A/N: Sumimasen, Minna-san, for the delayed update. Due to minor writer's block and work-related issues, I did not have the chance to create new chapters. Now everything is back on track. Hurray! :-)
Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxx Flashback
Summary: What Would You Do If You Were Given A Second Chance In Life And In Love?
Chapter 2
4 YEARS 11 MONTHS AGO…(Part 1)
The young woman waved goodbye to the departing students and went back to the teacher's desk. Humming a soft tune to herself, she picked up her books and folders and left the classroom.
Ryuuzaki Sakuno-sensei walked slowly along the empty quiet school hall toward the teachers' office. Sakuno sighed dreamily as she thought of the events that had happened for the past month.
…Flashback Begins…
Three days after the fundraising party, Atobe Keigo had surprised her when he called her out of the blue to invite her to a symphony concert.
"Ore-sama had some tickets and had invited Yuushi and a few of our classical-music-enthusiast friends to come with Ore-sama. There's a spare ticket and Ore-sama thought of inviting you." Atobe's deep voice sounded strangely sensuous over the mobile phone. Sakuno had immediately quelled the uncomfortable feeling and paid attention to the conversation.
"Ano, Atobe-san, may I ask how you got my mobile phone number?"
"Yuushi was kind enough to share it with Ore-sama. He had informed Ore-sama that you were both in classical music appreciation club in college. So, Ore-sama wishes to extend Ore-sama's kindness to you by inviting you to this momentous occasion."
Sakuno had rolled her eyes over Keigo's exaggerated explanation. Sakuno was tempted to decline the offer but the concert was one she had wanted to attend but the tickets were sold out long ago. After clearing her throat, she replied, "Thank you Atobe-san. I'll be happy to come along and accept your kind invitation."
Surprisingly, Sakuno had a wonderful time attending the much anticipated concert the following Friday. Atobe and Yuushi had collected her at her apartment in Atobe's limo. (Sakuno had moved out from her grandmother's place to stay closer to her workplace.)
Later, they had met up with the other invitees at the concert hall. After the concert, the group had repaired to a nearby high-class café to discuss the pieces they had enjoyed at the concert over some lattes. Sakuno was awed that Keigo knew classical music as well as Yuushi. The whole evening her eyes had stayed on a silver-haired man who had been talking to 2 other classical music enthusiasts. Once, Atobe-san had looked over and caught her stare. For some strange reason, their eyes had stayed connected while the world had dimmed around them, leaving the two of them in their own little cocoon. When someone had asked Sakuno a question, Sakuno had turned away with a deep blush. Sakuno had felt like she was stripped naked by the heated steady gaze given by Atobe-san.
…Flashback Ends…
Sakuno shook her head over her strange thoughts and continued her trek toward the office. However her mind reminded her of what had happened two weeks after that concert outing.
…Flashback Begins…
Sakuno had arrived at her apartment building to find a limo parked in front of the building. Sakuo recognized the tall silent giant who stood next to the limo.
"Kabaji-san! What are you doing here?" Sakuno asked curiously as she approached the giant.
"Atobe."
"Atobe-san? What do you mean?"
Kabaji walked toward the back seat area and opened the door. Sakuno watched as Atobe Keigo stepped out from his limo and stretched his arms.
"Ore-sama had been waiting for you, Sakuno-chan." Keigo gave her a slight bow and asked in a friendly manner, "Do you always come home late, Sakuno-chan? It's already 6 pm."
"Hai, I had to finish up some work in school before I leave. Ano, Atobe-san, what are you doing here? It's so weird to see you here in this area." Sakuno was baffled by the appearance of Atobe Keigo especially when there's nothing in this semi-low-income suburb that would interest him.
Sakuno glanced around and felt relief for the street was devoid of the neighbours and passer-bys since it was dinnertime. Atobe-san and his limo and also Kabaji-san would have attracted a large crowd.
"Weird? Perhaps." Keigo said in a drawl as his eyes studied her with fierce intensity. "Nevertheless, Ore-sama had a desire to partake some local ramen cuisine. Since Sakuno-chan is staying in this locality, perhaps Sakuno-chan can assist Ore-sama."
Sakuno's eyes widened with disbelief. "Ramen? But are you sure, Atobe-san?"
"Hai. Ore-sama's Ojiisan truly enjoyed the ramen in this locality and had often brought Ore-sama together with him to eat some ramen." Atobe-san explained as he turned around to study the area. "Ore-sama believed the ramen shop is called Kazan Ramen."
"Kazan Ramen!" Sakuno's eyes lighted up, "I know that place. They have the best ramen."
"So kah? Ore-sama is quite hungry. Ore-sama is sure Kabaji is hungry as well. Are you hungry, Kabaji?"
"Usu."
"What do you say, Sakuno hime-chan? Can you lead a pair of hungry men to some food? Of course, Ore-sama will generously reward you with some ramen." Atobe asked with quiet confident.
"Okay!" Sakuno replied enthusiastically with a huge grin causing Keigo and Kabaji to blink. "Since I'll be getting some free ramen from the great Atobe Keigo, I'll lead you to Kazan. But I need to put away my bag of books first. Please wait for me here."
Sakuno left Keigo staring after her when she hurried into the apartment building. Unbeknown to Sakuno, a cunning smile had slowly appeared on the thin lips of the Atobe heir. He closed his eyes and tilted his head toward the sky with a muted shout of "Yes!".
Dinner at Kazan Ramen turned out to be an interesting evening since it was the first time Sakuno had seen Atobe Keigo and his sidekick comfortably seated within a normal ramen shop. They were warmly welcomed since the elderly ramen shop owner still recognized Atobe Keigo. Atobe's Ojiisan was after all, a well-known and well-liked patron of the ramen shop.
"Atobe-san, you like kimuchi ramen? Isn't it too spicy for your taste?" Sakuno looked uneasily at the large bowl of the shop's famous spicy ramen placed in front of Keigo.
"Ore-sama's taste is wide and varied." Keigo looked up at the sweet looking girl sitting across from him and Kabaji. "This ramen has been a favourite of Ore-sama since Ojiisan brought Ore-sama here the first time. Ore-sama had never forgotten its smell and taste. Isn't that right, Kabaji?"
"Usu."
"Ore-sama had brought Kabaji and the other Hyotei Regulars here before. Only Kabaji had returned with Ore-sama many times since Kabaji likes the chicken ramen here."
"Usu." The giant replied and started on his chicken ramen.
…Flashback Ends…
Sakuno giggled to herself when she remembered Atobe's face turning red and sweaty while consuming his spicy ramen. Her own face then flushed when she remembered the husky thanks and the piercing gaze Atobe had given her when she offered him her handkerchief to him to wipe his face. Come to think of it, he had pocketed her handkerchief after that.
Sakuno paused in front of the door leading into the teachers' office. 'I need to stop thinking about unnecessary thoughts and focus on my teaching career. Remember that Atobe-san is just being friendly.'
After taking a deep breath, Sakuno slide open the door and entered the teachers' office. Sakuno spent another few minutes to put away her books and files before getting ready to go home.
"Ryuuzaki-sensei, you are still here?" Sakuno turned around and found the school principal, Ayano Kirimi walking over to her.
"I'm about to leave, Kirimi-san. Can I help you with anything? Sakuno asked.
Ayano-san stopped in front of Sakuno and handed over a cream-colored envelope. "I believe this is for you. The school tennis club has received an invitation to a tennis camp. Many schools within our prefecture were invited as well. Since you are the tennis club advisor and semi-coach, you can decide to go or not to go."
"Me?"
In the beginning, Sakuno had taken up the advisor/semi-coach position quite reluctantly. Over time, she had grown to love tennis and the tennis club. Of course Sakuno had relied on her retired grandmother's help. Ryuuzaki Sumire's mobile phone had become a 24-7 tennis hotline during the early months of her position.
Sakuno opened the envelope and extracted the invitation card. Her breath caught when she read who the sponsor for the tennis camp was.
"Atobe Group. The Foundation of Tennis for Youth." Sakuno read out loud.
"The Atobe Group had been doing this since 4 years ago at the recommendation of its heir, Atobe Keigo. He is just like his father and grandfather, another tennis lover. I heard Atobe Keigo still meets up with his former Regulars to play tennis at his mansion on weekends." Ayano-san made the comment as she studied Sakuno who had turned a bit pale.
"Are you familiar with the Atobes, Kirimi-san?" Sakuno asked curiously. Ayano-san seemed to know a lot about the Atobes.
"Atobe Kazuki, the current head of Atobe Group, and I were classmates in high school and college." Ayano-san explained with a fond smile. "We were both active in the boys and girls tennis club. We still keep in touch because of tennis and the Foundation."
"So kah?" Sakuno replaced it back into its envelope. "I will speak to the tennis club buchou and Regulars. I will leave the decision up to them."
"Let me know soon. Arrangements have to be made for getting the parental consent forms and the transportation." Ayano-san said.
"Hai, I understand. Good bye, Kirimi-san!" Sakuno bowed politely and then excused herself to leave for home.
Ayano-san stayed in her office and observed the young woman walking toward the school gate from her office window. She picked up her mobile phone from her desk and dialed a familiar number.
"Moshi-mosh, Ayano-chan!" A deep voice said lightly.
"I've given her the invite. Now can you tell me what is going on? I feel like I'm leading a lamb into a wolf's den." Ayono Kirimi asked with agitation as she sat down on her chair. Being threatened by a friend to hand a fake invitation to Ryuuzaki-sensei and sprouting lies about the tennis camp had given her a major headache. But she was promised an explanation after completing her tasks.
"Ayano-chan, don't you trust me?"
"What do you think?"
"Well, I want to get to know the young lady a bit better."
Ayano-san jumped up from her chair and shouted into the mobile phone, "YOU …YOU OLD GOAT! YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH TO BE HER FATHER SO DON'T MESS WITH HER, YO HEAR ME?"
"Calm down, Ayano-chan!" A chuckle was heard over the line, "I'm heart broken that you, my good friend, would think that of me. Ayano-chan, I'm doing this for Keigo."
"Your son, Keigo? What do you mean, Kazuki-kun?"
"It seems that my Keigo was smitten with your Ryuuzaki-sensei."
"Eh? I didn't know they knew each other?"
"Well they met because of tennis too. According to my sources, Ryuuzaki Sakuno was the manager for her high school tennis club at Seishun High. I think they knew each other since Hyotei was a well-known rival of Seishun."
"Kazuki, are you sure about Keigo liking Ryuuzaki-sensei?"
"Yuushi….I mean my sources told me that she had changed a lot since then. That's why Keigo was absolutely quite taken by her at our fundraising party a few weeks ago. He even taught her to waltz, can you imagine that? It seems Keigo had been quite subtlety and steadily pursuing her."
"Wow! I guess he must be serious about her." Ayano said in wonder.
"So are you satisfied with my explanation, Ayano-chan? As a prospective daughter-in-law, I just want to get to know her better at this privately arranged tennis camp."
"Hai, hai! I'll take your word for it. By the way, what did Atobe Mara have to say about your plans?"
Silence.
"Kazuki-kun, you didn't tell your own wife?"
"Mara has her own warped ideas about finding a suitable wife for Keigo. I have my own ideas too, so….," Atobe Kazuki's deep voice turned weary, "so that my Keigo will not end up like me."
"Don't worry, Kazuki-kun. I'm sure if you are determined about your son finding his own happiness, all things will work out well." Ayano gently consoled her friend.
"Arigatou, Ayano-chan." Atobe Kazuji smiled sadly from the other side. "Hmm. Let me know soon about the acceptance. I'll prepare for the tennis camp over here on my side."
"Hai." Ayano ended the call with a sigh. 'Kazuki, I hope you know what you are doing.'
Atobe Kazuki hanged up the phone and pressed the intercom button to summon his secretary. A man in his late-30's entered Kazuki's office after a knock on the door.
"Yes, Atobe-sama." A pad and a pen were held ready for taking down instructions.
"Prepare for the tennis camp like we had discussed last night. Please make sure all arrangements are made with great discretion. Also, please notify all involved to keep this camp under wrap from the knowledge of Mara-san."
"Hai, Atobe-sama."
"Also," Kazuki leaned back into his chair with a teasing twinkling in his eyes, "inform Keigo and his former Hyotei Regulars that they will be the instructors at the tennis camp."
"Hai, Atobe-sama. But if they object, what shall I say, Atobe-sama?"
"Tell them to direct any objections to me and I will handle it. That will be all, Mizuka-san."
"Hai, Atobe-sama." The secretary left quietly.
Kazuki turned his chair around to gaze out his large office windows. The city lights slowly became brighter and brighter as orange hues of the evening sky gave way to dark purple hues.
His smiling lips turned down into a hard line and the sparkle in his eyes dimmed. 'I had made a promise long ago. I will not let my children become like me.'
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To Be Continued
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Note from Author: It's me again with my 3rd. love story. This time I'm bringing Atobe and Sakuno together. Please R & R!
WARNING: This long story will take me a long time to update so please don't rush me.
