Chapter 1

This morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and energized. I did get a full night's sleep as instructed by my Fuji-senpai and for once I listened to Eiji-senpai's assurance that everything will turn out okay.

If it wasn't for my very favorite senpais, I probably would have wallowed in self pity for the next twenty-five years. But as it is, they have given me their full fledged support and because I trust in them so much, I believe that they can make things come true. And with me on the front lines… Ha. Everything's possible!

But, enough of that. I don't need to dwell on the happenings of yesterday anymore. All I need to do is to focus on the task at hand. As of today, I am a man with a serious mission. Starting this lovely day of Monday, first day back to school, I, Momoshiro Takeshi vow to be in tip top shape to compete against that wretched Kevin Smith! Oh yeah. Wallowing Momo is no more. I'm finally back in the competition!

I sigh as I look at the wall clock. Great. I still have an hour long of classes before club activities. How can I be back in the competition if I'm stuck at classes! I rest my chin on my desk and frown. If this is any normal day, I would have eaten in class, so that I won't have to drop by the cafeteria before the club activities. As it is, I can't eat from too much excitement!

You must be wondering why I came to be like this. It's because just this morning, before I made a dash outside to get going, Fuji-senpai gave me a call. He sounded so sly and very happy with himself. He said that he had a surprise for me and that I should watch out for it at club activities.

Of course, being the curious person that I am, I've been pumped up the whole day. And now I'm at my wits at end. I've done nothing all day but fantasize about the surprise.

I mean what could it possibly be? With Fuji-senpai's sadistic nature, it probably would include a Kevin torture or maybe even a Kevin humiliation spree. Now that's what I call a good plan! Hahahaha…

A goofy smile spreads across my face as I imagine Fuji-senpai tearing Kevin apart from limb to limb... Such a nice fantasy…

"Momoshiro. Momoshiro. Momoshiro!" I snap at the shout of my name.

"Hai!" I stand at attention not really aware of my surroundings. It takes me a couple of seconds to realize that I'm all alone in the classroom with only my homeroom adviser around. I blink at him. He only sighs tiredly as he removes his glasses.

"What am I going to do with you? If you aren't eating, you're sleeping." He glares at me as I scratched the back of my head apologetically.

"I'm sorry. I swear it won't happen again." I say sheepishly. My adviser just sighs again as he waves his hand to shoo me out of the room. I give him a big grin as I gathered all my things and made a dash for it.

"Bye Mr. Terada! You're the best!" I holler as I make my way through the busy corridors. Club room here I come!

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As I near the club room, I notice that a lot people are crowded at the entrance. Curious, I halt to a stop just behind the nosy freshmen trio. Before making any questions, I stand on my tiptoes to get a glimpse of what's going on inside. And I can't see a thing. Oh well, Horio's a really good gossip anyway.

"Hey, what's up?" I ask good naturedly as I fight the urge to laugh at the trio's surprised jumps.

"Momo-chan-senpai!" They chorus loudly as they try to make a human shield of the commotion going on inside. I raise an eyebrow at them.

"Is something going on inside?" I ask yet again. The trio just shook their heads wildly as they try to steer me away from the locker room.

"Nothing! They're just uh, uh, uh, well… Buchou had the place locked!" Horio says unconvincingly as he urges the two to nod their heads in agreement. After a second or two of hesitation, the two nod their heads off.

"Uhuh. And why would Buchou do that?" I ask coyly as I cross my arms over my chest and put my foot down so as they could stop pushing me away.

"Well, uh, you see, senpai…" Horio's stammering so badly, you'd know instantly that he was lying through his teeth.

"Fine. If you don't want to tell me… Then I'll just have to see by myself!" I say loudly as I turn around and made a mad dash inside the locker room, shoving people along the way of course.

"Momo-chan-senpai! Wait!" Horio screams as he tries to follow me, but with much of the people blocking the doorway and his lack of bulk he stops before he can even touch my back. I hold back a snort at Horio's attempt to follow me as I continue to push my way through.

"Watch out where you're going!" Arai yells as I stomped down on his foot.

"Hahaha… Sorry, sorry!" I laugh over my shoulder as I finally stand inside the locker room. Arai just gives me a glower and I just give him a silly smile.

Feeling great at the banter, I finally turn my attention to the scene before me and my jaw literally drops at the sight. Hanging over the lockers is a banner, bearing the Seigaku colors and flag, is a welcome note that says:

"Welcome to the Seigaku Tennis Club, Kevin Smith!"

Feeling my happy bubble pop and my happiness level nose dive to the ground, I just continue to stare at the banner with my mouth wide open. This can't be.

Then I hearing the people excitedly mutter about the addition of another good player in the team, I suddenly feel resignation and understanding. I just drag my feet towards a bench to plop down on it unceremoniously. If this was Fuji-senpai's surprise… I'm not one bit happy about it, that's for sure.

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After the crowd had thinned out, courtesy of Tezuka-buchou's order of a hundred laps, I reluctantly get on my feet to start dressing. If I don't get started with the laps within the minute, the number of laps might double. Even triple, depending on buchou's mood.

As I hurry my movements a little bit more, I think I may be moving a bit too sluggishly, I feel a hand land on my shoulder. Turning around, I see Tezuka-buchou's face set a little grimly than usual. I frown.

"Yes, Buchou?" I ask, as I keep on getting dressed. Buchou opens his mouth, closes it, then as if gathering his courage, he speaks in hush voice.

"200 laps. Now." It takes me a full minute before his words sinks in. I really think he was going to say something very important to me. But, oh well. Must be my imagination.

Then without further ado, after I finally understood what he said, I ran screaming past him to start the dreaded laps.

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Inside the locker room after Momoshiro left:

"Fuji. I know you're here." Tezuka hears a muffled chuckle from behind him. He turns his head that way and sees Fuji leaning on his locker with a sly smile on his lips. The Seigaku captain sighs.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Fuji?" the captain asks a bit warily as he eyes his still smirking companion.

"Of course it is. You know what they say." Fuji pushes himself from his position on the locker and steadily makes his way towards their stoic captain.

Fuji just stops short in front of his captain, then ever so slowly stood on his tip toes to whisper on Tezuka's ear.

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." And with that said, Fuji smiles his innocent smile, and then proceeds on getting his way back to the tennis courts.

"Are you sure that you should be meddling with Momoshiro's love life?" Tezuka calls out sternly. Fuji looks back at Tezuka, his eyes open and twinkling with mischief.

"Where's the fun in that if I don't?" Tezuka just sighs.

"500 laps for you Fuji."

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I'm still really puzzled with Buchou. I mean, really. He's not known to initiate a conversation but there he was, looking like he was about to say something to me. And then there was also the fact that he hesitated on saying that something. Buchou never hesitates that's for sure.

I frown as I remember that ghastly banner in the locker room. How in heaven's name that Fuji-senpai thought that welcoming Kevin to the team would be a good idea?

Shaking the thought away from my head, I decide to concentrate on the task at hand. I already had 50 down. It would be more than a awhile until I finish the 200 laps.

I look at the front pack and see Echizen. He looks bored as always. I chuckle when I see that beside him was Eiji-senpai chatting up a storm. Poor Eiji-senpai, Echizen never heard a word he had said.

I see them stop at court A, and I surmise to myself that they probably finished their 100 laps. I pick up speed so I could finish mine. I feel the sudden urge to talk with Echizen. I'm thinking that I should apologize to him about my brush off yesterday.

I mean, he just got home and expected a warm welcome from his best friend, and what did he get? A best friend who merely gave him stuttering welcome and a sudden goodbye?

I'm shaken out of my reverie when I see Kevin Smith strolling his way towards Eiji-senpai and Echizen. I suddenly see spots of red before my eyes as my legs pick up even more speed. My competitive spirit which has taken a hike yesterday has just come back in full force. Just twenty more laps to go, Momoshiro!

Finishing my laps, I go straight to court A for a head on collision... Or some damage control. I barrel my way through but for some reason I can't get through the gates. Confused, I stop moving. Huh? What happened?

"Fssssh." I suddenly hear from somewhere below. I know that sound. That's really, really familiar. Then as if I'm in a trance, I hear another sound.

"Momoshiro." A low guttural sound. What's that? I ask myself as the red spots before my eyes starts to blend in with the surroundings. I snap back to reality when a tennis ball hits me between the eyes. Shaking myself awake, I see Kaidoh looking murderously at me.

"Mamushi." I blurt in surprise, as I suddenly notice that he's holding onto my leg. Feeling awake and up to Mamushi's challenge I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Care to release me, Mamushi?" I ask sarcastically as I try my best to tug his hands away from my leg.

"Not until, you remove your foot from my foot, you dork." I blink and notice that indeed, I have one foot stepping on his. I remove it, and roll my eyes at him.

"Really nice Mamushi. Would you want revenge and step on me too?" I ask innocently as I try to bait him. Our banters really make me feel good. It even uplifts me from my worst moods. Maybe it can work its wonder right about now.

"Fsssh." Mamushi just hisses as he steps past me. Weird. He's never satisfied with just that. I just shrug it away as I scan the courts only to find Eiji-senpai getting all friendly with Kevin Smith! He even had his arms around his shoulder! And what's that! What was he whispering to Kevin!

Feeling the need to know what they are talking about, I sneak my way towards them. As I near, I grab the freshmen trio to act as my cover. I glare at them menacingly.

"Try to look normal and chat like friends do okay?" I hiss, as I drag them conspicuously nearer to Eiji-senpai and Kevin. When we're close enough, I strain my ears to hear what they are talking about, and caught phrases.

"…Don't worry... You… Shatei… take care… while here…"

I gasp. I thought I was Eiji-senpai's shatei! Uggh. Don't tell me that Kevin even stole senpai's loyalty away from me. Grrrr. I lean ever so nearer so I could hear better.

"Thank you." Huh! They finished talking already? Damn. What lousy timing!

"Momo-chan-senpai? Are you okay?" Horio asks cautiously as the trio backs away from me slowly. I exhale loudly to ease away the tension, before giving a shaky smile.

"Peachy. Just peachy." And with that I storm my way through court B to have a mock game with Mamushi.

"Ii Data." I faintly hear Inui-senpai as I pass by him in a hurry.

Tbc.

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A/N:

If I'm not mistaken, shatei means a brother of sorts. Eiji called Momo that on their practice matches with Hyotei...