ONE: Ryoma – What's different?

Tennis has always been my number one, my most top priority. It will most likely will always be, but who would've thought that something or rather someone would come close, actually come equal.

I was walking down the street, making my way to school, minding my own business as usual. If you know me, I probably had that don't-care-in-the-world look plastered on my face. Some of my schoolmates would say I was too arrogant and was too good for anyone else. Hey, what can I say? I don't like people, they're loud, talk too much, too emotional, nosy and sometimes, just plain weird which makes me kind of uncomfortable, so I don't really see the point of socializing. Anyway, while I was walking, obviously bored, wishing I'd rather be in bed snoring away, I heard something familiar.

"Ohayo, Ryoma-kun" says the coach's grand daughter as she fell into step with me. Remember how I said I hated people, I still do, however, with her... I don't mind. This girl, although clumsy and sometimes just ditzy, wasn't like all the other girls. She was the only girl I think I'll ever be comfortable with. She's not loud, unlike her supposed president of my fanclub best friend, making her not annoying to be with.

Now usually, all I'd offer her is a side glance as an acknowledgement of her presence, but for some unknown reason that is beyond my own, my lips started moving on its own.

"Ohayo, Ryuuzaki" this simple greeting somehow caused her to smile so brightly that it was blinding, of course, I couldn't miss the flush of pink on her cheeks. Kawaii... I thought seeing her face beam with happiness. I blinked and shook my thoughts away thinking I must've hit my head this morning or something. I absentmindedly scratched the back of my head and turned away from her, wishing I had my cap on. I didn't want to admit to myself that time of the warmth that crawled up onto my own cheeks.

There was something different that day. I wasn't sure what it was, maybe the weather? No, couldn't be the weather, it's spring, nice, a little chilly but warm enough to wear a pair of shorts. It was a great day to play tennis. What could it be? Is there some kind of event today? Was it a holiday? Ugh... Why do I even care?

"SAKUNO!" I heard a shrill voice from behind. Too loud I winced. Then out of nowhere, I saw Ryuuzaki about to hit the ground.

"O-Oi!" I nearly yelled, and quickly grab hold of the girl's waist to help her steady on her feet. I didn't know what came over me, I guess it was my instincts, or could it simply be reflex. Whatever it was, I didn't know how to feel.

So there we were, pretty much wrapped up in a hug, since my arms were encircling her tiny waist and her hands resting on my arms. Like I said, I didn't know what came over me, but I didn't let go. I didn't want to let go. I was busy staring at her, studying every inch of her face from her big cinnamon brown eyes, down her small button nose, to her soft, pink lips...

"Gomen, Ryoma-kun" she said snapping me out of my reverie. I quickly let her go, making her stumble a little before stabilizing her feet.

"Hn, betsuni.." I mumbled and started walking again. I saw her loudmouth best friend approach us with an apologetic look.

"Gomenasai Ryoma-sama, Sakuno-chan" she blurted. "I must've startled you" She says more to Ryuuzaki. I just rolled my eyes and continued my journey to school, walking ahead of them.

I entered homeroom and quickly set my stuff on the ground next to my desk, then plopped myself into the seat and dropped my head between my arms on the desk. I could use a nap. As I shut my eyes closed, waiting for the day to be over even before it has started, students started piling into the room. I can no longer take my nap but kept my head down.

I hear shuffling next to me and I slowly turned my head to see what was going on.

"Sorry, Ryoma-kun, did I disturb you?" she asks me apologetically, receiving a snort from me. God, how rude was I? I pretended to close my eyes again but kept my head to her direction. I did a quick glance at her while she prepped her desk with her notebook and pens. Something was definitely different...

I watched her talk to her friends from the corner of my eye, she was laughing at some joke or another, and I must admit, I liked the sound of her laugh. I studied her again, her face, in all honesty, was beautiful. She somehow grew to become a stunner. She's still the same shy and clumsy girl, that's for sure if this morning's occurence wasn't a sign of that, but somehow, her movements looked more graceful than usual. The way she would pick up her pen, the way she would scribble, the way she moved that stranded hair from her face behind her small delicate ear. What the hell am I doing?! I closed my eyes again trying my hardest to clear my thoughts when something tapped on my shoulders.

"Ryoma-kun..?" I opened my eyes and was greeted with those expressive eyes showing concern. My breath hitched right there. God, you're breath-taking, LITERALLY. I pushed myself back into a sitting position noticing that morning classes ended and is now lunchtime. I have been daydreaming all morning! This is so NOT me.

"Ryoma-kun, let's go for lunch" she tells me showing the bentos in her arms. I nodded and stood up and walked to the rooftop as we usually do. We settled ourselves in our usual spot and she handed me the bento she made with a pair of chopsticks. I thanked her and started digging into the food. I have always enjoyed the food she's prepared cause I know that she made them with her own two hands. Those small but delicate hands, soft and gentle.

"Hey, Ryoma-kun, I was wondering..." she starts. I gave her a glance while chewing the last bits of food before packing away the bento. She picked up the empty bentos and put them away. "What are you going to do after high school?" she asks as she leans back on the wall. "We're graduating this year; can you believe it?" She smiles and looks up to the sky. I watched her for a few seconds before joining her against the wall and up in the blue sky.

"Hn, Tennis" was all I managed to say. Of course, I'm going to pursue my tennis. "I thought that was pretty obvious" I muttered. She lets out a giggle, making me draw my eyes back onto her however, her head hung low, her hands fiddled with the hem of her skirt.

"I knew that. I know that you're planning on going pro and I'm sure that you'll definitely make that dream come true, I have no doubt" she paused. I studied her, trying to understand what she's saying. "you'll be flying back to America, aren't you?" I stared at her for a few seconds. Her eyes looked sad and somehow, I didn't like it. And before I can think, my mouth moved on their own, AGAIN.

"Come with me" it came out so blatantly. I closed my eyes just realizing what I said. That is embarrassing! What the hell?! I was glad to have my hat with me that time. I pulled the brim of the said cap over my eyes trying to obviously hide the pink tint that adorned my face from the embarrassing statement.

"Y-you want me to come with you?" she asked surprise evident in her tone. I didn't respond out of embarrassment. I wouldn't have said that if I didn't want you too! Was all I had thought. We weren't aware that we have been in the company of silence the entire lunch period until the echoing sound of the bell disrupted the said silence. She scrambled to get the bentos and head to the door with me following suit.

"Ne, Ryuuzaki," I called out to her just as we reached the classroom. She turns to look at me and me, being the ever so cool 'prince', leaned down next to her ear. I was actually really nervous at that time but I tried to hide that, obviously. Who in their right mind would do that! "Think about it, let me know at the end of the week" I whispered before heading into the room and proceeded to my seat, and slumped back down with my head on the desk. That was nerve-wracking! I smiled to myself when I heard a faint 's-sure' from the girl.

A/N: OMG! It's hard to write from Ryoma's point of view. But it's fun pretending to be him. Hahah. Next chapter will be Sakuno's point of view about this chapter. I know it's somewhat predictable and I'm sure that you all know what's already going to happen, but I still want to write it out. Heheh.

Bare with me please as it has been awhile since I've written anything. I'm hoping to have the entire story finished before I post them.

Please be kind and review. I accept constructive criticism, no hateful remarks. Suggestions are also appreciated.

Thank you! See you again soon.

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