Wow! A new chapter again? I'm sure you must be wondering how I'm able to get chapters out so quickly.
Part of it has to do with me doing a lot of this during my downtime at work, but it's also because I'm enjoying writing this story a lot. And the reviews really help, they're inspiring me to expand this story to be more than the small prequel focusing on Takaharu and Omiko that I first intended.
More reviews, more chapters. Keep it up! I love the feedback.
- KILL AVANT KILL -
EPISODE 4: THE GIRL IS MINE
It was so strange, Omiko thought, that the week had just completely turned on its head not long after her little talk with Takaharu.
For one, she was in a better mood. But on top of that better mood, the Girls' Tennis Club was beginning to show promising signs of success. And those signs were right in front of Omiko at this very moment, trying their best to look brave and ready for anything.
The twin-tailed blonde watched eagerly as the new batch of girls gathered on this sunny Thursday afternoon. As the twin-tailed blonde held her tennis racket in hand, she could sense the completely different aura coming from these prospective girls. Omiko smiled in sanctification as the group of girls lined up, with all the dedication of a military unit.
"We're here to serve, Hakodate-sempai!" the No-Star girls declared in unison, hands behind their backs as they stood at the ready.
The sharp-toothed Club President chuckled in response. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but let me tell you, today's going to be no walk in the park. I've learned from my mistakes yesterday with those crybabies.
"We're not afraid." one of the No-Star girls in front declared, straightening her cap as if to show Omiko just how serious she really was.
Omiko grinned through her teeth. She liked this enthusiasm quite a bit.
Of course, Omiko knew that she was going to enjoy testing the limits of this enthusiasm even more.
"Alright." Omiko replied, before making her way over to a small control panel situated just off side of the tennis court. Omiko flipped up the glass covering, glaring right at the newbloods with a sharp-toothed grin as she poised her finger over the button.
"Let me show you what being a real tennis player means. You can thank the Obstacle Course Construction Club for this special treat." Omiko said in a very devious tone of voice, before she pressed down on the blue button.
At first, nothing seemed to happen, and the No-Star girls looked on in confusion as Omiko kept smiling, her finger still held down on the button.
A moment later, and the entire tennis court began to rumble violently. It felt as if an earthquake had just hit Honnoji Academy as the girls began to lose their balance. They could only look on in amazement as the entire tennis court began to slowly split in the middle, slowly opening like some sort of gigantic hangar bay.
From the cavernous depths, the masterpiece of the Obstacle Course Construction Club was revealed. What rose from the ground was a towering, resplendent structure, but one equipped with all manner of dangerous, tennis-based training devices. Huge, segmented plates wrapped around posts surrounding the entire area, their purpose being to reflect tennis ball back to their server.
Meanwhile, tall and imposing turrets scanned the environment, searching for unaware players in which to lock-on to and assault with a torrent of tennis balls. Scattered around the entire platform were barbed, glowing red tennis nets, which seemed to move with malign intelligence as they waited for unsuspecting players whom they could entrap within their spiky grasp.
When the platform finally stopped rising, the students looked on in awe at the course before them, clearly meant to train aspiring tennis players in the most dangerous ways possible. The entire training platform glowed with ruby-red light, much to Omiko's satisfaction as she looked up at it in all its splendor.
The twin-tailed blonde turned towards the stunned students. Flashing her teeth, she raised her arms into the air as she presented the tennis training platform for all to see.
"Welcome, one and all," she said, her tone clearly ecstatic, "to Tennis Tartarus!"
For added effect, gouts of fire shot up from flamethrowers installed into the floor of the Tennis Tartarus upon Omiko's exclamation. The sharp-toothed girl smiled as she saw the sudden, nervous looks upon the No-Stars, and her own suddenly demonic visage, supported by the fire behind her, wasn't helping their nerves ones bit.
Today was going to be very rewarding indeed.
In the ominous lighting of the Student Council's meeting room, high above the rest of Honnoji Academy, the Four Devas waited for their beloved Lady Satsuki to finish with her daily ritual of a long, cleansing shower.
Of all of the members of the Student Council, Sanageyama was the most visibly impatient. His eyes scanned all around the room, anxious to spot any sight of Satuki emerging in her bathrobe.
This kind of thing was nothing new. Gamagoori himself was most aware of the kendo master's lack of discipline in matters like this. It amazed Gamagoori to no end, that Sanageyama was able to be so focused and so diligent when it came to the art of sword-fighting, but there were so many other things that the boy just didn't want to make time for.
Jakazure simply saw Sanageyama as the same fidgety monkey she remembered when Satsuki first approached them all about her dream of creating Honnoji Academy. It did sometimes boggle her mind just that the boy couldn't be as focused on some things as focused as he was on the art of the sword.
For the last of the Elite Four, Sanageyama's personality flaws were of little concern. Of course, Inumuta kept them in his records, but he seldom thought about them. Still, those records did note that Sanageyama, despite his inherent skills and masterful insights, was still a bit immature and retained aspects from his personality from his bancho days long ago.
For another five minutes, the Elite Four waited in utter silence, as Gamagoori often preferred. But despite the Disciplinary Chair's expectations, Sangeyama could not remain silent any longer, stretching as he stood up from his seat.
"Alright. I've had enough sitting idle. Inumuta, I need your assistance." Sanageyama declared, causing Inumuta to stop typing for a brief moment and raise a questioning eyebrow.
"For...what, exactly?" the blue-haired boy asked, before pushing his glasses up with two fingers.
"I need you to tap into the Academy's security cameras." Sanageyama said as he stood behind Inumuta, hand over his chin as he contemplated what he was about to see. "Particularly the ones right outside the tennis court."
"What could be so important that you need to interrupt this silence, Sanageyama? I strive to discipline myself in these calm moments." Gamagoori questioned, but the kendo master didn't even turn his gaze as he replied.
"I need to see if the seeds I've planted have bore fruit. You can understand that."
Sanageyama watched with a smile as Inumuta pulled up the security camera to the tennis court, revealing the chaos that was occurring as Omiko Hakodate simultaneously put her new members and the Tennis Tartarus to the test. As Inumuta and Sanageyama watched, they could see the sight of No-Star girls attempting to navigate through the maze of tennis-based deathtraps while attempting to keep their tennis ball, and themselves, in one piece.
"What a marvelous piece of architecture." Inumuta, commented, fixing his glasses again as he focused the camera in closer. Sanageyama made a satisfied smile at the sound of one No-Star girl screaming in terror, as she attempted to outrun the concentrated machine-gun fire of one of the multiple tennis ball turrets, only to fail quite miserably.
"Definitely. The Obstacle Course Construction Club has defied expectations." Sanageyama said with a grin. "I understand that prospective members are supposed to make it through with their tennis ball in-hand and intact. Hopefully Hakodate has at least one member by the end of this."
Their attentions focused on the video feed in front of them, both Sanageyama and Inumuta failed to notice the growing look of annoyance on Jakazure's face. She had a tendency to hate being left out of things.
So naturally, she was quick to butt in and block Inumuta, "Hey! What are you dogs looking at over there?"
But upon finding out exactly what they were watching, she quickly became disappointed.
"Ugh, you animals have no taste. That thing looks tacky and unwieldy." Jakazure commented, making no effort to show even fake sympathy as one of the poor No-Star Girls struggled to escape from the barbed grip of the red nets, yelping in embarrassment as their clothes were torn to pieces in the process.
"Who cares about its fashion sense." Sanageyama stated, crossing his arms in satisfaction. "What's important is that it works! Only the best of the best will be found through this test of endurance. I don't see your Gardening Club weeding out its weaker members like this, Jakazure."
The pink-haired girl simply crossed her arms and pouted, having no real response to that question. At this point, with the rest of the Four Devas behind Inumuta, even Gamagoori couldn't resist but see what was going on. As he made his way right behind Sanageyama, his eyes widened at the sight on an explosion onscreen, which sent a dozen No-Star Girls flying in all directions.
Following the explosion was none other than Omiko's devilish laughter, which seemed to perk up Sanageyama quite a bit.
"Sounds like quite the session." a commanding, yet subtle voice said. Somehow, Satsuki had arrived unseen, in her bathrobe and sipping on tea as she watched from her seat at the gathering of Elite Four.
"S-Satuski-Sama! Forgive us for our rudeness!" Gamagoori said instantly, while Jakazure simply snickered beside him.
"It's all fine, Ira. I was just admiring the Obstacle Course Construction Club's work." Satsuki said, a rare smile appearing on her usual stern face. "Hakodate looks very promising. I'm pleased with your results, Uzu."
Upon hearing those words, Uzu Sanageyama's face became aglow with happiness. He went so far as to bow to Satsuki, clearly ecstatic in his words.
"Thank you, Satsuki-sama! I will be sure to tell her that myself!"
Somehow, Omiko actually had people to address when all was said and done.
After that long, arduous hour, about six of the three dozen girls remained. The others had either ran, walked, limped or crawled away, and that was if they had even survived the Tennis Tartarus in the first place.
But as for these remaining six, Omiko felt satisfied. They made it through with their balls intact, a thought which made Omiko snicker, if only a little.
"You all made it in one piece. So, congratulations, and welcome to the Girls' Tennis Club." she announced to them, her tone of voice quite happy despite having witnessed so much carnage before.
"However," she continued, not finished just yet even as she listened to labored breathing of the survivors, "Let it be known that all those who intend on joining this club will all be expected to go through Tennis Tartarus. No exceptions."
Omiko narrowed her eyes. She had to make sure this last part particularly sunk in.
"And one more thing. If I ever hear anyone of you say anything about my teeth, then I'll let loose a 90 Thousand Cannonball Serve before on you before you can even draw your last breath."
A flash of her teeth, and that was all Omiko needed to get her point across. The No-Stars nodded in understanding before they finally got around to tending to their wounds.
"Looking good, Hakodate." none other than Sanageyama said as he approached Omiko from afar, hands in his jacket pockets and a relatively carefree look on his face.
Having caught her completely by surprise, the twin-tailed blonde found herself at a loss for words as the Elite Four member approached. She managed to snap out a few words before he got too close though.
"Get out of my sight." she practically barked to the survivor No-Stars, and they easily obliged. But when Sanageyama was finally within earshot, her expression changed to a pleasant smile as she waved towards them.
"See you all tomorrow! Great work! What a great first day!"
But as expected, Sanageyama just laughed as he quickly saw through her ruse. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he shocked her again with nothing more than his touch, though she was quick to pass it off the sensation as she listened to him speak.
"You can cut the act, Hakodate. I'm already impressed enough." he told her, and Omiko almost had to turn away to hide the redness on her face, before replying with as much confidence as she could muster.
"I...I aim to please, Sanageyama-sempai. And I promise you that this is only one step in my eventual goal of winning a One-Star Uniform." she reassured him, to which Sanageyama just laughed.
"Of course. I have to tell you, Hakodate: Satsuki-sama herself was personally impressed with your performance today. That's quite the feat, to impress her. You should be proud of yourself." he told her, and in response, Omiko could only get down on one knee as she felt suddenly humbled by everything she had just been told. She nearly lost her breath at the very thought that a goddess like Satsuki was impressed by her measly accomplishments.
"With all respect, sempai, I owe it to your encouragement." Omiko admitted, to which Sanageyama replied with a friendly laugh.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but you should give yourself a little more credit, Hakodate. I know potential when I see it."
Omiko nodded as she stood up, taking a brief moment to admire the Elite Four member before her. In fact, she was so lost in his golden smile, that she practically had to shake herself out of a daze. But Sanageyama himself seemed not to notice it, or chose not to care, putting a friendly hand on the girl's shoulder again.
"Keep this up, and you'll be way past Fukoroda before he even knows what hit him. Speaking of which, I might as well go see how his club's faring."
Omiko smiled again, clearly happy beyond words. "Oh, forgive me. I don't want to keep you."
"It's fine." Sanageyama assured her, before his expression changed to one that almost made Omiko's heart melt. "And enough with calling me your sempai. I've never really been one to enjoy cheesy titles."
Omiko's face flushed again, and she pulled down her cap to hide her embarrassment.
"What...should I call you then?"
It seemed to take Sanageyama a moment to think it over, but his smile was just as carefree when he said those words. Words that a No-Star like Omiko never thought she would hear in a million years from one of the Four Devas.
"I guess Uzu is alright. It is my boring first name after all."
For Omiko, the walk home was like wading through a thick fog.
Time slowed to a crawl, and nothing really seemed to matter, even as she allowed Takaharu to talk his head off about Sanageyama's visit to today's Boxing Club. Her heart had been pounding in her chest from the moment that Uzu Sanageyama had left her in the tennis court.
"So you know what he did?" Takaharu asked the twin-tailed blonde, clearly unaware of her state of mind.
She didn't respond, but Takaharu kept talking anyway, too excited with the day's developments.
"He challenged ME to a boxing match! And let me tell you, it was some match. I'm pretty sure he was pulling his punches though."
Omiko just stared straight ahead as Takaharu continued to speak, so lost in thought she could barely hear him. All she could see was Sanageyama's face, and remembering that smile of his made her heart flutter.
"I mean, I told him that I was still working on membership, so that's why it was just us. But I swear to you, Omiko, when we fought, I could hear the audience cheering. It was unreal. It was like he was Ivan Drago and I was R-"
Finally, Takaharu stopped his chattering, as he saw that Omiko had stopped on the sidewalk, her eyes focused ahead. Realizing that she had been quiet all this time, he waved his hand in front of her eyes, wondering what kind of trance had overtaken her.
"Uh, hello? Is anyone there?" he asked, but Omiko still didn't respond.
"If it's a concussion, I know just what will help. I get them all the time." Takaharu suggested, but still, Omiko remained silent and still.
After another ten seconds, Takaharu seemed unable to understand what was bothering her.
"Omiko! What is the problem? Why won't you say something?" he asked in desperation, and finally, she blinked. The conclusion came to her like a ton of bricks.
"I...I think I just realized something, Takaharu-kun." she said, her tone of voice quiet.
The boxer was clearly confused. "What? What did you realize?"
It was at this point that Omiko's face began to flush a very noticeable pink. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come out.
"I..." she began, before she willed herself to speak louder.
"...I think I have feelings for Uzu." she finally admitted, clearly uncomfortable as she allowed those words to escape her mouth.
At first, Takaharu didn't really understand what had been said.
A few seconds later though, and a mind that had been victim to innumerable concussions finally processed her statement, as he realized that Uzu was indeed none other than Sanageyama's first name.
Takaharu's mouth dropped comically, his voice full of utter disbelief as he exclaimed at the top of his lungs.
"WHAT?!"
And the plot thickens, as even Omiko is not immune to the charms of the kendo master of the Four Devas. But what about poor Takaharu? Only time can tell.
Also, for those who've seen episode 23, there's a small little scene with Omiko and Takaharu which I feel makes this story officially canon. You'll know what I'm talking about. :D