BP: Got depressed because of the 2 Cs I got for my National Exam, for those who live in my country it is also known as GCE O Levels. Needless to say, my family and friends were disappointed in me, so back to the story!

Warning: May have OOC, but I'm trying to portray Ryoma as a caring brother at home and the aloof student at school.

Alluka was forced to stay in hospital for a week. During the one week, Ryoma visited her every day, and even brought food for her. Occasionally, he came to her ward in order to evade his teammates' and classmates' constant questioning about his girlfriend. Nobody would have thought to look for Ryoma in a hospital anyway. Well, her stay at the hospital wasn't so bad, she was never bored with Ryoma as company and entertainment.

By the time Alluka returned home, it was already evening, and Ryoma was due back any time. She silently sighed, as she didn't have time to make dinner. She heard the door open, and she rushed out to greet her brother. Ryoma smiled at the presence of his sister. "Thank God you're out now." He said as hugged her. However, there was something in his eyes that suggested he was slightly uneasy about something. Alluka let him go, stepped back, and placed her hands on her hips. She gave him a frown. Ryoma knew she was asking what is wrong, even if she didn't say it.

"It's nothing, Al-chan." Ryoma mumbled, trying to side step her, but was blocked. Alluka's expression clearly said, "Liar. Tell me now." She folded her arms to make sure he knows her threat was serious.

"Alright, alright." Ryoma held up his hands in surrender. "It's buchou."

Alluka raised one eyebrow. Well? Tell me.

"He gave me one tennis ball, and told me he'd be waiting for me at the Haruno courts three days from now." Ryoma said resignedly.

Her eyes flicked from his tennis bag to him, and Ryoma noticed the pointed look.

"Yeah, he wanted a tennis match. What else do you think it is, a date?" he said sarcastically. "Not that I would date him, anyway, since I like Fuji-senpai….." he covered his mouth, but a glint in Alluka's eyes suggested she already heard what he felt about this Fuji. However, the glint disappeared as soon as it came, and she simply looked at the tennis ball and shrugged. Ryoma knew she was telling him he had to be mentally prepared to lose, because he had no chance of winning against his captain. However, he understood that Alluka knows that he wouldn't go down without a fight. She pointed towards the bathroom, indicating she already set up his bath.

"Did you make dinner?" Ryoma asked.

Alluka sadly shook her head and pointed to her watch.

"No time?" Ryoma asked.

Alluka nodded.

"That's alright, we'll order something after my bath. Alright?" Ryoma patted her on the head.

Alluka nodded, frowning slightly.

"I know takeaway food is not very healthy, but it's convenient, and I'm not going to let you tire yourself again." He added the last statement sternly.

Alluka nodded reluctantly.

Later, they ordered some really excellent food for dinner. They had ordered insalata caprese, ravioli al funghetto, and a pizza margherita, and sat down in front of the TV and watched the America's Funniest Home Videos. (Well maybe they don't show it in Japan, but they sure show it in my country.) They forgot all about their problems, like Alluka's heart condition is going to deteriorate or that Ryoma's going to play a match against his captain, which he is most likely to lose….for now.

However, the inevitable still has to happen, and three days later, Ryoma found himself walking to the Haruno courts to get defeated by his captain. The only encouraging thing is that Alluka is going there with him. What's more, she's disguised again. She would be watching the match, but she'll keep herself hidden.

When they reached the said place, Alluka retreated to the nearby pillar. She noted that a brown-haired boy with an angelic smile is at the other side, watching as well. However, neither the captain nor Ryoma seemed to notice this. (I know Oishi is the one watching in the actual story, but I just wanted to change it to Fuji for this story's sake)

As Alluka watched her brother and his captain rally, her thoughts were racing. 'What is this?' she thought. 'How was the captain able to return that serve without even moving?' She listened as the captain asked if Ryoma could beat him.

She saw him smile a little and say, "Only if you ask me to."

Alluka's eyes flicked back and forth, watching the motion of the ball. 'The captain returned his signature twist serve without even blinking an eye?' Her surprised expression slowly turned into a passive one. 'The captain is several levels above Ryoma. Also, Ryoma's Singles play-style is a copy of our father's, and is not as powerful as our father's. The captain must have known this, and his objective may be to get Ryoma to develop his own Singles play-style. His captain is most likely an all-rounder, just like Ryoma, if he is able to understand Ryoma's Singles play-style so well. I can see why he's the captain.'

Fuji stood at the other side watching the match. 'He returned Echizen's twist serve with ease. Usually serves aimed at the face is hard to return. But, by bending his back, Tezuka can turn the serve into a high lob. He's not playing. He's going all out.'

"Echizen, why do you play tennis?" The captain suddenly asked Ryoma.

Alluka momentarily saw Ryoma freeze at the question.

Ryoma took a deep breath. 'Seems like buchou doesn't know I am originally a doubles player. All the tournaments I have won for four consecutive times in America…is actually from a Mixed Doubles Tournament. The reason why I sucked at it the last time was because the only person who can synchronize with my play-style, and is compatible with me, is Alluka.'

Ryoma straightened himself, and said, "There is someone I want to defeat." He prayed that his captain would not see through his lie, as he executed the twist serve, and hit the ball towards Tezuka. 'My only safe bet is that no one in Seigaku knows that I am actually a Doubles Specialist. The people I defeated in the past may go for my doubles partner if they find out.'

"You only play tennis just to defeat that one person?" Tezuka asked, hitting the ball back to Ryoma. Good, he bought it.

Ryoma rallied back, not answering.

"If you defeat that person one day, what would you have left?" Tezuka returned the ball back to Ryoma. Ryoma stayed silent, returning the ball.

Tezuka swung his left arm back in a familiar stance.

'Stop it, Tezuka, your arm…!' Fuji thought in panic. But it was too late, for he executed one powerful but arm-risking technique: Zero Shiki Drop Shot.

Ryoma watched as the ball dropped to the ground and without bouncing, spun towards the net, and stopped.

"Game set." His captain announced.

Ryoma tried to regain his breath. He barely registered his captain's next sentence.

"Echizen, become Seigaku's Pillar of Support!"

All Ryoma could manage was a nod.

After the match, Fuji caught up to Tezuka. "Did you really have to use that move?"

"It's necessary, Fuji. I have to go all out, so he'll remember that he has to develop his own play-style to defeat me." Tezuka replied. "Echizen has the potential, all he has to do is to develop it, or else, he'll never defeat me. What is it that you want to tell me anyway? Before the match, you said you wanted to tell me something, but you'll save it until after the match."

"I just found out something that might interest you."

"What is it?"

Fuji shoved a piece of paper onto Tezuka's hands. Tezuka looked down and read the paper. It's a list of prominent tennis players who specialize in Doubles in America. "What does that got to do with anything?"

Fuji smiled and pointed to a name in the paper.

Tezuka looked at where he was pointing, and visibly froze.

Ryoma Echizen?

BP: Bad, because I have 10 minutes, and I have writer's block and I am depressed as well. See ya, when I overcome it! Do review, though!