"Ohayougozaimasu, Fujioka-san!" A freshman, Shimada Ritsu, called as Ryouko was entering the gates to the school grounds.
"Ohayou." Ryouko greeted back. She looked at him, blinked and said, "Who are you again?"
Ritsu almost tripped in his own two feet in disappointment.
"Ore desu... (It's me...) Do you remember yesterday? I was the one who asked to be trained by you." Ritsu answered.
"Oh. The one who was whining and complaining pathetically." Ryouko said matter-of-factly.
Ritsu smiled painfully. "Uh, I guess you can say it that way... But now, my days of whining are over. I'll do my best to get stronger." Ritsu said with determination.
"That's nice. Continue with the hard work." Ryouko said. She was about to go away when Ritsu called out to her again.
"Mate kudasai, Fujioka-san! (Please wait, Fujioka-san!)"
Ryouko looked over her shoulder. "What is it?"
"I just want to thank you. For giving me an opportunity to say what I wanted to say." Ritsu said.
"Douitashimashite. (You're welcome.) But next time, do create opportunities for yourself. The world of sports will be extremely hard if you can't do that much." She told him as she went away.
~~~
Lunchtime, Fudoumine Junior High School
"Kanojou??? (Girlfriend???)" An and the other members of the Fudoumine Junior High Tennis Club chorused at the words of Ishida.
"That's right. A girlfriend." Sakurai confirmed.
"We saw it with our own two eyes, you know. Shinji having a date with a pretty girl with long hair." Ishida told them.
"Eh... Ibu-kun is the last one among all of you that I'll suspect of having a girlfriend... That's just unexpected." An commented.
"Shinji that bastard is jealous-worthy... The girl's a total bishoujo from head to foot. Although she did have quite a large appetite for such a small figure." Ishida said.
"I don't think Shinji will get a girlfriend without telling me..." Kamio said thoughtfully.
"Instead of gossipping about your fellow members, how about talking about things that needed more attention." Tachibana Kippei, the captain of the club interrupted them.
"Buchou..." Kamio said. The members stood up and greeted him.
"What do you mean by things that needed more attention, onii-chan?" An asked his brother.
"It seems like Seigaku is beginning to have some changes in tradition. Maybe it's a strategic preparation for the time that the seniors will be gone once they graduate." Tachibana answered.
"Changes in tradition?" Uchimura asked.
"They're actually having freshmen participate in their ranking competition." Tachibana said with a smile.
"Ranking? You mean the one they always have to determine the regular line ups?" An said.
Tachibana nodded.
"But they never let freshmen participate in that. Except for Echizen-kun, of course." An said.
"That's why I said 'changes in tradition'. From what I heard, the new manager arranged it." Tachibana told them.
All of a sudden, An's facial expression turned thoughtful.
"What is it, An-chan?" Kamio asked her.
YOU ARE READING
Tennis no Ojou-sama: A Prince of Tennis Fan Fiction
FanfictionTotally alike to the point that they hate each other, Echizen Ryoma and Fujioka Ryouko became rivals at a very early age. Reunited after being separated from each other at age nine, will rivalry at the most precious sport of their lives still get i...
