Disclaimer: That guy – Takeshi Konomi? Yeah. That guy.
This does not acknowledge that New Prince of Tennis exists.
The Allergy
Chapter 1
Echizen Ryoma and Ryuzaki Sakuno were together.
It had taken a long, good while. Of course you had the nosey—erm, concerned and sympathetic comrades and allies. From Osakada Tomoka to the entirety of the Seigaku Tennis Team, even at points the Rikkaido Tennis Team and Atobe Keigo himself, the pair had come a long way. Somehow, the status of matchmaker for the two had escalated to some sort of high-stake challenge. There had been a myriad of schemes and campaigns to match the two together—but in the end, they had all failed. Nonetheless, it was estimated the two started going out officially over a weekend during the spring break before their second year of high school when, coincidentally, all the aforementioned supporters to their cause happened to be graduated, to be busy, or out of town. Regardless of the when, it was simple: plainly and out of sight, fate, chemistry, and hormones worked the two out by themselves.
They were quite good about hiding it at first. To many, they appeared as just friends. But one flippant inquisition later, and the cat was out of the bag: yes, they were dating. Needless to say, this was the obvious fault of the representative girlfriend, for—needless to say—the representative boyfriend had quite the knack for dodging such bullets. Anyway, needless to say, most everyone was shocked at the sudden reveal.
Once they openly became an item, everyone watched this couple anxiously. They were all waiting for a train wreck. There were side bets on how many times Ryoma would make Sakuno cry. There were also bets on how many times Sakuno would make Ryoma cry, too, but that bet was a little more dubious, since, if Ryoma was ever going to cry, all were sure he'd do it in isolation. Following such, there were bets on the place Ryoma would choose to cry. For some reason, Nanjirou's arms were a popular choice, followed by Ryoga's.
Regardless and somehow, there were no tears. With all the odds against them, conflicts between the two were far and few. Actually, practically nonexistent. All bets on the when of the couple's first squabble soon past and expired. It was, if anything, weird. Some say Ryoma plays the aggressor and Sakuno the pacifist, an endless give-and-take. Others state Ryoma is irrevocably whipped. Regardless, they appeared to complement each other flawlessly. Sure enough, they were one of those couples.
Their relationship was just so, so innocent. And it was disgusting.
The pair exhibited a lot of PDA. What? Yes, PDA. Public Displays of Affection. The straight-laced Echizen Ryoma and the wallflower Ryuzaki Sakuno were the last people to be suspected of the offense. Yes, at a glance, one would even doubt, "Wait, they're a couple?" But lo and behold, if one was to really observe them, there would be so many little, affectionate touches. Once you noticed it, you would notice all of it. And that was when the nausea arrived. A brush of a stray lock of hair. A rub of the arm. Plenty of footsy. Even, daresay, a wink. They radiated a glow, an "afterglow," even though they didn't do…well, anything! At least anything really worth mentioning. If one was to be conversing with them, they'd slip in all these quips—at first, it'd be negligible, but soon enough, even the dimmest would realize that they were being talked around through the subtlest inside jokes. Here they were, on their love-love bicycle, the world being their third-wheel.
It was quite a frustration to be around them for a while, really. At this point, if probed or teased, they each, in turn, would just laugh to themselves softly. Could it be called just a laugh? Nay, maybe more like a knowing conceit underneath a charade of friendly smiles.
That is, until the problem came.
They were about 8 months into their relationship. Or was it 9? No one really knew precisely. But, being, well, them, everyone could confirm confidently that the two still had not done anything.
How could they be so confident? Well, people had ways of obtaining first-hand empirical evidence before reaching such a conclusion (Witness A whined, "They just sat there—talking—and drinking—coffee. Dafuq, nya?!" while Witness B blandly reported, "There is no hot library sex data").
Of course there were bets on when their celibacy would end! Many believed they would become 40-year old virgins. More favored the theoretical saga that, when they came of child-rearing age, they would cultivate some wry, alien petri dish it-baby, out of the womb with a Fila cap and braids—the Fila cap and braids were always certain.
Anyway, it was at this point—8 or 9 months—that Ryuzaki Sakuno first came over to Echizen Ryoma's house. What? Yes, the first time. Surprisingly enough, they had only hung out in the corners and cusps of public spaces. Underneath the shadows of a sole oak in the park. On a forgotten tennis court. By the dated section of the library. At the morose table by the stairs in a café. Their times together would always end with the two walking together before mutually departing for their respective homes.
But at this point—this arbitrary 8 or 9 month span of their relationship—they had casually decided to go to Ryoma's house to study. Their frequenting to a particular library section suddenly made it a popular dating spot with some new dating lore to boot: "If you chew gum here with your crush, you'll be together—not forever, but five-ever!" Mind you, the librarian was not pleased with the spike in gum underside tables.
Anyway, here they were—8 or 9 months into it—in front of Ryoma's house.
"Ah," he said, in his noncommittal style of welcoming.
She smiled with a soft 'thank you.' The two took off their shoes and don house slippers before stepping up into the humble foyer.
Scuffle. Tap, tap, tap. The familiar sounds spread a warmth throughout his whole being as he scanned for the source of the noise.
"Ah, there," he hummed knowingly. "Karupin!"
The Himalayan cat turned round the corner, then, using his stocky legs, propelled himself towards his loving master.
"Karupin is back from America!" He scooped up his friend, his companion, his family member of 7 years.
"King Karupin, look at you, you missed me right? Right? Ne? Have you gained weight? Heh, so soft and fluffy." He happily ruffled the Himalayan's head. He could hardly contain himself from the customary coddling and cooing. But being Echizen Ryoma, he would maintain his image in front of others, so he restrained himself. Biting his lip with a smile, he then turned to his significant other.
"Look, Sakuno, Karupin is back from America!"
"Ah," she replied, a sad smile painted her face. She sniffed.
Then a realization penetrated him, a sudden jolt fully exposing his golden irises. He turned to her.
The watery eyes. The hoarse voice. The rubbing of a red nose, the sniffle. It couldn't be.
"Sakuno, don't tell me. Are you…"
"Ryoma, I'm allergic to cats."
A/N: Oh, don't tell me you never thought of this. Sorry for not sharing this earlier...literally had this complete for over a year now. Just totally slipped my mind. Also forgive me for time inconsistencies or such. If you see mistakes, please point them out. I did proof and edit but it's been a while.
So yay or nay? Have any allergies yourself? Or do you just hate cats? Share!
TO BE CONTINUED!