Miracle of White Day
written by: alice望.
"lovely boy-a~ , seishounen~" Nanjirou's monk-like voice sounded barging inside Ryoma's room who was still currently sleeping with his Himalayan cat beside him curling up cutely.
"the morning's such a fine day~" he gestured motioning his hands "you wouldn't miss this would yo—" a white pillow suddenly flew towards him, and because he has a quick reflex, he easily took the flying object while crouching down.
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Nanjirou was once a great tennis player with monstrous abilities, he's still in shape as of today due to having matches with his son that particularly always asks him. If he wanted to, he could've been the world's renowned tennis player! But for some reason.. he didn't pursue his one dream and instead, he had another big one, which is why he's training Ryoma and maybe someday- they'll have a serious real match. He's waiting for him to be a worthy opponent by sending him to Seishun Gakuen, where he once was a student.
The boy opened his eyes lazily, for the reason that his father was waking him up in such an annoying way. He should've known that he wasn't the morning type of guy, yet he's here inviting himself inside his room banging him with nonsensical chats early in the morning. 'tch. It didn't hit him' he thought as he groggily yawned scurrying his disheveled hair, his cat Karupin who had just woken up steadily stretches her flexible body. Seeing the sight of her owner, she happily meowed approaching him and greeted 'good morning' in her own cat ways.
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His gaze was now facing his father who was looking at him with a grin, "what?" stated with a pissed tone "don't you know what day today is seishounen?" Nanjirou tilted his head facing his son.
"leave me alone" ignoring his question as he demandingly stated, not a request "aah~ kids nowadays are such a brat" twiddling the inner of his ears "I have an errand for you" – "yada." he instantly replied and laid on his bed again.
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He definitely did not want to let anyone ruin his perfect day, yesterday their Principal announced that a group of businesspeople would be coming and that they'll be using the whole area of the school for it, something like presenting a beneficial wage of orientation. Sure, he won't be able to come to practice a tennis club but he definitely wants to escape girls who will wait for him to give them something if not for the Principal's sudden announcement, Ryoma remembers the loud groans and whispers of disappointment the girls sounded the day before now.
Yes, today is White Day. Wherein people who got gifts from someone in Valentines they'd repay them back with something as well, he knows this very well that he wished it wasn't a thing in the first place. Despite half of the boys being upset- he most likely would be on the other half's side who were glad about it. So naturally, no one would want their so-called perfect day to be in a slump by someone who can't seem to leave them alone. Presently, the youngster hugged Karupin in an attempt to sleep trying to forget his father who was staring at him with his plastered smirk when out of the blue he said;
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"we'll have Japanese food for a week if you listen to me seishounen~" he taunted teasingly, Ryoma's ears were perked up.. it was something he shouldn't miss after having Western food for all eternity of his life.
He quickly then sat up making the cat move away, "a year" facing his father with his brows furrowed "a month, how's that?" Nanjirou offered "six months final." – "fine fine, six months" he raised both of his arms in surrender.
"go buy these" handing him a neat white sheet of paper immediately leaving the room "hn.. so he can act like this huh.." scanning the paper from top to the bottom "Mom probably likes this side of you only" he smirked.
"a-axchoo-!.." wiping his nose using the cloth of his clothes "I bet that brat has his smug face on when he read the list" Nanjirou scowled walking towards his sleeping place, where the big bell was.
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Ryoma then folds the paper into four creases creating a small square shape, raising himself sluggishly preparing himself to take a bath. After his quite cold time inside the bathroom, he headed towards the kitchen wearing a white and black striped polo shirt accompanied by his extreme dark blue shorts. For such a hot weather, it should go along a nice cooled Ponta, his one and only favorite drink especially flavored in grapes. Placing his usual white fila cap on top of his head, taking the can out of the fridge immediately brought it with him as he walked out of the house.
Later that moment, he managed to buy all the things he needed based on the list. He looked like he was someone's boyfriend being so loving to his girlfriend by giving her a bunch of chocolates, a bouquet of roses, and a big stuffed teddy bear. People who passed by him gave a very happy expression, some ignored and some were whispering how they wished they had a boyfriend like him. Through all that, Ryoma doesn't feel comfortable, not one bit. Why did he agree again? Oh yeah- for the sake of having Japanese breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It's not that he hates his mother's Western style of cuisine, he just preferred Japanese, you could say that's his type of food for his everyday life. Now there's just one thing he needed to buy then he's out, he would go back to sleep with his furry cat Karupin and forget the exhausting journey he had. The young boy was too busy thinking a leisurely drift when he got home and probably pay a little something back at his father for giving him such a hectic errand, that he didn't know someone was calling out to him. the voice persisted again which made him snap out of his trance, turning to his back he saw a familiar face.
The girl he's looking was wearing a white whole dress covering her knees, it had a sunflower pattern on. It matched the yellow-designed scrunchies that tied her auburn-colored hair up, styled in twin tail without her braids, wait.. without her usual trademark braids? He eyed her closely, her right hand was placed clutching at the middle of her chest as her honey-like eyes were widened looking back at him. Ryuzaki Sakuno is not in her usual braid, that kind of surprised him slightly but not enough to actually express it. The young maiden was standing there blinking, what luck does she have to eventually 'by chance' meet him along the way.
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"Ryo-ryoma.. kun" there goes her stuttering disease, she saw that he was carrying such girly things. Because of her curiosity she asked "a-are you going to give tho-those to someone..?" she hesitantly questioned as her lips curved down.
"Oyaji's being a romanticism, so he asked me this." he rolled his eyes in annoyance, he seriously would get back at his father. Hearing those- she sighed in relief, 'yokatta.. it wasn't what I-..' she suddenly then giggled cutting off her own thought.
The lad raised a brow confused in her actions but he just shrugged it off, she then approached him with a gleeful smile "I-I was on my way back to Tomo-chan's..!" – 'this time..! I'll head-on face Ryoma-kun! Just like Tomo-chan' she steeled her resolve, quite daring as one would say.
"hn." Now that he got a close look at her, she was fondly cute in her dress- and her new hairstyle.. it suits her well. He lets out a brief snort, what was he thinking? It's probably because of the sun, yeah- the sun's getting into him.
"ne, can you help me out?" he needed to finish the task at hand immediately, but the last objective he needs to get is something he hadn't seen everywhere. Ryuzaki- being a female, definitely she knows where to find it.
"ah- un..! What is it Ryoma-kun?" she leaned in closer as the youngster pulled out the creased paper pointing the last list he hadn't lined out "this, where do I get it?"
Furrowing her brows reading "etto.. I know this one.. but this would usually be seen at the arcade.." she suddenly formed a small smile which didn't escape the prodigy's sight.
"why're you smiling?" – "eh-?" the petite young lady sounded as she then looked up to him.
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Her eyes widen in realization knowing how close their faces have been, just a few inches of space and their noses would touch each other. Sakuno reacted moving a meter away from him with her heart throbbing so fast. Her cheeks were now inflaming with blushes as she crossed her hands tightly, Ryoma on the other hand had no idea why the colleen just bolted distance away from him. Probably because of the sun? To some degree, if they do get too close, they'll just create unnecessary heat making each other sweat quickly. So it's better that she did distance herself, is what- he thought.
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"i-it's just.. the last item you're trying to find is.. well-.." her fingers were playing with each other looking down immediately, "it.. has a saying you see.." – 'so much for head-on facing Ryoma-kun.. mou Sakuno.. you dummy..' she bit the insides of her cheek.
"hn.. what saying?" now that caught her attention, never would she have thought that this Echizen Ryoma in front of her, known to as a person who doesn't give a thing on irrelevant matters– would ask what the tale was about.
"… is that so shocking to you?" he said sarcastically cutting her out of trance, "n-no! I-I would be glad telling you!" she instantly answered.
Her face lightened up a little as she foretells "le-legends says that the box holds a mysterious power.. th-the thing you're trying to get was once called the 'petit trésor box'.." – 'hn.. french huh'
"the box uses some kind of mysterious power that makes the destined couple do things they're not aware.." – 'sounds like a ghost possessed them, a-mazing' he thought sarcastically.
"I-it says that it would guide the destined couple in into the path of the fate's red strings.." – 'fate's red strings?' the boy thought raising a brow, letting out 'tch.' grunt "too cliché".
Ryoma brusquely said leaving a stupefy impression on the maiden with him, 'aha.. that's Ryoma-kun for you..' she cartoony sweat dropped forming a small smile.
"a-ano.. this way Ryoma-kun.." she managed to change the awkwardly atmosphere as she moved herself and walked first, the shounen then followed.
The silence between was unbearable, so she thought of initiating a conversation to ease cumbersome air "um.. Ryoma-kun.. do.. do you plan on giving someone this White Day..?"
He paused for a split second and resumed walking nonchalantly "betsuni. (not really)" the young mare beside him bit her lip softly, she did gave a chocolate to him on Valentine's Day so.. she was hoping "I-I see.."
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But this is Ryoma, of course- it wouldn't be a surprise if he would just forget that this kind of day exists. She shouldn't have expected, but at the same time.. there was a small chance of possibility. The possibility that he might give someone a gift, or rather a fancy present that no one would think of. And if he did think of giving someone, would she even be sure that she's one of the participants that Ryoma will give? These thoughts were now swirling inside the maiden's head, unknowingly she was walking straight to the standing metal pole.
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The lad beside her warned instantly "oi Ryuzaki, in front of—"
Sakuno heard his voice cutting her out of her reverie, but it was too late- she then slammed her face directly to the pole making her stumble and flopped unto the ground "i-ittai.." she whined.
Seeing this, the lad couldn't help letting out a short chuckle "mada mada dane" the lass pouted "Ryoma-kun! You're being a meanie.." rubbing her nose in a soft motion to ease the pain.
He held all the stuff at his other hand as he extended his arm lending it to the poor little filly, she was slighly astounded by his gesture ending up staring at it "gonna take it or sit there forever?" sarcastically he commented.
"go-gomen!" immediately yet in a slow movement grabbed his arm as she stood, her face flushed again with lips curving funnily "ah. We're here" Ryoma turned facing the building in front of them which made her as well look, she didn't know they were this nearby.
Her eyes then wandered on their "still" holding hands, she wants to tell him that she was already up- at the same time keeping it quiet. It's such a rare occasion that she gets to hold his hand, so instead she requested.
"Ryo-ryoma kun.. I-I'll help you carry those-" she smiled sheepishly at him with her other free hand motioning in open, he nodded in response giving her the big stuffed teddy bear and a bag of chocolates.
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He was in fact thankful that she offered help, his hands were starting to feel numb because of lifting them all the way from the mall to their current destination. The place they were at is a huge avenue for games, called Arcades. Naturally many people would be there, adding the verity of "no class" it'll probably double the people inside, which is why the reason he's holding her hand. The girl has the tendency to be lost due to her very horrendous sense of directions that a little left to right pathway, she'll eventually be nowhere in sight and officially be lost.
The second they stepped inside, they were many people bustling inside. Laughing, drinking, and shouting of victory. Talk about nonsensical yell, few of the people were taking glance of the two. Some were giggling, some were whispering, some were rolling their eyes out. 'can't they mind their own business?' angrily he thought giving them a dangerous glare, those who were looking at the pair straight up went back to their games. The juvenile whom he held looked down in embarrassment, 'th-they might think we-were a couple..' her face was beaming off a steam, until a group of guys bickered beside them.
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"hey guys, check out that chick out. Isn't she a cutie?" he whispered glancing at the girl with a perverted grin "oh hey yeah! The lace on her collarbone is turning me on" another one stated with an enthralled whisper.
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She heard them all right. Flushed at their comments, she raised her arm to cover her cleavages using the things she's carrying. The stuffed bear was super convenient because it completely blocked her chest. Knowing that their gazes were right directed at her, she faced away instantly hiding behind the prodigy's back for shelter. Unconsciously she lets her hand go on his and tugged instead on his shirt with a tight grip, the boy noticed her circumvent actions, decided to moved blocking the group's view from taking a peek at her. Not letting a single eye laying on the girl anymore.
He knew she was uncomfortable by all their lewdly stares, Ryoma's brow furrowed irritatingly as he emitted a piercing cold glare. 'seriously, your unnecessary hormones aren't needed. As a matter of fact, you yourself aren't needed' the message inside his mind were sure delivered for the lads flinched at his sight, hurriedly taking their stuff and strode out the Arcade. He smirked on his own as if he won a match or something just by seeing their cowardly fallback.
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"a-are.. are th-they gone..?" Sakuno manage to speak minimally, although her stutters didn't hide the fact that she was feeling cramped by their obscene talks.
"mm." the young man suddenly then turned slightly grabbing her hand and walked off, she was yet again dragged "now where's the game?" he stated as he paused.
"a-ah—" the girl squeaked, she was surprised by his pursuit "u-um.. its, its there.." she pointed.
Ryoma led her there still holding her hand "do you often find yourself in that situation?" he bluntly asked which made the petite girl quiver for a bit. "no-not often.. ju-just rarely.." she replied biting her lower lip.
"sou..." the both of them were now in front of this giant machine with transparent glasses, inside were stuffs filled with toys, snacks, chocolates, and others. As well as a big grabber on top of those items, its what people call the "claw crane".
'I wonder why he would even ask that..' the lass thought, her gaze shifted unto the machine beside her, touching the glass pointing in "there it is Ryoma-kun!"
He laid the bouquet of flowers down leaning it beside the claw crane, "put it here" the shounen says pointing the spot beside the flowers "hai-.." she laid the stuffed bear and the chocolates on the said spot.
Then without any hesitation, the boy inserted a coin inside the machine and started pressing the button pulling the lever as well. Left, left, right, forward and bingo! Finally he got the cutely mocha-colored small box, "sugoii Ryoma-kun! You got it already on your first time!"
He looked at the damsel with a brow-raising "this is simple." Bluntly said placing the box inside his pocket.
She on the side slightly flinched curving her lips in embarrassment, well.. unlike Ryoma- she would have to spend a lot of yens just to get one stuffed toy out of the machine "ha..ha.. ri-right.."
Sakuno looked somewhere else aside from the young man beside her, looking at the machine her eyes then widen slightly "usagi-chan.." she lets out unconsciously, the dark-green-haired youth surveyed her seeing a faint red blush on her cheeks eyeing something.
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He followed her view, as expected of the prodigy– easily spotting it. 'a white bunny?' he thought looking back at the girl who was now having a perplex expression. 'okay Sakuno.. let's have a shot.. te-testing luck.. I really want that bunny..!' her face then brightens much to Ryoma's surprise. She was about to insert her coin inside when a hand suddenly stopped her, blocking the entrance of the slot coin. The young lady unwarily lets out a squeak.
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"so-something wrong Ryoma-kun?" she gazed at the lad who stopped her.
It seems that he too was stunned by his movements 'my hand..' he frowned glaring at his own hand, letting out a deep sigh he motioned in putting his own coin "you'll just waste money"
That pretty much made the dame shunned with an opened mouth forming a small 'o', tilting her head in a process of closing her lips plastered with a confused face "waste.. money? What do you mean Ryoma—"
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Before she could finish her lament, the young boy started pushing buttons and maneuvering the lever, Sakuno could see that he's trying to get the white bunny her eyes laid on. 'does Ryoma-kun need that too..?' her brows angled up expressing a disheartened emotion, she really did like it since that type of stuffed toy is something she wants since forever– and is rarely seen around. In all honesty she was surprised that there would be one inside the machine.
Speaking of which.. she wondered 'when I first looked.. there wasn't any like that inside..' what's more, it's the only inside! She must've probably missed it? 'yeah, I probably didn't see it at first..'
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A faint light shined inside the mocha box as the white bunny was surrounded by little twinkling sparkle.
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Sakuno rubbed both of her eyes, staring back at the bunny but the sparkle was gone "ah.. I guess it was just my imagination" whispered the maiden lowly.
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She blinked now looking again at the toy that is now being carried by the crane, Ryoma swiftly controls the lever moving his finger on top of the red button and pressed it letting the white rabbit fall in the hole. If it was in basketball it'll be a score! The damsel couldn't contain her glee and clapped softly enough for both of them to be audible, 'Ryoma-kun really is amazing..' she smiled glancing at his side-view face 'his parents would be so pro—' in all of a sudden he grabbed the two of her hands opening them wide quickly placing the white stuffed bunny at her palms.
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"eh-?" well, who wouldn't be dumbfounded by his actions? "eehh-?! Ryo-ryoma-kun this..!" – "just take it." lowering his cap down covering his face as he stated it in a form of a command, not a request.
"a-aaaaaa~ a-a-ano..!" she blushed extremely, 'did he notice me ogling at it?' her lips curved again but this time in a shy manner, while the tennis prodigy turned his back picking up the gifts he's supposed to take home.
"Ryo-ryoma-kun..! This— this..!" – 'I-I can't take this! This is Ryoma-kun's effort! (which he totally didn't) a-and also his coin was used..' gripping on the bunny looking at his fine bodily back.
She tugged on his shirt stopping him, which he did. "I-I can't take.." – "today is White Day right?" he interrupted.
"u-un.." her grip weakens having a curios countenance "then, take that as one" – "a-.." for some reason.. after hearing that her heart started stammering with her face slowly colored up in bright red, retreating her hand back.
"nn, jaa–" he now carried the things his father Nanjirou tasked him to get "ja ne, Ryuzaki." With that his mission has ended, leaving a very flustered lady behind who was still holding the rabbit.
Without her consent, her mouth opened "thank you, Ryoma-kun" that halted the youngster taking a quick look at her.. seeing a radiant yet warm smile of hers making him instantly leaning front again. "uiss."
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Is what he responded.. walking out, Sakuno touched her lips in motion looking stunned herself 'I-.. I manage to say it..' she can't believe it– although truly she wants to say that, but usually her mouth won't correspond with her. And now.. she magically said the words inside her mind out clearly! Without stuttering! She gazed her look towards the boy, her eyes spotted a green colored box that's showing out of Ryoma's pocket 'wait.. isn't that box mocha colo—…' after her unintentional blink, the box turned into its original mocha color.
'eh?' blinking multiple times, seems that the box didn't change color after all. 'I-I'm getting paranoid..' she shrugged the thought biting the insides of her cheek 'I-It's all Ryoma-kun's fault..' her blush once more reddened with steams flowing out of her head. 'Ryoma-kun gave me a gift this White Day..' although she was flabbergasted by the recent events, the petite girl can't suppress her happily smile gaping at her bunny that she's now holding closely.
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Once more, the diamond-like sparkle around the white bunny appeared momentarily and disappeared. Just as the small box that turned green then back to mocha.
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Ryoma looked at his palm while walking his way back home, 'that was weird.. my hand just moved on its own, before I knew it I was holding that stuffed toy' he frowned.. immediately remembering what the young dame told him, motioned his hand unto his pocket picking up the small box. He lifted it up high and stared at it, it seems so ordinary, nothing special at all.
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"mysterious you say? hn.. that's interesting." He said, still stoic as ever.
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The boy closed his eyes for a moment sliding the box again back inside his pocket as he opened his eyes with a thought 'probably because of the heat' concluded as he proceeded heading home and present his 'oh-so-loving-father' a whack for disturbing him, his sleep, and his peace. And probably acquire his long-awaited Japanese breakfast for half a year!
A/n: uh so– I'll probably edit this again, later? I'll also make an omake! Yay! I'm very sorry because this was late.. supposedly I want to post it exactly at March 14, but.. school and such are bugging me.. so forgive me..! A review from you guys would be great..