Disclaimer: I wish I own the characters of PoT
The fireworks display finished just as Fuji pulled away from Sae. Fuji continued to stare at her profile as his hand remained on her chin lifting her face.
The Fuji Sae saw at that moment was different from the Fuji she sees every day. She cannot look the other way for his eyes were drawing her to him. They are full of emotions as if they were telling her something she cannot comprehend.
"I promise to win my match against Rikkai Dai, whoever my opponent may be," Sae suddenly remembered what she said to Fuji the other night, "and when that happens, my next kiss will be here," Fuji's fingertip touched her lips.
Sae can hear her heartbeat pounding loud that she was afraid that Fuji might hear it. It beat so fast that she felt it might explode any minute. She suddenly stood up.
"I-I need to go now. They must be worried," Sae said without looking at Fuji.
Sae did not wait for Fuji to answer and ran away. She did not know how to calm her racing heart other than be away from him. Her face was blushing like mad but it was not that obvious because of the dimness of the surroundings.
Sae followed the trail she used to get there. But before she can get far, she heard someone called her name.
"Ni-Niou-senpai?"
Sae did not expect to see Niou there.
"There you are. Bunta and Akaya are waiting for us."
"What are you doing here?" Sae walked beside Niou.
"Watching the fireworks. Have you seen it?"
"Y-yes," Sae felt guilty for not watching it with them. It's the main event after all.
"Did you enjoy it?"
Sae nodded. Niou noticed how quiet Sae is.
"So, who were you with?"
Sae stopped walking and watched Niou as he continued walking ahead.
"Senpai, sorry!"
"Hn?" Niou turned to Sae.
"I-I was with Fuji-senpai."
Sae cannot look Niou in the eye.
"Hey, it's fine."
"But senpai…"
"I did not notice that you're on that age already," Niou ruffled Sae's hair. "Oh, to be young!" Niou said as he continued walking.
Sae was confused with Niou's remark but she did not bother to ask about it.
"Oi~!" Kirihara waved at the two.
"Kirihara-senpai, how are you feeling?"
"He's fine. He almost drowned just now."
"Marui-senpai, you don' have to say it like that!"
Marui snickered as he watched Kirihara's reaction.
Growl
The three lads turned to the girl.
"Sorry. I haven't eaten anything yet since this afternoon," Sae laughed dryly.
"Aw, I'm so full!" Horio patted his stomach.
"That was delicious!" Katsuo commented.
"Sakuno, what's that?" Tomoka pointed at the box Ryuzaki was holding.
"This? I just thought to bring home some– Ow!"
Somebody crashed into Ryuzaki making her fell on the ground. The box she was holding was stepped on by other people passing by.
"Hey! You should apologize!" Tomoka shouted at the person who bumped into Ryuzaki as Tomoka helped Ryuzaki to stand up.
"Hn?"
A frightened looked appeared on Tomoka's face when she realized who she was talking to.
"Look who do we have here? The pesky Seigaku freshmen." Kirihara smirked, "what do you want?"
"Y-you just bumped into our friend."
"And so?"
"Tomoka, stop it. Let's just get a new one," Ryuzaki said. She did not want her friend to be involved in a fight because of her.
"But you waited very long in the line for that."
"Kirihara-senpai, what are you doing?"
"Sae?"
"Oh, it's you guys. You're here too," Sae greeted.
"What's happening here?" Niou appeared behind Sae.
"Nothing. They're just being annoying."
"You—" Ryuzaki stopped Tomoka from what she was about to say.
"You better apologize from what you did," Ryoma said as he watched the scene from behind the group.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Knowing Ryoma, he will not say those words without reason. Sae saw a box being stepped on on the ground. It is the same box she is holding.
"Sakuno, is that yours?" Sae pointed at the box on the ground.
Sakuno did not answer but her reaction says that Sae is right. Sae's eyes travelled from the box to Kirihara. The latter felt uncomfortable at her stare.
"I-I did not do it on purpose," Kirihara turned his head.
"I did not say anything senpai."
Sae sighed. She may have a good idea what happened. Knowing Kirihara, she knew he has no intention of apologizing at all.
"Please take this," Sae placed the box to Ryuzaki's hands, "whatever he did, I apologize in his behalf. Also, please forgive his attitude. He can be stubborn at times."
"Tsk tsk, how can you make your kouhai apologize for you?" Marui suddenly appeared behind Kirihara.
Kirihara flinched.
"What do you think Sanada-fukoubuchou will say to that?" Niou look amused. He was waiting what Kirihara will do next seeing how irritated he looked at that moment. Kirihara did a very awful thing just now and he wanted him to realize that though his main goal was just to entertain himself.
Kirihara flinched again.
"I get it! I get it already!" shouted Kirihara. He turned to Ryoma's group. "Sorry," Kirihara said with furrowed eyebrows.
"That won't do," Marui walked closer at Kirihara. He held Kirihara's head and bent it forward. "He's sorry for what he did."
"Stop it Marui-senpai!" Kirihara suddenly stood up and brushed Marui's hand.
Niou and Marui snickered. Sae tried to hide her laughter.
Niou stopped when he noticed Ryoma watching Sae with soft eyes. However, Ryoma averted his gaze when he saw Niou looking at him.
"We'll be going now. See you." Sae ran after her senpai-tachi.
"I really don't trust that girl! Getting too friendly with our enemy and all." Tomoka clenched her fists.
"But they look really close. Aren't they friends even before Sae transferred to Seigaku."
Tomoka glared at Kachiro.
"Let's go to the next one!"
"There!"
"Didn't you two have enough? That's already our fifth food stand," Marui held his stomach.
"No!" Sae and Kirihara answered at the same time as they ran to their next 'target'. The four of them have been going around different food stalls trying all the food they can find.
"Aren't you going to stop those two?"
"Let them. This festival doesn't happen every day."
"I feel like we're babysitting preschoolers," Marui said seeing the two looking very delighted with whatever they are chewing that time.
"Niou-senpai, Marui-senpai, you should try this," Sae offered as she kept chewing her share. Then she noticed a little girl fell on her knees not far from them.
Sae dropped her food to help the girl but…
"Here," a boy kneeled with his back facing the little girl.
The little girl stopped crying and looked at the boy in front of her.
"Get on my back," the boy waited for the girl to climb on his back.
Sae watched as the boy carried the girl on his back. She felt nostalgic all of a sudden.
"Michi-kun," the name slipped through Sae's mouth unconsciously.
Flashback
A little girl with emerald eyes tripped over after running to catch the tennis ball. She tried to get up but she felt a stinging feeling on her leg. She saw blood tainted her knee.
"Hey are you alright?"
"Michi-kun…" the little girl called out with teary eyes.
Sniff
"Don't cry. It's just a scratch."
"But it hurts…*sob*"
"Here," the boy turned his back to the girl, "get on my back. I'll bring you home."
The girl stopped crying and climbed the boy's back.
"Michi-kun."
"Hn?"
"Your back is so warm," the girl nestled closer to the boy.
Unconsciously, the girl drifted herself to sleep.
End of flashback
"Are you alright?" Kirihara asked seeing Sae
"Eh? Y-yes. I just remembered something," Sae beamed a smile, "so, where should we go next?"
It was already late when Sae returned home. She fell asleep on the bus that she almost missed her stop. Good thing Niou was with her and woke her up before that happens.
Sae was really sleepy that her mind was drifting away as she walked from the gate to their house. It was as if she was a walking zombie as she dragged her feet in every step. Her eyes felt really heavy that she immediately dozed off when her body came in contact with the soft bed.
Ryoma did not see Sae after that incident with Kirihara. He remembered what he saw in the old shrine when the fireworks started: Fuji and Sae alone together. And that kiss— how he hate it when he saw that kiss! What made him feel worse was that she did not react the way she did when she was with him. He can still remember her eyes: full of anger and disgust.
Thoughts run through Ryoma's mind as he entered his bedroom. However, he halted as he saw something… or someone… lying on his bed. After a few moments, he slowly walked to his bedside. He sat on the bed as quietly as possible so as not to disturb Sae from her deep slumber.
"How can you be so careless?" Ryoma whispered to himself as he continued to watch the girl. His hand moved on its own to touch the girl's face. However, his hand stopped midway when he suddenly remembered what happened the other night. "Do you know how difficult it is what you are making me feel right now?" Ryoma said loud enough not to wake Sae up.
Seeing how peaceful Sae looked, Ryoma cannot bring himself to wake her up. He reached for his blanket and tucked the girl in it. Sae looked a bit more comfortable after what he did. Ryoma got another blanket and settled himself to sleep on the floor.
Although it is already late, he cannot bring himself to sleep. The thought that he is sleeping with a girl in his room makes him uncomfortable and keeps him awake. And of all people, it is Sae for crying out loud!
Ryoma peeked at the other person on his bed. He sighed.
"…-senpai," a familiar name escaped the girl's lips.
Ryoma's eyes widen, surprised by his discovery.
"Eh? So it's him after all," a smirk appeared in Ryoma's lips.
The next day, Sae felt something soft and furry playing under her chin.
Meow
"Karupin? What are you doing here?" the girl drowsily said with her eyes still shut. Sae reached the pillow next to her and buried her head under it. She reached for her alarm clock but her hand cannot seem to find it.
"Hn?" she peeked to see where it is but the space where it should be was empty. She rubbed her eyes to remove her hazy view. Then, she noticed something odd about the room. Everything inside seemed different, like it is not her room at all. But Karupin was there so she is still in the house, right? Sae's eyes widened when she saw Ryoma sleeping on the floor.
"Eh!?" Sae covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming. "Could this be Ryoma's room!? But how did I get in here!?" She scanned the room. This is certainly not her room! Sae tried to recall what happened last night. All she can remember is that she was very sleepy when she rode the bus. "Don't tell me, I entered the wrong room!?"
"Karupin~"
Sae almost jump when she heard Ryoma's soft voice. She felt relieved when she saw Ryoma still fast asleep. She noticed a blanket spread on her lap to her feet. Her eyes soften while looking at the boy sleeping on the floor.
Ryoma heard laughter from the kitchen as he went downstairs.
"Good morning Ryoma. Its Japanese breakfast today, your favourite," greeted Nanako.
"Come here. Sae is telling us stories from last night," Rinko said.
Sae averted her eyes when she saw Ryoma looking at her.
When Ryoma woke up that morning, he found a pillow under his head and his blanket covering him. He also found his bed neatly organized. He knew it was Sae's doing.
"It looks like we're out of eggs," Nanako said. She just opened the fridge and saw the egg tray empty.
"I'll go buy some," Sae volunteered. She immediately stood from her chair.
"I'm coming with her," Ryoma said just as Sae walked past him.
"You don't need to do that. The convenience store is just a few blocks away anyway."
Ryoma did not reply. Instead, he walked to the door and started tying his shoelace.
"Be careful you two," Rinko called out before they closed the door.
Sae walked about one meter behind Ryoma. She did not want to feel any more awkward than they already are. She did not know how to apologize for what happened last night but still, she has to do it otherwise, the thought will keep on bugging her all day.
"Um, Ryoma…"
"Hn?" Ryoma stopped and turned to Sae.
"About last night…" Sae fidgeted, "I—I ended up sleeping with you in your room and…" Sae flustered when she realized what she just said. Her hands instantly covered her mouth.
Ryoma blushed when he saw Sae's reaction. She sounded like something happened between the two of them.
"F-forget that I said that!" Sae exclaimed and marched past Ryoma.
Sae mentally slapped her face. She still cannot get over from what she said as she continued to walk.
"Watch out!"
Sae felt an arm grabbed her from behind just a speeding car passed by. If that arm did not stop her, she might have been hit by that car. She did not realize that she was about to cross the street with the light still red.
"Are you alright?"
When Sae came to her senses, she found herself in Ryoma's arms. She felt her heart skipped a beat seeing how close he is to her. She immediately distanced herself.
"Y-yes, I'm fine. Thank you," Sae replied without looking at Ryoma.
Ryoma did not say anything and continued walking.
Awkward silence filled the rest of the trip to the convenience store. Sae chose to remain quiet rather than saying anything. She was afraid that she might say something wrong again.
Sae entered the store to buy the eggs while Ryoma stayed outside and wait for her. It did not take long before Sae was finished. Ryoma already started walking as soon as he saw the girl exited the store. To his surprise, he saw her ran the other direction.
"Oi, Sae!" Ryoma called out.
"Ryoma!" Sae ran to him. "Here," Sae handed him the bag with the tray of eggs inside, "please go home without me. I need to go somewhere. Tell them I will be home before dark." Ryoma almost did not catch the last sentence for Sae already started running to the direction of the bus stop.
"Where are you going!?" Ryoma called out. Sae was not able to answer for she already rode the bus that was about to depart.
Sae was still huffing when she arrived at the place. She rushed to the information area.
"Miss, where can I find Seiichi Yukimira's room?"
Flashback
Sae was at the counter paying for the eggs when her phone rang.
"Hi kiddo."
"Niou-senpai?"
"It's about Yukimura. He's in the hospital right now and—"
"What hospital!?" Sae did not let Niou finished. She could only imagine the worse after the last attack suffered by Yukimura.
After Niou told her the hospital she immediately put down her phone and ran to the nearby bus stop.
End of flashback.
"Yukimura-senpai!"
She barged into the room without bothering to knock.
Everyone in the room gave her a surprise look.
"Sae? Is there any problem?" Yukimura asked with worried expression written on his face.
"Yukimura-senpai?" Sae was surprised to see Yukimura sitting in his bed surrounded by the other Rikkai Dai members. From the looks of it, he seemed fine.
"Yes?"
"I thought…" Sae's voice weakened and then she smiled at him. Sae shook her head. "It's nothing. Niou-senpai told me that you are here. I just came by to see you."
"I see. I must have made you worry again."
"No. I mean its fine. I mean…" Sae sighed, "what I'm trying to say is that it's only natural for us to worry."
Sae glared at Niou. Niou looked at the ceiling acting innocent.
Yukimura chuckled.
"It seems Niou played a prank on you again."
"I did not. She did not bother to listen to what I'm telling her that's why she got the wrong idea, isn't that right kiddo?"
Sae thought for a moment. Niou is right. He did not really tell her anything. She only assumed everything and made herself worry over nothing.
Sae nodded in defeat.
"Leaving that aside, I really want to see you right now," Sae was surprised at Yukimura's words, "come here."
Sae moved next to Yukimura.
"I will be undergoing a surgery in two weeks."
"Two weeks?" Sae thought for a moment, "then that means, the Kanto Regional Finals –"
Yukimura nodded, "I cannot participate in the next tournament."
"I see." Sae felt sad about the news but she tried her best not to show it, "but after the surgery, you can go back and play again right?"
Yukimura only nodded.
"Then, I will look forward to it," Sae beamed a smile, "I love to see you play again."
"Speaking of the finals, we will be facing Seigaku right?" Kirihara blurted out.
"Right, it's a match between Seigaku and Rikkaidai," Sae answered.
"So, how do you find Seigaku? Are they good enough?" Renji asked.
"Seigaku will be a very challenging opponent, that's for sure," Sae sounded proud.
Sanada raised an eyebrow, "aren't you overestimating them?"
Sae shook her head, "not at all. They've improve a lot since their last official match and they will improve further in the next days."
"Who do you think will win?" its Yukimura's turn to ask.
Sae placed her finger under her chin, "I can't say for sure."
"If you put it that way, I might be a challenging opponent," Yukimura smiled at the girl.
Sanada is not convinced with the girl's opinion. His conviction that Rikkaidai will win in a breeze still stand especially now that Tezuka in not around.
Sae arrived home right about sunset. The door suddenly opened even before her hand can even touch the knob.
"Where have you been and why are you not answering your phone!?" it was Ryoma's voice who greeted her when the door opened. He looked irritated.
"I don't have my phone with me?" Sae looked confused with Ryoma's behaviour, "I think I left it in my room. As to where I went, I only visited a friend in the hospital. What are you so angry about? I'm home now."
Ryoma realized that he sounded like an overprotective father. It was so unlike him to ask those things. The thought made him blushed.
"You do know that you're like a klutz when you space out like you did this morning," Ryoma said calmly. He turned his back to hide his face.
"I am not a klutz…" Sae's voice trailed as she remembered the incident that morning.
Ryoma felt a hand held his arm.
"Um, about last night…"
"Come with me," Ryoma pulled Sae's hand and led her out of the house. He cannot afford to stay in the house because of some curious ears that might hear what she is about to say.
Ryoma just pulled Sae until they reached the riverside.
"You were saying?" He placed his hands in his pocket as he continued to walk.
"I apologize about last night," Sae bowed her head.
Sae waited for his reply as Ryoma just look at her like something was going on in his mind.
"…if I forgive you," Ryoma turned to face her, "will you stop ignoring me?"
Sae knew what Ryoma was referring to. After that night, she had been giving him cold shoulder in school and even inside the house. As much as she can, she had been keeping her distance from him and not letting herself stay in the same room with him. And when Ryoma was talking to her, she was trying to be as hostile as she can towards him.
"We're on the same boat now," Ryoma smirked, "if you want me to forgive you, you should do the same."
Ryoma did not plan to use the incident to make Sae forgive him but if that is the only way to get close to her again, he will not hesitate to do so.
Sae thought hard about it. She cannot bear to think that someone has not forgiven her. It will surely give her sleepless nights. Also Ryoma saved her this morning. Is it enough reason to forgive him?
"I… don't think I can do that yet…"
"I see."
Ryoma walked past Sae.
"I…" Sae sighed "…I'm sorry… I cannot accept your feelings…"
Ryoma stopped.
"I know."
"You know?" He cannot possibly know about it, right?
"You like someone else."
"I…like someone?"
"Don't you?"
"Um…well that's…" Sae did not know what Ryoma was talking about. But he seemed sure about it. "W-will you stop liking me then?"
"I will try."
"You will!?" Sae was surprised at Ryoma's answer. She felt relieved and happy at the same time. She walked closer to Ryoma and studied his face closely.
Ryoma unconsciously took a step back as Sae's face move closer to his. He felt his face starting to feel warm.
"W-what?"
Suddenly, Sae moved away from him with a wide smile on her face, "then, no more cold treatment for yo—Ow!"
Ryoma pinched her cheeks before she finished.
"That's for ignoring me," Ryoma said as he walked back to their house.
Sae caressed her red cheeks. "Hey, that's hurts!" Sae ran after Ryoma. She reached for his cap as she continued to run past him. "You have to catch me first if you want this back!" Sae waved the cap in the air before she ran away.
Ryoma sighed.
"Stupid. How can I stop liking you when you're like that?"
Ryoma looked at his hands. He really wanted to hug her but he was afraid that she might avoid him again if he did just that.
Kanto Regional Finals
"6 – 4, game, set and match, Seigaku's Fuji Syuusuke."
Loud shouts and cheers can be heard from the side of Seigaku. The match between Akaya Kirihara and Syusuke Fuji just finished. Fuji did not escape Kirihara's horrendous playing style. However, Fuji was able to beat Kirihara despite the knee injury inflicted to him by Kirihara.
"Fuji-senpai!"
"Fuji, how are you feeling?"
Coach Ryuzaki examined Fuji's knee, "no muscle was affected but we should take you to the hospital to be sure."
"No, I want to watch the next match."
Coach Ryuzaki understood what he meant and did not bother to argue. The next match will determine who will be the champion of the Kanto Regional Tournament.
Fuji checked on Sae but he saw her spacing out. She was like that since the start of the tournament.
Sae cannot hear the cheers from the spectators. She was pretty much aware about the result of the matches but her mind was preoccupied with something more important to her.
"I apologize. Our other members need to go now." Sanada bowed in front of Coach Ryuzaki.
"We understand. We wish success to Yukimura's operation."
"You should go too."
Sae looked surprised when she heard Oishi referring to her.
"It's Yukimura's operation you are worried about, right?"
"Is it really alright?"
"You don't have to worry. I can win this," Ryoma said with a confident tone.
"Thank you," Sae immediately stood up and caught up with the other Rikkai Dai members as they ran to the hospital where their captain awaits for his operation.
The group reached the hospital, just as Yukimura was about to enter the emergency room.
"Where is Sanada?"
"He's here," Jackal showed Sanada's jersey. Yukimura already knew that the tournament is still not finish.
"Yukimura-senpai," Sae held Yukimura's hand.
"Sae, sorry for making you worry this much."
Sae shook her head, "please don't think too much about it."
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"Anything."
"Let me hear you call me 'big brother' again."
"Do your best, Seiichi-onii-chan."
Yukimura closed his eyes as he listened to Sae.
"It's been a long time since you called me that. Thank you."
Flashback
"Seiichi-kun," a woman with brown hair and green eyes greeted Yukimura. She had a kind face and a bright smile.
"Ichinomiya-san, what can I do for you?"
"I want you to have this," the woman handed him a box of cookies. "This is to thank you for your help the other day."
"You don't really have to thank me but thank you very much for this."
The other day, Yukimura just happened to pass by the front of their house when the bag of groceries was ripped open at the bottom and the contents rolled to different directions. He simply helped the woman picked them up. As far as he knew, they were their new neighbours who just arrived not long ago.
"Mommy?" a girl, about six or seven years old, opened the door. Yukimura cannot deny that she is the woman's daughter for she has the same features as her mother.
"Sae, come here."
The girl walked to her mother but when she saw some stranger, she immediately hid herself behind her mother.
"This is my daughter, Saeri," the woman turned to the girl, "say 'hi' to Seiichi-kun."
The girl peeked at Yukimura and saw him smiling at her. She showed herself to the blue-haired boy.
Yukimura bend down to the girl's height.
"Hi, my name is Seiichi."
"H-hi, I'm Saeri but my friends call me Sae. The girl blushed, "can I call you Seiichi-onii-chan?"
That was the first time someone called Yukimura 'onii-chan'. There is something refreshing about it that it made him somewhat happy.
"Sure, no problem with that. Then, can I call you Sae?"
The girl nodded gleefully.
"She will be attending your school tomorrow. Please watch over her."
"So we will be schoolmates then."
"Yes." The girl's smile is contagious that, just by looking at her, Yukimura felt warm inside.
When he learned that Midori, Sae's mother, is raising her child on her own, he took responsibility of walking the girl from their home to school and vice-versa during school days. He does not really mind since their houses are next to each other.
Sae would usually watch his tennis club practice and wait for him in front of the school gate afterwards. When he does not have club practice, Sae would volunteer to be his tennis practice partner and they would play in the nearby park after school.
After several years
"Next year, I will be going to Rikkai Dai."
"Rikkai Dai Fuzoku? Ah, I almost forgot. You'll be in middle school next year. That school is very well known for their tennis club. I think it's the best school for you."
"Will you be alright?" Yukimura asked knowing that she just lost her mother. Changing schools would mean lesser time for him to look after her.
"Of course. I'm not a kid anymore you know. And, it's only a block away from our school therefore I can still visit you during your tennis club practice."
"During practice huh? Don't you like tennis?"
"I do. Very much actually. Why do you ask?"
"You never joined the school tennis club."
"Well, I just don't feel like it. You're pretty much more of an opponent than the members of the club. Ah!" Sae remembered something, "you have to treat me today! I beat you last time remember?"
Sae ran to the direction of the cake shop, "Seiichi-onii-chan, walk faster!" Sae waved at him.
End of flashback
"I don't know that you are siblings," Kirihara said to Sae after hearing her conversation with Yukimura.
"We're not. I used to call him 'onii-chan'. That's all."
Sae stopped calling Yukimura 'big brother' when he transferred to Rikkai Dai. She wanted to avoid confusion and cause Yukimura trouble.
Every passing second felt like an hour as the group waited for the surgery to finish.
"Seigaku won the Kanto Regional Championship." All eyes are looking at Jackal as he reported the news.
Sae saw how sad the Rikkai Dai team became. She understands that this is hard for them since Rikkai Dai had been holding the title of being the Kanto Regional champion for several years. But now Seigaku took it away from them. Knowing them, they must have promised the championship medal to Yukimura as a gift.
As for Sae, she had mixed feelings. She's happy that Seigaku won but of course it means Rikkai Dai lose. She remained silent as she continued to wait for Yukimura's surgery to finish.
Silence was broken by a familiar ringtone. When Sae looked at her phone, it was Oishi's name blinking on the screen. Sae walked in the far end of the hallway before she answered the call.
"Sae, we—"
Sae heard someone grabbed the phone.
"Sae-chan! Ochibi won!" it was Kikumaru's voice.
"We are now the champion of the Kanto Regional Tournament!" she heard Momo's cheerful voice.
The other line is so loud because of the cheers that she could not make out what they are trying to say.
"…dinner at Kawamura's place tonight…" were the last words she heard before the other line died down.
"More please!"
"Coming right up!"
Everyone is very lively now that the tournament was finished. Suddenly, the door opened.
"I'm sorry I'm late," greeted Sae.
"Sae-chan!"
"How's Yukimura?" Coach Ryuzaki asked.
"The surgery is a complete success."
"That's really great news."
"All that's left is Tezuka's rehabilitation."
"Sae-chan, sit here nyaa," Kikumaru called out to Sae and gesture the empty seat beside him.
Sae walked to Kikumaru's direction but a hand stopped her.
"Sorry, but she's sitting next to me."
"Eh? Fujiko~ that is so mean. I ask her first nyaa~"
"It's only right for her to sit next to the person she's going out with, right?"
Kikumaru's eyes widen in shock, "don't tell me—"
Silence suddenly fill the room.
"EH!?"
Momoshiro choked. Ryoma had to smack his back to help him. Inui knocked his glass of water. Kaido blew the water he was drinking. Oishi's sushi fell from his chopsticks to the floor as he stared at Fuji.
"This is not one of your jokes Fuji?" Inui asked as he continued to scribble in his notebook.
"No. Right Sae?" Fuji said with his usual smile.
Sae's eyes remained glued to the floor as she hid her flushed face. She only nodded in response. She almost forgot about that. She was surprised that Fuji would actually announce it to everyone.
That's all… for now
(=^.^=)