Title: Innocent Romance

Author: Miyuki Meiru

Summary: Two lives were brought together when they lost the things they loved the most. Will these two finally find what they're looking for?

Pairing: RyomaxSakunoxOC

Genre: Romance

Rating: T

Warnings: If you don't like stories set in AU (Alternate Universe), then this story is not meant for you to read. Sakuno's inner mind may sound OOC. Some spoilers in the succeeding chapters may be present.

Author's note: Welcome to my newest RyoSaku installment everybody! You guys must've noticed this new format that I used in this fanfic. Everything should be new! I want to thank all of those who read and supported my previous story 'Is She My New Mommy?' which has finally ended. About this fic, I wrote it in Sakuno's P.O.V. Honestly, I rarely write fics in first person P.O.V but I decided to give it a try. And yeah, I tried to stop myself for posting this one until 2011 but I am really excited to know your reactions so I'm posting this earlier. I just love you so much, guys! I can't wait to hear your opinions.


Prologue

I never expected this to happen in a mere blink of an eye. It felt the same as that day.

I stared at the window as the first snow flake of the year dropped lightly from the sky like a feather followed by a whole bunch of them. It was astonishing to see the snow flakes dancing in the air as if you were watching ballerinas performing gracefully in front of you. I mean, I never tried watching professionals do ballet but I could imagine how they would look on stage.

"Hark the herald angels sing," I joined the other kids in their singing. "Glory to the new born king," I sang as loud as I can. I could see my mother carrying a tray of cookies and placed it on the table just across the door. This was what I loved during choir practices. After practice, we all gather to feast on my mom's home-made sweets. I always felt proud whenever the other kids would praise me for having such a wonderful mother. My mother was a doctor who constantly volunteered on outreach programs usually by the non-profit organization she was a member of. I was always there. I watched her tend to the other kids and somehow whenever she helped others and they thanked her with their smiles I also felt happy. That was the time that I decided that I would be like her too.

"Sakuno-chan, your mom's cookies are also great just like the last time," I heard one of my friends said.

"Of course, mommy's always great!" I replied happily as I took a bite on mom's extremely delicious cookies.

My mother and I walked home in the cold, snowy streets of Tokyo as I continued to sing the songs that we practiced for today. I always loved singing. It was one of the things that I was passionate about. When I sing, I could feel that anything is possible. It was as if something magical happens. I couldn't explain it well with words.

"I know that someday you'll be a great singer," mom said as she hugged me. It was wonderful warmth when I felt her hand on my cheeks. "Someday you'll find something you'll treasure forever, too."

That was my initial dream. I wanted to be a singer and be great on stage. I was just a child and my dreams weren't really even an inch close to reality.

I was only seven. It wasn't that long when I woke up into reality.

We were all preparing for our presentation. I was the soloist at that time. I sang with all my might and my heart fluttered when the crowd applauded me. I watched carefully as mom wiped her tears of joy. I knew that she was surely proud of me.

I hurriedly went back to the dressing room. I was excited to see mom who was at the waiting room. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a few girls talking.

"She's not really that good, you know," I heard her said in a snobbish tone. "She couldn't sing that well yet she's the soloist!"

"I agree with you." The other one said as they all laughed.

I quit singing. I figured out that what I did was stupid when it was already too late. I searched for a world where in I would never long to sing. I focused on my academics and my dream to be a doctor. Yup, I decided to be a doctor and I would be one for sure. I chose a dream that would show me more of reality. On that day, my spirit of singing already died. I couldn't really blame myself either. I was only a kid and I was never the strong-willed type.

Just as what I said, I never expected this to happen in a mere blink of an eye. I happened to experience the same warmth I felt when mom placed her hand in my cheeks again but with another person. I never expected it to be him.

Love was also at the farthest corner of my mind. Life could be playful sometimes. It would give you the things that you wanted last and randomly shove it right on your face. This was based on my experience. I was a fan of love stories but I didn't want them to happen to me.

Right now, all I wanted to do in my life was to be with him. Ryoma opened different doors for me and I was certain that I did the same for him. After all, we were both in the same boat. There was a time when we couldn't do the things that we love.

That was how the story book opened for us. This was how our story began.

To be continued…

Finally, the prologue's up. If you find this story promising then continue to read the first chapter. Also I made a banner for this fic, it's in my profile.