Chapter 18: Victory's Consequence

Little Falcon: I'm back!!! Hopefully, this time it's for good. We'll see. Sorry for the long wait I sincerely wish you didn't forget about me. Off to the latest chapter! Read and review like always.

Standard Disclaimer:I don't own this series. If I did, I'd be the happiest person on earth. All I own was the idea.

His hand shook as his fingers tightened around his racket. The tennis ball on his other hand let out a pitiful squeak as the player tried to focus all his energy into this game. For a moment he closed his amber eyes to block out the cheering of the crowd, the whistle of the umpire or even the beating of his own heart. When he thought everything had finally settled, he opened his eyes, let the ball fly in the air then hit it expertly towards the opposite court.

"What the hell was that shot, Echizen?" the Seigaku dunk smasher, Momoshiro, said under his breath as he and his teammates saw how the ball sloppily made it inside the court and how easily it can be returned. What the hell is wrong with him? He was fine a while ago… he continued to watch his lower classman compete so unusually.

Several hours ago…

The ringing on the other line continued as Ryoma waited for a human reply. It was the day of the championship yet the usual thrill of his incoming game was overwhelmed by his need to hear her voice even on the phone.

It has been a week since the Seigaku team left Tsubaki's mansion. Seven long days since he last saw and talked to her. In truth, the Seigaku protégé had tried getting in touch with her several times but each and every time it had been Azuma, the old woman's son, who told him that Sakuno was either at work or at school. Well, he knew how busy she is when they were living under the same roof but he still wants to have a small amount of her time all for himself but it seems that wasn't possible.

He was about to out the receiver back when he heard an old woman's voice answer the phone. "Hello, Tsubaki-san? It's Ryoma, can I talk to Sakuno?" there was an excited tone in his words that he can hardly believe came from him.

"Ryoma-san, I'm so glad you called. I don't know who to call and what to do anymore," the sheer worry on Tsubaki's voice erased all his elation instantly. Suddenly, he felt like his stomach was turning inside out and that small unnamed fear chewing on his heart ever since he lost sight of her suddenly grew and was swallowing every beat.

"What's the matter?" He swallowed back while wishing that his guts weren't right this time. Please let her be okay.

"She's gone. Sakuno's gone. My son, Azuma, said she left but somehow I find that hard to believe," Who can blame her? She was torn between her worry for Sakuno and her trust in Azuma's words. Several days ago, this was the news that welcomed her return from the hospital. Tsubaki tried asking everyone around who can help her find her foster granddaughter slash partner but to no avail.

As he answered her queries and offered her help, he was already leaning at the telephone pole for support. His breath got caught in his throat as he struggled to speak at the same time breathe. Why didn't you wait for me? You said…

"Oi, o-chibi! The game's starting!" the acrobatic player, Eiji, waved at him from a distance as his other teammates waited for him by the court.

His teammates needed him and that was reason enough why he was still at the courtside watching them compete. But why is it that he feels he's betraying himself every step of the way? Like him being there was wrong?

Now…

Never in his life did he felt that he was wasting time standing inside a tennis court, not until now. Every returned ball, every point, everything seemed utterly worthless. Nothing but a waste of time. Something that keeps him from getting what he really wanted. A sharp whistle yanked him back from reverie.

"Pull yourself together. What do you think she'll do if she was in your position?" His old coach muttered as they sat on the same bench before another set begins. Slowly, Echizen raised his eyes from the ground to the person sitting beside him.

From afar she may look like the usual- sitting straight with her arms crossed, but at a closer look, you would see her fists were clenched and her eyes were unfocused. "When did you know about…" he mumbled while keeping his cool façade.

"Right after your call," Coach Ryuuzaki immediately replied. "Now, get your act together so when you face her you have something to say,"

Those words were like a splash of cold water on his face. As the umpire signaled for the next set, everyone was surprised to see his signature arrogant smirk on his face together with his nearly perfect play. Without fail, Echizen Ryoma caught up and finally won the last game to make it a match and to declare Seigaku as the new Champion.

The almost deafening cheers together with the thundering applause held no appeal to him as he made his way to his team. For a moment, his amber eyes saw a man who's wearing a crisp black suit despite the hot weather. Their eyes met for a moment before the stranger looked down to dial his phone and began to walk away.

Victory cheers for the new champion were still in the air when the call connected. "You better be standing on that pedestal when I get there, Sakuno." His tone was almost fatherly when he said his threat.

"So Seigaku won…" a smile made its way to her beautiful face as she put on her skates. "Thanks, manager," Flipping her phone shut, she took one last in the mirror before stepping out of the room. Omedetou (Congratulations)…Seigaku…Ryoma-kun…

"The last contestant is Miss Ryuuzaki Sakuno," the announcer continued with the introductions followed by. "Every contestant seems to have given it all for a slot to skate in the competition abroad that will be judged by some scouts from the Olympics itself,"

Now, it's my turn… the spotlight focused on her form as she elegantly made her way to the center of the rink. The music started and thus her skates glided through the ice. Ryoma-kun… watch me…

Little Falcon: Read and review please…