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Love Between Friends

-o-o-o-o-o-ooo-o-o-o-o-o-

Chapter Ten:

Match

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A/N: Hello, mina-san! Tenth chapter…

Disclaimer: I do not own POT or any of its original characters. I can only go as far to dreaming that it is. XD

"What took you so long?" Ryoma said and looked directly at Ayumi's left knee. He stood up from the bench and took his racket. Then after doing so he went towards Ayumi and gave her a tennis ball.

"Gomen..." she apologized and took the ball from him. They each went to their side of the court and took their positions.

Ayumi threw the ball high in the air. She waited for the right moment then jumped just in time to hit the ball. It went fast to Ryoma's side of the court. Everyone watching was amazed by the speed. But it wasn't much to Ryoma's eyes. He easily returned it. Ayumi caught the ball in her racket and returned it back to Ryoma's side. This kept on for a good four minutes. Then suddenly, Ryoma hit the ball with extra power. Ayumi was caught off-guard and was unable to return it.

"Love to 15" the referee announced. By this time, all of the club members were watching, along with some supporters.

"Stop playing around…" Ryoma's voice silenced the crowd. He shifted his racket to his left hand and pointed it towards Ayumi's left hand, which was holding her racket.

She smiled. "Gomen, gomen!" she said as she placed her racket to her right hand.

Looking at this, Fuji smiled. "I see…"

"Ee…" Eij started. "She's right-handed!?"

"Fuji-kun?" Sakuno looked at Fuji for an explanation and yet she received nothing but a smile.

"Didn't she win a match with Arai-senpai using her left hand…" a boy from the audience spoke up. Suddenly the crowds started to whisper and ask questions, making a loud noise.

But no matter how loud the noise could have been, it didn't seem to affect the two. It was as if they were in a different world.

"But then, don't you think that it would be more interesting if we make somewhat of a bet? If I win… go on a date with Sakuno-chan," she continued. Her eyes were looking straight at Ryoma. She meant business.

"Eh!" Sakuno exclaimed from the crowd. She was standing beside Fuji. "Anou… Kaho-chan…" she mumbled, looking from Ayumi to Ryoma.

"Fine…" Ryoma said, lowering his racket. "But if I win, tell me why?" he said.

Ayumi just nodded. She took the ball and continued their match.

"Nya, what did o'chibi mean?" Eiji asked curiously. But no one replied, they were too absorbed in watching the match.

"15 to 15" the referee announced.

"1game to Love"

"2 games to Love"

"3 games to Love"

"What's wrong? I thought you wanted a serious match." Ayumi looked at Ryoma.

"Che…" Ryoma grunted before he served the ball. The ball went in an average speed. Everyone expected Ayumi to return it immediately but she couldn't.

"15 to Love"

"That was an easy ball. How could she miss…" a voice trailed off.

How could she? She has been running around the court for about half an hour while Ryoma has almost never moved from his original place. What's more is that her injury…Fuji thought silently.

Ryoma continued to serve with Ayumi missing each time. By now, the crowd has silenced. They were still shocked from the sudden change-one moment Ayumi was in a huge lead then suddenly she can't even return a shot.

Fuji looked at Tezuka and he received a nod. The two silently made their way to the court. They entered it while Ryoma was just about to serve the ball. Ryoma threw the ball in the air. Then, he jumped. It was his favorite serve- Twist Serve. Ayumi ran towards the ball but as she was about to hit it, something happened. She stopped in her tracks. Her knee was swollen and it hurts too much. The ball was coming fast and it was nearing her face. Just when the ball was about to hit her in the face, a racket hit it and it went back to Ryoma, who was shocked. It was Fuji.

-thug!-

A loud sound came from behind Fuji. Ayumi collapsed. As if he was expecting this, Fuji quickly carried her in his arms.

"You shouldn't have pushed yourself to hard…" Fuji said softly. "I'll take care of her." Fuji simply said before he left the shocked crowd and Ryoma.

"Alright, everyone..." Tezuka's commanding voice seemed to have brought back everyone to their senses. "The match is cancelled. Go home right away." He turned to the direction where Fuji exited.

"Uhm… anou…" Sakuno started when she reached Tezuka. "May I come with you?" she shyly asked. Of course, she received a nod.

"Oi, oi! Echizen!" Momoshiro shook his friend.

"…" Ryoma was speechless. What just happened? Don't tell me I really over did it. But that can't be. She should have been able to handle that… even if she was injured.

"Nya, o'chibi!" Eiji butted in.

"You really did it this time…" Momoshiro started his lecture. "I mean-"

Ryoma ran off carrying his tennis bag. He continued running. He kept on running not caring if everyone was looking at him. He didn't even care as to where he was heading too. All he knew is that he had to run. After a long period of time, he finally stopped to catch his breath. He started walking. He looked around to see where he was. After about half an hour, he noticed that he was standing in front of an American-style house. Unlike the other houses beside it, Japanese traditional ones, it was more modern and quite larger. He looked at the sign and read it. 'Kahoko Residence' was what was written. His eyes widened. Of all the houses, why did I end up here? He asked his self. Just when he was about to leave, he heard voices. His instinct told him to hide, so he did.

"Kaho-chan, are you sure that you'll be fine?" Fuji's voice was heard.

"I can stay with you if you want me to. I'm sure obaa-chan would allow me to do so." Sakuno's voice was so soft, as usual.

"It's okay. I've troubled you too much already." Ayumi said, smiling.

"Fine, then. We will be going." Fuji said. Then facing Sakuno, he continued. "I'll walk you home."

Sakuno just gave him a nod. "Ja'ne, Kaho-chan!" her cheerful voice was heard.

Ayumi just smiled as she watched the two figures disappear as they made a turn in a corner. Ayumi turned to enter her home. But suddenly she noticed a figure behind a post. She smiled. "How long have you been there?" she asked.

Ryoma didn't respond. He just stared at her bandaged leg.

"Hmn…" Ayumi started. "You probably want my answer, huh?"

Ryoma looked at her. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to know why… but then, that wasn't the reason he was there. He stayed silent.

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A/N: weeeee… How was it?? Was it good enough? XD. I'm so sorry if the characters were OOC, including my very own character. It's been awhile and I can't quite recall the characters so much… In any case, please leave a comment so I can improve myself for your satisfaction.