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Chapter 14: Twists

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Rising at the sound of her alarm clock, she slammed the snoozer button before it could even wake Ryoma up. Yawning and stretching her limbs out, she glanced at the tennis champion feet away from her who was still sleeping on his comfy couch. Recently, the boy opted to remain on the couch so that he'd give the auburn-head the luxury of sleeping soundly on the huge bed. She smiled assured that he hadn't awoken him, and then headed for the bathroom for some quick gussying up.

She noticed several conspicuous boxes on the counter. Odd it was that she only noticed them now. Well, her trips to the bathroom every night weren't something she could count on to notice the new additions because she was only half-awake every time.

"Hm… Probably they're Ryoma's paint paraphernalia…" she said thoughtfully, and then completely forgot about it right after she brushed her teeth and dressed up.

Traveling to the university when half of the city was still asleep was the best time to relax because of the surrounding quietude. She never really had the time to ponder over things lately because it was either she was busy to think, or too tired to think. She shivered as a gust of wind passed her way. How foolish of her to forget to bring a sweater. She sighed.

Days passed in a blink of an eye.

It had been a month since she took Daphne Frederich's test and accepted Ryoma's affections. That day had been very significant to her since she had both taken huge steps towards what she'd always wanted in life, which she also found as her favorite topic whenever drifting off to daydream. Well, she didn't really have the entire time to daydream since her school schedule had never been so hectic that she found it quite the challenge to travel from the university to the bakeshop and back to Grande Maison. All thanks to the extended period of work time she had to endure every single day. For the past month, she had not experienced a single day of leisure time; no matter how many times Ryoma had insisted her to have.

How could she when she obviously did not have the time?

Rising from the bed at 6am (with exceptions of Sundays), she'd head to the university for her morning classes, without giving much thought on breakfast. She was actually only reminded of the meal when she's already in class, preparing the food for the professor to taste and grade. And sometimes, she tended to skip over even the minutest of tasks. She even forgets to say goodbye to Ryoma, which annoyed him to a great extent, since she developed this worrisome and panicky attitude throughout her stay in the city. It was a great deal for Ryoma mind you, for he acquired this 'protectiveness' for Sakuno that it alarmed him at times when she'll be out of his sight all of a sudden.

After morning classes, Sakuno had to attend Governor's Ball preparations (in tutelage of the 'ogress' Daphne Frederich) which would run from 12nn-2pm in a well-known hall just beside the university. Since the Governor's Ball was only a week away, Daphne Frederich was stricter than ever and it was such horror that she was the one in-charge for the entire event. Like a dictator herself, pupils of interior designing would always scramble on their feet whenever Daphne would ask them to step forward and recite their latest additions on how the hall would look like. When she found something she did not like with what they did, she'd always find the perfect words to crush the students' egos.

For the future chefs and bakers on the other hand, Daphne's intimidating aura wasn't such a bother since they've been quite used to her demeanor already (except Sakuno though). And the fact that Sakuno and her classmates would manage to pull out 'Don't get too confident' lectures from her, they were aware that they had impressed her which also made Daphne less harsh with them. Though it was unfortunate of Sakuno that she was always the main target to Daphne's less-impressed words. It scared Sakuno out of her wits whenever she always got a feeling that Daphne always watched her, causing her in-born clumsiness to kick-in at times with the paranoia of being under scrutiny.

After Governor's Ball preparations, the schedule then has a domino effect on her responsibilities in the bakery which was moved to 3pm 'til 8pm in the evening. She had only one hour of transit with her bike (she managed to talk Ryoma into not accompanying her everywhere anymore due to him being hunted down). And it appeared that customers at night were more intolerable. Both with how they treat the staff of the bakery, and how they act. There were times when she'd watch several waiters get scolded for giving coffee without milk when the milk the customer was looking for was in the small teapot along with the cup when it was served. What caused Sakuno to be uncomfortable when in work too would be how the customers seemed to be oblivious to the surroundings that they won't even get the decency to get rooms. She's blush her way to the kitchen whenever she entered the shop for her shift and pass by a couple have a heated exchange.

Then, tiredly reaching the suite at around 9:30pm after grabbing a quick dinner of cup noodles on the way home, the auburn-head would drag her feet inside. Every night, Ryoma would either look up from the painting he was working on or from the couch while he was watching something on the plasma. At the sight of her, he immediately say something crude about her not saying goodbye every morning, before he comes to her aide after realizing that Sakuno hadn't heard what nastiness he just said. There was no point of being a jerk when the girl won't add to the fun of retorting back anyway. And besides, she was too tired to even say anything anymore; it was a miracle she even managed to propel her bike all the way back to Grande Maison! After having a quick shower, Ryoma would ask the girl to take a sleep with a huge frown on his face which Sakuno would easily comply to.

How she managed to survive her activities for the past two weeks was beyond her! She was as if butchered from all priorities, drained, stressed, and not-herself greatly bothered a certain tennis champion and brunetsenpai.

To her probably, the only things that seemed different from her daily routine would be her relationships with the three people she'd been closely associated with since her first stay in Paris. After that night in the opera and restaurant, things were never the same again.

Echizen Ryoma was not the same 'Ryoma-kun' years back. He still brought with him the air of someone really talented and knew that he was indeed talented. He still was same blunt, dense, and apathetic boy he was… well to other people anyway. Since Ryoma and she had come to a mutual understanding, her relationship with the boy appeared more complicated than ever, counting that the first chance meeting in the city wasn't so pleasant. She still hadn't forgiven him for being the cause of all the unfortunate events she met that first day, but she could say it was all worth it since she was reeled into staying with the boy himself afterwards.

Though because of her daily schedule, the only time she got to see the boy was when he was asleep whenever she went off for school every morning, and when she reached the suite at around 9pm where she'll be too tired to even spare her poor boyfriend some minutes. The real shocker though was that the Echizen Ryoma seemed to understand her situation perfectly, that he saved her his usual cockiness and utterly unbearable words. He didn't even give too much of a hoot about it, only when she forgets to say goodbye to him. Of all the things he could be mad about! And up to that day, Ryoma's guise of being her father was kept.

Fuji Syusuke, on the other hand, was someone she seemed not to know any longer. The brunet appeared to be more distant, his visits in the bakeshop getting less and less which distressed Sakuno to an extent. Since he was the only one he could relay how she felt for everything that happened, the auburn-head was struggling to keep up with all her activities while keeping everything bottled-up inside of her because of his absence. She was actually frightened when one time she assumed that Fuji was avoiding her… for what? She didn't do anything to him, right? And if she knew better, it was supposed to be her who should be avoiding him because she felt guilty for still owing him a shoulder to lean on.

The weirdest thing during the entire past month, which surprised and bothered her, was a certain blue-haired friend of hers. Kurumi had deemed more enigmatic, which was so unlike her because the girl would always be very predictable especially on topics with her beloved Fuji Syusuke. What had Sakuno taken aback though, was at the sudden interest of the girl on her 'father'. The girl would always ask how her father was, and what the current interests of the young man were. It made her panic when Sakuno took interest of where she was staying. Her answers had become vaguer and vaguer every time Kurumi asked her questions, so the blue-haired girl came into a conclusion one day of hanging out sometime with the 'boys'. Good thing Sakuno had the excuse of a really hectic schedule (which was, thank God, true… she wasn't really comfortable with lying. And she was bad at it) that she politely declined Kurumi's request without much of a guilty heart.

Despite all these though, Ryuuzaki Sakuno had never felt so productive in all her years that it gave her a feeling of fulfillment even if she reached the suite dead-tired everyday. Her studies were progressing so well that she didn't even have time to contemplate and fully realize her health and state because of the big steps she was taking towards her dream. She was happy for reasons the others did not comprehend though all she knew was that she loved her life at the moment, and there was nothing that could possibly take her away from it.

"Good morning Sakuno. You sure are early today, as usual," her culinary arts professor greeted pleasantly.

Sakuno responded with a 'good morning' in the same pleasantry. She glanced at the glass board for that day's work plan, and had to sigh in relief when she noted that they won't be having any lecture about histories of anything. Just cooking. A smile found its way on her pale face as she approached her work area, grabbing all what she needed for that day's menu. She looked at the placard standing on her counter and her smile widened when she realized that her assigned task for that day would be Japanese cuisine.

Her expertise.

Lady luck was smiling at her today. She'd definitely get top mark now.

And with that, she started with work. If before, how she handled things in the kitchen was satisfactory counting her clumsiness, with months of staying in Paris, all hard-work and experience (no matter how bad or good they were) paved way into making her beyond satisfactory and exceptionally brilliant in the kitchen. No one had a glimpse of her evolution yet, well except her culinary arts professor, Daphne Frederich, and some of her more curious classmates, but she was ready to show the world what she's got during the Governor's Ball. That was her goal after all: to make it to the ball, show what she's got, and then get the best among the best of culinary opportunities.

The relentless and articulate sound of the knife on the chopping board was music to her ears. The sound of boiling water and the clatter of pans was like the sound of heaven opening to let the angels' song melt in her heart. She spun around the counter as she tended to the boiling pot while grasping for the shrimp she just finished cleaning. Then she grabbed a tiny bowl and dumped several spices and others to come up with some sauce.

Often, the culinary students would stop with what they're doing to glance at they're classmate who seemed to be in her own world. She's be spinning from here to there with her face all brightened up, showing some unexpected gracefulness the others never expected to be in her. Well, little do they know that Ryuuzaki Sakuno was always at her best when in her sanctuary, and had developed some kind of keen and precise actions when working with food. How Sakuno was in the kitchen with her beloved kitchen tools could be incorporated to Kawamura when he's in the tennis courts with his racket.

"Burning!"

Sakuno looked up from what she was doing to see her classmate's face lit up as he watched his (1) le carre d'agneu burn up in flames. The room erupted in applause as they watched the blond beside her expertly flip over the burning lamb's rack and transfer it to a plate where he poured some steaming thick brown sauce on it.

The auburn-head couldn't help but smile as she noticed a triumphant smile on her classmate's face.

Ah… the euphoria of cooking.

Realizing that her tempura was finished crackling in the pot, one by one, she placed the shrimps now covered in bread crumbs on a plate as she shifted into making another dish. Getting a hold of the fish lying on top of her chopping board, she carefully pulled a big knife from its rack and took a deep breath.

Summers of staying in the Kawamura Sushi Shop should have paid off. She had worked exuberantly during those times in attempt to remove Echizen Ryoma from her mind. Mr. Kawamura was even generous enough to try and let her make the family sushi one day, when she had proved herself worthy. It had been a disaster the first few times she tried, since making the Kawamura Sushi really was difficult, counting that she had fairly small hands to deal with big knives. After much practice with the guidance of her senpai himself, she gained knowledge on the family secret which they had so kindly entrusted to her to alleviate her hurt. She had been grateful to them, and the least she could do was bring whatever she learned from them to be showcased to another part of the globe.

Raising the knife with a calculated distance from the fish, Sakuno was in full 'chef-mode' as she took a last deep breath before executing.

All eyes in the room instantly diverted to the auburn-head who was chopping like a maniac. The instants the knife touched the chopping board, and cutting the fish in the process was so articulately and expertly done that it was as if Genichirou Sanada himself who just cut a standing stick of wood with his sharp sword in precise and quick movements.

Applause sounded throughout the entire room and Sakuno was startled that she had missed another performance of her classmates. Looking up from her now equally sliced fish, red crept to her face as it dawned on her that she was the performance her classmates were clapping for. With a polite bow of her head for their kindness, everyone then returned to their work.

Sakuno heaved a sigh.

After presenting her Japanese dishes to the highly amused professor, she had indeed, captured the top marks.

"It would be 'ighly improbable for you not to get an offer in the Governor's Ball, Sakuno," the professor complimented, causing the said girl to blush intensely at the sudden attention she was getting. "Now, I've watched you from the start and I would 'ave to say that you've evolved immensely. If before, you'd always 'ave spaz attacks and put all known walking disasters to shame, I'm glad to see all your 'ard work pay off. It wouldn't be a surprise to have you as one of the biggest names in the future…" he said seriously. "This is the last week we're going to be together, and it is quite saddening that I wouldn't 'ave a longer opportunity to 'andle someone with the likes of you." He smiled. "(2) Tres bien, Sakuno. Tres bien!"

Since all her classmates had witnessed her 'performance' just a while back, their curiosities were perked up with what their auburn-head classmate made, and was also actually impressed with how the dishes turned out. They especially liked the Kawamura sushi which Sakuno proudly said was something she learned from her home. With that, each one of them even said that when they'd visit Japan, the first thing they're going to search for would be Kawamura's Sushi Shop.

Sakuno was delighted – thus, adding to her current euphoria.

The girl quickly packed whatever she made and had a quick lunch with her ebi tempura on the way to the Western Hall. With a shrimp stuck out her mouth while quickly pedaling her way to hall, she hoped that she wasn't late for that day's preparations. If there was something Daphne Frederich hated besides idiotic students, it was unpunctuality.

Upon entering the hall, she was surprised that the sight of the female population of both culinary arts and interior designing werehuddled in one corner, whispering excitedly to each other. It amazed her how the girls managed to last being idle for more than a minute without being reprimanded by the ogress. Then it clicked that Daphne Frederich was nowhere to be found.

She couldn't suppress a gasp. Daphne Frederich was never late.

"(3) Bonjour…" Sakuno greeted the others with an unsure smile as the others merely giggled in response. "Ano… Where's Madame Frederich-"

"'ave you seen 'im, Sakuno?" a raven-haired classmate of hers smiled impishly.

"'e's gorgeous!" one said.

"'e's hot!" another squealed.

"I want to know 'is name!" everyone cried in unison.

Sakuno could only blink. "W-Who's he?" she stuttered after she composed herself from the girls' outbursts.

"Why is everyone not working?!" a familiar voice roared.

At the sight of a disheveled and fuming Daphne Frederich, everyone scrambled to their feet and immediately went to their workplace. Each of them heard Daphne's loud mumblings of 'stupid traffic'.

Without even knowing why there was a sudden turn of events in her suddenly unusual day, Sakuno headed toward the table where she was to work on her new desserts. She had finished planning the other parts of her meal and cooked it for the ogress to taste days before. It was still going to be decided upon if it was going to be included in the buffet though. So as of the moment, her present worries would be to come up with a dessert that the attendees of the ball and Daphne Frederich might like.

"(4) Gateau…" she murmured to herself as she realized she could ask some help from the head baker in the bakeshop later.

Then she flipped to more pages of the Dessert book for more options.

"(5) Omelette norvegienne…"

"Ah… you're using your brains for once."

Sakuno immediately stiffened at the familiar voice she had always dreaded to hear. Slowly turning her head, she was met by an impassive Daphne who she knew was about to snap at her any moment now. She always hated it when her teacher would watch her intently and would pop out around her all of a sudden. She gulped and waited for her to say something.

"Well? Are you going to stare at me all day or make yourself useful?" Daphne bellowed with an arch of an eyebrow.

Sakuno immediately got to her feet and headed towards the working area. She wasn't supposed to cook or make anything today! Just research and stuff… Plus she didn't really have any idea for her cake! Oh she was so dead. As she reached her workplace, she could still feel the gaze of Daphne boring on her, as if watching and waiting for her to make her first mistake of the day.

"Is 'e still 'ere?"

"Yeah! Still leaning on the wall looking 'andsome."

"Oh my gosh… 'e's looking over 'ere!"

Sakuno glanced from her bowl of ingredients to the giggling students working right beside her. Luckily Daphne was nowhere near them, or else they'll all be bombarded with her 'make use of your time' lectures. Curious, as the other girls continued their gossiping, she looked at where they were all looking at, and became puzzled.

There was an unknown boy with bright orange hair leaning against one of the walls of the hall with his hands coolly tucked inside his jeans pocket. The young man was undeniably handsome and incredibly tall, and was indeed looking at their direction. It bothered a great deal that the young man's gaze was awfully familiar, though she couldn't quite put her finger on exactly who he was… And she never really knew anyone with bright orange hair. Several other features were that he had a sparkling silver hoop in his left ear and a pair of thick dark blue rimmed glasses.

She actually thought that it was Ryoma's gaze looking back at her, but then as she peered closer, she noticed that the boy had green eyes. After more moments of being transfixed to the unmoving stranger, it sent a chill down her spine when she had a feeling the boy was specifically looking at her.

At the thought, she instantly looked away with a fierce blush on her face.

More minutes passed as Sakuno continued to feel someone's gaze boring on her back. Two to be exact. And she had an inkling on who her 'watchers' were. She tried shrugging off her discomfort and continued on with her Baked Alaska so that she had no more reason to stay for preparations that day. Just as she finished placing the tray inside the oven,

"I 'aven't seen you around 'ere before, (6) garcon… What are you doing 'ere? If you're a new student, then why are you not working?" Daphne's voice echoed throughout the suddenly quiet hall. "And if you're not, I do not see any reason why you're 'ere! Ah stupid traffic… the cause of all bad luck today!"

Everyone had their eyes on the confrontation.

With a smirk, the stranger easily pushed himself against the wall and walked towards Daphne without any signs of fear. At the apparent display of bravery, the girls beside Sakuno giggled even more. The auburn-head, on the other hand, merely sighed. Her feeling of euphoria was still inside her though because the usual routines in her day were showing an awful lot of new twists, and the day had only begun. It probably had something to do with her good start in the class that morning.

"I'm waiting for someone," was the boy's firm reply.

Sakuno's eyes widened at the familiarity of the voice, but remained quiet, still not assured if what she thought was right.

"Then wait for that 'someone' outside! I can't afford any of my students to be distracted 'ere!" At the last statement, she whirled around towards their direction which caused everyone to return to what they were doing.

"I can't help it if they're distracted," the boy said with a smirk which caused the girls beside Sakuno to squeal. The male population on the other hand merely rolled their eyes. "And besides… I'm only here to make sure someone doesn't make a fool out of herself..."

Sakuno blushed and looked away.

Daphne scowled. "So it's a girl!" the 60-year old lady instantly whirled towards her students' direction again, who pretended that they were working. "Is 'e someone's boyfriend here?"

All girls' hand instantly shot up, save Sakuno.

Daphne rolled her eyes. "Wrong people to ask." She turned to the orange-haired boy with a grimace. "So who's the unlucky girl?"

That instant was Sakuno's chosen time to pick up the tray containing her dessert from the oven. Being the only one to move, all her classmate's eyes were suddenly on her. She blushed as she realized that, and started panicking when she felt Daphne add to the stares. Afraid that she's going to mess up, Sakuno slowed her pace, but decided to pretend that she didn't know everyone was staring at her. Upon transferring the dessert on a plate,

"Sakuno… come here."

The auburn-head gulped. Does she know? Kya… I told him not to follow me around anymore… Now I'm in trouble. Taking a deep breath with bright red still on her face, she turned around and approached her waiting teacher.

"I want to taste your dessert, Sakuno! What are you doing approaching me without the plate?" Daphne exclaimed incredulous.

Sakuno blushed a darker shade of red and turned back around to get the plate of dessert.

"What are you still doing 'ere?" Daphne screeched at the blank-looking young man beside her.

"Making sure she won't mess up," he replied coolly and watched Sakuno approach them with the Baked Alaska in her hands.

"Madame Frederich," Sakuno called as she was only feet away from old lady, still managing to keep her balance and not mess up with anything. Little does she know that she was only several inches away a wet area.

Daphne whirled towards the smirking young fellow with wide eyes. "You mean Sakuno's your girlfriend-"

KASPLACH

The entire hall gasped.

Ryuzaki Sakuno opened her eyes actually expecting to see the floor, when instead was met by the familiar face of the boy with orange hair. She blushed, but immediately released from the hold of the boy who appeared to be smirking at something. Then it dawned on her what havoc she had caused to her Baked Alaska… and Daphne Frederich.

"G-Gomen- ah I mean, S-Sorry-"

"SAKUNO!!"

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A smirk never left his face even as he buckled himself in his black convertible.

He looked at Sakuno as she entered his car with an evident scowl on her face. When everything was settled and the car sped past the city for the next destination, it surprised him that the auburn-head would actually talk to him! He was kind of expecting that it would actually take the entire day to pass before she would cool off after what he did…

"My bike…?" she asked softly.

"Trunk," he replied almost automatically.

Silence.

"I thought you said that you were going to keep me from causing trouble…" Sakuno glanced at the boy with a disappointed look on her face.

"I did. I didn't let you hit the floor right?"

"B-But you totally ignored my Baked Alaska! And- And from your smirk, you knew that it was going to hit Madame Frederich!" Sakuno whined. "R-Ryoma! What if I lose this opportunity because of what happened today? I-I can't face obaa-chan if I don't get in the ball… Madame Frederich would surely kill me tomorrow…" she whispered as she started to become teary-eyed.

"Didn't you see her comment that she liked it after she shouted your name? I don't see why you need to worry when she liked it-"

"B-But I dumped it on her face, Ryoma!" Sakuno shrieked as she was on the verge of bursting. "You wouldn't understand… t-this ball is everything to me… and- and I don't want to mess up… this is my dream and I don't want it to just disappear because of being born like- like this…"

"Who said your dream's going to disappear?" Ryoma's smirk turned upside down when he noticed teardrops starting to cascade down her face. "Oi… Why are you crying?"

"I-I'm not (sniff) crying…"

Ryoma narrowed his eyes as he turned the stirring wheel. "Why are you pretending that you're not crying when you're obviously upset," he remarked apathetically.

Sakuno only groaned and resisted the urge to knock Ryoma's head off. "Y-You should have (sniff) not come in the first place! Everything (sniff) would have just been fine if you- you didn't come just because (sniff) you wanted to come and- and- why in the world did you dye your hair like that?!" she exclaimed while she shut her eyes close in attempt to stop crying.

Ryoma sighed. "It's none of your business if I want to dye my hair orange, or have green eyes, or wear an earring…" he muttered lowly. "You can't stop me from doing what I want."

Sakuno started stifling soft sobs as she struggled even more to keep calm and just cry quietly. "…you could have been caught, Ryoma… you-you could have just disappeared right there and then without me knowing… you-you could have just left again without saying goodbye…" she whispered softly as more tears fell down her face.

Now that struck Ryoma hard.

"Sakuno…"

The auburn-head only cried even more. "(sniff) E-Everything's supposed to go smoothly today… (sniff) I-I could have lost my spot back there… and-and I could have lost you too… Ryoma…"

Ryoma stopped right in the driveway of the bakeshop, but didn't unlock the car doors yet. There was silence for a moment as Sakuno's soft sobs were the only things heard inside. "I let someone set up a decoy by (7) avenue de Champs-Elysees… a manikin of me so that if ever I go out as my age, there would be lesser chance of the real me getting caught…" he explained impassively as he glanced at Sakuno for her reaction. "How funny it would appear in the news that everyone made a big fuss over a manikin…"

Sakuno almost smiled in awe. "S-So that's why Madame Frederich was late…" was her only response.

Silence.

"Are you still mad?"

"…Y-Yes."

Second silence.

"Are you really upset because I dyed my hair orange?"

Sakuno looked at Ryoma incredulous, with a frown still on her face. She was calmed down now, and she was no longer crying. "D-Don't you realize that you've only attracted thrice the attention while walking around an o-orange-haired, green-eyed, pierced, Echizen Ryoma look-alike?" she remarked, her scowl deepening. "Y-You had been so rash about everything!"

Now it was Ryoma's turn to scowl so deep. "Che. it wasn't like I was caught or anything. Walking around the city every night in sunglasses and a freakishly huge hat doesn't catch attention, huh? Stop making such a big fuss about it."

"Well… I-I wouldn't be making such a big fuss of it if you didn't leave the suite in the first place… And besides… I can handle myself just fine…"

"Baka."

Sakuno's head immediately snapped towards Ryoma's direction, confused and hurt.

"Would you look at yourself? Is that your definition of fine?" Ryoma remarked crudely, the scowl on his face never leaving. "You've been coming home 9pm every night dead-tired and eat nothing but cup noodles for dinner, have nothing for breakfast but a piece of French bread, and have no break or leisure time, and that's what you call fine…" he sighed exasperated as he realized he just explained things like never before: lengthy. "Tsk. I knew you were bad in English… but I didn't know you were this bad not to know the definition of fine."

Sakuno blushed as Ryoma continued to stare at her blankly, just waiting for her to accept defeat in their argument.

"D-Don't dodge about leaving the suite, Ryoma-"

"Don't dodge about you being fine."

"W-Well, I was fine before you entered that hall with that silly get-up of yours. I ate French bread with butter this morning, ate tempura for lunch, and am planning to eat the left-over meal I made in class this morning for dinner, and I do think that I would be fine then, thank you very much…" Sakuno exhaled and felt a feeling of self-fulfillment after finishing an explanation without stuttering.

Ryoma glared at her.

But Sakuno wasn't looking and did not take his bait of looking at his scary eyes. Instead, she murmured, "…open the door… please."

"Why?"

Sakuno turned to Ryoma, with a scowl and a pointed glare of her own this time. "…if you must remember, the reason why you brought me her is because I have work… Ryoma… and if you would excuse me, I need to go and get to the kitchen because I'm going to be late. Oh and I doubt that you'd be able to keep me from trouble inside this time because the kitchen are off-limits to just anyone… so I think it would be best if you leave my bike, just head home now before someone gets suspicious why you're staying inside this car until 8pm here."

Now he realized their argument caused the border of bad with Sakuno talking that long without much hesitation and stuttering.

Oh and her darkening eyes was plain creepy.

With withering resolve, he finally complied to her request. Besides, he didn't want to anger her even more for being the cause of her unpunctuality if ever. He certainly didn't want to deal with a grumpy, moody, and tired Sakuno while going home. No matter how sensitive the auburn-head could be, such aforementioned states would never be a good mixture. Never was he aware that Ryuzaki Sakuno could be that stubborn.

With a soft click, the opening and closing—more like banging actually— which almost caused him to curse again and remind himself to tell her sooner or later how to handle expensive black convertibles with care, was right after greeted with cold silence as he was left alone in his car to contemplate things over.

Well, one thing's for sure: he was going to stay, and that's that.

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She entirely had no idea why, but after a few hours of stay in the kitchen, she came to the conclusion that her head baker was just a little too pushy these days. The moment she entered, the chubby fellow immediately ushered to get to work with instructions that needed several routes around the kitchen. From make this, to get that, to assist him with this, and a whole lot more that sent both her body and mind reeling!

Still lost in thought as she mechanically rolled a lump of dough, she was pulled from her reverie when she heard giggles in a supposedly quiet kitchen with nothing but the sounds of appliances, clattering of bowls and slumping of dough.

How more unusual was her going to get?

Her euphoria on the turn of events was instantly replaced by bother that instant for she felt that she had had enough of everything unexpected in just one day. Counting that it was a hectic day!

"'e reminds me of one of those bad guys in American movies with that orange hair of his…"

"But it's quite the contrast with 'im 'aving those sophisticated-looking glasses…"

"Well, all I know is that 'e's absolutely gorgeous! Before I 'ead 'ome tonight, I'd drop by in 'is table for a quick introduction."

"Lucky you! I'd be stuck 'ere 'til 10 this evening-"

The auburn-head had been out of the kitchen before she could even hear her fellow-worker finish her sentence. Asking permission from the head baker had totally slipped off her mind, but currently, she wasn't just going to risk what trouble Echizen Ryoma was getting himself into. She was seething inside, and it surprised her that she was actually capable of feeling such emotions. Well, maybe it was the fruit of her current stress and growing fatigue after making it through a bundle of unexpectedly excruciating situations.

Well, it was really him that made things excruciating.

Catching a glimpse of bright orange hair in her peripheral vision, she trotted over his table, ignoring the visible stares she was getting from the customers. She stopped right beside his table, looking down on him as she waited for him to react and say something. He was currently absorbed in the menu he was reading—rather pretending to read—with all the tempting treats captured in the colorful long piece of paper. But as the stubborn boy he was, she gave up even if she knew that he knew she was there.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she whispered in a steady voice, "Ryoma… didn't I tell you to go back to the suite…"

Without sparing her a glance as he continued reading the menu, "I did… I just didn't listen," he muttered in a bored tone.

Biting back a whimper in utter annoyance, "A-Are you completely suicidal, Ryoma? Of all the times to choose to become a dare-devil… you wouldn't want to be fish to those reporters…" she murmured with apparent anger in her voice.

Surprised at the girl's tone, Ryoma finally looked up, only to be met by chocolate orbs looking back at him on the verge of tears. "I won't be dead fish just as long as they won't catch me first," he replied in monotone, refusing to look away as the auburn-head began blinking back her tears of anger.

"Y-You're practically taunting them to catch you, Ryoma," Sakuno whispered almost inaudibly as she still struggled not to cry. "E-Everyone's noticing you with that orange hair of yours, and- and- young appearance. You're better off wearing the father guise with the less attention you're getting with t hat one…"

"I don't see why you're so worked up with this. You're just making your condition worse," Ryoma commented as he did a quick check on Sakuno's slightly disheveled state. A small smirk crept on his face when a thought crossed his mind. "Are you… jealous?"

"No!" Sakuno blushed bright red. "N-No," she repeated softly after composing her self. "I-I'm just really worried that you might get caught… 'cause I really have this awful feeling that something's headed your way… and- and we really can't risk being careless…"

Just at that same moment, the sound of the bakeshop door opening cut through the unnerving silence that was built moments after Sakuno's last statement. As Ryoma continued looking at the auburn-head intensely, while Sakuno fidgeted with her hands and patiently waited for Ryoma to respond and abide, the voice neither of them expected to emerge in such a moment startled even the great, and almost always composed Echizen Ryoma.

"The bakeshop sure is filled tonight…"

Abruptly turning around, it was indeed Fuji Syusuke standing in front of them.

"Fuji-senpai…" Sakuno whispered with a tone in between surprise and relief.

"Ryuzaki-san," Fuji-senpai acknowledged the auburn-head with a warm smile which the girl had missed for so long. "Are you alright?" he asked as he hid the amusement dancing in his eyes and smile at the sight of the auburn-head.

Sakuno instantly wiped the stray tears in her eyes, and attempted scrubbing off the dried flour on her cheeks. She immediately put on a bright smile on her face which Fuji chuckled to, fully aware of his kouhai's way of proving him wrong.

The sudden slamming of someone's hands on the table broke the two from their moment. Two pairs of eyes turned to the orange-haired boy beside them.

"You obviously did not come here to eat, right senpai? Sweets were never your favorite after all…"

A sly grin appeared on Fuji's face as soon as Ryoma spoke those words. "Why Echizen! I didn't know it was you," he whispered with feigned surprise. Ryoma glared at him in disbelief. "My, what an interesting get-up… though I have to say that orange is a nice color. Green doesn't really suit you," he remarked with light chuckles.

"Hm. Are you insinuating I was jealous?" he muttered impassively. "Che. Of what? And do not avoid the question senpai… why are you here? Are you going to sell me out? Sakuno was right about something awful coming my way after all…"

Sakuno gasped at the crudeness of the tennis champion and worriedly glanced at the brunet beside her. "Ryoma…"

Fuji had his blue eyes open with a calculating gaze on Ryoma. But the smile never left his face.

"Actually, I came here to invite you to have a walk with me… It's been a long time since we had some 'bonding' time eh?" he said in a perfectly even tone.

"That would be great, senpai…" Sakuno said with a smile. "It has indeed been a long time since the two of you hung out, and I think it would be best if you put something else in Ryoma's mind to keep him from worrying all the time."

Fuji chuckled at Ryoma's 'betrayed' expression.

The boy instantly recovered from his momentary slip of emotion. "Tsk. Look who's talking about worrying all the time," he muttered under his breath as he showed no signs of joining his senpai in their 'walk'. "I'm not assured that you won't lead me to them…" he said to Fuji with a pointed glare. "I can't take the chances…"

"You're already taking the chances now, aren't you?" Fuji grinned when Ryoma stiffened.

"Well, then don't make it worse," he snapped.

"I'd be fine… Ryoma..." Both boys turned to Sakuno who was blushing and smiling at the same time. "I can handle things on my own… this is my world. And I highly doubt that I could do anything worse than tripping a few times, or knocking off someone's ladle. I'd be fine."

Fuji glanced at the tennis champion who had his eyes fixed on the smiling Sakuno, examining her intently for a few moments before turning away with an 'hmph'. He smiled at the little tableau in front of him, highly amused at how Ryoma could act even if he was already eighteen and had a girlfriend.

Besides, the little sound Ryoma made indicated that the battle was won.

Standing up from his chair almost abruptly, Ryoma started to head towards the main door when Fuji grasped his arm before the tennis champion released from his hold, but remained as he waited for the brunet to act. Fuji turned to Sakuno. "Ryuzaki-san… is it alright if we use the kitchen door of the shop?"

Sakuno's eyebrows shot up. "Ano… what for, senpai?"

"Less chances of being seen…" he explained vaguely.

Sakuno scrutinized her senpai for a moment. "The shop actually has two doors that need not access to the kitchen. Just use the back door near the restrooms. It's blocked, but just move the plant…" she replied with a smile.

"Then let's go," Ryoma said quietly and already headed towards their exit.

Fuji followed suit after smiling warmly at the auburn-head. Sakuno was left alone not long after.

Just as Ryoma and Fuji disappeared, the front door of the shop opened again, startling Sakuno from her spot. Turning around in order to check upon who was their new customer, her eyes widened at another familiar face she didn't expect to see that day. Another twist, in her supposedly normal endeavors.

"Sakuno!" Kurumi greeted her enthusiastically, with a big and hopeful grin on her face.

Sakuno acknowledged her with a small wave and an unsure smile.

"Have you seen, Syusuke-nii-chan?"

Surprise was painted on her face with the amazing coincidence of Kurumi asking about Fuji right after he had disappeared with Ryoma. Kurumi looked expectant of her reply as Sakuno had a dilemma of using a white lie or not. For some bizarre reasons, she had the feeling that she should keep her guard whenever Kurumi was around now. The blue-haired girl was starting to become too nosy to Sakuno's discomfort.

"He dropped by a while ago to say hi," she smiled, feeling better when she didn't exactly like to Kurumi. Her reply was just vague.

Kurumi's face fell slightly. "Oh… so I just missed him," she said disappointed.

There was momentary silence between the two, the awkwardness heightening when it was the blue-haired girl who talked first.

"So… Sakuno. How is your father? Is he here?" Kurumi asked rather casually.

The auburn-head stiffened slightly as she was once again put on spotlight regarding Echizen Ryoma. This time though, she had all rights to lie for him… right?

"No…" she replied softly as she forced herself to look at Kurumi in the eye for conviction. "He doesn't go out with me often these days because he gets tired…"

Kurumi looked surprised. "Oh really? Well… I saw his car outside and I got curious that he might be here. I just wanted to say hi," she explained with a smile. "It's been quite a long time since I last saw him…"

"SAKUNO!!"

The auburn-head flinched as she identified who just called her. Turning around, she saw an angered head baker who was ready to bite her head off when given the chance. As she politely excused herself from the blue-haired girl, she couldn't help but have the feeling that something was definitely up and that she needed to be careful as much as possible.

She also wished that both Ryoma and Fuji would stay out of trouble.

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

They were currently by the riverside of the city, having the lower part of their leg dangle on the cool water. As they continuously swung their feet back and forth, big ripples started to surface around their leg. Fuji checked on his face at the reflection to see if there was a mark on his face made by Ryoma's surprising punch. Turning his face to the left, he indeed, found his lower jaw red.

Fuji soothingly touched his aching jaw as he suppressed the urge to knock his kouhai right there and then. When he remembered that Sakuno wouldn't like that, he immediately disregarded the thought and returned to only thinking about how to soothe the hurt and not take revenge… no matter how tempting it was.

"You do know that I can just shout that I've found Echizen Ryoma, and you'll be on the run again eh? Just like the old days…" Fuji said with a grin when Ryoma threw him a glare.

"That's for annoying the hell out of me a month ago."

"Ah… I didn't know you were the kind of person to take grudges," Fuji remarked quietly with a smile still on his face. "But really… I can do it now if I want to."

"If you want to," Ryoma said as a smug smile crossed his face. "Oh and where's your camera with you, senpai? It's been a really long time since you bothered me for a picture."

"Are you really asking to be caught? If you want to, it's not that hard to do…" Fuji's grin only widened which slightly alarmed Ryoma with the sincerity in his senpai's note.

It never really was a good thing when gambling with the Fuji Syusuke.

Fuji chuckled heartily when Ryoma' became even more and more frantic at the though of being exposed. "I'm just kidding, Echizen…" he said softly which caused Ryoma to heave an inaudible sigh of relief. "Besides… if I really wanted you to be caught, I wouldn't have brought you here in the first place."

Ryoma's head immediately snapped towards his senpai's direction with utter disbelief. "What a twisted way of explaining things… you took me away from Sakuno so I won't get caught?" His voice unexpectedly laced with sarcasm that Fuji couldn't help but grin even wider.

"Not from Ryuzaki-san actually," he started which caught Ryoma's attention. "Someone else you need to watch out for now."

"Well that narrows things down," Ryoma replied blandly, looking at his smiling senpai still annoyed.

"Don't I get a 'thank you' at least?"

"No."

There was silence for several minutes as the sounds of the car passing by were the only things heard.

Fuji slowly fluttered his eyes open as he gazed at the stars in the sky with a serene feeling and expression. "So how long are you planning to stay in Paris?"

"Didn't I answer this question before? For as long as I want…"

Fuji regarded his kouhai from the corner of his eye. The tennis champion was currently looking at his legs make ripples in the river. He sighed when he realized the conviction in the tone of voice and expression of Ryoma. "You're really prepared to give up everything for her?"

Ryoma slowly turned to Fuji with no hesitation, his golden orbs gazing back at his cerulean ones.

Silence.

"Leave everything else you mean," Ryoma muttered. "She is everything."

A pained smile graced Fuji's lips as closed his eyes and looked back up in the sky. "I see…" was his only soft response.

It was Ryoma's turn to regard his senpai this time, as he noted down his tightened jaw—not counting the swollen part of it. He knew that his senpai was masking whatever he felt, and he was pretty good in hiding it.

"Why didn't you take her when I was gone…"

Fuji snapped his eyes open and looked back at Ryoma taken aback. He had not anticipated such words to come out from the tennis champion's mouth. He calmed down when Ryoma remained looking at him impassively, and even chuckled at himself for being manipulated without him knowing.

"She had no one else in mind but you, Echizen," he explained rather lightly, despite the darkness that crept back inside his wounded heart. "I only realized how she meant to me when everything was too late..."

"Hn…" Ryoma looked hesitant for a moment. It was only when he looked away did he start speaking again. "I thought that she would never forgive me after what I did..."

Fuji smiled understandingly. "Ah… but Ryuzaki-san is too kind not to forgive anyone."

"That's just it. Too kind. She didn't forgive me because she didn't love me again…" he whispered exasperated.

"But she loves you again now… doesn't she?" Fuji asked softly. He knew the answer to the question, but there was still this lingering hope in him that he wouldn't say the answer he didn't want to hear.

"She does."

Fuji smiled painfully again, now his turn to look away, afraid of his faltering mask.

Silence.

"I won't miss the second chance if you leave her again…" Fuji whispered as he glanced at the boy beside him with a tilt of his head and his usual smile.

Ryoma's eyes widened at the sudden revelation, but he shook his head and smirked haughtily. "That's why I'm not leaving… am I?" Fuji shrugged. "It makes me wonder though… you could have all chances of getting her back with exposing me right now," he asked his senpai confused. "What games are you playing, senpai?"

Fuji's mask fell for the second time that night, and it didn't recover as quickly as the first time it happened. "I want her to smile always…" was his simple reply.

Ryoma couldn't help but scoff at this. "Senpai, Sakuno always has a hard time smiling for me…"

"That's because you're acting a complete baka," he said bluntly, causing Ryoma to glare at him again. "She loves me too, Ryoma…" Fuji said with hints of pride that Ryoma looked confused all of a sudden. "It's just that fate decided to make you return to her life and make her love you… more than me."

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

Thank the heavens for the invention of the elevator!

Opening the suite door with a steadfast hand, he carefully placed the dead-tired Sakuno on his couch. The auburn-head didn't even get to eat along the way home as she was already snoring when she reached the convertible. He bent down to move the stray hairs that stuck on her face. He noticed the few smudges of flour on her face and her smell of the kitchen.

As he began to remove his colored contact lenses, eyewear, and hoop-earring, he noticed Sakuno move about in the couch. And before he could even catch her, she had already fallen face down on the carpet, earning a soft groan from her. That's why he completely gave the bed to her because whenever she slept tired, she would always be jerky and restless while asleep.

"Oi, Sakuno…" he shook the girl when she continued to groan on the floor. "Oi-"

At Sakuno's abrupt twisting on the floor, she accidentally slapped Ryoma on the cheek, which caused her to immediately sit up and start apologizing profusely. She had a serious headache that everything at the moment was such a nuisance that she couldn't help but cry. "G-Gomen! Gomen! Ah! (sniff) Baka no Sakuno… Gomen, Ryoma-"

"Take a bath."

Sakuno gazed at Ryoma wide-eyed for being completely random. "W-What?" she managed to sputter out despite her sniffles.

"You stink," he said as he turned his back on her while removing the coat he was wearing.

Quite angered with Ryoma's gestures, she was about to retort something when she was easily lifted from the floor. Red instantly found its way on her pale face as she watched Ryoma's gaze be transfixed on her and be poker-faced as he carried her to bathroom bridal style. She was carefully placed on the covered seat of the toilet, and watched the tennis champion make his way to the bath tub without even sparing her a glance or a single word. She watched him open the faucet and fill the tub with lukewarm running water, also grabbing a bottle from the rack where he poured some drops of it in the tub. Bubbles started to appear on the surface of the water.

She blushed more intensely as realization hit her.

"Take off your clothes now."

"W-What?!" Sakuno managed to shout despite her tired state. She looked incredulous at the blank looking Ryoma whose gaze was becoming more and more bothersome every passing moment. "R-Ryoma-"

"You need it," he deadpanned coldly. Then he turned around. "Go."

"Ano… t-this is uncomfortable… a-are you sure you won't-"

"There's nothing to look at," he snapped without turning. "Don't flatter yourself."

Hurt with the words Ryoma had carelessly let out of his mouth, Sakuno complied silently while suppressing the tears that threatened to fall any moment. She honestly had no idea what happened, but she too tired to argue or retaliate. Facing back, she slowly took off the pink long sleeves she was wearing, wriggle out of her skirt and folded them neatly on the counter. After glancing behind her to see if Ryoma had kept his word (which he did), she turned to her undergarments.

As soon as she heard the splashing of water, he approached the bathtub without a moment's hesitation. The sight of Sakuno staring at him with frightened chocolate orbs caused his heart to do a double flip. Slowly taking a seat on a stool, he regarded the girl with the softest gaze he could muster. It had been a really rough day for the auburn-head, and the least he could do was to be of comfort.

"Do you want to sleep well tonight?"

Sakuno looked at him unsurely before nodding her head. "Y-Yes. Ano… Today has been really tiring… but I have to endure it, Ryoma… You know I should. It's only a week away from the Governor's Ball…" she said softly while playing with some of the bubbles. "A-And you had to add to things I'm worrying about today…" she whispered with hints of hesitation.

"Hn. I don't go out with orange hair without a reason…"

Sakuno smiled weakly. "Ah… b-but you're risking yourself to be caught-"

"When was the last time I was with you not counting our stay in the suite?" he interjected impassively.

"Ano… last month in the restaurant…" Sakuno replied after some thinking.

"And you expect me not to want to follow you around," he said with a small smirk.

Sakuno blushed, but kept her mouth shut after that. Ryoma then grabbed another bottle of pink liquid on the rack, poured some contents on his palm, and gently grabbed Sakuno's wrist.

"Ryoma…"

The tennis champion gently lathered the liquid on Sakuno's right arm, rubbing sensually that the auburn-head couldn't help but lean her head against the wall and savor the moment. After finishing the right arm, he transferred to the left and began the same process. It surprised Sakuno when she felt his arms on her shoulder, and gently guided her to the other side of the tub—the side near him. A blush made crept on her face when she realized that Ryoma was now shampooing her hair. Her auburn tresses were delicately lathered with the liquid, having it cleaned from tip to tip. His hands expertly massaged her head that all the stress and worrying she felt throughout the day was starting to vanish.

It was no surprise when he found Sakuno asleep right after their 'cleaning session'. Gently, he lifted Sakuno from her sleeping position in the tub, disregarding his raging hormones at the sight of her exposed and absolutely beautiful body. Now he had an idea of how to paint her. Slapping himself mentally at his thoughts, he grabbed the white robe on top of the counter and carefully wrapped the girl in it.

As he made his way back to the suite with Sakuno sleeping in his arms, the auburn-head moved about slightly in his hold, her eyes fluttering open for a brief moment.

"Will you sleep well tonight?" Ryoma whispered again.

Sakuno buried her face on his chest, muffling her soft response. The tennis champion had to lean in closer and repeat his question before she saw tiny movement from the girl. She shook her head.

"You took a bath, didn't you?" Ryoma tried his best to bite back the crudeness in his voice. By gosh, Sakuno was half-asleep!

When the girl didn't answer, he sighed and approached the bed without another word. As soon as Sakuno was carefully tucked in bed, already on her way to dream world, he was surprised that Sakuno could still muster to call his name. He turned around poker-faced, and saw Sakuno with half-lidded eyes and a small smile that peeked under the blanket hugging her.

"…stay with me… then I'll sleep well…"

Ryoma's lips quirked upward.

Slowly, he headed for the other side of the bed and was tucked under the blankets not long after. Moving closer towards the auburn-head, he easily positioned her closer to him, the strawberry smell of her pleasuring his olfactory senses. He kissed the top of her head before whispering,

"That's what I've been trying to do all morning…"

TBC

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Author's Notes: Several hints on future events were in this chapter. I hope all readers had a keen eye for the important details. Haha. Mostly conversation on the latter part, but some words may just be the answer to each of your questions. Well, Governor's Ball up next!

French Corner

(1) le carre d'agneu – lamb's rack
(2) Tres bien – Very good
(3) Bonjour - Hello
(4) Gateau – cake
(5) Omelette norvegienne – Baked Alaska
(6) garcon – boy
(7) Avenue de Champs-Elysees

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

-x-OrangeAce-x-

Posted: 09.14.08

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