Finally! I'm sorry for taking sooo long before I updated. To be honest, I was quite busy. I was hoping that you will like this chapter. Sorry for my grammar guys, I will work hard for it when I have an extra time.
By the way, I made few changes from chapter 1 and 2, for me to add characters and plot in the story. I hope you will not be confused.
Thank you so much for feedbacks I received so far. It makes my heart skip a beat literally! Though I'm still lacking in so many ways, I am very grateful for your generous words.
"What's meant to be will always find a way"
"Neh" Ryoma intervened.
Sakuno, Sumire and including his mother looks at him bewildered, except from his father who seems amused from whatever stunt that his son will pulls at this moment. He grins triumphantly.
"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.
"Let's date" he said making all of them confused.
"Date?"Sakuno softly mumbled.
Nanjirou snickered, as if he already predicted something like this would happen.
"Let's go out, then decide after. We can figure it out what we really want to do, it's not seen to bad and hard to do" he said, looking straight to Sakuno's eyes. "Afterall were already engage right?" He crooks his head. "Sakuno" he smirked, saying her name slowly as his golden eyes solemnly intensified.
The same glistening of his golden eyes Sakuno knew when he was serious into something, just like before. Her forehead creased for a moment, trying to digest and the same time take away the thoughts that starting to proliferate in her mind.
"What are you t-talking about? We already made things clear right?" She said, not wanting to be shaken on his sudden preposition he made. There is no need for them to date. It was done. They decided already, so what's this all about?
"You made things clear for yourself, not me" Ryoma raised an eyebrow. He puts his both hands on his nape, elbows pointing in the ceiling "I still haven't said anything, you simply pushed the idea of yours not asking mine. You just run off like that without asking me, so how does it clear everything? I am not asking you by the way, so it's settled. Ja, let's sleep" he said leaving the rest in the living room.
Sakuno stared his retreating back. flabbergasted. 'What does it mean?'
On the other hand, Nanjirou seems amuse, he watches the two, before leaning to his wife, he winks to Rinko which the latter got his secret message behind. 'See? I told you so'
The next morning, Sakuno is having a silent brunch alone with the tennis prince, since her grandmother and his parents go out earlier in the morning for an important matter. Sakuno can't help herself but to steal glances to him. Everything was not clear to her, she was so sure that last night, after he followed her, she made clear that the engagement and marriage thing is off, she made a swift exit for him, for him not to bothered about anything, but why does he ask her for a date? What does it mean? By any chance does he considered their supposed to be marriage? And that's impossible, isn't it?
"Naniyo?" He asks, he stared at her for a while before resuming to his food.
"n-nandemonai!" Sakuno answered right away, she even waved her both hands in the air.
Ryoma, put his chopstick down, he looks at her intently, not buying whatever she said. "You keep looking at me for almost every 5 seconds, and it doesn't sound like nothing, so, what is it?" He demanded.
Was she really that obvious? Sakuno sighed, nervous, and blushing, she looks again to the tennis prince. 'Mou, should I really need to tell him?'
"I'm waiting" the tennis prince said bored.
"It's really nothing" she tried to smiled naturally but it seems like she was constipated or something, the young tennis prince was still looking at her, demanding to speak now.
"Fine. I was wondering, why you ask that?" She asks.
"Ask what?"
"Going out?" She mused shyly "the date you saying, what was that all about?" She almost whisper.
"Are we still discussing this again?" Ryoma sighed in disbelief " I thought we already closed this topic, why getting back again? Listen, don't you think we waste enough time for this? We already waste 10 years, and a little effort for us to make things work out wouldn't hurt, right?" He said casually.
"Mou, you don't understand" Sakuno looks down
"Understand what?" Ryoma deadpanned asks "I do understand that I want to sorts things out about ours. How about you?" He dared
Sakuno looks down. Of course, she does understand everything. But what's the point of this anyway.
"What's the point? We will end it anyway, it will be the same, so why not ended it now?" Sakuno asks looking straight in his eyes
"What if not? Why are you so sure that you are not ended up marrying me? Why so pushy to end this by the way? Wait... Are you seeing someone?" Ryoma eyed her accusingly, for some reason he felt irritated, irritated that she might be into a relationship to some random boy. Though it seems not impossible, but the thought that she might be, the sole reason why she wanted to stop their supposedly relationship was enough to him to be furious. Wait? Did he really feel that?
"NO! I am not seeing someone. I never even got a boyfriend" she whispers the last part shyly.
"That's better. You're not even allowed to have one either" Ryoma smirked, both hands on his head, his elbow facing upwards.
Its sounds like demanding in Sakuno's ears. She looks at the tennis prince, pouting, her brows twitching for his sudden words.
"What's with that look? Don't you think it's improper for you to have a boyfriend or entertain some guy when you are engage to me?" He said casually.
"I am not entertaining any guys!" She answered still twitching her brows.
"And that's good then, and don't worry I don't have any either." He nonchalantly said
Sakuno stared for him for a while, although her grandmother told her the fact that Ryoma ended his relationship for her girlfriend, she was still surprised hearing it. 'Do they really break up? But why? They seem in love to each other' She ducked her head, to be honest, there are a lot of questions running on her mind; why he being like this? She doesn't know the reason why he's doing this, was he bored? Did he felt guilty towards what her grandmother said? She felt her head was exploding for everything.
"Neh, you look seems accusing, don't you?" He stated.
"Mou! I am not saying anything" Sakuno defended herself, does she really easy to read?
"I am not dating anyone, you can assure to that, not now that I know you are existing in my life." He added.
' What does he mean by that? Not now? But maybe sooner or later? When the agreement is settled? Mou! This is so confusing!' Sakuno eyes squinted, of course she can't say out loud her thoughts.
The young tennis prince sighed, seeing how she become more and more suspicious on him.
"Listen, I don't have a plan to date anyone aside from you, and when the time comes, we both changes our minds and settled. You will be the only one. I am not saying this to win your trust or anything, I just wanted to clear myself to you that I am not the guy you were thinking" he added. To be honest, Ryoma isn't a type of person who give a damn thing on whatever they think about him. The hell he cares! They can think whatever they wanted it to be. But this girl, this girl in his front, frowning and eyeing him suspiciously as if he committed a grave sin was enough for him to thinly crushed his internal monologue, he thinks of not caring about whatever they think about him into tiny pieces. He cares! Only to this girl.
'Damn this girl' What she exactly doing to him? Why her impression to him is so important? Why the heck he was bothered if she believes on him or not? He's going to be insane. Literally. How he felt for her confusing him. Big time.
He was not in his usual self; his mind never matches from whatever he acted. Just like last night, truth to be told, he doesn't need to do these things to the extent of asking her to date him, yet he did, his mouth did, blame his mouth for speaking. She gave him enough access to got away from their engagement, she considerately helps her anyway, yet why he did those things? Why he was urge to speak like that? He knows exactly that his mind saying that is the right thing to do, but why he felt unease? Why he felt empty? Why he felt that if he didn't, he will surely vanish to him?
But, by just thinking about it, there is a hollow feeling inside his chest just thinking that she was slowly fading away to his life. For unknown reason he felt badly beaten inside.
"Don't you think you overthinking too much?" Ryoma stared at her seriously "I just don't want to make decisions out of impulse, just thinking about the future it's quite scary to seems right? But I am not a type of guy who just simply give up in everything. And I don't want to regret something without even trying. And that's includes YOU. Sakuno" Ryoma stared at her never falter.
Sure enough, he was talking too much right now, as if his own mouth talks beyond what his mind thinks, where it is coming from for the first place? What is this unfamiliar yet familiar feelings he felt to this girl? He barely knows her, that's the truth, they were still child when they first met, yet, for some reason, something inside of him, something from the bottom of his heart keeps whispering that he can't afford to lose her. That he must not lose her. Strange, yet, for the very first time in his life, he felt anxious aside from losing to tennis games.
'Ryuzaki Sakuno, what the damn hell thing you doing to me?'
Sakuno eyes widen, she was surprised and sure it was evident in her face, with her face flushed and heart erratically beat inside her chest, there is no doubt, only him can make these things to her. She looks away, trying to hid her obvious face.
"Mou, stops saying ridiculous things Ryoma-kun!" She said still looking away "it made sounds like you seriously thinking of marrying me!" She mused, for some reason she wasn't so shy to say it as if it was naturally coming out to her out of forethought.
"I wouldn't be here, if I didn't" Ryoma said straight in her eyes.
Sakuno flinched, her eyes doubled in size as she heard him, loud and clear, she stared to him, trying to analyzed whether what he said is far beyond truth and reality, with racing heartbeat, Sakuno surely enough, her throbbing heart can't take it anymore.
"Syuusuke!" Miyu greeted her childhood friend with so much enthusiasm, she casually entered his room and sited on his bed, hugging one of the plushy stuff toy.
"Miyu!" The tensai tennis smiled, he rotates his reclining chair facing the lady, "saa... Are you bored?"
Miyu pouted her lips, "mom told me to come home every weekend but there is nothing to do in our house anyway!' she complains, being the only child, Miyu became close to the Fuji siblings since their houses were next to each other.
"Oi... What are you doing here?' Yuuta irritated asks her.
Miyu gave the younger Fuji a sullen glance, sticking her tongue out to him before resuming her glance to the tennis tensai.
"What are you doing Syuusuke?" She asks, giving him a curious look.
"Oi... You still don't have manners, do you? That's not a proper way to call someone who's older than you." Yuuta glared at her.
Miyu just makes weird faces on his front, she rolled her eyes on Yuuta, irritated from his banters.
"You are so grumpy early in the morning Yuuta ojisan!"
"You!"
"Saa .. stops picking a fight to Miyu-chan, Yuuta" from the corner, Yumiko, the eldest sibling came, she peeks on the door smiling at her.
"Ohayo Miyu-chan!" She smiled.
"Ohayo Yumiko oneechan" Miyu smiled, she was close to the Fuji siblings ever since but not to the youngest. For some reason, Miyu finds herself bickering with Yuuta.
"Now, Yuuta, help me prepare the breakfast, and don't disturb them" Yumiko pulled Yuuta's sleeve, before he complains Yumi already pulling him away, "Muyu-chan! Join us in breakfast, okay?"
"Haii!" Miyu answered gleefully.
"Now I wonder what makes you come here?" Fuji smiled more,
"Mou! I'm always going here remember?" Miyu retorted,
"Not for the last 3 years I guess?" Fuji said, he places his one hand on his chin observing on how she will react.
Miyu jolted in surprised of course, she surely known what he meant by that, for the last three years, her Sundays weren't available, it was her and Ryoma's day after all, although they often see each other in school, she still insisted and demanded it to the tennis prince that their Sundays should be exclusively on them alone.
"You missed him" it was a statement coming from the tennis tensai.
Miyu hugs the stuff toy hard this time, burying her face to the toy. "I- I missed him badly" she confessed, although she wanted to avoid this topic to the tennis tensai, she known better, she can never avoid touching this topic to him, no matter how much she wanted it.
"So why you broke up with him then?" He gently asks
"Because I need to focus-"
"I already heard that from Echizen, Miyu" he dismissed her. "I know that's not the only reason why, knowing you, you wouldn't break up with him just like that" Fuji asks, he swallowed hard "knowing how much you love him"
Miyu sighed, she hugs the pitiful stuff toy in her arms, receiving all her inner frustrations, this is the reason why, the reason why she refuses and avoided Syuusuke in all her might, to avoid hitting this subject on him, because she knows, he's the only person whom saw right through her, not even her other friends, nor parents or even her most beloved person, Echizen Ryoma.
"And I know exactly you knew it too Miyu" The tennis tensai calmly said, there is no trace of humor, he wasn't smiling either.
Yet, she wouldn't admit it too, whether to Fuji or too herself, she will keeps denying that to herself. Dismissing the uncertain thoughts that she keeps fighting for too long, she stood up, not wanting to open up the door of her insecurities for so long, she don't wanted to admit that part missing, since he started loving that tennis prince.
"Miyu, sometimes, fate plays an unmerciful game " the tennis tensai said pertinently.
Without further ado, Miyu rush down on his room, leaving him behind.
"Miyu-chan, where are you going?" Yumi asks the moment she saw her dashing on the stairs.
"I forgot, mom asks an errand to me, bye" she said trying her best to smile naturally to them.
From his window, Fuji watch the girl from outside, "fate plays an unmerciful game" he whispers, he leans his body to his chair, as he sighed heavily.
"So, are you two exclusively dating now?" Tohru asks, smiles plastered on her face as she looks at Sakuno
"Mou, how am I supposed to know that?" Sakuno shyly said, she looks at her bento box bewildered.
Of course, For her entire life, Sakuno never dated anyone, does what the prince of tennis said counted as they are 'officially couple'? Or it's just a casual date like her other friends pertaining. She doesn't know a thing about relationship at all.
"I wouldn't be here, if I didn't"
Sakuno blushed furiously upon remembering what he said, she ducked her head hiding her face.
"Well, I think it's not the only thing he said" Tohru teases, she giggled to her best friend upon seeing how beet red she was.
"Mou. It's not like that" Sakuno mumbled.
"Tss.. don't trust that twerp! You will never know how a man's brain works!" He said, glaring her, as he swallowed a mouthful sausage in his mouth.
Sakuno just pouted, for days past, she can't still believe for whatever is happening for her right now. Until now, she felt like in the cloud nine knowing her childhood friend, the man she always has her eyes on, whom she waiting for a decade now, exerting effort and time for her. She didn't expect that the guy would be true to his words.
Of course, who would know right? For such a short period of time, she felt like close enough to him, not that close but enough to passed the boundary lane called acquittance. Her heart melt for that.
Ryoma really knows how to flutter her heart like that.
"And do not let your guard down! Like what obaa chan said, he only broke up for a month! A month only! So, we don't know if his intentions where clean or he just using you as a rebound!" Kyo said, looking straight to her eyes cutting all her hopes down.
"Mou. Kyo! I don't think it's like that!" Tohru intervened. He hit his shoulder lightly.
"What? I'm being honest here! There's no way he could move on faster like that! Unless, he never really loved the girl! That was totally an ass for him!" He hissed shaking his head.
"Mataku, you really hold deep grudge to Ryoma-san, mou," Tohru giggled, she looks at Sakuno who still pouting from her side "but Sakuno-chan, do you have any idea where should your first date will be?"
"Mou, I really don't have any idea, I don't know where to go" She fidgeted her fingers.
"How about bring him to amusement park where we are working in?" Tohru suggested, "it's the biggest amusement park here in Osaka, right?" She added
"What? Are you crazy? No freaking way! Sakuno! Don't ever bring that twerp in our working place! I don't want to see his effin face!" Kyo shouted, his eyeballs seem budging outside his eyes.
"But it's a great idea isn't it Kyo?" Tohru giggled, as her hands claps on excitement. Having at silent eye to eye communication to him.
Kyo looks at her, as if he was trying so hard to read her mind, and an idea quickly pops in, in his head. Smirking evilly.
"That's right! That's settled. Call the twerp! Tell him" He commanded.
"Mou! Kyo-kun!" Sakuno frowned, for some reasons, Sakuno felt chilly on the way he looks, he looks like doing something not good at all.
"What now? Go. Just text or call him!"
Sakuno sighed, she took her mobile phone on her pocket, staring on her inbox buying for some time, of course, there is an existent text on him in her inbox; for days have past, they continuously exchanging messages via text or emails, all thanks for Ryoma's efforts of messaging her first. Sometimes the guy would call for her, which makes her stutter every time, and remain silent on the other line, though their topics where too short and direct to the point, she stills happy, that sometimes she wondered why he's putting an effort to her. She secretly smiled remembering how it all started.
It was the same day that day; after their all eat merrily in a fancy Japanese restaurant that lunch, Sakuno and her grandmother decided to send them to the airport. Though, she didn't want to admit it, she felt downhearted, it feels like that time, that time when he bid his goodbye to her ten years ago.
Sakuno looks down, avoiding them to read her expression, she knows exactly that she doesn't have any rights to feel this way, it supposed to be this way anyways. She clenched her hands too tight on her summer dress.
'Right! This will be the last time. After this, I would never see him again. This is for the better, just like that time'
No matter how Sakuno reminded herself that, this is for the better, that they were no longer seeing each other and whatever he said is not going to happen it still stings in her heart.
'Why bidding goodbyes always been like this?'
'Is suppose like this? Painful?'
No matter how he utters those words last night and earlier today, Sakuno doesn't want to give herself a false hope, once is enough though, giving herself any high hopes would never give her any better judgement. Though truth to be told, she felt happy, she felt her heart swell from happiness considering that he was being considerate towards her and she will understand if ever he forgot it like before. She doesn't have a heart to be selfish towards him, Ryoma deserves all the happiness in the world and that is what she only wished for him.
Sakuno took a deep breathe, calming herself as she thinks of what she supposed to say or at least tell him to take care and have a safe trip, but before she can do a thing, a pair of white fila shoes comes in front of her, a callous hand holding a mobile phone as if it was offering it to her blinded her sight, her heart skips a beat, perplexed, she looks up; meeting his golden orbs looking seriously onto her.
"Your number"
She was confused at first, yet slowly she realized what he was asking for her, a gentle smile crept on her face as she slowly took his phone on his hand, typing her own digits.
"I'll be back on Sunday, think of place you wanted us to go. Ja."
Sakuno heart flutters, she watches him leave. since that day, they continuously communicating to each other.
"What now? Aren't you going to message him?"
Sakuno pulled out on her reverie when she heard her male best friend Kyo, asks. She blinks.
"Tss. Let me do it for you" Kyo said as he deliberately snatches her phone on her hands.
"Mou. Kyo-kun, stop it! Mou!" Sakuno pouted like a child, she took her phone again on his hold, guarding it properly like her own life.
"What's stopping you to message him? As if it is hard to do?" He hissed, annoyed.
"It's not like that! I-I'm just shy you know" Sakuno slowly mumbled. Yes, she was so shy to take initiative to message him first, for her, she doesn't want to disturb him for any reasons, she knows how busy he might be in his trainings and such, she knows how dedicated him to his sports and who she is to demand for his time right? although she tried many times to contact him first, her initiative was not enough to continue. That is why she always end in waiting for him to message her.
"Uhm. Okay. I will try" She slowly mumbled, with hands shaking, she typed her message hoping for the best.
It was Friday, days passed so fast in just a blinked of the eye. Ryoma's idea of a good nap in the rooftop of their school vanished when his senpais together with his teammates disturb his peaceful lunch break, dragging him out of the school.
"Momo! That's my burger! Give it back to me!" Eiji senpai, shouted, trying his best to get the burger in Momo's hold.
"Takeshi! Give it back!" Tachibana Ann shouted to her boyfriend; she even pulled his ears.
"Itte! That hurts Ann!"
Ryoma just stared blankly to them, he yawned for upteempth time. His supposed to be a peaceful lunch break nap ruined. All thanks to them. He badly wants to sleep, their subject same as his teacher before lunch time is too boring, he really felt sleepy just by listening to it. Music class was really not for him.
"Echizen! Are you not eating your food? Just give those to me!" Momo said, he stretches his hand attempting to take his burger, but Ryoma is faster, he took the burger fast and munch it without any hesitation.
"Are you okay? You seem not in the mood" Momo asks. He scratches his head.
"Just sleepy" Ryoma replied.
"Keh! He just sulking because our Music teacher nags at him!" Horio butt in.
"Heh, nani? Nani? What did Ochibi do?" Eiji seems amused, his eyes twinkles on anticipation
"Ryoma-kun was caught sleeping during Music class" Kachirou said, sweat dropping. "Music class is too boring for him"
"Keh! Echizen is always sleeping whenever opportunity arises and whatever the subject it is you know!" Horio butt in again.
"Haa... Ochibi! It's too bad to sleep during class nya!"
"That's remind me of you Eiji" Fuji smiled creepily like usual.
"Fujikou! I"m not sleeping in class you know!" Eiji said, stamping his hand to the table. Making everyone laughed.
"But even Ryoma-sama always sleeping during class, he still one of the best students in our class you know!" Osakada said proudly. She even laughed mischievously.
"That's right! He aces most of our exams that makes me wondered how on earth he do that when all he did is to sleep in the class" Katsuo seconded.
"Ii data" Inui mumbled at the corner.
"Maji?! How did you do it Echizen?" Momoshiro asks in disbelief.
"I wonder" Ryoma lazily said, he shrugs his shoulders in the process.
"Takeshi, he is not only genius when it comes to tennis" Tachibana Ann chuckled.
"Yeah, unlike someone I know here" Kaido added, he looks at Momo who was now glaring at him.
"Mamushi, are you pertaining to me?" He glared.
"Does it bounce back to you?" Kaido retorted.
"Are you picking a fight huh?!" Momo said, glaring to his frenemy, he even steps his one feet on the table, flexing his biceps in the view.
"Bring it on" Kaido hissed.
"Takeshi/ Kaoru" Tachibana An and Osakada Tomoka both said in unison, their voice were stern, giving a warning look as they both pulled the ears of their boyfriend at the same time.
"Can we at least have a peaceful lunch altogether?" Tachibana said, still pulling Momoshiro's ear.
"At least behave you two!" Osakada seconded.
"Itte! Itte!" Momoshiro shouted. While, on the other hand, Kaido sits straight on his seat. Behaving the best that he could do.
Making everyone except for the quiet ones to laughed at once. Ryoma remains silent, as he took a bite for his third burger, he looks outside the window trying his best to find some peace moment away from his senpais loud and noisy banter.
"Saa! It's too lucky that both of you can put leash at these two." Fuji smiled, creepily.
"At least they behave that way, you know" Oishi agreed.
.
.
.
"Nah! Echizen! Let's go home together!" Momo grins playfully to him, hanging his arms on his shoulder.
" Hanase Momo senpai!" Ryoma grunted; he was busy putting his things inside his bag when his ever-annoying senpai bugs him for the second time.
"You shouldn't be so grumpy! You know" Momo grins.
"Che." Ryoma retorted.
"C'mon! Let's go! An is waiting outside already"
"Yadda!" Ryoma closes his locker; he was about to step his feet when Momo grabs the collar of his uniform dragging him.
"Don't be like that! You're going with us!" Momo grins playfully. " Senpais we are going now! Bye!"
"Momo senpai! Let go!" Ryoma grunted more, but seems his senpai was not listening at all. He continues dragging him outside their school premises.
From the distance, his senpai's girlfriend, together with his Kaido senpai and his ever-loudmouthed classmate slash girlfriend of his senpai were waiting for them.
For some reasons, Ryoma felt something odd to his senpai, he was not clingy like this before, of course, they always hang out together but not like this.
As long as they reach the school gate, his senpai beams from ear to ear same as Osakada who seems plotting some evil plan.
"Let's go to the karaoke!" Momo beams.
"I am not going" Ryoma answered flatly. He fixes his uniform that slightly crumpled all thanks to his senpai.
"Nah! Nah! Echizen! Don't be a killjoy, okay? C'mon!"
"Yadda! If you have nothing to say, I'm going now!" Ryoma said, he started walking away to them.
"My. My" Momo shake his head, he starred on his best friend back.
"Maybe you should let him go, you know" Tachibana said, she taps her boyfriend's shoulder.
"Ever since they broke up, Echizen acted really strange" Momoshiro sighed, he scratch the back of his head. Concern lace on his face upon saying that.
"But he seems normal to me" Osakada said. "You know Momo senpai, he's always like that, don't you think?"
"iya. I know there is something going on" Momo said, of course, being the closest to the tennis prince, Momo can tell the difference.
"Do you think it is because of their break up? Maybe he was still adjusting" Kaido said.
"Do you really think that is the reason? Well, I mean, he seems like he moves on to me" Tomoka said shrugging her shoulder.
"Nah! Echizen is good on that, you know, he was very good on hiding his emotions, see how he always wear his stoic, none emotional face of him? I bet not" Momo shake his head.
"Who knows right? No one knows what's running on Echizen-kun's mind. So let it be, give him a rest" An intervened.
"Hmmm... Maybe we should do something about them" Momo grins, "it's time for them to reconcile right?"
"Tadaima!"
Ryoma announces as he reaches his home, he hurriedly went to his room upstairs to reward himself a refreshing bath. It was a tiring day Afterall, as long as he reaches his room, he put his bag on the floor, setting aside the idea of having a good bath, his bed was inviting, he launches himself to his bed, since he doesn't have enough a good sleep though, nuzzling his pillow, Karupin move from his side, rubbing his fur to his owner, he was close to fall in sleep when he remembered something. His eyes wide open, Yawning, he stood up on his stood as he gets his mobile phone that he forgot to bring earlier.
Well, he is not much into phone anyway, his idea of using phone is far incomparable to others with the same age as him. He rarely text nor call anyone aside from emergencies. He cares less about social media though he has one, but he completely forgot his password since he never once opens it. Not until these past few days, ever since he asked the number of a certain braided girl, which is new to him, the idea of locking his phone permanently to his drawer vanished.
Ryoma lopsidedly smirk as he saw the message whom he received.
'Anou... Ryoma-kun, I just wondering if you are busy this time?'
Ryoma can really imagine her blushing face right now; his hand automatically typed his response on her. He decided to make fun of her for a while. For some reason, his sleepiness ease.
'This is the first time huh' Though the message was sent during lunch time, still, he decided to reply.
[Neh, this is the first time you texted me first huh]
[Mou, you making fun of me again. Am I disturbing you? I hope you are not busy ]
Ryoma chuckled, he could really imagine her frowning face at this moment; Ryuzaki Sakuno, the very first girl he knew that can make different facial expressions at the same time. No wonder, she never failed to amused him at all.
[Not at all, Gomen. I forgot my phone. Overslept this morning]
[iie. I know you were kind'a busy]
[you have something to say?]
[I just wanted to say that I already decided to where we go on our... Uhmm.. you know]
[I know? What? What is it?]
[Mou! Ryoma-kun!]
Ryoma laughed, he sits on his bed, rubbing Karupin's fur, his cat dive on his lap, as if he found comfort from his touch.
[I'm waiting]
Ryoma waited for a couple of minutes, but there is no reply for the braided girl, not having a long patience at all Ryoma decided to dial her number.
[Osuii. What is it now? Sakuno?]
On the other line Sakuno's eyes widen in surprised, first for his sudden call and now, calling her in her first name once again. until now, there is still a foreign feeling whenever he calling her in her first name.
[Mou! Y-you know what I meant, right?]
She tries her best not to stutter that much.
[Who knows?]
Sakuno pouted her lips, he sure enjoys teasing her much! Licking her dried lips, she swallowed hard to utter the words she wanted to say gathering all her tests courage.
[At Shin-Osaka train station. 9am]
She said as fast as she can, tapping the end call. Her heart beats fast as a bullet train. 'Mou! I hope he gets the message though'
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Ryoma snickered. 'Did she really drop my call?'
At Shin-Osaka train station. 9am
Ryoma laid his back comfortably on his bed, a smile crept on his face.
'Ryuzaki Sakuno, you are really something'
Ryoma glanced at the huge digital clock in Shin-Osaka Train Station. Leaning his body to the wall as his both hands on his nape, he was silently waiting for the certain pigtailed hair.
10: 30 am
Another 30 minutes have passed. Surely enough, Ryuzaki Sakuno really knows the true definition of being punctual. The tennis prince closes his eyes once again, he settles to wait for another half an hour before he deliberately roams her house on his own.
"Gomenesai!"
Ryoma stared at her. She looks bothered and nearly to cry, her pigtail hair was slightly unkempt.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be late like this, I overslept, since I can't sleep last night! I was so nervous! And I lost my way here. " She honestly said. She continuing babbling incomprehensively but the only thing that got the tennis prince attention was her losing her way here.
'Wait what? Like seriously?' Ryoma gape like a fish, he was so lost in words that no words come out his mouth.
"Are you mad at me?" Sakuno asks, she can't figure it out if the tennis prince was mad at her. 'Of course, he is! You made him wait for almost two hours' She really wanted to cascade herself. Badly. In all days that can happen, why her navigational skills malfunction and challenge her today? She ducked her head, clenching her dress firmly and trying her best to hold back her tears.
"Where to?" Ryoma asks casually, he stood straight.
Sakuno looks at him, surprised seeing no sign of madness on his handsome face.
"You're not mad at me?"
"Why would I? You already said your apology, right?"
"Yokatta. Thank you Ryoma-kun" She smiles.
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Ryoma blinks, not once but twice as he stared to the huge amusement park in his front. Miraculously, they arrived on this place after three missed stations they had. The young prince surely took a mental note from himself not to trust his fiancée's navigational skills at any cost for the future sake of their lives.
"Yappari, you don't like place like this" Sakuno sighed defeatedly.
"Nah. It's okay. I just didn't expect that you like childish things" he smirk.
"Mou! This is not childish you know!" Sakuno blushed, as she glared at the him, protesting from what he said.
"Never mind, at least this is not boring Afterall" Ryoma shrugs, he walks to the booth to buy their entrance ticket. He stared in the tickets on his hand for a second before resuming his walk towards to the twin pigtailed hair girl.
He can't remember when is the last time he went to the amusement park or if ever did he have a chance to do so, since all he did in the past was to play and practice tennis and though he dated from such a long time, they never really went on place like this before. But now that he thinks about it, he can't really remember if they did these things together, he can't clearly remember anything aside from their movie dates, eating outside and out of town trips together with his senpais.
"Let's go" The young prince handed her ticket.
"Hai" Sakuno beams, she looks really happy and excited at the same time.
They walk side by side, since it was Sunday, a lot of family were gathered inside. They all seems enjoying their selves. Sakuno smiled brightly. The last time she went here was when she was seven years old, together with him, Sakuno simply glance at him, she smiled, of course, he doesn't remember it, but for her, that was one of the happiest moments they have together. There is a lot of changes and new attractions inside plus a lot of new rides to try. Her excitement skyrockets.
"Anou... Ryoma-kun do you want to eat first?" she asks.
He stared at her for a while, seeing how excitedly she was now, Ryoma shook his head.
"iie, we still have an hour left before lunch, how about we enjoy ourselves for a while?"
"Honto?" She leans her face forward to him; her chocolate eyes brighten in delight.
"Yeah?" He flinched; her face was too close to him. He swallowed hard, as he looks at his side, clearing his throat, he can really feel his ears burning.
"Right. Anou, Ryoma-kun, please excuse me for a while, I will be right back" she was about to step her feet when accidentally she trips on her own. Too much for being clumsy.
"Are you okay?" Ryoma asks, he holds her arm to support her from falling.
"Uhmm. Yes. Thank you" Sakuno said almost whispering, her face turns red. She looks down hiding her blushed face as she resumes for walking.
Not that far from where he was standing, Sakuno was happily talking to the two people whom he assumed that in the same age as theirs. Ryoma just stared at them. From some reason, he felt a strange feeling towards the guy. He saw how the orange hair guy looks at him. No, scratch that, he glared towards his direction, as he was continually showering litany to Sakuno. Their eyes met in an instant as his scowl becomes deeper and deeper each passing by. While the other girl with black hair, smiled warmly at him, she gently pushed the guy away as she took a glance to him once more, smiling.
"Gomene, Kyo-kun is being silly again"
"Your friends?"
"Uhmm. Since I was five years old." Sakuno answered.
They both started walking slowly, Sakuno was ahead of him.
Ryoma stared at her back, if she knows them when she was only five, supposedly he knows them too right? Since she was his childhood friend ever since.
"You seem to be close to them" Ryoma points out. Of course, he wanted to pry more, something was bothering him the moment he saw that orange hair guy.
"Yes. Kyo- kun and Tohru- chan were nice people" she smiled looking at him. " And they are engaging and about to get married right after high school" she said as she resumes from walking.
Wait? What? Engage? Married? Are people living here in Osaka were like this? Being engage at a young age? Was it being sorts of tradition?
"They are engage like us?" Ryoma can't help himself but to asks.
"Yes, but they are far too different from us Ryoma-kun" she said.
What does she supposed to mean by that?
Slowly, Sakuno turns her body to face him, there is an unknown emotion crossed on her brown expressive eyes. "They are marrying because of love" she said, a wind blew in her side bangs, she smiled bitterly as she closed her eyes for a moment and stared at his golden orbs, for this moment she smiled brightly to him.
From that moment, Ryoma stared at her. Love. It is just a single word with four letters, yet, strangely, why he become so unfamiliar with that word?
Love. Now that she said that, her friends are marrying each other because of love. Does she want the same thing for them? For them to Love each other?
What is love anyway? Is there any other meaning for what he thought what love is? Ryoma racked all his senses, for sure, for what he felt for Miyu is love, but what is this strange, flickering emotion inside him?
"Anou... Ryoma-kun, are you okay?"
"Huh?" Ryoma asks,
"I'm asking if you are okay, I've been calling you for a while now" Sakuno furrowed her brows.
'I didn't hear her calling me' Ryoma pinned his hat down "what ride we try first?" He asks.
"Aaaaahhhh!"
Sakuno's attention was caught by deafening scream not far for them, her eyes followed the rolling coaster on their front. It was one of the main attractions on this amusement park, the huge roller coaster was totally captivating, but not for her. On the other hand, Ryoma silently observing her, seeing how she reacted, an evilly plan formed on his mind.
"How about we tried this one?" He smirks, pointing the gigantic roller coaster on their sight.
Sakuno's eyes doubled its size, she hurriedly shakes her head. Horrified. But Ryoma enjoys her agony, he quicky grab her hand and pulled her, both of them started running towards it.
"Nah. We should try this; we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest right?" He smirks, "and honestly I've been eyeing this for a while"
"I-I'm so scared!" Sakuno said horrified, they were both sitting right next to each other as she grip her hands tightly in the pole connecting them. Her heart racing so fast, she could really tell her hands were literally shaking and bullets of sweats forming on her forehead.
"There is nothing to be scared of, when you're with me. " He smiled reassuring. He intertwined their hands together, while his other hand was safely securing his hat on his head, not wanting it to fall. "See? I'll be holding your hand and won't let it go until the end" he said pointing their hands together.
Sakuno can't help but to blushed even on her state. She felt secure towards his words. But what's the point of being secured when she would literally die from this in an instant?
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"Neh, are you okay?" Ryoma asks him the moment their feet landed on the ground.
'Is this the face who looks okay?' Sakuno wanted to voice out her thoughts, yet, words can't really come out on her mouth. She was about to cry, but it seems her tears don't want to come out too.
Shaking so hard, her hips wobbled, she literally collapsed on her feet and sit freely on the ground. Panting so hard as sweat of bullets escape on her lovely face. Surprisingly, she was still alive, after a heart stopping roller coaster ride, they have, Ryoma didn't stop there, before she can even breathe, the tennis prince pulled her once again. Trying another intestine wrecking shuttle tower, if her heart stops from beating in roller coaster ride, she felt her intestines twisted together, she wanted to puke so badly.
'Does Ryoma-kun have a grudge in her? Was he still mad at making him wait earlier?' For less than thirty minutes, they already tried 4 terrifying rides together.
Ryoma gently pulled their interlocked hand, catching her attention, when he didn't get any response from her, he bends his body down, enough to see her face.
Well, she looks pale as sheet of a paper but she still looks fine to him, though she was panting so hard like now and looks awfully terrible on his sight, he still finds her amusing. Realizing that it will take long for her to recover, a smirk formed on his lips as a great idea pops out in his mind.
"Oof!" Sakuno eyes widen in surprise when she slowly floats in the air, realizing for what is happening right now, her face blush hard as she felt her heart skip a beat. Well, Echizen Ryoma, the so-called prince of tennis is currently carrying her, bridal style! She looks around, only to find out that everyone was curiously staring to them. Clearly, they making a scene, she looks down trying her best not to meet anyone gaze as her face blushed as red as tomato.
"Mou! R-Ryoma-kun p-put me down" she softly whispered.
"Heh, mada mada dane Sakuno" Ryoma chuckled. He stared at her, amused on how she looks cute while she was embarrassed.
"Put me down" Sakuno insisted, she cover her face with her hands the moment she felt them moving. Though she covered her face, she can still feel the lingering stares of people around them. Embarrassed for sudden attention she has.
Contrary on what She felt, the young tennis prince shrugs the curious stares they have receiving. He was really not bothered. Well, the hell they care right? What he was only care is how he enjoy her expressions, his newly found enjoyment whenever he teases her like this is fun and fulfilling. He continues teasing the lad in his arms, though it's unlikely to him, he felt strange on how it feels natural to her, as if he was so used to do such thing.
Was it because they were once too close when they were kids?
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The sky started to change its color from minute to minute, as the sky turns rosy in color indicating that the sun was about to set, the golden sun seems nearly kissing the surface of the ocean. Ryoma and Sakuno silently enjoying the glorious view, sitting right to each other, as the cold breeze embracing their skin.
Taking their short break after a whole day activity they did together, riding in different thrilling rides that almost makes Sakuno's faint. strolling in different amenities offered by this amusement park, and even raiding different stalls of food to eat. Sure enough, they did a lot together. It was fun experience at all.
"Arigatou Ryoma-kun" Sakuno breaks the solemn silence they have, she smiled brightly to the tennis prince. Indeed, she have a great fun today. It is one, or maybe most memorable experience she has for the young boy.
A smirked escaped from the tennis prince lips, he stared on his chocolate eyes. "I have a lot of fun too." He honestly said. He placed both of his arms to his nape as he leans his back to the bench. "In the future... Let's go back here again, Sakuno" he grins.
Sakuno was taken aback, as if she was pulled back on the time when they were kids, that familiar childish smiled he always shown when they were little, the same grins she misses and believe she wouldn't never been seen again. It was so refreshing to see this side of him again, his playful yet innocent smile she knows she literally yearn ed for years. A warm smile escape from her lips, a familiar warmth touches her heart. "Hai" she answered happily.
"And prepare yourself for a lot much thrilling and fun rides" he beams enthuasiastically.
"Mou, your so mean!" Sakuno pouted.
"Heh, mada mada dane" he smirks as he stood up on his seat, looking at her sidelines. "Let's go for the last ride of the day" he said stretching his upper body. "C'mon! It's almost time."
Sakuno looks at him puzzled, curiously she stared at him blinking. Sensing that Sakuno wouldn't move a muscle Ryoma decided to dragged her wrist and they started running in the middle of the crowd both smiling.
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'Mou! Not again' Sakuno sweat dropped seeing the sight of gigantic ferris wheel in their front. Sakuno sighed nervously, she glances at the certain prince who seems satisfied from unknown reason, his smirk evident on his ruthless handsome face.
"Let's go" Ryoma pulled her hand, not barging on her spot, Ryoma looks at her, well, her hand was cold as ice.
"I'm s-scared!" She said nervously
"Huh? Don't you think it's a little bit too late to be scared? We rode far way dangerous than this" he said nonchalantly.
"Mou! But n-not this one Ryoma-kun!" Sakuno closed her eyes. 'How am I supposed to say my reasons?'
"But I felt like we needed to ride in this" he said unconsciously, as if something in his inner gut telling him that they should rode this one no matter what. That's why he saves this for last.
Sakuno eyes open widely, perplexed on what he said, 'by any chance didh he remembers?'
"Once I come back, we will ride this one!" The young Ryoma says, pointing the gigantic ferris wheel which is under construction.
"Honto?" Young Sakuno asks wishful.
"Uhn"
"Hey"
Sakuno thoughts drag out from memory lane, his smiles welcomed her, he gently pulled her hand once again. "I told you, you don't have to be scared when I'm with you" he assured.
"Neh, how long you plan to close your eyes like that?" Ryoma asked, as he peek on her. They were sitting right in front of each other inside of the ferris wheel
"Mou! I-I'm scared to open my eyes!" Sakuno closed her eyes tightly as she grips her skirt, now she literally repentant on swaying easily on his smiles. She vowed herself not to be charm on his boyish smile again! Echizen Ryoma will be literally her cause of death.
"But you will miss to see the view outside"
"B-but!" Sakuno was taken aback when she felt him sit on her side. She slowly peeks on him, only to see him leaning against the glass with both arms on his nape looking at the other side.
"You know, you should learn how to overcome your fears" Ryoma said in his usual tone. "That's the only way to grow and move forward"
'If it is easily to do right?' "Do you have anything that you scared of?" Instead, she asks.
This time, Ryoma looks at her "of course I have!" He answered as if it is an obvious answer. "Is there anyone who's not?"
"Mou! I just thought that you don't have any, since your too good at anything you do and you seem not afraid of anything too"
"I'm scared of one thing" he answered honestly.
Sakuno stared at him waiting for him to continue, but the tennis prince didn't talk again, realizing that he will never say it to her, she smiled. Shel looks at the glass window, amusement was evident on her face.
"Sugoi!" She claps her hand on excitement, colorful fireworks on the sky. It added the beauty of night lights of the Osaka buildings. It is clearly seen on their spot; they literally can see the city. It's beautiful indeed.
"See, I told you" Ryoma chuckled seeing her reaction. They both enjoyed the view together
"Thank you Ryoma-kun! I enjoy it a lot" Sakuno smiles brightly like the fireworks on the sky.
Ryoma, on the other hand seems shocked, he never realized not until this point that her smile can be this 's breathtaking. Lost in words,
A warm and tender kiss grazed on her forehead
Seems like the world stop momentarily, Sakuno's eyes widen in surprised, just like the fireworks in the sky, her heart exploded, butterflies dance on her stomach, still perplexed on her sit, she blushed feverishly.