Author's Note: Many thanks go to Sacchiance, Mistress Hydrangea, Iku-sensei, Lorem tenebrae, Jaz-147 and Mizushima-Iku for their reviews.
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.
CAUTION: Some plotlines won't be following the original storyline from manga, anime or movie! Characters may be out of original characterness! In my story, Women's Tournament are held on 2 months after the Men's Tournament.
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxxFlashback
Hope, Love, Joy
10. The Angel
Ryuzaki Sakuno had told him the match would be held at the Yokohama Tennis Arena Park. He arrived there for the Women Yokohama Regional Tennis Tournament a couple of minutes ago. However, he wasn't alone.
"Our Rikkai Dai women's team is playing against Seishun High in semi-finals." Yanagi informed the Rikkai Dai Regulars as they walked toward the designated courts.
"Ryuzaki-san will be playing right?" Sanada asked.
"Is she a Regular?" Akaya exclaimed.
"Yes, she is as a matter of fact. She's quite good from what information I have gathered from Sadaharu."
When they finally found the courts, his attention was quickly caught by a petite brunette tennis player who had just stepped into the court. She talked for a minute with the Coach, her grandmother before taking her position in court.
"Best of one set match. Ryuzaki Sakuno service play."
Throughout her tennis match, Seiichi tuned out his Regulars and kept his sight on Sakuno running around the court, hitting tennis balls left and right. Her graceful form encased in a purple and white tennis outfit, her long twin braids held back by a pink head band and her slender arms swinging her racket made her look adorable.
But what took his breath away was the happy expression in her chocolaty eyes and on her face while playing tennis. He could only think of one word to describe her at this moment.
'Beautiful!'
"Game set and won by Ryuzaki Sakuno of Seichun Gakuen, 6 games to 4."
11. The Two Requests
"Congratulations, Ryuzaki-san!" Yukimura smiled at the brunette tennis player. He decided to seek her out after the Rikkai Dai had won the semi-finals. He waited until Sakuno was alone. He had to make sure no one especially his Regulars was around.
"Demo, Seigaku lost to your team, Yukimura-senpai."
"Iie. I congratulate you for you have won your match against Rikkai Dai."
"Arigatou."
"Are you going back to Tokyo tonight?"
"Hai but Obaasan is taking us out for a good meal first. Later, we're taking a bus to the train station."
'Now might be a good time to ask her.'
Before he could say a word, she called his name, "Ano, Yukimura-senpai?"
"What is it, Ryuzaki-san?"
"Um, we are friends right, Senpai?"
"Right." He gave her a smile but his heart protested, 'But I really want us to become more than just friends.'
"All my friends and even the sempai-tachi called me Sakuno-chan. So please call me Sakuno-chan instead of Ryuzaki-san. It sounds like my grandmother."
"Then I am honoured to call you Sakuno-chan if you would call me Yukimura-kun." 'It's still too early for her to call me Seiichi-kun.'
"Hai, Yukimura-kun."
"Sakuno-chan, do you remember what I've said about making a request when I was in the hospital?"
"Hai. Demo Yukimura-kun still hasn't said anything yet."
"Then, Sakuno-chan, may I ask you a personal question?"
"Hai?"
"Are you dating anyone right now?" He was delighted to see her blush. She gazed down at her shoes and stayed silent, so he decided to ask another question.
"Do you have someone you like at the moment?"
She looked up and blinked owlishly at him, asking "Why do you want to know, Yukimura-kun?"
"I want to know before I make that special request."
Shaking her head, she answered, "Um I'm not dating anyone but I have someone that I like."
Her unexpected answer caused his heart to drop and his smile to almost disappear but he kept pressing on. "That person must be special to have you liking him, Sakuno-chan."
"Demo, I think he doesn't like me that way," she said with a dejected face.
"Was it Echizen Ryoma?" He took a wild guess.
She nodded, "Ryoma-kun always treats me like a friend."
'At least I know I have a good chance now.'
"Yukimura-kun you said you have a request for me?" she asked curiously.
Taking a calming breath, he captured her hands in his and looked into her chocolate expressive eyes, "Sakuno-chan, I like you a lot. Please be my girlfriend and go out with me."
12. The Determination
"Sanada, can I have a word with you?"
"Yes, Renji?"
"Did something happen to Seiichi? He's been in a bad mood lately."
"Hnn."
"Some of the members actually handed in their resignation because of Seiichi's extraordinary harsh training and reprimands these past 2 weeks."
"I'll talk to him. Just tell the others he's going through some personal issues."
"Is Ryuzaki Sakuno one of the issues?"
Sanada's eyebrow lifted to confirm Yanagi Renji's deduction. "Leave him alone, Renji. He needs some time to think through his issues."
Renji nodded in understanding and returned to his duties. Sanada watched the club members practising in the various courts before he felt someone standing next to him.
"I'm sorry, Sanada."
"You have to keep your private matters separate from tennis, Yukimura."
"I know. I'll do my best."
"Renji said some members wanted to quit."
"Really? Then I have to make amends for my harshness."
"What do you plan to do about her?"
"Nothing much I can do. She's not interested in me that way."
"Hnn."
"Besides, she lives in Tokyo while I'm here in Yokohama. Long distance relationship can be hard to maintain."
"Even so, are you giving her up?"
Silence reigned for a moment as Yukimura Seiichi thought about the brunette who had rejected his request 2 weeks ago.
"Sanada, this is the first time a girl had captured my interest and my heart. I'm not sure what to do to win her heart. However, I can't stop thinking about her. My heart seemed to be captivated by her and none other."
Sanada wasn't surprised to see firm determination in Seiichi's eyes when he turned to him, "Therefore, I won't give up on Ryuzaki Sakuno. Her heart is mine to pursue and to capture."
"Gambatte, Yukimura."
That very evening, Seiichi made a very important call to his lady love.
"Konbanwa, Sakuno-chan."
"Sen…Yukimura-kun?"
Seiichi chuckled to hear her surprise over the phone, "Are you surprised to get a call from me?"
"Demo, I thought it would be awkward since I had refused your request."
"That's why I'm calling, Sakuno-chan. I am serious about pursuing a relationship with you."
"It won't be fair to you, Yukimura-kun. I still care for Ryoma-kun so you would have a half-hearted person to be your girlfriend."
"I'll make you forget him, Sakuno-chan."
"Eh?"
"That's my promise. One day, you will forget him and realized you are worthy of my love and devotion. So be prepared, Sakuno-chan."
To Be Continued …
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Constructive criticisms are welcomed!