Hereafter, a prince of tennis fanfic

DISCLAIMERS

I don't own The Prince of Tennis as well as The New Prince of Tennis or The Prince of Tennis II. These amazing works belong to the amazing Konomi Takeshi-sensei and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Another disclaimer for Lizz's cover for the song Answer by Megurine Luka as well as one of my fave artist – w for the cover. Check out the youtube video by Lizz! Both song cover and this artwork made me so emotional.

AUTHOR'S NOTES

OKAY! Another fanfic I saw over my file dump. Would love to spread all the positive stars and hearts and everything to the people that 'favorited/followed/both' my previous stories as well as counted le moi as one of their favorite/followed/both authors. So much love to all of you! If you're reading this, then it means I've mustered up the courage to post this up. 'Tis based on a true story btw! Hope you'll enjoy~!

Hereafter

Synopsis: A special case deserves a special place – far from the scars and broken promises of yesterday, close to the hopeful optimism of tomorrow. Sakuno faces the past in the present, and the hereafter that lies beyond. [Complete]

I was busy with my workbook back then – although I held the pen properly, wrote legibly, and so on, my mind was somewhere else. I had a fight with him last night and even now, he hasn't contacted me. My eyes gaze at the mobile phone who seemed to be closer to me than ever before – I even programmed it on vibrate and with tune so as to not (hopefully) miss a message from him.

Just as I was about to put a period on my sentence, I heard a knock at the door. A light squeak was my reply before I stood up and opened it. "Oh, Obaa-chan, is there something the matter?" I asked as my grandmother came into view.

She looked at me with her deep eyes for a few minutes before caressing my cheeks. "You've cried all night. Why are you up so early?"

Did I? I thought to myself. And as if my Grandma's glasses understood, it showed me how puffed out my eyes were. Of course, I did not want to trouble her so I waved my hand as a reply. "I – I was just frustrated with work, Lola. Don't worry about it."

I earned a sigh from my Grandmother. She went near my study area and caressed the workbook I was currently – forcing – my mind and body and heart and soul to work on. I knew what she was going to say, she'd tell me to get some rest and do my work when I'm up for it. That's how it always was, but for some unexplainable reason, that moment, it was different.

She looked me in the eyes and said, "You think he's what makes the sun shine, but darling, he's not. He's what makes your eyes tear and your mind amiss. He's the thoughts in your head that rip you apart, and the cause of those feelings that tear up your heart. My dear child – I know you love him, but he's killing you."

It's really a mystery how nature can hold such an impact to one's eyes – to one's soul… how a simple view of the sunrise can light up – not only the physical structures around – but also, somewhat, melt the intangible chains that restricted the optimism of one's life.

"Forget about him." Tomoka suddenly blurted out.

I blinked as I looked up at my best friend. "What are you talking about now?" I huffed, showing him a confused look. We were on our way to grab lunch back then.

She just continued to walk which earned her a frown from me. "Hey," I started, "if this is your way of slipping out from treating me, it's not going to work because –"

"You're losing yourself, trying to hold onto someone who doesn't care about losing you." she said, cutting me off from whatever I had to say. "You are losing sleep over someone who's sleeping well – with, probably, a whole other girl on his mind. You are sitting there staring at your phone waiting for a text or call from him who is probably already on the phone with that other girl. You are posting and retweeting sad posts on how hurt you are and you miss him – hoping he sees it but he's busy worrying about the other girl and her posts."

"Hey, Tomoka, that's enough." I countered.

"No, it's not. You're crying over someone who's not even there to reassure anything to you. If you aren't the girl he's giving his all to, then he shouldn't be the boy you're still dedicated to. That's just how it is."

III

Love is blind.

It's not a Yes OR No. It's a definite Yes AND no. It doesn't just make one blind. It makes one deaf – it's made to miss the lectures and advises of the people that care. It makes one mute – to fail to express, to shout, to cry the pain that ensues. It makes one numb – from the everyday suffering and conflict of not just with the person but, ultimately, with oneself; if true love makes one blind… toxic love can bring so much more.

"I don't want to hurt you," he said.

"I don't care." I tell him with all honesty – because I really don't. He could leave me for the moon yet I wouldn't regret a second of the time we can spend together – from those moments and the pasts we've shared, I knew I'd rather have my heart broken – give this so-called "love" another shot, than not have this. So I make a contract with myself. I will love him and forget the consequences – just this once, he can have everything.

"I… people keep telling me that I'm making you my rebound or something. My cousin's warning you but… but I really do feel love for you; but… but I really don't want to hurt you."

"Please, please make up your mind. But let me say this – love isn't just about the blissful feeling of feeling inlove it's also about taking risks and hoping to stitch up the torn pieces."

Three years…that is, without a doubt, a very long time – and for heaven's sake, flashbacks had to make its way to her mind.

"Hey, do you believe in magic?" I asked him while sipping my favorite milk shake.

He looked at me with those matter-of-fact eyes of his before saying, "I believe in you." which gained him a confused look from me. "And you're the closest thing to magic that I've found."

Thoughts of the many yesterdays flashed back like mad mad mad torrents – as if saying suffer the consequences of thy stupid actions!'

"I'm sorry… I'm really sorry." He murmured endlessly, as if his words of apology would make everything right again.

I held one of his arms while he was hugging me – he knew for a fact that I was a crybaby, but something inside of me didn't want me to shed tears within those moments. "It's okay. But I think you should go. I forgive you, if that's what you're worried about – I think I always will. But it doesn't mean you didn't hurt me; it doesn't make it go away."

A drop of crystal landed on her hands. Rain? She thought. But upon looking up at the sky – the vast golden rays over the azure sky welcomed her.

"Sis?" A soft, sleepy voice approached her from behind which made the young maiden jump in surprise. She was welcomed by the sight of a younger lady, rubbing off the evidence of a good night's sleep from her eyes – she was woken up by the breeze that entered the room.

"O-oh, Kit. Sorry, did I – perhaps, woke you up?" she asked her self-proclaimed sister who was still busy feeling the aftermath of her sleep.

"Kind-of – woaw, wait. Why are you crying? What happened?"

Kit's outburst made her blink – realizing that the rain she was looking for actually came from her eyes, and as if her sister's hands, rubbing her back, was the trigger – the torrent of emotions flooded her being.

"Kit… I want to call him." she started, "just to know how he's doing."

"Are you crazy? You can't do that! You can't talk to someone who held your heart in their palm and pretended that it never happened!"

"I just want to ask why – why's it so hard to get over him. I want to know if he felt the pain – those knives that (maybe) stabbed his sides like it did to me. I want to know if he ever felt lonely, or if things reminded him of the memories we had."

"Kit, I… I just want to check and reassure to myself if I really loved him, or was this just obsession over helping him from moving on… but it had to be, right? It had to be love – to miss someone like this, so much; like hell. Maybe it won't matter in thirty years; maybe I won't even remember his name. But right now, in this very moment, it matters, and it freaking hurts – and I'm still trying to be okay with that."

Kit held her tight, stroking her auburn locks gently. "You have to take the good with the bad, just smile when you're sad, love what you've got and move on from what you had. Always think of forgiveness but never forget – learn from your mistakes but never regret. Because, Nee, people change; things go wrong, but in three words, and you know this, – it goes on."

Sobs echoed through the room as she held onto her little sister. "You know… I used to think I set fires in his eyes – but I've learned that it was just a reflection of the one's he's set in mine." She said in-between her weeps.

A faint laugh was Kit's answer before adding, "You talk about him like he puts stars in the sky."

…

"I hope someday, someone asks me about him – and I'll laugh; instead of feeling this double-edged dagger in my chest and eventually tell people: he was my worst mistake – a mistake I'll never regret, because he turned out to be the lesson I've learned from best."

Epilogue

You have memories with Echizen Ryoma and 2 other

My phone's screen lit up as the contents of today's memory made its way. How ironic. I thought as a small smile crept up my face. I hummed a very soft tune.

"Madame, I know how happy you are for today but please do stay still." A voice whose softness had been thrown out of the window hours ago due to my lack of cooperation murmured.

I chuckled lightly and turned off my phone, glancing back at him. "Yes, Timn, but I've told you before, I don't need to look flashy. It's just a wedding." I giggled and waved my hand to dismiss his shocked expression. As my ever-so-friendly make-up artist/friend babbled on, I found my thoughts drifting away, passed the borders of time as I continue that wonderfully melancholic tune.

Tap…taptap…taptaptaptaptap….taptaptaptaptaptaptaptaptaptaptap

"What in the world are you typing over there?!" I asked, accidentally raising my voice as I adjusted the mic; I think the face I made was the cherry on top when I saw him look at me, his surprised face turning into an apologetic one.

"Gah! Sorry about that, love. I just…kind-of feel super giddy s'all. I mean, it's been a while since we've talked like this. I just miss you so much." He said, finishing off with that childish grin that he knew I'd always fall for.

He's getting way too ahead of himself if he thinks I'm still gonna fall for that. I thought and turned off the video on my end. "… … …"

"Uh, love, you there?"

"… … …"

"Heyyy, yohoo~ Sa-chan, you there?"

"… … …"

"Darn it, Sa-chan, say something!"

"Something." I finally decided to say, turning off the mic to giggle a bit; not too loud though, wouldn't want to wake up my Father in the middle of the night.

"SAKUNO RYUZAKI YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR FACE TO ME RIGHT NOW OR ELSE I AM GOING FULL THE RING SADAKO AND KISS YOU OVER THE COMPUTER SCREEN."

I blinked, flabbergasted at the fact that it was his first time raising his voice like that. When the surprise feeling had subsided, I grinned, my video still off. "Yeah, I'd like to see you try."

"Ugh, Sa-chan, love, please. I'm already frustrated at the fact that we can't date like normal couples do and this is the only way for us to see each other –" I heard a long intake of breath, " – so would you please show yourself to me now?"

"So you and him first met over the internet before in person?" Timn asked as he expertly braided and styled my hair. I was pulled out of my reverie and had to look at him as if he asked the dumbest question ever.

"Hun, don't look at me as if I just asked something stupid. I asked because you seem to know his favorite song, you've been humming it for quite some time now." He added nonchalantly as he placed more bobby pins on my hair.

I smiled lightly, completely back to reality and turned to face him through the mirror. "Yes…" I started and told him the story between the him and I.

I didn't know why; but I ended up not leaving a single detail untold – that I first met him over a SNS where he comforted me over when my Grandpa died; that we actually fake dated first because of my stalkers; that he somewhat cheated but the affair only lasted 5 hours tops; that we had no communication for a while and patched things up later in the end. Nothing was left in secret. "He even joked and asked me why in the world would I catch my own bouquet in our wedding day." I giggled and stopped there after realizing the situation, a blush making its way to my face.

"Must've been quite the roller coaster ride for you two." Was the only comment the oh-so verbose make-up artist had come up with.

A small curve of my lips as I met his eyes with a nod were my reply. "Mhm…" I hummed in agreement after a while, "It was… but it was fun." My eyes made its way back to my phone as flashes of the texts came one by one.

"I can't wait to get married to her."

"Sakuno?"

"Imma stay behind and catch her bouquet then."

"Madame Sakuno!"

His laugh echoed through my headphones; "Why would you catch your own bouquet?"

"Mademoiselle Sakuno Ryuzaki!"

"WA-!" I blinked and pushed myself back as I realized someone was so near in front of me; I ended up on the floor, my bum hitting the carpeted floor first. A wince was my reply to the cold velvety floor; somehow blaming it for its natural existence.

"Enough reminiscing! The ceremony's starting! Get in the car, hurry!"

With one last look at Timn, whom I only had spent half a day with, I walked out of the car. The surprised stares welcomed my entrance. Thank heavens Timn agreed I could wear flats; or else his masterpiece would've gone tumbling down. The design of my white tunic dress flowed down to the floor; the hues of blue and violet at the hem harmonizing with the wooden floor at my every step; the intricate seams and embroideries of pearls and diamonds shining under the blessing of the chandeliers' light. Such a wonderfully simple… but elegant affair.

"Affair, huh…" I murmured lightly as I walked.

I straightened my back, returning their shocked expressions with a smile, and as I turned to see the altar; onyx eyes met those majestic grayish blue orbs…for the first time. I mustered up enough courage for this, I turned to look down, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Luckily, the music did not stop from my actions. When I held my head back up, I flashed him the sweetest smile I could give and walked towards his side, much to the surprise of those present, held his hand and gazed back at those ethereal orbs, and mouthed what any person in my place would have said.

"Congratulations."

Upon arriving at the reception, I was bombarded with questions from our friends. They all gawked at either how short I was or how I look prettier in person than the pictures he had once shown to them.

The swarm of women huddled up on the center of the vicinity, whereas I was also there as I got dragged by An. For some reason, the bride forgot to throw her flowers after the ceremony back at the church.

As the MC of the reception built up the excitement of the crowd and readied the waiting bachelorettes for the toss, the bride blissfully smiled to the crowd and turned her back to us, tossing her bouquet. The results? Well…

"Sakuno! OMG." An said for the umpteenth time, ah, I'll never get tired of her German accent – still thinking I she got it, though. I laughed and waved my hand to dismiss her comments. "The bride's giving you the cold shoulder, though." She added which made me nervously laugh.

"Of course Clara would be, semi¸ pissed at Sakuno! I mean, come on, showing up on the exact wedding day and stealing the spotlight from the woman of the hour as well as being able to catch her wedding flowers, are, well, something that leads to cold shoulder and all." Horio, logically, but messily in my defense, stated.

"Oh shush yourself Chowder! She's coming in our direction!" Tomoka warned and gestured to the brunette striding towards us.

"Ah… I think that's my cue to go." I whispered with a faint apology as I dashed off, trying hard to not stumble to anyone.

In my quest for freedom from the clutches of the fair maiden, woman of the hour, bride-of-my-ex, whatever you want to call her, I found myself at the place farthest from the mob of people. Phew. The garden at the back of the reception area was stunning. Flowers of various breeds adored the paths of stepping stones made of marble. The fountains at either side of a small pavilion brought more emphasis to the little hut rather than just mere symmetry.

I found myself leaning on one of the pillars of the pavilion as I continued to admire the magically real view. The scent of the flowers were alluring; making me close my eyes hoping to have a feel of the field more.

My solitude was broken once I caught up the sound of someone catching his breath from behind me. Turning around abruptly, my eyes went wide, there; I saw him. In his gray tux and slick hair – back to the messed up wreck I used to see; I couldn't help but smile.

"What in the world are you doing here?" I saw his shoulders tense and his breathing stop for a while after I spoke. Somehow, like those in novels and fictions, he slowly turned to look at me, his eyes wide. I gave him a helpless smile. "Is there…a ghost or something behind me?"

He seemed to have snapped from his dazed state at my question and composed himself. "Ahem, sorry about that. I, uh, kinda had to go off and, um get some fresh air."

"Nah, it's fine, you can share the view with me, then." I said with a grin.

"Wait. What? Isn't this supposed to be the part where you excuse yourself and I stop you and we both confess that we still have feelings for each other?"

I blinked and burst out laughing. Did he seriously just said that?! "What are you talking about? No way." I said in between my laughs. "Look, I'm sorry that I couldn't notify you that I'd come, it's just that everything wasn't set on stone in my part so I didn't want to give you any hope that I'd be coming." I explained with my usual cheerful smile; not noticing his features as I've turned back to watch the flower garden. "And besides, I –"

"I still waited for you." He started, cutting me off. I turned to face him; and he looked back at me. I didn't know what face I was making back then. Was I nervous? Maybe, this was the first time we've ever gotten so close to each other. "I waited. Even if you didn't reply I still waited. Every single day. I did. I still hoped you'd come. I was prepared for it; for you to come to my wedding."

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I wanted to tell him I'm flattered; but at the same time I wanted to scold him.

"Every waking moment of my days, I waited. Ever since then; I hoped for you to come."

Why…

"I was so prepared; I was ready to face you – but preparing for this…"

I must've had the curious face on as he smiled at my reaction, probably wanting me to have that kind of expression. "…I knew you'd come. But, I guess I was just surprised you really did. I hoped for you to come but I always thought that hope was from an imaginary faith." He reached out his garter-tangled hand and I blinked.

"Ah, why do you still have that? Shouldn't that be tossed too?" oh great, really? Out of all the opportunities for me to speak up, this was it?

He blinked and looked at his hand "Ahaha… Yeah, I did toss it. But the wind got strong and it got stuck on one of the chandeliers and ended up sliding and falling down back to my hand. Look, we match, don't we? I didn't expect you'd really catch the bouquet though."

"… … …"

Silence had enveloped the area; both of us did not know what to do next. "Umm…"

"Go back"

"Sa-chan?"

"No matter from which angle you look at this; this isn't right. Go back, please."

"You're talking about right and wrong now?" and it was this time, that my mind was able to register the deep voice he has now. How long has it been? 10 years? And then months before today, a mailman had come up to my doorstep and delivered a wedding invitation. "Sa-chan, I lo–"

"Don't even dare say it, baka."

"But I do! I never stopped! I thought the feelings were gone; I thought you were gone. I've thought of all the possibilities when we stopped talking; I even thought you'd stop me from the wedding."

"I love you too…" Ah… did I just say that? I thought as I looked down on the bouquet. Ironic. I thought and looked up to see him grinning – the same grin that never failed to make my heart swell. "But isn't that enough?"

"What?" he blinked.

"It's enough that we both know we love each other. We don't need to be together. We don't need to get married. We understand each other already. Isn't that enough?"

"What the hell are you saying? Isn't it sane to get married if we both hold mutual feelings of love? Isn't it the right thing to do?"

"Oh so we're talking about right and wrong now?! Then why did you end up marrying Clara? Why marry her when you clearly have feelings for me? Isn't it because you thought I was gone?! Idiot, I came here not because I want to steal the spotlight from your wife; nor to have this epiphany of our love with each other!" I shouted back and hadn't realized I was already so close to him; pointing my finger on his chest with every point I made.

"I thought of it. I thought of stopping the wedding; the possibilities if I had stopped the wedding. But I didn't and I'm trying, right now, for you to see it in my point. I wanted to be here to have proper closure; to congratulate you; to see for myself that you really have moved on. I didn't want fate to play tricks again; not this bouquet or that garter – those signify nothing; they don't mean anything. It's pure coincidence."

I breathed deeply, "I want you to know that I do love you; maybe I do want us to be together but… there are times when two people, no matter how much they love each other, can't be together. So please, the moments that we've shared? And the times when we've both cared? Make them worth remembering. We can't be together; if we can, then we could've been married years ago – but circumstances just… there are too many loopholes in our relationship and… .WON' ." I emphasized with every press of my finger on his chest.

Silence had enveloped the area again. As the distance between us grew very uncomfortable, I stepped back, inches away from him. My mind was racing with many thoughts. Did I just said the right stuff? Or was I being random? Was I able to convey my feelings proper –

My mind had stopped from its inner turmoil as I hear him hum a familiar song.

"I always believed when I'd leave you'd still be in my heart…"

He looked back at me. I stared at him in bewilderment; I just had the rant of my life and he has the nerve to sing? "No." I shrugged with a stern face.

"Come on, Sa-chan. This'll be the last…" he smiled lightly and extended his hand, entwining the garter-tangled hand with my hand the held the bouquet. The warmth that I've only imagined before; it's here, wrapped around my trembling hands. It's here… he's here… Taking a deep breath, he started again.

"I always believed when I'd leave you'd still be in my heart…"

"Even if we're together or if we're far apart."

"I know that in time, I will find a way to ease the pain…"

"I hope that I'll be able to laugh with you again."

"But isn't it sad how we've moved on from all that we've had?"

"S-sometimes I still miss it all of the good and bad."

"No need to pretend we both know how we felt in the end…"

"Now until forever we'll always –"

"Just be friends"

My eyes felt hot and I was brought back to reality by the hands that were caressing my cheeks. "Thank you for coming, Sa-chan." His husky voice murmured. I only nodded in return. And before I knew it, the kiss on my forehead, the soft goodbye he murmured, the way the warmth of his hands had disappeared from mine; all of it had gone off – along with his disappearing figure.

End

…