This is another chapter… HI!!!!!!! There have been some problems with uploading chapters so I couldn't update…Gomen…Here is chapter 9 anyway! Hope you guys like it! This is dedicated to Kalachuchi clan at ang aming mga diyosa!!!!!!! Kaoru-chan why won't you visit your twin!!!!!!! Hikaru misses you!!!!!!! This is for my twin Kaouru-chan!!!!!


Chapter 9: Taste the sky

"Sakuno? What are you doing in there? You'll catch a cold! Go inside!" Sumire said as she glanced outside to see her granddaughter sitting on a bench, reading a tennis magazine. Karin, who was curled up and looked like a fuzzy ball, was sleeping on her lap. Sakuno was scratching the cat's belly as it turned from side to side.

She looked up from what she was reading and saw her grandma standing from the backdoor. It was late November day and winter is fast approaching…

"Hai!!!" she put down the magazine and ran inside. She was just wearing a thin dress and a mini skirt at the time and it's not a very good idea because it is starting to get cold.

"Here, have some…" Sumire offered her some hot chocolate and sat down on the table.

Sakuno took it, muttered thanks and took a place on the couch and turned on the television. Sumire followed and sat beside Sakuno. They were watching the news.

Sakuno sighed. Nothing about tennis. Oh well, it's not like the world revolves on only tennis. Karin was purring on her lap then ran outside. Sakuno did not mind since he always does that.

"What do we have here?" Sumire said, picking up the magazine Sakuno just read.

"There's a very interesting man featured in there! Anyway, it's a recap of the past Tennis Super Stars! Man, they are so awesome! Especially this man!" she pointed to a section in the page showing a fair looking man with brown hair tied in a pony.

"Oh, that's Echizen Nanjirou…he's a good student of mine once…" Sumire said, not looking surprised that Nanjirou was there.

"Really? Then, Echizen…Is he related to Ryoma?"

"Yes, Ryoma is his son…" Sumire chuckled.

Why am I not surprised…Sakuno thought as she continued to stare at the picture provided. They have the same eyes…

"What time is it, obaa-chan?" she asked her grandma?

"It's quarter to six, why?"

"Obaa-chan, could I go out for a walk? I feel so cooped up here…"

"Okay…Just come back before dinner! We're going to have oden!"

"Isn't that a bit much, obaa-chan?"

"I've been resisting the temptation to try it till winter, but I guess I lose…It's only a small pot to accommodate the two of us…but it would still be special…"

"Hai! I'll come home before dinner to help you prepare!

"Iie…it'll be alright! It's just a little…take your time!"

"Arigatou, obaa-chan!"

Sakuno dashed to the door then Sumire glanced from the kitchen.

"Could you buy some drinks on your way home? We're out!"

"Hai!" she ran out and was already five houses away when she remembered that she did not have any money with her. Oh no…she immediately ran back to the house.

"Nani? You forgot something?" Sumire called from the kitchen when she saw Sakuno enter and ran frantically up the stairs.

"I forgot my money!" Sakuno shouted as she scrambled for her purse. Karin was eyeing her every move."Hi Karin!"

The cat purred and rubbed its head on her leg.

"Do you want to go out with me?" she asked. The cat looked at her and seemed to nod.

Sakuno took this as an agreement and took the cat in her arms after she put on a light blue sweater and boots. She tucked the purse in a small periwinkle messenger bag that hung from her right shoulder. She ran out the door saying that she would be taking the cat with her.

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In the park, Sakuno sat down on a bench after walking for about fifteen minutes. They were in the fountain area, her favorite place in the park. She had already bought some drinks from the store. She put it beside her when she sat down.

"Ne…Karin-chan kawaii desu ne!" she patted the cat on the head. "It's so nice in here…" she watched as the huge fountain play with the water.

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Momo and Ryoma had just finished their tennis match. They were playing doubles in the park. Their opponents were from other schools. They even played against some Fudomine players and because of Ann being there, Momo somehow get distracted since Kamio was beside Ann. Momo seemed to get so annoyed that he could not concentrate solely on the game. But since Momo is so angry, every time he tries to focus on the game, he throws smashes that the opponents can't return and so they won.

Momo dragged Ryoma out of the court after the match. He did not even look at the others to say 'goodbye' or 'it was a nice game'. He simply bawled out dragging a smirking Ryoma.

They walked around in the park and came upon the fountain area. There were benches around it so they took one and sat down.

"I'm going to get some drinks…" he stood up and went to a vending machine.

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"Where did Momo-chan go?" Ann asked Kamio. He had been blocking her view.

"He went out after his match. He even practically dragged Echizen with him. I think they went towards that way" He answered, pointing to the path towards the fountain area.

Ann fell silent for a moment then threw Kamio her sweetest smile.

"Kamio-kun, can I ask you a favor?" she said, trying on her cutest voice that no one ever had the guts to say no.

"Anything! Anything!" Kamio exclaimed, clasping his hands real hard, heart shapes were forming in his eyes and around him.

"Tell onii-chan that I'm going out with Momo-chan tonight! Arigatou!" Ann shook Kamio's hand while Kamio seemed spaced-out.

"But…but…" Kamio murmured.

"Just vouch for me! Ganbatte Kamio-kun! Ja ne!" Ann dashed out of the courts and ran towards the direction Kamio pointed to.

"Wait…Tachibana-buchou would kill…me…" he tried to shout but only managed a whisper.

"Better luck next time, buddy." Shinji patted the frozen Kamio's back.

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Sakuno was staring at the fountain while petting Karin. She was oblivious to the other people around her. She saw a vending machine nearby and decided to buy some drink to enjoy walking home. She will just save what she bought for later. Karin somehow sensed where she was going and ran ahead of her.Sakuno smiled as she followed Karin with her gaze when the cat stopped in font of a person going to the vending machine also. Sakuno hurried to the machine to pick up her cat. Instead, the boy picked up the cat and looked at it.

"Gomen…that's my cat…gomen...Ryoma-kun?!?" Sakuno realized that it was Ryoma. He stared at her and blushed for no apparent reason.

"Here…" Ryoma handed the cat to Sakuno. 'Nice…of all the things I could chance upon it was really her…I wonder why we almost seem to meet accidentally most of the time…but why I am feeling so happy that I met her here? Nah…why I am always happy when I see her…every time…and there's this stupid embarrassing sensation that eats me up when she's close…is this what they call…craziness? Iie…It's certainly not that or I would have committed suicide…Anou…why is she turning red? It's not like it's hot…ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Stop you stupid thoughts!

It's him… Sakuno tried hard to hide her blush. She closed her eyes to think of something to do when…

"Anou…could you get out of the way? You're blocking the coin slot…" Ryoma said, tilting his hat.

Sakuno got out of the way and started apologizing.

"Betzuni…" Ryoma replied as he waited for the Ponta to drop.

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Momo was having a fight with himself for acting really weird during the match. He just couldn't stand seeing that 'I'm in the rhythm' guy hanging over with his Ann-chan. Then again, he did not own her so she had the right to be with anyone she wants. But the again, why won't that someone be just him? This is so confusing.

"Momoshiro-kun? Daijoubu desu ka?" the sweet voice he longed to hear called to him. He looked up to see a smiling Tachibana Ann staring at him.

Momo fought the blush coming on sice her face was less than a feet away from his face. "Hai! Hai! I'm fine!" he answered, swinging his hands frantically, trying to inch away from her face.

"Sure?" she asked.

"Really! Why are you here anyway?" he asked settling down on the chair as Ann sat next to him.

"I want to go out with Momoshiro-kun, tonight!" Ann said.

Momo blushed like there was no tomorrow as all the blood in his body rushed to his face. He was overflowing with joy he did not know what to say.

"Hai!" he mastered to say after what seemed like an eternity of trying to calm down.

"Then let's go!" Ann stood up and grabbed his arm.

Momo was smiled. She was clinging on his arm…like they were, you know…

"Matte! Echizen just went to get a drink from the vending machine! I think I should tell him." Momo excused.

"Alright…where is that?" Ann asked.

"There!" Momo pointed. They could still see Echizen at the vending machine…with a girl.

"Isn't that," Ann said.

"That's Sakuno-chan!" Momo exclaimed, feeling pride for his kouhai.

"I think we should not disturb them…they look so cute together…" Ann said.

"Yeah…but still…OI! ECHIZEN!" Momo called.

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Ryoma was opening his drink when he heard Momo call for him. He turned around to look just to see Momo with a stupid grin plastered on his face and Ann clinging to him, no less.

"I'M GOING WITH ANN-CHAN!!! JA NE!!!" he shouted while Ann chuckled. They both went on their way.

Ryoma watched them.

"and, oh yeah, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR GIRL, ECHIZEN!!!" he added. Everyone else on the park looked at Ryoma and Sakuno. Ryoma threw Momo a death glare while clenching his fist. Sakuno hid her face with her hands as her face burned up with embarrassment at what she was hearing around her.

"Those two are a cute couple…:

"Kawaii!!!" some high school girls exclaimed, one of them taking pictures of them.

"What a lucky guy…" some boys said.

Ryoma also hearing these, felt the urge to punch Momo and his big mouth. He looked up to see Momo running away with Ann. He tilted his cap down, grabbed Sakuno's hand, and ran away from the place.

"Oi…" Sakuno was surprised at Ryoma's action but never complained.

"I'll walk you home…" he whispered to her he was still holding her hand.

"Huh? Oh…thanks…" she replied. It was getting dark, anyway.

They were walking along the city sidewalk…lights were lit up everywhere making the night life really exciting and beautiful. Surprisingly, Ryoma had no let go of her hand…still she did not say anything…

"Anou…Ryoma-kun,"

"So I won't loose you in the crowd…" he said, his hold on her hand tightened.

Sakuno blushed. Why is it everything you do is just blush? Say something! Or do something to ease up the tension! BUT WHAT WOULD I SAY?!?

"Ryoma-kun…ooopp! GOMEN!" Ryoma had stopped abruptly making Sakuno crush into his back and hug him from behind. Sakuno immediately took a step away but got pulled by Ryoma causing them to collide with each other.

"Just stay like that." Ryoma said as Sakuno was hugging him like earlier.

"Demo…"

"It's snowing…"

Sakuno's face lit up. The first snow of the season…with Ryoma!

"Do me a favor, Ryuzaki-chan…"

"Ok…and please call me Sakuno or anything, except Ryuzaki…I feel confused with my obaa-chan…"

"Sure…and since you already agreed before I tell my favor, you can't back out now…"

"Fine…now what is it?"

"Spend every first snow every year with me, Sakuno-chan!" Ryoma said to Sakuno, a genuine smile shown on his face, a very special smile just for Sakuno. I don't have a clue why l want to be with you on special days like this but I'm happy you agreed to be with me…just me…

"Hai!" she replied, overflowing with joy because she saw Ryoma smile because of happiness and not because of his opponents.

"And, Sakuno-chan?"

"What?"

"You're not allowed to date other boys."

"Why?"

"Because I said so…"

"Anou…etou…alright…"

Ryoma smiled at her again.

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"Hey, Momo-chan! Look! It's snowing! Suteki!" Ann beamed. They were currently at Momo's favorite burger joint, eating…what else?

"It's so beautiful…and so relaxing…" Momo said.

"Yeah…" Ann agreed.

"Like you are…"

Ann blushed when she got what he meant by that and giggled.

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Fuji looked up from what he was doing. He noticed the pack of snow forming on the windowsill.

"Hey, Akari! Look outside!" he said to the girl beside him who was doing homework.

"Huh? What is it?" she looked out to see the snow falling slowly. "Sugoi!"

Fuji saw enjoyment glittering in her caramel eyes. He smiled. This was the same neighbor who asked him to help out in her homework, her face stressed out from too much worry, but now her short black hair bounced with excitement as she ran out of the house to bask in the snow. Fuji followed closely behind.

"This is so great!" Akari danced around the garden. They were in Fuji's house actually.

Fuji watched the girl dance around happily. It's not like she just saw snow for the first time, it's just that she loves winter so much and is so excited about it all year round.

Akari is in the same class as Fuji and also his next-door neighbor. They were best friends ever since they could remember. She was really pretty, kind…

"Ittai!"

And clumsy.

Fuji fought back a laugh and then rushed to help her.

"Damn rock!" Akari grabbed the offending rock and threw it away.

"Here, let me help you." He took her hands and helped her stand up. He let go of his grasp but she held it still.

"Nani?"

Akari smiled. "Dance with me…"

Before Fuji could say anything, they began swaying in circles.

"This is fun!" Akari exclaimed then chuckled.

Fuji looked at her with opened eyes and smiled at her.

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"Hey, Takashi! Stop that for a while! You could rest for a bit!" his father called inside the restaurant.

"Hai!" Taka went outside and watched the snow for a moment.

"Hey, Taka-san! A girl called.

"Oh, hi Yui!" he replied, looking at the girl approaching him. The daughter of the owner of the book store across the street. They were close friends.

"Winter is finally here!" Yui said, locking Taka in a hug. Yui is a very quiet girl sometimes. She has clear blue eyes and curly black hair. She also has a very pleasing attitude and is fair-looking.

"Sou ka!" Taka replied.

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"Oi! Give that back here!" Eiji shouted, running after a certain brown-haired girl. Her short hair flowing as she ran. Eiji saw this as they ran. They had been given a project recently and they were partners. Riko was allowed by her maids to sleep-over at Eiji's house.

"No, I won't!" Riko ran.

"One…Two…Three…Gotcha!" Eiji leaped and they both stumbled into Eiji's backyard.

"Hah! I got it!" Eiji grabbed the chocolate from Riko's hands.

"Hey!" Riko tried to steal back the chocolate.

They looked at each other, and then they both laughed.

Then Riko stopped. Then blushed.

"Nani?!?" Eiji threw his neighbor a puzzled look.

"Anou…Eiji…would you get off of me?" Riko looked away.

Eiji tried to ask why, and then he realized then turned white. He scampered to sit down but slipped because of the snow.

Riko was trying to stand up too when Eiji came crashing down towards her and…kissed…her…on…the…lips…

'Click' 'Click' 'Click'

Three flashes startled Eiji and Riko before they sprang away from each other. Eiji's sister was standing

"Mou! Those are really good! Riko-chan, Eiji, Dinner's ready!" she said then ran back inside the house.

Riko can't speak. She covered her mouth. My first kiss…

"Sorry, Riko-chan! It was an accident! I swear!" Eiji tried to apologize. He knew Riko's temper really well.

Riko shot him a smile. Eiji thought he was forgiven and smiled too. Then they looked at the sky to see the first snow of the year falling.

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Kaidoh was on the veranda room looking out. The he saw Yumi walk out to veranda room. Across the street.

"Hello, Kaidoh-kun!" Yumi said as she her navy blue hair. Her black eyes staring at the boy across the street.

"Fsssshhhhhhhh…"

"So nice…" Yumi stretched out her hand as snow fell on it then melted, her face shone with tenderness and love as she stared longingly at the snow.

Kaidoh just stared at her.

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"And you know what? We went to the department store afterwards because I want a new dress for the winter…I'm so happy1 I bought this dark blue ski jacket and a light blue scarf! I tried to get you one too, but they ran out so I guess it can't be helped…Gomen…" Miharu talked over the phone; she had been doing that for an hour now. She was starting to get annoyed to the person on the other end of the line who answered just one sentence or two when she asks him something. Oh well, knowing him for a long time, I should get used to him doing that…

Tezuka relaxed when the girl suddenly stopped talking. He could have sworn his ears were already bleeding.

"Miharu-chan, don't you have anything else to do?" he asked.

"That's why I'm calling you because I have nothing else to do…" she replied.

"Ok…"

"You know what? It's already snowing outside!"

Tezuka does not seem to faze at all. He just walked to the nearby window and stared outside.

"Yeah…it is…"

Tezuka saw his reflection on the window. There he was, holding a phone to his ear, speaking to the only person who ever called because of nothing yet the only person he did not have the courage to hang up on. He did not know his reason but he would still listen to her talk for hours on end on the phone even if it wasn't really interesting or urgent. If it's Inui he would slam it back quickly, but this one special caller…

"Hey, Tezuka-chan?

"Yes?"

"Anou…I love you…"

Tezuka's eyes widened in surprise but came back to normal again but this time, for the first time, he smiled.

"Yes, I know…now…" with that and he gently placed the phone back on the holder, and for once, he was smiling.

"What have I done?" Miharu asked herself as she did the same thing as Tezuka.

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Inui was busy copying his notes to another notebook for data storage so that he could arrange it properly to whose data it is. Then his laptop buzzed and in popped an e-mail from his constant chat mate. A girl living in Osaka named Kaori. She's an old friend of Inui who moved out of Tokyo because her parents were requested to move there because of the last will of her grandmother. First they were just sending letters but since the internet and e-mail came they were able to talk to each other almost three times a week.

I saw on t.v that it was snowing in Tokyo! I wish I could see it personally…The first snow of the year is really great…because the roads and trees are still dry unlike on other days when you can't see the difference.

Inui smirked. For no known apparent reason.

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"Are you alright, now? You might faint again…" Oishi said, while assisting Yuna to sit down on the engawa.

"Don't worry too much, I could handle this and besides, stop acting like my mom…"

"But…here…you might catch a cold." Oishi draped his regular jersey over her.

"Don't you need it?"

"I'm fine this way…" Oishi said as he smiled, assuring her that he's going to be fine. He looked at the girl beside him. Even if she's sick, she could still keep her long red hair shiny and soft although her onyx eyes always seem weary.

"What are you staring at?" Yuna asked him.

"H-huh? Ah, nothing!"

"Hontou?"

"Really…"

"I'm so thankful that you always have time for me, Oishi-kun." Yuna smiled at him.

"Betzuni…besides you are my friend and you need friends to visit you since you are too sick to come out."

"Yeah, you're right."

"And because I like taking care of other people…especially you…"

"I'm so glad you're my friend!"


By the way…for those who doesn't know and to those who don't have time to know what an engawa is…it is like a wooden porch or veranda in traditional Japanese homes…it is exposed to the sun or rain and is usually a threshold to go to the backyard or garden or something…that's all I know…Ja ne! And please review after reading this…