Disclaimer: Nothing in POT belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination.
Thanks to .com for all the relevant information.
CAUTION: Some plotlines won't be following the original storyline from manga, anime or movie! Characters may be out of original characterness!
"xxxxx" Conversation
'xxxxx' Thoughts
xxxxxxxFlashback
Hope, Love, Joy
13. The Permission
The first obstacle was of course the dragon lady guarding his princess. He had to get through her before he could proceed further to woo the heart of his fair lady.
It was a Friday. He had come to Seishun Middle School on the pretense of asking Seigaku Tennis Club for a joint practice session the following weekend. Once he had settled all the details with Tezuka Kunimitsu and the coach, Ryuzaki Sumire, he patiently hand around and made long-winded small talk. It wasn't long before Tezuka left Ryuzaki-sensei's office with an exasperated face. He immediately, moved in for the kill.
"Ryuzaki-sensei, I like Sakuno-chan a lot and I hope she would go out with me. Please, may I have your permission to woo and date your grand-daughter?"
She looked at him with her usual stern gaze and said, "She still likes Ryoma."
He smiled knowingly, "I know that already, Sensei. My feelings remain unchanged. I hope to pursue her and show her that she deserves someone who loves her for herself. In time I hope she comes to love me."
Silence befell them as they took turns sipping their hot green tea. He could see she was thinking about her grand-daughter. Finally she put down her tea cup and crossed her arms.
"You have my permission."
With an elated heart, he bowed and thanked her, "Arigatou, Sensei."
"However, I have certain conditions."
"Yes, Sensei?"
"You have to get my permission any time you invite her out on a date or for whatever."
"Hai!"
"You have to bring her back safe and sound by midnight."
"Hai!"
"You have to treat her with respect and courtesy at all times."
"Hai!"
She leaned closer and he felt the room temperature dropped. "If you hurt her in any way, I'll make sure you wish you were never born. Understand?"
He nodded numbly. With that, he was cleared to begin his pursuit.
14. The Pursuit – Part 1
Sakuno was talking animatedly with her best friend Tomoka-chan when the small crowd of female students blocked their path toward the school gates.
"What's going on?" her friend cried loudly and ran over to investigate.
"Tomo-chan!" Sakuno called after her friend but she was ignored.
"Sakuno! Come and see!" Tomo-chan waved her over. She pushed her way through the crowd of chattering girls and came to stand next to her friend.
"Look! It's the Rikkai Middle School tennis club captain. Yukimura Seiichi is here." Tomo-chan exclaimed with glee. The other girls around her heard her words and the volume of their chattering increased further. "He's so handsome." "Why is he here?" "Is he waiting for someone?" "I wish he's waiting for me." "Maybe I should go up to talk to him?" "I want a boyfriend like him."
She was stunned to see the slender built figure leaning casually against the wall next to the gate. His tennis bag was next to his feet and his tennis club jersey hang over his shoulders. All that was missing was the green headband holding back his longish bangs. No wonder the girls were so excited. He definitely exuded the aura of a bishounen.
The chattering stopped when he looked up and grinned. Everyone held their breath as he sling his tennis bag over a shoulder and walked over toward the crowd. Eyes widened in surprise when he stopped in front of a brunette and greeted her, "Konnichiwa, Sakuno-chan. I was waiting for you."
"Yukimura-kun, what are you doing here?" Curiosity shone from her eyes.
He ignored her question to ask "Are you free this afternoon?"
"Hai. I've just finish tennis club practices. Why..." She was cut off when he suddenly grabbed one of her wrist and led her away from the curious crowd and the school.
"Yu..Yukimura-kun! Wait! Slow down!" She was struggling to follow his quick steps. He slowed down his pace when they were finally far away from Seigaku.
"Sorry, Sakuno-chan. I just wanted to get away from your school-mates."
"That's fine. Demo, why are you here, Yukimura-kun?"
"I'm here to go on a date with the girl that I like."
"EH?" He chucked at her large doe eyes staring at him.
"You came all the way from Kanagawa just..."
"Just for you, Sakuno-chan."
"What about your tennis club?"
"Sanada and Renji are taking care of it. Let's not talk about tennis now."
"Demo..."
"Let's go and have some fun instead, Sakuno-chan." His demure smile turned a bit devilish as he tugged her hand toward his destination.
15. The Pursuit – Part 2
Seiichi grinned widely when the girl sitting beside him screamed loudly as the roller coaster car they were riding in speed through the winding, twisting and looping tracks. The wind rushed past him and her as the car made the final twist toward the end of the tracks.
When they exited the car, Sakuno was holding on to his arms. Her knees were still trembling from the fear and excitement of their roller coaster ride.
"Daijobu?" He asked with concern.
"Ha..Hai demo I think I'll have a break for now."
He led her toward a small cafe opposite the roller coaster ride and seated her at an empty table, "I'll get us a drink and some snacks. What would you like to have, Sakuno-chan?"
"Tea, please."
"Alright, please wait for me."
He queued for a couple of minutes and bought 2 hot teas and a plate of sandwiches. While he was walking back to their table, he noticed another guy standing next to her.
"I don't mind keeping you company especially a lonely beauty like you." The guy was eyeing Sakuno with over-friendly eyes.
"I've told you already I wasn't alone," she squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, "my friend is inside ordering some food."
"In that case, can I join you two girls? I'm sure your girlfriend doesn't mind." The guy got ready to pull out the other chair next to Sakuno so Yukimura knew he had to intervene now.
He walked over quickly and placed the tray of food on the table in front of Sakuno. He stood stiffly and glared heatedly at the guy, "Who gave you permission to talk to my girlfriend, huh?"
The guy gulped and stepped back, "Ano, sorry. I see she's with her boyfriend." He was quick to disappear.
"Thank you Yukimura-kun. He had been pestering me since you went into the cafe."
"I'm just glad you're fine."
"Ano, Yukimura-kun, why did you tell him you are my boyfriend?"
"Because it's the truth."
"Nani? But..."
"Remember what I've told you before, Sakuno-chan? I don't give up easily and I hope you will allow me to show you how precious you are to me."
He was satisfied to see her cheeks turned pink and her eyes looked away shyly.
"Let's finish our food and enjoy the rest of the rides in this amusement park."
"Hai!"
It was about nine in the evening by the time he walked her back to her house.
"Oh no! I forgot to call up Obasan that I'd be late."
"Don't worry! She knows."
"Huh?"
"I promised her I'd talk to her before taking you out on any dates. I called her before I went to Seigaku to see you. She knows I'm taking you to the park."
"You talked to Obaasan about you...me...Eh?" Her shocked expression made her looked even cuter, so he couldn't resist cupping her cheeks in his hands.
"So now you know how serious I am about you, Sakuno-chan. We'll have more lovely days ahead like today. I promise you that."
Then he leaned closer to place a lingering kiss on her forehead. He enjoyed the strawberry scent in her hair for a short moment before pulling away.
"Oyasumi, Sakuno-chan and have pleasant dreams."
"Ah." She stared at him, lost for words as he walked away.
He walked into the night with a satisfied grin. 'Well, today was a success thanks to Sanada and Renji. Now my next step is..'
To Be Continued …
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