I do not OWN TeniPuri coz I only own the OCs & the fanfic. The rest is Konomi-sensei's property TT

Chapter 10: Advice

"All regulars will be starting their practice roster with 25 laps around the court wearing power ankles that weigh..." Kenjirou explained as Koharu & Yuuji bring the power ankles out. "15g on each leg" the fukubuchou continued. Most of the 2nd year tennis club members whispered to each other about how unlucky the regulars are. "Yosh! Let's start practice" Shiraishi said heatedly, starting his practice.

Later during practice matches amongst the 2nd years & the regulars, Kenya was oddly spacing out in front of the vending machine. "Are you planning to buy something or are you just going to stand there?" Shiraishi pats Kenya's shoulders, making Kenya surprised. "Ah, it's just you Shiraishi" he lets out a sigh of relief. "It's just me? How rude" the buchou said in a matter-of-factly tone. Shiraishi dropped a 100 yen on to the vending machine & bought a bottle of mineral water. Kenya sighed again & sat on the near-by bench. Shiraishi took a quick glance on the troubled team mate & sat beside him.

"Okay, what's got you spaced out?" Shiraishi asked as he opens the bottle of water. 'So straightforward...' Kenya sweat dropped inwardly & let out a sigh. "Well you see, a friend of mine is having trouble because his other friend refuses his help" he told their captain everything what happened to "that guy" (A/N: Though he's implying that the guy he was talking about was himself XP) & "his friend."

After a good 5 minutes of explanation, Shiraishi comprehended what they just talked about. "So let me get this straight, you want to help your friend about his problem right?" the buchou asked. "That sounds like a big problem" Chitose joined in the conversation & Hikaru just nodded. "Oi oi..." Kenya's hand twitched. "So you're asking me for suggestions of what I'll do I was in your shoes?" Shiraishi added. "Hmm... It sounds complicated if you ask us" Koharu & Yuuji said in unison. "You guys..." Kenya was about to reach his boiling point. "Hmm... I think you should ask the one who is the most close to your friend" Shiraishi shrugged. "I agree with that" Kenjirou tagged along with Gin behind him.

"Since when did you guys appear!?" Kenya was at his limit. "We all came here because we want to buy something to drink & then we found your conversation interesting" all of the by-passers explained flatly. "More importantly..." Osamu was behind all of them & they sweat dropped. "You guys are running 55 laps around the court with 45g of power ankles tomorrow!" the coach stormed towards the main building going to the faculty room. All of the regulars gave a sigh & thought: "Tomorrow is gonna be like a day spent inside hell..."

"Well, see you tomorrow" one of the student council members waved at Hiraki as she went towards the school gate. "You're going home now?" Kenya said, leaning on the wall. "What does it look like, you idiot?" she bluffed. "Well, it's just that I want to walk with you since we're going in the same direction anyway" he pointed out. "If you plan on apologizing, then don't since I have other important business to do" she finished in an irritated tone, walking towards the direction of the convenience store she works on part-time. Kenya followed her & grabbed her wrist. The young girl stopped & asked, "When are you going to stop persisting?"

"Until you agree that I'll help you bear the burden you're carrying" Kenya said convincingly, tightening his grip. Hiraki mouthed, "I'm sorry, I can't agree to that..." The male teenager was curious about what she said. "Is that a yes?" he asked. "This isn't a child game like you think it is, Kenya Oshitari!" she sternly replied to the guy who was holding her back, trying to struggle free from his grip. "I don't think of it as a childish game so will you-"

Hiraki got free from his grip & ran away. Kenya tried to follow her but he lost her in the pedestrian lane. He clutched the strap of his bag tightly, whispering to himself, "I just want to help you selflessly..." Then a light rain poured the silent street of Shitenhouji Chuu. "You'll catch a cold if you just stood in the rain" Ryushin said selflessly, sharing his umbrella with Kenya. Kenya gazed at Ryushin & the priest just smiled at him, patting Kenya's head. "I figured that she'll reject your apology since she doesn't want to be a burden to you" the older male said with remorse in his voice. "Hey, will you give me an advice on how to apologize to her?" Kenya asked sheepishly, frowning afterwards. Ryushin just smiled warmly & said, "Of course, my child."

At the orphanage, Kenya sat at the same spot on sofa where he sat the last time he was there. Ryushin placed a mug of hot cocoa in front of Kenya. "You should drink it while it's still hot" Ryushin said as he sits besides Kenya, sipping a cup of brewed coffee. "What should I do to make her feel better?" Kenya muttered without thinking & he suddenly realized that he said it aloud, clamping his own mouth with his right hand. Ryushin sighed. "It's nothing to be embarrassed with, I help other people like my own siblings selflessly" he smiled. "Besides, I can see myself within you" he added, placing his cup on top of the coffee table & crossing his legs.

"Mikucchi is a type of person who deeply cares for those important to her" Ryushin explained. "That's why you should just let her do the apologizing since she's at fault too" he finished, standing up & cleans the coffee table. Kenya just sits still in the sofa in deep thought. 'So I'm going to wait? I don't want to wait for her to apologize!!' his mind was against it since he dislikes waiting. He stood up & went to the door. "I'm going home, thank you for the time you've spent" Kenya thanked Ryushin & ran his way back home in the rain without an umbrella. "Wait, it's still-" Ryushin was going to stop Kenya but he already left. Ryushin sighed & raked his hair with his left hand. "He's seriously going to catch a cold with his rashness" he shrugged.

Kenya was running in the streets, getting wet by the rain. But he didn't care & just continued. A slight breeze blew & he shivered because he was cold. "Great, I forgot to bring an umbrella..." he mumbled to himself, walking towards the apartment to shelter from the rain. He stood there for 5 minutes & the rain just got a bit worse. "How am I supposed to get home with this rain?" he said in frustration & then his stomach grumbled. "You've got to be kidding me..." Kenya sighed & sat at the cold dry floor, his vision being a bit blurry & all. 'I should try to stay awake...' he kept thinking but he was too weak to do so. Before he passed out, Kenya saw someone standing in front of him. 'Who...?' he tried to know who that person was, but he passed out.

Who could that person be?? It's a bit obvious who it is. If you can't guess who, I'll brick you XD Just Kidding, keep on reading to find out.