Hello there Minna-san! I am so close to the ending now. I need to end this fic so that I can work with my new ones… Yeah… I am planning to make two new fics although one of them is not as fast update as the other one… The new regular fic will be replacing Absolute couple's schedule so I'll be updating two chapters per week. One for C.T still and for the new fic… the other new one will be seldom… well that will be the recent announcement.. I hope you like this…
johanna - thank you for the corrections... inedit ko na po... ;P tee hee hee... pag nakaisip na ko ng idea kung panu ko pag aawayan ang tatlo kay Sakuno... maraming salamat... salamat at naugstuhan u ung story... I hope you like this too... ^_^
sakura kiss - tee hee hee... feel nostalgic I guess... yeah... it's okay... sometimes... I feel that way too... but in the end I am solid RyoSaku... I hope you like this new chapter... ^_^
Anon - thank you very much... actually, I still don't how I do that... I am mostly running out of time not the ideas on how to make them in schedule... phew... so much for rushing... tee hee hee... Thank you that you like them... I hope you like this one... ^_^
Megingjoro - well... yeah...? Ummm... it is in impossible dream chapter...
Mayu-chan – I am so glad that you love MY Ryoma from the last chapter… and yeah… they are together… again…
Okay… about the worrywart thingy… I don't consider that as an 'insult' it's more appropriate to call it an 'informal' one… when it comes to the title… I don't focus on the structure of the words but I reconsider about twisting them to give effects to the readers… so you may call it as a NOUN… there's no such worrywart as adjective unless you change it to 'worrisome' or 'worrying'. And that was just explained the whole story to the title because those people who were included in the story were just worried about insignificant matters… (That made the noun an informal word) I hope you get what I am trying to say.
One more thing, I am always announcing the next chapter so I guess you had the idea what would my next title be (since you reviewed on my last chapter) I was just wondering why you didn't take notice of it before I posted the last chapter? So… I thought the title would be okay… But anyway, I will stick to that title since it was involved with the person or should I say Ryoma was the person to describe in the title. Thank you for pinpointing that out, it's not that I didn't think about your thoughts… I definitely give time for it and truly appreciate it instead.
Were you by any chance forgotten about it? It's chapter 12. I hope that you are not just noticing my mistakes but I also hope that you are aware of the story as well… but I understand… you are busy with your study… in fact; I am pleased to see you in every chapter just to drop by and leave a message. I hope you won't stop… thank you very much…
My Gothic Romance – thank you very much that you like this one… well… yeah… I tried making a story from a different character. Well, it's totally one-shot and it's different from Triangle Hearts. RyoSaku here were trying to hide their relationship but in Triangle Hearts was different. So that's it.
Anonymous13 - tee hee hee, you are right about that... Ryoma is always comes to the rescue... right? right? I am glad that you love that part of them... tee hee hee...
I definitely second the motion... I am willing to know more and new words... I won't mind searching for them though... I also love reading too... I hope you like this chapter... ^_^
The Invitation review - thank you for loving the one-shot tee hee hee... and yeah... Horio was pitiful... poor him... being a victim to Ryoma's furry... tee hee hee... well... yeah... I think I can read Kin-chan like that... or else he would Ryoma's another punching bag... tee hee hee... ^_^
DISCLAIMER: I do not own POT and never will.
Chapter 28: Doubtless Doubt
Chapter Summary: He doubted him, he doubted her, he doubted them, and he doubted everyone but the worst of all… he doubted himself…
Note: Words in Bold letters are to be spoken in English.
Friday, June 7:
Lizzy, Kevin and Sakuno were having their group study after lunch. Their next period was giving them some time to work on their project and they decided that they should group together. They were doing the final touch as they were about to present them later in the class, before the class ended today.
"Hey, Sakuno did Ryoma call you today?" Lizzy asked her suddenly.
Sakuno blushed as she nodded, "He said that he would face his last opponent this coming Sunday." She discovered from her boyfriend about advancing to the finals once again. The boy was slowly reaching the top. Actually, being a contender for the defending champion was already a stepping stone for him. The boy was really popular for reaching that far.
"That's good then, I am really glad."
The girls smiled on their conversation leaving the only boy in the group. He secretly grunted before he said his next words, "can we finish this now, I want to practice already."
Lizzy faced him and retorted, "as if you can play after this period."
Kevin just closed his eyes not bothering to answer the girl.
They continued with the final touch. Later on, they presented their report in front of the class. Sakuno being the one to introduce the report was a bit nervous about her performance. Albeit the nervousness, she was able to do it and soon followed by Lizzy's explanation and Kevin's thorough description. In the end, the report went well and it was all thanks to Kevin's broad knowledge about English. He could rank next to Ryoma in Sakuno's thought.
The hard and tough day was over, finally. Students breathe to ease their tense that they passed the different stage of their studies. Soon, the class was over and every student went on with their different activities. Kevin said that he would be going back to the court to play while Lizzy decided to see Ciel and probably went home together. Sakuno told them that she would be staying there for a while before deciding to go home as well
And that was she did.
Later on:
Kevin was exhausted after sparing with Bill for more than an hour. He was planning to go home when he remembered something. He forgot his report on his desk and he needed to get them before somebody could copy it. It was their own effort and forging reports were easy for Americans. The presentations for other students were not over yet and the others needed to present tomorrow.
That's why he needed to get that report more to avoid unnecessary problems.
He entered their room only to be shocked on the scene. A girl with twin braided pigtailed girl was still there, sleeping on her own desk and her face was facing on the door that's why he could see her sleeping face. He slowly walked closer to the girl trying not to wake her up. He finally stood in front of her desk.
Why is she sleeping here? He thought as he stared at her. Moments later, he saw her frowned on her sleep that made him smirk. She must be dreaming something funny. Soon her countenance was returned back to normal. She was sleeping peacefully now. Kevin sat on the chair next to her and stared at her for a while. He never realized how long he was staring but as he did that he noticed something;
She was really cute.
Of course, he'd known that for a while now but he just wouldn't admit it. His eyes softened when he finally admitted that she was. He raised his left hand carefully to touch her right cheek tugging her hair back in the process. With that gesture, the girl moved a little and murmured incoherent words. He slowly released his hand from her cheek and stared at her once again.
He is indeed lucky to have you, don't you know that? He thought again. His eyes was locked on her cute face that he didn't know what he was doing anymore. He slowly leaned closer to her face trying not to make a sound to keep the girl from waking up. His eyes softened as he stared at her lips and was trying to touch those parts of her face to his own. The moment was slow motion and he was a few inches to her lips as he finally closed his eyes.
"Ryoma-kun…"
His eyes were snapped opened and looked at the girl. The girl was mumbling in her sleep.
She was dreaming of him… of her boyfriend.
He quickly leaned back on the chair. His eyes were still in shocked. He couldn't believe what he was trying to do to her.
He was trying to kiss her. What was he doing? He must be crazy. He looked away as he put his arm to his mouth and thought of something, a hint of blush was painting on his face. He would kill me for trying to do this. He composed himself. The boy trusted him and he was not going to betray him. He was not going to do something stupid to the girlfriend of his rival friend. He stared at the sleeping girl while gripping his hands very hard. He thought something deep, something that no matter how he hoped about it, it would never come true. After sighing very slowly, he woke the girl up and volunteered to take the girl home. They went out the room not forgetting the report to take with them.
Unbeknownst to them, someone was smirking devilishly at their retreating back. That person had witnessed what happened earlier and was waiting for the time to appear from the hiding place the moment they left the room. Crossing both arms in front, the person glared at them and spoke coldly;
"This is such wonderful news for Ryoma…"
Sunday, June 9, morning:
They were shocked when the umpire announced the final score. Eyes were widened as they stared at the score which was being flashed on the screen of the TV.
6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-7… In favor of the defending champion.
Ryoma lost the match winning only two sets in the first two matches but not until his opponent fought back and showed his real skills. The crowd were screaming inside the Roland Garos stadium. Ryoma quickly left the clay court after having a short interview and they didn't see him on the screen again. The reporters were interviewing the French open winner of that year. With that, Ciel turned off the TV and faced them;
"I guess he could compete next year."
"Yeah… don't worry," Lizzy faced her, "Ryoma is already popular about reaching number two."
Sakuno was still shocked. She could still see his shocking reaction after the last ball passed him a while ago earning the winning title of his opponents'. She gripped her hands really hard on her lap as she looked down. Ryoma-kun.
Kevin looked at her but he was not intending to say any word from anyone. He was silently comforting the girl by keeping quiet. He knew that the girl would have to cheer the boy up when he came back but knowing Ryoma, he knew that he would definitely try hard to stand firm and start all over again. At least from where he tripped though.
It would be hard but he knew that they could make it.
Night:
She couldn't sleep; she was worried about her boyfriend that night. It was the boy's first time losing at such an official game not just any official game; it was a grand slam tournament for goodness sake. To be honest, it was her first time seeing him lost from a game, even though it was on TV; that didn't change the fact that he lost. She got up and grabbed the clock on her headrest.
It was 2 in the morning and she wasn't getting any good sleep yet.
Ryoma would be coming home sometime later and she was thinking on how to comfort her boyfriend in case he was upset about losing. Not being able to sleep again, she stood up from the bed and went out of her room. She went on the kitchen just to get a glass of water. That was the time she realized that she was not alone in that room. She looked around but because of the dark, she couldn't see well.
She felt nervous. Something like this happened before but why would she felt déjà vu about it? She slowly walked out to the kitchen and tried to locate the switch of the light which was next to the main door. I am beginning to freak out with these encounters. She thought as she finally reached the switch;
"Don't open it."
She was about to switch the light when someone talked. Her eyes widened as she recognized the voice. M-masaka… she finally recognized a figure that was sitting on the sofa. Since the sofa was facing behind her, the person's back was in front of her. She slowly walked to the front so that she could see the person despite the dark emanating around them;
"Ryoma-kun…"
Ryoma didn't say anything to her. Even the area was pretty dark; Sakuno could barely recognize her boyfriend. The boy's back was leaning on the sofa's back rest while his bag was sitting on the ground next to him. The boy was looking down; his hands were timidly resting on his sides. She carefully sat down beside him and tapped his shoulder, "S-since when did you arrive?"
It took for a while before answering her, "just thirty minutes ago."
She nodded. This had happened before when he suddenly went back from Melbourne to comfort me. She thought and she was right that she was feeling that the same thing was happening again, although Ryoma had the situation this time.
"I was about to go to your room if you hadn't come out."
"Eh?"
Ryoma didn't speak once again. She could sense him. He was definitely upset that's why he didn't let her open the light. He didn't want her to see his expression at that moment. She understood him and closed her eyes, "Umm, Ryoma-kun…" she started not knowing what to say next, "Y-you see… I-I'll tell you this always… You are… You are always be my number one."
Ryoma looked at her even though she couldn't see his expression; she knew that he was staring at her. She blushed on her own words and then she continued. It was her turn to comfort the boy, "no matter what the results would be, no matter how you become popular in the future… n-no matter what separates you from me if it's all about tennis… I'll support you… because… because… I am also your number one fan."
Ryoma heard enough as she thought. He quickly pulled her closer and gave her a tight hug. She was shocked at first and blushed as the boy was slowly hugging her tightly that he already did. Silently, she knew that the boy needed that.
"Thank you."
She heard him say afterwards. She smiled between her blushes as she returned the hug and leaned her head to his neck. She wouldn't mind staying like that for while. Ryoma was tough and she knew that this wouldn't be the end of pursuing his goal. The boy was not planning to give up and they both knew it.
While leaning together on the sofa, they fell asleep while embracing each other.
Three days later:
Everything seemed to be normal for them. Even if Ryoma only ranked second from French open, it seemed that his popularity seemed to increase. His fans seemed to increase as well but he didn't care about them not that he appreciated them but he was still thankful that they were there to support him. He also received greetings from Seigaku and the other schools back in Japan. He went on with his daily trainings and practices with the American team last Monday and seemed to be practicing non-stop.
'He wanted to get stronger' was his always answer to them when they saw him overexerting himself. Sakuno was a bit worried about him but she could understand him. After French open, there would be Wimbledon Championship was coming less than in two weeks from now. He would participate in that tournament with no hesitation. Wimbledon was said to be the first grand slam ever created in history thus, the most difficult tournament among the rest. If he lost from his previous tournament, he simply couldn't slack off with this one. In fact, he was more challenged about the hassle coming ahead of him.
Ciel and Lizzy were both delighted to see the tennis prodigy was back on the court and ready to serve his special moves to everyone. Kevin was somewhat impressed about his immediate come back and that proved him the prince of tennis indeed. Sakuno felt relieved after that.
He was back on the court once again, ready to battle for the next tournament.
Later in the afternoon;
Ryoma went to his classroom after telling Sakuno to go back without him. He was planning to stay a little longer to practice. He told the girl that she should cook dinner early so they could eat a little early that day. He was going to focus on his tennis for a while now and he knew that Sakuno would understand him. He reached his classroom where he left his bag only to find someone out there. He didn't stop from entering and he went to his desk and grabbed his bag.
"Congratulations on winning the second place, Ryoma."
Ryoma looked at the girl and nodded. The girl looked familiar to him somehow. He thought that he had seen her somewhere before. He shrugged to dispose the thought and about to leave the place.
"I think that I should owe you an apology."
Catching his attention, he looked around to face her again and frowned a little, "what do you mean?"
"I mean for ruining your relationship before."
That hit him. He suddenly remembered the girl. He saw her sometimes with that Takuma guy and that was the time he realized that the girl who was obsessed with him was actually the same girl standing in front of her. She was indeed responsible for almost ruining their relationship. The girl was blushing as she looked down. She fidgeted with her fingers as he watched her;
"Spill it out."
"Ummm, I don't know how to say this but…" she started, "I-I don't want to ruin you anymore."
Ryoma fixed his bag on his shoulder. He was getting annoyed that the girl was keeping him wait that long. He was about to retort when the girl finally spoke;
"It's about Smith…"
His eyes narrowed and asked her in a cold tone, "what about him?"
She looked around but not to him, trying to say his next words, "I-I actually saw him kissing Sakuno last week."
His eyes widened on her words and he couldn't believe what he was hearing right now. The girl looked at him only to be panicked more;
"I-I mean I s-saw him almost kissing your girlfriend when she was asleep," she corrected her words as fast as she could. She didn't expect to stutter like that when she saw him glare at her, "H-honest, I am telling the truth… y-you can ask Kevin Smith for that."
He was just staring at the girl in front of him. He didn't know how long he had gripped the strap of his bag. He didn't say a single word nor asked something to the girl. The girl didn't say another word too hoping that Ryoma would initiate until later… To the girl's surprised, Ryoma just turned away without saying another word to the girl. He walked away from that room leaving the girl behind. The girl followed him at the entrance of the girl and shouted;
"Confirm the news to him, Ryoma, and you'll know that I'm telling the truth." The girl watched him leave. Unknown to him, the girl smirked as she could predict what was going to happen next. Any day from now, would be great for her as she thought. And I'll get my chance to you.
After practice:
His doubt was slowly getting worst. He learned from Bill that Kevin was off to send Sakuno home. Well, the cowboy player explained that Sakuno asked the blonde boy to teach her with her English which the latter obliged. He believed what Bill said and holding to that reason until he got home today.
He quickened his pace to their unit. He opened the door without warning and he saw them there. Kevin and Sakuno, studying together at the sala set. Their heads were bowed down and were trying to concentrate on one book. He was not aware how he knew about that when he was facing the two. He slowly walked to their location and feigned a cough. That was the time; the two of them looked at him. Sakuno was the one to react.
"R-ryoma-kun, I didn't hear you arrive."
"I didn't talk until now." He said as he looked at Kevin mischievously while the latter just glared at him. He was the one to look away by simply closing his eyes and walked closer to the girl and sat beside her.
"I-Is your practice-"
"Done already." He quickly replied before she could finish her question.
"O-oh." She reacted. They stayed silent for a while before Sakuno decided to make dinner and leave the two behind.
Kevin didn't say anything but he knew that something was going on. He felt that the girl he met in the classroom earlier was telling the truth. He wanted to confirm it to Kevin but he didn't want to know his answer. No matter what he did, he simply got one answer so he preferred not to say it. The girl did say 'almost' so he hadn't done it to her.
"You shouldn't be slacking off; Wimbledon is just more than a week away."
He heard him say breaking his train of thoughts. The blonde boy was looking at the girl's notebook and scanning all their lessons that day. He sighed a little low and replied to him;
"Things like last time won't happen again."
"You're not sure about that."
He smirked, "I am certain."
Kevin smirked back, "You are so full of yourself."
"Che."
Silence was erupted between them. It was not them to act like that and things between them seemed a bit eerie. Ryoma never initiated a conversation unless needed to. Instinctively, he looked at the blonde boy only to realize that he was looking at him at the same time.
Both were wearing different shocks on their faces and retorted at the same time;
"Are you-/Hey!-"
Both blinked at the same time as they looked at each other.
"What are you?"
"No you speak first!"
"What are you trying to imply?"
Both of them were annoyed and were increased when Sakuno giggled from the kitchen. Both boys looked at her and retorted at the same time.
"What's so funny?"
They looked at each other once again.
"Stop copying me!"
"Mou! B-boys stop it, you really are look alike." Sakuno said when they almost spoke the same.
"WE ARE NOT!"
Both boys gritted their teeth and stared at each other. After that, they both grunted and looked away with the next second. Sakuno just smiled at their childishness.
Ryoma on the other hand was still doubting the situation but he wouldn't suspect the blonde boy without evident and he didn't want to blame someone if there wasn't any proof. He looked at the girl who was doing her kitchen work. It seemed that she was too oblivious of the situation. He sighed slowly to his relief and decided to let the issue go by the wind.
Night:
Kevin was long gone at the unit and the couple went on their separate rooms. However, Sakuno couldn't sleep because of the past events that happened between them. She felt uneasy somehow and was worried about it.
She was not that dense that something was bothering him. She felt like talking to Ryoma but she didn't know what to say. And then she remembered what the girls talked about in the bathroom days ago.
…About her not telling her feelings towards Ryoma.
She felt upset about it and was really stupid of her. But she still needed to hear his reply too. He did say it before, accidentally when they almost fought at the rooftop of Seigaku a year ago. But still she needed to hear it from him.
She didn't want Ryoma to doubt her feelings to him. They went through a lot of things and she wouldn't let those put to waste. That was somewhat made her so upset. She needed to set things right and she needed to do it fast. She would take all the doubts that Ryoma had in his heart, whatever they were.
So she made a decision that very night.
She would tell her real feelings to the boy.
Done! How was this chapter? I hope you like this… I don't know if you get where this is going to. But I do know… I know what to do to Kevin now after four months of thinking… tee hee hee…
Well… there will be slight twist in the remaining chapter so I can say it is not actually what you really are thinking. But I hope I could surprise you with that… anyway… thank you very much for staying with me all this time… You are all have my gratitude… *bows very low*
I was planning to include Roger Federrer, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic to be Ryoma's opponent and defending champion but I changed my mind. They are real people and I am not intending to include real people here… So… I won't name his opponent.
Reviews please… few more chapters to go… bear with me a little longer… thank you once again… Sorry for the grammar errors guys... it's inevitable for me... my mind is always clouded with thoughts so sorry...
Guys... I am afraid that my PC is not always cooperating with me... also to put it worst... it is at risk now... I am scared because my fics are somewhat affected by virus or something... I am that I might lose some of my ongoing fics and I haven't even started the next chapter of A.C yet... but no worry because I have a copy on my flash drive but the problem is the computer... Seems like I need to rent outside sooner or later... Please bear with me... I need a new laptop for this... uhg!
Next Chapter: Failure Attempts
