Deafening Silence ( prince of tennis) (#wattys2016)

34

This chapter sucks. Forgive me.

Rikkaidai Fuzoku Main Hall

Roko mentally sighed in relief as he finished his solo cello piece for the concert, resting his aching fingers. It never really occurred to him until a few days ago that he would be playing the entire concert, so he would perform 11 pieces including his solo. Aside from his solo he only had to add background notes and occasionally strum the strings, so there was no real challenge in learning the ten, extremely repetitive pieces, but his solo was a challenge. He'd composed it himself, like he always did, but after the ten pieces his fingers felt like they were going to drop off and he tried not to wince at how much his fingers burned by the end.

There was a small, slow clap, and Roko looked up to Yamura-sensei who was sat before the stage with a huge grin on her face as she continued to clap.

"Brilliant, Echizen. Your piece is wonderful, you'll do wonderful in the concert" she stated positively, and Roko nodded in thanks before picking up his cello carefully and leaving the stage. Rehearsals were over so the other music club members were already backstage packing up their instruments, so they didn't hear Roko's solo at all, which was good in his opinion. It meant that he would attract less attention for now.

He put his cello back into its case on the ground and picked up his bag, taking out his phone. He noticed he had a message, and quickly opened it.

Do you want to meet at the usual place for some noodles after school?

From: Tachibana Ann

Ah yes, Roko forgot he had her number. He'd developed a pretty good relationship with Fudomine, talking to them every time he saw them when he went to watch Ryoma play. He didn't remember when exactly he got her number, but it had happened. He liked the team, they were mostly nice, especially the captain, and didn't ask any kind of annoying personal questions that Seigaku did. In fact, he was pretty sure that was all Seigaku said to him, except the chirpy leader of Ryoma's fan club and her friend, who thought it best not to intrude on Roko's life.

I'll be late, since I have to take the train back to Tokyo first

From: Echizen Roko

Roko put his phone down and closed the clasps on his cello case, carrying it back to the music hall to collect later. It was lunch time, which meant the regulars would be waiting for him under the largest sakura tree. He smiled, putting his bag on his back.

Rikkaidai Fuzoku School Grounds

Eh? You don't live in Tokyo?

From: Tachibana Ann

Oh yeah, Roko had never mentioned what school he was from, and looking back on it he distantly wondered why they never asked themselves. He mentally sighed and replied quickly, still walking towards the sakura tree.

I do, but I go to a school in a different district

From: Echizen Roko

His phone chimed almost an instant later.

Ok then, I'll meet you there then

From: Tachibana Ann

Roko smiled softly, he liked that about Fudomine, they never pressed for questions, Ann especially, which is why they were far better than Seigaku in his opinion.

And then his phone disappeared from his hand, and Marui was suddenly next to him looking at his phone with curious intensity. He scanned the name once and then turned to Roko. Roko moved like a blur, suddenly enraged at the kidnap of his precious phone.

"Echizen, who's-" he stopped and yelped in surprise at how quick Roko snatched his phone back, and quickly pocketed it with a scowl. Roko noticed the rest of the team was sat by the tree sharing surprised looks, and Roko rolled his eyes and moved to sit down, and sat next to Niou, Marui plopping down on his other side, and he leaned closer to Roko.