Lucifer of Rikkaidai

Epilogue

"Fuku-buchou, you half-closed your eyes in the picture."

"PFFFFFT."

Everyone laughed upon seeing the picture they took with their victory flag, medals, and trophies. It had been the front page of Japan National Sports magazine, with a big headline saying "Rikkaidai Fuzoku Middle School Takes 3rd Consecutive Victory in National Tennis Championship." And in the picture, the regulars were smiling brightly—with the exception of Sanada, who was merely cracking an awkward smile, with his eyes half closed.

"Those guys really had the guts to post a picture where one of our Big Three is closing his eyes." Marui said.

"Props to whoever decided." Niou added.

"AHAHA! Fuku-buchou looks really derpy!" Akaya cackled, clenching onto her belly. She had been laughing for the past five minutes straight.

"Akaya—!"

"I find it funny too. It's not often we get a derpy picture of you, Sanada." Yukimura said.

"Yukimura!"

"Indeed. After that one picture at the beach, I couldn't really look for the chance." Yanagi added.

"Alright, alright. Everyone, let's get to practice now—!" Yukimura said out loud. "Just because the tournament's over it doesn't mean we should slack off."

"Yes buchou~!"

Spring, after graduation—

"Where is she?"

"Don't tell me she went home!"

"Maybe she went somewhere else to look for us."

"Senpai-tachi~!" From far away, Akaya came running towards the regulars. The third years were in graduation gowns and hats, with their fresh diplomas still in hand. After their graduation ceremony, they were waiting to meet up with their baby of the team in front of the tennis courts, where they made the most valuable memories in middle school.

"Th-Thank god I found you guys. I thought we missed each other! I ran straight to the front gate but I didn't find you there. Phew. And I can't believe you're making me hold practice even on a graduation day!" She complained while catching her breath at the same time. Her hardcore tennis teammates would not let her slack off, not even on a graduation day.

"Of course Akaya. Rikkaidai is now aiming for a 4th consecutive victory. It's natural that the new buchou would take over the practice." Yukimura said.

"Man, I'm starting to regret taking the position. It's too much responsibility! I shoulda just made Maeda take the position instead. I'm not really fit to be a buchou." Akaya pouted, scratching her head.

"Well, I saw you fit for the position, so you will respect my decision." Yukimura said, crossing his arms and smiling.

"Oooh. Nice rhyming, 'Mura."

"That did rhyme!"

"Oh yeah!" Akaya suddenly said. "Senpai-tachi, you should sign my jersey. It's the one I wore for the final match during nationals." Akaya then held out a permanent marker and her jersey.

"Good idea!" Marui first said, scribbling stuff down on her jersey. They all took turns to sign it—and with Yukimura signing it last, everyone was done writing a message on the back of her jersey.

"Now, don't look at it now! Read it when you get home." Marui said. "It might be a bit corny."

They broke out into laughter, chattering about what they wrote and how it was pretty corny for them too. Then they realized that their usually rowdy junior (now senior) was quieter than usual. "Akaya?" When they directed their attentions on her, she was clenching onto her signed jersey, looking down at the ground. When she looked up, there were tears already rolling down uncontrollably.

"I DUN WAN YOU TE GRADUEI JUS STAY ANOTH YEAR WITH ME WAAAAHHH." Akaya broke out into a sob.

"H-Hey, don't go crying all of a sudden, you were fine up until just now!" Marui said while flailing his arms helplessly next to her, trying to get her to stop crying.

"Akaya, we're literally right across the street." Jackal said, sweating a little.

"Indeed. We all did end up going to Rikkaidai High School after all." Yagyuu said.

"BU I DUN GE DO PLE TENNIS ANYMOA WID SEPAI TAJI WAAAHH"

"Don't cry, Akaya. Another year and you'll get into Rikkai as well! And then we can all play tennis again." Yukimura said while kindly patting her head. Akaya started to calm down a bit, sniffling and wiping her tears away.

"…Sanada, are you crying?" Niou said.

"I'M NOT CRYING!" He said, turning away and covering his face with his hands. "AKAYA! YOU BETTER GET THAT 4TH VICTORY! AND THEN WE'LL PLAY TENNIS AGAIN IN COLLEGE!"

"U-USU!" Akaya answered, nodding a bit too furiously.

"Says the man as he sniffles." Niou commented and everyone chuckled.

"Well, you heard the man, Akaya. We can play again." Niou said, patting her head, putting on a serene smile. "But it was great knowing you this year and playing with you. I'm glad you came to our team."

"Yeah, I feel like I've known you ever since we were born but we've only met last year." Marui said. "Pretty weird, huh?"

"It's all because you two are so alike." Jackal said.

"Well, maybe that's why! That reminds me Akaya, the café down the street just released a new menu for their desserts! Let's go eat it! And you'll be treated… by Jackal!"

"Why me?!"

"Akaya. We'll come and visit time to time, so don't worry about not seeing us." Yanagi said. "And if you have any troubles or if anyone bothers you, then we'll take care of you always."

"Senpai-tachi…!"

"Now, now. No need to cry. We'll always be your teammates." Yukimura said. "But I gotta admit, I'll definitely miss you even when I'm right across the street. I won't see you visiting our classes anymore." He said, smiling a bit sadly.

"But don't go ditching school to come see us. You'll be in serious trouble, young miss." Yanagi said.

"I know, I know." Akaya said. She let out a sigh to stop the tears. Then she smiled widely. "I'm glad I got to know senpai-tachi this year. I now have six brothers, one sister, and one new dad."

"Sister? Wait am I the sister?!" Marui said.

"Well you guys do act like twin sisters, almost…"

"I still don't think I acted like a father..." Sanada said, deep in thoughts.

'Are you serious...' Everyone thought.

"Hehe. I love you all, senpai-tachi." Akaya grinned.

"Gaaaah, that was too cute, ya rascal!" Marui said and glomped her into a hug. "WE LOVE YOU TOO."

"Group hug!" Niou yelled playfully. One by one, everyone gathered into a huge group hug.

"Now, who wants to go eat?"

"Me!"

"I'm down."

"Of course we're all going."

"I say we go get some meat."

"YES! MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!"

"Let's have Jackal pay."

"WHY ME?!"