OxOxOxOxOx-Rikkai Dai-xOxOxOxOxO
Powerful Rikkai Dai
35 – Farewells
"Now all, please give us a biiiiiiiiiig smile."
Nadjai really, really tried muffling her yawn as she had been dragged out of her bed way too early that morning. Then the tips of her mouth curled up slightly, trying not to show that someone far bigger than her was leaning over her shoulders, crushing her as a pancake against the floor.
Here she was, cramped together with her fellow regulars of the Rikkai Daigaku Fuzuko female tennis team. Today was their last practice and as the tradition said there was always taken a picture for the School's Scrapbook of the famous sports idols.
"Let's see." The teacher in charge of the sport facilities took a sharp look at the picture, being shown on the digital camera. "Hm … better than last year at least." He said with a sigh, urging the regulars to gather up while at the same time scurrying through his bag. He pulled out a small book and gave it over to the captain to begin with. "Now please write a small text about this year along with name and class."
Miku, who was looking as if she really, really didn't have time for this, opened the book and took the pencil given by the teacher. After that it was passed on to the rest and Nadjai, being the youngest and person with fewer rights than the rest (apparently), got it as the last one. Her eyes scanned over the small things the regulars had seemingly treasured from this year.
Tanaka Miku, 3-2. The fact that we finally beat Ogasawara – IN YOUR FACE YOU FREAKING LOSERS! And of course the fact that the team has become really strong … compared to last year … 100 laps to anyone who as much as mention the questionable win at the Nationals! It was well-deserved, we ARE the best team and if you got a problem then please, do tell me … and you will die.
Nadjai stared at the last part, pitying the pencil which had been smothered out all over the page in what seemed to be yet another of Miku's rage-attacks.
Iwasaki Sata, 3-2. We have had quite a lot of fun this year and I'm glad to have met so many people in the tennis team, non-regulars and regulars. Everyone has been so kind and sweet and I'm really happy … We won the Nationals too, which is quite a thing to achieve and … true, it was a questionable win but still … it was for the best, right? Right? Please tell me it was or I can never live with the guilt! It's eating me alive I tell you!!!
"…" Nadjai slowly glanced towards the poor vice-captain. "To think she is going through all that inside …" Iwasaki looked up at the sound of mumbling and her eyes locked with another pair, looking at her with pity. "Keep strong!"
Abe Shinobu, 3-4. Once again nothing extraordinary have happened this year (we did win the Nationals, but other than that), it was still the same good ol' regulars – with one exception; there is of course the retard – but else … why do I feel like I've wasted yet another year? Of course it's fun to watch the retard run around, fooling and messing up where ever the tennis team might go … and Buchou who is … no comment.
"Retard, eh …" Her eye twitched.
Abe Shioko, 3-1. I can't find my iPod, that's for sure and I have a slight feeling someone retarded has misplaced it. Other than that … we won the Nationals, which was sort of a drag – meaning we had to do even more practice and even more laps. The pandas will avenge me!
"Okay! I'm sure the next thing I read will not hold a hidden insult against me."
Ui Yayoi, 3-3. I don't think I'm going to pass my math exam. The fact that I've been with this tennis team for three years now have seriously damaged my brain – severely. To whoever might read this: Do. Not. Join! I swear, I've tried so many times to leave but … failed. Then again, it might not be so bad when the Devil leaves too … to think if I get into the same High School as her? God forbid it.
"Score!" She mused, happy to read someone trashing the captain and not her.
Kasamatsu Tamafune, 3-1. I find it silly to even write this …
"As expected." Tamafune had always been on the more quiet side and didn't do anything unless it was highly needed … she would probably be one of the sane people on the team.
Fumihiko Joruni, 3-1. I don't get why I should even write in this – the tradition says the regulars and as we all know I've been stuck in the RESERVE for the last THREE YEARS! What the heck's with that? I was sure to have gotten a spot this year but of course not … I don't mind Lumpy coming in and winning everything (that kid is sick) but I wanted to be a regular too just for once … That bench has a mark formed as my behind. Ah well … I think I'll get a spot in High School. Aye … I will.
"I feel the hate." Nadjai had given up reading all these as one after another they were … disturbing. "Nevermind." She tapped the pencil against the blank spot in the book and pondered about what to write.
Fujika Nadjai, 1-1. I never did actually sign up for the tennis team but before I knew off it I was dragged into all this … stuff. But the 3rd years are graduating so I guess I'm free soon. We won the Nationals, we are all happy, we are … oh screw this, even if I try to sound positive it's … impossible! Don't join the tennis team unless you want to suffer as much as I have – it's fun though … suffering is good …
She slapped herself and randomly threw the book at the teacher. Everyone stared, making Nadjai slowly look around, pondering the situation. "What?"
"Are you completely normal? I've always thought about that." Shinobu asked what everyone was thinking.
"Err … yes?"
The teacher had quickly checked for any inappropriate material in the small book and shortly after he was gone; it was a BAD idea to be close to these people it seemed – the many complains from other students were apparently true.
"Well …" Miku started off slowly. "Our last practice, so any suggestions as of what to do?"
All the regulars stared at their captain, freaked out. They actually had a choice? They could actually decide something? Did they … did they have rights to do things on their own? The Demon awaited their answer, but as most was just staring at her in shock (and drooled?) she decided that they were not yet ready to survive on their own.
"How about a final tournament between us all?" She smiled sweetly, knowing completely she didn't have to even ask … they'd do it.
"Okay."
"Yeah, sure."
"Sounds good."
"Why not."
Ah yes … they were all in her power.
"I don't want to …"
Except one.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I don't want to."
"This is the last tennis practice, wouldn't you find it appropriate to play tennis?"
"I don't want to …"
"So you rather want to run laps?"
"LET'S GO!"
And so they all ran off happily for their final practice session and towards the setting sun!
XoXoXoXoXo-Rikkai Dai-oXoXoXoXoX
"Sweetie, it's about you wake up, isn't it?" Her mother called from downstairs, busily preparing breakfast as always – and failing too. Muttering, the girl slowly crept over the edge of the bed and landed on the floor with a thud.
"Meh …"
"You'd better hurry, today's when the results of the exams will be out!"
This of course didn't make her day any better. Slowly making her way over the floor towards her uniform, randomly thrown in the corner, she muttered curses, one after another. "Results … no thank you, I don't even want to know."
OxOxOxOxOx-Rikkai Dai-oXoXoXoXoX
Ding! Dong!
The bell rang and the principal, sounding as if he was about to break down crying of happiness, gave a speech to all his "lovely" students about the end of the year and how he was looking forward to seeing them all next year again – with a few exceptions. Nadjai felt how it was directed towards … yeah, her and the person standing next to her.
Niou though wasn't looking as if he had heard it, although his smirk was slightly wider than usual and the trickster was probably already planning adventures of the principal for the next year. "How interesting …" She heard him muse lowly.
She stared and sighed. Can't be helped, now can it? She and Niou had met up on their way to school – or rather, bumped into each other. Nadjai had been running late as she had to prepare breakfast (her mom being a failure as a cook) and saved the house from total wipe-out, had stumbled over a bag near the school fountain. Niou was giving his farewell gift to the principal and as he said "a token of remembrance as of how they had met for the first time".
But then again, that would be another story.
Now both of them were standing in front of the giant scoreboards with the rest of the students, filling the entire schoolyard with the sum of exam results – having the third years crowded to the far left, all checking if they had passed their exams or had to be dragged down another year. Our targets though were more relaxed as most teachers had already reassured that it would be impossible to flunk – with a few exceptions.
Nadjai sighed.
"Oi, make way, make way!" They heard a familiar voice through the crowd of freshmen, all pushing their way past each other to find their own names. "OI! I'm a prodigy, give way!"
Two seconds later the pink-haired boy stood, glaring daggers at the people completely ignoring him and in the end just popped a bubble the size of a head and as pink as himself.
"No respect do they have, not at all …" He muttered and decided to forget about it. As he turned around to get away from the mob of people he noticed the two staring at him. "Oh not you people."
Nadjai glared.
"Sorry I exist." Her eyes followed another bubble, spreading across his face. "Got any to spare?"
"Buy your own will you." He snapped, ignoring the girl now rubbing her face against his arm as some hungry dog, begging her master for leftovers. He sighed and rummaged through his pockets, shortly after pulling a package of Apple Flavoured Bubblegum out. He broke a piece up in two, ate half of it himself and reluctantly gave his starving pet some too.
At that time, Jackal saw his queue to sneak past them, hoping they were too busy with watching the retard getting bubblegum out of her hair … but no, not only was she stupid beyond belief, she was probably mutated too – having eyes in the back of her head as that was the only way she could have seen him. "Jackal-kun!" She beamed at him, eyes slowly wandering off towards a half-chewed piece of bubblegum on the tip of her nose.
"Dear God, no." He sighed, now standing with the two other freshman boys.
And then they were four.
"G'morning everyone." Renji politely greeted them all, having arrived at the scene too. "Found your results yet?" None of them answered this, their eyes wandering off towards the now maniac group of freshmen. "I see."
"Congratulations with winning the Nationals, Renji-kun." Nadjai smiled at him; the two check-mates standing opposite each other, the difference in height showing clearly – apparently she was retarded, mutated and a midget. "I heard you and Gen-chan dominated the singles 2?"
"Thank you. We won 6-0, but the possibility of this was of course 100%."
Nadjai stared.
"Don't speak numberish to me, you know I'm no good at English."
They stared.
"You mean math?"
"…"
Everyone silently waited for her brain to digest the information but she just stood there.
"GEN-CHAN!"
The conversation had, by the arrival of her most beloved, come to a conclusion. English and math are the same; both completely failing subjects. The stoic freshman, who continuously – day after day – asked himself the same question: why me?, was being hugged to death by the most annoying person on Earth. He merely stood there, waiting for the miracle that God would smite her with a lightning and she would blow away as a cloud of dust.
That of course never did happen, but he was still clinging onto the small hope that there really were miracles in this world. "Gen-chan, Gen-chan, Gen-chan, Gen-chan …!"
Miracles apparently DO happen as a shoe came soaring through the air out of nowhere, making an impact with the girl's head. Everyone watched as she fell to the ground in slow-motion, making it all look like something taken from a movie.
"Don't you dare go around ravage anyone else but Seiichi!" Riku yelled, having been let out of the closet where she had been trapped for quite some time – she had at least not made her appearance for quite a while.
Everyone mentally shuddered, as the picture of Nadjai ravaging the Princess popped up in their minds. That was just WRONG!
Of course, as the two friends had been reunited – through violence and shoes – they now met again – through violence and shoes. Shortly after Nadjai was sitting comfortably and very proud of herself on top of a half-beaten Riku, the last mentioned person silenced with a shoe in the mouth.
The other person, having arrived at the same time as his cousin was merely standing with the others, noticing they were all slightly spooked glancing towards him. He just gave them the loving smile, making them freak out even more. "I got nothing to do with either of those two."
They all decided not to comment.
And so they were seven.
"Nadjai-chan!" Now being extremely skilled at dodging lunatics throwing themselves at her, Nadjai agile and looking like a pro sidestepped Nanao, who had apparently been let out along with Riku. Riku though, was quickly up and battling against the other, both fighting over the right for the "Nadjainess".
Nadjai stared.
She decided to ignore them.
And so they were eight.
She shrugged. "Think I'll go find my score …" She muttered, walking towards the group of people, the amount being diminished to only a few first years, searching for their names on the board. And of course as a girl can dream about a better life Nadjai was optimistic and looked for her name at the left side of the board, where all the high scores were shown – hey! It might have been she had crossed out the correct answers through luck.
Shortly after she was staring at Renji in awe, the last-mentioned, not really bothering to ask why he felt fangirl-eyes on him, was merely staring at the board with eyes closed as usual. "500/500?" She asked him.
"Of course." He stated as if it was just, well, obvious! Then again … he was the Data Collector.
Her eyes moved one step down to see who was on the second place, pretty sure to find her own name – yeah, right! – but; of course not.
2. Sanada Genichirou 495/500
2. Yukimura Seiichi 495/500
Her eye twitched. "Okay … that I can live with."
The rest of the tennis players of the male team followed afterwards, the gaps between them differing from each person to person but all were high at the rankings; seemingly not having had had any trouble with keeping up with the readings for exams or the National Tournament which they had luckily passed just as perfectly.
The next in line, after having passed through all the boys, was Nanao who was looking at Nadjai with big, round eyes as if she was a puppy, waiting for her master to praise her. The other girl just merely looked at her. "Good job?" She tried, hopping it would be satisfying enough as the staring was starting to creep her out.
Nanao beamed at her, clearly happy enough with that. "I did it all for you!"
Nadjai inwardly shivered. "I see … Thanks …" With that she backed away slightly and diverted her attention towards the board again; trying to shake the images out. Row after row she continued – while wondering exactly how many freshmen there were – and finally found another familiar name.
"So … Riku …"
Her classmate who had trailed behind, sending warning looks towards Nanao, looked at her own name too on the board. "Aye, what?"
"Well, I guess 40/500 isn't the worst." She tried not to grin.
Riku scratched the brick of her nose sheepishly and then shrugged.
"What happened?" Her concerned friend asked; knowing well enough there would be a fun story behind it all. "Or no, let me guess!" She paused. "Okay, no; I have no idea what could have gone through your head."
"I was just too busy worrying to actually pay attention." She once again watched Nanao with those warning looks which said it all: Get close and I will kill you. Everyone had different images going through their mind what she could possible have been worried about.
The person to break the silence was of course Nadjai herself. "Worries about what?"
"You of course!"
Everyone backed away as stars appeared behind the girl, as she went into idol-mode.
"Why did I ask …?" Nadjai asked herself.
"I was sitting two rows behind you and how could I possible think about my exam? When my best friend is staring blankly off into space the first half of the exams and then sleeps the other half? To think if you had been kept back a year … That would mean you couldn't celebrate your graduation with Seiichi-kun as a loving couple but would have to wait a year. You wouldn't be able to get into High School with him; you wouldn't get to – if lucky – go in the same class as him. It would be horrible for you two to be kept apart by a year!"
Silence.
Nadjai took a deep breathe, trying to not strangle the still rambling girl. "Let's move on!" She clapped her hands together, thinking that she had actually not seen her own name yet – how outrageous!
"Found it." Came the (laughing) voice of the Trickster, standing way in the far end of the boards. Her brow furrowed, that could not be right. Everyone else trailed behind – with the exception of Riku (still rambling and drawing a crowd around herself) – and so she stood in front of her name at the bottom of the last board.
Niou, who had already had had good time to digest the information, was clutching himself at the board, trying to draw breathe into his lungs – the maniac laughter made it hard for him unfortunately. "That- that is just … epic."
"How in God's Name can you get …" Bunta started, nearly choking in his bubblegum. "That's just … impossible!"
-5/500.
"Is that even possible?" Niou once again had gotten over the shock.
They all stared at her, hoping that there would be a reasonable explanation to it all. She looked directly back at them all. Could anyone be that stupid? She blinked. "What?"
The answer to that question would be … yes. The giant arrow above her head with the sign Idiot written on it was not even needed as what they had all known for months now had been proved 100%.
Her stomach growled.
"Did you even fill out your own name?" Yukimura asked, smile in place – a bit broader than usual might I mention.
She fell silent. "I'm pretty sure I did."
"She did." A voice said from behind them all; the math-teacher for class 1-1. "And she spelled it wrong."
No one even responded. Figured!
"But let us just say that some …" The teacher cleared his throat, seemingly to find this entire happening rather uncomfortable. "Higher Powers has held a hand above your head; even though you were rather below the passed mark the Higher Powers decided they would rather have you pass on to the next year."
One year less for her to be in Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku. The surrounding people thought; well knowing the Higher Powers was the principal.
Nadjai just stared. "I see." Clearly not understanding anything, but who cared; she never did. "Congratulations all with passing for next year! And I even did it with a higher score than last time!"
Silence.
XoXoXoXoXo-Rikkai Dai-oXoXoXoXoX
Nadjai peered searchingly at Iwasaki, the vice-captain who had gone through so very, very many trials was crying her eyes out against the much larger Joruni; the taller girl patting her with nervous pokes. "I can't- I ca-ca-caaaaaan't believe it's really the end." She sobbed, blowing her nose at the nearest cloth (being Iwasaki's shirt).
Miku slapped her Second in Charge on the head with what most would describe as a sickening smack!. The members of the tennis team all looked up from their conversations onto the regulars, who had all been gathered. All noise had left the area, clearly not wanting to talk at the same time as the captain. "Get over yourself." Miku muttered. She cracked her fingers, making them all believe laps were heading their way. But she merely smiled and without really looking, grabbed Nadjai by the collar – last mentioned trying to sneak away.
"Let me go …" She muttered, but decided to not even try and resist and in stead just stood there, sulking.
"As you all know all the regulars are graduating – with one exception-" She made a slight nod towards the younger girl. "-and there is therefore no captain on this team at the current moment; which is why I would like to announce the one who will take over in my place."
At the part where Miku had said no captain on this team, Nadjai finally saw the loophole she had waited for from when she had re-joined the team and stroke a deal with the devil. A wide grin spread across her face as she spoke up. "I quit!"
Oh how everyone watched her; some astonished, some scared of the outcome, some … ticked off. "Excuse me?" Miku asked, sweetly. "You what?"
"I quit." She repeated.
"If I remember we made a deal …" The ex-captain started off, but the freshman interrupted.
"Ah yes, I remember that too and if I may quote! "and won't leave it again as long as there's a captain!"." Once again she beamed, returning the sweet smile of Miku's (who had at that time turned into a frown). "And as you just said, there was no captain on this team as you have graduated. Which also means; I am no longer bound by the deal we made, and I am allowed to quit the team!"
Miku sighed and then released the grip onto the collar. "Heh … who would have thought you were this … smart. I accept it; I have been beaten." A chill ran down Nadjai's spine.
Why do I feel something is going to backfire at me?
"And I who had thought of promoting you to captain …" She shrugged. "I guess someone else has to take on this heavy, painful burden; something which can only be done in solitude. To think of all the things I've had to do for the greater good of the team … oh yes, never appreciated …" She smiled at her former team all now burdened with guilt. "Ack, I guess that's just the way it is … True leaders are never understood!"
"I- I think you did a good job." Iwasaki piped in.
"Silence Iwasaki."
The fun feeling called guilt evaporated.
Miku turned once again to Nadjai. She smiled. "I'll be looking forward to seeing you in High School; if you of course manage to get that far." She reached out a hand, which made the younger girl stare in wonder. Had the world turned upside-down? "You really are an amazing player and I hope we one day will play a match against each other."
She warily watched the outstretched hand. "Ah …" Grabbing it, she suddenly felt how much the captain actually had done for the team, for her and all in all – in her own unique way – had made her first year at Rikkai Dai an interesting year. "I'll try finding a day for that match then; if I can find an open spot in my schedule." She grinned. "Devil Captain."
"GROUP HUG!"
Before any of them knew of it; Joruni, dragging Iwasaki with her, had crushed the two in a hug, the rest of the regulars joining in. "I don't like admitting it … but I will miss you lot."
"Well, we won't miss you, Lumpy." Shinobu muttered.
"I'm glad if I never see you again, Lumpy." Shioko agreed with her twin.
"That is true, I'm sure our High School life will be much more peaseful, Lumpy." Yayoi muttered.
"If you weren't there, Lumpy." Her doubles partner, Tamafune, agreed.
"G-guys, don't say things like that. I for one will miss you, L-Lumpy." Iwasaki once again tried making them all part as friends.
"Yeah, it's been fun messing with you, Lumpy." Joruni, still pressing the girls together in this big pile, laughed.
"Everything they said pretty much sums up what I would have said, Lumpy." Miku finished, ruffling the freshman's hair.
For once, Nadjai did not even bother arguing about the fact she was not a Lumpy.
"Same to you."
OxOxOxOxOx-Rikkai Dai-xOxOxOxOxO
The end is it now?
And this is truly – no way turning back – the last chapter for the incredible life of the regulars of Rikkai Dai and their first year at the all-famous school known as Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku.
I, as your humble author, hope you have all enjoyed the now 35 chapters which have stretched for little over a year. There have been laughs, tears, pain and so many other things and I hope I have been able to pep up a perhaps boring day with a chapter – for me it has been a change in life to write this thing and to share it with you all.
I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Truth be told, there has been times where I have had trouble with completing chapters but all of you out there have helped me get over myself, snap out of it and write once again – the thing I like the most. Therefore this entire story is dedicated to my readers. Thank you all.
Also to the people who have so generously reviewed throughout the story, weather you came in from the beginning, turned up in some of the later chapters or stumble across this in the middle of the night, a stormy day in your life – I thank you all. It has been awesome to write responses and to know that there are people out there who like my work.
But then again, I ask myself … WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING?!
The last couple of … words have been so sentimental and for what reason, I may ask. This is -laugh- of course not the end of Powerful Rikkai Dai, as you all know … middle school is not just one year, is it now? No, no, no. Of course not.
Years will follow and I hope you will all stay with me as we continue this journey to see how these small boys will become the best team of them all!
-bows- With this I hope that I will receive some reviews -hint hint- and I hope this chapter has been enjoyable; although in my honest opinion stretched maybe a bit too much - 5000 words. Hope it was not boring! I admit I tried being a bit sentimental but I really, really needed to watch Nadjai fall down the stairs or something – it suits her better if I may say so.
So stay tuned for more!
IHR over and out!