A/N: Whew, final chapter up! This didn't go as I expected, maybe I lack sleep or food, but whatever. Friendship and Fluff coming your way, so be prepared. To clear anything on Ryoma's part, I might add an epilogue or a side fic sometime. This is for the I:U Forums, and more importantly, for me and everyone who might enjoy this… because I just want to write.
DISCLAIMER: Konomi Takeshi owns them all.
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LIKE A CHILD
© Doctor Meowzie
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Sakuno.
'Mou… where is he..?'
This was not what she had expected. Normally, when looking for her senpai within the walls of Seigaku, her senses would act like super effective compasses that can immediately detect where he is staying, no matter when and where. Now she can only wonder why she's having such a hard time at it. Did things really change that much?
A 180 degree turn in events ensued when Kikumaru Eiji and she had established a stronger and closer bond of friendship. She was so happy about it, and never did expect for things to move further on into a 360 degree when on one fateful day, the gods really did take it to 360 degrees.
One couldn't possibly imagine the bewilderment and shock that she felt when her silent prayers were answered, just near the end of last year—her final semester in junior high school. Back then, how could she not freeze in utter astonishment when THE Echizen Ryoma finally acknowledged her existence and walked up to her to engage her in a simple conversation? Tomoka said she was amazed, but Sakuno, our dear little Sakuno, really did mentally scream 'WTF!?'
She was still thankful, though. She was happy that Ryoma-kun already considered her as a friend in some way, approaching her by his own will and even buying her a can of Ponta for a few times while on the way home. He shyly asked him why at one time, but he merely said "Nothing, really."
She was satisfied with that… but something surprised her again.
For many times, she wondered and asked herself why already she felt calm around Echizen Ryoma. Why didn't she blush in front of him like a little schoolgirl anymore? Why didn't she stutter around him anymore? Why did she not feel so inferior to him anymore? Was it because Ryoma-kun stopped ignoring her, or was it because of something else?
Hanging around with the tennis prince opened a new perspective within her mind and heart. While they really had become considerably close friends, she discovered that she didn't have a crush on him anymore. Crush was only a form of admiration, they say; but never did she expect to get over with hers in a span of a few days.
She blinked. A few days? What 'few days' was she referring to? And what did these 'few days' do to make her move on?
Was it the time when she hung out with Ryoma-kun?
'No. Not really. I already changed when Ryoma-kun talked to me like a friend for the first time—or maybe even before it…'
Or… was it the time, the days, which she cherished while being with Kikumaru-senpai?
More importantly—with she going as far for him as this, is it possible that she harbored feelings for her senpai?
She blushed.
'Kikumaru-senpai… I miss him.'
She really did. While she spent more time with Ryoma-kun, she too seemed to have drifted a little farther from her senpai. When they see each other, their greetings would usually go in a single string of a Hi-Hello-See you-Goodbye, which is sad. Plus the fact that—correct her if she's wrong—Kikumaru-senpai seems to be avoiding her in school, especially when she's with Ryoma-kun. She even caught her senpai glowering unpleasantly towards their direction at one time. And at one time, in the library, he talked to her in a fashion that was not the bubbly and energetic Kikumaru Eiji at all.
What if senpai was angry at her, thinking she had forgotten all about him? What if he was just trying not to scream his anger at her face just because she looked like an innocent kid (which wasn't reasonable, at least for her)? He did know that Ryoma-kun had been the sole object of her affections since the beginning, and may even blame her for being such a cheap person—because she really isn't. She treasures bonds with her family and friends, and have absolutely zero intention of deserting any one of them.
Sakuno wasn't sure of what's gotten into him, so now, walking in search for him with full determination etched within her soul, she'll make up for the hours they failed to spend in each other's presence. Plus, she exerted quite an effort of baking a whole cake just for him. But it was not one of the usual chocolate cakes they enjoyed baking; this time, it was a strawberry one.
Earlier she came across Ryoma-kun outside the school gym; he was leisurely sipping from a can of his favorite grape Ponta. She asked him where Kikumaru-senpai would most probably be. His eyes looked like they widened for a half of a centimeter, though he calmly said that he, unfortunately, had no clue.
Shortly after, Tomoka spotted her and called to her near the tennis courts. She wanted to ask Tomoka if she'd seen Kikumaru-senpai, but upon seeing the box of cake in her arms, her best friend immediately declared "Worry not, Sakuno! I'll help you look for Ryoma-sama!" and dashed away before Sakuno can correct her.
A few more inquiries she asked to her senpai-tachi and friends here and there, and still no idea on where her acrobat senpai is.
Sigh. Maybe she should just wait for the bell to ring; she can just give it to him later—
"NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPP…!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Someone tackled her from behind, but luckily both her feet were still glued to the ground and her cake was still safe in her arms.
She blinked absent-mindedly at the larger form that currently had both his arms around her waste. "K-Kikumaru-senpai?"
Her senpai blinked at her as well.
They stood there, looking at each other blankly before Eiji realized that he was still hugging Sakuno. Blushing furiously, he let go.
"Ehe… gomen, Sakuno-chan. I lost my momentum nyah…" The red head scratched the back of his head.
"Ah… it's… okay, Kikumaru-senpai." She managed to say, but his seemingly bashful demeanor did not escape her.
She glanced worriedly at him. "Senpai… is there anything wrong?"
"Eh? No—nothing's wrong, Sakuno-chan! Nothing at all! See? Ehe…" he put on his best cat-like smile, but this didn't work against Sakuno. Deciding to leave it as it is, the girl stretched her arms and presented the box she held to him. Eiji blinked at this, tilting his head at her in question.
"Anou senpai," she began, and suddenly her voice returned to its diffident tone, "Um, I-I know that I haven't been hanging around you lately… I mean—you must be angry at me for not even finding time to spend with you. B-But I'd like to let you know that—that I still like my friend Kikumaru-senpai the way he is. He's one of the most precious people to me… and I treasure this bond with all my heart! So… if-if I offended you in any way, gomen!"
He stared at her. Here was the object of his affections, apologizing to him even though he was the one at fault; for acting so childish and immature just for seeing her together with Ryoma, for being too dense to realize that he actually did hold special feelings to Sakuno.
He should really learn his lesson from her… aside from baking cakes, that is.
"Neh, Sakuno-chan? It's okay! Um… well, actually, I'm not at all angry at you! Really!" he tried to comfort the dazed expression on her face. "And, er… what's this?" he pointed at the box in her hands. Sakuno let out a small yelp and opened the box, revealing a beautiful, pink cake with several strawberries perched on top.
"Um… I want to give this to you, senpai. Gomen, it's not chocolate. I thought you might want to eat a different kind of cake this time, so…"
With one hand, he retrieved the box from her. He stared at it in awe; amazed at how she had made the cake, and even more astounded at her noble character. He can't help but feel guilty; she didn't deserve to go through such trouble. All because of his childish drama, she had to do this. Oh God, he was on the verge of tears… tears of joy.
"SAKUNO-CHAN!!!"
His other hand went behind her and held her in an ecstatic hug.
"Eep!"
"You're the best, Sakuno-chan!!! Arigatou!!! MOU, I WANNA BE LIKE YOU!!!"
He grinned in total mirth; if only he could possess an unconditional kindness as Sakuno, be as mature as her in a way, and even be as adorable as her, then maybe, he can have the same unseen powers that she has.
It took him a while to release her to allow her to breathe more properly; and when he did so, he suddenly pouted childishly at her. Sakuno looked nervously at him. Did she do anything to displease him this time?
"Nyah, Sakuno-chan…"
"Hai, senpai?"
He remained as is; then to Sakuno's immense relief, he sighed and relaxed.
"Didn't I tell you that I'll bake a cake for you?"
Sakuno blushed instantly. "Um, well, hai. But it's fine, senpai—"
"No, no! I'll bake one for you, sensei! For you."
"Ah… okay, senpai."
…
…
…
"Arigatou, Sakuno."
She stared at him. He was still grinning, but he looked so serious; he even didn't use the usual '–chan.'
She couldn't really understand what he implied, if there is. All she knew was… she was also thankful.
'Arigatou, Eiji-senpai.'
This was their own power, their own magic. The innocence and veracity that allowed them to bond more strongly despite any misunderstandings that might ruin it. And as they walked along the yard beyond the tennis courts, chatting animatedly and happily with each other, they soon realized that having a friend like the other was a great, irreplaceable blessing. And even if they choose to ignore the mild, special feelings for the other, they will forever remain thankful.
How could they not be?
After all, they were children—the only beings who can make such miracle possible.
OWARI
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A/N: It struck me. "Cake? Shouldn't you be doing Bunta?" Well… I have nothing to say. –swaetdrop- Romance need not end everything, dear! Because friendship stays! Haha, I'm preaching. So it's done. Please review. ♥