Sorry it's taken so long. This summer has been redonc crazy for me and my family...mostly because of said family but whatevs. I'm working on chapters 8 and 9 right now, so thanks for hanging on til then.
Chapter 7:
Sakuno came to school the next Monday with her hair was about mid-back length. It was held back with a simple headband and she smiled at Ryoma when she nodded at her, smirk firmly in place. They were at tennis practice and Ryoma was wearing a lime green shirt and black shorts. Tezuka was standing near her, conversing with Inui and Sumire.
Ryoma sighed irritably as she tied her hair into a small ponytail. It was growing longer now that her mother refused to let her get it cut. Sakuno changed into her tennis outfit and went to the girls' court to practice as well.
In class, Ryoma stepped up to Sakuno, smiling widely. "Ah, Sakuno," she greeted as she sat down on the desk. "Ryuusuke wants to say that he has a crush on you."
"Ryoma!" Ryuu growled as he stomped. "I never said that."
"But you want to say it."
"…" Ryuu remained silent but was blushing. Sakuno blushed as well and looked away.
"I-I like Ryuusuke-kun as well," she said shyly.
Ryuu beamed at her and Ryoma smirked. "You're welcome," she called over her shoulder.
Sakuno was lounging around in a pair of skinny jeans and a cute pink top. She had nothing to do on this Saturday night. She and Ryuu had gone out on their first date on Friday after tennis practice. She was still riding off the high and she turned the TV off, preparing to go do some reading. The doorbell rang suddenly and she answered it.
"Ryuu," she cocked her head to the side in confusion. Ryuu was looking at his black sneakers. She blushed slightly at the outfit he was wearing: a tight black tee under an unbuttoned green shirt and tight dark blue jeans.
"My dad kicked us out," he said shortly. "He found out that we were dating and demanded that we go on another one with Ryoma and Kunimitsu."
"Obaa-chan isn't here."
"Send her a text. Let's go."
Sakuno followed him outside their gate and saw a sleek black car. An adult that could only be Tezuka's father was driving. Tezuka was in the passenger's seat and Ryoma was looking pissed in the backseat.
"Hello. I'm Sakuno Ryuuzaki," she bowed and introduced herself. Kuniharu laughed lightly.
"As you can tell, I'm Kunimitsu's father, Kuniharu. It's nice to meet you. Please, get in," he motioned to the car. The two got in and he set off driving back to the Tezuka household. He and Tezuka got out the car and Sakuno looked at the Echizen twins she was situated between. They weren't moving.
She looked with wide eyes as Tezuka and his father stood by the driver's door. Kuniharu handed him his entire wallet, quickly taking out his driver's license before returning it, showing Tezuka were it was. Tezuka nodded and sat in the driver's seat, buckling his seatbelt. Ryoma hopped into the passenger's seat and buckled up as well.
"You can drive, Tezuka-buchou!" Sakuno exclaimed.
"I can," he nodded. "I don't do it often in the city but I drive a lot in the country. My father gives me his license because we look alike." He put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb. "Where are we going?"
"Ah, I think we can just drive around for just a bit and then decide," Ryoma decided. They pulled onto the highway, Tezuka smoothly cruising in between the cars.
"So, what do you usually drive for?"
"Errands," all three answered Sakuno at the same time. She jumped slightly but sat back in silence. They continued driving until they came upon a traffic jam. Ahead of them were two lines. One line had all black cars and the other had everyone else. The black cars were led to a line of police cars.
"What's this?" Ryoma asked as she sat up straighter to look further ahead. They noted that the people in the black cars had to vacate the car and answer a few questions. They were released afterwards with a couple being asked to pull over onto the shoulder.
"This doesn't look good," Ryuu agreed. Sakuno looked nervously at Tezuka's reflection in the mirror. The older boy was relaxed in his seat; one hand calmly resting the wheel while the other was holding Ryoma's hand on the center console. His expression gave nothing away as he stared ahead.
They pulled into the lane with the black cars as the police officer instructed them to.
"Ne, Kunimitsu, did you break the law or something?" Ryoma teased. Tezuka looked at her blankly.
"In essence, I'm breaking it right now." He released her hand once the got to line of cops. He rolled down the window.
"Sir, can you and your passengers please exit the car? We're conducting a search for a stolen car that's suspected to have contraband in it."
Tezuka put the car in park and the four kids got out.
"I need to see your license, registration, and proof of insurance." Tezuka handed the registration and insurance over and took out his father's license. Ryoma and Ryuu watched as another cop searched the car. Tezuka popped the hood to let him continue.
The officers looked at the license and then back to Tezuka, eyes suspicious. Tezuka looked him dead in the eye, as if challenging him. The officer gave the license back when he received the all clear from the other officer, "Thank you for cooperating. You can enjoy the rest of your night." Tezuka nodded and stepped back into the car. The other three followed quickly and scrambled to put their seatbelts on.
Tezuka pulled out and sped along the shoulder.
"We just got away from the cops and you're speeding on the shoulder!" Ryoma shouted at her boyfriend.
Tezuka just gave her a blank look and continued to speed. The traffic was still slow because of rubberneckers and it was practically a parking lot. Tezuka sped along the shoulder until the next exit. He jumped onto the exit and slowed down a bit so he could ride the bank without losing control. He reached the intersection and made an illegal U-turn to hop onto the highway entrance. They zoomed down it and got on the highway where there was no traffic.
"Smart," Ryuu smirked from the back. Tezuka allowed himself a small self-satisfactory smile. They continued to cruise down the large road until Ryoma and Ryuu's stomachs made themselves known. They got off two exits later and went to a nice restaurant where Tezuka kindly paid for everyone (read: he used his father's card).
After that, they went to a festival they found out was nearby. They stayed out until one in the morning before they began the two-hour long trip back home. Sakuno was passed out, leaning heavily against a drowsy Ryuu. Ryoma was snoring lightly and drooling against the window, her breath fogging it up. Tezuka, who had stopped at a gas station to get a coffee, was awake and listening to the soft music playing through the speakers.
"You know," Ryuu said slowly and quietly. "For my sister's boyfriend, you're pretty damn awesome."
Tezuka looked at him through the mirror and nodded. "For her annoying brother, you're okay as well." Ryuu made a sound of outrage.
"Can't be nice to you for shit," he mumbled before falling asleep. Two hours later, Tezuka pulled up at the Ryuuzaki residence. He picked up his cell phone and dialed Ryuuzaki-sensei.
"Sumire…speaking," she was interrupted by a yawn.
"Hai, this is Tezuka."
"Oh! Have you returned?"
"I'm outside with a car of sleeping kids."
Ryuuzaki-sensei laughed at that. "I'm coming now." She put on a robe and came outside to see Tezuka with a sleeping Sakuno in his arms. Ryuuzaki-sensei led the way up to her room and Tezuka set her in her bed. He bade them a goodnight and went to the Echizen household.
"Kunimitsu?" Rinko answered the phone. "There's no need to return here. You can take them to your house."
"Are you sure, Echizen-san?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Rinko said but was then interrupted by Nanjiroh.
"I want to get back to having sex!"
"Hush dear!" Rinko chided. "Sorry Kunimitsu-kun, but we're very busy right now." She hung up after that. Tezuka shuddered and slowly put his phone down before arriving home. He drove into their garage and considered how he was going to get them both into the house.
Kuniharu opened the door connecting the house to the garage. "You're back," he yawned.
"With guests," Tezuka waved to the twins.
"I'll get the boy," his father offered and picked up Ryuu. "What's his name again?"
"Ryuusuke," Tezuka murmured absently as he carried Ryoma.
"We can put them in the guest rooms," Kuniharu led the way to two of the three guest rooms they had. He tucked Ryuu into one bed and then checked in on Tezuka putting Ryoma to bed. He smiled softly when he saw his son gently stroke his girlfriend's cheek before getting up.
Monday found the twins strolling onto the courts with the Regulars coming to greet them.
"Nya how was your weekend?"
"It was fine, Eiji-senpai," Ryuu answered for them. He walked up to their buchou. "Where's the car?"
Tezuka remained silent but gave him a pointed look.
Ryuu laughed and walked away after that. Fuji slithered over to Tezuka.
"A car?" He asked with a sly grin.
"Fuji," Tezuka said curtly, "Please remember that it was your meddling attitude that got you a black eye in the first place."
Fuji frowned but slithered away, keeping an eye on Tezuka.
