Disclaimer: I do NOT own PoT

Pairing: Atobe Keigo X Echizen Ryoma

Note: Double stalking. And slight OOC-ness. I think. I can't help it...I'm sorry!

Word Count: 2, 881

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Chapter 5:

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"Ah! Monkey King! What are you doing?!" Ryoma managed to demand amidst running back and forth across the court. He was already panting hard and he felt like he would face-plant every time he twist his body – every ball seem to be always on the opposite direction of where he was. Stupid Monkey King was running him ragged and they've only just started!

They were currently in one of the street tennis courts where the older boy have unceremoniously dragged Ryoma for an impromptu tennis match in order to make him "eat his blasphemous words against the awesome tennis prowess of the amazing Ore-sama."

Said Ore-sama have pelted Ryoma with shots after shots of fast ball the moment they started.

"What's wrong, Echizen?" Atobe ask tauntingly. "You're looking a little . . . " He pulled his arm back and hit another fast ball, this time aiming for Ryoma's stumbling feet. "unsteady!"

He watched in amusement as the brat missed the ball, hop around to try gaining his balance, before falling flat on his bum.

"1-0," Atobe smirked.

"Teme." Ryoma cursed as he stands. Brushing the dust from his shorts, he sent his best glare to the now grinning older boy. "I'll show you."

He took the reserved ball from his pocket before bouncing it on the ground. He looked over to see that the Monkey King was readying on the other side, obviously sensing Ryoma's seriousness (annoyance).

He started his game with a Twist Serve which the Monkey King returned effortlessly. Ryoma sent the ball back which started a very long rally.

After a few minutes of running back and forth across the court, both Atobe and Ryoma were breathing a little harder and sweating under their collar. They have smiles on their faces, though, clearly enjoying themselves.

The game wasn't really as serious as it seemed at the beginning. In fact, it was pretty laidback compare to how they normally play.

Ryoma was glad. He didn't think he'll be able to manage a serious game at the moment. Even after half an hour of playing, he still hasn't forgotten that he was hungry. He just got hungrier, as a matter of fact. He wanted to eat burgers, lots of them.

Looking up at the Monkey King and seeing him wiping his brow with his sleeve gave Ryoma an idea.

"Ne, Monkey King," Ryoma called as he returned the ball.

Atobe looked up before hitting the ball back. "What is it, brat?"

"How about a bet?" Ryoma asked casually, his body still moving gracefully to continue the rally.

Atobe faltered a little before moving his racquet so that it would catch the ball instead. He looked at Ryoma suspiciously, not trusting his casual tone at all. "What kind of bet?"

Ryoma straightened and adjusted his cap. "Nothing serious," he said reassuringly to which he received a raised eyebrow. Rolling his eyes, he walked closer to the net. Yelling across the court – they were both positioned on the baseline – was making his throat dry.

"It's like this." Ryoma explained. "If I win this game, you'll buy me as many burgers as I want. If I lose . . . er, I'll buy you burgers?"

"Ore-sama do not eat burgers," Atobe said with distaste as he, too, walked forward to the net.

Ryoma restrained from rolling his eyes again. "Figures. What do you want then?"

Atobe thought for a moment. Now that the brat has mentioned food, he realized that he was also feeling hungry. "Shortcake."

"S-shortcake?" Ryoma tried not to smile.

Atobe raised his chin. "Yes. Shortcake. The blueberry flavored one. And tea." He added as an afterthought. "Tea will be good."

Ryoma smirked. "Alright. Deal."

"Deal."

They sealed their bet with a handshake before resuming their respective position. This time, once the game restarted, they made sure to redouble their efforts. Ryoma because he was really craving for some yummy, juicy burgers – which he will get – and Atobe because he just really don't want to lose a bet. Cake and tea with the brat will be a delicious plus to his winning though.

….

Heh…Gakuto thought smugly. I knew it.

There, up ahead, unaware of their presence was none other than the very person he was looking for: Atobe Keigo. He was running back and forth across his side of the net, sweating a little, his movements precise, graceful yet powerful as he hit the ball to the opposing side.

His opponent, obviously a skilled player if he can make Atobe run around the court like that, returned the shot effortlessly, the ball landing at the very left corner, touching the baseline just an inch out of Atobe's reach.

Gakuto grinned.

Atobe just missed a shot. Atobe does not miss a shot unless he was playing someone really, really skilled. Like, Kunimitsu Tezuka skilled.

Suddenly feeling impatient to discover just who it is that their captain is playing with (he could only see Atobe's half of the court, the other half hidden from view by a humongous Sakura tree and some overgrown shrubbery), he immediately turned back.

"Hurry up, Yuushi! C'mon!" he whisper-shouted excitedly as he grabbed the other's hand again.

He ignored the other's long-suffering sigh and pulled him forward, crouching a little until they were directly behind the plants. He grinned at the tensai before slowly and carefully peering up.

He blinked.

"…eh?"

Oishitari raised a brow at Gakuto's slightly stupefied expression. It was not the gleeful triumph that he was expecting so Oishitari was quick to deduce that the person playing their captain was obviously not the person Gakuto was hoping for.

He felt his slight fatigue vanished, only to be replaced by small sparks of interest.

Mirroring Gakuto's action, he slowly raised his head so that he could peer over the top of the plants. He whistled under his breath.

Interesting.

That was Echizen Ryoma, the first-year brat from Seigaku, who was currently playing their captain.

Oishitari had seen the two played before. Multiple times, in fact. In all those occasions, the two had been serious and stubborn and competitive. The smirks on their faces were taunting, the fire in their eyes burning. They were unforgiving and relentless and they never give an inch. Always making sure they're one point or three above the other. They duel.

Today's match was totally different. Oishitari can tell with just one look. For one, the two aren't smirking, they're smiling. Secondly, they're taunting each other, but not in a challenging way, no – they're being playful. And the atmosphere surrounding their game is just too . . . light. And fun. And playful.

Playful is not a word used to describe Atobe's game. Ever. And yet here we are.

Oishitari never saw Atobe have this much fun in a tennis match before. He'd never seen him smile…

Oishitari felt a familiar smirk on his face.

This should be interesting.

...

Momoshiro remembered that the afternoon started normally enough. They were stalking Echizen which is just what they do as concerned, caring senpais. When they weren't able to find the first year – he disappeared so suddenly – they continued to go do their original plan – stuff their faces with burgers.

Everything was just fine and dandy, as far as Momoshiro was concerned. He could even keep up with Kikumaru-senpai's insistent whining regarding a certain Ochibi and his alleged date while all the while, enjoying his burgers and fries – juicy and greasy. Just the way he liked it.

So, yeah. Everything was good.

But then, suddenly they were hurtling down the streets, squeezing themselves into tight corners, hiding behind smelly garbage cans, and Momo was suddenly lost and confused as to what was going on.

"Kikumaru-senpai," he whizzed as he tried to catch his breath. "What exactly are we doing?"

They were currently squeezed in another tight place where in Kikumaru have unceremoniously and very roughly dragged Momoshiro into – barely a couple of feet of space between a rough wall and a fruit cart. They were half-crouching, half-kneeling and Momoshiro wished he could ignore both the very painful throb in his knee (from where he had banged them against the corner of the cart when Kikumaru had pulled him down) and the almost painful glare of the old fruit vendor (that he could feel on the side of his head).

He was not successful on both endeavors.

Momoshiro smiled sheepishly at the old man even as his hand creeped down to rub his aching kneecap.

The man's answer to Momo's silent apology was to suddenly brandish a very sharp-looking peeling knife. Momoshiro squeaked, but before he could warn his red-headed senpai, they were already up and running again.

This time, they didn't stop until they were inside the street tennis courts and Momo have to wonder again how they got there. And what they're going to do there in the first place.

"Kikumaru-senpai," Momoshiro was positively whining this time, but just as before, he was ignored.

Kikumaru was intently focused forward, an almost manic smile on his face as he watch their quarry crouched low behind some wild bush.

Momoshiro sighed in defeat and turned to look in front.

Oishitari-san and Mukahi-san – the object of their apparent pursuit – are still holding hands while they crouch low behind some wild bush.

What are they even doing?

Momo blinked. He was slow to catch up but now that he's thinking about it and now that he's actually looking, he could see that indeed, the two are acting highly suspicious.

Heh.

He glanced at his redheaded senpai, and he has to inch away because that grin is so wide and just a little bit creepy. Kikumaru-senpai is enjoying this way too much.

Shaking his head, Momo turned forward again.

They really are being suspicious.

He felt the beginning of curiosity stir within him so he decided that hey, since he's already here and he has nothing better to do anyway, then why not just enjoy this, huh? Yeah. He'd do that. But first, Momo took a few seconds to bemoan the loss of his burgers. He wished he was able to grab at least one because he paid for those! But, well, yeah. Can't do anything about it anymore, so.

Momo rolled his shoulders a bit, got himself comfortable, and focused his eyes in front.

….

They're on match point. Of course.

Atobe should have expected it. Both of them are not allowing the other to take any more points. Atobe because he never liked losing bets. And the brat because, well, they're betting on food. And he'd seen Ryoma and food before. On different settings.

Before, when they're in camp and Tezuka came back from Germany to play substitute coach. He'd watch the brat and had been amused when, after sincerely greeting his long-been-absent captain, he had turned his attention, just as sincerely if not more, to the food before him. Tezuka had shook his head and had looked somewhat dejected.

And then there was that one occasion when he had caught sight of the brat in one of the burger joints in the shopping district. He was with his two senpai – Momoshiro and Kikumaru. The two older boys had been arguing, quite loudly if the looks the other patrons were giving them were any indication. Ryoma, the brat, was so focused on his food that he looked as if he didn't know the other two and just happened to be sitting there.

And, of course, there was last night in his house during dinner. It was their first time eating together, and no words were uttered between them. But it wasn't awkward at all, no. it was comfortable and Atobe have never enjoyed dinner as much as he did last night. All because the brat had been enjoying his meal and humming every five minutes in appreciation.

Considering all of the above scenarios, he should already have concluded that the brat, despite his height and small built, is very enthusiastic when it comes to food. In fact, Atobe had a feeling that even if someone suddenly shouted "FIRE!" out of the blue, Ryoma would just grin at his food and stuff his face while happily ignoring the chaos around him.

It was all very endearing really, Atobe is –

"7 games to 6!" Ryoma's voice suddenly announced.

Atobe blinked, startled.

He straightened and saw the brat looking at him from across the court, grinning at him in a very smug way.

Slowly, he turned to look behind and to the side. He was honestly surprised to see the tennis ball there, innocently rolling to a stop just a couple of feet outside the baseline.

He missed the shot.

What just happened?

"I won, Monkey King," was Ryoma's answer to Atobe's unspoken question.

Atobe cursed under his breath and turned to glare at the brat.

A half-hearted glare it turns out, because those wide eyes are twinkling at him in delight. And really? Do they have to look so gold and so, so . . . so precious?

Atobe was suddenly tempted to stomp his foot or, or stuck his tongue out at the brat. He was just suddenly frustrated.

Ryoma's grin turned slightly puzzled and he cocked his head to the side, probably wondering why the older boy was just standing there and glaring-but-not-exactly-glaring at him.

Atobe took a deep breath, flicked his hair out of his eyes and regarded the brat with a raised brow.

"Ore-sama was just being a gentleman. You look so desperately hungry, Ore-sama was afraid you'd suddenly keel over if you don't get your food."

– was on the tip of his tongue. But he couldn't bring himself to lie and act all high and mighty when he knew it wasn't the brat's fault that he had been so preoccupied thinking of said brat's eating habits and thinking them adorable and yes, Atobe now realized that he's quickly falling hard even when he wasn't quite ready to take the plunge just yet.

So Atobe sighed, resigned, and gave the other a sort of sheepish smile.

"Ore-sama was not quite prepared for your burger-inspired tenacity."

And that wasn't just an excuse that Atobe had cooked up to cover the fact that he'd been distracted – in the middle of their game, it should be mentioned. It was also the half-truth because the boy had been tenacious after they made the deal.

And now, said boy was blinking at him, obviously not expecting him to say that. Then his smile widened until it morphed into a loud, uninhibited laugh that sounded musical to Atobe's ear and he wasn't at all surprised when his heart started thumping to the beat.

He smiled as he watched Ryoma clutching at his stomach and his wide eyes were crinkling in the corners and he was looking at Atobe like he had just given him an early Christmas present, and that very look tugged at Atobe's smiling lips until he, too, was laughing.

Totally cliché, if you ask him. This situation where they found themselves in. Like some kind of a bad rom-com movie. Atobe wanted to cringe but Ryoma's laugh had died down to small chuckles and he was looking at Atobe like he's seeing him for the first time. Atobe can't bring himself to wince at the painful, embarrassing cliché that they are right now.

He smiled back at Ryoma.

….

Behind the bush…

"Ne…ne, Yuushi?" Gakuto intoned, a little bit dazed. "I'm not dreaming. Am I? Cause I'm pretty sure I just heard, I just watched Atobe laughing while making disgusting gooey eyes at the Seigaku brat. That wasn't a dream, right? I saw that. Did you saw that? I think my brain just stopped…"

Oishitari can totally understand Gakuto's rambling. He was gaping himself. He's unable to comprehend what happened. Or at least, he can't completely wrapped his mind around what happened. So, he let go of Gakuto's hand and reached for him instead, wrapping his arm around his neck so he can pull him closer until he's flashed against his side. Then he used his other hand and pinch the boy's cheek. Hard. Gakuto let out a pained whine. That's confirmation enough. No. They are not dreaming.

Gakuto didn't take his eyes away from the two on the court who are now smiling at each other, and Gakuto swears he can see the hearts and flowers floating around them. "Oh, god. This is really happening, isn't it?"

"You tell me," was all Oishitari can say.

….

Behind another bush…

"Oh. My. God!" Kikumaru squealed under his breath. "Momo! Are you seeing what I'm seeing?! Those two! I knew it~! Ne, ne, Momo?! Can you see them? You can see them, right? Hehe~ I knew those two were dating. Look at them hug. And in public! That's so sweet~ Even though I don't like Gakuto-kun because his moonsaults aren't cool. That's really sweet~!"

"Uh, s-senpai, senpai! You-you're chocking me! Can't breathe! Senpai!" Momo was gasping for breath and clawing at the arms around his neck.

"Ah! Gomen, Momo!" Kikumaru let up a little but didn't let go. He was still staring at the two Hyoutei student in front of them and he couldn't help sighing deeply. "Ah~ Young love."

Momo was busy gulping in air.