One Nil to You (A Prince of Tennis Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

July 5, 2012

Schönsommer Mansion — Juri's Apartments

Morning

As the cold water stream from the shower collided with her pale, flawless skin, Juri felt the tension in her muscles finally released. She had woken up early to do her daily five hours of jogging around the estate, and although Schönsommer Mansion was only half the size of their manor back in Australia, for some reason she felt that the dragoon around her here in Japan was three times pressing.

Stepping out of the shower, she had wrapped herself around a kimono and grabbed her pen and journal, and went to the balcony where she sat down and allowed the wind to dry off her hair.

"Is there anything else you need, Juri-ojousama?" the maid asked after pouring cream tea and placed a plate of scones, clotted cream and jam on the small, round table.

"No, I'm fine, thank you." Juri replied. "I'll just call when I'm finished."

"Yes, milady." The maid bowed before leaving the room with the serving cart.

Taking her pen, she opened her journal and began to write down her entry:

Dear Diary,

Do you ever get sick of writing about countdowns? It's been ten days since I arrived in Japan and reunited with Kunimitsu after two years, four days since the home bash mother, Coach Ryuzaki and Seigaku surprised me with after fishing with Kunimitsu and the twins—and four days since I found out that Seigaku will be going up against Hyotei Academy led by that "Pansy King" I struck out six years ago.

Everyone's working. I can tell it even though I haven't visited Seishun Academy yet. This is after all... Their last chance to win the Nationals.

Now that I think about it, father always said that despite the obvious talent and potential Seigaku had, a few players lacked the heart that it took to win the game, while others were simply unaware of their own inner drive toward perfecting their skills, and bringing their hidden talents to the surface.

Perhaps...

Her pen stopped as she remembered her official meeting with Ryoma last Sunday.

That boy—Samurai Junior—had that same fire in his eyes since the day I met him. No, wait... I think it's gotten stronger. He must have sent such flair into them. And soon he will be the next "Pillar of Seigaku".

That title is such an honor yet such a burden. But then again, Kunimitsu has become attached to that title ever since Captain Yamato bestowed it to him, and part of him doesn't want to give it up, although he will when the time comes.

And speaking of time, it's been nineteen days since I met Mr. Benjamin Quain who gave me the greatest opportunity any tennis player in the world dreamed of. Six more months until the 2013 Australian Open, and here I am in Japan—in the Schönsommer Mansion—working on with my math as my mother wanted, jogging, training, playing tennis, getting on with life.

But most of all, I want to be reborn as I swore. I'm a woman of my word.

1911 was the beginning of the Romanovros clan's tennis legacy.

1979 was my father's time.

It's 2012 and 2013 will be my time as the next generation of the Romanovros. I carried a legacy and my task is to continue it. Even when he says I'm an abomination.