Minna-san! I did a back-to-back update! Congratulate me! It's a miracle! A miracle indeed! Hohoho..

Conspiring to Get to You

Chapter 7: Stupidity pays off…sometimes

Ryoma is literally flying as he made his way towards Big Ben, he can already see it so he started to slow down. He located the phone booth but no one's in there. He then tried the other phone booth on the other side of the bridge but no one's there either.

"Seriously, Sakuno! I told you to stay where you are!" he said as he prepared to cross the bridge again.

"I can't stay in there, I'm not the only one who needs to use the phone, you know."

Ryoma stopped walking and he turned around and saw Sakuno. She has changed a lot physically, and obviously she even changed in everything. Well, except her problem with directions.

"Stupid Sakuno", Ryoma muttered as he pulled her in for a hug.

Sakuno was a bit taken aback but decided to return the hug. She then noticed that he's shivering. "My God, Ryoma. How come you went out wearing just a t-shirt and pants? In this kind of weather, who knows what will happen to you?" Sakuno lectured her like a mother and she took off her scarf.

"You should be aware that this is partly your fault." He said as he let her wound the scarf around his neck.

"And why is that?" Sakuno said as she removed her gloves and gave it to him. He unthinkingly took them and wore them. Sakuno then started rubbing her palms together.

"Your companion called in a panicked voice and told me you haven't come home yet." Sakuno placed her palms on either side of Ryoma's face, warming his cheeks in the process. She then repeated rubbing her palms together and putting them on his cheeks.

"Aya called you? What a coincidence she called someone who's somewhere near."

'So Aya's the name of that nosy woman', Ryoma thought. "Well, it's not really a coincidence. I-I already called you earlier and she happened to pick up." Ryoma explained. "Hey, what are you doing?" He asked realizing for the first time about the her-palm-on-his-cheeks thing.

"I'm warming your cheeks, stupid." After that, Ryoma let her continue. It does make him feel warm a bit.

"Why did you call, though? I thought you're busy."

"Well, about that…" he's weighing his options, should he tell her? To hell with it, he's already free, technically.

"Which reminds me, how come you're here? Aren't you supposed to be locked up somewhere?"

"That is what I was about to—hey, how did you know about that?"

"Let's just say that I have my own way to get around things. So are you going to answer or not?"

Ryoma sighed. 'She did really change, huh'. He then held her hands—picking them up from his face. "I was, but earlier, I got my freedom back."

"How was that?" Sakuno asked, a mix of confusion and relief appearing on her features.

"Oda-san talked to me about it."

"Why so sudden?" This time, curiosity is scattered all over her face. "And hey, he locked you up for months yet you still retained the honorific? You've changed, huh, Ryoma?" Sakuno said as she retrieved her hands and placed them crossed on her stomach.

"Well, I was not the only one who changed in here. How come you're not stuttering anymore? And the blush, I've been waiting for it." Ryoma teased as he brushed his gloved hand on her face.

"Wait all you want, it ain't coming." She replied in a proud and mocking tone.

"I bet this would help me with it." He then leaned in closer to her as his hand took her chin and raised her face so he can look at her. Sakuno's eyes widened but she can't do anything anymore, she was trapped. Ryoma's lips brushed over hers ever so lightly, and afterwards he deepened the kiss shocking Sakuno in the process, but she responded as she wound her arms around his neck pulling him closer to her.

The two made their way to the hospital; they we're greeted by a lot of security who are scattered around the place. When they finally got inside, Oda was there.

"Echizen-san, where have you been? I thought we have an agreement?"

"I know that. It's just that, my friend here got lost in London. It's her first time here."

"Konbanwa", Sakuno greeted unsure, as she bowed her head.

"Japanese? Anyways, Ryoma, you need to get ready with the upcoming press con that will be held two weeks from now. It's the perfect time to announce it since everyone is already preparing for the next tournament. And of course, the people would want to know what your plans are. I believe we have already talked about the things that you will explain there." Oda said as he made his way towards the door.

"Yeah, and I'm hoping that you keep your side of the bargain."

"Of course. I'll take my leave now."

"Hn", Ryoma said as he tugged Sakuno towards the room that has been his sanctuary for the last few months.

"Ryoma, what was that all about?" Sakuno asked once they are in the room.

"About what?" Ryoma asked innocently.

"The press con, what does he mean about that?"

"Well, I need to do the press con so I can be officially free."

"And what are you going to say in the press con?" Sakuno pressed, getting a bit of an idea where they're leading into.

"That I'll…that the reason I was gone is because I was in a coma."

"But you're not."

"Please Sakuno, just drop it." He pleaded as he sat on the sofa.

"I won't. Tell me what is going on?" She said as she sat beside him

"Hey, do you want some fruits? I've been getting so much lately now that the news that I'm finally "awake" is out." Ryoma slightly turned his back to Sakuno to get the fruits on the side table, and obviously, he's trying to evade her question.

"Ryoma", Sakuno said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Is it because of…"

"I'll be retiring from playing tennis soon." He stopped in getting the fruits and slowly put back to the basket what he's already holding.

Sakuno hugged him from behind. She can't help it; tennis is his life and just like that, it's taken away from him.

"Look at the brighter side; we'll be going home together soon."

"What?" Sakuno pulled out from the hug which made Ryoma turn to look at her.

"After the press con, we can go back to Japan."

"Umm, yeah." Sakuno tried to fake a smile. She can't understand herself; she should be happy, they are going back, yet it seems that she's not quite excited about the thought of going home.

"Come on, let's go to sleep. You go sleep on the bed." Ryoma said as he went near the cabinet to get a blanket and a pillow for himself.

"Thanks." Sakuno tucked herself in but she's not yet ready for oblivion to take her. 'Mou, what's wrong with me? Shouldn't I be happy? Why am I having second thoughts about going home?'

(flash back)

Um, Ms. Yamazaki what if…

(end of flash back)

Sakuno opened her eyes. It's still dark but she's not feeling sleepy anymore. She looked at Ryoma peacefully sleeping on the couch; she stared at him for a while and then she stood up and made her way to the veranda.

'What am I going to do?' Sakuno asked herself. 'Would he be hurt if I refuse to come home with him?' Sakuno touched her lips, remembering the kiss, their kiss. 'What did he do that for anyway? I mean, I liked it but…' she blushed at her realization. 'What does that suppose to mean? We're not in a relationship or something. Maybe he did that just because he's so happy to see someone he actually knows after all those months that he's alone?' Sakuno shook her head animatedly. 'Ryoma's not that kind of a person; he's not that kind of a boy.' There's so much going on in her head that she doesn't know which ones to pick up. Suddenly, she was enveloped into a pair of strong, firm arms.

"What's wrong?" said the voice from behind.

'Okay, this is unexpected. What am I supposed to tell him?' Sakuno struggled for words; she's not really ready to tell him what's bugging her.

"Nothing. I just can't sleep."

"…Jet lag?"

'What a nice excuse, I never thought of that. Thank you for bringing that up.' Sakuno thought. "Probably", she lied.

"Hn." Ryoma did his signature reply as he tightened his arms around her.

Sakuno stayed silent. She fears that if she says something, she might give herself away.

"It's funny how I can tell you're nervous about something even without the stutters", Ryoma commented out of no where.

'Shoot. How did he know? Am I that easy to read?' Sakuno panicked but decided to keep quiet. Good thing he's behind her, and he can't see her face, because her troubled look is a very, very strong giveaway.

"Come on, Sakuno, you can tell me anything." He made her turn around so she's facing him.

'Oh, no, I can't look at him; he'll know for sure that I'm keeping something. I need to think and fast!'

She's facing Ryoma now and he's looking at her straight in the eyes.

"I-", Sakuno's head is in chaos. Should she or should she not? Seriously, I think Ryoma would understand, so why can't she tell him already?

"I was j-just thinking about, th-the k-… the thing y-you did earlier." Sakuno blush a bit, both from embarrassment and fulfillment that she actually came up of such a diversion. Crap, sometimes, she really has a way in going around things.

'I already got the stutter and the blush. Maybe she did not change after all.' Ryoma smirked. He definitely knows what she's talking about. "About what?"

"Eh? Ryoma!" She unthinkingly pushed him making him step back a bit.

"What?" Ryoma is smiling now, he is definitely enjoying this.

"Nevermind." Sakuno walked past him and went back in the room. "It's cold, let's get back inside."

Ryoma followed suit. He's only enduring the cold winter breeze. When he's finally inside, he saw Sakuno sitting on the sofa. "Aren't you going back to bed?" he asked.

Sakuno looked at him. She looked troubled. "I just want to say sorry for pushing you earlier."

Ryoma was stunned to hear this. Surely he was quite surprised that Sakuno pushed him, but he did not give a second thought about it. He walked towards her and knelt in front of her. "Hey, what's with you saying sorry for such a small thing?"

"It's not a small thing; it's a rude thing to do."

"It's rude if you're not close to that person." He rebutted.

"Ryoma…" she started. She can't believe that the "distraction" that she brought up became the main topic.

"Sakuno?" he inquired when she did not continue.

She stayed silent but she threw herself to Ryoma who is squatting in front of her. Thanks to rigorous practice, Ryoma maintained his balance as he steadied her in his arms. "Sakuno, what are—?"

"I've been thinking about it, and I decided to ask you now."

"Go on, you can ask me anything." Ryoma assured her.

"We…what are we?" she asked nervously, burying her face to his chest.

Ryoma stayed silent for a while making Sakuno mentally slap and curse herself for asking such a stupid question.

"I was also wondering about that."

His answer surprised her. But at least, he didn't say that it was just because she is the nearest person he knows. "But then, why? Why did…why did you kiss me earlier?" she lifter her head and she's now looking at Ryoma straight in the eyes.

"Because I want to." He answered; his hazel eyes boring into her chocolate-colored ones.

"Eh?" she uttered thoughtlessly.

"All these years, I've been away from you. And now that you're here, I guess I just couldn't stop my self to do what I've been yearning for."

"…"

"If you think that I violated you, then you could hit me straight in the face."

"Baka. Do you think I would hug you if I think like that? I would've punched you beforehand if I did." Sakuno looked at him, her once troubled face now looking serene and relieved.

"So, it's official, huh?" he asked, blushing as he looked away.

"What is?" she asked while tilting her head to look at him.

"That you're mine." Ryoma answered as he looked back at her.

Sakuno was dazed for a bit as her eyes roam Ryoma's face—first his eyes, then his straight nose, his cheeks, his lips, and back to his eyes. She blinked a couple of times (which Ryoma didn't miss, to his amusement) to make sure she isn't dreaming. She hugged him once again before she replied. "Yes, yes I am."

Okay! I already did a twosome, don't get started with a threesome, you won't get any, and that's because it's still in my head, I haven't shared it to my computer yet.. haha.. It might take a while (here we go again..), but I promise to make an update before school starts.. So, is it a deal? It should be.. hohoho.. arigatou! Review review review.. :)