POV: Saiki Kusuo
Ever since that date in London, Kokomi and I have grown very much closer to each other. Kokomi has been snuggling closer to me often too, always wanting physical contact. This is probably some London magic, I can't think of any other factors.
Flashback to London,
T: I love you, I never want this to end.
I held her hand.
S: I love you too.
Return to present,
I suddenly started blushing after that reminiscence.
S:...I guess that also did happen.
That was a rare time I felt warmth in my heart.
Right now, is the last week before summer break, all of my previous chances of having a quiet life is now gone because of Kokomi, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Even so, I don't want my summer break to be too busy.
?: YO! SAIKI!
Only one person has the boldness and energy to shout when not needed.
Hairo Kineshi: Yo, Saiki, for a second there, I thought you were trying to run away.
I was.
H: Do you want to come to the Tennis Club's training camp?
Absolutely not.
H: Please, I already asked Nendou and he said he's only going if you go.
So that's the actual reason. That makes me want to go less.
T: What's going on here?
H: I'm inviting Saiki to the Tennis Club's training camp.
T: Aren't the girls also going to be there?
I'm sure she knows that's not changing my mind.
H: Yeah, they are.
T: A friend also just invited me, you should join us Saiki.
Now I know why.
H: Really, that's great, the more the merrier.
I hesitated to agree but it seems like Kokomi is also trying to convince me.
H: Alright, see you in a few days!
When Hairo left, Kokomi stood next to me as close as possible without touching.
S: What are you planning?
T: Nothing. I just want to have fun with you.
A few days later,
Coach: Alright, Let's warm up!
Hairo and everyone: Yeah!
When we were doing laps around the court, I saw the court next to us were the girls' Tennis Club, and I see Kokomi in a white collared sports polo and sweatpants.
T: I hope you don't mind that I brought my own clothes.
Girl character: No worries, you look so pretty.
It didn't help that every time people pass by her you hear their sappy "Oh..." follow.
A few tennis matches later and I finally get to relax and watch Nendou and Hairo going at it in a 1v1, suddenly Kokomi showed up next me, and Nendou noticed.
N: Oh...Teruhashi
Hairo, still focused on the game returned the ball with full force,
H: ORA!!!
And striked right into Nendou's face.
H: Nendou!
Kokomi and Hairo ran to Nendou's dazed body.
T: Nendou, are you ok?
H: Oh, Teruhashi, what are you doing here?
He just noticed her.
T: They told me that I should try playing with one of the guys.
H: No way, that's awesome.
I see we're just ignoring Nendou now.
T: But all the guys I played against just let me win.
Either that or they physically can't play with her out of admiration.
H: Well, I have to take care of Nendou here,
He looks around and finds me just standing here watching everything.
H: I know, you can play against Saiki!
This is quite convenient for her.
T: Really?
H: Yeah, Saiki knows the basics and sometimes he has a mad swing.
T: *You do?*
S: *It's a long story*
H: Have fun!
S: Did you plan for this to happen?
T: Not really.
And it still worked out for her. Looks like I'm playing a tennis game with Kokomi, I hope this doesn't get too tiresome. She throws the ball in the air and swung her racquet over her opposite shoulder, is that a flat se-
As soon as I noticed, the ball had already flew pass me.
T: Phew.
From that one serve, all the guys watching were cheering. Let's just ignore them this entire time. Another annoying thing that's happening is the guys say Oh... every time Kokomi hits the ball. It seems that Kokomi's going all out again, at first she forces it for my sake, but apparently she finds it as a habit now when she's against me. Looks like I have to return the favor.
POV: Hairo Kineshi
I feel like I've suddenly become a focus on a narrative...probably just my imagination. Nendou finally woke up from the accident.
H: Nendou, are you ok?
N: Uh, I think so.
H: Think you can still play?
N: Play what?
H: Tennis.
N: Oh sure, haven't played that in a while.
Nendou instantly woke up and walked to the court.
N: Oh! What's going on there?
H: Whats wro-
I followed Nendou's gaze to see a court surrounded with people. Even though we're in the boys' side, the girls are there too. I ran to the court and saw a surprising sight. Teruhashi and Saiki are still playing tennis after quite a long time I accompanied Nendou. I asked one of the girls watching,
H: How long have they been playing?
Girl Character: Oh, Hairo-kun, you're just in time, they're in the middle of their fifth set.
H: Fifth set?! That's usually for men's tournaments!
GC: Teruhashi lost the third set and insisted to play more. Look, they're gonna start again!
I watch Teruhashi's serve. She tosses the ball a bit behind than usual, she bent her knees, she brushes the ball and moves the racket forward, that posture...she did a kick serve! That kind of serve is usually for more advanced players. Her serves are powerful as well, even making a casual male player hesitate. Teruhashi's playstyle is very agressive too, not giving the opposition any breathing space between returns.
But Saiki is something else, he has the uncanny ability to return all the strong serves and returns Teruhashi throws at him. His stamina is no joke too, moving almost anywhere in the court so the ball doesn't escape his grasp. This might be the most I've seen Saiki move.
Teruhashi might remind me of Serena Williams, but Saiki's reach and movement is just like Novak Djokovic, arguably the best returner in tennis history.
In the end, Saiki barely won. After that last point, Saiki lied down on his back and Teruhashi sat down in fatigue, breathing heavily. The guys that wanted to approach Kokomi instantly got pushed a way by the horde of girls.
G1: Teruhashi-san, that was amazing!
T: Thank you, I still lost though.
G2: Who cares, you having such a close match like that was so cool!
POV: Saiki Kusuo
At least Kokomi got some admiration from others.
When I was looking up, Hairo entered my field of view.
H: You were awesome, Saiki!
Oh, he was watching.
H: Everyone's eyes are on Teruhashi right now, but even I would have a hard time against Teruhashi there. So even if no one else knows,
He held out his hand.
H: I know you did great!
Good grief, his model student character is really shining in this instance. I grabbed his hand and sat up. Hairo told everyone to leave us alone so we can rest. When I sat down in the tent, a cold water bottle touched my cheek.
T: Hi.
S: Hey. Kind of a cliche move there.
T: But I made it work.
S: Didn't think you would go that hard.
T: I didn't want you to play halfheartedly.
I rested my arm on her shoulders.
T: Kusuo?
S: Consider it a thank you for the game.
T: What happened to being more subtle?
S: You want me to stop?
She inches her body closer to mine.
T: Not really.
?: Saiki!
Hearing a voice calling, we immediately kept our distance.
H: Hey Saiki, you're all rested yet? Oh Teruhashi, you're here too.
T: We were just talking about that game.
H: Makes it easier then, Teruhashi, Saiki, from what I've seen, you two are very talented tennis players,
I know where this is going.
H: Will you join the Tennis Club and lead the Japanese Tennis world in the futu-
T: No thanks.
S: I would rather die.