Disclaimer : I do not own Tennis no Ohjisama. -

Announcements:

Konnichiwa minna-san ! - This is my first fan fiction. Yoroshiku ! Also, I plan to finish this fan fiction by the end of June if possible. I don't think this fan fiction would be lengthy though. School reopens at July for me. - Wish me luck !

All hail RYOMA-KUN ! XD

Game For Love

Chapter 1 : Reminiscence

America

" Aa, I'll be arriving at 4pm tomorrow, Ryuuzaki-Sensei. Hai. Ja." Echizen Ryoma hung up and resumed packing his luggage.

He was finally returning to Japan. Five years of stay in America had been rather enriching for him. After all, he was training as a Pro Tennis player.

Tennis.

Ryoma smirked as the smiling faces of his Senpais flashed in his mind. Kikumaru-senpai would definitely have to drop his pet name.

"Ochibi eh?" Ryoma murmured. He was far from that now. Drinking lots of milk seemed to work. He was already seventeen years old. He had matured both physically and mentally. Inui-senpai's data would definitely have to take a turn.

He would be entering Seishun Gakuen high school with his return to Japan.

"Ryuuzaki Sakuno…I wonder how she looks like now… Is she still as annoying as ever? Hnn." Ryoma murmured.

"Ryoma-kun… Sayonara…" Twelve year old Sakuno stuttered as her eyes welled up with tears. Her first crush was leaving. She never thought this day would come. When was he going to come back?

"Ryuuzaki, please don't cry. I'll definitely come back. Hnn." Ryoma replied softly as he turned and walked away.

"Hai !" Sakuno whispered softly. "I'll definitely anticipate your return, Ryoma-kun…"

------

"Argh, why does she keep haunting me?" Ryoma grunted. Ryuuzaki Sakuno occupied his thoughts every day. It was almost as though he was in love with her. Even his family members did not reign at such supremacy.

Was this what they called, love?

Japan

"Ne, Sakuno ! Have you heard? Ryoma-sama's coming back ! Kyaa, I wonder how he looks like now. Ne, Sakuno? I'm sure he's a hundred times cooler then before! Scratch that, a million times !" Tomoka rattled happily.

She wasn't the only one. All who had been in the 'Ryoma-sama Exclusive Fan Club' were anticipating their Idol's return. The biggest catch for them was that Echizen Ryoma was coming to their school. What more could they ask for?

"Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno murmured softly. She wondered how he looked like now. He had kept to his promise. He was coming back. A smile found its way to her face as Ryoma entered her thoughts.

Tomoka smiled as she gazed at Sakuno.

Ryuuzaki Sakuno was no longer frail and small. During the long period of Ryoma's absence, she had evolved in to something else. Almost like the metamorphosis of an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.

Sakuno trained hard daily and her sheer endurance paid off.

Sakuno was now the captain of the Female Tennis Club. Currently, Seishun Gakuen High School was not only well known for its Male Tennis Club like before, but also the Female Tennis Club.

Ryuuzaki Sakuno was the most popular girl in school. However, she was not arrogant at all. Sakuno was still the same old Sakuno. She was still tripping every now and then, and was still as shy as ever.

But that did not stop her from becoming the object of every boy's desire.

Sakuno received invitation to dates almost every day by various boys, but none were accepted.

For her heart only yearned for one.

Echizen Ryoma.

Tomoka was deeply aware of that. Despite her unwavering support for Ryoma, she wanted to see Sakuno coupled with him.

It didn't matter to her at all.

All she wanted was to see Sakuno smile again.

"Ochibi ! Over here !" Kikumaru Eiji shouted excitedly as he caught sight of his favourite junior.

The teenager was greeted by hugs and to his dismay, kisses from his formal seniors.

"Ne, Echizen ! You've grown up ! You're almost as tall as me !" Momoshiro Takeshi said as he ruffled Ryoma's hair.

Echizen Ryoma still looked very much the same.

He possessed of the stunning golden eyes that captured the hearts of many girls. His jet black hair still had the same old green highlights.

That smirk of his still found its way to its usual place some how.

But Ryoma wasn't small anymore. He was almost as tall as Momoshiro, complimented with a well-built body structure.

"Mada mada dane." Ryoma's only comment made the group of tennis players laugh heartily. Their baby boy hasn't changed one bit.

"RYOMA-SAMA ! KAKOII !" a shrill voice dominated over their laughter. Who was that girl? Ryoma reverted his gaze to the two girls who were making their way towards him.

Ah, of course. The shrieky one was Tomoka. The other girl had her head bowed, blushing fiercely.

"Ryuuzaki.." Ryoma acknowledged.

"Ryoma-kun..Konnichiwa! " She stuttered shyly. Ah, she hasn't changed one bit. She was still the average girl he once knew.

Only when she lifted her gaze to his did he realize how wrong he was.

Ryuuzaki Sakuno had evolved into a butterfly. Almost, he noted.

The childish braids were replaced by a high ponytail which swayed blindly behind her as she walked.

She was definitely tanner than before. Her figure was proportionate and erm, rather sexy.

Ryoma's cheeks turned crimson almost immediately. Where did that come from?

"Hoi hoi, Ryuuzaki-san ! Our Ochibi here seems to take an interest in you nya !" Kikumaru grinned as he pushed Ryoma towards Sakuno.

"Hai hai!" Momoshiro snickered as he joined in the teasing. Soon, the two became the object of attention.

"Ryoma-sama! Welcome back! KYAA !" the girls of Seishun Gakuen High School screamed as Ryoma made a rather grand entrance.

"Oh my god…What did I do to deserve this?" Ryoma murmured irritably as he continued walking. He never knew entering a school was so damned difficult.

"Ahh, where is the General Office?" Ryoma asked one of the girls. She was more than happy to entertain him. "Oh, just walk straight and take a left turn, Ryoma-sama." She replied, batting her eyelashes excessively.

"Aa, arigato."

"AHH! Ryoma-sama spoke to me! Did you see that? KYAA !" The girl shrieked.

Ryoma rolled his eyes. Hopeless people.

"Mada mada dane."

"Aa, there you are, Ryoma. Welcome back. I apologise for my absence yesterday. Couldn't make it to the airport. Something cropped up. Ready for a new term?" Ryuuzaki-sensei asked as Ryoma entered the Office.

"Aa, its find with me. But the girls here are getting on my nerves." Ryoma grunted.

"This is fate, Mr. Handsome. Hurry on now, or you're be late for your first class." Ryuuzaki-sensei smirked as she walked out of the Office. "And, be punctual for today's tennis practice."

"Aa."

"Class, Echizen Ryoma-kun will be joining us for class starting from today. Echizen-kun, please take the seat beside Sakuno." Yukiro-sensei announced to the more than happy fan girls.

Sakuno blushed furiously. Ryoma-kun was going to be her class mate, for the first time. And what's more? He was sitting beside her.

Sakuno bowed her head as Ryoma took his seat.

Ryoma smirked. Chance !

He had taken the whole of yesterday to figure out his feelings for Sakuno. The conclusion : He really liked her, and he wanted her.

He was not going to run away from his feelings. Echizen Ryoma never gave up. Echizen Ryoma always got what he wanted. And this time was certainly no exception.

It seemed that God was on his side too. Ryoma smirked as he looked at Sakuno, who was blushing fiercely.

"Mada mada dane." He murmured.

"Ehh? Mou…" Sakuno blushed fiercely.

Damn those feelings ! "Sakuno! Control your emotions! Composure!" Sakuno scolded herself.

Boy, was this going to be a hard day for her.

AHAHA ! End of the first chapter. - Took me quite a while to complete. Been ages since I actually wrote something. - I hope you guys liked it. Please review ne? I'll be more than happy to take your comments. Any criticism would be accepted also. -

Ja !

Ayano Kiera