Ace (On Hold)

Chapter 6

"What's the meaning of this?"

Ah, speak of the devil and he shall come.

.

Sharp brown eyes sweep the court through rimless oval glasses underneath the fringes of coffee brown, analyzing the situation and taking in the group of members that favor watching other's business than doing their practices. Thin lip tugged down into a frown as neat brows furrowed.

The people around paled drastically.

They were doomed.

Yes, they all were.

They could already foresee their execution.

"Why are you guys slacking?" His gaze narrowed. The courts were emptied of activities despite the members gathering around.

"Ah, Tezuka!" Syusuke, who wasn't affected by the intimidating presence of his captain, merely smiled pleasantly at the tall, well-built boy. Although somewhat used to his eccentric personality, everyone was still horrifyingly impressed by his easy-going manner with the captain.

(But then they were friends since freshman days – Oishi, Eiji, Inui and Kawamura included; a few people who weren't as affected by their friend's intimidating appearance and personality as others.)

Tezuka spared him a brief glance before direct his eyes to the other judgmentally, and those with weaker wills or younger recoils under his frigid and displeased stare. "This isn't the time to be idling around"

They flinched, especially the regulars.

"B-Buchou..." Momoshiro started weakly but a sharp glance from the older boy effectively shut him up.

"25 laps for everyone!"

Didn't even dare to groan for fear of receiving more, everyone hastily starts to move and run around the court as instructed. No one would dare to mess with their strict and stern captain – well, maybe except for the sadist, Fuji Syusuke.

(The mentioned boy giggled as he jogs along with his teammates.)

Himeka eyed them from her spot.

Her smile stiffened, "Well then, I think that's my cue"

Ryoma nodded in agreement, his feet already shifting in the direction of his fellow members to run along with them. His eyes were torn between looking at his childhood friend and captain; he felt like the older boy would stare down at him in an instant if he didn't follow the order – a lightning would surely strike Ryoma with that first glance. Exercising was good and all but Ryoma didn't want extra laps.

(He wants to play tennis.)

"I don't think so"

The young girl squeaked in surprise when she was hoisted up by the back of her collar. Her feet hover above ground at quite a high height.

"Are you going to leave without seeing me, Hime?"

The corner of Himeka's lip twitched at the greatly familiar voice. Nervously, the girl tilted her head to look over her shoulder and smile sheepishly at the middle-aged woman as she dangled limply in her strong grasp. "Konbanwa, Coach Ryuzaki..."

It has been a while since Himeka last saw the woman who was dressed in a pink tracksuit with the jacket opened to reveal the light blue shirt underneath. Her long reddish brown hair was pulled up and tied into a high ponytail. Although she developed wrinkles with the passing time, it could still be seen of how gorgeous she was when she was in her prime age.