Alrighty, I'm back with a nice over-a thousand-word chapter. That's not a lot to some people but to me it's quite an accomplishment. The next chappie is about that length, too. Anyway, hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 7- Rid of Scholarly Arrogance

It was now late January, and both Sakuno and Ryoma were now 16. They were also bonafide friends. Other students could see the two in the hallway together occasionally and Sakuno had resumed attending Ryoma's practices when possible. The senpai also noticed her reappearance and were thrilled to report that Ryoma always played a bit better with her watching. He also tended to show off. And so, Sakuno's support did not go unnoticed.

One morning, Sakuno arrived with Tomo to school, stepping through the gates and going to the latter's locker. On the way, Sakuno encountered Ryoma talking to Eiji and Momo (more like being glomped). Sakuno and Tomo giggled at the sight and caused the senpai to look over, which resulted in Ryoma being released.

"Hey. Locker, five minutes," Ryoma said, calling to Sakuno.

"Hai," she responded and walked on. She and Ryoma's lockers were relatively close, just a short walk away. After making sure Tomo was safe and sound in class with no school-wide disturbances, Sakuno headed over to meet Ryoma.

"Hey," she said once she'd arrived. Ryoma was lost in the sea of his messy locker and only pulled his head out once he'd found his books.

"Hey," he greeted back, pushing back a piece of hair from his eyes. It was longer now that he was older, but he never let it grow to where it prohibited his playing. Sakuno actually really liked his hair and it's length. Sometimes she wished she could run her hands through it…but we're getting off topic aren't we?

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" Sakuno asked, once they'd set off down the hallway. They were currently headed to her first hour class.

"I kinda…need your…help," Ryoma finished, looking around to see if anyone had heard his "embarrassing" statement. Sakuno herself was at first a bit astounded but quickly recovered.

"For what?" she asked, curious.

"History," he replied.

"A test?" Sakuno guessed.

"Yeah and I've got a D in the class. I need a C or I get kicked off the tennis team."

"Sure, when can I help?" Sakuno wasn't so hot at English, but as regards to History, she was pretty good.

"Today, after school, my house."

"Kay, see you then," Sakuno said once they arrived at her classroom.

Ryoma and Sakuno walked to his house after school in comfortable silence. Tennis practice had been canceled so they were free to leave right after. Nobody saw them leave school together either, except the spying senpai of course. Of course, Momo and Eiji were close to tears at the "growing up", Oishi was worried if the situation would turn inappropriate; Kawamura was too busy exclaiming about "burning wins", Fuji had a strange smile on his face, Inui was writing data, and Tezuka and Kaidoh just didn't care.

Once Sakuno and Ryoma had arrived to his house, they were greeted by Ryoma's family one-by-one. But before that, Ryoma tried to get around them. Maybe he should've considered studying at Sakuno's house instead.

"Wow, your house is big," Sakuno remarked as they approached the driveway.

"Thanks. Now, here's what we're gonna do. We're gonna sneak around to the back and then-"

"Umm, Ryoma-kun? Why are we sneaking?" Sakuno asked.

"If my family see me come with a girl, they're gonna go nuts," he replied solemnly.

"Oh," Sakuno merely replied. She didn't see was so special about a girl, nonetheless her, being over his house. Then all of a sudden, shock hit Sakuno with surprising force. She was fulfilling one of her former dreams! Getting to meet Ryoma's family!

Sakuno would've started looking around for some random brown bag to hyperventilate in hadn't it been for Ryoma's, "Ryuuzaki," which snapped her out of her panicked daze. He was standing by the back door, a finger to his lips.

"Come on, we've got to be really quiet and try to get up the back stairs," he instructed her quietly.

"Hai," she whispered. However, their efforts were in vain. Nanjiroh had spotted them coming up the driveway from a window. He'd discreetly been checking if his "special" magazine had arrived yet, which the mailman always left near the bush below the window. But instead, he got a picture of his own son coming home with a girl, a cute one nonetheless! He quickly alerted Rinko and Nanako, who weren't quite as excited.

"The little squirt's probably gonna come in through the back just to avoid us. So let's surprise them!" Nanjiroh exclaimed, very excited. Then, they saw shadows outside the door (Ryoma and Sakuno).

"Hide!" he whispered and picked the kitchen closet to conceal himself in. The two sensible women just waited behind the corner. Ryoma opened the door and went in first.

"Shhh," he said very quietly and at that moment, Nanjiroh chose to leap out the closet.

"Hah! I knew you would eventually bring home a girl! That's my boy! And she's cute, too!"

This elicited a cherry red blush to come into Sakuno's cheeks and Ryoma to respond, "Shut up, you baka oyaji!"

Rinko and Nanako chose to come around the corner at that moment.

"Not you, too mom," Ryoma said, trying not be whiny. Sometimes, his family was so annoying. Rinko just ignored him and stepped up to Sakuno.

"I'm Rinko, Ryoma's mother," she said, pulling her into a hug.

"And your name dear?"

"Sakuno. Ryuuzaki Sakuno."

"Oh! You're the hag's granddaughter! I remember you," Nanjiroh blurted out. "Nice to see you again," he added.

"Arigato," was all she could manage.

"And I'm Nanako, Ryoma's cousin," Nanako pulled Sakuno into a hug as Rinko had.

"Can we go study now?" Ryoma said, through slightly gritted teeth.

"Sure, dear," Rinko replied and set off to do whatever they'd been doing. By now, Sakuno was only slightly pink and could think clearly. Nanjiroh winked at Ryoma before walking off, also. Ryoma actually shuddered, which Sakuno noticed.

"Are you okay, Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno asked, as they made their way up the stairs.

"Hai," he said quietly. He was feeling quite annoyed that his family just couldn't act normal.

"This is my room," Ryoma introduced once they'd made it upstairs. Sakuno stepped in, the carpet sinking ever so slightly from her weight. Ryoma's room was composed of a TV, a game system, a dresser, and a bed, which a cat, Karupin, rested on. He leaped up and went to Sakuno, rubbing against her legs.

"Can I-?" Sakuno asked, trailing off. Ryoma nodded his head and closed the door. Sakuno picked him up and sat on Ryoma's bed, stroking the cat.

"He's beautiful, Ryoma-kun," Sakuno complimented.

"Thanks," he replied and took out his History book. "Ready to study?" he asked.

"I'm counting on you, ya know," he added, a statement quite surprising to be heard from him.

"Yeah. Don't worry, you're in capable hands," was Sakuno's reply. Their eyes met briefly, chocolate to hazel, and a little something called bonding occurred.

Trust.

Ryoma actually allowed a small smile and the two got down to work.

Please review if you liked the chapter!