Ponta: I'M BACK AND ALIVE FROM THE HORRIBLE FINALS!

Silence, the Seigaku regulars are ignoring her.

Ponta: .... Is anyone going to greet me? :: holding a pitcher of Inui juice::

Seigaku Regulars: Welcome back! :: scared of the Inui Juice::

Ponta: That's much better. .........................HEY, where's Kaidoh-nichan?!

Inui took out his green notebook: Kaidoh has disappeared approximately around March 23, 2004 at 4:57 and 39 seconds p.m. right after you left this story.

Ponta: .................That is very informative but ........................KAIDOH-NICHAN DISAPPEARED!? :: she faints::

Momo: NANI!? Mamushi actually disappeared?! I thought he was training while Ponta left the story!

Inui: Since when do you care for Kaidoh?

Fuji: Could it be that Momoshiro actually missed Kaidoh?

Momo: .................................OF COURSE NOT! I JUST MISSED FIGHTING HIM! I mean he is my rival!

Fuji: They do say that long distances make the love fonder.

Takashi: So that means that Momoshiro still loves Kaidoh?

Inui: It seemed to be affirmative.

Momo: NANI?! I DID NOT LOVE THAT MAMUSHI BAKA! AND SINCE WHEN DO I LOVE HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE, TAKA-SAN!?

Ryoma: Mada mada dane. So, you do love Kaidoh-senpai. :: he lefts the story ::

Momo: Ryoma, you know that's not true! :: he went after Ryoma::

Ponta woke up: THAT'S IT! WE ARE GOING TO FIND KAIDOH-NICHAN! AND YOU GUYS WILL HELP ME!

Inui: I cannot help you. I'm busy making the new recipe for my juices. :: Inui lefts the story::

Fuji: I'm also busy too. :: he lefts the story too::

Ponta: .......................YOU ARE ALL SO HEARTLESS! How could you abandon your own teammate!? I bet Buchou would even search for him! :: saw Fuji flirtingly playing around with Tezuka:: .....................Never mind. Sniff, nobody cares. :: sulk in a corner::

Takashi: Don't worry, Kaidoh would be fine. He is a strong person.

Ponta: ............Here Taka-san, do the disclaimer. :: throws the racket at Takashi::

Takashi caught the racket: OH MY GOD! PONTA DOES NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS! NOW HERE'S BURNING CHAPTER 6!

The Right Guy

Chapter 6

~~~~~~~~~~ Momo's POV ~~~~~~~~~~

I was having a rough night's sleep. Well, actually I couldn't sleep not right after since I talked to Echizen.

The sun was slowly rising, indicating a new day. Its beams of light shattered the cloak of darkness, leaving room for a bright cloudless sky. The early birds chirped the morning's arrival. At the same time, an alarm clock gave an obnoxious rang to my already awaken self.

In response, I smacked the clock to silence the alarm. Fortunately, it didn't break. I'm glad that I bought a titanium clock or otherwise it's another trip back to the store again.

I slowly got up and stretched my weary bones from lying in the bed for numerous hours. Strangely, I wasn't tired at all.

I looked at my neon clock and it read 7:00 a.m.

It was time for me to get up and prepare for the first day of my last year of Seishun Gakuen High. I have to take a shower, wear my uniform, brush my teeth, and fix my hair. I also have to cook breakfast for myself and my new roommate. Afterwards, I have to take Echizen to the tennis courts for his match.

...Echizen.

I gave myself a big sigh of disappointment as I remembered that yesterday I asked that question to Echizen.

I asked him if he is homophobic but he didn't respond. Rather, he ignores it with an icy attitude, I may add.

Sure, it wasn't an answer but if it is a cold brat like Echizen, then a silence could mean to be a "yes."

When I have thought of that, I lost my appetite for lunch and dinner, which shocked me greatly since I'm the kind of guy who loves to eat foods a lot. But I knew I have to eat breakfast for energy for tennis practice this morning.

Sigh, yesterday when I lost my craving at that time, my heart aches. It hurts me so much. My heart felt like it was shattered. Why?

I just met Echizen. It's not like that I love that cocky prick.

.... Even if I kept saying that Echizen was just a brat. I couldn't tell him I was gay.

I was scared.

Why am I so scared of telling Echizen? It's not like I care about his opinion. I mean I told my family and they accept it. Some people I know were disgusted by the fact that I was gay but I didn't care because that's what I am. I never care about what people think of me but yet I couldn't even tell some arrogant freshman!

Could it be that I'm afraid of what Echizen thought of me?

NO! That cannot be true!

No, it is true. I'm scared of telling Echizen because ... he would leave me.

And I didn't want that. The thought of Echizen leaving me makes my heart ache. Why do I have to feel this way?

I exasperated out of disappointment and frustration as I pondered over the question of Echizen and my heart.

I got off my bed and went to the bathroom. I stripped off my white underwear shirt and black boxers. I turned on the knob and took a hard massaging cold shower to make my pain feel numb. But it wasn't enough despite how my skin felt so numb after being drenched in ice water.

I spiked my hair with my gel since yesterday was such an embarrassment. I have to look my best on my first school day. I dressed up in my black and white school uniform. I walked out of the bathroom and was about to head downstairs until I saw Echizen's door just across down the hallway.

I wonder if Echizen is up now.

I walked to his door and pressed my ear forward but all I heard was tranquil silence.

Sigh, Echizen must be still asleep. Better woke him up or he would be late.

I opened Echizen's door slightly and sneaked a peek through his room and saw that some moving boxes were still unpacked. But his room was so neatly clean compared to my messy room. I opened the door afar and entered his room.

As I entered his room, I gaped at just what I saw next.

Echizen was there lying on his bed peacefully with such a beautiful face of rest. It felt like that he was a sleeping beauty from a fairy tale. I walked closer toward his bed and looked closer at his face, admiring how extremely cute he looked when he was sleeping.

But then, the next moment just enchanted me. I realized how close my face was to Echizen's face but that didn't stop me because at that moment, it was exactly like a magical thing happening to me.

I closed my eyes and I inched closer to his face. I was about to press my lips to his pink small lips.

....WAIT! I immediately withdraw my face away from Echizen and realized what I almost did.

Did I just almost kiss Echizen? Why would I do that? I mean he's homophobic, right? Shit, what is happening to my god damn mind today?!

Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound inside Echizen's bed. I looked down and noticed a moving hump under Echizen's quilt.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I yelled loudly as the moving hump came out of the bed and headed toward me.

Something instantly jumped at me and I fell down on the ground on my back.

What the hell was that?!

I slowly got up and saw a white Himalayan furred cat with furry brown paws, ears, tail, and mouth. The cat was staring back at me with cat's eyes full of curiosity as it pondering why I'm here in Echizen's room.

I stared back at his eyes and remembered what Inui said yesterday.

I spoke to the cat, "You must be Karupin, right?"

The Himalayan cat meowed happily as if it was saying yes, and then it pounced into my chest, rubbing his furry face on my shirt.

I hugged Karupin in response and patted him as I said, "You're really cute, aren't ya? Almost like Echizen."

"What are you blabbering about, Momo-senpai?" I heard a familiar voice directing the question to me.

I averted my eyes away from Karupin and saw Echizen was up, giving his (once again) annoyed glare at me, despite the tiredness shown in his eyes.

I replied by giving him a taunting smirk, "Oh, I'm just talking to your cute cat." I scratched Karupin's brown ear.

"Why are you in my room?" Echizen asked me as he yawned.

"I came to see if you're up but it seemed that you're up now." I answered.

Karupin started to purr as he snuggled within my arms. I have to admit that Echizen's cut was adorable but in my opinion I think Echizen is more adorable.

Echizen muttered, "That's rare."

"What's rare?" I questioned him.

"Karupin never acted like that toward anyone except me. He must have really liked you."

I snickered, "Heh, jealous that Karupin likes me more than you?"

"Not really." Echizen replied defiantly.

It's so cute to see Echizen pout like that.

Then I just remember at that moment that Echizen was homophobic. My heart aches again. It made me feel like I wanted to leave this room so badly before the situation become tense.

I quickly stood up and dropped Karupin gently on Echizen's bed.

I ordered Echizen. "Hurry up and clean up, and then get dressed. So that we can have breakfast and we can leave for the tennis courts."

"Hai, Momo-senpai." Echizen said it tiredly.

I left his room hastily and I gave a huge sigh of relief.

Why do I almost kiss him? That question constantly bothered my mind and heart.

I went down the stairs to the kitchen to cook bacon and eggs, an American style breakfast that Inui insisted that we should have.

Today is the day that Echizen would play against one of us regulars and I'm itching to know how good Echizen can play. I also want to know what Grandma Coach knows about Echizen. I wonder what kind of playing style Echizen play? Since he is short, maybe his playing style would be ...

"Momo-senpai, is breakfast ready?" His voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hold on, breakfast is almost rea..." As I was talking to Echizen, I turned around and then stopped in my mid-sentence. My heartbeat went faster than before. My jawbone dropped, leaving my mouth wide open. Blood flowing into my cheeks, making it rather noticeable.

ECHIZEN IS PRATICALLY NAKED!

Actually almost naked, Echizen is only wearing his dark blue boxers but the rest of his body was shown.

I was gazing at this amazing naked beauty that has offered me. Echizen has a small cute body with clear skin and small muscles obviously shown in his arms and chest.

More blood was going to my face and I was blushing redder than before.

Echizen's wet pine green hair was dripping droplets on Echizen's shoulder. Not only that, his entire body was wet as he just took a shower. Tiny water droplets flowed along his small body curve as it make me wanted to lick off this droplets off Echizen's perfect body.

....WHAT IS I THINKING?!

As soon as I thought that perverted thing to do, I could feel my sexual desire swelling inside me. This has never happened to me before. I could see a bulge in my pant as the result.

I quickly turned my back toward Echizen and stuttered, "W-w-why are you not wearing your clothes?!"

Echizen spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, "Because I'm not dry yet."

"H-h-how come you didn't use your towel?" I still showed my back to Echizen, hiding my red face and obvious desire.

"I didn't finish unpacking my stuff yet."

"... JUST WEAR SOME CLOTHES, WILL YA!" I yelled angrily with my back still turned.

Echizen raised his tone against me and retorted, "What's your problem?! It's not like I'm naked around here."

Naked Echizen? If Echizen took off that boxer of his, then he would be completely naked. That does seem awfully sexy.

I blushed even redder, my heartbeat paced faster, and my sexual desire was full aroused.

... WHAT AM I DOING?! Why of all the sudden, I want Echizen? That couldn't be, I know that he's homophobic. So how can I have this sudden desire for him?! What is this feeling?! I hope Echizen didn't notice the state I am now.

"Momo-senpai?" Echizen called for me.

I calmed myself a little and respond, "What, Echizen?"

"Why are you all red?" Echizen asked me out of simple curiosity, obviously noticing my blushing red face.

I struggled for an answer and then quickly lied, "Uh ..., it's just the heat from the stove. Yeah that's it! It's the stove that is making me red!" I laughed it off, hoping Echizen wouldn't ask me more questions.

I knew that Echizen was looking at my back with suspicion.

"Momo-senpai?" He called me again.

"Yes, Echizen?" I was struggling.

Can that stupid freshman get a clue and go away before I managed to do something that I would regret later?

"It's burning." Echizen simply answered.

I didn't know what Echizen was talking about until I took a whiff of offensive smell. I looked at the frying pan, releasing steam of black burning smoke.

I panicked and dumped the frying pan into the sink, cooling it down with water. I could hear the sizzling sounds and saw that the food was charred black.

Sigh, so much for breakfast.

"You're a terrible cook, Momo-senpai." Echizen teased me.

I scowled at him and shrugged it off, "Whatever, I have an extra towel in the closet near the bathroom. Use it and dress up while I cook up another batch."

"Hai." Echizen went upstairs.

As he left, I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. My heartbeat was at normal speed and the bulge in my pant gradually disappeared.

What is happening to me? When I see Echizen almost nude, I felt like I want him. I really want him. My heart was beating fast, why? What do I think of Echizen?

I grabbed new eggs and bacons and put them in another frying pan. When I was done with the cooking, Echizen came down, all dressed up in his small school uniform to my disappointment ... wait I mean relief.

We sat silently and ate our breakfast. We grabbed our tennis bags and headed to the tennis courts.

As we walked, the atmosphere was silent, probably due to that incident a moment ago. The silent atmosphere was killing me, so I tried to talk to Echizen about tennis, one of the most interesting subjects to chat about.

"What kind of style you play, Echizen?" I asked, yearning to know him.

But Echizen, as usual, replied coolly, "Why? You're going to see me play anyway."

"Oh, that's true." I felt stupid after Echizen's remark but I questioned him more, "Where do you learn how to play tennis?"

Echizen sighed out of annoyance but answered anyway, "I learn it from someone, that's it."

That make me even more curious, "Who? Your father?" I asked and soon after, I realized that I did something wrong.

As I mentioned father, Echizen stopped in his track and I saw that he was clenching his fist tightly and his teeth gritting.

Then, he gave such fierce glare, anger showing in his golden eyes that was directed at me, and sneered, "That's none of your business!"

And he left me, heading for the tennis courts without me.

I must have hit his soft spot because Echizen is extremely angry at me when I mentioned the word "father." Did something happen between Echizen and his father?

I wanted to apologize to Echizen, so I rushed up to him but the air was very tense. I sensed that Echizen doesn't want to talk to me.

He must have really hated me and I felt depressed about it.

We reached the tennis locker rooms and we changed our uniforms into our tennis clothes.

We didn't talk to each other and I hated the silence standing between us.

I wanted to talk to him ...Hey, why do I want to talk to that cold brat for? Plus, he's homophobic anyway.

But once a while, I couldn't help it but stare at Echizen's tiny perfect body while he was changing.

When Echizen took notice of me, I quickly turned back to what I was doing.

I changed into my Seigaku uniform with long blue sweatpants and a white shirt with blue sleeves.

I saw that Echizen wore black shorts and a white shirt with red sleeves. He also wore a cap with an emblem "F" on it. The white cap suited him so perfectly that make him cuter than before. I tried to talk to him again but he left the locker room, ignoring me in the process.

Somehow I felt so empty without Echizen teasing me. It's weird but I actually miss that brat despite the fact that he's homophobic and had an annoying attitude.

With that in my troubled mind, I left the locker room and headed for the tennis courts.

Echizen has already met with Grandma Coach and the other regulars. Freshmen and sophomores were doing their daily practices. I want up to the rest of the regulars and greeted them. I was greeted back with the usual comments and a complimentary hiss from Mamushi.

Grandma Coach spoke to us, "As you all have heard already, Echizen here would like to apply for the position of the regulars. Normally, the freshmen would have to practice the basics before they get to play tennis. But I'm making a special expectation for him, since I knew his father before."

EHH! Grandma Coach knew his father? No wonder she knew Echizen, she must have heard of him from Echizen's father.

But what happened between Echizen and his father? Why did Echizen get angry?

Buchou announced, "One of the regulars will play against Echizen to see if he is good enough to be a regular. Is there anyone who is willing to play with him?"

"I'll let the others that wanted to play Echizen to go first." Said Taka- san, who was being polite.

"I would like to play against him." Fuji smirked with glint in his closed eyes.

"NO, ME! I want to play against Ochibi!" Eiji jumped like crazy as he was brimmed with excitement.

"I should gather data first on Echizen's tennis playing style." Inui pushed his glassed up his nose as he took out his creepy green notebook that harasses all the knowledge.

"Hiss he's just a bratty freshman." Kaidoh crossed his arms, showing that he doesn't want to play against Echizen.

Some regulars did want to play against Echizen but I wish to play him first. I want to know more about Echizen by tennis. Plus, there is a little hope that he might be not homophobic.

I stepped forward and pointed my black racket toward Echizen, challenging him, "Wait, I have the privilege of playing him first since I'm his roommate."

Oishi was concerned, "Momoshiro! What about your condition? Are you sure that you can play?"

"I'll be fine. I can still play." I gave Oishi my words.

Echizen smirked at me, "Mada mada dane. Do you think you would play well?"

I clenched my racket and scowled at hi, "Hoi, what is that supposed to mean?!"

Echizen entered the tennis court and replied, "What I just said, Momo- senpai."

Grr. Damn that arrogant brat.

But at least, Echizen was talking to me again and I felt relieved hearing him.

I entered the tennis court along with Oishi, who will be the referee.

I spin my racket to see who goes first. Echizen asked from smooth and my racket grip fell right side up. Echizen has the first serve, this will be interesting.

Oishi announced, "Game between Momoshiro and Echizen will begin. The best of one set match. Echizen to serve."

Echizen bounced the tennis ball couple of times and then throw it high to the air. He jumped afterwards and smashed the ball.

I could see the ball was coming at me with great speed. That serve was fast but not fast enough.

The ball landed but it was spinning, then it bounced toward my face. I was able to avoid it in the nick of time.

That serve. Was that the Twist Serve? Heh, what do you know? That arrogant freshman is actually good.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Neutral's POV ~~~~~~~~~~~

Oishi was surprised by the Twist Serve but quickly announced, "15-love!"

"Eh! What kind of serve was that?! It bounced toward Momo's face!" Eiji yelled with amazement.

"That serve was the Twist Serve. The Twist Serve has a counter spin and bounces toward the player with top spin. The ball bounces toward the face, making it hard to hit." Inui explained as he was writing it down on his green notebook.

"Echizen was able to do that kind of serve already?" Takashi commented in surprise.

"Echizen is surely a talented player." Fuji complimented.

Kaidoh was watching the match with slight interest but hissed in a disappointment. He knew that Momoshiro is most likely to lose against the cocky freshman.

"Echizen Ryoma. It seemed it's going to be interesting this year. Right Tezuka?" Ryuzaki asked Buchou.

Tezuka answered, "Hai, sensei. However, Echizen is not playing his best."

~~~~~~~~~~ Momo's POV ~~~~~~~~~~

Echizen is really good but I have seen through the Twist Serve.

Echizen was bouncing the ball again, telling me that he is going to do the Twist Serve. He served the ball high and then hits it.

I saw the ball bounced toward my face but I hit it back right in target. Unfortunately, the ball hits the net.

Oishi yelled, "30-love!"

I grinned, "Man, so close! So close!" But Echizen remained unaffected.

Heh, I will break that arrogant face of yours.

Echizen did the Twist Serve again. He must be stubborn.

This time, I rushed forward and strike the ball right after it bounced. The ball went over the net but it was sent outside the court.

"40-love!"

I putted too much strength into it but I found the right moment to hit it.

Echizen served the Twist Serve for the fourth time and I hit it back for the third time. Finally, the ball went in but Echizen returned the ball back. I also returned it back but Echizen did a drop volley.

"Game to Echizen. 1-0!"

"NANI!? You can also do that too?" I exclaimed but Echizen just shrugged it off.

He doesn't seem surprised that I broke his Twist Serve. He just remained cold in composure.

Grr. I will take the game back. This time, it's my service game.

I threw the ball high and gave Echizen my powerhouse serve but Echizen was able to return it. I sent the ball to the opposite corner of Echizen.

Lucky!

However, Echizen reached the corner and lobbed the ball.

Echizen is fast but this is my game! I jumped high into the air and did a Dunk Smash.

Echizen was surprised but remained cool.

"15-love!"

All right! What are you going to do now, Echizen?

We continued on with the game and I was able to win one game with my Dunk Smash.

"Game to Momoshiro! 1-1!"

I'm tied with Echizen but he doesn't seem to worry about it.

Now, it was Echizen's service game. Echizen served the Twist Serve again, why? He should know by now that I was able to return it.

I returned the Twist Serve but Echizen countered with deep line shot where I have no choice but to lob it back. Echizen rushed forward to the net and smashed the ball right between my legs.

Damn it, if this keeps up. I'm going to lose this game.

Echizen won his service game, and then after that and after that and after that.

I couldn't make him lob and use my Dunk Smash, why?

~~~~~~~~~~~ Neutral's POV ~~~~~~~~~~~

"Momo is losing!" Eiji whined.

"That is because Momoshiro couldn't make Echizen lob," Inui explained, "Echizen has sealed his Dunk Smash by delivering shots that Momoshiro could return but could make a deep line shot that would make Echizen lob. The freshman has such an amazing control." He wrote all that data down in his notebook.

Fuji opened his eyes and commented, "However, Echizen is not using all his strength."

"You also noticed too, Fuji?" Inui questioned.

"How do you know this?" Takashi asked, not knowing what's going on.

"Just watch the game, Taka-san." Fuji closed his eyes and smiled.

"Game to Echizen! 6-1! Echizen won this match!"

~~~~~~~~~~ Momo's POV ~~~~~~~~~~

Shit! What just happened here? How can I lose by this much to that arrogant brat?

I saw Echizen smirking, holding his hand toward me, indicating that he wanted a handshake. He taunted me, "Mada mada dane."

I was furious and scowled, "Wait, we should play again!"

Echizen sighed, "Maybe next time." He was about to leave the court.

"HOI! What do you mean by next time?!" Then I noticed that Echizen was holding his red racket with his left hand. My anger was douse by surprise and I stuttered, "Y-y-you're a southpaw (left-handed player)!?"

Echizen just shrugged, meaning yes.

I was shocked and continued, "You mean, you've been using a handicap against me the entire time?!"

"So do you, Momo-senpai," Echizen replied, "You have been playing with a right sprained ankle."

I forgot about my right sprained ankle. I was focused on the game and I completely forgot about it.

"...when do you know?" I asked Echizen with shocks.

"Ever since I first met you, Momo-senpai." Echizen said it in his obvious tone and then he left me in the court, flabbergasted.

Damn it, Echizen is so strong. This is really making me upset. I couldn't beat him and lost greatly. DAMN IT!

~~~~ TBC ~~~~

Ponta: KAIDOH-NICHAN, WHERE ARE YOU! Sniff, he's really gone. WAHHHH!

Ryoma: Mada mada dane.

Momo: This is so hopeless, why are we even dragged into this?

Ponta: Because you're the only guys free while everyone is so heartless! They wouldn't even search for their own comrade. Sniff.

Ryoma and Momo: Sigh.

Eiji and Oishi appeared.

Eiji: HOI HOI!

Momo: Eiji-senpai! Oishi-senpai! You're back! How's the trip to England?

Oishi: Tiring since Eiji kept dragging me to many places but it was exciting.

Eiji: We get to see the Tower of Eiffel.

Oishi: Uh...why is Ponta crying? :: pointing to Ponta crying out her sorrow::

Ryoma: She was like that even since Kaidoh-senpai disappeared.

Oishi: Kaidoh disappeared? That's weird.

Eiji: We just saw Kaidoh in England.

Ponta: REALLY! HE'S IN ENGLAND?!

Eiji hugged Oishi: Ponta, you're scaring me.

Oishi: Kaidoh was in England. He said he was looking for someone you know.

Ponta: Someone I know?

Eiji: Yup, in fact, Kaidoh is bringing that person here.

Ponta: Someone I knew? In England? ...you don't mean ...?

Momo: Hey Ryoma, who's the person that Ponta knew?

Ryoma: I don't know but it must be bad from the look of Ponta.

Ponta: YOU DO NOT MEAN THAT "PERSON"?

Oishi: Kaidoh is here now.

Eiji: Hoi hoi, do you bring that person with you?

Kaidoh appeared: Hiss! Of course I did.

Mysterious person: HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIII EVERYONE!

Ponta: ... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!