Secrets, Socials, and Seigaku

Chapter 9

SATURDAY THE DAY OF THE TOURNEMENT

  “Wow everyone is so pumped up.” I stated looking around at the regulars.

“Well everyone has been working really hard. You would be excited to wouldn’t you?” Inui commented. 

I thought about his question for a second. I used to be excited about these things too. Inui noticed my surprise depression attack, but the announcer cut him off before he could say anything. “All players report to the tennis courts. I repeat all players report to the tennis courts.” 

Everyone started walking to the tennis courts including myself. I looked at Echizen who seemed bored, but I could tell otherwise. “Hey, Echizen!”

He lifted his hat so he could look me in the eyes “What?” he said in a monotone voice. 

I smirked at him. “I haven’t seen you play tennis since we lived together.”

He stayed silent but kept his eyes on me. I walked ahead of him and called back. “Show me how much you’ve improved since our last game.”

Although I couldn’t see it, if I had to guess, I would say he smirked as I heard. “Yes ma’am.”

I smiledin anticipation. This game could prove to be very interesting. Oh! I almost forgot. I ran up ahead of the group. “Hey Taka-kun!”

He turned around and smiled my way. “I haven’t seen you play tennis yet have I?”I asked. 

He thought for a second before answering. He looked shocked and disappointed. ”You haven’t! I thought for sure I would have had time to show you my tennis.” 

I smiled to myself. I was very interested as to why he was chosen for the tennis team. Honestly I couldn’t see someone who possessed so much kindness play tennis. Ever since Kikumaru had said that thing about handing Taka any sport related objects I had been curious as to why?

Taka had now been ranting to himself the whole time before I cut him off. “Taka,” He looked up and my  anxious and determined brown ones met his kind eyes. “I want to see why you were picked to be on the regulars. So show me what you’ve got ‘kay?” I told him bluntly.

He looked at me in surprise before his face morphed into one of determination. “You bet!”

After registering our team, we all walked down to the tennis courts. As we were walking five freshmen walked up to us. From the way they were dressed they obviously went to our school. One of them looked up at me confused and raised a finger at me. “Oy, who is this girl?”

Everyone sweat dropped while my eye twitched. I strained a smile on my face before answering. “You know it’s rude to point at other people, especially ones that are older then you, kid.”

His face immediately paled after I said this and he bowed his head quickly. “I-I-I’m very s-sorry!” He stuttered out.

Two other boys stepped forward and bowed too. “Please excuse our friend!” the short one said.

“We’re sorry! He has absoulutely no manners!” the taller one continued.

I stifled a laugh. They all looked so serious. The three looked up at the sound of laughter. “Relax, it’s fine, I was only messing with you.  Lighten up would you!” I told them with a shurg. 

All of the boys sighed while the boy who pointed at me said. “No matter how you look at it, that wasn’t funny!”

I took a better look at the three boys. The one who I ‘yelled’ at had brown hair and eyes and looked to be a freshman, actually all of them looked to be freshmen; he also wore an orange and green striped shirt and had a unibrow. The boy stepped forward and introduced himself. “I am Satoshi Horio and I have two years of tennis experience.” He stated proudly.

I laughed a bit to myself at the latter of his introduction. Next the short boy came forward. “Hi. My name is Kachiro Kato, it’s nice to meet you.” 

Finally the tall boy came forward and introduced himself. “Hello. My name is Katsuo Mizuno, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 Both of the boys sported what looked like the school’s gym uniforms, and had black hair with a pair of eyes to match. I was taken out of my thoughts by two girls, who also looked to be freshmen. They both wore the school uniform so they obviously went to my school too. “Hey! Did you forget about us?”

 She boldly turned to me while her friend followed her. “I’m Osakada Tomoka, and his is Sakuno Ryuzaki!”

 She said pointing to the girl behind her.  One who talked looked to be that loud kind of person. She had light brown hair that was worn up in two pigtails. Her friends behind her seemed to be looking at the ground, like she was to shy to talk. She had Dark brown hair long hair that was worn in two braids and brown eyes.

I bowed slightly before introducing myself to all of them. “My name is Clair Brown. It’s a pleasure to meet you all!” I said a little louder so they all could hear me.

Tomoka then ran over to me. “It’s nice to have another girl here to cheer our team to victory!” she said rather loudly.

I cringed at the volume, and pitch, of her voice. I put a hand behind my head and forced a smile. “Nice to be here?” I said unsure.

Cheering was the last thing I was going to do at a tennis match. Maybe I’ll clap a little but that’s where I drew the line. Then I realized something I looked over to the girl who stood quietly behind Tomoka. “Um, excuse me. Sakuno?”

Sakuno looked up to the ground as she heard me call her name uncertainly. “Did you say your last name was Ryuzaki?” I asked.

She nodded her head. Ryuzaki. Ryuzaki. Ryuzaki. Where have I heard that name before? This was going to really bug me! “Was there something you wanted to know?” Sakuno asked curiously.

I put my hands in front of my self and waved them defensively. “No! No! It just sounds familiar that’s all!” I said quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.