DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS NOR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. (SADLY)
The breeze from the open window slowly blew his hair, sending him a whiff of a sweet scent his nose easily recognized while his mind clearly failed to do so. It was a familiar scent but he could not pinpoint what it was exactly. Nevertheless, it gave him a sense of calmness and tranquility he so seldom feels. He felt like sleeping. His lids never felt heavier. The noise around him started to die down. His breath slowly went into rhythm, heaving gently. And a second later, he was in paradise.
He was at peace with the world. His body rejoiced for its much needed sleep. He hasn't been able to sleep this good in ages. At night, he would be able to sleep for only a short while then lay wide awake at dusk. It all started when he came back from America, he just associated it with the time differential but a month has already passed and his sleeping problem still remained.
An incessant noise kept pestering his sleep. He decided to ignore it until a poking pain sent him suddenly spiralling up.
'Ah, Echizen! Thank you for volunteering, go in front and solve the problem on the board.'
He stared blankly at their math teacher, momentarily confused, but his feet already started to move in front. He easily solved the problem and with his usual air went back to his seat, one thought in mind, who the hell disrupted his sleep?!
Sakuno bit her lower lip guiltily. She has long graduated from being accident prone but accidents do happen now and then. She grimaced at the thought. A while ago Tomoka's pen rolled out of her reach near Sakuno's desk, Tomoka caught Sakuno's gaze and her lips motioned for her fallen pen. Catching on, Sakuno bent down for her pen but it was further down her reach so she turned to her side, braced her right hand on the table at her back for support and went down under the table for it. It took her a little more effort until she got hold of the pen. What she did not realize was, she was still holding her pen, the cap faced her but the pointy end was unknowingly stabbing the arms of her classmate hard, giving way to his silent uproar.
Sorry Ryoma-kun.
He was holding a bottle of Ponta when he heard the familiar rambling of his classmate. His hands involuntarily caressed his ears.
Damn the noise!
He took one big step out of ear shot when the same sweet scent captivated his nose. He followed the scent unfortunately the irritating noise grew louder with each step he made. If only he'd be able to hit a girl with his tennis ball. Damn. The noise was buzzing in his ears. It's either he walk away or follow the intoxicating scent. He chose the latter.
For my well deserved sleep.
He carefully came closer, not wanting to attract attention. He saw Sakuno leaning on one of the sakura trees in their school yard with her loud mouthed friend sitting next to her. He sniffed the scent again. The scent was coming from one of them.
'Sakuno-chan! You smell so wonderful! Is that a new scent?'
'Eh no, I have been wearing this scent for a long time. Obachan and I went to the mall yesterday when I ran out of it. This body butter smells really good so I never change it.' She turned red when she mentioned the name, 'It's called eat me.'
'Oh… Sakuno-chan you…' Tomoka teased.
'Tomoka-chan.' she chastised, her face as red as a ripe tomato.
Body butter? What the heck is that crap? Eat me? What a ridiculous name.
Ryoma sauntered away silently with a plan in mind.
He timed his arrival just in time. He saw Sakuno taking her shoes from her locker. His mind set, he came forward when she was about to close hers. He could feel the body heat emanating from her body as he raised his right hand to open his locker while his left hand rested on the locker beside hers, purposely caging her.
'Eh Ryoma-kun…' she squeaked. She had reverted back to calling him as she used to. No such difference after all. Ryoma does not care less whatever she called him just not 'Made made dane'. So might as well go with what she was accustomed to calling him.
'Hn.' He glanced down at the sound of his name and inhaled her sweet scent, the exact same scent he smelled this morning and during free period.
Bingo.
He closed his empty locker door, his shoes were already in his tennis bag. He left a red faced Sakuno clutching her chest.
He looked at the round packaging sitting on his palm. He had just finished bathing and was debating whether he should apply the product on his skin or not. He does not want to go to school especially during practice smelling like a girl.
Fuck.
With a long sigh, he decided to apply it only on his left hand. As long as he can smell the scent near him he would be okay. He took a small portion of the body butter and spread it all over his hand.
This better work.
Ryoma woke up the next day feeling grumpier than usual. He threw the body butter in the trash bin outside his house. The damn thing did not work! But he was sure to check that it was the same one as he had heard Sakuno was using. The smell was identical. But why the hell did it not work!
Annoyed beyond relief, he scowled at everyone that came passed him. No one dared go near him unless they want to be pummelled by flying tennis balls.
'Are you alright Ryoma-kun?' her serene chirpy voice echoed through his head.
He looked at her scowling but without intensity.
Unfazed, she checked for his temperature.
'You look tired. Are you really alright?'
It was one of the longest conversations they had but Ryoma still spoke so little.
He did not respond but rounded to the corner with Ryuzaki in tow.
'Eh, Ryoma-kun… my hand…' she was looking at his hand holding her wrist.
He ignored her and continued walking out of the school gate, 'Stay close to me. I don't want you getting lost.'
She blushed at his words but nodded. Her heart was beating rapidly from her chest. She could not think, her brain blown to pieces. How could Ryoma still have this much effect on her?
After several streets and a train ride they arrived at his house.
Sakuno looked questioningly at Ryoma but he has already let go of her wrist and dutifully removed his shoes. She had no choice but to remove hers as well.
She quietly followed him down the hall to the door of his room. She was debating whether to go in or not when Ryoma carefully dragged her inside.
'I need to sleep.'
Not understanding how that was related to her, she stood frozen in her place at the side of the bed.
Ryoma not wanting to waste a minute more and needing his evasive sleep, pulled her down to his bed.
She nervously fell on his fluffy bed, her eyes tightly closed as he waited for his next move. She felt the side of his bed dip lower as he laid down. He, again, pulled her near him. Sakuno stiffly landed on his hard chest. He gently stroked her hair, silently telling her to relax. She sighed and opened her eyes. Feline eyes descended on her brown ones until his closed.
Finally, sleep.