Hidden Plays

12: Very few entered the walls I built

Coach wanted to be there for the matches that would decide who would make it to the Kanto matches. He didn't have an open opinion about Satomi's plan on seeing who is fit to play in Regionals, but he knew it was only for the best. They won against the other schools easily. Jirou proved himself as a regular and defeated Fuji Yuuta of St. Rudolph in 15 minutes.

Satomi wasn't there to watch the matches. She had a doctors visit, and now she was finally off of her crutches, but had to wear an air boot for another week. She had an easier time getting from place to place.

Tennis practice with her father resumed on weekends. Satomi would be getting back into tennis for the time being. Nothing especially new. Just rallying back and forth and just making sure her skills weren't rusty.

When she heard that Hyotei played Seigaku in the pairings she told the regulars to practice hard. She had a hard training schedule for them. She watched as Shishido defeated Haginosuke Taki.

"Satomi, you're call." Coach said before leaving.

"Pre-regular Wakashi Hiyoshi will take Haginosuke's place as a regular." She said with a sigh before standing up and taking her leave. Shishido chased after her. He was injured all over.

"Your training practices late at night with Otori was reckless. You injured yourself to that state. Do you really believe you can win against Seigaku in an injured form such as that?" Satomi stopped and asked without turning around to face Shishido. Shishido's eyes widened. Satomi made her decision for his welfare?

Satomi sighed. Otori chased after the two.

"Please Satomi-chan, give Shishido-senpai a chance I even-" Otori started.

"Practiced with him late I nights. I saw, when staying behind to finish paperwork since I had nothing better I saw your little training sessions. They seemed to injure Shishido more than they helped him, but none the less he improved..." Satomi said.

For a second it was quiet.

"Do you want Shishido-senpai to become a regular again, Otori-kun?" Satomi asked. Otori nodded before realizing she couldn't she him at the moment and said yes.

"Would you give up your position as a regular to him?" Satomi asked sternly. Otori hesitated for a moment.

"Yes I would." He said firmly. Satomi smiled, but since she was facing forward no one could see it. She could only guess Shishido was shocked by Otori's answer.

"You have a strong attitude. I'll give you that." Satomi said. Atobe then entered.

"As captian of the team, I too would like Shishido to return to the regular's rankings." Atobe said.

All the sudden Shishido took out a barber's pair of scissors. He cut his 'precious' long hair. After he cut it away Otori was shocked. Satomi gave a light chuckle.

"You were going to cut it off either way, or else you wouldn't have that kind of pair of scissors just lying in your pocket. Very well you'll return to the regulars ranks instead of Wakashi, but you and Ootori will play in the Doubles 2 position, if you defeat Mukahi and Oshitari you'll go to Doubles 1. Rest of the rankings will stay the same, Kabaji 3rd singles, Jirou second singles, and Atobe 1st singles. Now buchou-senpai, as captain I'll have you tell the team the final decision made. If anyone has any complaints bring them to me. I'll be in the club room finishing some things. Shishido-senpai, get some rest and get yourself healed before the match." Satomi said.

Shishido and Ootori bowed. Atobe watched her leave and sighed.

"She put Wakashi in for my welfare. She was afraid that I would injure myself even more than I already am by playing in the regular rankings." Shishido said.