Rain
Sakuno shivered as rain soaked her thoroughly to the bone. Her clothes clung to her petite body and she was cold. Very cold.
So, why was this fragile girl out in weather like this? Why, to support her prince, of course. Seigaku was playing against Hyotei to decide who would advance to the semifinals of the Nationals and it was raining. Sakuno, while she felt the cold, was more concerned with getting on time to the matches in order to see her prince, namely Echizen Ryoma.
Sakuno blushed slightly as she thought of him. Even though they were now in high school, he was still the same cool and collected Ryoma she had fallen in love. As for their relationship, it had neither progressed nor regressed. Simply put, it had remained pretty much static. He pretty much ignored her and spoke with as few words as possible.
Sneezing, Sakuno could feel wind pick up slightly. Why, why now, Sakuno though despairingly. By now, Sakuno thought she would be lucky to make it to the game alive and well. This negative thought further heightened when a car that drove by too close and fast, spraying water all over her, drenched her even more.
This is so not my day, the poor girl thought dejectedly, shaking her hair in an effort to get some of the water off. Sighing, she continued trudging through the wind, barely able to see because of the rain. However, each step became more of a burden until eventually, she fell unconscious because she was so exhausted. There, she lay on the sidewalk, weak, and running a high fever.
Sakuno slowly opened her eyes. Where was she? Then, she suddenly realized she was in her bed, warm and safe.
"Sakuno? Are you okay?" Looking up, she saw her grandmother's worried face peering down with concern in her face as she studied her mago's face for any signs of illness.
"I'm okay, oba-chan. I just overexerted myself a little." Sakuno said in a reassuring voice. "How did oba-chan find me?"
"I didn't. Ryoma did," Sumire said distractedly, still too concerned with her precious mago's health than who picked her up.
R-Ryoma-kun? Sakuno was in shock. Her prince was the one who had picked her up and brought her home?
'Oh yeah. Ryoma wanted to me to tell you something," Sumire said, breaking Sakuno's thoughts. "He said, 'Tell Ryuzaki to be more careful'." Oh, and don't worry; Ryoma won his match."
"Oh," was all Sakuno could say. Could it be that Ryoma actually cared for her?
The next day, after school
Sakuno was watching the Regulars practice, especially a certain tennis player by the name of Echizen Ryoma. All through the day, she had been watching him to see if he cared about her. Now, he had a feeling that what had happened yesterday was just an act of pity for her, nothing more, nothing less.
Practice ended soon and all the Regulars went to the locker room to change. Sakuno sighed dejectedly. "I should have know better," Sakuno whispered dejectedly to herself. Turning away, she slowly started to move away.
Suddenly, a voice from stopped her. "Where are you going, Ryuzaki?"
Whirling around, Sakuno saw the changed already tall figure of Echizen Ryoma. Surprised, Sakuno said nothing, as she gaped at her prince.
"Come on. I'll walk you home. Can't have your oba-chan worrying again. With that, Ryoma grabbed Sakuno's small hand in his large ones.
Sakuno just stared at Ryoma in shock for a few minutes, allowing him to lead her. Then, a small smile crept onto her face. Maybe her prince truly cared for her afterall.
As for Ryoma, though unseen by Sakuno, a faint, barely detectable blush had could be seen on his face. Not that he would ever admit that.
