Chapter 20: Beautiful

Four days have passed since Ryoma left. News about him and the rest continue to be broadcast on television and the radio. The internet and social media are also full of advertisements with their faces. The practice match will be held tomorrow in Brazil and his fans only expected his best when the time came.

Ryoma stretched his arms out, preparing to run a few laps around the beach. He glanced at the clock, and it read five in the morning. It was almost sunrise and he wanted to witness it while he ran, sort of a therapeutic moment for him. He mentally noted that it's now afternoon in Japan, which meant that school is over, and students would either go to their clubs, and some would go straight to their part time jobs.

Ryuzaki would probably be at the restaurant around this time, he thought.

He went out of his room and made his way down the building. As he was waiting for the elevator, he saw Honoka approaching him. She wore similar training clothes as him, which meant that she was also on her way to exercise.

"Good morning!" she smiled.

"Morning," he didn't mind the girl's presence at all. She's a dependable member of their group, and she's a competent tennis player.

But the image of Sakuno entered his mind. Honoka was the reason why she left him, after all. He would have avoided her if he knew that this would happen. But now, it didn't matter if he stayed away or not.

Sakuno's gone.

"Can I run with you?" She shyly stood beside him as they waited for the elevator. Ryoma only shrugged his shoulders in response. He wondered why the elevator was taking so long. It's five in the morning, who could be using it at this hour?

Ding!

The elevator doors opened and the two of them went in.

"Are you okay? You've been distant ever since we got here. Did something happen?" she inquired.

Ryoma shook his head. He didn't even want to think about it, let alone let someone know about his and Sakuno's fallout. It would just distract him from training. This is a critical time for him, and he needed full concentration, he didn't need Sakuno in his mind right now.

He eyed the girl through the elevator's mirror. It's hard to point out a person's good points physically when you're as inexperienced and as disinterested as Ryoma is. Sure, he could see how Honoka actually looks like a foreigner with her blonde hair. He could see that she's taller than most girls (their shoulders practically in the same height). Oh, and she's good at tennis, that's one thing that Ryoma was sure of.

Ever since he knew that Honoka is a spectacular player, he's been thinking about playing a match with her. He wanted to know what level she is, and it's going to at least take her mind off the timid girl back in Japan.

"Hey, want to have a match with me?"

Horio walked along the dark streets of Tokyo, he was on his way to the restaurant where Sakuno was working. He made it his routine to wait for the girl and walk her home in his free time, just like Ryoma instructed him to do. The prince talked to him before he left, saying that he's depending on him to watch over Sakuno while they're still classmates. It was weird, but Horio got nothing better to do so he obliged.

Upon opening the door, Horio found that two new workers were now occupying Atsushi and Sakuno's posts. He scratched his head, thinking that maybe it's Sakuno's day off. He felt a little annoyed at Ryoma for not telling him the girl's schedule.

"Ah, might as well go home," he was going to turn around but saw a familiar girl sitting by the bar. He carefully approached her.

"Osakada?" he tapped on her shoulders. The girl turned around and sure enough, it was Tomoka.

"Horio, what are you doing here?" she wasn't that surprised anymore since the boy always hangs out there. She doesn't even know why she even asked.

"I was supposed to wait for Ryuzaki, but it seems like she's out."

"She didn't go to work today. Must be feeling ill?"

"Oh… do you think she's okay?"

"I don't know. She's been distant ever since Ryoma-sama left. She doesn't say anything to me."

Horio occupied the seat beside Tomoka. She didn't mind him at all.

The two wondered what could have happened between Sakuno and Ryoma. When he left for America during their middle school days, Sakuno wholeheartedly supported him, she was even smiling at the airport. But now, she didn't even go with Ryoma's parents to the airport. She's not even talking about it with her. Something was odd and Tomoka was becoming restless.

"Do you think they broke up?" Horio spoke.

"They aren't dating, though," it was true. Sakuno has never said anything about them being in a relationship. He only confessed, nothing more. It was a bit confusing since neither of them were chatty, and Sakuno has been out of touch these days.

"I should get going, see ya," Tomoka stood up and got ready to leave. Horio felt a bit disappointed at first, but then he realized both of them have nothing more to do since Atsushi and Sakuno were both missing. So, he followed her out.

Tomoka turned around and faced him.

"You're going, too?"

"Yeah," he muttered. The snow was beginning to fade, and the bright moon showed up, illuminating their path. It would have been romantic if she was with Atsushi, Tomoka thought.

But…

She glanced at the bored-looking boy walking beside her and wondered how she would sound lame if she asked Horio to hang out with her for a while. She fought the urge to say anything. Her pride tells her that she can't be the one to invite a boy out first. It's just not natural.

Horio felt the girl's glances at him from time to time. He wondered if it would be too bold of him to ask her out right now. It's still early to go home, after all. But he fought the urge to speak. Girls like her would definitely reject him. Especially Tomoka. Her standards are too high for a face like hers.

A car was approaching. It seemed to be going a little faster than the speed limit and Horio couldn't help but pull Tomoka out of the way. She gasped in surprise as she was suddenly on the other side of Horio now, on the safer side of the street.

It wasn't even romantic, but Tomoka felt her heart skip a beat, and she didn't realize that she was holding her breath.

"Sorry. That car was going too fast. What a reckless driver," he muttered.

"T-Thanks…" she replied. Tomoka pulled her cardigan up to her shoulders. Horio had unknowingly tugged on it when he pulled her. She heaved a sigh. She wasn't sure if this is considered cheating, but she remembered that Atsushi broke up with her and that he left for America a few days ago. But would it be bad if she starts feeling something else for Horio? Even if she wasn't cheating, Tomoka considered this a bad thing. Right now, she tried to wrack her brain for a reason.

Maybe it's just her pride stopping her from thinking about it. Maybe because they've been sort of friends and enemies, that Tomoka couldn't tolerate the fact that Horio is actually a pretty decent guy with decent looks, decent attitude, and decent family background.

Well, whatever. She's not going to think anything of it.

"Hey, Horio. Want to hang out for a bit longer?"

Sakuno walked the streets of Kyoto. She has filed for leave from work and did the most spontaneous thing she has ever thought of. She was on her way to check out some apartments near the station. She figured why wait until graduation before she searches for a place? She's going to turn eighteen soon and that means that she can make decisions all by herself without Ryoma's parents. Sakuno has been nothing but grateful to them for taking her in and making sure she's not starving. But they don't have to feel responsible for her anymore. Especially since Ryoma is in Brazil now, they must enjoy a life without kids to care for.

After inquiring at three different apartments that resulted in no luck, she tiredly sat in a cafe with a lemonade in hand.

I didn't realize that it would be this hard.

Her feet ached from all the walking and getting lost. She hasn't changed at all. It dawned on her that she needed to learn to navigate unknown places if she wanted to be independent. So far, she was only getting more lost.

Sakuno sipped on her iced tea while she watched the ads showing on TV. It was about a sports drink that is said to boost your athletic energy and skills. She eyed the familiar commercial model and after ten seconds, Sakuno realized who it was.

"R-Ryoma-kun?"

She couldn't believe it, seeing him like this after days. But, well, she wasn't that surprised since getting sponsors from different products did come with fame. As the thirty-second ad continued, Sakuno couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's awkward acting, nonchalantly drinking the beverage when everybody knows that Ponta is the only thing he drinks. The four days that he was in Brazil seemed to be productive and hectic. Press conference, advertisement shootings, and fan signing has been taking a lot of the team's schedule. It was to be expected with how well-known they are.

"That Echizen is really something, huh?" Sakuno heard a boy speaking on the table behind her. She turned her head and saw a guy that looked older than her.

"You know him?"

"Of course, who doesn't?"

Sakuno could only nod. Ryoma is indeed famous internationally, after all. She returned her gaze on the television and found that a different commercial is now showing.

"I don't want to brag but…" Sakuno turned to him and saw him blush, "...he used to coach me in tennis."

What? The stoic prince coaching somebody? Well, it could happen, he did coach Sakuno for a while. But this is entirely foreign to her since this guy is definitely not from Seigaku. She didn't recognize the boy as one of Ryoma's friends.

"Um… may I know who you are?" She inquired.

"I'm Akito. You?"

"Ryuzaki Sakuno. How did Ryoma-kun end up coaching you?"

"Oh, I am actually a regular at Kyoto High School. I have a friend named Katsuo and I told him I was searching for a tutor to help me be a regular member at my school and he referred me to Ryoma. It was gruesome training; we meet at dawn every day!" He winced at the thought. "Long story short, I did make it to the team thanks to him," Akito flashed a soft smile, reminiscing the achievement that he made.

Sakuno blinked. He really did? That's unbelievable. That was very kind of him to help a friend's friend. Is that why he always left at five in the morning? What was it for?

"Really? He did it for free?" She finds it hard to believe that Ryoma would do someone a favor without anything in return. Sakuno leaned over to his table, seemingly wanting to know more.

"Oh, no. Of course, I paid him!" He seemed offended by Sakuno's question, but his expression turned into a happy one again. He was just really proud of the fact that he was once the Prince of Tennis's student.

"Oh? I didn't know he needed money," The things that she was hearing confused her. Ryoma has never had a problem with his allowance, his parents are obviously loaded. It was getting weird, and she was beginning to doubt Akito's story. Probably another one who wants to be significant in Ryoma's life. She frowned, slowly returning to her seat.

"Well, that was his condition. He taught me everything I needed to know in exchange for money. Then he asked me to take him to a bicycle store. I don't know what was happening, but I was more than glad to help him," he kept on talking but Sakuno's mind had already stopped working.

All of the confusing parts started to make sense. Ryoma had apparently taken a side job as a tennis coach for Akito who was Katsuo's friend. He made enough money and bought a present for Sakuno last Christmas.

Her pastel green bike.

An overwhelming surge of emotions welled up in Sakuno's heart. If that didn't speak to Ryoma's commitment to her, what would? Suddenly, she felt regret and guilt over the things she said to him before he left. She can't imagine how hurt he must have been to hear those things from her. The fact that he bought her something valuable and expensive even before he confessed has made Sakuno realize that he really did like her. The thought made her happy, but then she wondered if he still feels the same way after their fallout.

What she would give to turn back time and take back what she said that day, if she could just shut her own mouth and instead pull him into an embrace, and hopefully ease his fatigue, and confess to him like how she dreamed.

Would he even take her back?

It's too late, she thought. Every time Sakuno feels this way, she reminds herself why she did that. It was because of her own insecurities, but more importantly, she just wants Ryoma to have a future that he deserves.

Having noticed that she fell quiet, Akito eyed her curiously.

"Um… may I ask how you know Echizen?"

Sakuno jumped at his question, but she only looked down, realizing that she is neither a classmate nor a friend to him now. What could she say, then?

"I'm… a fan," she smiled sadly, touching the pearl necklace around her neck. This is probably for the best, she thought.

That night, Tomoka and Horio walked around the mall, and every time she would stop by a clothes shop, Horio would groan.

She doesn't even buy anything!

He was beginning to feel hungry with all the restaurants that they walked by. But he doesn't want to ask Tomoka to eat, he was afraid she might think that he thinks they're on a date even though she specifically told him that they weren't. It was weird how he would overthink this day too much. Earlier, she asked him to hang out wherever he wanted to go, and she surprisingly agreed. Now, Horio didn't know what to do.

"Are you okay?" She asked. Horio was surprised at how Tomoka looked positively glowing and… radiant. He smiled in relief, realizing that it was a good decision to take her window shopping and cheered her up from Atsushi's absence. If this is called cheating, he doesn't know. But Atsushi did ask him to look after her. It's a win-win situation.

"I'm fine," he gave a thumbs up and flashed a toothy grin. Tomoka almost chuckled at how geeky he looked if not for her phone suddenly ringing.

"Hang on," she whipped her phone out of her bag and checked who it was. "It's Sakuno. Hello?"

"Tomo-chan… can we talk?" she sensed the urgency and worry in Sakuno's voice.

Tomoka looked at Horio, who was as clueless as her.

"Uh, okay. Let's meet," she said. With that, Tomoka specified the name of the mall and told Horio that he should go home. Tomoka sensed that this would be a girl's talk.

"But I kind of want to know…" he muttered. Tomoka stared at him. She found it weird that Horio is being persistent these days. But she was more surprised at herself for not dismissing the thought either, for wanting to hang out with him a little longer. She hesitated, thinking about Sakuno and how she probably wanted to talk to her in private.

Should she send him home? Tomoka couldn't decide. In the end, she texted Sakuno, asking if it would be okay for Horio to tag along.

"Oh, she said okay," the girl couldn't help but smile. Horio blinked at her cheerful expression.

"Thanks! Let's go," they made their way to the cafe where Sakuno is supposed to meet them. It would take her fifteen minutes to get there since she's already nearby. To where she went, Tomoka had no idea. She didn't even know that Sakuno had not been coming to the restaurant. Her best friend has been secretive these days and Tomoka planned to make her say everything that's been going on in her life.

As they approached the cafe, they caught sight of Sakuno sitting on one of the sofas inside. She looked upset and was clutching something on her neck.

"Sakuno, what's up?" Tomoka and Horio sat in front of her, ready to listen to her woes. The timid girl sighed as she felt relieved to see her two close friends.

"Tomo-chan, Horio-kun… am I crazy?"

The two people blinked at her, then looked at each other. With one brow raised, they shook their heads from one side to another, silently responding a 'no'. They didn't know how to answer her question. If she has asked if she looked crazy, then yes, a little bit. The strands of her hair were everywhere, her clothes were wrinkled, and her eyes were red. If they didn't know better, they'd say Sakuno smoked pot or something.

"Am I crazy for thinking that I can live alone like this?" She buried her face in her hands. Tomoka and Horio fell silent as they heard frustrated grunts from the girl. She was never like this. Sakuno has always masked her emotions well in front of others. She may always look troubled but that's her default face.

"As the saying goes, no man is an island," Horio commented, which earned a scorn from Tomoka. He rolled his eyes and ignored her snickering.

"No, I agree with you. Sakuno, if you're not a hundred percent sure of your choice, then you don't have to do it," Tomoka said.

"Don't overthink so much and do what really makes you happy. Look at Echizen, he always does whatever he wants, and no one can stop him. Look how happy he is," he and Tomoka struggled to imagine the prince's face looking happy. He only ever had one expression all the time and it didn't make a difference if he was happy or not.

"I know… but what I want is different from what I need," she sighed.

In Sakuno's mind, there are a lot of things in her life that proved it right. Her future has always been bright, she wants to pursue culinary arts and her grandma approved, thinking that they could always support each other. Death was never in the equation. But then, she passed away and now Sakuno was suddenly living aimlessly in a world where her number one supporter is non-existent, physically, at least. Then there was Ryoma. She wanted to be with him as much as he wanted to, but she needed to break their bond apart to let him fly freely. She knew that she would hold him back with her emotional baggage and whatnot.

"Sakuno… What do you really want?" Tomoka held her hand in comfort.

"I don't know…" Sakuno was out of answers. Graduation is just around the corner, and she still wasn't sure of her future. She was already feeling the pressure of independence when she hadn't started doing it yet. Sure, money was absolutely an issue before, but she has been working diligently and earning more than enough now. So, in terms of financial status, Sakuno could do it. If she could survive acting like a robot with no feelings, then yes, she can.

But how can she when everywhere she looks, there's Ryoma?

"Is this because of Echizen?" Horio suddenly spoke. The two girls stared at him. Then Tomoka gasped.

"Oh… Is it?" She asked. "Whatever happened between you two anyway?"

"O-Oh…" she realized that Horio might actually be right. But she just can't organize her thoughts anymore. That's actually the reason why she sought Tomoka's help.

"You don't have to tell us if you're not comfortable. Just remember, choose the one you want, because that's where happiness is," she smiled at Sakuno like a mother comforting a child. Sakuno couldn't help but tear up from Tomoka's words. Horio may have helped, too. The heavy lump in her throat has suddenly vanished and the cloud in her mind disappeared. She was once again saved by her friends.

"Thank you, you two…" she muttered, wiping a tear from her cheek. Tomoka stood up and gave her a hug, while Horio grinned.

"So… is Echizen the one you want?" he said in a teasing voice. Tomoka almost hurled a chair on his head if not for Sakuno's giggle. She had recovered from her turmoil earlier and was able to find humor in everything again and that was enough for Tomoka.

"I guess… but I kind of ended it," her words earned a violent reaction from the two. Sakuno understood that it was a cringe-worthy move. Who dares to hurt the prince, right? Only she did. Tomoka believes that Ryoma is a good catch, the only thing he doesn't have is common sense. Horio was shocked because Ryoma only ever showed interest in tennis, then Sakuno. Being a self-proclaimed best friend, he was robbed of one of the two things he knew about the guy.

"What are you talking about? You're supposed to end up together! Sakuno, take it back!"

"I can't…"

"I told you to confess, not break his heart!"

Tomoka was fuming with newfound anger for her best friend. She knew Sakuno was an idiot, but not this level of idiocy. She was lucky to have her love reciprocated but she dumped it out the window. Since middle school, Tomoka has pushed her to Ryoma because to her, it just felt right and it's the natural course of their relationship. But Sakuno had managed to ruin it single handedly. Tomoka smacked her forehead with her hand, unable to comprehend her best friend's screwup.

"Eh, Ryuzaki, what is that around your neck?" Horio cocked his head to the side, his hand pointing at the necklace.

"Oh… um," she fidgeted, knowing that if she told them the truth, they would just skin her alive but there's no reason to hide it anymore, she is actually fond of it. "R-Ryoma-kun gave it to me… as a birthday present."

Sakuno braced herself for more yelling and disappointed looks, but none came.

Horio smiled at her knowingly. He actually referred that jewelry shop to Ryoma when he caught him roaming around Ginza, looking for jewelry shops. If he hadn't seen him that day, what would he have bought? Considering his clueless nature about almost everything in this world, he would have bought Sakuno a banana or something. Horio has lots of misconceptions about Ryoma like that.

"Wow, Sakuno. That looks expensive. Let me see," she leaned on her and held the pendant in her hand. Tomoka had to squint to realize it was a translucent pearl-like object, and there was something written inside it. She strained her eyes to see it a bit clearer, and when she did, Tomoka gasped.

"Whoa, Sakuno. What did you feed him to make him fall in love with you?" Tomoka said.

"What are you talking about?" Sakuno blinked. She saw Tomoka looking intently at her necklace. Horio had actually leaned closer to them as he grew curious to what the two girls were looking at.

Tomoka laid the pearl on her hand and let the two see for themselves what she had discovered.

"You are beautiful."

"You are… beautiful," Horio read the inscription carefully. Sure, he had recommended the type of necklace to Ryoma, thinking that it would appear more creative and personalized, but he never told him what he wanted to write in it, so Horio is just as surprised as the two girls.

"No way…" Tomoka whispered, her cheeks becoming redder and redder at the thought of Ryoma being a hopeless romantic for Sakuno. She didn't realize how badly the boy was head over heels with her best friend. She just can't believe it.

Meanwhile, it seemed like Sakuno had got her mouth sewn shut. She stared at the text inside the necklace, unable to comprehend their discovery. What if she hadn't talked to Tomoka, would she be able to find his message?

The fact that he wanted to convey his feelings inside her present, the one thing that she has been insecure about, and how instead of saying "I love you", he decided to put encouraging words for her. In Sakuno's mind, it was more meaningful, and it had relayed his feelings more clearly.

He loves me.

"Now do you understand how he feels?" Horio asked, his arms folded on his stomach. He had waited for this moment when the misunderstandings would be cleared up for Ryoma. It made him feel satisfied.

"So, you knew?" Tomoka frowned.

"Of course, on some level. He's my best friend, after all," he smiled and Tomoka just rolled her eyes to him. The self-proclaimed number one fan and the self-proclaimed best friend could only scoff at each other.

"Tomo-chan, Horio-kun. I'm going to Brazil," they stared at Sakuno with wide eyes as she suddenly spoke. They watched her stand up, looking determined as ever. She clutched the necklace and momentarily sniffed. If it wasn't for the fact that she had just told them that she's going to where Ryoma is right now, they would have laughed at her face. She had that stoned look, and disheveled hair behind her. But Sakuno didn't care about her looks right now, she's got Ryoma's encouragement at heart.

While Tomoka and Horio hastily talk about which airline is the best to get cheap flight tickets, Sakuno's mind wandered off somewhere else. She was too busy plotting to pursue Ryoma and she will not stop until she gets him back.

That morning, Brian woke up early and decided to do his jogging by the beach. It has been a popular running track for athletes, and he was eager to know why it was so popular, especially at dawn.

"You're amazing, Ryoma-kun…" Brian heard Honoka speak behind the closed door. He stopped in his tracks and decided to lean a little closer to hear more. He heard the girl panting heavily, like she had just done something very tiring with Ryoma. He cupped his ear to the door to amplify the voices.

"Another round," now it was Ryoma talking. Brian couldn't understand what they were talking about, but given his green mind, he could only assume the worst.

"No… I'm tired. My body can't take anymore," she tried to catch her breath, but she couldn't speak another word anymore, then Brian heard a plop on the floor.

He nervously covered his mouth as his mind thought about multiple assumptions about the two. Maybe with the way the media kept on shipping them together, they had made it official and committed the act of coitus? Brian could say that Honoka would definitely do that, given her bold character, but Ryoma? He has never shown interest in anyone, except for Sakuno whom he only met twice.

"What the heck…" as he leaned closer, the door couldn't hold his weight anymore and it flew open, dropping him to the floor. His face hit the ground and it made a loud thwack sound.

"B-Brian?" he heard Honoka shuffle to her feet and observed his pitiful image. He opened his eyes and saw that the two were standing inside the indoor tennis court, wearing training clothes and were holding their own rackets. They appeared to have just finished a match.

"Oh…" he whispered. He glanced at the score board and it flashed both of their scores, with Honoka falling short of one point. He chuckled at his dirty mind, assuming something preposterous about his two teammates.

"What are you doing out there?" Honoka helped him up, dusting away dirt from his shirt. Ryoma blinked curiously at him, probably wondering what he was eavesdropping for.

Brian could only scratch his head and chuckle at his stupidity.

"W-What are you two doing?"

"We played a match, and I won," Ryoma stretched his arms out, relieving his muscles from the fatigue. He felt good, releasing tension with Honoka. And now, he wanted to take a shower and sleep the tiredness off.

If only Brian could hear what he was thinking, he would take it the wrong way again and would have a heart attack. But he knew Ryoma didn't mean it any other way than tennis related stuff. The prince walked off, leaving Brian in the arms of Honoka.

Having won a match against Honoka, the super rookie from Sapporo, Ryoma realized that she is indeed the best female player he had ever met. But she doesn't come close to Sakuno. No matter how good she is at tennis, and how bad the timid girl is at tennis, Ryoma would choose Sakuno over anything, anyone, anytime.

"W-Wait, Ryoma-kun!" the girl shouted. Ryoma spun around and waited for her to continue. "Thank you, and you're the best."

Ryoma smirked at her and uttered his famous catch phrase.

"Mada mada dane."

To be continued.