I know i haven't updated in a while, so I'm really sorry. I know my readers must hate me.. Well you guys are gonna hate me even more when you hear this.. I'm discontinuing Fading Maples. D: I really didn't plan out the story and i don't know where I'm gonna take it so I've decided to stop writing for a while and clear my thoughts a little. But don't worry, I'll be re posting Fading Maples in December, the new and improved version so watch out for that! I hope you will support my story when i post it again.
I'll be deleting this story by the end of May/early June. Well here's chapter 10!
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of tennis or any of the characters in Prince Of Tennis
Chapter 10
The long awaited ranking tournaments had finally arrived. All the girls who had signed up were lined up by year, waiting for instructions from Ryuuzaki-sensei who was standing at the front along with the male tennis regulars. Their ranking matches were already finished and they were going to be assessing the matches.
Everyone was listening to Ryuuzaki-sensei explain all the stages of the ranking tournament.
'The ranking tournament will be different from the boys. Too many girls have signed up for the ranking tournaments, so we will not have time to play matches. Instead, we are going to have stages that each person must pass. Listen carefully, there are the stages:
Serves
Returns
Endurance
Aim
If more than five girls pass these stages, the regulars will be determined by the boy's tennis team and myself. Understood?'
'Understood' chorused the girls.
There was excitement all over the courts. After all, everyone wanted the chance to train together with the legendary boys tennis regulars.
'Risa-chan, Miyuki-chan!'
We turned around to see Eiji, Fuji, Echizen and Momoshiro.
'Good luck!' said Eiji, giving both of us bear hugs.
'Do your best' said Fuji.
'You're in strong denial.'
'You like him don't you?'
My eyes widened.
'I did not need these distractions on such an important day.' I tied not to look into Fuji's eyes as I grabbed Miyuki's arm.
'We need to warm up, so we'll be leaving first. Thank you for your concern' I said robotically while bowing.
I then walked off swiftly with Miyuki in tow, leaving Eiji staring at our backs in question.
'Risa-senpai's just nervous,' reassured Momoshiro.
Eiji nodded reluctantly.
The first stage of the ranking matches began. The task was to serve a ball to the other side of the court, which I thought was pretty straightforward but surprisingly, a lot of girls got eliminated. After the first stage was over, two thirds of the people who had signed up were gone.
'Ah! Risa-senpai, Miyuki-chan!'
I froze momentarily. Oh no! Not Eiji again!
'Mai-senpai!' said Miyuki in surprise.
I relaxed. It was just Mai. I felt myself being hugged from behind.
'Mai-chan! Good to see you again. Are you participating in the ranking tournament?'
She nodded happily.
'Yup! I passed the first stage already.'
'Same here!' Miyuki and I replied in unison.
'HEAVE YOUR PUNY ASSES OVER HERE! THE SECOND STAGE IS ABOUT TO START.'
All three of us shivered. We scurried over to Ryuuzaki-sensei as fast as possible.
_____________________________________________________________________
The second stage was returns. The remaining girls were divided into eight groups. Each group then had to go into a court where a regular would serve a ball and the girls had to return it. Each girl was given three chances.
Miyuki, Mai and I were all in group 8 so we headed down to the eighth tennis court to begin our second stage challenge. Three other girls were already there. As we neared, I recognised them. They were none other than Airisu, Riijiya and Rin.
I was expecting their usual taunts, but instead I was greeted by a smug grin from Airisu. She looked us over before walking into the court with Riijiya and Rin behind her.
I looked at Miyuki who was also looking back at me with confusion written all over her face.
'Ha! I scared her off with my amazing tennis skills didn't I?' said Mai with pride.
I laughed.
'Good job!' I said, remembering the events that occurred less than a week ago.
The three of us went into the courts with our spirits lifted significantly. When we entered, Airisu, Riijiya and Rin had already finished. All three of them had already passed.
'See you in the third stage, if you make it.' Sneered Riijiya as she walked by.
Airisu gave her a grin that said 'good job' and Riijiya's face lit up as she followed Airisu like a puppy.
'Che. I don't have forever you know.'
It seemed like the regular who would be assessing us was Echizen. I did a victory dance in my mind. At least it wasn't Fuji.
Mai was up first. Echizen gave her a light serve and she hit it back with ease. He gave her the ticket to the third stage and she stood on the sidelines waiting for me and Miyuki to finish.
I was up next. He served lightly once again.
'You're in strong denial.'
'You like him don't you?'
My eyes hardened. Fuji was so annoying! He had been the subject of my thoughts for god knows how long and he was distracting me at such an important moment!
I imagined the ball was his head and I slammed it back to Echizen with all the force I could muster. Echizen's cocky smirk grew a bit.
'Not bad, senpai.' He said as he handed me my ticket.
I ruffled his hair. I knew that it was Echizen's way of complimenting me. He obviously didn't seem very happy about me ruffling his hair, but he let it slide.
Finally it was Miyuki's turn. She seemed very fired up for some reason.
'The next time I play you, don't hold back, otherwise you'll lose.'
'Mada Mada dane'
'Right back at you'
Echizen remembered her words very well. A competitive smirk grew on his face. He threw the ball up into the air and served. It was a lightning fast shot. I opened my mouth to protest but Mai covered my mouth. It was so unfair.
Miyuki ran towards the ball and slammed it back, right at Echizen's face. He moved his head to the side and the ball missed him by a few millimetres. Miyuki imitated his typical Echizen pose with the racquet over her shoulder.
'Mada Mada Dane' she said, trying to imitate his catchphrase.
There was a moment's silence.
'Ahahahahahahahahaha'
Miyuki turned to see the rest of the regulars and Ryuuzaki-sensei outside the courts laughing. Eiji was rolling on the floor, his face beet red. It looked like he was almost suffocating. Miyuki was stunned for a second but soon joined in. The only person who wasn't laughing was Echizen. He wasn't too happy about the fact that a girl had just made fun of his catchphrase.
The third stage was about to begin and all the girls who had qualified stood in one straight line. There were only 17 left compared to the 198 that had signed up for the ranking tournament.
'The third test is endurance. All seventeen girls will have to run around the courts 10 times. The last seven girls who finish the 10 laps will be cut!'
'START NOW!' roared Ryuuzaki-sensei.
All the girls scrambled to their feet and started running. I ran alongside Miyuki and Mai and we were right at the back of the line but we knew that we were going to catch up fast. The girls at the front were sprinting at a furious pace and we could tell that they would be exhausted soon enough.
Sure enough, we passed most of the girls since they had slowed to a jog or started walking. We maintained the medium paced run throughout the 10 laps and we soon also overtook Airisu and Riijiya.
Riijiya looked like she would have no trouble to keep up with our pace but she tried to match Airisu's slow pace like the faithful sidekick she was. The only person in front of us now was Rin.
We caught up to her but she didn't seem to want to give up the lead so she sped up.
Mai grinned.
'Let's speed up too'
We started running faster, but didn't sprint in order to conserve energy. Rin was becoming tired but so were we, so the four of us ended up being tied at first place. We watched as Riijiya and Airisu passed the finish line. They too had passed, but just barely, they came in at 9th and 10th.
The task for the fourth stage was to hit a target. A black board placed 50 metres in front of us and we had to hit at least 5/7 times. Rin, Mai and Miyuki finished the task with ease, hitting the board all seven times. Riijiya and Airisu also passed, hitting the board 6/7 times. As for me, I passed just barely. I scraped past with 5/7 hits. We were the only people to pass the fourth and final stage.
The final six lined up in front of Ryuuzaki-sensei and the regulars.
'Congratulations on making it to the final round. The chosen regulars will be announced tomorrow at your tennis practice. You are dismissed.'
As soon as we were dismissed, Miyuki, Mai and I ran into the change rooms to have a shower. Airisu stared at our backs in disgust.
'Look at those sweaty beasts run for those disgusting showers. They obviously have no pride at all.'
'Saa, are you saying that our school facilities are not up to standard?' asked Fuji, who passed by.
Airisu stared at the towel that was slung over his shoulder and the bottles of body wash, shampoo and conditioner in his hands. It was obvious that he too was heading for the showers. Airisu's face flushed as she realised the mistake she had made. She tried to speak but all her words came out either slurred or stuttered. Fuji walked into the change room without waiting for reply; his only motive was to embarrass her, not to hear her make excuses.
Airisu had tears of anguish in her eyes. I embarrassed myself in front of Fuji-sama! She ran off feeling devastated and her two companions followed behind her as usual.
Rin took one last glance backwards before following Airisu. Did Fuji just go into the girls change rooms? She shook her head rapidly. Tensai's don't make that kind of mistake! She thought.
When Fuji went into the change rooms, he heard three showers already running.
Strange, the regulars had already left and the rest of the tennis club wasn't called on for training today.
'Ahhh! Risa-senpai, Miyuki-chan.' I left my towel and change of clothes in my locker. Can someone fetch it for me?'
Fuji froze. That was Mai-chan's voice. What was she doing in the boys change room? he thought. He turned to face the entrance and saw the sign. Girls Change room.
'I left my towel in my locker too. Risa-senpai, can you fetch it for me as well.' asked Miyuki from her shower cubicle.
'Sure' I answered.
I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. My clothes and shoes were on a bench outside the shower cubicle. When I walked out, I saw Fuji at the entrance; his eyes were opened to reveal those cerulean blue orbs. He was staring at me in shock.
'FU-..'
He covered my mouth and dragged me out of the change room before I could do or say anything more.
'Risa-senpai, what's wrong? Called both Mai and Miyuki.
They were greeted by silence.
When we were out of the change room, I licked Fuji's hand. He pulled it away from my mouth instantly.
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU DO REALISE THAT I ONLY HAVE A TOWEL ON RIGHT?'
He quickly apologised.
'Just don't say anything out me being in the chan-..'
By then I had already run back into the change rooms. Fuji groaned. If word of this ever got out, his reputation would be ruined. He quickly barged into the change rooms to explain everything but instead he saw Risa half dressed. I gasped after seeing Fuji at the doorway. He quickly covered his eyes and closed the door, but not before I threw someone's clothes at him.
When Fuji was out of the change room he took the clothing off his head. After seeing what it was, his eyes widened considerably. Frilly pink underwear? He knew he had to return it, but he didn't try to barge into the change room again. Once bitten, twice shy.
When I had finished changing, I contemplated on whether I should go out or not. I hoped that Fuji wasn't there.
'Risa-senpai, hurry up! We're really cold. We need our towels NOW!' whined Mai.
I stood up in surprise. I had totally forgotten! Oh well, that meant I had to go out. I peeked through the gap in the side of the door. Fuji was still there! He was looking in a different direction though. I decided to make a run for it. 3, 2, 1. BAM!
I swung the door open and ran like mad. Fuji barely had time to register what was happening. After his head cleared, he started chasing after me. I ran all the way to the lockers and grabbed Miyuki and Mai's things. I looked around cautiously. Good seemed like I had lost Fuji.
When I had almost reached the change rooms, I head someone call my name. I turned and took one look at the person. It was Fuji! I ran even faster. I was almost at the change rooms. I ran inside and slammed the door shut. Sweat was trickling down my forehead. I sighed; I would probably have to take another shower at home. I threw Miyuki and Mai's things over their cubicle door and soon they came out.
'Senpai~ Took you so long. I was already dry by the time you brought me my towel' whinged Mai.
'S-sorry. I got caught up in a few things.'
I then continued to explain what had happened and both of them stared at me wide-eyed.
'Wow.' Breathed Mai.
'Senpai, did you throw my underwear on Fuji's head by any chance?' asked Miyuki.
I gasped after seeing Fuji at the doorway. He quickly covered his eyes and closed the door, but not before I threw someone's clothes at him.
When Fuji was out of the change room he took the clothing off his head. After seeing what it was, his eyes widened considerably. Frilly pink underwear?
My mouth fell open.
'Was your underwear pink?' I asked.
Miyuki nodded silently.
I slapped myself on the forehead. How thoughtless could I be?
I went outside to find Fuji.
'Nya! Whose underwear is this?' asked Eiji, playfully nudging Fuji.
'Ne, Fuji-senpai, you're quite cunning.' Said Momoshiro with a cheeky grin on his face.
Even the usually quiet Echizen nodded in agreement. For once, Fuji didn't have anything to say. I swiftly grabbed the underwear from Fuji's hands and walked back into the change room before anyone could say anything.
Momoshiro and Eiji were both stunned.
'What were doing with Risa's underwear? They both asked.
Fuji grabbed his camera from thin air. Most unfortunate, in this situation, I guess I have to resort to blackmail, he thought.
I waited for the impact of the racquet but I felt nothing. I opened my eyes to see Fuji's body in front of mine. The blow, which was meant for my head, had connected with his arm.
***
'You're in strong denial.'
'You like him don't you?'
'I like him…?' I unconsciously said out loud.
Realising what I had just done, I started slapping my lips.
'No, no, no you stupid girl. You do not like him. I repeat. YOU DO NOT LIKE HIM!' I had yelled it out so loud that all the people on the streets were staring.
***
I waited for the impact of the racquet but I felt nothing. I opened my eyes to see Fuji's body in front of mine. The blow, which was meant for my head, had connected with his arm.
He used his tennis arm to block the blow for me…
Of course I like him, I concluded. He was my friend.
'Yeah, sure… friend…' nagged my inner voice.
End of Chapter 10
I had fun writing this chapter and I hope that everyone got a good laugh out of it. Make sure you stay tuned for the next chapter. Reviews are highly appreciated!