Chapter 10

Hyoutei's open stadium was so silent that there might as well be no one inside.

The two figures were sprawled on the court in the wake of the fierce showdown. All eyes were on them. No one could process the situation quick enough to make a remark, and even if they could, their voices were nowhere to be found. No one dared to breathe.

Atobe slowly rose to his two feet.

Being the sole person moving in the seemingly frozen time, Atobe dusted the dirt off the length of his right arm. Once done, he stared at his opponent lying face down on the court, his expression unreadable.

"Stand."

Yanagi had heard the command loud and clear. His mind was still capable of processing information and his body was still capable of following the command no matter how much he wished otherwise.

For him to rush and return the ball using bare hands… Thoughtless, reckless; Words that he had never thought would befit him. His short stay in Hyoutei had transformed him to a man he was no longer familiar with.

No. It was his data that was lacking.

He had been like that, from the day all of this began.

Sitting on his studying desk, Yanagi adjusted his desk lamp so that the ray focused only on his right wrist. Repeated scrutiny revealed the same result: no visible contusion, no deformation. It appeared perfect, at least until he flicked it, and the immediate pain that blasted through his veins made him hissed.

He could no longer play tennis.

Keeping oneself composed is of utmost importance under unprecedented circumstances, Yanagi told himself as he took a deep breath. Cause, action, consequences. Unable to play tennis, Rikkaidai tennis club, Genichirou-

Genichirou, Seiichi… The promise to remain undefeated.

It might be salvageable. Someone in the reserves- Hachisuka Aki, or Saito Jin, could replace him. Yanagi could still contribute as a manager. It would be very challenging for Rikkaidai to remain victorious under such handicap. However, if he considered the strength of each regulars-!

Yanagi's heart skipped a beat.

Him.

At the very least, the sealing of that technique and several weeks of suspension. At most, he might be dismissed from the club.

The probability was 86%.

Yanagi clenched his fist, gritting his teeth at the expected pain that followed. No, he could not afford to let emotions swallow him now. He had to find a solution to this problem that he had made for himself. He had to reduce the damage as much as possible. Himself be damned, he could not afford to let himself be the person to destroy their legacy.

It was not until several hours later that Yanagi stood up and walked out of his house, still clad in Rikkaidai tennis jersey and shorts. He knew how rude it was of him to appear in front of someone's home unannounced in the middle of the night, especially when that someone was of different school. That did not matter.

Only one thing mattered.

"I beg for your assistance to enroll me into Hyoutei."

Such an apt timing for flashback from a literary standpoint, Yanagi bitterly noted as he pushed against the ground with his left hand. He could lie down all day, but that would not advance anything. Hindsight was 20/20 and now all that was left for him was to face the reality as the curtains were closed.

It was a struggle to stand up, less due to the fatigue and the pain on his wrist. It probably took him an entire minute. Such a stark contrast, between Atobe who looked impeccable sans the angry gash on his right arm, and Yanagi, perspiring heavily, limping slightly on his right foot, though he made sure his back was straight.

Yanagi dared himself to look at Atobe. Atobe had his right hand stretched towards Yanagi, his palm facing up.

It was not an offer for congratulatory handshake, it could not be. Atobe was asking for something, that was all Yanagi's strained mind could comprehend.

"If you can't understand such an obvious request, I will reconsider your position once again." Atobe furrowed.

Yanagi blinked, the pieces of the informations snapped together. Atobe was requesting for the form?

This was not right. He had scored against the rules.

In an act of rebellion, Yanagi found himself taking one step closer to where his form was. And another step. And another.

Yanagi returned with the form in hand, but Atobe's extended hand remained empty.

"What are you waiting for?" Atobe was growing impatient.

If his analysis were to be trusted, Yanagi was that close to completing the toughest chapter in his plan. Yet his left hand refused to hand over the form.

He had begged. He had casted away his pride, and yet this thing that shacked his hand down, this thing that made Yanagi say,

"I did not meet your requirement."

Atobe still had one hand extended out in expectation. "You scored a ball. That is the requirement I have imposed."

"It was against the rules."

Atobe stared at the oddly stubborn man. "Even if you're retracting your admission now, you will give that form to me."

Yanagi stared back, not understanding Atobe's words fully.

"Didn't you say so yourself, that if anyone is to damage that paper, it would not be yourself." Atobe extended his hand once again in emphasis.

He had indeed said that. Having no choice, Yanagi rested the paper on Atobe's hand.

Atobe took the form and held it up above his head. "I, Atobe Keigo, will accept this application." Yanagi snapped his eyes open in surprise. Atobe continued to address the entire spectators surrounding them. "Those of you who think otherwise, I welcome you to voice out now, or hold your peace forever."

Atobe did not forget to address the turbulent concern emitting from the main character. "I made the rules. I decide what is accepted."

As much as Yanagi wanted his plan to work with as minimum hitch as possible, he had never wished for shortcuts. His pride could not accept it, no matter how much logic told him otherwise.

"From tomorrow onwards, full attendance is mandatory. Your attendance is considered taken for today. You may go home if you wish."

Yanagi did, without hesitation.

In terms of his surroundings, Yanagi noticed some inspective glances as he made his way to class on the next day. He himself was supporting a slight limp, the entire bandaged length of his right arm was aching, and the bones on his left hand that had made impact with the ball was showing signs of impending bruise. Other than that, there was nothing notably different much to his relief.

The illusion lasted until he reached his desk. As soon as he sat down and placed his bag, someone slammed a grey object on his table. It was a uniform- Hyoutei tennis club uniform to be exact. And the person who brought it were none other than Shishido Ryo.

"Atobe forced me." Shishido did not bother to hide the fact that he would rather be anywhere else.

"I appreciate it." was Yanagi's reply. He did not overlook the fact that on top of Oshitari, there were a total of eight tennis club members in his class.

Yanagi did not expect Shishido to grab the chair of the seat in front of him and sat facing him. "Look," Shishido rested his arms across the head of the chair. "I heard that you scored against Atobe."

Shishido had to be absent yesterday. "It was unofficial." Yanagi said before he could stop himself.

"Doesn't matter. I know more than anyone how difficult it is to score against Atobe, official or not." Shishido went quiet, his gaze averted to the uniform on the table.

Shishido muttered under his breath, loud enough for Yanagi only to hear. "I'll get back on the regulars."

"I believe Hyoutei tennis club has a policy against that." Yanagi reminded.

"Yeah, and you're not supposed to be here." Shishido retorted. Yanagi had nothing to say to that.

Shishido stood and slammed his hand on the table, right before the neatly folded uniform. "If you can achieve this, so can I."

"I'll get back on the regulars. And if you ever set your sight on the regulars spot, you'll have to face me first. Until then, I won't acknowledge your existence." Shishido stormed off after the loud declaration, leaving Yanagi's classmates' unwarranted attention to be thrown at Yanagi. Yanagi sighed.

Yanagi had not meant to exploit the loophole in Atobe's words. The outcome was undeserving. If it had been Atobe who denied his existence, Yanagi could understand. Yet Atobe allowed the story to progress in this manner. There was nothing he could gain from this, Atobe himself had explicitly said from day one. Did something change during their confrontation?

Yanagi looked at the set of uniform before him. The first chapter had met its end, no matter how unpleasantly, and he should not be struggling to revive it. Yanagi took the uniform and placed it in his bag.

It was now the regulars.

Yanagi did not go to the cafeteria during break that day. His encounter with Shishido early in the morning was enough to encourage him to isolate himself whenever possible. He went to the rooftop instead, letting his mind be carried by the gentle flow of the wind. Normally it would also be accompanied by the scent of flowers, along with the presence of the person that would bear the same scent any other time he was not in court.

"Here you are, Yanagi-san!"

He might be reminiscing of a company he had not seen for a month now, but that did not make his wish to remain alone for the time being any less. "Ootori Choutarou." Yanagi greeted. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

The sophomore had brought his lunch along. At the very least, Yanagi was thankful that it was the most amicable out of the possible options. Ootori went and sat next to Yanagi, to which Yanagi followed suit. Yanagi refused the kind sophomore's offer to share his lunch.

"Congratulations on making it into the team!" Ootori looked like a father praising his son's achievements. That was also the first genuine congratulatory Yanagi had heard. "I wanted to tell you that yesterday, but I can't find you during practice."

"I appreciate your words." Yanagi truly did.

They sat in silence for a brief moment, until Ootori had found his voice.

"Also, about our usual night practice," Ootori dropped his spoon on his plate. "Is it okay if we don't continue it for a while?"

"This is probably the last time we will meet in a while, Renji." Inui had said. "With the Prefecturals coming to an end and the Regionals coming up, I need to focus more on the team. I hope you can understand."

"I understand."

"B-but I'm still around if you need any help." Ootori quickly added. "It's just that I thought that since you're in the team now, and Shishido-san seems to be really desperate about it…"

Yanagi raised an eyebrow. "I understand. I really do. There is no need for you to justify your reasons."

"If you say so…" Ootori resigned. The rest of the time were filled with trivial chatters.

The bell rang. "I guess I'll see you in practice later?" Ootori was the first to leave. Yanagi gave him an acknowledging nod. Yanagi did not move from the spot until a minute later, a question that he should not have persistently lurking in his mind.

Would it have been better otherwise?

It was finally the time for practice, Yanagi noted as he took his bag and rose from his seat. This would be the first time he would go as a member.

"Yanagi."

From the way the syllables of his name was drawled out, he could tell it was the blue haired regular calling him. Yanagi halted in his steps.

"I seemed to have missed some parts on my Math notes. Lend me yours?"

It was usually the other way around. First time for everything, Yanagi settled on that conclusion as he went to a nearby empty desk to take out the requested item. He approached Oshitari and gave him the book.

As soon as the book was taken off his hand, a key was placed in its stead.

"Wha-?"

"I accept the bribe." Oshitari explained calmly before Yanagi could even ask, placing Yanagi's notebook into his bag and preparing himself to leave for practice.

"That was not a novel." Yanagi pointed out. The key was still lying untouched on his palm.

"Did I say novel? I thought I only said 'book'." Oshitari shrugged and rose from his seat. When he realized Yanagi was not going to make any move soon, he added. "Anyway, I think you need it now than ever. But if you wanna be stubborn about it, then you can give me your 'bribe' some other time. Just take the key now."

Oshitari placed both hands on Yanagi's back and prompted the other man forward before he could protest. "It's almost time for practice. Stop blocking the way. You don't want to be late on your first practice." Oshitari walked past Yanagi ahead.

Yanagi took some time to process Oshitari's words. Then he grabbed his bag and followed behind, the key tightly clenched in his fist. He would give Oshitari the appropriate bribe. He would have a rematch against Atobe before they stepped down from the club.

He was thankful of the opportunity and he accepted it, but he would show them that Yanagi Renji did not need loopholes to be exploited.

Hachisuka lost, 5-7, to Saito Jin.

Saito Jin was the last reserves that Hachisuka had to defeat to prove his worth. Saito was also the reserve that Yukimura, Sanada, and everyone had thought would take up the empty spot in the regulars. Everyone except Yanagi.

Sanada kneaded his temple. From the two years they had spent together, Sanada had learnt that when Yanagi came up with ridiculous suggestions that no one else could agree with, it was the majority that was wrong.

There should be a reason why Yanagi had pushed Hachisuka instead of Saito. Sanada still could not see the reason after watching tens of matches. Now, all he could only see was the reason why it should not be Hachisuka.

"You have failed, Hachisuka Aki." Sanada said from the coach bench he had been observing the match from. "Saito Jin shall be the new regular."

If Hachisuka was going to become a regular, it would be on his own merit and not Yanagi's recommendation, Sanada had decided.

AN: It's been a while since the last update that I wonder if there's anyone who is still following this story until this point?