Andante

Composed by Chiaki Nozomi

Ryo.Saku.

"I hate you," Tsubasa groaned, rubbing his legs. Welts were all over his legs, some of which would turn into dainty round bruises. Ryoma didn't reply, but instead tossed the photo album to him. Tsubasa wrinkled his nose in confusion, then picked it up and flipped through it. "Eh," he exclaimed in surprise, "Did our little photographer make this?"

Ryoma grunted his reply and continued to change his clothes. Tsubasa called the other regulars over and they huddled around him, looking at the photos. When they finished, all looked at Ryoma, confused.

"Yo Echizen, where's your pictures," Tsubasa asked, and Ryoma nodded toward his right, where his photo album lay. Immediately the room filled with the male's catcalls and hoots. "I knew she had the hots for ya," he said with a smirk, "And can you imagine the effort she put into this? Staying up late, laying the photos down gently, thinking 'Ryoma-kun! Ryoma-kun!'".

"But I don't like her," Ryoma stated bluntly, causing everyone to quickly silence in shock. Tsubasa blinked in confusion before scoffing.

"You think you don't like her," he replied, "But it's written all over your face and actions – you want her." Ryoma scoffed back, and finished placing his things in his locker. Tsubasa chuckled, "Just like an elementary school kid."

"I think you're the one that wants her," he replied as he zipped up his bag. Tsubasa, sensing a challenge, quickly accepted.

"And if I do?"

"Then you can have her," Ryoma stated, and walked out of the locker room. Tsubasa's jaw hung slightly open, and he laughed heartily. "Yo Takki," he called and his quieter doubles partner looked up, saw his friend's face, and said 'No.'. Tsubasa laughed again, "Oh yes."

Ryoma opened the gates, frowning at the loud squeak. He would have to get that fixed soon. Sighing, he opened the door and changed shoes, then turned to be face to face with his father, oddly wearing a serious countenance. Ryoma stared up at him, irked. Although Nanjirou played seriously with him, Ryoma had never won a match, and Father just simply loved to rub that little fact in Ryoma's face daily.

But now his face wasn't playful, and his gaze told Ryoma that his smart mouth wouldn't get him out of this conversation.

"What is this," he asked, holding up a packet addressed to Ryoma from the World Tennis Association. Ryoma looked up at it, then nodded with satisfaction.

"It came in. I've been waiting for it."

"You're only a boy." Ryoma frowned, of all people in the world to contend his decision; his father was the last on the list. If anything, Ryoma expected him to laugh it off and continue on looking at his swimsuit idol magazines.

Ryoma glared and held out his hand. "It's marked with my name, not yours."

"Have you discussed it with anyone?"

"No," Ryoma replied, annoyed.

"Good," Nanjirou replied, and gestured to the family room. "We'll have plenty to talk about." He walked to the room, and Ryoma glared at his back, then, after a moment of deliberation, followed him and sat.

"Oi," Tsubasa called, and dashed to Sakuno. She looked up at him, confused. Tsubasa grinned. "Let me tell ya what I heard yesterday. Ryoma –"

"Not so early in the morning," Takki warned, smacking his friend on the head. He smiled gently at Sakuno, "Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie." Sakuno nodded, still confused at the exchange. Takki then shoved Tsubasa away, much to Tsubasa's chagrin.

"Geez Takki," he groaned, "Did you have to push me so hard?"

Takki rolled his eyes, "It's not right to play with a girl's feelings like that."

Tsubasa shrugged and kicked a rock. "It's not like teasing ever killed anyone."

"No, but it has made them kill themselves." Tsubasa scoffed at his friend's reply. Women were just playthings; the fact that they flocked to him like flies to honey just made his shopping easier. Takki changed the subject to English, their worst subject, and the two walked to class, attempting a conversation in the tongue.

Sakuno waited by the entrance for Ryoma. She knew it was pathetic, but starting the day off by greeting him made it fly by a bit better. Not to mention she skipped the past couple of mornings because of the photos. He came into view and she smiled. "Ryoma-kun!"

He stopped and death glared. "What do you want," he snapped. Sakuno's eyes widened. She stepped back, stuttering out an apology. "Just get it out," he barked.

"I… I just wanted to say good morning," she replied in a half yelp. Something had to be wrong, right? The photo book didn't scare him or anything… right? He didn't hate her… She bit her lip to hold back tears.

Ryoma sighed and continued on his way. Of all people… His own father… Ryoma scowled. He was more than ready to take on the pros. In fact, he could take the world crown if he desired. Lord knows the pros would provide more competition than his teammates and their opponents. The matches were starting to get boring.

The entire morning Ryoma seemed to be in the same angry state, and Sakuno felt her conscious growing weaker as time passed. When the lunch bell rang she quickly fled to the safety of the roof, where she proceeded to cry. Her bout in self pity didn't last long though, because Tomo appeared a minute later, breathing heavily and half muttering something about Sakuno's stamina. She sat next to her friend, "What's wrong?"

Sakuno sniffled. "Have you heard anything about Ryoma? Like him thinking I'm a freak or something…"

Tomo's eyes widened – "You gave him the photo book, didn't you?" Sakuno nodded and she explained the situation. Tomo pursed her lips in thought. "I don't think he hates you, otherwise he would've said it bluntly." She grinned, "Why don't you ask him what's wrong?" Sakuno's face flamed, as expected, and she protested, as expected. Tomo sighed. "You've liked him for over three years and you still haven't moved past the small talk stage. It's painful to watch, Sakuno!"

"But there's nothing I could say to him…"

Tomo chuckled, "You don't need to say anything to him. Half the time they're grateful for having someone to vent out their frustrations on."

"But isn't that what tennis is for," Sakuno stated dryly, "Smashing the ball to relive stress?"

Tomo smirked, "But if tennis is the source of the stress? The door's wide open Sakuno. Just walk in!"

"But," Sakuno objected, only to have Tomo cut her off.

"I don't want to hear anything until you try. In fact, now seems like a good time. I Tomo, order thee, Sakuno, to findst Ryoma Echizen and makest him thine own!" When Sakuno gave a confused look, Tomo commented dryly, "It's a joke Sakuno. Laugh."

"Eh? Where's Echizen," Takuya asked, glancing around the lunchroom, "You didn't piss him off again, did you Tsubasa?" Tsubasa's eyes widened in mock innocence.

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" Takki, Takuya, and Shingo shot annoyed looks at him, making Tsubasa cringe. "No, I haven't done anything today beyond talk to our little photographer. Ryoma's been in a bad mood all morning. Must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed or something."

Takki sighed. "Our little photographer has caused much ado lately, hasn't she?"

"What are you talking about," Shingo asked, "That incident earlier was the first thing in months."

A light, playful chuckle left Takki. Takuya nodded, knowing what his teammate thought. "Did you notice that Ryoma was a bit off after photogirl left with the blackeye?" Tsubasa and Shingo shrugged indifference. "Well, I suppose since you weren't watching him you wouldn't know… but I think she's become a part of his rhythm. It's obvious that she comes to take pictures of him, not us," he stated, side glaring at Tsubasa, "And she's been doing it for a year or so now, according to Tomo-chan."

"So if I break our little photographer's camera, I have a chance at beating Ryoma," Tsubasa interjected with a grin.

"Lack of rhythm won't cure lack of skills," Shingo remarked, and they laughed, excluding Tsubasa, who put on an exaggerated pout.

"I still have bruises from the other day" he moaned, rubbing his leg. "Although watching them was worth it." He then ended the topic by snatching Shingo's chips.

"Okay," Sakuno murmured, "If I was Ryoma-kun, where would I be?" She stopped and tried to think, but only tennis would come to mind. She sighed and kicked a stray pebble. "I really do know nothing about him…"

As luck would have it, she didn't have to find Ryoma – he came to her.

As luck would have it, he didn't notice her - and knocked her down.

Sakuno didn't know whether to bless or curse her luck. She started to apologize, but stopped herself. His bump caused this, not her folly.

Ryoma looked down at the thing he bumped into. Her. The last face he wanted to see at the moment. He held out his hand to help her up, and when she took it, that strange electricity passed through him again. Not to mention that her skirt bunched up and he had clear view of her pink strawberry panties…he released her hand halfway up, and she plopped down to the ground in a clunk. Angry at his mistake, he grabbed her hand and yanked her up.

He should've known better. The momentum sent Sakuno forward and onto him, pushing him to the ground. Jeez, she was heavy…

Sakuno looked at Ryoma in horror. She quickly rolled off him and starting spewing "Sorry" a million times a minute. Ryoma turned his head to her and she quickly shut her mouth. He sighed and stood, then reached out his hand to help her up again. When she took it, he slowly pulled her up. "Thank you," she muttered, embarrassed.

"That was my mistake," he replied and began walking off. Sakuno watched her opportunity take its last breaths as he got farther away. She was going to be stronger, right? More assertive, right? Right!

"Ryoma-kun," she called out, and he turned, giving a 'What do you want now' look. She took a deep breath and jogged to him. She got to him and he look at her, slightly curious, slightly annoyed. "You- you look like something's bothering you and I was wondering what it was?"

He scoffed and shook his head. "It doesn't concern you."

"A-ah," she nervously laughed, "I guess it doesn't. I just thought you wanted to talk about it… you know, make you feel better…" Feel better? What was she thinking? Hello Captain Obvious! Just tell him you like him while you're at it! Ryoma didn't reply, and the two walked in silence for awhile.

"My application to join the World Tennis Association came in yesterday." Sakuno wrinkled her brow in confusion. Why would he be upset over that? "My father got it before I did. He forbid me to apply unless I could do one of two things – beat every opponent I face this year in straight sets, or beat him in straight sets." Sakuno's eyes widened.

"Straight sets?!"

"Yeah," he replied, "Both equally impossible. Even the pros lose games in a match."

Sakuno bit her lip, "Well, maybe he's doing it to see if you'll try to do it? Like.. umm… He doesn't expect you to, but he wants to see you try it?"

Ryoma laughed, "You don't know my father."

"If you did that… you would quit school?"

Ryoma nodded, "Yeah." Sakuno frowned. That gave her less than a year to confess to him. Less than a year to be with him… What was she kidding? She knew he would leave to go pro eventually. But she hadn't anticipated that until her senior year.

"If you want I could get one for you," she said, "I could get them to send one to me and I could give it to you."

A half smile crept onto Ryoma's face. "No, I need my father's permission for this," and he let his tone imply the 'Thanks for the offer,' bit. "I think after he cools down he'll change his options to something more possible. That still doesn't change the fact that I have terms to begin with," he half growled.

Sakuno chuckled, "The tennis world already has its eyes on you, ne?"

"Only in Japan," he replied. "The world hasn't so much as glanced at me yet." Sakuno nodded, not knowing how to reply. The walked in silence again, but it was a comfortable silence.

"Where are you going," Sakuno asked, trying to make conversation again. Times alone with Ryoma were rare, and she could hear Tomo's urgings at the back of her mind.

"Skipping class."

"Skipping class," Sakuno questioned, "It's still lunch time, isn't it?"

Ryoma arched an eyebrow, "Lunch ended ten minutes ago." Sakuno shrieked in horror.

"But I have english after lunch," she whined, "And I'm already failing!" Ryoma chuckled.

"I'll teach you."

Sakuno's heart skipped a beat. How many times had she dreamed of him saying that? "You will?"

"Just kidding," he replied and smirked at her protest. Who knew the little photographer would ease his frustrations? "Follow me, and I'll go over last night's homework."

"What did you say," Sakuno asked, "I only understood "homework"." Ryoma frowned. That would be too much trouble.

"Nevermind," he replied, and continued walking. Sakuno followed, still trying to get the translation to his earlier offer.

A/N: Cinpii – Wow, thanks for the crits! Ehehehehe… Confession time! I don't take fanfiction seriously. I write them, check for spelling mistakes, and post them. I have this irk of spending time on something knowing that none of the characters belong to me. But since this seems like a niche genre, I'll try and spend a bit more time on them. I went back and edited the first two chapters, taking note of the things you said.

I really don't know how you get to the pros (other than winning allot of tournaments to increase your rank), so if it's wrong.. err… shoot me or something. --;;; And then I'll change it. .