BP: (Extremely) disappointed by the lack of reviews, although I do not let my emotions show on my face. Oh well, what can I do? All I can do is to continue to update, like all of you wanted…right? Really, all I can hope is that there will be more reviews in this and the future chapters.
Warning: There's OOC involved.
"Forget about being together forever. We can't have it anymore." With that, his hand fell limp.
The cannon fires. The girl pressed her hands to his chest, pressing her ears to his chest, hoping to revive him back to life, even for a second, when it was clear that he couldn't be brought back. "Come on, Natsuhi, please." The girl pleaded. She pressed his chest a few more times, saying, "Don't go." Thankfully, no one appeared all the while she tried to revive him.
At night, the board with the faces of players remaining in the arena appeared. They focused on Natsuhi's face, before his face disappeared from the board. Just like that. Up there, she could see a brief glimpse of her face on the board. It was clear she was the only hope for New Day Academy to win. She forced herself to get up and leave Natsuhi. She heard the hovercraft appear to collect Natsuhi's body.
She didn't turn back.
The said girl got up, sweating all over. She checked the clock. It said 6.32a.m. she took a stuffed toy, and threw it against the wall, so that her boyfriend wouldn't be disturbed. No one wins the ITM. The girl did not feel like going back to sleep, so she went to take a long shower and refreshed herself. She dressed in her New Day Academy outfit, and decided to go to the roof for some fresh air, only to find Ryoma and Tyler already there, talking.
"Morning, Princess." they said in unison.
"Morning, Ryoma, Tyler." said Pakura. "I didn't know you two will be up that early."
Ryoma shrugged. "Well, I just couldn't sleep. Oh, if you are wondering where Keigo is, I let him sleep in. This is the first time I woke up earlier than him."
"Same here. I got woken up by my nightmares…again." said Pakura.
Tyler nodded. "Yeah. I know among all our nightmares, yours are the worst."
"Yeah, I know, right?" She checked the time. "Hey, let's go and have breakfast now."
They went to join the other champions for breakfast, and after that, they went to the gym. They did not expect the gym to be occupied, since it's only 7a.m. and the matches start 2 hours later. Meanwhile, a certain captain's family is going to the Training Center to support their son (or grandson). They came earlier due to the fact that they wanted to explore the Training Center before going to the gym to watch the matches. After telling the receptionist who they are related to (they even had to show their Identity Cards to prove it), they pressed the button to the 17th floor, as Tezuka mentioned that that is the tennis floor. When the doors opened, there were already 10 people inside. (9 champions and Atobe. Ryoga's a champion, remember?). No one noticed them. They heard the nearest three (Pakura, Ryoma and Tyler, the strongest three) talking to one another.
"Ryoma, do you receive discrimination because you're going out with another male?" said Tyler.
Ryoma said, "Well, so far, no. I mean, why would I be discriminated just because I like people from the same gender?"
"That's because it's wrong." said a voice. The three turned to find that they have company.
"Who said that?" said Tyler.
"Me." said the younger man. He resembled a certain captain that Pakura is going to beat today.
"Shut up and mind your own business." Tyler turned back to his friends. "I bet those three will hate it in the Village in America. People of the same gender kiss and hold hands in the neighborhood all the time. They probably have a fit during the Gay Pride Parade, where everybody is kissing and holding hands and shouting, 'We're Here, We're Queer, Get Over It.'"
"How dare you talk to us like that?" the woman shouted. Her shouts caught all the attention of the champions, and they walked over to see what was going on. "What the heck's with all that shouting, woman?" said William.
"Your friend told us to shut up and mind our own business."
"That's because you interrupted our conversation, saying that people of the same gender shouldn't like each other." said Pakura.
"Seriously?" said Jude.
"Well, if that is what Pakura said, than it must be true." said Atobe.
"Pakura?" said the younger man. "As in…Pakura Goldstein?"
"That's right. The one who will be playing your son today." said Chris.
"By the way, why do you hate homosexual people?" said Jude.
"Well, it's just wrong." said the woman. "Don't you all think so?"
"No. In fact, our captain and Atobe are currently dating. In fact, half of the champions here like boys. I'll only say this once: We'll thank you not to inflict your stupid beliefs on us. We don't respect people who have problems with other's personality. Not even elders. If you insult our sexual orientation…" here, her eyes narrowed, looking ominous. "I will not hesitate to hurt you." Just then, the elevators dinged, and more of the teams filed out. The champions gave the Tezuka family a contemptuous look, and they headed for the bleachers. When everyone arrived, the Champions picked a number as usual. Pakura got a "8" so she and Tezuka are going to play last. Coach Mabi memorized their numbers, and went over to type the matches that are going to happen in order:
1st- Shiraishi Kuranosuke vs. Philip Robinson
2nd- Chitose Senri vs. Jude Harrison
3rd- Atobe Keigo vs. Derek Evans
4th- Yagyuu Hiroshi vs. Christopher McKiddie
5th- Shinji Ibu vs. Ryoma Echizen
6th- Oshitari Yuushi vs. Tyler Clearwater
7th- Tachibana Kippei vs. William Anderson
8th- Tezuka Kunimitsu vs. Pakura Goldstein
Philip got up, and took his racquet. "Good luck Philip!" said Chris.
"Thanks, Chris." With that, he walked on the courts.
45 minutes later, Philip won 6-3. He walked back to the court, and Jude was up next. He was nervous because he was going up against one of the Two Wings of Kyushu. Surprisingly, he won 7-6, though Chitose was good enough to the point that he nearly drained all of Jude's stamina. Derek lost his game 7-6 as well, which earned Atobe a spot in the Japan team. Ryoma was later seen kissing him in congrats. Tezuka's family looked like they wanted nothing than to shout every foul name they know at Ryoma and Atobe, but they were instantly silenced by the killer glares of all the champions. Christopher lost 6-4 in his next game. Ryoma won his game in 25 minutes flat, 6-0 because he knew Shinji's play style and how to overcome it. Tyler won his next game 6-2. William later won his next game 7-5. Finally, it was Pakura's turn.
"Go, Princess! Destroy him!" said Tyler.
"We'll all be behind you!" said Ryoga.
"Yeah, show him what you got!" said Ryoma and Atobe in unison.
Pakura smiled, took her racquet and walked to the courts.
"From Seigaku, we have Tezuka, captain! From Chess Pieces, we have Goldstein. Class: Knight! One set match, Goldstein to serve."
"Looks like I'll defeat the protégé before I beat the mentor."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Echizen mentored you, right?"
"Which one?"
"The younger one."
The champions burst out laughing. Pakura got a hold of herself, and said, "No. I am the mentor. Ryoga mentored me, it's true, but I was the one who mentored Ryoma."
'If I defeat the mentor, I bet Echizen would forfeit, thinking he couldn't win, and I'll win myself a spot on the team.' Tezuka thought.
Pakura thought. 'I think I should start easy.' She threw the ball and served. Pakura widened her eyes when she saw an aura emitting out of Tezuka. 'Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Hard Work)' He returned her serve with twice the strength. Pakura ran, and returned the ball, and returned it with ease. 'I have to admit, strength isn't one of my better departments. I only had remarkable strength due to my weapons training. He's currently using Pinnacle of Hard Work, so I might be at a disadvantage. I'll play a weakling for now, and then I'll come out fighting.' but, before she could finish her thought, the ball Tezuka returned, bounced, span on the spot for a few seconds, before it bounced away from her face. As part of her plan, Pakura screamed, and ran away from the ball. "15-0!" Coach Mabi announced. Pakura frowned, and served again. However, she is only using normal serves. "Goldstein, you don't happen to know who Chase Goldstein is, do you?" said Teuzka, as he returned the ball. Pakura fumbled, and the ball bounced past her. "30-0!" Coach Mabi announced.
"How should I not know Chase Goldstein? He's my brother." Pakura replied.
The Tezuka family gasped. So, the Goldstein family Kunikazu believed to have perished in the bombing has one more living member?
"Your brother is really pathetic, getting himself jailed. I bet his family is just the same as him." said Teuzka.
"It doesn't matter anyway. They don't even treat me as part of the family. I bet your grandfather, being a former policeman, didn't even make the link to me and Chase. So don't compare me and my brother." With that, she served again, but Tezuka returned it. Pakura could easily return the ball, but she let the ball blow off her racquet. "40-0!" Coach Mabi announced.
The rally continued, until Pakura tried to return the serve, but she fell down. "Game, to Teuzka, 3-0!" Pakura got up, and dusted herself. "Oh man…he's too strong for me. Oh well…" Tezuka served, and used Atobe's World of Ice on her. 'Now….freeze!' Surprisingly, the ice spikes on the ground all broke. 'What? She had no weak points?' Pakura smirked. 'He found out.' she thought. She slammed the ball on the court. "15-30!" Coach Mabi announced. "You noticed?" she smirked. "Well, then it's my turn…" she swapped her racquet to her left hand. "She threw the ball in the air, and served. The ball disappeared. Tezuka tried to find out where the ball is, and found it grazing his arm. The Tezuka Zone failed to locate the ball. It was almost like the ball was burning through his skin. He clutched to his arm in pain. "I hate to say this, but Scorch Serve is even stronger if I use my left hand." Tezuka tried to ignore the burn, threw the ball in the air, and served. Pakura jumped in the air, and hit the ball back. The ball span on the ground when it hit until it stops spinning. "30-all!" Coach Mabi announced.
"So you were pretending all along?" said Tezuka.
Pakura nodded. "I won my ITM by pretending to be weak, and then I revealed I am actually a cold hearted 'murderer'."
'I pretend not to care, to be strong, I pretend to be whole, I pretend I am fine.
I drink to leave, forget the past, the insanity, and the fear.
I lie about my feelings, my pain, my hurt my anger, my sanity.
I don't even know if I am sane anymore.
Tezuka, I am so jealous of you, to have such a loving family who cared for you. How must it feel like to be the apple of your family's eye, to be the family's pride? I will never know. Me, I grew up with a family that does not even pay attention to me, I grew up too fast as a result. I have done nothing but reading books and training all my life. I wish I knew love. Thanks to champions, to Ryoma, I finally had Ryoga. I'll pay him in kind.'
Tezuka threw the ball in the air and served it to her. Pakura returned it with ease, and suddenly she took a stance. Ryoma gasped. "That's…."
Tezuka returned the ball, and Pakura returned it. However, something is happening to Tezuka. Every time he tried to swing the ball, he ended up swinging the wrong ball. Also, his senses seemed to be blocked, like in the yips, the only difference being he can hear Pakura's voice, like an echo, but he couldn't see her. "Now, I'll show you the Champions anger for betraying our captain and the Champions true power." He couldn't see the ball, and every time it hits him, it's as if a knife has stabbed that particular area.
"Game, Goldstein, 3-all!" Coach Mabi announced. Pakura was deliberately aiming for his legs and arms. Finally, he saw one ball and hit the Zero Shiki Drop Shot, but suddenly, Pakura disappeared, where is she? He saw her standing in front of him, and he felt the ball hit his shoe. She returned it?
"Game, to Goldstein, 6-3!" Coach Mabi announced.
Pakura swung her racquet on her shoulder. "Your family is very biased against homosexuals. Well, let me tell you this, it's pathetic. I don't care if you are the family's pride. I say the opposite." Tezuka glared at her. "You're pathetic." Tezuka collapsed from his injuries.
"Kunimitsu!" Tezuka's family ran out to help their son/grandson.
"Tezuka!" his teammates also rushed on the court.
"What was that for? He didn't do anything wrong to you!"
"Hey, don't get me wrong. I am not doing this for my revenge. It's for someone else's." her eyes bore the unmistakable look of being from the underworld (of course, since she's born on the wrong side of the tracks).
"That was so cool, vice-captain!" said Tyler.
"Yeah, you were so amazing back there!" said William
"Good job, sweetheart." said Ryoga.
"Thanks everyone."
"Alright, let's go, everyone." said Ryoma. The champions left, leaving the others on the court.
At lunch, Atobe was telling the champions who got in the team, which are Yagyuu and himself. "So, there is only one spot left, and Oshitari, Chitose, Tezuka, Kamio, and Shinji are vying for the last spot. I bet the matches would be more intense tomorrow." The champions nodded. Pakura, however, was picking on her tuna salad. "What's wrong, Princess?" said William.
"Must be nice, isn't it, to have family that loves you so much. I feel so jealous of Tezuka to have such loving parents." She murmured.
"Yeah, and look how great he and his family turned out." said Tyler sarcastically. "I won't give respect to that family, thinking they can inflict their beliefs on us and then expecting us to change for them."
Just then, the elevator dinged, and Coach Levi stepped out. "Er…may I have a word with Pakura?" Pakura stood up, and followed Coach Levi to the lounge.
"Is it about today's match?' said Pakura.
Coach Levi shook his head. "No. Techinically you were not breaking any rules, so we can't do anything to you. I am here for another reason."
"What is it?"
"Well, after the fourth day of matches, we are going to organize a dance that requires you all to ask a person to be your date. I really need you to say yes for me to bring a few lucky girls to the Training Center so that the boys can choose who they want to take to the dance."
"Erm…How are you going to do that?"
"Well that's why I need your permission to bring the public on the fourth day."
"Only teenage girls I presume?"
"Yes, only teenage girls."
"But, does your date necessarily have to be of the opposite gender?" said Pakura, giving Coach Levi an "if-you-say-yes-I'll-kill-you" glare.
"No. You can ask the ones from the same gender if you like. Why?"
Pakura sighed. "I'll confide this to you: This morning, the Tezuka family interrupted us when we are discussing about homosexuality, and they flat out told us homosexuality is wrong. Also, they tried to inflict their beliefs that same genders couldn't love on us."
"I see."
"I assume you are going to invite all the girls from each schools tennis club?"
"Yes."
"What if the girls didn't get a date to the dance?"
"Then, they will be ushered out of the Training Center. They will only be here for one day. Please?" Coach Levi pleaded.
"Fine. On a few conditions: 1, that the Tezukas doesn't disturb us again. 2, be sure to announce that you are allowed to bring boys of the same gender."
Coach Levi nodded. "Thank you, Pakura." With that, he got up. "Help me wish good luck to all of them for tomorrow's match, won't you?" Pakura nodded, and returned to her table. "What did Coach Levi want, Pakura?" said Ryoma.
"He wanted to seek my permission to get the girls form every school's tennis clubs so that you all can choose your date for the dance after the matches. Of course, I made him promise that we are allowed to take those of the same gender as your date, for Ryoma's sake. Oh and Coach Levi wishes us all good luck for tomorrow's match."
Ryoma nodded. "Thank you, Pakura."
Pakura nodded, and continued on her salad.
"Tomorrow's your match with Tezuka. You should eat more, Ryoma." said Atobe.
Ryoma nodded. "Thanks, Keigo."
Ryoma silently smirked. 'Tezuka Kunimitsu, Seigaku's captain tomorrow, I'll finish you off. Let me tell you, I am more dangerous than Pakura.'
BP: I was watching Beelzebub so it may be bad. Please review! As stated above, I am very disappointed by the lack of reviews, so I need more to encourage me! Please don't disappoint me like you all did during some points in the story!