Disclaimer: I do not own POT.

Summary: Through thick and thin, in every victory and in every defeat, they stood by each other. When one falls, the other picks them up. Life was hard. They both could attest to that. However in the midst of all those hardships, they stood by each other. This… is how it all started.

Chapter 10

Sakamoto Chiharu's POV

"So that means if the element is Calcium, and its atomic number is 20…" I trailed off as I wrote down the electron configuration. "The valence electron is-" I paused, looking up at Kunimitsu. "-2?" I said and he nodded.

I smiled brightly before moving on to the next number as Kunimitsu went back into reading his book. We were both in his room, studying for the Chemistry test next week. It wasn't my best subject nor was it my worst as I was still able to comprehend some of the lessons. Although I still had trouble with one particular lesson so I had asked Kunimitsu for help.

"Kunimitsu. Can you come down for a minute?" I heard Ayana-san's voice from downstairs.

Kunimitsu looked up from his book and looked at me before standing up and going out of the room.

I looked down at the next number. The painful throbbing in my head still remained as I wrote down the answer, having been able to understand it already. I closed my eyes for a minute as I leaned back to the pillows behind me. I was on Kunimitsu's bed since he was sitting before his study table and it seemed like he didn't mind at all. I grimaced as the painful throbbing increased. I think it wouldn't hurt if I close my eyes for a few minutes.

oOo
Tezuka Kunimitsu's POV

"Is it okay if I ask you to buy us some ingredients for dinner? Maybe you could go out about half-past ten." my mother asked.

"Hai."

"Bring Haru-chan along with you. I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Kira-san said before she and my mother continued discussing on what to prepare for dinner.

They were joining us for dinner again as a celebration for me becoming a regular. They had taken it a little bit seriously, Chiharu had said when she had heard about it and I believe her, seeing that it was only 9 in the morning and they were already talking about dinner.

I saw Nori-san talking with my father and grandfather in the living room before going upstairs and into my room. I sat down before my study table and continued reading.

I took of my glasses and closed my eyes for a second before putting them back on. I looked at the clock on my study table. Half an hour had passed since I started. I started reading my book before realizing that the sound of pen scratching paper was absent and remembering that Chiharu was still on my bed. She had asked me for help yesterday, explaining that she had been having trouble with one of the lessons for our Chemistry test. So I had not been surprised when she showed up outside my bedroom door.

I looked at my bed to see her leaning on my pillows, asleep. I stood up and picked up the paper she had been answering. She was almost done, just two more numbers. I looked at her, remembering that just a while ago she had been rubbing her temple as she answered one of the numbers. Headache.

Chiharu groaned and her head turned, giving me a clear view of her sleeping face and I suddenly remembered what happened a few days ago.

Flashback…

I watched as Ryota-sempai walked towards Chiharu and Yaotome-sempai with a grin on his face. He whispered something to the latter and I could see Chiharu look at me helplessly.

"How about you Tezuka-kun?" Ryota-sempai asked.

"Don't you think Sakamoto-chi is cute as well?" Yaotome-sempai asked.

I blinked before looking at Chiharu. My mother had said that Chiharu was cute and though I didn't know how you could say that a person is cute or not, I nodded and that's when they pushed her.

End Flashback…

I looked at Chiharu for a second before picking up her things on the bed and putting them on my desk. I had just started reading again before my bedroom door burst open-

"Tezuka-kun!" –and a familiar violet-head sempai came in. He took one good look around the room and fainted.

oOo
Sakamoto Chiharu's POV

I woke up to sound of someone talking inside my room. Wait. My room? I don't remember- I immediately opened my eyes and sat up straight, remembering that I had fallen asleep on Kunimitsu's bed. I looked around the room and was surprised to see Nakano-sempai on the floor unconscious.

"Oh you're awake." A familiar voice said and I looked up to see Ryohei-sempai.

"Sempai? What are you doing here?" I asked, swinging my legs to the side of the bed.

"We were just here to pick Tezuka-kun up." He said.

"Kunimitsu?" I looked to my right to see Kunimitsu. "Gomen. I fell asleep on your bed."

He nodded and I took a good look at Nakano-sempai. "What happened to Nakano-sempai?" I asked.

Ryohei-sempai chuckled. "Well he burst into Tezuka-kun's room and took one good look around before fainting. If I would guess, I would say that he was shocked to see you sleeping on some guy's bed. Even though it was Kunimitsu's." He said. "Though please enlighten me. Why were you sleeping on his bed?"

I blinked. "We were studying for the Chemistry test next week and I had a headache so I closed my eyes for a few minutes and I didn't realize I fell asleep." I said.

"Does your head still hurt?" Ryohei-sempai asked.

"Iie. Not anymore." I said, feeling that the painful throbbing in my head had already disappeared.

"Nngh."

We all turned to look at Nakano-sempai who was starting to come around.

"Are you alright Nakano?" Ryohei-sempai asked as he helped Nakano-sempai up into a sitting position.

"Nngh, what happened?" He asked.

"Umm… Sempai, you kind of-" I tried to say.

"You kind of slipped on some papers, fell, and hit your head." Ryohei-sempai said, winking at me and Kunimitsu when Nakano-sempai wasn't looking.

"Really?" Nakano-sempai asked.

"Uh… hai. Please be careful next time Sempai." I said, wondering what Ryohei-sempai had in mind.

I tried to think of any reasons when we heard someone's phone ring. Nakano-sempai quickly pulled out his phone and answered the call.

"Hello?" He said. "Oh Yamato!" A pause. "Yup. We're in Tezuka-kun's house right now." Another pause. "Me, Ryohei, Tezuka-kun and Sakamoto-chan." Another one. "Oh ok. We'll be there in a few minutes. Ja ne." He said, ending the call.

"Ne, ne Sakamoto-chan. Yamato asked me to ask you to come with us. We're going to a restaurant to celebrate everyone's hardwork to become a regular. I'm not taking no for an answer." Nakano-sempai said as he grinned at me.

"I don't think-" I tried to say.

"Of course she'll come with you."

We looked at the door where Kira was. "Sorry. I kind of heard your conversation since I was supposed to give this list to Kunimitsu and Haru-chan." She said, showing the list she was holding.

"List of what Kira-nee?" I asked.

"Of the ingredients needed for dinner. But since you are coming with them, I'll ask Nori to buy them." She said before closing the door. "Oh and be home before dinner ok." She said, her head poking out of the doorway before it closed again.

"Looks like I'm going." I said, taking note that Kira had emphasized the word 'are' in her sentence meaning that it was mandatory that I go, in her opinion that is. I just hope this would go well.

oOo
Sakamoto Chiharu's POV

"We're here!" Nakano-sempai shouted as he entered a restaurant I'd never been before, Ryohei-sempai following closely behind.

I looked at Kunimitsu before the two of us entered as well.

"Sakamoto-chi! Tezuka-kun!" Yaotome-sempai said as he spotted us, instantly standing up from his seat and running towards us.

My eyes widened before I quickly sidestepped. I had realized that Kunimitsu had done the same as Yaotome-sempai, instead of hugging us; dived to the ground. I looked up as a hand landed on my shoulder.

"Glad you two could make it." Yamato-sempai said as he smiled at me and Kunimitsu before he ushered us to a table where they were seated.

I sat beside Yamato-sempai with Kunimitsu on my left and across from a guy with silver hair and golden yellow eyes. He nodded at me and I nodded back slowly.

"Oh right you haven't met Takagi-kun yet." Ryota-sempai said.

"Takagi Shin." He said.

"Tezuka Kunimitsu." Kunimitsu said.

"Sakamoto Chiharu." I said, warily. I mean, not everyone you know has silver hair and golden eyes. It's a bit creepy. Beautiful but creepy… and mysterious.

"Don't worry Sakamoto-chan. He doesn't bite." Nakano-sempai said, grinning.

I nodded before looking around the restaurant. There weren't any people except for us. Did sempai-tachi scare them away or something?

As if reading my mind, Ryohei-sempai spoke. "No. We didn't."

I looked at him as he continued explaining. "This restaurant belongs to the family of one of the regulars. You'll meet him in a few." He said.

I nodded slowly before I saw Yaotome-sempai sat down, pouting and I felt guilty while Ryota-sempai snickered.

"Don't be mad Yaotome-kun." Nakano-sempai said. "You did catch them by surprise."

As a response, Yaotome-sempai just turned his head away from us.

"Gomen Sempai. We were just surprised. Right?" I said, looking at Kunimitsu.

He nodded. "Gomen."

"We really didn't mean to. Please forgive us." I said.

Before I knew it, Yaotome-sempai had appeared behind us and hugged me and Kunimitsu.

"Of course I forgive you both." He said.

"Please sit down Yaotome-kun. The food will be served any minute."

I looked behind Yaotome-sempai to see a guy with red hair and forest green eyes. He was smiling nervously as his hands were gesturing for Yaotome-sempai to calm down and sit.

"Arioka-sempai, come and meet Tezuka-kun and Sakamoto-chi." Yaotome-sempai said as he grabbed the redhead's hand and dragged him towards us.

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Arioka Jun." He said, nervously.

"Sakamoto Chiharu. Nice to meet you Sempai." I said.

"Tezuka Kunimitsu." Kunimitsu said.

He nodded before moving to sit beside Yamato-sempai only to trip and fall on his face. I immediately stood up and along with Yaotome-sempai helped him up.

"Gomen, gomen. I'm very clumsy." Arioka-sempai said when we had already helped him up.

I nodded. How did he become a regular?

"Arioka's very clumsy when he's outside the court but when he's inside he's rather very skillful and has balance." Ryohei-sempai said.

"It's embarrassing but true." Arioka-sempai said as he walked towards his seat.

I nodded before sitting back down. I looked at Ryohei-sempai cautiously. Is he reading my mind or something?

"Nope. It's purely coincidental." Ryohei-sempai said smiling and I looked at him incredulously. Sure?

"Very sure." He said.

"Stop reading my mind!" I said.

"I'm not reading your mind." He said calmly and the others looked back and forth between us.

"Then how do you know what I'm thinking about?" I asked.

"I just happen to know." He said.

I looked at him, totally crept out. He's creeping me out.

"Really?"

"Stop it!"

oOo
Tezuka Kunimitsu's POV

"That was delicious!" Yaotome-sempai said as he leaned back on his chair.

"Very! I'm so full." Nakano-sempai said, stretching.

Ryota-sempai snickered. "Why wouldn't you be? You were the one who ate the most Nakano. I'm surprised you still hadn't blown up yet."

"People don't blow up by eating too much food." Nakano-sempai said.

"He's right Sempai." Yaotome-sempai said. "They usually go to the hospital first and then the doctors say that they have… what do you call those? Um… you know when it can't be cured anymore."

"Terminal illness." Takagi-sempai spoke up before going silent again.

"Yup that's right! Terminal illness!" Yaotome-sempai said.

"You're right. Then they'll say that they only have a week or a month to live." Ryota-sempai said.

"Oh no. What am I gonna do Yamato?" Nakano-sempai said as he started panicking.

"Amazing as always Arioka." Ryohei-sempai said, ignoring them.

"I agree." The brunette beside me said.

"Arigatou. Ryohei-kun, Sakamoto-san." Arioka-sempai said.

"Why you little…"

We looked at Nakano-sempai who had caught Yaotome-sempai in a headlock. Ryota-sempai was laughing behind them. Arioka-sempai quickly tried to stop them.

"Why don't we play tennis?"

Their bickering stopped and we all turned to look at Ryohei-sempai.

"Hmm… the weather is nice today." Ryota-sempai said.

"Then it's settled. Let's meet at the public courts near the school in one hour." Ryohei-sempai said, smiling.

oOo
Sakamoto Chiharu's POV

I watched as the Sato twins won against Yaotome-sempai and Takagi-sempai.

"Kyaa~ don't you think those twins are so hot?"

"I know right."

"How about that guy with silver hair and golden eyes? He just looks so mysterious."

I looked behind me to see people on the upper seats of the court. They were mostly young women who had been attracted to the Sempai-tachi.

"You're up next Sakamoto-chan, Tezuka-kun." Ryohei-sempai said as he sat down beside me before drinking from a bottle of water.

I nodded. The Sempai-tachi had agreed that we play by pairs since Arioka-sempai still had things to do in their restaurant. Yaotome-sempai and Takagi-sempai had partnered up against the Sato twins while Nakano-sempai and Yamato-sempai were going against us.

I stood up, my blue racket in hand. Kunimitsu and I walked down to the court as Nakano-sempai and Yamato-sempai did some warm-ups on the other court. We had done some warm-ups a while ago as the Sato twins had started playing against Yaotome-sempai and Takagi-sempai.

"Hold it!"

We all looked at the top of the stairs to see an American guy with blonde hair and blue eyes and along with him were 6 other guys. They walked down the stairs. The blonde guy walked towards Yamato-sempai. He stood a foot taller than Yamato-sempai and one could guess that they were high school students.

"Don't hog the courts all to yourself." He said as the Ryota-sempai and the others stood up from their seats and to the courts.

"What did they say?" Nakano-sempai asked.

"They said they wanted to play." I said.

"We were here first." Ryota-sempai said.

"Then let's have a bet shall we. If your best doubles pair can win against mine we'll leave and find another court." A guy with long black hair tied to a ponytail said.

"And if we don't win?" Ryohei-sempai asked.

"You leave the courts." The black haired guy said, smirking.

"Deal."

We all looked at Yamato-sempai who shook hands with the blonde guy.

"Jeremiah, Rowell, you know what to do." The blonde guy said. He looked at Yamato-sempai and smirked before walking to the seats with his companions. I watched as a guy with green hair and brown eyes walk to the other side of the court followed by a guy with blonde hair and black eyes.

"We'll go against them." Ryota-sempai said and Ryohei-sempai nodded.

Yamato-sempai looked at them for a second before looking at me and Kunimitsu. "I'm counting on you two." He said with a smile.

"What!? You can't put them in. What if something bad happens?" Yaotome-sempai said.

"Iie. Yamato's right." Nakano-sempai said. He wasn't smiling and it looked like he was actually serious for the first time. "The four of you are already tired from your match."

"Okay, fine. But if they even think about hurting our kohai, I swear I'll make them pay." Ryota-sempai said.

"Tezuka-kun, Sakamoto-chan." Ryohei-sempai called us. "It won't be a hassle if we ask you to beat them for us right?" Ryohai-sempai asked, smiling.

A hand landed on my shoulder and I looked up at Takagi-sempai. He nodded.

"Ganbatte Tezuka-kun, Sakamoto-chi." Yaotome-sempai said. "Be careful okay."

I looked at Kunimitsu, unsure. He nodded. I relaxed and took a deep breath. I nodded and smiled. We can do this.

Hi! Here's Chapter 10! Hope you like it! I have a huge cough right know… consequences of eating so many chocolate. :)

Thanks to the following people:

RockPrincess410, Nogizaka Ayumi, Random.A.M, and Rikkai and hyotei lover

Leave a review! :D ~Krisia