A Prince of Tennis fanfic.
SanaYuki pairing a.k.a. alpha pair

Story: Milky Tea (sequel to Sugary Coffee) - Chapter.6

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis belongs to Konomi Takeshi.

Author's note: Very short. Think of it as a lead-up to something... significant. Btw, for those who actually take notes of the title... this chapter was so-named because 1) I don't like strawberry milkshakes and 2) because Kirihara was drinking one. It's not the usual hinting of sweetness/bitterness.

Please review!

6. Strawberry Milkshake

Late-night Denny's was a quiet place. "Livin on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi was playing in the background. It was almost midnight and most customers were alone, sunk in thoughts.

Sitting in the back corner, Sanada, Yanagi and Kirihara were conversing in an undertone. Kirihara was sucking his strawberry milkshake through the straw noisily, while Yanagi sipped his steaming coffee and Sanada his water. This was the first rendezvous they had had in months.

"I heard that you'll be going to Wimbledon despite your injury," Sanada said, looking at his kouhai.

Kirihara nodded his mop of seaweed hair. "The injury's not too bad. I'm already skipping the French Open anyway."

"You'll need matches before going into Wimbledon though," Yanagi said, raising the mug to his lips. "Be careful."

"Yes, dad." Kirihara grinned widely, akin to the cocky smile in his high school days. "You two and Yukimura-buchou are seriously too worried about me. I'm not a baby anymore, you know. I'm almost 20 already!"

"But not yet. You're not an adult, which means you're a child." Yanagi said.

Kirihara made a face and gulped his milkshake down, before calling on a waitress and ordering a hamburger. Sanada coughed. He quickly used the serviette to cover his mouth. There was phlegm mixed with blood. Sanada drank a little water before throwing the tissue into the rubbish bin.

"You're sick," Yanagi stated.

"Pneumonia."

Kirihara and Yanagi's eyes sprung wide open. "Fukubuchou... why are you sick?" Kirihara asked, a look of fear clouding his features.

Sanada shrugged. He did not want to explain. Worrying others with his own troubles was simply unnecessary and inconsiderate. And Kirihara had better things, such as recovering before the Grand Slam event, to worry about anyway. Sanada did not want to share his burdens.

"You should go home and rest," Yanagi said firmly, glaring at the dark rings under Sanada's eyes and noting the ghostly paleness of his cheeks.

Sanada shook his head, tracing his finger on the edge of his cup. "I don't want to go home."

Kirihara's hamburger arrived. "You know," Kirihara said, taking a large bite, "Yukimura-buchou's occupation is an actor, singer or whatever he is, so it's natural for him to pose like that." He took another bite, filling his mouth.

"What are you talking about?" Sanada questioned. Kirihara seemed to know something that he did not. Something important.

After yet another bite, Kirihara pulled out a book from his bag. "Here, I bought it today. Niou-senpai said it was good."

"After all these years, you still believe in things he says?" Sanada asked rhetorically and took the book, flipping through the pages. It was a shock. The "book" was actually an official photo book of Yukimura and Ito. The two of them had posed together for this book after their success as a duo in the opening song of Chains.

"Hmm... The two most famous idols... Whoever thought of the idea of having a photo book with both of them is clever." Yanagi peered over, commenting in an unemotional, quiet voice.

Despite the pain driving his heart crazy, Sanada was forced to agree. The photos were obviously of fan-servicing content, showcasing both men in sexy, seductive poses. Sanada slammed the book close when he came across a picture of Yukimura and Ito lying on a bed, their upper bodies bare and their lower bodies covered by a thin blanket. There was no doubt what the picture was suggesting. (Fans seemed to love pairing the two of them together.)

"Don't worry, they're not together." With another bite, Kirihara finished his burger. "Ito's going out with some girl in the professional tennis circuit. It's supposed to be a secret, but the girl's a friend of mine and she told me."

"Akaya, that's not the problem," Yanagi said softly. Then, whispering in Kirihara's ear, he added, "Genichirou knows that Seiichi relies on things like these for a living, so obviously, he would not be angry at Seiichi for this. Upset perhaps, but not angry. There must be another reason why Genichirou doesn't want to go home."

Sanada sighed again. Then, taking a big gulp of water, he changed the topic, "Rikkai's tennis courts are under construction. Apparently, they're adding another two. Have you guys seen it? Yagyuu told me they were fantastic."

But neither Yanagi nor Kirihara responded. They were both staring at something (or rather, someone) behind Sanada. Following their gazes, he turned around as well.

Entering the restaurant, were Yukimura... and Koesaki.

Please review.

Still unresolved... but this is the calm before the storm.