Author's notes: Finally it's the last chapter!
It has been six months already! Thanks to all of you who supported my fic all these while! And to all the reviewers! Thank you all very much! I can't thank you enough! Thank you so much! (bows frantically)
It's been really fun writing this fic and I hope all of you enjoyed it as much as I did. Thanks lots!
Here's the last chapter! Enjoy and please review for the very last time! Doumo arigato gozaimashita!
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis or any of the songs featured in this fic.
Chapter 16: Shining Days
"Hey Fuji!" Yuushi called out.
"Hi Yuushi!" Fuji greeted. "How are you doing?" he asked.
"Just fine." Yuushi smirked. Indeed, things have been going well for Yuushi for the past three years. He had gotten himself a place in the prestigious Hyotei University, he was on the Japanese national team for tennis and most importantly, Sakuno was officially his girlfriend. They had been going out for three years now and the relationship was going steadily for the both of them. Sakuno was still in show-business, her popularity never waning but instead growing larger and larger. She was hailed as a pop princess and were among those on the A-list. Despite her hectic schedule, she managed to get into Hyotei University too and Yuushi was most glad about this, although he did not show it publicly.
"I suppose that means everything is going fine with Sakuno-chan too!" Fuji smiled a knowing smile.
Yuushi glanced at Fuji. "You know Fuji?" he started. "I guess I've really got to thank you. Without you, Sakuno and I would never have gotten together. Thank you Fuji."
"What are friends for Yuushi!" Fuji gave Yuushi a friendly pat on the back. "Anyway, I look upon Sakuno-chan as my little sister. Therefore it's natural for me to take care of her and give her what I think is the best!" he said before adding in a small voice: "Just like Yuuta!" "But most of all, I could see that both of you have feelings for each other so I just decided to butt in a little! Saa…I'm a pretty good matchmaker, aren't I?" Fuji gave a smile of self-satisfaction.
Yuushi smiled at his words. "Thanks again Fuji."
"No problem!" Fuji answered. "By the way Yuushi, aren't you worried about the rumours and gossips around Sakuno-chan lately?" he asked.
Yuushi shook his head with confidence. "No, I'm not a bit worried at all. I trust Sakuno and she trusts me. That's the most important thing. Trust is one of the most important factors in maintaining a relationship." He said matter-of-factly.
"I see…" Fuji said. "Then would you be worried about my rumoured romantic relationship with Sakuno-chan?"
"Come on Fuji, if I was worried about you I would have killed you a long time ago!" Yuushi laughed.
"Oh really?" Fuji had a tinge of sadism creeping into his voice. "Then who was that black-haired classmate of mine who wears glasses and almost tried to kill me three years ago when he heard the news that Sakuno-chan and I were dating?"
"Ahem!" Yuushi gave an unnatural cough. "That's in the past Fuji! Yare yare, I see you're the same old Fuji!"
Fuji smiled his sadistic smile. "And isn't the media giving wild guesses about Sakuno-chan's boyfriend who is not in showbiz? I believe the both of you have been followed by the paparazzi before and some photos have been taken?"
"You mean them?" Yuushi smirked. "Sometimes it's good having Atobe as a friend. One word from him and all the tabloids and newspapers are barred from reporting on this issue. Personally I don't mind it; it would show everyone that Sakuno belongs to me. However it would affect her career therefore I'm more supportive of this idea. Isn't Sachou happy about that too?" he chuckled.
"He's grinning from ear to ear!" Fuji laughed and Yuushi joined him.
"So are you going to Sakuno-chan's concert at Budokan tonight?" Fuji asked after their laughter had subsided.
"Of course, I never miss any of her concerts!" Yuushi replied with a smile.
"I suppose so, Oshitari Yuushi the good boyfriend! Taking off time from his busy tennis trainings!" Fuji teased.
"I'm not like someone who was voted as 'Best Boyfriend' and number one for 'Who Would You Want For A Boyfriend' for three years straight!" Yuushi returned the favour.
"Saa…who is that?" Fuji pretended to wonder. "You better get going if you don't want to be late for the concert."
"Yeah! See you Fuji" Yuushi took a quick glance at his watch. "And again Fuji," Yuushi turned back towards his friend. "Thank you." With that, he bolted off, leaving a smiling Fuji behind.
Sakuno could not help but play with her fingers. Why, she wondered, after three years in showbiz she would still be so jittery before a concert? She took deep breaths to calm her down. That calmed her down a bit but her quickened heart beat returned quickly, rending all previous efforts useless.
"Sakuno." A deep voice called out from behind her.
Sakuno turned to see who it was and immediately brightened up. "Yuushi-kun!"
Yuushi smiled and went towards her. "Feeling nervous?" he asked.
Sakuno blushed and nodded. After all the years, her habit still had not changed at all.
"Don't worry! Everything will turn out just fine!" Yuushi said soothingly and gave Sakuno a peck on her cheek, causing her to blush further.
"Hai!" Sakuno smiled, the red colour still evident on her cheeks.
Cheers and thunderous applause echoed around Budokan. After they had died down a little, Sakuno started to speak.
"Arigato minna-san!" Sakuno spoke in a sweet voice. "Next I will be performing a new song, penned by myself. Hope you all enjoy it!"
Music started to fill the entire stadium. Sakuno brought the microphone and started singing in her sweet voice.
"Mou dare mo jama dekinai (No one can get in our way anymore.)
KISU wo uketomete (Please accept my kiss.)
Ai dake wo tashikametai motto (I want to be more certain of our love)
Yo ga akeru mae ni (before the day breaks.)
Aoi yoru no hikari (I'm just looking up at the stars)
Subete tsutsumikonde iru (that wrap everything)
Hoshi wo miageteru dake (in the blue light of the light.)
Hitotsu dake (If only one wish)
Negai ga todoku nara (comes true,)
Kokoro tsutaete (show him my feelings.)
Mou dare mo jama dekinai (No one can get in our way anymore.)
Tsuyoku dakishimete (Hold me tightly.)
Kokoro made tsuresatte issho ni (Take me away with you into your heart)
Yo ga akeru mae ni (before the day breaks.)
BERU no naranai yoru (On nights when the phone doesn't ring,)
Shashin no egao mitsumete (I gaze at the smiling face in pictures)
Anata no koe wo omoi dashiteru (and remember your voice.)
Nukumori wo (I want to feel)
Chikaku ni kanjitai (your warmth closer,)
Fureaeru hodo (until we touch.)
Mou dare mo jama dekinai (No one can get in our way anymore.)
Nido to hanarenai (We'll never be apart again.)
Yume no naka tabi shitai dakara (So I want to go on a journey in a dream)
Yo ga akeru mae ni (before the day breaks.)
Mou dare mo jama dekinai (No one can get in our way anymore.)
KISU wo uketomete (Please accept my kiss.)
Ai dake wo tashikametai motto (I want to be more certain of our love)
Yo ga akeru mae ni (before the day breaks.)
Yo ga akeru mae ni (Before the day breaks.)"
Sakuno finished the song with a big smile amidst thunderous applause. The smile was not due to the satisfaction of hearing her fans cheer for her, but it was because she was thinking of the only one in her heart all the time while singing.
Yuushi stood behind the stage and watched Sakuno. He too had a smile on his face. He wanted to be the first one Sakuno sees after her concerts, he wanted to be the one she was writing lyrics for, he wanted to be the one she thinks of when she's singing with all of heart. Most of all, he wanted to be the only she loves. And the fact is, he already is.
Credits:
Yo ga Akeru Mae ni
Song/Lyrics: Satou Akemi
Composition: Serizawa Kazunori
Arrangement: Ootomo Hiroki
Chapter 16: Shining Days
Artiste: Kuribayashi Minami
Album: Shining Days Single
Author's notes: It's the end! Thanks again to everyone who supported this fic!
Actually I was thinking of adding a special chapter (like those you usually have in manga). If you think it would be fine, please leave a review saying that. If its better leaving this fic the way it is, please tell me too.
Please review this final chapter. And again, thanks to all the supporters and reviewers of this fic. I can never thank you enough. (bows)