This is the 4th one-shot. This one's a tribute to Rikkai, and a late birthday present to my beloved Seiichi Yukimura (March 5). I really love Rikkai! Rikkai's my favorite team! Well, enjoy!
Happy Birthday, Dear Captain!
"Come on, Kirihara, hurry up!"
Kirihara ran towards the Rikkai Tennis Courts, carrying a digital camera. It was March 4, the day before Yukimura's birthday. Fortunately, Yukimura wasn't there to practice with them today. He went to the hospital for a check-up.
Bunta stared at his kouhai, annoyed, his hands on his hips. All the third year regulars waited for Kirihara's arrival, as he was assigned to bring the digital camera. It was already fifteen minutes past dismissal time, which means Kirihara was fifteen minutes late.
"S-Sorry! I was assigned to clean the blackboard today!" Kirihara said, panting.
"It was only board work! What took you so long!?" came Bunta's annoyed tone.
"Well, I had to do all the work alone, senpai! My partner was an asthmatic girl and she was allergic to chalk dust so I told her to go already." At that point, Kirihara had already managed to even out his breathing.
"Well, well, well…" came Niou's rather mischievous tone. He grinned knowingly at Kirihara. "I didn't know you were a gentleman, Kirihara. That surprised me." Niou turned to Renji. "You should add that to your data, Yanagi."
Renji just looked away, arms crossed on his chest.
"That's enough." Everyone turned towards Sanada, who had that usual stoic look on his face. "Let's just get this over with."
The whole team took out the little props they brought with them: plastic hats, whistles, and other party favors. They all wore a plastic hat, all except for Sanada.
"Vice Captain, are you sure you're not going to wear a plastic hat?" asked Kuwahara. "It's for the captain's birthday, you know."
"…He will understand." Sanada sounded as blank as ever. Seeing as nothing can be done anymore, Kuwahara gave up.
"Okay, guys! Ready!" Kirihara put the digital camera on top of an iron basketball cage (A/N: the iron things where most schools keep their basketballs. The ones that could be pushed around.) Using that as leverage, the view would be perfect. Kirihara pushed the play button before running towards his teammates.
"Happy Birthday, Captain Seiichi Yukimura!"
The next day…
It was not an ordinary Wednesday. It was March 5. The whole Rikkai junior high student body knew about Yukimura's birthday. Of course, being the renowned captain of THE Rikkai Tennis Team and being the best junior high school tennis player in the country, it wasn't surprising at all. Girls all over the campus expressed their love for him through letters, gifts, and attempted hugs (Sanada managed to successfully protect Yuki from each one). Yuki, however, was kind enough to accept all of these with a smile (except for the hugs though). All in all, it was a tumultuous day for teachers, for they had a hard time controlling rabid fangirls all over the campus.
That afternoon…
Sanada told Yukimura he was doing board work and so Yuki decided to go to the tennis courts already. Upon entering the locker room, Yuki was surprised to see that no one was there. Usually, Yagyuu and Yanagi would already be there. He laid his tennis bag in top of a bench.
Where is everyone? It's impossible for them to forget tennis practice…
Just as he was about to take his racquet and go out of the room, Yukimura noticed a piece of paper lying on the floor. Without hesitations, he took it. He unfolded it, and he discovered that it was a note.
The note says:
Yagyuu! I know you're always the first one to reach the locker room during our afternoon practices so listen up! I'm going to ditch tennis practice today. Don't ask why. But I'll tell you where I am though. If the captain asks, tell him I'm at the hospital, visiting my sick grandmother. But the truth is, I'm at the Audio Visual Room, checking something out…Hey! Don't give the note that look! It's not porn! Anyway, don't forget to tell him that, okay? Good. I owe you one ,buddy!
Niou
Yukimura sighed. He put the note inside his pocket. A determined look marred his beautiful face.
That Niou…I think I'll pay him and his grandmother a visit…
At that, Yukimura left the locker room. Little did he know that it was actually part of the team's surprise for him…
After Some Time…
Yukimura reached the Audio Visual Room and he entered. Niou wasn't there and that surprised him.
What's going on here?
Suddenly, Yukimura noticed a cd lying on top of a table beside a stool, and the stool was standing in front of the room's huge television. Yukimura approached the cd and he was surprised to see a label on it.
Watch the DVD eh…?
Obeying the label, Yuki set everything up. When it was done, he sat on the stool and clicked on the remote's play button.
He was surprised to see a video of the whole team wearing plastic hats and whistles around their necks, except for Sanada. Yukimura watched the video. He smiled at his friends' uncomfortable expressions.
"Are you sure this'll work?" Yagyuu asked.
"Shut up, idiot, the recording's already starting!" came Niou's annoyed tone.
"Oh, you're all idiots! Here, I'll start!" Bunta blew his whistle and he grinned at the digital camera. "Hey there, Captain! You must be watching this video already, eh?"
"Of course he is watching it already, idiot…" Kuwahara muttered and the camera was able to record it.
"I heard that!" Bunta growled. He then turned back towards the camera. "Anyway, Captain, I would like to wish you a very jolly birthday!"
"Your use of adjective was wrong, Bunta…" Renji commented.
"Quit picking on me!" Bunta screamed. Kirihara took this chance to shine. He quickly shoved Bunta away and stood in front of the video camera.
"Captain Yukimura! Happy Happy Happy Birthday!" he bellowed. "You're a bad-ass tennis player. My birthday wish for you is that you continue to be a bad-ass tennis player!" This made Yukimura chuckle. "Alright, who's next?"
"Haha!" Niou stepped in front of the camera. "Captain Yukimura, sorry for the note. It was the only idea we had. We knew you would bite the bait. After all, you are a very kind and responsible captain who looks out for all of us. For that, thank you. Happy Birthday! I hope you find a girlfriend already!" Yukimura chuckled at this too.
"I'm next!" Kuwahara ran in front of the camera. "Captain, happy birthday! By the way, Niou really does watch porn! You better give him a sermon for that!"
"Asshole, I do not watch porn!" Niou yelled defensively at Kuwahara. Niou turned to the camera. "I do not watch porn, Captain, you better believe me!"
"Ahh! This is beginning to get stupid!" Bunta said. He pushed Yanagi in front of the camera. "Your turn!"
"Alright…". Yanagi turned towards the camera. "Seiichi, happy birthday. As a birthday gift, I'll give you a copy of your data from all the data I have collected. I hope it helps you in your tennis…" Yukimura smiled at the obviously nervous Yanagi.
Yagyuu was the next one to face the camera. On the background, Niou and Kuwahara were already yelling at each other and Kirihara was trying to stop the both of them.
"Jackal, you asshole! I do not watch porn!"
"Why are you so defensive, then?"
"Why you!?"
"Stop this now, Niou-senpai, Kuwahara-senpai! Remember, the captain's still watching!"
At that, Niou and Kuwahara stopped. They looked away from each other, arms crossed. The focus was now back at Yagyuu.
"Captain Yukimura, happy birthday and may God continue to bless you. Take care of yourself because we need you." Yagyuu said. "There, I'm finished."
Everyone then turned to Sanada. Sanada looked back at them indifferently.
"…What?"
"It's your turn now, vice captain!" Kirihara said. "Make it good!"
Kirihara pushed Sanada towards the front. Sanada sighed emotionlessly. He then stared at the digital camera.
"Seiichi, happy birthday." It was as simple as that. Yukimura chuckled.
"WHAT!? That's IT!?" Kirihara said
"Where is the drama in that!?" Bunta said.
"Shut up…." Sanada said.
"And now, a song for you, captain!" Niou said happily in front of the camera.
And that was the end of the video. Static replaced the once colorful screen. Suddenly, the door of the AV Room opened, and Yukimura heard the footsteps of his friends. They entered the room, and they were singing."
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday….Happy birthday to you!"
Yukimura stood up and turned around. He was not surprised to see his teammates but he was surprised to see Bunta carrying a chocolate cake with the words "Happy Birthday, Seiichi Yukimura" written on it using white icing. Kirihara was carrying a big present, one with the height of a medium sized entertainment set speaker. Yukimura smiled at them.
"Happy Birthday, Captain!"
Yukimura smiled at them. This meant a lot to him: the video, the song, and their presence.
"Everyone, thank you. This is the best birthday I've ever had. Really, thank you."
Bunta gave Yukimura the chocolate cake. Yukimura took it with a smile.
"It's chocolate cake with strawberry cream inside! I baked it myself!" Bunta said proudly.
"It must be really delicious then." Yukimura said with a smile.
"Here's the real present though!" Kirihara said as he handed the gift to Yukimura. Yukimura placed the cake on top of the stool before taking the gift.
"What is inside….?"
"Open it." Niou urged.
And so, Yukimura did. His eyes widened with surprise. In his hands was a golden trophy, with the words "The Best Captain Award: Seiichi Yukimura" inscribed on it. Yukimura really was shocked. He looked at his teammates, surprised.
"W-What the…."
"You're the best captain ever, Captain Yukimura." Kuwahara said.
"You deserve that trophy." Yagyuu said.
"I.." Yukimura said. "I do appreciate it, really, I do…but… this must've cost a lot…"
"Yes, but what the heck?" Bunta said with a grin. "As long as it's for a deserving captain like you!"
"All of us contributed money to that. I did the calculations…" Yanagi said.
"You deserve it, Seiichi…" Sanada said.
"Let's hear it for the best captain award winner!" Niou hollered.
"YEAH!"
Yukimura's surprise was replaced by a very genuine and warm smile. He hugged the trophy as tight as he possibly could. He then turned towards his smiling teammates.
"Everyone….thank you. This means a lot to me. I love it. Thank you…."
OWARI
Aww…I love you Seiichi Yukimura! Belated Happy Birthday to you! Hope you guys liked it!
