Hye! I am back with a new chapter. Well, the situation is getting out of hand. Find that out here… domo… :)

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

Chapter 13: Loop

Chapter Summary: When one situation appeared, the others followed. Everything that happened to her was like a whirlwind that she didn't know how to make it stop.

'Hey, while this town is covered by twilight,
The morning sun is shining down somewhere else in this world.
As that flower withers away in your hand,
A little seed probably falls into the ground somewhere.

If the trodden soil is called path,
Then is shutting my eyes love?

If our star was flat, the two of us wouldn't have met.
We were running without slowing down,
As if from each other. No matter how far apart we are now,
We will surely face each other again in this revolving miracle.

"If you could only notice me from your distant location."
~ Maaya Sakamoto – Loop (English trans.): Tsubasa Chronicles ~

Sakuno collapsed on that ground after the practice she had with Kanata that afternoon. They were both exhausted after a series of rallying and hitting tennis balls against each other. The court was awfully quiet that only birds singing and their breaths panting could be heard at that time. The girl went straight right after her class. Her previous plan of painting was postponed because of an unexpected circumstance.

Echizen Ryoma had said something unbelievable to her that day.

The young tennis prodigy suddenly said that he wanted her back and that he was serious of doing it. It took seconds before she understood what he was saying to her. The only reply she told him was 'You forgot saying if I almost fall for that' and a smile before she left him and continued walking. Ryoma caught her arm and turned her around and said;

'Fall for it because I am really serious.' His eyes were really serious as well. They made her believe his words but refused to voice it out. He only removed her arm when a student passed but that didn't stop him from sharing his thoughts, 'I'll win you back.' He stared at her for a few minutes before he walked away without saying another word.

Remembering the scene that happened just a while ago, she sat up and looked ahead. She stared at the wall where the word was engraved there. She traced the letters in her mind as she thought of something. His words bothered her but she didn't let it stop from her activities… except from going to the art club room. She knew that she couldn't concentrate because of what happened. Her plans for that day were somewhat changed and left the school premises as early as possible.

Which she did and now she ended up in the court with Kanata.

"Ne, Kanata-kun… If… someone is persistence to do something that you don't wish that person to do?" She asked him still staring at the wall, "What will you do?"

Kanata sat up from where he was lying and saw her staring on the wall.

"What if that person is serious to do that?" She continued as she looked at him this time.

The mute boy stared at her for a few seconds before he stood up and grabbed his digital board and pen and wrote something. He held it out to her afterwards,

'Tell that person why does he want to do that.'

"What if the person being said to is afraid to know the answer?" She asked.

'Then that person will never know unless she tries.'

"I don't know," Sakuno stood up and walked closer to him, not aware of the pronoun he used, "I don't want to make the same mistake again."

Kanata observed her expression before he erased his previous words and wrote another one;

'Is it about him?'

Her eyes widened when she saw what he wrote there. It took seconds before she looked down and confessed, "He said he's serious."

'Then give him a chance.'

"I can't! No!"

'Why?'

"Things aren't the same anymore," Sakuno replied as she looked away, "I won't be the only person to be affected if that happens."

Kanata only looked at him. His hands remained stationary on his board.

"I just can't." She added gripping her hands tight to her side with the racket that was on her one hand. Her situation was complicated as it already was. Whatever Kanata was thinking, she would never know it for the meantime.

Few days later:

Her concern was supposed to be finishing her painting but Ryoma's silent persistence added to it. He was true to himself. There were days that he tried to pursue her especially when they were alone. His ways were unique of his own. When they were with his teammates or inside the classroom, his treatment to her was neutral like no one would notice it. He only changed when he had the chance to be alone with her, which she hopefully not to have one.

He could make everyone believe that he was not trying to win her back.

Hopefully, she was able to handle all his persuasions for she had only one way to hold on to. They were friends to begin with… since they broke up. Ryoma was her friend and that was all she could offer to him.

Friday:

The announcement of their teacher that day surprised her. Twice. First, she was forced to go to the school trip and second, she was paired with Ryoma. She couldn't believe what was happening and she didn't even realize that she was raising her hand to catch their teacher's attention.

"What is it, Ryuzaki-san?"

Sakuno slowly stood up as she was still dazed at the announcement, "S-sensei, can I not… go to the trip?"

The teacher completely faced her, "And why is that?" Her classmates were also looking at her and she bet that Ryoma was too.

"I… I need to do my painting for a project and—"

"Ryuzaki-san, this school trip is mandatory," The teacher cut her, "If you haven't finished your project yet then it's not my fault to begin with. What's worse is, you won't be able to pass your history subject if you don't attend this trip."

"What?" She almost whispered her word.

"Didn't you read the requirements?" Her teacher added, "This trip is about history activities and this include to your exam. If you don't attend, then you'll fail."

Her tongue betrayed her to speak. She couldn't find the words to reply to her teacher.

"If you don't have any rejects, you may sit now." The teacher said before returning to announce the things about the upcoming trip.

Sakuno slowly sat back to her seat thinking of the trip. She knew that it wasn't a swift move to use her painting as alibi but that was all she could think of to escape it. Alas, it didn't work. And to add that, the trip was actually mandatory and she had to attend it. Whether she liked it or not.

Then she remembered something, her partner. She slowly looked at Ryoma only to see him looking back at her. The boy had some expression that she couldn't quite understand. He was serious but she knew that it was telling her more.

She could take the trip but the question was, would she be able to stay longer with him… less for three days. She hoped she could.

Lunch Break:

"Ryuzaki-chan!"

She turned around when she heard the tensai called him, "Senpai, konnichiwa." Bowing in the process, she gave Fuji a tiny smile. Blush was also present to her face. Ever since the tensai confessed to her, she couldn't help but feel awkward around him.

"So, you are coming to the school trip after all." Fuji said as he smiled. She already told him that she wouldn't come but it turned out not to be the case anymore.

"I didn't know that it was mandatory." She admitted.

Fuji nodded as he looked ahead, "Not everyone is expecting it as well. It was not the same like last year," He inserted his hands to his pocket and continued, "Probably not so many students attended the trip then."

"I… think so too." Sakuno agreed.

"Echizen's your partner." It was statement rather than a question.

Sakuno nodded after a short shock, "News spread fast, huh?"

Fuji shrugged before he replied, "This school is not big as students thought to be."

"Who's your partner, senpai?" The girl asked changing the subject.

"Someone in my class." His short reply.

"Oh," She replied as she tucked her strands of hair to her ear, "I guess we will see in the trip then."

"I guess we will." The tensai nodded.

Turning on her heels, she smiled at him and said, "I… need to go to the art club room now, senpai. I'll see you later."

"Okay," He said waving a hand at her, "I'll see you later."

Sakuno only nodded before she walked on her way to the club room. It was too sudden to talk to him something like that. It was also awkward to discuss her ex-boyfriend to the other guy who showed interest to her… let alone a friend of her ex's. She hadn't talked to him about their situation. The girl thought that she owed him. Their actions would really make her confuse.

She hoped that she had the solution to those problems. She really hoped.

xxx

"Sakuno," Sumire looked up from the paper she was working when she entered the room, "Have you eaten your lunch yet?"

"Hai…" She said as she sat on the chair, "What about you, Obaa-chan?"

"I'll eat later," her grandmother said as she stared at her, "What is it?"

"E?"

"I know you want to talk about something," She said as she observed her. Her fingers were fidgeting on her lap. From that moment, she knew that her grandmother knew her well. Sakuno wouldn't come to her office without a reason, "What is it?" She asked again.

"Obaa-chan, about the trip…"

"The trip?"

"Hai…" She started, "Anou… is it really required to attend the trip?"

"It is. Why? Don't you want to go?"

"I am hoping… not to go this year."

Silence welcomed the two of them. Not long before Sumire broke it herself.

"Are you still bitter about Ryoma?"

"E?" Her grandmother's question shock her.

"Is it because you are paired up with him to this trip?"

Another shock came to her. How did she know that? And bitter? She wasn't at all. She was sad but not bitter. That was why she was able to make friends with the tennis prodigy again. She couldn't believe that her grandmother thought that way about her.

"Obaa-chan. I am not bitter. He's my friend," She reasoned out, "We are getting along again. A-and that's not reason why I don't want to go."

"Then what is it?"

Looking down, she focused on the tiled floor in front of her, "I am hoping not to… in order for me to finish my painting."

"Your painting?"

"Hai…"

"Sakuno, you don't give that reason," Sumire said, "Rejecting the trip means neglecting your responsibility as a student in this school. Painting is not your only subject here. You have to attend the others. I'll give you extra time to do your painting if you want but be responsible and attend that trip."

Hearing her grandmother's words, she felt that she disappointed her. Sumire was right. She didn't know anything about what happened to her previous painting so she couldn't blame her for that. Biting her lower lip, she took a deep breath before she nodded;

"I understand. Sorry for not being responsible. I'll attend the trip."

"Dear," The coach said catching her attention, "I know how important for you to finish the painting. I trust you can finish that before the deadline ends."

"Hai…" A smile was plastered to her face as she stood up, "Thank you Obaa-chan, and I am sorry again."

"It's nothing. Don't get affected even if that boy is your partner for the trip," She said as she warned her, "I'll be there to watch you two of course."

Blush appeared to her face. The blush meant nothing but Sumire laughed at her reaction, "H-how did you know that he's going to be my partner. That was just announced this morning."

"Horio bragged about it a while ago." Sumire grinned.

Sweat drop was visible to her head. No wonder that Fuji knew about it and she bet that the rest of the team already knew about it. What would Honoka think about it? Now that she thought of the girl, she didn't know her reaction when the teacher announced it to their class this morning. She hoped that everything would be fine for the upcoming trip.

After School:

School was over but not the club activities. Since she was not a member of the tennis club anymore, she decided to go to her other club which was the art club where she was planning to do her painting. She was on the second layer of her painting.

It was hard to repeat what she already painted before so she couldn't make the right shading. She had to be in the mood when she started to paint. The valley was supposed to be close to reality and she couldn't get it right now.

She didn't know how long she had been painting when the door of the club room opened and revealed a tennis player with amber eyes from the other side of the door. Her hand stopped for a while and stared at him before she continued painting.

"Is practice over?" Sakuno asked as her eyes were on the canvass.

"Un." Was his only reply as he went to his usual spot. He dropped his duffel bag to the side of the bench and placed his hat on top of it. He lied down and remained quiet after that, which she was thankful about. She didn't want to talk to him now that she was concentrating on her painting. Another quiet moment past between them until the boy moved from his lying position.

"Aren't you planning to go home?" He asked as he sat and stared at her direction.

"There's no need to wait for me," Not really looking at him, she focused on what she was doing, "You should be going home by now."

"I want to take you home."

"There's no need for you to do that either."

"I still want to."

"Ryoma-kun…" She looked at him for the first time since he entered the place only to realize that he was looking straight to her eyes, "Please… I need to finish this. You can go home without me."

The boy didn't speak but she was aware that he stood up and walked towards her. She continued painting and tried her best not to be bothered by Ryoma's presence especially when he stood to her right side. When she was succeeding of ignoring him from her side, he placed his hand to her right hand where the paint brush was and was busy painting for the shades.

"Ryoma-kun, I am painting." It almost made her flinch but luckily her voice didn't fail her to speak normally.

"Ryuzaki…" He called out her name as he reached for the brush and gripped his hand with it.

"You're bothering me." She said as her eyes were still focused on her canvass. Her instinct was telling that she must do it or else her guard would let her down.

"I already told you I am sorry," He suddenly said, "and that I really want you back."

Her eyes widened for a short while before they softened once again, "But it's impossible now. Honoka-san loves you. You two should be together again."

"I talked to her and told her I was sorry too," Ryoma removed the paint brush this time and pulled her up, "I was sorry for making us both believed that we felt for each other."

Her eyes focused on him for a few seconds before she removed her hand from him, "It's not the same anymore," She looked at her canvass, "And I really need to do this. Go home now."

"Do it later and talk to me first."

That snapped her. She looked at him once again and said, "This is important for me. Like how you give importance to tennis. You know what I am talking about so if you don't leave then I will." Without a second thought, she began packing and walked to the door. The atmosphere in that place was already awkward and she wanted to breathe. She couldn't stand being alone with the tennis prodigy. She wanted to be away from him because it was really suffocating. When her hand reached the doorknob and was about to open it, Ryoma's hand pushed it back to close the door once again. Her eyes widened when he did that. He was just behind her and they remained still like that for she didn't know how long.

"Tell me," He whispered near her ear. She held her breath due to their closeness at that moment. They were never been that close since their break up. The boy was making it hard for her, "What can I do for you to forgive me?"

She hugged her canvass tight to her chest before she took a deep breath before answering, "I already did."

"Then why won't you come back to me?"

"Things are not the same anymore," Sakuno replied, "Someone will get hurt. Honoka-san will get hurt."

"I already told her I'm—"

"Apologizing won't help you good!" She closed her eyes this time, "The damage has already been made. Please Ryoma-kun," Biting her lower lip, she gripped her canvass even more, "Please, stop pursuing me and go back to Honoka-san instead." She was about to reach for the doorknob once again when Ryoma wrapped his arms suddenly around her. His action made her gasp audibly and she couldn't react.

"I can't…" He whispered as he placed his cheek to her cheek, "I love Ryuzaki."

She thought that her heart skipped a beat when she heard that from him. She couldn't believe it and she refused to do so. Taking another deep breath, she tried her best to sound cold, "I… don't. Let me go. I need to leave now."

"Liar." Was his only word after a few seconds of struggling.

"What do you know about me?" Her voice was so close of cracking and she didn't want him to hear that, "I really need to go. Stop this."

"Five minutes."

She stopped from struggling when he said that.

"Just five minutes." He repeated as he tightened his hug to her. She didn't move as she was trying to register what he was saying.

xxx

He was glad when the girl stopped struggling from his arms. Five minutes did that trick of making her stop from struggling. He would have been wished for more than five minutes but he wouldn't take the risk of wasting it all.

His plan of having her back had already started. The girl in his arms stopped moving. Ryoma was serious. He wanted Sakuno back. The boy wanted to make things right. When Sakuno told him to set things right, he only came to conclusion that this was the right thing to do.

That didn't mean that he didn't love Honoka from those months. He thought that he loved her to an extent but he was wrong about that. If he didn't, he wouldn't be thinking another girl when he was with Honoka. Honoka also made him realize what he truly felt between them. True, the three of them were hurt especially of the decision that he must make. He hurt the two girls that were involved to him.

It was his fault.

Wasn't he setting the things right? He talked to Honoka and she seemed to understand him… well, he hoped. Now he was winning the girl that he truly loved and that was Ryuzaki Sakuno.

Yeah, he finally realized it now. The person that he hurt for almost four months ago, the person that he thought he wasn't really in love with was the same person that he loved the most after all. Why didn't he feel that before? It was such stupid of him.

He let her go thinking that she wasn't the one but he only realized who he had got when she was gone. She was out of his life… for now. He was winning her back… at this moment.

Five minutes.

Five minutes of convincing her to come back. He had five minutes to make her feel that he was really sorry. Five minutes to prove that he wanted her back. To be his girlfriend again and he would never let her go.

Five minutes to prove her that he loved her.

"Five minutes is up." Sakuno suddenly whispered.

That sudden crushed his hopes, especially when the girl removed his arms that were wrapping her. It didn't reach her. His feelings didn't reach her. What would he know about feelings anyway? He realized that he was still romantically-challenged at that point.

Sakuno went to the door once again and opened it. He stared at her back and it felt like a slow motion for him. He must do something. If he didn't, he thought that he might never have another chance to convince her. Ryoma didn't want that.

"Ryoma-kun!" The girl was awfully shocked when he grabbed her hand from the doorknob and turned her around so that she could face him. He pushed her forward when the door was closed again, "Stop it already—"

Then he blocked her lips with his.

She gasped under his kisses. He surprised her there, pushed her, cornered her and kissed her. And he liked it. How he missed everything about her. It was different from Honoka's. The feeling that he was longing and there was no way he would admit that. His hand went to her cheek and then he felt something.

It was wet.

He opened his eyes and widened when he stared at her. There were tears streaming down on her cheek.

Sakuno was crying.

He moved backwards as he stared at her surprisingly. Her tears kept falling to her cheek. She never showed tears before not even when he announced to her that their relationship was a bet and when he kissed Honoka in front of her.

Why was she crying now?

He never had the chance to asked her when she turned around and successfully opened the door this time. Without saying a word, she hurriedly walked away from that room… away from him.

Done! A lot had happened in this chapter. What would you think? I am actually sensing déjà vu here. I wonder who can guess what I am really thinking. Tee hee hee…

Anyway, give me your thoughts please. Ryoma has finally made his move. What will happen next? What would Fuji do in the future? Find that out. Domo…

By the way, the English translations of the song isn't mine to begin with. I just love sharing it. I also love the anime. I don't own that as well. You can see the lyrics from animelyrics. Domo…

Last: I made a valentine fic called 'Saint Valentine'. I hope that you read that as well. Domo… :)

Next chapter: Heartache