A/N: I had to remember how this story goes. Sorry for the late update.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own PoT.

Chapter 2

He does not know why he could not stay still. Jet-lagged and all, he decided to take a walk around and see if there has been any changes. Not knowing why, but his feet has dragged him to a very familiar place.

The place where they celebrate their victories. Kawamura's Sushi.

Ah yes! Takashi Kawamura who his cousin, Nanako's husband for a year and a half now, is the chef and owner of the said place. He was invited to their wedding but was unable to attend as he was reigning the Australian Open that year. What he learned from his mother was that his cousin had given birth to baby boy. He noted to visit her later.

He does not really know why he was back. He was in the middle of a tournament when he decided to pack up and leave. It was just getting boring he guessed.

He was confused on why the sign outside of the restaurant says it was "Closed" but he was hearing loud noise coming from inside. He absent-mindedly walked inside of the sushi shop without knowing who are inside.

"Hello," he greeted no one in particular.

The entire place became silent.

"Ochibi!" Eiji exclaimed.

Then the place was in a roll of greetings, teasing and welcoming the Tennis Prince.

"My! You've grown tall, Ryoma," Sumire Ryuzaki greeted.

He acknowledged the old woman with a slight bow.

When everyone was settled after the shock of seeing him, he started to look around. Every single one in the shop are familiar to him. Even the two ladies sitting at the corner who were glaring at him. Why? He does not know.

He checked inside the shop and it seemed to have been missing something, someone rather. He can't seem to find her. He was disappointed.

"You looking for her, don't you?"

He turned towards Momo who asked but remained quiet. His gazed has swept through the shop and found the women at the corner glaring at him again.

"They are pissed at you, y'know?"

It was Kaidoh who was at his left.

"Obviously," he grunted.

Momo chuckled while Kaidoh smirked.

"If it is Sakuno you are look for, she is not here. And the reason why they are glaring at you is because of Saku-chin."

He looked at Momo confused.

"I even got a beating from Tomo because of what they've learned."

Momo and Kaidoh had matured. They have always been the rivals since then, it did not change, but when it comes to their wives they were these doting husbands.

"Hn." It all he could say.

He stood up to go to the comfort room. What he did not expect was seeing The Kunimitsu Tezuka and The Syuske Fuji waiting for him outside.

"Why are you really here, Ryoma?" Fuji asked with his sly smile.

Tezuka, though a little relaxed, was still as stoic as ever.

"For a vacation," he answered shortly.

Fuji smile grew wider.

"Mr. Inoe called me yesterday telling me that you went missing from the US Open and at the middle of the tournament at that. So, why?"

Ryoma sighed. He knew he can't get away with telling the truth to these two.

"I came to see…her," he resigned.

Tezuka has been observing the younger man since he arrived. He was no expert at this field but he knew how Ryoma must have felt as he felt the same with Fuji's sister who is now his wife.

"There, there, Ryoma!" Fuji tapped his back. "The moment you entered the shop we knew why you were here. So we asked the coach if she can let you stay at their house for now."

Ryoma stared at Fuji clearly confused.

"The coach will be flying to Germany in about an hour to spend a little time with her son. So Sakuno will be alone for the time being. We have been very concerned about her as she has taken lots of workload from the café since Tomo is pregnant and An has a project for us. The coach asked us to watch over her as she can be very hard headed at times. But since you are here, you can do that for us, can't you?"

Fuji with a hint of teasing in his voice before he turned his back at the speechless prince.

"Don't let your guard down" Tezuka gave him a pat in the back before he followed Fuji.

He had decided and he has to man up. When he went out of the comfort room he noticed that Kaidoh's and Momo's wives already left. He knew both will just make it more complicated for him as it already was. So he went to the person who can give him approval that even Sakuno could not refuse.

"Coach," he said as he gave her a deep bow.

Sumire's brows arched but a smile curved her lips.

"I'd like to ask for your permission to take care of your granddaughter," he stated.

Sumire was amazed. She knew that not even Nanjiro could ask Ryoma to bow down even to him, save for his mother, Rinko. But the young lad was bowing in front of her for her granddaughter.

"There, there, Ryoma. You can stand straight," he followed.

Sumire looked at him with scrutinizing eyes. And Ryoma held his ground. If there is someone who he must get the trust with it was the coach's.

Ryoma was relieved when he saw the old lady smile. He knew that she trusted him.

"Please take care of Sakuno, ne Ryoma? Bring her back to us, okay?"

Ryoma nodded in a silent promise.

When Sakuno woke up as a sense of loneliness enveloped her. Today was her grandma's flight and she was asked not to go to the airport or her grandma will change her mind.

The house felt so empty not having her grandma around. But she must endure. Her grandma needed the time with her father as she would also undergo some medical check up to make sure she is doing okay still. It was her choice not to go.

When turned towards her bedside table she saw a folded piece of paper. She sat down and started to read it.

"Dear Sakuno,

I did not have the heart to wake you up. I'll be okay, so don't worry too much about me, ne? It is you I am worried about. Please take care of yourself, child. I'll see you soon. I love you.

Love,

Grandma

P.S

I sent someone to take care of you. "

"Huh? What does grandma means?

She was confused about it but did not have the time to dwell too much in it when the phone rang.

When she answered she was greeted by Tomoka's scream.

"He's back!"

Sakuno has to move the phone away from her ears for her not to get deaf because of her friend's scream.

"Tomo, please stop screaming."

And before Tomoka was able to start she heard another beep.

"Wait. I'm getting another call," she said and switched her call to the one who's waiting,

"Hello?"

"He's back!" despite of An not screaming but the emphasis on her words was heavy.

She did not listen to her instead she conferenced the call over.

"Now, can you please stop screaming at me?" she rolled her eyes. "And who is back?"

"Ryoma!"

The chorused. Sakuno stiffened.