A/N: Welcome one and all to the epilogue of JoA. I'm late with posting this up, though I'm happy to say that almost all of you wanted to see this last bit that I have to offer you. It's really short compared to the last chapter, but it's something nonetheless. Please enjoy this and drop a review! Love ya all, KurukiXV/Nissa

Two years later…

Cheers were heard from everywhere as teens hugged each other and family members. They'd graduated and were officially adults. Sakuno embraced Tomo in glee and didn't notice her boyfriend come up behind her. So when Tomo hastily excused herself, saying something about "kicking Horio for saying I'd never make it", Sakuno whirled around to congratulate some of her other friends and was met with Ryoma. She ran into his arms and they hugged each other tightly.

"Oh my gosh…we graduated!" Sakuno exclaimed once they'd broke apart and before he could get in a response, Sakuno kissed him full on the mouth. It wasn't often that she initiated contact, but he didn't mind. Not one bit.

Three years later…

"I'm going to the United States." When he told her the news, she was surprisingly receptive.

"I knew you would be going eventually," she replied. "How long?"

"A…year or more."

"Okay," she responded bravely, trying to ignore the tears welling in her eyes. She knew being the girlfriend of a rising tennis star would be difficult, but she could only prepare for his leaving so much.

"Sakuno," he said her name soothingly and held her in his arms as she finally broke down and cried. He hated to see her this way, but he did have a promising career and tennis was his passion. So why did he feel regret already?

"I'll be okay," she whispered. And he kissed her with all his heart and soul because she loved him. And he loved her as well.

5 ½ years later…

Sakuno was eating chips and blankly staring at her television screen. Much had happened in the past couple of years and to Sakuno, life wasn't a great experience at the moment. Ryoma was away doing God knows what in America and beyond, her grandmother was ill and her current job was stressing her out. Just then, the doorbell rang. Glancing at the clock, Sakuno went to answer the door. Who would show up at 10:30 at night? The person behind the door was the person she least expected to see and least wanted to see.

"Ryoma," she breathed and promptly tried to close the door. She couldn't face him, not after what she'd heard.

"Sakuno!" She heard him on the other side of the door knocking once more.

"Go away," she said weakly, her back to the one thing separating them. Why was he back when he clearly had another occupation?

"Sakuno! Let me…"

She flung the door open and asked, "Why are you here? And how do you know where I live?!"

"What do you mean 'why-'"

"Why don't you just go back to your girlfriend in the United States?" she spat with contempt.

"What? No, Sakuno, you've got it all wrong-"

"I do? Then tell me, what happened exactly, Echizen Ryoma." Ryoma hadn't seen her this intense before. Sometimes it came out in small bursts, but she'd never been nearly this upset with him before.

"I went to America, played tennis, went on tour to a few other countries, played more tennis, won a lot of trophies and medals, and made a good amount of money. What else would I be doing?" he answered her, almost incredulous to the nasty look on her face.

"Don't even…I saw you with her! There were photos of you guys on the news, in the magazines. You must be very hap-" In one swift motion, he stepped up and kissed her long and hard. When she finally broke it to catch her breath, he spoke before she could get a word out.

"That woman is a clothing designer. She wants to make a whole line of sporting goods with my name on it. She is merely a business associate. Why would I want to leave the one person who matters most to me?! I love you, Sakuno!" He said all of this in only a few breaths with a look of utter determination upon his face. There was no way she would slip away from him. Not again.

"I'm so sorry! I completely misunderstood! I'm so, so sorry!" she cried, apologizing with fervor.

"You must hate me now," she muttered, collapsing onto the couch.

"Not at all," Ryoma replied.

"Weren't you listening? I love you," he murmured and embraced her once again. Sakuno's feelings of guilt and frustration faded as she was taken over by love and sheer joy of his return.

"I shouldn't have left for so long," he whispered some time later.

"It's okay, you're here now."

Six years later…

"Marry me," he stated, taking out the most beautiful ring Sakuno had ever seen. Her eyes were wide and even though she didn't know it, she was holding her breath.

After a few seconds, she regained her bearings and exclaimed, "Yes!" Ryoma gave his signature smirk and then slid the ring onto her finger. She immediately held it up to examine it and then hugged her new fiancé.

"Congrats, you're soon to be Mrs. Echizen," Ryoma said smugly after he'd kissed her.

"Thanks, and you're soon to be married to me, Ryuzaki Sakuno," she replied playfully.

"Very true," he responded and the two shared a happy smile.

Eight years later…

Sakuno slowly opened her eyes as sunlight streamed through the window. It was a bright morning and the bedroom was bathed in the soft yellow light. That was a good sign; fair weather was perfect for Ryoma's tennis practice. Well, since he was so good, he didn't need much practice, but getting out of shape wasn't in the question. Said person then stirred from below Sakuno, seeing as he was using her as a pillow of sorts. She ran her fingers through his lengthy hair with a smile on her face. He was her husband, her best friend, and the world to her. She watched as he slowly raised his head, that luxurious mop of hair tickling her all the while.

"Good morning, Ryoma," she spoke softly and he tiredly returned her smile.

"Sakuno," he said and rose up to kiss her softly.

"You should probably get up," she replied.

"I'll stay here as long as I want," he responded, gathering her into his arms and kissing her again.

"You have…practice…today," she managed to get out.

"It can wait," he said lowly and the next time their lips met, Sakuno wasn't able to say anything at all. Not that she wanted to, because in the end, the best place to be was beside Ryoma.