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Chapter 11: Cornerstone

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"(1) Il me faut quelque chose pour la grippe." Ryoma walked back and forth around the room as he tried to contain his anger and prevent shouting at the person on the other line. "(2) Ces't urgent!" he cried angrily.

After several more moments of ranting at the poor assistant manager on the phone, he slammed the gadget on the couch. Ryoma then hurriedly made his way back to the king-sized bed to check on a certain passed out auburn-head.

He placed his hand on the girl's forehead and felt it burning up. Immediately wetting the towel lying idly near a bowl of cold water, he dunked it on the bowl and brought it to the girl's hot forehead. Sakuno's breathing was ragged, and he felt that the girl was probably feeling cold. He pulled the comforter up until the auburn-head's chin for warmth.

Ryoma sighed and plopped himself on the chair he had dragged towards the bed. This was the second time Sakuno became sick because of him. But he had to admit that the cause of the second instance was hilarious… well, if you weren't the victim and the one who was left hanging.

Right after he had finally asked Sakuno, she actually fainted. It stunned him for a few moments before he realized what had happened, after which he steadfastly carried the girl back to the car and headed back to the hotel for rest.

He knew that Sakuno had already a lot of things in her mind, yet he couldn't restrain himself from asking her!

Damn Fuji-senpai…

If it weren't for him seeing the brunet with Sakuno, he wouldn't have acted so rashly in the first place. What happened that night was definitely taking the cake for the most unexpected happening of his life. He was certain that if it were any other girl in Sakuno's place, he'd be greeted with so much shrieking, screaming, hugging, kissing…

Not that I mind Ryuzaki reacting like that… he thought and had to slap himself mentally for being such a pervert in an inappropriate moment.

Ryoma rubbed his temples to ease his mood.

If Ryuzaki didn't faint, what would have been her answer?

Interrupting the tennis champion from his thoughts, there was the sudden sound of knocking. He immediately wore his disguise and headed to the door. Opening it, he was greeted by the manager himself, smiling at him apologetically.

"(3) Bon soir, monsieur… Je suis desole pour assistant manager."

Ryoma gave a curt nod in acknowledgement, and ushered the older man to the motionless girl on the bed. "(4) Elle a de la fievre," was Ryoma's answer to the man's questioning gaze.

"Ah… I 'ope she gets better," the manager stated kindly after placing the requested medicine on the bedside table. "Just ask 'er to take this, and she'll be fine in the morning." And with that, the manager left the suite.

Ryoma made his way back to Sakuno where he started shaking the girl awake. "Ryuzaki," he called out and continued shaking her. The auburn-head remained unaffected with the boy's attempts of being awoken. The tennis champion then resorted into slapping Sakuno's face lightly. "Ryuzaki," he called out again. After several more moments of slapping, the boy grew impatient for whatever he did was futile.

Final option… Ryoma sighed and leaned in on the sleeping beauty to capture her lips with his. He immediately got the desired effect for Sakuno's eyes snapped open. As soon as that happened, he reluctantly broke the contact.

"R-R-Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno broke into a series of whimpers after realizing what caused her to wake up.

Ryoma flexed his fingers before grabbing a tablet from the bottle. "Take this."

Sakuno sat up from bed, with the cloth on her forehead dropping, and quickly obeyed the boy without second thoughts. She grabbed the tablet from Ryoma, and took it. She was handed a tetra pack with the straw already poked on the box after that, and drank from it thirstily.

"Arigatou," she said softly when she finished her drink.

Ryoma nodded his head in response and silently got the empty tetra pack from the girl to be thrown away. The silence remained even until the tennis champion returned to his seat beside the girl, whom he stared at for the next few minutes. Sakuno was still sitting upright, probably doing some self-composing, and tried to avoid Ryoma's gaze at all costs.

"M-My books!" Sakuno exclaimed all of a sudden and intended to stand up, when Ryoma acted a lot faster than her and easily pushed her back to bed.

"No."

Sakuno tried sitting up again but both of Ryoma's hands had her pinned down. "B-But Ryoma-kun! Y-You need to understand that the test is just two days away from now-"

"Stop it!" Ryoma roared and moved on top of Sakuno, straddling her hips to prevent her from leaving the bed. His gaze was furious that the auburn-head didn't have the courage to retort and protest even more. "Stop it alright?! Look at you! You're already sick, and yet all you worry about is your goddamn studies!" the boy cried and continued glaring at the now teary-eyed Sakuno.

The auburn-head started to shake, and the tears that formed in her eyes were already dropping relentlessly. She sniffed several times and closed her eyes in an attempt to cease crying. "B-But-"

"Stop," came Ryoma's tired voice. "Just… stop."

Sakuno couldn't help but let out strangled cries and numerous sobs. After she felt Ryoma's hold loosen, she brought her hands over her face to hide her sorrowful expression. The auburn-head's cries were the only ones heard throughout the room for several minutes.

The tennis champion let the girl calm down, remaining silent as he just watched the pitiful-looking Sakuno. He felt his insides lurch as he felt the girl continuously tremble beneath him, her cries sounding through the unbearable silence. Honestly, he didn't know how to handle someone who was experiencing so much pressure and stress… and was also in that time of month.

"Stop it!"

This only made Sakuno tremble even more and cry harder.

"I-I-I c-can't…" came Sakuno's muffled reply under her covering hands.

Ryoma let out a frustrated sigh and ruffled his hair to think. He couldn't stomach seeing the girl like this. It was so difficult. He had sworn not to see Sakuno cry, and yet he couldn't even do anything to what was presently happening.

As Sakuno suddenly burst into a series of more sobs, he pried away the hands covering the girl's face and dove in for the mouth.

Sakuno's eyes were now wide open as she stared at the face of her prince, who currently had his eyes closed. The boy continued to press his lips onto hers, savoring the simple contact.

Ryoma was now completely on top of Sakuno, with both his hands pinning the auburn-head's arms on each side of her body. As Sakuno continuously shifted under his weight, accidentally rubbing on something sensitive, he couldn't help but groan against the girl's lips.

Sakuno blushed in different shades of red and her attempts of freeing herself ceased after she heard the muffled sound. As their lips continued to press together, Sakuno relaxed soon enough and closed her eyes, much to Ryoma's relief. It seemed that her calming down was just a kiss away.

The kiss may not be as feverish as the previous, but she knew that she'll melt right away if that happened with her current state. Now, the kiss brought her mind to be blank, leaving her free from everything she was worrying about. It was what she needed to get even the tiniest moments of solitude. It soothed her… comforted her…

Suddenly, Ryoma licked Sakuno's lips.

Ryoma was instantly pushed aside after what he did. Opening his eyes at the suddenness, he found a wide-eyed Sakuno staring back at him with a bewildered expression. "I-I'm sorry…" he said softly and got up from bed. Silence remained as the boy lay himself on the couch. "Rest now," was Ryoma's command.

The tennis champion heard some shuffling before he got a reply from the auburn-head. "S-So you're back to sleeping on the couch, huh…?"

Ryoma propped himself up with an arm to peek on Sakuno. The girl was intently gazing towards his direction, expectantly waiting for him to reply. He sighed and ruffled his hair in confusion. The girl shoved him aside, and now she wanted him back.

Damn confusing… "I'll be there," was his reply.

With the assurance, Sakuno then lay herself on the bed again, satisfied that things were alright. Obviously, she was taken aback with Ryoma heading for something like that, but she couldn't afford to push him away just because it… But for some unknown reasons, she felt that she indeed had a reason to push him away.

She slapped herself lightly. Ack… what happened…?

Breaking free from her thoughts, the shifting of the bed caused her to look towards the said direction and found a tired-looking Ryoma settling several inches away from her. Suddenly, the boy snapped his head to her, catching her in such an intense gaze; his golden orbs locking Sakuno's chocolate ones firmly.

"I'll be waiting for your answer," was what Ryoma said before turning the opposite direction.

Huh? "Wha-?" Sakuno quirked both her eyebrows and wracked her brain for whatever could have happened. Think. Think. Think… she tapped her forehead. "Ugh… I'm only giving myself more headaches," she mumbled frustrated and lay back down on the bed.

There was silence as the two young adults were both lost in their own thoughts. After several more minutes…

"Hey." Both Ryoma and Sakuno sat up at and called for each other at the same time. Sakuno smiled at the awkwardness, while Ryoma just smirked cockily. The two stared at each other for several moments, "You go first," they said together once more.

The auburn-head started chuckling while blushing intensely. "A-Ano… I was just wondering what happened in the park, Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno expectantly looked at the suddenly uncomfortable boy.

Ryoma blinked. She doesn't remember? The tennis champion remained speechless for a while, and then he cleared his throat hoping that he'd find words to say in the process. He didn't anticipate that he'll be asking her like this. He originally planned to be frank, but thanks to Sakuno fainting, he'd have to resort in another way… which was a bit awkward to him.

"Y-You fainted…" was his almost inaudible answer.

It was Sakuno's turned to blink several times this time. "I-I fainted? H-How-" The girl shook her head before looking back at Ryoma. "…I fainted?!" she exclaimed, her cheeks burning up with the red color.

Ryoma stiffened, realizing that he was nearing into getting the answer he wanted. For some reasons, he suddenly felt unprepared for whatever the answer may be. Was it proper to ask Sakuno who wasn't on the right track of mind as of the moment? He wasn't implying that Sakuno was berserk or anything, but with her school and girl issues, was it appropriate he asked now?

"I asked you a question then you fainted."

Sakuno blinked several times again, letting Ryoma's reply sink in. "A-Ano… W-What was the question you asked?" she inquired curiously, intently gazing at Ryoma who seemed to have found the opposite wall interesting all of a sudden.

"I asked if you'd be mine, Ryuzaki-san."

Ryoma looked at Sakuno from the corner of his eye, actually expecting her to faint again when she instead was gaping at him and blushing furiously. Now this was his desired reaction. Seems like the medicine is taking its toll now… Arigatou, Manager-san.

"Ryoma-kun-"

"I'll give you time." Ryoma laid himself back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He tucked his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. "Think it over… please."

Sakuno gazed at the serene-looking boy momentarily before lying back down the bed herself. "C-Currently, I'm still busy with my schoolwork and-"

"Exactly." At this, Ryoma cracked an eye open and gave Sakuno a sideward glance. "That's why I need you to think it over." He smirked cockily, causing Sakuno's blush to intensify.

The auburn-head was taken aback with the hint of hope in the boy's eyes that she couldn't help but reply, "Yes… I-I'll think about it…" Sakuno smiled unsurely at Ryoma before grabbing her white teddy bear and hug it near her chest. "Ano… What was it you wanted to ask me, Ryoma-kun?"

Ryoma turned sideways to look at a patiently waiting Sakuno. "Why do you sleep with that?" He pointed at the stuff toy in Sakuno's arms.

Sakuno's hold on the bear tightened as she faced sideways too. "I don't see anything wrong with it…" the girl softly retorted with pink on her cheeks.

Ryoma 'hmph-ed' and mumbled, "Childish…" before standing up to head towards the couch.

"W-Where are you going?" Sakuno asked, suddenly alarmed with whatever she could have done to make Ryoma stand up. She sighed when the boy remained unresponsive, and decided to sleep already. Fine… she thought in defeat and made herself comfortable under the covers.

She then took the opportunity to think things over.

"Ryoma-kun likes me… that way…?" Sakuno mumbled to herself, still in utter shock.

How can she resign into other things when she's not even halfway from what she truly wanted? It's my dream that I truly want… right? she thought unsurely and sighed. Admittedly, for a moment back there, she was so tempted to say 'yes' right away.

Sleep… Sleep… Sleep… she told herself repeatedly. Why was it that she couldn't sleep now when she had wanted to sleep so badly a while ago? Ryoma-kun… Just when her eyes were about to close, she felt a sudden tug on what she was hugging tightly. Eh? She snapped her eyes open, only to find Ryoma smirking down at her with two bears in his grasp.

"Try getting used in sleeping without your bear tonight…" And with that, he turned away with bears, brown and white, to who knows where.

Sakuno immediately sat up when the boy disappeared from view, and found Ryoma placing both bears on the couch; one beside the other. "What are you trying to do, Ryoma-kun?" she asked a firmly with a hint of annoyance. When Ryoma returned to look at her, she stiffened and said meekly, "I-I'd like to get Mr. Bear back… p-please."

Mr. Bear? Ryoma quirked an eyebrow and smirked, clearly amused. "Why?"

Sakuno blushed and resisted the urge to throw a pillow on the suddenly so annoying Ryoma. "B-Because, i-it soothes me to sleep…" she blushed, but remained looking firm at the smirking boy. She sighed frustrated as Ryoma didn't respond after several moments later. I'm wasting my time not resting. She lay back down and decided to try and sleep now. I still need to study tomorrow… the test is so near…

There was sudden shifting in the bed, though Sakuno just ignored it. "Are you sleeping?"

The auburn-head didn't respond at first, but after some time of more futile attempts of sleeping, she replied. "I told you I can't sleep…" she said softly. "I don't have anything to hug-"

Suddenly, she was carefully lifted from her position and realized that who else could have done such but Echizen Ryoma himself. After several moments, she turned a dark shade of red when she found half her body over Ryoma, her head gingerly positioned on the boy's chest. One strong arm was under her shoulder blade while the other was on top of her tummy. Now this... was unexpected.

"Now sleep." Ryoma muffled from behind her sprawled auburn hair.

Sakuno's heart beat rapidly like wild horses as she felt Ryoma's warm breath against her ear and his hold on her tighten by the minute. She wouldn't deny that the situation was truly comfortable… not to mention an effective way to lull her to sleep. It was as if she became Ryoma's teddy bear. But Sakuno knew that it was quite inappropriate crossing too much boundaries, but then again, maybe just for night, she could embrace being in the arms of a renowned tennis champion… a.k.a. her friend.

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"Coffee or hot chocolate?"

Sakuno smiled at Ryoma who was looking at her in his rare soft gazes. "Hot chocolate please…" she replied after a moment of thinking.

It was a Sunday morning, exactly one day before her biggest exam that year.

As soon as Sakuno woke up, she was immediately ushered by Ryoma to dress up for an early breakfast. Before she could even protest and insist on staying in the hotel, Ryoma had already carried her inside the bathroom and held the knob of the door as Sakuno tried prying the door open from the inside. With an official bribe saying that he'd make her take a bath by force if he had to, caused Sakuno to relent to his request.

As she watched Ryoma walk his way towards the dainty coffee shop, Sakuno couldn't help but dread about what lay ahead for her the next day. Heaving a long sigh as she forced herself to read the book in her hands, the rest of the time waiting for Ryoma with her hot chocolate was utterly futile with regards to her preparing for her exams. It was as if her mind had a hole in it somewhere that all the things she was rereading flowed right out the moment she laid eyes on the scrawny texts on her book.

The next few minutes passed by as Sakuno still patiently waited for Ryoma to return with the steaming hot drink that could possibly be the only one that can clear her mind that morning. Or probably, the wait just seemed long since she was adamant in fulfilling her promise to the boy that day of staying away from her studies… or so he thought.

Sakuno wanted badly to lock herself up in the suite the entire day to be literally lost in her paradise of books. Due to Ryoma's insistent demands on keeping her a mile away from any of her textbooks, she was even desperate enough to grab one, even at least the smallest, and hide it in her pocket.

For the rest of their walk outside that morning, Sakuno was quite aware that Ryoma had been glancing at the bulge in her jeans pocket several times. Whenever that happened though, Sakuno would suddenly plaster on a sugary-sweet smile and tried her best to keep his attention away from her pants.

It would be such a disappointment when she finds out that Ryoma didn't buy it though…

The book she was currently reading was suddenly swiped from her hands.

"Hey!"

Turning around, Sakuno was met with Ryoma's piercing golden orbs. She immediately withdrew back and shut her mouth up while wearing a sheepish look. She could feel the boy's stare start boring a hole on her head.

"Why are you studying again?"

"A-Ano…"

Sakuno found no words to say when Ryoma glared at her like that. She sighed after much struggle of attempting to reason out something several minutes later.

Ryoma grunted upon seeing Sakuno turn gloomy again. Placing the cup of hot chocolate in front of the girl who currently had her head bowed down, Ryoma pulled his chair and took a seat across Sakuno. He narrowed his gaze when he noticed the girl not touching her cup of hot drink.

"Drink."

Sakuno relented after hearing Ryoma's command.

Bringing the cup to her mouth, she winced a bit having to have burned her lips from the intense heat of the drink. Then having to have winced, Sakuno accidentally bit her tongue causing her to gasp in surprise and capture the tennis champion's attention.

"Oi, are you alright?"

Sakuno blushed instantly, having to have found her face inches away from Ryoma all of a sudden. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she continued staring at the boy who currently had his hands cupping her face, forcing her mouth to open as he checked her burnt tongue.

"Kissing so early in the morning?"

Both heads snapped towards a familiar grinning brunet and a confused blue-haired companion. Sakuno immediately moved her face away from Ryoma and turned a pretty shade of pink when Fuji started chuckling. Kurumi, on the other hand, remained looking confused for some reasons.

"Kissing her father?" the blue-haired girl asked.

Sakuno panicked.

"I was just kidding about the kissing, Kurumi-san…" Fuji smiled at the relieved auburn-head who mouthed him with an 'arigatou'.

Ryoma grunted in exasperation for the unwanted appearance of the newcomers, and immediately moved his chair beside Sakuno. He wanted to make sure that Fuji won't be taking her away from him this time.

Fuji eyed as Ryoma dragged his chair beside Sakuno with an innocent smile. He couldn't help himself but grin wider when the tennis champion eyed him back with disdain. You think you're so smart, eh Echizen? He grinned.

"Ryuzaki-san, would you mind if Kurumi-san and I sit with you?"

Fuji's smile broadened when he saw Ryoma's gaze narrow.

Sakuno brightened at the idea which caused Ryoma to be vexed by Fuji even more. "That would be wonderful, Fuji-senpai, Kurumi!" she exclaimed and immediately ushered the newcomers to take a seat.

Fuji took the one beside Sakuno without second thoughts as Kurumi followed suit in taking the one left in between Ryoma and her brunet companion.

For the next minutes, Kurumi was the one who initiated the conversation about the book signing she just attended along with Fuji. Sakuno smiled and gave polite comments about the event the blue-haired had tried so vividly to explain. Fuji had given simple replies to Kurumi's questions, but really was focused on the pretending-to-be-impassive boy sitting across him. Ryoma had his arms folded across his chest as he watched Sakuno joyful mood.

He was in deep thought as he tried figuring out why Sakuno would smile for others, yet make it so hard to make her smile for him. Taking from the girl's actions, she always seemed so uncomfortable with him. It wasn't his fault that he couldn't suppress his feelings any longer. It was terribly hard for him to watch Sakuno get sidetracked about anything from him. Maybe it had something to do with his guilt eating up most of his emotions, but he knew he cared for her.

He cared for her a lot, and he'll do anything to have her care for him the same way.

"It's your big test tomorrow, right Ryuzaki-san?" Kurumi asked interested.

"Yes… And I'm really…" Sakuno paused as she suddenly turned another shade of pink. Fuji and Kurumi looked at her concerned at her sudden pause, but she immediately started talking again not long after. "…nervous about it," she said with a smile.

As Kurumi began talking once more, Sakuno took the opportunity to glance at the tennis champion beside her with a somewhat questioning look. But the boy beside merely lowered his cap with his other hand to hide the smirk on his face. At least with his hand interlocked with Sakuno's under the table, he's assured that the girl wouldn't forget about him for the rest of the time.

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Having to have roamed the city with Ryoma, Fuji and Kurumi for the rest of the day, Sakuno started panicking around mid-noon on the fact that she wasting the entire day enjoying rather than studying. The four young adults were currently strolling around Montemarte, stopping by at to stare at some artworks that perked up their attention.

"Ano… I do think that I have to get going now…" Sakuno said all of a sudden when they reached the end part of the area. "I still have to study for the exams tomorrow…"

"Aw! Sakuno! Chill!" Kurumi exclaimed and started patting the shoulder of her friend. "You worry too much… from what I've heard, you've been preparing for this for the last weeks and I say that you deserve a break!"

"But-"

"Didn't I already tell you not to study today?" Ryoma muttered.

"But-"

"You might get sick if you study too much, Ryuzaki-san." Fuji said with a smile.

With that, Sakuno relented to her friends' request and tried enjoying the rest of the day without having to think of her test the next day. Maybe a little relaxation can do her good. As the four continued the rest of the day visiting more places in the city, they eventually ended up in a bowling alley by late afternoon.

"Are you seriously sure that you want your father to play with a really heavy ball, Sakuno?"

Ryoma resisted the urge to knock the blue-haired girl tagging along with Fuji the rest of the day with the bowling ball in his hands. It was quite an insult having to have someone say that about him… the world's number one tennis player. But he knew that revealing his identity for a small, oblivious insult was utterly foolish.

"It would be alright, Kurumi…" Sakuno said while glancing at Ryoma with a blush on her face before returning to her own bowling ball she was struggling to lift with her right hand.

Before the ball could manage to kiss the floor dragging her arm along with it, Fuji caught the heavy burden in the nick of time.

"Arigatou…" Sakuno said with a blush as she tried lifting the ball again, wanting to prove that she was able to do it.

Fuji chuckled at his kouhai's hopeless attempts of bowling, clearly amused. Seeing that Sakuno was truly a hopeless bowler, he gently grabbed the girl's hand and positioned them properly on the holes of the ball, while setting his other on her shoulder. He felt the girl stiffen at the first few moments of contact, but eventually, the girl started to relax in his hold not long after.

"I think you need some help, Ryuzaki-san…" he said in his smooth and velvety voice causing Sakuno's blush to increase a tenfold and send her heart fluttering for some reasons.

Ryoma's eyes narrowed at the scene right in front of him. It was just too hard trying to pretend unaffected when he indeed was very affected. Screw him for having to pretend to be someone who doesn't care… or then again. Maybe his 'pretend' identity could help after all.

"Keep your hands away from my daughter," he growled with the narrowing of his eyes and acted as a 'protective father' all of a sudden.

Kurumi watched everything with blatant amusement.

"I'm merely trying to teach her, sire…" Fuji said calmly while resisting the urge to smirk at Ryoma's evident anger.

Sakuno remained oblivious to everything happening as she concentrated on what Fuji recently taught her on how to hold the ball and such. As she continued on trying to apply everything her senpai told her, she came to the point of finally rolling the ball on the lane when the bowling ball ended up bouncing over to the next lane… and landed right on top of a stranger's toes.

"Ouch!"

Sakuno had the sudden want to bolt and fly right back to Japan. Oh dear…

Even before the buff man with red, swollen eyes (who was wobbly when approaching them… probably drunk) could near the terrified auburn-head, both Ryoma and Fuji immediately positioned themselves in front of Sakuno. It was as if fate had chosen to humor with Sakuno's day to have someone steal her study time and now her fun time. She hoped the best she could that nothing like a brawl would happen.

"I'm so sorry!" Sakuno cried from behind Ryoma and Fuji.

The big stranger chose to ignore her apology and started ranting in fast and fluent French about his injured foot. Ryoma shot him up not long after with a mere glare from his piercing golden orbs as Fuji tried calming the situation down with his calm (but deadly) words.

"It's not that hard to accept a young lady's apology of hurting your foot with a bowling ball, don't you think, sire?" Fuji asked with a thin line of his lips when the big stranger attempted to approach Sakuno again and clearly ignored his reasoning.

But Ryoma and Fuji were still faster.

"And I do think that a bowling bowl on your feet doesn't hurt much…" Ryoma said all of a sudden causing the big man to halt and gape incredulously at him.

"Pardon me (hiccup)?!"

Fuji grinned as he caught Ryoma's game. "I do think I have to agree with that…" he paused as they watched the man turned a dark shade of red in fury and tried walking pass them again to near the shaking-in-fear Sakuno. "But try to be reasonable Echizen…" he muttered towards the Ryoma who was suddenly flexing his hands.

"A punch would be much more hurtful don't you think?" Ryoma said with a smirk and ignored Fuji's statement.

And with that, Sakuno had gasped wide-eyed as she tried predicting the outcome of the fight happening before her very eyes with a heavy feeling in her dread-filled heart.

- o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o - o -

Her tears tasted so bitter, yet she didn't mind one bit as the tears relentlessly streamed down her face. She was quite used to it now actually. Having to have managed to stay put despite the stress and all that she was currently facing in Paris, her tears were the only ones that helped her ease her pain and struggles within.

She watched the city from the looming height of her sanctuary, noting everything she was seeing. The vast grayness of the sky which was about to pour with rain any moment now; the number of cars making their way through the city; the hordes of people walking around; and the faraway famous spots she could distinguish from where she was.

Back in the bowling alley, she wanted so badly to wedge herself in the middle of Ryoma and the drunken man to cease the physical brawl and avoid injuries. But she was staggering in so much fright for the boy as she watched Ryoma struggle at the stranger's tremendous strength. She couldn't quite comprehend the fact that with the simple attack of her inborn clumsiness, Ryoma could already be placed in so much danger.

The skies suddenly growled as raindrops started falling from the skies, dropping one by one on Sakuno's miserable state. The auburn-head was currently on Eiffel tower, her form hunched by a deserted corner hoping that no one could disturb her from her moments of solitude. She needed time to compose herself from everything that was currently happening with her.

Silent sobs escaped the girl's lips.

Ryoma was surely making her cry a lot these days. Her tears were always for and about him. Well, she couldn't help herself. It was utterly stupid of the boy to place himself in a situation were his arm acquired several bruises and a bleeding lower lip. Good thing that the authorities immediately came and hindered the fight to worsen. What if Ryoma wouldn't be able to play tennis anymore just because of him trying to protect her back then?

She wouldn't forgive herself for that… And with what just happened, that caused Sakuno to become even more stressful. She was well aware of Ryoma's feelings, and she was feeling some twinge of guilt for having to have him wait for her answer. Waiting was quite painful after all. Not to mention what the tennis champion had to do to prove all the more that he cared for her… a lot.

But what about my studies? Sakuno contemplated as she began shivering with the cold. She didn't at all care if she was getting wet at the moment. I know I won't be able to focus for tomorrow if things are like this… she thought to herself with a scowl gracing her pale face.

As several more fleeting moments passed by, she suddenly felt the raindrops cease dropping on her. Looking up with the change, Sakuno found a serious-looking Fuji holding an umbrella just above her. He smiled sadly at her when her eyes brimmed with fresh tears.

"I thought I might find you here…" he said softly as he sat down beside the still unresponsive girl. "…and I was right."

Sakuno merely placed her head on the arm on top of her knees to hide her sorrowful expression. "R-Ryoma-kun can be pretty rash at times… and I find it quite stupid," she muffled through the sleeves of her blouse.

"He didn't break anything Ryuzaki-san… don't worry."

All that was heard for the next minutes was sounds of the continuous dropping of the rain on the metal floor of the tower. Fuji could hear silent sounds from the auburn-head beside him soon enough, but he decided not to pry and patiently waited the girl to open up by herself. He smiled when Sakuno turned to him.

"Ano… Fuji-senpai… There's…"

"…something bothering you besides Echizen fighting in the alley?" Fuji helped when Sakuno paused in dilemma.

The auburn-head hesitated before nodding her head. "Hai…" she muttered softly.

"What is it?" Fuji prodded soothingly after moments of silence.

"H-He asked me to be his…" was her silent reply.

Fuji suddenly clenched the hand with the umbrella hovering above them, his insides lurching from the sudden intensity of his emotions. Was that the reason why Sakuno has so willingly given up studying that day… to be with Ryoma? So she was actually prepared into disregarding her dream for him... Was that it?

"And what was your reply?" was Fuji's soft question as he tried to remain looking subdued and keep his voice from wavering. Despite his calm demeanor, his insides were hysterical from the sudden revelation that appeared before him.

Everything was indeed too late.

"No…"

Or maybe not.

Fuji snapped his head towards the suddenly teary-eyed Sakuno. The intent gaze he set upon her was silent ushering for the girl to continue.

"B-But that's what makes it all the more hurtful, senpai…" Sakuno's voice cracked causing Fuji to be stabbed with the girl's words. "W-With the relationship I'm currently sharing with him and the assertion he so freely stated, I can't quite get him out of my head…" she started sobbing a great deal after this. "And he even tried protecting me back there when he knew that he could have gotten hurt, where who knows, could have been the last time his arm would properly work!"

A sad smile flickered on Fuji's lips as realization dawned upon him. "You love him…"

It wasn't a question.

Sakuno turned to Fuji with watery eyes, appearing to be confused with what Fuji just said. "I-I love him?" she muttered as her sobs started to fade.

Fuji nodded and then opened his eyes, his blue orbs shown magnificently through the night. "You care for him…" An emotion Sakuno didn't quite expect to see in the Syusuke Fuji lingered in his eyes for a brief moment.

"How do you know-"

"It's quite… seen..." Fuji muttered as he diverted his gaze towards the sky. "Why else would you let him back to your life after what he had done to you…" then he returned looking at the suddenly blushing Sakuno. "…right?"

"I don't really know what I'm feeling, senpai…" Sakuno said truthfully as she smiled at Fuji gratefully. "But I do know that I won't be able to do my best tomorrow if things are like this-"

"Then tell him."

Sakuno's eyes widened at Fuji's sudden sorrowful expression. Never had she seen him look like that before… "T-Tell him what, senpai?"

"Tell him that you love him…" he said softly. "This was what you've been waiting for your entire life…"

Sakuno's heart felt like being crushed upon seeing Fuji looking so sad for the first time. As far as she could remember, even when the boy advised her during her weakest point before, Fuji had always worn a calm look… someone that was ready to soothe and ease a broken heart.

But now… it was as if Fuji was the one in need of company.

Sakuno couldn't help but suddenly clutch one of Fuji's arm, silently urging him to open up. This was it. This was the time the Syusuke Fuji was going to let in someone in his genius thoughts… emotions… inner-self…

She wasn't quite sure where she acquired such courage or the mere thought of initiating such absurdity. She never thought that this day would come, nor did she think that she was the one going to do it.

Her lips came in contact with Fuji's for the briefest second, wanting him to know that she was going to be with him all throughout… wanting him to know that she cared for him a lot... wanting him to know that she was ready to give him as much as he had given her.

Fuji's eyes were as wide as saucers when Sakuno pulled back. When Sakuno kissed him, she realized that this made him look all the more sad. She wanted to weep for whatever her senpai was burdening him.

"I-I do not like seeing you sad…" Sakuno said trying to keep her voice from wavering. "It hurts me having to see you like that without knowing why…"

"He cares for you a lot…" Fuji started. "…and I care for you too…" Sakuno nodded. "…but you care for him more…"

Sakuno gasped and was about to protest but Fuji didn't let her. "You deserve the happiness you've been waiting so long, Ryuzaki-san… I don't see why you shouldn't grab it when it's already right in front of you." Fuji smiled. "I want to see you happy."

"I want to see you happy too, senpai…" Sakuno replied. "Ano… B-But first you have to tell me why you're sad-"

"That doesn't matter…" Fuji replied, with his eyes closed and a smile suddenly on his face again. "It's great to have you feeling complete again… and besides, if you won't do it now, I'm sure you won't be able to concentrate tomorrow."

Sakuno looked at Fuji concerned. "Senpai…"

"Promise me you'll do well tomorrow," Fuji said, with his tone calm once more, blocking any emotion. "I just know you'll be reaching the peak of your happiness soon… and with this, I'm sure you'll be smiling for several reasons now."

Sakuno lunged herself towards Fuji, her arms around his next once more. "Thank you for everything…" The girl couldn't help but have tears streaming down her face once more. "I-It hurts me so much to be so useless and unknowing when you're in time of need… I-I'm so sorry…"

"Just be happy…"

"I will…" Sakuno's voice was muffled on Fuji's shoulder as she felt the boy's arms encircle her waist, pulling her closer. "I'll do my best on the test for Ryoma-kun…"

Fuji suddenly felt a pang on his heart, but remained as still as stone as he continued indulging himself in Sakuno's presence.

… And for you… Sakuno thought as she pulled Fuji in a tighter hug.

TBC

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Author's Notes: Aww! It's so sad! Well, that just concludes things with what Ryoma needs to expect from Sakuno as an answer. Haha! Hope you guys enjoyed! The chapter is a bit bitter, but yeah… That's how things are. Review and wait for more updates!

French Corner

(1) Il me faut quelque chose pour la grippe – I need something for a flu
(2) Ces't urgent – It is important
(3) Bon soir, monsieur… Je suis desole pour assistant manager – Good evening sir… I'm sorry for the assistant manager.
(4) Elle de la fievre – She has a fever

Deadline: Two weeks… (:))

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-x-OrangeAce-x-

Posted: 07.12.08

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