The sun was starting to set by the time tennis practice was finally over. Sakuno breathed a sigh of relief as her captain finally called time. She quickly gathered her equipment and headed to the girl's locker room to shower and change clothes. Glancing over to the boy's tennis courts, she saw them doing the same. She paused, looking around for a familiar white cap. Not seeing it, she felt slightly disappointed as she entered the locker room.

And mentally berated herself for feeling disappointed.

While showering, she took a moment to reflect on the past and the non-existent relationship between her and Ryoma Echizen.

He was still as focused as ever on his tennis. He was easily the best player on the boy's tennis team. Not to say the other members of the team were bad, they just paled in comparison to him. Now a senior in high school, Ryoma was planning to make an attempt at being a pro when he graduated. Sakuno knew there was a certain pro player that Ryoma wanted to beat. He had never been able to beat Tezuka when they were in school together and being able to beat him was now the one goal she knew of for him wanting to become a pro.

Sakuno sighed as she dried herself off. She had played tennis since junior high and had even managed to become a regular on her high school team. She knew she was by no means an awesome player, but she was confident in her skills and enthusiastic about her chosen sport. And if it also meant she could see Ryoma a little more often during the day, then she was happy with that. She knew she was still in love with him; she had been ever since she had met him at the train station.

But his eyes still stared straight through her as though she didn't even exist.

She smiled ruefully. At least I'm not the only one. Ryoma had never paid any attention to any girl. Despite all of their efforts, Ryoma remained single. The perpetually aloof, ice-prince of tennis.

Tomo-chan had also come to their high school and had started a new Ryoma Echizen fan club. Sakuno didn't know how she had done it; their school was a private high school with an extensive focus in academics and sports. Tomo-chan could barely hit a tennis ball. Probably because of all the baby-sitting she does.

Sakuno finished getting dressed and closed her locker, paying no attention to the locker room chatter of her teammates. Her grandmother had encouraged her to come to this school and looking back she was glad she had listened to her. Even if she hadn't gained the attention of Ryoma, she had still learned a lot, both in school and about herself. She was looking forward to graduating in the spring and going on to college, though she still hadn't quite figured out where that would be yet or even what she would study.

Smiling softly to herself as she left the locker room and walked to the front gates of her school, Sakuno realized she really was happy right now. She was surprised by this fact. I thought I could only be happy if I had Ryoma with me. But I guess since I've never had him to begin with, then why shouldn't I be happy? I can't miss what I never had. Smiling a bit more broadly, she walked to her bus stop and stood there, absently pulling her still long hair back into a single braid and waiting. I'm glad Tomo-chan had to baby-sit tonight. Otherwise I'd have to wait with her while she tried to scope out Ryoma-kun.

She was tired and still had to study for her midterm exams coming up. Dealing with a hyperactive and slightly obsessed best friend was not on her to do list at the moment.

Engrossed in her thoughts, Sakuno failed to notice the person watching her from across the street.

He did this every night, ever since that little incident last year when those guys from a neighboring school had tried to get her and that noisy friend of hers to go with them for a little "fun". It was a good thing that friend was so noisy; she had drawn the attention of everyone within the range of her powerful voice and had scared off the idiots with the scream she had emitted.

It was still something he did not like to think about, so he took it upon himself to watch her get on her bus every night she was alone. Just to make sure.

He liked these moments. No words were ever shared between them, which was fine with him since he never spoke much anyway and she didn't know he was there to speak to. He highly enjoyed the reputation he had. People kept their distance and spoke to him with respect. He knew he was considered popular, with his good looks, good grades, and awesome tennis skills. Being captain of the boy's tennis team didn't hurt either. He had to admit a small amount of gratitude to Sakuno's noisy friend for keeping his numerous legions of fans away from him.

He didn't remember exactly when it was when he really noticed Sakuno Ryuzaki. He'd always been aware of her in some way during junior high; she was Ryuzaki-sensei's granddaughter after all. She had always been watching him whenever he played tennis at school or at any of the tournaments. She had always been there. Hers was one of the few names he bothered to remember outside of his teammates. Not that she knew that either.

Darkness fell and still he watched and still she waited. Lights were coming on all around them. He knew he should say something to her, anything to show his interest in her. He was sure she still liked him; there had never been another guy with her other than the morons who were easily intimidated by a glare when he happened to be around. But he wasn't sure what would happen if he did come out and admit his feelings. He rather liked the way things were right now, however, he also knew he had to do something soon or it would be too late and his chances of being with her would be gone. Some might wonder why it had taken him almost six years to admit his feelings for someone but that was just the way he was. He was proud of the way she had grown over the years; he was still amazed at what just a few years could do to a person. Sakuno walked with grace and confidence that had been seriously lacking when he had first met her.

But for the moment, he kept silent and watched. The bus came and Sakuno was carried away from him once again.

Ryoma Echizen turned and walked in the direction of the shrine he called home, deciding he needed to play a match against his idiot father to release some pent-up frustration.

A month passed and the spring semester was finally over. Unfortunately for Sakuno, so was tennis. During the last tournament match, she had fallen hard. A serious sprained ankle was the result and her match ended in forfeiture. Unfortunately for the team, the second singles player lost her match as well, ending any hopes of regional glory.

Sakuno took this in stride. While she was upset that her team had lost, she could still play whenever she wanted and that was what really mattered to her. She played tennis for the joy of playing.

It was now Wednesday, two days after the team's loss and her first day back at school because of her ankle. Going up and down the stairs is going to be interesting, she thought as she approached the first floor landing with her crutches. Thank goodness I found that old backpack; I wouldn't be able to carry my shoulder-bag.

Facing the staircase, Sakuno determinedly started up the steps.

This isn't as difficult as I thought it would be, she thought as she made it to the first landing.

Pausing to catch her breath and to relax her fingers from her death grip on the crutches, she suddenly became aware she had an audience. She looked up into Ryoma's golden gaze.

Feeling the normal butterflies in her stomach whenever she was close to Ryoma, she managed to get out, "Good morning, Ryoma-kun!" in a cheerful and non-stuttering voice. She was so proud of herself.

"Morning," he answered in his usual uninterested voice. His attention was focused on her ankle. He had heard the girl's team had lost on Sunday and that Sakuno had been injured. The noisy girl had been ranting and raving about it everyday this week so far.

"What happened?"

Sakuno was surprised. Ryoma never asked her questions about anything. "I fell while going after the ball. It's just a sprain, so it should be healed soon." She shook her head and laughed lightly at herself. I must look like the clumsiest idiot right now.

She was unaware of the stare Ryoma was giving her. What is she laughing about?

"Hnnn…" was all she got for an answer.

She raised her head and gave him a big smile. "I have to get going now if I'm to make to homeroom on time. It takes me a little longer to move around with these things. Later!" she said brightly, gesturing to her crutches. She was amazed that he was still standing there talking with her. Well, I was doing all the talking.

Sakuno turned away from Ryoma and adjusted herself and her crutches to face her next staircase challenge. She had made it this far without falling and she certainly wasn't going to do it while Ryoma was watching. Outwardly, her face was showing determination, but inside, she was jumping for joy. I didn't make a fool out of myself! I'm so proud of me!

So involved was she in her basking, she was unaware of the sudden movement behind her and was shocked when she felt herself being lifted from the ground, crutches, backpack and all.

Ryoma didn't say anything as he carried Sakuno up the stairs. He did steal one glance at the girl in his arms and was highly amused by the shocked expression on her face. Her beautiful brown eyes were wide open and her mouth was partly open as if she was about to say something or catch a fly.

He savored the feel of her in his arms, extra baggage included. Her softness. Her warmth. So this is what she feels like.

Reaching the top of the stairs all too quickly, he carefully set her down and held her arm as she regained her balance and figured out her crutches. She was still staring at him with that amusing look on her face.

Deciding to act on impulse, he let go of her arm and slowly bent down a little and caressed the side of her face. He whispered in her ear, "Mada mada dane."

Ryoma took a quick step back and gave her his trademark smirk as he walked away towards his homeroom.

Sakuno was rooted in place; a bulldozer couldn't knock her over. What the? Did he just? Wh…wh..huh? Her thoughts were chasing around in her head at the speed of light. Ryoma had just carried her up the stairs. Why?

She shut her mouth with a snap as she noticed she was acting like a venus fly-trap. Wait a minute! I'm not so clumsy I can't climb the stairs myself! she yelled to herself as she regained her wits that had been scattered to the winds.

She straightened her backpack with a shrug of her shoulders and started to hobble her way down the hallway towards her homeroom.

A voice broke the silence that still reigned in hallway. "Sakuno-chan!"

Turning, Sakuno saw Tomoka chasing after her. She was not looking forward to this.

"What just happened? I saw Ryoma-sama carrying you up the stairs! Did you trip into him? Oh, I know! You tripped and he took pity on you and carried you up to the top!"

Tomoka went on and on about how cool Ryoma was for taking pity on her and carrying her. Sakuno was getting more and more frustrated with her best friend. She wasn't as clumsy as she used to be and she had made it to the first landing without any mishap.

Unless one called running into Ryoma a mishap.

"Tomo-chan," Sakuno said in a quiet voice. "It didn't happen like that at all."

"…and maybe I should…huh? It didn't? Then why would Ryoma-sama carry you up the stairs?" she asked in a puzzled voice.

Sakuno stared hard in the direction the smirking prince of tennis had taken. Her mouth firmed into a hard line as she said, "That's what I intend to find out."

She turned from her still shocked best friend and went into her homeroom.