"Akane, you didn't have to go that far." Shizuka's tear dropped.
Akane's fists went up. "Ryoma deserved it. Being such a pervert."
"He just slipped on something." Shikotsu cleared.
"Hey guys look over there!" Akari pointed at a girl at the tennis courts being cornered.
"Can you teach us that move?" One girl shoved the little girl.
"Yeah, if you're acting so tough… And look us in the eye! That's rude to be silent!" Another girl pushed her to the ground.
The team rushed to protect her. "What are you doing?"
"Teaching this bipolar girl a lesson!" One girl yelled.
"Yeah, but you don't go beating her up." Akane glared.
"Oh, aren't those the Seigaku girls? We shouldn't mess with them." Bully Girl #1 warned.
Bully Girl #2 laughed. "So? Winning one nationals doesn't make them champions."
Shikotsu cleared her throat. "Do you want to prove that?"
Bully Girl #3 stepped up. "Well, of course."
Sakuno then realized these girls. "Katsu High."
Bully Girl #1 smirked. "Well if it isn't us then who?"
"Shall we make a bet?" Shikotsu asked.
"We win you leave." Bully Girl #3 smiled.
"You lose, you leave… Or I'll make you." Akane glared.
"Whatever let's just play. One game." Akari flipped her tennis racket.
Sakuno looked at the scared girl on the ground. "You want to hang with us?"
The girl lit up. "S-Sure."
Sakuno smiled and lifted her up. "What's your name?"
"A-Ayumi H-Hall. From Shitenhouji." Ayumi answered.
"Shitenhouji… Isn't Miyuki Turunen on your team?" Sakuno asked.
"Oh yes, she's quite nice to me." Ayumi smiled.
Sakuno pointed at Shikotsu. "Don't worry; we're definitely going to win this one."
"H-How? Katsu High is really hard to b-beat. Katsu in Japanese does mean win." Ayumi stuttered.
"Well, Shikotsu… I guess I can say she's like… A girl version of Tezuka." Sakuno chuckled.
"Ayumi? I've been looking all over for you." Miyuki popped out of nowhere.
Ayumi bowed back and forth. "Sorrysorrysorry."
Miyuki's tear dropped. "I-It's okay." Miyuki noticed Shikotsu playing against Katsu's captain Kashikoi. "So, she started to play again."
Sakuno gave her a confused look. "Again?"
Miyuki grabbed the fence. "Sakuno- chan, I thought you already knew about Shikotsu's breakdown."
Sakuno tried to remember. "She never told us about a breakdown."
Miyuki sighed. "Probably out of embarrassment. Well, come on Ayumi, coach isn't going to wait for us any longer.
"O-Okay, c-captain." Ayumi walked slowly behind Miyuki.
'Breakdown?' Sakuno thought.
"No fair! You cheated!" Kashikoi complained.
"Now how can I cheat in tennis?" Shikotsu asked sarcastically.
"Whatever." Katsu High stormed out of there.
"Okay, time to go home. Mom's going to kill me if I don't come home." Ai left.
"Wait for me Ai!" Atsuko followed.
"I'm taking you home remember Akane? Well, we have to go." Akari left.
"Bye Shikotsu- senpai, Sa- chan!" Akane waved.
"I need to go home too! Candy for dinner… Can't miss it!" Aiki back flipped out of there.
"Shikotsu- senpai, may I sleepover for tonight? I think Obaa- san is already asleep." Sakuno asked.
"Of course Sa- chan." Shikotsu waited for Sakuno to get her bag.
"So Shikotsu- senpai, Miyuki- senpai told me that you had a breakdown in tennis before." Sakuno brought it up.
Shikotsu turned silent. "So, did she explain it to you?"
Sakuno pouted. "I'm sorry; I didn't know it was bad to bring it up."
Shikotsu hid her eyes. "N-No, it's okay. One time, I was in Hokubei High, and we went into the Nationals… With our captain, Lauren."
*Flashback*
"Don't fail me Shikotsu." Lauren glared at Shikotsu.
Shikotsu smiled. "Don't worry, we're going to win this!"
"Now go out there, and don't lose." Lauren shoved Shikotsu to the courts.
"From Hokubei High, Shikotsu Shiatsu." The umpire shouted. "From America High, Jade Diamond."
"Nice to meet you." Shikotsu shook her hands.
"Me too." Jade smiled.
Shikotsu served the first tennis ball, and then from there she had so much fun. Eventually, winning the Nationals.
"We won! We won!" Shikotsu laughed.
Lauren took the trophy. "You did it kid."
Shikotsu had the biggest cutest smile ever. She was happy.
Until her happiness was taken away. By her own Captain.
How?
"W-Why? Captain Lauren, it just isn't fair!" Shikotsu fell to the ground.
"Don't you get it? We used you! And it was all your precious Captain Lauren." The teamates shouted.
"Yeah, just go back to wherever your from!" The blonde cheerleader sparked.
Miyuki glared at all of them. "Come on Shikotsu, let's just go back to Japan."
Shikotsu? Shikotsu? She fell in a coma for 3 weeks... In shock that her best friend, leader, idol would betray her so hard.
"Oh, I'm sorry I asked." Sakuno opened the gate.
"That's why I'm never going to be the worst captain." Shikotsu opened to her apartment.
"But you aren't." Sakuno smiled.
"Thanks, Sa- chan." Shikotsu and Sakuno went in.
*Sakuno's and Ryoma's Text Messages*
Sakuno: Ryoma, are you still awake?
Ryoma: Yeah, why?
Sakuno: I think I really made Shikotsu- senpai upset.
Ryoma: Why?
Sakuno: I asked her about a painful time in her life.
Ryoma: Just forget it. We all know Shikotsu- senpai. She'll always start smiling... Like you.
Sakuno (blushes): Tomorrow is the last day of making me fall in love with you.
Ryoma: The day of the play.
Sakuno: Do you think you could do it in time?
Ryoma: I don't think love ever needs time.
Sakuno: Oh, how so?
Ryoma: Sakuno Echizen.
Sakuno: You read my diary! You little...
Ryoma: Just tell me that I won the bet, and I don't have to tell everyone in the world.
Sakuno: You wouldn't.
Ryoma: I'm making a draft.
Sakuno: Fine! You won the bet.
Ryoma: Hehe, now you have to be my slave.
Sakuno (vein pops): NO!
Ryoma: Click.
Sakuno (tear drops): Fine.
Ryoma: Haha
Sakuno: You're really mean to me.
Ryoma: That's for teasing me for really long about "love."
Sakuno: Just don't make me your "slave" in front of everyone.
Ryoma: Thanks for the suggestion.
Sakuno: Ryoma!
Ryoma: Just teasing. :P
Sakuno: I hate you.
Ryoma: Good night ... girlfriend
Sakuno (blushes): ...
