Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of tennis.

Hello everyone and welcome to my first fan fiction ever, I must warn you all English is not my first language thus, you might find some grammar mistakes and such things, bear with it for the love of this lovely fandom hehe ツ

The characters are all 22 years old.

Brief summary about Ludovic: "The French prince" for those who didn't catch up with the latest chapters of the manga and still wants to read this fanfic. He was introduced in the manga in chapter 231 as Ludovic Chardard, a middle school representative from the France U-17 World Cup Team, he shows a romantic interest in Sakuno.

Enjoy ^^

May, 2018. US

Today is the day the most anticipated match this year is going to take place. The final match of the world's tennis tournament between the two princes' Echizen Ryoma and Ludovic Chardard. I have taken three part-time jobs for four months to afford the tickets and hotel stay and some savings.

Braids check, perfume check, cute outfit check, make up check.

Today is also the day I am going to confess my feelings to Ryoma-kun. The boy I've loved for as long as I can remember. I had many chances to confess before but his insanely increasing popularity frightened me so I kept delaying repeatedly.

Sometimes I think confessing my feeling to him means nothing. I mean everyone knows I am in love with him. They keep on pairing us together whenever we met with friends and family and tease us saying, "Get together already" and things like that. Although, I turn crimson red every time they do that, it some how encourage me to tell him how I fell. However, it took me years for that, I just graduated university, it has already been this long we are both matured enough.

No matter what happens today I'll confess.

I hardly got to my seat, although I came two hours earlier I have already told Ryoma-kun that I'll be cheering for him in the front seats today on the phone. As usual, he just sent a thank you as a reply. He must be crazy busy with the interviews and conference.

The match was an intense one, I didn't know I was on the edge of my seat until the match ended. Ryoma-kun won the championship, which made him the first player under 25 to win three years on row and to make it this far. As expected from the tennis genius.

When most of the crowd left the stadium, I met with momo senpai who let the security allow me to go to ryoma-kun's room. I was so excited, I knocked on the door and no one answered so I tried to check if the door is locked. Fortunately, it was open so I excused myself and got in. Before I could even show myself I heard a very soft and seductive feminine voice. "Ryoma-San the paparazzi's are going to catch me if I got out now, so let me stay at your place tonight as well, you will love what I am wearing today for sure" her laugh echoed in my ears I couldn't believe what I am hearing, so tried to take a look without them noticing.

I wish I turned back when I heard her voice. It is Ryoma and he is hugging her intimately.

I know who she is I have seen her in some cover magazines at the coffee shop I worked in. How come Ryoma never for once cared about celebrities especially female celebrities who through themselves on him. so why?

"Are you still going to meet that friend from school you told me about?"

"I think so, she got here alone and paid money to come watche the game, it will be quick I'll just send here off she doesn't complain, seeing me is enough for her"

I couldn't hear her response because I ran away as fast as I could.

What is with the lump in my throat, my chest is feels so tight I can't breath, my eyes are burning.

Don't cry sakuno, don't cry

I've never felt like this before, I wasn't bothered by Ryoma-kun's fan girls before, I know he is a world-wide famous tennis player but, I always had this feeling that I am someone special to Ryoma and maybe just maybe we can be more than just friends in the future. He rarely talk to girls or even bother to look at them unless it has anything to do with his work. So why suddenly he act so intimately with that model. I know for sure that my affection for him was clear to everyone, I believe Ryoma himself even knows but pretends not to notice for some reason.

I feel stupid, so stupid, it is humiliating, I've made a fool of myself by following Ryoma all the way to America. Am I not even worth considering as a girl? Am I not pleasant in his eyes? Was I too clingy that I turned him off? Was it my fault?

Don't cry, don't cry

Why am I here in the first place? Wasn't it to support him as a close friend? Was I selfish when I had other ulterior motives, my stupid teenage fantasies, my romantic feelings towards Ryoma-kun.

I never thought about what he thinks about it, was I allowed to have these feelings in the first place?

His reactions and responses were rather cold and indifferent towards me most of the times. I thought it was just who he is as a person, and somehow I can break the ice one day so he can be comfortable around me.

Me loving him,

He wasn't bothered by it and that was all.

Tears fall slowly

I hate to admit it but I have no right to complain.

To Ryoma-kun I am just a friend.

But why it hurt so much? I can't say I wasted my time chasing Ryoma-kun around, it was my duty as a friend to cheer up for him, I didn't realize my feelings weren't sincere enough. I cheered for him because I loved him.

Just like any fan girl idolizing her role model.

I loved him because he works hard for his dream, I love his competitive nature, his confidence. He is everything I ever wanted to be.

He seemed untouchable, hard to reach, so far away.

Far away, more than what my hands can reach.

Biting my bottom lip hard trying not to scream

I am mad at myself, I made myself look pathetic, I am PATHETIC.

I tried to lessen up the tightness in my chest by hitting where it hurts the most, my heart.

I can't stop crying, I am no longer crying for my crushed romance, I am crying for my poor self, so low I feel so low of myself.

To me nothing seems to matter anymore, I just wanted to cry, not even the fact that I am standing in the middle of the crowded exist gate of the tennis stadium.

"Cerisier!"

A familiar voice, a familiar nickname

"Wow, it really is Cerisier"

I looked towards' the voice direction knowing who it belongs to.

"Ludovic San!" I said acknowledging his presence.

The French prince moved closer to approach the tall girl with two long braids in front of him stepping on her shadow in the process.

I looked down to my shoes noticing our reflected shadows on the ground with an ironic thought passing in my mind.

That is all I can be, I was the shadow all along. When the sun shines too bright I gradually disappear.

I got blinded while chasing the sun

I was too lost in my thoughts to notice the French prince closeness

I felt a very cold fingertips touching my chin and moving my face upwards.

"Why are you crying Cerisier, your prince won aren't you happy? "

He asked, his low voice reflect his deep concern on my well-being.

I tried to swallow the pain and put a smile on my face

"Yes, I am very happy, in fact these are happy tears! Long time no see Ludovic San how have you been? I tried my best not to be biased and cheered for you too" I tried desperately to cover up my saddens but my shaky voice give it all.

I brushed his hand away gently and looked away, I can't talk properly with his intense gaze fixed on me, I am too weak right now to explain myself.

I heard him sigh and pause for a few seconds waiting for me say something.

"You really won't say what's wrong with you? I know you are a very calm person but I also know when you're not being yourself, does it have anything related to that person? I can always beat him in a horse tennis match for you! "

Ludovic laughed at his statement shamelessly knowing that he just lost to Ryoma in the final match of the world tennis tournament one hour ago. However, I felt happy, the kind of happiness that make you cry because you need it. He knows me well, Ryoma-kun hardly notice when I am being unusual.

"It hurts" I said while covering my mouth trying hard not to gasp

Sobbing so hard

Ludovic freaked out and took his smart phone out of his jacket abruptly making some stuff fall at the process "what! Where? Tell me where it hurts! Should I call the ambulance? Heck! I am going to call them just wait! "

"You don't have to, they can't treat it" I said fully aware he won't get what I said

"Is it this bad? Where it hurts, tell me! We have expertise working at our family medical team don't lose hope! You can be treated"

I took his hand and place it in my chest where my heart shrinks inside my rib cage "here, it hurts here so much"

Still sobbing, my chest rhyme with my cries and my eyes glows with tears

The hopeful smile left the French prince face and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes but he didn't utter a word, standing still.

I looked elsewhere but his face, I know I rejected him many times, or to tell the truth I never even considered his feelings I always though he was flirting with every girl as long as she has long braids, and he was an actual noble for God sake! A true prince. Nevertheless, we became acquaintance and quite friends later on.

I noticed someone coming closer to us, there were barely anyone left around. It was a tall young man wearing a white cap with a signature sign on it.

Ryoma-kun! It's Ryoma since when did he stand there? Did he hear anything?

I was occupied with the thought to notice Ludovic looking where my eyes are glued at "what are you going to do? The one causing your heart break is here"

I wiped my tears and looked at Ludovic in the eyes with a sudden courage and determination

The only way to save my face

"Kiss me"

The looks in his face told me that it was hard for my words to sink in yet, so I took the chance and I grabbed him by his collar to reach my height and kissed him the way I think people who love would do.

Deep and Passionate.

To be continue…

I hope you guys like it, comments are must welcome.