Chapter 3:

Atobe took his time putting on his jersey. His roommates were normally in bed by now but they weren't so it was rare that he had this peace and quiet to himself. The day felt like a longer day. Maybe it was because he was anticipating his meeting tonight. He was nervous or excited or rather both. He had accompanied Mizuka to the bathing chambers last night and promised her that he wouldn't go in and she promised him that she wouldn't take long. She tried to deter him from trying to walk her back to her room but he insisted because what kind of gentleman would he be if he didn't walk a lady back to her room at this time of night? Her face reddened at that and she fell silent and allowed him to accompany her to her dorm room 219, the room right beside Sengoku and Tachibana. He was on his way back to the showers himself for a good wash when Mizuka tugged on his arm sleeve so hard he turned to see her staring at him with the same intensity as before.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"I...I want to know more about myself," She said slowly. "Can we meet again?"
He grinned. "Of course we can." And so they agreed to meet the next night when everyone went to sleep.
He now stared at his cellphone that had more than a dozen messages and missed calls from Yuki. He assumed that Shishido must have told her that Mizuka was alive. Just then, his phone started buzzing, the display showing Yuki.
"What?"
"Jeez, you finally decide to pick up the phone? Why haven't you been answering any of my messages?" Yuki half yelled from frustration.
"I'm a busy person."
"Oh, shut up! How is Mizuka doing? Can I talk to her?"
"No," He suppressed a sigh. "Why don't you go call Shishido?"
"Shishido hasn't been answering any of my calls or messages."
"Maybe he's ashamed that he didn't make the cut."
"Shishido didn't make the cut?!"
"He got sent home four days ago."
She was silent for a long time. "Shishido hasn't been home. I just saw his mom yesterday and she said she hoped he was doing well at the camp."
"Maybe he's just avoiding you."
"And what? His mom is lying to me?"
"I really don't know, Neko-chan."
She let out a laugh. "I haven't heard you say that in a long time."
He grimaced. It just slipped out. "I have to go." He hung up the phone as she protested and threw his phone in his bag. Old habits were hard to kill.

It was odd that the Coaches hadn't told his family about Mizuka. But when he went to call his parents and tell them that Mizuka was alive, he hadn't expected this answer.

"Ka-san...Mizuka is alive," Tezuka said.
She was quiet for a long moment. "We know."
He couldn't hold back the surprise in his voice. "What?!"
"We got a call from the Coaches from the training camp that you're at now about a month ago. They asked us not to tell you," His mother said gently. "I'm sorry, dear."

Now that he thought back to it, Mizuka's stuff had disappeared about a month ago. Tezuka let out a long sigh. Everything was making sense now; his parent's behavior, the training camp, Mizuka's belongings, etc. His mother told him they moved her stuff to the garage when in fact they probably shipped it here.

He had tried multiple times during the week to speak to Mizuka. He never had long talks with her before so all he did was greet her. It seemed he and Atobe had a silent agreement that they had to get her memories back so he left Atobe with the task of helping her regain her memories while he just greeted her daily.

Mizuka placed her plate of food in the mini fridge in her room. She didn't have the appetite to eat anything. The Coaches had installed a mini fridge on the request of Oni so that she would have some food and beverages in case she wasn't able to make it down to the cafeteria. For the first couple weeks she was there, she wasn't even able to leave her room on some of the days except for times when she had to use the washroom.
She dressed up in her jersey and wore her hat before grabbing her racket and leaving the room. Irie had looked at her questioningly when she told him she already showered when he arrived early that morning. He tilted his head and studied her, saying that Tokugawa came last night to take her to the bathing chambers but he didn't want to wake her because he found her asleep. She then confessed to Irie, making him promise not to tell Oni. Then she decided to confide in him about tonight and was surprised when he gave her a sympathetic smile in return.
"Just be careful, okay?" He had said. "I'll be on Court 3 if you need me."
Atobe had greeted her that morning in the cafeteria and whispered 'I'll see you tonight' in her ear which made her bat him away, embarrassed and blushing, and he grinned and walked away with Oshitari looking curiously after him. She arrived at Court 7, the moon high in the sky. Atobe was already there on the court with his racket. "Hello, beautiful," He greeted with that charming grin of his. "Care for a rally?" She murmured a greeting and joined him on the court and rallied with him. Neither one of them wanting to give up the point. He finally lobbed the ball when she thought he was going to hit a feint and won the point even though she ran for the ball.
She met him at the net. "Are you going easy on me?"
"I have never gone easy on you," She tilted her head at his implication as he smiled lightly down at her. "I hate it when my opponents go easy on me."
She blinked. "Was that why you were so mad when I used my left hand?"
He shrugged. "I wasn't exactly mad. I was Just a little annoyed. I don't mind going easy on opponents."
"Then I won't go easy on you."
They played another tie-break match before he accompanied her back to her room again after she showered. He took her hand and kissed it much to her surprise and then more dizzying waves went through her head. "You..haven't done that before, have you?"
He looked as shocked as she felt and just stared at her before there was a noise down the hall and he pushed her into her room and shut the door. Why oh why did it feel so familiar? The next night she met up with him again. She didn't know why but she felt so drawn to him. He had such a magnetic aura she couldn't help but want to go to him. They had small talks, mostly him teasing her and making her blush. They also had silence. But it wasn't awkward silence. Atobe was actually really comfortable to be around...And he wasn't bad to look at either. He was actually really handsome, she realized. He had been grinning up at the moon after telling her a quote from one of his favorite poets. She hadn't realized she had been staring at him until he came upon her and tilted her chin up to his face. The blush had crept on her face as he gave her a sly grin. "I just thought you might want a closer look since you've been staring at me for so long."
And then he would say things like that and the irritation of his voice and cockiness and pride would get to her.
"You must think very highly of yourself with your 'Ore-sama this' and 'Ore-sama that'," Mizuka had said aloud out of annoyance.
He gave her such a serious look that she took a step back from him until he smiled and said,"You're so cute."
"I'll see you tomorrow!" She grabbed her racket and walked briskly away as he let out that laugh of his. She stopped just inside her room and leaned back against the door. He had called her cute. She couldn't suppress the grin that crept across her face.

"You seem cheerful today," Irie said on the next morning when he picked her up from her room.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you're not grumpy that I'm late. And you're humming," He smiled simply. "What song is that?"
"I don't know. It just came to me last night."
They got to the cafeteria with few people in it. Her eyes scanned each player.
"Atobe-kun has a shuffle-match," Irie said by her ear.
"Against who?" She looked at him.
"Ooh, so this time you aren't ashamed of who you're looking for," Irie grinned.
"Just tell me!"
"Someone from Court 5."
"Court 5 already?" Mizuka exclaimed. "But Oni-san is on Court 5."
"I know. It's too soon for him, isn't it?" Irie said. "I don't think he's ready yet."
Annoyance shot through her and she glared at him. "He's more than ready for Court 5." She blinked, surprised by her defense for Atobe and she quickly apologized.
"It's okay," Irie had his smile on like always as he added some food to his plate. They filled their plates and went back to her room. He left for his match of the day and practice while telling her to be careful if she went out. She decided she wanted to restock on the food in her fridge so she went back to the cafeteria to grab some food and water bottles. That's when he stepped into her path, blocking her from her room.
"Mizuka."
"Yes?" She tilted her head curiously. Ever since Atobe ruined her disguise, she only took to wearing her hat in the mornings and gradually stopped looking away if there were other men around. If people saw her, they saw her so when he recognized that she was a girl, it didn't surprise her.
"We were close friends before. It's sad that you don't remember me."
"I don't remember anyone. I'm sorry," Mizuka apologized out of habit.
"That's okay. My name is Mizuki Hajime," He smiled and put his hand on her arm, his smile turning to a frown. "I'm concerned about you, Mizuka. I've been seeing you hang out with Atobe for the past few nights."
She blushed. Well, it wasn't like we were hiding or anything. So, why was she embarrassed? "What's wrong with Atobe-san?"
"I just don't want you to get hurt," Mizuki sighed sadly. As he leaned over to whisper in her ear, the announcement came on:

Atobe Keigo from Court 7 is switched with Saeki Koyo from Court 5. You are to move courts immediately.

Mizuka didn't wait long before Atobe showed up on Court 5. Her gut tightening when she saw him, walking with that cocky gait of his. "Congratulations on getting to Court 5." Her compliment caught him by surprise as he blinked a couple times and showed her such a genuine smile.
"Thank you," He sat beside her on the bleachers, leaning back on his hands and tilting his face up to the sky to look at the full moon. "It's beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
She was still staring at him when she murmured her agreement. He then blinked his eyes to her and said with a grin,"You know it's not polite to stare."
"I wasn't staring!" She looked away.
"You were just thinking about how handsome I am, ahn?" She shot him a look of surprise and he chuckled. "Well, aren't I?" He didn't wait for her to reply as he stared out at the court. "You're so easy to read."
"How do you know me so well?"
Now it was his turn to look surprised. "We were very close before." He said after a pause.
She blinked. "Like best friends?"
He gave her a sidelong glance. "I guess you could say that."
She fiddled with her racket strings and bit her lip.

"Mizuka, I'm telling you this because I'm worried about you," Mizuki gave her an awkward hug since her hands were full. "I'm in room 202 if you need me. And I see you're in 219," He smiled kindly. "Please don't hesitate to talk to me. We were once close friends before. I hope to regain our friendship to that level."

"Is something-"
"I met Mizuki-san today." She didn't know why she told him. Maybe partly because she wanted to see if it was true. But why should she care if it was true or not?
Atobe's smile disappeared when he looked at her. "What did you think of him?"
"He's nice I guess. We talked about you."
He tilted his head, looking curious but those eyes were ice cold. "Ahn? And what about me?"
She can tell he wasn't a big fan of Mizuki. That much was obvious. He just got to Court 5. And somehow, she didn't want to upset him so she offered him a smile instead, "I think he's just jealous that you're in Court 5." She couldn't handle him looking at her like that. "Can you tell me something about me?"
That seemed to distract him, looking lost as he contemplated her sudden question. "Your favourite colour is blue."
"Tell me something I don't already know."
"And it's your time of the month."
She felt her cheeks go hot. "I already know that!"
"You blush easily, you find it very hard to lie, you love a challenge, and it's so very fun to tease you." His dark blue eyes had a glaze over them as they slid to her which made her heartbeat race. He leaned over on his hand and it made him very close to her.
"How do you know me so well?" She found herself whispering.
"You already asked that."
She smiled. "Never knew I could only ask a question once." His eyes were studying her face and he gradually smiled too.

She was lying. It was obvious. Well, at least to him. Even when her memories are gone she would still lie to him because she was considering his feelings. He couldn't suppress a smile. She is definitely Mizuka. He can faintly hear the water of the showers. And even more faintly than that, she was humming. Throughout the week, he noticed that whenever he did something or said something that he's done to her before, she would look confused and clutch her head as if it hurt. It was as if she was fighting it.
"Is Mizuka in there? I'm surprised you aren't in there yourself."
Atobe looked at Mizuki as he stalked closer, his hands in his pants pockets as he had that stupid smirk on his face. "Good evening to you too, Mizuki." He knew it irked the guy since his reply was cool and casual.
"Other girls would've scampered away right after I told them about you," Mizuki stopped in front of Atobe and shrugged. "Or maybe she couldn't stay away from you because she's as big of a slut you are."
He grabbed hold of Mizuki's collar and slammed him against the wall. "Say that again." He dared, narrowing his eyes at Mizuki's smirking face. Gods, Mizuki annoyed him so much, taking his time to answer.
"I've only told her the tip of the iceberg. I wonder how she'll react when I tell her more."
He willed himself to calm down, listening to the waters of the shower, listening to Mizuka showering, listening to Mizuka's humming. That song she was humming. He straightened up. That song...It's.. He brushed past Mizuki cutting him off mid-sentence. Her humming getting louder as he walked past the lockers to the showers. And there she was, her body glistening wet in the water. His heartbeat in his head. He took a deep breath. No. He can't have another panic attack. Not now.
Mizuka let out a scream when she saw him and quickly covered her private parts. "Atobe!" Her cheeks turning red. "Atobe, what the hell! You promised to stay out!"
He grabbed her towel and threw it to her. "Dry up. I need to show you something."

Atobe can tell she was upset with the fact that he saw her naked. He almost rolled his eyes at the thought. He'd seen her naked a million times. Nonetheless, she dried up and got dressed quickly with an irritated, "What are you showing me? It better be good."
When they left the bathing chambers, Mizuki was gone. He didn't know where he went. Probably back to his room. Hopefully they wouldn't bump into anyone else. Mizuka followed him to one of the lounge rooms and she sighed with disappointment,"I've already seen this room."
"Be patient, beautiful," He said as he stalked over to the grand piano.
She arched an eyebrow. "You can play?"
He stepped carefully around the piano, studying its every detail as he sat down. "Yes, I can." He looked at her, she looked curious and cold, her hair wet and her eyes...He looked back down at the keys and started playing. He glanced up at her and she looked confused, her head tilted, her eyes widening.
"What song is that?"
He stopped. "It was the song you were humming...Would you like me to sing it for you?" She slowly nodded and he started from the beginning again and this time he sang.

He looked at her and realization dawned on her face as her hands clutched her head. "Wait..Wait.."
Wait? For what?
"Atobe!" She cried out and dropped to her knees, panting.
"Mizuka!" He stopped and ran quickly towards her, placing a hand on her shaking back.
"Ow..Atobe...My head.."
"Don't fight it. Just relax."
"But it hurts!" She whined and panted, gasping for breath. He hugged her, her head resting on his shoulder as he gently rubbed her back to try to sooth her panting. "Atobe...K-Keigo.."
His heart skipped a beat and he looked down at her. Her hands were clutching her head, her fingers digger into her skull, her expression in great pain as she blinked and tears fell from her eyes. "Keigo, it hurts!"
He didn't know what to do. He was too shocked to think of anything. Her eyes were dulling as she panted and he caught her when she collapsed. "Mizuka!"