Next day on Saturday at 5 am, Sakuno abruptly woke up and swiftly cleaned herself before changing into her jogging attire. She applied a hint of makeup to avoid looking too pale. By 5:30 am, she had prepared a simple bento for two people, leaving some for her grandmother to enjoy for breakfast.

Glancing at the clock, Sakuno realized she only had 5 minutes until 6 am. She hastily packed everything into a bag and slipped on her sports shoes, trying not to disturb her sleeping grandmother. However, she was startled to see a tall figure standing besides her. It was Ryoma, already dressed in his jogging gear. Sakuno smiled nervously at him.

"Good morning, Ryoma-kun."

"Morning." He looked at her back. "What's with that backpack? How can you run with that?" He said.

"Mou.. but I made some bento." She pouted.

Ryoma sighed. He really can't argue with this girl. "You can bring it, but leave it at the nearby park later."

"Okay." She said happily.

After Sakuno put her bag at the park, she make sure she brings all valuable things in her pocket like her cellphone and money. Then, they start to run.

As they ran, Ryoma announced that they would be completing a 2km route for the day. Sakuno said okay. She looked at the sky while they run, the cool morning air filling their lungs.

After they jog about 1km, Ryoma asked if Sakuno wants to rest. Sakuno can still manage. When they out of breath, they just walked, then they continue running again.

Not far from Sakuno and Ryoma's jogging route, there were four familiar figures running together - Momoshiro, Kaidoh, Eiji, and Oishi. They were shocked with what they see. Ryoma back in Japan, as they had never heard any news about his return.

"Am I dreaming or I really see Echizen?" Momo said.

"I see it too. Fffssshhhh." Kaidoh said.

"Me too." Oishi said.

"Ehh? I see him too. He never told us he comes back. I feel hurt-nya." Eiji said while making disappointed face.

"I'm gonna call him. Echi-" Momo voiced out, but his mouth covered by Eiji.

"Wait a minute, Momo. Don't you see? He is with a girl." Eiji said.

"What? Yeah, you're right. Is he dating?" Momo said.

"That girl looks familiar." Oishi said.

"Wait, isn't that Ryuzaki-chan?" Said Eiji.

Momoshiro grinned. "Let's follow them."

"Wait, I don't think we should-" Oishi said with a worried look.

"Let's go Oishi. You worried Ochibi will do something towards Ryuzaki-chan, too don't you?" Eiji grabbed Oishi's arm and dragged him.

"I'm not interested. Fffss-" Don't get to voice out his opinion, Momo grabbed Kaidoh quickly.

"You coming with us Mamushi." Kaidoh followed with blurred look.

As they followed the pair around town, they witnessed Ryoma and Sakuno laughing and smiling, clearly enjoying each other's company. Momoshiro, Kaidoh, Eiji, and Oishi couldn't help but feel more curious. They keep following them.

As Sakuno was crossing the street, lost in her own thoughts, a delivery motorcycle came speeding towards her.

"Ryuzaki!" Ryoma almost shouted.

Before she could react, Ryoma grabbed her waist, pulling her towards him. Their faces were only a few inches apart, and Sakuno could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. The motorcycle rider bowing as gesture saying sorry and continue his ride.

Momoshiro, Eiji, Kaifoh and Oishi, who had been spying on them from a distance, were shocked and blushing at the intimate gesture. Ryoma quickly let go of Sakuno when he noticed how close their faces are.

Ryoma sighed. "You could pay more attention. You could have gotten hurt." He said with worry tone.

"Gomen-ne, I'll be more careful." Said Sakuno.

Ryoma flicked her head. "Let's go to the park. We almost finished 2km."

"H-hai." Sakuno said while following Ryoma.

The four figures continue following them.

"Dang, I don't believe the first thing I had to see when I meet Echizen again is his romance life." Said Momo while still running, catching up with his kouhai.

Eiji laughed. "You should be grateful for that-nya."

At the park, Ryoma and Sakuno sit down on a bench to catch their breath. Sakuno reached into her bag and took out a thermos full of hot chocolate, pouring some into a cup and handing it to Ryoma. She poured herself a cup as well and they both took a sip, enjoying the warmth spreading through their bodies.

As they sat there, enjoying the peaceful moment, they suddenly heard rustling coming from the bushes nearby. Momoshiro and Kaidoh, who had been arguing with each other because Kaidoh wants to go home lost their balance, fell out of the bushes and landed in a heap on the ground.

Ryoma couldn't help but shoot them a deathly glare for spying on him and Sakuno. His senpais just laughing awkwardly. Sakuno tried to calm the atmosphere and handed them a bento she had prepared and invited them to join them for breakfast.

The regulars, still recovering from their fall, accepted the offer and sat down with Ryoma and Sakuno to eat. Momoshiro grumbled about how unfair it was that Ryoma hadn't told them he was back, but Sakuno's delicious bento soon had everyone in good spirits.

"You should tell us you came back. Are we not important anymore to you?" Momoshiro said while eating the bento, a bit pouted.

"I'm just busy. No time to meet you guys." Ryoma said while sipping his hot chocolate.

"Busy dating?" Said Eiji while laughing with Momo.

Sakuno blushed a bit. "Ano senpai, we are just running together for upcoming tennis tournament." Sakuno explained, didn't want any weird assumption towards her and Ryoma.

"Tournament?" Oishi asked.

"Yeah, she is my partner for mixed-doubles tournament next week." Ryoma said.

"I see. So it was like that." Momo said, feeling a bit disappointed because they waste time spying.

Kaidoh just listened.

As Ryoma gazed at the Golden Pair, Oishi and Eiji, a spark of inspiration lit up in his mind. He approached them with a bold proposal.

"Oishi-senpai, Kikumaru-senpai, can we both have match with you two?" Said Ryoma with serious look.

Oishi and Eiji looked at Ryoma and then looked at each other. Eiji then gave thumbs up. "Of course, anything for our ochibi." Said Eiji with a grin. Oishi also nodded.

The sun started to rise as they all gathered on the tennis court, ready for a showdown. Ryoma partnered with Sakuno, while the Golden Pair prepared to face off against them. The match began, with intense rallies and powerful strokes echoing across the court.

As the game progressed, the Golden Pair observed Ryoma and Sakuno closely. They noticed the subtle lack of coordination between the two, but instead of exploiting it, they offer tips and guidance. They pointed out areas where Sakuno could improve her serve and where Ryoma could better anticipate Sakuno's movements.

With each valuable piece of advice, Ryoma and Sakuno started to synchronize better on the court. Their movements became more fluid, their communication more seamless. The Golden Pair's wisdom and experience were a valuable treasure trove that helped Ryoma and Sakuno reach new heights in their game.

Despite Ryoma and Sakuno's incredible improvement and determination, they were no match for the unparalleled skill and experience of the golden pair. In the end, Ryoma and Sakuno accepted defeat.

Before said goodbye to each other, Eiji and Oishi said they will come to Seigaku high to have match with them again before the tournament. Kaidoh and Momoshiro walked to other direction, leaving Ryoma and Sakuno.

While packing their belongings, Sakuno sighed heavily.

Ryoma looked at her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Sakuno sit down on a bench and looked at her shoes. "I don't know, suddenly I don't have confidence after losing to senpais. What if we meet a pair like them in the tournament? I feel like I'm dragging you down, Ryoma-kun."

Ryoma sit down besides her. "What happen to the Ryuzaki who said will do her best until the end?"

"Mou.. Ryoma-kun."

"Do you have any plan after this?" He asked.

"I don't have anything to do today. I was planning to go back home after this." Said Sakuno.

"Then go somewhere with me."

Sakuno looked at Ryoma with puzzled look. At the same time, she blushed a bit.