Hye! I am back with the new chapter… This time it is the fourth of July, America's Independence Day. Well, what's Sakuno's going to do now? Find that out.

Well, I bet some of you or should I say 'all' of you know the latest news, right? Ryoma and Sakuno will be having a date in the Shin Prince of Tennis manga. Tee hee hee… yep, Sakuno will be appearing in the manga. I can't wait to read that chapter (128) in August. Of course, I have to read 126 first… tee hee hee… :3 Well, just sharing that, even though you already know about it… ^^.

DISCLAIMER: I do not the Prince of Tennis and never will.

heartluv – Tee hee hee, he is alright. He finally realized his feelings for her. Well, this is the next chapter… Thank you… ^^

Sweetangel – tee hee hee… yep, he did alright… well, you'll know her decision in this chapter… maybe? Tee hee hee. Thank you very much… This is the new chapter… ^^

Ruri-chan – hi… thank you very much for reviewing. Of course, I remember you from FB ^^. I am glad to hear thoughts from you and I am also glad that you think that way about me… and it's okay. I love reading longer reviews. This reply will be longer than I expected as well.

Well, you are right and I am aware that Ryoma is mostly Ooc from most of my fics. I can't help it if I make him like that. I even apologize to the readers when I remind them about him being an Ooc but I ended up being scolded and said that it's fine. I guess nothing can stay permanent especially when someone's in love. But I'll try my best to keep him in character… as possible as I can… I hope… :3 (Maybe not in this chapter... yet)

I prefer Ryoma being the possessive type, yes but thinking marriage is like an ownership responsibility or anything of the sort never crossed my mind. I never even thought about that when I was writing the fic or when marriage is involved. My mind was like working on its own and my hand started writing what my mind was telling it to do. All I could think when I was writing was to show how much he loved the girl. At least, I was able to make Sakuno have backbone from some of my fics, if you have read them. Of course, we have different perspectives about making love so call me weird if my ideas are weird or something like that. I've been wondering about what the other people thought about it. But you are right. I'll try to go out of that zone and try other emotions that Ryoma would feel. Just like in the old saying, people do crazy things when they are in love.

I realized that you are right. I do that to at least one's Pov and then the next. I should make it more mysterious not because I am telling the characters their own POVs. I'll follow your suggestions about narrating the people's thoughts. I'll give credits to myself :3 I keep reading and hearing words that aren't so common to use but when I try to use them I occasionally forget them. I'll take note of that and I use a different style of description. I'll try my best of course. I also know what to do when I started reading a novel and I'll have the book as my guideline.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you. I was really poor at grammar at first but I think that is what I am improving about… at least a little. No need to boast or tell it right? The readers know how good a writer is, that's why they read your work and give thoughts about it. My work helps me a lot because of that and I am applying it here. Yeah.

I am really happy that people read my fics and they share their thoughts. Thank you for wishing me luck as well. I really need that. Your suggestions did help me a lot. Thank you for pointing out my flaws. :)

johanna - thank you very much... tee hee hee... this is the next chapter... ^^

Chapter 12: Do It My Own Way

Chapter Summary: She wasn't expecting it at all. She was stubborn but he was more stubborn. Who would win between them? Find that out.

She blinked her eyes twice, thrice as she looked outside of their porch the next morning. She didn't want to believe but the evidence was just outside. Looking from her window, she knew that she had been seen from below so there was no need to hide. Sighing,she went down and opened the door to their front porch.

"Yo."

"W-what are you doing here?" She couldn't believe as she was blushing at that very moment, "R-Ryoma-kun?"

He just shrugged as he looked at her, "I've come to pick you up."

"What?"

"Let's go to school together."

"Eh?" She blinked her eyes twice as she looked at him, "I… I don't go to school now. You know it."

She saw him blink his eyes for several times as if he only realized that, "Come to school then."

"I just went there."

"Come to school again."

"Ryoma-kun…"

"Come and watch me play."

"We already talked about this—"

"And you knew my answer," He said cutting her, "No."

She was blushing really hard as she couldn't look at him. He was making it awkward for her, "I've already decided Ryoma-kun."

"I can change your mind."

"But—"

"You'll choose me in the end."

Her eyes widened when he said that. She never expected those words from him. It was the Echizen Ryoma, saying those things were almost close to possible.

But he was saying it… right in front of her and she didn't know how to reply back.

Before she could even think of what to say, Sumire appeared behind her and saw him talking to her, "Echizen, why are you here so early in the morning?"

Ryoma didn't say anything but he shrugged.

"Well, go to school now. It's better to be early," Sumire said as she walked outside to the garden, "I'll see you within thirty minutes and Sakuno go and eat your breakfast since you are awake. Better wake your parents up to join you too."

"H-hai…" She replied in a low voice.

They were left in front of their porch again. Ryoma didn't say anything but she knew that he was staring at her.

"Y-you better go," She said turning around, "or you'll be late for school." She was about to grab the doorknob when Ryoma grabbed her arm and turned her around once again. Her eyes widened.

Ryoma was seriously looking at her… really close. Her heart was pounding really hard.

"I'll see you after school so get dressed before then."

His grip was too tight but it wasn't painful all the same. She knew that she was blushing really hard. The person in front of her, the person that she liked, confessed that he liked her, was now pretty close to her and was trying to convince her to stay.

He let go of her and slowly after a few seconds of being silent. He slowly turned around from her and started walking outside, not until he said another word;

"I won't take no for an answer."

She watched him leave their porch after he said that. Was it really him? He never paid attention to anything, not even to her. What really happened? She was just a silent person secretly liking the boy from the fence. How was everything leaked out?

Wait?

She never told him anything. The boy didn't know that she liked him. The boy was the one who confessed to her, not the other way around. And he was going to do his own way to convince her. She didn't know what to do.

Still confused, she decided to enter their house and decided to eat breakfast even though she didn't feel like eating. She even called her parents to join her.

Besides, she didn't want them to suspect anything.

After School:

His eyebrows were twitching. Yeah, they were twitching. Why wouldn't they? Ryoga, who just happened to be there, announced his plans about him taking Sakuno out today.

How did he know? He didn't want to know how? He just didn't like what was happening at that moment… even Sumire had his blessing.

Great. Just great.

"Make sure that you'll take her into something romantic," Momo suddenly said draping his arm to his shoulder, "Take her to the amusement park."

"Or to the strawberry farm," Eiji said and looked at Fuji, "She likes strawberries, right?"

"Or to the zoo. She likes animals." Momo added.

"Fshh." Kaidoh reacted when he heard that.

"Guys, don't pressure him," Oishi said trying to stop them. Good thing that Momo let go of him at that moment, "I think he knows where to take her today."

They bickered in front of him and even Ryoga was joining team. He sighed as he looked at his captain. Tezuka nodded giving him the sign that he needed. Nodding back, he simply grabbed his duffel bag and quietly left the court without them noticing him gone at that moment.

He only sighed calmly when he was able to escape from them without a hassle. He knew where to take her today. Even if the girl refused to go with him, he would force her beside, he had two days left to convince her not to leave the country.

Meanwhile:

She couldn't believe it. Not really. Not. At. All.

Standing in front of her life-sized mirror, she could see her own reflection there. She was clad in her yellow sun dress and sandals. She kept her braids just the same. She checked herself one last time before she decided that everything was fine.

Who was she kidding?

Why she was getting dressed up just because Ryoma had told her to? The next thing she knew, she was looking for a dress to wear and she couldn't believe that she called Tomoka for help… just like the old times. Her best friend came up with her dress that she was wearing at that moment. She even wished them luck for their date.

Blush appeared on her face, when she realized what she was thinking. Ryoma liked her and he asked her out.

That was considered a date, wasn't it?

She decided that she should go with him today. Since she needed to convince him, she would go with him. She liked Ryoma and it was a dream came true that he also liked her. It was definitely a dream that came true. She flinched when their doorbell rang, indicating that Ryoma must be downstairs already. Her heart had started to pound once again.

Taking a deep breath, she walked out of her room and went down the stairs. Her heart was still pounding inside her chest when she opened the door of their front porch.

And revealed an Echizen Ryoma in front of her… with his casual clothes.

"Good, you look nice." He suddenly said.

She looked down and she blushed a little, "A-arigatou."

Silence was presented between them. She didn't know what to say and she wouldn't dare to initiate it, at least not yet. She looked at him when he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her to walk.

"Let's go." He said walking ahead of them.

She blushed when she looked at their joined hands. He didn't let go of it as they walked to wherever he was taking her. That made her remember;

"Anou… where are we going?" She shyly asked as she looked at his back and it took minutes before he replied to her;

"Just follow me."

…To receive an indirect answer from him after all.

Later on:

They rode the train and quietly sat inside. Ryoma was awfully a silent companion. Sometimes, she had been wondering about it. How was he going to convince her to stay and choose him if he wouldn't open his mouth at all?

She didn't know his plans. Was he serious? She gave up talking to him with longer sentences anyway. He would make her feel awkward for being so quiet that long, which he was doing again at that moment.

"We're here."

She flinched when Ryoma suddenly talked. Yeah, he talked just to announce that they were in their destination. She sighed when he stood up. She stood up as well and followed him.

xxx

They were in Tokyo city center. Ryoma grabbed her hand once again and pulled her forward. She didn't ask him where they would go so she just let him lead her.

They entered the largest mall in Tokyo and to her surprise; he took her to the skating rink.

"R-Ryoma-kun," She said grabbing his arm, "I don't know how to skate."

"Don't worry," He said looking at her, "I'll teach you."

She couldn't complain to him anymore especially when they rented the ice skate shoes for an hour. She tried wearing them at first but it was him who fixed her shoes for her in the end.

He stood up and offered his hand to her, "Come on, let's skate."

She looked between his hand and him. She was thinking if it was the right thing to do.

"I'll take care of you." He said not tearing up his gaze from her.

Blush appeared to her face once again. She then slowly took his hand and stood up. Because she was on skates, she almost lost her balance. Ryoma steadied her by holding her shoulder while his other hand was still with her other one. He slowly walked backwards gently pulling her along with him. And in an instant, they were standing on ice.

"I-it's cold." She said shivering from the cold that came up from the ground. They also rented mufflers and gloves to protect themselves from the cold ice but some could still feel onto her skin.

"You'll forget the cold once you start skating with me." He said grabbing both of her hands this time.

She blushed once again and she didn't know if it was the cold or because Ryoma was holding her hands once again. Despite that she was wearing gloves, she could still feel the heat that was emanating inside his hands.

One more thing, how could he skate like that when they had just finished their trainings a few minutes ago?

Her thoughts were cut when Ryoma started to pull her to skate, "R-Ryoma-kun!" She almost lost her balance at the first attempt but good thing that he steadied her.

"Move your one foot forward, slide it on the ice." He instructed her.

"H-hai…" She tried nervously but she was able to make it.

"Now try the other." He said once again.

She tried the other one and it somehow worked.

"Do it alternatively." He ordered once again.

She nodded and tried to follow him. She even gripped his hands really hard when she thought that she was losing her balance. She was not even aware that she was biting her lower lip as she looked at her own feet when they were sliding with the ice.

"Yarujan."

She only looked at him this time only to see him seriously staring at her, "A-arigatou." She looked away after she said that.

"Do you want to try it alone?" He suggested after being silent for a few seconds.

She was nervous at doing it but she nodded nonetheless. Ryoma had slowly releasing her hands from his and left her standing there. She tried to slide at first she was a bit wobbly but she was able to do it little by little. A smile was formed to her lips where she knew that she could move without falling down on the ground.

"I… I can do it after all." She said smiling at him.

Ryoma was just looking seriously at her. She ignored it for a while as she tried to skate as possible as she could. She wanted to enjoy the day without thinking something disturbing.

xxx

He had taken her to different things and stuffs inside the mall like; the 3D ride, bowling game and even science works.

She didn't know how he did that. How did he know all of the stuffs that they did today? It was so unlike him at all.

xxx

They were walking on the pavement after eating dinner that night. He called her grandmother that she would be taking her home after dinner and that was what he promised.

They were on their way home. No one said a word as they walked home. It seemed that Ryoma was not intending to speak either. Did he have fun today? She didn't know.

"Ryuzaki."

She looked up to him when he called her. They were just a wall away to their front porch. She didn't say anything as she waited for his next words.

"Stay."

Her eyes widened and she knew that her heart was pounding really hard. He had made her speechless once again. He was just staring straight to her eyes, probably waiting for her answer.

"Ryoma-kun," She looked down as she couldn't look at him, "I… still choose my parents."

"…"

"Gomen…"

"…"

"…"

"Even if I say 'please'?"

She gasped a little when he said that. It was very rare of him to say that word but he just said it to her, "W-why don't you want me to leave?"

"You already know why."

"But we s-still can even I—"

"I want to see you everyday."

"W-what?"

"I want to see you cheer for me every morning."

"Y-you're selfish."

"I don't care."

She gasped as she looked at him.

"As long as I win you, I'll be selfish."

Her heart was panicking. She couldn't control the pace. She couldn't calm down. She remained still when he reaches for her hands and gently touched them.

"I was too late to realize it but now I do," He said as he gently gripped her hands, "I won't hold back anymore."

"Ryoma-kun…" She held her breath when Ryoma gave her a kiss on her cheek and it took for a few seconds before he leaned away.

"Tomorrow after school," He said touching her cheek that he kissed, "I want to take you to a place. Prepare yourself then." He turned around after that not waiting for her reply.

She was left speechless there. Ryoma was walking away from her leaving her beet red. She hadn't cleared everything to him. What was going to happen now? She would be leaving the day after tomorrow and it was impossible to back out now.

Why wouldn't Ryoma understand that? They could contact each other still just like before.

What was the difference now?

How would she deal with the person that up until now, who she too, had feelings for?

She hoped that she would make the right decision besides, she still had one day to go to do it and she would do it on her own.

The Next Day:

As promised, he was once again her guest that afternoon. She was clad in her usual dress this time as Ryoma didn't mind it. He stood up and looked at her;

"Sensei already knows that I am taking you out again," He said gesturing her outside the door, "Let's go."

"H-hai…" She said as she nodded.

Ryoma walked ahead and opened the door for her. They went outside and walked silently on the pavement.

"W-where are we going?" She asked him.

He looked to her side and replied, "It's a secret."

She blinked for several times before she refrained to pout, "N-no fair."

Just like yesterday, they rode the train and remained quiet through the ride. If she wasn't going to leave the country, she was definitely the happiest girl dating the guy that she really liked.

But the case was different and all she could do was blush.

xxx

They reached their destination and she wasn't mistaking it, she had been there before, the cherry blossoms and stuffs. The place was familiar to her so she wouldn't have mistaken it.

Ryoma had brought her back to Inokashira Park.

"W-what are we… doing here?" She couldn't help but ask him. Some unpleasant memories were rushing through her head.

Well, some of them were.

"Outsmarting the legend?" Only Ryoma could say before he grabbed her hand and pulled her to a walk, "Come."

Her eyes widened when she was being pulled but she let him do that. Even though she didn't want to think about it, things weren't siding to her. Ryoma was actually taking her to that place where she didn't want to go.

Alas, it was the boat ride.

She took a few steps backward, "R-Ryoma-kun. You know how I—"

"We've done this before," He said offering his hand to hers, "Don't tell me that you are scared again."

She only stared at his hand and didn't know if she would accept it or not.

"Everything will be fine."

She looked up to him with worried eyes. He was seriously looking at her.

"I promise."

That was all she needed to hear for the courage that she had. She slowly reached for his hand and let him pull her to the boat that he prepared. They slowly got in the boat and Ryoma rowed it to the center of the lake. As they reached the center, they stayed there for a while.

Sakuno was just looking down on her lap where her hands were sitting. Even though she wasn't looking, she knew that he was watching her. Mustering enough courage, she looked up to him only to shot back down once again.

His eyes were showing fondness while he was looking at her, the expression that she would never expect to see from him. No wonder that she was blushing really hard.

"The legend."

"Eh?"

"Do you remember about the legend of this lake?"

She didn't know why he was bringing that up to her but she nodded nonetheless. "W-we are not a couple so it's fine."

"But I want us to be."

Her eyes widened when he said that, she slowly looked up to him and at the same time he placed a hand on top of hers not tearing his gaze away from her.

"Be my girlfriend."

He said it straight to the point, just like how he would say it. Even though it was like that, the impact was still strong for her. She couldn't help but blush. She held her breath as she looked at him. The next thing she knew, she was already talking to him;

"I… I like you," She said blushing really hard, "…A lot. I do too. I… I want to be your girlfriend."

"Really?" He asked her as he gripped her hands tight.

She nodded as she couldn't look at him, "A-are we… a couple?"

"The feeling is mutual," He said, "Aren't we a couple for that?"

She smiled a little as she understood that but she had to let him understand something. She gripped her hands tighter which he was holding on, "But we are in the lake."

"Yes, we are."

"A-and we are a couple now." She said as she couldn't look at him.

"So?"

"The legend will apply to us."

Ryoma removed his hand from her, "Don't tell me you believe that?"

She bit her lower lip as she said her purpose, "I would… if you wouldn't let me go for Russia."

"Ryuzaki..."

"Just like in the legend, w-we will break up," She said looking up to him, "when we get out of this boat."

Silence welcomed them after that. Ryoma had been quiet after she said that. Even when he rowed the boat back, he chose to remain silent. Their way home was awfully quiet as well.

The only thing that they exchanged words was when they reached her home and told him that she at least had a wonderful time with him. He nodded and only said goodbye.

He didn't even look back at her after that.

Later on:

She locked herself up in her room after Ryoma brought her home. She told everyone that she was tired and would like to rest all night. She plopped down on her bed and hugged her pillow as she thought of what happened earlier. She couldn't stop the situation. It was funny indeed. They became a couple for minutes and then broke up the next second.

Who would've done that?

Her heart was aching. She didn't want to do that. It was her dream that came true. Ryoma had finally noticed her and even liked her.

It was painful.

She didn't know how but she had kept herself from crying in front of him. She couldn't stop now as her tears were slowly damping her bed sheet. She never cried so hard since April first.

It was the most painful decision that she ever made.

Done! I needed to cut it from here. How was this chapter? Can't believe that Sakuno chose her parents over Ryoma? Well, most people say family first before everything… Tee hee hee… well, what do you think? Will she go with them or stay with Ryoma?

What would be the best solution? Tell me your thoughts guys… thank you very much… ^^

I am bringing back the Inokashira Park so for the information, please check chapter two. I do not own it by the way so disclaimer's apply. Domo.

By the way, I am not sure if the next chapter would be the last so stay tuned… ^^

Next Chapter: Little Conscience

Happy Fourth of July American Friends! ! !

~ MitsukiJunko ~