Crazy Love

Chapter 7: Tokyo District Preliminary

Seishun Gakuen wins the first round easily at the Tokyo District Preliminary. The Quarterfinal against Gyokurin Middle School is right around the corner, causing the club managers, captain, and coach to schedule a strategy meeting.

It's finally the day for the meeting to decide the matchup for the next round. Akia, on her way to the classroom where the meeting is being held, starts thinking about what Akiko told her the other day.

"Akutsu Jin..." She mumbles.

"We really do owe him our thanks. Without him, who knows where Akiko would be," Akia thinks to herself, shuddering at what might've happened otherwise.

She arrives at the classroom and finds Inui, Tezuka, and Coach Ryuuzaki already discussing who will be playing and the order they'll play in. The Tournament consists of two doubles matches and three singles matches. For the Doubles 1 match, Oishi and Kikumaru have been immediately places there, since they are the best doubles team in the Tennis Club. Kawamura's been put in Singles 2, and Fuji's been put in Singles 1. Now all that's left to decide is the Doubles 2 match, and the Singles 3.

While they brainstorm to decide who to place where, two people come barging into the classroom.

"R-Ryoma...?!" Akia exclaims in surprise.

"Momo, Echizen? What are you two doing here?" Coach Ryuuzaki says with a hint of anger in her voice.

"We'll be in the Doubles 2 match!" They both shout at the same time.

Everyone's eyes widen. These were the two that kept fighting over the Singles spots.

"W-Well, you do seem very passionate about it," Ryuuzaki stutters at their energy and then she turns to Tezuka, Inui, and Akia, "if that's okay with you guys."

They all nod and say that it's no problem. Thus, the Doubles 2 match is Echizen and Momo, and the Singles 3 is Kaidoh.

It's now the day of the Quarterfinal. Akia wakes up much earlier and heads straight to the kitchen. Despite how she looks and acts, she's actually a great cook. She starts preparing a bento for her brother and one for Kikumaru.

"I hope he likes it..." Akia mumbles and smiles while thinking of how happy Kikumaru will be.

Akiko wakes up a bit after her and, hearing the noise in the kitchen, heads straight there.

"Akia-nee? How come you're awake so early?" Akiko yawns in the middle of her sentence.

"Akiko! Come help me. You're in charge of making your and my bento," Akia gives out her orders while rushing from one place to another.

Without saying anything else, Akiko gets to work. For Kikumaru's bento, Akia makes rice balls in the shape of a cat, trying as best as she can to make it look like the white cat they both saw when they first met. She cuts up some nori sheets for the details and adds some side dishes along the edges to make it look both cute and appetizing. For Ryoma's bento, she doesn't do nearly as much effort. She just neatly arranges everything in the box.

"Done! What do you think, Akiko?" Akia turns to her twin.

"I bet the cat one is for Kikumaru-senpai," Akiko giggles.

"You're right about that!" Akia gives her a thumbs-up.

"Oh, that's true!" Akiko gasps, "Someone has to wake up Ryoma!"

"Leave it to me," Akia says as she heads towards her brother's bedroom.

She first goes through the normal methods of opening the curtains and telling him to wake up, but, as usual, it doesn't work.

"Well, you leave me no choice, Ryoma..." Akia sighs.

She then goes back to the kitchen and gets some clothespins. She then goes back to Ryoma's room, excited to try her new idea, only to find him out of his bed, fully awake.

"Awww, you're no fun," Akia whines.

"I'm not about to let you do anything to me the day of the Quarterfinal..." Ryoma says in an annoyed voice.

His gaze then wanders to what Akia's holding.

"What were you planning to do with these...?" Ryoma exclaims with horror in his eyes.

"Oh, these?" Akia looks at the clothespins, "I was planning to clip your mouth and your nose shut until you run out of air and wake up."

"...You're evil..." Ryoma says in a shaking voice, realizing what he has just escaped.

The three siblings then gather in the kitchen and carry their respective bento. Akia carries Kikumaru's as well and they all head to the location of the Quarterfinal.

Arriving there, they spot a few early members of the Seigaku team. Inui, Tezuka, Coach Ryuuzaki, Kawamura, Kaidoh, and Oishi are the only ones there for now. Sakuno and Tomoka are also there to cheer them on. They all greet each other and wait for the rest of the members to arrive. Fuji comes next, and then Kikumaru and Momo finally make it.

After greeting everyone, Kikumaru goes up to Akia and puts his arms around Akia's neck in his friendly way.

"Akia-chan! Good morning!" Kikumaru exclaims with a bright smile.

"Eiji-senpai! G-Good morning..." Akia blushes severely. Her heart starts beating really fast.

Coach Ryuuzaki then coughs a bit to clear her throat and get everyone's attention. Kikumaru then lets go of Akia, to her disappointment.

"Everyone's finally there?" Coach Ryuuzaki looks at all of us. "Alright, let's go check in."

After checking in, they all go to the court where the Seigaku VS Gyokurin is going to be held. The Doubles 2 teams start stretching while the other players go sit on the benches. Akia, since she's their manager, is allowed to sit at the front next to Coach Ryuuzaki.

The first match is Echizen and Momo VS Izumi and Fukawa. Akia and Akiko hold their breath, knowing full well that Ryoma is not a good Doubles player. Akia's still very surprised by how vehemently him and Momo insisted on playing the Doubles 2 match.

"One set match," the referee starts saying, "Gyokurin to serve."

"This is it!" Akia and Akiko exclaim in their mind at the same time.