"Reminiscence"
By: Miyo-chan02
Disclaimer: I don't own POT.
Chapter XI: Reluctance
A week has passed just like a wind. Things didn't seem to change or to improve. Being bullied, getting discouraged, and being insecure. It was all the same for Sakuno. Right now, all she had was her incomplete identity and new life.
As the days passed by, she felt the close relationship between her and Ryoma slowly drifting in to thin air. Sometimes the lad gives her comments on tennis and somehow trying to talk to her, but she ends up running away from him and avoiding any contact with him. Just the way she wanted it.
Actually, even a tiny bit, she disliked that idea. She hated it. Judging the comments from people around her, she guessed herself years ago, strived hard just to get close to the lad.
And now here she was, breaking all those efforts. Breaking herself.
A week… yes it's been a week. A week full of torment, a week full of sadness, and a week full of self-pity. She shrugged it off. These are just now. When things are finally out… then she can finally have her long-dreamed peace.
After all, there wasn't much difference. Pain will always linger in anyone's lives. Except that, pain seemed to love her the most.
She wouldn't deny that those days, when she decided to remember him, she felt herself slowly being completed. She felt a great feeling inside. But she woke up from the truth that the deeper she'd dig a hole, gold won't always be what's beneath. Sometimes it could be a land mine that can blow away all your dreams.
She sat straight on her seat and tried to listen to the lecture and take notes. Multi-tasking and living her life like that may help her to move on.
o o o
Ryoma wasn't that insensitive to not notice the young girl avoiding every instance about him. On the corridor, she'd always look down and would change paths just to avoid him. If he'd comment on her tennis, she'd quickly run away with a small bow. And of course, her presence is nowhere to be found in the courts again.
If those weren't enough, another proof was his sempai almost killing him and saying that Ryuzaki gave up on him.
Just when things started to tone down, it all melts down and goes to the start.
"Stupid." Yes the girl was stupid.
o o o
Sakuno was near the drinking fountain. She had a feeling. Anytime now, the three girls would come for her. And her hunch was correct. They were really there.
"Hey look. She's more pathetic than ever right?" came that high voice. It must have been Shizuka.
After a week, she was able to recognize each one of them according to their characteristics. Every now and then, the three kept on tailing her and insulting her. It was tiring but she didn't know what to do. She didn't even know why they did such things.
"Eew… you call that clothing? Think that suits you?" came the other one which was Tsukasa.
"Tone down girls. Our kouhai's getting upset. Are you okay Sakuno-dear?" of course the most provoking was Haruko.
Sakuno bit her lip. "Everything will be back to normal soon." She reminded herself.
"Hmmm… no fun. It was much better to talk to you when you fight back. We'll go now. See yah!" Haruko winked at her with a smirk.
As soon as the three left, Sakuno slid to the floor. Good thing that that was faster than usual. Her eyes were teary. She didn't know how long she could take it.
o o o
Walking to slack off, Ryoma still with his white cap saw a familiar girl on the floor. Her eyes were teary. He guessed that she fell on her knees or something.
He walked to her. "Mada mada dane." He gave her a hand.
Sakuno's bangs covered her eyes so it was pretty hard to read her expression. She looked up with a reluctant smile. "Echizen-kun, I can do this. I don't need your help. Thank you." She stood up with her own legs and hands.
"Suit yourself." Ryoma replied and left. His efforts would be pointless if this girl really says no to it. Yes, he did say he'd be the one who makes the decision but it's clear as day on how she keeps on rejecting him that he's only forcing himself on her.
His persistence? It was gone. If there was one thing he hated, that is an unreal feeling. If the girl didn't feel anything for him, he'd stop and respect her decision. During his childhood, he accomplishes everything.
Through challenges and victors. But in these three years, he has learnt that not all things come by winning challenges or by force. Evidently, handling girls is not one of them. There are things that are just not meant to be. As stupid as it may sound, Echizen Ryoma knows when to give up.
o o o
Sakuno shed a teardrop and bit her bottom lip. "I love you… goodbye" she said on a soft whisper.
o o o
"Echizen, there's a call for you." Said a teacher.
"Yes." Ryoma said getting the phone.
"This is Mr. Yamada."
"Hn." Ryoma spotted a tone of seriousness on his usually-hysterical manager.
"…"
Hearing that statement, the tennis prince's eyes widened.
EDIT: 4/27/13 - Typos fixed, lines and scenes added
Author's notes: *is sobbing and crying* I don't know why I had to type this very lonely chapter. And what did Yamada-san tell Ryoma? Find out on the next chapter. Gomen if this is shorter than usual.
Hey a lot really hate the trio huh? XD
Comments, suggestions and advices would really be great! Please review!
Arigatou: 205 reviews in 10 chapters! Sweet!
GoldenDoe06, io sono mi-cchi, B.A.K11, AkimotoAyumu, midnight blue08, SaKuRa-cHaN41, Echizen Ryoma-sama, KawaiiKurochan, AquaJet, finnishgirl, VALLED, junkness, poems2songs, Nicklaus mak wei xuan, -8- faces of the moon -8-, Saruwatari Ayumu -0987654321-, BloodyHaven, and mikan03anime.
