A/N: I’m sorry! I know I haven’t updated in months! I was particularly busy and I totally forgot about this story.:( I am very, very sorry.:(

Disclaimer: I don't own Rebecca nor Prince of Tennis. Rebecca is owned by rebeccasanfujieijilvr.

Chapter 7

It was now time for the first singles match. The women’s team had effectively dominated the doubles series, winning both matches.

The twins had obvious outshined Kaido and Inui’s pairing with their experience and outstanding teamwork.

The next match was between Fuji and Rebecca. Most were confident that Fuji would win since Rebecca kept mostly to herself during practice and refused to play with the others.

They didn’t know why but they just waved it off. It wasn’t like she was the only anti-social in the world.

“Do what you want Rebecca.” Aika paused searching for the right words, “Play with him if you must.” She said with a smirk.

Rebecca nodded at her captain and walked off into the courts. She had a great respect for her captain so she would follow anything she wanted.

She passed by her red-haired junior.

“Good luck Rebecca-senpai.” She heard her mutter before letting out a smile.

Rebecca stared at her, “I don’t need it.” She told the girl before walking off.

She entered the courts. Waiting for her opponent, she began to lazily fix the strings of racket.

“Rebecca-san.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened. She was playing him? Of all people?

Was God against her? Or was it simply not her day?

She turned around and stared at the face of the famous tennis genius, Syuusuke Fuji.

“Fuji-san, I suppose you’re my opponent?” She said being polite.

She was extremely careful around him, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that she was in love with the brown-haired boy.

“Aa.” Fuji replied, a smile on his handsome face.

It was Rebecca to serve, a slight advantage on the female side of the match since she was infamous for her service skills. But still, we didn’t know.

She seemed a little unnerved when she found out her opponent was her one of the people she admired the most.

True, she also had the hots for the acrobatic tennis player but Syuusuke Fuji outweighed him by a significant amount.

She threw the ball into the air and hit it with all that she had.

The ball went fast, so fast that even Eiji had trouble following it. Even though she had managed to accomplish such a great serve, it had hit fault.

“Shit. Rebecca-san’s out of it.” One of the twins muttered behind Aika.

Aika shrugged. Well, it didn’t matter to her whether Rebecca won.

It was obvious that Syuusuke was somehow attracted to Sakuno Ryuuzaki. The way he looked at her during her match was proof enough. Aika being the observant girl she was, she had known a long time ago that one of her players was in love with him but she said nothing, thinking that it won’t bother anyone.

And now, since the newly-acquired affections of the tennis genius seems to be seeping its way through his mask, Rebecca needed to know straight from the male himself that the person she had loved for so many years, was in love with a girl that was two years her junior and new to the world of highschool tennis.

Watching the game develop would surely be entertaining for Aika Takami.

Everyone’s eyes were glued on the first singles match of the day.

It turned out to be one of the most exhausting matches they had watched in years, the two tennis players tried to outplay the other as they passed the ball back and forth.

And when the game set had reached a four-three with Syuusuke Fuji in the lead, Rebecca had started her service game once more.

Fuji glanced at his side, looking for the familiar head of red hair. He smiled when he noticed the girl totally engrossed in his match.

Rebecca noticing this felt a slight pang of jealousy invade her senses as she let out all of her emotions in her serve.

The ball went straight to the ground in front of Fuji but it was a slight to fast for him to notice when he had been so preoccupied by the redhead.

Rebecca frowned when she had heard the score. Fuji was not concentrating on their match.

During the first few sets, she had been thoroughly happy that she had been part of this match-up. Even if she wasn’t able to date the blue-eyed tennis player, at least she had taken part in one of his matches.

But now, seeing that his attention is solely focused on her junior, she wanted to scream bloody hell.

Why did he have to ignore her all the time? She just wanted his acknowledgement.

Sakuno had always taken her spotlight. Even her favorite captain, Sakuno had taken her away.

She remembered welcoming Sakuno with open arms just because Aika had told them to treat her well.

She, Rebecca, had been one of the best tennis players on the team. She could recall Aika complimenting her all the time but now, when the little girl came, their captain had spent all her time on teaching the amateur how to play tennis.

She had been one of the best, only second to Aika herself. How could they just set her aside like that?

“Why?” She muttered under her breath, “Why must everyone ignore me for her?” She said as she let out another amazing serve.

Fuji had managed to return it but with much difficulty. He turned to his opponent who seemed quite angry at something. He wasn’t sure what about.

The girl glared at him, “Tell me… What do you see in her?” She said as she smashed the ball on the ground before him.

Fuji waited for it to bounce back up but it never did. It stayed on the floor as the score of 30-0 had been announced by the referee.

The girl named Rebecca continued what she was saying, “Because I definitely can’t see anything worth shit.”

Fuji knew exactly what she was talking about… It was Sakuno.

Rebecca had returned to the service line, distinctly remembering how her captain had treated her the first time they had met.

”Rebecca-san? You are her right?” She heard a voice from behind her say.

Rebecca turned around to face the girl that was talking to her, only to stop in her tracks.

In front of her was a tall girl with black hair and deep black eyes. Rebecca raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

“I’m Aika Takami.” She said before pausing, “I’m not good with formalities so I’ll be straight to the point. I’ve seen your tennis skills and I want you to be one of the founders of our school’s female tennis club.”

“I’m not so sure.” Rebecca said as she stared at the girl who seemed so confident that they could be one of the best.

“Don’t worry about it Rebecca-san.” She said with a smile.

Rebecca turned to look at her friends, only to find them awestruck with the girl she was previously talking with. Angry that they were so entranced with the girl that they completely forgot about her, she decided to challenge the ebony-haired tennis player. After all, how could she lose?

“Fine but you have to beat me first.” She said with a smirk.

Aika seemed to stop for a bit to contemplate her offer before saying, “Of course but we’ll have to do it tomorrow? I still have to meet up with someone today.”

Giving the girl a nod, she turned around coolly and proceeded to walk to her group of friends. Upon reaching them, she learned that they had heard her challenge.

“What were you thinking?” One of them said.

Rebecca shrugged, “Don’t worry about it. It’s not as if she can beat me.”

“That’s Aika Takami moron. She might bite your head off if you’re not careful.”

Rebecca raised an eyebrow before turning abruptly because of the shouts of ‘Fuji-kun’ that had erupted from a number of female students. Searching for her love interest, she found him along with the rest of the tennis team and a certain ebony-haired girl. Gritting her teeth, Rebecca swore that she was going to humiliate Aika Takami during their match tomorrow, no matter what it takes.

--

Rebecca sat on the floor of the tennis courts, seemingly unable to believe that Aika Takami truly had beaten her. It was impossible.

From childhood, she was already considered to be a tennis prodigy despite having no training. These particular talents were only honed once she had entered elementary school but she was already asked to become pro once she has graduated.

But… how could this… this novice beat her at her own game?

Worst, Fuji had been watching the whole thing. She was humiliated in front of the guy she had loved since her start in high school.

Because of this particular dilemma, she hadn’t noticed Aika approaching her until she had offered her a hand in helping to stand up.

“Let’s go.”

Rebecca blinked, “Excuse me?” She was in a daze. She had no idea what’s going on around her.

“Your promise. I trust you didn’t forget about it.” Aika said before pulling her up on her feet and dusting off her shorts.

Oh.

Rebecca bit her lip, “Aika… before… before I join you and your new team, I need to ask you a question.”

“Hm?”

“What’s your relationship with Fuji-san?”

Aika stopped in her tracks.

Rebecca readied herself for the oncoming blow of heartbreak.

“Fuji is an acquaintance of mine. I asked him what was needed to form the club.” Aika said before resuming her brisk walking, “Why?”

Rebecca seemed slightly surprised. An acquaintance? She thought wrong then. It relieved her that her that there was still hope for him.

Aika seemed to notice her silence and glanced back at her. Rebecca knew that Aika had read what was on her mind because just after that she asked, “Would you like to meet him?”

--

She couldn’t lose. She promised her captain. She promised Aika… and she promised herself that she wouldn’t lose to anyone again. And up until the moment that Fuji has returned her sharp serve, that promised was fulfilled.

However, now… Rebecca had lost yet again.

“Shake hands.” Coach Ryuuzaki instructed the both of them… and while they did, Fuji gave her a smile and, “That was one of the most challenging games I’ve played. You’re very talented, Rebecca-san.” Fuji smiled.

Yes, he smiled.

“As for your question… I’m not interested in Sakuno.” A lie. He had already started addressing her by her first name, a sign that he had already fallen madly in love with the red-haired girl.

“I see.” Was the only answer she could come up with.

As Rebecca left the court, she had only gotten one consolation from her lost. At least she had lost against Fuji… it was the only thing that kept her from quitting her tennis career. For she knew that whatever she did, she could never match up to him nor her captain and for some reason, she could never match to Sakuno Ryuuzaki in his heart as well.

A/N: I hoped you liked it and again I’m very sorry that I haven’t updated. I hope you aren’t bored with this story yet because there’s more to come.

I am now writing chapter eight to make up for my lack of updates.:)

Please tell me what you think.

Jeje-chan:)