The Silence In The Dark (Prince of Tennis) ||REWRITE||

Chapter 2

Come time Reichi got home that day he had a small smile pulled on his lips, his father deciding today was the perfect day to tease him about smiling over something as simple as school. Which the boy found immensely annoying. That night seemed to go by rather quickly for Reichi, who was damn excited and ready to start school the following morning. Which, of course, Ryoma's alarm woke him up. Both boys sluggishly got dressed, Ryoma just a bit more sluggish compared to Reichi. And with that the week seemed to speed by without another thought in Reichi's head, already getting his first few homework assignments from classes that were just starting up, and he was so quickly finding out that he needed to drop his English class. As he's fluent in everything but speaking. And considering his circumstances in that area- he's deciding to go to the principal's today to have that class dropped.

When Reichi had to do try-outs that week for the tennis team he gladly left his brother's side in a rush to get to school, tennis bag bouncing off his back softly as he jogged. Ryoma tried to call out to him, so he could introduce him to his newfound friend, and upperclassmen, but gave up in favor of walking next to Momoshiro. Reichi was at the train station in record time that day, waiting impatiently for his train to get there. And when it did he took his place against one of the poles, holding on as he started his music calmly. His ride was surprisingly peaceful that day, with no commotion, and no loud noises. Nothing, just peaceful commuters going about their morning. When Reichi got to school he walked to the changing rooms, seeing as tennis try-outs were in the morning and practice continued the following day. He found a nice corner and got changed into some shorts and a random t-shirt he had before lining up with the other first-years.

"Please call out when you hear your name. First-years will be doing laps, regulars practice matches on courts A and B. Second-years collecting balls and rallying with the walls. Third-years will also be doing laps." The captain said before he started calling out names, everyone replied with a simple 'Here!' then he got down to Echizen Reichi, called out the name, and got no answer. So he called it out again, again, no answer, then he looked up, a boy was holding his hand up.

"I said to call out when you heard your name" Reichi blinked, he had told the principal he was joining the tennis team and was reassured that the captain would have been told by today. A mild panic settled into his gut as his brain raced to think of something- anything to do at that moment. He was promised the captain and vice-captain would be made aware of his mutism. So to have them not be aware of it was throwing him around mentally before his brain just. Stopped. When Seiichi didn't get a reply Sanada walked over to him, a glowering look in his eyes as he stared down at the smaller boy. Then, with ease, his feet left the ground as he was lifted up, his eyes went wide as he was yelled at for a few minutes before being set back down. Sanada demanded him to run laps which he nodded and took off with the other first-years. Everyone else was staring at him as he regained his composure and nodded once, obviously still a little disheveled.

His laps went by in a flash, he had always focused on speed though, as well as stamina, so this was really no surprise. Though he didn't push himself, and sure as hell didn't go as fast as possible. Not today, not when his head was still veering and reeling from the yelling and encounter. He followed through the repetitive motion of feet falling onto the pavement, jogging in the midst of the pact of first-years. He saw the first-years who had finished right before him collecting balls from the regular's matches and fly balls that got a bit off track from the second-year practice. So he joined them, though reluctantly, this isn't what he joined a tennis team for, to pick up balls, he joined to improve his tennis skill.

As the class bell rang he made his way to the principal's office, already writing down how he needs his English class dropped and how he'd more than happily take a placement test if needed afterward. Then he knocked followed by being let into the room and sat down he showed the note to his principal. Who happily read it over before nodding, so easily in understanding. "We can work with that Echizen-kun, I would like you to take a placement test! Not today, I know you were raised in America, so it's to be expected. For today I'll have you join the third-year study hall. Come, I'll walk you there." Reichi stood, then bowed and nodded. He was still a little shaken about the incident with his new vice-captain. And with that back in mind, he snatched his notebook up and quickly asked about that.