Chapter 7
Thanks for all your reviews! It is really encouraging!
This chapter is about Oishi and Kikumaru playing against each other again. It may be a bit boring…. I have been out of tennis for years already. Hope its okay. Please review! Thanks!
It was Saturday at last and Kikumaru was excited. It has been 6 days since he had his deal with Oishi. He was to play a game against Oishi again. He had beaten Oishi before and he wanted to beat Oishi again. He could not sleep the night before and was wide awake. However, he still had lots of energy.
Kikumaru quickly got ready and left his house for the nearby tennis courts. The golden pair had agreed to meet in those tennis courts for the match. It was in the middle of both their houses. He had his bag in one hand and his other hand was in his pocket, holding the precious marker.
The sun had just risen in the horizon. It was going to be a beautiful day. The sun was not too bright and it was a little windy. Soon, Kikumaru saw the tennis courts and in the distance stood Oishi, sitting on the bench waiting patiently for his doubles partner to come. Oishi was early, just like he usually was.
'Nya Oishi! You are early today!'
'Eiji! You are early too.'
'Can we start our match now?'
'Let's warm up first. Then we can play to our hearts content.'
They started to run laps together. Their paces were almost the same. Kikumaru had been training hard and his stamina had improved even more since he had left Seigaku.
'Oishi! I think that we have done enough warm up exercises. Can we start now? Let's play a one set match. And see how much you have improved!'
'Hai! I won't go easy on you. I want to beat you today!'
'I have beaten you before Oishi! I can beat you again! But we have no umpire.'
'I didn't think we needed an umpire. After all, no one knows about this match except us. Let's have a one set match.'
Soon, they started their match. The both of them were serious. Any slight mistake would have cost them a point.
Oishi took the first serve. He had a service ace. His ball was pinpoint in accuracy and even the ball's speed and strength had increased. Kikumaru, even though he knew that the serve was coming since he had seen it on Sunday, could not move an inch.
Oishi served again and this time Kikumaru could return the ball. A long rally commenced. Neither will give in to the other. They played their best. However, Kikumaru hit a chance ball. Oishi used this chance and hit it with his special move, the moon volley. It landed just on the base line of the tennis court. Kikumaru could not reach it in time. The score was 30-0.
Oishi served and another rally took place. This time however, Kikumaru concentrated more and he won the point. The score was 30-15.
The first game comprised of many rallies and it ended with Oishi keeping his service game.
Kikumaru served next. He had a fierce look on his face. The look of determination. The look of wanting to win. Oishi returned the serve. Kikumaru decided to run up to the net. He hit a ball. Oishi returned the ball to the free side at the far corner, however, Kikumaru used his famous acrobatics to return the ball. This continued and it ended with Kikumaru winning his first point.
The golden pair knew each other all too well so they could judge each other's movements and shots, however, being apart for a year has its effects. Off course, being in different schools also has a part to play in this. Some of the moves have changed slightly and off course, it was harder to read each other's minds.
The score was 3 games all. However, neither Oishi nor Kikumaru was feeling tired. Neither of them were out of breathe. Kikumaru was relying more on his acrobatics to win while Oishi played using his superb skill of pinpoint and accurate shots.
It was Oishi's serve again. He hit a shot and created another service ace. In his year in high school, he had developed a new serve. This serve was faster then his usual serves and always landed just next to the side line, making it hard for the opponent to reach. The score became 40-0 when Kikumaru counted with his acrobatics. A rally started yet again. Kikumaru won the point with his kikumaru beam.
The match had already lasted an hour and the golden pair was tied at 4 games all. Both of them had started to sweat and were beginning to feel tired. Kikumarus's movements in the court had become slower as the time went on.
Oishi kept his service game again and the score was 5 games to 4. If Oishi could win this game, the match would be over. But breaking Kikumaru's service game was not easy.
Kikumaru kept his service game too and the game was even at 5 games to all.
The golden pair fought on and did not give up. No doubt, they were playing slower but they continued. Oishi served and again he kept his service game. Once again, it was one more game before he could win the match.
Kikumaru served and Oishi hit back with a harder ball then usual. Kikumaru hit back and Oishi tried his luck with a moon volley. It worked. The ball landed on the base line and Kikumaru did not reach it in time. However, it was still impossible for Oishi to break Kikumaru's service game. The game ended in 6 games all.
They went into a tie break. Each one of them could not break each other's service point. They had reached 40 all in the tie break and still none of them made any mistakes. It was a long and tiring game for the both of them.
They reached 60 all in the tie break and Oishi held onto his serve. Kikumaru served and ran forward for net play. Oishi took the chance and hit another moon volley. Kikumaru lost the point and lost the game.
Kikumaru, aware that he had lost, bent down towards the ground. He lay on the ground of the tennis courts and several tears dropped from his eyes.
Okay, so how was the story? Please tell me if it is okay or not. I will change this chapter if there are any problems. I have not thought of the plot for chapter 8 yet so I can make any changes. Please review!