Ryoma sat with Steve in the quiet conference room of the tennis center. Natural light streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the table strewn with tournament schedules and promotional materials. In the midst of this buzzing atmosphere, a tension hung in the air, as Steve leaned forward, concern etched on his features.
"Ryoma," he said, clearing his throat, "you skipped both the French Open and Wimbledon. Are you really okay with this? You've got enough ranking points to join them."
Ryoma shrugged, his trademark nonchalance masking an underlying struggle. "Yeah."
Steve raised an eyebrow, a smile creeping onto his lips. "Are you going to stop after the 35 consecutives winning? Or is it because you don't want to be far from your wife?"
A fleeting moment of seriousness crossed Ryoma's face before he replied casually, "It's not about that." But inside, a whirlwind of thoughts stirred.
Steve chuckled softly, then shifted gears. "What about joining the US Open next month?"
"I will," Ryoma replied, the weight of his words hanging heavy.
"Okay then, I'll manage your entry," said Steve, flipping through pages in his notebook. As he looked back up, curiosity twinkled in his eyes. "By the way, are you planning to have kids soon?"
Ryoma's head jerked up, surprise coloring his face. "What?"
"You're married; isn't it normal to think about having a baby?" Steve asked, his tone teasing yet sincere.
Ryoma shook his head, brushing off the thought. He flipped through a sport magazine with a bored expression on his face. The pages of advertisements and articles blurred together before his eyes as he absentmindedly answered, "we don't plan on having one right now. We're both busy."
He couldn't help but think about how exhausted Sakuno looked every evening when he returned home from his tennis training sessions. Probably because of the unstoppable school events.
"Must be hard for you two," Steve remarked, his voice softening. "I'll make sure to schedule your tournaments for next year too. The sponsors want to see you in all the big events. You should participate in the four majors next year."
"Do I have any other choice?" Ryoma asked, half-joking.
Steve laughed heartily. "Don't worry. This time, participants are quite strong. I'm sure you won't get bored."
He stood up and looked at Ryoma. "Why not take a rest today and tomorrow? Spend some time with your wife. By the way, Kunimitsu Tezuka will participate in the US Open this year too, you'll probably have a match with him."
At the mention of Tezuka's name, a smirk tugged at Ryoma's lips. A spark ignited within him, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "That will be fun then," he said, a hint of competitive spirit returning to his voice.
Steve smiled, noticing the change in his demeanor just like that, one mention of a rival, and Ryoma was back in game mode.
Later that day, Ryoma arrived at his apartment early. As the door swung open, Karupin greeted him with a cheerful meow, weaving between his legs. Ryoma knelt down, scratching between the cat's ears and smiling. "Karupin, you want to take a stroll?"
Karupin mewed again, a clear agreement.
"Let's go pick Sakuno up from school," Ryoma decided, feeling a sense of joy spread through him. The thought of seeing his wife made his heart lighten.
The shrill ring of the Oakley Junior High bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of yet another busy day for Sakuno. As she packed her bag, the familiar swirl of papers and lesson plans brought a warm sense of accomplishment. With a smile, she bid farewell to her fellow teachers in the staff room, the camaraderie of the past day lingering gently in her heart. Today had been productive; she had inspired a few students, made them laugh, and even quelled some minor disputes.
Outside, the sun hung low in the school's sky, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling streets. The air was thick with anticipation; it was Friday, and after a long week, Sakuno felt an bubbling excitement to finally spend time with Ryoma. As she stepped out of the school, her eyes met his; a moment where everything else faded away. Ryoma stood there, his usual calm demeanor softened by a gentle smile, with Karupin nestled at his feet.
"Ryoma-kun, you're here." Sakuno chirped, feeling her spirits lift with his presence.
"Yeah," he replied simply, but his eyes held a depth of warmth that spoke louder than words.
"I missed you. We barely spend time together lately," she confessed, her voice tinged with soft vulnerability.
"I'm sorry for that," he answered, the sincerity in his tone evident as he took her hand. Their fingers intertwined effortlessly, a perfect fit in a world where chaos often reigned.
Sakuno shook her head, brushing off his apology. "It's okay. I've been busy with school events too."
In that moment, he smiled again, and Sakuno found solace in the way he looked at her—his gaze felt like home. "Let's go then," he said, and their shoulders brushed as they walked side by side, weaving through the familiar tapestry of the city.
"We are going to play tennis, right? I already bring my racket from home," she asked, glancing at the bag slung over her shoulder. She had packed her racket in hopes of sharing a few light swings with him.
"Yeah," he said, nodding with an enthusiasm that was rare for him.
As they strolled down the vibrant streets, each step resonated with laughter shared and stories whispered between them. They passed hot dog stands emitting mouth-watering scents, street performers bringing life to the sidewalks, and clusters of people hurrying toward unknown destinations. But in that moment, nothing mattered more than being together.
They reached a worn tennis court tucked between two towering buildings. The court had seen better days, its nets frayed and the asphalt cracked, yet it pulsed with the energy of countless matches fought on this very ground.
"Wow, they have a court here too," Sakuno exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"Yeah, I play here sometimes," Ryoma said, pulling her gently to the court's edge, scanning the area as if remembering old times with his friends who play the street tennis.
As they rallied, the world faded into the background. It was just the two of them, the rhythmic thud of rubber against strings intertwining with their laughter, punctuated by light-hearted teasing over who could score the most points. They reveled in the simplicity: the sun warming their skin, the wind tousling their hair, and the sound of their breath mingling like an unspoken promise between them.
After that, they found themselves on a weathered wooden bench, the kind that creaked softly under the weight of their shared moments and the gentle rustle of leaves above.
"Do you want to join any competitions again?" Ryoma asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and hope.
Sakuno turned her gaze to the ground, a splash of pink blooming on her cheeks. "Maybe not," she replied softly. "I want to focus on teaching right now… and our marriage."
Ryoma's heart swelled at her words. He looked at her, studying the way her hair caught the light, glimmering like strands of silk. She looked up, catching him staring, and the blush deepened.
"Does that make you happy?" he pressed, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
Sakuno nodded enthusiastically. "I want to wake up with you, making meals for you… and then when you come back home, I want to be there, spending time with you, cheering for you. I feel fulfilled by doing those things every day."
Ryoma felt a surge of emotion as he listened to her words. He reached out and took her hand, feeling a deep connection between them.
Her eyes softened as she absentmindedly rubbed Karupin, who lay content on her lap. The himalayan cat purred, completely at ease, as if to echo her sentiments. Ryoma couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Why are you so cute?" he said, teasingly.
Sakuno's cheeks flushed even deeper, but she couldn't help but smile at his words. She loved the playful banter between them, the way they complemented each other so perfectly.
"You're amazing," Ryoma whispered, his eyes filled with love and adoration.
"Hm?" she asked, tilting her head, curious about the depth of his words.
"I think you can do most of the things I can't do," Ryoma said.
Sakuno smiled, feeling a warm wave of love wash over her. "Isn't that how a married couple is? We perfect each other. I can't do most of the things that you can do too." Sakuno gazed into his eyes, feeling the depth of his love and devotion.
Ryoma smiled back, mirroring her smile. But a cloud crossed his face, and he leaned back against the wall. "I wonder if I should quit tennis."
Sakuno's brow furrowed in concern. "Eh? Why?"
He sighed again, allowing the worry to seep into his voice. "I'm not sure… Maybe just like my dad said, even if you eat delicious mackerel every day, you'll grow tired of it someday."
Sakuno's grip tightened around his hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "Are you tired of tennis already?"
Ryoma paused, contemplating her question. "I'm not sure…" His eyes drifted off, lost in thought.
Sakuno smiled, her eyes sparkling with softness. "If you grow tired of mackerel, why not try cooking it a different way?"
He arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Different way?"
"Yes." she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "Sometimes we can grill the mackerel, and sometimes we can simmer it with miso, or we can make it sushi-style." Sakuno giggled, her laughter like bells ringing through the air.
Ryoma chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "You have a point..."
Sakuno added, "tennis has always been fun for you, right? You probably feel like that because you always met the same opponents. Look at me, I'm playing tennis because of you too, because you always enjoy it."
Feeling a rush of boldness, Ryoma smiled and leaned closer, his heart racing. "Can I kiss you?"
Sakuno's cheeks flared crimson, more vibrant than the fall leaves surrounding them. "You can't. We're outside."
Ryoma grinned, finding amusement in her shyness. He gently pinched her nose, making her giggle again, the sound was music to his ears.
A playful silence enveloped them, filled only by the sounds of nature and distant conversations, as they both relished the moment. The world around them faded, and it felt as if they were the only two people who mattered.
He looked at her, his eyes softening. "You don't have school tomorrow, right? Let's sleep at my dad's house today. Mom wants to take you somewhere."
Sakuno's heart fluttered at the prospect of spending an evening in the warmth of their family. "Really?" She beamed, excitement bubbling up within her.
As she turned to grab a few clothes from their apartment, she felt Ryoma's gentle hand slip into hers. The warmth spread through her fingertips, igniting a blush across her cheeks. It was moments like these that made her feel alive, alive with joy, with love, and with the sweet reality of being married to the guy who still sent her heart racing with a mere touch.
"Let's go, then." He pulled her along, with Karupin, trailing behind like a fluffy shadow.
They wandered through the streets, hand in hand. As they turned the corner, a flicker of movement caught Sakuno's attention. A small electronics shop boasted a television in its window, displaying images of the latest tennis championships. She squinted, and her breath hitched in her throat.
"Isn't that Tezuka-senpai?" she exclaimed, letting go of Ryoma's hand, her heart racing as she approached the screen.
Ryoma stepped beside her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like he won the Wimbledon tournament. Impressive, huh?"
With wide eyes, Sakuno watched as Tezuka held up a massive trophy, a symbol of his relentless dedication and skill. "He really did it." she whispered, pride swelling within her chest for the former captain of Seigaku.
"Yeah. We will meet at the US Open," Ryoma replied casually, though there was a spark of competitive enthusiasm in his voice. His smirk deepened, a glint of determination shining through, thinking about the match soon.
Sakuno smiled looking at him, feeling the flutter in her stomach again, a sensation she had come to cherish. They stood together, watching the screen, momentarily lost in the world of dreams and aspirations.