"Sometimes your heart needs more time to accept what your mind already knows"

He smirked upon receiving the strawberry cake from the owner, hurriedly, Ryoma bowed politely as he headed outside of the cake shop. For some reason Ryoma didn't know why he bought this cake for a certain person, it is just a snap of idea in his head to buy one, whether it is due to the influence of her grandmother or his own idea, he didn't know and he doesn't mind.

Walking in the street of Osaka was not new to him now, being here every weekend helps a lot for him to adopt easily as if it is his own hometown - or something inside his head telling this familiarity to him.

Since it is weekends, there is a lot of people passing by, but for Ryoma he didn't care, all he wanted is to reach his destination. Visiting here earlier was not on the plan, though he visits every Sunday, it was his first time visiting alone early as Saturday. All thanks to her grandmother and his parents nonstop teasing about him at that certain brunette girl. He didn't care much about their teasing but for some reason he felt like wanting to see her, most especially when she's was that too pretty in her ponytail.

.

.

.

Sakuno blink twice thrice as if she can't believe of the person in her front. Her face blushed instantly the moment their eyes met. She holds her own heart that erratically beating.

On the other hand, Ryoma took his cap down, smirking seeing her baffled reaction, he walks straight to her doing his signature smirked that she known for so long.

"Ryoma-kun, what are you doing here?" Sakuno can't help but to look away, she clearly aware on how her heart almost jumping inside of her chest.

"Mada mada dane"

'Mou! What does it supposed to mean?' Sakuno pursed her lips, sometimes she can't understand the words behind his favorite phrase.

"Konichiwa Ryoma-san!" Tohru greeted him.

"What this twerp doing here? - ouch!" Kyo almost shouted, he looks at Tohru who deliberately pinch his side, upon recovering he glared towards Ryoma who seems not affected on his deathly stare.

" I brought something in the market when I decided to passed here" Ryoma said coolly. But in reality, he really came to pick her up and buying something is his excuse to do so. Of course, he wouldn't know the exact time she will go out to her school thanks to Sumire obaa san who deliberately insinuate to him.

Tohru chuckled; she hid her smiling face by covering her lips with her book. Slowly, she pulled Kyo on her side as an idea arises in her head.

"Mou! Gomene Sakuno-chan, I totally forgot! Shigure-san told us some errands to buy some stuff at home! We should head first!" She smiled; she keeps pulling Kyo.

"What errands?" Kyo baffling asks, his eyes narrowed on her blatantly lies

But instead, Tohru smile devilishly, her familiar smile whenever she threatens Kyo to do something even he doesn't agree to do so.

"Ryoma-kun, can you please accompany Sakuno-chan? We decided to go somewhere but it seems we can't come to her this time" Tohru said, her eyes sparkles upon thinking she did a good job.

"Ja, let's go Sakuno" Ryoma said.

"Mou!" Sakuno said, she was about to add something when Tohru pushes her towards the tennis prince, she mouthed good luck and a soft giggle escaped from her lips.

.

.

.

Ryoma and Sakuno were heading to their last destination, after buying some groceries in which took so much time since Sakuno meticulously took her time in buying raw ingredients in the supermarket, they decided to go in a sushi store to pick up the sushi's her grandmother bought ordered in advance.

Sakuno can't helped but to keep stealing glances to the tennis prince, feeling guilty for taking so much time in groceries and now letting him carry everything they bought.

"Is this the place?" Ryoma asks, he looks at her waiting for her reply.

"Yes?" Sakuno seems startled, she didn't realize that they already there. Slowly, she nodded her head.

"Konbanwa!" Sakuno greeted first as they entered inside.

The young guy who seems the same age as theirs greeted them or rather Sakuno in his warmest smiled, in which Ryoma can't helped but narrowed his eyes.

"Good evening too Sakuno-chan!" He smiled, showing his perfect set of teeth. His eyes twinkle in delight upon seeing Sakuno.

From some reason, the young tennis prince felt irritated to his presence, his way of looking to her makes his irritation grows beyond compare. it's good thing that he always has a stoic expression that no one knows what's inside his head right now, that he wanted to smash his smiling face with his racket right now. How dare he, smiled like that to his 'Sakuno'

Ryoma snaps back to his deadly thoughts realizing, what the hell he was thinking? He stared at them, seeing how comfortable Sakuno was to him, they seem to know each other for a long time. Truth to be told, Sakuno can easily attract people by her side, she was naturally kind and honest. Her adorably shyness is kind 'a amusing.

"Anou, Ryoma-kun"

Ryoma flinched, startled by her sudden call, he didn't realize that he was engrossed on his own thoughts about her. He stared at the four eyes curiously looking at him, Ryoma smirked seeing the surprised look on the guy's face.

"What is it?" Ryoma asks, he sit right next to Sakuno in the stool counter.

"Well, Daisuke-kun made some new recipe of their sushi and asking for feedback, I was wondering if you want to try some?" She asks "since it will take time to wait for our order"

"Well, it's fine with me" Ryoma said one hand on his chin as he closes his eyes.

"Here you can taste it" Sakuno offered the sushi, she gently pushed the plate but what makes Sakuno and Daisuki surprise is Ryoma's next unexpected move, he leans over to Sakuno and gently raised her hand and eat the sushi on her chopstick.

"It's good" Ryoma said as if he didn't do something.

'He used my chopstick!' Sakuno blushed from his action.

"Right! I will call tousan inside" the guy's name Daisuke vanished from their sight; he quickly went inside of the kitchen to remind his father for their orders.

Seeing his reaction, Ryoma can't help but smirked.

"Ara! Sakuno-chan I didn't expect you will be here! I was preparing for your order to deliver anyway" the middle age man came out of the kitchen, he smiled generously to her, realizing that she didn't come alone, his greetings extended to Ryoma who just stared at him.

"Konbanwa Masaki-san, obaachan informed us if we can get it here for you not to be bothered." She fidgets her fingers. Still in middle of daze from Ryoma's bold action.

"ie, it's our job and you never been a bother to us" Masaki smiled, he stared at Ryoma for long, he looks familiar in his eyes wondering where he saw the young tennis prince. His blatantly stare makes Ryoma stared at him too.

"Ano, he's Echizen Ryoma" Sakuno said, introducing Ryoma to him. Sensing his curiosity towards the tennis prince.

"Ryoma-kun he's Masaki-san, he's one of closest friends of obaachan"

"ECHIZEN RYOMA?!"

Before Masaki give his reaction Daisuki surprisingly shouted in his father's back, his eyes wide open.

"That's why you look so familiar!" Masaki beams, his eyes twinkle in anticipation seeing face to face the youngest tennis champion of Australian open last season

"I didn't realize it sooner! Hahaha. I'm a huge fan! Sakuno-chan! You didn't tell us your friends with Echizen Ryoma! I always watch your tournaments!" Masaki laughed.

"Thanks" Ryoma said. " But were not friends" he added. "I'm her fiancé" he corrected.

The father and son seem surprised same as Sakuno who eyes grew bigger like a saucer plate. Face blushed from an instant she quickly looks down hiding her blushing face.

Ryoma nonchalantly looks at Daisuki reaction, seeing his surprise reaction, he smirks. He leans his one hand over his head as he looks at Sakuno who still blushing, a smirk form on his lips seeing her cute reaction. Nevertheless, he seems in the good mood.


"Miyu, Syusuke is in the other line" Miyu's mom said while knocking on her door.

Miyu eyebrows furrowed, wondering why he called over the telephone not on her mobile phone. Hurriedly, she went outside of her room as she answered the call in their living room.

"Moshi moshi"

"Miyu-chan!"

Eiji's voice was heard on the other line, loud voices was heard, it seems the whole team was together.

"Eiji-senpai" Miyu answered she smiled hearing their loud voices. The bickering of the tennis trio, the nonstop fight between Momo senpai and Kaido senpai, and how Oishi senpai, their mother hen tries to stops them.

"Miyu- chan, your free next weekend's, right? nya!" Eiji asks cheerfully

"Next week?"'

"Momo invites the rest of the regulars to celebrate their anniversary, he asks you to come and join us, including your friends" this time it was Fuji who talks, she can clearly hear the grumbling voice of Eiji who seems deprived of something.

"Is it okay?" Miyu asks.

"Nah, nah. Why is it not okay?" Momo-senpai asks.

Miyu can clearly imagine him putting his small finger inside his ear.

"But-"

"No buts okay?" Momo-senpai said

"Ochibi will sure happy to see you! Nya!" Eiji shouted on the other line.

"Okay, I will invite my friends with me"

"Horay! The more the merrier! Nya!"


The night was silent and only the breezing sound of aircon will hear inside the guestroom, yet, no matter how quiet and solemn the place is, the young tennis prince can't settle for sleep. Contemplating whether to go outside or not, Ryoma stood up from the bed, he looks at the clock from the side drawer and notices the time, sighing, he decided to get up and get some water from the fridge.

Dim lights are the first thing to notice outside the room, yet, Ryoma who was ability objects clearer even in darker places, saw Sumire obaasan sitting in the corner of the dining hall, from how she looks she seems bothered. Her face was sullen as if she was thinking of something deep that she didn't even realize that Ryoma walks pass on her and looking at her intently.

A glass of water appears on the table, Sumire looks up seeing the pair of golden eyes. Ryoma is the exact replica of his father during teens, as if she was staring the young Nanjirou in front. Though despite the spitting image of them, from the arrogant looks up to his charismatic aura, he seems a better version of his dad, since half of his blood came from her mother Rinko.

"Why are you still up?" Sumire asks. She secretly set aside the paper that she was holding.

"Can't sleep" Ryoma who notices her weird action shrugs.

"Do you mind having a talk to this old hag?" Sumire smiled.

They went in the engawa(porch), the stars from the sky are clearly seen from the view. Ryoma leans his back from the edge while Sumire admiring the stars from above.

"Ryoma, what do you think of my granddaughter?" Sumire asks, she looks intently on his eyes.

Ryoma seems surprised for his sudden question, although he has a hunch on whatever topic they might talk about, being asks like this directly makes him speechless.

Sumire smiled; she seems not surprised nor waiting for his response. "My granddaughter, she is a very precious child. My lovely granddaughter." Sumire smiled genuinely upon recalling the image of her only grandchild. "She always smiles despite of pain, always says it's okay even not and always give in to the point that she didn't care about her own. She's just like that." Sumire stared at the stars. "What I want to say is, please take care of my granddaughter Ryoma, whether it is out of my selfish stubbornness of this old woman. But I sincerely asking you"

"You talk like you're going to a faraway land obaa san" Ryoma said, he smirks at her "If Sakuno will hear this from you, she might feel anxious" he added looking intently at her

"I know you're a smart kid Ryoma" Sumire said.

"I don't know the reason why you saying these, but don't you think it's best to see and witness while your precious great grandchildren grow?"

The sudden heaviness of atmosphere lifted Sumire laughed out loud.

"You are really Nanjirou's son" Sumire keep laughing, she wipes her eyes that shed tears from laughing. "I'm not getting any younger, the time I will spend here might shorter than we can imagine, but just imagining it, l hope they will look like more of Sakuno"

"Heh" Ryoma smirked, an image of mini her smiling crosses his mind. "I don't mind, even its dozens" he added playfully.

A smile of relief crosses on Sumire's face. For some reason, she knows she did a right thing entrusting her grandchild to him.


Days past like that, just like the usual and typical day for a certain tennis prince, Ryoma was stretching his body as warming up, with racket on his back he swings his upper back from side to side when Momo senpai forcefully cling on his shoulder

"Echizen!"

"Hanase! Momo senpai" the young tennis prince grunted. He glared towards Momo who grinning from ear to ear.

"Wanna play a match?"

"Are you ready to lose Momo senpai?"

"Hah! Where is the monster power coming from?" Momo grunted as he lost twice in a row in their match, asking for rematch right after the game, Ryoma didn't have any mercy on him. On which, Momo wants too. For him, Ryoma is someone he needs to defeat whatever happens.

"Mada mada dane senpai" Ryoma smirk, he opens his tennis bag, he searches for his towel, Momo who seems looking at his things inside his bag sees something that caught his eyes.

"Whoa! You bought new tape?" He asks, "I thought you like the usual tape you using"

Ryoma shrugs, he just continuously wiping his sweat. Of course, there is no way he will tell him he got that racket tape as a gift for his fiancée. There is no way he will talk about her, not right now. The existence of his fiancée will remain discreet not until they both settle their real score. Although he felt comfortable to her and so she was to him, they never really talk about the possible relationship, it seems like a taboo topic between them and regardless of whom might cross the prohibited topic even they had an opportunity to open up to, might break the build relationship right now. They seem friends but more than that. It's too complicated.

Since when Ryoma like complicated things? For Ryoma, he was not sure on what he felt for her. Whether it was out of obligation or responsibility, neither spur of the moment or amazement towards her. He doesn't know. What is he supposed to know about these things though?

.

.

.

"Neh, are you even listening?" Ryoma asks on the other line; he was busy explaining some topic on English subject.

"Gomene, Ryoma-kun" Sakuno apologetically said, she sighed.

"You, okay?" Ryoma asks, he waited for her to talked, of course, he knows she was not okay, he can clearly tell, no matter how she tries to make her voice lively than usual, her tone was bit shaky. She seems about to cry 'what the hell happen?'Ryoma can't help but feel irritated, just thinking of her crying was enough for him to feel annoyed.

"I'm listening, you know you can tell me, right?" He spoke.

"It's nothing, it's just-" Sakuno pause "I felt like obaa chan is hiding something on me" she said, her throat dried up, as if she was restraining her tears.

Ryoma kept on listening to her.

"I'm worried about her" she said in sad voice.

Ryoma felt unease, he felt his chest tightens listening to her lonely voice. He wanted to hug her right now.

"Gomene Ryoma-kun, I shouldn't tell you something like this" Sakuno said, she smiled even he will not see it by the way.

"Betsuni, I am not sure if this will help, but you can tell her anytime your concerns right, she's your grandma after all."

"Un" Sakumo smiles, her mood brightens a little.


"Miyu, do you have a time?" Yuuka, Miyu's mother asks, she smiled at her only daughter.

"Yes mom," baffled from her sudden call, Miyu stood up on her bed as she followed her mother outside.

The study room of her father is awfully quiet, though it's usual for her, Miyu can't help but feel nervous whenever she was here. Being the only daughter of this family, she needs to act like a perfect and flawless daughter in her parent's eyes. Growing up, she was well thought of their family's prestige. Both of her brother's growth under the strict supervision of their father, and she has no different from them.

"Sit down Miyu" Naoki, her father said, the strictness of his voice lace beyond coldness. "I heard that you already sign out for the competition abroad"

"Yes dad"

There is a long paused, Naoki looks at her for a long time before getting to his point.

"Do you still have any communication to that guy?" Her father asks.

That guy. Miyu is fully aware of whom he was pertaining to.

"We are friends" she said, she looks straight on her father's eye. "And I think there is nothing wrong with that"

Her father nodded, he stared at her for so long before sighing.

"Do you still remember our agreement?"

"Of course, I am fully aware of that father" Miyu said in restraint voice.

Another sighed escaped from her father's lips as if he was having a hard time on its own.

"If you win this competition, I'm letting you date him again, without any restraints."

Miyu eyes doubled its size, as if her own ears deceiving her, she stared at her mother whom smiling with shed tears.

Overjoyed with the news, Miyu runs out to her father and hugs him tight.

"Thank you, daddy!" She said smiling.

"Of course, I want to meet him again, if his worth of my only princess" her father said.

Miyu hurriedly runs out of the room; she went straight in her own room dancing happily.

She shouldn't wait any longer, she has to set things straight to him again. A smile form in her lips as she thinks of her perfect plan for their reconciliation.


The long wait is over…

Coming next chapter:

"Miyu..."

Her trembling lips touch his, with shaking hands desperately wanting to hold him, Miyu capped his cheeks, desperately wanting him to response. She closes her eyes in the process, waiting for him to return her heated kiss.

"I'm sorry, who's this? Ryoma is still in shower I will-"

"Who's that Miyu?"

"I don't know someone name Kyo? Gosh! Can you at least wear something descent!"

"Give me my phone, Hell-"

Toot…. toot...

"Why I felt complacent over that? Why I didn't realize it sooner? I become comfortable to the little kindness he given me. I'm so stupid for not knowing my place!"

"Ryoma. .. Sakuno is missing"

"Obaa chan I'm all alone. Should I come with you then?"

Like a wind, Ryoma didn't know how fast he run towards nowhere, his mind is haywire. He no longer cared for his aching face, he no longer cared if he runs miles or the rain is pouring down. Bullets of sweats were visible on his forehead, same how he was drenched in rain.

"SAKUNO!"

In the midst of grave sorrow and loneliness, he found her. For the first time in his life, Ryoma felt like he died. Seeing her like this, slowly he took a single step to her.

"Sakuno..."

Slowly he reached from her, their eyes met, his golden eyes met her chocolate eyes yet he can no longer recognized the depths of solitude of her gazed.

"Sakuno..."

Rivers of tears flows down freely on her eyes like a never ending vain. Ryoma reaches her, enveloping her with a tight hug. Hugging her all, her inner soul, her broken heart and torn self.

"You were never be alone. I'm here. From now on I will be your family"


I'm sorry for taking so long before my update. Next chapter is under work right now, I'm in the middle, I guess? Might be finish before next week.