36 Drabbles

16: Gaze

"You are your greatest critic", unless you're a narcissist. Which Echizen Ryoma was not. He was merely confident in his abilities as a tennis player; that's all. But he knew one person who fit the description of self-critic very well, and that was little miss Ryuzaki Sakuno, pretty much the only girl he willingly made contact with. And who wouldn't? Though she was shy, she was quiet, unlike her best friend and all the other annoying loud girls in the school. That was one reason, but the other that Ryoma would never admit to anyone (maybe even including himself), is that she was too cute.

…

You didn't hear that.

Why is she cute? Have you even met her? The girl is the epitome of cute! You can't say cute without saying Sakuno, you just can't!

Cute Sakuno.

Cute… Sakuno.

Cute…S-…Sakuno.

See?!

Now that begs the question: if Ryoma thinks she's cute (y'know, the Echizen Ryoma who only cares about tennis and Karupin?) than what of other boys? What do you mean you don't know?! I just told you the answer! Were you even paying attention? Oh, reading isn't your thing? Okay, I'll put it in mathematical terms.

Sakuno = cute.

Cute Sakuno + boys and thinking = DUH!

Capiche? Now let's add a little more to the equation…

Cute Sakuno + boys thinking she's cute = boys staring.

Cute Sakuno + boys staring = jealous Ryoma.

Cute Sakuno + boys staring + one boy trying to make a move = jealous Ryoma turned possessive!

See where I'm going with this?

Now you're probably wondering, what about Sakuno? Does she think Ryoma is cute?

Hell no!

Ryoma is the complete OPPOSITE of cute. Whereas boys look at Sakuno and dream of having a damsel-in-distress girlfriend (like Sakuno), girls look at Ryoma and dream of having THE coolest and sexiest and HOTTEST boyfriend EVER!! (Like Ryoma.) So it isn't much of a surprise to anyone if this happens:

Ryoma = cool.

Cool Ryoma = girls staring.

Cool Ryoma + girls staring = doubtful Sakuno.

Doubtful Sakuno = cuter Sakuno.

Cuter Sakuno + more boys staring = very very angry Ryoma.

Very very angry Ryoma = flying tennis balls.

Flying tennis balls + boys staring at cuter Sakuno = Simply put? Chaos.

"Really, what did you do this time Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno asked, helping him pick up the wayward tennis balls. Ryuzaki Sumire, Sakuno's grandmother, decided she couldn't suspend the captain of the tennis team, so she merely forced him to do first-year chores for the rest of the week. Sakuno had no clue why he was punished as he always just ignored her questions and concentrated on finishing his punishment and going home.

Sakuno sighed, waiting as Ryoma picked up the last of the tennis balls and shoved them into the storage room, coming out with his tennis bag and letting Sakuno catch up before they left the school together. Though Ryoma's house was in the other direction, he still walked her home, something that always sent Sakuno's heart fluttering. Their trips were always silent, Sakuno too shy to start a conversation (their first "date" together was a complete disaster) and Ryoma not really noticing the awkwardness between then (being the aloof and dense prince he was). But maybe not this time…

"Ne, Ryuzaki?" Ryoma said suddenly, making her jump a little.

"H-hai?" She stuttered, her head swivelling to the side to look at him. His head was tipped down, eyes shadowed by his white Fila cap. Sakuno was a little apprehensive. When his eyes were covered, it usually meant he was trying to hide something, and/or he needed to talk about something serious.

"You always call me Ryoma-kun."

Sakuno blinked. "Y-yes, I do." she answered. A faint pink suddenly appeared on his cheeks, though only half of the full blush was seen because of the hat shadowing the top of his face. But then he lifted his head, the full blush displayed on his cheeks as he turned towards her, making her stop and flush bright red as well. She stood captivated by his amber eyes, and he by her caramel ones. Ryoma held Sakuno's gaze for a long time, not blinking, until the reason for his previous statement came bursting out.

"So… I'm allowed to call you Sakuno, right?"

They would never know that her answer to his question would ultimately bring about more staring from their fellow students, but who was to say they cared anymore? Because this advancement in their relationship ultimately led to the fruition of Sakuno (and Ryoma's) dreams. Which dream, you ask? All will be explained in due time.

For now, just remember this last equation.

Sakuno + Ryoma = Forevermore.

A/N Sixteenth drabble out! Sorry to all of those who hate math, but I was in a very humorous mood, heehee!

My inspiration for this chapter was mainly going to just be people staring at Sakuno/Ryoma, and the two of them getting jealous and not noticing that they themselves were being stared at. It kinda went in another direction, but I'm quite happy with it! And yes, the third last paragraph is foreshadowing at a future drabble, which will be coming very soon. Look forward to it!

And review for a muffin! (I like carrot muffins, how about you?)

Snowflake Flower