Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Prince of Tennis.

Day 3 (Part 1)

Kimiko heard a her cell phone beep just when she was preparing to leave for school in the morning. There was a message from a number she didn't know.

Hi Kimiko, it's Nika. Heard from the prez and she said you can come by to audition at around 4pm today. Good Luck =)

Kimiko quickly returned to her room to get her violin before she left. Thank goodness the message came before she left the house.

Lessons seemed slower and more labourious today compared to the first two days. She couldn't wait for school to let off so that she could go somewhere to practice a bit on her violin before her audition. But on top of that, she had also just started getting assignments, the long-term kind. This time, students had to find out more about a kind of sport, and submit a report containing facts about the sport, whether the school had that sport as one of its' extra-curricular activities, and if so, how good is the school team and what do members of the team feel about their sport, complete with a full transcript of an interview with all of the best players.

When the students were made to participate in a lucky dip – which was the key to their fate on which sport they had to research on – Kimiko had picked softball, and was just heading back to her sit when Ruka, who had became a good friend to Kimiko, had came up to her and asked to switch sports. It had appeared that she really wanted to switch. So Kimiko had agreed. It seems that the sport which Ruka had chosen turned out to be tennis [A/N: Yes, I know, this is a bit too coincidental, sorry ]. Kimiko was thrilled. Now she can get help from Momoshiro! And a tiny voice at the back of her head just wouldn't stop reminding her how much she wanted to see that Tezuka guy again.

After going back to her sit, Kimiko told Momoshiro about how she would like an interview with the regulars on the tennis team and asked him when would be a good time.

"Um, you can actually come over today right after school. Practice does not officially start until 3.30pm but most of the regulars show up early. Plus, Tezuka won't mind since you won't be interrupting practice. And on top of that, they're all really looking forward to meeting you!" Momoshiro said excitedly.

Kimiko did not know what the excitement was all about, but she decided to ignore it as she thought that this was a great opportunity. She could go interview the regulars and still have half an hour left to practice.

"He-he, I knew it would work. I saw her at the running track yesterday talking to Tezuka Kunimitsu! She so totally has a crush on him!" Ruka whispered to Haruhi.

"Back to your match-making again, I see. Well, you better hope it works this time." Haruhi replied doubtfully.

"It will, I'm sure of it! Ask her how the interview went during her auditions! Don't you dare forget!"

Haruhi sighed deeply. It was true that Ruka was great at match-making, but Haruhi can't help but worry about what would happen if the match-making didn't go smoothly. We'll just have to see, I guess.

After school, Kimiko followed Momoshiro to the tennis courts. When they reached, everyone was already there, just like Momoshiro had said.

"Momoshiro, I was just telling everyone how Hyoutei cancelled on us to go on their own training camp. Good news is, we'll be playing against Fudomine instead." Tezuka told Momoshiro as he was within hearing ranch.

"Can you believe them? There's a limit to how much they can look down on us. Right, Oishi?" Eiji complained with an upset expression on his face.

It was then that the regulars realized that Momoshiro had brought a girl. But only Tezuka recognized her. Of course, despite that, he acted as if he didn't.

"Momo, why did you bring a girl?" Ryoma asked, bringing up his cap a bit.

"Ah, sorry. Remember Kimiko? Well, she's here today to interview us! It's for a class assignment, so please cooperate," Momoshiro told the regulars.

"Hai, sorry to intrude, but Momo-kun said it was alright. It's nice to meet you all. I've heard a lot about how strong the Seigaku Tennis Club is!" Kimiko greeted them sweetly.

"Ah, arigatou, Kimiko-chan. We'll love to give you an interview." Fuji said with a smile. But then again, he was always smiling, so what can anyone say?

To start off, Momoshiro introduced Kimiko to all of the regulars so that it would be easier for Kimiko to interview them later. Momoshiro was right, they really were looking forward to meeting her.

"And lastly, our captain, Tezuka."

"Tezuka Kunimitsu, third-year," Tezuka reached his hand out for Kimiko to shake, just like the rest of his teammates.

"It's nice to finally meet you properly," As Kimiko reached her hand out, her heart felt as if it was going to burst out of her chest any moment. It was beating faster than a hummingbird's wings. "I guess now we can start with the interview." She said after shaking hands. Neither of the two had missed the fact that electricity seemed to pass through them when they touched. But obviously they kept that fact to themselves.

"Ha, I remember last year when we had to do this assignment. It wasn't restricted to just sports then. Inui got assigned to do research on ballet!" Oishi recalled, laughing as he recalled the scene of Inui entering the ballet dance studio, asking for an interview.

"Oishi!" Inui scolded, blushing. Then a light bulb went off in his head, and he continued with a sinister smile, "Are you saying that because you want to try my all new Extreme Makeover Inui Juice? It's got an all new secret ingredient inside…"

At that, everyone paled, and Eiji, who was just contemplating on whether to join in the teasing, got rid of the thought immediately.

"Ssss….. Move that thing away!" Kaidou said, disgusted.

"Ah, sorry to interrupt, but…" Kimiko said softly, feeling very out-of-place.

"Oh, sorry!" Kawamura apologized immediately, "Let's get on with the interview."

"Arigatou. First off," Kimiko started. Ready to get down to business.

As Tezuka watched Kimiko and his teammates talking happily, he wondered if he should take part as well. He was the team captain, after all.

"So, I heard you are having a friendly match with another school soon. What school is it?"

"Fudomine," Tezuka said before he could stop himself.

Kimiko was shocked for a moment. Tezuka had been really quiet throughout the interview and Kimiko had assumed he was angry at her for delaying practice. Maybe Momoshiro was wrong about Tezuka not minding.

"Ah, I see. How do you feel about this upcoming match?" Kimiko regained her composure and asked.

"I believe our team can still do a lot better and that playing a match against Fudomine will definitely bring out more talent in our players." Tezuka answered, this time even trying out a polite smile. Out of the corner of his eye, Tezuka saw Fuji smiling knowingly and decided to ignore it.

"I see…" Kimiko said. "I think I've gotten enough information. Thank you for your time." She was trying her best to keep herself composed and serious, despite the strong urge inside her to jump about and cheer. It had taken her a lot of courage the day before to talk to Tezuka, but she felt much more at ease now that he wasn't giving her the cold shoulder. She was also really glad that Tezuka didn't seem mad at her at all.

"Well, since the interview is over, I think we should start practicing." Tezuka said sternly after the regulars showed no sign of wanting to leave after the interview. Kimiko was good at socializing, he had to give her credit for that. Not a lot of people can get the attention of this bunch of jocks as well as she could. Tezuka could feel himself being drown to her as well. She had this aura about her. The aura made her stand out, but it also made people want to become her friend. If he stayed any longer in her aura, he was afraid he would start letting down his guard. So he turned around and started towards one of available courts.

Kimiko looked at Tezuka's back as he walked off. She had the feeling that Tezuka did not want to talk anymore. Funny, since he had said less than 3 sentences during the interview. But she knew that he wasn't mad. Or at least, he didn't look mad.

"Don't worry about him," Fuji approached Kimiko, "He's just very task-orientated."

"I know. Everyone, thanks so much for your time!" Kimiko said in her usual carefree tone, but somehow it still sounded very sincere. Then she seemed to remember something. "Ah, Tezuka-senpai, thank you too!" Kimiko shouted to Tezuka, who was already almost reaching the courts.

Tezuka had to admit he was truly amazed at Kimiko. He had never met a girl who could still thank him so happily after he had spoken in such a cold and detached tone. He was even a little glad. Finally, someone had dared to try to socialize with him, someone who wasn't scared off by that professional demeanor that he can't pick up enough courage to get rid of. But he could not afford to let down his guard, so he just kept on walking.

"So, what do you think of her?" Fuji walked up to Tezuka after Kimiko left. Tezuka said nothing, but Fuji knew from his expression that Tezuka had taken an interest in Kimiko.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter sucked Minor writer's block i guess. Well, anyway, I've decided to change Seigaku's opponent in the friendly match from Hyoutei to Fudomine because i just realised that in reality there would be no way that Hyoutei can have a friendly match with Seigaku without it turning serious. Hope you guys still enjoyed this =) Please review!