Chapter 25: Chipping the Ice
Little Falcon: yes, yes, I know I've been gone a long time. Trust me, it wasn't easy getting back to writing especially when you've experienced the greatest writer's block in my whole writing career so far. Anyway, I'm back and I pray that you guys still want an update from me.
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
Her hands were pathetically trembling as she put on her skating costume. By the time she had finished changing; her breaths came in short, ragged heaves. A face so pale, it was almost out of color, looked back at her from the large mirror mounted on the wall. Everything was going so well a while ago… why did this… a loud knock on the door startled her.
"Time to shine, my little star," her manager's enthusiastic tone was heard from the other side. Obviously, his little star decided to keep her mouth shut regarding her dire need for the cash prize. It was a logical move- he can do nothing to alleviate the situation PLUS he'll just put her on some unnecessary pressure that, he thinks, is helpful.
His unwavering confidence in her is somehow comforting. "I'll be right there," her steady hand reached for the white and blue glittered mask that'll cover the upper half of her face during her routine. After some final touches, the figure skater stepped out of the dressing room.
The blinding spot lights around the rink and the deafening noise of the crowd momentarily paralyzed her as soon as her skates touched the ice. "Hey Sakuno, what's wrong?" Her manager's concerned inquiry snapped her out of it.
Shaking her head roughly, she reassured him with a dry smile. "Nothing. Everything's gonna be okay," those words were actually to convince herself than other people. Standing in front of the scrupulous eyes of the judges and the unpredictable audience, her stunning sky colored tennis inspired costume and her long twin braids already gave a roaring statement that silenced the public for a quick second that is until her music began playing.
Because the rules are completely bent, her music was the complete opposite of classical. It was lively and upbeat much to everyone astonishment. Just like any routine she does, Sakuno cleared her head of everything except her music then her skates began to weave the ice.
The initial bafflement she cast was instantly overthrown by her jaw-dropping performance. With every elegant spin and turn, it looks as if she was receiving a ball with her equally invisible racket. Those perfect jumps and lutzes seemed like she was delivering a hard smash on her opponent. Suddenly, the freezing rink somehow became a dusty court. In a heartbeat, the audience was watching a whole new different sport.
As her music was closing to the end, she took off to deliver the hardest jump. One, two, three… That's three consecutive rotations… a triple lutz. But as her blade touched the rink, her knee felt like it had lost all its strength which made her struggle for balance at the very last note of her piece.
A united disappointed cry resounded from the audience but it was nothing compared to the crushing frustration the figure skater felt as she made her final bow before the spotlight lose its focus on her.
"Sakuno, you did well. Don't worry about it," those empty encouragements fell on deaf ears as she walked through everyone without meeting anyone's gaze. Sad, it was almost perfect. If only you decided to let go of your racket for only one day…
Based from what the other skaters before her, Sakuno had a pretty good position earning an award but anything aside from the gold was worthless to her now. Who wants an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii or some hi-end appliance when all she needed was that prize money… not for her future… but for somebody's life.
As soon as she was out of the ice, she hurried to change and ran out of the stadium even before the competition ended. There has to be a way to get that money! I can use my entire savings… it would be enough for a down payment. Her thoughts ran wild as she choked back her tears while running back to the hospital.
One jump! Just one last jump! Everything would've turned out well if I had just made that one! Biting her lower lip roughly, her shaking hand reached for the door knob only to find the room empty. The bed was unoccupied and almost waiting for another patient.
Her tears hit the white floor simultaneously as she approached the bed where she saw Tsubaki was lying on just hours ago. Despite the air her lungs dragged in, she didn't feel she was breathing. Her heart shattered at every beat. Disappointment, loss, hatred, despair… suffocated her morality.
What did I ever do to you? From the very beginning, you never showed favor for me. When I finally found the strength to stand on my own, you push me down. Is this your idea of telling me I'm not allowed to even THINK I can have everything? She blamed her fate… her life and whatever higher power that was listening to her at that moment.
A nurse entered the room without even knocking. She almost jumped back upon seeing another person in the room. "Oh my goodness, you surprised me. You must be her relative…"
"What time did she…" expire –somehow even using that clinical term didn't make less painful to utter.
"An hour ago…" she checked the metal chart on her arms. "She's still in the operating room. I'm afraid cardiac surgeries do take a while,"
It was as if everything paused for a moment before she raised her head to clarify. "What did you say?"
"The doctors are still operating the patient… Mrs. Shingujii Tsubaki…"
"How? Who…" She wasn't even done stuttering her many questions when the complete reply stepped inside the room. Judging this as a private moment, the nurse quietly left the two alone and closed the door behind her.
Did you ever had that dream where you run ceaselessly forward in a dark tunnel for what seemed like hours; all hope slowly seeping away from your body with every step through the unknown; and when you were in that moment of taking your last step before stopping you see a sliver of light somewhere- restoring every bit of hope you lost… Sakuno felt the same… only a hundred times better.
His amber eyes softened upon meeting her reluctant gaze. Without reservation, he crossed the distance in between them, reached out to caress her wet cheeks and wipe her tears away with his kisses.
Sakuno almost jumped back upon feeling his warm touch, still trying to think that he was somehow unreal but the moment his lips gently brushed against her tears, she clung to him and cried openly… for a different reason this time.
Saved. One word that ultimately defines this event for her. It was as if someone was testing her limits before sending him… the only help she needed from the very beginning. The way he came to be here at this place in at this time was something she didn't bother to ask… what's important is he's here.
****An hour ago****
Almost all the tennis courts were empty, except for one. As the lampposts lit up around the area, the sunlight slowly faded in the horizon yet here he was, still standing in the middle of the court he last saw her in.
His team left earlier and so did the others. The thing is… he wanted to look for her but didn't know where to start. Am I really this clueless about her? Did I even have the right to call her mine when I don't know a thing about her? All this time… she was carrying such a burden. How will I even face her IF I find her?
For he first time in his life, he had no idea of what to do. Unknown to all, Echizen Ryoma always had a Plan B for almost everything that might happen- from the expected outcome down to the worst case scenario. It was something that made him unconsciously arrogant but definitely always ready. But nothing could've prepared him for this…
"Echizen-san?" A familiar voice called from a distance.
His brows furrowed at the sight of an old lady on the other side of the fence. It was a face he knew he's seen before but he was having a difficulty remembering where considering that his mind was barely cooperating.
"I'm Mayumi-san… a maid in Tsubaki-sama's mansion," recognizing his unsaid uncertainty, she introduced herself with a slight bow as the Seigaku prince approached. "Have you seen Sakuno-sama here? She was with me a moment ago but then…"
"Wait, why are you here? And why was she with you?" For some unknown reason, his insides churned uncomfortably as if he just stepped out of a thrill ride. Something was absolutely wrong, his instincts warned.
In more or less one minute, the anxious maid told him about Tsubaki's condition and how Sakuno stepped into the picture. "When she said she'll have the money in two hours, I felt uneasy but I didn't know where to look for her," with her age, her body was already trembling in fatigue as she fought for every breath.
"Take me to where Tsubaki is," Ryoma grabbed her shoulders and looked at her in the eyes. Clearly, he wouldn't take no for an answer.
A very frantic nurse met them halfway down the corridor that led to her mistress' room. "Mayumi-san, where have you been? Is Sakuno-san here?"
"Why? What's wrong?" They caught a glimpse of doctors barging into a certain room.
"It's Tsubaki-sama! She's in critical condition. We need to operate on her NOW,"
"B…but we don't have the money. Sakuno-sama will be back in an hour! Can't you operate on her even if…"
"DO IT!" The two ladies turned their sights on him. "I'll pay for the entire operation,"
"But Echizen-san…"
"Just let me make a quick call and the money will be wired instantly," his tone demanded results which made the nurse dash out of sight to deliver the news to the surgeons who were also anxious for the approval.
*** End of Flashback***
"She's gonna be in there for a while but the doctors said the worst is over," Ryoma also somehow felt relieved the moment she was in his arms again. Although seeing her completely independent is really amazing, having her crying in his arms felt somewhat… right. It gave him proof… that she still needs him in her life regardless of that strong personality she has developed in his absence.
"Arigato gozaimasu (Thank you so much)," again and again, she muttered against his chest as her tears gradually stopped building. It wasn't just a show of gratitude for this moment alone… but for everything… his patience, his understanding… and for simply existing.
When things finally calmed down, they took a step outside the hospital after hearing that the operation was a success. Tsubaki is now to spend a couple more hours in the recovery room under the watchful eye of the experts before being transferred back to her room.
Her chest felt light not only because everything turned out fine but also because Ryomaknew almost everything she needed to say. As he was getting them both a cup of coffee, the cellphone in her pocket rang.
Nonchalantly, she received the call. It was her manager on the other line… and the news that came after was another surprise she never thought possible.
"Something wrong?" He saw her body stiffen upon answering the phone. When she wheeled around, there was a conniving smirk on her lips that made him curious.
"Come with me," she took the two coffee-filled cups in his hands and set them on the bench and pulled him towards a waiting cab in the corner.
His brow arched in question as they stood in front of a crowded stadium. Sakuno wasn't a girl who would leave the Tsubaki's side right after a major operation, just to watch some game or concert.
"Finally! You're here!" A man in a crisp suit walked towards them but his eyes were on her. As he grew closer, Ryoma recognized him being the out-of-place man watching one of his games… the sleek suit was a dead give-away.
"Ryoma-kun… this is Mr. Sakaki, my manager,"
"I'll take it from here, Sakuno. They're waiting for you," Mr. Sakaki pried her arms away from Ryoma's and gently pushed her inside. As soon as she was out of sight, he turned to him. "So she finally had the courage to tell you," sighed the manager before leading the way inside.
"Sakaki? How are you related to Atobe's coach?" He just had to ask although the haughty atmosphere and the signature attire is more than enough reply.
"He's my brother. He decided to take coach tennis and I chose a cooler sport…" The prince's next obvious inquiry was answered by the enormous skating rink nested at the very heart of the stadium surrounded by hundreds of spectators.
They kept walking until they were so close to the ice, their breaths came in visible puffs. Mr. Sakaki cocked his head towards the figure skater wearing an outfit almost the same as Seigaku's tennis uniform, having her hair in long twin braids… standing on top of the number one pedestal. "If the standard grading system was applied, she wouldn't be in 1st place but this time the rules were twisted and the rewards are great," the lack of response from his companion made him steal a glance. "You must be very proud,"
The look of utter astonishment mixed with overwhelming affection was so drawn on his handsome face he didn't have to say a word. I am… I am…
Little Falcon: Guys, a few more chapters before the end so please read and review, okay?