Disclaimer: I don't own Prince of Tennis, even though I wish I did~! I actually don't need the whole series, I just need Tezuka-buchou :3. Sadly, he doesn't belong to me. ;c
It's been a good three years since Usagi Rin had left for London, leaving behind her best and only friend: Tezuka Kunimitsu. Before she left, the two of them had gotten into a heated argument that questioned their friendship through the years. Kunimitsu, being young without any control of his emotions, ended up yelling at Rin saying hurtful things that he later ended up regretting. Since then, he swore that if he were to ever see her again, he would make things right between them.
"Oi…Okaa-san, when did you say we're heading back to Japan again?" asked a fourteen year old Rin. She had just walked halfway down the set of stairs before pausing halfway, looking down at her mother who was finishing the last of the packing.
"I told you Rin, I'm not going. You're going to be leaving tomorrow morning and heading to japan to stay with your Ojii-san. Did you pack everything like I asked you to?" her mother replied with a hint of irritation creeping in her voice.
"…Yeah. I don't see why I have to head back though. Why aren't you coming along again…?" asked Rin, slightly hurt because it seemed like her mother wanted to be rid of her.
"Your Ojii-san just misses you, that's all. I'm not going because I have to stay here and work. I just want you to visit him, is that too much to ask? Dinner's on the table and I'll be home in a few hours. Be good, don't wreck the house while I'm gone," her mother replied blatantly before putting on her shoes and heading out the door.
After her mother left the house, Rin released a sigh and headed down the rest of the stairs to the kitchen. She went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of iced tea before heading back upstairs to her room. There, in her room, she turned on the laptop and checked her email. Everyday it was the same, she would wake up, do her morning routines, say bye to her mother, head to school, go to tennis club after school, head home tired, shower, do homework, check her email, eat dinner, then sleep. Honestly, it was all too repetitive to her. It was only a few days ago that her mother had received a phone call from her Ojii-san saying that he wanted Rin to come visit him and stay for a year. Rin didn't want to head back to Japan, but her mother had insisted enough to the point of where Rin had to agree to stop her mother from pestering her. It wasn't a light decision, of course. Moving to Japan again would mean starting over, meeting new people, going to a new school, and trying to find her place.
'I haven't seen Ojii-san in a long time. Over the phone, he sounds like he's aging well…At least he's still active enough to walk to the park everyday to play Shogi with Tezuka-san. That makes me wonder…how is Kunimitsu-chan doing? Bah, he's probably too old to be called 'chan' now. Kunimitsu-kun…that sounds better, I suppose. Hopefully things haven't changed that much," Rin pondered as she continued checking over her email. She was about to go and read the last email before her stomach decided that it was time to eat. She got up, fixed her shirt and PJ bottoms, and headed downstairs to eat dinner.
After dinner, she ran back upstairs and read the last message. It was from her Tou-san. Apparently, her father had been living a good life without her and her mother, it seems, because he had expressed the wealth and luck he had gained from the new family he started. He also told her that she was to expect a half brother soon, as his wife was expecting. While reading this, Rin thought that she could honestly care less. That man had decided to abandon his own family and went off to start a new one. For all she cares, he can do whatever he wanted as long as it didn't involve her. Reading the email and coming up with a reply for it was time consuming. By the time Rin was finished, it was about three in the morning. Her mother had gotten home quite some time ago, probably about two hours to be exact. Rin decided it was time to sleep, as she had to get up early to catch her flight to Japan.
"Rin, wake up! We're late! Come on!" her mother yelled frantically as she tried to put the luggage into the car while organizing things for Rin.
"Huh…? Okaa-san, what are you talking about? The flight's at eight. It's only…crap! It's seven forty! Oh man, oh man! I knew I shouldn't have stayed up that late!" she yelled as she rushed to put on decent clothes, brush her teeth, and fix her appearance.
"Baka, didn't I tell you the night before to sleep early since your flight's early in the morning! Come on now! I've got everything packed and ready! We just need to head to the airport! Pray that there isn't any major traffic!" her mother yelled to Rin as she hopped in the driver's seat. Shortly after, Rin ran hopped into the passenger seat of her mother's car. Once Rin was in the car, her mother stepped on the gas of the car and they both sped off to the airport.
"Ja, well see you Okaa-san! I'll make sure to call and check in with you every now and then! Take care of yourself, you hear? Don't do anything drastic while I'm gone! Miss you! Bye!" yelled Rin from the airport terminals. After leaving the terminals, she prepared to board the plane. Finally getting on the plane after baggage and security checks, she sat in her designated seat.
'Ah…it's going to be a long flight…' Rin thought to herself as she look out of the airplane window with disinterest. Eventually, the never ending stream of clouds that passed by lulled her to sleep.
By the time she had arrived at the Japanese airport, it had started getting dark. She could tell dawn was approaching. It was a good thing about her mother speaking Japanese at home because at least she remembered some of her native tongue. Speaking in a non-fluent Japanese dialect, she was able to call a cab to drop her off at her grandfather's home.
Getting out of the cab, Rin then deposited about fifty yen into the driver's outreached hand.
"Arigatou, have a good night," Rin told the driver as he drove off. Turning around, she faced the house that he had gotten accustomed to calling 'home' three years ago. The two corners of her mouth twitched upwards into a small grin. "I'm home Ojii-san," she said to herself.
Rin walked up to the front door and knocked gently, footsteps could be heard coming from behind the door. Soon, the door opened up to reveal an old man with sandy, salt and pepper hair in his late fifties. The old man narrowed his eyes, and then opened them again wider once he realized who he was staring at.
"My! Is that you Rin? You've grown up remarkably! It only seemed like yesterday you were my little seven year old girl that would walk with me to the park, hand in hand. Ah, time seems to fly by, and it has done nothing but blossom you into a young woman," said Ryota as his face contorted into a small grin. Rin couldn't help but blush at the comment. It's not everyday that she was complimented on her looks.
"Arigatou, Ojii-san. Time has done nothing but made you wiser it seems. I really do miss this place. It brings back memories…," she said as her thoughts started drifting off. Her grandfather noticed this and his grin faltered.
"Now, now, Rin. This is a new start for you. After all, it's been three years since you last came here with your Okaa-san. Don't fret; I've taken care of your school enrollments for you. I hope you're fine with enrolling in Seishun Gakuen Jr. High, because your Okaa-san told me how much you've taken to tennis. I hear their tennis club is really something," her Ojii-san smiled as he helped her grab her belongings and bring them into the house. Rin smiled once she heard that her grandfather was enrolling her to a school that was known for its tennis team.
"Arigatou! It really means a lot to me, tennis, that is. It's the only thing that's been with me for all of these years, besides Okaa-san of course." Rin then turned around and gazed upon her new room. "Whoa…this room is smaller than it looked three years ago," Rin stated as she gazed upon the old pictures of when she was younger. She particularly focused on one picture that was still on the dresser. Rin walked over and picked it up, wiping away the dust that had gathered over the years. It was a picture of a younger version her and Kunimitsu, standing next to each other holding their tennis racquets. Younger Rin had a small smile plastered on her face and Kunimitsu's face was stoic as ever. Not even one smirk or grin. Rin couldn't help but smile at the memories that came flooding back to her. Her smile stopped when she remembered the last angry words he said to her. Her hand's grip loosened on the photo. It slipped out of her hand and shattered on the floor.
"Oh dear, Rin are you alright? I heard glass shattering from the other room? You aren't hurt are you?" Her worried grandfather came rushing in with concern written all over his face.
"…I'm fine Ojii-san, sorry to worry you. Butterfingers, you know? Heheh, I don't have a good grip I guess," Rin said as she put on a fake smile to ease her grandfather's worries.
"If you say so…Come now, we're just in time to catch my favorite show on the television. You head out first; I'll clean this mess up for you. There's food and drinks in the fridge, help yourself to some."
Rin nodded and a silent 'thank you' was sent his was as she exited the room. Once she left, Ryota let his smile fall and looked down at the pile of broken glass scattered on the floor. The room had remained untouched ever since Rin left three years ago. He just had a feeling she was going to need the room again, but he didn't know it'd be this long before she finally came home. Ryota walked over to the pile of glass on the floor and picked up the frame in the middle of it. He gently brushed off the small pieces of glass and looked at the photo. It was the photo of Rin and Kunimitsu when they were only eight. It had been awhile since he last saw Kunimitsu. Ryota recalled the last time he saw Kunimitsu was when he had told him that Rin moved to London with her mother. Ever since then, Kunimitsu stopped coming out to the park with Kunikazu. Ryota even asked Kunikazu what was wrong with the boy and Kunikazu's reply was simple and to the point.
"He misses her."
At that answer, Ryota only scoffed and wore a smirk. It was obvious, and shame on him for not thinking of it earlier without Kunikazu's help.
The current Ryota gripped the picture's frame harder, wishing that whatever had transpired between them was fixed over the years, or had lessened to an extent. He just didn't want to see the two best of friends fighting or holding grudges. It just didn't seem like them.
After cleaning up the mess of glass on the floor, Ryota walked out into the living room to see Rin fast asleep on the couch, the television on, and countless bags of unopened chips lying around her. Ryota just simply smiled before heading off to go get a blanket and pillow for her. Once he did, he gently lifted her head and placed the soft pillow under her head. He then lifted the thick blanket over her whole body, tucked her in, then kissed her forehead before turning off the television and getting ready for bed himself.
The next morning came and the first person awake in the Usagi household was none other than Ryota. After all, the elderly do tend to wake up earlier than younger people. What surprised Ryota was that shortly after he woke up, Rin was awake as well, sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal.
"Morning Ojii-san," Rin said, not lifting her eyes from the television. Ryota's footsteps faltered and he slowly turned around.
"Oh? You're up this early Rin? I thought you'd sleep in like most other teenagers your age. I guess not. Well, I'm heading off to the park to play Tezuka-san in Shogi again. Would you like to tag along?" He asked, his eyes crinkling to fit his big smile.
"I guess so. It's Sunday after all, nothing to do. School doesn't start until tomorrow. Oh yeah, do you have my uniform for Seishun Gakuen already bought or do I have to go to a store later on my way home?"
"Oh, your mother already paid for your uniform. It should be in one of the unpacked boxes. I'll fetch it later for you. Come on now, we don't want to keep Tezuka-san waiting," Ryota said as he smiled and headed towards the door. Rin nodded, finished off her cereal, and then put the bowl on the sink. She ran to the front door, slipped on her tennis shoes, grabbed her tennis bag that was propped against the door, and sprinted off after her grandfather. Man, for an old guy, he sure is a fast walker. She practically had to sprint to catch up to him, and he was just walking lazily.
Once they arrived at the park, Rin could see that Kunikazu was sitting with his chin propped up on his arm again, like he always looks. Except this time, Kunikazu looked like he had gotten way older since his hair was almost all white and his skin seemed to have more wrinkles than ever.
Hearing footsteps, Kunikazu looked up to see Ryota with a young lady behind him. It seemed like a repeat of history since this has happened before, making him smirk.
"Oi, Ryota-san. Who's this young lady?" he asked, knowing perfectly the answer to his own question, but asking it just to annoy his long time friend.
"Saa Kunikazu-san, you can't tell who this is? She was with us for four years!" exclaimed Ryota, falling into Kunikazu's mind game.
"Hah, I know who it is Ryota-san. I was only toying with you. Oi Rin, you look older and more mature. It seems like the bud finally blossomed into a beautiful young woman," smiled Kunikazu as he watched her reaction. Rin's reaction was what he had expected. Her face lit up a bright red and she looked away.
"Arigatou, Tezuka-san," she said shyly as she continued to look away. She didn't like it when people complimented her looks; she felt it drew too much attention to her outer appearance rather than how she was on the inside.
"Ahah! Still the shy girl I see. Well, that's fine. Were you looking for Kunimitsu?" he asked, once again trying to read her reaction. However, instead of what he was expecting, her blushing stopped and her facial expressed dropped into a frown.
"…No, not really. I just wanted to come out today to see if anything changed while I was gone," she said as she bit her lip, but hid it.
Kunikazu's grin slipped a little before he mentally talked himself into smiling again because he was in front of Rin and Ryota. Her reaction was something he hadn't expected. He had expected her to smile or shy away and say something along the lines of missing Kunimitsu or wanting to spend time with him again. Not the opposite of it.
"Ah. I see. Well, much hasn't changed around here. It's still the same. Even the Shogi scores between your grandfather and I have stayed the same, I'm always one behind him, but yesterday I caught up! Now we're tied once more," he stated while smiling proudly. "What school are you enrolling into Rin?" asked Kunikazu.
"Seishun Gakuen Jr. High, Tezuka-san," she replied.
"Whoa! Really? Kunimitsu is currently attending that school too! Maybe you two will run into each other. Well then, I hope you have fun and meet new people at your new school Rin."
"Eheh, Arigatou again, Tezuka-san," Rin said as she turned towards her grandfather. "Ojii-san, I'm off to the tennis courts. Please come get me when you're leaving," Rin stated as she started to head off.
"No problem, kid. Go have fun and get reacquainted with those courts, it's been a while after all."
Rin reached the courts fairly quickly and opened the gate. She went to her usual place and took out her things. While she did, she couldn't help but smile at the memories that occurred at these courts. Putting aside the bad ones, she remembered the good times she had here as a child, such as falling on the grass while Kunimitsu had been chasing her.
Another memory she was fond of was sitting on the courts after a tiring practice with Kunimitsu, and asking him a question that had been bugging her for a while.
"Hey Mitsu-chan, do you ever wonder if we're going to be the same people we are today or are we going to change? Nyeeh! I hope I don't change! I want to stay the same!" complained a nine year old Rin.
"Don't worry about it, the last person I'd expect to change is you. Besides, if you did change, I'd still be your friend Rabbit-chan," Kunimitsu said as he looked over to her from where he was sitting. Rin smiled because he had used his nickname for her, since she didn't like saying 'Kunimitsu'. Also, her last name meant 'rabbit', so Kunimitsu had gotten used to calling her that after teasing her about it. Of course, since he teased her about it, she had gotten mad at him for a few days, but quickly got over it once he invited her out to play tennis the following week.
"Eh? Really Mitsu-chan? You'd be my friend even if I do change? Whoa! Arigatou Mitsu-chan! You're the best friend I can ever ask for!" Smiled Rin as she lunged over from where she was sitting and hugged Kunimitsu tightly. Being a boy, Kunimitsu stiffened and felt awkward.
"H-hey, get off of me...and it's no problem. I'm pretty sure you'd be my friend too if I changed…" Kunimitsu said silently while looking down at Rin.
"Ehh? Why wouldn't I be your friend Mitsu-chan? Hey, I've got an idea. Let's make a promise, no, no a pinky promise! That's how you know it's serious," said Rin with a pout and look of determination on her face.
"Pinky promise…? If you want Rabbit-chan, then I suppose I can," said Kunimitsu, fully aware that she was still hugging him and not letting go.
"Okay then! Let's promise that whatever happens, nothing will come between us as friends! Whether we change or decide to hate each other in the future, I want us to remain friends in any way we can…because honestly you're my best and only friend Mitsu-chan," Rin said as she dug her face into his chest, hiding her blush. Kunimitsu's lips lifted upwards a tiny bit into a small smirk.
"Hai, sure then. We'll be friends no matter what, pinky promise. H-hey Rabbit-chan…you're my best and only friend too, so I don't want to lose you either," said Kunimitsu as he blushed and looked behind him, avoiding eye contact with her. After a few minutes, he slowly glanced back to see her gleaming hazel orbs looking up to his dark brown ones.
"Heh, pinky promise to you too Mitsu-chan," Rin said, then grabbed his left pinky and shook it with her left pinky. She then smiled and looked over to the entrance of the tennis courts. "Oi, it's getting dark again. Let's go," she said as she got up and extended her hand to Kunimitsu.
"Y-yeah," he said as he grabbed her hand and helped himself up.
Rin smiled at the memory that just flashed before her eyes. She remembered that back then, pinky promises were very important to her, and she strived to keep them all with the people she made promises with.
'I wonder if Kunimitsu-kun still remembers the pinky promise…' Rin thought. 'Probably not as it most likely doesn't mean anything to him anymore...'
Rin glanced at the tennis courts one last time before heading back to the Shogi area to catch up with her grandfather.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, I've been busy with other things lately. :| I'm also working on two other stories so I'm trying to balance it out. Updates, I think, should be between one or two weeks depending on my schedule and how much free time I have. Chapter three will hopefully be out soon as I have written it, and it just needs proofreading. Thanks for waiting! c: