Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter of Prince of Tennis!
...
...
"Hari-chan!" Keigo smirked.
"Keigo," Hari smiled back. "You're finally here. I was wondering if you'd back out."
"As if," Keigo snorted. "Too bad I won't be playing your brother."
Hari rolled her eyes.
"Too bad," she agreed shaking her head.
"So, your friends…" Keigo looked around and his eyes landed on the group of friends that were standing at the side of the court. He noticed them looking at him as well.
"Come on," Hari sighed. "Just behave."
"I always behave, Hari-chan," Keigo said as he followed her to where her friends were. His team remained at the court talking among themselves.
"Guys," Hari said. "This is mum's godson, Atobe Keigo. Keigo, this is my friends from England."
She said the names and briefly wondered if she should just get them nametags. She was getting pretty tired of saying their names all the time.
"Hm," Keigo said. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," Hermione said and the other murmured the same thing.
"You're playing our Hari today, huh?" George asked.
"What? You want to play against me?" Hari arched a brow.
"Well, it would be fun," Keigo smirked, "though, I'd rather play Echizen. I would love to beat that brat."
"Says the brat," Hari rolled her eyes. "You two should just shake hands and make up."
"Never," Keigo scoffed.
"So childish…" Hari sighed.
"Whatever," Keigo said. "Well, see you later, I guess. Dinner sometime this week?"
"Sure," Hari said and looked after Keigo who walked back to his team.
"So, um, he's…interesting?" Ron said.
"Hah," Hari said. "He's a spoiled brat most of the times, but he does have a better side. He's just on his own a lot and he puts up a front to protect himself."
She glanced at them and frowned thoughtfully for a second before she smiled.
"So, just give him a chance, okay?" she said. "He's not as bad as he comes off."
"He reminds me of Malfoy," Ron frowned.
"He's nothing like Malfoy," Hari said a little sharply.
"Fine, fine," Ron said.
"He doesn't get along with Ryoma-san?" Hermione asked after glancing at Ron who was scowling at the ground.
"They're both acting like kids," Hari huffed. "Childish and spoiled kids."
Fred and George laughed while Bill and Charlie smiled amused.
...
Ryoma sighed. He wanted to play, but it wasn't like he could force it. He glanced over at Hari who was talking with Kikumaru both looking focused and determined. Was it bad of him to feel slightly jealous of his sister? The nagging feeling deep in his stomach refused to go away, but he was proud of Hari as well. She had worked hard and grown so much in such a short amount of time. And with that injury she had suffered…well, it was impressive that she was going to be playing in such an important match already.
He scowled when Keigo showed up and right away demanded Hari's attention. He just prowled over and got in her face. How Hari could stand that Monkey King was unbelievable for Ryoma.
He watched as she talked with him for a little bit before rolling her eyes and bringing him over to meet her friends from England. He wondered what they would think about him. It was clear that one of them didn't like him, Ryoma noticed. Ron was frowning and looked like he was remembering something foul. He snorted.
"Come on, Echizen!" Momoshiro said and Ryoma got to his feet and emptied the can of Ponta he had been drinking before throwing the empty can in the nearest trashcan.
"You're really into this, Momo-chan-sempai," Ryoma said.
"We have to support our team!" Momoshiro grinned. "It will be fun to watch Hari-chan play, right?"
"Yeah," Ryoma nodded and looked at Hari who had gone back to Kikumaru.
"She'll do great," Momoshiro said surely. "She's earned it."
"You're right," Ryoma said and smiled slightly.
He still wished he would be playing. He wanted to play, he felt his fingers itch to grab his racket and enter the court. But he took his place with the rest of the team and smiled when Hari glanced over at him. She smiled back and waved at him.
...
"Ignore him, Kikumaru-sempai," Hari said to her friend when Mukahi Gakuto taunted him about his acrobatic play. "You're good. Don't let him get inside your head."
Kikumaru glanced at her and the calm way she looked back at him made him calm down and smile. He reached out to ruffle her hair as he laughed. She swatted his hand away and pulled the now loose hair back into a ponytail.
"Let's do this," Kikumaru said.
"Oh, yeah," Hari grinned and they high-fived.
Mukahi frowned as his taunt was so easily dismissed and he eyed the girl that was their Captain's friend or family member? Well, whatever she was, she was annoying.
"Focus, Mukahi," Oshitari Yushi said.
"Hm," Mukahi narrowed his eyes. "We'll crush them!"
"One set match," the referee called out. "Seigaku's Echizen to serve."
...
0-0: Seigaku vs. Hyotei
...
Hari couldn't help but hear the overpowering cheers from the Hyotei supporters but she could also pick up the cheers from her own team or rather the first years that were being directed by Momoshiro. She felt the small tennis ball in her hand and closed her eyes for a moment.
She knew that Mukahi and Oshitari were both good tennis players and their doubles were one of the strongest pairings that this tournament would see. But she would show them, both she and Kikumaru could do it too.
She bounced the ball before tossing it up and performed her slice serve. It hit hard and the ball flew over the net and away from Mukahi who frowned but Oshitari was there and returned the ball again. Hari was already running knowing that the ball would have a high curve and her arms were stretched out and she could feel the wind and around her as she reached higher and higher before her racket was out and she used a backhand volley to smash the ball to the spot Oshitari just had left and therefore unable to get back in time.
...
15-0:Seigaku
...
The surrounding crowd had gone silent before she heard her team and friends cheer. She saw Seiichis proud smile when she turned to get back into position and it had her smile slightly to herself. She also saw the stunned looks on Oshitari's face and the glower on Mukahi's face making her smirk.
"Don't think you're going to take this easily," Hari said glancing over her shoulder at them.
"Go, Hari-chan!" Kikumaru beamed.
...
Seiichi heard the gasps from the people sitting around him and his team. He smiled as he watched Hari calmly getting back to her position and getting ready for another serve. He must admit that he was surprised that she opened with it, but she probably had been annoyed by something the other team had said. He did see the way her eyes had narrowed when Mukahi had talked to Kikumaru before the game started.
"Interesting serve and follow-up," Sanada said.
Seiichi nodded in agreement. He realised that this was the first time he'd really seen her play tennis. It sounded strange, but it was. He, of course, knew she played and that she was good, but he had never actually seen her play. He knew she was being considerate of his injury and how he missed the sport by not talking too much about it or bringing him to the court to practice while he watched.
He kind of wished she had now because he was sure it would have been interesting to watch her play. Though, maybe it was a good thing they hadn't because he wasn't sure he would have been able to keep from playing with her if he were to watch.
"Woah, Hari-chan is good!" Kirihara said excitedly. "I want to play her!"
"She's pretty good, puri," Niou said.
"Good serve, interesting data," Yanagi hummed.
Seiichi didn't pay much attention to his friends talking as he watched Hari but he registered it and knew that Hari just had piqued their interest also as a tennis player.
...
Hermione blinked when she saw the serve from Hari. It was interesting, not that she knew much about tennis or what was good or not. But the way others gasped and then started to whisper together told Hermione that it had been a good serve.
Or at least she thought so.
"Was there flames around her?" Ron muttered to Hermione. "Like serious flames?"
"I don't know," Hermione shrugged. "It's not like it could have been real flames…"
"Awesome!" George said eagerly.
"I agree, good brother!" Fred nodded.
Hermione looked back at the court and Hari was back at the line she had been at before and had another ball in her hand now. She looked so focused and Hermione wondered what she was thinking about.
Hari served the ball once more and it wavered to the left but the blue-haired one on the other team caught it and returned it but this time Hari didn't follow up like she had before but it was Kikumaru who returned the ball. It went high.
Hermione couldn't help but gape when the red-haired one had jumped impossibly high (it was hard to not believe he was flying) and then did a flip-flop in the air so he was falling headfirst toward the ground before he returned the ball over to Hari and Kikumaru's side of the net.
"It's Mukahi's moon-volley!" Someone yelled.
Ron made a sound at the back of his throat as he saw it and she heard the twins make a similar sound as well.
But Kikumaru managed to return it by switching the hand he held the racket and move it behind his back. Not that it was enough because the other one at Hyotei reached it and when Hari went to cover for Kikumaru managed to hit the ball in the opposite direction and out of Hari's reach.
"Aw, too bad," Charlie said calmly.
...
15-15: Hyotei
...
Hari frowned as they made the point and stared at Oshitari who was looking back at her. She had noticed that he had changed how he held the racket just a little too late and then he had managed to lob it to where she couldn't reach it.
"I'm sorry, Hari-chan," Kikumaru said looking upset.
"We'll keep fighting," Hari said taking her eyes off Oshitari and smiled at Kikumaru.
"Yes, we will," Kikumaru nodded.
Hari glanced at Kikumaru and saw that he looked a little off somehow and she bit down on her lower lip slightly but didn't say anything as he got into position and she did the same. She made another serve and cursed when Mukahi got the ball and did another acrobatic move and directed the ball toward Kikumaru.
He managed to return the ball by almost flying paralleled with the net but Mukahi mimicked his movements and when he reached the ball to return it Mukahi was there to hit it back just outside of both of their reach.
...
15-30: Hyotei
...
The rest of the game continued like this with both Mukahi and Oshitari targeting Kikumaru for their balls probably sensing that he was out of sorts. Hari managed to cover for him a few times but she missed enough to make them lose the first game.
...
0-1: Hyotei
...
Hari knew they had to do something because if they continued like this they were going to lose and she refused to lose. She looked at Kikumaru and saw that he looked depressed and she knew the problem. Oishi wasn't here and Kikumaru missed him. But it was more than that as well. It wasn't just missing his old partner but it was the fact that he was so used to playing with Oishi that the absence of him was enough to get him off his game.
"Kikumaru-sempai," Hari walked up to him and he glanced at her and tried to smile.
"Hari-chan," he said. "I'm sorry."
"We'll get the game back," Hari said. "I know I'm not Oishi, and that you're used to having him to back you up. But I'm sure he's on his way to watch us and we should play our best so he doesn't feel guilty for getting hurt. You know how he is. He'll fret and blame himself."
Kikumaru laughed and nodded and she saw his shoulders relax slightly.
"We played well together at practice," Hari continued. "So, just pretend we're back there and doing what we did then. We'll get them back!"
Kikumaru looked at her and nodded.
"Yes, we will," he said. "I'll get my head in the game. I promise."
"I know you will," Hari grinned. "Now, let's show them what we got. They're under the miscomprehension that this will be easy."
...
"Hyotei! Hyotei! Hyotei!"
The chanting went on and one around them as the tennis match continued and even with the little knowledge, Hermione had of the game she could tell that Hari and Kikumaru were struggling to keep up but giving their best.
But Oshitari and Mukahi seemed to be able to return everything that Hari or Kikumaru threw at them.
"Those chants are getting annoying," Ron muttered.
"I agree, they are annoying," Hermione agreed.
Hermione watched as Hari ran the back of her hand over her forehead as she stared at the other side of the court. There was a calculating look on her face as she did so.
"Oh, she's thinking hard now," Fred said.
"They should look out," George smirked. "She's really getting serious now."
"She's been serious the whole time," Hermione frowned at them. "She's doing her best!"
"Oh, we know," George said glancing up at her before looking back at Hari. "But she's close to figuring something out now. She won't let them keep doing what they want much longer."
"And how do you know that?" Bill asked curiously.
"Because she gets that look in her eyes when she plays Quidditch," Fred said. "We've seen it during practice enough times to recognise it. And she always wins when she has been pushed into looking like that."
Hermione shook her head slightly as she looked back at Hari. She had tilted her head a little now and seemed to be studying Oshitari (Hermione had learned his name now). He was the one who seemed to get his balls past Hari the most.
Hermione glanced over to where Seiichi was sitting with his team and saw him watching Hari as well. He was smiling softly and nodded at something the tall one next to him said, Sanada Hermione thought Hari had called him. She couldn't help but wonder what Seiichi was thinking as he watched Hari like that.
She felt…sad. That was what she felt as she watched Hari's boyfriend sitting in the middle of his friends watching Hari. They were cheering for her and looked like they really wished for Hari to win. But she couldn't help the regret that filled her and sadness. She didn't doubt that he liked Hari, it was clear in his violet-blue eyes as he looked at her. But…how could Hari already have a boyfriend? How could so much have changed in just a few months?
If this had happened at Hogwarts she would have been there. She would have seen it and she would have been the one Hari would talk to, they would sit by the fireplace in their common room and gossip and giggle over the boy Hari liked. Hermione would have been there and she would have been part of it, but now… now the boy Hari liked was a stranger and she didn't know anything about him.
Who had liked who first? Who had confessed? Had Hari realised she liked him on her own or had she had help in realising it? Hermione knew all too well that Hari was oblivious when it came to boys. The twins hadn't been joking when they teased her earlier. Both Ernie and Michael did like Hari, Hermione wouldn't be surprised if Draco did like her as well. And when had Hari had her first kiss?
Hermione sighed as she again realised that Hari had changed. She didn't want to think about it, but it was the truth. Hari had changed and Hermione wasn't sure where she fits into the new life Hari had created.
"Seigaku! Seigaku! Seigaku!"
The chanting of Seigaku brought Hermione out of her thoughts and she looked away from Seiichi and back to the court where Hari was high-fiving Kikumaru and both were grinning.
"3-1: Game Seigaku!" the referee yelled.
"They won their first game!" Hermione heard some of the first years Hari had introduced to them earlier yell.
...
Hari had figured it out. She had used annoyingly long time doing it as well, and she would be beating herself up over it later but right now they had to focus on getting even and then taking control of the game.
She glanced at Kikumaru who was breathing hard and looked a little frustrated, he had been fighting better but there was still something holding him back.
"What would Oishi tell you if he were here?" Hari asked him.
"Eh?" Kikumaru looked at her.
"Think about what he would say," Hari said. "I know I'm not him so I can't tell you what he normally says to cheer you up and motivate you. So, think about what he would say if he were here watching or playing with you."
Kikumaru stared at her and then looked at his racket.
"He would say to keep fighting and that we would find their weakness if we don't give up," Kikumaru said.
"He's right," Hari said. "And I've noticed something. Oshitari has what's called a closed mind. His body reveals nothing about what he will do. He is skilled at faking tells and he uses it against us. It's messing with my motion vision." She pouted slightly at that.
Kikumaru blinked and looked over at them.
"I see," he said.
"Now, we've won one game," Hari said. "Let's win another!"
...
Hari jumped up getting higher and higher feeling the wind around her as she used a backhand volley to smash the ball out of reach from Oshitari who scowled at her. She landed gracefully again.
...
30-15:Seigaku
...
Kikumaru ran behind her and she smiled as he caught another difficult ball and returned it with an acrobatic move. Mukahi let out a frustrated scream as he glared at Kikumaru and both Hyotei players looked like they were breathing harder now.
...
40-15: Seigaku
...
The ball rallied back and forth for several rounds and Hari ran and knew Kikumaru followed up behind her. She saw how Oshitari moved his legs like he was going to hit the ball to the right close to where the room Kikumaru had left was, but Hari knew he could fake it. He probably was faking it, so she held back and when he hit the ball it went in the other direction she wasn't surprised. She ran and using her speed and agility she managed to get close enough to throw herself forward and get the racket out in front of her so she reached the ball. She managed to lob it so it just fell right over the net before Mukahi managed to get to it.
She crashed to the ground and slid several meters.
"Hari-chan!" she heard several people shout.
Hari grimaced slightly as she tried to catch her breath again. She looked up when Kikumaru was there and looking at her worriedly. She smiled and accepted his hand when he offered it and got back to her feet.
"You okay?" Kikumaru asked.
"Just got the air knocked out of me," she smiled. "Nothing to worry about."
He looked a little doubtful but nodded and smiled.
"Nice return," he said.
...
4-3: Game Seigaku
...
Keigo frowned as he watched as Hari and Kikumaru turned the score around and was now in the lead. He was not sure what to think, but he was impressed by Hari. She really was good and she managed to bring Kikumaru out of his funk. The two balanced each other pretty well, Keigo thought. If only Hari had transferred over to his school…He sighed.
He had not been surprised that Hari had done so well. She was after all his god-sister (he didn't care if there was something like that or not), and that meant that she was the best.
His eyes drifted over to the friends she had introduced to him earlier and saw them cheering for Hari and looking like they had fun watching her. Especially the twins seemed to be really into the game, they were practically bouncing in their seats. They had a part of Hari to, all those years they had known her and he couldn't help but feel jealous.
He grimaced. He hated that feeling, but it came up so often when it came to Hari. She was someone he really liked and she was family, but the regret for the years they had missed, the closeness they could have shared was always there in the back of his mind. So, seeing more people who Hari was close with was not fun.
Keigo was used to getting what he wanted, but Hari was stubborn and not letting him do as he wished. He wouldn't admit it, but it did feel refreshing to have someone who dared to tell him no. It sounded strange, but it was the truth. Hari still spent time with him and he knew she did it because she wanted to and not because he scared her into it. Something inside of him relaxed just knowing that.
His eyes drifted to Yukimura Seiichi who was smiling as he watched Hari. The boyfriend. Keigo scowled. He knew Seiichi. They had played each other several times over the last couple of years, before his injury of course. And he knew that Seiichi was a good guy, but that didn't mean he was good enough for Hari. "I hear you have a boyfriend," Keigo said.
They had dinner together and Hari was just finishing her fries when Keigo brought the boyfriend up. She sighed and looked at him with a defiant look in her eyes.
"Yeah, I do," she said. "So?"
"Who says that Yukimura is good enough for you?" Keigo scowled. "He's not."
"And why isn't he?" Hari arched a brow.
"He's…"
"He's kind, warm and smart," Hari interrupted. "He talks with me and not at me, he is interested in hearing what I have to say and he makes an effort in calling and being there for me even when he lives in another city and is busy with school and his own life. So, why isn't he good enough?"
"You deserve the best," Keigo said frowning.
"I deserve respect and to be treated like that," Hari said, "and Seiichi deserves the same. We all deserve that, and I have that. I like Seiichi and he likes me. That's enough."
Keigo sighed as he remembered the conversation he'd had with Hari about Seiichi. It had not gone like he thought it would, but Hari had not let him talk and wouldn't listen to him telling her that Seiichi wasn't good enough. Though, he had to admit that she did bring up good points and Keigo had backed down knowing that he wouldn't get her to change her mind. She was annoyingly stubborn that way.
He looked back to the court and frowned when he noticed that his team was under again and that Hari and Kikumaru just took another game. He really got a bad feeling about this game. He glanced at their coach and saw that he sat rigid and stone-faced. Keigo grimaced. The talk after practice was not going to be pleasant.
...
5-3: Game Seigaku
...
"Seigaku! Seigaku! Go, go Seigaku!"
Ryoma smiled as he watched Hari and Kikumaru fight and run and return balls back over the net. He looked at Mukahi who was breathing harder than before and looked to be missing simple balls. He hummed as he arched a brow.
"I see, so that's how it is," Ryoma said.
He had been dragged down with Momoshiro to stand with the rest of the team instead of sitting by himself like he had wanted to. He watches Hari smile as she returned another ball by using part of her Phoenix Rising even when she didn't serve.
"He's not that tough, is he?" Fuji said looking at Mukahi. "He's tired."
"Probably not used to being pushed this much," Kawamura said.
Ryoma agreed but didn't say anything as he focused on the match. He still felt a little disappointed that he wouldn't be playing; he knew he was good enough and he really wanted to try himself against someone from Hyotei. Though, he was able to forget it as he watched Hari play. She was good and she really had proved herself as a doubles player today as well.
"You okay, Echizen?" Fuji asked.
"Yeah," Ryoma said.
Fuji glanced at him before he nodded and looked back at Hari. "She never stops surprising us, does she?"
"Never," Ryoma smirked.
Ryoma looked to the side where Hari's friends sat and saw that Yoshida had sat down next to Hermione and seemed to be explaining something to her. Probably explaining the game as Ryoma knew they didn't know much about tennis.
...
"They only need to win one more game," Yoshida explained to Hermione and Ron. The others listened in as well.
"Really?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Yoshida said. "They should avoid giving the other team another game, though. They have to win by two games or risk going into a tiebreak."
"Hopefully, they won't need to do that," Hermione said.
"Hari-chan and Kikumaru-san both seem to have more energy than their opponents right now," Yoshida said. "But in tennis things can change very quickly."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully as she glanced over at the girl who had come over to sit with them. She had introduced herself as Yoshida Satomi.
"How do you know Hari?" Hermione asked.
"We met when she joined the girls' tennis team," Yoshida said looking over at Hari at the court. "And she helped me when I struggled with some things and suggested that I became the manager for the boys' team."
Hermione knew there was missing a lot from the story but she didn't push. If the other girl didn't want to talk about it then Hermione didn't know her well enough to push her.
"So, you're Hari's friend," Ron said.
"I don't know about that," Yoshida said sadly. "I see her as my friend, but I'm not sure she really sees me as hers. I…hurt her when she was on the girls' team."
Hermione and Ron exchanged looks before looking at Yoshida.
"She sees you as her friend," Hermione said and Yoshida blinked at her. "Hari isn't one to hold grudges for long, not if she sees someone change or try to make up for whatever it is. If she helped you as you said then you can be pretty sure she sees you as a friend."
Yoshida blinked again before she smiled and looked back at Hari.
...
6-3:Game Seigaku!
...
"We did it!" Kikumaru exclaimed happily and Hari grinned and laughed when Kikumaru pounced on her and hugged her tightly. She patted his back and pulled back still laughing and smiling. The victory felt really good.
"Yes!"
"Seigaku! Seigaku!"
"Hari-chan! Kikumaru-sempai!"
She heard the cheers from the rest of the team and her friends making her grin even more. She looked over at the Mukahi and Oshitari who looked shocked and pained and she did feel slightly sorry for them, mostly Oshitari because he was actually polite (most of the time) and seemed to be a good enough guy. Mukahi annoyed her. He was arrogant and always talked like he was better than everyone and Hari didn't like that, so she didn't feel too bad to show him that others were good as well.
They shook hands and Hari walked over to the rest of the team with Kikumaru and grinned when Oishi was there and smiled proudly at her. He patted her shoulder with a smile and nod making her smile back.
"Good game," Ryuzaki said joining them. "But it will mean little if we slack off now. We're going to enter the Nationals this year, got it?"
"Yes!" they answered.
...
"Congratulations," Seiichi smiled when Hari skipped over to him and accepted the hug and kiss on the cheek from him. She grinned.
"Thanks," she said. "I'm glad you were here to see it."
"So am I," Seiichi said.
"It…it wasn't too difficult for you, was it?" Hari asked concerned. "I know you really want to…"
"Hey," he interrupted her, "it wasn't difficult, Hari-chan. I do watch my team practice tennis, you know, and I'm here as the coach for this tournament."
"I know," Hari said nodding. "I just don't want to make it more difficult for you…"
"I know," he smiled and laughingly pushed another escaped strand of her hair out of her face and behind her ear. "I really am starting to believe that your hair has a life on its own."
Hari snorted and pushed him playfully but he just tightened his arms around her and hugged her closer.
"I really am happy that I got to watch you play," Seiichi said. "You were amazing. I can't wait until I'm well enough so we can play each other as well."
"You want to play me?" Hari asked wide-eyed pulling back slightly so she could look up at him.
"Of course," he said.
Hari grinned. "That would be awesome."
Before he could say anything else several voices interrupted them.
"Hari!" she turned her head and saw Ron and Hermione coming toward them with the other four close behind. Seiichi let go of her and stepped back slightly.
Hermione immediately hugged her.
"Hey," Hari said when Hermione let go of her. "What did you think about tennis now then?"
"It's awesome!" Fred said. "You…"
"…are really," George interrupted.
"…good!" they finished together.
"Congratulations on the win, Hari," Hermione said smiling at her and Hari noticed how she glanced at Seiichi who was standing right behind Hari watching them.
"Yeah, mate, you're amazing," Ron smiled also eying Seiichi but didn't say anything.
"Thanks," Hari said shyly and happily.
Seiichi stepped up beside her and Hari reached out to take his hand in hers and she felt him squeeze it gently as she did. She smiled and glanced at him.
"Your friend Yoshida-san sat with us for a bit," Hermione said. "She helped explain the game for us since we're not really that good at the rules and things."
Hari blinked and looked over to where Yoshida was talking with Inui who looked focused. She knew he was going to be playing next.
"I see," Hari smiled. "That's good. Yoshida is nice."
"She is," Hermione nodded.
...
"Hari-chan!"
Hari looked away from her friends when she heard the familiar voice of An. She heard Seiichi chuckle slightly and shot him a confused look but he just smiled.
"An-chan!" Hari smiled when the energetic girl came closer and soon she had the girl attached around her neck in a tight hug, she didn't care that Seiichi was attached to her hand.
"You did great!" An said excitedly. "I got to watch the end! It was amazing! Kippei-nii-chan also said so. He said to tell you 'good game'. He had to go, though, because they're playing soon."
"Thank you," Hari said. "Tell him too, will you?"
"Of course," An said. "Or you can tell him next time you're over at my house."
"Sure," Hari agreed. "Oh, meet my friends."
An seemed to only now notice that there were people around Hari and the boy holding her hand. She grinned.
"Ah, you must be the boyfriend," she said looking at Seiichi who smiled politely back at her. An arched a brow and looked him over with a serious look before she grinned and shot a teasing look at Hari. "You'll do."
Hari groaned. "An-chan!"
Seiichi just laughed and bowed politely at An.
"Nice to meet you, Tachibana-san," he said. "Hari-chan has told me a lot about you."
"I would hope so," An said. "And just call me An, if you're sticking around for Hari-chan then I'm sure we'll end up becoming friends. Though, don't hurt her."
"An-chan," Hari whined. "Stop it. Now, meet my friends from England."
Again Hari listed their names before looking back at An.
"And this is Tachibana An," Hari finished. "She attends Fudomine Middle School."
"Nice to meet you!" An smiled. "It's nice to meet Hari-chan friends from England."
"Nice to meet you too," Hermione smiled back and looked between her and Hari.
"Yeah, nice to meet you," Ron nodded with a small smile but it fell from his face fast.
Fred and George both nodded at her before they walked over to Niou who looked eager to talk to them again.
Bill and Charlie nodded and smiled at An who waved.
"Um, Hari-chan?" the timid voice of Sakuno interrupted.
"You're popular today," Seiichi commented.
Hari rolled her eyes at him and smiled as she looked at Sakuno.
"Hey, Sakuno-chan," she said. "What's up?"
"Um…It's Ryoma-kun," Sakuno said.
"Ryo-chan?" Hari blinked.
"He left and we can't find him," Sakuno said looking worried. "He was quiet and didn't answer when Momo-chan-sempai asked where he was going…"
Hari sighed as she frowned.
"I see," Hari said. "Well, I'll look for him. I think I have an idea where he could be. Thank you, Sakuno-chan."
Hari looked at An and her friends. An smiled.
"I'll have to go back to my brother and his team now anyway," she said. "I'll call you later, okay?"
"Good," Hari nodded.
"I'll be back," Hari told the others. "I just have to find Ryo-chan."
"Okay," Seiichi said.
"Need help looking?" Ron asked.
"Nah, it's fine," Hari said. "Besides, I think I probably should talk to him alone."
...
Hari found Ryoma at one of the practice grounds bouncing balls off a wall. She stood watching him for a moment and smiled slightly. It had been a while since she had just watched Ryoma play or practice. She had missed it.
"I know you're there, Hari," Ryoma finally spoke up.
"I wasn't trying to hide," Hari said. "What are you doing here?"
"Just felt like playing," Ryoma said.
Hari nodded.
"I know you must be disappointed at not being able to play," Hari said.
"It's fine," Ryoma said.
"You're allowed to be disappointed, Ryo-chan," Hari said stepping closer.
Ryoma glanced at her.
"Horio told me he thought I was sulking," Ryoma said. "But I'm not."
Hari arched a brow, "I know you're not."
"I am happy you got to play," he continued. "You were good. Really good. I'm sure Oyaji would have been proud seeing you play."
Hari smiled slightly and before Ryoma could move she threw an arm over his shoulder and ruffled his hair with the other making his cap fall off his head.
"Oi, Hari…" Ryoma whined.
"Come on, Ryo-chan," Hari smiled. "Come and watch Inui-sempai and Ka-chan play with me."
"You'll watch with your friends and boyfriend, though," Ryoma said.
"You can watch with us too, you know," Hari looked at him. "You're my brother."
Ryoma looked at her and smiled a little making Hari hide a relieved smile on her own. He had been worried about her forgetting him, she knew it. She just hoped that he would see that she still needed him, wanted him to be there as well.
"Come on," Ryoma said and Hari grinned.
"Let's go!" She declared making Ryoma laugh and she linked her arm through his.
...
...
AN: What do you think? XD
So very sorry for the delay in updating this story! I must admit that I struggled with this chapter. I never got it right and I can't tell you how many times I rewrote it. I just couldn't get the balance between the match and happenings around the match to be the way I wanted it. So, I know it's not my best chapter. I just couldn't get it better and decided to just post it. So, sorry about that. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it either way. :)
Thank you so much for your patience and for your support of this story! XD XD
Japanese words used:
Oyaji - Old man/dad
Nii-chan - older brother
Sempai - upperclassman
