I AM BACK! I am very sorry for the late delay. Cursed the broken Pc. Tee hee hee. I hope that the readers of my stories are still there. Anyway here is my next chapter. I hope you will like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own TeniPuri. Love to share is what I Loooove to do.

Chapter 13: A Festival without You

Chapter Summary: She woke up without seeing them off. She became upset by not doing something in return and thus, this slight problem was arising. She solved her problem but why does she feel so… empty?

"Mada Mada Da Ne"

He was dribbling the ball for his final serve as he was saying his catchphrase. His opponent was already pissed because of his consecutive winning shots. He made his final shot as he threw that ball in the air and hit it, straight to his opponent's face. The force was too strong that his opponent couldn't endure it. His racket flew over him as he fell down. The crowd made loud noises after a short deafening silence.

"6 Games to 3, Game Set and Match, Ryoma Echizen." The umpire announced the winner.

"Nice game, Ochibi!" Eiji said as he approached the team.

"che."

"We are close to the semi-finals. Keep on winning guys!" Sumire said to boost them up.

"Don't ever let your guard down." Tezuka added.

"Hai!" They said in unison.

Ryoma walked to the bench and plopped himself down. He was tired that he wiped his sweat away from his face with his towel. He took out a can of ponta in his bag. He began drinking as if he was thinking of something… or…

"Echizen."

He looked up to the person who called him. He kept his stoic face as he stared at Fuji who was standing in front of him. He continued drinking his ponta. He looked away when the tennis tensai sat beside him.

"A lot has happened, isn't it?"

Ryoma chose to remain silent.

"I keep telling her that I will protect her but it is always you who do that." Fuji stared at the court as Eiji's match was about to start.

"…Anyone will do the same that I did. It could be you or someone else. I just happened to be the one who was there." He said as he stared at the court as well.

"Maybe it is not my time to do that. So I guess I have to wait for my chance."

"Good luck then." He said keeping his stationary face.

Fuji stood up and walked forward, "too bad, I was not the one beside her when she was in a pinch, how unfortunate."

"What?" the younger one reacted.

Fuji turned around and faced him, "Look, in the court, we are comrades and friends but I won't hold back when it comes to her."

Ryoma glared at his senpai, and so as he. A silent communication surfaced them. From the point of view of everyone who sees them, it was a glare of rivalry but only the two of them knew the real conception they had at that very moment.

Everyone's attention was caught back to the court. Eiji made his first score from his opponent. The acrobatic player made an embarrassing stunt after that.

"So much for the score, ei," Fuji chuckled. He looked up at the sky and said his next words, "I wonder what she is up to right now?"

Ryoma did what Fuji do. He looked up as well. He didn't say his words but he was actually thinking the same thing.

Seishun High Festival Week Day Two:

All of her problems were solved. The girls were suspended for the entire festival. They were supposed to be banned for playing tennis but Sakuno begged the council and her coach not to punish them like that. They ended up not joining any competition until the club needs a backup. She thought that it is better than not playing the game anymore. She solved it alright, but another problem surfaces. She actually became popular after the competition. Most of the students were calling her princess now. They were staring at her like some kind of an idol. Some were even developed a crush on her. She became anxious because of that. She even received three love letters in her locker. She was definitely worried… and a bit nervous.

"What now? What are going to do, Sakuno-chan?"

She flinched when she heard her best friend talked behind her.

"I-I don't know. I didn't expect this... "

"You got admirers now; I wonder how Ryoma-sama and Fuji-senpai will react when they hear this." Tomoka said as she became excited.

She was a bit shocked when she heard their names. That was the other thing she was thinking about. She woke up very late yesterday that she didn't see them off. She didn't have the chance to wish them luck, the same thing they did to her. She became sad because of that. She didn't want to think but she actually thought that she took them for granted. Tomoka noticed her frowned face. The girl tapped her back hard and said;

"Hey! What's with that look? Don't be so down. It's not like they are not going back here or something."

"I-I know, b-but I couldn't help-"

"Stop worrying! They don't want to see you like that. If you think that you haven't thanked them enough, then do that when they come back."

Sakuno thought over what Tomoka said. Finally a smile appeared on her face and said, "Y-you are right, thank you, Tomoka-chan."

"Yoshi! Now let's find these secret admirers of yours." Tomoka suddenly changed the topic.

"W-what!"

"You heard me, now let's go." She said as she grabbed her hand and dragged her along.

"E-Eh! W-wait... "She couldn't protest as they left the locker room. They met the trio just outside the room.

"Oi! Girls, what are you doing?" Horio asked them.

"Perfect timing! Come with us." Tomoka said as he grabbed his hand with her other hand.

"H-hey! Where are you taking us?" Horio asked again. He saw Sakuno beside him as she was dragged by Tomoka as well, blushing so hard.

Tomoka faced him sideways and said, "We are going to find Sakuno-chan's secret admirers."

"W-WHAAAT!" Horio reacted overly. The two who were chasing them also reacted.

They looked at the entire day forgetting about the boy's competition. It didn't matter to them for the people they knew weren't there to compete anyway. They searched but found nothing in the end.

"Well, we can continue looking tomorrow." Tomoka said showing no sign of giving up.

The others sweat dropped after hearing that. They thought that this week is going to be busy for them.

Day Three:

Various plays were performed by the higher levels. There were different plays that anyone could watch like; Les Misérables, Cinderella and the much known Romeo and Juliet. Even the plays were on different categories, they were suitable for all ages. The best friends and the trio watched all of them.

"Cossette was very pitiful; I couldn't imagine my life like that. How could she endure such hardships in the hands of the Thénardiers?" Tomoka exclaimed.

"But she found love in the end. She never gave up until she was able to be with Marius." Sakuno commented.

"You're right about that. Love conquers all." Katsuo agreed.

"But Cinderella was funny," Tomoka chuckled. "How could you imagine that Cinderella was a guy and the charming prince was a girl?"

"Yeah, all of the characters were normal, except for the main characters." Kachiro implied.

"But I still think that the story was lovely. They had a little twist that made the play an interesting one. A lot of people watched Cinderella." Sakuno explained.

"You could be right. But no one can defeat the fight between the Montagues and the Capulets," Horio said as he mimicked a fight scene they saw earlier. "It will be boring if only love is always there but action was not present. It was great too."

Tomoka reacted on Horio's comment. They fought for a while and the two tried to stop them. Sakuno talked;

"But they still ended up together, even though their fate was like that. Loving each other even they were in another life."

Tomoka turned around and faced her, "Hey, Sakuno-chan! I noticed that you only commented on love scenes of each play." She said as she leaned closer to the girl.

Sakuno blushed and said, "I-I'm not! I-I didn't—I'm just trying to say my comment—M-mou l-leave me alone, please!" She closed her eyes shut.

Tomoka laughed on her reaction as well as the trio. Sakuno blushed more. "Well, enough with that! Let's continue searching for your admirers."

"E—EEHHH!" Everyone reacted.

Due to Tomoka's persistant behavior, they continued searching for her admirers. They were amazingly multiplied after a day. It was difficult to detect them now as they were staring at her fondly. She became anxious of the stare around her. The red color on her cheek didn't leave her that day but just like yesterday, the result was zero.

Day Four:

Everyone enjoyed different games such as; a marathon, a singing contest, haunted house, hamburger eating contest, etc. They played almost of the games that day. But Sakuno wouldn't enter the hunted house. She promised to herself that after the date with Fuji last time, she will never enter a certain house ever again. Her best friend and the trio went in leaving Sakuno behind. But as she was left behind, she could feel the stare around her. She became nervous as she looked around. The boys were staring at her admiringly.

"R-ryuzaki-chan-hime, are you alone?" A boy suddenly approached her from nowhere that made her flinched.

"U-uhmm, I-Yeah-" She was shocked when the boy suddenly grabbed her hands.

"I-I have come to like you, you see. P-please go out with me." He blushed when he said that.

"EH!" Sakuno blushed as well. She tried to look at him and said her words, "B-but I-"

"I-I know that you don't have a boyfriend yet, why don't you try me?" The boy lifted their hands as if he pleaded her to say yes.

Sakuno panicked. She didn't know what to do. A guy suddenly asked her to go out with him. He was a total stranger to be exact. She was in the debts of confusion when suddenly a hand grabbed the boy's hand away from hers.

"I am sorry brat, but she already has someone she likes."

Sakuno couldn't believe her eyes. It was a shocked to her and she didn't expect it to happen.

"H-Horio… kun…" All she could utter was the boy's name. Horio was her knight in shining armor at that moment.

The boy looked at him, inquisitively and asked him, "C-could it be… the person that she likes… is you?"

Horio suddenly jerked as he reacted, "M-me? D-don't be ridiculous! T-that's impossible! S-stop joking will ya!" He laughed stupidly as he was blushing really hard.

"Of course he's not the one she likes. My best friend has a better taste, not this one." Tomoka appeared from the house which she was followed by two.

"What did you say? You think that I am not better?" Horio reacted.

"Those words didn't come out from me." Tomoka said mockingly.

The two fought for a while. Katsuo and Kachiro tried to stop them. Sakuno and the boy were just staring at them. After they calmed down, Tomoka faced the boy;

"I am sorry man, but you don't stand a chance to my best friend. Now… go!"

The boy glared at her, "What's with you, you crazy girl?" He left hesitantly after looking at Sakuno. He showed a stare of not giving up.

Tomoka put her hand on her waist and said; "Me? …Crazy? He must be?"

The trio suppressed their laughs but Tomoka noticed that. She wacked them one by one as Horio started to pick a fight to her again.

"-AH!"

They stopped fighting. Everyone looked at Tomoka even Sakuno.

"W-what's wrong?" Sakuno asked her best best friend.

"I forgot to ask him if he was the one of your admirers." Tomoka said as she started to run towards the boy's direction. Relunctantly and out of shocked they followed the girl. But in the end, they failed again.

Day Five:

The game continued adding some special games like; A tag of war, Suikawari, A test of courage and stargazing via projector. The viewing was made in an isolated area covered by a dark clothes and lining to make it a real 'darkness.'As usual Sakuno didn't join the test of courage so they decided not to join as well. To prevent the same situation that happened yesterday. They promised Ryuzaki-sensei to protect Sakuno while she was gone especially the Trio or else, a punishment will await them. They had fun like yesterday. They heard about a promo about the watermelon splitting. Whoever splits the fruit in halves will have a ticket for two for free in stargazing planetarium program. Everyone tried but they failed. She didn't know why but luck seemed to be on her side now. She was well known of her bad luck but it was not working, instead it was the other way around. She played suikawari as others did. After she was blindfolded, being handed a bokken, turned around three times and followed what her friends told her. She luckily splits the watermelon in halves. Everyone rejoiced, as she received the price. At the same time, a lot of boys approached her, claiming that they should go with her. Tomoka and the others couldn't reach her because of the crowd. She panicked at that moment and blurted her words out;

"S-stop it! I-I will go with my best friend!" She shut her eyes tightly. Everyone remained still after that. Tomoka and the trio took the chance and approached the girl.

"You heard the girl, she will go with me, go now!" Tomoka proudly presented herself in front of them. Everyone slowly left the location. The others with a stern look with their eyes looking at Tomoka while the others were both looking sadly and fondly at Sakuno.

"W-what about us?... " Horio asked Tomoka.

"Sorry guys, but the ticket is only for two, you have to buy yours." Tomoka retorted.

"No fair!" the trio said in unison. They forced to buy their own tickets as they entered the planetarium together. They enjoyed the sight.

"It was wonderful, I love it." Sakuno said as they exited the place.

"But why are you looking so down?" Tomoka asked her.

"It… would have been better if… they were here… " Sakuno lowered her head as she said that.

Tomoka knuckled her arm into her neck. The girl flinched a little when she did that, "Come on, Sa-chan! This is not the last festival that we will going to have. Cheer up will ya!"

Sakuno paused for a little and she began to smile afterwards, "Y-you're right. You know how to cheer me up."

"Of course! I am not your best friend for nothing okay," She proudly said. "Enough with that, now let us search for your admirers again."

"A-again!" Sakuno reacted. The trio were looking all worried as well.

"Of course! Don't lose hope, the festival was not over yet," Tomoka said as she began to drag her. "Come on! Let us not waste time."

Sakuno was just dragged along by her best friend. But just like the old days, it was blank zero.

Day six:

A grand bazaar was implemented. A lot of people went to see the big event and it was being crowded with different types of people. It was entirely different for Sakuno and the gang. They continued searching for her admirers all day. They felt tired and exhausted after searching for hours. They decided to take a break at lunch time.

"Those admirers of yours; why don't just they admit it." Tomoka said getting irritated. They haven't found a single clue since the very first day they started searching.

"T-they are probably shy. I-I think it is better for me not to know them." Sakuno said blusing all over.

"Don't be like that. I'll find them no matter what."

Sakuno let her do what she liked to do. She randomly looked at the items around them. She caught the attention of an item. She went to the stall to have a closer look. It was a beautiful hairpin. It is a blue flower with a white portion in the middle end of each petal that was attached to a stick and a bell on it.

"—Ahh! It's Salvia, it suits you. You should buy it." She flinched when Tomoka suddenly appeared behind her and noticed what she was staring at. She picked the hairpin and said, "You can wear this tomorrow, I'll pick a dress for you as well."

"N-no! Tomoka-chan, I am not-"

"Don't say no because I don't take no as an answer." Tomoka interrupted.

"B-but I think I won't go tom-"

"You will attend the night festival tomorrow and that is final." Tomoka declared cutting her words again. Tomoka bought the hairpin for her. She sighed after receiving the clip. There's no turning back now. She has to go for the dance festival tomorrow night.

Last Day:

Night Festival:

Tomoka picked a suitable dress for her that night. They went shopping yesterday as soon as the bazaar ended. She was wearing a white-shoulder style dress with just below the knee level skirt with ruffles layer underneath it. She was also wearing a ribbon-rounded tutu shoes that fits for dancing. Tomoka was wearing a blue blouse with a small ribbon at her chest part and a dark blue, above knee level skirt with a large blue ribbon on her waist that divides her clothes. She paired it with her white shoes.

"Beautiful but not enough let me fix your hair." Tomoka said.

Tomoka unbraided her hair and she let it loosen at her back. She made a perm on her upper left side of her head. She placed the hairpin on her perm and inserted it there.

"There! And for the final touch… " She put on a makeup on her. When she was done, Tomoka led her to a life-size mirror. "See, it was a complete transformation, you look beautiful."

Sakuno couldn't believe her own eyes. She couldn't imagine that Tomoka could transform her in her get up today.

"I am sure everyone will look at you now. Too bad that Fuji-senpai and Ryoma-sama didn't have the chance to see you like this." Tomoka commented.

Upon hearing her words, she became upset. She blushed on the thought but that saddened her at the same time.

"Cheer up! Sakuno-chan, okay. Let's have fun tonight." Tomoka tapped her on her back.

Sakuno smiled and nodded.

"Let's go!"

"W-wait!" Sakuno remembered something. She went to the cabinet and took out a small box in a drawer there. She opened the box and revealed a ring, a pink carnation ring. Tomoka stared at her.

Sakuno was looking fondly as she put the ring in her left ring finger, "It was… my mother's... "

Silence was occurred for a short while before Sakuno broke it.

"Let's go"

"Okay!"

Seigaku Night Festival:

She knew it. The boys shown affection towards her when they saw her in that get up. She became anxious because of their stare. They met the Ichinen Trio halfway. They blushed when they saw them.

"W-wow, y-you are so pretty… Ryuzaki-chan," Kachiro commented her. "Y-you too, Osakada-san."

"Y-yeah! I couldn't agree more." Katsuo agreed.

"… "

"Hey! Horio why are you so quiet there?" Kachiro asked him.

"N-nothing! Stop asking me!" The boy was blushing already.

"You saw angels that's why." Tomoka interrupted. Sakuno was just blushing all the time.

"Maybe an angel and a demon, you mean." Horio retorted.

"What did you say?"

The two fought for a while. They tried to stop them but they wouldn't let them.

"Ryuzaki-hime, m-may I dance you tonight?"

She flinched when a certain boy suddenly approached her offering his hand for her.

"E-eh! B-but I don't know how to dance." She blushed when she said that.

"I-I'll teach you. Don't worry." They boy became enthusiastic.

"B-but I-" she hasn't finished her words yet when another one butted in.

"No! She will dance with me. I'll be the one to teach her."

Not long ago, a group of boys approached her saying the same thing. Tomoka and the others were once trapped again from the outside. Sakuno averted her eyes randomly as she panicked. She snapped and blurted out her words;

"S-stop it! I-I'll dance no one, o-other than Horio-kun!" she shut her eyes tight while saying that.

Everyone was shocked and so as Horio, who was blushing already. She didn't know when her voice came out but it seemed like an effective one. They slowly walked away in different directions whispering, "there's always a next time" and "maybe later" words.

They were left behind, along with Tomoka and the other two. Sakuno looked at Horio when the music started to play from the background. Horio walked to her and shyly offered his hand to her.

"M-may I have this dance, princess?"

Sakuno was a bit shocked at first but regained composure afterwards. She genuflects as she said her words, "O-of course, you may." She reached for his hand.

He led her to the large bonfire and joined the circle of dancing couples. She put her hand on top of her shoulder while Horio was holding it while the other hand was just below her waist and the boy was supporting it with his other hand. They started to dance. It seemed awkward but they were beginning to enjoy themselves.

Tomoka was just standing in the corner staring on both of them. Kachiro and Katsuo noticed her silence and beginning to giggle. Tomoka looked at the two, "What's so funny, you two?"

"You are jealous, we can see it." Kachiro said.

"Seeing them dancing like that, they're kind of cute." Katsuo added.

Tomoka whacked the both of them, "Baka! Who is jealous? Stop assuring which isn't true," She retorted. Kachiro was shocked when she held his hand and dragged him leaving Katsuo behind. "Let's dance instead."

Kachiro reacted and blushed at the same time. They joined the crowd and started to dance.

"You should go now, this is your chance, I'll distract them." Horio whispered in her ear.

"H-hai! Thank you very much Horio-kun, Thank you for everything."

The boy nodded and instructed her to go to the rooftop. They will go there later. She sneaked out quietly without anyone noticing. When the coast was clear, she started to run until she reached the rooftop. She made sure that no one was around. She sighed when she confirmed it. She walked towards the steel bar. She could see everything from above. She saw Horio and Tomoka fighting once again. She laughed because of that.

"Those two will never learn," she said as she stared at them. "I hope Tomoka-chan can see how great Horio-kun is."

She then remembered her hairpin and touched it from her head unconsciously. I guess… I did think of you. She thought.

The wind started to blow that it caused her to forget that sudden mesmerizing thought and remembered a different one. She stared at her ring finger fondly, "Mom… " She remembered the woman who gave her life. "I will never forget you, the one who gave me a chance to live and experience what life is." She kissed the ring as the wind blew softly, causing her hair and her dress swayed along with its direction. She looked up above and said;

"Please, look at me now." She closed her eyes as she raised her left hand and held the layer of her skirt with her right hand and started to dance fondly... and alone. The wind was dragging her to dance even though she doesn't know how to dance. She felt like someone was actually holding her hand at that moment and wrapping her in that person's embrace. It was a warm feeling. Wait? Warm? She opened her eyes snapped and automatically it became widen. She couldn't speak. It was not a dream.

"Dancing alone is crazy so I joined you." The person said not letting her go.

Sakuno reacted at a little delay. She quickly released herself as the person released her. Her face turned bright red when she found her voice;

"R-Ryoma-kun… " She covered her mouth. "W-what are you doing here? W-weren't you competing for the nationals?"

Ryoma nodded. "It ended, we won. We just arrived moments ago."

"E-everyone's here?" Sakuno couldn't believe what was actually happening.

"Un, you will see them later," Ryoma noticed her ring that she kissed just a while ago, "…that ring."

Sakuno was a bit shocked when he was staring at the ring. She looked at the ring again. "This was my mother's memento."

"I see." Ryoma walked to the steel bar. He looked below. He saw Horio and Tomoka who were finally dancing in that large bonfire. He said his next words;

"So a guy with a two-year tennis experience could lead you to a dance."

Sakuno was shocked and blushed more when she heard that from him, "Y-you saw us?"

"…Right from the very beginning."

Sakuno was very embarrassed now. Ryoma was watching them all the time.

"Too bad, I can't ask you because I don't know how." He said even though he tried to dance her just a while ago but keeping a stationary move was definitely impossible.

Sakuno stared at the boy. She calmed her heartbeat as she could. She went to the steel bar as well. "It doesn't matter. What important is, you all came back. I am very happy."

Ryoma remained silent but he nodded as a confirmation.

"A festival without you… was very lonely."

Sakuno whispered some words that she thought he didn't hear.

Ryoma looked at her instantly. The wind blows after she said that. He had the opportunity to stare at the blushing girl for a long time, from her hairpin down to her shoes. He maintained his expression but something was changed inside him.

"Hey…"

Sakuno interrupted on his words, "Let's go down Ryoma-kun, I want to see everyone." She looked excited when she said that. She ran ahead of him. "Hurry up."

Ryoma was a bit shocked but shrugged in the end. He closed his eyes as he followed the girl, inserting his hands to his pockets.

Sakuno was very excited to see them again. She ran without thinking if she encountered an admirer or not. Luckily no one dared to block her. She knew where they were. She ran to the court. She saw Fuji outside the club making warm-ups. The tensai smiled as he saw her. She smiled back at him.

"Sakuno-chan!"

She stopped running when she entered the court. Everyone was there and was happy to see her. Ryoma caught up to her. She smiled as she said her words;

"Congratulations on winning and welcome back, senpai-tachi!"

Finally, I am done. It took three hours of my time just to finish this one in an internet café. What do you think of this one? I hope you like it. ^_^

I would like to thank:

AkainoHotaru, Rikudai, Enma20, Shiina Yuki

For always supporting my stories. I am sorry for the inconvience but it will take time for me to update. But I will try my best to update a chapter every week. So please bear with me. For the 'guest' thank you very much. I really want to thank you personally so if you have an account please do log in. I will definitely keep in touch with you. Thank you very much again.

Don't forget to leave a review. Two or three words are much appreciated. I will reply to you no matter what or when will be the time is.

Vocabulary:

Les Misérables - French novel by author Victor Hugo. I really love the story.

Salvia, blue - "I think of you."

Carnation, Pink - Emblem of Mother's Day, I will never forget you.

Next Chapter: Muga no Kyouchi ~ Night Parody