Black & Invitation
Roses lined the entrance of the park to add a touch of delicacy to an otherwise sporty arena. The semi-public courts. Semi, because some jerks liked to claim half the courts on some days. Taichi zipped through the extended area, looking for a place to play, but not finding much luck. He was used to this though.
On days like these, he would settle down and favor watching, the heavy equipment wouldn't put him down.
Sitting on a bench not too far off, he tried to focus on a particularly pointless game. Not that he would say that outloud. But really, not even he was as newby as some of those players. He couldn't help the smile on his face, he was slowly but surely creeping up the ranks in Yamabuki, though he didn't really expect anything grand.
Good things come with time and hard work, he reminded himself.
A stray rose peddle fluttered under his nose, causing him to sneeze. Not like he had alergies, or anything.... "Wah!" When did Ryoma and Momo get on the field? Had he not been paying attention? "Thank you, mister rose peddle!" He cried with excitement, though anyone near him would have looked at him funny and hid their children.
What did he care though?
The energetic boy shoved off the bench and scrambled to the closer sidelines, waiting to see what would happen between these great players. But really, what were they doing there? Eh, no one would bother asking that. So he just watched and waited...
But they did nothing. But talk.
'Play tennis!' Taichi's mind played, over and over... and over again. "Play!!" Oops.
Momo shot him a glance, a little startled at the outburst, but soon recovered. He seemed to have trouble, but he eventually recognized Taichi and waved. "Yo!"
No! Taichi couldn't go over there, Ryoma was looking just slightly more pissed than usual. But then again... what the hey. He ran around the little fence area and greeted Momo with his signature super grin, "Hi! What are you two doing here?"
"Ah, we were just checking out the girlies."
Echizen scowled and lowered his cap. "You were checking."
"Aw, don't be that way, Echizen!"
"Right..." Taichi laughed a little forcibly, ok, he didn't quite expect the great Ryoma to be dragged out for this. But he supposed the ever impulsive sempai would be one to bring about such apocolyptic activities. His face brightened up once again, "Are you going to play?"
Ryoma said nothing, but Momo seemed cheerful, as he always did. "Yeah, we were planning to. You wanna play?" His grin was over the top. Taichi wondered if it was because he knew he could win. Oh yeah, he would crush Taichi into itsy bitsy particle pieces.
"Yes!"
"I knew you would!" Momo laughed.
Ryoma's brows knotted in a frown, but he didn't say anything. He probably thought he'd have priority game over the newbie. Oh woe was he.
It took only seconds to prepare the court, and seconds more to commence the game. It took surprisingly long. Possibly because Taichi had improved, more definately because Momo went easy on him. By the end, the players would both drenched and glistening with sweat. Ok, well, one of them were.
"Wow! You're so strong! Awesome!" Taichi beamed his praise, causing Momo to blush.
"That was horrible." Ryoma barked, suddenly in between them. He directed a cold hard stare at Momo, "You're game was bad."
Momo grimaced and yelled, "Give me a break! I don't want to kill the kid like you did!"
They continued glaring at each other until Taichi broke the ice with a bright smile, still panting. "I thought it was great! Thank you!"
Ryoma's sharp, cold gaze landed squarely on Taichi, and for a time he seemed contemplative. "You weren't half bad. But it still lacked. Are you even practicing?"
His beautiful black orbs reflected critisism of death, but his words--were they for real? ...weren't half bad. Taichi flung himself onto his latest savior and idol, spewing tears of joy. "Thank you!"
"O-oi! I said you needed work!" One could safely assume that Taichi's brain had a new concrit-blocker installed.
The 'Celebration of Happiness' festival. Taichi rarely participated, as he was always busy with something or the other. Fortunately, that day he was totally free. In fact, his whole week had been free, a strange but welcome phenomenon.
Flowers were tossed everywhere and everyone looked happy.
But even stranger than his free time was the smiling faces reflected to him one Echizen Ryoma. What was he doing right now? It would be funny to see him smiling and socializing like all these people around him.
Too much to hope for.
The evening air embraced his tired body and eased his mind. It was a great celebration, that less a good aftertaste--metaphorically speaking, of course.
Even as the sun faded, and it grew dark, the loud noises and the booming colors of festivities welcomed him to the party.
Echizen/Dan #7&8
Two more to go and it's DONE.