Hye! I am back with a new chapter. I really appreciate your words from the last chapter. Thank you for being there still. You are the reason why this fic is existed. I hope you will like this. I think is the second to the last. Thank you for an unlimited time.

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

Chapter 30: Strange World

Chapter Summary: She was welcoming a new life, a new world... new faces.

London.

The place was visibly big and the atmosphere was really different. Sakuno felt uncomfortable in the new environment despite that she had been there for one month now. Her English wasn't bad but her interaction with foreigners was still a bit hard for her.

Old habits die hard. She was still the same old shy Ryuzaki wherever she went. But she believed that her old flaw was slowly being avoided by the people around her as she tried to communicate with them.

It was something she needed to prove to Ryoma, her boyfriend that she left in Japan. She needed to prove that she could do things that the others thought she couldn't do. She was in the process of doing it.

Her school of art was surprisingly close to the tennis center. She could see tennis matches when she had the chances.

Wimbledon, London.

The place she wished to see in person had finally came true. She met different people during her stay there and she found it more challenging to be with them. Just when she had finished her draft to her first project, a girl of her age entered the room, carrying a palette and magnetic pen from both of her hands. Her bag was slung on her left shoulder.

Sakuno gave the newcomer a smile, "You are earlier than expected," She watched the girl sat on the other bed parallel to her, "Were you able to finish your design, Miho-san?"

The girl looked at her and smiled back, " I was able to, yeah. It was hard to think of a new design but I enjoyed it."

Miho Shinohara, her roommate in a dorm she was enrolled in, was also an exchanged student in Japan. Miho studied in Tokyo Unversity, one of the prestigious schools in the country. She had a dark brown hair and wore it in twin pigtails just like her best friend Tomoka. She also liked to draw, although her specialty was about fashion. Miho had unique talent when it came to designing clothes. Whatever design she was thinking, she immediately drew it down on her sketch pad. Her hand started to move just like magic. She found it really interesting as she watched her roommate.

"What about you, Sakuno-san," Miho asked her, much to her surprise. She set her canvass aside and looked at her, "Have you thought of what to paint?"

She looked at her canvass and sighed, "I haven't decided yet. What to draw is actually my problem way back in Japan. It takes days before I can finally decide what to draw."

"That's indeed a problem." Her roommate said and sighed as well, "She laid down and spread her arms to her sides, "I hope you can find your inspiration."

She was about to reply when her phone rang. Her attention shifted from her roommate to her phone and her eyes widened a little.

"Is that from your boyfriend?"

Sakuno looked at her roommate and smiled, "No, it's from my grandmother." Miho knew about him for Ryoma had been calling her whenever he was free. Though, he was not free all the time. Smiling on the screen, she pushed the answer button and greeted her grandmother.

"Hello, Obaa-chan, is the training finished for today?"

A laaughter was heard on the other line. It was really rare of her to hear nor talk to her grandmother. Sumire was rather a busy person. No wonder that she was surprised to receive a call from her that night.

'Seriously, Sakuno, you are in a different country but you are still thinking of my job here?' Sumire said. She could hear people from her background and she thought that she started to move away from the crowd.

"Because I know you." She laughed as well, "I miss you, Obaa-chan."

'Same here dear,' The coach replied, 'How are you adjusting to your surroundings so far?'

"I am getting on it' Saying that, she looked at Miho who was smiling back at her, 'I made some friends here."

'That's good to hear.' Sumire agreed. Sakuno could sense the relief from her grandmother's voice. If she didn't know her grandmother, she would've guessed otherwise, 'You are not having a hard time there, are you?'

As if seeing, Sakuno shook her head, "They are all great, obaa-chan," Miho smiled at her when she smiled back, "My roommate is also Japanese. I feel comfortable having her around."

'That's even better.'

"Anou, Obaa-chan..."

'What is it?'

Biting her lip, she had doubts of asking her question but she asked her anyway, "H-how's everyone there?"

There was a paused on the other line before Sumire answered her, 'Haven't Echizen talking recently? You should know how's he doing?'

That paused her for a while as well before she realized that she was only teasing her, "Obaa-chan, I am asking about everyone, n-not Ryoma-kun alone." Secretly grandmother got her there.

Sumire laughed once again, 'But of course, you would worry about him first. Rest assured, he is highly guarded here. Even Kanata is doing a good job.'

Point taken. She instantly missed Kanata the moment she mentioned him. Tomoka told her recently that, Kanata was doing his best to socialize with the others. Just like what she wrote on her letter to him, she wanted him to leave his comfort zone and find other friends other than she and Tomoka.

She didn't forget that he and Ryoma were childhood friends. Before she met him, Ryoma was his only friend and that was beyond her knowledge.

And because of the request she made on her letter, which she gave to Tomoka and passed it to Kanata, the latter was indeed trying his best to fulfill her request.

In order for him to be forgiven by her.

'But really, Echizen's doing fine here.' Sumire teased.

"Mou! Obaa-chan! She felt like she was back from the days she first met the tennis prodigy. She was blushing and she couldn't hide it from her roommate.

'Okay, setting the joke aside, yeah, everyone is fine. They kinda miss you too.' The coach explained, 'They are preparing for the next tournament.'

"Tell them good luck for me,"

'They already know that but I'll say anyway.'

She wanted to ask her about Honoka but decided not to. The last time she heard about her was from Tomoka. It seemed like she started spending time with Horio and it was funny when Tomoka was explaining something about them.

They were funny enough when they bickered but it was interesting when Honoka entered the scene. Tomoka was kind of jealous of her. She felt like she was stealing the guy she would fight with every morning...

Not in a romantic way though.

She observed who her best friend liked.

"Thank you, obaa-chan," She said instead, "Please do take care of yourself there."

'I am too young to be taken care of.'

Sakuno chuckled after she said that. They talked for a few seconds before she ended the call. She placed her phone on her side table and sighed. Her talk with her grandmother felt nice.

She missed them already.

"You are so lucky to have them."

"I guess I do," She lied down and thought of her grandma and senpais, " I really do."

Next Morning:

Sakuno and Miho went to their first class that day. Despite that their classmates were really friendly, Sakuno couldn't help but feel insecure about them. They were foreigners and they were really fluent in speaking in English.

"Good day, Sakuno, Miho."

They looked at the person who greeted them. A girl was sitting in front of her canvass. She had a unique shade of red hair and it suited her somehow.

"Hello, Clary." Miho greeted for us. Sakuno was relieved that her roommate could interact like that. They started chatting with Clary's canvass. The girl liked painting some weird stuffs like ancient runes or something.

Something that she could share in a museum in the future. Clarrisa 'Clary' Fray wanted to be a painter of ancient runes and artifacts. Sakuno thought of her being an archeologist or something then she could paint them afterwards.

"You two better sit on your chairs before Mrs. O'Leary comes in." The other girl beside Clary reminded them. She had a black wavy hair and just like Clary, she was painting something weird. It was more on abstract but she couldn't get the meaning of it, still it was an incredible art.

"Jocelyn's right. You wouldn't want to be scolded by her, would you?" Clary agreed to her seatmate, smiling sheepishly at them.

"Y-you are right. Thank you." Sakuno was able to say before she urged Miho to sit on their respective seats. She watched the other two in front of them. Jocelyn Morgenstern was from Greece and for some reason, she became best friends with Clary. She and Miho thought that they became friends of the same weird reasons of arts.

Not that hers was weird either.

Five minutes passed when their art teacher, Mrs. O' Leary entered their room. The teacher was in the mid 50's but they could see how still energetic she could be. She was strict at times, like how Jocelyn warned them about her but Sakuno liked their teacher.

Mrs. O' Leary reminded her of her grandmother.

xxx

Lunch break came really fast. They were having their lunch when an American girl approached them carrying a tray of her own food.

"Hey guys, can I join you?"

"Sure, Shelby you can." Miho said her from speaking once again. The girl was from Brooklyn as she introduced herself on our first transfer. She loved drawing and coloring her own art. Her masterpiece was drawing people and structures. She wore a nice smile whenever she was talking to anyone.

No wonder that she could find friends that easily.

"Have you heard the wonderful news on TV?" Shelby suddenly said the moment she sat across us. She was quick when it came to news especially for the famous people. It was weird that she would know the different lives of famous people, not only the painters and sculptors but also singers and celebrities. She and Miho were able to hear what the latest was happening outside the country.

"What news?" Her roommate asked Shelby.

"It's about a young tennis player," Shelby grinned at them, "from your country."

Her heart skipped a beat when she heard that. Somehow, the news had a strong effect on her. "W-what about it?"

"This person got an invitation match to play in our country. In New York rather." Shelby smiled at them and excitedly explained the details to them, "I didn't know what he looked like at first so I lost interest of hearing more of him but then, the reporter flashed his image in front of the camera and he was so damn cute."

"Really, he must be really famous then."

"You bet he is, Miho. Too bad his seniors covered him up after he confirmed his invitation," She sighed as she began playing with her pasta, "He seemed not used of getting exposed in front of the camera though. No wonder his seniors are covering for him. One of his seniors' was always smiling and his eyes were always closed. It was weird but that guy was totally gorgeous too."

Her heart made another shocking reaction as she looked at her classmate. Somehow, she knew who the person she was talking about.

"The young tennis player is just our age. I wish I was back in Brooklyn and meet him there."

"Can you meet famous people in America?" Miho curiously asked her.

"My guardian, Amos is a sponsor of sports industry. I think he can make a connection on how to interact with the staffs at Queens. I can have a formal meeting with this guy if I wish to."

"You are lucky."

"But I am not home." Shelby ate her meatball and swallowed first before continuing, "I can only watch this guy on TV."

"Isn't this person... always go in your country?" Sakuno couldn't help but asked her. It was to prove her instinct about something but alas, the girl shook her head.

"I've only seen him on TV this morning. I think the news was just today and they had the boy live for the interview."

"I see."

"What's he look like?" Miho asked her.

"He has black-greenish hair. But he always wear a hat. He has this cocky look but it makes him so cool. His eyes are what I admire the most. They are shades of amber."

Her own eyes widened. She was thankful that she was able to understand English better, even if they were speaking fast. She knew who she was talking about.

"Who is this guy?" Miho asked Shelby but before she could answer, Sakuno's phone rang. She apologized and answered her phone.

"Moshi, moshi."

'Sakunoooooooo!'

She distanced her phone from her ear as she heard Tomoka's voice. When she didn't hear her best friend shouting, she placed it back, "Tomo-chan, you don't need to shout like that. I can clearly hear you."

"Sorry, I was just excited. Did you hear the news? Ryoma-sama is invited to go to America for an invitational match."

The news shocked her still but that sweat dropped her, "Tomo-chan, you just announced it."

'Ah, right, silly me,' Tomoka said. She could imagine that she was sticking her tongue out at that time, 'There was a commotion a while ago but don't worry I made sure that he was strongly guarded against the girls. Ryoma-sama will be leaving one week from now, by the way.'

She giggled when she heard what her best friend told her, "I doubt Ryoma-kun would like that. He doesn't want to talk in front of the press either."

'That's why he escaped the moment senpai-tachi covered for him.' She could hear Tomoka shouting from her background before going back to her, 'He's going to be busy again.'

"You are right," A smile was formed on her lips when she thought of him, "Tell him good luck for me."

'Nuh uh, You tell him when both of you talk.'

She nodded as if she could see her, I guess, I will."

'Think I am disturbing you. I've got to go too. See yah, bye.'

Tomoka wouldn't let her reply back as she ended the call. She only sighed as she placed her phone back inside her bag. "Sorry about th-"

She almost screamed when Shelby and Miho leaned their faces close to her. "Is it by any chance that this Ryoma's surname you mentioned probably Echizen?"

Blinking, she looked nervously at them, she could understand Shelby acting like that but she was a bit surprised towards Miho. Her roommate was a bit curious but then she remembered that she never told her that her boyfriend was famous.

"Y-yes, that's right."

"Could it be that... he's the same Ryoma Echizen you are telling me about?" Miho asked her, eyes wide at her.

This time, she blushed a little as she confirmed it.

"What are you talking about?" Shelby looked alternately between her and Miho, "Who is this famous young tennis player that you know?" She asked to the end. Miho answered for her.

"Ryoma Echizen is Sakuno's boyfriend."

"EHHHHHH!"

"P-please don't shout." Shelby's reaction caught some student's attention. Sakuno panicked because of that. She also couldn't remember the last time she blushed like that. She was never used of getting so much attention.

It was like a trauma to her.

"Gee, Sakuno, how come you are so secretive?" Shelby asked her with her voice only whispering. She sat properly and placed her arms in front of her, "You should be famous... we'll probably in your country. A girlfriend of a famous tennis player... a young one precisely."

"I am... not famous, actually," She started fidgeting as she looked down. Her food felt like a display to her eyes instead. She never thought of popularity, not even before and after their breakups.

Even Ryoma didn't pay attention to such fame either.

"You are the lucky one here. I should ask for you instead."

"Shelby's right. I'll probably do the same thing."

"You guys... " She sweat dropped when she heard that. Now that she feared she would be sitting on a hot seat for a while. The girls around her would not going to let her go for a while. Shelby somehow remembered a shocking stunt she heard a month ago. It was about him stopping a plane for some reason. She didn't get the real reason until Sakuno admitted it to them, shyly. So much for not speaking in English a lot for that day.

Night:

Miho was already asleep but she couldn't put herself to sleep. She spent her time drawing her project. If her classmates' arts were weird hers was kind of a unique weird way. Just like what her teachers said way back to Tokyo, her paintings were alive... well, she looked that they made them come to life. Even Mrs. O'Leary was impressed of her first work.

And now, she was to make another live work. It was another nature that she saw during her stay in London but she tried a weird way.

She wantd to see what happened in London in 1666. Sakuno was trying to revive the great fire in London... not in People's mind and memories but inside her canvass. What happened that time was really tragic and of course, she didn't want the people to remember that tragic event.

She wanted to the people to see her art, not the incident itself.

Time pased by really fast. It was already late as she sensed how tired her eyes were. She rubbed her eyes first before calling the night off. She was in the middle of packing when her phone rang. Sakuno hadn't seen who the caller was but her heart started to beat really loud. Without checking the screen, she knew who her caller was.

She automatically picked it up as soon as she reached for it, "Moshi, moshi."

'Took you long enough to answer.' Said the voice from the other line.

"I was cleaning up." She said as continued working on her materials.

'Am I disturbing you?'

"N-no!" She immediately reply and scolded herself mentally when she realized that she raised her voice. Miho was still sleeping. The poor girl was murmuring something about fashion styles or trends in her sleep. A smiled was formed on her lips as she talked, '"I am about to finish cleaning."

'Un.'

The conversation became silent once again. The other didn't know what to say to the other or vice versa. Everytime he called, they always let the dead air welcome them. Not that she minded it but it was always him who would call her. She couldn't imagine how much that would cost him.

'You are laughing.'

"E? I am not."

'You are, I can sense it.'

"Since when did you have the sense?"

'Very funny.'

It was really relaxing that they could talk like that. She could imagine him sitting at a corner or lying on a grass while talking to her... probably taking a break from practicing.

"Congratulations, Ryoma-kun. You are invited once again," Her grip on the apparatus tightened as she sat on the bed, "Good luck on your match there."

'Sankyuu.'

She didn't know if Ryoma was smiling or not but she knew that he was pleased to hear that from her. It was really nice to talk that way as she thought. Somehow, Sakuno felt that it was rather okay to have conversations on the phone than to talk to him in person.

There were things that she couldn't say when he was in front of her.

'Ryuzaki.'

"Hai."

'I love you.'

Ryoma's words caught her off guard. It only proved that she couldn't say anything especially when she would face him. He would only make her speechless.

'What about you?'

"E?"

'I haven't heard it from you,' He said after a few seconds of pure silence, 'Since then.'

That made her think. She gripped her phone really hard. He was right after all. She never told him that she loved him ever since they broke up.

Sakuno never voiced them again.

She bit her lower lip before she talked, "R-Ryoma-kun." Her heart felt like beating for the first time. She had never thought that she would feel that way again. He could still make her heart panicky... despite the distance, "I..."

'...'

"..."

'...'

"I-I-"

'Don't.'

"I don't-E?!"

'Don't say it.'

"W-what?"

'Don't say it,' He repeated his words, 'Not yet. Not here.'

She blinked twice. Thrice. Sakuno couldn't understand him. First, he wanted her to say it and next he didn't want her to. He was confusing her. Why would not he make up his mind? Already.

'Say it in front of me.'

Her unspoken words were heard when he said that. Of course that made her speechless once again. It took a few seconds before she replied to him, pouting in the process.

"Y-you are so demanding."

'I should demand more from you.'

"Ryoma-kun no baka..." She whispered but she knew that he could hear her. A smile was formed to her lips and she was thankful that he couldn't see her.

She was visibly blushing at that moment.

She felt like she was in Japan... just like the old days.

"I'll see you soon then." Sakuno voiced out afterwards.

'Aa.'

She ended the call after that. To be honest, she didn't know how soon they would meet. Both of them were going to be busy but they were fine for it. They could think of doing their best for each other.

They knew if they wouldn't notice... that soon could be tomorrow.

Done! How was this chapter? This is the second to the last. Yep, the next one was the last chapter. I hope you bear with me for the last time. Thank you very much. I hope you like this chapter.

Reviews please! Help me for the last time. Thank you very much... :)

I included some crossover characters here. I do not own them by the way. They will never be mine. Here are the characters:

Miho Shinohara - The main protagonist from the anime called Fancy Lala! She's only a young girl. that transfers into a beautiful lady and models her own designs. Hehe, check the anime for the magical effects.

Clarissa 'Clary' Fray - One of the main protagonists from the book and movie The Mortal. Instruments. (Shadowhunters from the TV series) I love her character. You should read/watch her story.

Jocelyn Morgenstern - One of the supporting characters from The Mortal Instruments. She's actually the mother of Clary in the story.

Mrs. O'Leary - She's not actually a human. She's actually a hellhound, Percy Jackson's pet hellhound.

Shelby - a minor character from The Kane Chronicles series. She is Carter and Sadie's youngest student. She likes to draw and it's her ability to bring her drawings to life. Read the series too.

There you have them. I don't own the characters. They are rightfully belonged to their respective authors. I am just sharing them.

I am sorry for delaying for this long. I'll try to uodate the last chapter asap. I'll also reply to your reviews when the last chapter is posted. I hope you are still there. Thank you very much.

I hope you motivate me more by sharing your thoughts to me. One word from you will be enough for me to continue. Help me please, one last chapter is all I needed. Thank you... :)

Final Chapter: And the bet has ended