Prince of Tennis: Shishido Ryoh/Atobe Keigo, Stages of Change [Beginning]
Title: Realization
Author: midorinomizu
Theme: Stages of Change - Beginning
Rating: G
Chasing Atobe had been unconscious for years, Shishido would later think; something that began well before junior high and even well before they started tennis, though club was where it was at its most pronounced and where he was at his most determined.
Tennis club was where he realized what he'd been doing, and he remembered the day; it was the first day of practice. Shishido had started to grow out his hair the year before in a play at rebellion, and it was shoulder-length by the time they were twelve, and pulled back into a stubby ponytail for practice. He was still a bare inch taller than Atobe, having hit his growth spurt first, but skinnier, his muscles leaner. The upperclassmen figured he'd be an easy target, with no power behind his swings, and he'd smirked with amused pride as he proved them wrong in practice match after practice match. He and Atobe had made plans together, about making the club theirs, and this was the first step.
Then he saw Atobe play, and a contrary realization hit him right in the gut - the club was going to belong to Atobe, and Shishido himself was nowhere near the level to share it.
That first day of practice Kantoku had placed Atobe Keigo in a match against one of the regulars, and Atobe was doing better than holding his own, Shishido remembered thinking. He was dominating the match with a mixture of surprising power and speed, using maneuvers that Shishido had never seen before. And his blue eyes were bright and avid with enjoyment and pure competition.
Shishido Ryoh felt a little betrayed by how good Atobe Keigo was, like it had been a secret his best friend hadn't shared with him, but he masked it as Atobe came off the court, dragging damp light hair out of his eyes.
“Hey,” Shishido said, his grin wide. “Good game there. I don't think he was expecting that.”
Atobe laughed, low and amused, and glanced back at the third year. “He's a good player,” he said. “I had to work harder in that match than I ever had.”
“Hmm,” Shishido murmured noncommittally. “So, Sakaki'll put you on the regulars this year.”
“He should,” Atobe said. “And you too...you were better than all upperclassmen you played.”
It was true enough, Shishido thought, tugging his hair out of his ponytail as they walked towards the locker room. But none of the upperclassmen he'd played had been regulars, only members of the famous Hyoutei 100. Certainly they hadn't been one of the best singles players in the Tokyo district.
“Maybe,” Shishido said. “But probably not until next year,” he added with a grin. “I didn't put on a show for Sakaki like someone else I could mention.”
He laughed as Atobe smacked him on the back of his head, his dark eyes twinkling at his best friend, but underneath he was sober. He wondered if Atobe felt it too.
It was the beginning.
Author: midorinomizu
Theme: Stages of Change - Beginning
Rating: G
Chasing Atobe had been unconscious for years, Shishido would later think; something that began well before junior high and even well before they started tennis, though club was where it was at its most pronounced and where he was at his most determined.
Tennis club was where he realized what he'd been doing, and he remembered the day; it was the first day of practice. Shishido had started to grow out his hair the year before in a play at rebellion, and it was shoulder-length by the time they were twelve, and pulled back into a stubby ponytail for practice. He was still a bare inch taller than Atobe, having hit his growth spurt first, but skinnier, his muscles leaner. The upperclassmen figured he'd be an easy target, with no power behind his swings, and he'd smirked with amused pride as he proved them wrong in practice match after practice match. He and Atobe had made plans together, about making the club theirs, and this was the first step.
Then he saw Atobe play, and a contrary realization hit him right in the gut - the club was going to belong to Atobe, and Shishido himself was nowhere near the level to share it.
That first day of practice Kantoku had placed Atobe Keigo in a match against one of the regulars, and Atobe was doing better than holding his own, Shishido remembered thinking. He was dominating the match with a mixture of surprising power and speed, using maneuvers that Shishido had never seen before. And his blue eyes were bright and avid with enjoyment and pure competition.
Shishido Ryoh felt a little betrayed by how good Atobe Keigo was, like it had been a secret his best friend hadn't shared with him, but he masked it as Atobe came off the court, dragging damp light hair out of his eyes.
“Hey,” Shishido said, his grin wide. “Good game there. I don't think he was expecting that.”
Atobe laughed, low and amused, and glanced back at the third year. “He's a good player,” he said. “I had to work harder in that match than I ever had.”
“Hmm,” Shishido murmured noncommittally. “So, Sakaki'll put you on the regulars this year.”
“He should,” Atobe said. “And you too...you were better than all upperclassmen you played.”
It was true enough, Shishido thought, tugging his hair out of his ponytail as they walked towards the locker room. But none of the upperclassmen he'd played had been regulars, only members of the famous Hyoutei 100. Certainly they hadn't been one of the best singles players in the Tokyo district.
“Maybe,” Shishido said. “But probably not until next year,” he added with a grin. “I didn't put on a show for Sakaki like someone else I could mention.”
He laughed as Atobe smacked him on the back of his head, his dark eyes twinkling at his best friend, but underneath he was sober. He wondered if Atobe felt it too.
It was the beginning.