Bold = Shouting, random sounds and change of POV or a time skip.

Italics Exaggerated words, thoughts, flashbacks or different language(s).

(BRACKETS) = Thoughts of author ;)

Akira POV

"Oh schnitzels."

"Schnitzels?" I heard a few people in the background look at me like I was crazy.

I turned to them, "It's my version of the s word!"

"S word? You mean shi-," I ran to the guy who almost spoke.

Glaring him, I spoke slowly, enunciating each word nice and clearly "Do not swear in front of me."

"But it's technically not a swear word-," I glared the guy until he stopped speaking.

I turned towards my grandma, and ignored the group that soon bunching around the court, I shouted to Obaa-san "Hey you old hag! You never said I had to play against a dang regular!"

She grinned mischievously, throwing me a racquet, "Well too late now, right? It's part of the Ryuzaki heritage to never go back on your words, so you must play now."

I mentally cursed, catching the racquet. And I thought I could enter this school peacefully, without drawing attention to myself. I thought before turning over to Ryoma, "Fine I'll play you. Only one game though, three sets and nothing more."

Hopefully I won't drag myself into the spotlight.

Ryoma smiled. No-more like grinned.

I was walking over to court D, the one that wasn't open at the moment when I felt a hand go onto me.

Looking up I saw this guy with spiked up jet-black hair, another regular guy judging by his coat, "I don't think a first-year like you should play against Ryoma yet. You're new, right? I, Momoshiro, didn't beat him on the first try either you know. Even if I was injured, he was really good."

"Well thanks for that Momo-chan but I can't go against my words. Part of that old hag's law," I pointed towards grandma, "So let go. Please."

"Your loss kid," he shook his head, turning over to two other regulars, "Hey Eiji, Oishi, it seems this kid's going to do it."

Eiji, the guy with wine-red hair frizzed up at the sides looked at Momoshiro. He seemed kind of dazed, but his eyes refocused as Momoshiro finished his sentence. The guy next to him, Oishi, some tall man with cap-like hair and two strands sticking into his face, stared straight at me along with Eiji, who just processed what Momoshiro just said. Their faces contorted into pity, but it only lasted a few seconds.

Plenty of time for me to notice.

"Good luck kiddo!" they both said in unison, giving me a good old thumbs up.

Clearly, the secret message in the gesture was: You're going to need it!

I noticed that Ryoma had already nestled over near the court, so I kept trudging over there, ignoring the people who tried to stop me. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw that the rest of the regulars coming over to our court.

I sighed, pulling my cap down a little lower, muttering out loud, "Why did I get caught up in this?"

Normal POV

Everyone in the regulars group gathered near the court, wanting to see Ryoma play against the new rookie.

Momoshiro looked up, "Hey why're you all here? Wasn't Inui practising with you guys just a second ago?"

Eiji nodded, "Yeah, but he wanted us to watch this match. Don't know why, he just forced us to."

"It's to help gather data on Echizen most likely," Kaidoh grumbled.

"I wonder how this new kid will play," Oishi nodded, watching as Akira walked over to the baseline.

"I doubt he's any good, I mean, he's just a first year right? Plus he looks like a girl." Momoshiro put in.

Fuji smiled, "We'll see."

Tezuka remained quiet, along with a shy-looking Kawamura.

Akira sighed, walking over to the net, "Hey Ryoma," Ryoma twitched slightly at being called by his first name, "Rough or smooth?"

"Smooth," Ryoma answered.

Akira twirled his racquet, watching it as it landed, right-side up "Yep, it's a smooth."

He walked back to the baseline, watching Ryoma take out his tennis ball.

The referee blew the whistle, "Begin!"

Ryoma threw the ball upwards with his left and, using his right to swat. It was just a normal serve, so Akira rallied it back with ease, his left hand swinging it back to Ryoma.

"Hey, look," Momoshiro pointed, at Akira's arm, "The new kid's a southpaw!"

Indeed, Akira was using his left hand to rally back the balls going for him. Ryoma smiled, hitting it back and forth with his right.

"But Echizen's still going easy on poor Ryuzaki-kun," Oishi sighed.

Ryoma decided it was time; he ended the rally by hitting it towards the right corner, barely missing the white line.

"In! Love fifteen!" The referee called.

"Aww dang it! You are good!" Akira sighed, racing a glance over at Grandma Sumire. The coach grinned, mouthing unintelligible words to him. Akira frowned, "Guess I have no choice…"

I can't lose without a fight, or else ol' grandma there will kill me. Akira thought to himself, shuddering at the memory of what happened last time.

Akira threw the ball up, slamming it down to Ryoma. He easily lobbed it back, making Akira curve his lip, "Come on Ryoma! Try harder!"

This time, something surprising happened, Akira smashed the ball at Ryoma with a frighteningly fast pace, the ball turning into a bright-yellow blur. It went right past the unsuspecting Ryoma.

"15 all!" the referee called.

Eiji blinked, "Did the kid just level up or something?"

Ryoma smiled, "So you do have some game," he threw the ball into the air, this time he was doing a twist serve.

"Ryoma! You can't use that against a rookie yet!" Oishi cried.

The ball sliced through the air.

Ryoma finally remembered he was only going against some first-year rookie, a slick of regret falling onto his face as he watched the ball twisting. Just because he's done one pro-shot doesn't mean that-

"Ohh wow, what a neat shot!"

Everyone snapped over to look at Akira, who watched as the ball tried to slam into his face, but as it twisted towards him, he slashed it back at Ryoma.

Ryoma rallied it back, a look of surprise on his face.

Akira, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to the looks of astonishment. He didn't even seem to be fazed that the twist serve was one of the great techniques made by Ryoma.

"What the heck? How can a rookie go up against Ochibi's twist serve?" Momoshiro watched in surprise.

He wasn't the only one, everyone had a look of astonishment on their faces, not believing the spectacle that had just happened.

"That's not a normal newbie, is it?" Fuji returned to his usual smile, slitting his eyes once again.

Tezuka watched with indifference, but silently agreed with Fuji.

That's no amateur player.

Akira, still oblivious, let a smirk caress his face, "Hey do that again Ryoma! That was so cool!"

He hit back the ball towards Ryoma, a lob into the air, "Go ahead and do it again! C'mon, I want to see it," Akira urged.

Ryoma returned to his usual manner, hitting the lob back, "Who are you? Not many people can return my twist serve on their first try."

Akira froze for a moment, realizing his mistake before he quickly hit the ball back to Ryoma "Oh…uh, you saw that…ah…huh...umm… Let's call it a fluke shot alright?"

"A fluke?" Fuji muffled a laugh, eyes in their usual slits while staring at Akira's unconvincing grin, "Normally someone wouldn't try to urge their abilities to be only a fluke."

Ryoma beamed, realizing he may be able to have some fun with this, placing his racquet into his left hand.

"Ohhh! So you're really a lefty?" Akira grin broadened.

{*}

Sakuno had looked all over the school and couldn't find Akira anywhere.

She had finally given up after hours of searching, deciding to walk over to the tennis court, hoping to find Ryoma if not Akira.

As she went across the path, she made her way to the courts when she saw a huge crowd around court D. Sakuno watched in puzzlement, seeing some cheers.

"Ryoma-sama! Beat the new kid down already!"

Sakuno stopped in mid-step, realizing Ryoma was playing a game. She smiled, walking over towards the court.

She tapped Momoshiro's shoulder, "Hey Momo-chan, is Echizen-kun in there?"

Momoshiro turned, seeing Sakuno behind him, a smile on his face, "Yeah, and he's been playing this for an hour now, and it's still only deuces!"

Sakuno gasped, "Seriously! Who's he playing? Is it Kaidoh-," she froze, realizing the entire regular team was next to the outside gates.

"W-wait, don't tell me he's playing-," she was cut off.

"Advantage point Ryuzaki!"

"-Akira," Sakuno pushed herself through, finding her cousin in the court.

Ryoma threw the ball, serving another twist to hit Akira. On the other hand, Akira still hit it back with ease, "C'mon Ryoma! Is this all you've got?" You could hear the smile in his voice.

This time Ryoma smiled, "Mada mada dane."

Ryoma slid across the ground, right under the ball before hitting it, "Drive B!"

The ball bounced across Akira's side in three easy jumps.

"Deuce!"

Oishi muttered something, making Sakuno freeze.

"…the last point…it's already been the twenty-third deuce…"

Akira locked gazes with Ryoma, "Hey do you happen to be related to-," he got cut off.

Sakuno shouted, "Akira! Mom says we have to go before six or else you won't get the cap you want!"

Akira stopped short, the ball flying past him, as he turned over to Sakuno, "What! It's already five-fifty seven! Why didn't you say so sooner!"

Akira turned to the referee, "Sorry but I forfeit!" before quickly dashing off out of school grounds, throwing the racquet to the side.

Everyone stood there in silence, the whole scene not computing in their minds.

Finally, the ref snapped out of his daze, "Due to forfeit, Echizen Ryoma now wins!"

Everyone was still silent, before a loud cheer rushed through the crowd. Well, if a crowd could count as a few tennis players, then yes, it was a crowd.

Ryoma grunted, sweat running down his face.

Momoshiro ran over to Ryoma, "Wow that kid was great, but in the end you still won!"

"Yeah, by his forfeit," Ryoma sighed, "And that was such a great game."

Even though I was only using forty percent of my left-handed-power, he was still up to par. Not many can do that. Ryoma thought to himself, taking a swig of his water.

"Great job! That was quite surprising, to think that that kid was so good. He may even have a shot at becoming a regular!" Eiji grinned.

Fuji nodded, a smile still plastered on, "Too bad we couldn't see the real outcome. I wonder who would have won."

"Me obviously," Ryoma took another swig from his water bottle. He wiped his mouth with his wrist, a thought running into his mind and out of his mouth, "I want to play another game with him…seriously this time."

"Well we could find out tomorrow," Oishi put in, a smile on his face as he patted the first-year's back.

"Yeah, it's not every day you find a first-year that plays on par with Ochibi here," Momoshiro grinned, before realizing something, "Wait - Chibisuke," Ryoma looked up, "Did you just say that because you weren't playing seriously before?"

Ryoma quirked his mouth, making Momoshiro drown in shock.

Kawamura saw a silhouette near the gates to the court, "Hey, were you the one who got that kid to forfeit?"

Sakuno flinched, even though Kawamura was in his 'shy mode,' his racket was still leaning against the bench. "So sorry Echizen-kun!" she waved before dashing off.

She didn't get very far, hitting against someone on her getaway. Sakuno looked up, finding gray-hair and wrinkles. She smiled up at her grandma, about to ask if she could go when…

"Sakuno, could you give Akira this?" Obaa-san handed a thousand yen to the girl, "He did play against Ryoma, so he deserves something."

"Okay!" Sakuno chirped, dashing off towards the school yard, seeing the twilight in the distance.

{*}

Akira POV

Today was the day I finally go to school!

I packed my stuff into my bag, humming a small tune, before checking the time. Yesterday was pretty cool, meeting that tennis team and playing against one of the strongest guys! I still couldn't believe the kid was that great, since his size wasn't something to brag about.

Well…maybe I shouldn't be talking since I'm an inch or two smaller…

I shook my head, What am I thinking! Yesterday was not cool and meeting the team whilst playing the strong guys wasn't fun at all. It wasn't...it wasn't...

Pulling my sleeve down, ripping myself from my reverie, and I checked the time on my watch.

"Perfect. Sakuno should be waking up by now," I heard a gong from our grandfather's clock in the living room, "Which means I got an hour or so before school begins!"

I was about to grab my blue cap when I noticed a white one with a Nike design on the counter. I smiled, "Thanks auntie," before taking it and stuffing all my hair under it, excluding my long fringes that bordered my face. I still couldn't believe I made it back home in merely three minutes yesterday! What a feat huh? Maybe I should join the track club or something.

Taking a glance over at the mirror, I checked myself just in case of disarray.

I had the Seishun black uniform on me, the pants and jacket as well. My new white ball cap didn't really go well against the clothes but I didn't really care. White sneakers were on my feet and I held my school bag with me, so I think I had everything. I quickly did those cheesy poses people do when looking in the mirror, right before slinging my bag over my shoulder with ease.

Leaving a note on the counter for Sakuno, I rushed out the door, getting ready for my morning run. I knew I should just change into some other clothes or else my new uniform would get dirty, but then, knowing myself all too well, I wouldn't be able to change back for school. I sighed, checking for cars across the road.

I jogged over to the park area, noticing some of those tennis people from yesterday there.

"Hey did you hear about that first year?"

"Yeah, you mean Echizen right? The guy who got into the regulars and helped win the nationals?"

My ears prickled, Ryoma helped to win the nationals? Really…

"No not that first year! I mean the new one!"

"New one? You mean the androgynous newbie?"

At that, I left the park. No need to get caught up in school drama and the likes of it.

By the time I had circled the streets, I realized I'd ran right out of the school district! Man, I couldn't believe how dense I was. Turning back, I saw a temple surrounded by some sakura trees. I smiled, hearing a resonating gong in the distance.

Oh what the heck, I decided to check it out. It won't hurt to go sight-seeing, right?

I ran up the steps, passing the temple gates to find myself in front of a tennis court.

"Who're you?"

I turned around, seeing some tanned guy who slightly resembled Ryoma. He had a dark blue kimono on, slightly revealing his muscled chest, and didn't seem to have any shoes on.

"Call me Akira. Ryuzaki Akira if you may," I bowed to the mysterious man, before looking up, "Are you the monk who tends to this temple?"

"Uh…I guess so," was the monk's reply.

Looking even closer, I noticed he had the same sharp eyes as Ryoma.

"Hey do you happen to be related to Echizen Ryoma?"

The monk grinned, "Yeah. He's my son."

"Really? We'll he plays really well at tennis!" I mirrored his grin, realization prickling the back of my mind.

He tilted his head towards me.

I mirrored him, "So what's your name Oji-san?"

His grin widened, "Why don't we play a game of tennis? I'll answer if you beat me."

I stared at him with large cynical eyes, "I doubt I'll be able to beat the great Samurai."

He didn't seem fazed, "So you did know. Who I was I mean."

I nodded, "It's not every day you meet a kid like Ryoma that wouldn't have a pro-dad. No wonder Ryoma's so good. It's probably cause' of you."

Nanjiro agreed, "Well do you still want to play a game?"

"I don't have a racquet," I put in my excuse.

He smiled a toothy grin, "I'll get you one."