Hi everyone! Seyyan's back for the seventh vignette—though it looks more developed than the others. As requested, there's more fluff on this one, though it's not as much as I wanted. If I went on, it would no longer be pink bubble gum cotton candy, but more of a different flavor.
Anyway, I own nothing of the Prince of Tennis, nor am I making profit out of this work.
(Isn't that just a sad thought?)
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Towel
By Seyyan
08-05-08
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Somehow, I feel greater dislike for this period than excitement. It's my final semester in the University for my Business Management degree, and my papers and group research are up to my neck. I'm so busy with finishing my requirements, spending almost all of my time with my group mates, when I'd rather spend at least an hour of it just lying in bed with Ryoma. As it is, I barely see his face anymore, especially since he's busy studying for his finals as well.
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Back in high school, I had never imagined that I would be taking up business as my major. But then again, I never imagined that I would have Ryoma by my side either. I had always thought that I would major in Physical Education, leading up to a career in coaching, or take up Literature and become a "dusty, old scholar", as Kikumaru had once put it. Actually, a scholarly career sounded very appealing to me, with my desire to just burrow my nose in books, aside from playing tennis.
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During my sophomore year in high school, Ryoma and I became an item. Actually, it was rather laughable the way we got together. I was thinking of approaching him that day and telling him of how I felt. All day, I was thinking of how I could say it, when we suddenly bumped into each other in the public library. Panicking, I froze up and only managed to say "I like you." But then, he smiled this small, sincere smile of his, stood on tiptoes—he had grown tall enough to reach me on tiptoes back then—kissed me, and said, "Me too."
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We had been going out for a month already, when we got caught making out in the kitchen by his parents. I was afraid that they would force us to cut our relationship. Uncle Nanjiroh saw us first and said, "Get a room!" Later, Ryoma told me that his dad bewailed the thought of not having blonde babes coming to his doorstep anymore, but winked and said that I was a "good catch".
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After the Echizens discovered our relationship, they made me stay at their place quite often, teasing Ryoma that I was their favorite son. It was a blissful period all around, and I felt less troubled than before. That is, before my grandfather talked to me and told me he had private investigators tail us. He was furious, to say the least, and after a long talk, decided to disown me. My parents never said anything to persuade nor dissuade him. They just stood on the sidelines as I packed my belongings and left their house.
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Of course, the Echizens accepted me into their home with open arms, saying that I should have moved in with them a long time ago. Later that night, the three of us sat down and talked about my and Ryoma's future. They asked me how long I intended to have a relationship with Ryoma. I told them that I intended to stay with him forever, if possible, or until Ryoma has decided that he no longer wanted to be with me. They told me that they had also this talk with Ryoma a few days ago, and they had decided that they would give us their restaurant business, making our future more or less assured. I was so surprised and moved. As early as that time, they were taking measures to make sure that the two of us will have a good life together. If they were concerned for their son only, he would be the only one to get the restaurant, but they gave it to the two of us.
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That was during my senior year. It was then that I decided to take up Business Management, so that I would be prepared to take on the responsibility they had given us. I was thinking, since I was the older one in our relationship, it would make sense if I took greater responsibility than Ryoma did. That way, Ryoma would be able to go pro if he decided to. When I discussed this with Ryoma, he snorted and said, "Are you kidding? I had already decided to take up Culinary Arts!" I wasn't expecting that, and neither were his parents. Seeing our doubtful expressions, he said, "If I go pro, can you take the restaurant anywhere I go? I don't want the two of us to be apart."
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After our future was already decided, we decided to ask permission to move out once I got into the university. They allowed me, but told Ryoma to stay, because the university was far from Ryoma's high school. They told him that he could move in with me when he got into the university as well. So, he took up advance classes in order to graduate earlier. During weekdays, he would be very busy with schoolwork, but most of the weekends, he would come over to my apartment and spend the night there.
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Soon enough, Ryoma graduated from high school, a year earlier than his peers. When he moved in with me, the whole family was there to help. Aunt Rinko was crying and felt that she "was giving a daughter away", and Uncle Nanjiroh laughed and said that Ryoma "looked like a daughter anyway." Ryoma was so exasperated at them and complained about "overprotective parents". They left us that night after making us promise them to come over to visit them whenever we could.
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The two of us quickly settled in a blissful life in between our classes and readings. I felt pleased with the way my life was going. I had Ryoma and we were both working for our future together. It was the best motivation I could ever have.
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I quietly unlocked the door and stepped inside. It was already midnight, and Ryoma was already fast asleep. I just got home from my group meeting. For a whole week, I haven't seen much of Ryoma, trying to finish the group project before the deadline. I only went home to take a bath and get the things I needed.
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The whole house was dark, except for the hallways which had nightlights plugged in. I walked to the towel closet to get a towel. To my surprise, there was only one left. As far as I could remember, I always hung my towel to dry, so I could use it again. But it seemed like I used a new towel every time I took a bath.
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I opened the laundry basket. It was only half full. I dug inside to look for any of my towels. There was none of it, just my dirty clothes.
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When I straightened my back, I felt a twinge of pain from my lower spine. I decided to leave the towel matter for later and take a nice, warm shower.
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I stepped inside the bathroom and took my clothes off. When I turned around I saw myself in the mirror. The love bites that peppered my neck and chest last week—Ryoma was a biter—were gone, leaving my skin smooth and evenly colored.
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I looked down at my member, which hung limp. It looked rather sad and forlorn, as if longing for the warm touch of companionship. I laughed at myself. A week of not being with Ryoma must be getting to me.
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I stood under the warm spray of water, and closed my eyes as I felt the tension being washed away by the water. Today, we finished the group project. Finally, I could sleep beside Ryoma again. During the whole week that I slept over on my classmate's couch, my mind was full of thoughts of Ryoma. It was only during my free time that I felt my heart ache for him. Most of the time, I was too busy to give it thought.
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Soon enough, I finished my shower and toweled myself dry. I wrapped the towel around my waist and went to our bedroom.
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I turned on the small lamp in the corner. When he moved in, we decided to place a small lamp in a corner that we could use without waking up the person on the bed. Of course, we also used it when we made love—it was safer than using candles, and it wasn't as bright as the light on the ceiling.
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Pulling the dresser drawer, I took out a pair of sleeping pants and put it on. When I turned around, I saw Ryoma sleeping in a nest of my missing towels.
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My heart beat painfully. Ryoma missed me as much as I missed him and went for the next best thing—my towels. Gently, I pulled out the towels around him to make space for me.
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"…Kuni-bu?" Golden eyes sleepily opened to meet mine.
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A smile found its way on my lips. I leaned over and kissed his forehead; two arms shot out and wrapped themselves around my neck.
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"Tadaima, Ryo." I lay on the bed beside him, and he scooted closer to me, not letting go of his embrace.
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"Aa. Okaeri."
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Omake:
I had already closed my eyes for a minute, when he shook me awake.
He let his hand wander lightly across my chest as he whispered, "Kuni-bu, you left the corner lamp on."
My eyes snapped open, my gaze on his seductively smirking face.
I felt a smirk tugging on the corners of my lips. "Well, what are you going to do about it?"
He pounced.
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TezuKunimitsu, how are you doing? I haven't heard from you since then...Hope you're not mad at me.
Minna-san, I would definitely love to hear from you. Thanks for reading!
