Author's Notes:Chapter 10 is finally up! Thanks to all those who reviewed IX: Intense Rage, most especially to Kemi-chiii for the wonderful concrit! This chapter's dedicated to you, girl! Belated happy birthday! Oh, and this is my payment for the beta service for my TezuSaku! (:)) In your reviews, a common question had been asked:
Q:What would Ryoma choose: Sakuno or tennis?
A:All I can say is… Read on! ^_^
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"We are constantly becoming what eventually we are going to be."
- Samuel Johnson
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|X: In Haze|
In her sleep, she often dreamt about waking up to a bright, sunny morning as a peasant girl who lived in the mountains. Although poor and lived a life away from civilization, she would always have a big smile on her face. Every day was a time well spent lying on the luscious dancing green grass as she took pleasure in the feel of the breeze caressing her cheeks. Or perhaps an adventurous trek by the brook, stepping on the stones and following the flow of the gushing freshwater in pure delight. And then when night falls, she'll be home eating supper by the hearth, reflecting over what happened in her blissful day. Life was at its best where everything was carefree, and there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Such a wonderful kind of joy… such a wonderful dream…
But that was it: a dream.
For every time her alarm clock reverberated, she'd return to the world that was far from what she wanted. It was cold, harsh reality full of living nightmares where populations suffer from different kinds of troubles, and struggle to reach utopia, an ideal society. It was a world that underwent all hurts, inflicting different perspectives on each person.
Fear was born.
But this was what made every individual, human.
The world was like walking down a path, blindfolded. Or like a breathtaking terrain covered in mist. The horror of tripping and falling flat on your face may hinder you from reaching your destination. And the despair of looking back at nothing but fog can keep you from laying your eyes on something so beautiful. But little did people know was that all it took to overcome each fear was to keep holding on, knowing that the there was always light at the end of each tunnel.
A walk in faith.
As Sakuno bid farewell to her grandmother to head to work, she knew that the ache in her heart would sooner or later be healed. It was an ache that began the moment Echizen Ryoma entered haze. Seeing him so pained with her very own eyes tortured her. She knew that he had never felt more confused and overwhelmed in his entire life that all she could do best was drift away from him for the time being… to give him some space.
She was the cause of his agony.
But even if she kept away from him, it did not mean that her heart did not belong to him anymore. She had promised that she'd never let him go.
She continued to walk down the street with an expression as if she did not suffer the same as he. A strong resolve flickered in the depths of her mind and heart to continue to search and wait for a better tomorrow… the day when Echizen Ryoma will smile for her again.
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"Play a game with me, Ryoma."
Without uttering a word, he pushed back his chair and stood up from his office desk. Ignoring his brother's taunting grin, he removed his trench coat and slung his tennis bag over his shoulder on the way to the door. For the past month, he could not count how many times he walked out of Prince Inc. to head towards the nearest tennis courts. He had long withdrawn the command that Ryoga was not welcome in the building. And at that, the older Echizen sibling popped up in his office often, asking for a game.
"I hope I did not disturb you from your paperwork," Ryoga grinned, closing the door of Ryoma's sports car.
"I'm finished," muttered Ryoma, starting the engine.
With a loud roar, Ryoma's black sports car was out of Prince Inc. basement and entered the sunlit streets of the Big Apple. An awkward atmosphere enveloped the car throughout the transit, even until the tennis courts had come to view. The Echizens hurriedly stepped out of the car, both in full tennis attire and rackets ready. Their strides were swift on the concrete, but Ryoga stopped his brother even before they could enter the public courts.
"Not a good idea," said Ryoga, sidestepping and began walking the opposite direction where the lounge was. "Fans, Ryoma," he emphasized as an answer to Ryoma's questioning gaze.
After a quick word with the manager, the two were able to wheedle the exclusive inside court for them. Though the talk hadn't been much of a challenge, for who could say no to the famed tennis pro and Prince Inc. vice-president? Ryoma with his usual impassive expression entered the courts. But inwardly, he was brimming with excitement to play a game.
This time, he knew he could do it.
"One-set match, self-judged," Ryoga's voice echoed in the hollow walls of the room. He approached the net where Ryoma already was.
"Rough."
With a twist, Ryoga's racket spun wildly until it eventually stopped and dropped with the embedded tip flashing an inverted 'R'.
Ryoma smirked triumphantly before heading to his side of the court. After positioning himself with the racket clutched in his left hand, he tossed the ball in the air and hit it with his famous Twist Serve.
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Her hands ached from the mindless pounding of dough. Numb from her starting to red knuckles, Tomoka had to stop her for a break, freaked out with Sakuno's persistent pounds the entire morning. It was as if her best friend was imagining the dough for something—rather, someone. Sakuno wasn't really in the mood for making cakes that's why she stuck into making the dough part of the cinnamon rolls. In her opinion, it was pretty helpful when in need of some vent.
"Speak up."
Sakuno looked up from her work, only to find an exasperated girl glaring daggers at her.
"Huh?"
"Speak up."
Sakuno wiped her dough-filled hands on her apron, and leaned by the counter to completely face her still glaring friend.
"What's wrong, Tomo-chan?"
"You!"
"Uhm... What are you talking about?"
"Kya! You're sulking again!" Tomoka exclaimed, placing her hands on top of Sakuno's shoulders and started shaking her as if to snap her back to reality.
Sakuno's eyebrows rose, "Hah? Tomo-chan, I'm smiling..." And at that, she plastered on a big bright smile that almost looked genuine. Almost.
"That won't work on me again, Sakuno!" Tomoka scolded, patting both Sakuno's cheeks, "You don't have to hide anything from me, you know? You don't have to do something to cover up what you're really feeling!"
"But I'm not even doing anything..." Sakuno said softly, trying to pry away from her friend's hold, "Well, besides from pounding the dough-"
"Exactly!" Tomoka cried, raising her hands up in the air, "You're supposed to be making cakes Sakuno, not pounding dough."
Sakuno flinched. She tried returning to her work (which wasn't really supposed to be hers), but Tomoka was adamant in making her best friend speak up.
The last time Sakuno was all-too secretive was before the Prince Inc. party. That was the night she admitted that she had fallen for Echizen Ryoma. Tomoka was ecstatic when she learned about it. It was a very significant thing of course, for Tomoka knew her soft-spoken friend all too well. Sakuno wasn't a person who would easily foster such strong emotions, not when she recently experienced the pain of losing someone dear to her...
Sakuno's parents were murdered on their way back home from church three years ago. Sakuno was at home then, studying for a University exam when she learned of her parent's death through the appearance of a convoy of police in her house. She learned that her parents were hijacked. Two robbers from a nearby jewelry store overtook her parents upon entering the vehicle. Her dad resisted, but was completely unaware of the gun the robber had with him. The robbers did not hesitate to shoot them. Her parents had been helpless, and were left in their pool of blood on the pavement. There were people who came to their aid, but when they were brought to the hospital, everything was already too late. After the tragedy, her grandmother, she and Nanako were the only worlds left to her.
Despite Sakuno's seemingly quick recovery and prominent bright smiles, Tomoka knew there remained a hole in her heart. And ever since, her friend had always been secretive about her emotions. But Tomoka had to thank the heavens that she could always tell.
"You're too paranoid, Tomo-chan," Sakuno remarked, breaking Tomoka from her trance, "Nothing's wrong... really," she smiled even wider.
"Does this have anything to do with Ryoma-sama?" Tomoka asked all of a sudden.
Sakuno stiffened.
Bull's-eye.
There was a moment of silence, Sakuno's dilemma clearly painted on her face.
"You don't have to worry much," she said soon enough, smiling softly, "It's just because I haven't seen him for a really long time and it—"
"Scares you that he will choose Ryoga's offer over you?"
Sakuno instantly shook her head, her eyes wide, "N-No! No... That's not it... I actually will not be surprised if he chose tennis over me..." she trailed off quite hesitantly, alarming Tomoka, "But I'm afraid... because I think I'm the one keeping him from what he really wants in life..."
Even before Tomoka could respond, Nanako entered the kitchens, with a smile on her face.
"Sakuno! Flowers for you!"
Even more excited than her friend, Tomoka pulled Sakuno with her and hurriedly went outside.
"Come on, Sakuno-chan! It's from Ryoma-sama!"
At the thought, Sakuno couldn't help but truly smile at that.
Indeed, there was a bouquet of flowers on top of the bakeshop counter. Tomoka and Nanako quickly shoved it to their flustered friend who was embarrassed at the sudden attention they were getting. Her hands fumbling around, she was surprised to see a dedication card attached to the flowers. Since when did Ryoma leave notes? Flipping the card open, Sakuno was expecting to see Ryoma's name or a 'mada mada dane' when she froze at what she saw.
BOO!We're watching you, Ryuuzaki. You're going down, bitch.
In the blink of an eye, here surprise was gone. She slipped the mysterious card in the pocket of her sweater and smiled as if the flowers in her hands were really from Ryoma.
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"Mada mada dane."
Ryoga laughed when Ryoma returned his lob with an incredible smash. The ball left a dent on the courts. He had to admit, he was very impressed. The game score was currently 6-6.
"So you're serious today," Ryoga asked with a smirk, serving a fast ball, "If not, are you ready to lose to me again?" A moment after, he was already on his feet, approaching the net.
"Don't underestimate me," Ryoma muttered, easily returning his brother's ball with a volley which landed on the far-end corner of the court.
Ryoga smiled when he saw his brother brighten up, "Ah! You got me there!" he laughed and quickly returned to the baseline to serve again.
After serving, a long rally followed right after.
"Hey, Ryoma... how's your girlfriend?" he returned Ryoma's ball with two hands gripping his racket.
"Hn," Ryoma's eyes narrowed at the sudden topic, "She's not my girlfriend. We don't talk now," he quickly rushed to the net and managed to get the heavy ball in time.
"Aa," Ryoga hit it back with ease.
There was silence as the rally dragged on.
"Hey, Ryoma," Ryoga called once more, running for his brother's ball, "What if she decided to leave you..." he hit it with a lob.
That did it.
Ryoma smashed the ball and left another dent on the court... deeper this time. "Don't say that."
Ryoga gave a low whistle, eyeing the hole that was only inches away from the borderline, "That was really close, chibisuke!" He smiled goofily and quickly ran towards his currently fuming brother, "Were you trying to kill me back there? Tsk, after I gave you my spot in the Grand Slam!"
"Which was supposedly mine from the start," Ryoma shot back, heading back to the side bench and reached for his water jug.
Ryoga ruffled his brother's hair before slumping on the bench and took a swig of water himself, "Game set match. I win. Again."
Ryoma ignored his brother, "I will beat you next time," said Ryoma, already preparing to head out of the room when Ryoga pulled him back down beside him. "What did you do that for?" he growled.
Ryoga relaxed back on the bench even more, placing his arms behind his head, "I didn't ask the usual question yet," He looked at his brother sideways, his expression suddenly serious, "Is it a yes or a no?"
"Isn't the answer already obvious?" The Prince Inc. Vice President lowered the brim of his cap, "I said I will beat you next time."
Ryoga sat up straight and turned to his brother completely, "I do not get why you don't want to say yes, yet you always agree to play with me, Ryoma," his eyebrows were crunched in confusion, "When you play, I can sense the happiness in you... but right after each game, you return to looking as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," he muttered, looking quite concerned, "If you enter the tennis world, you'll always feel that joy in every game. What's holding you back from accepting this opportunity? This is what you've always wanted, right?" Ryoga prodded as he gazed intently on his brother.
There was silence.
"It's her, isn't it?" Ryoga spoke again.
Ryoma remained not uttering a word.
Ryoga sighed and averted his eyes from his brother to fix his things, "You've got to decide soon. Tension is never good," He was already standing up, his face turned away from the still silent Ryoma, "You do not have time in your hands, Ryoma."
As soon as Ryoga disappeared in the doorway, Ryoma flipped his phone open and dialed a number.
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"Sakuno-chan! Your phone had been ringing since a while ago!"
The tray of brownies was abandoned on the kitchen counter in a flash. Sakuno sped past several co-workers and accidentally bumped some in the process as she headed towards her phone. Tomoka was kind enough to grab it from the table and throw it to her friend before Sakuno could even trip on something at the pace she was going.
Sakuno almost dropped her phone when she saw the caller.
"Aren't you going to answer that, Sakuno?" Tomoka eyed her friend queerly.
Why was there a need to call 5 times?She thought before plastering on a smile and nodding her head at Tomoka. And then she answered the call, "H-Hello..."
No one replied.
After moments passed and no one still talked on the other line, Sakuno sighed, "Ryoma-kun... Are you there?"
"What's with the 'kun'?"was Ryoma's response.
Sakuno couldn't help but smile even wider when she realized that Ryoma seemed fine. Has she been worrying for nothing? Or maybe it was all just a mask... that's what she had been always doing anyway, right?
"It's been a long time, Ryoma-kun," she giggled, walking back to her brownies. "Uhm... how are you?"
"Fine."
"You're not stressing yourself out, are you?"
"No."
"Are you smiling right now?"
"Aa."
Sakuno grinned like an idiot. It was so nice hearing Ryoma's voice again! Well, even if the only things he contributed were one-word replies. Though inwardly, Sakuno was anxious as to why he called. Has he finally decided?Her grip on the phone tightened as she carried the tray with one hand and placed it in the oven. She returned to her counter right after where she took a piece of cloth lying by the sink, and used to clean the mess she left behind.
"Ryoma... why did you call—"
"I want to see you."
Sakuno ceased from wiping the counter. She could feel her rapid heartbeat as her face reddened.
"Do you want to see me?"
It took a moment for Sakuno to snap herself out of it, "Y-Yes... I do," she muttered, a genuine smile on her face.
"Look up."
She did. Her eyes widened when she gazed out of the window.
Standing right outside the bakeshop kitchen was Ryoma himself, a smirk on his handsome face. The sight of him took her breath away. There were sunrays that made it past the shade of the oak tree that it bathed Ryoma with a certain shine and made him look all the more perfect. There was a sudden gust of wind that removed his Fila cap, but this time, he managed to catch it before it went away even further. She slightly laughed at a memory regarding flying caps.
"Oi, let's eat out. I'm starving," Ryoma called from outside.
"To the stall?" she asked expectantly.
Ryoma smiled, "To the stall."
Sakuno's smile was as bright as the morning sun.
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All eyes in the bakeshop were on the counter that moment.
What Sakuno had originally planned was to inform only Tomoka and Nanako about Ryoma's presence outside. She was going to ask permission for an early leave, and then she'll head out and slip inside his car without anyone (aside from the two) knowing about him being there. But being the impatient guy he was, he entered the bakeshop without even thinking of the possible attention he was going to get the moment he stepped foot inside.
"How are you, dear cousin?"
"Kya! Ryoma-sama! You're still as handsome as ever!"
"Ano... R-Ryoma... let's go..." Sakuno tugged on Ryoma's sleeve and tried her best to hide from the customers' prying eyes.
"Come on," ushered Ryoma – who was already heading towards the door with Sakuno behind him – when Tomoka wracked the entire world with her voice yet again.
"Sakuno-chan! You forgot your flowers!"
Sakuno cringed.
She can't believe she forgot about that! She felt Ryoma's intent gaze on her back when she returned to the counter to get her bouquet and continued to pretend as if nothing was wrong. There was awkwardness even when she sat on the passenger's seat of Ryoma's car and proceeded to Sakuno's favorite Japanese stall in the park. She knew that the boy eyed the bouquet in her hands from time to time, but she did not say a word to enlighten him.
"Who are those from?" Ryoma's voice broke the silence.
Sakuno heaved a sigh. She was actually hoping that Ryoma won't give in to his curiosity.
"It was given anonymously," she replied.
"Hn," Ryoma's eyes narrowed when he noted down the momentary frown that crossed Sakuno's face.
The two reached the Japanese stall several minutes later. Sakuno smiled when she realized that they had the place all to themselves, and quickly took a seat on one of the stools. Ryoma had to part the cloth that draped down in the front of the stall because of his height before he could take a seat. The two enjoyed the wait for their food as they watched their ebi tempura and beef teriyaki sizzle on the hot pan, and relished the wonderful aroma of good cuisine. It wasn't long after when two steaming bowls were placed in front of them.
"Ittadakimasu," the two of them said before digging in.
There was a comfortable silence as the two heartily ate their food. From the corner of his eye, he observed Sakuno gingerly place a shrimp in her mouth. He was keeping an eye on her because the last time they ate in that stall, the girl burned her tongue. He smiled at the memory. At that moment, she was slowly chewing on a strip of shrimp, savoring the taste. His gaze lingered on her moist cherry lips, enjoying the way her mouth move. He was only broken from his discrete ogling when she licked some sauce off of it.
He noticeably stiffened and looked away.
"Is there something wrong, Ryoma?" asked Sakuno, her eyes wide and innocent-looking.
What was happening? Ryuuzaki Sakuno was notcapable of seducing people.
Quickly placing a strip of beef in his mouth, he shook his head and continued to avoid her concerned gaze, "No."
After finishing their meals, the two decided to take a stroll in the park. It was a cool evening, and Sakuno loved the feel of the breeze tickling her hair and face. She decided to take out her sweater and wrap it around her waist instead to get more of the cold air. Then, she shyly took Ryoma's hand in hers and led him towards a bench. Admittedly, Ryoma was surprised at Sakuno's sudden boldness. But since she started it, he stubbornly did not let go even until when they already sat comfortably on the wooden bench.
Sakuno's face reddened completely when he intertwined their fingers and placed it on the bench, right in the middle of the gap between them.
There was silence as the two enjoyed the serenity of the evening.
Then something caught Ryoma's attention when he had been staring at the ground. He bent down to pick it up. It was a dedication card. He fumed when he saw the message and instantly crushed it with his hand. It seemed that Sakuno did not notice him as she seemed so lost in thought.
"Ano... Ryoma," Sakuno called out softly, her eyes never leaving her skirt, "Why did you come to the bakeshop today?"
"I already said it a while ago," was Ryoma's blunt response, "I wanted to see you."
Ryoma was taken aback by Sakuno's suddenly downcast eyes, for he expected the usual reaction of blushing or stuttering.
"You wanted to see me..." she whispered, diverting her gaze from her skirt towards Ryoma, "Because you have already decided, haven't you?"
Her eyes contained a fire he saw from her once, the night when he poured out his everything to her. He could tell that he was steeling herself from whatever answer he was going to say her that night. He knew she was trying to be strong amidst all confusion. He was aware that he was torturing her by making her wait excruciatingly. But he was going to make things better for them now. He was going to give his answer that night.
"I have," he replied, looking right back at Sakuno.
The two merely stared at each other as moments passed.
"Sakuno," Ryoma started, already inching his way towards the expectant girl, "I lo—"
"Finally! We found you!"
A familiar woman was standing in front of their bench, her eyes smoldering. She specifically had her gaze on Sakuno, "How are you, bitch?"
Sakuno's eyes widened in realization as the image of the bouquet of flowers came into mind.
Ryoma immediately caught on, too, "Why are you here?" he growled, standing up as he glared at the annoying woman in front of him. It ticked him off that the reporter was wearing a grin as if she had won.
But won what?
"It's a public park, Echizen Ryoma," she shot back. "And besides, I'm here for a good reason... I'm here to celebrate!" she exclaimed, causing the pair of men behind her to laugh at what appeared to be an inside joke among them.
"What are you talking about?" Ryoma was trying his best to keep his cool.
"Why, don't you know?" the woman's grin turned more malicious, "NYTV is airing something special tonight, and I doubt you'd want to miss it."
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"Tennis… had been my world..."
Ryoma could not believe what he was seeing.
"… but I have a different one now."
Sakuno looked at Ryoma beside her, worried.
"Even if… I tell you that I am willing to return what you have lost?"
"Boy, this is my favorite part," murmured the reporter.
In the busy streets of New York was a crowd of people gathered right in front of the big plasma installed on the wall of one of the corporate buildings. Aired on NYTV was a familiar scene that happened the night that Ryoga appeared before Ryoma, asking for forgiveness. The video had spurred different reactions. The younger audience squealed at the sight of the two Echizens, but muttered ill comments about Sakuno under their breaths, unaware that the girl was actually just behind them. The more mature audience on the other hand, was intrigued at the sibling's conversation, especially the part when Ryoma declared he had a different world now. But some of them disapproved of this 'new world', saying that the world wouldn't experience being awed by Ryoma's tennis prowess. And that's just too bad.
The reporter smirked when she saw Sakuno pained and highly embarrassed. Then, she approached her subordinates for the highlight of the night.
"I'm withdrawing from my career, Ryoma… and I'm giving back what is rightfully yours."
A series of loud murmurs erupted after this.
Thinking of only one thing to comfort Ryoma, Sakuno slipped her hand in his and clasped it in hers. Even if Ryoma did not look her in the eye, he squeezed their hands a sign of 'thanks'.
The crowd was silenced when something new popped out on the enormous screen.
"Good evening, New York. This is Susan Taylor of NYTV. Live in 4th avenue to interview our favorite Prince Inc. vice-president and about to be tennis pro, Echizen Ryoma."
Even before Ryoma and Sakuno could make a run for it, Susan was in front of them and the camera was rolling. The two's stunned expression was shown on TV, and not sooner than later, the two were surrounded. Susan eyed the cameraman and mouthed him something. On screen, from the two's faces, it was shifted to their entwined hands.
Another wave of murmurs hit the crowd.
Ryoma was shaking and was on the brink of snapping when Sakuno squeezed his hand to relax him.
"So, Mr. Echizen," Susan walked towards the couple, "From the video we just saw awhile ago, you mentioned this 'new world'," she started, looking at Sakuno with a mischievous glint in her eye, "Is it Ms. Ryuuzaki over here?"
The camera was turned towards Sakuno looked as if she wanted to be swallowed up by the earth that moment. She blushed and began to shake from the looks she was receiving from everyone. Looks that clearly said, 'Echizen chose herover a tennis career?', 'Ew, what is she wearing?' or 'Love isblind.'
The crowd became quiet when Ryoma suddenly spoke up, "Leave her alone."
Susan smirked, "Ah... Yes. We would if she was just a normal baker who is not worthy of being aired on TV of course. But she's a celebrity now because of you, Mr. Echizen. With your answer, I'll take it that she is your new world?" she smiled sweetly which enraged Ryoma even more.
"She is," he replied without second thoughts.
With that admittance, Sakuno felt even more uncomfortable at the attention. Ryoma noticed when the auburn-head began shaking.
"I'll offer you a deal, Susan," Ryoma smiled, causing the surrounding fan girls to shriek in delight, "I'll answer everything you want to know if you stop bugging Sakuno."
"Go home," Ryoma whispered to Sakuno's ear and pushed her away from the camera even before she could retort. She hesitated to leave and looked back at him at first. But when narrowed his eyes, the girl obliged.
Susan's smile was from ear to ear, "Deal."
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"Are you crazy, Ryoma?"
"I have a right to decide things for myself."
"Oh, but are you forgetting that it's our life story you just exposed on LIVE television."
Ryoma blankly looked back at his brother, "You must be forgetting I made up stories like 'I helped a pregnant woman' when I used to be late before..." he muttered, sipping from his can of Ponta. "You didn't see the coverage yourself."
"I heard it from Claudia," Ryoga sighed and plopped himself on the couch in Ryoma's living room.
"Hn."
There sounds coming from Ryoma's plasma were the only things heard throughout the silence.
"She said there was one question you didn't really answer though," Ryoga started, eyeing his brother from the corner of his eye.
"Really? I didn't notice."
"You didn't answer when Susan Taylor asked you if you're not going to enter the tennis world," Ryoga turned to his brother and looked at him expectantly, "Does that mean that you areplanning to replace me?"
There was a moment of silence before Ryoma replied, "I haven't decided yet."
Ryoga's laugh echoed in the flat, "Geez, Ryoma. I thought I'll be getting an answer from you now! But you know what, I was really amazed that you agreed to be interviewed for once... for Ryuuzaki eh?"
Ryoma merely sipped from his Ponta.
"But you know, Ryoma," Ryoga suddenly had a frown on his face, "What they're doing to Ryuuzaki won't stop unless you finally give an answer... and I think I know what's stopping you."
Ryoma skeptically looked at his surprisingly serious brother.
"You really want tennis... I'm sure of that. But you're afraid that Ryuuzaki will leave you."
Ryoma chuckled softly, "Tsk. That's bull."
"Then why don't you have an answer until now?" Ryoga prodded, returning his brother's amused gaze with a solemn one.
Ryoma did not reply.
"Just so you know I already called for a press con sometime next week," said Ryoga casually.
"You what?" Ryoma was livid, "You have no right to decide for me!"
"No I don't... but I know what your decision will be."
"You don't know me," Ryoma's eyes narrowed.
"Oh?" Ryoga smiled at this, "I know you much more than you know yourself... chibisuke."
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The moment Ryoma asked her to go home, she felt both relieved and worried. She was relieved that she was going to be able to escape from everyone's eyes that night, but worried because she was going to leave Ryoma in the hands of that awful Susan Taylor. The experience of having everyone look at her as if she had no right to stand beside Ryoma hurt. But she already prepared herself with those things. It was all for Ryoma.
Their walk in the park was unforgettable. It had been a long time since she spent time with him, and her heart felt as if it was going to burst from happiness... even if she was anxious about Ryoma breaking his decision to her, gently. As far as she could remember, he was about to say something to her before Susan Taylor came out of the blue.
The ringing of her phone broke Sakuno from her thoughts.
Ryoma...She smiled and answered the call.
"Ryoma... Are you alright?"
"Yeah."
Sakuno sighed in relief, "That's good to hear... What happened?"
"We did the deal... no one bothered you anymore, right?"
Sakuno blushed, "Y-Yes... Thank you, Ryoma..."
"Sakuno—"
"I love you, Ryoma."
Sakuno could feel her heart thumping wildly in her chest, every moment of silence that passed by tormenting her.
"I..."
Sakuno held her breath.
"I cannot be seen with you anymore, Sakuno. I'm sorry."
|TBC|
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Author's Notes:People don't kill me! It took me a long time to post this because I had to rewrite lots of scenes. The tennis match was the hardest to write. Ugh, action. Anywho! I'd love to hear what you guys think. What's Ryoma reason for doing that? Oh, and you can rant if you want! LOL. Next chapter will be out soon... hopefully. Ending is near by the way! (:))
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Reviews are appreciated. Constructive Criticisms are loved. Flames are ignored.
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