Disclaimer: Takeshi Konomi owns Prince Of Tennis

CHAPTER ONE

Twenty one is such a supple age, as magazines and press would put it. Echizen Ryoma dominated Wimbledon making itself 40 along with the rest of his 39 tournaments which he undoubtedly took the golds.

He had made a very known spot for himself, four years ago after highs school graduation he received an invitation for the U.S Open, and for the second time he took the gold trophy. It was like a chant, a mantra, bigger success had laid themselves on his feet and before he knew it, Ryoma's three awards ahead from what Nanjiro had achieved, a celebrated young tennis pro.

The flashes of cameras and overflowing questions of the press drowns his ears into deafness while he sat on the middle of the conference table, having his assistant slash secretary beside him who hastily answer the questions Ryoma chose to ignore.

"You have won Wimbledon, what are you planning to do next?" one asked.

Good question, because he attended Wimbledon, he missed graduation, it's not like he wanted to wear that stupid robe and toga. Ryoma tugged his cap closer to his eyes, this is getting boring, all those questions again, he heard those ever since the world began, dark amber eyes twitched in annoyance, Kamada –his assistant knew what this meant as he called off the press.

He saw her face again, her face in the crowd, during press conference, photo shoots, and the worst even in his matches, her face haunts him even when he sleeps.

Ryoma swore he's having sixth sense or something, it wasn't like she's some ghost. But lately, Ryoma's having hallucinations- at first it didn't happen very often, it was like a blink of an eye, but there are a lot of girls with the same hair color as hers, maybe Ryoma just got used to it as Ryuzaki's trademark.

It haunts him in his dreams for a moment, then the next thing he knew, he's looking for her in the crowd. It's amazing really, he even had a girlfriend a couple of months back- due to Kamada's persistence because some people started to question his sexuality- was it coincidence or that girl must have the same eyes as Ryuzaki does, Ryoma didn't know, it happened again, and this time the girl wore her hair in braids.

Reason, he has to put reason into it because without reason it all sounded against him. Ryuzaki, that stupid klutz with magically chaotic long braids, during high school Ryoma found himself in her company walking her home every after training hours- it's a routine they grew accustomed with back then. Then right after graduation, he was booked in the U.S Open.

Ever since middle school, Ryuzaki made a complete attendance during matches, and during high school, Ryoma had gotten used to her lunches as well. It was him who disrupted the status quo by leaving, but everyone saw it coming. He assumed that she did as well, after all Tennis, Ponta, Karupin and a little oxygen we're his only must haves for living

But only ghost haunts the living right? and a thought crossed his mind about a dead Ryuzaki Sakuno, dismissing it as it came- he knew he's just over analyzing things, Ryuzaki won't die early, between the two of them? he'd probably be the one who'll die young, and it's probably due to acidity for taking so much grape flavored soda everyday.

Ryoma once thought of visiting a doctor- but his pride just wouldn't let itself get murdered, he dismissed the idea urgently. Maybe it's natural since back in middle school and high school he was used to having Ryuzaki around him, it's a ritual- she's one of the few females who doesn't scream for a piece of him, or throws under wears in his lockers that could supply the whole Japan.

Ryoma desperately needed an opinion in his Psychological problems, but he refused to talk to Kamada about it, and would rather dig his own grave than talk to his Oyaji, and the last resort left Nanako- yes indeed, his cousin who leaves downtown, very accessible choice. He couldn't remember what he actually told her but it's somewhere along the line of: 'Dreams' and 'girl', which made her exude into fits of giggles saying something like: "I'm very sorry, but i just can't help it. I always imagined you in your deathbed- alone, with your racquet and a tennis ball. Im so happy you're not a homo after all." Which sent a stomping tennis prince out of the door, some cousin she was, questioning his sexuality.

Ryuzaki's driving his homeostasis below the range, he is physically healthy but starting to question his own state of mind. Hell, he even dreamt about her bentos.

The bentos' another thing too, but it was rationally explainable, it's been four years since he ate a real Japanese food, even the top class Japanese Restaurants just couldn't get how he wanted his Tamagoyaki, or the proper mix of his Nabe and the worst of all, and these people get Ootoro and Akami confused, geez.

He swore if Ryuzaki and Rinko were here, they'd topple down the restaurants when they tasted their Nabe, and some other dishes that quite suited his taste.

It's been years and yet he received no letters from her ever since summer began, not one from the senpai-tachis and even trio who swore to keep him updated, not that he mind, but they're not the kind of people who would just let him off the hook just because he's miles away from Japan.

He got taller, a lot of magazines wanted him for their cover, but only few got the chance- and Ponta had something to do with it. Sports merchandise like Nike, Adidas and the sorts have been on the line up as well, Ryoma wouldn't mind indorsing useful things like that- as long as the under wear indorsing does not come into the picture, he's a tennis player for Pete's sakes! Kamada knew Ryoma's cup of tea, or at least Ryoma thought he does.

Kamada lived up to Ryoma's expectations as of the moment, a proof is that Ryoma hadn't appeared to any billboards with nothing but briefs or boxers on, and if ever that would happen- he'd cut his throat with a bread knife than have his Oyaji laugh the living daylights out of him.

A few minutes drive from the press con, he was back in his oversized house in New York, Rinko- his mother, insisted on it. She went on something like if she gets tired of throwing Nanjiro's magazines she might plan to move in with Ryoma, It wouldn't hurt to have her though, after all, his mother cooks Japanese foods, it would be nice to have her here.

"Oh, by the way. Ryoma, you have another invitation from-."

"I'll pass."

"Really. I thought you'd be interested going back to Japan." Kamada chuckled.

Ryoma raised a brow at this, now that's something he doesn't hear everyday. He checked at his mobile calendar, after four years Japan will finally cater a tournament. The queasy feeling started, and he knew he's looking forward to it.

The mere thought of how she had been in the past few years made him feel uncomfortable, she sent him no letters or emails at all, there's nothing wrong with worrying about a friend right? Before he left, he'd bet his life on it that the person who might actually keep in touch with him would be her, but Ryuzaki proved to him otherwise.

Che. If they couldn't care less about him, it would be so out of his character to dwell on it other wise, hah!He'd play in the Japan Cup and surely would win.

It'll be the first Japan Cup he'll play into if that's the case, surely his rivals won't let this pass right? especially Atobe and Tezuka, oh how he'd look forward to meet them across the courts.

"Oi, Ryoma, what do you say it's quite a grand offer you-."

"Book me up for the tournament."

"Now we're talking." Kamada chuckled as he started dialling numbers in his phone.

It wouldn't hurt to have a re-match to Atobe, Yukimura, and most of all Tezuka. They'd better be in the tournament, and she'd better be watching or else…

Okay, maybe he'll get into some sidelines, just a little. It wouldn't hurt to peek in right? After all Ryuzaki had done for him all throughout Middle to High School, and The Ichinens too. It's the least he could do to at least show them a little bit of gratitude, that's all.

He smirked at himself, yes. Maybe that's it, he's having these hallucinations because his conscience bothered him about not being able to look back where he came from, and then right after that He would prove his cousin wrong about the chokingly impossible romance she's insisting him into.

He never really entertained the idea because it was rather silly. Ryuzaki was his coach's grand daughter, given that, he's not really a fan of anything that involves romance, which earned him a sickness called: Romance Retardation (courtesy of his Oyaji.). When his high school English teacher asked them to write an essay about their definition of love and romance, he wrote something about the feelings he had for a certain Himalayan four legs. He made history and flunked his first English paper ever.

But he was twelve back then! Ryoma was a late bloomer, his puberty attack was when he's eighteen! And he's as dense when he was twelve! He hadn't heard of hormones until he reached nineteen!Why must girls mature earlier than males?! He doesn't know.

He started to brush things off, hoping that it might be his imagination. It didn't help, She transgressed in his dreams- and the bento always made itself present which actually pissed hims every morning, Ryoma realized that maybe he just had to accept that finally he had proven himself a little less human than his racquet.

So that lead him to another conclusion, Ryuzaki is the closest to a girlfriend he could have and right about now when his hormones is at their best condition she just happens to be their fetish. There! no harm done! all good!

He hadn't changed much, well, his pride had grown bigger but his ego soared, finally his genes flourished and made him proud, he's no 'chibi' anymore. Screw Eiji-senpai for calling him that, Ryoma would bet he's the tallest in the team now, or so he hoped.

Dark locks grew longer but Ryoma had it maintained the way it was before, he didn't like his hair long. It makes look so old and dirty, much like his Oyaji when he was young.

"The tournament's three months from now, be sure to stay in shape until then." Kamada sighed as he flopped his mobile phone to the car seat.

"Mada mada dane." Ryoma smirked.

Ryoma went out of the car, slamming the door and headed straight into his room. He decided to have a rest, and put his theory to the test. If Ryuzaki might visit him in one of his dreams again, but this time he can't let the bento pass untouched and he'll definitely eat it this time.

TZUZUKU

AN: JUNK OR NOT?
You know the drill, please tell me. okay?
If the feedbacks are good, i'll continue.
The next chapter is Sakuno's POV.