The First To Lose (Prince Of Tennis)

2

Chapter 2 --

           "Ranking matches?" She asked, tilting her head at Fuji.

          "Yes. Echizen is joining. He's going to be the only first year," Fuji answered with a nod.

          Ryoka giggled maniacally. "I can't wait to watch him lose."

          Fuji laughed at her attitude while Kikumaru shuddered as he listened to their conversation. S-Sadists! He thought, turning the other way afraid that they saw him.

~

          "Are you sure?!" Ryoka exclaimed, furrowing her eyebrows.

          Ryoma scowled as he answered her, "Is it that hard to believe?"

          "Yes, yes it is," Ryoka answered truthfully with a frown.

          "It's you again," Kaidoh Kaoru said with a frown, glaring at her.

          She glared back at him before lifting her chin. "You gotta problem? Huhhhh?"

          Kikumaru held both of her shoulders and pulled her back. "Ryoka-chan, don't fight," he said.

          Ryoka frowned and sent a death glare to Kaidoh.

          "Um, excuse me," Oishi Shuichiro said, "who are you?"

           Ryoka pointed to herself, "Me?"

          All of them, except for Kikumaru, Fuji and Ryoma, nodded.

          She grinned. "Sorry, bout that. I'm Echizen Ryoka," she said, she put her elbow on Ryoma's shoulder. "I'm this Midget's older sister."

          "What?!"

          Ryoma clicked his tongue and pushed her elbow off, causing Ryoka to stumble. She smacked his head before turning to the rest as Ryoma walked away.

          Ryoka scoffed. "I'm not that old. I'm only a third year."

          "Oi, Ryo," Ryoma called, throwing a racket at her. "Fight me."

          Ryoka burst out laughing. "Fight me? Seriously?"

          Ryoma became flustered but walked onto the court. "Hurry up, Ryo. Or are you scared you can't beat me?"

          Ryoka's laughter ceased and she threw the racket up before catching it again. "I'm not very strong, you know," she said with a smirk while she walked onto the court.

          Ryoma prepared to serve while the rest of the team stood there, not knowing what happened.

          Inui took out his notebook and watched the match carefully. "I could get some useful data on her."

          Momoshiro lifted an eyebrow. "Why? She doesn't seem all that good. She's just a girl."

          Inui pushed up his glasses. "There was a rumor that the Samurai, Echizen Nanjiroh, was beaten."

          "It's just a rumor," Tezuka said, cutting in.

          Fuji smiled, opening his blue eyes. "You can't be too sure about that, Tezuka."

          "Play seriously, Ryo!" Ryoma yelled as he rallied with Ryoka.

          Ryoka giggled, hitting the tennis ball with not even 30% of her strength. "I am playing seriously, Midget. I'm just weak."