Author's note:

Sorry to confuse everyone with the chapter 4 posting up first...i totally forgot to upload chapter 3 that is why the chapter "The Mysterious Guy" and "A New Change" jump ahead so fast. Well here is the chapter that should be up too.

This will help clear up the confusion for chapter "A New Change"

Chapter 3 - The Promise

Weeks had went by since the day Sakuno met Ryoma. Ryoma had shared many things with Sakuno, like his favorite song. He once let her listened to it. He told her that this was a song that belonged to the Martians.

It was a happy feelings for Sakuno, it put a smile on her lips every time Ryoma share things with her. Not just music that he likes to listen to, but also his passion for tennis.

Ryoma's arm had gotten better and he didn't need to wear the cast anymore. He recovered fast. Once he recovered fully, he was allow to go back to tennis practice, which Sakuno now has a habit of coming to the tennis court with Tomo-chan and cheering Ryoma on when he has a match with the other regulars.

It always impressed Sakuno how graceful and beautiful Ryoma play tennis. The way he serve, his every moves, and breath he takes was all too perfect and amazing.

Although Ryoma and Sakuno only met not too long ago, to an outsider they seem pretty close. Whenever they're together it felt just right to them. They were very much comfortable with each other.

Sakuno cheering him on or run to hug him to give him congratulations whenever he win a match, around others it didn't feel awkward for them. It felt just right.

"Ne, it's not fair that I'm always doing all the talking, since you won't talk, I won't either. Talking is to tiring." That day after school and before his tennis practice, Ryoma and Sakuno went to the rooftop which has become a routine for them during lunch and before Ryoma's practice.

"How about we write what we want to say to each other on a paper and leave it in there?"

After they finished they both fold their papers and put it behind the brick. "Hm, we don't want to be too old when we come back here."

Sakuno nodded in reply.

"We're both 12 years old now, so how about when we are both 25, on Christmas day we come back here and open each others' notes?"

Once more Sakuno smiled and nodded in reply.

Fall ended and before you know it, winter finally came. Everyday has been very blissful for Sakuno. There were moments when she felt bad for lying to Ryoma who she is. Sure Ryoma know that Sakuno is his ex coach's daughter but he still doesn't know that her real name is Sakuno and she can't verbally speak.

Tomoka had been very understanding and didn't reveal her true name to Ryoma. Other than Tomoka and her class students, others only know her by Saku. She doesn't want Ryoma to find out that she can't talk because she is afraid Ryoma will leave her once he find out.

Her life was going great until an unexpected event is about to change her life.

"SAKUNO-CHAN!" Hearing her name she looked up from her desk. She was about to grab her lunch bento to meet up with Ryoma on the rooftop when she saw Tomoka walking toward her with shocking look on her face.

Sakuno looked at her puzzled. "Sakuno-chan, did you hear? I heard Horio-kun said that Ryoma is going back to America!"

What ?Sakuno's eyes went ride. No! it can't be, you're lying! He can't leave, he can't! Without a word she rushed pass Tomoka in a hurry.

"Sakuno-chan!" Tomoka's called after her.

Sakuno didn't stop or turned around. She kept on running and running.

I have to look for Ryoma-kun. I need to know. Why Ryoma-kun, why? Please don't go...

The first place she check was the rooftop but he wasn't there. She went around the campus looking for him but he was no where to be found. Sakuno went to the last place, hoping to find him there. Sure enough, she stopped her pace when she saw Ryoma at the tennis court being surrounded by the regulars.

"Ochibi! I can't believe you're leaving! It's so sudden, we just made the number 1 nationals." Sakuno heard Eiji's sad remark.

"Hn."

"Well I guess there is nothing you can do Ryoma. I wish you the best of luck there!" Fuji said.

"Yeah!" The others agreed. Sensing another presence near by they glanced over their shoulders.

There she was, standing short distance away, looking confused and sad at the same time.

Ryoma turned around fully to face her. Hands in his pockets and cap down, Ryoma didn't want to look at her in the eyes, it was too heart broken for him to see her sad expression. This was the part he hated the most. Seeing her sad face made his heart wanted to cry out to her.

"Uh, let's all go practices, ne?" Momo said to the others. The regulars left to leave those two alone to talk.

When it was just the world and the two of them, Ryoma closed the distance.

Sakuno didn't know what to think. The pass few months had been so wonderful and now it has to end like this. Although they're relationship was nothing but a simple Martian and an Earthling, but to Sakuno it was much more than that. Ryoma had became an important part of her life.

Why kami-sama, why do you always have to take important people away from me?

"So I guess you heard?" Sakuno nodded. There was a long pause afterward. "Will you come to the airport tomorrow?"

Still not looking into his eyes Sakuno bite her lip.

"I'm sorry it has to come to this." Ryoma sighed sadly, now looking at Sakuno.

She didn't know what to say or think. Her mind was full of sadness and pain. The feeling of loneliness is slowly crawling back into her life.

They stood there in silence, not knowing what else to say to each other, in this case Ryoma doesn't know what to say to her so they just stood there in silence as lunch period went by.

At the airport, the regulars, the three trio friends and tomoka was saying their farewell to Ryoma. Each gave their best wishes to him and gave gifts. Ryoma thanks each of them. After everyone was done, Ryoma looked around the airport, hoping to see that certain person. Will you come? He wonder to himself.

Oooh, Sakuno-chan, hurry! Tomoka looked at the distracted Ryoma. "Ryoma-sama, don't worry, I know Sakun—uuu-chan will come," Tomoka sweat, that was close, good thing Ryoma didn't noticed.

"Yeah, Saku-chan will never let you go without saying goodbye." Said Taka-san.

"I'm thirsty, I'm gonna go get a drink." Ryoma started walking off from the group. Not too far off from the group, Ryoma got a ponta from the vending machine, he was about to head back to join the group again when he caught a glimpse of braids in the corner of his eyes. He looked toward his right, he smiled. He watched Sakuno looking around the airport, seems lost and confused. He smirked and headed toward her.

"You're late," Ryoma gave her a smirk.

Startled, Sakuno turned around. Ryoma-kun. She shyly gave him a smiled. Reaching out she handed Ryoma a small gift.

Ryoma happily took the gift. "I have something for you too." Ryoma fished out a small gift from his tennis bag and gave it to Sakuno. "How about we open them together?"

Sakuno nodded.

They started to unwrap the gift together and to their surprised, they both ended up giving each other the same photo that was accidentally taken by the reporter-sempai. Except Sakuno's gift was a photo frame of them and Ryoma was a key chain.

"It seems we think alike."

Sakuno just stared at the photo of them.

Ryoma smile turned into a frown. He knew Sakuno is hurt inside and so was he. It was too painful for him to see her tears drop falling down. He wanted to comfort her and hug her, listening to his instinct he did.

It took Sakuno by surprised. It was the first time they were this close to each other. Relaxing into his embraced she hugged him back.

I will be back, I promise, so please wait for me. Wait for me... Ryoma continued to hug her, not wanting to let her go. They were both completely engulfed in their comfortable hug until they heard an announcement. Announcing that Ryoma's plane had arrived and asking the passengers to get on board. Ryoma sadly let go of Sakuno, holding her by the shoulder he sneaked a kiss on her forehead. Before he leave he handed her a piece of paper, his phone number to be exact.

"Ne, remember to call me!" Ryoma left Sakuno standing there.

She watched him disappeared behind the gate. She ran to the window, passing the regulars and her friends.

Few minutes later the plane took off. Through the glass, her reflection sadly watched the plane disappeared in the sky.

I'm alone again...Sakuno felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked to her right and saw Tomoka sadly smiling with her, and noticed all the regulars and the the three trios are now standing by her side, also watching until they can no longer see the plane.

Sakuno looked at the piece of paper in her hand. She held it to her chest. Syanora. . .Ryoma-kun, I will never forget our promise.