(A/N:  Wow…It's been a while since I wrote the last chapter.   I've been hiding out a bit since I'm in the process of applying for Grad School and the deadline is coming faster than expected.  Also back at college and lots of interesting stuff have been happening in the dorms.  I hope this story is still interesting and you continue to enjoy reading this.  I've also been having horrible writer's block so sorry for the delay.  Hope you enjoy the chapter.)

Disclaimer:  I gave up.  Go look at the 1st chapter.

Italics mean person's thoughts.

Chapter 11:  Love Letters are Evil

Eiji nervously stood in front of Reiko's shoebox the last five minutes.  Several times his shaky hand would slowly attempt to open her shoebox, but then he'd pull his hand away wondering if he should do this or not.  All last night he wrote various drafts of attempting to express his utmost feelings for her.  Now, the letter he held in his hand was the final and perfect draft.  He debated whether to put his name on the letter and in the end decided not to.  Fuji had told him previously that with or without the name, Reiko was able to identify the person in some way.  He also told him that Reiko always answered every letter.  Eiji figured that if he left a letter, he couldn't screw up or miss out on a chance.  If that was the case, why was his mind still in doubt? 

Eiji shook his head.  He knew he had to go through this.  Oishi had asked him hesitantly this morning at practice whether he told Reiko his feelings.  Eiji replied that he was going to leave the letter for her before he went to class.  He dressed and left the clubroom early in order to place the letter in her box before she came back from her morning practice. 

"Come on Eiji, don't back out now." He told himself as he took a deep breath.  He went through a lot of trouble to write his confession and Oishi was expecting him to resolve the matter soon.  Oishi was getting antsy around him and Eiji knew it wasn't totally from taking over as captain. 

As his mind wandered aimlessly in confusion, he heard a few voices approaching.  One of the voices he distinctly recognized. 

"Shoot!  One of them is Reiko!"  

Eiji's mind went into a small panic.  He quickly opened her shoebox, shoved the letter in, grabbed his bags, and ran off to class. 

A small group of girls approached the locker area with tennis bags on their shoulders.  The girls had recently ended their morning practice and were heading off to class.  Reiko walked to her shoebox and opened it up to change into her school shoes.  She saw a few letters lying on top of her shoes so she picked one of them up. 

"Ugh…another letter from Yumi."  Reiko mumbled quietly.  The other two girls gave up writing her threat letters, but Yumi continued to do so every so often.  Reiko placed her hand in to open the other letter. 

"Reiko-chan!  Let's go before we're late!"  One of the girls called. 

"Okay!"  Reiko exclaimed back.  She changed into her shoes and shoved the letters she had into her school bag.  Reiko joined her fellow teammates and walked to their classrooms.

One minute later…

"Augh!  I'm going to be late!"

A girl quickly ran into the locker area and ran to her shoebox to frantically change her shoes.  She had also come back from morning tennis practice and she tossed her bags on the ground as she reached into her shoebox. 

"I shouldn't have attempted to change my racket grip now.  I didn't know it would take so long."  She grumbled to herself as she opened her box.  A letter fell out.

"What's this?"

She picked up the letter off the ground and looked at it from both sides, noticing there was no name on it.  "Crap!  I need to go to class!"  The girl quickly shoved the letter into her pocket as she slammed her shoebox closed and scurried off to class. 

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Lunchtime rolled around and the students went off to go eat at their usual hangouts.  Reiko sat with Eiji and Fuji in the far corner of the classroom where they usually sat.  They were taking out their lunches when the girl from this morning approached the three. 

"Reiko-chan, do you want to eat lunch together?"

Reiko smiled.  "Sure Makoto-chan.  Would you like to join us?"  Reiko turned around and dragged a free chair over to where they were sitting. 

Makoto shook her head.  "Um…is it okay if I eat with you alone?"  She glanced at Eiji.  As he looked back at Makoto with a cheerful look, she turned her head away quickly and a small blush could be seen on her cheeks. 

"No problem.  I hope you guys won't mind I back out on you today."

Fuji shook his head and smiled.  "We won't mind.  Hope you two have fun."

"Arigatou."  Reiko gathered her lunch and walked out of the classroom with Makoto. 

Eiji watched the two leave the classroom.  He turned back to Fuji with a confused look.  "Nee Fuji.  I don't know if it was just me, but Harada-san was giving me a weird look.  I wonder if I did something wrong."

"Hm…well did you do something wrong?"  Fuji asked curiously.

"Of course not!  I barely even know her!"  Eiji replied in defense.  They both continued to eat their lunch in silence. 

"Nya Fuji…"

"Hm?"

"Do you think Reiko knows I gave her the letter?  She hasn't been acting different towards me yet.  Then again, do you know if ever acts different towards anyone she's gotten a letter from?" 

Fuji pondered on that.  "Good question.  I know a few students in our class have asked her out and she declined.  So far, Reiko hasn't treated them any different nor her behavior towards them has changed.  With that in mind, its hard to tell whether she know or not."  He smiled and started to mumble quietly.  "I wonder how'd she react if 'he' confessed."

"Hm?  What was that last thing you said?"

"Ah never mind.  It's not really important."

"Oh okay."  Eiji began to play with the rest of his food.  Fuji could tell that something else was bothering his mind.  He waited quietly till Eiji would give in and tell him what was still on his mind. 

"I think I'm just worried how'd she react."  Eiji finally replied. 

Fuji smiled at Eiji and patted him on the shoulder.  "Well whatever the decision is, that's life.  You can't change a person's view.  If it doesn't work out, hopefully you'll get over it eventually.  Do you know when Reiko will give you her decision?" 

Eiji nodded.  "I wrote it in the letter.  By the end of today I should know."

***

In the meantime, Reiko had followed Makoto to the roof where the two of them ate lunch with no one around. 

"There's something bothering you right?"

"Huh?"  Makoto's was lost in deep thought when Reiko began to talk.  She nodded her head and put down her lunch.  "Yeah.  Sorry I had to disturb your lunch."

"Don't worry about it."  Reiko said cheerfully.  "From the look on your face it seemed important.  So what did you want to talk about?" 

"Ano…"  Makoto nervously pulled out the already opened letter from her pocket.  She gave the letter to Reiko.  "I wanted to ask you about this.  Do you know who might have wrote this letter?"

Reiko read the letter and looked at the handwriting.  Her eyes widened as she slowly started to make a guess as to who might have written it.  "Is this Eiji-kun's writing?" 

"You think so as well?"  Makoto replied back quickly.  "I wasn't sure at first, but his writing is quite different from other guys I know.  It's a lot more sloppy."  Both of the girls laughed.

Reiko looked at the letter again.  "Wow.  The way he wrote this letter, its beautiful.   I didn't know Eiji-kun liked you." (A/N: there was no name on the letter)

"I didn't know either.  It's weird though.  I barely even know him, yet he confesses to me."

"Do you like him?"

Makoto looked at the ground.  "That's the problem."

"You like someone else?"

"Eh?"  Makoto looked up at Reiko as a blush encompassed her face.  "H…How'd you…?"

Reiko giggled.  "You can't hide it.  You're easy to read.  If I'm correct, it wouldn't happen to be a 'someone' in classroom 3-3?"

"Wah!  Reiko-chan!  How did you find out?  Please don't tell anyone okay?"

"Don't worry, I won't.  Anyways…"  Reiko looked back at the letter.  "Now that you know who the mysterious person is, you have to now tell him how you feel.  He must know you play tennis since he wants to meet for your answer near the tall oak tree next to the courts after practice ends today."

"Won't he be hurt by my response?  I'd feel bad rejecting him."

"I know what you mean.  However, would you feel better knowing you dated someone you didn't like?  I'm sure Eiji-kun wouldn't feel right dating someone that doesn't like him back."

"That's true.  Thanks for helping me out Reiko-chan.  I'm not sure how you can turn down so many guys.  Don't you like any of them?"

"They're all nice, but none of them really know me.  Maybe if I got to know them more I'd be willing to.  I just need more time."

"What about Oishi?"

Reiko was startled.  "What do you mean?"

"Didn't you know him when you were younger?  I've seen you two talk together.  You both seem compatible."

She put on a semi confused look.  "Really?  I never thought of it like that.  Syu-kun is really nice to everyone.  Truthfully I don't think he acts any different from everyone else he talks to."  

"Oh I see."  Makoto looked at her watch.  "Ah gomenasai!  I have to get some notes from my friend.  Anyways I'll see you at practice this afternoon."  She grabbed her belongings and ran down the stairs.

"Good luck Makoto-chan!"  Reiko yelled as Makoto left.  Reiko sat back down and finished her lunch.  She then laid her back on the ground and looked up at the blue sky as the clouds floated by.  A large sigh was released.  "Compatible…is that how people see us?"  Reiko thought about it for a bit.  "I guess she must be right.  What other reason would I be attacked by all those letters?  But, Syu-kun is nice to everyone.  I'm just one of his friends, so what makes me stand out?  There isn't anything else…or is there?"

She started to blush at the thought, but shook her head quickly.  "Baka" She told herself out loud.  "I'm thinking too hard on this.  Syu-kun barely has time to even talk to me these days.  I doubt he likes me anymore than friends."  Reiko stood up and stretched.  "Well, now that I got this figured I better head back to class."  She picked up her lunch stuff and walked down the stairs to class. 

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Boy's afternoon practice came around.  After the usual running that ended with the regulars surviving a near death encounter with Inui's newest creation, the regulars paired up and played short games.  The Golden Pair were having a hard time coordinating with each other as both Oishi and Eiji were having a hard time focusing.  Most of their shots fell outside the court or they would mess up their communication skills and miss easy ones.  Neither of them seemed to be frustrated with how they were playing since their minds were focused on something else.  

Inui took notice of this and felt something must be done in order to prevent the continual slump of the Golden Pair. 

"Losers of this match will have to taste my newest drink, 'Inui's Super Special Deluxe'" 

Both Oishi and Eiji winced at the sight and started to focus.  However, they were already down 0-4 and never were able to make a comeback.  Several loud screams were heard as Oishi and Eiji both ran off to the sink.  Kawamura breathed a sigh of relief that he didn't have to taste test Inui's drink.  Fuji smiled and enjoyed the site of the Golden Pair running off. 

After ridding their mouths of any presence of Inui's creation, the Golden Pair flopped on the ground breathing heavily from the near death encounter. 

"Nya Oishi…I can't believe we had to drink that nasty stuff.  How come you couldn't focus?"

"Me?  I think it was more like you!  You were totally zoning out and weren't poaching at the net like you usually did."  Oishi sighed.  "Gomen.  I shouldn't have accused you.  My mind hasn't been all there either."

"It's alright.  I admit my mind's been wandering."  Eiji sat up and placed his knees to his chest.  "I'm just worried."

"You still haven't told her yet?"

"No I did.  I left the letter in her box this morning.  I'm suppose to meet her after practice, but I guess I'm scared as to what the response will be." 

Oishi smiled.  "Don't worry Eiji.  Reiko's happy having you around.  I'm sure it will work out."  

Eiji smiled back and got up.  "I hope so as well.  All right!  Let's show everyone how the Golden Pair really plays!"

Oishi got up.  "That's the Eiji I know.  Let's win it this time!"

"Yup!" 

And so they did.  The Golden Pair played another doubles match and won.  Inui didn't mind drinking his own creation, but poor Kaidoh hissed himself all the way to the sink.  The sky was becoming a golden orange as tennis practice came to an end.  Everyone went back to the clubroom to change. 

"Hey Kikumaru-sempai.  Want to join us at the burger joint?"  Momoshiro asked as he closed up his school jacket. 

"Gomen.  Not today, I have something special to attend to.  Maybe some other time."

"Oh really?  No problem.  Well, I guess it's just me and you."  Momoshiro started messing up Ryoma's hair. 

"Hey watch it."  Ryoma smacked off Momoshiro's hand.  "I guess you're paying then."

"Eh?  Why me?"

"Sempai's treat."  Ryoma smirked. 

"What?  Oh that's cruel."  Momoshiro sighed as he walked out the clubroom with Ryoma. 

Eiji finished changing and walked to the oak tree near the tennis courts.  He leaned himself next the tree and looked at the time, noticing that he was still a little early.  Eiji took a deep breath and hoped things would go as planned. 

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Oishi sat in his room working on a mixture of homework assignments and papers for the tennis club.  His mind kept wondering how things would turn out for Eiji, but he had a feeling that everything would turn out okay.  He didn't mind Eiji dating Reiko since both of them were dear friends to him that he trusted with his life. 

He was focusing back on his work when he heard a knock downstairs.  He heard his mom open the door.  "Syuchiroh!  Eiji is at the door!"  His mom called. 

"Eiji?"  Oishi got up from his chair and ran downstairs.  He wondered why Eiji would be coming over at this time since it was already late and dark outside.  "Maybe he was excited about today that he wanted to run over here and tell me the good news."

As Oishi got the door, he was shocked at his appearance.  He was expecting a hyper cheerful Eiji, but instead got a sad, tired, and very depressed Eiji. 

Eiji looked up at Oishi and did his best to smile.  "Oishi.  Sorry for coming over so late.  Do you mind if I come in for a bit?"

Oishi couldn't refuse the offer.  "No problem Eiji."  He noticed that Eiji was still in his school uniform.  "Didn't feel like changing at home?"

Eiji shook his head.  "I didn't go home.  Don't worry though, I called home to tell them I was going to be out for a bit."

Both of them hurried to his room so they could talk privately.  Oishi was really worried about what happened today from Eiji's appearance.  Oishi closed the door as Eiji sat on Oishi's bed curled up.  He sat down next to him.  "Eiji.  If you haven't gone home yet, where have you been all this time?"  Oishi asked in concern. 

"I was at school still." 

"School?  But we ended practice nearly 3 hours ago!"  Oishi exclaimed in shock.  "Why were you still there?"

"Reiko…she never came." 

"What?"

"I waited around.  I wondered if something might have happened so I called her cell phone and got no response."  Eiji looked at Oishi with eyes about to be filled with tears.  "Oishi…what if she saw me waiting and didn't want to tell me?  I would think she'd approach me…but…" Eiji leaned his face into Oishi's chest to hide the tears that were coming.  Oishi could feel the warm tears absorb through his shirt.   

"She could have called me if she couldn't come.  I thought I knew her well.  Why'd she do this to me?  I tried for so long and when I finally got the chance, it ended like this.  Why did I even bother?  I shouldn't have done this."  Eiji spoke as his face was still buried in Oishi shirt.  Oishi was left speechless.  He didn't know how to respond and was shocked at what Reiko did.  It anguished him seeing one of his best friends hurt by another.  All he could do at the time was comfort him.  He patted Eiji on the back and gently stroked his red hair.  

To be cont.

(A/N:  Um…I hope that was interesting.  The Makoto Harada character was mentioned back in chapter 3.  She's someone else that was on the girl's tennis team. Not that important to know, but will appear in the next one.  Sorry if Eiji seemed OOC near the end.  Eiji doesn't seem like the type to cry, but since he's good friend with Oishi that I'm sure he'd be willing to express more feelings towards him.  I guess one reason why I like Oishi's character is that he can get mad (hence the reason why I enjoyed episode 52).  I mean…that's human nature.  If you have any comments or whatever, please give a review or email me.  I still feel I'm a new writer so I strive to improve any way I can.  Thanks once again for reading.)

Preview:  Protecting one friend could mean losing another.