Chapter 9: Blackmail

You're blackmailing me

Sponging all my money

I don't think it's funny

The way you've been badgering me

"I. Am. Not. Going." Ryoma glared at Momoshiro and Fuji, who both were wearing Armani suits and had somehow forced him into one (A/N: Don't ask how. They weren't able to get him to discard that cap of his, though.)

"Come on, Echizen, it'll be fun!"

"Yadda."

"It doesn't matter what you say, Echizen, you're going even if we have to drag you there." grinned Momoshiro. "Hurry up, we're going to be late."

"What do you have against dances, anyway?" asked Fuji. "They're just parties, if you really think about it."

"Exactly!" Ryoma said indignantly. "Dances are so retarded. They're all dark and noisy, everyone's wearing fancy stuff that's going to get ruined sooner or later, girls start acting stupid-"

"Oh, look who's talking about acting stupid," Momoshiro said, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever. I'm not going and you can't make me." Ryoma, being as stubborn as he was, sat down on his bed and crossed his arms, much to Momoshiro's dismay.

Momoshiro looked at Fuji despairingly, but much to his surprise, Fuji smiled. He pulled out his phone and flipped through his pictures and videos. When he found the one he wanted, he showed it to Momoshiro.

"Whoa...this is a good one!" Momoshiro laughed.

"What are you two laughing about?" Ryoma asked, annoyed.

"Oh, just a video of you buying the Twilight movie at the video store," Momoshiro showed it to Ryoma, who froze, and was speechless for the second time that week.

"What's this, Echizen? You watch chick flicks? And the clerk's asking you if you want to use your 'frequent customer' discount!" Fuji laughed.

"It was for Nanako!" Ryoma made a grab for the phone, but Momoshiro pulled it out of his reach. This was easy, considering Ryoma's height (or lack thereof).

"So, Echizen, this would definitely look wonderful on my Facebook page..." Fuji smiled. Ryoma reddened with anger but said nothing.

"How does that dance sound now?" asked Momoshiro, grinning from ear to ear.

Realizing that there was no other way out, Ryoma threw his pillow at Momoshiro in defeat. "Oh, let's get out of here," he grumbled and stalked out the door.

As soon as he left, Momoshiro and Fuji looked at each other. "SUCCESS!" they yelled, and high-fived.

As Ryoma stomped out of the house, his dad called after him, "Have fun, kiddo!"

I cannot possibly be related to that man...someone probably dumped me on his doorstep. He was tempted to turn around and give a certain crude finger gesture to his father, but decided against it since his mother was waiting about ten feet away in the car to drive him and his
teammates to the dance.

Choosing to silently get in the car and sulk instead, Ryoma waited until Fuji and Momoshiro came in as well, one each from the left and right. Purposely squishing him in between their much larger bodies, the two senpais laughed over their victory, further annoying the youngest of the bunch. "Now, Echizen, was that so hard?"

"I hate you guys."

"Awww, that's mean. You know you love us!" Momoshiro grinned at his kouhai.

"Not to mention," Fuji added, "You seriously need to stop obsessing over tennis."

"It's not an obsession," Ryoma protested sullenly.

"Uh, yeah, it is. You go to school to play tennis, you go home to play tennis, you read about tennis, you study tennis. It's like you don't even live in this world. I bet you'd marry tennis if you could!" said Momoshiro, laughing.

"Everyone else does, too...so do you!" Ryoma attempted to defend himself.

"We wouldn't commit suicide if tennis ceased to exist." Fuji deadpanned. "Admit it, Echizen, without tennis, you'd be nothing."

Ryoma had no response to that, so he sat and pouted. I hate my life.

As the car started and began moving towards the fated destination of the school dance, Ryoma sighed and gave in to his two leering teammates. Let's get this over with...I hope I survive tonight's torture.

Oh, if only he knew what was in store for him.