CR: Hmm….not getting as much reviews as I liked to have…but still updating. Oh yeah, like I said, if I don't get more reviews, I will update slower. I can update every day, but I choose not to due to lack of reviews…well, on with the story, I won't hold you all back longer….

Warning: Bit of OOC.

A week later, Shizuka was discharged from the hospital. Of course, her partner Ryoma was elated. She walked him to afternoon practice, as usual. However, before he went in to the clubroom, she asked, "Ryoma, do you want to join me for dinner after your afternoon practice? Perhaps at the same time we could buy some items." Ryoma considered this, and said, "Alright." Of course, our dear regulars heard the conversation, and politely waited until Ryoma was in the changing room to discuss this. "Hey, do you think it could be a date?" said Momoshiro, excited. "We should take a look ourselves, shouldn't we?" he smiled.

"Hoi, hoi! I agree with Momo, nya!" said Eiji. "Shouldn't we, Fuji?" he turned to the tensai of the tennis team. "Saa…it'll be nice to see how Echizen goes on a date with Shizuka….right, Tezuka?" he smiled at the older captain standing in the corner, who was inwardly cussing Shizuka for getting to Ryoma first. "Fuji, I don't think it's a good idea to spy on Echizen without permission." Fuji's smile widened. "But it'll be interesting, right? To know about our kohai's love life?" Inui's glasses glinted, and said, "Maybe I could get some data on them. Fufufu." Kikumaru Eiji bounced up and down. "So all following? Ok, settled!" Just then, they heard a voice. "Really? What's settled, Kikumaru-senpai?" Eiji eep-ed and turned around. It was Ryoma. "Eh he…..nothing, Ochibi!" said Kikumaru, sweat dropping. Ryoma shrugged, and said, "Whatever" and walked out of the clubroom, getting ready for practice. Kikumaru sighed in relief, and muttered, "Whew…that was close." He took his racquet and followed Ryoma out to the courts.

"Saa, I think we should follow Echizen...shouldn't we?" Fuji spoke up, buttoning his jacket. "I wonder what we would see."

Inui chuckled, "Ii data." he muttered. "I wonder what we'll discover." When the rest of the group were changed they hurried after their Ochibi, spotting him near the gates, they took off, making sure they are not close enough to be detected, yet close enough to see what was going to happen. Shizuka was waiting for him at the school gates, carrying a long rectangular case. When she saw Ryoma, she offered her free hand and he took it. "You hungry?" she asked. Ryoma nodded. "Well, we can go to Pique Nique, I heard they serve giant burgers." Ryoma nodded as they made their way towards the Kakinoki Mall, followed by 8 nosey regulars. When they reached the Kakinoki Mall, she took him to Pique Nique and they ordered giant burgers with different filling in them. When they arrived, sure enough, the burgers were so gigantic; they had to use a fork and knife to eat it. The regulars hid behind the divider that was behind Shizuka's seat and strained their ears to hear their conversations.

"Looks like I missed out on Science when I was in hospital." said Shizuka, taking a bite of her burger.

"Yeah, you'll have to do a makeup experiment tomorrow after school. Also, the essay we were supposed to hand in today is due tomorrow for you."

"Alright. Thanks. So how's practice?"

"The usual stuff. I was playing matches against the others, with me winning as usual. They are mada mada dane." The regulars had the urge to laugh.

"Of course, although you are very good in tennis, you got lots more to learn. There's no end in learning, you know." Shizuka said, sipping her Root Beer. She flicked her hair over the divider. Her hair unexpectedly tickled Momoshiro's nose, and he wanted to sneeze. He covered his mouth and sneezed. It did not reach Ryoma's ears, but Shizuka frowned. She stood up, and looked over the divider and caught the regulars scuttling (because they were crouching) to the other side. However, they did not know Shizuka found them. "What's wrong, Shizuka?" said Ryoma. She looked at the spot where the other regulars were hiding, but said, "No, it's nothing." 'I'll catch them when the time is right.'

"Thank god. We were nearly caught. All thanks to you, Momo!" Eiji hissed. Momo rubbed the back of his head. "Ok, I'm sorry."

"Fssh…baka." said Kaidoh.

"What's that, Mamushi?" said Momo, turning to face his rival.

"I said, you're a baka, baka." Kaidoh replied.

"You…"

"Enough, Kaidoh, Momoshiro. One more time and it's 20 laps around the mall." said Tezuka, secretly watching Ryoma and Shizuka. They heard her say, "Oh come on, Ryoma, you're not that bad at partnership. You and I make great partners, and we both know it!" The regulars whispered to themselves. "Wow, they are partners? I didn't know that!" said Oishi.

"This will be great data." said Inui, as he jotted it down in his notebook. "Echizen making great partners with Shizuka. All the more reason that they are lovers."

Just then, they heard her say, "Ok, let's go." She and Ryoma stood up and left the restaurant. The regulars were so caught up with their conversation they did not notice them finishing their meal and paying the bill. They hastily crept towards them, as they took the escalator to the next floor. They found them in the bookstore, where they bought pens, notebooks and even novels. Then they followed those two to the Simply Pretty store, and accessories store, where Shizuka bought pretty hairclips for herself. Just then, Ryoma said, "I need the bathroom." Shizuka nodded, and said, "I'll stay here so you can find me." Ryoma nodded and left the store. As Ryoma walked out, the regulars whispered to themselves. "Do you think we should follow him?" said Oishi. Fuji shook his head. "No. He'll come back eventually." Just then, Shizuka came out of the store and scanned her surroundings. She laid down her rectangular case, undid the clasp, and opened it. The regulars craned to see what was inside. She took out the object. It was a bow. She took out an arrow from the sheath and loaded the bow. The regulars were so mesmerized with the bow, that they didn't notice the arrow flying towards them, landing smack on Inui's notebook. The notebook flew, and was stuck against the wall by the arrow. The regulars yelped, and fell out of their hiding place. At the same time, Ryoma came out of the bathroom. "Shizuka! What are you doing outside the-SENPAI-TACHI?" he shouted the last word, and the others (except Tezuka and Shizuka, jumped). He turned to Shizuka. "What did you shoot?" Shizuka pointed her thumb at the notebook. "Oh, there was someone taking data on us, so I figured I'd shoot that." She shrugged nonchalantly. "No harm done." Ryoma narrowed his eyes. "What are you all doing here?" he hissed.

"Er…we were just you know, having a stroll…" said Momo, laughing nervously.

Shizuka looked at Ryoma, fear in her face. "Does that mean they…."

"Were spying on us all the time trying to get information about our private lives? Well, I'm afraid I'll have to say yes." said Ryoma, sighing. Shizuka, shocked, looked from one regular to another, before bursting in tears and running away. "Shizuka, wait!" cried Ryoma. He sent a glare at everyone that clearly told them it's their fault, and hissed, "I'm so not going to forgive you for this…ALL THIS!" before running after Shizuka.

The next day….

Ryoma came to practice as usual, but this time, he did not even speak and ignored the regulars completely. He even forcibly pried Kikumaru off when he glomped him. When he played practice matches with them, he made sure they couldn't return his serve, and most of them lost badly. When they ran their usual laps, he made sure to keep a fair distance between the regulars and himself. The only time he brightened up is when Shizuka came to pick him up after practice. One day, when Ryoma left with Shizuka, Fuji said, "Tezuka, what are you going to do?"

"What do you mean, Fuji?" said Tezuka.

"You know, your crush on him is quite obvious. Aren't you going to snatch him from her?"

"Fuji, Echizen is mad at us already for spying on him. I am no exception. How can I win his heart when he's mad?"

"I-" Just then, Shizuka came in. "Oh, sorry, Ryoma forgot his jacket, and he asked me to get it for him. Hope you don't mind." said Shizuka, her tone cold. She brushed past Fuji and grabbed Ryoma's regulars' jacket. Fuji opened his mouth. "Shizuka..." she turned. "What?"

"We're really sorry for spying on you the other day. We just wanted-"

"To find out whether me and Ryoma are dating?" she said.

"Yes…but…"

"Oh, why didn't you just say so?"

"Well, Echizen wouldn't tell us, and-"

"Actually, Ryoma had someone he liked already. And it's not me."

Tezuka and Fuji widened their eyes. "Really? Who is it?"

"Well, the only thing I can say is that he is someone you know. Oh, and about Ryoma not speaking to you. I'll talk to him about it."

"Thanks. Also…sorry about making you cry the other day."

"Nah, it's alright. I'm just a sensitive person, and I like to keep my private life private, that's all."

"Ok….So about you and Ryoma being partners…"

"That's a secret. I'll leave it up for Ryoma to tell you." With that, she left. Fuji and Tezuka looked at each other. "Someone we know, eh? Saa….it should be interesting to find out who it is." Tezuka said nothing as he grabbed his tennis bag. Somehow, he wished that person is him. Dare he hope that Echizen would like him the same way he likes Echizen? Meanwhile, Shizuka handed Ryoma's jacket to him. "What took you so long?" said Ryoma. "Well, I struck up a conversation with Fuji and Tezuka. I'm sorry, but I told them the person you like is someone they know." Ryoma glanced at her, and remembered the time they had dinner.

"Ryoma, you have someone you like, don't you?" said Shizuka, eating her fries. "Come on, don't be shy, and tell me who it is."

Ryoma shook his head. "Even if I tell you, it's not as if he's going to return my affections or something."

Shizuka pouted. "Hmm…..ok, if you don't, I'll tell Fuji about the time where you-"

"Ok, ok! I'll tell, I'll tell! Just don't tell anyone, ok?"

"My lips are sealed. So who is it?"

"It's…the captain of my team."

"Oh, as in Tezuka? Oh you two will look so cute together!" Shizuka gushed. "But due to your job and all." Her face hardened.

"Yeah, I know. So for now, I'll keep it a secret. I want to keep him safe."

"You know no matter what happens, I'll support your decision. Ok, let's go." She said, as the waiter handed them their change.

"I know is hard for you, but you are doing this in order to protect him."

"Yeah. I don't want him to be in danger because of me and my job. It'll probably break my heart even more than not telling him. Perhaps, he'll be happy with someone else in time."

Shizuka looked at him sadly. 'Love is such a painful thing' she thought.