Pure Essence: SORRY! I know I'm late in updating and I'm soooooooo sorry! School sucks as usual and thanks to that, I have to stay up so late to do homework so I hardly have time to write. Exams are coming up too but, right now, I'm having spring x Easter Break so I finally can write this chapter! I hope my writing skills haven't dropped for these few months. Anyways, the story's almost coming to an end. Still thinking about the ending though! Hehe! -- P.S. – I'm telling you… the POT section needs more Ryo x Saku!
Disclaimer: Same old, same old.
Previously in the last chapter:
"Don't worry about that Tomo-chan. You just have to promise me one thing."
"Hai?"
"Don't tell him." Sakuno whispered. "You know who I'm talking about...just let Obaa-chan take care of it…"
Tomoka gave Sakuno a sad and painful look. But nodded her head anyways.
"I promise."
Then, they changed topics. Both laughed and kept smiling for the other. If this friendship will soon be separated because of long distance, they might as well make the best of it now.
Chapter 6: Good Bye
11:30 p.m.
Sakuno sat on her bed and stared dully into empty space. Her room was nearly empty. She had done most of the packing right after Tomoka left. The only things left in her room were things that she didn't need to bring along. As she slowly glanced around the room, a nauseating feeling overwhelmed her.
'Was my room always this big?' she thought as her eyes slowly traveled around the empty room. The sudden bareness of the room made her feel so small and lonely.
Her eyes landed on the luggage by her bedside and she decided to double check it to make sure she didn't leave anything out. When she stood up, a bright object rolled out from underneath her bed and caught her eye. She bent down and picked it up.
"The tennis ball with Ryoma-kun's face…" she muttered. Sakuno rolled the bright yellow ball around until she found the little face she was looking for. Her thumb brushed lightly over it and memories began to resurface in her mind.
'Ryoma- kun…' His name and face was the only thing that she could think of. 'Will you notice my disappearance? Will you miss me even a little? Will you think of me later on?' A million of questions ran through her mind and she wished the answer to be "yes" for all of them. A bitter smile slowly formed on her lips.
"Silly..." she reminded herself. "Why should he think of you? You're no one special… just another one of his fan girls…"
Sakuno's eyes watered as she brought the ball to her lips and gently kissed it. 'It was a one- sided dream after all...' Her thoughts were cut off when a knock startled her.
"Sakuno." Her grandmother knocked gently again. "Are you asleep already?"
"Iie." Sakuno called out and quickly wiped her tears. "You can come in, Obaa-chan."
Her grandmother entered and examined her room. "You've finished packing?"
Sakuno nodded. "I think I've packed everything I need"
Her grandmother nodded in approval. "Sakuno." She called to her granddaughter. "Do you still want to go to school tomorrow? If you don't want to, that's fine. Since I've already notified the principal about this."
"Iie. Obaa-chan… I need to go to school. There is still something I need to do before I leave."
Her grandmother gave her an understanding smile. "I see...well then, I'll drive you to school tomorrow okay?"
Sakuno gave her grandmother a thankful smile. "Arigato Obaa-chan."
"Daijoubu. You should get some sleep now. Tomorrow will be a very stressful day."
"Hai… I'll sleep soon. Oyasumi, Obaa-chan"
"Oyasumi." Her grandmother said before shutting the door behind her.
Sakuno let out a sigh and looked at the ball in her hand again. 'I'm bringing this...' she thought and stuffed the tennis ball into her tight luggage bag. Then, she climbed into bed and closed her eyes. As she slowly let sleep claim her, only one thought crossed her mind:
'I want to see you… Ryoma- kun…'
Morning
Day of Departure
'It's finally here' Sakuno thought as she crossed out the date on her calendar with a X. The day was sunny and beautiful, but Sakuno had wished it was rainy and dark. This type of weather didn't seem to match the way she's feeling. She had hoped that it would rain so maybe their flight will be delayed. But, life doesn't go that way does it?
A feeling of dread made her stomach churn. "Today is the last day I'll see everyone, the last day I'm part of Seigaku, and the last day I'll ever see Tomo-chan and Ryoma- kun…." She muttered. Just thinking of it made her feel sick.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming up the stairs and she quickly made herself busy by stuffing her hand made lunch that she made early in the morning, for herself and Ryoma into her book bag. Sakuno's grandmother appeared by her door with her car keys.
"Ready?" she asked Sakuno.
"Hai… Do I have to bring my luggage with me?"
"Iie. We'll come home later to pick it up. We're going to take the taxi to the airport."
"Souka…"
Sakuno's grandmother gave Sakuno a gentle pat on her shoulder. "Let's go" she said. "You wouldn't want to be late today since you have things you still need to do right? And I still have news to tell my tennis team."
Sakuno looked up. "Eh? You mean you didn't tell them yet? Didn't you go back to school yesterday after Tomo-chan left?"
Ryuuzaki- sensei shook her head. "I was too worried about you to go back. It's not too late to tell them today. I've already told the principal to put Tezuka in charge after I'm gone."
Ryuuzaki-sensei gave her granddaughter a comforting smile and guided her to the door. "Let's go."
"Hai…" Sakuno grabbed her book bag and gave her room one last look before closing the door behind her with a tiny click.
When they reached school, it was almost deserted. 'I'm late' she thought obviously.
As the car came to a stop, Sakuno stared silently at the building through the window for a few seconds.
"Sakuno?" her grandmother's voice brought her out of her reverie.
"A-Ah…Obaa-chan… I'm going now. Ja ne." Sakuno said as she got out of the car.
"Do you best Sakuno." Her grandmother told her. "Don't regret anything later okay?"
"Nn." Sakuno nodded and closed the door. As her grandmother drove off, Sakuno stood in front of the school trying to carve the image of the school into her mind. 'I'm going to miss this place…' she thought sadly and walked towards the entrance.
Sumire Ryuuzaki headed toward the tennis club. Through all these years, she never regretted teaching at Seigaku. Deep inside her, she knew she would miss this school and her dear students.
When she got closer to the tennis courts, she could see matches being held and Tezuka standing-by over looking the practice games. She smiled in approval and slowly walked up closer to them. Tezuka noticed her presence and greeted her.
"Is everyone working hard when I wasn't around yesterday?" she asked him.
"Ah." He nodded. "They were all doing what they were supposed to."
"Souka." She said and silence fell for a moment. "Tezuka, I'll be leaving for America tonight."
Tezuka turned to face her, a little bit of surprise adorned on his face. "America?"
She nodded and closed her eyes. "Yes, tonight. I have a friend in America who needs my help to coach his team because he got seriously injured." She sighed. "Can you do me a favor Tezuka?"
"Hai."
"Help me take care of them while I'm away. I know you'll be graduating this year. But, before you graduate, you may give the captain position to whoever you think is worthy..." she drifted off. "I'm sure you already have someone in mind." She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Can you do that for me?"
Tezuka was silent for a moment then he answered in his usual stiff tone, "Ah."
Ryuuzaki-sensei smiled. "I know you'll lead these guys to great heights. I'm happy to know that Seigaku's tennis club will be in great hands while I'm away." She crossed her arms together and breathed out deeply. "Well, it's about time I let these guys know."
While Tezuka and Ryuuzaki-sensei are talking….
"HOI HOI!" Kikumaru bounced around as he practiced his acrobatic tennis. "Oishi, more balls and at a faster speed please!"
"Okay." Oishi called from the other side of the court. "Get ready!" He served more balls with more speed. Kikumaru returned them all into the basket.
"NYA! Practice Complete!" he mewed and hugged Echizen who happened to be standing behind Oishi.
"Ugh! Kikumaru- SENPAI!" Ryoma struggled as Kikumaru held onto him even tighter.
"Kikumaru Eiji. Practice Part I complete with 100 accuracy." Inui muttered as he scribbled into his notebook. "Next is Echizen's turn."
"Hai. If only- Ugh- Kikumaru-senpa- Itai!" Echizen tried to pull his senpai's arm off of him but to no success. "Oishi- senpai, help!"
Oishi sighed. "Oi, Eiji. You're going to strangle Echizen if you don't stop."
Kikumaru pouted. "Mou… fine." Kikumaru released his hold on Echizen so suddenly that he stumbled forward. Echizen took deep breaths and coughed. When he regained his composure, he made his way to the tennis court and began his practice. As Oishi served the ball, Echizen returned his balls with perfect accuracy and speed. Every one of his balls were aimed at the center of the basket. Other members gaped as they watched the freshman prodigy.
"That's our Echizen." Momoshiro joined in as they all watched.
At the end of practice, Echizen got 100 as expected. As he walked over to his senpais, he gave them a cocky grin. "Mada Mada Dane"
"Next is…Momoshiro." Inui announced.
"Hai Hai!"
As practice continued, the sun beat down on them mercilessly. "Thirsty…" Echizen Ryoma muttered under his breath. He stood up and left to find the water fountain without anyone noticing.
"Everyone, Gather up!" Ryuuzaki- sensei called out.
As everyone crowded around her, she made her announcement. "I have something to tell all of you." She looked at their eager faces. "I will be leaving tonight for America and Tezuka will be in charge. Work hard while I'm away. Don't slack off just because I'm not here!" After hearing this, the club began muttering and becoming restless.
"Nya!" Kikumaru frowned. "Why are you leaving so suddenly?"
Sumire Ryuuzaki crossed her arms and sighed. She told them the exact thing she told Tezuka.
Afterwards, the muttering became even louder and she saw unwilling faces surrounding her.
"Obaa-san! Do you really have to go?" Momoshiro said.
Ryuuzaki- sensei nodded. "Don't worry about me so much. You guys should all worry about yourselves. Follow Tezuka's lead and bring glory to Seigaku. You hear?"
"HAI!" the group answered.
"Good. Now, everyone please resume your tennis practices"
As the muttering crowd dispersed, everyone went back to their own activities except the fact that an uneasy atmosphere hung in the air.
No one had noticed that a certain Ochibi was missing.
Ryoma sighed in comfort as the cool water ran through his hair and down his face. He let the water run for a few moments before shutting the faucet off and shook the water droplets from his hair. His hair dried quickly in the hot weather and he put on his cap again.
Something brown caught the corner of his eyes and he turned to that direction.
'Hmm…' Ryoma's eyes narrowed when he thought he saw two braids turn the corner. He silently followed wondering if she was the one he's looking for.
He had noticed that she wasn't at the tennis courts this morning. Nor was she there yesterday. He hadn't seen that loud mouth girl either for two days. He was starting to wonder if they had given up being his fans. He really could care less if that loud mouth wasn't. But the thought of Sakuno Ryuuzaki no longer on his side and supporting him made him feel uncomfortable on the inside – even though he will never admit that out loud.
Pushing his thoughts aside, he looked around. By the girl's tennis club, he saw a girl with two long brown braids standing by the water fountain with her back to him.
'Found her.' A sense of relief filled him and he didn't even know why. He silently made his way to her but when he was 4 feet away from her, she moved from her spot and began making her way to the direction of the girl's tennis courts. He ran to catch up and when in reach, he grabbed her arm.
"Hey!" he called out to her but did not look at her face. Without saying anything more, he dragged her to a quieter place where they can't be seen. He pulled his cap over his eyes. "Where were you yesterday? Have you given up on cheering for me?"
"Chotto Matte…" the girl answered. "Who are you?"
Ryoma's head snapped up. This person is so not the person's he's looking for. The only similarity was the two braided pigtails. He mentally smacked himself.
'Argh! What the heck am I doing?' His face flushed in embarrassment for grabbing her arm and speaking so rudely to some stranger.
"Gomen. I thought you were someone-" Ryoma was cut off when the girl squealed and pointed a rude finger at him. "Aren't you THE Echizen Ryoma from the boy's tennis club?"
Ryoma cursed his luck. Why did she have to be his fan?
"Sorry, I have to go." Without saying anything more, he ran off and left the girl standing there bewildered that she had just met THE Echizen Ryoma.
By the time Ryoma had returned to the tennis club, a dull and quiet atmosphere surrounded the whole area. 'Something's not right…' he thought but shrugged it off. He quietly grabbed his tennis racket and joined the others, leaving no trace that he ever left.
After he played a quick practice match with Arai-senpai, and winning 6-0, he headed toward the bench to relax when he overheard Momoshiro, Kikumaru, Kaido, Inui, Fuji, Kawamura and Oishi muttering something about buying things after school.
Ryoma did not join in. He had no interest in whatever they were saying or planning. 'It has nothing to do with me anyways' he thought. When the whistle blew, signaling the end of tennis practice, he quickly got up and made his way to the changing room.
Ryoma changed quickly and grumpily as his thoughts were not on tennis but on a certain pigtailed girl that he can't seem to find!
When he finished changing, he rushed out the door just as his senpai's were coming in.
"Poor Ochibi…" Kikumaru muttered as he clung to Oishi. "He's going to lose his girlfriend"
Momoshiro nodded. "Such a sad love" he said and shook his head.
The rest of the regulars looked at those two in confusion. "Girlfriend? Who? Echizen has a girlfriend? Since when?"
Momoshiro and Kikumaru exchanged glances and snickered. "Never mind!"
Lunch Time
Sakuno had long waited for this moment. Finally, she could see Ryoma. Class had been so uncomfortable. People crowded around her after she made her announcement. Everyone seemed to make a big deal out of it especially when she mentioned America. They all told her how lucky she was to be able to go there and how they wish they could switch places with her.
'I wish you took my place' she had thought at that moment. It's not like she wanted to go to America. If anything, she rather stay in Japan where Ryoma-kun was.
Sakuno sighed heavily and made her way to the roof. 'I hope he's there today…' she thought eagerly and clutched the two lunchboxes tighter. 'After all, today's the last day...'
She climbed the steps slowly and her heart pounded with every step she took. Now standing at the roof's door, she took deep breaths and prayed to god that he was there.
Her hands slowly lifted to the doorknob and she pushed the door open with a painful squeak. A rush of air welcomed her. She closed her eyes as the warmth from the sun surrounded her. Opening her eyes again, she closed the door behind her and took a step forward into the empty and open area. She glanced quickly around the large empty area and her heart grew heavy. "It doesn't look like he's here…" she said out loud to no one in particular.
Sakuno turned dejectedly to the roof door with wet eyes. Her hands reached for the handle. But, before she touched it, someone grabbed her hand and yanked her hard toward their direction. The forcefulness caused her to drop her lunchboxes.
Sakuno stumbled and tripped over her own foot as she was being dragged backwards.
"Kya!" she squealed as she lost her balance and fell backwards. She felt something slide under her before she landed.
The next thing Sakuno knew was that her head was spinning. That forceful yank totally took the breath out of her. Sakuno groaned and shifted but didn't get up. She rested on the soft thing beneath her for a moment before muttering an "Itai…"
"That's my line Ryuuzaki!" someone gasped from underneath her. "Can you please get off of me? I'm not your bed."
"Eh?" Sakuno looked up only to find her face very close to Ryoma's. If she had moved up one more inch, she could've kissed his chin. She blushed scarlet and he smirked at her red face.
She quickly jumped off of him and turned away, trying to hide her flushed face from him. Behind her, Ryoma groaned and rubbed his sore back. 'Last time was the head, and this time it was the back. Great.' he thought. If he ever dies, she would be the reason.
Standing up, he swiftly patted the dust from his shirt and pants.
"G-Gomen… Ryoma-kun."
"Betsuni" he muttered and sat down against the wall by the door. It was quiet for a moment. Neither said anything.
"A-ah! I almost forgot." Sakuno suddenly interrupted. She went over by the door and picked up the lunch boxes. 'Good thing they're not flipped upside down' she smiled. She walked her way back to Ryoma side and handed him one of them.
"Here." She offered and he gave her a confused look. She pushed the lunchbox into his hands. "It's not good to skip lunch everyday Ryoma-kun."
Ryoma stared at the lunchbox for a moment before looking up at her. "Um…" he started.
"The chopsticks are inside." She told him, thinking he was going to ask for them.
"Iie... That's not what I was going to say." He grumbled. "I was going to say Thank You."
Sakuno blushed and gave him a shy smile. "Daijoubu. I wouldn't want Ryoma-kun to starve."
Then, both of them said nothing more as they ate silently. The silence became heavier and Ryoma couldn't help but feel the urge ask her about what's been bothering him lately.
"Ryuuzaki." He said her name and she turned to look at him. "I didn't see you yesterday or today at the tennis courts. Have you stopped rooting for me?" The question came out more direct than he had expected. He avoided eye contact knowing she'll know what he's thinking if he did.
"Eh?" Sakuno tilted her head to the side. "I was sick yesterday and today…" she drifted off. "Ano…I had something to do."
"I see." He pulled his cap lower.
"Besides," Sakuno's eyes grew dark. "Ryoma-kun should already know that I'll never quit rooting for you no matter where I am"
He did not answer her.
Sakuno put down her lunchbox silently and closed it. Her eyes wandered over to him and her heart stung knowing that after this moment, she might never see him again.
"Ne, Ryoma- kun." She whispered as she stared at the floor sadly.
"Hm?" he muttered as an acknowledgement.
"A-Ano…what would you do if I just disappeared one day?"
Ryoma stopped eating and closed his lunchbox.
"If you disappeared one day?" he thought for a moment. "I'll miss your lunchboxes..." he said and chewed on his chopsticks.
"H-huh?" Sakuno looked at Ryoma disbelievingly. "You'll miss my lunches?"
He nodded.
Tears of disappointment began building in Sakuno's eyes. "Is there anything else you'll miss?" she asked hopefully.
Ryoma pulled his cap low enough to hide his eyes. "Not really…"
Sakuno's heart shattered and the tears overflowed. She sniffed silently but Ryoma caught the sound. He looked up to see her crying.
"O-Oi, Ryuuzaki." He stuttered. Why is she crying? He can't handle crying girls!
Did he say something wrong? What did he do to make her cry? He had absolutely no clue.
Sakuno wiped her tears but refused to say anything. She grabbed the two lunchboxes and ran towards the door.
Before she ran out and slammed the door behind her, she turned to him angrily.
"Ryoma-kun no BAKA!"
A/N: YAY! This is like the longest chapter I have ever written. O.O
I'm sorry if it seems a bit rushed! It's so hard to put Ryoma into character. So if he's a bit OOC, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
The next chapter will probably be in a while… I've got all these big statewide regents and AP Exams coming up. I'm going to dieeeee! I guess I can say that this super long chapter is a treat to you all! XD
P.S. – I feel bad for Sakuno… Ryoma can be so dense sometimes… tsk… tsk…tsk…