Aitsu Koso ga Echizen no Oujosama

"… I don't think we'll meet again."

"Why?"

"…I'll leave."

"Where are you going?"

"……"

"Ryoma!"

"See you."

"Ryoma!!"

Echizen Ryoma, the person whom people call the 'Prince of Tennis' left America for Japan. It has been one month already since then. It was still morning in Japan; so the prince has yet to wake up.

His cat, Karupin, made some noise which woke him up. He yawned as he stretched his arms out. "You're so noisy, Karupin." A gentle hand stroked Karupin's fur. Karupin purred as he enjoyed being stroked. "It has been one month ne, Karupin…"

**********

"Echizen!! Play some tennis with me!!" A loud voice energetically emerged. Ryoma, knowing who it was, refused to say anything as he closed his eyes. "Come on Echizen! Play with me!!"

"Momo-senpai," Ryoma turned his head and faced the person. "Urusai." He took out his tennis racket and went over the courts, "It's not like I wouldn't play anyway."

Not long after he finished his sentence, a muttering atmosphere dominated the opposite court. Anyone would definitely hear it, since there was a lot of noise. Being unusually curious, Ryoma stepped near the crowd to see what was happening. He couldn't stop himself. He felt like he was dragged to the source of the attention. Ryoma reached the place only to see someone he had left; someone he didn't want to see in the near future. "," he murmured to himself.

The mutters of awe were for her and her only. Elegance, richness, intelligence, beauty, and a nice personality—she owned them all. Her blonde hair waved as she turned her head right and left to find her prince. After looking around for so long, she finally found him. "…Ryoma! I finally found you!!" Cheerfulness colored her voice.

The attention switched to Ryoma in a split second. "Ochibi, is she—" Kikumaru's sentence was stopped by the absence of Ryoma and .

"The probability of that girl having a special relationship with Echizen is 98%," Fuji smiled as he imitated Inui.

The others couldn't help but nod in agreement. Tezuka stood stoically as he sighed. "I'll make sure Echizen to get 50 laps around the court."

**********

"What do you think you are doing, ?"

The long-haired blonde girl smiled sweetly. "I wanted to see you. So, I followed you all the way here."

Ryoma lifted an eyebrow. "How did you know where to find me? Then again, how did you know that I was going back to Japan?"

was a half Japanese and half American girl. Her long blonde hair and her prettiness would make the guys fall for her. Moreover, she had a really nice personality which made her even more lovable. She didn't intend to reply to Ryoma's question. She rolled her eyes as she stuck out her tongue.

"…Fine. Now leave me."

"No!"

"—"

"Why did you suddenly become cold?"

"…Just go," Ryoma urged as he turned his back and left.

Her cerulean blue eyes gave a hint of anger. "Ryoma!" she exclaimed as she pulled his regular jersey. "Why do you always avoid my questions? I know. I bet you have someone else in your heart. And that person is not me!"

She said it. The-always-cheerful-girl finally exploded. "…" Ryoma sighed. "Why did you expect that I have you in my heart anyway?"

"Wha… what do you mean?" Her voice shook. Tears began to stream down her cheeks.

Echizen Ryoma, the most nonchalant guy in Seigaku tennis club, for the first time felt his heart ached. It was like a sword stabbed his heart everytime that girl shed tears. "I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said such words to you. It's just that…"

"Forget it. Forget I've said something to you. Forget I've known you," she bit her lips. "Goodbye," turned her back and was about to left. But she couldn't. A strong yet skinny hand grabbed hers. "Ryo—Ryoma?"

Ryoma himself was shocked by his own action. "Ah, sorry," he quickly released his grab and adjusted his cap. "Goodbye then."

"…fine, goodbye."

Once again, Ryoma did an unbelievable action. Not only grabbing her hand, but hugged her. And once again, Ryoma was extremely shocked by his action.

"Actually, what do you want!?" was irritated.

"…I want you to leave. But my heart wants you to stay."

"Wha… what kind of answer is that?"

"I'm telling you the truth."

"Echizen? What are you doing with that girl? Aren't you late?" Ryoma faced the source of the voice. Taka-san. Great. Echizen took a tennis racket from Taka-san's bag and gave it to him. "Eh? But I don't really need it—DORYA!!! ORA ORA BURNING!!" and so, as fast as a flash of light he went.

"Your upperclassman?"

"Yeah."

"Since your heart told me to stay, I'll stay to see your tennis practice."

". Can we… be friends only?"

"What are you talking about Ryoma? That's weird. Come on; let's go to the tennis court."

". I'm asking you."

"…it's impossible. 'Cause well, you are the one who wanted to be more than friends at the first place anyway!"

"What—"

"'I actually like you… and, can we be more than friends?' like that."

Ryoma shook his head, couldn't believe the fact. "No. No, that can't be true!"

"Well~ your denial meant your second confession!"

"But still, I can't be with you!!"

"And why is that?"

"Che. Dang. Why did you ask 'why'?"

"That's because I want to know!"

"…Don't you know how perfect you are!? Rich, pretty, kind, smart, and everything! While me?"

"E—eh, that doesn't sound like the usual Ryoma! Being pessimistic like that~" started to laugh. Well, it's not like she'll be angry forever anyway. "But then, I'm flattered by what you've said. Actually I was thinking the same way, which makes us opposites. For me, you are handsome, cool, intelligent, and everything!"

Ryoma lifted an eyebrow. "That's not true—"

"Such a perfect couple, aren't we? Thinking the same way like that!"

"Wha—what?" A tinge of pink started to appear on his cheeks.

"Echizen! Tezuka is going to give an announcement, so come here!" Momoshiro called out.

"May I go too?" clutched Ryoma's hand as she stared right to his eyes.

"…al…alright," Ryoma couldn't help but hold her hand. "Let's go."

"Un!" smiled happily.

"Ee~h! Ochibi is bringing a girl!"

"You're not bad, Echizen!"

"Hee~"

"So Echizen has started to know love!"

"BURNING LOVE!"

Ryoma closed his eyes and slowly opened them as he smirked. "Mada-mada dane, senpai-tachi."

##########

January 24, 2007
Written by: Sakube Yamu
Edited by: Rikapyon!