Paris, With Love

by Paeng

The unexpected twist of fate brings a mixture of love, ambition, heartaches, and a humorous espionage to Ryoma, Sakuno, and Fuji... in Paris. — RyomaSakunoFuji

6. Chapter 6: Desperation

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

Chapter 6: Desperation

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

This time around, a certain auburn-head was on her way to work. After pedaling on her rented bike, she reached the bakeshop shortly, where she chained her bicycle to the usual post across the shop. Immediately after opening the bakery's backdoor, Sakuno was greeted by the sight of the kitchen filled with the usual bustling of her co-workers, and the wonderful aroma of the freshly baked treats.

"(1) Bonjour, Sakuno." It was the counter lady who first greeted her upon her arrival.

"Bonjour," Sakuno replied simply, but flashed her co-worker a bright smile.

"It is your first day to start working in the kitchen today, am I right?" the middle-aged lady asked Sakuno who just nodded in response. "Well, 'ere's the key to your own locker." She handed Sakuno the key with an encouraging smile. "(2) Bonne chance!" she said in a sing-song voice, and headed out of the kitchens for her shift.

Sakuno took in a deep breath and did some self-composing, which was always done before she started on anything. Right after, she headed to her locker room where she changed into her baker's attire.

Looking down at her outfit, "Mou… it's so big," she muttered as she stretched on her clothes. Sakuno sighed.

Exiting the locker rooms, the head baker immediately called for her. "Ryuzaki!" The girl straightened herself up and approached her boss for that day's instructions. "Since you are only a beginner, I wouldn't assign anything very difficult to you first." The head baker grabbed one of the shop's menus from the rack and scanned through the pages. He was searching for the most appropriate treat for Sakuno to make as a first-timer.

The auburn-head fidgeted with the sleeve of her baker's clothes, and then tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. She patiently waited for the head of the kitchen to give his instructions.

Taking the time to check the kitchen, it was only then Sakuno noticed that everyone seemed to have a working place of their own, just like a private cubicle in an office. Everyone was doing their own thing, seemingly making a treat of their level. There was one who was expertly rolling this huge slab of dough into a long, thin shape. And then another who was steadfastly sprinkling assorted kinds of ingredients in each piece of dough she had cut. In another area, there was a lady who was already putting the finishing touches on the cake she made with a chocolate coating, some almonds, nuts, and black currants. It looked so mouthwatering.

Since the shop was huge business (Sakuno heard that it even had other branches around Europe), it wasn't a surprise that there would be lots of first-class workers, plus having kitchen equipment that was definitely up-to-date. The auburn-head felt giddy over the fact that she was working in such a fine enterprise.

…then a thought suddenly dawned upon Sakuno. Did she have what it took to be at par with these kinds of bakers? At her current state as a 'baker', what could she make out of with her skills?

Back in Japan, it wouldn't be that hard to enjoy the feeling of making good cakes and other treats. After making them, she would always present it to her friends, and they would always eat it heartily and compliment her for it. Maybe it was just out of politeness that they did these things, or probably because they didn't realize that there were far better treats than what she could make.

But in Paris, since she was now studying culinary arts and working as a baker, she would by now know her place from the rest. If she was superman back in Japan, she'd be in planet Krypton right now, where everyone was at same level with her or even greater.

Interrupting her from her deep reflections, the head baker finally made his decision, "Since you are only a beginner, I still am clueless of what you can do," he started.

Sakuno could feel the fluttering butterflies in her stomach. Was she going to be given such a simple task? That's fine… the girl thought to herself. But deep inside, she knew that she needed something challenging in order to prove what she had, and what she could do. He might have thought of her as someone who was going to get in their way.

"…so I'm letting you make-"

A sherbet? Some fruit ice? Caramel sauce? Sakuno tried figuring out what task would be given to her.

"(3) Crêpe au chocolat," the head baker said.

"C-Crêpe?" Sakuno was at loss for words after saying that. Here she thought she was going to be underestimated with her skills. She was given a chance here! The head baker wasn't so bad after all.

Sakuno's boss tossed back the menu on the rack, and then returned to look at the auburn-head. "Rupert will be assisting in you in this one. No (4) gateau for you yet," he said as he quirked an eyebrow at Sakuno, who still seemed dazed with being proven wrong with her assumption. "…but I figured that sherbet, fruit ice, or anything that simple wouldn't at all be work for you-"

"(5) Merci!" Sakuno bowed gratefully, finally snapping back from her reverie.

The head baker was startled by Sakuno's gesture for a few moments, but then rolled his eyes right after. "Well then what are you waiting for? Start working!"

That was all Sakuno needed to hear for her to straighten herself up and approach her own working place. She felt alive again after realizing that there was an opening for her to become even greater. There was hope. She smiled as she started preparing her materials with Rupert. It must be my lucky day today…

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

Pok

"I-Is that Echizen Ryoma?"

Pok

"With 'ow 'e looks like, 'e's obviously trying to disguise 'imself since everyone's after 'im now."

Pok

"Well… that won't really work since we can easily pinpoint 'im if 'e plays tennis like that. I'm sure several reporters will be 'ere not long after…"

Pok

"ECHIZEN-SAMA!!!"

Pok

The tennis champion had been in the park for a good ten minutes now; he had chosen a spot which was near an abandoned wall. Despite the short span of time, there were already a huge number of people watching him play his sport… but no one dared interrupt him; not even his fangirls. They wouldn't want to waste the opportunity to see Ryoma play up-close. It wasn't everyday that one would see him popping out of nowhere and start hitting tennis balls nowadays…since he was on vacation.

Pok

Ryoma tried his best to ignore the fact that soon enough, an even bigger mass of people would be surrounding where he was, just to watch him vent out all his frustrations. Honestly, he didn't at all care about the consequences of exposing himself in public at the moment because all he could think about were Fuji's words.

"It was very difficult for her to forget about you did you know that? You just had to make her expect things… you just had to leave."

Pok

Ryoma growled in annoyance as he continued hitting the ball with much force. Did he really make Sakuno suffer like that? It wasn't really his fault that he had to fly to America because of what was offered to him. He had no choice. And besides… it was his dream. He couldn't just abandon what he had wanted all his life right? If he had trained as a pro, even in the meager age of fifteen, he would be closer into beating his father.

"You'll still be my friend though."

Pok

…and how easily he had disregarded those words. Ryoma hit the tennis ball even harder.

POK

He was blinded by his dream. If he knew how life as a tennis champion would be like in the first place, he wouldn't have been so eager to leave. He thought that by accomplishing what he had always wanted, his life would be complete… but he was wrong. True friends were what he needed. When he reigned as the youngest tennis champion, everyone wanted to be his friend. They wanted to be his friend because of his fame, his influence. But never for who he was.

"All of us were worried sick for her. Ryuzaki-sensei had to retire early in order to keep watch over her granddaughter. She tried her best trying to get her into things that would occupy her from thinking of you."

POK

The Seigaku regulars and Sakuno were the only ones who cared for him so much besides his family. Looking back, it was only then he realized that they were his only true friends… and he was such a jerk for just leaving them like that. He didn't think of how much he would affect them when leaving discretely. Because of his dream, he had disregarded everyone's friendship. He was selfish. He didn't think about how his friends would react to what he did… how Sakuno would have been that broken.

"A-Ano… I will never stop you with reaching your dream even if it means having to no longer be friends with me…"

POK

He didn't deserve Sakuno. She was too selfless; his complete opposite. She was willing to sacrifice her affection for his dream. Admittedly, he did care for Sakuno a lot back then. The day when he gave his promise wasn't at all forgotten by him too. The memory was still vividly lingering inside his mind… haunting him. Making him feel guilty. He had hurt Sakuno because of his ravenous hunger for strength; he wanted to get stronger and defeat his father. But what could you make out of that accomplishment? Fame? Money? Fangirls? Everything he had couldn't compare to how much Sakuno cared for him before… and now he would do everything to get it back.

"…b-but if ever you do intend to do things like that… please don't forget to say a proper goodbye…"

POK

It was so simple; such a simple favor that even the great Echizen Ryoma couldn't do. He got too absorbed with his overwhelming desires that he forgot everything else… even the person who could possibly be the only one to make him feel complete. He cared for Sakuno. He realized that only now. He longed for the old days when she would always talk to him about almost anything, when she would share her thoughts about everything that mattered to her. He longed for her trust, when she would always believe in him. With his mistake, fate had turned events into making the auburn-head shower her passion over something else: her own dream.

"…I was there to encourage her to move on and that there were better things in life than trying to expect things from you that clearly won't happen… because you left."

POK

He had failed her. And now, Sakuno was intertwined with striving her hardest to achieve what she wants, willing to disregard everything for it… but then again, Sakuno was a lot different from him. She may not have to hurt anyone to achieve what she wants. In this aspect of life, the auburn-head seems a lot stronger than him.

"Mada mada dane, Ryoma."

POK

Then that means maybe he just had to keep out of her way. It would be proper to feel exactly the same way the girl felt when she longed for him… and that may also help in doing some self-composing. Everything was just too confusing. He needed to understand how he felt for the girl at the moment. Was it just guilt that he was willing to get her friendship back, or something else? He needed time.

…besides, he didn't want to get in the girl's way to her ambition. It was the only fair way he could compensate for everything he had done to her.

POK

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

"Another crêpe au chocolat for table 3!" A random waiter came barging in while holding a tray of empty plates.

After looking at her co-worker for barging in so loudly, she returned looking at the kitchen counter she was working on. There were several remnants of the egg shells she used, a half-filled bottle of milk, a cube of butter, and other ingredients that comprise the thin treat. She was about to finish her final batch – thus indicating that it was almost the end of her work that day.

"Extra order of Crêpe au chocolat for table 5!" The door of the kitchen opened wide once more as another waiter exclaimed an order.

"(6) Oh la la!"

Sakuno turned to where the voice came from and found herself looking at an impassive looking head baker. The auburn-head inaudibly gulped. She didn't know why, but she was intimidated with the presence of the other bakers; especially the head of the kitchen.

"You're doing pretty well for your first time," the older man commented blandly. Sakuno couldn't help but fidget with the hem of her long sleeve. "(7) C'est magnifique!" he suddenly exclaimed while smiling brightly now. "What to expect from a Parisian University scholar?" He started patting Sakuno's head fondly while chuckling jovially.

The auburn-head's face started to turn red as she realized that everyone in the kitchen seemed to be looking at their direction now. Some had blank faces on, some looked amused, and some smiled at her. She felt the color creep all over her face. Mou… This is embarrassing… Sakuno thought as she was never fond of attention.

Suddenly, the kitchen doors opened again. The head baker gave Sakuno another pat on the head, assuming that there was another demand of the crêpe she made; when the lady by the counter was the one who entered. "Sorry to interrupt the little happy scene going on 'ere," she glanced at the blushing Sakuno who was still patted on the head by the head baker. "…Sakuno, you're boyfriend's asking if you're done 'ere."

Wolf whistles, giggles, and clapping were heard from the people in the kitchen who seemed to have a mental image of the boy the middle-aged woman was referring to. A recent event that happened in the bakeshop came flooding back inside the minds of Sakuno's co-workers: when the girl caught attention by falling flat on a table with her undergarment showing gloriously.

Sakuno, on the other hand, was clueless with who the counter lady was talking about. B-Boyfriend? "I don't know who you're talking about-"

"Tell him she'll be over after finishing the last set of crêpe!" the head baker cheerfully instructed as Sakuno was just left dumbfounded.

Nani?

"Well, what are you waiting for? You don't want to keep the young gentleman waiting, would you?" the head baker ushered as he narrowed down his eyes at Sakuno, who still seemed in a daze. After several more moments of no reply, "Ryuzaki!"

"H-Hai! I-I mean… (8) Oui!"

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

Fuji patiently sat in one of the shop's tables, located at the far end wall of the building. He had refused several waiters/waitresses who asked if he wanted anything, but rather just smiled at them and said that he was waiting for someone. As he reasoned that out, they all grinned at him the same way before leaving him to his own business… which they seemed to know, hinting from the way they grinned at him. He sighed. Did Ryuzaki forget I would be dropping by here today?

Suddenly, his phone rang. Fuji immediately grabbed it from his shirt's front pocket and flipped it open, "Kurumi-san," he said as he started to reply to her message. The blue-haired girl had already asked him twice that afternoon if he got to talk to Sakuno. How did she know he was going to meet with the auburn-head? And why was she so interested anyway? Fuji chuckled. It seems like Kurumi-san has something up her sleeve… After replying, the boy continued to patiently wait for the wanted company…when his train of thoughts suddenly drifted to what happened earlier that day.

He didn't really intend to anger Ryoma so much, to the point that he would start punching him. He just wanted to make him feel guilty; to make him realize what he had done to Sakuno. Though he didn't regret everything he said. Admittedly, he was a bit taken aback with Ryoma's actions and found it rather amusing. What's going on inside your head, Echizen…

Interrupting him from his trance, a familiar voice emerged, sounding all frantic. "Gomenasai, Fuji-senpai!" The light brown-haired boy looked up and found Sakuno bowing so low that her pony-tailed auburn tresses were almost touching the floor. "I had to make another batch of crêpe because there seemed to be a lot of people ordering them today," she said as she remained bowing towards Fuji. "Gomen, F-Fuji-senpai! Ano… a-actually, for a moment, I forgot about y-you c-coming here, and I didn't really get what they were saying about a boyfriend…" and she continued on with her stuttering.

The older boy couldn't help but grin at Sakuno's gesture. "Ah Ryuzaki-san, why are you bowing so low?"

Fuji stood up from his chair and approached Sakuno who sincerely continued saying her apologies alongside the bow. The girl seemed oblivious of his presence when he reached her. He stood in front of the girl and placed both his hands on her shoulders which seemed to startle her a bit. He slowly pushed Sakuno's upwards until the auburn-head was able to meet his gaze. He smiled.

Sakuno blushed intensely when she realized her senpai's hands were on her shoulders and that she was only an arm's length away from him. There was an awkward silence as the two remained rooted to their spot. Finding only one way to break the silence without saying anything stupid, "A-Ano… gomen," she apologized once more.

Fuji chuckled. "Ne, ne. You apologize too much, Ryuzaki-san," Fuji smiled reassuringly. "It's alright. I understand. Especially now that I know you were the one making those crêpes." Before the auburn-head joined him, he noticed that the waiters were going back and forth from the kitchens to the tables carrying almost all the same thing; which was the crêpe.

Sakuno blushed in response, acknowledging Fuji's hinting compliment.

The boy then led Sakuno to her seat, and returned to his own right after. Fuji smiled brightly as soon as they were both settled. "Since you have started with your apologies, I guess I should say my own now," Fuji started, leaving Sakuno bewildered. "I'm sorry for having to leave early last night."

Sakuno immediately flailed her hands. "N-Nani? What are you talking about Fuji-senpai… it was already pretty late that time," she replied, while blushing as she saw Fuji smiling widely at her. "It's alright."

"Well. I left earlier than Echizen and you," Fuji reasoned out. Just when Sakuno was about to protest again over Fuji's apologies, the boy continued, "So I wasn't able to bring you to where you were staying."

Sakuno blushed.

"Gomen," the boy said sincerely.

"A-Ano… it's alright, Fuji-senpai! No need to apologize," Sakuno reassured. Fuji-senpai came all the way here just to apologize? Sakuno was quite befuddled, but flattered at the same time. She glanced at Fuji who was now smiling at her again.

There was silence.

Sakuno was slightly bothered by Fuji's scrutiny over her. He was gazing and smiling at her for some reasons she didn't know. Why is he here? Sakuno fidgeted under the boy's intense gaze and looked anywhere else just as long she doesn't meet his eyes.

Glancing upon the area where the counter and the kitchen door was located, for a moment she thought that the horde of waiters by the area were looking at her direction. The moment she faced that way, they immediately resumed to their own businesses. It was only then she noticed the middle-aged counter lady was the only one who remained looking at her. She winked at her and gave a thumbs-up.

Sakuno's blush intensified. Ah… they are assuming the wrong things. She stole a quick glance at Fuji who was still gazing at her, as if enjoying her uncomfortable state. Fuji-senpai is still the same… always teasing me, she thought. Deciding to finally end her misery of being uncomfortable and to stop whatever her co-workers were thinking, the girl immediately went down to business. "Ano… Fuji-senpai. Is there something you would like to talk with me about?"

Fuji grinned even wider. "How's Paris, Ryuzaki-san?"

Sakuno grew bewildered once more. Huh? After several more moments of thinking, she just had to slap herself mentally. She looked at Fuji who remained patient of her reply. Baka no Sakuno! He just came here to ask how you're doing because he cares! Sakuno blushed at her next thoughts. Y-You're just being paranoid that people think you're- you're together… Sakuno couldn't resist but knock her head once.

"Is everything alright, Ryuzaki-san?" Fuji's warm smile turned worried as he continued to watch Sakuno compose herself.

"H-Hai," she replied, with crimson red on her face.

The boy smiled at the reassurance.

"Hmm… Paris is indescribable Fuji-senpai," Sakuno started, as she suddenly turned into 'chatterbox' mode; it was her about her 'passion' anyway. "The sights are truly breathtaking. Parisian University is really a grand institution, and I'm ecstatic to be one of it's scholars…" the auburn-head continued on with her recent stay in the city, leaving her unfortunate events with Ryoma the only ones excluded in her story.

"…the city is even better than I imagined senpai," Sakuno ended softly, as Fuji continued to gaze at his kouhai fondly. There was a moment of silence between the two, when Sakuno added, "Arigatou."

Fuji was surprised, but the emotion didn't paint his face. "For what, Ryuzaki-san?" he asked kindly, but with a tone urging the girl to say more.

"Ano… y-you helped me move on, senpai," Sakuno started as she began playing with her hands and avoiding Fuji's curious gaze. "…you know," she then looked up to see Fuji carefully scrutinizing her. "…f-from Ryoma-kun," she mumbled.

"Ah." Understanding dawned upon the boy. Fuji continued looking at Sakuno who remained playing with her hands, appearing to be a bit embarrassed for bringing up the topic he thought she would have avoided at all costs. Does that mean anything? "Do you still like Echizen, Ryuzaki?"

Sakuno had to suppress the notion of her gaping at her senpai's sudden bluntness, but instead her eyes widened and she ceased fidgeting with her hands. She immediately recovered from her surprised state to recollect her thoughts and search for an answer to that question.

Fuji, on the other hand, remained looking impassive as he patiently waited for the girl to answer. His question, in his opinion, was highly appropriate since the girl encountered the boy in the city and it was proper to know how she felt. Alongside the Seigaku Regulars and Ryuzaki Sumire, he swore that he would never want to see the girl in such a devastating state again, and so they had to make sure she was away from trouble even before it started… and to him, Echizen is trouble.

"H-Honestly, Fuji-senpai, I-I do not know," Sakuno sighed, after finally giving out her truthful answer. She resumed with playing with her hands. Fuji stared at the auburn-head once more. "I-I know I'm not suppose to like him anymore… b-but I just couldn't seem to wash away our memories together back in Japan, senpai…" she explained as she suddenly appeared pale.

Fuji immediately grew worried. Just as the boy could say something comforting, he was surprised with Sakuno's sudden addition to her statement.

"But no matter what, I won't be detached with what I would really like to achieve."

Was it really Ryuzaki Sakuno in front of him? Fuji's gaze intensified on the girl as he continued studying her. She's different. The boy couldn't help but smile at his kouhai's sudden flair with determination. But then again, she was always strong-willed. "I'm glad to hear that," was all Fuji managed to say.

Sakuno's head snapped back to Fuji after appearing to have realized something, "A-Ano! G-Gomen for talking about stuff like that, senpai… I-I know it's pretty weird hearing things about Ryoma-kun, since well, it's more appropriate to be told t-to a-a girlfriend…" Sakuno stuttered as she stumbled across her words.

Fuji smiled at Sakuno's antics. With her stuttering, it was pretty obvious that she snapped back from her 'serious' mode. "Ah Ryuzaki-san… slow down," Fuji said as he chuckled at the auburn-head.

"Mou, senpai… Y-You know I stutter a lot when I'm nervous," she explained while blushing.

"I make you nervous?" Fuji asked amused as his cerulean orbs were suddenly exposed in the open.

"No!" Sakuno was blushing so much now as more random thoughts entered her mind; acting like how she was obsessed with Ryoma before… she always stuttered. Baka no Sakuno! Get a grip of yourself! "A-Ano… i-it's just that, well, after all t-these years, it's only now t-that I s-saw you again and…" Sakuno sighed. She was hopeless in explaining things like that, and so she just resorted into a simple reply after all the stuttering she did: "I'm glad to have you here, senpai!" Sakuno smiled cheerfully.

Fuji was a bit taken aback with Sakuno's sudden outburst, but he immediately recovered with a bright smile. "…and I'm glad to be here too," he replied kindly.

The awkward atmosphere between the two was long gone, as Sakuno now felt a lot comfortable with the boy's presence. Suddenly remembering about her blue-haired friend, she started the conversation this time, "A-Ano… you seem kind of lonely, senpai," Sakuno started as she was really frantic in her mind, clueless with how in the world she was going to propose Fuji take Kurumi out.

Fuji was baffled with Sakuno's sudden statement, but he resisted not smiling; Sakuno was growing more and more amusing each passing moment. "Why would you say that, Ryuzaki-san?" he asked calmly.

Sakuno started to turn red again, "A-Ano… didn't you ever think of getting a girl, senpai?"

If Fuji wasn't one who can easily control his reactions, he would have practically gaped at Sakuno wide-eyed right now. The innocent, caring, and kind-hearted auburn-head was crossing the boundary to personal questions. Well, he had asked her a personal question too, about Echizen… but this was different. "I'm pretty much contented with my present company, Ryuzaki," he said blandly.

Sakuno's blush intensified, but couldn't resist the urge of asking, "W-Who?"

"You." Fuji smirked, as Sakuno turned different shades of red. He chuckled mentally; he always enjoyed teasing his kouhai. "Why are you suddenly asking these things, Ryuzaki-san?" he asked, finally giving in to his bothering curiosity.

Sakuno smiled sheepishly. "A-Ano… it's really because Kurumi wants to have a date with you, senpai," she surrendered, knowing that Fuji immediately caught her in her game. Well, she kind of lost it when the boy made him blush like mad.

"Ah." Fuji said as, once again, understanding seeped inside his head. So that's why Kurumi-san keeps on asking me if I talked to Ryuzaki-san already… He chuckled. Kurumi definitely had a lot of tricks with her. "Why not?" he replied.

Sakuno grinned from ear to ear. "Kurumi would be really excited, senpai! Arigatou!"

Fuji chuckled once more. "Ne, ne… Kurumi-san can be quite unexpected at times." Sakuno nodded in agreement to this. "So you two met each other?"

The auburn-head nodded her head once more and said, "Hai. We met this morning senpai… She approached me because she saw me with you," she explained while smiling radiantly. Deciding to shift to another topic, "Ano… so what was the job offered to you, senpai?" Sakuno asked, as she suddenly had the want to keep Fuji talking.

The other boy was participative with what she wanted. Fuji thought that since Sakuno had shared her current thoughts to him and being honest to all she said, it was fair to answer her questions the same way she responded to his. What could he lose anyway? "As I told you Ryuzaki-san, I work for the Town Gazette," Fuji started as he looked at the smiling, attentive auburn-head. "…as a photographer hunting down Echizen Ryoma."

Sakuno's face fell, her eyes wide in surprise.

Her reaction hadn't gone unnoticed though.

"Is there something wrong, Ryuzaki-san?" Fuji asked concerned, his eyebrows knitted upwards in worry.

Fuji-senpai is after Ryoma-kun? Then thoughts of Ryoma running around the city ever since he was in vacation flooded her mind. It was because of this wild goose chase with the media and fangirls that she got stuck with the boy in the first place. Kami-sama has gone against me… Sakuno thought as she grew startled with the fact that Fuji would be adding to her- to Ryoma's misery. She somehow found it intriguing that she was worried for the tennis champion.

"I-I'm fine," Sakuno reassured, as she flashed her senpai a smile. "Y-You're really a photographer chasing Ryoma-kun around?" Sakuno asked once more, still quite doubtful with what she heard.

"Does it surprise you, Ryuzaki-san?"

"Yes! A-Ah, I mean n-no senpai," Sakuno scratched the side of her cheek sheepishly. "Of course not," she smiled reassuringly. So what if Fuji-senpai's after Ryoma-kun? Senpai wouldn't do anything that bad to him, right? Sakuno nodded mentally. Fuji wouldn't do anything like that… as she thought.

"Ah," Fuji smiled back. Good that she's not that worried… it seems like she really had gotten over Echizen now. "Have you seen today's newspaper?" he asked expectantly, but Sakuno just shook her head.

With the auburn-head's response, Fuji ushered for one of the waiters of the shop to approach. Confused with why her senpai did that, her curiosity was fed as soon as one of her co-workers approached. Fuji asked for a copy of the Town Gazette,which the waiter immediately heeded to. But before Sakuno's co-worker left, she glanced at her and gave her a knowing wink. The auburn-head couldn't help but blush.

As soon as a copy was given to them, Fuji immediately pointed at the newspaper's front page. Sakuno gasped softly. And there it was: Ryoma's picture in the hotel dining hall last night. The girl had to squint in order to see her senpai's name printed in such a small font. But nevertheless, it was proof that Fuji was indeed after Ryoma, and that he had already taken action on it.

After staring at the page for a good two minutes, she glanced at Fuji beside her who was, once again, gazing at her for some reasons. "Is there something on my face, Fuji-senpai?" Sakuno asked, as she started touching all sides of her face.

Fuji immediately snapped from his reverie and chuckled at Sakuno's antics. "No," he replied simply while smiling. "I was just thinking how Echizen managed to survive the media… for someone as famous as him; it would seem rather difficult to be out of the public's sight," he explained truthfully, admitting that he was distracted a bit a while ago.

"He roams around the city everyday, senpai," Sakuno grew startled at her loss of tact. But Fuji seemed to remain calm with what she had just said.

"You communicate with him a lot, Ryuzaki-san?" Fuji asked curiously, but in the same calm voice. It seems like me coming here wasn't that useless after all…

Truth to be told, Fuji's real reason for dropping by the bakery that afternoon was to interrogate Sakuno about the tennis champion. But as soon as he got the girl talking, he was a bit taken aback with her difference from the Sakuno he knew back in Japan. He didn't at all mind getting sidetracked, because he was pretty much glad with seeing his friend. And so, he pushed his hidden agenda of seeing the girl just to interrogate her at the back of his mind.

But now… the topic was highly unavoidable and he couldn't just miss his chance.

Sakuno took minutes to answer his question, obviously having an internal struggle of selling out the boy to her senpai. He wouldn't do anything that bad… right? H-He's Fuji-senpai… he wouldn't do anything to hurt Ryoma-kun... "We stay in the same hotel," came Sakuno's meek reply.

Fuji opened his eyes in surprise here. "He stays in Grande Maison?" He asked, making sure.

Sakuno didn't hesitate to respond this time. She nodded. "Y-You won't really tell everyone about where he is, would you?" Sakuno suddenly grew frantic as soon as she realized the possible consequences of having to have told Ryoma's location.

Fuji shook his head. "My job is just to take pictures, Ryuzaki-san," he replied, totally contradicting what he truly wanted: to expose the tennis champion.

Sakuno sighed in relief. "That's great to hear, senpai," she smiled thankfully. "A-Ano… at least if ever you do try to visit him there, please visit him as 'Fuji-senpai' not as 'photographer'…" Sakuno added shyly.

Fuji chuckled at the girl's request. "Don't worry, I'll try my best."

Sakuno smiled gratefully. "Arigatou!"

It was only then Sakuno noticed from the window, that darkness had already enveloped the sky. She checked her watch: it was already quarter to seven. "Ah, Fuji-senpai… it's already late," Sakuno said as she looked at Fuji, who seemed to be doing something with his camera. She didn't even notice that he had his camera with him.

He turned to her and smiled. "Oh really? Ne, time flies by so fast," he commented as he safely tucked his camera back to his case, and placed the strap around his neck. "We should be going…"

Sakuno nodded at this. "Ano… would you like to have dinner in the hotel, senpai? It would seem that you haven't eaten anything here yet, knowing that you're not really fond of sweets… right?" Sakuno smiled as Fuji chuckled.

"Gomen, Ryuzaki-san… but I guess I have to refuse now," Fuji started. "…I still have to drop something in the office," he explained, as Sakuno nodded in understanding.

"Alright," Sakuno smiled.

"Will you be able to manage without me?" Fuji asked, concerned, as he already stood up from his chair. Sakuno followed suit.

The auburn-head was a bit offended with the boy's question; sad that Fuji would think of her as that dependent… but then again, he was just being careful. "I managed to survive the city for two days already, senpai, I think I can manage," she replied while smiling reassuringly.

Fuji returned her smile. "Ne, ne. Ryuzaki-san's a big girl now…" the boy teased.

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

Ryoma angrily threw the plasma's remote on the couch as he glared at the moving pictures on the screen. A part of him absolutely regretted having to have played tennis in public, but if he looked at his situation, there really was no other way to vent out all his frustrations.

Fortunately, some good luck was still with him that enabled him to shake off any unwanted company. His sleuthing skills was getting better and better, but then again, that didn't change the fact that he was seen in public, playing tennis while looking all tattered.

Echizen Ryoma, renowned as the undefeated Grand Slam champion, was caught sight in the town park this afternoon.

"(9) Mon Dieu! Echizen Ryoma is brilliant! Seeing 'im play up close was fantastic!" a middle-aged man said as he spoke through the microphone. "Well, even if 'e looked dirty… but still! 'e was magnificent!"

"Echizen seemed pretty frustrated with how hard the tennis ball hit against the wall… I know it because I have two years of tennis experience!" an all-knowing teenager spoke this time, somehow reminding Ryoma of Horio.

It was a bit of a shame for the media not to catch the boy on tape since, according to the witnesses, the boy left a few moments before cameras started rolling to catch him on action.

The suite's oak doors suddenly opened, revealing a certain-auburn head entering. Ryoma ignored Sakuno's presence, as he continued to look at the plasma, pretending that he had not heard her enter. Then, as the realization dawned upon him that Sakuno was with him, he suddenly felt all guilty again.

Lost in thought, the boy didn't notice Sakuno approach him… worried. "R-Ryoma-kun!"

A bit startled with Sakuno's presence, he was quite unable to respond to the girl grabbing his hand and pulling him to sit down on the couch. Ryuzaki… was all that was in his mind. He didn't bother talking since he told himself that she would be ignoring her, just so that he can compensate for what he did fairly.

"I-Is it the fangirls again?" Sakuno asked, concerned, as she stood up and walked her way to the bathroom to help the boy clean up.

Cleaning himself up was completely forgotten by Ryoma as soon as he opened the plasma and saw the breaking news. He was too frustrated, angry, guilty, and other mixed-up emotions that he never thought he would feel. Damn Fuji-senpai… he thought as he continued to stare blankly at the bathroom door, expecting Sakuno to come out any moment now.

As soon as the auburn-head reached the boy with the necessities, she kneeled in front of Ryoma who remained staring blankly in space. The boy was doing his best to ignore her… but that wasn't the main concern of Sakuno at the moment. She was worried with the tiny bruises and cuts on the boy's arms, his torn clothes, and his dirt-filled face, that she thought that the reason why the boy was so silent was because he was plain tired. And she wanted to make things easier for him.

There was an uncomfortable silence as Sakuno wet the face towel she grabbed from the rack in the bathroom, squeezed the excess water, and then started dabbing it on Ryoma's dirty face. The boy stiffened at the sudden contact, perplexed with why in the world he was enjoying the feeling... it was so warm, so comfortable…

Sakuno diligently dabbed the towel on the boy's forehead, his cheeks, the area between his eyes, and all around his face, wanting to make the boy's face completely clean.

As Sakuno continued on her task, Ryoma gazed intently at the auburn-head's delicate face full of concern.

She was worried about him.

She was cleaning his face.

She was touching him.

The tennis champion tried his best to resist the urge to touch her as well. His eyes noted when the girl creased her eyebrow, probably because of stubborn dirt on his face; how she flushed when accidentally touching his lips; how her lips muttered her apologies when pressing so hard on his face as to remove the massive dirt on the area… his lips.

The silence continued until Sakuno decided to speak up. "Ano… Ryoma-kun... don't you think that the deal is somehow useless since you roam around the city while I'm in school?" the girl asked softly while dabbing the towel on Ryoma's chin.

Someone finally opened up the topic on the deal.

Despite Sakuno's notion to finally settle the deal once and for all, Ryoma only managed to say, "Yeah."

The auburn-head looked at Ryoma queerly. His golden eyes were staring intensely back at her, filled with so much mixed-up emotions. Before Sakuno was completely lost in the boy's eyes, she immediately looked away and diverted her attention back on his chin.

Isn't Ryoma-kun going to change the deal or something? It's pretty unfair for him to not be getting his part of the deal… Sakuno thought worried as she finished up in cleaning his face. He's so silent… the girl noticed, but then again, Ryoma was a bit anti-social. She sighed as she realized that she wouldn't be able to force out words from the boy this time in such a tired state.

Just when she was about to remove her hand on the boy's face, Ryoma firmly, but gently, gripped her wrist to remain touching his face. He used his other hand to tilt Sakuno's chin upwards so as to let her eyes meet his.

Assuming that the girl would blush with what he did, he was rather taken aback when the girl said instead, "Are you alright, Ryoma-kun?" she was looking at him, worried, obviously finding his actions unusual.

What am I doing? Ryoma thought to himself, as he continuously tried suppressing the urge to touch the girl more. Surprised with Sakuno's actions of being very worried about him, guilt overwhelmed him again. Why was she worried over him? He just looked dirty, bruised, tired… and confused, but he left Sakuno in a state far worse than how he was at the moment. He let go of the auburn-head's wrist. "I don't deserve you…"

Sakuno's eyes widened in surprise. "W-What are you talking about, Ryoma-kun?"

But the boy didn't respond, and just stared at her blankly, appearing to be struggling so hard to let any emotion flicker on his face.

"You can tell me anything, Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno said reassuringly, while sitting down on the carpeted floor. "I will listen…"

That seemed to bother Ryoma even more. Sakuno was willing to ease his problems, to try and understand his situation. She was thinking of his condition… and what did he do back then? He didn't listen. Sakuno had asked him a very simple request of saying goodbye, but he failed to do so… he failed miserably.

He looked away in response, not wanting Sakuno to break through his façade. He really needed time to think.

Taking his action as lack of trust, Sakuno sighed and stood up sadly. It seemed like what she hoped of regaining the boy's friendship was futile. Baka no Sakuno! She was expecting again! And clearly, it won't be given to her because the boy didn't trust her as much as he did before. It was obvious with how he was acting towards her now.

"I-I'm sad I'm not your friend anymore, Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno said softly, as she tried her best to suppress any tears from falling from her eyes. She stood up and grabbed the bowl of water with the towel from the coffee table.

Just as she turned her back on Ryoma, she felt two strong arms cross over her shoulder and clasp in front of her. She suddenly felt ragged breathing on her auburn-hair, as the person buried his face on it. R-Ryoma-kun… Sakuno thought.

He was hugging her.

Then she gasped as soon as she felt Ryoma kissed her head, causing her to drop the bowl of water in surprise. Immediately after the drop, Sakuno found herself being hurled the opposite direction and staring at Ryoma's golden orbs.

"I spilled the water-"

Ryoma leaned down and caught her lips with his.

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o –

Fuji made his way on the lavishly decorated hallway of the floor. "Room 14344…" the boy muttered to himself as he glanced to his sides, checking each golden plate plastered on the doors he came across. 14340… 14341… 14342… 14343… 14344.

The boy reached the far end of the hallway, and was now about to face the door of '14344'. Fuji planned on surprising Sakuno with a visit, hoping that she would accompany him to Ryoma's room. He didn't bother asking the desk clerk in the lobby where Echizen's room was since he knew that they would just deny that Ryoma was here.

Just when he faced the door of 14344, he found that the door wasn't completely shut. Intending to knock on the door before opening it fully to allow him to enter the room, he suddenly heard an object drop on the floor.

Worried, he immediately opened the door… only to find himself the one surprised.

TBC

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Author's Notes: I know! I know! It's a cliffie!!! Both FujixSaku and RyoxSaku moments right? Phew! It was a lot of hard work to combine them in one chapter you know! And to add stuff about Ryoma being all emo and Sakuno doing well in Paris! Ack! Massive headache!!! Maybe to ease mal a la tete (headache), reviews are needed! (wink wink) haha. (:))

French Corner

(1) Bonjour - Hello
(2) Bonne Chance – Good luck
(3) Crepe au chocolat – Chocolate Crepe
(4) Gateau - Cake
(5) Merci – Thank You
(6) Ou la la - Wow
(7) C'est Magnifique – It's marvelous
(8) Oui - Yes
(9) Mon Dieu – My Goodness

Deadline: One week… or less (:))

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-x-OrangeAce-x-

Posted: 04.18.08
Edited: 11.03.08

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THANKS TO MY WONDERFUL BETA -SAN!!

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