A/N : Reposting with a bunch of translations at the bottom … sorry pple, I tend to think the conversations in Jap coz I believe that otherwise the story would lose the Jap flavor.

To Cinpii, zannen datta naa …. I have an advantage when it comes to understanding the anime, since Japanese is my Third Language 

Disclaimer: the usual

By: angelhazel

A/N: Ano, don't be upset when you read the following, remember that I am trying to Brutally honest here. If I weren't taken with the little brat myself, he wouldn't even make it this far … -gulp and run from racket-wielding Ochibi fans-

Damn. Ryoma froze for a while when the referee called out the final score. He had lost. His opponent was the champion of this year's US Open.

The thoughts that ran through his mind were varied. He recalled his teammates' faces, imagined their reactions as he lost the crucial match on live-broadcast. He tried not to think how his Oyaji would be weeping into his trashy magazines. He didn't want to think too hard on how disappointed Nanako-neesan and Kaa-san would be. He had to hold his thoughts firmly when they landed on a certain pigtailed girl.

He had lost. After coming all the way to NY, he was only going home a poor second in the highly regarded tournament.

At that moment, he hated himself.

At that moment, he couldn't face the cameras that would bare his emotions to the entire world.

He pulled his cap lower and swiftly congratulated his opponent before retreating to the locker room. Once in the somewhat safer territory, he sat down and tried to collect his thoughts while he pretended to be checking his racket strings.

Damn, he thought adamantly. It wasn't even a close fight, his opponent had won by a good margin. Although Ryoma had to admit, even if he managed to cling on until they hit a tiebreak, he was still on the losing end.

Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn! His fingers clenched hard on the strings, revealing his anger and regret. The tight strings left their marks on his hand; it took a while for him to notice the pain. When he finally did, he had to release his hold with deliberation.

There was nothing for it. He was going home tomorrow.

It wasn't a wasted trip after all, his coming to America. Here he met many different types of players, most of who played at a higher level of skill compared to high school students. It was worth all that trouble if he got to play with such opponents, to play with and defeat quite a number of them.

On that note Ryoma picked up his belongings and made to leave the locker room. The champion had also entered the lockers, he called out to Ryoma, "That was a terrific game, kiddo! You have a bright future ahead! Let this old man get his one-shot at glory, eh, before you take over the tennis world." He gave Ryoma a friendly wink, which Ryoma accepted with a smile of his own. He was defeated by true skill and terrific techniques; and his opponent was being such a good sport, he had nothing to complain about.

His heart lightened by several degrees, he made his way out of the locker and even smiled at some of the getting-to-be-quite-familiar reporters before he walked away with dignity. The cameramen had a field day and although the reporters had nothing solid from Ryoma, the small Japanese boy had given them a most charming smile to remember him by.

Narita Airport, Tokyo

He stepped through the gate and headed for the luggage belt. From the corner of his cat-like eyes, he could see the crowds gathered at the gate. At least half would be sports reporters and the like, he decided tiredly. It was a long flight, and although he did sleep through it, he just didn't feel rested.

But before he could fall face first into his own bed, he had to get through the crowd out there. The mere thought was enough to make him feel even more tired. He shifted the bag in his hand while he waited for his other luggage. Karupin had survived the luggage hold on the way out, but he wasn't about to leave his precocious pet down there once he knew it was traveling with him. Karupin spent the flight sleeping in the blue carrier Kikumaru senpai had thoughtfully got for him.

Having thought of his senpai, he wondered if they were waiting to meet him, too. Ryoma looked over to the crowds and scanned it swiftly.

Oh, they were. He wondered how he managed to miss the noises emitted by such a small number of teenagers. To be fair, he was glad to see them too, but he wasn't jumping around like Kikumaru-senpai was, nor was he shouting like Momo-senpai was. Both were wearing huge grins on their faces.

"Ochibi-chan! Kochi, kochi yo!" (1)

"Echizen! Hora, Echizen!"

Ryoma gave a small smile as he turned back to collect his luggage. Those two overgrown kids were hardly aware of the commotion they were creating. Even from here, he could see Ooishi senpai was all flustered as he tried to calm them down.

Finally, Ryoma was heading for the exit they were crowding. It didn't take long for Kikumaru-senpai and Momo-senpai to treat him to their version of happy homecoming. That's right, they both were exuberantly cuddling a pretending-to-be-annoyed Ryoma.

The rest of the senpai were quieter in their greetings, Ryoma exchanged a look with Tezuka, and was heartened to see his Buchou give him an approving nod.

"Ochibi nya, you were only gone for two weeks, but you do feel much taller than before!" Kikumaru was busy messing up Ryoma's hair.

"Sou dane (2) ," Fuji joined in, "you do seem taller than before, odd that you didn't look much different on TV. I have recorded all your matches, and our own for the last week. I can't wait to watch it together with you," Fuji managed to lace that last line very heavily with suggestiveness. Everyone looked at the smiling tensai strangely for a moment before Takamura spoke up, "Ano, if you want to, we can watch some after dinner…"

"Souda souda (2) ," Momo recovered rather quickly at the mention of food, "we are going to Takamura senpai's place to celebrate! We waited for you so we can celebrate as a team. Let's go already, I am hungry!"

Ryoma was swept away by this tide of humans rather against his will; he realized there were some things he wanted to do first. But his senpai had formed a protective ring around him and was efficiently sending him out of the airport in spite of the camera-wielding reporter he could spot on the outside of that ring.

He spotted several other people too. His parents were there, his Kaa-san smiling genially while his Oyaji was looking put out by the luggage that had somehow found its way to his hands. Ryuuzaki-sensei was there, smiling and nodding all the while with her arms crossed over her expansive chest.

He looked some more, trying to spot a smaller Ryuuzaki through the throngs of bodies surrounding him.

There she was, he spotted her just as he was being pushed through the doors to outside. Even from that short glance, he could see that she had been worried and was happy to see him back in Japan. Sigh, didn't she hear anything he told her over the phone a week ago?

Soon the group of tennis players was settled in the sushi shop. Amidst loud thanks from Momo and Kikumaru, and the hearty congratulations and "Eat all you can, dinner is on the house tonight!" from Taka-san's father, Ryoma was finally able to take a good look at the friends surrounding him. Sakuno and the other cheerleader were there with the other three Ichinens, at their customary table. Ryuuzaki-sensei and Tezuka-buchou were at the bar, chatting with the chef.

He turned to Momo and asked, "How did we do?"

Momo looked shocked for a moment before coming back with, " You have to ask? We did go to the Nationals without you, you know."

Ryoma frowned at that line then turned to Kikumaru senpai who was seated across from him.

"Rakkushu, Rakkushu (3) , we are Number One!" Eiji was too happy to tease his favorite kouhai, and he was rather busy with his food at the moment.

Relief hit him first, then pride in this team he belonged to. Ryoma took another good look around at these senpai-tachi of his.

When his eyes met the anxious eyes of Ooishi senpai's, the Mama of Seigaku grabbed the chance to say his lines.

"Echizen mo (4), congratulations for the US Open! You did very well," Ooishi said seriously.

"Doomo (5) ," Echizen replied with a nod.

"Douittemo (6) , you are now Number 1 in Japan," Ooishi wouldn't be assured until he knew that the kouhai he viewed as young and sensitive had come to terms with coming in second at the US Open.

"Eh?" Momo's voice ended on a rather high pitch, "Nanska? Echizen got second place, didn't he?"

"That is true, but the Champion was a Caucasian, right?" Ooishi reasoned, "Dakara, now, Echizen is Number One in Japan!" He was pleased with this concept, which he hoped would help Echizen see truly how accomplished he was.

"Eh … souska? Echizen, yaru ja!" Momo's reaction was to cheerfully almost-choke Ryoma while he messed up his green-tinted hair. The result was in fact an improvement on Kikumaru's effort earlier, now Ryoma looked more like he had just woken up as opposed to he had just visited a lousy hairstylist, but it was a small difference to the undiscerning eye.

"Momo-senpai, ittaisuyo." The young prince complained sportingly.

The night grew late while they ate and drank to their hearts' content. They did watch a few of the final matches, a close fight between Seigaku and Fudoumine. Inui gave a running commentary while he quoted information from his notebooks, which helped Ryoma understand the matches better. His teammates had fought a fierce battle on this front while he was away.

It wasn't properly dark yet outside when Ryuuzaki-sensei announced that she was leaving. She asked Tezuka to make sure Sakuno got home all right, while "this old woman leave you youngsters to your fun."

The noise level got even higher after she had left, although Ryoma had not thought it possible.

He glanced at Sakuno who was sitting with the other first years, and made a note to talk to her before this night was over. The hairclip he had bought on impulse rested in his pants pocket; to Ryoma's thinking, the faster he got rid of the incriminating evidence, the better.

He turned his attention back to his senpai when Kikumaru squealed on Momoshiro for eating too much. Fuji smiled at the antics of his classmate and good friend, while he consumed his Wasabi rolls with great enjoyment.

One fine day, Ryoma mused, they ought to hold an eating competition to see who ate more, the acrobatics player or the dunk smasher. And they ought to give Fuji and Inui a free hand in the preparation of the F&B involved, he thought evilly.

Much later, yet much too soon according to Momo, the party was breaking up. Everyone was preparing to go home. Ryoma spotted Tezuka approaching Sakuno and quickly waylaid his buchou.

"Buchou, please allow me to send her home," he asked Tezuka in a quiet voice so the others wouldn't hear the strange request.

Tezuka looked him in the eye and gave a brief nod, "Ja, I am depending on you."

"Hai. Arigatou, buchou."

Before any of the others could notice what he was up to, Ryoma quickly went to Sakuno and spoke almost into her ear, "Let's go."

Sakuno looked at him with surprise evident in her eyes before glancing at Tezuka. She had heard her Obaa-chan ask the Captain to send her back, although she did prefer Ryoma as an escort. The elder boy gave her a brief nod as permission, and Sakuno turned a shy smile to Ryoma, "Hai!"

They were soon on their way, and neither of them could have missed the commotion that erupted back in the shop when senpai-tachi realized they were leaving together.

Ryoma and Sakuno walked in silence for sometime, until Sakuno felt awkward enough with the silence to try to say something, anything.

"Ano, omedetou (7) Ryoma-kun, for the US Open," she said it a little hesitantly since she wasn't sure how he felt about missing the Championship by so narrow a gap.

Ryoma allowed himself a smile in the semi-darkness when he practically heard the blush in her voice.

"Sankyu. It was a great experience, playing with the best from all over the world," his words sought to answer her unvoiced question even before he realized what he was doing. Actually, he supposed everyone was worried about him because of that. He just had to listen to Ooishi 'Mama' to know what was making everyone so concerned.

Ryoma stuck one hand into his pocket as he walked beside Sakuno. His fingers came into contact with the little package he had put in there earlier and he wondered how to give it to her without embarrassing himself.

He was so busy thinking that he almost missed the last turning to her house. They were nearly there, he thought, it was now or be stuck with the hairclip forever after. He doubted he could walk up to Sakuno on a normal day and coolly give her a present, after all.

He stopped totally at the junction, naturally putting an arm out to steady Sakuno when she also braked to a sudden stop.

"A-arigatou," she gasped, while she struggled to find her feet in the darkness.

"Betsuni." He was trying to decide on the least embarrassing way to make use of the idea that just came to him.

"Ne, Ryuuzaki. Do you know how the Americans greet each other?" She hadn't really properly welcomed him back, mostly because she didn't have a chance to amid the chaos that ensued since he got off the plane, but still ... He would have thought she was very glad to see him, as he recalled her worries from their phone conversation, but she hadn't actually said anything to that effect.

"Eh? Eto … not really," the sudden introduction of a foreign topic could be very disconcerting, especially since she wasn't very accustomed to talking to people in semi-darkness. She couldn't see Ryoma's face very well since he had hidden behind the cap again. Senpai-tachi were right, he had grown quite a bit in the last 2 weeks, unless she was imagining the stress in her neck while she tried to peer into his face.

"American aisetsu (8) ne, is like this," before she could react, Ryoma had put both hands on her slim shoulders and kissed both her cheeks in quick succession.

He heard her sharp intake of breath and felt his blood quicken. Her smaller hands had come up to rest on his chest when he leaned in, and there they stayed, feeling like brands of fire as they lay there in their innocence.

Even in the poor light, he was sure she was blushing a new shade of pink. He smirked as he imagined what he couldn't see very well right then. She was taking very quick and shallow breaths; he could hear her since they were standing so close. Ryoma decided this was his cue for the idea that came to him just a few minutes ago, "Tadaima (9)."

"Eh! A-ano, Okaerinasai, Ryoma-kun," she stuttered. Very definitely blushing, Ryoma decided, and he wondered precisely what color her cheeks were at that moment.

"Hn," he acknowledged her breathless greeting, then brought out the little package he was hiding all this while, "Here, omiyage (10) da."

He tucked the package into her hands, partly relieved and partly nervous that he was finally rid of it. He wondered if she would like wearing a tiny red tennis racket in her hair.

"A-arigatou," her voice trailed off as she studied the small colorful package he placed in her hands.

His main mission accomplished, now he couldn't wait to see her to her door so they could both get some rest for the night. There was school the next day; a late-night homecoming party was no excuse for being tardy or totally absent.

He steered her gently but firmly with a hand on her elbow while Sakuno followed in a daze. She kept staring at the little package in her hands as if it would disappear soon and she wanted to memorize it properly before it did. Ryoma watched her bowed head as they moved towards her door.

As he deposited her on the doorstep and pressed the bell, he told her with a smile in his voice, "Akete mo iisuyo.(11) "

"Eh!" she looked up in surprise and he could see how her eyes widened in delighted wonder in the light thrown from the lamp beside the door, "Hontou?"

"Hn," he couldn't hide the smile at her cluelessness, "Hope you like it." He turned around with this parting line when he heard footsteps approaching from inside the house.

He was gone a little way when he heard her voice again, "Oyasuminasai (12) , Ryoma-kun ..."

He stopped and turned to face her, her slim body now outlined in the light thrown from an open door, "Oyasumi, Sakuno."

He finally left feeling much lighter in mind and body than he had for some time.

The next morning, Ryoma stepped out of the courts after practice to face a shy Sakuno who couldn't quite meet his eyes.

No problem, he was used to that, he thought with a smile.

Then a flash of red caught his eye and he found himself staring for a frozen moment at the tiny red racket in her hair, which highly resembled the one he was holding in his hand.

Oh, damn. He didn't think of that. Now the whole team would be busy speculating over their relationship.

A second later, Ryoma discovered he didn't really mind if the whole world knew.

Following that realization, it was he who couldn't quite meet the warm chocolate eyes before him.

"A-ano, Ryoma-kun … "

He looked up at her, his brain automatically trying to place this particular version of his name. It was a new one to him, and coupled with her countenance, he decided she was telling him, in her way, the exact words that he couldn't get past his throat.

The two of them answered each other's smile across the short distance, completely ignorant of the background noise of wolf whistles and calls coming from the rest of the tennis team.

The world beckoned to the young prince of tennis, while his future smiled and blushed in the way he was familiar with.

owari-

Translations:

(1) Kochi Kochi yo – Here! Over Here!

Hora – juz an exclamation to get people's attention

(2) Sou dane – that's right

Souda Souda – that's right, that's right

(3) Rakkushu – Think Kikumaru said this before, roughly means relax, easy peasy

(4) mo – also

(5) doomo – very much, here to express thanks

(6) alot so put together…. Douittemo – no matter what you say

Nanska – PoT version of Nan desu ka - what?

Dakara - therefore

Souska – PoT version sou desu ka – So that's why, I see

Yaru ja – short for yaru janai ka – lit: u can do, can't u? u r not bad in this context.

Ittaisuyo – PoT version Ittai desu yo – its painful

(7)omedetou – congrats

sankyu to rhyme with Thank you

betsuni - it was nothing

(8) aisetsu – greetings

(9) Tadaima – I 'm home

Okaerinasai – Welcome back

(10) omiyage – souvenir

(11) akete mo ii – it's alright to open it

hontou – really?

(12) Oyasumi(nasai) – good night

A/N: had to break out the dictionaries to check my romaji, heh, good practice for me, I guess. Ja, minna, Kyou wa koko made ne! (then, everyone, today until here!)

Thanks for everyone's support big hug