Disclaimer: I do NOT own POT

Pairing: Inui Sadaharu X Echizen Ryoma

Word Count: 1,548

Chapter 1 - Don't play too hard.

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"Ah-choo!"

Everyone turned to see Ryoma standing just inside the gates of the tennis courts. He was holding his racquet with his left hand while rubbing his slightly red nose with the back of his right.

"Ochibi~!" Kikumaru immediately rushed to Ryoma's side. "Are you sick, Ochibi~? You don't look so good, nya~" He fussed, pressing his palms on the younger boy's cheeks.

"I'm fine, Kikumaru-senpai." Ryoma pulled his face away from Kikumaru. He made his way to one of the empty bleachers to the side. Kikumaru, together with the other Regulars started crowding around him. "It's just a little cold," he assured seeing the look the others are giving him.

"No way, Echizen. You can catch a cold, too?" Momo asked, disbelief in his voice. This is the first time they've seen Ryoma got sick. Ever.

"What do you mean by that, Momo-senpai?" Ryoma frowned.

"Nothing much really. It's just that I always thought you're invincible, you know. Glad to know you're also prone to the common colds just like the rest of us." Momo laughed, patting Ryoma on the back none too gently.

"Itaii, Momo-senpai!" Ryoma glared at Momo who only raised his palms out in front of him, still chuckling.

"Stop that, Momo." Oishi admonished. He then turned to Ryoma, concern apparent in his voice. "Anyway, Echizen, take it easy on practice today, okay?"

"That's right, Ochibi~" Kikumaru bounced on his feet. "Don't play too hard, ne?"

"It's just a cold," Ryoma complained. It's not like he was injured or something, why the fuss?

"Demo, Echizen," Kawamura reasoned on the side. "This is the first time you got sick, right? No telling what will happen if you push yourself too hard."

"That's right, Echizen." Fuji agreed, his eyes closed as usual. "I heard that cold is quicker to develop into a fever on people who don't get sick often."

"That true, Fuji-senpai?" Momo was very doubtful. "Haven't heard of that before."

"It's true, Momo-chan!" answered Kikumaru. "I read it in a health magazine just yesterday."

"I read it, too," Kaido divulged quietly.

"Oh?" Momo smirked at Kaido. "I didn't know you were such a health buff, Mamushi. I didn't even know you can read."

"Shut up, idiot."

"Who are you calling idiot, idiot?!"

"Maa, maa. That's enough you two." Oishi, standing between the two sophomores, immediately raised his hands to pacify them.

Ryoma ignored his senpai-tachi. He bent down to re-tie his shoes, cursing under his breath when he felt his nose running. He took out a napkin from his pocket to wipe his nose before bending back down again.

"Ochibi~!" Kikumaru exclaimed when he noticed the redness of Ryoma's nose. "I think it's better if you just rest today, nya~!"

"That's right, Echizen." Kawamura was also worried. "I'm sure Boucho will understand."

"I said I'm fine, senpai." Ryoma was starting to get annoyed. Seriously, it's just a cold. Why were his senpai-tachi acting like he had stage three cancer or something?

Inui, who has been quiet this entire time, raised a hand to adjust his eyeglasses. He opened his ever-present notebook and started scribbling. He then recited, "There's seventy-seven percent chance that Echizen's cold will develop into a fever if he practices with his usual energy today. It will drop to sixty-nine percent if he only hit easy shots and play for short periods of time in between rests. And finally, it will drop to forty-eight percent if he just rests and observes practice."

Ryoma's hands stilled just before he made the last knot on his shoelaces. As expected of Inui-senpai. He's always so cold and mechanical when he does his analysis. And at that moment, for some reason, he sounded so detached to Ryoma.

"That's a very high percentage, Inui." Oishi was worried even more. He bites his lower lip as he considers making Ryoma sit out the practice.

"What's wrong, Echizen?" Momo asked, noticing Ryoma's still movements.

"...betsuni," Ryoma quickly tied his shoelaces before grabbing his racquet and heading to the nearest court. "Play with me, Momo-senpai."

He hasn't finished speaking when two voices rang out.

"Echizen!" Oishi called, extremely worried.

"Echizen," another voice called, making everyone turn to the fenced gates.

"Tezuka," Oishi was surprised to see their Captain. He was supposed to be having a meeting with their coach so Oishi wasn't expecting to see him during practice.

"Boucho," Momo also called in surprise. They didn't notice Tezuka coming in.

Echizen looked to Tezuka warily, his brows furrowed. Not Boucho, too, was clearly written across his face, thinking that Tezuka will nag, too. He will probably tell Ryoma to go home and rest which is why he was pleasantly surprised when the Captain only says -

"Don't play too hard. If you start feeling tired or unwell, stop the game immediately. There's no need for you to get sick just because you're stubborn." He was as stern and as stoic as ever.

Ryoma stared for a few seconds. Then he answered, "Osu," shortly, pulling his cap low to hide the relief on his face.

"Isn't that great, Echizen!" Momo immediately went to Ryoma's side, throwing his arm around the younger boy's shoulder.

"Momoshiro," Tezuka called to Momo. "Don't play with Echizen too hard."

"Roger that," Momo grinned.

"The rest of you continue with your practice."

"Yes!" The Regulars answered collectively.

"Ochibi~! Take care of yourself now, ne~" Kikumaru didn't forget to remind as he bounced away with Oishi who was looking worriedly at Ryoma. (Oishi wasn't bouncing.)

"Momo," Kawamura also reminded. "Try not to hit any Jack Knife or Dunk Smash at Echizen, alright?"

"If he's not going to hit Jack Knife or Dunk Smash, then how is he going to win against Echizen?" Kaido commented while walking away.

"What did you say, Mamushi?!" Momo quickly reacted.

"Hmm. Maybe I'll play with Echizen later today," Fuji was talking to himself. "I'm sure I'm going to win."

"Ah, Fujiko! Don't be like that, nya~!" Kikumaru exclaimed from the other side of the court, apparently hearing Fuji's mumbling. "Tezuka!" Arms flailing, Kikumaru immediately snitched to their Captain who was yet to leave the courts. "Tezuka! Ne, Tezuka! Tell Fuji off. He's going to kill Ochibi~!"

Everyone sweatdropped at his outrageous accusations. Fuji just laughed.

Tezuka heaved a deep sigh. "Fuji," he said to the tensai who was looking perfectly innocent. "You're not allowed to play with Echizen today."

Fuji gave a dismayed sigh. "Ah, what a pity."

"Ha!" Kikumaru gloated, pointing to Fuji. "Take that! Nyahahaha!" He then bounced to his double's partner. "Ne, Oishi? Oishi? Aren't I amazing? I just stopped a crime today!" He was obviously very proud of his accomplishment.

"Hmm," Fuji's hum was soft and menacing, making Kikumaru pause mid-bounce. The red-haired turned to him slowly, terrified. "If that's the case, Eiji." Fuji started, walking slowly towards the red-hair who was inching his way behind Oishi. "Why don't you play with me today?"

"Ah!" Kikumaru wailed, running away. "I'm sorry, Fujiko! I'm only joking, nya~! I really didn't mean it! Forgive me!"

"Hmm," Fuji paused, tapping his chin in consideration. He watched Kikumaru's hopeful expression. He smiled evilly. "Yadda." He continued to advance to Kikumaru who was now hiding behind a terrified Horio. The poor boy was so scared as he whimpered at Fuji. At the same time, he was begging Kikumaru to go away.

"Uwaah! Kikumaru-senpai! Why are you hiding behind me?! Don't be like that! Fuji-senpai, please have mercy! I'm still too young to die! I still want ten years of tennis experience! Onegai!"

Tezuka twitched. "Kikumaru, Fuji, ten laps around the court!"

"Of course, Tezuka." Fuji readily agreed. He smiled at Kikumaru. "Come, Eiji."

Kikumaru paled before running away as fast as he can, leaving a desperate "Gomenasai!" behind.

Horio sighed in immense relief.

Tezuka glanced coldly at the rest of the spectating crowd. "Everyone, back to practice!"

...

After watching the lively commotion, Momo was in a good mood.

"C'mon, Echizen. Let's start," He called to Ryoma. "I'm going to beat you so bad today."

Ryoma smirked. Despite his annoying runny nose, he was in a good mood, too. He took his position on his side of the court. "Not a chance, Momo-senpai. In fact, you can even have the first serve."

"Heh, are you sure, Echizen? Alright. But don't go bawling your eyes out if I ace this game."

"It doesn't really make much difference. I'm still going to win, Momo-senpai."

Momo faltered in his step. He looked to where Ryoma was smirking at him across the court. "Tch. Cocky brat."

"Tezuka," Inui called just as Tezuka was turning to leave. Ryoma heard him and couldn't help but watch from the corner of his eyes. "I made a new training menu I want you to look at." Inui waved a notebook in the air, his eyeglasses glinting in the sunlight.

"Of course," Tezuka said. "Follow me."

The two went outside the courts, probably heading to Ryuuzaki-sensei's office to discuss the training menu.

"Hoi, Echizen! Where are you looking at?" Momo called. He was about to serve when he saw Ryoma not paying attention at all.

Ryoma pulled the cap low on his face. "Nandemonai," he answered. "Just serve the ball already, Momo-senpai."

"That's what I'm trying to do, Echizen."

Then the game starts.

Omake:

Fuji: Eiji~ ^_^

Kikumaru: Nooo! o(╥﹏╥)o