Chapter 4

Rankings and Math

Class that day wasn't out of the ordinary, nor was lunch. The guys were back from their tournament, and we were joined by Momo this time around. He and Eiji were quite the pair together. I was thankful we were on the roof and unable to disturb anyone, because at one point, Fuji decided it would be fun to give Taka a racket. The yelling was impressive after that. But then again, we had Tezuka, and one word from him was enough to shut all three up, including Taka.

Math class was a painful affair seeing that we got the results from our first test. It wasn't a grade that counted, it was a test to see what we knew, what we understood, and what we needed reviewing. Simply put, I am thankful to Fuji for agreeing to be my tutor.

The other classes I did enjoy. But then it was the end of classes, and I was walking with Fuji and Tezuka towards the tennis courts. They both went into the clubroom to get ready, as I walked around the courts. It wasn't long before the players started their games.

Fuji and Taka's game was really entertaining. It seemed as if Taka had the upper hand with his power, but slowly but surely Fuij's techniques took the upper hand. For the first time, I was able to see just how Fuji played. Most of the other third year regulars were smiling at the game, but Tezuka looked serious.

"Tezuka-san, you don't seem to enjoy the game" I said looking over at him, it was then that Inui, Eiji and Oishi noticed his expression too.

"Ne, buchou, it is a fun game" Eiji said, looking between the game and Tezuka.

"Fuji is not playing entirely seriously" Tezuka said.

"To be honest, it is odd he hasn't used his Triple Counters" Oishi said looking back at the game.

"Triple Counters?" I asked.

"Fuji's best techniques, that when used, usually determine the game to his favor" Inui said. "But at the same time, Taka is only working at about 78% of his usual power"

"Fuji has a lot more potential than he shows… The thing is getting him to play seriously enough to show us that potential" Tezuka said.

The lasted a little over an hour, and Fuji won 7-5. It was then when we were walking back towards the clubhouse, that we noticed the other interesting game going on: Kaidoh vs Echizen.

We didn't say much, as the game had only started minutes ago, but then I saw something that wasn't really something I thought could happen, but even before I asked, Fuji answered it for me.

"The Snake. Kaidoh's signature shot." Fuji said.

"Creepy name" I mumbled, and Fuji chuckled next to me. "You are telling me the name fits?"

At that particular moment, I heard Kaidoh hiss at Echizen for returning the Snake.

"The name fits" Fuji said smiling.

We continued to watch the game only to notice that Momo had joined us, but that he was standing with other first years; the ones I usually saw near Echizen. The match was entertaining. Echizen was returning all of Kaidoh's shots, making the rallies longer. The first years seemed amazed that he could return such a strong shot, but to me it just seemed weird: Kaidoh kept up the shot even when it wasn't working, then Momo explained it.

"That idiot, he fell into the Snake's trap" he said smirking.

"Snake's Trap?" one of the first years, Katsuo asked, while the other two looked alarmed.

"By forcing the player to run after balls, he depletes them of their stamina, and then takes the game when they are too tired to catch up" Inui said, and we all heard him.

"So, by that rationale, Echizen should be pretty tired right now?" I asked, and looked back at the game. "He doesn't look like it"

Most of the players now started to take notice of Echizen's form and his playing. They were indeed at 4 games each, and the game had lasted quite long, but if anything Echizen didn't seem tired in an out of the ordinary way.

"I see" Fuji said, his smirk widening a little. "The kid is really smart"

"Fuji-senpai, what do you mean?" the shorter freshmen, Kachiro asked timidly.

"Look at the balls Echizen is returning, how they stick close to the ground." Fuji said, and everyone turned to look at Kaidoh receive a ball, which was in fact, really low.

"Hoi, Hoi! Kaidoh looks awfully tired, ne?" Eiji said.

"By keeping the balls low, Echizen has forced Kaidoh to keep his knees bent to be able to hit the ball, which has been causing a lot more stress in the body than Kaidoh usually experiences." Fuji said.

"Like a double-edged sword. Kaidoh's tactic of making this a long game, has turned without his knowledge unto his detriment." Inui said.

"Kaidoh does look quite tired" Momo said.

The game went on, and soon enough, Echizen had won 6 games to 4. We all walked together to the clubhouse, and I was saying goodbye to the guys, and I was about to leave.

"Alex-chan, do you feel like tea again?" Fuji asked, making sure no one else heard.

I actually felt like going, but… "I can't. I'm going to help out for today at the pizzeria" I said, knowing that I had told my dad I would stop by, which would then turn into me helping with something.

"Oh right." He said, he then smiled, and made a move to turn.

Of course, I am sure my brain had no idea what the hell happened when the next words went out of my mouth. "You want to come with me?"

"Sure" he said smirking. "I'll only take a few minutes." He said and went into the clubhouse.

About 20 minutes later, he finally came out of the clubhouse, and we started walking in the direction of the pizzeria. We didn't talk much on the way, instead I gave him the address for the place, and let him lead me, since I actually that familiar with the area. By the time we got there it was about 7pm, but the pizzeria seemed to be "open." I assumed my dad was working late. I went in first, closely followed by Fuji.

"Hey dad!" I yelled into the store. I heard a bang, coming from what seemed to be the kitchen.

"Alex!" I heard him yell back. "Kitchen!"

I walked into the kitchen, noting that Fuji was following a few steps back.

The kitchen was a mess of flour, grated cheese, tomatoes, and several toppings all over the counter.

"Dad?" I asked to the room in general.

"Here!" he said walking from behind an open cabinet door. "Getting the Oregano"

"Right… and mom?" I asked.

"She went out to get some drinks." He said, and then proceeded to walk to the oven. "We felt like making pizzas tonight."

"Oh. Right" I said and noticed that Fuji was standing in the doorway, but before I was able to introduce him…

"Hello! You must be my daughter's boyfriend!" my dad said, finally noticing the stranger in the room. I on the other hand was dumbfounded, embarrassed, and burning up about what he said.

"No!" I yelled, and threw a spoon that was on the table at my dad. "He is a friend."

"I said that!" my dad argued. "A Boy Friend… as in a guy friend."

"No you didn't, and you are lucky it wasn't the knife I threw" I mumbled.

"Well, in any case. My name is Roberto Velázquez" my dad said extending his hand.

"It is nice to meet you Velázquez-sama" Fuji said shaking his hand, after a small bow. "I'm Fuji Syusuke."

"Please, just call me Roberto… everyone does" my dad said with a smile. "Ne, Fuji-san, are you the friend who is helping my daughter with math?"

"Yes, Roberto-sama, I am" Fuji said smiling.

"Who is helping Alex with math?" my mom's voice came front the front, and as she walked into the kitchen, she found us all there. "Oh, hello. I'm Rei, Alex's mom."

"Fuji Syusuke" Fuji said again, this time bowing to my mom, who bowed back in response.

"I am glad to make your acquaintance." Rei said, and then pointing at Alex. "Good luck with that one and math"

"Hey!" I said, but was ignored.

"Yeah, and you seem like a nice guy, so I assume you can handle her" Rei continued, not paying attention to her daughter, which Fuji noted was frustrating said daughter.

"He must be like Buddha, cause no ordinary person could tutor Alex!" Roberto said smiling.

"I'm standing right here!" I yelled, and noted how both my parents just shrugged at that.

Fuji didn't say anything only smirked at me, while I fumed. "They wonder why I don't bring many friends over… this is why."

"They make fun of you" Fuji said, looking at my mom and dad. "I like them"

It was then that I slapped him across the back of his head. "What does that mean?" I yelled at him.

"Alexandra! Apologize!" my mom yelled.

"Sorry" I mumbled.

"It's fine" Fuji said smiling.

"Pizza is ready!" My dad yelled.

Dinner was nice, it was mostly my parents asking Fuji about his family, school, and at one point tennis. Fuji did get some questions in, mostly about places we had lived in. By the end of the night, Fuji decided it was time for him to go home. As her parents finished up cleaning the kitchen, I walked with him to the front door.

"You have matches tomorrow?" I asked as we walked.

"Just one in the morning." He said, and then before walking out the door, he turned around and looked at me. "Inui is playing the freshmen."

"Interesting" I said, and then as he opened the door and half walked out. "I think I'll be watching that game too."

"Good night Alex" Fuji said walking out the door before I could even get a goodbye in.

I waited until Fuji was out of sight before going back into the kitchen, only to find my mom and dad making out.

"Oh, for everything that is Holy, will you just get a room?" I yelled. "Seriously, are you bloody rabbits or something…"

Her parents merely laughed, and went back to picking up.

The next morning I was out the door before my mom could even get a word in. I really wasn't in the mood to talk that morning. School was a little more filled up than usual this early in the morning, but I assumed it was due to the last day of ranking matches. A good portion of the regulars were already decided. Tezuka, Fuji, Oishi, Eiji, Momo, and Taka had all gotten enough wins to qualify them for a regular position. One spot was also taken by rookie Echizen Ryoma, who was also unbeaten thus far. He and Inui played a match this morning, and then Inui had a game against Kaidoh. The two games that would determine the final spot. Fuji's game started early, and ended early. He really showed no mercy against his opponent. By the time we got to the other court, the Echizen-Inui game was already starting.

It was a weird game to say the least, because it seemed that Inui knew where every ball Echizen returned would land, and he was there to hit it back.

"Inui's data tennis" Fuji said to me. At the moment we were standing on our own. I noticed the freshmen kids, on the other side of the court.

"Data Tennis?" I asked confused.

"He gathers data from each of his opponents, and using calculated shots, he can virtually predict any game" Fuji said smiling. "Or so he thinks."

"Can he predict you?" I asked smirking.

"Nope. Neither Tezuka nor myself have lost an official match since freshmen year." Fuji said.

"Impressive" I said.

Eventually Echizen found a way to counter Inui's tennis. By being faster than the data itself.

"Split Steps" Fuji said looking at Echizen. "Or his own brand of them"

"His own brand?"

"Split Steps is a way to speed up your game by half a pace. You keep in motion by the small jumps, not stopping which decreases the loss of speed from stopping." Fuji explained. "But Echizen, as opposed to the regular split steps, only lands on one foot, depending on which direction he is headed."

"One Footed Split Step" I said.

Fuji nodded and then added. "By that, he gains a step and a half speed advantage"

I nodded in understanding and then finished watching Echizen as he won his match on serve, with his particular serve: The Twist Serve.

As the game finished I looked at Fuji, and found him eyes open, and looking at Echizen with a smile in his face. It was a weird smile, like the smile one gets when they see an interesting challenge. I found myself smiling as well. Fuji was quite the guy.