(A/N: Thank you once again for sending reviews. Sorry again if the last chapter was depressing. It was so that you can understand why Reiko is the way she is. It also fills in part of the gap where the two were apart. A lot can change in 6 years. Anyways, this chapter will hopefully be more uplifting and humorous. I'm noticing this trend…all my chapters are getting longer and longer. I decided to split the next one cuz I didn't want a super long chapter. To all those that wrote straight stories, (you know who you are cuz I gave reviews) make some more! All those I've read are really good!)
To Eiji: I didn't see a PoT Artbook at the Anime Expo. (If there was one, I would have seriously knocked everyone outta the way and bought it XD. I had to be quite violent just to buy some PoT stuff. j/k)
Disclaimer: And once again I do not own PoT/Tenipuri. I own all original characters in this story (aka: Reiko and whoever else I bring in).
Italics means the person's thoughts
Chapter 4: Don't Lose! Part 1
It's a bright Sunday morning. The birds were chirping and there was a light breeze that made the leaves rustles a relaxing sound. Reiko woke out of bed and yawned as she stretched her arms. She took a look at the clock and noticed it was 8 am. She got out of bed and walked to her desk located on the other side of the room. There was a calendar posted on the wall near her desk and she looked at the date.
"So the time has finally come." Reiko said. She then recalled back on the conversation she had with Oishi a few days before:
"A promise?" Oishi replied.
Reiko nodded "I was sure you remembered. When I noticed you were carrying a tennis bag, I knew you kept to your promise. Even after all these years, you've kept playing tennis."
Oishi thought back hard. Suddenly, he remembered that dream where they promised to try hard to fulfill their goals. .
"Oh!" Oishi exclaimed. "Now I remember!" Oishi rubbed his head "Gomen, it was so long ago since we made it."
"Yay!" Reiko said cheerfully. "I'm glad you remembered! Hey, I was wondering…are you free this Sunday?"
"There is no tennis practice, so I should be free. Any reason why?"
"Ano…" Reiko said nervously. "Would you like to play a match with me?"
"Eh?"
"Onegai!" Reiko pleaded. "I was really happy knowing that you still played tennis this whole time. However, I tried hard those 6 years as well and I want to show you how much I've improved. I'm going to keep the promise we made!"
Oishi smiled. "I'm sure you'll keep to your promise. However, I won't go easy on you."
"You better not go easy on me." Reiko smirked.
"Of course. I promise" He patted Reiko on the head. "Huh? Did you get shorter?" Oishi grinned. Oishi stood 175cm tall compared to Reiko who stood 160cm.
"Baka." Reiko said with a pout. "You just got taller!" (When they were little, there wasn't much height difference)
Reiko smacked Oishi with her bookbag. Both of them laughed and continued to walk home.
They both lived pretty close to each other. Finally, they reached where they had to depart their ways.
"Is 12 pm alright on Sunday?" Reiko asked.
"12 sounds fine." Oishi replied.
"Alright. How about we meet in front of the school?"
"Sounds good."
"Promise?" Reiko formed her hand for a pinky promise.
Oishi nodded. "Some things never do change with her." Oishi thought.
He completed the promise.
"Okay!" Reiko said excitedly. "I'm gonna try my very best today!"
Reiko changed out of her light blue nightgown into a pair green shorts and a white T-shirt. She decided to take a little jog to ease her mind because she was already getting excited to finally get a chance to play against Oishi again. She tied her long black hair into a ponytail and headed out the door.
Meanwhile…
Oishi just recently got out of bed and was taking a shower. Several thoughts were running through his head. Being a Seigaku regular, he knew that he was pretty good. However, he wasn't sure how well Reiko would play. Since they were little, he always beat her at every match whenever they played. A part of him didn't want her to lose again. But, if he went easy on her, she could probably tell he did and she's be disappointed. (A/N: Oishi seriously worries too much. Gotta love a guy that worries for a girl XD)
"Augh…what to do!" Oishi thought.
He turned off the water, dried himself with a towel and changed.
"I guess I'll have to see how well she plays" Oishi replied. He really wanted her to fulfill her promise. "Speaking of promises…I wonder…if she remembers the other one…"
PRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNIS
12pm
Reiko was waiting outside the school gates. Oishi saw her and rushed over.
"Gomen" Oishi replied. "Sorry for coming late."
Reiko shook her head. "You weren't late. I got here early."
"Oh I see" Oishi said in relief.
Oishi took a look at Reiko and noticed she was wearing a very cute tennis outfit. She wore a white tennis skirt and a lavender collar shirt. On her right wrist, she had a white wristband. Oishi as usual began to blush, but then shook it off. "Shall we go then?" Oishi replied trying to get his mind off things.
Reiko smiled and nodded. She noticed that Oishi was wearing a pair of white shorts and had a light blue shirt. "He does look kawaii." Reiko thought. Unlike Oishi, Reiko was good at hiding her inner emotions.
Both walked toward the school tennis courts.
"Eh????" Reiko exclaimed.
The tennis courts were locked. They both went to see if a guard was around to open up the courts but weren't able to find one.
"This sucks." Reiko said sadly as she slumped to the floor. She went from happy to sad in a mere second. "Gomen Syu-kun."
"No need to apologize." Oishi replied. "Besides…I do know another place where they have tennis courts."
"You do!" Reiko exclaimed. She went from sad to happy in a split second.
Oishi laughed. "Yes I know of another place. Its not far from here."
"Yatta!" Reiko said cheerfully. "Let's go then Syu-kun."
PRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNISPRINCEOFTENNIS
After walking a little ways, they finally reached their destination.
"It's right up these stairs." Oishi replied. Both walked up the stairs.
"Wow!" Reiko exclaimed. "I've never seen courts like these before." She looked around and saw newly furnished courts.
"That's because they're street tennis courts. There used to be just one, but recently they made a few more."
Reiko looked around and saw that there were people playing doubles and singles games. "Aw…" She replied. "Doesn't look like any courts are open." She then noticed that one of the singles games ended. "Lets go over there Syu-kun. Their game just ended so maybe we could go use their court. Come on."
Meanwhile on that court, a game did end.
"Kuso…" Fuji Yuuta replied. "I lost." Yuuta and Yanagizawa were playing a short match and Yanagizawa won.
"Hehehehehe. It'll take you many years before you beat me dane"
Mizuki, who was refereeing the match walked up to Yuuta. "Oi…Yuuta-kun." Mizuki replied in his sly tone. "How do you expect to beat your aniki (aka: older brother) playing like this? Come now, we still need to train harder. I have a special plan for you to try."
"Sumimasen." Reiko replied.
All three of the St. Rudolph guys looked toward the direction they heard the voice and saw a pretty girl.
"Konnichiwa." Reiko said noticing she got their attention. "I was wondering if you were done playing so that we could use this court."
"Eh? Who might you be?" Yuuta replied.
"Are you new around here?" Mizuki asked. "Not many girls come around these courts."
"What a kawaii girl dane!" Yanagizawa exclaimed.
Reiko smiled. "Anyways, were you guys done playing? We were hoping to play a little."
"We?" Mizuki replied. He looked behind Reiko and saw Oishi walk to their court. "Eh? Its Oishi from Seigaku!"
Oishi heard his name called and saw the guys from St. Rudolph. "Ah! It's St. Rudolph!"
"Do you know them?" Reiko asked seeing that they somehow were acquainted before.
Oishi nodded. "Our team played St. Rudolph in the quarterfinals during the Tokyo Tournament."
"Which team won?" Reiko noticed the St. Rudolph guys turn their heads. "Never mind I asked." Reiko replied. Just their looks already gave it away.
Reiko looked at Yuuta. "That guy looks familiar." Reiko said curiously.
"He's Fuji's younger brother dane." Yanagizawa replied.
"Oi…Yanagizawa! You didn't have to say that!" Yuuta replied angrily.
"Eh?" Reiko said in shock. She took a closer look at Yuuta. "You guys do look familiar."
"Just great…" Yuuta mumbled to himself. Even now people still see him as Fuji's younger brother.
"So Oishi, is this girl your girlfriend?" Mizuki asked curiously.
Oishi turned red. He didn't realize that walking around with Reiko was going to give people the impression that they were dating. His mind went blank.
"Um…of course not…but…" Oishi said hesitantly.
"He's my childhood friend" Reiko replied smiling.
Oishi breathed a sign of relief. It was just like Reiko to get him out of sticky situations.
"Oh I see." Mizuki replied.
"So you guys aren't dating?" Yuuta asked. Reiko nodded her head in agreement.
"Well…if that's the case dane." Yanagizawa replied. "Want to go on a date with me dane?" He asked to Reiko.
"Baka!" Oishi exclaimed blushing a little. "Why would she want to do something like that?"
"What's the big deal?" Yanagizawa asked. "You guys aren't dating."
Oishi thought about it. "He is right." Oishi told himself. "Why am I getting so hyped over that?"
"Ahem." Reiko said, interrupting the conversation. "Were you guys still using this court?"
"Chotto Matte." Mizuki said. "There are rules you have to follow for street tennis."
"Rules?" Reiko replied. "Gomen, I've never played street tennis before."
"The rules are simple." Mizuki continued. "Challengers get to play whoever won the previous game." Mizuki pointed to Yanagizawa. "He won the last match so whoever plays has to challenge him."
"So in other words, if one of us were to play and beat him, then that person would stay on the court and take on the next challenger."
"That is correct." Mizuki replied.
"That doesn't sound that complicated." Reiko said happily. She talked to Oishi. "I'll go first and when I win you can play against me."
"That is "if" you win dane" Yanagizawa replied with a smirk.
Reiko smiled. "That's true. If I win I'll be able to play Syu-kun"
"Actually…I have a better idea dane." Yanagizawa said. "Whether I win or lose, I'll come off the court so you can play against Oishi dane."
"Hontou!" Reiko exclaimed happily.
"However…" Yanagizawa continued. "If you lose…you have to go on a date with me dane!"
"Okay that's fine with me!" Reiko said smiling.
"Rei-chan!" Oishi yelled. "Don't agree so easily!"
"What's wrong with that?" Reiko replied. "Either way I'll get a chance to play you."
"That's not the point!"
"Oh I know…doesn't sound like I get anything if I were to win." Reiko pondered what she could do. "How about if I win, you have to buy me some drinks."
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!"
"Alright then. I guess it's settled."
"I give up…" Oishi said in frustration and slumped into a bench.
"Oishi." Mizuki replied calmly. "Why are you getting so worked up? You just said she wasn't your girlfriend."
"Eh?" Oishi thought for a moment. "Why am I getting worked up? I know she's not my girlfriend. But still, ever since she came back, I've started to watch out for her like I did before." Oishi just sat there trying to get his mind into order. "What's wrong with me?"
"Hm…" Mizuki thought as he saw Oishi sit there confused. An evil smile appeared. "This could provide useful data for later."
Reiko opened her blue tennis bag and brought out a light silver racket with white strings. She tied her white tennis shoes tightly and walked over to Oishi, who was still sitting on the bench pondering his thoughts.
"Syu-kun." Reiko replied cheerfully.
Oishi looked up to see Reiko smiling at him. He wasn't sure what to say, for he knew Reiko wasn't going to change her mind nor back out of this match. He knew how strong St. Rudolph was and that's why he was worried. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke. "Rei-chan, please don't lose."
"Geez…you're just the same as before, always worried whenever I played against guys. Anyways, I don't plan on losing." Reiko replied with a sigh. "However, I have one favor to ask you."
"Nani?"
"Please don't worry for me anymore. I can take care of myself."
Reiko walked onto the court and stretched a little.
Yanagizawa was fixing his tennis shoes when Yuuta walked up to him.
"Hey Yanagizawa, are you sure about this?"
Yanagizawa smiled. "Either way I get to treat a pretty girl dane"
"Weirdo" Yuuta thought. "Are you planning on going easy on her?" Yuuta then asked.
"We'll see at the start of the match dane." Yanagizawa replied.
He picked up his racket and walked onto the court.
The match began with Yanagisawa serving. "Let's see how well she plays dane." He hit a light serve. She gripped the racket with her right hand and smacked the ball to the far left from where he was serving.
"0-15"
"If you want that date you're going to have to try harder than that." Reiko replied with a smile.
"Feisty girl dane." Yanagisawa thought. "Looks like I'm going to have to play seriously dane."
And so, Yanagisawa did play seriously. Soon, the score was 3-0 in favor of Yanagisawa.
Oishi was now really worried.
He watched Reiko and although she played fine, Yanagisawa was playing much better than her. Sure Reiko said not to worry about her, but he just couldn't help knowing that if she lost she'd end up dating someone else. But then again, why should he care? Reiko could date anyone she wanted to. "Am I just worried about her, or is there more to this?" He thought.
Yuuta took notice of Oishi's situation and sighed. He just couldn't understand why he was getting so uptight.
"Oishi" Oishi looked up to find that it was Mizuki that called his name. "Don't lose faith in your friend yet. I know you've seen Yanagizawa play before. However, your friend does have an advantage."
Oishi couldn't understand. Reiko was losing 0-3. He couldn't see how Reiko would be able to come back from being behind. However, Mizuki who was referring the match noticed something about Reiko. He could tell by the look in her eyes and the way she was playing. "This will be interesting." Mizuki thought.
"Hehehehehe…" Yanagizawa excitedly replied. "Looks like I'll be getting that date dane."
"Don't be so sure" Reiko replied smiling. "I hope you haven't been playing your best now. Because if you have, its time to turn the game around."
Reiko bounced the ball a few times before getting ready to serve.
To be cont.
(A/N: And that concludes part 1! So what will happen next? Will Reiko make a comeback or will she have to date Yanagisawa? As you probably found out, the first promise was given. Yes it was tennis related, but hey it's PoT! You gotta have some tennis involved! Please give a review if you like what you are reading or if you have comments about anything. I prefer stuff that would help me improve, but even if you like it please review saying you like it! Poor Oishi, he worries way too much. But then again isn't that how he is? Gotta luv him XD. If you are missing the regulars, they will be coming in soon. I have a plan coming XD. And once again, thank you for reading!)
Just a sidenote: If you were wondering if Reiko is naïve as to whether Oishi likes her or not, keep in mind that he's watched out for her since they were little. She's not sure and is taking his actions as watching out for her. Oishi from this match begins to develop feelings that aren't the same as before.
Preview: The conclusion of the bet and Reiko vs. Oishi match.