A Prince of Tennis fanfic.
Alpha Pair a.k.a. SanaYuki

Story: Milky Tea (Sequel to Sugary Coffee) - Chapter.11

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis belongs to Konomi Takeshi.

Author's note: What shall I say? This chapter was actually supposed to be a resolution (good or bad? I'm not saying), however, I was reminded by one of my dear reviewers that it would be "shallow" to end the story like this. That actually reminded me of something I had forgotten to put in earlier... and therefore, I rewrote the chapter. So yes, this chapter was actually finished a month ago, but due to the rewrite and my beta's... business... this was severely delayed. Thank you for your patience... and I know I said I would finish this story soon... but my schedule is not full once again.

Dedication: To the person who guessed the origin of Koesaki's name! (And thank you for those who attempted!) The closest are Kazuyuki Sakura-san and coralvoica-san!
Explanation: Koesaki has the same kanji as Echizen. I don't hate him THAT much; it's just because I began this story after reading the last chapter of PoT when Yukimura lost against Echizen.

Important Note: There are references to Sugary Coffee.

Please review!

11. Creaming Soda

Sanada was a lonely figure standing in the park with a large, black umbrella that shielded him from the pouring rain. Driven by a powerful, overwhelming emotion, Yukimura ran towards him, his jeans drenched and muddy, his shoes making squeaky noises when he stepped onto the wet grass.

"Sanada!" Yukimura called out, panting and wiping the water that dripped from his hair to face. Sanada turned around, his eyes dull and his expression apathetic. Yukimura parted his lips to speak, but of the million things he wanted to say, none of them would form a coherent sentence.

To have nothing, yet a million things to say...

"I was told you'd be here," Sanada said after a minute of silence. He eyed Yukimura up and down and added, "You're soaked."

Yukimura nodded, feeling completely idiotic under Sanada's intense gaze. He probably looked absolutely stupid, with his hair that was plastered to his face like a mould, his white shirt that was now see-through, clinging to him like a second layer of skin. He raised his hand to wipe the water from his face again and realised that his make-up was running down, smudged all over his face.

I must look like a clown, he thought and turned around, moving his hand up to cover his face in embarrassment and shame. He swallowed the lump in his throat, fighting against the desire to burst out crying.

"I saw your interview," Sanada spoke again suddenly, his voice still detached. Yukimura nodded again, unsure whether this was something positive or negative. "Is what you said true? About Koesaki-san?"

"Yes," Yukimura replied, his voice soft but resolute.

Suddenly, something hard was thrust into his hand and the rain stopped abruptly. Yukimura looked up and saw that he was holding the umbrella. "I'm glad," Sanada said with a sad smile and began walking away. His heart ached and tears blurred his eyes as rain began soaking through his jacket. He wanted to hold Yukimura, but the image of Yukimura exiting that building was inerasable.

"You'll get sick if you keep standing there," Sanada turned around again and shouted. Then, he turned and quickened his pace, not wishing for anyone to see the tears that were welling in his reddening eyes.

But Yukimura ran after him and cried, "You're already sick. Please take the umbrella back. Please." He held the umbrella out to Sanada, but Sanada shook his head and only smiled.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"I... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..." Yukimura begged, holding the umbrella out still.

Sanada shook his head and pushed Yukimura's hand away. "I've forgiven you," Sanada said, knowing that it probably sounded half-hearted. It wasn't that he hadn't forgiven Yukimura and it wasn't that he was unwilling to... but the thought of Koesaki was simply impossible to wipe from his mind. "Just go home," Sanada said softly, his tone of a bitter farewell. He turned around and finally ran off into the darkness.

Watching the vanishing silhouette, Yukimura fell to the ground, crippled by an unstoppable flood of emotion pouring into his heart. Tears rolled down his cheek and fell onto the grass in heart-breaking silence. He choked on his tears, coughing as he gasped for breath. His hands clutched onto the grass, pulling them out in patches as hopelessness coursed through him.

He could see nothing but the image of Sanada running from him, disappearing into a place where he could no longer reach.

Sanada ran and ran, the ceaseless rain pouring on him mercilessly. He bit his lips, trying to imagine and accept his future where Yukimura would be no longer present. It would be difficult, but not impossible, he thought, trying to convince himself.

After running for a long time, his clothes completely soaked, he stopped under a street lamp to catch his breath, trying to shake Yukimura's tearful expression from his mind.

How can I forgive him?

Sanada clenched his fists, slamming it into the pole. The sudden burst of strength caused a violent fit of coughing and he kneeled on the ground, clutching his burning throat. The thought of Koesaki lingered in his mind still; but suddenly, the memory of that particular New Year's Eve resurfaced.

His lips pressed against mine and for a moment, I completely forgot who it was that was kissing me. Without thinking, I kissed him back... and at that moment, I saw Yukimura fleeing from the room. He never looked so hurt. It was as if I had betrayed him... no, I did betray him.

Betray... Sanada flinched at the memory of Yukimura's wounded expression that night. Yukimura did not cry, but the memory of those red, teary eyes was scorched in his mind. Even now, he cursed himself for that event, unable to let go despite Yukimura's forgiveness.

Sanada stood up from the ground and leaned against the lamp pole, his head hung low in thoughts; Yukimura had forgiven him even though it was such an unforgivable act of betrayal. He had cheated on Yukimura and yet... he was still forgiven. Yukimura had still loved him.

I... Sanada turned around and began walking, but the image of Koesaki's smiling face abruptly reappeared again. He took a step back, a dull, intense pain pressing against his head. He massaged his temples, trying to sort through the streams of thoughts that were rushing through his mind.

The thought of Yukimura. The thought of Koesaki. The thought of his love for Yukimura...

The thoughts and feelings were so painful that he just wanted to run home and escape from them forever. He had no need to see Yukimura again and perhaps, this time, they were parting for good. After all, a super idol and a simple varsity student were just not meant to be together. They were in two different worlds, travelling on parallel lines that would never meet.

Yet, despite his logic... there was still a part of him that longed for Yukimura, aching to forgive and love the one he had been with for so long. There was still a part in him that loved Yukimura dearly, because in his heart, Yukimura was someone whom he loved more than anyone or himself.

There was no doubt about his overflowing love for Yukimura... but somewhere... somewhere he could not reach, that love was held back by an uncertainty – a shadow that could not be wiped away.

Please review. What will happen next?! Will Sanada forgive Yukimura...?