Green Flames (Prince of Tennis Fan Fiction)

Stranger or not?

The 10th chapter is out and I hope you like it :)

****

"We're going to do what?"

Shin raised an eyebrow.

"Both tennis clubs are planning to take on a short spring camp, to prepare for the tournaments this summer" Sakuno said.

"Is that okay?" Shin asked.

"Why shouldn't it?"

"I just mean that if the girls train against the boys, they'll be crushed for sure."

"No, no, you've got it all wrong."

"What do you mean?" she asked confused. "Do you say the girls can beat them?"

"I didn't mean that either" Sakuno explained. "There are other schools that are going to attend this camp, and some have girls' team too."

"Really? Which ones?"

"Hyotei and Rikkai dai."

Shin's eyes became narrower in annoyance.

"So the arrogant bastard is going to be there" she muttered. "Who's the other school?"

"Um, it's kinda hard to explain, but the guys know them from middle school."

"So it's kind of a get together, now that they all are gathered?"

"Um-"

"I knew it!" she suddenly shouted and hit her fist into the table. "They just going to have a nice chit chat about old days, aren't they?"

"I don't really think that's it..." Sakuno said silently. "I think we're going to train the whole time we're there."

"It was just a joke" she said with a smile. "Of course we're going to train. It would simply be weird if we weren't, especially when Mr. Uptight is in charge."

"Mr. Uptight?"

Suddenly the bell rang and everyone sat down to the last class.

As the teacher talked, Shin kept staring out the window. She couldn't get that name out of her head. "Giovanni Lacosta". A name she wouldn't forget, no matter how hard she tried. But it was not like she tried to, because she had a bone to pick with him.

****

The way to the tennis courts felt shorter than usual.

"I'm already used to be here..." Shin sighed. "Maybe I should skip practice today, before this becomes a habit."

"Forget it."

She jumped aside, staring at Tezuka who stood right behind her.

"Captain! Geez, you scared the crap out of me!"

He kept looking at her with emotionless eyes, again, again. But this time she didn't say anything. It was not like it would change a thing, even if she did.

"Sigh, I wasn't serious about what I said" she explained. "I'm just unfamiliar with habits. They're just going to be a pain in the end."

"You already have a habit of saying everything is a pain" he said.

"See? That's exactly what I mean."

They began to walk again.

Shin closed her eyes, humming a little melody. It was a song from that concert she wanted to attend, and the same one Atobe tried to invite her to. Tezuka looked down at her, with a bit more relaxed eyes. Her voice was soft and happy, a bit different than her voice when she talked.