Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
It was another boring day... Or at least that's what Ryoma want that day to be. For some reason, she knew something different will happen but she doesn't know if it's good or bad. Her thoughts was cut off when their music teacher entered the classroom.
Tooru: I will announce you projects. We all have wonderful past, right? I'm sure no one have a sad past because we all have wonderful memories. Memories that we always treasure and friends that we like very much.
Ryoma felt like she's being stabbed by the things the teacher was saying. Is he provoking her or something? 'Yeah right. If bring betrayed by one of the person you trust the most seems wonderful for you then I have wonderful past.' Ryoma thought sarcastically.
Tooru: I want you to go back to one of your most precious memory with an important person. I want you to write what you feel for that person back then. The song should be original. Choose one instrument and write a score for your instrument choice. You will sing it in front while playing the instrument as your accompaniment. I'll only give you 2 weeks so don't waste any time.
'Is he crazy?' Ryoma thought angrily. She don't want to remember anything about that person anymore and now he's telling her to go back and write a song about what she felt for him back then? She'd rather fail than do that.
'Will Ryoma be alright?' Atobe thought worriedly. He really regret his promise.
-FLASHBACK-
Atobe was walking Ryoma to her room. He want to be sure that Ryoma will be okay.
"Kei, don't tell the others that I'm here. Don't tell anyone. I want them to figure it out themselves. I want to surprise them and I don't want anyone to know I'm an Echizen. I want them to look at me as Ryoma and not as the heiress of the Echizen Corp." Ryoma explained. She really want other to look at her because she Ryoma and not because she's an Echizen. She want to prove her worth.
" Ore-sama promise to keep it a secret" Atobe told her. He knew the real meaning of those words. He knew that she wanted to prove her worth.
" Thank you, Kei" Ryoma said softly.
-END OF FLASHBACK-
Atobe sighed. Tezuka and the others notice it. It's rare for the 'almighty' Atobe to sigh.
"What's wrong, Kei-chan?" Fuji asked curiously but at the same time teasingly.
Atobe Glared. 'How dare he call Ore-sama with that name?' Atobe thought. Irritated by his nickname 'Kei-chan'." Don't call ore-sama Kei-chan! Nothing wrong." Atobe said.
Kikumaru excitedly went to their direction. He's jumping around and the reason was obvious. It's lunch time. "Let's eat! Let's eat!" Kikumaru said cheerfully.
" Okay, okay. Calm down Eiji" Oishi told Eiji.
" Ore-sama want to bring someone with us." Atobe told them.
The others was shocked while Fuji and Tezuka remained the same. Inui scribbled something on his notebook.
" There's a 70% it's a girl and 91% that he's in love with her" Inui told them.
The others were once again shocked. The great Atobe was in love. Who was the girl that made Atobe fall for her?
" Where is she?" Kikumaru asked eagerly. He's really excited to meet the girl.
" Kora, Eiji. Stop jumping around" Oshi, being the mother hen he was, told Eiji.
Atobe blushed. "That's not true. She's a girl but ore-sama's not in love with her." Atobe called Ryoma. She sent him an I-will-kill-you-later glare which sent chills to his spines. It scared him but he knew this will help Ryoma to forget even just for a bit.
"Eh? Atobe likes a nerd?" Eiji shouted. He was really shocked.
" Ii data" Inui mumbled.
Oishi was too shocked to even say anything. Ryoma twitched. She doesn't know whether to laugh or to be angry at them. Atobe blushed even redder but at the same time, angry at Kikumaru for calling Ryoma a nerd even though it's a fact.
"Ore-sama told you that ore-sama don't like Ryoma that way" Atobe clarify.
They went to the rooftop where the bands usually eat. Even though they were rivals, they were still friends. The bands that were there were Rikkaidai, Hyoutei, and Seigaku. When they arrived, the others were already there. They started eating. Everything was alright for Ryoma but suddenly,
" Tooru-sensei is so harsh to give us a project like that and only give us 2 weeks but I'm happy it's about the past." Kikumaru said.
"I have to agree with that" Oshi said.
" What about you, ochibi-chan?" asked Eiji innocently.
All attention focus on her causing her to become nervous. " Um… My… My family is great" Ryoma stuttered.
" What about your friends?" Eiji asked again.
"I…I…" Ryoma tried to find the right words. She really don't want to talk about that now. Ryoma suddenly felt dizzy. Her head hurts. Maybe it's because she doesn't sleep at all last night. She collapsed.
Fuji volunteered to carry her to the clinic and Atobe tagged along. As they were walking, a tear escaped Ryoma's eyes. Atobe and Fuji saw that.
'She's crying in her sleep again. She act so strong in front of us but the truth is she's not that strong. She always try to smile even though she's suffering inside so that we will not worry. It's okay if she cry in front of us. Back then, she's not a selfish, brat or crybaby. She's just herself. The side of her that attracted us. The one that gave us hope. The one who smile like the sun and sincerely and innocently that it can melt even the coldest person's heart. She might be childish sometimes but that's what we like about her. Selfish? Is someone who cry for others, smile for others and give hope to others selfish? Then what are we called? She acted as our sun, our light when we were in need. She tried her best to cheer us up when were down and tried her best for us to be happy. Now that she's the one in need, ore-sama will be the one to help her. If it's her, it's okay to be selfish, crybaby, brat or even angry at us. She's the only one allowed to.' Atobe thought. He told himself long ago that he'll help her anytime. That was his resolution.
" Gomenasai (sorry) , Syuu, Kei, Mitsu, Haru." Ryoma said but she's still asleep.
Fuji's eyes snapped open. Now he understand everything. Arashimaya Ryoma is Echizen Ryoma. Fuji's eyes closed again and smiled sadistically.
'Someone's gonna pay for making Ryoma cry and that bastard have done enough on tormenting Ryoma. If I found out where he is, I'll make sure he'll regret that he's even born.' Fuji thought. His sadistic side showing again.