This story was actually inspired from Little Falcon's Challenging Fate. If you have the time, I recommend reading the story because it was a very good read. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story. I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Shin Tennis No Hime-Chan

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"It is so hard to leave—until you leave. Then, it's the easiest goddamn thing in the world." —John Green, Paper Towns

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Chapter 1: Goodbye, Ryoma-kun

"What if I were to d-disappear one day?" asked an auburn haired girl as she fidgeted with her bento box. She looked at the raven haired boy in front of her who had a surprised look on his face.

Before Sakuno asked him such a sudden question, Ryoma and she had just been sitting in silence whilst opening up their lunch boxes. As they became first years in high school, they had built a somewhat close friendship and routine that consisted of frequent lunches on the roof whenever Tomoka wasn't at school to sit with Sakuno or if Ryoma simply didn't have lunch to eat. The reason for their luncheon today was due to Ryoma being unable to get to the kitchen due to a ruckus in the house which was caused by his father.

"What?" Ryoma responded nonchalantly not knowing how to reply to her unexpected question. It wasn't normal for Sakuno to talk about such curious things. It's what made her tolerable to him. She wasn't like most of the girls he met at school who fawned over him because of his tennis skills. Sakuno, to him, was quiet and never tried to bother anyone because of any selfish intenstions, which he thought to be impossible coming from her.

"Where is this coming from?" he questioned her, still showing an apathetic response. Though his words were a bit distasteful, Sakuno knew that Ryoma's intentions weren't meant to be harsh. She knew he didn't even know her current situation. But even so, she hoped that his response had been somewhat more involved. Being a little concerned for her well-being might have an effective influence on the decision she was forced to make.

"A-Ah! Well, I-I was just thinking," she said, starting to trail off. "A-Ano, maybe, there could be a possible solution where we might n-not see each other again. Y-You know like if you l-left for America again or a change in schools..."

As her level of sound decreased to a whisper during her explanation, Ryoma looked at her with even more confusion. She stared back and tried to keep her blush as his gaze was a bit too intimidating for her.

"Then, we won't see each other," he said bluntly. He looked back at the girl who he could've sworn was blushing a moment ago. However, any hint of her blush was gone and replaced with a melancholy look. She sighed and started gathering her things. Ryoma could only stare in bewilderment as she stood up to leave.

"You didn't let me—"

"Ano!" she yelled, interrupting his words. With her back now facing him, she was thankful Ryoma couldn't see the saddened expression on her face.

"Thank you for teaching me tennis, Ryoma-kun! I promise that your lessons won't go to waste!" she shouted with all her might as if they were miles apart, her voice unparalleled to her somber expression. Silence soon followed in the atmosphere for a few minutes. Noticing her stutter suddenly gone, Ryoma finally comprehended something was wrong and tried to talk to her once more.

"Oi, Ryu—"

Again, his words were cut off but this time, her quick footsteps and sudden slam of the door a few meters away from him were what interjected.

Che, stubborn girl, Ryoma thought while eating a piece of shrimp from his bento box that Sakuno gave to him, I'll just have to talk some sense into her tomorrow. Then, I can finish what I was saying.

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Leaning against the door she had just slammed, she quietly started crying to herself. Gomenasai, Ryoma-kun. It seems that I can't tell you myself.

As she continued her silent sobs, Sakuno rested her cheek on the cold metal door. "Sayonara, Ryoma-kun."