The Prince of Tennis: Beyond the Game!

Chapter 1: Surprise!

By: elaia saerlaithe

"Yeah! I finally arrived in Japan!" Kasumi shouted even though the people around her in the airport thinks that she is insane. Kasumi just ignored them, "Phone booth…" she remembered. Kasumi immediately looked for a phone booth, and when she found one, she dialed the numbers that are written on her hand. When someone finally picked up:

"Hello!" Kasumi greeted. "It's me, Kasumi! I just arrived!"

"What! Kasumi-chan! Why didn't you told me that you will arrive this early?"

"Sorry, about that." She giggled.

"I'll fetch you."

"No, thanks. I just called to ask you something."

"What is it?"

---

Meanwhile…

"Until now, you can't still get it?' asked Ryoma with an annoyed tone.

"Sorry, Ryoma-kun! Don't worry, I'll just try once more!" Sakuno then started to hit the ball into the wall using her racket but in her next stroke she lost her balance. "Ouch…"

Ryoma stood up, "Ok, let's have a break."

Sakuno then got up and approached Ryoma, "I'm sorry, guess that I'm just a burden to you…"

Ryoma faced her, "As if I have a choice." Then he left and went to the near bending machine. Sakuno remained standing when Tomo came closer to her.

"Cheer up Sakuno-chan! " Tomo tapped Sakuno's shoulders.

"Maybe it's a bad idea to asked for Grandma's help…"

"Its ok, Sakuno-chan. And perhaps, don't you like it? We can be with Ryoma-kun every practice session!" Tomo then started to drool.

"Tomo…"

---

On the other side…

"So, you're here, eh?" Kasumi got up from the taxi and with her is her big bag. She entered the park, "Where is the tennis court?" she asked herself. She continued to walk until she reached the court. She saw two girls, just the same age as hers. She decided to approach them.

"Um, hello?" she greeted. "Sorry to interrupt your talk, but can I ask you something?"

Sakuno and Tomo was surprised to see the girl, "It's ok!" Tomo answered.

"What can we do for you?" asked Sakuno.

"I just want to ask if-"

"Stop chatting, let's start the again the practice!" Kasumi was interrupted by the voice that came from behind her and when she turned around, she was surprised to see Ryoma.

"Ka-Kasumi-chan!" Ryoma was shocked to see Kasumi.

"Yeah, it's me!" Kasumi creepy smiled. "Long time no see!"

"Why are you here?" Ryoma asked. "I thought you're in U.S.!"

"I decided to visit you here in Japan, don't you like it?"

"To visit? Is that so?"

"I bet it is not the only reason why you're here."

"And, what do you mean about that!"

"Um, excuse me," interrupted Tomo, "You know each other?"

At that time, Nanjiro-san's car arrived. "Hey! Ryoma, just continue your talk in the car."

---

Along the road…

"Oh! So you're Ryoma-kun's childhood friend?" Tomo exclaimed.

"Uh, huh…"

"They both grew up in US…" Nanjiro-san added.

"Wow! Is that true Ryoma-kun?"

"Unfortunately…yes".

"What 'unfortunately' ?" Kasumi shouted, "Are you thinking that you're the only one who doesn't like it!". Kasumi then turned to Tomo and Sakuno, "Before I forgot, I'm Akihana, Kasumi."

"I'm Ryuzaki, Sakuno".

"And I'm Tomoka but you can call me Tomo!".

"Nice meeting you!" Kasumi smiled, "Sorry, I didn't properly behaved earlier…"

"It's alright." Sakuno replied.

"She is always like that."

"What did you say Ryoma-kun!"

"Um, nothing."

"Looks like the two of you are really happy to see each other again!" Ryoma's father laughed.

"Mr. Echizen, are they always like that?" Sakuno asked.

"Yeah, since they were little kids, but don't mind them" he replied, "It's their way of showing their feelings for each other…" added Ryoma's father while looking at Kasumi and Ryoma.

------------End of Chapter One------------