Pairing: Fuji x Atobe
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis does not belong to me
Part: 7/?
Warning: Few background facts AND sequential orders of events regarding the characters have been altered.
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Color
It had been a while since I last saw this place.
Actually, it had been almost eight years since I last saw this place. I was six and the first time I saw this place, a palace as one would say I was amazed like any child. But this time it just seem like a regular home to me.
There was something different about being in Japan that felt very different than being in America. I was surprised that my father actually gave me the present that I want for Christmas. On Christmas, father asked me what I want as a present for the New Year and I told him that I want to finish my last spring semester in Japan, in the country where mother had loved. I was only being half truthful but my father doesn't need to know that. My mother had loved Japan very much especially during the spring season when the cherry blossom trees would be at its most beautiful state.
But there was also Shusuke.
Shusuke was a friend that I had never meet but one that I can never forget.
Tomorrow will be the first day of spring semester and my father had enrolled me in Hyotei Gakuen. I am not sure what awaits me on first day of school but at least I know I am not alone because out of pure boredom, Oshitari had decided to follow me because he thinks that school would be too boring without my obnoxious presence. Of course since Oshitari was leaving the school that automatically means Gakuto would be here too.
I hope Hyotei Gakuen can handle the two of them.
I am quite grateful that Oshitari and Gakuto both decided to transfer to Hyotei Gakuen with me. I knew leaving the school with one semester left makes no sense but I can't get Shusuke's voice out of my head.
"Keigo, I am giving you Five years. If you don't come back before I graduate from Middle School I will hide myself from you forever."
Shusuke was someone that I had never met. Shusuke was someone that I had been dying to see in years. Shusuke was someone that brought laughter and life back to me when I needed them the most.
So yes, I had to be back in Japan. I had to be back in time to see Shusuke. I want to be a man of my word.
…
The next day at Hyotei Gakuen Middle School
"Everyone, I would like to introduce you to three new students, Atobe-kun, Oshitari-kun and Gakuto-kun. Please give them your warmest welcome and make them feel like home."
I can hear the whispers and gossips around me but the only thing that is on my mind now is finding out where Shusuke was attending school.
"Wow, Atobe-kun is hot."
"No, I think Oshitari-kun look cuter with his glass."
"Yeah, I heard all three of them had transferred from a top school in America."
"Really, no wonder they all have such a presence."
"Oh and get this, they are all great tennis player."
"Really, so our tennis team will be unbeatable this year."
…
Finally, class was over and the gossips had died down. I was impressed by the size of the Hyotei tennis team. I think there must be over two hundred members and that means we need to pull some drastic measures if we were to be regulars. However, I found out that the tennis coach for Hyotei had an interesting philosophy. Coach Sakaki believed that winner should be reward and that the losers will automatically lose their regular spot. I believe that I can use his method to my advantage.
In order to be noticeable in a school like Hyotei I had to be the best.
"Who are the regulars on this team?" I asked.
"Hey, watch your tone newcomer."
"Yeah, who do you think you are?"
"Someone needs to teach the newcomer some manners."
"Hah, I would pay money to see someone put Atobe in his place." Said Oshitari.
"Shhh, I want to watch them "pound" Atobe at tennis." Laugh Gakuto.
I forget why I was grateful that those two decided to tag alone.
"My name is Taki and you three must be the new transferred students that everyone had been talking about." Said Taki.
"Let's see if you are indeed as good as you claim, Atobe-kun. Someone wake Jirou up." Said Taki.
"Huh, is practice over already?" Asked Jirou.
"No, but if you beat him pointing at Atobe I will let you skip today's practice." Said Taki.
"Really, so I can sleep if I beat that pompous looking guy over there?" Asked Jirou.
"Hah, Atobe I think the sleepy guy just called you pompous." Said Oshitari.
"Why are you guys here again?" I asked.
"I was bored." Said Oshitari.
"To give you support." Said Gakuto
"Scratch the first comment and insert what Gakuto just said." Said Oshitari.
"Jirou, pay attention."
"Yes, Captain Taki-san."
"15-0"
"Did you see that serve?"
"No way."
"Taki-san, did you see that serve, it was awesome. Wow, you didn't tell me that this guy was this good." Exclaimed Jirou.
At that moment, Taki was thinking the very same thought; he didn't expect Atobe to be as good as his attitude had leaded him to be.
"30-0"
"Wow, your name is Atobe right and we are same year? What was that served called?" Asked Jirou.
"If you managed to return the serve I will tell you." Maybe Jirou isn't such a bad guy. It is hard to dislike a guy who was spending so much time praising you.
"Game set and match 6-0, winner Atobe." said Taki.
"Did you see that?"
"That Atobe guy just crash Jirou and on top of that Jirou is a regular."
"Quiet, coach Sakaki is coming."
"Good afternoon, Coach Sakaki." Said Taki respectfully.
"I see we have three new members today." Said Sakaki.
"Hello, Coach Sakaki, my name is Atobe, the guy with the glass is Oshitari and the left over one is Gakuto." I said.
"Thanks for the lovely introduction Atobe." Said Oshitari.
"Coach Sakaki, I believe that you had already seen Atobe's skill and knew that having him on your team would greatly benefit your team. Now, I believe it is Gakuto and my turn to show you guys what we are capable of." Said Oshitari.
"Yay, we are finally going to play tennis again Oshitari." Said Gakuto excitingly.
"We would like to request a match against your best double's team." Said Oshitari.
"This can certainly be arranged Oshitari-kun. Chotarou and Shishido please get to the court." Said Sakaki.
"I thought I was the arrogant one Oshitari." I said.
"Well, being around you for all these years were bound to have some side effects Atobe." Said Oshitari.
"Chotarou will serve first."
"Yeah, this game is in the bag, no one can return Chotarou's serve."
"Ikyuunyuukon." Said Chotarou.
"15-0"
"Ikyuunyuukon"
"30-0"
"Humm, Gakuto I think this match will be more interesting than we first anticipated." Said Oshitari.
"Hey, Oshitari remembered tennis is a game where you hit the ball." I stated.
Still, I wasn't worry. I have faith in Oshitari's ability and even though Chotarou's seve was remarkable it had flaws. After seeing it for the second time I noticed that Chotarou had trouble with his accuracy and that means not all his shot will go over the net.
The game was a close one but Oshitari and Gakuto had managed a win with 7-5. A very close game but we made our point.
"Well, today had certainty been an interesting day." Said Sakaki.
"Our match next week will be against Seigaku and the line up will be as follow, Single 1: Taki, Single 2: Atobe, Single 3: Kabaji. Double 1: Oshitari and Gakuto, Double 2: Chotarou and Shishido."
"Wait." I said.
"I challenge Taki to a match and if I win I will be Single 1." I said.
I won't let myself settle for single 2 because I know that I can win against Taki and become the new King of Hyotei tennis team. I also know that sooner or later I will run into Shusuke.
TBC…
A.N: Okay, maybe I am half evil but at least I update earlier than I thought.