DISCLAIMER: NOPE, I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING.

The early morning sun burnt his skin but it remained unnoticed by Ryoma who was devotedly doing his regular weekend routine.

'Oi!'

Ryoma ignored the noise.

'Oi!' the stranger repeated.

Ryoma glared at the stranger who had the audacity to disturb him.

'Mind playing a game with me? I am so bored playing with my friends.' He sent Ryoma a sheepish smile while both of his hands were at the back of his head, unfrightened to his deadly stare.

He was about to resume where he left off before he was bothered but decided otherwise as he silently assessed the boy with an untamed jet black hair that reached his nape. He carefully examined him like a scout looking for the next big thing. His gut was telling him to accept his challenge. He suddenly felt a surge of excitement and gripped his racket tighter to control his sudden burst of energy.

He positioned himself at one side of the court while the boy hid a smile of triumph.

2-0

Has Ryoma been mistaken accepting the challenge?

'Don't waste my time.' He glowered towards his opponent.

'Impatient aren't we.'

Just then the boy started returning Ryoma's serve and easily rallied with Ryoma which fueled the latter's blood even more.

4-4

It was a tight match up and Ryoma couldn't be more satisfied. His tennis shirt was drenched with sweat. He readjusted his cap as the sun glared at his eyes.

He smirked.

Bring it on.

7-6

He expelled a grunt of satisfaction when he won the match. It was a hard won win and it even felt like an official match. He looked at the other side of the court and saw the boy wiping the sweat on his forehead with his arms, a satisfied grin escaping his lips. Ryoma admitted that the boy was not an ordinary tennis player and he had the notion that they will meet again at one of the tournaments.

The boy came in the middle of the court and offered his left hand which Ryoma took.

'Congratulations. You sure do play well like what I have heard, Echizen.'

He did not look surprised when the boy knew his name, it was common knowledge to tennis players and tennis fanatics who he was.

'I'll enjoy beating you soon.'

'Mada mada dane.'

Sakuno raised her eyebrow when every female student who passed the school gate would stop and blink for a couple of minutes then squeal in delight before they completely turn towards the street to leave for the day.

Once she reached the gate, curiosity took over willing her to look at her left and what she saw took her breath away.

The man's unruly jet black hair danced gently together with the breeze giving him a delectable look. His familiar blue eyes shone with impatience while he was comfortably leaning on his motorbike. His mouth was closed tight giving the message that he did not want to speak to anyone unless it's their fists doing the talking She slowly surveyed him from his simple white shirt which did nothing to hide his sculpted chest and lean abs to his faded black jeans further down to his worn black boots.

Ohhh. A bad boy in every sense of the word.

Without thinking, she slowly walked to him.

He felt someone coming near him, his stoic expression turned grim. He had no time to chat with anyone nor does he have the patience to.

As she stepped closer, her heart beat in recognition. She cleared her throat.

Their eyes met and before she could blink she was engulfed within his tight embrace.

'Took you long enough.' He complained before looking down to give her one of his most captivating smiles reserved only for her.

'You're finally back.' She hugged him back, resting her face in his chest.

'Happy?'

She nodded.

He stepped away from her before he took the small pink helmet that hung on his motorbike's hand clutch and gently placed it on her head and clasped it.

Excitement sparked her eyes, 'I haven't ridden your bike for a long time.'

'Because you never visit.' He frowned a little.

'As if the train could easily reach Europe.' She pouted.

'You won't have the same excuse if I bring you to my new place now.'

'You're staying in Japan for good?' she looked hopeful, her hands clasp together in front of her chest.

Instead of answering he instructed her to hop in.

Now it was her turn to complain but hopped in she did. 'I missed you.' She murmured and hugged him tightly as his motorbike roared to life and sped away.

'Ochibi! Ochibi!'

He glared at Kikumaru and carefully placed his racket inside his bag.

'Even our ears are bleeding sempai.' Momoshiro rubbed his ears.

'I saw Sakuno-chan riding a motorbike with someone.'

Ryoma answered him with a look of pure indifference.

So? What does he care about that. It was her affairs not his.

Not getting the response he liked, Kikumaru instead told their coach.

'Oh so he's back.'

'What do you mean by that Ryuzaki-san?'

'Don't worry about Sakuno she's in good hands.'

What was that supposed to mean?

Kikumaru shut up with a curious look on his face. He wanted to know who that man was and who he was to Sakuno. He then gave Ryoma a side glanced look but he was already on his way out of the courts.

Sakuno was assisted down the motorbike by being gently hoisted from her seat, a smile of gratitude shortly replaced her surprise.

He guided her to the front of a high rise condominium building. A uniformed guard opened the door for them. She murmured a thank you and a kind smile to the man while her companion gave him a quick look and slightly nodded in acknowledgement.

She shook her head. Chase was still as stiff to everyone as he was when they were kids. It has always been his front to look calculated and remain emotionless probably because at a young age he was already being groomed to become the next CEO of their airlines and shipping conglomerate. It was only when he was at home with his family or whenever he was with someone special to him that he slips off his mask. And as of this day she could still count those select few who had an exclusive pass to knowing the real him.

She was distracted from her thoughts when he gave her a pass.

'Take this. It's a pass for the elevator. It will allow you to go to the pent house.'

She slipped it on her bag pocket.

They weren't blood related but they're almost a family by affinity. Her family and his were neighbors before they left Japan to ultimately reside in UK where the head office of their business was located.

'I don't understand Chase. How long did Uncle allow you to stay here? Shouldn't you be in the head office slaving?' there was a hint of humor in her voice when she said the last word.

He laughed a little, his blue eyes shinning. 'I have been slaving all my life. I'm here for business.'

Business?

She felt a pang of sadness as the thought of him leaving after his business in Japan was concluded. She looked at Chase from the corner of her eyes. After knowing him almost all her life, she knew when he was up to something and soon enough it will unfold in front of her. She secretly smiled.

Ryoma yawned. He walked sleepily on his way to school for morning practice. His brain suddenly alerted when he saw a motorbike stopping in front of Seigaku with Ryuzaki in tow. With Ryuzaki in tow his mind repeated.

He saw her stepping down from the motorbike before she removed her pink helmet and handed it over to the man. He could not get a glimpse of the guy's face because his back faced him.

His anger started bubbling.

Why was he angry? He already knew yesterday that Ryuzaki was with some guy with a motorbike and he did not care a wit. So why was he affected now?

Hearing was different than actually seeing.

His mind screamed mine.

His chest started to tighten and he had a hard time breathing.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

Just then he saw her leaning towards the man.

Why was she leaning towards the man for?

Realization shot through him when he saw the man leaning forward to meet her.

Damn it to hell!

Before the three of them could even blink, Ryoma was already pulling Ryuzaki away from the sorry excuse of a man and inside the school.

Chase turned off his engine and was leaping from his motorbike to snatch Sakuno away from the impetuous boy who was dragging her away from him, his protective instinct for her rising. He stopped when he saw her shaking her head and mouthed a silent 'I'll be fine'. He looked from her to the boy then frowned when he read the scene unfolding in his eyes. He released a long breath and trusted her that she would be fine. He would ask her what the deal was later when he would fetch her from school.

He rode his bike again and sped away with a single destination in mind and gathered all the ounce of courage he had left.

"Ryoma-kun stop! You're hurting me.'

Ryoma only had one though in mind and that was to take her as far away to the man as he could that he did not realize that he was gripping her hand tightly. He released her it from his hold and saw the redness forming on her wrist.

He muttered a silent curse.

'What were you leaning over him for?' he screamed.

'Why are you screaming?' she screamed back, her patience lost to her.

'What were you about to do?' he did not scream this time but his voice was dangerously low.

She has never seen Ryoma this mad even in the tennis court. 'I was about to kiss him –'

If he was mad before now he was in absolute rage, 'Why the fuck would you do that? Is he your boyfriend?'

'No. What's it to you anyway?' she answered back in anger, uncaring for Ryoma's growing anger. How dare he be disrespectful to Chase.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

'He's not your boyfriend but you'll kiss him!'

'It's only on the cheek!'

'It doesn't matter where!' he stormed.

'What is your problem?' she remained clueless of the reason for his anger. It's not as if he liked her. No. That was impossible. How could he when he took every chance he could get to avoid her like she had some serious disease, as though being in the same breathing space as her would be deadly.

'Now she asks me!'

He stepped near her and shook her. 'Damn it. I like you! Do you understand that!'

He released her, more shocked than she was from his confession.

Crap.

What did he just say?

He liked Ryuzaki?

A/N: Cliffhangers are just! Hope you enjoyed this update!