Yukimura Seichi stands up from his seat
It's now the time for his match
The final match between Rikkaidai and Seigaku
.
His opponent is Echizen Ryoma
.
His obstacle for his team 3rd consecutive winning
.
And his obstacle for winning his love
.
Yukimura glances at the side
At her
.
Ryuzaki Sakuno
.
weeks ago…
.
Yukimura couldn't hold his fear
He hugs his body tightly
His body trembling madly
.
Tomorrow he'll face an operation
An operation with 50-50 chance
.
"Are you alright?"
A sweet voice of a girl
.
Yukimura turns his face to see the visitor
.
A girl
She has small figure
Long auburn hair that was tied into two braids
Milky white skin
Big chocolate eyes
Cherry lips
.
Her face shows worry
.
Yukimura quickly turns his face into the usual angelic smile
"Oh..I'm alright…"
He lied
.
"Really?"
She asked
.
His bright smile turns into a faint one
.
"Visiting someone?"
Yukimura asked
.
The girl nods
Unconciously she enters the room
"My grandmother…"
She replied
.
She is now besides his bed
Yukimura stare at her warmly
So warm that it makes her shiver
"What happen to her?"
He asked curiously
A pair of big chocolate eyes looks at him with sadness
"She…had a stroke…"
The girl answered
She tries hard not to cry
.
He pulled the girl into an embrace
"Just cry...cry until no tears left"
He whispered
.
Her small hand clutches his shirt
He can feel her trembling
"I…won't cry…"
She said
.
Her answer makes him surprised
.
"I won't cry until she gets better…Because I know obaa-chan cries secretly…so I will be a strong girl for her…so that she didn't need to worry about me…and focus on her health"
.
Yukimura remembers how the regular visit him with smile, except for Sanada
Because they didn't want to make him worry
.
His hold on her becomes tighter
.
"I'm sorry…but can we be like this for a moment?"
He asked softly
.
He holds on to her like she will disappear
.
The girl's face become red
But he can't see it because his face nuzzling on her neck
.
Her eyes soften as she feels his quivering body
Her body becomes a bit relaxed
.
"I'm afraid…."
He whispered
.
"Why?"
She asked
.
"I'm afraid..of dying…."
.
Her face turns sad
.
"You won't…"
She said
.
Her hands touch his back
.
She hugs him back
.
"You won't die….you will be healthy again…and do all the things that you dreamt for"
She continues
.
His heart feels glad
.
Eventhough it's just words
Words from her
.
His body feels relaxed
And then…
.
.
.
As peace comes to his mind
He falls asleep
.
Realizing his soft snores
She tries to release her self
But his hold on her is too strong for her to break free
She breathe deeply
Confused of what she should do
But then..she gave up…
And wait until he wakes from his slumber
.
.
2 hours passed
And he haven't waking up yet
.
Sanada comes in
At first he's a bit stunned at what he sees
.
His captain hugging a girl
As he wants to get out for thinking that he disturbs them
Sakuno called him
"Excuse me…Sa..Sanada-san...can you help me?"
She pleads
.
He mused as he realizes what has happen
Slowly he release Yukimura's hold from her
And laid him on his bed
Yukimura looks so peaceful
.
"Thank you very much"
She said
.
Sanada gives her a nod
He didn't know about her
But she knows about him
Then he realizes that she's from Seigaku from her uniform
The school that beats them on Kantou tournament
.
"What's your name?"
He asked
.
"eh?..m..me? I'm Ryuzaki Sakuno"
She answered
.
"Ryuzaki? Do you have any relationship with coach Ryuzaki from Seigaku?"
.
"She is my grandmother"
Sakuno answered with a smile
.
"I hope she'll get well soon"
Said the vice captain
.
"Thank you very much…I hope he will get well soon too"
She said, looking at Yukimura
.
"Tomorrow…he has an operation…"
Sanada continues the conversation
The girl's face stiffen
.
The room becomes silent
.
"Can I come…tomorrow?"
She asked
Sanada look straight at her
.
"No one say you can't"
He replied
.
"Thank you"
.
"The operation will starts at 11 am"
.
"Then I will come a bit sooner"
.
"Thank you very much Sanada-san…for your help earlier, I need to visit obaa-chan now, please excuse me"
She bows deeply
.
Sanada bows her back
.
Ryuzaki Sakuno walks out of the room
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The next day
Sakuno arrives at the hospital with rapid breath
.
She runs as quickly as possible
.
As she arrives in front of Yukimura's room
She sees that there are a few people there
.
Rikkaidai regular team
.
When Sanada sees her,
He told the other to get out of the room
The other member gives her a bow
And Sanada follows them out of the room
Leaving only her and Yukimura
.
Yukimura gives her a gentle smile
"Konnichiwa…"
Sakuno said then gives him a bow
.
"Konnichiwa Ryuzaki-san"
He greets her back but he couldn't give her a bow
Because he lay on his bed
But as he tries to sit
She quickly runs to him
"Don't push yourself"
She said worriedly
.
Gently she pushes him to the bed
The door opens
And the second time Sanada sees them in an awkward position
After Sakuno stuttered to explains
He quickly closes the door
Yukimura chuckled
Sakuno turns her face to him
Her face turns beet red
.
"I'm sorry…really really sorry for yesterday"
Yukimura starts the conversation
She starts rambling about how sorry she was for touching him
.
He chuckled
.
"Sakuno-chan.can I call you like that?"
He asked
.
His gentle eyes shows pleading
.
"Yo..you can"
She looks at the floor
Couldn't lift her face for she was a shy one
.
"My name is Yukimura Seichi...you can call me Seichi"
.
"Se..Seichi-kun"
.
He smiles
.
He likes it
.
He likes how she calls his name with her sweet voice
.
"Sakuno-chan…"
.
She lifts her face
Only finding his face so close to her
.
"Wish me luck"
He whispered
.
Blood rushing to her face again
"O..of course…."
She could feel the trace of his warm breath on her ear
.
"Sakuno-chan…if this operation success, I have a wish"
He asked
.
Sakuno tilted her head to the left
"A wish?"
She asked
"Yes…Will you grant it for me?"
.
She looks confused
.
"O…of course the operation will succeed"
She stated
.
"Then you will?"
He asked
.
"I…I will"
Her answer makes him feel delightful
.
"Yukimura-san..it's time for your operation
The nurse enters the room
Sakuno walks out of the room worriedly
Sanada taps her shoulder lightly
Telling her that he will be alright
Sakuno and the others follow to the operation room
Waiting until the operation finished
.
.
Every minute she prays
They pray
For him
.
.
Eventhough for her
He is a stranger
Both of them barely know each other
But that didn't stop her
She just wants to see that smile again
His smile
His voice
And his healthy face
.
.
.
"Ryuzaki-san…you should rest"
Said Sanada gently
"Yes, Sakuno-chan…we'll tell you right away when the operation finished"
Said Marui, already call her casually
The others nod their head
"That's okay…I'll wait"
Sakuno replied with a smile
They understands
And all of them continue to wait
.
.
Time passed
After 10 long hours
The doctor walks out of the operation room
Yukimura parents, Sanada and the other team members quickly runs to him
They look nervous
Then the doctor smiled
"Congratulations, the operation succeed"
He said
To be continued…