The dim light from the windows illuminated Ryuzaki Sakuno's room. She lay on her bed, closed eyes, trying to count sheep until she fell asleep. But it has been hours, probably, and sleep doesn't even touch her system yet. It was as if she's not tired of the whole day that just passed by. She's getting impatient, and after the 1000th sheep has been counted, she gave up. Sitting on her bed, she tried to find her slippers through the dim light.

"Maybe I just need to drink some tea." a gush of wind coming from the open windows, making the curtains sway, made the Ryuzaki shiver a bit. Slipping on her footwear, on pajamas, she got out of the bed with the goal to close the window then go downstairs for a cup of tea.

Sakuno slid the curtains to the side as she reached for the window's lock. Her long unbraided hair moved a little with the wind. She felt goosebumps for some reason, as she closed the glass window. A chill on her spine remained as she tried to dismiss her thoughts. "It was probably just the cold wind." she tried to assure herself, while setting the curtains down, making sure the window is covered.

Slowly, she made her way out of her room. Facing the door to the tennis prince's room, she was very careful of the footsteps. Passing the guest room, Sakuno silently descended the stairs, trying to not wake anyone from the house. After all, it was 11:45 PM already as what the digital clock on the wall of the living room flashed. But she was quite surprised, an open laptop is on the table with paperworks at the side. The living room being faintly lit from the open lights at the kitchen. "Someone's thirsty as well?" She curiously made her way to the kitchen but she saw none. Instead, she heard the familiar bounce of tennis balls against the wall. The back door outside through the kitchen, is not locked. And as if she already knew who was playing tennis alone outside, at the dead of the night, despite the university's curfew, she opened the door to peek.

His dark green locks shined against the bright spotlight outside. With every swings of the racket, his expression remain unchanged, looking quite bored, actually but he still continued to play against the outside walls of the kitchen.

"Ryoma-kun?" she made her presence known to him.

"Why?" he replied nonchalantly, like playing tennis outside at this time is normal.

"Why are you practicing at this time?" the cold wind brushed against her skin, and she wished she was wearing a thick jacket instead of her thin, bunny print pajamas. She shivered slightly at the contact.

"I can't concentrate on my homework." he stopped on hitting the ball, and caught it with his right hand easily. He looked at her slightly blushing face from the cold. He sighed, as he walked to the door, the Ryuzaki girl following him inside the kitchen.

"Why are you still awake?" he put his red racquet against the wall, and proceeded to the refrigerator.

"I-I can't sleep." she reasoned out, and she suddenly felt embarrassed noticing the prince's curious eyes on her while drinking his ever beloved chilled Ponta, "So, I'm making myself some tea." Suddenly, wearing her pajamas is not the greatest of all ideas.

"Hm." he nodded, accepting her words, "Ne, Ryuzaki." he smirked, catching her off guard, "Those bunny prints look nice."

Flushing, she replied, "M-Mou, Ryoma-kun!"

But he ignored her protest. Looking amused, he walked to the living room, carrying his can of Ponta, leaving the girl on the kitchen to make her tea.

"Why does he love teasing me so much?" she pouted.

Looking at his back, Sakuno saw him on the table at the living room continuing his unfinished work.

"What could it be?" she thought, realizing they haven't been assigned any paperwork by the professors. "He must be catching up or something."

Keeping her thoughts to herself, she proceeded on heating water on the electric thermos. She waited for a while, and when it was ready, she poured some hot water from the thermos to the teapot and prepared two cups. Ryuzaki finally prepared the concoction. Remembering him, she has decided to give the hardworking Echizen some tea. Carefully placing the teapot on a tray as well as the cups, she was ready to go to the living room when she was reminded of something.

"Ah, Ryoma-kun hasn't locked the back door." so before she went to the living room, she locked the door.

Walking slow and steady, she proceeded to carry the tray. She expected that he's too busy on his laptop, but to her surprise, she saw him sleeping on his table. "Ah, typical student behavior." She smiled to herself. Why was she even surprised? Sometimes she forgets that the great tennis prodigy, the perfect man, Ryoma Echizen is also a normal university student.

She placed the tray on the center table of the living room, just beside the other working table where Ryoma is sleeping. Silently, Ryuzaki sat on the sofa and poured her cup. Sitting comfortably in silence, the light illuminating from the kitchen is enough to see Ryoma's features.

If he was awake, she can't just stare at him as long as this. He has long eyelashes, she knew even if she's not looking so close at him. His face looks so serene, and even childlike when he's sleeping like this. She can't believe that this man has blunt, and cocky attitude if you would just look at him now.

"Why am I being like this?" blushing to herself, she took a sip of her tea. How long has she been in love with this guy? And why can't she just drop her feelings off? When she looks back on their middle school, he was her first crush, her first love, so she kind of understood why she was fond of him. But five years has already passed. Was her childish love this strong? They're not even super close before... and she can't talk straight to him without making herself funny and too talkative. She was supposed to be a composed adult now but she's doing the contrast...all because of her undeniable feelings for him.

But then, Ryuzaki Sakuno just recalled her first day on this house, trying to give up on him. And she tried, since there was really nothing she can hold on to except a petty middle school girl's love. Somehow, it was different now. While living with him, the auburn-haired girl realized that in terms of friendship, surely she has leaped far from before. She realized his usual short replies are not as short anymore when he talks to her. She realized that he has been slowly accepting of her, even without romantic feelings involved.

The girl sighed, and maybe, it was the reason she can't let go of her feelings yet, as unfair as it sounds. Living with him just made her in love with him more. But that doesn't mean she's got to ruin the good friendship they have.

Putting her empty tea cup on the try, she hugged her pajama-wearing legs. Her long hair dropped in front of her face as she set her head on her knees. She can feel her heartbeat against her chest. It's just a little staring at him while his sleeping so why this intense reaction?

"This is hopeless."

Ryuzaki Sakuno woke up, her neck aching from sleeping in the sofa. Groggily, she looked at the time, 7:00 AM it read, then she looked at the working table where he was supposed to be sleeping. He's nowhere. She looked at the scattered pillows that fell to the carpet when she woke up. Who could be the person who was kind enough to give her pillows? She tried not to assume it was the tennis prince, but she low-key did anyway. Remembering she had 10:30 classes, she picked up the pillows and walked upstairs, returning them to her bed. She quickly snatched up her towel and went to the bathroom to do her usual morning routines.

Going out of the bathroom, she saw Rinko, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. The delicious smell of eggs and bacon wafted through the air. It made Sakuno's stomach grumble.

"Ohayou, obaa-san." she greeted the lady.

"Ohayou, Sakuno-chan." she smiled at Sakuno shortly, transferring the contents of the pan to the plate she's holding.

"I'm sorry, I woke up late." the Ryuzaki was apologetic, letting their visitor cook all of the breakfast prepared on the table, "I should've prepared breakfast, obaa-san."

"Never mind me, Sakuno-chan." the older lady just patted her shoulder, "I love cooking."

Ryuzaki, even then prepared the plates for everyone. While waiting for the others, she learned some cooking recipes and even household hacks that she never knew are possible from Rinko. The girl was so thankful. Aside from her grandma, it was her first time working with anyone older than her in the kitchen.

After a little while, the guys have started to gather at the table with the exception of the mischievous Ryoga who apparently left early for a match. They ate together, sharing some laughs. Nanjiroh just can't seem to get enough of teasing the tennis prince as he does it whenever possible. But Ryoma though, almost always ignores him which was quite funny for Sakuno because the father can be hilarious at times. Sometimes, Rinko would interfere and they would be quiet for just a short moment before starting at it again. It was kind of noisy, but Sakuno was kind of glad, eating together with them. This was the closest family breakfast she had since she left Japan. She really misses her grandma.

The time has finally come, and just following the breakfast, Ryoma's family got their baggages out of the house and are ready to go.

"Sakuno-chan, thank you for having us." Rinko's thankful smile was returned by also a thankful smile from the girl. The lady may not be aware but she's more thankful of her than she thinks. Of course, before going inside the taxi they hailed, Nanjiroh still managed to annoy his son, "Ryoma, take care of Ryuzaki-chan, okay?" he laughed, "Don't let other guys steal her from you."

Sakuno perfectly understands that it was all just a joke, but her cheeks still tinted pale pink as she said her goodbyes to the tennis prince's parents.

She'll certainly miss their company.

"Ryuzaki, won't you be late for your morning class?" his monotonous voice asked her.

"Eh?" she was lost for a moment there, and then she realized, "I need to go!"

Running inside the house, grabbing her bag, she made her way to the university, leaving the Echizen who just finds her amusing to observe.

"There is is again." Sakuno impatiently squeezes the strap of her bag. It is almost 5 PM and the sun is starting to set down. She normally walks comfortably, but this time, she can't help but feel like a pair of eyes are staring at her secretly. Lately, she's feeling weird and jumpy. But she can't pinpoint why.

It was such bad luck that she's the only one walking in this secluded area near the dormitories. That certainly didn't make her feel any better.

Ryuzaki almost jumped out in fear when a crunch of dried leaves from behind her was heard. She looked back, and saw none. A few rustling of the bushes behind her and she's so done. It was the start of her feeling more scared. She walked towards the dorms with a faster pace, and trying to calm herself from fear. Beads of cold sweat started to moist her forehead.

Just why does it seem like someone's always looking at her...in a bad way these days? It almost seemed like a stalker.

But as Ryuzaki reached the house shortly, she tried to dismiss those thoughts. After all, why would anyone stalk the plain, simple and clumsy Ryuzaki Sakuno?