Chapter 7: Party!
It was fun to get up a secret party, but also difficult because they had only a short time to prepare. With vigorous training for Nationals and schoolwork, the regulars did their best to cram preparation with practice. Kato and Katsuo and Tomoka had to follow Horio around constantly, to make sure his big mouth wouldn't blab the party to Ryoma's keen ears.
Sakuno had never been more busy in her life. She was in charge of the food, and knowing the regulars' appetites (especially Momo's), there was a lot to do. Sumire tried to help, but Sakuno didn't want to tire her grandma even more from the Nationals coaching. So instead, the freshman trio was ordered to the Ryuzaki residence. Katsuo, having shown his talent for cooking curry, proved to be useful. Horio, however, talked way too much and let the cakes burn. Tomoka busied herself with sewing banners.
Finally, Friday arrived. When Ryoma appeared on the tennis courts, dressed in the familiar Seigaku uniform, carrying his tennis bag, he was somewhat surprised at the cordial, but not overjoyed reaction from his senpai-tachi.
Everyone greeted him with a smile, and inquired after the U.S. Open with interest, but it wasn't what he expected. He had expected that Eiji at least would descend upon him with open arms, crying "Our Ochibi is back!" but the red-haired cat just gave him a grin. No bouncing, no shouting. No one gave Kawamura a racket unless necessary, and Kawamura was playing with other senpai-tachi, so nothing much from him for Ryoma. Tezuka was stiff and formal, but that was normal.
"Why aren't they happier to see me?" Ryoma wondered. Not that he minded much, he didn't like people fawning over him, but--no, he did mind. He wouldn't admit it, but it was true--he missed the energetic affection the senpai-tachi usually showered on him.
Puzzled, he asked Momo if the senpai-tachi were nervous or worried about Nationals. "They don't seem like their normal selves." Ryoma said, trying to sound as casual and offhandish as possible.
"Are they?" Momo said, pretending to be surprised. "I don't sense any difference."
"Whatever." If Momo wasn't telling him, he'd find out sooner or later. Right now, he was going to focus on the game.
When practice drew to an end, Ryoma shouldered his racket and headed to the lockers.
"Hey, Echizen!"
Kawamura was calling him.
"Nani, Kawamura-senpai?"
"It's that--I have some business to take care of at home, but I was supposed to train Sakuno today, so can you substitute for me?"
"He doesn't know yet," Momo jumped in. "You see, Sakuno-chan is training hard for the girls' regulars, so Inui-senpai tailor-made a special training program for her! Each of us help out in a specific area."
"Oh..." So that was why Ryuzaki's tennis seemed ten times better he last saw her. "But why me?"
"Well, uh, you see..." Momo gave a laugh that seemed very fake. "I have to go home because--because I need to do my homework!"
"It's the spring vacation." Ryoma said.
"Well, I'm going to be senior soon, aren't I? That's the reason I need to study harder! So, take care of Sakuno-chan for us, okay? See you!"
Momo ran off, berating himself for thinking of such a lame excuse as homework.
"Oh, and Echizen," Kawamura said. "After you finish training with Sakuno, you have to walk her home."
Ryoma raised his eyebrows. This was getting more and more ridiculous. First they make him coach Sakuno, and now walking her home? "Why must I?"
"Because--because--" Kawamura stammered. Fuji, who happened to pass by, noticed them and slipped him a tennis racket.
"BECAUSE IT'S A GENTLEMAN'S DUTY! " Kawamura shouted. He waved the racket threateningly at Ryoma. "IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO HER, YOU HAVE ALL OF US TO ANSWER TO! UNDERSTAND?"
A huge sweatdrop appeared on the back of Ryoma's head.
"Fine, fine." he tugged his cap. "I'll see her home."
At this moment, Sakuno came running up to them. In the past, she would be panting for air, but after running miles with Kaidoh every morning, she didn't even break a sweat.
"Sorry I'm late! Ano--Ryoma-kun, I'm sorry that you have to take over for Kawamura-senpai."
"Just in time." Fuji smiled at her. "Let's go, Taka-san. Or your 'business' will be delayed."
Ryoma's suspicion that the senpai-tachi were up to something grew stronger. In a way, they were so like his father, making him coach little girls who can't even swing a racket well. Wait--Sakuno was different now, her stance and form had improved immensely since he last saw her.
An hour later, Sakuno was completely worn out. Her hands were on her knees, and sweat dropped from her forehead to the ground, literally. Ryoma wasn't super strict, but she didn't want to appear weak in front of him. Every time he said, "It's okay if you're too tired," Sakuno wanted to prove otherwise. Only when Ryoma said, "Don't over-exert yourself" did she stop.
While Sakuno was drinking from her water bottle, Ryoma stood beside her, watching her calmly.
"You're different." he stated.
"Eh? Me?"
"Yes, you. What made you change?"
Sakuno blushed furiously. She didn't dare to admit it was him. Although it was Ryuzaki Sumire who suggested she tryout for the girls regulars, it was because she saw Ryoma forging ahead, training hard and doing his best, that kept her going.
"Well," Ryoma could see she was in deep embarrassment. "Let's go."
Sakuno was wondering if the senpai-tachi had finished their preparations at her house (Fuji was supposed to give her a call when they're ready). She pulled out her cell phone and checked, but no, there wasn't any missed calls. Ryoma was standing near, waiting for her, as he promised Kawamura to see her home, so she couldn't call Fuji now. If they were still getting ready, she had to think of some way to keep Ryoma from walking her home (and going back to his house).
Well, since Echizen Ryoma is a well-known tennis manaic, caring for absolutely nothing except for tennis (and Karupin), there was only one way she could think of.
"Can--can you--" it took all her courage to ask it. "--play a match with me?"
Ryoma stared. "A match?"
"H--hai! After doing those warm-up exercises, it would be a pity not to have a practice match!" Sakuno chattered on, though she didn't even know if her words made sense. "And I want to try some other Obaa-chan's moves too."
That did the trick. Ryoma's interest was aroused. After seeing Sakuno perform the Lotus Drop yesterday, he was curious to see what other moves she could do.
"Okay."
He marched to the courts, and Sakuno followed, her heart pounding. It wasn't like she hadn't played with Ryoma before. But this is the first time she asked for a match. She desparately hoped she wouldn't fail his expectations.
At first she played badly. Her opponent is ranked twelfth in the U.S. Open, plus being her long-time crush. Sakuno was so nervous that Ryoma ended the first game in two minutes.
"Ryuzaki?"
"H-hai!"
"Relax. It's not a real game."
"Hai!"
Sakuno gripped her racket firmly. How could she be so idiotic, losing the game as though handing it to him?
This time she fared better. And as the match progressed, she gradually got into the game and results of her training began to show. When she managed to deliver a ball that was only millimeters from the baseline, Ryoma was taken off guard and missed it.
"Oishi-senpai has been training you well." he commented, watching the ball roll to a stop.
However, Sakuno did not manage to pull off the miraculous Lotus Drop, or any of Sumire's National-level moves, but she did display several techniques that satisfied Ryoma. When the match was over, 6-1 to Ryoma (it would have been 6-0 if he had played all out), Sakuno sat down on a bench while Ryoma went to buy Ponta. Sakuno was sweating profusely, and she was feeling really tired. Why weren't they ready yet? She had no strength to play another match.
When Ryoma came back, Sakuno decided that she could only hold a conversation to keep stalling.
"Ano--Ryoma-kun?"
"Hm?"
"Thank you for today. Taking Kawamura senpai's place, that is."
"Don't mention it. And I've found out that--" Ryoma took a deep breath. "Your hair is all right; it doesn't affect your tennis."
He didn't say that he rather liked it that way. And Ryoma wasn't even aware that the reason he used to put down Sakuno's hair was because it attracted him.
Sakuno was glad to hear it. She used to wear her hair in long braids, because Sumire told her that her mother thought Sakuno looked very cute with two pigtails. An album full of a four-year-old Sakuno in pigtails could testify to that. Even though her mother was no longer alive, Sakuno wanted to keep her hair in braids for her mother's sake.
"So," she struggled on to make conversation. "I know you used to think I am stupid and weak and annoying, but do you think there's a tiny chance I can be a regular?"
Ryoma stared. "I never thought you were stupid and weak." Maybe she was a bit annoying sometimes, but that feeling never occurred since he returned from America.
"But--but I keep messing up directions, and I can't defend myself, always relying on someone to save me..."
"Well," Ryoma sighed. "Those you said were true, but I didn't think badly of you because of that. There are things much worse. And now your tennis is pretty decent for a beginner. If you progress like this, you will be a regular."
Sakuno's cheeks were flushed with a delicate pink hue. She felt happiness washing over her like a glorious waterfall. The senpai-tachi praised her now and then, but she sometimes thought it was because they wanted to humour a child's feelings, to make her feel better. Now, if Ryoma said she was pretty decent at tennis, she was. Moreover, it was a wonderful feeling to receive a compliment from him, her longtime crush who seldom noticed her existence.
"Arigatou, Ryoma-kun!"
Ryoma blinked. Sakuno was looking at him, her soft brown eyes shining with appreciation and admiration. Behind her, the sky was a glorious shade of golden, red, and brown. A shaft of sunlight fell over her face and illuminated her features. Suddenly, his heart gave a quick beat. He found himself thinking that Ryuzaki Sakuno looked kind of cute when she smiled at him like that.
He pulled his cap lower. "Betzuni."
As if on cue, Sakuno's cell phone began ringing. With a sigh of relief, Sakuno snatched up her phone.
"Sakuno-chan?" It was Fuji. "Are you still training with Echizen?"
"We have finished, Fuji-senpai."
Ryoma wondered why Fuji was calling her. When did he get Sakuno's number?
"Sorry I couldn't call earlier. Momo and Kaidoh knocked down the big cake you made, so they had to go out and buy a new one. And the cake made a real mess on the carpet. We've been scrubbing hard to get the stains out, or Ryuzaki-sensei would skin us alive."
"Hai." Sakuno's heart sank when she learned that the three-tier cake she had spent so long preparing is destroyed.
"But now we have a new cake and the carpet is cleaned up, so you can come home now."
"Hai, Fuji-senpai!"
Sakuno clicked off the phone.
"Why is Fuji-senpai calling you?" The words were out of his mouth before he realised it.
"A--Ano--" Sakuno flushed; did he suspect of the party? "He--he--he just called to know how I was getting along--Fuji-senpai is really concerned about my training, you know, and--"
"Oh." Ryoma wondered why her face was all pink. Was she hiding something from him?"
"So--Ryoma-kun," Sakuno struggled on. "I--I think we've done enough today. I can show you more moves Obaa-chan used if you want some day."
"Okay."
Sakuno put her tennis racket into the bag, hoping that Ryoma didn't suspect anything.
At first, they walked in silence. Ryoma was not known for being a conversationalist, and Sakuno was wondering if Ryoma had guessed about the party. If he had, she hoped that he wasn't annoyed about the idea. She could still remember vividly that Ryoma had slammed the door shut when he found out they were having a party at Kawamura sushi, to celebrate their victory over Fudomine.
There was a beep from her cell phone, signifying that she received a text message.
Sakuno extracted her phone from her bag, and her worst expectations came true--it was from Kairi:
"Hey Sakuno-chan! How's it going? I've found this great restaurant near my school, they serve the best pasta! Want to go next weekend? ps. Please please please say yes! pss. Please keep this a secret!"
Sakuno frowned. She didn't really want to go with Kairi, but she couldn't help feeling sorry for him, after the way her senpai-tachi treated him. Should she go?
Ryoma noticed her expression. "You okay?"
"H--hai."
After a moment of agonization, Sakuno decided to go. As a compensation for their last date (if it could be called a date), and also she had to tell him that she wasn't interested in him. She hated dealing a blow, but better sooner than later.
Ryoma was thinking that many strange things happened today. First the senpai-tachi, and now Sakuno. Perhaps it was all a dream. He looked forward to going home and having a good nap, with Karupin curled up on his chest, and maybe tomorrow everything will be normal.
Finally, they reached Sakuno's house.
"Well, see you." Ryoma said, turning to go.
"Wait!" Sakuno cried. The party was waiting for him! "Please come inside with me."
Ryoma raised his eyebrows. "What?"
"Ano--Obaa-chan has--she has to talk to you." Sakuno stammered.
"Why?"
"Because--well, just come on!" Sakuno grabbed Ryoma's arm and pulled him to the door. She was thinking of everyone inside, waiting for him, and all the preparations they made. If she had paused and thought of what she was doing now, manhauling Ryoma, she would have died of shame.
Ryoma was so taken by surprise that he didn't even resist. In a flash he was at the door, Sakuno pushed it open, and--
"SURPRISE!" a dozen people yelled.
Several party poppers were blasted at them, and as a result, Sakuno and Ryoma were covered in conffetti.
"Just like a wedding!" Eiji exclaimed and started whistling, causing Sakuno's face flame up and Ryoma glare at his senpai menacingly.
"Eiji!" Oishi cried. "Please don't make jokes like that; they're so young!"
Ryuzaki Sumire frowned, but Eiji didn't see her. Kawamura laughed heartily. Fuji smiled knowingly, Kaidoh fssed and looked away, Momo was jumping with joy, Inui was jotting away new data, and Tezuka remained impassive. Tomoka was grinning too, and the freshman trio didn't know whether to laugh (and face Ryoma's wrath) or be like Tezuka. So they just looked surprised.
But Ryoma didn't glare for a long time. The colourful decorations about the room caught his attention. Seeing the banner Tomoka made--"WELCOME BACK, ECHIZEN RYOMA" (Ryuzaki Sumire forbid her to use "Ryoma-sama"), "CONGRATULATIONS AT THE U.S. OPEN", "NO.1 FOR NATIONALS."
So that was it.
Even if Ryoma disliked parties, he was touched by the effort. Now he understood why strange things happened today.
"Nyaa!" Eiji, who was wearing a ridiculous party hat, pounced on him. "Sorry we didn't give you a warm welcome in morning practice! So now we'll make it up extra for you!"
"Can't...breathe..." Ryoma struggled. He wasn't very happy about the cold reception in the morning, but he was having his doubts now, being almost suffocated under Eiji's hearty embrace.
"Ryoma-sama!" Tomoka cried. "Do you like my banners? It took me two whole nights to make them!"
"Surprised, aren't you?" Kawamura said with a huge grin. "That's why I told you you have to walk Sakuno-chan home. Though you still have to do it, party or not!"
"Yo, Echizen!" Momo said. "Come over and let's get started on the food! I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."
When Ryoma passed Fuji, he said, "So this is why you were calling Ryuzaki."
"Of course. What else did you expect?"
Ryoma glared at him. "Nothing. I just didn't know you had her number."
Fuji returned the glare with a seemingly innocent smile. "I apologize if I have interrupted your quality training time with Sakuno-chan."
Not knowing how to respond to this, Ryoma simply increased the intensity of his glare tenfold, and stalked to the table loaded with refreshments.
"Stop." Tezuka said.
Ryoma stared at him. Was Tezuka going to say something like, don't let your guard down before eating?
"Before we start, Ryuzaki-sensei has a few words to say."
Everyone quieted down. They never disobeyed Tezuka, nor their coach.
"Well, I know you want to get eating," Ryuzaki Sumire's eyes twinkled; Momo had been stealthily reaching for a piece of cake, but Kaidoh slapped his hand, causing everyone to look at them. "so all I want to say is: Congratulations Ryoma, and we are glad to have you back with us in time for the Nationals. Let us do our best and win!"
"Yes!" everyone cheered.
Ryoma was the centre of attraction; everyone was fawning over him like a long lost son. Then the regulars remembered their rumbling stomachs and rushed towards the table of refreshments. Cakes and cookies disappeared in a flash; one would imagine that the Seigaku tennis club had been locked in a cage and starved for three days.
"Kaidoh!" Eiji cried. "How could you take THREE pieces? You know I like chocolate cake!"
Kaidoh didn't say anything, except to reach for a fourth piece.
"Now who's eating like a pig, Viper?" Momo taunted.
Sakuno could only watch in mild horror as her carefully prepared treats were wiped clean in no time. She wondered if Ryoma had managed to eat anything.
"Ryoma-sama, look over here!" Tomoka cried, brandishing her newly purchased digital camera. Now that the annoying Shiba-san wasn't here to share her Ryoma-sama, Tomoka was determined to take as many pictures as she could. Ryoma, in her opinion, seemed to be even hotter after the U.S. Open.
"..." Ryoma scowled. How many photos had that girl taken? She was even worse than that reporter woman.
"Nya, I want a picture too!" Eiji jumped in, crushing the poor Ochibi.
"Me too!" Momo grinned, showing a row of shiny white teeth.
"How about we all take a picture together?" Fuji suggested. "To commemorate our start-off to the Nationals."
"Good idea, Fuji." Oishi said. "That way we can all be in the picture."
Since all the regulars were gathering round, Tomoka relented. Ryuzaki Sumire offered to take the picture, but they insisted the coach be in the picture. In the end, Tomoka placed the camera on the TV, and set the camera to automatically take the picture at the countdown from ten.
"Sakuno!" she called. "Hurry up, we're taking a group picture!"
"Come on, Sakuno-chan!" Momo, Eiji, and Kawamura hollered.
"Hai!"
Sakuno, who had carried a pile of dirty dishes into the kitchen, came running out to the living room. Unfortunately (or not), she tripped on one of the party poppers lying on the floor. She would have pitched forward had not a pair of arms caught her just in time--
Click.
A/N: phoe2k: Um, no. Kairi goes to a different school. Arenja: Thanks, I always have fun with Inui's data speculations as well! umi: Thank you, I could see Ryoma as a jealous type but not immediately! tazii: Hmm, how do you perceive Ryoma being warm to Sakuno? Isanatrix: Well, I always thought since Ryoma made that 10 balls/person bet with Ginka, and purposefully hit a Ginka player with his ball, I believe he would stand up for Sakuno again. isa18: Kairi doesn't play tennis, sorry. HPDANM: Depends on different people, but I'm sure that Kairi is taller than Ryoma Son Christine: Thanks, currently the muse is kind to me! Angel: Thanks, but right now I can't depict Ryoma being jealous before he develops feelings for Sakuno. And thank you for your detailed reviews, I really appreciate them.