When You Smile - Complete

Chapter Ten - Progressions

Chapter Ten – Progressions

“Ah, that wrist is going to flick.” Tezuka warned.

Miyako grumbled and concentrated on keeping it straight as she returned the oncoming shot. She slammed the racquet into the ball and to her surprise the ball shot straight out to the wall and then rebounded straight back at her. With a yelp she jumped to the side and it hit the fence behind her. “Woops.”

Tezuka chuckled. “You’re pretty powerful when you want to be, huh?”

Miyako grinned evilly at him. “Absolutely.” She said

He’d loosened up easily after a few jokes and comments that she’d intended to calm his spirits. It certainly worked.

“So hey, Tezuka, I noticed that you’re wearing the gift I gave you.”

Tezuka looked down at his neck where the dog-tags had made their way out from under his shirt and were gleaming in the sunlight. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I wear them?”

“Well…” Miyako hesitated. “I assumed that you would only wear them for a tournament or something like that.”

Tezuka smiled. “You said they were to help me get through any challenges that I would have – I face new challenges every day.”

Miyako turned her head away to hide the blush and proceeded to serve the ball to the wall again.

An impressive rally began, where Tezuka eventually joined in and each took turns in returning as though they were on a doubles team. And with Tezuka behind her, the rally never faltered. But even then the jokes continued and teasing banter occurred, until finally, she couldn’t reach the ball and she lay down on her back, panting deeply.

“You can’t be worn out already.” Tezuka asked disbelievingly, looking down at her as he walked over to tower into the sunlight.

“I admit; I didn’t run laps for a week.” She grinned, sitting up.

Tezuka sighed as he offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. “It’ll be twenty laps for you tomorrow. Your lesson’s over, so feel free to go whenever you like.”

“Oh yeah, and I have to see Kikuchi-sensei too.” Miyako remembered and turned to make her leave, but then paused, turning back to Tezuka. “Thanks for the lesson, Tezuka. As always.”

“As always, you’re welcome. We make a good doubles team – we should talk to Kikumaru and Oishi about having a match with us. But chances are they’ll destroy us.”

“Of course they will. They’re Seimaku’s ‘Golden Pair’ right?”

Tezuka nodded.

 Miyako turned to leave again, but turned back around. “And hey, don’t worry so much about Harris-senpai so much.” She said softly. “She’s just selfish, that’s all.”

“Selfish?” Tezuka asked.

“She wants you all for herself – if she really loved you so much then she’d let you go so that you could be happy.” Miyako said calmly.

Tezuka smiled warmly and Miyako’s heart began to pound away in her chest as he reached out a hand. She placed her hand in his and they curled their fingers together. “Thank you, Miyako.”

She blushed gently. “Not a problem.” She replied and finally, after one final smile, turned to leave.  “Don’t forget that your clothes from the other day are in that bag.” She said, motioning to a plastic bag by his racquet bag.

Tezuka, after watching her make her leave to the change rooms, looked down and stared at the racquet in his other hand. She had a very good point.

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