XURI :-( School's the reason again. And there weren't so much time and inspiration... but, here's the next chapter, hope you'll like it. :-
MY LIFE
Chapter 7: THE RECORDING
"What are you doing here?"
Two cold voices asked at the same time, it made the atmosphere colder. It's as if they needed another layer of their winter clothes. All of them were silenced for a while before an excited voice broke the ice.
"Sakuno-chan, calm down. You called me didn't you? More importantly, what are you two doing?" Tomoka tried calming Sakuno.
Sakuno and Ryoma looked at their current position. Seeing as the both of them didn't even dare to move, their 'photographer' took another shot of the 'sweet' position they're in.
Realizing that another flash was made by the Polaroid camera a certain tensai had, Ryoma had to push Sakuno away from him using his back.
But before he could even start with his plan she pushed his head and his back with her hands and, with her weight concentrated on it, Ryoma found himself in a bowing position. (while sitting)
Sakuno used him as a support instead of the couch because his face irritated her. It's her revenge to him for pissing her off earlier. And with that, she stood up straight and looked at Tomoka.
"I called you. Not them." Sakuno moved her head to indicate that the persons at the back of Tomoka were the ones she was referring to.
"We need the band right now. As for the Regulars," she continued "We just met them on the way here so I thought they could come here with us."
"Ryuuzaki-chan, it's -" Oishi was about to explain why they were there but Eiji jumped on him.
"Nya! Osakada-chan's right, we also wanted to see your house so we came along." Eiji smiled innocently.
"Eiji! But," Oishi tried to say but Eiji whispered quickly,
"There's no stalker Oishi. Nya!"
"Haaaa??" Apparently, Oishi just came along because the others told him that there was a stalker inside Sakuno's house.
They were startled when Ryoma stood up and said, "Oishi-sempai, what did you mean when you said 'where's the stalker' earlier?"
"Ah..." Oishi tried to think of a way to make the tennis prodigy's suspicions fade away. "That was nothing Echizen. You shouldn't think of it so much."
Ryoma just shrugged but is still suspicious as to why the nosy Regulars are here. Although when it comes to Kaidoh, maybe he was just dragged into their nosy business. He sat at the other side of the couch, getting away from Sakuno as much as possible, so as not to be tortured by her anger.
Sakuno shrugged and asked Tomoka, "Why do we need the band, Tomo-chan?"
"For the recording, what else?"
"What are we recording?"
One of Tomoka's nerves popped. Horio and An slightly fell animatedly and sweat dropped.
"Are you really..." An started,
"...the band leader?" Horio finished the sentence for her.
Sakuno looked at them and "Hm? Yeah I am. Why are you asking?" was her response. Not knowing why they're talking about her position all of a sudden.
Tomoka tried hard to smile but it didn't look well with her vein twitching. "Sakuno-chan.." she said sweetly, calmly walking towards the Ice Princess. She held Sakuno's shoulder while she looked at the floor.
"Yes? I'm here."
Tomoka shook her endlessly. "I can't believe you have such a weak memory!!" Then and there, she shouted for the whole world to hear followed by statements that, they think, weren't even included in the human language.
The spectators covered their ears while the others watched the scene in astonishment. This was new for the Regulars. They've known those two for so long but never did they have a chance of watching this kind of exchange between them.
"Ne, An.." Momoshiro suddenly nudged his girlfriend's shoulder. Their companions looked at the two. "Don't you think we should stop her?"
"Nope. No need to do that Takeshi-kun." An said confidently. Seeing as she answered him that way the others just continued to watch what's happening.
Tomoka just stopped shaking Sakuno and she was fuming with anger. Sakuno was just standing there, like a stone, looking at the floor with her bangs covering her eyes.
"Osakada-san, I think there's something wrong. What's happening?" the infamous mother hen spoke.
Tomoka immediately calmed down after hearing her sempai's statement. "Sakuno-chan?" She poked Sakuno's shoulder and was surprised when somebody said emotionlessly,
"Just joking. What was the theme of the song again? I didn't know it, so the song's not even in the process of being composed in my mind."
Sakuno suddenly looked up when Tomoka had poked her. She's now looking at the fruits she placed on the dining table. After scrutinizing all of it, she decided to get an apple.
Tomoka, again, was angered by Sakuno. Luckily, there's her boyfriend to stop her from torturing her own best friend.
"When did you even learn how to joke?! Huh?! Answer me!!" Tomoka kept on rambling about things that are really weird when Sakuno wakes up at the wrong side of the bed.
"Tch. Urusai na..." (shut up) Sakuno said annoyed at the weird things her friend is saying.
'Heh... So that's why she's having mood swings earlier.' A certain tennis prodigy thought.
Sakuno walked towards Tomoka, not minding the worried statements of Oishi, Momo, and Eiji. They were telling her that Tomo's in wild mode so she might get hurt if she comes any closer.
When she looked at them, all of her sempais were beside Ryoma already, trying to get away from the wild girl as much as possible. Inui was writing down data, Kaidoh was hissing, Oishi and Eiji was praying that nothing will happen to the 'poor Ryuuzaki-chan', Momo was holding An to protect her from the bad spirit (not knowing that An was used to this side of Tomoka), while Ryoma was just... himself, added with amusement shown in his smirk.
Sakuno shook her head mentally at the weird antics of some of her sempais then proceed to the current mission. -To calm down Osakada Tomoka.-
She took a bite of the apple in her hand. When she noted that it was good, she let the wild Tomoka take a bite on the other side of it, unconsciously.
"And the weirdest of them all is what she told me earlier! She told me that she didn't even wake up at the - chewing – Wow! This is delicious!" Tomoka suddenly exclaimed.
The Regulars were awed by what Sakuno did. While Horio just looked at her thankfully. It's not easy to control Tomoka when she's like that. Even though the only thing that can calm her down is to let her eat something that her taste buds agree to, Sakuno and Horio are the only ones that can guess the right one.
"Nya! Sugoi! Sugoi! You were so cool, Ryuuzaki-chan!!" Eiji praised her.
"Yeah. Never knew you were the 'beast's master'" Momoshiro said.
"Momo-sempai." Sakuno warned him about the words he's using. Momo nervously laughed. "Hahaha, I was kidding. Just kidding."
"I thought it was the band's vacation? Why do you need to record today?" Fuji asked all of a sudden.
"Ah! I'll answer that." Horio raised his hand and started bragging about his so-called talents, again.
"When will you ever get straight to the point?" his girlfriend told him, cutting him off.
Horio coughed. "Very well, I'll tell you right now. It's because Tomoka and I will be leaving for Europe tomorrow and we'll be back before the Ice's tour resume. "
"That's correct! I can't wait to go shopping in Europe. I'm so excited! Aren't you excited for me too, Sakuno-chan? An-chan?" Tomoka expressed her excitement.
"No." Sakuno and An simultaneously said.
"Eh? But why?"
"Cut it out Tomo, I don't want any of your tantrums again. Now answer my question." Sakuno snapped at Tomoka.
Tomoka sighed and acted like she was hurt by what Sakuno said. But still, she told her the theme of the song. "It must be about liking someone or something along those lines. It's up to you. You choose the language, English or Japanese." Tomoka shrugged.
"Do what you want in here, if you need anything I'll be in the music room." Sakuno told her 'visitors', not wanting to push the uninvited ones away from her house. She's still a good girl in the heart, you know. Or so she thinks.
"Will you be able to finish recording tonight? The song's not even composed yet and you still have to put the melody, ryhthm, or whatever it is you have to put in a song." Oishi asked the remaining band members.
"That's right, nya! And the two of you will be going to Europe tomorrow, too." Eiji agreed with Oishi.
"No need to worry. No need at all. They can do it!" Momo told the two worried sempais confidently.
"There's a 90 percent chance that they will be able to do it." Inui butted in their cnversation.
"Really?! That high?" Eiji exclaimed, barely believing it.
"Saa. You shouldn't underestimate them Eiji, especially their leader. They're not normal musicians." Fuji told them, smiling creepily. It was a sign that a strange idea is forming inside his head again.
"Ehem." Horio faked a cough. "If you don't mind sempai-tachi, the people you are talking about is right in front of you. As much as I want you to continue praising me, they're not much comfortable with it." Horio bragged and pointed at the two women of the band.
Momo started a new conversation, not really wanting to 'continue praising Horio' as the said man thought they were doing.
The band offered some snacks for their seniors, which Momo and Eiji gladly accepted. Inui was touring the whole house with Kaidoh, taking in new data for their future partnership in business. While Fuji gladly took the opportunity to take pictures of the beautiful scenery and the enormous house. The shots he took can be added to his favorites.
As for Ryoma, he's mindlessly watching the T.V. while waiting for the Ice Hime (Princess) to come down. He was not listening to the conversation of his companions and he's certainly not in the mood to eat the snacks they prepared. Although it was a good idea to amuse himself again by annoying her, he thought of not doing it with his nosy sempais around.
ATER 30 MINUTES
Sakuno went down not even showing signs of having a hard time writing a song that was just given to her earlier. She didn't acknowledge anyone's presence. She just went directly to the piano at the center of the living room.
The people in the living room looked at her. The band knew the reason why she wasn't talking to anyone. Well it's obvious that she's still concentrated on the song she was writing. She makes the piano version of the song after composing it, before letting them put in their fill of their music. It's their routine whenever there's a new song. That's why the three of them know what she's doing very well.
An and Tomoka just went back to watching the T.V. while Horio finished eating the snacks on the center table. Unknown to them, their super hyper sempai is planning to interview the concentrated-on-her-work-maiden. He went up to her, near the piano and tapped her on her left shoulder.
"Ne, Ryuuzaki-chan. How's the song?"
"..." scribbling notes.
"Nya, may I see it?"
"..." hitting the piano keys.
"Woah! You're a genius Ryuuzaki-chan! So many songs in 30 minutes!"
"..." writing.
"Are you finished? I want to hear it Ryuuzaki-chan. Please?"
"..." stops doing anything.
"Pretty please?"
"Wait..." mumbling.
"Eh? What's wrong?" shakes Sakuno.
"a second..."
Momo comes near Eiji. "Eiji-sempai? What are you..."
"I said wait a second!!" Sakuno shouted and the whole house became quiet. The only thing heard was the T.V. the two other girls were previously watching. They soon realized that Eiji and Momo were beside Sakuno and they quickly went over to them.
The three who were involved in the sudden outburst were all wide-eyed. Sakuno was the first one to get back to reality. She scratched her cheek with her forefinger and sighed.
"Aaaha. You were just so annoying, that's all." After frankly saying that, she went back writing.
An and Tomoka quickly pulled the two male outside getting ready to scold them.
"Momo! Didn't I tell you one time that it's not good to disturb Sakuno-chan when she's working?" An told her boyfriend.
"Why are you getting mad at me? I didn't know that Eiji-sempai was talking to Ryuuzaki-chan. I just came in at the last scene." Momo playfully whined like a child.
"Is that so?"
"Then Eiji-sempai, I want to apologize to you in place of my best friend. I hope you won't dislike her because of..." Tomo was cut off.
"Eh?? She's like O'chibi! I won't, even in the least bit, dislike her or anything. Since I love o'chibi, I love her too!! They're just so cute together, see?" Eiji pointed at the two people inside the house. Horio was in the guest room, taking a nap.
Eiji realized where he's pointing at and it showed that Ryoma was near Sakuno. He looked at Momo and their eyes widen.
"Oh no!! He might annoy her again! (Nya!)" They exclaimed at the same time and was about to run inside the house but An and Tomoka pulled them back again.
"Shh. Just watch." An told them quietly.
LIVING ROOM
Ryoma took out his cell phone and stood up. He went near the piano and leaned on its side. The girl who's too busy writing something didn't even notice. Ryoma just stared at her, secretly taking pictures of the beautiful person in front of him. Hey, it's not only Fuji that likes photography, you know.
Sakuno finally stopped writing and stretched her upper body. She noticed Ryoma leaning on her precious grand piano and gave him the look that says 'what are you doing?'. He, who's good at reading 'looks', replied with a blank face that said 'nothing'.
The 'looks-exchange' went on for a while and he started annoying her with it. She finally started the conversation with, "What?"
The black/green-haired man only shot back with "Betsuni." (Nothing)
The long-haired music prodigy can only roll her eyes. Although she had a feeling that there was something fishy going on, she just shrugged it off. She can even give him an award for being able to accompany her without her 'mood swings' attacking her, for now.
'Whatever', she stood up and made her last glance at him, catching a light radiating from his cell phone. 'Ah. . .'
She then started to go to Tomoka and company only to catch them watching her and Ryoma's every move. She sighed and just handed them her work.
RECORDING STUDIO
After recovering from the shock that the 'little scene' earlier gave them, Eiji and company finally agreed to call the other Regulars and go to the recording studio. The band was almost finished in recording and Eiji was once again amazed by it. It seems that not only their vocalist was the prodigy, the band members were very good in their own fields, too.
The only song they haven't finished yet was 'This Love'. This song really showed them Sakuno's talent in 'multitasking' and composing.
It really was a good song and during the recording the people outside closely watched Sakuno who was SO into it that it seemed like she forgot the others. That included An since she didn't have much to do inside and instead helped Inui in operating the recording devices. It was a great thing that Inui knew about these kinds of things.
Meanwhile, our Tennis prodigy was concentrating on the girl currently singing. His cell phone was long forgotten, he'll just leave the pictures to Fuji-sempai. Somehow, some of the lyrics seemed to struck him. 'A little bit.' Like he'll admit it anyway.He slowly absorbed the Japanese lyrics and translated it into English inside his mind.
" This time I won't let go of my heart, because the power to believe will set love free. Instead of waiting for a miracle I want you to hold onto my hand, because the power to believe will set me free "
It was a really great song that the others didn't even notice Sakuno and the others go out of the recording room. Until, someone's stomach grumbled loudly. By then, everyone's eyes was set ont the culprit, who had a blush on her face. She faced them, raised one of her eyebrows, and said unsurely, "Oops?"
"100 percent that Ryuzaki-san's VERY hungry."
The room was quiet at first but then suddenly erupted into laughter.
"I guess we should go now. -giggle- Ryuzaki-san needs to have her dinner already, ne?" Oishi said.
The others agreed easily except for Eiji and Momo who wanted to eat in her house, badly. Oishi was pushing them outside and Sakuno seemed to be in a daze.
"Anou.." she accidentally spilled out of her mouth. Out of habit, maybe. Her eyes widened when she realized that everyone's looking at her. She looked away and placed her hands at her back. "You can eat dinner with me."
Eiji and Momo were the first ones to show their joy. "Yatta!! See Oishi?? We told you we can eat here!" The mother hen can't do anything. They were about to hug her when she raised her hands and said, "HANDS OFF."
That's when they felt shivers run down their spines. It was the second time that day that the 'mood swings' took effect on only the two of them. She really is the granddaughter of their deceased coach.
The others just laughed it off. And Tomoka sent them all out. The band offered to prepare the dinner with Oishi (he was so ashamed of the two's behavior that it's the only way he can get his pride back).
Sakuno stayed in the Recording Studio for a while, reviewing the one they recorded. Someone suddenly knocked a the door. "Come in."
Turned out, it was Ryoma.
"Oh it's you. What is it?"
"Hn."
She stood up and got something. "Ah."
"What does that mean?"
"I was just imitating you, one-syllable-replying-idiot."
"What?"
"So are you deaf now?"
"Che. Pigtails."
-smirks-"Can't think of anything else?"
Unknown to them, they will both say the same thing. "Mada mada dane." That's when they paused, their eyes connected. Then, the unexpected happened. They both smiled at each other genuinely.
Sakuno suddenly giggled and Ryoma raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Oh. I just realized that I really missed hearing you say that." She stopped and imitated him, pretending to hold a tennis racket and pointing at his face. "MADA MADA DANE." She laughed.
"Heh. Not bad." He half-joked and suddnely popped up a question. "Are you missing something?"
Sakuno stopped laughing and made a confused face. "Eh. I don't know?" She then fell into a deep thought.
Ryoma took this chance to go near her. He placed something on her hair and he fixed it. Sakuno went out of her daze and touched it. "Oh, this was earlier."
"Ah." He caressed her hair and said this with a husky voice, unconsciously. "Otsukaresama deshita" (Thanks for your hard work)
This made Sakuno look up and in a split second, their lips met.
It was a soft kiss and she still didn't know the meaning to it. - They closed their eyes. - But, for now, both of them will savor the moment.
When their lips parted, she told him her thanks very softly. She meant it for the clip, but maybe half for the kiss. Or may be whole. WHATEVER.
"Heh. You should have just said earlier that you wanted a kiss. I would've given it to you whole-heartedly." Ryoma replied to her thanks. "MADA MADA DANE" and he left the room fearing the wrath of a Ryuuzaki.
Sakuno quickly followed him shouting his surname full of rage. "ECHIZEN!!" When she finally caught up to him, she pulled his hair and they went downstairs.
FLASH! FLASH!
"Oh Sakuno-chan, we were about to call you. Anyway, food's ready so come on! Let's dig in!"
"Ah.. Coming!" Sakuno said still pulling Ryoma by the hair, who was shouting "Itaisu yo!" (It hurts) every now and then.
"Eh.. Nani, nani?? Are the two of you really close now??" Momo asked them accompanied by Fuji. "Ryuzaki-san, you seem brighter."
Sakuno just shrugged it off. Ryoma then cutted in asking her, "When will you let go of me??"
"Never. Unless you take back what you said earlier." Sakuno replied like a stubborn kid.
"Che. Just,.. let go of me first." Ryoma looked at her and she finally did it.
"Okay fine," he motioned her to move closer and she did. He whispered something at first and it made Sakuno flush with embarassment or anger. And that started their chase around her house.
"You really liked the kiss, didn't you?" and with that he licked her right ear.
TO BE CONTINUED...
PRINCE OF TENNIS AND "THIS LOVE" is not mine.
A great thanks to the following:
SnowCharms, Miyuki Meiru, BattousaiGrl, Otakugal, TrAinXIII13, kairi-neko, -fUjI-lAwLiEt-, rebeccasanfujieijilvr, aterjsa, nanamisakurachan, kaji hana, mistic-gal
Reviews and comment are gladly accepted.! Flames are not allowed. :-)
