Rolling Memory
Hamu-Leonia04
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 20 : Seigaku VS (2/3)
After the commotion caused by Momoshiro, it's time to move to the next double match. Chiharu watching Kikumaru stretching in front of her with a smile.
"Kikumaru-senpai, fighting!" Chiharu says as she pumps her hand up.
"Of course! I will show you my cool acrobatic play-nya~!" Kikumaru replies and walks to the court, where Oishi already waiting for his partner.
Chiharu sits back next to Sumire and unconsciously humming happily makes Sumire chuckle. This makes Chiharu tilt her head to the Seigaku coach.
"What's the matter, Sumire-san?" Chiharu asks.
"No, it's nothing. You seem to look forward to this match," Sumire answers which make Chiharu blushes.
"It is that obvious?" Chiharu asks in surprise and covers her face. "Ugh... I'm embarrassed,"
"Ahahaha, it's okay. You look cute," Sumira says and pet Chiharu head.
"I'm not kid, Sumire-san," Chiharu pout and move away from Sumire's hand and look at the golden pair who already standing in front of the net with their opponent. "I'm so happy to watch the match this close because I miss their previous match,"
"We will now start the second match of the quarterfinals in D-block with the first doubles,"
Both of the teams are standing on their court, starting with Seigaku serves.
"Eiji, let's do our best," Oishi says as he takes the stances to serve.
"Ok," Kikumaru answers excitedly and looks back at his opponent.
Chiharu takes out her note and flips the pages to St. Rudolph's information. She takes a glance at the opponent, which is Akazawa, St. Rudolph captain.
"He seems to be good to play single, why Mizuki-san place him in doubles?" Chiharu though and look at Mizuki who has his usual cocky look. Chiharu shakes her head and looks back at her golden pair senior. "Kikumaru-senpai, Oishi-senpai, please be careful,"
"Game won by St. Rudolph. Game count 2-0, St. Rudolph leads!" the referee announces.
Everyone becomes noisy from the sight. No one expects that the golden pair get pushed back.
"Seigaku's golden pair had their serve broken!" Inoue dumbfounds state.
"Do you notice, Chiharu?" Sumire asks and narrowing her eyes.
"Yes. They are attacking Kikumaru-senpai," Chiharu answers and bites her nail. "They are planning to crush one member of the golden pair,"
"They're so persistent... I hate this style of play. If that the case...," Kikumaru complains to himself and returns the ball with his own style, make Akazawa smirk.
"I see. He's countering his hated style by attacking with his favorite style. I admire your cleverness, but it can't last forever!" Akazawa though and return the ball.
Chiharu twitches her eyes when she watching the ball flew back to Kikumaru. Kikumaru does a diving volley to return the ball but it hit outside the court, resulting an out.
"That was close," Akazawa muttered with a smirk.
"Eiji, don't worry about it. It seems like they've concentrated their attack on you," Oishi says move closer to Kikumaru. "Don't over-exert yourself. I'll cover you. Let's slow down the pace,"
However, Kikumaru doesn't respond to Oishi at all and still catches his breath. Oishi calls Kikumaru again and grabs his shoulder which finally makes Kikumaru look at him in wonder before return to his cheerful self.
Seeing this, Chiharu frowned her eyebrow and look at Mizuki from the corner of her eyes, to find him smirking.
"He got us this time," Chiharu muttered before look back to Kikumaru.
"How can the golden pair of Oishi-senpai and Kikumaru-senpai be having problems?" Kachiro asks in worried.
"Only Kikumaru-senpai is being attacked," Katsuo adds.
"Eiji's concentration has got worse," Fuji comments when Kikumaru ball hit the net. "He made a lot of unforced errors. It just means Akazawa-kun is putting a lot of pressure on him,"
"That's not at all," Inui cuts Fuji. "Akazawa is great at singles, but still an amateur at doubles. There must be a reason they used him in this situation," Inui state and look at Chiharu who stare at him. Chiharu gives Inui a nod before put her hand to her mouth to think. "The reason to use him in this situation... Which means their aim is really on Kikumaru-senpai but what it is..."
Chiharu looks up to the sun. She shades her eyes with her left hand and the other is fanning herself. "But still it's really hot today," Chiharu comments.
"Are you okay?" Ryuzaki asks in concern.
"I'm okay thank you. I'm more worried to the player," Chiharu replies with a smile before wide her eyes. "That's it!"
"Hey, does it look like there are 5 or 6 balls?" Ryoma suddenly asks and rubs his eyes.
"What are you talking about, Echizen?" Horio asks.
"You notice it too? I thought I'm only the one who notices it," Chiharu asks Ryoma which he replies with a nod. "The balls hit by that big guy in St. Rudolph," Ryoma explains make everyone watches the ball that hit by Akazawa. Both Chiharu and Ryoma growl and rub their eyes. Inui focuses his eyes on the Akazawa racket and finds out the technique.
"Akazawa-san hit the ball backhand at the top center. Instead of using the sweet spot, he uses the impact of the racket to return it. That ball tends to show lines of multiple balls," Inui explains and lifts his glasses. "Usually normal people not notice it..."
"But, Kikumaru-senpai has the ability to distinguish the moving object. This disadvantages him. Not only that, but the sun also made it worse," Chiharu adds and watching the balls that Akazawa hit again.
"My eyes hurt. It's getting tired," Ryoma complains and rubs his eyes again.
"No doubt," Inui says noticing his junior behavior.
"Really? You see 5 or 6 balls?" Horio asks in surprise. "I only see one,"
"No, it's 8," Chiharu says and frowns her eyebrow when Kikumaru hit the net again.
"Eh!? 8!?" the trio freshmen shout in surprise.
"Net! 40-0!" the referee announces.
"This must be hard for Kikumaru-senpai," Chiharu muttered and glare to Mizuki who smirking at her. "You sly fox!"
"Chiharu calms down," Ryuzaki reminds her.
"Hai, I'm sorry," Chiharu answers and takes a breath to calm herself.
"It's too late now, Kikumaru-kun is all ours. A person can only concentrate for so long. Time's almost up for him," Mizuki comments as he habitually twisting his hair with his finger.
"Kikumaru-senpai is not that weak," Chiharu state and look at Mizuki from the corner of her eyes.
"Hmph, let's just see," Mizuki cockily replies.
Kikumaru started to twisted his racket around his wrist showing his serious expression.
"Kikumaru's will has not died yet," Inui states make the trio freshmen look at their senior in wonder.
"You remember what those two are called right?" Fuji adds referring to Oishi and Kikumaru.
"The golden pair," Chiharu adds which smirks and glances at Oishi who notices her. He gives her a nod which she replies the same. Hearing that, the trio freshmen getting excited again and cheer to their senior.
The match continues with Kikumaru holding a rally with Akazawa. This makes the others mutters how awesome Kikumaru is. Kikumaru successfully returns the ball with jumping, however when he about to land to the court, he loses his balance. Akazawa sees this as a chance and returns the ball to Kikumaru.
"Crumble, Kikumaru!" Akazawa shouts when he hit the ball.
"Kikumaru-senpai! Watch out!" Chiharu shouts in surprise to see the ball is aim at Kikumaru's face.
"Heh no, Kappa!" Kikumaru says with a smile and playfully dodges it. Oishi already stands behind Kikumaru and lifts his racket.
"Too bad Akazawa. This is doubles!" Oishi states and drags his racket on the court before hit the ball.
"That's Oishi best move," Fuji states with his usual close eye smile. "He'll drop the ball with pinpoint precision to the open area. A center lob topspin volley,"
"Moon volley," Chiharu muttered as she watches the ball land on the other side of the court, right on the line.
"He aimed for the spot just inside the line," Akazawa muttered in surprise.
"Nope," Kikumaru cut him as he tries to catches his breath. "Oishi wasn't aiming for just inside the line,"
"What?" Akazawa turns his body to Kikumaru.
"He aimed it right on the line," Kikumaru finished with a smirk.
"G...Great! That's what the golden pair is all about!"
"I thought for a second that it was all over,"
"Oishi-senpai is way too cool!"
The trio freshmen comments with tears on their eyes. On the other hand, Mizuki glares both Kaneda and Akazawa, knowing that his plan is going to ruin again.
The matches continue and Seigaku able to catches up the point which Oishi scoring with moon volley. Kikumaru movement has also become better.
"Eiji moves better when playing against a strong opponent. He leads the opponent on and Oishi comes at the best time... To drop a ball in the open court" Fuji states watching their golden pair comeback.
"Game won by Seigaku! 2-2!" The referee announces.
Chiharu lowers her head and covers her face with her notebook. This makes Ryuzaki looks at her before a laugh.
"What it is, Chiharu?" she playfully asks and Chiharu just shakes her head.
"It's not fair," Chiharu muttered when she watches both Kikumaru and Oishi exchange a look. "Both of them just too cool,"
Hearing this the team can't avert their eyes for their manager cuteness. Kikumaru looks back at Chiharu and gives a peace sign to her which makes her blush and replies to him with the same sign.
"She never acts like that before," Ryoma muttered and pull down his cap.
"Even with Tezuka," Inui adds and pulls out his notebook.
"She really interesting, right, Tezuka?" Fuji asks with his close eye smile to Tezuka who clear his throat and muttered his catchphrase "don't let your guard down,"
"It's not fair, it's not fair! I want her to act like that to me too!" Momoshiro states and grabs the fences.
"Fshuuu... You're not cool," Kaidoh muttered but still caught by Momoshiro.
"What the hell, viper!?" "What do you want, stupid head!?"
"Come on, calm down," Taka tries to stop Kaidoh and Momoshiro bickering.
"What happened?" Chiharu asks noticing the team become noisy.
"No- it's nothing," the Seigaku team simultaneously replies.
Chiharu lifts her eyebrow in confusion and looks back at the golden pair who seem whispering about something.
"Chiharu-chan it's so dense," Haruka states with chuckles.
"She is," Mio nods in agreement with her childhood friend.
"That's one of her traits," Fuji adds to make the two girls look at him in surprise.
"Seigaku's Oishi to serve!" the referee announces.
Akazawa can feel that Mizuki is glaring at him.
"Kaneda, we'll aim for Oishi's backhand," Akazawa states to his partner but Kaneda doesn't respond. "What's wrong, Kaneda?"
"Captain, that's..." Kaneda answers and points his finger to the other side of the court.
At there, Oishi and Kikumaru have unusual formation. Both of them stand not on either side of the court but at the centerline. This formation makes everyone confused. Seeing this Chiharu let out a smirk.
Oishi serves, make the others comment that they leave both sides open. As Akazawa runs to return the ball to the other side where Kikumaru moves, Oishi already waiting there and return the ball with moon volley. This makes them surprise with how fast their moves.
"They finally try it," Chiharu proudly says.
"It can't be... That formation is Australian formation!" Mizuki states glance to Chiharu who already smirking at him. He frowned his eyebrow knowing the meaning for her smirk. "Take that,"
Inui smile with how the golden pair do the formation. He glances at Chiharu who has an excited expression on her faces. He closed his eyes, remembering how she proposes the formation before.
Flashback
"No, no, Kikumaru, that's not how you do it," Inui scolds make Kikumaru and Oishi stop their activities.
"That toast or something is really hard Inui," Kikumaru complains.
"Toast or something..." Chiharu sweat drop hearing the comment. "It's Australian formation, Kikumaru-senpai!"
"The transforming formation doesn't work if you two aren't in sync," Inui states.
"That's right. Not only Oishi-senpai but Kikumaru-senpai should read your partner's moves. If you can master this, you can make your opponent panic," Chiharu adds.
"Don't worry. It will be fine somehow," Kikumaru playfully replies before move back to his stands.
"Now, now..." Inui says with a sigh and watching the golden pair try the formation again. He glances at Chiharu who watches them with a smile. Notice his stare, she lifts and tilt her head to Inui.
"Is there something on my face?" Chiharu asks.
"No, I want to know why suddenly you propose this formation to them. This formation is on the hard level," Inui states in wonder before lifting his glasses.
"Hmm... Why, huh..." Chiharu hums as she put her finger to her chin. "Because it's cool!"
"Huh?"
"Doesn't you think it would be cool to see both of them move in sync?"
Inui look at her in dumbfound make her laugh.
"You should look at your expression right now, senpai," She wipes the tear on her eyes before look back at the golden pair. "I know that this formation is difficult however I want them to achieve this. Australian formation can become one of their strong weapons,"
"Hmm... I can see your point," Inui replies with a smile.
"Don't worry, they will master it," Chiharu adds before turn back to Inui which a closed eye smile. "After all, they are Seigaku golden pair!"
Present
"It's really strong weapon," Inui muttered with a satisfied smile.
The match continues. Both Kikumaru and Oishi still use their Australian formation making Akazawa and Kaneda can't return the point.
Until Akazawa finally snap when he hit the ball on the net. He let out a frustrate scream making everyone silent. He walked back at his place with everyone wondering what the hell just happened.
He squats down to ties his shoes. Chiharu can see that Akazawa is muttering about something with being single he is the best or something like that. Kaneda stands in front of him and asks if Akazawa can give him support for his plan. However, not listening to it, Akazawa decides to push him on the shoulder, make Kaneda stumble backward.
"Shut up and do your thing!" he snaps.
"Hmph. He is done. He let up his ego. I'm disappointed," Chiharu though and glances at Mizuki. "Is this what you want as their manager?"
"Akazawa, you bastard! They're attacking us as a pair! This is not singles but doubles! You got that, you bastard!" Kaneda suddenly shouts make Chiharu snap out from her though of Mizuki. She glances back to Kaneda and Akazawa to find Akazawa replies back with screaming at his partner but his faces show that he already calms down.
Chiharu blinks her eyes not expecting what just happened. She lets out a hum before lean back to the bench. "What is that. He is not bad. You still have a decent player after all,"
When the match continues, Kaneda able to find a way to handle the Australian formation. This makes Akazawa amaze with his partner and decides to support his plan and St. Rudolph able to catch with 3-2.
It's finally broken, both of the players walk back to the bench. When Kikumaru about to reach the bench, he stumbles a bit make Chiharu caught his shoulder. With frowning her eyebrow, she asks Kikumaru to sit down and place a wet towel on his head. She squats down in front of him to check Kikumaru's condition who keeps his head down still trying to catch his breath.
"Eiji, you should have some fluids too," Oishi inform to ease his partner and place a water bottle next to him but Kikumaru doesn't response. "Shigeko-san," Oishi calls to Chiharu which she replies with a nod. She grabs the bottle and put it in front of Kikumaru.
"Here is the water, Kikumaru-senpai," Chiharu says with a smile make Kikumaru finally look at her.
"Th-thank you..." Kikumaru says with a tired smile and grabs the bottle.
Chiharu stands up and walks to Oishi.
"If this continues, Kikumaru-senpai will not make it," Chiharu informs the vice-captain make Oishi wide his eye and look at his partner. "That's why I want to ask your help," Chiharu states and whisper something to Oishi.
"Members please return to the court!" the referee announces.
Both of the teams walk into the court. Oishi still in his though after hearing what Chiharu has proposed to him not realizing that Kikumaru still sits on the bench until the referee told him to enter the court.
"Eiji!" Oishi calls Kikumaru in worried and walks back to the bench.
"Kikumaru-senpai," Chiharu softly calls as she squats down again, to make her present in Kikumaru's view. "Can you continue?"
"Ye-yeah..." Kikumaru answers and slowly stand up which Chiharu follows. She takes back the towel on Kikumaru's faces. She gives him a nod before step away to let Kikumaru walk back to the court.
Oishi looks back at Kikumaru and Chiharu before follow his partner in the court. Chiharu lets out a sigh and sits down with Ryuzaki. She gives a pet on Chiharu head, to ensure her.
Unfortunately, the match continues with the result that Seigaku not expecting. It's already 6-5, with St. Rudolph lead. Not only that, for the last 2 games, Oishi only plays by himself because Kikumaru can't move his body anymore. He only stands with his head down. This sight is hurt to watches.
"40-0!"
"It finally matches point!"
"It's okay. You guys lasted longer than my calculations," Mizuki arrogantly state and glances at Chiharu. "Nice game, it's it?"
"Keep your mouth because it's still not over," Chiharu says back and folds her hand.
"Not over? It's already the match point and one of your players can't move anymore," "So?"
Mizuki frowned his eyebrow from the responses that Chiharu gives. He scoffed and look back at his team. "She is not cute at all,"
St. Rudolph supporters start to chant 'one more point'. However, Oishi still able to hold the rally with facing the other doubles team.
Kaneda hit a drop volley expecting Oishi can't run after it, but still Oishi return it with a lob. St. Rudolph smirk seeing this return.
"He went it too deep! It's a trap!" Inui states.
"This is the end for you, Oishi!" Akazawa shouts as he runs and hit the ball with a jumping smash.
"Kusoo!" Oishi shout and run after the ball stretching his racket. "I can't make it!"
Suddenly a shadow past behind Oishi. He leans his body and jumps to receive the ball.
Everyone wide their eyes from the sight. The one who returns the ball is Kikumaru. "Oishi, sorry for the wait," Kikumaru says to Oishi with his usual cheerful smile. "I finished recharging!"
Everyone screaming to Kikumaru names which he replies with 'hoi hoi' and small hand waves.
"He's recovered? No way..." Mizuki muttered and bite his smile. "Did they throw away two games just for this?"
"We are," Chiharu answers him and claps her hand. "Surprise!"
"You brat!" Mizuki growled.
"I thought you couldn't make it," Oishi says with a relieved sigh. "Okay, time for our counter-attack!"
The match continues until the 40-30 match point. Everyone cheers for the surprise that the golden pair gives.
"Kikumaru didn't move for 2 games. Oishi covered for him. All to regain his stamina. Even though it was match point..." Mizuki though and look back at Chiharu. "How reckless she is!"
Kaneda gives two faults for his serves resulting in deuce much for Mizuki displeasure.
"Your plan is worked out," Ryuzaki praised Chiharu.
"Hai," Chiharu replies with a smile. "I hope..."
Chiharu grabs her hand in worried. Even though they able to come back, Kikumaru still not in his best condition. He can fall down anytime. She put her hand to her mouth, and pray. "Please... a little bit more,"
Akazawa decides to use his blurred shot again to Kikumaru think he can fall for it again. However, much to his surprise, Kikumaru closes his eye and ducked his head down which Oishi already behind him waiting to return the ball with moon volley. Seeing this, Akazawa and Kaneda hurriedly ran behind. Oishi sees this and smirk. He changes his form and gives a drop volley.
Finally, Seigaku 6-6, resulting in them moving into a tiebreak. Everyone cheers for this. However not for Chiharu. She frowned her eyebrow when she saw Kikumaru's expression. He gives a smile to Oishi, but when Oishi turns his back, Kikumaru can't cover his tired faces anymore.
"Don't worry. The senpais will just win the next 7 points to win!" Horio says to Tomoka when she asks about tiebreak to Inoue.
"You right, they are good after all!" Tomoka cheers.
"It's not good at all," Chiharu muttered and bites her tongue. "For tiebreak, they have to score 7 out of 12 points to win. Kikumaru-senpai can't handle it,"
The tiebreak starts. Seigaku able to lead by 2 points first. This makes St. Rudolph get dishearten.
"Look Chiharu, they're getting impatient. It's all Seigaku right now," Ryuzaki states but Chiharu doesn't respond to her, make her look at her confused. "Chiharu?"
Then like what Chiharu fears happen. Kikumaru gives a serve, Akazawa returns it. Oishi calls Kikumaru to receives it and Kikumaru runs after it. However, not like what they expected, Kikumaru stumbles and he falls to the court.
"3-1. St. Rudolph's point!"
Everyone dumbfounds from this, even Akazawa and Kaneda who gain their point. Oishi asks Kikumaru in worried but Kikumaru ensures him that he is fine. The tiebreak continues with a long rally. Everyone becomes silent from the sight.
Chiharu leans back to the bench with a smile and leans her head to Ryuzaki's shoulder.
"They're really cool. Even I can't do it," Chiharu states make Ryuzaki gives her a knowing look.
"You already have done enough," Ryuzaki ensures her which Chiharu replies with a nod.
"Game and match for !"
-:-:- Rolling Memory -:-:-
TBC