The Prince and the Pauper
moontonic18
Ryoma x Sakuno
Disclaimer: I do not own prince of tennis
** Chapter 7. Friendship **
I heaved out a sigh as I admire, for the last time, the sea, shore, and everything that gave me memories that would live forever. I knew that this three-day vacation to the beach together with my friends was like a dream that would soon be put to an end.
"Let's go Sakuno…" Keisuke brought me back to the real world.
He smiled at me as he patted my head once again "You're always thinking deeply… it's as if you're in another planet." Keisuke and Mitsuki definitely portray my ideal brother and sister; somehow, I wish they really ARE my siblings "Ok then…" I smiled at him.
"I think I know what's bothering you…" Keisuke had that smug look he showed me the previous night.
"Hey! It's not about him!" I defended myself. But I have to be honest, how on Earth could I defend myself at this rate? I could feel the hotness of my face. Darn it Sakuno!! Stop blushing whenever you're thinking about Ryoma.
Keisuke laughed hard "caught you!" his eyes winked perfectly at me as he sternly formed his hands into a gun. BANG! "I never said anything about HIM" he then stared at Ryoma like he's some kind of a trophy.
As of the moment, Ryoma, who is at least 13 feet away from me and Keisuke … WOAH! I estimated our distance again, I'm starting to believe that I'm becoming weirder and weirder each day! I sighed. Anyway, Ryoma is currently staring blankly at the shore. With his sudden behavior, I can't help but want to stare at him.
I sighed in defeat as I lightly slapped myself "Ok fine!" I pouted as I closed my eyes. I realized that I was acting like a total kid, but I couldn't care less "but next time, you'll never catch me daydreaming about…" my eyes automatically opened as I started to realize that I was talking nonsense.
I shook my head as I tried to regain composure "never mind… let's get going…" I sighed as Keisuke chuckled "You know, you could take place in a comedy sitcom"
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"Home at Last…" I lethargically said as soon as I entered our house. I was only gone for three days but it feels like I'm inside a place I've never been before. Is it because of the fact that I had a lot of fun at the beach house, or, is it because of the fact that somehow, I can't fathom the fact that I would have the lesser chance to see Ryoma?
"You can fantasize later Sakuno, but as for now, arrange your stuffs so that we won't have any problems later…" Grandma reminded me. It sounded as if she wanted to sleep; after all, the heavy traffic was preposterous "Remember, Mitsuki and Keisuke's house's renovation is done, so she won't be staying with us anymore"
After Grandma reminded me about Mitsuki onee-chan, I was kind of disheartened; I was having a really great time with her. Oh well… I could always visit her if I have the time.
KRING KRING!!
The phone got me flabbergasted; I'm really tired right now. I stared at the phone. After a few moments the ring tone became different, the tone became a nagging old woman saying 'hurry and pick up the phone!!' this can't be happening. I could feel my head ache. I'm starting to see swirls.
"Alright already…" I faintly complained to as I used both of my hands to cover my ears. As soon as I covered my ears, the ring tone came back to normal "What was that?" Darn it, my exhaustion and imagination's getting the better of me once again. I finally picked up the phone.
"SAKUNO!!!!!!" a very lively voice practically shattered my eardrums into pieces, there's only one person who I know could be as lively and optimistic as this "Tomoka, calm down… I can hear you, you know" I greeted her as I sweat dropped; trying to forget about my weird hallucination awhile ago.
"Okay, okay but…" she gasped for some air "I'm not sure why, but, uhmm… bottom line is, your ipod is with me…"
"I must have put it in your bag by mistake, I'm sorry" I responded with dismay.
"That's fine Sakuno!" Tomoka encouraged me with her warm and lively tone "You would'nt mind if I put some new songs for you, right?" she asked me reassuringly.
"Sure… but don't put any weird song okay?" Tomoka brightened up my mood "Thank you so much"
"Sakuno, you sound so exhausted… I think you should rest for now. Take care of yourself, okay?" she sounded very concerned.
Ever since the day we have met, she's always been like that… she's always trying to brighten up my mood whenever she feels that I have a problem. Others may think she's shallow, but if they get to know Tomoka more, they'll realize how much they are mistaken.
"Okay…" my heart felt warm. I sighed as I put the base of the phone back on its receiver "Well at least there are still 2 days left of our vacation. I'll have all the time I need to rest"
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~2 days later~
"Good Morning Sakuno!!!!" Tomoka practically gave me a bear hug. I couldn't breathe properly; her force is too much "Can't breathe… need air" I finally managed. She laughed hard "I just missed you, silly! She finally let me go" she sat on top of her desk "plus, we'll be starting a new semester so I'm VERY excited!!"
Seeing her get excited like a preschooler made me feel like I'm also looking forward to this new semester "Say Tomoka… do you think we'd be able to visit Mitsuki onee-chan? I kind of miss her too…" I reminded her.
"Of course we will!" her voice echoed the room "We'll definitely visit her! Hmm…" she began thinking. She looked at the ceiling, while scratching her chin using her index finger "why don't we visit her house after school. She gave us her address last time, didn't she?" she gave me a 'smart' wink.
"Okay class!" Our homeroom teacher, Mrs. Takahashi, 34, dressed in a simple baby blue dress finally entered the room "Nice to see you all!" she greeted us with high spirits and energy "I have a good news for you…!" she stood in front of the class, wearing her signature 'joker' smile "Our batch have a new student!" she chuckled. Her raven, medium length wavy hair and porcelain-like skin complimented her funny persona.
I could hear my classmates chattering about the topic.
"But he's not in our class! Hahahahahahahaha!" she laughed hard while maintaining composure. She's quite perky, but that's what I like about her.
We sweat dropped, but laughed along with her. Ms. Takahashi's my most favourite homeroom teacher, and somehow; she looks like Kasumi Tendou from the anime Ranma 1/2… but of course she's way more twisted.
"But if you want to see him, he's in class A… I believe his name is Keisuke Sanada" she smiled at us. Silence coated the room for a few seconds as my classmates tried to picture what he looked like; but clearly, Tomoka and I needn't to do that because clearly, we already saw him… moreover, we're already friends with him.
"Oro…?" she delivered the line just like Kenshin Himura when she said that. She studied the confused faces of my classmates.
She chuckled "Oh dear… my bad!" she put her hands inside her pocket, it looks like she's trying to get something out of it "here's a picture of him!" she showed us a large-sized picture of Keisuke holding a tennis racquet; the background is, obviously, a tennis court. He looked like a Hollywood star… actually; he looked like a fairy-tale dream come true. Something tells me this semester will be 'twistedly complicated'
The class got all ecstatic because, after all, the fact that Keisuke looks like a dream come true, is undeniable. I looked at Tomoka; confusion written all over my face "I've got a bad feeling about this Tomoka…" I delivered the words tiredly, as if I swam around the Pacific Ocean.
Tomoka agreed with full of energy "Yeah, but we'll be prepared for it, Sakuno!" her face was full of determination.
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.
.
I heaved out a big sigh as a sign of relief as Tomoka and I began eating our lunches; I felt relieved when lunchtime came by. We're currently having our lunch at our favorite spot which is the grounds near the tennis court. The fresh air felt so good; it eased me a lot "I can't believe Keisuke would cause such a commotion…" I started while munching my food.
"Tell me about it. It's as if he's a mega celebrity" Tomoka suddenly spaced out, she suddenly had a serious and confused expression.
"Tomoka?" I asked, trying to figure out why she spaced out all of a sudden.
"Ah…!" she blinked her eyes a couple of times "Oh no… I spaced out again" she faked a laugh while scratching her temple "haha… sorry… it's nothing" she gave me a comforting smile.
She looked at her lunch box again, her serious expression came back "my memories are playing with me again" she looked confused and worried. She heaved out a sigh, then stared at me "I'm sorry for worrying you Sakuno. It's really nothing" she gave me a weak smile.
"Tomoka if there's anything I can help you with, just let me know, K?" I lightly tapped her shoulder. In response; she gave me a thankful yet feeble smile.
"Sakuno, Tomoka!!!" a familiar voice started to call us from afar. It sounded better than ever. That person called out our names.
"Hey… I can hear-" I was about to mention who it was but it seems Tomoka cut me off, unintentionally of course.
"Keisuke…" she whispered his name monotonously. There's definitely something wrong in here… Tomoka's acting strange. This is the first time this has happened. I suddenly missed her jovial and lively demeanor.
"Hey!" Keisuke flashed us his warm and Hollywood star-like smile. He sat in front of me and Tomoka. Seeing him wearing the school uniform eased me a because it means that we could still get to see each other; he wouldn't have to be far away from us.
"Hey Keisuke…" Tomoka and I greeted our 'guest' in unison. It seems Tomoka came back to her normal, usual self. I felt very relieved; at least she's back to normal.
"So…" Tomoka started "How's your first day? I'm guessing you have many 'friends,' if you know what I mean…" she delivered the sentence as if there's a hidden meaning.
Keisuke sweat dropped "you somehow remind me of a showbiz news reporter…"
"hahaha! Well… people DO say I should be like one and-" Tomoka suddenly stopped blabbering. Seemingly, she's spacing out again.
Keisuke and I stared at her intently, waiting for her to finish her sentence.
"Anyway…" the jolly and lively Tomoka came back again; within a split-second. Something's bothering her, I just know it! "Enough about me, Mr. Keisuke Sanada" she started acting like a professional reporter, and mind you, she's really good at it "as I was saying… you caught the attention of a lot of students here… what can you say about that?"
Keisuke sighed like a Hollywood star; apparently, he's also having fun. He played along "well… I guess people here are friendly" his smile looked like as if he wanted to laugh, his eyes were glinting while his soft peachy lips were formed upward into a crescent moon "a lot of people approached me…" he continued "they were asking me if it's possible for me to hang out with them… but I opted not to answer their question. Instead, I just smiled and waved at them"
Tomoka nodded over and over again as she was listening to Keisuke's 'statement;' trying to analyze Keisuke's given information. As soon as Keisuke finished answering Tomoka's question, Tomoka immediately gave her opinion "Spoken like a true STAR. Frankly, it's obvious that the ones who approached you are females" she studied Keisuke from head to toe "and from the looks of it… I'd say you have many admirers"
Keisuke sweat dropped "I don't know for sure…"
Upon seeing them act like a total nutcase, my emotions got the better of me; my body immediately reacted and laughed out loud. Tomoka and Keisuke looked at me like I'm some kind of a freak; they started to laugh out loud too. Now, all of us look like a total nutcase!
This moment feels carefree, as if we'd laugh like there's no tomorrow. As we were continuing our 'laughing session,' I can't help but think that Keisuke and Tomoka are really close; the way they share their laughter made it look like they've known each other for ages. They looked like kids who are laughing like there's no tomorrow.
"You know…" Keisuke started "I've never laughed like this since ages…" Keisuke stared at the two of us; he was still smiling light-heartedly "Thank You"
Tomoka and I looked at each other first, and then stared at Keisuke for 5 seconds, looking like a judge... like Simon Cowell studying a contestant from 'American Idol.'
"hahaha" Tomoka and I laughed in unison "awww… thanks Keisuke, my big brother" I replied.
"hihihi no problem Keisuke!" Tomoka made a V-sign using her left hand.
Maybe I was wrong after all; this semester wouldn't be so bad. As long as we got each other's back and trust each other… everything will go on smoothly. This is the story of a beautifully progressing friendship between a Hollywood star and 2 paupers. It made me think, if a pauper can be friends with royalty, maybe… just MAYBE, there's a possibility she can also play an important role in the life of a prince… Prince Ryoma Ü
`To Be Continued`
Hey guys I'm very very sorry for the slow [slower than a walking turtle] update! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. You might notice that Ryoma didn't take part in this chapter, but I feel like showing Sakuno's normal life with her friends. Oh, and this chapter is very essential, just be patient; wait and see why.
till next time!! ^_^ ciao!
(and also, sorry if there are wrong grammars. please let me know. tnx)
-edited version-