Hi, this is the last chapter! Enjoy!

He fainted again. This is so embarassing. Worse, he fainted in front of Sakuno. And he had bragged a lot to Sakuno about this match. Sakuno must be expecting some kind of wonderful performance, and a glorious victory, with a delicious dinner to look forward to after this (this was what Ryoma had planned). And he had just ruined everything by fainting.

Couldn't he just hold it for a longer time? At least fainting in the car would be better, it would be passed off as sleeping. After so much practice, his willpower is not there yet. Mada mada dane...

"Ryoma? Are you awake?"

Sakuno's voice. It was as sweet as ever. Well, he must be in the hospital, again. This is the third time. Can't believe it. He couldn't bear to open his eyes and see Sakuno. Her face must be filled with disappointment.

"Ryoma, I know you are awake. Wake up." Sakuno started shaking him.

Reluctantly, Ryoma opened his eyes, and saw Sakuno seating next to him, smiling. "How long have I been asleep?"

Sakuno chuckled. "Not long, only thirty minutes."

"Hn." Phew, that was a relieve. At least being out for thirty minutes was not very humiliating.

Sakuno stood up. "Well, I'll go tell everyone that you are awake." She ran towards the door.

"No, wait." Ryoma grabbed her hands and stopped her. "Stay with me for a while. I don't want them to disturb my moment of peace."

Sakuno blushed. "Okay." She sat back down.

XxXxX

Kevin shuffled uncomfortably as the two girls glared at him. Gosh, what did he do? He could understand Jennifer's fury, but why is this other girl whom he had never met before glaring at him?

The other people noticed the intensity, and stared at Kevin too, as if that could help them realise the reason behind the girls staring at him.

Sakuno appeared out of the room, breaking the silence.

"Phew, Sakuno, never in my life was I so glad to see you." Kevin rushed over to Sakuno. "Ryoma's alright?"

Sakuno smiled. "He's alright."

Kevin stared at Sakuno as she smiled. "He woke up a long time ago, right? And you two did something, right?"

Sakuno blushed, and shook her head vigorously. "I...I did not! Kevin, how can you think that... Mou!" Kevin laughed. Sakuno was still as cute as ever. Lucky Ryoma...

"You get away from Sakuno!" The girl pushed Kevin away roughly.

"Tomo-chan?" Sakuno asked, uncomprehending, as Kevin stared back equally lost. So this girl is called Tomo-chan, and it seemed Sakuno did not know what happened to her either.

"What's wrong with you, lady? You're glaring at me throughout for the past 30 minutes, what did I do to you?" Kevin asked.

"You should know it yourself!" Tomoka spat back.

"What? I don't know!" Kevin frowned. She looked just a bit familiar, like he had seen her before somewhere... Hmm, maybe she was Ryoma's friend?

Jennifer walked past him. "If anything happens to Ryoma, you're going to regret it." She whispered as she walked towards Ryoma's room.

"Ryoma's not that weak." He answered. He watched as Jennifer stomped away angrily. He checked his watch. Whoa it's three thirty already. Better get going.

He walked away, with that weird girl glaring at him.

XxXxX

"Why were you glaring at Kevin?" Sakuno asked, noticing her friend's glare.

"I can't believe you didn't know, and you were so friendly with him!" Tomoka turned around angrily, facing Sakuno. "That person, Kevin, or whatever he's called, he's trying to break you and Ryoma apart!"

"Eh, Ochibi's in trouble!" Eiji exclaimed. "Sakuno-chan, you're in big trouble!"

"But don't worry, we'll protect you!" Momoshiro said, raising a thumbs-up towards Sakuno.

Sakuno frowned. "I'm sure Kevin isn't that type of person..."

"I heard him and that other woman conversing, and they are in cahoots!" Tomoka insisted.

Sakuno shook her head adamantly. "I know him. He won't do this kind of thing."

"You know him?"

"Er...I dated him for a while before..." Sakuno blushed, scratching her head.

"What?" The alumni of Seigaku regular all shouted at once.

Inui started writing on his notepad. "Then all the information I collected was wrong, since I had assumed that Sakuno had been with Echizen since she first came..."

"Well, it is rather boring to date only one person throughout your whole life." Eiji mused. The others nodded in agreement.

"Baka Sakuno!" Tomoka scolded. "If you dated him before, it's obvious he still loved you, then obviously he would want to tear you two apart!"

The others nodded in agreement.

"But..." Sakuno did not know what to say. What they were saying was quite true... "You said you heard him discuss with Jennifer?"

"Yeah. You better beware of them." Tomoka said darkly.

The others nodded in agreement. Sakuno bit her lips. She could not believe it either, but Tomoka never lied to her. It couldn't be...Kevin really...discussed with Jennifer...? Recently too many people had been asking her to break up with Ryoma, and she had thought Kevin as one of the few that would support them with his heart, how could Kevin betray her trust?

"Sakuno." Kevin popped his head in, only to find everyone staring at him. He flustered in surprise at the sudden attention. "Erm, well, I left my racket in the room. Can you pass me the room keys?"

"Okay." Sakuno dug for the room keys. "There you go." She was about to give it to Kevin, when Tomoka stopped her.

"If you are thinking of tearing our dream pair apart, we will not let you!" Tomoka said.

"What?" Kevin stared at Tomoka as if she was crazy. "Whatever, I have already concluded that whatever you say will make no sense whatsoever." He shrugged, reaching out for the keys. Sakuno clenched her fist shut, making Kevin blinked in confusion.

"Sakuno?"

"What did you say with Jennifer?" Sakuno asked. She wanted to make sure.

Kevin stared at Sakuno, and tried to understand what were they talking about. Jennifer? Talking? When did he ever talked to Jennifer. She ignored him mostly. And something about breaking a certain dreampair up. What dreampair? Kevin scratched his head, as everyone stared at him.

Wait, he did talked to Jennifer, yesterday. Maybe, Tomoka overheard it? Then the dreampair would be... Ryoma and Jennifer? Ew that was absolutely gross, why would anyone support that?

Thinking about the two really being together, Kevin could not help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing about?" Tomoka demanded.

"Nothing." Kevin calmed down. Couldn't believe Sakuno's friends were supporting Jennifer. Didn't Sakuno love Ryoma? He stared at Sakuno, who looked quite sad. He turned to the others. "You know, if you really are Sakuno's friend, you guys should break them apart."

"What?" Everyone stared at Kevin, shocked. Including Sakuno. What do they mean by what? Wasn't it pretty obvious. I mean, come on, Ryoma, and Jennifer? 'And I thought Sakuno loved Ryoma. It couldn't be...that she was bluffing?' Kevin thought, a sense of anger arousing. And Ryoma had loved Sakuno so much that Kevin had willingly given up on her. Sakuno, how could you?

"I don't get it." Kevin said, looking at Sakuno with a dumb and confused look. "I thought you had always wanted this..."

"No I don't!" Sakuno broke out. "I couldn't believe you really are the type of person that would get jealous and break people up. I thought...we were supposed to be friends, nothing more. But whatever you do, after all those years of separation, you won't break us apart, I won't let you, because I love Ryoma!"

Sakuno glared at Kevin, as she heard her heart beat hard onto her chest. This was the loudest and longest speech she ever dared to give publicly.

"Sakuno-chan..." Eiji said, as Momoshiro put his arm around Sakuno.

"Ptf...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Kevin laughed, hugging his stomach, as everyone stared at each other, trying to figure out what was happening.

Someone whistled. "I shall take that as a confession. Not like I need anymore of it."

Sakuno turned around and saw Ryoma leaning on the door. She felt her blood rushing up to her face as she realised that Ryoma must have listened to her all this while. "R...Ryoma, you're out already. Are you...are you feeling better?"

"Of course, how can I not feel better?" Ryoma smiled. "Jennifer is inside, generating a new contract." He wrapped his right arm around Sakuno's waist and pulled her closer. "She's agreeing to make you my official mate. Fans do like pairings. But my 'stay away from the outside world and no communications' still goes."

He turned to Kevin. "So how about you, Kev. Why are my seniors and Sakuno staring at you with such hostility."

"Ryoma-sama, he's trying to break you two apart!" Tomoka rushed forward, pointing accusingly at Kevin.

"Whoa, whoa, not true, not true! Miscommunication problem here!" Kevin said in between his laughter as he pulled Tomoka backwards.

"I think I know what's the problem..."

~Flashing back

"...Well, you do realise that Sakuno liked Ryoma, don't you?"

Kevin looked down sadly. "Yeah, can't help it." Sakuno was too cute.

Jennifer leaned forward. "Want to snatch her back? I'll help you."

"W...what?" Kevin asked, slightly moving away from Jennifer who was now leaning very close to him.

"Ryoma is too close to her. I want them to separate. You can help me, and you get to get your Sakuno back. How's that?"

Kevin blinked, and took a while digesting what she said. Separate? Jennifer wants to separate Ryoma and Sakuno?

"I'm not helping you."

"Why? You do want Sakuno to be back by your side, do you?" Jennifer asked.

"Well, it's true..." He did want to be back in those days, when he and Sakuno would go out together. "But Sakuno won't be happy."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Sakuno don't like me. She won't be happy with me. Anyway, she loves Ryoma a lot, and Ryoma loves her too, well, I won't be doing any good breaking them apart. Both of them will die in sorrow. I can't have that."

"What a noble thinking." Jennifer shook her head. "Relationship grows you know. She'll eventually be happy with you, and it would be safer with you than with Ryoma. She'll appreciate it."

"I told her, that it would be dangerous being with Ryoma, but apparently she don't heed my advice."

"So make her."

Kevin stared at Jennifer, who was looking at her with such expectance. This conversation is going nowhere.

"Why do you want them to break apart anyway?" Kevin asked.

Jennifer shrugged. "It's the contract. With her around, she destroys everything I have planned. And Ryoma's practice."

"You do realise it's because of Sakuno that Ryoma did so well, do you?" Kevin said. It was true, Ryoma was unexpectedly good in the match, he had never been this good, ever. And it was certain that Jennifer noticed it.

"And fans do like pairings. I can bet you that there are more pairings shippers than fans that want their idol to themselves." Kevin added. And that's when Jennifer's eyes lit up.

"Clever, Kevin. Extremely ingenious."

~ Flashback ends

"Eh, so that's how it is..." Eiji said.

"Looks like we have misunderstood you. Sorry about that." Oishi apologised.

"It's okay." Kevin shrugged. He turned to Tomoka. "Well, someone really needs to apologise for pretending they know everything when they don't, and for glaring at me all day."

Tomoka flushed in embarrassment. "You said it was okay!" She stomped away angrily.

"Oh so you were the one that suggested that stupid pairing thing." Ryoma said.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing is wrong, just that it increased the amount of stuff I have to do to please the fans." Ryoma said. "She's trying to portray a loving couple image."

"You're doing quite well already."

"Shut up. What I mean is that, Sakuno is involved too. I think Jennifer that training maniac is going to force Sakuno into some weird training. Probably a makeover, and maybe...make her boobs bigger or something..." Ryoma trailed away. He added quickly in Sakuno's ears. "Not that you need it."

"Mou..." Sakuno blushed, and Ryoma kissed her. The others stared.

Kevin coughed.

"You know, I think we should leave now."

The others nodded in agreement.

XxXxX

"You're going to PROPOSE?"

"Shh!" Ryoma signaled to them to quiten down. It was so embarrassing being with the sempai-tachi. Look, everyone was staring at them now. "Sit down, for goodness' sake."

The sempai-tachi sat down, after standing up and slamming the table down in shock, but continued to stare at Ryoma as if they have just been notified that the government would be giving out one thousand dollars to everyone of them.

"I can't believe this..." Eiji said. The rest nodded in agreement.

"THE Ryoma, proposing..." Momoshiro added.

"Can't wait to see it, gotta video it and post it." Fuji smiled, digging out his camera.

"Bet there would be a billion over viewers..." Kawamura said.

Inui jumped up as if he had been shocked back to reality, and started digging out for his notebook. "Have to take...this valuable data down..."

"Why do you ask us this?" Tezuka asked.

Ryoma scratched his head. Yeah, why did he ask them? It was common sense that they would not be of much help anyway, with them overreacting just by him saying 'I want to propose to Sakuno.' "Well, I thought you would know what to do, since you're the sempai."

They stared at each other.

"Ochibi is trusting us!"

"This important event of the life is entrusted upon us!"

"Don't worry, Echizen, we will make sure you steal Sakuno-chan's heart completely!"

"This will be the project of our lives, Echizen!"

"We will not let you down!"

"Count on us seniors!"

"Let's get working now!"

"Yudan sezu ni ikō!"

Sigh. This was the reason why he hesitated a lot when Kevin suggested him to ask his seniors for help. This was all Jennifer's fault, asking him to get married with Sakuno as fast as possible. First she was all absolutely angry about Sakuno being with Ryoma, trying everything to get Ryoma to leave her. Now, she kept doing irritating stuff to make them as close to each other as possible. Not that he didn't like it.

Now she's telling him to get married with Sakuno. When she told him that, she was acting as if they're going to be husband and wife tomorrow.

Ryoma sat on the restaurant table, staring gloomily as his seniors discussed enthusiastically. He had to do this sooner or later anyway. It had been about one year already, and the RyoSaku pairing really seemed to work out very well, and Sakuno was getting more and more popular, she needed body guards when going to school. He had asked her to stop school for Heaven's sake, but no, she wants to study.

Well, marrying was the best choice to get all the guys away from her permanently. Sakuno and him was already as close as married. But... when it comes down to it, he did not know what to do, and now part of him want to drop out and forget all this proposing crap.

"Hey, hey Ochibi! We have come up with the ideas already!" Eiji said, placing five sheets of proposals in front of Ryoma. "Come, choose one!"

Ryoma read the first one.

~After reading all five~

"This is utterly retarded." Ryoma said, throwing the proposals onto the table.

"Eh, why, Ochibi? How about my idea?" Eiji asked.

"Your idea is the most horrible idea of all." Ryoma said cruelly, leaving his senior depressed.

"Well, I think you can combine them all, take the good parts, discard the so-called retarded parts, then a perfect plan." Tezuka suggested.

Ryoma thought about it. "Good idea, Captain." He took a pen and a paper, and started writing.

XxXxX

"Sakuno, hurry up!" Ryoma called.

"Matte, Ryoma!" Sakuno answered, doing last minute tidying up of her hair. It was so sweet of Ryoma to remember that today was the day when Sakuno first met Ryoma (she couldn't believe Ryoma remembered it!). It had been about...what? Seven years? Ryoma had decided to commemorate it by going out on a date. It had been a really long time since they really went for a date. Mostly, Ryoma was just too busy.

She adjusted her skirt. She had to present herself nicely at least to Ryoma. It was their special day, and a very special date, as quoted by Ryoma.

An arm wrapped around her waist from her back.

"Stop wasting time adjusting. You look pretty enough already." Ryoma whispered to Sakuno's ear.

"Mou, Ryoma, you scared me." Sakuno pouted, blushing slightly.

"Come on, let's go." Ryoma said, pulling Sakuno out of the house.

"Where are we going?" Sakuno asked as she went in the car.

Ryoma blinked. "Where?"

"Yeah, where?" Sakuno stared at Ryoma, who stared back with a confused, dumb look. "You know, for our date?"

Ryoma shrugged. "No idea."

"You don't know?" Sakuno exclaimed.

Ryoma shifted uncomfortably. "Don't worry, we'll know once we get there."

XxXxX

They arrived at the 'sushi store'. It was better than expected. He had thought that it would be like Kawamura's sushi store, but this one was like a real high-class restuarant. At least they would not look so bad dining here.

Ryoma had bought this place down, under the seniors' recommendation, and they had changed it to a wonderful restaurant. He did not bothered to check the venue, thinking that it was enough for only the chaffeur to know. Why didn't he asked Kawamura-sempai what they were going to turn this place into? At least he would have some idea. A moment ago, it was so weird, admitting to Sakuno that he did not know where they were going. Thank goodness Sakuno did not press on.

Sempai-tachi's preparations, it had better be good.

Ryoma opened the door.

"Welcome!" A waiter greeted them. "A table for two, I presume."

"Yes." Ryoma answered.

"Please follow me." The waiter said, leading them to their table.

Ryoma stared at the waiter. The hairstyle, the brown hair, the closed eyes. It's Fuji-sempai in disguise alright. Good job in the disguise. He turned around. The other 'customers' in the restaurant looked vaguely familiar too. There's Kikumaru-sempai. He's the most obvious one, snickering his way. Inui-sempai...Kaidoh-sempai...Momoshiro-sempai has good disguise too...Ooh, Captain is a waiter too...Oishi-sempai and Kawamura-sempai are sitting together...

"Eh, it's so pretty here." Sakuno exclaimed, looking around. They had really done a good job in these decorations.

Ryoma looked around. Not bad in the designs.

He had asked his seniors to pretend to occupy this place, knowing Sakuno did not like Ryoma buying the whole place just for them. And he get to protect them from spying fans too. Two birds in one stone.

"I'll get any thing that the chef recommends." Ryoma said before Fuji put the menu down on the table.

Fuji smiled at him. "Okay."

A few minutes later(that was fast, they must have prepared it all beforehand), the dish arrived. Ryoma stared in shock: two heart-shaped onigiri, traced together with Sashimi. Another heart ring surrounds the whole thing with different variety of Sushi. On a small black plate was wasabi, forming the words 'Ryoma N Sakuno 4eva".

Ryoma frowned at the design. This was what Kawamura claimed as his 'special couple dish'. It was so... heart-ish... And what was that? Ryoma and Sakuno forever? Who came up with that phrase?

"Oh, Ryoma that's so sweet!" Sakuno squealed, blushing deeply.

Well, Sakuno seemed to like it. "Glad you liked it." Ryoma shrugged.

Sakuno hugged Ryoma happily, and they pulled for a kiss. Mm, Sakuno's kiss always tasted so good.

Ryoma picked up the chopstick, and reached for the sushi.

"No, Ryoma! You'll destroy the whole thing!" Sakuno said.

"Well, we have to eat it sooner or later."

"But, it's so nice, I don't want it to be eaten..."

Great, now Sakuno wants them to starve to death.

"Come on, Sakuno, it's meant to be eaten."

"Mou..." Sakuno pouted. "I know!" She exclaimed, enlightened, digging out her phone. "I'll take a picture of it!" She took a picture of it. Ryoma sighed in relieve. "Okay, so can we eat now? Itadakimasu."

Ryoma grabbed the first sushi, and ate it, as Sakuno groaned at the heart frame being destroyed. Wow, this really is delicious. It has been a long time since he ate any Japanese food, and he did not realise how much he had missed it. He turned to Sakuno, who was not touching the food. "It's very good, you should try some..."

Sakuno took a sushi reluctantly, but hesitated when she reached the wasabi sauce. She did not want to destroy that 'Ryoma N Sakuno 4eva' thing...

Sighing, Ryoma grabbed a sushi, dipped it mercilessly at the 'Ryoma' in the wasabi sauce, and fed it to Sakuno.

Sakuno blinked, and chewed a little more.

"Delicious!"

Ryoma smiled. "If you are so unwilling to eat, I'll force feed you, you hear?"

She blushed. "I...don't mind." She said softly, embarrassed.

Ryoma pulled her closer, and stuffed another sushi in her mouth. "Mada mada dane."

XxXxX

It had been a long time since she ate proper Japanese food. Ahh, how much she missed Japan. Grandmother, is she doing well? Hope she doesn't injure herself. The last time, she sprained her ankle from playing tennis. She had adviced her so many times to retire and stop playing tennis already, she's getting old. But well, grandmother is that stubborn. I wonder is she watching the tennis matches of Ryoma, and reading about him in the tennis magazine, feeling proud of her student. And feeling proud of her granddaughter, getting him as a boyfriend...

Sakuno felt herself blush as she thought about it.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Eh?" She answered, snapping out of her thoughts. "Nothing, Ryoma."

Ryoma stared at her, obviously not believing her. "Eat your ice-cream before I finish it all up."

"Okay." She said, scooping a big one out of the strawberry ice-cream.

She watched as the waiter cleared the dish after they finished the ice-cream. The waiter looked familiar, like she had seen him somewhere before. But, where...?

"Sakuno." Ryoma was standing outside on the balcony of the shop. "Come."

Sakuno walked forward, and stood at where Ryoma pointed. She gasped at the view below her.

The garden was litted up with small candles, it looked like tiny fireflies flickering around, surrounding the bushes. The bushes were especially cut into Sakuno's name, with the last O in the shape of a heart. Pink flowers dotted each bush as the scent flew into Sakuno's nose.

"Ryoma..." Sakuno felt her tear coming up. She had been holding up the tears ever since she first saw the sushi, and now, she could not help it. She couldn't believe that Ryoma did this for her. It was so romantic! She had never imagined herself in this situation, and this shocked her thoroughly. "This is so..." She stopped halfway, unable to speak.

Ryoma kissed her tears away from her eyes. He dug into his pocket, and gave Sakuno a tennis ball.

I love you Sakuno was written on the tennis ball. "Aw...R..Ryoma..."

"Turn it around." Ryoma said.

Sakuno turned it around, and her eyes widened in shock as she read the words, hands shaking in disbelief, surprise, happiness, excitement, lots of positive emotions mixed up together.

Will you marry me?

"I...I..." Sakuno stammered. Ryoma was proposing? The tears flowed down her cheeks as she smiled in surprise and elation as Ryoma went down in his knees.

"Will you..." Ryoma asked, blushing deeper than she had ever seen before. "Will you marry me?"

Sakuno did not wait for Ryoma to finish the sentence as she threw herself onto Ryoma. "Yes yes yes yes yes yes!" She kissed Ryoma suddenly, throwing him off guard.

Ryoma laughed a bit when they broke apart from the excited kiss. "I rented a room here, wanna go?"

Sakuno kissed him back, which Ryoma assumed it as a yes, as he moved slowly out of the balcony.

This was definitely the most special date ever.

XxXxX

"Wow this is better than expected."

"Glad our idea worked."

"Ryoma had better keep his promise about buying us a hundred burgers each if we succeed."

"Fujiko, why are you laughing at yourself?"

"...Hm? Well, I feel happy for them."

"I see... I feel happy for them too! Let's celebrate with sushi!"

XxXxX

"Ryoma, you are simply too great."

Ryoma stared at Kevin. What's with the guy? Ever since training started he had stared at him with such respect in his eyes. Well, actually everyone was staring at him funny, but that sentence of Kevin totally threw him off. Kevin actually admitted that Ryoma was great, when previously no matter how many times Ryoma proved to him he would never, ever admit it. What's wrong with him today? Where's his usual competetive mood?

"Kevin?"

"I can't believe it Ryoma. I thought you were just some kind of cocky boy with an irritating amount of pride and talent, but it seems, that you are not the proud boy I used to know anymore."

"Kevin?"

Kevin grabbed Ryoma and hugged him. "You have touched my heart, Ryoma, you are the most romantic person I have ever known."

"No, seriously, Kevin, what's wrong with you?" Ryoma pushed Kevin away.

"There's nothing wrong with me, I bet everyone feels the same way. After all, that video is so popular."

"Video, what video?"

Kevin blinked. "What? You don't know? The most popular video in YouTube, with... oh i don't know how many digits were there, seven...maybe eight? And it's the most talked about video, I mean, everywhere, everyone is talking about it. The magazines even took eight whole pages dedicated to RyoSaku and that video..."

A sense of dread flowed through Ryoma. He grabbed Kevin, stopping him midway. "What video is that?"

"The one where you proposed?"

"The one where I..." Ryoma stopped halfway, as he started to get enlightened.

"Fuji-sempai..."

XxXxX

Somewhere, out there, an extremely healthy person suddenly sneezed two times in a row.

"Am I sick?" Fuji wiped his nose, thinking.

XxXxX

I shall now conclude the end of this series! 13 chapters, hehe, lucky number!

Hopefully it's not too crappy. :P I always do crappily for last chapter.

Well, people who read this and have not reviewed at all, please do so now, and tell me what do you think of the whole thing. Was it good? :) I might not write anymore prince of tennis fanfic until I have a very good idea, so now. Farewell! Hope this year will be another great year for you! :)