A/N: Here's the next chapter. I intended to post it up Monday evening, but hasn't let me on until just now. So, sorry. I told some people it would be posted then, and it wasn't. There's the reason. Anyways, this is the second to last chapter. I'm not sure when the last chapter will be written. I have to study for finals right now...Oh well, at least it should be up by the weekend or the beginning of next week sometime. So, thanks for reading so far and hope you enjoy!
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"Hey, Atobe, are ya ready?"
Jiroh energetically bounded up next to the buchou. He glanced sideways and smirked.
"Of course."
The Hyotei regulars slowly marched towards the tennis courts. The other team was standing by and waiting. As they approached, they heard the other team not so silently bad-mouthing them.
"This is supposed to be the great Hyotei tennis team?"
"Not very impressive. They're a bunch of sissy looking pretty boys."
"We'll have them beat in no time."
Oshitari subtly held onto the back of Hiyoshi's shirt to keep him from using his kung-fu skills on the other team. The members ignored the comment and glanced at Atobe.
"At least they got the 'pretty' part right. I suppose backwater imbeciles who've apparently lived under a rock their whole lives does have some insight."
The others snickered at Atobe's comment. Only he could brag and insult another team on more than one level. Without so much as a sideways glance, Atobe led the team past their opponents and settled down on their side of the bleachers.
"Do you think you should have said all that, Atobe?"
He shrugged his shoulders at Oshitari's question. Looking around lazily he decided on staring at the other team as he talked.
"It's not like they're going to gain some incredible strength and beat us. They are not Seigaku."
Atobe chuckled at the last part remembering their past matches with their rival school. Just as the opponents were not trying to hide their comments, Atobe was just as free with his. The whole time, the other team was glaring daggers at him. At least the ones who were not unnerved by his piercing stare and looked away. That left only two and obviously one was only doing so because of his friend.
"How amusing. They are so stricken with awe at ore-sama's beautiful eyes."
"Or they're just creeped out. You know, you do look kind of creepy sometimes when you start staring at people…Hey! You should use your insight gesture. That would really freak them out."
He slowly turned around to face the speaker. Jiroh was grinning like mad. His suggestion pleased himself.
"Ore-sama's insight is creepy?"
"Well, it certainly isn't charming."
"Ah, Shishido, but you find everything I do so charming."
"Hmph. Bite me."
Hyotei bantered back and forth lazily while waiting for the coaches to set things up and let the crowd get settled down. The other team did not appreciate their ease.
"They think they're so good that they can act like it's not big deal."
"But it isn't a big deal."
All the team members glared at the speaker. Jiroh stared blankly back and then grinned.
"This is just an invitational. Actually, I don't even know who you guys are."
"You overconfident little-"
"Jiroh do you realize that you're quite good at insulting people or are you just clueless?"
Gakuto interrupted the impending insult not really caring that he was once again insulting the other team. Jiroh just shrugged the question off and began tugging on Atobe's sleeve.
"When's this thing gonna start? I'm bored!"
Again, the insulted team attempted to engage Hyotei in another verbal fight.
"Well, soon you won't be bored 'cause we're going to wipe the courts with your faces."
"But that would ruin the 'pretty boy' thing."
"…"
The other team remained speechless. Jiroh definitely had the upper hand whether intentional or not. The Hyotei regulars chuckled to themselves while Gakuto and Oshitari did not bother to even conceal it.
"Hey, Yuushi? Let's hope they're better at tennis than insulting 'cause the matches would be insulting."
"Hush, Gakuto. It's not polite to say such things about other people. You should keep those comments to yourself…even if they are true."
Hiyoshi smirked along with Shishido while Otori shook his head. He was not even going to try to say something.
"You guys think you're so hot stuff coming in here and bad mouthing us just becau-"
"Well, you started it."
"…"
"Well stated Jiroh."
"Thanks Atobe."
At long last, the coaches returned to their teams to deliver the rules. Sakaki walked over to the regulars with a chart.
"Here's the line up for the other team…I hear you've been giving the other team a hard time. While I know they started it and most likely deserved it-"
"I don't know what's got you boys in such a huff. The team doesn't look like much. At least they're better than their coach."
The Hyotei regulars held their breath. The other coach just dared to insult their coach. They would have jumped on the other team, however, they were more fearful and curious about their own coach's reaction.
"I see where that team has developed such rudeness. However boys, we must set the better example than these coarse, ignorant tennis heathens. They have not tasted the true tennis competition as they were always eliminated so fast. So really, you should have pity on such a team."
They all solemnly nodded their heads. From a distance, it would appear as though they were truly understanding. But, being Hyotei, it was merely a way for them to keep from bursting out into laughter. Sakaki adjusted his neck kerchief and straightened his suit smugly.
"Shall we begin?"
"Of course…"
The two teams lined up according to their positions and faced their respective opponents. Their was visible tension between the players, or rather, between the opponents. Hyotei stood at ease and regarded their opponents the same way they would notice a stranger in a crowd.
Atobe and Jiroh calmly met their opponents' gaze save for the few times Jiroh would yawn. It were the two who were staring at them earlier. Atobe shifted his gaze back and forth between the two much to the discomfort of the shorter one. He glanced up at his partner who bravely held his ground. The boy then adjusted his posture so as to appear taller.
"Interesting…"Jiroh caught a faint smirk from Atobe and stifled a yawn. He knew his partner was already planning, or plotting as he saw it more as, their opponents' downfall. After the traditional greeting and formalities, the matches were ready to start. Atobe and Jiroh stood off to the side next to the bench where their coach was sitting.
"So what do you think?"
Atobe fiddled with his racquet strings while answering Jiroh.
"Not much. But still, I want to observe them a little while…I want to make this match fun."
Sakaki nodded his head in agreement.
"And make sure they know right now who we are. You may go."
With his signature motion to tell them to start, Atobe and Jiroh went to their positions. Atobe would receive first. Jiroh looked over his shoulder at his partner who nodded his head and smirked.
"Get ready to lose!"
The larger of their two opponents called out haughtily while tossing the ball in air. In a quick motion, the ball was flying across the net. It had a decent spin, but nothing spectacular. It was average at best. Atobe did not even bother to move. He merely shifted his weight and returned the ball to the net player.
"Bad choice!"
In a quick motion, he volleyed the ball into the open space between Atobe and Jiroh. He was quite proud of himself. He confidently moved to the other side while the other confidently strutted to his next position.
"Not very bright are ya?"
"Fools would not understand. Just as an idiot stares into the sun and can see nothing, so do you stare into the glaring brilliance of ore-sama and can see nothing."
Jiroh quickly covered his mouth to stifle his yawn or, in actuality, his giggling. Their opponents just stood staring at Atobe dumbfounded. They had never heard anybody even come close to talking like that and Atobe was clearly enjoying it.
"That…You're just saying that to cover up your fault!"
With that, the other boy served the ball with all his force thinking that he could overwhelm Jiroh. However, the serve was not anything special nor that powerful and Jiroh returned it with ease bordering on boredom. The ball returned to the server and he hit a high lob over Atobe. He just stood still and lazily watched it land a short distance behind him. Again, their opponents were cheering while Atobe made no indication of caring at all.
"Jiroh, you should follow through a little more with your swing. You don't want to get lazy and sloppy."
"Oh, okay. I'll keep an eye on it."
Their carefree attitude was once again getting on their opponents nerves. Not that he cared or anything, but he figured that annoying them was probably part of Atobe's master plan. After a couple more serves, the game was over and the players switched sides. As they passed their opponents, they were filled to the brim with self-confidence.
"Heh. We beat you guys in no time. Guess you're all bark and no bite."
"Did you hear something Jiroh? I think little gnats are nearby."
They both smirked as they continued to take up their positions. It was Atobe's turn to serve. He decided against using any unique serves. It would definitely throw them off, but he wanted to do so much more damage.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
Atobe served with as much control as he was able. He intentionally hit it softer and with less spin. Their opponents were not confident enough to be knocked down yet.
"What a sissy serve!"
The ball was easily returned to Jiroh who gently volleyed it. As expected, the ball came flying right beside him and into the alley. He shrugged and let Atobe do his thing. Soon, the game was over once again in their opponents favor. After a few minutes of listening to their opponents insulting, the third game began. Following the same trend, they lost the game. Both sides were taking a break between switching sides. While they walked over to their side, Jiroh decided to ask something.
"Hey, Atobe? How much longer?"
"Two more games. Then we make our move."
"Not that I'm arguing with you or anything, but why not now? They're pretty self confident now and it would be really easy to just finish them up this game."
Jiroh understood that Atobe liked to mess with his prey's head before pouncing, but he did not understand it. He was used to finishing his matches as soon as possible and then taking a nap. Carrying it out made him uneasy.
"Because they need to be taught a lesson. Normally, ore-sama would not bother with such tactics, but if they want to insult this team, then they better be prepared to deal with the consequences."
"That was a little more poetic and round about than I was hoping for."
"When a glass is full, water can still be poured and it overflows. Then, drop something in it and there's not much left. Their confidence is like that water. Ore-sama wants them to be overflowing with self-confidence, so when we counterattack, it will leave them with nothing."
Atobe looked over at Jiroh who was just staring at him with eyes glazed over. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
"This will be the best way. Believe me."
Atobe gave a small smile, one unnoticed by anybody else except Jiroh. In an instant it was gone and replaced with a more traditional smirk. Jiroh smiled and nodded his head.
"Okay!"
As planned, two more games went by in a flash. The score was now five to zero in the favor of their opponents who were practically dancing. Jiroh guessed they must be so happy because they never win. It was now Atobe's turn to serve again. This time, he noticed that Atobe was standing with a slightly different posture as he prepared to toss the ball.
"Now the fun part begins."
He smiled at his opponent at the net who suddenly felt uneasy. While he was thinking about it, he realized that the point was already over.
"15-0!"
Even though he was concentrating on something else, he should have seen the ball, but he did not. He glanced at his partner who was still in the ready position and looking quite pale. With a little hesitation this time, he made his way towards his position.
"Hmm, I suppose that was a bit of a 'sissy' serve. Let's see if I can pick it up a bit."
Jiroh had to agree with the rest of the general population that Atobe was scary when he meant business and that business was completely crushing his opponents. Again, he moved into the same posture and tossed the ball up. The receiver watched in shock and admiration when he saw Atobe perform such an odd looking serve and the ball never bounced.
"How was that? Was that more to your liking?"
Atobe made an innocent face that exuded an aura of doom. Hyotei just got a lot scarier. In a matter of minutes, the game was over, each serve a perfect ace.
"You know, Atobe, that serve is still great to watch!"
"Of course. Now Jiroh?"
"Yes?"
"Make sure they never touch the ball."
"With absolute pleasure!"
Their opponents were quickly losing all their confidence just as Atobe predicted. Now they had to mentally cope with comments about making sure they cannot return the ball and taking pleasure in it.
"Forget it. That serve is probably the only thing that guy's got. He was just holding it off until now just so we'd lose our cool. There's nothing more to him."
"How cute, you're doing that whole denial thing!"
They stared at Jiroh who was smiling at them like they were little puppies with broken legs. At the moment, that is how they felt. It was their turn to serve and using denial, mustered enough courage to serve.
"Make it quick and painful, Jiroh."
"Gotcha!"
Atobe returned the now even weaker serve towards the baseline player who hit the ball so as to avoid the net player. However, they did not realize that Jiroh was quite capable at the net. In a flash, Jiroh was right behind the ball and aimed a powerful volley down the alley. They did not even have a chance to move.
"Hm. I guess it must be little rusty since I haven't been able to warm it up."
The sudden change in pace was not doing good things for their opponents. It was not helpful knowing that their opponents were still not playing at their best. Continuing on for the game's sake, it was now Jiroh's turn to receive. Again, with great ease, he returned the ball, but put much more force into it and it landed right between the other two.
"Isn't this getting a little more interesting, Atobe?"
"Getting there, but let's liven things up some more. After all, we wouldn't want our opponents getting bored now."
Their opponents were now positive. Hyotei was not human. It was some otherworldly wicked force led by a narcissistic sadist. Their opponents were having difficulty even moving. The points tended to be over before they could even move. The games went by in rapid succession and soon, the score was 6-5, Hyotei's lead.
"Should we take an easy on them, Atobe?"
They glanced at Jiroh and then at Atobe hopefully. However, any glimmer of hope was effectively snuffed out into oblivion when Atobe smirked.
"Take no prisoners, show no mercy, annihilate the enemy."
Jiroh shrugged at their opponents.
"Ah well, at least I tried for you guys."
For some reason, they could find no real sympathy in his smile. They sighed in defeat and prepared themselves for the worst. After a few minutes the final point was played out. They returned the ball and it was lobbed over in a sloppy, desperate manner. Making the motions to smash the lob, Jiroh suddenly sidestepped and right behind him was Atobe. In a flash, Atobe smashed the ball into the other boy's racquet handle and jumped again to smash it right next to him.
"Ore-sama no bigi ni yoina!"
Just like that, the match was over. Atobe and Jiroh looked over at their opponents who were staring dumbly at the fallen racquet. They then looked over to the other team members and found them staring at the racquet as well.
"Guess we got the job done, huh?"
"Seems so."
The other Hyotei regulars just watched with amusement as the other team began looking mighty uneasy. Atobe and Jiroh took their seats while Gakuto and Shishido prepared. The other doubles pair studied their opponents and became very afraid. They had seen what happens when messing with eccentric pairs and they were not eager to start.
"Do you think we could win by default?"
"Maybe, Gakuto. Chances are, Atobe's skills and self declarations have frightened them into defeat."
"Propriety must be maintained. Therefore, the match will continue. Default is not an option."
Everybody glanced at their coach who was subtly smirking at the situation. Apparently sadism runs in the entire team. As planned, there was no default and the matches were won consecutively. Hiyoshi quickly finished off his opponent and sealed the match. The other team was at their limits and could not and did not want to continue. They decided they were much happier with the schools in their own district.
"That…was a waste of my time."
Gakuto was talking or bad-mouthing the other team while everybody made their way to the bus. Atobe walked towards the back of the group next to Jiroh. He glanced sideways at his teammate.
"Was this satisfactory enough?"
Jiroh looked up and stared at Atobe for a few moments before answering.
"Yeah, it was. I'm really glad we got to play doubles and that you were okay with it!"
"Good."
Nodding his head Atobe returned to normal and decided to play the mean buchou with Hiyoshi.
"Ore-sama supposes you did fairly well today."
"Fairly? I beat him in no time."
"Alas, that is but only one part of it. If you're going to take over Hyotei, like you plot in the shadows, you will have to understand the necessity of charming the crowds. You see, even the expressionless Tezuka and Sanada know how to hold their audience. You, just don't know how to win over the crowd."
"…I don't want to talk to you…"
"See, it's that personality that does you in."
Jiroh listend to Atobe continue to harass Hiyoshi while the other members were currently glad that it was Hiyoshi, and not them, who was being subjected to the flamboyant lectures. As he listened, he began to block it out and concentrate on the their match. Everything worked out fine, just as Atobe told him it would. He did not see the big picture like Atobe did, and the buchou was not going to enlighten him, but he decided to trust Atobe. That trust in turn paid off.
"Jiroh, pick up the pace or ore-sama is going to leave you here."
The others had already gotten on the bus and Atobe was standing in the bus doorway. Jiroh quickly ran over and jumped in the bus. The bus took began to move and Jiroh made his way to his seat. He looked over at Atobe who was currently staring out the window in deep thought.
"Hey, Atobe?"
"Hm?"
"Today, did you find it satisfactory?"
There was a long pause after he asked the question. At first, he thought Atobe was not going to answer, but then, he did.
"Most satisfactory. After nationals, when we've graduated and start high school, ore-sama would be willing to try it again."
Atobe turned to face Jiroh who looked like he was about to explode. And in fact, he did.
"Whaaaa? Really! Sooooo cool! I hope they do these invitational things again! Hey, hey, Atobe?…Thanks."
Jiroh smiled joyfully at Atobe who returned it with a faint smile of his own. The remaining bus ride was far more enjoyable this time.
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A/N: So what did you all think? I had a little more fun writing this one. Yes, I realize it probably would have been better if I gave the other team and players names, but I'm not that creative at the moment. Besides, it's kind of fitting since they'reone of those schools who's only purpose it to get beaten. Anyhoo, hope you all enjoyed this chapter!