After few unintended detours and help from good samaritans, Ryuzaki finally found her way to the Echizen household. Needless to say, she's been there for a couple of times, way back middle school and just the other day, when they just arrived from the airport.

She stood outside their semi-opened solid green gate. She's yet to peek inside. With a final check, she opened her sling bag to get the pouch where she temporarily placed the watch. Sakuno secured the pouch in one hand, while she leaned to peek inside the gate, trying to see if anyone was out of the house.

But what she saw there was nothing that she expected. A painful twist in her heart surfaced. Kate tiptoed to match the tennis prince's height. Her lips were on his. Granted, Ryuzaki couldn't clearly see the youngest Echizen's expression, aside from his cat-shaped eyes that looked at Kate, as she was facing their side profiles. But Kate had her eyes closed, as if tenderly relishing the kiss.

There's this thought that broke her: Ryoma probably liked Kate.

Because if not, then they shouldn't have kissed.

And it meant that waiting for Echizen Ryoma's answer to her confession is turning out to be nonsense. She knew now. She realized now. And Fates couldn't be crueler enough to let her see that scene.

She turned to look away. But in process, the back of her arm bumped in the metal gate, earning a clank. Thankfully, the gate was still semi-open and she can't possibly be seen from the inside anymore.

Ryuzaki Sakuno can feel tears slowly welling up in her eyes. She blinked, not wanting anyone to see her cry in the middle of the street. She just wants to go home.

A familiar blond head entered her peripheral vision. It turned out to be Kevin who was walking on the street, seemingly going to the Echizen residence too. At that point, she didn't even wonder what he was doing in Japan.

Starting with soft, fast steps, she ran later on to meet him. She tried her absolute hardest to not look like she was about to cry. She swallowed back tears, and put on a fake smile.

"Ryuzaki! How's your vacation?" Kevin greeted cheerfully, still unaware of her inner turmoil.

"A-Ano, Kevin-kun.." with a meek smile, she handed the pouch to him, "Can you give this to Ryoma-kun?"

"Huh?" Kevin looked at her quizically, "Didn't you just came from their house?"

"Kevin-kun...please," She heard her voice break and for a moment, she was afraid that she's starting to cry again.

"O-Okay." the blond looked confused, but he accepted the pouch anyway.

"Thank you."

Bowing her head slightly in goodbye, she walked away... and then ran.

Eyes puffy with the crying session, Osakada Tomoka handed her a new box of tissue.

"So that's what it's about." Tomoka massaged her temples, "I'm shocked that Ryoma-sama didn't like you after all. I mean, it seemed like you really go along well."

"Mou, Tomo-chan," Sakuno grumbled, "Going along well can also mean really good friends though."

"Well..." Osakada awkwardly muttered, "That's right too. But to be really honest..."

"I'm not saying this as a fact, but I actually thought that Ryoma-sama," she continued, "Ah, I shouldn't add the honorific -sama now, right?" she quizzically said, her thumb caressing her chin.

"Anyway, I really thought that both of you had really something going on, you know?" Osakada finally said, "It really surprised me that Ryoma-sa--err, Echizen-kun liked that Kate girl."

Ryuzaki didn't have the heart to reply, as she knew that Kate and Ryoma really had a history, longer than she did with him. Sakuno only had a year of their first year in middle school, and it seemed like Kate and Ryoma had known each other longer than a year. How can she even compete with that?

"What should I do, Tomo-chan? I did it now. I've confessed and now I am rejected," She pulled another sheet of tissue to wipe her eyes again of the fresh tears that started to linger again. She took a deep breath, determined to stop her drama once and for all, "I can't possibly go back to US and live with Ryoma-kun again as if nothing happened..."

"It's not like you initially went to US because of him, right? Maybe you could ask for a new dorm room in your university instead," she paced around the room while she advised, "As the both of us know, Thompson University was your actual goal. You shouldn't forget that. It shouldn't matter whether Ryoma-sa--Echizen-kun, is there. Achieve and work hard for your own dreams, Sakuno."

Ryuzaki nodded, remembering it now. Her friend nailed it completely.

It's not like she was planning to dedicate her whole life to an unrequited pining. She have dreams for herself, just like he had a dream for himself, too. "For goodness sake, Sakuno! You aren't a 12 year old anymore." She scolded herself.

Thompson University is a stepping stone to her dream. A prestigious school with education that can ultimately help her as a professional.

It was her actual goal for studying overseas. And she shouldn't let petty issues like love to hinder her for such an opportunity. She's glad that Tomoka was here to remind her that there's something more.

"Tomo-chan..." she said to her best friend, "Thank you for being here with me."

"Ah," like a second-reflex, Tomoka then, hugged the girl that has become her unofficial biological sister over time, "I will always be here for you, Sakuno."

Tomoka rubbed Sakuno's back in an attempt to comfort her. To at least minimize the sadness within her. She's seen her best friend pine of Echizen Ryoma for years, after all. While she grew out of the phase of Osakada Tomoka, President of Ryoma-sama Fan Club, she's seen her friend stand there, still at that very moment, as if stuck in time. Of course, Sakuno didn't really let it show. But Tomoka noticed it by the way Sakuno still pursued tennis, watched the live airings on TV of the tennis prince's matches with the same endeavor, and by the way Sakuno turned down any romantic advances on her.

Osakada Tomoka knew just how much, for five years, Echizen Ryoma was still Ryuzaki Sakuno's unsaid dream.

"You know what, let's have a movie party with just the two of us." she concluded, removing herself from Ryuzaki's hug to cup her cheeks, "I can cook and you can choose any movie you want."

"Are you sure you aren't busy, Tomo-chan?" Ryuzaki pouted, worried that she was being a bother to her friend. She's quite aware that Tomoka's college is yet to commence a semestral break.

"Girl, don't worry about it!" Tomoka cheerfully replied, reminiscent of her usual boisterous energy, "And even if I am, my best friend takes the priority."

"Tomo-chan..." speechless, Sakuno resumed to hug her friend, "Thank you so much."

"Hai, hai." Tomoka chuckled, "So you fix yourself before going downstairs, okay? I'll be preparing our lunch and snacks, and you choose the movies we watch."

"Sure!" Sakuno did her best to copy the loud girl's enthusiasm.

As Osakada got out of Ryuzaki's room, an audible notification rang from the phone by the bedside. Sakuno crawled her way, as she was sitting on the opposite of the mattress.

It was a text notification to a message from Kevin Smith.

Ryuzaki,

Can we talk? Anytime is fine as long as you're free. I have some questions that I would appreciate if you clear up.

By the way, I already gave the pouch to Ryoma. Don't worry.

- Kevin Smith

The unexplainable silence and tension that ruled the Echizen house were quite thick. With both parents away for their own errands and Nanako moving out, the whole house were only occupied by Ryoma and his american friends who weren't exactly as talkative as usual.

For example, Kate refused to go out of Nanako's room, which was her temporary room until they go back to US. Ryoma laid on the tatami floor by the living room, his body facing the open sliding doors, while reading a novel. Meanwhile, Kevin leaned on the sliding doors that led and overlooked the garden outside. He was hugging one of his legs while the other was stretched on the floor as he fiddled with his phone. He just texted Ryuzaki Sakuno to possibly talk about this sudden turn of events that the girl may have known about.

Kevin was sure that something happened while he was not around. "Could it be about Kate's father?" he thought.

So he asked Kate how did convincing Ryoma go. To which, Kate passively said that it had been already taken care of. She didn't seem to have lied, either. In asking Ryoma about that topic, he was given an account of how he handled the matter.

"So why?" he wondered, if it was not about the main objective of them visiting Japan, then what could it be? What did happen after the phone call?

To further his suspicion, the three of them ate a silent and awkward lunch where nobody said a thing aside their thanks for the food. It was not like he didn't care about Ryoma, but as he knows the guy, it was a perfectly normal thing for him to be not talkative. But Kate... Kate worried him the most. She barely touched her food and just went upstairs to stay inside her room. Her being aloof like that, rarely happens.

Being childhood friends due to their family's connections, Kevin basically grew up with her. He isn't bragging when he says that he knows her well, her quirks, pet peeves, rare displays of detachment and all. He knew something was up and he wants to get the end of it. To at least understand the reason of her behavior.

Of course, he asked Ryoma first. Being he wasn't acting as weird as the girl. But he wouldn't budge. The guy would only look offended as if he was the actual victim and should be the one consoled instead. He did say something albeit irritable, that made Kevin's ideas even more vague. He said, "I don't know. I wasn't the one randomly kissing someone."

"What did he mean? Did Kate really kiss someone? Who did she kiss?"

Those train of thoughts didn't really end. Kevin had a hunch that she finally confessed to Ryoma and even worse, kissed him. He wasn't blind and he knew that Kate have grown really fond of his friend. He was lying if he wasn't the least jealous, knowing that Ryoma has always managed to get everything from him-- even the girl he was in love for so many years. It's a good thing that he wasn't immature now. And he realized that it wasn't really the japanese boy's fault that Kevin always seemed to fall short. It was his handling of things that he needed to work on more. If only he told her about his feelings back when it was only the two of them in their circle. Could the future have changed, then?

With a heavy heart, he stood up from the couch and slid his phone by his pockets. Nothing would happen if he doesn't learn the actual truth from Kate herself. Only she would tell what really happened that morning.

Ryoma didn't spare him a glance as he walked to the stairs that led up to Kate's room. He knocked on the door, not receiving any reply. He turned the doorknob, finding out that it wasn't really locked. Kevin slightly opened the door first, peeking first if he wasn't disturbing her.

He went inside the room, seeing that Kate was under the covers. Faint sobs emanated the room, and he's so sure that it was hers.

"Kate... are you okay?" he can hear himself asking her. His concerned tone evident as he closed the door behind him slowly.

"Kevin?" she sounded surprised, but then she cried out, "Leave me alone, please."

"What happened?" he peeled the blanket only to see Kate's tear-stricken face. Kevin sighed, as he sat down the bed, "What foolish thing did you do this time?"

His question earned him a swift hit of a pillow to his face. The soft object helplessly fell on the floor as Kate haughtily replied, "What do you mean by foolishly doing something? You're the foolish one here."

She sat herself on the bed, leaning on the headboard. She wiped her tears away and snatched a tissue by the bedside table for her runny nose. Kevin raised a brow, clearly surprised at how the girl was acting up.

"I heard you kissed someone." he bluntly retorted, "Did you finally lose your head?"

Upon hearing Kevin's words that she instantly knew must have been revealed by Ryoma, she hugged her knees. Reddish hue crept up to her face and ears, "I-I think so."

"What do you mean you think so?" Kevin incredulously questioned, "Come on. Spill the beans."

He saw her face turn in embarrassment, to conflicted, and then to sadness.

"I don't want to. It's really dumb." Kate replied, plunging her face to the blanket atop her knees.

"What's new?" Kevin tried to mask his worry with a taunt, "I'm sure I already know all of the dumbest things you've done before."

"Haha. Funny." Kate glared at him. In which Kevin only shrugged.

She wanted to tell him to leave, so she could just cry her heart alone. And he wouldn't have to see just how pathetic she felt. But then, Kevin wasn't lying when he claimed to know the dumb things she's done. After all, he was there... always there since the very beginning. A person she's sure she can rely on, despite their hobby of butting heads with each other.

Kate also knew him so well, likewise. The fact that he would ignore her request of leaving was a strong reminder of his persistence. She can only sigh in defeat.

"S-Since you're so pushy," she uncharacteristically stammered, "I guess I'll tell you."

Finally finishing the mystery novel he's used to distract himself, Echizen Ryoma tried to nap. He put the opened novel in his face to shut out his environment. Certainly, another diversion from excessively thinking about his life's circumstances.

It turned out to be failure though. Since he can faintly hear footsteps descending the stairs. He exasperatedly removed the cover in his face, leaning to his side, waiting for the person to pass by the door now facing him. A few moments, Kevin's face peeked in the room.

"Ah, Ryoma?" said guy called.

"Why?" He lazily looked at him.

"I'll go out for a bit." there's something with Kevin's tone that begged to be asked about his travel.

"Where to?"

"Out with Ryuzaki." Kevin said smugly which earned Ryoma a raised eyebrow.

"Go." the tennis prince scoffed, "Like I care who you go out with."

Ryoma then, proceeded to put the book in his face again. Kevin's chuckle was loud enough for him to hear until the american boy got out of the house.

"...Then, in a total spur of the moment, I kissed Ryoma." Kate's voice was small, as she looked at Kevin. Her eyes held guilt.

"Oh."

That was all Kevin managed to say. He was speechless. His composure was slipping. He did expect that somewhere along the story, a kiss happened. But it sure does hit him a lot harder when the truth came out of Kate's lips.

"T-Then what happened?" Kevin swallowed.

"He didn't say anything." Kate sighed, "I didn't say anything. It was really awkward, because basing on his reaction, he didn't look like he enjoyed it. He just looked confused."

"So, you didn't confess?" the boy curiously asked, still wanting to know more.

"Duh. It was awkward enough," Kate then fell on her side, just missing the bedside table now near her head.

"What do you think? I can't possibly tell him what I felt after his not-so-subtle puzzlement over my actions," she bitterly laughed, "I would just feel even more pathetic."

"Yeah," Kevin replied, "I totally get you."

By his reply, it was Kate's turn to look surprised.

"What do you mean?" she asked, turning her head up so she can see his face, "You like someone I don't know?"

The boy didn't reply right away. His thoughts were jumbled. He wasn't even sure why he just blurted out his thoughts. Now that Kate was asking him that question, he wasn't sure how to reply.

"Was it Ryuzaki?" Kate sounded skeptical as she really had no idea, "Do you have a crush on Ryuzaki?"

"Not Ryuzaki," he immediately replied, not wanting any more misunderstanding.

"Then who is it?"

"S-Someone you know, I guess."

"Really? Hmm..." she thought of possible candidates, "Are you sure that I know her?"

"Yep."

She really had no idea. Giving up on guessing, she just outright threw her question.

"Anyway, why did you sound like that girl you like doesn't take you seriously? Have you even confessed yet?"

"Nope." She was even more taken aback at how fast Kevin replied. He just sounded so sure.

"Then, how can you say that?" It was an honest question because she couldn't quite believe him.

"I love you, Kate Thompson."

There, he finally said it. Kevin can't quite believe that his confession didn't even last five seconds to say. He didn't really plan on telling her at the time, but like her early blunder, it was a spur of the moment thing. Though to be honest, he didn't regret it now. At least the cat's out of the bag.

"Now isn't the time for jokes, Kevin Smith." Kate only playfully slapped his back.

"See?" Just as he expected. It took him a lot, not to laugh bitterly.

"H-Huh?" Kate flashed him a perplexed stare.

"How much of a dense idiot are you?" Kevin wryly commented.

"Then... you're not joking?" It was only then, that the girl started to realize. By no means, he knew that she was't that slow. But given how she seemed confounded by his words, maybe she can't help it.

"I'm not joking."

Then from her bewildered expression, he saw how Kate's cheeks flushed again.

"I..." Kate stammered for what seemed the umpteenth time that day, "I'm shocked."

He can see that clearly. But still, he can feel himself tense. No matter how out of the blue his confession was, it's enough for him to be nervous. Anytime now, she'll make the final blow. It was nerve-wracking.

"I'm not sure if I can take your confession to heart... for now," she said it, "I'm sorry."

And though he was aware of how his heart slowly rips itself apart, he tried to look okay. After all, he already expected this. The room they were in seemed smaller now. He can only turn his face away, so that she doesn't have to see him if ever he breaks.

"No worries." Kevin awkwardly laughed. All he wanted is to just get away from the scene, so that he doesn't say anything to make things even more strained as it is.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. The hand he used to get it out trembled slightly. The screen blared to life. It was a reply from Ryuzaki Sakuno, whom he texted earlier.

He has found an escape.

When he told Kate that he had somewhere he needed to go, she looked worried. But she ultimately didn't stop him. He wasn't sure whether he appreciated that.

Going out to see Ryuzaki didn't allow him to break his tough facade even after Kate's rejection. But it at least allowed him to get out of the house. He honestly felt terrible, but he wasn't really keen on letting it show so other people would know.

So when he passed by Ryoma as he was going out, he decided to tease him a bit. A way to let out some steam and at the same time act the usual. Seeing how his friend immediately riled up, gave him the idea that it wasn't just him who's being restless.

It waslate afternoon at a certain cafe that was walking distance from both of their places. It wasn't as crowded, not like the duo expected, but it was more than welcome. Kevin was the first one to arrive.

"I'm sorry that I chose such an inconvenient time, Kevin-kun." Ryuzaki Sakuno apologized.

She didn't initially plan on meeting that soon, but Tomoka received an urgent call from her university after watching two movies on the Ryuzakis' house. She convinced her reluctant friend that she's now okay and can even go out with her on the way to the university. After some hugs and apologizing, they parted ways. That was only when Sakuno had the energy to reply for Kevin's early text.

"No, it's okay," Kevin sipped on his coffee, clearly dreary, "This is much better than sulking at Ryoma's house."

Kevin just told her that his question would've been what happened just before she ran away from the tennis prince's house. But apparently, Kate had already supplied Kevin of what actually happened. And what was him telling the girl that he didn't actually have questions anymore, turned to a full on account of what ensued before he arrived at their meeting place. He didn't mention how Ryoma low-key rejected Kate as it would leave bad taste if it comes out of him, but Kevin did share how he was blatantly rejected.

"S-So you finally confessed to Kate-san, huh?" Ryuzaki, likewise sipped on her milk tea. She tried to sound careful, so as not to make him feel bad.

"Finally?" Kevin inquired, stunned at the girl's choice of words, "You mean you know that I like Kate?"

"I had an idea... But I wasn't sure until you told me about the confession."

"So, I was that obvious?" a small sarcastic laugh escaped from Kevin's mouth, thinking about how Kate looked surprised with his confession.

"I-I can't really say it was obvious," Sakuno tried to ease the blue atmosphere, "It was just a hunch."

"Anyway, even if I already got the answers I needed," the blond boy curiously looked at her, "Why did you run away?"

"Eh?"

She choked on her drink, unable to decide on what she should reply.

"Hey, are you okay?" he was alarmed at the girl's sudden accident.

"H-Hai," Sakuno nodded, recovering, "I'm okay, Kevin-kun."

The guy eyed her suspiciously before resuming his question.

"So why did you run?"

To this, his companion fidgeted and looked away, "T-There was an emergency that I had to go to."

She lied. Even if Kevin was comfortably sharing his recent unfortunate event, she still can't get the courage to be honest with him. She found her situation rather embarrassing, despite her hurt. And how can she even have the heart to tell him that she found Kate and Ryoma kissing so she ran away? He just got rejected and she wasn't sure whether Kate told him about that kiss.

"Don't tell me, you confessed to Ryoma that morning?" he guessed, gauging the girl's reaction. Kevin had a theory that she must have done something earlier.

"H-Huh?" for the second time that day, Ryuzaki Sakuno choked on her drink. Fortunately, she had her handkerchief by her hand so she can immediately clean herself.

"So I was right?" Kevin's eye had a glint of victory, despite the melancholic aura he had been emanating the whole time.

"N-No!" the girl flailed her hands in denial, cheeks getting red. But still, the way that the boy in front of her stared, wasn't convinced.

"Oh well." she sighed.

"I-I m-mean," she stuttered, not really aware of how deflated she sounded, "I did confess yesterday."

"Oh," he didn't anticipate that Ryuzaki actually already told Ryoma.

He was sure that if ever the girl confessed, he would actually realize it by the way Ryoma acted. Kevin was aware how the girl in pigtails have come to impact the amber-eyed boy's everday life. He was so sure that if ever something came up about her, he would act strange. But judging his early interaction with Ryoma, despite his being easily riled up, he didn't look strange when he mentioned going out with Ryuzaki.

"So what did Ryoma say?" he didn't mean to pry too much, but he was curious. Looking at how gloomy the girl sounded, it probably ended up bad.

"He didn't really reject me," the girl gave a decrepit smile, "But with how Ryoma-kun acted, I might as well be."

"Seeing him kiss Kate-san was probably enough to conclude." the realization made her teary. She had to swiftly wipe her eye so she wouldn't get caught crying.

Somehow, guilt formed within Kevin. He was worried that he touched on a sensitive subject. Ryoma can be painfully blunt, after all. He had an idea of how terrible she must have felt.

"Ah, shouldn't we just head to a bar and drink the glumness away instead?" Kevin joked, sarcastically holding the cup of coffee in his hand.

"It must have been Kevin-kun's attempt to lighten the mood." she appreciated his try at being enthusiastic.

"But Kevin-kun," she replied apologetically, "I don't really drink alcohol."

Kevin chuckled, obviously amused.

It was almost 8:30 pm when Sakuno and Kevin decided to go home. Kevin offered to walk her home, but she politely declined, claiming to still have errands in the convenience store. Honestly though, she just wanted to walk alone and enjoy the solitude.

The chilly night was almost the same as yesterday's. It's officially been a day since she told the Prince of Tennis her feelings. Thinking back, all she wanted was to finally tell him that. She can still remember herself from last year. The Ryuzaki Sakuno who tirelessly pines for him. Still regretful that she didn't have the chance to confess back in middle school.

It was funny, because that same thing she wanted, caused her heartache. It wasn't as if she wasn't aware that reality is like that. But still, expecting the worst doesn't really make you feel better. It was more of a facade where you pretend that everything is fine as you expected.

She still wanted to cry.

And so, despite willing the tears away as she walked home, a tear or two managed to escape.

"And it was just the corner of this park and I can be really alone in my walk." she bit her lip.

The park she was referring to is the neighborhood park near her home. It's quite close to the main streets, so there were still people hanging out and about. Passing by meant that she can walk around the denser residences and houses to her way home.

Just as about she passes by the park's tennis courts an ongoing match caught her attention.

Three kids who looked about 12, is currently rallying with a person she's all too familiar with. It was a good thing that the park had night lights focused on the court or it would've been hard to play in the dark.

She can see his back. His dark-green hair is covered by his signature Fila cap. Though it didn't look like a serious match, he still managed to appear graceful in his movements. The laughter and exuberance of the kids he was playing with gave away the fact that they were enjoying.

Normally, she would've take a closer look-- mesmerized as she would watch him play. Gleefully cheer him on silently, even if it was a wall he was playing against.

But all she did was briefly pause, swallowing back her tears. Then she averted her eyes from the court and focused on finding her way home.

Unknown to her, a pair of amber cat-eyes looked at her from afar. He was wondering if she saw him. And if she did, he wished she wouldn't walk away.

A/N:

It's been a week! Phew, my earlier estimate of this story being around 25 chapters is a total mistake now. LOL. I can't help but write more than my estimated word count and story outline, so... ;)

This chapter was more Kate, Kevin, and Sakuno. Not much RyoSaku content, but I hope you still liked it. It's been a while since I wrote chapters about Kevin and Kate so this chapter wasn't ready as soon as I expected and took me more time to write. The story at this point is more dramatic, and I hope I did justice.

Thank you so much for reading!