Disclaimer: I do not own Tennis no Ohjisama and Card Captor Sakura, especially each anime's characters. Iwase Kumiko-san, Maeda Hideki-san and the Reverie Café are my own creations. Any similarities with real people and/or places 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.
Enjoy reading.
The Sadist of SeigakuChapter 9: Relaxation
"I hope I did not bother you that much."
Ryuzaki Sumire apologetically shakes the hand of her young visitor before offering him a seat.
Once seated, the young man gently shakes his head, politely dismissing the coach's apology. "There's no need to apologize, sensei. I'm glad to be of help to your team," he finishes.
The elderly coach raises an elegant brow at the answer. "How many times have I told you not to be formal with me, Eriol-kun?"
Hiiragizawa Eriol amiably chuckles at the comment. "Just thrice, sensei," he answers, daring to tease her.
Her eyes widen in surprise at the answer. The guy has counted! With her first exasperated sigh for that day, Ryuzaki-sensei unconsciously shakes her head.
Young adults these days are much smarter than she thinks they are.
Oh well, on to business…
To her surprise, upon turning to her guest, Eriol is wearing a smile, which eerily reminds her of Fuji Syuusuke's grin whenever the prodigy is planning something really drastic. Shaking those thoughts aside, she looks at her table to see another surprise in the form of an innocent-looking brown envelope. Perhaps, while she muses over young adults and all, her young guest has quietly placed it on her table.
She begins to admire his impeccable agility.
She also remembers Sakuno saying that Eriol is excellent at almost everything.
She even remembers herself raising an eyebrow at her granddaughter's revelation.
Then again, she cannot deny that she is intrigued with what Sakuno had said.
Well, if Hiiragizawa could play tennis, he might be considered a blue chip.
Too bad he studies somewhere else.
Setting aside the thought of knowing her guest's other talents, she opens the envelope and takes out its contents. Getting a feel as if she were a boss reading a staff's proposal, she scans each page, getting more and more surprised.
After what seems like eternity, Ryuzaki-sensei sets down the papers and stands up to walk to the window overlooking the tennis courts. It is a quarter past four in the afternoon. The regulars are jogging around the three courts, while the sophomores are teaching the freshmen the basic moves.
It has almost been a regular day for her.
"Do you think it is doable, Eriol-kun?" she asks, turning to Eriol.
Seeing the doubt in the coach's face, Hiiragizawa Eriol's expression unnoticeably hardens as he gives the coach a confirming nod. He notices the coach glance at her wristwatch before sighing the second time in front of him.
He smiles.
"We have two hours to do this, Eriol-kun," Ryuzaki-sensei sternly informs him after taking a seat.
Eriol blinks at the statement. Mock surprise taints his handsome face. "I didn't know I'll convince you that easily, sensei."
"Maa…maa…" she says, tiredly waving a hand at the young man. "I'll trust you in this one," she says. Her right brow twitches when she sees the uncanny expression of her guest. She immediately realizes that he knows that she has other reasons for conceding that easily. She chuckles at the sight, much to the genuine surprise of Eriol.
If Eriol could really play tennis and were in their team, then Seigaku would be having three sadists: Fuji, Inui and Hiiragizawa.
Sighing at the way she has been musing over her protégés, I must be getting that old, Ryuzaki-sensei smirks at the expectant gaze Eriol is giving her.
"Sakuno-chan is preparing dinner tonight," she spills. "We don't want to be late for it, do we?"
Niou Masaharu lazily takes a sip of his mango fruit shake before sighing exasperatedly.
Well, it's just good to know that their fruit shakes taste good. Not that he is starting to become a fan, but it is better that he is doing something in a café rather than just staring at nothing while inside it. He is not in some foreign place though. He is just inside a quaint café in Seishun City, the one his teammate, Marui Bunta, cannot stop, and will not stop talking about unless he gets there. Unfortunately for Niou, Marui manages to get him to "accompany" him to the café.
He's not complaining or anything.
It's just that, other than feeling uneasy, he'd rather be in some place where there are fewer females who are ready to ogle at him.
Even pretty-boy Yukimura-buchou, despite his gentle demeanor, may not want to stay long in such a place.
Niou lets out another sigh that day. He takes a glance of his redheaded teammate who is still deciding which sweet treat to eat.
Oh boy, this will take long…
The slamming of a door closing disturbs him. Niou turns to the entrance to see it is, only to be surprised to see another redhead, and the prodigy of Seigaku.
He smirks to himself, amused at the sight.
At least it wouldn't be that boring.
"Nya, Fuji-ko," Kikumaru Eiji grabs his friend's shoulder upon entering the cafe. "Isn't that Niou Masaharu of Rikkai Dai?" He whispers while eyeing the silver-haired young man sitting at a corner table.
Fuji follows Kikumaru's trail of sight. He cocks his head upon seeing the silver-haired trickster of Rikkai Dai before looking around for someone else familiar to them. His eyes squint at the familiar form near the glass shelf, which contains all the sweets being offered in the café.
"It seems there is more of Rikkai here, Eiji," Fuji amusedly informs his friend.
"Nya?" Eiji looks at Fuji before turning to the counter, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Marui Bunta!" He gasps, before running towards where the other redhead is.
A bit surprised, and a tad more entertained at his friend's antics, Fuji walks to Niou to greet the tennis player.
"Fancy seeing Rikkai at Seishun City," he says. "What brought you here?"
Niou smirks before leaning on his seat, hands crossing behind his head, before inclining it to the direction of his teammate.
Fuji smiles at the sight. "Well, it seems it isn't just Marui who's crazy over cakes." Fuji taps the backrest of a chair, silently asking the trickster's permission to seat with them.
"You don't know anything," Niou comments as he gives a nod. When Fuji has taken a seat, Niou leans forward. "By the way, what are you doing here?"
Fuji blinks at the question, a bit wary of the knowing tone in Niou Masaharu's voice. The trickster did not get his title for nothing. He knows better since he had played against him.
He'd better be careful.
"I'm here to accompany Eiji-kun," Fuji answers good-naturedly.
Niou raises an eyebrow at that. Accompany his face. There is more to Fuji Syuusuke being in an elegant café, other than "accompanying" his friend. Then again, the prodigy seems to have bested him in the game of cat and mouse that all he can do is remain guessing why the prodigy is here. Oh well, he can let Fuji go this time.
But, as much as the Prodigy of Seigaku has known when and how to be precautious of him, he knows how and when to trap someone into spilling the beans.
Niou can't help but smirk to that.
Observant Fuji does not miss the scheming smirk. He looks straight at Niou before giving the Rikkai regular a creepy grin.
Before the tension at the table rises, two figures rush to the table, armed with trays full of decadent sweets. Marui and Kikumaru are far from being friends, some fact that the other two tennis players at the table know. Thinking that a war may start any time, Fuji and Niou take a battle stance. Then again, instead of a chaotic staring contest against competitors, Marui and Kikumaru childishly smile at each other, before digging into their plates of cakes, pastries, ice cream and cream pies, as if Niou and Fuji did not exist.
Perhaps, for the first time in his life, Niou lets out a laugh that reverberated in the whole room.
And he does not have to be reserved.
Fuji is there to accompany him.
Oishi is about to knock again on the door of Ryuzaki-sensei's office, when a thought flashes in his head.
"Do you think Ryuzaki-sensei has gone home, Tezuka?"
Tezuka blinks at the question. They have not thought that their coach will be home this early. He takes a glance of the time from his wristwatch, and blinks a second time that day.
"It's only half an hour past five in the afternoon," he trails. "We'll just talk with her about this tomorrow," he immediately decides as he puts the envelope he holds back into his bag.
Oishi smiles apologetically at his friend. Tezuka is a bit uptight with things regarding the Seigaku tennis club. The dear captain, regardless of his apathetic demeanor, carries the burden of the team. So much so that he has given some of his biggest dreams just for all of them – and that includes going pro at a very early age.
Few know of that, and only a few know the things that make him sad.
He unconsciously bows his head.
"What's the matter?"
Oishi abruptly turns to Tezuka in utter surprise, and upon seeing his friend's confused expression, he scratches an invisible itch at the back of his head in embarrassment.
"He…he…just musing, Tezuka," he says, forcing himself to chuckle even a bit. "Don't mind me."
The captain pretends not to notice the forced smile on his friend's face. He gives Oishi a nod, silently telling him that they start walking. Turning around though, both are surprised to see an even astonished face of Ryuzaki Sakuno.
Innocent eyes blink at them, bewildered at the sight of the two leaders.
"Ano, senpai-tachi," she trails. "Were you looking for Obaasan?"
She receives a confirming nod from the buchou.
Sakuno blinks several times, before looking at Oishi, then back to Tezuka. "Ano, she has gone home, Tezuka-senpai, Oishi-senpai."
"It seems so, Ryuzaki-chan," Oishi says. "We'll just talk with her tomorrow."
Sakuno nods innocently to that. She does not know what to do if her senpais were to ask her for a way to contact her Obaasan. Even she does not know where and how to contact her.
"Ne, Ryuzaki-chan, why are you still here?" Oishi asks her.
"Ano," Ryuzaki places a pointing finger beneath her chin, thinking. "Iwase-san dismissed me early, but then I wasn't able to call Obaasan that I'll be back. So when I came here, she has left already. I called our house, but no one answered, so, ano…that means she is not yet home," she shyly answers.
"Oh," was the only word Oishi can say at that time.
"Are you walking home alone?"
Sakuno turns to Tezuka, surprised that the captain asked her that. "Ano, hai," she shyly answers.
"Then let's go," is Tezuka's reserved answer, leading the way.
Ryuzaki Sakuno questioningly looks at Oishi, with which the vice captain places an encouraging hand on her back, coaxing her to walk with them. Being invited by Tezuka-buchou in such a straightforward manner is something beyond her imagination. Not that she likes him in any way. In fact, she respects him, as much as his teammates do.
Sakuno bites her lower lip, immediately deciding that it would be impolite of her if she were to reject the invitation. Besides, Tezuka-buchou seems to emit an aura that he will not accept a "no" for an answer.
With that, she quietly walks along.
But even before the three could start walking, Oishi's mobile phone rings innocuously.
He gives the two a nod, excusing himself, as he walks to the window.
Meanwhile, the other two are left standing a feet behind the vice captain. Tezuka has taken the liberty to lean on the wall, arms crossed. Sakuno does the same, but she unconsciously toys with the hemline of the sleeve of her blouse.
Unknown to her, the stoic captain has also taken the liberty of observing her. Tezuka is not one to pry over people's lives, especially ladies. However, there seems something special about Ryuzaki Sakuno that even Echizen Ryoma is captivated by her. He cannot deny that he is a bit intrigued with the way the first year acts around the young lady. Although he cannot dismiss the fact that he is also worried.
Tezuka looks ahead before closing his eyes in concentration.
He has set aside many things, some of which are his dreams, for the good of the team. Of course, there will always be the right time to pursue them, and he thinks that after graduating from senior high school, he will pursue a pro tennis career. Somehow though, at the back of his mind, he wishes that his teammates would also recognize that sacrifices are necessary for success.
Then again, he cannot decide for them.
As their leader, he knows how capable and gifted they are, and he must trust them that they will make the right decisions.
With that thought, he fists his right palm, perhaps trying to grasp the championship the team so desires.
"Tezuka," is Oishi's quiet call.
Tezuka straightens himself as he hears his name being called. His eyes darken upon seeing the worried look on Oishi's face.
"Eiji called," the vice captain begins. "Some of the Rikkai regulars are at the Reverie Café."
Sakuno gasps at the information.
"Did you see them at the café, Ryuzaki-san?" Tezuka asks her.
Sakuno turns to the captain, reservedly observing his reaction to the information. "Ano, no senpai. They must have arrived after I left," she answers.
Tezuka nods to her. He can see Oishi gritting his teeth. He understands his friend. The Rikkai regulars love tennis as much – if not more – as the Seigaku regulars do. They will take every opportunity to hone their skills, and that includes even an unplanned game. Then again, the prefectural games are on going. For every unofficial match they play, they take the unnecessary risk of injuring themselves.
"Is Kikumaru alone?"
Oishi shakes his head. "Fuji is with him. It's Niou Masaharu and Marui Bunta. The two invited them for a match at the tennis court nearby. Eiji invited us to come over."
"Ano, senpai…"
The two turn to look at her. Getting a vibe of what she is about to say, Tezuka gently shakes his head before turning to Oishi. "It is just a game. There's nothing to worry about it," he says, fully aware that the four are levelheaded players. "Besides…" he trails, "this is a good opportunity for the Golden Pair to prepare for the prefectural games."
Oishi smiles, a bit appeased with the captain's words. "Okay, I'll go," he finally agrees. "I'll see you, Ryuzaki-san," he says, bidding Sakuno goodbye with a friendly wave.
Sakuno politely bows to her senpai, before turning to the captain.
"Let's go Ryuzaki-san," Tezuka says once Oishi is out of their sight.
Sakuno blinks, before giving him an apologetic smile. "Ano, senpai," she begins. "Thank you very much," she finishes with a bow.
Tezuka just nods, silently waiting for her to straighten and walk side by side with him.
As he waits, a ghost of a smile is drawn on his lips.
Meanwhile, Fuji and Kikumaru are preparing for the "playful match" the Rikkai duo has gotten them into. Fuji is tying the laces of his rubber shoes, making sure that they will not loosen during the match. On the other hand, Kikumaru drinks from his water bottle.
All of a sudden, Kikumaru's mobile phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Nya, Oishi!" Kikumaru excitedly greets his friend.
Fuji smiles at Kikumaru's boisterous greeting that has caused Niou and Marui to turn their heads to their direction.
"Nya?"
Fuji frowns a bit upon hearing Kikumaru's surprised reaction. He has stood a few feet from Kikumaru to give his friend some privacy. Of course, Oishi is also his friend, but that does not mean he can just meddle with their lives by listening to their every conversation.
A few seconds later, Kikumaru stashes his mobile phone into his bag. An idiotic grin is plastered on his face.
"Are they coming?"
"Nya," he begins as he plays with his racket. "Only Oishi can come. He said Tezuka is walking Ryuzaki-chan home."
Fuji's eyes widen in surprise, something that Kikumaru has missed.
"I was surprised, nya," he says as he casually bends forward to reach his toes. "Ryuzaki-sensei isn't in school to walk home with her, so Tezuka has become her chaperone, ne? But it's good Oishi can join us, nya, Fuji?" He says upon straightening.
The prodigy idly nods at the statement.
Honestly, he does not know what to say with Kikumaru's announcement.
He breathes deeply before tightening his grip on his racket.
This is not the time for my petty jealousies.
He exhales, opening his eyes at the same time, to reveal their blue hue.
At least, Sakuno-chan will get home safely.
Realization, then, dawns on Fuji. Oishi's coming. He looks at his friend amiably talking with Marui Bunta. He also notices Niou patiently listening to the two. He quietly walks towards the group, a bright idea looming in his head.
"How about a doubles match with the Golden Pair?" He suggests.
Marui blinks at the statement, a bubblegum popping afterwards. "Golden Pair? But his partner is not here," he points out.
"Don't worry Marui," Niou intercepts. "The vice captain of Seigaku will be here in a while, ne, Kikumaru?" He quizzes teasingly.
"Saa…you've been observing us, Niou-san," Fuji playfully joins in.
Niou huffs. "Cut out the formalities," he says, combing his silver hair with his right hand. "If Oishi is playing, you'll be the umpire."
Fuji agrees with a nod.
"Nya, Fuji," Kikumaru scratches his left cheek. "Is it alright?"
"Hai, I don't mind, Eiji," Fuji placates his friend as he takes his position.
"This will be a great game."
Momoshiro Takeshi sprawls on the bench.
What day is it today?
I forgot…it's a Saturday…he muses, placing his right arm on his forehead as he closes his eyes.
The special training that morning was extraordinarily…special, he almost forgot it is a weekend. Talk about having Hiiragizawa Eriol assisting 'Baasan. He never knew the kid could play tennis also. He even played against Fuji Syuusuke and held his own. Che, few could do that. Then again, the kid, despite the deviousness Momoshiro can sense from him, seems nice too. The guy was cool enough to talk with the owner of the gym near the park where they had their special training. The gym's owner allowed them to use the gym's showers to bathe, for a minimal fee.
Anyway, what made the training special was that the regulars were grouped into three's, each team undergoing four laps of training. The first one involved climbing a makeshift wall with protruding rocks attached to it. Momoshiro chuckles in memory as he fists his left palm. He can still feel the roughness of the protruding rocks. Only one member of each team has to climb the wall using only the rocks. Upon reaching the top, that member has to throw down a nylon rope to his other teammates to help them up. The second one was more interesting, because they had to crawl under a thicket – blindfolded. Only one member of their team had no blindfold to instruct them how to get out of the thicket with minimal injury.
The third one? The top three of Seigaku fought against 'Baasan, Hiiragizawa and guess who?
Akutsu Jin.
He still remembers himself coughing out the water he just drank upon seeing the terror semi-retired tennis player.
Well, the game went well, with Tezuka-buchou, Fuji-senpai and Echizen winning against the three.
While sprawled on the bench, Momoshiro takes a glance of his watch. It is almost ten in the morning. His tummy is growling in anger now, but he still has to wait for his teammates to finish bathing. He closes his eyes again in memory. Among the four laps, the fourth one was the worst – to say the least. They had to get through a gigantic version of a tennis court net held a feet from the ground by three trees.
By getting through it, he means each of them must get through the net's holes…and no two people could get through using only one hole.
Add to that, their bodies must not touch the linings of each hole.
If one of them did, they would have to drink Hiiragizawa's special concoction, which smelt really, really bad.
It all seemed easy at first, but when 'Baasan announced a time limit, Tezuka-buchou's head roared to strategize. It was interesting. Taka-san, by getting through the most accessible and largest hole, was the first one to go. Then, the next one was Echizen, being one of the lightest in the group. However, getting through the other holes without assistance was not an option. What they did was – and thanks to the buchou's ingenious idea – they all carried Echizen. He and Inui-senpai held Echizen's upper limbs while Mamushi and Tezuka-buchou held his lower limbs. Oishi-senpai, Eiji-senpai and Fuji-senpai assisted in getting the tennis prince through the hole.
It all seemed ideal but just to make sure Echizen would not touch the hole's linings, Tezuka-buchou gave the prince another instruction.
Cross his arms over his chest.
He definitely looked funny at that time.
Momoshiro chuckles at the memory.
Of course they all went through that, except for Mamushi who got out last.
Speaking of Mamushi, the famed viper crawled under the net, because there was no one left at the other side to assist him. He got out in the nick of time.
Momoshiro's chuckle turns to a boisterous laugh.
He could have fallen off the bench if Oishi and Echizen had not come out.
"What's so funny Momo-senpai?" is Echizen's monotonous interrogation.
Momoshiro sits straight and looks at his teammates, mirth still present in his eyes. "Nothing, just reminding myself how funny we all looked during the training."
Oishi sighs, exasperated, but Echizen can tell that the training has revived his senpai's team spirit. "Let's go. We'll wait for the others outside."
The two kohais follow suit. Upon getting out of the locker room, they meet the coach, Hiiragizawa and Tezuka-buchou talking amongst each other.
"Sensei, did you see where Fuji went?" Oishi asks upon approaching the group.
"He already went home," Tezuka answers.
The other three blink. "Went home?" Momoshiro asks further.
Eriol nods, smiling. "It seems he has to get home as soon as possible, ne, Ryuzaki-sensei?"
"Ah? Uh…yes," the coach answers reluctantly before sighing.
Except for Tezuka and Eriol, the others got suspicious over their coach's reaction. But even before they can raise the issue, Momoshiro's angry tummy growls.
The Junior Trump Card of Seigaku even has the grace to blush, before awkwardly massaging his belly. "Ehehehehehe…" he laughs sheepishly, as his favorite kohai's eyes are reduced into slits.
"Don't worry, Momoshiro-san. We can eat at the restaurant nearby," is Eriol's generous suggestion.
Seeing her protégé's ecstatic reaction, Ryuzaki-sensei smiles appreciatively at the young man. "It seems I owe you a lot, Eriol-kun," she says as they proceed walking upon seeing the other regulars getting out of the locker room.
While the whole group, minus Fuji Syuusuke, proceeds to the restaurant Hiiragizawa has told them of, Echizen follows silently. There goes the sinking feeling in his tummy again – and it is not because he is hungry. No matter how much he wants to ignore it, it won't stop.
It seems as if it were a warning of a coming event that will not be of favor to him.
His eyes darken in concentration.
He just doesn't know how right he is.
The breeze is good today.
Fuji Syuusuke muses as he listens to music playing in his mp3 through his headphones. His head rests on the top part of the bench's backrest. He has gone back to where they had their training, but not to reminisce.
He's there to meet someone.
While his eyes are closed, he fists his right palm. He likes the quiet atmosphere. Not that he does not want to be with his friends. It's just that he has promised his 'Neesan that he will bring one of his friends for lunch at home today. Of course, he almost does everything his 'Neesan requests, but for this one, he'll do so much gladly.
Fuji opens his eyes, fully aware of his surroundings despite the fact that he is listening to music. His friend has just arrived.
"Ne, Fuji-senpai?" is the gentle call.
Fuji turns off his mp3 player and takes off his headphones. He stashes everything in his duffle bag and smiles back at the figure that has just greeted him.
"You're early, Sakuno-chan," he chidingly greets back.
Sakuno blushes innocently at the comment, although she can sense that her senpai is just teasing her – again. "Ano, senpai…"
The prodigy stands as he carries his duffle bag. "Let's go," he says as he leads her out of the park.
"Ne, senpai, how was training?" Sakuno asks as they walk.
Fuji looks at the expectant eyes of his kohai. He inwardly smiles at the sight. The training was extra difficult, but not something that he cannot handle. "It was interesting. Hiiragizawa was there too," he mysteriously replies. "We learned a lot about teamwork."
"Teamwork?"
Fuji quietly nods. "It was fun, Sakuno-chan. We were like playing games," he adds, a genuine smile on his lips as he remembers how the others looked during the training.
Of course, he had looked funny, too.
Then again, the others had looked funnier.
Sakuno blinks at the statement, a bit confused, but is also glad that her friend enjoyed today's training. She cannot deny, though, that she is a bit intrigued that Eriol-kun was with them – that he even assisted her 'Baasan in arranging the training. She cocks her head to the right as she thinks. Her 'Baasan might have been impressed with the regulars' performance after Eriol-kun has taught them street dancing. She smiles to herself. Not only is Eriol-kun almost good at everything, he is also very kind.
A sudden thought hits her afterwards.
"Ano, ne, senpai, where are we going?" She asks, curious as to where they are heading.
Now that she has noticed, they are approaching a residential area.
Not that she really knows where they are going anyway. Then again, it's better that she has asked.
"To our house," is Fuji's mischievous reply. "'Neesan wants to see you again, Sakuno-chan. You'll be eating lunch with us today," he pipes.
Sakuno's lips part slightly after hearing the information. She blinks several times as she processes what Fuj-senpai has just said. Fuji Yumiko-san wants her to dine with the family. She has not even prepared for it! In nervousness, Sakuno unconsciously bits her lower lip, something that Fuji did not miss.
He smiles at the sight.
"Don't worry, Sakuno-chan," he says as he puts a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It'll be fine."
Sakuno looks at her senpai, still a bit hesitant. She was invited to their house once, and it was a pleasant experience, especially baking pastries with Fuji's older sister. She breathes deeply to calm herself. There is nothing to worry about, really.
No words have been exchanged from then on. While Sakuno is taking in her surroundings, Fuji mulls about what had happened during the training. He knew why Sumire-chan has asked Hiiragizawa's assistance, although he did not tell that to anyone. Perhaps, Tezuka and Inui already know too. Then again, he only has a hint of why Hiiragizawa accepted their coach's request – and that might had something to do with him.
During the third lap, Hiiragizawa had singled him out. They almost played a one-on-one match.
Asking who you really are helps in finding your true self.
Hiiragizawa had told him those words upon executing a drop shot. Fuji thought he would miss it because he was stupefied with Hiiragizawa's words. It was just a good thing that he recovered quickly from the shock. He thought nothing would follow, but right after the game, the young man quietly approaches him to add these:
But asking is not enough. You have to take a leap to uncertainty.
Fuji tightens his grip on his duffle bag that is slung over his left shoulder. He still has to think about those things. He does not know how Hiiragizawa has known of his dilemma. Then again, the young man seems smarter than he is.
Or perhaps, his inhibitions show in his play without him knowing so.
Before his thoughts could run another mile, Fuji stops and takes Sakuno's hand into his. The young lady gasps in surprise upon contact. He blinks in surprise, too, but smiles thereafter.
"We're here already, Sakuno-chan," he tells her as he proceeds to ring the doorbell.
"Tadaima!" Fuji announces cheerily as he opens the door.
He hears his sister greeting him from the kitchen, and he smiles at the aroma enveloping the whole house. He turns to Sakuno to assist her with her slippers. After giving her an extra pair, he drops his bag and takes her to the kitchen.
"Ano, good morning, Fuji-san," Sakuno greets upon arriving at the kitchen.
Her eyes widen upon seeing two heads turning to her after her greeting.
"Saa…Sakuno-chan, I think you have to change the way you address 'Neesan and Yuuta from now on," Fuji suggests seeing his kohai's dilemma.
Sakuno blushes, much to the delight of Yumiko. Meanwhile, Yuuta is left at the corner, trying his hardest to control his blush.
His 'Neesan has asked for help. He does not know much about the ins and outs of the kitchen, but being the sweet young man that he is – something that he will never admit to himself – he has agreed to help out. He has been assigned to watch over the chicken being roasted in the oven.
Even though he does not really know how to cook, at least he can tell when the chicken being roasted is nearly done or not.
He sighs to himself, only to realize that Sakuno is greeting him.
He blushes again, before giving her a sheepish smile.
"You're just in time for lunch, Sakuno-chan," Yumiko greets back after seeing the way her youngest brother interact with the young lady before her. She gently strokes a soft curl of Sakuno. "But I do agree with Syuusuke-kun," she says as she puts a finger under her chin, thinking.
Both her brothers look at her. Fuji looks amused, somehow, knowing what is going on in her sister's good head, while Yuuta looks nervous.
Sakuno is left out, blinking.
"Oh!" Yumiko exclaims after a few seconds. "I know," she trails as she smiles at the young lady before her. "You may call me Yumiko-neesan."
Sakuno blushes at the thought. She stares at Yumiko for a little while, disbelief in her eyes. Upon seeing the sincere smile on the beautiful woman's face, however, she decides to just follow. "Ano, Fu – ah, Yumiko-ne…neesan," she stammers as if she were trying out how it would sound.
Upon seeing Fuji Yumiko's smile widen further, Sakuno relaxes and a gentle smile appears on her face too.
"Now," Yumiko breaks the pleasant atmosphere as she turns to her two younger brothers. "You go out. Sakuno-chan is already here to help me," she tells them as she playfully shoos them away from the kitchen.
Yuuta childishly pouts at her as he steps out, only to receive a lighthearted wink from his sister. Inside though, he is glad that he has gotten out of the kitchen. He knows he is getting stronger as a tennis player, but he has to admit he may never get a hang of the kitchen, well, except for watching over the chicken though.
He quietly follows his aniki who has already settled on one of the sofas at the living room. He can feel the tension in the atmosphere. His right hand fists unconsciously.
"Yuuta…" Fuji trails, his voice soft and almost quiet.
Somehow, the youngest member of the Fuji household knows what his aniki will be telling him. He is dead serious with what he has told his aniki after their match. He will be lying to himself if he were to say that he is not affected by seeing his older brother and his crush together. Then again, he does not want to risk another argument with his brother. Not that Fuji Syuusuke is one to argue over a girl with him. However, Fuji Yuuta has decided to let go.
True, it is an impulsive decision.
But if it meant maintaining the good relationship with his brother – and minimizing the risk of putting Ryuzaki Sakuno in an unwanted situation between siblings – he would do so gladly.
Besides, he innocently believes that if she were for him, even if he were not to do anything, she would be his in the end.
I guess, that's how naïve I am. Somehow though, I feel like a coward, giving up easily like that.
He sighs before gently shaking his head, as if he were telling Fuji Syuusuke not to even utter another word.
"I already told you," he says as he places his hands in each pocket, looking straight at his brother. "I don't want to get in your way."
Fuji looks intently at his brother, his blue eyes visible. He grits his teeth, knowing that Yuuta is hurting inside. Things are getting complicated for him – for them actually. He wants to soothe the pain his brother is feeling. Then again, he does not even know what to say. Besides, even if he knew what to say, he can never change Yuuta's decision, knowing the stubborn streak that runs in the family.
Shaking those negative things aside, he offers Yuuta a kind but neutral smile, causing his younger brother to blush in embarrassment. He chuckles, genuinely amused at his brother's antics.
Fuji can see his brother relaxing, too, after the good laugh – something that he is really thankful for.
Then, they both hear their sister calling them from the kitchen.
It is only then they realized how angry their tummies are.
Kikumaru and Momoshiro are in sync as they both take a slurp of their soup.
Tezuka, who sits right in front of them, raises his head to look at his teammates. He sighs inwardly at the sight, though his face does not show that he has been disturbed.
The Seigaku regulars, Ryuzaki-sensei and Hiiragizawa Eriol have settled on eating lunch at a restaurant several blocks from the gym. They are now feasting over classic Japanese cuisine.
"Fuji-senpai is missing this," Momoshiro tells himself out loud as he grabs another piece of sushi. He misses the disappointed look on Kikumaru's face.
Eriol smiles mysteriously upon hearing that.
"Why do you think Fujiko-chan left earlier?" Kawamura asks no one in particular.
"His sister is preparing lunch for him, his younger brother and a friend that he has taken along with him to their house," Ryuzaki-sensei reservedly answers as she picks a piece of maki.
"Nya? Who?" Kikumaru asks, intrigued.
Somehow, they all understand how important that lunchtime for Fuji is, considering that he will be dining with Fuji Yuuta. Then again, who is the guest?
Eriol looks straight at Echizen.
The prince has seen him do so, but he has decided to ignore Hiiragizawa as he chews his food.
Eriol smiles before answering.
"Sakuno-chan."
"Eh?!" The regulars, except for Tezuka, blurt out in surprise…
…while Echizen chokes.
Fuji grabs a fistful of sand before opening his palm, only to have the grains of sand blown away by the soft breeze. He closes his eyes right on time to prevent them from being stung. After that, he heedlessly lies on the sand.
It is not yet summer, but he has decided to take the time off and visit the shores of Choshi in Chiba, after the eventful lunch a while ago. It is good he has also taken Sakuno-chan with him.
Speaking of Sakuno-chan, Fuji sits to look for his auburn-haired kohai.
He smiles at the sight she makes.
Seeing her senpai quietly musing, Sakuno takes a stroll to find something to play with. Careful enough not to go too far from her senpai, she has decided to gather shells. She easily finds a pail left alone at the shore. She picks it up and proceeds with her search.
She has enjoyed the company of the Fujis. She wants to give them a gift of appreciation for inviting her over. She has not thought of what to give them though, but at least, if an idea were to hit her, she has some materials to work with.
As she continues to pick up some shells, she takes a glance of her senpai, only to see him wave at her. She waves back, before looking at her pail. Satisfied with the amount that she has, she runs back to him.
"Having fun?" Fuji good-naturedly quizzes her upon arriving to his side.
"Hai," she answers back, a wide, childlike smile on her beautiful face as she plops beside her senpai.
For a few minutes, silence reigns between the two. They both watch the waves crash against the rocks at the shore. Fuji is quite disappointed with the fact that they cannot stay up late to watch the sunset. They have to return home as early as possible, or they may face the dreaded evening traffic. He turns to look at his kohai who has busied herself over her precious shells.
"Sakuno-chan," Fuji begins as he looks straight at the horizon before them. "What are your plans after senior high school?"
Sakuno blinks at the question. Honestly, she has not thought of what she will do after senior high. There is a pregnant pause between the two, as Sakuno thinks of what to answer.
"Ano, I haven't thought of that, senpai," she answers. "But I do want to be like Iwase-san," she finishes.
Fuji nods at her answer. "You can be better than her," he comments candidly.
Sakuno blushes at the statement. Not knowing what to say, she shyly throws back the question. "Ano, how about Fuji-senpai? What does he want to do after senior high school?"
It is now Fuji's turn to blink at her, before smiling. He unconsciously grabs another fistful of sand. "I wanted to go to the United States to pursue a pro tennis career," he confesses. He turns to look at his kohai whose eyes have turned wide.
He cannot explain it though, but somehow, his insides are rejoicing over the fact that she seems a bit lonely with his confession.
"But then, I have decided not to," he mysteriously trails.
Surprised, Sakuno instinctively blurts out a question. "Why?"
Fuji let goes of the fistful of sand he has been holding. He looks at Sakuno straight in the eye. "There are things I want to settle," he says. Then, he looks again at the horizon. "Besides, I also want to get a degree, besides being a tennis player. I have taken the national exams already. I'm scheduled to take a private university's entrance exam next month."
Sakuno smiles gently at her senpai, admiration twinkling in her eyes. She does not want to meddle with her senpai's life further, but honestly, she will be sad if Fuji-senpai were to leave for the United States. She is quite relieved with his confession, but has decided that whatever her friend's decision will be, she will support him gladly. With that, she encouragingly pats his free hand. "Please do your best, Fuji-senpai."
"Don't worry. I will."
Hands in each pocket, Echizen Ryoma quietly walks towards school.
This morning is quite different from the others. He is scheduled for class chores this Monday, so he is excused from morning training. Furthermore, Momo-senpai cannot accompany him to school. In some way, he is thankful that he has the whole morning walk for himself.
He has time to rethink the things that have been happening.
A friend of mine mentioned that if a guy were to bring a lady friend to his house, he has every intention of marrying her.
Echizen grits his teeth in memory of Hiiragizawa's statement last Saturday. He knows that the young teacher has directed that to him. And it seems that the glasses-eyed boy knows that the young tennis prince is trying hard not to pay attention to his teasing.
There is nothing to worry about Fuji-senpai and Ryuzaki's closeness, right?
Okay, erase that.
Because in fact, he does not like the idea one bit.
But then, what can he do?
Before he can even think further, Echizen realizes that he is already facing the door of their classroom. He lets out a huff before opening the door, only to be shocked.
He has forgotten that he is doing class chores with Ryuzaki Sakuno.
Oh great.
It seems though that his auburn-headed classmate has failed to notice his entry. He closes the door as quietly as possible, taking in the sight of her writing today's date on the blackboard. He sighs, realizing that innocent and dense Ryuzaki Sakuno may not recognize him until he utters a sound. He, then, makes a beeline for the vase on the cabinet found at the back of their room.
After a few seconds…
"Ah, Ryoma-san," Sakuno blurts, surprised to see the tennis prince. "Ano, good morning. Gomen ne, I did not notice that you're hear already," she apologizes.
Echizen blinks at her, the flower vase in his hands. "Uh…ah," he mindlessly utters in return.
Sakuno approaches him. "Ne, Ryoma-san, I'll go clean this vase myself," she politely offers.
"Hm, is there anything left for me to do?" He asks, his eyes scanning the seemingly squeaky-clean room.
"Ah, ano, I haven't cleaned the eraser yet," she sheepishly replies, turning to the blackboard afterwards.
Echizen gazes at the vase in his hands, assessing the situation. He is quite surprised that she has gotten earlier than he did. And it seems, too, that she has done a lot within a short time. He smiles inwardly at the thought. Why he has done so, he does not know. After taking another glance of the blackboard, he quickly decides he'll do better cleaning of the blackboard eraser than flower arranging.
"I'll do it then," he nonchalantly says as he hands her the vase.
He receives a small smile, with which he squares his jaws as if trying to prevent an upcoming blush from showing right in front of her.
They both walk quietly to the front, and in a few seconds, Sakuno has exited the classroom, while he is left to clean the eraser. It does not take long to do his chore, although he must admit, he does not like it that much. After putting the eraser back to its place, he walks back to the teacher's table, and then proceeds to stare at nothing.
He leans on the table's edge, his right hand digging into his pocket to take out a tennis ball. He takes a good look at the deformed ball. This is the one he has been squishing since the first weeks of senior high school. Whenever he feels edgy over some things, he vents his agitation on the poor, blameless tennis ball.
He squishes it further, as he remembers Hiiragizawa telling him these words right after lunch last Saturday:
There is a right time to fight and a right time to surrender…
He grits his teeth in memory. The eerie smile of the young man strangely reminds him of Fuji Syuusuke.
…and you must know what to fight for…and what to surrender.
For someone who has been fighting for most of his life, he has almost forgotten how it is to surrender. But he sure does not like the idea of surrendering. When it comes to playing tennis matches, he does not give up until he claims the victory. Of course, he has been shamed many times, but he knows when and how to strike back.
But remember, you cannot deal with life as if it were another tennis match.
He squishes the ball again.
Somehow, he is getting a hang of what Hiiragizawa Eriol has been trying to tell him. As he continues to muse over what the young man has told him, Sakuno quietly enters the room – something Echizen does not miss. He diverts his attention from the ball to her, observing the way she settles the vase on the table. He looks at the pink and red flowers neatly arranged in the vase.
A soft smile is drawn on his lips at the refreshing sight.
He is not a romantic, but he knows how to appreciate nature, mind you.
"Ano, Ryoma-san," Ryuzaki Sakuno breaks the silence in the room.
"Hai?"
"Ano, you'll be having a game tomorrow, ne?" She asks.
Echizen looks at her straight in the eye, before giving a nod.
She smiles gently at him. "Please do your best."
Echizen blinks again as he feels a surge of air rushing into him. He has not heard her cheer for him for quite some time. He has not realized that he has been missing it, too. He gives her another awkward nod, his head a feeling a heavier than usual. A thousand things are going through his head right now.
"Is something wrong?"
Echizen gently shakes his head as he turns away. His eyes are focused on the desk in front of him.
No matter how much agitated he is with Hiiragizawa Eriol, he will not deny that the glasses-eyed boy has made some sense.
He takes another glance of Ryuzaki Sakuno, who is still looking at him with concern printed all over her pretty face.
Yes, life is not just about tennis.