20th Chapter: Re-Linking Fates

Their last day in Japan didn't prove to be better so far.

At least, that is what the prince of tennis thought as he woke up that day to a western breakfast. He can't even loudly complain as his mother seemed to be pissed about something his father did, again. "Must be those stash of his dirty magazines again."

Plus, his american friends who crashed for the night were acting so suspicious. Granted, Kate didn't really talk with him at all since yesterday. "It's not even my fault." And now, Kevin, who was so worried about her that he continuously bugged him yesterday, doesn't seem to talk to her anymore either. In honesty, he wouldn't have minded what his friends did as long as they didn't involve him. God knows how much Kate and Kevin quarreled back then. But somehow, he felt involved without even knowing their problem.

The weird tension in their house felt suffocating. It certainly didn't help him feel better as he was wallowing in his own thoughts too.

He was sure that it was Ryuzaki Sakuno whom he saw on the public park last night. In the corner of his eyes, he knew that she paused for a moment to look. Majority of himself expected that she would actually stop by and approach him-- that's what she used to do when she sees him play.

But the thing is, she didn't.

And so, when she turned her back, he can only stare at her from afar. How her shoulders seemed to droop as she tried her best to briskly walk away. For some reason, he felt an uncomfortable pang in his chest. Was it betrayal or plain hurt? He wasn't really sure if he should be feeling those anyway.

Ryoma isn't dumb enough to not have the slightest idea as to why she acted that way. For the first time in five years, he was made aware of her long-time feelings for him. Kevin telling him how Ryuzaki was there at the same time Kate kissed him made the way she acted last night an easy to solve puzzle.

Of course she felt hurt. She didn't know the context of Kate's actions. And truthfully, he didn't know too. Kate wasn't exactly helpful as she didn't really clarify anything yesterday at all.

The tennis prince could feel his head ache for all the thinking. It just wasn't his forte-- thinking about things beyond tennis. He was used to things being simple. Things like returning a ball landing on his court no matter what and refusing to lose in any match. It isn't that complicated.

With a frustrated huff, he looked over the side of his room where he placed his tennis bag. He lazily stood up, getting his racket and some tennis balls. Wearing his signature white cap and practice clothes, he descended the stairs to do some wall practicing.

"Sakuno? Are you sick?" the concerned question of her grandmother earned a surprised expression from the girl, "You don't look well."

They were currently baking some sweets. It has been a long time since they last baked sweets. Considering that before tennis, the grandmother and granddaughter duo had baking and cooking as their shared hobby. Over time, it became a sort of tradition that they do at least a month. Since Sakuno started to study overseas, they didn't have the time to bake again. On her last day in Japan, they decided to revive that tradition.

"I-I just had trouble sleeping last night," she gave an awkward laugh while stirring the bowl of dough, "But I'm okay, obaa-chan."

"Hmmm. Are you sure?" Sumire looked at her curiously, mittens in hand as she carefully put the tray of cookie dough inside the oven, "You see, Ada called me up about something."

"Eh?" the girl's stirring was put to a halt.

"She told me that you seemed to be in a problem," her grandmother sighed, "The other day, you asked for her permission to transfer back here and then apologizing for changing your mind since you still wanted to study there."

"What is happening, Sakuno?" the old woman continued, "You can tell me anything."

Remembering that she did call her Aunt Ada, she felt flustered. It was a moment of weakness where she had disheveled thoughts due to what happened the afternoon before. It was true that she trusted her grandmother enough to tell her everything. But since it involved Ryoma, she felt embarrassed. Her grandmother had teased her enough since first year in middle school for her to actually reveal that she finally confessed to him.

"A-Ano..." she stuttered, rummaging her brain for an escape, "I just missed being here... That's all."

"Well, it can't be helped. It was your first time being away from home on such a long time, ne?" Sumire replied, a knowing smile etched her features, "It's easy enough to feel homesick."

"But you know, Sakuno?" her grandmother continued, "You need to take courage. No path isn't easy when it comes to achieving dreams, you know?"

"Besides, your home would always be here. I won't ever go away, so you can concentrate on your studies thinking that your home would always be waiting no matter how long." Hearing her grandmother's advice made her feel better.

"Hai, obaa-chan." the girl replied softly as she finished on her batter, "I'll remember."

"That's great to hear," the grandmother laughed, "By the way..."

"Hm?" she turned to look at the old woman.

"How is living with Ryoma?" there's this mischievous sound to the way Sumire asked, "I hope he didn't inherit his father's perverted genes."

Like it was her body's natural reaction, Sakuno's face turned beet red. The way she spoke became reminiscent of her previous years.

"M-Mou, obaa-chan!" defensively, she replied, "R-Ryoma-kun isn't like that..."

"Eh? So how is he?" at this point, the older Ryuzaki laughed heartily.

"R-Ryoma-kun is..." she stammered, her voice noticeably smaller, "R-Ryoma-kun is a nice housemate."

Somehow, upon talking about him she can't help but feel somber. It was as if she continually gets reminded of the heart ache. The tumbling wheel of emotions that the past few days in Japan gave her. Sakuno tried her absolute best to not seem down around everyone, but it was getting harder. It would've been easy to lay blame on him. But Sakuno knows that it wasn't the tennis prince's fault... not even in the slightest when he can't return her feelings.

"Are? Sakuno? Are you okay?" observing her granddaughter's reaction, Sumire can't help but feel worried, "Did Ryoma do something?"

"I'm okay, obaa-chan," she replied with a small smile that she hoped to appear genuine, "Ryoma-kun didn't do anything wrong."

The coach had the urge to inquire more, seeing how her granddaughter reacted. Though she chose not to. The girl looked like she wouldn't divulge anything. But the older woman was sure that Ryoma was somehow involved with how Sakuno reacted.

With a deep breath, Sumire dropped the subject. The both of them only continued their on their respective work. And after a few moments, the light-hearted ambiance returned once again.

"Ryoma, since you're as dense as a rock and you clearly had no idea," Kate spoke tiredly that it was almost comical, "I kissed you because I like you."

She almost snorted laughing in front of the vanity mirror by Nanako's ex-bedroom. It was comedic, a funny skit indeed, save for the fact that she was the one throwing the punchline while looking at her reflection. Instead of laughing, embarrassment coursed her skin while she rehearsed. This is isn't good. Before she even gets the courage to speak, she would combust of the cringe.

"Why is it so hard to just tell him the truth?"

Kate Thompson sighed as she slumped herself on the mattress. She felt terrible and aside from the heartbreak, there's this gnawing guilt. She held out a hand to the ceiling, as if attempting to reach it. "Regrets are for tomorrow to think about... huh?"

Feeling weak, she used that very same hand to cover her face. Wallowing up on the darkness brought by closing her eyes. The past 48 hours have been so tiring. And so far, since arriving in Japan yesterday, no good thing that she didn't regret happened.

If only she didn't get in a mess with her dad. If only she didn't kiss Ryoma out of the blue. If only she realized that at some point, Kevin started to like her romantically... then maybe. Maybe she can find a way out of her own mess. And she didn't have to expend this much energy on fixing the things she thoughtlessly trampled on.

First, she needed to properly tell Ryoma her feelings. No more unsolicited spur of the moment actions. Just properly telling him what she felt, so that she can finally give herself a closure. Honestly, she didn't have to be a genius to realize that the japanese boy didn't really think of her the same way she did. After what happened yesterday, she's quite sure.

And it must have been masochistic of her to want him to reject her properly. But it was the only way, at least-- she realized for herself, to finally get a grip and move on.

And after that, she could fix things with her dad and Kevin. The former is boding to be the hardest, but Kate needed to stand for her own. The latter, she is still uncertain on how to approach. The aftermath have been silent enough. And while it is true that Kevin doesn't really avoid her, the blond would only give her curt replies. A big downgrade on how they usually interacted.

"This is so hard." she murmured, feeling hopeless.

Taking deep breaths to relax, she sat up from her bed. No use in beating around the bush now. She stood up, and with one final look on her borrowed bedroom, she got out.

Kate needed to start on the first step.

"They're finished!" Sakuno took out the last batch of cookies from the oven. She gingerly placed them in a big plate. Meanwhile, her grandmother decorated the sponge cake that was also freshly baked.

"I just realized that we made too many, no?" Sumire muttered, looking over the two regular sized cakes and the big platter of assorted cookies and flavored cupcakes.

Sakuno sweat-dropped, realizing the same. At this point, she moved on to decorating her cupcakes. "We could just give away some, obaa-chan." she suggested.

"That's the best thing we could do," her grandmother concluded, "Why don't you give some of the cake and cookies to Osakada?"

"Un! I was just thinking of giving her treats too." Sakuno excitedly smiled, "I'll go get a container and wrap."

"Ah, get an extra container too for the Echizens!" Sumire added, effectively halting Sakuno's movements to listen, "Rinko would definitely love these sweets."

"H-Hai." the girl followed her grandmother's orders. As long as she didn't have to deliver the treats personally to the Echizens' house, then it should be fine.

The duo sorted out the sweets while they carefully placed them in the separate containers. Sakuno also used a fancy plastic wrap on her cookies. Finishing up, Sumire glanced over at the wall clock by the kitchen.

"We finished just in time," the old woman commented, as she removed her apron and hung it on one of the chairs, "I needed to go to Seishun University this afternoon for some school matters."

"But obaa-chan, who will deliver the sweets to Rinko-baa-san's? She asked. Sakuno automatically will deliver Tomoka's treats personally so someone had to give the other.

"Isn't Osakada studying at Seishun University? I can just drop her treats on my way," Sumire suggested, "You can just call or text her in advance."

"Demo..." the girl pouted, not quite happy with the older Ryuzaki's idea. But seeing how it was the most convenient way, she knew that she had to agree. With a small sigh, she nodded.

"I just have to bring these to Ryoma-kun's house, right?"

Sakuno's timid expression seemed to have escaped the old woman's observation as she got out of the kitchen to change clothes. Left behind with the packages of baked goodies on the table, the twin braided girl can't help but look at the extra sheets of fancy plastic wrappers.

After an internal battle as to whether she should segregate some cookies for him, an exasperated expression graced her features. She carefully slid some cookies on the new wrap while thinking about a certain dark-green haired boy who was also the prince of tennis.

"I'm a hopeless case, probably."

As Kate ascended to the stairs that led to the temple, she can already the tennis prince practicing. The impact of tennis balls against the wall has become a normal sound to hear when you're friends with tennis freaks.

"You can do this, Kate." She uttered her silent prayer.

By no means, she is no push over. But when it comes to family and matters like these, rarely does the american girl grow a spine. In her mind, she replayed her ideal scenario. "Tell Ryoma about my feelings, get rejected properly, and then go home."

In truth, the Thompson isn't as okay as she ought to treat herself. She could still remember Ryoma's confused expression yesterday when she kissed him. That look of his, devoid of any affection that she hoped he would have. The crushing defeat even if you staked everything you had. And now that she's faced the challenge of mending friendships and letting herself move forward, it was all easier said than done.

Slightly panting from ascending the stairs and finally reaching the top, Kate faced the entrance of the temple. She can see Ryoma rallying against the wall beside the old dirt court. She half-expected to see Ryoma's father by the platform under the large bell, but luckily, he wasn't there. It would've been harder if other people had to see what she intended to happen.

She observed Ryoma while he played against the wall. Assuming that he noticed her arrival, she stood a few feet from his side, just enough that she won't get hit by a stray ball... if by some rotten luck that Echizen Ryoma would allow himself to be beaten by a wall.

"Any moment now." She waited for him to speak, or at least ask her what she was doing there. It would have been easier in her part if he did. But as Kate looked at him closely, she can see how his eyes seemed to focus on something. Strangely, it didn't seem to be about the sport he was playing. Was he distracted by other things, actually? She had no idea. But since Ryoma won't seem to regard her presence anytime, she cleared her throat.

The boy with the white cap turned to look at her in surprise. Still, with his incredible ball control, he managed to stop the bouncing ball by his racket. He balanced the neon tennis ball at he stared at Kate curiously. His amber eyes that usually appeared bored was alert.

"Hey," Kate started, feeling her throat dry, "I need to talk about something."

"What is it?" he replied, turning his head away, appearing to be irritated.

"A-Are you still angry about yesterday?" she asked, fidgeting.

Ryoma didn't reply. Instead, he lightly bounced the tennis ball in his racket, appearing to ready himself for another rally session.

"Look, I'm sorry..." Kate blurted out, aware at how her voice sounded strained, "... about kissing you yesterday."

Upon hearing her words, the Ryoma turned to look at her again. His face seemed expressionless for a moment before he spoke, "Why did you do that?"

He didn't sound angry. She was glad.

"People will misunderstood." he muttered, finally settling on balancing the ball in his racket.

"I..." Kate started, mind suddenly going blank, "I kissed you because..."

They stared at each other eye to eye. The pink-haired girl struggled to let out the words she needed to say. She had a feeling that the moment the words leave her mouth, it will all fly out from her being. Like admitting defeat and accepting loss.

Her mind wondered about the what-if, if ever she didn't tell him directly. But the pain in her chest that started to bubble up, the feeling that she wasn't sure she can handle for any longer, gave her a slap of reality. If not telling Echizen Ryoma her feelings now meant that on the next days or years of her life, she will be unable to let go and live miserably from the sidelines, then she'd rather end it all now.

At least she could still be friends with him. Just like before.

"I kissed you because," she took a deep breath to calm her heart, "I like you, Ryoma."

Kate let out a small smile directed at him. Ryoma's expression turned from curiosity, then to confusion.

"I-I..." it was Ryoma's turn to stutter, his wide eyes still surprised. Upon thinking yesterday, he formulated that maybe Kate did like him. But hearing her honest confession rendered him speechless. It wasn't the same, the feeling he had when she heard Ryuzaki confess to him for the first time.

It was different. While Ryoma wasn't sure of his feelings for Ryuzaki, he ultimately knows what he feels for Kate. He can't offer her anything beside friendship. He may not act friendly all the time, but by continuously hanging out with Kevin and then Kate, Ryoma was sure that he considered them his friends.

"I'm sorry, Kate..." he sounded as apologetic as his personality allowed him, "I only see you as friend."

For a second, Kate looked stunned. While she expected his rejection, it just hit differently when he bluntly says it like that. She swallowed the lump on her throat. Inhaling yet another deep breath to relax, she calmly spoke.

"It's okay. I already expected it," she let out an awkward chuckle, "Besides, the reason why I still wanted to say it..."

Ryoma listened to her speak.

"... is because I wanted to let go of these feelings," she heard her voice crack, but she continued, "That way, I could still appear before you and not feel hurt."

The prince of tennis can't find it in him to speak. He wasn't sure what to reply.

"That's all I wanted to say," Kate finished up, as she turned her body away from him, "Thank you for hearing me out."

Before Ryoma could say anything, Kate started to walk away. He wanted to say something and call her back. But in truth, he can't really tell her anything besides an apology.

Before Kate descended the stairs, she spoke.

"See you at school, Ryoma."

And then she was gone.

--

Kate's eyes clouded with tears as she started to walk downstairs.

"Good job, Kate. You finally did the first step."

But who could she convince? While it was true that the weight of unsaid feelings finally was lifted off her chest, it still felt terrible. And she just wanted to cry and succumb to the sadness until she finally feels better.

She almost cursed out loud when she almost tripped. Her water-logged eyes didn't seem to help her navigating the stairs. Furiously, she tried to wipe her tears away, but to no avail as fresh tears sprung on her eyes. She bit her lip, hoping that she doesn't get injured at least if she falls down.

Kate struggled to look in front that she didn't realize the mop of blond hair that slowly approached her. She knows who it is. The last thing she wanted was weep in front of him over her own failed love after she rejected him. But she just cried even harder.

He ascended the stairs easily, intercepting her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, sniffing.

Kevin Smith didn't reply as he held out a clean handkerchief to her. With trembling hands, she accepted it. Kate tried to wipe her tears away.

With his other hand, he grabbed her wrist. In silence, besides her sobs, he lead her carefully as they descended the stairs.

"Let's go home, Kate." she heard him utter.

After almost half an hour of walking, she finally arrived by their doorstep. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she hoisted the paper bag securely by one arm. She pressed on the doorbell, hoping that it was his mother instead who would open.

The footsteps approaching the other side of the door grew audible as it neared. She was fixing her bangs when the door swung open, revealing a brown-haired woman who tied her hair in a bun.

"Konnichiwa, Rinko-baa-san!" Ryuzaki Sakuno greeted, slightly bowing her head, "My grandmother wanted to give you these sweets." She held out the paper bag that contained the treats.

"Thank you, Sakuno-chan!" the woman smiled, accepting the gifts, "Send my regards to Ryuzaki-sensei."

"Hai." she replied, already ready to dismiss herself.

"It's a shame that Ryoma isn't in the house to accept your gift," Rinko said, "He's in the temple practicing."

"I-I see." she awkwardly replied, thinking of ways to finally escape before she sees him.

"I know!" Ryoma's mother suddenly suggested, "Why don't you bring some of these sweets to him on the temple? I'm sure that Ryoma would love these too."

"Eh?" the girl asked, surprised at Rinko's proposition.

"I-I don't want to disturb him, obaa-san." she shook her head, hoping that the message would get across.

"You don't have to worry about that," Rinko let out a light chuckle, "Ryoma needs to take breaks too."

Figuring out that there is no escaping in her situation, she could only nod. A sweat-drop in her forehead appearing, she received a portion of the sweets she delivered. Thanking Sakuno for the last time, she was told to go to the temple at the back of the Echizen house.

Inhaling a sharp breath when she started to take her steps, she can't imagine of what to say when she see him. She would probably just leave the sweets there and leave, providing that the cat-eyed prince would be too absorbed with tennis to even notice her. "That's right. Just give the sweets and leave."

Sakuno could feel the light weight of the extra wrap of cookies in her sling bag. It was becoming more and more noticeable to her as she walked upstairs. On the way to Ryoma's house, she already decided that she wouldn't give him that extra batch. After all, her grandmother already put some cookies on the paper bag that she just delivered. But maybe it was habitual, how she would always prepare something extra and special for him.

Without realizing it, she reached the top.

"Ryuzaki." she heard his voice call her. The girl winced, stunned as to how fast he noticed her. Trying to regain her composure, she looked at the ground before turning to see him.

"Ko-Konnichiwa, Ryoma-kun." she gave a small smile.

The boy seemed to be on a break. He's sitting on the sole bench by the side of the dirt court, drinking his favorite beverage. Sweat dotted his forehead, evidence of the practicing he just did. His amber eyes looked at her and Sakuno can't decipher what his look meant.

"E-Eto, I brought some sweets." she said, moving to hand him the box of cupcakes.

With curious eyes, he only stared at her while she walked. He didn't move from his seat, waiting for her to come.

When Sakuno arrived, she handed him the box of cupcakes. The small package of cookies in her sling bag also begged to be delivered, but she paid it no heed. Their fingers lightly touched each other when he reached out for the sweets.

"Sankyuu." He patted the free space beside him for her to sit.

"Now what?"

Seeing his gesture, she uncomfortably sat beside him. At this point, both the hazel and amber eyes can't look at each other. The silence between them that she used to appreciate didn't feel as comfortable anymore. The tension felt thick, and she wasn't sure how to break it. Sliding one of her hands inside her sling bag, she caressed the pack of cookies inside.

There's this awareness that both of them can't just bring up the last almost 48 hours. It felt too strange, weird, and somehow hard to talk about. For starters, in Ryuzaki Sakuno's side, how can she even explain why she can't do the thing he requested about acting the same even after her confession? Could she just confidently say that she saw Kate and him kissing, and so it is assumed that he's given her his answer?

On Echizen Ryoma's side, the question was, how in the world could he explain about the kiss in a way that wouldn't lead Ryuzaki on. He still wasn't sure about his feelings for the twin-braided girl, but he was sure that he didn't want her to go away too. He could only curse his luck as to why his situation turned out that way.

The way the both of them sighed at the same time would've been funnier if they weren't feeling awkward at all.

Ryoma cleared his voice, an idea popping in his head. An activity where the both of them could ease up. Playing their favorite sport could just make them communicate effectively, more than the verbal words they struggled in.

"Ne, Ryuzaki," he tried to sound nonchalant, grabbing his tennis bag from the side, "Would you like to play a match with me?"

A/N:

Uh... I dont know how to reply on reviews through the app, but big thanks for reviewing on the last chapters to Caterin Echizen, crimsonwolf94, and DracoSoull.

here are my replies for the reviews from the last chap:

to DracoSoull - yep. i feel bad for kevin too :( no worries tho, i'll make sure he'll be happy by the end too.

to Caterin Echizen - I can't say much right now, except for wait for the upcoming developments. haha .

Big thanks also to other people who favorited and followed. This fic has been ongoing since 2014 and I'm glad the fandom is still kinda alive. Haha.

See you on next chapter!