Chapter Text
“Imai-san, we need to talk.”
“Yes Koyuki-sensei.”
Lisa followed her coach off to the side of the practice courts. All the team members were busy practicing for an upcoming competition. Haneoka was in a bind with the current rosters. The coach had to manage the situation the best she could with what she got. A serious look adorned her face, giving Lisa some concern.
“Listen, Imai-san. I know you’ve been working hard with the team for a while now. And with the injuries we’ve had and former commitments from other members, we needed all available players we can get.”
“Right, that’s why I’ve put in more time to the club. I want to help out and be ready for the competition when it arrives soon.”
“And we’re thankful for your efforts. Unfortunately I’ve come to a decision, one that I didn’t take lightly mind you, that you won’t be involved in the tournament.”
The words smacked Lisa in her face. Her mind ran through all the work she’s put into the club the last few weeks. Working through a tough schedule with her other commitments, yet still able to give her time for practice. A pang welled up in her chest, but she held back her tears.
She knew she wasn’t the best player they had. She wasn’t so foolish to assume that with other members who’ve dedicated their lives to it. But she still feels like she was skilled enough to participate. This being a chance to accomplish something for the first time with the club.
“B-but Coach, I’ve been working hard. I’ve practiced and played legitimate games with the team.”
“I know, and you filled in when needed. I’m grateful for that. As the team is now, we got the players to play in singles matches and we got enough players for doubles. With you being the final roster spot and the slots all taken, there’s nothing that can be done.”
A roster list was handed over to Lisa with all names slotted in their spots for the tourney. Sure enough as stated, all available spots were taken and there wasn’t anywhere for Lisa to be put into. Slowly, becoming dejected, her blank eyes scanned the paper.
She knew she wasn’t going to get a spot. She wasn’t even a regular starter. If it wasn’t for the current predicament, she would’ve just been a reserve still. The paper began to get blurry, nothing could be made out no matter how hard she focused.
“There might be a way.”
A sliver of hope woke her up. Lisa looked back up to her coach who retrieved the sheet from Lisa and looked at the doubles section. She points to the last team.
“This team here with Hiyano and Rio. I’m not too confident it’ll work since they don’t play doubles. You don’t have a partner and there’s no one left on the team available. So, if you can find someone and show that your team is better than these two, then I’ll slot you in for the last doubles spot.”
A lifeline was thrown into the waters. Without a thought, Lisa grabbed onto it, pulling herself into a chance to prove she can earn that last spot. Quickly she thanked her coach for the opportunity and ran off with a new vigor.
It wasn’t long before her enthusiasm dimmed down. Actually thinking about what she needed to do made her feel like she was about to fall back into the water. Sitting on a bench in the courtyard, Lisa thought up of who she could get as her partner. Shame that there wasn’t any name coming to mind. Coach Koyuki was right when she said there are no players left on the team for Lisa to pick from. And she can’t just pick someone random that doesn’t have an affinity to athletics or physical activity.
Rubbing her head in frustration, her head hung low seeing there wasn’t anyone she could pull in to help. Till an image of someone materialized in her mind. In an instant, she pulled out her phone and sent a distress message with a request for said person to arrive as soon as possible.
“Sayo~! Oh my gosh, thanks for coming on such short notice!”
Lisa rushed over to the stern but concerned guitarist.
“It isn’t a problem Imai-san. May I ask why you needed me so urgently?”
“Sayo, I need you to be my partner!”
“I beg your pardon?” The request was quite bluntly stated. Sayo held back the glow of red trying to show on her cheeks.
“There’s a tennis tourney coming up and I wasn’t picked for it. But the coach told me if I can find a doubles partner and we prove we can play, then we’ll be able to participate in it.”
“Imai-san, while I find it flattering that you view me as someone who can be your doubles partner, isn’t there anyone in this school who can? You know, since I’m not a student here.”
It didn’t take long for Sayo to process Lisa’s predicament and her request. She thought up of several candidates that could easily help out barring whatever situations keeps them from helping.
“Well, no, cuz, Yukina is totally useless with exercise. Himari and the rest of Afterglow has their show they’re putting on for the school, Ako has energy but she’s bad at sports, Kaoru won’t help cuz she might attract more trouble.”
Sayo took in all of Lisa’s assessment of potential candidates and couldn’t argue with her logic. It’s sound reasoning really. And it puts her in a position where she really didn’t have many options at Haneoka.
“Please Sayo, help me out! Please! Please! Please! I’ll owe you a favor.”
Lisa nuzzled up to Sayo, invading her personal space. The pleading look a pretty girl like Lisa had was difficult to turn away. Pursing her lips, Sayo couldn’t find the will to reject her.
“O-okay. I’ll do it for you Imai-san.”
“Yes! Thank you Sayo! Thank you!”
Lisa hugged Sayo tight, enough to the point she might’ve taken out her partner before they could even practice together. Sayo coughed several times for Lisa to get the memo and release her clamps on her.
Before they could get anywhere, Sayo had to make a call. It looked serious, though Sayo always looked serious. Her responses her quick as if she could tell what the other person was going to say. There was a slight air of annoyance and relief mixed in. Now Lisa was curious as to who and what the call was for.
“Hah, give her five minutes.”
“Give who five minutes?” Lisa asked, unsure of what’s going on.
Within five minutes a speeding teal blur comes turning around a corner and speeds towards the two girls. There was an overly familiar call coming from said teal blur.
“Onee~-cha~n!”
Before said person could crash into them, they stopped at full force, dragging smoke up from the ground. What emerged was a starry eyed, joyful look-a-like of the person standing in front of her.
“Lisachi, how ya doing?”
“Hina!”
“Mmmm, here Onee-chan. I brought a tennis uniform matching your size.”
“While I worry on why you have such outfits to fit me when I’m not a student here, I thank you for the help Hina.”
“Anything for you Onee-chan. I wish you the best of luck temporary student athlete of Haneoka.”
“Wait, what?”
“I pulled some strings to get Onee-chan to be a student athlete for our school.”
“Most likely Hina moved too fast and the board couldn’t respond to her jabbering to reject the proposition, so it got approved since Hina wasn’t building anything that would damage school property.”
“Uh, right, yeah.”
Lisa cowered at the might of the twins when they work together. It reinforces the idea that them going to separate schools might be for the best for the others. Hina handed over Sayo’s uniform before dashing off to wherever she was needed. With everything settled, the two partners now went over what to do to practice.
Over the rest of the week, Lisa and Sayo met regularly after school to train. Sayo is familiar with the sport and has a general understanding from playing recreationally. It helped how quickly Sayo understood the pace of play and tactics deployed during a match. They competed one on one, getting in a good understanding of what their strengths and weaknesses are as individuals.
Being solid fundamentally was a good sign for the two. From their serves to their ground strokes and to their movement, their game was good. It helped that they got a little competitive with one another when practicing against another, helping to push each other. The main thing that came to focus was how they’d play as a team.
With the help of a doubles pair on the team, they were able to get some training as a team. Playing as a pair was different from what they faced as individuals. Lisa had some idea being part of the tennis club, but most of her time was playing singles. There were times where they both went after the ball, times where they both let the ball pass them, and times where they were both caught in the same position leaving an open space on the court.
They found out communication was key. Letting each other know where to position themselves, who’ll take the shot, and the tactic to use were vital to their play. After a few sessions, the two eventually formed a coherent understanding of each other. Similar to when they perform together as Roselia. The bond they already had quickly established a link between them and their court play made it seem as if they played together before.
Lisa was enthused when they won points that led to games won. Their teamwork was superb and they gave each other the occasional cheer to keep their energy and focus up. Sayo took some joy at seeing how their efforts were baring fruit and Lisa being so motivated gave her that much more to play for.
The day finally came when Lisa and Sayo faced Hiyano and Rio. Coming out on the court in their matching attire in Haneoka gray and white. The two also had their hair tied up in a ponytail and similar green rackets. There wasn’t many in the audience as it’s a regular school day and most students were doing their own thing. Coach Koyuki, a few tennis club members, and a few other students were among the small group watching.
Both teams met up at the net and the umpire gave them the standard rundown of play. They greeted each other and decided who served first and which side of the court will they play on. After a ten minute warmup session for both sides, the match officially began.
Sayo was first to serve and Lisa got in position close to the net, just a few steps away from the center line. The toss went up and just as the ball hits its apex point, Sayo hits a solid flat serve, driving the ball low. Rio manages to dig out the low serve, but Lisa was already in position and cut the ball off to the side to win the first point.
“15-0(Love)”
The next few points played out in similar fashion. Sayo placed her serves out wide and the returns fell within Lisa’s strike zone for her to end the points early.
“Game! 1-0 to team Imai/Hikawa.”
“Yes! Nice serving there Sayo~”
“No, its thanks to your solid net play Imai-san.”
After the changeover, Sayo would receive first. Lisa stood half way in the court, at about the service line. Rio tosses the ball up slightly in front of her and comes down in an angle off the side of the ball. The ball slices away, pulling Sayo out wide to return. She manages to reach the ball and returned the serve, but it wasn’t a solid return.
“Aaannnd thank you.” Hiyano takes a few steps forward and smashes the ball out of reach.
“Tch.”
“Don’t worry. We got this!” Lisa went over and assured Sayo with a five.
“Of course, it’s only the beginning.”
Lisa returns the next serve in play with a good backhand, hitting it deep into the court. Rio hits the shot back with a backhand of her own, pushing it in an angle. Lisa handles it nicely and they get into a back and forth between them. A shot eventually ends up in line with Lisa. This was a good moment, and she slides to her left to line up a forehand and hits it hard. Rio sticks her racquet out firmly and absorbs the shot, dropping the ball over the net. Sayo couldn’t make it before the double bounce and the point was lost.
Rio and Hiyano ends up winning the game to even the set 1-1. Though Sayo and Lisa managed to get a point during their serve. Both teams would manage to hold their serves for the next few games, an evenly fought first set. Rallies weren’t fairly long, the net plays of both Lisa and Hiyano ended points off before they dragged on.
Sayo developed some good rhythm at the baseline hitting shots from both ends well. Her preference for top spin keeps the ball well clear of hitting the net. It was good Lisa felt comfortable at net, letting Sayo hang out in the back lines.
At 5-4, Sayo just held serve again. They need to win this game to take the first set. Both Sayo and Lisa can sense it. Rio’s first serve gets buried into the net, setting up a potential attack on the second. When the ball was hit, Sayo guessed right and was already set for a forehand. She steps up and swings through the ball with her weight, pushing the ball back at Rio’s feet. The server couldn’t react in time and frames the ball out.
“0-15”
Sayo and Lisa exchange glances and fist pumps at their first strike. On Lisa’s return, she sweetly hits a backhand return with some juice. Rio couldn’t do anything with the return and hits a defensive shot back at Lisa who steps up and leans into another backhand. Again Rio can only play a defensive shot back. With the third driven shot, Hiyano crosses over the court and tries to intercept the shot. She manages to hit it, but the shot wasn’t well hit and floats in the air enough for Sayo to run up and swipe the ball out wide for the point.
“0-30”
“I had that.”
“Tried to stop you from getting pushed back. My bad.”
Rio and Hiyano began to look rattled. They can feel the pressure being put on them at the latter stages of the set.
The next serve took a little longer, a few extra bounces before the ball was airborne. Again, the first serve misses its mark. Rio slices the second serve, wanting to drag Sayo out wide. It was a good option, but Sayo anticipated the serve and hits the return before it could get to far away. Rio returns the shot back and Lisa sneaks over to smash the ball at Hiyano’s feet.
“0-40, triple set point for Imai/Hikawa.”
For this serve, Rio took some deep breaths with more bouncing. Lisa crouched into position, swaying side to side, ready to return the serve. A serve came down the middle, just keeping itself in. Lisa launches herself and takes a hard swing at it. She makes contact and the ball came back hard and fast. Hiyano whiffs at a return and Rio had to run to cover. She lobs the ball up in the air.
Lisa calls Sayo off, and lines herself up for a smash. She raises her left hand up to track the ball and wait for it to drop. When it drops to where she measured she needs it, she smashes the ball. HIyano manages a stick save and retreats back to the baseline. Sayo moves up into the court and takes the ball in stride and hits it up the middle. The opposing team didn’t communicate clearly and both went for the ball. Hiyano misses and has Rio’s timing off. Rio hit a weak shot over the net, which Sayo finishes off to win the set.
“Game and set. 6-4 to Imai/Hikawa.”
“Nice Sayo~!”
“Good work there Imai-san, you’re aggression got us that game.”
“Ah geez, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Lisa blushes at Sayo’s compliment as they headed to the bench to rest a little before the 2nd set. They win this and their off to the tournament. Drinking some water and thinking back on what’s happened in the previous set, they formulated what they needed to do in the next. Vibes were positive, their teamwork is excellent, and they trust each other’s shot selection.
A call for the break to end gets both teams to return onto the court for the second set. Switching sides, Lisa was up first to serve to open the set. As opposed to Sayo who was more disciplined and prefers to keep her serves accurate, Lisa can be a bit erratic. Taking more risks with her serves meant there’s more chances of having to rely on her second serve. Momentum was going their way and it translated into her service. Hitting her spots and with good pace, Lisa manages to get through her service game with only one double fault, giving them a 1-0 lead to start the set.
Hiyano was next up and she was the one with the most power in her serves amongst the four. Her first serve was down the middle for an ace. Sayo didn’t get a chance to get her racquet on it. The next point, she aims her serve into Lisa’s body. The heavy pace rung through her racquet as she dug the serve up and over. A shot comes back out wide to Lisa and her next shot was a weaker backhand with both opponent at net. Rio smashes the ball and ends the point for them.
The flow of the match continued in the servers favor. Hiyano held her serve with some resistance. Sayo’s next service was what people expected. She placed her serves well, meaning Rio and Hiyano had to be ready to get a rally going off the first serve most of the time. Lisa and Sayo shuffled from front to back and side to side, changing what parts of the court they covered effortlessly. The connection they have was superb, meaning that their opponent had to force them into team related errors.
Sayo hit shots in stride, her coverage of the baseline was excellent. Managing to sprint from side to side and still be technically sound in her ground strokes was expected of someone who’s by the book as her. Lisa meanwhile showed her experience as a tennis team member. She played well in the back and up at net. All while essentially being the main voice for them when there was a fifty-fifty ball. Sayo trusted her judgement being more instinctual with the sport.
“Game! 5-3 to Imai/Hikawa.”
“Yes! C’mon!”
Lisa exclaimed after securing a break. She high fived Sayo with a bright smile. There was more than just the light gleaming off the sweat dripping down her face. There was a confidence in Lisa, one that Sayo liked seeing. Getting back to the service line, Lisa sorted through the tennis balls and found one she felt good about and tossed the others to the side.
Ball bounces a few times, ball gets tossed, and ball gets hit. A familiar and automatic flow. Everything felt right with her motions and so her serve followed suit. Her first serve was good and wide, pulling Rio out wide to only shank the return.
“15-0”
Next point continued from the first. Lisa served this one down the middle. Hiyano was able to get a hit in and returns the ball over with decent pace. But it floated a bit high and Sayo jumps up and slams the ball in and out wide to bag a second point.
“30-0”
Rio shakes her head and bites her lip. Not liking how the flow of the game is going. She was set on one shot and hopes her guess is right. Set and waiting for the serve she followed the ball toss and when Lisa made contact, she bounced. Right was her guess and she managed a sizzling return.
“Out! 40-0, match point for Imai/Hikawa.”
The ball was well anticipated and struck, but there was too much juice on the shot and it went out. Rio curses at the misfire.
On match point, Lisa wanted to end it with a bang. She looked up and located her spot as she bounced the ball. With her mind made up, she readied her serve. Up goes the ball and back goes her arm, coiled for the strike. Just as the ball hits it peak and began to drop, Lisa jumps in the air and hits the serve. The ball goes towards the outside. Hiyano was late, misjudging where the serve was gonna go and had to take a late lunge. She misses the ball and an ace was hit.
“Game, set, and match! 6-4 6-3 to Imai/Hikawa.”
“We did it. We did it! Sayo, we did it!” Lisa couldn’t believe what they accomplished.
“We sure did. Amazing work Imai-san. Your hard w-rk!!!”
Lisa ran and jumped into Sayo’s arms. Sayo dropped her racquet and held onto Lisa tight, surprised at the sudden show of emotions.
“We really did it. I’m so happy!”
“Uh, ummm ,yes, uh, it sure is, something.”
Sayo was at a lost with how tight Lisa was hugging her. That and along with the fact that Lisa’s sweaty body was on hers. It was more than the match that made her red. Never was there a moment where Sayo thought Lisa would let go, or rather, she would like to indulge in such contact for a longer period of time. But as it stands, they’re in public with eyes around them and people waiting on them.
Ultimately, Lisa relinquished the hug as disappointing as it was. The pair went up to net to shake hands with their opponents.
“Heh, well played Imai-san. And to your partner too.”
“Better you two than us I think. We weren’t too thrilled playing doubles together and it wouldn’t be right to take a spot from a team like yours. Good luck!”
“Geez, thanks you two. We’ll be sure to do our best for y’all too!”
“Thanks for the great match.”
After the last well wishes and thanking the umpire for their work, Lisa and Sayo exited the courts and who else but Hina to be there to congratulate them. In all her glory and excitement, she rauns up and hugs both of them together.
“Wow, straight boppin! You two were amazing and you get to play in the tournament!”
“Thanks so much Hina! Did you enjoy watching your older sister play?”
“Of course. Onee-chan is always boppin when she tries her best.”
“Hina, I appreciate your support, but didn’t you have council duties today?” Hina placed a finger on her cheek, thinking on what she needed to do today.
“Mmmmm, nah, the others have it covered.”
“Hina!”
“No worries, I took care of the tough stuff easy peasy. Everyone else can take care of the rest.”
Sayo rubbed her head at Hina’s antics again. As student council president, she really needs to be there with her members to support. Coach Koyuki came to congratulate the team and confirmed their place in the tournament. Lisa and Sayo will officially be the last doubles team to enter the tournament.
After everyone cleaned up the tennis grounds and cleaned themselves up, Sayo and Lisa left campus to a setting sun. Lisa suggested they stop at a sweets shop for some recharging. Sayo knew that behind her smile and reasoning, she just wants to satiate her sweet tooth. A wish Sayo had no reason to deny considering they have reason to celebrate.
“We’d like to have this parfait please.”
At their booth, Lisa points to a sizable parfait with fruits and candy. For one person it might be much, but they got two here and both are in a good mood so the parfait shouldn’t be a problem. Whilst waiting, Lisa hopped over from her seat and slid next to Sayo, humming along to a sweet tune.
“You’re really riding a high aren’t you Imai-san?”
“With all that’s happened today, why wouldn’t I be? We won our match today. I get to participate in a tennis tournament. Something I might never get another chance to be in. I get to have you as might partner and we played well together as if it was a natural thing.”
“I mean, we’ve put in a lot of work within a short time span.”
“It was short, but it was all meaningful being with you Sayo. Thankies for being there for me.”
Lisa snuggles herself onto Sayo’s arm, creating a bright blush on the recipient’s face.
“D-don’t thank me just yet. We s-still got more work ahead of us.”
“I know~. That just means we gots to work harder together.”
Lisa shoots a wide smile. Sayo couldn’t help but be drawn into that grin and return one of her own. The parfait arrives and Lisa claps at the pretty, sweet treasure of flavor presented. They both began to enjoy their dessert with playful talk and teasing. A much earned moment of joy before gearing themselves up for the task ahead.