Hye! I am back with the new chapter. Sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy for not updating until now. I hope this will compensate from the last time. Last chapter was a cliffhanger I know. I think most of you anticipated what will happen next. This is the next chapter... domo...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Prince of Tennis and never will.

Chapter 23: Deuce

Chapter Summary: Everything that happened seemed to be a tie. She just couldn't believe that her beliefs would be the same as well. All this time, she thought she would never reach such level.

Everything around her seemed to stop. The time, the wind, the noise and even the people around her stopped from moving. It was just the three of them. Sakuno, who was standing between the boys, remained speechless. Her hazel eyes, which were widely opened, were actually looking at a pair of amber eyes. The amber eyes which were slightly recovered from the shock a while ago were now seriously looking at her.

She wasn't aware of her surroundings until Fuji made his presence visible. Sakuno turned around when he started to speak;

"I guess I am done here," He said inserting his hand in his pocket, "Good luck you two."

"F-Fuji-senpai!" Sakuno tried to catch up to him but Fuji faced him telling her not to. Fuji then instead looked at the other boy and observed him.

"Don't miss this chance or I'll never give you another." Fuji said before he continued walking to the front door of the rooftop.

The place became quiet after Fuji left. It was awkward now that they were just the two of them in the rooftop. This was never in her plan. She wasn't planning to talk to him today, not that she would in the future.

"Say it again."

Her heart was pounding. She didn't know when she got the guts to stare straight to his eyes but she just did, "There's nothing to say."

"Yes, there is," He said not tearing his gaze away from her... that made her look away instead, "Say it Ryuzaki."

Sakuno refused to speak as she continued looking away from him. Somehow, she needed to think of a way on how to get away from him. She hoped that she wasn't too late about that especially when he started walking towards her.

"Say it loud and clear if you don't want me to make you."

"W-what if I do? What will you do?" She snapped that she couldn't stop herself from speaking then she realized what she had just said making her eyes widened due to shock.

He didn't stop from walking and that made her walk backward, "Then I'll win you."

"R-Ryoma-kun," She started trying to convince him, "T-that doesn't change anything! Forget what I said!"

"Sono muri da!"

"It is if it is you!" She said and felt the fence from her back, "Everything is possible for you."

He continued walking until he was just in front of her, "You're right. Everything is possible for me even winning you back."

Her eyes widened and her heart was beating fast. She had never expected that this day would come again. She had never expected that Ryoma would do something like that. She just shook her head not trusting her voice to speak. She didn't want to betray herself anymore, fearing that she would say everything to him. Since her mind was clouded, she didn't have the time to react when Ryoma inserted his hands near her waist, gripping the steel bar that her back was leaning at. His body was just inches away from her.

They were just like hugging to each other if her hands weren't holding to the bar itself.

"I'll win you back." Ryoma whispered to her ear and she could feel the determination from his voice.

Her mind was confused at that time. Did Fuji set her up? Fuji loved her, right? Why would he do that? Why would he set her up to him? She was really confused and she didn't want to think. No, she refused to think and let him speak that only she could hear.

Meanwhile:

The moment he closed that door from the rooftop, he knew that there was no way back. Who was he kidding? Even if he won the girl's heart, he still knew that she would only think one person and it would hurt him even more. He couldn't take the fact if the girl would accept his own feelings but her heart and mind were with someone else.

It was more painful than being with the person he loved.

Even if it was, he preferred her to be with him... especially when he heard what he was waiting for her to say that morning. It was also perfect that the person she was talking about appeared so suddenly at that timing. He didn't think twice when he understood everything.

It was totally a match point for him this time... after making several deuces against him.

He didn't know how long he stayed at the back of the closed door. A pair of shoes in front got his attention. He suspected the acrobatic player to appear but it was the Captain instead. Tezuka showed his usual expression to him but he could see some sort of concern from his eyes. He pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose before he spoke;

"I let you off the hook this once." He stoically said to him... his eyes were blocking from his own sight with its own spectacles.

Fuji understood what he said. He did just that. Still wearing his signature smile, he took a few steps towards him and without warning he placed his head to the captain's shoulder. Tezuka didn't push him away instead, he just let him.

"I preferred to be punished." He silently whispered. The tensai felt Tezuka's hand tapping his back. He knew from that moment that he wouldn't be receiving any punishments any minute now. Whatever happened back there, he knew that the people in that area were the only witnesses from that happened that time.

xxx

She didn't know if she did the right thing. After all of the revelation she made a while ago, she was able to calm down. Her heart was still pounding frantically but it wasn't panicking like it did a while ago. She was sitting behind the fence in the rooftop and beside her was him. His hand was intertwined with her and she didn't bother removing it from him.

They were silent for minutes and no one dared to break the silence. She didn't even know what to say. The thing was, she didn't know how long they would just sit there and watched the wideness of the rooftop. No one entered the place after Ryoma got there or perhaps they left without them knowing it. Miraculously, it seemed that they respected their privacy and hoped that their privacy would end so soon. School was about to start anyway.

"So, you are leaving."

Another miracle happened when Ryoma initiated the conversation but she wasn't expecting those words from him. Naturally, he heard what she and Fuji had talked about earlier. Ryoma wasn't oblivious about her wishing to go to London. She told him before about it and it was nice of him to remember what they had spoken before. Looking at him, she was able to reply, "They haven't decided on my painting yet."

"If they do, will you go?" He asked looking at her gripping her hand tighter.

Sakuno didn't answer right away. It was an obvious question. Why would he ask a question like that even he knew the answer to that? Still she answered him, "I will go. It's a dream come true for me."

"Sou ka," He replied after a few seconds of staring at her. He then looked ahead once again, "That painting. They will pass it."

She was still looking at him and frowned this time, "You seem to know that they will."

Ryoma nodded not looking at her, "I've seen it when you were painting it. That hill," He started before he looked at her seriously, surprising her in the process, "That hill was where you first told me your dreams."

Her eyes widened when he said that.

"You were thinking of me when you were painting that hill, weren't you?"

She was speechless because of his words. Sakuno thought that he was done speaking but she was wrong when he gripped their hands more and continued speaking;

"You were thinking of me... because of the memories we had in that hill."

Not really expecting that, she knew that he had been right. She was not aware that she was. She was painting that landscape without even realizing the memories she had. They had in that valley. Their memories had motivated her to paint the whole place her canvass could accommodate.

"I guess..." She started, careful of the words she would say next, "I owed it to the memories after all."

"You'll leave Japan for London."

"Hai..."

"You'll leave everyone here."

Sakuno looked at him. For some reason, she knew what he wanted to tell her. It was pretty obvious. Going to London meant she would be away from them... for four years, except for the vacation and such. "I've decided long ago... before all of this happened."

"I know," Ryoma answered, wondering how he could do that at such crucial time, "I am always late to do anything," His hand remained still to hers as he was looking at them, "I won't waste anymore time than that."

"Ryoma-kun..."

From their hands, Ryoma looked straight to her eyes seriously, making her hold her breath for a short while, "You once waited for me to come back. It's my turn to do that."

His words made it clear. She knew what he was talking about. Ryoma knew that she was the waiting type. She had waited for him to come back from his matches... from the U.S... for several times and she didn't mind waiting for him...

...For she knew that he would come back which he always did.

Ryoma wouldn't mind waiting for her to come back this time.

The bell rang after that and she didn't have the time to reply to his words. She stood up removing her hand from him in the process, "W-we should go back. Class is about to start."

"Ryuzaki," He stood up calling her and holding her hand once again, "We're okay, right?"

Sakuno didn't know how to answer that. All she aware was, her eyes were staring straight to his amber ones. Her face was red and her heart was beating fast. Were they really okay? Was it going to be fine in the future? Her train of thoughts stopped when the tennis prodigy's hand went to her cheek and gently caressed it. Ryoma slowly leaned down to her face and that made her eyes wide.

She immediately turned away.

That shocked the both of them. She could feel Ryoma's lips to her cheek. They didn't stay long as Ryoma moved away from her. Her attention was on the ground so she didn't know his expression at that moment. He surprised her that she acted on her own, "I'll see you later?"

Sakuno looked at him when he said that. The way he said his words was in a question form and no wonder that she had to answer that, "I-I'll stop by in the court later."

Satisfied, Ryoma nodded at her removing his hand from her. For the first time since he was holding her hand, she felt the longing of his hand's warmth to hers. They walked down the stairs together but separated at a corridor where she would go to her classroom while he returned to the training session that morning. They were classmates but he would attend a little later.

Something changed that morning and she couldn't believe that it happened just like in a blink of an eye.

Later on:

The afternoon went really fast for him. He actually had mixed emotions during the entire day. Not really admitting to everyone and not really oblivious to his teammates, he finally got the girl back but he would work for them to make it more effective. He could still feel the girl's doubt to him and it was understandable. It was fortunate that Sakuno allowed him to be with him once again.

It was a sign that he was waiting for a long time and he wouldn't miss that chance to prove it to her.

That Echizen Ryoma was serious of winning Ryuzaki Sakuno back.

When he came back to the court, all eyes were staring at him. He closed his eyes as he entered the premises. The rest of his emotions remained unknown to him for he couldn't name them. It only came at such crucial time just like what was happening when he entered the court.

Still, with the little hope he had, he knew that everything would be fine. He would start proving himself later when the girl would come and visit the team later.

xxx

"WHAT!"

Sakuno closed her eyes when Tomoka reacted as she told her the whole story that happened that morning. Bringing her best friend to a corner of a corridor was the best decision she'd made. She knew that she would react like that. Tomoka kept bugging her of her distorted mind during the class and she didn't have a choice but to tell her.

And there they were right now where Tomoka had just reacted.

"Y-you accepted him!" She whispered lower this time realizing that she had just raised her voice a while ago, "I—I thought—I thought that you—"

"I know," Sakuno cut her best friend. It was rare for Tomoka to stutter like that, "b-but it just happened. Fuji-senpai was leaving me alone with him and the next thing I knew, we were just, I don't know, holding hands."

"Did you say anything to him?"

"I... I never said anything to him."

"So, he just assumed things?"

"Kind of," She said and before Tomoka could retort, she beat her to it, "I gave him that chance because I was not able to defend myself."

"What are you saying?"

"I was..." The feeling she had when she was with Ryoma came back at that moment. She remembered what happened as she looked down, "...I was defeated."

Tomoka tsked as she shook her head, "You cannot move on from the past, huh?"

"That's not what he's offering. He's offering..." She cracked. What was he trying to offer? He asked if they were going to be okay. She never answered that, assuming that he knew it, "...what to do in the future."

"Sakuno, just be careful this time," Tomoka held her hands firmly, "I don't want you to be hurt again."

Sakuno smiled back at her, "I'll be careful."

After Practice:

He didn't know how he did that. It wasn't like he was trying to avoid the tensai but somehow, the situation was doing it for him. Fuji seemed to have a mind of his own and knew his every move during the training. The others seemed to notice it as well and miraculously for him, who was oblivious for everything, noticed it too.

It could really change when a person was in love after all.

Leaving the court, no one dared to stop him. They seemed to know especially when the braided pigtailed girl showed up.

"Ryuzaki-chan!"

He heard Eiji shout the girl's name despite that he was on his way to meet her. He only stopped when the acrobatic player dashed past him.

"Are you here to see sensei, nya?"

He saw her looking at him before she shifted her attention to the acrobatic player, "I already saw my grandmother a while ago."

"E?" Eiji blinked as he walked until he was in the circle of the conversation, "Then, you want to see the practice? But it's over now."

Sakuno shook her head this time and looked at him, "I'm... here... to see Ryoma-kun."

He didn't expect that especially Eiji. He knew that the others heard her as well. The girl blushed after she said that and she couldn't say another word. Seeing that the atmosphere was getting awkward, it was his time to save her;

"I'll take her home. Come on, Ryuzaki." He only said that as he walked past her. He could hear her saying goodbye to the rest and he bet that she was bowing in front of them. The next thing he knew, she was walking beside him.

xxx

The walk was awfully quiet. She was awfully quiet and him, being the quiet type didn't know how to open a conversation. He wasn't the type who would begin any interaction. There were some lucky times that he was able to.

Unfortunately, this day wasn't one of his lucky times.

And another unfortunate thing was, they already reached her front porch. He mentally cursed himself or the road for making the porch being close from their school.

"I guess, I'll see you tomorrow then." Sakuno finally broke the silence because she knew that she was so close of parting ways with him.

Was it going to be like that? He wasn't really satisfied at all especially not after what happened earlier in that morning. Without saying a word, he took a step closer and lifted her chin. He made sure that he would pass her his message. Her eyes widened as he stared straight to them. He knew she got his message so he wouldn't waste time and execute his plan.

...Only to be failed... for the second time.

How could he have failed? Ryoma never made mistakes that often. How was it any different now? He only wanted to kiss her just like before but when he attempted his kisses today, the girl would just turn away before their lips could collide to each other. He was shocked but recovered as fast. Remaining still, he decided to kiss her chastely to her cheek sending his emotions towards her... hoping she would get them.

He wanted her to feel him...more than anything before and he hoped he was doing it right. That took for a few seconds before he moved away from her but not until he placed a hand to her cheek which was awfully red at that moment. Her doe eyes were still staring to his calm amber eyes.

"I'll see you then." He then dropped his hand to his side watching a shocked girl in front of her. Ryoma knew that he surprised her and he hoped that it would bring them into something better. He had been hoping for a lot of time that day and he truly wished that all these hopes in his heart and mind would do their roles.

When Sakuno nodded, he turned around and walked on his way back to his home. There was one thing he thought that he accomplished, he was slowly getting the girl's trust once again. And that trust was something that he could hold on to.

And it was a good start for the both of them.

The next day:

He came to the court early the next day thinking that he could practice as early as possible but he never expected that the girl would be early as well.

And she was practicing there with the tensai... much to his dismay.

A slight pang of jealousy came through his system. What were Sakuno and Fuji doing on the court rallying against each other? He didn't like the view and he couldn't believe that he was feeling that way. He was about to walk and barge in to them when a hand suddenly stopped him from walking ahead. Turning around, he saw Tezuka beside him. The captain's eyes were focusing on the people's playing inside the court.

"It's not your place to disturb them." The bespectacled Captain said to him.

"But buchou—"

"Do you think they are doing something that will make you jealous?"

His captain's words made him look at them once again. Were they doing something to make them jealous? He observed the girl. She was focused on her own training and Fuji, he was serious at teaching her. He didn't even know how the two ended up together that morning.

When did they have the chance to speak?

Sakuno was smiling. He knew it judging from her expression. He knew that she was.

"You don't have the right to be jealous actually?"

The voice wasn't come from his Captain. It was from someone else. Turning around he saw Momoshiro and Eiji walking towards their location. Momoshiro was the one who talked and he retorted back;

"You don't have the right to judge me, senpai."

Momoshiro approached him and looked the same way they did, "Remember our deal. I am so not going to help you."

"The deal's still on."

"But aren't you noticing something about her?" Eiji said when the two remained quiet, "She is kind of bothered."

"You are right, senpai," Momoshiro agreed, "Something's bothering Ryuzaki-chan."

The two looked at him expectantly, "Don't look at me like that."

"She's happy training with Fuji but she's kind of distracted," Tezuka said pushing his glasses to the bridge of his nose, "You didn't do anything at all."

"I haven't done anything." He said pinning his hat down. Momoshiro, for the first time since the break up head locked him to his head;

"So you are planning to do something huh, Echizen?" The dunk smasher smirked at him.

"Hanase!" He tried letting go from his grip.

"What are you planning to do, ochibi?"

"I won't let you take advantage of her."

His temper was reaching its limit once again when he was cornered by the regulars. He gritted his teeth as he looked away. Closing his eyes, it was rare to have said something that he couldn't control before sharing;

"She doesn't want to be kissed."

They stopped moving when he stoically said that. They were shocked at his sudden confession.

"What did you say?" Momo was the first one to recover.

"You heard me. Not going to repeat it." He stoically said. Looking away, he seemed to feel stupid of saying that in front of them. Not being able to kiss her was his problem and it wasn't something to be shared about.

"That was it?" Momo suddenly said. His tone was a bit accusing. He let go of him and he was able to move away from him, "That's why you are bothering her?"

"I am not bothering her," He coolly said looking ahead of him, "We're okay."

"That's why you can't kiss her."

"Tsk." He only reacted as shortly as that. Tezuka's words were somehow offensive to his ears despite that he was the one who revealed that. He was about to leave the court and thought of meeting her later. But then, Momoshiro grabbed him from the back of his neck and pulled him back;

"What are you doing?" He said trying to escape from his grip, "Hanase yo!"

"Have you ever thought why she didn't want to kiss you?" Momoshiro was in the verge of shouting again. He was just lowering his voice down to avoid getting attention around there.

"How would I know," Ryoma said slapping his senpai's hands, "She wouldn't tell me."

"Baka!" He snapped as he grabbed his collar next. Tezuka and Eiji tried to stop Momoshiro but the dunk smasher's voice made them stop from their original plan;

"How can she kiss you if she remembered you kissing someone in front of her?"

That made him stop. What was his senpai talking about? He kept staring at the boy's sharp eyes when he finally knew what he was talking about.

"That's right, Echizen," Momo said releasing him from his grip, "She still remembered that time."

He was about to ask what his senpai meant when realization hit him himself. How could he be so stupid? He had forgotten that time. How he mocked her in front of everyone.

He kissed Honoka in front of Sakuno... he even smirked before that.

She had no problem during the play... and that one time. She never had that time to react for they were on an impulse. He had surprised her. Now that he wanted to kiss her, she would be aware of that.

But she also remembered.

It was definitely stupid of him. He looked down and smirked, remembering something, "Ne, senpai, I thought you're not going to help me."

"What?" Momo was caught off guard. Ryoma used that chance to get away from him, "Why you?"

"Mada mada dane!" He said walking away from them. Tezuka and Eiji were stunned for a short while before the latter made a sound of comprehension.

"Well, you are welcome!"

He could hear Momoshiro shout that before he completely made his way out. At least he was able to find out what was bothering her.

Solving that was the only thing he needed to find.

Night:

He collapsed his tired body on his bed. The day had been hectic for him. He was tired but he didn't care. Ryoma played enough for the day and got his victory. There was one thing that he needed to do.

...To get rid of Ryuzaki Sakuno's insecurities about him.

Staring at the ceiling, he yanked his phone out and texted the girl.

'We're okay, right?'

It was another stupid move of him. He did the same tactic he said to her before. What would everyone expect of Echizen Ryoma? He was never good with words. He was not expecting anything from the girl either. She went home early that day since she had got nothing to do. He wanted to ask her to stay so that he could take her home but decided against it.

He thought of making things better and better it would be so soon. Not long ago, she replied unexpectedly and a smile was brought to his lips. He knew that everything would be fine between them. And he would do things right for them.

'Yes, we are.'

Done! How was this chapter? Hahaha... Things are getting what? You decide. I hope you like it. Next chapter will be... next week... Let's hope... Domo...

Reviews please. I want to hear your thoughts. Domo...

Next Chapter: The Listening