*angelg0722 doesn't own Prince of tennis*

"Speech"- Japanese

"Speech" English+ location references

'thoughts'

The team (without Niou) turned around and started to head back when-

"No."

They stared in confusion. What was this girl talking about?

"I refuse to join if it means that Rattail-sempai here looses his place." Ryomi jerked a thumb at Niou.

Was it possible? Could this mysterious girl be turning DOWN their invitation?!

The thoughts echoed in everyone's mind as the staring match that had erupted between the cool calculating blue eyes of the tennis captain against the fiery passionate golden eyes of Ryomi.

"Why would you turn down our invitation?" Yukimura's voice face ad voice expressed politeness , but everyone knew a much darker and serious showdown boiled under the sunny facade.

"Because it would be a waste of talent." Ryomi looked over at Niou who was on his knees.

"You may have lost to me but to throw your chances away now would be much too sad."She said to Niou.

Ryomi leaned, with her hand in her pocket and tennis racket on her shoulder.

"If you really wish a strong team, keep him." Ryomi gestured to Niou.

"He lost to a younger female in a sport where he's supposed to be good at. He must be ashamed and humiliated. A loser."

Ryomi turned to leave.

"But, aren't you just proving our point?" Akaya asked, voice desperate. This was too good too be true! If that girl kept her word,Niou- senpai could stay!

"Rattail lost, thus making him a loser. He's experienced bitter defeat. He's at the bottom. A loser." Ryomi studied Niou. "But, a loser with potential."

"I beat you. I am above you. You weren't good enough." Ryomi bent down until she was face to face. She stuck two fingers up in the peace sign. "You are at a crossroad. You can despair because I beat you or-"Ryomi elegantly folded a finger down.

"Take the loss to heart and work harder to beat me next name is Echizen Ryomi. Climb back and beat me." Ryomi straightened.

"I refuse to join a team that does not accept losses."

And with those elegant parting words, Ryomi left with her head held high.

This Echizen Ryomi with the intoxicating golden eyes exited the court her declaration. She wore the Rikkadai's first year uniform.

I was absolutely sure, with all my might, that if we got that golden-eyes girl to join our team, we'd be invincible.

Our third National title would be as good as ours. It's true that our current line- up was fine but... almost the entire team was graduating this year... We had all been grooming Akaya-san but we need a stronger support.

The Rikkadai tennis team had to be passed on to strong and capable hands. By the looks of it, Echizen would be more than capable.

"A new player have entered the stage" I murmured. I turned to look at Niou-kun.

Though I would never admit it, I had always thought Niou-kun was the true genuis in the team.

His tricky tennis and illusions was a talent that was discovered by a stroke of luck. Ni

ou-kun had always left his opponents wild-eyed and ashen faced, lying on the ground exhausted.

That was until HER.

There was no sense in losing a valuable player if the mysterious girl wasn't going to join. Or at least yet.

I'm going to get her to join. I vowed.

"Niou-kun. Since your opponent has no interest in joining the team, you may keep your position as a regular. However-" I glared at him with cold menacing eyes.

"If you ever dirty Rikkadai's name in such a disgraceful act again-" I paused" There will be no hope for you."

Niou-kun nodded in acceptance of my words.

"Practice , gather to the club room."

Mystery POV

"Same old, Same old, I guess. Ryomi will always be like that." The first figure sighed.

"Hah. You're right," murmured the second figure. "It's a good thing we came to check up on sort of trouble would she get herself into?"

"Yeah, but the case hasn't been settled in America yet. You're taking a risk, you know." the first figure admonished.

"Well, Let's just stick around for a while and see how Ryomi is settling in." proposed the first figure.

"Agreed."