Hora minna-san, how's everyone doing?? I'm actually working hard to finish off chappie 4 part II asap!! Oh no, my story, I realized the mistakes I've made, mi-chan no baka...okay, please proceed to the story!!
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own the POTs and the plots.
Review of chappie 4 (Part I)
Everyone stood fidgeted when they saw everything. Sakuno was shocked.
"Ry...Ryuzaki...it was just..." before Oishi could explain, flying objects seem to be throwing out of Fuji's room. From slippers to pillows. All sorts of objects that Sakuno could grab, she just threw it all over to her senpais and Ryoma too!!
Chapter 4 (Part II) To protect something important.
Oishi lost his balance and stepped backward when the pillow hit directly on his face. In conjunction he bumped into Eiji who was skillfully dodging almost every objects that came out from Fuji's room!! Both of them fell flat on the floor. Ryoma, Fuji and Tezuka were standing beside the room, shielding themselves from the flying objects!
Sakuno was too furious, she threw away everything, almost everything she could grab from Fuji's bed, then things from Fuji's table, and...the cactus (this one's for hannah-chan!!LOL)
"Ry..uzaki...ma...matte...!!" Eiji shrugged when Sakuno was about to throw the cactus at them.
"Get...get...out!!" Sakuno stammered. Her face is now as red as tomatoes, hands was about to loose hold of the cactus.
"Oishi, Eiji, quick, close the door!!" Fuji exclaimed. Eiji quickly pull the doorknob and closed the door infront of them.
The cactus did not leave Sakuno's hand when she saw Eiji closed up the door. Eiji wiped off the cold sweats, Oishi let out a loud sigh. Ryoma just stood there staring emotionlessly at his two senpais! Fuji was inspecting the mess that Sakuno had caused while Tezuka was fixing his gaze at the door in front of him.
"Nya...that was close!! I never had seen Sakuno-chan in such a big fuss before!! She reminds me of Ryuzaki-sensei!!" Eiji remarked and quickly stood up. He then helps Oishi to stand up as well.
"Ochibi!! It's all your fault!!" Eiji exclaimed while throwing death glare at Ryoma.
"Me?? Naze (Why)...I did not ask you guys to come over here? Besides, I was about to close the door!!" Ryoma retaliated.
Sakuno heard everything from inside the room. She then noticed her school uniform in front of the door.
'Ryoma-kun?? He came here to give me back this!' Sakuno thought as she bent down to pick up her school uniform. She felt really bad. Lately she's been giving them lots of trouble.
'Not only that, I've even lost my usual tranquil in front of the senpais!! I even threw things at them!! They must be very angry by now!! Doushiyo??' she sighed when she looked of the mess she had caused.
It's been few minutes since Ryoma and Eiji had started the argument. Oishi tried to calm down the situation but was in veil until Tezuka ordered them to end the argument immediately.
The five of them diverted their gaze towards the door when Sakuno slowly walk out from the room. She's now wearing her school uniform.
"Su...sumi masen!!Minna, hontoni sumi masen!!" Sakuno bowed several times and apologized to her seniors as well as Ryoma. She remains at a bowing position for a while. She still has not got the courage to face the people standing in front of her.
"I...I...actually...Ryoma-kun did knock the door, it's just that my actions was too slow!! Before I could actually answer the door..." Sakuno explained embarrassingly, both her hands clutching her skirt.
"Ryuzaki..." Ryoma was overwhelmed when he heard what Sakuno said but he remains cool.
'Fuji-senpai? I'm so hopeless. All the while you've been so nice to me, yet I even threw things at you!! I owe a big apology to him!!' she realized her shortcoming and instantly walk over infront of Fuji and bow at him.
"Fuji-senpai!! Su...Sumi masen!! I know that I've been reacting indecorously just now!! Sorry, for causing such a big mess!" Sakuno pleaded for his leniency!!
"Hm?? Is that all?" Fuji asked unperturbedly.
"Is...is that all?" Sakuno was dumbfounded and when she glanced at Fuji, he was in fact flashing his usual smiling facade at her.
'Waratte (smile)?? Why is he still smiling?' Sakuno looked inquisitively at him.
"I thought you would still be angry with us!!" Fuji stated and walks past Sakuno and enters his room to do some rearrangement.
"Sonna (how come)??" Sakuno asked surprisingly and quickly go over to help up to clear part of the mess.
How could she be mad at them, she's just too embarrassing, being caught naked in front of so many people. Somehow she understands that her senpais and Ryoma are very concern for her.
'They actually care about me!' she thought profoundly.
"Hm?? I thought you're about to throw away my cactus too!!" Fuji remarked while examining if the cactus is okay.
"Sonna...how can I do that?" she shrugged with embarrassment.
The rest of them were besieged to hear what Fuji had declared!! They also cannot imagine who will be the unlucky one to get strike by the cactus.
"It's okay, what is done, is done. We still can have time to clear off part of the mess, have a quick breakfast and we'll go to school!" Tezuka stated with his usual cool tone and began to pick up some objects that scattered on the floor.
All of nodded and proceed to with the cleaning. Meanwhile the guys packed up their belongings, Oishi asked Sakuno to prepare breakfast. After their quick breakfast, they quickly left Fuji's house and go to school.
Just when they were outside Fuji's house, the mysterious boy, who had been hiding in one of the trees in Fuji's garden, was staring at Sakuno and her friends.
"Ju...bei...sama..." the boy sighed and look wearily at the lovely eye-patch.
On the way to school...
Eiji stretched his arms in the air. "Nya, what a hectic morning!!" he let out a loud sigh!!
"Ha..ha, Sou...sou, I've never encountered things like that as well!!" Oishi chuckled when Eiji's comment refreshes their memory!!
"At the end, I still think that Echizen is at fault, if not Sakuno-chan would not be exposing infront..." Eiji remarked, teasing his junior, but he hold back when he realized he shouldn't brought up the topic again.
Sakuno blushed furiously. Tezuka stopped walking when he sensed someone's following them. Fuji too realized it.
"Tezuka? Doushite? You suddenly stood there, fidgeting!!" Fuji asked and gave him a slight pat on his shoulder.
"Ah...Nothing! Let's get going!!" Tezuka said and walk on.
"Ne...That was a good one, Kikumaru-senpai!!" Ryoma stated sarcastically.
"O...chibi!! You're not cute anymore!!" Eiji was pissed off by Ryoma's word.
"Ma...ma!! Futari tomo...!!" Oishi sighed helplessly.
"Ano..." Sakuno whispered, she's blushing again! Fuji noticed that Sakuno doesn't know how to deal with Eiji and Ryoma, so immediately he walked towards Sakuno and took her hand.
"SaSakuno-chan, we have to be hurry, otherwise, we'll be late!!" Fuji remarked and pulls Sakuno away from Ryoma and Eiji.
"Fu...Fuji-senpai?? Chotto...We still has lots of time..." Sakuno shrugged as she nearly tripped off when Fuji suddenly pulled her away from Ryoma and Eiji.
Ryoma stood there and stared at Fuji and Sakuno as they walked pass him. Fuji's word comes into his mind like a recorder.
'"Echizen, I finally realized that Sakuno-chan is an interesting girl!!"'
Fuji-senpai? He's so close to Ryuzaki!! Bezuni, it's non of my business. Ryoma immediately brushed off his thoughts. It irritates him to see that Fuji's holding Sakuno hand. He eventually stomps off and leaves Eiji astounded.
Shortly, they were all nearby the school area. Many Seigaku's students are walking with them towards to schools. Most of the by passers, including some of the Seigaku's team members are staring at Fuji and Sakuno. The tennis pro is still holding Sakuno's hand. It eventually becomes an issue for by passers.
"Ne...mitte...mitte...isn't that Ryuzaki-sensei's granddaughter and the one who walked beside her is...Fuji-senpai?!" one of the girl from the tennis club asked surprisingly.
"Yes...and they're holding hands!" her friend remarked.
"I didn't know that they had been so close with each others!!" another friend commented sarcastically.
"One of my friends from year 2, called me yesterday, saying that she saw Fuji-senpai's carrying a girl with long braids!!" one of Fuji's devotees voiced out angrily.
Sakuno could feel that everyone's attentions are on them!! Tomoka had once told her that that the Seigaku regulars are very popular, lots of girls are organizing personal fans club for these senpais!! Of all the regulars, Tezuka and Fuji had the most girls' devotee. Besides, with their good look, talents and their intelligence, they're just every girls dream man.
"Hm...doushite? Is there anything interesting that you've spotted? Your eyes just keep staring on the road" Fuji asked with his usual cool tone.
"Me?? Oh...no...no, what did I do? Ano...just that..." Sakuno does not have to courage to say out her mind.
"Just that? Heh...I see, you mean this?" Fuji smirked and raises both their hands and display in front of those by passers.
'Fuji-senpai?? Sometimes I dunno whether you're not aware or you did this on purpose to revenge me for nearly throwing away your cactus?' Sakuno thought resignedly.
Ryoma who was just standing silently beside Fuji and Sakuno, stared intensely at them.
'Fuji-senpai and Ryuzaki? They seemed to enjoy each other's company!!' He thought and then diverted his gaze to those on-lookers! Those girls were sending death glares at Sakuno.
"Mada mada dane" Ryoma sighed. 'What are those girls fussing about? There's nothing happening between them!! What if there is?? Impossible besides...' Ryoma choked when he suddenly recalled that he had kissed Sakuno last night.
"Echizen, are you alright? You choked!!" Fuji asked while Sakuno glanced worriedly at him. Ryoma did not answer back. He just gave his senpai a nod.
After a short while, Fuji finally released Sakuno's hand. He patted her head. "Sakuno-chan, stay close to me..." he whispered and he looked around.
'Doushite? What do you mean?' Sakuno's eyes widen when she heard what Fuji had told him.
Shortly after that, Tezuka, Oishi and Eiji also caught up and stand behind them. They waited there for the rest of the regulars (i.e. Inui, Kawamura, Momo and Kaidoh). There's a usual place for the regulars to team up before entering the school.
Few minutes later Kawamura was there, greeting everyone. Then came Inui, carrying a box with him, and first thing he did was flashing a big smile at Sakuno. Kaidoh showed up few minutes after Inui. He walked towards his senpais and greeted them. Lastly, Momo was the last to show up.
"Ohaiyo, Ryuzaki-san, how are you feeling today?" Kawamura asked politely.
"I'm feeling great today and Kawamura-senpai, thanks for your concern towards me!!" Sakuno said politely.
"Ah...Ryuzaki, you shouldn't said that you're fully recovered! At least you need some nutrient to boost up your energy! Here, as I told you yesterday, I'm going to make you a newly boosted "Inui's special edited" veggie juice!! You have to drink it!! It's good for your body" Inui took out a bottle and a glass from the box. Just as he was about to pour out the juice, everyone stopped him.
"Ano...I'm really okay!!" Sakuno stammered.
"If that's so, then we have no choice, we'll just have to reserve it as penalty juice for today's training!!" Inui sighed slowly putting back the bottle and glass into the box.
Everyone, except Tezuka and Fuji shrugged upon hearing that. Sakuno wiped off the cold sweats forming around her forehead.
"Sakuno...Sakuno" Tomoka called waved at Sakuno when she spotted her outside the gate with other senpais.
"Tomo-chan?!" Sakuno whispered. Tomoka as usual throw herself over to hug Sakuno.
"Ah...Sakuno, you, Ryoma-sama and Senpais?" Tomoka bellowed and clasped both her hands on both side of her cheeks.
"Hm...Tomo-chan, what's wrong?" Sakuno asked curiously.
"What are you guys doing here, outside the gate!! I know this is the regulars usual meeting place, but Sakuno, why are you here too?" Tomoka throw a suspicious look at Sakuno.
"Ano...I'm with..." Eiji quickly went over to covers Sakuno's mouth.
"Ah...we...we happened to meet each other when we're on the way to school this morning!!" Oishi quickly explained. Tezuka closed his eyes to disapprove the statement that Oishi used earlier. It makes him reminisce the lie he had told to his coach.
"Yeah...we did, isn't it ochibi?!" Eiji remarked giving Tomoka a fake smile and slowly let go of Sakuno.
"Sa...I think we should be going in right now, it's almost time!!" Oishi commented.
'Sou yo...last night I lied to Obaasan, telling her that I was staying over at Tomo-chan's place!! How forgetful' Sakuno thought and gave herself a knock on the head.
"Hm...today everyone of you seem so weird? Ma ikka (nevermind)...Sakuno, hayakku ikko yo (let's go)!!" Tomoka happily dragged Sakuno away from the Seigaku regulars.
"Ryuzaki!!" Tezuka exclaimed. Sakuno turned back and look at him.
"Kiyoskette ne (Be careful)" Tezuka warned Sakuno.
'Tezuka...bucho!! Yappari (Just as I thought), they must have realize something!!' Sakuno thought wearily.
"Shinjirarenai (Unbelievable)...Tezuka bucho is asking you to be careful?? Mou...Sakuno, you're so lucky!!" Tomoka remarked teasingly.
"Hai, I understand...thank you!!" Sakuno bowed and was once again dragged away by Tomoka.
Sakuno as well as the regulars went to their respective classes. Everything seems to be normal everyone except Sakuno. She's not really paying attentions to most of the classes. She's been staring absently out of the window for the whole time.
The morning sessions ended very soon. Too soon, even Sakuno was not aware of until Tomoka hollered her name a few times.
"Sakuno? What happened? You are not paying attentions!!" Tomoka asked worriedly seeing her friend not being her usual self.
"Ah...Tomo-chan? No...nothing!! I'm okay!!" Sakuno shook her head vigorously and gave Tomoka her usual smile.
"Hm?" Tomoka throws a suspicious glance at Sakuno. Sakuno let out a fake smile and gave her another assuring remarks.
"Ne...Sakuno, let's look for Ryoma-sama and have lunch together!!" Tomoka said and pulled Sakuno out of her seat.
"Ryo...Ryoma-kun? Tomo-chan, wait...I'm not going..." Sakuno shrugged and Tomoka stopped there instantly.
"What? You never say no when I said we're going to look for Ryoma-sama!! Now, tell me, something must have happened!!" Tomoka eyes widen when she heard what Sakuno had said.
"I...I...just don't feel like eating!!" Sakuno stammered and face flushed red when she reminisced the kiss that Ryoma had given her that night.
"Hm...I don't know you, Sakuno! You're just acting very weird for today!!" Tomoka sighed.
"I...actually, sorry, Tomo-chan..." Sakuno clasped both her hand together and apologized for turning down her best friend's request.
"Alright, alright, I'm not forcing you!! I'll just go by myself and don't regret later and blame me for not bringing you there!!" Tomoka resigned and shook her head.
Just as when Tomoka was about to leave, one of her classmates, Yuka Ishida, approached both of them.
"Tomo-chan, Ryuzaki-san, did you heard about that?" their classmate asked exaggeratedly.
"Heard of what? NO!!" Tomoka and Ryuzaki answered in unison.
"It's about Ryuzaki-san!!" Yuka exclaimed.
"Heh...about me? What is it about me?" Sakuno blinked a few times and look curiously at Yuka. Tomoka too nodded and anticipate for Yuka to speak out.
"When I was buying lunch at the cafeteria, I overheard some senpais talking about you and Fuji senpai of year 3!!" Yuka explained. Tomoka rolled her eyes and stared at Sakuno instead.
Sakuno gulped the lump "What...about...me...and Fuji-senpai?". Cold sweats forming on her forehead. Her face blushed heavily.
"Sakuno? There's something that you've been hiding from me!!" Tomoka exclaimed and told Yuka to continue.
"A lot of people witnessed that you and Fuji-senpai were holding hands this morning..." Yuka whispered.
"What?! Ho...Holding...hands" Tomoka stammered and throws a teasing stare at Sakuno. Sakuno's face turned pale and worried.
"Soshite...what more did they said?" Tomoka urged Yuka to tell more.
"They even said that Ryuzaki-san and Fuji-senpai are an issue!!" Yuka stated and gaze expectantly for Sakuno to say a word. Tomoka elbowed Sakuno who stood fidgeted.
"Sakuno? What do you have to say?" Tomoka asked impatiently.
"I...Fuji-senpai and me, we're not an issue..."Sakuno replied positively.
"Tomo-chan, you have to trust me!!" Sakuno pleaded.
"Of course I trust you, Sakuno!! It's too ridiculous!! How could Fuji-senpai and Sakuno's an issue!! Moreover Fuji-senpai is a tennis prodigy!!" Tomoka commented.
"Tomo-chan...arigatou!!" Sakuno felt a little at ease.
"Besides, Sakuno-chan, you're too wobbly for Fuji-senpai to lay an eye on you!!" Tomoka remarked teasingly.
"Ah...sou dess...sou...dess!" Sakuno sweatdropped and thought wearily 'Tomo-chan, it's not a good comments for me!'
"But if it's true, than Sakuno, you must have been the luckiest girl in the whole school to have one of the hottest player as your boyfriend...omedetto...omedetto...(congratulations)" Tomoka laughed and patted hard on Sakuno's back.
"Sou...yo, ah, Ryuzaki-san, I'm so envious of you!!" Yuka remarked and stare at Sakuno earnestly.
"Yes, Sakuno, as the president of Ryoma-sama's fansclub, I'll always welcome you back, anytime!!" Tomoka remarked cheerfully.
"Ah...Tomo-chan and Yuka-chan ta ra..." Sakuno blushed furiously.
They ended their conversation until break time was over. All their issues were about Sakuno and Fuji, and some topics about Ryoma and his fansclub.
After school and during the practice...
Just as when Tezuka entered the court, Oishi bellowed and asked everyone to assemble. As usual, the regulars are to stand in front of the other tennis members.
"The ranking games for the national competitions are soon approaching!! During this period, all of us will have to do more trainings than usual!!" Tezuka announced sternly. Ryuzaki-sensei who stood beside him nodded in accord.
"Now, all year 1 students will have to fasten their pace on balls picking, coz we'll be increasing the training speed!!" Oishi continued.
"Now year 2 and year 3 students except the regulars can dissemble and start their training schedule right away!!" Oishi ordered.
"Nya, what about us, Oishi?" Eiji furrowed his eyebrow and slowly walk over to his partner.
"As usual, we'll have something different for today!" Inui said while scribbling his data book!!
"We're going to have some competitions among the regulars!!" Oishi explained.
"Competitions??" Momo bellowed.
"Winners will get free sushi coupons to dine at my sushi house!!" Kawamura announced.
"Loser will have to finish up the whole jug of my specially prepared 'Penalty Juice'" Inui grinned devilishly. Everyone looked at the juice with disgust.
"Now, let's start the competition soon!! Everyone of you will have to pick up one piece of paper out from this box!!" Oishi said while tossing the box to Fuji. Then the box was passed to the rest of the regulars.
"So, everyone has got one!! Then unfold the paper and see whose names written on the paper!! Inui will draft a competition chart in accordance to the names!!" Tezuka ordered.
Within a few minutes the chart was completed. Everyone was very excited to see who'll they play with.
"Hm...Echizen ka? Omoshiroi" Fuji smirked and open his eyes and stare at Ryoma!!
He watched as Ryoma slowly come towards him. "Fuji-senpai, is it okay if I beat you this time!!" Ryoma declared.
"Eh...Echizen, you seem very confident!! Talk about this match, I still remembered our last match was not over yet!!" Fuji stated seriously.
"Lets do our best!!" Echizen quoted nonchalantly.
Meanwhile...
"Wow, Sakuno, look, a match!!" Tomoka dragged Sakuno to watch the practice.
Ryuzaki-sensei saw Tomoka and walks towards her. Oishi noticed that his sensei was approaching Sakuno and Tomoka and he quickly followed her. Sakuno too noticed that, she can't let her granny get near to Tomoka, otherwise she'll be doom.
"Ne...Tomo-chan, lets go to the other side of the court!!" Sakuno stammered.
"Later, I want to check who's Ryoma-sama competing with!!" Tomoka stated while reading the chart.
"Ryuzaki-sensei...Tezuka's looking for you. He's over there at Court D!!" Oishi quickly called out.
"Tezuka?? I thought he had already started the match? Ma...just has to check it out!!" Ryuzaki-sensei stated and walks over to Court D.
"Phew that was close!! 'Tezuka, hope you'll know what to say later!!'" Oishi sighed. He then quickly rushed over to Sakuno and Tomoka!!
"Futari de, looking for Echizen's!! He's now in Court B with Fuji!!" Oishi remarked.
"What? Ryoma-sama is competing with Fuji-senpai!! Sakuno did you hear that!!" Tomoka bellowed with excitement.
"Oishi-senpai, arigatou, Sakuno, quick we better go over to Court B now!" Tomoka quickly pulled Sakuno to follow her.
"Ano...Oishi-senpai...Thank you!!" Sakuno loosen Tomoka's grip and walked towards her senpai. She bowed and thanked her senpai for giving her a big hand.
"Hm...it's okay, just don't let sensei to get close to Osakada" Oishi whispered.
"Hai!!" Sakuno flashed a grin and left Oishi and joined Tomoka again.
"What did you said to Oishi-senpai!!" Tomoka looked curiously at Sakuno!!
"Nope, nothing important!!" Sakuno grinned at her friend and pulled Tomoka to Court B.
Scene in Court B
There are lots of people watching the match in Court B. Loud cheers can be heard clearly. The match between Fuji and Ryoma had started for more then ten minutes. The score now is 1-0, Fuji's leading.
Ryoma had the next serving. Fuji hit the ball high and giving Ryoma and ace to smash. Ryoma preformed his new smashing tenique, the cyclone smash.
"Love 15!!" the empire called out.
"Look, Echizen is so fierce. He's giving Fuji-senpai a hard time!!" one of the member bellowed.
"Ne, Echizen, is it alright for me to win this match?" Fuji smirked and stared intensely at Ryoma as he returned most of Ryoma's ball.
"Iyada, why should I let you win, besides..." Ryoma shrugged when he recalled seeing Fuji and Sakuno together!! 'Kuso, why am I thinking such thing right now?'
"Besides?" Fuji let out another smirk and hit the ball at the base line.
"15 all!"
Ryoma serve another ball, it's a twister serve. Fuji returned the ball easily.
"Senpai, I think you should give up!!" Ryoma stated while returning Fuji's ball with tremendous strength.
Both Fuji and Ryoma returned each other's ball with strength and skills.
"Fuji-senpai and Echizen, they seem like having problem with each other!!" one of the team members said when they witness such a nasty game between both of the regulars.
"What do you mean?" another member asked.
Tomoka overheard and quickly dragged Sakuno over to join the gossip.
"See, they don't seem to want to lose a point!! It's only the second round, they've been giving hard time for each other!!" the unknown member continued. "I remembered they don't push each other as hard as they use to be now!!"
"Hm...sounds logical!!" the other agreed with him.
"Eh...mada mada, Ryoma-sama, fight oh!! L-O-V-E, Ryoma-sama!!" Tomoka cheered. Sakuno just pulled her shirt and blushed heavily.
"Hm...Ryuzaki..." Ryoma noticed that Sakuno was around.
"Echizen, I think you should be more concentrate on the game!!" Fuji warned and returned the ball. Ryoma nearly missed the ball, but he was able to cover the gap with his split step.
'Sasugai, Echizen, that's a dead spot!! He still can manage to return it!!' Fuji thought.
"Heh...we've lots of cunning senpais here!!" Ryoma quoted.
"Em...it's Sakuno-chan...she's observing our match...Echizen, no wonder you lose your concentration" Fuji chuckled and took a glance at the crowd where Sakuno stood.
"Senpai, I think you should save the words for yourself!!" Ryoma retaliated.
They keep on attacking and returning the balls, not letting either one to gain points. Sakuno stood there and was overwhelmed with the way they play.
'Ryoma-kun, Fuji-senpai...both of you is really awesome!!' Sakuno thought.
"Jubei...sama!!" the voice of a boy could be heard by Sakuno. Her eyes widen. She turned back and search around the crowd.
'The boy, he's here!! Or...it's just my hallucination!!' Sakuno thought, face turning pale.
"Jubei-sama..." the voice repeated. Sakuno could finally realize the presence of the boy when she felt someone's tugging her skirt.
"YOU..." Sakuno shrugged.
TBC
Sorry, I know that this chappie is far too long and messy!! Please bear with me!! And I would like to thank the following readers for their reviews:
Sourgreenapple, KiraLacus, the Eiji Cat, zazabeans, Hannah and koori no tenshi!! Thanks for all your supports.
I'll try my best to make all the characters not OOC as possible. Meanwhile please bear with my shortcomings.
And, lastly please review me story! I'll do more homework to carry on with the next chappie!! Next chapter, Sakuno's going back to her hometown, to avoid the haunting of the Yagyu clan!!
Owari
Mi-chan