"Konna Ni Chikaku De"
By:
iaLem-yuki
So… This is the second to the last chapter! :(( anyways, this is the chapter where Ryoma would struggle on coming up with a plan on telling Sakuno how he feels.
Sorry for the late update. REALLY SORRY. I actually had one of my writer's block moments. plus, the fact that college life is hard. :( so, please, bear with me. :D
Enjoy!
Ryoma woke up with a very terrible headache. He was up all night trying to device a full proof, non-loop holed plan on telling Sakuno about his departure, which is in 2 days. When he was descending their stairs, head hung low, head throbbing, eyes blurry and a little agitated… well, let's just say that his beloved big brother decided to trouble him.
"When are you planning to tell her kiddo?" Ryoga bothered the bothered Ryoma.
"Shut up. It's too early to bother me." Ryoma said as he munched on a piece of French toast.
"Tell who?" Nanako inquired.
"No one."
"Who are you two talking about?" Rinko asked.
"Sa-chan!" Ryoga managed to say in between munches.
"The old hag's granddaughter! That cute two-braided innocent gal!" Nanjiroh blurted out.
"Bingo!" Ryoga laughed.
"Didn't know you had it in you kid! You ARE my son!" Nanjiroh boomed while patting Ryoma's back.
"I'm leaving." Ryoma murmured as he disappeared from their house.
"Nanjiroh, that wasn't nice." Rinko glared.
"What? I was JUST complimenting my NOW grown up son. Actually, I thought Ryoma's gay…" Nanjiroh said, whispering the last part.
"WHAT!" Rinko screeched.
"OH, you're gonna get it pops!" Ryoga laughed.
"Hey Echizen." Momoshiro called to the very troubled Ryoma beside him.
"Hn."
"Do you really have to hide the fact that you are going to leave? You know, from Sa-chan?"
"I know what I'm doing okay." Ryoma snapped.
"Echizen, you are leaving in what? 2 DAYS! You've gotta tell her!" Momo exclaimed.
"Tell who?"
Ryoma and Momoshiro's head snapped to where the voice came from.
"FUJI-SEMPAI!" Ryoma and Momoshiro said in unison.
"What are you doing here sempai?" Momo asked.
"No classes." Fuji laughed.
Silence.
"You two are talking about Sakuno right?"
"Hn." Ryoma grunted.
"Momo, can I speak with Ryoma for awhile? Alone, that is." Fuji smiled.
"Uh… of course… See you around kiddo." Momoshiro nodded as he walked away.
"So…" Fuji started with a smile as he sits beside Ryoma.
Tomoka, the cheerful bestfriend of Sakuno, was walking through the corridor when she overheard two boys talking about Ryoma.
"Hey, did you hear? Echizen's leaving for America." One boy said.
"Really? What will happen to the tennis club now?" the other asked.
Tomoka gasped lightly and was about to run back to their classroom when someone's hand snatched her arm and pulled her to a janitor's closet.
"AHH-mfsfhphpg" Tomoka muffled scream.
"Pfsssshhtt.."
Tomoka's eyes widened at the familiar hissing sound.
"Kaoru-kun!" Tomoka whimpered.
"Don't tell her yet." Kaido whispered as he let go of Tomoka.
"WHAT!" Tomoka hissed at Kaido.
"I said, don't tell her yet." Kaido repeated.
"And why should I NOT tell her?" Tomoka hissed again.
"Let him tell it to her." Kaido sighed as he closed his eyes.
Tomoka's eyes widened at what Kaido said.
"You mean, Ryoma-kun?"
Kaido nodded.
"But.."
"He's struggling for a plan now. Just let them solve it this time." Kaido sighed yet again as he opened the janitor's closet to let Tomoka out.
"Is this clear?" Kaido asked.
Tomoka nodded.
"Then it's a deal." Kaido smirked as he walked away.
Tomoka stood alone, stunned.
"See you later." Kaido waved.
"So…" Fuji started with a smile as he sits beside Ryoma.
"I'm planning on not telling her that I'm leaving." Ryoma said without hesitation.
Fuji's eyes shot open, glaring at Ryoma.
Silence engulfed the two prodigies.
"You know…" Fuji started again but was cut off.
"But I'll tell her how I feel towards her." Ryoma sighed as he closed his cat eyes.
Fuji was stunned. He stared at Ryoma as if he grew another head or something.
"Is that it? That's your final plan?" Fuji asked as he stared ahead.
"Yes.." Ryoma answered.
Silence engulfed the two again.
"When will you be back?" Fuji asked.
"I… don't know."
Fuji raised an eyebrow at the remark.
"YET. I don't know yet. Happy?" Ryoma snapped as he saw the tensai's action.
"No. Don't you think it's a bit unfair for her to wait?"
Ryoma bowed his head, his bangs hiding his eyes.
"I'm not asking her to wait for me… I just want her to know how I feel.."
Fuji smiled at Ryoma's embarrassed and confused state. Never in his life did he imagined seeing the egotistic, self-and-tennis-absorbed, sarcastic entitled Prince of Tennis so down, confused and even in love. It was… absurd in a way, but relieving as well.
"If that's what you think is the best for the both of you... I support you O'chibi." Fuji smiled warmly at Ryoma, assuring him.
"Arigato.. Senpai." Ryoma nodded.
"Tadaima.."
"How are you Ryoma-kun?" Ryoma's mother asked.
"I'm fine 'Kaa-san." Ryoma whispered as he sat on the dinner table.
"Your day?"
"Fine."
"Tennis?"
"Fine."
"Sakuno?" Nanjiro butted in.
"Not fine.." Ryoma answered unconsciously.
"Why? Is she sick?" Ryoma's mother asked.
"What? NO!" Ryoma exclaimed upon his realization.
"HA! CHIBISUKE'S BLUSHING!" Ryoga pointed.
"NO I'M NOT!" Ryoma shouted back, storming outside the house.
"Ryoma, where are you going!"
Ryoma kept on walking, not answering his mother's worried question.
"NANJIRO! RYOGA!"
"Tell mom I'm asleep!" Ryoga scampered away.
"Tell her, I'm busy!" Nanjiro grumbled.
"YOU TWO WILL GET IT THIS TIME!"
"Stupid old man and stupid onii-chan…" Ryoma whispered.
Ryoma walked and walked around, avoiding their street, knowing his mother would be outside looking out for him. There are so many things in his mind that he needs to sort out, especially on his supposed confession, and having his mother on his tail is not part of his plan.
'How the hell will I tell her?'
'How about, walk straight in front of her, and tell her you love her?'
'Ha! As if I could do that!'
'Ohh.. so, the Prince of Tennis is afraid?'
'I AM NOT AFRAID!'
'Then, why do you have a problem with my plan?'
'BECAUSE-'
"Ryoma-kun?"
(Sakuno's POV)
"Ryoma-kun's been acting weird lately."
"You were saying Sakuno?" my grandmother, Sumire asked.
"Nothing grandmother, what are you doing?" I asked her.
"I am cooking curry for dinner."
"Curry?"
"Oh, Sakuno, we're running out of black pepper and potatoes, can you buy some?"
"Black pepper and Potatoes? Okay." I said, jumping out of her chair and grabbing her jacket.
"Thank you, come again!"
"Now, that was fast." Sakuno laughed to herself.
She was about to completely leave the shop when he noticed a certain tall figure standing outside the shop, on a daze.
"Ryoma-kun?"
Present POV
"Ryoma-kun?"
"Eh?"
"Are you okay?"
Next thing Ryoma knew, a warm hand covered his forehead. Looking down he was surprised to see Sakuno, tip toeing, her hand outstretched to his forehead.
"Sakuno?" Ryoma whispered.
Sakuno looked up to find Ryoma staring at her.
As if it was a normal routine, Ryoma grabbed her waist and held her.
"Ryo-Ryoma!"
"Can we talk..?" Ryoma whispered, as he let go of Sakuno's waist.
"Ye-yes." Sakuno whimpered upon losing Ryoma's heat.
"Can we meet tomorrow, around this time at the park?" Ryoma asked.
"Uhm… of course." Sakuno smiled, trying to ease the tension in the air.
"Okay then. I'll walk you home." Ryoma suddenly offered.
"No Ryoma-kun. It's okay, really."
"I insist." Ryoma smirked.
"O-okay then." Sakuno nodded, blushing.
'Stop blushing! He always walk us home…'
Sakuno's blush intensified when Ryoma offered his hand in front of her. When Sakuno didn't show any motion of accepting his hand, Ryoma grabbed her loose hand and took the plastic with the black pepper & potatoes from her other hand.
"Echizen-san, really, it's okay."
"That's Ryoma-kun for you."
"Eehhh?"
Ryoma smirked as he pulled her closer to him.
Maybe telling her can wait. I'll just make this chance of being alone with her worthwhile...
OKAY. I KNOW. I suck. :| But don't worry, the next chapter, will blow your mind. HOPEFULLY.
