The Beginning at the End, Chapter 3.
A/N: OMG!! Sorry it has taken me sooo long to come up with the new chapter. It's like there was camp then school started. And this semester is a really really busy one for me :( I'm taking a lot of really dumb modules that I wish I don't have to take. Sighs. Anyway, I have a 4 day weekend this week (yay to the Chinese New Year hols) so I'm trying to finish this story by this weekend. I'll at least be posting chapter 3 and 4 by Sunday. Don't want to drag it any longer coz I don't know when I can update again. HahahaThere's only about 3 more chapters left anyway. Thanks for your patients dear readers and please review aite?
Last Chapter
"Me, the fearless prince of tennis?Hmph When it comes to girls, I'm not only clueless but a bloody coward. Figures."
Ah food. Since Ryoma knew his incompetence in all that relationship stuff, maybe he should just find comfort in food.
"Che," he smirked to himself. Even he realized how stupid that sounds. Glancing around the school hall, he realized that the rather dumb, in his opinion at least, part of the programme had begun. Almost unwillingly, his eyes roamed the hall searching for the sight of a particular girl. A scowl formed as he caught sight of Sakuno dancing with that damn Kisaki. Yes. Dancing really is the dumbest part of the programme.
He sighed. He knew he was just being bitter. It was wrong of him to be so rude to Kisaki when that guy's only fault was that he was brave enough to ask Sakuno to the prom. He acted faster than Ryoma at least.
Hearing the sigh, Momoshiro focused his attention on his kouhai. "You do know that I think you are being extremely stupid for not doing anything right?" teased Momo. He looked smug when he saw that Ryoma was actually nodding his head. In truth, he was surprised at how open Ryoma had become. It must have been one of life's greatest shock when Ryoma first approached him with the problem.
They were walking back from their regular weekly pick-up matches at the street tennis court when Ryoma first broached the topic with him.
"Momo-senpai, you and Tachibana An-san are pretty happy right? How… I mean, how did you guys first start out this whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing anyway?"
Momoshiro was startled by the question. Did Echizen, the one who was voted most likely to be a social retard beating even Tezuka-buchou and that stupid viper just asked him a personal question?
"Erm… Ah… You see, in our relationship, I suppose An has always been the more forward one. But, then, I do realize that she's special and all that…"
"Ring, ring."
"Sumimasen senpai!" What Momo had to say was interrupted by the loud ringing of Ryoma's cell phone.
However the thoughts continued to whirl in his head.
"Is he asking because he is truly curious about my personal life or is because he is looking for hints on how to join the world of relationships?" pondered Momo to himself. "Oh! Could it be that Ryuzaki-chan…"
A cry of "Momo-senpai" punctured Momo's thoughts. "I need to run now. Apparently that baka oyaji of mine have organized yet another family dinner thing with Ryuzaki-sensei and her granddaughter. Why must my father be such good friends with my sensei of all people? What an idiot," Ryoma said, muttering the last part to himself.
"Ok. Sure. I'll see you next week then? And Echizen, all this relationship stuff? One of you have to take the initiative. So, if she's the really shy kind and won't, then it's up to you my boy. It's up to you. Ja ne!" With that, Momoshiro walked away, a smirk on his face.
Well, things have sort of progressed since then. At least Echizen had admitted out loud that he's interested in Ryzuaki-chan as more than a friend. Well, it was in a rare moment of confusion about a month ago when Momo kinda forced him to say it out, but said it out loud he did. Now, if only he could get his kouhai to get rid of the disease of social awkwardness, it would all be just fine. That is, if the Kisaki dude doesn't make a move first.
Just as Momo was about to open his mouth in order to tease his kouhai again, the song ended and the kouhai/senpai pair directed their attention to the two on the dance floor. Kisaki must have said something funny because the two boys noticed that Sakuno's mouth was open in laughter. That just caused the scowl already etched on Ryoma's brow to deepen. Seeing that they were heading towards the drinks table, Momo pushed Ryoma there too. As luck would have it, Kisaki was stopped by a friend, leaving Sakuno walking towards them alone.
"Echizen, go! Here's your chance. Get her a drink!" Momo eagerly exclaimed. Filling 2 glasses, he pushed them towards Ryoma. Not as reluctantly as he made himself out to be, Ryoma walked up to Sakuno to offer her a glass.
"Oh! Thank you Ryoma-kun. I was feeling thirsty. So, are you enjoying yourself Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno asked enjoyment evident in her voice.
On his part, Ryoma answered in his usual bored tone. "Eh? Che. I'm kinda bored already. Momo-senpai only knows how to eat and talk nonsense."
"Mou, Ryoma-kun. You are always like that. Always so quickly bored even during all those family events that your dad would invite my family to."
"Do you seriously expect me to find these kinds of things entertaining Ryuzaki?"
"Haha. I expect Rinko-san and Nanako-san had to force you to dress up and attend the prom didn't they? Want me to follow you hang-out at the tennis courts as usual?" Sakuno asked.
"Hmph. You don't have to if you don't want," Ryoma said in what seemed to be a rather sulky tone.
"You know I don't mind. Remember I promised that I would accompany you at the tennis courts whenever you are bored during all those family dinners. Come on. There are spare rackets in the club room right? I can get some fresh air too." That said, Sakuno walked towards the entrance, Ryoma trailing behind.
"My, my, my. This is the first time I'm seeing Ryoma following Ryuzaki-chan instead of the other way round. Hmm…" An excited Momo exclaimed to himself. Taking out his cell phone, he eagerly speed-dialled his partner in mischief.
"Moshi moshi. Eiji-senpai! Guess what? I think our Echizen-kun is about to het himself a girlfriend," Momo reported to Kikumaru Eiji in a sing-song voice. "Hmm… Maybe even today. I'll keep you updated! Talk to you later!"
Humming happily to himself, he approached Ryuzaki Sumire whom he was supposed to be assisting and thus the reason he is even at the prom.
Kisaki's gaze followed as his date walked out the hall with the guy he knew is her long-time idol, crush and friend. With a heart that is not exactly broken but certainly bruised, he turned his attention back to his friend, discussing their junior's performance at the recent graduation ceremony.
A/N: Thanks all for bothering to read!! I felt that this chapter was a bit draggy (?) but it's the start of the development between the two :D :D I've already written out the most important part of the next chapter and it's one that I'm quite excited about. Haha This chapter has my favourite line of what I have ever written though so I'm happy. Oh yes, and for those of you who felt that the talkative Sakuno was pretty OOC I just want to reiterate that they are all older now and Ryoma and Sakuno have become friends. So, I doubt she'd be as shy and stutter-ish around Ryoma anymore. Remember, review ok?? Next chapter byend of this weekend. Promise :D