Hye! I am back! I am sorry for the long delay but I am back and in the moid to write again. This is the continuation of the chapter as I promised. I hope you like this domo... :)

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

Chapter 24: The Listening

Chapter Summary: The last thing that she wanted to happen was to be alone with him.

'Can I let the trees do the talking?
Can I let the ground do the walking?
Can I let the sky fill what's missing?
Can I let my mouth do the listening, the listening...'

The Listening ~ Lights

It had been a week since that revelation happened. Things were starting to change between them. She would see him like before and as for him, he tried to remain neutral. Honoka stopped bugging them as if she already accepted the fact that she and Ryoma would never be together. The girl was still aloof and everytime to two talked, she could sense an awkward aura between them.

It became intensed when she was involved in the conversation.

His teammates started to support him again, especially his best buddy, Momoshiro. Ryoma was still kind of introvert and wouldn't initiate a conversation to them that much. Things around him and Fuji were... silent. They only stared and nodded at each other, nothing came next after that. She already talked to Fuji after the revelation. She let all her feelings to him. That she could only love him as a friend.

Fuji being the understandable one, accepted that. He only wished that they would remain the same just like before... no awkward feelings, that they could still practice together and so on. Everything seemed to fine now.

Except for one.

She couldn't get the real condition she and Ryoma had.

Just like everyone else, they seemed to go back to the way they were before.

Saturday:

"Sakuno!"

She looked behind when she saw Tomoka running towards her direction. Turning around, she waited for her best friend to reach her, "Doushita no, Tomo-chan? You don't have to run off like that."

Tomoka rested her hands to her knees and waited for her breath to come back before she spoke to her, "The result."

"E?" She cocked her head to her side, trying to understand what she was saying.

Her best friend stood up and grabbed her to her shoulders, "The result for your art submission has been decided!"

"What?" Her eyes widened when Tomoka said that. Her heart started to pound really hard as well.

"Come on!"

She didn't have the chance to speak when Tomoka pulled her away from the court. All she could think was her work.

Later on:

They didn't wait long when the teacher asked them to come in the faculty room. She wasn't surprised when her grandmother was there along with her art teacher and the other expected sponsors. The teachers let Tomoka in as well, much to her best friend's astonishment. Looking around, she found her painting sitting at the corner of the room. As she looked at it, she thought that the painting was actually alive. The painting felt like real in her eyes. She never noticed that before and it was weird that she missed that part.

"You've seen it too, haven't you?"

Looking away from her canvass, she stared at the sponsor who was also looking at her painting.

"That painting you made was surreal. Somehow, you brought the image alive like... you stole its life from its original location and transferred it to your canvass."

"I... I thought that-that's... impossible."

The sponsor looked at her and smiled, "Believe me, you just did. It's very rare to find an artist like you who could do something like that."

She fidgeted with her fingers as she didn't know what to say. Of all the things, why would she be nervous now? Although, it was actually understandable, she felt all jittery all of the sudden.

"This is such a unique art," The sponsor said and looked at her companion, "I don't think I'll regret sending you overseas because of this."

Sakuno and Tomoka both looked at the sponsor, a shock reaction was visible to their faces. "Y-you mean, Sakuno will go to London?" Tomoka was the first one to recover and ask for her.

Her art teacher looked at the two sponsors and nodded at the same time before facing them, smiling in the process, "Congratulations! Sakuno Ryuzaki-san, you made it."

The words were still a shock for her. She didn't even realize that Tomoka was already clinging to her. Her eyes were widely opened and she couldn't say a single word. Her art teacher's words were slowly registering in her mind.

"I... I made it," She slowly repeated what her teacher said. The sponsors smiled at her as a confirmation, "I... I can go to London to study?"

"That's right," Sumire answered for them this time, "You're dream of going to London will come true."

It came clear to her when her grandmother confirmed it. Her smile appeared to her face as she finally hugged her best friend back, "I made it , Tomo-chan! I made it!"

"That's what I said, silly," Tomoka stuck her tongue out making the others laugh, "You can study in London. I am so happy for you."

Sakuno agreed to her and immediately thanked them. She went closer to their desks and shook their hands... almost teary-eyed for the wonderful news she had received, "Thank you for the chance, sensei. Thank you very much."

"You deserve it," Her art teacher said returning her shake, "They will work on your travel immediately. You can study there after this semester."

"E?" Sakuno stopped from thanking them when she heard her teacher's words, "After this semester?"

The teacher nodded and looked at her, "They will not waste a talent that they want your skills to be enhanced. The sponsors will make necessary preparations for you so that you can transfer there next semester."

"I... I see," Sakuno looked at Tomoka who was also surprised at the turn of events, "That's merely... two months later."

"That's right. The sooner the better," Sumire said looking at them, "That's what they want to do."

The sponsors and their teachers started speaking for her transfer to London that they didn't realize her reaction. Two months. In two months time, she would be traveling to London and continued studying there.

In two months time, she would be leaving everyone behind. She would be leaving Japan. She would be leaving...

A tug to her side cut her from her reverie. Tomoka gave her an understanding look. She stared at her best friend for a few seconds before she gave her a reassuring expression. She didn't want Tomoka to worry about her.

There were people that she needed to inform, including Kanata. There was also Ryoma who was trying to bring their relationship back as possible as he could. She didn't know how he would do that.

He had at least two months to fulfill that. Whatever that was.

Later on:

As soon as the news was heard, it was already spread all over the campus. Sakuno, despite of knowing that, couldn't get used to it. No one, except a few from the Tennis club knew about her going to London once her art was proven by them.

But the news of that became trendy that time. Her classmates, friends from the clubs and the regular teams started asking questions if those were true. Honoka was even there but she didn't bother asking her.

The boys from the tennis club approached her that afternoon. Fuji was the first one to congratulate her and she couldn't help but feel thankful for that. She spotted Ryoma from the corner of her eyes. His amber eyes were just staring at her from that distance but he never made attempts of approaching her that time.

The day was hectic for her. She only had the time when Sumire called their attention and reminded them that they should focus on practicing instead.

xxx

The practice went well and admittingly, she was able to forget about London as she watched them. She missed playing tennis for some reason and watching them wanted her to play tennis once again. She thought of visiting Kanata later that night.

"You made it, huh?"

Turning around, she found Ryoma walking towards her. He already had his ponta in his hand which was his alibi to everyone.

She would buy ponta of her own to get some piece of mind.

"I got lucky, I guess."

"That wasn't your luck," He said before sipping his ponta, "That was your pure talent."

"My... talent?"

He only nodded as his answer. His ponta was empty as he turned it upside down. He threw it from a trash basin with accuracy. Sakuno followed his move and she was still amazed of his calculations.

Some things never changed.

"Ne, do you have time?"

From the basin, she turned her gaze to the tennis prodigy. He was surprisingly a few inches away from her. Despite the panic, she was able to reply to him, "I-I do, why?"

"Good," He said before he grabbed her hand without warning, "Come with me for a while."

"E?" She wasn't able to come up with words to say as the tennis prodigy started pulling her away from the vending machine. She never had the chance to grab her own drink but it didn't matter now.

What matter was, the place wherever Ryoma would take her that day.

Later on:

The sun was already setting that time as she could see the orange-filled sky from the window of the art club. That was where they were at that moment. Ryoma took her to her own club room. Everything was perfectly cleaned before she left the place and she didn't know why Ryoma would take her there.

"W-what are you doing?" Her eyes widened when he gently pushed her to the door the moment he closed it. She started to panic when she heard the faint 'click' from the door knob, "R-Ryoma-kun?"

He produced a black handkerchief from his hand before he looked at her seriously, "Trust me, just this once."

His words made her speechless. Her eyes were still wide and she didn't have the time to react when he placed the handkerchief to her eyes, blindfolding her in the process. Whatever he was planning to do made her nervous. He was never like that before, not when they were dating months ago. It was definitely different. He cupped her cheek as long as he finished tying the handkerchief to her eyes.

"Ryuzaki..."

Her heart was pounding really loud, "W-what is it?" His voice was gentle when he said her name. She didn't remember him saying her name like that before and it was also new to her.

Sakuno waited for him to say something but nothing came. Instead, she felt something that touched her lips... and it took seconds before she realized what was happening. Due to shock, she immediately pushed him away, "R-Ryoma-kun! W-what are you doing?"

"I don't want you to remember," Ryoma whispered that was enough for her to hear. His hands were still on her cheek, "I want you to feel me."

She could feel her own eyes wide behind the blindfold. Ryoma wanted her to feel him. The boy didn't say another word after that. She felt him getting closer to her as possible as he could before he placed his own lips to her own once again. It was awkward and she thought that she was trembling.

Ryoma was blindly kissing her.

She understood what he was talking about. He wanted her to forget that day. He wanted her to erase those memories from that time. He wanted her to remember what was happening right now. Especially he wanted her to forget the pain he created to her that day.

Ryoma was kissing her.

She felt him and she knew that she wasn't dreaming. Ryoma was kissing her to make new memories with her. Her tears started to fall behind the blindfold. She never imagined that she could be emotional like that once again. Not in front of him. Not in front of the tennis prodigy.

Not in front of Echizen Ryoma.

"Don't!" He reminded when she tried to remove her blindfold with her left hand. He stopped kissing her because of that, "If you'll remove that, I can't guarantee you that I'll stop."

She only stopped for a while before she decided to remove it still. Her eyes were still stained with her tears but she didn't care. She only hoped now that the sun was already set, Ryoma would not have a clear view of her expression. But she highly doubted that not that he had a sharp vision even at dark places.

Ryoma was true to his words. He gently grabbed her right wrist with his left hand while he wrapped his other hand to her waist drawing her closer to him once more. He found her lips once again and started kissing her chastely.

She didn't protest when she let him control everything. Her heart was beating really fast. She was trembling but Ryoma didn't seem to mind that. She was still holding the handkerchief to her left hand. Losing her strength, she let go of the handkerchief and placed her hand to his shoulder. Closing her eyes, she let her tears fall to her cheek and for the first time since their break up... she slowly responded to his kiss. The kiss lasted for a few seconds before Ryoma reluctantly moved away from her. He wore a faint smile to his lips.

"You look ugly when you cry."

She cried even more before she comically hit him to his chest, "R-Ryoma-kun no baka!" She never had the chance to see his reaction when he stopped her from hitting him and hugged her this time.

"I guess I am." He whispered to her ear. She didn't say anything after that. The next thing she knew, she found herself hugging the tennis prodigy back. A lot of things happened to her and she hoped that everything would be fine.

At the entrance gate:

She knew that something had changed after that moment in the art club. She was also aware that she was blushing. Did the old Ryuzaki Sakuno return from the past? Did Echizen Ryoma bring her back from there? All she could think was, the emotions that she had before were slowly coming back to her now.

But she couldn't help but have a little doubt about it and she knew someone who could help her. peeking a glance to her side where Ryoma was walking. She took a step forward and stopped him from walking;

"Gomenasai!" She bowed her head immediately so she didn't see Ryoma's reaction.

"What do you mean?"

Sakuno looked up and saw his expression this time. He was frowning and he showed a rare expression that she had never seen from him before.

He had a slight fear from his eyes.

"N-no, I-I mean, I am sorry! I can't walk home with you today."

"What?"

"I've got somewhere to go," Sakuno said walking backwards, "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"I'll go with you."

"N-no!" She replied immediately making her surprise the both of them, "I-It's something I need... to reflect for myself."

"To reflect yourself?" Ryoma frowned at her.

She nodded and looked away, "I need to be certain for myself... so that I can face you... and my feelings."

Silence welcomed them in that area. Now she felt awkward. She hoped that he wouldn't misunderstand her.

"It's fine."

Looking up, she looked at him. Ryoma's expression was calm now and he was smiling a little at her. He walked closer to her and uncharacteristically held her hand, making her panic in the process. She never had the chance to speak when he beat her to it.

"Whatever you have for me, I know it is something nice," He said looking at her, "so you will be fine."

She was speechless for the umpteenth time. She never had the time to reply so she ended up smiling at him instead.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"H-hai," She nodded, "Tomorrow then." They separated ways after that. Ryoma was on his way home and while Sakuno on her destination.

Xxx

Her instinct was right when she went there. He was holding his racket and hitting the ball on the wall where the three letter word was visibly his target for hitting. She had the time to stare at him from the entrance of the court. His posture was nice and he looked cool whenever he hit the ball back to the wall.

He was a perfect practice match for Ryoma despite of handicap.

Ichigata Kanata played like a prodigy for tennis.

Sensing that someone was watching him, he abruptly turned around and saw her standing there. Both of them stared at each other for a few seconds before Sakuno broke the silence herself.

"G-gomen, Kanata-kun," She started walking towards him, "I didn't mean to interrupt your practice."

Kanata shook his head before he reached for his board and wrote something, 'I was just warming up. I am glad you're here.'

"It's been a while I guess," She said before she started fumbling in her bag, "I made this for you by the way," She showed the silver tennis keychain to him and smiled, "I wanted to thank you for everything that you've done to me these days."

Kanata stared at the keychain for a few seconds before taking it from her hand. He started writing and showed it to her, 'It's nothing. I'll do anything to help you.'

She smiled at him as he tried to attach the keychain from the handle of his digital pen. As if he thought of something, he immediately wrote something and showed it to her once again.

'Tomoka-san was here a while ago and she stayed here for a few minutes.'

"Really?" She didn't expect that. Normally they would go to the court together or she would leave early. Tomoka never went there alone. She was about to ask him about her reason of going there when she saw his reaction and started writing once again;

'And... she told me about you.'

Blinking twice, she studied her friend's expression before asking him, "What did she tell you about me?"

'About you and him... that you two came around.'

"Oh, right," She said as all of her emotions coming back to her system once again. She remembered everything that happened since that morning until a few minutes ago. She knew that she was blushing once again and she couldn't help it, "H-he was persistent."

'What do you feel now?'

"I am having mixed emotions," Sakuno admitted and she couldn't look at him this time, "but I know for certain that I wish for us to work again."

'Do you really want to?' Kanata wrote after a few minutes of being stunned.

"I... I want to try," She took the courage to look at him, "He is trying to prove himself to me but I am still scared of the consequences."

'...'

"What do you think I should do, Kanata-kun?" She finally asked her question to him. Biting her lower lip, she continued looking to his face which was showing a slight frown at that moment, "I don't want to regret things later."

Kanata stared at her for a while. Her mind was clouded that she didn't pay much attention to his reaction but she thought that he hesitated before he wrote something on his board.

'You said you wanted to work things out with him so it's going to be fine.'

She tried to understand what he wrote as he made another one.

'Give your own happiness a chance.'

This time, her eyes widened when she saw that. That was what she waited for and she knew that she did the right thing of coming to him. Kanata knew the exact word that she was expecting to hear. Without warning, she gave him a genuine smile before reaching out to him, giving him a hug.

"Arigatou Kanata-kun, arigatou." She whispered closing her eyes in the process. Later on, she felt him returning the hug. She was thankful that she met this guy. She knew she changed over the past months especially when she met Kanata.

And she knew that she could work things out.

Done! How was this chapter? A lot of things happened. RyoSaku moments everyone? Is my writing style still intact, I don't know haha, But I'll try to write as possible as I can. I'll tell you ahead, I won't be able to update next time for it will be our Halloween party. My next update will be two weeks from now. Thank you staying with until this time.

Thank you for liking my page, by the way. I really appreciate it. ~ MitsukiJunko

Anyway, tell me your thoughts please...

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Next chapter: Not so typical days