Author's notes: Thanks for the reviews!
Progress is slow here. Sorry if my chapters turn out a bit crappy. Anyway there are some ramblings at the bottom so you can skip them if you want.
To chidoriochibi: Thanks for your constant reviews! I am working real hard to fulfil my Christmas present to you! Please continue to support my stories!
Enjoy chapter 6 and please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
Chapter 6: Higher And Higher
"Yuushi! Yuushi! Did you hear Sakuno-chan's latest single?" Gakuto asked his double's partner breathlessly.
"No I haven't. Why?" Yuushi asked.
"Well, it's absolutely the BEST! It is a sad song and Sakuno-chan brings it out so well…" Gakuto rambled dreamily.
"The best thing is Sakuno wrote the song herself! Isn't that great?" Gakuto was jumping up and down excitedly.
"Really? What is it about?" Yuushi asked curiously.
"It's about… Just listen to it yourself! I brought the single! I was hoping Sakuno-chan was in school so I will be able to ask for her autograph!" Gakuto replied.
Gakuto took out his CD player and Sakuno's latest single, 'Hikari no Naka e'. Sakuno was looking very sad but beautiful on the cover. It reminded Yuushi of the day he saw Sakuno crying under the sakura tree.
Gakuto offered an earphone to Yuushi then carefully put the CD into the player and closed it.
Sad instrumentals started to play. Sakuno's voice sounded in the earphones.
"nigiri shimeta te wo hodoita nara (If I let go of your hand clasped in mine,)
tabun kore de subete ga ima owatte shimau (with that, it would all probably come to an end right now.)
shiritakatta koto kizutsuku koto (What I wanted to know, and even what hurts me-)
sae mo nanihitotsu yarinokoshita mama de (even those were left undone.)
anata ga deau shiawase wo (Even though I should want to wish)
negaitai hazu na no ni (for you to find happiness)
dekinai mijuku na jibun ni (I can't, I'm too immature)
fuite mo namida ga deru (I wipe the tears, but they keep flowing)
sayonara (Goodbye)
aishiteiru (I love you)
anata wa dare yori (more than anyone else.)
sora yori mo fukaku (Even more deeply than the sky.)
nakanaide (Don't cry.)
mata aou ne (We'll meet again, right?)
demo aenai koto (but not being able to see you)
watashi dake shitteiru no (is something that only I know about.)
konna unmei wo erabu koto (This fate that we've chosen…)
itsuka anata ni mo hontou no imi ga wakaru wa (someday you too will understand its true meaning)
futari tsukatta kioku no takara (The treasure of memories that we've made)
zutto kokoro no kakure ya de ikite'ku yo (will always live on deep inside my heart.)
kireigoto da to omotte'ta (I thought it was a beautiful thing,)
kibou to iu kotoba (the word called hope.)
kurushii kurai dakishimete (In an almost painful embrace,)
anata wo miageteiru (I'm looking up at you.)
arigatou (Thank you.)
aishiteiru (I love you)
anata wo dare yori (more than anyone else.)
yume yori mo tsuyoku (Even more strongly than dreams.)
dakishimete (Hold me.)
hanasanaide (Don't let go.)
dakedo hitokoto mo (But don't utter)
tsutaerarenai de… (even a single thing…)
nakanaide (Don't cry.)
aishiteiru (I love you.)
tooku hanarete'te mo (Even though we're separated far apart,)
anata to ikite yureru (I can still live with you.)
The song ended. Gakuto exclaimed: "Isn't that just the best song! It deserves to be number 1 for another few weeks!"
"It's beautiful." Yuushi said. He made up his mind to get one after school today.
"Sakuno-chan! That's a great job you have done with the single! The record company just called and said sales are rocketing sky high and it is currently out of stock!" the boss of Sakuno's management company was praising her to the skies.
"Arigato, sachou-san." Sakuno said shyly.
"Keep up the good job! There are also some more advertisers who…"
Sakuno's latest single, 'Hikari no Naka e' was a big hit all over Japan. Her popularity soared and offers came by the dozen. Even her record company was rushing her into another single.
Sakuno finally could return to school after all her promotion tours. She was getting a short, well-deserved rest after all that work. However she was hounded in school for autographs.
Sakuno made her way to the sakura tree again. It had now become her solace away from the crowds. She sat under the tree and gazed at the sky. She never knew that the song she wrote for Ryoma would become such a hit. Sakuno felt sad whenever she sang the song. She was wishing on a tiny ray of hope that Ryoma would listen to the song and reciprocate her feelings. However in her heart, she knew it was impossible. Ryoma only cared about his tennis, and nothing else.
"Sakuno-chan?"
Sakuno turned around in shock. "Oshitari-senpai!" she heaved a sigh of relief.
Yuushi sat himself beside her.
"That was a beautiful song." Yuushi said while raising his head to the sky.
"Eh? Ah! Arigato!" Sakuno smiled.
"You wrote that yourself?" Yuushi asked. Sakuno nodded with a tinge of sadness in her eyes. It did not escape the observant Oshitari Yuushi.
"Did you write it for somebody?" Yuushi continued asking.
Sakuno put her knees close to her and left her gaze on the grass. "Ryoma-kun…"
"Echizen Ryoma?"
Sakuno nodded her head slowly. "I had a crush on Ryoma-kun ever since middle school. However, I did not have the chance… no! I did not have the courage to express my feelings to him! It is impossible now…" Sakuno said sadly.
Yuushi stroked Sakuno's head gently. Sakuno jolted her head up at the contact.
"Oshitari-senpai?" Sakuno looked up questioningly at Yuushi.
"Don't worry Sakuno. Everything will be all right." Yuushi continued to stroke Sakuno.
"Ha…hai…" Sakuno said as she allowed Yuushi to continue to stroke her. She felt very much protected and at ease.
"Come in."
"Sachou-san, you called for me?" Sakuno asked.
"Yes. Take a seat Sakuno."
Sakuno sat down.
"Sakuno, there is a new offer for you. I thought you might be interested."
"What is it Sachou-san?" Sakuno asked.
"Sakuno, the National High School Tennis Federation contacted me."
"Do they want me to play tennis? Oh, I really can't play well." Sakuno said to her manager.
"No that's not it Sakuno. They want you to perform at the opening of the National High School Tennis Tournament!"
"What?" Sakuno had her eyes wide open.
"Don't you get it Sakuno! You are to sing the theme song for this year's high school tennis Nationals!"
Sakuno was too shocked for words.
"So do you accept it?"
Sakuno readily accepted it. "Oh yes, of course! I would love to!"
Credits:
Hikari no Naka e
Song: Sakamoto Maaya
Lyrics: Iwasato Yuuho
Music/Arrangement: Kanno Youko
Vision of Escaflowne Hitomi Character Song
Lyrics and translations taken from Anime Lyrics dot com
Notes:
I wonder if any of you noticed: the title of my fic and chapters all are j-pop songs!
This fic will contain a lot of songwriting. Gomen nasai to those who do not like it!
Therefore, this fic is titled "I Sing A Song For You"!
Title: I Sing A Song For You
Artiste: Kuraki Mai
Album: Fuse of Love
Chapter 1: Shining Star
Artiste: Tamaki Nami
Album: Make Progress
Chapter 2: Time Limit
Artiste: Utada Hikaru
Album: Utada Hikaru Single Collection
Chapter 3: Escape
Artiste: r.o.r/s
Anime: Kaleido Star
Chapter 4: New Day
Artiste: Miz
Album: Dreams/ Story Untold/ Say It's Forever
Chapter 5: For You
Artiste: Exile
Album: Single Best
Chapter 6: Higher And Higher
Artiste: Kumoko
Anime: Groove Adventure Rave
Sorry if the lyrics are not so suitable. But I feel it is rather right for Sakuno's feelings? And the only way I can separate the verses were to add lines in between. Please give me reviews on whether it would be better this way or just let the whole text bunch together.
Please continue to read and review!