Hello everyone, I am back with another update. Though I am not receiving any reviews, but seeing people following and being place in favorites also uplifts my spirit. I was actually planning to conclude this piece year. Hopefully I can, until the next update. Thanks you everyone.
"Chapter 12: Getting back in the Game"
Ryoma and Ryoga were doing their stretching exercises at the courtside. After the prince decided to stay in Boston, he got one whole court reserved for him in Harvard. As a form of thanks, Ryoma pledged to build two courts that will commence in Summer. Security was tight to ensure no one was ogling at the handsome siblings. "Chibisuke, how are you and Sakuno doing?" The latter just grunted. "Still bad huh? Figures.." The comment earned the elder a glare. "We have been training for a week and no progress? Plus we practically live next door."
"If you are just going to talk nonsense shut up." The younger reprimanded. Yes, he was taking his time too much. But it was due to the nagging feeling inside him. He wanted to tell Sakuno that Donald on his behalf got the job of a violinist. The girl was complaining the man was spending too much time on it. That result was the motive in the first place. However, he felt that if they stray apart because of his meddling, it was not a fair game. He wanted her to come to him willingly. Not in a vulnerable and broken state, Ryoma wanted to reawaken her old feelings for him.
He wondered how he managed to win her heart before. Was it because they were the same age and she admired his tennis? He had a crappy attitude then but she did not seem to mind. Back then he really had no competition. Maybe due to the fact that she was not particularly close to other males. But now it is different, Sato filled Sakuno's life after their separation. He never interests in getting back to her. Though he does admit she is precious to him. He had resigned to the fact she moved on. He was already accepted that and was doing okay until she came down from that helicopter. It was then he realized his feelings have grown intense. But she is with another and him being emotionally constipated is not helping.
He is not flirty like Ryoga or his old man. Neither is the stupidly confident like Atobe, naturally kind and charming like Fuji, or energetically attractive like Eiji. He is just Ryoma Echizen. People would say how can he belittle himself. But despite the power of Ryoma Echizen in tennis and business, he is just a man clueless about wowing the girl who owns his heart. How did he grow to like the klutz anyway?
"Sorry to interrupt your reverie squirt!" Ryoga loudly spoke. "Time to play!" Ryoma nodded and proceed to the court he heard that his elder brother managed to call some friends over to help them train. "You are in luck I got this pair to be with us for a month!" The elder boasted. "Don't go lazy on us okay?" Ryoma threw Ryoga an "as if" eye roll. "They should be here any minute now."
Soon enough a familiar voice rang in the air. "Nya, this campus is huge! Foreigners everywhere!" A loud cherry voice exclaimed in Japanese.
"We are the foreigners here silly!" A controlled voice retorted. "You are not supposed to be too excited."
The bickering grew louder as the two approached. Those voices brought a sense of nostalgia to the prince. There is no mistaking it the pair who will be helping him train is none other than Seigaku's Golden Pair of Eiji and Oishi.
"Oi! Ochibi long time no see!" The lively tennis acrobat greeted. "Look at how much you have grown." The senior man lunged at the prodigy who was already expecting to be attacked. "You are so strong too! I am so happy you wanted our help."
"Sem…Sempai, you are strangling me.." The junior protested and the elder let go his vise-like grip. "Have you been well Eiji sempai?" The latter grinned and bobbed his head with vigor. The amber-eyed prodigy shifted his eyes to the more reserved man. "Welcome Oishi sempai. You must have had it rough coming here." Ryoma declared cheekily.
"Nya, what is that supposed to mean Ochibi?!" The brown-haired man exclaimed.
"Eiji, he is just teasing you. Honestly, didn't you promise Chiyo to call her once we step foot on Harvard? Call her now before she thinks you have forgotten important things again."
After hearing the name of the woman, Eiji immediately grabbed his phone and walked to a secluded area. It is not a common sight for this guy to talk in a low voice. It seems being in relationships can change people. "How long have they been together?" Ryoma blurted out of the blue. The inquiry made Ryoga laugh and Oishi smirked. "Why can't be curious about it?" the celebrity rebutted.
"Sorry Echizen, it is not like you to actually be curious of these things." The former vice-captain confessed. "But if you want details ask Eiji." Ryoga was still having the time of his life laughing.
"Ryoga-nii, I hope you choke on your spit." The prince gruesomely wished.
"Oh! Yes sorry to have forgotten we will be dealing with two Echizen's." Oishi spoke. "How are we going to address you two?"
The elder Echizen got his composure back and grinned. "We are in America, Ryoga and Ryoma will be fine." The gentle Japanese man nodded in agreement.
"Where are they staying by the way?" Ryoma inquired.
"Well since they came in short notice, we have to take them in the apartment," Ryoga explained. "We have enough room." The tennis star sighed, it is going to be a long two months.
" I heard Sakuno-chan and Sato-kun study here too," Oishi commented. "You have met up with her already right?"
"She is my therapist." The prodigy commented. "And my neighbor in the apartment where we will be staying."
"Interesting." The former vice-captain commented. "What's your take on Sato-kun?" Ryoga laughed as the prince glared with a light flush on his cheeks. "He is a nice guy but that probably bothers you." The visitor continued. "I mean the guy is clean and devoted to Sakuno, it will be hard to win her back." The comment made the prince growl and his older brother laugh more. "But you know what Ryoma? If you just be honest with her maybe things can still turn around."
"What is this lecture for Oishi-sempai?" The prince questioned. How did they know his unreturned feelings? Did they actually have an idea? Why did he even ask if Sakuno and he had met if Oishi knew?
"You are at an age you should date. But obviously, there is no one." The celebrity nodded. " Keeping her as therapist even if she is not yet professional, staying in a place near her, and your face when her name is mentioned. I have to say you have improved in terms of emotions."
"Do you think she has an idea sempai?" The tennis star inquired. The elder brother listened intently to the guest's answer.
"I have yet to see Sakuno to say." The visitor honestly answered. "You had ignored her for so long, she won't be convinced easily unless you say it Ryoma." The answer made Ryoga snicker and the younger Echizen sighed, he really managed to mess himself up. "But I believe you still have a chance Ryoma." Oishi smiled. "She has not married Sato yet, right? They may be together but nothing is final yet."
"Well, Chibisuke it's good we have back up." The elder brother declared. "How long is that guy going to talk on the phone?" The three men eyed the acrobatic player talking smitten on the phone. "Is he married or engaged?"
"He is planning to propose once we get back." The previous vice-captain explained. "He actually pushed it back since we went here."
"Yah looks like we owe him one squirt." The elder Echizen commented. After the comment, Eiji finished his call and approached the three.
"Nya, sorry the call took a while," Eiji said while rubbing his neck. "It is going to be a tough 2 months for me Chiyo. But if she is a fan of Ochibi, so if he gets to play she will be happy."
"I'll give her an autograph." The prince commented. The lively sempai hugged him again and continuously expressed his thanks. "Eiji-sempai can we start training now?" With a nod, the golden pair and Echizen brothers started their warm-up match
-o-
Ryoma and Ryoga felt great, they were not in sync but they like playing with the two guests. It has been a while since they played a fun game. After a rally of four hours, they decided to take a break and eat lunch. As if on cue the lady in question arrived. The four men eyed the lovely girl walking towards them. She let her hair down and it was swaying with the wind. On her hands seemed to be some packed bento.
"Oishi and Eiji sempai!" Her surprised voice filled the air. As soon as she notice she was not seeing things, she began to run towards the two. The two guests could not help but meet the girl halfway. Eiji being the swifter grabbed Sakuno into a hug and lifted her up. The gesture made the girl laugh. Ryoma's eyes gazed at her smiling face, it was a genuine something from the heart.
"I never made her smile like that," He thought to himself. Maybe from today, he should start trying to do that. Sakuno was holding both of Oishi's hands in excitement. Ryoma recalled their first meeting. It was not joyful for both of them. He almost rejected her then because he did not want to be caught deep. But where he is now? In a desperate place as if he is drowning. Smiling Sakuno walked towards him together with the golden pair.
"Ryoga-nii, Ryoma-kun I made some bento. But is only for two, if I knew Eiji and Oishi sempai was here I could make more." The girl explained and to her surprise, it was Ryoma who raised his hands to accept. Usually, it is Ryoga, the elder observed his brother intently.
"Thank you for taking care of us." The prodigy muttered. "I hope it did not bother you much." The girl retorted that is no big deal. She missed cooking Japanese food so she thought it would be a good opportunity. "Would you like to join us Ryuuzaki?" The girl swayed her head and said she has to catch up with her friends. Ryoma nodded as he held the bento close to his chest as if it is some treasure. "Tonight, if it is okay I'll treat you out to dinner." The girl argued her does not need to bother. As long as they practice well with no injuries it is fine. The girl's phone rang, her friends were looking for her. After hanging up the lady bowed and said goodbye.
Ryoma passed the bento to Ryoga and went after Sakuno. The three audiences were pleased with what they are seeing. "This Friday or Saturday are you free, let's take the sempais for sightseeing." The woman eyed the guest who was smiling fondly at her.
"I actually don't have plans. Saturday will be great." Ryoma's heart swelled at the acceptance of the invitation.
"I'll see, I mean we will see you then." The prince answered and the girl smiled sweetly.
"Just knock on my door if you need anything." The girl offered and Ryoma nodded. " Tonight maybe you guys come over for dinner." The girl proposed. "Sato won't be coming home though, he has to stay over at a bandmates apartment. They said something about preparing for some orchestra contest."
The thought of his rival out of sight made Ryoma excited. He can have some time with her. Well, his senior trio will be tagging along but at least he can work on expressing himself. "Yes, you can expect us to come." The lady smiled and stated she will see them tonight with a tinge of red on her cheeks.
As she turned her back Ryoma called out to her once again. She looked back and stared at him quizically. Ryoma with his game face on open his mouth and voiced out. "Your looks beautiful free-flowing like that." The girl blushed further and muttered thank you and went on her way.
-o-
Sakuno overslept and noticed she missed her scheduled breakfast with Ryoma. The bed was just so relaxing she enjoyed sleeping on it. Immediately washing her face and checking if her pajamas are decent, she rushed to Ryoma's door. She saw the breakfast served but untouched, did he wait up for her?
She glanced at the area where the price lay. It looks like she is not the only one who overslept. He was beauty personified as he lay in bed. Then Sakuno blushed at the fact that he is sleeping shirtless. But despite the shyness, she felt the girl by some force was pulled to sit beside Ryoma's head. He stirred as she settled on the bed.
"He looks so peaceful." Sakuno could not help but reach her right hand out and with her ring finger caressed Ryoma's face. He stirred once again and slowly opened his amber eyes. Sakuno was caught by surprise that she could not move. Her orbs were trapped by his cat-like eyes."
"You look beautiful with your hair down."
The prodigy groggily replied. The praise made her neck feel warm. "You should do it more often, let it loose a little." The tennis star breathed slowly and for some reason he just looked so sexy.
Sakuno mentally slapped herself and spoke. " Ano, uh, Ryoma-kun breakfast was served." She managed to say. "Both of us overslept so it was just left on the table." The prince smirked and nodded. "I get going now." The girl nervously got up from the bed.
"Ryuzaki I meant it. I was not half asleep when I said it." The prodigy stated.
"Meant what Ryoma-kun?" The lady nervously inquired.
Amber eyes directly focused on her. He did not bother to cover his chiseled body with the blankets. He smirked at her with that confidence only Ryoma Echizen possess. He opened his mouth again to speak the words that sounded so right in Sakuno's ears.
"Ryuzaki, you are beautiful with your hair down."