I haven't posted in such a long time. And then boom! I had an idea.

I hope you like it.

[Ryoma x Sakuno]
_

"Sa-ku-no!"

At the sound of her name, she turned. There was no time to see who called her, but there was plenty idea on who it was. Tomoka Osakada ran past in a flash, grabbing her quieter friend's wrist before her mouth could open. Sakuno Ryuzaki stumbled over her foot every time they turned a corner, ran past an absent-minded teacher and when bright sunlight entered her eyes. She tried her best to understand what was going on, she tried to tell her to stop.

But it was too late.

Sakuno stumbled and tripped into the tennis courts, blowing the strands of hair out of her face before anything else unlucky befell on her. That was uncalled for. Even for Tomoka. Not even a greeting or an explanation? She looked up, prepared to give her best friend a good talking to when she realized. Was this why Tomoka had dragged her all the way from class? To see Ryoma's match? All her anger dissipated like salt in water. She smiled to herself then shuffled to where the trio stood.

They looked at Ryoma with the same bewildered expression.

"Ano," Sakuno said, tapping Katsuo's shoulder, "Did I miss anything?"

"Ah, Sakuno...chan." Katsuo's face turned red. Not because he was embarrassed but because he was afraid. The day they started dating, Ryoma had made it clear that only he could call Sakuno without the honorific. Anyone else - anyone male - who did were later admitted to the infirmary with a bruised bone and traumatized mind. "They've just started. You haven't missed a thing."

She smiled at him sympathetically. Ryoma Echizen stood at the end of the court, keeping a cool eye on his opponent. Momoshiro Takeshi. Ryoma threw the ball high and met it halfway in the air. Everyone expected it. They leaned forward waiting for it. But when it happened, it was like seeing it for the first time. His twist serve. Something Momoshiro hadn't learned to seal quite yet. Caught by surprise, he ducked ungracefully.

"Oi! Echizen! That's not fair!" He yelled, waving the tennis racket back and forth frantically, "I wasn't ready!"

Ryoma adjusted the cap which blocked his eyes, "You're never ready." He answered then served once more.

The match went by quicker than expected. 4-6.

Game and match to Ryoma Echizen.

The trio and Tomoka clapped and cheered like always.

Momoshiro proclaimed that he cheated and demanded a rematch like always.

And Ryoma ignored him as he replenished like always.

"Oh, Sakuno, you're so lucky." Tomoka sighed dreamily.

Like she hadn't heard it plenty times before. Sakuno, I'm so jealous of you. Sakuno, I wish I was you. Why aren't you with him all the time, Sakuno? I would be. If she wasn't so nice, she would've...actually, she was unsure of what she would do. But it wouldn't be pretty. Ryoma Echizen was indeed one of a kind but he wasn't a God. Other girls looked at him with such love it was like if they touched they would melt in a puddle. Tomoka did that too, from time to time. She probably did that as well when they first met.

But now they were sixteen. They were supposed to be...mature. Well, mature-er.

"Saku-chan?"

She jumped at the sound of her name. Returning to reality, Sakuno noticed that most spectators left. Including Tomo-chan. The only people left in the courts were the tennis team and herself. Eiji stood beside her, waiting with concerned raised brow at her blank expression. Touched by his unease, she smiled.

"Gomen, Eiji-senpai." She said, "I was just -"

"Daydreaming, as usual."

They both turned at the familiar voice. Dark green hair. Golden feline eyes. Ryoma stood with his cap under his arm, a terrifyingly deep frown aimed at his senpai. Eiji draped an arm over her shoulder. Ryoma's eyes narrowed. It was seven minutes later, when Ryoma was on the verge of pouncing, when Eiji grinned and leapt away.

His senpai's really liked messing with him, didn't they?

It was their hobby, wasn't it?

She swallowed down a giggle and waited for Ryoma's jealousy level to simmer to zero. It took two minutes.

Two long, awkward, daydreaming minutes.

"Ryoma-kun." She called, tapping his shoulder warily, "Daijobu?"

"Hai." He mumbled, placing the cap back onto his head and taking a big step forward.

They were close now. So close she felt his hot breaths pressed against her skin. If it'd been two months ago, Sakuno would've blushed a deep red and stuttered uncontrollably to continue the conversation. Not any more. Now that she was accustomed to his body heat and seductive manners, the blush never faded - it never would - but it was something she learned to go along with. There were steps:

1. Look into his eyes as deeply as he does with you.

2. Press yourself firmly against him so he understands you're comfortable.

3. Grab his forearms and smile to yourself when he tenses slightly.

4. And glance at his lips quickly yet long enough for him to notice.

If she simply followed those steps, his lips would be against hers in an instant. And it was. In an instant. His arms wrapped around her waist. Her feet tip-toed to reach his height. It wouldn't be for good long while until they separated. And until then, she enjoyed his warm embrace.

Even if they were meant to be in class right now.
_

The bell signalising the end of class and school vibrated through the class. The sound busted the bubble Sakuno had placed herself in, frightened the skin of Horio, urged a cheer out of Tomoka and woke Ryoma from his beautiful nap.

Before she moved, her teacher tapped against her desk.

"Don't forget to bring your family pictures in tomorrow. We're planning on making a collage for the parents day next week."

Family pictures? Sakuno frowned. Were family pictures considered a grandchild and a grandparent? Because that was all she had.

No.

That was a lie.

That was all she was willing to let the school see.

Because she always felt sad when looking at her mother.

And because she couldn't bear to look at her father.