Disclaimer: I do not own the Prince of Tennis.

A/N: This is a three chapter story, each signifying phases of their life. You have teenage, young adult, adult, then a short epilogue. Unang beses ko isusulat ang RyoSaku kung saan magkakatuluyan sila. Hope you enjoy!

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It was all because of a girl.

It was a stormy night as he sped down the road. The bright yellow streetlights passed by, reflecting on the edges of his car for less than a second. Other than the sound of his car's engine and the heavy droplets of rain hitting the vehicle, the world was deafeningly silent.

It was then that he drove away into and through the night. With no luggage nor destination, he only had a full tank of gas and the open highways to take him elsewhere.

.

Miss Atomic Bomb

.

He was clearing the path right outside the gate of his house when he noticed two figures approach him from the corner of his eye. It was ten past five in the afternoon then. With the orange hue sky darkening from above, Ryoma turned and gripped the rake in front of him in anticipation.

"Ryoma-sama!" Tomoka greeted, raising a hand to give a hearty wave. Behind her, Sakuno smiled timidly. A simple nod served as her branded way of greeting. As usual, the shy girl's cheeks were flushed. Even after three years, she was still unable to stand by her best friend's robust character as confidently as she hoped to. "Cleaning, are we?" The boisterous girl chuckled.

"Hn." Ryoma nodded nonchalantly, shifting the broom on his hand to the side. Sakuno grinned, amused that the tennis prince was cleaning up the leaf-infested streets of suburbia Tokyo. "Okaa-san made me clean." He uttered as a matter of fact. Ever since Ryoma started competing internationally, he quit school and started being home-schooled by his mother and the occasional tutor.

"How are you doing?" Tomoka asked. "Are you dropping by school tomorrow? We all miss you. Also—" She held out a boxed package. "The fan club wanted to give this to you."

"It's chocolate cake." Sakuno told him.

"Thanks." Ryoma muttered.

"Also, here." Sakuno added, digging into her bag. Pulling out a packet of letters, she put on a smile. "Fan mail."

"Thanks as always to my personal mailmen." The young man had to drawl sarcastically, earning grins from his old schoolmates. Sakuno and Tomoka exchanged looks before beaming at Ryoma.

"You haven't changed one bit, have you, Ryoma-sama?" Tomoka laughed. Sakuno covered her laughter, careful not to ignite Ryoma's anger. "No wonder you're still single!"

"Tomo!" Sakuno cried in embarrassment, both for her friend and the irked Ryoma. Though, she couldn't help but giggle herself. An aloof and rude Ryoma with a girlfriend was oddity in itself, she thought.

"Oh, come on, Sakuno!" Tomo continued to laugh. "It's just Ryoma-sama! Besides, everyone knows he's the most sought after bachelor. He knows I'm just playing him!"

Ryoma rolled his eyes. Admittedly, he was used to the loud girl's quirks. Casting a glimpse towards the amused brunette, Cheshire eyes watched the mirth pool around Sakuno's eyes. It was in that instant that Sakuno turned and caught his gaze.

"How are you?" She suddenly said. "Did you get a bad ankle?"

"You noticed that?"

"Hai." Sakuno smiled. "Give me a little more credit, Ryoma-kun."

"Mada mada dane." He smirked. Then, turning his foot, he told her. "I'm fine. Thanks."

"Mada mada dane, that's right Sakuno!" Tomoka winked. "It'll take more than a fall to hurt Ryoma-sama!"

"Hai, hai." Sakuno laughed.

"Anyway, we better get going, Ryoma-sama." The cheeky girl grinned. "Have fun doing chores!"

Ryoma only rolled his eyes at her. The spurs of laughter that ensued after didn't even surprise him one bit anymore.

.

"Do you think he has a girlfriend overseas? Like in the news?" Tomoka wondered as they made their way back home. Beside her, Sakuno looked up into the orange sky in thought.

"I don't think so. And even if he did, he doesn't look it, neh?" She giggled. Her best friend huffed, fighting back a laugh.

"I love Ryoma-sama. But honestly, I cannot imagine him as a boyfriend." The girl scrunched her nose at the thought. "He's just too cocky."

"I never thought of Kaidoh-senpai as boyfriend material too, you know. But the two of you seem to be hitting it off. That could so easily be our Ryoma-kun." Sakuno brought up with a small smile. "I'm glad for you – and Kaidoh-senpai."

"Oh, Sakuno. You can have the same thing!" Tomoka urged passionately, shaking Sakuno by her shoulders. "Just say yes to that guy from class two! I hear he's a really good guy. Plus, he doesn't look half bad."

"Tomo, I told you—"

"Ryuzaki."

Tomoka and Sakuno turned to find Ryoma before them.

"I forgot to give this to you." He said, approaching them in a walk.

"Oh."

Taking her hands, he opened them and placed a huge bag of assorted imported chocolates.

"Okaa-san bought them for you and the old hag."

"Oh. Oh!" Sakuno's eyes widened. "You didn't have! You shouldn't have!" She cried, her cheeks instantly flushing red as she tried shoving the pack back into Ryoma's arms. Beside her, Tomoka could only hide her growing grin.

"Just accept them." Ryoma finally gritted in irritation as he held Sakuno and the bag of chocolates. And before she could utter another retort, Ryoma beat her to it. "You're allowed even chocolate, right?" Sakuno's eyes widened. "Yeah, senpai-tachi told me you don't accept anything from suitors."

"Wha—"

"Sakuno! Ryoma-sama! What? What's this?" Tomoka cried in hysterics, demanding information right then and there. Ryoma turned to face Tomoka, his bright cat-like eyes glinting.

"Back in Junior High, she told me she wouldn't go out with me because I was busy. But I'm almost done with the year's tour. So,"

"Wha—" Sakuno uttered, tongue-tied. "I never did!"

"Yes, you did. I just never brought it up again."

"Sakuno!" Tomoka cried in frustration. "Why have you never told me?"

"I don't know." Sakuno told her friend defensively. "I always thought Ryoma-kun was joking." Stealing a glance at Ryoma, she pursed her lips in thought. "And I still think he is. So please, Ryoma-kun, stop teasing me."

"Mada mada dane, Ryuzaki." Ryoma sighed in defeat. But the lifted corners of his lips told otherwise. "Make sure to give some to Osakada-san." He told her, gesturing at the chocolates, before turning back home. Sakuno and Tomoka were left there, the former in a daze while the latter was squealing her head off.

"I always knew he liked you! Always!" Tomoka cried in sweet joy. Then, suddenly scowling, growled at Sakuno. "I can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"I—I—I can't go out with him!"

"What?! Of course you can!" Tomoka scoffed. Linking Sakuno's arm with hers, she led them off and back on their path home. "And I'll be around to help you every step of the way."

.

"Okay, Tomo-chan. Please don't let me do this." Sakuno cried when Tomoka shoved her way into the Ryuzaki household one Saturday morning around a year later. "Please please please!"

"What's all the racket, girls?" Sumire called out from the kitchen, the delicious smell of chocolate chip pancakes lingered about.

"Sakuno's going on a date, obaa-san!" Tomoka cheered, before giddily rushing upstairs. Her heavy footsteps knocked on the small house's hardwood floorboards. Sakuno whimpered as she trailed after her friend. But before she could take another step, the sight of her grandmother's widened eyes from the wedged; slightly opened kitchen door stopped her.

"Is this the one with Ryoma?" She intrigued in a hushed voice. A spatula tipped with pancake mix eyed her suspiciously.

"Mou, obaa-chan." Sakuno sighed gravely in defeat, not anymore bothering to answer her grandmother before glumly continuing her way to her room, to where Tomoka had already and surely rummaged through her closet and whatever little make-up she had.

"I can't believe you haven't laid out an outfit yet!" Tomoka cried when Sakuno came in. Turning to her friend with a look of dismal, the highly opinionated girl – when it came to fashion and dating – sighed. "What happened to you? Where has all your dedication to making Ryoma fall head over heels in love with you gone?" Then, pulling out a dress, said. "Anyway, this seems cute enough." Tomoka continued while Sakuno watched her go about as she sat on her bed, the only comfort, she thought, she would get during the day. "And luckily enough, I brought along my make-up kit!"

After over three hours of changing clothes, hairstyles, and make-up, it was finally ten to twelve. And Sakuno had to leave. She had to make a run for it to be able to reach their meeting place thirty minutes after the allotted time. And to think that Tomoka arrived at her house a few minutes before 8 o'clock in the morning. Nevertheless, she thanked her best friend for her hard work, grabbed her purse, and ran down the stairs.

Before she left the house, Sumire cried after her.

"Don't you need money?"

"Ie!" Sakuno answered, shaking her head before rushing out of the house. "Ishikawa-kun told me to just show up." She grinned lightly before leaving. Her bangs were carefully pinned over her face, showing off her bright hazel eyes.

On the way out, as she turned a corner, she bumped into the last person she thought she'd see that day.

"Gomen!" She cried instantly. Then looking up, hazel eyes widened as they met golden orbs. "Ryo—Ryoma-kun?!" She cried yet again. "When did you get back?"

The young man shook his head, taking off his earphones. Sakuno swore she heard him seethe in pain.

"What happened to you?" Was the first thing Ryoma blurted out.

"I'm sorry?"

"What did you put on? You look way different."

"Oh." Sakuno mouthed, lightly touching her flushed cheek. "I wore make-up today. Does it look weird? It's not nice, is it?" She said, starting to panic.

"Hm." Ryoma thought, examining her. "Too much."

"Huh?" Sakuno mouthed in confusion. As she was about to ask Ryoma what that meant, the young man before her lightly cupped her rosy cheek with a hand, brought up her face to his, and gently wiped her lip with his thumb. In that instant, the poor girl forgot how to breathe. And before she knew it, Ryoma closed the gap between them in a chaste kiss, taking away the color of her red lipstick, and licked away the sweet flavour off her mouth.

"There." Ryoma muttered lightly as he pulled away. Dazed, all Sakuno seemed to see was twinkling gold. "You look better." He finally said before taking a step back, giving her one last glance, and leaving her to continue his morning jog, placing back his earphones as he did.

It took every will left in Sakuno to keep herself from falling over because of the trembling of her knees. After that wild occurrence, she forgot all about her date and simply returned home looking like a pale ghost. She never did call off the date with Ishikawa. And as well, she decided to start avoiding the loose cannon ball that was Ryoma Echizen. She knew it would be harder now because his tour had just ended. But she'd do her best to keep distance. She could only fathom what else the young man was capable of doing.

.

"Ryuzaki—"

"About last Saturday, Ishikawa-kun, I—"

"She was with me." Ryoma butted in coolly, shifting his body from where he stood. Sakuno stood beside him at the corridor, previously in discussion, when Ishikawa approached them. Well, Ryoma mostly did all the talking since Sakuno refused to speak or when she did try to - her thoughts came out in stutters.

"I can't believe you didn't even call me. I waited there for three hours." The boy muttered lightly, trying to hide his irritation at Ryoma who was staring him down with his huge ego and his frustration at Sakuno for being so easily manipulated by the young lad beside her.

"I'm really sorry, Ishikawa-kun—"

"You know I really like you, right? I didn't ask you out just for the sake of it."

"Really?" Ryoma said nonchalantly. Turning to Sakuno with a smirk playing on his mouth, he told her. "See, we're the same."

"Please, Ryoma-kun."

"Yeah, keep out of it, Echizen." Ishikawa gritted, refused to face Ryoma but he was scowling. "Ever since you came back, you've been suffocating everyone here."

"Ishikawa-kun, don't—"

"You've gotten so much attention from all the girls in school that you get most of the chocolates during Valentines and most of the gifts during Christmas! Plus, you've thrown off the grading curve! Kamachi-yu has been working on his grades since first year. And you come here with your As just to steal the number one spot for graduation!"

"Ishikawa-kun, please—"

"And now you're stealing Ryuzaki-chan from me! Where do you get off?"

"Aren't those foreigners enough for your huge ego? Can't you—"

Smack.

"To—Tomo." Sakuno stuttered, finally finding her voice – only to lose it again. Ryoma just watched in partial amusement as the girl in front of them combusted.

"First of all, Ryoma-kun didn't steal anything, Ishikawa." Tomoka started, bitchily placing emphasis on every syllable of her classmate's name. "You can't steal what has already been yours from the start." Tomoka cried. Behind her, Sakuno's blush grew a darker shade. And well, Ryoma, he had to hide his smirk. "And is it his fault he's perfect? He should be a beacon to all you shitass guys to at least try harder to become better people. That's why don't go giving a speech about how Ryoma-sama's ruined everything because OH GOD his presence only lights up our hellish school!"

"Osakada-san!" A shrill voice cried in indignation.

"Kiriko-sensei!" A random student watching on cried in surprise. The teacher stepped up, fuming.

"My office! Now!"

"Eh—"

"To—Tomo." Sakuno cried, rushing to her friend's side. "I'll go. This was my fault anyway. I'll tell sensei to excuse you." With that, Sakuno and Tomoka abruptly left to the teacher's office while Ryoma stood there sighing. He never did get to clear things up with Sakuno.

Later on that day, Ishikawa and Ryoma were called into the principal's office. And of course, they patched everything up before being dismissed home that day. Ryoma used his charisma to get through the talk-down while Ishikawa, well, he profusely apologized.

On the way home, he found himself in front of a crying Sakuno. Apparently, she had been waiting for him just by the entrance gates. Seeing her cry shook him. He felt like punching someone. He had so many questions to ask. Like, who did this to you? What happened? Are you hurt?

But instead, Sakuno spoke up before Ryoma could even open his mouth.

"I—I'm not like Tomo-chan, Ryoma-kun. I can barely speak up for myself." She sniffled. Ryoma stood in front of her, rather taken back. "I know I've matured from before. I know I have. But—I—no matter how much I like you—I'll never be good enough for you, Ryoma-kun." Then looking up at him amidst the hot tears rushing down her face, she told him. "So, please stop asking me out. Stop saying you like me. Just stay away."

"Wh—" For the first time since they've known each other, it was Ryoma who was tongue-tied.

"I hardly see you. Then you just come here, demanding I be with you. This is tiring and confusing— and tiring." Her brows knitted together, pleadingly. "So please, please just leave me alone." Then, trying to feign a poor smile, said. "Besides, I'm sure this is for the best. After graduation, I'm sure we'll never see each other again."

In that moment, Ryoma didn't know what to say. Words eluded him as he watched her eyes tremble before him. He tried not to speak, fearing he might say the wrong thing and cause her to cry. So instead, with his thoughts caught up on his throat, he simply nodded, took a step back, and with a bow, watched Sakuno walk away.

For about two weeks after, she and Ryoma never spoke a word to each other. In the corridors, he'd look up, see her, and watch her look away as they approached each other. Suddenly and vividly, he remembered their days in Junior High, how different their relationship had been. Back then, they were simply acquaintances who exchanged about five to ten words per meeting. But as they grew older, they found themselves in more common settings. And in time, the two became more comfortable with each other. What were once simple exchanges of curt nods from him and support from Sakuno's end turned into casual conversations every recess. It seemed natural that their relationship would continue to blossom through high school.

Then, his career took flight. Of course, being who Sakuno was, the kind doe-eyed girl supported him amidst the distance, amidst the separation.

Before he knew it, he grew attached. And, as Nanako had told him one hot California afternoon, he, the cocky and arrogant tennis prodigy, was pretty much in love— and, oddly enough, she continued, displayed a rather possessive demeanor.

He knew couldn't keep himself away from Sakuno. But he could try. If that was what she wanted, he thought.

.

"Echizen, let's go?" Kuchiki Ryu called out. It was the last day of classes. And in two days, they would be graduating from high school. "The team's waiting. If we don't hurry, Kouba might just finish all the Teppanyaki." The sharp-eyed boy said in a rush as he slung his bag over a shoulder and dashed out of the clubhouse. Ryoma shook his head, his mind more preoccupied with other matters. He locked the clubroom door when he stepped out of the room robotically, trying not to think. With a brush on the silver metal knob, his hand lingered, feeling sentimental.

"Ryoma-sama!" Tomoka cried, suddenly appearing from the corner. "Thank god you're still here!" Before Ryoma could process her haggard appearance, she continued in urgency. "You have to come with me! It's about Sakuno." Then, without warning, his classmate pulled him by the arm and ran towards the school building. Ryoma kept up with her pace, trying his best to keep his tennis bag from awkwardly falling over his shoulder with one hand.

Eventually, the pair stopped in front of their classroom at the fourth floor. Tomoka stood behind him when she gestured for him to go in. He eyed her suspiciously. Then, turning back to the sliding door, he pushed it open. And to his utter amazement, colorful confetti showered him in greeting.

"Wha—" He was about to cry in indignation but the people inside the room got to him first. He felt like he was in a sea of cheers and goodwill. He looked around and noticed some of the people surrounding him. Chesire eyes blinked in amazement. They were all his classmates. Before he could tell them to stop popping in a confounded mess of cheers and glitter, he found himself in front of the room, right beside the board.

Then a voice spoke up amidst the noise.

"I'm sure all of you know why we're here this afternoon." Ryoma couldn't see the guy, but he knew that voice. It was their class representative speaking. "Everyone of course except the person this is for."

Everyone laughed. And Ryoma, well, he had no choice but to just stand there, growing more unamused with each passing second he was left in the dark.

"Echizen Ryoma! Please step forward to be acknowledged."

In the crowd, Ryoma saw his classmate, Jo, wink at him.

"In the event of your abrupt departure to France for the Wimbledon season, your excellent academic standing, and because the class loves you so much-" queue laughter, "the Class Representatives of 3-C, with the blessing of the Administrative Team, award you your High School diploma, given out and ahead of schedule."

The whole class applauded. Kumiko, their class representative, stepped down, giving floor to Mr. Nakamura, their homeroom teacher and the Mathematics Department Head.

"This High School Diploma is hereby given to Echizen Ryoma for successfully accomplishing all courses in the designated curriculum of Toritsu Kokusai – rather outstandingly if I may so boldly add." Mr. Nakamura took a step to Ryoma and gingerly handed the young man his diploma. Ryoma, still needing time to digest all this, could just give him a curt nod before accepting. "Through this, Echizen, I hope the class was able to show you how much you mean to us. More than being a beacon to the school, you've been an inspiration to every single of us here – myself included." Then, with a grin. "And trust me when I say, we'll be with you as you go on to win the Grand Slam this year!"

"WHOO!" The class exploded in deafening cheer.

For a moment, Ryoma felt like he was on the Wimbledon field, cheered on by a million supporters, inspired, empowered. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his skin. And he warm breeze out in the grass lawn. A smirk slowly made its way to his handsome features. Turning from his teacher to the class, Ryoma confidently said as he raised his diploma,

"Watch me win."

.

Outside his classroom, right inside the neighboring class, Tomoka sat on a desk table, swaying her feet in unease as she watched Sakuno pack her book bag across the room.

"Everyone loves Ryoma because of the hope he embodies. Not a lot of Japanese citizens are a sure win like him." Sakuno said as a matter of fact. Wearing the strap of her book bag, she bid Tomoka a final smile before leaving. "That's why it was easy to get everyone to do this."

"Sakuno, don't go. Please?" Tomoka asked for the nth time that day. "After all, you did plan all of this."

"Tomo." Her friend sighed, as well for the nth time that day. "You know what happened. I—I can't face him. I can't make myself do."

With that, Tomoka was left to watch the back of her friend disappear at the corner. For the first time, she felt powerless. Raising a hand over her mouth as she sighed, the pretty girl leaned defeated on the cold wall. With Ryoma leaving soon, she highly doubted anything else could be done to bring the two together. And more than anything, it pained her.

Sakuno, she believed, deserved more love than she accepts. And here it was being so willingly given to her by the most perfect man she has and will ever meet.

With a quivering sigh, Tomoka shook her head, utterly trying to respect her best friend's wishes, and turned to head back to the party in the other room. It was then that chocolate eyes widened.

"I can't believe how misleading you are, Osakada." Ryoma said, standing before her in all his glory. And, before she could tell him to run after her foolish friend, Ryoma was already sprinting down the stairwell with his bag and high school diploma on hand. For the first time, in quite a long time, as she watched Ryoma chase after her best friend with a resolute heart, Tomoka broke down in tears of joy.

.

Sakuno adjusted the strap of her bag for the nth time as she jogged down the steps of the school building. Her eyes were glassy from what she knew she was leaving behind. Still, she rejoiced in the fact she didn't cry throughout the whole endeavour.

Then as if on cue, a tear fell from the corner of her eye.

Of course! She thought to herself in defeat, rubbing the hot trail off her rosy cheek. I always cry. How different is today?

"How is it that you're always crying when I see you?" A coy, teasing voice suddenly spoke from behind.

Sakuno spun around, her eyes still heavy from the slowly forming waterworks.

"Ry—Ryoma-kun?" She stuttered as Ryoma took the steps further towards her. "Why—why—?"

"Am I here?" Ryoma finished for her. He took another step closer. She took one back. "Because you are." Like a deer caught in headlights, Sakuno froze on spot. Her glassy hazel eyes were rooted on Ryoma. Reaching out to her, the young man gently held her cheek and lightly pressed his forehead over hers. "I'm leaving on Sunday, Sakuno. And it'll be months and months more before we meet again." He softly uttered. Slowly, he pulled away and firmly looked into her eyes. "But that doesn't mean I'll stop chasing after you."

Sakuno closed her eyes in unease. Then opened them. She looked away, thinking. Then looked back.

"Maybe." She softly uttered, in an almost whisper. Her voice lightly flittered beside his ears in a cool breeze. "Maybe, I'll let myself get caught."

Ryoma closed his eyes and smirked as he leaned in, deeply kissing Sakuno. For the first time in her life, she allowed herself to fall into his embrace and tried to copy the gentle caresses of Ryoma's lips. Doe eyes slowly opened when he pulled away, both students out of breath.

"I…" Sakuno started groggily, her hand fisting Ryoma's shirt. "I don't always cry."

At this, a cheeky grin couldn't help but show on Ryoma's handsome features. And Sakuno could only laugh, hiding her red cheeks deep into Ryoma's embrace.

To be continued.