Rolling Memory
LeoniaOtaku
Prince of Tennis (テニスの王子様Tenisu no Ōjisama) belongs to Takeshi Konomi
Author just owns the OC and this Fanfiction
Chapter 14 : Captain
"… I need to give him the message."
"A message, huh?" Chiharu though when remembering what Tezuka said from the other day, as she scribbles on her notebook. "Being a captain is so troublesome."
Chiharu takes glances to Ryoma who sits next to Horio. This afternoon, their class had a group assignment. Chiharu works with Haruka and Mio. They decide to divide the job so that they can leave earlier. But as they expect, Chiharu already finishes earlier than the two. Therefore, right now she just playing with her pencil, looking outside, or daydreaming.
"Ne, Chiharu-chan. Do you understand this question?" Mio asks.
"Hm? Oh, you can find that answer at the previous page," Chiharu answers straightly after reading the question.
"Really!? I already search for 15 minutes!" Mio shock, hear that Chiharu can find the answer quickly.
"Mio, you're stupid," Haruka mocks her.
"Shut up, it's not like you're better," Mio answer back and sticks out her tongue.
"At least I listening to the teacher, not like someone," Haruka replies which make Mio pouting.
"Mou! Ne, Chiharu-chan! Haruka tease me again!" Mio complains to Chiharu while hugging her. "Scold her!"
"I'm not your mom, you know," Chiharu lets out chuckle and pets Mio hair. "Haruka, don't always tease her," Chiharu says to the other girls.
"Okay okay, mom~" Haruka replies her and does a salute pose.
"As I said, I'm not you guys mom!" Chiharu says with sweatdrop.
"You girls are noisy!" comment from one boy from the group next to Chiharu.
"Just because you guys in a group with Chiharu-sama, you guys can act so freely!" add another boy.
Hearing that, Haruka lets out a smug face and Mio just giggling. Chiharu just tilts her head confuse with the reaction that the girls give.
"Hah, just say that you guys jealous because you can't get close to Chiharu-chan, like us!" Haruka says and hugs Chiharu.
"Wha-!? Get off from Chiharu-sama!" shout the boys and pointing their finger to Haruka.
"Geez… Boys are the worst, right Chiharu-chan?" Mio says and joins in hugging Chiharu.
Chiharu just sweatdrop with the situation. She let out a sigh and shakes both of the girls off before turn to the boys.
"We are sorry if we are too noisy. We will try to keep down," Chiharu says with a smile which results the boys have red faces.
"No-no! It's okay, Chiharu-sama!" says one of the boys flustered.
"Also, please drop the -sama. It actually makes me feel uncomfortable," Chiharu adds and rubs the back of her neck.
"We-we are sorry! Chiharu-sama… Ah, I mean, Chiharu-san!"
"Arigatou," Chiharu replies then looks at her friends. "Both of you, stop teasing them. You made it worse."
"Hehe, sorry Chiharu-chan," Mio says with a sheepish smile.
"Anyway, let's finish the work and visit the crepe place you guys says yesterday," Chiharu says which makes both Haruka and Mio faces light up.
"Oh! Finally, we can hang out after school!" Mio cheers.
"But, don't you need to watch the practice?" Haruka asks, refers to Seigaku practice.
"Ah, it's okay. Today, I have to do the shopping for the club's need after all," Chiharu says and glances at Ryoma for a second. "And, I can do it after hang with you guys."
"What flavor do you want, Chiharu-chan?" Haruka asks.
"I want a strawberry one!" Mio answers.
"I asked Chiharu, not you, idiot," Haruka says which blank look.
"Hmph, you're not fair!" Mio says with a pout.
"Come on, why you guys always fighting," Chiharu says with sweatdrop. "Anyway, I want the Choco banana one."
"Okay, then I want matcha. Excuse me!" Haruka says and places the order while Chiharu and Mio wait at the bench under the tree.
"Hmmm… If I remember, they are going to meet at 3 pm. It's still 2 pm, I can still make it," Chiharu says to herself after glances to her watch.
"What are you thinking, Chiharu-chan?" Mio asks.
"No, it's nothing. I just tried to remember the things that I need to buy," Chiharu lied with her usual smile.
"Heee… I never expect Chiharu-chan can even forget something," Mio says which makes Chiharu look at her confused.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, in our eyes, Chiharu-chan looks perfect in all ways. Beautiful, smart, kind, athletic, friendly, and many more. You're just to perfect! I'm happy that I can become your friend!" Mio answer happily.
"Perfect, huh…." Chiharu says with a sad smile. "I'm not perfect, Mio. There are many things that I lack off too."
Before Mio says anything, Haruka arrives at their table with three crepes on her hand.
"Sorry for the waiting! Hm? What you are guys talking about?" Haruka asks when to notice Chiharu expression.
"No, it's nothing. It's had nothing to do with you, Haruka. Bleh!" Mio says and stuck her tongue.
"Huh!? You talked about me on my back, huh!? Then you don't need this crepe!" Haruka says and takes a bite to the strawberry crepe.
"AH! MY CREPE!" Mio shouts in panic and stands up and tries to take her crepe. "Give back!"
"No way~"
Chiharu lets out a chuckle which makes both of her friends stop fighting. They look at her before look at each other, then let out a laugh too.
"You guys are really close," Chiharu says after wipes tear from her eyes.
"Well, we are a childhood friend after all. Here," Haruka answers and give the crepe back to Mio.
"And since elementary school, Haruka already annoying," Mio adds glaring to Haruka which she replies with a laugh.
"Here yours" Haruka gives Chiharu's crepe.
"Thank you," Chiharu replies and looks at the crepe with a smile. "I'm kinda envious with both of you."
"About what? Childhood friend?" Haruka asks and takes a bite of her crepe and Chiharu answers with a nod.
"Chiharu-chan don't have childhood friends?" Mio adds.
"No, it's not like that. I have one actually. However, I think he already forgot about me," Chiharu answer with a close eye smile and rub her neck.
"Oh, it's boy," / "He is worse!"
Both Haruka and Mio give a different reaction. Chiharu just laughs it off.
"Ah, Let's stop this talk," Chiharu says and scratch her cheek with her index finger "I'm getting embarrassed."
"No, we should continue! I need to know the worse guy!" Mio demands.
"Well, it's about boy, I get interested in the topic," Haruka adds with her playful smile.
"No, I don't hear you guys," Chiharu answer and turn around to walk.
"Ah, Chiharu-chan, watch out!" Haruka says.
Before Chiharu can understand Haruka warn, she bumps someone which results Chiharu drops her crepe.
"Sorry, are you okay?" asks someone who holds Chiharu shoulder, prevent her from falling.
"Yes, thank you. Sorry for bumping you," Chiharu says and looks up to find a boy with red hair and mint bubble gum on his mouth.
"Ah, the crepe!" another boy with messy orange hair notice Chiharu's crepe already on the ground.
"Ah, such waste," Haruka comments.
"Chiharu-chan has not taken a bite from it," Mio adds.
"It's our fault. Let me buys another one for you," the red hair says.
"Oh, no it's okay! It's my fault too, I'm not looking," Chiharu shakes her head.
"Let me buy it!" the orange hair says and already dashes to the crepe stand.
"No, wait! It's okay!" Chiharu says in a panic however the boy already far from her. "Um… I'm really sorry," Chiharu bow to the red hair.
"Ahahaha, it's okay. We will feel bad if we do not do anything," he says and notices Chiharu uniform. "You guys… from Seigaku?"
"Ah, yes. You're a tennis player from Rikkaidai right?" Haruka asks which makes them surprises.
"You know him?" Mio asks.
"Well, he famous you know. As one of the handsome guys in Rikkaidai. Some girls talk about him," Haruka answers.
"Oh, I don't know that I'm that famous," he answers and blew his gum. "Anyway, my name-"
"Marui Bunta, 3rd year," Chiharu cuts him which makes the gum explode.
"You know my name too!" He says in surprise.
"Chiharu-chan, you're his fans?" Mio asks curiously with how both her friends know him.
"Of course not," Chiharu answer which makes Marui feel an arrow stab him. "I just read about him from Inui-senpai book."
"Inui… Inui Sadaharu?" Marui asks and Chiharu answers with a nod.
"I'm back~" says the orange hair boy, return with three crepes on his hand. "Here, if I'm not mistaken, you have Choco banana earlier," he says and gives the crepe to Chiharu.
"Arigatou, Akutagawa-san," Chiharu says with a smile and bite the crepe. "Oh, it's good."
"Eh? My name…" Akutagawa confuse.
"Apparently, she from Seigaku and acquittance with Inui. You know him, right?" Marui explains.
"Ah, I can't be late! I need to go!" Chiharu says after check her watch.
"Late?" Haruka asks confuse. "The store is not going to close."
"Sorry, I need to go. I see you guys tomorrow," Chiharu says to her friends.
"Un, see ya!" Mio says and waves her hand.
"Marui-san, Akutagawa-san, thank you for the crepe," Chiharu says with little bow before walk away.
"Wait! What is your name?" Marui asks, grab Chiharu's hand.
"Shigeko Chiharu. First-year and Seigaku boy tennis club manager," Chiharu answer with smile.
Marui and Akutagawa blush when seeing Chiharu smile. Marui release Chiharu's hand which she replies with bowing again and starts to walk away. However, after three meters, Chiharu stops and turn around face Marui.
"Oh, right! Please say hello to Yukimura-san for me!" Chiharu shouts and continue her walk.
"Huh? Yukimura-buchou?" Marui asks in surprise to hear the name come out from Chiharu's mouth. "How can she know Yukimura-buchou?"
The sound of tennis ball can be heard to Chiharu ears. She finally arrives at the tennis court under the railroads. She can see that Ryoma and Tezuka already start their match. Oishi standing outside the court, quite far from them.
"If you always frown, you'll get older faster, senpai," Chiharu says which makes Oishi surprise to see her already standing behind him.
"Shigeko-san, why you here!?"
"Good afternoon."
Instead, answer Oishi question, Chiharu answers him with greet. Let out a sigh, knowing that she has the same reason as his.
"How can you skip practice?" he asks.
"I'm not skipping, I'm doing an errand," Chiharu says and lift a plastic bag on her hand. "Not like someone who skips, said that they are sick," Chiharu adds with a smirk.
"Sometimes you're not acting like a first-year," Oishi replies with a sigh.
"Thank you."
"It's not compliments."
"I know."
Chiharu confidence makes Oishi let out another sigh. On the other hand, Chiharu just let out a chuckle from the mother Seigaku reaction.
"Anyway, what is the situation?" Chiharu asks and looks at the match in front of her.
"As you can see, Tezuka is lead," Oishi answers.
"Hmm… I wonder if he can keep that arm," Chiharu comments which make Oishi look at her surprises. "Ignoring my warning from the other day, he really something, huh?"
Before Oishi can say anything, suddenly Tezuka and Ryoma have a conversation. This makes both Chiharu and Oishi stay silent and listening to them.
"Echizen, why do you play tennis?" Tezuka asks.
"I have someone I want to defeat," Ryoma answers and serves.
"Nanjirou-san…" Chiharu though, knowing the answer.
"You're playing tennis for the sake of defeating someone. Is that enough for you, Echizen?"
"What do you mean?"
"What will you have left after that?"
Ryoma becomes silent hearing that. Both of them continue the rally. Not getting any answer from Ryoma, Tezuka decides to continue his question.
"What are you going to do after you defeat him? What will you be left with?"
"Instead of thinking that far ahead… I have to concentrate on the opponent at hand!"
Tezuka changes his position to hit back Ryoma shot. Notices the stance, Oishi gets surprises. Chiharu catches her senior reaction.
"It's drop shot…" she muttered.
Tezuka hits drop shot. The ball touches the court and roll back to the net. Ryoma does not move from his spot, knowing he can't return it.
"Echizen, see if you can beat me!" Tezuka says to Ryoma which makes him express excitement on his face.
Chiharu let out a sigh then smile. She adjusts her bag before the turnaround.
"Where are you going, Shigeko-san?" Oishi asks.
"Home," Chiharu answers short and stars walk. "I know the result already."
"Wait. I still have a question for you!" Oishi says make Chiharu stops her walk.
"What is it?"
"How can you know about Tezuka injure? You still not answer our question."
"Oh, that…" Chiharu lower her head, made her bang cover her eyes. "Hm… well, I just know. It's manager job to know their player condition, right?" Chiharu lifts her head with a cheeky smile on her face.
"Huh? What with that answer?"
"Anyway, I'll go now," Chiharu says. "Oh right, please tell the captain to meet me tomorrow. See you tomorrow, senpai."
"Wait!"
Chiharu does not stop her walks. She just waves her hand and smiles.
After walks far from the court, Chiharu decides to take a stop at the nearby park. She sits down at the swing. She looks at her right hand and let out a sad smile.
"Act as a captain huh…." Chiharu muttered and clench her hand and hit her knee softly. "Damn."
Chiharu let out a sigh. She swinging the swing and looks at the sky.
"I'm lost. As I expect, he is such a good captain."
-:-:- Rolling Memory -:-:-
TBC