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Tested
A Prince of Tennis Fanfic
Written by PynkPlayar
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| STEP 4: TO EXPERIMENT |
"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine." --Robert C. Gallagher
I dragged my feet to first period. Damn, was I tired. Karupin decided to hog all the blankets last night and sleep smack in the middle of the bed. The furball never even thought about the discomfort it would cause to me. I ended up sleeping plastered against the wall, not wanting to disturb the dumb critter's sleep. An aching back is what I get for being considerate for a certain someone's (or something's) well-being. Whatever. No use getting mad at a cat.
I briskly opened the door to the class. I glaced at the clock. I was actually early. Nice, Echizen. I fazed out all the calls of "Ryoma-sama" that pierced the air. Everything was as it always was. Wait... what? I blinked. Ryuzaki Sakuno was staring at me. The staring was normal, for I'd gotten use to that kind of stuff long ago (dumb fan girls). But there was something different. I looked back at her. Usually, she would duck her head away in embarrassment, face flushed, and turn to Osakada and start chatting (well, more like stuttering frantically).
This time was different. She just stared at me. No red in the cheeks. No flustering and knocking over her notebooks on her desk. She just looked back, and cocked her head ever so slightly to the side. Weird. I entered the classroom cooly, and brushed past her.
"Good morning, Echizen-kun."
Her greeting was different too. I wasn't too sure what exactly the difference was, but I knew that there was one.
"Hn." My signature grunt works as a response to any situation. Again: nice, Echizen.
I settled myself near the back of the classroom, where I planned to doze off 10 minutes through class (this was most likely when the teacher would decide to actually start teaching). Echizen Ryoma doesn't need to pay attention though. He has English down, no sweat.
As soon as I slumped into the chair, I noticed again that Ryuzaki was looking at me. Again. How weird could this get? Then, she returned to her conversation with the always over-energetic Osakada. The bell sounded, and I saw her take one last glance at me. Ryuzaki really was strange.
But then I heard her whisper under her breath, "Nothing."
Nothing?
She looked back at me again. I felt like I was some convict guilty of a crime, being inspected. She only glaced at me for a second, and she turned away and she whispered again under her breath, "Nothing."
Nothing? What am I suppose to take from that? Echizen Ryoma and the word "nothing" never go together. Unless it was along the lines of "Nothing ever phases Echizen Ryoma."
Ryuzaki Sakuno was no acception to this.
The morning clamor soon died away. Attendance was taken and announcements were, well, announced.
"Alright class, today we are going to learn how to conjugate the verb..."
10 minutes. Perfect.
Nap time.
* * * * *
When Echizen walked into the classroom, I was seated in the middle of the room and I braced myself for the overwhelming characteristics of nervousness I would get in his presence: blushing, stuttering, and klutzy tendencies. Today was different though. Echizen, instead of being the-guy-who-occupied-my-thoughts-at-all-times, he had become the-guy-who-is-always-apathetic-except-for-tennis-and-just-happens-to-be-in-my-class. Woah. What was different about him today than every other day? I pondered over it and stared at the tennis star.
Maybe it wasn't him. Maybe it was me that was different.
"Good morning Echizen-kun."
I waited for the heat to rise up to my face and the embarassment to occur. And yet, there was nothing.
I heard a familiar grunt from him and he walked past me.
It was too weird. Too foreign.
I looked back at him. He looked back at me. I turned away and started chatting with Tomoka. But I took subtle peeks at him. Still didn't feel anything.
Nothing.
I resisted the urge to jump out of my chair and dance in my victory. However, I allowed the Hallelujah chorus to start running through my head.
I felt really light, as if some heavy burden that I had been carrying around had been lifted. Now, it's time for English. The way this day is starting, maybe I'll actually understand whatever we'll be learning about.
* * *
Today was awesome. After English class, I felt so cheery and confident. Where'd this come from, I don't know. But who really cares? Hey --I actually got the answer right in Math when I had to go up to the board (and without dropping the chalk or tripping over people's bags!). I then explained it simply, clear, and concise. I even got a "Very well done, Ryuzaki" from the teacher.
They ought to give out awards for days like this.
* * *
School had finally ended.
"Sakuno-chaaaaaaaaaan," Tomoka chirped.
"Yes, Tomoka-chaaaaaaaan?" I chimed back. She seemed a little suprise at my response. Why? She got to be all sing-songy. I'm not allowed to?
"Ready to go watch the boy's tennis regulars practice? Especially a certain tennis star?"
"Sure."
Tomoka had that confused look on her face again. Was there something on my face? I followed her in the direction of the courts.
"Ryoma-sama!!!!" Tomoka squeeled, waving her hands enthusiastically. I winced. I know Tomoka is a little perky, but I didn't realize how high and loud she could go.
"Oi! Looks whose here! Seigaku's tennis cheerleaders!"
"Hey, Momo-chan-senpai." I smiled.
"Oh, isn't someone looking especially cute today? For a certain Oichibi?" Kikumaru-senpai teased, bounding over to the fence.
I laughed. "You guys are so funny!"
Momoshiro and Kikumaru exchanged looks, blinking.
"No denying the special relationship you guys share?" Momoshiro interrogated.
"Haha --you're so bizarre Momo-chan-senpai! There is no 'special relationship.' Have you been reading too many mangas?"
Momoshiro looked suddenly defeated.
"Aww, it's okay Momo-chan! You're bizarre in a good way! And no need to be ashamed of your secret manga obsession!" Kikumaru said reassuringly.
"What?!?! If anyone is like that, it'd be you!"
Kikumaru dashed away pleased with himself, Momoshiro chasing (more like hunting, actually) close behind.
"Get back here you!"
"Nyaaaaa~"
I giggled. Two big bad Seigaku regulars, running around like a bunch of grade schoolers. Tomoka joined me, laughing heartily.
* * * * *
Che.
Upon exiting the tennis club's locker room, I hear a chorus of laughter. There was the always familiar and well, loud, sounds of Osakada. But the laughter accompanying it had a ring of innocence and purity. I looked to see...
Ryuzaki?
She was smiling so carefree and genuinely. I had never seen her wear such an expression on her face. She looked... different.
Whatever. Must be the sun.
My stomach did some weird unfamiliar thing. It was some sort of tingly feeling. Positive and negative all at once. No words can exactly explain what the heck my stomach was doing. Maybe this is a side effect of drinking Inui's concoctions so often...
In situations such as this, some Ponta will make things better. Always.
I made my way over to the vending machines. Now that I think about it, I have at least two or three Ponta cans a day, right? Damn. That's a lot. So, if each Ponta can costs 120 yen... okay, so 3 Ponta cans a day is 360 yen. 360 times 365 days in a year... do I even want to calculate that? Hey, I've never thought to check the ingredients to this stuff. What if there's some weird chemical in this stuff? I could be getting some weird disease... Cancer?
"Echizen-kun, are you gonna buy something or can I go?"
Ryuzaki? Where'd you come from?
"Che." I don't know what it means, but hey it works 'cuz people can interpret things their own way. They tend to do that anyways.
I reached into my pocket, only to find 100 yen. Shit... what's a guy gotta do for Ponta?
"Would you like to borrow 20 yen?"
I stared back. Echizen Ryoma does not ever owe people. People owe Echizen Ryoma.
She smiled. "Just kidding. You don't have to pay back."
Before I could respond with a "hn" or a "che" or any type of verbal response, she clinked in another 20 yen.
"Grape, right?"
Plunk. She handed me a can of Ponta, decorated with tinges of purple grapes.
Oh sweet Ponta. How I did yearn for thee! Thy elixir of mine life! Such sweet cool deliciousness!
Wait... can't show that much enthusiasm. I'm the always-cool-and-collected-Echizen Ryoma...
I chugged it.
"Someone especially thirsty today?"
I stared back. Huh?
"I remember... we met on a day like this. And the situation was just like this... except this time, you forgot money."
She looked up, giggled, and smiled subtly, gazing back at me.
My stomach did that weird thing again. Maybe too much Ponta isn't good for one's health...
I mentally sighed. Now what's wrong with this girl?
"Echizen-kun... your lips...they're all purple. Like... really purple." She suppressed her laughter.
Stupid Grape Ponta. I pulled my cap down lower to, err, block the sunlight. Damn sun.
She turned to face the vending machine. Clink, clink. I just stood there, staring at this strange, strange girl...
Plunk. She stuck her hand in to reveal another Grape Ponta. No thanks, Ryuzaki. As much as I love Ponta, maybe today I've had my fill...
Wha?
She chugged it.
"See?" She smiled. "Now my lips are purple, too."
What is with this girl? Why does she keep smiling? And talking? I don't do small talk.
"Ryuzaki, you seem very talkative today."
Then I instantly remembered last time I said something similar: it led to running away and tears. Why, I don't know.
I mentally slapped myself in the face. Damn. This is why I don't get girls. I braced myself for the drama.
But instead she just smiled some more. "I don't know. I guess today was just a really good day."
Still will never understand girls.
"Hey Echizen-kun. Won't you be late for tennis practice?"
Shit.
Don't want to drink any of that crap Inui keeps brewing.
Instantly, an image of a green-skinned Inui sporting a witch hat and (err) dress comes to my mind, with a big boil on his nose and with a big boiling cauldron in front of him. This green-skinned, witch-costume-wearing, big-boil-y Inui was cackling as he stirred some unrecognizable liquid.
This is why I can't watch anything on TV that isn't tennis...
"Hn." I grunted and quickly made my way over to the tennis courts.
* * *
"Pfft... Oi, Echizen! You're lips... pfft... are purple!"
Shit.
"Nyaaaaa~ Purple Lips! Purple Lips!"
Damn senpais.
A/N: Awesome! I can't believe I actually got this out! I been stumped on how to carry this out, but somehow I got something. I basically "barfed out words" (as my English teacher would say). But hey, tell me what you think! Thank you all for support! Keep writing reviews for me! I really look forward to reading them! Questions, comments, critiques, etc.!
Oh, and I just thought of this: In case any of you are gonna go "Sakuno is so OOC," I have a scene all planned out in my head to explain this. It will be amazing. I hope. Well, ... at the moment in my head, it seems amazing. :D
To be frank, I was totally nervous about posting this! But your comments gave me hope! The light from the heavens (or something like that).
Thank you nicklaus mak wei xuan, blackangel1122, Otakugal, and raventurtle for the support!
Miyo-chan02: Haha, thanks! I actually gotta thank you for this partially ---I saw your post on Manga Fox! I loved all your fanfics~
Khelc-sul Renai: Glad you thought it was funny! And don't worry --I spontaneously burst out in laughter all the time reading this stuff, too.
For your second comment, I just thought that before that they really didn't know each other. They were kind of like strangers. How can you like someone you hardly know?
AquaJet: You can deduct that for yourself! You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else.
I kinda sorta have no idea what to do next with this story plot-wise. So I apologize in advance if this takes forever to update. I'm having so much fun writing this, I wanna make it good. :D
