disclaimer: I don't own POT.

The Truth About Love


At 3 a.m. the music died out, the bottles of alcoholic drinks were all empty, and the supposedly mature men of the renowned tennis regulars of Seishun Gakuen were all lying all over Sakuno's beloved furniture like lifeless cadavers.

Not that she minded though.

But seriously, those young adults do really pack a punch not only in tennis but in drinking too. She sighed yet again as she looked at the worn out faces of her dear friends. Immediately shrugging the care off her shoulders, she told to herself that those people brought the soon coming hangover to themselves. Scanning through her sleeping guests' faces, yet another sigh came off her lips when she saw Fuji sprawled on the cold ground by her front door. Even the hard, tough tensai was fast asleep.

Picking up beer bottles continuously and stacking them in a large plastic bag, Sakuno shook her head to break the sleep that continues to call to her. Then suddenly, her toilet flushed.

"I thought you were sleeping?" Sakuno suddenly said as the going pro-tennis player, Ryoma Echizen walked into the living room. With a light blush on his cheeks, Ryoma muttered softly,

"I just woke up."

With that Sakuno giggled. Ryoma was the first one to pass out after just three bottles of vodka, leaving him to be dragged to Sakuno's room for a rather needed sleep. And now, at about 3:05 am, he was drowsy but very much awake.

"Need some help?" He suddenly offered as he knelt down and grabbed a bottle off the floor and casually handed it over to Sakuno.

"No it's just fine Ryoma-kun, why don't you go back to sleep." She told him with a smile as she placed the empty beer bottle into the plastic bag. Instead of returning to her comfortable bed, Ryoma's eyes wandered around until his eyes were set upon the sleeping Syuusuke Fuji. Ryoma couldn't help but smirk.

"Even he's—"

"Yes." Sakuno laughed softly. "Even the supposedly tough-stomached Fuji Syuusuke."

Ryoma looked back at her and grinned. He stood like that for minutes as Sakuno looked up and faced him with a smile at the same time. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Ryoma looked away and suddenly stretched his arms while yawning. Blushing, Sakuno looked elsewhere and stood up to grab another beer bottle.

"You should sleep Ryoma-kun." She said once more.

"It is okay. Let me help." Ryoma answered, feeling more sociable as a light-headed young adult. Casually walking around the vicinity filling his arms with several beer bottles, he walked over to Sakuno and her plastic bag. And soon enough the bag was filled with garbage.

"It's full." Sakuno said out loud. Ryoma turned his head to face her as she continued. "I'll just grab another bag from the kitchen." She finally said as she walked to her kitchen. From where he stood, Ryoma could hear her close and open drawers until she finally came back. With a smile on her face, she held the plastic bag up to show Ryoma that she had already got a new one. Ryoma nodded in acknowledgement, not knowing whether or not he should've smiled back. Finding Sakuno stacking up bottle on the floor, he decided to shrug off the thought and continued working.

Thus, the tidying ensued.

"Neh, Ryoma-kun, thanks for your help." Sakuno said as they looked around the garbage-free living room. It was about 3:40 am in the morning. Frowning, Ryoma told her in reply,

"No problem. But frankly, you've still got the biggest pieces of trash in your living room." Ryoma said as a matter of fact. Instantly turning to face the smug face of Ryoma with her suddenly red face, Sakuno opened her mouth to retort.

"Wait, what do you mean? My living room is trash?" She asked, taking Ryoma's comment offensively. Taken back, Ryoma's eyes widened as he brought up his hands and waved it crossly.

"I was talking about the senpai-tachi, not your living room."

"Oh." Sakuno mouthed. Her cheeks reddening even more due to embarrassment. Taking her hand up to rub the temple of her head, she smiled at him apologetically. "I'm sorry. Must be because of lack of sleep."

"It's fine." Ryoma said simply with a shrug of his shoulders. "You should better go and sleep."

"But what about you?" Sakuno asked as she looked up at the young man.

"I guess I'll just take a short walk outside." Ryoma said as he headed for the door.

"Oh. Want me to come along?"

Ryoma looked back at Sakuno. He didn't know why he said it, but he did. And he repeatedly told himself that it was the "hangover" speaking.

"Only if you want to."

Taking it as an invitation, Sakuno grabbed her coat and walk towards Ryoma who had opened the door only halfway because of a certain drunken Fuji blocking its' way.

Both in their long coats, the pair slowly walked down the sidewalk, their footsteps coinciding. Ryoma, now as the light-headed and somewhat sociable young man, initiated the conversation, telling Sakuno about his adventurous trips abroad. Occasionally, Sakuno would laugh at his funny anecdotes. And in turn, Ryoma would feel good about his sudden socializing boost and continued talking.

"I can't believe it. You're like a superstar, but in the sports league, and yet here we are, talking so casually as if you're just a college friend of mine." Sakuno laughed in a sort-of realization. Smiling unknowingly, Ryoma stared at her amusedly.

"That makes no sense." He told her bluntly. Being fluttery and light-headed, Sakuno merely brushed off his remark but she had now shut her mouth. Then Ryoma continued. "I mean, we are college friends. We go to the same college, don't we?"

"See, you don't get me, Ryoma-kun." Sakuno suddenly laughed. Stopping on her tracks, she took out her hands from her pockets and gestured to him for more emphasis as she talked. "For example, you don't just casually walk with renowned actors or athletes in the middle of the night. Or maybe, you don't simply have relationships with over-the-top famous celebrities and athletes."

"And why is that?" Ryoma just had to ask. Truthfully, he didn't give a damn. He just wanted to get her all paced up.

"Well because they are like an entirely different breed, Ryoma-kun!" She exclaimed as if it was the most common knowledge everyone had knew. "And mind you, you're part of them."

"Really? How so?" Frowning, Sakuno continued.

"I mean, three-time grand slam champion at the age of nineteen?" She said with emphasis on nineteen. "Plus the handsome features and well-toned body?" Ryoma's cheeks just had to redden at her open comment. "Did those make any sense, oh Mr. Hotshot?"

Ryoma frowned. She was going over the top.

"Did you drink?"

"Why?" Sakuno asked, suddenly losing her quick demeanor.

"You're red."

"Oh."

"Anyway, where are we?" Ryoma suddenly asked as he looked around. There talk had brought them further than wanted from Sakuno's residence.

"Umm…" Sakuno thought out loud as she looked around as well. 'Shit.' She thought to herself. Because as much as she hated to admit it, it was rather obvious they were lost. One, Ryoma was not of the area. And two, Sakuno was very much navigationally-challenged. But then she just had to say, "Don't worry, I know exactly the way back home."

And then, she added her supercilious lie with a reassuring smile. Ryoma just looked at her and after a moment of silence, he nodded.

"I'm sure it's this street." Sakuno said for the nth time that morning. Ryoma's eyes keened as he stared back at her hazel orbs. Laughing nervously, Sakuno continued to lead the way. For the last minutes earlier in their walk, Ryoma followed her with no folly. But now, he had simply refused to walk any further by her command.

Sakuno turned around to find her company rooted on his spot. Slowly she gave him a pout.

"Come on Ryoma-kun, I'm positive that this is the way."

"See, now there's where you lost me." Ryoma suddenly said from his corner. "How can you know the way when you're very much navigationally-handicapped?"

"I—I wouldn't say navigationally-handicapped, Ryoma-kun…"

"But I would. And I say, its time you follow my lead, Ryuzaki." He ordered with those sharp golden orbs. Sakuno could do nothing but comply. Bowing her head in embarrassment, she followed the young man's stride.

A few minutes passed by and Sakuno was at awe. Because there she was, staring back at the apartment she had called home. With an indescribable smile of utter joy, Sakuno faced Ryoma and gave him that warm Sakuno-smile. Ryoma just looked back at her. He didn't know if he was mesmerized but he could say, the light reflecting off her eyes from the building was nice to look at. And then he suddenly blurted it out.

"You have beautiful eyes." Ryoma suddenly said. Both their eyes widened as the sentence spilled out of Ryoma's mouth. 'Shit.' Ryoma cursed to himself, feeling rather awkward.

"Umm, thanks." Sakuno simply said, not knowing how to reply to a supposed socially-challenged young man. "You too."

"Huh?"

"Uh, I mean, you have beautiful eyes too." Sakuno said, clearing out the confusion. Hearing this, Ryoma nodded and smiled at her.

"I get that a lot." He told her truthfully.

"I bet." Sakuno said with a playful smile which Ryoma returned. Tearing off their gazes, Sakuno started walking towards her door until Ryoma stopped her by taking hold of her coat. Not looking at her, he said.

"Hey, want to hang out here for a while?" Sakuno looked back at him questioningly at first before nodding and taking a seat beside him. Together, they sat there basking in the comfortable silence they had shared.

"Neh. Ryoma-kun, there has been something I've always wanted to ask you since you arrived, but never really got the chance. So do you mind.." Sakuno started softly.

"Go ahead." Ryoma said as he leaned on the front door and closed his eyes.

"Well… I was wondering, when will you be leaving?" Sakuno finally asked. Her hold tightened as she waited for his answer.

"Three days."

"Oh. That quick?" Sakuno said casually. But she had been hiding a certain emotion in her chest since she got hold of the topic.

"Yeah, I guess a month goes by fast."

"I guess so." Sakuno said with a sad smile as she too leaned on her front door, her shoulder leaning on Ryoma. Feeling the weight on his arm, Ryoma couldn't help but smile. She was warm, he thought. "Neh, Ryoma-kun." Sakuno continued more softly. "Promise me something."

"Hm?"

"Promise me that I'll be the first person you'll tell when you finally get a girlfriend, okay?"

"What?" Ryoma suddenly exclaimed, sitting up straight to face her. Sakuno looked back at him with a soft accepting gaze playing on her features. With a smile she told him,

"Well, I mean, you'll probably find a girl you'll like in a foreign country, and I won't be there." She said as she looked into his eyes. "I mean, I want to know it personally. Not by the media." She said softly, the smile never leaving her features.

"Fine." Was all Ryoma could say. He was still taken back by her sudden request, but truthfully, it didn't matter. "Fine, as long as I'm the first person you'll tell when you get a boyfriend."

"It's a deal then." Sakuno agreed with that soft smile. "But I highly doubt I'll be getting a boyfriend anytime soon."

"Why so?" Ryoma asked, intrigued.

"Well, for one, my heart's still healing."

"Why? Someone broke it?" Ryoma asked with a laugh as he fell back on the door, making himself more comfortable.

"Yes." Sakuno could only answer back in a smile as she stared at the man she had loved since so long ago.

"Really? Mind me asking who?"

"Hmm… guess."

"Fuji?"

"No."

"Katou?"

"No." Sakuno smiled at him, somewhat amused.

"Horio?" And with that, Sakuno broke into a laugh. Then with a smile, Ryoma continued. "I guess that's a no."

"Yes." Sakuno agreed with a laugh.

"Yes?"

"No."

"Wait, you lost me." Ryoma laughed. Sakuno laughed with him.

"No, not Horio." Sakuno said. "Truthfully, you're very close to him."

"Really?"

"Yes. You're practically one."

"Well, that narrows it down to…. My BROTHER?!"

"Oh, why don't you just shut it, Ryoma-kun." Sakuno laughed. Ryoma laughed with her. Slowly, as they laughed, Ryoma turned his head to face her and likewise, Sakuno did the same. Only inches apart, Ryoma's laughed died out as well as Sakuno's. And they stared at each other, a smile on both their faces. Slowly, Ryoma was being drawn in. And eventually, he found himself leaning in until he could feel the hot breath of Sakuno on his lips. She smelled sweet, he thought. And moving in a little closer, he felt his lips gently bump onto Sakuno's. And without hesitation, he leaned in, taking her lips to his'.

Three days had passed since then. And now, Ryoma was boarding the terminal to his airplane. He was riding first class, much suited for a man of his stature. All of his friends, fans, and supporters surrounded the vicinity. But among all these screaming fans and friends was Sakuno Ryuzaki. He didn't know why but the moment after their kiss, he could tell that he was starting to love the way she was. The way she felt when she leaned on his shoulder. The way she laughed when he'd cracked up a joke. The way she'd kiss like that morning days ago.

He knew that he was falling for her. But there was something he didn't know. And Sakuno knew it. She knew that as she waved to him a goodbye. It wasn't the same as before. Because she knew, she knew this time was different. She knew this time there would be no more trips back home. She knew. She knew because of her grandmother. Her grandmother had told her just recently that Ryoma had dropped off their college. Her grandmother had told her that Ryoma had a residence in England and America. Her grandmother had told her that there were other more fishes in the sea and that she should start forgetting about the young tennis athlete who had stolen her heart since the age of twelve.

Sakuno knew that eventually, she would learn to forget of him. She would forget the way he blushed. The way he would be who he was. And the way he would kiss.

"Hey." The man from the other side of the phone started. Sakuno couldn't help but say that she was shocked. "Ryuzaki, this is you right?" She heard him laugh at the other end of the phone.

"Ye—yes!" She stuttered indignantly much to her dismay. The man from the other end of the phone continued laughing.

"Can't believe I'm talking to you again."

"You're not the only one." Sakuno laughed.

"It's nice to hear you laugh. Anyway, I'm coming back tomorrow so you better make sure that you're ready for dinner."

"Am I not always?" Sakuno laughed even more.

"Well then, see you till then." The man said. "I love you."

"I love you too." Sakuno replied before hanging up, with a smile on her face. It had been three years since Sakuno had tried to call Ryoma about her boyfriend, as vowed in their promise so long ago. It has been exactly six years since their last meeting in her old apartment. And now, she was engaged to a man who had vowed to always be there for her. A man who'll never leave her. A man she's sure she loved. And a man who she knew loved her…

UNTIL her phone rang.

"This is Sakuno Ryuzaki speaking." She greeted. From the other end of the phone, the man who held on the receiver smiled to himself.

"Hey."

"Excuse me? Who is this?"

"It doesn't matter, really. Anyway, I just called to asked why the hell is it you broke our promise?"

Sakuno's eyes widened.

"Ryoma-kun?!"

"Bingo."

"Ryoma-kun—"

"Drop the kun, please. It's an ear-sore."

"My, look who's gotten all high and mighty." Sakuno laughed. Ryoma from the other end laughed as well.

"It's nice to hear your voice again."

"You too."

"Huh?"

"I mean, nice to hear your voice again too." Sakuno laughed.

"Oh." Ryoma laughed. "Man, has it been so long. Anyway, Sakuno, I'm visiting tomorrow. Do you mind giving me a tour? I'm sure a lot of things changed since I was gone."

"Oh sure, Ryoma-kun." Sakuno agreed. "Neh, why are you suddenly coming back home?"

"Well, if you really want to know, I'm stealing you back."

END

Want a sequel? Then better give me some inspiration. Review guys! :))

By the way, sorry about the format and the grammar/spellings. I'll fix it when I have time. :D

Thanks for your continuing support. :))