Chapter 2: Becoming Kings
The second time Sanada Genichirou thought about Atobe Keigo, it was their second year of middle school school and Yukimura was making the line-up for the National quarterfinal matches. Though without the official title, Yukimura acted as the captain of the Rikkaidai tennis team as even the upper classmen deferred to his decisions. Yanagi, Sanada and Yukimura had come a long way since their astonishing first start. They had become an impressive formation both as tennis players and as leaders, whose strengths perfectly complimented each other. Renji was a masterful tactician while Sanada's fierce discipline was the force, which pushed them forward through the tough times. And Yukimura was the beloved leader who was able to bring everything together to make them champions who were victorious time after time.
"Renji in singles three. Marui and Jackal in doubles two, and you to end the matches in singles two." Renji and Yukimura were at Sanada's house. It had become tradition for the other two to stay at his house the night before matches, to discuss the line-up while he listened and offered an objective opinion, if it was needed.
"Total defeat?" said Renji while raising an eyebrow.
"Of course. There is no meaning in winning unless the outcome is conclusive and unquestionable. It's the mark of true champions and Rikkai is definitely a true champion. Therefore, we must sweep tomorrow's matches without losing a single point."
"I understand but my data shows that the current Hyoutei is nothing like the team that was defeated last year. Hyoutei has gained a new captain, a second year whom we have had the pleasure to meet after our national matches last year." Renji's tone was wry.
"Atobe?" It was the first time Sanada had spoken since the conversation had began.
"Yes. Ever since, he became the new captain, he had put together an incredible strong team. Anyone who loses an official matched is replaced immediately by one of the many in that massive tennis club." A thoughtful silence followed Renji's pronouncement and Sanada pictured the arrogant boy dismissing players right and left at the snap of a finger.
"Yukimura, is that why you have placed our most steady players first?" asked Sanada suddenly.
"I thought we should defeat Hyoutei swiftly before the members realize that they will lose. A desperate team, that cannot stand defeat, can accomplish miraculous things," replied Yukimura, smiling. Renji nodded with understanding.
"That is the wisest plan to follow, but this means the weight of the matches rests on the singles two matches." Renji turned to Sanada who was locked in gaze with Yukimura.
"Sanada, you must win this match. Failure will not be tolerated."
"Of course."
As Sanada lay awake that night, he realized that it was the first time in a while since he had felt this excited for a match. Little did he know someone else in the room was also having trouble falling asleep, though for a very different reason.
"Doubles two. Niou-Jackal pair, six games to one."
The announcer's voice resounded across the courts and the crowd cheered harder than ever, caught up in the unstoppable momentum resulting from the sweeping victories of the previous two matches. It was a good day for a tennis match. The air was still crisp and the days bright. It was the time of spring, of young dreams and young hearts.
Sanada picked up his racket and let himself into the tennis court. He walked up to the bench, where Yukimura was sitting and observing everything.
"I have nothing new to say. Just play normally."
"I will." He turned to walk away.
"Sanada," called Yukimura suddenly. Sanada paused and looked back.
"I believe in you, in your tennis. You should too, no mater what Atobe or anyone else says."
"Ah, I understand." Yukimura's confidence in him was his greatest resolution.
Sanada found Atobe Keigo staring at him across the net, looking haughty as ever. He had filled out considerably since the last time he saw him. His hair was longer as well.
"Let's have a nice match." He extended his arm.
"Of course we will." Atobe shook his hand. When Sanada pulled back, however, the other boy did not let go and instead tightened the hold on his hand.
"I hope you still remember my words." Brilliant grey eyes flashed impishly.
His thumb smoothed the skin on the back of Sanada's hand. Sanada pulled free like he were scorched, arousing only mocking laughter from Atobe.
"You act like an uptight old man, Sanada, yet the looks you keep giving that boy," he nodded his head to Yukimura, "are anything but innocent."
Sanada glanced over at Yukimura, who was watching the two of them with a frown on his face.
"I'll have to change that. When you're with me, you won't have the time or energy to focus on anything else. You can take that as a promise," said Atobe suggestively. Sanada raised an eyebrow in skepticism.
"Delusional musings are unhealthy, Atobe. I thought Hyoutei's captain would be more sensible than that," said Sanada coolly, walking to the baseline, Atobe's amused chuckle was echoing in his ears.
They rallied the first few balls for a while, each trying to gauge the other's playing capability. However, Atobe quickly tired of this and switched to a more offensive play style. He broke up the established, steady momentum with unexpected net volleys and corner shots, easily taking the first match.
"Have you ever seen Atobe play like that?" asked a Hyoutei second year, Jirou Akutagawa.
"No, I have never seen him playing offense so early in a match. Why is the idiot using so much effort so early in the match?" replied Shishido Ryou, Atobe's unofficial best friend.
As the two continued their conversation, Yukimura returned his attention to the match. The unease, which he had been feeling increased.
"Atobe, game. Three games to love. Five minute break."
Sanada returned to the bench as Yukimura handed him a towel and water bottle.
"This is only the beginning, do not worry."
"Who said I was worried?" Sanada looked up, surprised beneath his towel.
Yukimura simply smiled without explanation. "I trust you, Genichirou so you should trust yourself." The look in his eyes sad everything he didn't need to. It was the same look he had when he told Sanada they would be the national champions a year ago."
What had I been doing? I had lost to no one but Yukimura and I won't start now.
As he walked back to court, Atobe and he crossed paths to their respective courts.
Atobe raised his eyebrows, "Your eyes have changed."
"Atobe, I will end this match now."
"Oh?"
"If I lose to you I would just be another loser, buried, with no way to crawl out of defeat." Sanada's voice was not lyrical like Yukimura but Atobe could not help but be mesmerized by the grit. "But he is out there on that stage. I want to reach the place where he is, see how far I can go if I did this with everything I had." Sanada admitted to himself at last the desire he had to reach the top, which had been suppressed and overpowered for so long since meeting Yukimura.
"Anything other than victory would be meaningless."
"If it were easy, then this would not be meaningful," Atobe said cryptically.
The match resumed and Sanada was true to his word. Atobe's aggressive play style in the first few matches took a toll on his endurance and he soon made careless mistakes out of fatigue. Taking advantage of the situation, Sanada began his offensive play.
"Did you see that? I didn't even see him swing."
"Amazing, I was starting to think the match was one-sided."
Startled remarks sounded from the crowd as a renewed sense of excitement overcame them. The stoic tennis player seemed to step into a second skin as he unleashed his full potential, freed completely from any lingering feelings of self-consciousness or awkwardness before the crowd.
"Game Sanada, five games to three." Atobe did not score a single point.
"I have never seen Genichirou play like this. It's frightening," said Renji.
"That's because this is no longer about tennis or us. Right now Sanada is fighting for his own triumph," said Yukimura from the bench.
Yukimura never heard Renji reply for at that moment, an ominous chant rose steadily form the crowd, at first a quiet murmur before growing into a full-fledged mantra.
"General! General!" The crowd repeated until their throats grew hoarse. Yukimura and Renji shared a knowing smile. This was the day they would gain their title nicknames, which would follow them an entire lifetime.
"He really commands respect. I have never seen someone play with so much discipline," the compliments kept pouring in.
"Shit! Atobe! Shit! Stand up! Stand up!" Jiroh Akutagawa was oblivious to the people starting next to him as he gripped the metal fence so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Think of how far we've come! We can't just let it go to waste. If we lose here-" his throat closed up and turned away to hide the burning tears of shame in his eyes. He was surprised when he felt a gentle hand come up to ruffle his hair.
"I know," said Atobe in an uncharacteristically soft tone. He threw over his water bottle, leaving Jirou to catch it with widened eyes. He stared after Atobe before snapping out of the trance and turned toward the monstrous sea of Hyoutei's player, who had gone slack from seeing its undefeated captain on the verge of losing.
"Come on!" he shouted at them, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Winner will be Atobe Atobe!" Maybe it was the shock of seeing the mild mannered and kindest member of the Hyoutei Regulars running up and down the stands, screaming and cheering with full limbs flailing. The other players began quickly to join in.
It was Atobe's service game and he took his position in the middle of the baseline after each serve. Unsure of the other's intentions, Sanada quickly returned to ready position after hitting back the serve.
"Your weakness," Atobe said under his breath. "I see them." Sanada could only blink as the ball sped pass him landing with absolute precision in his blind spot. Atobe took the game easily as the crowd, led by Jirou, roared in appreciation.
"I did not expect to be pushed this far," said Sanada. "I will concede that you are strong Atobe."
"Same to you" The tension stretched before Sanada gave a small smile.
It was the first time he had played so true to himself. It had been fun, exciting even but now Sanada had to end it. He served. Atobe returned it to a tricky position. The ball was returned easily only to seemingly disappear from view.
"Rin-silent like the forest" The crowd, like Atobe was too shocked to even do anything but gape wordlessly.
No matter how Atobe strained and pushed his body to the limit, he proved no match to Sanada's Furinkazan. The game and match was over and Rikkai would continue on their journey to victory.
"Sanada!" "Genichirou!" Yukimura and Renji had thrown themselves onto the courts, beaming at him.
"Yukimura" He turned to the boy with a sincere expression. "Thank you for your words during the match."
"I only said what I believed."
The three of them walked over to the Hyoutei team. The tension of the matches had dissipated and now many of the players reverted back to their cheerful, friendly selves, sharing banters with the other team, which they had fought so heatedly with just hours before.
"It was a nice game, Atobe." Sanada offered a genuine handshake, which Atobe accepted.
"Yes, I suppose it was…nice but now that the team and I have played once, I won't allow us to lose the same team again."
"I look forward to it." As they turned to leave, the Hyoutei captain called out suddenly.
"Sanada, if you think I'm giving up after this, then you have really underestimated me." Sanada alone turned back.
"I wouldn't dream of anything less from you," he left the Hyoutei captain to ponder his words.
"He was the strongest player we had faced so far," said Renji to Yukimura.
"I agree. Even you, Renji, would have been pushed," Yukimura words were honest but without bite.
"Yeah, I will keep close watch of his progress for next year."
Yukimura interrupted their musings on tennis with a sudden declaration for celebration. Renji smiled over at his playful expression and asked what the other boy was suggesting. Yukimura remained silent but gave Sanada an appraising look from head to toe, which left him feeling as if naked in front of an audience. Sanada and Renji both noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes, which normally would have left them wary but it for it had been so long since Yukimura were so carefree. Since making the pact with them, Yukimura had thrown himself so completely into the cause for Rikkai's victory that he rarely had time for other things.
After years of being friends, Sanada was still a little thrown off whenever his friend was in this type of mischievous mood. It happened more frequently when they were younger, where he would flash Sanada a pleading smile before dragging him into plans like playing his art model. Though he did not enjoy the activities in particular, he was always a willing participant for a chance to see Yukimura happy and carefree like kids their age. They had been through much, always dealing with the people who underestimated them for their young age and Yukimura' delicate appearance. And the few who didn't watched from the sidelines for any inkling of weakness to mar the record. Over the years, Yukimura had grown even better at maintaining the act of perfection. Sanada knew it was the only way for him to feel strong when they were in such a vulnerable position.
"I think we should get plastered and celebrate like true adults! And Genichirou could pass for a young adult anyways." Sanada scowled, further verifying the statement. Remarkably, Renji did not offer any sensible protests and so Yukimura grabbed them around the arms, chatting cheerfully the whole way there.
They ended up eating ramen and drinking soda at the food court instead plan aborted when Sanada's family called and reminded him to be home for a sudden family get-together later tonight. Still it was a great time as they laughed until their bellies ached with Yukimura entertaining them with random stories and tales. Sanada was content just listening to Renji and Yukimura chat and exchange ideas enjoying the comforting presence of his two best friends without speaking. Sanada truly believed the power of their bond and efforts would be enough to overtake the challenges, which lay ahead of them.
The rest of the tournament passed by smoothly and Rikkaidai once again took home the trophy of the national championships. Increasingly the Troika's reputation was cemented and the world began to forget when the three did not stand together, undefeated.
Though that did not mean there were no changes. The first was the presence of a new transfer freshman, Kirihara Akaya. Causing a ruckus on the first day of school, Kirihara managed to accomplish the feat of offending every single member of the Rikkai tennis team. Sanada was determined to throw him off the courts but Yukimura intervened to give the boy a change to prove his wroth. Akaya was feral and wild, lacking too much of measured training to put up a true challenge against the Troika. Even so, the newly appointed captain had quite taken to the boy's brash and determined nature and was determined to keep him.
Sanada was appointed with the task of taking the boy in and educating him in the order and discipline of the Rikkai way. It was a tasking role and Sanada's patience was often worn thin. One day after a particularly tiring day of responding to Akaya's insolent questions, Sanada, in a sudden outburst, asked Yukimura the reason of putting him in charge of Akaya's misbehavior. Immediately regretting his impatient tone, Sanada watched in dread as Yukimura eyebrows shot up towards his hairline.
"I would think it would have been obvious. You are the only person who could control that boy. Your authority is unquestionable." Sanada snorted in disbelief but refrained from throwing his thoughts back at the other boy.
"Besides, it will be good practice for my future vice captain."
"You're choosing me?" It was not like Sanada had not considered it but he had always thought Yanagi's strategic counsel and greater patience would have convinced Seiichi to choose otherwise.
"Your self confidence is lacking, Genichirou. Who else do I trust more than you?" Sanada felt his entire body grow light from happiness. And truthfully, Yukimura's words did fill him up with confidence as he thought back to their moment on the bridge and how he was the one Yukimura had chosen to share his aspiration of taking the national championships with. In that way, they were completed aligned in heart, which even Renji would not truly understand. Yukimura had set him apart and the knowledge made Sanada's heartbeat skyrocket.
As Yukimura walked away, an amused Renji came over to stand beside him.
"You may want to be a little more subtle," he chided teasingly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Sanada deflected the implications. Sanada was getting more annoyed at Renji's increasing insinuations about his feelings for Yukimura but, truthfully, he was most annoyed with how on target those comments were.
"What I mean is you should say something to him instead of making those lovesick eyes at him whenever you think he is not looking." Sanada grimaced.
"Am I that obvious?"
"Sadly, yes."
"You know I could not do that. If it doesn't work out, our whole tennis team would be jeopardized and you know that is everything to him." Renji frowned but did not say a word in rebuttal.
Sanada had played the internal debate on repeat for a while now, weighing the precarious consequences with the possibility of sweet relief. Each time though, the result was the same as he put Yukimura's regard for assured victory over his own feelings.
Contrary to common belief, Sanada was not a late bloomer. He fully understood what Atobe alluded to in his flirtations, the promise of sex behind the heated glances and constant innuendos. He had grown up after all with an older brother and all his careless trysts during the young and hot-blooded days. Sanada knew Yukimura would never fall in the same meaningless category. It happened after a hard day of practice as Sanada was chatting aimlessly with Renji. He had glanced Yukimura coming out of the shower, the same body he had seen countless times before only to realize he wanted to put action to admiration; he had always watched the other boy but now he also knew what he wanted to do with those fine features and slender form.
Despite Sanada's resolve, his attraction only grew stronger. At night he lay awake thinking of Yukimura constantly until sleep overtook him. And though his thighs were sticky, his body was not deceived and yearned for more than just fantasy. It was like drinking seawater, which granted temporary relief but really resulted in more suffering later on. Sanada was left with unsatisfied desires, which weighed more heavily on his battered and growing body.