Episode 29: Momo and the Viper



The Tokyo Prefectural Matches are now commencing. As Momoshiro and Echizen were walking along the venue, Sengoku Kiyosumi spotted Ryoma and jumped down from the roof of the waiting area to thank Ryoma personally about what Ryoma did to him before (which was hitting him straight on the forehead with a tennis ball). Momoshiro was in awe upon seeing Sengoku since he knows that Sengoku is an All-Japan player and asked Ryoma if he knew him. Poor Ryoma was befuddled, saying he doesn't know him. Sengoku was confused. Anyway, Ibu and Kamio arrived at the scene after finishing their match against Oozawa Chuu Gakuen. Kamio wished Seigaku luck while Shinji asked Ryoma about the grip-tape they've fought over before. Momoshiro told Kamio that they wouldn't lose a match like some idiotic bandanna-wearer person. Ryoma quieted when he saw that Kaidoh just arrived. Kaidoh snarled at Momoshiro and asked him who was he think he's talking about?! Momoshiro just made it worse by saying that the "idiot" he's talking about is right in front of him. Kamio attempted to quarrel with Kaidoh too by telling him that he won't be losing against him again but.... for all his efforts, he's better off talking to a tree. He wasn't even looked at.

Meanwhile, Hyotei Gakuen was constantly winning their matches. Of course, as expected of the No. 1 seed. There were many supporters of Hyotei present, although, it's only understandable since Hyotei's tennis club members reaches up to 200 members. Atobe, Hyotei's Tennis captain and Kabaji, a Hyotei regular were watching Shishido's match comes to a close. Atobe commented to Shishido as he came towards his bench that he's real slow, winning the match in 20 minutes, and that if he, Atobe, were playing that match, it would only take him up to 15 minutes to defeat that guy. Shishido just rolled his eyes and snorted as Atobe walked away from him, taking Kabaji with him.

Anyway, back to Seigaku corner, Coach Ryuzaki now told her members the order of the game. To say that her members were thoroughly shocked were to say the least. The Singles 1, 2, 3 and Doubles 1 are expected, being Tezuka, Fuji, Ryoma and the Golden Pair respectively. However, they were shocked to learn that Momoshiro and Kaidoh were paired off to Doubles 2!

On the St. Rudolph side, Mizuki or the "Hair Twirler from Hell" (^_^v) made Yuuta believe that Mizuki hadn't thought that Syusuke would be playing Singles 2 and now, he's to play a freshman in the name of Ryoma Echizen in Singles 3. Yuuta was angry at first especially after a quip from his team mate that Seigaku probably placed Syusuke consciously away from Yuuta so to avoid embarrassment of the younger brother (Yuuta) after he's defeated by his older brother. Yuuta conceded after a while, only if Mizuki promised that the freshman he would be matched against is as good player as his brother, Mizuki agreed. Yuuta grumbled and strode off, leaving other St. Rudolph tennis members in his wake. Akazawa commented to Mizuki that he's a fearful guy since he really knows that Syusuke would be placed to play Singles 2 and still managed to convince Yuuta that he hadn't known. Akazawa deduced that since Ryoma is a left-handed player, he would be of disadvantage since Yuuta is also a left-handed player and also known as the "Left-Handed Killer". His reputation came from being undefeated when matched against a left-handed player like himself.

Meanwhile, Ryoma was walking along with his fellow freshmen tennis team mates carrying plastic bags when he saw this boy glaring at him. He stopped on front of the boy who introduced himself as Fuji Yuuta. Katsuo commented that he didn't expect to meet Syusuke's younger brother only to have his head bitten off by Yuuta saying that he's himself and no one's brother. Ryoma just smiled at him and walked away. Leaving Yuuta aggrevated. :)

It's now time for the matches of Seigaku against St. Rudolph to start. First off is Doubles 2. From Seigaku, it's Momoshiro and Kaidoh. From St.Rudolph, it's Yanagizawa Shinya and Kisarazu Atsushi (who also have a brother who we will meet later on the series). Right from the start, Momoshiro and Kaidoh argued non-stop. Ryoma asked his senpais if this is a natural occurence, Oishi told that it is. It started when they were still on their freshman years. They're like, each other's rivals. The referee of the game managed to subdue the duo by scolding them and literally told them to stop it. Momoshiro and Kaidoh stopped and turned to their opponents, glaring at them.

The game started. Unbelievably, Kaido and Momoshiro showed really good doubles play and synchronization. Inui commented that it's because they've watched each other all the while and that they've known each other's strengths and weaknesses and could compliment each other. However, Mizuki started twirling his hair which Yanagizawa understood (I mean, there seemed to be some kind of a language exchanged in twirling one's hair! ^.^v) . Yanagizawa understood that this meant to target Kaidoh's weak spots, he then hit the ball towards Kaidoh's weak side. Momoshiro immediately noticed St. Rudolph's play but... Kaidoh's already hit the ball. Was it a Snake? or a Boomerang Snake?