Author's Note: Minna-san, thank you for your kind support. Happy Reading in the fanfiction world wherever you are!
Disclaimer: All original characters and storyline belong to the brilliant Takeshi Konomi. Nothing in POT belongs to me. All storylines, OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments in this story are just figments of my imagination.
Thanks to princeoftennis .wikia .com for all the relevant information.
CAUTION: Some plotlines might not be following the original storyline from manga, anime or movie! Characters may be out of original character-ness!
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
Xxxxxx Flashback
Current Age: Tezuka, Oishi, Eiji, Fuji, Takashi & Inui (28) Sakuno (26) Tezuka Kuniharu (60) Tezuka Ayano (57) Echizen Nanjiroh (55) Echizen Reena (54) Echizen Ryoma (26)
UNEXPECTED CHANGES
Chapter 24: Gossip
"I am so so sorry nyah!" Kikumaru Eiji cried as he bowed his head to the floor while kneeling before the group of angry people.
"How can you be so reckless, young man?" The severe voice of Tezuka Kunikazu made him tremble.
"Have you had any idea how much stress and panic you have caused?" Tezuka Kuniharu was quite stern.
"I can't tell you how much tears I have shed over this." The normally gentle voice of Tezuka Ayano was furious.
"Demo…" Kikumaru sat up to look dejectedly at the Tezuka clan and his ex-high school-tennis mates standing behind them. Fuji, Oishi, Inui, Kawamura, Kaido and Momoshiro had their arms crossed at their chests and were glaring at him with disapproval. Even Sakuno's friend Tomoka Osakada was there giving him the stinking eyes.
"Eiji, we are disappointed in you." Fuji stated with menacing wide-open eyes.
"Fssh, Kikumaru-sempai is always rushing off to do things without thinking."
"For once, Kaido, I agree with you." Momoshiro nodded solemnly.
"Without checking out the facts, you have spread the news like a hardcore gossip." Inui's displeasure sent shivers down the spines of his friends.
"Perhaps he could use some of those juice… I mean potions you have made, Inui." Oishi added.
"Oishi!" Kikumaru was shocked that his best friend would suggest such a terrible thing.
"It's less than you deserve for causing such havoc in our family and among your friends." Kunikazu said and everyone agreed with a nod.
Kikumaru Eiji sighed dejectedly and wished for the hundredth times that he had never eavesdropped on Sakuno and her phone conversation with someone talking about cancer.
He wished he had never assumed that Sakuno had cancer.
He wished he had stopped to ask Sakuno for more details.
He wished he had never told his mates and later Tezuka's family that Sakuno had cancer.
His left and right cheeks ached painfully, and he winced when he touched them. When the whole truth came out, Sakuno and Kunimitsu had given him a hard slap on each cheek.
"Now, Eiji, here's a little something for you." Inui's glasses flashed ominously as he held out a small bottle with bubbling brown liquid inside.
The Tezuka residence emitted a really loud scream before it subsided with a thud, the sound of a body dropped to the floor.
Chapter 25: Together
"Please say Yes, Sakuno." Kunimitsu held her left hand where his ring with a diamond surrounded by rubies rested on her fourth left finger. He had given her the ring before he left Japan.
"Yes, Mitsu-kun." Sakuno's eyes teared at the way he looked at her, with love and gentle determination. He bent down to place a tender kiss on her lips. She sighed happily and pulled him closer and they spent a few moments sharing sweet kisses.
Later they pulled away and Sakuno rested her head on his strong shoulder. They were sitting on a bench in the far corner of the garden away from prying eyes and ears.
"I can't live without you, Sakuno. That fake news made me realize I never want to spend another day without you by my side. Once we are married, come with me to Germany."
"But, Mitsu, what about nursing school?"
"There's a good nursing school near my training institute. I am sure you would do well there, my love. I can apply for an apartment for us."
"That sounds wonderful, Mitsu."
"Ojisan, Okasan and Otousan would love it if we could get married here in Japan before we move to Germany."
"I wish Obasan is here for our wedding." Sakuno said sadly, still missing her grandmother after all these many years.
"She's here, Sakuno, in our hearts and mind. She asked me to look after you before she passed on and I intend to keep my promise."
"Mitsu, I love you."
"I love you too Sakuno."
Chapter 26: Epilogue
With great determination, Tezuka Ayano, Sakuno and Tomoka were able to organise a simple yet elegant wedding just for family and close friends.
Sakuno Ryuzaki and Tezuka Kunimitsu finally tied the knots on a lovely sunny day witnessed by the Tezuka clan and their close friends mostly from Seishun High. A picture of Sumire Ryuzaki was given a place of honor in the front row of the seats at their wedding. Many shed tears of happiness for the loving couple who could not take their eyes off each other.
A few weeks after the wedding, the Tezuka clan and friends send the couple off at the airport. Most of Sakuno and Kunimitsu's things had been shipped to their new apartment in Germany.
Sakuno and Kunimitsu made sure to visit their family and friends in Japan at least once a year especially with the patriarch of Tezuka clan getting on in years.
The only year they did not come back to Japan was 6 years ago. It was the year Sakuno gave birth to the next generation. The Tezuka clan were the ones to travel to Germany that year to welcome twin boys Tezuka Hideki and Hiroki.
Sadly, Tezuka Kunikazu passed on two years after the birth of his great-grandsons but he left with great happiness in seeing his grandson becoming world famous champion tennis player and having his own growing family.
Present Day – 8 years after the wedding.
"It's good to be back in Japan, Mitsu. I have forgotten how hot it can get this time of the year."
"I know, my dear. Now, where are they?" Kunimitsu scanned the area after they had collected their luggage and left the Arrival Hall of the airport.
"Sakuno! Tezuka-san!" the high-pitched shout turned everyone's head to an enthusiastic lady with brown hair waving at them. Waiting behind Tomoka were Kunimitsu's parents and their old friends from Seishun High.
"Tomoka-chan! Minna-san!" Sakuno waved back excitedly and was about to rush off to greet her family and friends but two pairs of hands gripped unto her skirt.
"Okasan! Don't go!" the voices of two boys pulled her attention. Though the twin boys were small miniatures of their father, they looked apprehensive at their new surrounding and eyed nervously at the busy crowds in the airport.
"Don't be scared, Hideki, Hiroki. We are going to meet our family and friends." Kunimitsu gave his sons a comforting pat on their shoulders.
Sakuno held on to their small hands, each boy at her sides, and with Kunimitsu in tow with their luggage, walked over to their welcoming party.
"Otousan, can we play tennis later?" Hideki asked. His younger brother, Hiroki piped in, "I want to play too."
"Now, boys, we need to rest for a few days and visit with your Ojisan and Obasan. I am sure we can arrange to meet all your Uncles and their children for some tennis after that."
"Hai, Otosan." both being tennis loving boys exclaimed happily.
"Yudan sezu ni iko."
== And they lived happily ever after. ==
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