#ler!dan

Arin and Dan are doing Game Grumps together, playing Tears of the Kingdom. Arin takes his time building a cool vehicle to show off to Dan, who goes to the bathroom. When will Dan come into the Grumps room again?

*sigh* I need to set reminders on my phone or something. Whatever...Game Grumps is now on my list of YouTubers. I hope you enjoy!

Spoilers for prince of tennis both old and new one.

Just for a laugh

Freshmen hang out. The word itself seems too alien for Ryoma Echizen. He was called out by Dan Taichi to meet at the courts of Rokkaku Jr High. Basically hinting that the over-zealous guy Aoi Kentaro would be present as well.

He certainly didn't expect Kintaro Toyama to be making an entrance as well. Sipping his ponta with a slight concern for his peace, he mentally and psychologically prepared for the worst case scenario of three similar idiots with the same mindset.

Horio, Kachirou, and Katsu were invited too to help and watch their meet-up. The senpais insisted they had their own time right after the nationals.

"Amazing Echizen-kun! You've beaten the child of God!" From Aoi.

"Right!! I can't seem to catch up, desu(Note that Dan's habit of saying desu is a Japanese polite form... he uses it to imply more politeness than average)

"Koshimae! You promised we'll have a match together!" (Kintaro is a cutie who can't read Echizen's kanji name... so that's why it's reversed ... though i think he's intentionally saying it wrong now)

Exactly as he predicted. Ryoma sighed, now lowering his cap. "Jeez, you guys are like three siblings working together to torment me"

Aoi grabbed his wrist with excitement, gleaming over his large dark eyes. "Matte (wait), did we torment the indomitable Echizen-kun?"

"That's insane kentaro-kun!" Dan grabbed his other hand to stop him from finishing his drink. Matches barely began, Kintaro was whining that he wanted to settle the one point match with him. Of course, he's got no room to breathe as he pulled his wrists free. Sighing, he rolled his shoulder. "Alright, mada mada dane, how about a warm-up?"

"Good idea desu!" Dan got up and soon prepared the courts with the freshmen trio.

Horio said now, picking the baskets of balls over to the super freshmen rookies of Seigaku and Rokkaku. "ne, Echizen seems too stiff, as always..."

Katsu and kachiro exchanged similar sad expressions, and hearing this, Kintaro folded his arms above his head, looking up with wondering thoughts "now... Has Koshimae ever laughed? I never saw that side of him before"

Dan pondered too "me neither..."

From Horio "Though he's in my class, all he does is sleep... nothing special"

While Aoi and Ryoma warm up, it made Kintaro run after too, who left out of boredom to practice. Dan clapped when an idea popped to his head, "How about we make him laugh, desu

Katsu smiled now. "Hmm? That's a nice idea, but will it be easy?"

They knew it won't... nothing will crack the cold stoic Ryoma-kun. At least, that's what they believed.

Telling this plan to Kintaro and Aoi, who agreed with bright grins, it was an OK plan. Less did they know Ryoma was suspicious about their private conversations they had without him.

He ignored as always, though he had a lingering doubt, if it would be his own inconvenience.

First, it was Dan who constantly pretended to slip when his bandana fell over his eyes. It was without a doubt funny, but Ryoma's too slow. He turned to the fallen kid now frowning. "What's wrong?"

Embarrassed, he looks away "nothing desu, i slipped!"

Horio and the other two worked hard to do Dan's comic falls and trips, but all they got was a cold Ryoma saying, "Stop screwing around,"

Katsu groaned in defeat. "He's tough..."

Kachirou had a weak smile, now picking up the balls they dropped "Well we got time... don't worry"

After hours passing the afternoon swiftly, they still couldn't do so. Echizen seemed to intentionally have avoided it as he had vaguely noticed a plan being proceeded, though he didn't know the subject matter.

Finally, Aoi cleared his throat after his power served and dared to say, "What do you call a fake pasta?"

Ryoma, startled by this he made a weak lob to digest what Aoi suddenly said. "H-huh... what do you mean?"

"The answer..." he smashed, and Ryoma hits it back with a drive B that Aoi couldn't return.

"I don't know," patting the racket at the lame attempt of a joke. Aoi frozen by the amazing move stammered as he missed his ball "A-ah its an impasta!"

He laughed nervously now, receiving one of his own powerfully controlled serves, defeated. Utterly.

"I shouldn't have listened to davide-senpai..."

"Oh no," Echizen said with a hint of a smile. "His jokes were worse than yours... but it's not like I don't enjoy them"

"Wait, you enjoy them?" Aoi was surprised now, still, he was barely conscious that Ryoma was winning two games from him now.

"Kidding..." Sticking his tongue, he took his sets, leaving four games to six. He won.

"So mean Echizen-kun! You will pay for that, " he glared playfully. Still, they still couldn't make him laugh. He had a small smile, however... seeing how he didn't seem to mind their company anymore, he allowed it to slide.

Dan sighed, "Well, it was a good effort, Aoi-kun..."

Kintaro was next now tossing up and causing crazy moves, which Ryoma was able to predict even without the mugo no kyochi. Kachirou widened his eyes now. "Ryoma-kun had a hard time with him before the finals, but now he's gotten used to that insane irregular speed"

Aoi gave a wry smile, wiping his brow. "He's another monster too, huh?"

Ryoma missed another set though, seeing how kintaro was equal to four games with him.

"Hooooo!" Kintaro yelled as he was sent spinning up like a top from the courts. This was the move... and Ryoma kept his stance. "Superr ultra great delicious mountain-"

He stopped himself abruptly, suddenly losing his balance and falling face first on the dirt and laughing at himself for his stupid fall. Ryoma's eyes widened in puzzlement and pulled away from the stance "O-Oi... what is wrong with all of you?"

Kintaro still face down, was pretty funny and the rest snickered softly at that. Maybe they got to laugh but not Ryoma. Kintaro got up with a frowny dirty face "Aww guess Koharu and Yuji did it better, i might need to learn tricks!"

Using his racket's handle to irritably rub his temple, he asked. Now, finally, losing his patience. "Seriously... what's going on? I'm not stupid to notice you've been acting weird since the discussion this noon till now"

Everyone watched him, as if they were children who were being scolded by a teacher. Sighing, they gave up. All of them seemed to be in on this.

Dan said this, very apologetically "sumimasen, desu,(sorry) It was my idea... you've been a little rigid, and we've never seen you laugh before"

Ryoma looked at him thoughtfully, then thought a little longer and sighed exaperatedly. "Hmm... is that's what this is about? Why do you care whether i laugh or not?"

Aoi broke in emotionally, reaching for his hand with a tight, hopeful clasp. "But Echizen-kun's smile fits him perfectly, i cant imagine it any longer!!"

Awkward, he couldn't get away from the strong hold at all. The idiots strength is formiddable, thought Ryoma. This time, Kintaro grabbed his other hand with sparkly eyes,"Koshimae! You don't look like you enjoy my matches... so why don't you laugh out a bit once in a while"

"Please Echizen-kun?" Dan

"Yes, Ryoma-kun..." katsu

"Can you do it for us Ryoma-kun?" Kachirou

Again, Ryoma didn't understand what was happening. He totally can't force a laugh when nothing is funny and nothing is happening around him. Has he never laughed before? Well, apart from challenging Atobe with a maniacle laugh, he probably sees where they're coming from.

"Well, you will eventually hear it... Toyama, let's continue" he turned away breaking their hearts instantly.

"Normally, I'd be happy, but Koshimae is being mean," Kintaro pouted.

Ryoma stiffened now, wondering the hell he should do to stop weird ideas coming to them.

Aoi was seeing how a warfare of thoughts happening in ryoma's head.

True, they can't force it out... but then again... he got another idea to crack him... problem is if it's effective.

"Echizen-kun, what's that...?" He pointed at the side past Kintaro, who both looked back as well.

"Where -oof!"

A temporary moment of distraction, Aoi tackled him to the ground. His tall frame was a big of a wall for Echizen to cross over. Shock was all he had in his eyes but a horrified looks was when he felt fingers dig into his sides.

"What are you -hngh!"

Clapping a hand to his mouth, he knew exactly what Aoi was doing, and he didn't like it one bit. They wouldn't dare... no, they would, in fact! They had devilish grins that sent shivers down his spine.

"Of course, I forgot the most obvious method of all..." Aoi grinned even wider still trying to force out laughs from a restraining Echizen.

"Ehh, so someone like Echizen can be ticklish?" Horio said with amusement.

The latter on the ground curled to the side, squeaking out sounds he regretted letting out, "S-stop that!"

"He looks surpsingly cute," Dan said with bewilderment. The trio agreed with giggles.

Kintaro sneered and wiggled his fingers before descending with Aoi, "koshimaee~ wants some more? Here ya go!" With that, he grabbed his knees, which was accidental, yet it made Ryoma kick violently, narrowly missing his jaw, "Gah! Wahait... stohop it!"

That was a bad spot. Echizen panicked, he could handle anywhere but there! And there!

Shit! He swore, this was all messed up, he's suddenly cracking.

"Do I hear giggles from the stoic Echizen-kun?" Aoi's sunshine smile glistened over him, how Ryoma wished to step on his face.

"Nohoho yohou dihihid not hehehear ahahahanythihihing! Leheheave mehehe behehehe!" Ryoma curled back now trying to escape the touches, but then again, it's two against one. Hence, except in tennis, he can't win against that unfair combination.

"Yes, Aoi-kun, Echizen-kun's adorably giggling! I want to join too, desu!" Dan stepped in as well to grab one of his arms and help tackle his ribs while Aoi went to his slender waist.

It's too much. He can't believe they'd resort to something stupid... why do they even care? Questions aroused his mind, and soon, his face had an adorable flush of embarrassment.

"Ne, ne..." Dan said, coming over to his head now, "Have you heard that laughter is the best medicine, Ryoma?"

"Ehehehenough yohohou guhuhuys! Ihihihi mehehehean ihihit!"

"No, no... mada mada dane? Right Echizen kun?" Aoi teased him with his own catchphrase, and that made him lower his head back in helpless titters.

It was rather rare to hear him laugh genuinely. Everyone was more dazed than determined. His laugh was contagious, soft, and mellow... almost sweet like a child's.

"To think an uncute guy like koshimaee can be mega cute!" Kintaro was vigorously using methods like scribbling under the calf muscles which nobody knew that were sensitive.

"Shiraishi said sportsmen have sensitive knees, calf muscles, and ankles... now I know he's telling the truth"

"Ihihihi ahahaham nohohot! Oohohoi! Stohohop ihihit!"

Dan couldn't help shower gentle tickles over his neck, and Aoi was more focused on getting his ribs.

"Wait... you're defensive here..." Aoi said, now aiming for the spot below his armpits. It was the last straw. His giggles raised an octave and much louder. "OHOHOK Cuhuhuhut it out nohohohow! IHIHIHI SWEHEHEHEAR ihihit!"

"Ken-chan found the gold mine yippiii!" Kintaro giggled now, pinning his failing ankles down.

"Plehehehaseee!" Ryoma widened his eyes when he heard himself begging and then shuts his words.

This made everyone look at each other with surprise but then contorted to menacing grins. Kintaro taunted now. "Oyaa? Koshimae begging...? That's pretty intense... he's so weak to such a little thing?"

"OHOHO SHUHUT UP! IHIHIHI CAHAHANT STAHAHAND YOU! IHIHIHI DIHID IT BY AHAHAHCCIDENT!"

Rolling his eyes, Aoi presses harder to the death spot "Of course, not to injure your pride, Ryoma... but we all know you begged just now... want to do it again?"

"YEHEHEAH NOHOHOT IHIHIN A MIHIHILLION YEAAARS! GAHAHAHA!" He turned away now trying to pushing away the annoying nimble fingers tormenting his worst spot.

"You heard him. Let's defeat him from a one-sided tickle fight... ne?"

Ryoma Echizen was at their mercy.

Meanwhile, from a distance, the senpais had arrived. The seigaku, rokkaku, and shitenhoji and even Jin Akutsu accompanied them for Dan's sake. All these schools arrived to see their freshmen's little hangout. Surpsingly, what they heard was lovely laughter on the far distance by the courts.

"Are they really not training?" Shiraishi sighed in sudden confusion, "honestly I thought Echizen would be more responsible over them"

Fuji said warmly. "Even i thought so to... well he's not the type to care..."

"I wonder who's laughing... It's certainly not Kin-chan,"

Akutsu scoffed coldly. "Not even Taichi..."

"Aoi's got a much louder one that's annoying," Saeki said with a smile..

"Well, it could be seigaku definitely..." Chitose said with fondness.

The said-school exchanges startled looks, Inui folded his arms "Based on the tone, I think it's not Kachiro though he fits close to that sound... so that means... its Echizen"

"Uso! (No way), i wanna see Ochibi (cutie) right now!" Eji was the first one to run through the path and into the courts to see for himself. He had a bright grin when Oishi followed.

Of course, the senpais saw it with their own eyes. Startled and in love with the sweet sounds. Aoi was definitely breaking him along with Dan and Kintaro ... those merciless devils.

"To think he can have such a side, interesting... even i want to break him like that..." Fuji's sadism triggered as he was giving an aura that made Shiraishi sigh in familairty."Seigaku, save that freshman from this man"

Fuji smiled with sweetness. "Whatever do you mean dear Saeki?"

They approached the freshmen, and Aoi was the first to stop, and then Dan.... they all shyly giggled at the funny display. Kintaro was having a blast that he failed to notice anyone and still didnt let poor Ryoma free. Nobody stopped the red head while he tried to push him off to stop it.

Aoi stuck his tongue in appology for the silliness, "Ahhh, senpai! Sorry, we were practising, but... Echizen was being a stick in the mud... so we gotta lighten him up, " he pointed out with a fond smile."So we thought to make him laugh..."

"Bahahastard! Ahahaha! CUhuhuUHUHUT IHIHIHIT OHOHOUT!"He tried to threaten Aoi but failed when Kintaro was strong and persistent to get him even more, as he scavenged for the sweet spot that Aoi found. He found it at last.

Momoshiro suddenly seemed thrilled as he cracked his knuckles, "How about you let the senpais deal him now, Toyama..."

Kintaro looked up now, a well-deserved break from Ryoma's prior torment. He grinned now, stopping for real, "Ehh? OK then, he got a bad spot under his arms but above the top ribs... get him there... its cute when he snorts!"

"IHI dohoho nohohot -!"

Ryoma sensed the worst conclusion being drawn immediately as he interrupted himself, trying to escape. He was slowly turning to his stomach.

"Running away? I don't think so! Momo, get him right there!" Eji pounced first by grabbing his waist, and soon new resumed laughter was heard, Dan exchanged glances with the other freshmen as the Seigaku senpai handle their freshmen with care and tickles.