Chapter Twenty One: Choosing the Invitational Team

"What?!"

That cry from team Ryuzaki's group who were currently huddled by the running tracks echoed throughout the entire place. Rika, Kirihara and Marui who were currently passing by the place blinked and stopped in their tracks. They had just finished their muscle training in the gym and team Ryoga had been given a ten minute break before heading to their allotted tennis courts for some practice matches.

"That sounds like Oishi-kun," said Marui as the two kouhais were frowning, looking towards the direction of the running tracks. "Let's go and see what's wrong."

The three Rikkaidai players then stopped behind a wall where they got a fine view of team Ryuzaki who seemed to be in an argument of some sort. Apparently, the ones who weren't Seigaku regulars – Yuuta, Kajimoto, Saeki and Sengoku refused to do running and decided to have some matches instead since they were currently without a coach and will obviously fall behind the other groups.

Rika sighed, shaking her head as the poor Seigaku vice-captain tried to make sense of his argument and the other Seigaku players looked on. "This doesn't look too good for Oishi-san," she said. "Though Kajimoto-san had a fair argument as well."

Kirihara grinned. "This will be interesting, won't it?" he said.

Later that afternoon, much to everyone's surprise, Tezuka had returned from Germany to fill in for team Ryuzaki's temporary coach, as what Hanamura, Sakaki and Ryoga had announced to the rest of the four groups, but this was met with some objections from the non-Seigaku members from team Ryuzaki and the long and short of it was that Tezuka had decided to clear their doubts by having them playing against him in a practice match.

Most of the members from the other three groups were given a break by their individual head coaches since the coaches knew that their players were all interested in seeing Tezuka play and that afternoon, majority of the camp's players were gathered by team Ryuzaki's tennis courts.

"Oh boy, this is going to be interesting," said Marui, grinning, as everyone heard Tezuka said to Kajimoto that he will keep it to light swings because of his injury which of course pissed the Jyousei's captain off.

Rika frowned as the rally between Tezuka and Kajimoto continued for ten minutes. "Something's wrong," she remarked. "Tezuka-san hasn't moved a single step away from his spot so far." She frowned, recalling what she's seen from Tezuka and Atobe's match during the Kantou tournament. "That's Tezuka Zone, isn't it?"

Inui smiled and adjusted his glasses. "Very perceptive, Rika-san," he said. "That's right. That's Tezuka Zone. Tezuka add a spin to the ball and hit it to Kajimoto-kun in a way in which the ball will be returned to him, no matter where Kajimoto-kun hits it."

"Looks like Saeki is up next," said Yagyuu.

And so, they watched as the non-Seigaku players in team Ryuzaki played against Tezuka and when Tezuka managed to predict that Sengoku had broken through the Tezuka Zone, he returned Sengoku's shot with such precision that everyone was shocked.

Yukimura smiled, one finger on his lips. "Very interesting, Tezuka," he said. "Seems like he'll make a good coach."

Momoshiro chuckled weakly from beside Kirihara. "Yeah. We're lucky that Inui-sempai isn't in our group," he said.

Yuuta blinked at Momoshiro. "Why?"

"Inui Juice."

Kirihara blinked. "It's just juice," he said. "What's so scary about it?"

"Yeah. That juice is bad enough to knock you out instantly," said Shiki, giving a slight shiver before turning towards Rika. "Didn't Yanagi-san do the same to you guys? I thought that Inui-sempai had his juice recipes from Yanagi-san."

"No," said Rika, shaking her head. "While Inui-san can make anything tastes bad, Yanagi-sempai can make anything taste wonderful."

"Why couldn't he have gone to Seigaku instead?" whined Momoshiro.

Inui smiled eerily, appearing all of a sudden behind Momoshiro, freaking the sophomore out. "Did you say something, Momoshiro?" he asked, a glass of his much feared Inui Juice appearing in his hand.

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It was team Ryoga's break time and Kirihara and Rika could be seen standing in an available court with their tennis racquets. Kirihara grinned. "Sorry about this, Rika," he said. "But I want to repay the favour that you've given me."

Rika sighed. "I don't mind," she said with a shrug. "This can give me a chance to perfect my technique as well."

Kirihara grinned. "Then I'll let you have first service," he said, tossing Rika a tennis ball before both players walked to the receiving ends of their individual courts. "One set match."

Rika nodded before gripping the tennis ball in her left hand, her right hand holding her racquet. She then threw the ball in the air and served.

"Game, Kirihara! 1-1!"

By this time, majority of the rest of the groups had gathered by the tennis court in which Kirihara and Rika were having their match, thanks to a certain Seigaku freshmen trio. The two Rikkaidai players were breathing heavily by now, yet both had kept their service games. Somehow, this had turned into an official match for them and a referee had somehow appeared out of nowhere to referee their match. Even Sakaki, Hanamura, Tezuka as well as Ryoga had arrived. Riku and Sora had appeared as well.

Niou whistled. "Seems like everyone's interested in their match," he said.

"Well, both their matches were the talk of the middle school tennis circuit ever since the finals of the Kantou tournament," remarked Yanagi, keeping his eyes on the match. "Though I heard Akaya saying something about repaying the favour to Rika or something."

"Have those two played against each other before?" asked Shiki, curious.

Sanada nodded. "Yeah," he said. "They're training partners and played against each other more times than one could count. Yanagi, how many matches have they had so far?"

Yanagi flipped through his notebook, not noticing that everyone gathered had listened intently to their conversation. "They had a total of sixty two matches, with a score of 31-31 for each of them," said the data master. "But they had never really gone all out in their matches before. But this time...this match may just be different."

"Game, Echizen! 3-3!"

"Neither one of them are letting up their service games!" said Momoshiro with wonder.

"No. That Rika," said Shiki, narrowing his eyes slightly. "She's grown stronger from the last time that she faced me. They're really going all out."

Kirihara was serving and as his serve landed in Rika's court, she returned that shot to the sophomore and moved towards the left just as Kirihara returned the shot and returned Kirihara's shot so quickly that it landed in his court before anyone could blink.

"1-15-0!"

"Did Rika just returned his shot?" asked Yuuta, blinking in confusion. "I didn't see it."

Niou grinned. "It's been a while since I've seen her use her observation ability in a match," said the Trickster.

Kirihara panted as he rushed to receive his shot and hit it towards the corner and his eyes widened to see the ball travelling towards Rika. 'That is...! It can't be!'

"O-Oi, what is going on?" asked Oshitari, frowning. "Since the sixth game, all of Kirihara's shots had been travelling towards Rika-san and she hasn't moved a single step so far."

"Tezuka Zone?"

"No. The unofficial name for it is Samurai Zone," said Ryoga, frowning. "Our father taught it to us and used it on me and Rika every time we played, yet we had never been able to master it completely yet. The one that Tezuka-kun used is also an uncompleted version of it. But Rika had never used it before for reasons unknown."

"Game, Echizen! 6-5!"

"It's finally match game," said Yukimura. "So far, both of them had been keeping their service games. If Rika keeps her service game, she wins."

'Mataku...' Kirihara panted. 'Like always, she's the only one who can push me to my limits.'

Rika threw the ball up in the air and served. The ball appeared in Kirihara's court before he knew what is going on before spinning in circular motions and shooting up in the air.

"15-0!"

"Rika's trademark serve!" said Sora with a smile. "Whirlpool Serve."

"The speed and power of that serve had improved," remarked Yanagi, scribbling into his notebook. "Every single time that we see that serve, she's added something new to it. Before, it's the wrist motion, now, it's the rotation spin."

"Well, the path of that serve is too unpredictable," said Sanada reasonably. "Unless we knew how Rika is going to hit that serve, it's virtually impossible to return that serve."

"30-0!"

"40-0!"

"It's finally match point for Rika-san," said Shiki, seeing Rika panting heavily gripping the tennis ball tightly in her hand.

Rika served the ball again, and much to everyone's surprise, it wasn't the Whirlpool Serve.

"It isn't the Whirlpool Serve?!" gaped Atobe.

"It's the Twist Serve!" said Yuuta, recognising Rika's serving posture.

Kirihara returned the Twist Serve just as it bounced towards his face only to see that Rika had predicted the path of his ball and had rushed towards the net only to add an additional spin to the ball and returned the ball in a posture that the Rikkaidai team had only seen once.

"Tornado Spin?!" Marui gaped, gripping the wire of the fence with both hands.

Rika smirked as she let the ball roll over the strings of her racquet before returning it, adding an additional spin to it and those with remarkable eyesight could see that the ball spun like a tornado as it travelled towards Kirihara's court extremely quickly and earned a point, therefore ending the match.

"Game and match! Won by Echizen! 7-5!"

"The Tornado Spin..." muttered Yanagi, his eyes opened. "It's been completed?"

Marui smiled. "As expected of her."

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Kirihara's hand was still shaking as they sat down to dinner that night, their match being the talk of the entire camp as everyone was staring at Kirihara and Rika both. "You know, I'm glad that I've helped you complete your Tornado Spin and all, but couldn't you have gone a little easier on me?" he asked, annoyed, as he had to try and feed himself by using his left hand since his right hand is shaking too much for him to use it properly.

Kirihara had declined Yukimura's offer to spoon feed him, much to the entire Rikkaidai team's amusement and the sophomore had to try and feed himself using only one hand. That night was also the last night at the camp and they would be returning to their individual schools the next day. Currently, the four head coaches were gathered in the office, deciding the members of the Invitational team and everyone were currently talking about it, wondering who will be selected.

"I wonder what the American team are like," wondered Sengoku. "Are they any good?"

"Well, even the coaches didn't know who the American team are," said Kamio. "The Americans will only be arriving in Japan in another week, aren't they?"

"No, I know who they are," said Rika and everyone turned to her at once. The girl ignored them as she ate her dinner slowly. "They're tennis club regulars from St. Andrew's in California."

Yuuta blinked. "Rika, you know them?"

Rika sighed. "They're my old tennis team before I came to Japan," she explained. "I was their captain before I left. But now, the captain should be my childhood friend. We led the school to high school tennis tournaments for three consecutive years, and last that I heard, when I left, half of the team quit the club and the Tennis Association in America sent a coach to coach the team. Half of the team are new members, whilst the other half are my old friends."

"Are they any good?"

"They're good enough to beat high schoolers, if that's what you're asking," said Rika before the four coaches entered the cafeteria and everyone quietened down.

Sakaki stepped forward. "Sorry for making you wait," he said. "We've decided on the members of the Invitational team. There will be seven players and one substitute, and according to the rules of the Tennis Association, the lines ups of the matches between Japan and America will not be announced until the match begun. We shall now announce the members that made it to the team."

Hanamura stepped forward, a piece of paper in her hands as she read from it and the cafeteria fell deadly silent. "From Hyotei Gakuen, Atobe Keigo and Oshitari Yuushi."

Atobe smirked and Oshitari didn't say anything, but adjusted his glasses. "Of course," said the Hyotei captain.

"From Seishun Gakuen, Kikumaru Eiji—"

"Nya?" Kikumaru blinked in surprise.

"—Fuji Syusuke." The tensai smiled. "From Yamabuki Chuu, Sengoku Kiyosumi."

"Rikkaidai's Yukimura-kun was originally chosen as one of the members, but he declined his position and asked us to give his position to someone else instead," said Hanamura and mutterings sounded from everyone as they looked at the smiling Rikkaidai's captain. "Then, from Rikkaidai Fuzoku, Sanada Genichirou—" The Rikkaidai fukubuchou smirked before looking into Atobe and Tezuka's direction. "—Kirihara Akaya—" Kirihara grinned. "—and finally, Echizen Rika." Hanamura folded the paper up and smiled at those mentioned. "Congratulations to all those who were chosen, and those who were not, please don't feel discouraged as it wasn't that you're not good enough."

"That's good, isn't it?" said Marui with a grin. "I expected Sanada to be on the team, but Yukimura, why did you decline your spot?"

"And let everyone else see our level during the match to prepare themselves in time for the Nationals?" said Yukimura with a brow raised. "I think not. Besides, we can take this chance to see the level of those chosen."

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Rikkaidai Fuzoku; Kanagawa:

Kevin Smith sipped on his soda with a bored expression on his face as he leaned against the walls of Rikkaidai Fuzoku, waiting for his best friend. Several students leaving the school looked at the blonde foreigner curiously before they moved on their way before a bus pulled up in front of the school and a group of students filed out.

"Finally back," said a redhead blowing a bubblegum with relief. "Nothing beats home."

Kevin brightened up as he caught sight of a lone girl in their group and waved to her, catching the group's attention. "Oi, Rika!" he shouted in English, rushing to the girl. "I've been waiting for you!"

"Kevin?" Rika blinked before sighing. "Didn't I tell you to inform me when you will be coming to Japan? I can go and receive you at the airport."

"Nah. I wanted to surprise you," said Kevin with a grin. "The case is over. Once this game between Japan and America is over, I will be residing in Japan permanently with your family. Though keep this secret from the others. They didn't know."

Rika sighed, inviting the curious looks from those of Rikkaidai who didn't understand what they were talking about – namely, Niou, Kirihara and Jackal. Marui had stayed in America for a time and understood English. "Well, you sure did surprise me," she muttered. "And speak in Japanese. They can't understand you."

"Ah, gomen, gomen," said Kevin sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm Kevin. Kevin Smith. I'm Rika's friend."

Yanagi frowned. "You're the captain of the American team facing us, aren't you?" he asked and Kevin nodded.

"If you don't mind, I have to kidnap Rika here for a while," he said with a grin before grabbing Rika by the wrist and running off.

"Chotto! Kevin! Wait a moment!"

"Taku!" Rika frowned at Kevin, rubbing her wrist. "If I can't use my wrist properly in tennis, I'm blaming it on you, Kevin."

"Sorry," said Kevin apologetically, his hands clasped behind his head. "And anyway, the others want to meet you, that's why we came to Japan earlier than usual after asking the Board."

"Huh?"

Rika blinked as a group of pre-teens gathered on the street tennis courts of Kanagawa district caught sight of them and waved to them both, running towards Rika and Kevin. "RIKA!"

Rika blinked in surprise before smiling. "Terri! Tom! Billy! It's been a while!" she said, beaming, as her old tennis team surrounded her, asking her a million questions per minute before Billy Cassidy chuckled and waved his hands.

"Hey, come on! Give her some air!" he said. He then smiled at Rika. "It's been a while, Rika."

Rika nodded before turning to the sole girl in the group, Terri Griffy. "What's it like being the only girl in the team?"

Terri nearly groaned and the boys grinned mischievously behind her. "Don't even talk about it," she muttered. "I wonder how you kept them in line all the time, Rika." Her face then turned serious. "Kevin told us what happened. Are you alright?"

"Yeah," said Rika. "I'll be fine. Don't worry. What about you?"

"Don't worry your heads about it," said Billy with a grin. "Kevin's been training us silly. We heard that you're in the team playing against us. Hope to face you in a match."

Rika laughed. "We'll see," she said. "We don't even know who's playing in which match until the day of the match itself. There are seven players and one substitute. I don't even know if I'll be playing."

"Yeah, we heard," said Tom, Terri's brother with a grin that lit up his handsome face. "We'll give it our all in this match. We'll show you what we've learned. Even if you aren't our captain any longer, to us, you always will be our captain."

A tall thin boy with silver-gray hair tied in a ponytail along with a dark skinned boy large in size approached the group just then, along with another boy. "I nearly forgot," said Kevin. "They are our new tennis regulars, Rika. The tall one is Arnold Ignashov. The large one is Bobby Max. The last is Michael Lee."

"Nice to meet you," said Rika.

Bobby bowed his head slightly. "Nice to meet you too," he said politely and Michael bowed politely as well.

Arnold looked at Rika as if she was something that ought to be scrapped off the bottom of his shoe before scoffing. "So she's the captain that you're all always talking about," he said. "She doesn't look like much if she abandons her own team."

Kevin glared at Arnold. "Arnold! Stop sprouting rubbish!" he growled. "She didn't abandon us!"

"Hmph. I'm going to go practice."

Terri sighed as Arnold walked away. "Sorry about him," she said. "I think he's just jealous or something since those that had been in the team with you stuck to your training instead of the one Boss gives us."

Rika blinked. "'Boss'?"

"Our coach," explained Billy. "Richard Baker. Kevin is quite insistent on using your training methods. And the Tennis Association agreed as well. Then again, we're the only ones using it. Bobby and Michael did too, but also followed Boss's training. Arnold is the only one whom follows Boss's instructions."

"I see..." muttered Rika, frowning slightly. She had a bad feeling about the upcoming tournament between Japan and America and the source of this problem had both a last and a first name and the names were Richard Baker.