That afternoon when classes ended and students were heading to their club meetings and activities, Soichiro returned to his beloved library on the back end of the school. His oasis undisturbed by outside intruders for the rest of the day. But occasionally his mind would wonder and he would look around, alert and on guard.
The rest of Akino High continued with their lively activities, unaware of Soichiro's dilemma.
Outside the tennis club was doing drills and running practice matches. Many girls were gathered around to watch and cheer for the star players, Haitani and Kyo. Although the most important games and busiest time for the tennis players ended in the Spring, they continued to have a few games until the end of Fall. Since the star players were among the most popular boys in the school, the tennis club was still able to draw a crowd.
Mitsune Ito would usually pass the court to watch her childhood friend and neighbor, Akira Azuma, play and cheer him on. She knew Akira was often distraught with his own lack of skills in the sport, but he stubbornly continued in hopes of being able to improve and participate in competitions.
Mitsune hung back away from most of the other girls. She sat on the ground soaking up the sun as she took in the changing fall colors and used it to inspire her sketches of dresses. Orange, browns, dark yellow, and dark shades of green. She alternated her attention between listening to the cheers and discussions closer to the tennis court while looking down at her sketchbook, and looking up to see what was happening for herself.
At first it was the bright red hair of Natsumi that caught Mitsune's attention. Pulled up with a ribbon tied into a bow, every time Natsumi turned her head as she watched the ball bounce from one end of the court to the other, her movements sent the long hair dancing against her back.
Such a vibrant color that shined in the sun arrested Mitsune's imagination. She quickly spread out the color pencils she had with her into her lap, she picked three different shades of red that she had with her and held them up. She eyed and tried comparing the colors with the red hair that was before her. Not quite satisfied it took her blending two of them as she began her sketch.
It was a simple design for a new fall themed purse her friend had requested Mitsune make. Miyata had a brilliant mind and flamboyant personality that the dull darker colors of fall did not seem to match at all. Inspired to use red as a base color, trimmed in gold with brown lace as a final touch, Mitsune's heart soared as she grinned at her own handy work. It was a crude and quickly done sketch with notes on material. She couldn't resist the sense of satisfaction as she visualized the final product and how it would look dangling from Miyata's shoulder.
The noise of other onlookers informed Mitsune that Akira would be playing against Hitanei next. She gathered her belongings and put them back into her bag. Once on her feet, Mitsune saw that the red headed girl was still standing in the same place.
Natsumi was so engrossed in watching the practice that she seemed oblivious to the rest of the world and the way she attracted attention. Her round eyes were huge with enthusiasm and she appeared even more engrossed in this match then she had the previous set. Mitsune openly chuckled as she watched how expressive the other girl was. 'Too cute!' she mused.
On the court two boys were giving their full attention and effort to the game, but it was clear that the taller boy with short spiky green hair was better. Akira's shaggy blond hair was kept out of his face by a sweat band. His bright green eyes were dark as they narrowed in concentration. Mitsune noticed he was tense, while Haitani looked loose and relaxed in comparison.
Natsumi clapped and cheered at random intervals as she continued to watch the ball across the court between the two boys.
Mitsune had forgotten about cheering for Akira as she considered doodling a chibi Natsumi. Then she realised she had been staring at the other girl. Mitsune decided it was better to introduce herself and moved to be next to Natsumi.
Akira was quick, but missed the ball by a hair. Score for Haitani. The girls around the court cheered, with the exception of Mitsune.
"Amazing! Just look at him, he's really fast..." Natsumi commented as she gaped at how quickly the boys were moving. She spoke to herself, not yet aware that Mitsune approached her.
"Yeah, Haitani is something else." Mitsune replied with a gentle smile. She assumed Natsumi was in awe of the boy with green hair that just scored.
Natsumi looked over and returned the smile. Mitsune had soft wavy brown hair that went just past her shoulders. Her matching brown eyes smiled gently at Natsumi as she looked slightly up at her. Natsumi was about 2 inches taller.
"You must be new. I'm Mitsune Ito, and that-" she indicated the boy who was winning. "is Haitani. He's always been good at sports and well liked, but now that he's playing tennis he's become very popular."
Natsumi had returned to watching the match, her eyes fully focused on Akira and she missed Mitsune's gesture. "Nice to meet you. I recently transferred from Nata-." Natsumi's introduction was cut off by another round of cheers when Haitani scored again. The thought carried away by the light breeze as she was fascinated with watching the match.
Mitsune also turned her attention back to watching the practice match. "You can do it, Akira!" Mitsune called out and waved as Akira had the ball and was getting ready to surve.
"Oh, can you introduce me to him?" Natsumi requested as she looked back at Mitsune.
Mitsune looked apologetic. "I don't think I'll be able to. I'm leaving when my friends get here."
"Oh…" Natsumi looked dejected as her gaze shifted to the ground.
Mitsune felt her heart sink to the ground and tried to make it up to the transfer student."If you want you could join us. Do you need help getting a school uniform?"
Mitsune personally liked Akino's uniforms. They were simple button down white blouses with navy blue jumpers. She loved the way the skirt flared out and thought they were cute. She adored Natsumi's poofy skirt decorated with roses and couldn't wait to pick the other girl's brain and compare fashion tastes. She reached for the sketch pad in her book bag to show her recent creation off.
Natsumi considered the offer, but shook her head no. "I've been wanting to meet him for a few days, but always had to leave before their practice was finished. I'd really like to meet him today."
Mitsune nodded in understanding, but her face was full of sympathy. "Good luck. As soon as the game is over a bunch of giggling girls will gather around Haitani and the other players. You'll be lucky if he hears you over all their racket." She had the sketchpad out but clutched it to her chest. Mitsune was suddenly feeling shy about showing it, she usually showed her raw ideas only to her best friends.
"Wow! Well, I still must try to speak with him."
Natsumi had smiled at Mitsune, and she wanted to help the best that she could. "If you want to talk to him that badly your best chance is after his shower. Usually only girlfriends will stick around and wait for the guys that long." Mitsune advised as she inwardly struggled with showing the design and explaining how the color of her hair had been the inspiration.
Before Mitsune could gather her courage, she saw two girls and waved at them. Her best friends, Miyata and Mai had finally come outside from their club's meetings. "I gotta go, but I'll see you around." She said cheerfully. "It was nice meeting you!"
"Bye-bye!" Natsumi said as she bowed at Mitsune. " She's a nice girl..."
After Mitsune had departed to join her friends and started to tell them about the new transfer student, she realized she forgot to ask for her name. Mitsune decided it would be easy to meet the new girl again. She was looking forward to their next encounter. She really wanted to know where the other girl did her shopping.
Exactly as Mitsune had predicted, the moment tennis practice called to an end, a dozen or so girls swarmed down on the players giggling and stating how much they admired this player or that player.
Natsumi went straight for the object of her fascination.