2. Everyone's Expectations

The bustle in front of the boys' tennis club's bulletin board that morning was immense. There were quite a lot of murmurs and anticipation as everyone looked at the posted block matches for the ranking tournament today. Among the list of second and third years participating, there was a sole freshman. Though it wasn't really surprising to the people who knew of Seigaku Middle School Boys' Tennis Club's glory for the past years, the few unaware of it were in pure awe and anticipation as to what the high school rookie- Echizen Ryoma could possibly offer.

"As I keep on telling everyone; if you want to cheer for Ryoma-sama, you have to join the fan club first." Osakada Tomoka says as a matter of fact.

It was a busy morning for the President of the Ryoma-sama Fan Club. Without her low-key Vice President, Ryuzaki Sakuno, the amount of work that she was doing significantly doubled. The rush of high school girls that expressed their interest in joining was comparable to the first time she established the non-school officiated club in middle school. From an outsider's point of view, the passion exuded by the fan club could be considered quite admirable. But then, to people who were quite used to the view, namely the former members of Seigaku Tennis Club's middle school team, it was the usual. That's why, when Momoshiro, along with the Freshmen Trio arrived at the commotion, they could only sweat-drop.

"It's still early in the morning and you're already causing a ruckus around, Osakada!" Horio Satoshi, who didn't seem like he got over by the fact that Echizen has an established fan club, berated.

"Buzz off, Horio. Nobody's asking for your opinion." Tomoka retorts, continuing her business.

Meanwhile, Momoshiro, Katsuo, and Kachiro awkwardly observed the two people whose relationship didn't really change over the years. The three had the collective thought of not fanning the fire of their usual feud even further.

"I don't see Ryuzaki-chan anywhere, Osakada-chan," Momoshiro took the cue to change the subject, "Isn't she a part of the fan club too?"

"Ah! Momo-chan-senpai, Sakuno can't come and watch today," Tomoka sadly explains, "She had a small accident yesterday and sprained her ankle."

"What happened?" Kachiro asks, quite worried.

By then, the crowd of girls around Osakada was finally dismissed by her. When the last club application form was in her hands did she start telling the boys what happened yesterday afternoon. She looked unconvinced even by the time she finished explaining.

"So that's it?" Horio comments, "I thought it was something serious by the way you explained it." It instantaneously earned him a bonk on the head from the loud girl.

"Do you think there was something more to it, Osakada-san?" It was Katsuo's turn to ask, genuinely curious too about Tomoka's mannerism.

"That's right, Osakada-chan, tell us about it." Momoshiro nods, compelled as to how there seemed to be something more.

Tomoka looks around first, carefully scoping whether there were unwanted eavesdroppers around. Judging that it was fine, she leans a bit to the boys. With a hushed voice that surprised everyone, she speaks in a cryptic manner.

"I honestly don't think that it was a pure accident."

"Eh? What do you mean?" Horio's voice sounded a bit louder than everyone wanted. Tomoka threw him a serious death glare and he murmurs his apologies.

"Anyway, I don't know if you're aware that Sakuno has been the subject of numerous... unfortunate accidents from people who thought that she's dating Ryoma-sama since middle school," she starts, "This Mori Akane who was with her yesterday confessed to Ryoma-sama yesterday, and actually sought out Sakuno to ask if she was indeed dating Ryoma-sama. And then, in an accident, Sakuno trips and sprains her ankle."

"Do you think that this Mori-san caused Ryuzaki-chan's injury?" Momoshiro inquires.

"I'm not really sure, Momo-chan-senpai. It was just my speculation," Tomoka shakes her head, "Sakuno told me specifically that it was all really an accident... and I believe her, but I also know that Sakuno tends to really not say troubling things. I'm just really worried."

"Don't worry, Osakada-san," Kachiro tries to liven up the mood of the girl, "Ryuzaki-san doesn't seem to be the type to lie."

"That's right, Osakada-chan," Momo supports, "Ryuzaki-chan wouldn't lie to you."

"But still, I didn't know that Ryuzaki-san gets in trouble for being rumored to be together with Ryoma-kun." Katsuo muses, "It must be hard."

"Well, it's Echizen that we're talking about." For the first time with Horio, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Heh. What is it about me?"

Everyone with the exception of the sole senpai froze, recognizing the owner of that mischievously cocky voice. They turned their heads simultaneously to look at Echizen Ryoma who appeared to have arrived from the water fountain nearby- proof is the small towel slung on his shoulders.

"Ah! Echizen!" It was Momoshiro who decided to speak up, "Did you know that Ryuzaki-chan injured her foot yesterday?"

Perturbed amber cat-eyes widened at the news.

"A-Ano, Ryoma-kun... Is something wrong?"

They were currently in the middle of Chemistry class. Since the subject teacher wasn't around for the day, they were tasked to study in pairs. To Sakuno's surprise, before even Tomoka could pair with her, a certain prince of tennis volunteered by taking the seat beside her. And now, as she was making her own notes, at the corner of her vision she could make him out. He had a hand propped on his chin as his intense eyes bored at her. She could feel her pulse quicken and she was so sure that her cheeks are burning. She wasn't really used to people staring at her, more so being stared at by her long-time crush so intently.

"What do you mean?" Ryoma's reply exuded nonchalance even though he didn't make the effort to avert his gaze.

"Y-You've been staring..." Sakuno mutters, hesitating whether she returns his stares.

"Not really." He denies further, though this time, he looked away, "What happened to your foot?"

"I... I sprained my ankle." She couldn't reply right away, caught off guard by what seemed like a display of his concern for her, with an embarrassed laugh she continued, "I tripped at the library door yesterday..."

Sakuno gave him a small smile, waiting for him to say something. She could see his golden eyes staring at her again, and before she gets too embarrassed to speak again, she says, "A-Anyway, my ankle sprain isn't really serious. The school doctor said that it will only take a week or two to heal."

"Hn." He nods in recognition, and Sakuno wondered whether he just dropped the topic. But then, he continues, "I heard some interesting things from Osakada and everyone..."

"Eh? From Tomo-chan?" She thought that it was unusual for him to mention her friend, "What was it, Ryoma-kun?"

"They say that you usually get in accidents like that because of your association with me." Ryoma says in a tone with masked indifference.

His words surprised Sakuno, who then immediately spoke in defense of him, "It's not your fault, Ryo-"

"I'm not apologizing... Don't get me wrong," Her worried eyes met his, and Ryoma sighs, "I don't really care what others think."

"But Ryuzaki, I don't like it when people get in trouble in my stead," Ryoma removed his hand that supported his chin, "So tell me when people bother you because of me."

At his words, Sakuno could only look- her doe eyes hopefully reflecting the emotions that she felt. She couldn't find the right words to speak, for she was too taken aback. He did save her from bullies and harassment for so many times that she could count, so she never bothered him with the little incidents that befell her for being close to him. Over the years, she knew that Ryoma could appear quite indifferent, but not once did she ever think that he didn't really care.

That's why she was even more surprised at how she took his words. It was the first time that she heard him say things that could mean that he really does care. Sakuno could feel her heart swell that she almost forgot to breathe.

"Un." She managed to nod, feeling the extreme amount of happiness one could only feel when their heart isn't their own.

"When I think about it, somehow, Ryuzaki-chan's sprained ankle is somehow o-chibi's fault, ne?" Eiji blew to cool the meat bun in his hands before taking a bite.

"How is it my fault, senpai?" Ryoma grumbles, taking a bite off of his own bun, "I didn't trip her."

"You didn't," Momo replies, continuously blowing the hot bun in his hand, "But it was related to you."

"That wouldn't have happened if you all weren't so invested in teasing me with Ryuzaki." Ryoma chewed on his food, giving an accusatory look to the senpais who walked along with him.

Afternoon practice ended an hour ago, and the three decided to visit some tennis shops before going home. After scoring a grip tape for Ryoma, new tennis shoes for Momo, and some tennis magazines for Eiji, the three decided to already go home to cease on anymore spending— that is, of course, before they passed by the meat bun stall and they decided to at least eat something on the way. And like the usual band of friends who talked about whatnot in their free time, their topics that ranged from tennis, idols, video games, eventually ended to talking about Ryuzaki, her absence, and her clumsy accident.

"Well, if you put it that way..." Momo caressed his chin with a hand.

"But still!" Eiji defends, "If o-chibi would just realize that he and Ryuzaki-chan belong together, then he could always protect her-nya."

Ryoma let out a stressed sigh, a hand even caressing his temple, "Since when do you senpais get to decide who I belong to?"

Eiji and Momo awkwardly laughed at being called out while thinking of a possible reply. Eiji's face lit up at his sudden idea and flashed Ryoma a peace sign, "Since becoming our o-chibi, of course! You know your senpais want the best, right?"

"Ditto," Momo supports and adds his own comment, "Plus, everyone could practically see that you have this chemistry with Ryuzaki-chan too," he grins, "Ah, young love is really the best."

"Momo-senpai, you're only a year older than me," Ryoma retorts, "Besides, don't you still have a thing with Tachibana's sister?"

Their topic shifted once again, moving on from Ryuzaki to tackling Momoshiro's love life. They trekked for some more time before they started to part ways. And so, while Ryoma found himself alone on the streets on his way home, the dropped topic about Ryuzaki somehow re-entered his mind. The morning when he overheard his teammates and Osakada's conversation played back in memory.

He never had any idea that Ryuzaki, aside from the obvious troubles that he saves her from, silently endured things because of her association with him. Seeing her in crutches that morning when he went to class, sent him a jumble of emotions that consisted of confusion and ire. It bugged him a lot, his being unaware that he just had to talk to her about it. Without much care to her usual Chemistry partner, he volunteered himself by sitting beside Ryuzaki.

He didn't realize at first that he was staring, though he didn't really show his surprise when she called him out for doing so. Ryuzaki seemed squeamish as if having an internal battle whether she should look back at him. As usual, her face tinted red— a feature that he rarely sees her without. When he talked to her, she also stammered a lot. Ryoma wouldn't admit it, but he enjoyed teasing her quite a bit.

The view of his house grew even closer. While he paced his steps, he could see his old man dressed as a monk, sweeping the area behind the front gate. He didn't know why he was looking so gloomy, the drama that his aura exuded. Ryoma threw him a confused look before deciding to ignore him as he passed by towards the door.

"Oi! Seisshounen!" He heard his father, "Don't you want to know why I'm feeling down?"

"Not interested." Ryoma closed his eyes in disregard, about to open the house's front door.

"Oi! Listen to me!" Nanjiro yells at him, "I won't ever play you again seriously if you don't listen to me you stupid shorty!"

At his father's threat, Ryoma halts on his steps. He faces him with a glare, "Well, what is it?"

"Could you ask me a favor from your girlfriend?" Nanjiro says, "Your mother has found my magazines and plans to burn them on a bonfire!"

"Ha? Girlfriend..? Who are you talking about?" Ryoma grimaces, "What does this have to do with Mom burning your dirty mags?"

"Your little girlfriend, Ryuzaki-chan! Who else, my dumb son?" the old man exclaims, "Maybe she could deliver some sweets here again. Your mother's mood instantly gets better when she eats them." Nanjiro dramatically sighs, "Then maybe she'll change her mind and spare my treasures!"

"Baka Oyaji... How many times do I have to tell you that Ryuzaki isn't my girlfriend?" Ryoma eyerolled. For the nth time today, Ryuzaki being his girlfriend was brought up today. Feeling miffed, he replies, "I hope Mom burns all your magazines." He stuck out his tongue to jest his father.

"No!"

Ryoma stepped inside the house and closed the door, hearing his father's muffled cries for assistance. He let out a deep breath, too tired to even entertain the old monk. With heavy feet, he ascended the stairs that led to his room. He was about to enter his room when he felt something soft rubbing on his leg.

"Meow!"

"Karupin, tadaima." He picks up the animal, letting the cat snuggle in his arms. Ryoma walked on in his room, carefully putting down his tennis bag on a corner. He places Karupin in the bed while he stripped off his black uniform jacket. With his inner shirt on, he sits on his bed and eventually lied down.

Purring, Karupin crawled atop of him, settling on his stomach. Ryoma pets the cat, calming himself from the sudden surge of irritation he felt when his father brought up Ryuzaki. He didn't know why he felt so affected now. In the three years that everyone teased him to the girl with the wobbly hips, not once did he really expend this much energy and care, thinking. It seemed that his friends' revelation about Ryuzaki's silent sufferings really unsettled him. To consider that her sprained ankle was only one of the numerous times she got in trouble herself because of him, didn't make him feel any better.

"What's with people, anyway?" He huffed in irritation, "Attacking a person just like that..."

When it all comes down to it, he knew that neither Ryuzaki nor him was at fault. It was everyone's. Without the stupid jokes and constant setting up, nobody would've got the wrong idea. After all, it was obvious that he wasn't dating anyone. It was a glaring fact that he wasn't sure whether he should be proud about.

Ryoma's memory wandered to the first time that his senpais paired him off with Ryuzaki. It was in their first year of middle school when his Momo-senpai asked him whether he met up with Ryuzaki after his first-ever ranking monthly tournament in the tennis club. It was the day after he showed her his jersey, so he only nodded positively. Momoshiro gave him a knowing smile, elbowing him while asking whether she confessed her love yet. At the time, he only ignored his senpai. He paid his words no attention, yet the teasings never really dwindled. Eventually, when Ryuzaki was late to the airport when he was about to leave for the US Open, all his senpais, with the exception of then Captain, Tezuka collectively teased them.

Over some time, his own family was in on the joke too. What first started from his old man calling that one time she accompanied Ryuzaki to the stringer, as a date, led to more events. He tutored her tennis for the majority of his middle school life until now. And Ryuzaki, being too kind and concerned for her own good, proposed that she bake some sweets or give him bento in exchange for the favor. The sweets and food eventually got extended to their house, and with his mother falling in love with Ryuzaki's sweets, she wouldn't stop telling him that Ryuzaki is the daughter she never had, rarely joining in on his father's attempt at matchmaking.

Looking back now, it seemed that it was everyone's expectation that he ends up with Ryuzaki Sakuno. Not that he originally cared, but now, he felt strange. It was an issue now, whether he likes it or not. Racking the deepest parts of his brain, Ryoma came to an understanding. It was the cause of Ryuzaki's and his problems now. If everyone didn't assume his relationship with Ryuzaki, then, she wouldn't be targeted. If everyone ceased to tease him with her, then maybe, he wouldn't feel this weird now. All the setting up and manipulation, the misunderstandings and public embarrassments- he figured that he's had enough.

It all had to stop.

He was still thinking about what he should do about his conclusion yesterday, that morning practice. Ryoma thought of ways as to how people would stop pairing him off with Ryuzaki. Obviously, he didn't want to resort to any bad plans that could cost him his friendship with Ryuzaki, or at this point, every one of his friends and family if they ever discover that he decided to cut off Ryuzaki from his life.

The path to the nearby water fountain wasn't that crowded and Ryoma decided to drink some water. He excused himself from doing the required work out in a bit, making his way. Opening the faucet, he realized that there was someone about to approach him.

Before he could ever drink, he threw a glance at the person. He noted how she looked familiar as if he had seen her before. She was wearing the girls' tennis club uniform, her short blue hair reflecting the sunshine.

"Ano... Echizen-kun," she starts, "I know you just rejected me the other day at the rooftop..."

At her words, Ryoma finally recognized her as the latest girl who confessed to him at the rooftop. He saw how she stared at him even more expectantly than before, hands fidgeting as she blushed.

"I... I know you don't like me now, but I hope you give it a chance..."

"Give what a chance?" He frowned.

"Give dating me a chance..." The unknown girl says, not breaking eye contact.

Ryoma was contemplating how he should reject her when an idea crossed his mind. He pursed his mouth a bit, not saying anything as he thought of the possibilities. The girl continued to look at him in waiting, not really moving from her spot.

"Ne," Ryoma finally straightens his posture up, "Your request..." He gazed down at the girl who gave him a plan.

"I'll give it a chance."