Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis and Country Strong.
A/N: I got the idea (and song) when I was watching the movie, Country Strong. The song is sang by Gwyneth Paltrow, who also starred in the movie. This song was actually sang in the movie and included in the soundtrack.
"Country Strong" is actually a three-shot, all composed of songfics.
Guide:
blah - Story
blah - Flashback
blah - Lyrics
Country Strong: My leave for tomorrow.
"And now, for our final act, our dear old Country Prince – Ryoma Echizen!"
The announcer's booming voice reached my ears in familiarity. He was always one of the few who could pronounce my name properly. I had considered going under a different name when I entered the music business, but my manager had decided against it.
"I don't care if I have to hire a personal announcer for you, you little brat! You would keep your real name!"
I inwardly winced at the memory. My manager was a very livid woman if she was ever unpleased, just the right kind of woman to help me keep myself in line and control the media. The paparazzi knew better than defy the wrath of my manager.
"That's your cue, Ryoma. This is on live telecast, so give it to them!"
I turned towards the source of the voice – my manager – before giving her a nod. She gave me a small smile before I grabbed my guitar from her outstretched hands. As I did, she held tightly unto my wrist, making me unable to turn around.
"Enjoy the song, Ryoma. You co-wrote it after all."
She pulled me towards her, enveloping me in her warm embrace. I resisted the urge to wrap my arms around her, knowing that once I held on, I wouldn't let go. Soon, she pulled away but kept her hands on my shoulders. I looked up to meet her eyes.
"Of course."
With a small amused smirk, I escaped her grip and went towards the middle of the stage, sitting on the short stool. I heard excited squeals and screams erupt from the crowd from my ever-casual entrance. I never fancied such extravagant entrances, which made that moment all too good.
"Hey all. I've got this little song for all of you."
I gave them a small wink, making them cheer louder. It made my heart swell, to know that I was loved here, in my home town. It made all the difference from any other place I performed, which was the reason why I was allowing myself to be more open to my audience.
'One, two, three.'
I know you see me
Like some wide eyed dreamer
That just rolled in off a dusty mid west bus
Yeah, on the outside I look fragile
But on the inside is something you can't crush
Two adults stood before me, talking. I pouted at being ignored but let them be, deciding to play with the bright yellow balls around me.
"Ryoma."
I turned towards the voice, only to see my father smirking at me with another bright yellow ball in hand. Knowing what he wanted to do, since he always wanted one thing, I grabbed the racket by my feet.
"Catch, Ryoma."
He threw the ball lightly towards me. I nudged a little bit, managing to hit the ball that time, but it was weak. I looked straight at him with my sharp golden eyes that had a hidden emotion which I knew my father would never notice.
"I like your eyes, boy."
'You always say that.'
Cause I'm country strong
Hard to break
Like the ground I grew up on
You may fool me
And I'll fall
But I won't stay down long
Cause I'm country strong
"Get up, Ryoma."
I always hated how that voice mocked me, reminded me of numerous days being forced to practice the whole afternoon, chasing bright yellow balls on the green pavement. As always, I still stood up with my racket in hand.
"I'll beat you, old man."
He only smirked at me, but I knew my father didn't know what I meant. He never did and he never will. I didn't hope that one day my father would realize his mistake.
"Try me."
The voice was challenging but mocking at the same time. I knew that I couldn't beat him, a retired tennis pro, with my current skills and he knew it too. I also knew that he wanted me to achieve my "Big Dream", as he called it. I wanted something else, but he didn't know it, instantly assuming that I wanted the same as he. Even so, I thought about achieving what I wanted, not what my father wanted.
"I will."
I have weathered
Colder winters; longer summers
Without a drop of rain
Push me in a corner
And I'll come out fighting
I may lose but I'll always keep my faith
Cold fingers grasp blindly for the familiar thing I kept hidden under my bed. I pulled out a dark red guitar then placed it on my lap, running my hand over the smooth surface.
'It feels like forever since I held you like this.'
I chuckled at the thought, mentally talking to my favorite guitar. I got a few others hidden in my closet – all gifts from friends and relatives – but I loved this one the best. It was my baby – my little darling. I even gave this one a name and engraved it on its neck. My finger lightly traced the finely written letters.
"Felicia."
I smiled at the memory of when I got my dear Felicia. It was my mother's gift for me on sixth birthday. She always knew what I wanted, always noticed how I would stare at instruments when we were out shopping. My mother helped me keep this secret from my tennis-obsessed father.
"Let's sing a song."
Cause I'm country strong
Hard to break
Like the ground I grew up on
You may fool me
And I'll fall
But I won't stay down long
Cause I'm country strong
"I'm going back to America."
I did not bother to turn around to face my father standing by the door. I could speculate what his reaction was at the moment. It was most likely a mixture of surprise and hope. He was begging me all-week to accept the offer as a wild card player for the US Open, not a common occurrence for a tennis player of my age.
"US Open. You're going to the US Open, right?"
I resisted the urge to scream and blow up at my father. I took a deep breath before turning around, looking at the older male who had a white envelope held tightly in his hand. His reaction was just as I expected it. It was both saddening but also invigorating, knowing that what I would do was not what he expected.
"I'm not. I'm going back home to perform again."
The little hope in my father's eyes slowly faded but was quickly replaced by a cold intensity. I recognized the look on his face. It was that look when he was talking to me, dead on against me joining the music club and forcing me to join the tennis club instead. Before, I used to cower under that intense gaze but at that moment, I felt a surge of power come from within.
"I will stop tennis and continue music."
Cause I'm country strong
Hard to break
Like the ground I grew up on
You may fool me
And I'll fall
But I won't stay down long
Cause I'm country strong
"Ryoma, she will be your manager from now on."
I looked at the young woman beside my mother. She was of fair height for a person of her age and had a young-looking face with minimal make-up. She was dressed casually in a dark gray pencil skirt, a plain white blouse, a dark blue necktie and plain blue stilettos. Her brown hair with yellow highlights was pulled up in a messy bun and dark maroon glasses was placed before her enchanting red eyes that were focused on me.
"My name is Alyssa Stewart. I am a little new to this business but I hope we could do well together."
The smile she gave me was genuine and warm, which I returned in similar fervor as I shook her outstretched hand. Her grip was tight around mine, but also gentle in a way only a woman's hand could be. The look in her eye changed into a more mischievous one when I let go.
"Shall we discuss your debut then, Ryoma?"
I'm country strong
Yeah, I'm country strong
I'm country strong
I'm country strong
I'm country strong
That was my start, my boost, the reason I managed to reach where I was now – on the last city of my second tour. Many years have passed since I left Japan (I went back to finish the nationals.) and I never went back once. I kept in touch, but going there was different. I missed my friends dearly even if I did video calls with them whenever they had time between college and work as life moved on.
'I should go visit them after this.'
Sure of my decision, I went to my manager after my performance and told her my idea. She thought about it for a few seconds before beaming at me. I didn't know if that was a good sign or not, even if I knew her for many years.
"Miss Rinko, we're going to Japan!"
She sang as she skipped to my mother like a little child high on sugar. My mother looked at her then at me, giving us an inquiring look. I walked towards her then took the seat next to her.
"I want to go back to Japan to visit my friends."
My mother gave me a big smile before hugging me. I could feel the relief she was feeling. My mother had long told me to go back (Alyssa had been ignorant to this), but I was often hesitant. This was my first step back to my friends. Sure it won't make up for years of being apart, but it was a start. The thought made me smile.
'I will be there soon, Japan.'
A/N: I hope you liked it. I'll type up the second songfic soon. hehehehe...
I know I should be updating Beyond Forbidden, but this idea got stuck in my head so...
Constructive criticism is appreciated. *bows*
