Author's note: Notice I combined some chapters because I realized it's meaningless to separate them when they can fit in one lol. Anyway, please read this one again, if you have already read the chapter before. There's an update here. Thanks for the comments!

Time ticked further and the sun took its peak. Sakuno settled with rummaging and arranging her belongings around her designated room.

" It's too big. " She pondered, having the room for herself which is double the size of even the one she owns at their house back in Japan. Having about half of the things fixed, laziness took its toll and she promised to finish everything left by tonight.

'Meow'

Sakuno shrieked at the sudden brush of fur between her legs while she's pushing one empty luggage below the bed. " K-Karupin-san. " She sighed, the cat just gave her a mini-heart attack.

'Meoooow'

" Okay, okay. Please give me a minute then I will attend to your needs. " She replied back to the naughty cat that chose to wait for her while lying down at her bed. " I haven't even touched the bed. " Sakuno sulked and carried the feline.

Looking at the clock that reads 3:45pm almost to evening, Sakuno wondered what could she prepare for him. Oh but wait-

" I still can't believe I actually ordered your master to buy groceries for dinner. " She talked to the cat, and also reprimanding herself for being such an obedient chef of this house for having the audacity to command the head of the household. How great of you, Sakuno. "Ooohhh he must be on his grumpy state by now. "

" So you were playing tennis since- "

An hour ago, the two individuals were on their tenth questions on their mini-game of getting to know when Ryoma's phone rang.

" Ignore it. What's the question? "

" But your phone's ringing? "

" It's nothing. "

" Please answer it. Might be an emergency. "

" Che. "

The tennis player had no choice but to snatch the phone innocently ringing and vibrating atop the table rather begrudgingly. One look at the caller and his emotionless façade turned annoyed. " It's work. "

Sakuno chuckled at the message, standing up and collecting their used plates to be washed. " We should postpone then. "

" Yeah, it's gonna be a long talk as always. " The man answered, dragging his feet to the refrigerator for a quick snatch of one Ponta can, ignoring the second call, and retreated to the veranda.

After a few minutes though of silence around the house, with some constants shouts from Ryoma outside, and sound of plates clanging while Sakuno's washing the dishes, the screen door opened again.

" I need to go out. " Ryoma announced near Sakuno, while he's putting the half-emptied can back to the fridge.

" So soon? " Sakuno asked, wiping the table.

" It's urgent he said. Horio. "

The chef peeked at the heard name. " Horio-kun? "

There was no answer for a moment before Ryoma came back dressed in pants and a black hoodie printed with 'DAMN' at the front. " Yeah, you will see him tonight. I'm gonna invite him to dinner since we need to have a talk anyway. "

" Oh!" Sakuno ran to meet the man halfway to get his keys. " Speaking of dinner, your fridge is empty. "

" I'll bring some take-outs. "

" What? That's outrageous!" Sakuno protested, raising an eyebrow from the man. " You have a chef already, Ryoma-san. You can buy groceries on your way back then I will cook really quick. What dinner do you want me to make? "

" Tempura. But I don't- "

" Oh that's easy! Wait here I'm just going to write down the needed ingredients! " The woman all by retreated back, leaving a dumbfounded tennis player who doesn't register the word 'grocery' from his dictionary. Grocery? Since when was the last time he entered there?

Once Sakuno went back, holding from her hand a pink stationary note, there standing in front of the door was Ryoma on hold with a call. He seemed to be in much hurry that when he grabbed the offered note from her, the tennis player gave a wave then left.

" And now we have to wait, don't we, Karupin-san?"

'Meow'

The human and feline rested at the loveseat situated at the corner of the living room, the television creating the noise inside the silent home. The lazy cat, with its belly in direct contact with her lap and its four limbs free, looked as comfortable as it can muster atop the human's lap, while subtly purring at every long strokes.

" Your owner said he also studied for a long time in Japan. " Sakuno spoke. " I wonder if Karupin-san was born in Japan too? "

She received another loud purr.

" Weeeell, we had a cat before when I was in middle school. Her name's Luna-rin. She was so lovable and adorable, though I had to let her go because of my grandmother's allergies, but everything was fine. I gave her to someone I could trust to keep her safe and well. "

Another purr.

" Well I should probably do something about my application at the university and prepare my things for tomorrow, so Karupin-san if you don't mind - " One attempt of lifting, and the cat sprouted continuous whines until Sakuno removed her hand.

" Uuuhh okay maybe tonight, I guess. "

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

" So that's a wrap for now. Good night, everybody!"

At the other side of scenarios, we welcome the tennis player's unentertaining afternoon. The meeting just ended, which only highlighted his promotions and scheduled practices and matches. Ryoma was not exactly having a pleasant time, knowing that this could be discussed through chats or phone when he'd rather waste his time at home.

But if he's at home, he wouldn't be able to buy ingredients for dinner.

He is escorted down by guards with his manager, Horio, when he paused halfway and slipped his hand at his back pocket.

" What is it? You forgot your phone back at the hall? " Horio asked allowing some of the guards to proceed, while he watched his friend retrieve a- a- A PINK PAPER?!

" No. " Ryoma shortly answered, unaware of his friend stepping back. " It's this. Some groceries for dinner, I guess. "

Then the overly designed paper is snatched from the tennis player's grasp.

" T-This- shrimp- o-olive oil- pa-parsley?! Please don't tell me you wrote this on your own?!" The manager panicked, waving the paper at Ryoma's face.

Ryoma retrieved the paper back and delivered a quick chop at the head of his dumb friend. " Idiot. My chef wrote this. "

" Sa-Sakuno-chan?! But she's just been here this morning and you're giving her duties already?"

" Then what's the reason I hired her, then? " Ryoma pushed the offending disbelief face of his friend and continued his travel to the parking lot. " Where's the nearest grocery story anyway? "

Horio sighed. " You have one near your village, Ryoma. Just a few blocks away. We're passing there every day. "

" Oh. Right. But can I buy these stuffs there? "

" Damn right you can. It's a store. "

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Back at the condominium unit of the famous tennis player. . .

The feline, after having the best nap it had probably took (at Sakuno's lap), stored a lot of energy to play by herself at the grass outside, while Sakuno prepared to boil the rice.

" It's 5pm already. " She noted while looking at the clock. " I do hope Ryoma-san knows which is which. "

Well does he?

An hour passed by quietly, with Sakuno having the needed time to sort out few of her schedules for tomorrow, without the continuous nags of the feline. It is on her third recall of directions when the bell at the door rang, signaling an arrival. A loud groan followed after.

Sakuno immediately stacked her document on the table, and rushed to meet the visitors -she assumed at the amount of steps she could identify- halfway. " Welcome back!"

" Sakuno-chaaan! " An eager colleague escaped from the crowd of suited men and ran to her, about to hug the said person but the strong grip followed left his arms hanging open while Sakuno looked at him in bewilderment.

Horio cried internally.

" Stop creating a scene, would you. " The owner of the household spoke lowly, having been shadowed by his men, letting go of his grip at his manager's collar and went to the kitchen and settled the huge shopping bag down.

At the notice of groceries stumbling down at the awkward landing, Sakuno beamed and ran to check. " Wow, but I don't remember writing down this much? "

The tennis player only shrugged. " I'm not sure which is which that you want so I bought two good brands of each. "

" But anything is fine! They are the same anyways, even if you buy either of the two good ones. "

" The hell would I know that? "

" Well, I strongly insist you do, Ryoma-san. It's a necessity. "

" Whatever. As long as I can eat delicious meal. "

Sakuno has few more things to retort about but stopped, not in front of the guests at least. "Alright, then. I have already prepared rice enough for us all, I hope you have taken a bath by time the dinner's serve?"

The other only nodded, and trudged to the refrigerator.

" Ryoma-san, soda drink is for when you already have decent food on your stomach. "

The men, including a confused Horio, watched in mute as their celebrity grumbled and left the kitchen to freshen up in his room. How in the world . . .

" Everyone!" They averted their eyes back to a smiling chef. " Please do make yourselves at home. Dinner will be served in a bit! Oh and Horio-kun-"

Said manager straightened at the call.

" – Surely you're up for a detailed explanation of all of these, hm? "

" Y-Yes, ma'am. "

While the chef busied herself on cooking tempura and few side dishes, the five men were huddled at the spacious living room, all tucked in one long sofa and one love seat. The television was on but their focus is all in the only woman in the house. Horio's foot paced in anticipation. There was something weird in this arrangement, he's sure.

" Why the hell are you guys looking so constipated in your seats? " A slightly annoyed Ryoma passed by, towel lunged at his shoulder, wearing more comfortable sport shorts and black shirt with a printed 'FOREVER YOUNG' on it. " I took a bath and played with my cat, but you four are still here? "

The four guards sobbed. " The lady told us to stay for dinner, sir. "

" The heck? "

Horio, sitting at the loveseat, waved a hand. " Calm down, Ryoma. Let them be, it's probably Sakuno-chan's way of introducing herself now that we're gonna see her more often from now on. "

Ryoma somehow seemed to consider. " Hn. Fine. "

" What I'm more troubled about is you, Ryoma. " The managers paced, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.

" What? "

" You silly boy. I can't believe we only need someone like Ryuzaki Sakuno to appease your ego. "

The tennis player only stared at him weirdly.

Sakuno peaked at the good moment to announce that the dinner is ready, Ryoma walked away, ignoring that he just saw his friend fake crying to prevent himself from firing him at once.

Dinner passed by with the guards and Horio sending praises to Sakuno for such a delicious meal, and in unbeknownst time, Ryoma kicked out the guards, and finally him, Sakuno, and Horio were left, though once the peace was back at the penthouse, the tennis player resorted to lazing at the couch veranda with his favorite cold drink.

" Sakuno-chan, is everything sorted out for your scholarship?" Horio asked out of the blue in midst of wiping the table.

The chef paused from drying the washed plates. " Hm? Not quite. Actually, I am thinking of paying a visit to the university so that I can be familiar with the directions. And also maybe ask about my scholarship. "

" The university is pretty far, you think you can handle the travel?"

" Oh I'm pretty sure I'll be alright if I just follow the instructions on the booklet they gave me. "

While the manager was indulged in his tea, Sakuno finished up cleaning the kitchen and then quickly gathered her documents and places them down in front of her colleague. " These are all the information they offered, and directions on how to go to the university and also dormitory, though I won't be needing it anymore it seems. " She sat down. " But anyhow, for the impromptu job I am currently in. Please explain. "

A sweat fell from Horio's face. " About that . . . Well, there is no one I know that cooks Japanese cuisine better than you, Sakuno-chan. Everyone approves of your cooking ever since highschool. "

" Flattery won't get you anywhere, Horio-kun. You are well aware I came here to improve my skills, not to have another load added to my planned schedule. " Sakuno sulked. " Though I know this job could provide more experience, but I wouldn't be sure if I can be this lax in the future. Considering the distance from the university. "

Horio straightened up from his seat, palms clasped down at the table, same form when he means business. " Okay Sakuno-chan. I won't lie to you, I chose you because I know your capabilities and the man of this house isn't picky when it comes to Japanese foods at all, but he practically demanded this to me yesterday, and if I won't heed to his demand, oh believe me, he could dismiss the chef of this hotel. "

To that such authority made Sakuno gulp.

" And who am I to let that happen now, don't we? That could ruin his impression, but as you might observe, Ryoma only likes to play, he doesn't care about his image. You see, that shouldn't be the same case for us actually working to build his fame and attract sponsors for him. We need these sponsors for our tennis star. "

" That is why I badly need your help, Sakuno-chan. I don't have much time to search for another chef, and I do honestly believe that you are capable for Ryoma. "

Sakuno fidgeted at the amount of sincerity at his colleague's words. She is truly moved by the declaration and sure could not be the bad person to ruin someone's reputation. Besides, the master of the house has so far been true on his words to only let her cook his meals, nothing more. " But- "

" Don't worry, Sakuno-chan. If somehow this arrangement is still posing as a distraction on your studies, don't hesitate to inform me. I will immediately search for a replacement; you know I don't want to go back to Japan with Tomoka heeding for my head. "

After a bit of silence, Sakuno eventually nodded, much to the other's liking. " Alright, I accept the deal. "

The screen door of the veranda slid open, Ryoma entered with his cat dangling at his arm. " I tried placing floaters at Karupin's limb and placed her down the pool "

The two individuals blinked. " And? " Sakuno asked.

" She jumped out and scratched my arm. "

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sakuno gave the two men some time to chat on the tennis player's schedule while she went on to her room and finished arranging the few things she left on her luggage.

After half an hour of serious business, Ryoma and Sakuno werenow sending the manager off. More of Sakuno opening the door for her colleague and Ryoma resting at the wall, while the manager finished wearing his shoes. " I'll be off now. Ryoma, I'm picking you up 30 minutes before lunch tomorrow, you better be ready by that time, you got it? And Sakuno-chan, good luck on your adventure tomorrow. Hope everything goes well. "

"Thank you, Horio-kun. I will do my best. Good night and be safe. " Sakuno replied and carried the curious cat up when it's about to poke its claw on Horio's briefcase.

When the door closed, Sakuno spoke before Ryoma disappears back to the veranda. She doesn't know why he always retreats to that place, but observes not to talk to him when he's there. " Um, Ryoma-san? Since the refrigerator still has few stocks, is omurice acceptable for breakfast? "

" Sure. " The other shrugged and walked off.

Sakuno bit her lower lip and sighed.