Take One
Summary: After winning consecutive tournaments, the princess of tennis disappears from the American media only to reappear in Japan to find new opponents.
Chapter III: A Flower Amongst Thorns
RINNNGGG!
RIIIINNGGG!
RIIINNNGGG!
"Ryoma-san—?"
THUD!
A hand smashed onto the noisy alarm clock, grabbing it by the top and pushing it down to the surface of the nightstand. Golden eyes fluttered open irritably, fixating her vision only to come in contact with curious bright blue eyes.
"Ryoma-san, you should get up." Her cousin's voice from the entrance to her room said.
She ignored her, closing her eyes, wrapping her arms around the fluffy creature beside her and snuggled, protesting with a small mumble.
"Ten more minutes...Karupin…"
"Meoow."
Karupin nudged his owner's cheeks with his paw as if protesting for her about going back to sleep. By the door, Nanako watched, amused and thought how cute her little cousin was when half-awake.
After all, she knows that the pre-teen always puts on a cool and snarky attitude— partly thanks to growing up in the western culture. Seeing the girl having troubles staying awake was not really a surprise to the older girl, it was well known in the family that the girl has had difficulties waking up early in the morning.
However, as much as she would feel entertained to take pictures of her cute cousin, Nanako knew she had to wake up the girl.
Although slightly guilty for disturbing her sleep, Nanako pursued on waking her up by nudging her. "Ryoma-san, if you don't wake up now, you'll be late for school."
The younger girl stirred in her sleep.
"Ngh….eight more minutes."
Nanako sighed, "No more, It's already quarter to seven— if you must know."
Ryoma's ear twitched and her eyes opened, sitting up abruptly all at once, surprising her cat who jumped off the bed on reflex.
"What?!" She exclaims, eyes veering towards her electric alarm clock.
"Nanako-nee, why didn't you wake me up sooner?!"
Nanako blinks, albeit surprised at the flustered teen before her. It was rather uncharacteristic to see the stoic girl like such.
"But I did." She innocently replied.
"Ughh nevermind, I need to get ready or I'll be really late." Ryoma groaned, kicking off her blanket aside and jogged to the bathroom.
"Ryoma dear! Wake up!" Her mother's voice called from kitchen.
"I'm up mom, I'm up!" She replies with the same language. Her mother and her always spoke in English, aside if it involved her father who wasn't as fluent as they were despite living in America for already twelve long years; her father preferred to speak in his mother tongue.
"Hurry! I made breakfast already!"
"I'll be down in a few!"
And that was how her third day of school began…
Seishun Gakuen
Gates
Amongst the crowd of students walking along the road in intent to reach their destination, a group consisting of six boys flocked into a circle, seemingly to be in a deep discussion of sorts considering the combination of serious and thoughtful looks marring on their faces.
"Ne, did you hear? Momo-chan said there was a freshman that beat our club members!" The redhead with a gravity defying hair exclaimed, excitement evident in his dark eyes.
"Aa, about that— I heard from Momo as well." A handsome brunette sporting a gentle smile chuckled.
"Same, it seems like there was a girl who defeated our club a few days ago." Says another boy, green eyes staring at the stoic boy beside him.
"A girl?"
"Ffshhuu…." One boy hissed, "Those pathetic morons...losing to a girl…what a disgrace." He growled.
"I'll have to teach them a lesson." The boy finished with a menacing hiss.
"Maa maa, Kaidoh— if she defeated everyone, that just goes she's more skilled than our members!" Piped the redhead, earning a 'che' from the thuggish-looking boy.
"Or our members are just slackers, senpai." Kaidoh retorted.
"Either way, I don't think it would matter." The tall boy with opaque white glasses pushed the rim on his nose, keeping a stiff stance.
"Hua, why?" The redhead blinked at his fellow senior.
"Kikumaru, she's a girl— you know what that means right?" The bubbly redhead blinks, scratching his bandaged cheek in wonder.
"What Inui means is that she wouldn't even be a member of our club, Eiji." The black haired boy pointed out.
"Hueh!" Kikumaru looked crestfallen, "Oh yeah! Nya, that's such a waste."
"Mah, I think we shouldn't mull over it then." The smiling brunette suggested.
"Aa, let's go or we'll be late for class." Says the stoic one.
"Sou ne."
As the boys dispersed from their circle, they neared the gates. Just then, someone bumped onto the honey haired brunette, almost knocking her off balance but the redhead, Kikumaru supported her quickly from the back— her white cap tipped off her head revealing long dark locks that shone emerald under the bright sunlight of the sun.
"Oi, you alright?" Kikumaru asked the freshman, judging by her stature and height.
The girl merely grunted in response, bending down to pick up the fallen cap from the ground, putting it back on her head. She glanced at them with her impassive golden orbs only to hear a quiet word of gratitude from her before taking off and disappearing into the school gates.
"Hueh…." Kikumaru blinked, registering what happened.
Curious cerulean eyes slipped open to stare where the girl disappeared off to, as he found it interesting to witness the girl's display of nonchalance. She didn't even apologize for bumping into him— not that he really demanded it; it was just more of an afterthought.
"Was she...carrying a tennis bag?" Kikumaru's quizzical tone brought him out of his reverie before closing his eyes and smiled once more.
"I believe it was."
"But still— that freshman has no respect!" Kaidoh growled from behind. "Bumping into Fuji-senpai without even uttering an apology."
"Maa, let her be Kaidoh." The glassed boy says, "The probability of her being in a haste and forgot to apologize is 75.35%."
"Che!"
The school bell chimed, alerting the boys who then quickly jogged to the gates; afraid of being locked outside and being late for attendance, they just can't afford any of those after being away for a few days from their training camp.
Midday came and Echizen Ryoma opened her eyes, disrupted from her sleep by her own Science professor staring down at her exasperatedly with a book in hand. She rubbed her eyes and stared at him blankly without a word and he sighed.
"Echizen, may I remind you that it is not recommended to sleep during class?" He chastised.
Ryoma yawned and stretched her limbs.
"Hai…" she drawls.
This action irked her professor at the devil-may-care attitude shown before him. Eyebrow twitching, he grinned deviously at her.
"Alright then, since you're so confident— could you answer the question in page fifteen, chapter three?"
Ryoma blinks once again before flipping her book open, searching for the said question. Her eyes landed on a list of questionnaire under the chapter three topic.
Reading it briefly, catching a few keywords in the text, she stood up from her seat and recited her answer.
"The earth's atmosphere is divided into five layers. Exosphere , Thermosphere, Mesosphere, stratosphere, and the troposphere and there are four main types of gases in our planet's atmosphere." She began, closing her book.
"Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Argon and Oxygen. Although there are traces of small gases that contain also Neon, Helium, Methane, Water Vapor and also Hydrogen. The question consists of which gas is more or less dominant in the atmosphere— that would be the Nitrogen. By consisting of about 78.08% of dry air compared to oxygen that amounts to about 20.95% then comes after 0.93% of Argon and lastly; 0.04% of carbon dioxide." She finished it with her usual bored expression, ignoring the awestruck looks of her classmates; especially the fawning boys.
"Is that enough, sensei?" She yawns once again, slipping her left hand into her skirt pocket and rubbed the back of her neck. Her lashes fluttered as she bore her golden eyes into his surprised black ones.
"I could answer more if you'd like."
"N-no, It's fine. You may sit down, Echizen." He stammered.
"Right." She muttered, sitting down. 'Too easy.'
"So cool…" she heard someone mumble in awe. Ryoma just sighs inwardly, leaning into the table using her arm and elbow for support as she rested her chin on her palm.
She looks outside, her gaze fixated on the pink blossoms fluttering about along the breeze. Everyone's voice being slowly tuned out as her mind wandered off.
Pink was hideous. She hated pink. But then, she decided there was an exception.
Cherry Blossom trees were beautiful and it was probably the only form of pink she will ever grow to appreciate.
Before she knew it, class had ended in a blink of an eye. She was broken out of her trance as two familiar voices boomed in the classroom, and then a glomp from a megaphone in human form.
"kyaaaa! Ryoma-chan, you're so coool!" Says the megaphone.
Ryoma grunted, trying to keep her balance as she gave them a pointed look.
"Damn, Echizen you really showed Tsukino-sensei earlier!" Says the monkey behind her.
"Ryoma-chan, have lunch with us at the cafeteria!" Osakada Tomoka grinned enthusiastically, Ryoma mentally reminded herself of the girl's name.
"Ah yes, Echizen-chan, join us." Says the timid girl in braids named….whoever she was…
Thinking that a nap at the rooftop would be a better choice since she literally forgot about her bento due to the fact she was in haste this morning; she says,
"I don't have lunch with me."
"Then I'll treat you! I made a lot for myself anyway, help yourself!" Tomoka clasped her hands in glee.
"Ah...but…" Before she could decline; the loudmouthed girl already dragged her outside the classroom, so she decided to let her be.
"Kueeehh! So Echizen, do you plan to join the tennis club?" Horio asked, walking beside her— assuming already that he was implying the girl's team.
Ryoma blinks at him, her pace steadying as Tomoka slowed down and released her wrist. She nods,
"Aa."
"Man! I feel sorry for you, you're great and all but I heard Seigaku's girls' tennis haven't been quite good for the past five years!" He says loudly.
She didn't really feel the need to clarify the fact that she wasn't in any time soon going to be affiliated with the female's tennis, so Ryoma stayed mum as she watches both loudmouths Tomoka and argue over the fact that Horio insulted girls and that Ryoma would "lead the girls to victory" in the Nationals with her skills.
She tuned them out, finding it quite loud and honestly; a part of her wished to blend outside of the loud group she was in while the timid girl beside her was merely flustered and tried to tone down her friend's voice.
Growl.
Her stomach then gained her attention. Rubbing her belly, on coincidence, they were beside the bakery. Ah yes, she had change. On autopilot, her eyes landed on the lone chocolate croissant left in the tray and grabbed for it. By the time her hand grabbed the left end of the bread, a bigger hand appeared from her peripheral view at the same time.
Her eyes automatically glared at the owner, only to find surprised cerulean orbs linked with hers. For a second she thought, it was the most captivating hue she has seen compared to the blue-eyed blondes she ignored back in Los Angeles.
Even if she wasn't one to worry about such trivial things due to the fact her affection merely revolved around Japanese cuisine, Karupin and Tennis; she wasn't dull to a point she would ignore descriptive things such as colours. But that thought was just as important as a fly passing by, so she narrows her eyes.
His eyes closed and the older boy chuckled at her action. Instead of going for her croissant, he took a meatbun instead and walked away to the counter. With a satisfied smug, Ryoma grabbed her bread just in time when her three companions noticed her lagging behind and paid for it.
"Hueh, Fujiko— isn't that the ochibi from earlier this morning?" Fuji nods, smiling at his hyperactive friend.
"Un."
Kikumaru's eyes landed on his meatbun. "I thought you were getting your favourite?"
Fuji smiled sheepishly, "Well...about that, she looked adamant about getting it." Chuckle.
"Ehhh." Kikumaru exclaimed. "Well wow, didn't think you'd give it up that quick."
"If it was a year ago, then probably I wouldn't have." Fuji opened the wrapper and bit onto his meatbun as they headed to the rooftop.
"But considering I am dealing with a freshman—although as cheeky as she might be— I have to act as a proper senpai." He laughs, earning a a grin from Kikumaru.
"You're right." The redhead intertwined his fingers behind his head. "Still, that girl is one bold freshman eh?" He added.
"A first I've seen someone not affected by your charm." Kikumaru sent him a sly look then laughed.
"Don't even mention it, Eiji." Fuji shrugged, "It's not like I care."
"Just saying, just saying."
"Furthermore, things like those come in time. As of the moment, let's work hard and focus on practice to get to the Nationals." Fuji says nonchalantly. "It's our last year."
This time Kikumaru's happy-go-lucky face turned serious.
"That's true, this will be our last chance."
"Aa."
School Grounds
The chimes of the school bell indicated the end of the day. It was three o'clock in the afternoon and students buzzed around, shuffling and heading to their respective clubs. She separated from her classmates, mainly; Tomoka, Horio and that other girl so that she won't be late for the first club activity. After changing in the girl's restroom in her usual white-red striped shirt and black shorts, accompanied by her cap; covering her dark hair which was tied up in a ponytail— Ryoma stalks off outside to the grounds, finding her way to the tennis courts using her hearing.
Upon arriving, she rests her bag on the bench inside the courts; slowly gaining attention from the occupants which she brazenly paid no mind.
"Oi, girls are on the other side." Someone said.
"Oh— Echizen?" The same voice. It was Horio.
"Ah, Echizen-chan!" Greeted the two from a few days back whom of course she forgotten already.
"Who're you?" She asked the two boys.
"Ehh, you don't remember us?!" The two boys exclaimed simultaneously as she innocently gazed at them under the brim of her cap.
"Anyway, Echizen, why are you here?" Horio motioned at the courts.
"Why...to practice…" she flatlined.
"This is the boys' tennis club," he replied, pointing to another direction, "the girls' are on the other side."
"Ah."
"Geez, you even got that mixed up?" Horio crossed his arms across his chest, looking at her confusingly.
"But, I'm not part of the girls' club."
"Oi, oi— what are you doing here?" A guy wearing a headband around his forehead seethed.
Ryoma stares at him for awhile...
"Who are you?"
The older boy turned to statue, had he been that insignificant to a point this girl forgot him?! Behind him, his friends snickered, pulling him out of his shock.
"You! You don't even remember me?!" He clenched his fists.
"Nope." The girl turns to fish out her racquet, putting it against the bench.
"Ne, Horio."
"I'm Arai Masashi—"
"Yeah?" Horio turns his attention to her.
"Are we doing swings or laps first?"
"—Oi! Listen when someone is talking!"
"Five laps, the schedule says and then a hundred swings."
"''Kay." She then took off, completely acting as if Arai didn't even exist.
"Bwahahah! Arai, she completely ignored you!" One of his friends commented, snickering behind his hand.
"Shut up!" He retorted.
"But that was funny though," the other one breathes out between laughs.
"Damn that girl!" Arai muttered under his breath. "Why is she here anyway? This is the boys' club!"
"She must be confusing the places." Says his friend.
"Tsk!" Arai glared at them. Slowly his eyes shifted towards Ryoma's bag and a cunning smirk curled up his lips.
"That girl is too arrogant for her own good, she doesn't belong here and we'll have to teach her ourselves." Arai mumbled, motioning for his friends to come closer.
"Lend me your ears."
Ten minutes later, Ryoma finished her laps. The girl sighs in relief at the feeling of her muscles warming up, feeling a tinge of satisfaction washing through her at the thought of finally holding her racquet and begin the stroke exercises then perhaps if she was lucky enough; allowed to play in the courts.
Jogging back into the court, she looks at the empty spot on the bench where she swore she left her bag on. She searched around the court, wondering if she had mixed up the area but concluded that she probably was at the right spot.
"Oi, Echizen— come and join us now." Horio called out from the line of freshmen practicing their strokes simultaneously.
"Yeah," she nods, still peering across the court hoping to see her bag.
"Horio, have you seen my bag?" She asked.
"Eh?" Horio blinked and paused; his eyes landing on the empty spot.
"Ah...it was just there a few minutes ago."
Ryoma hummed, a bit irritated that her bag was missing. She glanced at her confused classmate then turns around to the source of the jeering voice behind her only to see the same boy from earlier with his lackeys.
"What's this? Not even planning to do the basics now are we?" The tanned boy sneered with a smug smirk.
"Here you go." The redhead behind him grinned, throwing a run-down wooden racquet at her feet.
"Since you're so confident that you don't even have to do the basics, have a match with me...you wouldn't want your precious racquets gone would you?" The last sentence finally irked her.
Knowing that they plotted against her and hidden her bag somewhere; she picks up the old racquet, adjusting her fila cap.
"Fine."
Arai clenched his jaw, unnerved at the fact that the girl stayed calm under the circumstances she was in. She really planned to take him on with that piece of garbage.
But he wasn't going to back down. It was impossible to play with that piece of crap. Silently moving across her, Arai picks up a ball.
'I'll shut you up with this.'
Outside the courts, second years whispered to themselves when they noticed the regular team arriving. Fuji stared at the center of attention with interest, placing a hand on the team's vice-captain's shoulder upon seeing his concerned expression.
"Wait, Oishi." He says curtly.
"Why? We need to stop them, and what is Arai doing— having a match with a girl?" Oishi questioned him.
"This isn't a good example, Fuji," He added sternly. "And what is she even doing here?"
Fuji smiled, "I know, but I'm curious."
"I think she's the girl Momo was talking about." Kikumaru smirked, watching the girl fail another return due to the racquet.
"Still— "
"Oishi," Fuji interrupted, "Let's watch."
Perplexed, he knew that when the tensai made up his mind, there was no going back to it. That smile alone signalled he was adamant on watching this scene till the end and he could do nothing about it.
"Maa, maa, Oishi— relax!" His partner patted his back.
BOINK!
"Hnmmm…" Fuji hummed, chin trapped between index and thumb. "With that gut it won't work…" he analyzed.
"Yeah, she should add more rotation to her tor—ah—" Kikumaru pauses, cutting his sentence when the girl successfully hit the ball in Arai's side of the court.
"Wow, she figured it out." Their power player, Kawamura Takashi commented.
"Ii data…" Inui muttered.
"Heh~" Fuji held a small grin. This girl was indeed interesting, he could see potential in her. After all, figuring at that racquet's mechanics wouldn't be done by your average run-in-the-mill player.
This girl knows her stuff.
"U-uso! Did she just hit a twist?!" Kikumaru exclaimed, grabbing onto the wiring.
"A-Aa...That definitely was a Twist Serve…" Inui muttered, surprised.
"So she can even hit a Twist with that racquet eh?" His eyes opened, staring at her dissatisfied look.
"Che...not sharp enough." They heard her mutter.
"Oii, senpai!" The regulars turns to the overly familiar voice that only belonged to Seigaku's rascal.
"Oh, Momo!" Oishi uttered, greeting the boy with a nod.
"Sorry I'm late, got held up with cleaning duty." He sent them an apologetic look.
"It's fine, besides…" Momoshiro followed their gazes and landed on the girl at the court. His purple eyes widened in recognition.
"Eh, she's playing a match— plus with Arai again?" He mumbled to himself, amusement evident in his tone before shaking his head in disapproval.
"That guy never learns, he just doesn't."
She hit another twist, this time the ball bounced sharper than before. Whispers and gasps of awe filled the court as she held the last ball in her hand with a smirk.
"The last ball." She mutters, hitting another twist. The ball flew past Arai's face, dangerously close.
"This match is over." Fuji smiled as they leered over the scene. The girl stopped in front the net, her eyes cold as ice.
"Where's my bag." She asks, her voice cold as her gaze.
Arai trembled nervously under the girl's intense gaze, fearing for his life. He swore he saw black aura surrounding her. He quickly answered her between stutters that he hid it in the clubhouse and scampers away to gain space between them.
"Ah sou." She muttered quietly, walking off the courts— she was greeted by the three boys she was acquainted with.
"Echizen, how the heck did you manage to play with that old racquet?!" Horio questioned in amazement as Kachiro and Katsuo nods in agreement.
She didn't answer them.
"What are you all slacking off about!" A deep voice bellowed across the area.
Everyone who knew who it was froze and turned their attention to the entrance, bowing simultaneously and chorused.
"Cheers!"
Ryoma takes off her cap and brushed away her hair, turning to the new arrivals as well and saw a group of boys to which she perceived to be the regulars of the club. She noted at the side that coach Ryuzaki was present as well.
"T-The regulars!" Horio declared, eyes shining in utter admiration at the boys in uniform.
She studied them, her attention turning to a grinning redhead with an air around him that screamed buoyant especially when he hung his arm around another boy with a fade military cut hair and green eyes who just smiled at everyone. Next was a timid looking boy but he had well defined stature along with an intimidating one with a green bandana over his head, lanky limbs and had a signature hiss.
Her eyes then shifted to a rather tall individual, dark hair and opaque glasses adorned his face, then she paused at the next one. The moment her eyes landed on the honey haired boy, she briefly recalled him at the cafeteria earlier.
Lastly, the boy with an imposing and authoritative atmosphere caught her eyes. She had an inkling feeling that the stoic boy was the captain of this team. Ryoma was...captivated in a way.
He caught her interest.
'He's strong…' she thought. There was a sense of feeling inside her that she just knew this boy was a force to be reckoned with.
"Oh, Ryoma, you're here already!" Ryuzaki's voice rung out; surprising everyone except the stoic captain.
Ryoma snaps out of her thoughts and nods at the old lady as a greeting.
"I thought I told you to meet me at the faculty room so I can walk you here?" The coach sighs, crossing her arms.
"Getting into trouble I see?" She stated rather than questioned. She had arrived long enough to see the young girl finish Arai off with a twist serve.
Smirking, she approaches the old woman with the old racquet and handed it to her.
"I was warming up." She states.
"Warming up, eh? Big words indeed!" Ryuzaki Sumire laughed and patted the girl's head who scowled and moved away from her.
"But that's just like you."
"A-Ano, Ryuzaki-sensei— do you know her?" Oishi asks, confused just as everyone else.
"Oh? Of course!" She grinned, "I was about to introduce her to you boys!"
"Eh?" Multiple exclamations of surprise rung throughout the quiet court.
The old Seigaku coach placed a hand on the impassive girl's shoulder beside her and said,
"From today onwards, this girl will be part of our boys' team. She's Echizen Ryoma, treat her well boys."
Pregnant pause.
Fuji grinned to himself.
.
.
.
"UUUUSSSOOOOOO!"
A/N: So, watcha think? Drop down a review guys, it would make me happy to know what you think of it so far. XD