Crazy Love

Chapter 8: Bento

"What are they doing?!" Akia exclaims in frustration.

Ryoma and Momoshiro have oddly separated the court in two sections, so that they don't get in each other's way while playing the doubles match. Even though it's not a very doubles-like attitude, everyone let it slide, since they were getting a good lead. But that isn't the case now. The Gyokurin team have found the weakness in their strategy. They are now aiming all of their shots at the middle court line. Ryoma and Momoshiro, both wanting to get to the ball first, end up clashing or leaving half the court open for an attack. They start losing point after point until they eventually lose a whole game. The score is now 3-2, in Seigaku's favour. However, if they don't find a way around that problem, Akia fears that they might actually lose.

The next games, the unusual pair starts using an unusual tactic. They scream either AH or UN.

"...What are they doing?" Akiko whispers.

Horio Satoshi, Mizuno Katsuo, and Kachirou Katou, who are all freshmen in Seigaku as well as Ryoma's classmates, are sitting next to Akiko, Sakuno, and Tomoka.

"Whatever they're doing is embarrassing to watch," Horio says in an exasperated tone.

Akia, who's sitting next to coach Ryuuzaki, couldn't help but sigh.

"Well, at least it's helping them not go after the ball at the same time," Akia mumbles, trying to convince herself before anyone.

"They're using it wrong..." Coach Ryuuzaki points out, "they should be able to use signals without having to shout embarrassingly like that. I should've had them train with Kikumaru and Oishi."

The match soon ends, to everyone's relief, with Seigaku getting the first win. Coach Ryuuzaki doesn't lose a chance to lecture Ryoma and Momoshiro about how bad their match was. Akia, on the other hand, goes to see Kikumaru who's finishing up with his warmup.

"Good luck out there, Eiji-senpai!"

At Akia's encouragement, Kikumaru flashes her a big smile and a thumbs up.

"It'll be easy easy! Especially with Akia-chan cheering for me."

Akia shyly giggles and Kikumaru waves at her while going to the court with Oishi.

The match ends with them not even losing a single point.

"As expected of the Golden Pair," Coach Ryuuzaki says, content with the results.

"Oh yeah! Way to go!" Akia, who can't contain her excitement anymore, shouts and jumps up from her seat.

Kikumaru comes running to her and gives her a big hug.

""Akia-chan! We did it! Did you see how good we were?"

"Y-Yeah, y-you were great out there," Akia stutters, her face flaming up at the sudden contact.

She feels a tinge of disappointment when he lets go, however, to go join Oishi in the player seats.

Only one more game, and Seigaku will win this round. Kaidoh's the one placed in singles three. Following in his senpai's footsteps, he wins the game without letting his opponent score. With this victory, Seigaku's advancement is decided. The matches continue however, for the overall placements.

Singles two's Kawamura Takashi is up next. As soon as he holds the racket, his character completely changes from timid to extremely confident and loud. Akiko along with Ryoma's fanclub cheer for Seigaku. Completely overpowering his opponent, Kawamura Takashi flawlessly wins the game, making Seigaku the victor once more.

The last singles being Fuji Syusuke pretty much guarantees Seigaku's win for this match as well. In the end, Seigaku wins all of their matches against Gyokurin.