Disclaimer: I do not own Tennis no Ohjisama and Card Captor Sakura, especially each respective anime's characters. Iwase Kumiko-san, Maeda Hideki-san and the Reverie Café are my own creations. Any similarities with real people and/or place are unintentional and coincidental.
Author's Note: This story is not a crossover fanfiction regardless of Daidouji Tomoyo's and Hiiragizawa Eriol's occasional appearances. Todoroki Valley is a real place in Tokyo. I have never been there, so I apologize for the insufficiency of data. Details on how to go there, some of which are also mentioned in this chapter, are provided by Japan-Guide through its website.
Enjoy reading!
The Sadist of SeigakuChapter 7: Tribulation
Downtown Tokyo
Oishi and Kikumaru are walking home. It is not like their usual walks back home because the atmosphere is sullen and the two – well, Kikumaru – are eerily silent. They have been passing by small shops here and there, but no one has even started a mere conversation. It's just a good thing that they have known each other long enough for them to jive together always, even while walking.
Oishi is keeping his face straight to where they are going. Kikumaru, on the other hand, alternately glances between where they are going and on some interesting shops they pass by. However, it does not take long before Kikumaru breathes out a loud sigh.
"Nya, Oishi…"
Oishi looks at his rather bored doubles partner. He gives his friend a good-natured smile.
"Are you worried about Fuji, nya?"
"Worried?"
Oishi cocks his head to the right, examining himself. He blinks a few times before turning back to Kikumaru. "A bit, Eiji. Just a bit."
Kikumaru puckers his lips. "Nya, Fuji has played against Yuuta several times, right? So, why do we all seem worried about him for Thursday's prefecture games? Even Tezuka looked weird during practice."
Oishi gives Kikumaru an understanding smile, before bowing his head a bit. Kikumaru is not naïve; just a bit confused. Even he is questioning himself why he is worrying about Fuji, when after all, they are talking about Fuji Syuusuke, the prodigy of Seigaku. After a sigh, he returns his gaze back to where they are going.
"I have thought of that, too, Eiji. Then again, I think Fuji and the others regard this more different than the other times the brothers have played against each other. From what I remember, they have not played against each other in an official match. We're in our last year in senior high school too, Eiji. After we graduate, we may not have this chance of playing tennis the way we are playing it now – as a team and as friends," Oishi gives Kikumaru a small smile, who, in turn, nods his head in understanding.
"Fuji, like Tezuka, wants to play without regrets this time. Then again, he would not want to hurt his brother because of his dream. For now, Fuji is torn between being the good big brother and the good teammate."
Kikumaru heaves a deep sigh. Oishi's right. The two brothers have played against each other many times. This time, however, the game is an official one, and it will determine the fate of the brothers as tennis players. Kikumaru blinks a few times before innocently calling to Oishi.
"Nya, what do you think Fuji will do, Oishi?"
Oishi regards Kikumaru through a long pause, before looking straight ahead.
"Fuji will do what he thinks is best for his brother."
Fuji smiles at Tomoyo after she replenishes his cup of tea the second time.
"Sakuno-chan will be out in a while, Fuji-san. She is just finishing her lessons with Iwase-san," Tomoyo explains with a smile.
Fuji nods in understanding, as Tomoyo excuses herself and returns to the counter to assist the other staff working in the café. He, then, turns his attention back to the staff room where Sakuno usually takes her lessons with the proprietress.
He unconsciously grins afterwards.
It is becoming a habit of his: usually, after practice, he will visit the café just to check on what Sakuno-chan is doing. Most of the time, he would leave after checking; but occasionally, like today, he would stay and wait for her to finish her lessons.
His line of thought is disturbed by the clicking sound of the staff room's doorknob. He turns to his left just in time to be gifted by Sakuno-chan's very precious doe-eye expression.
"Ne, what can I do for you, senpai?" Sakuno politely asks.
"Saa…nothing in particular, Sakuno-chan," Fuji replies as he taps the seat beside him, inviting her to sit beside him. "Saa…how was class?"
Sakuno cocks her head to the right, trying to make a concise reply.
"Ano, I learned the best way of making whipped cream, senpai."
"Whipped cream?" Fuji inquires. "Yumiko-neesan usually puts whipped cream on top of her berries for dessert."
Sakuno smiles. "Hai, and it can be used with pastries, too, senpai."
Fuji nods to her statement, but after that, he becomes silent. To Sakuno, he appears as if he were spacing out again, just like that day when he and his sister drove her back to the Reverie Café. She is getting uncomfortable with the silence ensuing between them. She is not really used to Fuji-senpai being the quiet one. However, she has thought of giving him some space to think or even get lost in his thoughts. He may be reflecting, and disturbance is the last thing her senpai needs.
With that, Sakuno sits still beside Fuji as she contemplates on the events a while ago.
Fuji Yuuta-sanThe news regarding Fuji's upcoming match with his younger brother has been kept a secret amongst the regulars, Ryuzaki-sensei and her. However, even though her senpai-tachi and Ryoma-san are trying to keep their cool, she can feel that they are bothered about it. Even Tezuka-buchou asked Inui-senpai to confirm the news, because they may just end up being anxious over a fluke.
Then again, to everyone's surprise, Fuji stopped Inui and gave the captain a very placid smile.
Sakuno steals another glance of her senpai, whose emotions are concealed by his smiling eyes and his usually plastered grin. She blinks a few times before turning her attention on her hands limply laid on her lap. Many people think that Fuji Syuusuke-senpai is a genius – well he is, and that will never be a point for debate. Then again, there is more to him than being the prodigy of Seigaku. More so, there is more to him than being the sadist of Seigaku, whose emotions are concealed by his seemingly eternally plastered smile.
Sakuno can't say that she has known Fuji-senpai that long. Then again, she can say she is beginning to know who he is, with the many times they have spent with each other as friends – just like the way she does with Tomoyo-chan.
…and with those times, she has discovered one thing…
His mask of a smile is not a mask at all. People think it is weird for Fuji Syuusuke to be smiling always, and many have become wary of him because he does appear to be deceiving. However, he smiles not to obscure his emotions. He smiles because for someone whose disposition is naturally good and easy-going, smiling is more than some second nature to him.
"Are you alright, Sakuno-chan?"
Sakuno immediately turns to her senpai who has just gently tapped her shoulder.
"Ano, nothing's wrong, senpai," she embarrassedly replies, realizing that she got lost in her own thoughts.
Fuji teasingly taps her nose, before getting serious.
"You can tell me when you're ready, Sakuno-chan," Fuji mysteriously says in a deep, masculine voice.
Sakuno blinks several times, before realizing the statement's implication. She gives her senpai a childlike smile. "Ne, nothing's wrong, senpai. Really," she says as she unconsciously turns her gaze on Fuji's cup, before looking straight into his eyes. "Fuji-senpai is so nice. Please do not worry about me. Nothing is really wrong. I was just thinking too much, that's all."
Now, it is Fuji's time to blink, before reverting his gaze to some invisible thing inside the café. "I'm glad that Sakuno-chan thinks that I am nice," he says in a quiet voice, before turning to her, blue eyes intensely gazing back at her.
"Ano, I do not just think you are nice, senpai. You are really nice," Sakuno softly says, but Fuji can feel the conviction in her voice.
He cannot help but have the unfamiliar surge of emotions inside of him. To be appreciated is some thing that he has become wary of. Many times has he been praised just to be the friend of Fuji Syuusuke, the Prodigy of Seigaku, not the person himself; but Sakuno-chan is different. She is not the type to praise people just to buy their friendship. She appreciates them – him – just as they are.
However, the good feeling is suddenly cut short by guilt.
While waiting for Sakuno, he has reflected on his relationship with his brother, and he cannot help but feel guilt. The only person he has blamed for Yuuta's transfer from Seigaku to St. Rudolph is himself. That is why to compensate for his wrongdoings, he has strived harder to protect his little brother; to crush the enemies that have crushed Yuuta.
Then again, he always ends up realizing that compensation for the wrong will not turn back time and make the wrong done, right. Besides, Yuuta needs to know that he is not just his aniki's rival, but that he is also behind his aniki's successes.
"Fuji-senpai?"
"I'm not perfect Sakuno-chan."
Sakuno gently smiles at the guilty-sounding reply.
"I have never told Yuuta what I have always wanted to," Fuji continues, half-amazed that he is opening up to her. "I guess, it was never about how, but what I should be telling him."
Sakuno bows her head low in deep thought. She is not adept in understanding the ways of men. Not knowing what else to do, she takes Fuji's left hand and gently clasps it with both her hands.
Fuji's blue eyes widened in surprise, but the mysterious spark in them cannot be missed.
Unable to look straight into the eyes of her senpai, Sakuno gazes on the hand that she has imprisoned in her own.
"Ano, I don't know much about what is going on with you and Fuji Yuuta-san. Ano, I know it's not my…business…to say this…but…ano…I think Fuji-senpai knows in his heart what to tell his brother. Let your heart speak, senpai. Fuji Yuuta-san will understand you, especially that the bond between, you, brothers, can never be broken."
Silence ensues between the two again, with Fuji gazing at Sakuno, and her, shyly trying to avoid her senpai's gaze after all that she has said.
Sakuno can feel her chest constricting when Fuji removes his hands from her grasps; but before she can even wallow in guilt for intruding her senpai's business, she finds herself being pulled into the protective arms of Fuji Syuusuke.
Fuji wryly grins as he rests his chin on Sakuno's auburn head. She may be right after all. Perhaps, he already knows what to say, but he has been caught up with thinking of ways to deliver such a message in the most logical way possible. But then, the last thing Yuuta needs is a speech of some sort. He needs the aniki who has always been there to love and protect him.
Tightening the embrace, Fuji whispers the words that magically relax Sakuno.
Thank you
Fuji is reading his favorite book again along the corridor of the senior's wing. It is lunch break, and he does not have anything to do. Usually, he'll spend his time tutoring Eiji in Math or roaming around the building with Taka-san. Then again, Eiji is practicing with Momoshiro. The two cannot help but just play with each other at this hour because today, a Wednesday, Sumire-chan has given the regulars a break for tomorrow's prefecture games. Taka-san, on the other hand, is doing some training exercises with Inui.
Hopefully, Taka-san has not eaten lunch before training or else he'll get an upset stomach.
Turning another page of his book, he takes note of Tezuka approaching the water fountain from the corner of his eyes. He nonchalantly closes his book and approaches the captain. He also takes note of several girls behind his stoic teammate giggling here and there. He tries not to be noticed by the girls.
After drinking, Tezuka finally notices Fuji. He nods to his teammate, a million thoughts racing in his head. They are not classmates after all, and to see Fuji Syuusuke alone has made him assume many things.
"Ano, excuse me, Tezuka-sama."
A rather high-pitched voice jolts Tezuka from his musings. He turns to see several girls waiting to drink at the water fountain, too. He nods to them in recognition and silent apology for blocking the way. Then, he nonchalantly walks to Fuji, leading the way back to their classrooms.
Tezuka Kunimitsu may be stoic, but he is far from blind and being insensitive.
He can see that even without talking, Fuji Syuusuke is teasing him with the seemingly idiotic grin on his lips.
"All just to get an indirect kiss from the handsome, popular, but stoic buchou of Seigaku Tennis Club," Fuji trails mysteriously. "Saa, you have to be careful Tezuka."
Tezuka innocently blinks at Fuji's statement as he rethinks the events a while ago.
Indirect kiss?
Then, he realizes that the girls behind him were too excited to get a drink from the water fountain. That just means that…
Fuji's teasing grin gets wider as he sees Tezuka getting pale. It's not everyday you see dear Tezuka-buchou getting disturbed by the actions of over-eager fangirls. Well, Fuji has his fair share of fangirls, too, but he knows how to stay away from them. It's not that he hates them. It's just that he prefers the adoring attention of his family and friends rather than from people who do not really know him.
After recovering, Tezuka observes Fuji from the corner of his eyes. He does not know whether to be relieved or not, because usually, Fuji would talk about his concerns over Fuji Yuuta whenever the prodigy would approach him. Now is a very different thing, however. Instead of talking about tomorrow's games, the prodigy has spent his time teasing him.
"I'm fine, Tezuka."
Tezuka turns to his friend and, after a few seconds, nods to him in agreement.
Well, Fuji does seem to be fine.
Perhaps, he does not have to worry at all.
Then again…
"Just don't get careless, Fuji."
Fuji turns to look at Tezuka…
…he blinks several times…
…before laughing hard.
"Ne, Fuji-senpai, where are we going?"
Sakuno turns to interrogate her senpai who is smiling indulgently to himself. Instead of walking her home after her lessons with Iwase-san, Fuji has taken another route drastically unfamiliar to Sakuno.
"Saa…it'll be a surprise, Sakuno-chan," Fuji replies, an amiable grin plastered on his face. When Sakuno blinks at him in confusion, "Don't worry about getting home late for dinner. I already asked permission from Sumire-chan, so you won't get into trouble," he adds.
Sakuno continues to blink at him, but trusting her senpai, she follows him to the train station. They both take a train, and after a few minutes, they transfer to another train along the Tokyo Meguro Line. Sakuno takes her time sightseeing while Fuji is reading some map. Many times, the auburn-headed girl has attempted to get a peek of what her senpai is reading. Then again, Fuji-senpai, who seems to know what she has been trying to do, has kept himself in an angle wherein she will not see what he is looking at. So, instead of annoying her senpai, she settled on looking at the scenery before her.
When the train stops at the Todoroki Train Station, Fuji takes Sakuno by the hand and leads her out. She idly follows, not knowing where they are or where they are going.
"I just need some time out of concrete, Sakuno-chan. I'm glad you're here with me," Fuji says as he stops walking.
Sakuno gifts him with a child-like smile, even though she does not really know where they are.
"Ne, senpai," she trails.
"We're here at the Todoroki Valley, Sakuno-chan," Fuji tells her. "Look," he says as he nudges her to look straight ahead.
A bridge at the park's entrance greets the two, along with the other visitors. The atmosphere is relaxing – greenery, the songs of wild birds everywhere, and the rushing waters of Yazawagawa River. Almost every one entering is silent, save for several groups of people who would stop to pose for pictures.
The two students continue to walk until they reach a narrow trail along the river. Fuji silently takes Sakuno's small hand into his, and he does have a valid reason to do so. Even though Sakuno is keeping her balance well these days, he does not want to take any chances.
Furthermore, it's just plain good to hold her hand while they are in such a beautiful place.
Fuji dryly grins at the last thought. He still has lots of things to think over, but he will do so after tomorrow's game. Right now, he wants to enjoy the company of one of his friends and the calming scenery gifted to them.
After half an hour inside the park, the two decide to go home before dark. While crossing the bridge by the entrance, Fuji abruptly stops and takes a Polaroid camera from his duffel bag. While taking his time capturing shots of beautiful greenery, Sakuno leans on the bridge's railing and observes the rushing of water. The sun is nearly setting. It's a good thing Fuji-senpai has told her obaa-chan about this trip.
She hears a clicking sound as she turns to look at her senpai.
Fuji has just taken her by surprise.
She idly observes as her senpai takes the newly developed photo of her and teasingly shows it at a distance.
"Ano, senpai just took a picture of me," Sakuno absentmindedly states as she processes what has just happened.
Fuji grins widely.
"Sakuno-chan is so cute in the picture," he says as he immediately stashes his camera and the photo in his bag, even before Sakuno can take a peek of it.
"Ne, senpai, may I see it?"
"We have to go home immediately, Sakuno-chan. I don't want you to go home so late," Fuji replies as he ruffles her auburn hair.
Sakuno blinks at the statement, and then, realizes that her senpai has no plans of showing her the stolen picture of her.
Sensing that there is no point in arguing with Fuji-senpai, Sakuno innocently bits her lower lip before following her senpai.
Fuji pats her aurburn head as compensation. He often teases her because he likes her cute, innocent, but never childish reactions. But then, he is serious, too, with what he has told her about going home before dark. If they'll leave any later, then they'll get caught in the after-office hour rush.
He is relieved when Sakuno willingly cooperates with him. They both smile at each other before going back to the train station.
It is exactly six in the evening.
Two high school students, a young man and a lady, are still playing tennis against each other.
"Oi, take this game seriously!" Shouts the girl, a bit irate because her "date" is trying his "best" to tease her.
"Hai, hai," Momoshiro mockingly says as he notices the tiny frown on An's pretty face.
He just knows it is a bad sign of some sort.
An makes a drop shot with which Momoshiro runs after, causing him to hit a lob. Taking the opportunity to get a serious point, An smashes the ball to Momoshiro's blind corner. Then again, he rushes further back, timing the ball's landing and makes a rising shot.
Momoshiro thought An will answer back, but he is surprised when she stays rooted to where she is standing, eyes fixed not on the ball, but somewhere else - something past him.
He, too, stops playing and turns behind him.
He blinks twice at the sight before him.
"Ne, Momo, isn't that Fuji-san and Sakuno-chan?"
Momoshiro jumps instinctively from his spot, never expecting her to stand near him.
"Well, yeah," he absentmindedly says.
Even the darkening skies cannot cloud the pale brown hair of the prodigy and the bright and pretty face of their coach's granddaughter.
Now, why are they together?
"Ne, Momo, are they, you know, dating?" An asks, as she nudges Momoshiro.
She blinks as Momoshiro seemingly ignores her, his gaze still fixed on the two. Well, nothing romantic seems to be going on between the two, but still, she cannot help but sense that something different is going on between them.
Besides, part of her still thinks that Sakuno has still a crush on Echizen, not knowing that her auburn-head friend has "moved on".
"Momo, you're not answering me," An says as she yanks the sleeve of his shirt.
"Huh?" Momo turns to her, then turns to the two, and then back to An.
Though a bit startled with seeing Fuji-senpai and Ryuzaki-chan together, Momoshiro did hear An's question, which is probably more than disturbing. He turns to her and looks into her eyes, only to get lost in them.
"Saa…were we disturbing the two of you?"
Momoshiro and An both gasp when an innocent-looking Fuji Syuusuke and a clueless Ryuzaki Sakuno approach them, disturbing their little "moment".
Then, the two second year students start stuttering incoherent excuses for eavesdropping over Fuji and Sakuno, and of course, their sweet moment out in public. Good for them though, their "specimens" have not noticed them, not until now.
"Eh, An-chan?"
Sakuno cocks her head to the right upon seeing her good friend. She gives her a big smile before approaching An herself.
An uses that to excuse herself from Fuji's semi-teasing interrogation.
"Ah, Sakuno-chan," she says rather excitedly as she skids towards Sakuno, "how are you? I haven't seen you in a while." she asks while leading her friend towards the benches – far, far away from the two young men.
Meanwhile, as An nonchalantly "excuses" herself, Momoshiro is left to deal with the smiley-faced Fuji Syuusuke.
Why am I always left alone to face the sadists?
"Saa…you're really proving that you're a man, now, Momo," he says, eyes twinkling. "Be sure to take care of An-chan. She is my friend too, as well as Tachibana-san," Fuji teasingly warns as he steals a glance of the two girls.
"It's not what you think, senpai!" Momoshiro vehemently denies, his face a bloody red.
Fuji nods in mock understanding, before putting his duffel bag down and taking his racket.
"How about a game, Momo?"
The said guy blinks, mouth gaped open, before recovering from the teasing incident. He smirks afterwards, positioning himself on the other side of the tennis court.
"Can't wait for tomorrow's games, Fuji-senpai?"
Fuji smirks at the comment as he prepares to serve.
"I think I'm not the only one."
While the two Seigaku Tennis Club members are playing, An takes her time out talking amiably with Sakuno. Stealing a glance of the two tennis club regulars, she turns to her auburn-head friend to clarify some things.
"Where have you been, Sakuno-chan?"
"Oh, ano," Sakuno blinks, "I accompanied Fuji-senpai to the Todoroki Valley. It's really nice there, An-chan. We should go there some time. I'll have to introduce you to Tomoyo-chan too. She's my new friend," she excitedly tells her friend, before playing with her ponytail. "Ehehehe…I just have to ask Fuji-senpai how to go there, though."
"Ah, that sounds nice," An mysteriously trails, half-eager to know why the two went to some far away park.
Silence ensues between the two as they watch Fuji and Momoshiro play a heated game of tennis. Before Sakuno could get lost in the game, An disturbs her thoughts.
"Tomorrow's the start of the prefectural games. How's Seigaku doing?"
"Ano, senpai-tach and Ryoma-san are doing well, An-chan. Obaa-chan gave them a break today so they can rest," Sakuno replies.
An smirks as she motions for the two Seigaku regulars. "But it seems that some of them are not even willing to take a break."
Sakuno smiles at the comment before turning to observe her senpai-tachi.
Meanwhile, An heaves a sigh that is easily missed by Sakuno.
She has meant to ask how Sakuno's Echizen is faring, but it seems that her clueless friend did not get it. Perhaps, Sakuno would not fall for her trap after all, because it seems that she has gotten over Echizen Ryoma. An contentedly smiles at the discovery. At least, Sakuno still considers Echizen as her friend even when she has moved on. She smiles, again, at how innocent her friend is.
Then, An turns to observe Fuji Syuusuke.
Fuji has been a family friend ever since he visited her onii-san three years ago. She is glad that both her friends, Fuji-san and Sakuno-chan, are getting along well – too well, in fact, that she is starting to get a different vibe about it. Well, it seems that innocent Sakuno considers Fuji-san a friend, but how about Fuji-san?
In the midst of their heated game, An's observant eyes catch Fuji stealing a glance of Sakuno. She would have dismissed it as something coincidental. However, Fuji's gaze did not look that coincidental at all. In a way, his look seems as if he were watching out for Sakuno even when he is not near her.
Hmm…I think I have something very interesting to tell onii-san.
Fuji plops himself on the edge of his bed after taking a good shower. After drying his hair with a towel draped around his neck, he proceeds to empty his duffel bag with its contents to prepare for the following day.
The first thing he sees inside is Sakuno's stolen picture at the Todoroki Valley.
The sun setting behind, her auburn hair slightly tossed by the spring breeze, and her gaping little mouth all made Sakuno look so innocent and ethereal in the picture.
He smiles adoringly in satisfaction.
Fuji, then, looks for his photo album and, after finding it, sets the picture in it. He smiles tenderly as he browses through the pages. After a while, he sets aside the album before lazily laying himself on the bed, right hand over his forehead. He stares at the ceiling, deep in thought.
Tomorrow will be the day of reckoning.
He will give his best – for Seigaku, for Yuuta…
Fuji sits up again and opens the photo album to get a last look of Sakuno's stolen picture for that night.
…and Sakuno.
Sakuno heaves a very heavy sigh as she turns to a corner…again.
Inui-senpai and Momoshiro-senpai are playing Doubles 1. She has to excuse herself, though, because she received a call from Tomoyo-chan, indicating that her friend has just arrived in the game venue.
Eager to greet her friend, she proceeds to look for the dark-haired girl, forgetting that she is directionally-challenged.
That is why Tomoyo has ended up being the one who searched for her.
A tap on her shoulder causes Sakuno to gasp and jump in her place. She immediately turns, only to see the beautiful face of her best friend.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakuno gives her friend a good hug, relieved that she found her…or that she was found.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Sakuno-chan," Tomoyo apologizes as she presents a bag to Sakuno. "I just have to finish this for you," she adds as she hands the package to her clueless friend.
Sakuno blinks at her, before peeking inside the package. All she can see is ruffles.
"Eh? Ano, what is this for, Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo smiles widely as she opens the package herself, and in the middle of a public place, shows Sakuno what appears as a sundress.
"It's your cheerleading costume, Sakuno-chan! It would be great if you'd cheer for Seigaku in a pretty costume I made for you!" Tomoyo rants, starry-eyed.
"Eh?" Sakuno blinks, not that much surprised since she has experience in cheerleading since her first year in junior high. "What about you, Tomoyo-chan?"
"Oh, me? Don't worry, Sakuno-chan," Tomoyo waves her hand, "I will be filming you. It would be a great tragedy to pass up such a rare opportunity. Ohohohohoho!!!" Tomoyo finishes, her eyes sparkling with delight and mischief as she pushes Sakuno to the ladies' washroom.
After a few minutes, Sakuno emerges from the ladies' washroom, all dressed up in her "cheerleading uniform", cheeks flushed in discomfort. Well, apparently, the uniform is far from that for cheerleading.
She looks as if she were going to some date on a sunny spring day.
However, arguing with Tomoyo-chan about it is like arguing with Eriol-kun or Fuji-senpai – futile.
"Ano, Tomoyo-chan," Sakuno heaves another sigh as she sees Tomoyo taking a video of her as they walk back to the court where the game is being held.
With Sakuno's head bowed low and Tomoyo, intent on capturing every breathing moment of Sakuno, the two do not notice that Sakuno is about to bump into someone. They only noticed it when Sakuno has already bumped…the guy.
"Ano, I'm sorry for not looking…" she apologizes profusely. "Ano, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize that much, Ryuzaki-san," a boyishly ruff voice appeases.
Sakuno immediately looks up to who she has just bumped, only to be greeted by the boyishly handsome face of Fuji Yuuta. She immediately blushes because of embarrassment.
"Don't start apologizing again, Ryuzaki-san," he says with a smile. "I'm fine. How about you?"
"Ano, I'm fine too," Sakuno replies.
Yuuta sighs in relief after hearing so, but he tenses again as he takes note of the red light on Tomoyo's digital video camera. He turns to Sakuno in confusion.
"Ano, Fuji-san, I'd like you to meet Daidouji Tomoyo-chan," Sakuno introduces after recovering from her little bumping incident. "She's my best friend."
"Ah," Yuuta nods to Tomoyo, who smiles at him.
"Tomoyo-chan, this is Fuji Yuuta-san. He is a player of St. Rudolph's tennis club."
The pretty girl immediately takes note of the similarity in family names between Fuji Syuusuke and Fuji Yuuta, but she remains quiet about it. More so, she also senses that Yuuta wants to talk with her best friend. She decides, then, to excuse herself and settle at some place near them – where she can have lots of fun with her camera.
After Tomoyo has gone somewhere unknown to the two, Yuuta scratches an invisible itch at the back of his head before inviting Sakuno to sit on a nearby bench.
"Ano, Fuji-san, aren't you going to prepare for your game? It will be the next one, right?"
Yuuta quietly nods to her before focusing his eyes straight ahead.
"I've already done my warm-up," he trails.
Well, he has asked for time to talk with someone he is comfortable with before the game, and he has it now. Then again, now that he is with Sakuno, his tongue has decided to roll back and sleep. Perhaps, he does not really want to talk at all or that, all he wants is the comforting presence of someone who understands his situation. Besides, it's not every day that he plays an official game against his own brother, the Prodigy of Seigaku, Fuji Syuusuke.
Yuuta is jolted out of his train of thoughts when Sakuno places a comforting soft hand over his.
"Obaa-chan told me once not to focus on what we lack, but on the things that we have," she starts. "Fuji-san is a talented player, and all the potential in the world will be in your hands if you'll stop comparing yourself to others. That applies to me, too, Fuji-san," Sakuno finishes with a shy chuckle.
Yuuta stares at her wide-eyed, before shyly scratching the back of his head again due to embarrassment.
"Ryuzaki-san…"
Sakuno looks at him, waiting for anything he wants to say. But then, the cheering crowd disrupts them, so Yuuta waits for the noise to subside.
"Thank you."
Sakuno blinks at him, before smiling. After that, she stands up to excuse herself.
"Ganbaru, Fuji-san!"
It is now Yuuta's turn to blink.
Didn't she say she would not cheer for me if I'm up against Seigaku?
Sakuno notices the dumbstruck look on Yuuta's face. She chuckles to herself.
"Ne, the game has not started yet, Fuji-san."
Fuji Yuuta just smirks to that.
"Don't worry. I'll give my all in this game," Yuuta passionately replies, left palm tightly fisted in front of him for emphasis.
"Singles 3 between Fuji Syuusuke of Seishun Gakuen and Fuji Yuuta of St. Rudolph Academy will now begin."
Inui squints his eyes, intrigued that instead of the crowd screaming their lungs out, they have suddenly turned quiet just after the announcement. Well, it isn't everyday that brothers end up fighting against each other.
"Somehow, the people are sensitive enough to know that this game is a crucial one between siblings," Tezuka mysteriously trails.
"So, you noticed too," Inui neutrally states.
He receives a nod from the stoic captain, who, now turns to observe Seigaku's prodigy.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, St. Rudolph's Mizuki Hajime has his last words for Fuji Yuuta before the games begin:
"Take this game from Fuji Syuusuke, Yuuta."
Defeat the man who has caused your suffering.
Yuuta gives his team manager an uncomfortable smile before entering the court. He heaves a sigh afterwards. He has learned that Mizuki-senpai has wanted to "crush" his aniki – his self-proclaimed rival – ever since they met.
Yuuta sighs again.
He never wanted to crush his brother. He just wants a name – an identity for himself. Perhaps, Mizuki-senpai has mistaken his intention of transferring to St. Rudolph. Oh well…here he is, and there is no turning back.
Yuuta looks ahead to meet the face of his older brother looking squarely at him.
He returns the stare.
Fuji Syuusuke inwardly smiles at his younger brother's stance.
That's the spirit Yuuta. Don't back down on me.
The older approaches the net. This encourages the younger to do the same too, until they are just an arm's length from each other.
Fuji Syuusuke looks straight into the eyes of his brother, oblivious to the tense atmosphere the two brothers have just created. This will be their first time to play against each other in an official game, and whether he admits it or not, he is also tense about it. Then again, he has made a decision that Yuuta will know what he has always wanted to tell him today.
He will let his heart do the talking.
"Let's do our best, Yuuta," Fuji says as he offers his hand.
Yuuta blinks at the offered hand, but after the initial surprise, he firmly shakes it.
"Don't go easy on me, aniki," Yuuta warns seriously.
Fuji mysteriously smiles to that.
"I don't plan to."
The moment Yuuta releases a good-natured smile, the whole crowd cheers.
"One set match. Fuji Syuusuke to serve," the umpire announces.
Echizen squints his eyes in observation. Even the umpire has to adjust with the way he announces the players. There are two Fujis on court, so he would have to use their full names just to identify which Fuji he is referring to. The first year tennis prince also observes the older Fuji make a powerful slice serve, perhaps to get an ace.
You can't play the way you did with Tachibana-san, ne, Fuji-senpai?
It would be an utter insult to his brother if Fuji would play a manipulative raw game like the one with Tachibana Kippei. In time, Fuji will be doing several of his special moves, and perhaps, his famous counters.
Yuuta returns Fuji's attack with his famous Super Rising Shot. Surprised at the sudden counter, Fuji tries to save his service game by moving backwards to hit the ball at its weakest angle. He makes a drive to Yuuta's blind corner.
"15-0"
While the whole Seigaku crowd, save Tezuka, Inui and Echizen, cheers for Fuji, Yuuta stares at the spot where the ball has landed. He grits his teeth, a bit annoyed that he let his guard down. He calms himself by breathing deeply.
Fuji poses to serve again.
Somehow, it is dead familiar to Echizen.
Yuuta braces himself for the serve, half-expecting something. He tightens his grip on his racket as he waits. The moment the ball hits the service line, it spins for several seconds before shooting up directly to Yuuta's face.
"A twist serve!" Kikumaru exclaims.
Then again, to Fuji's disappointment, Yuuta immediately angles his body and accurately hits the ball. Smiling inwardly at his brother's feat, Fuji makes a drive towards the baseline, only to be answered by Yuuta. The two go on for a rally, until Fuji intentionally makes a lob.
You're testing me, aniki.
Yuuta does not hesitate to smash the ball even when he knows Fuji will use one of his counters, the Higuma Otoshi.
"Brave kid," Kaidoh whispers.
As expected, Fuji uses one of his triple counters, and as the ball limply falls to the baseline, Yuuta makes the most surprising move: he rushes to the baseline and a few inches before the ball lands, he powerfully swings the ball to Fuji's side of the court.
"15 all!"
The crowd roars in excitement. Even Fuji, who has just lost a point, is grinning widely at how Yuuta has countered the Higuma Otoshi. You've come a long way, Yuuta. More so, the elder smiles further when he notices the victorious twinkle in his brother's eyes…and oh, Yuuta's blushing too.
However, after twelve minutes, Fuji wins two games in a row.
As Fuji positions himself to serve, Yuuta racks his brain in anticipation. He has just lost two consecutive games, but this is no time to dwell on losses. What is important is to give his best…right?
Why won't you feed Fuji Syuusuke some piece of advice, Yuuta?
While the two brothers go on a rally, Mizuki Hajime maliciously smirks to himself. Fuji may be leading two games, but he has prepared Yuuta for this. He has even "arranged" this very match himself. He continues to watch as Yuuta gets pushed back in the game. He wryly shakes his head in mock disappointment…knowing well that Yuuta will not miss it.
Aniki, I want to give my best in this game.
Fuji drives the ball to the rightmost corner of the baseline. Yuuta rushes to it, and as he poses to counter his brother's attack, several of the Seigaku regulars, and even those of St. Rudolph's, gasp at the younger Fuji's stance.
"Nya, Oishi, do you think that's the Twist Spin Shot?"
"I don't know, Eiji," Oishi weakly whispers, a bit disoriented.
Contrary to Kikumaru's expectation, Yuuta makes an accurate and powerful drive that lands a few centimeters from the right service line…
…the ball twists for a second or two…
…and then hits Fuji Syuusuke on the cheek.