Gomenasai! (Sorry!)

It took me a long time to update.

Let's just say that I ran out of ideas for quite a while. I also revised some parts of the chapter several times, every time I reread it, depending on how I see fit (though grammatical errors still exist T.T). So, here it is. Enjoy.

Special thanks to those who posted their reviews. It means so much to me to hear your thoughts.

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

Knock knock

Sae has been staring at the ceiling when she heard someone knocking.

"That must be Nanako-nee."

"Come in."

The door opened only to reveal the Seigaku captain.

"C-captain!?" a shocked expression was written in her face. She immediately sat on her bed.

"Can I come in?" Tezuka was standing outside the door with a tray of food in his hands.

Tezuka examined the room as he stood by the door. The bed was positioned in the corner right beside the window. On the opposite wall, a shelf and a study table were placed next to each other. There was also a door which he guessed would be the bathroom. He would say that it was a regular room with everything placed neatly inside. It's just that, he did not expect it to be so…pink and frilly – from the carpet to the bed sheet up to the curtain and the wallpaper. Somehow, he felt hesitant to enter.

"Y-yes. Yes, of course." Sae replied, still sitting on her bed. Her eyes followed Tezuka as he entered the room and placed the tray on the table beside the bed.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay," Sae's eyes were fixed on the food beside her, "you shouldn't have bothered to bring that here. You're a guest after all."

"I insisted."

"Even so, they shouldn't have let you."

Tezuka heaved a sigh. He felt like Sae is pushing him away.

"I only used it as an excuse to talk to you... alone." Sae became silent at his words, "I need to tell you something."

"He must be trying to persuade me again to leave the team," Sae thought.

Tezuka can guess what the girl was thinking as her expression gave her away.

"When you get better, stay in the team."

Sae blinked for several seconds. It was like the words did not reach her at all and she needed several moment to absorb what Tezuka just said.

"I apologize for what I said to you before."

"Why?"

Although Sae is really happy with what Tezuka said, there is something bothering about it. For what she understands, their captain is not the type of person who would suddenly change his mind without good reason.

Tezuka looked at her in surprise. He thought she would be happy to hear what he said but her face did not show any sign of it.

"Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Tezuka stayed silent.

Sae looked at him, waiting for words to come out of his mouth, but only moments of awkward silence followed.

"Do you remember a boy named Mi—"

Knock knock

Tezuka and Sae both turned their eyes on the door. The door opened slightly and Ryoma's head poke inside. His eyes travelled from Sae to Tezuka before he spoke.

"Sorry to interrupt but I'm looking for Karupin."

"Karupin is not here."

"Is that so? I thought I saw her enter your room a while ago," Ryoma scratched his cheek, "can I look for her here?"

"Um, sure."

"Oh, and don't mind me. Just continue your conversation."

Ryoma entered the room and started looking under the bed.

Tezuka knew the look Ryoma was gave him before he entered the room. It was the same look Ryoma gave him when he saw him with Sae in their classroom a long time ago.

"Captain, what were you saying just now?"

Tezuka decided to change the subject since someone else is listening.

"Do you like Fuji?"

"Eh!? F-fuji-senpai!?" Sae stuttered. The question came out of the blue. Her face suddenly felt hot upon hearing Fuji's name. She did not know how to respond to that. She averted her eyes to escape Tezuka's piercing gaze.

Ryoma, who was pretending to look for his cat, bumped his head under the table when he heard the question.

"Wh-why do you ask?" the girl said without looking at Tezuka.

"I heard him confessed to you."

The girl knew she was blushing furiously upon hearing Tezuka's words. Sae can even feel the hot feeling up to her ears as she remembered what Fuji told her a night before.

Tezuka saw how Sae fidgeted at the question. He knew he was being too nosy now and he was putting her in an awkward situation but he wanted to know – he needed to know – especially after seeing her reaction.

Ryoma, unconsciously, stopped what he was doing and looked at Sae. He too became anxious of what her answer might be.

"Fu-fuji-senpai teases me a lot and I –" Sae felt the words left her all of a sudden and she cannot continue what she was about to say. "Can I not answer the question?" Sae said while looking at the blanket on her lap. She still cannot look at the Seigaku Captain for she knew her face was still red.

"You don't need to answer if you don't feel like it," Tezuka replied. He decided not press the question further but it only made his curiosity grew.

Sae's racing heartbeat slowly calmed down at Tezuka's response.

"Why do you ask?" Sae looked straight at Tezuka, "why are you asking such question?"

Tezuka was taken aback by her words. It was his turn to feel awkward. It's not like it has something to do with tennis so how will he bail himself out?

"Are you worried that it might affect the team?" Sae looked at him, "don't worry. Our goal is to win the nationals right? I will try my best to help make that happen. I will not let trivial things affect our goal."

"Do you really think that this is still all about tennis?"

A puzzled look appeared in the girl's face.

Tezuka realized what he said and kept silent before he speaks anymore than necessary.

"Just get well soon," was all Tezuka said before he turn to leave the room. However, as he walked to the door, a hand held his arm.

"Senpai." Tezuka turned and saw Sae reaching out her hand to stop him.

"Thank you for letting me stay," Sae continued.

With the expression the girl was wearing at that moment, it was as if Tezuka was looking at the little girl from years back. He clenched his fist as he restrained himself from hugging her.

"Captain? Are you alright?" Sae asked when she saw Tezuka's change of reaction. She cannot really tell what he was thinking but he did not look so good.

"You better rest now," the Seigaku captain said as he ruffled her hair.

Sae only nodded in response.

When Tezuka opened the door, a soft "meow" was heard as a cat entered the room.

"Karupin."

After Tezuka came down from Sae's room, the team paid their respect to the other household members and left.

Sae saw from the window as her teammates leave. Her eyes were fixed to the person who she was having a conversation awhile ago in her room. She was bothered by the question which Tezuka was asking her before Ryoma entered the room. She wanted to ask him that's why she stopped him but then, a sad expression was written on his face when he looked at her, though it may not be obvious in the first glance.

She tried to recall what Tezuka was asking that moment: '…do you remember a boy named Mi–…'

"Mi? Could he be referring to Michi-kun?"

"Have you heard? Ichinomiya is living together with Echizen under the same roof."

"I heard they are already betrothed to each other."

"Even so, they are still not married, why live in the same house?"

"Maybe Ichinomiya is training to be a proper wife for Echizen?"

"Really!? But aren't they still too young for that?"

"Are they not related?"

"People said their parents are good friends. Their fathers are both alumni of our school and used to be members of the same club."

"I think they look good together."

"Ah, so that's why Echizen treats her a bit different from the other girls."

"But do you remember? She went out with Fuji-senpai before? She did that knowing she is already engaged to someone else? Poor Echizen."

"Echizen doesn't seem to mind though."

The next day, the story about Sae living in Echizen residence spread like wildfire around the school. Good thing, the girl was still resting at home. Ryoma, on the other hand, was the one being thrown by questioning glances that day but he did not seem to care.

But how did the story reached the ears of many? Thanks to the loud voice of a certain spiked-haired Seigaku regular who accidentally blurted it out to their freshmen members.

The rumours even reached the second and third years. The Seigaku regulars were very much surprise how the story turned out since they know what the truth is.

"Sakuno-chan!" Tomoka rushed to the girl with the braided hair, "are you alright?"

Tomoka had been searching for Sakuno when she heard the rumours. She found her alone in the back of the school building staring blankly at the ground.

Sakuno did not seem to hear the other girl's loud voice. She was deep in thoughts. She slowly tilted her head when she realized the presence of the other person.

"Tomo-chan?"

It felt like energy was drained from Ryuzaki as she answered Tomoka.

"Sakuno," Tomoka hugged her friend, "you already heard have you?"

Sakuno nodded as she cried herself on Tomoka's shoulders.

"Hush," Tomoka tried to comfort her friend, "if Sae told us sooner, you shouldn't be crying like this. And to think she offered to help you with Ryoma-sama!? What a traitor! She was trying to make fun of your feelings."

A-achooo

Sae was playing with Karupin when she sneezed. She accidentally dropped the cat from her hands. Good thing, cats are good with balancing thus Karupin stayed standing after hitting the floor.

"Sorry," Sae apologized to Karupin as she rubbed her nose.

"Someone must be talking about me." Sae thought as she looked at the sky.

It was Sae's first day of school after several days of absence. Like their normal routine, she and Ryoma were walking to school together. However, Sae felt a little different even before they even step inside the school grounds. Their schoolmates they passed by seemed to be looking at them more than usual. Some would even whisper something to their companions which she sensed has something to do about her or Ryoma.

"Um, Ryoma, did something happened when I'm gone?"

"Hn? Nothing important."

"'Nothing important' you say but I'm having an uneasy feeling when people kept looking this way."

Ryoma stopped and looked around them. The girl was right. Their schoolmates kept looking at them but when he met their eyes, they would avoid his gaze and turn their heads on the other direction. He had a good idea what this was all about but he did not care a little of it. But now that Sae is back, he felt worried how the rumours might affect her.

Suddenly, Ryoma grabbed Sae's hand and walked faster.

"Ryoma, what are you doing?" Sae had to walk faster to catch up.

"Just ignore them. I'll explain later."

Sae knew something was up but she decided to keep quiet for the rest of their trip to school.

Inside the school was worse. It was as if they were attracting the attention of everyone they passed by. When they entered their classroom, the room became dead silent and all eyes were on them as they walk to their seats.

"Let's go," Ryoma said after placing their bags on their seats. Sae followed without question.

Ryoma led her behind the school gym where no one else is likely to go at that time.

"They think we are engaged."

"What do you mean engaged?"

"They think we are getting married."

"What!?" Sae's eyes widen in surprise. But after a brief moment, she returned to her normal self, "so that's how it was. Where did that come from?"

Ryoma just shrugged his shoulders.

"From the looks of it, most of them believe it's true," Sae sighed, "it's not like we can do anything about it."

Ryoma did not respond.

"You're not angry?"

"Why would I be angry?"

"You're not? I thought you would get angry at me," Sae's face move closer to Ryoma until was only inches away, "or maybe you're somehow happy about it?"

Sae smiled mischievously at Ryoma. Ryoma, on the other hand, became flustered.

Click

The two were surprised that a white light flashed their direction.

"That was a good one," said by a girl in ponytail, "can you move a bit closer to Echizen?"

"What was that!?" Ryoma asked furiously.

"Sorry if that was too sudden. You two look good at that angle a moment ago that I cannot resist taking a photo of you. You see, I'm a member of the school paper," the girl flashed her so-called ID, "if you still don't know, you two are the most talked about couple in the entire school these past days and we have been receiving requests to make an article about you two. So, maybe you can – hey! I'm not finish yet. Where are you two going?"

Sae and Ryoma ran away from the girl. When they turned in a corner, they decided to part ways before the class starts.

When Sae returned to the classroom, some of her classmates came flooding on her seat.

"So how does it feel like to be engaged?"

"We're not."

"Oh come on, you don't need to hide it anymore. The whole school already knows."

"I've got nothing to tell because we're not really –"

"Is it true you are living with Echizen in the same house?"

"Does he also have the same attitude when you are alone with him?"

"How did you two met?"

"Have you already done, you know, 'that'?"

Questions had been thrown to her by the time she sat on her chair but it seemed they will not believe if she deny any of it. She chose to kept quiet but the last question got on her nerve that she suddenly stood up, slamming her table in the process.

"Will you please leave me alone!?" Sae said trying her best not to do anything rash.

Sae's classmates noticed the change of atmosphere around her that they became a little scared to ask any more question about the issue.

Though no one dared to approach her about the issue, Sae can still feel the stares from the students around her as she walked to the tennis court for the afternoon practice. Even Tomoka and Sakuno were avoiding her all day. She did not think that another surprising news will greet her that afternoon.

"Momo-senpai was dropped from the regulars!?" Sae almost shouted when she heard the news from Horio. Ryoma did not tell her anything about it or anything about the team saying she should worry more about herself getting better. Even Fuji did not say a word about it even though he had been calling or sending emails to her for the past days.

"Yes and he has not showed up for the afternoon practice for three days now."

"Does that mean Inui-senpai –"

Horio guessed what Sae was about to say and nodded even before she could finish her sentence.

"Inui-senpai got his position back in the regulars' line-up."

"I see. Then, where is Momo-senpai?" Sae looked around trying to find Momo but he is nowhere around the court.

"He has not returned to the court for several days now," Katsuo, one of the freshman trio, said sadly.

"For real? It must have hit him hard."

"Eh? Sae, where are you going?" Kachirou called out when Sae started walking away from the courts.

"I will look for Momo-senpai –"

Suddenly Sae landed on her back as she bumped into something hard in front of her.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Kaido-senpai."

"Here," Kaido reached out his hand.

"Ah, thanks."

Sae grabbed his hand and pulled herself up. She brushed the dust that got on her clothes.

"Where are you going?"

"Well, that's..."

"She will go lo –" Sae put her hand in Horio's mouth to prevent any more words coming from him.

"I just remembered that I— I need to go home early today. Sorry to asked of this but can you inform the others." Sae winked at Kaido followed by a sweet smile. Kaido blushed at the girl's antics.

"Thank you," Sae said before she dashed off without waiting for Kaido's reply.

"Who said I –" Kaido said as he returned to himself, but Sae could no longer hear what Kaido would say next since she was already far from him. He heaved a sigh.

"Hn? Where's Sae? I thought I saw her with you a moment ago." Fuji asked the freshmen trio as he passed by them and Kaido.

"She said she needs to go home early today, fssh" Kaido answered before he walked away still couldn't believe that that girl somehow tricked him.

"He looked pissed, did something happen?"

The freshman trio just shrugged their shoulders at Fuji's inquiry.

Sae went home, borrowed Nanjiro's bicycle and went to places she thinks Momoshiro would likely to go.

"If I am Momo-senpai, where will I be?" Sae asked herself as she continued to drive along the road. Somehow, she ended up in the street tennis court and found Momoshiro playing against a girl wearing a Fudomine's uniform. If she remembers correctly, that girl is the sister of Fudomine's tennis club captain. Sae felt relieved to see her Momo-senpai in his same old self after what happened.

Sae watched silently as the game continues. However, from where she is standing, she saw the members of Hyotei tennis club enter the bleachers.

"Why would they be here of all places?"

She was about to go out from hiding when a heated conversation started between Momo and the Hyotei members but a hand stopped her.

"Ryoma?"

"Just stay there," Ryoma said before he proceeded towards the court.

"Are you going to slack off today too Momo-senpai?" Ryoma called out.

"Echizen-kun, you came at a perfect timing." Ann felt relieved after seeing Ryoma walked into the court.

"You are the Seigaku's special freshman regular, the one who beat Akutsu of Yamabuki Jr. High." Atobe said in a matter-of-factly tone.

"You want to play a game? You two can pair up against me and Yushi. We will make you both suffer." Mukahi offered but in a mocking tone.

"No way!" Both Momoshiro and Ryoma answered at the same time surprising the Hyotei member.

"This guy here sucks at doubles."

"You're the one to talk. However," Ryoma turned his attention to the Atobe, "why don't you play a game with me Monkey King?"

"Don't be too impatient."

"Running away already?"

"In the next tournament, we will defeat everyone in Seigaku. Let's go Kabaji."

"Usu."

Led by Atobe, the Hyotei team exited the tennis court, passing by Sae's direction. Sae was surprised when the Hyotei captain stopped in front of her.

"It's been a while."

"It's a surprise to see you here," Sae responded.

Suddenly, Atobe reached out his hand and picked something from the girl's hair. When Atobe withdraw his hand, he was holding a leaf.

"I did not know this is being used now for hair decoration," the Hyotei captain said as he showed Sae the leaf.

"Um, it must have stuck in there when I was watching the game."

Atobe smirked.

"Until we meet again."

Sae received curious glances from the other Hyotei members as they walked past her.

"Hey you guys, you better return to Seigaku now if you do not want to miss today's practice," Sae called out to the group as she walked towards them.

"Sae? Since when did you return?" Momo looked at her with shock expression.

"Only today."

"You better get going now you two."

"What about you?" Ryoma asked.

"Don't worry about me. And Momo-senpai."

"Hn?"

"It's good to see you again."

The rumours between Ryoma and Sae continued to be the topics of Seigaku students but the two did not bother to care what the others say especially now that the tournament is only a day away. However, some does not think it is something acceptable at all.

Afternoon practice that day is scheduled to end early for tomorrow's tournament.

"You're late."

"Sorry Captain. Something came up."

"What happened to your arm?" Oishi asked seeing a bandage was placed on the girl's left arm.

Sae immediately put her injured arm behind her.

"It's nothing. Just some random accident."

"Is that why you are late?" Tezuka sensed something is a bit off from the girl's reaction like she was hiding something.

"Yes."

"10 laps around the court."

"Yes, Captain."

Sae exited the court and started her to do her punishment.

"Eh? But Tezuka, isn't that too much? She is injured after all," Oishi said as he tried to reason out with Tezuka.

"I cannot tolerate tardiness in this court."

"So even Sae is subjected to run laps as punishment," Inui said to himself as he scribbled something in his notebook.

Day of the tournament

Sae decided to get some refreshment around the tournament area.

"Ah, you're the girl from the other day," a guy with a blue hair greeted her.

"You must be Oshitari-san of Hyotei. My name is Saeri Ichinomiya."

"Eh? So the girl Atobe has taken interest to is from Seigaku?" a boy with a maroon hair commented.

"Um, I don't think that's how you put it Mukahi-san. Atobe-san doesn't really know me."

"You seem to know us very well."

"I don't think that's surprising Yushi. We're Hyotei regulars after all. She must have read about us from magazines or something."

"Um, what he said," Sae said though she did not sound convincing.

"Yushi, Mukahi, what are doing? Hn?" Atobe looked at the person they are talking to, "Sae-chan?"

"Sae…chan?" Sae felt goose bumps hearing her name coming from Atobe.

"What's the matter?"

"I don't remember being familiar with you as to letting you call me by my first name."

"Hn? Being shy all of a sudden? You should be thankful Ore-sama is giving you a chance to talk to him at this proximity. Many girls will risk everything to be in your shoes."

"Aren't you being too full of yourself, Atobe-san?"

"Too full of myself?" Atobe raised an eyebrow, "I'm just stating the fact, right Kabaji?"

"Usu."

"I think the match is about to start. I better head back now. Good luck in the tournament."

Sae was about to walked away when Atobe replied.

"'It's Seigaku who needs every luck they can get."

"No. Seigaku will win this tournament. I'm sure of it," Sae said looking straight at the Hyotei captain.

"Hn? If you so believe in that dream of yours, why don't we have a bet."

"A bet?"

"If Seigaku wins, Ore-sama will not call you by your first name."

"That's fine."

"But if Hyotei wins, you have to go to our victory party tonight."

"That's fine with me… because the victory party tonight will be Seigaku's."

"Everyone is getting hyped for the next match."

"Well, the players are something to watch out for. Look around, even the pro scouts are here."

"2-1 and a no game. If Captain Tezuka wins this one, Seigaku wins."

"I don't think it's that easy. It's Atobe Keigo he's about to face."

Sae remained quiet as she watched the two players take their positions in the court.

"Hey."

The girl felt a light smack at the back.

"Momo-senpai."

"Are you alright? You look worried."

"It's nothing."

"Be awed by Ore-sama's prowess!" Atobe's voice echoed across the court. Loud cheers followed.

"There goes Monkey King."

"Is it just me or Atobe is looking this way?"

"Nyaa, he's definitely looking this way."

"I think he's looking at Sae," Katou whispered. However, he's not the only one who noticed it as other members turn their eyes to the girl. The girl, on the other hand, was not aware of anything that was happening around her for she had her full attention to Tezuka.

"Oishi-senpai, is Captain's arm really healed already?"

"Is that what you're worried about?"

Sae nodded.

"The doctor said okay so you don't need to worry."

"Is that so?"

However, the uneasiness Sae has did not disappear despite Oishi's words.

That night, Sae cannot sleep. Though Seigaku won their game against Hyotei, it costs them a number of injured members including that of their captain. The incident in Tezuka's match kept playing in her head. What she had been afraid of happened.

Riiinngg

"Hello, Tezuka residence," a woman's voice greeted Sae when someone picked up the other line.

"Um, good evening. Can I speak with Captain Tezuka?"

"Captain Tezuka? Ah, you must be referring to Kunimitsu."

"Ah, yes."

"Please wait a while."

Through the phone, Sae can hear the woman called 'Kunimitsu' loudly.

Tezuka can still feel the pain in his left arm. He was taking a rest in his room when he heard his mother called him.

"Kunimitsu, there's a call for you."

Who could it be at this hour?

"You better hurry. You can't make a girl wait."

A girl? So that's why mother is chipper than usual.

"Yes?"

Sae became nervous when she heard Tezuka's voice on the other line.

"Um, Captain?"

"Sae?"

"Yes. Um, I just want to check if you're okay."

"I'm fine."

"I see."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Um, yes. Sorry to bother you."

Sae immediately put down her phone. She stared at her phone as she recalled their conversation. She felt relieved to hear he was alright but why did she felt nervous all of a sudden? What was she thinking calling him at this time? Of course he's taking a rest after a tiring day.

However, the girl was startled when the phone rang and a familiar name flashed on the caller ID.

"Yes?"

"You suddenly hung up. Are you alright?"

"Um, yes. I'm good. Sorry."

"I see."

"Um, Captain?"

"Yes."

"Do you have anything planned this Sunday?"

"This Sunday?" Tezuka thought for a moment, "I don't have any."

"Then can I ask you to accompany me somewhere?"

Long silence

That's all for now

(=^.^=)