Secrets, Socials, and Seigaku

Chapter 38

The crowd busted out cheering as I attempted through fatigue to walk off the court with a smile on my face. “She did it! Clair did it! That was awesome!” Horio shouted from the sidelines as he jumped up and down in excitement.

“She didn’t lose one point after that! She’s so cool!” Tomoko joined in her pigtails jumping up and down along with her. “One day I’m going to be as good as her! No, I’ll be better!” I couldn’t help but smile at Tomoko’s affirmative promise.

“Clair!” I turned to the overly energetic voice. Kikumaru jumped at me before I could blink and in seconds I was tackled to the ground by a friendly hug. “That was so cool! Your serves were awesome! And that one forehand swing was too cool! And–“ Kikumaru stopped talking when he heard Oishi chuckling from behind him.

“Kikumaru,” Oishi started, pointing down at me, “I think she needs air.” Kikumaru looked down at me as I struggled for breath beneath him.

“Ah!” Kikumaru shouted in surprise, his blue eyes widening, “Sorry! Sorry!” He apologized shuffling off of me. I laughed as beads of sweat trickled down my head on the clay ground.

A pair of sneakers were beside me waiting patiently mkaing me look up. “Great game, Clair.” Fuji said hanging over me with a smile, this time a genuine one. His cerulean eyes sparkled with joy.

I grinned back. “You should smile like that more often.” I commented idly as I stretched out on the ground. I saw his eyes widen momentarily before a more serene look came onto his face.

“Ah.” He acknowledged softly.

I sat up and wiped some sweat from by brow. “That was so much fun!” I said more to myself.

A shadow overtook my form and blocked out the sun. I looked up to see our team captain holding out a helping hand for me. “Well done.” He said with his usal lack of expression. I blinked before I felt the blood rush to my face. I had a feeling that compliments from the Captain were rare.

I reached for his hand with a stupid grin. “Thanks, Captain!” I told him with a bright smile. I tucked a stray hair behind my ear before he pulled me up. I marveled at how easily he brought me to my feet and he stared as if contemplating something. I quickly realized my hand was still wrapped around his and we both pulled our hands back to our sides in equal acknowledgment.

 Momo interrupted before I could say anything more to Tezuka. “Hey, what was that out there?” Momo asked me with his hands on his hips and a slightly peeved look lazing in his eyes.

“What was what?” I asked confused.

 “You could have beaten him easily and you wasted all that time letting him win five games?” He shouted at me in annoyance. “It’s hot out here! You should have just ended it and we could have gone for sushi quicker!” He whined.

I smiled before shaking my head and shrugging. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just trying to keep up in the beginning.” I smiled knowingly at Momo. “But good thing I turned it around at the end, huh?” I told him with a barely innocent smile.

Momo deadpanned and looked as if he had figured out a complex math equation. “You’re as dramatic as Echizen, you know that?” Momo said off-handedly.

“Oi!” I swatted at his form “Don’t compare me to him!” I shouted at him.

“You still have a long way to go.” I heard Echizen say from behind me.