Chapter 17
"I'll see you guys later," said Momo after Kaidoh's game.
"Where are you going Momo?" asked Kiyoko, "We have a match later.
"I wanted to check on Taka-senpai," said Momo cheerfully.
"I want to come too," said Yuki pulling on Momo's arm.
"You stay here Yuki-chan," said Fuji pulling Yuki back down. Yuki gave a pout but relented.
"The fourth match begins! Seigaku's Echizen Ryoma versus Fudomine's Ibu Shinji."
"That guy was the one who defeated a lot of the region's top players," said Kiyoko, "He'll be perfect for Ryoma."
"What's this?" asked Rei feigning surprise, "You now call him by his first name without titles? You two must be close." Kiyoko blushed.
"Rei!" Ryoma made a small laugh before he started bouncing the ball.
"Using his right hand to serve," said Rei, "He must not be very serious."
"1 set match," said the ref. "Seigaku's service."
"Wow," commented Rei, "He's opening with his specialty. Twist Serve!" The ball flew straight at the surprised Shinji. Shinji ducked and the ball went past him and bounced off the court.
"Referee," said Echizen bouncing his next ball, "aren't you going to call the score." The ref. was staring at Ryoma with a dazed look.
"Fif- 15-0!"
"Sugoi, Ryoma-kun," said Kiyoko with stars in her eyes, "By starting with that move, he turned the court to his favor." Ryoma served another twist serve that went past Shinji.
"No way!" exclaimed Fudomine who were now standing up, "A first year actually hit a twist serve accurately!"
"Who said that Seigaku gave up its second singles position?"
"Twist serve," muttered Shinji. Ryoma hit another twist serve after the ref called the score-40 to Love. Now Shinji was ready. He moved towards the serve and countered the ball by moving a step back.
"How did he return that twist serve so easily?" asked Kachiro perplexed. Ryoma smiled and returned gaining another point.
"Hm?" asked Ryoma amused before grinning, "oh, seems like you finally caught on the rhythm. I've been waiting for this."
"Ryoma looks like he's in top form," said Kiyoko proudly.
"Game Score 1-0!"
"The game lasted little more than a minute," said Tachibana, "That's some first year."
"Wow!" exclaimed a bystander, "Seigaku's first year teammate is awesome."
"That freshman is good!"
"Who is that guy?"
"Game, Seigaku leads 1-0. Change Court." "Great job Ryoma!" cheered Kiyoko patting the calm boy on the back, "I guess Yuki and I won't have to play after all." Rei looked at Shinji who was gazing at Ryoma surrounded by the regulars and as cool as can be. "That guy," said Rei, "He looks jealous." "Rei," said Tezuka calling Rei's attention back to him.
"Hai Captain?" asked Rei wondering if he needed anything. She didn't notice his strained voice as he said,
"Don't bother looking at the opponent, you will see enough of them on the court." Rei was taken aback for a second.
"Was he just jealous?" asked Rei to herself very confused.
"Game Point 1-0! Fudomine's serve."
"Let me show you what's called an eye for an eye," said Shinji throwing the ball up to serve.
"That serve," said Fuji his eyes widening. Ryoma watched closely.
"Twist serve?!" exclaimed Yuki surprised. The ball flew at Ryoma and knocked his hat off. Ryoma looked amused.
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully.
"Shinji's Kick Serve!" exclaimed Fudomine.
"Kick Serve?" asked Mizuno, "I thought it was Twist Serve."
"Twist is the old way of saying it," said Kiyoko, "They're the same in one sense."
"Is this the District Tournament?! Both of them are able to do such a complex serve," said a bystander who had been playing in the morning.
"It's not over yet," muttered Shinji before speaking louder, "You are still hiding something. I can feel it." Ryoma smiled.
"Correct," said Ryoma before switching his racket to his other hand, "Let's stop fooling around and get serious!"
"Huh!" exclaimed Fudomine-including Tachibana- now on their feet, "He's left handed?!"
"He didn't use his serve in the Doubles game so everyone's surprised," said Rei.
"You are a lefty?" asked Shinji slightly surprised.
"That's right," said Ryoma, "You're pretty good to be able to see through my plan so early." Shinji's eyes widened in anger.
"I shall make you lose this one," said Shinji, "You're too arrogant." Shinji made another twist serve but Ryoma was prepared. He bent his knees and returned it with one leg up in the air to add force on his arm.
"He got it!?" exclaimed Fudomine. Ryoma returned and soon there was a rally. Ryoma smiled.
"I'm sorry," said Ryoma, "But I don't intend on losing before the nationals. Of course, I won't lose in nationals either." Ryoma went up to the net quickly.
"This is the first time I've seen Echizen go up with such assertion!" said Horio aloud. Shinji narrowed his eyes before returning the ball.
"That was a good lob," commented Kiyoko, "He used Ryoma's height to his advantage, but I know it won't work." Ryoma jumped and hit it back behind his shoulders.
"Yay Echizen!"
"Oh, Shinji's being pressed hard," commented a girl behind Seigaku, "And, is that freshman returning with his left hand?" Kiyoko turned and smiled at the girl.
"You're the girl from before when we were at that street court," said Kiyoko, "And is it safe to presume you are Tachibana An? What are you doing here Sakuno?"
"You are Kasumi Kiyoko," said An amused, "I'll be interested in seeing you at nationals."
"Oh?" asked Kiyoko feigning surprise, "You are so confident as to think that Fudomine will win today?"
"Positive," said An firmly.
"Um, Kiyoko-san," said Sakuno shyly, "How do you know Tachibana-san?"
"No where," said Kiyoko haphazardly before turning back to the game.
"Ryoma-kun just did a jump smash!" said Yuki enthusiastically, "That Shinji guy is being pushed hard."
"Game, Seigaku leads 4-0!"
"He's much stronger than in the school tournament," said Oishi.
"We'll have to be serious from now on," said Eiji sitting next to him.
"Hey Oishi," said Fuji pointing at the court, "There's something wrong with Fudomine's attack style. It looks like he's hitting topspins and slices to his forearm and backhand." The girls widened their eyes in recognition.
"I don't like this," said Kiyoko seriously, "Ryoma could get seriously hurt."
"There's nothing we can do," said Yuki soberly.
"Just wait until it happens," said Rei standing up with a sigh, "I'll get the medicine kit."
"Hm?" asked Eiji aloud when Rei had left, "Wonder what the girls were talking about." Ryoma suddenly stopped when he was about to return the ball. The ball went past him.
"0-15! Fudomine's point!"
"What's going on?" asked Fuji standing up now worried.
"Echizen's movement was frozen for a moment," said Tezuka. Yuki sat Fuji back down and took a seat between him and Eiji.
"Just watch the show," said Yuki, "I'm sure Ryoma-kun will figure it out."
"Figure what out Yuki?" asked Eiji, "Do you know something about this?" Kiyoko stopped Yuki choosing to explain.
"Ryoma's movement was sealed for a moment right?" asked Kiyoko making sure everyone was with her, "Using a combination of topspins and slice shots, the opponent's muscles will start to contract leaving it in a numb state called spot. Even if it's only a second, it's enough to gain a point." Ryoma started turning his body to hit the ball. Now Kiyoko was surprised.
"No!" cried Kiyoko, "Spot can also make you lose your grip temporarily! If you turn your body it'll." It was too late. Ryoma's racket spun out of his hands and to the pole. It broke in half and the forked end struck Ryoma in the eye. "Ryoma!" Sakuno ran to the tennis court and was about to go to Ryoma but Kiyoko stopped her with her racket.
"What are you doing?" asked Sakuno, "Ryoma-kun is in trouble. Don't you want to help him? I thought you were his friend. Let me go!"
"I know that!" said Kiyoko fiercely glaring at Sakuno before calming down, "The audience isn't allowed to get into the court. If you really respect Ryoma, leave!" Sakuno was taken aback but she stayed where she was before Yuki kicked her out. Kiyoko took the medicine kit Rei offered and went to the bleeding Ryoma. She led him to the sidelines and clotted the eye to stop the bleeding. Rei and Yuki stood back while Rei glared at Shinji.
"It was foolish of you to use spot so freely," said Rei, "Don't you know it's dangerous! If the muscles in the body are overstrained, you might never be able to play tennis!"
"Matte Rei!" said Yuki holding her back, "Ryoma-kun has to fight his own battle."
"I can't stop the bleeding," said Kiyoko worriedly, "I didn't expect it to go this far. There's no injury to the left eye ball but the eyelid has a very deep cut."
"Oh my god," said Takashi who had just gotten there with Momo.
"Hey," said Momo, "Takamura-senpai, don't faint." Yuki went forward.
"Is it all right if I give a hand?" asked Yuki, "I know something about first aid." Kiyoko nodded and pulled back but not too far. Everyone was clustered around Ryoma.
"You mind giving him some air?" asked Rei annoyed. Yuki dabbed at the cut using up multitudes of cotton balls.
"What's the deal Aihara?" said Tezuka going forward.
"By the looks of it," said Yuki indirectly, "A sane player would stop right now."
"I'll go get your broken racket for you Ryoma," volunteered Kiyoko taking the pieces from the court.
"Get my spare out of my bag too, will you Kiyoko?" asked Ryoma calmly. The regulars and Coach Ryuzaki looked at Ryoma surprised. Yuki grinned.
"Gotcha," said Kiyoko regaining her cool.
"Are yo crazy?" broke out Oishi, "Take a look at yourself! Try think rationally. Right now, all the odds are against you."
"Echizen," said the ref now appearing, "It can't be that you want to go on with the match. If the bleeding does not stop, I can't let you compete. Even though it is very disappointing just to give up, you must let it go! Now, it's decided?" Ryoma took the sleeve of his jacket and rubbed at the wound so that the blood was momentarily stopped.
"No," said Ryoma stubbornly. The girls grinned and stood up. Rei looked at Coach Ryuzaki as if in agreement.
"Ryoma, come here!" called the coach. Ryoma strode over promptly. "You silly punk, what am I gonna do with you? Does it hurt?"
"No, I'm okay," said Ryoma. Coach Ryuzaki sighed before looking up with a grin. She nodded her head at Yuki who walked to Ryoma with the medicine kit.
"Ryuzaki-sensei?!" asked Oishi alarmed.
"Don't worry," said Yuki, "I know what I'm doing." Yuki rubbed a salve over the wound and placed a bandage over it softly. "Bleeding stopped! This is only temporary though, maximum should be fifteen minutes."
"If the bleeding stops, I can compete, right?" asked Ryoma.
"But, you," protested the ref.
"Echizen, racket!" said Momo who had volunteered to get the spare instead of Kiyoko. Oishi stood in his way looking at Ryoma sternly.
"Vice-captain Oishi," said Ryoma surprised. The two were in a staring contest before Tezuka took the racket from Momo.
"Tezuka," said Oishi looking back at the stern captain.
"Ten minutes, if the victor is not decided by then," said Tezuka, "You'll forfeit. Understand?" Oishi was about to protest but sighed and nodded.
"Go," said Oishi, "but if you can't, step down." Ryoma took the racket and grinned.
"Okay," said Ryoma walking back to the court.
"Matte Ryoma!" said Kiyoko running to him.
"Kiyoko?" asked Ryoma wondering if there was something wrong. Kiyoko grinned before giving him a peck on the cheek.
"It's just for good luck," said Kiyoko in Ryoma's ear before skipping back to her seat. Ryoma was emotionless but there was a slight tinge of red on his cheeks. Momo looked teasingly at Kiyoko as he nudged her with his elbow.
"I didn't know you two were like that," said Momo grinning with his face warped into a malicious look.
"We're not!" protested Kiyoko. Momo was still unconvinced and Kiyoko started to get mad as an awkward silence ensued where Momo kept watching Kiyoko. Kiyoko's face was extremely red before she started chasing Momo around with her racket. Now the two sat down to watch Ryoma's game again.
"The match is continuing?!" exclaimed the bystanders and Fudomine in surprise. Fudomine as staring at Ryoma's now serious face as if he was an alien.
"No way!" exclaimed Kamio, "That shorty still wants to play?!"
"Isn't his left eye injured?" asked someone in the crowd. Ryoma paid no attention to them.
"This is really bad," said Horio, "Just then he faltered because of his opponent's strange tactic, but now that he is injured, I'm even more worried!"
"Love to 30!" said the ref. Ryoma tossed the ball up to serve.
"That's right," mumbled Shinji, "Come on, I haven't used my full strength yet." He was shocked when the ball moved at an extremely fast speed past him. "What?! So fast, the speed increased."
"That kid," said Tachibana.
"Ryoma would never lose just because of an eye," said Kiyoko to Tachibana firmly before looking back at the game. The crowd was shocked into silence. Ryoma clutched his racket tightly and grinned.
"Hey, just a tiny injury, you guys shouldn't over react," said Ryoma confidently.
"Damn it!" cursed the Fudomine regulars, "We can't just finish like this! Go, Shinji, go!" "It's too late," said Ryoma, "Because now I'm going to use your two weaknesses to beat you. Have you played against a Nitoryou player before?"
"He figured one of his weaknesses out," said Kiyoko, "I knew Ryoma could. By switching hands, he won't overstrain either muscle so spot will have no effect on him. The other one is."
"The second is," said Ryoma, "You can't do spot if you have no topspin."
"Go Ryoma!" cheered the non Seigaku regulars on the sidelines.
"He's just like his father," said Ryuzaki smiling at Ryoma.
"You knew Ryoma's father, Ryuzaki-sensei?" asked Oishi turning to her.
"Hai," said the coach nodding, "He invented Nitoryou. That was just the sort of player he was. He would think creative ways of how to overcome his faults. Those two are exactly alike."
"I see," said Tezuka overhearing, "So the person on the court right now is not Echizen Ryoma but Echizen Nanjiroh. Echizen has no tennis of his own." Fortunately, the girls could not hear for they were at the sidelines cheering.
"Damn!" cursed the Fudomine regulars, "This can't end like this. Go, Shinji, go!"
"Hooray!" cheered Kachiro, "It's match point! One more and Echizen wins!"
"Another chance!" said Ryoma serving the ball, "After this shot, Seigaku wins!"
"I won't let you have your way," said Shinji running after the ball, "If it had been Tachibana-san playing."
"Wow! He caught up to it?!"
"That guy predicted the path of the smash!" exclaimed Oishi.
"Great! Shinji hasn't given up!" said Kamio. Just as Shinji was about to return, he gasped.
"Twist Serve?!" exclaimed Shinji. He was taken by surprise and caught the ball in his hand.
"Did you forget that one?" asked Ryoma.
"Game set match! Won by Seigaku, Echizen!"
"Ten minutes didn't pass yet right?" asked Ryoma to Kiyoko. Kiyoko nodded smiling.
"Wow Echizen!" cheered bystanders.
"District preliminaries second place, Fudomine Jr. High."
"Champion, Seishun Gakuen Junior High! I hope both schools will have outstanding performances in the Tokyo Prefecture Tournament coming this way. That is all!" Fudomine turned to shake Seigaku's hand. Kiyoko went to shake An's hand and Yuki turned to a girl with red hair and black streaks. She wasn't dressed in tennis uniform but instead wore normal clothes with tons of jewelry on her. She grinned at Yuki.
"Hi!" said the girl, "I'm Aki."
"Why weren't you with your team?" asked Yuki. Aki grinned.
"Well, I was so confident that Fudomine would win that I didn't bother to come," said Aki, "I was just a filler for mixed doubles." Yuki was surprised at her nonchalant way of saying things but smiled.
"I hope to play you at Tokyo Prefectures Aki-san," said Yuki. Kamio, the unibanged boy in front of Aki, whacked Aki on the head lightly with his racket.
"Aki!" said Kamio, "Stop conversing with the enemy and hurry up."
"Hai," said Aki rolling her eyes before following Kamio. Kamio turned to Kaidoh. "Hey, Viper," said Kamio about to say something with a smirk. Kaidoh who had not bothered to pay attention to him turned with anger in his eyes. "Shut up, rhythm idiot," said Kaidoh. Kiyoko giggled when Shinji went up to Ryoma. Tachibana was behind him holding onto one of Shinji's arms as if forcing him. "Echizen," called Shinji, "Sorry to have hurt your eyes, you alright?" He now said things in a mumble. "But I know it wasn't my fault, you did that on purpose didn't you? It must've been on purpose! You sneaky bastard!"
"Shinji," said Tachibana in a warning tone.
"Gomen," said Shinji unwillingly.
"It's okay," said Ryoma fixing his hat as he said so.
"Let's go!" said Tezuka after speaking with Tachibana.
"First seed Seigaku and relatively unknown Fudomine both advanced into the Tokyo Prefecture Tournament," narrated Rei, "From this day on, a rumor began to spread.that is 'I heard there are really strong first years in Seigaku!"
"I'll see you guys later," said Momo after Kaidoh's game.
"Where are you going Momo?" asked Kiyoko, "We have a match later.
"I wanted to check on Taka-senpai," said Momo cheerfully.
"I want to come too," said Yuki pulling on Momo's arm.
"You stay here Yuki-chan," said Fuji pulling Yuki back down. Yuki gave a pout but relented.
"The fourth match begins! Seigaku's Echizen Ryoma versus Fudomine's Ibu Shinji."
"That guy was the one who defeated a lot of the region's top players," said Kiyoko, "He'll be perfect for Ryoma."
"What's this?" asked Rei feigning surprise, "You now call him by his first name without titles? You two must be close." Kiyoko blushed.
"Rei!" Ryoma made a small laugh before he started bouncing the ball.
"Using his right hand to serve," said Rei, "He must not be very serious."
"1 set match," said the ref. "Seigaku's service."
"Wow," commented Rei, "He's opening with his specialty. Twist Serve!" The ball flew straight at the surprised Shinji. Shinji ducked and the ball went past him and bounced off the court.
"Referee," said Echizen bouncing his next ball, "aren't you going to call the score." The ref. was staring at Ryoma with a dazed look.
"Fif- 15-0!"
"Sugoi, Ryoma-kun," said Kiyoko with stars in her eyes, "By starting with that move, he turned the court to his favor." Ryoma served another twist serve that went past Shinji.
"No way!" exclaimed Fudomine who were now standing up, "A first year actually hit a twist serve accurately!"
"Who said that Seigaku gave up its second singles position?"
"Twist serve," muttered Shinji. Ryoma hit another twist serve after the ref called the score-40 to Love. Now Shinji was ready. He moved towards the serve and countered the ball by moving a step back.
"How did he return that twist serve so easily?" asked Kachiro perplexed. Ryoma smiled and returned gaining another point.
"Hm?" asked Ryoma amused before grinning, "oh, seems like you finally caught on the rhythm. I've been waiting for this."
"Ryoma looks like he's in top form," said Kiyoko proudly.
"Game Score 1-0!"
"The game lasted little more than a minute," said Tachibana, "That's some first year."
"Wow!" exclaimed a bystander, "Seigaku's first year teammate is awesome."
"That freshman is good!"
"Who is that guy?"
"Game, Seigaku leads 1-0. Change Court." "Great job Ryoma!" cheered Kiyoko patting the calm boy on the back, "I guess Yuki and I won't have to play after all." Rei looked at Shinji who was gazing at Ryoma surrounded by the regulars and as cool as can be. "That guy," said Rei, "He looks jealous." "Rei," said Tezuka calling Rei's attention back to him.
"Hai Captain?" asked Rei wondering if he needed anything. She didn't notice his strained voice as he said,
"Don't bother looking at the opponent, you will see enough of them on the court." Rei was taken aback for a second.
"Was he just jealous?" asked Rei to herself very confused.
"Game Point 1-0! Fudomine's serve."
"Let me show you what's called an eye for an eye," said Shinji throwing the ball up to serve.
"That serve," said Fuji his eyes widening. Ryoma watched closely.
"Twist serve?!" exclaimed Yuki surprised. The ball flew at Ryoma and knocked his hat off. Ryoma looked amused.
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully.
"Shinji's Kick Serve!" exclaimed Fudomine.
"Kick Serve?" asked Mizuno, "I thought it was Twist Serve."
"Twist is the old way of saying it," said Kiyoko, "They're the same in one sense."
"Is this the District Tournament?! Both of them are able to do such a complex serve," said a bystander who had been playing in the morning.
"It's not over yet," muttered Shinji before speaking louder, "You are still hiding something. I can feel it." Ryoma smiled.
"Correct," said Ryoma before switching his racket to his other hand, "Let's stop fooling around and get serious!"
"Huh!" exclaimed Fudomine-including Tachibana- now on their feet, "He's left handed?!"
"He didn't use his serve in the Doubles game so everyone's surprised," said Rei.
"You are a lefty?" asked Shinji slightly surprised.
"That's right," said Ryoma, "You're pretty good to be able to see through my plan so early." Shinji's eyes widened in anger.
"I shall make you lose this one," said Shinji, "You're too arrogant." Shinji made another twist serve but Ryoma was prepared. He bent his knees and returned it with one leg up in the air to add force on his arm.
"He got it!?" exclaimed Fudomine. Ryoma returned and soon there was a rally. Ryoma smiled.
"I'm sorry," said Ryoma, "But I don't intend on losing before the nationals. Of course, I won't lose in nationals either." Ryoma went up to the net quickly.
"This is the first time I've seen Echizen go up with such assertion!" said Horio aloud. Shinji narrowed his eyes before returning the ball.
"That was a good lob," commented Kiyoko, "He used Ryoma's height to his advantage, but I know it won't work." Ryoma jumped and hit it back behind his shoulders.
"Yay Echizen!"
"Oh, Shinji's being pressed hard," commented a girl behind Seigaku, "And, is that freshman returning with his left hand?" Kiyoko turned and smiled at the girl.
"You're the girl from before when we were at that street court," said Kiyoko, "And is it safe to presume you are Tachibana An? What are you doing here Sakuno?"
"You are Kasumi Kiyoko," said An amused, "I'll be interested in seeing you at nationals."
"Oh?" asked Kiyoko feigning surprise, "You are so confident as to think that Fudomine will win today?"
"Positive," said An firmly.
"Um, Kiyoko-san," said Sakuno shyly, "How do you know Tachibana-san?"
"No where," said Kiyoko haphazardly before turning back to the game.
"Ryoma-kun just did a jump smash!" said Yuki enthusiastically, "That Shinji guy is being pushed hard."
"Game, Seigaku leads 4-0!"
"He's much stronger than in the school tournament," said Oishi.
"We'll have to be serious from now on," said Eiji sitting next to him.
"Hey Oishi," said Fuji pointing at the court, "There's something wrong with Fudomine's attack style. It looks like he's hitting topspins and slices to his forearm and backhand." The girls widened their eyes in recognition.
"I don't like this," said Kiyoko seriously, "Ryoma could get seriously hurt."
"There's nothing we can do," said Yuki soberly.
"Just wait until it happens," said Rei standing up with a sigh, "I'll get the medicine kit."
"Hm?" asked Eiji aloud when Rei had left, "Wonder what the girls were talking about." Ryoma suddenly stopped when he was about to return the ball. The ball went past him.
"0-15! Fudomine's point!"
"What's going on?" asked Fuji standing up now worried.
"Echizen's movement was frozen for a moment," said Tezuka. Yuki sat Fuji back down and took a seat between him and Eiji.
"Just watch the show," said Yuki, "I'm sure Ryoma-kun will figure it out."
"Figure what out Yuki?" asked Eiji, "Do you know something about this?" Kiyoko stopped Yuki choosing to explain.
"Ryoma's movement was sealed for a moment right?" asked Kiyoko making sure everyone was with her, "Using a combination of topspins and slice shots, the opponent's muscles will start to contract leaving it in a numb state called spot. Even if it's only a second, it's enough to gain a point." Ryoma started turning his body to hit the ball. Now Kiyoko was surprised.
"No!" cried Kiyoko, "Spot can also make you lose your grip temporarily! If you turn your body it'll." It was too late. Ryoma's racket spun out of his hands and to the pole. It broke in half and the forked end struck Ryoma in the eye. "Ryoma!" Sakuno ran to the tennis court and was about to go to Ryoma but Kiyoko stopped her with her racket.
"What are you doing?" asked Sakuno, "Ryoma-kun is in trouble. Don't you want to help him? I thought you were his friend. Let me go!"
"I know that!" said Kiyoko fiercely glaring at Sakuno before calming down, "The audience isn't allowed to get into the court. If you really respect Ryoma, leave!" Sakuno was taken aback but she stayed where she was before Yuki kicked her out. Kiyoko took the medicine kit Rei offered and went to the bleeding Ryoma. She led him to the sidelines and clotted the eye to stop the bleeding. Rei and Yuki stood back while Rei glared at Shinji.
"It was foolish of you to use spot so freely," said Rei, "Don't you know it's dangerous! If the muscles in the body are overstrained, you might never be able to play tennis!"
"Matte Rei!" said Yuki holding her back, "Ryoma-kun has to fight his own battle."
"I can't stop the bleeding," said Kiyoko worriedly, "I didn't expect it to go this far. There's no injury to the left eye ball but the eyelid has a very deep cut."
"Oh my god," said Takashi who had just gotten there with Momo.
"Hey," said Momo, "Takamura-senpai, don't faint." Yuki went forward.
"Is it all right if I give a hand?" asked Yuki, "I know something about first aid." Kiyoko nodded and pulled back but not too far. Everyone was clustered around Ryoma.
"You mind giving him some air?" asked Rei annoyed. Yuki dabbed at the cut using up multitudes of cotton balls.
"What's the deal Aihara?" said Tezuka going forward.
"By the looks of it," said Yuki indirectly, "A sane player would stop right now."
"I'll go get your broken racket for you Ryoma," volunteered Kiyoko taking the pieces from the court.
"Get my spare out of my bag too, will you Kiyoko?" asked Ryoma calmly. The regulars and Coach Ryuzaki looked at Ryoma surprised. Yuki grinned.
"Gotcha," said Kiyoko regaining her cool.
"Are yo crazy?" broke out Oishi, "Take a look at yourself! Try think rationally. Right now, all the odds are against you."
"Echizen," said the ref now appearing, "It can't be that you want to go on with the match. If the bleeding does not stop, I can't let you compete. Even though it is very disappointing just to give up, you must let it go! Now, it's decided?" Ryoma took the sleeve of his jacket and rubbed at the wound so that the blood was momentarily stopped.
"No," said Ryoma stubbornly. The girls grinned and stood up. Rei looked at Coach Ryuzaki as if in agreement.
"Ryoma, come here!" called the coach. Ryoma strode over promptly. "You silly punk, what am I gonna do with you? Does it hurt?"
"No, I'm okay," said Ryoma. Coach Ryuzaki sighed before looking up with a grin. She nodded her head at Yuki who walked to Ryoma with the medicine kit.
"Ryuzaki-sensei?!" asked Oishi alarmed.
"Don't worry," said Yuki, "I know what I'm doing." Yuki rubbed a salve over the wound and placed a bandage over it softly. "Bleeding stopped! This is only temporary though, maximum should be fifteen minutes."
"If the bleeding stops, I can compete, right?" asked Ryoma.
"But, you," protested the ref.
"Echizen, racket!" said Momo who had volunteered to get the spare instead of Kiyoko. Oishi stood in his way looking at Ryoma sternly.
"Vice-captain Oishi," said Ryoma surprised. The two were in a staring contest before Tezuka took the racket from Momo.
"Tezuka," said Oishi looking back at the stern captain.
"Ten minutes, if the victor is not decided by then," said Tezuka, "You'll forfeit. Understand?" Oishi was about to protest but sighed and nodded.
"Go," said Oishi, "but if you can't, step down." Ryoma took the racket and grinned.
"Okay," said Ryoma walking back to the court.
"Matte Ryoma!" said Kiyoko running to him.
"Kiyoko?" asked Ryoma wondering if there was something wrong. Kiyoko grinned before giving him a peck on the cheek.
"It's just for good luck," said Kiyoko in Ryoma's ear before skipping back to her seat. Ryoma was emotionless but there was a slight tinge of red on his cheeks. Momo looked teasingly at Kiyoko as he nudged her with his elbow.
"I didn't know you two were like that," said Momo grinning with his face warped into a malicious look.
"We're not!" protested Kiyoko. Momo was still unconvinced and Kiyoko started to get mad as an awkward silence ensued where Momo kept watching Kiyoko. Kiyoko's face was extremely red before she started chasing Momo around with her racket. Now the two sat down to watch Ryoma's game again.
"The match is continuing?!" exclaimed the bystanders and Fudomine in surprise. Fudomine as staring at Ryoma's now serious face as if he was an alien.
"No way!" exclaimed Kamio, "That shorty still wants to play?!"
"Isn't his left eye injured?" asked someone in the crowd. Ryoma paid no attention to them.
"This is really bad," said Horio, "Just then he faltered because of his opponent's strange tactic, but now that he is injured, I'm even more worried!"
"Love to 30!" said the ref. Ryoma tossed the ball up to serve.
"That's right," mumbled Shinji, "Come on, I haven't used my full strength yet." He was shocked when the ball moved at an extremely fast speed past him. "What?! So fast, the speed increased."
"That kid," said Tachibana.
"Ryoma would never lose just because of an eye," said Kiyoko to Tachibana firmly before looking back at the game. The crowd was shocked into silence. Ryoma clutched his racket tightly and grinned.
"Hey, just a tiny injury, you guys shouldn't over react," said Ryoma confidently.
"Damn it!" cursed the Fudomine regulars, "We can't just finish like this! Go, Shinji, go!" "It's too late," said Ryoma, "Because now I'm going to use your two weaknesses to beat you. Have you played against a Nitoryou player before?"
"He figured one of his weaknesses out," said Kiyoko, "I knew Ryoma could. By switching hands, he won't overstrain either muscle so spot will have no effect on him. The other one is."
"The second is," said Ryoma, "You can't do spot if you have no topspin."
"Go Ryoma!" cheered the non Seigaku regulars on the sidelines.
"He's just like his father," said Ryuzaki smiling at Ryoma.
"You knew Ryoma's father, Ryuzaki-sensei?" asked Oishi turning to her.
"Hai," said the coach nodding, "He invented Nitoryou. That was just the sort of player he was. He would think creative ways of how to overcome his faults. Those two are exactly alike."
"I see," said Tezuka overhearing, "So the person on the court right now is not Echizen Ryoma but Echizen Nanjiroh. Echizen has no tennis of his own." Fortunately, the girls could not hear for they were at the sidelines cheering.
"Damn!" cursed the Fudomine regulars, "This can't end like this. Go, Shinji, go!"
"Hooray!" cheered Kachiro, "It's match point! One more and Echizen wins!"
"Another chance!" said Ryoma serving the ball, "After this shot, Seigaku wins!"
"I won't let you have your way," said Shinji running after the ball, "If it had been Tachibana-san playing."
"Wow! He caught up to it?!"
"That guy predicted the path of the smash!" exclaimed Oishi.
"Great! Shinji hasn't given up!" said Kamio. Just as Shinji was about to return, he gasped.
"Twist Serve?!" exclaimed Shinji. He was taken by surprise and caught the ball in his hand.
"Did you forget that one?" asked Ryoma.
"Game set match! Won by Seigaku, Echizen!"
"Ten minutes didn't pass yet right?" asked Ryoma to Kiyoko. Kiyoko nodded smiling.
"Wow Echizen!" cheered bystanders.
"District preliminaries second place, Fudomine Jr. High."
"Champion, Seishun Gakuen Junior High! I hope both schools will have outstanding performances in the Tokyo Prefecture Tournament coming this way. That is all!" Fudomine turned to shake Seigaku's hand. Kiyoko went to shake An's hand and Yuki turned to a girl with red hair and black streaks. She wasn't dressed in tennis uniform but instead wore normal clothes with tons of jewelry on her. She grinned at Yuki.
"Hi!" said the girl, "I'm Aki."
"Why weren't you with your team?" asked Yuki. Aki grinned.
"Well, I was so confident that Fudomine would win that I didn't bother to come," said Aki, "I was just a filler for mixed doubles." Yuki was surprised at her nonchalant way of saying things but smiled.
"I hope to play you at Tokyo Prefectures Aki-san," said Yuki. Kamio, the unibanged boy in front of Aki, whacked Aki on the head lightly with his racket.
"Aki!" said Kamio, "Stop conversing with the enemy and hurry up."
"Hai," said Aki rolling her eyes before following Kamio. Kamio turned to Kaidoh. "Hey, Viper," said Kamio about to say something with a smirk. Kaidoh who had not bothered to pay attention to him turned with anger in his eyes. "Shut up, rhythm idiot," said Kaidoh. Kiyoko giggled when Shinji went up to Ryoma. Tachibana was behind him holding onto one of Shinji's arms as if forcing him. "Echizen," called Shinji, "Sorry to have hurt your eyes, you alright?" He now said things in a mumble. "But I know it wasn't my fault, you did that on purpose didn't you? It must've been on purpose! You sneaky bastard!"
"Shinji," said Tachibana in a warning tone.
"Gomen," said Shinji unwillingly.
"It's okay," said Ryoma fixing his hat as he said so.
"Let's go!" said Tezuka after speaking with Tachibana.
"First seed Seigaku and relatively unknown Fudomine both advanced into the Tokyo Prefecture Tournament," narrated Rei, "From this day on, a rumor began to spread.that is 'I heard there are really strong first years in Seigaku!"
