Chapter 7

"You're going to school here!" exclaimed Kiyoko in surprise when they saw Rei walk into their classroom in the Seigaku boy's uniform.

"I'm in your class," said Rei. Yuki smiled excitedly but then frowned.

"Are you sure you don't want to continue your job in New York?" asked Yuki, "I don't want you to think we're holding you back."

"Looks like you're as baka as ever," said Rei. Yuki flushed and uttered a protest. Kiyoko saw the time to introduce Ryoma who sat right next to her.

"Rei," said Kiyoko, "Meet Ryoma. He's like a tennis prodigy." Rei looked at Kiyoko's excitement and said,

"I always knew you liked the athletic type." Kiyoko flushed to the roots of her odango hair.

"Rei!"

"So anyway," said Rei tactfully changing the subject, "I heard that the ranking tournament is today."

"Yeah," said Yuki, "I wish Captain would consider you to be in it." Rei shrugged.

"I'll wait for the one next month and then join you," said Rei, "In the meantime, I get to be manager."

"Really?" asked Kiyoko, "Doesn't that mean you'll be working closely with Captain?" Rei winked.

"Guess so," said Rei thinking of the hot third year captain in her mind's eye.

"Once a month," narrated Rei, "Every second and third year would be divided into four blocks to compete against each other. A total of 8 will be eligible to participate in different tournaments. But this time, a strange atmosphere is lurking around the court due to a few first years."

"Yes!" cheered Kiyoko as Yuki won her second match. Kiyoko had already won the first half her division with ease since none of the regulars were there. The second half would begin after everyone else was done.

"How were your matches?" asked Yuki. She was dressed in a short white skirt and top with her hair tied up into a crown around her head. Loose strands fell randomly down her neck. A red choker encircled her neck and a small star hung from it. Rei noticed it.

"Are you still wearing that?" asked Rei. Yuki touched it tenderly.

"It's a good luck charm," said Yuki as an excuse, "You know I can't bear to take it off. Kiyoko shrugged but a look of sadness was on her face. She brightened immediately.

"Come on," said Kiyoko, "Ryoma's match just ended so we have to meet up with him." Rei and Yuki nodded before following Kiyoko to the boy. The girls had seated themselves with Ryoma, Horio, and some other first years.

"You were surprised that Echizen was even in the ranking matches but I knew it all along. Two straight wins isn't something to be surprised about," said Horio glumly as he talked. Food was spraying everywhere and the girls covered their bento lunches protectively.

"Horio!" said a first year, "Eat with your mouth open."

"If Ryoma can be in rankings maybe I can too!" said Horio excitedly, "They even let Yuki and Kiyoko play and they're first years too! They're girls to top it off."

"Got a problem with that?" asked Kiyoko with her arms crossed.

"Is Ryoma here?!" asked a boy with a mushroom cut who had just walked in.

"Kachiro!" said Horio, "What happened to your eye?"

"I was so absorbed in the match that." began Kachiro before getting to the point, "Well, anyway, I have a taping of Ryoma's next opponent, Kaido- senpai."

"Fantastic," said Horio eagerly, "I was watching Ryoma's match so I couldn't get to see the other ones."

"He's overwhelmingly strong!" said Kachiro worried.

"Definetely," agreed Kiyoko over Ryoma's shoulder.

"Right, I may not be able to win against him," said Ryoma.

"Boy I never thought I'd hear Ryoma say that," said Kachiro before looking at Ryoma, "I didn't mean the pros!" Ryoma and Kiyoko were looking at a tennis magazine.

"Did you say something Kachiro?" asked Yuki while taking a bite from lunch. Ryoma stood up.

"I'm going to use the restroom," he said before walking off.

"He's always like that," said Kiyoko.

"But I took these shots for Ryoma too," said Kachiro in chibi about to cry. The girls stood up. Rei was the first to stand.

"Where are you off to?" asked Yuki.

"Just to see the captain," said Rei casually before running off.

"But isn't he in a match right now?" asked Kiyoko confused. Yuki smiled.

"I'll see you later Kiyoko," said Yuki before running off to the courts which, coincidentally, was where Eiji was. Kiyoko sighed and walked off to the practice area and found Ryoma there.

"He's been hitting the same spot over and over," Kiyoko thought before Ryoma stopped to look at Kiyoko.

"Did the match already start?" he asked. Kiyoko shook her head.

"Not for another ten minutes," she answered. Ryoma grinned.

"Guess I'm off."