Chapter 4: A Shoulder to Cry On

"Excuse me, miss." A male attendant tapped her on the shoulders. "The restaurant is about to close for tonight."

"What? Oh…"Sakuno looked again at the restaurant's oak-panelled double doors only to be disappointed. "What about the foods I've reserved?"

"We just wrapped it for you." He gave a large paper bag containing the cuisine she had specially reserved for this day. "Anything you need?"

Sakuno shook her head. "Thanks." She left the restaurant, walked a few meters ahead, and sat on a wooden bench, waiting for a cab.

She took out her phone only to find it out of battery. He did not arrive, she thought dejectedly. Had she done something wrong these past few days? Anything that could have pissed him off? She could not remember any. Or could it be that he is tired of her?

No, she thought trying to push those thoughts away. He must have his reasons why –

"Ryuuzaki-chan?" A familiar voice called upon her.

Sakuno looked up eagerly to find Fuji Syuusuke, former student and tennis player and renowned Tennis Prodigy of Seishun Gakuen.

"Fuji-sempai!" She exclaimed in surprise as he walked towards her.

"What are you doing here alone in this hour?" asked Fuji while his blue eyes scanned the eerie surroundings.

Sakuno began to look embarrassed and replied, "I'm supposed to meet…Ryoma."

"I see," said Fuji as comprehension dawned upon him. He suddenly felt sorry for the young girl in front of him. "What happened to Echizen? Where is he?"

"I don't know. I've called him several times already…"she trailed off.

The cool night air blew upon them, which made her shiver involuntarily, giving her goose bumps all over. Noticing this, Fuji removed his coat and draped it upon her shoulders.

"No, don't bother sempai. I don't need that," said Sakuno as she tried to give back the coat.

Oh, come on. You're shivering," insisted Fuji as he wrapped the coat around her bare shoulders. No wonder she would not get cold with that clothes of her, he thought as he registered her attire: a fuchsia-colored sleeves dress that fell to her knees.

Sakuno felt more embarrassed. "Thanks sempai."

"I'll fetch you home. Coach Ryuuzaki would be sure worried about you." Fuji hailed a cab and opened the door for her. "Have you called your grandmother?"

"My phone's out of battery already and I couldn't find a nearby telephone booth," replied Sakuno as she sat inside the cab.

"A young girl like you shouldn't be alone especially at this hour of night." Fuji further added as he knew that she was not good on directions during the day, what more at night?

"Gomen," she said. "How about you sempai?" She sneaked a look at him. They were both seated at the back of the car. "What are you doing at this time?"

"Yuuta and I just had a short game," smiled Fuji.

"Oh…"trailed Sakuno as she began to think of a good subject to discuss. She does not want him to get bored. Think! Think! "Uhmmm… how's your studies at Tokyo University, Fuji-sempai?" She heard this from her grandmother. Tezuka, Fuji, Oishi, Kikumaru and Inui, who had graduated from Seigaku a year ago, were still in touch with her grandmother.

Fuji looked surprised that she knew but otherwise answered. "I've been taking up…."

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"Thank you, Fuji-sempai for bringing me home," said Sakuno as she bowed before him.

"You're welcome," said Fuji with a kind smile.

"I could never thank you enough," she added.

"I don't know what could have possibly happen to you, young girl if Fuji hasn't found you," said Coach Ryuuzaki shaking her head in relief.

"It's alright, Coach."

"She was supposed to be with Echizen tonight, I don't know what happened between them," said Coach Ryuuzaki. "Anyway, I've always told her that she's too young to get in a relationship. It's her decision."

Sakuno began to look visibly upset.

"I'm going to bed, Sakuno. Goon night," said Sumire as she left them at the gates.

"Sakuno-chan," said Fuji as Coach Ryuuzaki left. "Don't worry. Whatever happened, Ryoma must have his reasons."

Surprised at being addressed on her first name, Sakuno looked up to him. "It's always been like this. I am always the one who would understand him. Her voice broke as she continued. "I don't think he cares on what I feel and – "

Unable to keep on, she stared at the ground and stifled a sob, trying as much to prevent herself from crying.

Fuji laid a hand on her shoulder. The feeling of sympathy seemed to increase within him as he saw her struggle not to cry. "It's okay. You can cry."

Tears that flowed unrelentlessly as she tried to cover her face.

No words can comfort her enough as Fuji slowly pulled her to a consoling embrace, patting her back reassuringly as he whispered. "Don't worry. Everything's going to be alright."

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"Excuse me. Am I interrupting something?" A cold, drawling voice said.

"Echizen," said Fuji in surprise.

"Ryoma," gasped Sakuno as she wiped her face clumsily with her hands.

Ryoma was casually leaning against a lamppost at the corner the Ryuuzaki residence. "Sorry for the disturbance. Go on, I'm invisible," he said in a voice full of sarcasm. "Just pretend I don't exist."

Fuji moved a little away from Sakuno and said. "I guess it's time to say good night, Sakuno-chan."

"Since when they have been on first name terms?" thought Ryoma.

"Good night, Fuji-sempai and thank you again," said Sakuno as she tried to smile.

Fuji turned around and started to walk away towards Ryoma's direction. When they were almost parallel with each other, Fuji said. "Don't go taking her for granted, Echizen."

"Good night, Fuji-sempai," said Ryoma instead indicating that he wanted him to leave so he can talk to Sakuno alone.

Fuji's piercing blue eyes stared directly into Ryoma's gold-like ones. "Good night too, Echizen."