Chapter Text
Before the first lesson began, Sayaka, as the club president, took Ririka to see the courts that students could use.
“We have all four courts used in professional tournaments. They are very well maintained by the school.”
Ririka was enchanted. She had passed by there before, but now that Sayaka was showing all the details, she was left speechless.
“This is incredible!” she said, smiling.
The courts were impeccable, each with a unique style, as if they represented different worlds within the same sport.
The first, made of red clay, exuded a classic charm. The fine reddish surface resembled European tournaments, where every point was a battle of endurance and strategy.
The second, made of natural grass, evoked the prestige of Wimbledon. Green, vibrant, and elegant, it seemed designed for agile movements and refined reflexes.
The third, a blue hard court, was modern and versatile — perfect for testing control, timing, and precision.
And the fourth, a dark gray carpet court, was located in a covered area. It was fast, silent, almost intimidating — ideal for those who dominated the game with speed and technique.
Sayaka pointed at all of them with a proud smile.
“We have all these options for training. But today, we’ll start with the basics on the hard court. Later, if you want, I can teach you on the others as well.”
Ririka nodded, even more fascinated. She had never imagined that the school housed not just a tennis club… but a small constellation of possibilities.
⸻
Ririka’s first lesson was a complete disaster.
She could barely hold the racket properly. Her movements were clumsy, and hitting the ball seemed almost impossible.
While the other students played smoothly, she felt completely out of place.
Sayaka, patient, tried to guide her.
“Ririka, stay calm. Take a deep breath. I’m going to toss the ball — try to hit it.”
Ririka nodded, gripping the racket tightly.
Sayaka tossed the ball.
Ririka missed.
Sayaka tossed another.
Ririka missed again.
And again.
And again.
After countless attempts, she finally managed to hit one.
“YES!” she shouted, celebrating as if she had just won a tournament.
Sayaka laughed, crossing her arms.
“See? You can do it.”
But by the end of the lesson, Ririka felt frustrated.
She didn’t like being bad at anything.
And now, she saw herself as the worst player in the club.
Sayaka noticed her downcast expression and approached her.
“Hey, you did really well for someone who’s never played before.”
Ririka scoffed.
“I was terrible.”
Sayaka smiled and shook her head.
“Ririka, you have talent. You just need more confidence. I know you can do it.”
Ririka looked up at Sayaka, surprised.
“Talent? Me?”
Sayaka nodded.
“Yes. In tennis, one of the most important factors is posture. And that… you have plenty of.”
She said it almost casually, but Ririka blushed slightly at the compliment.
“Thank you…”, she murmured, looking away.
Sayaka noticed that Ririka was truly determined.
So she made a proposal.
“If you want, we can have extra lessons every day. After classes, we can stay here for another hour and train.”
Ririka’s eyes lit up at the suggestion.
“Really?”
Sayaka nodded.
“Yes.”
Ririka responded immediately, almost without thinking.
“I want to learn how to play… and become as good as you.”
Sayaka laughed.
“I’m not that good, Ririka. But I’m happy with my level.”
She extended her hand to seal the deal.
“Then it’s settled. After classes, you’ll have private training with me.”
To Sayaka’s surprise, Ririka shook her hand firmly.
For a moment, Sayaka was taken aback.
But then she smiled.
“Deal.”
And so, a new chapter began for Ririka Momobami.
She had finally found something she wanted to do for herself.
And without realizing it… she might have been finding something more.
⸻
Ririka left the court completely exhausted.
Even playing clumsily and missing most of her shots, she had pushed herself more than she expected.
Every muscle in her body seemed to scream in exhaustion.
She let out a heavy sigh when suddenly she felt someone grab her arm.
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?”
The familiar, teasing voice made her heart race.
She turned quickly and saw Mary Saotome — her favorite impulsive and insolent blonde.
“Mary?! What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
Mary smirked, still holding her arm.
“Yeah, but my teacher got sick. So I’ve got some free time until the next class.”
She frowned as she looked at Ririka’s condition. She was sweaty and out of breath.
“But what about you? You’re all sweaty… what the hell were you doing? Something… intense?”
She raised an eyebrow suggestively, clearly amused.
Ririka turned red instantly.
“I-It’s nothing!”, she stuttered, trying to pull away.
Mary laughed at her reaction.
“Oh, come on, Ririka. Tell me!”
Ririka looked away, still embarrassed.
“I was at the tennis club.”
Mary blinked a few times, clearly surprised.
“What?!”
Ririka let out a small sigh before explaining:
“I joined the tennis club. Today was my first lesson. I just got out.”
Mary stared at her for a moment, then let out a short laugh.
“You… Ririka Momobami… playing tennis?!”
Ririka scoffed.
“I’m not playing yet. I’m learning.”
Mary was still a bit shocked, but her curiosity only grew.
“Okay, but… where did that idea come from?”
Ririka smiled softly, looking at the ground.
“I’ve always liked watching the big tournaments on TV… especially the Grand Slams. But my family is very focused on gambling. Once, when I was a child, I asked to play… and my grandmother scolded me. Told me to forget that silly idea.”
Mary frowned immediately, bothered by that.
She thought it was ridiculous that a child’s simple wish had been shut down like that.
But she kept her thoughts to herself.
“But now that I can do whatever I want… I decided to learn”, Ririka added with a light laugh.
Mary smiled.
“I’m happy for you.”
She put her hands in her pockets and added:
“And when you finally learn how to play… call me so I can watch.”
Ririka smiled more openly this time.
“Of course, Mary.”
She looked at the clock and let out a small sigh.
“I need to go now. I’m going to take a shower before my next class.”
Mary nodded, watching her walk away.
But for the first time, she didn’t look away.
She just stood there, watching Ririka disappear down the hallway, her mind full of thoughts.
She knew the time was coming to confess her feelings… to tell Ririka how she truly felt.
But she still lacked the courage.
And she hated herself for it.
⸻
The hot shower relaxed Ririka’s tired muscles as she washed away the sweat from training.
The private bathroom of the Momobami twins inside the school was one of the few places where she felt completely at ease.
There, the sisters used to switch uniforms to fool people, assuming each other’s identities.
But now… that no longer happened.
“From now on, we won’t switch anymore. The world doesn’t need two Kirari Momobamis.”
Kirari’s words echoed in her mind.
She knew her sister was right.
But at the same time… it felt strange to build her own identity after spending so long being “Kirari” for most of her life.
As Ririka drifted into her thoughts, the shower door suddenly opened.
Her eyes widened when she saw Kirari standing at the entrance.
“Sister?!”
Kirari smiled softly, ignoring any sense of discomfort.
“Yes?”
Ririka frowned, instinctively covering herself.
“I’m taking a shower! I want privacy!”
Kirari raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused.
“Privacy? We’re sisters, Ririka. I need to know everything about your life.”
Ririka let out an exasperated sigh, but couldn’t help a small smile.
“You never change.”
Kirari leaned against the wall near the shower, watching Ririka with interest.
“Where were you? I was waiting for you.”
“I was at the tennis club. I signed up today and had my first lesson,” Ririka replied.
Kirari tilted her head slightly, looking surprised.
“Tennis? Ah, yes… now I remember.”
She smiled in an almost nostalgic way.
“You asked grandmother to let you play when you were little… but she didn’t allow it.”
Ririka turned off the shower and took the towel Kirari offered.
“Yes. But now… I can choose for myself.”
She looked directly at Kirari, waiting for her answer.
Kirari smiled, satisfied.
“Of course, sister. Your life is yours.”