Chapter 1 :The trip.
Author's note: Hey guys! Well I would like to explain a few things. First Sakuno and Ryoma are both 17. Oh and I decided to give Sakuno some backbone. I think that after a few years of development she can get a little feisty hehe. Well, Enjoy! Oh and this story will most likely be in Sakuno's or Ryoma's POV. I'll keep switching.
Disclaimer
Sakuno POV
I had to get into that college. Therefore, I need to accomplish the extracurricular assignment. My mind wondered what it exactly was. So, today I'm going to ask my advisory teacher if I can apply.
I got lost in my mind, causing my clumsiness to take over the rest of my body and bump into a by-passer.
I quickly bowed. "I'M SO SORRY. I wasn't watching were I was going."
I heard a boyish groan come from above me. "Che. Oi Ryuzaki, Your hair is too long and you're too careless."
Of all the people I could have bumped into it had to be Him. "I said I was sorry, you don't have to pick on me Ryoma." I pouted. Oh yeah, I should say that I don't harbor a crush for the petty prince in front of me. I realized how mean he was and decided to just like him as a friend. I thought dropping the 'kun' would make things more appropriate.
And he answered me with his oh so infamous Trademark smirk. "Hn." He waved as he disappeared in the other side of the hall.
Baka Sakuno, Why did you ever fall in love with him?I sighed and contiuned to walk to my classroom, but a bit more careful then I was before.
"Sensei! I was wondering if you could tell me that extracurricular assginment that would help me get into my perferred college." I was trying to apply for a famous culinary school in Tokyo. To be able to get into it, I needed to apply very early, even though I still have one more year of school left.
She greeted me kindly and said, "Oh that, well it will help you alot with qualifying but I'm not so sure it's worth it."
Her answer left me curious. " Really? How so? "
"Well, it requires you to go to America and train with foreign Chefs for a few weeks maybe even months."
My mouth was left agape. I would have to leave Japan for so long? But I really wanted to get into that college. But who would take care of Obaa-chan? Who would help Tomo-chan watch her brothers? Who would keep the trio from getting into trouble, espcially Horio? I wasn't expecting this.
Sensei spoke up. "Sakuno-chan? Don't worry I'll give you time to think. Here is the application paper, have your grandmother sign it if you truly plan on going?" She handed me the packet.
I smiled in gratituded. "Hai, Thank you very much, Sensei." I quickly exited the classroom. Then I headed home to discuss this with Obaa-chan.
I entered the house. "Obaa-chan, I'm home! I need to talk to you."
Instead of hearing her voice, I heard a more masculine one. "Ah, Sakuno-chan. Your Grandmother went to the grocery store."
"Nya Nya~ Sakuno-chan is home!"
"Eh? Oh, Hi Fuji-sempai and Eiji-sempai." I wasn't very surprised with their unexpected visit. The former Seigaku players come visit me and Obaa-chan alot.
The two frowned. "Sigh, Sakuno-chan. What did we say about calling us?"
"Eh? Oh. Right, Syuuske-kun, Kiku-kun." I giggled. We had gotten so close they demanded that i call them by their first names, well in Eiji-sempai's case, a nickname.
Eiji gave me a big bear hug. "Nya~ you're so cute Sakuno-chan!" I chuckled. He was so childish, like a little brother.
Fuji smiled. "So Sakuno-chan, how's the college application thing?"
I swear, Fuji can read anyone's mind. "Aha, well..You see I'm reconsidering if I should take it."
"WHAT? BUY WHY SA-CHAN? Isn't it your dream to go to that college?Nya." Eiji asked.
"Really, why is that Sakuno-chan?' Fuji asked this time.
Well if I didn't tell them now, they would have found out sooner or later. "Um, it requires me to go to America and study for a while." I answered meekly.
"WHAT? NYA~ BUT THEN WE WONT BE ABLE TO-" Before he could finish Fuji wacked him in the face knocking him out. If I hadn't known what Fuji was capible of, I would have rushed over there to Eiji's aid. But knowing Fuji, he didn't really punch him too hard. Yet , I still wanted to check.
Fuji seemed very intrigued "Is that so? Well to be honest I think it's a wonderful Idea. Excluding the fact that, we won't be able to see each other for a while. Saa, what causes you to reconsider?"
"It's just that, who would take care of Obaa-chan? Or Watch out for the troubling trio? Or help out in the community?" Yeah, I work sometimes at the communiy center. I always like the feeling I wold get when I helped others.
"Hmm, well you don't have to worry about Ryuzaki-sensei. I'm sure, Eiji, myself, and the others will be coming over quite alot. And, I think she can take care of herself for a while. Regarding your classmates, Momo could keep them in place if you ask him. And you've been working at the community center so much, don't you think you should have some rest?"
I have to admit Fuji can persuade. "Well, I still have to discuss this with Obaa-chan"
Fuji gave me an understanding smile. "Hai hai." Then he picked up Eiji's body and threw him on the couch.
"Well would you like anything to eat? I think I have enough ingredients to make Dango(sweets dumplings)" I offered as I made my way towards the kitchen.
"Ah, that would be great." Fuji replied.
"Nya~ S-Strawberry Caku nyaaaaa" I heard Eiji mumble in his sleep. I made a note to also check if we had enough ingredients to make Strawberry Cake."
"Hello? Fuji? Eiji? Is Sakuno home?" Obaa-chan came through the entrance of the house
I came out of the kitchen holding the desserts I had just made for Fuji and Eiji. "Oh Obaa-chan, you're home."
"Saa. Ryuzaki sensei, I'll take those groceries to the kitchen for you." Fuji said. But I noticed a mysterious and sadistic aura oozing out of that so called gentle smile of his.
"Thank you Fuji." She then went to the coach and noticed an unconscious Eiji. I laughed nervously and waved my hands but she seemed to understand.
"Ah, I'll go make some tea." I went in the kitchen. Fuji followed behind me with the grocery bags.
When it was just us Fuji said. "Saa, see Sakuno-chan? We can take care of Ryuzaki-sensei. You don't have to worry."
I started to get pissed off because one, It sounded like he wanted me to leave and two, he seemed to know something I didn't. "What are you getting at Syuu-chan?" I asked as dangerously as a small teenage girl could.
He smiled that smile again. "Saa, I wonder Sakuno-chan..." He replied as he set down a sealed Fish down.
I felt like taking that fish and slapping Fuji across the face with it, of course in a playful manner. But I just mumbled 'Sadist...' to myself.
Fuji went out of the kitchen holding the tea I made. "Ryuzaki-sensei. I think Sakuno-chan has something important to discuss with you."
Okay, now I really felt like taking that fish out of the freezer and slapping Fuji until he knocked out right next to Eiji.
"Oh really? What is it Sakuno?"
Well, no sense hiding it. "It's about the extracurricular assignment."
Obaa-chan seemed to be very interested. "Uhuh. And what does it ask for?"
I gulped. "It's asking me to study in America for a while."
She eyed me curiously. "Eh? That's it?"
I twitched. What did she mean that's it? Obaa-chan too? Wah, Tears were falling do my face anime-style. I feel so unloved...
I saw Fuji holding down a laugh and I pouted angryliy. "W-well, Obaa-chan...There's a lot of responsibilities I have to do.. s-so if I leave things would be out of hand." My eyebrow kept twitching.
Obaa-chan laughed at me. "Sakuno, I know you want to go to that college but it looks to me that you're afraid of going to America by yourself."
"WHAT? That's not tr-"
She cut me off. "Look, I'm not trying to chase you out of the house but I think this would be a good experience for you. So say there's someone I know whose going to America for a while too. Would you consider going now?"
Hm? Someone else going to America? Who? "Well...I guess. But only since you seem to know this person."
In the back I thought I heard Fuji say "You do too." But I guess I was just hearing things.
Uhh... Did I hear Obaa-chan right? I thought she just said I would be going to America with-
"Sakuno. Are you paying attention? I said you are going to America with Ryoma."
"EH? WHY HIM OF ALL PEOPLE?" I put my hands on her desk. We were in her office at school. Now I know why Fuji was acting so secretive yesterday!
She gave me a confused look. "I thought you would like this. Don't you have a crush on him?"
"Mou, that was long ago! I actually can't believe I fell for that jerk... always saying my hair was too long and that I have wobbly knees..." I whined.
Obaa-chan sighed. "Well sorry Sakuno but you're just going to have to live with it."
The door slid open. "You called for me, old hag?"
And the petty prince arrives.
"Don't call me old hag you little brat..." Obaa-chan said darkly.
"Che."
"Well, I heard you're competing in the U.S. Open this year. It's in New York right?"
Ryoma nodded with that face that just craved for a speck of emotion
"Perfect. You will accompany Sakuno on her stay in America."
I saw that he was thrown off guard with this. I laughed quietly but he seemed to notice and gave me a fierce but not threatening glare. Opsie I think just angered Mr. Prince.
"What? Why do I have to go with her?"
"Yeah! Why?" I asked.
"I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK WITH HIM/HER." We both confessed at the same time. Haha, how cheesy. But I still couldn't help the pink glow that was starting to come to my face.
Obaa-chan seemed angry. "OI... You two will go to America together wheither you like it or not.. Is that clear?"
I gulped for the second time that week. "H-hai?"
Then I turned to Ryoma to see his answer. He glanced at me then said "Fine whatever."
Obaa-chan told me to go to home. She said she had to discuss something with Ryoma. Well I guess there's no helping it. I quickly went home to get packed for this dreaded trip.
Ryoma's POV
I sighed. "What is it that you want?"
The old hag grew quiet. "I want you to watch over Sakuno carefully. You see, America is not a safe place for her.."
"Then why are you even letting her go anyways? What's the reason?" I asked nonchalantly. It's not that I cared alot, I was just curious that's all. Anyways, Ryuzaki is just a friend.
"It's for her school. Sakuno has really been set on that school ever since she was little. How can I not let her go?It's her dream."
I stayed silent since I really didn't have anything to say.
"Also I think you should know about what happened to Sakuno in America. Are you willing to listen?"
I thought for a few minutes. Then Ryuzaki's face popped up in my head. What the? Why am I thinking about her? But the background on the girl who has known me for years got me curious well I guess it couldn't hurt. I sighed again. "I'm all ears."
OMG I'm done with the first chapter. If you're reading this Thank you very much for putting up with my ugly work this whole time. Oh and please review and give me suggestions, constructive criticism and comments. I'm sorry if you didn't like that there's not alot of Ryosaku in this chappie but their will be more in the next chapter. Once again thank you and I'm sorry if this is a really stupid story, I don't have much experience in writing. Hehe.
