Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or Lilting Glamour's characters.
A/N: School has started, and I've got a crapload of homework. Senior year is better than junior year, they said. It's so much fun, they said.
Actually, I'm enjoying it so far because there's a lot more free time and I don't have college app essays to write anymore (though I might still have to later if the early app doesn't go well). So I'll update as fast as I can without interfering with work.
Let's move on to districts, shall we?
~xXx~
"Dreams are true while they last, and are we not living in dreams?" –Alfred Lord Tennyson
~xXx~
Oshitari Kenya enjoyed a great number of things. He liked being speedy, for one thing, and of course tennis and his lizard. And he had just recently started dating her, but he liked his girlfriend a lot too.
What he enjoyed perhaps more than all of those—except for his girlfriend—was teasing Yuushi.
"What do you mean I need a date?" Yuushi groaned over the phone. Kenya could just imagine him cradling his head with his fingers.
"You need a date because Chiho-nee wrote so on the invitation," he replied, somehow maintaining a straight face even though it didn't matter if he hadn't. "Too bad you don't have a girlfriend, eh? Sucks for you."
Yuushi scoffed right back. "I'm surprised you're actually dating a girl, since you're so attached to Shiraishi-san."
"Oi!"
Well, one thing he certainly didn't like was when Yuushi teased him.
~xXx~
"I'm heading out!" Chizuru called, picking up her tennis bag.
As expected, there was no reply. Her parents were working, her younger sister was out with a friend, and the grandparents were asleep.
Why did I even bother?
Tsukiko and Shun had not announced the lineup yesterday, but they were going to right before the match. She wondered vaguely if she'd even been slotted for anything. All five matches were played in the first round, which they would undoubtedly breeze through, but then it was first to three in the later rounds.
She hadn't been doing amazingly in practice matches, though. After her loss to Tsukiko, Chizuru had been forced to go against Yuuka. Which, well, didn't end up as anything good in any way whatsoever. Yuuka had, as expected, trampled her into the dust, left her helpless. And then Chizuru had played Shun and lost yet again.
In middle school she had been regarded as the best player by far in her year, which was true at the time. But what with track and piano and her studies, she just didn't get a chance to improve her tennis as much as she could, which proved to be setback now. Airi too had lost in all her practice matches against Erena, Anna, and Ikue, and she hadn't played Chizuru yet but she was still probably better.
Airi was a sunshine child, bright and positive and alive. Chizuru was more like a moonchild, dependent of the sun's light to shine weakly and spin in the dark. She was nothing compared to her.
~xXx~
"You're here, Chizuru-chan," Tsukiko called, beckoning her over. The third years had all arrived, and the sub regulars wearing Hyotei blue and gray.
Yuuka, who had been counting heads, suddenly sighed. "We're missing one, Tsuki, and it's Yoshida," she informed, irritated. Masterminds did not tolerate lateness.
Tsukiko frowned, glanced down at the paper in her hands. "It would be bad enough for her to be late, but even worse if she doesn't make it. Airi-chan's in Doubles 2." She said worriedly, teeth biting down on her lower lip. "Worst case scenario we can pose one of the subs as her."
"That's not the worst thing that could happen. We could always get disqualified in the first round and have nothing to do for the rest of the season." Yuuka deadpanned, leaning casually against the fence.
She nudged her best friend. "Except that's not going to happen, Yuuka, because you would rather die than that."
The shorter girl merely raised a brow. "Would I, though?"
Before Tsukiko could respond, Atobe came up to them with Kabaji by his side. "Is there something wrong, Sorano-san? There's only five minutes before registration is closed," he warned.
Tsukiko had to hide a smile. Much as he was arrogant Atobe was also caring and generous towards others. Especially Kabaji and Airi. "We're just waiting on Airi-chan," she explained.
Unfortunately, that happened to be the wrong thing to say. Atobe's blue eyes immediately turned dead serious as he breathed out heavily between clenched teeth. "Kabaji, call Airi and tell her to get over here immediately or else—"
"Or else what, Keigo-senpai?" The short girl had just arrived on the scene, out of breath and light brown hair messy.
Atobe whirled around. "Are you aware that you were almost late, and that that would have forced Sorano-san to forfeit and then Hyotei would have been kicked out before even participating in districts? Can you imagine that kind of shame?" he scolded, staring right down at her.
"Hey, it's alright," Tsukiko interrupted, gently shoving them apart. "If you keep on yelling at Airi-chan we really will have to forfeit, so let's go already." She guided Airi away before Atobe had a chance to even open his mouth.
Airi was a mess, continuously yanking at her unkempt hair and twisting her hands. "I'm really sorry though, Tsukiko-buchou. I kind of have a bad habit of misjudging time and being late," she laughed awkwardly, rubbing at the back of her neck.
Without looking back, Yuuka lazily called, "Then you'd better get rid of that habit, Yoshida," from the front of the group.
Airi jumped slightly, shocked. Chizuru, who was walking next to her, noticed, and nudged her with her elbow. "Akechi-senpai doesn't miss anything," she explained.
Clearly that explanation did not enlighten Airi at all. Tsukiko chose to just laugh, ruffling the younger girl's hair.
~xXx~
"All right, Shun-san and I waited until today to announce the lineup, so let's get to it now."
"Doubles 2, Yoshida and Kataoka." Chizuru looked surprised, mouth parted slightly, while Airi looked plain ecstatic, shaking her friend's arm excitedly.
"Doubles 1, myself and Akechi." It was always weird to call Yuuka by her surname. How long had it been since they'd been on a first name basis? Too long to remember.
"Singles 3, Shiina." Ikue, who had arrived earlier that morning with Anna, did not show much emotion on her face besides the tightening of her jaw.
"Singles 2, Himura." Shun made no gesture to show that she had even heard.
"Singles 1, Fukumitsu." The tall girl merely tilted her head, green eyes flashing in anticipation.
Tsukiko finished up by announcing Anna as the reserve, then nodded. "We have an hour before the match starts, so Airi-chan and Chizuru-chan, you two should start warming up in forty. Everyone else is free to go."
The crowd of sub regulars dispersed, and so did the regulars. Anna and Ikue went off somewhere to talk about god knew what—honestly, they were the last two people Tsukiko would have ever expected to become friends, but apparently that's just what they were. Airi had dragged Chizuru off so the latter could show her around the tournament grounds. Shun slipped off on her own, leaving the three best friends to themselves.
Yuuka yawned, draping herself over a bench. "They shouldn't even hold districts when Hyotei is obviously the winner," she commented, closing her eyes.
"I agree," Erena nodded. "It's been like that for the past twenty years." She wisely chose not to mention Hyotei's straight set loss to Rikkai last year.
"Nothing but a formality," Tsukiko shrugged, brushing it off carelessly. She might have been insecure when it came to her assets, but she stood with straight shoulders at tennis. "In all honesty, we don't have to play seriously until we play a school like Seigaku, and most of the teams in the Kantou still aren't that good."
"Not even King Rikkai?" Yuuka raised a brow lazily.
She sucked in a breath, flashing back to the memory of getting thoroughly destroyed by a certain Rikkaidai doubles pair. "I've actually heard that Rikkai's recruited some especially strong players, and there's still those five we have to worry about," Tsukiko admitted. "But those could be nothing more than just rumors. Last year Higa was supposed to be really good, but Shitenhouji wiped them out."
"I wouldn't doubt rumors when it comes to Rikkai," Erena warned, eyes serious. She crossed her arms uncomfortably. "I didn't tell either of you about this, but when Himura-san and I were picking up uniforms we actually had a run in with two Rikkai players. One of them said she's in Doubles 1, and the other one was their captain, Ikeda or something."
Yuuka could though. "Ikeda Minori."
"Yeah, Ikeda Minori. I don't remember the other girl's name though."
The mastermind opened her eyes thoughtfully. "Rikkai's Doubles 1 pair, if I remember correctly—" which no one doubted that she did "—consists of the two third years that beat Okita-senpai and Adachi-senpai. Their names are Akamine Hana and Narita Shizue."
"Her name was Akamine Hana," Erena clarified, hunching over a little. "I would not like to mess with her."
That caused a great amount of amusement in Yuuka, who sat up smoothly, smirking. "Except it'll be me and Tsuki dealing with her, and do you really think we're the ones that need to watch out?"
Erena laughed. "No," she shook her head. "I'd worry for them even if it was just you."
~xXx~
"The districts preliminary match between Yuasa High and Hyotei Academy is about to begin. Players, please shake hands."
Airi grinned, nudging her partner. "You excited for this, Chizuru?" she smiled as she shook the hand of a girl even shorter than her, which was rare. "We'll win for sure!"
The curly haired girl laughed good-naturedly. "Sorry, she doesn't mean that," she apologized to their opponents between giggles.
"What makes you think I don't?"
"Keep it down, underclassmen," Yuuka drawled sarcastically, lightly flicking Airi's forehead. "Learn a thing or two from me and Tsuki and actually be good sports." With that said, she turned to the girl across the next and smirked so wide her eyes were narrowed to slits. "Hi there, I'm Akechi Yuuka, and if you ever want to wake up don't mess with me."
"Yuuka!" Tsukiko chided, shooting her a half-fond, half-exasperated look. "If you're going to refuse to clean your messes don't spill anything in the first place,"
All she got in return was a sarcastic "Yes, Tsuki." But really, what else was to be expected?
Everyone headed back to the bleachers except the two sophomores and Yuuka, who beckoned them closer. "Okay, listen up and I might keep this simple. Yuasa's team isn't worth shit, and you could easily beat them in your sleep. But that doesn't mean you're holding back. Tsuki wants you to play your hardest, make the match end as quickly as possible to make a statement, okay?" she explained.
"Yes, Akechi-senpai," Chizuru nodded, playing with her strings nervously. She had been captain and Singles 1 during her third year of middle school but was still nervous when it came to official matches. I can't mess up, I can't mess up, I can't mess up. Don't be stupid.
Airi, on the other hand, was grinning wide enough to rival her senior. "It wasn't necessary to tell us that, senpai. We had full intentions to go all out from the start."
Yuuka cast her a slightly impressed glance before making herself comfortable on the coach's bench. "Then go out there and give them hell."
~xXx~
"Game, Yuasa! 3 games all!"
Erena raised a brow. "It looks like Yuasa's better than we thought," she commented, completely calm and unaffected.
"Not good enough for us to worry though," Anna shrugged. She had been a little miffed at being the reserve but otherwise didn't seem to mind. "Both doubles matches could be thrown and we'd still win."
Everyone sucked in a breath, casting glances at the back of Yuuka's head. "Some nerve you have there, Hayashi, thinking I'd throw a match," Yuuka called without turning around.
On the court, Airi and Chizuru were winning the current game fifteen-love. It was clear that they were much more skilled than their opponents individually, and Chizuru was a pretty good doubles player, but…
"Fifteen all!" as the ball went sailing down the alley.
…Airi was a bit of a mess. She was much more accustomed to singles, and as a result refused to move from the middle while Chizuru still guarded her half. Which meant there was a whole alley left unguarded, and the Yuasa pair knew it.
"Fifteen-thirty!"
"Or for the love of God," Yuuka spoke a few choice words under her breath as she signaled a time out to the umpire. "Get over here now, you two, and maybe then I won't kill you."
"Um…" Airi shot a panicked glance at Chizuru. "Akechi-senpai isn't actually going to…you know, kill us, will she?"
Chizuru shook her head, forehead covered with a sheen of light sweat. "Akechi-senpai's sense of humor is just kind of scary."
"It's about to get a lot scarier if you sophomores don't take this seriously," Yuuka scoffed, flicking the auburn haired girl on the head. "Now let's be serious for a second. You, Yoshida," she pointed at Airi, "You are a disgrace to the name of doubles. The first thing you learn is that there are two people on the same side of the court, which means that you each need to guard your own half. So why the hell are you standing in the middle?"
Airi, who did not have any response, chose to look at the ground in embarrassment.
"Kataoka, on the other hand, you can't just let her do what she wants. Force her to move aside, and don't let her hog the ball."
"Yes, Akechi-senpai," she nodded dutifully.
Yuuka just sighed, shook her head disapprovingly. "If you lose this match," she warned. "I swear to God I will kill you."
~xXx~
"Game, set, and match, Hyotei! 6-4, 6-2!"
Through sheer terror of Yuuka's wrath, Chizuru and Airi managed to not mess up as much as they had in the beginning. It took Airi a while to stop trying to take every ball, and Chizuru wasn't one to force her to stop, but eventually they hit their stride and won. Yuuka of course had reminded them of the fact that it took them an hour and a half but otherwise said it was a job well done.
"Though seriously, Yoshida," she added as she stretched out her back. "I don't ever want to see you play doubles ever again. What a terrible sight."
Tsukiko shoulder checked her. "Why don't we show Airi-chan what a real doubles pair is?" She grinned, dark blue eyes glowing.
Her partner smiled a slow, intimidating smile that showed all her teeth. "Let's, Tsuki."
Airi gulped as she sat in between Chizuru and Anna. "I feel bad for the girl Akechi-senpai's shaking hands with. She looks like she's about to faint." The slim girl clasping hands with Yuuka was as pale as a sheet all over, trembling slightly as Yuuka cocked her head and said something.
"She's pretty effective as a bench coach though," Chizuru pointed out. "Akechi-senpai's not a very warm and fuzzy person, so she really makes you work."
A thought suddenly occurred to Airi. "Hey, why isn't Tsukiko-buchou the bench coach? I mean, isn't she captain?"
Erena, who was leaning against the fence, answered this time. "Tsukiko is good at providing moral support and advice, but if you really want someone to point out your mistakes it's gotta be Yuuka. She doesn't miss a thing."
"And you'll miss something if you keep on talking, Erena," Yuuka called as crouched down at the net. "Especially you, Yoshida. Even if you're never going to be put in doubles again this is important."
"Hey, Hyotei punk!" a Yuasa supporter who clearly had not looked her in the eye shouted. "Stop being all bark and no bite!"
Silence fell over the court. Even the umpire almost fell out of his chair. Shun, who was serving as bench coach, had to admit that the kid had some nerve challenging Yuuka.
Tsukiko flinched sympathetically for the protestor. Big mistake, big mistake.
Yuuka very slowly turned in the direction of the voice, head tilted. Her eden eyes were glittering maniacally, smirking like a titan with every tooth visible. "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that you wanted me to bite you," she said sweetly, smiling even wider—if that was possible.
The protestor cowered back.
"Come on, Akechi!" Shun suddenly sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Just win your damn match already."
~xXx~
Fifteen minutes later Ikue was shaking hands with her Singles 3 opponent. Yuuka had reclaimed her position as bench coach, stretching out luxuriously on her back. Neither her nor Tsukiko had even bothered reaching for their water bottles.
"Did you really have to scare them so much into forfeiting?" Tsukiko scolded gently, loosening her wavy red hair from its ponytail. "We didn't even finish a set."
Yuuka scoffed. "Not my fault they got scared because they couldn't win a point." To Airi she said, "What do you think, Yoshida? Impressed?"
"Very, senpai," Airi replied solemnly, fighting to hold back a grin. "I've learned that when in doubt, keep on smirking at your opponents until they have a meltdown."
"Damn right."
Shun made a noise in her throat that suggested she did not think it was damn right. Yuuka ignored her.
Ikue won handily, the first set at 6-2 and the second at 6-1. Singles 2 over in thirty-seven minutes, Shun never dropping a game. It wasn't until Erena stepped on the court for Singles 1, however, that people started to whisper in a hushed silence.
"Look at that Hyotei girl," a neutral spectator hissed. "She's tall, but what's with her arm?" He was pointing to her left wrist, in its black brace like always.
A Yuasa supporter snorted. "Figures. Those arrogant rich kids probably think they can win by stacking."
"Hey, Yuasa, remember what you said about all bark and no bite?" Yuuka taunted right back. "Give them hell, Erena."
Erena merely saluted.
~xXx~
They trounced their second round opponents as well, meaning they would be moving on the prefectures. The boys were still playing their second round matches though, so they decided to go and watch them.
"That was fun!" Airi grinned, elbowing Chizuru. "You rocked it in the second round."
Chizuru blushed lightly, shrugged. "It was all Hayashi-senpai, I swear." She had played Doubles 1 with Anna, and they'd stumbled quite a bit but eventually pulled through. Of course, Yuuka's vicious Singles 3 victory was enough payback to the other team.
Airi had been the reserve, but it didn't matter. Hyotei would never lose a match to an inferior school like that.
On the boys' court, Choutarou and Shishido had just wrapped up Doubles 1. Hiyoshi was shaking hands with a lanky yet unimpressive looking boy, face serious and determined as always.
"Looks like you boys need some more work, since you're still not done yet," Yuuka smirked, slinking over to the spot on the bleachers next to Atobe.
"Oh Yuuka-chan, don't blame me. It's all thanks to that slacker Oshitari." He glanced loftily at said boy.
Oshitari just shrugged, moved aside to let Erena sit next to him. "Gakuto was being a bigger distraction that usual," he said casually.
"Oi!" Mukahi whirled around to face him. "What makes you think I messed up when I hit the winning shot?"
"He's teasing, Gakuto-kun," Erena laughed. Mukahi would never admit it aloud (though Oshitari already knew it anyway), the short boy was intimidated by the overly tall girl, especially since he barely reached over her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Airi had somehow dragged a mildly blushing Chizuru over to Shishido and Choutarou. "Hi Ootori-kun, Shishido-senpai!" she grinned, purposefully making Chizuru sit next to the taller boy. "
"Hello Yoshida-san, Kataoka-san," Choutarou smiled back warmly, unaware of Chizuru's shy refusal to make eye contact with him.
Shishido however, saw all. Narrowing his eyes he nodded slightly before focusing his attention back on Hiyoshi's match, where his Enbu tennis had given him the lead.
"How were your matches?" Choutarou asked politely, still oblivious to the auburn haired girl's sudden shyness.
"Tsukiko-buchou benched me during the second match, but Chizuru played great in doubles!" Airi chattered brightly, pushing her friend just enough to make her face Choutarou.
"What about you, Ootori-kun?" Chizuru finally asked. To Airi's shock, however, her rose colored eyes were tainted in misery.
He shrugged. "I only played this round with Shishido-san." Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he said, "Actually, Jun-senpai is tutoring me in the park later today, do you want to come and say hi to her?"
Do it do it do it do it, Airi mentally sent the message to her friend. If you don't do it I'm gonna have to tell you to sit down and let me tell you how to talk to your crush.
"Oh…okay, I guess I will."
As she ducked her head down, the misery only seemed to grow.
~xXx~
After Hiyoshi won his match everyone split up. Shishido, Choutarou, and Chizuru headed for the park. Atobe was herding Kabaji and Airi off into his limo. Mukahi, Jirou, and Hiyoshi went to some shop. Anna and Ikue both went home, and Shun had long since vanished off somewhere. Tsukiko and Yuuka were going to watch a movie, which Erena declined because her and Oshitari were already going to his house to do homework.
On the walk back, Oshitari seemed to be in a sullen mood. "What's eating you, Yuushi?" Erena asked, elbowing him.
He looked up at her. It was sometimes awkward to think that she was taller than him when he had been the taller one for a couple years. "Kenya is a bastard," was all he said.
"Oh really? Are you still mad at him for letting Speedy sleep on your pillow?" she smirked lightly.
Oshitari inhaled sharply, an attempt at keeping calm. "Worse. Just try and guess, Erena."
"Oh, I'm guessing now? This has got to be good." She grinned. "Did he beat you in another race?"
"After the fifty-seventh time of losing I have grown accustomed to it."
"Spilled one of your secrets to his teammates?"
"Not that I know of." But I should probably check…
"Replaced your closet with his?"
"If his ridiculously colorful clothes ever came near my closet I would have killed him long ago. Take this seriously already."
"Made fun of you for not having a girlfriend while he does?" She's smirking now, and oh, it's not making him feel any better.
"Kind of," Oshitari admitted. "Our cousin Chiho—not his sibling, our fathers had another sister—is getting married in two months, and she has this fancified notion in her head that all her beloved cousins must bring a date. Kenya has his girlfriend, and Shouta found a date too, and I would never be able to live it down if—."
Erena interrupted with a smile. "Relax, Yuushi. I'll go with you as friends if you can't find anyone else."
He paused. "You would really do that, Erena?"
"Of course I would. But you have to do me a favor in return."
"Oh, what's that?"
"Well…what do you think about Greece?"
~xXx~
For some unknown, god be damned reason, Sakaki found himself in a bar that night, taking shots like his life depended on it. He had too much to clear out of his mind. One thought, however, would not escape no matter how much alcohol he drank.
Miura Fuyuko was slowly breaking him, slowly tearing him apart with her wolf claws.
What are you, Alpha?
~xXx~
End
~xXx~
A/N: I'm not gonna lie, but I'm not very pleased with this chapter. I apologize if it's too boring, but I'm trying to breeze through districts and prefectures so things can start getting serious at the Kantou. I feel like that's where the competition becomes real, because then Rikkai will become much more of a threat.
Also, if you haven't already, please check out and leave a review to a one-shot I wrote called forever flying with angels. It doesn't really have anything to do with Hyotei, but it's a prelude to the Rikkai girls from the point of view of their former captain.
Please leave a review!
-Cara
