Since the reception to the one-shot was pretty good, I'm gonna continue it! This is the second chapter for now. Enjoy!
Hikari (Light)
"I hope you are ready to start work on the next practice, Fuji-buchou," said a familiar voice, and everyone turned to see Ryuzaki-sensei (1)standing at the entrance of the court, smiling slightly.
Sumiko blinked. Then gasped as the meaning of her words sank in. "Me? But I didn't have that match with Arashi-buchou because I wanted to be the captain!"
"Well, I think you are sufficiently qualified to be her replacement. You wouldn't want the girls' tennis team to be without a captain, would you?"
"But...!"
"I expect you to take up responsibility starting from now. I'll look over on your progress from time to time as a temporary trainer."
Seeing that the tennis coach would hear no disagreement, she said resignedly, "Hai (2), sensei..."
Satisfied, Ryuzaki-sensei left. The ex-regulars of the boys' club stood to the side, leaving Sumiko to deal with her team. She looked at her brother for help, but only received Fuji Syuusuke's trademark smile. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the girls who were looking at her with a mix of curiousity, awe and resentment. "My name is Fuji Sumiko, and I'll be your captain from now on. Douzo Yorushiku (3)." She bowed. Making her voice sound more commanding, she began on the more serious matters. "I hope to have your cooperation on the running of the club. Practice will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of the school term unless stated otherwise. As I would like to determine the regulars in order to start training, ranking matches will be held starting next week. All members must participate in this first ranking. Is that understood?"
The girls gave a few mumbled 'yes's. Sumiko left it at that, though she was determined to change that later on by gaining her teammates' respect and cooperation. She dismissed them, reminding them to be at the tennis courts on Monday.
The new tennis captain turned back to the boys and sighed. "Saa... This is going to be hard..."
"Don't mind, don't mind! You'll do fine, Fujiko!" Eiji glomped her yet again, ruffling her hair playfully.
"Possibility that you will face problems in the first week, especially from the seniors, 100%."
Sumiko groaned. "I don't need you to tell me that, Inui-sempai."
"Ano, Fuji-buchou..."
"Huh? Oh. Nani (4)?" she wasn't used at all to the title, and didn't react at first.
"You helped me just now. Hontou arigatou gozaimasu (5)!" Sakuno said, bowing deeply.
"Ah, I've wanted to take our dear sempai-tachi down a peg or two for a long time. The incident just now merely gave me a chance to do so. Anyway, just call me Sumiko, especially since we're not in practice now. We're in the same year after all," she said, smiling. It made her look even more like a certain other Fuji. Sakuno smiled back at her shyly, and left to get her things from the locker room.
"Ne, Syuu-nii-chan. Shall we go home now?"
"Sure."
"Now show me your Tsubame Gaeshi," said Fuji, hitting a topspin ball at her after they took their places on the court. As promised, he was going through the triple counters with her. Like before, the path of the return ball wasn't particularly smooth. "Ah, I thought so. Hit the ball to me, and I'll show you the correct way. Watch carefully."
"Hai!"
On Monday, Sumiko stood in front of the club members who she had painstakingly arranged into neat rows. A few of the seniors had been immensely uncooperative. Sumiko resisted an urge to grind her teeth.
"Please line up according to year when I ask you to do so. I would like to have your cooperation." She paused for a moment, and continued, "Ranking matches will be held after this to select the eight regulars. The arrangement is listed on the board over there." Gesturing towards the whiteboard she had borrowed from the boy's team, she noticed the people lazing around near it. "Saa, it looks like some sempai-tachi (6) decided to help out," she said, smiling. Turning back to the team, she said in commanding tones, "Alright! There are three blocks only because there aren't that many of you. Block A Ryuzaki Sakuno vs. Amari Mizuki, Block B Sakurai Yuzuki vs. Umeko Manami, and Block C Wakana Michiko vs. Touri Hanami. Those whom I mentioned please warm up now and prepare for your first match. The others can refer to the board. Inui-sempai at the table will explain anything you don't understand."
As the team started to do as told, Sumiko rushed to the board. "Inui-sempai, you can deal with the board, right? Nii-chan, Eiji-sempai, Taka-sempai, can you please help me with the three blocks? Onegai..."
"Saa, why not?"
"Of course we'll do it, Fujiko!"
"Alright..." "Ne, Taka-sempai, the racket." "Huh? ...BURNING!!! I won't let you down!"
"Arigatou, minna (7)!" she spun around on her heels. "Yosh! Let's get this show on the road!"
A few weeks later, Sumiko watched the progress with a sigh. The regulars had been chosen, but the other members were still much lacking in determination. In fact, Arashi Airi and her gang were watching the boy's team again. Well, it was time for that.
Sumiko crept behind them, and said in an ominous tone, "Since you seem to like the boys so much..." The girls almost jumped out of their skins, and shivered at the malicious aura pratically radiating off Sumiko in waves. "Why don't we try their practice style? EVERYONE TEN LAPS AROUND THE COURT RIGHT NOW!"
Some were still stubbornly disobedient. Sumiko poured the contents of the bottle she held into a glass cup. "Whoever doesn't complete the exercise will drink this."
"What the hell is that?!" Everyone stared at the slush swishing around in the cup.
"This? Saa, don't you recognize it? It's Revised Special Golden Power Remix Inui-Juice Neo."
Yay! The second chapter is finally done! I was totally waiting for a chance to put that last part in! LOL!
Review everyone! Onegai...
(1) sensei: teacher
(2) hai: yes
(3) douzo yorushiku: A term used when introducing oneself. Something like 'How do you do.' or 'Please take care of me'
(4) nani: what
(5) hontou arigatou gozaimasu: thank you really much
(6) sempai-tachi: seniors. 'Sempai' is senior, 'tachi' makes it plural
(7) minna: everyone