Chapter 8
Momoshiro glared at Kaidou as the mamushi took the place behind him on the court. He had no clue in hell what Ryuuzaki was trying to pull off, but he did know he wasn't happy with it.
Was she trying to make him a laughing stock? The chances of him and Kaidou being able to win a game together were practically nill. Doubles partners had to have a certain rapport, as the game with Tezuka and Atobe had proven. It was amazing that their prized buchou and famed diva had actually lost, but that went to show that strong singles players didn't always translate themselves well into doubles. Winning with Echizen had been a fluke -- he couldn't see Kaidou agreeing to drawing a line down the middle... but maybe it would be worth a try?
"Yo, mamushi! Which half of the court do you want?" he asked, hoping against hope that Kaidou would get the point.
Kaidou gave him a glare that would wilt flowers, tugging on the green bandana he had wrapped around his forehead. "That's not how you play doubles," he said.
"But-" Momoshiro started to protest.
Kaidou hissed, his eyes narrowing. "We're playing doubles here, stupid. You'd better learn quick, because I don't intend to lose."
"Neither do I!"
"Then pay attention!" Kaidou snapped back. "We're not doing anything stupid, like yelling 'ah un!'"
Momoshiro glared. "It worked, didn't it?"
"Only because it was so stupid your opponents couldn't believe you would actually dare do it!"
Momoshiro couldn't hold it in anymore, and lowered his racquet to his side, stalking over to grab Kaidou by the neck of his jersey. "You are annoying me, mamushi. Keep your mouth shut!"
"Seigaku! Please return to your positions!" the referee yelled from his seat, sounding a bit shaken. It wasn't unusual for players to provoke each other, but teammates usually got along. This wasn't anything he had been expecting.
Inui, on the sidelines, scratched notes down in his notebook quickly, muttering to himself the way he did whenever he was absorbed in something that fascinated him.
"This is bad!" Horio said. "Why didn't they put Echizen with Momo-chan-senpai again?" he asked, staring as the hissing mamushi shook Momoshiro's hand off and went to his place, while Momoshiro straightened his shirt nonchalantly before casually walking forward as though nothing was wrong. Only the mistrustful glare he cast behind him gave any indication of his true feelings.
"Echizen will probably never learn to play doubles as he has very little ability to cooperate -- Momoshiro has the potential, though. The doubles player pool available is very shallow, and Ryuuzaki-sensei is experimenting," Inui explained. "This should be interesting."
Horio began to grumble about how unpleasant Kaidou was and how unfair it was to expect Momo-chan-senpai to work with him, but Kachiro and Katsuo quickly shut him up, covering his mouth. Ryoma, who was sitting on the bench, rolled his eyes. Atobe, who sat next to Fuji on the end of the bench furthest from Tezuka, overhead the entire conversation.
"Interesting is one way to put it," Atobe said. "Bets, Fuji?"
"Close loss," Fuji replied immediately, having analyzed the situation. "They know each other's tennis quite well and should compliment the other. They'll figure out how to work together and start to make a come back, but I think Ishida and Sakurai actually know doubles and won't let them manage to win. It's too much of a disadvantage to overcome."
Atobe stared hard at the two second year players. "I'm not taking that bet. If they manage to get over this loss, they might make a decent second doubles pair."
"Don't see that happening anytime soon," Fuji said easily.
"It might take them some time," Atobe began confidently. "But lots of practice can be enforced, if Sumire-chan can get them to stand on the same side of the court without killing each other."
Fuji tilted his head to one side and observed the two boys glancing warily at each other across their court space. "Hmmn... I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"
His best friend gave him a glance out of the corner of his eyes. "The match is about to start. I guess this should be a pure entertainment moment for today."
Fuji looked as if he was going to say something about Atobe and Tezuka's doubles match earlier that day, then decided to close his mouth with a decidedly amused smile. The match did progress as he thought, both boys doing much to display their open dislike for each other throughout the game. Their opponents were shocked at first, before rapidly gaining the superior smirks of people who knew that they were facing rivals which ranked far below them.
Atobe didn't appear to mind the defeat their Doubles 2 suffered, giving Fuji a look that said pretty much most of his opinion on the match they just watched. Momoshiro and Kaidou appeared to be more furious at their loss than at each other, and although they were doing a fair share of blaming each other, they appeared to be united for once over the ungainly thrashing they got from their opposing team.
"Close loss." Atobe murmured, amused. "We're both right."
Fuji stared contemplatively at the Doubles 1 team from Fudomine lining up before the net. "We'll win this set."
"And the next two." The diva only gave the Golden Pair standing on the courts a cursory glance. "I trust that you won't lose Singles 3, will you?"
The prodigy of their team laughed, low and soft. "Of course."
"The first year brat would have to reconsider where he's aiming for after seeing us play." Atobe gave Fuji an easy smile, reclining in his somewhat uncomfortable seat. "Our singles slots are all filled up. He might have the talent to stay on the team, but he's not going to make his way into a singles position. At least, not permanently. Even if Sumire-chan favours him, she can't put him in Singles 1 or Singles 2. And she certainly can't put you out of Singles 3. So a change of career for the brat would be wise at this point."
"You're thinking about discouraging him?"
"Hmmn..." Atobe uncrossed then crossed his legs again with a slightly bored look. "I'm just thinking of giving him a wake-up call."
Fuji smiled, sweet. "Tezuka won't like it."
"Not my problem if he can't see eye to eye with me."
"Saa."
"Hush, Syuusuke." Atobe smirked, inclining his head in Tezuka's direction. "Someone won't be happy if we distract him from his best friend's match."
Fuji only shook his head with a neutral smile, then turned his attention to the match which had just started on the courts.
Atobe had never have much interest in doubles before, but after the rather humiliating defeat he had suffered (which was not his fault, damnit -- if Tezuka had listened to him, they could have won), he found himself watching the nationally ranked Golden Pair with something approaching interest. He may not have liked Oishi, and Kikumaru was guaranteed to get on his nerves, but he knew they had talent.
Overhead the sky started to darken, with clouds sweeping in from the south, but none of the players paid attention as Fudoumine's Uchimura and Mori took the positions across the net. They seemed ready to play, and Atobe crossed his arms across his chest, faking a yawn. "Poor souls," he said.
Fuji tilted his head, stretching slightly. "Maybe I should go start my warm up."
Atobe glanced up the sky, wondering. Kikumaru's acrobatics wouldn't be as effective with a wet surface, and the game might be called off if the court got too soaked. "Wait a bit. You might get a reprieve."
"One set match! Seigaku's Oishi to serve!" the referee called.
Kikumaru settled down low, smiling a bit as he waited for his partner. He didn't even turn his head as Oishi served, and the game began.
Atobe immediately saw the difference that made the Golden Pair unique. There was a trust between them, an ability that made them able to communicate without words or signs. Oishi was a steady presence, backing up the flashy and daring Kikumaru, while Kikumaru counted on Oishi to be where he needed him. They didn't trip each other up, and they didn't blame the other on the rare occasion when a ball got by.
It was pretty obvious why he and Tezuka hadn't done well, on watching Seigaku's star doubles team. Uchimura and Mori didn't even know what hit them.
Watching them just made Atobe angrier. He was a better player than both -- his skills were stronger -- and so were Tezuka's. If Oishi and Eiji were that good, then the two Seigaku stars should at least have been able to defeat a mediocre team like Gyukurin.
"Game, Seigaku! 6 games to 2!" the referee pronounced after what was hardly a game.
The rain, which had begun during the match, seemed to drizzle through the skies uncertainly, neither wanting to downpour nor taper off. Atobe could feel the humidity, and barely restrained from shuddering. He hated this kind of weather, and it put him in a foul mood.
"Do you want to warm up some, Keigo-chan?" Fuji asked.
"I think the games might be postponed," he said hopefully. He hated playing after the court had gotten wet.
"I don't think so. It'll be letting up in about ten minutes or so."
Warming up meant getting out from under the shelter, but Ryoma had vanished, taking his first year entourage with him, and Momoshiro and Kaidou had disappeared as well, which left the bench area feeling decidedly unwelcoming to Atobe. Not that he cared, but warming up with Fuji now would be better than warming up alone later. From the look in Fuji's eye, he could tell Fuji was in the mood to utterly destroy his opponent.
It would be fun to watch.
They met their opponents when they neared the sinks; they were two second year boys, one with dark red hair which fell across his face in a manner that covered his left eye and the other with dark, chin-length hair filled with purple highlights. They were volleying two tennis balls at a breakneck speed between themselves, proud of their skills and ignoring the crowd of people who had gathered to watch.
Atobe raised an eyebrow in surprise when Ryoma walked between the two boys, cleverly blocking their shots, leaving the two of them confused.
"Someone's showing off over there."
Fuji only smiled. "Not a bad move, though."
"Smart kid," Atobe admitted, then stretched. "Shall we show them how real tennis players warm up?"
"Ahh." The prodigy's brightened smile could possibly blind. "That'll be fun."
And they did.
Even their opponents paused to stare as they volleyed not two but three balls while Atobe kept a suitably bored look on his face throughout the warm-up practice as they stood at five feet closer together, heightening the need for good reflexes. Ryoma appeared to be disgusted by their open display of talent and stared at them hard, something close to annoyance shinning in his eyes.
Atobe, even with his eyes off the two tennis balls heading his way, raised his eyebrows at Ryoma, smirking to himself indulgently. Fuji was quiet, a small smile on his lips as he returned shot for shot without any misses.
"How boring." The year one student wandered off moments later, muttering under his breath.
"Yes, this is rather monotonous." Atobe agreed, giving Fuji an amused look.
"Maa."
"Let's go, Shinji." The redhead from Fudomine stared at them hard before turning to leave, his companion following after delivering a vague look.
Atobe turned to Fuji the moment their opponents left. "Are you warmed up enough or do you want to try something else, Syuusuke?"
The other boy only shook his head, catching two tennis balls with his racket. Atobe rounded up the last one, smiling a bit to the crowd which had gathered.
"I think we should get back to the courts. My game should be starting soon," Fuji announced.
They made a quick trip back to the courts noting that Fuji's opponent, the redhead, had already changed out of his warm-up suit and was speaking to his captain in lowered voices. The rain that had been drizzling minutes back appeared to have lightened up, leaving them with small pinpricks, splashes of cold on their faces and arms. Atobe gave his best friend a gentle squeeze on his shoulder before patting it lightly.
"Leave no mercy." The diva made sure to keep his voice low and out of Tezuka's hearing range. "And I'll give you an equally good game in return with Singles 2. Meanwhile, Tezuka can sit out and chill his ass because he won't get to play."
Fuji couldn't help chortling softly at the insult, and the closed-eyed smiling boy shook his head gently. "Play nice, Keigo-chan."
"Since when do I never?"
They shared a smile which only they would understand, and Fuji left for his side of the court with a small nod in Tezuka's direction. The captain nodded politely in return whereas Ryuuzaki beamed at the well-known prodigy of their team, giving him a thumbs' up.
"Don't worry, Sumire-chan," Atobe's cheerful comment made the coach twitch. "Syuusuke won't disappoint us."
"Atobe! You're not supposed to call me Sumire-chan!"
He smirked at her, but let his eyes go to the court where Fuji was idly stretching.
"Singles Three! Seigaku's Fuji! Fudoumine's Kamio!"
The two went to the net to shake hands, and Atobe noticed Kamio's narrowed eyes.
"So you're a tensai? What does that mean, anyway?" he asked impudently.
"Saa," Fuji shrugged, his pleasant smile never leaving his face.
"This will be fun. I've never beaten a tensai before," Kamio continued, a smirk playing on his lips. His racquet rested on his shoulder confidently, and he stood with his weight on his toes, leaning forward belligerently.
Fuji didn't rise to the bait. "We'll see, won't we?" He held out his hand, smiling pleasantly. "Let's have a good game, and play our best."
Kamio blinked in confusion, taking the offered hand in a bit of surprise. He was used to psyching his opponents out, and getting into a good rhythm from the very start, but it seemed that Fuji let everything wash over him like water. "Let's," he agreed, his expression a bit puzzled and off-balance.
It was all Atobe could do not to start laughing out loud, then and there. Fuji was already messing with his opponent's head.
Kamio served, and it was a nice serve, but Fuji returned it easily, pinpointing it across the court. To all their surprise, Kamio managed to get to it.
"I'm Fudoumine's speed ace!" he proclaimed, returning it with ease.
"Is that so?" Fuji asked easily, watching the ball go by and making no effort to go after it. Atobe could practically hear the wheels turning in his best friend's head as Fuji considered the best way to humiliate the prideful second year.
Beside him, he heard Ryuuzaki sigh. "Can't he ever play without toying with his opponents?" she asked.
Ryoma, sitting beside her, sniffed, obviously not impressed.
"He plays with his food, too," Atobe said. "I think he's going to finish this one quickly. If the only thing Kamio has going is speed, it's not going to be very interesting." Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Inui scribbling in his notebook. Inui was never able to figure out Fuji, which amused both of them greatly. Atobe could have told him the key -- just figure out whatever would have been the most amusing, and that was what Fuji would do.
Sadly, Inui didn't seem to have a very good sense of humor.
Kamio served again, and Fuji returned it, and as Kamio prepared to return, Fuji's eyes opened and his stance and racquet position adjusted.
The people who had been on the team for a while sat up, recognizing the impending play. It always seemed like magic to them, and no matter how many times they saw it, it took a person's breath away.
Kamio made his return, but Fuji's racquet came down, angling beautifully, and then the ball was moving, before striking the ground at Kamio's feet. It rolled along quickly, completely unperturbed as Kamio began to swear fervently, but Fuji's smile spoke volumes.
"What the fuck is that?" Kamio demanded.
"Calm down, Kamio!" Tachibana called from the sidelines. "I warned you about that move -- it's one of his triple counters."
Kamio grumbled, glared at Fuji, and returned for his next serve. The game took fifteen minutes, and Fuji took it all, six games to love, since he apparently was in a mood. Ryuuzaki looked pleased but a bit confused, Tezuka was immune, and everyone else looked like they'd just seen a train wreck, since the methodical way Fuji had demolished the Fudoumine player had been chilling to watch.
"It's nice he played seriously for a change," Ryuuzaki said after the game ended.
"He's still not serious. Kamio wasn't enough to make him play all-out," Atobe said, looking over at his shoulder at Ryoma in warning.
The younger boy appeared to let his comment slide, adjusting his cap and rolling his racket back and forth over his thighs in an impatient gesture. He was getting all twitchy from being made to sit in as a reserve, and in Atobe's honest opinion, well, it was simply too bad for him.
Fuji had approached the shelters by then, reaching over to touch Atobe on his shoulder lightly. "Your turn."
The diva returned his friend's smile. "Good job there."
"Ahh, it's nothing much, really."
Both shared a smile again, earning more irritated looks from Ryoma. The younger boy turned to Inui, who just happened to be sitting beside him.
"Does your data say anything about Atobe-senpai and Fuji-senpai's strange relationship?"
There was a pause as silence filled the Seigaku resting area. Inui appear to look slightly stricken that Ryoma had chosen him, of all people to ask about something of that category. He was proud that the first year student trusted his data enough to ask him (or found him convenient enough, anyway) but it really wasn't a wise move to answer at the moment.
Not with the way Atobe was staring at them.
"Echizen." Fuji's soft, almost lilting voice made a few people freeze. He smiled at the younger boy, reaching over to curl an arm around Atobe in an unmistakably intimate gesture. The latter didn't even flinch. "What does this say to you?"
Ryoma stared for a moment before shrugging. "That maybe you're both very good friends, or you're gay."
At this, Atobe laughed out loud, genuinely amused by the first year's insolence. He walked out of Fuji's single arm embrace easily, lowering his head to stare at Ryoma. "And maybe you need a change in perspective, little boy."
"Atobe!" Ryuuzaki's voice was sharp, but not totally reprimanding.
Everyone shot the older boy slightly nervous looks, but all Atobe did was shrug and move off towards the court, looking relaxed and amused by the turn of events back at the shelter. Ryoma caught Tezuka giving him a disapproving look, and a few others gave him looks of pity, knowing that Atobe had marked him out rather spectacularly for singular punishment.
The key point was, Ryoma hadn't figured that out yet and it wouldn't hurt. Not at the moment, at least.
Fuji appeared to be pleased with Atobe and Ryoma's reactions, sitting down by his racket bag with a pleasant smile. Ryoma was left sitting beside him as Momoshiro left to get a drink, while Oishi and Kikumaru wandered near to Tezuka's side. The younger boy didn't appear to be intimidated in the least bit, drinking from his can of juice nonchalantly.
"I have a piece of advice for you." Fuji began, earning a glance from Ryoma. But the prodigy's opened-eye and amused gaze was riveted to the courts, where Atobe's match against Fudomine's Ibu Shinji had already started. "Don't ask questions which will earn you trouble."
Ryoma made a soft 'Che' before finishing his can of drink and leaving the seats. Fuji only beamed, feeling satisfied with his match. Oishi appeared to give the prodigy of their team a tensed look, knowing that there would be trouble in the days to come if Fuji's interest in Ryoma persisted. He could either create trouble for the younger boy, or the situation could turn a different way.
Best not to go that far now.
"Ibu Shinji to serve!"
A quick glance to the scoreboard assured Oishi that Atobe had kept his service game.
Oishi knew that Atobe on a good day was a thing to be wary of, but when Atobe was riled and in a mood to show off, people needed to duck for shelter. Apparently between having to put up with Ryoma, Fuji's rather spectacular performance, and the humiliation of his doubles debut, Atobe was in rare form.
Ibu Shinji would have done well to just resign.
From the sidelines, the girls the club had attracted ever since Atobe became a regular were screaming his name as he waited for Ibu to return his serve. Tachibana, over on Fudoumine's bench, was watching with a slight furrow in his brow, apparently seeing the light. This was going to be a complete and utter route.
"Shinji, take this seriously!" he called, warning his player not to mess around.
Oishi sighed, knowing that a second ranked player wasn't going to have a snowball's chance in hell of dealing with Atobe when he felt like showing off. "Tezuka, I don't think you're going to be playing today."
Tezuka didn't reply, merely stared as his rival smirked at Ibu.
Oishi wanted to bury his head in his hands and cry.
"You're good. Of course, Tachibana-san said you're good, but I'm good too. I think you're not taking me seriously... maybe I should make you take me seriously..." Ibu was muttering.
Atobe rolled his eyes as his opponent muttered, wondering if the boy was senile at sixteen. He watched with a bit of interest as Ibu's feet left the ground in a distinctive pattern that he vaguely recognized from seeing the bratty first year serve so often... twist serve? No...
Kick serve. A newer, less powerful version, made for people who couldn't handle the demands of the twist serve. Obviously Seigaku's first year was the better player, so handling Ibu was going to be like sleep walking.
Usually he wouldn't bother to waste his time using any of his special moves on lower class players, but today he could feel eyes on him, wondering about his abilities. He knew that his reputation had been hurt by the absolutely heinous doubles match, and it was time to show them what Atobe Keigo was about.
Perfect Singles.
"Ten minutes," he said, glancing over at Tezuka challengingly even as he returned a ball without looking. "I'll finish this match in ten minutes!"
End: Chapter 8
