When Rukawa Sakura left Tokyo, she took the school bus from the Tachikai University Tennis Department.
The school bus dropped her off at the entrance of Kanagawa General Hospital.
The rest of the tennis department returned to school and continued their tireless tennis training.
She accompanied Yukimura in the hospital for most of the day.
She didn't set foot on her way home until evening.
However, at the corner of the intersection, she stopped.
A cold figure.
She straightened her back and stood in front of the house with the words "Rukawa" written on the door.
She was still wearing Qing Xue's blue and white sportswear and carrying a heavy tennis bag on her shoulder.
Her brown hair was contrasted by the red sunset glow that filled the sky.
It was dyed with a layer of magnificent golden red.
Her cold temperament also seemed much gentler.
The two of them looked at each other from afar.
Neither of them moved a single step.
Rukawa Sakura lowered her head.
The corners of her lips curled up slightly.
When she raised her head, there was already a gentle and faint smile on her face.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Tezuka was silent.
He didn't know why he was standing here and waiting for her for so long.
But he just couldn't control himself.
There was probably a voice deep in his heart telling him that if he didn't come to see her this time, he would regret it.
At the end of the game.
He didn't go to the party with his teammates.
Instead, he came to Kanagawa alone.
He stood at the door of the Rukawa family.
It was very, very silly.
But his heart was very calm. There was no reluctance at all.
He couldn't resist this call. His heart was telling him to come over.
He also seemed to have a premonition that if he didn't come to see her, something bad would happen.
This was a strange premonition.
And he couldn't bear this.
He had always thought that Rukawa Sakura was the first true friend in his life.
And he didn't want to lose this friend.
He knew that she had sacrificed a lot for him.
There was probably no one who would understand him better than she did.
Today's game, he knew that she was angry.
Perhaps, compared to being angry.
And sad.
He was the one who had let her down.
No matter what, he had to see her.
Rukawa Sakura walked to the door and took out the key from her pocket.
"When did you come?" she asked as she opened the door.
Tezuka looked at her without saying a word.
Rukawa Sakura opened the door and walked into her little courtyard. She sighed and looked at Tezuka. "Come in."
Tezuka tightened the strap of the tennis bag in his hand and walked in.
Rukawa Sakura had already opened the door. She stood at the door and looked back at Tezuka.
Rukawa Sakura made a cup of tea and placed it in front of Tezuka. "This is Longjing, a famous tea from Jiangnan, China. Try it."
Rukawa Sakura didn't like drinking tea in her previous life, but in this life, she had been drinking it since she was young.
The Rukawa family and the Tezuka family were the same. They were a little "retro." The old man in the family was especially fond of this. They had been raised this way since they were young.
Tea had health benefits and was rich in vitamins and minerals. Drinking tea was good for the body.
And for Rukawa Sakura, it was a kind of nostalgia.
Ever since she had her own source of income, she only drank China's tea.
She was from Jiangnan in her previous life and had a preference for Jiangnan. Longjing was her favorite tea. It had nothing to do with the quality, it was just that she was in love with the feeling.
Tezuka looked at the clear tea in front of him. A few green leaves floated on the surface of the tea. The whole cup of tea was bright green and emitted a fragrance.
To most people, Tezuka Kunimitsu was very conservative and old-fashioned. His routine was scary. He woke up at 4: 30 a.m. every day and made plum tea.
Bu Er used to laugh at him for a long time because of this.
Rukawa Sakura grew up with him. She knew all the habits that Tezuka Grandpa had taught him since he was young. She didn't think much of it. After all, she was probably the same old-fashioned person in the eyes of most people.
She woke up at 5: 00 a.m. every day and went to bed at 10: 00 p.m. Other than doing housework, all she did was write and draw. There wasn't much else.
In fact, she always felt that Sanada was the scariest one among them.
She woke up at 4: 30 a.m. every day and meditated for most of the day.
She even chopped scarecrows in the dojo every night. It was terrifying!
Rukawa Sakura held the teacup and blew gently. She watched the tea leaves float and spin in the cup.
"Hey, Kunimitsu, did you come all the way to Kanagawa just to drink tea at my house?" Rukawa Sakura looked up at Tezuka.
Tezuka met Rukawa Sakura's gaze. "I'm sorry."
The corners of Rukawa Sakura's mouth curled up into a bitter smile.
How did Tezuka develop such a personality?
Even though she grew up with him, she still deeply doubted it.
Tezuka Kunimitsu rarely lowered his head.
Because he rarely made mistakes.
But once he did, he would never run away.
Faced with this gaze, Rukawa Sakura even felt that she had made a mistake.
His sharp and clear gaze made her feel like she had nowhere to hide.
"I say — Ah Guang, why are you apologizing?
Do you know? "Rukawa Sakura was helpless.
Regarding this point, she really expressed deep doubts.
"Today's competition …" Tezuka pushed up his glasses. "I've made you worry."
Rukawa Sakura raised her eyebrows. "You misunderstood, didn't you?
I wasn't worried. "
"I've made you … angry?
I'm sorry — "
"I'm not angry either."
"I …"
Rukawa Sakura lowered her head and took a sip of tea.
"Sakura …" Tezuka was also helpless.
"What's the matter?" Rukawa Sakura asked slowly.
"I know that today's competition went against your ideals, but I know what I'm doing." Tezuka lowered his head and looked at the bright colors in the teacup. "I'm sorry."
"Ha … what's the use of saying 'sorry' and 'sorry'?
Things have already turned out this way.
What's the point of regretting or apologizing for what has already happened?
Aren't you and I the same kind of person?
— We strive to be serious and perfect in everything we do. We never regret what has already happened. "
Rukawa Sakura smiled. "Besides, why are you apologizing to me?
If it's because you lost the competition, shouldn't you be apologizing to your teammates? "
Rukawa Sakura understood Tezuka Kunimitsu very well.
Tezuka Kunimitsu was a person who gave his all in everything he did, and he would not regret what he had done.
Even if he lost the competition, he had never apologized to anyone.
He had not wronged anyone.
"Furthermore, if I have to say, the person you've wronged should be Atobe, right?
You've used your future to trample on Atobe's pride.
That man has always thought highly of himself, but he has that right, doesn't he?
He might be arrogant, but he is Hyotei's minister. For the sake of Hyotei's victory and the hope of his teammates, he still used the method that he did not want to use.
Judging the situation, being willing to sacrifice, no matter which one, I think he did a good job, don't you think? "
Tezuka frowned.
Why would she bring up Atobe?
When did Sakura and Atobe … become so close?
No, when did they meet?
"Alright, there's no point in discussing this.
It's getting late, so why don't you stay for the night? You're not in a hurry to return to Tokyo, right?
After all, you can't play tennis anymore, and you can't participate in training, so you should rest well.
I'll go clean up the guest room for you. "Rukawa Sakura stood up.
"Sakura —" Tezuka pulled on Rukawa Sakura's hand.
"You know what I mean."
"So?" Rukawa Sakura asked in return.
Tezuka closed his eyes like he was considering his words.
When he opened them again, he told Rukawa Sakura seriously, "We've known each other since we were five, and it's been ten years.
Ten years is enough to see through a person.
You've always seen me clearer than myself.
I like to play tennis, and you know that. That's my persistence.
"Ever since I met you, I've been telling myself to try my best to catch up to you.
You've always been smart and sensible since you were young. No matter what you do, you're always better than me. You're my first friend. Ever since then, I've been telling myself to catch up to you, to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
Grandpa has always been strict with me since I was young, you know.
You're a girl, and I'm a boy.
No matter what, you've always stood in front of me, and I can't fall too far behind you.
"The only thing I can do better than you is probably tennis.
Ever since I played tennis for the first time, I've loved it.
Because you can't, and I can do it very well, or even better.
After that, I couldn't leave it behind.
Tennis is my dream.
You've said that you expect me to stand at the top of the world, and I've been working hard for it.
I also want to show you that moment when I have the highest honor, and prove that I can do it.
"I've promised Yamato that I'll lead Qing Xue to the national championship.
Before that, no matter what, I won't give up on any competition.
I'll do my best.
As a member of the Tezuka family, since I've already done it, I'll do my best and leave no regrets. "
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