CAT CAUGHT MY HEART: DAY I—Kaidoh Kaoru
"Alright, let's start today's training with 20 laps as warm-up." Team manager, Inui, ordered as the regulars and the first-years took off running. "Whoever doesn't complete the lap by one minute get the juice." He added with an emotionless expression.
"What! No way!" Eiji Kikumaru grimaced as he took off running. "I'm never drinking that thing!"
"Neither am I! Once is enough to last a lifetime!" Oishi, the vice-president and Eiji's best friend, echoed with a disdainful wrinkle of his nose. "Chibi-chan is so lucky he's not here."
"Echizen Ryoma?" Momoshiro Takeshi piped up, catching up with the Golden Pair, as everyone called Eiji and Oishi. "He tore a muscle in his leg during practice with Fuji. His mother called, saying he won't be able to compete in the finals."
"Really?!?!" Takashi, called Taka-san, but his teammates, widened his eyes and frowned. "Is that true, Fuji? The captain didn't say anything about Ryoma missing the match on Saturday."
"Yeah." Mysterious, quiet Fuji nodded. "Momo and I took him to the hospital, but now he's hit a fever of 105˚ because he refused to take bed rest and instead, practiced with us yesterday."
"Foolish." Kaidoh muttered as he took lead.
"He was hurt yesterday, I never knew! Or else I would have been easier on him." Taka-san bit his lips.
"You were still beat by him anyway." Oishi laughed, then got serious. "What are we going to do without him?"
There was suddenly a beep as the tennis team captain, Tezuka, stopped and answered the phone.
"Tezuka here." He listened. "A replacement? Send him over, we'll see." By this time, all the tennis team members had stopped and was listening with interest. With their "Chibi-chan" gone, who could possibly replace him?
"Who was that, Tezuka?" Inui had joined the group with his usual silent way. He pushed his glasses up. "Who is he going to sent over?"
"A she, actually," Tezuka's eyes were filled with the usual steadiness. "And she's going to send someone over that's almost as good as Ryoma to be his replacement."
"Impossible." Oishi looked doubtful. "As good as Ryoma?"
"No one could be as good as our baby boy." Eiji winked and took a sip of his water. Fuji said nothing, just smiled a mysterious smile.
"Guys," Inui had lost interest and now held up a stopwatch. "The time is running by. If you don't make it back within one minute, you're going to sample the advanced version of Inui's Special Vegetable Juice."
The group, minus Tezuka and Fuji, gasped and began taking off like there's no tomorrow.
"What do you know," Inui murmured to himself as he looked at the bright red drink. "This does improve their performance."
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"We made it again." Eiji panted as he tried to catch his breath. "We almost didn't, Oishi."
"Don't remind me." Oishi moaned as he collapsed on the ground. "I never want to try that thing again."
"Excuse me, is this the Seigaku's regulars?" A clear, unsure voice said from outside the fence. The boys turned. The voice belonged to a girl, about Ryoma's age, with long silky dark chocolate hair and eyes as blue and as clear as the deepest part of the ocean. Her skin was the color of the moon and her arched brows formed an uncertain frown.
"Yes." Tezuka replied, his eyes sweeping over her white clothes with cynicism. "I'm the captain of the tennis team." The younger girl's smile lit up her face as she walked into the tennis court. She was dressed in pure white, in the style of the Seigaku girl's tennis team.
"I'm sorry for being late." She bowed and a smile charmed her face. "I'm Echizen Ryoma's replacement."
Everyone, even Tezuka, was taken back.
"You…?"
"Yes. And it's an honor being on the regular team with all of you. I've heard so much about the whole team." A sprinkle of blush touched her cheek as she looked down at her shoes.
"Cute…" Oishi looked over and saw the Momo's eyes were filled with stars and hearts. He sweatdropped.
"What year are you in?" Tezuka looked dubious.
"Second year." The girl didn't seem to mind Tezuka's stern drilling. Her shining eyes swept over the court and its players with unbelievable curiosity and enthusiasm.
"She's a year older than Ryoma." Eiji whispered to Taka-san, who nodded mutely.
"What's your name?" Tezuka's voice was as strict as ever.
"Karupin!" The girl flashed an innocent, bright smile. However, her smile dimmed as Momo commented with a confused look,
"Karupin? Isn't Ryoma's cat's name also Karupin?"
"Wh-what I mean is—" The girl thought fast. "Karupin is the name of Ryoma-kun's cat. My name is Ki-Kisara." Her eyes darkened and she looked a bit more fearful now.
"Alright, Kisara." Tezuka looked as if he was trying to decide. "What's your relation to Ryoma?"
"I'm his…cousin…from America." Kaidoh swore he saw the black pupils of Kisara's eyes narrow.
"I didn't know Ryoma had a cousin in America."
"Oi, Tezuka," Fuji spoke up. "Why don't we test her out? And see exactly how good she is."
"Good idea." Inui nodded and took out his notebook. Tezuka looked reluctant as he agreed. He introduced her to the rest of the team. She bowed to each player.
"Momoshiro-kun, Oishi-kun, Eiji-kun, Takashi-kun, Fuji-kun, Kaidoh-kun, we've all met." Fuji thought that Kisara's eyes brightened just a bit as she acknowledged Kaidoh.
"Alright." Tezuka wasted no time. "Let's start out with a match. Eiji, why don't you and Kisara play a singles game."
"Eh? Me?" Then his happy signature smile overtook his expression once again. "No problem, leave it to me. After all, I'm the most delicate and talented player at the moment. I'll take it easy on her."
"Eiji-kun." Kisara bowed as they met on court. Her eyes were mischievous as she pointed out, "How are those new shoes feeling?"
"Ah, you're good. How did you know they were new shoes?" He winked. "They're great!"
"Actually, when you bought the shoes, I was there—" She stopped and looked flustered.
"Really?" Eiji looked pleased.
"Yes, should we start the match?"
"Yes, why don't you serve?" Eiji wondered why she looked more uncertain as she faltered back,
"I would prefer if you served first, Eiji-kun."
"Alright."
After fifteen minutes, Inui was busy jotting down notes in his notebook, while Taka-san and Momo wore astonished expressions. Fuji was smiling with satisfaction and even Kaidoh was engaged in the match.
It's true that this girl hasn't got much style or special serves, but if "acrobatic" describes Eiji and "power" describes Taka-san, then "agility" definitely is her word. Every ball Eiji served, no matter it's high or low, fast or slow, up or down, Kisara returned. Though she returned only with basic moves, she did return every single one of them. And, as the boys all noticed, however her body had turned and twisted as she angled herself to catch the ball, she always landed on her feet.
"She's hasn't missed a ball yet, Tezuka." Fuji cocked his head.
"We could use her, I suppose." Oishi grinned. "But we'll have to teach her some special return balls. With her nimbleness and flexibility, she'll be a valuable player."
"Hmm…" Tezuka's thoughtful eyes never left Kisara, who was happily bouncing from one side of the court to the other. Eiji's left eyebrow was arched with delight. They hit the ball back and forth until Tezuka called a halt. The neon tennis ball dropped between the two players.
"Whoa, Kisara, you're an awesome player!" Eiji looked admiringly as a sip from the bottle of milk she brought with her. She licked her lips and turned back to him, her eyes shining.
"Thank you, Eiji-kun. I'm not that good actually, you covered up all of my mistakes. You are truly the faultless player here." She looked over at Tezuka and saw him talking to Kaidoh. Immediately, her sharp ears caught the words floating between the two.
"…you have the skill…"
"…waste time teaching some second-year girl…" She cocked her head and smiled softly as she heard the last part from Kaidoh. She liked Kaidoh, he was a nice guy. Giving Eiji one last wave, she skipped over the two talking young men.
"Kaidoh-kun." The boys looked over. "I've seen you play, you are a wonderful tennis player. I would really love it if you'll spend a little time with me and give me some lessons." Her lilting voice was so sweet and sincere that Kaidoh was speechless.
"…Fine…" Was all he would mutter before going over to the ball racket and began hitting ball furious over to Taka-san.
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"There are many kind of ways to hit the ball so that your opponent can't return it." Kaidoh said gruffly as he glared at the little girl standing in front of him. Her long hair reached below her hips and they moved with the afternoon current as they were alone on the court.
"…Your hair is too long." He looked away. "It'll get in the way. Tie it up."
"Yes, Kaidoh-kun." Kaidoh watched with amazement as she whipped out a white bandana and pulled her hair back in a high ponytail. She gave him a mischievous wink. "This okay?"
"Fine." Without meaning to, he felt his face heat up at the sight of the bandana so like his own.
"Do you like dog-tails, Kaidoh-kun?" Was the abrupt question. Kaidoh whirled around in defense, but only saw Kisara's tilted head with deep, cobalt wondering eyes. The image of the Himalayan cat he had played dog-tail with that day in the tennis room filled his mind immediately. He swore Kisara's eyes were just as blue as that cat's.
"No." He finally replied stiffly.
"I do!" She blurted out with a crestfallen face. Her expression looked almost wounded. "I like dog-tail."
"So what? Let's practice your serve. I don't have all day."
Kaidoh taught Kisara the most basics he know, and found that she was a willing pupil. She learned everything in earnest, and could quickly pick up the small, crucial details. Her aim was good but her weakness is strength. However, her agility promptly justified for her lack of power. And unwillingly, during their lesson, Kaidoh found himself unconsciously warming up to the sweet girl. Before the sun had set, he was taking her spirited actions good-naturally.
"Don't forget what I've taught you." He reminded with a rare ghost of a smile as he sent her home. As he watched her skip off with the equivalent amount of energy, he couldn't help but find her spunky personality to his liking and her conduct familiar.
What a strange girl. He thought as he picked up his equipment and began his jog home. It's almost as if we've met…
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What a strange, nice group of boys, Kisara thought as she flopped back into Ryoma's bed and pulled up the covers. She had borrowed one of Ryoma's extra large shirt. They have done so much for Ryoma-kun. And they're all so good at tennis. If I want to play tennis, then I've got to learn more within the next few days. She gave a soft, satisfied sigh as she snuggled deeper into the pillow and breathed in the scent of Echizen Ryoma.
I almost gave myself away today when I asked about Eiji's shoes. Of course he wouldn't know I was there. I've got to be more careful… Was the last thought going through Kisara's mind before she fell into the blissful darkness of the dream realm, her heart full of love for a certain young tennis prodigy that goes by the name Echizen Ryoma.