Chapter Twenty-Five:
Tournament, Round Two

It was Tuesday, the day right after the last doubles match of the first leg of the tournament.

The following people had won during the past few days, now officially eight days since Ryo's flower display. Aylin had defeated Hiyoshi that same day, and then the next Sanada had crushed Daniel Haxall of the American team. Ryoga had beat Inui the day after that, which upset Aylin pretty bad to the point where she wanted to pummel the living daylights out of Ryoma's older brother. On April 15th, the Doubles leg had started, and Kikumaru and Oishi had started it with a win against Dominic Pezoa and Romeo Alvarez. Then Josh Nelson and Andy Lawrence of the American boys' team had tied with Bunta and Jackal, unfortunately making both proceed. After that, Trinity and Harmony had barely pulled victory from Masaharu and Yagyuu. That was a hard match, but they both fought dutifully.

Then, after the Sunday holiday, Paige and Tiffany had ended the Doubles leg by beating Emilio Obanos and Emerald Santis. Now, today was the holiday after that final match and we were seated back in the stadium to await the calls for our next matches.

"I hope it isn't against someone we know... again," Harmony scoffed. "I mean, that was bad enough apologizing to Masaharu and Yagyuu later."

"Yeah, but most of the ones that proceeded are people we know," Paige pointed to the huge list on the screen at the front.

"It's inevitable," Serenity grumbled, adjusting her cap better to shield herself from the fluorescent lighting. The guys were lucky enough to stay home today, sleeping in where we could not. We had had to be at the stadium at eight in the damn morning.

"I just hope it's someone good regardless," I yawned, eyes drooping from lack of proper shut-eye. It was a holiday for our school for some ludicrous event that the Dean had made up as an excuse for us to sleep in. Of course, he had also given us yesterday off too, "Because if I got up for nothing..."

"Oh shut up," Aylin rolled her eyes. "They're calling out the matches."

Everyone grew quiet as the announcer jumped on stage, his usual demeanor brighter and cheerier than ever.

"Hello and welcome ladies and gentleman. If you're sitting in here today, it's very likely that you've advanced by winning your match. Congratulations!" He clapped, making everyone join in with him to give ourselves a round of applause that all were too tired to be involved in.

"GET TO THE POINT ALREADY!" Natalie hollered, glaring at the man.

"Hush, nya!" Kikumaru threw his hand over her mouth.

"Alright, alright, I'm sure you all have something better to do so I'll get on with it. As you all know, all Doubles players will be playing Singles this leg." The scrambling of names began. "Tomorrow, Eiji Kikumaru versus Tiffany Martin."

"What?!" Tiffany and Kikumaru stared at one another.

"Even worse is the fact that it's tomorrow so you have to play on skill instead of excessive training," Bunta blew a gum bubble obnoxiously.

"April 22nd, Genichirou Sanada versus Ryoga Echizen. April 23rd, Paige Aikens versus Trinity Campbell."

"I'm sorry ahead of time Paige!" The two shared a meaningful hug.

"April 24th, Harmony Campbell versus Keigo Atobe." The two glared at one another, accepting the challenge without the need for words. "April 25th is a holiday. April 26th, Ryoma Echizen versus Josh Nelson. April 27th, Bunta Marui versus Kunimitsu Tezuka. April 28th, Seiichi Yukimura versus Serenity Skylar."

Serenity and Yukimura gave each other a nod, proving the rivalry had just begun for the two powerhouses. The match was one I could not predict, and beyond all else that frightened me. They were both phenomenal players, but their minds worked at speeds most people could only dream of.

"April 29th, Jackal Kuwahara versus Shuichiro Oishi. April 30th, Kimmy Castille versus Akaya Kirihara."

...WHAT?!

Kirihara and I shared a very sad, understanding smile, "I won't go easy, Akaya."

"Me either, Kimmy-nee-san."

"May 1st, Aylin Castille versus Andy Lawrence. And May 2nd is a holiday. May 3rd, Syusuke Fuji versus Nikolai Davis."

Immediately, I secretly gazed over at my friend, the man who would be facing off on the third against a guy he knew all too well. An odd sort of twinkle sparked up in Syusuke's eye, almost wicked.

I made a mental note to talk to him about it later.

"Whoever wins their matches is officially part of the world's Junior Tennis All-Star Team. Now, May 4th and after will be a date for any player that loses their match if they're usually a Doubles player. We know for sure someone will be playing in this, well that is if their partner wins their match. But as the rules say, the teammate that lost will play two other matches, and if they don't win both, then they'll be kicked out of the tournament along with their winning teammate." The man was obviously amused. "That's it for the day! See you here tomorrow for Kikumaru versus Martin!"

We dispersed, and I headed towards Ryo's car. I planned on finding Syusuke when we got to the school to ask him how he really felt about this whole Nikolai ordeal. I knew he was not happy with the man, yet I could feel satisfaction radiating off him at the chance to demolish him again.

"Hey," I slid into the front seat, letting Ryo steal a kiss as always. I still felt the tension building between us. Something big was inevitable and in the making.

"Hello Queen!" Ty grinned childishly, tugging on my hair.

"Good morning Ty," I yawned, then looked at the very grouchy Ryo. "I'm surprised you're up."

"I'm only up to come get you," he forced a smile, though I knew it would have been real if it would have been any other time during the day. Or at least not a holiday.

"Ty made you didn't he?"

"No, he reminded me. I would have come either way, provided I remembered."

"You're brave," I glanced at the blonde behind me. "I'm one of few who've never had my head bitten off when I woke him up. How are you alive?"

"I borrowed a shield and used a lance to poke from a distance, all thanks to the props department!" He gave a cat-like grin.

I sweat-dropped, eyes on Ryo, "He didn't really?"

"There was a note saying 'Wake Up' on the end of the lance."

I slapped my forehead, but could not stop the laughter, "And that's why I love you Ty. You're so spontaneous it's just great."

He bowed dramatically from the backseat.

"Drop me at the courts." That was the first place I expected him to be.

"Why the courts?" Ryo eyed me in his peripheral vision, yawning.

"Because I have to talk to someone and I have a feeling they'll be there." I ran a hand through my messy hair.

"Who do you have to talk to?" he questioned further.

I did not know whether I should tell him or not, seeing as me and him seemed to fight when it came to that person, "Syusuke. It's about who he's facing next in the tournament."

His gaze narrowed on the road, "Who is he facing that's so important you need to talk about it?"

I was getting angry with the accusations hidden within the statements that he was so boldly trying to hide, "It's someone he desperately hates and can't stand, someone who I faced in a tournament back in Japan." My hand automatically went to the scar on my forehead. "Someone who wronged me."

"Who is this?"

"Nikolai Davis," I was glaring ahead, thinking of how vile the name tasted in my mouth. "Alright, now enough with the third degree Ryo. I'm telling the truth. If you honestly have to worry about me trying something with Syusuke, then you don't really know the real me," I scoffed.

He shook his head, "I'm not worried about you making the first move."

I just rolled my eyes, letting the anger build inside me for the time being. I would rather store it for later than use it now anyways. Not while Ty was in the car, and certainly not when I had just found out that I had to face one of my best friends in a tournament that really meant a lot to me.

"So Kimmy, who are you facing next?" Ty broke the raging silence, trying to start a happier conversation. It wasn't working.

"Akaya Kirihara."

"But wait, isn't he one of your best friends from Japan?" he mumbled gently.

"Yes, he is," I bit my nail, "And unfortunately one of us will knock the other completely out of the tournament. No second chances. Just plain friendship turned to rivalry."

"You think you'll win?" He grabbed my wrist to make me stop biting my nails. He always seemed to try and make me act more ladylike, even though I played a hard sport and was not afraid to sweat or play rough.

"Honestly, yes I do. But Akaya could have gotten stronger. He just better not start getting aggressive with me like he does all his tennis rivals. I'll show him just as much rough aggression back as he shows me," I swatted away his hand. "Thus another reason I'm going to the courts. I want to start practicing immediately."

"Why practice so hard when you're assured of your victory?" His questions, as always, were never ending. Though I did not mind his as much as I did Ryo's at this point. Ryo was acting jealous, but Ty was just curious, as he always was. He wanted to continuously learn about the sport.

"Same to you on your acting abilities," I smiled. "I want to make it seem like I played so well that it was a hard match for Akaya. I want to prove to him that I can completely unleash for him, that I see him as an equal, even if we aren't matched in strengths."

"You're an odd person, Kimmy Elissa Castille," Ty sat back, shaking his head.

'He's one to talk...' I rolled my eyes, but smiled nonetheless, "We're here. Thanks Ryo." I kissed him swiftly, leaping out of the car and heading towards the courts.

Sure enough, Syusuke was waiting.