Chapter Six – Lead Up to the Tournament

"You should come by the courts today." Tezuka suggested when Miyako passed him.

"Hmm?"

"There's going to be a little game – with penalties that the Regulars know better than to mess with."

"What kind of penalties?" Miyako asked curiously.

"Inui Juice."

Miyako looked at him disbelievingly. "Inui Juice?"

"Yes. Everyone in the tennis club has tasted it at least once." Tezuka explained. "I beg of you, don't take any offer from Inui – he will trick you into taking it, but just refuse."

Miyako raised her eyebrows, still sceptical. "Um, okay."

"Thank you." Tezuka said, allowing the smallest of smiles before he walked onto the courts.

Curiosity got the better of her and she decided to stay by the sidelines. If Tezuka was that worried about Inui Juice then there must be something truly horrible about it.

As the Penalty Game in particular was being explained, Miyako couldn't help but notice that – although he was listening very carefully – Tezuka's eyes kept flashing to meet hers. She blushed a little and looked back to Inui who was explaining the game.

Over a month and a half had passed and the tournament was coming up in only two weeks. During that time Tezuka had been excusing himself from their lessons earlier, and she didn't mind this. He had to have some priories so close to a tournament.

But when he did show up at the half courts he'd become more of a distraction than anything else – but he was still harsh and had her run laps if he caught her wrist flicking again or if she didn't obey an order. She found herself becoming increasingly fitter every day that passed and she realised. The laps were punishment, but they certainly helped her extensively.

And she had Tezuka to thank.

"First match is with Echizen and Momo." Inui instructed. "And remember." He warned. "The loser drinks my Extra Super Powered Penal Tea Inui Juice Deluxe."

Miyako bit back laughter at the looks on each of the Regulars faces as they set their eyes on the glass that Inui held in his hand. The mixture inside was a purple-blue colour, the liquid steamed green and there were small things floating within.

Just the look of it made her want to throw up.

"That's Inui Juice…?" Miyako whispered as Tezuka appeared by the fence on the inside, his arms crossed.

"Yes."

"That's….."

"Disgusting? Yes. But you haven't had to drink it before."

"Have you?"

Tezuka's lips formed a tight line, his eyes closed and his hands clenched.

"You have?"

He merely nodded.

Miyako made a disgusted sound. "So, let me see if I've got this right." She said as Echizen and Momo began their match. "They just have to win the match point, right?"

"Yes. And the loser drinks." Tezuka added.

"Sounds like a regular drinking game." Miyako joked.

"No. This isn't a regular drinking game." Tezuka stated darkly.

Miyako was still a little sceptical, though concerned by the mere sight of the drink. "What's the point of the juice anyway?"

"Watch, and see for yourself." Tezuka replied.

Miyako turned her eyes to the match and discovered that the pair were going all out, slamming each other with returns until finally, Echizen succeeded, jumping up in victory.

"I don't have to drink it!" He exclaimed.

"Kya~! Ryoma-kun!"

Miyako looked over and saw a girl that she hadn't noticed before. She was a first year, definitely. She had two long plaits that reached her mid-back.

Tezuka made an amused sound. "Echizen's girlfriend." He explained. "Coach Ryuzaki's granddaughter."

Miyako had heard about Coach Ryuzaki – she was their coach from Junior High. "That's kind of cute." Miyako commented as Echizen met the girl at the fence and held her fingers through the diamonds.

"I don't have to drink it." Echizen rejoiced again.

A shriek of agony turned all eyes over to the court as they saw the glass fall and Momo ran for the gate, clutching a hand over his mouth and flailing desperately for the water fountain. But he didn't make it and fainted just meters away from it. A group of worried first year's quickly came to his aid.

"Will he be okay?"

"Other than mental scarring, he'll be fine." Tezuka replied as he was called for his match.

Miyako took a hold of his jersey through the diamonds. "Win."

Tezuka looked back at her. "Of course." He replied, slipping the jersey off and stepping around to the gate to hand it over to her.

Miyako clutched the jersey in her hands as he walked onto the court to face Takashi Kawamura.

The light haired man scratched the back of his head nervously. "I hope that you go easy on me, Captain. I don't really want to drink that Juice."

"Taka-san!" Fuji called, running into the court. "You forgot your racquet."

And for the first time, Miyako saw the transition as Kawamura took a hold of the racquet.

"Ahhh! You think you can beat me, Buchou! Think again! I will be VICTORY~!" He exclaimed, a burning aura surrounding him.

Miyako's eyes widened at witnessing this and Fuji only chuckled lightly as he appeared at the fence. "I love doing that." Fuji said.

"That's a little creepy."

"Perhaps, but Taka-san's such a sweet person that being the one who changes that is just a great feeling."

"Aww, Fujiko! I wanted to give him the racquet…" Eiji complained, appearing beside Miyako.

"You won then?" Fuji asked.

Eiji nodded, giving the peace sign. "That Viper of ours is no match for me." He then pointed thumb towards the water fountain where Kaoru Kaidou had collapsed at the taps. "Are you going to fake your match, Fujiko?"

Miyako frowned at Eiji and then looked at Fuji who was touching his chin thoughtfully. "Well I was thinking about it, because I really wanted to try Inui's new Juice. But then my match is going to be against Oishi….so I was thinking of going all out and see how he takes the taste of it." He replied.

Eiji blanched. "You can't do that to my partner~!" He exclaimed. "That's so mean, Fujiko~!"

"….What?"

Eiji looked at Miyako. "Fujiko has a tongue of steel! He can take anything that Inui makes – but he's a sadistic bastard who will let us suffer anyways."

Miyako stared at Fuji fearfully as Fuji only smiled brightly in their direction. "I always knew it was too good to be true." She muttered as Tezuka finished off his match and made his way over to them. "Tezuka~. You won?"

"I said I would." He replied, leaving the fenced in area to retrieve his jersey from her and then stood beside her to watch the final match. "Don't be too harsh, Syusuke."

Fuji only smiled. "I'll do my best." He said as Kawamura ran through the gate, screaming pitifully as he collapsed by the water fountain and weakly turned the tap on.

Eiji was fidgeting by her other side, as he anxiously watched the match begin.

"Don't be worried, Kikumaru-senpai." Miyako soothed. "I'm sure that Fuji-senpai won't be too hard on Oishi-senpai."

"You haven't seen Syusuke play, have you?" Tezuka asked.

"You've told me that he was a prodigy – but that doesn't mean that he has to be mean about it." Miyako replied. She took Eiji's hand and squeezed. "Just have faith that Oishi-senpai will win. If you believe it so then things will turn out okay."

Eiji didn't look at her, only tightened his hold around her hand as he continued to fidget, his nose right up against the fence as he watched.

Tezuka noticed this interaction and for some reason a raging beast rose from within and all he wanted to do was pull Miyako to his side and swallow Kikumaru whole. But he held himself back. He knew Miyako enough to know that she was a kind and always helpful girl. And she would probably do what she was doing now for any other person in the world.

Eiji suddenly screamed in horror. "No~! Oishi~!"

Miyako watched as Fuji walked away from the court, a satisfied smile still plastered on his lips. Still on the court, Oishi was lifting the concoction to his lips and as it disappeared he made a mad dash for the water fountain.

"Oishi~!" Eiji exclaimed and ran to meet his aid.

Miyako looked over worriedly. "Does this happen all the time?"

"It depends. If I face Syusuke then he'll simply lose and drink the juice without a problem." Tezuka replied.

"I might keep a better eye on Fuji-senpai from now on." Miyako stated.

Tezuka chuckled slightly. "He wouldn't let you drink the Inui Juice."

Miyako frowned at him, tilting her head to the side.

"He knows that I've kept a supply of the only Inui Juice that's ever affected him."

"There is one?"

"Yes. Aozu."

Fuji looked over at the sound of the word, his blue eyes flashing open. "I'll find it one day, Kunimitsu." He warned.

Tezuka smirked, satisfied. "Come on; let's get a lesson in before you need to head home."

. : . : . : .

The Regular's practice finished early in honour of the tournament and Tezuka suggested that he and Miyako walk along the same route – seeing as they lived in the same direction.

Miyako was nervous. Playing tennis with him was different – she was constantly moving and doing something. All she was doing was walking along, her hands clasped in front of her. And he was walking beside her, just as quietly as he always was.

"As of next week I won't be able to teach you anything." Tezuka suddenly said. "Coach Kikuchi has asked me to commit myself completely to club activities until after the tournament."

"That's fine." Miyako reassured him. "I completely understand. I'd want you and the others to go well in the tournament."

"But after that and the Summer break, if we get through, there's the regional tournament." Tezuka explained. "And the same thing will happen."

"I told you the first day you decided to teach me. I don't need a teacher." Miyako said. "I can take care of myself. I survived three years before I came to Seimaku." She added.

"If you're sure." Tezuka said.

"Positive. I'll come and cheer for Seimaku at any tournament you have." She promised.

"I'd appreciate that." Tezuka said, smiling slightly. He sighed and paused.

"What's wrong?"

"This is me." Tezuka explained, motioning to the house they were standing in front of.

"Wow…it's a traditional styled house?" Miyako asked curiously, looking up at the house.

"Yeah. Do you…want to come in?" Tezuka asked, reaching a hand for the front gate.

"Oh no, I shouldn't. I'd be a bother."

"Not at all. Have you ever seen a traditional house?"

Miyako shook her head admittedly, blushing.

"Come on then. I'll show you around."

"But…my parents. They'd worry."

Tezuka raised his eye brows. "They'll be fine." He reassured her. "Don't worry, you won't be kept long – unless Mum's home."

Miyako took a step back. "Never mind then."

"If you're sure?"

Miyako nodded, flushing darker. "I'll see you tomorrow." And she was gone, speeding down the sidewalk.

When she was out of sight, she held a hand to her heart to try and quell its erratic beating. He was inviting her into his home…and she refused? Was she crazy? She grumbled angrily to herself as she trudged the rest of the way home.

. : . : . : .

"Ugh! He's so stupid!" Fuji grumbled. "After everything I have told him, he still hasn't made any kind of move."

"Give it time, Fuji." Inui muttered. "I assume that the next time they walk home together it will be a seventy percent chance of her accepting his offer."

"And what if they walk home again after that?" Eiji asked. "Would she accept his offer again?"

"I'd say well get some very good data if that were to happen." Inui said with a grin.

"What? Like they'd kiss?" Momo asked.

"Or hold hands." Inui replied. "The Captain is a little too dense about romance to move so quickly."

"Should we really be spying on the Captain?" Oishi asked, but he was completely ignored.

"Well. We're not going to get anything interesting from this couple. Let's go find Echizen and Ryuzaki." Fuji suggested.

"Hai!"

. : . : . : .

The lesson seemed somewhat final – and Tezuka treated it as though it was the last they would ever have. He even made her run twenty laps. And even if she assured Tezuka that she would see him during the week and in passing when she made her way to the half courts, Tezuka still couldn't bring himself to concentrate on the club activities.

She sat in classes that week, dreading her lonely self taught lessons – the kind she used to crave constantly.

He could see her from the courts and for some reason, he'd never felt so lonely.

"Tezuka…If you need to go over there I can take care of things for a bit." Oishi offered.

"No. Coach Kikuchi told me to stay here – as club Captain." Tezuka stated, tearing his gaze away.

"Tezuka!" Fuji called. "How about a match?"

Tezuka smiled slightly. "Sure." He agreed, glad for a distraction. He slipped his jersey off, picked up his racquet and made his way over to the court. "Don't go easy on me, Syusuke."

"What kind of distraction would it be if I did?" Fuji asked, smiling knowingly at Tezuka as he served. "At least the Tournament is tomorrow right? You'll be able to start lessons again on Monday." Fuji offered.

Tezuka returned. "Yeah."

"How is she going to get there?" Fuji asked. "Does she even know where it is?"

Tezuka blinked, stumped for a moment. "I don't think she does."

Fuji caught the ball in his hand. "Perhaps you should ask her and find out?"

Tezuka nodded, glad to have a reason to approach her. "I'll come back – we'll finish this match." He promised and ran out of the courts.

"Fuji-kun, where is he going?" Kikuchi asked.

"Ahh, Kikuchi-sensei. He needs to get it out of his system, he was unfocused – and it is for a good reason anyway." Fuji explained. "He's making sure that she can get to the tournament without getting lost."

Kikuchi sighed, but smiled. "To be young."

Tezuka slowed his pace when he noticed that the music she played from her hip was so loud that she was completely in her own world. Her eyes here half closed as she practiced her swing. She softly sang along with the song that was playing, an English female voice harmonising with hers as she recited it in Japanese. "Don't you worry your pretty little mind. People throw rocks at things that shine. And life makes love look hard. The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours~."

As the song slowly grew softer and softer he continued his advance, intending to announce his presence when there was that break between songs.

"But they can't take what's ours. The stakes are high, the water's rough, but this love is ours~." Miyako whispered, a small smile pasted on her pale lips.

"Miyako."

Jumping violently, Miyako turned, her racquet mere centimetres from contacting with his arm. "Tezuka! God, you scared me." She accused, pausing her music before another song could start.

"Sorry." Tezuka said.

"I thought you weren't allowed over here. I don't want you to get into trouble." Miyako said.

"I just needed to check something. Syusuke pointed out that you wouldn't know where the tournament was being held." Tezuka explained.

Miyako blinked. "You're right. I don't."

"If you'd like, I could come by your house and we could catch a bus together to the site." Tezuka suggested.

"Really? You'd do that?"

"You'd have to be up and about earlier than you'd usually have to be though. To get to the site on time I'd have to pick you up at around eight o'clock. Is that okay?" Tezuka asked.

Miyako nodded. "Sure. I'll set an alarm."

Tezuka smiled a little. "I should go back to my match with Syusuke. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See you." Miyako farewelled as he turned and walked back to the courts.

. : . : . : .

Vaguely, she could hear the alarm blaring. But all she did was throw a hand out, press the button on her iPhone and roll back over – just for that extra five minutes of sleep. Then her alarm blared again in time with the doorbell being rung downstairs, just as it seemed she'd gone back to sleep. She grumbled angrily at the alarm and began to groggily make her way down the stairs, rubbing her eyes to try and clear the sleep-blurred vision.

She hardly noticed that her Father was answering the front door. That was until she heard that familiar voice. "Miyako…?"

She opened her eyes and words failed her.

Tezuka stood at the door, dressed in the jersey and long pants required of the tennis club. His racquet bag was slung over one shoulder and his eyes appraised her with shock.

Miyako stared at him in return. "Aren't you a little early?" She asked, sure that her alarm had gone off at six o'clock.

"Miya." Naoko said softly. "It's eight in the morning."

Miyako stared at her Father. "What?..." She then looked down at herself.

It had been a particularly hectic time the night before – Kiba had decided to chew out all of her clean pyjamas so she had no choice but to wear the nightgown she hid in her underwear draw. It was made of sheer pale pink silk with dark coloured lace lining the deep 'v' neck line, over the spaghetti straps and under the bust. And also the hem – which barely reached her mid-thigh. Not only that, her hair was out and hanging messily from the top of her head.

She looked back up at Tezuka and with a cry of panic she raced back up the staircase. "Kyaaaa~! Dad, why didn't you wake me up~?" She cried.

Naoko shook his head as Tezuka muttered: "Scatter brain."

Naoko laughed. "You're Tezuka-kun then?" He asked.

"Yes, Sir, I am."

"Come on in then. She won't be long – this has happened to her before."

Tezuka stepped into the house as there was a loud crash followed by a scream. He couldn't help, but smile – but with all of his might he concentrated on hiding the furious blush that threatened to darken his cheeks.

The song 'Ours' by Taylor Swift isn't mine.