Of Remembering, Letting go and Waiting
DISCLAIMER:
PRINCE OF TENNIS. Not mine. Nope.
(='.'=) Sequel to DEPARTURE'S MORNING. It might help if you'll read that first before reading this one.
Chapter One: Linger
The faint sound of a motorcycle approaching can be heard from a distance. Ryoma Echizen, now 23 years old, tightened his grip on the motorcycle's handle. The scenery around him were lost in a blur as he sped by. His journey continued on for another 15 minutes before slowly pulling to a stop. He took off his helmet, revealing his dark green hair and yellow, cat-like eyes. He got off his bike and walked near the metal bars, enjoying the feel of the wind that tousled his hair. He stared off into the distance, his eyes seeing nothing but blue.
5 years. Has it really been that long?
5 years has passed since he last saw her.
5 years has passed since she left him in her room those many mornings ago after whispering a tearful "I'm sorry", not knowing that he was fully awake.
5 years…and still no word from her. Not even a letter, nor an e-mail.
But even though that's the case, he's still waiting.
A ray of sunlight reflected off the surface of the ocean, blinding him momentarily. A feeling of déjà vu passed through him and he closed his eyes. Blinded by sunlight. Just like what he first saw a few hours after she left.
He opened his eyes slowly, savoring the silence of his surroundings. It wasn't often that he had the chance to be alone, without anyone disturbing him. No reporters, no fan girls, no nagging secretary. This was the life he's missing.
The waves crashed into the wall underneath him, creating a splashing sound. He sighed before leaning on the metal bar in front of him. After she left all those years ago, he went back to his normal life. Or at least he tried to. He's still the same quiet, anti-social and cocky tennis player he was even before he arrived in Japan to study in Seigaku. The number of people he actually considers as "friends" are still limited and Ponta's still his favorite drink. He's still annoyed with his old man and he still has a Himalayan cat for a pet. Only now that he's no longer a brat but is now a man. He's no longer a Seishun Gakuen junior high school student but is now a graduating Tokyo University College student, taking up Business Management and is the Captain of Toudai's tennis team. He's been living on is own for about 3 years now, after his father kicked him out of their temple house with the words "You're old enough shonen. Learn to fend off for yourself. Oh, and don't get anyone pregnant now! Hahahahahaha!" as parting words. Karupin? The poor critter died after it caught a cold one particularly rainy night. But not before it left a kitten that serves as the splitting image of its father. Image and character, if he might add. And his "friends"? Most of them are still composed of his former Seigaku team mates, and a few others from his then-rival schools like Fudomine and Hyotei. Sure, there are some people in his new school that he talks to once in a while. But none of them managed to get as close as his former team mates. He didn't give them enough chance to do so. Not like he cared. He just wanted to get off college, manage his own petshop, play tennis, and live his life in peace. It was only now that he understood why his dumb old man decided to quit the tedious life of a tennis PRO. All those interviews and photo shoots are just plain stupid. And annoying. And tiring. He only wanted to play tennis. Not prance around like some clown.
And that was how he spent the last 5 years of his life. Or at least tried to. Quite normal? Not really. Boring? Somewhat. But he's contented. At least he thought he was.
Once in a while, the thought of her crosses his mind. During Christmas, her birthdays, their supposed anniversary. All of these never left his mind. They never left. But that doesn't mean he dug them out often. He knew deep inside that he could downright avoid them. He knew he could. But he didn't want to. Don't ask him why. He just didn't.
His mobile phone started ringing. He answered the call without even bothering to look who the caller was. He has a pretty good idea on who might be calling him. After all…
"Echizen." A soft voice answered him from the other line.
This day is THE DAY.
Ryoma smiled faintly at the voice. "It's been a while."
The faint chuckle was heard from the other side. "Same place?"
"I'll be there."
The call was cut off. Ryoma sighed and shook his head, the faint smile on his face didn't disappear. He slipped his mobile phone back to his jacket and turned around. He took a few steps before turning around and staring back into the view. He fished out his phone yet again and took a picture of the scenery. Satisfied with the outcome of the photo, he pulled on his helmet, sat on his motorcycle and drove off.
(='.'=) Yep. Kinda short.