Chapter 03: I Don't Think You Understand
Honestly, what was the point of having a sibling if you never saw them?
Ryoko grumpily finishes up her breakfast, drinking the last of her milk. Ugh, milk.
It was silent.
Usually, silence was never a problem. No, no, not when you have an idiotic father and brother duo who usually never quit yapping. Not when there are idiots all over the place.
(And really, as of late she has been surrounded by them. Oh great Kami-sama in the sky, what was to come of her?)
But usually, her sister was there to share the silence with her. Twin telepathy and all that.
So how come she hasn't really seen her twin in a while? Ruhi was gone before she even gets up, having to leave earlier to accommodate for her school farther away. And with lessons on top of the distance (not to mention the traffic) meant Ryoko really only sees her for a short time in the evening.
Ruhi, on a full scholarship, couldn't afford to drop her grades, and Ryoko, as the elder twin, must set the proper example. But also it's not like the two were idiots, unlike some of the malesin the family.
"Hurry up, dear, or you'll be late~" Her mother chirps knowingly, watching in amusement as her daughter slowly, regrettably finishes up her drink.
"Yes…" Ryoko winces, hurriedly chugging the remaining fluid before rushing to gather her things. "Bye mother!" She leaves, her mother's call following after her. Looking up, she isn't surprised to see the tall peach head ("Oi brat, how dare you not respect your senpai!") waiting by the gates per usual.
How strange of a routine she has gotten herself into. Her comfort sparks the smallest bit of anxiety within her – a routine meant she was getting comfortable, and a routine without Ruhi meant she was getting used to her absence.
"Oiiii, are you okay?" Momoshiro looks at her strangely and she grunts, speeding ahead.
"Why do I even care?" He grumbles to himself, hurrying after her. "Heeeey, wait up!"
Ruhi is tired.
As selfish as it was, she really doesn't know how to continue with the monotony that is her life.
Wake up, go to school, take lessons in order to not lose her scholarship, study hard in order to not lose her scholarship, sleep. Rinse and repeat, repeat, repeat.
Since when did her life start pushing her around like this? When did she stop being the one in control?
It would most definitely be selfish on her part if she were to stop; her mother was ecstatic that she had received the invitation to attend one of Japan's most prestigious academies. Not only would she receive optimal education, her school's reputation alone could further help her along her academic career. Not to mention the full scholarship.
But Ruhi is so very tired.
She is tired of living up to the expectations around her. Her mother means no harm and mentions nothing, but Ruhi understands just what Rinko wants of her. It was her mother's wish, so of course she would do everything in her power to stay in Hyoutei. Despite being related, Tarou-nii is awfully strict with her during her lessons – not one to give lenience even to his family. She tries hard, and being gifted helps with his expectations, but the man knows no limits and continues to push her every day.
She is tired of not seeing her sister. The short trip around Europe had been fun but she had missed her sister dearly. And now, with both mornings and afternoons shut away from her sister, and with her focus on her music and studies, she hardly even sees Ryoko at home. And this hurt her more than anything. So close, but so far, how can she reach out to her twin? Above all else, Ruhi feels ashamed: Ryoko, who has supported her and helped her through so much, and yet she can't even go and say "hello."
Since when did such distance erupt?
By now, her classmates understands that Ruhi has no spare time; every attempt to get close is shut down immediately. ("Echizen-chan, there's a new café! Would like to come with us?" "Sorry, I can't." "Would like to walk home with us?" "Sorry, I'm busy.")
Ruhi is tired. Other times she had sought solace, she had gone to her sister. But Ryoko was busy too – with her club activities and friends, Rinko had mentioned cheerfully.
And while her sister had eventually coped with the situation at hand, Ruhi is at a standstill.
She is alone, and not even her sister was there to comfort her now.
"No."
Ryoko replies bluntly, fighting off the glare that instinctively forms in her eyes as she gazes at the older woman before her.
A classmate had requested her to meet some teacher in some classroom, but had Ryoko known said teacher's intent, then she would not have bothered to even show up.
"And why not?" The older woman meets her gaze calmly. "After all, you were the Ryoma Echizen, weren't you?"
This time, Ryoko's eyes narrow into a glare. "Explain."
"Please," The teacher scoffs. "Your father was a pupil of mine when he attended Seishun High. He may be an idiot, but even he wouldn't confuse the gender of his children, and he only has one son, who goes by Ryoga Echizen – Tokyo University if I'm not mistaken."
"Ryoma Echizen is dead," Ryoko doesn't even flinch. "And when he died, my tennis died with him."
"So if you'll excuse me, sensei," She stands up from her chair forcefully, the pressure knocking the chair over, "I have to attend my MMA club meeting." She bows quick and short, and before another word could be said, she is out the door.
"That girl…" Ryuuzaki sighs. "Nanjiro is going to have to try a lot harder for her to budge."
Ryoko knows. She stands out in the empty hallway, trying to calm herself down. Her father may be an idiot, but he would do anything to have her and Ruhi play tennis again.
She almost forgot how stubborn he could be.
In a temple, Nanjiro Echizen lazes around on the floor, entertaining himself with another of his magazines. He sniffs, reaching up to itch his nose as he forces back the sneeze coming on.
"Mrow."
He looks over at the household feline his brats – yup, they were his children's, not his, the evil furry demon – obtained.
"Shoo shoo, I'm busy." He lazily waves away, flipping the page of his… literature.
He chooses to ignore the flat stare – "Are you really?" – he receives in return.
(He's not going crazy. Really.)
"Mrow!" Karupin merely sits down, staring up unflinchingly at his precious owners' worthless guardian. The human reciprocates, refusing to back down. (Honestly, what is he doing having a staring contest with a cat?)
Minutes go by before his phone rings and he jolts away. "Meow~" Karupin rejoices. Victory.
Nanjiro glances down at the caller ID and he hesitates. Normally he would reject the call in a heartbeat, but today…
He has a bad feeling.
"What do you want, old hag?"
"Really, Nanjiro, if you want to ask for my help—"
"Yeah yeah, just get on with it."
Ryuuzaki's eye twitches from the other side. With a sigh, she tries to maintain her blood pressure, and continues. "It didn't go well."
He knew it.
"She's as stubborn as you." The teacher comments as he remains silent. "Ah, but you didn't tell me she was already in a club."
"It doesn't really matter," Nanjiro grumbles, picking up the cat toy beside him. Fumbling with it in his hand, he takes no notice of Karupin who has perked up at the sight of the item. "She's not all too attached to it. Obligation and whatnot."
Ryuuzaki barks a laugh. "She has quite the title to uphold. You call that obligation?"
"Of course." Nanjiro mindlessly waves the cattail around, nonchalantly following Karupin's movements as the feline jumps around. "She has a reason to be invested in it, sure, but not for titles. They don't mean shit. That should be obvious enough when she dropped being Ryoma Echizen."
"Crude as ever I see," Ryuuzaki deadpans. "What's her reason then?"
It's silent for a while before the male sighs. "…I don't know."
"Then it seems we're at a standstill, huh." The coach closes her eyes in contemplation. The two share another round of silence before she speaks up.
"Hey, listen."
"Sensei."
Ruhi calls out as she enters her cousin's office. Sakaki turns to look at her, his surprise concealed. Usually the girl meets him at the music room for her lessons – thus the visit is rare and unusual.
"Ah yes, Ruhi. What is it?" He motions for her to close the door, but does not ask her to sit. They would be moving into their lessons soon anyway.
She stays quiet, fumbling with the question in her head, making sure it is absolutely clear before she brings it up. "Is it possible…
"…to stop the lessons?"
Another surprise, and his eyes widen to illuminate the shock he feels.
"What makes you ask?" He questions, walking over to the cabinet in the corner. Pulling out two teacups, he starts his electronic boiler. Ruhi moves away from the door to sit.
To be frank, there was a lot. The anxiety, the loneliness, the time spent away from her family and twin, the pressure. Where could she even begin?
"Let me ask this then." Sakaki's stare bores down at her, something that peers down her soul, as he sips his tea.
"Ruhi Echizen, what is your aim?"
"My aim?" She repeats, reaching out for the cup offered to her. "I don't understand."
"What purpose is there for you to pursue lessons from me? What other purpose did you have in mind?" He clarifies. "As your teacher, I must refute. What other possibility would there be to better yourself? What better way to improve yourself, your musicality?"
Ruhi stays quiet, mulling over his words.
"However." Sakaki sips his tea once more. "As your family, I will add that your mother's wishes as well as the academy's scholarship has no requisite for lessons."
She looks up at this. He continues. "Required extracurricular activities were nulled because you were taking lessons with me; however, that does not mean it must remain this way. If you choose to, of course, partake in the Music Club, then I cannot and will not stop you if this is what you want. Your scholarship requirements must be met, then, and you will partake in all of the competitions and activities as a member."
"Yes," Ruhi murmurs.
Sakaki smirks. "I suppose the only other way to improve is through competition. You will submit your form tomorrow and I will discuss the matter with the faculty advisor and academy head."
"Thank you for understanding." Ruhi stands and bows.
"Think about your aim, Ruhi." Sakaki warns, "For what purpose do you need to stay in Hyoutei? And if not for your music scholarship, then what other matters should you prioritize?"
"Thank you for looking out for me. I'll be taking my leave now."
Perhaps she should have taken heed to his words a little more, but Ruhi Echizen left that room feeling freer than ever.
A/N: *casually updates 2 weeks before school* IMPORTANT BELOW; PLEASE READ.
Things are picking up more than I thought, and things are becoming more dramatic (after binge-watching so many Korean dramas lol).
Hopefully you guys aren't overwhelmed with school; this past year was hell for me, and I'm hoping this next semester will be decent. Expect an update soon, maybe before I go to school or sometime during the semester. Don't expect much in the new year; I'll be busy with my study abroad and then I'll be entering my senior year of college, so things will be considerably busy then.
In other news, thanks for reading and reviewing and sticking with me. Most of you who favorite/reviewed have probably left by now, but for those who stayed and those who are new, thanks for being there.
After not writing leisurely for so long, I'm on a journey of finding what my writing style is, and it surely went down the drain. So please bear with me as I experiment. I'll try not to disappoint again.
Per usual, any reviews would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.