Disclaimer: Do I have to bother w/disclaimers anymore? It's been on the other four chapters!! (I don't own :P)
A/N: Okay, I REALLY have nothing better to do than to explore this story. Hope you enjoy! Beriath-san, what's forte? -_-' I'm only familiar w/piano term. Cinpii-senPAI, thank you for reviewing... Hope you feel more cheerful though XD I DO save into html but before, my italics didn't work… btw… Tezuka addressed Sakuno by her first name because it WAS a love letter! And HE IS IN LOVE XD; Tezuka is NOT being unconfident!! Feelings of the heart are hard to describe, so if it makes someone act OOC, what can you do? We haven't seen Tezuka in love, so you never know!!
----x
Something was poking her, but what? Groggily, she felt around with her hand, finding a hard frame. She jumped. A frame? In my bed? Then the memories started flashing back. Practice, classes, her locker, the present. The present! She got up quickly, hoping that she didn't damage her gift. She let out a breath that she hadn't known she had been holding. It hadn't been damaged. Reluctantly, she got out of bed, instantly missing the warmth of her bed. She reminded herself to get some pyjamas that actually had long sleeves and pant legs.
Is it just me, or is there a chill in here?She took a deep breath, brushing her hair away from her face. Stretching, she headed into the bathroom. Another day begins. Today is the last day to avoid Ryoma-kun. Perhaps this gives me relief, but an odd sense of longing too. What will I do when I no longer need to avoid? She stopped. Why do I care? Why am I avoiding him anyways? Then she remembered. Tezuka-buchou*. I may be imagining things, but in my heart, I feel as if he notices me more when I am not near Ryoma-kun. Its as if everything in my life always goes back to buchou. Love. Why is there so many complications in something so beautiful? Wearily, she got changed after brushing her teeth and washing her face. Taking a brush, she brushed her hair until it shone, and braided it carefully into her two signature strands. Lastly, she took her daisy hairclip and clipped her hair into place. She stood straighter, and changed her mind. Today will be different. She untied her hair and let it fall down, some strands framing her face, others cascading down her slender body. Running downstairs, she took something to eat and left for school.
----x
"O-hayou gozai masu, Ryoma-kun!"
Ryoma turned around at the familiar voice. But why? "Ne?"
A smiling face greeted him. "I just wanted to say hi, Ryoma-kun."
He nodded. Why would she talk to me after ignoring me for so long? He chased the question out of his mind. It was not his business to know. He left, wondering still. Sakuno just smiled. She saw his puzzled expression, and was silently amused. For once, she was not the one left wondering why. Suddenly, she felt someone watching her with a deep intensity. Turning around, she couldn't see anyone, but she could not erase the feeling of being watched. I must be over-reacting.
----x
"One last try…" A weary voice said, "but no more."
Fuji nodded. "It makes sense… but although subtlety may be beautiful, there are times when something needs to be obvious to be noticed and appreciated. Why can't you take that one chance? What is holding you back? For once, tell me what is behind that stoic expression." His eyes opened. "Tell me."
"Its is not myself that is holding me back. I don't do it of my own free will. Guilt. That's what makes me stumble and retreat. How can I explain something so deep?" he replied.
"You aren't the only one who… loves. It is not a simple thing, neither easy nor difficult." Fuji replied. "It only becomes so when you make it so. I've learned from my mistakes. Will you? Letting go won't be easy, especially when the river runs so deep." He bowed down his head. "No, it isn't easy, but have you ever thought that you may have a part of her heart as well?"
"Some things are better left unsaid." He said.
"I just want my old friend back…" Fuji said as he watched Tezuka's retreating form.
----x
"Come with me. Tell me your secrets," a soft voice said.
He resisted, but had a sudden change of heart. He followed the voice. But why was it so dark?
"Come find me, Tezuka… Find me in this darkness, and I will show you light."
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am who you wish me to be. Find me a face, and it will be so. Give me a name, and it will be me."
"S-sakuno.." came the whispered reply.
"Then so it shall be done…" she appeared to him briefly, then just as
suddenly disappeared. He looked around desperately, trying to find her, see her
one last time, her glossy brown hair flowing down her back, framing her
delicate face, atop a slender, graceful body. But she was…
"Gone…where are you? Come back!"
"Help me… help me…" her voice echoed through the darkness, but no one was there.
Tezuka woke up. Sweat dripped down his face, and he felt a dreadful fear. His heart was pounding, the beats uneven and quick. It was like… he had lost something vital to him. Sitting up, he looked at the clock. 12 o'clock. It was long past time for him to get up, but for some reason, there was a sluggishness in him, something that made him want to stay in bed and not move for the next ten years. Resignedly, he left the bed, brushed his teeth, showered and dressed. After he made his bed, he left for the small coffee shop a few blocks away from his house. He still couldn't erase the fear though, and it kept nagging away at him, even after he took his seat by the window and slowly drank his tea.
Suddenly, the café went into complete silence, and faint screams were all he could hear.
----x
*Whoever criticized A.Z-Justice about how Sakuno addresses Tezuka in Could it Be, (Cinpii/beriath?) Watch episode 63 ^^A/N: hmm.. I think it was slightly OOC. What do you think? (Sakuno explaining why she was greeting Ryoma) Hope it wasn't too short everyone!
