Author's Note: Thanks for your reviews.
iwha: I'm glad you liked this cute and sweet story. Thanks! Hope you'd enjoy the rest.
Guest 06/28/12: Thank you for your educational review. I'll keep those points in mind. However, please remember I am writing just for fun and pleasure!
Tmbookworm: Your enthusiasm warms my heart. Thanks!
TO ALL AMERICAN READERS: HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH. OF JULY!
Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.
Thanks to princeoftennis . wikia . com for all the relevant information.
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxx Flashback
Hope, Love, Joy
4. The Phone Call
"I heard from Obaasan about your ..um…condition, Yukimura-senpai."
"Gomen, Ryuzaki-san. I should have said something. But, for some reason, I forgot my troubles when I talked to you."
"If you need a friend to listen to your troubles, Senpai, I am here for you."
"Ryuzaki-san, I appreciate your offer."
"Senpai, have you told your tennis team yet?"
"Not yet. I'm going to do that tomorrow at our morning tennis training session."
"I hope your Captain will give you some time off for your surgery and rehabilitations."
The young man chuckled, "Ano, Ryuzaki-san?"
"Hai?"
"I forgot to tell you that I am the Captain of Rikkai Dai Fuzoku's Tennis Club."
"Oh!" He could hear her surprise over the phone. "Ano, Senpai, won't your club be in difficulty if you aren't around?"
"Don't worry! I trust my Vice Captain Sanada Genichirou and my Treasurer, Yanagi Renji. They are capable leaders and tennis players. They would be able to lead the team until I return in good health."
"That's good. Ano, Senpai?"
"Nani?"
"Even though we've just met, Senpai, I have a strong feeling you will come out of this ordeal stronger than ever. So do your best, Yukimura-senpai."
"Arigatou, Ryuzaki-san. What about you, Ryuzaki? What kind of tennis player are you?"
Yukimura Seiichi leaned back on the pillows on his bed with a contented smile as Sakuno described her tennis skills. Her sweet gentle voice somehow soothed his troubled mind.
'I was worried about telling Sanada and the others. Then she called me. She knew about my condition and didn't treat me as an invalid.'
'I could feel my fears about the surgery, the rehabilitation, the tennis club and the tournament melting away when she lifted my spirit with those encouraging words.'
'No matter what happened, I want to pull through not just for myself and the team but also for her.'
'I'm looking forward to knowing her better.'
5. The Announcement
"Bu…Buchou!" "Yukimura!" The look on the Regular's faces expressed their shock and disbelief.
His two right hand men, Sanada Genichirou and Yanagi Renji were the only ones who didn't react. They were informed earlier in the club's changing rooms before the morning practise session began.
"Yukimura, go and have that surgery without any worries." Yanagi assured him with a pat on his shoulder.
"We will definitely win the Kanto Regional tournament this year, Yukimura," Sanada promised with a serious face, "Just recover quickly to join us for the National Tournament."
"While I am away, Sanada and Yanagi will be in charge of the club. Everyone, what is our motto?"
"Losing is unacceptable!"
"Then Kanto Regional tournament championship is ours. Dismissed!"
However, no one moved. The grim expression on their faces reflected their worry and concern.
"Daijobu, minna. I will definitely be back to lead everyone toward the National championship. So, work hard on your training and winning that tournament."
Yagyū Hiroshi gave his Captain a bow and said, "You are in my prayers, Yukimura."
Niō Masaharu smirked and said, "Puri!"
Marui Bunta winked at him, "Gambatte, Yukimura."
Jackal Kuwahara shook his hand, "Yukimura, we'll visit often."
Kirihara Akaya stood before his Captain silently, trying hard not to break into tears. Seiichi took pity on him.
"Akaya-kun, when I return, I hope you are ready for another challenge match."
"Bu…Buchou?"
"You wanted to beat us, the 3 Demons of Rikkai, right?"
"Hai!" Akaya was excited.
"I'll give you that chance when I return."
"Arigatou, Buchou!"
With composure, Seiichi turned to Sanada and Yanagi, "I leave the club into your hands."
6. The Day Before The Surgery
"Don't disturb him, children. Come away now. It's time for your snacks."
"Hai!" "Bye, Seiichi-nisan!" "See you tomorrow." The little boys left with smiles.
"The children seemed attached to you, Yukimura-kun." The nurse said while charting Seiichi's vitals.
"I enjoy their cheerfulness."
"Well, your vital signs look good. Rest as much as you can. Remember not to eat anything after midnight. Some water is fine but only up to 2 hours before surgery."
"Hai."
The nurse left the room and Seiichi watched the clear blue sky out of his window.
'I was low spirited yesterday but the visit from Sanada, Yanagi and the others kept me focused on my goal, that is to play with them in the National Tournament. They must be training hard right now. I wish I am there training with them.'
"Konnichiwa, Yukimura-senpai!" A sweet voice greeted him.
He was glad to find Ryuzaki Sakuno standing at the doorway with a potted plant in her hands.
"You're finally here, Ryuzaki-san."
"Of course I'm here, Senpai. I promised to visit, didn't I?" Her charming smile lightened his moodiness.
Seiichi had been looking forward to her visit for he hasn't seen her since their first meeting at that hospital in Tokyo. He lived in Yokohama with his parents and little sister but she lived in Tokyo with her grandmother. So, they had mainly kept in touch via mobile phones, chat rooms and e-mails for the past 2 months.
He had told her about the date of the surgery and she had promised to visit. 'Here she is looking fresh and sunny. She looks pretty in that pink dress. Anyway, I shouldn't stare at her. It's rude.'
"So what did you bring me, Ryuzaki-san?" He turned his interest toward the pot in her hands.
"I read an article about hospital patients recovering from illness and surgery more quickly when they have a view of nature. So I brought you a pot of Dracaena." Sakuno carefully placed the pot on the table next to the bed.
"They are good for air purification, right?"
"Mou, Senpai, you're the one who knows a lot about plants."
Seiichi remembered sharing with her about his passion for gardening during one of their chat sessions on the Internet.
"Arigatou, Ryuzaki-san."
Seiichi watched attentively as she pulled up a chair to sit near him. He was aware of his growing attraction to her even though they have been communicating only over the phone and the Internet. There's something about Ryuzaki Sakuno that seemed to bring out a protective instinct from within especially after finding out about her clumsiness and poor sense of direction.
"Are you nervous about the surgery, Senpai?"
"I will be lying if I say No, Ryuzaki-san."
"Demo, the surgery has a fifty percent survival rate."
"You know my love for tennis, don't you?"
"Hai!"
"So it is the only way for my condition to be cured. Even now I long to play tennis."
They stayed silent for a moment in quiet contemplation.
"You will pull through the surgery, Senpai. I have confidence in God, in the surgical team and also in you."
"Arigatou, Ryuzaki-san."
"When you recover and even have rehabilitation, I'll visit you often."
"I look forward to that. Ryuzaki-san?" 'It's now or never, Seiichi. It's time to make the first move.'
"Nani, Senpai?"
"After the surgery, could you spare me some time to listen to my request?"
"What is it?"
"Not now. I'll tell you after the surgery. Will you listen to me then?"
"Hai, Senpai."
…. To Be Continued …
Sorry for the short chapter.
Please R-n-R!
Constructive criticisms are welcomed!