Finally, chapter 3 is finished. It took a lot longer than expected - first because I found so many new fics on the internet over half term and kind of left chapter 3 half done, then my sis, who betas for me, had loads of coursework, hence the wait. Thanks again for all the reviews, it's great knowing that someone out there is reading what I come out with.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis and do not control deities either.
Saturday's training was nothing special to Ryoma. Even the knowledge that they would be joined by some of the strongest teams in Japan failed to get any reaction out of him. He didn't spend extra time practising like Kaido, he didn't discuss it with his family like Eiji and he certainly didn't highlight the date on his calendar and dance around like a maniac come Saturday. Like Horio. Unfortunately for Seigaku, it was such a normal day for Ryoma that he followed his normal routine and managed to turn up late, just like always.
So it was that Ryoma was the last player to enter the Seigaku tennis courts and suddenly found himself face to face with a smirking Atobe, a smiling Yukimura, a stony faced Sanada and a very annoyed Tezuka. Not that he could tell from Tezuka's expression, he just assumed as Tezuka gave him 40 laps instead of the usual 20. Maybe today wasn't as normal as he thought.
By the time he'd finished his laps, the match orders had been largely agreed upon; there was no set matches, players would simply approach who they wanted to play against and sort it out between themselves; they were told it was a learning experience. Ryoma cursed inwardly as he scanned the players around the courts. Not only was it going to be difficult to get a game with buchou after getting here late, buchou was surrounded by other players all wanting a match already. Turning away, annoyed, boy wonder was dismayed to see that Fuji-sempai, his other player of choice was also busy, a wide awake Jiroh tugging at his arm and Marui of Rikkaidai following them.
He was just about to let Momo drag him away for a game when Inui's strange friend from Rikkaidai accosted him and asked for a game. From what little Ryoma remembered, the boy was a very strong data tennis player, one of the top players at Rikkaidai but for the life of him, Ryoma had no recollection at all of his name. Luckily, Momo was suitably in awe of the Master of Rikkaidai to make no protest as Ryoma followed the taller boy to an empty court.
Mizuki was forced to watch behind the fence with Yuuta because he needed to try and stay on Fuji-kun's good side. It was rather annoying, therefore, that Fuji-kun had been dragged to the other side of the tennis courts from where Echizen was playing with Yanagi. Fate, disguised as a random student watched beside him, his face impassive. So, Destiny has been busy, he thought to himself.
"It doesn't matter. The outcome will be the same. Tezuka will not make any moves on Echizen no matter what Destiny tries, he is a very single minded person and at the moment, he thinks only of tennis." Fate announced to his little helpers.
Yuuta eyed the deity apprehensively. He was still disturbed by the thought of his aniki with Echizen, who couldn't even remember his name. After all, aniki liked to think deeply and play psychological games. Echizen thought only about tennis and was probably one of the most straight forward and blunt people Yuuta had ever met. Somehow, he just couldn't picture them together. In trying, Yuuta only managed to unsettle his stomach. No no no, Yuuta, think happy thoughts, he commanded himself.
Destiny, of course, knew what Fate thought of her choice. That was why Yukimura was going to exercise his mastery at manipulation on the other boy. That was, the Rikkaidai buchou would make a start as soon as his fuku buchou pacified the melodramatic Atobe of Hyoutei. For some reason that was beyond Yukimura, the Hyoutei buchou seemed set on sticking to Tezuka's side. After 5 minutes of Atobe's scathing comments as the other two buchous tried to have a match, Sanada requested Atobe over to the next court for a discussion.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sanada asked through gritted teeth, trying to act like he was stretching and not having a furious argument with the proud boy.
"Trying to save you. What, do you think you're being heroic? Sacrificing your feelings for his happiness? You need to do something if you want him to be yours, don't just sit back and wait for it to work itself out!" Atobe retorted with equal emotion through equally gritted teeth. "Look at them, he knows how it all works, he's even got you helping him snag Tezuka! Wake up Sanada! I may not like you that much, but we were equals at Junior Senbatsu and you are still my rival in tennis. I don't want someone who's worthy of equal footing with me to fall so badly in other matters in life." Atobe finished off his righteous speech with a determined flick of his perfectly groomed hair.
Sanada rolled his eyes, amused that the outwardly shallow rich boy actually cared that much and exasperated that he was ruining their plan with true good intentions.
"Seiichi is not trying to date Tezuka, thank you but I can manage my own affairs." Sanada didn't know whether to pat the other boy's shoulder or throttle him. "Seiichi just wants to talk with Tezuka."
Atobe narrowed his eyes. "Talk? All this fuss, bringing your entire team down from Kanagawa and he just wants to talk?" Did they think Ore-sama was an idiot?
Sanada sighed audibly. "It's complicated."
Atobe glanced around the Seigaku courts, carefully taking in the various groups and matches. "Does this have anything to do with that bubble gum guy kidnapping my singles 2 player to go hassle Fuji?"
"Your singles 2 player has always liked Fuji and Marui; nothing out of the ordinary about them all hanging out together." Sanada really didn't want to explain the whole deal with Destiny and getting Tezuka and Echizen together. One, because he had no clue how they would go about match making; two, he would never hear the end of it from Atobe if he found out.
"Your player came to find Jiroh! Not the other way around and it was Marui who suggested they find Fuji for a game."
Sanada shrugged, trying to keep his face calm and expressionless even as he remembered how Marui had been excused from practice early a few days earlier and a suspiciously empty cake box had been found in the club room afterwards. Seiichi really had no qualms. Just his luck that Atobe didn't want to let the matter drop. He just hoped Seiichi had better luck.
Yukimura flashed Sanada a grateful smile as his fuku buchou tactfully grabbed Atobe so he could concentrate on Tezuka. That's not to say Seiichi wasn't anticipating the game with Tezuka even if both had agreed to keep it friendly and for training purposes; he just hoped to be able to give the chain of events a push in the right direction.
Game, Tezuka, 1 game to 0.
"You did well with Echizen; there's no limit now to how far he can go." Yukimura said as he prepared to serve.
"He has immense potential." Tezuka thought it was only polite to reply even though he preferred playing in silence to concentrate better.
Game, Yukimura, 1 game all.
"But without you pointing him in the right direction, he might have remained in his father's shadow. He must be very grateful, you risked your left arm to help him, after all."
Game, Tezuka, 2 games to 1.
Yukimura's determination to influence Tezuka's thoughts was matched only by his determination to break Tezuka Zone. "You must care a lot about him."
Game, Tezuka, 3 games to 1.
Tezuka looked up sharply to meet Yukimura's eyes as he bounced a tennis ball, getting ready to serve. "He is part of Seigaku's team, my responsibility is to develop their skills as much as possible." Tezuka could not help but feel Yukimura had an ulterior motive for this match.
Yukimura fell silent momentarily as he focused on the spin of the ball and experimented by giving it an abnormal counter spin. Bingo, the bright yellow sphere sailed over the net but did not get pulled in by Tezuka Zone.
Yukimura smiled confidently. "Echizen has raised a lot of international interest. He must like Seigaku very much to come back after the US Opens, he would have had offers from schools across the world. Or maybe it's certain people who attracted him back."
Game, Yukimura. 2 games to 3.
Tezuka raised an eyebrow, still not able to pinpoint Yukimura's intention. He wasn't too worried though; so far the comments had been innocent and he was fascinated by the other boy's skills; he could count on one hand the number of people who could break his Tezuka Zone, even including Yukimura. "Echizen has many admirers in school."
Game, Tezuka, 4 games to 2.
"Echizen doesn't seem like the type to take orders from just anyone; he must really look up to you for him to obey you so utterly. Perhaps it's because you take the time to give him individual attention and can see him completely without being blinded by his prowess at tennis." Yukimura was in murky waters; he didn't really know Tezuka well enough to know what would have the best effect so it was all a case of trial and error.
Game, Yukimura, 3 games to 4.
"Echizen recognises authority." Tezuka was beginning to wonder if Yukimura had a personal interest in the younger boy. He, of course, was glad Echizen returned from the States to become the Pillar of Seigaku, but sometimes, he found himself studying the first year, trying to understand the enigma that boy wonder represented. After all, it was his intention to make Echizen buchou next year and lead Seigaku to more victories in the future.
Game, Yukimura, 4 games all.
"Well, Echizen is certainly lucky he didn't go to Hyoutei instead. I doubt he would take Atobe's words seriously. It's a shame though, there aren't many people who are able to identify with Echizen-kun because he is so far ahead of the average junior high student, much less in his year. That must be a down side when making friends. The life of a prodigy is lonely without others with the same level of skill." Yukimura decided Tezuka's concern for his players would have to be exploited.
Game, Yukimura, 5 games to 4.
Tezuka remained silent. Was Echizen having problems relating with students in his year? Come to think of it, Echizen was a bit of a loner. Tezuka had often written it off due to Echizen's personality but even the most anti-social person must need a friend; someone to talk to or just enjoy time with. Those first years who hung around him all seemed more impressed with his tennis than the actual boy. Had anyone ever bothered to get to know the boy beneath the arrogant exterior?
Game, Tezuka, 5 games all.
Yukimura hoped the silence meant that Tezuka was thinking about his words; it was hard to tell when the other boy's expression remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, Fuji smiled brightly as Jiroh refereed a match between him and Marui while keeping half an eye on Mizuki, after all, who knew what ulterior motives the fashion disaster had. So far, all he could ascertain was that Mizuki was staring rather intently at Echizen. Fuji narrowed his eyes inside, careful to keep his cheery expression on his face. So Mizuki's target was Seigaku's first year regular; did he want to poach the snarky first year to St Rudolph or was his interest in Yuuta waning? As much as Fuji would like Mizuki to leave his brother alone, the idea of the slimy manager of St Rudolph going after their first year irked him. Let none say Fuji Syuusuke was an all round nice guy, the evil came out as soon as you threatened what he counted as his. And right now, all of Seigaku was his and Mizuki had no business with any of them.
Fate started as he caught the vibes of warning radiating from his chosen. Nudging Mizuki lightly, he told him of the newest development. "Fuji thinks you're interested in Echizen. He doesn't like that. Make good use of this opportunity."
Mizuki looked confused for a moment before understanding dawned on him. Right, jealousy was a plotter's best ally most of the time. Making his way around the courts in a deliberate manner, Mizuki made sure Fuji could see him staring intently at Echizen while the younger boy played Rikkai's Master. Yanagi was probably taking as much data on the freshman as possible but Mizuki certainly had no qualms in interrupting.
"Echizen-kun," called Mizuki from behind the wire fence, "you've improved so much, we really must play a game sometime."
No answer. Mizuki swallowed his growl from being ignored; this is all worth it, he convinced himself, just think of the National trophy in St Rudolph's tennis club house. "Perhaps we could get together sometime and discuss tennis techniques and current pros. Help you build up experience for the next Opens. How's tomorrow for you?"
"Bad." Fuji had abandoned his game and was smiling icily at him, leaving a still bouncy Jiroh bugging Marui for a game. "He has a date with me."
So, that was chapter 3, let me know what you think. I realise the timeline is distorted, what with Ryoma returning from US Opens but Nationals still to come. In the anime, the US Opens and Nationals happen at the same time but I've tweaked it to fit my plot. Just to make sure it's clear for everyone.
Any ideas on what kind of a date Fuji has in store for Ryoma?
Review please.
