"It's time for school," said Kiyoko with a grin. The two girls yawned in the classroom. After school, the two waited for Ryoma to finish in the locker rooms. Yuki walked to a seat near where the regulars were practicing and watched silently. Her eyes scanned the court where Eiji and Fuji were playing. She didn't hear their conversation when they were taking a break.
"That girl watching us today was pretty cute," said Eiji with a grin.
"I didn't know you were interested in first years Eiji," said Fuji with a smile.
"I am not!" said Eiji hurriedly before telling himself that he was interested in that particular first year. Her eyes seemed to draw you in with its intensity. He felt them on him when they were practicing and had the urge to do his best in front of her. Kiyoko called Yuki over to her. Yuki got up and walked to Kiyoko.
"What is it?" asked Yuki.
"Are you done checking on the regulars?" asked Kiyoko with a grin, "Those two in particular? You know you'll have to check the other ones out later for the block competition." Yuki looked down with a blush.
"They were interesting and I liked their moves," said Yuki with a blush.
"I feel sort of guilty watching them and studying their moves when they haven't even glimpsed at our style," said Kiyoko, "It feels like cheating."
"All right," said Yuki, "We'll both do one match before the competition and show our style but that's it."
"Good," said Kiyoko grinning, "I want to show Ryoma just who he'll be up against." The captain called the first years to the court and ordered them to do thirty laps around the court.
"This is killing me!" whined Horio. Echizen said nothing and Yuki just looked ahead of her. Kiyoko looked sympathetic. The three were the only ones not out of breath.
"This is pretty hard so it's okay to be tired," said Kiyoko.
"Easy for you to say," muttered Yuki, "Horio and the others are the only ones panting."
"What was that?" asked Kiyoko.
"Nothing," said Yuki before going ahead. Kiyoko and Echizen raised their speeds and the three were soon finished. Horio dropped down to the ground sweating heavily while Kiyoko and Yuki were talking animatedly next to him.
"How can you guys be so happy?" asked Horio, "we have to do 500 swinging motions next too! We're not even on the team yet!"
"Cheer up Horio," said Kiyoko.
"You're way to sympathetic, Kiyoko," said Yuki with a sigh.
"64!"
"65!"
"66!"
"67!" Horio stopped when he saw that Ryoma, Yuki, and Kiyoko were not doing the exercises. There were no rackets to swing on their sides.
"Did you guys forget your rackets?" asked Horio.
"Not really," said Ryoma.
"You three have guts?not bringing your racket to practice," said Arai, "Trying to skip practice since the captain and the co-captain aren't here?"
"Pretty much," said Kiyoko with a smile. Arai narrowed his eyes.
"Stay out of this freshman girl," said Arai.
"You should watch your temper senpai," said Kiyoko with a threatening grin if he lost control, "You wouldn't want someone to report your behavior to Captain Tezuka, would you?" Arai grinned suddenly.
"If you're that confident, and since we're not doing anything anyway," said Arai, "I'd like a match with you, but since you don't have a racket?"
"Arai!" called one of his friends handing him a racket.
"You can use this one!" said Arai throwing it to Kiyoko harshly. She caught it in one swift movement.
"That's the old racket in the locker room!" exclaimed Horio in surprise, "How could anyone play with that?"
"So are you going to play? Miss I'm-better-than-anyone-else," said Arai with a malicious grin, "I was going to play against that other kid over there but you seem to be the more obnoxious one of the three." Kiyoko said nothing testing the racket in her hands, from the loose strings to the worn handle. "That racket is just right for you, if you get what I'm saying. Stop acting so cocky! Who knows? If you play, maybe all of you three's rackets will come out?" Kiyoko's eyes took on a dark expression. One of those rackets we're her mother's. She had taken pains to remake it. Kiyoko walked to the court.
"Only weaklings will thing of such a low method of playing," said Kiyoko on the court, "All you had to do was ask."
"Are you accusing me of hiding your rackets?" asked Arai angrily.
"Well," said Kiyoko, "Hurry up! I don't have all day."
"Let's see how this turns out," said Fuji with a smile.
"I knew he would say that," muttered Eiji. The two sat a bench away from Yuki and Ryoma.
"There is no question as to who will be the victor," said Yuki to them though not giving eye contact.
"So you don't believe in your friend?" asked Eiji with a grin. Yuki smiled.
"I never said that," said Yuki, "On the contrary, you can see for yourself that age does not matter when you play, it's experience. You should be watching too Ryoma, she wants you to know that she is worthy of a game with you."
"Hmph," said Ryoma, "I never said she wasn't." Kiyoko tested the ball on her racket and winced at the sound it made.
"Ah!" screamed Horio. Yuki tested her ear to see if she could still hear.
"Hey," said Arai with a confident grin, "What's wrong?"
"It's impossible with that racket," stated Horio.
"Let's go!" said Arai serving the ball to Kiyoko. She returned but it hit the end of the fence on the other side wiggling on the way.
"She can't control the ball! What's with that weird impact sound?" said Horio.
"Even if she wants to return it," said Inoue, "It won't work that well."
"Right," agreed Fuji, "With those kinds of strings, she won't be able to add a top spin to the ball." Kiyoko looked at the racket and smiled.
"Now I get it," said Kiyoko.
"Think you can win like that?!" said Arai serving the ball back at Kiyoko. Kiyoko was now ready and turned her whole body back at Arai. The ball zoomed past him.
"She hit it?!" exclaimed Horio in surprise.
"I get it," said Eiji, "She turned her whole body to add a spin to the ball."
"Very impressive," commented Fuji.
"That return was so fast!" exclaimed Horio.
"It's way too slow," said Ryoma, Yuki, and Kiyoko disapprovingly.
"Hmph," said Arai, "Don't get so cocky just because you hit the ball once!" Kiyoko returned it now with ease. "What! She returned it?"
"And he told himself, a great painter does not use his brush daintily," said Fuji.
"That girl's on fire," said Inoue, "I'm surprised she's a freshman. By her skill, she could match to one of the third years."
"Or maybe even us," said Fuji. Yuki turned to them.
"You'll see for yourselves just how good we are," said Yuki.
"Kiyoko's got full control of that ball!" said Horio in surprise, "She's amazing. Only one more serve and she wins!" Kiyoko grinned.
"Let's finish this to the end?senpai," said Kiyoko before launching the ball in the air. Instead of the strings hitting, the rim had the ball cascade to Arai and the game was over.
"That ball was fast!" exclaimed Horio, "It would take more talent than an average person with a good racket to his that ball in such speed and precision." Yuki gave Kiyoko a reprimanding glare as she walked to Kiyoko.
"Kiyoko!" said Yuki, "That was my serve. They weren't supposed to see it until the rankings next week."
"But the strings were loose and it was the only way I could send a fast ball to the other side," said Kiyoko as and excuse. Yuki got out her racket and whacked Kiyoko on the head.
"Yeowch!" "What do you mean the third and second years are holding a party for us?" asked Yuki confused at what Horio said.
"It's a tradition," said Horio excitedly, "It's a way for third years to help orient the first years. They have a party and you're paired up with one of the senpai. Since there are more senpai, some first years get to have two."
"What does that have to do with us?" asked Kiyoko, "Doesn't that just apply to the boys?" Horio shook her head.
"Since there isn't a girls' team, you are officially in the boys' team," said Horio.
"That's lame," Ryoma muttered.
"When is it?" asked Yuki.
"The day before ranking starts," said Horio.
"Yuki's our partner?" asked Eiji and Fuji surprised at the assigning session before the party was to begin. They looked at Oishi in surprise. He was grinning.
"Apparently," said Oishi, "Takeshi, and the other second years think that you two need a girl. They thought Yuki might be a suggestion since you both took an interest with her." Oishi was laughing while Takeshi cheered in the background.
"You guys should be happy," said Takeshi, "She's a good girl. Fantastic at tennis too."
"All right," said Fuji still his ever happy self, "But you'll have to take Kasumi and Echizen."
"What!" exclaimed Takeshi, "How come I have to?"
"Revenge," said Eiji simply.
"Senpai?" asked Yuki in surprise when she looked at the two boys, "Are you both my onii-chan's?"
"uh?yeah," said Eiji with a blush. Yuki gave them a smile and a bow.
"Nice to meet you senpai!" said Yuki happily, "What are we supposed to do now?"
"Actually," said Fuji, "We should be on our way to the club now."
"Club?" asked Yuki. Eiji nodded with a blush.
"Some girls asked the team to take the freshmen there," he said, "I think they want some other freshmen girls to meet them. Sort of a social." Yuki sweatdropped.
"They probably just want it as an excuse to meet you," said Yuki before shrugging, "Oh well."
"A nightclub?!" exclaimed Kiyoko in surprise as she stared up at Takeshi. He grinned.
"Yup," said Takeshi, "We wanted the first years to have some fun this year." Kiyoko sweatdropped before turning to Ryoma.
"Did you want to go?" she asked curiously. Ryoma shrugged.
"This place is so loud!" shouted Yuki when she had gotten there. She wore a plaid skirt and white top with knee length black boots and a red choker. Her hair was flowing loosely behind her back.
"Follow us," said Eiji taking Yuki's hand and leading her to a room with sound proof walls.
"It's so quiet," said Yuki amazed.
"Take a seat," said Eiji, "Tezuka ordered this place for the tennis team. Looks like we're early."
"Senpai! Are you sure you know where you're going?" asked Kiyoko. The three were walking in what seemed to be circles.
"Of course I do," said Takeshi.
"You just passed the street where you were suppose to turn left," said Ryoma behind Takeshi and Kiyoko. Kiyoko shook her head sweatdropping.
"Why did I have to have the baka senpai?" asked Kiyoko aloud. The two finally reached the club and Takeshi led them to the sound proof room where Yuki met up with them.
"What took you so long?" asked Yuki. Kiyoko looked at Takeshi with a bland look but he just grinned. Ryoma stood looking bored. Kiyoko was dressed in a black skirt and red top with high heels. Her hair was done in the same odangoes except she tied black ribbons on it. She and Yuki ignored the stares from the tennis team. They suspected that the only reason the boys were looking at them was the fact that they were the only girls.
"Shouldn't we be dancing or something?" asked Kiyoko confused. The three were sitting on a couch and everyone had already gotten there. The boys were milling around and there were no girls except for Yuki and Kiyoko.
"I don't think Captain Tezuka has much experience doing this," said Yuki looking at Horio's disappointed face duplicated by every other first year. The door burst open and a first year girl walked in. She had flawless tan skin and piercing silver eyes. She wore black pants and a sleeveless shirt with a low neck line.
"Rei!" exclaimed Yuki and Kiyoko. Rei found the two girls and walked to them.
"Yuki, Kiyoko," said Rei relieved before blowing up, "You idiots! How could you leave me in the U.S. without a word!"
"Do you know this girl Yuki?" asked Eiji to the girl. Yuki nodded.
"Meet our best friend Rei," said Yuki with a smile. Yuki and Kiyoko gave her a big hug but she was still mad.
"We didn't want to ruin your big moment," explained Kiyoko, "I mean everything was going your way."
"You know I'd have given up all that to join you," said Rei shaking her head, "Besides I'm not the only one who was being well known..." She was about to say more when Yuki and Kiyoko clamped their hands over their mouths. The boys were listening in.
"Shh," said Kiyoko, "They don't know." Rei nodded and everything was normal. The boys being boys dropped the subject. Yuki then smiled.
"How'd you find us?" asked Yuki.
"Well it wasn't easy," said Rei, "I had to bribe your little sister to blab."
"That little brat," muttered Yuki shaking her head. Rei turned to everyone.
"What's going on here?" asked Rei, "I thought that the main office said the boys were planning this little get together. No one looks very happy."
"It's not going so well," said Kiyoko.
"Why don't you lighten things up Rei?" suggested Yuki with a grin. Rei smiled before turning to Tezuka who looked the most in charge.
"The captain I presume?" asked Rei in a clear voice.
"Yes?" asked Tezuka.
"Mind if I lighten things up a little?" asked Rei with a smile.
"Be my guest," he said blandly. Rei walked to the lights and dimmed them while turning on the stereo for some dance music. Yuki caught on and started dancing her hips going from side to side. Eiji grinned and started dancing with her. Rei then opened the door and more girls walked in attracted by the music. They had been wondering when the boys would let them in if ever. Kiyoko, turned by the music, took Ryoma's hand and started dancing. The boy looked stubborn.
"Come on Ryoma!" urged Kiyoko, "get into the beat." Ryoma sighed and reluctantly started to dance. Fuji and Eiji were both dancing with Yuki and Kiyoko was with Ryoma right next to them. Rei looked at Tezuka who was taking a seat and grinned. She weaved her way through the rowdy crowd and pulled him up on his feet. She brought him to the middle of the dance floor and started dancing with him leading until he finally consented to cooperate.
"The boys should take their example from their captain," reasoned Rei in Tezuka's ear.
"I don't think I'm setting a very good example," said Tezuka. Rei laughed.
"Believe me," said Rei, "The players will listen to you more if they know you're human." She started dancing again and didn't notice the slight flush in Tezuka's cheeks. "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."