Chapter 2

Seishun Gakuen, 7:00 a.m.

Ryuzaki Sumire smiled as her tennis team boys ran their laps. Earlier, she had received a call from Tezuka saying Ryoma was back.

That bastardly boy, she thought, shaking her head. Ryoma had promised to inform her as soon as he came back from America.

"Woah," came a familiar voice from behind her. "The courts look kinda run down."

Speak of the devil, Ryuzaki thought.

"That's because you and the others wore it down so much." She scolded lightly without turning. Some of the boys had heard him and were glaring with different levels of irritation.

Ryoma stepped up besides her and grinned.

"Yeah, but you loved us."

She chuckled. "I did. I don't know why, honestly."

As Ryuzaki called together the members, she glanced over Ryoma. Today, he wore all of his hair in a high ponytail and all his earrings. He was wearing a white shirt, a blue jersey, and dark blue trousers.

"Alright!" Ryuzaki started. "As I told you before, you guys are in dire need of a trainer who can help you strengthen your weakness and improve your strengths. Well, a few of you probably recognize him, but, this is Echizen Ryoma. He will be helping you from now on."

The boys turned to Ryoma, a few of them looking angry or irritated, most of them either indifferent or curious.

"Yoroshiku." He said, grinning.

Seishun Gakuen, Boy's Tennis Club Courts, 4:34 p.m.

"Ryuzaki-sensei!" Echizen called from the court he just exited.

"What is it?" She said, turning and glancing at her exhausted members who had all lost to Ryoma.

"They're all mada mada dane." Ryoma said, smirking. The boys glared at him but then looked at their coach in shock at what she said next.

"I know that, that's why you're here." The boys wept comically. Coach!

"Well, I have to get going. See you all tomorrow, brats." Ryoma said, grinning as the members glared at him. He picked up his bag and left. Ryuzaki shook her head before retreating to her office. That boy…

A buzzing sound started in the dark hospital room. The man who sat in his bed accepted the call.

"How was it?" he asked. The voice on the other end responded with a chuckle.

"That's good. Any pretty ladies catch your attention?" An indignant shout was his response.

"Gomen, gomen. Oh? So soon? Ah, well, make sure to call tomorrow. Yeah, yeah, I get it, I'll make sure to take my meds. Don't worry about your oyaji, bishounen. Ja na." Three beeps filled the silence of his room. The man sighed and turned his head to look outside, at the stars.

"I don't have much time left…...I feel so old." He said before his eyes shut and his breathing evened, his mind delving into a deep sleep.