Notes from a Muddy Writer:

FINALLY! I've finally UPDATED! Woohoo!

We've definitely finished that "Chapter 5 arc" (it is chapter 5 in my notebook ya know). We can move on to greener pastures! :D But really, SORRY~ Terribly sorry for the late updates. I've been meaning to finish this after I have written ¼ of this. But life interfered. T_T School life to be specific. I believe after this, the story will pick up pace, and then it will be the ending. I so suck at keeping this a "below-10 chapters" story.

Please enjoy then review~


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Jealousy

"A sentiment which is born in love and which is produced by the fear that the loved person prefers someone else."

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"He seems like that man who knows what he wants, and the problem is he wants what I want."

-Abbi Glines, Breathe

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'You may now read the tale.'

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Week 2

Wednesday

High in the sky the sun continued its unrelenting reign. Its rays hot, and would definitely burn some skin. Despite of it all, Sakuno was glad—excited even, as she sat on the sides to witness Ryoma play. Technically, he was just practicing. His match's tomorrow and he's pushing himself harder.

As an observer she could not help but be in awe of her husband's tennis skills. She came to the conclusion that this was perhaps the reason he was called as the Prince of Tennis. He was perfect, perfect, perfect.

Well, almost. If he would only realized the depth of her feelings—

Her brain momentarily stopped.

And in that moment, she stared at the object of her awe. Her heart thumped faster, heat rose to her cheeks, everything froze. Only the two of them were left in the world.

The sun's heat must be getting me good, she thought. Sakuno also imagined him slowly walking up to her, and touching her cheeks with his unexpectedly soft hands when his question snapped her out of her daydream.

"Are you alright?" Ryoma asked with slightly furrowed brows. The back of his hand flew to her forehead to check her temperature.

Sakuno flushed harder. It really did happen.

After his close inspection, Ryoma said, "Maybe it's best if you—"

"No." Her voice was hard with determination. "I'm staying with you."

He smirked at her. "Sure, but close your mouth. You're drooling. And you're very red." He spun on his heels, pacing back to the tennis court to continue his practice.

Back on the bleachers, Sakuno's mouth was agape. A vein twitched on her head. "Jerk," she muttered.

And did she just really thought about the depth of her feelings for him? As in like loving him?

Loving?

Her eyes widened at her thoughts. She needed to get her head out of the gutter. Sakuno shook her head to clear her thoughts. Looking at Ryoma's form, she decided he was a very confusing guy.

They held hands yesterday. For the first time ever.

She needed to think about that for a moment.

Did it really happen? Sakuno thought as she recalled yesternight's memory. She looked at her hand and smiled. It just might be the first step to progress in their relationship.

"Yo!" A loud voice echoed across the court. "Echizen!"

Ryoma froze to watch the tall figure walk towards him. His eyes narrowed for a moment before widening in recognition.

"Long time no see." It was the boy with seaweed hair. The boy who interrupted their date. The boy who was secretly seeing his wife alone. The lone boy who made Ryoma's blood boil.

'Sea-weed' boy, as Ryoma liked to call him, stopped on the other side of the court. He was in full tennis attire with his tennis racket ready.

It was obvious what his intentions were, but Ryoma, being the sly weasel that he is, had a genius idea, making him smirk.

"Oi! What are you doing here?" He called out nonetheless in irritation.

"Isn't it obvious?" Kirihara paced around. "I'm here to play a tennis match with you."

Ryoma suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.

"Akaya-kun!" Sakuno exclaimed, getting the two gentlemen's attention and all of the other few people lucky enough to have been let inside the court.

"Sa-chan!" Akaya beamed, infuriating Ryoma even more. He wanted nothing more than to wipe the stupid smile off Akaya's face with his fists. Since when did he get that close with her?

Without warning, he launched a ball in the air and served his famous Twist Serve. Spectators gave their 'ooh's and 'aah's. They were delighted for some action. Finally!

On his side of the court, Akaya was walking towards Sakuno, obviously happy to see her, oblivious to the impending serve.

Sakuno noticed the oncoming ball which will catch Kirihara off-guard. She opened her mouth to warn him. "Akaya—"

Smack!

"—kun…"

Too late.

A small yellow ball rolled on the court's surface, bouncing lightly as it went. Kirihara remained rooted on the spot, a bright red spot on his left cheek.

On the other side of the court, Ryoma smirked, amused with what he just did. His evil genius plan worked!

Sakuno's head spun to his direction. "Ryoma-kun! How could you do that?!"

He only smirked wider. "He said he wanted to play with me."

"But he wasn't even ready yet!" Sakuno crossed her arms. She shot him a disappointed look.

Ryoma only shrugged. "He should have been ready the moment he stepped into the court."

"But—"

"It's okay, Sa-chan," Akaya said, breaking her mid-sentence. His cheek was still red and was getting swollen. However, everyone could see that he was conflicted inside. They noticed that his eyes were on the verge of turning red.

"So this is the Devil Kirihara," Ryoma muttered to himself. Out loud he said, "15-love." The umpire seemed to have forgotten his role.

He went back to position, and bounced the ball on to the surface.

"Ready or not," he called out.

Kirihara did not answer.

Ryoma threw the ball in the air, and hit it with his famous red racket.

It bounced on to Kirihara's side of the court when something red flew across their vision. In an instant, the ball bounced back inside Ryoma's court with such huge force. It earned his opponent a score.

"15 all," the umpire announced.

When the dust settled, Ryoma saw a redhead beside Seaweed boy.

"Koshimae! Why didn't you tell me you were playing?!" A hyperactive voice called out. "You even brought Sa-chan with you!"

A vein twitched on his head.

"Dammit Kintarou!" He heard Kirihara yell at the redhead. "Who the hell brought you here?!"

"No one. I was just looking around then I got lost…" Ryoma saw the hyperactive boy scratch his head in embarrassment. "Then I heard balls go plok so I decided to check it out. And then I saw Koshimae play with you Seaweed Hair."

"Whatever! Just get off the court. I'm playing with him first," Kirihara said with annoyance. "You can play with him after I defeat him."

Another vein twitched on Ryoma's head. Dark aura was flowing off his body.

"No!" Then Kintarou faced Ryoma. "Koshimae! Let's have a match!"

"Hey! I got here first!" Kirihara insisted.

"No! Koshimae! Play with me!" The redhead's voice rang in his ears.

"No! Me first!" It was Kirihara.

"No! Me!" And back to Kintarou again.

"Fine. I'll take on both of you," Ryoma said to end their useless banter. He could already feel a migraine coming.

Ryoma knew he was famous and people from around the globe were dying to play a match against him, but that wasn't reason enough for them to be shouting of who's going to play against him first. After all, the results would be the same. Both of them were going to be beaten figuratively and literally by none other than the Prince of Tennis.

"Cocky bastard," he heard Kirihara mutter.

"Yay! Yay! Yay! I'm going to play against Koshimae!"

"Che."

Ryoma threw the ball in the air, and sent it flying across the court.

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"Waaah! Sakuno-chan! Koshimae's really good!" Kintarou said as he jumped around the brunette. The two of them, Kirihara and Kintarou, gathered around Sakuno so she wasn't able to go to Ryoma yet.

The trio only got to play a single point for an hour. When the umpire got tired seeing them rally, he called the match off. Even Sakuno's eyes glazed over watching the long rally.

She smiled at Kintarou's hyperactivity, and giggled. "Well, you, Kintarou-kun and Akaya-kun were pretty good as well. You guys managed a really long rally without breaking the single point score."

Kintarou chuckled heartily.

"Akaya-kun, good game!" She said to Kirihara while genuinely smiling at him. Her smile made something move in his stomach. It was kind of tickly, but in a good way. It also made him better since he hated not winning. Not to mention, he hated not winning over this really small guy who apparently had a closer relationship with Sakuno.

Kirihara could feel since inner demon try to take over. He shook off the feeling. He didn't want to scare her. Maybe if she could see that side of him, she'll leave him. He doesn't want that.

"Sa-chan," Kirihara called out.

"Yes?" She looked up to meet his eyes when all of a sudden she felt his lips brush her forehead. Heat rushed to her face.

Someone gasped beside her. "Seaweed Hair! Wh-what are you doing to Sakuno-chan?" Kintarou cried out.

"Wh-what are you doing—"She wasn't even done when someone sent Kirihara flying away.

Looking up, Sakuno met Ryoma's eyes and instantly knew things had taken a turn from bad to worse.


Replies:

On to the replies for my ever patient readers! :

asuna11– Hahahahaha! I've forgotten how we arrived about talking SAO… XD But I too love SAO~ Well, they are kind of an official couple already since they are legally married. :3 The thing is Ryoma's slow… I hope this chapter kinda showed something. T_T Tell me if it didn't okay?

ShizureiX2- Tadaaaaaa! Here's the update. Hahaha~ Sorry if it took so long… :'(

Yuki Fheuzel- Yukiiii! We're already friends on FB so I don't know what else to say? Hahahaha! Joke. Come and live hereeee! XD WAAAAAAAAAAH! I just realized the full gravity of your review… :3 Did this chapter further cemented that feeling? Hmmm… I'll update faster *crosses fingers* Hahaha this chapter wasn't long enough, I think. But thank you, Yuki-chan for the review~ *glomps you*

eeriesonata – Thank you very much! \(*o*)/

yana19- *sighs* Thank goodness that they are stepping on to the next level. But why are they so slow?

Ryoma: You're the author, why don't you answer you own question? Hurry up, dammit.

Me: Tsss, so mean. If I only know, you're dying to snuggle up with her. :3

Ryoma: *blushes* B-baka!

Me: Come on, I know you love it. :P

Okay, that was my crazy brain typing that one. Please feel free to ignore that. Hahaha! All hail RyoSaku!

J Luc Pitard- Can I just hug you? Rereading your review made me feel better. \(ToT)/ Hahaha! I've got it all planned. The regulars will be part of the story. :D WAAAAAAAHHH! I just really love you and your review… Thank you, thank you soooo much!

yukina-chan15- Hahaha! Yukina-chaaaaaan! I miss you! XD I do wish too that they don't have to pretend. Hopefully, soon~

rhaeven Sy- Your review made my day too so thank you so much for reviewing~~~ :D I think I should be the one thanking you since you take time to review~ Again, thanks!

Lyfa- True story? I don't remember putting that somewhere in the story… hahaha! Now that I think about it, I think the end is so far. Thank you for the review again, Lyfa-chaaan~

sandra– Sandra, Sandra, Sandra… thank you so much for your constant reminders~~~ Gaaah! If it weren't for your efforts, I would have left the story until I gather enough inspiration to write again. T_T Thank you sooooo much~ *hugs you tightly*

DearestELFriend- I think so too… :3 Hahahaha! I'm glad that it looked natural, the holding hands scene I mean. :3 Sorry for the late update!

long live marshmallows- Wow… your penname's making me hungry. T_T LONG LIVE MARSHMALLOWS! Huzzah! Actually, thank you very much for reviewing! :D

fay208– Waaaaaah! You reviewed chapters 3 & 4… Thank you! I know right? I'm horrible. Feel free to cyber slap me. Hehehe but did they improve their relationship now? :D

Birdofdarkness- Gaaaaaah! Thank you for reviewing chapter 1 as well as chapter 9! Yeah, he's really an idiot.

Ryoma: What did you say? *'death' glares at me*

Me: N-nothin—

*I did not get to finish my sentence since Ryoma-kun melted me into a puddle of goo.*

Notes from a Muddy Writer:

While writing this, I kept getting distracted with so many things. T_T Bugger me and my short attention span. I almost abandoned this chapter because I had other ideas in my mind. This was also delayed since I kinda felt down about the way I write. T_T So so so sorry for the delays. Gosh. And please excuse my writing if it's bad.

But that was it~ I hope to post another chapter soon. See ya in the next chapter!