Recap…
"Where's Sa-chan?" Fuji asked this time.
"She's talking to her grandmother." Tomoka replied. "Oh, this morning Kamio-senpai came over."
Momo and Eiji's eyes widen and Fuji opened his cerulean blue eyes. "What for?"
"He came and-" Tomoka stopped when she saw Ryoma walking toward them. "RYOMA-SAMA!"
The three regulars turned and looked behind them. Eiji glomped on to the prodigy and Momo ruffled his hair and dragged him closer towards them. Once Ryoma was earshot along with Momo and Eiji, Fuji used this chance to asked Tomoka again. "So, why did Kamio come here for?"
"Kamio-senpai came here to ask Sakuno on a date!" Tomoka replied excitedly.
"He did what?!" Eiji and Momoshiro screeched. They couldn't believe what they had just heard.
"Ask Sa-chan on a date." Fuji answered for Tomoka. "What did she say?"
"Okay." She replied.
"She agreed?!"
"Yeah." Tomoka replied. "She notice Ryoma walking away."Ryoma-sama, where are you going?"
"Ponta." He replied as Momo and Eiji grinned.
"Did you see that?" Momo said.
"Yup." Eiji replied. "His hand formed into a fist."
"He's getting jealous." They both said (Momo and Eiji) as Ryoma was out of earshot.
"Kamio-senpai is a working wonder." Tomoka said.
End of Recap...
Chapter 4: Sakuno's Date and Kintaro's Mistake
Sunday is finally here. Kamio had come and picked up Sakuno exactly at 10 just as promised. What the two didn't know is that behind a pole there is two girls sneaking upon them and a bush in front of the pole, two guys were behind it. Behind a trash can one boy was holding down another boy that is trying to get away.
Kamio and Sakuno had entered an accessory store. Once they went inside the people that were hiding all came out. "Sheesh, Kamio-kun just has to tell us his date just yesterday!" Ann said.
The day before, Saturday, the MRO (Make Ryoma Jealous) group met at the Fudomine household.
FLASHBACK:
"Kamio-sama, you got some explaining to do." Tomoka said with her hands on her hips. Kamio sighed when everyone was looking at him and Tomoka.
"Guys, think about it, why are we trying to make Echizen jealous of done Ryuzaki-chan when you could just try to make him jealous of the boys she talks to?"
"..."
Everyone thought of what Kamio had just said. He got a point. Making Echizen jealous of guys are much easier than making him jealous of Ryuzaki. Besides, it's also a lot easier.
"Alright, change of plan." Ann announced. "This time instead of Saku-chan, it'll be the boys!"
"Kamio-sama, go on your date with Sakuno. Some of us will follow you." Tomoka said.
"I'll drag Echizen along too." Momoshiro said.
"He rather let a dog pick him up than some peach." Kaidou said.
"Well, he rather let a peach pick him up than some vicious viper that will bite very time." Momoshiro retorted.
"Better than a stupid peach."
"What did you say?!"
"Are you deaf?"
"Alright, alright, no arguing!" Ann went between the two of them and hold out a fist on each of her hand onto their faces.
END OF FLASHBACK...
"It's a good thing Kamio-sama came up with it." Tomoka whispered to Ann. "I was getting frustrated thinking of how we're going to make him jealous."
"I know." Ann replied. Suddenly they heard some argument at the back.
"Echizen come back here!" Momoshiro grabbed his collar back preventing him from going even further.
"Oi, let go." Ryoma struggled to get away.
"Guys they're coming out!" Kikumaru said. He was keeping an eye out for them when everyone of them was busy arguing. They all immediately dived back to their hiding place.
Kamio and Sakuno walked through the street of Tokyo looking through each store. Unbeknowist to them and the people hiding Ryoma was glaring at Kamio and forming a fist. He had clenched his hands very hard that it little oozed of blood came out. If glaring could kill, Kamio would have exploded right there and then.
"Kamio-kun, gomen ne (I'm sorry). I'm not very much of a helper." Sakuno said sadly looking down.
"It's alright. We'll find something." Kamio replied trying to cheer the girl up. "Let's have lunch first."
"H-hai (Yes)."
Kamio led Sakuno toward a restaurant. They order some simple dishes of sushi and a small bowl of yakisoba. The other that was stalking them was also eating quietly behind Sakuno. When Momoshiro took Ryoma to use the restroom and Sakuno was looking at the menu, Kamio looked over at the table in front of him. Ann gave him a thumps up along with the regulars, he nodded in response. Once they finished eating Kamio and Sakuno resumed their search.
"I'm sorry for dragging you out." Kamio suddenly said.
"N-no, not at all! I'm glad to help!" Sakuno panicked. She was shaking her hands widely back in forth.
Kamio was stunned at her reaction then he laughed. Sakuno blushed in response. "Gomen (Sorry), you're funny when you panic. Arigatou (Thank you)."
Sakuno stopped her hands. "You're welcome." It was dark out when Kamio send Sakuno home. They're able to find a beautiful charmed bracelet in an accessory store at a mall.
Tomoka couldn't wait to interrogate her friend about her date. With all the interruptions like Horio's bugging in, the teachers asking her to do stuff, and Sakuno's library duty, she didn't have time to asked her. The group of friends went home pretty late yesterday. They all followed them to many store. Sakuno and Kamio were having fun. They both were smiling and laughing.
Ryoma was surprised when Kamio bought a bracelet than took her to an arcade. They both played all sorts of games, so did the group of stalkers, except for one. He was glaring deathly at the two. Pretty soon, he walked out of the arcade when no one was looking and went home. He can't take any more of it. He was sort of confused as to why there was a feeling. He can't describe it. All he knows is that he felt an incredible pain. It's like someone stabbed into his chest and squeezing his heart at the same time. While the others stayed until the two went home.
Tomoka forced Sakuno to tell her what happened. Although she had already know what had happened. It's much more exciting hearing it from the shy, timid girl. They both were standing in the hallway after school looking out the window when Tomoka asked her the question.
"Nothing really happened, but we did went to the a-arcade together though."
"The arcade?! Why did he ask you out?"
"He said that he wants to buy a present to his sister since it's g-going to be her birthday soon." Sakuno replied.
"Then, why did he take you to the arcade?" Tomoka questioned again.
"He said that it's like a thank you gift."
Tomoka noticed that a certain prince was walking towards their way and so she uses this chance to spice things up a bit. "Did you have fun on your date with Kamio-sama?" She grinned when the prince stop walking.
"Hai (Yes). It was fun. He's very funny and kind." Sakuno blushed.
"Did he take you home?"
"Hai (Yes). He did." Sakuno replied happily.
"Did he say anything to you when he dropped you off?"
Sakuno nodded and replied, "He said that he would love to go out with me again." Sakuno smiled.
Before Tomoka could asked anymore, Ryoma interrupted them. "Ryuzaki." He called behind her. They both looked at the source of the voice. It was Ryoma.
"R-Ryoma-kun!"
"KYA! Ryoma-sama!" Tomoka squealed. Sakuno and Ryoma flinched.
"Tomoka-chan, please lower your voice."
"Ahh... demo (But), what brings you here Ryoma-sama?!"
"Coach wants to see you." Ryoma looked at Sakuno. He started walking the way he came, but he stop to wait for the girl.
"Obaa-san wants to see me?" Sakuno looked at Tomoka.
"It seems like you can't go." Tomoka said. Tomoka and Sakuno were supposed to meet Ann by the new cafe shop that just opened and talked about a plan for next weekend.
"Gomenasai (I'm sorry)." Sakuno apologized.
"It's alright. Ann will understand." Tomoka reassured her.
"Honto ni gomenasai (I'm really sorry)."
"It's alright, besides, Kamio-sama is going to accompany Ann tomorrow, too." Ryoma's eyes twitched when he heard that guy's name. Tomoka smiled when she saw that.
"Why mention him?"
"Eh? Doesn't he like you?"
Sakuno sighed. "I'll explain later. Ryoma-kun let's go." Sakuno said.
"I'll see you tomorrow then." Tomoka said and Sakuno nodded.
Ryoma led the way to his coach. Sakuno was walking behind him like always. He couldn't keep his mind out of what happened yesterday and he just got to asked
"Ne, what about that rhythm boy?" Ryoma suddenly asked which surprised Sakuno. Usually, she's is the one trying to start a conversation with him.
"Kamio-kun?" Sakuno said confusedly.
Hearing his name from her, Ryoma started to get pissed. "Ah."
"Yesterday, he took me out." Sakuno replied.
Although Ryoma already knew it made him even angrier—hearing it from Sakuno—for a reason he can't seem to figure out no matter how hard he try.
"Even though Tomoka-chan kept telling me it's a date. I don't consider it as a date." Sakuno said. "He only asked me out just so that I could help him."
"Help him?" Ryoma looked back at the girl.
"Hai (Yes), he asked me to help him find a present." Sakuno stated.
"Hmm..." Hearing that, Ryoma felt much better than before.
Sakuno and Ryoma arrived just in time to see Shitenhoji's Kintaro Toyama, exit out of the teacher's lounge.
"Koshimae!" Eh? Sa-chan!" Kintaro ran and (tightly) hugged Sakuno, who only blushed. Ryoma glared at him and pulled Sakuno away from the hyper boy. "Why did you do that Koshimae?"
"Hands off." Ryoma's glared intensified.
"Hai, hai (Yes, yes)." Kintaro backed away with his hands up in the air. "Sa-chan, I'll see you next week." He winked at Sakuno, who was blushing the whole time. Ryoma just pulled Sakuno along as they both enter the teacher's lounge.
"O-Obaa-chan." Sakuno ran up to the elderly woman sitting on her desk going through the Kantou Tornament listing that the regulars are participating in this year.
Ryuzaki-sensei looked up from her work. "Thank you, Ryoma." Ryoma nodded. "Stay." Ryuzaki-sensei said to Ryoma who was about to head out. "Ryoma, I want you to accompany Sakuno after this."
"Doushite (Why), Obaa-chan?" Sakuno asked confusedly.
"I already talked to Ryoma's parents." Ryuzaki-sensei faced Sakuno. "You'll be staying with the Echizens until I get back."
"EH?!" Sakuno surprising blurted out. She looked back at Ryoma who has a blank look on his face. He was also shocked but he quickly hid it. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to accompany that Oji from Rokkaku to check out some camps." Ryuzaki-sensei replied. "I don't know when I'll get back or how long it'll take, but for now you're staying with the Echizens."
"Will you be okay?" Sakuno asked slightly worried.
"I'll be fine." Ryuzaki-sensei reassured her. "Ryoma." She now face the prince. "Take my granddaughter home after school and help her pack up."
"What about you?" Ryoma questioned.
"I'll be heading over to Rokkaku after I finished up here." Ryoma nodded. "Oh, before I forget. Ryoma, afterschool tomorrow take Sakuno with you to the tennis court. Your captain will explain everything." Before Sakuno could question again, Ryuzaki-sensei spoke. "Now no more questions, just go." Sakuno and Ryoma obediently headed out.
Sakuno and Ryoma walked quietly towards the Ryuzaki Residence. It was a long and comfortable silence that drifted around the two. Once they reached the residence, Sakuno pulled out a lose brick and took out a key from inside the hole. She quickly opened the door.
"We need to pack your stuff." Ryoma said.
"It's okay. I can do it myself." She replied. She thought of how embarrassing it was if Ryoma was to touch her belongings especially her clothing. "It's not a lot."
"Hn." He said as he waited in the living room.
The both of them got to the Echizen Residence just before the sun sets. From the outside they could hear noises and people running from the inside. Ryoma sighed. It must have been his mother finding another of his father's dirty magazines.
"Tadaima (I'm home)!" Ryoma announced.
"Okaeri (Welcome home), Ryoma-san. Are (Oh)? Sakuno-chan!"
Sakuno bowed. "Nanako-neesan." Sakuno looked at the lady in front of her. She had long hair and is very beautiful. From Sakuno's perspective, she's always pretty.
She smiled. "We heard from your grandmother already. Please, make yourself at home."
Sakuno smiled. "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Please take care of me)."
"Where's Oyaji?" Ryoma suddenly asked. He had already taken off his shoes and place them on the rack. Sakuno did the same as Ryoma motion for her to do so.
"He's sulking out at the temple."
"Come in. I'll show you your room, Sakuno-chan." Nanako said.
"Arigatou (Thank you), Nanako-neesan." Sakuno said.
"KYA! You're always so cute!" Nanako hugged Sakuno. "Ne, Ryoma-san, dinner will be reader in a few."
Ryoma was heading upstairs was stopped when his cousin said that Sakuno was cute. He looked at Sakuno. He felt that sudden pain on his chest—it's been happening after his return from America—whenever he looked at Sakuno. He turned back to the stairs and about to head up when his cousin called him. He looked at them once more; nodding, he continued his way upstairs.
"Come, I'll show you your room."
After Nanako showed Sakuno her room, which is next to Ryoma's, Sakuno followed Nanako downstairs. Ryoma's parents welcomed her whole-heartedly except for when Ryoma's father, Nanjiro Echizen started to tease her.
"May I help?" Sakuno asked Ryoma's mother, Rinko Echizen.
"No, you're our guest." She replied.
"Demo (But), it's the least I can do for staying here with you guys." Sakuno said.
Rinko thought for a minute before answering. "Oh, alright then." She smiled warmly and gave Sakuno some gingers and green onions to chop. She took the ingredients from the fridge and from the cabins where Rinko told her to get. She set down her ingredients and work next to Nanako, who was slicing chicken breast.
"Tell me, Sakuno-chan, are you still playing tennis?" Nanako asked.
"Hai (Yes), I still play tennis." Sakuno replied.
"That's good." Nanako said. "I know that girl tennis season hasn't started yet, so who is coaching you?"
"Me." Ryoma answered for Sakuno as he walked into the kitchen to get some ponta.
"Oh, really? Still?" Rinko said.
Sakuno nodded. "I'm still really bad at it though."
"Sure is." Sakuno frowned at his comment. "Where's Oyaji?"
"At the court." Nanako replied. He nodded and left with his ponta in his hand.
The next morning was very noisy. Sakuno woke up to the sound of Nanjiro teasing Ryoma. She looked at her alarm which was located beside her bed on the ground. It's still pretty early, but now she's wide awake. She got up and went toward the bathroom which is at the end of the hallway. She, then, walked back to her room and got dress for school today, she headed downstairs.
"Ano... May I help?" She asked Ryoma's mother.
"Sure. Can you please make two obentos (lunch boxes)?" Sakuno nodded as Rinko handed her an apron. She quickly set to work. She got out ingredients and made the two obentos.
Ryoma yawned as Sakuno and Ryoma made their way to school. He was about to yawn for the second time of the day, but stop and glared at a certain boy running towards them. It was Kintaro. Ryoma quickly pulled Sakuno, who was walking beside him, behind him.
Kintaro was waiting for Sakuno to come. He became happier when he saw Ryoma walking with Sakuno. He ran and jumped to hug Sakuno, but instead he unknowingly hugged Ryoma.
Ryoma glared at him. He was sure that Kintaro didn't know who he was hugging since his eyes were closed as soon as he hugged, who he thought was Sakuno. Kintaro's hands were wrapped around Ryoma's waist and his head.
"Can you let go now?" A voice that was manly, deep, and sounds ready to kill made Kintaro's eyes immediately snapped open. He back away as he looked at the person he was hugging. What he saw was a deathly glare of Ryoma Echizen.
"K-K-Komshimae?" He then noticed the blushing girl behind Ryoma. "S-Sa-chan?"
"O-ohayo, Kintaro-kun.
Sakuno was confused as to why Ryoma had pulled her behind him. It had all happened so fast. Before she knew it, Kintaro was hugging Ryoma. Her eyes widen at the sight. She could tell that Ryoma was way beyond pissed. She knew that Ryoma is not a morning person and with Kintaro hugging him, she don't know what to think. All sorts of questions ran through her mind as she blushed at the sight of Kintaro hugging her crush.
"Can you get your filthy hands off me?" Ryoma glared was even deathlier than yesterday when he was glaring at Kamio. Realizing how he was hugging Ryoma, Kintaro quickly backed himself away, face beat red.
"I didn't know that Toyama has a thing for Echizen." Momoshiro said. He and the regulars (except for Tezuka) and Tomoka stared at then in shock.
They all saw it. Tomoka was waiting to hear any news from the regulars for any new plans, but none. Suddenly, Fuji pointed at Kintaro, who was running towards Ryoma and Sakuno. Their eyes widen as soon as Kintaro hugged Ryoma. They all were speechless. They regained their composures when Ryoma glared at the tennis player who just hugged him.
"N-n-n-n-n-no, no, no, i-i-it's not what you think it is!" Kintaro shook his hands side to side in a panic.
"I can't believe Shitenhoji's Kintaro Toyama is gay. Data, data." Inui said scribbling very fast onto his notebook.
"It's not what you think!" Kintaro denied. "S-Sa-chan." Kintaro ran to her. "You believe me, right?"
"A-ano…" She didn't know what to say. She didn't want to be rude.
"Don't come near her." Ryoma pulled Sakuno next to him. "She don't need your contagious disease." The regulars grinned when Ryoma pulled Sakuno away.
"I'm not gay!" Kintaro protested.
"Right." Ryoma said sarcastically with a smirk. "Let's go Ryuzaki." He took Sakuno's hand and dragged her along with him. Kintaro watch as the regulars looked at him with a look that says that he might do something to then that they don't want him to do.
"I-I'M NOT GAY!" Kintaro shouted after them, defending his innocence.
"Did you all saw what happened back there?" Kawamura said. The regulars
"Yeah. He totally protected Sakuno!" Tomoka squealed.
"Kintaro Toyama. He's unknowingly helping us." Inui said.
"This is a rare chance, but I don't think Toyama will come back to Seishun any time soon from what had happened this morning." Kaidou said.
"It's better this way." Momoshiro said.
"Why is that?" Oishi asked.
"Kintaro has a crush on Sa-chan." Fuji replied in place of Momoshiro.
"I see, that means it's a good thing that we drove him away." Kikumaru said excitedly.
"What plan should we come up next?" Kawamura asked. All eyes turned towards Tomoko, who was busy looking through her notebook. She looked up and replied. "I'll call Ann tonight."
A/N: I updated! It's getting very heated up! Can't you believe that Ryoma's not realizing that he's jealous and that he's realizing something? Anyway, please review, answer my polls.
Up next: Fudomine and Seigaku go to Hyotei Academy. Why are they there? Is Hyotei Tennis Regulars going to help the MRJ (Make Ryoma Jealous)? Find out!
