A/N: So here is the seventh chapter. The first part doesn't have a whole lot of dialogue as it describes the doubles match. I tried to keep it interesting and long enough to just get what I wanted across. The latter half is more dialgogue and interaction. Considering how I write, this chapter actually does not have as much humor as my previous chapters. I suppose it wouldn't since this is where I'm just beginning to introduce the conflict and what not. I don't know if anybody will catch it, but if you cantell kind ofwhat it is, I promise it isn't as shallow as it first seems. It gets more complicatedlater. As far as the tennis part goes, I tried to keep it fairly basic. Doubles matches are so much fun to write because a whole new world of tactics opens up...Well, I suppose I should stop talking and just let you read. So, without further ado, enjoy!
Copyright: I don't own Prince of Tennis. The end.
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"I got it!"
Jiroh energetically ran towards the ball and volleyed it straight at Shinji's feet. Lacking the wrist flexibility, he was unable to get low enough to return it.
"Hey, Atobe, we got the first point!"
"That's good, since it is our service game."
Atobe was standing at the baseline in a much more calm manner. He coolly watched the short rally and began using his insight. His hand, more out of habit than anything else, involuntarily went up to his face and he stared at his opponents through his fingers. His mind began analyzing the weak points.
"Jiroh, I doubt they'll let you do that again. I want to pay close attention to what I'm doing. They obviously don't play doubles very often and there are plenty of open spots. I'll try to set the ball up and-"
"I use that opportunity to hit their weak spot!"
The other boy enthusiastically finished for him. Jiroh bounced around a few more moments before returning to his position near the net. Atobe watched in amusement. He acted like it was the most brilliant strategy that had ever existed when in actuality, that was about as basic as doubles strategies went.
"15-0!"
Kamio called out the score while Atobe began bouncing the ball up and down as he prepared for his serve. He took a quick moment to glance at Jiroh who was lightly bouncing in place in the ready position. Atobe could tell by the stance that Jiroh was ready to move in any direction.
"Hope you're ready!"
Atobe yelled out as he served the ball with major topspin. For any other normal person, the serve would have been un-returnable. However, he was serving to Ibu Shinji who was anything but normal. Shinji easily picked up the ball and hit it full force cross-court straight back to Atobe.
Jiroh watched the ball speed past him out of the corner of his eye. He could have gotten it, but he knew Atobe did not mean for him to. At least, not yet anyways. Once again the ball whizzed right by his head. As the ball went by, Jiroh noted its direction and got ready.
"That's not a good place to hit the ball. I have the perfect opportunity."
Ryoma stated as he quickly brought his racquet back a short ways and aimed for the large open spot right between Jiroh and Atobe. Anticipating this, Jiroh took a couple of steps back and then sprinted to the left. He made a quick split stop to get a solid footing and then stepped into the return volley to give it power.
Atobe watched with great amusement. Admittedly, Jiroh was one of the best volleyers and had one of the fastest reaction times. While Ryoma did not specialize in volleys, Atobe had to admit that he did have some pretty good skills. Ryoma, in response to Jiroh's sudden movement, also began adjusting to the cover the large open spot to his left. However, Jiroh had no intention to hit to the most logical spot. Atobe stood casually at the baseline as he lightly nodded his approval. Even though it was his backhand volley, Jiroh still returned the ball to the now open alley.
"Did you see that, Atobe? It really worked."
"Of course my brilliant plan worked. You expected any less of the great ore-sama?"
Jiroh giggled while Atobe smirked. He looked across the court at Ryoma who was busily trying to ignore Shinji mumbling by adjusting his racquet strings. They had every weak spot typical of doubles and did not really know how to fix them. He smirked at how that made things much easier. He turned his attention to Jiroh who was smiling happily as he walked towards Atobe. Unfortunately, as he watched the other boy, he realized that he too lacked the proper skills to efficiently destroy his opponents. No matter how he looked at it, Jiroh and he were singles players.
"Hey, Atobe, what's wrong?"
Lost in his own thoughts, he did not notice Jiroh come up to him. He looked at Jiroh who looked mildly concerned.
"You looked all serious and gloomy. Aren't you having fun?"
Jiroh's expression could almost be described as worried. He was enjoying himself immensely, but when he noticed Atobe off in his own world, he feared that he was not having any fun. Even worse, he feared that Atobe thought it was pointless or hopeless.
"Of course. Ore-sama is coming up with another genius plan."
"…Don't you think we'll win?"
Atobe looked at Jiroh mildly surprised at the sudden question or rather, insinuating comment. For being a seeming fluff brain, Jiroh was quite observant in his own way. This slightly unnerved Atobe. He did not like the fact that somebody could read him.
"We'll win…Only if we're careful."
He found no use in saying something otherwise. Jiroh already was not that much of an idiot to realize that they were not meant to play doubles. Not to mention that he already seemed to pick up on that sentiment from Atobe.
"Hey, Monkey King! Get started already!"
Ryoma impudently yelled across the court. Not about to be smarted off to, Atobe yelled his response.
"You've got time. How about using the time to contemplate your growth or lack thereof."
Without waiting for a response, Atobe turned his attention back to Jiroh who was snickering.
"Just concentrate on the game at hand and follow my lead. If we do this carefully, we can get a fairly easy win."
"Got it."
Jiroh walked back towards his position though not without casting a small glance over his shoulder at Atobe. For some reason, he felt like Atobe had more to add to that comment, but being Atobe, he kept it to himself.
"About time you're ready. It's not polite to keep people waiting for that long even if you were talking strategy."
"30-0!"
At the score call, Atobe let loose another serve. The rest of the game did not deviate to far from the way it had been going. Atobe continued to hit it to different locations trying to give Jiroh a good shot. After a few more short points, the game was over.
"Alright! We easily kept our service game!"
Atobe nodded and gave Jiroh his signature smirk.
"You expected anything less?"
Jiroh paused a moment to stare at Atobe and then giggled as he ran to catch up. Atobe may not tell him everything, but it did not matter. All he cared about at the moment was playing with Atobe.
After they switched courts, it was time for Ryoma to serve. Atobe decided he would receive first. He noted the young boy gripping the racquet with his right hand. He knew a twist serve was coming up.
"0-1, 0-0!"
As he expected, Atobe calmly watched the ball bounce straight for his face. At the last minute he tilted his head to the side and the ball passed right by him. Jiroh looked over at Atobe who just let the ball go and was smirking about it. He really hoped Atobe was not planning on doing what he did during the training match with Seigaku.
"Jiroh, watch the ball carefully and move for it."
"Right."
Atobe noticed how Jiroh was faintly quivering from the excitement. He knew Jiroh too well. The boy got too excited when faced with something difficult. This would be the first time Jrioh would have ever received the infamous twist serve.
"15-0!"
Once again Ryoma executed a perfect twist shot. Jiroh was already trying to move and adjust for it, but was not able to bring his racquet in the right position. The force of the serve and weak grip he currently had on the handle caused the racquet to fly out of his grip.
"Whoa! No wonder everybody talks so much about the twist serve! This is GREAT!"
There was a collective sigh from all who were present. Jiroh was bouncing around happily.
"Jiroh, get into position."
"Oh, right."
Once again, Atobe waited for the twist serve. This time however, he moved into his ready stance. As the ball quickly approached his face, Atobe did not so much as blink. He sidestepped and brought his racquet up. In a swift movement, he returned the serve with what he would call a perfect backhand. After s short rally, the Atobe-Jiroh team gained the point.
"Ore-sama no bigi ni yoina!"
Ryoma and everybody else rolled their eyes while Jiroh was the only one who started happily jumping around Atobe.
"Wow, you made returning it look so easy!"
"Once you know what to do and you're good enough, it's fairly simple to return."
"You're the greatest, Atobe!"
"I know."
Jiroh practically skipped to his position. He was determined to return the serve. He observed Atobe closely and made note of all the steps. As Ryoma bounced the ball in preparation, something happened that made Jiroh get flustered. The Seigaku first year now had his racquet in his left hand. The serve was as normal as any other spin serve from a left-handed person.
"Why did he switch? Why, why, why!"
The boy easily returned the ball and then sprinted towards the front where Atobe was. At the moment he was not paying attention to Atobe or the rest of the game. He was too upset. Atobe observed Jiroh curiously while he quickly back-stepped a few paces to adjust to the tactics that he knew were coming.
Sure enough, their opponents knew to aim a high and deep lob at the baseline. Atobe ran back for it and managed to hit it back though at a much slower speed. When he looked at the opposite end of the court, he noticed that Ryoma and Shinji had switched positions. Now Shinji was at the baseline while Ryoma was at net. As the ball went to Shinji, he noticed the odd way he was getting ready to hit the ball.
"Jiroh, pay attention."
Atobe warned his doubles partner who was too caught up in not being able to do the one thing he was probably looking forward to. Jiroh started to take every ball that came over the net. However, Atobe observed the way Shinji was subtly alternating the type of spin every time he hit the ball.
He was actually curious as to see how Jiroh would be able to handle it. From what he could tell, most people at their level succumbed to Shinji's special move, the spot. However, Jiroh was slightly different in that he had wrists that were far more flexible. Just maybe, it might not work or at least not as well in his case.
"Jiroh, be careful."
Atobe felt the need to at least attempt to warn his teammate. But like last time, it fell on deaf ears. He kept a close eye on Jiroh's wrist. If his wrist was going to freeze, it would happen within the next few shots. As he guessed, he noticed Jiroh's wrist slightly stiffen as the ball came towards him. He was about to tell Jiroh to just move when he noticed how he still moved his entire body into the shot. He was able to return it except it had no power behind it. Ryoma was already running and skidding towards the ball.
"Drive B!"
Atobe listened to the Ryoma fan club declare the move. He then walked over to Jiroh who was currently not grinning like he normally would. Atobe wondered by his whole game was now off. At this rate, it would be much more difficult to win if Jiroh did not listen to what he had to say.
"Jiroh."
"I know. I need to keep an eye out for that."
Jiroh grinned once again though this one was forced. Most people would not have noticed, but due to his great observational skills, he knew Jiroh was far from happy.
"40-15!"
Ryoma served again, only this time, much to the interest of Atobe and Jiroh's shock; he once again returned to using the twist serve. In the back of his mind, he knew this was going to really upset his teammate. Like last time, he was able to side step and return the serve.
However, as he watched the other side of the court, Ryoma and Shinji had already switched places.
"Thiscan't be good…This is not going to end well…"Shinji hit ball directly at Jiroh who then volleyed it towards Ryoma. In his mind, if he could keep the ball away from Shinji, then he could not alternate the spin. Jiroh was more than confident that he could keep up with the other current volleyer.
As the game progressed, Atobe realized more and more that Jiroh took the bait. As much as he would never admit it to anyone else, he was impressed at the opponents' tactic. He then gave his attention to Jiroh who was moving around good enough and in a way that would not let Atobe get in there and take the ball.
Jiroh continually hit to Ryoma or when he did not have the chance, he would alternate between the two. However, he began to feel his wrist begin to stiffen.
"This isn't fair! I've kept it away from Shinji…Don't tell me…"As he realized the tactic being used, it made him even more determined and reckless. Atobe was not liking how Jiroh was getting so tense.
"Jiroh!"
The boy completely ignored him and continued to concentrate on Ryoma and Shinji. Atobe finally had enough. This was no longer something that should and could not continue.
"JIROH! LET THE BALL GO!"
Everybody slightly jumped at the sound of Atobe raising his voice. He was one of those people who carried a tone of final authority and used it. It was enough to make Jiroh to stop mid-swing and watch blankly as the ball sped by.
"Atobe, why?"
He currently ignored the question and walked over to their personal belongings. He grabbed the bag and walked over towards Shinji and Ryoma.
"Pay up, the tape is yours."
Jiroh and everybody else watched perfectly confused.
"Well?"
"Right…"
Ryoma and Shinji quickly went to their bags and pulled out the appropriate amount of money. Even they were startled at the force and command behind Atobe. After handing it to Atobe, he curtly tossed them the bag and walked over to Jiroh who was still staring at Atobe questioningly even as he put his stuff away.
"Let it go. I've got the same tape at home that you can have."
Jiroh was about to protest when he looked at Atobe again. Even though he was not looking at him, he could tell that the Hyotei tennis buchou would not discuss it any further here. He knew he would have to wait until Atobe gave the okay.
"Let's go."
"Sure."
"Nice game."
Atobe called over his shoulder though it was obvious it was merely the formality expected in a tennis match. He walked authoritatively off the court with Jiroh trailing slightly behind him.
"Umm…Atobe?"
After walking for a while, Jiroh thought it was far enough to finally ask. The streets were now bare compared to the bustling mess it was just a few hours ago. He noticed how the sun was setting behind the tall buildings. He then glanced over at the other boy. Atobe was now walking in a much more casual manner and seemed to be thinking of nothing important in particular.
"Why'd you get so upset?"
Atobe brought the entire event up front in a single question out of nowhere. Jiroh fidgeted with his tennis bag straps as he thought about it. He knew he let it get to him too much, but as to why, he was not exactly sure. Atobe continued to walk calmly and casually indicating that he was in no hurry and was going to wait for as long as it took for him to get an answer.
"I don't know…I just though, it wasn't really fair. I know that's childish and all, but I really wanted to return that serve just like you did and when Echizen switched…I…I don't know…"
He looked up at Atobe whose expression was completely unreadable. Jiroh really wished he knew what Atobe was thinking. It would make things much more easy. He wanted to know if Atobe was mad at him, or disappointed, or laughing at him. Atobe never showed people what he was really thinking and that was enough to make Jiroh frustrated and sad.
"You're upset?"
"No. Just curious."
Once again, Jiroh had no idea what to make of that statement. He also had no idea why Atobe called the match early, let alone in the middle of a point.
"You thought we were going to lose and didn't think it was worth it."
"Not really."
The response was not what he was expecting. He thought for sure it was the reason and Atobe would go on about stopping early to prevent the actual embarrassment of losing. The simple and quiet answer was a surprise.
"We would have won…However, it's not worth it if you're too upset to enjoy the victory."
Atobe then glanced over at Jiroh who currently looked like a goldfish out of its fish bowl. He let a small chuckle escape. This was enough to send Jiroh back into his normally cheerful state.
"Wow, Atobe! That's the first time I've actually heard you laugh like a normal person."
"Thanks Jiroh…"
"So you're really not upset-"
"At you? No."
"That's good…And I'm sorry for losing my cool like that."
Jiroh was once again shocked when he felt Atobe's hand gently ruffle his hair.
"It happens to everybody, especially those who were in your position."
"Thanks Atobe."
"For what?"
"You really cheered me up!"
Atobe studied Jiroh carefully. Lo and behold, the other boy was definitely in a much better mood. It was this mood that Atobe enjoyed the most. Anything else was just uncomfortable.
"Sure. I just spoke my mind."
"That's what made me really happy!"
Before Atobe could say anything in response, Jiroh quickly looked at his watched and started talking about how late it was.
"I suppose I should start heading home. Thanks Atobe! This day was fun. Let's do it again. Bye-bye!"
Atobe did not have time to say or do anything before Jiroh was running down the street towards the bus stop. He watched the other boy continue to run and was about to head home himself when he saw that Jiroh had stopped. He turned to face Atobe and waved energetically with a goofy grin on his face. Without thinking, Atobe brought his arm up and returned the wave though in a much calmer manner.
As he watched Jiroh run off again, he could easily imagine hearing Jiroh giggling like a mad man. Despite himself, he found the corners of his mouth being drawn upwards into a tiny smile. He caught himself and gradually became uncomfortable however and as slowly as it came, the smile was quickly wiped off and replaced by Atobe's usual nonchalant expression and confident smirk as he walked back home.
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A/N: So what do you think? I actually thought out this chapter beforehand. Normally, I only have a basic idea of what I want to happen eventually and just kind of write as it comes. This chapter was a little more complicted than my other chapters though, so I thought it better to plan it out in advance. Anyways, as it was harder to write, I still enjoyed writing this. Actually, it was pretty fun for me to write. I hope you all had fun reading it. Well, next chapter...I'm not a hundred percent sure what's going to happen next. I'm debating about the order of events. So, the next chapter might take longer to post or it might be shorter depending on how my mind is functioning this week. Ah well, I'll shut up and let you be. I truly hope you enjoyed!