Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis

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Ryoma finally arrived. She quickly unpacked her clothes. Her room was big. As soon as she finished unpacking, she fell into a deep sleep. The next day, Ryoma went to her classroom. Of course everyone was staring at her. Because of her baka oyagi, she's now third year. It's good that no one noticed that she's 12.

"This is Arashimaya Ryoma. Treat her well." Akihiro said.

Ryoma looked at everyone. There were 7 familiar faces.

Akihiro looked for a vacant sit. "Sit beside Yukimura Seiichi. Yukumura-san, please raise your hands."

A boy that kind of look like a girl and is smiling raised his hands. Ryoma sat down. Ryoma didn't listen to "Should I tell them who am I?" Ryoma asked herself

The class ended.

"No. I'll play with them a little bit" Ryoma decided

Ryoma went to her room. She was bored so she decided to walk around. While walking, she found herself under a big tree in the school's forest. It's pretty high there so she can clearly see the whole campus. It's so peaceful and it seems like not many people know that place. Ryoma sat under the tree. She saw a notebook owned by a second year named Kirihara Akaya. Ryoma started reading his notes. His notes were all incomplete and the seat works were either low or no answer at all. The subject was English. Ryoma sighed. She grabbed her pen and wrote the continuation of the incomplete notes and wrote the explanations to make it easy. She also wrote the correct answers and explained it. After that, she went back to her room leaving the notebook behind. She changed into her pajama, removed her glasses and let down her hair. She went to sleep.

- DREAMSCAPE -

Six years old Ryoma was walking towards a big tree. There's a boy two years older than her.

"Did you wait long?" Ryoma asked cutely

The boy, Sei, smiled. "No. I just arrived."

"What do you want to talk about, Sei?" asked Ryoma.

Sei became serious." Ryoma, tomorrow… I have to go to America." Sei told Ryoma sadly.

Ryoma can feel her heart being torn into million pieces. She really doesn't want to cry in front of Sei. She doesn't want to be a bother. Ryoma's bangs covered her golden eyes. She can't look strait at Sei because if she did, she's not sure if she can handle not to cry. She loves Sei. If he will be happy, then she'll let him go even if it means breaking her heart.

"Why?" she asked trying to prevent her voice from shaking.

"I got a scholarship from a very famous school there." Sei explained. He knew Ryoma was about to cry.

"Do you really want to go?"

" … I … need to. I don't want to waste this chance." Sei searched for the right words. He wasn't to go but he doesn't' want to leave Ryoma behind.

Ryoma looked up straight into his eyes. Her tears are threatening to fall. Ryoma did her best to smile.

"Then… go. I'll be alright. Fulfill your dream. You really want to go, right? I'll… I'll be cheering for you so do your best." Ryoma told him.

Sei smiled. "Ryoma… I'll do my best. What about we make a bet before I go? I don't know when I'll return but I'll return no matter what so wait for me."

"I promise… Do you promise to return no matter what?" Ryoma asked. She really wants to see Sei again. She will wait no matter what for his return.

"I promise." Sei answered.

"So what's the bet about?" Ryoma asked curiously.

"We both want to be an idol, right?" he asked.

Ryoma nodded.

"Then, let's have a race on who will be the first to become an idol. The winner will get whatever he/she wants."

"I'm on." At least she will always remember Sei. She will always remember this bet.

"Then, it's on. By the way, I have to go. I still have to pack." Sei said sadly. He still wants to stay and talk to Ryoma a bit. The truth is if he has to choose between staying with Ryoma and going abroad to study, he'll choose Ryoma.

"Can I go to see you before you leave, Sei?" even though she'll be sadder if she did that, she have to. She has to see Sei before he leaves.

" Of course."

The next day, in the airport,

"Sei, have a safe trip." Ryoma told Sei.

"Before I go, I want to give you something." He said. Even he doesn't know when he'll be back. They've been best friends for long.

Sei gave a necklace to Ryoma. It's a green necklace. Ryoma smiled.

'I won't see Ryoma for a long time, I… I' Ryoma thought sadly.

Ryoma smiled. She doesn't want to worry Sei. She tried her best to prevent her tears from falling but it was no use. Tears started to fall.

Sei noticed Ryoma's tears. He knew it's hard for Ryoma. "Ryoma, don't cry." Sei told Ryoma.

Ryoma quickly wiped her tears.

"I'm not crying." Ryoma insisted even though it's pretty obvious.

Tears started flowing again. Sei sighed.

"As stubborn as always." Sei said but at least he's not as sad as before. He knew Ryoma will always be the same. That enough made him contented. Sei wiped Ryoma's tears. "I will try to come back as soon as possible and I'll always write your letters so we can still talk to each other."

"Really?" Ryoma asked.

"I promise."

After one year, Ryoma excitedly exit her room. It's really early. She's not a morning person but today's special. It's her birthday. Sei and her always exchange letters. A maid handed the letter to her. She quickly went to her room and opened it. It said,

Dear Ryoma,

I'd like to stop sending letters. Stop sending me those stupid letters every day.

I'm tired of it already! I hate you. You're just a brat and a selfish crybaby. You're really a

bother! You're just a pest. Never talk to me again. This will be the last letter I send to

you. I assure you that all the letters you've sent me have been burned. I hope you enjoy

this day. Happy birthday Ryoma. Hope you like my present.

You friend,

Sei

Ryoma dropped the letter. She cried. Was she really selfish and crybaby? Was she really a brat? Ryoma didn't believed the letter and still sent letters to Sei but it was all returned and was tore into pieces.

"I'll change… Just come back Sei… Please." Ryoma told herself. She stopped crying. Ryoma started to change and became a loner. The others discovered what happened. They really hate Sei. After some years, she became the same again but only to people close to her.

- END OF DREAMSCAPE -

Ryoma woke up. It's been long since she last dreamt of the past. She got ready for school. 'I won't be the same selfish, crybaby and brat again. I will never be. Never again.' Ryoma told herself. She will do anything for that to happen even though she knew that it's hard, she will try her best. She pretends to be strong but inside, she's slowly dying.

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Author's note:

Thank you for those who review. I'll try to improve my skills. I'll really appreciate if someone gave me clues on how to improve my skills. Criticisms are allowed. About the form of writing their dialogues, I'll try to learn how to write that way. I'm just used in this form. I'm in hurry now so I can't try it now.