Author's Note: I'm sorry this chapter's word count is epic fail (750 to 800). I'm now a freshman in high school and it's a lot more work to do now. So as mentioned on my profile page, I won't have as much time to write and update. Nevertheless, I will continue this story, because I'm very in love with this plot. Here's...
Chapter 3- A Ray (as in Friendship)
Whirling around to face him, Skauno replied, "How could you be lying? I heard you" and she inwardly marveled at the fact that Ryoma was trying to turn the tables.
"You didn't think that I was just trying to get them to leave me alone?" Ryoma asked her. In fact, Sakuno hadn't thought of that. Seeing her turn her head away, Ryoma guessed it.
"Ryuzaki, I know what I said hurt your feelings." Saying this was hard work for Ryoma. In his mind, he thought that probably half of what he said was true and that Sakuno shouldn't have been so sensitive.
"So I guess this is where I say…" Ryoma paused before finally saying one of the few phrases that he didn't say often, "Gomen-nasai. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Ryoma bowed slightly and when he stood straight again, Sakuno was longer frowning.
"I guess I forgive you. After all, you weren't basing your statement on the current facts" Sakuno answered. The way she saw it, she may have been the world's biggest klutz back in the seventh and eight grades, but she'd fared much better as a third year.
"How so?" Ryoma innocently asked. Sakuno resisted the urge to be extremely annoyed at Ryoma's clueless expression.
"You know, two and an half years is a long time, Ryoma-kun" Sakuno managed to answer calmly.
"I suppose" Ryoma mused while looking off to the side.
"Well, I'm going back to lunch now" Sakuno said, before walking away towards the exit of the roof. Once again, her wrist was caught and Sakuno experienced a very serious moment of déjà vu.
"What this time?" Sakuno sighed and turned to Ryoma.
"Are you still fixing me bentos after all?" Ryoma was expressionless as he asked but if Sakuno's ears were working properly, she would've swore she heard a bit of desperation in his voice.
"Sure, but you've got to earn it", Sakuno replied, crossing her arms.
"How?"
"I guess…you can try…how about I ask you a question. How do you plan to make it up to me?" Sakuno got a shrug of the shoulders in response.
"Well, how about this? You can prove your worth by being nice. Every time you're courteous, you earn a bento."
"Nice? I'm a nice person" was what Ryoma had to say to her.
"Well, you're more of the bare minimal type when it comes to that. But go out your way to be nice. Like, say hello every once in a while. Or compliment someone to boost their self-esteem if you see they're down or something" Sakuno suggested.
"I guess that'll do" Ryoma responded with another shrug. Sakuno just shook her head at Ryoma's attitude and left to share this recent information with Tomoka.
(After listening to Tomoka phone spaz all weekend), the next Tuesday on the roof, Sakuno appeared in Ryoma's line of vision. Yesterday, he'd helped her with a few books and earlier that morning she'd gotten a small "Hello" out of him.
"It's about time you got here" the aforementioned boy spoke up from the floor, eyes closed.
"At least I made one at all" Sakuno replied, huffing slightly. Se left it with him and stayed for a few extra minutes to get his evaluation.
After tasting, Ryoma commented, "Rice a little too salty, fish a little too spicy. I'll just eat wasabi if I want that." Sighing, Sakuno turned on her heel to go, though she did note what Ryoma said for future reference.
"Arigato" was what Sakuno heard before she left completely. She paused, turned back, and smiled.
"Arigato to you, too" Sakuno replied before leaving. While on her way back to lunch (no accidents occurred), she didn't regret making that little deal with Ryoma. She figured that in time, he would be nice and not because of a little deal. It was nice to have her cooking appreciated and as a result, Sakuno had a good feeling about the weeks to come.
(A/N): Mind you readers, Sakuno's not trying to change Ryoma or anything but wouldn't you RyoSaku shippers appreciate them becoming friends and then progressing to something more? This is Sakuno's way of getting Ryoma to cooperate in a way. I hope to showcase Ryoma's personality a bit more in the chapters to come but it's taking me a bit of work to peg his personality. Only your reviews will tell me if I'm truly doing a good job!
