A/N: Yay, another chapter. Thank you all so much for the reviews. It really made me happy to know my story is being read. Yes, I am that easy to please. And yes, things are moving a little slow. I'll try and pick things up a bit now. It was just hard at first because I still didn't know where I was taking the story…Now, I have a fairly solid idea, so I hope things will pick up…Then again it might not, being that I have no idea how to make fluff go faster…but I shall try! Thank you again so much for the lovely reviews!
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Count on Me
"Remember, class, continue to work on your papers…And for your sake and mine, don't procrastinate. That is all. Dismissed."
Choutarou sighed at being reminded of his paper. He still had no idea who he was going to write about.
"I still don't know who I'm going to write about…Well, I suppose I will have to write about family…I forgot to ask Shishido-san last time…I'll ask him today."
He smiled as he walked over to the tennis courts. When he plays against Gakuto and Yuushi again, Shishido would be there to make things much easier. As he was coming out of the clubhouse, he ran into the mentioned doubles players.
"Ah…Mukahi-san, Oshitari-san…What happened to you two?"
Gakuto had a large bandage on his forearm, a taped piece of gauze on his shin and a small, white band-aid across his cheek. Yuushi was slightly better off with only a bandage around each arm.
"Gakuto decided to try out his new, great and glorious move…As you can see, he learned the laws of physics don't change…ever."
Gakuto immediately went on the defensive.
"Yeah, well, you were pretty dumb too, trying to catch me and all. If you're so great with your 'laws of physics' theories, then you should have known you'd get smashed."
"Whatever. It's water under the bridge now. Let's just get to practice and play some tennis."
"Yeah, you're right. Let's go!"
Once again they forgot that Choutarou was still standing there as they walked off. He could not help but smile as he watched Gakuto start getting excited about something with Yuushi laughing at him. It was as if their little argument had never happened.
"Oshitari-san cares about Mukahi-san. He tried to catch Mukahi-san to help him even though he was injured because of it…They get along so well…I wonder if Shishido-san and I seem that way to other people…Oh yeah, he should be here soon."
He looked around some more and then he spotted him. Shishido was a short distance away talking with Atobe who seemed less than pleased. He decided to walk over along with everyone else who were all curious as to the punishment Shishido would receive.
"Ore-sama is very disappointed and does not tolerate those who break the rules of practice. Now go run 50 laps!"
Shishido stared at Atobe in disbelief with the latter crossing his arms to show there was no debate.
"50 laps! That's gonna take…well, a long time!…That's cruel and unusual punishment!"
"Ha! 'Cruel and unusual' you say? You should be grateful that ore-sama is so merciful. At Seigaku, those who skip out on practice thus breaking the rules are subjected to 100 laps. Now, is ore-sama merciful, or does ore-sama need to change it to 100 laps?"
"No…I'll run the fifty laps…" Shishido walked to the entrance gate to the courts and started running.
"100 laps? That's a lot of running…I never should say this ever again but, Atobe really is being merciful."
Yuushi looked over at his friend and then thought about it.
"I doubt Atobe is really all that merciful…Our tennis court area is larger than Seigaku's…So really, he might as well be running 100 laps…Heh, 'merciful'…Not a chance."
Choutarou felt sorry for his friend being subjected to so much running, but he was not about to argue. However, he was curious about the strange tie between captains and running laps.
"So, Tezuka-san actually makes them do that many laps?…I know running is a good punishment, but so many…isn't that a bit excessive?"
The back-up player for the regulars, Hiyoshi Wakashi, actually spoke up as the conversation piqued his interest.
"I think it's good. Those who come, get to play, while those who don't, run."
"Yeah, but…the main questions to be asked are how does Atobe know about Seigaku and Tezuka's discipline methods? And why is it that captains seem to know about everything?"
Everybody paused a moment to think about Gakuto's questions. Jiroh broke the silence by walking over and letting out a noisy yawn and an answer.
"I bet Atobe and Tezuka keep in touch for some reason and share tips on how to torture the players. And who knows what else they talk about…But I know they do 'cause I caught Atobe talking on the phone with Tezuka a little while back."
Choutarou and everyone else was shocked that their captain might be conspiring against them by sharing running tips with rival team captains.
"Maybe their friends? I mean, outside of tennis they're just two guys who really are somewhat alike."
"Atobe and Tezuka?…There isn't a similarity at all. Tezuka has the personality of a brick wall and Atobe is…well Atobe."
Choutarou smiled at Gakuto and explained his statement.
"Well, yes, personality wise they are very different, but when it comes down to tennis and the team, well, then their similar…Besides, I used the word, 'somewhat'."
Gakuto and the others still seemed skeptical, but all agreed on it. Little did they realize, however, that Atobe happened to be nearby enough to catch their conversation.
"Hey!…It's very rude to talk behind a person's back…especially when the person can hear you! All of you, run 15 laps, now! And it's not your place to question ore-sama's phone calls!"
All of the regulars grumbled as they assembled in front of the courts and began their laps. Shishido continued to run the whole while, but then looked back. Behind him were the remaining members of the team. He felt a slight tinge of joy that he was not the only one made to suffer. After making another lap, Shishido looked behind again. He noticed that Choutarou was ahead of everybody else and was trying to catch up with him. Shishido slightly slowed down to allow the other boy to catch up with him.
"So you made it to practice, Shishido-san."
"Yeah…Why is everybody running?"
Choutarou laughed at reason.
"Well, Atobe got angry because we were talking about him and Tezuka and the phone calls they make to each other."
Shishido stared blankly at the other boy and about stumbled on the ground, but he managed to catch himself.
"Clarify that please…Wait…No, don't."
Choutarou watched as Shishido continued to run, but could clearly tell his mind was occupied by something.
"Shishido-san has a perverse mind."
"What! No I don't! But I mean, you gotta admit that sounded a bit…odd."
"I know."
They continued to run in silence for a while until Shishido spoke.
"You know how I said you could count on me to be there at practice with you? Well…Sorry, with the running laps thing, I can't really practice…And…Well…"
Choutarou watched as Shishido began searching the surrounding area for something else to say. His face started to become flushed as he continued to search.
"No, it's okay, Shishido-san. Technically, you are at practice, so you still stayed true to your word."
"Thanks, but…not really, I mean, I really wanted to be there with you at practice so we could totally wail on Gakuto and Yuushi…but I can't so…yeah, sorry."
He just smiled at Shishido and his attempt to be apologetic and sentimental at the same time. Choutarou was just glad that Shishido was at practice.
"It's okay. Besides, there's always the next practice and Atobe-san said that we'd be playing against each other for a while since the nationals are coming up and all. So the next practice you can play!"
Shishido relaxed after hearing those words from Choutarou.
"Yeah, well, thanks…And I guarantee that I will be there for you the next time!"
Choutarou finally finished the laps he was sentenced to and stopped when he came to the court entrance. Shishido paused a moment to talk to Choutarou.
"Keep up your serve the whole game. I'll be watching as I run by…many, many times…And I'll try and help out from the side lines."
"Thank you, Shishido-san. Anou, you better get running again. Atobe-san does not look pleased."
"Gotta go!"
Shishido immediately took off in hopes of running away from the wrath of their captain. Choutarou watched him sprint away.
"Well, he might not be playing, but he is here after all…He also apologized about it…Shishido-san really did want to play with me. Even though he can't play today, there's always the next day…Besides, he's going to still be there with me even while running laps…So, I suppose it worked out after all…"
"Alright. Same thing as yesterday, only this time, Jiroh plays Kabaji while I'll play Wakashi."
Atobe dismissed them and they all walked over to the respective courts. Choutarou caught up with Gakuto and Yuushi.
"Why is Atobe making us play each other again? He already knows that we can't return the Scud Serve and Choutarou can't play solo."
Yuushi nodded in agreement with his friend.
"I bet it's just because we need to get used to playing opponents who can keep their service game."
"It's also a good chance for me to keep practicing my serve."
Choutarou agreed that it was pointless for them to play each other, but on the other hand, it had its benefits.
"Let's begin then."
Once again, Choutarou was allowed to serve first. He noticed that Shishido was rounding the corner and passing by the court. He wanted to show how good he was at the Scud Serve.
"Ikyuu…Nyuu…Kon!"
He put everything into his serve and it was untouchable.
"Alright! That was great!"
Choutarou smiled at the comment coming from the other boy. He still ran but slowed a little to cheer on his partner, just as he promised.
"It does seem easier when Shishido-san is around, even if he isn't on the court…"
"15-0!"
Choutarou served again with the same result as the first. In a matter of a few minutes, Choutarou had already taken his service game.
"You seem to be hitting them better than usual today."
"Oh, thank you Oshitari-san."
Gakuto however, was not so complimentary about it.
"It's too fast. I can barely get to it! Slow it down at least a little!"
Choutarou walked to the other side of the court.
"Sorry, Mukahi-san, but I won't improve if I don't give it my all each time."
"I don't think you can improve something that moves that fast…"
Gakuto grumbled to himself all the way over to the other side. Yuushi had to take a few minutes to persuade Gakuto that not all was lost.
"0-1, 0-0!"
Choutarou ran to receive the ball and returned it with as much force as he could. Despite his efforts however, Gakuto was right there to volley it back. This time though, Choutarou anticipated the shot and dove for the ball. Due to his long reach, he was able to get to the ball and managed to bump it back over the net.
"Hey, you alright?"
He looked up and saw Shishido running by the court again.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Shishido smiled continued to shout at Choutarou.
"Way to get it over! Keep it up, just stay ahead of the jumping frog over there."
Shishido then disappeared around another corner leaving a smiling Choutarou and a disgruntled Gakuto.
"Jumping frog? Me? Why would he call me that!"
Yuushi chuckled and walked over to his partner.
"Probably because you have a habit of jumping when you're not doing anything."
Gakuto merely answered with a "hmph" before walking back into position. Yuushi served again and again, and eventually, the game was over. The pattern from yesterday was the same. Choutarou kept all of his service games while Yuushi and Gakuto kept theirs. After another tie, Atobe dismissed the regulars. As they were walking to the clubhouse, Shishido just finished his laps.
"So, did we learn why we don't skip practice?"
Atobe stood over Shishido who was sitting on the ground out of breath.
"Yes..huff…I won't…skip practice…anymore."
"Good."
With that, the captain of Hyoutei walked off with Kabaji trailing right behind him.
"Stupid…Atobe…Huh?"
He was interrupted as a water bottle was handed to him. Choutarou had his and Shishido's gear lined up.
"Mm, thanks."
"Mm-hm. And thank you for keeping your word. It was much easier to play today since you were there."
"Of course. Now imagine how it would be if I was actually on the court? We'd totally beat those two."
Choutarou smiled at Shishido. After sitting with him there for a while, Shishido finally caught his breath and stood up.
"Well, you better get home now. I'll see you next practice, 'kay?"
"Okay. Bye, Shishido-san!"
"Yeah, see ya!"
Choutarou grabbed his tennis bag and started walking home. As he usually did on his way home, he thought about things.
"Tomorrow is Saturday, so practice won't be for a couple of days…I'll get Shishido-san something this weekend then…Hmm, today's practice really was a lot easier since I knew Shishido-san was there…I really am improving and he seems to care about that too…I wonder if my improvement is the only thing he cares about…No…Well…I really need to stop thinking about silly things like that!…So think about something else…Come to think of it…What should I get Shishido-san?"
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A/N: So concludes this chapter. I have no idea if it is moving faster or not, but, I will continue to try. Next up, Choutarou goes out to buy Shishido a present. Well, read, review, do whatever it is you do and leave this story with that fuzzy feeling inside…Umm…I'm not sure if it actually invokes the warm and fuzzy feeling…I can't tell…but in any event, just read the story and enjoy it how you see fit.