Author's note: Hi, as promised here is another chapter update. Thanks for supporting this story and I do promise I will finish this. I hope to hear from you guys on what you think about these developments. Thanks.
"Chapter 11: Rallying towards the Heart"
Ryoma's participation in the GHI Bronx Tennis Classic caused a major media explosion. Despite the late announcement that is a day before the completion, the news world zoned in the event. The prince's participation brought about the attention of other top competitors. The rivals checked their schedules to see if they can squeeze in an opportunity to face off. The one who was fortunate to do so was Luka Petrovic. Currently, he is the world number seven.
He and Ryoma's battle was anticipated. Petrovic is awesome in his own right. Many speculated that an injured Ryoma cannot match up with the seeded player. However, believers of the prince argued that he has something under his sleeves. Tennis enthusiasts everywhere flocked the sight and were glued on their screens in anticipation.
Sakuno glanced at the crowd. It was quite overwhelming for a small event. However, the biggest tennis star is in the arena. Despite the absence, it seems that people are still are of Ryoma Echizen. In this magnitude of people are supporters and critics all curious what the prodigy had to offer? "You look more nervous than me Ryuzaki." The tennis star stated with a smirk on his face.
"The crowd is huge, of course, I am surprised." The lady retorted.
"I played in bigger venues." The Prince retorted and proceeded to do his stretching. The crowd roared at the mere movement. "They are loud."
All eyes are on Ryoma. Sakuno wondered if he felt pressured. Was he confident in winning or just here to see how far he goes? He did say he won't overwork himself and withdraw if things become difficult. But can she take his word for it?
The start of the completion was signaled to start. The participants were being called to the center of the court. Before the prince proceed to the center out Sakuno called out to him. "Ryoma-kun, remember to listen to your body." The woman nervously spoke. "We worked hard to get here and there will be other days to conquer."
The lady hoped her message was taken. The male looked straight into her eyes. That very moment the female felt frozen in place. His gaze was piercing her soul and the feeling is suffocating. Ryoma put on his signature cap and nodded. After turning his back and walking away the prodigy muttered in a low voice. "I will win this for you."
-o¬-
The initial matches came in easy for the prince. Sakuno cannot put a finger on if the opponents are just scared or Ryoma is just that good. It probably is later, he may be injured but his playing instincts are still intact. Soon enough his skills will be put to the test when he faces off with Luka Petrovic.
Playing Luka one on one not tired is one thing. But facing his fatigue after a long day of matches is completely different. "Ryoma-kun, do you want me to massage your shoulder?" The therapist offered. "You have already gone through a few rounds. How about it?"
The prodigy shrugged and commented. "It's better to do it later after the game. It might cause my muscles to twitch." The prince's logic is acceptable. It is better not to disturb his current condition. The woman nodded in approval and wish him to do his best. "I always do my best." He declared and as the next match was to start Ryoma stood up from his bench.
As he was proceeding to the court he looked back at the girl. "Ryuzaki, if I beat that number seven guy there. Reward me." The girl blushed at his request, reward what? There is nothing that Ryoma Echizen would need.
"I don't know what to give." The girl confessed. What would a celebrity like him want? Unlike other people, Ryoma only cares about tennis. Sure he is a businessman now. But it would be he has everything money can buy.
The prince raised an eyebrow and smirked. "How about accompanying me to breakfast tomorrow?" She was not able to reply as the player proceeded to the field.
Breakfast with him? Well come to think of it, tonight she will do his therapy. They will most likely finish late. She has no reservations for a hotel room in the area. Where can she stay so he can join him for breakfast?
-o-
Petrovic put out as expected of a top player. His skills shook the prince of tennis a bit. But it was not enough to win. It was a close fight but Ryoma won in the end. After the match ended Ryoma again stated his signature phrase: "Mada, Mada Dane." And as the prince emerged victoriously, the audience roared. The camera flashed everywhere as if it was a grand slam came. Minutes later the internet was raving about the return of the prince. #Princeoftennis and #RyomaEchizen were trending worldwide. It was proof enough that in the field of tennis, Ryoma Echizen is still number one.
Ryoma had no choice but to indulge the media. It took him quite a while doing short interviews, getting photographed and had to bear the occurrence of an impromptu mini-press conference.
There were a lot of mediocre questions some are even irritating. The prince just decided to give generic answers or eluded answering by saying something else. Then all of a sudden a bold reporter hand to ask. "Who is the auburn beauty that is by your courtside?"
The prince snorted, of course, people will be curious about her. "My therapist," Ryoma stated with a tone of finality. The consistent news person made a follow-up." She looks too young to be a doctor. How did you come across her?" They were fishing for a juicy write-up, the prince knew. He was not ready for the world to know about Sakuno. Knowing how much she values her privacy, the lady might shy away if the media pesters her.
"We are all here to talk about how I play tennis." The prince stated in confidence. "If you have no questions about then I might as well leave." The people in the room were shocked at the prima donna attitude.
The host nervously tried to calm the atmosphere. "Ryoma, please they are just curious about the people around you."
"Whoever I put in my team is my business. They are essential for me to win and get back in the game." The amber-eyed male declared. "I hope all of you will respect their privacy. Nobody asks about the other player's staff." The involved reporter apologized for his actions.
"You probably are curious if this marks as a beginning for me to compete." The prince suddenly spoke out of the blue. "The answer is yes. Come fall, my brother and I will be preparing to play pro doubles." The crowd gasps in shock just like the viewers from everywhere. The Echizen brothers playing together will be a sight to see. "That means you guys will be seeing more of my team. I prefer that we keep things in line." The star declared and stood up. "Otherwise, I will not agree to partake in activities like these."
After finishing his statement Ryoma excited the room while the reporters at present have mixed feelings. They don't know which is more shocking, the undisputed prince of tennis playing doubles or he left the room like the royalty he is. To give him credit, people can't help but give him the benefit of everything. The handsome prince despite his somewhat cold behavior is like a magnetic attracting everything in sight. Who can blame him for being sick of the attention?
-o-
He was facing lying face down on his hotel bed. Sakuno was doing his therapy quietly. The lady was among the many who were surprised by what the prince manages to throw. But she rather not question him since it might ignite a bad mood. "I am moving to Boston with Ryoga for the whole Fall Semester." The patient muttered. "So tomorrow at breakfast we will talk about the arrangement."
So that is why he wanted to meet after winning. So he can discuss to her his training plan. But there is a bit of a problem. "Ryoma-kun, you see I don't have a room reserved in this hotel." The girl confessed.
"I got David to take care of that and Sato packed an overnight bag for you." Sakuno blushed at the thought of Sato going over her things. "It's not like he hasn't seen the stuff he placed in the bag Ryuzaki." The teasing voice of the prince somewhat sounded bitter.
"But it does not hide the fact that it is embarrassing." The lady defended. The client muttered a whatever.
"You will be staying in the room adjacent to mine." The prince revealed. "Breakfast will be served here." The prodigy continued to speak. "Seeing how the media behaved, if they see the two of us together, we will never hear the end of it." Then amber-eyed man explains. "So to let things calm down, stay here and we leave via chopper tomorrow at sundown."
"Sundown? We are just going to stay in this room till then?" The woman questioned.
"Those vultures are waiting outside. After lunch, a decoy will travel out of here. Then we will see how many took the bait." The player explained. "People were more excited than expected, it's not just the media but normal citizens too that we need to be careful of."
His reasoning was correct. They to keep things under wraps. However, Sakuno's palpitating heat was driving her crazy. How can she spend a whole day alone with the Ryoma Echizen?