Inspired by their pictures when they reach 23 years old.
I don’t own POT, only the plot is mine.
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The hum of Narita Airport filled the air as Ryoma Echizen stepped onto Japanese soil, his tennis bag slung over one shoulder and his luggage following closely behind. At 23, he towered over the crowd, his once boyish features now giving way to a maturity that suited him well. Fresh from a thrilling victory at the Australian Open, he felt the weight of expectations pressing lightly on his shoulders. As he scanned the terminal, his eyes fell upon his older brother, Ryoga, leaning casually against a wall, effortlessly bouncing an orange in one hand.
“Chibisuke!” Ryoga called out, a grin spreading across his face.
Ryoma returned the smile and quickened his pace. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“Not a problem at all,” Ryoga replied, leading him towards a sleek yellow Toyota Supra. Once inside, the engine’s purr accompanied their chatter as they navigated the streets.
“So, congrats on your win in Australia! What’s next?” Ryoga asked, glancing at Ryoma, who was gazing out the window, lost in thought.
“Probably the US Open,” Ryoma answered.
“That’s great.” Ryoga nodded, smirking.
As they arrived home, Ryoma’s gaze fell upon his father, Nanjiro, clad in a traditional black monk outfit. The sight of him, scratching his collarbone and yawning while sweeping dry leaves smirking, somehow brought a warm smile to his lips. Despite the encroaching gray in his hair, Nanjiro retained an air of vitality.
“Oh, Seishounen, you’re back,” his father said without missing a beat. “How was Australia?”
“Yeah. Just like usual,” Ryoma replied, brushing past him towards the door. He could hear Nanjiro huff softly, perhaps noting his son’s lack of enthusiasm.
“Tch, so unsociable, like usual,” Nanjiro muttered, giving Ryoma a bored look.
Ryoga chuckled beside him, “that’s how Chibisuke is.”
Inside, Rinko looked up from the kitchen, her warm smile brightening the room. “You’re back, Ryoma! Congratulations on winning the Australian Open!”
“Thanks, Mom,” he replied, feeling the familiar weight of her expectations wrapped in her affection.
“You must be tired; go rest in your room. I’ll make something to eat,” she urged.
After a swift climb up the stairs, Ryoma tossed his luggage and tennis bag aside and collapsed onto his bed, surrendering to the fatigue that consumed him. The world faded into darkness as he drifted off to sleep.
Hours later, the incessant ringing of his phone pulled him from dreams. Blinking against the afternoon light, he reached for the device, groaning upon seeing Momoshiro’s name flashing on the screen.
“What is it?” he picked up, still half-asleep.
“Echizen! You’re back, right? Come play tennis with us at the usual place!” Momoshiro’s voice crackled with excitement.
“I’m tired…” Ryoma murmured, but before he could hang up, Eiji’s voice cut through the phone.
“Hoi hoi, Ochibi! Come play with us! The Hyotei guys are here too. You wouldn’t want to miss this.”
Giving in, Ryoma sighed. “Fine.” After hanging up, he couldn’t help but think about what lay ahead—friends, laughter, and tennis.
While Ryoma prepared for his outing, Sakuno Ryuzaki stood in front of her mirror. At 23, she had blossomed into a young woman, her fair skin and long braided hair glowing with vitality. Her heart raced as Tomoka’s excited voice floated through her room from her phone.
Sakuno smiled and said, “no, I’m not,” while took some clothes to fold.
“Let’s go to the usual tennis court. Momo-senpai said they are playing today, and you know what? Ryoma-sama will be there too!”
“R-Ryoma-kun?” she responded, her cheeks flushing at the mere thought of seeing him again. Tomoka’s laughter echoed in her ears as she rushed to prepare herself. After rejecting several outfits, she settled on a soft pink dress with ruffle sleeves. With a touch of makeup to highlight her features, she took a deep breath and headed out the door.
“Going out, Sakuno?” Sumire, her grandmother, asked, eyeing her critically.
“Y-yes, I’m going to the usual tennis court,” she replied, adjusting the strap of her white sling bag nervously.
Sumire raised an eyebrow. “You look extra cute today. Is it because Ryoma is there?”
“T-that’s not it, obaa-chan!” Sakuno protested, her blush deepening.
“Just confess to him if you like him. He’s quite dense when it comes to things outside of tennis,” her grandmother teased, laughter dancing in her voice.
Sakuno sighed, “I don’t know...”
“You already 23, Sakuno. I’m worried about you. Your eyes only see him, don’t you think that makes you hard to see another guy? Just confess and move on.”
Sakuno sighed. Could she really confess? They had been friends for years, and the thought of rejection gnawed at her. Still, every time she thought of Ryoma—the way he played, his smile, even the gentle quirks of his personality—her heart fluttered with hope.
Seeing her granddaughter's troubled face, made her stop. “Well, that’s fine if you just want to continue being friends, it’s all depends on you.”
Sumire continued, “oh by the way, since you are out today, can you give this to the Echizen? They bought me some manju before.” Sumire handed her a box of Wagashi in a paper bag. Sakuno nodded and took the bag.
Arriving at the tennis court, she spotted Tomoka waving enthusiastically. Sakuno forced a smile, pushing her doubts aside.
At the tennis courts, Tomoka and Sakuno stood together, their eyes glued to the ongoing match. The energy of the game crackled in the air. Momoshiro and Kaidoh were neck-and-neck, but their attention drifted elsewhere.
“Where is Ryoma-sama?” Tomoka mused, glancing around with a playful pout.
Sakuno’s cheeks flushed crimson at the mention of his name, and she timidly scanned the crowd. “I wonder…”
A quick glance at her wristwatch pulled Tomoka’s focus back to their conversation. “Looks like he’s not here yet. I have a date after this.”
“W-What? A date?” Sakuno gasped, her heart fluttering at the unexpected news. “Is it with the guy who works part-time at the convenience store?”
Tomoka grinned widely, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Yep, that’s the one! He’s cute, so I just asked for his number, and he gave it to me without hesitation!”
Sakuno’s eyes widened, a hint of envy coloring her features. “I-I envy you, Tomo-chan. I wish I could be that confident.”
Tomoka tilted her head, a warm smile spreading across her face. “It’s nothing, really! Just say it if you like someone. You’ve got to believe in yourself, Sakuno! I mean, look at you. You’re pretty, and you have a good figure too.”
Sakuno’s gaze fell to the ground, her insecurity creeping back in. “B-but what if that person rejects me?”
“You have to try. It’s better to know rather than to wonder, you know.” Tomoka encouraged. “I have plenty of handsome and kind friends out there. Some of my friends even asked for your number! But since you said you weren’t ready to date, I turned them down.”
Sakuno felt a mix of warmth and embarrassment. “S-sorry, Tomo-chan.”
Suddenly, Tomoka’s gaze shifted, her excitement bubbling over. “Oh! There’s Ryoma-sama!”
Sakuno flinched, heart racing as she followed Tomoka’s gaze. There he was, guiding his way through the throng of players in his long sports pants and a simple red T-shirt, his tennis bag slung over one shoulder. In that moment, the world around her narrowed down, and it felt as if time had stopped. He exuded an effortless charm that left Sakuno breathless.
“Oh my gosh, isn’t he just stunning?” Tomoka squealed, drawing Sakuno back from her reverie.
“Y-yeah,” Sakuno managed to whisper, attempting to conceal how deeply affected she was by Ryoma’s presence.
Tomoka continued enthralled, “Look at his face! I feel full just gazing at him, even though I’m hungry.”
Sakuno’s thoughts swirled; she could see the sharpness of Ryoma’s features, the confidence in his stride, and suddenly, she understood why Tomoka admired him so.
“Um, Tomo-chan,” Sakuno stuttered, her cheeks heating up. “D-don’t you want to confess to him if you like Ryoma-kun?”
Tomoka let out a laugh. “Don’t you know? I confessed to him every day during junior high—and he just ignored me. It’s no use if he doesn’t like me back. It’s better to find someone who can like me back. I might as well just keep liking him like I do to another handsome guy.”
Sakuno sweat-dropped, Tomoka sure always too positive. But at the same time Sakuno’s spirit sank at those words. She wondered if he would ignore her too.
“What’s wrong, Sakuno?” Tomoka asked, her expression shifting to concern. “You want to confess to Ryoma-sama too?”
Sakuno felt her face flame with embarrassment. “I—um…”
Tomoka laughed and hit her back gently, “I’ll cheer for you then! Good luck.”
Momoshiro, having noticed the pair. “Hey, if it isn’t Osakada and Ryuzaki.”
Ryoma turned, his gaze settling on them, and Sakuno’s heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. Eiji’s voice rang out next, cheerfully summoning them over. “Oi, Ryuzaki-chan! Osakada-chan! What are you guys doing there? Come here!”
Tomoka waved at them and grasped Sakuno’s hand, and they rushed toward the boys. “Ryoma-sama! Congratulations on your victory in the Australian Open!”
“Thanks,” Ryoma said, nodding his acknowledgment.
“Sakuno wants to congratulate you too!” Tomoka nudged Sakuno forward, her grin growing.
Sakuno’s heart raced as Ryoma faced her. She stammered, unable to find the words, “C-congratulations, R-Ryoma-kun…”
Ryoma tipped his head slightly, offering a small gesture of thanks. They had always been friends, or he could say she just his former classmates, since they only talked on a few occasions. But whenever they talked, it felt deep inside him, the girl who always cheered for him and sometimes made him feel better with her simple words, ‘it’s going to be okay. Everything will be fine. Something good will come at the end.’
As Ryoma scanned Sakuno’s face, he noticed a subtle change in her appearance. She had started wearing a bit of makeup, and he couldn’t help but think that it suited her perfectly. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Ryoma quickly looked away, feeling a rush of emotions he couldn’t quite place. Sakuno, on the other hand, felt a sense of accomplishment mixed with anxiety.
Momoshiro asked, “won’t you guys playing too? There’s an empty courts there.”
Tomoka answered confidently. “I want to but I can’t. I have a date later.”
Horio chimed in while chuckled. “A date? So you found new boyfriend? Who is it now?”
Tomoka glared at Horio. “That’s none of your business. I am a popular with guys, unlike you, unibrow.”
Horio, didn’t want to lose, approached her and their eyes are full with electricity. “What? You have problem with unibrow?!”
Eiji hold Horio, trying to make him calm. Sakuno also did the same to Tomoka, they somehow already gotten used with their banter.
Momoshiro leaned closer, teasingly observing, “Ryuzaki, you look stunning today. Got a date too?”
Sakuno shook her head fervently. “N-no, I don’t have a date!”
Tomoka laughed and wrapped her hand on Sakuno’s shoulder. She grinned, “who knows, maybe Sakuno will confess to someone today. Isn’t that right, Sakuno?”
Sakuno blushed as the others look at her, half-shocked and half-curious. She waved her hands, “I-It’s not like that.”
Tomoka whispers to her, “Ryoma-sama is here, this is your chance.” Tomoka checked her watch again. “I have to go now, but let’s catch up later, Sakuno! I will called you later! Tell me all about it!”
With that declaration, Tomoka winked and waved goodbye, leaving Sakuno standing amidst the chatter, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.
Sakuno felt a nervous flutter in her stomach as she clutched the strap of her bag, glancing around the tennis courts filled with familiar faces, but all of them are guys. “I think I should go too...” Her heart sank slightly at the thought of leaving, but the awkwardness of being the only girl there made her hesitate.
Eiji’s voice broke through her thoughts, playful and insistent. “Eh, you want to go? Ochibi just arrived! Won’t you see him play?”
With her cheeks tinted pink, she stammered, “W-well, okay.” She watched Ryoma and Fuji step onto the court, their presence igniting that familiar rush of admiration within her.
As the match began, her eyes were locked on Ryoma. Each powerful serve and concentrated rally made her heart race, a chorus of cheers from their friends fading into the background. Sakuno sighed, feeling more than ever that her grandmother was right about confessing her feelings. If she didn’t take the leap, she might miss her chance.
“Ryoma-kun.” she whispered to herself, her gaze following him as he smiled and exchanged banter with Fuji. “You’re so amazing…”
After their match, moments drifted slowly as Takashi and Oishi took to the court. Ryoma and Fuji leave the court, watching Takashi and Oishi’s match. Just then, a voice yanked Sakuno from her daydream. A guy stood before her, looking sheepish yet determined. “Hello, you are Ryuzaki-chan, right?”
Sakuno blinked, her heart suddenly thudding louder. “Oh hello, yes, I am. And you are…?”
“Takeru Watanabe,” he smiled, his face lighting up with recognition. “Your former classmate from university. Do you remember?”
She hesitated for a moment, piecing together memories of a boy with glasses. “Oh! Yes, I remember. I’m sorry for not recognizing you; you wore glasses back then.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I did. Can we talk over there for a while?” Takeru gestured to a quieter spot by the courts.
Something inside her stirred. Talk? With him? Before she could overthink it, she nodded, “Oh, okay.”
As they moved away, the boys glanced knowingly at each other. Momoshiro elbowed Ryoma. “Ah, he must be confessing, right?”
Eiji grinned, “Yeah, it’s so obvious!”
Fuji raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in his smile. “Saa… Ryuzaki-chan is cute after all.”
Kaidoh scoffed, “Fsshh.” Agreeing, but his tone lacked conviction.
Eiji said, while placing his both hands behind his back, “yeah, seriously, if she’s not the coach’s granddaughter, I probably confessed to her as well.”
The former regulars shocked, except Fuji and Ryoma. “Ehhh?!”
Eiji chuckled, “I mean, look at her. She got the perfect package. She is nice, pretty, decent and honest too. Who wouldn’t like her..”
Momoshiro finally nodded. “Yeah, I can see that. But when we think about coach...”
The former regulars except Fuji and Ryoma looked up, imagining Sumire in their head, with a scary face. The imagination disappeared as their body shivered.
Fuji chuckled, “That what make things interesting.”
Then, as if caught in a mental trap, Ryoma felt something twist in his chest. He stare at Sakuno and Takeru. Why did the sight of Sakuno with another guy bother him so much? She looks bright with her smiles. His internal struggle was interrupted by the arrival of a bowing Sakuno, parting from Takeru after what seemed like an intimate conversation.
“95.7% he asking for her number.” Inui chimed in, his glasses glinted, as he saw Takeru kept his phone in his pocket.
“Did he asked for your number?” Momoshiro teased, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
Sakuno blushed fiercely. “Y-yeah.”
Eiji’s eyebrows shot up, impressed. “So you gave it to him?”
Sakuno responded softly, “Y-yeah… He’s a kind person. He has always helped in our class.”
A strange, heavy silence fell around them, and Ryoma felt a surge of unease. Why did it hurt to hear her say that? She, who always looking at him and cheered for him, suddenly praising another guy? That, somehow made him pissed off. Suddenly, without thinking, he blurted out, “So you just give your number to any guy?”
The air shifted instantly. A gasp escaped Momoshiro and Eiji, while a shocked silence enveloped the group. Sakuno flinched, the sparkle in her eyes dimming. Is that how he thought about her all this time? The courage she had to confess suddenly crumbled. Her hands gripped tight, trying to suppress her feelings, but tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. “Do you think I have no pride? I-Is that how you think of me?”
Ryoma’s eyes widened, as he saw her tears.
“Y-you don’t even know my feelings!” Her voice cracked with hurt. “I hate you, Ryoma-kun!” she exclaimed, turning on her heel and fleeing the scene.
Her words hung in the air like a curtain of dread, the others exchanging worried glances. Ryoma felt panic lurch within him.
Momoshiro shook his head, exasperated. “Why would you say that, Echizen?!”
Eiji added, “Yeah, you were really mean-nya!”
“Go apologize!” Momoshiro pushed Ryoma, urgency spilling from every word.
With his heart pounding, Ryoma dashed off, searching for her, but after fruitless searching, he returned to the group, shoulders heavy with guilt.
“Well?” Momoshiro asked, worry etched on his features.
“I couldn’t find her,” Ryoma admitted, his spirits deflated. He didn’t ’t even feel like playing tennis anymore. He packed his bag, the weight of regret heavy in his heart. “I’m going home.”
“Damn it, you better apologize later,” Momoshiro warned as he walked home.
Ryoma sighed. As he walked, he fished out his phone. The thought of facing Sumire filled him with dread. When she answered, her voice was bright. “Hey, Ryoma! Fancy to see you calling me. What’s up?”
He stumbled over his words, trying to navigate his emotions. “Um… coach, is your granddaughter home?”
“Sumire replied, “Sakuno? No, not yet. Why are you looking for her?”
He felt his throat tighten. “I want to talk to her about something, but I don’t have her phone number.”
“Oh really? Well, I’ll give you her phone number. But if I found out anything bad happening, I’ll kill you,” Sumire joked, though her tone carried a hint of seriousness.
Ryoma sweated at the thought and quickly agreed. “Thanks.”
He dialed her number quickly after Sumire sent the number, holding his breath. It rang once, twice, and then went to voicemail.
Sakuno stood by the mirror in the dimly lit public bathroom, her breath hitching as she dabbed at the remnants of tears with a tissue. Her eyes were red and puffy, betraying her emotions despite her clumsy attempts to mask them with makeup. She glanced at the paper bag in her hand, filled with wagashi—a gesture meant for the Echizen family that now felt heavy with unspoken words.
Around her, several missed calls blinked from her phone’s notification pane. Each one was from an unknown number, and in that moment of heartbreak, she registered them as mere distractions. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. ‘I’m so stupid, getting upset just because of this.’
Meanwhile, Ryoma sat on the couch in the living room, the remnants of dinner lingering in the air but forgotten in his restless mind. He absentmindedly stared at his phone.
“What is wrong with you?” Nanjiro’s voice cut through the silence, breaking his reflections.
“It’s nothing,” Ryoma replied tersely, his eyes darting to the screen again.
“Nothing? You’ve been looking at that phone like it holds the secret of life. Having a fight with girlfriend or something?” Nanjiro teased, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.
Ryoma just silent, too tired to make another argument.
Just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting their banter. Curiosity piqued, Nanjiro wandered to the door. “I wonder who that is.” As he swung it open, he greeted a familiar face. “Oh, it’s you, Ryuzaki-chan.”
At the sound of her name, Ryoma sprang from his seat, peering around the corner. His heart quickened when he caught sight of her—tears still evident in her red-rimmed eyes.
“I’m so sorry I came late, Uncle Nanjiro. Obaa-chan asked me to give this—it’s wagashi,” she said, her voice trembling.
Nanjiro’s eyes softened. “Ryuzaki-chan, are you okay? Your eyes…”
Ryoma stepped into view, unable to hold back. “Ryuzaki.”
Sakuno froze, wide-eyed, and turned away. “I’m okay, Uncle. I’ll take my leave now.”
The door closed behind her, leaving Ryoma unsettled. “Did you do something to her?” Nanjiro asked, concern gripping his features. Ryoma ignored him, slipping past his father.
Before Nanjiro could respond, Ryoma grabbed his dad’s bicycle and pedalled off into the night, determined to find Sakuno.
Sakuno walked slowly in the dark alley after she running, she took a breath, her heart heavy. She heard the sound of bicycle wheels behind her.
“Ryuzaki,” he called softly.
She kept her gaze fixed on the ground, unwilling to meet his eyes and keep walking.
Ryoma rode slowly, following her. He called out again. “Ryuzaki, I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean it.”
She still didn’t respond and keep walking.
Ryoma losing his patience and rode the bicycle faster and skidding to a halt in front of her, made her flinched. She looked down, her bangs close her eyes.
“Please, can we talk?” he urged gently.
She didn’t respond. Instead, she squatted down and buried her face, overwhelmed.
“Ryuzaki, are you okay?” Ryoma quickly dismounted the bicycle and squatted down beside her, concern etched on his brow.
“Go back. I don’t want you to see me like this,” she whispered.
He hesitated, then sighed and said, “Okay.” He makes the sound as if he was gone, he grabbed the pedal of the bicycle and turn it backwards, creating a loud clanking sound. As Sakuno didn’t hear the sound of his bike anymore, she already assumed that he was gone. She looked up, but she got shocked to find him still there, mirroring her position.
“Why didn’t you go?” she asked, confusion blooming amidst her sadness.
“And leave you here alone in the dark?” His words were sincere, warm.
Sakuno felt a blush creep to her cheeks. Then, Ryoma reached for her wrist. “Let’s go. I’ll send you home.”
She followed him silently, climbing onto the back of the bicycle as he took the front, instructing her to hold tight. Sakuno hold the hem of his shirt.
As they rode, the tension began to dissipate. The rhythmic motion of the bicycle seemed to soothe her troubled soul.
“I called you many times,” Ryoma began, attempting to break the silence.
Sakuno flinched, realization hitting her—he was the unknown number. “I’m sorry for not picking up,” she murmured.
“Can’t you smile?” he pressed, catching a hint of hopefulness in his tone.
A small smile tugged at her lips, albeit weak. “I… I don’t feel like smiling right now,” she admitted, the weight of the day still pressing heavily on her heart.
“That means you’re still mad,” he still rode the bicycle.
“I’m not mad,” she denied, though uncertainty clung to her words.
“Then smile,” he challenged gently.
Taking a deep breath, she found courage in his presence. But still unable to smile.
“Seeing you upset, I don’t like it,” Ryoma said, still pedalling.
Though her heart was heavy, she felt lighter under his attention. “Ryoma-kun...”
She looked at his back, who still pedalling the bicycle. Perhaps this is the time to end everything. Like how her grandma and Tomoka said. Confess and move on. Summoning up her courage, her forehead leaned against his back, clutching his shirt tightly. “I like you, Ryoma-kun.”
Their progress halted, the world narrowing down to just the two of them. Ryoma silent, stopping the bicycle, but still looking ahead.
“You’re the reason I wake up with a smile. You make me happy by just being there. Whenever I see you, my heart beats faster, I like you more with each passing day,” she confessed, emotions rising within her. “I can’t see the other guys like I see you. Today, I even wore a nice dress for you. It’s funny right?”
Tears welled in her eyes, but this time they felt different—hope intermingled with vulnerability.
“Ne, Ryuzaki,” he said finally, “if you like me, then don’t exchange number with other guys.”
Her eyes widened. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest.
He continued, “don’t smile at other guys. If you want to exchange number with a guy, just do it with me.”
Minutes stretched into eternity as he remained silent. Although it was dark, Sakuno can see the blush creeping across his ears from the back. She smiled softly as she understood the meaning. That was Ryoma’s way to tell ‘I like you too.’
They resumed their ride, the moonlight illuminating their shared warmth. Sakuno wrapped her hands around his waist tightly and leaned her head on his back. It was warm.
When they reached Sakuno’s house, she hesitated at the gate. “T-Thank you for sending me home,” she said bashfully.
Ryoma just replied with simple “yeah.”
Sakuno smiled and turned around to the main gate. Ryoma called out before she could disappear through the gate. “Ryuzaki.”
Pausing, she turned, curiosity shining in her eyes. “Y-Yes?”
“Let’s date,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
Overcome with shyness, she walked to him, heart racing. In a bold move, she kissed his cheek, whispering, “G-Goodnight.”
Sakuno fled inside, heart racing and cheeks blazing, unable to contain her happiness. She’s leaving the stunned Ryoma.
He touched the spot she had kissed, a smirk forming.
Sakuno squatted down after the gate. Her both hands cover her blushed face. Just then, her phone buzzed. A message from the unknown number sent her heart soaring: *Goodnight. P.S. You look pretty today.*
As she hugged her phone tightly, she knew this was just the beginning.
Several months later, as Ryoma strolled through the New York street, he carried a tennis bag slung over his shoulder. He stopped mid-step, glancing back at Sakuno who was kneeling beside Karupin, his beloved Himalayan cat.
“What should we do with you, Karupin? Did you sneak into Ryoma-kun’s bag again to follow us to States?” she giggled. Karupin replied her with a meow.
“Don’t lag behind, Sakuno. Just let him follow us.” Ryoma said, with a warm smile.
She smiled brightly in return. “Okay!”
Karupin trotting behind Ryoma, being the witnessed of their shared smile. The world around them brightening with the promise of love and countless adventures ahead, their hearts intertwined as they moved forward into their new chapter together.
