Chapter VIII: Viper
"Echizen, why not ask Hotaru-chan to wait by the benches for you?" Ryuzaki gestured with a nod towards the bench that was close to the shade that sat inside the courts. The young rookie shrugged and told the silver-blond girl what the old woman said. She nodded and went over and politely sat down, only to draw her knees up to her chest so she could wrap her arms around them, keeping her indigo orbs fixated upon the boys she knew.
"Who is she? And why can she sit inside the courts?!" complained a few girls that loitered about outside the green fencing.
Hotaru was oblivious to the sneers and jabs, as she was happily content with watching and learning something new to her. Who knew that there could be something that looked so graceful yet so powerful? "She's probably some charity case… I mean, c'mon, did you see that hideous scar across her face?" cackled a 2nd year female as she covered her mouth with her French manicured tipped fingers, "also those stockings! So un-stylish. You wouldn't catch me dead in any of that!"
Kaido, who was passing in front of the giggling group, overheard their scorching comments and sent a scathing glare at them, causing them all to squeak like mice in fright. "Fshhh…" he hissed, continuing over to his tennis bag. Hotaru lifted her head up off her knees, staring at the snake-like teen with wide indigo orbs, as she unwrapped one of her arms from her legs so she could pick up the soft white towel that sat next to her tiny rump, and flashed him a friendly smile as she held it out for him. A tiny dusting of rouge colored Kaido's fairly tanned cheeks, "fshhh," an embarrassed hiss slip past his thin lips as he accepted it.
Casting him another breathtaking smile, the silver-blond haired female turned back to the group of boys. A sharp snapping noise drew Kaido's attention from the girl – hoping to not be caught admiring her cute kitten-like stockings – and over to his senpai and trainer. "It is our turn, Kaido." The bespectacled teen stated, adjusting the square frames, as he gestured to the court in front of them.
"Hai, Inui-senpai." He bowed his head once before grabbing his racket. Inui stood on the opposite side, already in position.
Hotaru was stunned as she watched them go back and forth while a gasp slipped past her lips, admiring what they could both do. "Eek!" a girlish squeal of surprise raised from her lips, just as Kaido performed his Boomerang Snake. The young Viper's forest green hues dashed over, taking in her excited face, feeling something swell deep inside his being, before redirecting has snake-like gaze towards his Senpai. Hotaru now sat properly with her fists tucked under her slightly round chin, watching the two in amazement as they ran back and forth, front and back, chasing after the neon yellow-green ball as if their lives depended on it.
Inui Sadaharu also noticed his young Kouhai's increase in determination, staggering back a bit from the strain being put on his wrist. Not wanting to risk potential injury, Inui unfurled his fingers and allowed his racket to drop to the clay court, giving Kaido the needed point to win.
"Oh. Would you look at that, Tezuka." Ryuzaki nudged the team's captain, gesturing to the court closest to the young Russian. They both took note of how her indigo orbs sparkled as she set on the edge of the bench, watching as Inui and Kaido shook hands before exiting the court. Clasp between her dainty hands was a plush white cloth, which she gladly handed to Kaido. The teen's face flushed as he accepted it, hissing lowly, as he dabbed at his face before draping it over his neck for his cool down jog.
"Oi, Echizen, let's have a match!" shouted a loud Momo, dragging the pre-teen over to the recently vacant court.
"Momo-senpai, stop dragging me! I can walk just fine." Grumbled the rookie, yanking his arm free as they came within earshot of Hotaru's airy giggles. "Glad you find this amusing…" he spoke to the female with sarcasm oozing off every word he spoke.
Hotaru nodded, seeming to disregard his words. "It is very interesting to watch. And you all look like you are having fun, too!…" shyly, she redirected her gaze to the hard ground.
"Is something wrong?"
His house guest waved a hand before her face as the other tugged on her left ear, a nervous habit that he had just started to notice. "Ah, it'd be too much trouble. I do not want to trouble Ryoma more than I already have." He shrugged, figuring he would get her to tell him on their walk back to his home, as he pulled out one of the three rackets that rested inside his tennis bag, before taking his spot.
"Which?" Momo asked, ready to spin his own purple racket.
"Rough."
With that, the teen spun it and watched, just as it fell, and looked at the butt. "Lucky~ it's rough." Ryoma simply shrugged and took his spot over in the service box.
Because "Another One (Guest)" wanted a little Hotaru/Kaido in the chapter.
So far, it goes Ryoma: 7
Fuji: 6
Other: 1 (Kaido)
Reverse harem, or someone outside Seigaku, will all be accepted. Guest reviews are the only reviews that will be marked as a vote from this point on unless it pertains to someone that'd fit the "Other" category.
EDIT:
YES! Multiple choices does count if you're wanting a polyship or something of the sort. ALSO, cover image has been updated to include a visual on Hotaru/135
