Chapter 2: Boyfriend
"I'm sorry Ken-senpai, but I can't return your feelings" Sakuno said as she bowed her head 90 degrees.
"I know you will say that thing, but maybe I was pushing my luck "The guy with auburn hair said.
"I'm sorry again senpai" Sakuno said once again
"Well, he's one hell lucky huh" he mumbled.
Sakuno looks at him curiously but the latter just shook his head as he started jogging away from her.
"Don't worry I'm fine" the guy said smiling to her.
Sakuno just stared at the guy retreating back
"And that was the fifth one" Tomoka said as they walking towards their classroom. "Sakuno, do you even realized that it's our second week since the class started and you manage to reject 5 confessions now? "She said overly exaggerated. "Are we counting now?" She spats.
"Mou... Tomoka-chan, it's not that I like rejecting them, I feel so bad about it though." Sakuno said,blushing as her gazed directly on the books she was holding.
"I can't blame them though" Tomoka shrugs.
Sakuno pouted on her best friend, she pursed her natural pinkish lips together as she really dont get what her best friend was talking about. For the two years had passed, Sakuno grown- a lot. She was no longer a child just like before; from her natural long and thick eyelashes perfectly fitted in her expressive dough-brown eyes down to her narrowed nose and perfectly shape pinkish lips. Not to mention her soft, feminine face features and a perfectly shape body to be die for, well maybe, she inherited it from her grandmother in her younger teenage years after all. Though her hair was still braided to two pigtails yet much longer than before.
All in all, she looks undeniably and breath-takingly beautiful. Despite of simplicity she has. The only things she retained from her old self were her being klutz, navigationally-challenge young lady, plus not to mention how she still being oh so called shy just like before.
Not only by looks, boys got attracted on how she's naturally kind demeanor, her sweet and soft-spoken voice and her selfless attitude.
So, who wouldn't like her, right?
Many of guys describe her as a perfect girlfriend. Some of girls envied her while the other girls were definitely praising her. Which Sakuno would definitely refuse to believe since she always says that she is too plain and simple to be called like that. Well, she's too oblivious on her own self or much, better to say, that she totally has a low self-esteem.
"You know, you should do what I am advising to you" Tomoka exclaimed. She even pats her one hand towards her desk the moment their reach they designated room
"Tomoka-chan! You know I can't do that!" Sakuno replied, carefully putting her things on her desk.
"Then what else you can do? At least tell them you have a boyfriend! For them to stop pursuing you!"
"Mou.. you know I don't have one. And... I feel bad lying about it. It is really bad to lie right?"
"Gaah..." Tomoka exclaimed " I don't really know if you are just naturally good person or stupid?" She added rolling her eyes to her best friend.
"And what if... What if they ask me who is it? You know I'm not really good at lying!"
"Then tell them you dating Ryoma-sama!" Tomoka impatiently hissed, as if something snaps on her head.
"Tomo-chan! Not so loud!" Sakuno put her hand towards her mouth, she looks around and thank heavens that no one is paying attention to them. " Mou... You know that's not true either!" She pouted.
"Seriously? Then, what are you both? friends? As in? Coz if I am the one you will ask, it's not what I think you both are" Tomoka rolled her eyes once more.
"Mou.. Tomoka-chan how many times I need to tell you that-" Sakuno stops midway, shocked evidently in her lovely face as Tomoka held her one hand, pulling gently on her side.
"Then how did you explain this?" Tomoka points out her bracelet that she was wearing. "How do you explain every night calls? Exchanging of emails so often as if you both don't loss of anything to talked about? And you're not both busy? He even volunteered to tutor you every English exam! Take note! You do realize how expensive calls abroad right? You both even exchange schedules at school! He's even updated on everything that is happening to you or even asked permission first to him before doing something! He even gave you such so expensive gifts! Not to mention, that you're the only girl he's spending his precious time aside from tennis! That's not how friends should be like!"
Sakuno left speechless, her eyes darted on the bracelet she was wearing as if she would find an answer for her best friend bickering.
It was a gift from Ryoma in her 16th birthday. It was a simple, thin braided gold bangle design bracelet with three tennis ball in the middle. The tennis ball or so well at least how it looks like to her, designed with many tiny red stones, which she discovered her birthday stone, the garnet stone.
"Mou not again Tomo-chan"
Of course, they already argue about this thing last time, on how earth her best friend knew the value of this thing was still unknown for her. And yeah, upon knowing how expensive this bracelet was, she quickly grabbed her phone and asking for why's. Demanding that he shouldn't give such expensive things, since it is not necessarily. In which made Ryoma's annoyed and mad for the first time. Telling stuffs like that should be not a concern anymore.
'I hate talking about this'
'We would never talked this things again!"
She can clearly remember that time, it stills rings on her ear whenever she remembered it.
His annoyed voice and how firm the way he said those words.
'I bought it because it was you, it was you that I'm giving it. So, I don't see any wrong about that. Sakuno'
And that was the first and last time he called her from her given name.
"You know, I don't know who's the denser between you two- it is obvious that Ryoma-sama is giving hints on you"
"Mou.. I don't want to assume things and we never talk about those things"
"Then asks him!" Tomoka demanded. "Demand for the answers! So, you both could cut the chase already and start to be in a relationship!"
"Mouu... No! I won't do that! What if... What if you wrong from all of it? I don't want to be hurt in the end. And lost him either. I am contented this way... Even I am just his friend" Sakuno said, holding her skirt tightly.
"Fine!" Tomoka huffed. " Now... I really feel sorry for Ryoma-sama"
"Mou.. What's that means for?"
"Senpai-tachi's" Sakuno half runs towards the tennis court with both hands holding the tray.
"Sakuno-chan/Ryuuzaki-chan!"
They all said in unison, only in different names.
"Ohh.. what did you bring this time? Nya! Nya!" Eiji wiggled like a cat excitedly, he is the first one who runs fast on her.
"Saa .. I wonder what you cook this time" Fuji, the tennis tensai smiled.
"I made strawberry pudding this time senpais" Sakuno smiled sweetly.
"BURNNNINGGG! RYUUZAKI-CHAN GREAT-O!" Kawamura shouted while his one hand is waving a racket in the air.
"Is it really okay to bring these here?" Oishi, the mother hen of the group inquired.
"Yes, of course Oishi-senpai! I made a lot so that everyone can eat, it's individually tasks anyway." Sakuno smiled. "And besides..." She shyly continued, "this is my only token of appreciation for keeps me teaching tennis when you all have time"
"Nah... Don't mentioned it, you're like a sister to us" Oishi said
"Oishi-senpai is right, and besides we like teaching you, you know" Momoshiro said
"Fssshhhh..."
"Oi.. Oi... Ryuuzakichi! And we promised OCHIBI to keep an eye to you nya!" Eiji said as his one eyes close, pointing finger waving on the air.
"Arigatou senpai-tachi's" Sakuno smiled.
"And We're so lucky! Nya! We always eat Sakuno-chan's food! Nya!" Eiji continously chant. "You always bring us delicious snacks during practice breaks, nya!"
"Oi, mamushi! Don't eat all!" Momoshiro bickered to his oh so called best friend.
They were busy getting and handling the snacks to all.
"BAKA! I'm not like you!" Kaido retorted.
"What did you say?" Momo bickered back
"Huh. You wanna fight?"
"Bring it on!"
"Oi. Oi. Stops that you two" Oishi interrupted them.
Even the freshmen trio started on their little fight as Horio, took a lot of pudding on his hand, making the other two bickered with him.
Sakuno smiled, seeing them like that, it's brings a lot of memories just like the old times. From the distance, she saw Tezuka buchou looking at them with brows slightly furrowed from the commotion they made. Upon meeting her gazed, he slightly nodded his head.
"It brings back old memories, right?" Fuji said, smiling.
"Un." Sakuno agreed.
It's been a while since the Seigaku regulars been reunited, Tesuka came back last year after his journey of being pro in Germany, same goes to Oishi, just like Tezuka, he enrolled last year, after vowing that he wanted to become a doctor, but his heart was aching for ehat he really desires, he can't deny the fact how he misses playing tennis and be part of every match with them- his friends. Perhaps that's the reason why he holds his other dream in purpose to fulfill his first dream. Kawamura's case was not far from the two, though he loves and vowed to be the number one sushi maker, tennis is something that his heart still aching for.
They are now complete except from one- the youngest member of the team.
Sakuno's eyes soften as she thinks about him, her heart pounded on her chest as a tinted of pink blushed form on her cheeks.
Just like the others, he was busy conquering his biggest dreams miles away to them.
"So.. how's Echizen doing? Does he still contact you?" Fuji asks sensing her reverie.
"Un."Sakuno blushed.
"No fair!" Eiji stomp his feet " ochibi is being unfair nya! We always call him nya! but he always hangs us up!"
"There is 100% that Echizen does like calling Ryuuzaki-chan than us" Inui said while scribbling something in his notebook.
"Mou.. that's not it senpai!" Sakuno blushed harder. "Maybe he is a little bit busy whenever you call?" She added blushing furiously.
"But not busy when it comes to you" Fuji said smiling as he teases the young lady.
"So young.. so young.. nah mamushi?" Momoshiro teases.
"Fsssshhh"
"SAKUNO-CHAN!"
All of their attentions were gathered by the sudden voice not from a far. They saw a young guy wearing his judo uniform jogging his way to their direction his boyish grin in his face was evident as he looks at the girl, he stops right outside the court not minding the senpais that silently observing them.
"Uh. Kei-kun" Sakuno called back, she slowly walks towards outside the court to talked to the certain guy.
"Kei-kun?" The regulars said in unison aside from Tezuka who simply looking at the distance.
"Kei Nakashita, 16 years old, Freshman. Vice-captain of Judo club, height 172 cm, birthday February 16 Blood type O. Best in English, Math and Japanese. Favorite food is anything Japanese dish. He works part-time in Ice cream shop. Second best sports are swimming. Ranks 5th in boys' popularity. He has an outstanding impression in terms of girls in our school" Inui read his data in his book before closing it.
"Sugoii Inui! You knew him too nya!" Eiji said.
"And it seems He and Sakuno-chan were close huh" Fuji said, one of his hands on his chin as he observes them. "Interesting"
They all look to each other as they read each other minds at the same time.
Truth to be told, they were all surprised hearing her saying the guy's given name, since knowing Sakuno for too long, the only guy she's calling in the given name was not other than the young prince.
Their started making faces as they devilishly grins.
"Saa.. I wonder how he would react about this?" There is a meaning on how the tensai smiles.
"Nah.. Fuji-senpai, are you thinking the same thing I am thinking?" Momoshiro grins. His little finger was inside his ear, one eye close as he seems thinking of some sort of evil plan.
"Ii data" Inui said, he fixes his eyeglasses as he writes something on his notebook again.
"Sakuno! Are you sure you can go alone?" Tomoka asks worriedly.
They were in their locker, fixing their things as the class were already ended. Some of the students were busy talking to each other while the others were just like them, readying themselves to go home.
"Yes. Kei-kun will walk me at my part time job" Sakuno answered as she puts his outdoor shoes.
Yes, Sakuno started doing part-time job since last vacation, in which her grandmother agrees since the owner was an acquaintance of them. She works at a cafe shop which offers sweets, pastries, cakes and other delicacies. In which she learns a lot, from cooking, baking and conversing with other people, she develops somehow her confidence to talk and communicate with them. Little by little she gathers some confidence.
As she started 3rd year of her middle school her love for cooking as well as baking increases. That is why she enrolled herself in cooking club of their school. She slowly realizing what path she wanted to pursue and doing this is one step of her time. Though, playing tennis is still lingers to her system, that is why whenever their senpai-tachi's free time, they offered her lessons on how to improved her shots. In return, she offered them to cook in her house, which the boys agreed.
Sometimes, the tennis regular members would pay visits to their former coach- Sumire, who seems glad for their visits. Sometimes, when the schedule is not hectic from Yamato sensei, the current coach of Seigaku High School Tennis club, he also pays a visit to their former coach altogether. In which they talk much about their tournaments, personal things and such. The relationship that they all build were not just a simple coach and player relationship but more than that. They treat each other as a family.
"You being so close with that guy huh?" Tomoka intriguing.
Sakuno thoughts been cut as her best friend talks once again, she was staring at her as if there is something she wanted her to understand.
"Mou ..We're just friends! And it happens that his part time job is just nearby mine" Sakuno defended.
"Fine. Fine. But take care, okay?"
"Okay. You too take care. Ja!" Sakuno waves her hand to her best friend as she started walking to Kei's direction.
'So dense!' Tomoka said as she watches her best friend walks away together with the guy.
"Uhm. Anou .. Ryuuzaki!" Kei said at the middle of their walking.
"Nani?" Sakuno asks, she looks at him with wonder.
They were currently walking to their respective part-time jobs, most of the time, Tomoka walks together with her since they have the same path to take. But sometimes, when Tomoka has an errand to do, Kei would offer her to go with her since they have the same direction of their jobs.
"I just wondering if... if you want to go out with me this sunday? Like watching some cinema?" He shyly asks scratching the back of his head.
Sakuno seems shock. Is he asking me for a date?
"Well, if it's fine for you though" He added, both hands on the air as he keeps on waving it. " But to be honest, I really, really wanted you to ask for a date, uhmm... I guess, there is no one to be mad right? What I mean is-"
But Sakuno keeps blinking like a fish, astonished for his words.
Kei faked a cough; he looks straight in her eyes with all his mustered courage. "I like you Sakuno-chan!" He confessed looking directly and intensely on her eyes.
Making Sakuno eyes widely in literally shocked. Well, she never expected that. Kei is her good friend of hers, she met her when accidentally when they still both on middle school they both bumped to each other in the library, since then they become friends.
And this sudden confession is literarily and figuratively astonishing her.
"Uhm. You don't need to answer right away, it just-" he paused "I really wanted to tell you this" Kei smiled at her, a reassuring smile as he jogs farther at her. " Your work is here, see you tomorrow! Bye"
.
.
.
"I told you!'
Sakuno sweat drop hearing her best friend retorted on the other line.
"See? Why are you so dense when it comes to boys?" Tomoka hissed on the other line.
Sakuno could really imagine how her best friend looks like now. She smiled nervously.
"You know, Kei-kun is a good friend of mine, I never expect it from him"
"Nah! The way he looks at you! I knew it! So, what are you going to do now?"
"Well-"
"Well?" Tomoka impatiently repeated
"."
"Well what?" Tomoka repeated once again.
" I don't know!"
Sakuno heard from the pther line how Tomoka dramatically sighed, she really imagined her best friend rolling her eyes on her, thank goodness that they both talking on the phone now.
" You know, you actually know what to do"
"But- I don't like to hurt someone's feeling and he's a friend!"
"We both know whom do you really like, unless you falling for that guy?" Tomoka asks almost hyperventilating.
"No! I am not!" Sakuno defended.
"Then do the right thing. I know how much you like Ryoma-sama! So don't give Nakashita any false hope. There's always a boundary between friendship and love, you know"
Sakuno nodded her head, despite that her best friend would never see it. "Thank you"
"And one more thing, reduce being so beautiful, your hair is way too long! Argh! I felt like I'm going to steps into it!"
"Mou.. what are you talking about?"
"Just kidding. So, bye. I'm going to sleep now"
"Kay. Bye! See you tomorrow"
Sakuno sighed the moment she ended the call; she thinks of sudden ways to reject Kei's confession without hurting his feelings.
She was about to put her phone to her table when it rings once again. Her heart raises, face blushes as she saw the caller i.d
"Moshi. Moshi"
"OSoOoiii! What's taking so long before you answered?" Ryoma grunted.
"Gomene, Ryoma-kun! I been talking to Tomoka-chan for some things"
"Heh...What some things?"
"Ehh? It just girly stuff you know"
"What girly stuff?"
"Mou.. Ryoma-kun! It's something that I can't say to you" her voice seems to whisper.
"Che.. Why I have this feeling that you hiding something for me?" The young tennis prodigy asks.
"Mou. I'm not hiding anything! How's school?" She asks diverting the topic.
"Fine. Yours?"
"It's fine too."
".."
".."
Silence envelopes them both.
"Neh, Ryuuzaki"
"Yes?"
" Do you still remember what I told you in the bridge?"
Sakuno's eyes widened, of course she remembers! How on earth she would forget it, if every day, every single day, single minute, seconds she wondered of it.
"Hai!"
"Good. Ja! Sleep tight. Bye!"
Then he hangs up.
'Neh, Ryuuzaki'
'Nani?'
'Once we saw each other again, I want to tell you something'
'So be prepared'
"Mou... Ryoma-kun! What are you going to tell me?" She mumbled as she dives on her own bed.
Sakuno was standing under the Sakura tree, she was patiently and silently tapping her shoes on the ground as she was silently waiting for certain someone to come.
It was Friday, many of Seigaku High School students went home but she was still in the grounds of their school. Tomoka went first to her.
She sighed, remembering how her bestfriend insists to come with her, but after many arguments to her, the latter give up, saying to be true from her feelings and everything would be alright.
"Sakuno-chan!" Kei was smiling so brightly as he jogs towards her direction, still wearing his judo uniform, little sweat dropping on his forehead, he looks strikingly handsome- but not on her.
"Hello Kei-kun!" She greeted back
"I was surprised that you want to talk to me" he scratches the back of his head.
Sakuno looks down, she clenched her hands to her skirt mustering a courage.
"Uhm. Etou.."
"Is this all about my confession to you? Are you .." Kei hesitantly speak "Are you going to reject me now?"
Sakuno eyes widen in surprise, knowing how he guess her right, though confirming it was all written in her face.
"I see. So, I'm also rejected huh" he said, amuse as he scratches once again his head back. " Honestly, I know this would be happened"
Sakuno just starred at the guy.
"To tell you honestly, I was hoping that, you know... I might have a chance, since, ever since I never seen you with a guy or you never talking about any other guy aside from the tennis team, you know" He smiled as he continued " Do you really like him huh? That Echizen guy?"
Sakuno gasps, hearing his name to him, she blushed so hard that the only way to hide her blushing face is to look down.
"You don't have to deny it, you know, I already knew it. " He laughed. " Well, I always wondering why you are so close to the tennis team, you know, at first I was thinking maybe because they were once your grandmother's team that she handled. Then, I realized it's not because of it, but because of certain guy who's far away from us " Kei chuckled. " The way you look at him during his interview, I'd realized that he's the one you like, then, I remembered him, the youngest regular of tennis team during our middle school days."
Slowly, Sakuno nodded her head. "Your right. I really like him. I really, really like him, the reason why I can't accept anyone's feelings because..." Still looking on the ground with hands clenching, then she looks straight on his eyes "because he already occupied my heart. But that's not the only reason why I am so closed to them, for me, they're like my older brothers. A family"
"I see. But I bet you didn't consider that guy as your brother? Huh?" He teases. His one eye was closed.
Sakuno blushed once more. "No! It's not like that!"
" It's okay Sakuno-chan, once in a while be true to yourself! You're not rejecting guys if you don't wait for him, right?" Kei chuckled. "Now, I started to envy him" he said, putting both of his arms on the back of his head. "Let's still be friends, okay?"
"Thank you Kei-kun!" Sakuno eyes soften "I hope you will find someone who will cherish you"
They continue talking about things, without their knowing, a pair of golden eyes were silently staring at them in the distance, watching their every moved.
