Andante

Composed by : Chiaki Nozomi

Ryo.Saku

"Tomo-chan! It worked! What you said was true," Sakuno gushed over the phone that night. "I didn't believe it would at first, but he really started talking like you said!"

Tomo laughed. "Of course it did, silly." Sakuno giggled with delight.

"It's so weird Tomo. I felt like we actually had a conversation!"

"It's about time," Tomo replied, "I was going to lock you two in an elevator or something if nothing happened soon!" Sakuno sighed contentedly. "Hey, what did you put on your career sheet?"

The euphoria of the afternoon's moment stalled at those words. Career... future....separation.... "I... I don't know yet."

Tomo tsked her tongue, "We're in our junior year, Sakuno! How are you going to know which University you should apply to? You can't follow Ryoma your entire life!"

"I know Tomo but," she paused, and sighed in defeat. "I know. I know. What did you put?"

"Journalism, Teaching, and OL. You have fun taking pictures, right? Just put photography."

Sakuno shook her head. "I doubt my parents would approve."

Tomo scoffed, "Sure. Like they don't know where you spend your afternoons and allowances. If they disapproved, they would've said something a long time ago. And if they do, just get your grandma to say something about it. I'm sure they'll listen to her."

Less than a year. "I guess I'll put it down. But what should I do with the other two?"

"Jeez Sakuno, it's your life, not mine. Just think of something."

"Ryoma," Nanjiroh said up Ryoma's entrance to the house. Ryoma looked up, annoyed.

"Can't you wait until I change shoes, Old man?" Nanjiroh glared back, but didn't reply to his retort. When Ryoma's shoes were on, he pointed to the living room, where last night they had their little 'talk'. They sat in front of each other and waited for one to break the silence.

In a way, they made this a match in itself. Nanjiroh was sure Ryoma's curious nature would cause him to break the silence first – Ryoma knew this and stayed silent. Five minutes past, then ten, then finally Nanjiroh broke the silence with a pout. "You really aren't a cute kid. How are you going to get girls like that?"

"Just get to the point," Ryoma replied, irked at yet again being called a 'kid' and hassled to get a girlfriend. Nanjiroh laughed at his reply.

"I've changed my mind." Ryoma nodded, this much he knew would happen. Nanjiroh grabbed the calendar next to him and flipped forward to the spring of next year. Ryoma arched an eyebrow at the content – the huge idol group MM, his father always seemed more like the magazine and swimsuit idol man, but his eye was drawn to the fifteenth of June, which was circled in red.

"See this date? You're going to have a match with me on that day. If you can beat me, I will let you go pro."

Ryoma shook his head. "What's the catch?"

Nanjiroh laughed heartily. "There's my boy. The catch is that I'm going to start training seriously until that day. I may not be at my prime, but I'll be in better shape than I am now." Ryoma nodded, digesting the information.

A half year away - more than enough time to get back in shape and groove. But what other choice did he have? Winning every match until then by straight sets? "Deal," he replied, then rose.

"Where are you going," Nanjiroh asked, though he knew the answer.

"Practice."

Nanjiroh loudly laughed, "There's hope for you yet, boy."

"Hey Camera-girl," Tsubasa greeted, "What are you doing?"

Sakuno jumped in surprise at Tsubasa's greeting. "Oh, nothing."

"Nothing," he chided, "Could you be waiting for Starboy?" Sakuno blushed, and he laughed. "Gotcha, gotcha."

"Hey Takki," Takuya said, punching his arm, "Look over there." Takki saw Tsubasa talking with Sakuno, which, from this distance, could be interpreted as flirting (especially since he had his signature grin on display), and frowned. "What's he doing with her?"

"Taking her attention away from Ryoma."

"Why," Takuya inquired, "Since when did he have thing for her?"

Takki shook his head, "He doesn't. He's just trying to get to Ryoma." Takuya frowned as well.

"Let's go stop him before Ryoma gets here. If anything happens and she tells Tomo, Tomo'll have my hide."

Takuya and Takki approached Tsubasa, greeting him with a smack across the head. Tsubasa groaned and rubbed his head. "You guys are always picking on me," he whined. "It's too early for this!"

"It's too early to be talking to girls," Takuya said, and turned to Sakuno. "We'll take this tiger away from you." Sakuno shook her head.

"He wasn't bothering me much." Tsubasa grinned.

"See? I wasn't bothering her!"

"But you're bothering us," Takki interjected and dragged Tsubasa away.

"Tell Tomo I said hi," Takuya said and dashed to catch up with his friends. Sakuno chuckled softly at the boys' antics. She looked at the courtyard for any sign of Ryoma, then at her watch. He was running late today. Just before she decided to give it up for today (the last thing she needed was to be late for class after skipping the day before) he came jogging in. She couldn't help but smile upon seeing him.

Yesterday's talk gave her confidence, so now it felt easier to go to him like a friend when he passed by. "Good morning Ryoma-kun."

"Morning," he replied.

"Did your father change his mind like you thought?"

He nodded. "I have a chance now." Sakuno smiled.

"That's good." Ryoma nodded and pointed to the water fountain. Sakuno smiled and said her goodbye before walking ahead of him to class. Ryoma watched her leave before going to the fountain. He probably smelled a bit, for he decided to run to school in addition to his daily morning jog.

Though part of him recoiled at thought of a fit father, another part trusted his abilities to win. After all, a half year would provide plenty of growth for him as well. And if he could sneak in a couple of tournaments...

Yes. The odds were on his side.

"Echizen Ryoma," Sakura Sensei announced with a curt voice, "I must give this back to you. You can't put Professional Tennis as the only option of future employment!" Sakuno chuckled silently from her seat. It was entirely like Ryoma to do that.

"It's not an option," he replied, "It is my future employment."

"You could add trainer or coach to the list. Something more realistic," she urged. Ryoma shook his head. "Echizen-san, how are we supposed to recommend universities to you?"

"Don't worry about it. I've already got it taken care of."

Sakura Sensei frowned, but didn't say anything further. "I'll just get Syaoran to talk some sense into him," she thought and scanned everyone else's papers. She frowned, the joking jobs would not end. "Goto-san, Hayashi-san, and Ogawa-san! AV star is not a valid occupation! And Matsuura-san! An idol is not a valid occupation either!" As she continued down the list, the class either ignored her or laughed at the choices she read aloud.

"Ryoma," Syaoran said as Ryoma exited class for lunch, "I need to talk to you." Ryoma looked up at his coach, knowing the issue was his occupation. Just once he wished the man's wife would just let things be. He followed his coach to the courts, where they sat on the stands.

"I suppose you know our true identity already," he began, looking at him for confirmation.

Ryoma chuckled, "Of course. A story about a girl cross-dressing to play tennis at an all male school is not forgettable. I also remember reading you were banned from playing professionally." Syaoran nodded.

"I think Sakura wanted me to talk you out of it, but as someone who played professionally once, I support your decision. I called an old friend of mine, and he said he would come over to give you private lessons. "

Ryoma nodded and thanked his coach. Coach Syaoran nodded his reply and left. The two's personalities were similar in that aspect and thus the two got along well. In any case, that 'personal' trainer of his would provide a change of pace. Coach and his teammates' styles were already predictable.

Sakuno sat on a bench and sighed. Though foolish, she still felt a giddy happiness when it came to remembering yesterday. For once she managed to hold a conversation with Ryoma – and he had confided in her like a friend.

"Whatcha grinning about," Tsubasa said as he sat next to her, "Don't tell me it's Starboy." Sakuno jumped in surprise at the sound. Tsubasa again? The teammates talked to her in the halls occasionally, or said morning (except Takuya, but that's because he was Tomo's boyfriend) but to come over with the intention to make conversation? She shook her head no, but her flushed face gave her lie away. Tsubasa laughed and smacked her on the back lightly (after all, she was a girl). "Okay, Little Photographer, what do you say to a proposition?"

"Proposition," Sakuno echoed, "What do you mean?"

Tsubasa put on his best innocent face, "Well, I would like to see you and Starboy get together." Sakuno's eyes widened. A plot? Sounded Tomo-ish.

"No," she replied with a smile, "I'd like things to come as they may."

"Even if Starboy leaves without knowing how you feel," he replied dubiously. "He's probably leaving this year, you know." Sakuno nodded, sure of herself. Tsubasa sighed and leaned back, covering his forehead with his hand. Plan A failed. He didn't think of a Plan B, sure that she would accept his offer.

He removed his hand and saw Ryoma running toward them from behind. Grinning, he put his arm around Sakuno's shoulder, "Well, Little Photographer, if you ever need someone to confide to, I'm there." Sakuno nodded, weirded out by his sudden advances.

Ryoma jogged by, glancing at them as he passed by. Tsubasa waved, Sakuno flushed, and then she realized that Tsubasa still had his arm around her shoulder. Her eyes widened in horror and she called out Ryoma's name and dashed after him. Tsubasa watched her leave, chuckling. Plan B – success!

"Ryoma-kun," Sakuno gasped out, and he stopped, jogging in place. Sakuno blinked in confusion. What should she say to him? It's not like they were together or anything, she just didn't want him to misunderstand...

"Oi, get it out," he said, and Sakuno cringed. She didn't know what to say!

"I...I," she stuttered, "What are you doing?" Ryoma cocked his head to the side.

"Training," he said, stating the obvious. Sakuno giggled nervously.

"I should've known that," she muttered, "Ah, I was just talking to Imai-san. He said you were leaving after this year?" Ryoma arched an eyebrow. What was wrong with the girl? She already knew all of this, he told her yesterday. Sakuno noticed his look and bit her lip, about to burst of embarrassment. "About Imai-san, it's not what you think..."

Ryoma laughed. He couldn't help it – stuttering out words and biting her lip to hold back what would soon be tears – she looked cute. Besides, Tsubasa was known for showering everyone with unwanted affection. Sakuno looked up in shock. What was he laughing about?

"Tsubasa does that to everyone," he explained, "Don't think much of it." Though part of him did wonder why Tsubasa wanted to talk to her. His type seemed to be the louder girls, not the shy ones like Ryuzaki.

"I see," Sakuno replied, "Have you eaten yet?"

Ryoma thought for a second. Had he eaten today? He couldn't remember... In the morning he changed and began jogging to school, not taking the train; at lunch Coach called him to talk and afterward he started jogging around the school... "No."

Sakuno's eyes widened. He was running all the time like that and didn't bother to eat? "I- I packed an extra lunch, would you like it?"

Free food? Why not? Ryuzaki's food was halfway decent, not like the other fangirls who gave him burned or undercooked lunches. "Sure," he replied. Sakuno smiled and dashed back to the bench to get her stuff. Tsubasa was long gone. She noted his disappearance with a frown, but didn't bother thinking about it much because at the moment feeding Ryoma was top priority.

They ate in silence, but it was comfortable and natural. Sakuno enjoyed watching him eat her food, and once Ryoma started eating he realized how hungry he felt. He finished and handed the empty box back to her. "Was it good?"

Ryoma nodded. "Too much salt though." Sakuno blushed and made a mental note to use less salt. Now they were in an uncomfortable silence. Ryoma couldn't get up and jog again without risking losing his lunch, but he had no reason to stay with Ryuzaki.

"How often are you training now," Sakuno asked, trying to make conversation.

"In all my spare time," he replied. "My old man is too."

Sakuno nodded. "How good is your father?"

Ryoma sighed. "He's a master. If he hadn't retired he would have smashed every record in existence. Sampras and Agassi would have been his rivals."

"I see... aren't you worried about beating him?"

Ryoma scoffed. "He may be a master, but I'm his student." Sakuno half smiled. Ryoma had grown more cocky over the years, and while it annoyed his teammates and opponents, she found it cute. Though because his cocky nature showed more in his stature and face than his words, most found it tolerable, and it became one of those 'It's just Ryoma' things.

The bell rang, and the two rose and walked back to class together. Sakuno sat in her seat and opened her desk to find a sheet of paper with the word "Slut" scrawled on it in bright red. Her eyes widened in horror. Slut? Why would they call her that? She crumbled up the paper and opened her book to find "Whore" "Bitch" "Slut" and other explicative words written on the pages. She immediately closed the book and turned to Tomo.

"Hey Tomo-chan, can we share books? I left mine at home." Tomo chastised her for forgetting and pushed their desks together. Sakuno spent a moment wondering who wrote the messages and why, but the subject at hand was English and her attention was diverted quickly to the language.

Short, tiny crossover here, just because I felt like it. (a.k.a. too lazy to think of new names)