Reign Over Courts

44

Sat, 17 May 2008 09:30:23 GMT

I'm still not used to being away from my team, the students of Rikkai are nice enough in their own way, but they aren't my team. But I came here for the tennis facilities, not the people, and they are more than worth any loneliness.

Where has the time gone though? Keisuke is almost a year old already.

43

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:25:36 GMT

A few belated messages:

Congratulations Shizuka. Please look after her, Oshitari-kun.

Happy birthday, Echizen.

Congratulations Hana-chan, Shishido-kun ~~and good luck~~

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

I'm sure Keisuke now owns more clothing than the rest of my family put together, and he has enough toys to last him the rest of his life. Hana-chan, perhaps you'd like to take some of them for the girls, when they get a little older? All I can say, though, is thank god Christmas is finally over, so much fuss for a day Keisuke won't even remember.

And now it's 2008, time to start making choices I've been avoiding.

[This should really be a simple, clear-cut choice to make, there's nothing at all wrong with Seigaku's high school division, and it's expected that the rest of the team will be attending. But... I don't know if it's the best place for me. There are schools with far better tennis facilities than Seigaku has. Hyoutei for one, and Rikkai Dai.

Still, for all their facilities, and for all that Keigo would like me to be at school with him, I doubt I'll choose Hyoutei. They may have a reputation for one of the best boys teams in the area, which will only get better next year, but their girls team leaves a lot to be desired. Unsurprising really, that Hana-chan would disguise herself as a boy to play. Still, on the education side of things, there are few better schools in the area.

Rikkai Dai seems to have all the advantages of Hyoutei, with the added bonus of a capable girls team. I'm not sure that it would be worth the daily commute though, and I don't know how they would react to knowing I already have a son...

Hyoutei and Seigaku both provide an already established support network, but do I rely too much on that? Before Keisuke I would have had no reason to hesitate, now I just don't know what to think. But I don't want to make the wrong choice because I'm afraid.]

[Could you tell me the pros and cons of various high schools in the area?]

[Perhaps a stupid question, but would you recommend Rikkai Dai's high school division to someone with a child? And what are your opinions on the tennis facilities?]

Momoshiro, Kaidoh, I would like to speak to you both once classes resume.

42

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:51:26 GMT

I am exhausted. Keisuke's unwell at them moment, and not sleeping well. Which, of course, means that I'm not sleeping well either. Mother doesn't think it's anything to be too concerned about though, she thinks it's probably just a cold and he'll be over it soon enough. I'm sure she's right, so no one needs to worry too much.

Yukimura-chan, I won't be bringing Keisuke with me to visit you next time, for obvious reasons. Is there anything else you'd like me to bring since I'll have a free hand?

[Do you need anything at the moment?]

40

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:19:10 GMT

I'd just like to inform everyone that I will be attending tomorrow's practice with Keisuke. I expect you all to focus on your training, not our presence ~~even if he cries~~. No Keigo, you can't talk me out of this.

[EDIT] [Who is Kazuki Hana, and why is she asking me about being a mother? She claims to go to school with you and be a friend of Oshitari-kun's.]

39

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:57:53 GMT

I finally have two minutes to myself. Keisuke is healthy, and absolutely perfect. We're both rested for now, and he's asleep again, though I doubt that'll last long. For someone so small he's very demanding. But while he sleeps I think I'll try for more myself, I won't be getting much in the months to come.

38

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:08:33 GMT

It's impossible to believe that, after all these months, any day now my son will be born. I'm both looking forward to and dreading every day. It will be a relief not to pregnant any more, but I'm not at all looking forward to the labour, or the sleepless nights that come with a new baby. I'm not sure I'm maternal enough for this...

37

Thu, 17 May 2007 16:27:59 GMT

One more month. It feels altogether too soon for his birth to be approaching but at the same time... it feels like I've been pregnant forever.

There's very little for me to do now, everything that needs prepared is done, I'm currently caught up on classwork, and I can't practice. I never thought I'd say this but... I'm bored. There are ways I can distract myself, but there's only so much cooking I can do in one day ~~though I can't complain about how much I've improved~~ and if I try to help with the housework my mother scolds. Visiting Yukimura-chan helps though, I'm sure she's as bored as I am.

Good luck in your upcoming matches, Seigaku, I'll attend as many as I'm able. We will take the nationals this year, and I will be with you for it.

36

Thu, 03 May 2007 23:06:06 GMT

I will be glad when this is over, not being able to join my team on the courts is ~~killing me~~ frustrating. Though I will be back for nationals, I trust you to get us there, Shuuko.

I'm also not enjoying missing class, but I see the reasoning behind keeping me out. Causing a distraction for the other students is not something I want to do ~~and I wouldn't want to go into labour in the middle of a classroom~~. But that's only until the baby is born, once he's here I should be able to get back to class without any trouble. Keeping up with the work isn't too difficult, after all.

The doctors keep trying to suggest a cesarean section, but I refuse to spend six months minimum off the courts unless there really is no choice. Besides, if I can be allowed a little vanity, I don't particularly want a scar like that. I can be back to practice sooner with a natural birth, and if I'm going to be joining you at nationals that's the important thing. And, of course, the fact that it'll be much easier to look after my son if I can move about without worrying about the stitches.

35

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 21:49:17 GMT

Hm, I haven't posted since the 13^th? Though I suppose that would have been difficult with everything going on. The decorating of the nursery is well under way, though after nagging to find out his gender so she could choose a "suitable colour scheme" she's settled on something gender neutral.

Still, knowing I'm having a son does make certain things easier. Naming, for example. ~~It would have been nice to have a daughter though~~ Everything that can be organised at the moment, is. Now it's simply a matter of waiting for him.

34

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 17:23:54 GMT

Atobe, is next Tuesday ok?

33

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:25:17 GMT

[It's strange, the things you think about. Six months already, where has the time gone? I don't know that I'm ready for this. No, I know I'm not ready for this. Everyone who's been telling me I'm too young is right, I am. I'm 15, I should not have to be worrying about what sort of mother I'll be. I should be worrying about getting my team to nationals, not pushed to the sidelines by this.

But... I'm going to be a mother. It didn't seem real until Yumiko-san brought the clothes over. And now... in just over three months I'm going to have a baby. It's absolutely terrifying, but... I can't wait.

I think I want to know what it is, a boy or a girl.]

32

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:38:21 GMT

I hope you enjoy your birthday, Yukimura-chan.

31

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:27:54 GMT

Happy birthday, Shizuka.

30

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:41:19 GMT

[Could you keep an eye on Atobe for me? ~~I don't know whether he's ill or just overworking himself lately, but he seems~~]

I think they've finally realised that forcing name choices on me won't work. Though... my mother would like to meet with yours about... nursery decorations and colour schemes, Atobe. ~~She's nagging that we don't actually know the gender yet.~~

Yumiko-san, thank you for the gifts, but they weren't necessary.

((OOC: Strikes deleted.))

29

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:04:29 GMT

Atobe... do you have plans for tomorrow?

((OOC: Um. She's going to cook for him, so he should be prepared for a simple meal and an annoyed girlfriend because she stays out of the kitchen unless she has to. She's also avoiding giving him chocolate because ~~his fanclub will give him enough~~ it's cliche. He'll get cuff links in the shape of sea lions though, since she's kinda a dork and their first 'date' was at the aquarium.))

28

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 11:10:15 GMT

~~Is it really the 12^th already?~~ ~~I'll have to get~~ ~~Would it really be worth it to get him anything? Would he actually notice, with everything his fangirls send?~~ ~~Why am I even worrying about this? It's only Valentine's Day, I've never bothered with it before...~~

I think my father might need to rethink his idea of subtlty, post-it notes with the same three names placed wherever I might see them are rather a giveaway to his intentions. At least my mother is only leaving the books where I can find them. ... isn't it a little early to be thinking about names, anyway?

27

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:45:51 GMT

I seem to be sleeping a little better, at least. If you count three hours a night as better The little one finally seems to have decided that her mother needs rest, which is a relief. And it seems I'm going to need new clothes, nothing fits any more.

26

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:18:40 GMT

It is... unsettling to have so many strangers expressing their concern for me, as if I were a member of their own family. Perhaps not as worrying as the idiots who seem to delight in telling me that I deserved what happened, but still something I could do without. At least I've tured off annonymous commenting now, I can live without waking up to read that from people too afraid to let me know who they are.

~~Not that I've been sleeping much anyway. Something about having your ex try to kill your unborn child makes having a restful night just a little difficult.~~

((OOC: Strikes deleted))

25

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:18:46 GMT

Insomnia. Wonderful. Thank you very much, body, for making following Doctors orders near impossible.

24

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:10:32 GMT

To clear up any confusion out there; yes, I am pregnant. Yes, I intend to keep it. And no, it is not any of your business. I am not interested in your opinions on the matter and any comments you may have will be ignored appropriately from now on.

23

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 22:24:20 GMT

[Three months, or near enough. I suppose it's going to get difficult to hide now. It's not really noticable yet... but still, you can tell if you know. I suppose it's time to tell people...]

Seigaku regulars, there will be a team meeting tomorrow at noon. I expect you all to be there.

((OOC: Mitsu's gonna do the big reveal at the meeting, feel free to have characters do a bog shocked 'omg buchou's pregnant' post or whatever. And Dare, Atobe can start telling people too ^^;))

22

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 23:43:56 GMT

Considering the circumstances, yesterday was surprisingly pleasant. Kawamura, please thank your father for a wonderful meal, I'm sure providing for the likes of Echizen and Momoshiro can't be easy. The silence at home is... disturbing, thank you for helping break it even for a short time, Shizuka.

Atobe... thank you.

21

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 12:55:25 GMT

Echizen, many happy returns for tomorrow.

20

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 21:42:32 GMT

Shuuko, will you stop fussing. I am perfectly fine. ~~if you overlook the fact that my parents have stopped talking to me right now~~ I will explain things in due time. And the rest of you, I assure you there will be no repeats of events during this morning's practice. Do not let it distract you from training.

19

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:12:49 GMT

That was certainly... strange. Not unpleasant, but strange nonetheless. Thank you Kikumaru, it was nice to have a break for a while.

Shuuko will be taking practice tomorrow as I have a meeting with Ryuzaki-sensei. I expect not to hear of any troubles while I'm unavailable.

[I shouldn't rely on him for everything. He's going to be with me when we tell our parents, the least I can do is tell Ryuzaki myself. And the team, I suppose. They're going to be some of the first to notice after all, I can't avoid the locker rooms without looking suspicious. And I owe it to them to explain why I won't be going to nationals with them.

I still can't believe this though. A baby. Our baby. It's... scary. More than, much much more. I'd never even considered children before, but I want it. I don't care what anyone tries to tell me either. I want it, and Atobe wants it to. ... I wonder what it is, girl or boy. Who will it look more like?

It's going to be tough, missing training later on, but I suppose it can't really be helped. I suppose Ryuzaki will tell me to stop now, if I'm keeping it, but that won't happen. I can't give up practice, not yet.]

[I think we should tell them today, it's better to get it over with. But it can wait until you've finished anything you need to do first.]

[We need to talk. It's rather important.]

Things seem to be slowly working themselves out. They're going to get worse before they get better, I know. But I can cope with that.