(I don't own Prince of Tennis except my OC! The entire female Hyotei Team belongs to me!)
Chapter 22 – Unleash the Dragons
"So," Rin picked up her racquet while watching Haruka stretch her legs. "We're next now, right?"
"Mm hm," Haruka stretched her arms straight up before following Rin to the court. "Well, be prepared for anything. Ino's more or less like me except more… vengeful."
"Doubles One up next: Hyotei Gakuen's Hikifumi Haruka-Shimohi Rin against Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu's Hikifumi Ino-Tsumugari Yukino! Please come to the court," the arbiter called out the two pairs.
Walking to the court, Haruka found Ino standing next to another girl with long orange hair like Ayane. Unlike the freshman however, this girl wore buns tied up with pink ribbons while she had this big cheery smile on her face and she wasn't made up of muscle. Rin leaned over and began examining her left and right until pinching her cheeks.
"Kuwee~," Rin pinched her cheeks. "She's so kawaii! I bet you're a first year! Don't you think she's cute too, Haru-chan?"
"Ah," Haruka sheepishly scratched her head until she heard his sister scoff at her.
"Please," Ino rolled her eyes. "You don't act like that when you're around mom and dad!"
Haruka glared back at her younger sister. "I never understood what your problem is!"
"Simply put," Ino pointed her racquet at her older sister. "You were always daddy's favourite! The family loved you to bits while they blamed mom and me for making their lives miserable!"
"What's it with your attitude!? I never blamed you for anything," Haruka clenched her fist, glaring even deadlier than before. "You sound worse than Momo when she has bad hair day! At least she tries to beat her cousin and puts the past behind her! You on the other hand – drag even an innocent first year into these issues!"
Rin held Haruka's shoulders. "Kuwee, don't kill her yet! We still have a game to play!"
"Keh," Ino turned around, scoffing again. "We'll take the gold this time. Your captain won't have any chance against mine! As far as I'm concerned, your captain's nothing more than a whiny bean sprout!"
Haruka bit her lip while watching Ino walk away. What she didn't understand was why she thought Kiyone was the captain of Hyotei when Shizuru's skill clearly exceeded the smaller girl's. Maybe she saw her when she was still first year, Haruka thought before moving to the baseline, coldly glaring at her sister.
"Haruka's always been easily rattled by Ino," Hitomi began explaining to the other members. "Ino and Haruka always performed the dragon dance in the family Shinto shrine and people would actually pay them for it. Their grace attracted even other dragon dancers from China and other districts of Japan. They even entered contests and won. However, the father never approved of Haruka's involvement in the dance and blamed the mother and younger sister for her interest when clearly – Haruka just had the talent for it."
"So," Momo raised an eyebrow, pointing at the cold war between the two Hikifumi sisters. "How did it evolve into something like that?"
Hitomi tilted her glasses up. "Haruka's father wanted Haruka to take business related subjects so she could run the Hikifumi Trade Corporation. In order to keep her focused however, he had to make her hate dancing and make her believe that she was better in business and better than her sister."
"Where's Hikifumi-san's involvement in all this?" Kiyone peeked from the rail below the bleachers; she sat next to Shizuru who took the coach's bench a few moments ago.
"Ino was the one talented in math," Hitomi noted while opening her notebook. "Haruka clearly sucks at dealing with validity and geometric functions. Statistics never became her forte either thus; the father spent so much money on Haruka to make sure he kept her mind occupied. All those math enrichment classes became constant to the point Haruka lost her rhythm. Because of this, the sister was blamed for Haruka's sudden confusion on what to do. The mother defended the younger but was silenced during family councils. Her family believes in cutthroat business and that the world isn't kind towards female CEOs hence Haruka's intense training."
"The match is starting," Shizuru looked towards the court where Ino began her service.
Glaring at her sister, Ino bounced the ball up and down before picking a place where to send it. The doubles play somewhat gave her a déjà vu about the thing between Haruka and her yet, she didn't want to admit that she missed it. However, Ino started growling when she saw Rin at the net where she used to be. Ino wanted it to be like old times; when it was for fun, her sister took baseline while she did the net. But, the moment she glanced at Haruka – Ino remembered why she was so angry with her to begin.
"Here it comes," Ino fired a fast serve towards her older sister.
Haruka dashed to one side, returning it with the Dragon's Tail. Seeing it run linear, Yukino returned it with a soft volley but had to meet up with Rin's acrobatic play. Ino cross courted it back to Haruka who fired it back with a double fisted backhand. Yukino corned Rin in every direction which pissed the black haired acrobat to no end. However, she noticed that the match soon became between only Haruka and Ino. Rin slid over while glancing at Yukino who wobbled towards the front of the net.
"You made it into a Singles match for Ino to deal with Haru so you could wear me out easy," Rin tossed her black hair away from her face. "That way, my Insight would be rendered useless and Haruka would be forced to play Singles against you and Ino."
Yukino clapped her hands with her chubby cheeks puffing up. "Aww, I didn't know you'd figure it out that fast!"
"Well, unfortunately for you – I've got Insight, frosh," Rin moved away from the net when she saw a lob coming in.
"Love – fifteen," Rin performed Kikumaru's specialty: Kikumaru Beam which exploded on the doubles line.
Rin landed on the ground while glancing at Haruka. "Well, that wasn't so bad."
Haruka nodded while the two high fived each other. She glanced back at Ino who stolidly walked back to the baseline to serve. However, something else caught Haruka's eye and that was the position of the racquet.
"You were never left-handed," Haruka looked up at her younger sister who smirked.
"I did this without your help, stupid sister," Ino spat while tossing the ball into the air. "You're about to see something that I made personally to get rid of your partner!"
The serve zoomed towards Rin but vanished the moment it sailed over the net. Rin began scrambling for the ball until it bounced up from below, knocking her under her chin. Stumbling back, Rin managed to stay standing but glared back at Ino who simply yawned as if it didn't mean anything. Rin rolled up her sleeves until Haruka shook her head.
"Forget it, it's not worth blowing steam all over for," Haruka held her racquet out in front of Rin. "I'll handle this."
"Fifteen all," Haruka moved to the baseline while glancing at her sniggering younger sister.
Ino was never like this, Haruka thought while sadly looking at her racquet. We always wanted to believe that there would be no competition between us. Nothing would make us hate each other but then – why did it end up this way? Why did dad encourage competition anyway? Baka oyaji, it's his fault we're like this now.
"Haru, look out," Rin lunged back to send the ball back.
Haruka stepped back, shocked when Yukino scored with a drop shot up front.
"Thirty – fifteen," Ino and Yukino exchanged a high five while Rin crashed on the ground, face kissing the clay court.
"Ptui," Rin dusted her mouth. "Clay tastes like rotten gummy bears without sugar!"
"Are you okay? I am so sorry," Haruka helped her doubles partner up. "I didn't see it coming!"
Rin pouted impishly then flicked her doubles partner's forehead. Stumbling, Haruka stared at her doubles partner incredulously before the black haired acrobat began laughing.
"Ow," Haruka snorted at Rin. "Hey, what's the big deal?"
"Stop being so stiff," Rin folded her arms impishly. "You look like that prissy vice captain from Rikkai Dai! Or worse," –she gasped with widening eyes. "You could be the second statue of Seigaku!"
Stifling her laugh, Haruka tried to glance at her sister to glare again but couldn't. Momo happened to overhear it and turned away to suppress her laughter. Shizuru sighed into her hand; why did they have to insult Sanada-san in order to get a good laugh? Tezuka-san was another but she decided to let it go; even though it was really insulting. Haruka had become stolid throughout the game and nearly lost her rhythm with Rin in order to deal with her sister. Shizuru changed her mind; she decided to let them go despite her wanting them to run laps for each insult.
"Ready to beat them," Haruka smirked at Rin. "We're not going to let them take the gold now, are we?"
Rin bounced up and down before landing at the baseline with a somersault. "You betcha we won't!"
Ino fired her left handed serve again. "This serve is called the Uppercut Serve. Think you can get past that?"
Rin sidestepped and forehanded the ball while Yukino volleyed towards Haruka. Slicing it down, Haruka exchanged places with Rin while Ino backhanded it cross court. Narrowing her eyes, Rin lunged for the next drop shot lobbed it a few inches above the net. Yukino rushed in with a backhand against Haruka who absorbed her strength using the Dragon's Retaliation.
"Why are all these first years so strong!?" Haruka shook her head disbelievingly while doing another Dragon's Retaliation. "Ayane, yes – I understand but this girl is mostly flab!"
Yukino hissed before exploding the ball. "Shut up! I'm just chubby," her eyes began to water comically.
Rin volleyed from between her legs. "Well, start running, donught! Otherwise, you're not going to win this game!"
"You meanie," Yukino began to burst into tears while volleying towards the acrobat. "I AM NOT FAT! I'm just a little chubby…"
Ino forehanded the ball towards Rin who dodged it to let Haruka backhand it back at her. "You Mata Hari, stop calling her fat!"
"Donught's a term for endearment," Rin squeaked before volleying it again.
Haruka sighed while shaking her head disbelievingly. "Yes and lady longlegs isn't," she deadpanned when Rin spouted steam from her ears. "Gakuto always calls you that and he says it's a term of endearment! He even thinks you're a cannibal!"
"He dunked his head into radioactive goo! It's not my fault," Rin smashed the ball towards Yukino.
The Taishaku pair stared incredulously at the Hyotei pair. They were squabbling like small children but playing as if they knew what each thought. Rin followed a different pattern but it seemed to coincide perfectly with Haruka's. Ino forehanded towards Rin again until it finally hit her on what formation they were using.
That's the Dragon Dance, Ino slightly trembled before returning the shot in a shallow direction. But, but, how did she learn it so fast? That was something that took me months!
Rin soared up in the air before giving a devastating backhand smash, "Thirty – all!"
"Tch," Ino snorted before turning away from Rin. I can't believe she adapted that fast.
"The Insight is sure a big help," Rin caught her breath before giving Haruka the receiving end. "If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have seen through the service."
"Your jaw okay?" Haruka checked Rin's pinkish swelling chin. "You look like a gangster hit you with a ten pound barbell."
Rin gave her a thumb up. "I know, but it's nothing! Ayane hits harder!"
Ino and Yukino stared quizzically at her before beginning their service again. Haruka forehanded the shot towards Yukino but she managed to volley it in between Rin's legs. The black acrobat however volleyed it back and reacted to the second volley with ease. Ino lobbed it to the baseline but Haruka backhanded it back towards her.
"I must say," Ino smirked before forehanding it back at Haruka. "You've gotten pretty synchronized with Rin."
"I have to," Haruka cockily grinned at her younger sister. "I'm the play maker after all! Besides, this game isn't just for me! It's for Hyotei and for the team! You guys are only two on the court but for us, we're nine!"
Rin jumped up in the air. "Tribute to my kohai: Getsugan Rocket!"
"Forty – thirty," Yukino stumbled back from the explosion of the Getsugan Rocket.
Ino fired another serve. "Hmph, as if that's even possible!"
"We're never just two or solo, Ino," Haruka smirked while preparing a Dragon's Tail. "Everyone always has something to contribute!"
"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi pair: one game to love!"
On the other court, Seigaku didn't have an easy a time as Hyotei. Rokkaku brought out their best doubles pair and despite the calibre Fuuka had trained them in, they barely managed to escape defeat. Enma and Midori attacked with a double poach, confusing the two Rokkaku players and bringing them down to a finish.
"Game, Tashiko-Mouri pair: seven games to six!"
Rokkaku and Seigaku were only in their Doubles Two match. The four players shook hands before reporting back to their coaches. Ryuuzaki-sensei congratulated them for a job well done but Enma and Midori brushed the compliment aside and turned to Fuuka for comments.
"That was lame," Fuuka noted sourly. "You could have taken them six games to three and yet you played around with them! Hyotei would crush you in an instant if you did that against them!"
Ryuuzaki-sensei sighed at Fuuka's criticism while the two hung their heads. Obviously, the two girls were not Nationals Calibre like Fuuka but they were getting there on their own. Midori's flexibility increased after heavy training and Enma's control and accuracy doubled. She couldn't understand why Fuuka was so determined to crush Shizuru when the second year merely enjoyed the game. Yukimura Ai also became a victim of Souma Fuuka's aggressiveness considering she trained herself under her older brother to make sure Seigaku wouldn't go wild. However, when she glanced at Fuuka – somehow she saw something else in the eyes of the Seigaku captain.
Tezuka's acceptance huh, Ryuuzaki-sensei sighed to herself. Every girl seems to throw herself at his feet. I'm amazed he hasn't gotten an ego as big as Atobe's.
However, she noticed that Tezuka's eyes didn't look at the game anymore and was glancing at the other court. Echizen handled Singles Three pretty well so, there was no need for Tezuka to glance much there except when to taper down Echizen's arrogance but other than that – Tezuka's eyes were glancing at something else. A loud chant came from the Hyotei side and Ryuuzaki-sensei merely shook her head. Now, she could see where this whole rivalry was going.
Fuuka and Shizuru were fighting over the same man or rather – Fuuka put up a fight between her and Shizuru. Tezuka, being the captain and boy he was, didn't seem to care or was completely dense for that matter.
However, what made her rethink her statement was how protective the Regulars of Hyotei are. Oshitari glared holes into Tezuka without the boy noticing and Shishido looked like he wanted to sock the captain but was prevented by his doubles partner who looked a bit concerned. Shizuru's performance also reflected what she thought about men: absolutely nothing at all. Fuuka on the other hand focused more on defeating opponents rather than the fun of it.
"Doubles One: Seigaku's Jerrard-Ryuuzaki pair versus Rokkaku's Yumichika-Kusajishi pair," the arbiter called. "Please come to the court immediately."
Vera mounted her racquet over her shoulder, beckoning Sakuno to follow her. "Shall we show them what we mean by Diamond Pair of Seigaku?"
Sakuno nodded earnestly, following after her, "Hai, Vera-senpai!"
Ryuuzaki-sensei chuckled a bit when she saw her granddaughter quickly follow after Seigaku's vice captain. Sakuno and Vera became very well known despite the younger girl being more amateurish than the other. Vera had quite the playmaking skills and Sakuno dealt most of the damage. Many of the schools were shocked by Sakuno's sudden appearance and even Echizen couldn't help but stare at Sakuno's improvement.
I'm glad Sakuno has made quite the improvement, Ryuuzaki-sensei watched the other two girls move in. Vera certainly put some backbone into Sakuno now.
The Rokkaku girls trembled while making their way towards Sakuno and Vera. They extended their hands for the courtesy handshake but were surprised by Sakuno's politeness. Vera on the other hand glared at them as if she wanted to eat their heads off.
"I hope we have a good match," Sakuno bowed with an innocent smile.
Vera pointed her racquet at them. "So, is this all Rokkaku has to offer?"
Again, Fuuka sighed into her hand. Vera, I swear will be the death of me…
Vera needs to check her attitude soon, Fuuka thought while glancing at the court as she saw Sakuno take the service. Though I'm impressed by Sakuno's progress, if she continues – Getsugan Kiyone would be in for it. Ran-chan's good enough to plaster Sanada, Midori and Enma are nowhere close to the Dragon Pair, Yamaguchi's data and Amagi's data are very consistent so, it's just me and the Contrast pair. Why is it I can't get stronger? No matter what I do, the Teni Mu'ho remains locked up! I even asked reference from Tezuka-san and Echizen! They're the two best players on the boys' team! Why can't I do the stupid move!?
Ryuuzaki-sensei saw the frustration flicker in the captain's eyes, sighing.
Fuuka, the secret's right under your nose. It's something Kurenai had. You notice how she brightens up in a game?
"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi pair: two games to one!"
Rin now held service when Yukino now was at the back to receive. Rin fired the Twist Serve but Yukino hit it before it bounced up. Haruka backhanded it towards her sister who received it a funny shot that swerved around the pole. Rin lunged forward to receive and would have missed if Haruka didn't react on time.
"That was the Boomerang Snake like that Kaidoh guy," Rin recalled the game between Hitomi and Isane with Inui and Kaidoh. "I didn't know your sister could do it!"
Ino did another Boomerang Snake. "Well, that's where the Dragon's Tail came from, right?"
Haruka forehanded it back with a bit more force. "Truthfully speaking, yes – the Dragon's Tail was made for that purpose. Its main purpose was to counter tricky shots like the Habu and the Boomerang Snake by making it spin in the other direction but, I never tried it against the Habu. Mai's counter focused more on terminating the spin completely."
Yukino jumped for a smash but Rin lobbed it up again. Ino sent a flying forehand towards Haruka who ground smashed it for the win.
"Fifteen – love," Haruka smirked before high fiving her doubles partner.
"Fifteen – all," Yukino volleyed it over past the Twin Dragons.
Rin gained back the point with an overhead smash, "Thirty – fifteen!"
Slapping the ball over, Ino sent it as a cord ball towards Rin, "Thirty all!"
Haruka fired the ball straight over, right on the doubles line corner, "Forty – Thirty!"
Yukino returned Rin's normal service while Haruka started off with a flat backhand towards Ino. Sliding over to another side, Ino forehanded it towards her older sister who cross-courted it to Yukino. Rin lunged for Yukino's volley while Ino backhanded it towards Haruka again. Rin slid across the court but managed to volley it back to Ino who changed target to her again. Rin volleyed against the two Taishaku players while Haruka waited at the baseline. However, Rin dodged one volley and Haruka slammed it back with a forehand.
"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi pair: three games to one!"
Ino, tossing her strawberry blonde hair back, sauntered to the baseline. Thinking up of a new strategy always set her towards a dead end since Rin easily covered up for Haruka's mistake or vice-versa. Picking up the ball, she began her service again while Haruka returned it without straining herself. Yukino covered up for Ino while Rin returned it with a fast volley, resulting to Ino tripping over and sending a lob shot. Haruka soared up and fired the shot straight down with an echoing smash on the court.
"Love – fifteen," Haruka slid back, smirking at her younger sister.
"Sheer dumb luck," Ino sliced it down towards the corner, making it curve in a ninety degree angle.
"Fifteen all," Rin rubbed her eyes before looking for the ball.
"Where did it go?" Rin began looking around when she saw the ball in Ino's hand. "But, how did you do that kind of shot!? That's almost humanly impossible!"
Ino tossed her hair back, grinning at the Hyotei pair. "It's something I picked up. You guys won't get past me and Yukino!"
"Thirty – fifteen," another ninety degree curve shot entered the court.
Haruka performed her Dragon's Tail, "Thirty all!"
"Forty – Thirty," Yukino volleyed past Rin.
"Deuce," Rin managed to somersault and backhand smash the shot.
Snorting and glaring, Ino forehanded it towards Haruka who performed the Dragon's Tail to Yukino. The smaller girl tried to return it only to have it smack into the net.
"Advantage: Hikifumi-Shimohi pair!"
"Screw this," Ino snorted before descending a smash on the two.
"Deuce," Haruka and Rin fell back from the smash.
Haruka dashed to one side, returning the shot with the Dragon's Retaliation. "Advantage: Hikifumi-Shimohi pair!"
They keep getting the advantage, Ino snorted inwardly while sweat poured down her sister's face and hers. If we don't do it now, when will it start?
"Yukino," Ino turned to the younger girl. "The moon and the sun are going to dance!"
Yukino nodded, confusing the Hyotei pair. "Okay, you got it!"
Rin and Haruka exchanged glances. "The moon and the sun are going to do dance?"
Sliding gracefully, Ino lobbed it high when Rin jumped for a smash. Yukino waited for it far and back and forehanded it straight to Haruka. Running down the shot, Haruka volleyed it forward while Ino lobbed it again. Quizzical, Rin smashed it again but Yukino repeated it again. Haruka backhanded it this time to see if anything would change but Ino continued lobbing it again and Rin kept on smashing. Haruka forehanded it this time but Ino continued lobbing it.
"Rin, try volleying," Haruka motioned to her doubles partner.
Firing it cross court, Rin found Yukino backhanding it towards Haruka again. Their strategy didn't change until Haruka saw Rin heavily panting after all that jumping around. She ran for the shot to volley and then defended the net. Without realizing it, Haruka slipped into their trap when the ball zoomed past her.
"Advantage: Hikifumi-Tsumugari pair!"
Rin rushed to one side to return the other ball but fell on her face again.
"Game, Hikifumi-Tsumugari pair: two games to three!"
Haruka and Rin exchanged glances with each other when Ino and Yukino smirked at them. The pink haired control specialist recalled the formation when Rin poked her from the sidelines.
"Did you see what they were trying to do?" Rin cocked her head to the side. "One thing's for sure: I didn't get it."
I didn't see much point in their formation, Haruka bit her lip while watching Ino and Yukino discuss something. All they did was repeat the same thing again and again until…
Then, it finally hit her. They weren't targeting her to begin with.
They were aiming for Rin! They know her stamina stinks, Haruka glanced at her heavily breathing partner.
"You only figured it out now," Ino shook her head, clucking her tongue. "It's a shame that the little chimpanzee," she sneered at the black haired acrobat. "Doesn't have the same amount of stamina as we Hikifumi sisters do, ne, onee-sama?"
Haruka, bristling at the term "onee-sama", glared before walking back to the baseline to begin her service. Tossing the ball, Haruka sent it to the net by accident.
"Net," Haruka breathed in sharply before tossing it again.
Rin saw the nervousness in Haruka's eyes and smiled. Be calm, there's nothing wrong going to happen, Haru-chan!
Haruka nodded but stopped when she saw Ino's eyes light up from one side. She was waving to someone in the bleachers and the moment Haruka turned, it was her mother. She cheerfully waved back to Ino but didn't even notice who her opponent was. Rin saw Haruka's eyes slightly flicker and the serve cracked at increasingly high speed, causing Ino to return it flimsily to Rin. Seeing her chance, Rin volleyed it straight to Yukino who had no time to react.
"Fifteen – love," Haruka prepared for another serve.
"You should keep your head in the game, onee-sama," Ino wiggled her finger while clucking her tongue. "You have to be a role model for your 'beloved' little sister, remember?"
Haruka rolled up her sleeves. "That's it! You're really pushing the issue!"
Rin blocked Haruka. "Hoi hoi, don't get involved like that! We're still in a tennis match Haru-chan, kuwee~!"
Struggling, Haruka quieted down after glaring at Ino for a long time. She also saw Shizuru shaking her head disapprovingly and backed down, glaring even deadlier than the first time.
Why does she have to rub it in every time?
Haruka breathed in to calm herself down before serving again. Instead of a normal one, Haruka's serve curved around on the floor making an irregular bounce. Yukino tried to return it only to fumble over the ball and fall flat on her face. Rin snickered to herself but stopped when she saw Ino glare at her.
"Thirty – love," Haruka got ready for another serve until she saw Rin charge at her.
"Mou~, your imouto is so hidoi," Rin clung onto Haruka, mock-whimpering like a small child.
"It's okay," Haruka ruffled her partner's hair. "She's just being a brat like always."
"Boy," Momo turned to her captain. "I wonder how history produced something like this rivalry."
Hitomi flipped through pages in her notebook. "Traditional families usually have these kinds of conflicts but Haruka barely comes from a traditional family."
Mai checked her watch. "I wonder how long this match is going to take."
"Hopefully, Hikifumi-senpai doesn't let her temper get the best of her," Shizuru sighed before watching Haruka fire another fast serve.
Ino returned it easily and began rallying between her and Haruka. Sliding to one side, Haruka forehanded the shot towards Ino who backhanded it back to her. Yukino and Rin stood there watching their two playmakers play a Singles match and even zipped the ball past them. Rin sat on the court while Yukino leaned against the pole.
"Man," Yukino fixed the strings on her racquet. "Ino-senpai's really making a big deal out of this."
"I'm going to kick Haruka later," Rin rolled her eyes while watching her doubles partner forehand it to Ino who accidentally lobbed it. "I got this one!"
"Forty – love," Haruka saw her doubles partner jump in the air and smash it down straight at Ino.
Ino gaped while Haruka smirked at her. "Well, looks like we're getting ahead right, Rin…?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Rin slapped Haruka across the face. Tears welled up in the black acrobat's eyes while she stomped the ground repeatedly.
"You said – "we're going to win this as a doubles pair!" I don't see that anymore," Rin hiccupped before pulling her hair. "You said that you wouldn't get bothered by something so stupid! But look at what you're doing! If this is the case, I'm not playing doubles with you anymore!"
Haruka, staring and taken aback, hung her head. "I…"
"Time out," Shizuru called from the bench beckoning the two from the court.
Ino and Yukino left the court while Rin and Haruka waited for Shizuru's scolding. Surprisingly, it never came.
"Hikifumi-senpai, you said on that court that we're nine not just two or one right?" Shizuru calmly spoke which gained the senpai's attention.
"Yes, I did," Haruka nodded vigorously. "Why are you asking, buchou?"
"Because," Shizuru stood up, pointing at Haruka's chest. "A doubles pair is supposed to be one person."
Haruka looked at Rin and then at her captain. "I…"
"You're letting Hikifumi-san throw you off course," Shizuru remarked offhandedly. "That's what she wants. After she cracks you, Shimohi-senpai follows after. However, in this case – it's in reverse order."
Haruka didn't say anything while Shizuru placed her hand on Haruka's and Rin's shoulder. "A human cannot function without a mind and limbs. It cannot function on the mind alone and vice-versa. You cannot just chop off one body part to make to isolate the problem. Medically yes, that's possible. But, in nature – that's the worst thing you can do. It applies to tennis in that same way."
Mai glanced at her senpai-tachi's reactions and Haruka couldn't help but smile. Rin stopped hiccupping before turning to her doubles partner. "Rin," –Haruka smiled with newfound determination. "I go low you go high."
Rin brightened up at Haruka's words and clung onto her. "Yay, I have my doubles partner back!"
"To think I thought we dealt with this problem already," Mai glanced at her captain who nodded. "Well, they're getting better now."
"They just got a bit confused," Shizuru smiled when the Dragon Pair returned to the court. "Now, let's hope they won't get rattled again."
"Go Rin-senpai, Haruka-senpai," Kiyone punched the air, jumping up and down. "Beat them both and show 'em what we got!"
Rin smiled cheekily at the smaller girl. "You got it, chibi-chan!"
"I'm not a chibi," Kiyone protested vehemently while Haruka began her service again.
This time, the fast service had accuracy all over it. Yukino stood, whether or not she should return it because it landed straight on the line.
"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi pair: four games to two!"
Haruka smirked at Ino who slammed her fist against the floor. "I should have disrupted your rhythm by now! Why is it you guys can still play like this!?"
"It's just the way we are," Haruka pat Rin on the shoulder who stuck her tongue impishly at the younger Hikifumi. "Besides, it will take more than that to shatter the unity and rhythm of the Twin Dragons!"
"That was our title," Ino spat at the black haired acrobat.
"It was," Rin nodded while smiling cheekily. "You just threw it away."
Yukino marched up to the black haired acrobat. "Don't hurt my senpai like that!"
"Well, it's the truth," Haruka waved her hand dismissively. "Am I right, imouto-sama~?"
Ino slammed her fist against the clay court. "Shut up, you know nothing!"
"Really," Haruka rolled her eyes. "I wonder because I spent half my time with my other half!"
Rin jumped cheerfully while clinging on to Haruka. "Can we get cookie later?"
"One macadamia marshmallow white chocolate cookie coming right up," Haruka pat Rin on the head. "Would you like a mocha frappe with it too?"
"Yay," Rin jumped off while running towards the baseline to receive. "I want chocolate sprinkles too!"
Hitomi sweat dropped at the black haired acrobat. "Doesn't she understand why I made her run one hundred laps?"
"You're going to have to triple her training again," Momo shook her head. "Better yet, lock up the fridge with five padlocks."
"All her candy stash will have to go down the drain," Isane added ruefully. "But, do we have to?"
"Unfortunately," Hitomi clicked buttons on the calculator. "If we want her to maintain her current weight then yes, we have to."
Rin returned another of Yukino's shots with a backhand. Despite a disruption in their rhythm, Rin and Haruka sealed it off as Rin began volleying at higher speeds. Haruka spun the ball on the net line, forcing Yukino to smack the ball exactly on top and give Rin a chance to use her acrobatic play again. Ino dashed behind Yukino to return with a flat shot but Haruka returned it with the Dragon's Tail. Ino fumbled over with a lob, allowing Rin to jump high up in the air.
"Avalanche Driver," Rin slammed it down with increasing speed, causing Yukino to tumble backwards from the impact.
"Love – fifteen," Rin and Haruka gave each other a high five, smiling.
Haruka sent another Dragon's Tail past Yukino, "Love – thirty!"
Ino scored a backhand against Rin who managed to split in time, "Fifteen – thirty!"
"Fifteen – forty," Rin somersaulted with a forehand smash going down.
Ino rushed towards the net with Yukino to volley against Haruka, "Thirty – forty!"
"I'm glad they managed to do it on time," Isane turned to Shizuru kept a strict focus on the game. "Buchou, who will we play against next?"
"Chances are that it will be Rikkai Dai," Hitomi looked through her notebook. "We have to be careful of Inuzuka Miaka. She's…"
"The one who smacked Midoriyama-senpai straight to the head," Momo snorted before watching the match again.
Kiyone peeked from below. "Are you serious, senpai?"
"She's known for her potty mouth though," Momo ruffled Kiyone's hair. "But, she's more dangerous than her doubles partner last year. Most likely, she'll be playing Singles Three."
"You're pretty accurate for someone who doesn't own a data notebook and who failed Calculus," Hitomi opened her notebook and scanned her data.
"I didn't fail Calculus," Momo turned beet red at the mention of the word "Calculus". "I got an 85!"
"Sure you did," Hitomi rolled her eyes. "Why don't we ask Atobe? He's your seatmate."
"N-no," Momo twitched at the sound of that. "I am not getting help from him!"
Shizuru glanced at them. How could they be so noisy in the middle of a match? However, Haruka and Rin's improvement astounded her greatly when she saw a new dance performance by the two. Rin flipped into the air while Haruka defended the lower court. Watching them play as their title depicted looked like there were dragons in the air. Rin represented the Black Dragon while Haruka represented the Pearl Dragon – fire and wind in Chinese Mythology, showing an amazing display of a story. Tennis to them was like a dance performance and Mai also had that similar belief – hence the start of her Jazz Tennis.
"Game, Hikifumi-Shimohi: five games to two!"
Rin and Haruka jumped wildly. "Yeah, we need one more game!"
"Che," Ino growled from one side. "As if I'm going to let you take that game!"
Haruka noticed her sister's eyes change into an amber colour. "Alright, I don't remember you being able to do that."
Rin jumped over to Haruka, hiding behind her. "Wh-what's that?"
"Ino-senpai," Yukino trembled. "Wha-what is that?!"
"Kohryu," Ino's voice sounded more draconic. "I'd like to see what you can do – Heilongjian and Zhujiang."
Haruka bit her lip when Rin poked her. "Who the heck are Heilongjian and Zhujiang?"
"These are famed rivers that were said to be created by the dragons," Haruka explained slowly. "Before I came here to Japan, we stayed in China for a few years and we learned many of the myths there. These myths became the basis of our styles of being the Dragon Dancers. Ino always liked listening to the story of Kohryu, an imperial dragon while I often preferred the River Dragon stories. In this case, Kohryu is a name for her alter ego. She forgets any physical pain and any emotional pain but the only thing in her mind is – to win. She called us Heilongjian meaning "Black Dragon River" since the Black Dragon flew better than the others while the Pearl Dragon was known for the pinkish scales and warm heart."
"I gave up trying to learn Chinese," Rin pulled her hair out. "Please explain in Japanese please!"
"I didn't know Heilongjian became so stupid," Ino smirked while using her more draconic voice. "Well, it's obvious since Zhujiang did all the thinking."
"Yeah right," Rin readied herself at the net. "I'm gonna show you who's stupid, you overgrown lizard in a brat's body!"
"She's not possessed," Haruka sighed into her hand. "Like I said, it's her alter ego."
Seigaku joined up with the girls while they were discussing excitedly about the next match. Midori and Kikumaru were practicing backflips on all sorts of things, Kaidoh and Enma exchanged quite a good amount of notes, Amagi and Inui were deviously discussing about how to beat the next team and how to blackmail their teammates and Fuji teased his other tensai counterpart while Vera and Sakuno returned back with a good score.
"Game and match, Jerrard-Ryuuzaki pair: six games to one!"
Fuuka couldn't help but smile at the outcome. Sakuno did everything that Vera told her and the game turned to out perfectly. Sure, there were times Sakuno fell but those are because she didn't know how to return the shot. However after some coaching from Vera, it was no problem. Sakuno even developed a new technique and Fuuka knew that could be an ace card.
"Souma-san," a deep baritone voice called her. "How is the team progressing so far?"
Fuuka's blood ran cold; she managed to turn around and face Tezuka. "Well, they're doing better than I thought. Sakuno's improving ever since I left her with Vera. The Contrast Pair however needs work and Ran-chan's up next. Is there anything else they need improvement on?"
"Ryuuzaki's footwork sucks," Echizen nonchalantly sipped his Ponta. "There were shots she could have gotten if she sprinted and bent her knees."
Fuuka nodded while slightly glowering. "Yes, I'll tell her that."
Arrogant little brat doesn't understand how long it took us to get her to play like that.
Fuji glanced at his counterpart. "Saa~, I wonder how long it's going to take before this match ends."
"Singles Three will now start: Seigaku's Shibuya Rangiku versus Rokkaku's Hanase Shouko! Please come to the courts!"
The arbiter watched a small girl skip merrily to the courts while the other one was a freakishly tall girl. Rangiku stared up at her opponent with a tilt of her head. The taller girl's eyes narrowed at the smaller girl before spinning the racquet.
"Pick," Shouko stiffly spun the racquet, "Smooth or Rough?"
Rangiku stared at the racquet curiously. "I choose smooth, Giant-san!"
Shouko, twitching slightly, picked up the ball to serve when it landed on rough. Rangiku pranced towards the baseline, further annoying the tall girl. Tossing the ball, Shouko began with a hard service until she found the ball flying back at her twice as strong, fast and destructive to the point her racquet flew out of her hand.
"Love – fifteen," Shouko stared in horror at the smaller girl. Where the hell did that come from?
Rangiku, jumping around again, began glowing with a rainbow coloured aura. "Wow," –she pointed her racquet innocently at Shouko. "What happened to your racquet, Giant-san?"
Shouko scrunched up her nose in annoyance. "Why I oughta plaster you good!"
Another strong service sailed from Shouko's side only to zoom back with the same results except doubled.
"Love – thirty," Seigaku and Rokkaku stared at the power coming from someone who was half their size.
"Fuuka," the captain of Rokkaku turned to her. "Where did you find this girl?"
Fuuka shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I honestly don't remember."
"Love – forty," Shouko flew against the bleachers while Rangiku was still jumping around like a hyperactive child.
Sakuno clung onto Vera, who didn't like the sight of it either. "Fuuka, aren't you going to stop her?"
"That's from her own strength and Shouko's inability to handle it," Fuuka coldly dismissed her Vice Captain. "She's not doing on purpose. If it were, I would have dragged her off the court."
Ryuuzaki-sensei glanced at Fuuka and then at the court. There were so many little girls who had this wild power if she includes the dark horses. However, Rangiku didn't do these things on purpose; in fact – after the match, Rangiku would repeatedly apologize to whomever she hurt. Fuuka did have a point but she knew why the captain didn't stop her: if stopped, Rangiku would become more destructive than she already is. Rangiku became a monster when not given what she wants.
"Game, Shibuya: one game to love!"
Haruka and Rin fell back when a loud explosion came to their side. Rin managed to pull Haruka away before the ball hit her like a speeding bullet. Ino on the other hand didn't seem bothered by the wild explosions her shots were causing but Yukino didn't need to move despite everything.
"Game, Hikifumi-Tsumugari: four games to five!"
She broke Rin's service game without even trying, Haruka struggled to stand up. She's not even trying to run anymore. Wait a minute – what if…
Haruka served the next shot but this time, Ino volleyed it straight towards her. Rin reflected it back while Yukino forehanded it towards Haruka again. Ino's eyes narrowed when Haruka performed the Dragon's Tail and she countered it with the ninety degree drop shot. Rin lobbed it up while Yukino volleyed it towards Haruka again. Dashing towards the side, Haruka sent a cross court shot towards Ino who forehanded it to Rin. The black haired acrobat backhanded it to Yukino who accidentally lobbed it.
"Fifteen – love," Rin smashed the ball straight down with the Avalanche Driver.
Ino didn't show any facial expression but Haruka noticed how limply her sister's arm dangled.
So that's the effect, Haruka winced at her sister's somewhat bludgeoned state. No matter how much she wants to stop, she can't.
Rin poked Haruka who swivelled her head towards the black haired acrobat. "Hey, how do we get her out of her state?"
"That's the hard part," Haruka spun the racquet on the ground. "My sister always had a hard head and this alter ego of hers isn't helping."
"I know, maybe we should conk her on the head the same way Inuzuka conked Midoriyama-senpai on the head," Rin pointed to her head, cheerfully laughing.
Haruka frowned a bit. "I don't think we should make Momo relive that moment."
"Do you have any better plan?" Rin raised an eyebrow at her doubles partner.
Haruka stopped herself from saying yes. "Unfortunately, no – I don't have any clue."
"Then conk her noggin'," Rin pointed to her head again. "I mean – it worked on Midoriyama-senpai!"
"But it had negative effects," Haruka mumbled ruefully when she remembered how bad Momo got affected. "We'll have to find another way around."
Rin dropped her jaw. "B-but, she's gonna beat you black and blue!"
"No she won't," Haruka smirked while extending her hand. "Because we're the Twin Dragons and we hate losing."
Rin nodded while Ino wordlessly stared at the two of them. Yukino shivered behind Ino while Haruka got ready to serve.
We have to win this in one game, Haruka stopped midway before tossing the ball. Ino's different as Kohryu but hopefully, we can break her out of it without having to send her to the asylum. Ino always hated me for some reason and this had to appear out of nowhere. I just hope I can't beat her down without doing much damage. Mom doesn't even look the least bit concerned… I think.
Haruka saw her mom gripping the fence. Oops, she is concerned.
"Hikifumi-san," The arbiter called from the chair. "Please start your service."
"Oh, sorry," Haruka smiled sheepishly, serving quickly towards Ino.
Ino forehanded it towards the corner while Haruka returned it with the Dragon's Tail. Yukino caught it at one side and sent it as a cord ball towards Rin. The black haired acrobat caught up with it and lobbed it right over the net. Grunting, Yukino volleyed it towards Haruka who returned it with the Dragon's Retaliation. However, Ino backhanded the ball towards Rin who slipped backwards due to the impact, letting the ball roll a few inches in front of her.
"Love – fifteen," Rin shook her head, distraught that she was blown back.
"Am I that light!?" Rin squeaked when she saw her shoes have scuff marks from the friction. "It's Hitomi's fault for making me barf!"
"You're not that light," Haruka noted while she looked at Ino's lifeless eyes. "I think it's that she's just that strong."
Yukino tapped Ino's shoulder lightly only to see that her left arm now dangled limply. "Um, senpai – are you okay?"
Haruka closed her eyes, biting her lip. "Her body can't handle what her alter ego is doing to her."
"Screw that," a draconic voice came from one end. "How sure are you!?"
Haruka faced Ino. "Ino, no – Kohryu, your reckless style pushes my sister's body to her limit to the point her muscles are completely strained. She can't move it in the next two games."
"You don't know how much she's trained," Kohryu spat at Haruka. "You barely know your younger sister!"
"Yes, I'm ashamed to realize that however," Haruka stared Kohryu down. "I know her well enough to see how long she lasts with you as her substitute!"
Yukino shivered while Rin and Haruka exchanged glances. "Let's show them what we accomplished in the Nationals last year!"
Rin and Haruka high fived and a new rush of adrenaline controlled their body. Haruka's eyes became more reptilian looking with Rin looking more vicious. Mai stood back horrified at what her senpai changed into. Shizuru didn't look disturbed while Isane clung on to Momo.
"What is that?" Isane shivered behind Momo who couldn't say anything either.
"Haruka and Rin managed to master this when playing against Seigaku's doubles pair last year in the finals," Hitomi scribbled on her notebook. "This is their version of Synchronization: The Punishment of the Jade Emperor."
Haruka and Rin moved rhythmically creating confusion between the Taishaku pair. Ino/Kohryu stumbled back while Yukino couldn't help but freeze every time Rin or Haruka scored a point.
"Game and match, Hikifumi-Shimohi pair: six games to four!"
Haruka and Rin regained their consciousness and gave each other a high five. Walking back to the bleachers, Haruka glanced at her captain only to get an approving look. Rin clung on to her doubles partner, squealing like a small child. Isane giggled a bit while Momo sniggered at Haruka almost falling over because of Rin's weight.
"I was right," Haruka's reply was muffled by the ground. "You're heavy!"
Rin whined. "You don't mean that do you, Haru-chan?"
Mai shook her head while watching Momo come down for Singles Three. "So, who's the next girl you're up against?"
Momo shrugged when she saw the girl. "You know what, I don't know her."
"Singles Three will now begin: Hyotei Gakuen's Sanada Momo versus Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu's Ishida Chie! Please come down to the court!"
Momo, dragging her bag behind her, sighed before glancing at Chie who was at normal build. However, to Momo – she looked like someone she saw before in a manga.
"You look like Oliveria Armstrong," Momo covered her laughter. "I… I'm serious!"
Haruka and Rin face palmed while Isane shook her head. "Good grief, I can't believe she's thinking about that!"
Chie glared back before picking Momo up from her collar. "What were you saying?"
Momo's eyes slightly widened but changed into a smirk. "Hmph, Ayane can do the same thing. You're a million years too early to lift me off the ground just like that."
Momo peeled her fingers open, landing gracefully on her feet. "I told you: you're a million years too early."
"Let's see about that, Sanada," Chie seethed through her teeth.
"One set match," the arbiter declared. "Singles Three will now begin: Hyotei Gakuen's Sanada Momo against Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu's Ishida Chie! Sanada will serve!"
Momo glanced at the court one moment and pulled off a fast serve. Chie exploded it back towards her while Momo swung it with almost invisible speed, causing a whizzing sound near Chie's ear.
"Fifteen – love," Momo picked up the ball to serve again.
"The Oto's pretty dangerous," Hitomi glanced at Momo fire a faster serve. "When received consecutively, it could render a person temporarily deaf."
"I think that's her aim," Mai watched Momo perform the Aoba and then fire a volleyed Oto towards Chie, who keeled over from the shock.
"Thirty – love," Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu stared in shock at the kind of speed Momo displayed; Chie fell backwards while growling at the female Sanada.
"You're pretty good," Chie clucked her tongue before standing up to face Momo. "You're different from that guy in Rikkai Dai."
"Flattery doesn't get you anywhere, whelp," Momo turned away to begin her service again.
But that doesn't mean I'll let you get past me, Chie lowered her stance as Momo fired a faster serve. In response, Chie swung wide and with one hard strike, the ball exploded towards Momo and knocked the racquet out of her hand.
"Thirty – fifteen," Momo gripped her wrist, wincing slightly.
"Hn, not bad," Momo quietly picked up her racquet while getting ready to serve again. "I was wondering when you'll use that strength of yours anyway."
Chie, snorting, returned Momo's fast serve while the Hyotei regular gave Chie a backhand to the corner. Chie returned it explosively with Momo returning it with a fast forehand. Everyone who was watching stared in awe at the speed that the two were playing. Chie exploded another forehand and Momo returned it with ease, completely terminating the power in her shots. Chie sent Momo all the way to the baseline but Momo returned it with the same amount of force.
"I can't believe this rally," Isane stared in shock at the game. "Momo never used to be this intense but now, she's giving it everything she's got."
"Not everything," Haruka noted. "It's more like she's tripling her efforts against Chie."
Shizuru smiled a bit. "Well, I'm glad that Momo-senpai is making good progress. If you noticed, she was the one who always tripled her own training. If we did fifty push-ups, she would do a hundred and fifty. I was afraid that she would crack because of what Echizen did that day and what happened between her and Habernägen-san."
"Momo's reached new heights here," Hitomi scribbled onto her paper. "However, she'll need more control training with the way she's going."
"Game, Sanada: one game to love!"
Momo landed after performing the Sui and Chie picked up for the service. Her dark eyes stared Chie down before returning to the baseline for the return. Twirling her racquet, Momo watched Chie prepare for the shot and began assessing how powerful her serve was going to be.
She may have those swings but, Momo focused on the ball. I doubt her serve can crack the same speed her forehand does.
Chie began her service and when Momo caught it, she could feel her wrist straining badly which forced her to let go of the racquet. "Hmm, didn't see that one coming."
"Maa~, what's wrong? Can't you keep your act in gear?" Chie taunted with a bemusing smirk. "I thought Hyotei girls were supposed to be brutes! I hear one of you is a monster in strength!"
"That's not me," Momo pointed out flatly. "That's my vice captain."
Ino stood up pointing at Haruka. "You're telling me my sister can handle a shot from her?"
"Yes, yes, Haruka can carry five pound barbells," Momo deadpanned at Chie and Ino. "With those arms of hers, do you think she can lift a two pounder? I don't think so."
Chie paled. "So, if you're not the one… then, who's the…?"
"That would be me," a voice came from the bleachers and everyone turned to find Ayane, tapping on the floor.
"You left your boyfriend?" Kiyone raised an eyebrow. "Aww, you're mean!"
Fuming and burning up with embarrassment, Ayane began shaking Kiyone silly. "Why I oughta pull your hair and shove my racquet into your mouth!"
"Waaaah, buchou," Kiyone wailed before hiding behind Shizuru. "Yane-Yane's trying to kill me!"
Chie saw how tight Ayane's arms were compared to most of the girls. "W-wait, she's the one…?"
"She's the one who could send men flying with one punch," Momo smirked and lowered herself for the service. "But don't knock it: I don't do a bad job either."
"Keh," Chie drawled with her kansai accent, serving hard and fast. "Really then, show me what you got!"
Momo drew back past the baseline, preparing for a shot. "Smash like an avalanche, Nadare!"
Many tennis balls appeared in front of Chie until one landed in between her feet. The violet haired Sanada smirked at the dirty blonde female standing on the other side, swinging her racquet onto her shoulder.
"Fifteen all," Momo readied herself for another serve.
Chie fired a faster serve towards Momo who managed to return it this time with a heavy spin, causing it to go in the opposite direction Chie went.
"Fifteen – thirty," Chie snorted at Momo who shrugged nonchalantly at the muscle bound player.
"Thirty all," Chie's serve exploded Momo's racquet away again.
"More or less," Hitomi began looking through her notes. "This game would extend to a seven-six unless Momo breaks one of her service games."
"Momo-senpai, imagine playing Kabaji-senpai," Ayane called out to the violet haired regular.
Momo stared at her aghast. "Do you know how hard that is!? Kabaji hits harder than you!"
"Not really," Hitomi checked the stats between them. "Let's say Ayane's strength is one half of Kabaji's."
Momo felt her jaw drop. "Alright then, I'll just have to make the most of it!"
Chie returned one of Momo's shots. "You're not doing too badly. Though. The one I wanted to challenge was that orangette," –referring to Ayane, "over there."
"Sadly," Momo shrugged while backhanding the next shot. "You got me because she was on a date. By the way, she doesn't play Singles. Ayane's a doubles player."
"Oh well," Chie forehanded a strong shot towards the corner. "You'll just have to do then."
"Thirty – Forty," Momo fired the Nadare towards Chie again.
Chie snorted before serving hard. "You're not breaking my service game, Sanada!"
"Let's bet on that then," Momo smirked as she caught the serve while feeling her strings bend backward. With one hard swing, Momo sent it across the net and landed right on the baseline.
"Game, Sanada: two games to love!"
"I think she already knows that she has to break service games and not let hers get broken," Isane noted at Momo's fierce gaze at the opponent.
Momo, bouncing the ball, gazed back at Chie before performing a wild serve. Her grip tightened while she tossed the ball high up for a fast service. Chie returned it explosively while Momo continued using the Oto consecutively. The shots became less and less visible causing Chie to miss constantly.
"Fifteen – love," Momo scored with another Oto.
"She's not showing any mercy now is she?" Isane sighed, shaking her head disbelievingly. "I suppose all that training did the trick."
"I'm sure of it," Haruka shrugged. "This is the Sanada Momo we have all come to learn and love."
Chie flew back a bit from Momo's Sui smash, "Forty – love!"
Taishaku Fuzoku Chuu looked fearfully at the stern faced female Sanada as she sent Chie's shots back as if they were nothing. Momo dashed to one side and returned it with a flawless backhand, causing Chie to stumble a few times and gain the next point.
"Game, Sanada: three games to love!"
"Geez, what made her so brutal," Ino turned to her older sister, disgruntled by Momo's style of play.
Rin jumped up and down from the bleachers. "Go Momo-chan! Beat 'em down with the Elemental Slayer style!"
Momo saw a lob coming up. "That's exactly what I plan to do!"
The smash exploded on the court, "Love – fifteen!"
Chie managed to send a forehand in, "Love – thirty!"
"Love – forty," Momo backtracked and volleyed it cross court while Chie was left running around to return.
"Their Singles line-up is no match for us," Hitomi sighed before fixing her glasses. "Mai shouldn't even need to use her Jazz Tennis for the game."
"Which is why – I won't," Mai leaned against the bleachers lazily. "Somehow, they weren't even that great a team to begin with."
Shizuru spared Mai a warning glance. "Mai, don't insult people."
"But it's true!" Mai rolled her eyes at the team before popping in a piece of chocolate. "They're not worth our time."
"Game, Sanada: four games to love!"
Momo stood with a dark gaze. "You're not even pouring out everything you got, aren't you?"
Chie smirked before sliding off a long band. "Wow, it took you that long to figure it out?"
"Why do you think I only used four when there are six?" Momo raised an eyebrow at the girl. "You're the one who's a bit slow."
Chie tossed the ball to Momo. "Alright, I'm going to show you my real power. You're going to regret everything you said, Hyotei brat."
"Yet, I'm proud to be one," Momo smirked when she fired a hard service down the line. "Hit me with your best shot!"
Seeing the ball come, Chie delayed the shot and fired it back thrice the speed and impact. Momo caught it but her racquet strings bent back so hard that it snapped into useless threads and the frame came out sort of bent down backwards.
"Love – fifteen," Momo stared incredulously at her racquet. Okay, she wasn't joking.
"I told you: I'm different," Chie sniggered, tossing her pale blonde hair back. "I'm not one of those girls who cry over a broken nail."
"Who isn't in this court?" Momo sauntered to the side to pick out a new racquet.
"Wow, she blew it up," Haruka stared at Momo's disfigured racquet. "I'm surprised your wrist is still alive."
"The shock absorber lessened the pain," Momo glanced at her busted Mizuno racquet. "I didn't expect her to bend the metal."
"We all didn't," Shizuru noted before glancing at her racquet. "Just make sure you don't break this one."
"Hai," Momo nodded sullenly while walking back to the court. Hopefully, this one doesn't bend back either.
Chie fired another shot which Momo volleyed to prevent her racquet from breaking. The bigger girl forced Momo to the baseline again as she began hitting heavy ground strokes that could have sent normal girls flying and crying. Dashing to the other side, Momo backhanded the shot as a cord ball and released the Oto again.
"Fifteen – all," Chie keeled over but stood up again.
Momo, clucking her tongue, rushed forward for the Aoba and Chie forcibly lobbed the shot only to meet the Sui in the end.
"Thirty – fifteen," Chie snorted before receiving Momo's serve again.
"Thirty – all," Momo fell backwards from the heavy shot again.
"Goodness," Haruka winced at how many times Momo rolled backwards. "Momo's turned into an armadillo."
Hitomi began scribbling down. "Ishida Chie is the older sister of Fudomine Chuu's Ishida Tetsu and Shitenhouji's Ishida Gin. Let's say that despite the huge difference in Gin's and her physique – she can send that poor man flying."
Everyone stared at Hitomi incredulously. "Then," Rin gulped. "How is Momo able to return her shots and only rolling back?"
"She's receiving the shot later than normal," Shizuru pointed out. "Look at her wrist."
Mai glanced at Momo's receiving position. "Her arm's straining itself and her wrist's about to give."
Ayane bit her knuckles. "Why didn't you guys ask me to play?"
"We were going to until Atobe asked you out," Rin pointed with a mischievous grin on her face.
"Senpai," Ayane wailed; Shizuru felt her eardrums pop from the volume.
"Game, Ishida: one game to four!"
Hitomi scribbled down on her notes. "Now her real strength comes out."
Momo saw her racquet fly again, "Fifteen – love!"
"Thirty – love," Chie smirked while she saw Momo skidding with her rubber shoes.
"Forty – love," Momo landed against the wall.
Rin bit her fingernails. "Eep, she's taking a beating!"
"Technically, it's not violence," Isane noted. "It's just that… Ishida-san is just that monstrous."
"Game, Ishida: two games to four!"
Momo bit her lip hard while glancing at the racquet. "Her racquet can only hold out for so long…"
"That's not your racquet?" Chie raised an eyebrow at Momo.
"No," Momo smiled bitterly. "It belonged to my senpai before she was driven insane. By the way, don't just stand there – because I'll be serving harder than ever!"
With one toss, Momo served fast and the ball instantly vanished only to appear behind Chie.
"Fifteen – love," Momo got ready for another serve.
Hitomi scribbled down. "Momo has now accomplished the Invisible Serve. Not bad for starters."
"Wait until she finds out that it belongs to the other Sanada," Rin shrugged. "After that, she'll never use it again."
"Thirty – love," Momo fired it again, throwing Chie off guard.
Rin squatted on one of the benches. "Kuwee~, it's so one-sided. Momo's going to finish the git in the next ten minutes by simply serving."
"Don't forget that there's still one more game," Haruka pointed out as Momo took the next game.
"Game, Sanada: five games to two!"
One more game, Momo lowered her stance while the serve zoomed towards her. This time, I will prove to everyone that…
Sanada is no longer above me!
Momo backhanded the ball explosively to the other side while Chie hit it with the double the towering force. Momo forehanded using the Oto but Chie dodged it fast enough to return with a volley. Tapping the ball for the Aoba, Momo drew back a bit farther as Chie fired a ground stroke straight at her. Staring it down, Momo fired a top spin over the net and Chie fired it with a heavier top spin shot.
"Explode like the storm, Arashi," Momo placed a heavy top spin and it zoomed by Chie's ear, causing her to freeze in her tracks.
"Fifteen – love," Chie stood there, frozen and shocked.
The arbiter got off and tapped her a few times but Chie was a statue.
"Game and match by default: Sanada! Singles Two will now begin!"
-That's Chapter 22! Please review or I will not update this!