I remember him always telling me, there is no such thing as coincidence. Everything happens for a reason. This was the reason why we train so hard, every day, every hour, and every minute. It affected our performance on the courts. It determined whether we won or lost. Each match and tournament was never left to chance, but depended on sheer will.

So why was I seeing him now, when he should be miles away, playing for the position of number one. It didn't make sense, unless of course I was seeing things; now that would make a lot of sense. I had been in and out of therapy and on so many different types of drugs that I had lost count, so maybe I was just hallucinating. But when his brown eyes met mine, I knew I wasn't dreaming.

"Hey Ryoma, what a coincidence." I smiled naturally, as if I expected this all along.

"Asami, it's been a long time hasn't it? How have you been doing?"

"Good, good. Hey look I really need to rush off for class now, how about I get your mobile number and we'll catch up another time?" I lied.

He grabbed my hand, pulling me into a hug. "I've been looking for you." his breath gentle on my ear.

"I'm sorry Ryoma; I've really got to go. See you around." I broke free, grabbing my stuff as I made a beeline for the door. Anything to get out of his sight, his touch. I didn't look back.

Walking briskly towards home, I looked down at the pavements, thoughts churning.

"Asami!"I turned.

"Tezuka sempai"

"What's the rush? We're supposed to walk home together remember?"

"Sorry."

"You look pale. Are you not feeling well? Maybe going to school so soon after getting out of hospital isn't such a great idea."

"Nah, I'm fine. It's just the summer heat that's all."

"Want to stop by somewhere to cool down?"

I nodded in assent.

I still wasn't used to life in Japan yet. The language wasn't unfamiliar, but the culture had come as a bit of a shock. Even though I came from a Japanese family, life was so different in the US. We didn't eat rice for breakfast, there were no uniforms in school, even the weather felt different. Students here were much more studious, the later years had cram school, and most of my classmates did their homework. It all came as a surprise to me. Here I was thinking that I could finally watch anime all day long, and buy manga from any store on the street. I was wrong.

The cafe we walked into offered relief shade from the afternoon sun. Summer break was only a few weeks away and there was a general feeling of lethargy in the air. Sitting down on the cushioned benches, I stared at the menu in silence.

"Go ahead, get anything you want. It's on me today."

"Isn't everything on you every day?" I smiled.

"Isn't that because the last you spent ALL your allowance on manga and had no more money for food for the whole week?"

"I'm getting a banana split. Could you help me order, I need to go to the restroom."

Feigning cheerfulness had become second nature to me. It was what was required of me. I couldn't let Tezuka and his family worry, after all, I had caused them enough trouble already. Still, seeing Ryoma in school unsettled me. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I could still see his brown eyes, feel his grip around my hand, his breath on my ear. NO! I couldn't let him get to me. I patted my face with some cold water and took a few gulps of air. I tried to breathe the way my therapist had thought me, three deep breaths, holding the last one for 5 seconds. The tension that had built up in me started to melt away; I gave my reflection a cheerful smile and smoothed down my skirt. I could do this.

"Your ice cream is melting"

"Sorry, took too long."

Letting the ice cream slip down my throat I chatted about my day in school, new friends I had made, the amazing bento lunch Tezuka's mum had made, the boring lessons, everything and anything but Ryoma. No matter how hard I tried to keep him for my mind, he was always on the tip of my tongue, waiting to be released. A few times, I almost asked Tezuka about him, but managed to hold back somehow.

"Is something bothering you Asami?"

Tezuka was perceptive as usual. I could never figure out how he knew the things he knew. I guess that was why he was captain of one of the best tennis teams in the district. I shook my head. When just moments ago I had almost let slip the questions on my mind, now, there was lump stuck in my throat, and I couldn't say a thing.

Finishing our ice creams in silence, Tezuka paid the bill and we got up to leave. As he reached for the door, it swung open, missing him by a few millimetres. Startled we looked at the customers who were just walking in. A student from the same school, he was wearing the Seigaku uniform. A second year, as one could tell from his badge. He was however, as tall as Tezuka. Spiky black hair, a wide grin and a loud voice, this was my first impression of him.

"Tezuka sempai, sorry about that."

"Momoshiro."

"Asami!"

"Ryoma."

It was true, there was no such thing as coincidence. The gods were playing games with me.