Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis. Sorry to disappoint you.
"I'm too late…" Sakuno mumbled sadly. She had just arrived at the airport after Ryoma's plane departed.
"It's not good to be late."
"Ryoma-kun!" She spun around, after immediately recognizing his voice.
"The flight was delayed."
***
"I'm really glad I got to say goodbye to you, Ryoma-kun," she said with a smile after giving him her gift.
"Hai," he agreed, leaving them in a comfortable silence. Surprisingly enough, he was also the one to break it. "I'll miss you."
She blinked. "Huh?"
Ryoma scowled. 'Even after all the obvious clues, she's still so dense.' (They're only obvious to him.)
"Ryuzaki, may I ask you a few questions?" he asked. She just kept staring at him, which he took as a sign to continue. "Do you remember the time I got your ball back from that club of tennis players?"
She looked surprised at his question and she blushed, but then she nodded and said, "Hai."
He continued. "How about the time I scared away those girls that were picking on you?"
"Hai."
"The time I took you to get your racket restrung?"
"Hai."
"The time I saved you from getting hit by that guy with the racket on the subway?"
"But at that time, you said-"
"I'm aware of what I said. Do you remember it or not?"
"Hai…" she replied quietly. Her blush had increased several times since Ryoma started asking questions, and he was savoring every second.
"Do I look like a guy who would do something he didn't want to?"
"Ha-eh?!" she was surprised by the sudden turn his questions had taken. She thought about the question and blushed even more. "N-No."
Ryoma asked his final question. "Have you ever seen me spend what I consider as valuable time with any other girl?"
At this, her eyes widened and she lost control of her voice, so she just shook her head, dumbfounded at what was happening.
"There you have it," he said, pulling at his cap to hide his expression.
A soft "Ryoma-kun," escaped her lips just before the intercom came on, announcing the approaching departure of Ryoma's flight.
"Che," Ryoma grumbled. He had hoped to have a little more time, even though he was prepared to be short on time. 'Oh well,' he thought, 'this way is probably better for her anyway.'
"I have to go," he told her, as he took something out of his pocket and placed it in her hands. She looked down to see a piece of paper folded to a quarter of its normal size. She started to open it, only to have her prince stop her. She looked up at him questioningly.
"Not here. Read this only when you're sure you're completely alone. It's meant for your eyes only. Got it?" he explained sternly. The last thing he needed was for his sempais to find out what was written.
She blushed even deeper and lowered her head to avoid his gaze as she nodded. She heard a chuckle and could practically picture him smirking in amusement. Then she felt a breath on her neck, and she tensed as he whispered, "I expect an answer when I get back."
He kissed her cheek, turned, and walked toward his flight, leaving Sakuno to pinch herself in the arm. He called out to her one last time.
"Remember, Sakuno, things aren't always what they seem."
***
Sakuno shut the door to her room and sat on her bed. She quickly unwrapped the paper she was itching to read. When she saw what was written, she felt like she could have fainted. She reread it just to make sure. Yep, there was no doubt about it. She pouted.
"Ryoma-kun no baka! You know I'm no good at English!"
See the button that says 'review'? Press it. You know you want to.