Chapter 2: twisted fate
"There is a difference between who we love, who we settle down with and who we're meant for"
There's a calm surrender
To the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind
Can be turned away
Sakuno was smiling so brightly, a soft giggled escape her lips as soon as the sound of piano comes out naturally, and on the cue, she started singing the song. She slowly closes her eyes while giving all her emotions for every soft pounding of her fingers to the piano. Her head slowly banging on the air while her hands were perfectly doing its magnificent job.
An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior
Just to be with you
Sakuno was always been complimented for having such a great voice, being the only daughter of one's renowned musician, pianist and singer Shiina Ryuzaki. Her natural talent was undoubtedly inherited from her late mother. Ever since her late mom notices her talent on music, her mom serves as her personal mentor.
In fact, she was once asked by their music teacher to join some competition when they accidentally discovered her innate talent but she politely rejected. For her, though she enjoys both, it was a hobby she wanted to keep on herself. Her love for singing and playing piano is dearly, but she doesn't have any interest for such things. Being naturally shy person, she doesn't have a gut to do such things, no matter how pushing and encouraging words from her friends and classmates she declined.
And can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
She once opens her eyes in the process, singing her hearts out, she can't help but to give her all, her eyes glister with so much emotions, feeling every fleeting moment, enjoying every tune of melodic rhythm.
And can you feel the love tonight
How it's laid to rest?
It's enough to make kings and vagabonds
Sakuno smiled weakly as she remembered someone. She remembered how she always been excited to play piano and sing for him, she can clearly remember how his eyes glistened with so much anticipation in listening to her.
"Heh, yarujan!" His golden eyes glistered, he smirked on her.
"Honto?" Sakuno's little hands claps in excitement "okaa san taught me that piece Ryo-kun!" She smiled sweetly. "Did you like it?" She asked eagerly waiting for his reply.
"Hn. But your hair is too long, you should cut it!" Ryoma teases her.
"Mou, leave my hair alone Ryo-kun!" She pouted her cheeks painted with red hue.
"Ahhh...Ecstasy!"
Sakuno's thoughts pulled back on reality when someone from the door claps hands. She not even realized that is someone was already on the door. She looks on the door, only to see the tennis captain of their school, Shiraishi Kuranosuke, smiling from ear to ear while leaning himself to the door frame of music room.
"Shiraishi-senpai" Sakuno acknowledge, she smiled to the captain.
The Shitenhoji captain went near to her, still grinning. "Saa.. I just came here to give you this" he said, waving the notebook in his hand.
Sakuno nodded her head, she slowly reaches her hand for her notebook, with bright hue red taint on her cheeks, though, years of being friends for the rest of the team, since her grandmother once became their coach when there are in the middle school, Sakuno still can't help but to feel shy.
"Hmmm... You know, you sing so well, why don't you join the Music Club? It just a waste of talent if you sing without any audience"
"Mou, not again Shiraishi-senpai" Sakuno pouted, shyly, of course, it is not the first time he said it, including the others Shitenhoji tennis members, they all pursuing her to continue her talent but she always declined.
Never in her wildest dream, she saw herself being an artist, regardless of how many times they told her potential, she couldn't see herself into it, since from very beginning she always have one dream she wanted to fulfil.
"I'm just joking! Okay, don't give me that look, we all know what you really like to pursue" he said looking at her seriously.
Sakuno smiled, of course everyone knows around her circle how she dreams and love to be a teacher someday.
"By the way, are you not goign to meet Kin-chan?" He asks " he was looking for you"
"Mou, I forgot! I promised to give some origini to him!" Sakuno eyes widened. "I'm going now, senpai!" She said running towards the door.
"Oh! Be careful, don't run you might-"
Boogs.
But before the Shitenhoji captain finishes his warning, Sakuno already tripped on her own footing causing her to fell on the floor. 'Mou. Not again Sakuno!'
Sakuno went straight to the field, she smiled seeing Kintarou Toyama walking like a beaten little boy, his face was glommy, he looks so sad as if he loses a match to his senpais
"Kin-chan!" She called, waving to him.
His face lit up the moment he saw her, hurriedly he runs fast on her front. "Origini-chan! Yokatta! I thought I will never see you!" His face made a puppy expression.
"Gomene, Kin-chan! I lost a track of time, but here! As I promised" she handed her a lunch box.
Kintaro smiled widely, "Arigato origini-chan!" He bubbly said, his carefree smile always lighten ups her mood.
"You should tell us before hand where are you going so, we can find you easily"
From their backs, both Kintaro and Sakuno look, they saw Kyo Sohma and Tohru Honda looking at their direction. Kyo Sohma and Tohru Honda were Sakuno's childhood friends and best friends, just like him. She met them when they were 5 years old, unlike Ryoma, whom she knew ever since they both wearing a diaper. Sakuno giggled on that thought.
Tohru who was simply smiling to them, while Kyo who looks grumpy as always, he glared at Kintaro, before shifting his eyes to her. "We already waste 30 minutes on finding you, I don't want to waste another more minutes without eating. I'm starving" he said sending daggers to her.
Sakuno sweatdropped. 'Kyo-kun is mad again '
"You should tell us where are you going next time, what's the use of cellphone if you are not using it?" Kyo scolded her in the middle of their lunch.
"Mou, that's enough Kyo! Sakuno already said sorry, okay?" Tohru muttered.
"Tch" Kyo grunted.
Eversince they were young, Tohru's kindness and being understanding never change, the reason why she was the only one who can stand Kyo's rudeness and grumpiness at all. They relationship develops in time, despite his rudeness, he cared so much to his friends most especially to Tohru who he promised to be with, for the rest of his life.
Sakuno can't help but remember him by just looking at Kyo, for some reason they shared some common traits together, they were both rude in a way and arrogant.
"Don't look at me like that! Like you remember that twerp by just looking at me!" Kyo grunted, he rolled his eyes on her. Making her best friend Tohru smiled.
Was she being too obvious? She blushed, trying to defend herself, she speaks.
"Mou! I am not remembering anyone!" She defended herself.
"Yeah. Right. Like I'm gonna believe you" he hissed
Sakuno can't helped but pouted, ever since they were little child, Kyo and Ryoma never liked each other, they constantly bickering to one another whenever they saw each other, they were like cat and dog, fighting whenever they have opportunity to each other, Sakuno can still remember how Ryoma hit Kyo a tennis ball, in which would start a unending fight between them, until now, the constant hate that Kyo giving to the tennis prince is visible, even though it's been years since the last time they saw each other.
'It's been ten years huh.'
It' s been ten years since that day, since the day they that Ryoma migrated to US, she can still remember how painful it was when they parted ways; or much, better to say, the pain lingered still on her heart.
"Stop crying!" Little Ryoma shouted on her, cupping both of her cheeks.
"But you were crying too. Ryo-kun!" Little Sakuno hiccups, she cried once more
"I am not crying!" Ryoma muttered, he wipes his tears using his arms before looking at her "guys don't cry! I'll be back! So, wait for me!"
"Uhn!" Sakuno nodded her head in agreement.
"Once I came back, I'm going to marry you!" He declared
Nanjirou and her father snickered on their side, both of their grandfathers' beams. While their mothers' giggles.
"So don't let that stupid orange boy near you, okay?"
"Mou, he's Kyo-kun, Ryo-kun! He's, our friend!" Her cheeks turn pink.
"Be careful, I'm going to write or call you when I'm there. Don't be so clumsy"
"Uhn"
And that was the last time, the last they talked, though right when he was in US way back then, he occasionally calls her and sent letters it didn't last for months.
"Baa chan, is that Ryo-kun?" An eight-year-old Sakuno peek from the stairs once she saw her grandmother finished her call from overseas.
"Ahh... Your aunty Rinko said, Ryoma is kind' a busy maybe later" she smiled, but Sakuno knew better that kind of smile her grandmother gave her.
"Okay"
But the later, never comes. Thenlater becomes tomorrow and passed by months. But for Sakuno, she never loses hope, she keeps waiting and waiting until months turns into year and year, there is no Ryoma called her, during holidays, or even her birthdays.
"Is that uncle Nanjirou, otousan?" She asked, a little hesitation on her voice.
Her father reluctantly nodded his head.
"I see, so how is Ryo- I mean him? How is he?" She asks, she wasn't sure on how to address him anymore. And it hurts big time, she clenched her hands. She turns around, not wanting to face his father, not wanting to see that she was crying. She hates it, she hates to admit that they drifted away. "N-never mind, I-I'm going to meet Tohru-chan!" She dashes out.
"So, how's the twerp doing?" Kyo asked her during their walk from school. It was their graduation day in elementary
"He's parents congratulate us for graduating" she answered looking down on the ground.
"That's it? How about him? Hey! Don't tell me he really never-Oi! Why are you crying?" Kyo asks panicking.
And that was it, that was the day she finally snaps it all, after that day, she found herself crying out loud, for years of waiting, for years of asking for why's, for years of hoping. Does he forget her? That idea makes her cried more, he promised! He promised to her! And she believes!
"Sakuno listen, I received an invitation to be a coach in middle school in Tokyo, and I considering the offer." Her father started " since your kaa san has a lot of offers in Tokyo I might consider the idea; you will be going to study in school where I am going to be a coach"
"That fast? How about obaa chan?" Her voice creaks, not wanting to leave her grandmother behind
"Okaa san agreed, she will be followed us there, don't worry, and about your friends, you can visit them anytime you want" her father's voice was somehow soothing. She nodded her head in agreement.
"One more thing Sakuno," her mother's voice laced with some concerned "Ryoma is coming home"
She flinched, hearing by just hearing his name. "Sou ka" she should be excited right? But why she felt scared about it?
"He is going to study in the same school as you, are you not happy?" Her own mother looks at her, weighing her reaction.
Sakuno just looks down, not wanting to answer, not wanting them to know her harbor ill feelings inside.
"Sakuno, you have to know something, it's about Ryoma" her mom started. "He-somehow, lost his memories, the reason why he's not contacting you for the past years."
Sakuno remains silent, she just listening to whatever her parents say.
"We never told you since, your Aunty Rinko is hoping that it is temporary but-" Her mother sighed, seeing her daughter suppressing any emotion through her face. "It will be okay, Sakuno, maybe if you both see each other again, he might remember you again" her mom holds her hand, assuring her "you can be friends with him again"
"What if... what if he don't want me to be his friends again? I mean it's been years" her voice crack in the middle.
"There is no way Ryoma won't like you to be his friend"
"You are not thinking about him again, aren't you?" Kyo eyebrow raised, he scowls right after.
Sakuno's reverie been pulled back from reality from what Kyo said. She starred at him for a while, blinking as she tried to deny it from him.
"You don't have to deny it, it is all written on your face Sakuno" he stated.
Sakuno ducked her head, of course she can never lie to her best of friends, they knew it very well. It's been years but she was still the same, she was still the same 7 years old girl who hopelessly hoping for a miracle, though she grew in terms of her physique, maybe she matured enough in terms of thinking and way of handling things, her cherished love for the certain tennis prodigy didn't falter. After all these years, she nurtured the love she kept from him. She loves him, she never did stop from loving him. All throughout the years of silently cheering and admiring him, years of longing and hoping, she was still there not moving forward despite the reality that slapping her hard.
She didn't forget him, though the tennis prince is oblivious about her.
She keeps her promised, but he didn't. She understands the situation, she never been mad or felt resented to him. In fact, she was worried to him. Maybe there are things happened out of their hands, and it's one of it.
Or maybe, just how they said it, Promises are made to be broken. Especially if it just a child's promised Afterall.
"Tch. I hate seeing you like this because of that twerp" Kyo scowls more.
"Haii... Just eat okay, Kyo! Stop picking a fight with Sakuno" Tohru put a mouthful origini on Kyo's mouth to make him shut.
"I am not picking a fight!" Kyo said after forcefully swallowed his food. "I'm just concerned! She's my best friend!"
"But I am okay," Sakuno smiled. Okay but not fine. And she will never voice it out.
"Tch. You should know better Sakuno" he said, he looks at her with a concerned.
Tohru smiled, "what will you do now Sakuno? Now that both of you will see each other again, with the intention of pushing what supposed to happen, what will you do?"
Sakuno clenched her skirt, she was aware of that, her obaa chan already talked about it. But the idea seems not sinking in her mind. "I-" she paused, to be honest, she didn't know what to do. She didn't know how-to feel nor react.
"It's okay Sakuno-chan! Whatever your decision is, were here for you" Tohru reach out for her hand, "cheer up"
"And if I need to beat that twerp, I will gladly do the honors" Kyo said punching on the air.
"Mou, Kyo-kun!" Sakuno pouted, her face blushed.
Ryoma grunted for the umpteenth time, right after their individual practice, his senpais never left his side, curiously asking on what happened after he and Miyu left alone. Sometimes Ryoma could not understand his senpais weird and obsessed fascination in interfering one's personal life. Of course, he's wasn't the first to experience beforehand, but does they didn't know the concept of the word privacy?
"I told I just took her home" Ryoma answered, his eyes close as his racket place on his shoulder.
"That's it? You guys didn't make up?" Momoshiro asked, he was changing to his uniform.
Ryoma sighed. Why his senpais were too nosy about his own personal affairs? And why he wasting his time to answer them anyway? He supposed to go home anyway, but them stopping him won't help either way
"I told you already, we're friends!" He grunted, for how many times he told it since morning, why it seems so hard for them to understand?
"Oi... Oi... Oi... Ochibi! There is no way you can stay friends with someone you fell in love with! Nya" Eiji declared, he places his pointing finger in the air wagging it.
"And why is that? Is that wrong?" He hissed. "We better off that way senpai" he said. Ryoma knew better, after knowing about his fiancée, he thinks it's better they both broke-up. Miyu shouldn't be involve in his personal problems.
"But I don't get it Echizen, we can clearly saw you both still have feelings to each other, why don't give it another try?" Momoshiro asked concerned.
"You all know the reason why senpai" he answered, he hangs his tennis bag on his shoulder ready to leave.
"Naa... Whatever, Ja, I'll be leaving first, I'm going to picked An on her class" Momoshiro dropped the topic leaving them inside the tennis club.
"Oi... Matte Momo! I'm going with you!" Eiji dashed outside.
"Are you still not going home, Fuji senpai?" Ryoma asks to his senpai who seems quiet since then. Which is unlikely him.
"I was wondering, for someone who's so stubborn like you Echizen, why is so easy to you to accept the break up?" Fuji ignore his question.
Ryoma brows furrowed, he stared at his senpai for a while.
"You dated her for three years, but you easily gave her up. That's quite surprising, knowing you Echizen, giving up is never been in your dictionary. By any chance, do you really love her?"
"Fuji senpai!" Ryoma felt annoyed. Whatever his senpai is implying, he didn't like it. Who is he to question his own feelings?
"Saa... I'm going home, maybe your right, you better off be friends." He taps his shoulder before preceding to the door.
After a long and tiring day, Ryoma soaked himself to his bath tub, feeling relax, he leans his body, feeling more relax he let out a long tiring sighed. It's been an exhausting day, he never been exhausted like this before, not even when he played tennis all day long. But for some instance for whatever keep bothering inside his head was enough for him to felt drained. He never thought that he would pay attention to something that is not concerning about tennis, but here he is.
"Sakuno" he flinched, surprised for what he said, there is sudden familiarity of saying her name, his body straighten up. 'What on earth I say her name?'
Literally, it driven him insane. Why is he so bothered by her anyway? Though, he doesn't want to admit it, deep down in the corner of his mind, he wanted to know her, ever since he knew the existence of that certain girl, he can't help himself but to wonder. 'What does she look alike? Does she know about me? What kind of girl she is? ' Wait... Why he thinking her anyway? Why... He seems so curious about her? Echizen Ryoma is never been curious in anything which not regards with tennis, so why he's sudden curiosity with a certain girl height at this level of peaks? What's happening to him anyway? Damn. He's seriously insane. He seriously needs to dip himself more to calm his senses.
"Oi... Seishounen, how long do you plan to took a bath? You're not seriously planning to drown yourself arent you?" His oyaji shouted outside his door. "Dinner is ready, come quick"
"Ryoma, Sumire baa san called, we were going to Osaka this Saturday," his mother inform in the middle of their dinner.
Ryoma just simply nodded his head, not wanting to make the conversation long.
"Ryoma, I know it's hard to you, but please don't make anything or say anything that would hurt Sakuno-chan's feelings, okay? Sakuno-chan is a very nice person" his mom smiled
"Fine." He huffed. He looks at his mother for a while, before resuming for his meal
"We will going to stay at their house, your father and I will come first at Saturday morning, since you still have your practice, right? But I was hoping for your presence before 8pm, we will be having a dinner, I already booked a reservation, so better not be late, do you understand?"
Ryoma took a glance to his mother before nodding his head
Rinko just stared at her son, knowing her son too well, it's quiet a surprised that he seems cooperative at this time.
"Sakuno, do you have a moment?" Sumire asks, looking at her granddaughter who seems busy doing her homework from school.
Sakuno stops from her trance as she heard her grandmother gently knocked on her door. She looks at her grandmother, slowly putting her pen on the table and nodding slightly on her.
Sumire, smiled at her, she sits right on her bed, looking intently at her.
"What is it obaa chan?" She asks.
"I talked to Rinko," she paused "They already told to Ryoma about you and your engagement"
Sakuno took a deep breathe. She looks down, clenching her hands to her skirt. Although her grandmother already informed her with this, she still not okay with the whole idea.
"And they coming this Saturday to finalized everything, and when I say they, that includes Ryoma, Sakuno. You will be going to meet him this Saturday."
"WHAT?" She looks surprised, her eyes widen in surprised.
"Yes, Ryoma is coming, Rinko told herself too. Are you not happy?" Her grandmother asks.
"Of course, I am not! You know my stand to this obaa chan! But why you still pushing this?" Tears fell in her eyes.
"Sakuno, this is for your own good, I told you already, isn't it?" Sumire said trying to calm her granddaughter
"How can you say it's for my own good obaa chan? " She looks at her determined.
"Because I know you love him! You waited for him long enough!" Her grandmother said looking directly in her eyes.
Yes, she loves him, she loves the tennis prince, she waited for him, and until now still hoping. But it does not reason enough for her to cage him for herself, to put him into something that will never make the guy happy. She was far from it. She wouldn't be that selfish.
"Yes, I love him obaa chan! But he loves someone else! And you saw it too! You knew it! So don't play not knowing grandma!" She cried more, the memories of that day floods on her brain.
It was their third year in Middle School, although her grandmother strictly opposed of her coming to Tokyo for Nationals, in which she wondered why, she still goes; with the helped of her best friends they went to the finals to watch the game. It was the finals, a game between Shitehounji, their school and Seigaku, the remaining champion for three consecutive years in row. She felt proud for her school, Shitehounji, of course, after beating the Rikaidai for the final slot, it was the best achievement they got so far. They all work hard to achieve it, she smiled on their team as she saw how serious, determined and happy there are while playing. Though a part of her rooting for her school to win, there is a special space for her heart rooting for a certain prince.
" It's the twerp's turn huh" Kyo snorted
"Kyo, the guy you calling now twerp is the same height as you" Tohru giggled
"Whatever. I bet Airhead will beat that twerp"
"Mou, Kyo-kun" Sakuno pouted.
"Why? I'm just showing my support to our school" Kyo hissed on her "unlike you" he accusingly said.
"Mou, I'm supporting our team you know" she pouted more.
"Kyo, stops it! Don't picked a fight with Sakuno, the game is about to start" Tohru interrupted them.
They watch the game earnestly, of course the game between Tooyoma Kintarou, considered the rookie of the west and the tennis prodigy himself, Echizen Ryoma the rookie of the east was the most anticipated game. It was the highlight, considering the two super rookies were playing to each other right now.
As expected, the game was the toughest and longest game it had. Both not wanting to lost to each other, both wanting to dominated the game, resulted to have a tiebreaker, everyone seems not breathing, nor blinking, all their eyes glued on how stubbornly the two plays aiming for the final point. They kept rallying for God knows how long, both panting, and huffing yet smiling at the same time, they seem not giving up to each other. But as how the games always been, there will always be one winner. For the last and final moved that Kintarou can offered, he made his signature moved, by doing that, the ball splits into two halves. It was expected win for Kintaro, but, being a sore loser, Ryoma didn't falter with a one swift move, he manages to return the two half balls in time. Making the Seigaku champion once again.
Cheers and congratulatory echoed to the whole gym, Sakuno smiled, she looks at Ryoma who is surrounded by his teammates, she whispers her congratulations to him, hoping it will reach on him.
"Yabe! Let's go Sakuno! Your obaa chan is looking at us!" Kyo said.
The three of them run fast outside the gym, huffing, they went on the back, which is the park of the gym.
"Gosh! I thought I'm having a heart attack!" Tohru said, holding her chest "but why Sumire baa chan forbid you to go here?"
"I don't know! Sometimes obaa chan is acting weird you know" Sakuno answered huffing at the same time."what's the matter Kyo-kun?" She asks.
Kyo was staring at their front, with eyes slightly widening, his face hardens, they clearly seen how he clench his fist.
"What are you looking at?"
"Don't look Sakuno!"
But it's too late, with eyes widening, her heart slowly ripping in pieces.
Ryoma, the guy she loves and waiting, is now kissing a beautiful girl in their front. She saw how they look so happy together, she saw how the tennis prince looks at the girl with fondness in his eyes. The same golden eyes she adored for so long. She saw how they both intertwined their hands together, as the girl gently smile to him. They walk hand in hand until they vanished on their sight.
"Sakuno" Kyo called with concern.
But she was too busy to look at him, all she did was to stared at them, even they were no longer there.
"Stop crying will you!" Kyo shouted.
Sakuno never realized that she was crying, not until she touched her own cheeks.
"Sakuno"
This time, they all turn to where the concern voice called her, Sumire was standing there, looking at her worriedly.
"So, you knew it all along obaa chan?" She smiled bitterly, tears fell freely in her eyes like a river flow, slowly she wipes her own tears. "I'm glad he was happy, I'm happy for him" she said smiling at them.
At that time, Sakuno let her tears fell in her eyes, she hugs her grandmother, she didn't care if everyone saw her in that state, she didn't care the stares giving by the tennis team to her, all she cared was to mend her heart that been broken by the person she loves.
"So, stop this obaa chan! This should not be happening"
"Enough!" Sumire shouted, she stood up on her sit, "Whether you like it or not, whether he like it or not, you two will get married! And that's final" she said as she walks out to the door.
"Why are you doing this obaa chan!" She cried more.
Sumire turn into deaf ear, she continues to walk until she finally closes the door. She leans herself on the wall. "I'm sorry Sakuno, but it's for your own good"
It was fine Saturday morning. Saturday, the day they were... Wait scratch that, the day his parents waiting for. Ryoma plans to get some sleep again banished when his upperclassmen friends together with the others went to his door, banging like it was the end of world, and demanding him to come with them. It was supposedly their off today, since tennis practice been cancelled for no reason, and his plans to sleep for the rest of the morning ruined, all thanks to his annoying senpais. He doesn't sleep a wink, okay? His parents keep bombarding him early this morning before they go, with so much do's and dont's pertaining on how he should act to his certain fiancée of him, like he would do something hazardous on this day. And they constant reminiscing from past didn't help anyway, like they purposely doing it for him to know. But getting on what's in the main topic, what he's senpais doing in this hour? He wanted to sleep badly, but now, he found himself walking, sulking and restraining himself to strangled them to death.
"Naa... Echizen, you seriously not listening you know? How on earth you forget today is Miyu's ballet recital?" Momoshiro asks, on his side, is his girlfriend for three years, An Tachibana.
'Recital? What he was saying?' Ryoma stops from walking as he faces his senpai, looking at him with bewildered.
"Maji? You really don't know?" He asks eyes widening in surprised
"Do I look like I know senpai?" His eyes squinted, grunting, he resumes his walk prior to them.
"Naa... Momo senpai, just leave Ryoma-sama alone!" The ever-loudmouthed classmate of him said, Osakada whom surprisingly was dating one of the quietest member of their team Kaido senpai.
"Nya! Ochibi! You really not listening don't you," Eiji said, his hands on his back of his head.
Why he was stuck with them? And why on earth his senpai"s girlfriends coming with them? And why he is curious anyways? As far as he could remember the ever-loudmouthed classmate of his and the lousy mouth girlfriend of his Momo senpai were not friends nor close to Miyu, so why are they here anyway.
"But demo... Is it really okay that Ryoma-sama will come?" Osakada, the never change loudmouthed classmate of him whispered, though he can still it anyway, all thanks to his sharp auditory sense.
"Naa Echizen, it's fine right? Afterall your friends, right?" Momo said emphasizing the last word 'friends'
Ryoma could clearly imagine his senpai smirking while saying it, the tennis prince regretted not bringing his tennis gears with him, coz he will gladly launch some new improved techniques he was practicing for a while.
"Friends?" Osakada and Tachibana almost shouted in disbelief.
"See? I told you Momochi, it's weird that they end just like that, friends. Nya!" Eiji said nodding his head. He walks backwards to Momo, leveling their paced.
"Why? is there something wrong being friends? I mean, it is just a signed that they both matured enough to accept it" this time, his ever-quietest senpai, Kaido spoke.
Ryoma just continue walking, as if he was wasn't there, the subject of their topic.
"NOOOO!" Osakada dramatically said, "If we broke up which I highly doubted, I won't be friends with you ever!"
"I agreed!" Tachibana said nodding. "I will never be friends with you Takeshi once we broke up"
"What? Why?" Momo asks her girlfriend.
Tachibana rolled her eyes before speaking, "as if, why would I be friends with someone I once been intimated with? It's just like..." She shuddered. "Like it so hard to go back being friends after becoming lovers, the memories are there. And you will never be the same way again"
"Right! Right! And besides, if you can be still friends with your ex after a break, it only means you never love each other or you still in love with each other" Osakada agreed.
"That's remind me!" Tachibana said, one of her hands raising in air while wagging. "Kamio-kun once said, never ever accept your ex-friendship once you broke-up"
"Why?" Momo inquired curiously.
"Because it's like they are trapping you into something like being in touched after they let you go, isn't it weird?" Tachibana winced.
"And now I wonder" Eiji sheepishly grins, he jogs towards the tennis prodigy putting his arms on his shoulder "who asked first to be friends?" He grins.
Ryoma ignored his annoying senpai, why are they curious anyway?
"I have a hunch it's Echizen" Momo snickered.
For Ryoma, there is no wrong for them to be friends, but why they give a meaning about it? Them and their stupid theories. He grunted more, now he really regretted being with them in the first place. Ryoma grunted, he quickens his pace just to ignored them completely. Only to interrupted, when a several bouquets of flowers come in front of them.
"KAWAIII!" Osakada squeaks in delight.
"Maybe there is a wedding in near area" Tachibana said.
"Oi... Sheishounen, a little advice, why don't you give Sakuno-chan a flower when you see each other?" His ever-annoying oyaji said, grinning like an idiot.
"And why would I do that?" He asks annoyed, it was 4 in the morning for Pete's sake.
"Coz you owe her one? After all you always gave her one when you were a little" He answered. "That's reminds me her favorite flower is- Itte! You brat!" His oyaji growled after receiving blown in his face.
"I'M NOT GIVING HER ONE! SO NOW GET OUT" he yelled after throwing a pillow straight to his face.
Ryoma grunted just remembering his father's pestering on him, why are they keep bugging him with that girl? They constantly reminding him of how he was with her before. Didn't they realize that everything is different now? They were no longer a kid anymore. They decisions might not the same anymore and keeping back for the past was no good at all. And why would he give her a flower anyway? Never he imagines himself giving a flower to anyone, it is not his type anyway.
"Sakuno, I know it's hard for you, but believe me, I'm only doing what's the best for you, you know I love you right?" Sumire said sincerely to her only granddaughter.
Sakuno stared at her grandmother for a while before resuming her sight to the outside. She sighed, she looks at the window of the taxi, not wanting to say anything to her. She was upset, literally, it seems her own grandmother do not want to listen to her. Yeah, she knows how her grandmother loves her, and she does to her, but doing all of this just for her sake is something she didn't like. No matter how much she loves the tennis prince, she wouldn't tie him to her, unhappy. She will gladly let him to the person he loves, because his happiness was also her happiness, though it will break heart in the process.
"Sakuno" her grandmother called her again.
"Please... I don't want to talk about it again" she said trying all her best to avoid this conversation again.
It's been a roller coaster emotion for Sakuno, as she and her grandmother waiting for the arrival of some certain people she knew, her heartbeat doubled and doubled every second's counts.
"They're here" her grandmother Sumire, announced.
Fidgeting her fingers, Sakuno's eyes widened in shocked, she looks down not wanting to see them most especially him.
"It's been a while old hag" the joking voice of her uncle Nanjirou boomed inside the airport.
"Nanjirou!" Rinko hissed besides him. "You should learn how to properly greet"
"You're still the same Nanjirou" her grandmother chuckled.
Sakuno was quietly listening to them, she hid herself behind her grandmother's back not wanting to catch any attention of possible.
Or not.
"Sakuno-chan, it's been a long" a soft sweet voice of her aunty Rinko pulls her automatically in her grandmother's back, she was smiling so sweetly to her, just like before. Though years of not seeing her, her memories of her were still the same, she has the same refined figure, though bit matured for the years have passed.
"O-ohayo a-au-Rinko-san and Nanjiro-san" she said, stuttering as she felt confused on how to address them.
At first, Rinko was taken aback, she was so sure that Sakuno wants to call her auntie, she smiled. "Ohayo Sakuno-chan! And please don't refrain yourself call me auntie, okay?" She smiled more.
"H-hai" Sakuno blushed.
"Sakuno-chan! You're so pretty! I never thought you grown this much! I always have this feeling that youwill grow so naturally beautiful!" Nanjioru said hugging her.
"Nanjiro! Stop harrasing Sakuno-chan!" Rinko, her wife smacks his face
"Quit hugging my granddaughter!" Sumire said whacking his head, they both said in the same time.
"Keh! I'm just appreciating the beauty of our Sakuno-chan! Why need hitting me at the same time? Women!" Nanjirou hissed, busy holding his head that is aching from the hit he received "I bet that stupid son of mine would drool if he sees you" he added, smiling.
Sakuno flinched upon hearing his name, Rinko who was observing the young lady smiled.
"Now you mention it, where is Ryoma?" Sumire asked.
"Well, he will be followed us over the dinner, since he still has a practice, you know" Rinko smiled.
"Why I'm not even surprised?" Sumire chuckled. "Okay, I know you were tired, let's go now so you can rest, I already prepared your room to take a rest"
"I thought you wouldn't said that" Nanjiro said in a sing a song voice.
They all started walking, Sakuno looks down, though the idea of not seeing him at this time is quite perfect for her, she still felt disappointed, she was looking at her shoes for quite time before started walking, surprised by a sudden arm encircled on her, Sakuno tilted her head, a warm delicate smile from Rinko meets her.
"Don't worry he will come" she whispers "ara! We have a lot of catch up to do you know" she said, in her joyful voice she has, breaking the tension.
Sakuno smiled. Way back before, she was so close to her auntie Rinko, to the point that she considered her as her second mom, but right now, she wondered, if still can be the same?
Ryoma was sitting in the grassy ground of the field, leaning his back on the tree, eyes closed, blocking all the noises he was hearing at this moment. Right after Miyu's recital, they well all went to the open field in Miyu's new school, waiting for Miyu and her friends. After the ballet recital they all agreed to spend time more.
"Until now, I still felt like crying" Osakada, his loudmouthed classmate says
"The story is so good right?" Tachibana say, from the corner of his eyes he saw how his two classmates seems so emotional over the play.
"Un...Un... It was heartwarming!" Osakada nodded her head, while wiping her
"Keh! What's the big deal about it?" Horio, his babble mouthed teammate hissed. Aiming a death glare towards the two girls.
"Urusoiiii!" Osakada and Tachibana said in unison, they both glared at Horio who seems terrified on his seat.
"What's wrong with you two? It just a play, you don't have to be so emotional over this" Horio said, gaining other daggers to the two girls.
"You really don't understand, do you?" Tachibana rolled her eyes.
"An, how does a unibrow with two years' experience in tennis would understand our sentiments?" Osakada mockingly said, making Horio turns red and huff.
"For your information, it's not a two-year experience in tennis!" He glared
"Oh. Yeah. Mr. Two-year experience" Osakada retorted.
Are you picking a fight?" Horio bickered.
"Bring it on! Moron!" Osakada replied.
"Oi...Oi...Oi... Stops the bickering nya!" Eiji intervened.
On the other hand, Ryoma remain leaning his body, he ignored their unessential noises as he continues himself pretending like sleeping. He puts his down hat to his face, covering, and wishing that, this day would end so he can find a better sleep. The tennis prince felt a presence in his side, slowly sitting beside him, not interested to whom it might be, he continues ignoring the presence. A familiar smell of cologne welcomes in his nose, enough for him to know who's the person sit beside him.
"You seem sleepy Ryoma" her voice echoed, for some reasons, then noises coming from his senpais same as the bickering from his classmates stops.
"You bet" he answered, still unmoving.
"Nanjiro-san still giving you a hard time" a giggled escape from Miyu's lips.
"Che"
His senpais, including his loud-mouthed classmates stared at them, as if they were some sorts of movie that is fascinating to watch. Truth indeed, from the other point of views, they were so fascinated on how they still talked like this. As if they didn't break up.
As if, the idea of them being friends is quite not right and peculiar to them. They are friends before they become lovers, right? So, what's the big deal if they back from where they started?
"Neh, Fuji senpai, are you sure they broke up?" Horio asks the tennis tensai, a creepy smiled form on his lips.
"Probability of them reuniting, 100%" Inui said, while scribbling on his notebook.
"But you do think that there is still a chance from them?" Osakada asks "I mean, nothing, never mind" as she shrugs, she wants to say something in between her observations, but she kept her mouth shut.
"Why? Don't you want them together?" This time, it was Akane, Miyu's friend asks, brows furrowed.
"Nope. I didn't say anything like that" Osakada replied. Being Ryoma's fangirl slash stalker and classmate for years, of course, some how she felt there is something missing on their relationship.
"You know, I feel it, they will come back together, it's just a matter of time" Akira said smiling.
Osakada just shrugs the idea on her mind, maybe she was just overthinking. But one thing is for sure, her gut never failed her.
"It's not helping, he seems forgot to charge his phone" Nanjiro said, scratching his head he walks to the table where they supposed to eat their dinner together.
It was already 8:45pm, but until now, there is no Echizen Ryoma who comes for a supposed dinner with their families. Though, his parents didn't say a word, Sakuno know that they are worried from where he was. Since according to his cousin Nanako, he went earlier than the plan.
Sakuno was not so sure for what she supposed to feel at this moment, she was worried for him too, but at the same time, she was so afraid to see him. Afraid, for whatever will happen this time. She sighed, for the moment they all went in together, she can't help but to feel anxious and nervous at the same time. But for the same time, she was excited to see him again, Afterall, though how much she denied it to herself, she misses the tennis prodigy so badly.
"I'm so sorry for this, Sumire baa san, Sakuno-chan, I don't know what exactly happened but I'm sure Ryoma has a better explanation for this" Rinko said in apologetic voice.
"It's fine Rinko, you don't have to worry about it, why don't we eat now since the food is getting cold?" Sumire smiled assuring.
He was late. He was so late and he was aware to that.
Ryoma runs fast as he could to catch the last train to Osaka, though his mom already arranges a flight to him, since he missed his supposed flight at 5:30pm, and arranging another flight was too burden to do, since the next flight would be around 8pm, he has no choice but to catch the last train now. It's already 6:30pm by the way. He cursed under his breathe realizing that he will definitely miss the dinner and definitely facing the wrath of his own mother Echizen Rinko.
He wanted to blame his senpais for this, for forcing him to join for every itinerary they have in their list, but he knew better, blaming would not bring good to anyone anyway. Seeing that the train was about to close door, Ryoma fasten his pace, throwing his racket to the door, to prevent it from closing before smoothly swiftly thrown himself inside the train. He sighed, luckily, he brought his tennis gear with him.
"Is there any problem sir?" The employee asks suspiciously. Ofcourse he might see what he did.
"Nothing" the tennis prince answered je began walking through the pathway search for his seat, once he was comfortably sitting, he looks outside the window, trying so hard not to think for whatever will happen this night.
Lately, he was thinking so much, that is unusual for him. Closing his eyes, he tried to sleep since it will be an almost 3 hours ride.
"Obaa chan I'll be back soon!" Sakuno said to her grandmother, she is going to Tohru's house beside them, giving her bake cookies to her friends.
It was already 10 in the evening, the expected dinner with him didn't happen.
"Sakuno, make sure to comeback fast, okay?"
"Hai" she answered, she was smiling happily, humming a song while walking through their door, slowly she opens their door, only to be surprised to the person standing on the other side. His golden cat-like eyes meet hers.
Her eyes grew bigger size like a saucer plate, it seems she forgot to breath for an instant as her heart pounded crazy inside her chest. She felt like everything becomes slow motion, everything seems so quiet that the only thing she heard was her own heart racing.
Ryoma on the other hand seems puzzled, for unknown reason he felt something inside him upon seeing the girl in his front.
"Is this-"
"Sakuno, what are you still doing there?" A voice came from her back.
"Sakuno..." Ryoma absentmindedly muttered, his gazed never left hers, her enticing chestnut brown dough-shape eyes, her refined nose and natural pinkish lips perfectly fitted in her soft angelic face.
She is pretty. what? Since when he started appreciating a beauty of a girl? Okay, he never compliments a girl before and particularly he never even gives notices to them. He was used to see beautiful girls before but somehow, she was way too different.
Okay, he was going crazy, maybe he felt too tired for his travel, he mentally shook himself.
Sakuno seems astonished, she was taken aback when she saw Ryoma steps his feet forward, without even thinking, the next thing she did was...
Blaaaggg...
She forcefully shut the door down on his face.
"Itte-" Ryoma grunted outside.
"Sakuno, I thought you were-"
"I forgot, baa chan, I will bring this to Tohru-chan tomorrow! Goodnight" she dashes upstairs. Leaving everybody in puzzled.
"Did I just hear Ryoma's voice outside?" Rinko asks.
Ryoma was annoyed, after she shut the door right on his face before even, he ask his supposedly question. Nursing his aching nose, he found himself walking inside the house, all thanks to his mother who do the honors of opening the door again for him.
"Ryoma, have you eaten?" Rinko asks her son who seems annoyed.
"Un. At the train" he coolly answered, his eyes wondered inside.
"Yo, seishounen your finally here" his father said but upon seeing his face he slowly burst into laughter's " what happened to you? Rinko, don't tell me you hit your son already?" He said laughing.
"I wished I did that" Rinko smiled, shaking her head.
"Che." Ryoma grunted.
"I'm sorry for what my granddaughter did, she was just surprised " Sumire said while getting off the stairs.
"What? Sakuno-chan did that? Serves you right" his father teases.
Ryoma stared for the old woman in his front before nodding.
"Ryoma, this is Sumire obaa chan, I know you might not remember her" Rinko introduced, seems her own son was no intention of greeting the old lady.
"Konbanwa, Sumire obaa chan, sorry for intruding" Ryoma said politely, he slightly bowed his head giving respect for the elder.
"Nanjiro, is this really your son?" Sumire can't help but to asks, she even point using her finger the young tennis prince. "He has some manners huh"
"Keh!" Nanjirou grunted.
"Well thanks to me obaa san" Rinko said smiling.
"Che." This time it was Ryoma who grunted. Making the old woman raised an eyebrow.
"I'll take it back now, he really is your son, Nanjiro" Sumire shake her head. "Sakuno will be here for a minute, have you already eaten?" Sumire asks
"Yeah" he answered.
"While we wait her, why don't you change into something comfortable?"
"iie, it's fine, but can I have something to this?" He points out his reddened nose.
"Yes, I have something here"
Sumire, with his parents including himself were sitting in the dining table, waiting for some two-pigtailed hair girl to come down. Though it's been late already, for some reason, his parents want to talk about what they supposed to talk since he didn't come on the supposedly dinner.
"Oi... Shounen, why did you bring your tennis bag here? Do you think you have some sorts of tennis match here?" His father asks sounds teasing.
"No particular reason" he answered, his eyes closed as his face was leaning on his one hand.
"Uhm. Anou... Sorry for waiting" a sound of sweet voice came from nowhere
"Sakuno come here and sit beside me"
Sakuno slowly walks to them, she sits right in front of Ryoma, she was nervous at the same time, she looks at the young prodigy in her front.
"Uhm. Anou... I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I didn't mean to do that" she said, sincerely, of course, never in her life she would done something like that to him, it's just, she caught off guard, she didn't expect him to be there, in their door.
Ryoma opens his eyes to see her, she looks flushed, and nervous. Her face was blushing. "Betsuni" he answered, closing his eyes again.
An awkward silence envelops them, only Rinko breaks the silence by simply feigning a cough.
"Well, we all know the reason why we're all here" Rinko started. She looks at Sakuno and to her son. "And since you were the two involve, I want to hear your sides before proceeding to the plan"
Ryoma didn't move he just sit there and listen. On the other hand, Sakuno clenched her fist to her skirt. Of course, she knew she have to do something! She has to do the right thing to save Ryoma from whatever is happening. Sakuno took a deep breath. She looks straight to the eyes of her aunty Rinko.
"I want to say something" she said slowly, she felt her grandma move, alarmed, Sakuno looks at her grandmother, she smiles before turning her gaze to the people in her front. "I don't want this" she said seriously.
Ryoma reacted, he opens his eyes to look at her. Just to make sure that his ears not deceiving him. Okay. She didn't want this too. Just like him, the feeling is mutual, problem solve right? case closed. But why something inside him felt strange? As if his heart throb painfully? As if it sank across to the deepest ocean? Okay, maybe he just overreacting, he remembers he ate a lot of spicy foods earlier, that's why he might be just experiencing some heartburn. But is just because of that?
"Sakuno-" her grandmother called her
"I don't want to get married like this obaa chan!" She said choking, trying her best not to cry in their front. "Please! Let's stop this already" Sakuno looks at her grandmother
" We shouldn't be doing this is the first place obaa chan!" She stood up bowing her head to the Echizen couple. "I'm so glad, Aunt Rinko and Uncle Nanjirou for going here just to honor the promised that made from the past-"
"That's enough Sakuno!" Her grandmother boomed.
"We are both young, were just 17, and marriage wasn't supposed the thing we were thinking." She looks straight at her grandmother "we shouldn't honor the promised that made when we were still kids! It just a kid's promise by the way! We were 17 now, things change! So please-"
"Why you still waiting then?! You seriously waiting for him and we both knew it! We both knew it that it's not just a kid'd promised for you!" Her grandmother almost shouted, lashing out her anger, tapping the table with force, Sakuno eyes widened in surprise, did her grandmother seriously blurt out her true feelings to the certain tennis prince? She perfectly laid out her secret to the person in her front.
She felt somehow betrayed. Of all people, she didn't expect her own grandmother would dig this information to them. To his front!
"That's enough Obaa chan!" Sakuno tears fell in her eyes. "I think I need a fresh air to breath" she bowed to the elders, excusing herself as she runs fast towards the door, exiting.
Sumire sighed, she stared at the running silhouette of her granddaughter. She sits tiredly on her seat.
Ryoma, on the contrary was flabbergasted. First, what happens in his front astonished him, seeing the girl in her front, defending to stop their supposedly marriage despite the fact that she was waiting for him? Seriously? And second, why he felt something inside him stung singing her crying? Why on earth he felt like seriously wanting to cage her in his arms?
He was not seriously okay, what on earth is happening to him?
"Sheishounen, I think it's about time to follow Sakuno-chan outside, neh?" His father suggested.
"Why would I do that? She needs time on her own" he casually said. Well, that's true anyway.
"Coz maybe, it's too late right now, and it's dangerous outside, eh?" Nanjirou profess, stating the obvious.
"Fine!" Ryoma muttered, he stood up, as he marches his feet towards the exit
Once Ryoma was no way to be seen in the door and the tension between the air subsided, Sumire sighed. She covered her face with both of her hands, wearily.
"I'm sorry, I've should not drag your family with this messed" Sumire apologetically said.
"There is nothing to be sorry about Obaa san, we, ourselves wants Sakuno-chan to be part of our family" Rinko smiled genuinely.
Sumire looks at them with grateful expression. "My granddaughter always been loving your son" she stated
Rinko smiled, seems not surprised for what the coach said.
"To be honest, I thought, it wasn't serious at all, that what she felt for Ryoma would fade eventually, it shouldn't be serious right? Since they were just kids back then, but then..." Sumire pause, as she remembered the scene when Sakuno was crying devastated that day. " I thought, Sakuno would finally forget Ryoma after knowing he have a serious relationship with someone else, but it didn't happen, she continues refusing possible suitors of hers. Although she told us that she finally over to him, I can't see her getting there, getting any better and I'm so afraid... I'm scared to leave my only granddaughter at this state. If only... If only I can live longer, I just wanted to make sure she will be okay, that she will find someone that can makes her happy" Sumire cried. "I'm afraid to leave my granddaughter alone and lonely"
Rinko stood up hugging the old lady. "Don't say that, that's why we're here right? You are not going to leave Sakuno alone, we're here to help you. You must fight too!"
"You both know I am dying, and the clock is ticking on me, I am sorry, I shouldn't impose this to you or to Ryoma, my granddaughter is right, Ryoma shouldn't take the burden of marrying her, I shouldn't called you that day. It was my mistake to pushed this through." Sumire apologized.
"We're here to help, we wouldn't let anything happen to Sakuno-chan, she's like a daughter to me" Rinko soothes the old lady
"I want to make sure that my granddaughter is in good hands, that's why I came to that idea, I was not thinking it thoroughly when I call you that day, the only thing that runs in my head is to make her in safe, why not? Sakuno is his fiancée anyway, so why I don't force it to happen, but I was wrong, I never realized hoe selflessly in love my granddaughter to your son, knowing how much she loves your son, the only thing that matters to her is your son happiness, and Sakuno wouldn't be happy in loveless marriage if it happens." Sumire sobs more. "I only have one final request for you two please... Whatever happens to me, take care of my granddaughter, even she wouldn't be your daughter in law"
"What are you saying Sumire obaa san, of course nothing will happen to you! You just can't give up like that!" Rinko sobs.
"Let just the kids take their time" this time Nanjiro speaks up "we really don't know what's running inside of that brat's head you know." He shrugs, though he's own instinct telling him of something, but he needs to remain quiet and be observant at first knowing his son's stubbornness. He was sure for his instinct telling him and that's for sure.
Ryoma was aimlessly walking, he sighed, why it seems his unofficial love life become so dramatic like this? Never in his entire life he wishes something like this. This is all troublesome. And that twin-pigtail hair girl is so troublesome.
Why she runs anyway? Why she refused to marry him even she was waiting for him? That's according to her grandma, and above this all, why he's bothered by the way?
He supposed to be celebrating right? Since the girl refused it quickly without any delay, he wouldn't look a bad guy since the girl initiate it right away, then they move on in their lives like nothing happened. Just that. It so simple, isn't it? But why he felt unease? Why he felt like this? Seriously, ever since that braided girl steps out on her shadow from ten years of not existing on his life, his world turns upside down. His thoughts were wandering about her, he was bothered, he was not like this! There is no way that him, Echizen Ryoma will bothered for some random girl. But here, here he was, trying to eradicate his thoughts about her but futile, here, he was searching for that braided girl. Seriously, what's gotten into him? Was he ill?
His reverie was cut off when he heard a soft sound of crying, he looks around, he found an igloo shape playhouse in the area, it seems like a playground the way it looks like. Slowly, he walks to that area where the sounds of crying voice become clear for him to heard. He kneeled down on the playhouse and found her feet there.
"Don't you think your old enough to play hide and seek there?" He muttered, his voice is casual and plain.
Sakuno seems shocked, she looks at him for a while, face flushed from crying, her eyes were swollen before ducking her head again, hiding her face.
"They worried" he utter under his breath.
"I will go home later" she speak, almost in whisper.
"It's late. Not safe" Ryoma said, he sat in the side of the playhouse, not looking at her this time.
A deafening silence envelope them both, the cold breeze of the wind brushes their skins, only the flickering sound of the lamp post was the only thing they heard. Both of them enjoying the silence they have or rather, both of them don't know what to say. Sakuno calms down, she stops from crying.
"I'm sorry"
Sakuno and Ryoma flinched, surprised to each other that they both speak at the same moment, same words but with different context.
For Ryoma, he wasn't so sure why he blurts out that words, he just felt the needed to say it. He felt really sorry for everything. For the broken promise? For her waiting for him? He wasn't sure, but deep inside him, there is a tiny voice saying he should apologize for something, for something we really don't know what.
"You shouldn't say sorry" Sakuno started, "you did nothing wrong" she mused. "I'm sorry for the trouble, I don't know what's gotten in my grandmother's mind, suddenly pushing this thing, but don't worry maybe I just talk to her again and everything would be fine."
"But, why are you waiting for me then?" Ryoma unconsciously muttered his thoughts making surprised by his own. Feeling guilty he was about to muttered an apology when Sakuno speak her thoughts.
Of course, Sakuno was shocked, she wasn't expecting it to him anyway. She smiled bitterly, "girls hold on to the promises made to them dearly, in case you didn't knew that" Sakuno slowly utter. "But it's not your fault, I waited for my own will"
"Still-"
"Please, don't be sorry for things that you can't control, it supposed to happen anyway, I am happy that you came all the way here, I am grateful for that, but it's end this here Ryoma-kun." she said, she thanks heaven for not stuttering in his front, maybe, the darkness of this playhouse she was in helps her a lot.
Ryoma was lost in words, how can she be like this selfless? Was she's real? Just like this? She never let her speak! But what he supposed to say by the way?
Slowly, Sakuno walks out to the playhouse, with eyes puffing and red face she smiled to him. They walk in silence again.
But something is bothering him, was it supposed to end like this? Really? And this unfamiliar sting inside him slowly invading him. What was it?
Ryoma didn't ever notice that they already return, his mind was focus on something else.
"You made us worry Sakuno" her grandmother said, hugging her tight.
"I'm sorry obaa chan, aunty Rinko and Uncle Nanjirou" she said.
"I'm glad dear, you came back safe" Rinko smiled. "I know it's a long day for the all of us. Maybe you should need to rest"
"Right, we should all take our rest" Sumire agreed.
"Neh" Ryoma intervened.
Sakuno, Sumire and including his mother looks at him bewildered, except from his father who seems amused from whatever stunt he will pulls.
"You still not hearing my side don't you" he smirked, his face was unreadable, but his eyes saying something else.
Rinko brows furrowed, but Nanjirou, knowing his son's smirk like that, he knows he will entertain him for sure.
"What are you talking about Ryoma?" Her mother asks.
"5 dates," he said making all of them confused.
"5 dates?"Sakuno softly mumbled.
Nanjirou snickered, as if he already predicted something like this would happen.
"Let's go out, at least 5 times, then decide after. We can figure it out what we really want to do, it's not seems bad and hard to do" he said, looking straight to Sakuno's eyes. "Afterall were already engage right? Sakuno" he smirked; his golden eyes solemnly intensified.
Believe in very best