chapter 10: Seigaku High School

"Happiness is... When you meet unexpected friends"

Sakuno was literally shaking, her palms sweating as she can literally hear her heart pounding inside her chest. Her mind haywire from many thoughts in her head.

" Sakuno"

'huuueee! I am soo nervous! I felt like peeing!'

'What will I do?'

"Sakuno"

'What if they don't like me? I don't know anyone there!'

'obaa chan! What will I do?'

"Oii... Sakuno!"

'I'm scared!'

Sakuno's thoughts finally came back in reality when someone, or rather... her husband flickered her forehead; automatically she touches her forehead, she can still feel the ticklish feeling in it; she stared at him, his brows furrowed and eyes narrowed at her as he was staring at her directly. His expressionless face somehow laces with amusement.

"Are you listening to me?" He asks nonchalantly.

Sakuno pursed her lips. Of course, she didn't hear him at all. She was too occupied for the nervousness that eating her system wholly. Today is the day. It's her first time going on Seigaku High School and it took too much toll on her. Last night, right after they went to the Echizen household, which is her new home; reality is finally sinking into her. She has now a new life ahead of her. She married to the one and only tennis prince and she was now living in the same roof, same room and shared a same bed with him. She has a new family to be called off. And now, she will face a new school, new classmates, new faces and new environment.

"Echizen Sakuno" he calls her, he looks somehow bored waiting for her response.

Sakuno's eye doubled in size, she looks around from left to right, a sighed of relief escape from her lips as she saw no one is paying attention to them.

"mou! O-of course I am!" Sakuno said, she looks away not wanting to meet his heavy stare.

Ryoma eyebrow rose, for sure he didn't buy an ounce of whatever she said "if you are really listening, which station are we going off to?"

Sakuno blinks not once, twice or thrice. She was so sure Ryoma told her last night and earlier today. He did it thrice in a row. Right? But Mou! Though it's on the tip of her tounge, words can't come out on her mouth.

"Should I start to worry now Sakuno?" His brows furrowed once more as he looks at her in the eyes; his cat-eye like narrowed at her more.

Sakuno lowered her gazed. The tennis prince holds her chin for them to meet gaze. She pouted her lips.

"Next stop will be our destination. You should memorize the stations, okay? I really don't trust your sense of direction." He bluntly said. "I made important notes and to do list on your phone. If you have time, read each of it carefully. I note every important direction in this area and that includes where you should go from our school location down to possible shops you want to go, near public places and police station near you. Even our home address. I also include information about public transportations, what route you must ride and where you will get off." He looks at her intently, "If it is really possible to draw a map for you, I already did. Your sense of direction scares me most."

"Mou!" She pouted. That's explain why he maneuvered her newly bought phone last night before they sleep.

"Just make sure you always charge your phone and please do me a favor to always keep your phone everytime with you." He spoke. "Call or text me" he added.

"Mou! You treat me like a kindergartener" she said pouting her lips.

"Your sense of direction was" he smirked, poking her forehead gently.

"Mou! Your too much Ryoma-kun!"

"Honestly, I can't be with you all the time. Plus, we can't be seen together! What else I can do? It made me worry knowing you will be alone without anyone"

"I'm sorry" Sakuno whispered. Of course, they need to keep their marriage a secret to everyone.

"Just call if there is a problem got it? Or wherever or whenever you can"

Sakuno slowly nodded her head. A smile crept her lips looking at him. "Thank you Ryoma-kun"

"Don't worry too much, okay? You will be fine. You got me" Ryoma patted her head.

"Mou! But you were the one who looks worried?" Sakuno pursed her lips.

"Can't you blame me?"

Sakuno sighed. Her eyes darted outside the train. 'Mou! What if they don't like me? Is it possible to have a friend there?' Sakuno is getting tense as seconds goes by. "I hope I would find at least a friend" she unintentionally muttered. Her eyes widen as she realized she speak her thoughts.

"I'm sure you will have. And if not, you have me, you can talk to me if you feel to" Ryoma assured her

"Mou! But I can't talk to you remember?"

"And who's fault is that?" Ryoma narrowed his eyes. "Seriously, you can talk to me, it is not like we have to treat each other like a total stranger, and I tell you that I won't do that to you. I talk to you even you don't want to and I will stick with you if you were alone"

"Mou! But people might get suspicious"

"The hell I cares about that" he shrugs "you are much important to me though"

.

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The sounds of her heartbeat were the only melody she can hear as her feet started taking step to the long hallway of the school. Following her new homeroom teacher, Usui Takumi, she can't count how many times she gulps her own saliva. Her gazed glued on the floor. Her heart beat doubled as she heard the opening of the door of her new classroom, followed by the welcoming and warm smile coming from her new teacher Takumi. However, regardless how warm and friendly his smile was nor how welcoming he might be, it didn't vanish the fact how she felt nervous and terrified at the same time.

"Good morning class!" Takumi sensei greeted his loud class. Grinning from ear to ear, his homeroom class greeted him with much enthusiasm. "Today, you will have a new friend to be with. Please be a good friend with your new classmate" As for a cue, Takumi sensei looks at her, signaling for her to come inside.

Sakuno sighed. She walks awkwardly towards the door until she reaches the front, she let out a heavy sighed once again before meeting her new classmates' curious eyes. Her eyes doubled in size as she saw a very familiar person in her front. With amused grin hiding from his hand that he used as his face leaner. Seating comfortably on his seat, Echizen Ryoma was staring at her, his golden orbs intensely looking at her. Her heart leaps.

"Ryuuzaki-chan, introduced yourself" Takumi sensei encourage her.

She gasps, followed by blinking of her eyes she looks constipated here in front. no voice wanted to come out on her mouth. She stared once again on her trembling hands trying to calm herself.

"Uhm. Anou-" she started; she saw how the crowd anticipating for her to speak. okay, right now, Sakuno was so sure that she looks awkward, she winces, another harsh breath came out to her as she mustered all her courage all at once.

"Anou, I am E-" No! Sakuno mentally shake her head as she paused. "Ryuuzaki Sakuno!" She closed her eyes as she bowed 90 degrees on their front. She blushed furiously. "It's so nice to meet you all " her heart skip a beat upon saying it.

Silence envelops inside the classroom for a moment, she started to get nervous once again.

"It's so nice to meet you too Ryuuzaki-chan!" A warm smile greets her.

A warm hand touches her heart seeing her bright smiles. Sakuno smiled back, her eyes close as she greeted them again with her warmest smiles.

"Cute"

Ryoma rose his brows as he heard someone from his behind muttered. Someone complimented his wife, and he seriously don't like that. He badly wanted to look from behind but his attempt was interrupted when his teammate Horio shouted from his side.

"Echizen! It's rare to see you awake!"

"Shut up!" He hissed.

"Welcome to our class Ryuuzaki-chan! You can sit in Tachibana-chan's back"

"Hai!" Sakuno shyly answered.

"Over here!" Tachibana An, raise her hand and pointed the vacant seat from her back, Sakuno slowly looks at the seat, her eyes accidentally met his as he was seating right next to her seat! She saw how his eyes slightly reacted; for sure, behind his hand over his lips, he was hiding a smirked. She smiled shyly to Tachibana An. she walks towards the appointed seat.

"Where are you from Sakuno-chan?" It was Osakada Tomoka who asks. She was seating in Sakuno's back.

Sakuno can't help but slightly look at her, she looks so friendly. Her hair was tied up in both sides of her head. She looks at her friendly. She has a very cheerful and loud voice. On the other hand, Tachibana An, whom sitting in her front has a short bob haircut. She looks natural bubbly.

"Uhm... I came from Osaka" she answered shyly.

"Cool. It's fine if we call you Sakuno from now on?" An ask, her friendly grins show. "Tachibana An by the way. But I prefer if you call me An" she smiles.

"Osakada Tomoka, and Tomoka for you. Okay?"

"Uhm. O-okay"

"I like you! We're bff's from now on huh!" Tomoka declared.

"Right! Bff's!" An seconded.

From the distance, the tennis prince was silently listening to them, Ryoma smiled secretly, knowing his wife found trusted friends to be with, for the first day of her school. Satisfied, he ducks his head on his desk as he started yawning and sleep.

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"Sakuno! Sakuno!" Tomoka grabs her arm and encircled it into her, she beams from ear to ear. She seems really excited over something. "C'mon! Come with us!"

"Huh? Where to?" Sakuno asks.

It was already their lunch time and Sakuno was about to go outside of their room. Earlier before the bell rang, she receives a short text from the tennis prince telling her to go outside the gate. Though clueless, she answered him with a quick response okay.

"We're going to eat lunch silly" An chuckled.

"Demo-"

"Why don't you like to have lunch with us?" An voice lace with sorrow. "I thought we are friends? Bff's?"

"Don't you like our company?" Tomoka asks her eyes seems like a puppy asking for some sort of affection.

"Mou! It's not like that." 'It just that, I have a prior commitment with my husband' she badly wanted to explain them, yet, she knew better. Sakuno felt her cheeks burn, with a heavy heart; seeing them like this felt her conscience guilty. She wasn't a type of a girl to say no to everyone. She was never a lying type either. Once, Kyo told her how sucks she was when it comes to lying. And Tohru once said how kindhearted and selfless she was, but it was a bad thing? If possible, she wanted to help everyone. Most especially for those who important to her. Though it may sound ridiculous and absurd but she was willing to do anything despite putting herself last. And honestly speaking, though it was the first time she met these two, somehow, she felt an invisible connection to them. They kind of remind her of her friends in Osaka but in different context. 'Maybe I should explain things to Ryoma-kun later' she smiled affectionately towards the two young ladies. Before finally nodding her head to agree.

"Great!" Tomoka and An claps their hands.

The three young ladies walk arm in arm as they headed themselves towards the school rooftop.

'mou! I need to text Ryoma-kun right now! He might wait for me'

"Over here An!"

Sakuno looks at the person who speaks, her eyes widen as he saw a familiar guy with spikey hair grinning from them; it was one of the tennis regular, the dunk smasher Takeshi Momoshiro together with the tennis prince. His arms encircled on his shoulder ss if restraining his movements. Sakuno can clearly saw how annoyed he looks at. From their side, the legendary 'boomerang snake master', Kaido Kauro seating comfortably, looking at them intently as if they were some kinds of prey. She gulps unintentionally as she felt shivers on her spine. 'Mou! He's so terrifying!'

"Takeshi!" An beam as she waves her free hand in air. She pulled Sakuno's hand. An, seated right in front of them. She pulled her gently to seat in her side in front of Ryoma.

Sakuno can't help but to feel overwhelmed with their presence, from her front the two tennis regulars seating comfortably together with the tennis prince itself.

"So, you brought Ryoma-sama here huh!" Tomoka said in her high pitch tone. She seated right infront of Kaido.

"Nah, it's just happened I saw him walking outside. That's why I grab him here" Momoshiro beams as he pulled him once again on his shoulder.

"Hanase Momo-senpai!" Ryoma grunted.

"Hmmp! It's rare to see him around the campus y'know! It's either he was sleeping here in rooftop or near trees during lunch breaks" Horio, the guy in unibrow commented.

"So where are you going Echizen" Momo grins, he even snakes his arms once again to his neck, straggling him.

"I told you I'm going to eat my lunch!" Ryoma grutned. "Momo-senpai let go!"

"Weird. You never bother to eat you know" Momo smirked.

"Right. He always forgets his bento or he was too lazy to eat" Tomoka seconded.

Ryoma snaps him a glare. He fixes his uniform as he looks at his front. He found her innocent eyes looking at her.

Sakuno brows shot up as she stared back at him. 'mou! Ryoma-kun is not taking good care of his health' She quickly make a mental note to prepare him bento every single day. She really needs to make sure he eats his food.

"You should drop that habit Echizen. It's not good to skip meals" this time it was Kaido who talks.

"Che."

"So, who's this cute young lady?" Momoshiro asks, he stared at Sakuno. Their little chitchat has been cut short as Momo curiously looks at her.

Sakuno blushed from sudden compliment she has.

"She's really cute, isn't it?" An grin. "She's the one I telling you, teh new transferee? She's, our friend! Ryuuzaki Sakuno" She excitedly beams.

"Bff's to be exact!" Tomoka butt in.

"So, you found new friend huh. Nice." Momo shiro chuckled.

"Oh. By the way, this guy in your front is Momoshiro Takeshi, he's a sophomore and he's a tennis player. he's, my boyfriend!" An introduced him to her proudly

"And this guy with bandana is Kaido, Kauro. Sophomore just like Momo-senpai and he's a tennis player in our school too. I know you won't believe it but He's my boyfriend" this time it's Tomoka who speak "so, technically we're dating two of the hottest guy in tennis team y'know"

"Yo! Just call me Momochan-senpai. Nice to meet you"

"Fsshhh!"

"Anou! It's nice to meet you too" Sakuno bowed her head.

"And these three are our classmates. They are also part of tennis team" An points the tennis trio. "Kachirou-kun, Katsuo-kun and Horio-kun" she points out one by one.

"Hello" Sakuno shyly uttered. She smiles sweetly to them Making the trio blushed in instant

"And this is Ryoma-sama! He's our classmate remember? He seated right next on you" Tomoka excitedly beams. "Echizen Ryoma. Seigaku's pillar of support. Our rookie. Consistent champion in both Australian and U.S open! The best among the rest! The prince of tennis!" Tomoka smiled as if he was a proud mother of him.

"Hmmmpp! You sound like a proud obaachan!" Horio blurt out.

"What did you say?! Obaachan?!" Tomoka glared at him, she hissed at him, her eyes gawking from irritation as she looks like ready to fire him a flame "You are just jealous because of years of experience you still suck!" She snaps angrily.

Sakuno's eyes widen in the sight of them fighting.

"Nah. Nah. Stops that, you two!" Momoshiro snickered seeing how he reacted, Sakuno was certain that, this kind of thing between Tomoka and Horio was normal. "Let's just eat, okay? We don't have a whole day to eat" he added.

They started eating in peace, Sakuno can't help but stared at them quietly. She silently observes each of them; Tomoka who keeps talking while eating her lunch with his boyfriend, Kaido -senpai, who seems attentively listening to her. Momoshiro who keeps eating without stopping will put food first to his girlfriend whenever he gets something to eat while the trio keeps arguing to each other; they didn't stop arguing to each other whenever Horio would attempt to snatch the food of the two boys. Her eyes slowly drifted to her front as she saw foods keep moving on her front. She looks up meeting his stare, his brows raise as his taunting smirk evident on his face, encouraging her to eat a lot. Unnoticeably, he pushed another set of origini on her front, as he mouthed to 'eat more' on her. She sighed, pouting her lips in the process of getting every food he offered. She's already full for heaven's sake!

"Nah, Echizen, have you heard the news? there will be a practice game between Rikkaidai and the new team what's the school's name again?" Momoshiro looks at Kaido asking for information.

"Saint Icarus" Kaido answered. "And it's not a new school! They just regroup and reorganized their players. Baka!" He added hissing to his frenemy.

"Ah. Is that so? But anyways, I heard from Inui-senpai, that their players well all good. " Momoshiro excitedly muttered.

"I heard; they were all students all over the world with exemptional talents in tennis. But who knows? Even oniichan don't know the truth since their players profile are highly confidential" An shrug. "Well, if they captured Rikkaidai's interest, they might be that good, y'know. Rikkaidai won't give you a damn unless you're not good enough to be their opponent" She added sipping her orange juice.

"That's right. That' right" Tomoka nodded her head.

"Heh, interesting" Ryoma smirked.

"I know that look Echizen!" Momoshiro puts his arms on his shoulder. "I am eager to have a match towards them too!" He excitedly announces.

"Well, District Tournament is just around the corner. You know!" An stated.

"Yeah. And official ranking will start right?" Tomoka said while fixing her hair. "Who among you will remain regulars? I'm so excited" she added giggling.

"Yeah. And Inui senpai makes a lot of unnecessarily stuffs y'know! Damn." Momoshiro muttered.

"Heh, your just afraid Momo-senpai" Ryoma taunted he smirked "mada mada dane Momo-senpai!"

"What? No! I'm confident that I can defeat you! Just wait till the final list of blocks will posted" Momo grins.

"Fsshhh. Echizen opponent will be me, baka!" Kaido countered.

Sakuno, on the other hand was silently listening to them, her eyes alternately look to whom will speak at the moment. She suddenly feels excitement upon listening to them. She badly wanted to watch their practice games and official matches. She wanted to give her whole support towards her husband; yet, she knows exactly she can't do it. She might put harm on what their real relationship was really are. She sighed.

"Hey, are you okay?" An taps Sakuno's shoulder.

Sakuno blinks. She nodded her head smiling assuring to her.

"I'm sorry, if we keep talking about tennis stuffs, y'know were- just little tennis freaks." An smiled. "I hope it didn't bore you to death"

"No, it's okay." Sakuno waves her hand in the air, "I actually enjoy listening to your stories, well- uhm..." She paused hesitating "I actually like the tennis sports. " She smiled. "Back in Osaka, I always watch my friends' competition match. And I'm kind' a watch Seigaku's games too" she said nervously while fidgeting her own fingers.

"Oh! You do?" An's eyes twinkle with anticipation.

"Yes." Sakuno shyly answered.

"Oh. Now that you mention it, where did you study in Osaka?" Tomoka asks curiously, her eyes were focus on her while munching her meat buns.

"Uhm. I came from Shitehonji High School" she answered.

"Oh! Masakka?! The friends you pertaining about are Shitehonji tennis team?" Momoshiro almost shouted. There still a rice grain on his face.

"Uhm. Yes. Well. My obaachan was their coach during middle school, that's why." Seh slowly stated

"Obaa chan? You mean Ryuuzaki-sensei?" Kaido asks seriously.

"Uh... She's, my grandmother." Sakuno answered.

"You mean, she's your grandmother? The scary baa san with sharp eyes? She looks like this" Momo tried to imitate her grandmother's stare "and yell all the time! " Momoshiro looks shocked at all. "I was so scared to her; do you know that she even pinches my ears during camp site? She really yells at us to the bones!"

"Yeah. She is my grandmother" Sakuno smiled bitterly.

"But she's really great! We learned a lot from her" Momoshiro said as he reminisces his old times with the old lady. "Whoaah! What a small world indeed." Momoshiro added.

"You know her senpai?" This time, it was Ryoma who asks, he seems surprised that he didn't realize he asks out of curiosity.

"Of course! Baa san is our coach during group league remember? Oh, I forgot you're not here during that time since you have a match outside the country. But you know Baa san? How?" Momoshiro looks confused.

Both Ryoma and Sakuno blinks. Of course, no one knew their connection at all. Ryoma was about to utter words when Tachibana spoke first.

"You all meet remember? During last two-year national tournament? Shitehonji is your opponent during finals!" An almost shouted at her boyfriend.

"Oh. Right! I forgot!" Momoshiro said, he looks at Sakuno this time, "So how's baa san? Did she came with you here in Tokyo?"

Sakuno's smiles faded on her lips, she looks down as she fidgeted her fingers on her skirt.

Ryoma looks concern at his wife, he saw how she bitterly smiled to them, he badly wanted to hold her hand at this moment, he badly wanted to hugs her, for her to seek comfort on his arms, he felt the enormous longings she felt towards her grandmother. The tennis prodigy hated the fact that he can't comfort his wife right now, he didn't like the idea of her being lonely, most especially when he's with her. He stared at her; if only it were possible, all he wanted her to feel is happiness, he wanted her to feel love and comfort whenever his with her. He wanted to see her lovely, warm and carefree smiles always. Since she has him. There is no room for loneliness coz he is willing to do anything just for her genuine smiles.

"Uhm. My obaachan passed away a month ago" she uttered quietly

"Oh. Gomen, I didn't mean to-" Momoshiro looks shocked, he felt sorry for her.

"No, it's okay." She smiled assuring to him.

"I'm sorry for your lost, though it's too late," Tomoka said, worries were evident on her face. "Is that the reason why you move her with you? Uhm. Is it okay to talk about this with you? I mean- you don't have to answer. Y'know" Tomoka muttered gently

"Uhm. Yep." Sakuno smiled once again. "I moved with my parent's closest friends. Uhm. they were my parent's best friends ever since uhm. Well, our family were kind 'a close to each other. Uhm. Since My parents both died when I was about to enter middle school, and I don't have any relatives with me so. Uhm. But that's okay. My parent's friends were good to me. In fact, they really treated me like their own daughter. And I am more than grateful to that" This time Sakuno smiled genuinely. "I have a family to be called off, because of them" she smiled, her eyes mirrored the happiness and gratefulness she really felt. She still has a family. And Ryoma is her family.

"You were really brave Sakuno," An said sincerely, she holds her hand. She squeezes it lightly as she told her everything is going to be okay.

"Nah! Don't worry!" The sudden heavy atmosphere lifted when Momoshiro speak, "You have us you know! From now on, you can treat us as your older brothers!" He added. "Right, Mamushi?"

"Fsshhh!" Kaido answer, he gently wipes his eyes.

"Nah? Are you crying Mamushi?" Momoshiro teases his frenemy.

"Who's crying?" Kaido retorted. His eyes were slightly swollen.

"Right! And we are your sisters!" Tomoka hugs her from her side.

"Uhm" her eyes watered from instant. "Arigatou minna!" She smiled. Her dazed went to the certain prince, she smiled.

Ryoma on the other hand hid his smile; he stared at his wife, before he resumes drinking his ponta. Unbeknownst to him, two pair of eyes were looking at him.

Tomoka and An look at each; their mirrored each other's same thoughts for a moment; before finally giggled to each other. As if they discover something interesting to happen in the near future.


"You sure you will fine here?" Ryoma asks her for umpteenth time, there were currently in the narrow pathway towards the way of the library.

Sakuno stared at him once again as her both arms hugging her notes securely. It was already class ended. For the three consecutive days she started attending Seigaku High School, they were both seeing each other in areas no one could ever notice. Of course, sometimes, Tomoka and A will ask her, yet she tried her best to answer truthfully. The tennis prodigy would sneak around on his afternoon practice just to check her out.

"Uhm. I will just wait for you here until your practice was over" Sakuno answered.

The tennis prodigy sighed; he seems not satisfied for her answer. "You know you can wait for me in the tennis court, Osakada and Tachibana even asks you to come with them" he stated. Of course, they can't be seen together going outside the premises, that is why; the tennis prodigy would come first followed by her, and eventually meet on their meeting place.

Sakuno looks down, she stared at their shoes for couple of seconds. The tennis prodigy sighed, he knew it for sure how she still feels uncomfortable, does the fact that they were married really makes her uncomfortable? Why do they need to hide the fact that they knew each other? At least they can tell them that they live in one roof, right? That they were childhood friends, just like what 'they' minus him, intend to do; since he didn't agree on any part of it anyway and just omit the part that they were married for the sake of them not hiding like this. However, why they ended up hiding completely? He can't even talk to her freely nor be with her. Damn. His wife has never had any idea how he wanted to introduced her to everyone.

"Uhm. M-maybe next time? I need to finished our lectures so that I can keep up with others" she answered.

"You can finish it in our house, right? So why bother?" Ryoma tilted his head.

"Mou! But I want to spend some time with karupin" Sakuno purse her lips. "I promise to play with him, y'know." She sounds hopeful, a tiny smile appeared on her lips.

Yep, his wife Sakuno and his cat were too close to each other even on the first night they met. Ryoma still remember how Karupin jumps on her lap the moment his wife came on their house. He even made a loud 'meoow!' while brushing his face to her; as if he was really happy to see her. Since the day she came, Karupin would welcome her first than him, he even has his nerve to sleep between them every night and nuzzled on his own wife! The nerve of his cat! And sometimes it leads to him being dejected whenever the three of them were together. He was always out of place whenever the two of them play along. Now thinking about it, his cat was not a friendly cat either but he likes Sakuno much. Much more than him now, and he didn't like the idea that much. His own cat snatching his wife away from him.

"You do like Karupin more?" Ryoma blinks as he was surprised for what he said. Does he really unintentionally say that?

Sakuno who seems more surprise than him, parted her lips. "Mou! It's not like that, you know"

"But these past few days you always keep his company, you even always sleep besides him and hugs Karupin every night" he stated. Okay he didn't sound like a jealous husband over his cat, right? That is something... So ridiculous!

"Mou! I'm sleeping besides you!" Sakuno can't help but raise her sweet voice a little. She blinks, blushed runs on her face as she realized something. Why did they end up talking about this anyway? She always ended up her heart beating so loudly inside her chest whenever she remember their usual 'good nights' , his 'forehead kiss' , the way he 'cuddled' her, His hot and heavy breaths fanning on her neck that makes her feel ticklish whenever they sleep, and her, ended up hugging him tightly whenever she woke up every morning! Her face shades a heavy red upon remembering again it all. Mou!

"I really should need to find Karupin a playmate" Ryoma said, a smirk form on his lips as he saw how his wife eyes widen. "It's time for him to find a wife too, right?"

"I thought you don't like Karupin hanging around?" She asks.

"Yep. But he is occupying most of your time, that's why" he nonchalantly said. "I want your time all by myself"

Sakuno face heated, her blushed became darker and darker shades of red as her heart races. Ryoma smirked, her reaction always brings unknown joy and satisfaction on him.

"Mou!" He gently pushed and hit him in his chest. She felt his body vibrated; he was laughing for sure. "Why are you laughing?" She asks, she pouted her lips, and her brows furrowing.

Ryoma grins as he saw how she tried so hard to act like mad, he finds it cute though. Sakuno hits him once again, he acted like hurt and her eyes lace with concern but just how he loves to see her annoyed reaction he teases her again. Another hit came on her, that he only laughed in the process. If someone would definitely saw him right now, they would be having a second thoughts if it is really him. Sakuno always brings out something inside him including this kind of childishness he never thought he have.

"Fine. Fine. I won't laughed." Ryoma holds her one hand. "You're too cute" he can't help but say it.

"Mou! You always make fun of me"

"I am not making fun of you." He chuckled. He really like to see this side of her and how he wished that no one can see this side of her. Just him, only him.

"Mou! Your late on your practice though"

"Fine. Just take care, okay? I text you once I finish our practice" he said, still chuckling.

"Uhm. Take care Ryoma-kun" Sakuno smiled sweetly to him.

"See you later" The tennis prince uttered giving her a peck kiss on her forehead. It was his usual habit, Sakuno blushed same how her heart races whenever his like this to her. She watches him jogs towards the opposite way.


Today is like the other day had passed; she spends her time inside the library to study. Just like the other days Tomoka and An would invite her to watch the tennis practice but she decline, her reason was always the same as before. She badly needed to study to catch up on their lessons. Sakuno was not a bad student, she was not the intelligent type nor the worst one. She was in between, unlike her husband, whom she discovered always sleeping in the class, still unexpectedly aces all of his exams. She needs frequent study to maintain her grades. Sakuno was so impressed towards her husband. She was very determined to study and works hard seeing how impressive her husband was, not just in sports but also in studies.

Slowly, Sakuno tilted her head as she slightly stretches her body, she looks on her wrist watch and saw how early she finished today. She still has an hour to wait for him. She glanced outside the window, and saw the tennis court from it, how she misses watching tennis games. Truthfully, she was really tempted to watch their games whenever Tomoka-chan and An-chan urge her. But she always refuses for one reason. She was so afraid to be notice by everyone; Sakuno was certain for herself that once she steps her feet on the tennis grounds her feelings for the certain prince would be revealed, coz she knew that all her attention and focus would be on him only. Only to him. Sakuno admired him most whenever he was in the court playing; her heart aches for so much happiness whenever she saw his happy face whenever he plays. His magnificent playing styles, the way he moves inside the court, the way he taunt his opponent and his undeniably charm inside the tennis court. She sighed, she wanted to watch badly, her eyes wandered as she saw a Sakura tree near outside. Something urges inside her to go there. Slowly, she fixes her things and decided to spend her hour there.

The groaning sound of pain envelops Sakuno's hearing as she walks nearly towards the Sakura tree. Curiosity peaks, Sakuno peep her head towards the tree, she saw a brown-haired guy wearing a red jacket holding his feet.

"Uhm. Anou- are you okay?" Sakuno speaks slowly her eyes lace with concern as she meets his brown ones.

The guy looks up to her, his eyes widen realizing she was looking at him intently.

"It looks painful" Sakuno muttered.

On the other hand, Arai seems dumbfounded, his eyes fix on Sakuno with shocked literally written on his face. Yep! He looks like an idiot at this moment but who wouldn't? A beautiful girl came out to nowhere was now talking to him. Her dough-shape chocolate eyes look so innocent, her narrowed pointed nose, soft pinkish lips and twin braided hairstyle that will not be seen now a days since it is not trend style to the girls their age. Bit surprisingly, she looks so cute and attractive on that hairstyle. Arai literally gulp as he felt his heart skip a beat for a moment.

"Uh? You okay?" Sakuno asks. She was not a chatty person, most especially for those she didn't know personally yet Her nursing instinct attacks her once again seeing how awful his injury was.

"Uh. Yeah." Arai answered unintelligently. He blushed as He touches his feet that was badly swollen and winced. He was injured for almost a week now and he hides it to his team. He doesn't want to stop from his trainings once they knew his injury at all. He badly wanted to catch up with them, most especially he felt not progressing at all.

"Are these iron bars?!" Sakuno gasps as she notices a foot band on his injured feet. She didn't realize that she was already touching someone else's feet. The way he compressed his feet was all messed up! The bandage was not properly done. "Are you out of your mind?" She shouted. Yet it still sweet on Arai's ears.

"Uh-" Arai was lost in words

"Gomene," Sakuno softly spoken. " I didn't mean to shout on you" she smiled. "Uhm. Do you mind if I check your injury? " She inquired. "Uhm. Don't worry I know a thing about this" she shyly smiled.

Sakuno's father and grandmother taught her well about first aid and such. She was so familiar about tending physical injuries, and being Shitehonji's manager for three years sharpens her knowledge about giving treatment. Of course, with the help of her grandmother whom knowledgeable about this area and with her great desire to learn she even took short courses and trainings about it. Her desire to learn inclines most especially when she saw him got badly injured one of his games. She felt hopeless! She saw how his eyes covered with blood and yet still determined to play. Since that day, she promised to herself not to let anyone whom dearly to her get injured again when she was around.

"S-sure"

"Uhm. Can you remove this thing?" Sakuno pointed his feet band. "Luckily, no bones broken, but seeing how swollen the color of your feet was, it seems been a week already. You didn't tend a proper aid for this?" She asks narrowing her eyes.

Arai shook his head "uhm. I keep hiding this to my teammates since official ranking is about to start. I wanted to catch up so-"

"Mou! But what you were doing is not good, you tend to make your injury worsen! You shouldn't put feet band with iron bars heavy as this! This is might the reason why your feet getting swollen and swollen! You putting so much pressure to a already injured foot!" She litany said. Even seems mad, her speaking voice remains sweet as a candy.

"Uh gomen. I badly wanted to catch up with my other team mates. I felt like being left alone. I've been in my second year and yet I still can't aim a regular spot. I wish I was naturally talented just like my other team mates" Arai uttered. "I am doing my best but it seems not enough"

"Even those talented ones put a lot of effort for where they are now. Do you think they woke up one morning that they were already good? Nope. They work hard in the process, and break their legs to be good as they are. What I am saying is- there is no short cuts in success. Everything has a process. Not because it's not your time yet it doesn't mean you will never have your own time. There. It's already finished." Sakuno smiled, as she gently wrapped his injured foot with the help of her handkerchief.

"Oh!" Arai didn't notice it at all. This beautiful girl already tended his injury like a professional medic.

"Uhm. I don't have a bandage with me but this would still have. Please don't self-compressed your injury. Uhm. Ask for assistance and apply this ointment. This is very effective." Sakuno smiled genuinely. "And still visit a physician please" she added

"Thanks" Arai looks down blushing, he stared at his feet for a while. "You have a unique way of bandaging" he commented.

"Oh! You notice?" Sakuno uttered shyly. "Uhm. My otousan and obaachan said the same thing. But don't worry! I once praised by a medical professional about it. And she said it's okay!" She beams.

Arai stared at her smiling face, his blushed deepens as he looks at pretty face.

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"Echizen! What are you doing? 10 laps on the court!" Tezuka boucho said his brows frowning.

"Nice one Echizen!" Momo grins teasingly.

"Momoshiro, 1o laps on the court"

"Hai!" Momoshiro sweat r dropped the moment he heard his buchou said. He immediately followed his kouhai who smirked at him. So much for teasing him.

While the two were running laps on the court, the rest of the regulars were already finished for their individual practice, they immediately sit on the ground, huffing. Official ranking is just around the corner so technically each one of them were not losing any seconds to practice. They can't afford to lose. Of course, all of them were excited from whose will be the opponent of one another. They were aiming for whom they wanted to be opponent inside the court despite they became once opponent in the past. Well, they all hate losing that's why.

"Does Inui already find new student-manager?" Kawamura asks as he wipes his sweats.

"You still looking senpais?" Tomoka asks, she went together with An who still wearing her tennis uniform.

"Yep. And honestly, we still having a hard time to find one" Oishi mumbled.

"The last is a bummer, right?" Tomoka added.

"Please! Don't even mention it Osakada-chan! It still giving us chills! Nya!" Kikumaru shivers in fear.

Of course, who wouldn't right? Th horrible thought of the last student-manager did was unacceptable.

"Nah! You can take that position if you want" Oishi offered her.

"As much I loved too Oishi-senpai you know I'm busy with drama club." Tomoka answered.

"How about you An? You were knowledgeable enough in tennis" Fuji asks.

"If I am not part of the tennis girl team I would love to" An answered.

"Nah! What's with the long faces?" Momoshiro asks, he gently wipes his forehead, fresh from his running laps.

"We are offering your girlfriend a student-manager position nya!" Kikumaru answered.

"Inui-senpai still looking for? I thought he already announces in bulletin board?" Momoshiro asks.

"Well, as much as many participants wanted the position, but they were looks like-" Oishi sweat dropped.

"They were not qualified enough" Inui butted in. "Most of them were fangirls" his eyes diverted towards their youngest kouhai who walks towards them fresh from running.

"What is it?" He asks oblivious.

"Ha... Ochibi's popularity is getting more and more as time goes by" Kikumaru sighed.

"What we're saying is... Our team is getting a hard time looking for a manager! That's because of you" Momoshiro wrings his arms on his neck.

"And why is my problem?! Hanase! Momo senpai!"

"Your popularity is a problem here! You idiot!" Momoshiro he grind his knuckles on his temple.

"Why are we looking by the way? Is that necessarily?" The tennis prince rebutted.

"Of course, it is!" Inui fixes his eyeglasses. "I am in my third year and I can't stay here forever."

"Besides, Inui is aiming once again in regular spot, if he became one it will be hard for him to balance being regular and manager at the same time" Fuji muttered.

"It's time for us to have one, a little help with someone is not a bad thing, right?" Oishi added.

"That's right! Inui-senpai couldn't do all the work alone." Kaido seconded.

"Then hired someone who's professional?" The tennis prodigy said.

"Baka ochibi! We can't hire someone like that!" Kikumaru muttered.

"We don't have funds about hiring staffs and beside other sport teams might put a riff about it "Kawamura uttered.

"Che" Ryoma retorted; he pinned his hat down

"Saa... Tezuka and Yamato sensei putting some counter measures about it. Let's wait then see" Oishi said.

"Ryuuzaki-chan, can you please do the honors of waking up Echizen-kun on my behalf" Takumi- sensei said while grinning, he was standing in front of the blackboard with his one hand holding an English textbook.

Sakuno turn her head on her left side, her lips parted seeing how her husband sleeps comfortably; his one palm rested on his chin as his eyes close. She sighed, slowly, she raised her shaking pointing finger in the air, and poke him from his cheeks. The same gestures she always did way back when they were kids. Her first attempt was futile. She was about to try it once again when her finger was caught in the air; Sakuno gasps, her eyes widening as she meets his golden eyes, he looks at her sharply at first, before his gazed turns soft in an instant.

"What is it?" The tennis prodigy mumbled, he was still holding her finger, seems momentarily forget that they were not alone in the classroom.

"Oh! Thank you very much Ryuuzaki-chan" Takumi-sensei breaks the awkward silence inside their classroom, all eyes were from them, surprise in awe on how calm the tennis prodigy was despite the fact that he was forcibly woke up from his sleeps. "That's the quickliest attempt to wake his up by the way" he grins.

"Now that you seem awake, Echizen-kun, kindly answer this question written on the board" Takumi sensei added.

Ryoma starred at his teacher for a while.

"And drop Ryuuzaki-chan hand" Takumi-sensei pointed out.

Realizing that he was still holding his wife hand, Ryoma turns his head on hers, he saw how her face turns beaten red, while fidgeting her skirt.

"Oh Gomen!" He muttered, he let go her finger as He lazily stood up on his seat.

Tomoka narrowed her eyes towards the certain prince as she exchange an obvious and meaningful stare to An.

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"Gaah!" Tomoka exclaimed dramatically as they three walks towards the library. "Mou! Why does Takumi-sensei love to do homework exercises during weekends? Can we just enjoy our weekends without doing nothing?" She rolled her eyes.

Sakuno giggles from her, before the class ended, Takumi-sensei announced that they have their homework exercise serves as they quiz. He even added with smile how he wish them a wonderful weekends ahead making every one of them groaned in frustration.

"I thought you like Takumi-sensei the most?" An teased Tomoka, she smirked peevishly as she saw her familiar annoyed expression for so long.

"Of course, I do!"Tomoka rolled her eyes. "I just always don't like his way of saying to us to study hard! C'mon! We still need a fresh air to breathe y'know!" She lamented.

Sakuno giggles more seeing how frustrated Tomoka was, her animated way of talking makes them laughed, they little chitchat suddenly stops when they saw a very familiar figure of a guy. From the distance, not far from the tennis court; they saw the tennis prince standing, his racket was leaning on his shoulder as he looks so bored. Standing in front of girl whom face wasn't seen from where they are.

Tomoka stops from walking; same goes with An and Sakuno, all their attention were on the two who seems seriously talking over something they didn't hear about. Their eyes widen in fraction as they saw how the girl looks unhappy, she started running away towards Ryoma who seems not bothered at all. Slowly, as if the girl's departure was their cue; one by one, the regulars minus their buchou came out of the bushes, their nosy senpais surrounds him, they saw how the tennis prodigy face crumpled in annoyance. Sakuno can clearly saw how Momoshiro knocks his head.

"That's Makino-chan right?" An pointed the crying girl who runs fast.

Makino-chan. Sakuno mumbled inside her head. Okay, she was pretty. For the glimpse of her face was enough for her to see how pretty she was.

"Yep." Tomoka obviously said, popping the 'p' sound of her word. "Obviously, it turns out Ryoma-sama rejects her too" she shrugs, as if it is a sight she was used to see. "Well, what's new? I lost count of how many girls he rejected"

Sakuno looks down. Days spending in her new school, Sakuno proven how popular her husband was. This is not the first time she saw someone confessed to him. Of course, at first, she was so shocked for his direct and flatly rejection without hesitation at all. His popularity is understatement. for the past couple of days, she saw how girls lurking around him, but he seem didn't mind it at all and witness many of love confession towards him yet he rejects them all without blinking an eye.

Sakuno felt sorry for girls, she exactly knows the feeling of being hurt. She looks down, she felt it first-hand right? Though Ryoma didn't intentionally hurt her in purpose in the past (since he completely forgotten her existence) yet, somehow, she can relate to them.

And according to Tomoka (whom she discovered the president of Ryoma's fans club) his popularity doubled its size now that he was single (which is not true since they are married) and still counting as time goes by. His massive popularity in their school came from bunch of girls whom wanted to be his girl. And based on Tomoka, some of his fans were literally obsessed. They even give him a used underwear once in his own locker. Sakuno gulped. She somehow felt worried to her husband at all.

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"Gomen! I lost track of time" the tennis prince said, he was huffing; he put both of his hand on his knees as he catches his breathing. Bullet of sweats formed on his forehead ss if he runs miles just to be with here. "Momo-senpai is being silly, he didn't let me go until he was satisfied" he grunted. Of course, getting away from his nosy senpais is a very, very hard thing to do.

Sakuno smiled, " it's alright" she carefully stood up on the shed, as she reaches for his sweaty forehead and gently wipes it with her handkerchief. This was their meeting place; everyday they waited to each other here. This place was slightly hidden by bushes; though it was little hidden, many still use this place as jogging spot since the ground was good place to jog.

The tennis prodigy stared at her, he smirked as he gently tugs her hand on his.

Sakuno pursed her lips, blushed evident on her face as she stared at him. "Mou! Ryoma-kun, we are still near the school you know?"

"Then?"

"Mou. Someone might see us?" She said, her brows crease.

"Che" he grunted as he took his cap on his head and gently put it on hers. "Better?" He asks, he tucks her hair on the side of her ears. "We are now outside of school premises. And I don't give a damn if someone saw us together" he said as he squeezes her hand. He even put her hand inside of his sports jacket.

"Mou! You always forget how popular you are Ryoma-kun"

"And you always forget that you are my wife, Sakuno" he rebutted. Making the twin braided girl lost in words. "I am hungry, can we grab something to eat before going home?" He whined like a seven-year-old kid.

Sakuno giggles, seeing how he reacted she nodded her head in agreement; Ryoma slightly pulled her to him, with smirked plastered on his lips, he slowly kissed her temple.

Little did they know, a pair of surprised eyes were looking at them. He was standing behind bushes; his eyes widen in fraction as he stared at them with mouth gape open, his plans to call his kouhai halted as he seems much, more surprised from what he witnesses. Slowly he turns his head, blushing furiously from what he saw, his hand holding something falls from the ground.

Still daze for what he witness he made a hissing sound trying to recover from shocked.


And that's chapter 10 for you. Who would it be behind bushes? Hihihi.