Secret Exchange
Chapter 10: Confrontation
OOOOOOOOOO
"GAME AND MATCH! YUKIZO: 3 games to 1! END OF PRELIMINARY MATCH NUMBER THREE."
The words echoed through Sakuno's ears. Had she really… won? The sounds of clapping got her attention and she saw the audience cheering at her wonderful match. Sakuno could only gape at how her match had been. It was unbelievable. The Split Step was a move that she would never forget…
OoOoOo
"Ryuzaki."
'Ryoma-kun?' Sakuno stopped rallying the ball and waited for Ryoma to speak.
"Would you like to learn a move?'
"Huh?" Sakuno blinked in surprise.
"Split Step…"
Sakuno dropped her racket, "S-Split Step?!"
Ryoma's face was indifferent, "You are close on mastering some of the basics, but there's still more for you to learn from me.'"
Sakuno timidly picked up the racket, "W-What? Ryoma-"
"I'm training you remember?"
Sakuno sighed, did he have to be so specific?
"I-If it isn't hard…"
"It won't be, unless you follow my instructions…
OOOOOOOOOO
Sakuno, for the past few weeks, worked on the original Split Step from Ryoma. Ryoma performed it to give Sakuno an example. Soon, he asked her to give it a try. Her first try was definitely not flawless as she hesitantly tripped doing the step. He kept an eye on how she was performing. She still wasn't good enough yet, but it would work out sooner or later. Once she had gotten more effort, the tennis prince practiced with her. He would serve the tennis balls while she performed the step.
Ryoma served a slow ball. Sakuno was behind the baseline, so it took a few seconds for the ball to come to her. She returned the neon green ball clumsily and saw Ryoma performing the Split Step technique. It was a high level step and he returned it hastily. She caught the ball.
He explained, "You land both on your feet, thus maintaining good balance and reacting more to the opponent's shots. With something like this, you are able to efficiently change directions when you need to." He jumped a few times, "Timing is key. You have a choice when and where to do the Split Step. Be smart about it."
OoOoOo
Sakuno groaned roughly and stood up, covering her knee with her hand. She slowly walked up to the net to see Tamaki doing the same.
"Wonderful match, Yukizo-san. Please play a match with me again some other time." Tamaki glanced down, "A-Are you okay? I'm really sorry."
Sakuno looked down at her knee, "I'll be fine. I need some ice that's all…"
Both of the girls shook hands. Everyone in the audience was thrilled to see the resolution of the match. Sakuno was happy. She won her first preliminary match. It felt good to win inside, so she didn't feel troubled just because of her knee.
"Tamaki…"
Tamaki heard her coach and turned to him, "We should be going now."
"Okay…sayonara. Thanks again." Tamaki bowed and her coach shook hands with Ryoga.
"Well played for your student."
"Arigatou." Ryoga nodded in thanks.
Tamaki and her coach left the court. The fourth match would start in about half an hour because of the break. This match would consist Minako and her opponent. Sakuno couldn't wait. In the meantime, Ryoga helped her out of the court, while Ryoma followed behind.
OOOOOOOOOO
Sakuno sat down on the bench waiting for ice and another first aid kit to arrive from Ryoga. She gently laid her leg with the swollen knee down on the bench, relaxing and making herself comfortable. Ryoma leaned against a light post, drinking another can of Ponta he got from a vending machine. He carried another can and went over to Sakuno, giving it to her.
"Thank you." Sakuno accepted the can, opening the beverage. The bubbles whizzed inside as she drank its contents.
"You did well…" he commented.
Sakuno licked her lips with satisfaction, "The Split Step…how was it?"
Ryoma stiffened and gave a rather dull expression, "You didn't do it accurately because of your knee. Either way you did the step."
As usual, Ryoma had to take the bad side of all things. Sakuno let it slip by.
"Eh…your training should be put on hold. Don't overdue it." Ryoga finally came back and went down on his knees. He placed the first aid kit on the grass, holding a pack of ice in his hand. He put it on top of Sakuno's knee, Sakuno winced as it froze her wound.
"Oi, Ryoma. Can you take care of it? I have to do something real fast." He stood up once he was done putting the ice on her.
'WHAT?!' Sakuno didn't want Ryoga to leave her all alone like this! Especially if Ryoma was the one taking care of her injury. She made a face at Ryoga, who ignored it completely.
"Where do you have to go?" Ryoma asked boredly.
Ryoga walked off, "Just coach stuff. It won't be long."
Once the tall figure disappeared out of their sight, Ryoma opened up the kit.
Sakuno mumbled, "A-Ano, Ryoma-kun. I can do it myself."
Ryoma glared at her. Sakuno was a bit intimidated.
"U-Um…"
"Just hold the ice on your knee for a few minutes. I'm only looking through." He took out white bandages and ointment. Sakuno gulped nervously.
'Is he…really?'
Fifteen minutes passed and Ryoma pointed at the ice. Sakuno grabbed hold of it. The chilling ice was freezing her pale hand as she took it off her knee. The knee's swelling seemed to have went down.
'Great.' She saw the bandages unraveled from Ryoma, 'Will…will he…?' Sakuno blushed a bright red.
"Bend your knee a little bit." Ryoma commanded. Sakuno closed her eyes as she slightly bent the knee, waiting for something to happen. Ryoma was unaware of how she was reacting at the moment; talk about dense. He took out a cotton swab and put the ointment on top. The sticky-like substance rubbed gently on Sakuno's knee. Sakuno mentally wanted to scream with embarrassment.
'It's just treatment…' Just then, she felt one strong hand holding the knee in place. Ryoma was now wrapping the bandages on the knee. He had no idea why Ryoga left him to do a job like this. Sakuno moved with discomfort.
"You all right?" he asked.
Sakuno squeaked out, "H-Hai!"
Ryoma continued on. Sakuno could not bare the silence, as she wasn't focusing on the moment.
"A-Are you doing all right, Ryoma-kun?"
Ryoma was silent as usual. He tied a knot on the bandage. Sakuno watched Ryoma put all the supplies in the box. He opened his tennis bag and found what he wanted.
"The dream log." Sakuno whispered to herself. The journal was in his hands. Ryoma gestured her to take it. The young girl opened the notebook and read.
'Well…he is improving a little. Waking up at four…' She skimmed through, 'That's good.'
Sakuno skimmed through the log. She was reading through all of the dreams Ryoma had. She was interested for some reason.
'Ryoma-kun, your dreams are so…'
"Strange?"
"Eh?" Sakuno questioned. Ryoma sat down next to her as she now sat up on the bench.
"Everyday, tennis dreams are in my head."
"Oh…" Sakuno thought about more to say, "Have you been sleeping earlier or later now?"
"Later."
"Does your family know?"
"I guess Ryoga, but my parents barely ask."
Sakuno gave him a skeptical look, "Shouldn't they know more about your sleeping schedule?"
"They should, since Ryoga said what the doctor told him. They barely say anything and sleeping pills don't always help."
Sakuno didn't know what to say.
"If it gets serious, they'll force me to see the physician again."
"Sou ka…" Sakuno lowered her eyes. Ryoma had to get this out of his system.
"I played a match with Minamoto-san."
"Huh? When?" Sakuno was surprised.
"When I went missing. She asked for a match."
"What does that have to do with-"
"She knows about my insomnia."
Sakuno's eyes widened, "You played a match with her even though she knew?"
"There's something you should know about her though." Ryoma rubbed his eye sleepily, "Minamoto-san has-"
"WILL MINAMOTO MINAKO AND TANAKA UMEKI PLEASE ENTER THE PRELIMINARY COURT. REPEAT: WILL MINAMOTO MINAKO AND TANAKA UMEKI PLEASE ENTER THE PRELIMINARY COURT!"
Because of the speaker interrupting him, Ryoma decided it wasn't important right now. He stood up and brushed imaginary dust from his pants.
"Do you want to watch?" he asked. Sakuno agreed, she really did want to see Minako's match. She had trouble getting up on her feet in the process, but was amazed when Ryoma offered his hand. Sakuno then remembered that she was still holding the log, and assumed that Ryoma wanted it back. Apparently it was the case when Ryoma grabbed the notebook out of her hands.
"We should get going." Ryoma pulled her up slowly by hand, "I'm sure you can walk."
Sakuno, startled after the action, replied, "Yeah…" The two of them ambled over to the preliminary bleachers. Ryoga would find out sooner or later where they would be, so there was no need to worry. Ryoma and Sakuno watched the beginning of the match. Ryoma spotted the person that he really wanted to see; Minako's sister and mother.
The mother resembled Minako a whole lot, her sky blue hair brushing past her shoulders. She wore a tennis attire similar to Minako, except it was a jacket with a crescent moon. Platinum colored eyes gazed intently, watching her daughter play the match. The opponent wasn't much, as Minako dominated the game after 5 minutes. Tanaka Umeki got the first two first games after another 7 minutes, but Minako stepped her game up. Maki happily cheered on for her older sister, hoping that she would win this match.
"MINAKO-NEE-CHAN!!! GO! GO! GO!!!" Upon hearing that the loud and obnoxious cheer, Minako blushed a bright red, embarrassed, yet she couldn't help smiling at the little girl for her encouragement.
"Is Minako-chan good?" Sakuno asked with wonderment.
Ryoma shrugged his shoulders, "She's okay."
"AH!" Minako shouted her serve. The opponent, Umeki, didn't return it.
"Game Minamoto: 2 games- ALL. TIEBREAK!"
'Already?' Sakuno never realized that Minako could get games that quickly.
Umeki smirked, "Nee, you caught up. But this match is mine!" Umeki served the ball quickly and Minako stayed calm as she returned the serve.
"Return Ace." Ryoma commented.
"1-LOVE. Minamoto lead."
Umeki served another one, the tennis ball heading right at Minako. Minako hit the ball precisely in the center of the racket; the 'pok' sound echoed through her ears.
'It's the right time.' Umeki ran to the left side to retrieve the ball, returning it to the other side of the court. Minako didn't let it stop.
'Tanaka-san's stamina is low…' Minako observed Umeki's tiredness and her legs moving slowly during the match, 'Hah, this is a good match.' Minako smashed the ball in the court.
"2-LOVE."
Tanaka Umeki was fifteen years old, having three years of tennis experience. She had her dark hair with red streaks tied up in a high ponytail, amber eyes watching the ball in every move. She breathed heavily, beating herself up for not doing much stamina training. Her priority was winning.
"I WON'T LOSE!" she called out loud.
"Then play a match!" Minako served the ball in a different way. She arched her back, letting the ball fly up, and served.
'Top Spin Serve.' Umeki stepped backwards and hit the ball. Minako rallied with her for a while until she was ready for her move. When the ball was coming at her, she lowered her arm with the racket and gave the ball more spin. The ball was returned and quickly on the ground, curving with a tiny bounce.
"3-LOVE."
"Crescent Ball." Ryoma whispered.
Sakuno was oddly confused, "Crescent Ball?"
"A move she used during our match." Ryoma felt his pocket vibrating. Ryoma flipped his cell phone and checked the caller I.D.
'Oishi-senpai?' Tentatively, he pressed the button to receive the call.
"Eto…moshi moshi." Ryoma greeted in an awkward way, covering the speaker so that the background noise would block.
"Echizen, the team is having a meeting. Sorry if it is last minute, but everyone is assembling at the tennis courts right now. Come." Oishi notified him. The background sounds Ryoma heard were Momoshiro and Kaidoh arguing about who could do the most pushups.
"Oishi-senpai, I can't right now."
"What? Why is that?"
Ryoma gritted his teeth. He would definitely get in trouble if the assistant captain found out he was lying. He had no choice as he was really far away from the school.
"Oishi-senpai, I'm doing errands for my mom."
Some excuse.
"Echizen, this meeting is important!"
"…"
"Echizen? Hello?"
Ryoma muttered, "Gomen."
CLICK
Ryoma stuffed his cell phone into his pocket.
"Who was it?" Sakuno wondered.
"Oishi-senpai."
"EH? What did he say?"
"…He just said that there was a meeting today…"
OOOOOOOOOO
"Oishi, is Ochibi-chan coming?" Kikumaru asked his partner.
"I-Iie."
"WHAT? WHY?!"
"Errands…" Oishi replied.
"Why would he choose to do errands over a tennis meeting? That's unlikely of him." Momo mentioned. Fuji and Inui leaned against a tennis fence with tennis rackets at hand.
"Inui…" Fuji began.
"Chances are…" Inui continued.
"…He's avoiding, ne? Ha ha, how amusing." Fuji replied, "Tezuka wouldn't like it one bit." Proving his point, Fuji pointed at Oishi, who was telling the coach of Seigaku that Ryoma wouldn't attend the meeting. Tezuka didn't approve about it at all.
"This meeting..."
"Shall we presume anyway?" Oishi suggested.
"Iie. He needs to hear about this. Meeting postponed. It'll be tomorrow for sure, everyone."
Everyone moaned and groaned with annoyance.
"Leave or run laps!"
Everyone rushed out of the gates in a flash.
OOOOOOOOOO
"So you hung up on him? That's the fukou-buchou, Ryoma!"
"GAME AND MATCH: MINAMOTO: 3 GAMES TO 2. END OF PRELIMINARY MATCH NUMBER FOUR."
Minako sighed with accomplishment, 'Yes…' She saw Umeki walking up to the net. She did the same thing and shook hands.
"Nice match. I'm hoping to have a rematch, ya know!" Umeki puffed her cheeks.
Minako chuckled, "Yup. Call a match hen you need one." Umeki left the court with her coach.
"MINAKO-NEE-CHAN!!!" Maki jumped with glee and embraced her sister tightly. Her strawberry designed dress brushed passed her knees when a breeze blew in a gusty manner.
"Maki." Minako wagged her finger, "Nee, don't enter the court when a match is still going."
"BUT THE MATCH IS OVER!" Maki pointed at the other side of the court, not seeing anyone.
"Hee hee, so it is. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention."
Maki pouted, "Of course I was."
"It's just prelims. It'll get tougher." Minako replied.
"It sure will," Minamoto-sensei responded. Maki held Minako's hand as they both went to their mother, "Don't get cocky about this."
"Hai." Minako promised.
"The Crescent Ball needs more polishing, so we will do some exercises during the week."
'Great…more work.' Minako thought unhappily. Minako gazed at the bleachers and saw Ryoma and Sakuno. She waved hello. Sakuno did a thumbs-up while Ryoma was aloof. Minako grabbed a towel and ran up to where they were sitting.
"Nice match."
"Arigatou," Minako pointed at Sakuno's knee, "Daijoubu? I saw what happened…"
"A bruise that's all. My coach said to take it easy until the next match ups. It's tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, then the final rounds will be two weeks away."
"Hontou?!" Sakuno never knew it would take this long.
"There are lots of girls here, ne? We have to beat them one by one if we want to go to the finals."
"How many are there?"
"…30 teenage girls, including the two of us, which intentionally means 32. Finals start when there are 8 girls standing." Minako put her hands on her hips, her towel dangling behind her neck, "This will definitely be a LONG tournament." She sighed unpleasantly.
'I thought this would be a small tournament.' Sakuno sweat dropped, 'Mou…skimming on the flier doesn't help.'
"Sakura-chan, I wish to play a match during this tournament." Minako smirked. Sakuno didn't know what to say, "I'm more of a challenger, and knowing that you are being trained by Echizen-san, you should be REALLY GOOD!"
"Me?" Sakuno blushed, "You lie."
"Am I? You're lucky to be training with him though!" Minako cheerfully retorted back, hoping to keep this conversation going on for a while. Sakuno was falling right in her trap.
'The only reason I train with him is so that he had something to exchange…' Sakuno thought unhappily. She turned her head toward Ryoma, who was not paying attention to them, but only to the next match below them. So far in this court, there had only been four matches, making the current match right now the fifth. There were two courts: COURT A and B, each having eight matches between two people so that the rounds would be done quicker. The court they were currently in right know was Court A.
According to the listings he read earlier, Ryoma spotted the name Kato Izumi. She was in Court B. It was not that Ryoma didn't want to see her match, but wanting to get information about fierce competitors getting in the way for Sakuno's success.
Whoa…since when did he care? He stopped thinking for a while when a tennis player was a winner.
"COURT B IS DONE WITH THEIR MATCHES! KATO IZUMI IS THE VICTOR. GO TO COURT A FOR THE REMAINING MATCHES." A judge from another area called out.
'More people.' Ryoma groaned.
OOOOOOOOOO
As much as the tennis preliminaries part one were over, Ryoma couldn't help but feel grumpy at home. Everyone had departed home after that stressing and tired day. Ryoga, Sakuno, and Ryoma took the train home. After the last stop at the station, they took the bus and Sakuno came home safely and just enough time to hide her things away from Sumire.
When the brothers came home, Ryoma went straight to his room and laid down in bed. Karupin's tail swished back and forth, gazing at his master that came in the room. Ryoma gazed up at the ceiling lazily. Why did he ignore his senpai on the phone? He did not know. Boy, was he in for it. Today he did not need to take the pills. He was sure he could handle himself for one night…
OOOOOOOOOO
…or so he thought. Ryoma opened his eyes and took a look at the clock. He pounded his head with the pillow.
3:30 AM.
This was pathetic, he thought. Ryoma ruffled under his pillow to find the Dream Log. He opened it and began to write down the time. Patterns like this should be mentioned to Sakuno the next time they would meet. He closed his eyes thoughtfully. He forgot to mention why Sakuno wasn't able to say anything about his disorder, other than his family and herself.
'I don't want to be treated differently…' He placed the pen on top of his pillow and touched his forehead. Some lame excuse. He was always treated differently, yet he didn't wanted to be treated differently more. The silence inside the room couldn't make him fall asleep.
'Che!' Worrying about everything wouldn't do anything. He put his worries aside and put the Dream Log under the pillow. He hated being like this. He wondered how hard it was for Minamoto-san going through a month. He never knew that this kind of girl would be in the tournament. He covered himself with his sheets and tried to fall back asleep.
OOOOOOOOOO
RING…RING…RING
He rubbed his eye in a sleepy manner. His cell phone was ringing, "Moshi moshi?"
"Echizen."
"B-Buchou?" Upon hearing the stoic captain's voice, Ryoma gave full attention to the speaker.
"There's a meeting today. Don't avoid this one."
"Buchou-"
"We cancelled yesterday's meeting because you wouldn't attend. That is unacceptable. I won't tolerate it. Today Echizen, at 1 in the afternoon. You must come."
Ryoma lowered his voice, "Demo-"
"Come."
CLICK
Ryoma placed his phone on the table, 'Now what?'
OOOOOOOOOO
A knock pounded in the guestroom.
"What is it?"
The door opened and Ryoma came inside the room, "A-Ano…"
"Yes?"
"Do you mind being with Ryuzaki today at the tournament?"
"I'm the coach. I'm supposed to be with her, right?"
"I won't be there."
Ryoga put down a magazine he was currently reading, "What do you mean you won't be there?"
"…I avoided a tennis meeting yesterday. They postponed it."
"…Is it really important?"
"Yeah…"
OOOOOOOOOO
"Konichiwa-" Sakuno was very cheerful in the morning, a smile plastered as she went inside the van. However, neither of the brothers replied back except for Ryoga who muttered. The atmosphere inside the van was awkward. She fumbled with her seat belt and still the silence was unbearable.
'Did something happen?' Sakuno questioned herself.
"Sakuno-chan," Ryoga began in a monotone voice, "Ryoma won't attend today with you."
"Huh?" Sakuno glanced at the younger boy, who had his face well hidden beneath his cap.
"Sorry. The team called me. There's something I have to attend."
"Oh."
To keep the conversation going Ryoga continued, "I'll be dropping him off at Seigaku. I'll be with you, Sakuno-chan."
"Arigatou…" Sensing that Ryoma didn't really want to meet up with the team, Sakuno wanted to convince him to watch the tournament like he always did, but stifled her thoughts.
OOOOOOOOOO
Stopping at the curb of the school, Ryoma opened the passenger door and slammed it shut. He slung his tennis bag behind him, walking up to the front of the school.
"Ryuzaki…" He called behind him.
Sakuno lowered her window in the van, "What is it?"
"…Good luck. Don't lose." He turned his back and went forward. Sakuno flustered a tint of pink, speechless of what to say. She wanted to say something, opening her mouth a tiny bit, yet nothing came out as Ryoma disappeared in the school.
"Shouldn't you say thank you to him?" Ryoga implied, "This might be the only encouragement you get from him out loud, that little idiot."
Sakuno glanced at Ryoga and made a smile. Once the van was moving to another direction of the school, Sakuno poked her head out of the window, "Ryoma-kun! Arigatou!"
OOOOOOOOOO
Ryoma sneezed. Boy were allergies getting in the way of his tennis play. He could've sworn he heard something, it might've been the wind talking.
"HOI!"
Now that was not the wind for sure! A shout was heard from the distance.
'Please don't tell me that's-' Before Ryoma knew it, two arms cut off his oxygen.
"IT'S BEEN SO LONG, OCHIBI-CHAN! WHY MUST YOU AVOID YOUR SENPAI, HMM?"
"K-Kikumaru-senpai…" More bad luck came his way as Momo walked over to the two of them.
"Echizen. Finally you're cooperative for once!" Eiji let go of the troubling boy and Momo took over his place by dangling an arm on Ryoma's shoulder, "Tezuka-buchou's gonna have your head when he sees you. It'll be all bad!"
Momo was right. Tezuka would definitely not be happy for skipping a meeting, but come on! Tennis meetings on the weekends? That was not productive in his schedule.
"Come, come! The others are waiting." The two older boys pushed Ryoma forward to the tennis courts.
"S-Senpai, what is all this about?" He asked as both of them continued to drag him.
Eiji had a curious look on his face, "Actually, we don't know for sure. Mou, buchou's always anti-social!"
"Well, we'll find out soon enough!" Momo replied with a grin.
'Che…'
OOOOOOOOOO
"You're here." Ryoma sat down on a bench. This type of meeting didn't really consist a table and a chair. It mostly dealt with outside purposes. A tennis ball was in the palm of Tezuka's hand.
"Fuji." Tezuka called the tensai over to approach Ryoma. With a dazed look on his face, Ryoma didn't knew for sure if this would be a meeting or not.
"Ah, Echizen." Fuji flashed one of his trademark smiles unto the boy, "How have you been doing lately?"
"…I'm fine."
"Saa, that's good." Tezuka let Fuji hold the ball, "Would you like to play a match against me?"
'A match?'
"Is there a reason for a match, Fuji-senpai?"
Fuji glanced at Tezuka. Nothing from him as expected, "It will be fun. I promise you."
Ryoma rubbed the back of his head, not having much of a choice, "If you say so…"
Fuji smiled evilly, 'According to plan. Ne, Inui?' Behind the dark green tennis gates was Inui, writing away some good data.
Ryoma went inside the clubhouse to get changed. As the door closed with a bang, Tezuka walked towards Fuji in a slow pace. Both of them stood side by side, Fuji checking his racket strings as Tezuka felt the cold breeze touch his skin.
"Fuji, I trust you on this one." Fuji smiled in return. Tezuka always knew that Fuji was very good at getting information from people.
"No problem." Fuji recollected his thoughts one time on a particular day.
OoOoOoOo
"Tezuka, have you been keeping an eye on Echizen?"
Tezuka heard the sudden voice and heard that it was Fuji coming his way in the clubhouse.
"Aa."
"Sou ka? I know what's happening to him." Tezuka turned around to look at him, "Inui knows about him, too."
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm? I thought I was clear, Tezuka. I know what's wrong with him. You've noticed, haven't you?"
"Fuji-"
"I won't say it out loud. Make up a fake meeting and let him come play a match with me. I'll reveal it during the match."
"Fuji!"
"Ha ha, bye."
It would've been so easier if Fuji said it right at his face, but he did have a point. Ryoma should have a say about it, too. Tezuka watched the tensai pack up his things and went off home.
OoOoOoOo
"Ready?" Fuji heard footsteps behind him and it was Ryoma in his tennis attire.
"Fuji-senpai, what is this all about?" Ryoma went inside Court A first, Fuji trailing behind.
"Echizen, your serve, why don't you?" Fuji threw him the ball he was holding to Ryoma, paying no heed of the question .
"Shouldn't we do the meeting first, though?" Ryoma began his serve.
"Actually, I would like to discuss a different matter, Echizen. Have you been getting enough sleep?"
'What?' Ryoma served the ball but it hit the net. The ball making a thud once it hit the court.
'Got'cha…' Fuji's eyes were planted right at Ryoma.
'That face…' That sadistic face was staring right at him. What did he want? He relaxed himself by not tensing his shoulders so much and began the serve once again. It was over the net and Fuji returned it back.
"Did something happen in the past couple of weeks? Explain."
"Yadda." Echizen scored a point.
"15-LOVE."
"So you say something happened? I'm surprised. You seem to look like your usual self."
"I am myself." Ryoma served a Twist Serve right at him. Fuji returned it with a forehand swing to the left. Ryoma went to the left side of the court and returned it. Fuji went to the center of the court and returned it with no difficulty.
Both of them rallied until Fuji replied, "You sure you're yourself? Your speed is a bit jumbled, don't you think?" Fuji found an opening in the far right and shot the ball in the open space.
"15-ALL." The Regulars watched as the match between Fuji and Ryoma continued.
"Oishi, is this match really necessary?" Eiji questioned strangely. Oishi shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess we'll see why it is. We haven't really seen Echizen play in a while."
"That's true…" Kawamura commented.
"Echizen's play is different." Everyone turned to Inui, "According to my calculations, Echizen's speed lowered by three percent. Not much though."
"His speed?" Momo asked, "Echizen's speed never fails him! It looks the same."
"That may be so. But for the people who used to challenge him before, like Fuji…"
"…he's checking Echizen's stats?" Kaidoh asked.
"Hai. It looks like Fuji is experiencing some changes." Inui fumbled inside his cerulean blue pant pocket and took out a tape recorder. He gave a signal to Fuji. When Ryoma was starting to make a serve, Fuji glanced at Inui. He smirked and nodded his head.
"Is there something you would like to share?"
"EH?!" Ryoma hit the ball once more. Fuji simply returned the ball at a fast pace.
"Did I say too much?"
Ryoma scoffed, "Betsu ni."
"Oh? Well it seems you are making a big deal about 'it'." Fuji got into a position when the ball was coming towards him.
"There it is! Tsubame Gaeshi." The ball dipped toward the ground without a bounce and passed Ryoma swiftly.
"15-30."
'Kuso…' Ryoma put the racket behind his shoulder, patting it a bit too roughly.
…take care of yourself. You have been working too hard just for all this.
Inui hit the 'play' button in the tape recorder. The sentence echoed in Ryoma's ears.
'Where did I hear that before?'
"Inui-"
Please get some more sleep, Ryoma-kun! Your insomnia WILL heal!
'Ryuzaki…' Ryoma clenched his fists. The tape recorder suddenly stopped with a click, 'She said that when we were going home after the gathering.'
"I-Insomnia?" Ryoma turned around to see Oishi in his mother mode.
"Was that Ryuzaki-chan's voice? What on earth is she doing with you, Echizen, eh?" Momo snickered with pleasure and nudged Eiji's shoulder.
"Hoi! You don't think?"
"Ah, youth! Youth is hooking up very nicely these days, " Eiji grinned widely.
"This kind of sleeping problem will not get better if it is not taken care of. You know that, don't you?" Inui replied. Ryoma tilted his head to the side, avoiding everyone's gaze.
"Who said I had it?" Ryoma suddenly said.
"The tape recorder-"
"You can't always assume what a tape recorder records. It can record lies and rumors. I do not have a problem, senpai."
"Are you the one lying, Echizen?" Fuji asked with a doubtful look, "Because it seems to me that Inui and I have all the information we need." The honey-brown haired boy went back to the baseline to receive Ryoma's next serve. The score was Fuji's lead of 15-30.
-POK-
"Do you wish to say something about this?"
-POK-
"Why should I? What you just recorded was a lie."
-POK-
"Really?"
-POK-
"Do you think I'm lying, senpai?"
-POK-
"I may not have that much evidence, Echizen, but I know for sure you seem distracted."
-POK-
"I'm not!"
-POK-
"30- ALL."
-POK-
Fuji sighed, 'This is taking too long.'
-POK-
"I do not have a sleeping disorder, senpai."
-POK-
"I didn't say you did. And by the way...there is no meeting."
-POK-
"…" Ryoma hit a lob high in the air and Fuji knew that Ryoma's time was up. He smashed it down on the opposite court.
-POK-
Ryoma couldn't control himself as he went down to his knees, surprising everyone at the court, 'Why am I this tired already?'
'Score…' Fuji thought with delight, 'Task complete.'
"What is up with this insomnia? Echizen couldn't have-" Eiji whispered to Oishi. Oishi turned to Tezuka for an answer or a reply, but none came out of from the captain.
"I suggest we stop here for now. " Fuji walked over to help Ryoma up. Ryoma swatted it away, protesting to keep this match going.
"Echizen," Tezuka called from the fence, "you're done."
Angry that Tezuka stopped him, Ryoma shrugged it off roughly and decided that time was definitely up for him. He didn't get enough sleep.
"Why keep a secret from us?" Fuji whispered in his ear. Ryoma perked up and didn't bother to reply. He ignored all the gazes he was getting and went off to the clubhouse to change.
"Fuji." Tezuka called him over, "Well done."
Fuji wiped the sweat off his forehead and nodded. Inui opened to the back of his notebook and took out three photos to give to Tezuka. He sealed it in an envelope and would remember to give it to him soon.
"Echizen…has a disorder? How can it be?" Momo replied with an unbelievable face.
Inui tipped his spectacles up and down, "It surprised me, too, when I found out myself. I thought I was doing a good job mixing up those menus for you guys."
"So…now what?" Kaidoh asked gruffly.
Kawamura was about to say something when Tezuka interrupted him, "We keep an eye on him. At all costs. We'll push him harder if we have to."
"Tezuka, are you sure you know what you're doing?" Oishi and Kawamura was flabbergasted of the decision Tezuka made.
"Oishi, I'm not letting him back down. He still is getting all the training we give him." As much as Tezuka didn't like to say it, he had to. He knew how to take care of his players. He would know when time was up for them when they have difficulty. For Ryoma, eyes must glance every once in a while for the Regulars.
"Are you serious, buchou?!" Momo interrupted the conversation, "If it's hardcore for him, you should at least give him a break."
Tezuka rubbed his temples for having an aggravating headache, "Quiet. Momoshiro, 20 laps, " He directed to him.
"What? Buchou-"
"40 laps. I'll tell Echizen when he'll have a break. In the meantime, focus on tennis. Minna, don't let this get to your heads."
Momo turned his head away and glanced at the clubhouse where Ryoma was. He hoped things would clear up soon. Tezuka would be having a talk with him in a little bit once Ryoma got back. It was a bit awkward knowing that Tezuka was giving all the orders.
He started his laps immediately.
OOOOOOOOOO
Inside the club room, Ryoma sat down in the bench silently, wondering what he was going to do. He was caught, caught like a caged bird willing to flybut couldn't. He took off his hat and threw it on the floor with exasperation. Sweat dripped down the side of his head as he took a white towel and rubbed it all away.
'Do they know what I'm doing with Ryuzaki? Is it clear to them?' He thought bewildered. Fuji and Inui didn't mention much about Ryuzaki, which was strange since Ryuzaki was the one that blabbed everything out of no where. Ryuzaki was his main problem.
Ryuzaki was ALWAYS getting in the way of everything! Momo-senpai and Eiji-senpai made it such a big deal and he was always clueless to what was going on.
Ryuzaki, Ryuzaki, Ryuzaki. How he hated her name right now.
'It's her fault…' Ryoma stood up and picked up his Fila hat from the ground. He adjusted his hat in his head so that the rim of the hat shadowed his eyes.
'I won't forgive her…'
OOOOOOOOOO
"Fuji, Inui." Tezuka called both of them as he settled himself down in a bench. Momo was still running his laps and everyone else played a mock match with each other.
"What is it, Tezuka?"
"Do you know the reason why Ryuzaki-sensei's granddaughter was with Echizen?" Fuji and Inui looked at each other, hoping that one of them knew the answer. Sadly, there was none.
"Gomen, Tezuka. However," Inui went through his notebook, "We hid and went along to where they went. It looked like a special occasion of some sort."
"Occasion?"
"Yes…more like a tournament occasion." The club door opened with a bang. Tezuka, Fuji and Inui saw Ryoma turning back to the front gates.
"Well, let's leave him alone, ne? He's had enough for today." Fuji suggested.
The sounds of tennis balls hitting the ground echoed as Ryoma left the school, not caring whether or not he had permission. Tezuka watched the boy vanish before his eyes. He guessed that the talk today wouldn't change a thing.
Ryoma went to the private court on his own.
-!Haru Cherry!