I didn't want to leave the house today. It was the first day of me officially being manager, but Eiji told me I had nothing to worry about since the whole day was going to be filled with the second and third years trying to fight their way to being part of the regulars. Basically giving us a tournament to make sure we had the best on our team. I received a text while I was getting ready for school. Surprisingly enough, it was from Tezuka. Of course, it was from him. I could only expect what it was about. Why did Eiji give him my number?

Come to our classroom at 7.

Unfortunately for me… that was thirty minutes earlier than the time I planned to get ready. The toothbrush in my mouth fell into the sink… It was thirty minutes to seven now. Suddenly, my body took over me. It somehow convinced my mind that it was important to arrive at school at seven. I started fixing my hair quickly, but ended up missing a few strands of hair. Why was I doing this? Eiji was sitting at the table as I was hurrying downstairs while trying not to trip over my own feet.

"Eimi, good morning!" Eiji yelled. "Why are you in a hurry?"

"I'm sorry; I have to be there early. Running late. I'll see you at practice. I love you, bro." Between my broken sentences were breaths preparing for this next quick run to school. I put my ankle brace on and crammed toast in my mouth. I was surely going to choke as I ran and ate, but I was desperate for food. I rather eat on the run, than pass out on my way to school.

I was at the last stretch toward school. Most of the teachers didn't seem to be on school grounds yet. I saw Tezuka's death glare from the entrance. He was standing at the window of our class room… Ugh… it was a few minutes after 7… I had a feeling something was going to happen now. I kept glancing at him, though. Small flashbacks of my dream kept popping up. It made me uneasy because I wasn't sure if it was a memory or just fantasy. I don't know how to react, and it scares me.

I hurried to the classroom. When I saw him looking at me, it was hard to see him as the boy that I once knew, the boy that once smiled at me every day. If I was in love with the boy in my dreams a long time ago, then the grown up person in front of me was not the one I fell in love with. I took off my ankle brace before going in the class room.

"Twenty laps…"

"Um… what?" I was almost disgusted. I was completely aware of how Tezuka led his team… I did not sign up for physical fitness.

"Twenty laps… is what I would say, but I can't scare you away. You did your best on short notice." I was relieved. He knew where I lived, and he sent that message late. He couldn't be the least bit serious. "Kikumaru, during today's matches, I want you to watch a certain person with me. He's a first year." Tezuka said to me. "His name is Echizen Ryouma."

"Yes, I've heard of him." He was the so called Prince of Tennis. I felt like I knew what he was trying to do, because I was once known as the princess… but I had to ask anyway. "Why do you want me to watch him?"

"I want your opinion of him. His style, weakness, anything. I know you were able to analyze people really well before."

"Before… I don't know about now. I've only helped with Eiji's style. I guess we'll see… I assume you already have an idea of what kind of player he is." He didn't answer me. I could only assume he knows already. Then this has to be a test. "However, I would have liked to support Eiji during his matches."

"You can do that, I want you to focus on his matches against two people." He gave me a paper. I stepped forward to take the paper from him, but I could feel my ankle twist as I stepped and started to fall. "You okay?" Tezuka caught me before I could hit the ground. I felt so embarrassed. I guess running, even with the ankle brace was too much for me.

"I'm fine..." I tried my best to get up and I took out my ankle brace from my bag. No use hiding it now. Tezuka stared at me as I put it on. I sighed and just looked at the paper, slightly crumpled from the fall. Three names were circled. One of them was the prince while the others were two team regulars. "Alright, I'll do it." I started to leave before Tezuka could say something about my condition. Before leaving I stood in the doorway. "Tezuka… do you still know how to make those flower tiaras?"

"What?" I could hear the first ripple of students coming in the school to their respective classrooms. Did I catch him off guard? The answer didn't completely put my wonders to rest, but he didn't make me sound crazy. The dream must have been true… at least the tiara part was true. I wanted to meet up with Eiji before class. "See you later…" I gave him a slight smile… then I realized what I just did, and I left immediately.

Eiji just happened to get into school. "So, did you talk to him?" he immediately asked me. Fuji was right next to him. I couldn't reveal much as I would if it was just Eiji.

"Eiji, we'll talk later." I said trying not to smile.

The rest of the day seemed to fly by. Lessons didn't seem that boring as I jotted down the notes.

I arrived at the tennis court with Eiji who made me dress in a tennis outfit instead of just regular gym clothes. I didn't even know why he had it… or when he got it. I didn't see the outfit before in my life.

"Eiji, ready for your matches?" Oishi said as he walked toward us. Oishi had a strange looking haircut, but I tried to not judge him too much due to the fact that Eiji was his doubles partner and he was the co-captain of the team. "And Eimi, it's nice to know that you are joining the team as a manager."

"It's really no problem… I don't have anything better to do." I told him. "I just wish Eiji didn't make me wear an outfit like this…"

He had only laughed at my response. "I know you will be of great help to us, and don't let any of the other players bother you. Now, come Eiji, the matches are going to start soon."

"Alright, Oishi. Eimi I'll see you later." Eiji said as he ran off with Oishi.

"Good luck, Eiji."

From what I remember the two other names on the list are different-looking people. Kaido was a scary-looking guy because of his narrow eyes while Inui was kind of frightening because no one could see his eyes through his thick glasses. I'm pretty sure no one has seen his eyes before.

I wondered why I was even there in the first place, just watching people play like usual. I didn't really do anything; I'm just labeled as a manager now.

I couldn't lie, though. At least my life is finally different; it's going back to normal. I

The first year's match with Kaido was about to begin. Eiji's match with a second year was about to end when Tezuka came over here.

"Have you seen Echizen play yet?"

"A little… all I got to say is: Cockiness will get the best of him, but I think you already knew that." I said. "So when are you going to tell me the real reason you gave me the title of manager? I'm not doing anything."

He just looked at me. He was trying to give me a death stare through his glasses.

"I will find out, you know." I was actually a little less bored with my life. I smiled. "If you are trying to keep me entertained, then it's working. If there is something you don't want me to know about this secret you are trying to keep from me, just know, I will find out soon." I gave him this menacing look. "I won't leave you alone about this."

The look on his face changed. He actually looked threatened.