The Prince of Tennis Play

Disclaimer: If you think I look like Konomi-sensei, then I own Tenipuri.

Rating: G or K

Genre: Drama, slight suspense, slight humor

Pairing: None in this chapter

Warnings or notes: OOC-ness, 1000 words. Yes, this one is short of 500 words. Well, which is why it becomes 'interlude' instead of 'chapter'.

Okay, the evil blackmailing mission of Inui and Fuji is over. I think you all are looking forward to the actual play more than some pointless jokes ne? That's why I cut my story plot.

Thanks for those who reviewed and added this story into your favorites. And I apologize if I didn't reply to any of the reviews for the previous chapter.

Credits are given to Carzla for beta-reading my story. :) Do review after reading!

: Ready…Go :

Interlude – Preparations

Apparently the secretive plan was a success when both Inui and Fuji succeed in forcing the poor Ryoma and Kaidoh to agree with their terms. Privately, Fuji had given some thought about blackmailing the vice-captain and captain of their team as well. But, later he had to cancel his plans and shrug off the appealing thought. It was too much of a risk even if the genius used other methods to approach the targets.

"Is everything done?" asked Tezuka dryly on one fine morning after practice. As promised, it had been a week since the announcement and they were going to start the preparations. Beforehand, Inui and Oishi had instructed the three boys – Ryoma, Kawamura and Kaidoh, who were in charge of the backdrops, to get everything ready. Among all tasks, backdrops were the easiest and could be finished faster.

Surprisingly, the trio had managed to get the necessary materials for the backdrops without getting into a heated argument. Kaidoh had been unwilling when they were asked to shop for the items, but he complied afterwards when Inui's spectacles sparkled dangerously. Ryoma had obeyed and followed the eldest of all three, Kawamura, who was entrusted with the long list of items.

The shopping went smoothly, although there was once Kaidoh's usual grunt made an owner freaked out and immediately lowered the prices. "Ehh… Kaidoh-senpai always gets discounts. What an advantage," Ryoma commented with his famous mocking smirk. His comment was replied by Kaidoh's annoyed hiss. Due to a senior's presence, the snakelike junior only glared at the arrogant freshman.

Although they had yet to set up the backdrops, they had done their share and would only need to focus on practices in the future. The setting was handed to the juniors and freshmen. 'Finally…' was a shared thought among the trio.

As for the script, both Inui and Oishi had done editing the parts and a certain inappropriate scene. Their burdens were the heaviest because they were still the directors, which meant they had to control a whole bunch of troublesome actors when they had to act as well. Oishi had questioned Tezuka why he did not take up such important role when he was the most suitable person for it. The other only explained he might be a great leader for a tennis team, but that did not mean he was a good director naturally.

Fuji, Eiji and the second-year Momoshiro were in charge of costumes. Their jobs were the hardest, judging by the situation the other regulars were in. Sure, they knew which classic story they had chosen to perform, but the roles were still undecided. Seeing all of them were of different sizes, they could not just simply find clothes. Therefore, they decided to continue their given task only after the roles were decided.

Eiji, however, did not tell the others that the sadistic best friend of his had nearly dragged him to a lingerie shop. Fuji had brilliantly suggested a C cup pink-laced bra with teddy bears for Ryoma and said the younger prodigy would need one to make him more ladylike on stage. Seriously, the acrobatic player was wondering why prodigies had unusual tastes. They only made themselves all the scarier.

"All right then. Oishi. Inui," Tezuka listened to the reports and finally decided to let the duo be fully in charge. Upon hearing their names, the spiky haired boy and the vice-captain stood up with bundles of paper in their hands. It appeared to be the edited scripts as they handed everyone a copy.

"I've yet to assign the roles," Inui was the first to speak. "Since Tezuka required us to have an audition first, Oishi decided to fill in the roles randomly. Complain and you'll be the first person to taste my newly invented Inui juice," the bespectacled boy threatened as he showed them a jug of deadly liquid with a dangerous smirk.

Everyone else was backing away from the deadly odor of the juice, apart from the expressionless Tezuka and of course, Fuji. The others did not even bother to ask Inui for his new creation's name. When they saw the temporary roles they were assigned to for the audition, however, several eyebrows were raised. But the rebellious thoughts were banished instantly when Inui threatened them with his juice.

"Each of you has a different script. I highlighted the necessary dialogues for everyone, so you only have to memorize those during the audition. It's not much," Inui's voice stated monotonously. The others merely nodded. Apparently, they could not get their minds off the dangerous cup of juice he was still holding in his hand.

Fuji's smile widened for a short moment when his sapphire eyes fell on the randomly selected names for each role. 'I should bring my camera on that day,' he thought silently. "When is the audition?" the smiling boy asked.

"Next Saturday afternoon in the school hall, if it's okay with everyone," Oishi was the one who answered the question. Everyone looked doubtful for a while before they nodded. Tezuka knew that next Saturday, he would surely have to bring his aspirins.

The meeting went proceeded without any disruption from anyone, to which their team captain was more than grateful for. Although there was an occasional whine or two, but at least everyone had been controlling their tempers very well and had refrained from starting a war of words. Tezuka was thankful that Inui's juices were not merely destructive; they held their purpose of maintaining peace too.

So far, only three people looked forward to the next weekend. The others? They felt like they were waiting for their executions after they saw their own roles.

Soon, the meeting had come to an end and all of them went back home. On his way home, Fuji was humming his favorite song cheerfully. "Time for some entertainment," he murmured to himself.

On the other hand, the team's trusted captain could only silently wish that hell would not break loose come Saturday.

: To be continued :