A/N: Minna-san, konnichipuu! Thank you for still being here with me. Mi-chan is hyper happy. I know I've alwz taken longer time to finish up one chappie. As usual, I must apologize for the late updates. Moshiwage arimasen. My dedications will alwz goes to all the fans of Sakuno-chan as well as those who love Tenipuri.
Warning: Sakuno-centric fics, readers has been warned.
Plot: Tenipuri x Jubei-chan crossover (some sorts)
Pairing: RyoSaku, FujiSaku (maybe more pairings to come)
Standard Disclaimer: Both Konomi-sensei and Akitaro-sensei would have a big headache when they read this. How could I mess up their stories and do many twists and turns on their storylines. I'm such a devil.
Recap of Chapter 8:
The rest of them shrugged upon hearing what "Sumirei-chan could really get onto your nerves when it comes to reprimanding. I'm sure she will do anything to get any information she wants" Fuji commented
"Nyah, but we had already promised Sakuno-chan, not to tell anyone, especially Ryuzaki-sensei about her hush-hush," Eiji frowned "That's troublesome…you know I'm not good in telling lies" (A/N: To make Eiji's words cuter, I decided to use hush-hush instead of secret)
"Are you sure?" the rest quickly stares at Eiji with suspicion.
"Anyway, just do you best to pretend that as if you don't know anything" Tezuka suggested
"There's also a way" Inui adjusted his spec, a confident smirk plastered on his face "If she continues, just try your best to change topics. We can use an excuse to ask her more about of school break training programs"
"That's a good idea, Inui" Oishi commented "We've got to inform the rest of them about this"
"I'll go and tell Momo and Kaidoh" Eiji volunteered "Nyah…I'm so excited"
"I'll pass the information to Taka-san" Fuji said
Sakuno-chan no Monogatari
Chapter 9: Perplexed Love – Between Fuji, Sakuno & Ryoma
As what the others had expected. As soon as their trainings were over, Sumirei called the regulars one by one into her office. Why the regulars? As rumor spread like vicious fire, many people in Seigaku, particularly the Girls' Tennis Club, had been spreading rumors about the couch's granddaughter being seen gathering with the famous regulars in several occasions. Eye witnesses had spotted Sakuno hanging around with their favorite players, sometimes in group and sometimes she was alone with Tezuka, Fuji or Ryoma.
The last one who entered the office was Fuji. He had been inside the office for more than half an hour. Everyone was anxious to know what they were discussing about.
"Arigatou, Sumirei-chan" Fuji said in a soft and playful voice before he closes the office's door. His teammate's attention was on Fuji as soon as he exited the couch's office.
"Fuji! Told you many times not to call my name!" the couch's seething voice could be heard echoing along the long corridor. To Fuji's surprise, Eiji was the only one who had waited for him.
"Fuji" Kikumaru curled his arm around Fuji's neck "Tell me" he faked a low baritone as he speak "Did you leak out our secret to the Devil of the Thousand Years"
"Devil of the Thousand Years?" Fuji quickly turned and stared at Eiji "She already scream like hell when I called her Sumirei-chan. I didn't know you've got a better name for her. Great job, Eiji" Fuji recommence his usual laughing face.
"Heh, of course" Eiji rubbed his nose and said proudly. He suddenly jerked when he realized that Fuji had abstracted the topic "Fuji! I'm not talking about that! I'm asking you a question. Now just answer me Yes or No" the acrobatic player slight loses his patience.
"Of course I won't tell her anything" Fuji replied softly "By the way, where's the others?"
"They thought that it might take you forever so they went back to the court first"
"I see. Let's go and join them now; Ryuzaki-sensei had asked me to pass a few words to the team"
As soon as Fuji and Eiji meet up with their teammates, Fuji immediately passes the couch message to them.
"Wow! Kyoto! Are you sure? We're going to Kyoto" Momo shrugged and waiting for Fuji reaffirmation. Fuji nodded with a wider smile.
Momo instantly jump up and down, rejoicing the good news "Kyoto! I've always dream of going there"
"Fushuuu…You're noisy, baka" Kaidoh chided.
This time Momo did not hit back like he usually does. His soul is now in Kyoto's Paradise "Kyoto…Kyoto, hee…hee…hee…Kyoto"
"Hn" Kaidoh scoffed "Idiot"
"Fuji? Why would Ryuzaki-sensei schedule our training in Kyoto?" Oishi asked curiously
"Well" Fuji let out a few coughs "Actually it was my idea…" he murmured softly at the end.
"Fuji" Tezuka walk over to Fuji and stood in front of him. He gazed anxiously at the prodigy "How did you convince Sensei to set our training program in Kyoto?"
"Tezuka, don't worry" Fuji said quietly, assuring his captain. He then walked pass Tezuka and walk towards the others "First, I must apologize to all of you for making such decision without getting everyone's consent"
"Fuji…we're not blaming you for making this decision" Oishi interjected "It's just that this happened so suddenly"
"Please Oishi, let me finish first" Fuji continued "I hope that you guys could come to my house by this weekend. I'll explains everything in details"
He then turns around to face Tezuka once more "Tezuka, you'll come too, right?"
"So you've finally decided to tell us" Tezuka smiled (AN: Yes, a genuine smile ) and Fuji nodded.
"Fuji-senpai!" Momo called out "Can't you tell us now?"
"Right now…" Fuji paused and turned to look at Ryoma "There's something between me and Echizen that needs to be settled" As soon as Fuji's words slipped out of his mouth, everyone turns to stare at Ryoma.
Ryoma scoffed "Right. I've also wanted to settle this once in for all" Ryoma pointed his tennis racket at Fuji "This time, it's going to be me or you"
"Echizen" his usual confidence smirk plastered on his face "let's end this match beautifully" Ryoma gave Fuji a cold shoulder and walked to the other side of the court.
Although the others were left clueless of what conflict the two tennis pros have in between them, yet, as soon as their declaration of war is onset, the others quickly leave the court to anticipate for the soon coming match, while Tezuka acted as the umpire of this match.
"Which" Ryoma asked coldly, his amber orbs hid under his caps
"Smooth" hearing of what Fuji had chosen, Ryoma immediately spins his racket and let it fall to the ground. Seeing his initial 'R' had turned upside down, Ryoma smirk "Zannen, Fuji-senpai…it's 'Rough'" (Zannen – What a pity)
"One set match, Fuji VS Echizen, begin" Tezuka bellowed.
"Please be gentle with me, Echizen" Fuji's casual smile makes Ryoma furious.
He shifted his racket to his left hand "I'm gonna be real serious this time" he marked coldly.
"Oi…oi, Ochibi is using his left hand?" Eiji blinked with surprise.
"Echizen is getting serious!" Momo exclaimed excitingly.
'Echizen' Both Tezuka and Inui had noted Ryoma stance 'Something has been disturbing his concentration' Perhaps Fuji too, had noticed Ryoma's flawed.
Right after the first ball was served over to the Fuji's side, an incessant depiction of what Ryoma saw the other day in Fuji's house came into his mind again.
"Actually, I've been waiting for a right timing to tell you"
"A right timing?"
"Yes, a right timing, just like this"
'Kuso, why do I have to recall all these brainless stuff at this at this time?'Ryoma cursed inwardly and due to this he almost missed the ball that Fuji returned.
"Echizen" Fuji jumped into the mid air to smash the ball back to Ryoma's side "Concentration"
"Love – 15" Tezuka counted
"I told you so…Concentration" Fuji said aggravatingly "You're losing your form, Echizen"
Ryoma glared at Fuji for a moment before resuming back to his second serve.
"Hyuu just like what I've expected from Fuji" Eiji cheered "He had gained the first point"
"Eiji…didn't you feel something was wrong with Echizen?" Oishi asked
"Is he?" Eiji regarded Oishi for a moment before replying him casually "Nyah, Oishi's being too sensitive"
"I'm not" Oishi retaliated "It's just that…nevermind" Oishi frowned before returning his attention back to the match.
"Love – 30"
"15 – 30"
"15 – 40"
"O…ochibi? He is about to lose his service game to Fuji" Eiji blinked with disbelieve.
"See, I told you earlier that Echizen is kinda strange today" Oishi commented. Momo and Kawamura quickly walk over to Oishi's side mentioned the same topic about Ryoma.
"That Echizen! What's wrong with him today?" Momo fumed.
"I know" Inui muttered while jotting more data into his book.
"You do? Inui, tell us now" Eiji quickly bugged Inui.
"He has a problem" Inui adjusted his thick lens and flashed an impish smirk at his teammates.
"Problem? Is Echizen sick?" Kawamura asked anxiously.
"You can say that" Inui replied "His illness is directly reflected to his mood swing and emotion"
"Echizen? Emotional?" Momo blinked with amusement "Inui-senpai, you must be kidding. No offense but Echizen? The deadpan faced, anti-sexual freak who only knows tennis and his libretto 'Mada mada dane?'" he shrugged his shoulder as he stated casually "Impossible"
A/N: Sorry to all Ryoma-sama's and Momo's fans. I've made Momo sounded too OOC
"And you're just a pile of trash" Kaidoh added. Momo instantly flared up and grabbed Kaidoh's collar "Are you looking for trouble, Mamushi!"
"You should at least learn to shut your stupid mouth first! You idiot!"
"You freaking reptile"
"You smashing monster"
"You stupid!"
"Only stupid people call other people stupid!"
"Only stupid people call other people stupid who call them stupid!"
"I had enough of you two" the two heated young men stood frozen at once when a familiar stern voice interjected their argument.
"Bu…bucho!" They were too shock to see Tezuka as he was supposed to be in the court, judging the match. They quickly turned and look at the umpire's seat that was once occupied by Tezuka has been taken over by Oishi.
"Two of you…"
"Not again" both Momo and Kaidoh frowned softly in unison.
"30 laps around two courts. Hit it now" He ordered coldly
"Whiz" the two of them quickly abided Tezuka's order, knowing that they would only get more punishment if they complain further.
"Peace at last" Inui smirked while Kawamura and Eiji stared piteously at the two poor sophomores.
"Inui" Tezuka turned to Inui "How is Echizen's doing?"
"Terrible" Inui replied as he scribbled more data into his book "Ball speed decreased by twenty percent, returning speed, fifteen percent compared to his normal practicing speed. His one-foot split step had been sluggish, compared to his usual performance. Accuracy rate were lowered by twenty-five percent. I can't believe that this is Echizen that we're seeing"
Tezuka nodded "At this rate, he'll lose this game to Fuji"
"But I don't think Fuji will enjoy such a game either. He had always wanted to bring out the best performance out of his opponents. Right now, to defeat Echizen would be meaningless for Fuji" Inui said as a matter of factly.
"That means?" Eiji blinked
"Soon he'll call off the game" Kawamura said dejectedly.
Just as what the others had predicted, instead of waiting for Ryoma to serve the next ball, Fuji walks towards the net and hit it hard with his racket.
"Fu…Fuji" Oishi eyes widen when Fuji suddenly flared up. This is the second time witnessing Fuji's exasperation. It was two years ago since Fuji had revealed his aggravation in front of everyone during his match with Tezuka who was badly injured back then.
"You're supposed to stay there and wait for my serve" noticing that Fuji is right in front of the net, Ryoma said coldly; his eyes never meet the infuriated opponent.
"Don't fool around with me, Echizen Ryoma" Fuji slightly raised his tone. His eyes pierced intensely at Ryoma "Let's call off for today's match"
"What do you mean!" This time Ryoma hissed with the same annoyance as Fuji "You wanted to back out? I was about to get serious…"
"Stop acting cool in front of me, Echizen!" the famous prodigy of Seigaku, renowned for his affable nature, Fuji Syuusuke; had raised his voice to an unrecognizable extend. Not only Ryoma, the others too stared at Fuji with shock.
"If I'm acting cool?" Ryoma retaliated "You're acting weird. So stop bugging me and go back to where you stood"
"I'm not interested you now" Fuji turn and leave the court.
"Come back here…" Ryoma echoed and was about to stop Fuji from exiting the court when Oishi stopped him.
"Echizen" he shook his head, disapproving Ryoma from chasing after Fuji "Maybe, you really need a rest"
"Even you think that I should let him go like that?" Ryoma hissed "I told you already…I'm…"
"Echizen" Tezuka called from behind. "I understand how you feel, but right now, every one of us here also felt that you should take a break from this game"
"Everyone?" Ryoma looked at the other seniors who nodded with agreement.
"Fine" Finally Ryoma gave up with a frown "I'll accumulate my energy for later use. He's lucky for getting away like this"
"Ochibi, tell us what was wrong with you?" Eiji quickly gave Ryoma his famous 'Kikumaru's Deadly Grope'
"Ha…hanase…Kikumaru-senpai" Ryoma jerked "Nothing's wrong with me. I'll be real dead if you still continue groping me like this" he muttered breathlessly under Eiji's sweaty shirt.
"Liar, Ochibi, lie" Eiji immediately release the almost suffocated Ryoma "Everyone could tell that your soul is wondering off somewhere else"
"Haha…then what am I now; a walking corpse?" Ryoma rolled his eyes.
"Echizen" Inui suddenly interjected, the data tennis player's low tone gave Ryoma a chill "I had noticed that your performance has been deteriorating eversince the day when Sakuno-san left"
"Ryuzaki?" Ryoma muttered under his breathe "She has nothing to do with my performance" he continued scornfully.
"Don't argue with me, coz, the data never tell lies. I might not be able to predict how far you could achieve from here, but, lately, you've been doing poorly"
"Maji, dore dore?" Eiji quickly went over and stood beside Inui, one of his hands rested on Inui's board shoulder, his eyes trying to read from Inui's book, but the data player instantly shut it tight, forbidding anyone to read from his precious data book. (A/N: Has anyone here ever wondered how Inui's data book would look like? I think he might have drawn many cute comics with scripts in his data book. Like the drawings that Rukia usually draw when she presented her explanation to Ichigo? Just kidding)
"Echizen…" Kawamura slowly approaches Ryoma and gently placing both his hands on each side of Ryoma's shoulders "We understand your worry for Sakuno-san. We had eventually adopted our life with her being here for us, cheering for us"
"I said there's nothing to do with her. It should be Fuji-senpai who should be worry dead by now…" Ryoma hissed, slightly losing his usual poise. "I have to go home now" with that, he shoved Kawamura's hands away and stomp away from the others.
"Echizen" Kawamura called again when Inui pulled him on his shoulder. Shortly after that, Tezuka exited the court, followed by Oishi. The captain and the vice-captain make their way towards the club house.
"Fuji? What was ochibi talking about? The topic was about him and Sakuno-chan wasn't it? Inui, I'm confused?" Eiji's face turns into a comical cat, Eiji-nyanko (A/N: Nyan-ko is a cute suffix for cat in Japanese)
"It's jealousy after all" Inui prompted.
"Eh? Serious? Ochibi is jealous?" Eiji asked exaggeratedly.
"My analysis would not be 100 accurate, but that's the only source I could think of. Eversince that day when Fuji took Ryuzaki-san back to his home and a time where he had gave her a peck on her cheek, Echizen was beginning to act weird" Inui explained further "Maybe he had never realize how attached was he to Ryuzaki-san, when suddenly Fuji came in between them"
"Heh? You mean he's actually disturbed when he heard the rumors of Fuji pursuing Sakuno-chan?" Eiji shrugged "Wow…that Echizen, he sure knows how to conceal his feelings from us, na, Oishi" Eiji quickly look around, searching for Oishi "Oishi? Where did he go?"
"Kikumaru-senpai" Momo stopped halfway from his track "I saw bucho and Oishi-senpai heading towards the club house just now"
"Ah? Is that so?" Eiji flashed a wide grin "Thank you, Momo" with that the energetic acrobatic player zooms out of the court and rush towards to the club house.
As soon as the two captains opened up the club house's door, they felt a certain ominous atmosphere filling the clubhouse. Both Fuji and Ryoma's back were facing each other. There was an awkward stillness in the club house, but somehow, both Tezuka and Oishi were glad to see that the two were not biting on each other's bones. (A/N: How would Fuji and Ryoma-kun do something like this:P)
Both of them closed the lockers' doors at the same time and coincidently the two make their moves to leave the club house. They stopped and glared at each other for a moment. Oishi sweat drop upon seeing the two prodigies shooting dead glares at each other. They stood there for quite sometimes. The atmosphere's becoming hostile, like the fearsome Fuujin and Raijin meeting each other.
(A/N: Fuujin, the God of Wind and Raijin, the God of Thunder. Japanese believed that the two gods are eternal rivals. So if they sees two enemies meeting each other, they would use 'Like seeing Fuujin and Raijin' to describe them)
Nevertheless Fuji was the first one who broke away from their killing glares and walked towards the exit. Shortly after Fuji's departure, Ryoma resumed his pace once again. Oishi watched silently at Fuji and Ryoma, seeing them taking a separate path out of the school. Fuji was taking a right turn and Ryoma was taking the left, though to his knowledge they would have always taken the same routine until a certain junction, before going on their separate ways.
"Tezuka, what should we do now?" Oishi asked worriedly. Seeing his teammates conflicting against each other is the worst thing the vice captain would like to experience. It always gives him a nuisance whenever he sees Momo and Kaidoh arguing with each other.
"Let's not worry about them, Oishi" Tezuka commented.
"Not to worry? How could we not? Tezuka, even if you had said so, you still couldn't rest your heart in peace. You'd come over to ensure that Fuji and Echizen are not killing each other, right?"
"Killing each other? Oishi, you think too much. We've known Fuji for a few years by now. I believed that he's not that kind of people who will hate his friends. He's only mad at Echizen because he care for him"
"Tezuka…" Oishi eyes widen at first but soon his astonishment was replaced with amusement. "Your usual stern expression doesn't really show that you're so indulgent, Tezuka" Oishi teased "Like what Inui said; you should smile more so people would not misunderstand you"
Tezuka coolly ignored Oishi's mockery and walk over to his locker to pack up his stuffs. Shortly not only Tezuka and Oishi, the rest of members, except Momo and Kaidoh, had also returned to the club house.
As days passes like speed of an arrow, weekend is just a day ahead of them. Tomorrow, all the Seigaku Regulars were obligated to go to Fuji's place to discuss about the soon coming school break training program that was scheduled in Kyoto.
Ryoma's mind had been restless eversince he saw the unpleasant incident in the Fuji's residence. His fist tightened on his chest, clenching the thick fabric of his pajamas. He's so reluctantly to go back there, the house of his rival.
Rival? He thought again. Yes, to Ryoma, Fuji has always been his rival for tennis and that was the only reason he could think of to convince himself of his irritation towards the third year prodigy, but if his irritation was caused merely because of his passion for tennis, he was suppose to be excited and not demoralized. Why would he be so depressing? Something has been missing in his life?
"Is it really fine with you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is it alright for you to see what Fuji-senpai is doing to me?"
" Why don't you say something? Ryoma-kun?"
"I didn't know that I was given the right to say something"
"Ryoma-kun?"
"Why? Didn't you at least feel something in your heart?"
"Yes"
"Right now, I've realized that I've made a fool out of myself. Back then, you could have told me that you didn't like it when I kissed you. Back then…you could have told me everything about you and Fuji-senpai!"
"I…It's not true"
"Sakuno…you're troublesome"
Ryoma covered his head with his pillow and cursed inwardly when those images of him and Sakuno appeared in his mind once again.
'She's nice, he's kind. The two of you would make a perfect couple' Suddenly Ryoma eyes widen when those words echoed inside him. "Echizen Ryoma…you're such a pathetic guy" he muttered sourly before throwing himself back to sleep.
Meanwhile…
"Jubei…Jubei?" Nanohana Sai called her daughter's soubriquet as he searched for her around their double storey self-detached house. He decided that the attic would be the last place that she would be.
He climbed the narrow staircase and opened up the attic door. There, the window was opened; fresh and chilly air blew into the attic room. Sai slowly walks towards the window and pop his head out to see if Sakuno is sitting in her favorite spot.
"Ah, just as I thought, you're here" Sai said softly but that was good enough to catch the girl's attention.
"Papa? What are you doing here?" Sakuno lowered her head to face her father as she asked.
"I'm looking for you, of course" Sai replied with a rather amused tone "and what are you doing here?"
"Looking at the stars" Sakuno return her attentions back to the sky of myriad twinkling stars.
"Can papa join you?" Sai asked and Sakuno nodded.
She extended a hand out to assist his father toclimb onto the attic roof. Sai settles himself beside Sakuno.
"Are you naming them in process?" Sai asked teasingly. Sakuno regarded her father for quite sometimes. A confidence smirk plastered on her face.
"Let's do it" She declared cheerfully and quickly pointed a finger towards the sky "Watermelon"
"Ah? I'm not gonna lose to you" His father exclaimed and point a finger towards the other side "Pineapple"
"Strawberry"
"Banana"
"Apple"
"Orange"
Both father and daughter were enjoying each other's company under the beautiful starry night. It would be the happiest day for Sakuno eversince her first day of stepping back to Kyoto. When happy father and daughter came down from the attic, the telephone began to ring.
Sai quickly went over to answer the call.
"Moushi…moushi, Nanohana's Residence"
"Oh, Sai. This is Kaasan"
"Okaasama?" Sai was overwhelmed since the elderly would never call themin suchlate time, nevertheless he suppressed his astonishment and continue his conversation casually "Hai, how are you doing?"
Sakuno who stood in front of the doorway of their dinning hall had been listening to their conversation, but to Sakuno's disappointment, all she could see was her father's continuous nodding and answering 'yes' and 'I know'
As soon as Sai placed down the receiver, he grinned at Sakuno and that had surprised her even more.
"Papa? What is it? You look so happy"
"We'll be expecting visitors to stay over in our place for a couple of weeks"
"Visitors? Many of them?" Sakuno blinked "You mean Obaachan had invited her friends to stay in our place?" Sakuno ask frantically.
"Hai, hai" Sai answered humbly and turn her daughter around, pushing her back to make her stepping towards the stairs "Now we'll discuss this first thing in the morning, alright? Now it's time to go to bed. Though, you're not going to school but you'll still need to organize your time"
"Mou…papa, you're sounds like I'm a kid"
"You are" he smiled when Sakuno tilted her head up to look at him.
"I'm not" her two reddish cheeks were round when she huffed with dissentient.
That night, Sakuno couldn't put herself to sleep. She had strong feelings that the visitors could be someone whom she knew. She switched on the table lamp beside her bed and took the picture frame that was right in front of the lamp and gazed at it.
It was a group picture of her, her friends and all the players who were participating in the 'Japan-American Tournaments' selection trainings. The two girls, that stood beside her were, Ann Tachibana and Tomoka, her best friend, the one whom she worried the most. Right now, she doesn't have any courage to face Tomoka. All she could do now is to run away from her, run away from those who had haunted for the power of Yagyu Jubei; the power within her.
Moreover, the circumstances between Ryoma, Fuji and herself had turn complicated. At first she thought that her heart was with Ryoma and her affection were meant only for him, but eversince Fuji came into her life, she became confused. She had lost her sense of intellectual when it comes to dealing with Ryoma or Fuji. Not wanting to suffocate herself with those troublesome thoughts, she switches on the radio and tune in for her favorite station.
'Good evening and thank you to all listeners for being here with us. This next song is Mr. A who wanted to dedicate all his feelings to Ms. B. Mr. A said that he was regretting that he didn't have enough courage to confess his feelings for her before he left. Right now, let us give our blessing to Mr. A and Ms. B. Here's a song by Ms. Minami Kuribayashi, Waltz of the Starry Sky'
(A/N: Gomenasai, I'm not good in writing announcement notes )
Note: Dark italics denotes lyrics
Normal italics denotes thoughts andflashbacks
As the soothing melody plays, Sakuno places the picture back to the table and focus her attention on the song.
The loneliness of parting
is always the same.
Despite being able to see you again tomorrow,
I don't want to leave.
"O…Obaa-chan…I'm going home…please, let me go back. Let me go back to Kyoto, please"
Please, embrace me gently.
I want to protect this happiness forever.
"It's enough! I know that you've been suffering too, right? You're hurt to see your best friend going against you. Seeing your best friend hurting you like that and yet you couldn't do anything to help her. Blaming yourself for dragging her into your past"
Illuminated by the midsummer constellation,
The two of us recite in small voices.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to hide it from you. Actually, I've been waiting for a right timing to tell you"
"A right timing?"
"Yes, a right timing, just like this"
Will you teach me secret words?
Let's make a charm.
On the way we always walk home,
We're unable to separate our connected hands.
I want to stay like this, but
Time keeps passing by.
"Here"
"Ryoma-kun?"
"It's free, my treat"
"A…rigatou"
There is only one dream painted in the sky;
I want to become your star, someday.
If I look into your gentle eyes,
For some reason, my tears overflow.
You knew my initial pains.
...I love you
"Echizen, we'll leave Ryuzaki to you...please send her back home"
"If that's so! Ryuzaki...let's go"
"I know, you were not asleep back then when I kissed you!"
"Just..now...what did you said?"
"I said, you were not asleep when I kissed you!"
"So...you...you realized? Then...why, you know that I was not asleep, why you still...kiss...me?"
"I wanted to know too! I'm confused, Ryuzaki...I shouldn't have, but i did! I was just following my own instinct"
"Is it alright for you to see what Fuji-senpai is doing to me?"
"I didn't know that I was given the right to say something"
"Ryoma-kun? Why? Didn't you at least feel something in your heart?"
"Yes! Right now, I've realized that I've made a fool out of myself! Back then, you could have told me that you didn't like it when I kissed you. Back then…you could have told me everything about you and Fuji-senpai!"
"Sakuno…You're troublesome"
Illuminated by the midnight constellations,
The two of us pray in silence.
With such honest feelings,
We can stay together like this
Light is given life, now
By our hearts.
"Ryoma-kun" The hazel haired girl falls into her slumber. Tears escaped from the corner of her eyes.
Meanwhile, at the Echizen's residence, Ryoma had also faced the same difficulties in getting to sleep. He too tuned in the channel which Sakuno had been listening. Ryoma walked over to his drawer and took the same group picture that Sakuno had. Placing a finger over Sakuno's picture, he whispered forlornly "Sakuno, I'm sorry. If only I'm not confused with my own feelings, if only…"
TBC…
Yatto…mi-chan had shot another chappie down. I'm so happy. Wow, it's almost midnight. Mi-chan had been doing lots of snacking and sipping lately while typing up the story. Mi-chan is a little worry if this chappie is a bit lame. Perhaps lack of some energy and action, but the action will only be up right after the next chappie. So, minna-san, please bear this with me.
Next chappie:Chapter 10: Youkoso Kyoto – Charming Confessions
Please continue to read my up coming chappie to find out more of Sakuno's past and who will be the first one to make a magical confession.
My dedications:
To Niji-san: Thank you I'm so happy that you like my fics. Ano ne, Niji means rainbow right? Sorry if I'm wrong but I really loved watching rainbow, though short but beautiful.
To Whitelilies: Hai My bad, sorry for the wait. Here's another chappie. Hope that you'll like this chappie too.
To tsubame-chan: Tsubame-chan, sochira koso, domo Arigatou gozaimasu. And thank you for being so patience with me. I'm happy to see that you like my other fic. Believe me; mi-chan is jumping up and down from my bed. This chappie is also for you.
To Magy-san: TT Gomenasai, mi-chan is so touch. Yes, it's really been a very very long time since I've done an update. I couldn't say any word of how I feel when I read your review. All I could say is 'A million times of thank you' for being so patience with me. Here's my update, thanks to you too.
Other dedications: Doggythumper, LadyLight, Ginaorgasoline, StarFreak, Magy, Koori no tenshi, hannah-chan, zazabeans-chan, anime-obsession260, zhu-zhu, glitterfairy, Sourapplegreen, Kiralacus, the Eiji Cat, abc and Sakuya-chan