Title: Innocent Romance
Author: Miyuki Meiru
Summary: Two lives were brought together by fate when they lost the things they loved the most. Will these two finally find what they're looking for?
Pairing: RyomaxSakunoxOC
Genre: Romance
Rating: T
Warnings: If you don't like stories set in AU (Alternate Universe), then this story is not meant for you to read. Sakuno's inner mind may sound OOC. Some spoilers in the succeeding chapters may be present.
Author's note: If you guys noticed, my writing style also changed. I followed the style of most novels and applied it in my fanfiction. Actually, I am planning to write this fic just like a novel. I hope you guys would like my new approach. Also, I want to know if somebody's interested to be my beta-reader. I need to have one since I'm not really confident in grammar and English is not my first language. I'm hoping to have somebody to be my partner in making this fic wonderful. Please tell me if you guys want me to continue this story or not. Also, I want to know if the plot of the story's alright.
Chapter One: Connection
"Takabayashi Reiko-san," I heard the secretary called and the woman beside me entered the office. This only meant one thing for me. I was going to be next.
I swallowed the lump on my throat and reminded myself to stay calm. Right, I should be calm. All I needed to do was to answer a bunch of questions, right? I sighed again for the nth time already.
I was really nervous for this interview. I was a medical student for quite some time now and my school offered scholarship training in America. I wanted to grab the rare opportunity. My grades weren't bad in fact, they were quite good and I was a bit confident when I submitted my forms. I also passed the examination they gave and all I needed was to pass the interview. I wasn't informed that there would be an interview! I preferred if they would just base it on our forms and records. Mom explained that grades shouldn't be the only basis for this scholarship grant.
I really hated interviews. I was a timid girl and I always stutter whenever I talked to people. Sometimes, I wondered if these were the results of my dreams being pulverized at such a young age. I definitely lost my self- confidence. I could only bury myself in books and make good grades. That wasn't so bad, right?
The secretary came again. Here we go!
"Ryuzaki Sakuno-san," I stood up nervously and proceeded to the office.
The office looked so great with pastel colour. The interviewer, Joseph Harley-san, looked very kind. Upon noticing my presence, the American gave me a wide smile. "Hello, Miss Ryuzaki," he said in his native tongue. I slowly moved and took the chair in front of his desk.
Harley-san was a middle-aged man. He had blonde hair and brown eyes. I watched him as he filled up some sort of parchment which I guessed was an evaluation paper. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Harley," I said in English. I hope he wouldn't laugh at my twisted accent.
"Oh, it's okay. I can understand Japanese." He smiled at me. I was smiling too just to hide the truth that I was starting to hate him. Why would he greet me in English if he could speak Japanese? He must've been mocking me. He must've thought that the Japanese people really sucked in English. Mou, I didn't like this at all!
"T-that's good t-then," I smiled again. My problem arose again, problem of stuttering.
"So let's start the interview. First, tell me more about yourself." He said as he grabbed a folder in his drawer.
"I'm R-ryuzaki Sakuno, currently 22 years old and someday I w-want to be a s-specialist in P-pediatrics." I said, trying to tell myself that I could do it.
"Hmm…" Harley-san tapped his fingers and placed them in his chin. "So you like children then?" He asked again.
"Yes, I like to help kids." I replied instantly. I was happy that this time I managed to say it straight without having to stutter.
"Why do you want to get this scholarship? I know Japan also have this kind of technology." He asked again. I didn't know why I felt as if Harley-san was a vulture ready to devour me anytime. I also felt this intimidating aura in him. It took me quite some time before I gave him a response. "Miss Ryuzaki?" He called as I snapped out of my deep thoughts.
I took a deep breath. In this question there was no wrong answer. "I need to do something," I replied. I saw Harley-san's face suddenly became anxious.
"Come again?" He asked again but I know he heard me, I meant it he heard every single word.
"I need to do something," I paused. "And this scholarship grant will help me find what I'm looking for," I didn't really know where the hell did I get this answer. I could've said that mom could give more to the orphanage if I were able to get a free scholarship. Somehow, an unexplainable force made me said something I wasn't even aware of. More importantly, I wanted to find out where did this sudden courage came from.
"That's very nice, Miss Ryuzaki." Harley-san's troubled expression changed into a smile. This time his smile wasn't as intimidating and infuriating just like the ones he gave a while ago. "I like that attitude," he praised. "You'll get to know the results after a week."
"T-thank you" I bowed before I left his office. I scampered as I left. Wow, that was totally superb. This was probably the best interview so far in my life. All I needed to do was to wait for the results.
Then it came to our mailbox exactly seven days after the interview. I hurriedly took it to the kitchen where my mom had been cooking dinner. "Okaa-san, obaa-chan, it's here!" I screamed.
Mom and grandma excitedly approached me. "Sakuno, we should be happy wether they accepted you or not," mom reminded me.
I slowly tear the right side of the envelope. My eyes widened as I read the contents. "So what does it say?" Grandma asked me.
"I passed!" I rejoiced, "Okaa-san, obaa-chan! I'm going to America!" I happily jumped as my mom and grandma gave me hugs.
"Oh, we're so happy for you dear." Mom said as she wiped those tears of joy. Mom had always been like this. She easily cried when she was happy but tried to stop her tears when she was sad. I was always watching her even when dad left us. Speaking of my dad, he was a businessman and now he had his own company. He left us when I was four. Mom said that he couldn't bear her constant visits in the orphanage. Dad ridiculed mom by saying that it was stupid to give away your money to a bunch of orphans. They had a big fight then they ended up getting a divorce. Dad never came back. Maybe he had his own family to take care of now. I had few memories of him and we were never that close. I was really more attached to my mom.
"Thank you," I said as I shed tears of joy myself.
A week after I received the confirmation. I finally finished all the needed requirements and finally the process of renewing my passport was done. The last time we renewed our passports was when I was twelve. The Children's foundation had a seminar overseas and they asked my mom to represent the organization. Of course, I tagged along.
"Sakuno, I'll miss you!" Tomoka said as she hugged me. "We'll be best friends forever right?" She had this unexplainable glee in her tone. Though, her tone seemed a little sad.
"Of course, Tomo-chan!" I hugged her too. "I'll miss you."
"Just tell me if some American blondie bullies you. I'll cross the pacific just to beat her," she said as she held her arm as if she were going to punch someone.
"I'll take care," I smiled at her. Right, I was finally going to leave today. I had suitcases prepared with me and the only thing I needed to do was to wait for the taxi to take me to Narita airport.
"I'm happy for you," Tomoka smiled as she gave me a letter. "It's from our friends too. They are very sorry because they couldn't come for you."
"It's okay; tell them that I appreciate their thoughts." I was touched by my friends. Somehow, I felt very special.
The taxi finally came. "I'm sorry, I couldn't come with you at the airport." Tomoka gave an apologetic look.
"It's alright, till next time." I said before giving Tomoka a final hug. "See you," I smiled.
I rode the taxi and off I went to the airport where I met with mom and grandma who went there directly from their workplaces. "Okaa-san, obaa-san," I called.
"I love you and I'll miss you," mom said as she tried to smile.
"I love you too okaa-san," I hugged her.
"Show them what you've got, Sakuno." Grandma teased as she smiled at me.
"M-mou, obaa-chan" I blushed a bit.
As I entered the gate where my flight was assigned I took one final look on my family. I felt a slight heart ache when I saw those tears fell from mom's eyes. I was uncertain whether she was happy for me or sad because I was leaving. I wished it was both. It was now time to face a new and different life ahead of me.
A flight of about twelve to thirteen hours would be tiring. I finally opened the letter from my friends and I was inspired by their messages. As I read, a part of me wanted to go back and stay with my loved ones. I wanted to go back and somehow a deep sense of regret seeped through me. It was the first time that I would be away from my loved ones for a long span of time. Finally, those tears from my eyes fell too.
The entire duration of my travel was spent by reading a novel. I read a romance novel given to me by Tomoka way back last Christmas and it was the only time that I got myself into reading it. I admired the woman's strength and courage as she waited for the love of her life. It was surreal in my thoughts. It even sounded like a cliché straight out of fairy tales.
I slept for about two hours and I was startled to wake up from the stewardess' announcement. We were finally going to land. We all followed their instructions such as fastening passenger's seat belt and the like. The landing took about fifteen minutes. I heard a little kid at the seat in front of me squeal in excitement. It was probably her first time in America too.
I made my way toward the luggage. I gathered my suitcases and proceeded to the exit. I observed a lot of people speaking in English. This was so new to me. I could see a lot of blondes, there were only a few blondes in Japan, except when you were in Harajuku. I grabbed my jacket and scarf. It was so cold in here.
"Miss Ryuzaki," A woman in her late twenties approached me. "I'm Stephanie from Claire's Medical Hospital. I came to pick you up," she spoke to me in English. She was tall yet she still wore those stilettos. She wore a long- sleeved dress and a fur coat.
"Hello, nice to meet you Miss Stephanie," I said as she proceeded to help in carrying my luggage. "Oh no, please let me do it myself." I smiled as she gave a disappointed look. How could I let a woman in stilettos carry my luggage? I mean, I could barely walk properly with those monstrosities on my feet. Stephanie walked forward without waiting for me to talk. She led me to the parking area and helped me place my luggage on her car.
I rode her car and instantly noticed a small figurine, a little girl wearing a doctor's uniform. So she was also a medical student, just like me. "That was a gift from my mother," Stephanie suddenly said. She must've noticed me staring at the miniature.
"I-it's a l-lovely gift," I stuttered a bit. I hope she wouldn't think that I was a psycho. In a much closer view, Stephanie was really a gorgeous woman. She was hot, sexy and well-refined. Also, who wouldn't want those long, perfectly toned legs. I guess men were all over her.
"Miss Ryuzaki."
"Yes?"
"Welcome to New York," she said in a slight high pitch tone but lower than Tomoka's. "You must've been tired from the travel." Stephanie suddenly stopped due to the traffic lights. "I think everyone in Claire's will like you."
"Y-you think s-so?" I asked again. I was still sort of dazed by Stephanie's physical appearance.
"Yes," she smiled again. "They would love to work with a sweet and gentle Japanese woman." What did she mean by that? I was starting to think that Stephanie was a bit sarcastic. I flinched a bit.
"Oh really, that would be awesome." I faked a laugh and she laughed along with me. We were silent for the rest of the trip. I was beginning to feel awkward and the silence was eating me up. I wasn't just used to be with a lot of foreigners. As Stephanie drove, my mind pondered on things like how would people at Claire's treat me. I think they won't be that bad since Stephanie was nice. I wondered what kind of patients I would have to work with in this entire training. The thought of helping others in any way I could made me smile.
Stephanie turned her radio on. She must've felt awkward too in this silence. She tuned into different stations and finally settled with a station playing the song entitled as 'Valentine'. I loved this song too. Mom would always sing it after she read one of her romance novels. She wasn't really a hopeless romantic but my mom was in love with the thought of falling in love. I doubted that her relationship with dad caused her to be like this.
"You like music?" Stephanie asked out of the blue. Music? I love it, and my feelings towards it would never change.
"Y-yes," I replied.
"Hmm… maybe you should try singing. It helps in dealing with stress. You know how stressful it is to be a medical student." Stephanie laughed, her laugh sounded very lightly. I only smiled. If only she knew what I did way back before.
"Yeah, very stressful and tiring but it's worth it." I replied, she stared at me with those cerulean eyes I wasn't used to seeing.
"Nice one, Can't believe you can come up with something like that!" She praised and I was awed by her American accent unlike mine. "You really take your job right through your heart."
"T-thank you," I blushed. This time, the song Valentine ended and some American DJ was cracking up some jokes. Stephanie laughed at those jokes that she heard. Then the news varied from the weather today and some events happening then something about the U.S Open. My ears perked upon hearing the name of a tennis tournament. Grandma mentioned ago that a player from her tennis club was now a pro tennis player. That guy would probably play for the U.S Open too.
"You're a tennis fan?" Stephanie asked again. She must've noticed my reaction when I heard the grandiose tennis tournament.
"N-not r-really…" I giggled a bit, "but my grandmother's the coach of a tennis club so I'm kinda well-informed about tennis." I said and Stephanie gave me a surprised expression.
"Wow, really I do think that Japanese people like tennis that much!" She exclaimed as she stepped on the gas lever.
"I guess so," I smiled.
"Finally, I think we found somebody he'll get along with," she sighed in relief. I was wondering why.
"Who?" I asked, Stephanie gave me a cunning smile.
"You'll find out soon when you meet him," her smile didn't change.
We finally arrived at the dormitory where I would be staying for the entire training. It was very huge and had this old American style which I could only see in movies. There was a wide backyard too and with the swings, slides and a garden. "Kids from Claire's play here," I heard Stephanie said behind me. "So what do you think?" She asked as she smiled.
"This place's great," I said excitedly. I was getting used to Stephanie's presence. Stephanie was my superior after all, my senpai. She was a medical student here way longer than I did. I followed as Stephanie led me to my room. I had a room almost similar to the ones I had back home. A bed by the window, a side drawer, a lampshade, a wardrobe and a T.V. Stephanie opened the window as we both felt the breeze came in.
"You can see Claire's from your room," Stephanie pointed at a white building not so far from the dormitory. If we go there by foot, the walk would probably take about five minutes. "Why don't you rest and take it easy today. Formal training will start tomorrow."
"Yes, that will be great," I said as I waved at Stephanie before she went out of my room. It was only two in the afternoon and I was certain that it was night time in Japan. I wouldn't want to disturb mom by calling and I knew that she was going to have a volunteer service early in the morning next day. I settled into sending mom a short e-mail about how things were running here. I mentioned about how welcome Stephanie made me felt and I was certain that the other staffs would also do the same. I also wished her luck for the organization's fund raising to go smoothly. After that, I continued reading the romance novel Tomoka gave me and I finally managed to finish it. I took a short nap and after about an hour I was widely awake. I couldn't think of anything to do so I decided to go out and explore the neighbourhood.
I went outside and saw kids playing at the playground backyard. They looked so happy with their nannies; I assumed that most of the kids were children of the medical staff at Claire's. Perhaps, the owner of this dormitory wanted a place for those kids to play. I also saw other students staying in the same dormitory, I didn't really ask for their names but they seemed very kind as they waved hello.
I discovered that a park was also near Claire's, but most of the ones in there are teenage boys and girls. The exterior of the hospital was just like the hospitals back home. I entered and noticed that it wasn't very different from most hospitals in Japan. Most of the nurses waved hello as I wandered through different corners of the hospital. I also managed to take a peek at a professor having a class about health care and something about first aid. I could finally imagine what kind of experiences I would get from the training. My thoughts were wandering as I realized that I entered the private quarters. I was lost.
There weren't any nurses and doctors around and all I could see were massive white hallways. I couldn't find the stairs either and I didn't have the slightest idea how I ended up in a deserted part of the hospital. I randomly entered a room and saw a few clothes scattered at the floor and a tennis racquet. Maybe this wasn't really a deserted part of the hospital. I looked a little closer and read the name at the jersey. "Echizen Ryoma," the owner of this room was Japanese too. I looked around and saw tennis balls and a few tennis magazines on the bedside table. Then I heard a rustle and caught a bit of raven moving swiftly towards me.
"Who are you?" I heard a voice and saw a man about my age. He frowned and glared at me. "What are you doing here?" He asked as I began to shake.
"I-I'm v-very s-sorry," I apologized. He looked very scary with that frown and glare. I noticed this tense and devious aura around him. I could feel a sense of deep frustration and anxiety in him. "I-I d-didn't m-mean t-to i-intrude," I stuttered as I felt my body shaking in fear.
"You shouldn't be here," he said but for me it was like growl, as if I tampered a lion. I felt like his glare could burn me anytime. Those eyes, I was afraid of them. He moved as he grabbed his tennis innuendos and shoved it in his cabinet. He did it as if I wasn't in the room. I couldn't move my body; I couldn't even understand why I was shaking.
Those eyes glared at me again. "You're still in here," he said in a low resonance voice. "Now, get out!" This time he yelled at me. I grabbed my hand bag as I began to scamper out of his room. Adrenaline became my fuel for finding the right exit. I ran until I was finally able to find the sky way connecting the private quartes and the main hospital building. I was already tired and settled with walking towards the dormitory. I felt the tears formed in my eyes, I should really not interfere with him again.
When I got back to the dormitory, it was already dinner time. I took a shower before showing up at the dinner banquet. I saw Stephanie talking to some girls and they were laughing loudly. When she noticed my presence, she smiled and waved as she made her way through me. Stephanie held my hand and pulled me towards the other girls. "Everyone, this is Sakuno Ryuzaki. From now on, she'll be staying with us. Let's all have a toast!" Stephanie exclaimed as she handed me a glass of champagne. "This is for Sakuno, the newest member of our family!" Stephanie said as we all toasted. That was very nice, a family. So that was how they do things in here.
Stephanie introduced me to her friends Sarah, Ashley and Tamara. They were very beautiful and friendly too. Sarah and Ashley were both blondes. Sarah stood out with her obsidian like orbs that looked so alluring. Ashley was very slim and she just looked like those fashion models that I could see in magazines. Tamara was a Russian beauty and she was just lovely.
"Welcome to family, Sakuno." Tamara came and shook hands with me.
"T-thank You," I said as I took her hand.
"You must be wondering why we refer to ourselves as family." Tamara said as she watched Stephanie, Ashley and Sarah talk about some new Hollywood movie.
"J-just a little b-bit," I blushed as she clasped her hands.
"Don't be shy to us. Most of the students here came from far places and we usually feel homesick. So in order to drive away homesickness we established this family thing." Tamara said proudly. She looked absolutely stunning in her black dress. I noticed that a woman in her forties came in and everyone greeted her. "She's Mrs. Crosswood, this dormitory's land lady," Tamara beamed. Mrs. Crosswood approached us.
"Oh, you must be Sakuno," her smile was the same as Stephanie's. "My niece told me about you."
"N-niece?" I was a bit confused.
"Stephanie, my dear" She smiled as she patted me in the head. "Welcome to your new home," so Stephanie's related to the one running this dormitory. Tamara was right, the initial feeling of homesickness was gone in an instant and I felt like I was a part of something special again. The other students welcomed me too and they were really friendly. They asked me a lot of things like cultures from Japan and they were too kind to listen to my stories. I was starting to feel at home and open up to them, at the latter part of our conversations my timidness and stuttering were gone. When I heard myself talking to them while knowing the fact that we only met today, I felt my confidence boosted in a higher level.
We finished our sharing at about nine in the evening. We all went to bed to get some rest. I slipped into my pyjamas and was ready to get in bed when I heard a knock. I opened the door and found out that it was Stephanie. "I'm sorry for barging in," she smiled. "I forgot to give you this," she handed me a parchment and a small book.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Some information about our patient-trainee project and Claire Hospital's rule book," she said.
"Patient-trainee project?" I was confused but it sounded exciting.
"Each trainee will be assigned a certain patient. Well, you know to develop interaction."
"Thank you so much."
"Yeah, you're welcome. Goodnight."She said before she left.
I sat at the bed and began opening the parchment. I read the goal of this project and some sort of info about who started it. My heart almost stopped when I read the name of the patient assigned to me.
Echizen Ryoma
I read it again and began rubbing my eyes to make sure that I was awake and what I saw was real. I cringed as I thought of my blunder with him a while ago. I felt like this wasn't a good idea.
Finally, I think we found somebody he'll get along with.
Was that what she meant when she said that?
The goddess of fortune must really hate me now. I felt goose bumps as I thought of him. Stephanie must've thought that we would get along since we were both Japanese and we were both knowledgeable in tennis.
I could already envision this bleak future in stored for me. There was no way we would get along together.
To be continued…
You must've noticed that Sakuno's inner mind's just like a feisty woman. I enjoyed writing in her P.O.V because it's very easy since Sakuno and I have a lot of similarities. I am timid too! xD But my inner mind is just like a fiery thing, I'm really suppressing this one because who knows what will happen if I lash out. I am even afraid myself.
Should I continue this fanfiction?
