Set Point. 1 : a situation (as in tennis) in which one player will win the set by winning the next point; also : the point won. 2 : the level or point at which a variable physiological state (as body temperature or weight) tends to stabilize.

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Naoki's left hand twitched imperceptibly where it was casually draped across the back of the bench. He had just finished a match and was waiting to play whoever won the current one that was going on at the court. He looked for all the world to be completely relaxed and at ease when in reality he was anything but. His recent victory against the top player after Matsumoto just moments ago doing nothing to lighten his dark mood.

"Hai, Takendo-kun, I think I can manage to follow you." Kotoko said, straightening up from her ready position, tennis racket in hand. Nakagawa Takendo had declared himself an admirer of Kotoko's within a few days of meeting her and now, the smart newcomer to Tonan had taken it upon himself to coach Kotoko after seeing her abysmal efforts during practice. With a nod, the young man went into position which Kotoko quickly mirrored.

Naoki grit his teeth when Nakagawa placed his hands on Kotoko's shoulders and adjusted her stance. Kotoko flashed the other man a brilliant smile and faced forward again, eyes intent on whatever Nakagawa was describing to her. Kotoko nodded then her brow furrowed. She straightened up and asked a question which apparently was answered since she was smiling again. Naoki frowned, did Nakagawa really need to be touching Kotoko to coach her? He had one hand on the throat of the racket and the other over Kotoko's hand where it was closed over the grip. Naoki almost jumped up but manfully managed to hold back the impulse when Nakagawa almost hugged Kotoko from behind, his arm over hers, guiding her swing.

Nakagawa stepped back and Kotoko, with complete concentration on her face, attempted the swing on her own. She burst out laughing when she failed to execute the move correctly, Takendo joining in her enjoyment after a pause. "Thank you for doing this, Takendo-kun, I really appreciate it," Kotoko said after she'd calmed down. Takendo smiled and shook his head. "Iie, I'm glad Kotoko-san has allowed me to spend time with her." His eyes were warm and his smile gentle. Kotoko blushed and raised her racket. "Shall I try again?"

Naoki seethed as a blush crept up Kotoko's cheeks in response to something Nakagawa had said. How dare that brat flirt with her! He hardly knew her! And how could Kotoko be affected by the other man when she was in love with him?! He didn't even pause to consider how ridiculous and hypocritical that sounded. Kotoko swung again and this time her form was better. Still flawed, but better. She might actually make a decent return shot with that swing.

"You lean too far forward when you're meeting the ball," Takendo explained. "You need to use more footwork. Meet the ball. That would also give you power since your entire body goes into the swing." He demonstrated on empty air. "See?" Kotoko nodded. "That makes sense, Takendo-kun!" She dropped into stance and demonstrated. "Better," Takendo praised her. He gripped her hand over the racket like he had earlier. "Don't stick your elbow out so much, bring it in closer." He matched movement to words and tucked his elbow in, guiding hers into place with it. Kotoko nodded.

The match on the other side of the courts had just ended and Naoki knew he would be playing again soon after the other player had taken a break. He gripped his racket and squeezed the grip a few times to ready his fingers. He uncapped his water bottle and raised it to his lips when he saw red.

"May I, Kotoko-san?" Takendo asked. Confused as to what exactly he was asking permission for, Kotoko looked at him quizzically. Before she knew what was happening Takendo moved to stand behind her, his hand still covering hers. On her other side, his left hand came up and grasped her free hand, guiding it into position. "Here," he said close to her ear. Kotoko's eyes widened, she had never been this close to a man before. Well, maybe Irie-kun since he had kissed her, but this was different. Takendo-kun was the one holding her, which wasn't the same as when it was her clinging to Irie-kun's arm. It felt, strangely, not bad at all… It was completely innocent, she was sure, and it felt rather nice. She didn't have any more time to think about it because she was suddenly wrenched away from Takendo (or was Takendo wrenched away from her? She wasn't quite sure which it was.)

"Irie-kun?"

Naoki didn't let go of Kotoko's arm but pulled her along with him toward the locker rooms. "Mother said she needs us to pick up some ingredients for dinner tonight. Let's go or we'll be late." Kotoko looked helplessly back toward Takendo and shouted her thanks. Takendo nodded and waved his phone to say he'd contact her.

"But we still have half an hour of practice left!" Kotoko protested.

"It's alright, practice is pretty much done anyway." They had reached the locker rooms and Naoki pushed her toward the women's side before disappearing into the men's. Kotoko stared at his back then went to change as "ordered." Naoki was waiting for her when she came out. "Took you long enough," he said shortly before leading the way out of campus. Kotoko jogged to catch up with him.

"I was learning back there, Irie-kun," she said with a frown. "Did Auntie really say she needed me too?"

"You might be a terrible cook but you know how to pick your produce," Naoki said in answer. It seemed good enough for Kotoko since she didn't ask any more questions.

Mrs. Irie was surprised when the two college students came home earlier than usual. "Tadaima!" Kotoko called out cheerily. She skipped into the kitchen with a bag of vegetables and Naoki followed her more sedately with another in his arms. "Here are the ingredients you wanted for dinner tonight, Auntie," Kotoko said, setting her bag down on the counter. Irie Noriko glanced at her eldest child. Her brow twitched and a light sparked in her eye. She certainly had not asked for a grocery run but she was not one to let an opportunity pass, especially not when her future daughter-in-law was concerned!

"Oh, thank you, Kotoko-chan and Oniichan! These are perfect!" She gushed. And with that she shooed them out of the kitchen.

Naoki followed Kotoko up the stairs but he paused before entering his and Yuki's room. "Kotoko." Kotoko skidded to a stop farther down the hall. "Yes, Irie-kun?"

"Come to the tennis courts an hour before practice time next week." Not because of other people, of course. It was just embarrassing to be the best player in the entire university but have such a total klutz as a fellow tennis club member – especially since she lived with him. It was totally unacceptable. If she wanted to learn to play, for the sake of his pride, he would teach her himself! With that justification in mind, Naoki disappeared into his room.


A/N: *evil laugh* Thank you to the great response to Summer Heat! I hope you enjoy this one as well! I leave it up to you which definition of set point you want to use. :p

Hugs!