Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
Author's Note: Thanks for all those that read and/or reviewed my story so far! Thanks for the ones that voted on my poll located on my profile page. The poll is still open, so vote as soon as you can!
The last correction thanks was supposed to be for .Days and not shortened to .Days. Anyway, thanks for the correct spelling of Seiichi Yukimura, N-Near-N.
Let me explain something in the last chapter that may have confused some people. Sakaki and Ryoma are cousins, and Sakaki used to teach Ryoma about music. But in chapter one, they acted like strangers to each other. Think about it like this. If Ryoma and Sakaki acted like they knew each other as cousins and teacher/student, then the regulars would have been super nosy about their relationship. The more persistent ones like Fuji, Inui, and Yanagi would have decided to research Ryoma's background and most likely find out Ryoma's true identity. Also add in the fact that in Chapter Three, Ryoma said that this was her first time being in Japan. Wouldn't it seem strange that she didn't seek out her family members if it was her first time? And considering that Sakaki is very professional when it comes to tennis, he tries not to put personal feelings before the tennis team. That is why he and Ryoma acted like strangers to each other in the beginning. Ryuuzaki-sensei is an old family friend and knows of the two's relationship.
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This is regular conversation.
These are thoughts.
Conversation in a different language (Language).
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Summary of what has happened so far: Ryoma Echizen is now attending Phoenix Star Academy in Japan, withholding the fact that she is in reality the Prince of Tennis. It is revealed that she and Sakaki-sensei are related as cousins. Four people besides the two tennis coaches know of Ryoma's true identity: Kabaji, Jiro, Yagyuu, and Niou. However, two of those players know who Ryoma really is, but she doesn't know that they have learned her secret. Add into the fact that Ryoma has the school's most popular guys after her heart and that she has been swindled into playing against Fudomine High for Rikkaidai, her school life is going to be in for a ride. Oh and did I mention that several of her international friends are coming to Star Academy very, very soon?
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===============…..Chapter 14….I Spy…..===================
"Where is she?" An agitated Yukimura asked out loud for the twentieth time in the last five minutes. The blunette checked the watch on his wrist again before rechecking the time on the clock tower nearby.
"Don't worry, buchou. She'll make it here on time." The second year of Rikkaidai said before clasping a hand on his senpai's shoulder. The atmosphere dropped several degrees as the Child of God turned his basilisk stare to his teammate.
"Don't worry? You are telling me not to worry when we only have twenty minutes to turn in our registration and our main player is not here?" Yukimura said in a velvety soft voice. "You are telling me not to worry when it takes about twenty-five minutes to get here from the school by car and thirty-three by walking?"
As the captain of Rikkaidai directed his wrath onto Kirihara, said boy was breaking out in sweats and nervously backing away from his captain as Yukimura continued to glare at him. The others were wisely staying out of their buchou's way.
Yagyuu pushed his glasses up his nose and conferred with Yanagi. "Renji, if buchou continues to stalk Akaya like that, Akaya won't be able to play today."
Yanagi observed the situation in front of him for several moments before nodding in agreement. "I agree. Seiichi is scary enough as is, but when it comes to Ryoma, he seems to act more aggressive." The closed-eyed teenager turned to his other friend on the side of him. "Sanada, if you don't rescue Akaya, he won't be fit to play later."
The fukubuchou inwardly sighed to himself before making his way to the troublesome pair. Why am I the one who has to be doing the rescuing? **Sigh** Where are you Ryoma-chan?"
(About ten minutes earlier)
**BZZ**….**BZZ****……The alarm clock of one certain girl went off for several minutes before being snoozed. A couple of minutes later, the alarm clock met its doom as it was thrown against a nearby wall, shattering into a dozen pieces and ending its life.
Ryoma Echizen was cocooned in her multiple blankets and settled into comfy pillows as she continued to sleep. So imagine her surprise, and anger, when her door is thrown forcibly open and a bucket of water is splashed on her. Scratch that. Make that an extremely cold bucket of water.
The girl sat up right away and was ready to let loose her wrath on the intruder. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU……" Then the teenager recognized the person before her and calmed herself down. "What the heck did you do that for Sakaki-niisan?"
Sakaki ignored his cousin's cousin and headed straight for her dressers. As Ryoma watched in a dazed and confused manner, her cousin was doing his own thing.
The tennis coach was ruffling through the Ryoma's dressers and throwing out articles of tennis clothing onto the bed. Then he opened her closet and took out her tennis bag before proceeding to place her rackets inside of it. He finished his tasks before looking up at her and saw the remains of her clock near the wall across the room. The man shook his head before speaking.
"The tennis match is today."
Ryoma raised an eyebrow at his comment. She got out of bed and went into her bathroom. Through the door, she spoke to her cousin. "Yeah, I know."
The coach replied in a solemn, but with a hint of impatience, tone. "You do know that it is at seven o'clock?"
Inside the bathroom, Ryoma was finishing gurgling her mouthwash and spitting it out into the sink. Before proceeding to brush her teeth, she gave the man an answer. "I know already. The tennis match against Fudomine High is at seven o'clock tonight at Sakamoto Tennis Courts. I got your memo already. It's on the table."
As the girl started to brush her teeth, Sakaki went to the table and read the typed memo before his eyes widened. Some idiot put the wrong time!
"Ryoma, the match is at seven this morning."
The tennis prodigy slammed the bathroom door open before spitting out her toothbrush and toothpaste. "WHAT?!!!"
"And you have," Sakaki looked at his watch, "about twenty-four minutes to get to courts before registration closes."
While her cousin had been talking, Ryoma had hurriedly washed out her mouth and changed into her tennis outfit. Sakaki-sensei didn't say another word as he just handed the running girl her tennis bag before she ran out the room.
Taro Sakaki was left behind in the room praying to Kami that the girl would make it on time. At the same time, he was clutching the typed memo in his hand with a death grip. His usually handsome face was set in a frown. Heads are going to roll. In another part of the school, several persons sneezed and felt a shudder go down their spine.
-------------Sakamoto Tennis Courts--------------
More than a few Rikkaidai players were slouched against the public benches or lying on the floor with white foam coming out of their mouths. Of course, these players were the no-names or ordinary members. Yukimura-buchou would never harm his regulars before a match against a rival school. He would, of course, wait until after the match away from prying eyes.
The usually calm blunette was getting extremely nervous. "Where is she???!!! Registration closes in fifteen minutes!!"
The sight of their captain pacing nervously around the entrance of the court made the other regulars jittery as well. Then one of the regular's cell phones rang.
*Beep….Beep….Beep….Beep*
A certain purple-haired regular pulled out his cell phone and his eyes widening behind his eyes at the number showing on the caller id. The teenager walked away from the group, to the others' surprise.
"Hello, Sakaki-sensei. We seem to be in a bind right now." The Gentleman said without going preamble.
The deep voice of Taro Sakaki answered back at him. "I know. Ryoma left campus a little under six minutes ago."
"Why is she so late?" Yagyuu asked the coach. "She usually makes it on time to things."
"Some idiot," Sakaki growled, "typed the wrong information on the memo that was given to Ryoma. But don't worry, she'll make it before the deadline."
"I know she will." Yagyuu muttered lowly for his coach's ears only. He was aware of the stares and curious eavesdroppers nearby. "She is the prince after all."
"Shh!" Sakaki hissed on the phone. "That name is forbidden in public. Besides, it would do well for Seiichi-san that he can't control everything and that there will be things in life that he can't expect to happen his way."
Yagyuu gave a dry grin. "I guess you don't approve of him wanting to date your little cousin."
"Grr…" Sakaki muttered harshly. "Until her parents and brother get her, I won't approve of anyone dating my little cousin. I must approve of him first!"
The Gentleman of Rikkaidai gave a smirk as he thought about the various people after Ryoma's heart. It looks like this school year is going to be filled with fireworks. "Okay, Sakaki-sensei, I'll tell the others the news." The tennis players said loudly. He was aware that Marui and Jackal had crept up closer to him to hear his conversation. The teenager slapped the phone shut and turned around to look at his teammates.
The curious gave sheepish looks and the eavesdroppers whistled a jaunty tune to act innocent. Yagyuu walked up to the other regulars.
"Sakaki-sensei just called to inform me that Ryoma is on her way." The player smiled dryly. "It seems that someone gave her the wrong time."
Several breaths of relief were audible after Yagyuu made his announcement. Then Kirihara was the one who asked the question. "How come Sakaki-sensei called you and not Sanada-fukubuchou or Yukimura-buchou?"
Yagyuu thought about his question and thought back to the night before.
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+++++++++++++ Flashback……Last Night ++++++++++++
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A determined Yagyuu was pulling a complaining Niou into the office of Coach Taro Sakaki. When Sakaki had heard the knock on his office door, he hadn't expected the following events to happen. Even Ryuuzaki-sensei was surprised at the turn of events.
Taro raised a questioning eyebrow at the two boys before him. "Can I help you two this late in the night?"
Niou gulped at the foreboding tone that his coach used. It was an iron rule that all students be back in their dorm by nine-thirty on weekdays and one on the weekends. A glance at the clock showed Niou that it was ten o'clock. Yagyuu, however, wasn't concerned about the curfew.
"Sensei, Niou and I came across some very interesting information about The Prince of Tennis, Ryoma Echizen." he said.
"Oh?" The male coach replied. "What does he have to do with the fact that you are out after curfew?"
It's now or never Yagyuu thought before squaring his shoulders. "SHE is what we want to talk about."
The eyes of Sumire Ryuuzaki and Taro Sakaki widened at the gender reference that the tennis player had used.
"What do you mean 'she'?" Ryuuzaki-sensei asked before laughing. "Don't you mean he?" Yagyuu shot a grim look to both coaches
"No, I mean Ryoma Echizen, daughter of Nanjiro and Rinko Echizen. Younger sister of Ryoga Echizen and cousin to Nanako Meino." The usually aloof teenager said before pushing the glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Sakaki leaned into his leather chair and clasped his hands together. "Maybe you and Niou-san should start from the beginning."
And so, Hiroshi Yagyuu recapped about the events that had occurred in the previous hours. Niou, the ever-constant Trickster, couldn't help but add in his own comments and views about what had happened earlier on in the day.
"And besides us two, Jiro-san and Kabaji-san of Hyotei know about Ryoma-chan's true identity as well. "Niou said as a concluding to their story. Sakaki was sitting back thoughtfully in his chair while Ryuuzaki-sensei looked at the two male teenagers.
"Well, it seems that my little cousin's secret is now revealed." Sakaki mused out loud.
Niou and Yagyuu were startled by his comment and it showed. Ryuuzaki noticed their reactions and laughed out loud. "So you two didn't know that Taro and Ryoma were related?" The old coach looked at her co-worker and laughed again as she saw his pained expression. "It's your own fault that they found out, Taro."
"I know." Sakaki said grimly. He looked like a child that had gotten his toy taken away from him. "It doesn't mean I have to like it." He mumbled.
"So wait a minute. Ryoma-chan is related to Sakaki-sensei?" Niou said incredulously. "But why did sensei act like he didn't know her?"
"Ah, it's because…if I had known her, wouldn't you and the other regulars try to pry into our business?" The coach asked in a bemused tone.
Yagyuu thought for a few seconds before confirming his suspicions.
"It would be easier to act like strangers and keep Ryoma's secret more closely hidden if we did so." Sakaki said.
"Well, now that we have told you what we know, we'll be returning to our dorm, sensei." Yagyuu said before he and Niou turned around to exit.
"Wait."
The cool voice commanded them to stop and they did. The two boys turned around with dreaded looks on their face. They gave each other a brief glance. Are we going to be punished for breaking curfew??!!!
"I wasn't done yet." The coach said. The two teenagers gulped. Their Adam's appl was bobbing in their throats. "You two are forbidden to reveal anything about Ryoma's true identity to anyone else. Do I make myself clear?"
"Hai, sensei." Yagyuu said, but Niou had something else on his mind. "Can we tell the three captains?"
"No." Sakaki replied quickly. "No one else is to know about Ryoma's identity. The only people who you may confer with are Kabaji, Jiro, and Ryoma herself. Besides those three, only myself and Ryuuzaki-sensei are the only ones at the academy that you can talk to about Ryoma. You two will look out for Ryoma and fend prying hands and eyes off of her. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"
The look on Taro's face gave no room for defiance. "HAI, sensei!"
"Then, in that case, return to your dorm rooms and get a good night sleep for the match tomorrow."
The two teenagers left and closed the door the office.
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+++++++++++++ End Flashback ++++++++++++++
Yagyuu was brought back to the present by a soft clearing of the throat by Niou. The other regulars were looking at him expectantly. He gave a sadistic smile that reminded many of those present of a certain tensai of Seigaku.
"Saa…." He said, seriously freaking out several of the regulars, excluding Niou. "Why don't you call Sakaki-sensei and ask him yourself, Kirihara?"
The second year gulped at the cold look and chilly voice that his senpai was giving him. He rapidly shook his head and ran towards Sanada-fukubuchou for protection.
Oni! Many of the players there thought as Yagyuu went to the front of the courts. But none of them dared mutter anything out loud for fear of the Gentleman's controlled wrath.
Meanwhile at a different part of town…..
Ryoma Echizen was on the run. I can't believe some baka gave me the wrong time! I swear, when this match is over, head are going to roll. The girl thought as she ran in the direction of Sakamoto Tennis Courts.
Traffic was jammed on the left of her, and Ryoma was counting her lucky stars that she had decided to run instead taking up a ride in a cab. The weights on her arms and legs slowed the girl down, but Ryoma was used to running with them and refused to take them off just to increase her speed. If anything, the girl considered this as a warm-up/training exercise.
The running teenager looked at her watch again and realized that she only had about seven minutes to get to the courts before registration closed. Time to get serious! Ryoma thought before speeding up. The girl ran pass a couple of high school students from a different school, and scarcely noticed them at all. The students, however, noticed her.
The three students were carrying tennis bags as well. In fact, all four of them were tennis members from Yambuki High School tennis club. The shortest one was stunned by the speed that the girl had passed them up with.
"Sengoku-senpai, Akutsu-senpai, that girl was fast, desu!"
"That brat seems like she was in a rush." Jin Akutsu said before narrowing his eyes. "Her uniform looked like Rikkaidai's."
"Sugoi!" Taichi Dan said in awe. "She didn't look any taller than me and she was so fast. I wonder if she's a regular."
"Psh. Like the proud Rikkaidai would let any girl be a regular for them. Anyway, I thought that the boys' and girls' tennis teams were separate at Phoenix Star Academy." The silver-haired teenager said.
"What do you think, Sengoku-senpai?"
Both of the players turned to look at the orange-headed boy. And sweat dropped when they saw the love-struck eyes on his face. Jin slapped his face with his palm at his friend's behavior. Here we go again.
"Dan," Sengoku said before clapping the boy's shoulders. "Your newest task as Yamabuki's tennis manager is to find out who that girl is."
"Hai senpai!"
"And for you to find out her hobbies, body measurements, likes, dislikes, body measurements, cell phone number, if she's single, body measurements….." Sengoku continued to ramble on and on about what he wanted Dan to find out for him. Jin could only shake his head at his friend's antics. Kiyosumi Sengoku is going to get Dan in big trouble one of these days Jin thought as the manager continued to nod and scribble down the list of things that Sengoku wanted him to find out about the mystery girl.
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------------------- Sakamoto Tennis Courts ---------------------
Everyone was watching the clock with eagle eyes. Four minutes were left. Then three minutes remained before the deadline. Two minutes and counting had even Sanada breaking out into a sweat at the thought of Rikkaidai having to forfeit the match against Fudomine High.
One minute and forty seconds were left until Yagyuu heard breathing coming up the steps. Ryoma was sweating slightly as she paced quickly up the steps and saw Yagyuu-senpai waiting for her. She grabbed his waiting hand and let him drag her to the registration table where everyone was waiting.
Seiichi Yukimura quickly turned in Rikkaidai's registration papers. "Rikkaidai's eight regulars and one freshman all accounted for and present."
The official took the papers and nodded. He checked the time. Ten seconds later, the official announced that registration was closed. The Rikkaidai tennis players all gave audible breaths of relief as they managed to make it in time.
"Oh Kami. I hope we never go through that again." Marui said before slumping onto the ground. Kirihara followed suit. The other regulars looked at them and then at Ryoma. The girl looked straight back at them, daring them to say something. Yukimura was too relieved to be worried about the health of his members.
"Geez, Ryo-chan. We were worried that you weren't going to make it in time."
Ryoma huffed. "It isn't my fault that some idiot typed the wrong time on the memo that I got. Besides, think of everything that happened as a mental exercise."
The tennis players looked at her with dazed looks. Jackal asked Ryoma how she was able to get to the courts so fast.
"Um…" Ryoma said in a distracted manner, "Traffic wasn't that bad today."
"Eh?" Marui said loudly, "I heard that there were traffic jams left and right this morning."
"Uh…" Ryoma was trying to think of an excuse until Yagyuu came to her rescue. "It doesn't matter how Ryoma got here. I'm just glad that she got here in time."
With the Gentleman acting as Ryoma's protector, the others decided not to question the girl further. They were still scared of his demeanor from earlier and didn't want to be the target of his wrath. Ryoma looked at her friend questioningly while he gave her a look that signaled that they would talk later. The girl nodded at his intent.
"So, I hear that we are going to be playing against Fudomine High School." The girl said, hoping to deflect any more questions about her method of traveling.
"Yes, we are. This is the line-up." Yukimura said.
Doubles 2: Sanada and Yanagi.
Doubles 1: Marui and Jackal
Singles 3: Ryoma
Singles 2: Kirihara
Singles 1: Yagyuu
Everyone looked at their buchou with surprise. Mutterings broke out among the tennis players. The regulars were also surprised, but held themselves up with more dignity and reserve.
"Fukubuchou is paired with Yanagi-senpai. The two demons working together? Woah!"
"Eh, buchou isn't playing at all, and Yagyuu senpai is singles one?"
"We only have to win three matches right? I guess it'll be up to Kirihara to win the match for us then?"
A certain emerald-haired girl's temper started to rise as various comments similar to the ones before were being muttered around her. Ryoma was not pleased by the fact that the other guys expected her to lose against Fudomine. Those temes are going to get it later…. Yagyuu and Niou were grinning at the thought of Ryoma blasting everyone away with her tennis skills and couldn't wait to see them in person.
"Not gonna be disappointed about not playing today, Yagyuu?" Niou muttered. He hooked his arm around his partner. Yagyuu turned his had towards the trickster.
Yagyuu replied lowly, "I wouldn't be able to play anyway since Kirihara is before me. But I don't mind playing today if it means that we can see Ryoma's skills."
Both teenagers started to laugh and that caused everyone to quiet down and look at them. They quickly stopped their laughter and gave the bystanders a glare that dared them to say something. Sanada sweat dropped at his teammates' antics.
"Now that everything has been settled, our match is in thirty minutes in Court B so let's start making our way there." The captain of Rikkaidai told his team.
Like sheep following their shepherd, the tennis members of Rikkaidai's tennis club followed their captain. All around them, whispers of awe and respect erupted among the awaiting bystanders. Invitations to date or even marry the regulars came from the numerous girls standing by the courts and Ryoma was silently keeping track of how many invites each regular got.
Yukimura-buchou was clearly in the lead.
Ryoma gave a look of amusement as she heard the comments about her fellow teammates and couldn't help teasing the person closest to her: Seiichi Yukimura. By the time that the Rikkaidai team arrived to their designated court, the buchou was red faced with embarrassment. Tachibana Kippei, the captain of Fudomine, raised a questioning eyebrow at the normally calm blunette's reaction to the girl. Ah….so it seems that the Child of God has finally met his match…in l~o~v~e. Heh. Kippei smirked as he thought about how much fun it was going to be if Fudomine and Rikkaidai played off against each other in the formal tournament and not this friendly match, and wondered if the development between the girl and Seiichi would be more developed by then.
The two teams did the usual meet and greet. Now it was finally time for the matches to begin. Doubles two was Sanada x Yanagi vs. Tetsu Ishida x Masaya Sakurai.
The Fudomine players cheered their two players onto the court. They were thinking that their doubles two could put up some type of resistance against the normally singles three and two players.
The game ended in less than four minutes.
Sanada and Yanagi walked off the courts with weights still on and hardly breaking a sweat. The other team, however, was not in excellent condition. Ishida was sweating profusely as he lied on the ground shocked. His strength or Hadokyuu was no match against the two demons of Rikkaidai. Sakurai was also on the ground. His muscles were aching and he could barely move. Sweat drenched his body.
The two Rikkaidai players were welcomed back with congratulations while the two defeated Fudomine players had to be escorted off the courts by some extra members.
"So how was the match, Sanada? Yanagi?"
"Seiichi, it was okay. They are nowhere near our level right now." Yanagi said in a calm manner.
Sanada spoke in a matter of fact voice. "But they are much stronger than last year's team."
"Mmm…Okay then. Marui, Jackal." Yukimura said, catching the two individuals' attention, "I want you both to wrap this up quick. Do whatever you think is best that will let you finish the match quickly. But there is no need to go all out."
"Hai, buchou!!"
The referee of the court asked for the Doubles One players to please meet on the court.
This time it was Marui x Jackal vs. Kyousuke Uchimura x Tatsunori Mori.
"I'm the Frontline Killer. Just try to get the ball pass me!" Uchimura boasted. Marui served the ball.
In the next second, the ball zoomed past the boy. The Rikkaidai players gave mocking looks at the two Fudomine players. Their opponents were filled with shock.
"Be awed by my greatness!" A certain redhead said, mimicking a certain Hyotei captain.
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In another part of town, Atobe sneezed during his warm up match with Oshitari. The ball passed him by and the point was given to the blue-haired tensai.
"Oy. Ore-sama declares that the point just now does not count! Ore-sama was distracted by a sneeze!"
"Whatever Keigo. It's time for your match anyway."
"Hmph! Ore-sama is not pleased or amused by your behavior, Yuushi."
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Back to the Rikkaidai vs. Fudomine match….
The match was intense. At least for the Fudomine doubles team. Marui and Jackal were playing with them, making them exhausted and sweaty. The score was now four games to one. It had been four minutes and thirty-five seconds already. Yukimura looked at his watch another time.
"Marui, Jackal. Wrap this up." He said. The two teenagers nodded at their captain.
It was Fudomine's Mori's turn to serve. Mori was sweating visible drops and his body was shaking. He managed to serve a decent ball, but Marui returned it. Uchimura got ready to return it as he waited for the ball to pass over the net.
But it didn't happen. Uchimura, Mori, and the rest of the Fudomine tennis members watched with amazement as the ball traveled along the net and eventually fell down on Fudomine's side.
Marui blew a bubble out of his gum. "Be awed by my g~e~n~i~u~s. Bunta's Tightrope Walking at your service."
After that, the doubles one team of Rikkaidai dominated the game. Marui whistled a jaunty tune while his doubles partner walked silently back into the stands. Words of congratulations could be heard coming from the elite school. Fudomine was shocked by how powerful their opponents were. More members of the school had to carry two of their regulars off the court.
Tachibana was also unnerved by the fact that his doubles two team was defeated in less than four minutes and that his doubles one was just overwhelmed in fewer than six.
**Sigh**
"Kamio, it's your turn now. Do your best." Tachibana said to his vice-captain.
"Hai, Tachibana-buchou!" The speed demon said before making his way to the court.
Over on the Rikkaidai side, Ryoma was just finishing the conversation between her, Niou, and Yagyuu. The closeness that the trio emitted made several of the other Rikkaidai regulars be filled with envy. It was Yanagi who interrupted them.
"Ryoma-chan," He said, making the girl look up at him. "It's time for your match."
The tennis prodigy nodded at her senpai. She took off her jacket, handed it to a waiting Niou, and grabbed one of her rackets. The other tennis members were silently pre-mourning the loss of singles three. Some of their murmurs could be heard by the regulars and by Ryoma. Niou and Yagyuu were silently laughing to themselves and Ryoma was seething with anger.
Damn bastards. I'll teach them not to underestimate me!
The Fudomine members were watching the girl enter the court. Then the referee made the announcement. "Rikkaidai's freshman representative, Ryoma Echizen, vs. Akira Kamio will now commence."
Fudomine tennis members waiting on the sidelines broke out into loud whispers.
"Wow! A freshman is playing against the fukubuchou!"
"Baka. It's a girl too! Kamio-san has got this match hands down."
More jeering could be heard coming from the black and purple clad members. Ryoma was seriously getting royally pissed. They aren't even trying to keep their voices down! I'll butcher this guy. The teenage girl was planning on having no mercy on poor Kamio.
"You got this in the bag, Kamio-senpai!!"
"Don't make the little girl cry!!" Some laughter erupted among the members until they felt a chilly atmosphere. Many of the Fudomine members looked to their left and saw many of the Rikkaidai players glaring at them. Even Kippei felt slightly disturbed by the looks being directed towards his team. He cleared his throat to gain his teammates' attention.
Ryoma was slightly shocked by how defensive the Rikkaidai members were getting in her defense. What she didn't know was that with the Rikkaidai team, only they were allowed to mock or make fun of their members. Any outsiders, who dared to tease the Rikkaidai regulars, albeit a temporary one, were subjected to the combined force of the Rikkaidai tennis club. With over seventy dedicated members, they could be pretty intimidating when working together.
"Never underestimate your opponent. Be they older, younger, girl, or boy, never underestimate them. It is always best to be on your guard against any opponent." The wise words of Tachibana Kippei rippled throughout the crowd. Someone muttered out loud that they were in awe of their captain.
Kippei's next comment made them all face fault and sweat drop. "Tezuka of Seigaku is always lecturing me about never letting my guard down. So he's really the one behind it all." He said sheepishly, a finger scratching his left cheek.
His attitude help diffuse the nervous atmosphere among his team members. Now, it was only half of the Fudomine team that was in a jittery state.
"Four games to two! Echizen's lead."
The referee's announcement shocked everyone there. The two rival teams had been so into glaring at each other that they had forgot that the match had been going on. Even many of the Rikkaidai regulars had missed most of the action. Only Niou, Yagyuu, Sanada, Yanagi, and Yukimura had been playing close attention to the game.
"What? What just happened? The game has been only going for a little under six minutes." Ishida asked in an awed voice.
"Akira is losing. How can he be losing? He must have slacked off during practice. I told him that he should have been practicing. Who told him to go easy on the girl? If I was playing, I would go all out. It's so unfair that Tachibana-san put me in Singles Two. But that must mean that I am a better player than Akira. But I think Akira is stronger than…"
"Be quiet, Shinji!!!!" Many members of Fudomine and Kamio alike shouted at the muttering boy. The Rikkaidai tennis club sweatdropped at the rival tennis team.
"Five games to two!" The newest announcement greatly shocked the crowd. Kamio, the speed demon, of Fudomine was losing!
--------------- On the Courts -----------------
"What…huff….what….are…huff…you?" Kamio asked between staggering breaths.
Ryoma looked at the boy before smashing the ball. "Ryoma Echizen. First Year female freshman at Phoenix Star Academy, at your service.
Kamio waited for the tennis ball to make its way to him. The ball sped its way to his side of the court and bounced back up. The members of the ground watched with bewilderment as the ball bounced straight back up.
Akira Kamio stared in wonder as the tennis ball had bounced straight back up from the ground vertically. Ten seconds or so passed before the ball zoomed back into the ground and spun itself into a circle. Kamio could only blink and wipe the sweat away from his eyes as the ball burrowed itself into the ground and refused to make a second bounce.
"Su…sugoi!" Kamio said in an awed voice. He asked the question that was on everyone who was watching minds. "What was…what was that move?"
Ryoma glanced at the jaw-dropping crowd and caught the looks that Yagyuu and Niou were giving her. She turned her attention back on the court and directed a smirk at her opponent.
"Like it?" Ryoma asked before continuing. "I call it The Sixth Note: Soprano Smash"
The teenager looked that look that the teenage girl was giving him. "But don't worry, Kamio-kun! I won't be using that move anytime soon again."
Said teenager gave a breath of relief. Ryoma continued to speak. "I'll just use other moves to beat you." She gave a devilish cute, but evil smile. Kamio was praying to Kami that he would be able to even stand later. The others in the sidelines shivered simultaneously as they saw that smile. The Rikkaidai tennis players glanced briefly at their captain. They were a little scared to see a smile that their captain usually used when displeased was the one that Ryoma had directed at Kamio.
The next return that Ryoma did was only recognized by the Rikkaidai regulars. The ball made a path to the ground on Fudomine's side and spun itself into court. The tennis ball did not bounce back up.
"Wh….wha….what was that?"
"Bass Drive" The girl said with a ready smirk.
The next point was taken with Yagyuu's laser beam technique. Then it was match point. Kamio was getting pretty desperate despite the fact that he was too exhausted to put up a decent defense. Ryoma returned the ball for a last time. Kamio saw the ball approaching the net and dashed towards it. His shaking legs pulled him towards the net, and the speed demon of Fudomine waited for the ball to cross the net.
It didn't.
The ball traveled along the path of the net. Everyone, including Yukimura and Marui, watched with wide eyes as the ball rolled along the net and eventually fell down.
"But…but!!" Kamio said stuttering. Ryoma took pity on him.
"Bunta-senpai's Tightrope Walking technique." The girl said. Kamio collapsed to the ground. "But know this, Kamio-kun, it was a good match. I hope we play again in the future."
Kamio nodded back at her. The referee called the score. "Rikkaidai's win. Would all players please enter the court for the ending ceremony?"
The regular players for both teams entered and said their goodbyes. Kamio caught up Ryoma.
"Neh, Echizen-chan. You can call me Kamio since we've played against and all." She is so cute!! He thought.
Ryoma gave a soft smile at the boy. Nearby, the Rikkaidai members and regulars watched with avid curiosity and some with jealously.
Sure, Kamio. If you will call me Ryoma instead of Echizen-chan as well." Ryoma stuck out her hand. Kamio clasped it. "I have the feeling that we are going to be good friends!"
Both of them laughed. Tachibana called Akira back to the bus. The two friends said goodbye to each other. Ryoma waved him farewell and turned around to her team's direction. The looks that were directed at her made her startled. Many of the members were looking at her with awe and curiosity. Ryoma, who was a little slow in the romantic department, didn't realize that the intense looks that a few of the Rikkaidai regulars were giving her was due to how friendly she and Kamio had acted together. She thought that they were trying to solve the mystery behind her.
"So…" Ryoma said, trying to change the subject. "Let's get back to school."
The teenage girl started walking towards the bus.
"RYOMA!!!" A masculine voice rang out.
Ryoma turned around to identify the source of the voice. Before she knew what hit her, a body tackled into her. The tennis player was lifted into the air and circled around. Then the male figure dropped her gently onto the ground and gave her a hug.
"I've missed you so much, Ryoma!!!" He said.
Ryoma let her head finish spinning before looking at the male before her. Her eyes widened.
"BROCK!!!" She said in a high-pitched voice. "Good to see you!!"
Then Ryoma hugged him back.
Several hearts broke among the Rikkaidai tennis players. Yukimura was stunned to the core.
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.My longest chapter yet of 17 pages and over 6,000 words….I hope I never do that again. So tiring!!!
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And that is the end of Chapter 14! I hope everyone enjoyed it!
P.S. I might not be able to get an update out next week due to me leaving town for the week or so…so please be patient until then! Thanks
Updated 6/27/09