Rated M for crude words. You have been warned!
Chapter 7: Love is Zero
"What one loves in childhood stays in the heart... Forever"
"Ryoma can we talk?" Rinko enters his room, she followed him the moment he went home right after his tennis match
The tennis prince quickly glances on the wall clock, seeing how late it was, he sighed, he looks at his mom only to find out that she was not alone, his stupid father tailing his mother with seriousness on his face. Rare as it thinks it is since his father was never been serious type ever since.
Ryoma put his things in his drawer, sweaty from a whole day matches he felt like a need of warm soak on his tub.
"What is it?" He asks, he took off his sports jacket, followed by his shirt, not minding his parents pressence at all.
"What's your plan Ryoma?" Rinko asks. He can practically hear her dramatically sighed from his back.
There is a long paused from them, of course, the tennis prince expecting this to happen, up until now, the tennis prodigy was pondering why his parents kept their mouth shut. They never really asked for anything nor let him do anything; despite the fact that he dragged and brought Sakuno here in Hawaii with him, they remained silent and calculative. As if they both waiting for the right time for him to spill the beans.
"What do you mean kaa san?" He asks, obviously he knew what she meant but answered indifferently.
"Hah!" Rinko sighed; she places her one hand on her forehead as if she was having a headache at any moment. "You won't bring Sakuno-chan here abruptly unless you laid out a perfectly plan on head of yours" Rinko refuted.
"I ask her to marry me" Ryoma said, his voice was calm as ocean, as if what he said is something similar like offering a piece of candy.
"YOU Ask what?" Rinko shouted in disbelief. From the distance, the tennis prodigy heard a whistle followed by snickering, he rolled his eyes in the process, he didn't need to look for whom it came from. "Hah! You're not serious, aren't you?" Rinko asks.
"Do I look like joking kaa san?" Ryoma looks at his mother who seems near to snaps at any time. "Is this the face telling so?" He added. "We're about to get married in the future anyway, so what's the problem if we done this now? We're engaged" he said in a matter-fact tone.
"Hah! Don't make hastily decisions for a momentarily emotions!" His mother refuted. "Do you think this is the best decision for Sakuno-chan? For the both of you? I know your impulsive and reckless as is, but you are better than this son!"
Ryoma looks at his mother in disbelief, his brows furrowing; and what his own mother said is one thing not on his liking. "And you have any better in mind, Kaa san?" He sarcastically refuted back. "What's with you? I'm going to marry her as plan, it was sooner than the expected but still I'm going to marry her, why acting like this?"
"We talked this out Ryoma" Rinko firmly said, she stared at his son, who seems not wanting to back down. "I am planning to adopt Sakuno to our family" She paused, Rinko can clearly see the disapproving eyes on her son but she continues "knowing her nature, Sakuno-chan won't accept any help from us no matter how we extend our hands to her. She will simply say it's okay and she can manage, but I won't stand idly knowing how hard life will be for her now that she was alone." Rinko said seriously.
'What? She was what? Adopt her? For real?' Ryoma looks at his own mother with absurd expression in his face. He sighed, trying to conceal his raging emotions. "You do not expect me to accept this plan of yours with wide open arms, right?" Ryoma annoyingly said. Surprisingly, he manages to speak in his calm tone.
"And I don't ask for your opinion anyway Ryoma" his mother rebutted.
"Kaa san!" Ryoma burst out. "She's, my fiancée! For crying out loud where else you've seen an engaged couple turns into siblings!" No freaking way! There is no way he would accept this damn idea. If she will be going to be an Echizen, she will be an Echizen, that because he turns her to be one! His Echizen! Not the other way around.
"What's your reason for rushing this marriage? Do you even love her? Or you do feel obligated for what is happening right now? Ryoma, Sakuno is like a daughter to me, a daughter I never had, she's too way special to me that I don't want her to be hurt more. And what you are doing is not helping her. The last thing I want her to feel is to be hurt again. And even you are my own son I won't let you hurt her" she said, sadness in her voice was evident. "Marriage is not something you do in haste and if you find it irritating you will just let it go"
"Do you think I don't have any idea about marriage mom?" Ryoma muttered exasperatedly. "I wasn't born yesterday!"
"Hah! Not because you were financially stable your capable of raising a family! You're not even mentally or emotionally ready for this! You not even knew what you really feel for her!" His mother burst out angrily. "So don't stubbornly argue to me about this!"
"Kaa san, I am your son, but why you always see the worst in me? How sure you are that we will failed miserably?" Ryoma muttered; he looks away. Offended by his own mother. Of course, he can clearly see his mother's concern, the affection he has towards the brunette girl is unclear to them, in fact, it's only a month when they knew each other, or rather, when he saw her again, he doesn't have any recollection of memories of her, and the length of time they spent together were too short. but was it important? The longings he felt, that no matter how he played tennis for so long, victories he has, all his life revolves around to tennis but from the corner of his heart, there is missing, something deep hole that once filled from her presence, maybe His mind might not remember her, but his heart is, but why his own mother can't see it? There is no way he acted recklessly like this if he hasn't thinking this for so long. He was serious, he was so serious to make things works for them both.
"No, it's not like that Ryoma" Rinko lamented. "You are my son that's why I'm doing my best to save you both from misery. I can see clearly your intentions, really, but you doing it wrong, Ryoma. You're not saving her by means of marrying her. Do you have any idea of what she really felt? Did it cross your mind if she felt the same way? Nor think you doing this not because of good will? She has her own thoughts and feelings. I don't want both of you be in pain and regret it later "
"Mom, I will not marry her just because of obligation or out of pity or it's convenient to me. I will marry her coz... I can't live without her, whether you believe it or not" Ryoma whispers, he looks away. It's so hard for him to tell it anyway straight to their faces, never been in his entire life, he thought that he will be this open towards his family. He let his guard down to them, wanting for them to know the glimpse of his heart.
Rinko was taken aback, her mouth gaped open, she unconsciously stared at her husband only to see the same reaction she has, both gaping with eyes wide open, they stared at their son who seems embarrassed from his sudden confession. Still quite shock from his revelation, Rinko stared blankly on his son. Of course, her own son would never dare to tell his own feelings by his own, whether you threatened him, he rather dies than confessing what's on his mind or rather brought this on his own grave. He will never admit this, most especially in front of his father.
Lost in words, Rinko smiled inwardly and thought 'since when his son grows up like this?'
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"What are you thinking Rinko?"
Rinko's thoughts interrupted by her husband's call; she smiles as the traces of her thoughts lingers on her mind. "I was thinking of the past, time pass so fast right Anata?" She smiled. "Time flows so quickly, it seems like yesterday when I was holding our son on my arms, yet, now, he was thinking of getting married"
Nanjirou smiled warmly. He looks outside the window; his thoughts were not distant from Rinko's, but in different context. "Neh Rinko, don't you think he found what's worth living for?" tennis is what his son's life revolve for, he was glad that his own son slowly reaching his own dreams however, more than anything else, what he really wanted to his son is to find what is meant of living for. Just like him, when his family came to him.
Rinko stared at her husband for so long before finally smiled. A smile of finally giving in. The reason why Echizen Nanjirou stayed silence in her heated debate she has on his son; and the reason why he didn't agree on what her plans are, by adopting Sakuno, gradually revealed on her. Her own husband has a different thought about this. "Don't you think you always have this kind of huge faith towards your son?" She asks lightly.
"Coz that's how we supposed to do right?" Nanjirou said in his usual tone. Playful yet he starred at his wife seriously. "The only thing we can do to our children is to support and guide them along the way; no matter how much we wanted to pave a safe and smooth path for them, no matter how we teach them of dos and don'ts they still the one who will navigate their own journey right? What I'm saying is, life is not about the safest road you take, but what makes you a person along the way. Struggles, pain, hardship, failing and being hurt, maybe that's every parent's worst nightmare for their children but don't you think it's a part of learning and growing up? We need to let them go in order for them to grow, experience pain for them to be strong, failed for them to try harder, stumble for them to stand up for their own, struggle for them to work hard. Rinko, that's the only way they learn about life. That's the only way for them to realize the value of life. We can never dictate them for what we wanted them to be, instead, all we can do is to support and guide them. And don't be burden about Ryoma's decision, their future is up to them; I'm sure they can pull it pretty well." He beams.
"You always have your own way to tell how I turned antagonist on my own son, Nanjirou" Rinko laughed.
"Keh! It's just..." Nanjirou paused, an image of his son serious and determined face came on the picture. A proud smile crept on his lips. "Your son is way... way too stubborn as hell! Don't you think he wouldn't raise hell if you keep on opposing him?" Nanjirou grunted. They know well the certain prince. Once he put his mind on something, he will definitely do anything to make it happen.
"I wonder where he took it after?" Rinko teases.
"Keh! He always like that when it comes to Sakuno-chan!"
Rinko laughed. "Right." And the memories from childhood of the certain prince brought back in life. As if they witnessing the young tennis prodigy came back from 10 years ago.
"Still... He's mada mada daze" Nanjirou smirked.
My dearest granddaughter Sakuno,
From the moment you read this letter, it might be the time I already left this world. How I wish, this time will never come. But sometimes, life doesn't work the way we wanted. Death is an inevitable fate, sooner or later we have to leave this world and my time is later than I expected. I have already lived my life the way I wanted too. I became a teacher, a coach, a wife, a mother, a friend and most of all a grandmother. I have also witnessed my loved ones left one by one, trained different young tennis player in my time, witness promising individual and fight my own battles in life. But do you know what makes my life worth living? It's when the time I laid my eyes on you, the moment I saw you cradled by your mother, I knew from the start that my heart was not belongs to me anymore but to you. I knew that I will love you more than anything in this world. Sakuno, you've done well, you grew up beautifully inside and out despite the pain. I know for sure you will do well in the future. And the only regret I felt was not able to witness you grow more and more with me by your side. How I wished I can hold my future great grandchildren in my arms. But please, no matter how you love that brat, don't give it to us soon okay? Now I can finally be in peace. Now that I knew you have someone reliable in your side. Please don't tell this to him, he might be emotionless brat, but I knew pretty well he can make you happy. One day, you will realize what I meant for.
Sakuno I will always watch you from a far together with your parents and grandfather, we will cheer you from the distance. This is not our final goodbye my lovely grandchild. I will always love you whenever I am. Always.
I knew you will be happy.
The screeching sound of a car makes Sakuno awakes from her slumber thoughts; staring from the window, she saw how the young prince car drove away. She puts down the letter she was kept reading again and again. It's always been her routine for the past three weeks.
Yes, it's been three weeks since that dreadful nightmare storms in her life. And up until now, she wishes that all of this was just a nightmare; however, as days pass by, reality slapping painfully on her face. Her grandmother is gone. She was all alone now. She left her without any goodbyes and all was left was a piece of letter she seems wrote in advance, as if she was preparing her death anytime.
"Obaa chan"
Sakuno scrunch from her bed, she ducks her head from her bending knees, tears welled up in her eyes as a painful sobbed came out.
A gentle knock, makes her flinched, hurriedly, she wipes her tears away waiting for the person outside the door
"Sakuno-chan" Rinko smiled genuinely to her, her warm eyes found hers. She looks at her affectionately. "The weather outside is nice, want to stroll around?" She asks smiling.
For the past few weeks, she stays at Echizen's side, the comforting gaze from the Echizen couple and warm hugs were the only thing vividly on her mind. For how she ended here, she can't clearly remember, all she knew was the certain tennis prince holds her hand from the moment he saw her in the forest, never letting her go, his presence whom always on her side, Ryoma never left her; and the last thing she knew, the tennis prodigy was pulling her hand inside the plane and ended up coming here in Hawaii.
"Sakuno-chan, come here" Rinko smiled warmly as she gently pats the side seat of the rocking bench. "The ambiance here is quite nice. Thank God it's not hot the way it seems to be" she said, she swings the bench lightly the moment Sakuno settled on her side.
Sakuno looks at her, Echizen Rinko is beautiful beyond compare, despite years past, she still beautiful as ever as she clearly remembers. No wonder why the certain prince got his looks from his mother and arrogance on his father.
"Why?" Rinko asks, tilting her face.
"Nothing. A-aunt Rinko" Sakuno hurriedly looks down. Feeling embarrassed for her blatantly staring.
"It's okay, I know I am pretty, isn't it?" Rinko smiled; her one hand touches her cheeks.
Sakuno can't help but to blink animatedly. "Uhn" she answered unintelligently.
"It just a joke! Joke!" Rinko laughed waving her one hand on air.
"No! You're really beautiful aunty! Really" Sakuno quickly muttered defensively, she waves both of her hands in air, shaking her head. "Ryoma-kun got his looks from you" she shyly added, not meeting her aunt's gaze.
"He is?" Rinko said innocently.
"Un!" Sakuno nodded her head.
"I heard that he asks you to marry him" Rinko finally said, she looks at her warmly with gently smile on her face.
Sakuno startle, she looks up to her with wavering eyes, unable to confirmed or denied it, she hurriedly looks away.
"He's impudent, wasn't he? How come he ask you to marry him without ring on his hand?" Rinko dramatically sighed "I wonder where he took it after" she said. Lighting up the mood.
"R-Ryoma-kun wasn't serious at all. He's just... Thinking that I am his sorts of responsibility since I'm his fiancé" she muttered slowly.
"Do you think so? Hmm" Rinko was amused by her answer, obviously, she was oblivious by Ryoma's concealed emotions. "He's really impulsive, isn't he? Not to mention how reckless and stupid he is at times. Oh no! Most of the time he acts like that. He was too arrogant and oblivious. And he's too way antisocial, cocky and provocative whether its inside or outside court. What else? Hmmm... Ah! He's too selfish, indifferent, blunt, who doesn't know how to filter his words. I still can clearly remember the faces of those victim of his sharp and unthoughtful tongue of his. Oh! Let's not forgot how lack of expression he has. I know it for sure, coz he's my son" Rinko subjectively enumerated the young tennis prince bad traits in most animated way.
"Oh! No! Ryoma-kun is a nice person, he has his gentle side too. He really help me in many ways too" she nervously stated as she keep mumbling defending the young tennis prince thru elaborating his positive sides.
"I'm glad you see my son on that light Sakuno-chan" Rinko smiled. "What my point is, he might be lacking in many ways but one thing I am certain. He will never do something out of wits" she smiled genuinely. "I know it's too late for me to realized that part but... my son, ask you to marry him not because of the promise he made during childhood nor he felt obligated about it. It's because... it's you Sakuno-chan"
Sakuno seems surprise, her eyes widen with shock.
"I don't know if it's right to give this to you, but I am certain, the moment he asks us to follow here in Hawaii, I felt the need to give these to you" she bends down, getting something in her side. It was a box, she handed it to her, with a warm smile on her face. "I was kind of hoping that he can give this personally to you, once his memories of you came back but, anyway here I'm handling this to you."
"What is it?"
"Feel free to see it yourself" Rinko answered.
Sakuno touch the box, it looks old but properly kept.
"Do you know what exactly happened why he lost his memories of you?" Rinko asks.
Sakuno shakes her head.
"Well, I'm kind of expecting that your parents didn't say anything about that incident, but I knew you deserve to know that part." Rinko paused she smiled, yet her smile was way too different from before. "My son, he didn't intentionally want to forget you..." a bitter smile came on her lips before continuing "That was during before we decided to visit in Japan, you know Ryoma kind of excited since he misses you terribly." She giggles. "Going back to my story, we are preparing for our short visit way back then, it supposed to be school break that time, you do know Ryoga right?" Rinko asks.
Sakuno simply nodded her head, though she didn't personally meet the guy, she seen him on video tapes while playing as US representative and later on in Spain.
"Well, we plan to bring him to finally introduced him, during that time, we kind of having a feud towards Ryoga's auntie, there was ongoing custody case between Nanjirou and his aunt, to cut the story short, a day before our initial flight, Ryoma and Ryoga went missing. At first, we thought they were just randomly playing they always been like that, but everything changes when we received a sudden call claiming that they had them in their hands for someone who used to be defeated by Nanjirou. That stupid guy, he can't accept defeat that's why he used the kids to threatens him. Of course, it was quite hard to believe at first not until we heard their scream on the other line." There is a long paused from Rinko, she sighed heavily as the memory of that time came vividly on her mind. "I don't know what really happened during the time they both kidnapped, but when we finally retrieved them, Ryoga was full of wounds all over his body and badly beaten while Ryoma, aside from scratches he got he was not able to talked for a while. Although the perpetrators been caught and put behind bars, the damage they've been done greatly affected towards us. Ryoga's aunt used that incident to win over the custody case against us, I don't know what strings she pulls but at that moment, Ryoga was force to go back to his aunt. Ryoma who was under the trauma he went through to the kidnappers can't hold the news of his brother's departure. And the last thing happened was him losing all his memories after became unconscious for three days right after his brother departed."
"Uhm" tears welled up on Sakuno's eyes, unable to fend off her emotion, she sobbed "I-I r-really don't know something bad happened to him like that" Sakuno felt terribly sorry for the tennis prince
Rinko smiled, she gently taps her shoulder comforting her "Ryoma doesn't knew about this too, he completely forgot about everything during his childhood, and the only thing he can remember was us, his parents and his things about tennis." She said, "it seems like, his own mind erased those memories as its own defense mechanism to cope up for what did happen" she added, Rinko gently taps her head, "but you know what? Whether he has no recollection of memories towards you, he still cared the tennis balls you've given to him. He even got troubled by those balls during elementary days. And sometimes, I saw him looking intently towards the telephone. Now, thinking about it, before that incident happened, there are many times I caught him standing in the telephone for so long, bothered and contemplated whether to call you or not, for some reason I understand why he restrain himself from calling no matter how much he wanted too." She smiled "maybe he knew that when he heard your voice, he will beg for us to come back in Japan, he's always been like that to you, he always has this weak spot when it comes to you" Rinko laughed. "I know you know it too"
"Mou! It was long ago aunty Rinko, everything is way too different now" Sakuno say, she smiled bitterly towards that fact. Of course, she can clearly remember the times when the certain prince gave in on her likings.
"Hmmm..." Rinko hummed, seems unconvinced. "Sakuno-chan, I'm not telling you this to influence your decisions; I want you to decide for your own, whether you agree to marry my son or not, whatever decision you make, it's okay, we respect that. What I really wanted to say is, you are my daughter, you are part of our family, whether you married him or not. So, it's okay, you can always come to us, you are always welcome, it's okay to seek for our help in time of needs, don't feel bothered, we were gladly embraced you with wide open arms. We are your family, whether we shared blood or not. You like a daughter to me. So, just cry if you felt like crying, whine if you felt a needed to whine for something. You don't have to hold yourself back just to be belong." Rinko sincerely said. "I want you to be genuinely happy, so, decide for yourself"
Seems like a warm hand touches her heart, Sakuno didn't notice that she was already crying, tears fell freely on her eyes, Rinko smiled once again embracing her, as if, it's not only her physical body been embrace by that moment but her own being.
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Sakuno decided to came back on her room right after her stroll with her aunt Rinko, eyes puffed from crying Sakuno felt refreshed after Nanako neechan, Ryoma's older cousin brought some ice cream on her room. It was quite surprising that they both became so close to the instant. She has this kind of sisterly vibe on her which Sakuno felt so comfortable with.
Sakuno placed the box beside the table as she started opening what's inside. Letters arrange according to date were piled inside; contrary on how it piled in order, the penmanship seems untidy at the first glance, Sakuno giggles as she recognized the owner of the penmanship it was.
Sakuno,
Neh, are you still crying? It's weird I've been here for only half a day but I missed you already. Kaa san told me to write in you when I already settle on my new school, but I can't wait that long. Oyaji is being stupid again. He never really plays tennis to me seriously. I missed you watching me play.
Sakuno continue to read each of every letter, as she keeps unfolding the letter, she finds herself smiling.
Neh Sakuno, I found out that I have an older brother today, he is quite a bother, he really like a small version of stupid oyaji!
Neh, I got scolded today by our music teacher, I was caught sleeping during Music class. It's weird, I never felt sleepy when you play piano in front of me though.
Ryoga niisan found out my letters to you! He teases me to death! But it's okay, kaa san scolded him from prying on my things. He asks me about you, he said he wanted to meet you but I don't want it! He's way too cool in playing tennis! He might snatch you away from me! That is why, I told him that he will never meet you not until I beat him! I am the best tennis player in your eyes, right?
A soft thud coming from her window interrupts her for her reading, she looks at the window, realizing that there is a soft knock coming from outside, she went to the window only to meet his golden eyes, staring intently to her. Realizing the situation, the young lady abruptly opens the window.
"Ryoma-kun, what are you doing?" She asks
"Heh, so you finally talking to me huh" The tennis prince amusingly muttered.
"Neh, Sakuno, are we done playing hide and seek?" He chuckled lightly, looking at him, he was still wearing his sports attire, it seems he went straight towards her room right after his match. For the weeks past, Sakuno keeps avoiding him, in which the young prodigy quickly notices.
"Neh, come with me"
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The wind is quite chilly but bearable, it's all thanks for a certain someone who reminded her to bring her sweater with her. Sakuno starred at his back, from unknown reason, the tennis prince asks her to come with him. Her eyes doubled in size when she took notice of where their was. It was a street tennis court. Wondering, she tilted her, but she was more surprised when the tennis prince gave a racket on her hand.
"Ryoma-kun..." She quickly mumbled.
"Let's play Sakuno" he said, he walks to the other side of the court, slightly stretching his body. "Neh, how about let's make it more interesting? in every missed ball, you have to answer one question" Ryoma suggested.
"Mou! I am not good as you Ryoma-kun!" Sakuno refuted.
"Then try harder not to missed any ball" Ryoma smirked.
"Mou! Your so mean!"
"Ja! I'm going to serve now Ryuzaki Sakuno"
"Mou! Matte Ryoma-kun! I'm still not-"
"15- love" Ryoma announces without listening to her pleading.
"Mou! So unfair!"
Ryoma smirk as he dribbles the tennis ball, "you sure you don't want to focus?" He asks.
"Mou!" Sakuno can't help but position herself. She bends her knees as she was waiting for him to serve
"Ja. For my first question" Ryoma muttered, buying his time to dribble the ball. With one swift moved, he toss the ball in the air, waiting for the perfect timing to do his signature twist serve "Does the idea of marrying me, scares you Sakuno?" He asks upon hitting the ball in his racket.
Taken aback from his question, Sakuno stuck from her position, the ball landed perfectly in the land. Making Ryoma smirked as if he anticipated it to happened.
"30- love" he announces. He stared at her chocolate eyes whom wavering for a while.
"Does not its Ryoma-kun" Sakuno honestly answered. She was not scared of the idea, in fact, many times in her childhood she dreamt of that thing to happened.
"Then why? Why it's hard for you to give me an answer if it's simple as yes or no?" He asks. Realizing that she will not give any answer to his question, He tossed the ball once again, and doing his shot making his 3rd service shot.
"Mou! I am still not answering your 2nd question!"
"You don't have to answer me if it's half-heartedly" Ryoma uttered "that's 40- love by the way" he smirked. "Neh, don't you think you need to put a little effort for this?" He taunted.
"Mou! You know I am not good at this!"
"Not because you're not good at this, you wouldn't put an effort to win" Ryoma refuted. "Why it's so easy for you to give up? You're not even trying yet" he stared at her "or is it me that's why you wouldn't try hard?"
"That's not it!" Sakuno quickly defended. "It just-" She paused, it's so hard to explain things to him, she was so afraid to confront him face to face. She was so afraid to know the answers nor explanations for everything she wanted to know. Why he's willing to marry her anyway? Why he's doing it to her? Does he even like her? And what about Miyu? What if he finds her annoying and leave her behind? Those questions keep lingering in her mind. Yet, she was so afraid to asks for answers. "It just, I am afraid" she said honestly. I am so afraid that everything was temporarily! I'm afraid that one day, you will leave me too!
"Neh, do you know why love is zero in tennis?" Ryoma asks, he jogs the ball in his racket looking intently in her chocolate eyes. "That's because zero is nothing." He muttered serious. "My point is, as zero is nothing, but without nothing, you can't start from the beginning. Do you get it?"
Sakuno stared at him, she really doesn't get what he was pointing out.
"In other words, it's up to you whether if you wanted to stay as nothing or do some little effort on trying to make things infinite." He added. "And I am implying about us Sakuno, why don't we start from zero this time? Let's get married, not because we are promised together but because we both decided for this. Let's make things works for us. Together this time"
Sakuno seems lost in words she just stared at him for a while.
"And for the record, I am not marrying you because of some curiosity or generosity, you know I am not that kind of charitable person; I am such a selfish person, I am marrying you because it was you. And not anyone else. Just you. Do you understand?" He looks at her intently making her gape in surprised. "I want to be your future coz I don't want to think about what life would be like... Without you"
"Ryoma-kun" she softly mumbled.
Ryoma tossed the ball on her side. "Now the ball is in your court, it's up to you whether to make the next step or stay" he put his racket on his shoulder "I'll wait until this Friday, if you come and watch my championship game it means that you finally agreed to marry me" he smirked.
"Miyu, you want to come with us?"
Miyu stops from her rehearsal, she stared at the blonde girl from a while.
"Ahh! I need some fresh air to breathe!" The other one said. She hangs her head in the air.
"Hold on, give me a sec" Miyu smiled.
"Hoooh! Practice is killing me!" Julia, exaggeratedly exclaimed in thick accent of hers, just like Miyu she's the only Asian who manage to pass the preliminary of the contest.
They all went outside, enjoying the warm weather of Jackson Mississippi where the ballerina competition took place.
"I never knew this is so hard!" Elizabeth, the British beauty, she puffed her eyes as she continues sipping for her cold drinks.
"And you look like not having any hard time!" Chloe, the African American finalist like her, she stared at Miyu who seems relax on the table.
"She's the judge favorite!" Charlie, the blonde girl in the group exclaimed. "And crowds favorite too!"
Miyu smiled. "That's not it, I am just little motivated" she confessed.
The ladies grunted on her response. It's quite surprising how Miyu got new friends here, since the level of competition is tight and the competitiveness of each and every one is not a question to be asked. However, the warm smiles and genuinely admiration they given behind the curtains somewhat reminds her of her friends' way back in Japan. Although they were born in different parts of the globe, communication was never been hard on their part. Since Miyu excel perfectly on speaking English just like of a certain someone.
Enjoying the chilly wind on the outside cafe is quite refreshing, the young ladies enjoy staring at people who keeps passing by in their busy lives, talking about themselves in process of getting to know each other more. Miyu pauses as her eyes darted towards the huge Led display screen on the building. The sports news flash, zooming the familiar face of a guy that Miyu knew well. 'Echizen Ryoma, the youngest tennis participant proceeds in finals this coming Friday.' Name written in bold capital letters, news about him winning consecutively without a single match taken away from him was the content of the news. Miyu was tentatively listening for every detail given by the news. A smile cane across her lips knowing the news.
"He's a Japanese American right?" Elizabeth asks while sipping on her drink.
"You know him?" Chloe asks she seems oblivious about the certain prince.
"Huh?" She looks at her with skeptical look on her face. " Who wouldn't know him? Of course! He's popular to England! It's quite a pity because he still not playing for Wimbledon tournament given his skills. And many tennis players as well tennis enthusiasts anticipating for his participation. Don't you know it? Well, of course, you were not if you're not a tennis fan or something, my daddy is a huge fan."
"Right, even my brother was a huge fan too" Charlie agreed.
"Oh!" Chloe made a huge O on her mouth. "So, what is the reason why he's still not playing with what do you call it? Wimbleton?" She asks curiously.
"It's Wimbledon darling" Elizabeth winks. " Well for what I knew he is 17 years old I think?"
"Maybe he was still studying that's why" Julia commented.
"17 years old is a high schooler in our country" Miyu answered. She stared at them. For some reason she felt little irritated knowing how Elizabeth seems taking an interest to her Ryoma.
"I see." Choe uttered
"But you know what? he's already a pro at very young age and pretty loaded" Charlie giggles.
"Hey! What's with loaded I am thinking of something else!" Elizabeth laughed.
"Hey you dirty minded!" Charlie slaps Elizabeth in her arms lightly aiming a slow giggle from them both " What I mean is, based on his ranking, he earns too much for his age. What else you were thinking" Charlie added laughing "Oh! C'mon! Speaking of it, I'm sure a lot of his fans were curious about his personal life, is he exclusively dating? Preference? Like that! Coz if not! I am glad to offer a night with him" Charlie laughed, making Elizabeth laughed too.
Miyu stared at her with discontentment in her face.
"Who knows? According to my daddy he seems to be a very private person. He always answers with shrugs whenever reporters trying to conceal some juicy information about his personal life"
"Interview?" Chloe asks.
"Well, my daddy is a sports journalist. And right now, he is in Oahu open in Hawaii to cover the entire tournament. I bet, the only person my dad will cover is him. He's a very huge fan!"
"Lucky! If I were you, I grab the opportunity to meet him in person!" Charlie dreamily exclaims.
"Hah! No thanks, maybe he got looks, fame, money and all but daddy said he's too snob. I'm not into it. Though, I want him in my bed like you" Elizabeth giggles in the last part.
"C'mon! Who wouldn't like?" Charlie rolled her eyes. "Since he was an athlete, I'm sure he's pretty tenacious about sex" Charlie giggled.
Miyu eyebrow creased, she wanted to refuted them by telling them that Ryoma wasn't that kind of person and he will never look at them nor took glance to them when Julia beat her to it.
"Well, I bet he might be not into those things." Julia refuted.
"And what do you mean by that?" Elizabeth seems offended in her words
"Some, I am not pretty sure though, have a high respect when it comes from "purity". In our country, most of traditional and religious families we exercise "no sex until marriage" though it's not mandated by law; by traditions and religion, we keep our purity and saved it for our husbands. It is the best gift we can offer for them. Though as time passed, generations by generations changes. Mind-set of individual become more openly minded than before, well, I don't say I am completely disagreeing with pre-marital sex, I respect them, their decisions, they beliefs, but for me, who grew up in closed tight family tradition it is still a big no for me" Julia explains.
"And that's too boring" Elizabeth grunted. "C'mon! Sex is fun. It's too bland to taste one dish for the rest of your life! Gah! I'm lucky that our family is not like yours. " She added.
"Yep! not on my liking. I lost mine when I was only 14 and kind of addicting by now" Charlie giggles. "Like who doesn't want to taste different sizes?" She beams.
"Oh! Please I don't want to hear any of your sex stories!" Chloe intervened laughing.
"How about you Miyu? Does Julia's immaculate principle applies to you too?" Elizabeth jokingly said.
"Well... I'm still a... Virgin though" Miyu answered in subtle voice, her face flushed as she was really embarrassed about this sudden topic of them. Well, technically speaking she's really indeed one, though Miyu and Ryoma shared some 'dirty little secrets' together, they never crossed beyond that. Their heated making outs turns into heated body touching, almost naked on her own bedroom, straddling each other's bodies, but he never touches her down there, despite her encouraging him to continue to do so he would stop. And no matter how she persuades him that it's okay, he would firmly dissuade the idea of continuing so. Sometimes, Miyu felt a less of herself, is there is something wrong with her? No matter how he's seems into it, his eyes reflect desire every time, however, he seems would rather run laps or drink his senpais penal tea than doing it to her.
"What? Your so cute Miyu!" Elizabeth added. She stared at her with smile.
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"Miyu" Elizabeth entered their shared hotel room, eyes seem tired for hours of rehearsing, she still greeted the young lass with genuinely smile.
"Done with your practice?" Miyu asks.
"Yep," Elizabeth answered. "Hey. I have something to ask"
"What is it?"
"Do you have some sorts of feelings towards Echizen Ryoma?"
Miyu's eyes widened in surprised. Was she's that obvious? "Well-" Miyu contemplating whether to confirm or deny it. The idea of telling her that actually she was his ex-girlfriend comes to her mind. But Miyu didn't want that, if there is one confirmation, she wanted to share to everyone is that she was his girlfriend and not his ex. Miyu just nodded her head, once this tournament ended, she will settle things to him.
"I knew it!" Elizabeth laughed. "Girl, don't worry I got you about this!" She winks. "I got you!"
The much awaiting championship is now begun, many tennis enthusiasts and journalist came first in order to see the much awaiting match between the youngest tennis prince. However, despite the great excitement that the spectators feel right now, the tennis prince is in the middle of his grunting. His annoyed expression concealed perfectly in his stoic face, though it's quite obvious how his eyebrow twitches, Kei Takashima sighed heavily. He shakes his head seeing how this guy acting like now. Although he has a hunch for why's, he remains silent.
"I'll just wait in the entrance then" he confirmed
Ryoma looks at him with just that what I told you so look on his face.
"Are you sure she is coming?" He unintelligently asks, which is a wrong move by the way.
The tennis prince brows furrowed more, his annoyance that he kept hiding in cool facade unleashed for a second. "Of course, she is!" He grunted.
Kei simply hang his head in air. 'And that's not the face of someone who is certain!'
The umpire announces the start of the game, Ryoma quickly walks to the court, he glances towards his manager once more before giving his signal that they only knew. The young tennis prince faces his opponent. His arrogant remark on him was surely annoying, but what's more annoying is the fact that until now, there is still no sign of Ryuzaki Sakuno anywhere! Surely enough, she really knows how to test his patience at its peak. And in the first place, Ryoma knew well how an impatient he was. He glances once again to the crowd before finally facing his opponent, calculating his moves.
Well let's be more patient now. 2 sets will not hurt right?
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Sakuno was facing back and forth, her eyes automatically looks at her wrist and sighing afterwards; and she's been doing it for almost an hour now. Rinko, together with Nanako and Nanjirou was simply looking at her, they all exchanging meaningful glances to each other and smiled.
'mou! What should I do?'
Although Sakuno knew the answer to her question she's having second thoughts about it. Sakuno sighed. She stared once more towards her watch, when Rinko came on her side smiling.
"Sakuno-chan, what's the matter?"
"Auntie Rinko!" She seems surprised. "Anou, n-nothing!" She utterly stuttered.
"Are you not going to watch his game? Now is the championship, right?" Rinko asks.
Sakuno remain silent, of course! She wanted to go, but that is the right thing? If she goes now, it means she finally agreed right? But what about Ryoma's? Is marrying him is the best choice? Is marrying him makes the guy happy? There are many doubts piled up on her head that taking her decision to be forsaken. Although she already decided, but everything back to square one whenever she thinks of the possible might happened.
Rinko smiled. "If it's hard to decide by using your brain, how about using your heart?" She spoke. "I know, future is quite scary as it is, there is no easy path to take. No matter what you decided. But always decide for what makes you happy, whether you failed or not in the future, at least once you choose to be happy" she added gently patting her head. "Sakuno-chan, don't be too hard on yourself, choose yourself and your own happiness, whatever decision you make, we're here... For you..."
Overthinking kills happiness. And that's for sure. For once, it's okay to be greedy right? For once, she wanted to do something for herself, Sakuno stood up from her seat.
"Auntie"
And this once, the only thing she really ever wanted to happen is...
'I want to love you and stay with you forever... Ryoma-kun"
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"Game set, won by Curtis, 2-0"
"What is happening?" The tennis prince fan's started mumbling on their seat, wearing worried faces. However, despite of their worried faces, Ryoma remains calm, he smirked as he saw a familiar pigtail hair from the distance.
Sakuno who was not different from the others looks at the certain prince, luckily, she didn't get lost on her way to the stadium, and Kei who seems troubled from the entrance door was waiting for her.
"Hey" Ryoma points his rackets towards his opponent, "Let's finish this for about 15 minutes." He speaks naturally in English
"What?" Curtis asks. Before he could even react, a powerful smash came like a lightning in a flash. The crowd seems astonished for sudden act, and the last thing was happening, was th loud cheering voices of the crowd together with the call of the umpire whom late to react.
"You... You are toying me from the start?" Curtis sneered.
"Hmm... Mada mada Dane "he said smirking, "I'm just buying time" Ryoma smirked once again. Hitting his powerful cyclone smash as his ending strike.
"Game and set won by Echizen 5-2"
His eyes found hers. Sakuno smiled warmly towards the young prince. From the distance, Ryoma inwardly smirked.
"Congratulation Echizen Ryoma for winning this match. That was a dramatic match Mr. Echizen, you trick us this time" Robbins, one of the exclusive journalists said. He smiled proudly towards the young prodigy.
"Thanks" he said curtly, he fixes the brim of his cap as his eyes never leaves her, it was lucky enough, that the location she was, is not noticeable, and only his keen eye can see the pigtail girl, Kei Takashima indeed did his assignment very well.
"Well, a lot of fans were wondering, and we are also wondering, what is your plans after winning this tournament?"
"Hmm...my only plans right now are to go home at this moment" Ryoma smirked, "that's all thank you" he said, bidding his goodbye he hurriedly walks out leaving the reporters in awe.
The figure of a pigtail hair girl was the first thing he notice from the hallway, Ryoma smirked as he watches her playing with her feet as she was leaning on the wall.
Sakuno feel nothing but nervousness, after Kei left her here; her heart started to marathon inside her chest, she felt her body will turn into jelly if she didn't lean on anything; while waiting for his arrival, Sakuno keep thinking of possible words she needs to tell him. How woudl she reacts by the way? Mou! I'm getting nervous and nervous!
Sakuno sighed heavily when she took notice of a familiar pair of shoes in her front, slowly she looks up meeting his intense stare
"Ryoma-kun"
A smirked form on his lips before she realizes that she was suddenly rise from the ground, his gentle grip on her tiny waist as he encircles her in the air with a grin on his face, Sakuno can't help but to smile sweetly towards him.
"Neh Sakuno, when is our wedding?"
It's quite a sight to see the Echizen household be complete like this. Echizen Ryoga, the older brother of the tennis prodigy, was seating comfortably beside his step-mother, grinning like an idiot; his one hand leaning on his chin. For how he flew miles away from here is quite remarkable, Ryoma could guess from whom he heard the news in advance.
His father, Nanjirou Echizen was leaning his body on the wall, with his huge grins on his face as he looks animatedly amused to them, while his mother Rinko, seating right in their front accompanied by his cousin on her side Nanako.
"Hah! You were both too young!"
"Hah, are we not done talking about this?" Ryoma deadpanned uttered, he put his hand on his cheek as a signed of getting bored about this undying topic. "What's with our age anyway? We're both 17 and nearly 18 in a few months"
"Still... Too early to get married!" Rinko insists. "How about getting engage first? Then get married right after you both graduate?" She bargains.
Ryoma looks at his own mother with disbelief, he can practically hear the snickering voices of his father and brother from the distance. "We've been engaged for 10 years kaa san, don't you think it's enough? Besides, age is just a number kaa san. What's the difference of getting married older when we can get married now?" He skeptically asks. Ryoma can't clearly see the logic behind it. Just because they were too young to get married their relationship will eventually failed in the future? How sure of them? Does age apply for maturity of a person? It's too annoying that they quickly judge them first and insisting that their relationship will turns out to the way he didn't see for himself. As if they have some kind of foresight. He knows some individuals who got married later yet failed in their relationships. So technically speaking, age is not the reason why, thus the maturity and commitment itself. Well, to tell it frankly, Ryoma was fully aware that he was not that a pro when it comes to commitments and relationships, he's fully aware that he still not matures enough, he can easily throw tantrums and his childish antics at times and he's quite handful okay... scratch that, he is really handful, but he was willing to compromised. He is willing to change his old bad habits and make a better version of himself. Would that not be enough? Well, if it is necessarily for him to bowed down his head 180 degrees towards the pigtail girl why not, right? It may be sound cliché and cringe, but Ryoma perfectly pictures his future, and in every version of his future he envisions about himself, there is certain Ryuzaki Sakuno on the picture. And a version of future without her, just by simply imagining about it is terribly awful.
Ryoma looks at his own mother with determined face; whatever the future might bring to them, whether it may be quite a bumpy and rough road they take, no matter how many ups and down they have through as long as they willing to work things out together hand and hand everything is possible right? This journey they both choose for themselves, Ryoma was willing to take his all; love, trust, affection everything. His willing to give his all to her. It's his first time to deal with this kind of intense emotion anyway, so he's way too willing to give and do everything. Whatever it takes
"Hah!" Rinko sighed dramatically, she looks at Sakuno who keeps fidgeting in his side, nervous she seems their eyes meet. "Sakuno-chan, what is your thoughts about this?" She was hoping that Sakuno has a different thought unlike her impulsive son.
Sakuno stared at her for a while before diverting her eyes towards them all, she blushed immediately as she looks down, she was aware that the people around her was waiting for her to response. A warm hand holds her hand, Sakuno didn't need to look for whom the owner of the hand, he gently squeezes her hand. Taking a deep breathe she stared at them straight in the eyes. "Uhm... Ano... I know this may absurd and implusive as it is. It is never be an easy journey for us, what we both choose is something complicated, but if it's him, we can do this." She smiled, she decided to put his faith towards the tennis prince. She decided to think of her own happiness.
"Fine. Why I didn't see this coming anyway" Rinko rolled her eyes towards his son but later smile. "But only in one condition" she added firmly "you have to keep this marriage in secret until both of you finish high school"
"Yadda!" Ryoma quickly response
"Will you listen to me first!" Rinko glared at her son. "Ryoma this isnt the right time for you to be stubborn! Do you even realize your school protocol? Marriage is strictly prohibited in your school! Let alone you are marrying at a minor age!" Rinko flared up.
Ryoma looks at her as if telling, 'is that a problem?' look on his face.
Rinko sighed heavily. She looks at her husband asking for help. "Can you please put some senses to your son?"
Ryoga snickered from her step-mother's side, amused on what's happening right now.
"I think what's your mother suggesting is the best for now sheishounen" Nanjirou muttered, his small finger was inside of his ear.
"Besides the news of your sudden marriage will put a huge blow towards Sakuno-chan upon anything else?" Ryoga interrupted. He peeks towards his younger sibling with one open eyes
"What do you mean by that?" Ryoma retorted.
"People loves gossips Ryoma-san and your sudden marriage will put uproar, what Ryoga-san saying, they will dig down information for your sudden marriage and will never let it pass! They sure drag Sakuno-chan in this kind of drama, blaming her and point fingers. They will never stops making stories about you two!" Nanako intervened. "And knowing how popular you are, don't you think Sakuno-chan will gain hates for your fans? The pressure will blow on Sakuno's side."
"And why would we think about what others will think?" Ryoma skeptically said "as if they knew the whole story"
"Whether they knew the story or not, whether you don't care about them or not, how about Sakuno -chan?" His mother retorted.
Ryoma looks at Sakuno intently. Demanding for her own thoughts about this.
"Anou... I was thinking of the same thing too..." She said looking at her dress as if there is something interesting on it.
"Hah, if you're thinking of something bad, they might do to you, don't worry. I'm here. Besides I don't care no matter what they say as long as they don't hurt you" he stated.
"Mou! But I cared, they are your fans, who cheers for every victories you have. And besides, I want to finish high school in peace. I don't want to be drag down here and there by them, extracting information on you" she slowly muttered.
"Hah!" Ryoma sighed.
"Besides society is cruel as it is, they will believe what they wanted to believe whether it is the truth or not" Rinko said "marrying at this early will greatly affect Sakuno-chan, wrong rumors about Sakuno-chan might spread. Not all your fans will wish you a happily ever after, most of your fans simply wanted you for themselves. They might not physically hurt our Sakuno-chan, but they might attack her verbally and emotionally. I won't say that all of your fans were like that. But people toxic behavior is one thing, Ryoma. They won't stop to meddle until not satisfied. And don't you think at this time, what you needed both is to strengthen your relationship first as married couple rather than dealing with this unnecessarily drama you created?"
"Hah! Fine! But only this high school" Ryoma quickly answered.
"And besides Chibuske, people might think you accidentally bang her, or you got her pregnant, coz there is no way you rush into marriage that fast!" Ryoga said while smirking.
Both eyes widen in shocked, Ryoma and Sakuno looked at Ryoga who seems to amuse more from their expression. Wearing different shades of red on their faces.
"You idiot Ryoga!" Ryoma burst out; his ears burned as if he looks really embarrassed. Sakuno on the other hand, blushed, she looks down not meeting any of their stares.
"What? Now we're talking" Ryoga taps his fingers in the table, clearly, he really enjoys this "Why acting like that? Don't you know what married life should be? No idea? C'mon! You know what I meant right?"
Of course, they knew what does it means to be married. But it was supposed to talked right in front of the table? To be honest, Ryoma didn't think about that, what's clearly focus in his mind is to tied her to him. Now, thinking about it, does they have to do marital duties? Was Sakuno is fine with that? An image crosses his mind for a moment making him feel a gushing heat all over his body. however, he quickly shrugs it off. Damn it. Ryoma pulls yourself together! Of course! He wasn't that pervert as his father nor brother. He respects Sakuno's decision towards that thing, besides he can wait until she was ready or both of them were ready. Afterall, they have plenty of years to spend together.
"Seems someone getting excited" Ryoga whispered but his voice turns into deaf ears because of his father's loud voice.
"That's right! That's right!" Nanjirou snickered, adding flames on the fire. "Once you got married, of course you supposed to share to everything, room, bed every day and every night. Of course, I know the main highlight is during the night when -"
"Oyaji!"
"Nanjirou!" Rinko's threatening voice makes the samurai stops from his words. "Ryoma, Sakuno-chan, we won't stop you from doing anything behind closed doors but please... Ryoma, please learns how to control yourself. And no grandchildren not until you both finished high school!"
"Kaa san!" Ryoma exaggeratedly call his mother.
"What? I am just stating the fact son, it's normal for a married couple, and besides you are your father's son" Rinko glared.
"What do you mean by that? I am not like oyaji!" Ryoma horrified shouted.
"Hahaha! That's right! Chibuske, you don't have to be worried about that part, we're pretty gifted y'know but maybe I can share you some techniques about-"
"Shut up! Stupid RYOGA!"
From the side, Sakuno felt her face heated like a fire. How badly she wanted to be eaten by the floor right now. Until now, everything was still not sinking in, in her mind. Mou! This topic is so embarrassing!
"Now, now. It's seeming we will be too busy for now on. We only have few days to prepare." Rinko stood up on her seat. "I will settle the documents needed for your wedding. You can apply for your marriage license via online. Since both of you were still minor, parents' approval will be necessarily. And Sakuno-chan" Rinko smiled. "Sumire baa san already left a guardian consent in advance about your marriage. As if obaa san is fully aware that my son would do something like this" she glared at Ryoma. "Once your marriage was finalized here in Hawaii, we better go back as soon as possible in Japan in order to file your marriage and put your name in family registry" Rinko stated. "I also need to settle and makes some arrangement in your school. So, let's call off this day today" she smiled. "And welcome to the family Sakuno-chan"
"Yay! Hooray! Let's plan your wedding! " Nanako claps her hand, shouted in delight
For the record, I embraced different cultures, lifestyle as well as traditions of different races. What I written above was a "typical teenager" perspective. We have different beliefs and perspectives in life, that's how the characters tried to initiate in the story. So please! I repeat! Never ever judge someone by their own perspective, let's avoid criticism at all cause. I tried put different thoughts in a sensitive matter at positive way without harming anyone. So, let's spread love and positivity!
Next update will be the preparation of wedding, their wedding and ahem! Their honeymoon *winks* if there's any. Hahaha.
