Title: The Girl Who Smiles
Summary: The girl who never fails to keep that amazing upward curve in her lips bringing things, people and their hearts to where it supposed to be – just unfortunately, failed to fix her own. RyoSaku.
Disclaimer made.
PROLOGUE
"R-Ryoma-kun." She paused and took a deep breath, "I—I like you." The auburn girl shut her eyes close. Too scared, too scared of how this quite-weird confession will turn out. Too afraid of how the consequences she'll face after his too-soon-obvious rejection. Too bothered of how she will lose him, their friendship and her heart… tonight.
"Ryuzaki."
Oh. He's there, thank God. He is still there.
His eyes widened after hearing the lines when he all-too-know that she had liked him since the first time they met. He was aware of how her worried eyes watched him whenever he played tennis. He was aware how happy she was whenever he acknowledged her. But there he is, silently watching her from the corner of his cat-shaped orbs.
"H-hai?" He was so sure that her voice cracked at some point, although she always sound like one—
His hazel eyes stared unbelievably in the ceiling, which he found rather interesting to watch that time. He opened his mouth and searched for the words he knew he needed to give her. Can't find his voice at the moment which he felt betrayed of, he closed his eyes and took an inaudible sigh. He had already mastered the art of rejection – he should have. Tennis taught him that. His priorities taught him that. His dreams taught— no. Does his guilt is going to betray his soon? No. He has no time for this other than tennis.
Yes, he appreciated her that's why he let himself show her his kind personality, at least that. She isn't too annoying, not too pushy and all which sit well for him. That should be all, right? Right?
If it is, if he knew too well her standing in his life, what does make things harder for him to reject her feelings? She is his friend, just a friend. Why?
"Sorry, Ryuzaki." He finally said it – the magic words that might break their bond.
As if on cue, as if she is Inui Sadaharu who has already calculated his response, as if this is already foreseen by Ryuzaki Sakuno, the girl who even get lost on her way home, she said… "I see."
He gripped his phone tightly closing his eyes in the process; making a mental mantra of everything will be fine after this.
"I understand, Ryoma-kun." He was so sure, so sure that he heard her smile on the other line. He inwardly smiled. Then she continued as if his silence sounds she needs to say something more, "I—I just need to let out the feeling inside my chest." she chuckled, "…but, friends?"
He can see an imaginary figure of Sakuno standing in front of him, her large chocolate orbs and her big smile, a hand extended to him, "yes. We are always friends."
'Good, everything will be good,' he opened his eyes.
"T-Thank you." And that's it. Like a fragile glass that slipped from their grip, in a slow motion, bounced hard against the cold pavement and broke into pieces. He took a sharp breath.
Ah.
His eyes widened. He should have realized it. He should have known. She is broken… she is already broken before the rest of the world knew and… they will never know. That small choke in her voice, just that second ago – he was sure.
Then he heard a loud thump and the familiar voice of his ex-coach reached his ears. His eyes flickered when the voice spoke, "Sakuno! Why are your eyes so red? Have you been crying again you silly girl!"
See? Told you, Echizen.
"No Obaa-chan!" he heard her stammered on the other line, "I—I… sneezed a lot today, I guess I am not cleaning the house that well. It's so dusty lately, ne obaa-chan?"
Bad Liar, Ryuzaki. Ryoma smirked
Ryuzaki Sumire stared at her like she grew 3 heads and laughed, "Mada mada dane, Sakuno."
"O-obaa-chan!"
"Why Sakuno? Don't tell me you followed Osakada's advice when she told you that tennis prince like you back for giving you his racket?"
His eyes widened. Ah, that racket.
"But obaa-chan. He rejected me."
"Oh. Still surprised about that?"
"I'm not."
"That's why you already cried beforehand to avoid crying again?"
"I'm not."
"I'm just kidding, Sakuno. But really, don't worry too much. Time will heal you. You'll find someone better."
He closed his eyes, feeling it's not good to listen to their conversation though he felt he needed to hear what she thought about him and their relationship. Still, eavesdropping will never be his cup of tea. Leave the award to Momoshiro who is too good in this activity, if you call it one.
The coach herself had her way to treat her wounds. But honestly, he felt his stomach turned upside down after hearing the words; someone better.
Nevertheless, he knew he will heal too. Tennis will help him to heal something stabbing pain in his chest he can't exactly figure out why. His train of thoughts was cut by Sakuno's voice, who seemed to remember the long-forgotten-long-distance-telephone conversation they had, "-kun, still there? I am sorry, obaa-chan…"
"Betsuni," he cut her off.
"O-Okay." She sighed. "Anyway, thank you very much Ryoma-kun for your time. Please keep doing you best, we will be cheering you all the way from Japan, okay?"
"Thank you."
"…"
"…"
"I-I have to go."
"Wait."
"Ryoma-kun?"
"Take care, Ryuzaki."
"Thank you. You too, Ryoma-kun."
…and that night, month of October, 11 years ago, in Japan, as the autumn wind continued to blow its cold breeze, a still ice started to grow in her heart. For she feared that from this day on, she will always be haunted with nightmares. She will be haunted with unknown fears, tripping her endlessly – and that she won't be able to stand on her own anymore.
She smiles. She will keep their friendship. At least he agreed.
She didn't mind losing anything else beyond that because she knows that she already did, that very thing she tried to protect – the heart that wavers because of his hazel eyes.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Note: I am finally back, will try to update every two weeks and will try to reply to your reviews and questions. As for this story, this will be a melo-dramatic with slice of life kind of genre. I will try to apply realistic situations we usually encounter during our hard times in life. Also, I used to listen to songs while creating this plot and even writing this chapter. So far, if you wanted to get an idea how this story will go, try listening to: Let it Out by Miko Fukuhara, Ayaka's Okaeri and Te wo Tsunagou.
Truth to be told, this story is based from my experiences (not exactly though). A lot to tell you, actually. Also, I wanted to commend Sailor Bunny Moon's and fyegirl's works, they are awesome! Till the next chapter guys!
Quick glimpse for the next chapter: Okaeri
"My grandmother told me before. When you are 10 years old, they call you prodigy. When you're 15, they call you genius. And when you turn 20, you become an ordinary man."
- Nanase Haruka from Free!