Sorry, I just made a few corrections. Other than that, the story is still the same.

Special thanks to those who reviewed. It helps a lot in many ways.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of PoT

Sae sighed as she looked at the balls that scattered on the opponent's court side. She was trying to get the balls inside the basket she placed there. Normally, she could easily get all the balls inside but today, she missed more than half of it.

A creaking sound from the opening gate startled her. Someone familiar entered the court. She just watched as that person hit the balls on the ground using his racket and shot each one inside the basket without fail.

"Sanada-fukubuchou!? W-what are you doing here?"

"I came to check how you are faring at Seigaku." Sanada positioned on the opponent's side, ready to serve. "This is better than playing with the wall."

A fast ball came at Sae's direction. She was not able to react as the ball bounced to the base line and rolled up to the fence. She returned to her senses when she heard the ball bounced back to the ground. She prepared herself for Sanada's next serve and held her racket in front of her. But just the same as the first serve, Sae was not able to react as the ball bounced to her side of the court.

The game went on and Sanada was able to score without Sae moving from her spot.

In Sae's service game, her first serve hit the net and bounced back to her side of the court. She was surprised how it happened. She was sure she hit it properly.

"What do you think you're doing? You're losing focus."

"I'm very sorry, fukubuchou." Sae said as she picked up the ball.

When Sae was able to hit a proper service, Sanada returned it with ease.

"Someone who lost his concentration cannot win against me."

Sae did not reply and continued to serve again. She cannot hit back all Sanada's returns and the succeeding game scores went to Sanada.

"What's the matter Sae?"

"I'm just distracted."

Sanada's eyebrows furrowed. "You're not taking this selection camp seriously, are you?"

Sae was struck dumbfounded by Sanada's words.

Am I not taking this seriously?

"You don't know what this selection camp means at all."

Sae became speechless. She could not argue to that. It was just what he said— she did not understand what the selection camp meant. She was included in the shortlist for some random reason but it was like she was not expecting to be chosen or was not exerting any effort to be chosen at all. She played because it was fun, she trained because it was part of the schedule but it did not matter to her if she gets a spot or not.

"If that's your way of thinking, you better quit now. Do you understand how many players out there who would give anything to be in your position?"

Sae realized what Sanada was talking about. She could even name a few, including Yukimura and Tezuka. Her grip in her racket tightened.

What is the reason she is here? Because a number of people believe that she has what it takes to be part of the invitational team. The least she can do for those people whom she thinks are more deserving to be here but cannot because of some circumstances is to give her best to make it to the selected players.

"I-I won't quit."

"Hn? You cannot return my serve properly yet you still want to continue the selection camp?" Sanada smiled a little as he can see that his words were affecting the girl. Her eyes gleamed in determination.

"I will play for the people who taught me to love this game."

"Prove it."

Sae smiled. "You don't have to tell me that Sanada-fukubuchou."

A heated battle started between the two. The match suddenly became serious as either side did not want to lose. No matter how fast Sanada was, the girl could always catch up to his pace. The match ended with both of them catching their breath.

"You did well." Sanada reached for her hand and pulled her up. "Don't let personal matters affect you once you're inside the court."

"Thank you Sanada-fukubuchou!" Sae bowed her head low as Sanada walked out the court.

"You worry for her?" Kirihara spoke as Sanada went passed him. Kirihara was standing at the side court all throughout the match. Sanada did not reply.

Sae was left alone in the court.

Sanada-fukubuchou is right. I cannot let my problem affect my game.

Knock knock

"Who would go knocking on doors at this hour?" Momoshiro walked to the door.

"It's Sae." The voice said from outside the door.

"Sae?" Momoshiro and Ryoma looked at each other. Momoshiro opened the door and there she stood with a grocery bag in her hand.

"Good evening senpai. Can I come in?"

Moments later, Momoshiro was munching a spoonful of pudding.

"It's been a long time since I tasted this~" Momoshiro put another spoonful in his mouth.

"Where did you get all of these?" Ryoma eyed at Sae suspiciously. Different kinds of sweets were scattered on their beds.

"Mmm~" Sae did not hear Ryoma as she looked really delighted with the ice cream in her hand.

Ryoma sighed.

"Echizen, don't be like that. It doesn't matter where she got these anyway. Here." Momoshiro tossed a bar of milk chocolate in his hands.

"But we just had dinner. Didn't you have enough?"

"Well, I have a different stomach for desserts." Sae answered as she shoved another spoon of ice cream on her mouth.

"Oh yeah, how are you and Fuji-senpai?" Sae coughed at Momoshiro's question. "I'm just wondering since—hmph!" Momoshiro's words were cut short as Ryoma put a whole bar of milk chocolate in Momoshiro's mouth. Momoshiro gulped a glassful of water for him to be able swallow it.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!?" Momoshiro shouted but Ryoma just shrugged.

Sae laughed at Ryoma's antics. Momoshiro paused upon seeing Sae's happy face. All of a sudden, he felt embarrassed at his actions and became quiet.

A familiar ringtone caught Sae's attention. She turned off her phone when she saw who it was.

"Who was that?"

"Eh? Um, no one. Don't worry about it." She placed her phone down. "I think I've stayed too long. I should go now."

When Sae left, Ryoma's attention was caught by something shiny on his bed.

Fuji was surprised when Sae did not answer his call. He tried calling several times but he cannot reach it anymore. He was standing in front of her room but no one seemed to be inside.

It bothered him that she had been acting strange since this afternoon. When their eyes meet, she would usually smile back at him but a while ago, she instantly averted her gaze. She even excused herself when he approached her. It felt like she was avoiding him.

Several minutes passed. Sae was on her way to her room but she stopped when she saw who was in front of her room. Fuji was leaning on her door as he continued to type something in his phone. Sae immediately turned around.

Thud

"Sae-chan? Are you alright?"

She bumped into someone. She did not see who it was since her mind was occupied of avoiding Fuji.

"Oishi-senpai." Kikumaru stood beside him.

"Why are you rushing like that?"

"Um, I'm on my way to—"

"Sae?" She stiffened when the voice she did not want to hear suddenly called her name. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Fuji."

"Kikumaru. Oishi."

Awkward silence emerged. Oishi and Kikumaru could sense something going on between the two as Sae refused to look at Fuji.

"W-we will go now. Good night. Let's go Eiji."

When Oishi and Kikumaru left, Sae was left alone with Fuji.

"Sae, can we talk?"

"We're talking."

"Then look at me." Sae's eyes remain fixed on the floor. "Are you avoiding me?"

Sae shook her head.

"Are you angry?"

Sae shook her head again. "I'm just tired." She was tried to sound as normal as she can. She felt Fuji's forehead on hers.

"Hn? Your temperature's fine."

Sae immediately pushed him away.

"What are you doing!?"

"You don't look so good. I was just checking if you have a fever."

It hurt her to hear Fuji say those words with his usual smile. She did not know if she could still believe it or not.

Footsteps were heard approaching towards them. Fuji grabbed Sae's hand and pulled her to a vacant conference room.

"Tell me, what's the matter?" Fuji cupped Sae's face into his hands. His voice sounded more of a whisper.

"Why don't you tell it to me now?" Fuji was confused at what Sae said. Sae looked at him with sad eyes. "Why don't we break up now? You're planning to do that all along right?" Fuji's cerulean eyes widen in surprise. "Stop acting like you care for me. I… don't want to hear anymore lies from you." Sae continued but her eyes were looking at the other direction.

"You… heard me talking to Tezuka." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Syuusuke, stop this show. I'm tired of being part of it." Sae turned to leave.

Fuji smirked. "I guess this is better. It saves me the time to explain everything to you. Sorry if I got you involved in this." His tone did not sound apologetic at all.

Sae did not reply and closed the door behind her.

Fuji clenched his fist and hit the table hard enough to make it go numb. He became careless. He did not plan to end it like this.

Clank

Ryoma reached for the canned juice from the vending machine. The the liquid caught his throat when he heard a faint sound of someone crying from the end of the hallway. It was very unusual for people to pass by that place thus questions crawled to his mind. He did not believe that it was a ghost or anything of that sort. If it was, he had to see it firsthand first.

The sound got louder as he walked towards the end of the hallway. If he remembered it correctly, another set of stairs was located on that part of the building which everyone rarely uses.

He stopped a few steps from the corner of the stairs. Slowly, he motioned his head to peek on the other side. There he saw a girl sitting on the steps with her hair flowing down to her ankle. Her head rested on her arms atop her knees as she continued to weep.

"Hey."

Shocked green orbs meet his golden eyes as the girl looked up to him.

"R-ryoma?"

"You're crying again."

Sae immediately wiped the tears on her cheeks and shook her head. "I-it's nothing."

"You know you can't hide anything from me."

Sae did not reply.

"Is it Fuji-senpai?"

Sae's eye widen hearing Ryoma's question.

"I really can't hide anything from you." A faint smile appeared on her lips but Ryoma could see that she was trying to hold back her tears.

"You forgot this." Ryoma was holding something in his hand.

"My phone!" Sae reached for it but Ryoma hid it behind his back. "Ryoma, give it back."

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

Moments later

Sae waited for Ryoma to return.

"Here." He handed her a can of juice from the vending machine where he got his own drink.

"Thank you."

Ryoma gulped his drink as he waited for Sae to speak.

"We broke up."

He choked at her words. He gazed at her features as he made out what she was thinking. Her lips were curve upward but her eyes were fighting back the tears.

"Okay, I already told you about it. Give me back my phone." Sae showed her palm to him.

"Why?"

"What 'why'? I don't have to tell you that."

"Then I guess you don't want your phone back."

"Hey, that's unfair."

"Ready to speak?"

Sae heaved a sigh.

"I think I cheated on him."

Sae laughed a little when she saw Ryoma's reaction but it did not last long as her face turned serious all of a sudden. She suddenly kept quiet and was deep in thought.

"You're hopeless."

"I'm sorry."

"I guess I'm hopeless too."

"Hn?"

"I'm glad that your relationship with Fuji-senpai already ended."

"Ryoma, I don't think that's a good thing to say."

"I still like you."

Sae blinked several times before she was able to absorb what he said.

"Eh!?"

"What kind of reaction is that?" Ryoma averted his eyes. A red tint showed on his face.

"B-but you said—"

"I know what I said."

"But…" a pained expression appeared on her face, "you will only end up getting hurt if you continue this."

"I'll wait."

"Huh?"

"I'll continue to be your friend… but I'll wait until you see me more than that."

"Ryoma…"

"Treat this conversation like it never happened if that will make you comfortable. Just don't avoid me like you did before." Ryoma handed her phone. "And stop pretending you're okay when, obviously, you're not."

Poke

"Ow! Why do you keep doing that!?"

Ryoma only waved his hand as he walked away from her.

Why is my heart beating so fast now?

Sae placed her hand on her chest hoping it will calm her racing heart.

For the next couple of days, their teammates could feel the change around the Fuji and Sae. It was like they were invisible in each other's field of vision. Although their eyes observed Fuji and Sae, no one dared to ask. Both their actions gave them away. Somehow, one way or another, their teammates were affected on what was going on between them.

Tezuka knew what was happening but he had been very busy as the camp was drawing to a close. She was thankful that he did not approach her for the matter for she still did not know how to face him yet. It's not like he conspired with Fuji for what he did but she cannot help to think that Tezuka was the reason Fuji hurt her, intentionally or not.

It was Ryoma who stayed by her side all the time, not letting her feel alone. She did not want to give him false hope. If only she could tell him what she knew, he would give up on her. She believed that she was not the right person to tell it to him. She might have an idea why Aunt Rinko and Uncle Nanjiro did not tell him sooner but the situation was getting out of hand and Ryoma… he was confused in his feelings for her… and maybe, she was confused too.

The last day of the camp arrived. The announcement of the invitational team members was finished and everyone was ready to leave the camp.

"Sae, why are you standing there?"

Ryoma's voice startled the girl as she was not able to move on her spot. She just got on the bus and saw Fuji looking at her. Ryoma saw this and immediately pulled her hand. He led her to the last row seat of the bus and motioned her to sit beside him. It was Momoshiro, with a wide smile on his face, who occupied the seat on her other side.

The trip became quiet. Ryoma almost fell asleep when something heavy rested on his shoulder. Sae was sleeping peacefully as she leaned on him. He felt proud of himself that she now felt safe with him but it was the same reason he felt irritated. She was getting her guard down around him too much that maybe she really did forget what he told her that night on the stairs.

Fuji wanted to snatch Sae away from Ryoma when he saw the scene behind him. It should be him, not Ryoma, who was sitting beside her if that did not happen. His attention turned to Tezuka who was seated on the other row next to him. He was doing some reports for the invitational camp and he had been making mistakes since they left the camp.

"Looks like I'm not the only one feeling this way." Fuji whispered to himself.

Sae was watching the busy street as she was waiting for Fuji to arrive. It's a Sunday therefore it was not surprising for the downtown streets to be lively with so many people passing time.

It was only yesterday when the camp ended but last night, Fuji invited her out. He said he wanted to explain everything. She was not sure if she made the right decision of going but she decided to go, not for him, but for herself. She knew she was not yet ready to forgive him but she wanted to hear his explanation because she was hoping that it may lessen the pain, even just a little. It made her come to think that maybe, if Fuji told her everything from the very beginning, everything might have been different.

She tucked the hair curtaining her eyes behind her ear as she heaved a deep sigh. She still did not know what she would say once she sees him. She had been thinking about it since last night but she cannot think of the proper words.

"Hey Missy, what are you doing here alone?"

Sae tilted her head. A stranger was smiling down at her. She can see a pair of earrings on his right ear as the wind blew his shoulder-length straight hair. He looked a little older than her, a high school student maybe? As she can recall, she saw him with his friends standing a few meters from where she was sitting.

"I'm waiting for someone."

"Your boyfriend?" the guy smirked, "it seems to me he's not coming. You've been sitting there for almost an hour."

He's right. Fuji is taking so long. Where could he be? She bit her lips and averted her eyes. The guy saw his chance as her action showed that he was right.

"Why don't you join us? We'll do something fun." Sae was startled when the stranger grabbed her hand.

"I don't think so."

Sae looked at the familiar person standing next to the stranger. He held the stranger's arm gesturing him to let her go.

"Hey man, I-I was just trying to be friendly." The guy immediately let go of her hand and ran away.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Thank you, Michi-kun."

Tezuka could see Sae's eyes roaming around as it searched for someone.

"He's not coming."

Sae looked at Tezuka, figuring out if he was telling the truth.

"He asked me to let you know."

Flashback

Tezuka just arrived at the place when his phone rang.

"Tezuka, where are you?"

"I'm in front of the shop you told me about."

"I can't make it today."

Silence

"I know, I'm the one who invited you but something came up. Sorry."

"I'm leaving."

"Ah, before you leave, can you pass a message for me?"

Silence

"Sae is waiting in front of the NMN Shop. Tell her I can't go. Thanks."

"Sae? You—"

Beep beep beep

End of flashback

"I see." Her lips curved up but her eyes said otherwise. "Thank you for telling me. I'm going home now."

"Do you… want to go somewhere?"

Tezuka was looking at her with no hesitation on his face. Sae thought for a minute before she replied.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't think that is a good idea."

Growl

Sae's face turned red. Of all times, why do you have to be noisy now!? Sae said to herself as she felt her stomach.

"I know a nice restaurant nearby."

"I hate it when you say it with straight face."

The restaurant that Tezuka mentioned was more of a cake house. Her eyes sparkled with all the dessert displayed in the stand. Tezuka just watched her as she ordered all that she likes. He wondered how could she eat so much with her petite body.

"Congratulations in making it to the invitational team."

Sae, who was sipping her orange juice, looked up to him.

"I don't know. I feel that I should be thanking you instead. Hmm, how should I say it?" Sae thought for a moment. "I know that you want to be there as a player instead of a coach. I just thought that I could represent you in the match since you're the person who taught me how to play."

No response.

"Is there something on my face?" He was looking at her with soft eyes.

"Sorry."

"You know, I was really hoping that he would show up." She watched her fingers play with the straw on her glass while delicate smile appeared on her lips. "You knew his plans right? I want to hear what he has to say for himself."

"He told you?"

"No. I heard you two talking."

"Do you believe what he said?" Sae's eyes shifted to him. She was not sure where this conversation was going.

No response

"I don't think he wants to hurt you."

"Maybe it's not a good idea to talk about him." Her face lightened up. "There's somewhere I want to go. Come with me?"

Moments later

"AAAAAAAH!"

Sae was still dizzy a few minutes after they aligned the roller coaster. Tezuka was seated beside her as he waited for her to feel better.

"I thought it was fun to ride that thing."

"Is this your first time to ride it?"

Sae nodded weakly.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself while riding that thing." Tezuka recalled that she was screaming to the top of her lungs a little while ago.

"Shut up Michi-kun." Sae can still fell her head spinning.

"Daddy!"

Their attention turned to the little boy who suddenly clung to Tezuka's knee. He's about three to four years old and a little plump. He has black hair and piercing eyes.

"Eh? You didn't tell me you have a son." Sae's eyes travelled from the boy to Tezuka back to the boy trying to find the resemblance of the two. "You have the same eye color."

"He's not my son."

"Hi little guy, what's your name?" Sae pretended she did not hear him.

The boy held Tezuka's knee tighter. "Kou," the boy answered looking a little reluctant to look at her.

"Ah, don't worry. I will not steal your daddy away from you." Sae gave Tezuka a meaningful look. "Where is your mom?"

The boy did not answer.

"Kou!" they heard a woman called out to them. They saw a woman in her twenties running towards them.

"Mommy?" The boy's head tilted.

"You made me so worried Kou." The woman turned to them. "I'm sorry if he caused you any trouble."

"Not at all ma'am. He just thought my friend here is his father."

"Sorry about that. He thinks every man with brown hair and wears glasses is his father."

"It's fine ma'am."

The woman bowed before she held the boy in her arms and walked away.

"You already look like a father at your age."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Why don't you try smiling a little? Like this." Sae placed her fingers at the corners of his mouth and pulled them upward. When she's done, she found herself stifling with laughter at her masterpiece. "I guess it doesn't suit you."

"It's good to see that you can still laugh."

Sae nodded as she watched the carousel in front of them. "I will be lying if I say that I already forgot what happened but… I have to move forward in some ways. Besides," she turned to Tezuka, "I invited you here. It will be unfair for you if I keep sulking while I'm with you."

"You—"

"Michi, if I suddenly disappear, what are you going to do?"

"Where did that come from?"

"Just answer the question. I'm curious."

"I'm going to look for you."

"Hmm? Really?"

"You doubt it?"

"It's not that." She softly smiled. "I don't want you to look for me. Remember when we were little, you used to say that you will be the best tennis player in the world?"

"What of it?"

"Use your time to do that."

"You sounded like you're really going away."

"I'm not the one who's leaving for Germany."

Sae's words served as a trigger to silence both of them. It reminded them that it will only be in a short while before Tezuka returns to Germany.

"I will wait for you." Sae looked surprised and confused when Tezuka suddenly spoke. "You said that if you disappear, you don't want me to look for you. Then… I will wait until you come back."

"Hey, don't take it seriously. It was only from mere curiosity."

"I understand that you still have a lot going on in your mind right now. But after everything settle down," Sae can feel his warm hand squeezing hers, "will you accept my feelings?"

"I—" Blood rushed to her face while she felt lost for words. Asking her like that out of the blue, how will she reply to that!?

"You don't have to answer right now. I'll wait when you're ready. For now, let's go for another ride." Sae could not argue for her mind was processing what Tezuka just told her. He pulled her from her seat. It had too much force that she ended leaning on him for support.

"Don't make me wait too long." Sae heard the words whispered in her ear. She was not sure if it was just her imagination or it was real.

It was almost sunset when Sae arrived home. She stopped outside when she saw a black sleek car parked in front of their house. She got a little excited for she knew well whom it belonged to. Her pace quickened but careful not to make any sound for she wanted to surprise him. It had been a long time since she saw him and that was only for a brief moment. It cannot even consider a visit for her since it was for a business gathering that he was able to make time for her.

She heard voices from the living room. She tiptoed her way to the door. However, she was not able to reach it when a pair of hands covered her mouth.

Shhh

Sae tilted her head only to see Ryoma behind her, gesturing her to keep quiet. She nodded but his hand remained on her face. From the tone of the person talking inside the room, a serious conversation was taking place.

"Transfer her to Hyotei!? You can't be serious." It was Nanjiro's voice.

"Did you ask her about this?" Rinko asked calmly.

"No, not yet. I will talk to her after this."

"But why did you suddenly decide on this Masahiro?"

"For one, the Atobe heir seems to be fond of her. I think they may get along more if they see each other more often. Who knows? It may lead to something better for both of them."

"Is that your main reason? Have you forgotten why you brought her here?"

"I understand that she may have to leave this house. I plan to get her a bodyguard or two if that is all I need to give you peace of mind."

"I can't agree to this. She's better off here than living on her own again."

"She's no longer a kid. She can take care of herself."

"That's not enough reason."

"She is my daughter. I decide what's good for her."

"Don't you dare act like you're her real father. We both know that she is my daughter— mine and Midori's!"

A bewildered expression appeared on Masahiro's face. He thought Nanjiro did not know all this time.

Behind the door, Sae can feel Ryoma's hands shaking as it slowly left her face. Sae could not turn to look at his face. It must be a real shock for him.

"You knew about it." It was more of a statement. "You knew that we're siblings." Sae could feel shivers in Ryoma's tone. It was very cold.

Sae cannot reply. The next thing she heard were fast footsteps towards the door.

"Ryoma," she held on his arm, "I—"

"Let go." She cannot recognize his voice but her hand remained. "I said LET GO!" She immediately released his arm as fear crept into her. She did not need to see his face to know he was fuming with anger.

How did it come to this?

She is his sister!? And she knows about it all this time! Everybody knows yet no one bothered to tell him anything. What do they plan to accomplish by not telling him? Is that the reason why she could not accept his feelings?

Why does it have to be her? He thought he already found someone he like but to turn out that she is his sister? He cannot accept that! He can never accept that!

Ryoma kept walking with nowhere to go. He just wanted to keep distance from their house. He did not want to see her or anyone in that house right now.

"Ryoma!"

It's her.

"Ryoma, wait!"

He heard her alright but he did not stop.

"Ryoma!"

She kept on running after him.

"Ryoma, stop!"

Honk honk

Ryoma froze when he heard the loud horn of a truck moving to his direction. A chilly feeling crept in his spine. He knew that girl could be a klutz at a time like this.

Please let her be alright.

Maybe he should have turned to look at her earlier. That might make her stop on her track. Maybe he should have listened to what she had to say. She might have a good explanation for herself. Maybe he should not have let his anger took the better of him— but it might be too late now…

Sccrrreeeeeeeeeech

…for the next sound he heard was the loud crashing of metals and broken glass.

I guess that's it.

The next chapter will be the end of the story.

Suggestions are very welcome since ideas are sometimes hard to come by.

Comments are welcome too.

(=^.^=)