"6 games to 1... Echizen.. wins!"

The referee hesitantly announces the result.

Kaidoh clutched his racket tightly as he struggles to catch his breath.

"The freshman is really good..." Momoshirou eyes were wide open as he saw how his rival has been effortlessly beaten.

"He deliberately gave the first game to Kaidoh to analyse his playing style. He is of a much higher calibre than most of us here." Fuji concluded.

"He even beat my acrobatic playing nya~!" Kikumaru swung his proverbial tail and was clearly affected by his defeat.

"Dont mind, dont mind. I am sure we will all improve as a result of his presence." Fuji flashed his reassuring smile to the team.

"That's right, our main target is after all the Nationals! With Echizen with us, it will greatly boost our chances." Oishii tried to raise the spirits of the Regulars.

"Everyone gather!"

Tezuka boomed his instructions across the courts.

Everyone immediately scrambled to assemble in straight, neat files in front of their strict captain.

"The ranking match has officially ended. These are the results. Inui!"

Inui appeared promptly with a rollerboard.

"As you can see, the regulars are more the less the same. Just that we will be opening up one more slot for Echizen Ryoma."

Loud whisperings can be heard from the crowd. People were obvious rattled by the fact that a new spot has been opened up just specially for a freshman, when they themselves have been working so hard to earn their spot as well.

"Silence!"

Tezuka quiet yet powerful voice extinguished all the conversations.

"With that being said, welcome to the Seigaku's Regular Team Echizen. You are to stay back after club to join us for our meeting. The rest are dismissed!"

Conversations roared back to life again the moment they are dismissed from the practice. it seems that having the regular team being expanded, what more for a freshie, is going to be a sensational news around Seigake for quite some time.

Ryoma acted as if he heard nothing from the crowd and followed the senpais towards the club house with a rather detached look on his face.

"Echizen Ryoma uh... since when have you been playing tennis?"

Kawamura tried to break the ice with the new member.

"Urm... ever since I could remember." Echizen struggled with his words.

"Ahh, I see no wonder you are so good at it! You had Kaidoh and Kikumaru beaten so badly! That's such a sight to see!" Momoshiro laughed out loud, as if provoking the snake to retaliate.

Kaidoh merely hissed and looked away. "Welcome to the team, brat. By the way, you are really good." Kaido mumbled through his teeth.

"Uh... thank you." Echizen managed to choke out his words.

"Eh... so our new member is bad with conversation uh!" Kikumaru wrapped his arms around the alarmed member.

"Gahh! you are so smoll!" He immediately sprung back with a shocked expression. "Look, Oishii!" He exclaimed

"Ochii-bi is so small, his waist is just my 1 arms length!" He waved his arms frantically for greater emphasis

Everyone perked up and carefully examined their new member. It's hard to gauge Echizen's waist circumference by looking alone as his oversized shirt has done a great job at covering him up.

"I am not small... and stop looking me like that!" Echizen broke his poker face, clearly alarmed at the unwanted attention he is receiving.

"Mah mah, let's not disturb our freshman shall we. Anyways, welcome to the team. I looked forward to challenging you one day." Fuji smiled warmly and offered his hands

"Thank you." Echizen stretched out his right hand and complete the gesture.

They have finally arrived at the club house.

The purpose of the meeting was to arrange for a extra trainings for the regulars and also to brief Echizen about the expectations as a regular (which of course, it's something only Tezuka cares about) The rest of the regulars merely stayed around just to accompany their new teammate, as they are waiting for the chance to speak to him after the meeting. After an hour of long monotonous drillings from Tezuka, he has dismissed the team.

"So Echizen, do you know where to get the cool regular jacket from?"

Echizen looked up at the tall senpai.

"Ah... who are you again?"

"The name is Momoshiro! You can address me as Momo!" Momoshirou is a bit irritated with how forgetful his junior could be.

"Anyways, do you need help with getting your jacket?"

Echizen looked at the leaflet Oishii gave him earlier on and try to figure out where is the shop.

"Ah.. I only moved in here recently. I have no idea how my neighbourhood works." Echizen confessed sheepishly.

"Haha! You should be thankful then for having such a great senpai like me! Come on and ride my bike, I will show you the way!" Momo flashed his good-man smile.

Echizen nodded and followed Momo to his bike.

"To be honest, I was kind of expecting that you will be an arrogant and stuck up guy. It turns out that you are more decent than I thought. And a bit shy too! haha." Momoshirou blurt out his mind.

"I..I...!" Echizen tried to refute Momo but he could not find the words.

"I..I.. ah.. oh wellz" Echizen gave up trying to explain himself.

"Tsk, what a lame answer!"

Echizen merely chuckled and the conversation went dead again.

"So... Ryoma."

Echizen blinked hard when he heard his name being called.

"Since you get to call me by my first name it's only appropriate that I call you back by your first name as well. It's the custom here in japan, don't you forget!"

"Ahh.. uh.. I see."

"So Ryoma, well, how do you feel when most of the tennis club are a bit... unwelcoming towards you."

Momoshiro averted his gaze away from Ryoma and keep them straight looking at the road.

Ryoma kept quiet.

"Ryoma? Well if you are uncomfortable answering that it's okay you know? You can just say that."

"I.." A zillion thoughts crossed through his mind and it's almost impossible to cram everything within a few sentence or so. How is he supposed to explain that he is probably used to being unwelcomed and he no longer give much shit about whether do people want him around (because they don't), all he cares is about is his tennis?"

"I..." Ryoma brains were ramped up to the max as he is trying to find something intelligent to say, something that will make him look less a freak, the emotional unstable freak that was feared in his own household. He don't need to be treated as one again, hopefully, in his new school.

"I think I am fine. Anyways, if they are that unhappy with me, they should battle it out fair and square on the courts" Echizen regained his composure and switched successfully into his alter ego.

"Ha! Arrogant bastard!" Momoshirou smirked.

"Want to take back your words about me being a decent guy then?" Ryoma gave a challenging look to his senpai.

All was while until a policeman spotted the pair riding on a same bike and started chasing after them.

Ryoma was clearly confused at the mayhem, while Momoshirou pedal away like a madman. Eventually after cycling down several stairs and venturing into shrubs and greenlands, they had finally lost the police.

Ryoma then received a much needed explanation about how it is illegal to have 2 people riding on the same bike in Japan, before having to carry a lifeless Momo into a taxi and get him home with his worn out bike.

By the time Momo was safely brought back home, the sun was already setting and Ryoma found himself in a foreign street with no one in sight.

And wasn't Momo supposed to guide him around instead?!

See you guys soon! Please leave reviews.