Chapter 12: Urayamashii
Standard Disclaimer Applies
Rikkai, Seigaku and Hyotei in one Chapter…My smile is from ear to ear, I just love those three teams. ^_^
-oOo-
"Where are they?" Aiko paced around as the whole group were waiting for Kaidoh and Momoshiro to arrive.
"It's the finals! Where could they be?" Yumi asked bitting her nails.
"This is your first time watching an official game Yumi-senpai and it looks like we're going to have to forfeit the first match." Tomoka worriedly stated.
"I'm sure Momo-senpai and Kaidoh-senpai will arrive any minute now." Sakuno patted Tomoka's back.
"Where is Kawamura-senpai going?" Aiko asked the girls as they watch Kawamura run off.
"Sa, if Kawamura-senpai goes missing too then we'll definitely have to forfeit Doubles 2." Tomoka's shoulders dropped.
"Now, now, Tomo-chan, I'm sure Obaa-san has a plan." Sakuno assured her best friend.
"Aiko-chan, what are you doing? How can you be texting at a time like this?" Yumi shook Aiko as she was typing something in her keypad.
"Choutarou is asking if our team has already registered." Aiko explained.
"Hyotei is here?" Tomoka faced her senpai.
"Hai, but not everyone, Choutarou says he's with Shishido-san, Oshitari-san, Mukahi-san and Akutagawa-san." Aiko replied not taking her eyes off her cell phone.
"Are they cheering for us?" Sakuno excitedly asked.
"Hai. Choutarou says they are." Aiko replied gladly.
"So sweet of Ootori-san." Yumi teased.
"Aiko-senpai is blushing!" Tomoka emphasized, making Aiko blush deeper.
-oOo-
"Oi! Choutarou, what's with that look? So, have they registered yet? I already saw Sanada submit their line-up." Shishido asked his doubles partner.
"Iie Shishido-san, Aiko says Kaidoh-kun and Momoshiro-kun are missing." Choutarou explained.
"Nani? Those two are gekki dasa daze!" Shishido complains.
"Nani? That Momoshiro is going to make them forfeit, after he kicked my ass in that creepy training camp of theirs?" Mukahi asked outraged.
"So you admit that he kicked your ass?" Oshitari asks the shorter boy.
"Shut up Yuushi!" Mukahi glared at his doubles partner.
"It's really sweet of you two to be texting each other like that, when she's right over there in the other side of the courts." Jirou commented his hands behind his head.
"And it's really sweet of you to watch Marui's match today Jirou." Mukahi sarcastically commented.
"At least I have friends from other schools! Do you have any?" Jirou sticks out his tongue at Mukahi.
Mukahi sticks his tongue out back.
"Iiyo, kids let's not start a fight." Oshitari gets in between the two.
"Why did Hiyoshi not come today?" Shishido asks Choutarou.
"He had to do something in the dojo Shishido-san." The boy replied.
"Well, has she texted you yet?" Mukahi impatiently asked Choutarou.
"Iie Mukahi-senpai." Choutarou replied surprised by Mukahi's head suddenly popping in front of his face.
"Mou! I'm going to break that Momoshiro's head if he forfeits!" Mukahi complained.
"I think Kaidoh will arrive any minute now." Jirou commented.
"What makes you so sure?" Mukahi retorts.
"Because Kaidoh is more responsible than Momoshiro." Jirou sticks his tongue out at Mukahi again.
"Says who? Momoshiro will arrive here first, that's for sure!" Mukahi argued.
"Kaidoh!" Jirou shouted.
"Momoshiro!" Mukahi shouted back.
Oshitari rubbed his temple. "Oi! Oi! Yamero!"
"This is weird." Shishido commented glaring at the two bickering teammates.
"It's funny actually Shishido-san." Choutarou commented scratching his head.
"Funny? Their arguing who will arrive first." Shishido stared at Choutarou in disbelief.
"That's what's funny Shishido-san, because they both got beaten by Momoshiro-kun and Kaidoh-kun at the training camp, and yet they are both being good sport about it. Too good that they're even competing which rival is better than the other." Choutarou explained with a smile.
"Yamero!" Oshitari grabs Mukahi and Jirou by the collar to separate them.
"Kaidoh!" Jirou shouted.
"Momoshiro!" Mukahi retorted.
"These two are embarrassing." Shishido covers his face at how his teammates were making a scene.
-oOo-
"Ah! They're here!" Echizen states as he sees Momoshiro and Kaidoh running up to them.
"Where have you two been?" Eiji asks.
"Gomen, gomen." Momoshiro replies.
"Kaoru-kun!" Aiko runs and hugs Kaidoh.
Everyone gasps in surprise.
Kaidoh froze; his eyes wide open at Aiko's hug.
"Baka! Where have you been? Making us all worried like that!" Aiko let's go of Kaidoh and punches him on the arm.
"Itte." Kaidoh rubs his arm.
"From the dirt in your uniform Kaidoh it looks like you did some really harsh training." Inui comments.
"Ah, iie, ano—." Kaidoh began but was cut off by Momoshiro.
"Hai, hai, we did some really tough—." Momoshiro was about to boast but was cut off by Ryuuzaki-sensei.
"Baka! Making your coach and team worried like that!"
"Gomennasai." Kaidoh and Momoshiro said in unison.
"Sa, let's go minna, time to register." Oishi declared.
"Aa!" everyone agrees.
-oOo-
"Oi Choutarou, are you even watching the game?" Shishido asks as he notes the silverette staring at the bench and not on the court.
"She looks so worried about Kaidoh-kun and Momoshiro-kun."
"Of course she is; Marui and Jackal are pulverizing the two." Shishido rubs in.
"Way to rub salt in the wound Ryou." Mukahi commented.
"Demo, she looks particularly worried each time Kaidoh gets a hit or a blow, or misses a shot." Choutarou reasoned.
"Aren't they sort of best friends or childhood friend or something like that?" Mukahi commented.
"Hai, demo—." Choutarou's voice trails off.
"Oi! Oi! She's just being a good friend." Shishido pats his kohai's shoulder.
"Sugoi! Marui-kun!" Jirou screamed, as he was seriously fan-boying on Marui.
"Ai, ai, Jirou's at it again." Oshitari covers his face in embarrassment.
"Do you seriously have a crush on Marui?" Mukahi asks the narcoleptic who was wide-awake.
"Marui is my friend, and he has moves like a genius." Jirou sticks his tongue out of Mukahi, again!
"Oi Jirou, don't forget that we're here to support Seigaku." Shishido reminded the hyperactive narcoleptic.
"I know, Demo, Marui-kun sugoi!" Jirou screamed.
Oshitari rolled his eyes, "I guess for this match Jirou is on Rikkai's side."
Mukahi merely nodded.
Demo, this match may be the most important one that we need to support. Choutarou thought in his head as he watched his senpai's rowdiness.
-oOo-
"Ike Kaidoh! Momo!" Eiji screams as Kaidoh and Momo were making a comeback.
"Hmn." Echizen commented.
"Nande Ochibi?" Eiji asked.
"Looks like that hug from Aiko-senpai made wonders for Kaidoh-senpai." Echizen stated.
"E?" Aiko snapped her head towards the super rookie.
Fuji chuckled, "Daijabou Aiko-chan, I think Echizen meant that as a good comment."
Aiko blushed.
"Ne, Aiko-senpai, do you think you'd give Kaidoh-senpai another hug if he wins?" Echizen commented.
The rest of the Seigaku members all chuckled.
"Echizen-kun, do you want me to take a really ugly picture of you and post it on the school newspaper?" Aiko replied with an evil grin.
"Iie, betsuni." Echizen adjusted his cap.
Everyone laughed about the comment.
-oOo-
"Game and Match Rikkaidai Fuzoku Marui-Jackal pair." The referee announced as both doubles pair fell to the ground in exhaustion.
"I can't believe they lost Doubles 2." Shishido commented.
"And I thought they were making a good come back." Choutarou commented.
"Baka Momoshiro! If his last shot was not out they could have had a chance in winning." Mukahi complained.
"Now, now Gakuto, deep breaths." Oshitari tried to calm the acrobatics player.
"Marui-kun sugoi! Marui-kun sugoi!" Jirou screamed jumping.
"You're right Shishido-san." Choutarou commented.
"Huh? About what?"
"Sometimes, Akutagawa-senpai can be embarrassing." Choutarou covered his face at his senpai jumping around screaming about how great Marui was.
Shishido chuckled at his kohai's comment.
-oOo-
"Daijabou Kaoru-kun, you did your best." Aiko smiled at her best friend as she handed him a towel, "You both did." As he handed Momoshiro a towel as well.
"Arigato Aiko-chan." Momoshiro gladly accepted.
Kaidoh merely nodded and took the towel. Before standing next to Aiko to watch Oishi and Kikumaru play against Niou and Yagyuu.
-oOo-
"Oi Choutarou, you're staring again, pay attention to the game." Shishido reprimanded his kohai.
"Gomennasai Shishido-san." Choutarou apologized but kept staring.
"What are you staring at?" Oshitari asked the boy.
"Ano, I just realized something." Choutarou replied.
"And what is that?" Mukahi asked.
"They've known each other since they were kids, and I'm—Well, practically a stranger." Choutarou stated sadly.
"Who is she dating, you or Kaidoh?" Jirou asked.
"Jirou!" Mukahi hit Jirou on the head.
"Itte!"
"Of course she's dating Choutarou." Shishido defended.
"So, why is Ootori so worried?" Jirou asked.
"He has a point." Mukahi agreed.
"Finally you two agree on something." Oshitari rolled his eyes.
"I don't know." Choutarou bowed his head.
"Choutarou, stand up straight. You would expect that they are close, like you said they've known each other since they were kids, but that doesn't mean that Kaidoh is better than you." Shishido assured his kohai.
"Demo, they look so happy." Choutarou commented as he notes how Aiko was tugging on Kaidoh's jersey each time Oishi and Kikumaru scored a point.
"Of course they are; they're cheering for their team." Shishido argued.
"Do you want to go stand there in the Seigaku bleachers Ootori?" Mukahi asked.
"Iie, that would just be…weird?" Choutarou replied.
"Exactly! So stop sulking and start watching! They're just friends for sure." Mukahi commented.
"See, even Gakuto thinks so." Shishido seconded.
"Demo—." Choutarou was about to reason out when he was cut off by Shishido.
"Gekki dasa daze Choutarou!" he glares at the taller boy.
"Gomennasai." Choutarou bows his head.
"If Atobe hears you talking like that, he might just take you off the regulars you know." Oshitari commented.
Choutarou sighs.
-oOo-
"We can't lose any more." Inui tells Kaidoh as he picks up with notebook in preparation to face Yanagi.
"Ganbatte Inui-senpai." Aiko encourages the data man.
"Hai. Ganbatte Inui-senpai." Kaidoh agrees.
Inui nods and walks towards the court.
Aiko sighs.
"Daijabou desu ka Aiko-chan?" Kaidoh asks noting the frustrated sigh that his best friend let out.
"I'm just sad."
"Are you loosing hope that this may be the end of the line for us?" Kaidoh asks.
"Iie."
"You do know that even if we lose here, we still go to the Nationals right?" Yumi commented to Aiko.
"Hai."
"We're not going to lose." Momoshiro commented to Yumi.
"I know." Yumi sarcastically snapped back at Momoshiro.
"Oi! Yamero! No talking about such things." Oishi reprimanded the two juniors.
Momoshiro sticks out his tongue at Yumi and Yumi does the same.
"What are you sad about?" Kaidoh asks the girl.
"Inui-senpai and Yanagi-san being so close when they were younger then growing apart all these years." Aiko replied.
Kaidoh turned his eyes to his senpai and doubles partner who was shaking his opponent's hand.
"They use to be doubles partner, and practically inseparable. But now, they seem to be strangers." Aiko continued.
Kaidoh stares at the two on the court, he knew Aiko was right.
"Are we going to be like them Kaoru-kun?" Aiko asks the boy.
"Nani?" Kaidoh snaps his head towards Aiko.
"You and me, our friendship, are we going to be like them?" Aiko asks.
"Why would we?" Kaidoh replied.
"Then tell me what you really think about Choutarou." Aiko stated.
Kaidoh turns his head towards Choutarou and the Hyotei regulars who were watching the game.
"Tell me what you really think." Aiko repeated before she herself looked towards Choutarou's direction.
Shishido noticed Kaidoh and Aiko looking at Choutarou and elbowed the boy, "Oi, they're looking at you."
Choutarou then turns his head towards Aiko and Kaidoh, and true enough they were looking at him.
Aiko smiles and waves at Choutarou.
"Told you so, she likes you." Shishido stated matter-of-factly.
Choutarou smiled and waved back at the girl.
"I think he's a great guy." Kaidoh finally answered the question.
Aiko now turns her eyes on Kaidoh.
"But if he hurts you, I'll cut his throat with my tennis racket." Kaidoh threatened then goes back to watching Inui battle it out against Yanagi.
Aiko smiles at Kaidoh then waves at Choutarou again before going back to watching the game.
"I think they were talking about you Ootori." Oshitari stated.
"I think Kaidoh just gave a thumbs up on your relationship with his best friend." Mukahi teased the silverette.
"Oooh, Ootori-kun got the approval of Kaidoh-kun." Jirou teased along.
"Senpai-tachi—." Choutarou began blushing as Shishido, Mukahi, Oshitari and Jirou were teasing and poking him.
-oOo-
"Game and Match Seigaku Echizen, seven games to five." The referee announced.
The Seigaku bench began cheering.
Choutarou began clapping his hand while the rest of the Hyotei regulars who were now joined by Atobe and Kabaji had smiles on their faces.
-oOo-
While everyone slowly left the courts Choutarou stood there smiling as he looked on at the celebrating Seigaku students, Aiko included of course.
"How long are you planning to stare Ootori?" Atobe asks his member.
"Atobe-buchou?" Choutarou surprised that his buchou was standing behind him.
"Ike! Congratulate her." Atobe pushed Choutarou towards the direction of the Seigaku students.
His other senpai nodded in agreement.
"Usu." Kabaji also agreeing with Atobe.
Choutarou blushed then slowly walked towards the Seigaku people. "A-Ano—."
Everyone turns their head towards the Hyotei regular.
"Choutarou, arigato for supporting us." Aiko smiled at the boy.
The Seigaku regulars had funny faces on, obviously trying hard to stop themselves from teasing the two.
"Dou Itashi mashite, ano, omedetou minna-san!" Choutarou greeted and bowed.
"Arigato Ootori-san." Oishi replied in behalf of the team.
"Ano, I'll be going now, I'm sure you have celebrating to do." Choutarou shyly walked back to his team.
"Sa, minna, let's go, my treat!" Kawamura stated making everyone rejoice because that meant they were going to eat free sushi again.
"Let's go Aiko-chan!" Yumi excitedly pulled on Aiko.
"Hai." Aiko followed the group, "Demo, matte, chotto matte Yumi-chan." Aiko patted her best friend's arm before running back towards Choutarou who was already walking away with the other Hyotei regulars who watched the game. "Ano, Choutarou!" she called out.
Choutarou and the other Hyotei regulars stopped and turned towards the running girl.
"Dou shita Aiko?" Choutarou asked as the girl was still running towards him.
Aiko lightly hugs Choutarou like a kid, "Arigato for supporting our team." Aiko let's go and smiles at the boy, "We're celebrating at Kawamura-senpai's sushi shop. Ja!" then runs back to Yumi.
Choutarou stood frozen and was seriously blushing.
"Oi! Choutarou, daijabou desu ka?" Shishido poked the frozen boy.
"I think Ootori just lost his soul." Mukahi staring at Choutarou who was still standing still.
"Eh, is a hug that big a deal to you Ootori?" Atobe commented.
"It seems this was a first." Oshitari adjusted his glasses.
"Sugoi Ootori!" Jirou punching the air.
"H-Hai." Was all Choutarou could answer still staring at Aiko who was now walking with Yumi behind the other Seigaku students.
"I guess that answers all your questions about Kaidoh, ne Choutarou?" Shishido pokes his kohai.
Choutarou smiles and flinches, "H-Hai."
The Hyotei regulars of course did not let Choutarou live this up.
"Wait 'till I tell Hiyoshi what he missed!" Mukahi states.
"Oh, no, I'm telling him first!" Jirou argued.
"Who said so? I'm dialling his number now!" Shishido added to the argument dialling Hiyoshi's number on Choutarou's cell phone that he managed to snatch while the boy was standing frozen.
"Usu." Kabaji followed along.
"There they go again." Oshitari looks at Atobe.
Atobe merely smirks.
Choutarou finally snaps out of his daze and realizes that his senpai-tachi were discussing about who was going to tell Hiyoshi what happened, "Chotto matte senpai!" Choutarou ran after Jirou, Mukahi and Shishido who were fighting over his cell phone.
-oOo-
Of course, we all know that Hyotei and Seigaku will face each other again in the Nationals, so let's just see where that would lead for our lovely couple and Kaidoh.