Since when I wonder,

Have I been chasing after you? Somehow, please,

Don't be surprised and listen to these feelings of mine.

In truth, I had already

Realized my feelings for you some time ago.

I found them, but they'll never reach you.

"It's no use. Don't cry."

That's what I told myself.

The Story You Don't Know - supercell

She woke up that next day, feeling fatigued. The travel and stress finally catching up to her.

Remembering the roller coaster of emotions she had the day before was enough to elicit a long sigh. She felt far from better. Considering that today is her first real day here, she wanted to at least feel better. But forgetting yesterday isn't a feat she can make yet.

"Baka Sakuno." uttering those words seemed to be the normal now.

How could she ever believe that her silly crush had the slightest chance? A year sure didn't do anything... what more are five years? How could she seriously think that Echizen Ryoma, the good-looking tennis prodigy, would ever find it hard to find a girlfriend?

"It's not even his fault."

After all, he's really popular with girls, even in their Seigaku days. She's just a forgettable character among those girls who have liked him. What she had back then, is a bare minimum friendship with him. Still, it didn't make her stop hoping.

She took a heavy breath before she curled herself under the covers of her own mattress, basking on the stillness of that morning. If only time would stop, and she didn't have to face the day yet.

Sadly, life doesn't work like that. She still had to go to the admissions office to finally arrange her class schedules that morning. With a long sigh, she got up her bed. She still needs to prepare her breakfast before setting out.

It was a good thing that each bedroom have their own toilet and bathrooms. Sakuno needed to wash her face and make sure that her eyes weren't so puffy from last night's crying session anymore.

"There's nothing you should cry about. He's not even yours to begin with." she muttered in front of the mirror as she brushed her teeth. Her eyes were still a bit puffy, but she decided that it's okay and can be excused by oversleeping.

She got out of her door and nimbly stepped downstairs, not wanting any attention. If she could just easily do her morning rituals and get out of the house without seeing him, then the day may be perfect. After her rather public display of escaping from reality, she wasn't sure how to even look at him.

But things rarely go well for her. As she went to the kitchen to cook a quick breakfast, there he is in the table. Eating his petty excuse for breakfast. Sure, some people could go with cup ramen and Ponta for breakfast, but should Echizen Ryoma, world-renowned tennis star eat those kind of food for breakfast?

"O-Ohayo, Ryoma-kun." she made her presence known.

"Ohayo." he casually greeted.

"Ano, Ryoma-kun, are you eating your breakfast?" Sakuno can't help but ask the obvious.

He looked at her curiously, an eyebrow turned up, as he slurped on his noodles.

"What of it?" Ryoma replied, "If you also like ramen, you can get yourself a cup by the counter."

Truly, said kitchen counter had an extra can of cherry Ponta and two cups of sealed ramen.

"Oh. But Ryoma-kun, isn't that breakfast not quite good enough?" she felt genuinely concerned. The boy didn't reply, probably also aware of the fact.

Sakuno could (probably, but not quite) stand Ryoma having a girlfriend, but she definitely can't accept that with all those built-in cooking equipment in the kitchen, all he could whip is a cup ramen and a can of soda. Even if the gods of cooking forgive such atrocity, she can't.

Without hesitation, she immediately approached him to snatch the half-eaten cup ramen in front of her. A different kind of bravery surged in her that didn't really consider what the boy may have to say.

"No need to eat this." Sakuno declared, if Ryoma had absolute confidence in his tennis, then she does too, in the kitchen, "I'll make you something better, Ryoma-kun."

Her boldness that morning continued to puzzle him. He can only look surprised at the girl's change of character. Still, he felt the need to say something realistic. The real truth behind his breakfast.

"I don't have anything except Ponta in the fridge."

For a moment, he thought that she would give up. But she only gave him a knowing smile, as if she's already aware of his circumstances.

"I thought so," she replied, "But don't worry about the ingredients, I have them."

She then rushed back to one of her unpacked boxes in the living room. She coaxed out a small bag of rice and some other packed japanese ingredients and condiments.

"It's great that obaa-chan made me bring some ingredients to cook, just in case."

"Ryoma-kun, would you be okay with miso soup and tofu?" she asked as she washed the rice.

He can only nod in reply and stare intently at Ryuzaki Sakuno's confident back as she used the kitchen counter to actually cook. She navigated through the pots and ladles, kitchen knives and chopping boards. He has never had any recollection of using anything from that kitchen except the thermos for hot water and the fridge, so it's a different kind of feeling, seeing her working.

Only about 15 minutes passed, and he can smell the delicious soup and freshly cooked rice. Ryoma assumed that the half cup ramen he's eaten can make him feel full, but the moment Sakuno laid the dishes in front of him made him feel hunger. It has been a while since he had japanese food, after all.

He picked on his spoon first and tasted the miso soup.

"S-So, how was it?"

Her early confidence have diminished again. It seemed like she was a middle school girl again, cooking for a crush and then waiting for his approval. She held her breath as she waited for him to reply.

"It's good." he commented as he dipped on the soup again, tasting the nostalgia brought by the dish itself.

A relieved smile plastered on her lips as her cheeks tinted red. It was the first time he complimented her cooking. There's this sense of accomplishment inside her.

"How's Seigaku?" he asked her, which surprised Sakuno. Ryoma rarely starts conversations.

"Our school is doing fine in the Nationals. Our senpais graduated and they are all in college except for Taka-san who inherited the sushi shop." she happily told him. Sakuno wasn't sure whether he still had contact with any of the regulars or not, but she assumed the latter.

"And Momo-senpai... he's been engaged to Tachibana-san's younger sister, An-san." she relayed the news.

His ears perked up, hearing the surprising news. Of course, it's not like he wasn't aware of their Momo-senpai's crush on Tachibana's little sister back then, but marriage is taking it to a whole new level. Plus, isn't the Dunk Smash specialist just a year older than them

"Heh," he asked, "When's the wedding?"

"They still haven't settled on a date, but An-chan said that it would be sooner than we all think." she felt happy while she told him, "Momo-senpai would definitely want you there, Ryoma-kun."

"Wouldn't it be great if he reconnects with everyone?" she felt positively hopeful. He didn't say anything right away.

"Hn." Ryoma only replied. He put down his chopsticks and stood up, "Thanks for the meal, Ryuzaki."

Then he excused himself and went outside.

"Ryoma-kun..?"

Sakuno sighed. She wasn't sure what to make off of his response.

She hummed to herself as she prepared the bento. With glances on her wrist watch to know the time, she arranged the food as fast as she can. She needed to be prepared for the first day of her wandering inside the university by herself to arrange her school papers. Getting lost over finding the cafeteria isn't ideal at all.

"It's better that I make packed lunch for myself, huh?" She sweat-dropped, thinking about how pitiful her navigation has become.

Then, she heard the front door open. Sakuno heard Ryoma's footsteps first before he peeked inside the kitchen.

"Are you going to school now?" he asked.

She nodded, hurriedly wrapping her bento in a clean pink cloth.

"Let's go together." it wasn't even a favor. He just stated it, as if it was the best thing to do.

But still, she's thankful that he didn't look annoyed. More so, she's glad that he thought of walking with her to school. "He must have classes, too." She gathered her things and readied herself to go out.

"Is it really okay not to prepare him a bento?" she thought about making him one, but he's already had his bag and is already ready to go outside.

"Let's go, Ryuzaki."

"Of course, she has a girlfriend to do that for him." she replied to herself as she walked behind him.

The pavement going to the main building became more visible as they walked outside. She followed him, her eyes darting on the road and his back. "Is it always going to be like this?"

Always behind his back, following his beck and call. It was always like this, even before. Back then, she felt that it was enough. But when until now, she still can't muster the courage to walk next to him, it was just bittersweet.

"R-Ryoma-kun." she silently called, nothing particular in mind. Just an attempt at starting a small talk.

"Hn?" he replied, not even looking back.

"Nothing." At the last moment, she chickened out.

"Why are you stuttering?" he picked up on the conversation. He was straightforward, though there were hints of annoyance. Still, he didn't bother to pause or even look back at her.

"I don't know..." she murmured, frustrated at herself too.

"... But I think that's because I'm always like this, when I'm with you, Ryoma-kun."

As if she could just blurt it all out to him. She's too shy. It seemed all too childish, that she was sure he wouldn't want to hear or care at all.

"I'm such a moron."

Her feelings remain as a story he'll never know.

A/N: Edited/Revised July 2020