Every Single Step

Disclaimer: Tenipuri is still not mine. Although I'm putting up a petition. Just kidding. The owner is Konomi takeshi.

Previously: Ryoma's eyes widened for a while then let go of her hand. Yes her hand. He involuntarily held her hand when he held her wrist before.

'A-arigatou gozaimasu.'

His sempais had sheepish smiles on their faces from ear to ear.

Then Ryoma felt a dark aura behind him.

It was Ryuzaki Sumire glaring at him, glaring at his hands.

Disclaimer: TeniPuri isn't mine, though I wish I did.

Chapter IV: Eye Contact

Echizen Ryoma slumped his figure on a nearby bench. He just had the most intense and terrifying practice of his young life (for now).

His data analyst sempai, just came up of another training program.

If you don't run a lap for less than 30 seconds, you'll drink half a glass of Inui Juice. Inui calls this, 'Half a Minute, Half a Glass'

If you miss a shot, it'll require a shot of the Penal Tea. Inui calls this training program, 'Miss a Shot, Take a Shot.

If you lose the game, you'll lose consciousness. This isn't actually part of the training program he has formulated, the other members made it up a bit. Because according to Inui, a pitcher of the latest version of his concoction is the prize of loser. The members call it 'Lose a Match, Lose Your Life'

All of these would have been fine for him if, it was their whole team that is involved. But then, the worse part is that, all of these 'training program' are intended for him. So he's the only one, who'll be receiving penalty.

The whole time, he felt under the pressure of Inui Juice. Another thing that made him feel awkward is the coach's glares. Ever since, he accidentally held her granddaughter's hand, the coach has been glaring at his hands. What's wrong with it? He held it before when they're practicing for the dance. And what's up with holding hands?

Good thing, practice ended. This was the first time that he wanted to quit a tennis practice.

He lazily inserted his coin and grabbed a Ponta. He just needed it badly.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

'Obaa-chan…' Sakuno called her grandma.

'Yes?'

'Err.. anou… y-you're being harsh… w-with Ryoma-kun.' Sakuno said, fidgeting her fingers and tinge of blush on her face.

Sumire smiled.

'Now, I see what's going on.' She whispered.

'E-eh?'

'It's nothing. Don't worry, it's only for today. Since, he'll be participating in the festival, I gave him that. He'll miss quite a lot you know.' Sumire made up.

'Oh…'

'Stop worrying about your boyfriend. That's just warm up.' Sumire said teasing her beloved granddaughter.

'Obaa-chan!' she pouted and a darker blush crept on her cheeks.

Sumire laughed at her. She was enjoying herself.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ryoma took his spot under the tree, his cap covering half of his face. He needed to relax.

Sakuno was looking for Ryoma, and luckily found him there.

Sakuno opened her mouth but immediately shut it. She thought Ryoma was asleep, so she stood frozen at the spot, not knowing what to do next.

She was about to leave, when a voice startled her.

'Nothing will happen, if you stand there.' Ryoma said.

'Ah… g-gomenasai!' she bowed apologetically.

'You don't have to apologize.' Ryoma said sitting properly.

'G-gomenasai..'

Ryoma raised his eyebrow.

'Ah… a-anyway, R-ryoma-kun… I' Ryoma barely cut her off.

'Let's practice.'

'E-eh?'

'Let's practice.' He simply repeated his previous statement.

'P-practice?'

Ryoma nodded.

'H-hai…' Sakuno nodded as she sat infront of Ryoma.

'Eye contact.' Ryoma barely said.

Sakuno stiffened hearing this from him but managed to nod.

Then they started. Ryoma looked into her brown eyes as she looked into his golden ones.

Ryoma just looked at her with bore. While Sakuno on the other hand, can't manage to look at him straight like what he did. She kept on looking at things every moment. And also to mention, she trembled a bit and a tinge of pink is visible on her cheeks.

'You know, if you don't look at me straight into the eye, nothing will happen here.' Ryoma's voice startled her.

'H-hai! G-gomenasai!' she said and bowed a bit.

'No need to do that.'

'H-hai.'

Sakuno positioned herself and looked into his eyes again, so did he to her.

At first, Sakuno felt really nervous but then, after a few moments, she found herself drowning in his eyes.

But a noise brought her back to reality. Laughter to be specific. But to be more specific, it was their sempai's laughter. They then broke their eye contact and looked at their sides.

'Sempais…. You're not good with hiding.' Ryoma said.

'Bwaaahahahaha! I didn't know Echizen could be so cheesy just like a romantic novel!' Momoshiro burst out laughing, with tears in his eyes.

'Let's fit in with their romance atmosphere!' Eiji suggested while laughing a bit.

'Yeah! *cough* I didn't know our little kouhai, will find his love bloom at such an early age. I am proud of him.' Momo acted.

'Why do birds suddenly appear…' Eiji sang.

Ryoma rolled his eyes.

Momo got a cage full of birds, opening it releasing all of it. (A/N: don't ask me where he got it. Just bear with it for the fanfic hehe)

'Everytime you are near…' Eiji continued

Momo pulled Sakuno and Ryoma together receiving a glare from the lad and a blush from the lass.

'Just like me, they long to be close to you.'

Eiji pointed himself, then pointed to some other people and pointed at Ryoma.

'Why do stars fall down from the sky'

Momo should be sprinkling some confetti of star shapes, and Eiji waited for it, but what fell is a rubber shoe knocking the two of them out.

Ryoma walked to them, then wore his shoe.

'Sempais no baka.' He muttered.

'Every…time .. you walk by… just like me… they long to..be close to you….' The two sang like some total weirdos.

'A-are they a-alright?'

'They'll be fine.' Ryoma said to end her worry.

'O-okay.' she replied.

'Let's go.'

'E-eh?'

'Let's go.' Ryoma repeated then started walking.

'H-hai.' Sakuno followed him.s

A/N: there you have chpter 4. first of all, gomenasai for the long update. I was really busy with other things. Gomen! Oh and I know this is a bit short too. But I'll update soon and make it longer. Promise.

For the people who reviewed:

Nicklaus mak xuan: gomen for the late update

Cookiepie05: thanks. Sorry if its late

Otakugal: here

-fUjI-lAwLiEt- : haha. Yeah.

BlackRain105: there you have it. Haha

AquaJet: haha yeah

Midnight blue08: a manipulator in a good way

A can of ponta: thanks! ^^