A/N: hello everyone! It's been a while, hasn't it? A lot happened, and it was only recently that I had somewhat produced a chapter. Hehe. I tried to make this a bit longer than usual to make up for the long wait. I do hope you enjoy!
'speaking' - Ryoma speaking (sign language or through pen and paper)
" speaking" - normal conversation
"speaking"- phone call
Hello- flashback
warning/s: OOC-ness and the likes.
Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis.
CHAPTER 2
The month flew by easily and comes the first day of school.
"You're so cute, Ryoma-chan!" Nanako said, taking a picture at her cousin. Ryoga was chuckling a bit on the side, while Ryoma merely sighed, too used to this antic.
"Here, you're bentos." Nanako said, handling both her cousins one. Both thanked her.
"Don't forget to keep your phone with you always and your pen and notebook on your sling bag. Anyways, I've talked to your teachers a week back, so everything should be fine." Nanjiroh said, burying his face on his newspaper, although his giggling stated otherwise.
Grabbing their bags, Ryoga noticed one thing.
"Not gonna carry your tennis bag?" she shook her head, glaring at him lightly. He held his hand up in surrender. After bidding them goodbye, both made their way to their respective schools. Since seishun gakuen was on his way towards his school and the bus station, Ryoga opted to walk with her, chatting just about anything.
"Anyways, Mom called yesterday. The trial is coming to a close, and Kevin's adoption may happen after. so, mom's sorry if she isn't here today." Ryoga said, ruffling Ryoma's hair a bit, making her glare for a moment before nodding.
"It's fine. Anyways, I'm here now so see you at home later, aniki." She bid her brother as she entered the premises. Ryoga sighed, ruffling his hair as he made his way towards his as well.
It was a good thing they set out earlier than expected, that way she had time to find her way through the school. The school was quite large and although she didn't mind that, she does quite lack a bit in directions. And so, she got a bit lost. Luckily, a teacher saw her and directed her towards the right room.
After knocking, both teacher and student entered the room.
"Good morning Chairman Amane. This is the student who enrolled late." Amane smiled at them, before dismissing the teacher.
"Good morning Echizen-chan. Welcome to Seishun Gakuen. Here is your schedule and some of the things you will need." He said, as he gave her an envelope. She smiled, bowing.
"Anyways, your teachers are already informed of your condition so you need not worry about having to do something." She stayed silent, merely nodding.
He coughed. "inside the envelope contains alongside your schedule is your pamphlet concerning the school, and your locker key. Another is a form for club application. We encourage students to have at least one club, some even having more than one, just that they do not let their grades slip. Your id is also there, along with your library card and others. Also, if you have any other questions, you could always come and or to your teachers. So, I welcome you to this school." She smiled lightly bowing.
"Thank you, chairman Amane. I'll be leaving now." and with that, she left.
She was surprised to see the same teacher still standing outside, although now, she was carrying a bag and some papers. Upon seeing her, she smiled.
"Ah, you're out. My name is Miyami Sakura, your homeroom and science teacher. I figured, I'll fetch you lest you be lost once again." She said as Ryoma blinked.
'ah.' She thought.
"Thank you, sensei." She said. she nodded.
"Now, come on. Class is about to start."
A few minutes later…
Entering the classroom, she noticed they kept silent. Looking a bit bored, she looked for an empty seat and sat down, placing her bags down beside her. There were murmurs around but she ignored it, just as soon as Sakura-sensei entered.
"Now class. Good morning to a new school year. I am Miyami Sakura, your homeroom and science teacher. You may call me Miyami-sensei or Sakura-sensei, any is fine. I know some or even most of you already know each other but for the sake of others, I encourage you all to introduce yourselves to better know each and every one of you." she said, smiling at each of them. Then, remembering something, she cleared her throat, garnering the attention of the students around.
"Ah, that's right. Everyone,we have a new student coming here today as well. She enrolled later than you all. Please come in now." Echizen, hearing this, opened the door and entered the room, not minding the stares and murmurs around her.
"Everyone, this is Echizen Ryoma and she had just came from the States. Please guide her well. Also, please be mindful of your questionings. As the teachers are already informed, is it alright to tell the class Echizen-chan?"
"I don't mind sensei." Ryoma shrugged before nodding. Miyami-sensei just smiled as the others were confused why she wasn't talking.
"She has trouble speaking because of an accident and is still in rehabilitation and so, I want each and every one of you to help her if something happens, alright? I don't want to hear any sort of tricks happening or their will be consequences, alright?" she said with a smile and yet her aura speaks of something different, so all they could do was nod. seeing the nods and understanding from the students, she smiled. Hopefully, they stick to what they said. "So, Echizen-chan, you can seat there and let's start attendance."
As soon as classes ended, she grabbed her things and was about to leave when Sakuno called out to her. Raising a brow, she waited for the girl to come nearer, along with Tomoka, whom she guessed must be from another class.
"Ryoma-chan, there you are." Sakuno said. she raised a brow, as she tried to remember the girl who was in front of her. It took a while but she blinked before nodding.
"Ah, Sakuno, right? What is it?" she then fidgeted for a bit before remembering what she was there for...
"Ah, that's right. This is my friend, Tomoka-chan. Tomoka-chan, this is Ryoma-chan. Anyways, are you going home now?" she asked. she shook her head. At lunch, she then filled up the application form she was given to by the chairman that morning.
"I plan to find the music club. Do you know where it is?" she asked. Sakuno nodded before she helped her. Tomoka, who was beside them, looked at Ryoma, frowning a bit.
"Hey, why aren't you talking? Is that how you really communicate with others?" Ryoma stopped walking as she looked at her. Sakuno looked at her, worried before apologizing for Tomoka. Ryoma only shook her head, and seeing how apologetic Sakuno is, she recall that either she must have not said what the others from her class had been informed already or she was from another class. And so, she studied the girl in front of her, trying to remember if she saw her in her class that day , and knowing she couldn't, and as she couldn't remember everyone there, she shrugged it off before sighing. She looked at the girl in front of her, brought out her pen and paper and started scribbling on it. Tomoka looked at Ryoma and to Sakuno who was still feeling guilty. Suddenly, she looked at the paper in front of her, reading and noting the neat handwriting she has.
"I know it's none of your business but since the teachers are already informed, and since you seem to not have heard of it, or not in my class… I was in an accident so I lost my voice, and until now am doing rehabilitation for it. I hope that satisfies your question." After giving the paper, she left. Sakuno was torn.
"Tomo-chan, that was not nice. I know I'm quite at fault as well since I forgot to tell you about it but sometimes the way you approach is a bit… much." Sakuno said, not looking at Tomoka in the eye. "Anyways, I'll see you tomorrow, alright? I need to guide Ryoma-chan around for a bit since she might get lost." not waiting for a reply, she left, hurrying towards Ryoma, who was about to turn the corner. Tomoka stood there for a bit, blinking and not knowing what to do. Seeing them gone, she sighed and left. She had a lot to think about.
After handling her application, she sighed a bit.
"Anyways, just prepare for a song to showcase tomorrow if possible. Kiara-sensei is out in the moment as she is busy with some things so there aren't any meeting in the club today. I hope to see you tomorrow Echizen-chan." the upperclassmen said towards them, smiling. Nodding, they left. A few feet away, she then thanked her. Sakuno only smiled.
"It's nothing Ryoma-chan. I'm sorry as well. I just hope you forgive Tomoka-chan for how she is a while ago. She had always been a very headstrong girl. And… she didn't know about your condition." Ryoma looked at her and shrugged.
"It's fine. She didn't know." 'and I've dealt with something worst before.' She thought. Suddenly, Sakuno stopped and Ryoma looked at her with a raised brow.
"Ah, that's right. Why don't I show you around the school? You don't have anything to do after this, right? And it's still quite early after all." she thought about it for a moment, and knowing her brother won't be out for a while, she nodded. Sakuno smiled at that before starting the small tour.
"So…"
The following days were rather the same as usual. She slept in some of her classes, with the teacher just shrugging her off or asking her to answer the question in the blackboard. Since her classmates were also informed of why she wasn't asked to participate in roll call or even in recitations, no one spoke or did anything, which made it better. She just sighed in relief that they weren't all nosy all about it, although when asked, she didn't want to talk about it. She was also asked to perform a piece the day after she registered and she was well received by her performance. Their professor, miss Kiara, had even assigned her some pieces she wanted to hear from her next week. She nodded at that.
A week later…
"Ryoma…" she looked at Sumire and nodded.
"Hello Ryuuzaki-sensei. What is it?" she asked, as she fixed her violin case. Ryuuzaki just smiled.
"Just wanted to check up on you. So, interested in joining the team? You could be their manager. You don't even need to play." She said as Ryoma stopped. She sighed, it's been a few days since she came and asked her once again.
"it's nice and all but I don't think I can. And I've already signed up in the music club." She said.
"There was never a rule that you can't join more than 1 club." Sumire insisted and yet she still stayed silent. Sumire sighed.
"Just think about it, then, alright?" having no choice and knowing how persistent she can be, she nodded.
Ryuuzaki-sensei looked as Ryoma left, sighing. She remembered talking to Nanjiroh on the phone a few weeks ago.
"oh, Nanjiroh. To think you'd call. What is it?" she asked, as she sorted out some of her papers. The ranking tournaments is almost coming since the tournament season is fast approaching as well, and although she knew who would take a spot for the regular teams, she let them sort it out as she fixed up on some paper works.
"Just wanted to inform you of Ryoma entering the school." She looked at the phone and sighed.
"Oya, I know of it already. I've heard from the faculty. So what is the real reason? To keep an eye on her?" he stayed a bit silent at the other end and Sumire smiled, waiting for the answer.
"You could say that."
"well, I could but you do know I am also quite busy with the team and with the prefectural coming up and all…"
"just wanted to say you try convincing that brat of mine to join. Tell her she doesn't need to play."
"I'm surprised you're doing this behind her back. wouldn't this backfire on you if so?" she heard him chuckle a bit on the other line.
"if it's so, then I wouldn't mind. Besides,she might have lost interest in tennis on the outside, but deep inside, she still likes to play. Something is just holding her back. I do hope you and your team can help her." Ryuuzaki stayed silent. It was a sight to see Nanjiroh like this. And she did want to see her play.
"hah… I'll see what I can do." She said.
She sighed once again.
"Is there something wrong, sensei?" she looked to see Tezuka standing there, and she blinked. Oh, she remembered she needed to discuss to him about some things. And to submit the papers of those qualified to join the ranking tournament and the scheduling of it in the next few days.
"It's nothing, really." Then she stopped for a bit before looking at him.
'But… then again…' Then, she seemed to have thought of something.
"Ah, I think you lot may help." Tezuka looked at their coach with a raised brow.
Tezuka sighed. After the meeting with their coach, they thought something must have happened.
"Ne, is there something wrong Tezuka?" Kikumaru asked, a bit worried.
"Ryuuzaki-sensei just assigned something, nothing big." He answered. Oishi perked up at that, as he looked at Tezuka.
"oh, what is it?" Oishi asked, as he organized his things. The others, curious, stopped for a moment as well.
"What is it Sensei?" he asked.
Flashback…
"I was asked for a favor. To keep an eye on someone. And so, I need you to help bring her here, try convincing her… even if she's just going to be the manager." She said.
"she? But Sensei, wouldn't it be better if she was placed in the girl's tennis team instead? And we have managed not having any managers sensei. Why change it?" he asked. she raised a brow at that but didn't reply. Instead, she looked out on the window, looking at the scene below her. She looked out the window where practice had ended for the day and the lower years are fixing up the courts. She was somewhat thinking of something.
"Because Tezuka… if you managed to recruit and convince her to be the manager, then that's half the battle won."
Tezuka merely stayed silent, absorbing what their sensei said. she was asking them to find and convince a girl to be their manager. He sighed. If her sensei wanted to, then she seemed to have something then. He still has some things he wanted to ask her but he kept it, instead, opted to nod. Ryuuzaki smiled at him.
"ah. What's her name then sensei?"
"Ryoma. Echizen Ryoma."
End of flashback…
"EH? So sensei is asking us to find a girl to be our manager, nya?" Eiji said as Tezuka nodded.
"Yes. Although all I know is her name. Echizen Ryoma." Suddenly, Inui stood up and opened his notebook. They then looked at him.
"Ah, Echizen Ryoma. 1st year. Female. She has black hair tinge with green and her eyes are quite golden in color. Height is…" As Inui continued to mumble out facts from the girl, the others looked at him like he had grown another head.
"Is this even legal?" Momoshiro whispered.
"Anyways, she had just recently joined the music club and was quite praised for playing the violin. She also doesn't speak because of an accident she had although she is currently in rehab. Her tennis abilities are yet to be known but she is quite athletic, having outrun her peers during their p.e. class a few days ago." Inui summed up as he closed his notebook.
"You can be quite scary sometimes you know." Inui just pushed up his glasses.
"I keep track of every student in the school to gauge out the potential ones." Inui answered.
"Inability to talk? Accident?" Oishi said as Inui nodded.
"Yes, I heard every one of the faculty is informed of her condition. And just recently the whole school, or rather their year already knows of it. There was a run in a few days ago, some quite unbelieving of her tale and tried to do something. At the end, those students were punished and no one knows what happened except those who were there. But, when asked, how and what happened, some are quite tightlipped about it. Ever since, no one ever did anything."
"Well, at least some people have been there to help. But still, I'm quite curious as to why sensei would ask us to find her."
"Well, at least we have something. And everyone, when you find her, try to convince her, not force her, alright?" Oishi said.
Ryoma sighed as she picked up her things. Classes in the afternoon had been canceled as they have an emergency meeting.
"Ano, Ryoma-chan, are you free today?" she looked to see Sakuno there, standing. Tomoka was beside her. She thought for a moment before nodding. A few minutes ago, she headed up to the music room to play something when she ran into Kaoru, a sempai. She told her that the club room was closed for the day and handed her out some music sheets she needed to practice. Apparently, her adviser wanted them to play diverse songs and had given each member a copy of some pieces they needed to work on. Thinking back on it, she shrugged. She could always practice her piece/s later at home. Their adviser would have them perform at least a few parts of it on Friday, two days from now. And she was in no hurry. Sakuno was beside her since one of their classmates needed to pass on something. It seemed that ever since te incident a few days ago, some of their classmates opted to accompany her, especially if Sakuno and Tomoka was never with her. They never let her be alone. Even some of the upperclassmen, whom were there that time, would occasionally be there and guide them, especially if they knew they might meet the others. She just sighed at that. Apparently, Miss Sakura praised their classmates for their efforts yesterday and had given them a week free from assignments from her classes of course.
"That's great. We were planning to go to the cafe later. Would you like to come?" she shrugged. She was about to turn back inside the classroom to get her bags when Tomoka spoke.
"Ano…" they looked to see Tomoka, who was seemingly fidgeting. She raised a brow at it. She could quite guess what she wanted to say.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I… I'm sorry for last time, I was just… I went ahead and said all those things when I should have known something may have happened. And also the other time, when we should have helped you immediately." She said. Ryoma sighed.
"It's fine. You didn't know. I didn't mind much." She said. Tomoka smiled, thanking her. Sakuno smiled as well, sighing in relief. She was quite worried what would happen but she just got worried for nothing. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she stopped. Both Ryoma and Tomoka looked at her.
"Ah, that's right. I need to go see obaa-chan first." Sakuno said. "Would you two like to come as well?"
At the tennis court…
She looked around, a bit bored as she sees the members practicing. Some of them were practicing swinging, some having a mini match, and some running. Suddenly, her eyes landed once again to a group of people, wearing the jerseys. She quite remembered them, bumping into them a few weeks back.
'ah, the regulars.' She thought.
"Come on." Tomoka said as they went with Sakuno. They spotted her grandmother a few feet away from them, who seemed to have been busy talking to the captain before he left and ordered the others to practice. Seeing she was now free, Sakuno and the others approached her.
"Obaa-chan." Sakuno greeted.
"Ah, Sakuno, what do you need?" she asked, smiling as she sees her granddaughter.
"I may be coming home later. We planned to go to the café." She smiled, nodding. Then, she looked at those who were with her.
"Oya, Ryoma. You're here as well." She nodded, looking at the courts in boredom. Sumire looked at where she was looking at and smiled lightly. "Then, have you thought about it?" she asked the girl.
"I'm sorry sensei. But I don't think I can." She said, as Sumire sighed.
'Well, it's not like we can change her mind immediately. Although I'm quite curious how the regulars would try to convince her.' She thought.
"Is that so? Then, you can just think about it some more, then?" all she could do was nod. Sakuno and Tomoka looked a bit confused but didn't say anything. She just nodded at her grandmother before they left, both Tomoka and Sakuno chatting on and on while Ryoma just listened. She then looked at the court one more time before leaving.
At the cafe, a few minutes later….
"Ne, Ryoma… do… do you like tennis?" Sakuno asked. they were sitting at the outside table, waiting for their desserts. She just shrugged.
"it's okay. Why'd you ask?" Sakuno stayed quiet for a bit.
"I just… I heard grandma wanted to recruit you. I once overheard Momo-senpai talking about it a few days ago. They were looking for you. It's only a matter of time before they come to our class." Their orders came soon after.
"Ah, so that's what Mia was talking about." Tomoka said as she dug in her parfait. "she told me some of the regulars came in looking for someone. Reimi-sensei told them something. Apparently, they knocked on her homeroom and asked her something. And they left soon after. Sugoi! You must be so talented if they're finding you." Tomoka said.
"but wouldn't the girl's team be looking for you instead?" Sakuno asked.
"Ryuuzaki-sensei did approach me once. She wanted me to be their manager. I have until next week to decide. But, I want to decline. And, I do have a lot to do. I still have a piece to practice later."
"but that's a waste! If I had the talent I would have wanted to join, even if it's just a manager. Imagine being there and seeing them practice every day." Tomoka said, sighing. Sakuno then argued a bit with her. At the background, Ryoma stayed silent, eating the cake she ordered. She listened to how they were arguing (more like Tomoka talking about the regulars and Sakuno stopping her) and back to her conversation with Sakuno's grandmother earlier. She sighed, as she looked outside.
Her sighing stopped them, as they looked at what she was looking at outside. There was a bit more students walking around, talking and laughing. So, what that what she was looking at?
Suddenly, her phone rang. She looked to see a text from her brother.
[Yo, chibisuke! Mom told me she sent you a package and should be coming in a few days. And to tell you that Uncle Sakaki wanted to meet you soon. Ja ne~]
She sighed at that before replying.
[alright. I'll ask mama for his number later.]
She then pocketed her phone. Eating the last of her cake, she grabbed her bag and stood up. Both girls stopped their discussion to look at her.
"Is there something wrong, Ryoma-chan?" Sakuno asked. She shook her head.
"Something came up. I need to go back home. See you later." Waving them goodbye, he carried her bags and left. Tomoka looked at Sakuno.
"Think it's an emergency?" Sakuno stayed silent.
…
The next few days were quite hectic. Apparently, the next day, Momoshiro had volunteered to look for Echizen along with Eiji. Oishi wanted to protest with it but Eiji continued to insist on it. And so, knowing it was free period, they then ventured towards the first year section and unto the last classroom. Seeing it open, Momo looked around.
"Ah, Momo-chan-senpai, Eiji-sempai, what are you doing here?" Horio said seeing them at the entrance.
"Ah, Horio, good timing. Is someone named Echizen in your class?" Horio nodded.
"Echizen, someone's here to see you." Horio said. They could see Sakuno nearing the young girl, trying to wake her since she was apparently sleeping. Waking up, Sakuno seemed to have told her something before she nodded and went in their direction. Suddenly, she brought out her pen and paper and started scribbling. They looked on a bit confused until a piece of paper was given in front of them.
"Senpai-tachi, what is it?" was written in the paper. They realized Inui was right when he said she wasn't talking.
"Ah, we're from the tennis club and we just wanted to ask if you're interested in joining?" Momo said, looking at the girl. Echizen looked at him and to the person beside him, boredom clearly visible in her still a bit half- asleep eyes. Eiji couldn't take it anymore.
"Oh, you're so cute, ochibi, nya!" Eiji said as he went and hugged the girl. It woke her up entirely as she patted him, telling him to release her. Momo, sensing some of their classmates looking at them intently, some even slowly coming towards them, looked at the situation at hand and taking a hint, immediately tried to coax their senior.
"Eiji-senpai, release her. She's still recovering remember?" suddenly, she was released and she took deep breathes, glad that she could breathe more easily. She glared at them for a bit.
"Sorry ochibi." He said.
She still glared a bit at him before nodding and was about to turn when Momo called out to her once again. Raising a brow, Momo smiled.
"We're asking if you wanted to join the club." He repeated.
"No thanks sempai." And with that she completely tuned them out and went to her desk to resume her nap once again.
…
This continued on until Friday morning and she was getting tired of it. She knew their coach had asked them to do this, whether subtly or not. She wanted to go there and march towards their coach and tell her to leave her be but she couldn't do so. Not if she'll hear the sound of rackets swinging, feet running, and balls hit here and there, and the atmosphere it brings out. Not when… she closed her eyes.
Anyways, she reminded herself that she was going to have a live chat with Kevin later on, which gave her ample distractions as to the insistent prodding of the two upperclassmen who always comes and ask her to join the club.
As the bell rang signaling lunch, she quietly fixed her things and stood up, just as Sakuno was there towards her, carrying her bento.
"Ryoma-chan, would you like to eat together?" she nodded as she grabbed her lunch, as they made their way out of their classroom, maneuvering faster to avoid them once again.
Arriving at the cafeteria and buying some drinks, they met up with Tomoka and made their way easily towards the rooftop, their lunch area today.
Sitting down, they quickly opened their bentos and started eating, having small talks here and there. Tomoka mostly talked about the tennis club members, especially the regulars and how she heard them establishing the ranking tournaments starting tomorrow. She didn't care that much on it but it didn't help her but be curious about it a little. She had learned their tennis club has been a seeded one, not helping that she's heard their doubles team was national level, even called the 'golden pair' and especially their captain of course. Tomoka wouldn't stop bragging about it, and she sometimes heard Horio talk on and on about the club whenever. That got her thinking… would their captain be able to play them?
Suddenly, they heard the bell ring, the warning bell, bringing their chatter to a close. Fixing up, they headed their way to their respective classrooms, and hoping the day ends faster.
…
Ring ring ring…
"Ochibi!" she sighed as she was once again glomped by her senior. She sighed, somewhat getting used to it. She would have given them her usual answer but today, there were a few more people than normal.
"Eiji! Release her! she'll suffocate!" Oishi said. After being released, she sighed in relief before looking at the people in front of her. Seeing them all wearing their jerseys, she knew they were all the regulars of the club.
'But what do they all want? Haven't they had enough?' she thought.
"Senpai-tachi, what is it that you need?" she said. She looked to the side, to see whom she assumed to be their captain, by the aura alone.
"Coach Ryuuzaki wanted to ask if you could come talk to her right now." he said. She raised a brow at that, thinking about it for a moment before she sighed. If this was once again another of their plots... she shook her head, it's better to get over this already. Nodding at them, she followed them, although she looked at each of them.
The most she was curious right now was the captain. With the aura alone, she knew he was very talented. There is something about him that not only draws your respect for him but there is something else. She smirked lightly. She could feel he was a challenge, a very tough one to be honest, if she ever picks up playing once again. That thought made her frown a bit but she kept silent. Once they all arrived at the courts, everyone went to practice as she went ahead to Sakuno's grandmother. Upon seeing her, she smiled.
"Ryoma! Glad to see you here." instead of bringing out her notebook and pen, she signed.
"What is it sensei? and don't tell me I didn't know you've even used your regulars to try and persuade me."
Sumire just laughed a bit at that. Seemingly not wanting any of them to understand what they were talking about they continued to sign.
"It's for your own good. We all know deep inside you still want to play. Give it a try, Ryoma. Or at the very least, be their manager. Help them improve." Ryoma sighed.
"I… I know that. I do. But with my state right now, I don't think I can do so." Sumire looked at her in sadness, knowing well what she was talking about.
"I know that Ryoma. But please. If you can't do it for yourself, then at least help them. They have the capacity to grow further, I really believe so." 'and maybe… just maybe… by being with them, it would actually spark you to play again.'
Knowing full well, she was crumbling a bit, but also knowing she was stubborn as well, she sighed.
"Anyways, I heard you're going to meet your uncle tomorrow?" she nodded.
"Yes, after my weekly check-up. why?" she asked.
"I wanted to invite you to come see the tournaments. As you know some insights can be quite helpful, you know?" she said.
"Thanks but maybe next time." She said. She was going to get out of here, when suddenly she heard her call out.
"Ryoma, I forgot to tell you. I told Ryoga you are here to watch the practice while he has his. He said he'll come pick you up later." she sighed at that. Knowing full well that if she goes out now, it would reach her father's ears and all that… and she didn't want to deal with that. Placing her bag and case to the side, she sat on the bench near her and looked on in boredom. Sumire, seeing her like this smiled a bit.
'It's a start.' She thought as she looked at the members and told them some things to do.
…
When Ryoga texted her that he was on his way, she stood up. practice was coming to an end anyways, so she made her way towards Sumire.
"I'll be leaving now, sensei. Ryoga-nii is outside." Sumire, knowing full well that practice was also coming to an end, nodded at her.
"Do try to think more about it, alright? It wouldn't hurt." she sighed at that, completely drained to argue. Waving a hand, she left. Sumire merely looked at her back and sighed.
"Sensei." she turned to see Tezuka standing there, looking at her.
"Yes?" she asked. Tezuka looked at Ryoma's back before looking at their coach once again.
"Why continue to persuade her when you know she wouldn't agree?" he asked. Sumire looked at him, and to the other regulars behind her, knowing full well some of them were quite curious as well.
"Who knows?" she said, smiling. "But well, I'm just doing someone a favor. But, I really do want to see her pick herself back up again." she said before turning towards them.
"Anyways, you can just focus on the upcoming tournament tomorrow onwards." she said.
"Then, shall we stop persuading her?" Momo asked. Sumire nodded.
"Yeah, you can say that. I'm sure she'll come one way or another." she left afterwards, leaving some of them confused.
"That's that then." Oishi said. "Anyways, let's gather them up now."
A/n: thank you for reading! Hope you liked it! Comments and criticisms are always welcome! Until next time!