Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the Prince of Tennis. Anything connected to the story is credited to Takeshi Konomi.
Chapter 1: Routine
My name is Jun and everyday...it's always the usual. There's school, club activites, and work. Then when I get home there's homework and studying. You know, just things a typical college student has to go through besides shopping and all that. Oh, but there is something, or should I say someone in my life that catches me off gaurd. For some reason he's always had ever since middle school. Yes, I did go to Seigaku but I did not go to the same school as the Ryoma Echizen in high school. Back then I had to move to America because of my father's work, but since I am old enough now to move in an apartment by myself, I decided to move back to Japan and study there. That is also when I met Ryoma again. It's funny. Fate. Destiny. Or whatever that thing is called...
~ Class ~
"It really is you, Echizen Ryoma! Um may I get you're autograph?"
"Oh, same here! Onegaishimasu!"
More fangirls and muffled voices continue to grow as Ryoma tries to get to his seat.
"Man, that guy's lucky to get all the girls.."
"We should befriend him so we can get some too heh."
Ryoma gets so much attention..Why did I end up being in the same class as this guy? Out of all the schools and classes. As I watch Ryoma signing his fans' stuff from my seat, without realising it I made a sour face. It looks like he noticed though because he glanced right at me when he was done. At that moment I quickly turned my head to look away from him. Baka Jun. Baka. As I cursed in my head, I realised I was blushing now.
Time passed by quickly and class was eventually over. I packed my things up quickly and left the classroom. And as I left the classroom, I hesitantly looked back to see three girls already beside him, but one girl was wrapping her arm around his arm.
"Geez. This never stops does it?" I commented in my head.
This time, Ryoma locked eyes with mine and for some reason it was impossible to look away. When I brought myself to face the direction I was supposed to go in the first place, I heard a voice behind me call out, "Ryoma-kun?!"
I wanted to look back because I was concerned but suddenly, I felt someone grasp my hand.
"W-What are you doing?!"
He ended up dragging me along with him, running all the way to the back of the school near an emergency exit. I look around and barely anyone was around. I then pulled my hand away.
"You..didn't have to do that you know!" I say outloud as I take deep breaths.
"Mada mada dane. Your stamina isn't great still?"
"W-Wha- Really?! That's the first thing you say to me after we haven't talked for a while? You haven't changed a bit," I reply as I cross my arms, showing another sour face.
I can see the little smirk on his face from the corner of my eye after he heard me whine.
"You haven't changed a bit either," he says as he fixes the same white cap he's had since forever on his head.
For some reason his comment surprised me. I thought I did, at least a little, but I suppose that's not the case.
"Whatever. I just can't believe you go to this school. I thought you'd be studying somewhere else or something."
"...I do what I want. I want to study here so I'm studying here and that's that."
"Well, act like you don't know me from now on! I don't want to be apart of whatever that has to do with your fangirls! You see what happens in movies.."
"You actually believe in-"
"Okay?!" I purposely cut him off because most of the time he thinks I'm being ridiculous. It was like that in the past as well. It's normal. I guess you'll get it later.
"Yeah."
"I'm going now. Bye," I bluntly say as I walk away.
"You know, it's been a while since I've had a normal conversation with someone here."
I halt in my steps, but without looking back at him.
"See ya."
I turn around and he was already gone.
~ At a Cafe ~
"Jun-chan!"
"Jun~!"
Two girls came running towards me the moment they saw me sitting down at a table with my hot tea. A girl who still had long, beautiful light brown braided pigtails with bangs that covered most of her forehead was Sakuno. The girl next to her that now had long brown hair, but in two high pigtails that was more off to the side was Tomoka.
"You're finally back in Japan!"
"Ah you're squeezing me, Tomoka-chan"
"I told you to call me TO. MO. TOMO!"
"Hehe. We're just both happy you're back, Jun-chan. And you'll be staying for a while. That's great!"
I couldn't help but smile and blush when Sakuno said that. I feel so lucky to have such good friends who make an effort to greet me so excitedly for my return!
(Besides Ryoma who didn't seem surprised or excited at all when he first saw me in his class the other day. He was the first to know too. Ah, whatever!)
After a few hours of catching up with things, we all went our separate ways to head on home. It was already dark out. Luckily we were all already done with work. Wow we talked for a while. Oh, I forgot to mention about Ryoma. Oh well.