Author's Note: I humbly apologise for such a long delay in updating this story. So many things had happened in my life that delayed my writing. So, here is a new chapter for your enjoyment. Constructive criticisms are welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from The Prince of Tennis except for those characters not found in the POT manga/anime.
All information was gleaned from princeoftennis (.) wikia (.) com.
Beware of characters showing signs of being OUT OF CHARACTER especially Tezuka Kunimitsu!
"First Love" = speech
'First Love' = thoughts
First Love= past events/thoughts
Previously in Chapter 6
Being near her was too much for me and the dam of my heart busted.
"Ryuzaki Sakuno, I've loved you since high school. When I saw you again, my feelings came back twice as strong. The weeks I spend with you were the happiest weeks of my life." I stroked her soft cheek with the back of my hand.
"I, Sanada Genichirou love you with all that I am, Sakuno. Without you I might survive but I won't be living. Sakuno, I love you! Please love me, Sakuno! Love me, onegai!"
Finally I closed my eyes in despair and rested my head next to hers on the floor. With a heavy heart I waited for her response.
"Genichirou, I…"
FIRST LOVE
CHAPTER 7 – The Rival 2
Friday August 15th.
At Grand Ballroom, Tokyo Ritz-Carlton
Ryuzaki Sakuno's POV
My heart and body were still tingling with warmth when I walked into the crowded ballroom in Genichiro's arm.
The way his eyes lighted up when I walked into our living room still remained fresh in my mind. My cheek warmed up when I have heard him gasped in surprise and my hand was electrified by the kiss he placed on it. My ruby lips pulled into a pleased smile when I remembered him telling me in his car how he tried to match the color of his waistcoat with my gown.
"Atobe really went all out this year!" Genichiro studied the décor with horror.
I looked around and almost laughed out loud. Atobe Keigo was unmatched in his narcissism in spite of his genius mind for business. The stylish décor seemed expensive and loud just like the boss himself.
"I see Seiichi. Let's go, Sakuno."
"Hai."
We made our way toward Seiichi-nisan's table while I tried to ignore the knowing glances from our colleagues thrown our way. Genichiro gallantly pulled out a chair for me and after I was seated, he sat down next to me. Seiichi-nisan sat across from us.
I really enjoyed myself through Atobe's long speech, the long-anticipated award presentations and a very delicious dinner. Seiichi-nisan kept us entertained with him being fawned over 2 single women who sat beside him. He gave us a "Help!" look but we did nothing but smiled at him with amusement.
Soon, everyone was herded into another spacious hall next to the ballroom. There was a DJ booth producing loud dance music while in another corner, there was a drink station. The spacious dance floor was soon flooded with enthusiastic dancers.
A hand came into my vision and I looked up into Genichiro's imploring eyes as he asked, "Do you wanna dance?"
I grinned and grabbing his hand, pulled him onto the dance floor. We had fun dancing through a couple of fast music.
When the DJ changed to a slow jazz, many couples were formed while others left the dance floor. Genichiro gently pulled me closer and held me loosely with an arm around my waist and the other hand in mine. My other free hand slid up his arm and gripped it.
Our eyes couldn't tear away from one another as we swayed and flowed with the soulful music.
Desire
Protection
Passion
Love
'He is the One.'
'He is the heart of my heart.'
'He is the father of my children.'
When the DJ changed the music to fast and loud dance music, we were still lost in our own world despite the crazed crowd around us.
"Can I cut in?" A deep voice finally broke through my musing.
We turned to find Tezuka Kunimitsu in a tuxedo next to us. I nodded reluctantly and looked at Genichiro for permission. Tezuka-san was more than an old friend after all and I hoped to have a word with him.
"Will you be fine, Sakuno?" Genihiro shouted above the loud music.
I nodded slowly. I almost smiled when Genishiro glared at Tezuka and said, "Fine."
Genichiro left us and Tezuka gave me a small smile. We began to sway with the music and made small talk.
"How are you, Sakuno-san?"
"I am very well, Tezuka-san."
"Tezuka-san?" Disappointment shone from his eyes behind his glasses for a moment before hope replaced it. "I thought I told you to call me Kunimitsu."
"Sorry, Kunimitsu-san. I am so used to calling you Tezuka just like Obaasan."
"I understand. I miss Ryuzaki-sensei."
"Me too."
"Have you read my e-mail? I hope to receive a favorable answer from you."
I blushed at his question. It seemed he never changes no matter what I say to him.
XXXX FLASHBACK BEGINS XXX
At Ryuzaki Sumire's Funeral
The flow of people kept on coming to pay their respects to Obaasan; there were ex-tennis coaches, current tennis coaches, ex-tennis students, current tennis students, officers from various tennis associations and of course, the Yukimuras.
I turned my reddened eyes toward the middle-age couple who were sitting with their son, the gentle faced Yukimura Seiichi at the guests seating section. When the lawyer informed me I had relations, I was too numbed to express any kind of shock. But somehow knowing I am not alone helped me through these trying times.
A cup of hot tea was pressed into my hands. I looked up into the concerned face of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
"Arigato."
"Do you want to take a short rest?"
"Iie. I want to be here."
He nodded and sat down next to me. Somehow his presence comforted me. I sipped the hot tea silently while looking around at the familiar face who were busy with the funeral service.
I wasn't surprised to see either him or the other ex-Seigaku tennis members. Inui Sadaharu and Tezuka Kunimitsu kept in touch with Obaasan the most and when they found out about Obaasan's death, everyone turned up to lend me a hand.
"What are you going to do?"
I looked over to him to find his eyes steadily held mine. I shrugged my shoulder, "I'm not sure. The university only gave me a month of leave so I had to settle things here by then."
I didn't tell him that the Yukimuras approached me to offer me a place to stay with them. I told them I would think about it.
"You are welcomed to stay with us."
The Tezukas had been helping out ever since Obaasan's illness took a turn for worse. I wasn't able to attend to her needs because of my classes so their help was much needed.
"Thank you for the offer but I can't. The house…."
"You don't have to be brave, Sakuno." His gentle voice nearly undid me. "You have people who really love you and are here for you."
His arm wrapped around my shaking shoulders as I silently wept for the loss of the one person who loved me and took care of me since I was orphaned by a car accident.
"Obaasan!" I cried. His arm tightened its hold and his large hand held my trembling hands on my lap. No one took notice of us for we were sitting in a corner.
Tezuka and the other ex-Seigaku members stayed near me throughout the funeral service. I couldn't remember much because I was too numb with sadness.
Once Obaasan's body was sent into the crematorium to be cremated, I was escorted back to the house by Tezuka and the other sempais.
"Do you want us to stay with you?" Oishi Shuichiro asked softly.
"I will be fine, thank you." I said and turned to give them a deep bow. "Arigato for all your help, sempai tachi."
One by one they left after some words of comfort and consolation. Tezuka Kunimitsu was the last to leave.
"Sakuno, before Ryuzaki-sensei passed on, we had a short talk. I hope you could listen to what I have to say."
"Hai?"
"Ryuzaki-sensei was worried about you after she's gone so she asked me to look after you. I want you to know my parents like you a lot and so do I." He ended his words with reddened cheeks.
"I see. You are…"
"Sakuno, will you marry me?"
I blinked at him for a moment and said in shock "Hah? What…what are you talking about?"
He cleared his throat and stepped closer to me. His hands captured mine as he continued, "You are everything I want in a wife. You are kind and caring. I promise I will take care of you and make you happy for the rest of your life."
I withdrew my hands and turned away quickly. Taking a deep breathe, I asked "Do you LOVE me, Tezuka-san?"
"Yes, I do." His firm voice made me turn back to him. From his eyes shone love and hope. There's no doubt he was an excellent man but he wasn't the one for me. My heart did not beat for him.
I felt sad for the blow I was about to give him, "But I don't love you the way you love me. So Tezuka-san, I have to decline your proposal."
"I see." Sadness tinted his words.
He left the house with disappointment that night. There was nothing more to say. I wanted someone who loves me for me with his heart and soul. Somehow the thought made me think of Sanada Genichiro.
"Baka Sakuno!" I shook my head, "Why are you thinking about him?"
The following days, I stayed busy clearing the house and packing up Obaasan's things. Tezuka's mother, Harumi and Tachibana Ann (sister of Tachibana Kippei), my university mate, came over to give me a hand with the packing. I decided to keep a few of Obaasan's things as mementos. The rest I had to donate to various charities. The house would be rented out since it was too big for me to stay on my own.
I also had to meet the lawyer and the Yukimuras about Obaasan's will and the inheritance left to us. Again the Yukimuras namely my Aunt, Yukimura Chiyo (nee Ryuzaki Chiyo) implored me to stay with them. Their house was near my university so I could save money instead of renting another place to stay.
By the time I went back to university a month after the funeral, my things have been moved to the Yukimuras, the house was ready for the new tenants and everything related to Obaasan's will was resolved.
Inui-sempai still sent me news about the other sempais including Tezuka. We did keep in touch but I didn't see Tezuka Kunimitsu again until I graduated from university. By then he had retired from professional tennis and was working in Tokyo. He wanted to be more than friends but I was firmly resolved for us to remain as friends. I tried to distance myself from him so we only occasionally talked on the phone and emailed each other. We met up once awhile and sometimes we met with the other sempais for a game of tennis.
It was an awkward relationship because he carried on proposing to me and I continued saying No to him.
XXXX FLASHBACK ENDS XXX
"Kunimitsu, can we find a place to talk?"
His lips curled at the corner at my request. Without another word, we left the dance floor to exit the hall through a side door. We soon came to a quiet corner not far from the dancing hall.
There were ceiling-to-floor length glass windows facing the bright lights of the city and a foyer table was against the opposite wall. We stood near a settee.
"What do you want to talk about, Sakuno?" He looked at me so gently.
I was determined to do this so I said, "Kunimitsu, let's put an end to this."
"What?"
"I tried to tell you over and over again. All we could ever be is friends. Could you stop proposing to me, please?"
"No!" I was surprised when he wrapped his arms around me to hold me close to him.
"Please give me a chance, Sakuno. I have never felt like this for any other woman. My feelings for you are genuine."
Then he put some space between us and cupped my cheeks with his hands, "I love you, Sakuno. I have loved you since high school."
I looked at him with regret. "I love you too, Kunimitsu. But my love for you is the love of a friend or a sister. It can't be anything more than that."
"But, Sakuno, I…"
"I already have someone I love, Kunimitsu" My words made him grimaced with pain.
"Is the man you love Sanada Genichiro?"
"Hai." I answered with a blush.
Kunimitsu nodded sadly, "Could I make a request?"
"What is it?"
"Be happy with him. But if he ever makes you sad, you could come to me."
I blushed harder and gave him a short peek on his cheek, "Thank you for being so understanding." With reluctance, he led me back to the dance hall and to Sanada Genichiro.
However, a very disturbing scene greeted us outside the dance hall. Sanada Genichiro, looking disheveled and obviously drunked, was sitting on the floor and in tears while Seiichi-nisan was kneeling next to him.
"Sanada-san? Seiichi-niisan? What's wrong?"
They both looked up but Genichiro looked away quickly. Seiichi-nisan came to us with a dismal scowl, "Sakuno, I think you need to talk to Genichiro. He's been drinking a lot since you disappeared."
"Hai. But what has happened?"
"I think he saw you two together and jumped to the wrong conclusion." Seiichi gave Kunimitsu a hard look.
My attention was focused on the prone figure on the floor. Kunimitsu and Seiichi gave me a nod and went back into the dancing hall together. I slowly made my way to the silent figure.
"Genichirou, what's wrong?" I asked after kneeling down next to him.
He muttered bitterly, "Nothing."
"Seiichi-niisan said you've been drinking a lot."
"I just feel like drinking."
I didn't know what to do so I stayed silent by his side for a moment. Then, Genichiro tried to stand up but he fumbled when his drunken legs gave way. I tried to help him but he was too heavy for me.
"Arhh" "Omph!"
In the end we ended up on the floor with him above me. He held himself up with his elbows and arms. Our eyes were caught and held by each other.
'He is so sad. What can I do? I love him so much.'
He started talking, "Ryuzaki Sakuno, I've loved you since high school. When I saw you again, my feelings came back twice as strong. The weeks I spend with you were the happiest weeks of my life."
I was struck silent by the back of his hand tenderly stroking my cheek.
"I, Sanada Genichirou love you with all that I am, Sakuno. Without you I might survive but I won't be living. Sakuno, I love you! Please love me, Sakuno! Love me, onegai!"
He ended with his eyes closing and his head resting next to mine. My heart nearly burst with happiness at his confession. I smiled with love and made my confession.
"Genichirou, I love you too."
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TO BE CONTINUED!
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