(I don't own Prince of Tennis!)
Chapter 19 – Diamond Pair
Seeing that kind of strength coming from Otohime, Ayane racked her brains for another plan. They still had the Waltz Formation, Australian Formation and the I-Formation but Otohime's strength burst through Kiyone and Ume's speed started to tire her out. Kiyone managed to volley against Otohime but Ume became a problem because of her wild tactics. The shots were explosive and many times – Kiyone's racquet flew out if Ayane wasn't able to grab it on time.
This is the first time I've ever seen a freshman hit the same power I do, Ayane returned a shot cross court. Not only that, she practically knows where to hit and how to make me dizzy. These guys have been training hard as if they've been specifically taught how to take us down. How is that even possible? No – it's not that they've been specifically taught; there's something there that we don't get. Now, if Yanagisawa-san moves to the right – Mikurahara-san feints to the left. Alright, let's try a new strategy.
"Kiyone," Ayane fired a backhand cross court. "Someone stole your taiyaki!"
This infuriated Kiyone well enough to smash hard. "What? Why I oughta kick your whiny little butts for stealing my taiyaki!"
Both pairs noticed Kiyone's shots getting heavier and wilder. Otohime bent backwards while Kiyone split on the floor in order to increase her reach. Flicking her wrist left and right, Otohime sent the volleys near Kiyone's right side but the little girl managed to send it in between her legs. With one high lob accidentally sent, Kiyone jumped up for the finish. The smash landed right in between Otohime's legs causing her to stumble on the ground. Kiyone and Ayane did a high five, smirking at the St. Rudolph pair.
"Fifteen – love," both schools began cheering louder.
The winner will be Hyoutei! The loser will be St. Rudolph! The winner will be Hyoutei!
Kobayagi, Kobayagi…
Ignoring the cheer, Ayane received Ume's service with explosive power forcing Otohime to receive it. Kiyone volleyed while Otohime challenged her to another speed match. Kiyone's reach proved to be a disadvantage but the little girl was faster than Otohime. Though the third year had flexibility and length, Kiyone had technique and speed. The only question was: which one would prevail? Will it be length and flexibility or speed and technique? Only time could tell which one would win.
"Damn, this brat's fast," Otohime flicked her wrist to the other end. "Her technique makes up for that short reach."
Kiyone, sweating profusely, sliced the ball to the other side while it smacked the top of the net. She couldn't believe that Otohime gave her a run for her money and no matter how well she placed the ball – the shot always returned back to her. Ayane and Ume could only watch the quick paced match while Kiyone and Otohime were just flicking the ball back and forth to see which one would give up first.
Her speed's incredible, Otohime noted while Kiyone hit another right in between her legs. The very first Hyotei Regular to make me feel this excited. Not even Kotetsu Naomi could do this; the only one who could this well is the current captain. Kurenai Shizuru did mention about developing another protégé amongst the Hyotei regulars. I have a feeling this girl is the one. Ume may be my successor but her skills are nowhere yet close to mine.
Kiyone's eyes watched Otohime's wrist as the senior continued attacking. The two baseliners were made useless and they watched the two volleyists battle it out. Snapping her wrist with a slice, Kiyone noticed the ball finally going towards the baseline until Otohime appeared at that part.
"Che," Momo snorted while watching the Doubles Match. "The Shukichi Method's a pain."
Hitomi looked at her counter while writing down some data. "Mikurahara Otohime is one of the very few to engage in fifty exchanges with Getsugan Kiyone. Interesting data…"
"Damn," Haruka punched her own fist. "If only there was some way to blow off that Shukichi Method then, they wouldn't be in this mess."
Ayane, watching a forehand fly in, got ready to swing hard. "This better go in," –the vice captain eyed the ball carefully. "If this doesn't, nothing will."
Watching Ayane take a big swing, Rin gaped and dropped her bag. "Wait a minute, isn't that Kawamura of Seigaku's Hadokyuu? Is she crazy!"
"Taking a big swing is dangerous," Mai saw Ayane's right arm muscle tighten up. "If she's doing that, she could risk either losing the point or swatting her own head."
Isane recalled Ayane asking her a favour before they entered the Kantou Tournament. She didn't understand why but the senior knew how hard Ayane had been working for the tournament. This is her first after all, Isane smiled while seeing Ayane delay the shot for a split second.
"Hadokyuu," Ayane swung her racquet in a wide arc causing the shot to blow through the lines.
"Love - thirty," Ume gaped at what Ayane had just done with her former technique.
That wide arc is dangerous, Mai raised an eyebrow while watching Ayane move towards the net. I'm amazed that she knows such a dangerous move and don't even mind the dangers. With that move, you could risk tearing a muscle, swatting your own head and losing the point if you don't connect with the ball. Then again, that technique is for power players but it's still dangerous to use such a technique. It's like Shizuru overusing the Tsuuro no Shichihinge and the Shunpo. Sure, there are times that call for it but it shouldn't be used as a trump card.
Ayane pointed her racquet at Ume. "You're a former baseball player aren't you?"
Ume raised an eyebrow while Ayane continued to explain. "The way you swing is like how you would swing a baseball bat. When you play a former sport, it always leaves traces of itself on you. For example – Momo-senpai used to be part of Hyotei's Kendo team and she swings her racquet like a bokuto. Mai-senpai is a former dancer and that's why she's always standing on tip toes and her tennis has a rhythm. No matter how much you want your mind to forget, the muscles always remember."
She's quite the analyst, Otohime noted while watching Ayane explain things to Kiyone. For a first year – she must have undergone harsh training in order to become what she is today. A doubles expert vice captain and the spin specialist Getsugan Kiyone, hmm, what an interesting pair. I've never met anyone so calculating amongst the first year students. In Seigaku, Shibuya Rangiku's a monster and Rikkai Dai still has that other girl and Hyotei Gakuen has Getsugan Kiyone and Kobayagi Ayane. I'm surprised that Kurenai Shizuru chose a first year for vice captaincy.
"Tell me," Otohime watched Ayane look up at her. "How were you able to analyse her that fast?"
"My uncle's a doctor," Ayane shrugged while glancing at her suspiciously. "Question is – why do you want to know?"
"It's just your analytical prowess is impressive for a first year," Otohime smirked while glancing at Hitomi. "Or, does your senpai do all the thinking for you?"
Ayane, rolling her eyes, motioned to Kiyone to return to the baseline. She watched Otohime smirk while informing Ume of a new plan, which the first year seemed to be happy to hear. What irked her was why Otohime needed to know that. It wasn't needed in a doubles strategy in any way as long as she was concerned. It didn't give out any information about Kiyone either.
Wait, does she want to anticipate my moves or something?
"That's not possible, Yane-Yane," Kiyone called from behind. "What does your uncle being a doctor do with tennis anyway?"
Ayane scratched her head sheepishly, letting out a relieved sigh. "You're right; I shouldn't be so tense."
Then again, Ayane scrunched her nose up a bit. She probably just wanted to rattle me a bit.
Ume tossed the ball into the air and started off with a hard serve. Seeing it zoom towards her, Kiyone volleyed it into a cord ball while Otohime began flexing her wrist to confuse Ayane. Sliding to one end, Ayane volleyed left and right despite net play not being one of her best points. Kiyone kept making cord balls while Otohime volleyed towards Ayane.
"This is bad," Mai watched Ayane slide back and forth. "As long as Ayane is in front, her strength is completely useless."
Haruka snorted in annoyance. "They know that they can't handle Ayane's insane strength but by leaving Kiyone in the back, they created a weak point for them to attack."
Rin jumped onto Haruka's back. "Hey Hitomi, what does she mean by that?"
"She means that any moves that both Ayane and Kiyone have," Hitomi watched Otohime appear from one place to another, "are completely sealed off."
Sakaki watched the two first years play against the third year and actually have a hard time. Normally, the game would have ended fifteen minutes ago with Ayane and Kiyone winning. He wasn't sure whether or not this pair was created specifically to counter Hyotei's Diamond Pair. Then again, there were too many instances when this happened and the two always rose above. He didn't do much actually; all their power came from one another and their drive to win.
That is something Atobe lacks, Sakaki noted quietly. Atobe may have the respect of the regulars but do they have the same drive as these girls? Shishido may have the fighting spirit but not as strong as Uchiha's. Oshitari may be a genius but Mai seems to be evolving in ways that even he hasn't understood. Gakuto's flexible yes but how high can he fly? These are the things that they lack that put the girls' team on a different level. Shizuru commands with honour and respect while Atobe commands because of his ego and skill. Yes, both earned the respect of their fellow regulars but it depends on how they harness that kind of skill.
Ayane, sweating profusely, slowed her breathing to conserve her energy. The match was starting to get to long and she couldn't understand how the two could keep going on. Volleying left and right, the vice captain prayed that Kiyone wouldn't move forward.
Unfortunately, life decided to be cruel to her today.
"Ayane," Kiyone rushed forward. "Take the baseline!"
Ayane saw Otohime smirking and realized the horrible mistake Kiyone was about to make. "Wait, Kiyone-chibi – stay where you…!"
"Forty – love," her warning came too late. Kiyone stared at where the ball marked while Ume gave her captain a high five.
"Keh," Ayane cracked her knuckles. "They knew that you would try…"
Hanging her head, Kiyone turned around. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Ayane pat Kiyone on the head approvingly. "It's normal to make mistakes like that. What we're playing against now is experience. Remember what buchou always told us?"
"Minna, yudan sezu ni ikou," Kiyone tilted her head to the side. "That's what she usually tells us right?"
"Not that one," Ayane snickered. "The other one when she and Mai-senpai were playing against us, silly!"
"Oh – experience is always the best teacher," Kiyone nodded proudly.
Ayane glanced at Otohime. "Obviously, Mikurahara-san is much older than us. The wrinkles are evident," –earning a glare from the St. Rudolph captain, "so, it's something we have to anticipate."
"What? You mean the growth rate of wrinkles and pimples?" Kiyone tilted her head to the side again.
"No," Ayane playfully punched her. "I meant her style and when she's going to apply that strategy again!"
"Oh," Kiyone nodded while returning to the net. "It's time to snatch another point back!"
Ayane waited to receive Ume's serve when she noticed the first year going for something different.
Funny, Ayane watched Ume toss the ball in the air. She wasn't doing that awhile ago.
Ume went for a hard and deep right as Ayane slid over to return. The moment Ayane caught it, the ball spun excessively on the vice captain's racquet causing it to jump straight high into the air over the net. Otohime soared high up into the air and cracked it right in front of the smaller girl.
"Behold, the Brave Arrow," Otohime fired it past Kiyone's left leg causing a vacuum nearby.
Wincing at the pain, Kiyone fell on one knee while Ayane managed to return it straight back at her. Otohime noticed Kiyone's fast recovery after firing the Brave Arrow at her. Ume fired a largely swung shot towards Ayane who fired something more than twice its original strength. Kiyone volleyed towards Otohime who slid left and right with her Shukichi method further pissing off the two. Otohime smirked at Ayane while the vice captain smashed straight at Ume forcing the baseliner to send it high up.
"You idiot," Otohime shouted at the younger. "Now you just gave them the chance to smash at…!"
Surprisingly, Ayane returned it with a heavy forehand that knocked Otohime's racquet away. While the captain tried to retrieve it, Ume moved forward only to see Kiyone up in the air, making a full body twist. Sensing a smash, Ume moved forward until it slid onto the net and rolled to the other side.
"Forty – fifteen," the whole crowd stared at the two first years who made a single rally last ten minutes.
"Crap," Otohime snorted while watching Ume twiddle with her thumbs. "I can't believe you let her trick you like that."
"I'm sorry," Ume bowed repeatedly to the senior. "I didn't know…"
A loud crisp sound echoed around the court and everyone stared in shock with what Otohime just did.
"Don't say you didn't know," Otohime spat at the younger girl. "You should have! I can't believe you got outsmarted by a midget who's nothing but a Hyotei brat nonetheless!"
Kiyone rolled up her sleeves. "Why I oughta show her…!"
"I just never understood why they're so strict on their team members," Ayane watched Otohime scold Ume in front of everyone. "Criticisms are fine as long as they don't sound so negative."
"Yeesh," Kiyone snorted in disgust. "Talk about a perfectionist. Buchou's not like that right?"
Ayane shrugged. "Maybe it's because she believes more in positive reinforcement?"
"Maybe," Kiyone's voice trailed away while watching Ume shrink lower and lower after each sharp remark.
After five minutes, Ume returned to the baseline and tossed the ball in the air. With a weak service, Kiyone sent a cross court cord ball while Otohime volleyed it straight to Ayane. Seeing a repeat, Ayane returned the shot with a drop shot while signalling Kiyone.
Finish her off, Kiyone!
Kiyone rushed to the front while Ayane threw herself back resuming into the famous Australian Formation. Otohime, snarling inwardly, fired a hard baseline shot after receiving Kiyone's volley. Ayane swung widely, bringing out the Hadokyuu again.
This time, Ayane thought gleefully. She won't be able to…!
Ayane's prediction proved wrong when Ume had two hands locked firmly on the grip and with one wide swing, the ball slammed straight into Kiyone's racquet. The smaller girl flew backwards straight into Ayane who managed to dig her shoes into the ground to avoid flying back as well. In the end, the two tumbled about but luckily, none were injured.
"You okay," Ayane dusted her skirt. "You're heavy! How much Takoyaki did you eat the last time!"
"I only ate five plates," Kiyone mumbled sheepishly.
"F-five plates are you serious," Ayane gaped at the smaller freshman. "Did Shitenhouji really serve you that much!"
Kiyone scratched her head while retorting. "Come on – you'll have to admit it is so addicting once you've tried it!"
The two St. Rudolph players stared awkwardly at their conversation. Ayane and Kiyone shook hands and then faced the two players again. "Sorry," Ayane scratched her head. "Did we keep you guys waiting? Anyhow, shall we get back to business?"
Otohime glared at the vice captain. "Tch, you should stop wasting time!"
"And you guys," Ayane snorted while tossing back her tangerine hair. "You guys oughta learn how to treat your doubles partner."
"Game, Mikurahara-Yanagisawa: two games to one!"
Kiyone and Ume watched the sparks fly between the two playmakers. It was surprising to see how pissed off the two could be and when the two marched back to the baseline, things started to become more tense. Kiyone now took service and fired a weak one towards Otohime. Seeing the short serve, Otohime lunged forward while Kiyone rushed in for to receive. Ayane threw herself back when Ume sent a hard swing back.
"If I'm not mistaken," Momo watched Ayane return it the same way. "That's the Hadokyuu of Fudomine Chuu right?"
"Ume's forte is more like blowing people up with her strength," Hitomi tilted her glasses up. "There's a ninety percent chance that Ayane will respond to the challenge. After all," Hitomi's eyes focused on the freshman vice captain.
Strength has always been Kobayagi Ayane's playing field.
On the other side, Seigaku watched the girls play against Fudomine who didn't seem to have any fighting chance against them. Souma Fuuka sat in the bleachers while watching Shibuya Rangiku take out one of the ace players of Fudomine with a few shots per rally. The little girl, despite looking so dainty, practically sent her opponent flying into the net ruthlessly. Though this was only Singles Three, Fuuka didn't understand how Rangiku could blow someone who was three times her size backwards.
I'm impressed with her performance, Fuuka watched Rangiku jump all over the place with an arrogant smirk. Off court, she's this dainty little girl who's scared of a fly but the moment she gets on the court – her eyes change. Getsugan wouldn't have a chance against her or maybe Sanada won't have much either. Getsugan all I know is a doubles player – she can't do much as a singles player. However, Shibuya might need to take Singles One when we fight Hyotei Gakuen but then again, how will I face Kurenai if I play Singles Two?
"Souma-senpai," a soft voice nudged her from her left. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Fuuka waved her hand half-heartedly. "It's just that I'm thinking about the upcoming match between us and Hyotei. I don't want a repeat of last year. By the way, have you warmed up already with Jerrard, Ryuuzaki?"
Sakuno nodded vigorously while watching Rangiku take the next game for herself again. "Game and match, Shibuya: six games to love!"
"That was fast," Midori drawled lazily while tousling her green hair. "She's becoming more of a monster everyday, ne?"
Enma played with her voodoo doll. "So, who's our next pair?"
"That would be you two," Fuuka pointed out when Doubles Two followed up. "Ryuuzaki and Jerrard are playing Doubles One for this tournament. After all – Hyotei Gakuen does have a similar pair like this."
"Souma," a commanding voice came from the coach's chair.
Fuuka came down to face her coach. "Hai, is there something wrong, Ryuuzaki-sensei?"
"Don't get too obsessed with beating Kurenai," Ryuuzaki-sensei chided. "Ever since you were first year, you always grumbled and eyed her enviously. She's a batch lower than you for crying out loud."
"That doesn't mean she's not better than me, Ryuuzaki-sensei," Fuuka noted to her coach. "If she can force Tezuka-kun on twelve games then, I might as well be more careful."
"She played against Tezuka-sama!" Vera shrieked loud enough for the other courts to hear. "Did she win?"
Fuuka's fists clenched together. "No but even though – I can't even get five games off Tezuka-kun. She's getting stronger every single minute and I haven't even improved!"
Enma glanced to the data master of Seigaku. "Hey so, have any fresh data of Hikifumi Haruka?"
"I'm afraid not," she turned through the pages of the book. "The only data I have about her are her techniques and lifestyle. Would you like to know?"
"Have anything mentally damaging?" Enma raised an eyebrow.
Fuuka kicked Enma's calf. "Hey, I want this to be a nice clean game. No sadistic plans or whatsoever."
"Is this all to play against that Shizuru?" Vera glanced at her captain. "I don't think she's even worth your effort and recognition. She's nothing more than a carbon copy of Kotetsu Naomi."
Fuuka remained silent after Vera's comment. Enma and Midori walked down to the court while Fuuka tried to reassess her play against Kurenai Shizuru the last time. Kantou Tournament was their very first meeting after so long. They tried meeting one another in the Tokyo Prefectural only to end up in different blocks of the tournament. Now, there was no turning back.
"Kurenai," Fuuka gripped her skirt. "I will never forget what happened that day."
"Game, Mikurahara-Yanagisawa: three games to one!"
Ayane and Kiyone breathed in heavily while the two didn't seem to be breaking a sweat. Ume snickered while Otohime mockingly taunted the two.
"What's the matter? Can't you guys play a decent match anymore?"
Ayane, gripping her racquet tightly, rose up while helping Kiyone up. They were only going through four games and they were breathing huge gasps of air. Leaning against Ayane, Kiyone nearly slumped onto the floor but was able to keep standing up by sheer willpower.
"The heat's annoying," Kiyone tried to block out the sunlight.
Ayane couldn't help but agree. The sunlight glared into their eyes that it was hard to follow the path of the ball. Otohime continuously broke in another volley while Ume blew up the next two shots. She couldn't believe that they managed to break one of their service games so easily. No matter what angle Ayane tried to look it at in – there always seemed to be a dead end.
"Forty – love," Ume began her service again towards the two.
Ayane couldn't remember the last time they were losing this badly. Otohime outsmarted them and outclassed them while Ume simply sent Kiyone all the way to the bleachers. The two freshmen stared at the shots that zoomed past them, realizing that they were no match for them to begin with. Ayane shook her head and when the next serve flew in, she received it with two times the force it was sent at her. Ume fired it back while Otohime dashed left and right to confuse Kiyone almost entirely. Ayane and Ume swung in wide arcs causing the ball to explode in kilojoules of power.
"I'm surprised that someone like you would catch the angel's eye," Otohime watched another cannonball explode to the other end.
Kiyone shook her head while getting ready to volley anytime soon. "Why, is it a problem?"
"You're a doubles player," Otohime noted while focusing on Kiyone's footwork. "Your strength is below average, your skill I have to admit is at high school level and your speed isn't so bad. So tell me – why is it that she chose you to be her protégé?"
Kiyone opened her mouth to say something but realized that she herself didn't know. Kiyone never questioned her captain's decisions but that question caught her off guard badly. Slipping and losing footing, Kiyone fell to the ground when Otohime managed to smash at her.
"Game, Mikurahara-Yanagisawa: four games to one!"
Ayane ran over to the younger girl. "Hey, are you alright, Kiyone?"
Kiyone nodded while dusting her skirt. She did that to toy with me, Kiyone snorted in annoyance while glaring at the St. Rudolph captain. However, what the captain said was true. Kiyone didn't understand why she was picked, ignoring the entire idea anyway. Kiyone found herself serving this time and she knew that a cord service couldn't work in this situation. Tossing it high up, Kiyone jumped while putting all her body weight into the shot.
"Fifteen – love," The ball zoomed past Otohime surprisingly while it rolled up the wall.
Everyone fell into a deep silence when they found out that Kiyone could blow a service down that hard. Ayane clasped her hands together while staring in awe and Kiyone inhaled deeply when her blue eyes met with Shizuru's.
Now do you understand why I chose you as my successor?
Kiyone's eyes widened while Shizuru's smile became more approving. All this time, she believed in my potential, Kiyone couldn't help but get more pumped for the next serve. Jumping up again, Kiyone fired another serve that spun right on the service box T.
"Thirty – love," everyone started cheering for the smaller girl.
Hitomi began scribbling down. "I guess the weights did help her."
Rin gaped at the data girl. "You gave her weights?"
"It was the only way I could help her," Hitomi noted while calibrating the speed of Kiyone's service. "Her strength was believed to be below average but if you make her train well enough – she actually has a good set of arms that could send the Hadokyuu back normally if it were Mai the one sending it."
"But Mai-Mai can't even do that," Rin jumped on Momo's shoulders earning herself a glare from the female Sanada. "That's not a good thing is it?"
"She can at least send the ball over the net now," Momo noted while throwing Rin off. "Before, sending it over the net from the baseline was almost impossible for her."
Mai folded her arms while grinning. "She's growing, Shizuru-chan. You sure it's a good idea to have her as your protégé? I think she'll overthrow you by the time you're third year."
"She still has ways to go," Shizuru watched Otohime discuss things with Ume. "She may have the talent but experience is something she needs to earn."
Kiyone won the next two points with her newly found stop and spin serve. Ayane hugged her cheerfully while whooping, people in the stands were loudly cheering and the ball rolled towards Otohime.
"Game, Kobayagi-Getsugan pair: two games to four!"
Otohime shook her head while picking up the ball to serve. Returning to the baseline, Otohime saw Ayane at the receiving end. Smirking, she knew the power Ayane had but with Ume in front – Kiyone was powerless. Ume, power wise, proved to be able to send Kiyone all the way to be the bleachers. However, Ume still needed work when it came to keeping up. The serve cracked off with Ayane returning it with a heavy backhand. Kiyone dashed to the left while sending it straight to Ume who sent the ball straight out.
"Out, love – fifteen," Otohime bit her lip while Ayane and Kiyone did a high five.
Hitomi scribbled on her notebook furiously. "Well, I'm amazed that Kiyone's strength increased by ten percent but she still needs work."
"You're going to make her lift weights?" Mai raised an eyebrow while watching Kiyone and Ayane rally again.
Ayane fired her Kotsubushi no Katana all the way to the doubles line and Ume tried her best to return it, only to be foiled every time. The racquet flew straight into the air, slamming into the bleachers.
"Love – thirty," Ayane and Kiyone did a high five.
Otohime volleyed right past Ayane at one point of the rally, "Fifteen – thirty!"
"Thirty – all," Kiyone and Ayane missed Otohime's straight smash down.
"Thirty – forty," Ayane backhanded towards Otohime, making her racquet fly out of her hand.
Momo smirked while fixing her violet coloured hair. "Well, here comes the counter attack."
"Right on time too," Haruka noted while watching Kiyone volley and take the next point. "They could have lost six games to one to someone who's not even of Nationals Calibre."
"Actually," Hitomi tilted her glasses a bit. "Mikurahara Otohime used to play for Makinofuji Gakuen before transferring. She was the captain there as well."
No wonder her name sounded so familiar, Shizuru thought while watching Ayane take the service.
"Game, Kobayagi-Getsugan: three games to four!"
A few moments later, the Hyotei team showed up while glancing at the game. Atobe watched the sweat soak up Ayane's shirt and listened to the echo of her shots. If he wasn't mistaken, Atobe could have sworn that he heard the echo of her shots all the way from the other side. Sure their match was finished but he didn't know that St. Rudolph could put up a fight against the Diamond Pair of Hyotei Gakuen. The thought of a lesser school simply infuriated him!
Ore-sama knows that Kobayagi can win this – if she doesn't, Kurenai would be forced to play. Actually, they have a comfortable margin so it's not much to worry about. However, Kobayagi and Getsugan had never lost a game before. In fact – this could be their first time except the time they lost against the Ohtori-Shishido pair. However, that's understandable; ore-sama did train them well after all.
Watching another shot fall in, Ayane and Kiyone were slumping on the floor while Ume leaned landed on Otohime's shoulder.
"Game, Mikurahara-Yanagisawa: five games to three!"
Shizuru knew that stamina wasn't really a strong point especially in this weather. The basis of their skill now was pure willpower; Ayane had spades of that but was it good enough to bring her and Kiyone to the top? She knew that Ayane wasn't the type to collapse in the middle of a match but this was the first time they played in summer sun. The heat started clogging her own vision as well and if something were to go wrong, well, it could be downhill for Hyotei.
Kobayagi and Getsugan may have the Synchro but right now – they're not bringing out. How they brought it out while going against the Golden Pair is unexplainable but they better use another formation because their Waltz Formation isn't as effective as it was before. Hopefully, they won't drag this game out to a seven-six because if that happens, Kiyone won't last in that kind of heat.
Kiyone inhaled sharply while Ayane took the ball to serve.
"Fault," the ball smacked straight into the net.
"Double Fault, love – fifteen," Ayane felt her chest tighten at what was happening.
Before throwing the ball up again, Ayane noticed Kiyone grab her arm with a raised an eyebrow. "Relax, pretend you want to bury Atobe's head in the beach and get him pinched by a crab!"
Ayane nodded when a newfound glint scared the other side. "You two suckers are in for it now!"
Her serve cracked off hard causing Otohime to receive it painfully when her wrist bent far back to send it over. Kiyone saw the weak return and attacked with a hard volley smash, "Fifteen – all!"
Ayane finally had the chance to calm down after that wild battle. Ever since Ume revealed her strength, Ayane's wrist and senses numbed at the sensation. She recalled the shot that Ume just did and couldn't believe it actually had a name. Hadokyuu, she thought while remembering how hard the shot exploded from her racquet. I did it awhile ago and yet, it felt like nothing…
"Taking that big a swing is dangerous," Hitomi pulled out a calculator and began typing in numbers. "There's a ninety percent chance Ayane's arm will tear a muscle if she does that again."
Mai recalled the speed of the ball. "If I didn't have motion sight, I wouldn't have noticed the difference."
Rin cheekily jumped onto Momo's shoulders again. "Ume and Ayane will be having a power play but – Ayane's going to be the winner."
"How sure are you?" Haruka raised an eyebrow at her.
Rin explained with a Hitomi-like voice. "Ayane's physique may be smaller but her body is used to having such power being blown off from the racquet. Ume can't even return her shots properly and therefore increase her chances of winning."
Haruka stared at her while shaking her head. "You've been working on your Insight haven't you?"
"I guess," Rin scratched her head sheepishly, "hey, Haru-chan?"
Haruka glanced at her doubles partner who scratched her head. "Haruka," – her voice spoke low, "if you want to play against your sister, go ahead. But make sure it's for the right reasons, okay?"
With her eyes gleaming happily, Haruka hugged Rin while the captain smiled at the predicament of her Dragon Pair. Switching her attention again to the game, Shizuru noticed that Otohime's racquet flew out of her hand when Ayane sent another Hadokyuu at her. The game turned itself again on Otohime and Ume when Ayane finally busted another shot towards them.
"Game, Kobayagi – Getsugan: four games to five!"
Hyotei students jumped in delight while St. Rudolph chanted louder. Otohime couldn't believe that the two instantly turned the games against them. The heat bit them hard and even her vision was getting fogged up. Putting up a sign, Otohime and Ume headed back towards the benches for a drink.
"Timeout," the arbiter allowed the Hyotei Doubles One pair move back as well.
"How's the heat out there?" Rin handed Ayane water which the said girl threw all over herself.
"Horrible," Ayane snorted while stretching her arm. "I swear, I think I've turned into a sunny-side up out there!"
Atobe handed her a towel instead of throwing it like the last time. "Wipe your face, the sweat will sting your eyes."
"Since when did you decide to just give it and not throw it," Ayane spat at Atobe. "For crying out loud, I was just talking to Oishi-kun and you just had to throw that damn towel in my face!"
Atobe twitched at the freshman vice captain. "Please – ore-sama just didn't like it when you had that look!"
"What look," Ayane marched up to him with her green eyes glaring at him. "Come on, tell me – what look are you talking about?"
The two got stuck into a staring match when Oshitari took a seat next to Shizuru. "So, how's the team so far?"
"We've won the first two games," Shizuru noted while adjusting the strings on her racquet. "St. Rudolph is actually betting on this match."
Tennis is that all she thinks about, Oshitari couldn't help but sigh. However, he couldn't deny that her focused mind is what kept her strong but sometimes; it never gave him an opening. She would always ignore everything else and aim for one thing: the Nationals. He wasn't even sure that she had anyone in mind except a vague explanation of Shishido. Glasses, he thought again while looking around. All he saw were girls, no man showing up asides from them.
"So, did you win your first game?" She smiled at Oshitari.
He felt his heart actually leap at her smile. "Well, of course we did. We're playing Seigaku the next time we come here."
"I hear that you're playing Doubles like always," Shizuru beckoned Ayane and Kiyone to head back to the court. "Gakuto-senpai sure is a good combination to your style."
"Yeah," Oshitari tried to steer from the tennis subject. "So, how did you find the resort?"
"It was good," Shizuru continued to focus on the doubles play while answering in three word sentences.
Oshitari didn't know how she became so popular with her useless social skills but it could have been the tennis that gave her popularity. He couldn't help but smile at how radiant her eyes looked whenever a tennis game happened. Her eyes switched left and right, analysing each shot as it left the racquet. Ume began service again and this time, Kiyone was at the receiving end.
"Ready," Ume tossed it up in the air. "This is a serve I had but I was saving it for a trump card: Plasma Slicer!"
The serve curled on the court causing it to zip past Ayane and Kiyone swung only not to connect with the ball.
"Its bounce," Mai noted while glancing at Shizuru. "It was delayed."
"Fifteen – love," Ume prepared another serve.
"I'm going to finish you guys here and now, hope you don't mind!" Ume fired another Plasma Slicer.
Ayane ran towards the ball, recalling how Kiyone couldn't return it. "I can't take a short swing then. It takes ten seconds for the ball to fly over the opponent."
Taking a big swing, Ayane watched the ball spin on the ground. It looks like I'm going to have to burst it with the Hadokyuu then.
Slamming the ball with extreme strength, Ayane watched the ball zoom past the net but smack into the outer line.
"Out, thirty – love," Ayane's eyes widened at what had just happened.
Wha-what the- how did that happen? Ayane gaped at where the ball marked. She was sure that she hit it properly and yet, it flew all the way out. The Hadokyuu would have made a mark on the inside line but what stunned the vice captain was why it shot all the way out.
"Tell you what," Otohime signalled to Ume. "Let's finish this!"
Seeing what had happened, Kiyone knew she had to take the chance. It was now or never.
At the other end, Seigaku had finished their matches early. Fuuka walked alongside Tezuka while Eiji and Midori were exchanging tricks for the court. Seigaku won three games straight without a need to play the last one since it was already a hopeless situation for the other team. Then again, Fuuka was also interested in the other three teams: Jyosei Shounan, Rikkai Dai and Hyotei Gakuen. The rivalries were pretty intense between the four schools and they already dominated the entire Kantou Region.
However, what pissed off Fuuka was that no matter how hard she tried – how is it that Hyotei Gakuen always got the better of Seigaku?
It wasn't that case though with the boys but every time she had an encounter with the girls' team, it was the same old replay; Doubles Two would either win or lose then Singles Three would most likely belong to Hyotei, Doubles One usually went to waste and Singles Two was theirs. Singles One had always been the tie breaker but this time, Fuuka knew it was time to crush Shizuru. The girl was becoming more and more of a monster of a tennis player everyday and if she wasn't stopped, who knows what could happen?
You're scared that she'll take that scholarship to Germany away from you, aren't you?
Fuuka curled her hand into a fist while recalling the last match they had in the Nationals.
Flashback
"Game and match, Kurenai: six games to three! Hyotei Gakuen is the new Nationals Champion!"
Fuuka stared at the floor in total shock when she saw Shizuru glowing with a different aura. It wasn't the usual Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami but it was something more lethal. The aura shined brighter than ever when she actually had pushed Shizuru into a corner by winning three games straight. She had sealed off all of Shizuru's attacks and yet she couldn't even return the most basic one when the aura showed up.
Second year vice captain Souma Fuuka stared at what Shizuru had just done. "What the hell was that?"
"I," Shizuru stuttered, pretty unsure of what she had done. "I really don't know."
The crowds created an uproar causing the two girls to stand up a shake hands. Fuuka glanced at her captain who smiled ruefully. Fuuka knew she had let her down; she was chosen to lead the team only to be eliminated by someone who her captain dubbed as a newbie.
Kurenai does have talent but, what is it that makes her so strong?
Watching Shizuru head towards her senpai with a hug, Fuuka quietly walked back to her team while hanging her head. "I'm sorry, Kaori-buchou."
"It's alright," Kaori put her hand on Fuuka's shoulder. "There is no way in hell that you could have beaten the Teni Mu'ho anyway. The Pinnacle of Flawless Unity is a technique mastered by those who exceed their limit."
When the two teams were told to bow to each other, Kaori glanced at Naomi. The two captains' gazes intensified while Kaori glanced at the first year student who had brought Hyotei their victory.
"Where did you find that monster?" Kaori snorted at Naomi while pointing at a smiling Shizuru.
Naomi, despite being irritated, spoke gently to the rattled captain. "She's not a monster; don't you ever call her that. There's something that Shizuru has something that Souma-chan will never have."
"Oh, what would that be?" Kaori raised an eyebrow to the Hyotei captain.
Fuuka noticed a change in her captain's demeanour. She didn't understand what Naomi meant about Shizuru having something she didn't have because as far as Fuuka was concerned, Shizuru and she had the same level of talent. The only difference they had was year level and age. Fuuka then began looking everywhere. What was it that she didn't have?
Flashback End
Fuuka never understood what that meant. Naomi became very cryptic that only Shizuru understood what she was saying. It pissed her off that Shizuru had the same gentle demeanour as Naomi but what was it that the two were talking about? The Teni Mu'ho was something that only the Samurai Nanjirou had unlocked and he didn't even need to do anything. What did he do? What did Shizuru and he do that she didn't?
"Tezuka-kun," Fuuka nudged the taller captain. "You know about Teni Mu'ho right?"
Tezuka nodded when the third year female glanced blankly at the floor. "Do you know how to get it?"
Although he wished he did, Tezuka actually had no clue on how to earn the technique. He only went as far as the pinnacle that could double his returns; other than, there was nothing. Tezuka noticed the uneasiness in Fuuka's eyes when he didn't reply.
"I'm sorry," Tezuka shook his head. "I don't know."
Fuuka bit her lip and heard another shot explode from the other side. A loud cheer erupted from that side while Fuuka started moving towards the source. She wanted to see whether or not she'll meet Hyotei Gakuen in the finals. Taking down Hyotei had been her goal ever since she had become captain.
That must be the Doubles One pair of Hyotei, her smile became a frown. They're getting strong and Mouri-Tashiko isn't getting anywhere. I'm not getting anywhere for that matter! No matter how hard I've trained – there's something that Kurenai has that I don't! What is that key component that I need? Would Shibuya have it?
She glanced at the first year student who skipped along happily in front of Echizen playing with his cap and all. Biting her lip, Fuuka continued walking when Vera handed her a soda.
"Still in deep thought about that day, aren't you?" Vera ruefully smiled.
Popping the soda can open, Fuuka downed it in one go. "You think? Think about it: Kurenai's been totalizing Seigaku when she first stepped on the court! Kaori-buchou played against her in Kantou and couldn't even lift a finger against her! I may have defeated Kotetsu-san but it's the level of Kurenai's power that's pissing me off!"
Everyone stared at Fuuka's outburst while Oishi smiled. "Well, I'm sure you'll find a way."
"Yeah," Fuuka murmured while glancing at her hand. "Maybe…"
She recalled using every bit of skill she had to plaster down the current Hyotei captain. The girl lost three games out of anxiety but took the next six from her as if it was like taking candy from a baby. Shizuru's eyes glinted with pure…joy of simply playing the game.
Wait, is that what I lack?
Fuuka shook her head. No, that can't be it. The Seigaku captain beckoned her teammates to follow after her. "We're going to watch the Hyotei team. We're going to do a little data gathering."
Fuji glanced at Tezuka. "Saa~, do you want to watch as well?"
"It's quite refreshing after playing against St. Rudolph," Fuji glowered at the thought of seeing Mizuki again; how he wanted to rip the man's innards out.
"Ah," Tezuka simply went the same direction Fuuka was going.
"Game, Kobayagi-Getsugan: five games all!"
Otohime stared incredulously at the two instantaneously caught up after a five minute break. The heat slowly cooled down and Ume couldn't believe that Kiyone could still move at the same speed as she did in the heat. The volleys actually zoomed past her and she could play at the no man's land for a baseline shot. Ayane's shots just became stronger after screaming at Atobe AGAIN. The regulars knew that this was the perfect way to get Ayane's stress off her shoulders: get her to fight with Atobe and then play tennis.
"That formula usually works," Hitomi scribbled down. "After screaming once again at Atobe, Kobayagi-chan's power has no increased by forty nine percent."
Momo shrugged. "Well, after seeing that racquet fly off for the twentieth time – I think we should do that more often."
"You mean bring Atobe to the games?" Run clung on to Haruka like always. "Well, I have to admit – that technique does work."
Haruka shrugged while cleaning her ear. "Well, I guess that's true. I mean – Ayane just blew a hole in the wall with that power. Are her brothers a bunch of wrestlers or something?"
"Well," Hitomi opened her notebook. "Ayane has five brothers – two who are doctors and the other three who are athletes. She also has two sisters who are more of the business world. Her eldest brother, Kobayagi Sai is a UFC champion for the past five years; the second eldest Ozuma is a WWF calibre wrestler and Keiichi is a body builder. The last two are twins Soujirou and Kou are physical doctors: one is an orthopaedic and the other one is a physical therapist."
"Damn," Momo winced at the descriptions. "Her brothers must be able to lift cars by now."
Isane couldn't imagine the size of Ayane's brothers. "I bet they must be taller than Kabaji-kun."
The seniors couldn't believe what they imagined. All they could imagine about Ayane's brothers were big, bulky, muscle-bound and sweaty. The five seniors shuddered at the mere thought and turned away to continue watching the match.
Kiyone happened to overhear their conversation, restraining her laughter. She had gone to Ayane's house a lot of times for homework in Physics and Latin. Her brothers were actually the lean mean fighting machines except Ryoka since it was required to be big and buff. They were actually very big hearted and well, worrywarts since Ryoka tended to do a couple of suplex moves in a single wrestling match. Most of the time – they'd worry on how he's going to keep his back straight and all.
"Yane-Yane," Kiyone volleyed again towards Ume. "You think we should bring your brothers to show and tell next time?"
"Yeah," Ayane laughed while slamming another shot past the two girls. "Then everyone's going to think that Hercules, Atlas and Titan were my brothers!"
Ume snorted while letting out sigh. "How did they beat my Plasma Slicer so easily?"
"Getsugan threw her entire body forward to hit it when it touched the floor so she can scoop up the shot," Otohime explained while recalling Kiyone rolling on the floor. "Sure it was a lob but Kobayagi pretty much set up the point."
Ume snorted when Kiyone began her service. The shot flew at the letter T again when Otohime returned it with a sharp shot to the left. Ayane covered for the smaller girl and dropped it over to Ume when the girl exploded it back to Kiyone, sending the girl far back again.
How I wish that girl would gain a little more weight, Ayane snorted while shaking her head disdainfully.
"Love – fifteen," Kiyone dusted her skirt again.
"You alright," Ayane noted when Ume would be the one to receive.
"Yeah," Kiyone put two thumbs out. "Nothing bad happened! I just flew into a wall!"
Ayane counted her fingers. "Yes, you flew into a wall TEN times now!"
Kiyone shrugged while rubbing my head. "I'm still alive and kicking, see?"
Ume nudged Otohime. "Do you think we're playing them too hard, Mikurahara-senpai?"
"We're doing fine," Otohime put her hand on the girl's shoulder, smiling. "Just blow up Kobayagi and Getsugan with your attacks."
Otohime moved towards the service line to receive Kiyone's spinning serve. The shot bounced away from Otohime's face causing the said girl to run all the way back to backhand it to Ayane. Seeing it flash towards her, Ayane exploded the shot towards Otohime while Ume lunged forward to receive the shot. The shot limply smacked the top of the net but Kiyone lunged forward to lob it over. Otohime jumped high and with a straight smash, the shot exploded throughout the court.
"Love – thirty," Kiyone served towards Ume again who exploded the shot backwards.
"Love – forty," the people couldn't believe how one sided this match was becoming.
Hitomi closed her notebook while shaking her head. "They're getting pummelled."
"This is the first time they're going to lose in an interscholastic tournament," Isane smiled cheerfully. "Well, it's understandable. Everyone's bound to fall someway, somehow."
Ayane returned the shot with an exploding forehand with Ume returning it with the same power. Kiyone and Otohime got involved with a very fast rally until one flew all the way back for a baseline shot which Ayane promptly exploded towards Otohime. The captain, dodging the shot, allowed Ume to hit it who fired the shot towards Kiyone. The little girl did a one eighty split on the floor and recovered again while Ayane summoned all the power she had for an explosive Kotsubushi no Katana.
"Fifteen – forty," the ball sent Ume's racquet to the wall.
Kikumaru clung onto Oishi while watching Ume flex her wrist to ease the pain. "Hoi, hoi, that's really ouchy, unyah~!"
"Yeah but I'm glad Ayane-chan's doing her best," Oishi sheepishly scratched his head though still wondering where that monster strength came from. "Go for it, Ayane-chan!"
Ayane nodded while giving him a thumbs up. "Thanks for the encouragement, Oishi-kun!"
Atobe, growling inwardly, turned away from how friendly Ayane could be to the people. How she did that even befuddled his Insight ability and Atobe hummed mournfully to himself to knock the thoughts out. However, no matter how much he had tried to ban it away from his mind.
The jealousy wouldn't leave.
Annoying Seigaku vice captain, Atobe inwardly cursed while glaring holes into the unaware vice captain. If only she knew, ore-sama swears – that vice captain would have been in pieces by now! How could she be so friendly to our rival school and at the same time, hate ore-sama for nothing while like him for anything? The thought of it is simply…!
"Infuriating," Oshitari cut into Atobe's thoughts. "See, how it feels when you like someone and her eyes are someone else?"
"In your case," Atobe hummed coldly. "It's something else. Kurenai has no brain for romance, you know that."
"I know," the kansai prodigy shrugged. "I'll just have to work hard. By the way, what's this majestic plan you have for Kobayagi?"
"You'll see," Atobe smirked when Kiyone's shot clipped the net while falling to the other side.
"Thirty – forty," the crowd couldn't peel their eyes off the match.
Ayane, breathing heavily, saw Kiyone slowly stabilize herself in any way possible. The smaller girl swung left and right, nearly collapsing on the floor while exchanging places with her. Ayane couldn't believe that Ume had forced the small girl down so quickly.
Unless, Ayane thought sourly. This had always been their main objective.
"Actually," Otohime slung her racquet on her shoulder. "I'm surprised that Getsugan is still moving around. She has spades of guts, that's for sure."
Ayane's eyes widened; the two of them had fallen without realizing it. Kiyone may have the speed but the stamina and the heat was something that wasn't considered yet. Kiyone preferred biting til she couldn't but Ayane realized that in this weather – there was no way they'll be able to keep their consistency until they unlock the Synchro. Problem is – did they have enough energy for it?
Kiyone's panting and exhausted expression showed otherwise.
"Even if we did unlock the Synchro," Ayane murmured to herself when she got ready to receive the next serve. Ume then stopped serving when Ayane turned back to see Kiyone staring straight into the sky at the front lines.
"Kiyone," Ayane went forward to tap her awake but the said girl collapsed on the floor.
"Oi," Otohime went past the net while Ume jumped over to check if Kiyone was okay.
The Hyotei team surrounded the smaller girl while she took in huge gasps of air. Ayane bit her lip guiltily; they prolonged the game and forgot all about the heat. No wonder Kiyone hit the floor.
"It's just fatigue," Isane inquired. "I don't think she's going to last…"
"Let alone get up," Momo slung Kiyone over her back. "We'll have to forfeit."
"Game and match by default: Mikurahara-Yanagisawa!"
When Otohime slid past Shizuru, she put a hand on the second year's shoulder. "You chose a good successor."
Shizuru raised an eyebrow when Otohime smiled. "She would have collapsed awhile ago if she didn't have that kind of willpower."
Watching the St. Rudolph captain walk away, Shizuru smiled faintly. She knew that this was Kiyone's first time to play in blazing heat and she held pretty well despite it. Looking up, Shizuru saw Seigaku while Fuuka remained calm despite the collapse of Doubles One. Next to Fuuka stood Tezuka who seemed as expressionless as ever while Ayane slumped on the bench.
"Yeesh," Ayane slapped a wet towel on her face. "I hate heats like this!"
Hitomi pulled out her racquet while heading towards the court. "Well, I'm about to play."
"Alright," Shizuru nodded while checking the temperature. "Pace your strength so you don't lose consistency."
While Ayane was splattered on the bench, Atobe approached her while handing her a bottle of orange soda. "This will help, get it."
Ayane lifted off the towel and grabbed it. "What do you want, mole diva? If you're trying to piss me off then, you got me at the wrong time."
"Ore-sama wanted to ask if you're in the mood to do something else for a change," Atobe smirked while watching Ayane's flabbergasted expression.
"Since when have you cared?" Ayane gaped at the senior captain. "What's this all of a sudden? Go ahead and laugh in my face!"
"Ore-sama has no reason to," Atobe chose words carefully in order to not make a scene. "Kurenai, I'll borrow your vice captain for a minute."
"Take care of her," Shizuru smiled faintly.
Ayane knew that her buchou was also in on this. "Buchou, don't leave me with this arrogant monkey king! You know I can't stand him! Please buchou!"
"You're ignoring her," Mai whispered to the captain who simply nudged her back.
"Well, it's about time he made a move," Shizuru laughed softly while hearing Ayane's protests fade in through the background.
Hitomi on the other hand faced against St. Rudolph's tensai, Third Year Student Kyouza Keika. The St. Rudolph tensai tied her long pink hair into three pony tails while smirking with her hexagon shaped racquet. That piqued interest for the data player who had rarely seen people use a hexagon shaped racquet. However, she had seen people use Octagon shaped racquets and most of them, were control specialists.
"Eight percent that this girl is a control specialist," Hitomi went over to the net to shake hands and decide the service.
"Hitomi-chan, what a pleasant surprise," the tensai smiled gleefully. "I didn't know you chose tennis now."
"Sou dana," Hitomi noted while looking at her racquet, placing it on the ground. "Pick: smooth or rough?"
Keika shrugged while tossing back her pink hair. "Well, down to business as always now aren't we – I pick rough."
The data girl smirked. "There's a ninety five percent chance that it would be smooth."
Fair enough, Hitomi's calculations were dead on. The data girl picked up the racquet and readied her service. "It's time to win this for Hyotei so Shizuru won't have to worry anymore."
-That's chapter 19! Please review!