♫Wonderful Days♫Prince of tennis♫Hyotei♫

♫06♫ Now ≠ Then

"It seems like Atobe-senpai has picked out Seigaku as our next opponent. The Golden Pair, Tezuka, and Fuji are the only players that I think the team should look out for. Although, I did ask around and I heard they have a freshman kid who is owning everyone." Ranfa finished reading the notes that she had taken for the team to the coach and he nodded approvingly of her notes. 

"Sakura, how do you have information before there's even a match?" 

"It's a woman's secret." 

"I see. You may-" 

"Hold on a moment, Coach. I want to talk about Shishido-senpai." 

"Shishido, huh?" Just as she expected, he doesn't look interested at all. "The team has a strict merit rule here. Anyone who loses will be dropped out immediately." 

"I think people learn faster after going through hardships. For the past 2 weeks, I have observed Shishido-senpai's practice myself and I saw something other than him getting scars and catching balls." 

"Catching balls?" 

"Anyway, it's the chemistry of a new doubles pair."

"Hmph, you are talking about Shishido and Ootori? Ootori's partner is Taki and it will stay that way."

"You are saying that based on skills but I think doubles pair work better if they experience things together. I saw the two of them practice and I can see they care about one another a lot. A nice friendship is blooming there and doubles is about complete trust with your partner." Ranfa bowed before making her way out of the music classroom. 

When Ranfa made her way to the tennis court, she smiled when she saw Atobe heading there. 

"Atobe-senpai!" 

"Oh, Little Kitten." 

"Senpai, I look forward to the match with Seigaku." 

"Look forward to Ore-sama's prowess!" 

"Of course."

"I saw you talking to the coach before...is it about Shishido?" Atobe asked her. 

"Yes."

"You really think that guy can pull himself back into the team? That has never been allowed before." Atobe has heard of the merit system the tennis club has implemented; any loss, no matter how small or big, they will be kicked out of the regular to be replaced. 

"Persistent people are cute." Ranfa smiled at him. 

"Cute? You think Shishido is cute?" 

"Of course. Have you heard his voice?" Ranfa said with a light blush.

'Huh? What was that? Little Kitten looked so adorable for a second there...a mirage?' "L-Little Kitten, you like Shishido despite the fact he has been less of a gentleman to you?" 

"I guess I like manly men..." 

"Hm, then...should Ore-sama show Little Kitten how manly he is? arn?" 

"Oh? There is a match?" 

When they got to the court, they saw Taki on the floor of the tennis court, gasping for air. On the other side of the net was a wounded-looking Shishido Ryou, balancing a tennis racquet on his pointer. 

"Hey!" Ranfa called out a random 2nd year, "What was the score?" "6-1! Shishido-senpai's win!" 

"Hmm, Shishido-senpai is much better than I thought." Ranfa walked down the steps and made her way over to Shishido, "Senpai, that was a nice job."