?

~ The next Day~

     “Oshitari, Amane, you two will be against Ibu and Shinjyou,” Hanamura pronounced in a strong voice. “This’ll be an interesting match, watch closely -chan.”

     “Hai, oba-san.”

     “Omoshiro ne, nii-chan?” said Atsushi separating from the group with his brother.

     “Mmm… Dabide won’t be easy to beat with his long racket.” Replied Ryou firmly.

     “Shizukani kudasai, futari tomo,” stated Hanamura-sensei, slightly annoyed.

     “Ahh! Nande?! Ibu-san did something to Amane-san!” gasped -chan.

     “Ibu-san’s spot. He skillfully rotates the ball with top and back spin to put pressure on his opponent’s arm. Super effective against Amane-kun’s long racket,” said Atsushi knowledgably from behind her.

     “Wow, you sure know a lot,” -chan replied, blushing faintly.

     “Well, Mizuki-san gathers a lot of data about other schools,” he said scratching his head slightly.

     “Game and match! Oshitari-Amane pair,” yelled the referee.

~In the Training Room~

     “Here,” Ryou said offering Atsushi a towel.

     “O, sankyuu…”

     “Ne, have you gotten used to life in the dorm yet?”

     “Mmmm… ma ne…”

     “It’s been bothering me since we met, why do you wear that red ribbon?”

     “Becuase we’re twins, Mizuki-san made me wear it so he wouldn’t mistaken me for you… hidoi wa ne?” said Atsushi, faking a sniff.

     “What do you think of –,” Ryou started…

“Atsushi-kun, Ryou-kun, please refrain from private chats during training. Your pace is dropping!!” Scolded Hanamura-sensei.

     “Uh.. hai!” replied the twins pedaling furiously now.

     “Gunbatte,” -chan cheered. Both of them blushed…

Their conversation was interrupted by Tomo coming in to bring the first aid kit.

                             ~

“Minna, your attention please!” commanded Hanamura-sensei. “I’m going to split this group into 2. One led by myself of course, and the other led by the assistant couch, Chi-chan. Sa te… hmmm… Oshitari, Amane and… eto… Atsushi, go with -chan. The rest will come with me. Atsushi’s face lit up with relief, Ryou looked none too happy but only chi-chan noticed.

     “Ano… matches!” -chan starts… Amane makes a stupid joke about matches. “Dakedo…. There’s only three people… ok, I’ll play too!” said -chan, slowly gaining more confidence.

     “Doubles or Singles?” inquired Oshitari

     “Huh? aaaa… doubles, if that’s okay with everybody.”

     “Looks like we’ll be paired together again,” said Oshitari to Amane… smirking a little.

     “That means… I’m playing with…” -chan turns her head slightly to look at Atsushi and turns back abruptly, flushing.

                             ~

“Oshitari Amane pair tai Atsushi pair. Atsushi to serve. ”

Atsushi bounced the ball a few times before tossing it high up into the air and slamming it into the right corner of the service box. Amane stretches out his racket effortlessly and returns it. runs up and the rally begins. Oshitari lobs it tauntingly, jumps up and smashes it, but Oshitari returns it easily with a Higuma Otoshi. He smirks,… “15-0” The game progresses… “Game, Oshitari Amane pair 4 games to 3.”

Atsushi grits his teeth subconsciously, games where his back was against the wall were ones he played best and enjoyed the most, but having stand there in the court with him was somewhat distracting.

~Meanwhile in Hanamura-sensei’s group…~

     “Game, Ibu, Kabaji pair, 5 games to 3.”

     “Doushite, Kisarazu-san? You haven’t really gotten into the match. Is there something bothering you?” Wakato asked nosily.

     “Iie, I’m fine,” Ryou lied. It was true that his thoughts were not on the match at all. His mind was wandering off to the back court… with -chan and Atsushi… He shook his head to get it out of his head and tried to focus on the match, but to no avail. Looks like Atsushi and I will have to settle this soon, he thought, and with that, his willpower returned.

Kabaji hit a lob, Ryou faked a smash and hit a drop shot.

“Tore Kabaji,” Atobe commanded, snapping his fingers.

“Usu,” replied Kabaji in a monotonous voice while hitting the ball hard across the net. Wakato returned it as Pete Sampras, but Ibu got it and started his Spot pattern. Ryou and Wakato took turns returning Ibu’s shots, and eventually started dominating. “Game and match, Kisarazu, Wakato pair. Ryou was determined to win every game in order to sharpen up and beat his rival, in every aspect,  Kisarazu Atsushi.

Written by: Chii-chan

Edited by: Chii-chan

*Koneko's note: Gomen ne minna! sorry for all the japanese Chii put in here!*