Date-O! Date-O! Arc - Middle School Years - 05by Wind Chijmes"...And the various junior high schools are gearing up for the upcoming spate of events. Right at the top of the list is the Kantou Tournament. This is the most prestigious tennis tournament and second only to the Nationals which would be contested later this year..." With the broadcast journalist's words still ringing in his ears, Dan Taichi turned off the TV. He hopped off the couch and bounded over to the front door. His large, expressive eyes turned dreamy as they took in the world outside. It was just like any other day with sun-soaked blue skies and cottony clouds. When he closed his eyes, he could hear the comforting rustle of the trees that lined the pavements. He took a deep breath of the springy air. Even with days still so pretty, he couldn't enjoy them as much as he always did. Any tennis player wouldn't be able to! With the Kantou Tournament drawing so near, the participating schools were caught up in the whirlwind of training both physical and mental. After all, the tournament was little more than a week away. Chewing thoughtfully on his lip, he wondered how Seigaku was doing in its preparations for the tournament. He had not visited the rival school ever since the last time he joined in their training with Banji-sensei in tow. It made him smile to think of that. It was one of the most amazing and wonderful days of his life! That charged atmosphere, all those talented Seigaku players he got to almost brush shoulders with...and the rookie star of all the players - Echizen Ryoma himself! Cheeks pinking, Dan lifted his fingers to his lips. He also had his first kiss that day. Only the sobering thought of the Kantou prevented him from going into delirium every time he remembered that kiss. And how he remembered it. It came to him in bite-sized, candy-sweet recollections. He'd go to the supermarket with 'kaa-san and when he saw the cartons of strawberry milk, he'd suddenly remember that Echizen-kun tasted even better than that. When he saw pictures of brilliant tennis players in the monthly tennis magazine, he'd remember how good Echizen was at tennis and all his super moves executed with precision and power. Then inevitably, he'd remember the *feel* of Echizen around him. He nearly wanted to die of mortification when he recalled how he had practically thrown himself into Echizen's arms that day, but then it made him want to die blushing when he couldn't get over the feel of the wiry hardness of Echizen's chest against his own. Gasping loudly, Dan sank his face into his hands. Echizen-kun was so busy preparing for the all-important Kantou, and here he was, thinking all sorts of ecchi thoughts about Echizen-kun! Dan's face burned even more fiercely, particularly so when he felt his body burning as well like his every vein was on fire. "Oi." GEH! Dan couldn't help it. That voice startled him so badly he leapt three feet into the air with a yelp. When he had recovered somewhat from his shock at seeing that familiar towering figure outside his front gate, did Dan manage a coherent reply. "Akutsu-senpai!" The senior cocked his head gruffly. He was clad in the Yamabuki uniform. His ashy hair was tossed back from his head as he regarded Dan out of an arrogant gaze. "What are you up to, squirt?" Dan was already running up to his gate in his delight. "Akutsu-senpai! What are you doing here? It's weekend! I'm helping 'kaa-san with some spring-cleaning. What about you, Akutsu-senpai? Are you taking a walk? Did you come to visit me? What - " "Shaddup," Akutsu barked, before he made a 'tch' sound and added dryly. "You're noisy." At this, Dan chuckled and rubbed his head. "You know me, Akutsu-senpai! Some things don't change." No wonder Akutsu-senpai didn't like talking to him, Dan thought a little sheepishly. He knew he chattered too much and too fast and he did try to restrain himself but whenever he got excited, it was hard to keep quiet! "I don't take walks," Akutsu continued in his brusque manner. "I just passed by. You got a problem with that?" "Of course not, Akutsu-senpai!" Dan protested, then he paused when he saw the weird little twitch in Akutsu's lips, and realised that the older boy was pulling his leg. Dan wondered why Akutsu had such a weird sense of humour. "Oi." Akutsu pointed his racquet at Dan as though he was brandishing a weapon. "Aren't you supposed to be spring-cleaning?" "Oh..." Dan replied a little more hesitantly. "That's already finished. I was thinking of..." "Of what?" came the impatient prodding. "Visiting Seigaku." Dan finished weakly. "And why the hell would you do that?" "It's Echizen-kun!" Dan blurted without thinking. At the sharp rise of Akutsu's brow, he grinned bashfully and rubbed his head again. "Remember you said I should look up to someone closer to myself? That's what I've been doing, Akutsu-senpai. Echizen-kun's my goal now, and I really, really, really hope I would be as good as him one day! But...I think he's too good. I can't catch up, Akutsu-senpai." "Tch," the other boy muttered, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else but here talking to Dan. "How hard are you trying to catch up?" "Very hard!" Dan declared fiercely. Then he remembered whom he was talking to, and blushing, Dan ducked his head. "Sorry, Akutsu-senpai! I didn't mean to - " "Whatever," Akutsu interjected. He shrugged his bag more securely over his shoulder. "As long as you're working hard at it...it's no prob." He said, then stopped and looked rather ill that he had spoken so much to a tiny squirt like Dan. "Hai desu!" Dan grinned and did a little salute like he was a soldier. "I know what Akutsu-senpai mean! As long as I work hard, even if I never become as good as Echizen-kun, I'd have no regrets!" "Hn," The older boy snorted. Already, he was turning and moving off without so much as a word of goodbye. However, just before he was out of hearing range, he turned back to Dan. Without looking at the younger boy, he spoke gruffly. "Some things don't change. But some do. You're one of them." Dan was left at his gate, staring in puzzlement after his senior schoolmate for a long moment. Whatever did Akutsu-senpai mean by what he said? Had Dan changed? Frowning in boyish bewilderment, the boy looked down at himself. He *had* grown a couple of inches in the past few months, and so had his feet since his shoes had started getting tight...but he couldn't figure out where else he had changed. But even though he didn't quite get what Akutsu-senpai mean, those words still left a pool of warmth deep in his belly. Those words...reminded him of what Echizen had said the last time they had played: the beginning was real bad...but the end was somewhat good. Maybe...he had managed to turn more of the bad into good, was that was Akutsu-senpai meant? Dan's eyes lit up as he patted his own tummy. The pool of warmth had grown too, spreading out with comforting fingers so the rest of him felt warm too. Nodding determinedly to himself, Dan gave one last wave to Akutsu-senpai's fast-disappearing figure. He was no longer hesitant about popping by Seigaku to see how Echizen-kun was handling the last bout of Kantou training. He *was* concerned that he would disturb or interrupt Echizen-kun's training, but he was also more concerned about Echizen-kun himself. And he had the perfect solution too. He'd just watch the Seigaku's freshman's training in secret. That way, he could make sure Echizen-kun was okay, he could gather information, and he wouldn't disturb Echizen-kun at all! Mind made up, the boy dashed back into the house and up the stairs.
Straightening himself, Echizen Ryoma frowned to himself. What was going on? His mind had been reciting those three lines over and over until it felt like it was going to explode! Was it nerves affecting him? But that couldn't be...not even when he was entered in tournaments in the under-twelve circuit back in the States, he had never experienced an attack of nerves. Sure, he had been affected, but mostly that was the undeniable anticipation of meeting new opponents and of course, winning them. Right now, he wasn't quite sure what he was feeling, but he was certain as hell it wasn't *just* anticipation. Lifting his head, he glanced around him. The day was already turning dark. He saw the other courts where his seniors and fellow freshman tennis-mates were practising. Everyone had been training for hours and everyone was working so hard...even genius Fuji-senpai. The mood in the courts had been sombre ever since the week before. Of course it hadn't started out like that, not when Eiji-senpai and Momo-senpai were as noisy and boisterous as ever, but slowly, slowly...even those two had started to get serious. Now that Buchou had left for Germany for work on his shoulder, it seemed all the Seigaku tennis club members had been more uptight than ever. Become the pillar of Seigaku. The frown deepened on the freshman's forehead. Easier said than done...and when had he actually agreed to it anyway?! Echizen remained staring at the courts for a while longer, before bending his waist and readying his racquet for the umpteenth. He would pump in more nightly training from today onwards. He told himself that it wasn't like he was dying to become the pillar of Seigaku or whatever, but that if he wanted to become the best, it was part of the baggage he had to carry with him. He blinked as the floodlights came on, soaking the courts in glaring white light. This was usually a good indicator that most of the various club members in school had already left and all that were left were the sports clubs. The tennis freshmen trio and non-regulars were also preparing to leave. Only the regulars were still around, all playing and practising hard as though training had just started for the day. Well...Echizen's mind corrected. Only the regulars...and an outsider. Echizen had already noticed the extra non-Seigaku presence several hours earlier when it was still day-time. The stranger had taken immense effort to conceal his presence from the courts, but it wasn't too effective and Echizen spotted him anyway. Amazing. It was night-time now and the presence was still there, crouched in the shadows and watching intently. Like a seasoned pro, Echizen tuned his mind out. It wouldn't do anyone any good to get distracted during training. He couldn't very possibly slack off when the other regulars were putting so much into their own practice. Plus, he reminded himself. This Kantou Tournament was a stepping-stone for him to climb higher and higher. Narrowing his eyes, Echizen arched his back and served.
Somewhat ruefully, Dan glanced down at his notebook. He had already filled pages and pages of notes, except...most of them were on just *one* Seigaku member. Specifically, Echizen Ryoma. He had noted Echizen's physical traits, his vital statistics, his postures during each move, the moves themselves, the workout he put himself through during training, what he drank during training and even the responses he gave his fellow tennis-mates. Dan felt a wash of guilt. He wondered if he already fit the definition of a stalker, because it sure was starting to feel that way. A sudden spike of pain in his legs had Dan stuffing his fist against his mouth to stifle his yelp. Owww...the cramps were getting bad. Dan was just going to shift his position again when he suddenly noticed that Echizen was serving, and he froze in his movements. Forgetting the pain, Dan watched in wonder the famous Twist Serve in action. Echizen's body arced in deadly grace as he sent the famed serve over the other court. Dan thought it was amazing. Strangely enough, Echizen didn't look too happy with it as he straightened and stared thoughtfully at the other opposite half of the court. His usually expressionless face was darkened by a scowl. That was weird, Dan thought to himself. Usually Echizen never allowed real emotion to show in his exterior. He could be angry or happy or sad and nobody could tell...at least, usually. Right now, the irritation was clear in his steely gaze. Dan was momentarily distracted as the Seigaku team members began packing up to leave. Oh...now that he thought about it. It was getting a tad late and he himself would have to leave soon or he'd be home too late. But he couldn't find the motivation to move from his position when Echizen himself didn't look like he was done with training yet. Slowly, chatter and snatches of conversations filled the night air as one by one, the Seigaku regulars finished the last of their ball-picking and clearing up. And one by one too, the courts were emptied and locked. Those already done packing were now gathered outside the court on which Echizen was still stationed. Dan's ears perked up as the regulars began bantering with an unmoved Echizen. "C'mon, Echizen! You're gonna overwork yourself like this! Let's go, and we'll go grab a burger or something. Dinner, ya'know. Eiji-senpai's paying!" "Ehh?! When did I say that, nya?!" "Enough, you two," Oishi-san's voice interrupted the bickering. "Echizen. Are you sure you still want to continue the training? Momo's right. You might get burn-out at this rate." From the safety of the shadows, wide brown eyes watched the courts intently. Dan hoped Echizen would listen to his seniors and stop. Even from this distance, Dan had the uneasy feeling that Echizen was not quite acting normally. That was why he felt rather worried when the unmistakable, even yet brusque tone of Echizen's voice filtered from above the buzz of the regulars' chatter. "I'm not done with training yet, Oishi-senpai. When I am, I'd make sure the court is locked securely." That was Echizen's childishly insensitive way of telling his seniors to clear off and leave him in peace. "Ouch, that's cold, Ochibi!" Kikumaru-san exclaimed. But in the end, even the Seigaku regulars knew there was no changing Echizen's mind when he was so firm in his decision. After a last-minute lecture on not overworking the mind and the body from Oishi-san, the Seigaku regulars trooped noisily away from the court and towards the school gates. Dan shrank back from the older boys as they shuffled and strolled past his hiding place. Good. None of them noticed that he was crouched there. When he was sure the Seigaku regulars were totally out of sight, Dan moved again, stretching his cramped legs out for a moment. Ahh...sweet relief. "Hey!" Dan froze. "How long are you going to keep hiding there?" Brown eyes rounded as Dan popped his head from his spot. Not a far distance away, a hard amber gaze was fixed on him. Ack! Echizen knew! Knowing that he'd better show himself or risk annoying Echizen, Dan crawled from the shadows and rose on unsteady feet. Sheesh, with this kinda pain, next time he'd make sure he picked a better place to hide himself! Totally discovered, Dan grinned bashfully as he stepped towards the court where Echizen was waiting for his approach. "Hi, Echizen-kun," Dan said shyly as he came right up to the fence. Now much closer to the court, he could see the strings of sweat that dripped from Echizen's flushed skin. "Echizen-kun...may I come into the court?" The moment the words were out of his mouth, Dan knew he shouldn't have requested that. Wouldn't he be simply disturbing Echizen-kun even further like that? The Seigaku freshman lowered his racquet and turned fully. He was breathing hard, his shirt and cap damp, and his hair stuck to his brow and cheeks in rakish tendrils. But under the floodlights, his eyes were unusually bright and Dan thought looked like he might be over-exerting himself. It was rare seeing Echizen pushing himself hard for something that wasn't actually a tennis match. "Whatever," Echizen said shortly, and turned back to face the court. It was a 'yes' then! Taking it as agreement, Dan couldn't help feeling all tingly and excited as he practically skipped over to the gate. He slipped inside the court and made his way to the side bench where he could sit and watch Echizen train. Sitting also felt much, much better than crouching! Seeing Echizen whack ball after ball into the opposite court brought all sorts of memories flooding into Dan's mind. Even seated where he was, he could feel the intensity vibrating off the other freshman in thick waves. It was almost stifling, this intensity, and Dan found himself holding his breath for each ball that met Echizen's racquet. Had Echizen ever been this intense? He had, Dan remembered, but it was displayed only in matches and even then...*few* matches. After the tenth ball, Echizen stopped, looked around and realised that he was out of balls and would need to pick up the stray ones around the court. Remembering himself, Dan picked up the water-tumbler just next to him. He held it out tentatively for the other boy. "Echizen-kun?" The Seigaku freshman stared at him for a moment, before taking the tumbler with a muttered word of thanks. He drank from it silently. Dan was actually starting to feel a little weirded out now, and he couldn't quite figure out why. Even in the past, Echizen had always been kinda grumpy with him, or he would be silent. His face betrayed little emotion and even his eyes didn't speak all that much. But now...it was like Echizen had practically become a stranger of sorts and Dan wasn't sure if he knew this Echizen. Also...Echizen looked really tired. It wasn't physically, definitely not, for Echizen had really good stamina. Rather...it was in the way Echizen looked at the court like he was hell bent on conquering every single inch of it. Not that it was impossible for someone as talented as Echizen-kun of course! But it made Dan feel all worried when Echizen's gaze seemed to be glazed over like for the paste few weeks, he had been looking too *much* at the court. Before Dan could stop himself, he was abruptly on his feet, hands clenched into determined fists. "Echizen-kun!" The other boy whipped around in alarm. Without waiting for Echizen-kun to respond because Dan was sure that *if* he waited his courage would disappear, Dan stalked up to Echizen. A bright, piercing brown gaze warred with a bewildered amber one for a bizarre moment, before Dan reached over and snatched the other boy's racquet out of his hands. Echizen gaped. "Wha - !" Dan laid out the racquet on the bench as carefully as though his life depended on it, then he straightened again. And this time, it was Echizen's arm he grabbed. "What are you doing?!" The Seigaku freshman gasped once he had found his voice while being towed along by Dan. It was a given fact that Dan was not as physically strong as Echizen but Dan had surprise on his side and while Echizen was still floundering, Dan had managed to actually drag the boy out of the court. That was when Echizen regained his composure and dug in his heels to stop himself from being pulled any further. Amber eyes glared heatedly at Dan. In response, Dan curled his hand tighter around Echizen's arm. "P...please come with me, Echizen-kun." Dan wasn't sure why - maybe it was the way he said it or that Echizen was more tired than they both thought - but Echizen actually gave in. "Get this over soon. I still have training." A relieved smile broke over Dan's face. He didn't relax his grip on Echizen, irrationally fearing that Echizen would march right back to training if he did. So he pulled Echizen along, heading to the place he had in mind. One good thing about visiting Seigaku as often as he did was that he knew the school grounds relatively well. They stopped when Dan halted in his tracks. "Here we are!" he announced. His enthusiasm deflated a little when he saw the incredulous look on Echizen's face. "We're not five anymore," the Seigaku freshman replied tersely. "I'm going back to - " Dan shook his head stubbornly. They were already here, the Seigaku fitness area with its wooden apparatus like monkey bars and beams and ropes, and even swings. Oh, he knew Echizen wouldn't take to the idea, and Echizen was right about them not being five anymore. "When..." Dan began, faltering a little when a stern amber gaze caught his own. But he continued anyway. "When I was little, whenever I was sad or angry, I always go to the playground. I...I dunno why but it always makes me feel better after I did. Echizen-kun looked so stressed, so I thought - " "I don't like playgrounds." Was Echizen's rather sharp retort. Dan wasn't deterred. He had had his fair share of retorts and snappy orders back when he was still team manager of the Yamabuki team. His seniors never had time for him and would snap at him for the slightest provocation, but ultimately, he also knew his seniors never meant to really hurt him. Akutsu-senpai was the same. In fact, he had been the fiercest one on the team, far fiercer than Echizen had ever been, but Dan still loved to be around him. And the same...went for Echizen. Dan pointed at the innocent-looking swing. "I'm sure you'd feel better if you just relax for a bit, Echizen-kun!" Rather huffily, the Seigaku freshman glared from Dan to the swing and back to Dan again. He looked torn between Dan's persistence and what he felt was a very absurd situation he had allowed himself to be gotten into. Finally, slowly and hesitantly, Echizen caved in and strode stiffly over to the swing. He stared down at it like it was a very poor substitute for tennis indeed, before shutting his eyes almost sulkily as he climbed onto it. Dan tried not to giggle when he saw how still Echizen was sitting on the swing. It totally defied the purpose of the swing, but it could hardly be helped when its occupant was a prickly and stubborn Echizen. Echizen's back was to Dan and the Yamabuki freshman studied it indulgently for a moment. He always thought Echizen's posture, no matter what it was, looked great. It was always taut and held in that arrogant manner that only someone as prodigiously talented as Echizen could exhibit. Taking a deep breath, Dan stepped forward and rested his hands on Echizen's back. The body beneath his touch jumped in surprise. "Sorry! Did I scare you?" Dan apologised quickly, although he kept his hands firmly on the other boy. "No," Echizen sounded wary and tensed. "Okay...let me swing you." And that was what he did. The school was silent and would have been dark if not for the nearby floodlights. The white light illuminated the fitness area. Now with the silence only broken by the hushed creak of the swing, they could hear the whisper of the breeze. It was soft and felt good against their skin and in their hair. Echizen had taken off his cap and his head was lowered so his face was hidden. Behind him, Dan pushed gently every time the swinging motion brought Echizen's back bumping against his hands. And gradually, the lines of tension began to ease from Echizen's shoulders. Then, Echizen spoke. This time, he sounded much less irritated and calmer. "Talk." "Huh?" Dan said intelligently. But he got it after a moment and he did talk. "'Tou-san would swing me like this when I was much, much smaller. I loved it so much I didn't even want to learn to swing myself. I just like it when 'tou-san does it instead. You know that kinda feeling...it's as if...you're...flying. And the sky seems so much nearer when you're flying up to touch it. Don't you think so, Echizen-kun?" The other boy shrugged. "Oyaji does nothing but annoy me...and plays tennis with me." "Hmmm..." Dan thought hard about that. That indeed, sounded like a rather strange relationship between father and son, but if the son was Echizen-kun, the father couldn't be all *that* bad. "But Uncle taught you to play tennis, right? Doesn't Echizen-kun love tennis now?" "...Maybe." Dan fell silent after that. He didn't know why but he was starting to feel all funny inside. He was the same age as Echizen-kun and they were both tennis players, but unlike the other boy, he didn't have to shoulder even half of the kind of burden Echizen have to. It made Dan feel rather useless that he couldn't do much to make Echizen feel better. Echizen raised his head, half-turning in what seemed to be surprise. It was then Dan realised that he had stopped swinging Echizen. Biting down on his lip in severe trepidation, Dan laid his hands against Echizen's back again. Earlier he had been too wrapped in his own thoughts to notice it, but he was suddenly aware how close Echizen was to him. Dan's heart pounded. All the past occasions of him getting close to Echizen were the results of his impulses or his moods which got him carried away all too often. Now, he was totally clear-minded, and Echizen too. Squeezing his eyes shut in some effort to work up his courage, Dan stepped up to Echizen's back, then he sighed and laid his forehead against Echizen's shoulder. The Seigaku freshman went very rigid. "Sorry, Echizen-kun." Dan said softly. This was a new feeling to him. Usually he went after everything in life with everything he had. If he wanted something wanted to do something, he'd just do it and be totally uncaring of the consequences. He got disappointed and discouraged easily, just like the last tennis match against Echizen, but after that, it was back to rushing headlong into things. This time, he had absolutely no idea how to act around Echizen. He wondered if Echizen truly found him annoying but was just too nice to say anything about it. "Hey..." Echizen said abruptly. There was no anger in his tone, although he did sound kinda awkward. "Your father does this to you too?" Brown eyes blinked in incomprehension, until Dan realised Echizen was referring to their rather suggestive position. Without knowing it himself, Dan had curled both arms around Echizen from behind and his head was still tucked against the crook between Echizen's neck and shoulder. "Oh!" Dan chuckled sheepishly, although he made no move to budge. It felt nice...like he was hugging his soft toys at home...nicer maybe because his soft toys wouldn't respond like Echizen would. "Hai, he did...when I was three." "Hn." There were some movements beneath Dan's cheek and when he raised his head, he found himself staring into night-darkened amber eyes. Dan's heart nearly leapt to his throat. What was Echizen thinking, Dan wondered with escalating uncertainty. Without the common topic of tennis, Dan just couldn't tell what went on in Echizen's undecipherable amber gaze. Echizen was hardly like any normal twelve-year-old boy too. "Dan - " "Hai desu!" Dan blurted, then stopped and turned pink. That sounded so juvenile. "Let's practise." At first, Dan thought it was tennis Echizen was talking about. After all, there was nothing else for Echizen to practise for. Then when Echizen made no move to rise from the swing, Dan thought for a moment, Echizen was talking about schoolwork. Of course, Dan also remembered that Echizen's academic performance was top-notch and he wouldn't need practice in that department either. And then thirdly... Dan realised Echizen was talking about kissing. There was no WAY Echizen would come right out and say it, but his head was tilted in that rather stiff way like he was getting very awkward and impatient and he was waiting for Dan to do something about it. Eyes wide open, Dan did as he was told. He hoped with all his might that he wasn't misunderstanding Echizen's command. Clumsily, he inclined his head and very, very tentatively touched his lips to Echizen's. When Echizen jerked back, Dan couldn't help recoiling in reply. Oh no, oh no, oh no! The last time, Dan had impulsively kissed Echizen, but that had been because he really wanted to prove himself. This time...he might really end up driving Echizen away. Then came Echizen's next line and Dan's eyes flew wide. "This is worse than the first one." Dan stared at the thoughtful frown on Echizen's face, and suddenly felt the urge to giggle. He got it now. Perfectionist that Echizen was, the super rookie would hardly settle for any half-assed activity, and that included even kissing. "Close your eyes." Echizen ordered. Beyond the darkness of his shut eyelids, Dan felt a hand at the back of his head holding him still. Then firm lips found his own, and unable to stop it, Dan began to quiver. Echizen's skin was damp against his face and his mouth so warm and...breathless. Dan was not quite breathing anymore as he nuzzled back into the other boy's still-unskilled but demanding kisses. When they pulled apart with an audible gasp from Dan, the Yamabuki boy's cheeks were completely stained red and his eyes bright with the wonder at what they had just done. "Was...that still...made made dane?" Echizen said quietly. His chest was also rising and falling with rapid pants. "N...no way!" Dan shook his head hard and he blushed even more at the oddly-pleased look on Echizen's face. "But if...Echizen-kun needs practice, please practise with me only!" Dan rattled at one go, not quite able to look Echizen in the eye. He only dared raise his head at the snort from Echizen. "As though anyone else would practise such a thing with me." A silly, delirious grin broke over Dan's face. "Hai desu!" He bobbed up to Echizen. "Can I swing you again?" "I still have training." A sullen frown settled between Echizen's brows. "Just a bit more?" "...Whatever." Still grinning, Dan laid his hands on Echizen's back, and pushed. ~*~ fin ~*~ On to Date-O! Date-O! Arc - Middle School Years - 06 |