Hidden Plays

18: I need to set things right

Satomi had her chauffeur drive to the Echizen household, hoping to talk to Ryoma Echizen. When she found out he wasn't there a beautiful young lady told her that he was probably with his tennis friends. She checked Seigaku, but their tennis practice was already finished. She was driving when she noticed 'Kawamura Sushi'. She remembered that one of the Seigaku members were called Kawamura. She quickly told her chauffeur to drive there. When she heard the Seigaku regular voices with a female voice she send an 'ok' signal to the driver and he headed off. She pulled up her mask ever so slightly and tilted her visor down.

"Fudomine was destroyed by Rikkaidai. They made us look like fools. I saw it in their eyes...There weren't even using half of their strength." The female voice said almost sobbing.

"Well then..." Tomi said walking into the sushi place.

"Fudomine was just too weak against the powerhouse. Rikkaidai should never be underestimated. Even Hyotei could not stand a chance against them." Tomi said. Everyone gasped. She glanced over at Ryoma.

"Echizen-san, there you are. If you have time I'd like a private word with you. It will take a while, so if you do, bring your belongings with you. Take your time." Tomi said coldly. Horio was glaring at her, but she was completely unfazed.

"It's the cold-hearted wannabe pro." Horio taunted. Tomi didn't say anything as she waited for Ryoma's response.

"What for?" Ryoma asked his eyes narrowing.

"I would like a word with you...About the Rikkaidai team." Tomi said. Ryoma looked at his teammates they all shrugged or didn't do anything.

"Give me a moment, I's like to watch the footage of the game first." Ryoma said.

"Very well. Bring your racquet. I'll be waiting at the park, court 2." Tomi said heading out.

"Wait would you like something to eat?" The older Kawamura asked.

"No thank you, I'm here strictly on business." Tomi said leaving. She went outside and saw her chauffeur and he drove her to the park.

"Come back in an hour and a half." She said. He nodded and left. She sat there all alone for a moment with only her racquet and a container of three balls. She soon got bored and got out her phone reading public news about her. Some articles even talked trans about here. There were only the professional articles that gave general information and a 'good luck' at the end.

"Ahem." A voice said. It was Ryoma's. She looked up and just nodded.

"Sit down, I want you to know a little about Rikkaidai before I tell you anything. Rikkaidai...They are all national level players. Defeating them won't be easy, especially their captain, but the captain is the least of your worries...H-He's on a medical lease/break." Tomi said as her voice slightly broke. Ryoma noticed though. She let out a ragged sigh before continuing.

"By my prediction...You'll be playing singles 1, their vice-captain. He's not easy competition, I'll tell you that. Your game against Kentaro of Rokkaku would be a walk in the park compared to him. His name is Sanada Genichiro, stoic, and serious person. He likes to take his opponents head on." Tomi said.

"Why are you telling me this? I wouldn't expect the Hyotei manager to be helping us, much less a pro." Ryoma asked.

"I...It's personal reason." Tomi answered firmly but softly.

"Huh?" Ryoma asked.

"I'm sorry, but that's all I can say." Tomi said. She looked away trying to calm down.

This caught Ryoma by shock. First seeing the cold-hearted Tomi break down in front of him, and hearing about all this.

"They only win, it's even in their motto...Please..." Tomi said.

"I was planning on doing it anyways." Ryoma said. Tomi nodded and stood up grabbing the balls.

"There's a technique of mine I want you to know how to use. It's called 'Switch Momentum.' It's when I start off with either my left or right forehand, and switch hands halfway through. If I hit it perfectly I have completely control over the aim of the ball and how it is going to hand." Tomi said stepping onto the court.

"This is a move only those who can use both hands during tennis can actually use in a match." Tomi said. Ryoma went to the opposite side and watched Tomi hit a few balls using the 'Switch Momentum', and he tried it for himself, at first it didn't seem to work.

"Make sure you're hitting the sweet spot." Tomi said.

Ryoma kept on trying and was getting better.

"Try sliding your racquet on top of the ball just before the ball leaves your racquet. This will create a down spin." Tomi said.

Ryoma listened and was able to do it.

"Now practice that move while running around." Tomi said feeding the balls so that Ryoma was running around.

Ryoma was a fast learner and got it down quickly. Tomi nodded as soon as they were done. She got Ryoma a ponta.

"You like Ponta right?" She asked handing him one.

"What are you going to do?" Ryoma asked.

"I'm going to France. I was given the offer to train and play for France. I have a duel citizenship, might as well put it to use." She said.

"Is it because of all the trash talk?" Ryoma asked. She patted Ryoma's head.

"You catch on quickly. When I get back let's have a match alright? After all back in the day, the Samurai's biggest rival was the Ninja. I personally play two different styles of tennis, but the Ninja Style was my very first style, I've grown out of that kind of child play." She said sitting down with a sigh.

"And what style do you play now?" Ryoma asked.

"You might have heard of it. Everything combined is called the 'Assassin Style'. You know what happened to Tachibana correct? My style is a lot like Kirihara's styles, except for one thing. Kirihara hurts his opponents physically, aiming at joints and all. I destroy my opponents on a mental scale. I remember some even grew up hating and fearing tennis. Those were the good old days. I find no satisfactory in doing it anymore, I used to love crushing and destroying my opponent's will to play, but now it just seems boring. I'll find an alternate one day." Tomi said.

"Why? Why do you find pleasure in destroying opponents to the point they fear tennis?!" Ryoma asked.

"Well, not everyone is a natural prodigy, Echizen-san. It's an honor that people think I'm a prodigy. Most don't know what I truly do during tennis, but they do know I crush my opponents horribly to the point they stop playing tennis. People think that they stopped because of embarrassment of losing. I worked to get this far. My style of tennis brought me this far. I can't just let go of it and start from scratch, now can I?" Tomi asked. Ryoma was quiet.

"You've must have heard a lot of about my defensive style of playing correct?" Tomi asked.

"You usually lose the first two games purposely against stronger opponents." Ryoma said.

"Ah, so you so know." Tomi said.

"Why?" Ryoma asked.

"I hate data tennis, mostly because these people are just too...Too curious...They go into one's personal life. I hate it. But I use minimal data tennis myself. I don't care about your name, your country, your place of birth, or even your strength and how they might hinder me. I only care about your weakness and how I'm able to use it to my advantage." Tomi said.

"I'm evil like they say, selfish like they say. Maybe it's better for you to stay away from me." Tomi said. Ryoma didn't say anything.

"You should get going. It's getting late." She said leaving as soon as she finished her Ice Tea.