Disclaimer: I do not own Tennis no Ohjisama and Card Captor Sakura, especially each anime's characters. Iwase Kumiko-san, Yasuhiro-kun, Maeda Hideki-san, Furuya Akiyoshi and the Reverie Café are my own creations. Any similarities with real people and/or places are unintentional and coincidental.
Author's Note: I deeply apologize for the late update, though I hope this chapter is compensation enough for you. Thank you very much.
Enjoy reading!
The Sadist of Seigaku
Chapter 16: Possession
"FUJI!!!"
The sound of manly screams reverberated across the gymnasium as Fuji and Sakuno crash to the polished wood flooring with a resounding thud. For seconds, nobody dared move, hoping that this was just one of the prodigy's pranks and the auburn-haired girl is his unwilling victim.
Then again, Fuji has never been one to play unconscious, much less just after a serious tennis match.
Before anyone could blink, Tezuka and Echizen have already rushed to aid the fallen; Echizen helping a conscious –thankfully – Sakuno sit up while Tezuka checks Fuji's pulse.
"He's alright," the captain announces grimly. "He's just exhausted. We must take him home immediately."
That served as Momoshiro and Kaidoh's cue to run outside and get a cab. After the two have gone, the other regulars crowd around Sakuno who is now cradling Fuji's head on her lap.
"Are you alright, Sakuno-chan?" Kikumaru asks as he crouches beside Tezuka. "You did not sprain anything, did you?"
Sakuno turns to her red-headed senpai before contemplating on his words. Without disturbing her senpai, she gently stretches her feet. When no stinging pain came, she gives him an affirming nod. "Hai, I did not sprain any, senpai. I'm quite alright."
"That's good to hear."
Oishi and Inui nod in agreement, while Kawamura takes Tezuka's place at Sakuno's left side to help carry the unconscious form of the tennis prodigy. Once the weight of the prodigy has been lifted off of her, Sakuno attempts to stand up, but wobbles on her knees. She grabs the nearest support she could get, and so she ends up holding on to Echizen.
"I suggest you rest as well," she hears him say softly, to which she nods obediently. After that, she pulls away, only for it to end in vain.
Echizen is still holding on to her.
"Ryoma-san?"
She could feel him jump a little at the sudden mention of his name. He looks at her with surprised eyes, and after seeing how he is holding her, he abruptly drops his hands to his sides. "Sorry about that," he says as he lowers the bill of his baseball cap.
"Ano…it's alright," she softly whispers before bowing to him and running to where Kawamura has laid Fuji-senpai.
She never noticed golden amber eyes darken in jealousy.
Inui looks at the massive group of Seigaku regulars – sans Oishi and Kikumaru – standing outside Fuji's bedroom. The image they made would have been funny if the situation were different, but then, nobody dared to joke around, especially when Tezuka seemed a bit off at his friend's sudden collapse.
The young men stopped at whatever they were doing the moment they heard the door open. Out came the Fujis' family doctor accompanied by Fuji Yumiko.
"As I have told Yumiko-san, Syuusuke-kun is going to be fine. He has just exhausted himself," the elderly doctor announced as if reading what the players were thinking of. "Just to be sure though, Syuusuke-kun should not do anything strenuous for the next two days."
Everyone blinked at that.
"And that includes club practice."
Nobody noticed Tezuka's eyes widen at the announcement because he immediately concealed his worry with his usual stoic face. For Fuji to even miss a day of practice means a lot for the prodigy, but this is much better if it would ensure his full recovery. Giving Inui a pointed look, he faces the doctor. "We understand," he finally says in behalf of his team.
When the formalities were done, the elderly doctor was escorted out of the house by Fuji Yumiko, while the regulars were allowed entrance to the prodigy's room to visit him.
What they saw made them blush.
Nothing malicious is actually happening. If anything, it could pass as a scene in some tragic romance novel where the sickly male lead is being taken care of by his loving girlfriend. Now, that would have been a very logical comparison if Fuji were really sick and if Sakuno were his girlfriend…right?
Right
Kawamura is the first one to break the ice as he stands beside Sakuno. The auburn-haired girl jumps a little at finding out that the whole team is inside the room. She immediately scans the place to look for chairs, only to dejectedly look up at her senpai when she found none.
Sensing her predicament, the power player pats her head. "We'll do fine standing up, Ryuzaki-chan. The doctor said Fujiko-chan is going to be okay. How is he doing now?"
"Ano…he has not woken up yet, but his coloring is much better than a while ago."
"That's good to hear then."
The rest nod in agreement as they all looked at a seemingly sleeping prodigy. After a few seconds, Tezuka silently leads them out of the room, except for Echizen who he has to call because said tennis prince lingered by Sakuno's side.
He could feel as if he were lying on a fluffy bed with something heavy draped on him.
Fuji Syuusuke finally opens his eyes only to find himself looking at a ceiling.
A very familiar ceiling
"Fuji-senpai?"
He turns to his right, his vision slowly getting clearer each second. When his eyes have adjusted at the light, he finds his favorite kohai sitting by his bedside…
…hands clasping his own.
He smiles at her – more of at the way she held him – to reassure her. "What happened?"
"Ano…you collapsed a few minutes after the match, senpai. The doctor said you were exhausted, and you need to rest for the next two days."
"…really?"
Sakuno nods in response to his question. Fuji turns back to looking at the ceiling, unconsciously grasping Sakuno's right hand with his. He does not like the idea of not practicing for the next two days. He was never even aware he had already exhausted himself – which is quite new because he always has a good assessment of his physical standing.
"It can't be helped, then."
She smiles wryly at him. "Just rest, Fuji-senpai. You'll be refreshed after two days. Besides, the Nationals won't be starting in two weeks, although the first practice match is in three days."
"Yes, I remember that. It's Rikkai Dai, isn't it?"
"Hai. Rikkai Dai at our turf."
Fuji's eyes darken with resolve at something Sakuno could not point out. She is a bit worried her senpai might do something drastic. Their opponent for the first practice match is one of the best. He would really be disappointed if he would not be able to play because of doctor's orders. Then again, she kept quiet and allowed him to think on his own. She would just let him know she is there to support him always.
Just as she is about to stand up to get food and water for him to consume, Fuji grabs her hand and stops her from walking any further.
"By the way, Sakuno-chan…" he says as he gives her his sly grin. "Didn't I tell you to call me 'Syuusuke-senpai'?"
"Do you have plans on going inside?"
Echizen stops pacing in front of Fuji's bedroom door upon hearing the deep voice of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
"I was actually waiting for you."
Tezuka blinks at his answer. Echizen, waiting on him? He could actually smirk at the reply, but he opted to just brush away the oddly-stated comment and knocked on the door. In a few seconds, Sakuno opens the door for them and lets them in.
"Has he woken up?"
"Ano…hai. Just a few minutes ago. He went back to sleep," she says as she guides them to the chairs by Fuji's bedside. "Ano…senpai, I would have to leave for a while to get food and drinks for Syuusuke-senpai."
If he were surprised at the way she addressed his friend, Tezuka did not show it, but a glance at the tennis prince beside him is a different story.
Amber eyes wide with something akin to horror, Echizen clenches his fists to control the raging emotions inside of him.
Tezuka gives Echizen one of his pointed looks, while allowing Sakuno to leave the room in silence at the same time. Once the girl was out of the room, Tezuka gives Echizen his full attention, mindful that just a foot from them is a sleeping Fuji Syuusuke.
"Now I understand why you were pacing outside this room a while ago."
He expected his protégé to spat at him, but instead, Echizen adjusts the bill of his baseball cap and settles at glaring the legs of the bed in front of him. The younger man is almost surprised at his lack of violent response to his captain's observation. If that were Inui-senpai who said something like that, he would have challenged the data guy immediately. Then again, this is Tezuka he is talking about.
First, he could not lie – even if he wants to – to Tezuka, because said captain could see right through him.
Second, he does not really mind the captain knowing of his…predicament, because other than being a captain, he is also his friend.
Third, Tezuka's statement actually did not leave him any room for argument.
"Saa…you two look so serious. Is something wrong going on?"
The two tennis geniuses by his bedside visibly jump in surprise at hearing his voice.
Fuji rewards them with his infamous smile.
"You're awake," Tezuka says, relief evident in his voice.
Fuji playfully nods at him, before focusing on Echizen.
Echizen just gave him an acknowledging nod, to which he returns with an even bigger smile.
"I woke up minutes ago, but Sakuno-chan told me to go back to sleep," he explains as he sits up. "Where is she?"
"She went downstairs to get you something to eat," Echizen replies.
"Oh."
"By the way, how are you feeling right now?" Tezuka asks.
"Saa…I feel…refreshed to say the least. What happened to Shiraishi though?"
"He's quite alright. Oishi and Kikumaru accompanied him to the train station. The two would be heading home afterwards."
"I see," Fuji trails a bit before squarely looking at Tezuka again. "The practice match with Rikkai Dai would be in three days right?"
Tezuka nods at this.
"I'll be joining the lineup."
That was a statement, not a request, and Tezuka knew that when Fuji is in that mode, nothing could ever stop him from having his way. "The doctor ordered you to rest."
"Saa…for two days only, Tezuka."
"Ne buchou, you should allow him to join," Echizen suddenly butts in as he casually leans on the chair. "Besides, it won't be fun without Fuji-senpai around."
The prodigy smiles genuinely at Echizen. Even if the issue of Sakuno is between them, the tennis prince still sees him as a teammate.
Tezuka looks at Echizen before turning to Fuji, whose trademark smile is still in place. "Okay, as long as you won't do anything strenuous for the next two days."
"Hai,captain!"
Before Tezuka could give a retort to the apparent teasing, someone knocks on the door. Echizen stands up and opens it.
"Ano…Syuusuke-senpai is awake now?"
Echizen nods at that before taking the tray from her hands. "Thank you, Ryoma-san," she says after he has placed the tray on Fuji's bedside table.
"Saa…Sakuno-chan. You really know me. I'm quite famished already."
"Eh? Ano, here, senpai. Yumiko-neesan prepared a platter of fruits for you. You should eat a lot."
She offers him a huge plate full of apple slices and oranges. Meanwhile, Tezuka and Echizen watch the prodigy gobble the contents as if what he were eating are potato chips.
It seemed as if Fuji is really indeed hungry.
"By the way, it's getting dark already. I don't mind having my friends sleep over in my house but I know your parents would be looking for you come dinner time."
"Don't worry about it. We'll be leaving in twenty minutes," Tezuka says before eyeing Sakuno. "We'll walk Ryuzaki-chan, too."
"Really?"
If that question were said in any other way, Tezuka would have answered immediately. Then again, Fuji looked as if he were teasing him so the captain looked incredulously at his best friend. "Of course," he finally finishes, quietly ordering his friend to end the joke.
"Saa…please take care of Sakuno-chan for me, then."
"You seem troubled by it."
Fuji Yumiko quietly tells her younger brother who is propped on his windowsill.
She just received a small nod from him as a response, his eyes trailing the large group of Seigaku students walking farther away from their house. However, her brother's blue eyes are more focused on the pair of senior high school freshmen walking side by side.
That of Echizen Ryoma and Ryuzaki Sakuno
Fuji looks on despite the sudden weight in his chest.
To say that he is disconcerted is an understatement.
He does not like it one bit at all.
"It is perfectly understandable for you to be jealous by it," he hears his sister say. "Sakuno-chan does not know of how you see her, and your place in her heart is still undetermined."
Fuji smiles wanly at her. "I am threatened, Yumiko-neesan, but I don't want anything to go between Echizen and me, except for athletic rivalry that is," he honestly says. As much as he likes teasing Echizen, he does not want to have bad blood between them all because of something as pathetic as adolescent rivalry. Besides, Sakuno is not an object they have to win. She is a person who can choose who she wants to be with.
Regardless of how unlikable the picture Echizen and Sakuno-chan make while walking together, he won't let his insecurities get the best of him.
Now, he would feel better if those seemingly noble thoughts would stop the raging emotion inside of him.
Unfortunately, they did not.
He could feel the other regulars inching themselves away from him and Sakuno.
Now, he would not mind that too much as he likes his peace and quiet. Then again, he knows that they are doing that to mock him, and that is nothing to be happy about. It is not a baseless assumption, especially when Momo-senpai bravely wraps an arm around Tezuka-buchou's shoulder and proceeds to assimilate him into their group, far, far away from him and Sakuno.
Heaving a sigh, Echizen directs a glare at the backs of his senpai-tachi before purposefully halting at a stoplight.
"Ano, is there something wrong, Ryoma-san?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing," he answers, adjusting the bill of his baseball cap. "Senpai-tachi are just being annoying."
Sakuno smiled at him, her eyes crinkling cutely at her expression. "Ano, they are a bit far off now, Ryoma-san. I think you don't have to worry about them that much," she says, eyeing their senpai-tachi who have already crossed the street.
The tennis prince smiled at her effort to ride along with his dry joke before guiding her in crossing the street. Once they have crossed, a comfortable silence reigns between them, allowing him some time to think about whatever he wants to tell her.
No, he isn't going to tell her about the 'like-like' thing. It's too early for that. Besides, young as he is, he knows he is not prepared for such drama.
He would take things one step at a time.
So, the first thing to do is mend the way she has been calling him since the start of the school year.
"I'd like it…if…" he begins, his voice deep and soft to the ears at the same time.
"Hm?"
"If…you would call me with the usual suffix, again."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
Echizen stops walking, making Sakuno stop too. "The '-kun'," he breathed out. "You may call me with that in it," he finishes, trying his best to hide his nervousness.
He is not, in all honesty, ordering her around. It is just in his nature to sound a bit…bossy…because he does not know any other way to put things together. He has always thought that Sakuno started calling him 'Ryoma-san' instead of 'Ryoma-kun' because she is distancing herself from him. He wants none of that. While he knows he likes her more than he thinks he does, she is one of the people who sincerely care for him as a friend.
He wants to close the gap between them.
If anything, he wants to start it right with her again, too…right at the moment.
And he knows no other way but to have her call him 'Ryoma-kun' again.
"Oh…ano…" Sakuno stammered for words. She had called him with the –kun suffix because of her childish crush on him. Then again, seeing his almost pleading look made her realize he wants them to be friends.
Blinking at the surge of emotions inside of her, she gives him her loveliest smile.
"Alright…Ryoma-kun."
At that moment, Echizen could not be any happier.
Sakuno happily hums to herself as she walks to their house. While she was worried for Syuusuke-senpai, she is glad that he is well. She is also happy that she and Ryoma-kun have come to an understanding that they can be and are good friends.
Arriving in front of their house gate, she stops and blinks at the figures standing by their house entrance.
"Ano, Tezuka-senpai? Atobe-san?"
She calls their names, unaware of the tension between the two. Fortunately for her, the two senior high school students did not hear her, and so, they continued with their staring contest.
"Ore-sama is surprised to see you here, of all places, Tezuka."
"As I do, too," said Seigaku captain replies, his eyes a bit clouded with confusion.
He knows no other reason for Atobe to visit the Ryuzaki residence on a Sunday afternoon, other than to see their coach (which is something he is there for, on the other hand). If it has something to do with the upcoming practice matches, he may still understand. Then again, he would find it unnecessary for Atobe to meet Ryuzaki-sensei about it, as they have already agreed with the terms in said matches.
Atobe smirks at the reply, before turning his attention to the new arrival. "Ore-sama greets Sakuno-chan a pleasant afternoon," he says before giving her a courteous bow proper for their age.
"Ano…good afternoon, too, Atobe-san," Sakuno bows to greet him. "Ano…how may I help you?"
She looks up to the Hyotei tennis player, her eyes glazed with a question Atobe can clearly point out.
"Ore-sama is here to meet with you, as I have something important to ask you," he says, purposefully forgetting the fact that Tezuka is just behind him.
"Eh?"
She blinks at him before looking at her senpai standing a few feet from her. "Ano…what is it, Atobe-san?"
Atobe takes two bold steps to her until she is at arm's length from him. Sakuno visibly blushes and gulps at his actions, but innocently keeps her gaze at him.
"Will you accompany Ore-sama for dinner tomorrow night?"
"Eh?!"
Tezuka's eyes widened at the request.
Is he…
While he is comprehending Atobe's request, Sakuno, on the other hand, is a stammering mess.
"Ano…uhm…ano…" she mumbled as she bit her lower lip rather cutely. She looks at Atobe Keigo's expectant face, still confused as to why he wants her, of all people, to accompany him for dinner. While she has helped him during his mother's birthday, she has not thought of any other reason for his request.
But his expectant look directed at her is enough to crumble her questions.
She definitely cannot deny his request.
"May Ore-sama know of your answer?"
"Ano…hai," she softly answers as she steps back after Atobe took a forward step towards her. "I will accompany Atobe-san."
Atobe's eyes brightened with delight as he gives her a princely bow before heading off to his chauffeur-driven car. Once he is out of her house, Sakuno looks up at her Tezuka-senpai with a visibly shaken look.
Tezuka could not help but look at her helplessly as well.
The delightful sound of the lunch break bell reverberated across the school halls. In a matter of seconds, classrooms became empty and the halls are filled with students making their way towards the school cafeteria.
It is lunch hour and Fuji is walking out of the room, but not towards the cafeteria.
He is on his way to the freshmen section of their school.
Well, he is supposed to be resting in the house, but he could not do with it. Half a day of staying in bed is enough rest for his body.
Besides, he won't let the day pass without getting his dose of his daily drug called Ryuzaki Sakuno.
After a few minutes of walking, he finds himself at the last flight of stairs nearest Sakuno's classroom. He smiles broadly at the empty hallway – no fan girls around – and heads to Sakuno's classroom. Grabbing the knob, he slides the door open only to find his favorite kohai still on her seat.
With Echizen Ryoma standing uncomfortably close in front of her.
The two are far off from where he is standing, and it seems Sakuno is too engrossed in what the tennis prince is saying that she did not hear him arrive. Deciding not to suffocate himself with unpleasant thoughts, he clears his throat to get their attention.
"Oh, Syuusuke-senpai!" Sakuno says his name, delight evident in the tone of her voice.
The prodigy warmly smiles at her as he makes a beeline to where she is sitting.
"Eh, Fuji-senpai? Why are you here in school? Aren't you supposed to be resting?"
Fuji chuckles at Echizen's interrogation. "I'm fine now, Echizen. I could not bear staying at home doing nothing. Even if I'm in school, I won't be able to attend club practice until Wednesday anyway," he explains, grabbing the chair beside Sakuno and sitting on it. "Besides, I don't want Tezuka to have my head yet."
"Ch. Has buchou seen you already?"
"Not yet, but I think he will eventually do. I'm planning to show myself to him today."
"That's suicide."
"Hai," Fuji answers with a ridiculously broad smile.
Echizen's eyes widen like saucers. Is he a sadist, or a masochist?
"Eh? Will Tezuka-senpai be angry at Syuusuke-senpai for showing up in school?"
Fuji turns to Sakuno. "No. It's just that Tezuka feels the burden of taking care of his teammates is on him, as he is team captain. Saa…don't worry Sakuno-chan. Nothing will happen to me."
"Oh…" Sakuno blinks at nothing in particular, getting the humor in Fuji's statement. Then, she looks up at Echizen who has fallen silent for a while. "Ne, Ryoma-kun, is something the matter?"
She did not see it, but surprise marred Fuji's handsome face at the way she addressed the tennis prince.
"Hn, nothing. I'll just have to get lunch or I'll never hear the end of it from Horio," he says as he grabs his bag settled on the floor. Giving her his version of a friendly wave, he saunters out of the room and towards the school cafeteria.
Upon hearing the door close, Sakuno gathers her notebooks on her table and prepares to pack her bag. Once she is through, she turns to her senpai who is sitting still on his seat.
"Syuusuke-senpai?" She calls on to him, her hand gently resting on his forearm.
His head turns to her rather abruptly, but if she noticed it, she did not show any signs of it. He tries his best not to show the jealousy seeping through his insides. It would be for Sakuno's welfare that he would stop such emotion to get the best of him.
"Are you done with packing up? We can go to the cafeteria to eat," he says as he stands up.
"Ano…hai," she says as she follows him out of the room.
As they walk across the hallway, Fuji realized that while he is not the most selfish person in his bunch of friends, he has a nasty jealous streak…
….and a possessive one to boot.
"That is actually the fifth time you have turned around and looked at them."
Echizen stiffens at the voice behind him. Never in his life would he expect Oishi Syuichirou to surprise him not by catching him off guard, but by seeing his actions the way Inui Sadaharu does. At best, Echizen would have snickered at the observation, but right now, his mind is too tired to think of a retort that he just settled for a blank look.
The thought of giving the kind vice captain a death glare never occurred to him.
"I mean no harm, Echizen. It's just that you seem so troubled by Fuji and Ryuzaki-chan being together, it actually shows in your face."
Echizen does not know how to answer that.
"You like Ryuzaki-chan, right?"
The dark red blush tainting the tennis prince's cheeks is a very obvious sign that Oishi decided to just give him a small smile. It is painfully obvious the kid is having trouble with dealing with something so new as a highschool crush. He would not push that hard.
"Well, you can start by being her friend first," Oishi says as he settles his duffel bag on the bench. "A self-respecting girl like Ryuzaki-chan would like a guy who understands her more than just a good-looking one. And what better way to understand her than to get to know her as a friend first."
Echizen blinked at his words before stretching out his legs. "We've patched things up."
"Huh?" Oishi furrowed his brows at that. Did the two argue or something?
"She agreed to call me 'Ryoma-kun' again."
"Oh."
The vice captain cannot completely comprehend what the young tennis prince meant with his statement, but it seems he and Ryuzaki-chan are friends now. So, no need for the first advice, eh?
"Wel, uhm, it's good you are friends now," he says rather disconcertedly.
"Hn."
"Do you plan on telling her?"
Echizen blinks at that. A confession? He has not even fully understood how he sees Ryuzaki Sakuno. He knows he like-likes her; the kind of like a young man has for the young woman he adores. Then again, is that enough for a confession?
Right now, he thinks he cannot bear the burden of teenage drama.
He has a career to focus on, and he does not want to be unfair to himself and Sakuno.
Besides, it seems she is set on pursuing a dream of her own. It would be better if they could pursue their own dreams and then get together…
Wait. He's getting a bit too far now.
"Are you alright, Echizen?"
"Hm? Uh yeah," he says as he stands up to grab his bath towel. "Thanks for the time, senpai. I'd have to go ahead," he adds as he walks to the shower room.
Echizen picks up his pace, but not before staring intently at Fuji and Sakuno talk outside the clubroom. He grits his teeth together, silently hoping their conversation would end. Somehow, he does not care if the vice captain is there to see him fuming.
Reverting his eyes to the path leading to the shower room, he glares at nothing in particular.
"Yumiko-neechan prepared dinner for four, Sakuno-chan. Would you come to eat with us?"
Sakuno looks up at her senpai, her eyes expressing her disappointment.
"Ano, I can't make it tonight, Syuusuke-senpai," she says before looking down at the ground. "Atobe-san asked me if I could accompany him to dinner tonight. He said he would pick me up at school today."
Fuji felt a weight settle in his chest. "Atobe Keigo?"
"Hai."
He pauses. He has seen Atobe and Sakuno together, especially after the regionals when Atobe's Hyotei lost to Seigaku. He did not like the Hyotei tennis club captain getting too close to Sakuno, but at that time, he did not give too much meaning to it. Now, though, is a different matter. While he knows Atobe won't stoop low to the point of fooling someone as guileless as Sakuno, he can see right through the Hyotei player's intentions.
Atobe likes Sakuno.
In a not so friendly way
That does not sound good to Fuji Syuusuke.
His thoughts are broken when he feels Sakuno holding on to his arm. "Is something wrong, senpai?"
"No, nothing is wrong Sakuno-chan," he says, glad that he can mask his emotions so well. "By the way, did Atobe tell you where you are going?"
"Uhm…no. Atobe-san did not tell me. He left immediately after I agreed to his request."
"Oh." Fuji puckers his lips cutely at her. "Yumiko-neesan would definitely be sad about not seeing you tonight, so you would have to make it up with us," he finishes as he gives her his beautiful smile.
Sakuno blushes at the statement. She does not want to disappoint her senpai, much less his sister who she likes so much. So, with all her child-like innocence, she flashes her senpai a smile. "Hai. Ano…I will bring something I would be making at the Reverie, just to make it up to you and Yumiko-neesan."
"That's good to hear."
Sakuno enthusiastically nods at the idea. She does not mind the "make it up" part, because she is definitely fond of the family…and in inwardly, the second child of the family. A blush spreads across the bridge of her nose, but she was not able to delve further into the topic because of the appearance of someone.
Her wide eyes focused on someone caught Fuji's attention, and he followed her line of vision.
Atobe Keigo.
The heavy weight settles in his chest again, and he unconsciously grabs Sakuno's much smaller hand.
The Hyotei captain noticed it.
"Ore-sama would appreciate if you would release my date, Fuji."
"D-date?!"
Sakuno squeaked at the "D" word, her already red face reddening even further. She immediately looks up at her senpai, partially expecting him to look at her for clarification, but she is surprised at what she saw.
He is staring Atobe down, blue eyes blazing.
It was only then that she realized her hand is encased by his. She looks up at him again, then at Atobe, before squeezing his hand in assurance. She does not know why the two seem to be glaring at each other, but if an argument is about to happen, she will do her best to prevent it.
He felt her hand squeezing his, and admittedly, it calmed him down a bit. Now is not the time to appear the jealous boyfriend, even if he thinks he has every reason to do so. Then again, he does not want to overwhelm Sakuno, or appear controlling to her.
Heaving a sigh, he looks at his kohai, all the while never releasing his hold on her. "Saa…Sakuno-chan. It's time for you to go, I think."
Sakuno looks up at him before giving him a reassuring smile. "Ano…hai…I'll be off now, Syuusuke-senpai. Be safe."
"You too…" he softly says as he slowly releases her hand.
Fuji watches as his favorite kohai walk to where Atobe is standing, before looking at the Hyotei captain.
"Saa…please take care of Sakuno-chan, Atobe."
"Hn…you don't need to remind Ore-sama, as Ore-sama will definitely take care of Sakuno-chan."
Fuji just gave him a wry smile at that.
Sakuno is a bit surprised that Atobe Keigo's car drove all the way to the Reverie Café. Then again, she is relieved because she would be dining with him at a familiar place, almost second to home. Much to her disappointment though, Atobe did not allow her to go down the car.
"Please wait for Ore-sama. It won't take ten minutes," he says before closing the door.
Eight minutes later, the team captain of the Hyotei tennis club returns with a huge white box with the signature crest of the Reverie. Sakuno eyes the box before looking up at Atobe Keigo who settles it between them.
"You know where to go," she hears him tell the chauffeur. She is hard-pressed to ask him, but decides not to.
It took another eight minutes for them to arrive at their destination – the private park of the Atobes, which is a few feet away from their private gym. She stares at the place, awed that something as beautiful as the place could be inconspicuous. The place is never even mentioned in travel magazines or similar stuff. Then again, if the Atobes do not want to publicize a place they deem their sanctuary, it would be best to keep it "hidden".
"Do you like it?"
"Hai, very much Atober-san," she answers as she follows him towards a huge grandfather-like tree at the middle of the park.
She is surprised that his train of servants and bodyguards are nowhere to be found.
"Ore-sama usually goes to this place when I want to be alone."
"Oh."
"Ore-sama has never invited anyone to stay here with him," he informs her again as he lays spreads a mat on the grass. He sits on one side and invites her to sit next to him. The moment she does so, he lays on his back, arms crossed behind his head.
"It's lovely here, Atobe-san. So quiet and peaceful."
"Hn."
She turns to her 'seatmate' whose eyes are already closed. It is a wonder to see the always elegant Atobe Keigo so carefree in private, that she is having difficulty understanding why she is with him at this time.
"Are you hungry already?"
Sakuno looks at him before shaking her head. Much to her surprise though, Atobe sits up and proceeds to open the white box from the Reverie. He takes a sweet bun from it and breaks it in half; half for her and the other half for him. She quietly accepts the offer, and finally bites into the bun when she sees him bite onto his own.
"This is my way of thanking you for helping me look for my mother's birthday gift," he says, his eyes focused on the flowerbed a few feet from them.
Sakuno blinks at him before looking at her half-eaten sweet bun. "Ano, you're welcome, Atobe-san. This is a very lovely place."
Atobe focuses his gaze on her. This trip to his sanctuary is more of an invitation than a gift to her. It is an invitation to be someone who is more than just an acquaintance to Atobe Keigo; because in reality, while a lot of people admire and envy him, only a few understand him.
He has seen the potential in Ryuzaki Sakuno to understand him. She sees the person and not the rich tennis teen star.
He wants her to know him better…
…and him, her.
"Would you like to return to this place another time?"
Atobe is delighted when he hears her decidedly positive "Yes".
He swings back his right arm to get leverage, and then he hits the tennis ball with his racket with a force enough to match Momoshirou's legendary Dunk Smash.
He does it a second time…and a third time…and a fourth time…until he could feel his muscles get sore. He knows that if Inui were here, he would get an hour-long lecture about straining one's muscles; and he knows that if Tezuka were here, he'd be as good as dead meat.
He is venting, to say the least, despite the eerie calm of his face.
His blue eyes darkened in anticipation of the approaching tennis ball, and with another forceful return, he sends the ball flying to the other side of the court. Once it bounced, it makes a resounding thud the moment it hits the concrete wall at the other end.
Fuji Syuusuke stops from his routine and drops his hands to his sides.
A deep breath is made…
…and an equally loud exhale thereafter.
He is much calmer now, but his mind cannot stop dwelling on the fact that Sakuno is spending dinner with someone else. Most of all, he cannot help but question why Atobe Keigo of all people. Then again, wouldn't he ask the same if it were Tezuka?
After much thought, he walks over to the bench and plops himself onto it.
Sakuno bites her lower lip as she treads the path to Seigaku.
It is already seven in the evening, and at the very least, she finds it nerve-racking to walk alone. It was only then that she realized it is much worse to walk and get lost at night than during daylight. Heaving a sigh, she continues to walk, reminding herself that she is already sixteen years old and brave enough to fend for herself.
A few paces after, she stops upon hearing the sound of heavy thuds of what she thinks of a ball hitting solid ground. She scans the whole area and cocks her head to the right. Who could be practicing at this hour? Letting her curiosity get the best of her the second time that day – the idea of ghosts never crossing her mind – she follows the sound of the ball until she ends up standing in front of the tennis court.
Then, she finds the tennis prodigy of Seigaku practicing different kinds of tennis serves.
He looks so graceful on court; like a dancer performing a powerful yet lovely number. She always hears her grandmother saying how much room Fuji has for growth; that his slim and flexible body is so fit for tennis because he could freely move around. Sometimes, she stops whenever she hears such comments, and thinks what kind of career the tennis prodigy would have after senior high.
If he would be as serious as Tezuka and Echizen, a lot of professional tennis players would be in BIG trouble.
It does not hurt that her senpai is cute too.
After a few seconds, she stops at the train of her thought, and blushes immensely.
She can feel her cheeks flare up too.
Mou, what am I thinking?
Shaking her head, she runs to her senpai upon realizing he should not be practicing.
"Syuusuke-senpai!"
The light-haired prodigy stops upon hearing the voice of his favorite kohai. Turning to his left, he finds her running to the court. He waits until she gets inside before running to meet her halfway.
"Saa…Sakuno-chan, why are you still out at this hour?"
"Eh? Ano…I told Atobe-san not to drive me all the way home. Ano…I just wanted to walk by myself."
Fuji nods, but he affectionately pokes her cheek thereafter. "That's so brave of you, but you should know that it is not safe for a girl like you to walk all alone at night. I am surprised Atobe allowed you to do that."
That was a sincerely surprised comment…because even if he does not like Sakuno spending time with the Hyotei captain, he would never think so low of him.
"Ano…" he finds her blushing, eyes glued to her feet.
"Hmmm…I will make a guess," he says, leaning forward so that his face is just a few inches from her. "You pretended you still have to report to the Reverie, right?"
Sakuno's dark red blush was his answer.
He chuckles at that. "Saa…you're a sly one, Sakuno-chan," he says, lightly ruffling her hair.
"Mou, Syuusuke-senpai. You're distracting me."
"Eh?"
"Ano…you shouldn't be practicing yet. The doctor said you need to rest until tomorrow."
Fuji's smile fades a bit at the comment. If anything, Sakuno did not notice it, what with her curious child-like expression still on her face. He is not upset with her though. It's just that he is suddenly reminded of why he has been spending the past three hours practicing what Inui would call wild tennis.
"I can't help but do otherwise," he softly says, grabbing her hand and leading her to the bench. "My body is so used to training, I would feel weak if I would not exercise for a bit."
"But you should not strain yourself too much, senpai."
Fuji looked at her, his eyes quiet but inquisitive.
"Ano…it seems as if you've been practicing harder than necessary."
Fuji was quiet for a few moments, that it was enough to unnerve Sakuno.
"Ano…I did not mean to reprimand senpai…ano…ano…"
She stops with her rambling when he presses a finger to her lips. A dark blush stains her cheeks, and she found herself breathless for a moment.
Instead of saying anything, he guides her to sit on the bench, before sitting down beside her. Sakuno may be innocent, but she is far from apathetic and blind. She may not guess he had been venting all along, but she was sharp enough to notice the abrupt change in his playing style just a while ago.
"It's quite all right, Sakuno-chan. I know you did not intend to nag on me," he softly says as he casually leans back on the bench. "It's just that, after you left with Atobe, I realized something."
Sakuno blinks at the comment, but she inches closer to him to show that she is interested and listening.
"Today, I found out I have a very nasty, possessive side."
"Eh?"
Sakuno furrows her brows at his words.
As much as she wants, she cannot comprehend what he meant with being possessive.
Fuji smiles at her reaction.
Without much thought, he cups her face with his hands and gently raises it so their eyes would meet.
If she does not get it yet, he will boldly explain it to her.
"I realized how much I dislike seeing you with Atobe…or any other guy…because I've already thought…"
He pauses, before tracing his thumb over the curve of her right cheek and breathing out the last words of his confession.
"…that you are mine."