Chapter 11: S:2 Echizen Ryoma vs Fuji Syuusuke Part I
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"Game and set! Seigaku's Fuji!" the referee yelled after a long rally between Yuuta and Jirou. The tie break lasted for 10 minutes, both players fighting their best. In the end, Jirou's grip on his racket slipped loose and Yuuta took the chance to make Jirou lob so he could smash, ending the match 7 games to 6.
The crowd on Seigaku's side cheered. "SEIGAKU!!! FIGHT-O! FIGHT-O! FIGHT-O!"
Fuji sat on the bench; amazed at his brother's match. His performance level was definitely higher, but was it just because he went to Seigaku? Because he, Fuji Syusuke, attended Hyoutei Gakuen? He did not know whether to smile or not. Jirou had lost, but Yuuta had won. He was, of course, proud of him; but dismayed that Hyoutei was down one game.
"Singles 2- Seishun Gakuen Echizen Ryoma, Hyoutei Gakuen, Fuji Syusuke."
"Fuji, want me to help you warm-up?" Oshitari said; there were always ten-minute intervals between each match so the players could warm up and stretch a little so they had time. Mukahi just looked his way then reverted his attention back to the game. Fuji nodded, picked up his racket and walked out of the mini stadium. Fuji threw a glance to Tezuka with his open eyes. Tezuka didn't look like he noticed as Fuji left.
"Na Fuji, why were you watching Seigaku's captain? You're not going to be playing him in the next match."
Fuji was confused. Had he been watching Tezuka the whole time subconsciously? He didn't know, so he went with the safest answer he could come up with,"I'm sorry what?"
"You've been looking at him for quite awhile, sort of in a daze, is there something between you two that you haven't told me?"
What? Was Fuji supposed to tell Oshitari something? Were they good friends like Jirou and he were? If so, why hasn't he talked to him like Jirou does? This certainly was perplexing. What should he say...
But before Fuji could say anything, Oshitari spoke again, "I thought something was wrong a few weeks ago, but if it was that bad, I know you would tell me. Care to tell? It has to do with that captain of Seigaku's doesn't it?"
Fuji just decided to play it safe, saying, "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." It was so like him to be so vague.
"Would I?"
A pause.
"I'll tell you later. I got to warm-up don't I?"
"All right."
Fuji had the topic avoided for the time being. For some reason, he felt severely annoyed that Oshitari had asked such a question. He was fine when Jirou had asked what was wrong, but that time he didn't mention anything about Tezuka.
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Players from both sides were on the court at the net, facing each other.
"Hey Echizen-kun, remember me?" Fuji smiled and leaned on the nets, face inches away from Echizen.
Echizen seemed unnerved and smirked, "which?" ignoring Fuji's question.
"Smooth."
The racket spun and hit the ground. "Smooth it is, I get to serve." Fuji said.
"Whatever."
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"One game to set! Fuji, to serve!"
Fuji flipped through his memory. During this time, he played Jirou, right? And his first move was the that serve. He should definitely use it. Has anyone ever seen it yet? Fuji doesn't know, has he even played to his full potential yet in this world? Most likely not, the only person to that was... no one... yet. Tezuka possibly...
His mind went back to the game. He placed his hand out in front of him, twisted the ball while letting go to hit.
"What the-? An underhand serve? He can't be serious!" A Seigaku member yelled out.
Echizen was also a little surprised. He had heard this 'Fuji Syuuske' player was a so called prodigy, but what does he have with a lowly underhand serve? He stood in position, ready to receive.
"Sono dou kyu," Fuji's eyes looked like it glinted, "kieru yo." (1)
The racket swung but the ball wasn't seen bouncing to the other side. In fact, Echizen didn't even hit it. The tennis ball was heard bouncing behind him. Echizen turned around as the ball rolled to his feet.
"Kietta?" Fuji said, his voice filled with amusement. (2)
"That serve! It... just disappeared!" Random people threw out their comments. Hyoutei's crowd looked with little astonishement as Seigaku's was bewildered. Tezuka just looked indifferent. Fuji narrowed his eyes when he saw Tezuka, but then relaxed. Tezuka wouldn't even raise an eyebrow even if he saw the sky was falling.
"Na Jirou, have you ever seen that shot?"
"No... I haven't Oshitari, but that was awesome!"
"Referee," Sakaki said.
"Y-yes?"
"It's fine to call out the score."
"A-ah, right! 15-love!"
The ball bounced and then caught in Fuji's hand.
"Mou iikyu, ikyu yo." (3)
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(1) That shot is going to disappear.
(2) Did it disappear?
(3) One more... coming up.
Reposted: April 29, 2007
