Chapter One: Age Thirteen
Italics represent the letter Sakuno had written to Ryoma at the end of PoT.
Bolded Italics represent Sakuno's thoughts.
*Italics* represent sounds.
Dear Ryoma-kun,
Today, I became a junior at Seigaku.
Oh, yeah! They decided on a new captain for the boy's team. Momoshiro-senpai was a little too kind to be the captain, it seems.
Tomorrow, Tezuka-senpai is leaving for Germany.
We all look forward to your events, Ryoma-kun. Whatever you do, please take care of yourself and do your best.
P.S. The weather's nice, so the cherry trees came to full bloom today.
The two week old letter fluttered in the warm summer breeze. A hand, slightly bronzed, roughly folded the letter back and pushed it into a pocket. A pair of large, hazel, almond shaped eyes softened into a smile, as if though imagining the cherry blossoms floating down onto the path leading to Seishun Gakuen middle school, or Seigaku for short. A young boy, slightly short for his age, made his way towards the public tennis courts, from where the sounds of bouncing tennis balls emanated.
A smirk made its way onto the boy's face.
There won't be any 'events' to take part it, as such. But, knowing those guys, they'll come to know soon enough.
As the courts came into view, all thoughts about the contents of the letter flew out of his mind, and he centered his attention onto the one thing his life presently revolved around: tennis.
*pok pok*
Ryuuzaki Sakuno, a thirteen year old junior at the Seishun Gakuen middle school, looked at the T.V. screen in front of her with rapt attention. Her jaws hung slightly open in awe at what she was watching on the screen. Former classmate and friend Echizen Ryoma was beating his opponent to dust on the courts of the French Open, and he seemed to have gotten even better at the game of tennis in the two months' worth of time that he'd spent away from Japan. When she'd gotten wind of the fact from Inui-senpai (she still occasionally ponders on how the man manages to gather data about the most obscure things possible, but has so far remained rather unsuccessful in putting forth a believable hypothesis) that Ryoma was to take part in the French Open, she'd made absolutely sure that her schedule was open at the time when the matches were being aired live from France. Even though Japan was a good eight hours ahead of France, Ryoma's matches were thankfully scheduled early enough for her to watch them without having to stay up.
Sakuno had been a bit disappointed that Ryoma had been unable to continue his journey to the finals of the US Open, but she still had the utmost of faith that the tennis prince would one day stand at the top of the tennis world, given time. His natural aptitude at the sport, prodigy that he was, guaranteed that fact. He was, in fact, currently participating in the final match of the French Open, which was the same match that Sakuno was watching live on T.V.
A loud scream from her best friend and president of the Echizen Ryoma fan club Osakada Tomoka brought her attention back to the match being displayed on the screen. Sakuno breathlessly watched as the match slowly progressed into its final stages.
Ganbatte, Ryoma-kun! You can do it!
The match was currently in Ryoma's favour, and the crowd was eating up the fact that a thirteen year old boy was besting one the foremost players on the tennis front. Ryoma seemed absolutely relaxed even with so many eyes on him, as he calmly bounced the green ball for delivering what he deemed the final serve of the match. His opponent, on the other hand, had beads of sweat trickling down the sides of his face as he stared down his younger adversary. Sakuno could only watch, dumbfounded, as Ryoma served a new and improved version of his signature Twist Serve to his already on-edge opponent. His opponent was, however, able to return to serve with some difficulty, for it takes a certain skill level to be able to take part in and reach the finals of the French Open. Ryoma, however, seemed to have expected this of his opponent and was already in position to return the shot with an even more powerful Cyclone Smash, having activated the Muga no Kyouchi. This time, his opponent was unable to return the shot, and the French Open title was Ryoma's.
Sakuno had been unconsciously clutching onto the hem of her skirt, watching every move that Ryoma made with a great deal of anticipation. Only when the match ended did she realize that she'd been doing so. The cameras were focused on Ryoma's face as the reported barraged him with questions on his experience during the match, what he intended to do further in this tennis season, so on and so forth. Ryoma, however, kept a smirk fixed on his boyish face as he carried out the French Open trophy, leaving all the reporters' questions unanswered. Sakuno, along with Tomoka, had to laugh at Ryoma's attempts of looking cool and cocky in front of the press, owing to his title of the tennis prince. Secretly, however, Sakuno felt extremely proud of the fact that her friend (and not-so-secret crush) had managed to bag one of the most prestigious titles that the world of tennis had to offer, and that too at such a young age. Not that age, or height, was a limiting factor for Ryoma. It was the very opposite. Ryoma, she believed, did his utmost to prove to the world (and himself, at times) that he could be in every way equal to those whom most would consider quite above his skill level, despite a negligibly small set of physical limitations, which primarily included his height, and Sakuno wholeheartedly supported him in his every endeavour, as a friend, and perhaps even more, no matter how far it took him away from her. Being unfailingly supportive of those near and dear to her was one of her quiet strengths, and Sakuno made full use of it whenever and wherever the opportunity arose.
*sigh*
Tomoka looked questioningly at Sakuno.
"I wonder when I'll be able to see Ryoma-kun in person again. Will one of his tournaments bring him back to Japan sometime in the future?"
Tomoka looked a little sadly at her best friend as Sakuno resigned herself to the fact that she might never be able to meet the tennis prince again in the flesh. However, little did Sakuno know that she was in for quite a surprise this tennis season, courtesy of the very prince she so desired to see once again.
*ka-chak*
Sakuno placed her bag down by the side of her desk, and took her seat as she waited for the day's classes to begin. The last of cherry blossoms could still be seen dancing in the air outside through the classroom windows, and seeing them brought a smile to the young girl's face.
Was Ryoma-kun able to read the letter I sent him, or was he too busy with practice for the tennis season?
Should I write him another letter?
Maybe I will, just to keep him up to date with all that's happening here in Japan. He would like that, wouldn't he?
Sakuno's internal monologue was brought to a halt when the doors of the classroom opened. Their homeroom teacher entered, and after placing the class register on the table, said,
"Good morning, class. As I'm sure you've heard, one of our students has managed to win a prestigious award in the field of sports. However, it would seem that this student intends to focus on his academics, for the time being, while simultaneously participating in a few events held in the country."
Sakuno had quite a bit of difficulty in processing what she had just heard.
But wouldn't that mean that-
"Therefore, class, I would like for all of you to once again welcome Echizen Ryoma to Seishun Gakuen middle school. We hope that you have an enriching experience here at Seigaku, and will be able to make many fond memories for the future."
Sakuno watched as the tennis prince, whom she'd believed that she would perhaps never meet again, stepped into the classroom, a faint look of disinterest etched onto his face. He bowed slightly in gratitude to the teacher, and then looked around for a place in which to seat himself. His eyes landed onto the empty desk next to Sakuno, and he started making his way to said desk.
As he was walking towards her (or rather, beside her), Sakuno took a few moments to take a good look at Ryoma.
His hair's gotten a big longer, hasn't it? They're almost covering his entire forehead now.
Oh,my, has he possibly grown a bit taller? That would be something now, wouldn't it?
Sakuno chuckled softly at her last thought, a chuckle which didn't go unnoticed by Ryoma. His face took on a slight frown as he sat down next to Sakuno, all the while looking at her.
The teacher announced that homeroom would be a free period, and that the students were free to do as they pleased.
"Ne, Ryuuzaki."
"Yes, Ryoma-kun?"
"Why were you laughing at me just now?"
"I-I wasn't lau-laughing at you, Ryoma-kun!"
The tell-tale blush on Sakuno's face, and the slight stutter in her voice said otherwise.
"Is that so?"
"Y-Yes, Ryoma-kun."
Silence. Sakuno fidgeted under Ryoma's unwavering stare, wondering what was it that was on his mind.
He hasn't taken that chuckle to heart, has he?
He hasn't, right?
He's never been bothered by things like this before, has he?
"Um, Ryoma-kun-"
"Thank you, Ryuuzaki."
That stopped Sakuno cold. But before she could ask Ryoma what he was thanking her for, he'd closed his eyes and fallen asleep on his desk. Ryoma's spontaneity always left Sakuno rather dumbfounded. She smiled at the sleeping form of the tennis prince, internally wondering over what she had done for him that should prompt him to thank her.
The cherry blossoms continued to dance in the air, leaving in their wake a slight pink hue and their bewitchingly subtle, sweet smell.
It'd been three months since Ryoma's return to Seigaku, and the flurry that had arisen over his arrival had once again blown out of proportion, for the autumn season, which brought with it a myriad of colour into everyday life, also marked the arrival of the Japan Open, which was to start in the first week of October. Ryoma had decided to take part in the Japan Open for this year's tennis season, which was why the entire school was so excited.
Sakuno was happy that Ryoma was able to play the game he loved so dearly even though he had to partake in a mundane life, albeit by choice.
I'd like to go watch his matches in person, in Osaka. That'd be so nice.
"Ryuuzaki."
Sakuno stopped mid-walk, surprised. Turning around, she found that the object of her thoughts was walking towards her down the footpath.
"Ryoma-kun? Why aren't you already at school? Don't you have morning practice?"
"The tennis courts are being renovated, or something. So the captain called off practice for today."
"Even after school?"
"Hn."
Ryoma, to her surprise, matched his pace with hers as they walked towards school. Sakuno was a bit stunned that Ryoma would be considerate enough to slow down his pace, but she had no objections to it.
"Um, Ryoma-kun?"
"Hn?"
"I apo-apologize if this is too personal a qu-question, but wh-what do you plan to do after the Ja-Japan Open is over?"
Ryoma remained silent for a while, as if though unwilling to answer the question that Sakuno had put forth.
Oh dear. Was I overstepping my-
"I'm going to return to America, probably."
"America?"
"Yeah. My dad wants me to train for and take part in the Wimbledon for the next tennis season. I'll be taking part in a few competitions each tennis season, until I manage to become a professional tennis player."
"Will y-you go back to America right after th-the Japan Open gets over?"
Once again, silence. This time, however, Sakuno recognised that Ryoma's silence indicated that he was thinking over the question, and waited patiently for his reply.
"No, maybe not. I'll go back to America during the Golden Week."
Sakuno was happy to hear that she would get to spend more time with him, even though they weren't so closely acquainted.
Yet.
We'll be able to celebrate Ryoma-kun's birthday too before he departs for America! Yes!
Sakuno mentally started making arrangements to plan out Ryoma's birthday party with Tomoka, and if possible, with the rest of their former upperclassmen as well.
Lost in her mental deliberations, Sakuno missed the small curious glances that Ryoma threw her way as they made their way to school on that crisp, slightly cold autumn morning.
*huff*
*huff*
Sakuno's breath fogged in the cold winter air as she made her way along with Tomoka towards her school's tennis courts, where Ryoma and the rest of her upperclassmen would have gathered by now, to celebrate both Ryoma's birthday and Christmas Eve.
The Japan Open had gotten over surprisingly quickly, and Ryoma had managed to bag yet another title to his name within the same tennis season. Sakuno, along with her grandmother, Tomoka, the Ichinen trio and her upperclassmen had gone to watch the finals of the tournament in Osaka, which thankfully had been held on a weekend. Ryoma's oppenent had put up quite a good fight, giving it his all uptill the last moment, and that made the match all the more thrilling both for Ryoma and his audience as well.
He was smiling even after the match got over. He'd shaken hands with his opponent, which showed the level of respect that Ryoma-kun had for him.
"Sakuno, what present did you get for Ryoma-sama?"
"That's a secret, Tomo-chan."
Sakuno smiled at her best friend's mischievous grin as they stepped onto the tennis courts, which had been decorated for the party. Said party had already started, and Sakuno's upperclassmen had already started handing over their gifts to Ryoma.
Will he like the gift I got him?
Tomoka hurried forward towards Ryoma and thrusted out her gift into his face with a,
"Happy Birthday, Ryoma-sama!"
Ryoma looked a bit taken aback by Tomoka's behaviour, but he accepted the gift nonetheless.
Tomoka returned back to Sakuno's side, who was nervously chewing on her lower lip as she watched Ryoma open the gifts that he'd recieved.
"Aren't you going to give your gift to Ryoma-sama, Sakuno?"
"I-I will! Just n-not yet."
As Sakuno continued to look at Ryoma, Tomoka smiled slightly at her best friend's nervouness.
The party continued well into the night, as everyone caught up with Ryoma, discussing new tennis techniques and life decisions. At some point, the topic of Tezuka also came up.
"How's Buchou doing?"
"He's doing rather well in Germany, from what his emails say. He's practicing even harder than before because he's part of the German U-17 squad now."
Fuji replied.
"Hm."
Soon it became dark enough for the party to finally come to an end, and everyone present bid their farewells to Ryoma. Sakuno's grandmother still had some work left to do on the school premises before leaving, so she asked Ryoma to accompany Sakuno uptill the Ryuuzaki household.
Ryoma looked somewhat expectantly at Sakuno as he waited for her to get ready to leave.
"Um, Ryoma-kun, th-thank you for walking me b-back home."
"Hn."
The rest of the walk was comfortably silent, the only exception being Ryoma's gift that was seemingly burning a hole in Sakuno's bag. Ryoma didn't seem very upset by the fact that Sakuno was the only one who was yet to give him a gift for his birthday.
Sakuno was fidgeting with her hands the entire walk back to the Ryuuzaki household, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by the young tennis prince.
Even after reaching the Ryuuzaki household, Sakuno seemed to be nervous about handing over her gift to Ryoma, as she stood before him at the doorway of the house.
"Ne, Ryuuzaki."
"Y-yes, Ryoma-kun?"
"Do you have something you have to give me?"
Ryoma's eyes looked straight into Sakuno's, a fact that surprised her very much, to the point where she forgot her nervousness completely. She slowly reached into her bag and pulled out a rectangular object wrapped in blue with a white ribbon over it. Handing it over to Ryoma, she said,
"Happy Birthday, Ryoma-kun."
"Can I open this now?"
"I-If you'd like to."
Ryoma opened up the ribbon, let it fall to the ground and ripped open the wrapping paper in one swift stroke. From within the box, he pulled out a red tennis bag, to whose chain was attached a keychain having a small tennis ball. On the tennis ball was drawn a caricature of Ryoma's, although this time his hair was drawn a bit longer.
"U-um, I thought that since this year, and the next marks the st-start of your tennis career, you'd like to start it with n-new belongings as you make new me-memories in the various com-competitions that you'll be taking p-part in in the future-"
"Thank you, Ryuuzaki."
The fact that Ryoma said this with a sincere smile, and not his trademark smirk, shocked Sakuno into a silence. However, as Ryoma continued to admire his new tennis bag in front of Sakuno, she said with just as big a smile,
"You're welcome, Ryoma-kun!"
He liked the gift. He liked it.
"I'll be heading off now. Goodnight, and Merry Christmas, Ryuuzaki."
"Goodnight, Ryoma-kun. Merry Christmas to you as well."
Sakuno watched with a soft smile as Ryoma walked away from her into the night, his bright red tennis bag slung over his shoulder.
Maybe, just maybe, we've become better friends this time round.
A large plane made its way across the sky, heading west towards the Land of Opportunity.
A young pigtailed girl of about thirteen looked up at the sky and watched the plane's progress with a big, warm smile, carrying away from her a young boy whose future lay down a path different, but quite possibly the same, as hers.
She had a feeling that perhaps, they'd get to meet again somewhere along the line, when they'd both changed, almost to an unrecognisable extent.
Good luck, Ryoma-kun.
We'll all be watching over you.
Grow, and reach the very top of the world, where you truly belong.