Thank you for bearing with me so far! LOL. Special hugs to those who let me know of their presence by reviewing, following, fav'ing, and C2ing the story.
And I apologize for taking so long these past few chapters. (ToT) I admit I could've updated a little faster. It's just that I was hoping that the half of the number of active readers that disappeared on me the past chaps were just busy with school and thus I dragged a few updates. But seeing as most of them probably wouldn't return anymore, it may be depressing, but I have you angels with me to get me updating anyway.
Btw, I do understand if people quit the story… it's just that… please don't leave me hanging and tell me why before going away. ^^
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the start of the new story arc. ;) And please don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts.
DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Prince of Tennis
…
CHAPTER XX: Decision
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Then the woman who was walking back and forth in annoyance finally stopped and whipped her head to the direction of her companions, who were sitting still in seiza.
"Mou—I'm so disappointed in you two!" With matching reddening face which was actually a mix of annoyance and a blush.
"I can't believe this!" She finally yelled, and then nagged and nagged while the other two kids remained silent and tried to contain the utter embarrassment they were feeling. Of course, they felt awkward after everything, but they willed themselves to calm.
Until, finally, Rinko got tired, fell on a poor random chair on her path, and slumped back. She closed her eyes and palmed her face. "I can't believe Nanjiroh was right about this."
Well, that caught the two's attention. Rinko realized what she blurted out and looked at the two kids.
Nanjiroh was right?
They all cringed at the thought.
"What do you mean, Rinko-baasan." Seichi asked not liking that thought at all and Ryoma couldn't speak due to the utter blasphemy of the statement. Rinko didn't either, but she sighed heavily and decided to suck it up.
"Well..., kids." She paused. "He kind of foreseen this happen."
Silence
And they cringed again. Even Rinko was and she shook her head in distaste. "To think he'd be smarter than us at this." She looked away and whispered: "I still can't believe I lost that bet to him."
"Bet?"
"Yes, what bet?" Ryoma said as she patted the newly arrived Karupin. The feline woke up from all the shouting and entered the open door.
Rinko stared for a few long seconds. "Well…," She paused. "Hmn. As a disclaimer I did what I could to make what you two would want to happen. You just went and did something rendering me unable to do anything else about it."
"What do you mean, kaa-san?"
"Well…" Rinko sweat-dropped and looked away again. "Nanjiroh…. kinda agreed on putting off the plans of your transfer given you wouldn't do anything like this…" She said just before stepping back in foresight.
"WHAT?" Seichi exclaimed as he stood up by reflex. Ryoma slumped back in shock of the news. And Rinko stepped back again for safety.
"That's not fair, baasan!" Seichi said and stepped closer, willing himself to be as composed as possible. "Rinko-baasan. Surely, there are better ways—"
He was cut off by Rinko raising her hand to make him freeze in place. She shook her head and walked passed him to stand by her already frozen daughter. The kids stared at Rinko as she leaned down and extended her hand to cup her daughter's cheek. Her hand soon ended up on her collar and quickly bent it—effectively revealing the marks Seichi left there.
"Ah, the mark of possession." The two kids blushed and Ryoma quickly turned away. Rinko let out a deep breath. "Surely there shouldn't be any harm in you two being apart for most part of a few years? It's not like you're never going to see each other at that time."
"Only a few years?" Seichi repeated in distaste, his voice cracking. "There can be compromises made in this yes?"
"The answer is no. Besides Nanjiroh already planned it the moment we announced the engagement."
"I-I refuse." Ryoma was finally able to speak and Rinko turned to her and gave her a light smile.
"Not really our choice, dear. Besides, you have to understand your father as well."
"But—"
"No."
"Rinko-baasan."
"No."
Riiiiiiiiiing
The three stared at each other, and then at whatever intervened with their sort-of civil conversation. The two kids gulped as Rinko help up her phone and pressed loudspeaker. "Moshi Moshi?" she said and a very familiar voice immediately boomed across the room. It was much more intimidating than they remembered.
"Yo, Hon."
"Nanjiroh." Rinko said, gesturing the two kids to sit on the carpet along with her. It should help restrict some movement and keep things down. "What is it?"
"When are you two going to move here, hmn?"
Rinko did not answer, and he continued, misunderstanding the silence. "I'm telling you, Rinko, those two will do something disconcerting soon!"
RInko stared at the two kids who gulped and stared at her in a way that made her feel her bones were being melted. Regardless, in the end, she let out a sigh. "What if I told you… they already have." She said and the two kids turned several shades of red.
And as expected, a resonating "WHAT?!" was heard from the phone afterwards. The yell was so loud Ryoma's ears rang. The man's increasingly squeaky voice was not helping. "They, What?"
"Do I have to repeat it?"
"M—NO!" He yelled before a loud exasperated sigh was heard. "Okay. I'm taking my baby home now."
It was then that Ryoma stood up as well and grabbed the phone. "T-Tousan. W-we weren't going far! It was just a kiss." She heard a scoff.
"Just a kiss? Next time I'll hear you 'it's just sex' like other children nowadays!" He said, and Ryoma could faintly hear the engine of a car staring on the background.
"WHAT?" Ryoma yelled and Seichi looked like he was going to faint. "I will not."
But the phone was already dead. They looked at each other. Ryoma looked at her mother. "He's coming." She said and she stared at Seichi who only palmed his head, looking quite pale.
"It was not easy to be nagged about this by him." Was the only thing he could say at the moment. He wanted to say a lot of things, but it was hard to articulate at the moment.
Rinko patted his back. "Believe it or not, Nanjiroh and I were virgins until our honeymoon."
"…that's hard to believe."
"Well in any case, I had a feeling you two were going to stop before going too… deep, yes?" Rinko said. "I guess I'll try to compromise. You two better behave and show him you deserve to live together before marriage.
"Is that understood?"
And they nodded.
…
A few hours later, on a street in Kanagawa, a certain stoic fukubuchou was walking to his home. He just hit countless walls with countless tennis balls—hoping that perhaps his inner turmoil would resonate away from him along with their impact.
But there was no use.
His insides were being unbearably heavy.
But as he walked blankly, his ears registered supposedly banal sounds. It was only when a car was nearing him did he take it into consideration. He looked beside him. He was on the safe side of the road so there wasn't any worry.
Then he heard a 'meow'.
He whipped his head and there it was—a feline with ebony black hair strolling in the middle of the road. Or more specifically, in the middle of the he road that an illegally speeding car was using.
Sanada quickly shook off his reverie and jumped in to grab the cat. He used all of his instincts, no longer thinking, and ran as far away from the danger as possible with the black cat. His ears ringing with the terrible sound of the car's tires screeching to a stop. His brain even registered onomatopoeias.
Screeeeeeeccchh
His brain said, and soon it stopped. And soon, he started regaining his tactile sense…, including the feeling of the cat's thick fur.
"Meow."
Sanada opened his eyes. He looked around and saw he and the cat was unharmed. He sighed in relief and looked at the cat, "If I got into an accident too, I may understand how other cultures see you as bad luck."
"Oi gaki! Are you alright?!" He turned to see where it came from, looking as if he didn't just come out of a near-death experience. The driver of the car was standing by his door, soon closing it so that he could check up on him. It was an odd man with familiar orbs—actually he looked pretty familiar himself—and he was looking at him with anxiety and impatience.
"I am, sir." He said reassuredly, obviously the man was in a rush. "Both of us are unharmed."
"Y'sure?"
"Yes."
"Good!" The man lightened up and ran to his car. He rolled down his window and smiled at him. " Ja." And then held onto his wheel. "Be sure not to jump in the middle of the road next time."
"H-Hai."
And he went away.
…
"Tadaima." Sanada said as he entered his home, and blankly left his shoe where they always rest, and put his bag by it. "Welcome back" a meek voice from a room said and he knew it was his grandmother. He turned back to close the door when something blocked its stile. He blinked.
"Meow."
He blinked again. It was that black cat and it seemed to have followed him home.
For a long moment there, he mused of what to do. It was taking him long—that cat staring at him reminded him slightly of Ryoma. Actually, many things reminded him of the girl… and a cat was no different, it seemed.
He almost shooed it away when his grandmother walked to the corridor. "Is that a cat?" The woman said stating the obvious, gentle features emanated from her face. She was wearing her favourite Yukata, Sanada noted.
His grandmother walked to him and lifted the cat to her level. "Oh my, how adorable."
"It followed me home."
"She," His grandmother repeated. "will stay."
"…" He didn't have any problems really, but wasn't this a bit too impulsive? "Are you sure obaa-sama?"
"Of course~" She smiled. "And look, she's pregnant. She'll need a home."
He blinked. "Pregnant?" He looked and realized it was true. Heck—he didn't know how he could miss it.
"Are you sure no one owns her?"
"Hai~ No collar!"
"Grandmother…"
"It's fine it's fine~ If someone looks for her, we'll return her. Simple."
"It might scratch you…"
"I've handled countless cats as a child son, don't worry."
"A-Ah…" He looked around, knowing he had no say in this. "Is grandfather home?"
"He's resting behind." She said and looked at the cat calling her 'Yuki' or snow. She smirked. "Now go greet him as I take Snow-chan here to a bath."
And Sanada wondered if it was horror he saw in that cat's face.
…
YUKIMURA RESIDENCE
A few hours prior, Rinko left the two kids alone… knowing they wouldn't dare do anything else. "I'll be going downstairs now." Rinko announced, and closed the door.
Ryoma's eyes, before going to her fiance's direction, caught Karupin just sitting there staring at her and meowed. She smiled and was about to pat his head when she heard a thump on her right.
She looked at Seichi. He just hit the table with his palm before dropping down on his chair. "This is all my fault."
She let out a soft frown before walking to him and holding his slumped shoulder. "Seichi…"
He turned to look at her and she flinched. "How could you be so calm?" He asked and she stared.
"Well, for one you're doing all the fretting for me."
"That's not enough."He said and fully faced her as he still sat on his chair. "Are you fine with this arrangement?"
She blinked. She was, wasn't she? "Hai." She answered honestly. "It's not like we're forbidden to see each other in that time period. Besides, we're in no rush. We'll get married eventually, won't we?"
"That wasn't the point though." He said and his hand ended up behind her back and he brought her closer. Ryoma looked at him as he was tilting his head up to look at her. She found herself gulping some air as she stared at him. She realized that his eyes… they were full of worry, anxiety, and sadness.
"You don't understand, Ryoma." He said, before tilting his head back down and resting his head on her collar area. "All these years… I refused to look at you. I pushed you away. I refused to acknowledge my feelings for you." Her eyes widened and he continued, his embrace was only tightening.
"And now I could finally be with you without putting up anything—you get taken away from me."
Ryoma's eyes softened and she patted his head. He embraced her harder. "I don't want that." He said.
"And I'll do what I can to make this right."
Nanjiroh sat seriously in front of the two kids. They were in the process of convincing him to give them another chance. Karupin was on the mezzanine, watching everyone lazily as he ate his snack.
Ryoma stole a glance of her fiancé. In reality, she was truly fine with the arrangement. She knew there wouldn't be much harm. They weren't in a rush, and she believed they had forever to make up for the time they lost. But… that determination in his eyes made her admire him even more.
Her eyes softened and her heart fluttered as she recalled what he said right after the announcement of Nanjiroh's arrival. She took a peek of Seichi once more. She didn't realize how unfair it was for him, and as he blamed himself... taking responsibility was on his back as well.
She looked back at the authority figure of the moment. Her father was still wearing his usual stupid attire but he assumed that air of power he rarely showed. That moment, she knew it would be hard to persuade him.
And just like that—Seichi stood up abruptly and it caught them all by surprise. She could only watch idly as he walked to her father and lowered his head.
"Please don't take her away from me."
But Nanjiroh did not budge. "You sound like I'm cancelling the engagement. I'm not."
Seichi lifted his head slightly, albeit that gesture of respect was still evident. For a moment, Ryoma wanted to stand up and support him but she went against it. This was something Seichi thought he should do himself… and a part of her agreed.
"I know that, Nanjiroh-san. But as I am now, I need you daughter by my side. I promise not to succumb to my hormones any more."
"Do you think that would convince me?"
"Yes. I cannot think of any reason why it wouldn't."
"Haughty brat."
"Yes. But my haughtiness would be proof of never breaking that promise. I shall take pride on the fact that—no matter how attractive Reina is, and will be—I will not succumb to the temptation of doing anything improper with her."
"Hmn…" Nanjiroh uttered before looking at Ryoma's direction. "What about you, Reina?"
"I believe in Seichi, father. Our relationship is much more than that." She said. "It is also unfair for everyone in the team."
"I was from Seigaku y'know. They could use someone like you to finally win." He replied. "I hear they always get the place after Rikkaidai."
"…"
"It'll be fun. Engaged couple having a tennis match in the national finals."
"A tennis match on the same team sounds better." Seichi nodded.
"I can play tennis with her everyday if you don't make her transfer."
"Father, you should know how prideful the Yukimura's are. Please reconsider." Ryoma said and stood beside Seichi and lowered her head as well. Nanjiroh's eyes widened and Rinko smiled.
Seichi looked at her in bewilderment before finding a smile on his face. He held her hand before he looked at Nanjiroh with added determination in his eyes. "I am in love with your daughter—much deeper than any words could show. I don't think I'll be able to handle separation of that duration."
He looked at Ryoma who had then lifted her head and looked at him. He smiled at her before looking at Nanjiroh once more, this time showing veneration in his eyes. "Please have mercy."
It was then that Rinko walked behind her husband and massaged his head. She leaned down. "Yes, have mercy on the kids, Nanjiroh."
"O-One month." Rinko's hand then moved to the back of his head before stopping.
"Yes?"
Nanjiroh gulped and whipped his head back to look at the two kids. "You'll be an exchange student. Just so you still get punished. Is that understood?"
"Yes!"
"You'd be leaving in 3 days, Reina. Be sure to tell your friends from school you'd be gone for a month." He said.
"Yes…"
And there was silence. An awkward one, before Nanjiroh blushed and looked at the two kids.
"Now, go somewhere else kids."
"…ah."
Ryoma and Seichi didn't know why they had goosebumps.
…
Ryoma and Seichi was walking to the greenhouse, with their hands entwined. They were silent until they were nearly there.
"Thank you. Our one or two years got decreased to a month." Ryoma finally said without looking at him. She smiled and then turned to see he was still tense.
"I would love to tease you." She stated, making him finally look at her. Ryoma smirked, but that loving blush on her face was obvious. "But if I did… your face was explode."
Seichi's eyes widened and he blushed several shades of red. He looked away before chuckling the tension out. "Darn you."
And he playfully dragged her to the garden.
…
"Seichi…" Ryoma said as he handed her one of the carnation's flowers. A red one. "What does this mean?"
They were inside the greenhouse that night. The lighting was planned out well, and the garden looked just as wonderful at night… albeit in a different way.
"It means deep romantic love. Passion. That my heart aches for you." He smiled. "Sappy, isn't it? That's why I prefer to just give flowers to you." She flushed and he watched her reddening face in amusement. "You shouldn't have asked."
She agreed.
Seichi looked at another plant and picked out a flower, it was new... Ryoma wondered why. "I wish I could send this to the sky."
"What's it called?" She asked and held one of its soft petals.
"Canterbury bells. It was delivered this morning when we were at school."
"You know what it means?"
"…no."
"Gratitude."
"Oh?"
"Uh-huh." He said and looked at her before finally leaning down. Ryoma's eyes widened and she instinctively put her hand on her shoulder, and his hand was again behind her back pulling her closer.
"S-Seichi…"
"I'm thankful you're here with me." Kiss
"I'm thankful you're staying with me." Kiss
"And I'm thankful it's you."
Ryoma was then very red and she was just staring at him. Seichi smiled. "Oh." He added before kissing her again. "I've decided to." Kiss
"Give you." Kiss
"Something to." Kiss
"Remember for a month."
And then his hand slithered to her back and brought her closer to him. Her hand massaged his head to let them do something. She thought she'd explode if she remained still.
The kiss, in turn, went deeper, and finally—they had to separate for breath. They looked into each other's eyes.
But then, Ryoma smirked and pulled him in for a short, yet still intimate, kiss.
His eyes widened at the bold move, and she smirked. "You forget the 3 days."
And they could only chuckle.
.
.
End of Chapter XX
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER XXI: Packing
REPLIES TO ANGELS
ChocoMickey- Hahahah. Now we know what to do once we start dating? :3 hahahahah. And sorry for the late update! Thanks for the comment~ xD
Shanagi95- I agree. xD So Un-Ryoma-like right? xD I'll dwell more on that, I guess, we still have a long way to go anyway. You can say atm she's still a little apathetic of being the boss. Thanks for the review! ;)
Natasya Ivashkov- lol. Betting is the root of many conflicts! Hahah. And hihihi~ Hot chapter. XD I dunno when I can write something like that again though. I needed to maintain the T rating lol. Thanks for the comment~!
Snowpuppy- That question shall be answered in this chapter. Ahahahaha~ And I'm glad you like it so far~! I'll try to keep it up, and thank you for the review. xD
BrokenBlackCat- hahaha. Indeed! But hormones can be troublesome for people, but fun to watch for others. LOL. Hahaha. And I would draw that scene if my parents wouldn't kill me. xD Thanks for the comment btw~
Yuki Masaharu- *Stares terrifying at you* C'mon we need some conflict! Hahahahah. Besides, they'll be fine~xD thanks for the review btw! Haha
JuRy28- Indeed, it have been a while…! xD I'm here now. ;) And thank you for the review and I'm glad you liked the update~!
MintLeafeon-Another one I have to fear! Hahahaha. But c'mon. Conflict is conflict. Besides, they'll be fine~! xDD Thanks for the comment. xD
FranscoiseLaraLapis-Maybe, maybe not lol. And yeah! I apologize that I keep making them encounter problems. xD Ohhh~ the problems non-Pillar pair type of couples have lol.
Ichigosberrymix- Yo! First off did you change your penname? I was rechecking/rereading reviews and I found a certain angel missing. xD And unfortunately, I can't write anything beyond T-rated LOL. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. xD Oh, and Ryoga will appear… soon. :3 haha. Thanks for the review~!
o0Violetphoenix0o- Hahaha. The held-back hormones—they're insane…! Rinko bet since she didn't think she'd lose. xD Poor optimistic woman. Lol. And glad you find my writing fabulous and I will try to keep it up. Thanks for the review~
JigokuTenshi834- Oh no, that's illegal. And there're too many fangirls who will go insane. Hahaha~ But then again…. (I'm kidding. xD) Thanks for the comment~
Deadlycute17- Oh lololol. Yes, yes they are in big trouble. Fufufu~ I'm very happy you though it was amazing and thank you for the review~! ;)
Guest [5/27/13] – Yes, and I always am writing~! xD Thank you for the comment. ;)
Clavemien Nigram Rosa- Yay~ Sensual pair banzaiii. xD And whoa! A trip without internet?! How was it?! xD Oh, and thank you for the review. Hahaha
DigimonLoveForever-Yeah~ I'll try to fabricate a good ending for Sanada. xD And no, not yet~ Or maybe… Who knooows?! Hahahah. And thanks for the review. ;)
xDarkxKurokox- Moe flowers banzaiii~ hahaha. And okay Kabayan! Sayu na si Sanada! LOL. And hopefully whatever good you smell will materialize…somehow. *cackles* Thanks for the review~
justgowithit5631- Thank you for the review~ And yay! Glad you feel that way. xD And about Sanada, I'm planning something for him atm. xD And I would love to see you in my other stories, too! *giggly*
silverscribbles- (ch9) I hope you reached this chapter. Hahaha. And thanks for the review! So glad you found them funny. Hihihih~
Kagehana. Tsukio- Ahaha. Gomen gomen. I updated now, see!? xD Hope the wait was worth it and thanks for the comment~ lol
…
Thank you for reading~!
Hope you liked it! But whatever you thought, do let me know them. :)