Title: Frozen Tear

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

Chapter: Six: The tragedy


The next few days became weeks and then months. And before they even realize it, time was running out.

Words are rare between them, almost non-existent. But not the stares, not the glimpses, not the secret looks because it is their nature, something they cannot control. So they live with that- looking, searching for the other but never reaching, no, never even attempting.

Because they are cowards.

Afraid to be hurt. Afraid to hurt.


Then, came a buzz, a rumor, news. And it was welcomed by everyone, everyone except her. Because as much as she hates to admit, it still hurts and she still cares.

"They look so good together."

Bull's eye. Straight through her heart. And it hurts, stings. Because it is true.

The rumor about Sakuno and her association with Ryoma died down just like any yesterday's news. But not the pain, not the judging stares, not her trembling soul. Nobody can fix her, not even him.

The mouths of those gossiping public was filled with their cruelty for her yesterday but not today. No, not today because old news dies due to new news. And today they are full of praises about her, about another woman associated with Echizen.

"I heard she is so pretty. So elegant. A living fairytale princess."

"She is from a wealthy family but she also has a good, kind heart."

"She is a star. So talented, so gifted. I envy her."

"They say she is Ryoma-sama's leading lady in this movie. Always his leading lady in every project."

"They are pair made in heaven."

"She is Echizen Ryoma's girlfriend."

She wants to whine, to cry, to complain, to impose, to be angry, to be jealous.

But what right does she have?


"What are you doing here, Kate?"

He asked, suspicious, cold, distant.

"So cold. Can't you just say that you are happy to see me?" she said in a seductive tone, wanting, desiring.

"Well, that's the problem. I don't want to see you." He said. Arrogant. Egocentric. Cruel.

"How cruel." She commented but still held those predatory eyes.

She is the kind whose wants was never denied, whose wishes are always fullfilled. She is spoiled. Rotten.

With her predatory eyes, she held him still. Shaken, Ryoma was not able to move, was not able to anticipate her next move.

In one swift motion, she kissed his lips. Demanding, imposing, pure unadulterated lust. Just lust.

And it tasted bitter. In his lips. But not on Sakuno's eyes.

The right place, the right turn, the perfect timing.

She just witnessed Ryoma kiss his girlfriend.

And it's not like they say in novels or in the movies or all that delusional stuff, how it hurts like your heart is crushing into a pulp, like your breath is knocked out of your lungs. No, not that kind of pain.

It is more like everything just stands still, frozen. Like a sudden death. You don't feel pain. You're just…dead. Numb. Not breathing. No beating heart. An empty shell. That kind of pain.

That's exactly how she feels.

Everything becomes a blur and before you knew it you are in a dirty public toilet cubicle.

Just frozen but not crying because you don't allow yourself to.

You choose this. It was your decision.

And you cannot blame anyone but yourself.


Sakuno uncharacteristically got up early on a school day. She was never a morning person but she did not know that she is capable of being this gloomy on a Monday morning.

Noiselessly, mechanically, she padded her way to the school grounds. She stands in front of the open window, staring into nothingness, her mind not functioning, and her senses near to nil. She let her hair loose, flowing on her fragile shoulders not having the will to even braid her own hair. A soft, sweet morning breeze danced with her locks, swaying, crowning the space around her like velvet.

And her eyes remained staring, remained dead.

A pair of strong arms snaked its way around her torso, breath fans her defenseless neck, her cheeks tingles with wild hair. Her eyes widen, but her traitorous body did not even flinch- as if the man still holds a sense of familiarity, of authority above her.

She tried to detangle herself but his hold is firm, strong.

"Let go." She said, ordered, commanded.

"Don't want to." He muttered lazily, sleepily.

And her cheeks flushed a pretty shade. How a sleepy man can have this much strength to hold her this firmly is beyond her.

"Ryoma." She said, firmness evident in her tone. "Stop this." She ordered.

Ryoma snickered mockingly and said, "No. You stop this."

"Stop what? I am not doing anything." She shrieked, annoyed, confused.

"Stop hiding. Stop avoiding me. Stop running away. Stop hurting yourself…Please." He said almost desperately that it froze her whole body.

Ryoma is begging, pleading, desperate for her to come back to him. No. No. NO! This is not Ryoma. No. Not the all mighty, dignified, proud Echizen Ryoma.

"W-what are you talking about?" Damn, she stuttered. Her fraud demeanor now revealed in front of his knowing eyes and she feels naked, exposed, defenseless, fragile.

She spun her around, forcing her to face him. His eyes bore into her, looking deep into her soul, into her heart that she could not take its intensity. She has to look away or she might fall. Hard.

"Look at me..." he said, desperation evident in his eyes but she did not see it, for she don't want to look into those beautiful tempting eyes.

"I beg you…Please, Look at me." He said, blatantly expressing his desperation, exhaustion, defeat as he get down on his knees, head bow down but still holding her hands tightly, as if it is his way of bringing back his sanity.

Sakuno stood there, frozen, speechless, trembling.

No. No. NO! Don't do this. Oh please, Ryoma. Please. Oh god. Please.

Tears flowed freely, continuously, spontaneously from her rosy cheeks and she struggles to keep herself intact, her emotions at place. Yet she fails. Miserably.

So she let them fall. Let it be. In front of the man she loved, loves, and probably will forever love.

And she knows he will not see them, for he is too engrossed with his own tears.

They are both dying, hurting but both are too occupied with their own pain that they overlook the fact that they are both hurting.

How tragic.

End of chapter.


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