Long time no see, Minna-san! It's been… let's see, two months? *nervous grins* Sorry for my extremely slow update *bows*
Disclaimer: the Prince of Tennis and its characters belong to Konomi Takeshi-sensei.
Sorry for bad English and typos. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter :)
Ch4: Zaizen?
"Zaizen?"
That was Sanae's, the captain of kendo club, first reaction hearing Tsubaki's question about her opinion on a certain guy.
Tsubaki bit her lips as she waited for Sanae's answer. She knew Sanae would find it strange as she asked her about Zaizen out of nowhere.
Why Zaizen of all people?
What about him?
Why is she asking about him?
Even though Tsubaki knew Sanae would think like that, she still had to ask her as Sanae was one of a few people that could objectively judge him. She was already tired of the typical answers she would get from her other friends. It would be either he's hot or he's a badass or probably both of them a hot badass.
Sanae crossed her arms then began. "I don't know why you're asking me about this, but sorry I can't answer. I don't know him well and I think I can't judge him based on what people say about him."
"I see." Tsubaki sighed hearing the unsatisfying answer. Sanae was right. No matter how objective Sanae was, she couldn't give any fair judgment if she barely knew him.
Sanae raised a brow. It was rare for Tsubaki to ask about a guy. The Tsubaki she knew was someone who was always concern about her dear sister and had no time to think about boys. "Is it about your sister?"
"Sort of." Tsubaki answered shortly. She couldn't tell the captain the real story, but it was more or less related to Tsubasa.
"Why don't you ask people that know him better? The tennis regular perhaps?" Sanae suggested.
Tsubaki shook her head. "No, I don't think boys are trustable."
Sanae sweatdropped. Geez, Tsubaki, this girl always thought that boys were bad. She really wanted to knock some sense in her head that there were also a lot of good guys. Wait, why did Tsubaki ever consider about Zaizen then? Shouldn't he be easily judged as a typical bad boy? Well, Sanae couldn't help wondering why.
"There's a friend of mine that knows the tennis boys quite well. Maybe she can help you."
"Really?" Tsubaki's eyes became sparkly upon hearing Sanae's last statements.
Both of them left the dojo after telling the vice captain that they were going somewhere for a while. Actually they shouldn't left before the practice ended, but Tsubaki's excitement and Sanae's curiosity made them do so.
After what had happened in the pool some days ago, Tsubaki had been thinking about that Zaizen boy. Her inner self kept questioning whether he was a good person or not, should she entrust Tsubasa's secret to him or not, and what she should do from now.
"Here we are." Sanae stated as she stopped in front of a large wooden door.
Tsubaki looked up and just as she saw boys' tennis club written on a nameplate beside the door, the sparkles in her eyes disappear.
"Wait a second; you said the person is a she, didn't you?" She frowned and turned to Sanae, demanding an explanation from her captain.
Sanae smirked; she knew Tsubaki's reaction would be like that once she found out that they had been heading to this place. "Who says that there're only boys here." She then stepped forward and knocked on the door. After waiting for a while, someone opened the gate.
"Hayakashi?" The boy who opened the door looked at her in surprised. "It's rare to see you here. What's the matter?"
"Sorry for interrupting your practice, Oshitari-kun. Can we speak to your manager for a while?" She said, gesturing to Tsubaki.
Kenya looked at her and Tsubaki, whom he had just recognized. "Sure, I think Shiraishi and Osamu-chan won't mind either. Come in."
Both of the girls stepped in and closed the door behind. Though this club looked very enormous from the outside because of the high walls that enveloped it, it looked pretty normal inside. None of the boys seemed affected by their presence. Kenya himself had dashed to a nearby court and continued his double practice with Zaizen, Koharu and Yuuji.
"Hayakashi-san?"
Tsubaki looked around to see the only female residence in the club. Most likely she was the one Sanae had been referring too.
"Sorry for the disturbance. There's something my friend wanna ask to you." Sanae explained to the girl.
"The name is Yamato Tsubaki." Tsubaki quickly introduce herself.
"Nice to meet you, Yamato-san. I'm Oshitari Kouki." The girl named Kouki said with a bow.
"Nice to meet you too," Tsubaki bowed back.
"So, what do you want from me?" Kouki asked.
"Well," Tsubaki began, somehow she felt uncertain whether she should ask the girl she had just met or not. "I just wanna ask you about…"
Kouki tilted her head. "Yes?"
Tsubaki made a quick glance at Sanae and Sanae replied with a stare, as if telling to make it quick since they still had practice. "Say, Oshitari-san, what do you think about year 2 Zaizen?"
"Zaizen?" Kouki exclaimed, just like Sanae did in the past. Tsubaki wondered if her question was that surprising.
"Oh, sorry." Kouki covered her lips and looked around, fearing that she had distracted the boys from their practice. She then sighed in relief after learning that her voice wasn't too loud to gain everyone attention. "Why Zaizen?" She asked back.
"Uh, I have some personal issues." Tsubaki shrugged.
"Well then," Kouki tipped her chin and started to think. "My opinion on Zaizen, right? The main problem he has is lack of respect. He also has foul language and sharp tongue. He often calls the others stupid or idiot."
"What a great personality he has." Tsubaki commented.
Kouki chuckled. "However, he's not a bad person at all. Although sometimes he gets misunderstood by the others because of his attitude, he's actually kind at heart."
Tsubaki went silent after hearing the last words. 'Is that true?' She asked to herself, looking to Zaizen's direction.
"…-san? Nee-san? Onee-san! "
Tsubaki snapped from her thought and quickly turned to her brother, who had been calling her for several times. "Wha-? What's it?"
Tsubasa pouted. "Geez, you don't even listening to me."
"I'm sorry, Tsubasa. I just have… something in my mind. What did you say again?" She smiled sheepishly.
"I'm asking about your supplementary class. There's one on the day after, right? Do you want me to wait for you till the class ends or should I go home first?" He huffed.
"Ah, I haven't thought about that yet." Tsubaki scratched her head. "This area is kinda dangerous, so…"
"Yo, cuties~" Suddenly a group of local high schoolers approached.
"…So it's no way I would ask you to go home alone." She finished, rolling her eyes as the bad guys appeared around her and Tsubasa one by one.
"Going home now? How about going out with us instead?" said one of the guys.
"No, thank you. I'd rather die." She replied dryly. "Let's go, Tsubasa."
"Aw, don't be so cold."
"Hey, I like her boldness."
"Really? I prefer the tall one. She's like a model."
Tsubaki sighed. This was why she needed to learn kendo. Sometimes beating stupid guys like them with a shinai (bamboo sword) was the best resolution to get out from this kind of situation. Getting ready to attack, she took her shinai which she usual carry on her should-
Wait! Where was her shinai?
She mentally facepalmed. She must have left it in the school's dojo! Stupid her!
Now, what should she do without any weapon?
The guy with biggest body among those guys suddenly grabbed Tsubasa's arm. "I like her. She's mine."
"Don't ever dare to touch my sister, you big ugly gorilla!" She shouted.
The big guy released Tsubasa. He turned to Tsubaki and pulled her by the collar. "What? What did you call me just now?"
"I…" She tried to speak up but she lost her voice. He was even bigger than gorilla from her current point of view. She hated to admit it but she was scared now.
"She called you 'big ugly gorilla', gorilla. I wonder if you're deaf or just plainly stupid."
The main problem he has is lack of respect. He also has foul language and sharp tongue. He often calls the others stupid or idiot.
"How dare you!" The gorilla guy pushed her away onto the ground as he turned to attack the black haired boy. He was about to punched him right on the face when the boy spoke up again.
"The police station is just a block away from here, you know?"
However, he's not a bad person at all.
"Che!"
The gang decided to retreat upon hearing the annoying boy's words. They knew it would be troublesome if the policemen found them beating up a middle schooler, besides, they were still in their uniform.
"Don't think it's over yet, brat!" They shouted then walked away.
The black haired boy then turned to her. With his usual bored face, he put off his headphones, revealing 5 colorful earrings.
"Really, senpai. You should've used your brain a little before talking. You might get killed someday because of your careless mouth."
Although sometimes he gets misunderstood by the others because of his attitude…
Zaizen then bent down and offer her a hand.
"Are you okay?"
He's actually kind at heart
And that's what Kouki said XD
Oh right, for those who've read my other stories Aruhi no Oshitari: Red Chrysanthemum and Aruhi no Oshitari: Kiss? Wait! What!, you might have recognized her. Yep, she's the same Kouki-chan from AnO series. Hehe, I like using the same OC in different stories. Sanae is also originally from that story :)
This chapter is kinda random, but at least Tsubaki-chan finally believes that our dear Zaizen is really a good person.
What do you think about this chapter? Love it? Hate it? Please share your opinion in the review :3
Hona mata!
(btw I just realized that the control panel had changed! XD)