Yo minna! Well, I have a feeling this will be my last and final chapter of the fanfic. I could put up an epilogue, if you want. But it will be about the future, and nothing more from the prom. Which could only mean one thing, readers :) and i think you might know! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the fic as much as I enjoyed typing it.. anyway, here you go, chapter 9!
White eternity > yeah, RyoSaku
Mel >yup, i did update. I just updated ysterday
NOTE : Please bear with my grammatical errors, spelling errors, etc. No one is perfect, and I'm FAR from perfect :) oh and, this has some connection to my previous fanfics, e.g. Ice Cold Baby Girl, Himawari, Behind the Smile and 1000 Words. But up to this point of the story, or rather, the point of the story of 1000 Words where Yuko still lay bedridden, but now, she is doing alright, except that she's just rather weak.
"Sakuno, you look stunning!" Tomoka squealed. Sakuno blushed in reply, as usual. Sakuno felt tears gathering in her eyes. This is the night, she thought. It's my dream come true. Her dream of going to the prom escorted by her prince, Ryoma Echizen, was about to come true. Ever since she laid her eyes on him the first time she met him, which was exactly three years ago, Sakuno felt that Ryoma was the right one for her. She had laid a huge crush on him, and never stopped liking him till this very day. She thought of giving up on Ryoma earlier this year, but Ryoma never failed to make her heart beat faster.
After receiving the invite from Ryoma, Sakuno had decided to go shopping for a gown with her best friend, Tomoka. After 5 hours of trying out clothes in countless shops, Sakuno finally found a suitable one. It was pale pink, with two layers. The outer layer was chiffon, whereas the inner layer was silk. It was long and flowing, and had frills at the end of the gown, which was cut diagonally. It had traces of little beads at the end of the dress, and at the sleeve as well. Her sparkling silver high heels shone even under her house lighting.
As for makeup, Tomoka had done it for Sakuno. She had made Sakuno's makeup light. A little bit of light pink lipstick, and some blush was all it took to make Sakuno look more beautiful than she was. Her hair (NOTE: Yes, I cut it for her, but it grows, right? So right now, it's longer.) was let down, and Tomoka had made additional efforts to make it even straighter than it was (which was impossible, Sakuno's hair was already straight, simply because it had been years since she cut her pigtails and tied her hair into braids).
Their dates (Tomoka was going out with Horio, simply because I needed her to go to the prom with someone.) were to pick them up, and they would gather at Fuji's house (he offered) before departing for the prom.
"I'm sure Ryoma will be amazed! I bet he never thought you could be that beautiful.." Tomoka blabbed.
"Tomo-chan… you're exaggerating!" Sakuno replied. She blushed again at the compliment. But she had to admit she looked like a whole new Sakuno. She felt more confidence in herself, and didn't look as doubtful as she usually did.
"Oh come on! Eh? That's the doorbell, Sakuno-chan! Gambatte!" Tomoka cheered upon hearing the doorbell ring. Once again, Sakuno blushed. She didn't even need to apply the makeup, because her face was all red.
Ryoma rang the doorbell, with Horio by his side. They actually had gone to pick up Tomoka first, but she was at Sakuno's. Understandable. After all, they were best friends. But Horio wasn't his best friend. He didn't have any best friends. There was Momo-senpai, but Momo-senpai was just his senior. Momo-senpai was his closest friends, but they never became best friends, unlike Eiji-senpai and Oishi-senpai, the golden pair. Ryoma wouldn't want Horio as his best friend. Boastful, loud, and just what the saying says : empty vessels make the most noise.
Minutes have passed since he last rang the doorbell. Thinking no one heard it, Ryoma pressed the bell again. This time, Sakuno opened the door. Ryoma was amazed. Sakuno was… simply beautiful. She didn't look like the blur girl that she actually was. She looked confident of herself, and that's what Ryoma liked. Even though no one could see the confident Sakuno, Ryoma felt it. He knew that Sakuno could be the person she wasn't, and that girl was spectacular.
For the first time in his life, Ryoma was speechless. He was staring, and he felt as if he saw the most beautiful living thing in the world. Sakuno looked even more beautiful than Arwen, or Cinderella, or.. Rapunzel! What am I to say? Do I say she's the most beautiful living thing on earth? No. I'm at a loss for words. Ryoma thought, staring at the doorway.
"Um.. Ryoma-kun, daijoubu ka?" Sakuno queried.
"Oh?Um.. you're very beautiful tonight."
Sakuno couldn't resist blushing. She just felt her face become warmer.
"Ryoma-kun! Come have a seat inside first, while Tomoka does last-minute touch-ups on her makeup!" Sakuno said, pointing to the sofa. He obeyed, and joined Horio on the sofa.
"What am I to do? What should I say? Echizen, tasukete..!!" Horio murmured.
"Tch. Mada mada da ne."
Meanwhile…"Is this alright, Sakuno-chan?" Tomoka asked. She wanted to look perfect for the night, even though she had to go with the person she never wanted to go with in the first place ; Horio.
"Yup! Come on, we've got a prom to rock tonight!"
Ryoma, Sakuno, Horio and Tomoka arrived at Fuji's home, only to be greeted by Fuji's sister, Yumiko.
"Have a seat, minna! Syusuke has gone to pick up Miyuki, and I think the rest should be coming soon. Make yourself at home, while I go and prepare some cookies for you all!" Yumiko said, smiling.
After what seemed like less than a minute, Kikumaru arrived with his date for the night, Yuki. When they entered the house, they seemed rather angry at each other. They were squabbling over what seemed to be, Kikumaru's toothpaste box.
"It's your fault for throwing away that special box nyaaa, I wanted to keep it and frame it up!" Kikumaru wailed. Yuki was stubborn and refused to lose.
"How did I know? Your toilet was so messy, and I was so bored, so I cleaned it up for you! You should have thanked me! God, how did you live in such.. disorderly conditions?" she complained. They went on, and on, and on.
"Ano.. Kikumaru-senpai, Haragiri-senpai.. please stop fighting, it's not good for the both of you.." Sakuno said, trying to break up the two.
"HMMPH! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!" They both said in unison, their backs against each other. No matter how serious the fight was, Eiji and Yuki looked so perfect for each other. After a short moment of silence, Eiji apologized.
"Gomen ne, Yuki-chan. Sorry for yelling at you like that, I was just pretty angry you threw away something that I have always wanted to keep all my life nya.."
"I should be the one apologizing! I should have asked you whether to throw it away.." Yuki continued. They gazed at each other, and soon they were locked in a forgiving embrace.
"They're so like that. HOW SWEET!" Tomoka exclaimed.
Soon, almost everyone was there, except for Fuji, Tezuka, and their dates.
"What's taking them so long, I'm fricking hungry!" Momo exclaimed. Oishi was clutching his cell phone, hoping to hear from them. He was walking around the Fuji's' living room, worried about what happened to them. Everyone was worried. What on earth was happening?
"Minna! Gomen nasai, we were very late," a familiar soft and feminine voice said. Everyone turned their heads. They guess right ; it was none other that Fuji Syusuke. He was hand in hand with his girlfriend, Tezuka Miyuki. Beside him was Tezuka Kunimitsu, their ever-emotionless captain. His hazel eyes gazed softly at the frail girl by his side, namely Yuko, his fiancée. She smiled happily at everyone else.
"Yeah! All because nii-chan forgot where he put his tie..!" Miyuki complained. The older Tezuka just glared at his sister.
"Since everyone's here, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Momo exclaimed, hand in hand with An-chan. She looked up to the boy and nodded her head in agreement. Ryoma didn't dare hold Sakuno's hand; maybe she wouldn't like it.
"Ano.. Ryoma-kun, we better hurry, everyone's leaving!" Sakuno called out to him, taking him back to face reality. This time, he knew he could not deny his feelings for her. He took her hand and he walked her to the limo. She blushed, but deep inside, Sakuno had longed for the prince to hold her hands.
The music was playing softly in the background. Ryoma was leaning against a pillar, drinking a can of Ponta (A/N : How he got it, I don't know. Hahaha). Sakuno was busy talking to everyone else, and didn't have a dance with him yet. She was busy, after all, and Ryoma sucked at dancing.
He noticed the girl who previously thought that Ryoma had invited her to the prom. In fact, she was dancing along with her partner, with that air of pride around her. However, Ryoma had successfully deflated her ego. That must have had some impact on that girl. Whenever their eyes met, she would glare daggers at him. He didn't care; all he wanted was Sakuno to be happy.
"You're looking very lonely," a voice called out to him. It was Sakuno. She looked so pretty that Ryoma actually wanted to hug her on the spot. For the first time, Ryoma Echizen smiled. He didn't smirked. He smiled. At Sakuno Ryuzaki.
Sakuno was pretty surprised. She had seen Ryoma Echizen, the emotionless and heartless boy, smile at her.
"Do you want to dance?" Sakuno asked. She knew she had to make a move first, or else the both of them would be looking like wallflowers, doing nothing in particular.
"No thanks, I don't know how to."
"How can you go for the prom when you don't know how to dance at all?"
"I was forced."
"Fine, fine! Come on, I'll teach you."
"If you say so," Ryoma continued. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and got his hand to hold her waist. With patience, Sakuno taught Ryoma how to do a simple box step. At first he had stepped on her toes a couple of times. Then again, no one is perfect. Not even Ryoma Echizen. However, Ryoma was a fast learner. In five minutes, Ryoma was dancing like a pro. Whenever their eyes met, Ryoma could see and feel something. It was the same for Sakuno as well.
Soon, the band played a slow song. They waltzed slowly, and Sakuno put her head on Ryoma's shoulder.
"I've been wanting to do this for a very long time, Ryoma-kun," Sakuno whispered, hoping not to disrupt that special moment. Ryoma stroked her hair, and caressed her smooth face. It was not the time for a kiss, especially not in front of thousands of kids. Sakuno just knew the right place.
Hand in hand with Ryoma, she walked to the balcony. It was just the two of them, and Ryoma could gaze her eyes without anyone throwing a remark. He could hold her as long as he wanted to, he could do anything.
The time was just right. He leaned forward, and so did she. Their lips met for the very first time, under the moonlight. Ryoma let his tongue do the talking, and before he knew it, he had kissed Sakuno Ryuzaki. He could no longer deny his feelings towards her. She smiled up at him, and hugged him even tighter.
Thank you, Ryoma. It's a dream come true. All the time, I just wanted to say these three words, but I couldn't. I thought you wouldn't like it. At that time, you wouldn't have. But right now, you will, won't you? Thank you for making my day a perfect day. Thank you for making my life so wonderful. Sakuno thought to herself.
"Aishiteru, Ryoma," Sakuno said softly, and Ryoma grinned at her. He held her so close to him, she could hear his heart beat.
"I love you too, Sakuno. I'm sorry if I had hurt you before, but I know now I cannot deny my true feelings," Ryoma whispered in her ear.
I love you very much, Ryoma, and I always will.
Well, I know it was a bit OOC. Ooops i mean VERY OOC.But I just love Ryoma and Sakuno! Well, yes I SO made Ryoma OOC. He would NEVER do that! No matter how much I'd cry for an episode like this appearing in Tenipuri in the near future.. but!! Hahaha.. fyi, that's the end of the fic. Finito! Owari! Unless you want an epilogue, but that shall be about THEIR future, which I shall umm, write about. once again, thanks to all the faithful readers who have been reading this for so long, I never got to update. HAHAHA. -pkaye