Disclaimer:No rights toPrince of Tennis.
Kamio Akira walked up the last few steps to the street courts, put down the huge cardboard box he'd been carrying, and breathed a sigh of relief. Shinji hasn't arrived yet, so I still have the chance to surprise him, Kamio thought as he picked up the box and headed to the farthest bench. He gently put the box down next to the bench and sat down, taking the chance to survey the courts.
Kamio didn't recognize any of the people on the courts. Weird. I could've sworn I saw Echizen and Momosh–- his train of thought came to a screeching halt when he looked toward his box. Momoshiro was crouched near it using his racket to lift one flap to get a good look inside.
"Stop it!" Kamio shouted. Momo jumped at the sudden noise. Kamio's box shuffled toward Momo.
"Oi, Kamio. What's in the box?" Momo watched the box move a bit more before its inhabitant calmed down.
Kamio glared. "Nothing. Shouldn't you be playing tennis with Echizen?"
Momo shrugged and propped his racket on his shoulder. "Echizen had to leave," he stated, obviously bored with the fact that his playing partner had left.
"Well, why don't you leave too?" Kamio peevishly suggested. He wanted Momoshiro gone before Shinji got there. Unfortunately, Momo didn't want to comply. Instead of leaving, he plopped down on the bench next to Kamio. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Momo leaned toward Kamio, coming almost nose-to-nose with him. "C'mon. What's in the box?"
Completely losing his composure, Kamio attempted to shove Momo off the bench. Momo had anticipated Kamio's reaction and, as Kamio shoved, he leaned back then pushed himself forward. Kamio's eyes widened as he fell off the bench directly onto his box. The box tipped over and a small, white ball of fur rolled out.
"... a bunny?" Momoshiro looked from the small rabbit to Kamio, confusion plainly written on his face.
Kamio rolled over grabbed the rabbit before it had a chance to run. "Yes, a bunny," he angrily replied. The anger wasn't detected by Momo, though. The only thing he took in was Kamio sitting on the ground at the street courts petting a bunny.
"Ahh, I think I'm going to go now," Momo said. He stood and walked over to Kamio's dented box. Momo picked it up and held it up for Kamio, "You may need this."
Kamio took the box back and watched as Momo walked away, muttering to himself. Good. Now all I have to do is hide this until Shinji gets here, Kamio thought. He put the box down behind the bench this time and put the rabbit back inside. "Now, don't jump around this time, got it?"
"Who are you talking to?" Kamio started and turned around to find Shinji standing behind him. "A bunny?" Shinji questioned, a nearly puzzled look crossing his face.
Kamio stared at him. "How'd you know?" Shinji pointed down the line of benches at a small, white streak that was making its way toward nearest grass.
"It came out of that box behind your bench," Shinji replied. He watched as Kamio sunk down onto the bench and kicked his foot. "Was it for An?"
Silence settled for a moment before Kamio looked up, a slight blush creeping across his face. "No, it was for you, Shinji," he admitted. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. Ibu's eyes followed him.
"What for? It isn't my birthday," Shinji said. Kamio kept his eyes angled toward his feet.
"I know that. It wasn't for anything special. I just figured you might like it," Kamio explained, glancing up at Shinji.
A look of surprised crossed the normally passive face. After a second, Shinji gave Kamio a small smile. "I like you too, Akira." He then walked out to the nearest court, leaving a stunned Kamio staring after him.
