Hey guys, this is the next chapter in the story. I don't own Prince of Tennis but my OC's are mine. This chapter will be a little slow and longer than the others as its Izumi navigating school on her own.


IZUMI POV

The presentation was long and I heard a few murmurs from the front on some girls about me, saying how handsome of a man I am. I sigh heavily, there is no way I'm going through High School everyone assuming I'm a boy. There's just no way. The classroom for homeroom is spacious, a total of 30 seats - a big school no doubt about it. Class 1-B is the name of my homeroom and we were still needed to be seated.

"Alright boys and girls, thank you for waiting. Please follow the seating plan on the whiteboard, look for your name and as per usual, you know the drill. I'm Wakase-sensei, your homeroom teacher and I also teach Science/English Literature," Wakase-sensei introduces himself as he walks to the front, waiting patiently. I walk to my desk, number 27, middle row right at the back. Perfect for me, no one would be able to see anything if I were at the front. As everyone slowly found their seats, I realised Fuji isn't in this class, however, Tezuka is. He is seated right next to me, of course he will be - the board shows surenames in alphabetical order.

"Yo," I greeted him and he looks at me, then with a small nod he greets me back with a small "morning". I can see some girls eye him up, including me. My stare didn't last long as they see I'm wearing a skirt, one girl gasps and blushes from embarassment as she turns around, the others follow. Homeroom begins once everyone calmed down and Wakase-sensei gives us our time-tables for the year.

"As you are aware, we are a heavily sport school so club activities are vital. Feel free to browse the bulletin boards outside the entrance, they are full of openings," Wakase-sensei smiles, then he does the register. After he was done, he then moved on to Class presidents for the year.

"Ahem, this box here is for your vote on who would be class president for 1-B. Those who want to try, put your names in the box and I will call out the names then you will, as a class, vote who you think would be suitable. Of course, if you don't want to that is fine, throw your paper in the bin as you leave when homeroom finishes. Those who do write their names, please walk up to put it in the box," he continues, which doesn't make sense to me as how would anyone know how good they'll be? He hands out small papers for each of us and everyone begins to write their own names. I saw only a handful writing, the rest waiting and from the corner of my eye, I see Tezuka writing his. Of course he would, he looks like an honour student. I didn't bother writing mine, I don't think I'd be able to take the responsability of it.
There isn't much of a choice as only Tezuka walked up - I guess the other's backed down.

"Well, Tezuka Kunimitsu-kun is it? How wonderful, you are now our class president. Now, it is your choice who you would like to choose as Vice-President to help you in meetings if need be," Wakase-sensei then claps his hands, waiting for anyone to put their hands up and instantly all the girls do, some guy's murmuring how stupid it is. I look out the window, my mind filled with my mother, how Inori is doing and of course, volleyball. I didn't realise my name is being called out until I felt someone tap my shoulder.

"Nya, Kanagawa-chan right? Tezuka chose you to be the vice," a red hair boy who looks like a cat speaks, he even says "nya". I stood up bowing and a few whisper that I'm handsome and that I'm not a girl but rather a boy cross-dressing and as I speak, everyone is stunned.

"Kanagawa Izumi. Pleasure to work with you all," I stand next to Tezuka, some were blushing and others saying what a perfect match we'd make but I didn't take notice. We both bowed and the bell rings for first period.

"You two shall report to the Student Council as the 1st years for 1-B, I look forward to working with you two," Wakase-sensei both pats us on the back. I walk to my desk, grabbing my bag and timetable I make my way outside to find my first class, Science. I wonder if Wakase-sensei would be teaching this one - most likely right? I head over to the classroom, all the while thinking about the report I needed to make to the student council and my mother too. I didn't realise it was such a short walk, I entered the class room to see a few others already here, I see that Tezuka is also in my class as he enters after me. I saw that the seating plan was on the board, just like the one in homeroom - so it is Wakase-sensei teaching us, how nice.

"Everyone settle down, welcome to your first science lesson. We'll be doing text book work about the inside of a human heart and natural bacteria around the body. Simple to start, harder as the term goes on. Now, there is a textbook on your desk, page 170, we'll begin talking aobut the heart," Wakase-sensei settles us all down as quickly as he came in, a very promt and good teacher, I could already tell. Throughout the class I paid attention but every now and then my attention went somewhere else, like it usually does. I noticed from the outside that they had a huge cherry blossom tree by the courtyard, near the back with benches and that alike surrounding it. Perhaps I'll have my lunch there.

The class finishes and I head over to my next class which is English Literature, I don't think Wakase-sensei would teach this class but another teacher considering he didn't leave his desk. I walk out after packing my things, I hear whispers from some girls again about my gender if I was really a girl and I had to mentally shut them out. Inori wasn't here to defend me, like she usually would so it's up to me now, as sad as that sounds - I do miss Inori being here with me. It seems I am with Tezuka in this class too, I feel slightly happy at that, I'm not sure why. Classes begin with another teacher introducing herself as Smith-sensei - anyone can tell she is not from Japan but her Japanese is beautiful and her pronounciation is better than most. Her voice makes you want to sleep, but I kept my eyes open.


Classes for the morning are done and I walk around the halls trying to find the Student Council during the small break I have before another lesson, then lunch. After sometime, I couldn't find the room so I sigh to myself, looking at the map again to see where it'd be. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn around, didn't have to down but rather up, as Tezuka is standing there.

"This is the right way, it's at the end," he says, his baritone deep voice seems like it resonated throughout the hallway. I nodded, thanking him as we walk together to the room. Upon arriving, we knock then slide the door open with a bow. We are greeted by upper-classmen.

"Ah, representatives for Class 1-B? Welcome to the Student Council! I'm Renge Mikage, 3rd year and I am the current School President for the school. You both are the first to arrive, my Vice will be here soon as well. Sit down, please," a boy with dark brown hair, his right fringe pinned to the side with a clip speaks. For a School President - he seems really carefree with how he looks but you can't really judge a book by its cover.

"It's a pleasure. I'm Kanagawa Izumi," I introduce myself with a bow as I sit down.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, also. Tezuka Kunimitsu," Tezuka introduces himself as well and sits down next to me. Renge-senpai looks at me with his head tilted.

"Ah, it's a first we've seen 2 representatives both boys, not that it's an issue of course," he speaks, laughing awkwardly but stupidly. It seems he didn't take note about my uniform, the skirt. My mouth opens to reply but Tezuka speaks instead.

"Pardon my intrusion on the conversation, but Kanagawa-san is a girl," his eyes unwavering and Renge-senpai makes an 'o' shape, then proceeds to apologises as he get's on his hands and knees. I get up, embarassment showing on my face.

"Oh please, you don't have to do that, get up, Renge-senpai," I say, rushing over and he nods, sheepishly apologising after seeing my uniform.

"I'm sorry, I sohuld of have been more observant," he replies then a strong female voice comes in.

"Mikage, are you doing something stupid again?" I turn to look over to see a girl, the same height as Inori speaks, her hands on her hips. Her dark, long purple hair embraces around her shoulders and hips and a small bow adorns the back. I bow, slowly moving back to my seat. From behind her, other students begin to arrive as introductions are made.

"Welcome to the Student Council. As students, our job is to make sure everyone has a great time during their school life but also taking everything seriously, when it comes to exams, events and festivals. I am Wakase Hina, 3rd year and I am the Vice-President. I do most of the talking since our actual President here, doesn't do a good job," she jabs at him, and Renge-senpai sheepishly smiles. Wakase, I wonder why she seems familiar, she is Wakase-sensei's daughter - they both have the same burgundy eyes.

"I'm Renge Mikage, let's all work together from now on!" He then finishes and everyone claps, introductions are made between the classes and once formalities are done, we had some time to go around about club activities before the bell rings for next period. I walk towards the bulletin board that has all the club activities on them, I look for volleyball and after sometime I found it. I smile, I put my name on the paper, it seems not alot put their names down only a few others. The tennis club however is full, they needed to put two papers because it filled up. I see that both Tezuka and Fuji put their names on there and it makes me wonder if they are like me and Inori - childhood friends. They seem to get along well.


During third period, it all sort of went into shambles. Before class started, several girls decided it's funny to begin bullying another student, who seems like she didn't really want to be in this school. I see her cower, looking like a fragile rabbit caught between 4 predators. I stand up, walking over and I open my mouth.

"Look, leave her alone. Bullying isn't going to get you anywhere in this life, grow up already," I say, my voice unwavering as I stand my ground, I tower all of them anyway and they yelp, running to their desks as the bell rings for third period to officially begin. I look down at the cowered girl, then tapped her shoulder gently.

"You're ok, don't be afraid to ask for help," I say gently and walk over to my desk, sitting down. I feel a pair of eyes on me, several actually but I didn't pay no mind as I knew who they were. During the entirety of Japanese Literature, I felt daggers and even when I was leaving the class. I can handle bullies, I've handled them my entire life but something about being bullied in High School makes me a little anxious. I go over to the big cherry blossom tree by the courtyard, several students already there eating their lunch. I sit in an empty bench, taking my phone out I see I already have a message from Inori.

Inori 03-xxxx-xxxx

Izumiii, I miss you! Hyotei is nice and all but gosh it's hard without you here :( I hope you're doing better than I am, I'm sat by myself as I text you this on my lunch break and it's full of stuck up people, I swear. Please reply soon, I hate not being there...grrr damn these people!

Love ya 3

I smile at her text message as I reply, she's so dramatic it makes me wonder why she didn't apply for Drama school. I take a bite of my sandwich I bought from the store and my protein shake on the side. I see a lunchbox on the table, then I look up to see a smiling Fuji and a non-smiling Tezuka.

"Saa, let's eat lunch together. I wanted to ask you about your friend, is she not here?" Fuji asks, straight to the questions I see.

"She's attending Hyotei, she wants to do journalism and they have the curriculum for it," I reply, taking another bite from my sandwich. As if on queue, Inori calls me and I pick up, her feminine and energetic voice from the other line.

"AHH! I can't stand it here, two girls just walked past and said my hair is childish, grrr," I sigh, I look over at Fuji and he's smiling like a cheshire cat.

"Well tell them they're the childish ones, I miss you too by the way," I reply, slightly smiling to myself, happy to hear her voice.

"I hope no one has been bullying you about your gender, if they do tell me and I'll personally go over there myself," she threatens over the phone, I smile awkwardly, I can't tell her about the incident that just happened earlier. I tell her that I have to finish eating my lunch and that I'll her later - I hear the poutiness in her voice as we bid our goodbyes.

"She's quiet a character isn't she," Fuji speaks, slurping on his noodles and I nodded. Does Fuji have something for Inori I wonder? Inori did find him attractive, but anyone would really. My interest is Tezuka, but I will never opening admit it - my own anxious self will never. I finish eating, I felt a little nervous anytime I am around Tezuka. I excuse myself quickly as I wanted to check out the volleyball hall anyway, so I bow and that's where I headed to find. Upon discovering it, I see some seniors warming up and stretching, they must be practicing during lunch and probably will practice more after school. My eyes shine as I see them toss the ball around, so elegant yet powerful. The bell rings for break to be over, they still continue, not breaking the game. I walk to class and once more, my mind travels to my mother and that's all I can think of the rest of the day. I'd have to worry about Volleyball tomorrow, the clubs would be starting for the new 1st years then but for now, I'll go visit mother after school.


And there you have it! I'll leave it there for now, thank you guys for waiting patiently. I have been so busy with work, I've not the chance to sit down and write. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter - I have changed it up slightly to my original plan but after reading it through I thought it needed to change. Thank you again for the lovely comments that I have in my DM's, really!

Stay tuned for the next chapter soon!

Teruyaki