Ryota woke up, but instead of finding a bright, sunny morning, he felt gloomy inside. Stop it, Ryota! He warned himself. If he always felt like this, his mysterious girl would never show up. Right, my mystery girl, who until this very day, has not yet shown up. It was 2 days before the dance, and time was running out.
" I will find her today!" Ryota promised himself. But what about Aya-chan, a small voice whispered. "I will forget Aya-chan, no wait.. A..y..a..k..o" It was so hard and painful for him to call her like that. Ever since, he called her Aya-chan as his endearment to her. But now, he got to change his ways or his mystery girl will remain a mystery forever. He was now slowly forming a list of suspects in his mind. Who could it be??
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"Rukawa! Rukawa! L-o-v-e! Rukawa! Will you take us to the dance!!" The Rukawa Shinetai was at it again. Their voices booming with so much joy and love at the sight of Rukawa. Nevertheless, Rukawa still remains stoic, oblivious of what is happening.
Unlike Ryota whose eardums were seriously being damaged by the Rukawa Shinetai, he was grumbling to himself on how irritating they were. When he reached the grounds of Shohoku high, the sight of Ru, Ka, and Wa were the first to welcome him. And it certainly was not the welcome he wanted. He saw Rukawa and tried to shout hello to him, but his greetings were overshadowed by the screams of the three girls. So much for my Hello!!. Ryota grumbled to himself.
As usual, despite the loud screams of adoration, Rukawa only passed the three girls by as if nothing happened. Maybe he was used to this already or maybe, he was sleepwalking, like he usually does. But despite of this, the girls continued to swoon. Hearts were clearly seen in their eyes. Before Ryota had to admit that he was kind of jealous of the attention that Rukawa's getting especially from the girls but then Ryota realized that it did not mattered, even if he had a million fans, nothing compared in having Aya-chan cheering for him. Damn! I said Aya-chan again. Somethings are just hard to forget no matter how hard one tries. Or in Ryota's case, a certain someone. He passed by the Rukawa shinetai and…
"I love him"
"He is just so handsome"
"I hope he goes out with me to the dance"
Ryota could not help but hear this. Were they talking about him? After all, Rukawa was no longer in sight. Could it be?
"I guess its not Rukawa after all, huh?" Ryota confidently said. Eventhough he hated the thought that one of those girls could be his mystery girl, he still could not fight the fact that one of these girls was truly, madly in love with him. Even if they are so darn annoying. After all, Love is Blind. Ryota shrugged.
"Nani!?!" 3 angry faces cowered of Ryota. But he did not mind. Two can play, or I guess 4 can play this game.
"I guess its not Rukawa after all, huh?" he repeated. "I guess, all the time that you were cheering for Rukawa, it was really for me after all" But Ryota would not stop. "I know that you are doing that because your scared of Aya-chan, I mean, Ayako's fan, but were not really together anymore, so, so one of you now can freely ask me to be their date to the dance" Ryota defiantly said.
"HOW DARE YOU!?!!" Ru, Ka, and Wa shouted. They could not believe what they were hearing, yet they had to do something about it.
"You muffin-head!" Ru mockingly said
"Why would one of us want to go with you, Shorty!" Ka was angrily saying
"We would never do that because.."
"We L-O-V-E Rukawa!!" All of the girls said, and with that, they pushed past Ryota, making him tumble backwards.
Ayako was walking towards the Shohoku gates when she heard irritating shouts from girls. Must be the Rukawa Shinetai getting mad at SakuragiHanamich again. Poor him!! Just hearing the girls' voice were torture enough. But to Ayako's surprise, instead of finding an enraged Sakuragi, what he saw was an embarrassed Ryota. She could hear all the insults being thown at him, she wanted to defend him and wack all those girls' heads with her fan, but What do I care?? Does he care? She was about to walk past them but certain thoughts was just on her mind. How dare they talk to Ryota like that?He is no shorty nor a muffin head. He's a sweet, thoughtful…What the?!!! Someone just came tumbling into her.
Both were now on the ground. Facing each other.
"Ryota?!" Ayako was surprised, and at the same time, blushing madly. She was well aware that his face was just a few inches from her. The face he grew to love and missed terribly.
"Aya-chan" Ryota whispered. He was so close to her. He looked at intently at all her beautiful features. Her eyes, nose, her lips. He wanted right there and there to kiss her. He was inching forward…
"I'm going to be late" Ayako said as she stood up abruptly, breaking the moment. What was that all about?Oh, forget it…
"Damn!! What do I want?!"Ryota was confused. He wanted so badly to kiss her. But most of all he missed her. But what about the other girl?? Forget Aya-chan. She does not love you.
Ryota stood up. He saw Haruko walking shyly towards him. Maybe it was Haruko after all.
"Uh, Ryota.. umm" Haruko began
"Yes, Haruko?" He replied. Maybe its not bad after all if the Mystery girl was Haruko. His spirits livened up by the prospect that someone still was in love with him.
"I want to ask you something?" Haruko now was blushing
"Sure, though I know what you are going to say" Ryota said. This is it. No more Mr. Lonely Guy.
"Umm, you know?"
"I guess it took you a long while to finally tell me" Ryota was now grinning
"Could you please.." Haruko stopped. She was being shy again. But Ryota was now confidently encouraging her. She finally said " Please Tell Sakuragi-kun that my answer is yes" Haruko looked down. She was shy at what she said but at the same time smiling. While Ryota's mouth dropped.
"Ryota? Umm, daijobou?" Haruko asked when he saw Ryota's face
"Hai! Yes, I will tell Hanamichi you said yes. I'm sure that baka will be overjoyed" Ryota replied.
"Arigatou!" Haruko bid farewell to him, leaving him all alone.
Even Hanamichi has Haruko. I'm sure Aya-chan has too. Ryota thought sadly. Everyone has a someone…except...except me.
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After practice, Ryota still stayed. With his gym bag at his side, he sat down outside the door of the gym. Everyone left, and bade him goodbye, except Aya-chan. He was really on the verge of tears when it was so obvious that she was literally ignoring him. How come all this had to happen? Ryota asked himself but the voice inside answered. It's all your fault. Since you've received that letter, you just left Ayako. You were so arrogant and conceited by the prospect of someone loving you that you forgot who mattered the most. Now whos's the baka??
"I am" Ryota replied to himself. He took out the letter which he always carried with him. The letter that changed everything.
Dear Ryota,
I'm falling in love with you
And there's nothing I can do
Just one look from you
I'm afraid I'm falling deeper
Don't know what to do
It seems I want to stay here
Let the feeling linger much longer
Even as long as I can take it
How long will you ever know
I'm on the outside looking in
When will you ever realize
I have loved you all this time
As far as forever has taken me
With Love,
It was true that the letter changed him. All his life, he always went after Aya-chan eventhough sometimes he felt she did not feel the same way. But when this letter came, Ryota was both surprised and intrigued. Someone loved him, and not the other way around.
It was the day before the dance, and Ryota still had no girl to show up for. He's so-called Mystery girl has not yet shown her identity. But the truth was, he no longer cared. All he cared about was Aya-chan. Yesterday when they both fell to the ground, all his feelings for her were anewed once again. He closed his eyes and remembered all those times he was with her. The times he would walk her home. Times he would hear her encouragements during the games. Times they would just talk about everything. Times he would just look at her and be contented by just doing that. Right there and there, he thought, even if the most beautiful girl was to reveal that she was the Mystery girl, he would not care. It was Aya-chan he wanted, he needed. She was the one all along, all this time.
It was true sometimes his head ached because Aya-chan always whacked him with her fan but the way she encourages him, it was enough to regain his confidence and do his best. Haiii, her beautiful voice..
It was true sometimes he felt Aya-chan did not care but one request from him that he needed help in his studies, Aya-chan would not think twice in going to his house to tutor him. Haaii, those nights that we were together..
It was true sometimes Aya-chan would shout at him like a Lady Gori but just one smile from her was enough to make him remember she was the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Haiii, her angelic face…
But most of all, Aya-chan was a true friend. A friend he grew to love. And admittedly, still do. She was always there to support him, encourage, understand him. And all he did in return was throw her away like a used Kleenex. And he regretted it more than ever. Aya-chan hated him now. And Right now, Aya-chan was probably in the hands of another guy walking her home like he used to do. But he won't give up. He won't give her up.
He would have to say sorry to her no matter what. Apologize and let her accept me. Even if she loved someone by now, he would try to be content that at least they could be friends even after what he did. He should try to make her forgive him. To accept him. Even if only as a friend.
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Two more chapters and this story is done. :) Next chapter, Ryota finds out an unexpected visitor for Aya-chan ;) What? Another rival?
Sorry if it is only now that I've updated. Please don't forget to Review. Please. Thanks a lot to those who have reviewed this story. I'm really thankful for it. Until then….