Sumo meets Rugby (TennojixReader)

Chapter 8 - Don't underestimate me!

Coach if you don’t mind, once break is over, I request a bout with Sawai Raion?” 

“WHAT???” Numerous cries sounded throughout the dojo. Shido looked at me and started laughing “You even surprised me with that request. I say let her do it”. The coach sighed – I swear he sighs a lot – “Fine. Get changed and get ready for the bout”. I smile and turn back the Sawai “I’ll see you in the ring” and walked to the changing rooms. 
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No one’s POV

Lexi and Sawai were in the ring about to face off after she changed and warmed up. The Eiga members were initially a blushing mess when she stepped back in the dojo, whilst the Hakurou members were used it by now.

Tennoji approached Lexi to give her a belt to tie on. “Do you have a plan?” He whispered. Lexi answered whilst tying the belt “Sort of. Sawai is a top heavy player with good charges, but he is weaker around his hips and lower legs meaning any side to side movement he won’t be able to counter”. Tennoji looked at Lexi like she was some sort genius, “How do you know that?”
Lexi looked up and smiled, “That’s my secret weapon. Analysing an opponent and then make my move to fight against them is my skill. My team mate, Sky, taught me”. 

Tennoji smiled and patted her head, ruffling her hair. She looked up at him with a slight blush, “I trust you. Win the bout. Show them just how good you are”.
Lexi smiled, “I will. I won’t let you down. Besides what that jerk said annoyed me because all he sees is a girl who should mind her own business, even if I do have knowledge to help”. Tennoji stood behind Lexi and patted her back before leaving the ring to stand with the rest of the Hakurou members. 

It was time.

Lexi bowed and crouched down with both fist on the ground whilst Sawai had placed one fist down.

“Spirit”.

Sawai charged towards Lexi only for Lexi to dodge to the side and start pushing Sawai from behind by using his charging momentum against him. Sawai, quickly realising he was getting closer to the edge of the ring, managed to put the breaks on and stop himself.  Sawai swiftly turned around to face Lexi only to find that she had moved in close and palm strike him hard across the right side of his face. ‘Christ. How strong is this girl?’ Sawai thought. Whilst the strike to Sawai’s face had him knocked off balance allowing Lexi to follow up the attack by grabbing his mawashi belt and using her body to push him further to the rings edge. 

“Are you seeing this?”

“Is she really getting one up on Sawai?”

“That palm strike looked strong and it actually pushed him off balance”.

Tennoji couldn’t help but admire Lexi’s form and spirit. She doesn’t care how small she is compared to her opponents. She will face each challenge head on and use techniques she has mastered due to her smaller statue to defeat each and everyone of those that underestimated her. She reminds him of himself when his own statue was smaller before his growth spurt. 

The crowd watched as Lexi grabbed the belt that much tighter with her left hand whilst placing her right hand on his shoulder before using all her strength into a throw where Sawai was sailed over her and landed on his back.

Lexi stood over Sawai. From his view he looked up and due to the lighting of the dojo, only her eyes could be seen while the rest of her face was cast in shadows. “Sawai, the bout is finished. I’m still standing, a meddling manager, whilst you, a trained sumo wrestler, is on ground staring up at me. You saw someone who was small. Someone; who in your eyes; had no business being involved in sumo so you already passed your judgement” Lexi’s eyes flicked with blue flames as she continued to speak “Well? What is your judgement now, Sawai of Eiga High? Am I still someone who shouldn’t meddle or are you going to listen to my advice now? Don’t underestimate me” she shouted. 

Lexi took a step back before bowing to Sawai and exiting the ring to go to the Hakurou members. Aki stood with his hand raised and Lexi high-fives him, “Good job Lexi-chan that was great”.
“Thanks Aki-san”.
“Yeah that was so cool Lexi-chan. You could easily become a sumo wrestler” Saki chipped in.
“That was amazing Lexi-senpai” Enoki and Batb said at the same time. Lexi couldn’t help but laugh when they glared at each other. Shutou came over with a towel and some water “Here Lexi-chan. You’re not hurt are you?”
“Thanks Masaomi-san. I’m okay”. 

Tennoji still stood there with his arms crossed thinking about that throw Lexi did and well, he couldn’t help but admit to himself that after seeing that bout, he was truly and deeply in love with the girl. 

Tennoji walked up to where Lexi stood and placed a hand on her cheek. “That was really well fought Lexi-chan. I’m proud of you”. Lexi’s face became as bright red as her hair before stuttering out “Th-thank you Shido-san”. Lexi and Tennoji were both just standing there staring at each other with his hand on her cheek. The Hakurou members were looking back and forth from Lexi to Tennoji and they could have sworn that they saw a pink haze appear behind them. 

“Ahem” Saki coughed and both daydreaming teens jumped apart and trying to compose themselves. “Haha” Lexi tries to talk normally, “I’m just going to get changed and then I’ll be back”.
When Lexi was out of sight, the boys turned to look at Tennoji with knowing looks. “Well well big brother. It’s about time you showed your true feelings”, Saki smirks.
“Yeah lover boy, that was a bold move” Aki said. Shutou was nodding his head and Enoki and Batb were thinking that Tennoji-senpai and Lexi-senpai were the perfect match. 

“I touched her cheek on instinct. You don’t think it was too much?” Tennoji asked the gang. They all shook their heads. “Nah. You’ve just made the first move for Lexi-chan to start looking at you in a more romantic way rather than just a friend” Aki said.
“Yeah I guess you’re right. So what’s the next for Lexi-senpai to notice Tennoji-senpai?” Enoki asked.
“Well” Saki started “they walk home together with Kanou-senpai and myself. So I think you should walk with Lexi-chan on your own. You’re also going to her house this weekend to study. Get there early and stay for dinner. What do you think?”
Tennoji patted his sister’s head, smiling, “Sounds like a plan”.

“Just remember to invite us to the wedding”, Saki beams.

“Huh?”
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Next time: Until next time