hello all, this will be the last chapter… i know it has been ages since the last update and other than the usual excuse of school, it was also partly because my interest in PoT is not as high as it used to be… so instead of trying to get myself to update or leaving the end hanging, i thought i finished it up 'properly' or as proper as it can get… sorry to those who are expecting more (sorry!)

been reading the past chapters, some errors here and there so i'll edit them a while later, for now just pretend you never see those weird sentences and too short scenes XP

finally, thanks to those who have read, reviewed, favorite'd and alert'd (: kudos to you guys!

First Years:
- Otori Choutarou
- Ueda Masui (Regular)
Second Years:
- Shishido Ryou
- Kazuma xx (Shishido's friend, Regular)
Third Years:
- Terauchi xx (Osaka's Tennis Club Captain)
- Iwaki Yuu (Regular, the sugar high one), Soutake xx (Regular, introduced the first years), Reishin xx (Regular)

disclaimer: i don't own PoT

Chapter 9

Towards the End

"Neh neh, Reishin?" Iwaki poked his Doubles partner in the ribs and continued when Reishin grunted in response, "Those two are acting like puppies in love, aren't they?"

Looking up from his food at the 'couple' in question, Reishin considered Iwaki's statement for a few moments, "Don't try to be a matchmaker Yuu," He said before turning back to examine the contents of his bento.

"DAMNIT CHOUTAROU! JUST TAKE THE FOOD!" There was a loud shout in the clubroom, quickly followed by silence.

The other members present turned to look at a red-faced Shishido and a sheepish Otori.

"Please do not tell me you guys are fighting over food," Soutake gave a deadpanned expression when both Shishido and Otori turned embarrassed, "Can't you guys act like high school students?" He made an exasperated sound.

"Sorry," Otori mumbled as Shishido sat down.

Their fighting resumed a few seconds later, albeit a silent one now. The regulars stare as both of them non-verbally shoved a bento box between them.

"Er…not to spoil the atmosphere or anything…" Iwaki started hesitantly, "But the bell is going to ring soon and shouldn't you guys start eating?"

Alarmed, Shishido looked up at the clock in the room and cursed, "Oh fu – "

"Shishido-san! Don't cur –" Otori was cut off by a piece of sushi that was stuffed into his mouth by Shishido.

The other members could only stare as Shishido proceeded to force-feed Otori.

xXx

"I can't believe you just forced the food down my throat. I made it for you," Otori looked at Shishido reproachfully.

Shishido made a half-hearted grunt before settling himself on the bench next to Choutarou. Currently, club session was in full swing and they were taking this opportunity to gain back the rhythm they used to share in Doubles. Of course this was made difficult by Choutarou's stare and Shishido's guilty complex.

"Well, like I said earlier, you didn't make one for yourself…" Shishido let his voice trailed off as he stared at the other members practicing.

Kazuma passed them on his way to his court with a group of First Years. Personally, Shishido pitied Kazuma for being the one in charge of monitoring those first-timers. Served him right though, for being late to morning practice.

"Shishido-san!" Otori poked Shishido's side when he saw Shishido's eyes glazing over.

"Huh?" Shishido blinked.

"We have to get back to practice," Otori pointed towards the court in front of them.

"But Iwaki-sempai and Reishin-sempai are not done with their break yet," Shishido's eyes fell onto the two figures that were at the fence of another court.

"Er, well…" At that, Otori coughed sheepishly.

Shishido turned his attention around when he realised that Choutarou seemed embarrassed.

"Actually… I was thinking…"

Shishido frowned, "What is it, Choutarou? Spit it out, I'm not going to eat you,"

"Er, I thought that we could have a game of Singles between us," Otori said very quickly, "You know, since I messed up our previous one,"

Shishido blinked again before breaking out into loud laughter. The scandalised look on Choutarou's face further fueled his laughter. He coughed to regain his composure before lifting his hand to ruffle Choutarou's hair teasingly.

"Sure, let's have a game. And don't be so tense with me, Choutarou. You know I would play a game with you any time you asked," Shishido smiled as he stood.

Choutarou colored a little at Shishido's comment.

"And, that game was not your fault," Shishido poked Choutarou on the forehead.

Rubbing the sore spot, Otori made to protest but was waved off by Shishido. That match was definitely his fault, not Shishido-san's. If he had not been distracted, their game could have gone better.

"Well then, come on. I'm going to trash you so bad you won't know what happened," Shishido warned as he left to take his side of the court.

"Hah! You wish," Otori stuck his tongue out a little in retaliation.

"Childish nah, Choutarou,"

xXx

"It's finally the Kinki Tournament huh," Shishido said as he adjusted his cap.

"Yeah," Otori replied as he stared at the tennis arena in front of them, "Though truthfully, I'm still more used to saying Kantou than Kinki…"

"Well, that's what you get for switching school. You could have stayed on in Hyoutei, but no…"

"You weren't in Hyoutei," Otori said in defense, "And I wanted to play Doubles with you again,"

Shishido was silent for a moment, "Hey, I never did tell you I was going to Osaka High… How did you know which school to enter?"

Otori blinked, "Huh, I didn't know. Hiyoshi suggested the school when I was looking at the booklet,"

Shishido gave a groan in annoyance, "You idiot. Hiyoshi knew which school I went to,"

"…oh,"

"And here I thought it was a coincidence,"

"…sorry Shishido-san,"

"What is there to be sorry about?!" Shishido jabbed Choutarou, exasperated.

They settled back on the tree trunk they were leaning against, taking the time to meditate in their own way before the first match. The Garden they were at was filled with people. It was the first day of the Kinki Region Tournament and there were many High Schools hoping to win the top spot. Realising that Choutarou seemed a little lost with the unfamiliar faces, Shishido decided to keep up a running commentary on some of the schools around them.

"And that's Haruhiko High, which I heard they used martial arts as a form in their tennis. Apparently one of their members ended up confused between the stances and broke his wrist from trying to combine two of the different arts," Shishido added in the last part before shaking his head and laughing a little.

"Shishido-san, don't be mean," Otori gave him a disapproving look.

"Alright alright, thought I could entertain you a little,"

"You don't have to cheer me up," Otori smiled lightly, "I'm sure we would be able to meet Atobe-buchou at the Nationals,"

"You brat," Shishido scoffed as he picked up his tennis bag, "Shall we head for the team then?"

"Lead the way, Shishido-san. We're going straight to the Nationals,"

Fin