Chapter 26: The End Game

Little Falcon: I've realized that reality is a part of life I cannot ignore therefore I'm not making anymore excuses as to why I am so delayed. If you're still reading my babble then it only means that you still haven't lost hope that I'll return. And for that, I thank you. Oh, here's the second to the last chapter of this story so please enjoy.

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

Staring at their linked hands, she just had to ask "Were you surprised?" The Ryuugan princess lifted her gaze to meet his amber eyes and when she did, her heart made a delightful skip seeing his handsome smirk up close.

Soon after her awarding, they hurriedly went back to the hospital to check-up on Tsubaki before finally having the time to talk. The fallen cherry blossom petals scattered like confetti all over the hospital grounds as they relished the company of each other. "You can say that…" his feet abruptly stopped walking and so did hers. "Why didn't you tell me?"

The evident hurt in his usually arrogant tone made her wince inwardly. She hated the fact that she had the ability to wound his pride so easily but also, she felt a bit of exhilaration by realizing that she had that effect on him. Shaking her head slowly, her eyes apologized ahead before her words were delivered. "Ryoma-kun, I'm sorry but it wasn't my secret to tell," her words were trembling as she averted her gaze as if in shame.

Feeling such an idiot, the Seigaku prince kicked himself mentally a couple of times because he brought up something unnecessary. "I wasn't just talking about Tsubaki or Saiga Toushiro," he gingerly titled her chin to let him see her face. Even if she's about to cry, she still has the ability to make me wanna kiss her. Damn it! Discreetly, he gritted his teeth to hold himself back from doing just that.

"I'm sorry, Ryoma-kun," That gleam of solid determination in her chestnut brown eyes made him suck his breath in awe. "…but there are things that only I can do… there are things I have to prove to myself in order to stop myself from self-destructing out of too much self pity," she did not stutter nor even blink as she explained with a confident tone that one could only make if they were so certain of something.

It took a few moments for him to react. It wasn't what she said but how she said it that stunned him out of words. It was only then did it really dawn to him that the woman before him has the courage and determination of no other person he has ever met. For the second time today, he felt stupid for having to realize it only because of the situation they were put in. "So… are you done confirming your doubts about yourself?" Inwardly, he pleaded for her to reply with something along the lines of yes.

Chewing her lower lip, Sakuno then nodded her head.

"Good, 'because I don't think I can stay on the sidelines any longer," just like that his conceited tone was back with a vengeance.

Without warning, she threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. "Thank you… thank you so much…" tears came automatically, feeling him return her gesture at a greater fervor. It wasn't just simple gratitude because he was able to save her foster grandmother's life, no, it wasn't just for that. It was for everything… for waiting… for understanding… and for simply being here at this moment. No one, absolutely no one was necessary for her existence but his.

Although his ears heard her thanks his eyes saw the honest and overwhelming love in her eyes, proven further by the way she clung to him and cried so openly. I love you… I love you so much… his heart heard. It was all he needed to hear before he drew back and sealed her lips with his in the most passionate yet gentle manner that made the world disappear around them. No kind of win would ever bring him this contentment. The one that makes him feel so high he felt like flying as his heart beats for a whole new different reason. His chest was tight and he almost can't breathe but he didn't care. Never wanting to end this moment Ryoma embraced her closer and kissed her deeper.

Their serene moment was interrupted by a combination of cheers and jeers of familiar voices from a distance. As the couple broke their contact, they saw the whole Seigaku team together with a few friends from other universities grinning at them and still howling like wild dogs while pumping their fists in the air just for tease.

"Echizen, you bastard, get away from my little sister!" The ever protective step-brother, Akaya, elbowed his way though the crowd but was pulled back by Momo and Kaido. Ryoma smirked mockingly at him then stole another kiss from Sakuno that made her blush like a ripe tomato, made Kirihara furious like a mad bull and made the gang rowdy in enthusiasm.

When the storm had finally calmed, Sakuno explained most if not all of the things that needed explaining but she let the Ryuugan prince, who also joined the fray, tell his part of the truth.

Everyone was shell-shocked by the amount of secret Sakuno had been keeping in her closet but they were also incredibly astounded that she was able to hold it together despite everything that had happened. Truly, she wasn't the former Sakuno they knew her to be.

"I'm going to go public with my current health condition. Keeping it a secret has caused too much pain especially for you. Its better to blow my cover now before it blows on my face later on. However… can I have one last favor from you?"

The sun way half passed setting when the renowned Ryuugan princess left the hospital from visiting the recovering Tsubaki. All the way she was in deep thought about what kind of request Saiga Toushiro would ask of her. Today was the last day before the awarding… before the participants of the tournament go back to their hometown… before the Ryuugan prince would divulge his shady persona to the press and ruin his tennis career forever.

In the back of her head, she wanted to stop him and tell him that no one has to know but it would be an insult to the both of them since they knew that doing it his way the only option left for him. Of course, there's therapy but you can never say one's fully healed from a mental condition- the question of relapse would always be present, making you still abnormal in the eyes of others. Finally, Sakuno decided to support him with his risk with a proud smile on her lips. "Whatever happens… you're still a damn good tennis player," that statement sounded more like a promise than an encouragement.

He was on the center of the court when she saw him- with those bright sapphire eyes staring at the red orange sunset that emphasized his unruly fiery locks. This wasn't the first time she understood why almost the whole female population of their university are crazy about him. Although her heart did skip a beat, it was very different from the way she feels when she sees her real prince. It was a shallow jump compared to a high leap. Not wanting to disturb his peace, she entered the court and stood by the sidelines and watched the same twilight.

A quiet smile formed on her lips as her peripheral vision took note of her own tennis gear on a nearby bench. With the way things are looking, she was almost certain of what that favor is. So without him even asking, she grabbed her things and changed in a nearby locker room. Moments after, she was in her Ryuugan tennis uniform- skirt, shirt and all. Her eyebrows shot up upon seeing who had joined them in the court.

"I'm assuming you're not planning on starting this game with two against one," he wove his fingers through his dark curly locks while not losing that sarcastic aura. Apparently, he views the other person as another threat to his beloved step sister. And to add fuel to the fire, he was standing beside the other threat he pertains to.

"Just so you know, I'm doing this only because I know she owes you a lot," Mirroring his companion's lack of enthusiasm, he tipped the brim of his cap before his amber eyes went wide in seeing another player enter the field.

Her confused gaze went from her lover, to her step-brother and finally to the one responsible for it all. Without any explanation, she understood everything perfectly. "Interesting," standing beside Toushiro. "I always wanted a match with these two," then putting her hand on her hips she smiled brightly.

"Well then, Ryoma-san… onii-chan, please don't make it easy for us," the red haired prince finally talked as he walked over to them and extended his hand for that camaraderie gesture.

"DON'T CALL ME BROTHER!" Kirihara Akaya was already steaming when he shook hands with him more forceful than usual.

"Don't you dare hold back, Ryoma-kun," Sakuno did the same as Toushiro.

There it is… is signature arrogant smirk. "Made mada dane," together with his signature one liner.

It was an unofficial game. No whistles, no umpires just plain hit and serve but the tension was immense! With the way both teams played, it wasn't surprising that by the first half of the game there were already a number of spectators cheering from behind the fence not to mention the frequent flashes of the numerous sports reporters that also joined the commotion.

It was highly unusual for Akaya and Echizen to have a perfect synchronization just like the golden pair however; it was their mutual possessive nature towards Sakuno that drove them towards the same path.

Meanwhile, Sakuno and Toushiro were not to be outdone. His explosive techniques together with her graceful yet powerful strokes earned them quite a great response from the audience and, of course, a few significant points.

The deciding shot was Echizen's cyclone smash which was expertly received by Toushiro whoever, the force was so great his racket flew out of his hands and slid out of court. There was a few seconds of stillness before that ear-splitting cheer from the uninvited crowd.

Sakuno glanced at the fallen prince then towards their opponents. She addressed their victory with a meek bow and two thumbs up. Thundering applause came soon after.

As the winners of the great event stepped up stage and were awarded individually, she clutched her chest roughly as her eyes never left the sole sponsor of the event that was standing firmly behind the podium.

"While I truly commend the skills of our champions, there is another reason why I decided to go up stage…" Toushiro's blue eyes gleamed with uncontestable truth and unwavering determination as he spoke. His voice was steady and loud… no one dared to interrupt. By the time, he was done. Everyone seemed as if they forgot how to breathe.

A single clap made everyone jerk awake. Unexpectedly, it didn't come from Sakuno but from someone up stage… with his unruly dark green hair and amber eyes.

Tears flowed from her eyes automatically as she, too, did the same and soon after, everyone was clapping their hands. She threw an encouraging look at Toushiro and a truly grateful gaze at Ryoma. Thank you… thank you so much. Honestly, if it wasn't for him, she wouldn't have found it in herself to step up for the Ryuugan prince.

When the deception was over, only that sincere apology was left. Saiga Toushiro's heartfelt confession was caught on tape and went viral in a matter of hours. Supports from far and wide to let him keep his professional career were astounding. But in the end, it was Toushiro who decided to let go of being pro and focus more on getting better and counseling people his age who are experiencing the same issues as him. Who better to teach them what to do than from one who has experienced it all, right?

His amber eyes still automatically glances at that part of the court where she always stands when he was playing. And although his mind had already understood that she is miles away, there are still things that he does out of habit and no matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to get rid of it. With the expected absence of the person he wishes to see, a discreet sigh escaped his lips as he concluded the practice game with a stupendous smash.

"What's the matter, ochibi-chan?" The acrobatic Seigaku player tilted his head in inquiry as they exchanged the customary handshake after the game.

"Hm?"

"You've been pretty distracted since the beginning of the game and this isn't the best you've got, that much I know," coming from someone who's seen his games since his entry into their team.

"It's nothing really," he murmured feeling a little ashamed about not focusing on the game. In any type of sports, whether it was just training or the real deal, it's unspoken courtesy to your opponent and a favor to yourself to keep your head in the game however, this time, he was completely thinking of something or someone else.

How long has it been anyway? A month? No… it's just been a week for crying out loud? The old faucet gave an audible screech before it released the cool water to soak cool his head. Yes, its only been a week since their return and not once, did he not think of the one that he left be behind… correct that, it's supposed to be the one that chose not to return. Even without her explaining, there are a lot of things she can't give up there- prestigious medical scholarship, financial partnership with Tsubaki and a few more things he no longer cares to enumerate. It was her decision… that is what he kept saying to himself from the moment they boarded the plane back home and up until this moment. It was her decision to stay…

"Ryoma-sama!" A familiar voice called out for him from a distance. With his trained eyes, he caught sight of Horio's girlfriend, Osakada Tomoka, running towards him with urgency in her usually carefree tone. By the time, she was in front of him she had to catch her breath a few seconds while trying to explain something then "Come with me, NOW!"

It wasn't because he feels that this girl will drag him by the throat if he doesn't follow, it was one of those things he does without reason. So here he was, tailing Tomoka towards the girl's Tennis courts. "W… who the hell are you, lady? I've never heard a member of the Seigaku Girl's Tennis team THIS strong!" A young man about a few year his senior stumbled out of the courts as soon as the pair came into view.

Wearing the signature brick red jersey, he recognized him as a captain of the emerging university that was said to be the newest rival of Seigaku. A few other members wearing the same uniform came running out of the court in cold sweat as if something life-threatening was coming after them.

His amber eyes widened in shock as he turned towards the sole player left on the court. "Oh, that's what I was trying to say to you before you challenged me… against your whole team… I'm just here to register for the Tennis club, I'm not a regular… nor am I a member. My friend just lent me her uniform,"

"Awww, don't feel bad about losing to a girl, boys. After all, that girl you so openly challenged, is the Ryuugan princess, Kirihara Sakuno," Tomoka's sarcastic tone was so very evident even with her sweet demeanor and innocent smile.

"Did you say… Ki…kirihara…Sakuno? Then… she's also… Kirihara Akaya's…" their faces began to lose color.

"Uhuh, that's Akaya's precious little sister," the playful wink from her was the final blow to make the intruders race out of the university property.

The gentle breeze blew stands of her stylish wavy locks as her chestnut brown eyes coasted from her tennis racket to him. The way she gently bit her lower lip was so adorable his knees began to feel weak but still he walked over to her, his zealous gaze never letting her go.

Meeting him halfway, her heart got stuck in her throat as he was within arm's reach. "I thought you had things working there for you…" God, how she missed his deep, bossy voice.

"Well, apparently, people there were prepared to kick me on the next flight out even if I chose to stay," forcing a laugh that failed, she then inched closer. "The thing is… I changed my mind,"

"I'm glad you did. You save me the trouble of going back there to get you…" Without warning, Ryoma pulled her into his arms and kissed her senseless until she was clinging to him for air. "I love you, Ryuuzaki Sakuno," pressing his forehead against her, he said it without hesitation and with affection in his heart.

"And I love you Echizen Ryoma…" how long had she dreamed of this moment? Pictured it in every waking day? No matter how long… it was well worth it because now its no longer a dream.

"Just to remind you… I'm Kirihara Sakuno now," she teased in between his stolen pecks.

"Doesn't matter… you're gonna change your last name very soon anyway," not waiting for her reply, he swept her off her feet and sealed their lips once more.

Little Falcon: One last chapter and then were done! Don't hold back, keep you reviews coming until the end. Arigato!