It was a sunny day in Melbourne, Australia, and the Australian Open Tennis Tournament was in full swing. Fans from all over the world had gathered at Rod Laver Arena to watch the final match of the tournament. The atmosphere was electric as the two finalists, Echizen Ryoma and a player from Britain took to the court.
The player from Britain, was a seasoned veteran with a powerful forehand and a killer backhand. The stage was set for an epic battle between two tennis titans.
As the match got underway, it was clear that both players were at the top of their game. They traded powerful shots from the baseline, moving each other from side to side in an intense game of cat and mouse. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, cheering for their favorite player and gasping at every near miss.
But it was Ryoma who began to pull ahead, unleashing a series of blistering serves that left his opponent scrambling to keep up. The player from Britain fought valiantly, but Ryoma's precision and speed were too much to handle. With each passing game, Ryoma inched closer to victory, his confidence growing with every point won.
And then, in a moment of brilliance, Ryoma unleashed his signature twist serve. The ball spun through the air with such speed and precision that his opponent had no chance of returning it. The crowd erupted in cheers as they watched the ball kiss the line, sealing Ryoma's victory in the final match of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament.
The players shook hands at the net, exchanging smiles and words of congratulations. The player from Britain graciously accepted his defeat, acknowledging Ryoma's skill and talent. As they made their way off the court, the crowd continued to cheer, their applause echoing through the stadium.
Back in Japan, the former regulars – Oishi, Fuji, Eiji, Kaidoh, Momo and Takashi at Kawamura Sushi Bar were buzzing with excitement as they gathered around the television to watch Ryoma. Along with them are the trio – Horio, Kachiro and Katsuo. Also Sakuno and Tomoka. The air was thick with anticipation as they cheered loudly as Ryoma clinched the final point and winning the match. The atmosphere in the sushi bar was electric as they celebrated his victory, raising their glasses in toast to their champion.
The former regulars were college students now. They had kept their style, but there was something different about them now. Their faces looked more mature, with a sense of wisdom and experience that only comes with time. Their former captain, Tezuka already moved to Germany with his family for good, but they still contact with each other sometimes.
The trio, who were going to be seniors in high school, had also undergone some changes of their own. It was hard not to notice the height difference between the guys and the girls. The guys had grown taller and more muscular, towering over their female counterparts.
Sakuno, once known for her long flowing hair, had decided to cut it to a chic middle length and style it into beautiful waterfall braids. Her new look added a touch of sophistication to her already elegant demeanor. Tomoka, on the other hand, had opted for a shorter hairstyle, cutting her hair until it just grazed her shoulders. The change seemed to signify a newfound sense of confidence and independence in the spunky girl.
But amidst all the changes and growth, there was still a sense of camaraderie and friendship that bound them all together. They still found time to hang out, reminiscing about the good old days and dreaming about the future. They were a tight-knit group, united by their shared experiences and memories.
After the match, they settled down to chat and eat, enjoying the fresh sushi and warm sake that Kawamura Sushi Bar was known for. They reminisced about past matches and shared stories of their own adventures on the tennis court. The camaraderie was palpable as they laughed and joked with each other, united by their love of the sport and their admiration for Ryoma.
As the evening wore on, they bid farewell to each other outside of Kawamura sushi bar. The former regulars, walked together down the bustling street and chatting.
While the trio decided to split up and take different routes home. They waved goodbye to each other and said will meet again at school.
Sakuno and Tomoka, on the other hand, walked side by side, hand in hand, down the quiet back alleys and winding side streets, since they lived in the same area. Their footsteps echoing against the pavement as they chatted about school.
Somehow Tomoka couldn't help but notice that Sakuno seemed a bit off, her usually bright eyes a little dull and a distant look in her gaze.
"Hey, Sakuno, are you okay?" Tomoka asked, concern etched in her voice. "You seem a bit out of it today."
Sakuno forced a smile and nodded, I'm fine, don't worry Tomo-chan."
Tomoka raised an eyebrow, "You know, you used to get so excited whenever we talked about Ryoma-sama. But lately, you seem not happy."
Sakuno's face softened at the mention of Ryoma, her childhood crush and the reason she had joined the tennis club in the first place. "No, it's not about Ryoma-kun. It's probably just my own problem. It just feels like he's getting further and further away. We haven't spoken in over five years. I don't even know if he remembers us anymore. It's like we're living in different worlds now." Sakuno sighed.
Tomoka placed a comforting hand on Sakuno's shoulder, "Don't worry, Sakuno. I'm sure Ryoma-sama still remembers us. And even if he doesn't, we'll always be cheering him on from afar."
Sakuno managed a small smile, "Thanks, Tomo-chan. I guess I just need to focus on myself now. It's going to be our last year of high school soon, after all."
Tomoka pulled Sakuno into a warm hug, "Let's work hard together, Sakuno. I can't wait for next week, we're going to be officially become the last year students. I feel nervous about our future."
They both giggled, and with that, the two friends continued on their walked to their home.
When Sakuno got back home, she put her sling bag on the desk and sat on her bed. As she looked at her closet opposite of her, she remembered something in the closet. She opened the closet and saw a small box. She took it out and sat again on her bed. She opened the box, made her heart felt somehow tight.
Inside the box, she found her picture with Ryoma, an old tennis ball that has Ryoma's chibi face, the plushy he got for her from the claw machine and postcards she had wanted to send to Ryoma but never had the courage to. Each item brought a smile to Sakuno's face as she reminisced about the good times they had shared.
But as she looked through the box, a pang of sadness washed over her. She closed the box, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
'I probably won't open this box again.' She thought and placed the box back in the closet.
A few days after that, Echizen Ryoma found himself standing in the bustling Narita Airport in Japan. His eyes scanned the sea of faces, searching for any sign of familiarity. The airport was teeming with travelers from all corners of the world, each with their own story to tell.
As he finally made his way through the sea of people, he found a quiet corner to dial his father's number. The phone rang a few times before his father's voice came through the line, sounding relieved.
"Seishounen, you made it safely?" His father asked.
"Yeah, just got off the plane", Ryoma replied.
"Good, good. I have some news though. Our old house has someone else living there now, so you'll have to stay at a motel for a few days until we figure out a plan", his father explained.
Ryoma sighed, not surprised by the news. It had been a long time since they had been back in Japan, and things had certainly changed. They used to live near the temple after all, the owner probably need to find other family to take care of the temple.
"Alright, I'll find a place to stay. Don't worry", Ryoma reassured him before hanging up.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked around the airport once more, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over him. It had been years since he had left Japan, and he couldn't help but wonder what adventures awaited him now.
As he made his way to the exit, he hailed a taxi and gave the driver the name of a nearby motel. The drive was quick, and before he knew it, he was standing in front of the neon sign that read Sunset Motel.
Ryoma checked into his room, a simple yet cozy space with a view of the bustling city below. He dropped his bags on the bed and flopped down with a sigh, feeling the exhaustion of his journey settling in.
'It's been a while.' He thought.