"I'm Adam William. Nice to meet you."

Ryoma looked at the outstretched hand Adam offered before shaking it and murmuring a quick 'hello'.

"So let's get down to business. Have you ever heard of blue chip?" Adam asked.

Ryoma frowned. It is quiet familiar but he can't remember where he heard it. Ryuzaki-sensei and Oishi's eyes widened. They haven't heard the real reason why this man suddenly appeared and asked permission from the principal to talk to Ryoma. He just introduced himself and avoided the topic earlier. Now they knew the reason. Tezuka, however remained stoic.

"Blue chip players are players rated as excellent and have proven themselves in their respected sports." Adam continued. "They are sought after because they are likely to have an impact on teams that acquire them. In other words. You were recently labeled as a blue chip and I am here to scout you."

Although it schocked Ryoma a bit, he remained impassive.

Several minutes have passed and Ryoma was lost in thought. Should he go for it? He will likely meet a strong opponent easier that way and polish his tennis. Yet something was bothering him. He cannot shake of the feeling that something is preventing him from accepting the offer.

He sighed and closed his eyes before leaning his head on the couch. This was giving him a headache. A flash of brown hair and a soft gentle laugh appeared in his mind. It was the girl from before. Who was she? Why appear now?

Adam cleared his throat in an attempt to break the ice.

"I will give you 3 days to think about my offer. During that time, several other scouts will approach you, not only from Japan but from other country as well. As I've said before, you were recently labeled as a blue chip. Good Luck." Adam said and stood.

He looked at Ryuzaki-sensei and the other two teens.

"I better go. Thank you for lending your time. I would appreciate if you help Ryoma-kun make his decision." He said with a smile as he shook hands with the coach.

He turned and was about to leave when he heard Ryoma called him.

"Ne. About your offer." Ryoma started.

Adam went back and stood near the couch Ryoma was occupying.

Ryoma opened his eyes and sat properly, and looked at Adam.

"I'm sorry but I decline."

This shocked Oishi and Ryuzaki-sensei although they have no right to question Ryoma's choice.

Adam was not surprised one bit though. From his facial expression, he clearly expected that Ryoma will turn down his offer.

"I see. So you still honor your promise with her" he murmured.

Her?

"Who?" Ryoma asked.

Adam's face was masked with confusion at first. Then realization hit him.

" You forgot about her yet you kept your promise." he said fascinated, completely ignoring Ryoma's question. He looked at Ryuzaki-sensei who shook her head, indicating that now is not the time.

Ryoma was getting agitated. Who was she? He knows her?

"I asked you a question. Who is she?" he said through gritted teeth.

But Adam only shook his head.

"It's not my story to tell." he muttered sadly. "You'll know about her soon, seeing as there is an improvement on her health."

Ryoma knows that the last part was meant to be a secret yet he heard it. He kept quiet, afraid he might force the older man to answer his questions. His father has a lot of explaining to do.

xxxxx

As Ryoma entered the court, a blur of red hair suddenly tackled him with a hug.

"Ne. Ochibi~ Who was it? Your visitor? Girlfriend?" Kikumaru Eiji asked as he glomped on the first year.

Ryoma tried to removed the arms that were cutting him off oxygen.

"Eiji-sempai! Can't breathe" he grunted.

"Eiji!"

Suddenly the weight was lifted off him. He turned to see Oishi holding back a whining Eiji.

He sighed. That's sempai will be the death of him. Literally.

Suddenly, Eiji became quiet as he stared at Tezuka as he entered the court.

"What's the commotion all about?"

His eyes scanned the court as everyone greeted him. Then his eyes zeroed on Eiji who quickly removed himself from Tezuka's vision by hiding behind his doubles partner.

"Eiji. Go run 5 laps." he ordered as he went towards Ryoma.

"Echizen. It's your decision to tell the others what happened. But I suggest you do to avoid misunderstanding."

Ryoma nodded briefly.

"I'll tell them now."

Tezuka stared at Ryoma before turning his back on him.

"Regulars! Gather around!"he called.

When they were complete, even Eiji who just finished his last lap, Ryoma cleared his throat.

"I was told that I was recently labeled as a blue chip and was scouted."

The rest of the regulars blinked.

"EHHH?!"

They all gaped at Ryoma except Fuji, Inui, Oishi and Trezuka.

Inui scanned his notes before re-adjusting his glasses.

"The probability of Echizen being scouted is 100%"

"Omedetto, Echizen-kun" Fuji smiled at him.

The rest got over their shock and started congratulating Ryoma.

"I declined." Ryoma said deadpanned.

All of them were schocked. How could he decline something so easily.

"B-but why?" Momoshiro asked.

Ryoma shrugged and walked away to buy ponta.

All the regulars stared at his retreating back before turning to Tezuka for explanation.

"He has his reasons. All we can do is respect his decision."

xxxxx

Ryoma picked up the grape ponta from the vending machine and opening it. He took a sip as he closed his eyes. He was getting annoyed at the fact that he can't remember the girl Adam was talking about before. But her laugh, it calms him down. Even though he can't seem to remember her, he knew her from the bottom of his heart.

"Ryoma-kun?" A soft voice interrupted his train of thoughts.

He turned to see Ryuzaki Sakuno, holding a tennis racket and wearing the girls' tennis uniform.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"What else am I going to do with a vending machine." he said as he showed her his ponta.

Sakuno blushed before mumbling a quick 'right.'

"I see that you're still playing tennis. Your hair's still long." Ryoma observed.

If possible, Sakuno blushed even more. She doesn't think it's too long though.

"It's not. Stop teasing me." she pouted.

He's surprised that she's not that shy anymore. He guess 3 years can change a person. She does look mature now and taller but not as tall as him. She just need to work on her blushing.

Suddenly a clear picture of a girl flashed on his mind. He knew right there and then who the girl was. All his forgotten memories came rushing back. How they met. Her smile. Her laugh. The accident.

Sakuno noticed that Ryoma seemed frozen and called him.

But Ryoma was in his own world. He dropped his ponta as he said one word that gave Sakuno a horrible feeling.

"Arisa."

And then he was off.