Author's Note: Please R-n-R! I hope to receive 5 Reviews before I post the next chapter! Also, I want to say thanks to those who had reviewed!
NeverTrustAgain17: I'm sure Seiichi's parents are thrilled about his interest in Sakuno just like any other parents. The pace was quite fast but when love struck, it can be pretty quick! Thanks!
Mistress Hydrangea: Thanks for your positive review. I was truly encouraged by your support. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.
Thanks to princeoftennis . wikia . com for all the relevant information.
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxx Flashback
Hope, Love, Joy
7. The Day of Surgery
Ryuzaki Sakuno's POV
The girl with twin braids stood quietly among the boys wearing blue jumpsuits who were cheering on the Seigaku's Regulars. Her eyes were engrossed on the courts but her mind was elsewhere.
'Kami-sama, please watch over Yukimura-senpai during the surgery. Please help the doctor and his team to perform the surgery with concentration!'
"Game and match, won by Marui-Jackal of Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, 6 games to 1!"
'Please also watch over Yukimura-senpai's parents. Encourage and comfort them as they wait for Senpai to come out.'
"Game and match, won by Nio-Yagyu of Rikkai Dai Fuzoku, 6 games to 4!"
'Please help Yukimura-senpai to stay strong during the experimental surgery. May the surgery be a great success, Kami-sama!'
"Game and match, won by Inui Sadaharu of Seishun Gakuen, 7 games to 6!"
The wild cheers from the Seigaku team and Regulars soon disturbed Ryuzaki Sakuno's contemplation.
"Sakuno! Sakuno! Did you see that?" An animated girl with two ponytails shouted into her ears, "Inui-senpai really became a data master on the court!"
"Tomoka-chan!" Sakuno winced at her friend's voice, "What..?"
"What's wrong, Sakuno?" Her friend Tomoka Osakada glared at her, "You haven't been concentrating on the games so far."
"Nothing, Tomoka-chan. I'm fine."
Her friend just gave her a sceptically look but choose not to pursue her curiosity. 'Sakuno is sure behaving strangely today. I wonder why.'
Sakuno ignored her friend and turned her gaze back to the Singles 2 tennis match between Kirihaya Akaya and Fuji Shusuke. But her thoughts returned to the navy blue-haired boy who's undergoing an important surgery in a hospital in the city centre.
'Yukimura-senpai, gambatte kudasai! Kami-sama, I want to be there to see him. Please help Fuji-senpai and Ryoma-kun to win their matches soon!"
"Game and match, won by Fuji Shusuke of Seishun Gakuen, 6 games to 4!"
There was a short break when Sanada Genichirou requested to speak with the tennis officials and Seigaku coach. Later, Sakuno watched with longing when she saw the Rikkai Dai Regulars except for Sanada gathering their bags and leaving the stands. 'I guess they're going to the hospital to support Yukimura-senpai. I'll ask Obaasan for permission to go when the last match is over.'
Sakuno turned back to watch the final match. Two hours 30 minutes later, the umpire finally announced, "Game and match, won by Echizen of Seishun Gakuen, 7 games to 5!"
"Yahoo!" "Seigaku is No. 1!" "We won!" "Banzai!" The Seigaku team and supporters went wild with cheers and tears. The excited Regulars surrounded their Rookie to congratulate him with happy thumps on his back and neck grips.
Sakuno smiled happily for her upperclassmen and their triumph. However a frown took over her forehead when her eyes settled on the dejected Sanada Genichirou on the other side of the court.
'I wonder if I could go with him to the hospital. I think the surgery must be over soon. I should ask Obaasan now.'
"Sakuno!"
"Hai, Obaasan?"
"After the awards, I'm going to the hospital to see Seiichi-kun's parents. Do you want to come along?"
"Hai!"
Yukimura Seiichi's POV
'My senses returned little by little but I am still unconscious due to the drugs they've given to me. My body feels so drained and stiff. Ahh, I could hear some voices of the Regulars.'
"Get well soon, Yukimura! We need you for the Nationals."
"Buchou, I'm waiting for that promised match."
"Yukimura, have a speedy recovery!"
'I think I could hear Okaasan and Otousan too.'
"Seiichi, just take your time to recover. I'll bring you some nourishing soup."
"Son, the surgery was a success, so rest well!"
"Yukimura-senpai, gambatte kudasai! There's another potted plant waiting for you when you wake up."
'Sakuno-chan!'
"Otousan, look at Seiichi."
"Nani, Okaasan?"
"He is smiling so tenderly in his sleep."
8. The Rehabilitation
Feeling helpless, Ryuzaki Sakuno squeezed her eyes shut when she heard the muted scream from the therapy room of the hospital. A nurse exited and left the door opened.
"That's enough, Yukimura-kun," a male voice cautioned, "Your body can't take it if you keep on persisting."
"I've come too far to stop, Sensei. I'm doing it for tennis and for Rikkai Dai!" Yukimura almost shouted at the therapist, "One more time, onegai!"
Sakuno stayed where she was as the therapy continued for Yukimura-senpai.
'Senpai truly loves tennis. It has been three weeks since Senpai had that surgery. Yet, he keeps working on his therapy like a demon. However,…'
"You are here, Ryuzaki-san?" Sanada Genichirou stood not far from Sakuno.
Due to her visit to the hospital after the Kanto Regional Tournament, the Regulars of Rikkai Dai, got to know Sakuno as Seiichi's good friend.
"Konnichiwa, Sanada-senpai." She bowed.
He returned the bow and gestured to the therapy room, "Why don't you go in?"
"Yukimura-senpai is undergoing some heavy exercises."
Then they heard another scream from Seiichi and another admonition from the therapist, "That's enough, Yukimura-kun. Too much strain could impede the healing of your body. Go back to your room and rest."
An exasperated therapist stepped out and walked away. A few minutes later, a sweating Yukimura Seiichi came out. He wasn't surprised to see both Sakuno and Sanada because they have been his regular visitors in the Tokyo hospital.
"Otsukaresama deshita, Yukimura-senpai!" Sakuno greeted him with a wide smile.
"Otsukaresama, Yukimura!"
Seiichi smiled tiredly but he stumbled a little before he could answer. Sakuno started toward him but Sanada was quick to catch his Captain.
"You did too much today, Yukimura."
Seiichi chuckled and patted the arm supporting him, "I'm fine, Sanada."
"Iie." Seiichi and Sanada found a fuming Sakuno standing before them.
"You are very reckless, Yukimura-senpai." The boys were speechless at her outburst.
"You said you love tennis. You said you want to recover quickly to go to the National Tournament. But you are your own stumbling block."
"Ryuzaki-san?"
"You wouldn't be able to participate in the National Tournament if you keep on contradicting the therapist and interfering with the treatment."
"But…"
"The doctors and the therapists are working together to promote the healing of your body, Yukimura-senpai. Don't you know you are hurting yourself, Senpai by overdoing everything?"
"She's right, Yukimura."
"Sanada?"
"If you want to achieve optimum performance at the Nationals, it's better to follow what the doctors and therapists recommend. Doing too much in a short time could cause reverse effect on your body, Yukimura."
Finally, Seiichi nodded and said, "I understand. Arigato, Ryuzaki-san, Sanada."
A calmer Sakuno followed Sanada and Seiichi back to Seiichi's room and had a good visit with the two senpais.
"I've baked some cookies today in my Home Economics class, Senpai-tachi. Would you like to try them?"
"What cookies are they?" Yukimura asked interestedly.
"Mint chocolate chip." Sakuno proudly showed off the tin box full of cookies.
"They look delicious." Seiichi picked one followed by Sanada.
"What do you think about them, Senpai-tachi?" Sakuno asked eagerly as the boys munched on the cookies.
"Good but it's a little dry." Sanada said unemotionally causing Sakuno's face to fall. This made Seiichi scowl at him.
"They are good, Sakuno." Seiichi smiled reassuringly.
Sakuno brightened a bit, "Arigatou, Senpai."
"You'll make a good wife one day, Ryuzaki-san."
"Wi…wife?" Sakuno blushed at his teasing.
After watching the interaction between his Captain and the brunette for a while, Sanada finally concluded they were drawn to each other. He was relieved that he had wisely restrained the Regulars from taking bets about Yukimura's love life. They could end up in a lot of trouble if Yukimura had found out.
9. The Return of Yukimura
"Nii-san, who is she?" A 12-year old girl asked her navy blue haired brother who was looking at a photo in his mobile phone with a forlorn face.
"The girl is Ryuzaki Sakuno. She's from Seigaku in Tokyo." In the photo, a brunette with twin braids sat next to his hospital bed wearing a gentle smile. He was also smiling into the camera but his eyes were on the girl next to him.
"Umm…is she your girlfriend, nii-san?"
"No, not yet, Hana."
"Is she…?"
"Hana-chan, stop disturbing your brother."
"Demo.." The girl pouted.
"It's fine Okaasan." Seiichi patted his sister's head.
"Hana-chan, could you take the laundry to the back and hang them up, please."
"Hai, Okaasan." The girl ran out of her brother's room.
Yukimura Harumi set a cup of tea on the table in front of her son and leaned over to peek at Sakuno's photo.
"Sakuno looked well in the photo. Have you spoken to her recently, Seiichi?"
"Just once, Okaasan. There wasn't much time. I have many things to do since I came back." The day after his return to Yokohama, Yanagi came for a visit and gave him all the assignments and homework he had missed.
"You've been home 2 weeks already and you spoke to her only once?"
"Hai. Sakuno's busy too. She said she had duties for Seigaku's sports festival."
"I see. Anyway, Seiichi, I'm sure you two will have many opportunities to talk soon."
"I hope so, Okaasan." He was left alone but he missed the knowing smile on his mother's face when she left his room.
His eyes fell back on the sweet face of Sakuno. He could still remember her visiting him on his last day in the Tokyo hospital. Sanada was there too. He was going back to Yokohama that evening and wanted a photo of her. So he had asked Sanada to take a photo of her and himself. He had been looking at the photo on and off for the past 2 weeks.
'I miss her!'
He nearly jumped out of his seat when his mobile phone rang unexpectedly. He answered without looking at the screen.
"Moshi, moshi!"
"Yukimura-senpai, konnichiwa!" Sakuno's gentle voice greeted him.
"Konnichiwa, Sakuno. It's good to hear from you." He beamed with pleasure. 'I miss hearing her voice too.'
"Umm me too, Senpai. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. What about you, Ryuzaki-san?"
"I had a busy week, Senpai. Tomorrow's our school's sports day and we've finally prepared everything."
"That's good. I wish I could go and cheer you on."
"Arigatou but you still need to take things easy in Yokohama, Senpai." Seiichi was pleased to hear the concern in her voice. 'She cares!'
"Have you gone back to the tennis club yet, Senpai?"
"I'll be joining my team again tomorrow, Ryuzaki-san. I think it will turn out well. So tell me, how's the Seigaku Girls Tennis Club coming along?"
Seiichi woke up with a smile the next day. He had a good chat with Sakuno about tennis, her tennis club and other things for almost an hour yesterday afternoon and it has set the mood for the rest of yesterday.
Realizing he's going to be late, Seiichi quickly got ready and went downstairs with his tennis bag. His parents and sister were already in their seats at the dining table. After a nice quick breakfast, he said his good-byes and stepped out of his house and the gates.
"Ohayo, Sanada." He greeted his friend who was waiting for him as usual.
"Welcome back, Yukimura!"
"Arigatou."
"WELCOME BACK, BUCHOU!" The tennis club members greeted him with a bow when he walked into the main courts with his jersey hanging on his back.
"Thank you, everyone. I'm glad to be back. However,…"
The Regulars who stood in a line in front stiffened up including Sanada and Yanagi.
"..we didn't win the Kanto Regional Tournament."
Sweating with nervousness, everyone bowed lowly together to say, "We are sorry, Buchou!"
He chuckled, "However I will forgive you for this one loss since I wasn't here to lead everyone."
Everyone straighten up as one to look at their Buchou with amazement. Yukimura Seiichi was known for being stern and strict when it came to training in the tennis club and winning tournaments. Losers were usually punished harshly.
He ignored their stare to clap his hands for their attention, "Minna, let's run 100 laps to warm up. Then, first years, go to Court E to practice your swings. Second years, use Court C and D to practise your skills. The Regulars will train in Court A and B with our machines."
"Hai!"
Yanagi turned to Sanada with interest, "Sanada, you visited him the most when he's in Tokyo. Has something happened to him? He seemed strangely mellowed."
Sanada shrugged his shoulder and joined Yukimura and the members in their lap run.
Yanagi studied them for a moment before he took out a little notebook, jotting down some data and muttering, "Perhaps, I should say some-ONE has happened to him. I wonder if Sadaharu might know something."
…. To Be Continued …
Sorry for the short chapter.
Please R-n-R!
Constructive criticisms are welcomed!
Notes: The Yukimuras
Yukimura Harumi – Mother (45)
Yukimura Satoru – Father (45)
Yukimura Seiichi – 3rd. Year (15)
Yukimura Hana – Sister (12)
