My Worst Enemy

Chapter Two

“Game won by Horie Aya Hyotei, 6 games to 4.”

I stood there with my arms crossed and a proud smile on my face as our ace player Aya returned with the victory.

“Well done, Aya-chan.” I gave her a smile of acknowledgment.

“Well, I had to try my best right?” Aya sat down next to me as she received the drink I passed to her. “The rule of Hyotei Tennis Club, no defeat is allowed, and only winners can stay on top.”

I nodded to her statement. Not only for the boy’s tennis club, it is a rule throughout the entire tennis club and it explains the reason why both Hyotei girl’s tennis club and boy’s tennis club continued to be the top of the Tokyo prefecture.

“Ah… -chan successfully dodged the play again.” Don’t know when the boy’s regular were standing beside us.

“Ryo-chan!” Aya’s face brightened up immediately when her boyfriend Shishido arrived to see her victory.

Different to the men’s tournament, the women’s Tokyo Prefectural started earlier and already we have finished playing our semi-final where as the men’s tournament are not yet up to the quarter finals. Although we just played our semi-final’s game, without reaching to me, singles player one, Hyotei had already won the game 4-1 against Seika High. It had been the case throughout the entire tournament, not once did we reach singles one and we have already won the game. To be honest, this tournament had been quite a waste of time for me, as every year has been the same; there were no real competition until we reach the Kantou Regional.

“So who will you guys be playing against in the finals?” Shishido asked as he placed his arm around Aya’s shoulder.

“Don’t know,” I shrugged my shoulders. “The other two schools are still playing. But my bet is Seigaku.”

“You’re right.” Oshitari replied with a smile. “We just came from the other court, and Seigaku won against Yamabuki, so they have entered into finals with you guys.”

“Seigaku…” I repeated to myself with a smile. The moment I heard Seigaku mentioned the face of Tezuka appeared in my mind. With the thought I suddenly had an idea. “Oh well, since our next game against Seigaku is not until next week, I am going to go gather some data from them.”

“Cool, we were just on our way there; Atobe and Kabaji are already there.” Gakuto replied.

Uncontrollably the frown appeared on my face the moment I heard Atobe’s name mentioned. “Atobe-san? Doesn’t he have better things to do?”

Noticing the tone of unpleasantness in my sentence, Oshitari smirked. “Why, -chan, that’s not very nice. Of course our buchou-san is there to collect data too. Considering the schools playing this year, Seigaku will probably be the only school that is worth a game.”

“How about the school you guys are going to play in quarter finals tomorrow? Fudomine or something?”

“Fudomine?” Gakuto sneered. “I have never even heard of that school. We won’t even bother to play them with the regulars.”

“It is better to treat every game seriously or else you will regret.” I warned them. Although like Gakuto said, Fudomine is a nobody school, but still playing them with Hyotei reserves might not be wise.

“Don’t worry,” Shishido cut in with a confident smile. “I will be playing as singles three tomorrow. Although there is no one there worth playing against but on the safe side Sakaki-kantoku still put me on.”

While we were talking we soon arrive at the court where Seigaku were playing. From a distance I can already spot Atobe with Munehiro standing behind him like a wall.

“What’s the outcome?” Atobe asked the moment he saw me.

Not looking at him I replied while making sure I was standing a good distance from him. “4-1, Hyotei’s victory. We will be playing Seigaku in the finals next week.”

“Have you report it to Sakaki-kantoku yet?” He asked again like a police.

“Yeah, yeah, will do so soon.” I quickly brushed him off my back with that answer as my eyes searched through the Seigaku team. Immediately my eyes spotted Tezuka sitting on the bench with his arms crossed. Looking up at the scoreboard, Seigaku had already won 3-0, singles two and one didn’t even have to play. With the realisation I sighed knowing I won’t get to see Tezuka play today.

“Looks like Hyotei are already here to check out on us.” Momoshiro said when he saw us from the other side of the court.

With Momoshiro’s statement, Tezuka looked up towards our direction and when his eyes met up with mine I was glad to see that he recognised me.

“Hello Tezuka-san!” I called out waving at him from where I was. With my action, including Tezuka himself everyone looked at me in surprise.

“Tezuka, your girlfriend is saying hi to you.” Fuji teased with a smile.

Before Tezuka answered Oishii called in shock. “Tezuka’s girlfriend is from Hyotei?!”

“Wow, Tezuka really knows how to hide this from us! How long have you guys been going out?!” Kikumaru called in excitement and hopped up to Tezuka.

Noticing all the curious focuses on him, Tezuka gave a sigh and decided not to react to this childish joke. “Fuji and Kikumaru, go and do 10 laps around the tennis court.”

“Eh?!” Kikumaru called in horror with Tezuka’s order. “That’s not fair!”

“Fufu…Tezuka is shy.” Fuji remained smiling to Tezuka’s reaction. Knowing him all these years, this is always Tezuka’s way of getting out of questions he couldn’t answer.

“20 laps…” Tezuka frowned.

“Alright, alright, 10 laps it is!” Kikumaru called and quickly dragged Fuji away with him in case Fuji made them run more laps.

I giggled to myself seeing the two boys running the lap toward us. “Sorry…” I whispered as they ran pass me. With a smile both Kikumaru and Fuji waved at me while they ran pass.

“You knew Tezuka?” Shishido asked in curiosity. “Since when?”

“Err…” I did not know what to say to Shishido’s question. The fact is we don’t really know each other the way as how they are imagining it right now. But I figured I wasn’t going to explain myself as I waved at them, “Anyway, since the game is over now there is not much to see here, so I am going to get going…”

However just before I left I noticed Atobe’s focus on me. Looking around I noticed certain unhappiness in his eyes.

“What?”

With his arms crossed Atobe replied with a sigh. “Don’t forget you are a captain of Hyotei, try to act like one.”

“What?!” I felt blood rushed to my head immediately with anger.

“Let’s go Kabaji.” Ignoring me Atobe walked off giving me the attitude.

“Usu.”

Clenching my fists I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. That guy, wooo…do I hate him!!

“Forgive him -chan.” Oshitari sighed and patted my shoulder in sympathy. “Atobe can be an idiot sometimes when it comes to expressing his true feeling.”

Not noticing the inside meaning I hissed. “He is an idiot ALL the time!”

“He is only an idiot when he is around you.” Oshitari gave me a smile. “So, do try to forgive him okay?”

***

“ -san, you came at the right time. The latest grip had just arrived this morning!” Nakada-san the sport’s equipment store owner called the moment he saw me entered the store. Since my family have been coming to this store like from the beginning of time, I have become very well acquainted with Nakada-san.

“Cool! I was just going to buy some new grips for the final game next week.” I smiled in reply. “I will just go have a look alright?”

“Knock yourself out.” Nakada-san nodded and returned to his book keeping.

Heading straight for the tennis accessories isle, I spotted the latest grip on the shelves. Looking through the colours and brands I found my most used brand and favourite colour blue on the very top shelf. With a groan I tip toed and stretched my arm as far as I could to try to reach it. However to my frustration the more I tried to reach it, the more my fingers are tipping it further away from me. It is only now I hate myself for being so short, why can’t I be like Munehiro? How come he gets the tall genes and I get the short one?

While I was struggling in agony an arm stretched passed me and grabbed the grip for me. Turning around my eyes opened wide in astonishment when I saw a familiar beautiful but emotionless face.

“Tezuka-san!”

“Here,” Still with the poker face Tezuka passed the grip to me. “Is this what you were reaching for, Kabaji-san?”

Joy whirled up on my face as I called in excitement. “You do remember me!”

“?”

“Well, when I said hello to you yesterday you didn’t respond so I thought you couldn’t recognise me.”

Not knowing what to say to that, Tezuka chose to avoid the topic as he grabbed a green grip and nodded as a sign to leave, “Anyway, nice to meet you again.”

“Wait,” I quickly followed him off. “You are heading to the tennis game now right? Can I come along too? I am heading over there right now too.”

“Alright.” Tezuka replied calmly as there is no reason to say no. With happiness I quickly grabbed a few more things I needed off the shelves and headed to the counter with Tezuka. After I paid for the items, to my surprise Tezuka grabbed my shopping with him. “I will carry it for you. This can become quite heavy since it is quite a walk to the courts.”

“Thank you!” I smiled knowing although he is straight faced all the time, he is actually a true gentleman.

“So you are a left-hander…” I repeated as we walked along the road. “You can play with your right hand too? That is so cool! You have to show me next time.”

With a frown Tezuka replied, “I didn’t play to show.”

“I know, but you play to win right?” I nodded. “You are the type that will sacrifice anything in order to bring your school to victory.”

Tezuka looked to me in surprise with my statement. “Sacrifice?”

“Yes, even if that means you have to sacrifice your left shoulder.” I replied in all seriousness. “But is the present victory so important compared to a lifetime of tennis?”

Although Tezuka maintained his poker face, but from the gleam in his eyes I knew he was disturbed with what I said. As expected in a defending manner Tezuka replied. “There is nothing wrong with my left shoulder.”

“There is!” I insisted. “I am a player too and I know when I see you play. If you don’t look after it right now it will be too late!”

“Kabaji-san,” Tezuka interrupted me. “I think we should leave the topic here. I know my body better than anyone else.”

“Sorry…” I apologised quickly. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you, it’s just ever since that day when I saw you play I have been so captured.” Pausing I gave Tezuka a smile. “It would be a pity to never be able to see you play again.”

“Kabaji-san…” Tezuka’s eyes looked straight at me stunned with my words.

When at this time my mobile phone started ringing and quickly with an apology I answered the phone. “Hello?”

“ -chan, we lost! I…Ryo-chan is…Ryo-chan…” From the other end Aya was sobbing hysterically.

“Wait, Aya-chan, calm down. What happened?”

Trying to pull herself together Aya sobbed, “We lost the game to Fudomine. Ryo-chan played singles 3 and still lost 6-0!!”

“What?!” I couldn’t believe my ears with the outcome. “So we lost 3-0 to Fudomine?!”

“Yes, and you know the rules, Ryo-chan is going to be removed from the regulars for his defeat…can you please come? Please help Ryo-chan…” Aya pleaded with tears.

“Alright, I am coming now.” I nodded to comfort her. “Meanwhile you stay with Shishido-san alright?”

After hanging up the call I grabbed my shopping from Tezuka’s hand. “Sorry, I gotta run.”

“Is everything alright?” Tezuka asked knowing the call was not good news.

“Yeah, it is pretty bad…” I replied and gave a bow. “Once again thanks for everything, I will see you later!” Before Tezuka reply I ran off quickly to the court Hyotei men’s team was assigned to play today.

My heart started pumping faster when I approached the scene. Aya was standing next to Shishido who knelt on the ground before Sakaki-kantoku and Atobe. The atmosphere was heavy and no one dared to say a word.

“Please…” Shishido begged as his head remained low before Sakaki-kantoku. “Give me another chance! I worked this hard to be selected as a regular please do not remove me!”

“You know the rules,” Unmoved Sakaki-kantoku replied.

“I can improve! I promise!” Shishido cried. “I will work hard!” Seeing still how unmoved Sakaki was, without warning, Shishido suddenly grabbed a pair of scissors. Before us Shishido grabbed the hair he had always loved and to our jolt the locks fell onto the ground as Shishido shaved before us.

“Ryo-chan!!” Covering her mouth in shock with Shishido’s action Aya screamed.

Everyone was stunned and speechless with Shishido’s actions as all stared at the hair on the ground and the determined look on Shishido’s face. Even I have forgotten that I came here to help persuade Sakaki-kantoku on giving Shishido a second chance.

“Sakaki-kantoku,” To my surprise Atobe spoke up. “We don't need people who're pathetic excuses for failures, but Shishido is different. That's why I am also asking you to reconsider and have him back on the team.” Different to the arrogant self-centred jerk I knew, I saw a most serious and sincere look on Atobe Keigo’s face. As the captain he was genuinely concerned for his team mate. For an instance I felt my hatred towards him lessened and felt maybe he wasn’t such a bad person after all.

Finally with a sigh Sakaki-kantoku replied. “Since even Atobe had requested so, prove to us what you can do for Hyotei in the next game. But remember, there will not be a second chance.”

Indescribable joy overwhelmed Shishido as he bowed again and wept bitterly, “Thank you so much, I will never lose again…never…”

“Ryo-chan…” With tears, Aya held onto her boyfriend in joy too.

***

My eyes continued to look to Atobe as I have never seen such a serious look on his face. The shocking defeat to Fudomine must have shattered the pride in him. Although it was not directly his fault but as the buchou I believe he had believed he was to be blamed for the defeat of Hyotei.

For some unknown reason although I had never wanted to spend any time with him, I had felt that I could not leave him right now although everyone had already returned home after the team meeting. Finally noticing my existence, Atobe looked to me, “Arn? How come you are still here?”

“Keigo…” I stopped as I quickly corrected myself, “Atobe-san. It is not your fault.”

However not replying to my statement, Atobe walked up to me instead “You finally called me Keigo…” he said in a tender voice.

Blushing in embarrassment I looked away as I defended quickly unable to react properly to the tender tone he just showed. “You heard it wrong.”

“ …” Atobe whispered as his hand reached for my face.

In shock I moved back and said quickly, “Atobe Keigo! What is wrong with you?”

“Arn?”

“It was just one game of defeat and you are acting like a loser already!” I could hear myself talking strange however I was unable to stop as I continued feeling my heart pumping fast for unknown reason. “I thought you claimed yourself as the king of Hyotei? What is going to happen to Hyotei now with you acting so weak?!”

Atobe stared at me for a while not saying anything. Sensing the focus I felt as if Atobe’s beautiful bluish eyes were going to look right through me. To my relief that arrogant egotistic expression returned to his face as he brushed his hand through his fringe again and snorted. “Who do you think you are talking to, arn~?”

“A defeated idiot.” I replied coldly however my heart rejoicing knowing he had recovered.

“Atobe Keigo is never defeated.” Crossing his arms in pride Atobe looked to me. “Even if we had to play a consolation game against St Rudolf, maa…” Laughing through his nose Atobe sneered. “Oresama no bigi ni yoina…”

“Yeah, whatever…” I waved my hand at him as I turned to walk away knowing now Atobe will be fine. “Prove it to us in…!!”

Suddenly no words could come out of me when I sensed Atobe’s strong embrace from behind me. My entire body had become stiff and my heartbeat raced like crazy when I smelt the fragrance from Atobe, most of all as he whispered by my ear. “Arigatou yo, .”

As if nothing had happened Atobe let go of me and left the room leaving me still unable to adjust to his outrageous actions.

***

Kaho