Hey guys! I know I said in Everything Has Changed that Ch 11 would be up'd soon but the start of a new school year got in the way, lol. Kidding aside, this was supposed to be a longer chapter but since I can't make out how I want those certain scenes to be, I've split this chapter's supposed content. I'm researching a lot so I won't disappoint you. And I'll be honest, tennis isn't really my game but badminton. Just chose the former due to various reasons v(^_^)

I'll be working on a ch 2 of EHC while trying to work things out for MF's ch 12 so till idk when... see ya~!

Bet

The following day, almost the whole school was talking about the baseball club's victory. The team members, especially the regulars, were getting a lot of attention because of it. Even Sawamura who was usually ignored and/or ridiculed had become the center of attention in their class. He was surrounded by a number of his classmates and was being praised. Kanemaru on the other hand was like a forgotten existence, or well to be exact, his double hit was. Unfortunately for the third baseman, it was overshadowed by Sawamura's brazen pitching. Meanwhile as well, the two managers that belonged in their class-Haruno and Rina-were busy cutting out the articles from today's newspapers.

As the two girls were doing that, Kanemaru approached Rina.

"Because of our win yesterday it's obvious that the others have forgotten to touch on your topic but I will." The blonde young man declared. "So, explain your abrupt departure and sudden return."

"Do I really have to give my explanation now?" she sheepishly asked.

"Actually Rina-chan, I'm curious as well," said Haruno.

"Look, class will start soon. If you want to hear it I'll tell you tonight so that I can give you the full details. If you want to know something right now then ask me something else." Rina retorted as if she was avoiding the subject.

"Then where were you since you came back? You didn't even contact anyone, choosing to surprise us instead like that." Kanemaru pointed out.

"That I can answer," Rina's lips stretched upwards, her smirk finally appearing before them once again. "I was at Osaka for a tournament too. I knew that you guys would be focused on your games so I didn't bother telling anyone of my return. Likewise, I was focusing on my own matches." The brunette shrugged.

"Eh!?" Eyes widened in their little group. Though Haruno's close classmates were simply confused. "Osaka you say, Rina-chan!?" Haruno still couldn't believe it.

"Yeah. I was glad that the tournament's schedule didn't overlap with the finals but because I was asked for an exclusive interview yesterday morning, I wasn't able to make it to the game." Rina lightly whined.

"Takashima-san what do you mean by 'exclusive interview?'" the girl with shorter hair asked.

"And just what kind of tournament did you join?" The longer haired continued.

"Okay class take your seats. I'm taking the atendance." Class 1-C's homeroom teacher arrived before Rina could answer the following questions. She mouthed a 'sorry' and told them they'll continue it later.

_._._._._

Lunch time has arrived and Rina was about to stand up and go to the cafeteria with Sawamura but somebody was looking for her.

"Oi Takashima, a second year is looking for you," exclaimed one of their classmates.

"A second year?" Rina thought. If it was from the baseball club then her classmate would have mentioned it, but he didn't. Just who could it be?

She walked towards the door with Sawamura trailing behind her, heading straight to the cafeteria as soon as she finishes talking with whoever it was who was asking for her.

"Takashima Rina-san, please join the tennis club!" the other party declared as soon as the twin-tailed brunette faced them.

"Yes?" was all that Rina could mutter

"What!? She can't join the tennis club because Rina is already the manager of the baseball club," protested Sawamura. Ignoring the loud first year, the person from the tennis club tried to explain himself.

"I'm Ogasawara Subaru, the captain of the tennis club." He briefly introduced himself before he continued. "I recognized Takashima-san as soon as I saw you when you transferred here to Seido. I was surprised to learn that you, who was based in the US, came all the way here to Japan to study. I was quite puzzled about your reason but then I remembered that you had injured yourself during US Open. So, I didn't bother to ask you to join our club anymore. But seeing you make a triumphant return at the Osaka Mayor's Cup prompted me to ask you. It would be such an honor to train together with one of the world's best junior tennis players." Ogasawara looked Rina straight in the eyes. He was filled with determination and hope that Rina would accept his offer. Rina had to be honest though. The brunette has already seen the top of the world and aiming to conquer nationals with Seido's tennis club sounded a bit dull. However though, she was willing to give them a chance.

"I'm sorry senpai but as this guy here said, I'm already the baseball club's manager."

"I know that. I came here asking you knowing about that. Won't you think about it first? Isn't the tennis club where you should really be?" Ogasawara retoted making Rina sigh.

"I understand. How about this then? We play a one set match now and if you win, I'll quit the baseball club and devote myself to the tennis club. But if I win, you just have to give up on me joining."

"What are you saying Rina!?" Sawamura furiously asked. He wasn't aware of Rina's abilities yet that's why. On the other hand, the tennis club's captain knew well about Rina's skills. He gulped air as a drop sweat trailed down his face.

He was hesitating. He knew he'd be no much for a world class player like her despite being a girl but he couldn't be called a man, less could he be proud of himself as the tennis club's captain if he declined this challenge. Ogasawara Subaru gathered his courage and accepted the match presented before him. She nodded at the second year and told him to go to the tennis courts first.

"Since I can't play in my uniform, I'll just go get changed. I'll be there in ten minutes." Rina dashed off to the dorms to change and retrieve her racket while Sawamura excused himself as well to round up all the other members of the baseball club.

_._._._._

Sawamura rushed as fast as he could to the cafeteria where most members where likely to be during the lunch break. As soon as he got there, he immediately saw Kuramochi together with the other third years.

"Kuramochi-senpai! Rina… she's-" Sawamura tried to tell them as he was catching his breath.

"Hm? What about Rina?" Miyuki nonchalantly asked.

"She's having a match with the tennis club's team captain!" Sawamura shouted which earned him stares from the students currently eating at the cafeteria. Though, it did save him the trouble of going around the cafeteria and report the situation to his senpais.

"Would you mind giving us the details?" Yuuki requested.

"Yes! Rina and I were about to go here when they said someone was asking for her. I think his name was Oga… Oga-" Sawamura was cut off as he tried to remember the name.

"Ogasawara Subaru, am I right?" It was Nabe. Members who had not yet gotten something to eat gathered at the table of the third years to listen in on the details. "He's in the same class as we are."

"Yes! That's his name!" Sawamura continued after a brief pause. "And then, after introducing himself he asked if Rina would join the tennis club. Of course Rina refused initially but that Ogasawara guy was being a persistent so Rina told him that if he beats her, she'll quit being the baseball club's manager and join the tennis club instead. But if Rina wins, then he'll back off." A chuckle could be heard after Sawamura's report making him and the others confused.

"And here I thought that girl was in trouble again." Ryosuke said in a sarcastic tone.

"She is in trouble!" Sawamura retorted.

"She'll be fine. Knowing Rina, she wouldn't make a bet where she would lose. She probably thinks of this as an easy win." The older Kominato expressed his trust in the brunette.

"But this is an interesting event. I mean, we haven't seen her play tennis since she arrived here so this should be entertaining." The pink-haired third year continued. And so, everyone present hurried in finishing their meals in order to the catch the match about to begin.

_._._._._

Rina arrived at the court bringing only herself and her racket. Sporting her hair into a ponytail, she wore a skapri, where the skirt was blue and the leggings black, pairing it with a blue long sleeve top. The brunette had a wristband on her right wrist and she held her racket with her left hand.

As Rina entered the court, it was as if her personality had changed. Without the smile even disappearing from her face, from a cheerful young lady she seemed like she turned into a ruthless queen.

"Shall we start warming-up senpai?" Ogasawara felt sudden chills down his spine. The tennis club's captain was now slowly starting to realize the great difference between him and the one know as 'The Empress of the Court'.