My co-workers were saying some pick-up lines to me and guess what, I found those really interesting. Just sharing and this is my next chapter. Sorry for the Oocness. It was not my intention from the start but I am still hoping that you will like it.
Please enjoy. Please don't hesitate to leave a review. Domo. ^_^
Disclaimer: The Prince of Tennis is not mine. I definitely do not own it.
Chapter 11: Resuscitated Hopes
Chapter Summary: Faint turned into a Moderate one since the two including her best friend started to motivate her. Well is it enough? Is it going to be strong as a courage that she needs? Find out.
Loneliness fighting back again
Seems to be like it never ends
Give us hope, through the love of peaceful
Shine on me…
~Lisa Komine – GoSick
General Practice, Two Days before the Competition:
Everyone was giving their best for the festival. Seriousness can be seen through their faces and no one seemed to be bothered. They were in their own world with their different fields and sports. The same goes in the tennis club, both boys and girls were pretty serious. It was for the festival and they should be having fun but for a certain brunette girl it was a competition that she needed to win or else she will lose everything. Thinking about it scared the hell out of her. Despite the practices Ryoma and Fuji gave her these past two months; she couldn't get to cease her weariness. She was indeed worried for the upcoming festival or the competition to be precise the day after tomorrow.
She almost jumped when someone spoke behind her:
"Don't worry, you will be fine."
She looked behind her. It was Ryoma. She blushed when she saw him and said those words.
"T-thank you." She said and bowed bashfully.
Fuji was thinking of how to ease the tense that Sakuno felt at that moment. Fuji gave a racket to Kawamura and started to amok.
"BURNING! YOU CAN DO IT RYUZAKI-CHAN! DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!"
Tezuka reacted when he heard Kawamura's phrase. Everyone looked and laughed at Kawamura. They knew that Sakuno was a bit nervous of the upcoming competition despite the truth that they don't know except for the some people in and out of the court.
"Takeshi, that's the way how to cheer up a girl." Eiji shouted.
"You still have a long ways to go." Momo mimicked Ryoma's favorite phrase.
Ryoma heard that. "che, mada mada." He glared at his best 'buddy'.
"shhh" Kaidoh just hissed while crossing his hands in front of his chest.
Inui wrote something in his notebook once again when he saw Tezuka's face like that. The other's just smiled.
"COME ON BABY; LET'S DO OUR BEST IN THE COMPETITION!" Kawamura once shouted.
Everyone even the member of the girl's tennis club jumped and agreed but later on laughed because of Kawamura's weird actions. Sakuno looked at Fuji. She thanked the tennis tensai by simply bowing slightly to him.
Sumire clapped her hands for another term of practice. Everyone became serious again, giving their best shots on their final practice.
xxx
"Nicely well done everyone, this will be our last practice for the upcoming festival. Do your best on the competition." Sumire said as she gathered both clubs in front of her.
Everyone shouted and rejoiced.
"Rest for tonight and save your energy for tomorrow. Don't do anything reckless or your effort will be put to waste."
"Hai" They said in unison.
Everyone left including the girls' tennis club but before they finally leave the court, the girl with the long hair looked at Sakuno and gave her a devilish smirk. She saw her lip synced some 'be prepared to lose on the competition, stupid illusionist, don't forget on what we had talked about' words. She felt scared and nervous when she understood that. The girls left with giggles on their faces. She looked down after that. Fuji and Ryoma saw what they did to her and so as Tomoka. Tomoka wanted to confront them but Tezuka stopped her. The two looked at each other and amazingly nodded. Fuji called the attention of everyone when only the boys of the club were left except the best friends:
"Hey, let us have an advance party for the girl's victory."
Sakuno and Tomoka looked at the tennis tensai. The ichinen Trio did the same too.
"An advance Party? " Horio asked.
"Sounds interesting isn't it?" Kachiro said that Katsuo nodded.
"Yeah, let's do that! Let's go to Takashi's tomorrow after lunch." Eiji said.
Kawamura reacted. "Hey, hey you have to treat the whole club if that will be the case."
"Don't worry Takashi, Takeshi's on the house. It will be up to him." Eiji said.
"Hey, senpai! I didn't say that. Let's share the treat."
They argued for a long time before making a decision. Sakuno couldn't believe. …A party? …For her defeat? …No! She shouldn't be thinking about that. She shook her head after. Tomoka noticed her sudden reaction. She grabbed her best friend from her back and said:
"Hey, don't be looking all gloomy there. The competition has not yet started."
"Tomoka-chan," She uttered. "Y-you are right. Let's enjoy the party tomorrow."
"Wait shouldn't it be for girls so why are we only celebrating with Ryuzaki-chan and Osakada" Horio asked suddenly.
"Do you have a problem with that, huh?" Tomoka faced Horio.
"Of course, stupid."
"What did you say?"
The two fought for a while. Momo and Eiji teased them as 'the more you hate, the more you love' thing. Both of them just aswered 'No freaking way' at the same time.
"Okay, it's settled then. All of us will go to Takashi's sushi restaurant tomorrow. No one is allowed to be absent ok." Fuji proclaimed and then he looked at Sakuno. The girl just blushed while nodding.
The boys left the club together. While Ryoma tagged along with his coach and her granddaughter. When they reached their home, he bowed to his coach and then looked at the girl who was blushing;
"Be sure to rest for tonight, I'll see you at Senpai's restaurant." Ryoma said keeping his stoic face.
Sakuno nodded and thanked the tennis prodigy. When Ryoma left, she entered the house and went straight to her room. As she thought, she couldn't sleep that night. She was definitely worried. She gripped her one hand as she rolled on her bed sheet and tried to sleep.
The next day at Kawamura's restaurant:
It was exactly one o'clock in the afternoon. It was amazingly that everyone was there already. Sakuno wasn't late because she came with her grandmother. Even Tezuka was already there who came along with Fuji. The rest was early as they wanted to eat as soon as they could.
"Yey, everyone is here now, nya~. Let's have a drink like the last time."
Momo panicked. "Baka senpai! That was supposed to be a secret." He whispered as he closed his senpai's mouth but it was too late.
"What drink are you talking about?" Sumire asked glaring at them.
The atmosphere inside the restaurant was tensed. Fuji broked the silence. "Erhm, s-sensei w-we happened to had a little drink here the other day. Takeshi forced me here but I didn't remember anything when I was drunk." He said as he scratched his head.
In an instant, two pair of fans whacked on top of the tensai's head.
"BAKA!" Sumire and Tezuka said who whacked him at the same time. "You are too young to drink alcohol. You stupid!" Sumire said as she whacked Eiji, Momoshiro, Kawamura on their head. Momo pointed Kaidoh so he received a blow too. Momo and Kaidoh just glared at each other.
Everyone was shocked but laughed afterwards to see their reactions even the one who were punished. Ryoma just stayed stiff and didn't do anything.
"Don't ever do that again or I'll punish you. You hear me!" Sumire was still mad scolding them.
"S-sensei stop it please, I-I was a part of the plan too, I spoiled them so forgive me." Oishi went closer to their coach. The coach just closed her eyes and he gave her a blow too.
"Be a role model as a Vice-captain of the club." Oishi just apologized one more time. "I don't want this to happen again okay, it includes everyone in the club until you reach the actual age, you hear me."
"Hai!" They said in unison.
"You will run 150 laps on our training after the festival." Tezuka ordered them.
The five sweat dropped but responded politely to their captain.
Sumire sighed and said something: "Well, the past is past, let's enjoy the night." The mood was back again, as everyone rejoiced.
Everyone ate their lunch and chatted with each other. Inui suddenly caught their attention.
"Let's drink everyone."
They look at the data analyzer. No one said a thing and felt an unfamiliar aura. Then Sumire glared at him.
"What are you trying to imply, Inui?"
"Relax sensei, I am not talking about 'that', I am talking about 'this'." Inui then showed to everyone his 'specialty'.
As they thought, Everyone's face turned violet except Fuji. They didn't look at him after seeing his disgusting juice.
Sumire's reaction changed, "Not bad, everyone should take it."
"NO FREAKING WAY" Everyone answered except for Tomoka and Sakuno.
"I insist, there's no objection, the girls will also take the juice," Sumire looked at them. "If you are thinking to run away then consider this as the end of your career, got that!"
"But sensei-" Eiji protested. He was caught in the middle when Sumire looked at him.
"You were able to drink alcohol, why can't take this juice? It's good for your health. You need this for your match tomorrow in the afternoon."
No one reacted after that. They could see worries on their faces.
"Inui give them your juice," Sumire at them. "You five, consider this as your punishment."
"Enjoy your little 'medicine'," Inui said as he began to distribute their juices in from of them. They gulped one by one. No one moved a muscle. Sumire got irritated and said,
"The person who will drink last will have another energy drink!"
They panicked as they hear that. Out of their reflexes, they drank their juices and after several minutes they started to feel something odd in their body. The other collapsed already and the only one seems to be enjoying it is Fuji. Everyone drank except Tomoka, Sakuno and the trio.
"Hey, girls and the trio drink yours or you'll be having your seconds."
Tomoka started drinking first, the moment she drank the juice, she fainted. The Trio gulped when they saw her like that. The trio drank their juices too and just like Tomoka they fainted. "I pity them, they couldn't take the effect."Fuji said as everyone was still regaining their senses. Ryoma was actually starting to concentrate on what was happening.
"Sakuno-chan, will you drink?" He heard him asked the girl. "You are the last one to drink."
"H-hai," She said as she held her glass. Fuji stopped her.
"Are you sure? I can drink it for you."
"I-Ie, I am fine. I want to do this." She said. Sumire nodded as she watched her granddaughter drink her juice.
She hasn't gulped for two when she coughed hard. Fuji and Sumire leaned on her. Sumire just laughed. "You've been challenged my dear."
"H-hai," She said but she thought that her stomach would turn upside down if she will drink more. Will she make it to the finals? She closed her eyes firmly to have another shot but someone suddenly grabbed the juice from her and drank it… bottomless.
Ryoma put the empty bottle of Sakuno in front of the table. Sumire, Inui, Fuji and even Sakuno were shocked on his actions.
"She was the last to drink but no more seconds to her for I already drank it." Ryoma said and then he collapsed on the floor as he couldn't take the effect for the second time.
"R-ryoma-kun!" Sakuno went closer to him. "Silly boy, you didn't have to that."
Fuji was surprised on his actions as well as the three. They placed the boy on the sofa nearby. After a few hours later, they regained their senses back. Since Ryoma was the last to drink to collapsed, he was also the last who became normal again.
"Now that everyone's fired up, there's no way that you will lose the game. Except for the one who fainted from the very beginning." Sumire proclaimed.
"S-sensei… " Tomoka bashfully imply as the crowd laughed at her. The same goes to the trio.
"No kidding aside, Win or lose just do your best. OKAY!"
"HAI!" Everyone agreed.
Sakuno was in debts of her thoughts. She must win… at all cost. That's what she's keeping in her mind. Amidst to her knowledge, three persons were looking at her. They have their different reactions on their faces.
8pm:
"Time to separate guys, we have a festival and nationals to attend tomorrow. Sleep early and don't do any stupid things." Their coach said.
"Hai! Thank you for today."
"Good luck and don't let your guard down." Tezuka implied.
"Hai!"
Everyone left on their way home. Fuji stopped her and gave something to her, "This will be for your luck, be sure to wear them."
Sakuno was pleased when she saw two charms in her hands. Each has personalized letters engraved on it: 'Hope' and 'Courage'. She accepted them and closed her eyes, "T-thank you Fuji-kun."
"Good luck on your competition tomorrow. Don't lose hope and have us as your courage, okay."
"H-hai." She said while nodding. She felt like crying once again but she held it.
Ryoma saw them in that scene. He was somewhat agitated or kind of… envy… he could make you look like that. He snapped on his thoughts. He looked away and turned around, making his way home.
When Fuji left, Sakuno looked around. She was looking for a certain someone but he was not visible in her eyes anymore. She was upset because of that.
"Sakuno, let's go home." Sumire said as she waved goodbye to Takashi.
"Uhmm Obaa-chan, can you, can you go home ahead of me, there is a place that I wanted to go." She requested.
Sumire thought first and agreed later, "Okay, but be sure to come back before ten okay."
"H-hai."
They parted ways. She was on her way when her cell phone rang. It was Tomoka who called her:
'Sakuno-chan, good luck on the competition tomorrow'
'hai, you too. Give me your best shot, okay.'
'You bet! I won't go easy on you.'
'Same here.'
They both laughed and then silence occurred on both sides later on.
'Sakuno-chan' said on the other line after a while.
'w-what is it?'
'Fight-o! I know you can do it! Don't let them beat you.'
Sakuno flinched a little. Tomoka was also worried for her. She closed her eyes and said, 'Hai, thank you.'
She ended the call and continued walking to her destination… at the court. She reached the place and entered it. She felt at ease when she was standing at the center. She closed her eyes for a while and then felt the wind that was touching her skin. She then opened her eyes and moved closer to the steel that divided the court for two.
Will I able to touch you like this after the competition tomorrow? She stared at the steel and then on the net. She slided her left hand on the net unconsciously, looking at it very fondly.
"Didn't sensei tell everyone to go home straight and don't do anything stupid?"
She almost jumped when someone spoke behind her. She turned around;
"R-ryoma-kun, w-what are you… doing here?"
"That should be my question." He replied back at her.
"I-I doubt I can sleep early tonight so I decided to take a stroll for a while and ended up here." She made a slight lie in her words.
Ryoma remained silent. He just looked at her stationarily.
"I am a bit nervous about the competition for tomorrow for this is my first match," Sakuno said looking at the net that she was still holding in her left hand and then gripped it later on. "And also probably… my last."
Ryoma stared at her once again; he noticed her softened eyes while staring at the net. He suddenly raised his right hand and grabbed her left hand from the net. Sakuno was surprised, she looked at the prince.
"Come with me."
He dragged her along. They exited the court and went somewhere. She was wondering where he is taking her. She blushed at the same time for he was still holding her hand.
"W-where are we going, Ryoma-kun?" She couldn't help but asked him.
"Just follow me."
She just allowed him to drag her until they reached a lot of torii gates. They climbed the stairs and reached the top.
"T-this is… a shrine." Sakuno couldn't believe herself that he took her to a shrine.
"A relative of mine owns this shrine, come" He dragged her along once again.
They went near the shrine. Ryoma let go of her hands and said, "Ring the bell and make a wish."
Sakuno looked at him. She was curious why he said that. When he noticed that she hasn't done anything, Ryoma rang the bell for three times and clapped his hands three times as well as he was making his wish. His eyes was closed that she had the chance to look at him for a long time. She flinched when the boy spoke with his eyes were still closed; "Now it's your turn… " He opened his eyes and then looked at her.
She was a bit surprised but replied afterwards, "H-hai" She copied what Ryoma did. She reached for the rope and rang the bell three times, clapped her hands three times and made a wish while her eyes were closed as well. It was his turn to look at her for a long time while her eyes were closed.
"Do you feel okay now?" He said when he couldn't take staring at her weary face. The girl was still clasping her hands and was starting to open her eyes when she spoke;
"I-I am… scared. Scared that I might lose in the competition and… lose everything," Her eyes became watery and it was visible in his cat-like eyes. "Everyone was wishing me luck and was asked to do my best. When I heard that from them, it-it seems like… I am carrying a heavy weight in my shoulder. I-it feels like… they depend on me. W-what if I… I let them down?" She closed her eyes firmly as she gripped her hands tightly. She did that to hold her tears from falling down. "I am worried… and scared. I don't want to lose." Her hands trembled that she couldn't control them.
Ryoma saw it and listened to everything she said. He stared at her for long and then he suddenly raised his left hand and held her trembling hands in front of her. She was surprised on his action; she opened her eyes and looked at him. He didn't say anything from that moment. The girl blushed when his hand grabbed her right hand and intertwined his as he leaded them down. The boy then looked at the shrine ahead. She was definitely dreaming to see a slight blush he wore on his face. The boy spoke;
"Don't lose then, let their words be your courage. Believe in your ability," He said still looking at the shrine. "Everything in the end will be fine." He looked at her after saying that.
She blushed when she remembered 'nan kuru naisa' from him. She was still looking at him and been thinking what he said. He was right actually. She should believe in her ability. The practice and training will be useless if she doesn't put her faith in it. She flinched when he spoke;
"If you are experiencing a tough match in the middle of the game," he paused and then he shifted his sight in front of the shrine once again and then continued his words, "Just think of the person who was holding your hand at this very moment."
She gasped when she felt that he held her hand tighter. She didn't notice her tears fell down that time but she unconsciously wiped them with her left hand as she replied to him, "Y-you only speak a few words… but it did motivate me. I am glad I met you all." She said as she smiled at him wearily.
"che, consider that as your motivation and your strength. Stop thinking negative thoughts." He said.
"H-hai, arigatou… Ryoma-kun." She replied as she responded on his hand that he was holding. Ryoma didn't do anything but that. She blushed, thinking that night was the most beautiful night she ever experienced.
Ryoma took her home that night before ten. She prayed once again before going to sleep. She felt at ease after talking to them. They gave her a lot of courage to fight and not on losing hope. She regained herself and actually believed that she will be fine tomorrow. It was all thanks to them that she had built confidence inside her. Because of that, she didn't have a slight problem about falling asleep that night.
Next Morning: First day of the festival, Girl's tennis competition day:
The festival will lasts for a week. The girl's tennis competition will be the first event and then the boy's competition will the next day (only the non-regulars will play for the regulars will competing for the nationals for the entire festival), a stage play on higher levels will be implemented on the third day, a lot of exciting games and activities on all levels will take place on the fourth and fifth day, a grand school bazaar will be scheduled on the sixth day and a preparation for the school's dance night festival will be on the last day. Each day will be having boots and small activities on the upper half of the day depending of the activities will be held during the day. Visitors and Guests are also welcomed.
Sakuno was preparing for the competition on their club. She was wearing her school's sports wear, white shirt and above knee skirt. She was also wearing a folded bandanna on her forehead. She was looking good at her get up.
I can't imagine that wearing a sports wear like this would be this so exciting. She smiled on the thought, but it was gone later when she heard the voice of those girls who made her that stupid deal. She turned around when she knew that they entered the room. She saw how the girl smirked devilishly at her and said;
"Are you ready to lose, Ryuzaki- chan?" She could hear the mocking tune in her voice.
"I am not ready to give up my passion, at least not to you." She said without cracking.
The girl with long hair flinched a little when she spoke different than before. She regained her composure afterwards, "You have the courage to say those words. Let's see how far you can have that courage in the competition." She smiled wickedly and so as the other girls around her.
Sakuno just looked at them. She was a bit nervous facing these dangerous girls but that doesn't mean that the courage she built would subside a little. She approached her tennis bag and carried it as she left the club ahead of them who were giggling to each other. She kept chanting 'nan kuru naisa' as her charm while walking away from the club. She was also thinking of 'hope' and 'courage' charms that were dangling at the bottom grip of her tennis. When she entered the competition ground, a lot of people were there to watch the game: students, teachers, visitors and guests were compiling there. She felt relieved to see everyone at the boy's tennis club was waiting for her outside the fence. She approached them.
"Senpais, you are all here."
"Of course, we wouldn't miss your debut," Eiji winked as he said that. "Beat all of them, Ryuzaki-chan."
Fuji gave a racket to Kawamura. Once again, he started to swing his racket and shouted, "VICTORY! YOU CAN DO IT! FIGHT HARD TO WIN!"
The trio tried to stop Kawamura. She blushed on their praises. She looked around. She saw Fuji and Ryoma at the both ends. Fuji gave her a good luck sign and Ryoma just nodded. Sumire approached her;
"It is time to shine my dear, just do your best."
"Hai!" She nodded. She then saw Inui approaching her. The data analyzer was about to give her an 'energy drink' but Momo and Eiji stopped him.
Kaidoh didn't say anything. Oishi smiled at her and said, "Just give your best shot; we're here to support you."
Tezuka was standing beside the vice-captain. He tapped her shoulder and said, "Don't let your guard down."
"Hai! Thank you everyone." She said from the bottom of her heart. She was fired up now that everyone was supporting her.
The school bell rang randomly signaling that the school's festival will start at that moment.
Thus, the competition began…
Yey, The festival has just started and the competition will be next. More surprises will come. How did you find this chapter? Reviews please! Two or three of your words will be appreciated by me. Thanks a lot. ^_^
I don't know but I think School's festival and Sports festival are quite different when they celebrate it. But I combined it with this one. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks a lot. ^_^
Once again, I don't own blood + the anime and its phrase nan kuru naisa. I am just sharing the meaning of it. Special acknowledgement of the anime GoSick and Lisa Komine's song. I don't own but I share.
Next Chapter: Doomsday