Author's Note: The last chapter. I hope that you have liked it! I don't own Prince Of Tennis. Enjoy, once again!
Title Story: I am right here.
Chapter Three: Promises.
It was almost Tezuka's time to play in the quarter-finals. He took his racket and remembered slowly the promise Miko vowed to him.
FLASHBACK
They were both still in the hospital room.
Tezuka had to leave soon and they both knew that they wouldn't see each other in a long time.
"Tezuka-kun?" Miko asked.
"Hn." Tezuka turned his attention towards her again.
"I think I might make it in time for your quarter-final match."
Tezuka looked at her concerned. "Don't let your guard down."
Miko laughed. "I know, I know. But as soon I am healed, I will come to see you play."
Tezuka stared at her.
"And I will return that kiss." She teased when she saw him staring.
She saw him looking away again, she chuckled.
She shifted close and hugged him. She could hear his heartbeat going faster and faster.
"Tezuka-kun, never forget that I am always right here." She whispered.
Miko felt him rest his head on her shoulder and he nodded.
Tezuka slowly hugged back, his arms softly trailed over her back.
"I promise that I will see you play, Tezuka-kun. I will definitely be there."
FLASHBACK
He could still feel her warmth, he could still remember her kind smile, her enchanting eyes. And he knew, she would be here.
"Tezuka?" Fuji asked.
"Hn."
"Are you alright?"
"Hai."
Tezuka walked to the court and prepared himself to play.
'Tezuka-kun.'
Miko ran and ran. She let many people astern and curse. She couldn't care less, she had to see him.
"Where is it? Oh, there!" Her finger flew from the board when she ran to the good direction.
She could see from afar many people surrounding the court. Two groups, one in blue and the other in white/grey.
She panted and saw him at the service line. With the ball in his hand ready to serve.
'Now!'
She quickly ran to the last open place at the fence, there she yelled on the top of her lungs, knowing that she would get over the other team's supporters.
"Ike! Tezuka-kun!"
Silence was on the court.
All the eyes were on her. But only his belonged to her.
Tezuka immediately flickered his eyes in hers. She was there, like she promised.
She was panting, from running probably.
Only for a second he laid his eyes on her fully.
She had her racket cover slung on her shoulder with underneath it her messenger bag.
She had been running on tennis shoes and in jeans hot pants, which was tightened around her waist with a large jeans belt.
Her hair was loose, he didn't have to tell her that he liked it that way. And her eyes stared in his kindly. Her upper body was covered by one of her long, sleeveless, low-cut black shirts.
"Gambatte! Tezuka-kun!" She yelled again, still panting, but smiling.
He gave her a brief nod and stared in her enchanting eyes before serving.
Miko smiled, he had won.
It seemed like he and the other captain were well acquainted, but it didn't matter to her.
The rain didn't matter to her, she had a jacket with a hood on her shoulders.
She wanted to be in his presence.
When the gate was opened by the Hyotei Captain, she took her chance.
She ran pass Atobe Keigo and his team and went right to Tezuka.
The jacket flew from her shoulders and she dropped her bags on the drowned, wet court.
Her arms gently folded themselves around his neck, her toes were forced to stand on their tops. She could see his kind eyes.
She knew the eyes bored in her back, but nobody mattered.
She kissed him softly and after her lips slowly left his.
"Repayment." She only said smiling.
Miko hugged him tight, resting her head on his shoulder.
He was wet from the rain, but she could feel his warmth through that.
"I wanted to see you."
Tezuka let her hug him. He looked at her, as far as he could see her.
He felt her presence intoxicating him again.
He placed one hand on her head, while the other was holding his racket.
He closed his eyes for a minute, only feeling her hold, her hair sticking on his skin.
Tezuka felt her let go. "Miko."
"That's me. I'm right here." She answered with her trademark line. "Tezuka-kun."
"Ano.. Tezuka? Who is this?" The two of them turned around to see a lot of stone statues with gaping mouths, shocked faces and amusing looks.
After a lot of ruckus and explanations, everyone remained his composure.
"Heh, I never knew that you actually were hiding a girlfriend." Fuji grinned.
"Well, Fuji-kun. He hasn't actually asked me yet, so you can't exactly call me his girlfriend." Miko said.
"Ehh, honto-nya?" Eiji asked bewildered.
Miko nodded and smiled.
"Data.." Inui scribbled away.
"Mada mada dane." Ryoma commented.
"Why didn't you tell us, Tezuka?" Oishi asked.
"He probably didn't want to have to handle with what just happened." Miko answered for him. She turned to Tezuka. "Right?"
"Yes."
"But really, you are lucky Tezuka-buchou. Takumi-san is really a cute girl." Momo grinned.
"Arigatou." Miko smiled. "Oh and feel free to call me Miko-san or sorts."
"Where did you met Tezuka, Miko-san?" Kawamura asked.
"In Kumamoto. I met him when he was using my tennis racket." Miko answered cheerfully.
"Using you tennis racket, Miko-san?" Kaidoh asked.
"Hmm.. you guys seem really interested. Well, then why not the whole story?"
Tezuka just sighed at that.
After telling the whole story, everyone made their ways home.
Miko just followed Tezuka. "Where are we going?"
"The park." Tezuka answered while leading the way.
Miko just walked after him, smiling remembering the way she had dragged him in Kumamoto.
"Here."
She looked up and saw a lake full of fishes, she sighed and placed with her finger in the water before turning to Tezuka.
Tezuka on the contrary watched her, the water from the rain still had left some drops on her shirt.
"Tezuka-kun?" Miko asked like always.
"Hn."
She smiled at him and sat down next to him and dropped her head on his chest.
She felt Tezuka's hand go to her ankle.
Miko let her own hand stop him. She looked up at him.
"It's healed, I can walk, I can run, I can play tennis. I can watch your matches."
Tezuka stared at his stopped hand and her hand that stopped his.
His hand acted before he noticed it.
Miko felt fingers trail over her own and tighten.
She grinned. "Aren't we aggressive, Tezuka-kun?"
Miko looked at him. "I just wondered Tezuka-kun. Why do you like a simple person as me?"
"Simple?" Tezuka repeated, looking questionably at her.
"Yes, simple. Like my name, Miko, I myself am quite simple. Average, I think. I easily laugh, cry, get angry. But you seem more complicated. Why would you like me?"
Tezuka answered: "Being simple might equals to complication."
Miko laughed. "You might be right."
"Tezuka-kun, thank you." She said, dropping her head again on his chest.
"You're a good pillow, you know?" She chuckled.
"I'm noticing it." He answered while putting his hand on her ankle.
Miko laughed, she laughed and tears came out.
Tezuka looked surprised. "What's wrong?"
"I-I guess I just missed your presence. It makes me feel secure." She smiled through her wiped tears.
Tezuka frowned and pushed her body to his.
"Tezuka-kun?"
"As long as you like." He whispered.
Miko felt his breath. She clung at him.
"You are right here, right?" She asked.
She felt him nod once again.
"It's time to depart." Miko said sadly smiling.
Tezuka nodded, not looking directly at her.
Miko suddenly smiled bright. She softly kissed his cheek.
"I will see you later, Tezuka-kun." She let go and turned around, letting the tears easily fall.
But Tezuka yanked her back.
He took her wrist and spun her around.
He saw tears and took her head in his two hands and pressed his lips mildly on hers.
He felt her eyes widen and relax.
She began to kiss back and put her hand on his and her other hand on his arm.
Their lips left each other and Miko hugged him tightly.
Tezuka hold her tightly. "Miko."
He felt her nod, she wanted him to say her name. "Miko."
"Miko." He felt her fast heartbeat.
He tightened his hold on her. "Miko."
He let her wet his shoulder. "Miko."
People passed them on the train station, some staring, some whispering.
Miko saw them, but she only heard his voice echoing her name.
"Miko."
At a point she let her arms fall from his shoulders. "I have to go home."
Tezuka didn't let go, yet.
She was still pressed to his body.
"For now, I can't stay." She answered his unsaid desired question.
She touched his hair with both hands.
"I will be back soon."
"Tezuka-kun!"
Tezuka turned around from Chitose.
He found her eyes.
She was right there.
Author's Note: I really liked making this story. I got inspired by the Nationals Tournament Episode, OVA 11. I don't own Prince Of Tennis. I really hoped that all of you liked it. If you have any request (I don't expect it at all) for a bonus you may ask. Bye bye!