(I don't own Prince of Tennis!)
Chapter 18 – Genichirou and Momo
"Wow, we didn't even take long," Mai lazily sat on the bench. "How did we do that again?"
"You repelled two of their shots and made them get scared," Isane raised an eyebrow at the tensai. "Not only that – they were relying too much on their service. So, we just repelled it here and there."
Kiyone looked at St. Rudolph and their captain talk to the next player. She noticed that this player looked a bit different than Aoi and Madoka. This one looks as if she were an all-rounder. Not only that – she looks like someone not even from St. Rudolph. Why do I remember seeing her picture somewhere?
"I didn't know that she transferred from Rikkai Dai," Momo noted while looking at the player, smirking. "That's Habernägen Cynthia, a German exchange student; she used to be Rikkai Dai's Singles Three player before moving out."
"Wow, she's that good?" Kiyone looked up to her violet haired senpai. "Do you know how she plays?"
"A counter-puncher like most tensai and Haruka," Momo recalled the ranking matches she once played in Rikkai Dai. "She replaced me when I moved out of Rikkai Dai in my first year. I was exhausted of hearing Genichirou being the 'Emperor of Rikkai Dai'."
Momo however didn't tell Kiyone what else that had happened. She felt it was of no importance since Kiyone won't be playing Singles for the mean time. Not only that, this was her past to confront and Momo never realized that she had to face the same girl again the last time she returned to Rikkai Dai. All her days in Rikkai Dai were put behind her and Momo didn't know that some of the regulars moved out. The Elemental Slayer recalled being under Yukimura for quite awhile and there was nothing wrong with the girl.
She's one of the reasons why I transferred to Hyotei Gakuen. Cynthia and I were best friends until she started getting too big for her boots. Her ego grew so big that even I had to hit her a few times to snap her back to normal. I don't know how Genichirou stood her but heck, there was something that always pissed me off. The Sanada family may have issues with people but Habernägen takes the cake when it comes to being the most wacko.
"Singles Three: Hyotei Gakuen's Sanada Momo and St. Rudolph's HabernägenCynthia, please come to the court now." The arbiter watched the two players meet.
Cynthia stared at Momo for a moment and smirked at the Hyotei regular. "So, you too left Rikkai Dai. Care to tell me why?"
"Got tired of living in Genichirou's shadow," Momo bristled at his name. "After hearing that he was proclaimed as the 'Emperor of Rikkai Dai' and my parents pressuring me, I decided to get a dorm here and enroll in Hyotei Gakuen. I've gotten more powerful than ever. I met a few senpai who could pull up my power and then – my kohai is wiser than she looks."
Cynthia looked to the bleachers and saw Shizuru standing there, waiting for her match. "She's Yukimura's counterpart isn't she?"
"Mm hm," Momo spun her racquet. "Pick one: Smooth or Rough?"
Cynthia watched it spin while putting a finger on her lip. "I'd say: smooth."
Fair enough, it landed on the smooth side. Shrugging it off, Momo went to the other side to receive while St. Rudolph began cheering.
Shousha Habernägen, Shousha Habernägen! Katsu wa no St. Rudolph!
"Isn't that like Hyotei's cheer?" Ayane looked at the St. Rudolph students supporting Cynthia. "Don't they have any originality?"
"Rikkai Dai is also like that," Mai recalled one of the games she went to. "They cheer really loud especially when Yukimura-kun is the one kicking butt – that's when it all happens."
Cynthia started off with a hard serve causing Momo to return it quickly. The rally intensified and many of the girls were watching in pure shock. Were these two even middle school students or were they born with the genes that made them great tennis players? Momo's forehand gracefully flew over while Cynthia sent it towards the corner. However, Momo moved forward to leave a drop shot causing Cynthia to lob it high into the air.
"Uncontained like Water," Momo soared high in the air. "Sui!"
"Love – fifteen," the smash blasted forward like a fast current causing Cynthia to reel back a bit.
That was certainly unexpected.
Cynthia watched Momo tighten the strings of her racquet but never realized that Momo could make a devastating smash like that. With that kind of power, Cynthia thought while Momo returned to the baseline. She could have easily knocked down Sanada-kun's Ka. Was this move made for that purpose? Sanada-kun, you better be watching this because I think your cousin might have surpassed you by now. She's gotten stronger from the last three years.
Right on cue, Sanada showed up right at the bleachers and Momo didn't seem to notice.
Cynthia spared a glance at him before resuming a service and signalled him to look at the court. There was a deep black mark from Momo's smash and Cynthia had a look that told him: She's getting better.
Sanada didn't say anything but he was pretty amused now by what Momo 'supposedly' did. He was sure that Momo couldn't accomplish that but that's when the girl decided to prove him wrong. Another service cracked off as Momo returned it with even faster returns than ever. However, the moment she fired the second forehand, Momo saw Sanada standing there with his usual stone look.
That man is the reason why I ended up who I am today. I'm not saying it's a bad thing but Geni – I mean, Sanada gave me the opportunity to become stronger. This time, I'm gonna fry his whiny little butt and make sure he can't sit on his throne for days!
Momo's shots became increasingly heavy, causing Cynthia to use two hands to return Momo's shots. Seeing her opportunity, Momo closed her eyes. "Burst like Sound…Oto!"
"Love – thirty," the forehand zipped past Cynthia's ear causing an incessant ringing sound and vacuum to accumulate.
"Habernägen-senpai," one of the girls stood up in shock. "What does that Sanada idiot think she's doing?"
Momo stood there, cold and unfeeling towards the girl who fell to her knees. Her gaze however was more focused on her cousin who just stood there with a stone expression. Isane looked up and noticed Sanada gripping the rail tightly. He may not show it but, Isane noted the way how tight his grip was. He's really concerned about her progress.
Momo fired another Sui down, causing a loud explosion like a waterfall current.
"Love – forty," the arbiter stared in shock as murmurs erupted from all sides of the court.
"Is this really the girl who's dubbed as the Elemental Slayer?"
"Man talk about having it run in the genes – it's no surprise since she's a Sanada."
"That Sui of hers is awesome!"
"She's much better looking too! I mean – Sanada's a rock and she's one heck of a chic!"
Ignoring all the compliments, Momo felt her blood boil at one of the other comments made.
Man talk about having it run in the genes – it's no surprise since she's a Sanada.
Momo wanted to lose all connection to her cousin but everywhere she went, it was all the same. Everyone mentioned to Momo how great her cousin's skills were as a tennis player compared to hers. Also, it was mentioned how he had a vast fan club. She didn't mind not having one but being compared to Sanada constantly just pissed her off. Cracking the shot with a backhand, Momo sent it towards the corner where in Cynthia was forced to run around. The rally intensified the moment the comments and murmurs were mentioned, leaving Cynthia completely crippled by a more annoyed Momo.
"Game, Sanada: one game to love!"
The only ones she allowed to call her by last name were the referee and her teachers. There were only a few people allowed to call her Sanada but some chose not to take advantage of that like Shizuru who said if Momo was more comfortable with her first name then, Shizuru would use that instead. Isane, her best friend, who then chose Momo-chan since Sanada (in her opinion) made her sound like a social retard. Hitomi also felt it was better for Momo to be known as 'Momo-chan' instead.
I've always abused their kindness because of all the issues. Being known as 'Sanada's cousin' only pissed me off so bad that sometimes, I forget that I can be my own person. This time – I won't aim for him anymore. Sanada's nowhere buchou because this time…
I WILL AIM FOR HER!
Momo began her service with a loud crack, causing Cynthia to return it straight back at her. Momo increased the top spin and Cynthia moved forward for the drop shot. Momo quickly sent another volley towards her before it could touch the ground while Cynthia volleyed towards her again. The two moved exchanged so fast that no matter where it was sent, it was always returned to the player. Finally, Cynthia made a mistake for sending it up again.
"This is the second time I'll be using this," Momo prepared for a smash but Cynthia didn't look the least bit disturbed. "Uncontained like water…"
"Go on," Cynthia smirked at Momo's floating form. "Hit the Sui already…"
Momo fired it straight down as Cynthia moved all the way back. "What in the world is she doing…?"
Cynthia got ready to repel the shot as it bounced towards her. You left yourself open, Sanada-chan, Cynthia watched Momo descend from the air. Because you used your entire body weight to put all that strength, you're left jumping in the air. Therefore, once it bounces towards me – I can return it!
Hitting a forehand, Momo saw her own smash zip past her. "Tch, what in the world--"
"Love – fifteen," Cynthia smirked at Momo who saw her shot zoom past her. However, the female Sanada wasn't the least disturbed by Cynthia's ability to return it. Somehow, Momo didn't feel any intimidation anymore. Returning to the baseline, Momo got ready to serve again.
"That shot didn't mean much actually," Momo looked at Cynthia spin her racquet. "It's just a little bit of discernment on how to return the shot. However – I know what to do now."
Serving hard again, Momo went near the net as Cynthia fired a backhand towards her. The former Rikkai Dai student knew what to do after staying with Cynthia for those few months. Despite being apart, Momo could see the same pattern in Cynthia's attacks like the last time. Holding her racquet like a kendo sword, Momo watched the shot return and this time – she was prepared.
"Smash and burst like a typhoon," Momo returned it with double the speed and spin. "This is the Arashi!"
Cynthia saw the ball zip past her real fast and multiply into several shots. Frozen in shock, Cynthia couldn't help but stare at Momo's smirking expression.
"Fifteen all," St. Rudolph wasn't sure that Hyotei was even meant for small tournaments.
Her creativity is getting better, Sanada smirked from the bleachers. Although, I'm more interested to see what Kurenai-san is capable of. I only remembered what she did to me years ago. I was second place in the junior tournament and she took me out as if I didn't mean anything. A few minutes later, Sanada felt a tissue ball hit him in the head when he saw Momo glowering at him.
Don't think about flirting with Shizuru-chan.
He didn't see a lusty look but he saw over protectiveness in Momo's eyes. He remembered that friend of his cousin who cracked after a game with Rikkai Dai. What was her name again? Ah yes, Midoriyama Nanako. Sanada recalled all the times when Momo would harp about nothing but Midoriyama and her genius streak. Not only that – he had seen the girl several times and at first, she was pretty decent compared to Momo. She knew what she was talking about until things got ugly.
"Hey, Momo-chan," Cynthia snickered while bringing a backhand to the corner. "Do you want to know something?"
"What is it?" Momo smacked the ball right on top of the net.
"I kinda find your cousin cute," Cynthia blushed a bit. "Do you think you can give me his number?"
Momo couldn't help but start hooting in laughter. "Are you serious? You find that rock cute? Please, did hell freeze over yet?"
"No, I'm serious," Cynthia admitted meekly. "Sanada-kun is a pretty cool guy."
"I'm sorry but he's a social retard," Momo shrugged while doing a drop shot. "You can't get anything out of him."
Cynthia shook her head, sighing in regret. "You know – I don't understand why you think so negatively about Sanada-kun."
"I can give you a list, dear," Momo volleyed across again. "I know that man wouldn't like any woman for as long as he lived. Anything that his associated to tennis is something that would get his attention. The only girl who got his attention is the one who creamed him several years ago and I'm sure she's not in Kanagawa. He's been searching for that girl ever since and never found her."
Momo couldn't have been more right about that.
Sanada knew who she was and Momo didn't realize that was why he kept looking at Shizuru. Sanada watched Shizuru quietly observe his cousin's progress and often times – he would see her coaching Momo and telling her what she did wrong. Somehow, he found her quite attractive with the way she was. Her smile was its usual courtesy but there was something Sanada had seen before when she had played against him.
"Forty – fifteen," Momo had taken the next two points from Cynthia easily.
Sanada watched Momo take down Cynthia with one heavy service.
"Game, Sanada: two games to love!"
Cynthia, heavily breathing, stared at Momo who just tossed her hair back. She watched the former Rikkai Dai student take her place at the baseline with a sneer.
"Wasn't your partner Midoriyama?"
Momo froze at Cynthia's words. How in the world did she know that? Cynthia hadn't played against their team and by then – she had moved out of Rikkai Dai. "Wait a minute – you never faced me when I was second year! How did you know that…?"
"Midoriyama's injury was all over the news," Cynthia wiped sweat from her face. "I also heard that she got blasted in the face. Am I right?"
However after her game with Echizen, Momo didn't let it bother her anymore. "Midoriyama-senpai is from the past. We're in the present and right now – I'm a Singles player! The only one who can be my doubles partner is either Isane or Yamaguchi!"
Shocked by her sudden outburst, Cynthia proceeded to serve. "You see, I've wanted to test out this technique against you. It's something that I've been working on for a long time."
Seeing her service, Momo returned it easily until Cynthia prepared to fire it. "This is what I call… the Roadrunner."
The ball sped past her, not even bouncing as it stopped at the very corner of the singles court.
"Fifteen – love," the arbiter watched Cynthia prepare another serve.
So, is this all you're going to dish out? Cynthia stared at Momo's ready figure. Following the movement of Momo's eyes, she quickly tossed the ball up in the air and aimed for a roller.
"Did you know," Cynthia smirked, "that the Roadrunner can be a serve technique?"
Momo watched the next ball slide past her again. She remembered someone from the other team who had a technique similar to that except it was used not as a service.
"Thirty – love," Cynthia smirked at Momo before readying another one.
Ah yes, it was Fuji Syuusuke.
However, Momo readied herself for the next shot. Though it bounced irregularly, the female Sanada knew that there was one way to return a shot like that and that was to hit it before it bounced. Seeing Cynthia bounce the ball again, Momo began figuring out ways how to move fast enough to counter the shot. Then, something struck her; there was someone back at camp who might have a move that was good enough to keep up with the service.
Momo shook her head. "You guys maybe good in service but that only makes you half a player if that's the case. Sure, the service is a major part but combination is pretty much what wins you the game!"
Watching Momo slide on the ground, everyone gaped at her while Momo hit it before it even bounced.
"Thirty - fifteen," Cynthia gasped at Momo with what she had just done.
"What in the world was that? I've never seen you slide like that," Cynthia watched Momo dust her skirt.
Momo tossed her hair away from her face. "It's a technique I borrowed from an opponent of mine in camp. He was pretty good. I'm sure Sanada can recognize it."
She glanced at her cousin whose expression became fiercer after using the technique. Both knew what it was capable of and who used the technique but the problem was: Cynthia already had seen the signal that Momo was going to use it so using it again wasn't a good idea.
"Not too bad though," Cynthia twirled her hair. "But – we better finish this quick. The Doubles One Pair is going to take down your little freshmen pair."
"Like what my grandfather used to tell me," Momo smirked while waiting for the next serve. "Haste makes waste."
Cynthia served again but this time, it wasn't the Roadrunner. Another rally ensued with Momo going on the offensive pretty quickly. She forehanded it to the singles line but Cynthia managed to fire it right at the service box. Momo pulled out another ground stroke as the two began to rally even faster than the first one. Cynthia backhanded it with the frame while Momo delayed the next shot. The shot exploded from one end and Cynthia tried catching it only to have the shot fly off.
"Out, thirty all," Cynthia glowered at the shot she just missed.
Momo tipped her racquet while spinning it a bit. "Gotcha, got any smart remarks for me?"
Cynthia, snarling inwardly, picked up the ball and began the service again. Momo fired it back with more power when Cynthia did a backhand cross court until Momo slid over to slice the ball. Cynthia skidded on the floor but lobbed it, allowing Momo to make a direct smash to the corner.
"Thirty – forty," Cynthia began her service again but with more power.
Momo delayed the shot with a low net clipping backhand. Cynthia hated running but Momo was really pushing it. Momo fired the Oto towards Cynthia but she side stepped far enough to dodge the effect and returned it. Momo didn't seem disturbed because the next shot simply jumped over the net and landed lightly.
"What was that," Cynthia stared at Momo who retreated back to the baseline.
Momo smirked before starting her serve. "That was the Aoba, something very similar to the Rin but not it."
"Game, Sanada: three games to love!"
Three games straight and she wasn't breaking much of a sweat. Momo isn't cracking as much either, Sanada noted while watching Momo fire another Sui right at Cynthia. He continued to watch Momo slide to one side and backhand it back to Cynthia but accidentally sent one right at the net. Again, Sanada knew that Momo was probably playing with her since despite the friendship they had; the two often had their rivalries.
I guess she is growing, Sanada smirked inwardly. Momo never did show much of a good glance at me since the traditions put me on a pedestal. But, it seems Momo's working her way up and out of her depression. Midoriyama used to be the only thing in her head but now, she's moving up.
"Thirty – love," Momo scored another Sui against her.
Cynthia wiped the sweat from her face while smirking. "It's time to bring out the big guns then."
Serving hard, Momo noticed Cynthia in a very weird position but sliced the ball straight at her. Being forced to shield her face, Momo saw the ball roll up with Cynthia scoring a smash.
"Thirty – fifteen," Cynthia smirked at Momo.
Momo glanced at the mark and then turned to Cynthia. "You should have recognized that shot by now. How come you don't know it?"
Ayane turned to Hitomi. "Senpai, why did she suddenly bend like that? Isn't that more like a…?"
Hitomi noted down. "She calls this the Bundesmarine, named after the Navy of Germany. In this position, she can attack and deceive at the same time. Like a navy ship when it comes across radar, it does its best to send out a feint missile to catch the enemy off guard."
Ayane, pretending to understand, turned to watch the game while Momo missed another shot.
"Thirty all," the arbiter found Cynthia in a crouching position again.
Clucking her tongue, Momo fired another serve as Cynthia struck in the same way by turning it into a cord ball. Momo forced herself to dash forward while Cynthia volleyed right past her.
"Thirty – forty," the captain smirked at Cynthia's progress.
Kiyone noticed that Cynthia had used that technique only as a return ace. Other than that, she had to change position every time. Kiyone watched again as Momo found her serve being returned double the power she had formerly used.
"Game, Habernägen: one game to three!"
Being given a time out, Momo returned to the bench where Sakaki motioned to her. "You were winning awhile ago, what happened?"
"I never saw that move before," Momo wiped the sweat from her face while fixing her hair. "It's actually pretty awkward and every time I send something at her, it's double the power."
Hitomi opened her notebook and explained to Momo. "It's not that she's doubling your returns, Habernägen-san is simply making you believe it's double your power. First of all – the only technique that can do that currently is the Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami which is part of the Muga no Kyouchi. This technique just makes the shot more delayed by a fraction of a second to absorb the power and return it."
"Well, I might as well just blast it," Momo shrugged before returning to the court.
"If you do that," Mai noted how she returned one of Momo's heavy serves. "She'll just move to the end of the baseline, delay the shot and send it back to you."
Momo stopped dead in her tracks. Boy, Mai just had to tell her now.
"Well, I'll figure out something," Momo shrugged while moving on to the other side of the court.
Tossing the ball on her racquet, Cynthia smirked at Momo. "I'm going to have to humiliate you in front of Sanada-kun. I'm sorry about this, Momo-chin."
Momo twitched at the new nickname. "Don't call me that."
Cynthia brought out the Roadrunner serve while Momo couldn't bend low enough to return the shot.
"Fifteen – love," Momo glanced back at Cynthia.
"Well, you're giving up already? That's sad," Cynthia served again and this time, it was a no return serve.
However, Momo felt her body move by itself because she performed a ground smash that sent the ball flying straight at Cynthia if not for her fast reflex. "Was that what I think it is?"
Momo stared at what she had just done. "I…I thought I did the…"
"She just did the Zan," Hitomi noted quietly. "It seems that she is capable of taking note of Sanada's techniques. Though, Momo did say that she wouldn't use it…"
"Fifteen all," the whole crowd stared in shock with Momo's sudden technique.
"Momo-chan must have performed it out of pure reflex," Isane noted while Momo started rallying with Cynthia again. "After playing against Sanada-san again and again, she probably picked it up from him. Other than that – she was in Rikkai Dai for awhile so maybe she was able to see some of his moves."
Cynthia allowed the Roadrunner zip past Momo, "Thirty – fifteen!"
Momo tried to return the Roadrunner with the Oto only to have the technique descending faster than before, "Forty – fifteen!"
Now breathing heavily, Momo managed to glance at her cousin whose look hasn't changed since the first game. He was watching stonily but Momo saw through his eyes.
Will you shame the Sanada name like our grandparents had always said?
Momo, gripping her racquet tightly, stood up while waiting for the next serve. "Bring it on, Habernägen. I'm not afraid by that little Loony Toons shot of yours!" (No offense to Loony Toons in fact, I love the Roadrunner show! ^_^)
Cynthia served normally while Momo decided to bring out one of the other parts. "Smash like an avalanche, Nadare!"
The ball multiplied into several shots but Cynthia looked at the floor. "I only need to look for one ball after all, Momo-chan!"
Returning it, Cynthia sent the ball to the very corner of the Singles line.
"Game, Habernägen: two games to three!"
"I can't let her beat me," Momo snorted inwardly while bouncing the ball. "My pride… the family's acceptance… depends on this one match!"
Mom served it hard causing Cynthia to release once again the Bundesmarine. Momo however quickly recovered from her serve and rallied with the German very easily. Her footwork increased and Cynthia now was the one breaking out sweat. Momo released a variety of cross court shots, varying from left to right and down the line. Cynthia revealed the Bundesmarine again only to see it completely nullified. The female Sanada smirked while multiple shots flew past Cynthia.
"Fifteen – love," Cynthia gaped at the shot that slipped past her.
Momo smirked at the former. "So, what happened to that famous shot of yours?"
Annoyed by the female Sanada, Cynthia got ready to receive as Momo sent another ace straight down.
"Thirty – love," Cynthia stared disbelievingly at the ace that Momo brought out.
So, this is the power you've been hiding, Cynthia shook herself out of the daze while watching Momo fire another fast serve. She couldn't help but feel her body tremble at the impact of the service on her racquet. Cynthia noticed the power increase each turn and Momo's gaze turning sterner each time.
It seems her cousin is making quite an effect. Well, I've heard about the disputes in her family but I didn't know it was this bad. Then again – after that little scandal that Momo-chin was a lesbian, it made a lot of drastic changes. I didn't know that the effect would be like this. However, I must commend her captain for doing a good job – she rebuilt Sanada Momo into a better person. Otherwise, I wouldn't have such a good match like this.
Momo fired it straight down the line again, forcing Cynthia back to the baseline. The two held a really long rally until Cynthia couldn't keep the consistency of her shots anymore.
"Forty – love," Momo saw Cynthia's hand trembling already; she knew that Cynthia was losing her stamina fast.
"So, that's something you haven't conquered ever since Rikkai," Momo rested her racquet on her shoulder. "I'm thankful that buchou and Kotetsu-buchou made me run more laps than intended."
Flustered and tired, Cynthia tied her hair tightly while getting ready for the next service. "Bring it on – Sanada, I'm not afraid of you!"
Momo had been so used to hating that last name of hers that when she heard it, the serve was a lot heavier than intended.
"Game, Sanada: four games to two!"
Sanada and Momo glanced at each other with a glower. One gripping the racquet tighter and the other getting ready to yank off the railing, the two were practically getting into a staring contest in the middle of the game. Not many understood the rivalry between the two but their glares were good enough to kill someone. Momo received Cynthia's next service with the Oto sending Cynthia to the floor, keeling in shock.
"Love – fifteen," Momo kept her eyes focused on Cynthia; she wasn't going to lose this chance to make Sanada eat his words.
Cynthia fired the Roadrunner back at Momo, forcing the Sanada to miss it.
"Fifteen – all," with this, Cynthia's lips curved into a smug smile.
Snorting in annoyance, Momo saw the Roadrunner again and dashed forward to receive it. She sent it to one end of the court, forcing Cynthia back to the baseline. Momo forehanded it again while watching Cynthia's footwork. The female Sanada smirked; she couldn't handle the speed they were playing in anymore. After using the Bundesmarine and the Roadrunner, Momo could see that Cynthia had strained herself too early.
"So that's the side effects," Momo returned it with a mean backhand. "The Bundesmarine may allow you to absorb your power all because the basis of your shot is in the hips not the usual arm. Because of this, the technique rebounds at you and tires you out faster right?"
Cynthia gaped at Momo who forehanded her again. "W-wait, how did you figure that out so quickly?"
"A tennis player normally tires out at the seventh game," Momo explained while giving a top spin drop shot. "We were only in our fourth game and you were already sweating like a pig."
Curling her fist, Cynthia fired a baseliner at the left side but Momo was able to jump back and receive it. She then decided to seize her chance and dragged her racquet on the floor. Before Momo knew it, dust flew into her eyes causing her to miss the ball.
"Thirty – fifteen," Momo saw the ball fly out.
"That was a chance shot," Haruka noted while Momo shook her head. "What happened?"
"Dust flew into her eyes," Mai remembered seeing Momo squint. "It all happened in a flash so; we wouldn't be able to see it."
Momo never realized that Cynthia would stoop low to win a game. Brushing the dust out, Momo glared at Cynthia only to have her smirk.
"You have some nerve to resort to things like that," Momo chided while walking back to the baseline. "Do your teammates want you to win this that badly?"
"I'm going to win this for myself," Cynthia readied her service again but, this time with more power.
The ball spun with such rocketing force that Momo almost couldn't return it. The ball nearly spun up but Momo instinctively gave it a top spin to send it as a cord ball. Cynthia rushed to the net to force Momo into a volley but the Hyotei regular quickly countered with a ground shot.
"She seems to be doing well," a serene voice approached Sanada from behind.
Sanada found Yukimura watching Momo's game right next to him. "I saw the Doubles Two play; I'm impressed with Nagisaki-san's footwork. She can probably outrun speed demons with that kind of speed. Then again – she is the resident tensai for the girls. Momo-san's quite impressive too, if I could say so myself."
"The girl's playing dirty," Sanada noted monotonously.
"I know," Yukimura continued watching. "But – it's up to Momo-chan to step up her game or to let it overtake her. So, what do you think her choice will be?"
"She'd choose to kick Habernägen all the way to Wednesday," Sanada smirked at his cousin take the next two shots from Cynthia.
"Thirty – forty," Momo was taking in deep breaths while Cynthia was already slumping on the floor.
Hitomi flipped through pages, glancing once in awhile at Momo's game and at the notebook. In one page, it was recorded match against Echizen and the other was the match now. Scribbling with a satisfied smile, Hitomi watched Momo return another service from Cynthia.
Momo's power has increased since that match between her and Echizen. However, what tickles me the most is that – even her stats have taken a drastic change. Her true style is coming out and honestly, I have to say that I'm impressed. Momo's returns are heavier, she's becoming more aggressive in playing and surprisingly, she didn't crack when Midoriyama-senpai was mentioned. Habernägen-san has been pulling out everything that could destroy Momo's spirit but nothing's happening.
That's the biggest advancement you've made so far, Momo.
The female Sanada struck aggressive against the Roadrunner shot and didn't even show the least bit of amusement. Cynthia started making errors one after the other.
"Game, Sanada: five games to two!"
Being allowed a second time out (courtesy of St. Rudolph's captain), Momo then began breathing haphazardly. She slumped against the wall while Isane handed her a bottle of water.
"Here, you might want another one after," Isane let Momo grab the bottle from her.
Momo downed it quickly when Hitomi handed her a bottle. "You want to try?"
"No," was Momo's quick reply. "I'm not poisoning myself in the middle of a game."
Haruka ruffled Momo's violet hair. "You're doing better than ever! You haven't even used the Arashi yet!"
"That's because it's not necessary," Momo slapped Haruka's hand away from ruffling her hair. "Quit ruffling my hair!"
Rin, casting a sideward glance to Haruka while nodding, gave Momo a thumb up. "Good luck out there, Habernägen's playing it dirty, kuwee~!"
Momo stood up while Sakaki just nodded at her while Shizuru noted to Momo. "It won't hurt to use the Drive B again. However, you just can't use it consecutively."
Brushing her hair back, Momo shook her head. "As much as I want to use it, I can't."
"What do you mean you can't?" Isane recalled the last time she used it. "Is this a pride issue again?"
"You can say that," Momo returned to the court. "Besides, buchou – I don't want to owe a brat."
Shaking her head in distaste, Ayane shrugged while folding her knees together. "Geez, Momo-senpai always has issues about pride."
"With Sanada here," Hitomi pointed to the bleachers. "Why am I not surprised?"
Momo began her service while Cynthia backhanded it to the corner. Momo slid towards the left with a fast forehand while Cynthia did a top spin. Soon, their pace increased from a rally to a volley and vice versa. The whole crowd stared in awe while the captains watched calmly.
"It seems like Cynthia's making a good comeback," the captain twirled her hair.
"Ah," Shizuru didn't peel away her eyes from the ball.
Momo fired a forehand towards Cynthia who quickly did a top spin. Watching her opponent's eyes, Momo noticed Cynthia slipping all over the place until the Roadrunner showed itself again.
"Love – fifteen," Cynthia smirked while seeing a new opening.
"So, you still can't return it now, can you?" Cynthia sniggered while Momo began trying to control her breathing.
"Love – thirty," another Roadrunner technique went in.
Momo snorted at the shot used consecutively. No matter what serve she used – it just came back as an irregular bounce ball. Momo tightly gripped the ball as she recalled how the Roadrunner was performed. Even if using the Oto were possible, Cynthia sealed it by using the technique as a return ace. The only way for her to attack the Roadrunner was to hit it before it bounced. She remembered seeing a similar technique but it was different in execution.
Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi utilized the top spin of the opponent to make the technique more lethal.
However, the Roadrunner was rolling low even without the top spin. Momo missed another one as Cynthia sent another Roadrunner spiralling in.
"Love – forty," Cynthia prepared for another Roadrunner.
If this keeps going, I'll just be feeding her the shots. Momo snorted disbelievingly and in annoyance. Closing her eyes, Momo fired a heavy service which Cynthia used the Roadrunner to try and return it.
"Fifteen – forty," Momo opened her eyes and saw that Cynthia's arm was shaking.
Everyone stared at her and even Sanada was shocked with what she just used. Yukimura smiled serenely at what Momo had just done; that serve was only doable if someone was really on the verge of killing someone. The serve went straight for her body and even twisted more extreme than Echizen's Twist Serve. Momo began glancing at the bleachers and even her teammates were shocked. Shizuru's eyes widened slightly while the others were gaping at her. She didn't know what went wrong until someone yelled out.
"Oi, wasn't that Kirihara's Knuckle Serve she just used!?"
That statement made Momo stop in her tracks and recall what that person yelled out. The Knuckle Serve if she recalled only happened when Bloodshot Mode took over but then, Momo found Cynthia's body shaking. That was already good enough proof that she had used her fearsome serve. Isane's serve may be fast and accurate but hers was more destructive and heavy. Realizing Cynthia couldn't return that shot, Momo decided to use the service again. Trying to bring out the serve again, Momo failed to hit it allowing the Roadrunner to zip past her again.
"Game, Habernägen: three games to five!" Cynthia smirked as she took hold of the service.
Momo could feel her arms getting numb after that extreme serve. It was a lucky shot I suppose, Momo thought ruefully. Other than that – I can't perform it again unless someone tries to piss me off. But, if I do that – I would be blatantly defying buchou since she hates violent tennis.
Because Momo was deep in thought, Cynthia smirked and fired her service.
"Fifteen – love," Momo snapped out of it when the ball rolled near her.
"She's still in a state of shock," Yukimura noted to Sanada. "When was the last time she performed the Knuckle Serve?"
Sanada couldn't even recall. He never paid any attention to Momo's progress as a tennis player since he was busy with his own. However, this game proved that Momo was evolving rapidly and might even prove to be a problem to him. Slapping himself mentally, Sanada couldn't believe that he was getting trifled over something so puny and that he should remain the same towards Momo's progress.
But, her achievement of the Knuckle Serve and own version of FuuRinKaZan simply infuriated him.
"Sanada," Yukimura saw Sanada's grip visibly tighten. "Just because Momo-chan has new techniques doesn't mean you have to come up with new ones as well."
Sanada snorted while leaving the bleachers. "I'm going now, Yukimura. I need to train."
Watching Sanada's figure fade, Yukimura shook his head. He's never going to change, the bluenette turned to the red haired tensai who was leaning against the fences. He recalled the Doubles Two game and she didn't play half bad in doubles considering that his sister mentioned that she only played Singles. I guess that is the potential of a tensai.
"There is a ninety percent chance that you're looking at Nagisaki Mai, buchou," Yanagi popped out of nowhere next to Yukimura.
"Ah, so I was caught," Yukimura had a smile that said 'Tell-this-to-anyone-and-rest-assured-no-will-recognize-you'.
Yanagi shivered under the intensity of Yukimura's 'turtle' smile and moved away slowly. "But – the captain is something your sister might need data on."
"Well," Yukimura didn't tear off his gaze from Mai. "That's true but you said it yourself – even your friend could not get good data off this girl."
"The reliability of the data decreases every time," Yanagi flipped through twenty pages. "I only have little information about her true self, buchou."
Momo on the other hand had difficulty when the Roadrunner came in as services. When she tried to return it, the ball just rolled off her racquet and up into the sky. Gripping her racquet tightly, Momo noticed it was her service now. Momo knew that she could easily seal this game; she just needed to recall the Knuckle Serve again.
"Game, Habernägen: four games to five!" Cynthia tossed the ball to her.
Momo deeply inhaled as she recalled her match with Echizen. How exactly did he infuriate her that much to begin? Was it the cockiness? The things he mentioned about her and Sanada? Or was it the comparing between the two of them? Knocking her head with her racquet, Momo stood in the centre of the court while trying to induce the Bloodshot Mode.
"Inducing it won't do," a soft voice chided her from the bleachers. "The Bloodshot Mode is not something you can induce every time, Momo-senpai."
I hate it when you're right about these things; Momo yanked her hair in desperation. There's gotta be some way how to induce it or make it come out. Then again – maybe it's best not to rely on it…
"Hey," Cynthia pointed her racquet at Momo. "Are you going to serve or what?"
"Sanada-san, please serve," the arbiter prodded Momo to snap out of her thoughts.
Momo, shaking herself out of it, returned to the baseline to serve. The match might end up one sided again because even if she did use the Drive B, there will be a way how to counter it. Momo used the Drive B again the moment the Roadrunner came into play only to have it smack the net.
"Love – fifteen," Momo looked at her racquet and then at Cynthia.
"You figured it out," Momo stood up after sliding on the floor. "Basically, you chose to make it descend faster so the Drive B won't be able to send it high enough."
Cynthia wagged her finger. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, you were always so slow in figuring things out."
"Actually," Momo smirked at the German. "I did figure out how your Roadrunner works. You twist your wrist and racquet to spin it faster each time right? I would have returned it with the Aoba if I wanted. After all – every technique has to have a loophole somewhere."
Cynthia paled at Momo's statement. "Wait, does this mean---?"
Hitomi smirked at Momo's analysis. "She's trapped you now."
"Hey, that's basically copying my style of kicking butt," Mai pouted childishly.
Shizuru smiled a bit. "Well, it did help her."
"Go, Momo-senpai!" Ayane and Kiyone chorused together. "Kick that German's butt!" (No offense to Germany or German readers)
Momo tossed the ball in the air. "You got it!"
Cynthia returned the service normally while Momo fired a fast one. "Burst like Sound…Oto!"
"Fifteen – all," Cynthia tried to keep breathing normally.
Kiyone saw Momo smash from the air. "There it is, the Sui!"
"Thirty – fifteen," an explosive sound echoed throughout the court.
The captain of St. Rudolph stood up, glancing one last time at Cynthia. This wasn't how she imagined the match to be seeing that Momo had completely plastered Cynthia in the next two games. However, someone stood up and followed her as well.
"You're not going to stay and watch," Shizuru approached the older captain.
Tossing her cerulean coloured hair back, the captain snickered. "I don't need a junior to tell me what to do. Why don't you just go cheer on your senpai?"
Wincing at the disdainful tone, Shizuru watched the captain leave while watching Momo increase her rally speed. She smiled at Momo's progress; normally, the girl would have cracked three games ago after mentioning Midoriyama to her. However, the game she had with Echizen probably taught her a few things and that was the only logical explanation she had to prove why Momo calmly played against her opponent.
"Game and match: Sanada, six games to four!"
Momo, wiping her sweat from her face, returned with a wide smirk. "Did I kick butt or what?"
"You sure did, senpai," Mai punched the air. "Then again – how were you able to beat her despite Sanada looming over you like a hawk?"
"I just imagined him to be on the court and I imagined that I would kick his butt," Momo smiled cheekily.
They all sweat dropped at her evil smile while Doubles One was being called. "Doubles One: St. Rudolph's Yanagisawa-Mikurahara pair and Hyotei Gakuen's Kobayagi-Getsugan pair, please come to the court immediately. Doubles One will now begin."
Ayane and Kiyone got on the court as the captain and her partner showed up.
"So," Ayane scanned the short brunette. "You must be the Yanagisawa girl right?"
"That's right," she gave a thumbs up. "My brother is such a loser really."
Kiyone nodded numbly. "Yeah, he's 'dane' all the time like some duck!"
"I know right," the girl extended her hand. "I'm First Year Yanagisawa Ume! Hajimemashite Yoroshiku! This here is my captain Mikurahara Otohime!"
Kiyone clapped her hands together. "Oh, you're first year too? I'm Getsugan Kiyone, first year of Hyotei Gakuen!"
The captain snarled at her partner. "We're not here to have a tea party! We have two more games to nab!"
Ume stuck her tongue out childishly at Kiyone. "Well, we're going to beat you anyway!"
Kiyone lunged at her. "Why you little…!"
Ayane grabbed her doubles partner. "Oi, don't do that! We'll flatten the captain our way!"
"What's the matter," Otohime folded her arms with a sneer. "Can't control that little xanthippe in the breeding?"
"Oh," Ayane rolled up her sleeves completely flustered. "You're dead, you hussy!"
"Kobayagi, Getsugan," a voice commanded from one side of the court. "That's enough!"
The regulars froze at the tone; Shizuru, not once in her captaincy had ever raised her voice. Isane watched Shizuru's auburn eyes frigidly glare at the captain and the two. The tallest of the seniors could feel Shizuru's intention to have the match done quickly without any bickering and stupidity. Sakaki himself was shocked that someone as soft spoken as Shizuru had that kind of voice. However, the authority was seen when Ayane spun her racquet.
"Pick one," Ayane's tone was stiff. "Is it smooth or rough?"
The captain tossed her hair back. "Whatever it will be, it would be smooth."
The moment it stopped, it was about to fall on rough until it got hooked on to the net showing smooth instead. Ayane stared in shock while the captain grabbed Ume away. She couldn't understand how she managed to predict that on a 50-50 scale. Not only that, she seemed to be so confident on her choice when the racquet was spinning quickly.
"Its motion sight," Kiyone sighed while moving the service box line. "It's like Kikumaru-san so I have to make her cross-eyed too."
Ayane passed a glance at Ume who was at the baseline. "Well, you're in luck. Mikurahara-san plays at the net. Do whatever you can."
Kiyone nodded while glancing at her buchou whose expression softened a little. Sorry buchou for the fuss.
It's alright, Shizuru smiled at the younger girl as the rally began.
Yanagisawa's serve was soft but fast, allowing Ayane to explode it back at her. Otohime curved her racquet and spun it back to Kiyone who volleyed it fast. The rally increased speed when Otohime decided to show a little trick by baiting Ayane with a far end baseline shot. Of course, Ayane exploded it with a backhand and all of a sudden, Otohime appeared at the baseline.
"What the heck is that?" Ayane gaped at the speed Otohime just revealed. "She moved just as fast as…!"
The shot zoomed towards Kiyone who sliced it easily to stop her only to find Ume at front with a smash ready. Snorting in annoyance, Kiyone dodged the smash allowing Ayane to burst it with more power only to have Otohime return it to the very end of the baseline doubles corner.
"Fifteen – love," Otohime smirked at Ayane who was still dazed by that move.
"That wasn't the Shunpo was it?" Ayane gaped at Otohime's speed. "I mean – she just flashed from net line to baseline!"
"That's gotta be it," Kiyone stared at the speed as well. "I don't know anyone else who can use that technique except buchou!"
Mai shook her head while clarifying with Isane. "That wasn't the Shunpo right? It's too lagging to be the Shunpo."
"There is one technique similar to it," Momo recalled her and Sanada training in Okinawa before. "We were in the Kyuushu district that time and there was someone who could use that technique."
Haruka remembered facing someone using that same technique before. "That's what people call the… Shukichi Method."
"What now," Isane stared at Haruka with her jaw dropping.
Sakaki happened to overhear their conversation. "The Shukichi Method is something more based on Okinawa Martial Arts. It creates an illusion that the opponent reaches the baseline in an instant and back. It's usually used for backward and forward only."
"Why only usually," Mai turned to their coach.
"That's because if they have a good sense of balance they can do it sideways," Sakaki recalled watching some matches from Kyuushu as well.
Rin whispered to Momo, causing the Sanada female to snicker. "To think he is a Music teacher and he knows this kind of stuff. Are you sure he is a music teacher?"
Otohime fired another shot which curved randomly towards Ayane causing her to miss. "What's the matter? You were talking so big awhile ago."
"Wait," Ayane recalled the Doubles Two match. "Isn't that the Habu Natsunaga-san was using?"
Madoka snickered to the two first years. "Otohime-buchou is the one who taught me that technique, you fool. It would take more than sheer brute strength to beat her."
"That means," Kiyone noted while realization hit her. "Mikurahara-san is originally a Singles player???"
"Thirty – love," Kiyone got ready to receive as Otohime made a heavy serve.
Kiyone fired a cord ball but Ume managed to return it with ease. The Hyotei Diamond Pair switched places again as Kiyone volleyed with Ume, increasing her speed with each return and volley. Some of her shots were even deemed unpredictable but Otohime returned all of the volleys without any difficulty. Kiyone struggled as the two attacked her repeatedly and Ayane then moved forward to start a volley with them.
Otohime smirked while firing it back at Ayane. "Actually yeah, I'm an All-Rounder but the Shukichi redeems me in doubles."
Ayane fired another heavy backhand while nodding to Kiyone. "Alright – time to make these guys eat their words."
Kiyone watched Ume move forward for a frontal attack while she backhanded it back to the other side. Otohime fired another shot towards Ayane who gave her a cannon forehand back at her. The shots became heavier and heavier until Ume's racquet flew off.
"Thirty – fifteen," Kiyone balanced her racquet on her finger.
Hitomi smirked. "It seems like the training has done her some good. Kiyone's ability to return heavy shots has increased by 5 percent."
Ume twirled her wrist around a bit after receiving a heavy shot from Ayane. The rumours she had heard about Ayane being wickedly strong were not exaggerations; it was shown after her racquet flew all the way to the bleachers after a good baseball swing. As far as she was concerned, there was no way she can return monstrous strength like that.
"There is a way," Otohime took a step back as she sent a different service, "Habu!"
Because Ayane was at the receiving end, the Hyotei vice captain missed it causing the ball to spiral behind her.
"Game, Mikurahara-Yanagisawa: one game to love!"
Clucking her tongue, Ayane picked up the ball and got ready to serve. Recalling how fast Otohime was moving, the vice captain knew that she couldn't outrun her as long as she had that with her. Ayane watched Ume swing from left to right to receive as she predicted which direction she would send it.
"It's the left," Ayane thought to herself while sending a wild ball to her.
The shot exploded on to Ume's racquet making the first year let go.
"Fifteen – love," Ayane picked up the ball to serve again.
Otohime watched Ayane swing from left to right as she read the girl's eyes. The captain smirked as she recalled all the newspaper articles she had read regarding Hyotei's Diamond Pair. The one she wanted to challenge was the captain who was supposedly a doubles player and didn't bother even showing up in the doubles line-up.
What a waste, she thought sourly while glancing at Shizuru. She recalled hearing stories about Hyotei's Angel and Tennis Goddess also known as the Crimson Angel due to her kind and caring demeanour. However, that all changed when the girl had approached the court. She remembered the former captain, Mizuki Hana speaking to Hyotei's former captain Espada Kotetsu Naomi about the progress of their protégé for the captaincy. Apparently, she was Hana's choice while Naomi picked the first year.
She will bring Hyotei to the top. She's no ordinary girl, Mizuki-san. You should know that by now. I'm sorry to say this but – Mikurahara-chan won't stand a chance against her.
Remembering those words sourly, Otohime returned Ayane's shot as another rally ensued. Kiyone started volleying with Ume and Otohime and Ayane had their own baseline battle. Otohime slid to return one shot before she saw Kiyone doing a fast volley.
"Ume, return it to the baseline," Otohime slid over to the middle of the court. "I have an idea!"
Ume quickly sent it to the baseline with Ayane returning with one cannon ball strike. This time, Otohime slid forward with a hard backhand which knocked out Kiyone's racquet.
"Fifteen – all," Kiyone went off to pick up her racquet.
Ume looked at Kiyone's trembling wrist and knew that any more would push it to the limit. She didn't like playing dirty but there had to be a way how to get through their defensive strategy. Ayane and Kiyone were dealing enough damage without even trying to win. Ayane served a fast shot knocking out Ume's racquet easily.
"Thirty – fifteen," Ume picked up her racquet again.
Mai noted easily. "So, there are two powerhouses and two flexies. Although Kiyone and Ayane are good, Otohime and Ume seem to know which one to hit and not to."
Otohime received Ayane's serve and the two ensued a baseline battle. Firing the ball towards Kiyone, Otohime knew that the smaller girl couldn't return such heavy shots.
However, she couldn't have been more wrong when Ayane fired a fast shot towards her causing a huge explosion on one side.
"Forty – fifteen," Otohime stared in shock at the first year.
Where did she get that kind of power? No first year can blow shots like that! It's as if all my shots are returned triple their power! They weren't joking about Hyotei having a freshman with Herculean strength but Getsugan-san isn't too bad either. She can match up Ume's speed with that kind of height? My God, she's even shorter than our freshman player!
"Hey," Kiyone pointed her racquet while glaring menacingly. "Just because I'm short doesn't mean you need to keep staring!"
"I'm sorry," Otohime curtly waved her off. "You were in front of me? I was looking at Ayane, not you, pebble."
Kiyone felt a vein pop at her head. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING A PEBBLE!?"
"Kiyone," Ayane grabbed her before she lashed out and bit Otohime. "You can't give rabies remember???"
"She hasn't had her rabies shots?" Otohime raised an eyebrow.
Ayane rolled her eyes. "No – she never had any to begin with!"
Otohime smirked as she saw the two first years fuming up. It looks like I've infuriated them well enough for us to snatch the game. They both have issues really.
Ayane's serve cracked off hard blasting Ume towards the floor. Everyone stared in shock at Ayane's cannonball serve while the two Hyotei first years gave each other a high five.
"Game, Kobayagi-Getsugan: one game to love!"
Otohime picked up the ball and handed it to Ume. "You better do it soon."
Ume nodded while smirking at Kiyone. "Should we use it soon, senpai?"
"We can't beat the other one but I notice she barely runs compared to the pebble," Otohime referred to Kiyone. "Let's use our formation."
Ume and Otohime assumed a different formation while Ayane and Kiyone began making changes of their own. Ayane stood behind Kiyone while Otohime and Ume stood diagonal of each other. The two formations came out: one was the famous Australian Formation and the other one was Hyotei's personal formation: the Waltz Formation.
"Alright," Ayane got ready to receive. "Show me what you got, Yanagisawa!"
Ume tossed the ball high and curved it towards the corner. Returning it with twice the power, Ayane fired it towards Otohime who began volleying with Kiyone. The two maintained the ball between them causing everyone to try their best to keep up with the speed. Kiyone sweated profusely while Otohime slid back and forth returning Kiyone's high speed shots.
I have to hand it to this girl, Otohime returned another volley. She knows where to attack despite being the baby of the team. She's no idiot; after all – it seems that Getsugan-san's been learning under the great Angel Kurenai Shizuru who was under the Queen Kotetsu Naomi. Getsugan Kiyone however seems to have one weakness: she sucks at baseline.
Firing it all the way to the back, Otohime saw Ayane coming and nodded to Ume. "It's time."
Ume waited for Ayane's shot and with one wide swing, the ball zoomed past Kiyone, causing a big explosion.
"Fifteen – love," Ayane stared at the ball that was returned at the same strength.
"Now," Otohime smirked at the two. "The game begins."
-That's chapter 18! Please review or I will not continue this anymore!