Energized from the matches his peers fought for previously, Ryoma Echizen served the court with determination and finesse, years of experience under his hat.

He returns a serve, replaying everything in his mind, from start to present.

He recalls Horio's first win of the season and the ecstatic cheers that only served Horios pride. He remembers Katsuo's determination but the devastating loss he faced. Then the doubles match Cachiro and Watsuba played by giving it their all until match, point.

To say that Ryoma was fired up, was an understatement. Yet, he keeps an exterior of calm, gazing at his prey from the shade of his cap.

Much to the confusion of on-lookers, his opponent already took two games away, and his taunts only got louder.

"Is this the prince of tennis I've heard so much about?" Some were wondering the same thing, but already used to Echizen's tricks, Horio shook his head in amazement as he haughtily explained what he thought Ryoma was doing.

"Please, Ryoma is just waiting for the right time to attack, assessing his opponent to shut him down." He stuck up his nose and crossed his arms and his friends paid him no mind, being used to his antics.

The small smirk at the corner of Echizens lips deterred the senior from the other school, expecting Ryoma to start losing his focus and cool by now. Especially since he just lost a point.

The stare-down from Ryoma got him riled up. He served the ball and got ready to approach the net, only to find that the boy had switched his racket to his left hand. A yellow blur skirted past his foot before shooting up and bouncing out of the court. A sinking feeling settled in the opponent's stomach. Sweat beads and slides down his face as he prepares to serve again.

"You've still got a ways to go."

Eight minutes passed as the umpire raised his hand towards Echizen's side and yelled, "Game, match set, Echizen of Seigaku! Six games to two!"

Seigakus' tennis team cheered as Ryoma walked back with a sense of calmness. He fanned himself with his shirt, relieved to get out from under the heat.

Amongst the joyful crowd, a certain pig-tailed girl especially noticed the sweat trickling down Ryomas's flushed face and wanted to reward and help him in some way. With her mind set, she ran from the court.

Meanwhile, an arm swung around Ryomas neck, as a hand affectionally noogied it! Kikumaru Eijis's eyes shone with admiration for his junior. He had been going to the Seishun High School portion of the Academy but would visit the games to catch up with his friend. Along with him were Momo, Oishi, Fuji, and Kaido, much to the surprise of the juniors.

"We'd expect nothing less from shorty-pants!"

"He's hardly short now, is he?"

"Yeah, but still short enough to receive this!" Eiji roughed up Ryomas hair even further, making Ryoma even more exasperated at Eiji.

"Way to go Echizen!" Momoshiro exclaimed, coming up to Echizen.

"Loudmouth," Kaido commented as he passed by the chaotic group.

"What'd you say to me, viper!?"

Off to the side, Fuji took in the sight with muse, pondering how much have changed in the last two years. "He's definitely exceeding expectations as always," he says to himself.

Oishi, ever the mother-hen of the group pried Kikumaru off Echizen who was slowly turning a shade of purple.

He breathed a sigh of relief once he was free and adjusted his shirt collar.

Coach Ryuzaki came to the team, with the blue track sweats she sported nowadays, clearly filled with pride for her students. She gathered their attention, and all side scuffles ceased.

"Not bad if I do say so myself! I'm glad you haven't let your guard down. (In Germany, a studious Tezkua suddenly sneezed) We may still have a ways to go- at this, she looked pointedly in Ryomas's direction causing the group to snicker- But this calls for a celebration as we've secured a spot in the Kanto Tournament!"

The group erupted in cheers again, ready to eat and laugh their evening away. The group began to disperse to meet up at Kawamuras Sushi House. The excited chatter was still clear in the crisp air.

It was then that Coach Ryuzaki noticed that her granddaughter was missing. She could have sworn she had seen her just a few minutes ago.

She looked around quickly. Seeing that Ryoma was the closest victim, she called to him. He and Momo who was gesturing widely to Ryoma, halted as she came closer.

Ryoma nodded to Momo who went ahead of him.

"Ryoma, just the person."

Ryoma cocked his head in confusion.

"For what exactly," he asked with a stoic face. Inside, he was hiding his skepticism.

"Can you wait here for Sakuno, I think she's still around."

Ryoma blinked, not expecting the question. "I'm sure she can get around."

Coach Ryuzaki stared at him with a knowing look and Ryoma conceded. What are the chances of her getting lost? If Inui were here, he'd probably analyze it as 100% and it seems Coach Ryuzaki thinks so too.

"I just don't want her to get lost or confused when she realizes that no one is here. Accompany her to the restaurant will you?"

Ryoma stood shocked. "Huh?! But."

"Thanks, Ryoma" Coach Ryuzaki said as she clapped his shoulder and then turned away.

Ryomas shoulders slumped. After rubbing the shock from his face, he found a bench and sat down to rest. The adrenaline slowly dissipated from his body and he found that the quiet was welcoming.

Tilting his head up, Ryoma watched the puffy wisps of clouds travel across the sky. Without much thought, his eyes began to droop as the white clouds became enclosed by darkness.

Eyes snapping open, Ryoma felt like it was a second ago that he was staring at the sky, but the orange hue of the horizon told him otherwise.

He got up after stretching, slightly apprehensive that Sakuno hadn't been back yet. He could only imagine what the coach would do to him if she found out he was sleeping while her granddaughter was possibly missing. His hand tightened around his bag at the thought.

Ryomas speed picked up as he rounded a corner when a fast-moving force bumped into him. A sharp pain traveled along his jaw as the person's head bumped him.

Annoyance pricked at Ryoma as he grabbed the person's shoulder to steady them, only to realize that he was frowning down at Sakuno.

"Ryu-zaki?" He muttered in confusion.

Ryuzakis's face gave way to her embarrassment.

"Ryoma, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-" As she spoke, she receded quickly, only to be pulled back to Ryoma by an invisible tug. Her face hovered slightly above his chest.

Ryoma, anticipating another headbutt, moved back himself. In turn, Sakuno stumbled towards him, standing even closer, her arms now around his waist, a sudden reaction to them almost falling.

Ryoma wanted to hold on to his annoyance at this predicament, despite the much-needed patience to get this situation under control. Not to mention his widely beating heart. He pulled the cap over his eyes as Ryuzaki fidgeted, not wanting to make any sudden movements as well.

With a sigh, "Ryuzaki," Ryoma called calmly. The girl ceased and slowly looked up into Ryomas eyes. Cat-like, amber eyes gazed at deep brown doe ones. The moment appeared to last more than the mere seconds that they were before Sakunos gaze darted away. That was when she saw the problem and she wanted to slap her head silly.

At her expression, Ryoma looked down too and saw the locks of hair that were entangled to several of his shirt buttons.

Sakunos hands rose to immediately work on letting them both loose.

Her tongue was heavy. She couldn't have apologized more for causing Ryoma trouble.

In the meantime, Ryoma politely looked away until he found his eyes drifting to Sakuno in puzzlement. He kept his gaze on her, studying her scrunched-up features, pursed lips, and fidgeting hands. His annoyance had dissolved into a simmering awkwardness. He wanted to step back on impulse and found himself shifting his feet.

"Uhh, Ryoma, please be still." Ryoma noticed the subtle irritation behind her voice even if she tried her best to be polite.

A breeze passed, lifting the small hairs loose from Ryuzakis's braid. Some waved as ribbons in front of her face, partly obscuring her eyes. He expected her to pull them back, but the girl was not deterred. For unknown reasons, this annoyed Ryoma, and he, absentmindedly reached out and tucked them behind her ears.

They both froze.

Ryoma recovered first, drawing his hand back and into his pockets. Before deciding on his explanation, he took a deep breath. With an air of nonchalance, he insisted that it was " To help you see better. You're taking too long."

He pursed his lips after the statement left his mouth and went to reach for his cap again. If possible, to bring it more compact onto his head.

Ryuzaki slowly nodded, either too nice not to call him out, or being too dense to understand the full extent of his fumble.

"Thank you..."

Her cheeks took on a pink hue, and Ryoma suspected it was the first choice.

Ryomas hand clenched in his pocket, the tactile memory of her delicate skin under his fingertips ingrained in his mind. But Ryoma shook such thought from his head, opting for thinking about tennis, his greatest comfort escape(cross out).

That was until he heard Sakuno huff in frustration. He looked down to see that a few stubborn strands were refusing to relent. Making a steady decision, Ryoma gently grasped her fingers and guided them away from his shirt.

"I'll do it." And as an afterthought, "You might want to look away."

He started to unbutton his shirt, and Ryuzaki looked away quickly.

He was a bit afraid that her neck snapped at the movement.

His fingers worked to remove the stubborn strands and finally, her hair glided smoothly off his buttons back to their owner.

He took in Ryuzaki, face burning, looking at the ground with clasped hands. Ryoma shifted back.

He felt an apology coming on, but Ryoma didn't let her start.

"Where were you anyways?"

At the question, she raised her head, startled by the question, distracted from her self-blaming.

"I went to buy Ponta, but the vending machine was so far. I took many turns without realizing that I didn't know how to get back. There weren't many people around to ask for help." Ryuzakis's voice dwindled out at the end, shame tinging her neck red.

Ryoma didn't comment on it though. At least she's safe, and as a matter of fact, him too from Coaches wrath.

"What happened to them?"

"Oh, right!" Sakuno looked around before noticing where the cans had landed when she crashed into Ryoma. One grape and cherry Ponta laid off to either side of them.

She hurried to pick them up and sighed in dismay as she saw that the grape Ponta can had broken. Her soda was fine, a bit shaken up but intact.

"It seems like yours broke Ryoma and I know you don't like cherry." She sighed

"you didn't have to."

"Yeah, b-but I wanted to."

Ryoma regarded her, as she shrunk into herself. With one step, he took the can from her grasp and emptied the drink from the rupture. It wasn't much and the drink was warm, but the sugary fizz coursed through his body as it always did.

Sakuno looked at him in surprise.

Ryoma smirked at her expression, "Didn't you buy that to drink?"

She fumbled to open the can and furiously took a swing, much to the amusement of Ryoma. A trickle of the drink slid down her lips.

Before he could stop himself, Ryoma lifted his thumb to sweep it across her lips. Soft.

At the thought, he wanted to run a hand through his hair. What was going on with him?

Ryuzaki wanted to know the same thing.

She was highly perturbed at the prince's sudden actions. Discreetly, she gushed inside.

She noticed that there was some of his Ponta on his face as well and she reached up with delicate hands to wipe at his chin.

Heart singing rapidly at her touch, Ryoma grasped her sticky hand. The spot she touched was warm and the question of what she was doing died on his lips as they both became fixated on each other's eyes. The setting sun played the perfect role of putting them in the spotlight and adding a touch of gold specks to their eyes.

What was this attractive, but light gravity in between them? Were they leaning closer to each other? Or was it just their imagination?

Ryoma caught himself before he could let his body have its way any further. The look Ryuzaki was giving him was inviting. She was right there, face upturned, eyes widely set on him. Lips parted. Pretty. The look Ryuzaki was giving him, although inviting, had an underlying nervous and awkward mood. So he smirked and whispered,

"I told you your hair was too long."

Ryuzaki broke out of the trance and she crossed her arms, taking her hand back from Ryoma. When it came to her hair, she was easily defensive.

"you're just teasing me Ryoma."

"You didn't disagree," he said amusingly.

"This has nothing to do with tennis, plus I apologized."

Ryoma chuckled to himself.

"I know. You're doing well."

And it was true. With the tennis lessons he'd been giving her, she slowly, but surely did improve.

Ryuzaki glowed at the comment until he said, "But you still have a ways to go." At this she became annoyed and she gave him all the reasons why her hair was just fine.

As they walked together Sakuno tried small talk with Ryoma, hoping to keep the Prince engaged.

"Where did everyone go?"

"Kaumauras." Annnnd he's back to the one-word answers. Still, Ryuzaki didn't give up.

"Oh, I would have loved to go."

"hmm."

Relenting that Ryoma had gone back to his more composed and stoic self, she encouraged herself by the fact that she felt a bit closer to the tennis prodigy.

Ryoma kept his gaze straight the whole time, deciding the walk Ryuzaki back home. He enjoyed her company and just wanted to hear from her a bit more.

"Do you still want to go?"

"Huh?" Her eyes widen a bit.

"To Kaumauras."

Ryuzaki smiled softly, it slightly sounded suggesting a date. By this time, everyone had to be back home.

"I think I'll go home for today, I'm a bit tired and I'm guessing you are too."

Ryoma glanced at her, her face content and happy.

His lips twitched at the sight.

"Right."

The rest of the walk was silent, as Ryoma walked her home. When they arrived at her residence, Ryoma bid Sakuno farewell, before he could catch the ire of coach Ryuzaki.

Going in, Ryuzaki practically flew up the stairs and collapsed on her bean bag. She lay there absentmindedly for a few minutes before thoughts of the day filled her mind. When she woke up, made breakfast, leaving to watch the tennis match, the actual tennis match...Ryoma leaning in. Her heart skipped a beat and she covered her face, groaning into her palms.

The ringing of the house phone brought her out of her thoughts.

She went downstairs to pick the phone up.

"Hello?"

"Sakuno, we missed you at Kaumaras. Everything okay?"

"Yes all is alright, just got lost."

"Ah, man! I'm sorry you missed it. You should have been there, the regulars and seniors were up to their antics as usual! Well now that I think about it, Ryoma was missing too!"

"I know, I was with him," Ryuzaki whispered.

"What?! What happened?"

Sakuno paused too long pondering if she should tell her best friend what happened, after all, she wasn't so sure what was brewing between her and Ryoma. She didn't want Tomo to make a big deal out of it.

"I just got lost and he took me home."

"Hmm, that pause was suspicious, are you sure he didn't confess his undying love for you?" Ryuzaki can hear the stifled snicker in her voice.

"Tomoka! Of course not!"

Tomo chuckled,

"One of these days, he'll notice how kind and great you are."

Sakuno sighed as Ryomas words repeated in her head, "You're doing well."

It wasn't a love confession, but it still made her heart swell at his praise.

"Sakuno?"

"Oh yes! Sorry just thinking."

"Hmm, so something did happen, spill!"

Ryuzaki became flustered denying the accusations. They ended up talking the whole night before her grandmother called for Sakuno to get the food she bought for her.

She was sitting quietly, eating her food when her grandma slyly asked,

"So? did you enjoy your time with Ryoma?"

Sakuno almost choked, "Not you too, grandma!"