A/N: Oh my... it's been a while, huh? I completely forgot about my FFs... due to... new things. I got into manga scanlation and... yeah. I randomly came back, read this story, and decided to write a chapter. Sorry for the delay~~ It's pretty short, but I hope you like it. No progress with Royal Pair... YET. BWAHAHAHAH.

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis. I am in no way profiting from writing this story, and I do not own any products or items stated in this fic. Read with care, no instructions needed. Flammable.

Atobe was staring at his nails intently. He wasn't paying attention to Echizen Ryoma- no. That thought was preposterous! He was concentrated on his nails and nothing else. Nothing else indeed.

Oshitari Yuushi glanced up from his book. His arm still sat in its comfortable position- around Gakuto's waist. He stared at his good friend for a few seconds, tiled his head, looked back to his book, and shrugged.

"You know, if you want to get to know him, you could just say hi." He drawled. Atobe jumped up, eyes wide. Hands on his hips, he pursed his lips and cast a sharp glance toward his blue-haired friend. A frown marring his face, he looked around to check if anyone was close enough to hear their conversation.

"I'm not interested in that common person," he said sharply. His cheeks dusting read- in either anger or embarrassment (who knew?). "He's just a normal-"

"You're in denial." Oshitari cut in smoothly.

"No. I'm not." Atobe growled out.

"You're in denial about being in denial." Gakuto said, sitting up quickly. Oshitari frowned and stared at his now empty arm. The arm that used to be around Gakuto. And where was Gakuto? Jumping around Atobe.

"You're just angry because he looks like he has potential and you might have to deal with him for a whole year and you don't want to. Stop being so pompous and arrogant and just accept the fact that he seems to be an okay tennis player." Gakuto rambled and talked, and eventually both Atobe and Oshitari tuned him out.

"First years can't be Regulars."

"We know."

"He doesn't seem to be anything special."

"Yes, Atobe. We know."

"He's- "

"For christ's sake, shut up." Oshitari sighed. "It's all Echizen this, Ryoma that. We know you're obsessed, but really. Have some modesty. Rerain yourself. He's only a first year."

"W- wh… what?" Atobe sputtered. He was at a loss for words. "Me? Are you saying that Ore-sama is obsessed with that small, good-for-nothing, little runt?"

"Yes. Now shut up and go away. I'm trying to read."

Ryoma sat on a bench, his legs dangling a little, almost touching the ground. Adjusting his cap, he sipped on a cool Ponta.

Staring out at the courts, he observed interactions between members. The Regulars were laughing with each other- seeming to fit together as one piece. One whole team. They were what a team should look like. Second and first years were mixed around the courts. Some were lounging about- similar to what Ryoma was doing. Some were picking up balls. Others were playing small games that meant nothing to anyone.

They knew they weren't good enough to be Regulars, so why try so hard to strive and become one when they knew? Knew that the Regular spot was impossible. Unattainable. Ryoma smirked.

At least until now.

He was ready for anything that came his way.

A fuzzy yellow ball came and smacked his Ponta out of his hand. That can crashed to the ground, spilling its contents over part of the bench and the court.

Okay, well maybe not that.

"Oi, first year. What are you doing getting the courts all dirty?" a second year called out, laughing with his friends. Ryoma glared. "Ahh… what's with that scary look?"

"Clean it up." One of the second years' friends walked over and shoved Ryoma towards the now-empty can.

"Yes, senpai." Ryoma said smoothly, concealing his anger. He knelt down, picking up the can, and proceeded to the nearest garbage can.

"That's not a way to talk to someone older than you!" they jeered.

"What's going on?" Atobe's voice was heard, causing the second years to jump a little.

"This first year. He was playing with our tennis ball and when we asked for it back, he wouldn't give it to us. Then he threw his can down and tried to get us to clean up his mess, but we told him that he had to do it himself." One second year explained. Atobe glared at Ryoma.

"Clean this mess up. Ore-sama expects better behavior from Hyoutei Gakuen Tennis Members."