She was walking home with Tomoka blabbering on about something. She knew it was rude to ignore people, but right now she had a lot on her mind.

"So what do you say?" Tomoka interrupted her train of thought.

"Umm… about what?" Sakuno replied embarrassed.

"Oh my god, Sakuno! How many times do I have to tell you? You're not going to be able to go to Paris if you're constantly thinking about him. Just let him go. He's not worth it." Tomoka scolded.

This agitated Sakuno. "You know I can't help it don't you? And don't bother telling me he's not worth it while you're the president of his fan club."

"Oh come on! You know what I mean! I adore Ryoma but I'm not in love with him. Besides, did you even drop a hint about why you're leaving?"

"I told you! He doesn't have to know. At least not now. Believe me when the time comes, I'll tell him myself."

"Fine. But don't you go thinking about him 24x7. It'll only make things worse."

She was waiting for her grandmother to finish coaching so that she could go home. She wasn't in the mood to play tennis.

That was when she bumped into Tezuka and Fuji.

"Why aren't you in practice Sakuno?" Tezuka asked. Even though she was in the girls' team he could not bear to see anyone slacking off.

"I'm done with practice" she lied "I'm waiting for my grandmother to drive me home."

"Alright then" Tezuka announced "Fuji we've got to get back to practice."

"Umm… I've got to talk to Sakuno in private-if you don't mind." Fuji replied.

"Be there in five minutes" Tezuka said as he walked off towards the courts.

"So, Sakuno. I heard that you're going to Paris. It's a nice place right?" Fuji said.

"Yeah. It is. But I personally prefer Japan."

"What or who will you miss the most?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I know you're in love with Ryoma. But what I don't understand is why you're running away. I thought you were much stronger than this. I know Ryoma takes time to read people's feelings and take action but you should know that he is madly in love with you." Fuji said.

This made Sakuno tear up.

"I know he is."

"Then why are you running away?"

"There are times when even he will not know everything. But when the time comes, I will tell him personally." Sakuno repeated.

"Sakuno! Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go." Her grandmother called out. "Fuji! Tezuka said it's been five minutes. Fifty laps around the court."

"Hai!" Fuji replied. Tezuka did not hesitate in giving anyone laps. Not even his best friend.

That was when it struck Fuji. Practice had only begun an hour ago. There was no way Sakuno would be done with it. More over, Ryuzaki sensei had put Tezuka in charge of today's practice. Sakuno had said that she was waiting to be driven home. Also, he knew that Ryuzaki sensei was late to school today since she had to catch a bus as her car had gone for maintenance. Sakuno was clearly lying to him.

He could only do one thing to help out Echizen. He had to follow Sakuno. So, he jogged up to the courts and told Tezuka that his mother had called saying that Yuuta was unwell and that he had to rush home.

Tezuka was skeptical about the situation but let Fuji go since he knew that it wouldn't matter if the tensai missed one practice.

Fuji wanted to tell Echizen somehow. After all it was Sakuno they were talking about. But, there was no way of communicating with him with Tezuka around. He decided to tell him later- before they could get away.

He was in the subway when he saw Ryuzaki sensei, Sakuno and to his surprise Nanjiroh Echizen.

Was Echizen's dad in on the whole thing? If only Echizen was here, he could have inquired about the entire situation.

He was trying to hear in on their conversation when Nanjiroh abruptly stopped. He said something briefly and started walking towards Fuji.

He should've been more careful. "Fuji! Is that you?" Nanjiroh said in a tone a person who was completely oblivious would use.

"Coach Echizen" calling Ryoma's perverted father 'coach' felt weird "my brother is unwell. I've taken permission from Tezuka to excuse me for today."

"Is he? Then what do you say we pay him a visit?" Nanjiroh replied.

"Umm… the French open is near. I ensure you I'll be back for practice tomorrow. You don't need to disrupt your plans for this."

An announcement saved Fuji's life.

"That's my train" he said gleefully.

"Ok then. But remember one thing. Stop meddling in things that do not concern you."

Fuji walked towards the train. Nanjiroh's last statement had completely stunned him. Did he know what Fuji was upto? Moreover, if he knew why Sakuno was leaving, why couldn't he tell his son? Echizen had mentioned talking to his father about Sakuno once before. Could it be that Nanjiroh didn't want them to be together? After all, he didn't get along too well with coach Ryuzaki.

He tried not to make any false accusations. Over the course of time, he noticed that Nanjiroh was pretty excited when ever anyone mentioned that Ryoma was with a girl. He had also tried to step Ryoma up with a couple of girls, but, Ryoma always declined his offer since he way in love with Sakuno.

He could not follow Sakuno and coach Ryuzaki since he was forced to board the train by a watchful Nanjiroh. So, he decided to call it a day and head home. He was so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed Yukimura sitting beside him.

"Fuji! What's up? How's practice going?" Yukimura asked pulling him out of his dream world.

"Yukimura!" Fuji said. He hadn't noticed him at all. "Practice? Yeah fine. I'm just heading home early. I saw you talking to Ryuzaki sensei today. Is something wrong with your team?"

"No, no! Nothing like that I was just enquiring about the French open status. I also had to find out who would be supervising Rikkaidai's practices. Did you know that the dates will not be announced so you guys can show up at any time and we'll just have to be prepared?"

"Is that so? Well the it applies vice- versa so you have nothing to worry about."

"Good to meet you Fuji! Don't bother lightening up on us. We've only gotten stronger since the national tournament."