Finally, it's the last day of school week! This chapter might be more dry and boring, sumimasen. But don't worry, i'll make it up by writing more on the other schools ne? However, updating might be slower from now on cos' i'm currently working on a few X'mas fics as well... But anyways, thanx for all the reviews! I LOVE REVIEWS! sankyuu!
Disclaimer: if i owned them i'd probably own as well.
Friday
Ryuzaki-sensei stood outside the clubhouse. She fumbled with her bunch of keys. Picking out the correct key, she slot it into the keyhole and unlocked the door. She hadn't done this for a long while. Ever since Oishi was put in-charge of the spare keys, it had been Oishi who would come 30 minutes earlier to open the clubhouse for use. He did it dutifully for every practice session. Even though the coach would be in school by then, she never had to make it a point to open the clubhouse personally. She was surprised when some members came to look for her at her office this morning, requesting for the door to be opened. That only meant one thing: Oishi was late.
She stood by the courts and looked at her watch. It was 15 minutes to practice time, and Oishi was still not present. She was starting to get worried. It was unlike the vice-captain for him to come late. Occasionally even if he was late, he was never more than 10 minutes late. As thoughts ran through her mind, a familiar figure came running through the gate in a frenzy. The figure stopped by the clubhouse, then realized her presence and ran towards her.
"Ryuzaki-sensei, sorry to trouble you this morning."
"It's all right, Oishi. But can I know why you were late? It's unlike you."
The boy scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Uh… I… I didn't wake up on time."
The elder laughed it off and told the boy to get ready for practice. Then she noticed something else that was out of the blue. Someone else, to be precise. Tezuka Kunimitsu. The bespectacled boy was another responsible being who would always arrive for practice earlier than the rest. He would usually report his presence to her in the office once he arrived, and would ask if there were any duties to be carried out. Today, however, he was late as well.
"Ryuzaki-sensei, there's a call for you."
The said sensei thanked the person for notifying her and briskly walked into the building to answer the call.
"Ryuzaki desu."
"Ah, ohayo, sensei. I am Takashi's father."
"Ah… Kawamura-san. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No… Takashi is not feeling well, so I've called to notify you that he won't be attending practice today."
"Is he all right?"
"Thank you for your concern. He seems to be very exhausted. He couldn't wake up to help me with the goods."
"Exhausted? The match yesterday went on fine…"
"I'm not sure why, but he seemed all right when he came back yesterday. He even helped make sushi. But I think he'll be fine after some rest."
"I see… Thanks for taking the trouble to call."
"I should. Goodbye."
"Ja."
She hung up and looked out of the office window to look at the courts. She recognized a pair of familiar figures walking into the compound. Easily recognizable, the trustworthy Buchou and the ever-smiling tensai. The shorter boy walked into the clubhouse while the other walked towards the office building. It was five minutes to practice.
"Ohayo, sensei."
The lady turned around to recognize the fine-looking boy, who didn't look as sharp as usual.
"Tezuka-Buchou. You're finally here."
"Sorry I'm late."
"You look tired."
"Hn."
She smiled to herself. He was still the same stoic boy she knew even if he looked slightly out of sorts. The duo then proceeded to the courts for practice.
Practice was rather eventful today. It started off with their usual warm-up before Inui took over with his new training schedule for the regulars. The coach just stood by the fence and watched as the boys trained. She realized many unusual behaviors…
Momoshiro's advances weren't as aggressive and powerful.
Kikumaru was late, but he ran his laps without whining or complaining. And he wasn't as bouncy.
Kaidoh was hissing less and panting more, signs of exhaustion.
Fuji's movements were awkward, his leg movements especially.
Echizen dozed off on the bench.
Oishi's moon volley overshot.
Tezuka took longer to overcome his opponent.
And Inui, he actually misread his data.
"Practice is over. All of you may leave. Regulars stay behind."
The courts were cleared and the rest of the members scurried into the clubhouse, leaving the regulars and the coach on the courts. The regulars stood there in silence, waiting for their coach to speak.
"What is going on? You all seemed distracted and out of sorts, even you, Tezuka."
The bespectacled boy lowered his head in apology while the others looked at each other. She went on to ask them for their reasons, one by one. All the answers she got were identical. They all claimed to be tired.
"Tired? Kawamura is also absent because of exhaustion. Did you all stay at the sushi bar for a long time? Momoshiro?"
"Huh? No… we left after dinner. Fuji-senpai and Buchou left earlier."
The coach turned her attention towards the two said boys.
"Left earlier? Where did you two go?"
Tezuka kept silent, Fuji… just smiled.
"Tezuka, tell me."
"We went home."
She looked at Fuji, and the tensai nodded earnestly.
"What about the rest of you?"
"We all went home."
Oishi answered and the rest nodded in unison. Ryuzaki-sensei crossed her arms in front of her chest and scrutinized each and every one of their faces. She didn't know what to say.
"Hn. I'll let all of you off today considering you had a match yesterday. Rest earlier tonight. Dismissed."
The regulars headed towards the clubhouse. The coach had trusted her players. She had no reason to doubt them. In fact, they were indeed speaking honestly. Just that they left out some important points. They did all go home, just not all went back to their own home. Kaidoh was at Inui's, Oishi was at Kikumaru's, Momoshiro was at Echizen's, and Tezuka was at Fuji's. As for Kawamura, he 'over-burned' himself by reading too many of those 'stimulating fics'.
-owari for Friday-
That's the last chapter for Seigaku... what's up next will be on the other schools. Stick with me.
Blue Orbs-Blue: yes, there's gonna be other schools, definitely Hyotei.
Shiomi, Rain: Hontou ni gomen, I'm through with Seigaku already... hmm... i could try and see if can insert some more MomoRyo in chpts for the other schools though, but i can't promise. i'll try my best ne!
RoYale: I didn't know who to pair him up with! i was thinking Akutsu... but... i wouldn't want Taka's computer to get smashed (along with the possibly already crushed mouse)... hee...
