CHAPTER 18
They had both got to the Tezuka household and when Ryoma first set eyes on Kunikazu he abandoned Mitsu's side and ran to give the man a hug. He was standing outside the front door with the fishing rods and all the equipment they needed.
They where about to leave when Kunikazu said he phoned a friend up and so they where having two more joining them. Mitsu could guess straight away who it was and Ryoma spent his time trying to look over the wall into there next door neighbours back garden. It was then they heard a voice calling.
"So Ryoma how long have you been in Japan without telling me?" The three of them all turned round and saw a bald old man with a long white beard around the same age as Kunikazu. There was also a person around Kunimitsu's age wearing a cap and a blank expression on his face.
"Emon." Ryoma shouted as he launched at the old guy. Gen'emon was one of Kunikazu's best friends and rival. They always played Shogi together and so far it was 99 wins and 99 losses each. Ryoma was busy hugging the mans waist to see the older Tezuka smile at the sight while the two teens just watched with mild interest.
"Alright Ryoma, I would like you to meet my grandson Genichiro Sanada." Ryoma looked at the taller guy. The cat decided he was safer with the other three. "Gen this is Ryoma the boy we found in America."
Genichiro looked this boy up and down finding him strange. He had heard from his grandfather when he went to the US to follow a lead there from the case of the disappearing orphans. His grandfather along with Kunikazu had come back to Japan only 2 months ago and he had heard that they found a survivor call Ryoma. Finally seeing this boy he saw how withdrawn he really was. It may of looked like he was slightly outgoing with the way he just greeted his grandfather but you could tell that when he saw someone he wasn't familiar with he would go into a slightly defencive stance. He took note of the hood and type of clothes the boy was wearing and decided to just keep comments to himself for now. He wouldn't admit it and defiantly not out loud but the boy had the most strangest eyes he had ever seen.
They all made there way to the river bank which was about a 10 minute walk from the house. The whole time Ryoma kept his distance at the back. The older generation asked Ryoma to walk beside them but he refused saying he doesn't want to. They both knew it was a habit of his to do when there was more than one person present.
It was when they saw the water getting closer did Ryoma actually run in head wanting to watch the water move down towards the direction the sea was. They all eventually joined the cat. He seemed to ignore them since he was more fascinated with the water. He was sitting crossed legged on the edge leaning forward slightly with one of his hands in the water. He had a small smile on his lips. Mitsu sat himself down next to the boy.
"So you like the water?" With the nod from the 16 year old he let himself sigh and patted the kids head before getting up and going to get a fishing rod. He passed Genichiro who gave him a questioning look that said. 'When did you get soft.'
"Ryoma." Kunikazu shouted from further behind him. Ryoma hearing his name turned and saw him holding a can of ponta. The cat wasted no time in running to him grabbing the can with a thank you before opening it and taking a long sip. "Now are you doing your version of fishing or are you actually going to use a fishing rod."
"Mine." The older Tezuka sighed wondering why he even asked. Going to one of the bags he got out a couple of towels. Ryoma gave his now empty can of Ponta to Kunimitsu. He went back to the edge and started to look for the fish. The younger Sanada got his tennis magazine and sat down to read. The other three got fishing rods. They all looked up when they heard a splash.
It didn't take long for the cat to be climbing back on the side soaked with a fish wiggling in his hand. His hood had actually stayed in place all thanks to the clips keeping it there. He walked over to Kunikazu and gave him the fish before going back to find another. The elders chuckled at the boy antics while both the 18 year olds tried not to gape at the sight. They had been doing it for a good 2 hours. Genichiro kept to himself most of the time. Only commenting when he was asked a question.
Ryoma had finally had enough and made his way towards the others. He grabbed a towel and started to dry his face. Looking towards them he asked if they had a change of clothes. Surprisingly Kunikazu had pick them up from Shan's house this morning since he had some free time. Ryoma asked if there was anywhere he could go. Old man Sanada said there where some changing rooms back up the bank and across the road. With that the cat dragged Kunimitsu with him for protection. Now that the boy had gone Genichiro decided it was time to asked the elders questions.
"Why does he fish like that?" The two hearing the younger one speak looked towards him with there kind old smiles on the faces.
"Because he's a special case." His grandfather replied. He hated not getting a straight answer.
"I know he was the only one you found in America from the disappearance. Can't you just say?"
"Gen... Ryoma didn't disappear." With that the younger one brows raised up slightly. "He was actually sold. So it was easier to erase every record of the child existence. He was never one of the children reported missing."
"But he still went though what the other did didn't he?" In Gen's opinion being sold against your will and being taken was the same thing.
"No... Ryoma was just about to turn 3 so he never understood. He never went out in public anyway. Spent most of his time with his father in their house until the man died. In my opinion he went though more than what the others went though. After all he was the only one that survived. Imagine what kind of things he has to live with on a daily basis."
"But what about the kids mother, didn't she have a say in the matter?" Getting a pained smile from Kunikazu while Gen'emon just looked at the ground. The older Tezuka replied this time.
"His mother was the one who sold him. She claimed that her son died in an accident with a fire and that his body was never found." Gen felt his whole body freeze. He couldn't imagine what that could be like. Having the one that gave birth to you give you away like that. They saw Ryoma and Kunimitsu walking back down towards them and his grandfather gave him the look telling him not to talk about it in front of the boy.
As it happened with Ryoma around something was bound to happen. No one knows how but it did really happen. Genichiro was standing and looking into the water. Ryoma somehow managed to walk into him and ended up pushing him over the edge. The two elders covered their mouths to hid their smiles and Tezuka force himself to watch with a straight face. They were just lucky that they brought towels even if they weren't meant for anyone, but Ryoma.
Gen didn't say anything as he pulled himself out and started to dry himself. He was angry sure anyone would be. The cat walked up to him and stood on a box that the fish where in so he was the same height as Sanada. He kissed him on the cheek and apologize. Tezuka couldn't hold it any longer at seeing the shocked look of the vice-captain of Rikkaidai face, he turned around and started to smile hoping none of the others would see. The two older one choked on their beers they where drinking. Without realizing Gen forgave him and patted him on the shoulder. Kunikazu recovered first and spoke.
"Ryoma why did you say sorry like that?" The cat looked at him like it was strange question.
"Sei said that you kiss and then say sorry. I did it to Tezuka yesterday when I kick him." Straight away the captains back went stiff and he coughed into his hand to hide a blush that was creeping up on his cheeks. "Then Sei said something about using it as blackmail but I didn't understand that last part." Tezuka now understood why Fuji had been smiling at him all day. The blackmail was the kiss that Ryoma had given him. He looked into the boys eyes to show that he really didn't see the problem. He was completely innocent to it all. Gen meanwhile was thinking who this Sei person was.
"Who's Sei?" Gen asked hoping it was not who he thought it was.
"The dog." Was his only reply. This made the 18 year old more confused. He wanted to know how a dog can tell someone that.
Kunikazu and Gen'emon when both trying to hold their laughter in. In there mind it could only be Ryoma who could make the two most emotionless people in the world have the best reaction and still be totally oblivious to it all at the same time.