I will never get tired of sending my thanks to all of you who read this far! As always, special hugs of appreciation to those who voiced out their opinions. Whatever they were, reading them gives me so much motivation!
WARNING: Minimal sensual pair moments, if any. xD Gomen, gomen. It's still the official pair of the story of course. ;)
DISCLAIMER: I WISH I Own Prince of Tennis
…
CHAPTER XXII: Loss
It was finally nearing their long-awaited game, people were already standing by the court, and Sanada and Ryoma had yet to arrive. The two were busy warming up their own ways.
Eventually they arrived, and the tension in the audience immediately escalated. The spectators gulped and their eyes followed them as they entered, and their sights never left the court afterwards.
"Good luck." Sanada said quietly just before he rotated the racket.
"I won't need it." Ryoma smirked, and added: "Smooth."
"Arrogant as always." Sanada said with lips twitching for a small smile and watched the racket fall down the floor.
"Thanks." Ryoma said and did the same. The letter was inverted.
"You serve."
She looked at him, intrigued. And he only turned away and headed to his spot, telling her that indeed, he was serious. So she shrugged and walked to the service area and soon started dribbling the ball. As always, it went by in slow motion as she heightened her senses and pumped them up for the game. After all, she slept through her classes to get enough energy. This game would be her… escape from current and annoying thoughts.
And she would give it all she had.
…
Yukimura watched as the two players gave their all—every single shot sending waves, waves that true tennis players could even see. He admired both their spirit and skills, as he did before, but there was more force that emitted here. He knew what was Sanada's reason—being Ryoma leaving soon. But what about her?
He never got to speak with her as he swore, and her behaviour bothered him so.
Could another rift be forming when the old one was just fixed?
Honestly, he felt like an insecure little girl trying to get a feel if her boyfriend was losing interest in her.
Of course, he knew Ryoma wouldn't feel that way—no, not yet. Not ever. But, something was bothering her… right? And he could tell this game helped her mind go blank… that it helped her get distracted whatever this problem was.
The most disturbing thing was… he felt the Ryoma's problem was with him…. And now she distracted herself with the help of another man.
How disconcerting… He mused, and that was an understatement.
"WHOA!" A shameless yell from behind him pulled his attention back to the real world. The ball made a mark on Ryoma's court, with Ryoma letting out beads of sweat.
"Ehhh." She said with that usual haughty tone of hers and subsequently wiped the dropping sweat with her free hand. "Not bad."
Yukimura swore Sanada wore a smirk that lasted all the way until it was his turn to serve.
And as Sanada dribbled the ball, Yukimura noticed that the audience were barely breathing. It was understandable. Two monstrous players were giving it their all from the start. And the pace did not slow down. And despite their serious facades… they were genuinely having fun, weren't they?
And yet as the game progressed—as he watched the booming shots, the swift replies, and the massive dunks—he realized there was something bothering him… that he did not like in this game more than he realized.
It was like they had a mutual agreement to give everything to the other in this game. His fist clenched involuntarily and his stare sharpened.
He did not like it.
…
It ended with a tie breaker.
"GAME!" Marui announced, barely breathing. "Echizen wins! Seven games to six!"
After the applause died down, which started the second the ball's momentum stopped, and the people started converging to the players to congratulate them. Yukimura remained still, seemingly not in a rush, and watched the crowd. But his eyes were sharp, looking for the slightest hint of further interaction between the two—the type that disconcerted him the most.
Ryoma was being surrounded by the freshmen and sophomores while Sanada with his regulars. They were busy nodding at the congratulations, which everyone made up to be 'thanks' in their standards, which was probably correct. They were sweating and they looked tired. To the point they didn't emit the aura that often made interactions with others as brief as possible. Even the non-regulars could speak to them a lot more naturally than before.
In any case, Yukimura felt relieved they weren't planning on going anywhere he couldn't see.
"GAH! That was such a good game! I'm so hyped up!" A loud crackling noise broke his reverie and he passively looked at its source. "Buchou! Have a game with me!"
"As you can see, I am very bu—" He paused, realizing that the voice was different from the owner's usual one and he frowned.
"Niou."
The silver head flinched a bit but otherwise maintained that aura of confidence that was getting more and more into his nerves. And truth be told, he always wanted to teach this trickster a lesson.
How could he refuse?
…
"Buchou and Niou-senpai will have a game!" Ryoma's ears twitched at the loud statement and her head (along with everyone else's) to their direction and then to Yukimura and Niou, who were indeed standing side-by-side.
She gulped.
But then she realized she was so parched that she had nothing to gulp.
…
Ryoma had to persevere though until she was sure Yukimura was 100% into the game before she slipped away for a few minutes to prevent herself from dehydrating even further. How could she have known she already drunk every drop in her bottle during the game, anyway?
But, yeah… it was an easy enough plan to think of. But watching their game—she did not want to step away. It was only until someone softly patted her back that she recalled how thirsty she was.
"Echizen." She looked at Sanada, who looked as stoic as always. "You look pale." He paused. "Shall we go have a drink?"
She blinked and slowly turned her head to the game and watched for a few more seconds what was happening. Yukimura certainly was not hiding his sadism inside the court, but Niou was holding up pretty well. But she realized in a blink of an eye—he changed personas.
She looked reflexively at the 'original', and he was sweat-dropping. He sighed and shook his head. "I'd rather not watch Niou get crushed because of me." And he looked at her. "So you want to take my offer? You seem to need it."
He looked down her lips and quickly looked away. Ryoma batted an eyelid and realized that it was very dry. She looked down in ponder and then looked at Sanada once more. "Okay." She said, before silently apologizing to Yukimura for missing several moments in his game.
And they slipped away without anyone noticing.
…
Water really tasted a thousand times better when one's thirsty. She stepped back and saw Sanada already finished his. And she flinched slightly when she realized he was staring at her.
"I gave you a good game, correct?" He asked and her eyes widened. She forgot about the promise.
"…yes." She said reluctantly and he sighed.
"You don't have to force yourself." He said and her eyes softened immediately.
"I'm not." She answered. "It was just… embarrassing."
She could feel her cheeks heating up and she couldn't keep it down, as much as she tried. And she hadn't even said a single word yet. "I had to be sent away and live with my dad in Tokyo for a bit."
"Why? Weren't your parents the one who arranged the job?"
"Because… Seichi knows I'm a girl now. He feared we might do something." She muttered, eyes at the peanut grass, and paused. Her insides were calmer now, but still utterly nervous. She'd call the feeling… fluff, and she found a light smile on her face as she recalled. "Did you know?" She started quite giggly, like she was the teenage girl she never did get the luxury to become.
"We were engaged since we were children."
And she slowly looked at him after her good news, only to freeze. She never saw his eyes that wide before. "Sanada?"
"…"
"Oi. Say something."
"Ah." He said coarsely. "Congratulations." And he nodded. "You must be very happy."
And she smiled, genuinely feeling so and dismissed the small twinge of sting in her chest caused by the face he hid well.
"Yes."
…
They walked back to the courts without saying much to each other. Ryoma really didn't think much of it as neither of them were never the talkative type. And after several meters, a loud boom of applause exploded emanating from the courts. But before she could walk to the closer to game, she heard Sanada heave a sigh and quickly turned to look at him.
"Echizen." He said. "I think I will early today."
"…eh?"
"You can tell Niou's getting pummelled, yes?"
"You sure? He's copying you isn't he?"
"But there's no point in watching such a predictable game." He said uncharacteristically and she could only stare. He paused for a bit and looked away. "I have something to do at home."
"Oh."
"Tell the team for me, I'll apologize to them personally tomorrow." He said and walked away without as much as waited for her reply.
But Ryoma knew he was lying. And she followed him.
…
Ryoma frowned a few minutes later since Sanada, well, disappeared. And no one disappeared from her sight unless they really wanted to, and sometimes even that was not enough to escape.
"Where have you been?" She turned her head at the source and her eyes widened. It was Yukimura, appearing out-of-nowhere.
"Fountain." She said honestly and in retrospect… titled her head. "That was quick."
"I was looking forward to pummelling Niou." He looked around. "You're alone."
"Do I look otherwise?"
"Well, the fountain is that way." He said pointing at the direction she came from. "I didn't think you'd still get lost."
"I wasn't." She said honestly. "I was following Sanada."
Yukimura's eyebrows rose, making Ryoma flinch.
"He said he had something to do at home, by the way, and had to leave early." She said immediately in Sanada's defence. But mentally, she noted how much in a hurry he must have been to get away like that. She decided not to worry Seichi further by not telling him, it was Sanada's personal business after all.
"I see…" He whispered and she looked at him. There was an uncharacteristic amount of sweat running down his head outside of courts. He was usually very immaculate.
"Geez. You haven't even wiped most of your sweat away." She said and grabbed the new towel she had and wiped his head. Yukimura flinched, but softened up afterwards. She did not know it was due to my running to find her, did she? Yukimura thought sardonically, and he sighed.
"Anyway, it is time for us to get back home as well."
She sent him a mild smile. "Hai."
…
After some announcements, Yukimura and Ryoma headed to their house. They were chatting normally as they travelled, mostly about her plans in Tokyo (i.e. Bringing Karupin with her was a must.) And perhaps how they'll adjust with their morning routines.
They eventually arrived in front of the house. Yukimura opened the door for her, making her sweat-drop but feel touched by the attempt, anyway. "This needs a lot of getting used to." She voiced out and he smiled.
"Better get used to it."
He walked with her until they reached the gate, but he did not move beyond it. She turned around and looked at him. "I have to go somewhere a bit." He answered.
"Where are you going?" She asked, although she had an idea who he was meeting with.
"A previous appointment." He smiled formally, a smile she didn't like—not in this context. "I'll get back as early as I can, Rei—"
She must have made a pitiful face to make his eyes widen slightly, and to smile empathically afterwards. He walked to her and extended his hand to hold her cheeks. He lifted her chin so she would look at him. "I'm sorry, Reina. I'll do my best to get back here quickly.
"Trust me."
And that was all that she needed to feel better.
"Okay." She said and gave him a peck on the cheek, which he gladly returned on her lips. She smiled. "Take care."
He nodded and she watched the car leave. She slowly turned to her house and sighed. Well…, at least she would see Karupin again, and surely her mood would lighten up…
Right?
…
Sanada petted his grandmother's new cat as he sat by the veranda. The feline seemed weak, he noted. But with a flick of an eye the cat moved swiftly away from him for some reason and he saw it was already running somewhere behind the house. He heard another meow, and out of curiosity—and desperation for a distraction—he stood up and followed.
He blinked as he watched his grandmother's black cat lick the newcomer. That one looked even weaker.
Meow
Their eyes met and something heavy just added to his already burning chest.
"Genichirou."
"Grandmother." He called back, and some moment of silence passed. It was only broken by his grandmother telling him a rather depressing fact.
"He's going to pass soon." She said and paused. "That beautiful Himalayan cat."
…
Echizen Ryoma walked towards the door and took out her keys. The cold metal jiggled and she slowly put it in. Once the door was unlocked, she sighed and unceremoniously entered the house.
"I'm home." She announced and her mother, who was then reading some thick books in the living room, said the traditional reply. Ryoma then looked around as there was no other sign of movement.
"Karupin," she called softly. "Come here."
When there was no answer, she felt a pang of worry. She was never a worry-wart, but her instincts were usually dead-on.
Perhaps it was one of the reasons of why she kept up with Seichi despite his efforts to hate her—she knew, unconsciously, that he was not succeeding.
Then her mind wondered to whoever this Maria could be.
She shook her head. Trust me. That was what he said, and that was what she would do. Her instincts were telling her he was hiding something, but whatever it was it should be nothing to be perturbed about.
"Karupin…" She called once more. She was a little looking forward to their longer-than-usual play time. It had been a while, after all, since they got to play for more than an hour each day. She called him again, and went upstairs.
When Karupin was not in the room, she sighed and went to change clothing. She took off her breast bandage and her wig and dressed up in casual shorts and some random shirt.
"Karupin." She called again, and once more when she stepped out of her room. Her heart started constricting and she could tell her breathing would be next if that cat didn't appear before her eyes soon.
Her feet started scurrying by itself to the railing. "Mom?" She called from the mezzanine. "Have you seen Karupin anywhere? I can't find him."
"Eh?" Her mother uttered and a moment later she heard a thump, which was made by the thick book Rinko was reading. "Are you sure?"
She nodded and then Rinko stood up to join her upstairs. "I'm sure he's just here somewhere."
"I hope so."
But… about half-an-hour later, there was still no trace of Karupin anywhere.
"Perhaps we should call Seichi."
"What for?" Ryoma asked. "There's no need. He's… busy." She whispered weakly and found herself looking around again. "…karupin…"
But then in a flash, she recalled how often he escaped outside when he was younger. Since he entered a decade old, he never did it again—so why now?
"Tsk."
"Reina! Where are you going?"
"I'm going to look." She said, " call me when you find him and please don't bother Seichi."
And she ran outside, totally forgetting she had a bad sense of direction.
…
Slash
He breathed in.
Flop
Breathe out
In along with a single huff, the same fate reached two other straw dummies inside the training hall. His sharp, seemingly emotionless eyes, surveyed the room. It ended up to the open window; it was giving him a direct view of the guests.
"It is going to pass soon."
His heart clenched, even when his face didn't falter. Sanada wasn't the type to assume stories, but he could tell—the children his grandmother's new cat…, that Himalayan probably was the father. But then, the cat shifted position as he shook his body to shake off the water from the drizzle that just finished. It was then when Sanada saw something glimmering in his neck.
He blinked.
He walked to the cat and slowly extended his hand. The cats only stared at him and he gently turned the collar around.
Doki
.
Riiiiiiiiiiiinggg
He flinched, accidentally pulled the collar, and he quickly stood up just in time before he got pawed. He looked to where the sound came from and ran to it.
It was his phone, he knew, and his heart was hoping that it was a certain someone calling—as his heart always did.
"Moshi, moshi?" He said, almost prior to his pressing the button. "Echizen?"
"How did you know it was me?" She huffed and he paled at how hoarse her voice was. But before he could open his mouth to speak, she continued. "Sanada. If you happen to see a Himalayan cat anywhere please call me. I have to g—"
"Wait."
"…hai?" Echizen answered and he found himself looking at the dying cat again. Suddenly, he couldn't find his voice.
"Sanada." She practically forced herself to speak. "If there isn't anything else, I—"
"There's no need for me to call you." He said, almost immediately, his frown deepening in the process. "He's here."
…
Sanada met with her on a random bus stop for the park near wherever she described she was at. Luckily it was near his home (he had no idea how she got there), and there were decent landmarks for her to find.
The air was cold that night and looking around the glimmering plants, he could tell it rained harder in this area. Drip Drop he let his mind flow with it as he waited. He needed to be as calm as possible. He was Sanada Genichiro. Hence, even after everything, he would remain composed.
His ears perked as he heard labored breathing nearing him, along with stealthy and light steps. He whipped his head towards her direction, and simultaneously, his breathing turned for labor as well.
"Sanada."
"..Echizen." He said as he paused in front of him for a breather.
At least she could breathe. Echizen Ryoma…, was she in casual girl's (short *cough*) clothing. But more importantly, she was soaking wet.
"Did you let yourself get wet under the rain?" He frowned, totally subduing the fact that she was especially gorgeous that night. He looked behind her. "Where's your… fiancé?"
That last word tasted bitter.
In any case, he only let out a deep sigh and took off his coat. He opened it up and she stared. "Take it." He said. "If your refuse, I'll leave you here."
"…Thanks" she said as she turned around. "And Seichi had a previous appointment. He had no idea Karupin was missing.
"I'd rather not trouble him for now."
He stared and sensed the sadness in her voice. It was odd, he mused, how could Yukimura leave her like that? He knew of the man's feelings and he would not let chances to spend time with her slip by… like he would.
Sanada tried not to stare and calm himself down. It was getting more difficult every time he thought about it. Everything would be fixed if he stopped.
But he couldn't.
These feelings…
"Sanada?" She said and that anxiety in her face was obvious. That cat must have been important. He didn't know what he could and would do once she found out about the cat's condition. But for now, he shook the thoughts aside. He would just have to be with her.
"Let's go."
He didn't realize he extended his hand. And that she took it unconsciously.
Nor could he feel his face all the way until they reached his house.
…
"Oh, my~ Hello there." An old woman smiled and greeted a startled Ryoma. The woman watched her and Sanada as they took off their clothes and she his coat. "Will you excuse me for a moment…
"Anata~!" They flinched and stared at the direction she went. She was really demure, Ryoma noted, unlike the women in her family.
"What?" Another, croakier yet audibly baritone voice, answered.
"Genichirou found a girlfriend!" She exclaimed with her soft tone. "She's a little liberal, but gorgeous so I'll let her pass."
"W-Wha—"
"Ano… Sanada." He turned to Echizen, pushing down the blood in his face, and followed where she was pointing.
Their hands—they were still intertwined. And it was him who was keeping them there.
"I apologize." He said, immediately taking his hand away and hiding them in his pocket. He gulped as Echizen continued to stare at him.
"Where's Karupin?" She asked and the worry in her tone increased, making him whip his head towards her direction. "Is he alright?"
"…ah." Was all he could utter. He looked at the corridor's wooden floor and sighed, lifting his numbing feet and forced himself to start walking to the backyard. "Come" he said, and that she did.
Time ran slowly, and so did their feet. Eventually, they arrived in the yard wherein the zen style was obvious… not that a meditative atmosphere was helping. Ryoma looked around and saw them immediately—he was under a tree, resting, with a dark-colored cat right beside him.
Automatically, her feet carried a few yards from where he rest. His ears perked and he looked up immediately, albeit much slower than he used to.
"…Karupin…" she said once more bending her knees so that she could see him better. She held out her hand and he stared, seemingly not quite knowing what to do.
"Please." She said softly, and Sanada could only watch from aside. He didn't even realize his grandparents were approaching until they were already beside him.
"She's the owner?"
"Hai." He whispered. "And she's not my girlfriend."
"Not yet."
"She's engaged already grandmother."
"…oh."
"Disappointing."
"Indeed."
Sanada only sighed and leaned beside Echizen as if for moral support. "He wouldn't even come, Sanada." Her voice was cracking and it made him feel heavy.
"It's only because he loves you so much."
"I don't see the connection." She frowned and extended her hand further.
"He's dying, Ryoma." He said, finally, and she gaped at him. "They say the proudest cats would refuse to let their masters watch their fall."
Her eyes widened but she looked at the cat, anyway, her eyes were softening and the sadness so visible in her eyes ensured Sanada was using all of his willpower to keep himself composed.
"F-Fine." Were the words that snapped him out. "But let me hug you one last time, okay?" And this time she extended both her hands, which the cat reluctantly went into.
Echizen Ryoma. She was extremely gentle with her firm embrace. She gave the cat one enduring peck before softly placing him back to his former place. She opened her mouth but no words came.
Sanada knew what she wanted to say.
I will miss you
And the cat meowed.
That would be the last one they would hear from him.
.
.
END OF CHAPTER XXII
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER XXIV: Slumber
REPLIES TO ANGELS
SeraphelArchangelaClaudia- Heheh. Aww~ Gomen ne~ It won't take long! xDDD And thanks for the comment~
DragonFire Princess- Yep, they will fix the problem soon~! xD Thank you for the comment, btw! ;)
Natasya Ivashkov- Thank you for the review~! And she'll get there after a few chapters~ I dunno how many chapters her stay in Seigaku'll be tho. xD
BrokenBlackCat- *cackles* I won't say anything with the request. xD But yeah…. This chapter and the next one will have quite a few cap pair moments so I hope that's fine for now. xD Thx for the review~
Eeriesonata- You like Sanada's role? Heheheh. Banzaii! That's great to hear~! Thank you for the review! :D
O0violetphoenix0o- (ch20) Yes I know I'm not allowed to go on Hiatus! xD Thanks to you guys it's possible. Haha. I'm glad you liked the twists too and that it was fabulous~ Thx for the review! ;)
Kikumarucat- Hahah. But no! I can't do that, not yet. xD I do get the choice of pair tho. *cackles* Btw, Ryoma only heard Yuki's replies. xD Thanks for the comment~
xDarkxkurokox- Thank you for the review~! I'm glad you still find it addicting *whew*. xD And you're a great writer, too! o/ And yesh, Rikkai's getting more and more fans over Seigaku! lolol
TarundoruSlap- haahaha. I totally understand. Can't really change the pairing tho. Lololol. So let's leave the kidnapping to our imaginations for now. xD Thx for the comment, btw~
PinkSugarDust- Aww~ Thanks for giving this a chance and liking it! xD And loool. Did you send an unconscious vibe to me to update? Hahah. I'm still thinking about the dramatic finale tho.
Yuu- hahahah. And perhaps to write about? *cough* *cough* lolol. Anyway, thanks for the comment. xD
Lydia00- Loool. Maybe she'll be a regular maybe she won't. Maybe they'll battle, maybe not. xD It all depends on the events that'll happen in the middle. Haha. Thx for the review btw~
Yuki Masaharu- lolol. Of course~!xD She will be. Haha. Besides, she'll only be staying for a month. Hopefully, the month'll be enough. Thx for the comment~
Hitomi65- Thanks for the review and I'm glad you think it's a great chapter~! xD
Herondalfan- And lol no worries~ xD There won't be a big rift happening as far as I can see. Hahaha. And yay for Seigaku! Haha. Thanks for the review btw! :D
PurpleScorpion- Yeah~ Thank goodness you did. FF. net have been going bonkers occasionally. Lololol. Poor Ryoma. Going all jelly-jelly on us. *cackles* And waitaminute. I forgot to change the title! D: And loool. Ryoga? *cough* who knows~ ahahha
Shanagi95- N'aw. *spoiler* Rikkai will know before she leaves. But I'll note the request of course~! It'll depend on the pros and cons in the characters' POVs. Thx for the comment~
DigimonLoveForever- N'aw you're not missing anything. xD The one in the prev. chapter was her first appearance. Ahahaha. I'm very happy you love this fic so much!*hugs* and thx for the review~
Zwolftd- I know~ Thank goodness it got reduced to a month. xD I had no idea how to keep the romance in such a long distance relationship lol. And Thanks for the review~!
Snowpoppy- Actually, everyone seems to be rooting for Sanada. xD Can't change the pairing tho. LOL. I don't mind the capitalizations. And thanks for the review~
Anonymous- Ahaha. I understand. xD But the main reason I chose Yuki was that, well, I write for the pillar pair. So I feared I'd lose some ideas on scene/moments if I chose pairings with similar charas. And yes~ You'll be one I'll strive to convert to a sensual pair lover. Ahahah~
JuRy28- Thanks for the review~! And ganbatte in school! Such a distraction it is. Hahahaha. Keeping us from reading/writing fics and all… lol
Clavemien Nigram Rosa- It made your Sunday? Lol. I'm glad! And lol I wonder about Seigaku's reaction as well. xD Hopefully it'll be good! And thanks for the review~
…
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