Hi

Hi! This is Crys, posting the 3rd chapter of Love so Sweet.

(inhales…)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'M BUSTED!!

(sulks) I was planning to say this in the later chapters but… I can't believe almost everyone suspects as much… Fine… What inspired me to write this is Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flowers, as many of you suspected. Actually, the title was a clue already since "Love so Sweet" is the name of the season 2's opening song. Whoops! Don't sue me; I'm not finished yet. Though some scenes here in Love so Sweet (LSS) resemble Hana Yori Dango, only "some" do. Not all of them, I tell you. I never recall Tsukushi Makino to be a cross-dresser or that the F4 enjoy tennis. As I said, it did inspire me but I didn't and I never will, copy the whole plotline of Hana Yori Dango.

So please, I beg you, don't think that just because LSS is based loosely on Hana Yori Dango means there won't be any new moments. Of course there will be! Trust me on this, kay?

Now, on to the story…

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Bold- English

Italics- Flashback

'Dialogue'- Thoughts

"Dialogue"- Spoken Dialogue

Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis.

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Love so Sweet

CHAPTER 3: The Wrath of a God's Fury

Currently, it was nighttime of Ryoma's first day in school. He was in their living room (that actually doubles as a dining room because of the lack of space). There was a small table in the middle of the room. There were worn-out chairs surrounding the rickety-looking table. Ryoma sat in one, bouncing a ball against the frame of his racket. His oyaji was reading the newspaper (with a porn magazine inside) across him. Rinko was making dinner in the kitchen. Ryoga was in his room.

Ryoma bounced the ball quite high but managed to make it land in the face of his racket effortlessly. Then he said, "Ne, oyaji…"

Nanjirou replied without looking up from his magazine, "What, seishonen?"

"Why… did you make me dress up as a girl?"

A few seconds of silence. Then his oyaji doubled up in laughter, almost dropping the magazine and the newspaper.

"What's so funny about me asking?" Ryoma asked, flushing.

"Ahahahahahahaha!" His oyaji continued to laugh.

Ryoma's face became clouded with worry. "Don't… don't tell me you just made up that scheme just so you could see me in a girl's dress?"

"Ahaha! Seishonen! I never thought you'd ask!"

"Well, then what?"

"Not telling, se-i-sho-nen! Find out for yourself! Ahaha!" Nanjirou replied as he stood up tucking his magazine and newspaper under his arm and went away to who-knows-where, leaving Ryoma frustrated.

"YOU DIDN'T ANSWER MY QUESTION! OYAJI!!"

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Ryoma was in very damp spirits as he made his way to Ryuuren. His oyaji never bothered to answer his question at all that night. Did his oyaji just want to make fun of him in a girl's dress? He sighed.

Then he felt something was wrong.

It was awfully quiet.

He glanced around. There weren't any other students entering Ryuuren! He was alone!

Was he late? He shivered at the thought. He looked at the clock as he stopped in front of the school. 7:45 a.m. He was nowhere near late. Or was he too early?

(A/N: They start classes at 8:30, right? Or am I wrong?)

As he stepped into the campus, he felt that something bad was going to happen. The unusual silence was giving him the creeps. No sign of any students OR teachers for that matter. What was going on?

He shrugged off the tingling feeling and proceeded to the main building door… only to be drowned in a bucket of water.

"WHAT THE HECK?!"

His entire uniform was dripping wet, as well as his hair (luckily his wig didn't fall). And yes, even his bag was drenched.

Ryoma removed the bucket that fell on top of his head. But as he did so, balls pelted at him from all directions.

"AAAAH!" He started to run for his life.

'What in the blue blazes is going on?!'

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Ryoma panted, gasping for breath, as he pushed open the door that he first managed to get in.

He slumped to the floor, with his back on the wall. His hair was completely tousled; his uniform completely in disarray. He closed his eyes and sighed.

As he opened his eyes, he stared. He had entered the boys' comfort room. Thank God no one was there or he might have received… unnecessary stares.

But one thing was bugging his mind: What was going on?

He tried to at least look at his attackers while he ran and judging from what he saw, they were students.

'But why would they do this?'

Crreak… His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Sakuno came in.

"Ryoma-chan!" she shouted with worry in her face.

"Ah, Sakuno…" Ryoma replied in recognition.

"So this is where you've been hiding?" she asked.

"Uh, that's right… Anyway, can you tell me what's going on?"

Sakuno smiled bitterly. "Well, you see, it's the full brunt of Fuji-senpai's challenge to you."

"His challenge to me?" Ryoma raised an eyebrow.

"Well, he challenged you, didn't he? And you accepted it."

"Oh, that red ball?"

"Yes, that was it. And now, you're facing the wrath of one of the Four Gods' fury."

"But why does everyone attack me? Not just him?"

Sakuno sighed. "Didn't you know that Fuji-senpai's family owns this school?"

"NANI?!"

"That's right. So technically, the whole student body follows him."

"And?"

"And that's why challenging him is almost like challenging the whole student body. You're in big trouble, you know."

"…I don't care."

"Huh? But why?"

"Well, if I succumb to their pranks, the more they'll bully me, right? So I'm gonna fight back."

"But are you sure? If you're going to fight back, I might not be able to help you, sorry."

"Nah. I don't want you involved anyway. This is my fight. And even if you did want to help me, I won't let you."

"I'm really sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Now go before they attack you too."

"But what about class? It's going to start soon."

"Hmm… Maybe I'll skip this morning."

"But…"

"Just go, okay?"

"Er… All right."

Sakuno stood up with a worried look but she hurried outside anyway.

Ryoma took a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he opened them, blazing determination flared in his eyes.

'So this is your challenge, huh? I won't back down. Never.'

The door opened again. Ryoma thought Sakuno returned. However, as he prepared to tell her to return to class, he was surprised at the sight that greeted his eyes.

A tall, brunette with matching color eyes wearing transparent glasses entered the room. He was wearing Ryuuren's uniform but that's not what diverted Ryoma's attention.

It was the fact that the guy's left arm was in a cast.

The guy stared at Ryoma, taking in his obvious disheveled appearance.

"What are you doing here? This is the boys' comfort room," he asked in a deep, commanding yet calm voice.

Ryoma didn't know what to say.

The tall guy studied Ryoma further. Then he asked a question that made Ryoma wonder whether he was a psychic.

"Were you challenged by a member of the Four Gods?"

Ryoma froze. How did that guy know? "Er… Well, yeah…"

The bespectacled guy remained silent. Ryoma asked, "Um, if you don't mind me asking… who are you?"

"Tezuka Kunimitsu."

'Tezuka?' Ryoma wondered. Now where had he heard that name before?

Meanwhile, Tezuka was also in deep thought. 'Why are you challenging girls now, Fuji? Is your sadness over that accident still lingering in you?'

"Um…" Ryoma broke the silence. "Are you… a member of the tennis club?"

'How did he…' "That's right. I'm the captain."

'Ah, so I was right. He is the guy that those two were talking about yesterday…' Another question popped into his mind. "H-how did you know that I was challenged by one of the Four Gods?"

"Well, I know very well how a challenger looks like. I am one of the Four Gods after all." As he said that, he pulled out a green ball from his pocket.

'EHHHHH?!' Ryoma was shocked at that.

Tezuka then returned the ball to his pocket. "But I've never challenged anyone. Fuji always does though. And Atobe as well."

"Ah. I see."

"Anyway, you should get going. It won't do for anyone to find you in here and raise unnecessary questions."

"But I'll be pelted at again."

"No. Classes have already started. Students won't be in the corridors. You'll be safe. For now, though. But if you show yourself during lunch break and dismissal time, you'll be in trouble."

"Err… thanks for the advice." Ryoma said as he stood up. "But why are you telling me this? You're one of the Four Gods. Shouldn't you be helping Fuji instead?"

"I don't help him if his actions are unreasonable. Now you should go."

"Umm… Okay. And thanks," Ryoma said as he pushed the door open and went out of sight.

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Ryoma walked down the hallways, carefully avoiding anyone passing through. Tezuka was right; there weren't any students though teachers were making their way towards classrooms.

'Tezuka sure was kind. I'm surprised he's actually a member of the Four Gods!' He checked around to make sure the coast was clear. 'What should I do now? I can't barge in while class is going on. I have to wait for lunch break. But the students will be more likely to attack me by then.'

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Lunch bell rang. Students began leaving their rooms, chatting or preparing to go to the cafeteria.

Ryoma, on the other hand, took this time to approach Sakuno who was alone inside the classroom.

"Sakuno…"

"Ryoma-chan!"

"Ssh! Someone might hear, you know."

"Ah, sorry. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. So how was class? Was Mikagami-sensei angry that I was absent?"

"No. He knew you were challenged. Don't worry, I'll tell you about the lessons later."

"Thanks. So even the teachers know?"

"Of course. You're practically like a celebrity here. Well, only that the students attack you with balls."

"Shoot. And I was hoping to remain unknown so that people won't tease me for being poor…"

Sakuno became worried. "Of course they won't Ryoma-chan."

"Yeah. But why do the teachers allow this?"

"Maybe because Fuji-senpai's family owns this school?"

"You've got a point. So-"

The door suddenly slid open and in came three boys, obviously seniors. One of them saw Ryoma and pointed, "Hey look! It's that girl who got challenged by Fuji!"

Ryoma turned and saw them. He quickly dashed towards the opposite door because they chased him.

However, as he got outside the room and into the corridor, his appearance attracted the attention of the chatting students.

"Look! There she is!"

"She got away this morning! We've got to make sure she doesn't escape this time!"

"Get her!"

Ryoma didn't waste anymore time. He scrambled away with a horde of students behind him.

And luckily (or unluckily), he opened a door which he thought was an escape route.

A clatter of spoons and forks. The smell of food.

The cafeteria.

"Oh, you're here."

Ryoma froze at the voice. It was…

Fuji, who sat on a comfortable plush chair with Atobe and another guy beside him, smiled. "Echizen Ryoma. It's nice to see you."

"And it's NOT nice for me to see YOU of all people," Ryoma retorted, "what's the deal with sending the whole student body after me?"

Fuji cocked his head to one side. "Huh? Didn't you accept the challenge?"

"I did. But this was supposed to be between the two of us. Why involve everyone? Is it because you're afraid you can't beat me in a fair fight?"

Fuji smiled. "Oh, it's not because of that. This is the form of MY challenge. You accepted it so you were sure you could endure it, did you not? Or are you telling me that you're giving up? My, I never expected you would give up so easily."

"And who said I'm giving up? I never said anything like that!" Ryoma shouted.

"Is that so? Let's continue then." He snapped his fingers.

At the snap, students prepared to pelt at Ryoma again but the sudden opening of the cafeteria door and a deep voice that shouted "That's enough!" put the students to a halt.

Everyone looked at the newcomer. Ryoma gasped when he saw who it was.

"Tezuka!" the other boy beside Fuji yelled. He had short silver hair.

"Saeki." Tezuka replied calmly in recognition. Then he turned to Fuji and the "attackers". "This has gone far enough, Fuji."

Fuji frowned. "But this is my challenge, Tezuka."

Tezuka's tone became serious. "Fuji, about that accident, venting your frustration on others won't help."

Fuji sighed and leaned back on his chair. He remained silent for a while.

Meanwhile, Ryoma was confused. What was that accident? He knew it was not his business to know but it appears to have some connection with Fuji. 'What could it be?'

Then after a few minutes, Fuji spoke up, "Fine. Enough for today." He turned to Ryoma. "You're lucky that Tezuka interfered. Well, he probably pitied you a bit; you are the first girl who took on my challenge, after all."

He stood up and Atobe and Saeki followed suit. The students parted to the sides to make way for them as they went out of the cafeteria.

The students then left one by one though some remained to finish their lunch. Ryoma was left standing alone in the middle of the cafeteria, still in a daze over the latest events. Tezuka's tapping on his shoulder brought him to his senses.

He asked, "Are you all right?"

Ryoma blushed a bit in hearing Tezuka's worried voice. He couldn't believe how stupid he must have looked when he replied in a stuttering voice, "A-ah.. I-I'm just f-fine. T-thanks." Then he quickly left.

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Later that day, in Fuji's mansion which was definitely even bigger than the academy, Fuji, Atobe and Saeki were inside the living room, lounging around with drinks. Fuji lay down on a long couch. Atobe was sitting on a single plush divan basking in his drink. Saeki sat opposite him and beside the couch where Fuji lay, only he was reading a book and drinking at the same time.

Atobe lowered his glass. "Fuji, what do you think of that girl?"

"You mean Echizen Ryoma?"

Saeki set his book and glass down. "So I've heard. Well, I wasn't at practice yesterday but I've heard that you challenged that girl?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Saeki chuckled. "That's unusual of you. She has got to be the first girl you've ever challenged!"

"She is, Saeki. Didn't you hear Fuji say so, earlier?" Atobe pointed out.

Saeki rested his chin on his palm. "I'm curious, Fuji. Why did you do it? I know it's against your better judgment to challenge a girl."

"That's right, Fuji. I was really surprised when you did that yesterday. What pushed you to do it, hm?" Atobe asked.

Fuji drained his glass. Then he sat up and set the cup down on the center table. "I don't know either."

"Eh?" Saeki stared at his friend in shock.

"What do you mean by that?" Atobe questioned incredulously.

Leaning back on the couch, Fuji said, "I'm telling the truth. I don't know what pushed me to do it. Well, if I were to describe it, it's like… I'm interested in how she would react. She seemed so innocent and oblivious about what the Four Gods can do."

Saeki laughed. "You're interested in her, huh? Is it more likely to say that she reminds you of someone?"

"You know me too well, Saeki."

Atobe put his glass down as well. "You want to get closer to her, don't you?"

"…"

"I got it right, didn't I?"

Saeki chortled. "Could that 'interest' be something more, Fuji?"

"I don't know. Just drop it, will you?"

"Why? Don't you want to talk about her?" Saeki teased.

Atobe added, "Going to continue the challenge tomorrow?"

"Maybe…"

"One more question, Fuji," Saeki asked, his tone serious, "about that accident…"

"I don't want to talk about it, Saeki," Fuji cut him, his blue eyes open. He stood up. "I'm quite tired. I think I'll retire for the night."

"Hmm… Avoiding the topic, huh? Oh well, we'll just excuse ourselves out," Atobe said as he stood up. Saeki stood up too and they left the room.

Fuji sighed as he went to his room (which was very spacious, to be frank). He plopped himself carelessly on his huge bed.

'Echizen Ryoma… What's this that I feel towards you?'

To be continued…

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Yay! I finally finished Chapter 3! I apologize for not updating last week; too many assignments came up.

As you can see, this story is indeed FujixRyoma or Thrill Pair, as it is called. Yes people, from the very beginning this was already planned by lil' 'ol me. Remember the color theme of their uniform? Blue and Gold, is it not? Now go ahead and make the connection and you'll find out that this is indeed Thrill Pair.

By the way, I would like to REPEAT that this story's plotline will never, ever be the exact copy of Hana Yori Dango.

Thank you for reading and reviewing the story!

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--Messages to Reviewers:

--liar-just-a-liar

-It's not bad actually. They have a reason but I won't reveal it yet. No spoilers, sorry!

--alaine, SakuyaKun, Lonely Rain

-Okay, I've revealed it now. This is FujixRyoma or Thrill Pair indeed. You didn't need to request it because it was my real intention.

--rayvern, ghost-alchemist09, primaaryet

-Fine… You guessed it right. Hana Yori Dango indeed. But please don't think that just because this story resembles that, you'll think I'm copying the plot. I promise that there will be a huge difference here.

--stringer13

-They're here now but not too many appearances. Of course I'll introduce them as the story goes on.

--VampireGirl22

-Hmm… Well, there is a reason for that. And in fact, the answer to your question why will lead to me revealing the fact why his parents did so and I don't want to spoil you.

--rebeccasanfujieijilvr

-He's bad? (Looks at the story) Oh my... Did he seem like that?

--Frozen Dew, animesyndrome

-Thanks for reviewing the story!

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Well, I don't really have anything to say about the next chapter. It's just that it is very, very, well… exciting? Or sweet? Don't know how to put it… Honestly.

See ya in the next chapter!

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