Chapter 14
"Ryoma," called Kiyoko when the team was on break for lunch, "Come have lunch with me." She had set a feast before the boy and he sat down opposite Kiyoko at the tables. The two were alone for the others were on different tables in separate groups.

"Didn't know those two were like that," said Momo with a teasing grin at Kiyoko and Ryoma. He was sitting with Horio, Mizuno, and Kachiro.
"Momo-chan-senpai!" said the first years.

"Hey Kaidoh!" called Oishi, "Aren't you getting something to eat?"
"Hisss," said Kaidoh in response. He, Oishi, and Takashi were sitting together.

"Captain," said Rei to Tezuka in a formal tone, "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead," said Tezuka while he looked out at the other courts and then at the regulars.
"What happened to your shoulder?" asked Rei. Tezuka was startled as he looked at Rei.
"How did you know?" asked Tezuka. Rei smiled kindly [ps. Rei rarely smiles kindly].
"You're always holding onto it when you think no one's looking and when we have meetings," said Rei, "I'm just worried."
"I have tennis elbow," said Tezuka after awhile, "But it's really only on the joints. It's not a large matter."
"I often see you alone Captain," said Rei, "Are you afraid of opening yourself up to people? I know you love your team but I don't think you want to get too close."
"It's not important," said Tezuka still in his serious voice. Rei looked hard at him.
"Don't push me away," said Rei in a forceful voice, "I don't want you to push me away."

"Ryoma!" shouted Kiyoko, "Why aren't you eating?" He wasn't paying attention to Kiyoko and was watching the other matches muttering to himself about how each person could improve. Kiyoko sweatdropped. "Ech-i-zen," said Kiyoko pronouncing each syllable clearly making strangling motions. Ryoma looked up.
"What is it Odango?" asked Ryoma.
"Don't you ever think of anything other than tennis Ryoma?" asked Kiyoko, "What pulls you in so much?" Kiyoko had said the question lightly but Ryoma looked serious when he answered.
"There is someone I want to beat."

"I'm starving!" whined Yuki. She, Fuji, and Eiji were walking around the court during the hour and a half lunch period.
"Are there any food stalls Eiji?" asked Fuji as he looked around himself. Yuki spotted a vending machine.
"Let's go!" urged Yuki before going ahead of the two and reaching out to hug the beloved vending machine. She pulls out a few coins when someone shoves her and the coins fall all over the place. Some were in the fountain and the rest were in the sewers.
"Whoops!" exclaimed a boy, "Well you should have been watching out kid. It's not my fault. Yuki has a dark aura and is about to pound on the older boy when an arm gripped his shoulder. Fuji smiled at him.
"Excuse me but I think you owe her an apology," said Fuji.
"And if I don't?"
Fuji took on an evil look in his eyes.
"Kowai!" thought Yuki shivering. The boy saw it too and immediately apologized to Yuki before running off.
"Do Itashimashite," said Fuji. The three settled themselves under a tree. Yuki gave a yawn after lunch.
"Go ahead and sleep," said Eiji, "We can get another half hour."
"I'll stay and watch," volunteered Fuji. Yuki snuggled closer to her jacket but she still shivered. Fuji and Eiji wrapped their jackets around hair and she snuggled closer to the warmth of the two boys. Eiji ruffled her hair while Fuji smiled.
"Somehow," said Fuji, "Yuki-chan has been a bright light in our lives."

"Where did Yuki, Fuji, and Eiji go?" asked Kiyoko aloud when the regulars had assembled. A small picture of the three soundly sleeping appear in the corner.