Finally uploaded chapter seven!

Naili - I didn't upload on Sunday cause fanfiction was down, so I uploaded as soon as I can. About Shyoko's father... hehe... you'll find out in time... all in good time, my dear.

Chapter 7

Tensai, tensai, tell me why

You don't quite meet her eyes when you walk by

Shyoko smiled happily, towelling the sweat off her body. It had been a particularly strenuous practice, but it was over and she could now look forward to a long, cooling shower at home.

She exhaled slowly before downing the rest of her water. Tennis practice was getting more and more intensive, since the Kantou tournament was just around the corner. Sometimes she almost wished that she was back in the girls' team. But she had a trophy to win, and so she slogged with the rest of the team. Although she did admit to being one of the more vocal protestors when Inui used them as guinea pigs for his new juice.

"Shyoko!" She looked up only to be glomped by an exuberant Eiji.

"Eiji." Her smile could have gone on one of those mega-sized billboards for lipstick. "Aren't you tired?"

"I've recharged!" He announced proudly. "Wanna go for burgers?"

"Hey, Echizen! Eiji-sempai just offered to treat! Let's go!"

The golden-eyed boy looked up at his sempai for a moment before...

"Wait for me, Momo-sempai!"

"Wha - ! Nya! I'll be broke! Hey, you two!" And Eiji took off after his beloved kouhais, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

Shyoko chuckled. Knowing Momo, if she didn't hurry, there would be no more burgers left for her. Not that she actually wanted to put a strain on Eiji's undoubtedly already thin wallet, but it was fun to mix with the other regulars. Besides, team-bonding was beneficial, ne?

A light laugh was heard from her side as Fuji, freshly showered, sat down on the bench. "Aren't you going to take a shower?"

'The girls' toilet is locked." She cocked her head at him. "You know, it's really unfair how I don't get to shower after practice just because I'm the only girl on the team. What wouldn't I give for a cold shower right now..."

Fuji looked on in pure amusement before cutting in with a, "Why don't you use the boys' toilet, then?"

"Use the bo – WHAT? Fuji Syuusuke! You must be out of your mind! I have absolutely no wish to show my... " There was a small pause as Shyoko searched for the right word. ".. body parts to the rest of the team! And the prospect of seeing yours does not exactly fill me with joy."

There was stunned silence around the courts. Apparently people in Britain did things differently from people in Japan. Such as talking about... body parts. Not that Fuji had been much better, but Fuji was Fuji. Over time, people had learnt to expect that sort of suggestions from Fuji. Not that many of his schemes got carried out, anyway.

"This discussion is closed." Tezuka's voice cut in firmly.

"But Tezuka – "

"It is not pertinent to the club's benefit." And that discussion was over in a hurry.

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Unfortunately, it did not spell the end of the matter. Some bigmouth had blabbed it, and the whole school was now talking about the incident.

"...she must be crazy saying that..."

"As if any sane person would pass up a chance to see the tennis team in their..." The girl giggled, "...natural state..."

Shyoko shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe that the whole school was talking about this – not because of the sheer scandalousness of the scene, but because they were wishing that they had been invited into the boys' bathroom. Seriously. But then again, maybe they didn't know what perverts the tennis team was. It was never safe changing anywhere near the tennis team. At the very least you would probably have Inui walking over to collect precious data (though she didn't see how such personal data had anything to do with tennis).

But she had to admit she was glad about the one good thing that came out of it. She got to use the girls' toilet after practice. Sure, she had to lock up and all, but it was worth it. She could never stand being dirty for very long, anyway. It was just too gross to imagine all the sweat drying up and caking on your skin...

"Thinking about a shower?" A mellifluous voice asked.

She didn't even need to turn to see who it was. "What's up, Fuji?"

The prodigy chuckled softly. Shyoko always got that dreamy look on her face when thinking about bath time... much like Eiji and toothpaste. "Coming for practice today? It's our last practice before the tournament."

"I know." Her calm demeanour did not fool Fuji for a moment.

"Nervous?"

There was a barely perceptible hesitation before she replied, "Of course not."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Not at all?"

"Have you done the History homework already?" She ignored his question.

He noticed the change of subject, and a faint smile hovered around his lips. He had got his answer.

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Horio poked his head into the boys' bathroom. "Ryuuzaki-sensei wants to see Fuji-sempai and Shyoko-sempai now."

"Hai. I'll bring her with me." The tensai answered easily. He finished changing and straightened up. "See you guys later."

One hand carrying his tennis case, he exited with an angelic smile on his face.

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"Shyoko!" Fuji called. Only the sound of running water answered him.

He knocked again. "Shyoko!"

There was no answer.

He gave up. But instead of waiting, like any normal person would do, Fuji pushed the door open. Much to his surprise, it wasn't locked.

He entered the girls' bathroom warily. There was a pile of clothes near the sink, with some shampoo and a tennis bag. She was obviously not out of the shower yet.

He knocked on the sole occupied cubicle.

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Shyoko heard the knocks and froze. "Yes?"

"Shyoko, Ryuuzaki-sensei would like to see us now."

"Coming. I'll be out in a moment." Then a sudden realisation struck her. "Fuji? What are you doing in the girls' toilet?"

"Looking for you." She could almost hear the casual shrug he gave.

She was about to step out of the shower, until she realised that she was clad in nothing more than a soaking wet towel. "Fuji, could you please go out of the toilet for a while?"

"But I like it here." She almost choked upon hearing his answer.

"I need to change!"

"Don't worry. I won't peek."

"Just get out."

"No."

"Go."

"No."

"Go."

"No."

"Okay, fine! Just promise not to peek."

"Why? It's not like you're not wearing anything."

"Just. Do. It." She gritted out, cheeks flaming. It was embarrassing enough to have a boy in the toilet alone with you, what more watch you change. Even if she had a towel.

"Hai, hai." Fuji surrendered.

She opened the door carefully and peeked out. Fuji was standing by the door, his face turned towards her. She immediately pulled her head back in. "You promised you wouldn't peek."

"I'm closing my eyes." He defended.

"But your eyes are always closed!"

"You'll just have to trust me, I guess." He let out a melancholy sigh. "Isn't it terrible how no one trusts each other nowadays? Even doubles partners..."

"Cheap shot!" But she took his word and tiptoed out of the bathroom. She was quite pleased to see that his face was turned away now, and she hurriedly changed.

"Ow!" Her sudden exclamation of pain made Fuji look up to see Shyoko rubbing her toe... half-dressed.

Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Don't – He suddenly found the tiled wall extremely interesting, staring at the swirling patterns until he could memorise them. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that image out of his head - almost as if it had been seared into his brain.

"I'm done." He started at her voice, a light blush dusting his features.

She smiled, blissfully unaware of everything that had just transpired. "Let's go."

"A-ah." He walked out of the door.

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Fuji couldn't remember much of the trip, except that it took every ounce of self-control to rein in his very vivid imagination. Of course, it didn't help that he had a photographic memory...

" – so don't worry, just do your best." He tuned in to Ryuuzaki-sensei, vaguely aware that he'd been zoning off again. What did she say? Something about doubles... oh yeah, the mixed doubles match was tomorrow. He groaned inwardly. This was exactly what he didn't need just before a match.

"Fujiko!" He suddenly realised that an excitable redhead had been trying to get his attention for quite some time. His lips curved automatically into a smile.

"Eiji?"

"Nya, what's wrong with you? I've been calling your name for the past five minutes!" Eiji pouted.

"Sorry, Eiji. I just wasn't paying attention." He smiled at his friend. "What did you want to say?"

Eiji tapped his head thoughtfully. "Hmm... what was it again? Ah, I've got it! I just wanted to wish you ganbatte for your match tomorrow!"

Fuji chuckled. "Thanks, Eiji. You're coming, right?"

"Nya! The WHOLE team's coming, Fujiko!" The redhead declared.

Shyoko, who happened to be walking past, asked, "The whole team's coming to what?"

"To your match, nya!"

She blanched. "The match... e-everybody's coming to watch?"

"Of course! You're representing Seigaku, after all!"

"I'm... representing Seigaku..." The words hit her full force. "OH, NO!"

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Shyoko's gettting a little nervous... ;P

Review, ne?

Next up: Tennis tournament! Who should I make them face first?