Tennis no Ouji-sama © Konomi Takeshi, Shuheisha, Inc.
- Act XXXI -
[ Déjà Vu ]
He had expected that sending Hikari back to her family would mean he wouldn't be able to see her for a while. But he would take that risk for her own sake. All he could do now was watch her from afar, seeing her father drop and send her to school every day, if not Kunimitsu himself escorting her.
Keigo asked his chauffeur to follow them slowly while he watched Hikari from his car, walking with a solemn expression that didn't fit her exuberant personality at all. He put his hand on the window, caressing her as if he truly touched her at that moment.
He missed her too much that it took his everything to not go out of his car and pull her into his embrace. He didn't even want to care whether or not Kunimitsu was there. All they could do at that moment was exchange messages and it wasn't like it was enough to mend up his longing for her.
Especially when that day was the Tanabata Festival Day…
They spent the day talking through chat messages, stealing the chance for a short video-call in discreet.
It was almost like they were star-crossed lovers.
They only had that one wish to be together…
Yet it was the only thing they couldn't have…
How wonderful it would be if he could stroll the festival and watch the fireworks with her.
But since he could do nothing about it, he alternated his focus to his team's preparation for Kanto's Regional Tournament.
Ever since he lost against Fudomine's Kippei, Ryō made his comeback by defeating Taki. When arranging the strategy to beat Seigaku, he decided that he would pair the net dasher with Chōtaro's quick-serve as their Doubles 1. Seigaku's Eiji and Shūichirō were definitely paired for doubles but he still wasn't certain for which doubles. Either way, Keigo was certain that Yūshi and Gakuto's pair wouldn't be so easily beaten.
As for singles, he was certain that Kunimitsu and Shūsuke would be chosen for singles. High chances were that Kunimitsu would be their Singles 1, so it was the spot he was going to take because no one but him in Hyotei could match Kunimitsu.
His adrenaline was rushing just at the thought of him being in the same court with Kunimitsu. He had been waiting for the day to come. He had been waiting for the day to settle who was the strongest between them. The excitement engulfed him so much that his hands were trembling and his lips stretched into a smirk.
However, he needed one more thing for his preparation…
Direct good luck wishes from his queen.
He was wondering who she would be cheering for if she was to watch their match.
Keigo sighed as he held her handkerchief close to his chest, furrowing his brows when his longing for her became too much.
Recalling that she also had an upcoming audition, Keigo rose from his seat and was heading out. After aimlessly strolling around the mall, he gave up and strode out into the market places. He didn't usually visiting places like this when he was alone because they didn't sell things that fit his standard. But somehow, his feet just brought him there.
He was wondering if he could find something that Hikari would love.
Keigo was planning to reveal his identity after his match with Seigaku was settled but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't think of a way to gain Kunimitsu's seal of approval if he revealed their relationship.
He couldn't get rid of the guilt that was hurling in his belly every time he was thinking about the commotion he caused to Hikari's family. They were such a harmonious and well-balanced family yet he created a storm in their peaceful circle.
When he walked through the main road, his sharp eyes caught a man in black, who slid his hand into an old woman's bag. Keigo grabbed his hand, gripping it tight until he let go of the wallet. Before he could seize him, however, the robber ran when he let his guard down and pushed a woman so hard that she fell to the road.
"Watch out!" Keigo snaked his arm around the woman's waist and pulled the woman to safety, but unfortunately, he failed to save her shopping bag that all her groceries were flattened to the asphalt road. Keigo twitched as the robber escaped but nothing was more important than saving a life.
"Gosh… Thank you so much for saving me, Son." The woman looked like she was in her forty, face radiant with a smile though there was a hint of confusion from the recent occurrence. Her light brown hair was tied in a low ponytail. Though she was wearing a plain yellow dress, one would have thought she was a celebrity because she had the kind of charisma that would turn faces to her.
But Keigo couldn't cast away the feeling that she somewhat looked familiar.
"No problem, Ma'am. But so sorry about your groceries. I can pay for what you've lost."
She rolled her eyes before chuckling in response. "What are you saying?! You've just saved my life! How could I make you pay for that? I should be the one who gives you something in return!"
Even her gesture and way of talking felt so familiar.
"You really don't have to, Ma'am."
"No, come on! At least have dinner at my house. But I'll need to shop again." She put her finger on her lips.
"I'll help you if you don't mind. I don't feel good about what had happened to your groceries."
What was he doing?
With such a tight schedule and practice menu he had to keep up, Keigo didn't have the luxury to go around and be the servant who helped a stranger bring her groceries—especially that. But something within him drove him to do so that he started to think that the lady might be an important person he might've seen somewhere.
The woman happily allowed him to and only at that moment, Keigo learnt that meats, vegetables, and other fresh products were discounted after five. Never once had he shopped for groceries and shopping with the woman eventually made him learn many things.
So this is the kind of living Hikari goes through every day?
He only heard about the common living from Hikari. Though she didn't tell it in a bad way, Keigo always felt that the kind of living didn't suit her and he didn't want to make her live the common way. However, the actual experience wasn't as bad as he thought. It was interesting even.
"Oji-san! How much for this lollipop?"
"Twenty million yen, Son," the owner of the general store jokingly said and accepted the twenty yen the kid gave him. "Come back here if you get the jackpot in the paper wrap!"
"I will, Oji-san! Thank you!" the kid waved at the owner.
Yūshi often talked about how he and his cousin, Oshitari Kenya collected things and jackpot gifts from the general store when they were kids but it was the first time Keigo actually saw how it was.
Wouldn't it be nice to be born in that kind of lifestyle?
"I feel bad for making you bring my groceries like this. I'm really thankful for your help! Please stay for dinner with us."
"Thank you for the invitation but I don't want to disturb your family… time." Keigo furrowed his brows when he felt familiar with the area. He was certain that he had been here numerous times.
"Oh, don't mind that! I have a son around your age and a daughter! I'm pretty sure you can be a good friend to them. Unfortunately though, my son won't be home today. He has a tennis practice in his school for the tournament in a few days."
Keigo almost dropped the groceries in his hand, but after the incident, he wouldn't want the woman to lose her groceries again.
"Y-your son is a… tennis player?"
"Yes. He's a professional player. I feel bad talking big about my son but I'm very proud of him." She covered her lips as she giggled.
The wave of déjà vu became so strong that he felt like travelling to a similar moment four months ago.
No wonder he felt so familiar with her…
"And not to forget, my sweet daughter. She was always complaining about me not being as proud of her but that's not true! She's still my little princess but I believe that she's going to be a prima ballerina one day."
She wasn't just an important person; she was much more than that…
"Ah, here we are. This is my house. I thank you so much for helping me bring all these groceries."
And here he was, standing in front of that very house…
"Hikari! We have a guest! Come down and say hello!"
"Okay!"
Keigo widened his eyes upon hearing her voice—the voice he had been longing so much that he stood rooted in his stand…
"Hikari..." he mumbled under his breath.
AN: Dum dum dum! What's gonna happen next? XD
This part doesn't exist in my first draft, but then I decided to add this moment because I think Keigo has to meet someone in the family by accident. I hope you're enjoying this chapter!
It's gonna be December soon and I'm so happy with all the Christmas decorations and songs all around! What's your plan for Christmas, guys? I think it'll be another Covid Christmas for my family as we decided to stay at home as much as we can after the news about the newest covid variant. Gosh! This virus is working like Power Ranger's enemies. Every time you feel like beating them, they're making it back by growing bigger and stronger. ;;
Favorite, follow, and most importantly—review are gold for me! As I mentioned in the previous chapter, the story is also posted on Wattpad. Since the site allows me to post videos and images, I might be able to pamper your eyes there. Check my account in ReikaNanatsuki!
Thank you for reading and have a nice day!
