Chapter Twenty-Three

Sudo sighed, waiting to be able to begin the first practice of the season. He was held up by none other than one student who had not yet come from the locker rooms. Kotoko.

Five minutes late, she dashed for the court and smiled eagerly.

"Now that everyone's here…" Sudo said, "For today's first practice, there is going to be a little test for the newcomers. We'll just be taking a look at your skills set."

Kotoko pondered over this test and then looked frightened of it. Sudo went on.

"For this test, you'll be playing me in one short match. Try your best." Relief poured into her.

"Good thing it's only Sudo." She whispered.

"Not for you." I said.

"What? Why?"

"Just watch. You'll see why."

Sudo walked peppily to the other side of the net where he picked up his tennis racket. Whenever he touched one, it was as though he became possessed by it. His face twisted into a mask of utter fury.

"Wada! To the court!" He yelled. Wada jumped from the outburst and sprinted to the court.

As quickly as Wada was in position, Sudo served him a lightning-fast ball, practically ambushing him.

"What are you just standing there for? Hit it back! Have you never played a sport in your life?" Sudo yapped, going absolutely nuts. Kotoko's face had long since drained and she was a statue of panic.

"He's called "Sudo the Demon"." I told her. She nodded, having gotten it already and needing no explanation.

"Next!" Sudo said, "Yano, come!" Yano ran quicker than Wada had, and he had the chance to at least try to hit the ball back over to the other side, but he wasn't quick enough.

I watched as member after member was ambushed and failed Sudo's test. That was until he came to one particular name on the list of his.

"Yuuko Matsumoto," He said in an almost gentle voice, "Your turn." This time, Sudo actually waited for his opponent to be fully ready and then he served it.

Yuuko was able to hit it back without any difficulty. They battled away and I noticed Kotoko watching Yuuko's playing in awe.

"Matsumoto's so good." Kotoko said.

"She made it to third place in the women's singles tournament when she was in high school and was smart enough to go to any university she wanted. But she came here because Tonan has a great tennis club."

"How do you know all that?" Kotoko asked.

"I met her at the National Tournament in the first year of high school." Her eyes dropped back over to the match happening and she bit her lip. Yuuko finally missed.

"Good job," Sudo said in the first spoken congratulatory word of the practice, "Next. Irie Naoki." He uttered my name like it was a foul taste in his mouth.

Unshaken, I stole the other side of the court. He started and I was ready, hitting the ball over the net hard. He hit back harder. With him focusing too hard on beating me and a little slow to recover from such a hard hit, I found my opportunity and took it. I returned the ball to him. Sudo missed.

His face turned scarlet with frenzy. I turned to leave the court, having passed the test.

"Wait a minute! I want a rematch!" Sudo said. Still, I left him on the court. If I'd let it, this would go on forever. And it was only a test.

"Next! Aihara Kotoko!" Sudo screeched as I made it back. Kotoko flinched. She scampered up to the court.

"Don't go so slow!" He snapped and she hurried it up. Kotoko raised her hand as Sudo was about to ambush her.

"Wait!" She said, "I've never played tennis before."

"I don't care!" Sudo whipped the ball at her, which she ran from screaming. Her flailing was too funny and I was overcome with laughter.

"What's her problem?" Yuuko asked me. I took a moment to choke down my amusement.

"That's just the way she is." I said.

"Get back here! We're trying again, and don't run away this time!"

"Sorry!" Kotoko barrelled for the court again.

This time, as if it was almost intentional, Sudo served it and it popped her right on the nose, sending her to the ground.

"Oh no, Aihara's fainted." Someone behind me said. I was sent off into a laughing fit, unable to contain myself. She overreacted to everything.

Kotoko composed herself after a moment and Sudo sent her back to the group. He continued his rampage on the last few members and then practice was over.

"Hey," Yuuko said on the way to the locker rooms, "How do you know Aihara?"

"I live with her." I said, easily admitting it since there was no point in hiding it. She could have just as easily found it out on her own from one of the new students here. With that, she was silent until we reached the locker rooms.