A/N: Argh man, how I hate research, more so when I can't find what I'm looking for. It's getting close to me having to start adding school into the mix so if you see a school which shouldn't have a tennis team, let a long a girls team... humour me and suspend your belief a little longer. Thanks you! I've started to watch the OVAs and ohmigosh, what bizarre moves - I wanna make up my own!! ova16 is heartbreaking.
Anyway, Someone said they hated Leiko Arai. But she's such a lovely antagonist. I just love what she's going to do once I get further into the story!! Here's the next chapter. Thanks for reading!
Edits: Change is good, people. 27/5/2009
Disclaimer: I do not own PoT, I just merely had an idea and wished to express it.
Chapter Twelve
So the line ups were decided: Sumiko Fuji will be place in singles 1, Ai Suzu in singles 2, Takara Shikawara singles 3, Leiko Arai and Eiko Kikumaru Doubles 1, Yumi Jinhana and Tori Nariko Doubles 2 and last but by no means least, Tamika Yokoishi will play as reserved. This is it for the city preliminaries.
Despite Fuji's encounter with Umeko Kikoishi, she and Arai were happy with the team. Fuji personally handed Suzu the paper for her new regulars' kit and received a blissful hug in return. The smile on her face proved that she would not let the team down and would do her very best to win her matches.
The inter-squad matches were decided quicker then Fuji anticipated. They still had a few days before the girls went to Shikinomori Sports Park to play against their decided academies and middles schools, which gave them more then enough time to practice and become accustomed to the new team, especially the new doubles pair. Ryuzaki sensei would be impressed or bewildered… one of the two.
Fuji walked out of the changing rooms after the first years finished changing and locked up. The warm weather made the evening practise an easy and enjoyable one. The first years had their normal swinging drill, the year eights' had matches and those in regulars worked on their endurance. It was a fruitful few hours.
Kikumaru and Nariko waited outside the changing rooms for Fuji. As she turned the key, an over excited shriek travelled towards them. When Kikumaru and Nariko turned around, slightly startled, Fuji simply thought it was about time this person showed her face.
"Fuji-chan! Oh Fuji-chan!"
Fuji placed the keys in her pocket and turned to greet Saori Shiba. She was a sport's journalist and photographer for the tennis monthly magazine. It was about that time of the year when she and her partner Inoue-senpai would arrive for interviews and pictures.
"Good evening Shiba-san." Fuji greeted.
Shiba reached out and held Fuji's hand and cheered like a schoolgirl. "You look so beautiful today. I've been looking for you all over. I feel like you'll been avoiding me."
"I have been busy these past few days."
Shiba nodded and gave three taps on her camera. Yep, it certainly was that time of year and Shiba will be a friendly-paparazzi for the rest of it.
"After having so much success last year, how do you think you'll do this year as captain of the girls team and with new team members on your hands?"
"I can only hope my girls support my decision. Other than that I have confidence in them."
"Ooh! You ooze confidence. The other teams better watch out this year! Oh Kikumaru-chan and Nariko-san, how are you two feeling about the up and coming tournaments?"
The two girls glanced at each other and say in unison "We feel good."
"Awesome!" Shiba punched the air. "I'll make sure I give a whole page to Seigaku's girls team showing your determination to get to number one." She held her hand by her mouth and leaned closer towards them. "Here's a little secret, you guys are my favourite out of all the schools. I'll be cheering you all the way!" She winked and quickly glanced at her watch. " Oh man! I better get going. Inoue-sempai will be so mad if he finds me chatting. Bye-bye." And with that she was gone.
"She hasn't changed," Kikumaru laughed.
"I think I see what you were talking about before captain. Shiba-san's over excitement has made you a popular person." Nariko said feeling sure that was why members of the school took note of her.
"Something like that." Fuji's answer was simple.
The three made their way to a new ice cream parlour that opened a week ago. The bright pink and sky blue colours played on their curiosity and made them wander inside. The atmosphere was friendly. The staff members were always happy to help, and the customers never felt uneasy when seated. The large windows circled the whole shop as it was on a street corner. The sunlight poured in and illuminated the parlour with its natural rays. When the girls sat down in the corner, they were engulfed in an orange-red glow.
"The training was interesting today. How did yours go Kikumaru-chan?" Fuji asked.
Kikumaru grinned from the top of the menu and gave a 'thumbs up'. She was about to comment on her level of endurance when the sight of someone walking by made her change the subject.
"Isn't that Uki Ito-san from Miura Academy?"
Nariko and Fuji looked out the window to see her walking by, alone, in her uniform.
"What's she doing up here?" Kikumaru followed with her eyes.
"Who is she?" Nariko asked.
"Ito-san? Hmm… no one we need to worry about."
"What!" Kikumaru dropped the menu and leant in towards the table. "Don't you remember what happened last time? She had that-that strange scented tactic."
"Scented?" Nariko questioned.
"Yeah, I remember. It was a sweet smell. Who played her last year? Oh yes. She lost that match because she felt nostalgic, in a sad way and didn't have the heart to fight."
Kikumaru nodded. "It's true. I was sad too. Even you were a bit down Fuji-chan."
"Is that possible? A scented move?" Nariko wondered.
"My goodness!" Kikumaru shouted. "You should see some of the moves the girls can do. It makes your clucking chicken look like child's play. Even Tezuka-san has that bizarre move. I tell you, the games are going to get crazy!"
"But," Fuji interrupted. "it makes for an intense game."
"…It's not called clucking chicken, senpai…" Nariko murmured.
They ordered their ice creams. Kikumaru played it safe with strawberry flavour, Nariko also treated herself to vanilla favour, while Fuji picked liquorice and aniseed flavour. Though the rich colours of red and black where nice to look at Fuji could not persuade her friends to try some of her dessert.
They happily ate their ice cream when someone stopped by their table. Nariko and Fuji noticed the person standing next to them. Kikumaru was too busy enjoying her ice cream.
"Oh, I thought I recognised you Fuji-san. Smiling as always. Things must be going good for you are Seishun Academy."
Nariko glanced up. This shorted haired brunette stood above them with arms crossed and a calm but over confident smile on her lips. She had make-up on but all natural tones. She was pretty. If she was not wearing her uniform, you would not think her to be the same again as Fuji or Kikumaru. She could have been mistaken for someone older because of her mature features. Although so mature-looking, she was not the captain of her team and always played at singles three or two. Mind you, this year, they could change things up.
Fuji carried on eating.
"Oi, I'm talking here!" She said, her voice getting a little high pitched.
"Sorry." Fuji said, "I didn't see you there."
"Who are you again?" Nariko questioned.
Ito's eyebrow twitched but she kept her cool. "Just know this, the team at Miura Academy will be waiting to play you, Seigaku, if we're lined up." And with that she headed back over to her table of friends, who were also sighting in a blind spot.
"Mmm, this ice cream is delicious. I want another one." Kikumaru said, still oblivious to what just happened around her.
Nariko tapped her spoon on her glass, waiting for Fuji to say something.
"I guess it's that time of year. Everyone is in that fighting spirit."
That wasn't much she had to worry about. She had five days before the tournaments. The girls always played before the boys. There would be one day without play so they could relax their muscles and not injure themselves before the following day. That was more then enough time.
...tbc...
A/N2: Huh… that was kind of a sudden ending. I know I keep saying their moves are crazy... but they really are - cool/entertaining but crazy. So much fun.
Chapter 13: Erm... oh yes, a moment with Tezuka and Fuji. (Haven't had those two together for a while!)
