I do not own Prince of Tennis except for Tezuka Kumiko!
The Adventures of Tezuka Kumiko -7-
Prince of Tennis, TeniPuri story
"Kumiko, shouldn't you be sleeping?" Tezuka said when he saw his sister's lights are still on. Kumiko is still sitting on her bed while reading her school book, her final exams are nearing and she still have to think about her entrance exam to Rikkai as well. Everyone kept telling her she'll do fine, but she couldn't help but worry.
"But…"
"No buts, you can study tomorrow. You shouldn't tire yourself. You have school tomorrow."
"Okay…" Kumiko closed her book and sighed. Tezuka gave a little smile and ruffled her hair.
"Don't worry, you'll do just fine. You've worked hard, I'm sure you'll do fine." Kumiko grinned nervously.
"But I'm scared." Tezuka sighed and patted her head.
"Don't be. Everyone felt nervous when they have their final exams."
"Even nii-chan?" Tezuka chuckles and sat beside her.
"Even me."
"Really?"
"I was afraid I would make silly mistakes and such."
"Oh…"
"Now go to sleep. You need your rest."
"Okay~" Tezuka gave her a last pat on the head and walked towards the door.
"Good night, Kumiko."
"Night, nii-chan." Kumiko said as she pulled the covers to her head. Then Tezuka sighs and turned the lights off.
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"Okay… that's the last of it." Kumiko said as she closed her book. She placed the book back on the shelves in the library and took her bag, ready to go home.
"You're late today, Kumiko-chan." The librarian said.
"The final exams are coming, I need to prepare myself."
"But dear, you've been spending time for hours!"
"Ehehe…"
"If you keep this up, I'm going to not let you read in the library."
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Now go, shoo. Get some rest, look at you!"
"Y-yes, excuse me!" The librarian looked at Kumiko who's retreated away and sighed.
"That girl… always working so hard…"
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"Now time to go home~" Kumiko whistled while walking her way home before she heard someone calling her.
"Kumi-chan! Over here!" She blinked and saw a familiar red head waving at her.
"Eiji-kun? Everyone's there too, I wonder what are they doing…?" Kumiko decided to go home later on and walked towards the waving 2nd year.
"Kumi-chan, what are you doing?"
"I was just walking out from the library. Everyone's here together, where's onii-chan?"
"He stays back at school, still has something to do, he said." Fuji said.
"Oh…"
"Exams are coming, is that why you're staying late at the library, Kumiko-san?" Ooishi asked.
"Yeah. But the librarian got mad at me and told me if I kept staying late she won't let me borrow books for a while…" Kumiko said as she nervously laughed.
"You shouldn't stay so late. It's not good for your health."
"I know, I know. Onii-chan's been telling me too…"
"Kumi-chan, come with us!"
"… Where…?"
"We're going to Eiji's favourite café. He's been telling us to go with him. Since you don't have anything to do after this, you should come with us."
"But…"
"And while we're at it, we'll make sure you take a breather from your studies. Now just come." Fuji said as he pulled Kumiko's arm.
"A-Ah…"
"Fuji is always so forceful, isn't he?" Kawamura said.
"Maa, Kumiko-san does need some breather." Ooishi said.
"She does, nya. Fuji, wait for me!" Eiji said as he ran towards Fuji who's dragging the pouting Kumiko behind him.
"Kumiko-san is just like Tezuka. Never knows when to stop…" Ooishi sighed.
"Well, I guess that's why Tezuka likes her so much. They're so much alike."
"While they are so different." Ooishi and Kawamura laughed together when they say that.
"Ooishi! Taka-san! Hurry!" Eiji called.
"Coming!"
----------
"This is so sweet!" Kumiko said after a mouthful of cake.
"Kumiko, swallow your food first then talk." Fuji scolded as everyone laughed. Then Kumiko swallowed the cake and pouted.
"Mou…"
"Manners, manners."
"I know… but this cake is so sweet!"
"You like sweets, don't you, Kumiko-chan?"
"Un! But if I eat them often, I had to run more laps. That's what onii-chan told me."
"Eh? Tezuka said that?"
"And onii-chan never lets me eat snacks much, or I'll get more tired." Kumiko said as she ate another scoop of ice cream.
"… Never knew Tezuka would say that."
"Who wouldn't say what?" Kumiko suddenly froze and laughed nervously.
"H-hey, onii-chan…"
"Maa, don't be too hard on her, Tezuka. We met her when she got out from the library."
"… Again, Kumiko?" Kumiko scooted over to Fuji as she held his arms for dear life.
"I-I was looking at some books, onii-chan!"
"Didn't I hear right or did I hear you say you were finished yesterday?" Eiji had suddenly moved from his place at the edge of the seats to beside Ooishi since Tezuka suddenly lets out a menacing aura.
"You're in trouble, Kumiko…"
"M-Mya!" Tezuka had grabbed Kumiko's arm and dragged her out after saying thanks to Fuji for dragging her with them.
"T-Tezuka was so scary, nya!" Eiji said when Tezuka had gone out from the café.
"I-I've never seen Tezuka having this kind of aura…"
"Maa, Tezuka's just worried for Kumiko's health."
"B-But he was scary!" Kawamura said.
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"O-Onii-chan!"
"No more books for you today. Go play a match or do laps. If I caught you just reading one book I'm going to send you for 100 laps."
"H-Hai! K-Kaa-san! I'm going out to play!" Kumiko said as she hurriedly grabbed her tennis racket and ran out from the house.
"Be careful, sweetheart!"
"I-I will!"
"… Kunimitsu, you don't have to be so hard on her…"
"Kaa-san, Kumiko had spent 3 hours today at the library."
"Eh, that long?"
"Yes."
"… I guess, it's best for her to get out, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
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"Mou, onii-chan is such a worrywart!" Kumiko pouted.
"Oi! Kumiko!!" Kumiko looked right and left then up but couldn't find anyone calling her.
"… Did I hear it wrong? Was someone calling for me…?" Kumiko decided to shrug it off and found something familiar.
"Ora? Hyoutei Academy? Since when did I get here?" Kumiko said as she inspects the sign closely.
"KuMiKo!" Suddenly, she felt someone jumped on her and she fell on the ground.
"Jiro… you're sitting on her…" She heard that familiar deep voice and muffled something.
"Jiro, get off her, she can't speak." She felt the weight on her back lessened and she quickly stood up while rubbing her red face.
"Oshitari-san…?"
"Nice meeting you here, got lost again?"
"I don't know, I was walking around and then I ended up here…"
"Then I took that as a yes."
"Come on, come on in, Kumiko!" Jiro said excitedly as he dragged Kumiko inside Hyoutei.
"A-Akutagawa-saaaaaaan!"
"Atobe is going to be amused by this…"
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"AToBe!"
"What is it now, Jiro?"
"Look who I brought!" Jiro said as he lifted the arm of the lifeless Kumiko whose eyes are swirling.
"A~n?" Kumiko quickly blinked and shook her head awake.
"Atobe-san?" Suddenly Kumiko jumped and attempted to run before Gakuto tackled her.
"Kumiko! Have a match with me!"
"I had played with you a week ago, Gakuto-san!"
"So, what brings you here today?" Shishido asked.
"Onii-chan kicked me out, he said I studied too much and didn't get out much often now." Kumiko struggled out from Gakuto's grip and saw some Hyoutei members staring at her. Kumiko's face suddenly blanched and ran to hid behind Oshitari.
"Is it me, or is Kumiko actually scared of people staring at her?"
"T-Their eyes are looking at me like I'm some kind of pest. I-I'll be excusing myself, sorry for disturbing you." Kumiko said quickly as she bowed and proceed to run out from the court before Shishido quickly pulled her shirt collar immobilizing her.
"S-Shishido-san!"
"If you don't want to be stared at, show them your skill."
"N-No!"
"Oi, you guys, are you bullying a little girl?" She saw someone heading up to her and she quickly hid behind Shishido.
"Not at all, bucchou. She's a friend of ours."
"Am not!" Kumiko whispered as Shishido grabbed her in a head-lock.
"Hm? Isn't this that girl who won the elementary division tournament for 4 years straight?"
"Kumiko! You didn't tell us when was the day you played!" Gakuto said.
"I don't want anyone to see, it's embarrassing!"
"And she is the little sister of that 2nd year who's famous in Segaku, Tezuka Kunimitsu."
"A~n? He's no match for ore-sama."
"… Stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Stop saying things about onii-chan."
"Aww, Kumiko loves her brother so much." Oshitari cooed as Kumiko's face reddened from embarrassment.
"Shut up."
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"So, whose turn is it to play her?" Oshitari said after some bickering.
"Me! Me!" Jiro said as he jumped while raising his hand.
"Bucchou, we'll be borrowing the court." Gakuto said as Jiro dragged the struggling Kumiko towards the court.
"Akutagawa-san!"
"Jiro. I told you to call me, Jiro!"
"No!" Then Jiro dropped Kumiko at one side of the court while he ran to the other side.
"Jiro to serve!"
"It's coming, Kumiko!"
"E-EH?! What a second!"
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"Well, Kumiko seemed a little off today." Gakuto said as he rested his head on his arms.
"Gakuto, her final exams are coming soon. It's not a surprise she would seemed a little off." Oshitari said.
"Final exams, hard time…"
"Kumiko got lots on her mind to think about. And her mind is now focusing on school, not tennis."
"H-hey, that girl! She's on par with Jiro!" They heard few members said.
"I heard that she was the one who took 4 games from Atobe like Oshitari did!"
"Eh?!"
"And she's that famous elementary kid! The one on the Monthly Pro Magazine!"
"You mean the kid who won the tournament for 4 years straight?!"
"Yeah, that one!"
"That girl's good!" Oshitari sighed while Gakuto shook his head.
"They didn't know that Kumiko's not letting out her best yet."
"Stupid people."
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"Kumiko! Come on! Smile! Smile!"
"Akutagawa-san! I can't!"
"Come on! Don't be scared! Just have fun!"
"But I have exams soon!"
"That is that and now is now. Come on! It's not fun this way! Or should I give you a handicap?"
"N-No! No handicaps! Please!"
"So, need some time out? Kumiko has been acting weird since the beginning."
"If you please…"
"Sure, I don't mind." Suddenly, Kumiko ran towards the back and sobbed.
"K-Kumiko!" Jiro said surprised as he jumped over the net and ran towards the sobbing girl.
"O-Oi! Is she alright?" Oshitari said as he and Gakuto walked towards them.
"… I'm scared…" They heard she muttered.
"Scared of what, Kumiko?" Gakuto said as he patted Kumiko's back.
"I'm scared of the final exams! I've been trying so hard, what if I failed?!"
"Kumiko wouldn't fail, Kumiko is smart!" Jiro said.
"But I can't help but get scared!" Kumiko cried.
"Maa, maa, everyone gets scared once in a while. It's not that bad. Scared is a part of life."
"W-Wahaaa!!!" Kumiko cried loudly as Jiro, Oshitari and Gakuto started panicking.
"W-Woi! What's wrong with her?!" Shishido said as he ran towards them.
"A simple case of fright."
"Hey! Getting scared is lame! Be brave a little!"
"Shishido, I don't think yelling is helping…" Then they heard Kumiko stopped sobbing and looked down to see Kumiko slapping her cheeks.
"Hey, Kumiko!"
"Done! Let's continue the game!" Kumiko hiccupped. Then they all sighed and ruffled Kumiko's hair.
"Alright! Tano-C!"
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"Game and match! Kumiko!" Kumiko was breathing heavily as she dropped onto her knees and dropped her racket.
"I think I need a good bath…" Kumiko said. Suddenly, something was draped over her and she yelled.
"It's a towel, not a monster." Shishido said as he laughed.
"That surprised me!"
"Need a piggyback?"
"No!" Kumiko walked towards the bench and suddenly she tripped.
"Owowow…"
"I take that, as a yes." Shishido said as he carried Kumiko on his back towards the bench.
"I think I forgot my morning run…"
"Figures."
"Kumiko! That was great!" Jiro said.
"I was lucky… that was so hard, Akutagawa-san…"
"Let's play again!"
"Hey, Jiro! Next time it's my turn!" Gakuto yelled.
"Aww!"
"Here, a good match deserves a good refreshing." Oshitari said as he gave Kumiko a water bottle.
"Thank you, Oshitari-san."
"And do you need a change of clothes?"
"No, it's alright. I cool off quick. After that, I'll go home….?" Kumiko suddenly frowned.
"What is it, Kumiko?"
"Why is everyone staring at me? I don't fell well with people staring at me… I felt like an alien."
"A perfect match coming from the princess." Kumiko winced at the nickname.
"I'm not a princess."
"A~n?"
"Nevermind."
"Oi! Get back to practice!" She heard the bucchou yelled.
"Yes!"
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"Hello. That was a great game." Kumiko looked up from her racket and saw a silver haired boy and a brown haired boy walking towards her.
"Thank you."
"I'm Ootori Choutaro. Nice to meet you."
"Hiyoshi Wakashi."
"I'm Tezuka Kumiko. Nice to meet you too."
"How did you know our senpais?"
"Ah, I accidentally lost my racket here a year ago, and ever since then, I've been walking around ended up here and sometimes I met them at the streets."
"I see."
"Gekokujyou…"
"… Eh?"
"Hiyoshi's goal is to defeat Atobe-senpai."
"Ah. I see. My goal is to someday play a formal match against my onii-chan and maybe beat him."
"I see, you never play a formal match with your brother?"
"Onii-chan is good, I manage to get some games from him. But I never really play a formal match against him. I'm still in 6th grade. So I'm hoping I'll get to play a match with him next year… or at least won."
"That's a high goal." Ootori said.
"No, not really. Everyone kept saying I'm not determined enough." Kumiko laughed nervously.
"Next year, I'll play a match against you." Hiyoshi said.
"Eh? Do you really want to?"
"Me too! After seeing your game with Jiro-senpai before I really wanted to play a match against you!"
"Then I'll work hard too! I'll pass my entrance and final exams and maybe our school will have a match!"
"Yeah, that'll be fun!"
"Gekokujyou…"
"Ah, it's late… I need to go home. Can you tell everyone I went home if anyone asked?"
"Sure."
"Thank you. I'll place the towel and water bottle here. Thank you for talking with me." Kumiko said as she bowed.
"Oh no, thank you as well, we could see a good game." Ootori said as he bowed.
"Excuse me, let's meet again soon!" Kumiko said as she grabbed her racket and walked away from the court.
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"Hey? Where's Kumiko? She's gone!" Gakuto said.
"Ah, senpai, she excused herself just now." Ootori said.
"That's too bad, I was thinking about chatting with her as well…"
"Maa, Gaku, her family might be worried." Oshitari said.
"You're right, Yuushi…"
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"Onii-chan! I'm home~!"
"Welcome back, had a good day?"
"Yeah! I won a match with a friend! It was fun!"
"I see, good then. Now take a shower and rest."
"Okay~"
'That's good, Kumiko seem better already. I wonder who did she play with?'
"Onii-chan, did you see my doll?"
"It's on the sofa."
"Thanks!"
'She really did cheer up… thank goodness.'
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Next: Seigaku's captain is defeated by Atobe! Tezuka will avenge them by defeating the Hyoutei's captain! What a girl should say when they all crossed paths?