First of all, I want to thank these guys for the review:

LD-KMV-2013: Fuji can be a meanie sometimes but I can't get angry at him at all, I don't know why, lol! About the flashback, let's just see what other events from the past is in store. I don't even know them myself, lol! The ideas just keep coming when I hit the keys.

michelle88222: Yes, Sae's mom and Ryoma's dad were childhood friends, though I think they could have been more than friends. Well, let's just see about that :).

IchigoNeko: Thank you for the motivation. I really like to update this story everyday but my schedule would not permit that :(. But, I will update this as frequently as I can.

To you guys, thank you so much for the support and the reviews.

Disclaimer: I wish I own the characters of the Prince of Tennis

Sae took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, but to no avail. When she took a peek at Fuji's profile, he still looked his usual self which made her feel worse. "Why am I being self-conscious all of a sudden?" She asked herself.

Fuji watched the girl in amusement. "Maybe I went too far from teasing her," Fuji thought to himself, "but, her reaction is just too cute I can't help teasing her more."

As the thoughts filled Fuji's mind, the girl suddenly stood up.

"I'm sorry. I think I cannot play with you today," the girl's eyes looked at the ground when she realized that she cannot look Fuji directly in his eyes.

"Hn? What's the matter? Are you not feeling well? Let me take you home then."

"Um, well… i-it's something like that. Please, don't worry. I can take care of myself. Thanks for today," Sae walked away without waiting for Fuji's reply.

"I guess I really went too far huh?" Fuji thought to himself. A smile formed in his lips as he looked at the empty seat in front of him.

Sae walked quickly trying to get away from the cake shop as fast as possible. When she thought the distance is far enough, she continued walking in her normal pace. However, what happened earlier still filled her mind.

Sae continued to walk aimlessly but she stopped when she heard a faint sound of what seemed like a bouncing tennis ball. She followed it and found herself beside a street tennis court not far from where she came from. Many people around her age gather around. From the looks of it, a game just ended as someone from the crowd was asking for the next challengers. She walked closer to have a better view of the next game.

"I will play," a lad with a white cap came forward. Sae stopped on her track when she realized who the voice is coming from.

"Well then, where is your partner?"

"I don't need one," the lad answered sounding confident with his skills.

"Sorry but this game is only for doubles. If you don't have a partner, we can't let you play," the moderator turn to the crowd, "are there any other challengers?"

Sae saw the annoyed look in the lad's face. "He can really be arrogant sometimes. I guess it can't be help." Sae sighed at her thought. She stood up and walked closer to the crowd, "I will be his partner."

The crowd turned their attention to Sae.

"You? What are you doing here?" Ryoma asked in his usual tone.

"Just passing by."

"Well I see you have your partner with you. You can take your positions," the moderator instructed.

Ryoma would like to argue but he does not have much choice if he wanted to defeat those bastards who claimed to be good in tennis by beating the weak.

As they walked towards their positions, he whispered something to the girl.

"Do you even play tennis?"

"Yes I do."

Ryoma sighed before he spoke, "just don't get in my way."

The first set became a victory to Ryoma-Sae pair after their opponent was not able to return all service balls Sae gave. During their next set, Ryoma played the game all by himself, not letting a ball go past him. Their pair was able to win the game with a score 6-0 using the same pattern.

As the moderator look for their next opponent, Sae walked to Ryoma.

"Ryoma, you don't know how to play doubles, do you?"

Ryoma froze at the question but he immediately return to himself.

"Does it matter? We already won right?"

"We won because our opponents were not that skilled. If we are to face a stronger opponent, it will take more than skill to win a doubles game."

However, their bickering stopped as their next opponent took their position on the other half of the court.

Sae had a bad feeling about their next opponent. She can sense that the pair they are facing are no ordinary players.

Before Ryoma can walk away, the girl held his arm, "those two… are no ordinary players. We need to be careful."

Just as what Sae expected, their pair is behind by four sets against their opponent. She saw Ryoma clenched his fist.

Ryoma was surprised when a hand held his. When he looked up, he saw Sae right beside him.

"Hey, if you want to win this, you need to trust me the same way I trust you. I'll be supporting you from behind but you need to listen to me, got it?" Sae said without looking at Ryoma. Ryoma did not reply but his fist loosened up. Sae returned to her position as the next set starts.

Everyone watching the game can see the large difference in the strategy of Ryoma and Sae. For an instant, the two have a good teamwork and synchronization much to the surprise of their opponent.

But if you were to look closely, during their succeeding sets, Sae gave Ryoma signals what direction to go even before their opponent hit the ball. Ryoma just tried to follow her lead.

After several moments:

"Game and match Echizen-Ichinomiya pair!" the moderator shouted.

Ryoma's lips slightly curved up upon the announcement. He hid his face under his visor to hide his expression.

"Hey, that was a good game," Sae smiled at him.

"It was… but, I don't really like you bossing me around like that."

"Well, if it wasn't for my 'bossing around', we can't win the game. Anyway, if you don't want me doing it again, you must learn how to play doubles next time."

"That was great!"

The two were surprised when an arm cling to each of their shoulders.

"Momo-sempai?" Sae called to the person seeing how close his face is.

"I saw the game. I didn't know you could play doubles, Echizen." Momoshiro patted Ryoma's head.

"I guess I'd be going now," Sae said.

"Eh? Where are you going? But the game…" Momo asked while scratching his head.

"I'm meeting someone today. Momo-sempai, will you be my replacement? It looks like Ryoma still wants to play more." Sae took a glance at Ryoma who seemed like sulking though he tried not to show it.

"Y-you're meeting someone!? Who is it!?" Momo asked. Shock is written in his eyes.

Sae placed a finger in her lips, "it's a secret." Sae giggled, "see you later."

"I'm home."

The sun was already setting when Ryoma returned home. Ryoma stopped at the door when he heard the sound of someone playing tennis. He ran to see who it was and saw his father holding the racket using his dominant hand. On the other side of the court is Sae who is breathing heavily as she knelt to the ground.

"Seven games to six? Not bad at all. You've improve a lot."

"T-three out of… those six… y-you were using a handicap... I still have a lot to learn." Sae said in between breaths.

"Ah, Ryoma. Welcome home," Nanako greeted the Ryoma looking in dazed at the two. "Those two have been playing since Sae came home." She whispered to Ryoma. She placed the refreshment on the side and turned to Nanjiroh and Sae. "Uncle, Sae, why don't you come and eat. I bet you're hungry."

"So the person she was to meet up with is this guy?" Ryoma thought to himself as he stared at the girl eating the taiyaki Nanako brought.

"Nanako-nee-san, these are good. Ryoma, why don't you eat some?" Sae offered him as she noticed his stare.

"I'm not hungry." And with that reply, Ryoma went to his room.

"Hn? Chibisuke looked frustrated," Nanjiroh said as he continued to eat the food in his hand. "Could he be jealous?"

"I bet they lost in their game this afternoon," Sae said before she drank her iced tea. "He doesn't know how to play doubles after all."

Ryoma sneezed as he closed the door of his room. "Someone must be talking about me behind my back," Ryoma thought to himself.

One weekday morning, squeals of girls can be heard as most of them gathered around Ryoma's classroom door. It was break time thus no teacher was in the room. The crowd made a way as the Kunimitsu Tezuka entered the room. He stood near the door as he scanned around the students trying to find a certain someone. Luckily, the person he was looking for was inside the classroom. He walked towards that person's seat.

Ryoma looked up when he realized who the approaching person was. It's not every day that their captain would visit their classroom.

Tezuka stopped right beside Ryoma's seat.

"You're Saeri Ichinomiya right?" Tezuka asked in his deep voice.

The girl stared dumbfounded at the person standing next to her.

"Y-yes, I'm Saeri Ichinomiya. C-can I help you with anything?" Sae stuttered.

"Could you come with me for a minute? Coach Ryuzaki wants to speak with you."

"Um, s-sure," the girl stood up and followed Tezuka.

That's all... for now

(=^.^=)