I sighed as I looked through the messages on my phone, seeing the conversation I had with my grandmother a few days before.

Obaa baa: Are you busy on Friday, Mamoru?

Me: No, Obaa-san. In fact our school is getting out early, why?

Obaa baa: That's perfect. I wanted to ask you a favor.

So here I was, on a bus heading towards Seigaku so I could pick my dear little cousin up and her luggage at home before she'd come to stay at my house for the weekend.

"This stop is Seishun Gakuren, Seishun Gakuren," I heard the automatic voice call. I pushed myself up as I pressed the stop button, preparing to get off.

As soon as I had gotten off, I found myself in front of the gates of Seigaku. Some students were milling around, but not much. Many students had gone home or to club practice. I was told by Obaa-san that Sakuno and her friend, among others, had been invited to tour Seigaku for their potential middle school. Because Obaa-san would be busy at school later in the day, she told me Sakuno would be at the tennis courts as she waited for me.

I walked in the familiar grounds, following the sound of tennis balls hitting the ground and the shuffling of feet.

"Wow, they're really cool," I heard a shrill voice exclaim.

I winced slightly as I adjusted the grip on my school bag, watching the practice. I scanned the area and smiled as I found my target.

I approached two small cheering girls wearing elementary uniforms, one the source of the shrill voice, the other being, "Sakuno."

The two girls turned simultaneously and Sakuno's eyes lit up with joy, "Mamoru-nii-chan!" she yelped as she wrapped her arms around my waist.

I chuckled and held her close, "How have you been Sakuno? I trust no one has been bothering you." I greeted her as she let go.

She shook her head, "Iie, everyone at Seigaku is really nice."

I smiled and ruffled her hair, "I'm glad."

"Sakuno-chan, this is your cousin?" I heard her friend ask warily.

I smirked and turned Sakuno around to face her friend and easily buried my chin onto the top of her head, "Nice to meet you, I'm Kirigaya Mamoru, and you must be Tomoka-chan."

She smiled, "Nice to meet you, I'm Osakada Tomoka," She greeted.

"Hey, isn't that Mamoru?"

"Mamo-chan!" a voice yelled as something jumped me.

A gasp reached my ears, "Mamoru-nii-chan!"

I grunted as the red haired teen climbed onto me, "Eiji!" I complained.

"Eiji!" I heard an exasperated voice yell as the cat like teen was pulled off, "Are you okay Mamoru?" Oishi asked, a smile on his face.

I took a second to steady myself before looking towards Oishi, "I'm good, Oishi...I think," I added as an after thought, feeling the ache in my leg already.

"Oops," I heard a melodic voice murmur in my ear as strong arm steadied me, pulling the weight off my leg, "Are you sure you're okay Mamoru? You seem injured."

I looked to Fuji and sheepishly rubbed the back of my head, "I'm fine, I'm almost healed. But thanks, Fuji."

"Eh? You're hurt?" Eiji hastily asked, "I'm sorry Mamo-chan! I didn't mean to hurt you!"

I waved him off, "Don't worry about it Eiji, I've been worse." I reassured.

"Mamoru-nii-chan," I heard Sakuno say worriedly.

I perked up a bit and pulled her from where she was hiding behind me, "Guys, this is my younger cousin, Sakuno," I introduced, hearing her squeak at the sudden attention, "She's going to Seigaku next year, so treat her well!" I pulled her friend over, "And this is her best friend, Osakada Tomoka, treat her well too!"

The three older teens all smiled at the two elementary schoolers, "I'm Kikumaru Eiji, nyan! Call me Eiji-senpai!" he said cheerfully with a peace sign.

Fuji smiled pleasantly at the girls, "My name is Fuji Syuusuke, yoroshiku-ne?"

Oishi held out his hands to the two girls, "I'm Oishi Shuichiro, I will be vice-captain of the tennis team here by the time you both enroll."

Sakuno's eyes lit up as she pulled away from my grasp slightly, "Does Seigaku also have a girl's tennis team?" she asked eagerly, the nervousness gone from her face.

I smiled at her enthusiasm, Oishi replying, "We do, Sakuno-san, we sometimes have practice matches with them and enter mixed doubles competitions with them. In fact, the captain is a serve and volley player and hasn't been beat since becoming captain."

Fuji sidled up next to me, "I'm assuming tennis runs in the family?"

I chuckled as I saw Eiji and Oishi fuss over the two girls and their play styles, "Not really, only three of us play tennis as far as I know. I mean, what did you expect, Sakuno is your coach's granddaughter."

I turned to Fuji and saw him with open eyes, staring at Sakuno intently, "Is she as good as you?"

I raised an eyebrow at his enthusiasm, "She doesn't play like I do, if that's what you're asking. She's a counter puncher player." I looked back towards the group of four in front of us.

"And have you used that move since?" I heard him ask icily.

I grit my teeth, "I didn't go through with it." I admitted.

Fuji stepped away from me, "We should head back to practice, Oishi, Eiji." He called to his teammates.

Eiji stopped poking to two girls' cheeks, "Alright pyon!"

Oishi smiled as the girls greeted them bye.

I watched them walk away for a second before calling out, "Oishi,"

The three of them stopped and Oishi and Eiji turned to look at me. Fuji stood rigidly still.

"...Kunimitsu is doing better now… right?" I asked hesitantly.

Oishi gave me a hard look before nodding, "He's fine."

I sighed in relief and nodded my head, "Alright… thanks."

Eiji forced a smile onto his face, "Bye bye!" He called out.

I could the confused looks the two girls gave me as I turned away to leave the school.

"Come on, I'll walk you home, Tomoka-chan."

"H-hai!"

"Alright do you see the convenience store? And the book store next to it?"

"Er….hai! I see it!"

I chuckled at the enthusiastic response, "I want you to head down the road that the book store is on, two blocks down that road you'll come to the front of the school. You can go either way to the back of the school where the tennis courts are, you can't miss it."

"Alright, thanks Mamoru-nii-chan, I'm still not good with directions." I heard Sakuno sheepishly admit.

I snickered, "When you get older are you gonna have your future husband lead you around? Or wife?"

"Mou, nii-chan!" she whined.

"Sakuno-chan, I have to go, practice is about to start. Once you arrive, try to find me. Don't worry, the practices are open to public view. Just try to avoid the members wearing yellow and black shirts." I instructed, "Be careful on your way here."

"Bye, nii-chan! See you soon!"

I hung up and shoved my phone into my tennis bag, absently fixing my shoe laces.

"Who was that Mamo-chan?" I heard a mischievous voice ask, next to my ear, "Your boyfriend?"

I looked up and smacked my annoying senior away, "Really funny Masa-senpai, I don't have a boyfriend." I refuted, standing up, taking a racket with me as I headed out the locker room.

Niou chased after me, a smirk on his face, "Oh? So our little junior is still innocent?"

I turned and raised an eyebrow, "Now, I didn't say that, did I?" I asked, smirking as I saw his eyes widen, "Honestly Yagyu-senpai, are you doing this for Yanagi-senpai?"

Yagyu took off his wig and put on his glasses, "I was threatened," he explained shortly, before stalking off.

I snickered, seeing his ears red as he did so.

"Mamoru!" I heard a deep voice call. I turned and saw Jackal waving at me, "You have a practice match with me now."

I nodded and ran over to him, "No laps today?" I asked, absently stretching beside him.

Jackal shook his head, "It looks like Sanada, Yanagi, and Yukimura went to go have a meeting. He left the regulars in charge."

I nodded thoughtfully, "I wonder what they're discussing." I thought for a bit before jumping in remembrance, "Oh yeah, I should warn you Jackal-senpai."

Jackal stopped stretching next to me, standing at full height before asking, "About what?"

"My cousin is gonna visit today," I explained, "She's staying with me for a few days and she wanted to see how we play tennis. She's trying out for the girl's team at Seigaku."

Jackal nodded understandingly, "I see, I'll be sure to greet her."

I smiled, "Thanks senpai."

We started the match and I quickly found myself unable to break through Jackal's defense. I felt frustration well up quickly as I hit the ball near Jackal's feet. Unfortunately, it was out.

Before Jackal could call it I shook my head, "Geez senpai, I hate how good your defense is."

Jackal cracked a smile at my complaining, "Suck it up, Mamoru," he said good-naturedly, "We've just started playing."

I bounced the ball in my hand, a sigh on my lips, "Hai, hai." I tossed the ball up and narrowed my eyes, bending my knees before hitting the ball with my racket.

The ball soared towards him and Jackal stepped up next to it, ready to hit it. To his surprise, the ball swerved off and bounced back towards me, hitting the dividing net between us.

Jackal stood up straight as he looked at the ball. I smirked, "Rocky serve," I said teasingly, "seems like I've gotten past your defenses."

Jackal smirked at my determination, "I won't let another pass."

I smashed the ball into the singles line, too fast for Jackal to get from across the court.

I hit the ground and smirked, "Game Kirigaya! Four games to two!" I exclaimed.

Jackal glanced at the ball, "You've gotten better Mamoru." He commented, looking back towards me, "But it looks like you need some more stamina training."

I looked enviously at my perfectly comfortable senior while I sweated buckets.

"Mamoru-nii-chan?"

I perked up at the voice and smiled, rushing towards the gate, "Sakuno-chan," I greeted, "I'm just having a practice match, did you get here without getting lost?"

She nodded at me, a wide smile on her face, "I did. But Rikkaidai seems so nice! There's so much equipment!"

I chuckled at her wide eyes, "Sakuno-chan, I want you to meet my senpai."

Jackal came over and smiled at my younger cousin, "Nice to meet you, I'm Kuwahara Jackal."

Sakuno grinned as she bowed towards the teen, "I'm Ryuuzaki Sakuno, nii-chan's younger cousin, nice to meet you."

I nudged Sakuno as best as I could with the gate in between us, "You know, Jackal-senpai is a counter puncher too."

Sakuno practically jumped, "Really? Kuwahara-san do you have some advice for me?"

Jackal looked between me and her before shaking his head, "Honestly, what did I expect, both of you are tennis maniacs." he said exasperatedly.

I smirked, "Oh come on, I've been playing Sakuno-chan every since she could hold a racket, she's not an ordinary player."

"Mamoru!"

I turned and saw Akaya heading my way, "Akaya, come meet my cousin."

Akaya approached and took a long hard look at my cousin. Both Jackal and I watched confused, and I could see pink rising to Sakuno's cheeks.

Akaya's face split into a smile, "Are you sure you're Mamoru's cousin? You look too cute for that-" I shoved him through the fence, sending him flying off.

I rushed to the other side and approached my cousin's bright red face, "I don't approve, anyone but him." I growled.

"Why aren't you guys practicing?" a voice asked, a loud pop following those words.

"Whats happening over here, Mamo-chan? Puri."

I glanced at the two approaching seniors with odd hair colors, "I take that back," I told Sakuno, "You can't have Masa-chan-senpai or Marui-senpai either."

A fist lightly touched my face, "WHAT WAS THAT FOR MAMORU?" he mostly pushed as he yelled.

I hit the fence and pulled back to butt heads with Akaya, "Stay away from my cousin Akaya! And what the hell was that about Sakuno being too cute for my genes?" I growled at my best friend.

"What was that?!" Akaya yelled back, his eyes growing the slightest bit pink.

My eyes widened a fraction at his sudden change of emotions but I was gently pulled away, as was Akaya by Jackal.

I looked up and saw Yagyu-senpai holding me by the shoulders. I pointed at him, facing my cousin, "You can't have him either, he's too close to Masa-chan-senpai." I told her bluntly.

Sakuno's face grew even darker, "Nii-chan!" she whined.

"What's going on around here?"

The courts grew eerily silent as the big three entered the area. Yagyu slipped his arms off of me and let me stand for myself.

Yukimura, Sanada, and Renji approached us with blank expressions. Well, Sanada looked enraged, but the other two look neutral enough.

Niou gave them a nervous smile, "What are you talking about, fuku-buchou?"

Yanagi looked us over, "Why aren't you all practising and why does Akaya look so close to bloodshot mode?" he asked in an ever so calm voice.

I glanced at the stiff regulars around me and whispered to Yagyu-senpai, "Turn Sakuno away." He gave me an odd look but understood as I stepped forward.

"It was my fault, I disrupted practice and took Akaya too close to bloodshot mode." I admitted, my head slightly bowed.

Something hit my cheek, sending my head to face towards the right. A loud smack registered and pain began to seep through the adrenaline.

A small squeak of surprise made me wince.

"Tarundoru!" Sanada bellowed at me.

I bowed my head, "It won't happen again, fuku-buchou."

"See that it doesn't," Yukimura coldly stated, "Everyone return to practice."

I pulled my head up and winced as I held my face, "Not as bad as I thought it would be," I muttered to myself.

"Mamoru-nii-chan are you okay?" Sakuno asked nervously, pulling away from Yagyu.

I nodded and picked up my racket, "Don't worry about it Sakuno-chan," I murmured, ruffling her hair as I passed, "Just watch how Jackal-senpai and I play, kay?"

She nodded at me with a downcast face. I scowled and pinched her cheeks, "Are you defying your older cousin?!" I mock scolded.

She squealed and I let her go, "I'm okay, I swear." I reassured, walking past her.

"Mamoru?" Akaya asked as he matched my pace.

I glanced at my best friend and nodded, patting his shoulder, "Yeah." I quietly responded, heading towards the court.

I casually bounced the ball at the baseline, "My serve, right Jackal-senpai?"

Jackal nodded with an unreadable expression.

I threw the ball up and served it towards Jackal.

Infamous slaps!