RP: Go on Kumiko…say it…
Kumi: No…my lips are sealed…
S: Come on, I'll give you a cookie!
Kumi: Nuh-uh…
S: We can't start the story without it!
Kumi: (covers ears and hums a tune)
RP: Akiko, why don't you just say the disclaimer for us…Kumi won't do it.
Akiko: (mumbles) Jeesh…why can't you do it on your own! (sigh) Punjabi Patipees don't own Prince of Tennis or its characters…
S: Yatta! On with the story!
Chapter 7 Surprise, Surprise!
"Game and match, Tanaka Rikku. 6-4."
"You're doing better than the last time Sakuno-chan." Rikku smiled at the younger girl as she drank from her water bottle.
"T-thanks Tanaka-san." Sakuno bowed.
Rikku smiled cheerfully. "You're welcome!" she looked around and frowned.
"Is something the matter Tanaka-san?" Sakuno asked worriedly.
"Have you seen Akiko around? I can't seem to find her." Rikku asked.
Sakuno shook her head. "I haven't seen her either."
Rikku frowned. "She missed practice today…" she shrugged. "Oh well. Guess I should ask her sister about her whereabouts then!" she grinned.
"See you next practice Sakuno-chan!" Rikku waved.
"H-hai." Sakuno nodded unsurely.
"Stupid luck!" Akiko muttered as she continued on hitting the ball against the wall with her tennis racket.
She sighed then caught the ball with her right hand. "I totally missed practice today…all because of that freaky monk!" she shuddered. "I do hope I won't see him again…ever."
She scowled. Of course that won't happen because he's dad's friend.
"Otousan should've told me his friend was a creepy, tennis playing monk." She grumbled.
She shook her head. Aaaargh! It'd be best if I just think of something else, like…creating a new move to beat the arrogant jerk known as Echizen Ryoma! She chuckled to herself while she bounced the ball to the ground as she prepared to hit it.
That would be nice…She smiled then hit the ball.
The ball bounced back and she hit it again, this time with more force. Speaking of Echizen…can it be that Ryoma and the creepy monk be related to one another?
She stopped momentarily then shuddered. That would be very…weird.
Oishi held his chin in one hand thoughtfully while on his left Eiji was looking suspiciously at Kumiko and Tezuka with narrowed eyes.
"Aargh! This is so confusing!" Momoshiro exclaimed while raking his right hand in his hair and ruffling it out of frustration.
"What is?" Kumiko asked suddenly from behind Momoshiro, startling the younger teen.
"KUMIKO-SAN! I-I didn't see you there…" Momoshiro laughed sheepishly.
Kumiko looked at him expectantly while munching a chocolate bunny and simultaneously tapping her right foot.
Must think of an excuse quickly! "It's nothing really, Kumiko-san." Momoshiro grinned.
"Oh…Okay then, see you next practice!" Kumiko smiled then popped the remaining part of the chocolate bunny in her mouth and skipped her way to the locker room.
"Nice save Momo." Oishi patted him on the back while smiling.
Momoshiro smiled back. "Well, we can't have her know until we find out what's going on here."
Eiji grinned and gave a thumb's up. "Yosh! It's settled then. We'll play detectives until we find out what really happened last night."
The three shared a knowing look and grinned.
Thus the 'Operation' has begun…
"Tadaima!" Ryoma said quietly as he entered the house carefully closing the door behind him.
"Okairi, Ryoma-san!" Nanako greeted him smiling as she ushered him inside.
Ryoma looked around as if trying to find something.
Finally he spoke, "Where's Oyaji?" he asked his cousin.
"Hmm…" Nanako looked thoughtful for a while before she continued, "Ah! He left a while ago saying he'd be at some friend's house. He'll be back for dinner, I think." She then took Ryoma's bag and then started to go to the kitchen.
"Aaa…" Ryoma then started to look around for Karupin. Might as well play with him until Oyaji comes home.
"I'll just call you when dinner's ready, okay?" she called from the kitchen.
Ryoma spotted Karupin sleeping in the corner and gave a small smile before replying, "Hai."
"Akiko! Come out from there now, honey. We have some good news for you!" Kazumi called out from outside Akiko's room while continuously knocking on the door.
As if I would…I don't want to go out until the guy's out of this place! Akiko glared at the door all the while keeping silent.
"Honey? Are you asleep?" Kazumi asked while she slowly turned the knob to open the door.
Akiko pretended to snore.
"Akiko, I'm coming in!" Kazumi's voice was cheerful as she began to hum a little tune.
Akiko felt her mother come in and snored louder.
"Aw…" Kazumi cooed. "She must be tired from all that practice. Oh well…I guess I'd just have to tell her that Nanjiro-san would be baby-sitting her tomorrow."
"NANI!" Akiko exclaimed as she bolted out from the bed.
"Oh!" Kazumi let out a startled cry. "I thought you were asleep!" Kazumi then composed herself and gave her youngest daughter a sweet smile. "We'll be out tomorrow, so Nanjiro-san offered to look out for you while we're gone."
This isn't happening…Akiko looked at her mother with utter disbelief and confusion. "Please tell me you said no." she said in a low voice.
"Of course I said yes, you silly little girl!" her mother laughed heartily.
At that, Akiko looked like she swallowed one of Kumiko's homemade cooking.
"I knew you would like it!" Kazumi gave her daughter a quick peck on the cheek and started to leave.
As her mother left her room, one thought fleeted across Akiko's mind. I'm doomed…
Sakuno looked at the racket in her hand as her breath came in short, shallow pants. It was a chilly night in the park and yet she was sweating so much. Her face was one of determination and concentration while her mouth was set in a thin, firm line.
She wiped her face with her towel as she took a small break. I must practice more so I can be as good as Ryoma-kun or even Asahara-san…
After a little while, she then again resumed her practice.
"Ryoma-kun said I shouldn't bend my knees too much." Sakuno said to herself as she was swinging her tennis racket.
Sakuno paused. Ryoma-kun…He's so…good. She shook her head as she tried to remove those thoughts in her head.
"How can Ryoma-kun notice me when I always lack in concentration!" Sakuno scolded herself lightly.
She then resumed her practice, more determined than ever. I can do this…I know I can.