Hyoutei
11
"If you're going to collect data, then do it without making yourself look foolish," lectured the silver-haired boy after finding a third scout pathetically hidden in a tree. He glanced at the camera that fell from the scout and shook his head. He picked it up, took the memory card, and pocketed it.
A full week and a half had passed since Matt's entrance as manager. But his position soon changed from manager to scout hunter due to the sudden increase of scouts during the practices. It was annoying at first, having to hobble around on his crutches while being discreet so the spies wouldn't run off, but he figured it was better than helping first-years swing a racket properly.
"You got five seconds to get out of here." Matt pivoted around on his good leg and moved with his crutches away from the tree. "That branch will snap." He left after hearing a sharp crack followed by a painful sounding thud.
Making his way back to the tennis courts, he sat down where Jirou took a blissful nap. He wanted to be like this sleeping beauty and take a nap as well. He needed it after waking up from a particularly terrible nightmare. After one more look around the surroundings of the courts, he didn't find notice anything suspicious and yawned.
"Hah… so cool…!" Jirou exclaimed in his sleep, a wide smile on his face.
His head snapped at him, confused by his outburst. So he was a sleep-talker… it had to be nice being able to dream happily. It made him wonder what exactly made him so happy all the time.
"You look bored, neko-chan. If you want to watch something more compelling, then why don't you watch my next match?" Atobe spoke in front of him, his racket propped on his shoulder and his free hand in his pocket.
"No thanks… if you really want an audience, you might as well let these scouts stick around. Give them a show for the cameras."
"As if they're worthy to witness my prowess," he responded with a smirk. His gaze went from the silver-haired boy to the sleeping beauty. "Jirou, wake up. I want to play."
Somehow, those words were enough to wake him up. The volley specialist sat up instantly and jumped to his feet, standing on the bench. "I get to play a match with Atobe! This is so exciting!"
Without much regard to his position, he stepped forward. When his foot stepped through nothing but air, he immediately fell forward with a cry.
Matt's silver eyes flashed, and he grabbed the hem of Jirou's jacket before his face smashed into the next bench. With a relieved sigh, he pulled him back up. That was another task he had to do as manager – make sure none of the regulars got injured. Usually, his task consisted of him making sure Jirou didn't fall on his face or sleep too long. As for the other players... they didn't require much of or seemed thrilled with his help.
Jirou burst out laughing. Whether or not it was out of relief or simply because he wanted to laugh remained unknown in Matt's mind.
"Sorry, sorry! I was too excited!"
"Just be careful." Matt couldn't exactly get mad at him, now could he? It still amazed him how much energy the third-year had. Out of curiosity, he asked, "What were you dreaming about earlier?"
"About tennis, of course," he replied happily. "Oshitari says you play, right? Don't you think it's fun?"
"I guess…" He turned his head away slightly at the feeling of his lips tilting towards a frown. "I haven't played in awhile."
"That's because your leg's broken, Matt. Once you're up and running again, let's have a match!"
He didn't know how to respond, his tongue suddenly incapable of speech. What could he say to that? Of course, his leg was broken; Jirou didn't need to point out the obvious. As for a match with him, that wasn't a possibility since he gave up a year ago, and yet, he couldn't refuse.
"…isn't there someone else you would rather play with…?" His voice became increasingly soft and uneasy. When nervousness settled in, he couldn't look at Jirou either.
"Of course, that's why I love tennis so much. I get to play with people I never get tired of playing with, like Atobe or Marui-kun!"
"Jirou, don't keep ore-sama waiting." Atobe snapped his fingers and caught their attention. His eyes met Matt's for a split second before he turned and waved Jirou to follow after him.
The curly-haired boy complied, a shining smile on his face at the thought of playing against his idol again. Despite this, he felt uncomfortable from Matt's stiffness. Did he not like tennis? Glancing back at Matt, he watched him leave, probably in search of more scouts. "Hey, hey, Atobe, why doesn't Matt smile? I've never seen him smile before. I thought talking about tennis would cheer him up."
"Don't be so naïve, Jirou. It's not that simple."
"How is it not simple? It's either he likes tennis or he doesn't, right?"
Atobe sighed deeply, not eager to explain the situation. It was like trying to teach a baby physics – impossible and not worth the effort. "If you think it's simple, then show him why you like tennis so much. You always smile around that third-year you consider your idol, although it really should be me that's your number one." He drawled on, "I believe Rikkaidai's practices are still going on."
"That's a great idea!" In a few seconds, the volley specialist wasn't even at Atobe's side anymore. He had dashed back to the bleachers and after Matt, yelling after him. "Matt, Matt, let's go to Rikkaidai!"
The Hyoutei captain was shocked behind disbelief. They were supposed to be practicing, not fanning after rival tennis players. What made it worse was Jirou had placed his idol over him, the great king. How insulting…
"Kabaji," he called his loyal friend over. Once the tall second-year stood in front of him, he said, "Have Oshitari end practice an hour early. I'm afraid I have to chaperone a last minute visitation. Jirou needs to learn to control himself, na, Kabaji?"
"Usu."
Matt thought he would never witness Jirou stay awake longer than ten minutes, but he did. It was much more than ten minutes, after having to take a train towards the rival school, which surprised him even more. Whoever this 'Marui-chan' was, he had to be a huge influence on the volley specialist.
Throughout the walk and ride there, he learned that this third-year inspired Jirou to be play Serve and Volley. He also learned about how they first met and the match they had. While listening to him speak ecstatically, Matt couldn't help but think back to the first person who inspired him to play tennis. His mother was the first to tell him about the sport, but it was an elderly southpaw that ignited his motivation. He vaguely tried to recall what exactly was it about the old man that got him so eager to play. Memories associated with the age of six weren't as easily recalled, and he had only met the man once.
Then he noticed that Jirou stopped talking. He looked at him, raising a brow. Why was he staring at him like that?
"You look sad, Matt…"
"H-Hah…?" He blinked, unknowingly blinking away the sadness that settled in its silver irises. "I was just thinking, that's all… there's this one old man I met years ago. We never exchanged names and only met for one day. He inspired me to play."
Upon hearing Matt open up just a little, Jirou exclaimed, "That's amazing! It's just like a manga! You know, like when the stranger that teaches the hero a meaningful lesson and then he disappears."
He did know what he meant, but he wouldn't put himself down as a hero. Tennis didn't exactly save people. It was just a sport that involved hitting a green ball between two players. There wasn't anything truly meaningful about playing when everyone wanted to win and be number one. It turned even the best of friends against each other from how he saw it.
"Jirou… why do you play tennis?" questioned the silver-haired boy, recalling the same question Atobe had asked him.
"What kind of question is that?" He said with a laugh. "Tennis is fun. You get to play against these strong players, like Marui-kun. And if you lose, then it's worth putting in the effort to improve so I can play again."
The response seemed so simple and straightforward, but it had a heavier impact on Matt than he let on. Was that why he liked playing? He couldn't remember exactly. When he was forbidden to play, he only played to shut up whoever got cocky or said shit about him. It wasn't fun when the same cocky asses played dirty.
The train conductor announced the arriving station and they came to a halt. Just as Matt stood on his foot, Jirou grabbed him and dragged him out. "We're here! Come on, we can still make it in time!"
"W-Wait!" Matt couldn't exactly do anything except make sure nothing bumped into his cast too roughly. "I can walk, dammit!"
Author's Note: This took me forever to write… I restarted this chapter like twice until I felt satisfied with where I was going. I originally was going to have Matt play against some bratty third-year in tennis despite his broken leg. And then have Atobe watch. If it's somehow possible to play tennis with only two strings, then having Matt play with one leg shouldn't be that unbelievable (making a reference to the New Prince of Tennis that bugs me).
Anyway, I had trouble coming up with what I wanted to do, and then I saw the episode where Jirou visits Rikkaidai to watch his idol play. It inspired me to write what is posted now, and because Jirou was so adorable in that episode. XD
I apologize for its short length, but I promise that at least the next two chapters will be longer.
Thanks for reading~!
