1. When Hiyoshi is nine, he trades the hard wood of his rochin and tinbe for a tennis racket. His father is disappointed at first, but he learns to wake up earlier to make up what he misses, and neither of them speak of it all.

2. He goes through life like he goes everything else - with a confidence that's often mistaken for arrogance. It's not arrogance, he thinks; it's simply knowing what he can and can't do. It doesn't make friends, but it earns respect and that's all he needs.

3. Hiyoshi likes the morning, when the sun is hidden by fog and there's nothing between him and the world. This is when he does his kata, and sometimes he thinks there's someone watching him. But when he turns, there's no one there.

4. He and Atobe are at heads the first time they meet. Mukahi-senpai says it's because they're so similar. Hiyoshi thinks the redhead is crazy.

5. Of all his teammates, he's most wary of Ohtori, who never gets mad but looks at him with an understanding that frightens him even more. He prefers anger, where he can lash back, and that's why he walks with Shishido or Mukahi.

6. He likes reading mystery books. Oshitari caught him reading Nanafushigi once, asked him bluntly what the appeal was in horror and terror and death.

He doesn't see the appeal in sappy romances.

7. He turns heads, the first time he plays. Even Atobe's. It makes 'gekokujou' seem just the smallest bit closer.

8. There's a boy who always watches his games, and though the boy watches all the pre-Regular's games, he feels flattered.

Ohtori introduces him to Taki, who is Ohtori's new doubles partner.

9. Taki slips in and out of his life like a fish in water. It would have been better this way, but then Shishido splashes the waters. Hiyoshi is a Regular, a pre-Regular again, all within the space of ten minutes. He doesn't understand.

10. Graduation. The third-years leave. Taki steals his first kiss, and he punches the third-year back in return.

10. Taki exits junior high with a bruise purpling just under his chin.

9. He knows about Ohtori and Shishido before that (if he wanted to be dramatic) ill-fated day. It doesn't make it any less painful. He didn't know Shishido was aiming for him. Ohtori did apologize though.

8. He knew from the time he joined the tennis team that he was good, but not good enough to make Regulars by himself. Doubles, he thought then, and he envied Gakuto a little for Oshitari.

Two first-years stand out, and he chooses Ohtori. They get along.

7. People note him for his flamboyance. It rubs Gakuto the wrong way, the first time they meet, but then they settle into an easy friendship. He keeps the gag gifts under his bed, where his parents won't snoop. They're mostly books, but there are a few things in there - music boxes and crazy cards - that he truly treasures.

6. There's a difference between being friendly and being able to open up. He can do the former, but not the latter. It's easier and it means not getting hurt.

It also means not as much trust, but that can't be helped. What he doesn't know, he won't miss.

5. Gakuto is his best friend, but Kabaji is his closest friend. The hulking now-second year has never minded his talking.

4. He's learned all Jirou's favorite sleeping places because of it. Now that he's not a Regular any more, he also finds himself putting that knowledge to more use.

3. Taki likes the night, when he can see the city lights outside his window. Sometimes at 3 AM he wonders if he jumped out, whether he would fly.

2. He began to slump across railings and walls and desks when he was eight. It was more like clinging, then, but at least he was closer to all the big boys' heights.

1. When Taki is six, he gets lost in the park. His parents find him watching a little yellow ball bounce back and forth, and he's already been swept away.

The End

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