I CHANGES

Summer came and went and with it brought new things both good and bad. For Sakuno Riyuzaki a 17 year old girl it was one that showed her a path towards her future, and brought her a step closer to being an adult.

When the teachers told her that all first year students will go to a camp to search for their future she was disappointed. She had so many plans for that summer and they would all go to waste.

But as she stood now in front of the high school gates, she knew it was all worth it. She was no longer the shy uncertain girl that all took for granted. Now she had a porpoise she was sure of herself and most of all, she now knew that she to was good at something.

Now a second year student at the prestigious school Seishon Gakuen she walked towards her future leaving her past behind.

I wonder if I'll be in the same clas with Tomoka and the others this year too. I hope so. Ah.. there's Tomo.

"Tomo-chan! Hy how are you? How was your summer?"

"Sakuno?... is that really you?"

"What do you mean Tomoka?"

"Well you've changed. …. A lot."

"I just had a hair-cut and I guess it's also because I'm not wearing an uniform but casual clothes. But uther than that I'm still the same."

"I guess you're right."'No Sakuno, it's not the clothes or the haircut. You changed… it's like you've grown up.'

"So what club did you join ?"

"Huh! Club? I'm not joining any club. I'm dedicating all my time to Ryoma-sama. Someone has to chear for him, and feed him, and… hey Sakuno are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. Greate. You do that." 'Why do we always talk about him. it's like his the center of our univers, and he doesn't even apriciate it. Really why do I even bother liking that guy? He never shows even the slightest emotion'

Hey,hey
Bye, bye (bye bye)

"Oh here he comes! Ryoma-sama!"

"hy Ryoma."

"…"

'Honestly the least he could do is answer back. Do I really like him. I mean there is no such thing as love at first sight right? And he never encouraged me… so…'

Bye, bye (bye bye)

'I don't know why my heart acts this way when I see him but the truth of the mater is that he doesn't see me as anything other than a friend. If even that.'

"Ryoma-sama when's your practice? I want to come and chear for you."

"After school" 'Why is Tomo being so noysy. And why is Sakuno so distracted? She hasn't said a word since I came in, and she keeps staring at me like she's looking for something. Girls…. I'll never understand them. But I would really like to have the chance to understand her. Well maybe one day…'

"are you going to be there?"

"Huh?... yeah, sure." Sakuno was shocked he actually asked her to come, did that mean that he liked her as much as she did him?

'wow… hold on. Don't you think that you're jumping to conclusions? Gees! He probably wants to be sure he can plan his exit.'

Maybe but I what if he…

'What if… what if? Why don't you just ask him and find out. And if he doesn't like you than go on with your life.'

That's right I have to find out what he thinks about me. I've been in this game for too long and I'm tired of it. I need answers, and today I'll ask him after his practice.


Boy I'm doing this tonight

Probably gonna start a fight

I know this can't be right

That entire day Sakuno couldn't think about anything else other than wheather it was a good idea to ask Ryoma for a direct answer or not. After school ended and she finished applying for her choice clubs, she was half led half dragged by a very upset Tomoko to the tennis courts where Ryoma and the other regulars were practicing.

She sat down on the same bench as last year and began watching him like always, only this time she couldn't help but wonder why was he so cold to her, and exactly why was she there supporting him when he never did that for her.

Hey baby come on

I loved you endlessly

And you weren't there for me

So now it's time to leave and make it alone.

Not even once did he sow a kind gesture towards her, and he made her cry so much… she had to get this over with…she had to know so that she could start mendind her broken heart.

I know that I can't take no more,

It ain't no lie

I wanna see you out that door

Baby bye bye bye.

Meanwhile, unknown to her she had some spectators of her own.

"Hey Echizen! Your fan-club's here."

"…"

"Hm… is it me or did our Sakuno change? Not that I'm complaining. What do you think Eiji sempai?"

"HM..? now that you mention it she does seem different. More grown-up. Plus that new haircut really makes her look nice. Right Fuji"

"Yea… shes Verry pretty and…"

"…she's also smart. She's currently a member of the lit club and did you know that she used to write for a magazine?"

"Brains and beauty, a killer combination I would say. Who knew that our little Sakuno was hiding so much from us?"

"Hey Fuji be careful it sounds like you're planning an attack"

"And if I was, what would you do than Momo?"

"Oh… it's not me that you should worry about. Ryoma should be your main concern. Look at the scary face he has on."

'What are these guys doing? Do they really want to piss me of? Don't they know that Sakuno is mine, and only mine? If they even dare think I'll let them near her they….'

"Although I can understand you Fuji… I mean she really is quite pretty and if it were me I would ….."

"Why aren't you training? 20 laps. NOW"

"Oh come on Tezuka. We were just talking about our Sakuno, and how she changed. Doesn't she seem prettier?"

"She's pretty. Now start your training or I'll make you run laps until your legs fall of."

"YES buchou!"

'Our Sakuno, our Sakuno, what's with this guys. She's MINE. And no one's going to take her away from me.'

From the bench Sakuno watched them train while her friend kept talking or rather screaming about how great Ryoma was.

'What am I doing? Who am I trying to fool? He doesn't care about me; if he did he wouldn't act so cold. He always plays me around, giving me hope and than crushing all of my dreams. And I'm such a fool to be caught so easily in his game. I guess that's all it is to him, a game. And I like the fool that I am keep on falling in his trap. Well not anymore.'

bye) I don't want to be a fool for you

Just another player in your game for two

You may hate me but it ain't no lie

Baby bye bye bye.

'I'm not going to do this anymore. I have better things to do than cry over high-school crushes. I'll get over it, learn from it and become stronger.'

"Hey Sakuno it looks like they finished practice. Lets meet him at the main gate."

"Ok" 'So close'

I don't really want to make it though,

As they approached the main gate they saw 2 figures waiting for them. One friendly and soothing the way Momo-chan always seemed to be, and another one that was mysterious and dark and cold only be Ryoma. With every step Sakuno felt her heart pounding against her chest. But she was determined to finish this game today.

"Hi Ryoma. Listen can we talk a bit? I want to ask you something"

I just want to tell you that I had enough

"…"

"Hey you guys can talk later.first lets go have lunch. What do you say gils? Our treat!"

'Really Momo-sempai!"

"Is it ok with you Ryoma? Wouldn't I be a bother?"

"I guess it can't be helped."

Baby bye bye bye.

She felt like crying, but she couldn't, not there, not in front of him. She won't give him that satisfaction. He will never see her crying again, and she decided that after today she would never cry again.

"tomoko why don't you go ahead, I remembered I had to write something for the lit club. I'm sorry Momo-sempai, perhaps another time."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah? I'd better hurry now" 'Hurry and leave before I start crying.'

"Well ok then. See you tomorrow."

She never answered her friend back, she couldn't her voice was far to shaky, and tears were beginning to pour out of her eyes, so before they could see her she ran, as fast and as far as she could, and she didn't stop until her legs were to tired to move and her body was shaking violently from her sobs.

She found shelter in a beautiful park but it's beauty was lost to her as she left herself be consumed by sadness and grief. She felt her heart braking in a million pieces and than in a million more, and she could do was cry for one last time, for what she wanted but never could have.

I'm giving up I know for sure

I don't wanna be the reason of your love no more

(Bye bye)

I'm checking out I'm signing of

I don't wanna be the loser and I've had enough.

When her tears subsided and the chilling autumn wind made her shiver awake she decided that that was enough, that she had cried enough and that now she should get on with her life.

'It's gonna be hard but it's better than living a lie. He never did give me much hope so maybe next time I fall in love I'll fall for someone that deserves it. But first I have to learn how to fall out of love.'

I lived for you and me

And now I really come to see

That life will be much better

Once you're gone.

When she got home it was late but her grandmother was still out. She felt even lonelier in that empty house that night tan any other time. To tiered to do anything, she decided to sleep and for once it came straight away whisking her away from the pain of reality and into the wonderful world of dreams and magic. Her last words before she fell asleep were to the one responsible for her pain and a plea and promise for her future.

"Good-bye Ryoma. One day I'll forget how to love you."

Baby bye bye bye.