Chapter 13
"Rei!" called Yuki, "Wake up! I wanted to check out the other schools before everyone else got there!" Rei waved airily at Yuki.
"You go ahead," said Rei, "I want to sleep some more. Seigaku is the first seed so we're allowed to be an hour late." Yuki gave up and ran to Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko! Come on!" said Yuki. Kiyoko was in the kitchen busily making something.
"I'm going with Rei," said Kiyoko. Yuki was crestfallen.
"Why are you late?" asked Yuki, "I thought you wanted to check on the competition." Kiyoko blushed but hurriedly turned away.
"I'll see you later," said Kiyoko. Yuki sweatdropped before running out of the house. She wore a short white skirt and tank top. Her Seigaku jacket was tucked securely in her bag. Wrist bands adorned her wrists and her hair was tucked into a hat. She walked into the Shikinomori Sports Park and settled into a chair watching a game. There didn't seem to be much competition so far and the hour passed by slowly. She yawned and stretched before getting up.
"How boring," said Yuki before two boys walked up to her.
"Hey girl," said one, "Are you hear to watch the matches. My school is sure to be number one. How about you cheer me on."
"No way!" said the other, "She's cheering my school on." Yuki was clueless before Eiji and Fuji walked up.
"Hey! Yuki-chan!" called Eiji. Yuki turned and smiled in recognition.
"Ah! Eiji-chan! Fuji-chan!" said Yuki, "Are you guys here to watch the matches too?"
"Ah! It's Seigaku," said the first boy, "Let's get out of here." Fuji and Eiji looked at the two boys confused.
"Who were those guys?" asked Fuji with his usual smile.
"No clue," said Yuki.
"You better put your jacket on now Yuki-chan," said Eiji, "Tezuka wants us all in the front of the park right now."
"Hai!" said Yuki following the two to the park where Rei and Kiyoko were already at.
"Where did you go off to?" asked Rei.
"I was watching the match," said Yuki before turning to Kiyoko who had a large bag behind her. "What's in there Kiyoko?" asked Yuki in a sly voice.
"Nothing," said Kiyoko quickly hiding it behind her back hurriedly.
"Look! Here they come! It's Seigaku's regular team!" shrieked a girl.
"Tezuka! Look over this way!" called a girl as she and another started jumping up and down. Rei was visibly annoyed.
"Can those guys be any louder?" asked Rei aloud.
"That's just because she's jealous," confided Yuki to Kiyoko in chibi form.
"What was that?" asked Rei a fire surrounding her.
"Nothing!" said Kiyoko and Yuki hurriedly. Tezuka went to the registrar.
"There are ten of us her from Seishun Gakuen Jr. High," said Tezuka giving the man at the desk a clipboard.
"It's Seigaku. They look really tough," said a boy before looking at Yuki, Kiyoko, and Ryoma wearing the regular jackets.
"What are those first years doing there?" said one.
"The girls are pretty cute," said another, "They are probably in the mixed doubles teams. Each school must have a representative from both genders at every tournament just so that the school shows its strength in both males and females."
"But I thought they disbanded the girls' tennis team."
"Hey Fukawa," said Izumi who had been watching the regulars with the others, "Aren't those two the guys we played against?"
"We are playing them next," said Fukawa.
"What!" exclaimed Mizuno, "Captain Tezuka isn't playing against Gyokurin? Is it to conserve his stamina?"
"This is what was entered in registration at the reception," said Inui.
"Eh?!" exclaimed Horio upon closer inspection, "Momo-chan-senpai and Echizen are playing doubles?!"
"I heard they volunteered," said Inui.
"Look!" said Kachiro, "Ryoma-kun and Eiji-senpai are playing twice!"
"Because of Yuki and Kiyoko right?" asked Mizuno.
"Yes," said Inui. Kachiro looked at Eiji and Oishi. The two were looking into their bags.
"Eiji," began Oishi as he looked for something in his bag.
"Here," said Eiji handing him his water bottle.
"Thanks," said Oishi.
"Hey," said Eiji before Oishi gave him his towel, "Thanks."
"Wow, they really are the golden pair," said Kachiro amazed before he looked at Momo and Ryoma.
"Echizen hand me that," said Momo shuffling things around his bag.
"That what?" asked Ryoma. Momo sweatdropped.
"That towel under your ass!" said Momo. All the first years sweatdropped.
"They have no connection at all," they said. Yuki looked at Kiyoko and Rei.
"Why are those guys playing doubles?" asked Yuki, "I thought they wanted 3rd singles."
"Long story," said Kiyoko. Everyone took a seat and Ryoma and Momo went to the court. Coach Ryuzaki turned to Tezuka.
"Tezuka, you don't need to worry," she said reassuringly, "I made sure they won't embarrass themselves."
"I know."
"Guess obaa-sama sensed it too," said Rei.
"First round Seigaku: Momoshiro and Echizen. Gyokurin: Izumi and Fukawa."
"Everyone's surprised that you guys are part of the invincible Seigaku regulars," said Fukawa with a smirk.
"I guess we got off lucky," said Izumi.
"I can't express my relief!" said Fukawa, "If this were singles, you would have had the advantage. Too bad."
"That's true," said Ryoma.
"But we wanted to beat you in your own game," said Momo wearing a confident grin.
"So that's why you decided to play doubles?" asked Izumi and Fukawa shocked.
"We were getting worried that we wouldn't be able to play you," said Ryoma.
"Guess luck is on our side," said Momo.
"If you think that practicing in one or two days is going to change your play," said Izumi, "Thank you're wrong."
"Sure about that?" asked Momo with a laugh, "We learn pretty quickly."
"They look like they're arguing," commented Horio.
"So that's why," said Fuji with a smile.
"All right Echizen. We'll use the ah-un tactic," said Momo heading back to their side.
"Gotcha," said Ryoma.
"Ah-Un tactic?" asked the regulars confusedly.
"Do you know what that is Inui?" asked EIji turning to him.
"No clue," said Inui. Ryoma and Momo were stretching on the court.
"One Set Match! Gyokurin, to serve!" said the ref. People cheered from both sides.
"I'll make you regret coming today!" said Izumi confidently as he served to Ryoma and Echizen.
"Don't miss Echizen," said Momo as he went to the forward court.
"I won't," said Ryoma confidently returning the ball with ease.
"Hyah!" said Izumi returning with a grin. He served to the middle.
"He's going to the middle!" said Horio worriedly.
"Ah!" said Momo.
"Un," said Ryoma. Ryoma stopped and Momo returned the ball.
"They returned it?!" exclaimed Izumi in surprise.
"But last time." said Fukawa.
"Yay!" said Seigaku, "Those two really can work well. But the call is pretty weird."
"Those guys aren't as bad as I thought," said Yuki.
"You should have seen yesterday," muttered Rei and Kiyoko under their breaths.
"Love-40," said the ref as Ryoma returned another ball.
"Gyokurin has something up their sleeve," said Kiyoko, "And I don't think Momo and Ryoma are well trained for it." Momo returned the ball on his side and Ryoma followed after returning a lob.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Yuki, Kiyoko, and the Golden Pair at the same time. Izumi returned on the open side Ryoma had left. Momo and Ryoma tried to reach at the same time but both missed.
"15-40."
"Apart from the center," said Tezuka sternly, "They have no cooperation." Fuji laughed under his breath.
"That's some footwork," said Fukawa referring to how fast they had both gone for the ball, "If we were playing them for singles."
"Fukawa!" said Izumi calling the boy back to attention, "There are different ways to play doubles." Izuma served now.
"Ah! What a soft serve!?" said Mizuno, "Did they make a mistake?"
"Finish them Echizen!" cheered Kachiro.
"That was done on purpose," said Oishi while Eiji nodded.
"Even experts don't always win when it comes to doubles," said Eiji. Yuki and Kiyoko looked at them with smiles.
"Senpai are very good at doubles," commented Kiyoko, "Yuki and I would love to play a game with you sometime."
"Maybe when you're older," said Oishi who had never heard of their Doubles skill. Izumi and Fukawa both went to the net.
"It's a Doubles Approach!" exclaimed Yuki. Ryoma returned but Fukawa volleyed it back to their side.
"30-40!"
"In order to win in Doubles," said Kiyoko, "You need teamwork." She was watching the Gyokurin pair carefully.
"Let's finish this," said Izumi.
"They struck back at Seigaku," said Gyokurin dazed, "Let's cheer louder for them! Gyokurin! Gyokurin!"
"Let's cheer too!" said Seigaku, "Go Seigaku!"
"Guess the crowd is getting riled," observed Kiyoko.
"This pair is good," said Ryoma turning his racket behind his back.
"There is something behind that soft serve," said Momo.
"You know," said Rei, "Even I know that a quickly made pair will suffer difficulties. Only seasoned players can manage a bad Doubles player."
"AH! Gomen nasai," said Fuji as he dropped Ryoma's tennis bag on the floor. A book fell out. Everyone surrounded it.
"Doubles for Beginners?!" exclaimed Seigaku. Kiyoko had fangs for teeth and stood as close to the court as she could.
"I'll kill you Ryoma!" shouted Kiyoko, "Do you have any idea how dead you are going to be once this is over? You won't live to see tomorrow Echizen!" Everyone got chills on their spine.
"Kiyoko-chan is scary when she's mad," said Momo, "I feel sorry for you Ryoma."
"Help me out Rei!" said Yuki as she tried to drag the fuming Kiyoko back to her chair. They managed and focused their attention to the game again.
"Die!" said Izumi and Fukawa after they did their Doubles approach again.
"They caught up again!" exclaimed Horio, "Gyokurin has the advantage in the game now."
"Those guys," muttered Rei, "They both have greater defense capability than normal so its likely that the ball will land closer to their range and both will go after the ball. Why won't one of them stay still?"
"Because both have egos the size of Japan," said Yuki, "They both want the ball and are way too subborn."
"They won their serving game!" said Gyokurin happily.
"Time to switch sides," said Izumi. Kiyoko pounced on Ryoma once he got off the court. Yuki and Rei held her back.
"Do this after the game!" said the two holding her friend back. Ryoma hid behind Momo as Kiyoko's freaky aura surrounded him.
"You two are pathetic!" said Coach Ryuzaki with a smirk.
"Doesn't feel like I'm playing tennis at all," said Takeshi, "I want my body to move in my mind, but my natural reflexes."
"Internal conflicts are scarier than external pressures," said Ryoma, "All the chances are spoiled."
"What do you mean by internal conflicts?!" asked Momo, "I dare you to say it again?! You're trying to hit the spotlights too!"
"Stop quarreling," said Coach Ryuzaki.
"Yo, quarreling?" asked Izumi as he and Fukawa passed by.
"Haha! How ridiculous," snickered Fukawa.
"Those idiots," said Coach Ryuzaki now smug, "Trying to provoke our players." At a closer inspection Coach Ryuzaki sweatdropped. "They fell for the trap?!" Momo and Ryoma were glaring at Gyokurin. "Tezuka, do you think we chose the wrong pair?"
"Yes!" said all of Seigaku along with Tezuka's bland response.
"Gyokurin leads 1-0!"
"Catch this!" said Momo in a fierce voice.
"Momo's Dunk Smask!" said Seigaku eagerly. The powerful serve fell upon Ryoma's poor head.
"Oops!" said Momo scared, "I put too much power in the serve."
"It's all right," said Ryoma though his eyes were shaded by his hat. Momo served again and Fukawa lobbed it to him. "I've got it," said Ryoma. He found a corner to return it but Momo was suddenly in his field of vision and the ball hit him instead. "Sorry."
"Ryoma," said Momo looking at him about to explode.
"Wow! Internal Clash #2!" said Gyokurin with a laugh. Ryoma walked to the end of the court back to back with Momo who also went to the other end of the court. Everything was silent and only a loud scraping sound could be heard. The rackets met in the middle.
"Looks like we have the same idea Momo-senpai," said Ryoma with a grin.
"Let's play this our way now," said Momo.
"That sounds like the old Ryoma now!" said the first years.
"They divided the court in half so they didn't have to be worried about the other person," said Kiyoko amazed, "Maybe Ryoma won't be such a bad partner after all."
"Don't even think about coming to my side senpai," said Ryoma.
"Same for me Echizen," said Momo winking at him.
"They'll never pull it off," said Izumi stubbornly. The game began again and Ryoma and Momo were returning every shot!
"There's only one place I can shoot!" said Fukawa hitting for the middle.
"No Fukawa!" shouted Izumi but it was too late.
"Ah!"
"Un!" Ryoma stopped and Momo returned the ball.
"Game Set!" said the ref., "Seigaku wins 6-3."
"Ryoma," said Kiyoko heading for him. Coach Ryuzaki was right behind her ready to punish both Ryoma and Momo. The next minute the two boys were sitting tea ceremony style on the asphalt with bumps on their heads. Momo had one but Ryoma had two protruding ones. The regulars snickered.
"They may have won but they were still punished," said Oishi.
"Doubles 1 next!" said the ref. Eiji and Oishi came forward. The game didn't even last a second.
"Game Set! Seigaku, 6-0," said the ref.
"Yay! Eiji-chan!" cheered Yuki, "Good job Oishi-senpai." Eiji ruffled Yuki's hair and laughed.
"Thanks Yuki-chan," said Eiji, "You better be ready for our match later."
"Hai!" said Yuki promptly. Kaido went next. The other boy was scared out of his wits and lost immediately.
"Seigaku, 6-0!"
"I feel the burn!" said Taka-senpai when he won his match. Rei sweatdropped as she was given the duty of taking the racket from Takashi.
"Seigaku, 6-0!"
"Good luck Fuji-chan!" said Yuki when he was getting on the court.
"Arigato Yuki-chan," said Fuji. The game was over in a flash.
"Sugoi Fuji-chan," said Yuki giving him a big hug.
"Next up! Mixed Doubles," said the ref., "Mixed Doubles 2: Echizen Kazumi pair!" Ryoma and Kiyoko went forward. Kiyoko stopped him before entering the court with her racket. Ryoma looked at her from his gaze on the ground.
"Let's do our best," she said with a wink before getting on the court. Ryoma stopped for a second confused. Wasn't she just mad at me? Why am I blushing so much? In reality the blush was just a faint tinge on his cheeks. He got on the court keeping his head to the ground.
"Here we go," said Rei, "You can finally see where Kiyoko's talent truly lies." Kiyoko's eyes seemed to have taken a darker shade and she wore a smile much more different to the one she usually had. Gyokurin started first. The opponents were Izumi and a girl with short black hair. She was a second year and did not seem to be very confident. Izumi returned the ball at a corner where no one was looking. Kiyoko appeared out of nowhere and returned it at a super fast speed.
"What was that?!" exclaimed Horio, "Where did Kiyoko come from? Wasn't she just at the middle?"
"Kami Kaze," said Rei in a clear voice.
"God Wind?" asked Oishi. Rei and Yuki nodded.
"Kiyoko's number one asset is speed," said Rei, "She uses it to play defense all over the court. If you think Ryoma is fast, you should see Kiyoko in full power. She has the stamina to match it too. Not only that but her speed adds to the return making it into a super fast Ace return." Ryoma watched Kiyoko win the first half of the game. The second was their serve. Kiyoko smiled at Ryoma.
"Would you like me to stay out of your way?" asked Kiyoko, "We both know that your twist serve is much stronger than mine." Ryoma said nothing and served with his right.
"Game Set! Seigaku 6-0!" Kiyoko and Ryoma walked back. Kiyoko had the V sign while Ryoma was looking to the side his hands in his pocket.
"He's moping again," whispered Momo to Horio, Kachiro, and Mizuno, "I guess he didn't play as much as he wanted."
"Momo-chan-senpai!" said the first years hurrying to cover his mouth when Ryoma looked in their direction.
"We're up Eiji-chan," said Yuki walking to the court.
"What's with Yuki?" asked Oishi to Rei, "It's like she completely changed."
"You'll see," said Rei as the match started. Yuki chose to take the back. They were given the choice to serve first. Yuki held the ball gently feeling it from all sides before tossing it up.
"Oh no! Yuki hit the rim!" cried out Horio, "She'll never be able to serve it now." The ball zoomed to the opposite court at the girl who was now frozen in place. It was almost there when it slightly swerved inward more zooming to the spot an inch before the pole and rolling out of the court.
"What was that?!" exclaimed Kachiro.
"Hurricane Serve," said Kiyoko.
"Hurricane Serve?" asked Fuji.
"Yuki meant to hit the ball in the rim," explained Rei, "It applies to air currents. Do you know how air on one side flows faster than on the other to stay afloat? Yuki applied this method to the ball. There's a certain spot on the ball which is its weakest and the best place to hit. The ball zooms to the opposite end of the court and judging the angle of the racket, Yuki can hit the ball at a speed very very few can match anywhere on the court."
"Ever heard of the calm before a storm?" asked Kiyoko, "Well this applies to Yuki. In a desperate situation she takes desperate measures at a grand scale. Hurricane Serve came to her when she just started tennis and took years to perfect. She's the only one with that kind of style."
"Why haven't we heard of you three before?" demanded Tezuka, "Rei seems to be holding something very important back and you three don't say a word about your past."
"Please don't ask us to talk about our past captain," said Kiyoko in a grim voice, "Some things are meant to be hidden."
"Kakkoi Yuki-chan!" said Eiji ruffling her hair, "Didn't know you had it in you."
"Arigato Eiji-chan," said Yuki, "But your acrobatics are sugoi! It can't be fully appreciated unless you are on the court watching it." The two laughed but then stopped at the tension in the air.
"Did something happen over here?" asked Eiji aloud. Yuki broke the ice by looking into Kiyoko's mysterious bag.
"Hey Kiyoko!" said Yuki, "Did you make lunch for us?" She was pointing at a large bento.
"Kyaa! Yuki!" shouted Kiyoko hurriedly rewrapping the bento, "This isn't for you."
"Then who is it for?" asked Rei in a teasing voice.
"Eep!" squeaked Yuki hiding behind Eiji and Fuji so that she wouldn't be in the direct line of fire from Kiyoko's death glare.
"Rei!" called Yuki, "Wake up! I wanted to check out the other schools before everyone else got there!" Rei waved airily at Yuki.
"You go ahead," said Rei, "I want to sleep some more. Seigaku is the first seed so we're allowed to be an hour late." Yuki gave up and ran to Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko! Come on!" said Yuki. Kiyoko was in the kitchen busily making something.
"I'm going with Rei," said Kiyoko. Yuki was crestfallen.
"Why are you late?" asked Yuki, "I thought you wanted to check on the competition." Kiyoko blushed but hurriedly turned away.
"I'll see you later," said Kiyoko. Yuki sweatdropped before running out of the house. She wore a short white skirt and tank top. Her Seigaku jacket was tucked securely in her bag. Wrist bands adorned her wrists and her hair was tucked into a hat. She walked into the Shikinomori Sports Park and settled into a chair watching a game. There didn't seem to be much competition so far and the hour passed by slowly. She yawned and stretched before getting up.
"How boring," said Yuki before two boys walked up to her.
"Hey girl," said one, "Are you hear to watch the matches. My school is sure to be number one. How about you cheer me on."
"No way!" said the other, "She's cheering my school on." Yuki was clueless before Eiji and Fuji walked up.
"Hey! Yuki-chan!" called Eiji. Yuki turned and smiled in recognition.
"Ah! Eiji-chan! Fuji-chan!" said Yuki, "Are you guys here to watch the matches too?"
"Ah! It's Seigaku," said the first boy, "Let's get out of here." Fuji and Eiji looked at the two boys confused.
"Who were those guys?" asked Fuji with his usual smile.
"No clue," said Yuki.
"You better put your jacket on now Yuki-chan," said Eiji, "Tezuka wants us all in the front of the park right now."
"Hai!" said Yuki following the two to the park where Rei and Kiyoko were already at.
"Where did you go off to?" asked Rei.
"I was watching the match," said Yuki before turning to Kiyoko who had a large bag behind her. "What's in there Kiyoko?" asked Yuki in a sly voice.
"Nothing," said Kiyoko quickly hiding it behind her back hurriedly.
"Look! Here they come! It's Seigaku's regular team!" shrieked a girl.
"Tezuka! Look over this way!" called a girl as she and another started jumping up and down. Rei was visibly annoyed.
"Can those guys be any louder?" asked Rei aloud.
"That's just because she's jealous," confided Yuki to Kiyoko in chibi form.
"What was that?" asked Rei a fire surrounding her.
"Nothing!" said Kiyoko and Yuki hurriedly. Tezuka went to the registrar.
"There are ten of us her from Seishun Gakuen Jr. High," said Tezuka giving the man at the desk a clipboard.
"It's Seigaku. They look really tough," said a boy before looking at Yuki, Kiyoko, and Ryoma wearing the regular jackets.
"What are those first years doing there?" said one.
"The girls are pretty cute," said another, "They are probably in the mixed doubles teams. Each school must have a representative from both genders at every tournament just so that the school shows its strength in both males and females."
"But I thought they disbanded the girls' tennis team."
"Hey Fukawa," said Izumi who had been watching the regulars with the others, "Aren't those two the guys we played against?"
"We are playing them next," said Fukawa.
"What!" exclaimed Mizuno, "Captain Tezuka isn't playing against Gyokurin? Is it to conserve his stamina?"
"This is what was entered in registration at the reception," said Inui.
"Eh?!" exclaimed Horio upon closer inspection, "Momo-chan-senpai and Echizen are playing doubles?!"
"I heard they volunteered," said Inui.
"Look!" said Kachiro, "Ryoma-kun and Eiji-senpai are playing twice!"
"Because of Yuki and Kiyoko right?" asked Mizuno.
"Yes," said Inui. Kachiro looked at Eiji and Oishi. The two were looking into their bags.
"Eiji," began Oishi as he looked for something in his bag.
"Here," said Eiji handing him his water bottle.
"Thanks," said Oishi.
"Hey," said Eiji before Oishi gave him his towel, "Thanks."
"Wow, they really are the golden pair," said Kachiro amazed before he looked at Momo and Ryoma.
"Echizen hand me that," said Momo shuffling things around his bag.
"That what?" asked Ryoma. Momo sweatdropped.
"That towel under your ass!" said Momo. All the first years sweatdropped.
"They have no connection at all," they said. Yuki looked at Kiyoko and Rei.
"Why are those guys playing doubles?" asked Yuki, "I thought they wanted 3rd singles."
"Long story," said Kiyoko. Everyone took a seat and Ryoma and Momo went to the court. Coach Ryuzaki turned to Tezuka.
"Tezuka, you don't need to worry," she said reassuringly, "I made sure they won't embarrass themselves."
"I know."
"Guess obaa-sama sensed it too," said Rei.
"First round Seigaku: Momoshiro and Echizen. Gyokurin: Izumi and Fukawa."
"Everyone's surprised that you guys are part of the invincible Seigaku regulars," said Fukawa with a smirk.
"I guess we got off lucky," said Izumi.
"I can't express my relief!" said Fukawa, "If this were singles, you would have had the advantage. Too bad."
"That's true," said Ryoma.
"But we wanted to beat you in your own game," said Momo wearing a confident grin.
"So that's why you decided to play doubles?" asked Izumi and Fukawa shocked.
"We were getting worried that we wouldn't be able to play you," said Ryoma.
"Guess luck is on our side," said Momo.
"If you think that practicing in one or two days is going to change your play," said Izumi, "Thank you're wrong."
"Sure about that?" asked Momo with a laugh, "We learn pretty quickly."
"They look like they're arguing," commented Horio.
"So that's why," said Fuji with a smile.
"All right Echizen. We'll use the ah-un tactic," said Momo heading back to their side.
"Gotcha," said Ryoma.
"Ah-Un tactic?" asked the regulars confusedly.
"Do you know what that is Inui?" asked EIji turning to him.
"No clue," said Inui. Ryoma and Momo were stretching on the court.
"One Set Match! Gyokurin, to serve!" said the ref. People cheered from both sides.
"I'll make you regret coming today!" said Izumi confidently as he served to Ryoma and Echizen.
"Don't miss Echizen," said Momo as he went to the forward court.
"I won't," said Ryoma confidently returning the ball with ease.
"Hyah!" said Izumi returning with a grin. He served to the middle.
"He's going to the middle!" said Horio worriedly.
"Ah!" said Momo.
"Un," said Ryoma. Ryoma stopped and Momo returned the ball.
"They returned it?!" exclaimed Izumi in surprise.
"But last time." said Fukawa.
"Yay!" said Seigaku, "Those two really can work well. But the call is pretty weird."
"Those guys aren't as bad as I thought," said Yuki.
"You should have seen yesterday," muttered Rei and Kiyoko under their breaths.
"Love-40," said the ref as Ryoma returned another ball.
"Gyokurin has something up their sleeve," said Kiyoko, "And I don't think Momo and Ryoma are well trained for it." Momo returned the ball on his side and Ryoma followed after returning a lob.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Yuki, Kiyoko, and the Golden Pair at the same time. Izumi returned on the open side Ryoma had left. Momo and Ryoma tried to reach at the same time but both missed.
"15-40."
"Apart from the center," said Tezuka sternly, "They have no cooperation." Fuji laughed under his breath.
"That's some footwork," said Fukawa referring to how fast they had both gone for the ball, "If we were playing them for singles."
"Fukawa!" said Izumi calling the boy back to attention, "There are different ways to play doubles." Izuma served now.
"Ah! What a soft serve!?" said Mizuno, "Did they make a mistake?"
"Finish them Echizen!" cheered Kachiro.
"That was done on purpose," said Oishi while Eiji nodded.
"Even experts don't always win when it comes to doubles," said Eiji. Yuki and Kiyoko looked at them with smiles.
"Senpai are very good at doubles," commented Kiyoko, "Yuki and I would love to play a game with you sometime."
"Maybe when you're older," said Oishi who had never heard of their Doubles skill. Izumi and Fukawa both went to the net.
"It's a Doubles Approach!" exclaimed Yuki. Ryoma returned but Fukawa volleyed it back to their side.
"30-40!"
"In order to win in Doubles," said Kiyoko, "You need teamwork." She was watching the Gyokurin pair carefully.
"Let's finish this," said Izumi.
"They struck back at Seigaku," said Gyokurin dazed, "Let's cheer louder for them! Gyokurin! Gyokurin!"
"Let's cheer too!" said Seigaku, "Go Seigaku!"
"Guess the crowd is getting riled," observed Kiyoko.
"This pair is good," said Ryoma turning his racket behind his back.
"There is something behind that soft serve," said Momo.
"You know," said Rei, "Even I know that a quickly made pair will suffer difficulties. Only seasoned players can manage a bad Doubles player."
"AH! Gomen nasai," said Fuji as he dropped Ryoma's tennis bag on the floor. A book fell out. Everyone surrounded it.
"Doubles for Beginners?!" exclaimed Seigaku. Kiyoko had fangs for teeth and stood as close to the court as she could.
"I'll kill you Ryoma!" shouted Kiyoko, "Do you have any idea how dead you are going to be once this is over? You won't live to see tomorrow Echizen!" Everyone got chills on their spine.
"Kiyoko-chan is scary when she's mad," said Momo, "I feel sorry for you Ryoma."
"Help me out Rei!" said Yuki as she tried to drag the fuming Kiyoko back to her chair. They managed and focused their attention to the game again.
"Die!" said Izumi and Fukawa after they did their Doubles approach again.
"They caught up again!" exclaimed Horio, "Gyokurin has the advantage in the game now."
"Those guys," muttered Rei, "They both have greater defense capability than normal so its likely that the ball will land closer to their range and both will go after the ball. Why won't one of them stay still?"
"Because both have egos the size of Japan," said Yuki, "They both want the ball and are way too subborn."
"They won their serving game!" said Gyokurin happily.
"Time to switch sides," said Izumi. Kiyoko pounced on Ryoma once he got off the court. Yuki and Rei held her back.
"Do this after the game!" said the two holding her friend back. Ryoma hid behind Momo as Kiyoko's freaky aura surrounded him.
"You two are pathetic!" said Coach Ryuzaki with a smirk.
"Doesn't feel like I'm playing tennis at all," said Takeshi, "I want my body to move in my mind, but my natural reflexes."
"Internal conflicts are scarier than external pressures," said Ryoma, "All the chances are spoiled."
"What do you mean by internal conflicts?!" asked Momo, "I dare you to say it again?! You're trying to hit the spotlights too!"
"Stop quarreling," said Coach Ryuzaki.
"Yo, quarreling?" asked Izumi as he and Fukawa passed by.
"Haha! How ridiculous," snickered Fukawa.
"Those idiots," said Coach Ryuzaki now smug, "Trying to provoke our players." At a closer inspection Coach Ryuzaki sweatdropped. "They fell for the trap?!" Momo and Ryoma were glaring at Gyokurin. "Tezuka, do you think we chose the wrong pair?"
"Yes!" said all of Seigaku along with Tezuka's bland response.
"Gyokurin leads 1-0!"
"Catch this!" said Momo in a fierce voice.
"Momo's Dunk Smask!" said Seigaku eagerly. The powerful serve fell upon Ryoma's poor head.
"Oops!" said Momo scared, "I put too much power in the serve."
"It's all right," said Ryoma though his eyes were shaded by his hat. Momo served again and Fukawa lobbed it to him. "I've got it," said Ryoma. He found a corner to return it but Momo was suddenly in his field of vision and the ball hit him instead. "Sorry."
"Ryoma," said Momo looking at him about to explode.
"Wow! Internal Clash #2!" said Gyokurin with a laugh. Ryoma walked to the end of the court back to back with Momo who also went to the other end of the court. Everything was silent and only a loud scraping sound could be heard. The rackets met in the middle.
"Looks like we have the same idea Momo-senpai," said Ryoma with a grin.
"Let's play this our way now," said Momo.
"That sounds like the old Ryoma now!" said the first years.
"They divided the court in half so they didn't have to be worried about the other person," said Kiyoko amazed, "Maybe Ryoma won't be such a bad partner after all."
"Don't even think about coming to my side senpai," said Ryoma.
"Same for me Echizen," said Momo winking at him.
"They'll never pull it off," said Izumi stubbornly. The game began again and Ryoma and Momo were returning every shot!
"There's only one place I can shoot!" said Fukawa hitting for the middle.
"No Fukawa!" shouted Izumi but it was too late.
"Ah!"
"Un!" Ryoma stopped and Momo returned the ball.
"Game Set!" said the ref., "Seigaku wins 6-3."
"Ryoma," said Kiyoko heading for him. Coach Ryuzaki was right behind her ready to punish both Ryoma and Momo. The next minute the two boys were sitting tea ceremony style on the asphalt with bumps on their heads. Momo had one but Ryoma had two protruding ones. The regulars snickered.
"They may have won but they were still punished," said Oishi.
"Doubles 1 next!" said the ref. Eiji and Oishi came forward. The game didn't even last a second.
"Game Set! Seigaku, 6-0," said the ref.
"Yay! Eiji-chan!" cheered Yuki, "Good job Oishi-senpai." Eiji ruffled Yuki's hair and laughed.
"Thanks Yuki-chan," said Eiji, "You better be ready for our match later."
"Hai!" said Yuki promptly. Kaido went next. The other boy was scared out of his wits and lost immediately.
"Seigaku, 6-0!"
"I feel the burn!" said Taka-senpai when he won his match. Rei sweatdropped as she was given the duty of taking the racket from Takashi.
"Seigaku, 6-0!"
"Good luck Fuji-chan!" said Yuki when he was getting on the court.
"Arigato Yuki-chan," said Fuji. The game was over in a flash.
"Sugoi Fuji-chan," said Yuki giving him a big hug.
"Next up! Mixed Doubles," said the ref., "Mixed Doubles 2: Echizen Kazumi pair!" Ryoma and Kiyoko went forward. Kiyoko stopped him before entering the court with her racket. Ryoma looked at her from his gaze on the ground.
"Let's do our best," she said with a wink before getting on the court. Ryoma stopped for a second confused. Wasn't she just mad at me? Why am I blushing so much? In reality the blush was just a faint tinge on his cheeks. He got on the court keeping his head to the ground.
"Here we go," said Rei, "You can finally see where Kiyoko's talent truly lies." Kiyoko's eyes seemed to have taken a darker shade and she wore a smile much more different to the one she usually had. Gyokurin started first. The opponents were Izumi and a girl with short black hair. She was a second year and did not seem to be very confident. Izumi returned the ball at a corner where no one was looking. Kiyoko appeared out of nowhere and returned it at a super fast speed.
"What was that?!" exclaimed Horio, "Where did Kiyoko come from? Wasn't she just at the middle?"
"Kami Kaze," said Rei in a clear voice.
"God Wind?" asked Oishi. Rei and Yuki nodded.
"Kiyoko's number one asset is speed," said Rei, "She uses it to play defense all over the court. If you think Ryoma is fast, you should see Kiyoko in full power. She has the stamina to match it too. Not only that but her speed adds to the return making it into a super fast Ace return." Ryoma watched Kiyoko win the first half of the game. The second was their serve. Kiyoko smiled at Ryoma.
"Would you like me to stay out of your way?" asked Kiyoko, "We both know that your twist serve is much stronger than mine." Ryoma said nothing and served with his right.
"Game Set! Seigaku 6-0!" Kiyoko and Ryoma walked back. Kiyoko had the V sign while Ryoma was looking to the side his hands in his pocket.
"He's moping again," whispered Momo to Horio, Kachiro, and Mizuno, "I guess he didn't play as much as he wanted."
"Momo-chan-senpai!" said the first years hurrying to cover his mouth when Ryoma looked in their direction.
"We're up Eiji-chan," said Yuki walking to the court.
"What's with Yuki?" asked Oishi to Rei, "It's like she completely changed."
"You'll see," said Rei as the match started. Yuki chose to take the back. They were given the choice to serve first. Yuki held the ball gently feeling it from all sides before tossing it up.
"Oh no! Yuki hit the rim!" cried out Horio, "She'll never be able to serve it now." The ball zoomed to the opposite court at the girl who was now frozen in place. It was almost there when it slightly swerved inward more zooming to the spot an inch before the pole and rolling out of the court.
"What was that?!" exclaimed Kachiro.
"Hurricane Serve," said Kiyoko.
"Hurricane Serve?" asked Fuji.
"Yuki meant to hit the ball in the rim," explained Rei, "It applies to air currents. Do you know how air on one side flows faster than on the other to stay afloat? Yuki applied this method to the ball. There's a certain spot on the ball which is its weakest and the best place to hit. The ball zooms to the opposite end of the court and judging the angle of the racket, Yuki can hit the ball at a speed very very few can match anywhere on the court."
"Ever heard of the calm before a storm?" asked Kiyoko, "Well this applies to Yuki. In a desperate situation she takes desperate measures at a grand scale. Hurricane Serve came to her when she just started tennis and took years to perfect. She's the only one with that kind of style."
"Why haven't we heard of you three before?" demanded Tezuka, "Rei seems to be holding something very important back and you three don't say a word about your past."
"Please don't ask us to talk about our past captain," said Kiyoko in a grim voice, "Some things are meant to be hidden."
"Kakkoi Yuki-chan!" said Eiji ruffling her hair, "Didn't know you had it in you."
"Arigato Eiji-chan," said Yuki, "But your acrobatics are sugoi! It can't be fully appreciated unless you are on the court watching it." The two laughed but then stopped at the tension in the air.
"Did something happen over here?" asked Eiji aloud. Yuki broke the ice by looking into Kiyoko's mysterious bag.
"Hey Kiyoko!" said Yuki, "Did you make lunch for us?" She was pointing at a large bento.
"Kyaa! Yuki!" shouted Kiyoko hurriedly rewrapping the bento, "This isn't for you."
"Then who is it for?" asked Rei in a teasing voice.
"Eep!" squeaked Yuki hiding behind Eiji and Fuji so that she wouldn't be in the direct line of fire from Kiyoko's death glare.
