The Prince and the Pauper
moontonic18
Disclaimer: as usual... "I do not own prince of tennis Ü"
Chapter 5. Knock Knock!
I heaved out a sigh as I tried to put myself to sleep. I practically rolled at the bed, but it was still no use… the noise they're making downstairs just can't put me to sleep. I sighed again in defeat.
The classic wall clock showed me that it's 10:37 in the evening. This isn't right… I finally gave up. Everybody's having fun downstairs while I'm stuck here, trying to escape from grandma's 'unusual' games. I guess I'll have to join them. After all, I'm not a total killjoy... nuh-uh!
I lightly slapped my cheeks a few times while making my way to the living room. My eyes widened when I saw Senpai Eiji, Kawamura, and Momo's tangled bodies. The others were cheering them while Senpai Tezuka and Ryoma just stared gruesomely at the 'Loser's' infamous 'prize'- Senpai Inui's special juice.
Oh no, not this game… not the twister game! Grandma and I always play this game way back then, and I always end up getting muscle pains. I immediately turned the other way, trying to avoid the commotion. I'll just go get some fresh air… I stared at the crescent moon.
"Sakuno… you're next in line!" Grandma suddenly called me while bursting in laughter "But I… umm…' I stumbled with words, knowing that my lame excuse wouldn't work against her high spirits.
"Ryoma and…" she looked around "and some other person will be your opponent" she announced determinedly.
"But…" I reasoned out while gasping for some air "I bet Ryoma wouldn't-"
"It's fine by me…" Ryoma suddenly spoke, not even letting me finish my impotent defense. He nonchalantly delivered the sentence like it was nothing to him. Grandma laughed hard "It's settled then Sakuno!"
"But there should be three of them… that's the rule we agreed on awhile ago coach" Tomoka reminded Grandma while jumping up and down in excitement.
"I'll participate if that's okay with them…" an unfamiliarly smooth and mesmerizing voice suddenly came in from the entrance of the living room "You don't mind do you?" he continued.
All heads turned to one direction. It revealed a guy who seems to be the same as my age, wearing a composed smile. He slowly walked towards our direction "Hi sis…" he faced Mitsuki onee-chan. His raven colored hair and deep hazel eyes complimented his glowing skin and soft peachy lips. His smile reflected a warm yet strong personality which resembles Senpai Fuji's.
"Keisuke…?" Mitsuki onee-chan was still on the state of astonishment. After a few seconds, she suddenly smiled then approached the 'mystery' guy "It's good to know you're here bro…" she threw her right hand up in the air, and the guy responded by doing the same thing "hi five!" their palms converged.
He then faced the rest "Good Evening, I'm Keisuke Sanada; Mitsuki's younger brother… nice to meet you all" ha flashed each one of us a friendly smile. Everybody responded in a well-mannered way by doing the same thing.
"Keisuke!" Grandma greeted him "I bet you don't remember me…" she continued while playing with her chin.
Keisuke smiled at Grandma "Of course you're coach Ryuzaki right?" he then looked at me and Captain Tezuka. Is it possible he knows a lot about Mitsuki and Tezuka's past? I asked myself, somehow intrigued.
"My sister told me a lot about you… It's a privilege to finally meet you" Keisuke praised Grandma. I just stood in awe as he gave his speech. I suddenly recalled Edward Cullen from Stephenie Meyer's best selling book, Twilight. He's definitely an Edward Cullen asian – and – younger version.
"Hey Sakuno…" Tomoka suddenly whispered at me "He looks kind of familiar…" she stared at him like she's puzzled and at the same time spacing out. Her usual jolly expression vanished for awhile.
"What do you mean? Have you seen him some place else before?" I asked, trying to bring her back to the real world. I tapped her shoulder "You know it's unusual for you to be like that…" I smiled at her "I really like your smile Tomoka…"
She stared at me like she was trying to figure out why I said that "What do you mean?" her jolly aura suddenly came back "but thanks for complimenting my smile…"
"Which room will you stay?" Senpai Kaido suddenly asked Keisuke, he didn't stare him in the eyes, but it seems that he's trying to be nice to Keisuke.
Keisuke shook his shoulder "The living room's fine…" he sat at the sofa "I used to sleep here a lot when I was a kid…" he placed his luggage next to him.
"Haha! If I were you I'd take his offer Keisuke!" Senpai Momo laughed hard "It's rare of him to be nice to others! And he doesn't have any roommate so you can share with him… though I must warn you, he's a total nutcase" Senpai Momo sat next to Keisuke then patted his shoulders a dozen times.
"I wasn't talking to you!" Senpai Kaido yelled at Senpai Momo. It seems that they're going to have a duel again. Senpai Kaido stared at Senpai Momo; wearing that 'snake' look.
"It's on… Kaido!" Senpai Momo stood up then pointed the twister mat "Let's see who'll get the last laugh" Sanpai Momo and Senpai Kaido's determination made everyone lively again.
"Ok then… if Mr. Kaido insists" Keisuke started "I'll just fix my stuffs upstairs…" he excused himself. He carried his luggage then immediately made his way to the room.
"Tomoka, Sakuno… please help me prepare snacks…" Mitsuki onee-chan suddenly called us from the other side of the room. Everyone – excluding Captain Tezuka and Ryoma – cheered Senpai Momo and Senpai Kaido. As usual Senpai Tezuka and Ryoma kept their cool while mingling with the others, we got used to it.
The three of us prepared some snacks. I was preparing the juice while Mitsuki onee-chan and Tomoka prepared the food. Mitsuki onee-chan suddenly called me "Oh… Sakuno" Mitsuki onee-chan called me "Will you please ask Keisuke what he would like to eat?" she stared at the ceiling "I'm not sure if he already ate dinner"
I smiled at her "Sure…" I immediately went upstairs. I carefully knocked at the door before entering "Excuse me…" I let myself in when I noticed the doorknob was open "Ummm… Your sister was just-" I suddenly stopped when I caught a glimpse of him not wearing a shirt "Sorry… I didn't mean that!!" I immediately got out of the room. I heaved out a sigh as I rested my back against the door.
"Hey…" he suddenly opened the door; causing me to almost fall – but luckily – I managed to balance myself. I felt my face flush; I can't believe I'm so careless! I slapped my forehead, not even feeling the pain "Sorry… I didn't see anything I swear!" I didn't dare face him.
I suddenly heard him chuckle "That's ok…" he tapped my right shoulder. His warm voice eased me out for a bit. I sighed "But…" I tried to look for words.
He let go of my shoulder, I felt him face the other direction "I was only changing my shirt" he stressed the word only – which made me feel more at ease.
I finally got the courage to face him "At least let me apologize for my dim-witted action back then…" I locked my gaze on the floor even though he's already wearing a shirt. Okay, so it wasn't a big deal… but I can't believe how careless I was back then. I should've considered his privacy. Not again Sakuno, not another careless mistake… I scolded myself.
"Apology accepted…" he flashed me a warm smile. How does he do that smile? I wish Ryoma would always smile at me like this… oh wait! I wish my Prince would always flash me loving smile. I sighed. But I guess that wouldn't happen. My head's filled with weird thoughts again.
"What's wrong?" he asked when he noticed me heave out a sigh.
"Oh!" I looked back at him. Now that I think about it, he's actually an inch taller than Ryoma "it's nothing… oh yeah…" I remembered why I was here in the first place "Your sister wanted to know if there's anything you'd like to eat" I caught a glimpse of the wall clock inside the room "she's not sure if you already ate dinner"
"I already ate on my way here" he rubbed his stomach using his right palm "If I may say so, Japanese cuisine's remarkable" he shared his opinion
After I asked Keisuke about his dinner, everything went smoothly, the others continued playing games in the living room while Senpai Tezuka, Fuji, Ryoma, Keisuke, Mitsuki onee-chan and I watched them, trying not to get too involved with their comedic games; of course Tomoka's always game for anything that has the word FUN tagged along with it.
I sighed as I realized what was left for us, the ones who just watched them play moments ago. My hands are currently grasping a broomstick.
"Remind me again why we're doing this?" I sighed as I got back to the real time, the games and merriment was far long gone; they got tired and practically slept on the floor so we asked them to head back to their rooms… and in the end – violas – we were left to clean the mess.
The living room suddenly got the peace and quiet it deserves; the only ones left to clean here are Mitsuki onee-chan, Keisuke, Ryoma and I, whereas Captain Tezuka and Senpai Fuji insisted that they'll handle the kitchen.
"Sakuno…" Mitsuki onee-chan suddenly whispered my name while fixing her stare on a clay pot which seemed to be designed by children "Would you mind if I go out for a moment?" she excused herself, quite spacing out.
"Sure…" I smiled at her "Do you need anything?" I didn't dare ask her what the problem is "If you're not feeling too well, tell us immediately ok?" I offered my assistance.
With that, she made her way outside; I watched her as she made her way to a place where no one can disturb her, the Cliffside. That side of this place is somehow hidden… the others doesn't know that place, only Ryoma, Mitsuki onee-chan, maybe Keisuke, and I knows about it. The Cliffside is a perfect way for sightseeing; you can see the sun, moon stars and the magical bodies of water… I guess it can also ease people's burdens.
-After 30 minutes-
"Sakuno…" someone called me. I faced at the two persons left with me in the living room, Ryoma and Keisuke.
"I'm almost finished here… let me help you" Keisuke offered me his help while Ryoma had no reaction… it's as if he never heard a single thing; he just continued rearranging stuffs. Well, it's nothing new… like I've said a thousand times before… I'm used to it.
Keisuke approached me "Here… let me help you" he held out his left hand "You should rest now…" I know he's tired from the trip but he didn't dare show it. His deep hazel eyes evidently showed his lack of rest.
"Oh wait…" he glanced at my left eye "you got something on you eyelid…" he brought his face closer to mine, examining whatever I got on my eyelid.
"Oh…" I scratched my left eye "is it still there?" I asked as calm as I can; I stepped back a few inches. He lifted his hand "I'll try to get it …" he offered "just close your eyes so that it wouldn't injure you…"
I hesitated at first, but I ended up agreeing, so closed my eyes. I waited for him to give me further instructions. A few seconds after I shut my eyes, I suddenly felt an unnatural breeze, as if something swiftly passed between our faces. I immediately popped my eyes to see Keisuke wearing a blank expression; staring at me but definitely thinking of another thing.
I turned my head to see a tennis ball rolling on the floor; someone must've thrown it at our direction.
"My hands slipped…" a nonchalant but somehow taunting voice suddenly came in. The moment I heard the voice, I knew exactly who it was… of course it was none other than Ryoma.
I caught a glimpse of him. He was looking at Keisuke like he wanted to have a tennis match against him… I know that look; I'd recognize it anywhere. He stood still as he grasped the old tennis racquet which was lying on the floor moments ago.
"Maybe next time you should be more careful" Keisuke shot back; still looking at my direction. His smile vanished; he looked serious but I could still feel his gentle aura.
"If you stare at something for too long it just might melt" Ryoma shot back. He made his way to the tennis ball lying beside me, and then picked it up.
The aura of the room became different – which was very awkward. I felt like I'm in a middle of a brawl that's about to start. Keisuke stared at Ryoma and vice versa; both wearing a blank expression.
"You know…" Keisuke smiled again "Misunderstandings may lead to unwanted discovery of secrets and hidden feelings…" he continued while looking back at me "If you think and act impulsively, people will discover your secrets easily… right?" he suddenly included me in the conversation.
"I guess we'll share secrets then" Ryoma dared. He looked through the window "I don't fuss about such things as that…" he added.
Truth is I couldn't understand what they're talking about. Why did he suddenly threw a ball near us and what happened during the time my eyes was shut? A lot of questions formulated inside my head. I couldn't stand the 'cold' atmosphere so I tried to change the subject.
"Ummm… isn't it time Mitsuki onee-chan came back?" I started "it's been more than half an hour but she isn't back yet…" I got a little worried when I realized what I've just said.
"She isn't back yet?" Senpai Tezuka suddenly came in the scene. His face looked different; it's still calm but there's that trace of fear "Where is she?"
.Continued
Yay! I finally finished another chapter! I'm very sorry if it took me a long time to update... I have a lot of projects and homeworks to do that I coulnd't find any time to do this.
and thank you Otakugal for appreciating my fic