Disclaimer: I do not own PoT

Chapter 27 : The confession

Ryoma knew that lunch would have been the perfect opportunity, but it was because he felt nervous... it was right before Sakuno made her way out of the classroom did Ryoma say to her

"Ryuuzaki, meet me under the Sakura tree before practice."

Without another word, he walked out of the classroom without a further glance back. Sakuno thought hostility was already overwhelming, but curiousity and hostility was now reaching a whole new level. She knew there would be classmates hiding everywhere and soon as whatever he said gets out in the open... it will be dangerous.

"Sakuno, you should not do anything to aggrivate them any more ok?"

Tomoda asked in a very anxious tone, as she too could feel the vibes of this classroom and if she felt scared, she must not been having the dose of fear Sakuno had after all most of the girls in this school are starting to give her hostile looks as if one would leap over and rip her to shreds. And there were about 20 cases of that today.

"I promise..."

she smiled as she walked out of the room and found that Ryoma who remembered he had to walk her to the tennis courts was standing outside the door. Ryoma felt stupid for forgetting, perhaps he was just very nervous of doing it. But he needed her to say yes, once she said yes... there might be a chance things will change.

"...Ryuuzaki,"

Sakuno looked up at him in responce, her eyes looked weary and scared but nevertheless a kind and warm spark can still be generated from her eyes. Ryoma cleared his throat as he said

"You have to say yes."

Sakuno stopped short, say yes? To what? What could he possibly ask of her to say yes to? Then Kennichi who was next to her glared at Ryoma, he may be a kid but his mother is too trusting and innocent to know what he meant! Inwardly he didn't hate Ryoma for this, instead he hated his father. If only Tezuka hadn't did what he did... Ryoma wouldn't be taking such a chance!

"... I will try."

Sakuno added helpfully, she may not know what he meant yet. But he was going to say it anyway it was just not the right time. Ryoma knew she didn't understand, he had to make her understand so no one will ever find out what he truly intended to do.

"... You can't try Ryuuzaki, you have to say yes. These fan girls are not going to rest if you don't say so."

Sakuno looked more and more puzzled but then she realized that they have arrived at where he asked her to go to. Already she could see some of her classmates hiding with their friends from other classes. There were many people here whispering in excitement as much as anger.

"Ryuuzaki..."

Ryoma turned around, and his eyes burned like the time they were stuck in the closed up storage room. She didn't know why but she felt like something big was going to come out from one question she HAD to say yes to.

"Will you go out with me?"

If he asked 'will you pass me the salt', 'will you cheer me on at the tennis match' or 'will you make obento's for me'. She would say yes, but... going out with Ryoma Echizen? The one boy she had a crush on and had given up due to the belief he was never interested was standing in front of her now with the same expression except he was tugging his cap every so often.

She was too stunned to see the small patches of red on his cheeks. The idea that Ryoma wanted her to be his girlfriend wasn't something she could easily reply to. Not when her heart was clearly somewhere else. She then recalled what he said just before they had arrived.

What does Ryoma mean? Does it mean if she agreed the fan girls will reduce their hostility? Kennichi was kept in her bag but his small yellow furry head stuck out of it and his eyes were sharp. He couldn't understand what is so hard in saying 'NO' ? He was very confused, Kennichi didn't understand. Did his parents not love each other anymore?

Kennichi remembered the time when he was first born until now. He remembered scenes of Tezuka spending time with Sakuno and the atmosphere was so pleasant and so full of love. Where did it all go?

The first time he opened his bleary eye, he saw their excited faces and before he hatched he heard their exchanges and he was sure they loved each other. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM? Kennichi couldn't understand, he was very upset even for a little duckling himself.

She had to say yes... Sakuno's mind was reeling... Ryoma who saw that Sakuno was hesitating knew he wouldn't get his answer today. However, this was a one shot thing! If she didn't reply now, hostility was going to rise even more since it was now fact he was interested in her. If she had just said yes, the others will not perceive her to be a threat and she will be safe except with his fan club.

Ryoma took her into his arms, he thought it would help him and allow him to whisper into her ear and she wouldn't see him embarassed.

"... Sakuno, you have to trust me. If you don't say yes, hostility will rise and it will get worse. Tell me your answer."

To Be Cont.

Well... Ryoma confessed. Is that good enough? = X NOT! Well just as everyone is clear the fun is over time to bring out the serious guns. . Sorry it has to happen.