Sakuno frowned as she stared at herself in the mirror. She was extremely nervous since there was a very important event coming up. A gigantic ball was held every year for the top tennis teams around Japan and it was obvious that the boys couldn't go by themselves. She gulped nervously at the thought of Ryoma asking her to be his date for the evening. Her cheeks flushed scarlet and she rubbed them furiously. Her phone buzzed on the countertop and Sakuno glanced down to see Tomoka's number flashing on it. She grabbed the device hurriedly and held it to her ear. Tomoka's voice blared out of the earpiece and Sakuno held it away for a moment; wincing.

"Sakuno! Who do you think will ask you to the dance?!" Tomoka shouted excitedly, "I'm really not opposed to anyone who asks me!"

Sakuno paused and questioned, "Even Horio?"

"Gah! I'm talking about the regulars!"

Sakuno giggled, of course she was, there wasn't anyone on the Seigaku team who she'd refuse either when she thought of the regular members. She thought for a moment, maybe Inui would be iffy since she was afraid he might slip her some of his special Inui juice.

"Hello?! Are you still there?"

Sakuno nodded quickly, "Yes!"

"Are you coming to the practice match against Hyotei today?" Tomoka asked enthusiastically, "You better! And wear something cute! You've got to look good for your potential date candidates!"

Sakuno blushed once more and thought of Ryoma, "Okay, did you want to meet somewhere and go together?"

"Sounds great! I'll meet you at the bus stop!" Tomoka replied.

Sakuno smiled and hung up the phone. She turned slowly and eyed her closet… what to wear?

…

"Wow, you look pretty today Sakuno!" Tomoka exclaimed as her friend approached.

Sakuno had chosen a frilly purple top that was made of a silky material. It clung to her frame nicely, showing off her figure. She also had on a black skirt that fell just above her knees with matching black sandals. She had rushed to paint her nails a calm lavender color before leaving the house.

"Thanks," Sakuno smiled, "You look really good too!"

Tomoka struck a pose, "Got to look good! You never know which cutie pie is watching you!"

She was wearing a yellow tank top with a short jean skirt and flats. The pair watched as the bus came to a stop in front of them. They boarded and sat down together with smiles on their faces.

"Why are they playing Hyotei anyway?" Tomoka mumbled, "That Atobe guy is a total jerk. He thinks he's so cool."

Sakuno giggled, "Well Captain Tezuka probably arranged it and there's no way that Atobe would refuse."

Tomoka shrugged, "I guess… ugh, we'll have to put up with that guy at the dance! He'll probably bring a stretch limo or something, ridiculous! He flaunts his richness nonstop!"

"He's not that bad," Sakuno said.

Tomoka eyed her friend suspiciously, "Just whose side are you on?"

Sakuno smiled, "Obviously Ryoma's."

Tomoka grinned back, "Of course!"

…..

"The King of Tennis has arrived!"

Cheers echoed throughout the Seigaku tennis courts where the practice match was being held. Even though it was a practice match an enormous crowd of cheering Hyotei fans was still present. Tomoka groaned as Atobe threw his number one symbol in the air and chants echoed throughout the tennis courts.

"He's so arrogant it makes me sick! Kick his butt Ryoma!" Tomoka shouted.

Sakuno watched as Ryoma wandered off to the drink machine and decided to follow him. She was pretty nervous about talking to him because she didn't want it to seem obvious she wanted him to take her to the ball. She trailed behind him quietly and he stopped at the large ponta machine. She heard him deposit a coin and press a button. The can clattered noisily to the bottom and the rookie tennis star snatched it up; popping the top open.

"Ryuzaki?" he asked without turning around.

Sakuno's cheeks lit up bright red, "Ryoma… I-uh, well…"

He swiveled around and eyed her carefully. He was just about to say something when he noticed someone approaching.

"Shouldn't you be with your team?"

Ryoma scoffed as Hyotei's captain sauntered up to him with obvious swagger.

"It's none of your business," Ryoma replied back simply, sipping on his drink.

Sakuno began to grow nervous and felt awkward being between the two. She started to back away until her sandal caught on the edge of the concrete they were standing on. She let out a small yip as she fell backwards. Sakuno gasped as she quickly stopped falling. She glanced to her side, expecting to see a red white and blue tennis jacket arm holding her up. She was shocked to see that instead it was completely purple.

"You should watch your step," Atobe told her with a lopsided smirk and shot a glare at Ryoma.

Ryoma shrugged, "It wasn't my fault."

Atobe ran his long fingers through his hair, "You obviously don't have a way with women if you'd let one fall right in front of you."

Ryoma wrinkled his nose and mumbled, "This is stupid."

Sakuno's heart dropped, he thought she was stupid? She let out a small sigh and a downcast expression fell across her features.

Atobe leaned down and his eyebrows perked up, "Are you alright?"

Sakuno stuttered, "Ye-Yes!"

Atobe smiled at her shyness and stood up to his full height. He shoved his hands in his jacket's pockets and turned to walk away.

He paused for a moment and over his shoulder he asked, "Eh, what's your name?"

Sakuno's eyes grew large, and she froze for a moment before quickly saying, "Sakuno Ryuzaki."

Atobe turned and began walking backwards, still watching her, "Well Sakuno, I must say that lavender looks good on you."

He winked at her and swung back around, waving over his shoulder. Sakuno's face was lit up like a glowing Christmas tree and Ryoma scowled at her.

"Maybe you should go cheer for 'The King'," Ryoma said dryly as he brushed by her.

Sakuno gasped and opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. She wanted to tell him that he was wrong and she'd never cheer for anyone but him. Sakuno was starting to feel differently since her little tripping accident. It made her think back to all of the times she had tried to talk to Ryoma and he either ignored her or treated her like he couldn't stand to be around her. She returned to Tomoka's side and quickly repeated the whole story to her best friend.

"What?!" Tomoka exclaimed, "That jerk face can actually be nice?!"

Sakuno nodded, "He told me I looked good in lavender," she blushed.

Tomoka grinned, "I bet he did…"

The matches started and the girls watched intently. They cheered loudly for their Seigaku boys and were starting to get really rowdy when Sakuno noticed that it was Ryoma's turn. He walked calmly onto the court with his hat pulled down low. The cheers from Hyotei exploded as she saw Atobe enter from the other side. He stepped onto his side of the court and raised his hand in the air, causing the cheers to become louder.

"Behold my prowess!" he shouted with a smug smirk as he served the first ball.

Sakuno watched in fascination as the match grew heated. It seemed as though hours passed and both players were obviously exhausted.

"This is exactly like their last match," Tomoka said, not taking her eyes from the court.

"Come on Echizen, don't wimp out on us!" Momo shouted at the first year.

"You should be quiet and watch the match…"

"What was that viper?!" Momo exploded and the two second years began arguing.

Eiji glanced at them as Momo and Kaidoh had their foreheads pressed together; shouting at one another.

"The captain's going to kill them," Eiji mumbled as Tezuka's eyes shot over to the second years.

Luckily Oishi beat Tezuka to the punch and pulled the two teammates apart.

"You two need to knock it off!" Oishi scolded them.

"Game and match, Hyotei's Atobe!" the referee shouted.

Kaidoh and Momo's eyes grew large and they both exclaimed, "What?!"

"Maybe if you would have watched instead of bickering with each other you'd know the outcome," Fuji told them with a smile.

On the court Ryoma had his hands on his knees and he stared up to the other side of the net where Atobe towered over him.

"Does this mean you'll shave your head this time?" Atobe asked with a smirk.

Ryoma let out a small growl and held out his hand, "Nice match."

Atobe grabbed it firmly and nodded. The pair walked away from one another, returning to the their respective teams. The last match was between Tezuka and Hiyoshi which ended in a victory for Seigaku. After the match was over the two team captains shook hands.

"Thank you for coming," Tezuka nodded to Atobe.

"Don't get comfortable, when it counts Hyotei is the one that will come out on top," Atobe stated with a confident expression.

"We look forward to it," Tezuka replied.

The Hyotei team gathered and began getting on their bus. Sakuno and Tomoka watched from a distance next to the Seigaku team.

"I don't know what to think…" Sakuno trailed off.

"If you like Atobe I don't know what I'm going to do… what about Ryoma?!" Tomoka asked.

"I don't know, but Ryoma doesn't really pay attention to me. I don't think he likes me being around him at all," Sakuno replied with a sad face.

Tomoka's face paled and she found herself at a loss for words until…

"Sakuno Ryuzaki, may I have a word?"

Sakuno spun around with a stunned expression. The Seigaku boys became silent and all stared over at her with bizarre expressions.

"Does she know him?" Eiji questioned.

Ryoma clenched his jaw, "They just met before the match."

"Percent that he's stealing your potential date… 100," Inui stated as he scribbled in his notebook.

"Get over there and stop him!" Momo urged, shoving Ryoma in the back.

"No," Ryoma grumbled, "She can do what she wants, I don't care."

"Liar!" Eiji exclaimed and jumped on his shoulders, pulling at his hat.

"Senpai that hurts!" Ryoma complained.

Tezuka's eyes darted to each team member and they all became silent.

Inui grinned, "Percent that the captain wants to eavesdrop…"

"Inui!" Tezuka barked.

Tomoka rushed over to the boys to give Sakuno some space. She watched with a horrified expression as the Hyotei captain began speaking to her best friend with a smug expression.

…..

"You can just call me Sakuno…" Sakuno trailed off nervously.

"I was planning on it," Atobe said slowly with a flash of white teeth.

"Your match with Ryoma was really good," Sakuno stated with a twitchy smile.

Atobe leaned down and quirked one of his eyebrows, "Let's cut to the chase… Will you accompany me to the upcoming ball?"

Sakuno's eyes grew huge, "Well- I mean, um, I don't really know you that well."

"Would you like to?" he questioned with a smirk.

Sakuno's lips cracked into a small smile, "A little bit more… yes."

"It's settled then, you'll come to my manor for dinner tomorrow evening then," Atobe announced proudly.

Sakuno gasped as he pushed a small piece of paper into her hand which had his number neatly written on it.

"Call me," he gave her a wink, and casually walked off to board the waiting Hyotei bus.

"What just happened?" Sakuno murmured as Tomoka rushed to her side.

The Seigaku team wasn't far behind and were soon forming a circle around Sakuno and Tomoka.

"What did he say?" Tomoka asked urgently.

"We have a date…" Sakuno whispered, her eyes meeting Tomoka's.

All of the Seigaku member's eyes grew wide. And Ryoma's eyes disappeared beneath his cap.

"Tomorrow I'm going to his house, and having dinner… he originally asked me to the ball, but I told him I didn't know him well enough," Sakuno said.

"She could do worse…" Momo mumbled, "But not much."

"I heard he lives in a mansion!" Eiji piped in.

Kaidoh rolled his eyes and walked away from the group. Ryoma said nothing as the group dispersed. He watched Sakuno and Tomoka leave together. It didn't matter to him what Sakuno did, he didn't care… did he?