Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me


Chapter Forty Four: The Chessmaster Takes the Court

Shuu and Ryou both breathed heavily whilst being seated on Rikkaidai's bleachers, both trying to breathe properly. Their match had taken a lot out of both of them, but at least their current state was better than what the twins had suffered through…by only a little.

Ryou was so exhausted that he couldn't even open his mouth, and a towel was draped over his head, cooling him down a little. Shuu was seated next to him, a water dispenser in his left hand. The rest of the team – minus Kevin – was looking at them in concern.

There was a ten minute intermission before the next match of singles three, and the authorities were cleaning up the courts in order to get ready for the next match, and Takahiro was examining his racquet strings. Over at Seigaku's side, the mood was rather sombre as Seigaku had just lost two straight games, and if they just lose one more game, it'll be over.

"Where's Kevin?" asked Haruki, looking left and right around him in search for the blonde. "I don't see him anywhere."

"He's giving Rika a phone call," said Kirihara. "Don't worry. He'll be back soon."

Shuu was breathing heavily, and glancing at his right hand which was trembling a little. 'My hand can't stop shaking,' he thought. He glanced at Takahiro who was examining his racquet strings, and to anyone who knew the Chessmaster, they could tell that he looked slightly worried. 'Takahiro, be careful.'

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"We won both doubles matches." Kevin was saying whilst on the phone with Rika. He was currently at the shelter not too far away from the vending machines, catching a quick drink at the same time, and updating Rika on the matches. "Things are going as planned so far. So don't worry and go for your operation."

"I see," said Rika. "Everything is going okay here as well. If everything goes as scheduled, I'll be going in for the operation in an hour or two. Shiki too. I can't be with the team now, so I'm counting on you to hold the fort there for now until I can return."

"I know," said Kevin, chuckling a little. "That's why you have to hurry up and return to us. The entire team misses you, and even the teachers at school miss you, and have been asking me when you'll be returning to school."

Rika laughed on the other end of the line. "It's really too bad." There was a slight pause. "Don't you have to return to the team soon? The next match is starting soon, isn't it?"

"Yeah," said Kevin, glancing at his watch. "I should be returning to the team soon. The next match is singles three. Takahiro will be playing in that match. If all goes well, the match will be over by the time that the singles three match had ended."

There was a slight pause before Rika spoke again, sounding serious. "Just don't underestimate them," she said. "Seigaku is the team that my brother had trained after all. And my father came from that school. And…" There was a slight pause before Rika spoke again, slight hesitance in her tone. "Tell Takahiro good luck for me, and for him to take it easy."

"Huh?" Kevin blinked in confusion.

"He'll understand what I mean," said Rika. "Hurry up and return to the team."

"Okay," said Kevin with a slight nod, though he knew that Rika can't see it. "We'll see you later. We'll be sure to hand you the championship medal before your operation."

Rika laughed. "We'll see about that. Rikkaidai will win, though I don't know if you can end the match before my operation."

Kevin smirked. "Doubting us?"

"Not really. It's just that we all knew Seigaku's strength. Hurry up and return to the team, Kevin."

"Okay. See you later."

"Yeah. Later." Click.

Kevin slipped his cellphone back into his pocket before walking past the vending machine where he had bought a can of Ponta earlier, before an empty drink can sailed over his head and landed neatly into the trash can not too far away from the blonde, and Kevin turned in his step only to see his twin standing at the vending machine, a can of orange Ponta in his hand, staring at him.

Kevin frowned inwardly.

"Kenneth," he muttered.

Kenneth frowned to himself. "Kevin."

"It definitely seems like we won't be able to face each other in a match after all," said Kevin curtly, looking at Kenneth in the eye. "The next match will be singles three. Rikkaidai will take the championship then."

"Really? I don't know about that," said Kenneth without a care in the world, taking a sip from his drink. "Igawaki Haruse will be in the next match of singles three. He's good. He's one of the best players in the Seigaku team. He's probably as good as Shinderui." He smirked. "We wouldn't lose just like this."

"Rika said the same thing too."

Kenneth raised an eyebrow. "Oh? She did?" he questioned. "That's interesting. That girl knew things that she has no way of knowing even before said things actually happened. It's that way back in America, and it seems like it's the same here in Japan as well."

"That's why Rika is our vice-captain," said Kevin.

"Regardless, we won't know the outcome of a match until we actually played," said Kenneth sharply. "Seigaku will defeat Rikkaidai and take the Kantou championship. The winner will be Seigaku, and I'll be your opponent in singles one."

"I wonder," said Kevin, narrowing his eyes. "It's true that I hadn't been able to beat you once in a tennis match yet even from when we're kids, but I'm no longer the same person that you knew, Kenneth."

Kenneth smirked. "Same here."

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"We will now begin the next match of singles three for the Kantou Regional finals! Kanagawa's Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Tanaka Takahiro versus Tokyo's Seishun Gakuen's Igawaki Haruse! Both players, please enter the court!"

The cheers from the cheerleaders of Rikkaidai Fuzoku was nearly deafening everyone present, and Takahiro was currently seated on the bench beside Kirihara, applying a new grip tape onto his racquet, adjusting it properly.

The Chessmaster was deep in thought, recalling what his doctor – Doctor Oishi – had said when he had gone to the hospital for his last check up three days ago as well as to go for his weekly nitric oxide injections appointments at the hospital.

Your tendinitis is getting worse, Tanaka-kun. If you don't hurry up and go through with the operation, you might even lose your ability to walk ever again.

Takahiro frowned inwardly. It's not like he wanted to delay the operation. It's just that he can't afford to take time off to go through with the operation now, especially with the finals of the Kantou tournament looming in the distance, and with Rika currently in the hospital, Rikkaidai can't afford to have another one of their players go into the hospital at present.

Takahiro stood up from the bench before shrugging off his jacket and walking to the courts where his opponent – a senior with caramel coloured hair and gray eyes was also making his way towards.

Haruki frowned slightly before turning towards Shuu. "Shuu, what is Takahiro's opponent like?" he asked. "Do you have any data on him?"

"Igawaki Haruse. A senior at Seigaku," said Shuu. "In terms of tennis ability and skill, I'll say that he's almost equal to last year's Fuji Syusuke."

"But our Chessmaster won't lose that easily as well," said Hikaru, turning towards the court where Takahiro and Haruse were now exchanging the usual customary handshake. "After all, Takahiro is one of our best players."

"But so is Igawaki," said Shuu grimly. "This match could really go either way. Takahiro might win…or he might lose."

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"One set match! Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Tanaka to serve!"

Takahiro was currently bouncing the tennis ball onto the court repeatedly whilst his opponent stood waiting on the other side of the court. And as Takahiro caught the ball into his left hand and looked towards his opponent, he felt all worries and concerns regarding this match as well as worries about his own health fade away.

This was just another match after all. And Igawaki Haruse was just another one of his opponents. One that he has to beat.

'I have to end this match as soon as possible,' thought Takahiro, glancing at Igawaki. 'There's no telling what may happen if I draw out this match.'

And he served.

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"Game! Seigaku's Igawaki! 2-2!"

Takahiro frowned to himself inwardly as he studied his opponent. Just like Rika, he could read an opponent's moves, something which he prided himself on, and the reason why he's called the Chessmaster, but this time, he could hardly read the movements of this guy.

'This guy…' Takahiro thought warily as he studied Haruse who was in turn, studying him. 'He won't be easy to deal with. It seems like this match will be much more difficult than I had first expected.'


Momoshiro gave a slight whistle.

"Man, he's good! Igawaki's opponent, that is," he said, impressed. "He can actually force Igawaki to go all out right from the beginning."

"Tanaka Takahiro, Rikkaidai Fuzoku's sophomore," said Kayama Shuuri calmly. "Class 2-5, the same class as Echizen Rika. In terms of tennis skill, he's easily in the top tier of Rikkaidai Fuzoku, second only to their captain and vice-captain as well as Kevin Smith. I'm not surprised that Igawaki had to go all out on him right from the beginning."

"Does Igawaki have a chance to win?" asked Kaidoh, turning towards Shuuri.

Shuuri shrugged. "This match could go either way," he admitted. "Both of them are equally skilled. And let's face it. Not even us –Igawaki's teammates – knew his true skill and ability level. I guess it all depends on who Lady Luck smiles at."

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"15-30!"

Takahiro breathed heavily as he glanced at Igawaki warily. As expected, this guy…wouldn't be easy. He can't afford to draw this match out. His doctor had warned him about long matches, and that his ankle wouldn't be able to withstand the strain of long matches, and that he has to avoid any injuries to his ankle if possible.

"Really, you have to be kidding," muttered Takahiro, pushing a lock of sweaty hair out of his eyes. "To think that this guy can actually push me this far. I hadn't been this desperate ever since the match with Rika."

And he tightened his grip onto the ball before throwing it up into the air, and his racquet impacted with the ball, adding an additional top-spin to the ball before the ball simply flew towards the net and before it could hit the net, it flew upwards, and everyone blinked.


"Did Takahiro add too much spin to the ball or something?" asked Hikari in confusion.

"No, that doesn't seem like a mistake that he would normally make," said his twin, equally confused.


The ball flew downwards again, and as Igawaki rushed to receive it, the ball landed onto the ground and crawled across the court without bouncing upwards, giving Takahiro one point, and the entire court fell silent.

'What the—?' Haruse thought, looking towards Takahiro's initial direction. 'What kind of serve is that?'

"It seems similar to the Moon Serve of Rika's," remarked Haruki. "That shot…is probably a variation of that."

"I call that the 'Altissimo Decrescendo'," said Takahiro, resting his racquet against his shoulder.

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"40-0!"

Takahiro breathed heavily. That new serve of his consumes a great deal of stamina and energy, and he could only use it for two games per match, but he can't afford to use up all his energy for this particular match as there's no telling how long the match will take him.

'I have no choice!' Takahiro thought as he served a normal serve to his opponent.

"It's a normal serve this time?"

Haruse frowned as he ran to receive the ball and returned it to Takahiro's side of the court only to have his eyes widening as he saw Takahiro ready to receive the ball with his racquet held by his side – above his head. As the ball came towards him, the racquet impacted so quickly with the ball that all Haruse and the rest of the Seigaku team saw was a blur before the ball entered Haruse's court, landing directly on the baseline, leaving quite a mark on it.

"Game! Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Tanaka! 3-2!"

"I call it 'Artemis Return'," said Takahiro, panting slightly.


Haruki smiled slightly, one finger to his chin as he watched the match currently going on before him. "That last return…it looks awfully like archery or something," he said.

"Artemis is the name of the moon goddess in Greek mythology," said Kevin, his fingers curled beneath his chin. "And she uses a silver bow and arrows as her weapon."

"Naturally, Takahiro knew that, of course," said Hikari, and Hikaru smirked. "Furthermore, most of his moves are named after musical pieces for some odd reason."

"Rika mentioned it to me once," said Kevin, frowning slightly. "Apparently, before Takahiro had taken up tennis, he's a violinist, a genius musician who excels at the violin. He's one of the world's most famous violinists, said to be a prodigy. He's the Music Maestro."

"But…" Ryou frowned a little, watching the match, wide awake for once as Takahiro's match is one that he definitely didn't want to miss. "Takahiro gives me the feeling that he's rushing through this match for some reason. He's been going all out right from the start, didn't he?"

"Now that you mention it…" muttered Kevin, turning towards Takahiro. "What is going on? Takahiro's style is that he usually draws his matches out as he read the moves of his opponents before countering. That's why he's known as the Chessmaster."

Meanwhile, on the bench, Kirihara was eyeing Takahiro nervously. He had just been to see Rika the previous day, and the dark-haired girl had told him that Takahiro's doctor had told her about the teen's current condition when Rika had ran into Doctor Oishi by chance in the hospital.

Kirihara gripped the sides of his arms nervously. 'Takahiro…'

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"Game! Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Tanaka! 4-3!"

Takahiro panted heavily, and on the other side of the court, Igawaki Haruse was also breathing heavily, hunched over on his hands and knees, trying to catch his breath back.

"I never thought that I'll actually get to see someone else who could actually force Igawaki to this state save for Shinderui," said Kayama Shuuri, impressed. "That Tanaka guy is good."

It was Seigaku's turn to serve right now, and Haruse was bouncing the ball repeatedly on the court as he got ready to serve. Takahiro, along with the rest of Rikkaidai's team knew by now that Haruse's style of tennis is only sticking to the basics like last year's Shintenhouji's captain, Shiraishi, yet he is actually skilled enough at the basics to be placed in the top tier of Seigaku's players.

Haruse served a pretty fast serve which landed in Takahiro's court, and he ran to receive it before returning it, and at the same moment when he returned it, a sharp stab of pain went through his ankle, and Takahiro bit on his lower lip to prevent himself from crying out.

'Not now!'

The ball whizzed past Takahiro's face just then, landing on the baseline of the court.

"15-0!"

Haruse frowned slightly as he studied Takahiro. The last ball that he had returned is simple enough for Takahiro to return. Why didn't he return it?

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"40-30!"

Shuu frowned as he studied Takahiro. The silver-haired teen's standing posture as he got ready to receive Haruse's ball was slightly different than usual. He seemed to be keeping most of his weight off his right foot for some odd reason.

"What's wrong with Takahiro?" Shuu wondered as Takahiro ran to receive Haruse's ball and returned it to his court. "He seems to be limping or something… Huh?" Shuu blinked as Takahiro steadied his posture. "It seems to be alright now…"

On the bench, Kirihara was sweating bullets. Rika had warned him about this, and told him to forfeit the match the moment Takahiro's injury acted up, but he also knew Takahiro, and knew that all of his players were all as stubborn as mules who wouldn't budge, no matter what he said, and neither would they forfeit a match.

'Takahiro… For your own sake, hurry up and end this match!' Kirihara thought nervously. 'You can't afford to play in long matches now!'

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Another sharp stab of pain went through Takahiro's ankle, and he fought back a cry of pain as he returned Haruse's ball which landed into the net.

"Fault! Game! Seigaku's Igawaki! 4-4!"

"Fault?" Haruki blinked, staring as Takahiro went towards Kirihara for a quick drink, and the two engaged themselves in conversation in relatively low voices so that no one could hear them, and Takahiro and Kirihara appeared to be arguing. "Takahiro wouldn't make an amateur mistake like that!"

"What is wrong with him?" wondered Ryou. "He's not acting like himself."

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"Game! Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Tanaka! 5-5!"

"Takahiro, what are you doing?" muttered Kevin, furrowing his brows together. "This isn't like you!"

Takahiro was panting heavily on the courts. He knew that he's reaching his limits, and he can no longer afford to draw out the match. The pain in his ankle was worsening with each moment, and he had been bearing with the pain throughout the entire match.

'I can't lose here! We promised Rika! We won't lose here! We can't lose here! I cannot afford to lose here!'

In his desperation, a strange aura had surrounded Takahiro, and all Rikkaidai players blinked as Takahiro used Hikari's Sonic Serve, attaining one point past a stunned Haruse. The seniors of Seigaku recognised what that was instantly, and all the Rikkaidai regulars knew what it was immediately.

"That is…" muttered Kirihara, his eyes threatening to bulge out of his eyes. "That is Muga no Kyouchi…"

"This is unbelievable…" muttered Ryou. "He can actually manage to achieve the first door in the middle of his match like this?"

"He's actually activated it?" said Kevin before he smiled. "Then that makes three people in our team who can use it."

"That is Ryou's Reflection Shot!"

"And the fukubuchou's Hahonryu!"

"40-0!"

Haruse panted heavily. 'Tanaka…to think that you are this strong…!' he thought. 'My apologies. But I cannot afford to lose here!'

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"Game! Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Tanaka! 6-5!"

"Game! Seigaku's Igawaki! 6-6! Tiebreak!"

'This is bad,' thought Kirihara to himself as he eyed Takahiro warily. 'The usage of the Muga no Kyouchi drains one's stamina and energy tremendously. And not to mention Takahiro's current state… Come on, Takahiro! End this match quickly!'


"32-31!"

"32-32!"

"33-32!"

'I…' thought Takahiro as he served to Haruse before dashing up to the net.

'I can't…' Haruse thought as he received the ball before rushing up to the net.

'I cannot afford to lose here!' Takahiro and Haruse both thought simultaneously as the ball landed in Rikkaidai's court, and Takahiro received it before a particularly sharp stab of pain went though his ankle once more, bad enough to cause him to nearly black out, and he bit back a cry of pain before returning the ball which hit the net.

"Fault! Game and match! Game won by Seishun Gakuen's Igawaki Haruse! 7-6!"

Takahiro stood on the court panting heavily. This was the best match that he had had in a long time ever since playing against Rika in a practice match in school. He might have lost the match, but he could feel that he's gotten stronger.

A whole lot stronger.

This match is over.

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The cheers from the cheerleaders and the tennis team of Seigaku nearly tore through the roof, startling several birds into flight from the nearby trees, causing those poor feathery creatures to think that it's the end of the world or something.

Seigaku was cheering as the two players of singles three met each other at the net, exchanging the usual customary handshake after a match. Kirihara had a rather grim expression on his face – a half-smile half-frown. He's not happy that Takahiro had lost, of course, but he knew that the teen had grown stronger with this match…a lot stronger.

Rika was right. Seigaku had that influence on their opponents to not only have Seigaku's own players growing stronger with each match, but they could also help their opponents to grow stronger even though they had lost.

"It's really too bad that Takahiro had lost, but I've never seen him play like that before," said Haruki thoughtfully. "I never knew that he is that strong. No, scratch that. He's grown stronger with this match."

"Hikari, Hikaru, Shuu and Ryou too," said Kevin wisely, and everyone turned towards him. He blinked. "You mean you guys didn't notice it? All four of you have grown stronger after your matches. You're all at National-level now. Takahiro too."

"Now that you mention it…" muttered Shuu.


Takahiro sighed as he exchanged the usual customary after-match handshake with Igawaki Haruse, his racquet tucked beneath his left arm. "I lost," he said simply. "Fair and square." He smiled. "You're really strong. I've never lost a match ever since I've played in a practice match with the vice-captain of my team."

Haruse smiled, releasing Takahiro's hand. "You can't fool me," he said, and Takahiro raised an eyebrow. Haruse sighed. "I'm not blind, Tanaka. You're…injured, right?" Takahiro's eyes widened a slight fraction, and Haruse sighed. "I knew it. If you were at full health and in tip-top condition, this match might have gone to you just as easily. You might even have beaten me if you were in tip-top condition." Haruse smiled. "You're as strong as me…no, probably even stronger. You might have beaten me if you weren't injured."

"Don't say anything about this to your teammates or mine," said Takahiro quickly. "Please."

Haruse blinked, but he nodded. "Well, I don't really understand why, but okay," he said. He then smiled. "I'll look forward to playing you again in the Nationals."

Takahiro smiled and nodded. "I'll look forward to that," he said. "But this time, I'll be the one to win."

Haruse smiled. "I'll look forward to that."


Seigaku was cheering themselves hoarse as Haruse walked back towards his team before nearly collapsing on the bleachers. It was like Seigaku was welcoming back a hero from some mission. Ryuzaki was smiling, nodding to Haruse.

"Good work, Igawaki," she said.

"Seigaku still has a chance to win!" said Momoshiro with a grin. "We wouldn't lose just like this!"

Kayama Shuuri smiled.


Over with Rikkaidai, Takahiro nearly collapsed on the bleachers, and Hikari and Hikaru was quick to bring Takahiro his water dispenser as well as a damp towel which Takahiro placed over his head, trying to cool himself down.

"Sorry guys," said Takahiro apologetically. "I lost."

Kirihara smiled but shook his head. "You've already did your best," he said, and the rest of the team nodded. "Leave the rest of it to us. We just need to win one more match." He winked at Takahiro. "Don't worry. Rika wouldn't blame you for this."

Takahiro smiled and nodded.

"We will now commence the next match of singles two for the Kantou Regional finals! Kanagawa's Rikkaidai Fuzoku's Yukimura Haruki versus Tokyo's Seishun Gakuen's Kayama Shuuri! Both players, please enter the court!"

Over with Seigaku, Kayama Shuuri smiled to himself before picking up his racquet and turning towards his team. "Well, I guess I'm up," he said, ready to make his way towards the court.

Over at Rikkaidai, Haruki unzipped his jacket before tossing it above his tennis bag and picking up his racquet, resting it against his shoulder.

"Don't take your opponent lightly, Haruki," said Takahiro warningly, and the normally happy-go-lucky sophomore nodded.

"I know," said Haruki. "I'll end the match as soon as possible. With that…" He stretched lightly before glancing towards his opponent and then turning towards the court. He smiled. "I guess that I'm up next."