Secrets, Socials, and Seigaku

Chapter 25

My eyes were now focused on the boys below us. My fate rests in their hands. I had already given Momo the push he needed now I could only hope that he would prove Atobe wrong. I took a deep breath. “Let the games begin.” I whispered to myself.

“We’ll let you guys serve first, it’ll be a one point game.” Atobe said resting his racket on his shoulder without a care in the world.

The seemed to get Momo riled up, he quickly signaled Kamio to get into position, which he quickly obliged. Atobe looked bored already as he called out his partner’s name. “Kabaji.” He called. 

As always Kabaji replied stoically. “Yes.” 

Everyone watching the game including Ann and me looked the Hyotei pair confused. “’Yes’ what?” Ann mumbled aloud-repeating Kabaji.

Atobe then just promptly sat down on the service line as if he were at the beach relaxing on a vacation. I just covered my eyes with my hand. “Oh, you have got to be joking!” I shouted to no one in particular.

Momo and Kamio seemed just as surprised as I was at this. I could hear their conversation from the sidelines. “Are we going to play seriously?” Kamio asked Momo.

Momo stood for a second observing his teammate before replying. “Do you even have to ask?” he said seriously.

They both nodded at each other signaling that they were both ready. Ann looked to me in confusion. “Wait! Is that even aloud?” she shouted.

I nodded annoyed with Atobe’s little ‘stunt’ already. “Yes it is, but that’s only because-“ I shouted. “Nobody is stupid enough to actually lull a stunt like this!” I could see Atobe trying to ignore me, but still that irk mark remained on that big head of his, which was more than enough to put a smile on my face.

After my little outburst Kamio served. His serve came down like lightening. It looks like he’s gotten better since he's last played I thought to myself. I watched in anticipation. Kabaji quickly ran over and returned the shot. I could overhear some of the other people watching. 

“Did you see how fast he was?”

 “I guess Hyotei isn’t all bark and no bite.”

“Even a guy that big can move that fast!” I pursed my lips. Weren’t these the guys who should be cheering for us? I sighed, they were hopeless. 

The ball quickly approached the net more specifically to where Momo was. He quickly dodged out of the way leaving Kamio to pick up his slack. Ann just looked confused. “But he could have gotten-“

“Yes Ann, he could have, but that would be to easy for Momo.” I answered sarcastically.

Obviously he had learned nothing from playing doubles with Kaidoh. He shouldn’t be taking Atobe so lightly. The only reason I provoked him before was because I knew Atobe was captain. My father was planning on sending me to Hyotei in hopes of me joining their tennis team. Obviously that wasn’t going to happen, but I did read up on some things about their school. For example Atobe wasn’t just another spoiled brat, he could back up every word he spouted. In other words that ego of his wasn’t just made up from thin air. It came from his natural talent. As much as I hated to admit it to myself, he should be egotistical. if I had that kind of talent and wasn’t ful of myself it wouldn’t be natural.

I sighed. I needed to concentrate on the game for now though. I refocused on what was happening. Kamio had hit the ball right past Atobe and he didn’t even flinch. “Take that, Kabaji.” He ordered just oozing authority.

“Usu.” He replied quickly and returned the ball back to its owner.

But before it could reach Kamio, Momo had jumped up and prepared to smash it with his ‘dunk smash’ technique.