"Reminiscense"

By Miyo-chan02

Disclaimer: I don't own it

Chapter XIII: Favor

Near the train station, the petite girl stood waiting for her best friend for they have come up of an agreement to go shopping together. Because of many complications that passed them, they failed to get some bonding time. And now is just perfect for the coasts are finally clear.

She wore a white shirt with a dash of pink that reached up to her hips while her bottom is a mint-colored skirt that landed just above her knees. It was pretty much the same length by the other skirts she often wore.

Even though she was all set, a slight worry is seen on her face. It's about the phone conversation she had with Tomoka the day before.

The phone of the Ryuzaki residence rang. "I'll get it obaa-san." She announced and picked the white phone. "Moshi-moshi. This is the Ryuzaki residence, Sakuno speaking."

"Sakuno-chan!" Came on the other line.

Just hearing it, she definitely knew who owned the voice. "Tomo-chan! What's wrong? You just ran a while ago not even telling me what's going on."

"Don't worry. It's nothing. I just banged Horio's face cause he's annoying me haha! Anyway, you're free tomorrow afternoon right?"

"Etto… I guess I am."

"Great! Let's go shopping tomorrow! There's this new shop I discovered! I'm sure you'll love it!" Tomoka's usual enthusiastic voice came through.

"Sure it's been a while. I missed shopping with you Tomo-chan."

"…" Then there was silence.

"Eh? Tomo-chan? Are you still there?" came Sakuno's worried expression.

"Ne Sakuno… you wouldn't hate me right?"

Sakuno turned silent for a while. "Of course not Tomo-chan. What are you saying?" A small smile made its way on Tomoka's lips. "Nothing special. Anyway, let's meet tomorrow near the station. 2:30 pm okay?"

Just hearing that question out of Tomoka, is really bothersome. After all, how will one handle it when their best friend asks that that out of the blue? Why would her best friend ask her such a thing?

I would never hate you.

She got out of trance upon hearing a few steps reaching her. She faced back with a smile plastered on her face. "Tomo—" she stopped in the middle of her sentence as another name escaped her lips. "Echizen-kun…"

He stood before her being taller than how she didn't expect him to be. With this brief moment, she was given the chance to once again examine his features when he's like that. As usual, he had those golden eyes that faced her.

Although this was Ryoma, a few things were not present. He's usually seen on a white cap, but this time, his green hair remained exposed, and his usual red tennis gear were out. He's wearing casual clothes. A simple blue polo shirt, matched with dark-coloured pants and a pair of rubber shoes.

"G-good day." She greeted with a bow for she felt a lot of awkwardness.

The lad got his hands on her wrist and started to walk, of course the girl being dumbfounded at his back. "Wait… Tomo-chan a—"

"Let's go" He simply replied.

"I-I'm sorry, I-I can't go with you Echizen-kun. Sh-she told me t—"

Ryoma stopped and looked at the girl with bore. "Fine." He said then quickly lifted her placing her on one of his broad shoulders. "E-eh? Wh-what are you doing? P-please put me down-! E-echizen-kun...!" Of course that would be anyone's initial reaction.

The tennis prince chose to be ignorant despite the young girl's protest. "She isn't coming. You have the rest of the day with me." He said calmly maintaining that cool attitude he always had.

o o o

She hid behind her bangs occupying the seat before Ryoma on a café. A small blush engaged her cheeks. It's just that Ryoma had to carry her all the way there. She can't bear those people giving them stares. "Mou… Tomo-chan…" She took a sip with her eyes glued on the wooden table.

Ryoma on the other hand didn't even mind those stares and sat comfortably. From his pocket, he took out the paper that Tomoka had given him.

"Ryoma-san, I need a favor."

He felt chills just hearing her call him that. Who knew that he'd prefer her being a fangirl than being like that? "No." he replied and started to walk away.

"I knew you'd help me Ryoma-sama! Here all you have to do is to take note of these things listed and meet Saku-chan tomorrow! After all Inui-sempai knows what he'll do! See yah!" she placed the paper on his hands and waved goodbye.

The list contained some information about the lass. It was obvious that Inui had this information. Now, he knew why the other lass had to mention his sempai.

Ryoma certainly didn't like this. Everytime his data-analyst sempai is mentioned, good things never happen. And when he says never, it means that they never happen.

"Echizen-kun…" he heard. He looked at her. "Anou… well… Tomo-chan planned this... right?" He didn't respond and waited for her next statement. "What I mean is… if you don't want… you can forget i—" not for the first time, he interrupted her sentence. "This isn't just a favor. Like what I said, you have the rest of the day with me." He stood up.

The girl eyed him. "So, are you coming or do I have to carry you again?"

Sakuno blushed with a pout. "O-of course I'm coming." She stood up and followed him. For some reason… that heavy feeling of awkwardness… it's slowly drifting into thin air. A small smile was seen on her lips.

o o o

4:00 pm as a meeting time wasn't a good idea. Soon, the sun was setting. All they managed to do was to eat a snack at the café and to walk around the shops.

"Almost time to go home." The lass thought after a few glances at her wrist watch. Of course, the prodigy at the corner of his eye wasn't that oblivious to notice those evident actions made by the girl.

"Before we end this..." he started getting Sakuno's attention, "... there's this one place I'd like to see." he said and started to walk again.

Staying behind, the girl nodded and continued following his steps as a small frown replace the smile she had.

Truly, the painful feeling she always felt was gone. The short time she spent with him... gave her the opportunity to realize that. But just like what he said, it's about to end.

o o o

The place wasn't far so they were able to reach it soon. Besides, it was near Sakuno's place. "I-it's dark in this tennis court." Sakuno said.

"Hn." the tennis prince replied. "Anytime now." he followed up.

After a few seconds, lights started to fill the place. Red, orange, green and blue, all colors came, making everything look like dream land. The girl in braids stared at it with awe. Who knew that a tennis court could look fascinating like this? In fact, who knew that something like this was possible?

The lights were colourful but were not too bright. The lights, outlined the significant touches of the court. Silhouettes, shadows, highlights and other elements danced under the night sky. And a nearby house even produced a small soothing flute music.

Each of them took steps on the courts. "I-it's nice!" Sakuno said as she touched the net that divided the court into two.

Ryoma watched her. She was back to normal. Only a few fragments of memory were needed to complete her. "Ryuzaki..." upon hearing her name being called she replied. "Y-yes?" She looked back...

She couldn't see anything apart from his eyes... His eyes that looked more beautiful up close. It was big and it stared into her. Slowly, his eyelids covered them and she found herself closing hers as well.

She couldn't hear anything. Anything except her heart beating so rapidly, in sync with the flute music in their background. She placed her hand on her chest, in fear of her heart jumping out of her rib cage.

She couldn't feel a thing. She felt light. She felt heavy. She felt cold yet warm. She couldn't tell which. She couldn't if it was his lips on hers.

She lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek. Is this real? Is this really happening? Or are her memories deceiving her again? Or this time around… is it her imagination and desire that are deceiving her? But then he felt so warm under her touch.

He placed his hand atop hers and pressed onto her hand.

I..

He pulled away, not even looking her in the eyes. He let go of her hand and started walking. "Goodbye..." those were his last words.

Sakuno slid on her knees with her eyes wide open.

I was on the train, sitting peacefully, until this young man started to swing his racket in front of me. I was really scared. His racket was near in hitting me then...

"Ne..." I heard. It was from another man about my age. On that very moment, he was able to save me.

Later on, I was waiting for my grandma. Truthfully, I was upset. She asked me to come, but she was the one who's late. Then, I heard someone call me. "Ne, do you know where Kakinokizaka Tennis Garden is?" opening my eyes... it was him. The young man in the train!

Our encounters didn't end there. I was quite surprised to find out that he's in the same school as me. And my grandma knew him too. But I was disappointed that he didn't even recognize me.

I followed grandma's advice that day to follow him on some kind of tennis training centre. I was asking him a couple of questions, I was really scared that he might get mad... but he answered all of it. After hearing his answers, I realized how big Ryoma-kun's dream was.

Because of his skills, I knew that he'll definitely be a regular. I saw him on my way home. He just got his jersey. I was so excited to see him in it that I asked him to wear it. Once again he pointed out the obvious, but still he wore it. And I swear... it suited him the best.

I was really nervous that time. I gave him one of the lunches I usually made. But I couldn't help to call him an idiot that time. I worked hard on that meal and he said it had a lot of ways to go...

I covered my eyes when it hit him. I couldn't bear to see it. But then, after seeing how much blood he's losing, without thinking, I got the ribbon of my uniform and ran to the court to offer it to him. He rejected it and even mentioned his racket. No matter how much blood he's losing, he still looked out for his racket... that made me sad...

With grandma's remedy, Ryoma-kun was able to keep up with the match even with that kind of injury. He was truly amazing. But sometimes... I wish that he'd just worry about himself.

Grandma asked Ryoma-kun to tutor me and Tomo-chan in tennis. But with my clumsiness, I got into trouble. I even dragged Ryoma-kun in it. But then... he was able to handle them all. I am truly grateful to him.

Ryoma-kun saved me again. Not only me. Also the others from that 'bear'. I thanked him. But with sempai-tachi watching us, I ended up running from embarrassment again.

Tomo-chan had to let me wear one of those too. I was really embarrassed. And she even called Ryoma-kun to see it. When it comes to things like this, I always get flustered especially with Ryoma-kun.

I was practicing on my own by hitting a tennis ball to the court. But then I missed a shot. "You're not serious like yesterday." I heard him. As he looked at the ball... "Ne, can I have this?" "Nothing special. I just feel nostalgic."

It was the day when Ryoma-kun leaves for America. I thought that I was too late. I was panting so hard. Then I heard him. "You're late. Planning was bad. You're hair's too long." Seriously, does my hair length affect being late? I proceeded on giving him the farewell gift. It's the best I could think of. A tennis ball with a note on it "International No. 1"

It's been a while ever since Ryoma-kun left. And I just heard that he came to join the nationals. And he won. I congratulated him and gave him some rice balls.

I heard of Ryoma-kun's condition. He has amnesia. But... he taught me tennis... I-I'm grateful of him... I-I need to do something. I saw him there. I tried my best to tell him how much he had influenced me. But he smirked. "What are you talking about Ryuzaki? I'll talk to you later. Right now... I need to beat someone there." On that moment, I remembered how big Ryoma-kun's dream was.

Three years seem to be a short period of time. A lot has changed. Even I have changed. Though myself changing might be an overstatement, perhaps improvement would suit me best.

I've always written letters. I just keep wondering if they'll reach you. Haha silly me. Of course they will. Perhaps… what I'm really wondering about is how you look when you read them. Do you stare at it? Do you smirk? Or do you even read it?

How are you… Ryoma-kun?

Red lights flooded her view but strong vehicle sounds filled her hearing. The red lights shut down and only pitch black came to her sight. Screams were heard. Panic's in the area. Ambulance. Police cars. Sirens—what happened? What happened to me? Where am I?

Why do I feel so… empty?

Sakuno placed her hands on her mouth. She didn't know what to do. Everything just came back. The memories. The feelings. Her memories. Her feelings.

I remember you… Ryoma-kun.

EDIT: lines and scenes added

Author's notes: OMG! finally all this time, I finally updated. okay is this long? sorry about that. its just that Sakuno remembered everything that's why. And besides, Ryoma kissed her! yay! I loved writing that part. But I didn't wanna make it so cheesy. Next chapter will be the last. So I hope to hear from you.

oh yeah, was the crossdressing thing really unexpected? but lol. it has to be unexpected. haha. truthfully, I planned the crossdressing thingy from the very start, so I was kind of surprised with the feedback. Maybe I should've described him at first huh? so sorry bout that. I'm also sorry if my recent chapters, seemed to be no good. maybe school's just getting into me too much.

Arigatou: 240 in 13 chaps! thanks

AquaJet, poems2songs, AkimotoAyumu, BloodyHaven, B.A.K11, ChErRyLoVeR147, nicklaus mak wei xuan, anonymousgirl, PynkPlayar, midnight blue08, mikan03anime, SaKuRa-cHan41, Kesadora, , and -8- faces of the moon -8-.