Today was an important match for you, not only was it an important nationals placement match but also because Yuuta was there, Yumiko-nee(who never went to your games) was there, high school tennis scouts were there, and also Ryoko was there to watch you. You could remember everytime you watched her as Coppelia on stage and you remembered all the time you marveled at her with your hand over your beating heart. And for once, Ryoko could see you now and marvel at you and be amazed at how well you could perform as well. All throughout your match she was rather quiet and sat very still just watching with bright and focused blue eyes. She didn't scream or cheer as many of your female admirers did, but she sat and watched, smiled and blushed, just like a doll, your beautiful Coppelia.
The match ended quickly with your victory, and many people came to congratulate you. But none were as fast as Ryoko. She ran down from next to Yumiko nee-san and jumped over the fence, straight into your arms. "You did it, you won! I am happy, my boyfriend is the coolest tennis player ever!" you laughed and spun her around "Because you're here I could play so well, Ryoko you're my good luck charm." You placed her on the ground, and the whole team swarmed around to greet her. Eiji was the first "Its nice to meet you Ryoko-chan! You're more cute then I imagined! How about being my girlfriend?" before he could jump on her, Oishi grabbed him aside. "Sorry about that, Eiji gets excited easily, I'm Oishi, its nice to meet the girl Fuji is always talking about." Momoshiro pushed the golden pair aside "Shiraishi-senpai I am such a huge fan! I wish I had something for you to sign, I am utterly starstruck by you right now-" Viper gave Momo a hard shove "What are you talking about? I am the biggest fan! Sorry Shiraishi-senpai my friend is so dimwitted-" Momo came back and they continued to fight. Then Taka-san appeared "Shiraishi-san nice to meet you. My name is Kawamura Takashi." she smiled "Very nice to meet Syusuke's best friend." "Shiraishi Ryoko-san! So I've done my research on you and you're a dancer, you starred inCinderellalast spring, A midsummer Nights Dream the summer following and Coppelia has been your most recent show, and I know that you're auditioning for Giselle tomorrow right? Well just a little something for you, why don't you drink this for protein and vitamins! I ensure you this Inui made special Ryoko energy drink will do you good. Will you please try it out?" Inui asked. He thrust her the glass, and you tried to warn her, but she waved you away. "It would be rude for me not to drink the special drink Inui-san has made for me." Ryoma looked at her pleadingly "Senpai, I really wouldn't do it if I were you." you nodded in agreement, and tried to take the cup away "Syusuke, I will drink this! Just watch me!" then she placed the cup to her lips and tilted the cup.
One sip was all it took, she froze instantly and he bright blue eyes kind of dulled and her face turned a sickish green color. Everyone's jaw dropped not believing she did it, Ryoko looked at the cup again in a new disgusted manner finally understanding the horror this was. You smiled and took the cup from her "Thats enough for today I believe." You decided to take the shot for Ryoko, and this time the Inui juice wasn't so bad, actually it could be considered one of his better ones. "That was delicious Inui, thanks for that." you handed the glass back to him, and took Ryoko away. It did take her a while to recover from it, so long that she had to sit down and drink a whole bottle of water before she could get over it. "How horrible that was!" Ryoko said after she was better. "Why would he do that to me? Was it something personal against me?" you laughed and patted her on the head "No, its nothing like that. Its the way he shows his affection." "But really thanks to you Syusuke, for drinking that for me! You really are amazing. Do you want to go out tonight for a celebratory dinner?" you shook your head "my teammates and I are going somewhere, and you are going to bed early to rest up tomorrow. I'll walk you home myself." It was the middle of the day in Tokyo and everywhere was crowded, it was unusual to be out so early in the day with Ryoko because usually when you met it was in the evenings when less people were around. It was hard to keep track of her because she was so petite and everyone else was so tall. Several times, you had tried to hold her hand, but people kept cutting in between you. You weren't far from her apartment now and all you had to do was just cross the busy intersection and she could be returned home safely. You grabbed her hand "Ryoko, we have to hold hands now and don't you let go because there are so many people here, we can't possibly be separated." she nodded "Right, I won't let go of your hand!" The little green man lit up and you began to cross. Ryoko walked closer to you and this felt right, the sort of thing boyfriend and girlfriend usually did. You placed your other hand in your pocket, but when you did, you suddenly realized you forgot your lucky gripe tape back at the court. "I can't believe I would lose something like that." you mumbled "What is it Syusuke?" Ryoko asked "I lost my lucky gripe tape back at the court. I'll have to look for it later on my way to the team dinner." Ryoko turned around "No, we have to look for it now, you said you couldn't play a match without it." "Thats okay I'll find it after I take you home." "I can help now, its yellow right? I think I saw something yellow back there on the street." She pulled her hand out of yours just as you finished crossing the street and went back onto the road. Just then the walking light turned red and the traffic light turned green. One moment, you saw Ryoko coming to you with something yellow in her hand and a smile on her face, and the next moment, the worst happened. There was sounds of screaming and of screeching horns, when you looked again you saw her laying crumpled on the ground.
She was so fragile, so delicate, just like a doll, your Coppelia.