone else's slice of pizza at the dinner table when the person wasn't looking.

"You might want to hear yours."

"Whatever it is, I've already agreed to it."

"Exactly. When you lose, you will be giving your opponent a lap dance."

Absolutely nothing went through her mind. Maybe the reality of it hadn't sunk in yet. So she stood there like a motionless tree, watching the girls return to practice.

Son of a--