Chapter 2: Call Me Maybe

"All right, start!" the coach blew her whistle, signaling the beginning of the exercise.

Sakuno began sprinting around the field next to the court, praying all the while that she would not trip over herself. As she made onto her third lap around, out of the corner of her eye she saw a familiar figure running behind her, slowly catching up. Twisting around to get a better look, she almost didtrip over herself in surprise. "Ann-chan?"

"Yo." Ann gave her a cheeky grin, waving happily despite the sweat running down her face.

Sakuno grinned back. "What are you doing here?" she asked, half pleased and half surprised.

"You forget that I play tennis too?" Ann feigned offense at Sakuno's question, laughing when the other attempted to apologize. "Just kidding." she winked.

The two continued to run their 20 laps, all the while catching up and exchanging the latest gossip about their respective schools. Sakuno especially was very happy. She finally had a friend here, with whom she could rally and stuff. Thank goodness.

After practice, Ann jogged over to Sakuno. "Hey, Sakuno-chan! I don't have your cell number. Can we trade?"

"Sure." Sakuno smiled and pulled out her phone, and the two traded numbers. "Call me maybe?"

Ann burst out laughing. "Yeah!"

Sakuno giggled with her new friend. "Awesome. Jaa ne!"


(A few weeks later)

On Sunday afternoon, Sakuno sighed happily. The club was helping so much-she had already practically perfected her smash and volley, and the coach had even told her that she had great timing and a really good eye for the ball. Her obaa-chan had even commented that at this rate of improvement, Sakuno would be eligible for a regular next season.

Tennis is so much fun! I don't know what I would do without it...she thought.

It was all thanks to Ryoma, anyway, that she even joined. She owed him a ton.

I should thank him later. Now, tennis.

Picking up her phone, she dialed a few numbers and put the phone to her ear. "Hey, Ann-chan!"

"Hey, Sakuno-chan! What's up?"

"I'm bored. Are you busy? You wanna come over and play some tennis?"

"Yeah, sure. This is the worst weekend ever. I'll be there in ten."

"Got it. Jaa ne!" She hung up and changed into her tennis clothes, picked up her racket and walked out to the court. Hitting balls against the wall, she waited for her tennis buddy.

"Sakuno?" Ann showed up a few minutes later. Sakuno ran over and hugged her.

"An-chan! It's good to see you again!"

"You too, but it's been what, twelve hours?" Ann laughed.

"I guess. Silly me. Wanna play?"

"Sure. I call first serve!"

"Fine, you cheater."

"Hey!"

Playfully teasing one another, the two girls began a friendly rally, praising one another for good shots and laughing at awkward ones. Little did they know, however, that they had a one-man audience. Or should we say, one-unbelievably-short-freshman audience.

Ryoma had decided to go out to fill up his Ponta supply for the week, and was intrigued by the sound of pounding tennis balls.

Huh? Tennis balls here? He followed the noise to a fence. Hiding himself behind a tree right in front of the fence, he noticed the game between Ann and Sakuno.

Sakuno had just performed a near-perfect drive volley, scoring a point and earning a smile from Ann. Clearly, she had improved. A lot.But her season was over...how did she get so good so quickly?

Without thinking, Ryoma stepped out from behind the tree. "Ne, Ryuzaki?"

Upon hearing that familiar voice that always made her nervous, Sakuno didn't pay attention to Ann's smash, which hit her in smack in the face. Blushing furiously, she rubbed the affected spot. "Ryoma-kun! What are you doing here?"

"That was a good volley." Ryoma replied, to which Sakuno reddened further and Ann hid a laugh with a discreet cough. "You've...improved. How?"

Ann rolled her eyes as she ran to stand by Sakuno. Direct as always.

"I...ano...I..." In her joy at Ryoma's compliment, Sakuno could find no words to say. Ann rolled her eyes and replied on Sakuno's behalf.

"Oh, we've been practicing at Shunao Tennis Club. She hasgotten good, hasn't she?" Ann laughed at the frown Sakuno gave her. Ryoma, however, noticed nothing and simply nodded. (A/N: Idiot...)

"Where do they practice?"

"Oh, at our school, Fudomine." Ann replied.

"When do you guys practice?"

Dude, what's with all the questions? "Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from five to seven."

"It's for guys and girls, right?"

"Yes..." Ann was starting to get a little wary.

"Cool. I should come by sometime. Jaa ne, Ryuzaki, Tachibana." Ryoma waved and disappeared.

"D-did he really just praise my volley? Or was I imagining it?" Sakuno had only just broken from her frozen-from-Ryoma's-praise state.

"Yup, it really happened." Her friend slapped her on the back playfully. "Lucky you! Shall we continue?" Ann held up her racket.

"Hai!"