Chapter 21: Ryo and Rei

"Sometimes, the greatest blessings come in unexpected ways."

The thumping sound of her own heart; Sakuno felt like the world stops momentarily, as if she became deaf eared for everything around her. Her eyes focus on the kits in the table, unknowingly, she caressed her own belly.

'Am I going to be a mother?'

She felt her chest tightens for uncontrollably and mix emotions she felt inside her chest; tears welled in her eyes for unsaid feelings, sentiments and indescribable emotions she had inside.

"Sakuno..." An and Tomoka calls her name, worried for her reaction. Seeing the tears fall freely on her eyes.

Is she ready for this? Sakuno wouldn't deny how scared she feels now, she was so scared; not for responsibilities that will soon she's going to face but the possibilities if she can be a good mother.

Will she able to raise her child? The only mother figure she had was her grandmother ever since her mother died. Her obaachan taught her well. She became her guidance, her support. Now that her grandmother was not here anymore. Would she able to raise her own?

Sakuno never felt so nervous not until now, thinking that she will never be a good enough mother; she was so afraid that she can't be a good mother.

And what will be Ryoma-kun's reaction if he founds out? They never really had talk about having a child. Yes, her husband always one steps further than her whenever they talk about future. However, they never had a proper conversation about having a baby. Sakuno started to feel anxious about it, what if he doesn't like it?

'I am going to be a mother just like mom'

And an image of her mother flashed on her mind.

Another batch of tears welled in her eyes. For years, Sakuno always longed for a mother's embrace. She doesn't have a lot of memories to her mom. And until now, she wishes that she able to do a lot of things with her. Thinking about it, they planned a lot of 'to do list' together. That once, they plan to perform a piano together, however none of this happened since she was took away on her unexpectedly. It scarred her deepest on her soul. That despite of being showered by loved and affection by her grandmother; that despite of love given by her friends and senpais, for years of longings and for years of her wishful thinking that they were still here. there is still a hollow space left inside her heart. She felt that there is a part of her being snatch away from her; that a part of her soul been illicitly removed from her.

'' Sakuno are you okay?" Concern lace on her friends' voices.

"Sakuno, mother's love for her child has no boundaries, Limitless and the purest. You will know once you become one"

Her mom's voice echoed on her ears. She wipes her tears and smiled.

"I am so happy" she mumbled with smile. "I am scared, but I am happy" she smiled while a tear fell in her eyes.

Yes, she feels so scared, but more than that, she knows she have to be strong, now that she was going to be a mother too. She gently caressed her tummy once again. There is a little life growing inside her and she was love by the father of her child. There are lot of people supports her.

For sure, their future child will be surrounded by people who will love his/her dearly. She will be going to love the child; no, she already loved her child, despite of not seeing her. Sakuno's heart swelled by so much happiness inside.

"Gosh! Sakuno you scared us!" Tomoka exclaimed.

Sakuno sniffs, she wipes her tears. And smiled. "I am so scared; I don't know if I could be a good mom"

An and Tomoka hugs her. "We know, you will be Sakuno."

.

.

.

"So, what are your plans right now?" Tomoka asks, they were still in their house, unlike earlier Sakuno seems much calmer; eating their brunch together that they ordered by delivery food in which Sakuno craves for.

"I don't know" Sakuno mumbled softly.

"Hold up! Don't tell me, you want to keep this to Echizen-kun? Sakuno, you have to tell him this as soon as possible!" An muttered guessing her correctly.

"I know, It's just ... I don't know how to tell him. You see... I don't know how he would react about this? I'm scared... What if he still not wants to have a child?"

"Why? Is the baby being unplanned? What I mean is... Did you forget to use protection that's why?" Tomoka asks skeptically.

Sakuno blinks. Now, thinking about it, they never really used one, isn't it? "We never used one" she uttered slowly.

"Ever? Since day one?!" An asks.

Sakuno shakes her head dumbfounded. Well, to tell the truth, they never intend to use one both agreed not to used either. Now, thinking about it, they both know the consequences of unprotected sex. She could literally remember her husband's satisfied smirked when they agreed not to use any contraceptives at all.

"Even withdrawal?" Tomoka asks straightly. Sakuno shakes her head once again. Tomoka raise her eyebrow. "Sakuno... Don't tell me both of you didn't talk about this?! As in?"

"Of course, we talked about this! We both agreed not to used one!" Sakuno quickly refuted. Right in the middle of their heated lovemaking. Mou! Sakuno blushed. How could she explain it to her friends that most of serious talks they had was done in the midst of their heated making love? It was so embarrassing to tell but it works on them, literally, on how they manage to talk seriously while their lower parts were connected dancing in erotic rhythm; they don't know how. It just like that.

"So, that's answered your question Sakuno" Tomoka intervened her reverie.

"Haaa! I know Echizen-kun is so madly crazy for you, but not to this extent. I didn't expect that it was worst like this. It was so obvious that he really wanted you to get pregnant" An chortled.

"I agree, he intend to get you pregnant" Tomoka giggled. "Ryoma-sama is so possessive of our Sakuno! He really made sure to mark her literally!" Tomoka laughed.

"Mou! That's not true!" Sakuno pouted her lips as she keeps munching for her food.

"Well, that's explain why you are very pregnant now dear" Tomoka chuckled. "For sure you've done it every day, I won't be surprised now y'know!" She teases making the brunette girl choke on her own. An who laughed out loud offered her a drink as she gently patted her back.

"Mou! We are not doing it every day!" Well. Technically, not every day, but almost to the point they were not sleeping. Sakuno slowly mumbled, her face heated up, she felt embarrassed on their sudden topic.

"What's so shy about Sakuno? It's normal, you were both married, and I'm sure, Ryoma-sama is a type of husband who is very aggressive in bed" a teasing smile escape on her lips.

"Mou! Tomoka-chan! We are not talking about our intimate nights y'know!" Sakuno embarrassingly shouted. Her face reddens tenfold.

"Hahahahaha ... So cute Sakuno! Your too innocent!" Tomoka laughed.

"Mou? Stops it Tomoka-chan!"

"Okay, okay I will stop now. But, seriously Sakuno, you have to tell this to Ryoma-sama, he ought to know." Tomoka said in her serious voice. "You see... There is no reason for you to be scared telling this good news, I am sure Ryoma-sama wanted a child in you. So, tell this to him, okay?!" She added gently patting her head.

"So, take this with you Sakuno" An handed her a set of pregnancy kit they used earlier. "How about giving Echizen-kun a congratulatory gift later?" An winks.


Miyu was looking at the whole tennis court. Today is the much-anticipated day, the match between Seigaku and Hyoutei.

Everyone seems waiting for this moment, a lot of spectators came, from different schools down to their fellow tennis teams players, Fudomine, Yamabuki, and even Rikkai Dai were there. Each supporter of the teams was all present too. Not to mention, journalists and tennis enthusiasts were all here to witness considered one of the best matches. Nonstop cheering from side to side even the game still not started.

"Seigaku was still not here huh" Shishido commented

"Ah! Are you excited for our match?" Ootori chuckled.

"Demo... Why they are not still here?" Akira asks.

"It's still early. " Hikaru mumbled.

"I heard from my cousin that Seigaku team was acting so weird these past few days. Are they still not, okay? Will their team be, okay?" Akane asks.

"Obviously, they are not okay! Wasn't it obvious? The senpais were mad, of course who wouldn't right? Even I am on their shoes I will be mad. Literally mad." Akira rolled eyes. "That pathetic bitch! I still can't believe it. She really has a thick face if she still able to come and continue her job as their manager let alone watch their game."

"Akira please" Miyu looks at her pleading.

"Oh! Please! Miyu, what's wrong with you?! Why are you so kind with her? She doesn't deserve it!" Akira exclaimed.

"Does it matter?! I just don't want it to make worst. Please..." Miyu looks at her tiredly.

Hikaru sighed; she closed her eyes trying her best to not listen in any of her lies. On how Miyu could act like this, Hikaru didn't know how, she stood up on her seat, she can't take Miyu's pretentious act at all.

"Where are you going?" Akane asks.

"Toilet " she answered without looking at them.


Sakuno blinks as she saw was so surprised by the presence of her senpais in her front. They were in the public tennis court. Slowly realizing why her friends asks her to stroll around saying they still have 2 hours before the game she understands now. Sakuno took a sharp intake of breath seeing the regulars looking at her, almost complete in attendance, only with the absence of tennis prince itself, their buchou and the tennis tensai.

"You see... Uhm... The senpais were kind of ask for our help this time" Tomoka said in worried tone. "They wanted to talk to you"

"Uhm... We can't take it anymore Sakuno, sorry for forcing this to you. If you still not ready to face senpai tachis-" An hesitantly uttered weighing Sakuno's reaction. "We will not force you to talk to them"

"It's okay" Sakuno nervously smiled.

"And this is the safest place we know, you see ... Echizen-kun is kind 'a not letting anyone go near you" An added, scratching her head. "Uhm. Takeshi and Kaido senpai were with him now"

"It's just for a while Ryuuzaki-chan. We are not taking your time" Kawamura said.

Sakuno slowly look at her senpais. She nervously gulps as her hands started shaking.

"Gomen ne Ryuuzaki-chan" it was Kikumaru who speak first. "I'm sorry for everything I've said during that time. You shouldn't hear any of it. I shouldn't have said that you. Gomen" he sincerely apologizes. His eyes were full of remorse.

Sakuno looks down, suddenly she felt her tears sting on her eyes.

"We let our emotions ruled our reasoning; we jumped in conclusion and said things we shouldn't have said. We are your senpais but we didn't act like one." Oishi regretfully said. he admitted. "Gomen, I know our sorry would not erase the words you heard that time. But believe us, we don't want to hurt your feelings. And please don't think that we like Miyu more than you; or we don't like you or hated you. That's not it is. Believe it or not, you and Miyu are both like sisters to us. We do care for the both of you." Oishi uttered. "You see... We are blinded by the fact that what we are doing is for Echizen's good"

The regulars realized what they had been done. They crossed the line too much in a thought that what they were doing was for his own sake. They were all thinking that what they doing will make their kouhai happy; and in attempts of making their kouhai happy, they failed to realized that he already found one, not on Kurosawa Miyu's arm but for their Ryuuzaki Sakuno's.

For the regulars, Echizen Ryoma is more than a friend or kouhai, he was like a little brother they wanted and needed to protect. But instead, they are the first who hurt his kouhai, by speaking ill on the person most precious to him. They never realized it not until that day, what they did was the exact opposite of protecting him. Clouded by that kind of reasoning, instead of listening to their kouhai's explanation; they completely forget that they kouhai was not that kind of person

The words that their kouhai uttered last time was a big slapped on them. They never realized not until that day the complication of their actions. They thought that they knew their kouhai really well; that what they are doing was the best for him and thinking that Miyu was the best for him, they failed to notice his heart, in attempts of patching things up with Miyu.

"Gomen Ryuuzaki-chan" Kawamura spoke. "You see... We do understand where's Echizen anger towards us coming from."

"No! That's not it! Ryoma-kun wasn't mad or angry towards Senpai tachis. In fact, I know he feels sad now. Whether he didn't admit or deny it from me. You see... Ryoma-kun really admired and respect senpai tachis. He really treats you all as his brothers. Ryoma-kun is not a type of person who take hatred by heart. He wasn't like that. He deeply cares for his friends and I am certain for that." Sakuno intervened.

"And..." She looks down. "Please... Don't get mad at Ryoma-kun... It's not his fault senpais... Gomenasai! Don't blame him for this. Ryoma-kun didn't mean to hurt Kurosawa-chan, he would never hurt her the way you think senpai tachis. I know for sure that Kurosawa-chan is important to Ryoma-kun!" She paused, trying her best to stops herself from crying. "Believe me or not, I don't want to hurt Kurosawa-chan too! I didn't wish to hurt anyone for my own happiness! Coz, I know Kurosawa-chan didn't deserve to be hurt. No one did!" She sobs painfully. "And I do understand where you coming from senpai tachis! "She cried once more. "Gomenasai! For hurting Kurosawa-chan! I didn't mean to hurt her! If only I could take all her pain right now, I wished I could! Sorry for everything! You were now fighting because of me! I'm sorry! For hiding the truth from you all. For the disappointment you had because Ryoma-kun chose someone like me! But please, don't get mad to Ryoma-kun!"

"No! Please don't say that Ryuuzaki-chan!" Oishi butted in.

"I'm so sorry Senpais!" She sobs hard. "I'm really sorry!"

"No! We are the one need to apologize! Ryuuzaki-chan we did something wrong! We are apologizing for what we said to you!" Kikumaru almost shouted. "I felt really bad for saying those things to you! I didn't mean it that way! For us! You are like our sister!" Kikumaru added. "We like you a lot! Yes, we kind of mad because we thought the rumors were all true, but thinking about it, we know we made a huge mistake! It's our fault! We never really did listen to ochibi! Gomene, if you think we blame you. It's not like that!"

"We all had share mistake, we know ours too. That's why we wanted to say sorry for those people involved. Gomen Ryuuzaki-chan!" Kawamura uttered.

"It's my fault that I didn't do my investigation better. Gomen Ryuuzaki-chan" Inui senpai butted in.

"Gomen, if we late to took notice, gomen, if we asked for forgiveness late, we just don't know how to approached you knowing that we hurt you badly." Oishi looks at her with eyes full of concern. "We just really need to recollect ourselves first before we face you"

Sakuno smiled warmly to them, a tear fell on her eyes. "Thank you. I'm so happy to hear that to you senpai." She softly mumbled, a relief envelops her whole being. She felt her heart constrict on sudden happiness. Her lips quivered for unspoken words she wanted to say, her tears continually pours in her eyes, as if something triggered on her. Sakuno's emotions are not into place. Her emotion is in a big turmoil that she become so emotional right now. She sobs hard hiding her face on her both hands.

"Oi... Ryuzaki-chan, why are you?! Please stop crying!" The regulars started to get panic.

"I'm so happy that you still treat me like a sister! Demo-" Sakuno paused, she cried out loud once again.

"Oi...oi... Ryuuzaki-chan please don't cry! We didn't blame you though!" Oishi said perplexed on her sudden cry.

"Mou! Senpais please calm her down!" Tomoka looks at her senpais nervously. Even An seems nervous, shocked at the same time. They never expect her sudden burst out since she looks so calm earlier when she spoke.

"Ryoma-sama will surely kill us if he sees Sakuno crying like this" Tomoka added, she was in panic, trying her best to stops her from crying and looking at her senpais who's panicking like her.

"Nah! Nah! Ryuuzaki-chan, please calm down. We are not mad at you or something." Kawamura sweats drop from panicking.

"Sakuno, Mou! Stops crying" An rubs her palm on her back soothing her. "It's not good for you to cry like this!" An added, trying her best to lowkey reminding her of her condition right now.

"I'm so happy!" She cried out loud once again.

"Mou! If you are happy, you shouldn't have crying!" Tomoka was in verge of tears, nervously panicking on how to calm her down.

"I thought senpai tachis were mad at me! I thought of losing friends again! Gomenasai!"

"Ryuuzaki-chan, please calm down"

Sakuno wipes her tears. She hiccups from constant crying as she tried her best to calm down.

"Ne, are you done making my wife cry?"

They all flinched; from their backs, An together with Tomoka and the regulars slowly turned their heads. They saw the tennis prince wearing his usual stoic expression looking at them intently; both hands on his pocket as he approached them slowly.

"Echizen/ochibi" they all uttered nervously.

"What happen? Why are you crying?" He asks gently, putting both of his hand on her shoulder facing her.

"Ryoma-kun" she hiccups, her eyes were puffy from crying and face flushed and her nose was red. Ryoma sighed. He hugs his wife and gently tapping her back. "What happened? Why is my wife crying? Hmmm" he asks affectionately.

All eyes looking at them, the regulars exchange meaningful glances to each other. For years of knowing their kouhai, it was the first time they saw this side of him.

"You see... Senpai tachis were not mad at me" she sobs, tears started to fall once again as she felt so comforted and safe on his arms.

"I can see that. I told you they were not mad" he gently soothes her. "So, that's why you are crying?" He asks, "stops crying. " he said, kissing her temples.

The regulars watch them in awed expression. Completely astonished to the sight they are witnessing right now. Yes, they seen the tennis prince dated before. Yes, they seem him how he treated Miyu before but what they were witnessing right now was in whole different level. As if he wasn't the same kouhai they knew.

"See? I told you senpai" Momoshiro whispered on his Oishi senpai

Now, they completely understand.

"Ah!" A warm smiled escaped from their senpais. Seeing the smile on his kouhai's face while he held the brunette girl in his arms. A contented and adoration on his eyes while looking at her affectionately.

They knew now.

"Senpai tachis" The tennis prince looks at his senpais. "Thank you" he said sincerely. "And gomen"

Eyes widening in fraction the regulars seem shocked, Momoshiro and Kaido smirked.

"Naniyo ochibi?! What's with you thank you and sorry?!" Kikumaru who couldn't hold it back runs towards him and wrings his shoulder to his favorite kouhai, crying. "We supposed to say that! Y'know!"

"Hanase Kikumaru senpai! Sakuno might hurt!" He grunted.

"I missed you y'know!" Kikumaru who still weeping like a child said. "Let's not fight again, okay?!" He spoke

"Who said we are fighting?" The tennis prince uttered.

"I am glad that you are not mad at us" Oishi said relief.

Ryoma smirked. "We are brothers, right? And brothers didn't fight" he said.


"Oi... Sakuno wait up!" The tennis prince shouted seeing his wife almost running in hurry.

"Mou! Come quick Ryoma-kun! You might be late!" She said in hurry.

"And who's fault is that?" He chuckled, right after she cried a bucket of tears, Sakuno requested to eat ramen right in peak broad of day light. Eating noodle soup in lunch makes Ryoma wanted to dip himself on the cold showers. However, he can't say no to his wife. She's the boss anyway.

"Mou! Come on!" She said almost irritated.

"Fine! We still have 40 minutes you know! Slow down you might trip on your own again" he reminded her, Sakuno's eyes twinkles as she saw the tennis court on their sight. From the distance, An and Tomoka was waving on them. A chuckled escape on Ryoma's lips. He followed her as they reaching their destination when something fell on his wife's pocket.

"Oi! You drop something" he said yet seeing how his wife been surrounded by her friends and senpais he shakes his head. He bends down getting the thing she accidentally fell in the ground. His eyes widen in fraction seeing an unfamiliar white stick on the ground, however, what caught his attention at all was the two red lines indicated in the stick; with an indicator in the side stating what does the two red lines mean pregnant; the tennis prince pin his hat down on his head as he smirked and hiding the pregnancy test kit on his own pocket.

.

.

.

"Is it only me? Or Echizen is surprisingly in good mood today?" Momoshiro whispered towards An whom patiently waiting for the game to officially start.

"Well... He seems really in good mood though" An commented. Seeing how casually the tennis prince seating on the bench smirking and not on his usual stoic and expressionless face.

Even the whole tennis team were wondering on his sudden good mood, they were blinking in surprise earlier when he greeted them with smiles. Did the sun rise in the west?


"Who's that girl?" A female student from Hyoutei asks.

"I don't know, but I heard that's the Seigaku new manager" her companion answered.

"Are they dating?"

Miyu whom silently and intently looking to Ryoma and Sakuno since earlier slightly look on her back, realizing that they were the ones been talking about by their schoolmates she decided to eavesdropping on their conversation

"It seems so"

"They are!" Another voice came. "I saw them earlier at the ramen house! I am seating beside them" the new voice said giddily.

"Honto?"

"Yes! And it seems that Echizen Ryoma is really into her. If you only see the way he looks on her and talks to her! Gaaah! I can't believe that Echizen-kun is fond of sweet talks! You see he's always so blunt and ruthless when he speaks! Geez! I feel so envious to the girl. He looks at her as if she's the only girl in the world. Gosh! I never felt so insecure being single!" She added.

"So lucky!"

"You bet! Geez."

Miyu clenched her fist. She was slowly losing her temper since earlier. She started getting irritated seeing how the tennis prince publicity displayed his affection towards the girl. And to make matters worse, she saw how the senpais talks to the brunette girl, friendly, as if nothing happened! annoyed, her brows furrowed. This is not what she was expecting. How come they seems fine and okay right now?

"Echizen! Make sure you win!" Momoshiro shouted from the other side of the court.

"Ochibi! Ganbatte!"

"ECHIZEN! BURNING!"

"Urusai!"

Miyu could clearly hear the loud voices of them. She clenched her hand as she watches how the tennis prince gave his jacket to her, she watches them as he put his white cap on her head, leaning closely to her gaining a loud teasing remark to his team mates.

"Echizen! Stop flirting!" Momoshiro shouted from a far.

"Sakuno! Just give Ryoma-sama his good luck kiss!"

"Mou! Stops it"

Miyu watches it with wide open eyes on how the tennis prince gently kiss the top of her head even she was wearing his cap, causing a huge uproar for his teammates to cheer and tease them together.

"Way to go Ochibi!"

Miyu clenched her fist. Just be happy, coz I am taking everything back to me.


"I am looking forward for your payback time, cocky brat" Atobe smirked looking straight to the tennis prince eyes.

"Heh," Ryoma smirked. "You really wanna lost badly huh"

"Haa! Hahahaahha! Me the king?! Watch closely how I beat you. Ahn" Atobe smirked.

"Gomen, but I am not gonna lost. I never lost either. Not now. That they are watching" A smirked formed on his lips.

The tennis prince started walking to his service line, readying himself for his service game. He took a ball on his pocket, his hand accidentally touches something on his pocket, a smirked escape on his lips as he realized it was the stick he took earlier. The same reason of his undeniably happiness.


"The game was not yet finished; how come you are here?" A smirked escaped on his face.

Miyu frowned, he stared at his deep round blue eyes. "What are you doing here? Someone might see us together" she uttered uninterestedly.

"Ha! I am just here to see any good news yet to my disappointment there is none" Arata Arumi give her a silly smile. "Thanks for what have you done; you gave them a reason to publicized their relationship. Now you're helping them to be strong together. Job well done missy"

"Just wait! I am not yet done. I am just getting started." She hissed.

"Haaa! Listen, you don't understand it do you? I am not in the mood to keep waiting. Do your job properly. Get that guy out of Ryuuzaki Sakuno. And we're done." He hissed.

"Then do your part too Arata Arumi! This is not a one-man team!" Miyu hissed back.

Arata Arumi smirked. "I'm doing my job well, missy. The only reason why I am here is because you need us to get that tennis guy. So, don't disappoint us." He taps her shoulder.

"Aaahhhhhh!" Loud cheered echoed the entire court.

Miyu and Arata Arumi both look towards the direction of the court.

"Game, set and match Echizen Ryoma 7-5"

"I see, so the tennis prince wins huh" Arata Arumi commented. He walks pass through Miyu. "I am starting to get bored on your game, how about give me some quite entertaining show? Swan princess" he smirked.


"Sakuno?" The tennis prince mumbled as he wakes up from his sleep and found his side empty; with sleepy eyes he took a quick looked on their alarm clock and found out that it was only 5 am in the morning. Ryoma rubs his eyes as he decided to look after his wife.

"Blaaarggh!"

A disturbing sound of someone throwing up caught his attention; hurriedly, Ryoma opens the half open door of their bathroom and found his wife there- kneeling on the floor, with face almost kissing the bowl, her hair scattered on her face.

"Sakuno, are you okay?" Ryoma kneeled on the tiled floor, he scooped her hair in one hand, while the other hand was gently tapping her back.

"Ryoma-kun" she softly mumbled, eyes swollen most probably because of vomiting. A tear fell from her eyes that she quickly wipes as she huffed. Bullets of sweats on her forehead. "Did I wake you up?" She tried to smile casually. She turns her head once again in the bowl

"Blaaargh!" Sakuno thows up once again. Alarmed, the tennis prince helps his wife, gently patting her back until she finished vomiting.

"Wait, I just get you some water" he mumbled as he quickly stood up, getting her a glass of water in the coffee table they had inside their room.

It was fortunate that he started putting a jar of water in their room every night, since Sakuno has a habit of waking up during wee hours to drink a glass of water. Considering how awful clumsy his wife, he wouldn't let his wife go back and forth on their staircase.

"Are you really, okay?" Ryoma brows furrowed, he looks really worried, as he handed her a glass of water.

"Uhm. Maybe I just ate a lot of sushi last night." Sakuno force to gulps the water.

The tennis prince stared at his wife. It was a lie. Sakuno didn't even touch any of sushi served to her last night, Obviously, she didn't like the food, with her wrinkled nose she just stared at her plate and holding her breathe as if she really didn't want the smell of sushi. It was the one of things he took noticed when she didn't like the food.

"I'm, okay? You, see?" Sakuno smiled, sensing how her husband seems not believing on her.

"I'm worried. How about we visit a doctor just to make sure?" His brows crease.

"Mou! That's not necessarily to do! I'm fine Ryoma-kun" Sakuno brows furrowed, she waves her hand on the air shaking her head.

Ryoma stared at his wife once again, "are you hiding something on me wife?" He seriously asks.

Sakuno held her breath. She gapes like a fish in his front.

"Is there something I should know?" He asks again. They both stared to each other eyes. Realizing that his wife would never open her mouth to speak, he sighed. The tennis prince stood up on his sit once again.

Sakuno watch him as he walks out on their bathroom and back, holding the familiar thing she almost forgot. Her eyes widen in fraction, seeing how he handed the same pregnancy kit she used yesterday on her hand, trembling, eyes still looking intently and seriously on her.

"Are we having a baby, wife?" He asks. "Are we pregnant?"

Sakuno blinks, he knows already. She opens her lips to answer, yet no words came out. Her eyes automatically watered; droplets of tears fell freely on her cheeks. Ryoma sighed defeatedly seeing his wife crying. He gently scooped her on his arms as they headed on the bed. He places Sakuno on his legs as he seated on their bed. Her arms hugging on his neck as she hides her face on him. Sobbing softly.

"I'm a father now" It was more a statement rather than a question. His voice was full of conviction. " Why are you hiding this to me? Don't you... Like our baby?" He asks consciously.

'Our baby' something inside of her warmth, on the way he said those words, tears poured once again in her eyes

"Of course, I like our baby!" She said sobbing.

"Then why you keeping me this?" Ryoma voice soothes her.

"I'm afraid that you don't like our baby? I'm afraid you're not ready yet?" She said sobbing.

"Silly. Why would I don't like our baby?" He gently caressed her tummy. "It's ours. Her mother was the girl I love most." He smiled.

"I'm so scared, Ryoma-kun" she admitted. "I don't know if I can be a good mother."

"Of course, you will" Ryoma caressed her face wiping her tears. "Our baby is so lucky to have a mom like you"

"But we still studying. What we will do once the school finds out?" Sakuno asks. "You still playing for your tennis career. I don't want to be hindrance to you "She added.

"So? We were work this together. Our baby is not a hindrance to us but our little inspiration to make things better. Besides whether the whole nation finds out you are pregnant with my child, who cares? We are legally married. It's not a mistake we did, it's pretty normal for a married couple to have sex. Our baby was conceived out of love. "

"Mou! Ryoma-kun, you have to take this matter seriously!"

"I am taking this matter seriously Sakuno, the moment we did the deed for the very first time; the moment we agreed not to use any birth control, I am so ready for this. I am so ready for the family we will have. Even before we still didn't do it, from the time I married you, I am so ready Sakuno, for us" he uttered seriously. "Perhaps... Tell me honestly wife, are you still not ready for our baby?"

Sakuno was taken aback. It is not she was not ready, the moment she finds out she was pregnant, a big part of her was so happy, that regardless how scared she was, her happiness and love for the baby insides her overpowered all the uncertainties she has.

"Did... You regret having our baby this early?" He asks, she saw how his eyes flickers from sudden pain and sadness. She blinks.

"Of course not! I'm scared, but I love our child! Mou! I am not regretting having our baby!" She sobbed. "I am willing to do anything to our baby y'know!"

"I'm glad. Thank you." He mumbled softly. "I'm so happy Sakuno. Thank you." His voice cracks. Ryoma hid his face on her neck. She could literally hear how he held his breath as if he was suppressing himself. Sakuno felt something warm damp her neck coming out from his eyes closed. She gently taps his back soothing him.

"My husband is such a cry baby" she teases, trying to lift the mood.

"I am not!" He grunts as he sniffs.

.

.

.

Sakuno and the tennis prince were seating right across their parents and cousin, Nanako. Somehow, Sakuno felt a sense of de javu; it's the same feeling when they announce them intend to marry each other. However, right now was a different story to tell.

"We are having a baby" Ryoma nonchalantly announce. Sakuno gasps, she pulled him on his arm. "What?" The tennis prince looks at her innocently.

Sakuno looks at her parents in law nervously. They are staring at them intently.

Rinko sighed, while Nanjirou beams. "We actually know" Rinko said after the moment of their silence.

"You knew?" Ryoma asks, he was surprised.

"Sakuno-chan is obviously showing symptoms of pregnancy" Rinko stated "I already book an appointment on my friend, she's the same OB-GYN who took in charge on your births." Rinko said she smiled on Sakuno who seems nervous at all. "For now, you should take care more of yourself, okay? Avoid anything that may cause stress on you and the baby. It is a relief that you had a summer break for a while, while you were at your delicate phase." She paused smiling.

"Tell us anything you wanted to eat Sakuno-chan!" Nanako neechan excitedly beams. "Don't restraint at your food cravings okay?"

"Are you not mad, at us?" Sakuno who couldn't restrain herself from asking asks.

"Why would get mad at you?" Rinko asks.

"Coz we are having a baby even you told us not too not until we both graduate?"

Rinko smiled. "I am not mad Sakuno-chan, and there is no reason to be mad, besides you both didn't promise anything and knowing how my son act. He always does everything he wanted." She spoke.

"We are more thankful Sakuno-chan!" Nanjirou beams. "You made us grandparents!"

"Che." Ryoma grunted.

"Just focus on yourself and the baby okay?" She smiled at Sakuno "and Ryoma, take good care of your wife and your baby. Do you understand? This is the phase were too hard for her."

" You don't have to tell me what to do kaasan! I definitely take care of them!" Ryoma retorted.

"Gosh! We should celebrate! I better prepare a feast!" Nanako beams. She claps her hands, as she excitedly stood on her seat.

"Hahahahahha! I'm a ji chan now! I'm so happy!" Nanjirou beams happily. "This is a day of celebration! I'm a ji chan now! Jii chan! Jii chan!"


Sakuno was nervously fidgeting her fingers. They were currently inside the train going to their first visit to the doctor. One week has passed since they announce her pregnancy to their parents. And each day past, her morning sickness getting worst and worst. She took almost an hour just to vomit every morning. And every morning, her husband would accompany her to their bathroom, tending her. For a week, Ryoma became much more attentive to her, he always asks her for food she wanted to eat, for how she feels and if she was okay from time to time, to the extent that her simple sighing makes the tennis prince worried to her. She became more unusually irritated to the tennis prince whenever she saw him and cried most of the time if he wasn't around. According to their kaa san it's quite normal, due to her pregnancy hormonal changes.

"Are you okay?" Ryoma asks her. He held her hand that was shaking.

"I'm nervous!" She admitted.

The tennis prince chuckled, "don't be, I'm here with you, okay?" He gently soothes her. "We are two on this. I am always be with you"

"Thank you Ryoma-kun" she gently whispers.

.

.

.

"Echizen Sakuno" both Sakuno and Ryoma stood on their seat as her name called by the attendant. Nervously, Sakuno held her breath; Ryoma whom took notice of her nervousness held her hand, they both started walking inside the mini office.

"It's been a long time, Sakuno-chan" a woman whom looks as the same age as their kaa san greeted her warmly. She stared at her lovingly before dropping her eyes to her husband, her face scowl upon seeing the tennis prince. "This cocky brat" she mumbled irritated. "C'mon, come inside and have a seat" she sweetly gestured to Sakuno before scowling to the tennis prodigy, "you too sit!"

"Che." The tennis prince grunted. "Why I didn't realize it sooner?" He mumbled while helping his wife to seat.

"You saying something brat?"

Sakuno who seems clueless from what is happening blinks.

"She's aunt Nami, kaasan's friend" The tennis prince said in his usual tone.

"And your mom's friend too Sakuno-chan! Gosh! You look exactly like Shiira-chan! Like I am seeing an apparition just by looking at you." She beams.

Sakuno blinks once again. It seems like she was closed to her mother but it is the first time she saw her.

"If you were wondering, I've been away from Japan for how many years. And I never got a chance to see in person not until this day. and if you didn't know I am the one who took in charge of your births when your mothers gave birth to the two of you" she chuckled "so please feel free to call me aunt Nami" she beams.

"She's basically way older than our kaasan's Sakuno" Ryoma teases. He is quite close to her since they were basically neighbors in States.

"Mou! Ryoma-kun!" Sakuno gave him a warning look.

"This brat! If I knew this would happened, I should have cut your dick when you were a little!" She glared to the tennis prince. Sakuno gasps hearing her rumblings. "How could you marry my sweet Sakuno? And worst got her pregnant?! You really like your stupid father!"

"Heh, that's medical malpractice auntie" he smirked. "And Sakuno is not yours, don't habitually calling her like that. And don't make it sounds like our baby is a bad thing! "he huffed brows furrowing.

"You! Of course! Babies are miracles and blessings!" She stated as she was about to throw something on him when her assistant came inside

"Doc, here's Echizen Sakuno's tests results" the attendant handed her records to her. Sakuno's initial interview and various laboratory tests were done earlier while they are waiting in line.

Aunt Nami hurriedly get the records; she rolled her eyes on Ryoma before religiously read her findings.

"Hmmm... Everything is normal, aside from your hemoglobin is quite low, do you experience dizziness? Lightheadedness? Fatigue?" She asks seriously.

"Uhm. I am easily to get tired these past few days. Uhm. Well about dizziness it's not often." She mumbled slowly

"How bad and often?" She asks

"Uhm. Every morning when I woke up? I felt really dizzy. But it will subside eventually and I will feel normal again"

Aunt Nami, taps her fingers on her table. As if she was thinking of something. "How about morning sickness? Nausea?"

"Uhm. To be honest, it's getting more and more worst, I almost stayed at bathroom for hour just to vomit. I feel really tired when I open my eyes even all I did was to sleep from entire night"

"Hmmm...I often not advice an early ultrasound but base on your cycle, you said you have an irregular period, was it? And just to confirm since your hCG level is higher than a normal pregnancy, we will do a transvaginal ultrasound" she presses her intercom and seconds later, her attendant came. She smiled to Sakuno as she gently assists her to the other room.

"Why? Is there anything wrong with our baby?" Ryoma lace with concern, his brows furrowed, he asks, the moment Sakuno was out of their sight.

"Just follow me idiot" Aunt Nami said gently pushing him to come with her.

.

.

.

Sakuno who was lying on the bed nervously fidgeted her fingers, wearing her laboratory gown she looks at Ryoma who gently holds her shaking hand.

"Hey, calm down" he gently said.

"I will put this thing inside you to check your baby inside okay, you may feel slightly flinched."

"Is that safe to put inside of her?" Ryoma asks, his voice slightly raise.

"Of course, this is safe! Safer than your dick I guess" Aunt Nami rolled her eyes. "Oh c'mon! Brat, this is smaller than your dick, so, Sakuno-chan wouldn't be hurt with this stick!" The attendant who helps Sakuno to get dress laughed on the doctor. She was so blunt to the point you will get embarrassed by her words.

"Mou!" Sakuno close her eyes. She was really shy from whatever Aunt Nami was saying.

"Okay, Sakuno-chan just take a deep breath while I put this inside you" she smiled. "Okay deep breath. Here we go" she said as she looks on the monitor. "Oh my god!" She exclaimed. "Have you seen these two circles here?" She happily exclaimed.

"Yes? " Ryoma answered unintelligently, confused on her sudden outburst

"These are the sac's, and these two tiny figures inside, these are your babies" Aunt Nami exclaimed.

"Babies?!" both Ryoma and Sakuno mumbled in confused tone.

"Yes! You're having a twin! Oh my god! My hunch is right. That's explains why you have an intense morning sickness and higher hCG levels. Congratulation Sakuno-chan and you too brat!" She smiled at them before resuming her eyes on the screen "Base on the crown size, you are about 6-7 weeks pregnant. Do you want to hear the fetal heartbeats of your babies?" She asks, she maximize the volume. "Do you hear that sound? That's the fetal heartbeat. Both heartbeats are normal" She explains. Seeing there is no reaction coming from the young couple she spoke "Hey! Why both of you-" Aunt Nami paused, a warm smile escaped on her lips seeing the reaction of them two. Sakuno who was in teary eyes were looking intently on the monitor, while the young prodigy was literally in tears. "First time parents were really a sight to be seen." She mumbled. She watches how both of them look at each other eyes with love. Ryoma kissed Sakuno gently on her forehead as he mumbled his silent thank you to her.

.

.

.

"Here are the prescribe medicines you need to take for you and your babies" Aunt Nami smiled. "I expected a regular visit every month, okay?" She smiled to Sakuno, she looks at Ryoma "make sure she drinks her meds in time, since she was carrying a twins, I prescribe her iron supplements and make sure she eats a healthy foods every now and then. Refrain from drinking sodas and coffees, okay? More on fluids especially water intake. And rest. You should have a plenty of rest since you were carrying not only one but two babies in you" she said sweetly to Sakuno. "And since you were an athlete, I advise you to accompany your wife in mild exercise every morning it will help Sakuno-chan to stay healthy." She said looking at Ryoma "these are the list of healthy exercise that she can do." She explains.

"Uhm.. is it okay if I continue my usual routine? I mean... Uhm.."

"Of course, you can. If you worried about school stuffs you can still attend school or do you have any school clubs at school? Perhaps you were part of Music club just like Shiira-chan?" Her eyes twinkle

"Oh! No! I am not" Sakuno quickly shook her head. "Uhm. I am a tennis manager and there is an upcoming tennis camp, I am just wondering if it's safe for me to go?" She asks softly. "I really wanted to go" she softly whisper.

"Oi... I don't think it's a good idea Sakuno!" Ryoma intervened

"Oh! Of course, you can. But don't overdo it okay? Everything must be in moderation. And that's include your sex life" she uttered seriously.

Sakuno and Ryoma both blushed.

"Having sex while pregnant is safe but don't overdo it. Do you understand brat? Do it in moderation. You are the guy here so calm your dick." She spoke while glaring the tennis prince.

"Aunt Nami!" Ryoma grunted. "I know. And I am not planning to-"

"Of course, you can still have sex with your wife. But please, do it in moderation! I know how your genes works! It's runs with the blood! You and father have the same race! "

"Che. I am not like oyaji! Okay?!"

"Oh sure! That's why you got twins at this age!" She hissed.

"Che." He grunted "But was it really safe? I mean if she continuously become our manager? " Ryoma asks concerned. He holds his wife hand.

"Mou! Ryoma-kun! It's not like I am doing dreadful activities with the team" Sakuno brows furrowed.

"I know, but can you blame me? I'm worried." Ryoma refuted.

"Don't worry. She's positively showing a sign of healthy pregnancy. That's a good sign already." She smiled. "Just does everything in moderation and if you feel discomfort in your pregnancy like abdominal or pelvic pain, bleeding or anything don't hesitate to call and go to me okay? You were the mother of your children, so you were the first to feel if there is something wrong." She smiled. "And lastly, Ryoma..." Aunt Nami uttered seriously. "Take a good care of your wife and future kids. The reason why I advocate all soon to be parents' moat especially the fathers to come here every maternity checkup accompanying their wives are to let every father be educated about pregnancy stuffs of expectant mothers. Pregnancy must not only be shouldered by mothers to be, it supposed to be a both- the father and mother of child. Your responsibilities as parent starts here, the moment they conceive in their mom's womb."

"You don't have to remind me aunt. I planned to accompany my wife in every journey she has with her pregnancy."

"I'm glad." She smiled. "You both like my kids. Since your parents were my friends, and the babies on Sakuno's womb most likely my grandchildren too. Take good care of them. Most especially their mother. Sakuno was only 17, she was too young. There is a lot of risks conceiving at early age let alone they are twins. I'll be honest with you. We were just really fortunate that she was showing a good sign of healthy pregnancy. But you still have to be more and extra careful."

"I know aunt. I won't let anything happens to my children and to Sakuno" Ryoma uttered seriously.

"That's good to hear. Follow all my advices, okay? Sakuno-chan take good care of yourself. Come back to me for your regular checkup okay? And here. I printed out three copies, give one to Rinko-chan You can buy all your prescription meds at the pharmacy. My assistant will tell you the other details needed. Don't hesitate to call or visit me when you feel something is wrong"

"Okay aunt Nami. Thank you so much. We will back next month" Sakuno bowed her head politely.

"Thanks aunt Nami" The tennis prince smirked.

.

.

.

"Heh, so our babies were conceived during that time" Ryoma smirked, they were walking hand in hand.

"What do you mean?" Sakuno asks blushing.

"During our first time"

"Mou! Ryoma-kun!"

"What?" He asks innocently. "I can't wait to finally meet them Sakuno" he said sincerely. His golden eyes glistened with so much anticipation.

"Me too" Sakuno smiled brightly. "You know, kaa san once told me that when I was in her womb, tou san calls me Ai. That's my nickname when kaasan was still pregnant to me. You see I was planning to give our babies their nicknames too."

"Heh, sounds good. Then, how about we think each of their nicknames?" Ryoma suggested.

"Uhm!" Sakuno nodded her head. They both became silent for a while as they seem thinking of possible nicknames.

"Ryo/Rei" they said in the same time. "Why is that?" They both laughed realizing how they ended up saying the same thing.

"Mou! I have this feeling that our babies are boys." She spoke gently. "That's why I want one of them to be called Ryo. You see. It will be nice if they both look exactly like you" she smiled "for sure they will be good in tennis like you" soft giggles escape on her lips. Just imagining two small boys who looks exactly like their father, with golden eyes, greenish hair playing tennis with their father makes her heart leap with so much joy.

"Heh, you were carrying a twins, Sakuno, for sure one of our babies is a girl!" Ryoma smirked, countering her claims. "And Reiko would be a nice name isn't it?" He added. "I want a baby girl who looks exactly like you Sakuno" he uttered seriously. "I want a mini version of you." He smiled. "It would be really great wife" he beams. He could perfectly picture it in his head. His children. Two tiny creatures who unexpectedly holds so much space in his heart already even they are still not there with them.

Sakuno blushed tenfold. "Mou! Demo... It doesn't matter to me whether they are girls or boys as long as they both healthy" she smiled as she caressed her tummy.

"Of course, they will be healthy!" Ryoma commented. He put his hand on her tummy. "Hey, I'm your dad. I am not sure if you can hear me now, you were quite tiny in your sonogram picture." He paused smiling. "Dad loves you so much. So, Ryo and Rei, do your best to grow healthy inside your mom's tummy okay?" He smiled affectionately.

Sakuno smiled. Her eyes watered in the instant.

"And I love you more Sakuno, thank you for these wonderful gifts" he said straight on her eyes. She smiled. Ryoma caressed her face, wiping her tears. "C'mon! Let's go home. Kaa san surely waiting for the results "


Another update! Enjoy!