Hey, everyone, I actually updated in a normal rate, haha. I can't make any promises though... The reason is because I already wrote the first three chapters... After that, I can't say. But winter break is upon us, so maybe I can, who knows XD And speaking of winter break's approaching, there's also the thought of finals... I wish you all good luck who has final this coming week, I do *sigh*.

Anyway, as a reminder, free to PM me or review if you have any questions about the story! Please review to tell me how the story is going!

By the way, I actually feel guilty for ending up making "A Rose Hidden in Bushes" a non-romance story, so I'm planning to write a side-story, a one-shot, about how Miyuki and Marui end up together, what do you guys think? Solange's is going to help me with ideas (thank you! You're a life-saver!) But if any of you have an idea, please tell me :) Very appreciate it.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Prince of Tennis


"Miyuki, hurry up or you'll be late for your first day of school!" Komatsu shouted, trying to wake her niece up, while she prepared for breakfast.

"I'm up! I'm up!" Miyuki exclaimed as she was running down the stair while she was putting her materials into her schoolbag. "I'm already… Woah!" Her proclaim was cut short when she slipped on the floor.

"Oh, wait, I just wax the…" Komatsu tried to warn her niece, which came a bit too late as she saw Miyuki basically slid across the living room. "Floor…"

"Ow…" Miyuki laughed sheepishly while rubbing her now aching head. "That's going to leave a mark…"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…" Miyuki checked her head to see if there were any bumps.

"So how did you sleep last night?"

"Aunt Komatsu, you've been asking this question for a week now. I slept fine," Miyuki sighed. She had been at Osaka for the past week, and she had been basically sightseeing Naniwa to get used to her new hometown. This week was the last week of summer and school started once again. "Actually, I was so excited that I went to bed earlier last night, so I'll be able to wake up early," she stuck her tongue out in guilt.

"Well, better not let your efforts go to waste," Komatsu laughed. "So come and sit down."

"Okay," Miyuki cheerfully hummed and sat down.

"Miyuki," Komatsu called. "Where did you find those cute flowers?" Komatsu asked as she pointed at the two purple flowers that kept Miyuki's hair in pigtails (like Inori from Guilty Crown).

"Oh, these, I found them at the train station when I got here," Miyuki revealed as she bushed her hair lightly. "They're so cute that I couldn't resist, so I brought them." Miyuki smiled.

"I don't think anyone could have resisted them," Komatsu laughed. "Now, hurry up, don't want to be late on your first day."

"Right," Miyuki nodded as she shoved the rest of the food in her mouth. After she had finished her breakfast and said her goodbye, she left the house. Her aunt was kind enough to give her direction to the school. Although, she was glad that she was also able to follow a crowd of students who were wearing the same uniform as her. "No way should I get lost now." Miyuki thought to herself, remembering how often people had commented about her lack of direction (and she agrees, but hates to admit).

"Ah… Ecstasy, glad you were able to find the school," a voice greeted her as Miyuki was just about to walk past the gate.

"Ku-san!" Miyuki knew exactly who that voice belonged to when she heard the infamous catchphrase, running up to the boy, happy to have found the Shitenhoji tennis captain already. Although she suddenly came to a halt and started to walk toward to the boy, "I… I mean Shiraishi-sempai."

After hearing that respond, Shiraishi gave her a confused look. "What's with the 'sempai'?"

"I thought it would be appropriate since I go here now," Miyuki tapped her index fingers together.

"I see," Shiraishi smiled. "But you don't have to." When he saw Miyuki gave him a surprised look, he continued, "I like it more when you called me 'Ku-san' anyway."

"Okay, Ku-san, it is then," Miyuki grinned, clapping her hands together. "But why are you here? I thought you have practice today."

"We did, but I just want to make sure you're able to find the teachers' office," Shiraishi explained. "Osamu-sensei said it's okay for me to leave practice a bit early today."

"If you say so," Miyuki nodded, convinced by his words. "Let's go then."

"Hey, don't run off, I don't want to lose you," Shiraishi shouted as he hastily caught up with the girl. As they continued to walk Shiraishi pointed out some important landscapes around the school with Miyuki responding or questioning every now and then. People around them, especially the girls, were whispering each other, wondering who the girl was, who dared walking and talking to 'their' Shiraishi.

"Who is that girl?" one of them whispered.

"And how dare she walk so close to Shiraishi-sama?" another questioned (these were just a few of the nicer ones).

"Well, here you go," Shiraishi said as he opened the door for the blonde-girl.

"Thanks for taking me, Ku-san," Miyuki said as she stepped into the office. "Well, then, see you around school," she couldn't help but started to giggle. "Sorry, just never thought have to say that to you."

"Same here," Shiraishi laughed. "See you around. Oh," he stopped his track just as he remembered something to tell the girl. "Komatsu-san asked me to walk you home today, so I'll meet you at the gate after practice, okay?"

"Got it," Miyuki gave him a thumb-up to indicate that the message had been received.

"Hayashi-san?" a teacher called when he saw the girl standing at the door, assuming it was the new student. Miyuki decided to keep the name 'Hayashi' in honor of the family that had taken care of her all these years, instead of taking her mother's maid name 'Akiyama'.

"Hai?" Miyuki turned around when she heard her name called.

"Good to see you again, I'm your homeroom teacher, Yoshino Daisuke," the teacher introduced himself as he held out his hand. Miyuki had visited the school once before during the last week for Shitenhouji (this year, before summer break started) since Komatsu had to work that day (and her sons had gone to that school).

"Nice to meet you, Yoshino-sensei," Miyuki shook his hand.

"Alright, here is the list of your classes and textbooks you need to buy," Yoshino said as he went to his drawer and took out a few papers. "You can buy those books at the school's convenience store, which is at the end of this hall, next to the lunch room."

"Okay," Miyuki took the paper and started to scan through it. "Thank you so much."

"Alright, shall we head to class then?" Yoshino asked as he grabbed his suitcase and started to head toward the door. The girl obediently followed her new teacher. When he slid the door opened, he found a bunch of girls standing in front of the door (waiting to teach Miyuki, the new girl, a lesson about being too close to the most popular guy in the school). "What are you all doing here? Get to class, now!" Yoshino ordered, wondering what could those girls possibly wanted.

"Yes, sir!" The girls shrieked before starting to run away in panic. Miyuki poked her head out just in time to see all the girls running away like a group of lost, scared lambs.

"Weird…" was the only word that Miyuki could think of to explain the situation she had just seen.

The two of them then walked silently to their class. Miyuki thought it was an awkward silence, but she couldn't think of anything to say to a person she had just met and an adult. Before she realized, however, they were already at the classroom door.

"Alright, wait here until I mention your name, okay?" Yoshino informed, which was responded by a nod from the new student. Yoshino then slid the door open. "Good morning class. As some of you probably already know we have a new student today. She had visited the school once, so some of you might remember her. Either way, be nice to our new student. Hayashi Miyuki, you may come in now."

When Miyuki heard her name being called, she took a breather before opening the door and walked up next to Yoshino. "I'm Hayashi Miyuki, nice to meet you all… again."

"Alright, Hayashi-san, since Yamamoto-san is here today, I'm afraid you are unable to sit at the same spot when you visited," Yoshino revealed. "However, there is a new vacant spot opened up still next to Zaizen-san, so you may take that seat."

"Okay," Miyuki obeyed as she started to walk toward her now assigned seat.


After Class (the last one in this classroom)

The bell rang, which indicated that class was over.

"Alright, class, remember to read pages 20 to 25 and do the questions on page 25 for tomorrow," Yoshino reminded the entire class before he started to leave the classroom.

"Okay," Zaizen said as he got up and walked toward Miyuki's desk. "Our next class is Introduction to Comedy. The classroom is at the end of this hallway, so let's go."

"Okay," Miyuki said as she continued to materials back into her bag.

The duo began to exit the class until they were stopped when a girl ran into Zaizen. The girl also had a cup of water, which was spilled all over Zaizen's uniform.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," the girl said with a high pitched voice, which annoyed the ear-pierced boy in so many ways.

"It's fine," Zaizen sighed, wiping away some water from his uniform before those droplets could sink into his shirt. "Hayashi-san, I'm going to go clean up, so you'll have to go to the class yourself. The classroom is at the end of the hallway," He repeated to remind her. "You can't miss it, but if you do get lost somehow, just follow everyone else… Or just ask."

"Got it," Miyuki watched Zaizen as he started to walk toward the bathroom.

"Wait! I'll help you clean up!" The girl pushed Miyuki aside and started to chase after the raven-haired boy. In respond, Zaizen sped up, trying to avoid or loose the girl. He even waved his hand to tell her to stay away from him.


Introduction to Comedy Classroom

Miyuki slowly poked her head into the classroom to make sure this was indeed the place for her next lesson. When she recognized some of the students from the previous class and the fact that the chalkboard had "Introduction to Comedy" written on it, she entered the classroom. She then began to walk around, wondering if there was designated seating. After a while, Miyuki just decided to just seat wherever she wanted and moved when someone told her to. She then grabbed a seat that was in the middle of the classroom.

"I wouldn't seat there if I were you," a voice suggested behind Miyuki, causing the girl to jump and turn around. The voice came from a girl with a short braid, starting from her chin, tied only on her left front side, along with a long, feathered-shape earring (like Yuna's from FFX) on her left ear. The girl had amber hair and forest eyes. She had her hand casually placed on her chin.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is this your seat?" Miyuki asked.

The student, who was currently sitting in a desk, looked at Miyuki confusedly and then shifted her eyes left and right, wondering if the girl was seriously asking her that question. "Do I look like I need a seat?"

"Oh, right, sorry," Miyuki laughed sheepishly, embarrassed by the stupid question she had just asked this student. "I guess there is assigned seating then?" Miyuki asked as she picked up her stuffs and walked toward the girl.

"Nope," the girl shook her head. "By the way, you can sit here," she pointed at the seat next to her. "If you want."

"Thank you," Miyuki lightly bowed as she moved to her new spot.

"I'm Yamamoto Hikari, by the way," the student, Hikari, introduced herself.

"Oh, cool, you have the name as Zaizen-kun," Miyuki said as she was taking out her materials from her bag again.

"Yeah…" Hikari sighed. "Don't remind me," she shook her head slowly, beginning to remember some (rabid) fangirls were mad at her for having the same name as Zaizen, as if she had anything to do with her parents' naming her.

"So why did you tell me not to sit there even though there isn't assigned seat?" Miyuki curiously asked after a brief moment of silence between them.

"Oh, that," Hikari shut her eyes. "Because that's Shizuka Yuriko's spot." When Miyuki gave her confused look, she continued. "Shizuka is the most popular girl in the second year students. She can get any guy to do whatever she wants."

"I see…"

"Ah, and speaking of which, now you get a chance to see what I mean," Hikari pointed at the 'Yuriko's' chair, which was occupied by a boy. The boy had short, spiky, black hair.

"Get off my seat!" Yuriko shrieked in horror, seeing the boy sitting in her seat. "Oh my gosh, what's wrong with you? Boys! Get him off my seat!" Yuriko ordered some boys, which they obediently followed and started to crowd the boy.

"Oh, I guess it is. Sorry," the boy apologized as he got up and started to move to the back of the classroom avoiding those other classmen, while repeating the word 'sorry'.

"Smooth," Hikari sarcastically said as the male student walked passed her and Miyuki.

"Hey, at least she talked to me!" The boy argued. "As long as her angelic voice is spoken towards me, I'm happy!" He said in a daydreaming voice as he floated down onto a seat in front of Hikari. "That's better interaction than you two could ever have."

"That's because I don't like her!" Hikari emphasized her point. "Besides, she will never notice you. She's too busy kissing up to Zaizen."

"Please don't remind me," he sighed. "Who is this anyway?" He asked finally realizing Miyuki was sitting next to Hikari.

"I'm Hayashi Miyuki. I'm the new student today," Miyuki smiled.

"Oh, so you're the new girl, nice to meet you," the boy waved. "I'm Hamasaki Ryota."

"Oi, Ryota, look, here's your 'competition'," Hikari joked as she saw Zaizen walking into the classroom.

"Argh, great," Ryota looked to the side annoyingly. He never understood why someone like him (who could care less about anything) is so popular toward everyone (especially the girls).

"Zaizen-san, once again, I'm so sorry for what happened earlier," Yuriko immediately got up from her seat when the raven-haired boy walked in.

In respond, Zaizen simply walked passed her, with annoyed face since his shirt was still damp and he had to hear her voice again. He continued to walk until he reached his usual spot, which was on the other side of Hikari's spot.

"She's talking to you already? Wow, that's probably the earliest," Hikari teased. "So what's her excuse today?"

"She spilled water on me," Zaizen sighed, pulling his shirt down a bit to prove his point.

"At least you don't have to wash your shirt now," Hikari joked, which was returned by a glare from Zaizen. "Hey, don't worry, it'll dry up." Before he could reply back to her, the bell rang and their teacher walked in. Zaizen sighed, while giving her a 'this isn't over' look.


After Class

"That was weirdest class I have ever been through," Miyuki stated after class, feeling exhausted from learning all sorts of ways to make and tell a joke.

"Well, get used to it," Hikari said as she placed her hand on Miyuki's desk for support. "You need to take at least one comedian class every year. It's required, no matter how much some people don't want to take it," she sighed.

"You don't like jokes?" Miyuki asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Let's just say that wasn't the reason that I joined this school," Hikari answered.

"Okay," Miyuki nodded her head. "Hey, want to come to lunch with me and Zaizen-kun?" Miyuki invited as Zaizen was patiently waiting next to them.

"Why not?" Hikari shrugged her shoulders as she looked at the raven-haired boy. The three of them then walked to the rooftop where the rest of the regulars were eating as well.

"Great you guys came. Eh? Yuki-chan and Hikari-chan, I didn't know you two are friends," Shiraishi greeted them as they entered the rooftop.

"We weren't till last period," Hikari explained.

"Ah… Ecstasy."

"Yamamoto Hikari, what are you doing here?" Kenya got up from his seat and asked with a hint of shock in his tone. "Are you here to challenge me to a race? I would take you on, but as you can see, I'm eating right now."

"Don't flatter yourself, since when did I ever challenge you during lunch break?" Hikari narrowed her eyes. "I want to eat too, you know. But don't worry; the day will come when I crush you in a race." She said as she formed her hand into a fist.

"Ha, don't count on it! The Speed Star of Naniwa is always a step ahead of you!" Kenya said, proudly hitting his chest.

"And don't count on that! I WILL beat you before you graduate!" Hikari proclaimed. Afterward she took out her lunch and started to eat (quite fast). Kenya, as usual, was eating fast as well. Before long, they started to glare at each other. Soon afterward, the two of them turned this into an eating contest.

"And this is why Kenya-san and Yamamoto-san shouldn't eat together," Zaizen explained before grabbing a piece of meat from his bento.

"How in the world would I know that?" Miyuki defended herself. "You didn't say anything about that," she mumbled the last part.

"I thought it would be funny to watch," Zaizen shrugged his shoulder while watching his two idiot friends competing their hearts out over who could finish their food first, before taking his phone out and hit 'Record.'


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