Finally, the final chapter! I'm sorry it took so long, I wanted to post it up last week but I got a little caught up with some family affairs. Thank you so much for all of your reviews, I appreciate each and every one of them. And yes, Ryoma is OOC, but it's all for the fun of fanfiction.
Enjoy!
Ryoma didn't like airports. For one thing, it was always crowded. Another was the crowd that was with him.
"Wa! I've never been in an airport before!" cried Kato.
"Really?" laughed Horio. "So you've never been out of Japan before?"
Kato shook his head.
"Well, I was lucky to get a rare chance of sitting in an aeroplane. They serve good food, the stewardesses are pretty, and the view up high was fantastic!"
"Yeah, but where did you go to?" asked Mizuno.
Horio turned red. "Umm... Osaka..."
"Huh? Only there and you're making such a big deal?" Kato and Mizuno cried.
"I still rode an aeroplane!"
But they continued to tease him.
Even the Regulars of Seigaku were taking advantage of being in an airport.
"Hey, this place is really cool! You can buy lots of stuff here!" said Kikumaru.
"And I heard they say it's cheaper here," commented Fuji.
"Really?" cried Kikumaru. "Yeah! Let's go shopping!"
Kaidoh merely hissed. It was obvious he didn't like being in the airport. His legs seem to wobble every time.
Momoshiro noticed this. "Eh? Looks like the snake doesn't like the airport."
"Shut up!" hissed Kaidoh. "It's not the airport."
"You must be afraid of flying!"
Kaidoh blushed. Momoshiro burst into a loud laughter causing Kaidoh to be enraged.
Inui was seen somewhere, talking to a stewardess.
"Are those really the ingredients for the orange juice you serve in the plane?" he asked her.
"That's pretty much it."
Inui nodded. "Maybe if I add a little bit of my special penal-tea deluxe, I could change it into Inui's super golden orange juice..."
"Eh? Where are Kawamura-sempai and Tezuka-sempai?" asked Kato.
"Kawamura has to work with his father today, he sends his regards," explained Oishi. "The captain has other business to attend."
Ryoma then saw Tomoka running towards him. His heart gave a light jolt. Is she here?
"Ryoma-sama!" she cried. "Is Sakuno here?"
"Huh? No... why?"
"I've been trying to contact her all day but nobody seems to be home. I'm worried... where could she be?"
Ryoma looked at his watch. 20 minutes more before he has to board the plane. He panicked... she's not coming?
'Why?' he thought. 'I told her I'd be waiting. I have to tell her something...'
10 minutes passed and still nothing. He was unmoved by the chaos around him. Only his eyes kept darting everywhere, looking for her.
And then she came, with Sumire behind her.
"I'm sorry I'm late!" cried Sakuno. Tomoka ran to hug her.
"Where have you been? I've been calling you all day!" whined Tomoka.
"I was taking a walk and lost track of time..."
"You definitely did!" said Sumire. "It took me so long to find you."
"It's just that there were so many things on my mind," she said as she looked at Ryoma.
Ryoma then walked past by her. "Follow me."
"Eh?" went Sakuno. But Tomoka was nodding excitedly. Sakuno ran to catch up with him.
To her surprise, Ryoma was going out of the airport. 'What's going on?' "Ne, Ryoma-kun, your plane—"
"Never mind," said Ryoma. "There are less people here."
Sakuno looked around her. Sure enough, there weren't any people around. "I need to tell you something," she said.
"Mm?"
"I want to let you know, that even though you may not like me, I still want to be there for you. It may sound stupid, but I truly believe that I'll be truly happy if I'm supporting you, Ryoma-kun. And if that's the closest I can get to you, then that will be enough." She looked at him as his cap hid his face. "Do your best, Ryoma-kun. I'll support you here."
"I have something to tell you, too."
"Eh?" Sakuno watched as his eyes connected to hers.
[Ryoma]
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I've put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear
I found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
And the reason is you
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you
I found out a reason to show
A side of a me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
Sakuno found herself melting before him. It was a strange feeling, a warm hot feeling that made her legs weak. "Ryoma-kun..." she murmured, but she could go no further.
Ryoma had lifted her chin and drew his face to hers. Their lips brushed each other for a moment, but slowly the kiss became deeper and deeper, and Sakuno felt like she could die at that moment.
They drew apart, lips still warm. "I'll be gone for a month," said Ryoma. "Wait for me."
And Sakuno drew a smile on her face. The smile, Ryoma knew, that became the key to what was hidden in his heart. "I will," she replied.
And those were the last words they spoke to each other as Ryoma entered the boarding gate. No words were necessary at the moment, more can be said when he returns.
But at that moment, it was enough to fill two hearts with hope.
Owari!!! Yes, yes, sappy ending, I'm not exactly good at writing romantic moments so please bear with me.
Yup, that's the famous song from Hoobastank, 'The Reason'. What can I say? Enough said.
(Bows down) Thank you and have a great day!