I do not own MGLN.
Alicia POV
It was already 8:00AM when we finished all the stretching's and warm up exercises. Vita-chan and Hayate-chan gathered everyone, including the first years who joined today's try-out inside the covered court. Hayate-chan was giving an orientation about the indoor and outdoor facilities of the tennis court. She was smiling all the time and those smiles has captivated the hearts of every first years that was present at that time. It made them feel at ease. Hayate-chan always offers a jovial mood in all circumstances. We can't deny the fact that despite of her pleasant yet mischievous attitude, she's one of the most reliable person in our team. She'd been also becoming the best mx doubles player in our team together with Vice-kun since the time when Amy-neesama and Chrono-san has graduated. It was also a shame for everyone that we haven't seen Amy-neesama and Griffith-san in action since he had graduated first. Amy Lowran and Griffith Lowran tandem used to be the best in the National Mx Doubles high school division. They were siblings. And Chrono Harlaown and Fate-neesama was their cousin.
Hayate-chan never had any interest in playing singles or with the women's doubles. She was trained by Amy-neesama while Vice-kun was trained by Chrono-san. Although, Fate-neesama forced her to play singles and doubles to play against the other school players during the camp. Thanks to the lottery system that always randomly decides the match ups that my wonderful sister has created. She couldn't say no to neesama. Everyone couldn't break the rules of my neesama when she was still our captain, not even me or Nanoha-neesama.
Everyone was listening intently to Hayate-chan including the old members except for a certain person. Teana Lanstar. She was busy playing with her phone. Beside her was her friend, Shari. Who does everything as she says. Hayate-chan had not been bothered by the stupid actions caused by the other people as long as there's no harm done to everyone. Basically, she doesn't give a damn about Teana's action during the orientation.
After the short orientation that was conducted by Hayate-chan, Vita-chan took over the stage to explain the markings of the tennis court. From the baseline, single's sideline, double's sideline, net, centre service line, service box, service line, double's tramline and finally, the baseline centre mark. She also covered explaining the rules and regulation of the game. The irritated looked on her face that cannot be denied was visible. Her eyebrows were knitted together. Her usual blue eyes became much darker. She was glaring to everyone. Her arms are crossed across her chest that made her look defensive and unfriendly.
Vita-chan was the smallest girl and yet she's one of the best single's player in the team. She used to be full of herself when she had just joined the team and refused to follow the rules. She was excessively conceited and selfish due to her championship title during middle school until Fate-neesama beat her to pulp with the three sets of scores of three-love in favour of neesama. I could still remember the discomfited and distress look on her face that time.
To win a set, you must win at least six games. The games are scored starting at "love" (or zero) and go up to 40, but that's actually just four points. From love, the first point is 15, then 30, then 40, then game point, which wins the game.
When Vita-chan had decided to follow the rules of the team and the leadership of our team captain, neesama personally trained her together with Rein-chan. Rein-chan and Vita-chan used to fight a lot before even just with small complications. It was hard for Vita-chan at first until such time that she had gradually shown her soft side to us especially to Fate-neesama and Nanoha-neesama, but never to others. Then she became their favourite. Vita-chan and Hayate became closer with each other as the days goes by since they were classmate.
Ask for me, I had trained with Nanoha-neesama and it wasn't unchallenging. She was the most uncompromising person in the team when it comes to training and instructions. Her coaching was very rigid and inflexible. Not that I say that she was better than neesama but I could conclude that her teaching skills was superb among the Seniors. Even Amy-neesama admired her so much. There was a time that I almost gave up but the good thing was, I didn't. The thing that I really liked during my training with her was she always let me eat the food that she had cooked for us. Especially her mouth-watering baked cakes!
Vita-chan had finished briefing the newbies. Rein-chan made a gesture for the three of us to go outside the court. The four of us headed towards the exit without voicing out a single word. I saw that there was an uneasiness that was visible on Rein-chan's face. I was wondering what was the cause of it then she spoke -
"Girls, it's already 8:30am, Takamachi-san and Fate-san is still not here. I wonder if they are coming or not? Have they sent you a mail for a confirmation? I need to know so that we can proceed." Vita-chan and Hayate-chan looked at each other with a mischievous smile on their faces.
"I haven't received any replies since this morning. Let me call neesama. Please, give me a moment. And you guys should try to give Nanoha-neesama a ring." I said to them.
I started dialing neesama's phone, it rang for a long time. T
he number that you are calling is now unattended, please try to call later. – I've heard the voice of the operator. I dialed again, on the 6th ring I've heard a familiar voice on the other side.
"Hello?" I frowned when I heard the hoarse voice of the person that I was calling.
"Did you just wake up neesama? I can't believe your tardiness! You used to arrive ahead of the scheduled time! We've already started!" I recklessly shouted at her over the phone.
The three girls gave me an inconceivable look on their faces. I started to panicked when I realized my actions. I scolded her without thinking! I winced. There was a long silence on the other line. Oh no! I need to apologize for yelling at neesama! -I thought to myself. Then suddenly I heard a snickering laugh on the other side.
Neesama was laughing? I said to myself. There was a sigh of relieved on my part when I heard her snickered.
"Mou! Neesama!" I exclaimed.
"I can't believe that I am being scolded by my little sister for being late." -neesama said.
As when she finished saying those words, I've heard another laugh. It took time before she calmed down and spoke again.
"I'm sorry Alicia-chan. I'm already here at school. I'm on my way to the court. See you." She ended the call without waiting for my response.
I sigh and put back my phone on my pocket. Just when I was about to speak, I heard Hayate-chan's spoke to Rein-chan.
"Araa-ara Eins. What's that unsettled look on your face?" She was punning over her while her fingers were resting on her chin. She was wearing a wide grin and naughty look on her eyes.
"W-what are you t-talking about Hayate-chan!? Your face looks so scary." Rein-chan responded. She was uneasy. She was rubbing her hands behind her back. She was always childish when caught off guard.
"Let me read your mind, Eins.. Hmmm.. I was thinking about where are they and what they're "doing" right now?" She giggled happily.
Then I saw Hayate-chan headed towards Rein-chan, she stood beside her and whispered something in her ear. At first, she had a bawdy look then her face became serious. I didn't hear what she'd said to Rein-chan but, I saw how her reaction change. Her body tensed up and pushed Hayate-chan.
"Ha! Ha! I'm sorry, Eins! Don't be so harsh!" She sticks out her tongue while her left eye was closed.
"Oh! Hayate-chan, please give Rein-chan a break." I reprimanded her. She just chuckled. "You're always making fun of Rein-chan. Let her off for now, okay?" I smiled.
"Alicia, what did Fate-san said? Takamachi-san wasn't picking up her phone." Alicia asked while ignoring Hayate-chan.
I stretched out my hand upwards and smiled. "She's already here at school. She's on her way now. Should we wait for her?"
Alicia paused for a while then she said –
"Maybe we should wait for her. Let's have a short break." She looked at Vita-chan and said –
"Vita-chan, if you don't mind, kindly go and advise the girls that we are taking a short break. Then we will resume in a short while." Vita-chan nodded and headed towards the court.
"I guess, I'll go with her. – Hayate. "Wait up, Vita-chan!" The two vanished from our sight.
"Neh- Rein-chan, let's sit on that bench and wait there for neesama." I dragged her happily. Rein-chan just gave me a loud silly laugh.
There you go. I'm starting to reveal the details one by one. Please, bear with me.
Thank you so much to rijaja.77 for giving me a heartwarming encouragement.
See you!
