Well, I'm back! Got that annoying computer glitch all fixed up. So here's a longer one to celebrate.
Today was the day. The big day.
He'd brushed his teeth that morning with his super lucky toothpaste, prayed in front of the new Chocolates' calendar (having never fully gotten over the idol group from his Seigaku days) – he even ran a comb through his hair and peeled off the band-aid on his cheek.
Eiji had dated her for eight years, and it would seem that it was the right time, now…
He told her to wait for him at the park bench.
"Eiji, are you okay?"
He grabbed her hand, opened and closed his mouth.
"S-Sakuno…"
He was stuttering. He never stuttered.
"Oi! Eiji!"
Startled, the two of them looked for the startling familiar voice.
"Oishi?!"
His doubles partner waved in excitement, and ran towards them.
"Eiji! Long time no see! How are you and Sakuno doing?" Sitting down on the bench and draping an arm around the acrobatic player's shoulders (Eiji cringed with anxiety), Oishi gave a huge grin, "it looks like you guys have nothing to do. Why don't you come over to Fuji's new photo shop? I haven't seen you in such a long time…"
The red-haired boy smiled nervously.
Why is it, whenever he had something important to do, that all his old friends would start popping out of thin air? Any other day, he would jump and give Oishi a happy glomp, but today…not today…
"Kikumaru-semp – I mean, Kikumaru-san!"
Momo, and…ochibi?
"Heheh, Echizen, didn't think we would see our old sempai here, did we?"
"Momo, get your arm off me."
Sakuno suddenly started to fidget.
Momoshiro strode over the grass, tennis bag slung proudly across one shoulder. His other arm had its grip on none other than Echizen Ryoma, winner of four consecutive Grand Slams – he's going for his fifth this year.
"Eiji, we're meeting up with Kamio Akira and Ibu Shinji later on, do you want to come along? Winner gets to take Ann-chan on a date – at least, that's what Kamio said…ooh, I'm so excited! I can't lose this one. I just can't…"
"Fshh…what are you all doing here? Eiji-semp – I mean, Eiji-san!"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the old mamushi…go back to running, why don't you?"
"Do you want to fight?"
"…Momo, I thought you and Kaidoh were on better terms now, why revert to fighting again?"
"Fuji? Why are you here?"
"Ah! Fuji! I was just telling Eiji about your new photo shop…we were about to go visit you anyways and –"
"– Well, at least I don't wear a stupid bandanna on my head. Seriously, why do you still have that thing? It's been eight years, mamushi! I thought you would grow out of that annoying habit by now –"
"Shut up. I'm not the one who plays tennis at the prospect of dating a girl…"
"Hn! You're just jealous because Ann-chan thinks I'm so much better looking than you are –"
"What interesting data. I must give Tezuka a call right away. Oh, yeah…he's in the Australian Open right now, I forgot…"
"…speaking of which, Echizen, why aren't you in Australia right now?"
"I already had my match."
"…I AM NOT JEALOUS!"
"Oi! Momo, Echizen! I thought we were going to have that match! Don't tell me you're running away…wimps…"
Eiji looked from left to right, right to left.
"Everyone! I'm trying to do something really important right now, so please. Just. Be. Quiet!"
There was silence, a rather uncomfortable one, as everyone turned around to stare at the now-red-faced Eiji.
The red-haired tennis player straightened up, took his girlfriend's hand, and got down on one knee, right there on the park sidewalk.
It was now or never…
"Ryuzaki Sakuno, will you marry me?"
A/N: Now, look me in the eye, and tell me that isn't sweet. It is. The scene is rather chaotic, but, then again, Eiji gets his confidence from having people stare at him.
I just re-saw OVA 16 again...started laughing like crazy, especially when Momo called those two creep-heads "moho"s... XDXDXD
Thanks for reading! Please review!