Note- after Hyoutei arc, before Rikkai arc
Hiyoshi x Kirihara
Sometimes, I really hated Kirihara Akaya. He was annoying, he was overconfident and he never loses. That must be the most frustrating of all his traits.
The only thing we had in common was that we both aimed for victory. My aim was to bring down my captain from his pedestal. Kirihara wanted to defeat the three demons. And that ambition was what brought us together. First as training buddies. Nothing less, nothing more. But then, it did become more. Much more.
"You let a little Seigaku freshman beat you?" he murmured. "And you expect to be able to compete with me?"
See? Annoying and overconfident. But true. Every time we played, he came out victorious. Not that I was weak. I took some games myself, though my endurance was never enough. Which, as I said, it's frustrating.
"You shouldn't underestimate him," I said stiffly. "He's a better player than you think."
Kirihara snorted, a soft expulsion of breath that nearly made me shiver. "Are you making excuses, Hiyoshi?"
"No," I sighed, then rolled over to face Kirihara. "You should be careful. Echizen has a surprising style of tennis." It reminded me a little of Kirihara's. I'm not able to predict what either of them would do.
"Surprising?" whispered Kirihara, closing his eyes, as I tangled my fingers in the strands of hair at the back of his head.
I watched how slumber took fast claim of him. It had been a long day (and an equally long night) for the both of us. The last thing I registered, was the serene face of Kirihara as he slept.
2/15/10
