Happy Birthday To: Taki Haginosuke, October 29th!

Word Count: 195

Rating: K

Genre: Friendship.

Warnings: Not beta'd.

Notes: School stress plus deadlines plus NaNoWriMo in a few days plus bad day equals this... no, I'm not quite sure what it is either.

Woo! This is chapter FIFTY! Can you believe it? Neither can I! Thanks to everybody who has made it this far! Whether it be since the beginning of just for this chapter! I love you all! Now, enjoy!


Taki Haginosuke eyed the other boy warily.

"You play tennis?" Taki asked the boy, still eyeing him. After all, a kid that pale and thin could not have spent a lot of time outside playing tennis.

Hamasaki Takai nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. Doubles, generally. Which is why I need your help."

Taki continued his eyeing. "Why my help?" he asked, suspicious.

The Hamasaki boy glanced at the ground. "Because nobody else would…" he muttered, but Taki heard him.

Feeling bad for the boy, Taki decided to at least give him a shot. "All right, how good are you?" he asked bluntly.

Hamasaki flashed a grin, and pulled a ball and racket out of nowhere. Then, he poised to serve on to the empty court next to them, and before Taki could see the ball, it was already past him.

As Taki turned to address Hamasaki he saw a grin spread across his face. Taki smirked in return, and held out a hand for Hamasaki to shake.

"You've got yourself a deal."


Ending A/N: As always, reviews are appreciated! Wow... two months left! We're nearing the end of the year... and of this fic!

Next up: Muromachi Touji (whom I have taken a fondness too recently...) When?: October 31st!