Konnichiwa! I'm here again with a new chapter. Just a brief information of the title: I know that some of you are familiar with the title. And yes, you are quite right: This is definitely a song of one of my favorite seiyuus, Junko Minagawa. Actually, it is my no. 1 favorite song of hers. I made twists but it is related to the song. Please enjoy:

Disclaimer: I do not own 'ang Prinsipe ng Tennis'. Just sharing the anime that I like. I also do not own the song. It is Junko Minagawa's

Chapter 6: Koko Dake No Hanashi

Chapter Summary: He helped her. He gave her motivation. She was overwhelmed when he offered help to her, the thing that she never expected that could happen. The other, for the first time, he felt..

Sunday, a typical day for people and of course for some tennis players whose thought of having no practice on a typical day was quite boring. A certain young lad with cat-like eyes was actually thinking the same thing. He was bored already. He wanted to practice and he was already bored at home. He thought of leaving the house for a walk. He brought his tennis with him, just in case. Karupin walked to him and ask for comfort. He kneeled down to his cat and gave it a quick brush.

"I'll leave for a while, be sure to eat your food, ne." He said to his cat that replied with a 'meow'.

He went downstairs and saw his father who was reading his 'traditional book'.

"Oi, seishounen, where are you going?" the legendary tennis player asked him.

"Practice." He replied with a single word.

"…Even on Sunday? Don't overexert yourself; you will eventually meet my level." He said proudly.

"che." That's all he said. He met her mother in the living room and said that he will be off for a while.

"Take care, Ryoma. Be back before lunch, ok." Rinko said.

He nodded as he let himself sweep of his feet to the court.

He made his way to a particular court, the one that he rarely sees because of some reasons. But because of some incident, he rarely visits the place these days. He accidentally discovered a certain braided pigtailed girl in that court last Friday night. She was taking extra practices after their trainings. And this Sunday, his instinct didn't fail him. He didn't know if this is some kind of coincidental, well probably not but he saw her there again. The sun was just rising up and she was already sweating.

Just since what time did she start practicing here? He thought. He hid himself pretty far from the court but he could see her clearly. His eyes were probably useless if he couldn't use it wisely. He doesn't want to bother the innocent girl. He made a fine smirk before he left the place leaving the court to her.

Wednesday:

Sumire called the attention of the both clubs. "The training for today will be finished early than we do everyday. We need to gather information for the nationals and I need your coach's assistance for today."

Murmurs can be heard on the crowd.

"You can take a break after the practice." Tezuka said.

Sakuno was a little sad about the announcement. So the training will end a little early today. But she will have a lot of time to practice alone. She thought that it will be fine as long as she remembers the things that Fuji taught him. The subject of her thought was actually looking at her, noticing the sad look in her eyes.

Sumire clapped her hands three times. "Now, time to practice, we will have a merge training right away. Give all your best."

"Hai!" the sound was duplicated in unison.

Sakuno examined everyone. She saw the girl with the long beautiful hair flirting with Ryoma. She smiled pretty wild. But the tennis prodigy didn't pay attention to them.

"Ryoma-sama, please teach me how to play. Please." The girl said.

Ryoma just shut his eyes as he was tying his shoelaces. "You can ask someone else."

"B-but I want you to teach me." She said giving her sweetest voice to the boy.

The boy just stared at her with a stoic face. The girl was flinched a little but composed herself afterwards when she saw him getting a racket. Sakuno saw that, she was shocked when she saw the girl looking at her giving her a devilish smirk. She looked in a different direction, she felt like she was being mocked. Unknown to her knowledge, Ryoma was actually looking at her sideways. He closed his eyes afterwards. Fuji was actually doing the same thing. He saw the situation. A tense was definitely created between the three. Fuji felt a little jealous upon seeing how Sakuno looked at the young tennis prodigy. Ryoma returned to where the girl was. He gave the racket to her. The girl gave him a sweet smile as she said her thanks to him.

"Do you know what that thing is?" he asked.

"Eh?" the girl wondered why he asked him that. "Y-yeah, …a tennis racket."

"un." He raised his racket swinging it back and forth. "This is how you use a racket." And then he took out a ball from his pocket and gave her a demo about hitting it. "And that is how you hit a ball, understand?" Ryoma looked at her with an expressionless face. "Even an elementary kid can do that, and I know that you can too." The girl was stunned and shocked on his actions. He left her stiffened like that.

"Oi, Ochibi. That was quite rude to the girl. Why did you do that?" Eiji said when Ryoma approached his senpais.

Ryoma did say nothing to his senpai.

"Yeah, we should cooperate to them. This is the reason why we had this merge training." Momo added.

"Then teach that girl if you are worried." Ryoma said as he sat on the bench. His senpais lectured him but he doesn't care, he won't bother understanding their words.

"Echizen! 100 laps in the oval now!" Tezuka ordered him.

Ryoma stood up without causing a sound. He started running in the oval. He smirked, thinking about liking to run a hundred laps for the first time. It is better than to teach someone who use tennis for a nonsense pleasure. He thought.

xxx

The training as expected was finished earlier. They started to patch things up. Sakuno was thinking of going there right away when someone tapped her on her shoulder.

"I'll take you home today." Fuji said beside her.

"E-eh?" She blushed. "B-but I'—"

"Come on, Sakuno-chan. Are you going to decline my offer?" Fuji pleaded.

"Go for it, Ryuzaki-chan. It's only a date—walk" Eiji was whacked by Momo and quickly changed his words.

Sakuno was forced to agree. She at least gave it a try. She just has to act normal and everything will be alright. She smiled genuinely to them and to Fuji.

Ryoma saw how they rejoiced. He also saw how the girl smiled naturally to them. He fixed his hat. He was irritated when he heard that she agreed to him about taking her home.

"Oi, Echizen, you are not going yet?" Momo asked him.

"I will practice more." He said straight.

"Alright, if you are done, drop by to Kawamura's, I'll treat you a hamburger."

"And sushi." He smirked.

Momo gave him a funny look and surrendered. "Hai,hai. You win." And his senpai left with the others.

He saw Sakuno who was walking along with Fuji. To his surprise, Fuji looked at his direction and gave him a smirk and at the same time, he held Sakuno's hand that made the girl blush a lot. He glared back to his senpai. He didn't show it but he hid his gritted teeth inside his lips. He was definitely good at hiding any emotion. He clenched his hands inside his pocket. He watched the two of them leaving the court until they were out of his sight. He sighed after that. He doesn't know what is happening to him when he witnessed that kind of situation. He doesn't like it… definitely.

xxx

It was awkward. He was still holding her hand while they were walking. She couldn't bring her courage to shake her hand off. Fuji was kind to her just to do only that. She blushed a lot but she doesn't know what to do.

"You can tell me anything if you are bothered about something, Sakuno-chan." She flinched when Fuji talked.

She shook her head. "I am fine F-fuji-kun, I am sorry to keep you worrying about me." She smiled at him shyly.

"Remember that I am always here; don't keep your problems to yourself." He reminded her.

"H-hai, t-thank you. Thanks a lot." She said to him.

"You should be like that. Don't let that smile disappear on your face." Fuji commented her while looking at a distance, he continued: "Your smile is definitely brings impact to every one of us, a smile that everyone will miss if you don't wear it."

She gasped when he said that to her. Everyone likes her smile. She didn't notice that. She was definitely worried. She looked down looking all red. If he keeps on pursuing her again on what was bothering her, she might afraid to tell him about the deal. And that is what she was worried about. They reached

Ryuzaki's residence:

"T-thanks for walking me home, F-fuji-kun." Sakuno said averting her eyes to avoid eye contact with him.

"Don't mention it, I wish to walk you again some time." Fuji said.

Sakuno nodded. The tensai stared at her for a long time. She was shocked when Fuji leaned lower to kiss her on her cheek while touching her other side of the cheek with his right hand. She turned crimson red after that kind of long kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then" He said as he waved goodbye to her. He smiled to see her reaction. I think I have a chance to her. He thought and he walked away.

Sakuno was stiffened. She unconsciously touched her cheek that Fuji kissed. She felt that her heart skip a bit. She never experienced this kind of feeling before but she was really afraid. Before she fall on either the two of them, she better kill her emotions before it blooms. Although, Ryoma has entered her heart… she tried to convince herself to forget about him. And she must do that… at all cost. She remembered the thing that she needed to do. She entered the house and after a couple of minutes she exited it again and went on her way to the court that people rarely passes by.

xxx

He kept himself busy by eating hamburgers and Sushi at Kawamura's. He wanted to forget what all happened today.

"Oi, Ochibi. Why are spacing there about?"

"Yeah, let's have fun." Momoshiro.

"Don't worry, it's Takeshi's treat, anyway." The son of the sushi restaurant owner said.

"I know, because I promised. But why do I have to treat HIM?" He said as pointed a certain teenager with a green bandanna sitting at the near corner.

"Why, do you have a complaint about you treating me? He said.

"Damn right, Mamushi" He replied back causing the two created a static communication. It made the atmosphere a bit tensed.

"Oi, stop that." Eiji tried to stop them. Ryoma just continued eating while the acrobatic player tried to stop the two and then he suddenly remembered something: "—Ahh!"

The two did stop fighting. Everyone looked at Eiji even Ryoma looked at him. "What's the matter?" Momo said.

Eiji went closer to Ryoma and stared at him. "W-what?" Ryoma retorted.

"...you are jealous, aren't you?" Eiji asked him suddenly.

Ryoma blinked his eyes twice. "What?" He repeated his limited word. Everyone at the restaurant was a bit confused but they had the hint what is Eiji trying to say.

"They walked together today. Ochibi, is jealous!" Eiji confirmed leaning a little closer to the young lad.

"Yeah, you are right." Momoshiro agreed while Kawamura nodded. Kaidoh just remained silent.

Ryoma replied with the deadliest glare he ever gave to them. Everyone instantly took a few steps backward. He stood up after a few seconds. "Thank you for the meal." He said keeping that aura with him as he left the store.

The people who were left behind just looked at each other and showed an agreement on their eyes as they nodded and expressing 'yap, he is jealous' statement.

xxx

It's only 5pm and he realized that this day was the longest for him. He was pissed already that everywhere he looked; he wanted to kick someone's butt. He couldn't calm himself in the inside despite his attitude on the outside. He didn't realize that he was heading to that court again until he heard someone practicing. C-could it be… He thought. He quickened his pace and hurriedly came over to the court. He was a bit shocked to see her there. She's here again. He didn't realize that she will be there again. He smirked as he watching her practicing on the wall. I really acknowledge her will of wanting to learn. I am really impressed. He thought. But he noticed something; she was losing her posture gradually. He sensed that something was not right.

xxx

Sakuno was tired and hungry but her will of wanting to practice more surfaced before her personal needs. She dribbled the ball again but only to lose concentration on the ball. She was a little tipsy when she tried to reach the ball that she missed. She finally grabbed it and looked at it. She found different colors into the ball. W-wait isn't the color of the ball neon-green? Why it has different colors now? She thought.

"Are you really looking at the ball? Your grip is weird." She flinched when someone talked. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the person.

"R-rryoma-kun!" Sakuno managed to say his name taking a few steps backward. "W-what are you…doing here?"

"I should be saying the same thing to you. Practice was long over." Ryoma said. A little concern can be seen in his eyes although it was not that expressive.

"I-I-" She couldn'tcontinue her words as she lose the grip of the ball to touch her forehead. Her vision was twirling until it all became blurred. The last thing she remembered was when he called her name.

xxx

"Ryuzaki!" He was alert. He was able to catch her head before hitting the ground. The girl passed out because of fatique, thirst and hunger. He carried her to the one of the benches there. He positioned her carefully. He kneeled near to her; knowingly he stared at the innocent girl for a long time. He noticed the stress she was having. She couldn't sleep at night, judging from her looks. He thought. The girl moved a little that made him flinched. Some strands of her hair fell on her face when she moved. Unconsciously, he placed the tips of his fingers to her face slowly and then he shifted them to the back of his hand, pushing back the strands of her hair out of her face.

Unknown to his knowledge, there was someone out there, who was accidentally dropped by and witnessing that scene. That person gritted his teeth as he clenched his hands. He saw how the boy caressed the girl's face. He can see it from the looks of the boy's eyes, fondly. Since he'd seen enough, he left the court without creating a sound.

"She's…cute." Ryoma suddenly uttered. His eyes widened. What did he say? Was he really saying that? He instantly moved away from the girl. He stared at his hand that he used of touching the girl. He couldn't believe himself. He shifted his stare at the girl once again. He sighed harshly. He couldn't leave the girl alone. He couldn't understand himself either.

9pm:

She suddenly woke up. The evening breeze she met was cold and a little chilly but something made the area a little warm. She noticed the jersey on her body as she sat up. It was someone's jersey. She noticed that someone was playing in the court. Her eyes widened when she recognized the person. He was practicing with her tennis on the wall. The prince of tennis was using her tennis racket. When he noticed that she was awake, he looked at her and said: "You slept like a log."

She pouted. "I'm sorry then."

"Why are you overexerting yourself like that? You should take a break." Ryoma said keeping his stationary face.

"I-I need to practice more. I want to win and I want to i-improve." Sakuno said trying not to stutter. …To be with you and with the others… and to continue playing tennis with all of you. She added in her thought.

Ryoma chose to be silent.

"I-I want to prove to everyone how much I dedicate myself to tennis." She also nodded.

"You don't need to prove it." Sakuno was shocked. So it was useless to him. He didn't see her determination about tennis.

"We all know about it." Ryoma continued when he noticed her sudden changed of expression.

Sakuno was overwhelmed when she heard that. She was thankful that he finally recognized her love for the tennis. She jumped into conclusion without waiting for him to finish his words.

"You still haven't answered my question yet?" Ryoma retorted.

Sakuno was somewhat confused. "I-I told you my reason…w-why-"

"No, you are not. Why are you pushing yourself on over such a deal?"

Sakuno gasped. "W-what are you… talking about?" She trembled when she heard that.

Ryoma stared at her before saying his words. "I was there, I heard everything."

She felt like she was poured a complete freezing water to her body. She couldn't say anything.

Flashback:

He knew where she was heading and he followed her there. When he saw her from the rooftop leaving the school premises, he felt like following her. He heard her sobbing in the park. The location was not far so he could hear her cry. He was about to appear when a group of girls hurriedly came to her from the opposite direction. He was halted from his original plan. Something's bad is going to happen. He thought as he stared at the innocent girl, who didn't have an idea about the upcoming danger.

"Ryuzaki!"

He was right; this was going to be a big problem, especially to that girl.

xxx

"I followed you after that incident and heard everything." Ryoma confirmed.

Sakuno was still stiffened. When she regained herself, she looked down. "Y-you should've heard that. I-I promise that I won't let anyone know. I-I even tried to act normal i-in front of e-everyone." She gripped both of her hands on her lap crumpling the layer of her skirt. "N-no one should know." She looked down trying to hold back her tears.

"I didn't know; I've discovered it."

"W-what am I going to do now? I-I need to practice. I still need to improve my skills or I-I-" She stuttered.

Ryoma grabbed both of her shoulders. "Calm down. You have improved a lot." Sakuno stared at his eyes. She began to cry. "Y-you are just trying to cheer me up, p-please stop it."

"Baka, I told you before, I won't recognize someone's tennis if that is going to be lame excuses. I don't see that in you. How can I think that when I always sees you here practicing until you worn yourself up so late at night?"

Both of them flinched at the same time. Sakuno was surprised at his words and Ryoma was shocked that he said that in front of her. They both distanced themselves. Not looking at each other.

"I'll help you." Sakuno flinched when the boy talked after a while. She shyly looked at the boy.

"Have you forgotten who I am?" Ryoma stared at her for a long time. There's no sign of stern look in his eyes but instead it's full of determination.

Sakuno's tears were freely running down her cheek when she heard that. She couldn't help crying in front of him. She wiped her tears with the back of her hands involuntarily.

"But you should return the favor of giving me a bento." Ryoma said offering his own handkerchief to her. He kept with a slight emotionless face.

She blushed a lot. She accepted his handkerchief and looked down while gripping his handkerchief tightly. "T-thank you, R-ryoma-kun... thanks a lot." She said.

Ryoma just watched the girl crying in front of him. "I'll take you home." Ryoma inserted. "Since I will be your coach on your special training, you will follow all of my orders. Go home today, eat and rest. Let's meet here on Friday night."

She nodded. She couldn't object him. He was right, she really needed to rest. She stood up. Giving his jersey back to him but to be wore on her again. She felt a little weak so Ryoma lead her carefully. She blushed on all of his actions. Without a word that coming from both of them, he took her home.

Thursday:

She was startled when she received a dead animal in a box that morning. It was left a written letter using a thick red ink saying:

'Know your limit. Do not talk to the senpais for long or you'll end up just like that animal we sent you. Remember, we are all watching you from afar.'

Without making a fuss, she went to the place where she can throw the box without anyone noticing her. She was worried already. There are only two months and half left before the competition began. She needed to tolerate their warnings until then.

Training Period:

She was sweating after some practice matches with her teammates. As expected she lost the game. She was a bit worried but she has improved a lot because of the tips Fuji suggested to her and she hasn't done everything yet. The upcoming training with Ryoma was coming as well. The thought made her blush. Thinking that she will be with Ryoma tonight makes her heart beats fast. She calmed herself. It's just training, Sakuno. Don't hope for something more. She thought. She sighed big and then looked around. She was a bit surprised when her eyes laid on Fuji. The tennis tensai was actually looking at her, differently. She noticed that he was odd today. Something was different from him and that confirmed her when he looked away. He was not the type of a guy to look away first; instead he will definitely wave at her while calling her name. She looked down as well. I guess this is better… before it's getting worst. She thought while feeling a bit upset of the sudden atmosphere in the court.

Friday Night:

Sakuno went ahead to the court. She noticed that the weather was bad. Her instinct was right. It started raining. It was light but it can make your body soak enough. Maybe he won't come. She thought sadly but that doesn't stop her from practicing. So amidst the light rain, she went to the open court and started practicing.

He was pissed that it started raining. He was soaking wet when returned home. He hated the rain because it hinders him from practicing. He was pissed not because of his usual reason, of all days that it chooses to rain, why does it have to be Friday? He then changed his clothes and walked with his umbrella as soon as he asked permission to stay late at night at a court practicing. He knew that she will go there despite the weather condition. And he was right himself, she's there and soaking wet already. This girl never ceases to irritate me. He thought. He called her attention.

"I didn't remember telling you that you could practice without my presence alone."

She flinched when she heard his voice. "R-ryroma-kun… I thought that y-you won't come tonight. S-so I-

"

"baka," He retorted. He went closer to her with the umbrella. "Practicing will be useless if you get sick."

Sakuno looked down. He was right. She was so stupid. She was always appeared stupid in front of him. She apologized afterwards.

"Let's wait for the rain to stop. My instinct says it will stop later on."

She nodded. They went back to the shed and sat there. She reached to her bag and told him that she will change. When she was done changing, she saw Ryoma with his eyes closed. She remembered something. She went near the prince hesitantly.

"U-uhmm, R-ryoma-kun… "She said. Ryoma opened his eyes. He didn't say anything. "T-thank you… about the other day." She blushed while giving his handkerchief he lent to her the other night. He nodded as he accepted the handkerchief.

Sakuno then looked at the field outside. It was pitch dark already but the place was lit with bright lights.

"Did you bring my payment?" Ryoma suddenly asked her.

Sakuno was a bit shocked. "H-hai." She remembered telling him that she will never make bentos for him anymore. That's why she was wondering, why he wants her bento again. Ryoma talked as if he heard her thoughts:

"It was good… "He positioned his elbow on both of his knees while he was intertwining both his hands together in front of him. He was staring at the court.

Her eyes became widened. She understood his words. She smiled after hearing that. Then she took out the bentos inside her bag and gave his share. The food was still hot with onigiri and fried side dishes in it. They started eating their food. They kept silent for a while until they finished their bentos.

"Thank you for the meal." Ryoma whispered afterwards.

Sakuno nodded and blushed at the same time. They rested for a bit and it seems that the rain has stopped now. Something was bothering her so she took the courage to ask him.

"R-ryoma-kun… "

"Hm."

"D-do you think… I have the chance… to-to win?" she looked down. "P-please… please tell me the truth."

Ryoma kept silent while staring at her. He said what he was seeing to her:

"You can, you have the potential. Believe." He said as he stood up and walked a few steps forward. Sakuno looked up to him. Staring at a distance Ryoma remembered an urban old saying that he read from a book:

*"Nan Kuru Naisa."

Sakuno frowned when she heard what he said.

"Nan Kuru Naisa." He repeated his words.

"W-what is that?"

Ryoma sighed as he turned and faced her. He stared at her for a bit that made the girl blushed again. "Everything in the end will be fine."

Sakuno was able to stare at him too. With those words, she felt a sudden gust of hope that filled her heart.

"Come on. Let's start." Ryoma said.

"H-hai." She replied as she stood up on the bench and followed him to the court.

The hard training will start at that night and the only rain that just stopped is their only witnessed.

Sigh… this is not done yet. The training has not yet started. Since this is freakingly long, I have to cut it. So I will make a sequel on the next chapter. Fuji's part will appear soon. Wait for it. Oh! And Ryoma will change slowly. Stay tuned. ^_^

*Special Acknowledgement in the anime Blood+ for remembering the phrase. I don't own the anime as well.

Reviews please and thank you.

Next Chapter: Koko Dake No Hanashi part 2