H-Here's chapter 4.. :))
R&R!!
Chapter 4: Letting go
Sakuno headed to her house and straight to her room. She's puzzled; she can't understand what Ryoma is planning. "So he's pretending even to me?" she thought as she paced back and forth. She knows that he doesn't want her to know, but thanks to her Momo-sempai she already did. But how can she help someone who doesn't want to be helped? No matter how many times she told herself that she'll help Ryoma, her will to do so always crumble into pieces because of her being miles away from him, and the though that she can't do anything for him, and to top it all, Ryoma being stubborn about asking help pounded her will to dust.
She took out a piece of paper where she scrawled down the names of Ryoma's manager and the opponent who hit him. She crumpled it and threw it into the trash bin, but she missed, so the paper landed and rolled on the ground. She didn't seem to notice it as she stormed out of her room.
He opened his eyes; it took him sometime to adjust his eyes in the dim room. It has been three weeks since he was locked up in there. He was getting used to be in that poorly-lit room. He checked his phone for any messages that might have come when he's asleep, but there is none.
"It has been three days," he said to himself while reading the last message he received from her, indeed, it was three days since she sent it, three days since he received it and read it, and three days since he was officially alone.
'Ryoma-kun, gomen, ne. I'll be busy this summer, you know, college applications, summer jobs—Oba-san can't do it alone, she's old. I don't think I will be able to respond to your messages, so it's better if you won't send any at all, so that your time wouldn't be wasted typing such messages that won't get any responses. Good luck on your matches, I know you can do it. Ryoma, fight!' that is what the message says, a message from the only girl that he chose to give attention to.
"Baka, it's fine even if you don't give any response, but since you asked for it…" he said in a mocking yet obviously lonely tone.
He can do nothing about it now, he can do nothing but to obey what he was told, the first time he ever did such thing in all his life, and it's because…
'"Echizen-san, I know you don't want to end your career just like that won't you?" said the manager, Satoshi Oda.
"No" replied the prince, submissively.
"And of course, in case you change your mind—in case you want to trash your career, you know I always have an ace against you."'
That scene recurred to him almost everyday. He never thought that the person he trusted all these years would do such thing to him, and that's just because he refused to be a publicity-magnet. Satoshi Oda believes that even though you have talent, but as long as people don't talk about you much, it's no use. A rising star like Ryoma Echizen should always be in weekly magazines, and if possible, even daily. For him, that's the easiest way for Echizen, and him, to get to the top. Yes, the ambitious manager teamed up with someone who doesn't care about interviews and photo shoots; someone who wants to be number one because of his talent and not of the intrigues around him; someone who just wanted freedom from his father's shadow.
The prince closed his eyes again, hoping to escape everything through oblivion.
Time passed by so fast. Ryuzaki Sakuno is now a fashion design student and it has been four months since she entered college. Yes, as you guessed, she listened to her Momo-sempai's advice. She tried her best to shove away any desire to involve herself in Ryoma's situation. And upon her wish to not send her any messages that will only waste his time since she will be too busy to answer, Ryoma helped her by severing their communication—he doesn't call or send messages anymore. Well, she somehow succeeded in it. All she thinks about now is her studies. She seems to enjoy her college days, and she's quite excelling in her classes.
"Sakuno-chan! You are so great! I bet you'll be given the prestigious scholarship to go to Paris!" beamed her new friend, Misaki.
"Eh? What is that?" Sakuno has no idea about it.
"You don't know about it?" her black haired friend asked, bewildered. "Well, it's sort of a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity. It's a two-year program—about fashion, of course—and it will be in Paris. I heard only those who stand out are considered as candidates for the scholarship, and I'm sure you're one of them!"
"What makes you say that? There are many of us who deserves that scholarship", she said acknowledging the hard works of others.
"You're not interested about it? What if you did get it, what would you do?"
"Well, it is a great opportunity…" she said as she contemplated about it. "I might accept it after all", she finally declared.
"Ah! Ryuzaki-san, I've been looking for you everywhere!" said a voice which she recognized immediately. It was Takumi, one of her block mate.
"Takumi-san, is there something wrong?" the girl asked as she face the newcomer.
"No, absolutely nothing. The University directress just wants to talk to you, so she sent me to tell you to go to her office at once."
'What could be the reason?' she thought.
She walked her way to the Directress' office. She easily found her way since there are signboards that serve as guides. She knocked when she finally reached the door of her destination.
"Come in", invited the warm voice from the other side of the door.
"Hai. Good afternoon, madam. I was informed by Takumi-san that you wanted to talk to me, so I came here."
"Ryuzaki-san, I won't make a long talk about this, I want to go straight to the point." The lady in front of her sounded terrifying which made her think whether she violated some school rules, but she can't think of any.
"Anou, Madam, if there is anyth…"
"Congratulations! I chose you as the beneficiary of the scholarship!" The transition of the lady's tone from terrifying to jubilant is amazing; it's as if she's an actress who was asked to play both roles of a ghost and someone who just won a lottery.
"Eh? Seriously?" Sakuno can't believe it. She was just talking about it with her friend and now she is actually chosen as the beneficiary. 'Life is definitely full of surprises' she thought.
"Well, your records are really spectacular. I believe that you can compete with those Frenchmen. I'm counting on you." She sounded business-like. She id really good at this.
'Compete? With Frenchmen? Wait, I'm not prepared for this thing!' "Demo, Yamazaki-sama, I don't think I can compete with them, I mean, there, fashion is their forte, while me, I'm still a newbie" she admitted as she looked down to her shoes.
"A newbie with a lot of potential." Sakuno looked up to the directress. She can't believe a beautiful lady like Ms. Yamazaki complimented her. "Ryuzaki-san, I know this thing bores a lot of pressure, but I have to admit, despite all of those freaking pressure, it is definitely a great experience." The lady suddenly sounded thoughtful.
"You mean…?"
"Yes, I was; and like you, I didn't have much confidence. I even thought that the Directress made a mistake. But, well when I thought about it, I decided to go. Maybe I should give you time to decide. Just come by once you made up your mind, but please, do it within this week, I'm quite busy you know", she said as she stood up picking up folders of different colors from her table.
"Hai. Arigatou she responded as she bowed to show respect, then she walked out of the room.
The afternoon classes suddenly got suspended for some unknown reasons, but nobody really cared, they're just happy that they can go home early. Sakuno is one of those who are relieved. Surely, she won't be able to concentrate in class after hearing the news. She needs to go home already, she needs to decide. Of course she needs the blessing of her Grandmother—she just can't fly to Paris without even informing her lone relative, right? So she made an appointment with her. The meeting is really short since the older Ryuzaki has an important meeting to attend to. She only agreed to meet up with her grand daughter because she said that it is really essential—well, it is essential. When Sakuno broke out the news to her, she can't hide the happiness she felt. She's proud of her—very proud.
"Sakuno, I thought you were just joking about entering a fashion school, I didn't know that you're serious about this, and now, look at you, going to Paris to study! I'm very proud of you."
"Arigatou, Oba-san, I didn't expect it either. But really, I'm enjoying it since this past four months, and now, I'm even going to the city where it is prominent and significant," Sakuno said as she took a sip from her pineapple juice.
"Your parents would've been proud." The older Ryuzaki said gently, being thoughtful.
"I know they would," replied Sakuno in the same gentle tone. She suddenly thought what her grandma would feel if she rejects the offer. Talking to her caused Sakuno's mind about this scholarship to waver.
"Well, it's not your first time being alone, but this is a foreign country, so you better be careful."
Of course she can't stop her grand daughter to grab this great opportunity. She gave her blessing and she even told her in advance that she'll visit her. Now, Sakuno only needs her decision regarding this matter, though she somehow suddenly felt that she should go.
End of another chapter.. Thank you for reading!
Um, in Ryoma's coma state, I believe people who became comatose stayed like that for long periods of time, even years... So, four months of pretending to be in coma is still believable, ne?
Ahaha.. Review please..
Chapter five is just around the corner.. weeee!