Eiji walked with Sayomi to the tennis courts, showing her more places on the way. He pointed out a hair salon.

"Hey, if you get the okay from your parents, I'd like to get a little something done to your hair."

"You don't want me to cut it do you?!"

"Why not? You'd look cuter with your hair short."

"It seems like everyone's telling me that..."

"Eh? Who else told you that?"

"Um...it's not that important. So what did you want to get done to my hair?"
"Well, if it's alright with you, I wanted to get a streak of your hair dyed red. Y'know, to represent me."

"Only if you get something to represent me too..."
"How about if I wear a collar, like you?"

"I'd like that."

Sayomi called her parents to make sure it was okay to get a streak of her hair dyed. Eiji sat on a nearby bench and waited in anticipation of the answer, which he hoped would be a yes.

"So have we got permission?"
"I'm allowed!"

"Oh, yay!"

Eiji picked her up and hugged her tightly.

"Eiji-senpai, please don't do this while we're in public!"

"Yeah, let's just go inside."

Eiji walked inside, dragging Sayomi behind him.

"Hiya, can we got a streak of her hair dyed red?"

"Sure, take a seat over there and I'll be right with you. I just have to get a few things ready."

Sayomi sat down nervously. The hairdresser came back with everything she needed to dye her hair.

"Only a streak, right?"
"Yeah, just a streak."

"Not a problem. It should only take about a minute to put the dye in, but you'll have to wait a little while for it to set."

"Okay, then I'll be right back."
"Eiji-senpai, where are you going?!"
"I'm going to bring you something to do while you wait!"

Eiji ran over to the nearest newsstand and bought a tennis magazine. By the time he returned, the hairdresser had just finished putting the dye in.

"Ah, perfect timing!"

"Here, I bought you a tennis magazine. It covers international events!"

Eiji handed her the magazine and read over her shoulder.

"Check it out, they're reviewing the best junior tournaments of all time!"

"Awesome! Look, there's one from Canada! I wonder if I was there..."

Eiji looked at the picture and caption.

"It says it's from a few years ago. From the finals of the girls division. And the girl in the picture, currently the best junior female player in North America is...Sayomi Shihobu?!"

"Yep, I was there..." she muttered.

"You're the best junior female player in North America and you didn't tell me?!"

Everyone in the salon turned and looked at the two.

"Look, I didn't want people to feel like I thought I was better than everyone. If I wanted people to know, then I would have already said it. So stop yelling it."

"Did you even tell your friends?"
"No...not even Kome knows. So please don't tell anyone..."
"Don't worry. I'm the only one that knows, and I'll make sure it stays that way."

"Thank you."

"But this makes me wonder what else you haven't told us..."

"I'll tell you what: when we play our singles match, I'll tell you a secret every time you score a point against me."

"Sounds good to me."
"Oh, but to be fair, you'll have to tell me a secret for every point I score."

"Oh, you're a sneaky little b-"
"Don't call me that!"

After the dye had set and been washed out, Sayomi was ready to leave. Eiji had paid the hairdresser and continued toward the tennis courts with Sayomi. When they arrived, Eiji took his racket out and began spinning it around his wrist, looking for an empty court to practice on. When Sayomi spotted one, she instantly ran over to it in order to prevent someone else from using it. The moment she stepped on the court, you could see her change in personality.

"I know I said I didn't want to play our singles game today, but since we're playing for something now..."

"Get over here cat boy, I want to learn your secrets..."

"No matter how many times that happens, it will still freak me out."

Sayomi stood bouncing the ball, her back facing Eiji.

"What are you doing?"
"You'll see."

She tossed the ball high into the air, jumped up, and did a midair flip, using the force of her whole body to hit the ball. It shot past a stunned Eiji and into the corner of the court. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

"That's one, tell me a secret."

"Uh...let's see..."

"What's that bandage covering?"

"Nothing."
"So why do you wear it?"

"Score another point and I'll tell you."

She played with her right hand, easily scoring another point.

"If there's nothing under the bandage, then why do you wear it."

"No reason. Why do you wear that ribbon?"

"You have to score a point before I tell you."

Feeling like she should let Eiji score a point and tell him something about herself, she didn't play seriously and did. But rather than asking about the ribbon like she expected, Eiji decided to ask something else.

"Hm...let's see...Have you ever made out with anyone?"
"Hey, thet's personal!"

"It doesn't matter, I scored a point, so you have to tell me."
"Ugh, fine. Yes."
"Who?!"
"That's another question."

Sayomi began playing seriously now, as not to allow Eiji to ask another question. Before long, she had won the game.

"Stick to doubles with Oishi, cat boy."

"Could I ask one more question?"
"Depends on the question."
"Are you left handed or right handed?"
"Both."
"But what's your more dominant hand?"
"Why?"
"Because when I first saw you play, you were using your left hand. But yesterday and today you've been using your right hand."

"Left."
"So...you were going easy on us?"
"And I still beat you!"

Eiji stepped off the court, hoping Sayomi would follow. As she did, her personality returned to normal.

"So...why were you going easy on us?"

"I'm sorry...I just wanted to get better with my right hand..."
"Better? You're already amazing as it is!"

"I'm sorry...did you want me to play you using my left hand?"
"What?! I can't even beat you with your right!"
"I think we should go home now..."
"Alright, should I walk you home?"

"Okay." she smiled.