Okay, sorry for the really long wait. I'm experiencing a lot of problems at the moment,. I will try my best to post the 6th chappie as soon as I can.
Now then..
Thank you to those who read and reviewed the last chapter. All your efforts are appreciated. I do hope that this story pleases you in the best way possible.
Chapter 5- The Regulars Part 2
"So Kawaii! (1)" Kikumaru said all of a sudden. He started bouncing on the spot he was in right after he looked at Yumi.
"Yumi, these are the regulars of the Seigaku tennis club," said Tezuka.
"Saa, it's nice to finally meet you, Tezuka-chan," said Fuji, sending unexpected shivers on Tezuka's back. He's definitely baiting him.
"Please call me Yumi instead, it gets a bit confusing since I have a big brother in the same school," said Yumi.
"Saa, Yumi-chan then. I'm Fuji Syuusuke, I'm in the same year as your brother," said Fuji.
"The rest of us are also third years, except for these two and Echizen. The one wearing a bandana is Kaidoh Kaouru and the one with the spiked up hairstyle is Momoshiro Takeshi. And I'm Inui Sadaharu," said Inui.
"Nice meeting you, Yumi-chan," said Momo.
Yumi met the rest of the tennis club afterwards. There were a lot of them there, Yumi found it difficult to memorize each of their names right away. She guessed that she'd just have to know them more as time progresses. Rushing things wouldn't do any good for a newcomer anyway.
"We'll be having practice now. Do you want to call the driver so you can go home?" Tezuka asked.
"No, it's fine. I want to watch your practice. Can I stay instead?" said Yumi.
A nod from Tezuka confirmed that she could stay. She looked for a vacant bench to sit isn't really something new to her but she doesn't play tennis much because of all the things they do in her old school. But occasionally she watches games, whether on the television or in the recreation centers where her friends usually go to. Her job in her old school didn't give her that much 's a volunteer worker for the student council, taking away her chances to join other clubs.
After practice…
"That's all for today. Please be sure to be here tomorrow for morning training," said Tezuka.
"Hai, buchou," said everybody.
Yumi got up after seeing that they finished practice already. It was so much fun to watch them play and it looked like they were enjoying what they were doing just now. Yumi realized that there were a lot of things she missed after the incident. There were a lot of things that she wanted to do back then, and right now, she wouldn't let anything to hinder those dreams anymore. Unless it's something her new family is against with, she'd try her best to experience the things she wanted before.
"So, what do you think Yumi-chan?" Oishi asked.
"Yeah, yeah, Yumi-chan, what do you think about the tennis club nyah? Do we look cool?" Kikumaru asked curiously.
"You guys were great! I've never seen anyone play that good in my life," said Yumi.
"That's not even their real strength," said Inui.
"You'll be seeing more of that if you tag along with your brother. He's an excellent tennis player," said Fuji.
"Do you play tennis, Yumi-chan?" Momo asked.
"I play, but I'm not any good. I'm not that athletic," said Yumi.
"Tezuka, are you two going home right away?" Kawamura asked.
Tezuka was fixing some of his things when Kawamura asked the question. His parents actually told him that they were going out for a bit so the two could spend some time out before going home. He was planning on going to town to buy Yumi's school supplies. They also needed to get her uniform done by a seamstress so Yumi could have her own already.
"We might visit the bookstore and a seamstress," said Tezuka.
"I'll come along. I need to buy something from the bookstore for Oneesan(2)," said Fuji.
"See you tomorrow then, Yumi-chan, Tezuka," said Oishi.l
"Ja(3), sempai-tachi(4). See you tomorrow, Echizen-kun. Please check my English assignment tomorrow," said Yumi.
"Hn. Ja na(5)," said Echizen.
Heading to the bookstores downtown was something Yumi was new with since she didn't live in the same neighborhood before, so it wasn't odd that she looked curious about where they were going. The three rode a bus to get there; according to Fuji, this was the fastest way since the bus usually takes the easier route. It seemed like Fuji frequently goes downtown, he looked like an expert for Yumi.
"Are you buying things for Yumi-chan?" Fuji asked Tezuka.
"Hn, she needs them for tomorrow. She'll need the uniform soon too. The principal only gave her a week and a half to get one," Tezuka explained.
"It's must be tough on you, Yumi-chan. Transferring to a new school, when classes have started for over two months already," said Fuji.
"It is, but I don't mind at all. I was a bit scared, but my big brother is here so I feel less afraid now," said Yumi.
"He must be a good big brother then. He's a good captain to us, so I'm betting he's a better brother," Fuji wondered aloud.
The rest of the time before they got to the bookstore was spent chatting. It was such a nice ambience that Tezuka couldn't even decipher whether his old friend is trying to dig out some details for a certain data-man or if he was purely playing the good friend role. But Yumi looked happy while chatting with Fuji, which was enough to convince him that nothing else was up with Fuji. But Tezuka being his wise self was careful enough to think ahead, he would not let his guard down. Whatever happens today he will not let his guard down while he and Yumi are with Fuji.
Yudan Sezu Ni Ikkou(6)
"I'll be over there for a bit. I'll catch up on you two later when I'm done buying the stuff on my list," said Fuji.
"Hn, we'll be in the school supplies section in case you need anything," said Tezuka.
The siblings started to look for the things that Yumi needed. There were books, notebooks, pens, erasers, and other miscellaneous things that Yumi could think of. But Tezuka had a list in his hand so Yumi decided to just let her big brother. The things Yumi needed for school was pretty common; a pad of paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers and markers. Then there were the school books and other materials that she'd usually use inside the classroom.
"Do I need to buy an apron for Home Economics?" Yumi asked.
"You'll need one and a hairnet or bandana too. I think Okaa-san(7) has one at home so we don't need to buy that anymore," said Tezuka.
"Are these notebooks enough for all the subjects?" Yumi inquired.
"Hn, it's just right," said Tezuka.
The two continued to look around for more of the things that Yumi might need for school. A particular item that Tezuka wanted to get for her was a Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese dictionary. It will surely come in handy when it comes to some of the subjects that they have in school. English is a required subject for everyone in school, having a dictionary like this would make it easier for Yumi to understand unfamiliar English words.
"Are you two done?" Fuji asked.
"Onii-san's (8) still waiting for a new copy of that dictionary he chose for me," said Yumi.
"Is it tough having him as a brother? He's a model student so, it must mean that you feel pressured somehow," said Fuji.
"It's inevitable but I have to learn how to handle it well. Besides, having him as my big brother might have some perks too right?" said Yumi.
"It definitely has its advantages and I can tell that from experience. He's just a friend of mine but I get showered by his benefits all the time," said Fuji.
"But I bet he gets a lot of attention from girls. A lot of them were looking at us when we arrived this morning, and I'm guessing they misunderstood who I am since I'm a transferee," said Yumi.
"Don't worry, your brother can just glare at them and they're sure to keep quiet right away," said Fuji.
The two continued to talk a bit more while they were waiting. When Tezuka finally got back, they paid for their purchases and decided to part ways there. Fuji's sister would be picking him up in a nearby store. The other two proceeded to the uniform shop to get Yumi's uniform done. The seamstress seemed nice and agreed to have Yumi's uniforms finished by the end of the week. She didn't have other pressing commissions at the moment anyway, she mentioned.
"Thank you very much," said Yumi.
"Oh, don't worry about it dear, your brother brings his uniforms and his friends' uniforms here as well. He's a regular customer so it's always a pleasure to have him here," said the seamstress.
"Thank you again. We'll come and pick it up by the end of the week," said Tezuka.
"How was your first day in school?" Ayana asked.
"I got nervous at first but it was okay. I've made lots of friends now," said Yumi.
"That's wonderful, sweetheart. And, did you make friends with that nice kid, Echizen-kun? He's an excellent tennis player," said Kuniharu.
"I made friends with him too. He promised to help me with my English homework," said Yumi.
"That's nice of him," said Ayana.
"Is grandfather in the dojo (9)?" Tezuka asked.
"He's in the garden, son, he bought a new bonsai for his collection and I think he's looking for the best spot to put it," said Kuniharu.
"Thank you. I'll just be talking to him. I'll come back for dinner," said Tezuka.
After the boy left, Yumi went back to her room to get changed and to get started on her English homework. They were required to pass a short essay on a topic that the teacher gave. English wasn't really a difficult subject for her, but just like any typical Japanese girl, Yumi's not that confident with her English. She was lucky enough that her old school hired an American teacher for the subject, that's why she's not having that much of a hard time anymore.
Half an hour later, Yumi placed her paper in her file case. She only has the essay for her homework, making the rest of the night free for her. She was about to get something from her cabinet when the phone in her room rang. She picked it up and waited for the person in the next line to speak.
"Honey, there's a call for you at line two" said Ayana as she talked from the other line.
"Ah, thank you very much, okaa-san," said Yumi.
She looked down at the phone receiver and saw a blinking button. It was labeled as 'line 2'. Assuming that it was what her mother was telling her, she pressed the line and then listened again. A familiar bubbly voice welcomed her.
"Yumi!" said the voice.
"Oh my! Is that you, Sei? As in Sato Sei, from Lilian?" said Yumi.
"Yeah, I though you wouldn't remember me. Calling your house was like calling a top class corporation. I was put on hold twice," said Sei.
"Sorry about that. How have you been?" said Yumi.
"I'm all right. I can't say the same for Hikari, but she's always been dramatic anyway," said Sei.
"Stop being mean to her! Anyway, is there anything you need in particular?" said Yumi.
"Not really, I was just checking on how you're doing so far. How's Seishuun Gakuen?" asked Sei.
"Pretty good, I think. My brother attends the same school so it doesn't really bother me much that it's a new school," said Yumi.
"That's good. I'll visit you some time soon. I'll bring Hikari and Shimako along," said Sei.
"I'll look forward to that. Just call me before you visit, so I can tell my mom about it," said Yumi.
The talked for a bit more after that before Sei finally said that she had a pop quiz she needed to study for. Yumi happily said goodbye and promised to give them a tour of her new home once she and her friends came to visit.
"Ojou-sama(9), dinner is ready," a maid came knocking on her door.
"Arigatou. I'll be down right away," said Yumi
Here are the definitions for the unfamiliar words or Japanese words used for this chapter.
Sorry for not individually thanking all those who reviewed..I'll follow up on that as soon as I get more time..I might be able to write more around September or October. But I will still update from time to time, just no as frequent as before...
btw this is the beta-d version..i apologize if it doesn't qualify to your standards but this is pure Filipino goodness that we are proud to share to everyone.
Please read and review..Thank you~!
(1) kawaii-cute
(2) Onee-san - older sister
(3) Ja- see you tomorrow/bye temporarily
(4) sempai-tachi- two or more upperclassmen
(5) Ja na- alternative for Ja
(6) Yudan Sezu Ni Ikkou- Don't let your guard down. Tezuka's favorite phrase/line.
(7) okaa-san - mother
(8) onii-san - big brother
(9) ojou-sama - young lady