Chapter 10: Japanese Cinderella
Little Falcon: Yay for sleepless nights! I get to update again! Read and review please…
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!!!
"She'll remain in the intensive critical care unit but she's stable," the doctor's statement made her release the breath she didn't know she was holding. Permitted to go inside, Sakuno sat quietly beside the sleeping old woman and cried without a sound. I thought I'll lose another important person again.
"Momo! Kaido!" their old coach called with her tensed tone. The two swallowed with difficulty, knowing a very severe interrogation was next.
"How did Sakuno get those injuries?" she maybe old but her tenacity never knew age. The Seigaku regulars in question began to sweat under her murdering glare.
"The truth is…" he ran his fingers through his brushed up hair in surrender.
"It was all for training," a familiar voice interrupted Momoshiro's confession. A middle aged man made his way to the Seigaku coach.
"Training?" she spat as they were eye to eye. "So that's why she's covered in bruise and can barely walk? Training?"
The Ryuugan Tennis coach, Sado Kaname, answered with mocking silence.
"Coach?" she gently closed the door to Tsubaki's room. "Why are you here?" Sakuno leaned on the nearest wall as she glared at her coach.
"I was just checking up on you. You pushed yourself too hard in the practice sessions," Kaname said with a tender voice that fooled no one.
"I'm fine. Go back to the team," she turned head away in distaste after hearing his false caring.
His amber eyes watched the Ryuugan coach intensely as he made his way out. He was clenching his fists unconsciously as he suppressed the urge to plant it somewhere in the guy's irritating face.
With a passing glance, she took notice of Ryoma's reaction and was surprised. "What did he make you do?" her grand mother grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Training," she removed Ryuuzaki's hands from her. "Tsubaki's in stable condition but will remain in the ICU. Thank you for bringing her here immediately. You can resume your training now," her voice was cold and monotonous. With a perfect bow, she concluded her gratitude.
"Sakuno, how long are you planning on tolerating their behavior?!" Momo was the one who broke the silence first.
"For as long as I can and for as long as I want to," she looked her sempai like she was looking at a traitor. Her accusing glare was cut short by the ringing of her phone. "Excuse me," she walked to the lobby to answer her phone.
"What do you mean by that, Momo?" Tezuka, their team captain, was the one to ask this time.
"They've been hurting her…" Kaido confessed first.
The entire team together with their coach listened carefully to each word he said. Unknown to them, Ryoma had already run after her soon after hearing his sempai's first statement.
As if his eyes were automatically set to find her, he caught sight of her in a heartbeat as he stepped outside the hospital.
The cab stopped right in front of her. Hurriedly, Sakuno tried her best to slip in without agitating her injuries. Before she was able to close the door, Ryoma entered the cab and sat beside her.
"What are you…?"
"Its either let me come with you or you go back to the hospital," he was facing forward to avoid her murderous eyes.
Not having enough time to even argue, she told the driver to go. The rest of the trip was in total uncomfortable silence that it made the driver tensed as well. There was a wide space in between them even though they sat together. Their faces looking out the window closest to them, not even glancing at something else throughout the ride.
Questions plagued his mind but he knew asking them now wouldn't do him any good because for sure she would be deflecting. Keeping his silence, he let his mind be in chaos.
Ryoma stepped out of the cab and right in front of a tall luxurious building. "Hmmm," he said below his breath.
Her injured leg began to throb painfully as she was about to alight the taxi. Shifting her weight carelessly, she almost tripped if not for him catching her fall.
"Where to?" he knew she wasn't alright but asking her to rest was not an option given her new stubbornness.
"Sakuno-sama! You just made it in time," a middle aged woman ran up to them in relief. "The meeting will take place in thirty minutes. Is he your escort?"
"Yes," Ryoma answered for her as he wrapped his arms on her back and the back of her knees then carried her effortlessly.
"No, he is not! Now, put me down!" Although, she was struggling she felt the blood rush to her face because of their close proximity. Flailing her arms and legs, she demanded to be put down but the pain in her injured leg made her shut up.
"If you're going to be in a meeting, you need all the rest you can get especially with that leg of yours," he said as he looked into her defiant brown eyes. "Where to?" he asked the woman that was watching them with a smile.
"You need to change first," she led the way to the elevators with Ryoma following closely.
People stared and whispered as they walked by the marbled corridors. Her blush grew into a deeper shade that made her more alluring than she already is. That was what Ryoma saw, of course.
"I'm representing Tsubaki in this important meeting. She worked so hard to be able to talk to these people," she said while they were in the elevator. The need to talk to him overwhelmed her.
"Just tell me when you're no longer alright," his eyes were looking at the steel doors in front of them but he felt her smile discreetly and that alone made her lighter than she already is.
"Why do I have to wear this again?" he looked at the traditional male Kimono and hakama he was wearing.
"The clients are interested in Japanese culture. It was Sakuno-sama who suggested using this approach," the older woman politely explained as they waited for Sakuno.
As her wooden sandals announced her arrival, his eyes never dared to blink. All the dirt and grime were erased from her face. Her chestnut eyes sparkled against the chandelier lights. Her painted lips made him lick his lower lip inconspicuously.
Her skin was flawless, almost glowing because of the black kimono she was wearing. The dark silk wrapped around her body was embroidered with the cherry blossom tree. Her obi was in a crimson shade complementing the black. Her long hair was half-way up with an attractive hairpin.
"Shall we proceed?" it was only when she was standing right in front of him, was he able to blink. There were no traces of panic or nervousness in her face or voice.
"You look great," Ryoma still wasn't able to avert his eyes from hers as he offered his arm.
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," she replied casually as she took his arm and walked inside.
The clients were people twice or thrice their age so it wasn't surprising to hear uproar. But when Sakuno began to talk every protest was drowned in awe. Even Ryoma who was only able to understand half of what she was saying, was amazed by her performance. Not only her knowledge but also the way she speaks and entertains made the clients almost agree into anything she says.
Three hours, they stood in front for discussion. In that span of time, Ryoma watched her closely as she shifted her weight painfully from one foot to the other. When the meeting concluded successfully, the clients left the room.
"Told you it would be alright," she said with a weakening smile.
He was immediately at her side when she fainted. "You're trying too hard," he carefully carried her to the nearest couch. His amber eyes gazed at her beautiful face for a while.
"Ryoma-kun…" he jerked his head back… it was only then did he realize that he was about to kiss her. She was still sleeping, apparently. His signature smirk made its way to his face as he heard her call him again… the way she used to so long ago.
Little Falcon: Read and review please…