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Tested
A Prince of Tennis Fanfic
Written by PynkPlayar
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| STEP 5: TO CONFIRM |
"Everytime I find the meaning of life, they change it." --Anonymous
I. Can't. Sleep.
Everything is as usual. Right? I had a nice hard practice, escaped Inui's brewings, and won my practice match against Kaido. Speaking of Kaido, he really should stop that snake-sound habit. After the practice match, we shook hands and he said "Fsssh...good match." When Kaido went "Fssh," I swear I got a spray of spit. Nasty...
I went home and took a nice relaxing bath. Ate some delicious Japanese cuisine (one of the best features of living in Japan). Did homework, played with Karupin, read a couple pages from the latest tennis magazine.
And now I'm here. In bed.
And I can't sleep.
Damn.
When Echizen Ryoma doesn't get his sleep, he's not a happy camper.
Because sleep is one of Echizen Ryoma's life purposes. The other few purposes being tennis and Karupin. And maybe family minus that dumb Oyaji.
So I just laid here. And laid. Not thinking about anything in particular.
Just sitting under the warm covers. A volumonous blob of fur (that some claim to call a "cat," but I beg to differ) at my feet.
Damn eyes, why won't you get tired?
I didn't get it. I really wanted to go to sleep, but it was like subconciously, I didn't want the day to end.
Maybe if I sniff Oyaji's shoe, it'll knock me unconcious...
No, no. Too dangerous. Who knows the side effects.
Argh...
"Rrreeow..."
"Shut up, Karupin..."
* * * * *
"Mmmhmm!" I sat up and stretched, reaching my arms up towards the ceiling. "Wow, it's a beautiful day," I stated to myself, looking out the window.
I showered and quickly braided my long hair. Well, maybe not that quickly, 'cuz I do have a lot of it. Maybe I should get it cut? Nah.
Then, meticulously, I added the lace piece -my flower hair pin. It had been my mother's. I wear it pretty much everyday.
I took one quick look in the mirror. Hygeine and appearance was good to go. Everything is how it should be.
I headed towards the kitchen next. Then I got ingredients for my bento lunch.
"Hmm... I guess I got too many ingredients." I observed after finishing.
It's like I got exactly double of everything. I only need to make one lunch though... right?
I grabbed my bag and an apple. I still felt like something was missing. I took a minute to check over everything. Nope, everything is as it should be.
"I'm going Obaa-chan!"
I inhaled the spring air. It was a warm day, but not a scorcher. The pale blue sky was dotted with translucent clouds, bird darted about. How could anyone not enjoy a day like this?
* * * * *
I hate days like this.
I lacked sleep. And dammit, life ain't good when Echizen Ryoma doesn't get enough sleep.
I sprinted down the street, pebbles crunching under my shoes and my tennis rackets clacking in their bag. I basically just threw on my uniform, grabbed a piece of bread, and ran out the door. As I approached the intersection I realized: Wait... why am I running? I don't care if I'm late. There's nothing at school to look forward to.
Lost in thought, that was when my head hit a branch. I landed ungracefully on my ass.
Damn.
Good thing no one I knew was here to witness this one clumsy moment of Echizen Ryoma. I'd never live to see tomorrow if anyone saw me do that. I've got an image to keep up. I brushed off my pants and shirt, then strolled towards the school.
Unfortunately,
I forgot that the branch had hit my head.
* * *
I opened the door forcefully. Tired, irritated, and my rump hurt. Yeah, I said rump. No questions asked.
"Echizen, you are late." Wow, aren't you clever? No wonder you're a teacher.
"Please take the avaliable seat." No, I think I'm just gonna sit on the floor, with all the dirt and crap.
I couldn't help the sarcastic comments going through my head. I was in a foul mood.
I lifted my head. Everyone was looking at me. What am I, some alien? A piece of art in a museum? So annoying. I put on my don't-fuck-with-me-bastards look. They all quickly broke their eye contact with me. Good.
As I made my way to the other side of the room, I heard stiffled laughter. I scanned the room only to see a Ryuzaki, shaking slightly.
I glared. What is this girl's problem? She keeps laughing at me. I felt degraded. People don't laugh at Echizen Ryoma.
She just looked up at me, and giggled some more. What. The. Heck.
I looked into her eyes. Big, brown, cinnamon eyes... I enjoy cinnamon...
Mental slappage. That branch must have hit my head pretty hard. I walked by her desk, towards the direction of the empty seat.
"Echizen-kun," she whispered. I paused.
"What." I retorted bluntly. What ever could she want?
"You... have a catapillar in your hair." she stated, hesitantly.
Excuse me?
Standing up slightly, she reached her hand towards the top my head, paused, then sat down. She opened her hand to reveal a fuzzy green catapillar. Disgusting... vile... that was sitting in my hair this whole time?
"Sensei, may I open a window so I can put the catapillar back outside?"
"Sure, Ryuzaki."
At this point, I promptly sat in my seat.
I watched with a dull expression as Ryuzaki placed the (revolting) catapillar on the window ledge outside. Stupid girl. She never thought about how we were on the 2nd floor. That catapillar can't go anywhere and will probably get eaten by a bird or something...
"Bye-bye catapillar-chan. Be happy." she whispered.
Stupid girl and her stupid catapillar. Unless it enjoys being dead, no way will that catapillar be all that happy.
Stupid branch actually for getting that stupid catapillar to hitchhike with me to school.
Stupid me for not noticing the stupid branch.
...
Damn.
...
What else could be lurking in my hair?
Note to self: Go to bathroom quickly after class to obliterate whatever other things may be in my hair...
* * * * *
"Tomoka-chan, where'd Echizen-kun run off to?"
"I saw him sprinting down the hallway. He bulldozed down anyone in his way."
...
We positively burst out into laughter.
When did Echizen become such a funny guy?
* * * * *
After surviving a long day at school, it seems I was assigned afterschool duty.
Afterschool duty equals:
One --no tennis practice. Damn.
Two --cleaning and organizing. Echizen Ryoma does not enjoy cleaning and organizing. Have you seen my room?
Three --being stuck alone with my female partner...
Guess who?
None other than
the always chatty and gitty
Obasaka.
What a day.
So, we're a cleanin'. And a organizin'. Oh joy. Obasaka is over there, talking to herself...
I guess when there's no one to talk to, she talks to herself?
Meh. Must this girl talk? It's like talking is breathing...
" Ah! Look! It's Sakuno-chan's paper..."
Somehow, I couldn't block out her talking anymore... I can only do so much, you know? She talks a lot.
"S akuno-chan, I'm glad your back to your old self..."
Huh?
" Old self?"
Obasaka turned to look at me. I just stared at her dully. What, is it wrong to be curious?
Her confused look suddenly turned into a melodramatic one, ready to gossip or tell a tale---
Maybe I shouldn't have ask?
" Oh yeah. Ryoma-sama, you got here afterwards that."
That? Goddammit, get to the point.
"A few weeks before Ryoma-sama came to Japan, Sakuno-chan's mother had died."
Huh?
" I'm not too sure of the details. But after her mother's death, her dad left. His whereabouts are unknown. So, then she moved in with her grandmother who lives in the neighborhood. A.K.A Ryuzaki-sensei to you tennis players."
Wha?
" Before, she use to be really cheery and open. But after her mother's death and father's disappearance, she just locked herself away from everything and everyone. It hurt so much to see her like that... Most of her 'friends' just stopped talking to her because they didn't want to be with someone so depressing. Fair-weather friends you could call it
" She slowly started talked more, but she still is a shy and stuttering mess. I think it's 'cuz she's afraid to care again because she doesn't want to lose someone important to her again. But now, she's back to how she use to be! I wonder what caused the change..."
* * * * *
Obasaka went back to shuffling papers, whistling some non-descript tune. She was just glad that she held a "conversation" with Ryoma-sama to think of the situation any further. Like why Ryoma-sama asked about it Sakuno-chan in the first place...
Thing was, Ryoma-sama himself didn't even know why he asked either.
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A/N: I actually finished Chapter 5! I. Am. So. Happy! SQUEEL~ This chapter totally didn't turn out how I planned it would (actually, I didn't have anything planned, but still)! Again, I have no idea how to follow up on this! But... errr, I'll think of something!
Sorry about Ryoma's language. He is a very irritable boy.
Anyways, all questions and comments are encouraged! I'm really trying to make this as original as possible! Anyways, I put in the "amazing" moment. Which didn't turn out as amazing as I wanted it to be. But thats okay! I'll live with it.
Frog Lady: Thanks! I try. Haha, and I'm glad you enjoyed my other story. I also detest the spontaneous kisses. But, sometimes I can't think of where else the plot can go.
Thank you Miyuki Meiru! You guys have no idea how good your comments make me feel. Heehee. I might be getting a big head here from all the good ones I'm getting... O:)
This story is turning out shorter than I anticipated. And I'm spitting out ideas faster than I expected. All wellz. It's all good!~