Kari: So I just re-read my last chapter and all the mistakes had me near weeping by the end…

Ryoma: That's because you're a careless baka

Kari: *eyes water * I know! I know!

Ryoma: Don't cry idiot

Kari: But I want too T.T *sniffles and looks up* Sorry for the lag in chapters guys I'm a bit busy as I'm graduating high school (my teachers are sadists)

Seiichi: Not to mention your illness

Kari: Just like Seiichi to mention illness first -.-;; anyways here's chapter 3

Seiichi: She owns nothing

Kari: The usual warnings guys, you know the drill

Ryoma: Lets get on with it no?

"ENGLISH"

=text message=

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Chapter 3: Seishun Gakuen

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A day after his loss to Sanada, Ryoma could still feel the adrenaline from their game. He had never experienced such an exciting game and for a moment he had felt overwhelmed by the sheer power and talent the dark haired boy had exuded. But he was stubborn and he played tooth and nail to give a damn good game to the other (He would never forgive himself he lost pathetically). Ryoma had been surprised with himself when he felt so comfortable around the other two. The immediate respect their aura demanded was hard to miss and he knew both were amazing players in their own right. He couldn't help but be drawn to them. He had always been attracted to power.

Coming out of his bathroom, he pat Karupin on the head before donning his uniform and running his hands through his hair, leaving it in disarray afterwards. He wonder why his father insisted that he attend his old school. He remembered Sanada-san (or was it Yukimura-san?) mention something about attending a school called Rikkai and wondered if it was far. He wanted another match soon, if not, at least to discuss that technique of his that left him reeling.

Entering the Kitchen Ryoma grimaced when he saw a western breakfast set up on the table before glancing at the clock and cursing when he saw the time. Rushing through the kitchen he opened the fridge and grabbed a can of ponta before snatching a piece of toast from the table and waving goodbye to his parents before rushing out the door. He was late.

Rushing into the school he changed into his indoor shoes hastily before looking up to read the room numbers he passed. He had gotten in late (nearly a week after term started) and he was behind most of his classes. It didn't help that he received special permission to attend senior and junior classes due to recommendation from his old school and his test scores. It was a bother but his mother was more than pleased (she was the one that arranged his class schedule as he was busy with the tournament at that moment, in compensation though she had bought him the books that he had been eyeing for a while).

Ryoma was never conscious of how much attention he was getting, he had a habit of ignoring stares and in result he pretty much ignored everyone he deemed unimportant or annoying mostly the latter. Regardless though that didn't stop people from pointing and whispering, it was, after all, strange to see a freshman in the seniors hall and his looks were not something you could ignore.

Looking back down on the paper in his hands, Ryoma sighed resignedly. He had English with the seniors class I. knocking on the door he awaited the answer and entered when he was told to do so. Handing his paper over to the curious teacher he watched as the other smiled before motioning him to the front of the class.

"everyone, this is our new student from America" The teacher spoke in a slightly accented English "Please welcome him to our class" Pausing she turned to the golden eyed boy "Please introduce yourself Mr. Echizen, in English of course"

"my name is Ryoma Echizen, a pleasure" He spoke perfectly, he had grown up in the US after all and it wasn't the only language he knew (His parents work required a lot of travelling and they honestly couldn't leave behind Ryoma, so he was dragged along)

"Would you like to tell us anything about yourself, Mr. Echizen?" the teacher asked. After a short awkward silence, she sweat dropped staring into impassive golden eyes before finally turning away. His gaze was unnerving. "R-right, Mr. Fuji please raise your hand, Mr. Echizen will seat in front of you"

Ryoma followed the teachers gaze and saw a honey haired boy raising his hand with a serene smile on his face. Inwardly Ryoma shuddered. There was something wrong with that sempai's smile. Warily he walked towards his seat nodding minutely towards his sempai (and receiving a wider smile in return) before sitting down and promptly falling asleep.

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English class for him was boring. After proving to the teacher that he did not need to listen (and soundly humiliating the poor woman) he continued to sleep through class like a log. Later he was woken by Fuji-sempai and after thanking him left the class room and searched for his actual class (I-1) and reintroduced himself (in Japanese mind you). Ryoma repeated the process for his science class with III-3 and for his arts and music class with II-1 before returning to his freshman class for the rest of the day. It was, for the most part boring (there was an argument in his arts and music class, that oddly involved hissing… he ignored that though) and bothersome and he wished he agreed with his oyaji when he suggested he (Ryoma) take a full freshman course (He didn't of course, he was stubborn and the day he agree with his father vocally is the day hell freezes over).

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Walking towards the court, Ryoma tuned out his companions (three freshmen that decided to stick with him for some reason). One had a unibrow wearing a tacky green tennis shirt boasting about his two years of tennis experience. Scoffing inwardly Ryoma wondered how Sanada-san would react if he heard him.

'He'd probably slap him, he seems like a person who won't tolerate unfound arrogance'

Walking faster he by passed the others and dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out his orange phone before flicking it open. He stared at it for a moment contemplating whether he should call Yukimura-san or Sanada-san, someone remotely sane at least. Ryoma was brought out of his reverie when the unibrowed voice raised another octave.

"That's not fair sempai! You didn't tell us that!"

Stopping he turned back to watch lowering his cap to hide his eyes. He observed with detached interest as his classmates were harassed by elder students. Apparently, though he was silent, he was still noticed by the junior who, at the sight of him, grinned in a conniving way .

"Oi! Would you like to try as well?" he called out "Its 500 yen! 10000 if you knock it over" smirking boy walked towards him "or are you scared?"

Never able to resist a challenge Ryoma approached them and took out his favored red racket. Catching the ball tossed to him, he bounced it on the court a couple of times before smirking.

"Ne sempai, if I hit it a hundred times will you give me a million?" throwing the ball in the air Ryoma smacked the ball hard watching it fly towards the can and hitting it with impressive accuracy before doing it again and again, making the tin dance on the ground, he succeeded in making the others gape in awe.

Gripping his racket tighter, Ryoma gave a final swing and watched as the ball hit the lid making the round tin fly off and spilling small pebbles on the ground.

"Sempai! That's cheating!" the ichinen screamed

"You brat!" The brown haired junior yelled, making his way towards the nonchalant freshman. Face red in anger, he reached his hand out towards the other but was stopped short when a ball flew past him, flattening the can.

"You can't do than yeah, no you cant Arai!" Walking into the court a broom haired boy grinned, amethyst eyes shining in glee as he grinned at the freshmen walking towards the cluster with his racket on his shoulder.

"Momoshiro!" Arai exclaimed, surprised.

"naa, you can't pick on newbies Aria! That's not something a sempai should do yo!" Stopping in front of the agitated junior, he glared at him lightly before turning to Ryoma "Oi! I've heard about you!" he exclaimed "Play a game with me?"

Staring blankly at the boy blankly, golden eyes narrowed as Ryoma turned away with a huff.

"yada"

Surprised Momoshiro ran towards the boy with a crooked grin "Oh come on! Just one game for your Sempai!"

"yada" he glared darker, footsteps quickening as the other scowled.

"You shouldn't treat your sempai like that ya, you shouldn't yo" walking to stand in front of Ryoma, Momoshiro smirked "or are you afraid to lose?"

Stopping before the tall boy Ryoma's eyes narrowed a smirk tugging at his lips as he tilted his tilted his hat to look up into the others amethyst eyes with burning golden ones before answering in an overly confident voice.

"I never lose in tennis"

Grinning ear to ear Momo headed to the courts ignoring the whispering that followed them as he walked towards one side of the net and watched as the other tugged at the strings of his racket before approaching the net as well.

"which?" Ryoma asked bored.

"rough"

Spinning his racket, Ryoma watched as it fell the symbol upside down. Looking up he stared at the boy waiting and twitched inwardly as the others smile broadened.

"Lu~cky!" tapping his racket against his shoulder he walked to the receiving area "You can serve! I want to see the twist serve!"

"yada" turning back Ryoma tugged his cap firmly unto his head as he walked towards the service line and smirked "Don't hurt yourself Sempai"

Bending back he slapped the ball across the court. Momoshiro ran forward and caught it partly surprised at the amount of power behind it but successfully returning it. Rushing to the net Ryoma returned the ball eyes widening at its heaviness. Using both hands he returned the ball accidently giving Momoshiro a chance ball.

"Yoshi!" Face set into an excited expression Momo jumped and smashed the ball landing with a cocky smirk "Don!"

Scowling as his racket flew off away, Ryoma growled lightly tugging at his cap, eyes burning.

"Eh? You're not bad Sempai" it was a good smash.

Picking up his racket he froze as Momo spoke.

"Haha, don't hurt yourself chibi-chibi!"

Grinding his teeth lightly, Ryoma stood on the service line, fingering the gut of his racket before taking a ball from his pocket bouncing it thrice before throwing the ball in the air and serving. The ball flew across the court landing by Momoshiro's feet and to the junior's surprise, flew towards his face, making him fall back and wince.

"Suge! That was the twist serve yo! The twist serve ya!" Standing he shifted his weight, favoring his left leg with a smile "Yoshi! One mo-" looking up his eyebrows furrowed when he saw Ryoma walking away "Oi! Where are you going?!"

"hn" Glaring at the junior Ryoma huffed. He didn't play with injured people, sempai or not. Ignoring the others call he passed by the shocked ichinen and Furious Juniors and continued towards the other club members.

A sudden vibration from his pocket stole his attention. Fishing his phone from his pocket, he flipped it open with a curious hum and blinked in surprise as he saw Yukimura-san's name on the screen.

=Ryoma-kun how's your day? Have you joined the tennis club?=

Tilting his head slightly, Ryoma grinned before taking a picture of the tennis court and attaching it to his message.

=it was boring and the tennis club is mada mada=

Sending him the message he returned his phone inside his pocket and paused as he heard the others say that registration was cancelled because the regulars and couch were not on campus. Scowling Ryoma shrugged before turning back instead and headed towards the gates with the intent to go home.

As he walked he bought a can of ponta and sipped it thoughtfully as he felt his phone vibrate once more in his pocket.

=saa, don't be so cocky boy. You'll be surprised=

smirking at the message Ryoma replied.

=I'll take your word for it Yukimura-san, let's hope they don't disappoint=

Yukimura's reply was immediate

=They won't, you'll see :) =

Smiling lightly to himself Ryoma threw his can inside the trash; maybe the day wasn't so boring after all.

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A/N: So here's my update sorry if it's a bit blah. I'm trying hard to find the time to work on this and by far this should be my longest chapter no?

Well for those who are waiting for melody, you'll have to wait a bit more since I haven't even begin writing it x.x and for synchrony? Im getting to it.

Comments would be appreciated and reviews would be rewarded with yummy cookies!