THello mina! This is back to back update because of CHRISTMAS! Yep the christmas bonus! :D
This chapter is dedicated to ajas136 for the lovely review and compliment!
So here it goes: the moment of insanity!
"Yo Ryoga, how' tennis in Seigaku high school division?" Echizen Nanjiro, former tennis pro and current father of Ryoga and Ryoma asked. As usual at dinner, all that they ever talked about was tennis, tennis and more tennis. Ryoma continued eating in silence.
"It's great. I am going to be participating in the high school regular tournament. Although the usual people were still there, there are new people too. And the senpais are super. There was this guy who had a smash like…." Ryoga started talking animatedly and went on and on without stop.
Ryoma finished dinner quickly. Whenever tennis came into the topic, he somehow felt that dinner loses its flavour. Silently he headed to his room.
It was the first day of school and there wasn't homework to pass Ryoma's time. He found himself very very bored, staring at the racket in his closet.
Finally giving up on trying to come up with other things to do, Ryoma took the racket and pocketed a ball. He headed downstairs. "I'm going to a bookstore." he said as he left although he knew that no one actually bothered.
Once outside, the cool air of the evening blew through his hair. He looked up to the darkened sky, a feeling of isolation and separation filled him. Pushing those aside like he always did, he went into the nearest clothes shop to give himself some disguise. He bought a white hat that kept half of his face hidden, removed his specs which were for show anyway and headed towards the street tennis courts.
The street tennis courts were full, bustling with people. Ryoma walked silently around the place and found himself a wall that he could practice on. He just wanted something to do, to clear his mind and to relief stress. He held the racket with his right hand and began to hit the tennis ball towards the wall to the same spot with varying control and power.
After working up a good sweat and feeling loads better, Ryoma caught the returning ball with his left hand and began to walk off only to be surprised by an applause by a ring of spectators that gathered while he was too absorbed in his practice. Ryoma pulled the cap lower and replied, "ah domos." he tried to make his way out of the crowd but a tall figure blocked his path.
"Hey you're good. Want play a match with me?" the tall figure spoke. Although his voice was light with amusement, his eyes were burning with a fighting spirit that Ryoma saw often in the eyes of his brother.
"Who are you?' Ryoma replied curtly.
"Oh, sorry sorry. I am Momoshiro. You can call me Momo." Momo said, grinning form ear to ear. "Ah sou." Ryoma said in response.
"And you are?" the persistent Momo asked. Ryoma remained silent.
"Mah, play a game with me? Just 1 match? It is more interesting than playing with a wall right?" Momo said. Seeing over Ryoma's head, momo spotted a free court and half dragged Echizen to it.
"You can serve first." Momo offered.
"You sure? I have never played a real math before." Ryoma said. It was true for 5 years.
"Ha. Don't bluff. Even though you're that good? That kind of control with no match experience? You can't bluff me. Whatever, just serve." Momo readied himself at the baseline of the opposite court. "Hai" Ryoma half-heartedly replied.
Ryoma bounced the tennis ball with his left hand, using his right hand to hold the racket. "here I come." He said as he tossed the ball to serve.
The ball sped across the net to Momo's court, bounced at Momo's feet before speeding past Momo. Before Momo could react, the point was scored by Ryoma. "10 - love" Ryoma called, his eyes twitching with arrogance and confidence.
"Wuah. What a high-speed serve. But the next, I won't miss." Momo replied, a confident smiled on his lips.
"Whatever you say." Then Ryoma served again, although purposely lowering the speed so that Momo could catch it. It woudn't be fun if he won the match by serves.
"Ha. If it is power tennis, I won't lose. I won't." Momo yelled as he hit the ball back.
Ryoma caught the ball square in his racket but the ball was heavy like it was a cannonball instead of a tennis ball. Somehow Ryoma returned the ball and an amazing rally ensued. Both sides were not backing down. The high level of the match drawn a huge crowd of spectators again. Ryoma eyed the crowd. He didn't want the crowd. Even though he knew his identity as at stake, the attention, the tension and excitement felt so nostalgic to him, comfortable, like he was finally home. The game became 40-30 with Ryoma in the lead.
"Game point and also match point, Momoshiro-san." ryoma said, a cocky smile and piercing golden eyes with his white fila cap. "Sure. But I won't let you take the next point." Momo called back, a grin on his face. "Ja, as a farewell gift, let me show you something interesting." Ryoma said.
Ryoma lower his stance like he was Ryoga do it millions of times, tossed the ball and wound in preparation for a jump. As the ball fell, he leapt and tilted the racket slightly, putting a strong reverse spin on it. "Hah!" Ryoma let out as the ball left his racket, flying straight and true to Momo's court.
The ball flew towards Momo. He gauged the speed, angle and positioned himself for the return. The ball landed at his feet, he raised his racket to return it but the ball did not bounce like normal, it bounced towards his face. Caught off-guard and off-balance, Momo missed the shot.
A gasp came from the audience. "What was that? It bounced to the face." Startled whispers and murmurs was heard from the crowd. "Twist serve." Ryoma said, a satisfied and arrogant smile on his lips.
3 the true Ryoma. You've gotta love Ryoma and his cocky attitude but skills to pull it off!
Next chapter preview: Deadly Sunday! So the scene is set... and all' peaceful and well? HAH! Dream on. Well blame it on whoever for a certain tensai Fuji is gonna come and mess the whole pot up! :D
I know it's a lame pun. pot and POT (prince of tennis) :D Yurushite?
and a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Shiroi Mi.