Disclaimer: I wish I own the characters of PoT

Afternoon practice is over but Sae is nowhere to be seen.

"Have you seen Sae?"

"Sae? No, I have not seen her since this afternoon. Come to think of it, I have not seen her in class."

Ryoma returned to their classroom to check if Sae is there but he found the room empty. Even her bag was not there.

"Where are you?"

When Sae woke up, she found herself lying on the floor. She tried to recall what happened earlier. A few moments after the storage room door closed, she saw smoke coming from the ground. She looked around and found an empty canister of sleeping gas near the corner.

From the small window, Sae can see the sun already setting. She knew that it was already past the time for the students to go home.

Fuji sensed that there is something wrong. He tried to look for Sae around the school. He tried to call her phone. He started getting worried when no one is answering the other line after several times. As he waited for someone to pick up the other line, he heard a faint sound of a phone ringing. He followed it and found Sae's things, including her phone, in a garbage can nearby.

Sae walked a few steps before she run towards the door. She started banging the door with all the energy she has. After several tries, she can already feel her arms hurting, but she wanted to get out of there. She had to get out or else, she had to spend the night in that room. She does not want to worry others back home.

Suddenly, she did not feel the solid door in front of her but instead, she landed on something soft. She found herself face to face with Fuji as she fell on top of him.

"F-fuji-senpai?"

Fuji is wearing his usual smile.

"I didn't know you are this aggressive."

Sae realized the state they are in. Her face flustered. She immediately stood up.

"S-sorry!"

"Are you alright?" Sae offered her hand.

"I'm fine," Fuji reached for her hand and brushed the dust that got onto his uniform, "but how did you get in there?"

"Um, it seemed I got myself locked inside," Sae laughed dryly.

"But the door was locked from the outside."

Fuji eyed her suspiciously.

Sae remained silent.

"Sae."

The two turned to Ryoma who just arrived.

"Ryoma, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same."

"Um, I –" Sae struggled to think of an excuse.

"Can't you see?" Fuji stood in front of her blocking her from Ryoma's view, "we're in the middle of a serious conversation."

Ryoma looked at Sae as if waiting for her to back-up or oppose what Fuji said.

"H-he's right."

"Why are you not in class?"

"Well that's –"

Sae did not know how to respond.

"That would be a secret between me and her," Fuji placed his finger on his lips, "you shouldn't worry yourself over the affairs of other people."

Ryoma's eyebrows furrowed.

Fuji turned to Sae, "here. I brought these with me."

"Ah, thank you very much."

"Let's go," Fuji pulled Sae's hand.

"Eh? Go where?" Sae's eyes widen in shock.

"You promised to have dinner with me today, remember?" Fuji looked at Sae signaling her to agree with him.

"Ah, r-right. Sorry Ryoma, can you tell them that I might be home late tonight?"

Ryoma could not believe what he just heard but what can he do?

"Saa, we'll be going now."

"See you later, Ryoma."

Ryoma was left alone as the two made their way out of school. He watched as the two disappeared from his view. He sensed that those two are hiding something from him.

Are those two going out already?

Just thinking about it makes his stomach churn.

"Stupid girl. Why can't she realize it?"

He clenched his fist.

Fuji did not say a word after they left school. They just continued walking.

"Do you want to sit somewhere quiet?"

"Huh?"

Fuji pointed to a playground nearby.

Sae nodded.

"Here."

Fuji gave Sae a can of orange juice from the vending machine not far from them.

"Thanks."

Fuji sat beside the girl as he drank his tea. He was waiting for the girl to speak.

"Thank you for not telling Ryoma about happened this afternoon."

"You don't want him to worry?"

Sae nodded.

"Ryoma is very perceptive. It may not look like it, but he can sense if something is wrong with the people around him."

"I think he worries too much for you."

"I wonder. He got angry at me when I arrived at their house," Sae laughed as she recalled those time, "he would not even let me play with his pet cat."

"What if he…" Fuji trailed at the end of his question.

"What?"

"It's nothing," Fuji looked at her with his usual smile.

"Sae! Come in!" Yumiko hugged he girl as she entered their house.

"Um, good evening Yumiko-nee-san," Sae shyly said as Yumiko embraced her, "sorry for the intrusion."

"Don't worry about it. It's not usual for Syuusuke to bring someone home."

"Nee-san, is onii-san alrea–" Yuuta stopped talking when he saw Syuusuke and Sae at the door.

"Yuuta, I like you to meet Sae," Yumiko held Sae's shoulders as she introduce her to Yuuta, "Syuusuke's girlfriend."

"Eh!?" Sae and Yuuta were both surprised. Sae felt her face getting hot as it turned red up to her ears.

"Oops, am I wrong?"

Syuusuke laughed softly as he watched the reaction of the two.

"I invited Sae here to have dinner with us."

"Oh, is that so? I apologize for what I've said earlier. Come now. I bet you're hungry."

Yumiko lead them to the dining room.

After dinner, Syuusuke offered to take Sae home.

Yumiko and Yuuta watched the two from the window.

"You kept staring at Sae during dinner."

Yuuta froze. He did not realize that his sister would actually notice.

"This is the first onii-san brought a girl here. I was just wondering what kind of girl she is. But really, nee-san, to say that she is his girlfriend? You almost gave me a heart attack."

Yumiko laughed.

"I was just teasing her. She looked so cute when she gets flustered. Her reaction was priceless. Yours too," Yumiko laughed but then her expression turned serious, "but what if she is? What will you do?"

"Hm, I don't know. I can't imagine onii-san having a girlfriend."

"It's almost time for the Kanto Regional finals," Fuji said as he walked Sae to her house.

"Rikkaidai. Those guys should not be taken lightly," Sae sighed.

"Hm, you don't sound very optimistic."

"Honestly, with the current level of Seigaku, there is only a slim chance that Seigaku will win."

"Is that so?"

"But defeating Rikkaidai is not impossible," Sae beamed a smile, "Seigaku is a very promising team. I will give my best to help take out the potential from you guys. Ah, I know," Sae's face looked like she thought of something interesting, "why don't we have a bet?"

"A bet?"

Sae nodded.

"If you lost your match with Rikkaidai," Sae thought for a minute, "you have to treat me for an all day ice cream spree." Sae laughed.

"What if I win?"

"Let's see," Sae thought hard, "it's your win so you decide your prize. What is it that you want?"

Fuji stayed silent for several moments.

"I want you to officially go out with me."

Sae stared dumbfounded. Her face turned beet red. She realized that they are alone in the street. She suddenly felt awkward. For some reason, she cannot look Fuji straight in the eye.

Then, she felt a pat on her head.

"I was just joking. Forget what I said."

"I-is that really what you want?" Sae eyes are glued to her feet. She knew Fuji is not joking. His voice sounded serious a moment ago, "I-I can agree to that."

"You don't have to force yourself."

Sae shook her head.

"I've been thinking about what you said to me before. And this is my answer. Win your match against Rikkaidai. In return, I will agree to go out with you."

"Are you sure about that?"

Sae nodded.

"You know what?" Fuji moved closer to Sae, "you look really cute when you blush like that. It makes me want to kiss you right now." Fuji whispered his last sentence near Sae's ear making the girl's face blush further.

"Fuji-senpai!"

Sae tried to look angry despite her flushed face but Fuji just smiled his usual smile.

Sae sighed. "Why do you always look so calm when you say those things?"

"Do you really think that way?"

Sae looked at Fuji and saw his cerulean eyes are looking straight at her.

Fuji reached for her hand and placed it near his heart.

"F-fuji-senpai!?"

"Can you feel it?"

Sae can feel Fuji's heart beating really fast. She does not know what to say but somehow it made her feel relieved to know that Fuji also feels that way.

"It's always like this when I'm alone with you."

Sae only looked at Fuji. His expression remained the same as he said those words but his heart beat is as fast as hers.

Sae suddenly pulled her hand.

"W-we better get going now. I-it's getting dark."

Sae smiled at Fuji before she turned and started walking.

From his room window, Ryoma saw Sae entered the gate. He watched as Sae waved at Fuji before she walked towards the house.

Meow!

Ryoma was surprised when Karupin jumped from his hands. Without him noticing, his hold with Karupin tightened, hurting the poor cat.

"Ah, sorry Karupin."

"Ryoma? You're still awake?"

Sae found Ryoma standing between the doors of their room.

"You're with Fuji-senpai?"

"Ah, yes. He accompanied me home," Sae yawned.

"Are you two… going out?"

Sae's drowsiness was suddenly gone as her eyes widen in surprise.

"Ryoma, I'm sleepy now. Let's talk tomorrow," Sae said trying to avoid the question. She does not want ending up telling Ryoma what really happened that afternoon at school.

Sae turned the knob of the door to her room when a hand grabbed her.

"R-ryoma!? What are you doing!? Let me go!"

Sae found herself pinned to the wall. She cannot move away since Ryoma's arms are extending on her both sides.

"Are you and Fuji-senpai going out?"

"I'm not obliged to tell you anything."

"You– can you not realize it!?"

"What are you saying?"

Sae cannot see Ryoma's eyes for he is looking on the floor. However, his voice sounded hurt for some reason.

"How dense can you be?"

"I don't unde–"

Sae cannot say more for Ryoma locked her lips in his. She was frozen on the spot.

Ryoma sensed Sae gasped for air. He found an entrance and deepened the kiss.

Sae felt like her energy is leaving her. Slowly, she placed her hands on Ryoma's shoulders. With all the energy she can muster, she pushed Ryoma away.

Slap

Ryoma's cheek turned beet red after Sae's hand hit it with all her might.

Sae felt like she was burning in rage but she do not want to hurt Ryoma more than what she did. She realized how much he is hurting after that kiss. Ryoma poured all his feelings into it but... she cannot return it. She can never reciprocate the feeling.

Sae's hands covered her mouth as tears began to fall one after the other, non-stop.

Ryoma seemed to have woken up from slumber when he saw Sae crying. He did not expect this to happen. He approached her, wanting to stop her tears.

"Get away from me!" Sae exclaimed as she avoided Ryoma's touch.

Ryoma cannot blame Sae for her action. He just did something terrible. Watching Sae cry wants him to punch himself on the face but he cannot undo what was already done.

Ryoma silently walked away. The best he can do is to leave her alone.

Inside his room, Ryoma leaned on the door. He cannot believe he lost control of himself. And the consequence? He just hurt her so badly. So bad that she might not be able to forgive him.

Does she not like him at all?

Ryoma can still hear her sob outside the door. He punched the wall on his side.

Meow

Karupin rubbed her head to Sae's legs.

"Karupin, I'm fine. You don't have to worry," Sae forced a smile and stroke the feline's head.

Sae did not know how long she had been crying outside her room. She stood up and walked inside. She let herself fall over her bed.

Sae touched her lips. There is still a lingering feeling on them. What happened earlier played on her mind.

"Ryoma, why do you have to feel that way?" Sae asked herself as she cried herself to sleep.

Bulging eye bags greeted everyone in the dining room as Sae went downstairs for breakfast.

Nanjiro almost spilled his tea when he saw Sae walk towards them.

"Did you cry last night?"

"Huh? I-I can't sleep a wink last night."

"Ryoma had the same eyes this morning."

"Ryoma?"

"He left early."

Sae did not say a word as she ate her breakfast.

After morning practice

Sae was already on her seat when Ryoma arrived at the classroom. Their eyes met but Sae immediately looked at her desk to avoid his gaze. Sae pretended that she did not see him and continue to stare at her notes as he sat on the desk beside hers.

The whole day passed with Sae treating Ryoma like he was not there at all. Beneath the cold façade, Ryoma was troubled. Ryoma would only shrug at the treatment under normal circumstances but with Sae, he was very bothered. Ryoma remembered how broken she looked last night and he has no one to blame but himself.

"Ryoma, in court A," Coach Ryuzaki ordered during the announcement of practice schedule that afternoon.

Ryoma was surprise to see a girl on the other side of the court.

"Sae?"

"Why is Sae in there?"

"What's the meaning of this Inui?"

"I want test something," Inui answered with a glint in his eyeglasses.

Sae looked at Ryoma like she was looking at some stranger.

"There's something strange with Sae, nyaa."

Sae waited for Ryoma to serve the ball.

Before Ryoma could even move another step after his serve, the ball already went past him.

"15 – love."

"Did you see that?"

"That was fast."

On his next serve, Ryoma was able to hit the ball but instead of returning it to the other side of the court, his racket flew from his hand.

"30 – love."

Ryoma was surprised at the outcome. The ball did not seem to have much power when Sae returned it. He saw Sae looking at him with expressionless eyes.

After several minutes

"4 – 0, Sae leads."

"This doesn't look good. Echizen still has not scored a point since the game started."

"Where did Sae get that much power?"

"It's the same playing style as Sanada," Inui adjusted his glasses as he commented.

"She's copying Sanada?"

"Sanada of Rikkaidai? She can do that?"

"Is this what you want to test Inui?" Fuji asked.

Inui smiled. "Sae can easily analyze the weak points and strong points of a certain move. She had seen how the players of Rikkaidai play several matches thus she already had a good idea on their playing style. I asked her to copy their playing style as part of our training."

"It's like she recorded their move on her mind and let her body execute it?"

"No. It's more of executing the technique to a more refined form."

"Even so, she may have physical limitations, right?" Oishi asked.

"We'll see how she handles it."

"But she is not using any special move since the game started," Fuji commented.

"It seemed so," Inui agreed.

The other regulars realized it too.

The match between Ryoma and Sae continued.

"40 - love."

"If Sae gets this one, she wins."

"Is Ryoma playing seriously?" Horio asked no one in particular.

"I think he is. Look at him," Momo pointed at Ryoma's serious face.

The freshmen trio looked at Ryoma. He looked frustrated.

All of a sudden, Sae raised her hand.

"Inui-senpai, you have your data right?"

"Yes."

"Then, I forfeit the game."

Everyone was surprise at what the girl said.

Ryoma glared at Sae. He felt offended by her declaration.

"Are you running away?"

"No. But it's useless anyway. You will not win against Sanada-senpai at you level now. In addition to that, you're not in your best condition to play. I'll play with you after a week. You better prepare."

"You –"

"That's enough. Momo, you're next."

"Me?"

Sae was holding a stick with a ball attached to its end. She was seating in the backyard as Karupin tried to catch the toy Sae was holding.

"I want another match," Ryoma stood in front of Sae with racket in his hand.

Sae just looked at him and turned to Karupin.

"Don't be absurd. We just had a match this afternoon. As I said, I will play with you after a week. You better use your time to prepare."

"But that match, you are not my opponent. I'm playing with a different person. I'm challenging Sae Ichinomiya, not some other person."

Sae raised an eyebrow.

"If I were to choose, I'd rather not play with you."

"Does this have something to do with what happen last night? If it's about that –"

"That match is not for your entertainment," Sae let go of the cat toy she was holding and looked straight at Ryoma. "If you want me to play against you, you better defeat Sanada-senpai in your match with Rikkaidai."

"It's a deal then," Ryoma's eyes looked like he just won against a strong opponent.

Ryoma turned to walked away.

"I really thought you will not speak with me again after what happened," Ryoma spoke with his back facing Sae.

Sae stared at his back as she remembered what happened.

"Don't misunderstand. I did not do it for you. I promised Captain Tezuka to help the team as much as I can. I'm only fulfilling my promise."

"So, it's because of Tezuka-bochou after all." Ryoma felt furious upon hearing Tezuka's name.

"My, my. You two are having a serious conversation here," the jolly voice of a woman was heard behind Sae.

"Aunt Rinko?"

"Mind if I join you?"

"Um, this is nothing. We are just talking about our preparation for the regional finals, right Ryoma?"

Ryoma stayed silent. He entered the house without saying anything.

The Rinko's eyes followed Ryoma as he walked outside the door.

Sae sighed.

"Sorry about that. I'll be going back to my room now."

Rinko was left alone.

"Kids these days."

"Sakuno, that yukata looks good on you!" Tomoka greeted Sakuno who just arrived at their meeting place.

Sakuno blushed at the compliment. She is wearing a pink yukata designed with white and yellow flowers. "T-thank you."

"Ah, here comes Echizen." Katsuo pointed at Ryoma who is walking towards them.

"G-good evening Ryoma-kun." Sakuno greeted Ryoma which he replied with a nod.

"Well, it seems everyone's here now. Let's go." Tomoka started walking to the stalls.

Ryoma looked around but did not find the person he is looking for.

"Where's Sae?" Ryoma asked. He remembered Sae left the house earlier that afternoon. He thought she is going with them.

"Sae? I did not invite her." Tomoka answered.

A shrine festival is being held that time in the next town. It was Tomoka's idea to go and watched the fireworks. It's summer after all.

"Ah, here he comes."

Kirihara is running like mad towards the group.

"Sorry, I got lost. Eh? Sae?"

"Hi Kihiraha-senpai," Sae greeted.

"I invited her to tag along," Niou answered Kirihara's question in mind.

Kirihara looked disappointed.

"Then why are you not wearing a yukata?"

"Hn? I didn't know I should wear one. We're only going to go sight-seeing right? You're not wearing one yourself, anyway."

"Why don't you try acting like a girl once in a while?"

"Stop it you two. We're wasting time here. The fireworks is about to start. We might as well go and enjoy the festival," Marui held the arms of his kouhai and started pulling them to the nearby stall.

"Beat that," a smug look is appeared on Horio's face as he was able to hit three targets using plastic balls.

"Eh? Is that the best you can do?" Tomoka paid the hawker for another set of balls.

"Momo-senpai." Everyone turned to Ryoma. It is indeed Momoshiro. With him is An Tachibana.

"Eh!? What are you guys doing here!?"

"We're enjoying the festival of course."

"Eh? Are you here on a date?" the freshmen eyed Momoshiro suspiciously.

"Well that's…"a cold sweat ran through Momoshiro's forehead, "is Sae not with you?"

The freshmen looked at each other. "No."

"Really? I think I saw her a while ago. It seems the other senpai-tachi are here too."

As Momoshiro said those words, Ryoma indeed saw Sae standing a few stalls from them.

"This should be easy but why can't I catch anything?" Kirihara scooped again the fish but he ended with a paper scoop tore in the middle.

"Akaya, that is your seventh scoop," Marui teased seeing Kirihara not being able to catch a single fish yet.

"Hey, mister, are you sure this scoop has no cheap trick?" Kirihara inspected his eighth paper scoop.

"Akaya, the problem is not the scoop. It's the player," Niou laughed.

Sae giggled at Niou's comment.

"Not you too," Kirihara said to the girl as she laughed with their senpai-taichi. He promised to catch her at least three fishes to take home tonight.

"Sorry. I can't help it," Sae laughed harder.

Suddenly, someone crouched down on the other side of the basin. In his hand are five scoops.

"Fuji-senpai?"

"This looks interesting."

Fuji did not waste any time. In a couple of minutes, he was able to fill his bowl with eight fishes.

"Here, this is for you," Fuji handed the plastic of fishes to Sae.

"Um, thank you."

"Hey, are you trying to pick a fight!?" Kirihara grabbed Fuji's collar.

"Kirihara-senpai, stop it," Sae tried to restrain Kirihara. Marui helped Sae by grabbing Kirihara's shoulders.

"Akaya, try this," while the two are restraining Kirihara, Niou shove a something in his mouth.

Kirihara turned red as tomato and ran to get something to drink.

"What was that Niou-senpai?"

"Just some takoyaki… with extra chili sauce."

"We apologize for Akaya's behavior," Niou said to Fuji.

"I guess I did provoke him somehow. I shall take my leave now. It's nice to see you here."

They watch Fuji as he disappeared in the crowd.

"Where could Akaya be?"

"We should split and look for him."

"Sae, you're coming with me," Niou said.

"I can go alone."

"It's dangerous for you. You might get lost in the crowd."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. I'll contact you as soon as I see him."

Niou cannot argue more since the girl already ran to the crowd. He felt a hand patted his shoulder.

"Looks like she's not a little girl anymore," Marui said as he looked at the direction Sae ran into.

Sae tried to look for Kirihara near the food stands but she did not see him there. She found herself walking in the rear part of the shrine where no stores are standing and the lights are getting limited.

"I guess I better get back now. They must be worried."

Sae looked at the fishes Fuji gave her. She found a paper stuck in between the plastic. She read: "I will wait for you behind the old shrine."

Sae looked around. From where she is standing, she can see an old shrine facing her. "Is that it?"

The girl walked towards it and saw someone sitting on the stairs. The person looked at her and smiled.

"You came just in time."

"Fuji-senpai?"

"Come here," Fuji tapped the seat beside him.

"Why are you here?"

"This is the best location to watch the fireworks."

"How do you know that?" Sae asked as she sat beside Fuji.

"We go here every year."

"Eh? You mean to say, you're with your family?"

"Just me, nee-san and Yuuta."

"Eh? You should go with them. They must be worried for you by now."

"They know where to find me," Fuji gave her an assuring smile. "Do you know what they say about this shrine?"

"About this shrine?"

"They say that –"

Boom bang boom

Sae cannot hear what Fuji was telling her as the fireworks suppressed the other sounds around them.

A canvas of colors spread across the sky every time the fireworks lit up the night.

Sae became too absorbed with the display of lights above her. The fireworks are so big that that she felt that they can get burn any minute.

Fuji watched as different colors of light illuminate the girl beside him.

"I love you."

Sae heard the words whispered softly in her ear. She immediately turned to the lad beside her. She was caught off guard when Fuji planted a kiss on her forehead.

On the other side of the old shrine, Ryoma started walking away even before the fireworks were finished.

"So it's like that now," Niou said to himself as he continued to watch the fireworks not far from where Sae and Fuji are seated.

That's all… for now

(=^.^=)