Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ Life's A Stage ❯ Chp 1: where we play our parts ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

“ Hey Tezuka, can I ask you something?”

The boy sitting opposite her did not respond, preferring to study his cup of tea instead.

“ Hey, are you there?” Jack leaned forward with a wide-eyed look on her face. She tilted her head and looked at him as him he was not there.

A sharp glare. She sat back, smirking.

“ Oh good, you're listening, I can never tell with you zoning off like that. I was just wondering, do your duties in as president of the student body count as being in a club?”

“ No.”

“ I see. Doesn't that make you terribly busy then?”

“ No.”

“ So… which club are you in then?”

“ Sports club.”

“ Team or just a club member?”

“ Regular.”

“ Which sport?”

“ Tennis.” He finally put down the cup. “ Why are you asking this?”

“One of my classmates is in the Tennis Club. He invited me to go and have a look at the tryouts next week in case I decide to join. What do you think?”

“ Do what you want, as long as you don't disturb me.”

“ Whatever,” she sighed, and then rose from her seat “ Oh well, I'm going to my room now, night!”

“Hn…”

* * *

“ Nyah! English test was hard today, but the passage we had to analyse was fun no?”

Said fukubuchou smiled at his partner's oxymoronic comment. “ Only you would take delight in a passage about the history of cats Eiji.”

Eiji Kikumaru had the innate ability to make even the gloomiest person laugh. He always wore a big grin on his face and was usually so hyperactive that one wondered if he had eaten more than the required daily intake of sugar. Often those who met him might feel a little uncomfortable with his sudden spurts of energy and sometimes overly outgoing behaviour. But then, after getting used to that part, he somehow makes you see the happy side of things, Oishi mused. And I should know.

“ Eh? Isn't that Fujiko?” Eiji suddenly commented, breaking Oishi from his musings. “ Let's get him to sit with us. Hoi! Fuji! Over here!” he shouted excitedly across the dining hall.

Oishi turned to where his partner was waving and sure enough their fellow team member was standing near the entrance. But he was not alone. He was talking to a girl whom Oishi did not recognise as her back was faced toward him. She had shoulder length dark hair and from the back view, looked just like any other girl in the canteen.

Fuji looked up upon hearing Eiji's voice and turned to wave in their direction, the ever present smile gracing his lips. On the contrary, Fuji was like a calmer version of Eiji. And he too always smiled, though sometimes, Oishi knew, that smile could scare the living daylights out of many when used in certain situations. Fuji Syuusuke, despite his warm and gentle mannerisms, was not one to be taken lightly. Both his grades and tennis skills were excellent, earning him the nickname of Seigaku's tensai, or genius.

As Fuji neared, Oishi noticed the tensai had dragged his rather reluctant looking conversation partner along with him. It was then that he realised that the girl was actually one of the group of foreign students who were in the exchange program for the year. He came to the conclusion because close up; she was taller than the typical wide-eyed petite Japanese girl, like their coach's granddaughter for instance. Also, she was protesting all the way in English, with an accent that sounded either British or American.

“ Fuji…” she was saying, a slight stammer to her voice, “ why don't you just go ahead? I do not want to disturb you and your friends.”

“ It's fine Jackasa. You needn't be afraid of them. Oishi, Eiji, I'd like you to meet my classmate Jackasa Corellith, she's an exchange student from JEDA.”

“ Nyah, JEDA! That's cool!” Eiji exclaimed, standing up excitedly, “ I'm Eiji and this is Oishi! We've been friends of Fuji since the start of first year!”

“ Nice to meet you.” She said hesitantly, and then smiled as if it were an afterthought.

“ You too Co… Corellith-san.” Oishi blushed “ Did I get that right?”

“ Yups. No worries. My name is such a mouthful. And I'd prefer if you called me Jackasa or Jack. I'm more used to that.” She reassured.

“ So Jack, If you don't mind me calling you that, easier to remember! Come sit with us! No need to be why nyah!” Eiji said jovially, still bouncing around. And before she knew it, Jack found herself seated and wedged in between the hyper red haired boy and Fuji.

Eiji continued his cheerful babble. “ Nyah, so are you enjoying your stay in Japan?”

“ Well,” she grinned at Eiji's enthusiasm, gradually feeling more comfortable sitting there, “ Japan is a really nice country, and Seishun Gakuen is so different from what I was used to, but I kinda like it here.”

“ Hoi hoi! That's good! What about your host family? They must be lucky to have such a sweet girl like you!”

She frowned slightly, thinking of what to say about staying in the Tezuka residence, more importantly, her remarks. One never knows if something you say might suddenly be passed onto the entire school! Fuji sensed her uncertainty.

“ It is fine Jackasa,” he smiled, “ what you say shall not be made known to others. Even with Kikumaru here.” He added mischievously.

“ Oi Fuiji! I may be loud but I can keep a secret! Jackasa, if your host is mistreating you or Fujiko and I'll personally hunt them down!”

“ Well, the thing is that I don't know much about my guardians. The parents are away and I'm stuck with their son, this guy who doesn't speak much.”

“ Eh?” Eiji piped up. “ Problem with his English perhaps?”

“ No, his English is fine. When I say he doesn't speak much he really does not say much. I think he speaks only when he feels the need to. And while it's nice I'm not distracted by a noisy environment, sometimes the silence can be so frustrating!”

“ Maybe he just isn't used to speaking with girls a lot. Some guys are like that.” Oishi remarked.

“ Well, I see many girls go speak to him! But I notice that he doesn't really talk to anyone at all!”

“ Nyah! What a strange guy!” Eiji cut in. “ You know, he reminds me of Bochou!”

“ Kikumaru refers to our captain.” Fuji explained. “ He is also a man of few words.”

“ Hoi! Unless he wants to make us run laps!” Eiji joked.

“ Your captain sounds like a drill sergeant.”

The three boys shared a knowing look then burst out laughing.

* * *

“ Nyah! Inui is evil!”

“ Tell me about it. That is one nasty juice!”

“ They all are.”

“ I quite enjoyed this one actually!”

“ Fuji!” Came the expected exclamations in unison. The tensai then found a few empty plastic cups being hurled at his direction but dogged them easily, laughing.

“ Minna. Stop fooling around.” a deep voice commanded, “ Get refreshed and play one last set, doubles! Regulars pair Kikumaru, Oishi, Vs. Fuji and myself. Kaidoh and Momoshiro, vs. Karumura and Kaidoh! Go!”

“ Hai!”

* * *

The game was a furious one. The grouping of Seigaku's famous golden pair against its two top single players was a spectacle that lasted so long that the rest were done long before and had all gathered to watch the spectacular display of coordination, speed, power and skill. Oishi and Eiji were determined not to be beaten even by their own captain and tensai and managed to fight to win the last round, earning them a 5-7 score. It was a good match, despite their loss, as everyone knew it was practically impossible to win against players such as Fuji and Tezuka. It was a great honour to even score a point.

The entire team assembled and coach Ryuuzaki dismissed them. As they made their way to the changing and locker room, Fuji walked away from his fellow teammates unexpectedly and went up to someone in the distance, calling warmly, “ Jackasa! You came!”

“ Hoi Jack!” Eiji recognised Fuji's companion and ran to talk to them. “ So did you see the match? What did you think?”

“ It was impressive. You guys are really good!” Turning to Fuji she added, “ Sorry I was late, I was at this other tryout which happened to be at the same time.”

“ No need to apologise.” Fuji smiled. “ So what did you tryout for?”

“ Ehm… mix” she answered almost inaudibly.

“ Wah sugoi! Jackasa -san knows martial arts! What kind do you do? I heard to join mix you need to know at least two! You must be good then!” Eiji exclaimed.

“ Ahah… I wouldn't go that far. I'm just ok. So, are you guys going home now?”

“ I'm going to eat with Momo and Ochibi. Want to come?” Eiji asked.

“ Who? Never mind. I think I'll pass. I didn't really tell my housemate I'd be out till so late. Better go back and eat dinner. Some other time all right? But thanks for the offer anyway!”

“ Hoi…”

“ Sa… Jackasa,” Fuji interrupted. “ Before you go I'd like you to meet someone who's hosting a foreign student too. Maybe you would like to get the details?”

“ Really? That's cool. If he doesn't mind. Thanks Fuji!”

“ You're welcome. Just wait here and I'll go get him.”

* * *

“ So, Tezuka, how's living with an exchange student?” Oishi enquired as did up the last button of his school uniform.

The tennis captain next to him seemed to stiffen as if the question had caught him off guard and was silent for a moment before answering,

“ Tolerable.” The reply was hesitant, as if Tezuka was forcing himself to sound neutral.

“ Aw, I'm sure she can't be that bad! What happened?”

“ Nothing. But she talks too much.”

“ Well, you talk too little.” Oishi countered playfully, earning a glare from his friend. He simply shrugged it off. He was used to Tezuka's mood by now. “ You know,” he thought out loud, “ I met one of the exchange students during lunch, Fuji introduced us and…”

Before he could say anymore, said tensai suddenly appeared between them, startling Oishi a little. Tezuka on the other hand was impassive to this as usual, not letting any hint of surprise show.

“ Hey Kuni-kun! Oishi!”

Tezuka cringed a little at Fuji's pet name for him. He swore the guy did it on purpose to test his limits.

“ Hey Mitsu, there's someone I want you to meet!”

And with that Fuji practically dragged Tezuka outside before the buchou could even protest. He was not fond of social situations. He felt no need for them. He did well even on his own, and the tennis regulars were more than he could ask for. He saw Eiji, bouncing up and down on the spot as usual, and talking to a girl. Upon nearing, he recognised who it was and wanted nothing more than to turn back. It was her.

“ Jackasa!” Fuji called; and she turned to them and upon seeing Tezuka, raised an eyebrow curiously but said nothing. “ Jackasa! This is our Bochou, Tezuka Kunimitsu! Kuni-kun, this is my classmate Jackasa Corellith! Mitsu, I was thinking that Jack could meet the exchange student you're hosting so at least she'll have some company in school!”

Tezuka made no effort to reply but fixated an unreadable gaze at her, which was returned.

“ Tezuka! Are you listening?” Fuji asked, concerned about the sudden tension between the two.

Unable to take it any longer, Jack broke into a grin and slyly asked, “ Kuni-kun?”

“ Hoi! Only Fuji calls him that! The rest of us simply call him Bochou or Tezuka!” Eiji explained. “ Nyah? What is the matter with both of you, why are you staring at each other like that?”

“ Kuni- kun eh?” Jack's grin only became wider and she could not help but burst out laughing.

“ Don't even think about it.” He said in a dangerously low voice, making Eiji back away a little when he turned his glare toward the him and Fuji.

“ Sa… do you know each other?” the tensai started, trying to fathom out what was happening.

Jack finally stopped laughing and ignoring Tezuka's warning glare. “ I'm afraid we do Fuji, see, I'm Tezuka's housemate.”

“ Ah, how wonderful!” Fuji grinned at the impassive captain. “ Jackasa, should've mentioned you were staying with our dear buchou.”

“ Well, its kind of complicated but now you know.”

“ Nyah? Bochou is the housemate you mentioned? The one who doesn't talk? How interesting! How… and I shall keep quiet now!” Eiji trailed off when Tezuka shot him another glare, one that clearly threatened the punishment of running laps if any further questions were to be raised.

“ We had best be going back.” Tezuka announced after a period of silence, looking at Jack.

“ Right…” She rolled her eyes before turning to Fuji and Eiji. “Well, see you around then!”

“ Hoi hoi!”

* * *

“ I said I did not want any distractions.”

Jack looked at Tezuka in surprise from the other side of the dining table. He had not spoken at all on the way back.

“ You guys won didn't you? So what difference does it make? I saw. You didn't even notice I was there. Anyway Fuji invited me. I was merely stopping by to watch.”

Silence.

“ Back to the no talking thing again I see.” She sighed.

“ No, I was just surprised to see you there. That is all.”

“ I see.” She said, sounding a little doubtful of his reply. “ Well,” she stood, “ I'm going to bed now. Goodnight… Kuni-kun” she grinned.

“ Goodnight. And don't ever call me that again.”

“ Fine. Kunimitsu.”

“ Jackasa…”

“ What?” she asked innocently and walked upstairs.

He stared after her retreating back.

That girl…

* * *

A/N. Mix is this club I made up. It's competitive and to enter you need to know at least two forms of martial arts at advanced levels. The concept of how it works will be made clearer as the story goes along.