Revelation part 1

Morning came and Sakuno was already preparing to go back to everyone at the inn. She tied her hair in braids using the pink ribbons her uncle gave her, "I wonder if they are doing their trainings right now?" she asked to herself and smiled. A knock came on her door and the little girl opened it and smiled at the person standing in front of her, "Oh...Ryoga-san, good morning."

Ryoga looked at her and smiled as well, "Morning Sakuno-chan. You seem to be excited on going back, let's go eat breakfast first." The little girl nodded and trailed behind Ryoga towards the dining room.

When the two of them arrived, different kinds of foods were placed on the table, it's like a buffet table prepared for 50 people. Upon seeing the foods, Sakuno sweat dropped. "Good morning Sakuno!" her uncle said as he came towards his niece, "did you sleep well last night? Oh! You wore the ribbons I gave you!"

Sakuno smiled, "Morning uncle...yeah, i like them very much so i decided to wear them now...but...uncle, don't you think this breakfast is a bit...too much?"

"I have to agree with her master, are we expecting others?" Ryoga added with a questioning look, the man laughed "Oh no, it's just the three of us but i really wanted this because Sakuno would go back now to my mother. I don't want my lovely niece to look like she never eats here, Anyway! come, let's eat now."

After 30 minutes of eating, the three finished. "Very well then, Ryoga. I trust you to take care of Sakuno here and to make sure she arrives to my mother safely," the man said and Ryoga nodded. "As for you, my dear. I hope if you have time, you'll visit me here along with your grandma" he said to Sakuno while touching her nose.

Sakuno smiled and nodded, "Thank you uncle for everything...goodbye for now." Sakuno then hugged her uncle tight and waved goodbye to everyone, she entered the black van along with Ryoga and went back to the inn where her grandma and the others are waiting.

BACK TO THE INN...As soon as the sun arise the Seigaku members were already up, Coach Ryuzaki gathered them and made them run 50 laps as well as had each members have a competition with each other. During their break, Coach Ryuzaki called them. "Everyone listen up! we only stayed here in the inn for a week and today is the last day. So what everyone will do after the training is completed is to prepare a farewell party for all and also a welcoming party to my granddaughter. I trust you altogether with what you'll do so I won't check on it, understood?" she asked and everyone nodded, Coach ryuzaki smiled "Ok, resume your trainings."

After 2 hours and a half, the training ended. The black van also arrived at the inn, Sakuno and Ryoga stepped out and walked towards the tennis court. "So before I left Sakuno-chan...I would like to confirm something from you," Ryoga said smiling as he rested both his arms crossed underneath his head. Sakuno looked at him confused, Ryoga continued looking towards the sky. "Do you like my brother?" He asked and Sakuno stopped walking causing Ryoga to look at her smiling.

"Why do you look surprised Sakuno-chan?" Ryoga asked with smile, Sakuno averted her gaze and replied "What do you mean Ryoga-san? I- I don't...like...him."

Ryoga suddenly laughed, Sakuno then looked at him confused. "Ryoga-san...what's so funny?" Ryoga tried holding his laughter and replied, "I'm sorry Sakuno-chan. It's just you looked for a moment as if your biggest secret was discovered but...your answer is the opposite. Sakuno, I'm only gonna say this to you. I know Ryoma is really dense when it comes to love and such since tennis is the only thing he sees in his life right now, but...if you tell him what you truly feel, I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

Sakuno smiled forcibly, "I know he loves tennis so much and...If i tell him what i truly feel, I'm sure he'll only say that's nonsense. I don't stand a chance with him, i mean...he is a pro in tennis while I'm..." she trailed off. Ryoga sigh and came towards the young girl, he then placed his right hand on her shoulder.

"Look, Sakuno-chan I'm telling you this things because i don't want you to regret things that you weren't able to say and then ask yourself someday the what ifs that could've happened if you did it. You have to be prepared on what he'll say to you but you should also have the courage to let him know your true feelings...besides, it's not like you don't have a chance with him. I know you're strong Sakuno-chan," Ryoga said and Sakuno smiled.

The regulars are already planning on the party when they saw Ryoga with Sakuno. "Hey! It's Sakuno-chan!" Momo exclaimed and everyone looked at the direction Momo is staring. When they confirmed that it was indeed them, everyone except Tezuka and Ryoma run towards her.

"Sakuno-chan you're back! You seem alright...did this guy hurt you?" Kawamura asked while eyeing at Ryoga, the latter back off.

Sakuno laughed, "No sempai...Ryoga-san here actually took care of me."

"Really? I guess I'll call Coach to let her know you're here already Sakuno-chan" Eiji said and run off.

Everyone was busy asking the little girl on what happened during the 3 days she went missing, she answered them one by one making each of the curious senpais shocked by the truth. "Hey! Since Sakuno-chan is aleady here why don't we let her join the party we are organizing right now?" Momoshiro suggested and everyone except Tezuka, Fuji and Ryoma glared at him.

Oishi dragged Momoshiro out of Sakuno's hearing distance while the others distracted the auburn haired girl by asking more questions. Sakuno was a little bit worried of the senpais' odd behaviors, "Erm, I'm ok with helping out on the preparations besides I don't have anything to do anyway."

The senpais laughed nervously. "If Sakuno-chan says so…why not?" Kawamura said scratching the back of his head.

Meanwhile Momoshiro and Oishi are busy talking on their own as well. "Hey! Oishi-sempai, why did you dragged me away?" Momo asked confusedly.

Oishi sighed deeply, "Why do you think Momo? Did you forget the reason why we are preparing a party?"

Momo answered, "Isnt it because it's our last day here plus we are doing a welcoming pay for Saku- Oh!" he looked at Oishi with a sheepish grin afterwards.

Oishi only sighed "I guess we have to divide the team into two plus it would be obvious for Sakuno if she wouldn't be part of the preparation. Let's go back to them."

When Oishi and Momoshiro arrived back to the team, Oishi shared what he planned for the party. "Ok, since Sakuno and Ryoga-san will be joining us I think it's better to separate the team into two groups. Tezuka will lead the first group while I will lead the second one, the two groups will have their own task to do and will be composed of 5 members each."

Everyone listened and agreed on the plan, Oishi continued speaking "In Tezuka's group, the members will be Fuji, Ryoma, Sakuno and Ryoga-san. While the members in my group will be Momo, Kawamura, Eiji and Kaidoh. Is there an objection to this grouping?"

Everyone shook their heads, Oishi smiled "then I guess we can begin on the preparation…Tezuka, can we talk on the tasks to be done?"

Tezuka only nodded and the two went away, Oishi spoke "Ne, Tezuka…your team is in charge of the farewell party while my team is in charge of Sakuno-chan's welcoming party. The foods assigned on your team will be deserts and drinks."

Tezuka again nodded but added, "dont you think it will be a problem for the two Echizen to be together?"

Oishi agreed, "you're right but I think having Fuji and Sakuno will help the two work harmoniously."

Tezuka only sigh, "we'll do our best so do yours as well." Oishi nodded.

Oishi smiled when he came back to the team, "Alright let's all do our tasks now. My team, follow me. Let's meet up with Eiji at Coach Ryuzaki's room."

Meanwhile Tezuka looked at his team, he then said "I think let's rest for a bit before doing the tasks since Sakuno and Ryoga had just arrived. For now I'll assign you to different tasks to buy." Everyone listened although didn't look at the former team captain. "Ryoma, Ryoga and I will be buying the decors and drinks for the party while Fuji and Sakuno are assigned to buy the foods for the party…" Tezuka trailed off and looked at Fuji, the latter only smiled and nodded.

Ryoga suddenly asked, "May I know why I'm here as well? I was only tasked to bring Sakuno-chan here."

Fuji answered him with a smile, "of course Ryoga-san since you kidnapped Sakuno-chan for 3 days…we don't want to make things easier for what you did."

Ryoga looked at the tennis genius while the later looked him with a serious gaze although Ryoga and Tezuka was the only one who saw that. Geez, what's with this guy? He scares me, Ryoga thought to himself and diverted his gaze away from Fuji. "Alright, I guess I'll join you for Sakuno-chan but I have my own reasons too why I did that to her. Hmph" Ryoga said and walk off.

Fuji and Tezuka walked together towards a big tree, while Sakuno found her spot next to the two on another tree. Ryoma followed Ryoga and sat near him. "What do you want to know, Chibisuke?" Ryoga asked with eyes closed and both his arms lying underneath his head. Ryoma looked at the opposite direction and replied in his usual serious voice, "the reason why you did that to her."

Ryoga smirked, he looked at his little brother while Ryoma feeling the gaze stared back with a serious gaze. "I told you, I had my own reasons. I was only following orders but trust me, I didn't have any slight intention to hurt Sakuno-chan" Ryoga answered back.

"Whose orders are you following?" Ryoma asked and Ryoga smiled, "why don't you ask the primary source herself? Besides I know you aren't just asking these questions just because the team is worried on her…it's for your own personal reasons right?"

Ryoma was taken aback, he looked at his big brother with an angry expression, "Don't assume things."

Ryoga only shrugged with a smile.

After 15 minutes of rest, Tezuka's team went off to do their tasks. The brothers followed Tezuka behind but did not dare talk to each other all throughout. Meanwhile Fuji and Sakuno went to buy the foods needed for the party.

"Ne Sakuno-chan, did that guy Ryoga-san didn't hurt you for real?" Fuji asked as both of them were now heading back to the inn.

Sakuno shook her head while looking downwards, "I'm f-fine Fuji-sempai."

The tennis genius laughed and looked at Sakuno, "Didn't I say you'll only call me Fuji from now on?"

Sakuno's face immediately turned red, "b-but Fuji-sempai d-don't you think it's weird to call you that in front of your teammates? I mean…they still don't know yet."

Fuji smiled, "they'll know soon enough. I guess you are becoming tired from holding those heavy bags, give some to me." He said as he attempted to steal some grocery bags from Sakuno's hands.

The auburn haired girl pulled away but Fuji was faster, he missed gripping the bags but was able to keep hold of Sakuno's right hand. The latter flinched upon feeling the warmth. "Um, F-fuji. Pl-please stop this or else someone might see us," Sakuno said shyly and hid her reddened face away from the people.

Fuji didn't let go of her hand but instead continued smiling, he then said, "I'll stop when we arrived at the inn Sakuno."

To be continued…