--Drum roll--
Finally the 11th Chapter, took me long enough...
Sorry about that, School's just too tough for a 14 year old girl.
but then again...
I disclaim Prince of Tennis and the songs that I used and will use.
I'm planning on making an OST if it's possible...
Enjoy.
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Mou… what am I doing here again? You're such an idiot Rica, It's already dark and you're lost, who knows where in Japan you are now? Kaginogi-whatever Tennis Gardens is nowhere to be found. I should go back to the house, but how? But then when I get there I have to deal with that letter! I don't wanna go back to that house; I want to go to a home…
Then much to her dismay it started to rain, and before she knew it she was alone on the streets, no one to turn to and no where to go. She was already sitting on the hard and wet floor.
I'm standing on a bridge
I'm waiting in the dark
I thought that you'd be here by now
There's nothing but the rain
No footsteps on the ground
I'm listening but there's no sound
Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Ryoma had audibly uttered the phrase before he could stop himself, and irritated with what he just did, he preceded to go to where he could be sheltered from the rain, pretending that nothing had happened, and that no such event ever occurred.
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you I'm with you
I'm looking for a place
Searching for a face
Is anybody here I know
'Cause nothing's going right
And everything's a mess
And no one likes to be alone
Isn't anyone trying to find me?
Won't somebody come take me home
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you I'm with you
Oh, why is everything so confusing?
Maybe I'm just out of my mind
Yeah, yeah, yeah
"Mada Mada Dane" She shot her head up to see who was there, and saw the silhouette of a man, running away, she then decided to go after him, seeing that he was the only person in sight who is capable of helping her, and somehow, something told her he could help. There's an unexplainable feeling of trust, perhaps it was because of the circumstance and the devastation that she was in, but something told her he could help.
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
Take me by the hand
Take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are
But I, I'm with you
I'm with you
I'm with you
I can't believe I'm here, and I met with another look-a-like on the way. And to think that the second part of the reunion was supposed to take part in here tomorrow. Thanks to the rain, I'm a day early before the agreed time, and if only you were here to welcome me, I would be looking forward to this visit, but you're not. Ryoma thought as he stopped in his tracks.
He stopped in front of the gate of a mansion, not that big, but large enough to be worthy of calling a mansion. The moment he stopped in front of the gate, thunder and lightning flashed, just like those in horror movies. The scene would've scared the life out of you and me, if we were in Rica's place. Rica, on the other hand, strangely felt at home, and that it was normal for her to go inside without anybody's permission, It was the same feeling she felt just a while back outside Kawamura Sushi. But then she couldn't help but wonder about the person standing before her, he looked familiar, and lonely. There was definite sadness and coldness in his eyes, which made her feel pity for him and guilty for some unknown reasons.
What's with this guy, I understand the rain can be irritating, but he's just too depressed, and he's been looking at the gate for quite a while as if thinking whether to open it or not. It seems deserted to be his house, perhaps a friend's?
And she was knocked out of her thoughts as the guy opened the gate. She was surprised that she let out a gasp.
"What do you want?" the guy sternly asked without even sparing her a glance.
She followed me?! I can't believe I didn't notice her before, and I wouldn't have if she didn't make any noise, surely I wasn't that absent minded?
But then his thoughts stopped and he just waited for her answer, which was said difficulty in between stutters and other interferences, provided by the speaker herself.
"Etou… I… Anou… I was wondering… if… if… I could…ehh… go… in… for…a while…till'… after the rain stops…?"
Was I just stuttering? I feel so uneasy and afraid and what's going on?! Did I just ask a stranger, more over a man, if I could stay in his house until the rain stops? Oh no! That was wrong of me!? What should I do?
She was panicking inside her head, which added more as she noticed that he kept silent and wasn't replying. So she decided and said
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, its okay… I mean… I understand…" this she said quicker and with less stuttering than her last statement, probably due to her wanting to run away as soon as possible and seeing that he isn't saying anything planned to utter another apology and run away as far as her legs can carry her, since she was truly embarrassed of what she has put herself into but was spared the trouble as Ryoma spoke
"Suit yourself, I don't mind" And I'm sure she wouldn't mind either, He wasn't able to answer her question before because of its mental impact on him.
Why do auburn-haired-girls-with-chocolate-brown-orbs love asking him favors, both ordinary and out-of-this-world!? And why does he always find it impossible to refuse them?!
But being Echizen Ryoma he shrugged the subject off and started towards the house (for him it's not a mansion, since he's seen larger houses, being rich and all) still not looking at his companion.
Rica followed the guy as soon as he walked off, remembering to keep her distance since she truly felt uncomfortable with this guy. And she actually thought him rude for he did not even spare her a glance, unlike all of the gentlemen she had met before, but she had no choice but to bear with his incivility because he was doing her a favor, or helping her out, in a way. But still she couldn't help wondering…
What an emotion less freak?! And why is he not even running towards the mansion, where we can seek shelter from the rain? Can he not see that if he won't run I won't? And that the rain isn't at all subsiding?!
Rica was too busy thinking of how rude her companion was that she didn't realize, they had already arrived at their destination and that the subject of her thoughts had already stopped, causing her to bump into him. And although any stranger could have seen that she was the one that really got hurt and not the guy, she still muttered her apology and was very embarrassed, since it is her fault. And due to the collision, her thoughts from thinking that he was rude, turned into how patient he must be for bearing with her, that she must thank him by all means, and she must try her best to not be a bother. Her guilt only heightened since the guy didn't utter a word, went into the house, where she followed suit.
Upon entering her jaw dropped, despite the atmosphere being gloomy, she can see how beautifully designed the place was. They were standing in a large hall, which was obviously for party purposes, on the other side was a flight of stairs leading to the next floor, which hallways are at the same time terraces over looking the hall where she was. And from where she is she can see the hallway, and also the doors leading to different rooms.
She stood there for some time, appreciating the place. It may be dark, dusty and very unwelcoming, that would give any girl goosebumps and cold feet, but to her it felt as though the place is welcoming and inviting, that she had longed to be here all her life. And for the first time in her life (as far as she can remember) this was home, unlike the house in which she stays, it is only a house, just a structure with roofs and walls to protect her and keep her from outside, but this is her home, she doesn't care if it's not as big or as clean as her house, in here there's a feeling of belongingness. Upon thinking these thoughts, a smile made its way into her face, but then upon checking her surroundings she found that her companion had gone, causing her to stop in her thoughts and wonder where he had gone. But her thoughts were once again distracted as a cold wind blew, and she felt a cold sensation in her body. It was then that she realized that she was wet from the rain, and that she better change clothes or she might get sick.
She was doubting if her companion would mind her going upstairs to look for something to change into, when she remembered what he said "Suit yourself, I don't mind". And with that all her doubts went away, and she headed upstairs in search of things she needed.
Upon entering the house Ryoma hurriedly retreated to his known room, where he could find a change of clothes, not daring to look at his companion. He didn't spare her a glance at all, especially her face and eyes, for it only causes him internal misery, and adding where they were now, doubled the impact. Luckily for him, Rica didn't notice him going away.
After he dried himself and changed, he went downstairs and looked for a place to light a fire, and as he passed the large hall, he found no one there, but then being the guy he was, just continued on with his own business, not caring about the girl. Well, not until now.
Rica had just found some well-conditioned clothes in one of the rooms upstairs, which she found cute and coincidentally fit her perfectly, so she put one on, while she let her current dress dry. She went downstairs and looked for her sponsor. (Uhmm... no not really) and found him sitting by the fire.
Like I said he didn't care much for her. But then he noticed what she was wearing. She was wearing that dress. That dress that was worn by a girl named Ryuzaki Sakuno on the first day they met at the train station to Kaginogizaka Tennis Gardens, except for the skirt (surely it would be too short for her now) which was replaced by a new and much longer one, but it was still of the same color and obviously of the same material.
Great!
He was pissed. Rica noticed, got worried and immediately explained herself.
"Anou… you see, I thought I'd get some clothes for myself…. Etou…. Since you said"
"I know what I said" he then answered coldly, turning his back on her seeking for peace.
Rica felt aback, she had never been treated as such, but the though of how she had been such a bother, that she felt more guilt rather than hatred.
For a couple of hours, the two of them bared the silence and the discomforts of the situation. Ryoma being irritated by his companion, from her stuttering, her looks, and to the fact that she's a big nuisance, and Rica, feeling all the awkwardness of the situation, until the rain started to settle down. Seeing that this was what she had been waiting for, she stood up
"Ano… the rain's not that strong now; I think I can manage etou… Thank you, for letting me seek refuge here"
Finally she was able to finish after a couple of stuttering, dwindling of fingers, and intense looks at her shoe. After realizing that Ryoma had not made any answer nor spared her a look.
"Oh! I almost forgot, my name is Rica Filarete, nice to meet you"
Ryoma then finally budged and would've stated his name, if not for the interruption of thunder. This terrified his supposed to be audience and caused her to close her eyes, cover her ears, and forget the conversation. Seeing this as a chance he changed what he was about to say
"You should be going; it seems there's going to be another downpour."
"Ahhh... Hai! Thanks again for letting me stay at your humble abode" and with a bow she started for the door, but was stopped when the other spoke
"This isn't my house; it's just a friend's"
"Just a friend's?" Rica repeated out of disbelief. She unknowingly felt bad upon hearing such a statement. Little did she know, that so was Ryoma, who was practically hitting himself inwardly, for reminding his relationship with Sakuno.
Just a friend If he had done better, been honest, and had been brave enough to confess. They wouldn't be just friends.
"I see, I'm sorry, I better go then" and with that Rica left, teary-eyed for some reason, she doesn't know, leaving a regretting Ryoma.
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So? Did you like it? or was it too confusing?
please review on how it went,
I finished it in a span of 2 months! I still can't believe I was able to squeeze it in my schedule, such an achievement!
I feel so happpy, but your reviews would make me happier!