Author's note again!: Since the last chapter was a short one, this one will be longer. ^_^
"I love you, Tenchi Masaki." The words echoed in Tenchi's mind. Did she really say that? Or was she kidding?.. His only reaction to it was a surprised looked on his face, and somewhat of a grin.
"You.. Love me?" He fell speechless, and overwhelmed by the fact that she had told him this now. No wonder she was acting so strange for the past few weeks!
"I've loved you for the longest time. I couldn't tell you .. Because .." She had fallen into tears, cutting off her last sentence. She threw her arms around Tenchi's neck, and cried on his shoulder.
Ayeka. It was all because of Ayeka. Tenchi knew that, at least. After all the times she tried to be alone with Tenchi, Ayeka had always managed to get in the way. At least Ryoko wasn't a coward like her.
Tenchi was completely silenced. He didn't know how to react to what she had said. Comforting her was no problem, he just took her in his arms and held her. Nothing to it! But, what should he say? He was helpless.
"Ryoko-chan .. I .. --" Suddenly, a big slam was heard. Obviously, Ayeka had been looking for Tenchi. When Ayeka climbed out of the window to get onto the roof, Ryoko leaning on Tenchi. What a horrific sight.
"RYOKO-BAKA! What in the hell do you think you're doing?!" Scolding her like always. Ayeka grasped Tenchi by his shoulders and literally dragged him back into the house, leaving Ryoko alone on the roof again.
"Ayeka-san! Wait a minu --!" Cut off again. Within a few seconds, Ayeka had shut the windows, and huffed a bit.
"What was going on there? Why was she leaning on you like that, hm?" Nosy Ayeka. She always had to know who or what Tenchi was talking about. Especially if it were someone like Ryoko.
"Why do you always have to know where I am?! Can't you stop worrying about me
for one second?" That did it. He couldn't bear it any longer. This rivalry had to stop. He wanted it to stop at that very moment.
"Lord Tenchi-kun.." Ayeka stepped back, a little startled by the fact that Tenchi has yelled at her. Her, the Jurian Princess. What did he think he was doing?
"Ayeka, You have got to learn that fighting over me is just going to make matters worse between you and Ryoko-chan! Can't you understand that?" He had a point. No one else in the Masaki Residence was fighting over him. Why should they?
Ayeka could only stare at the wooden floor. She didn't have the heart to look at Tenchi, now. It seemed that he was starting to dislike her, instead of Ryoko. One thing was for sure, she was a coward, alright. Tenchi left the room, and headed down to the living room.
"Another day, another day without telling Lord Tenchi-kun, huh Ryoko-san?" Little Washu was still at her computer. Ryoko was at the back wall, leaning against it.
"No. I told him, Okaasan." Little Washu turned around, and stared blankly at her. That was very unlikely of her, like everyone else thought.
"And what did he say?" Maybe her experiments were less important to her. Maybe Ryoko deserved a bit of affection, for once.
"He .. " Ryoko paused for a moment, "Didn't say anything. Ayeka dragged him inside before he could say anything." Her eyes shut, and she shook her head out of disgust. Ayeka had always managed to mess up things between herself and Tenchi. How she hates it.
"Foolish Ayeka. She's just jealous of you, Ryoko-san. You did what you wanted to do for so long, and she never got the chance to. I say take advantage of the situation for all it's worth!" Back to the computer again. What was more important than your own daughter, for Kami-sama's sake?
"I don't know what to do now, Okaasan." Ryoko slumped onto her rear, and pressed her knees to her chest. Even calling Little Washu 'mother' was difficult enough.
"What can you do? There's only one way to find out if he loves you or not, Ryoko-san. You just have to confront him." Little Washu, right as usual. No wonder she's such a genius.
After all that commotion, Tenchi headed for the springs. Nothing like a hot bath to relax yourself after what had just happened. He leaned against the edge, staring at the sky.
"Day after day, those two never stop!" Tenchi thought. "Come to think of it, Ryoko-chan is a lot more affectionate than Ayeka-san is.". He sighed and closed his eyes. What more situations will today bring?
When Tenchi opened his eyes, a pair of eyes were staring back at him. No, it was someone. It was Ryoko. Tenchi jumped a bit, startled to find Ryoko giving him that gaze.
"Ryoko-chan! I.. " Yet again, he was interrupted. Ryoko pressed her index finger against his lips, and slipped inside of the bathing area. She leaned on him again, and closed her eyes.
"Ryoko-chan .. What's going on? .." Tenchi was pondering about what she said earlier. Maybe this was a little trick. Maybe she was just kidding around with his emotions.
"Tell me that you love me, Tenchi-kun." She brought her arms around his waist. She didn't care if Ayeka found them like this. She wanted her to, anyways.
"Ryoko-chan, I .. " Tears again. Is this why she was acting strange? Out of Love? He wrapped his arms around her, and stared down at her. A smile came across his face.
"Say you love me, Tenchi-kun.." After all the abuse she endured in the Masaki Residence. After all the pain she suffered because of being alone. She needed those three words to come from him. That was all she needed.
"I love you, Ryoko-chan."
End of Chapter 2