Chapter 14: Unleashed Emotions
"Time is a fickle thing. You can be with someone for years and never know what real love is and fall in love truly and completely after weeks of spent with someone who literally redefines what it means to be happy. Love always doesn't fit into a timeframe"
"ECHIZEN RYOMA… IS NEVER BEEN A SINGLE"
To make matter even worse than expected; surely, Echizen Ryoma is in a big trouble. Written in bold capital letters, the news about him and Miyu shared a kiss together made a huge uproar in their school entertainment blog. Yup, their school have that kind of shits. Posted after a few hours when it happens; speculations about them two are making a huge impact inside their campus. And that happens three days ago. Yet, up until now the news won't die down. They even shared and comments some pictures of them together while he took the young ballerina at her home! Yep! He did that, he unwillingly took the girl to her home. How does it happen? It's all thanks to his annoying nosy senpais who didn't let him go until they got what they want. Plus, thanks to his 'oh! So, very supportive wife' of his who give a silent approval that night. Was she being for real? She let her own husband go with some other girl? Let alone his own ex? The tennis prince sighed deeply.
"This is against the school rules, right?" The tennis prince asks, his brows furrowed, he was annoyed to the turns of event that is happening to him right now.
"The school admins were nothing against it though; this blog was made for school campaigns, announcement and of course entertainment purposes. Well, it serves as a platform for public opinions and help the school journalism club enhance their skills, I guess? unless if it is written with malicious content and will causing harm to individual or cyber bullying" Momoshiro shrugs.
"Well, this is causing me harm!" The tennis prince rebuke, technically. His relationship with his wife is in stake because of this. So technically speaking, this whole posted blog driving him nuts. But what's worse than that is his own wife. Echizen Sakuno is keeping her silence until now. And it's driving him insane. Two nights ago (the same day Miyu kissed him), when he went home, he badly wanted to talk things to her, to clear out anything to her. And yet, he caught her pretending to sleep. Yes! After he saw her waiting at him thru window, she has a gut to pretend asleep. To make matters worse, she dismissively smiled at her earlier in the morning when he tried to talk, saying that 'it's okay! I completely understand' and what the hell did she understand?! What was that for? Surely, Sakuno hated on point and in-direct confrontations like this. So instead of confronting things, she settled to self-analyzing everything on her pretty head of hers and submissively understand everything. Well missy! You're wrong! It didn't work that way. Echizen Sakuno should learn to properly communicate! But how we will do that? Sakuno surely knows how to shut him down! Goddamnit!
"Nah Echizen, everyone is anticipating for the second chance between you two." Momo said chuckling. "And base on what happen, She's still into you y'know"
From the corner of the tennis court, Kaido was seriously looking at them. Silently listening to them.
"We are just friends. Period" the tennis prince dismissively said. "So, will you please quit connecting us!" He angrily hissed.
Okay, he got it, they are once connected to each other. They dated. But c'mon! They already broke up! He even got himself a wife (though in private) but why does people love to continue linking them together? As if they were some sorts of love team in television?! Really? Just really? Why does they always loved to gossip about him? He is not a celebrity and Miyu was not their schoolmate for crying out loud. Ryoma couldn't get it at all. It doesn't make sense at all, Like what the hell?! Was their serious?
The tennis prince grunted once more. He closes his eyes trying to divert his mind into something else other than the annoying blog. This whole thing makes him age twice, this is not supposed his major concern. Well, in fact, he wasn't a type of person who didn't give a damn about everything. And yet, just remembering the look on his wife's face makes him agitated. How can he be not be stress out? Clearly, his wife was not talking to him for three days! Three fucking days! Ryoma abruptly opens his eyes, as he remembers her expression, although she smiles to him, telling him it's okay, her eyes never lie. Her smiles never reached her eyes. Her sad expression is somehow he definitely didn't like. The tennis prince felt the urge to see her. He doesn't like the idea that she might feeling or thinking like now. Hastily, he stood up.
"Oi... Where are you going?" Momoshiro asks.
"Ponta" he answered without looking at his senpai. He hurriedly went out of the court.
Kaido, on the other hand, simply looks at him, watching him as he went on the different direction where the vendo machine was.
"You should learn to quit pushing him to the wrong side. Ba ka!" Kaido hissed upon deciding to walk away to his frenemy.
"Huh? What was that?" Momoshiro skeptically asks, confused on him.
"Idiot" Kaido retorted.
"Sakuno, have you ever tried tying your hair in ponytail?" Tomoka asked, one hand on her chin as she was busy on her phone, scrolling. Again. It's been three days since the posted blog was created. And for three days. Tomoka did nothing but to checked on the comments and reactions on her phone.
Sakuno stared at Tomoka for a while, as if she didn't get what she was asking for, her brows furrowed more.
Tomoka huffed, "What am I saying is, does Ryoma-sama saw you in different hairstyle than that? I mean in ponytail?" She asks pointing her trademark pigtailed hair.
"Uhm. I don't think so" Sakuno answered. "I never tried tying my hair in different style since I was 6 years old."
"You mean, you always done that hairstyle of yours since you were a child?" Tomoka eyes widen.
"Yes. Why?" Sakuno puzzledly asks.
"I don't get it. I really don't get it! I refuse to believe it! No! It's not her! It's not Kurosawa- chan was Ryoma-sama's ideal girl!" Tomoka exclaimed, thank heavens that they are in the bench in open field and no one was around "Just try to remembering it!" She impatiently asks "Maybe you tried once!" She exaggeratedly said. Looking so seriously on her.
Sakuno sighed. "Mou! I never did. Okay." She said in low voice. Since then, the blog about Kurosawa Miyu's and the certain prince relationship in the past and their possible comeback spread like a wildfire. Of course, Sakuno saw the whole posted blog about. It digs down on their relationship from the past, how they two met, how their relationship was and how perfect couple they are. Many commentators gave their opinions about it. And a lot was hoping that they will getting back together. Tomoka was hype because of this, all she did was to read the said blog all over again. She keeps on howling in the contents saying 'this is not true!', 'who's the source of this!', to the point that she got a heated debate towards their other classmates insisting for what she's fighting for.
It's so draining! Sakuno wasn't prepared for any of this. She was so shocked for all the twist of events that happens so fast like lightning strike. She still wasn't move on from the kissed incident; seeing her own husband kissed by another girl shattered her heart. Although she saw how he pushed her away, the damage was already done!
And yet now!
Sakuno sighed, Truth to be told, Kurosawa-san was vague on her, although she knew she was her husband's ex-girlfriend, she never knew anything about their relationship on the past. They never really had a chance to talk about it. It's not like she wanted it to know, though a part of her wanted too, she respects Ryoma's decision for not talking about it, so she never asks anything about her and let him say it to her voluntarily and wait for that time. or much better to say, she doesn't have a heart to asks, she was so afraid to ask him about her. Afraid for his answers at all. Now that she was here, came back, she didn't know how to react! Everything was so sudden to her.
she was so beautiful, talented and classy'
''and smart too'
And now she starting to question herself where she should stand too? Everyone likes her to him, including their senpai tachis give their supports to them. Afterall, she's just a mere pathetic girl who just pop out claiming she's a fiancée, well in fact she was completely forgotten and now snatch the tennis prince by marrying him.
"What a load of garbage" Tomoka almost throws away her phone and yet she gets it again to read it... Once again... "The only right thing she right about this is Ryoma-sama is never been single... Of course! He got married to you" Tomoka stared at Sakuno.
Sakuno and An both sighed. Tomoka seems much, more affected in the content than her, whom she only read it in one time. She can't even have a strength to re-read it again. She can't even look at the comments. Okay, she was so affected! To the point that having a simple conversation to her own husband scares her.
"Seriously, Sakuno it supposed to be you. You are the wife!" Tomoka hissed.
"Mou! Tomoka-chan, not so loud please!" Sakuno put her hand to her mouth.
"Hmp! This so ridiculous! They should learn how to move on!" Tomoka stabs her phone using her finger, murdering her poor phone. "What are these? Some sorts of fangirling?"
"Yep. Obviously." An answered rolling her eyes. "It turns out that the one who post this, is Kaneko Kaede. Remember?"
"Oh! Right!" Tomoka rolled her eyes. "She's Kurosawa-chan's number 1 fan according to herself." She pursed her lips.
"But seriously, Sakuno, are you okay? You were too quiet since that day" An ask worried.
"Ofcourse she's not okay!" Tomoka rolled her eyes "who wouldn't? We all see how she kissed Ryoma-sama! How she holds onto him like a gecko! She even has a gut to asked her to take her home? Really! She was too obvious! She was really waiting for a chance, she knows our senpai tachis will suggested it! She knows too well that senpai- tachis will insisted it. So, tell me, how am she be, okay?" Tomoka huffed angrily.
"Right. Kurosawa-chan surprised me" An commented, "Did the two of you talked already?"
Sakuno shake her head, she looks down.
"Why?!" Tomoka demanded she even snaps her hand on the table.
Sakuno pursed her lips. "I don't know how."
"Hah! What?! You serious?" Tomoka stomped her feet on the ground. "Listen here, Echizen Sakuno! You do realize that, these things supposedly be talk about, right? That's the key of relationships, so basic. Communications. How on earth you fix your misunderstanding if you don't two talked?"
"We're good, we didn't fight over it and I do understand" she softly mumbled.
"So, are we going to pretend that you not purposely avoiding him for three days, Sakuno? That's not good." An commented. "you obviously avoiding him!"
"I'm fine, and besides I understand... And there is nothing wrong on the article anyway. "She forces to smile
"You're fine? You look fine like that?" Tomoka retort " and what do you perfectly understand? Do you understand why she kissed him? Do you sort things out on your head without asking him? Just assumed? And Nothing wrong?! You supposed to ask your husband. Everything is wrong! So wrong!" Tomoka's eyes almost pop out. "Did you even read it? Their speculation was nothing but bullshit! Gosh! She's part of journalism club and yet she doesn't know how to write an article? It should be always nothing but the truth!" She hissed angrily. "Listen!" She said, she taps her cellphone once again " first girlfriend will never be considered as first love! There are few instances that they mistook their feelings as love. Second, the way they write this part is so annoying! As if they envision that Kurosawa-chan and Ryoma-sama would end up in the future?! Like hello! You're here! The wife! Whoever wrote this blog is obviously taking Kurosawa-chan's side! Right! She's the fan anyway. I got it. But oh! C'mon! And lastly, she even enumerated how meant to be there was! Gosh! I should post a comment about this!" Tomoka angrily snaps. She even crosses her arms on her chest. "And do you know what's fishier here?!" She burst out. "That, this whole article came out the moment Kurosawa-chan step in! I really have a bad feeling about this Sakuno! It's obviously a scheme!"
"Tomoka has a point Sakuno" An added.
"But... That's partly true right?... I mean... Ryoma-kun never really have a serious relationship aside from Kurosawa-san, she was the first person he got interested with aside from tennis and their relationship lasted for three years. I guess what she wrote in the blog is true" Sakuno explains "and besides, the article came out since she came in, nothing so wrong about that."
"Hah! Seriously? But not to the point that they deduced that they will end up together! That they have a bright future together! Together?! It should be separately! Since they broke up! Already" Tomoka fired up. "People should learn to move on! They should be open to the possibilities that Ryoma-sama will love someone else!" She added. "And that's you!" She points Sakuno. "And please, Sakuno. Be more vigilant!"
"But you know... Kurosawa-san was indeed beautiful. What I mean is, she's really perfect to Ryoma-kun and besides They fitted together to sum it up" she mumbled slowly. For the moment she laid eyes on her, Sakuno started asking herself for unending why's. Why did they break up? why Ryoma-kun let her go? They seem so perfect to each other. They seem so happy to each other. Besides, she witnesses it first-hand right? The memories from her third-year middle school still lingers on her mind. And now, she saw it directly, the twinkles on Kurosawa-san eyes are evident. She loves him still.
"Hah! Seriously?! An! An! Talk to her please!" Tomoka hold her nape as if she was having a high blood pressure attack at any moment "put some senses on Sakuno's mind before I lost my mind" she said almost glaring to the poor twin braided girl.
"Seriously Sakuno, are you having doubts about yourself?" An ask. "You're relationship with Echizen-kun?"
"You see... I am just nothing. And to have Ryoma-kun in me is beyond too much. I felt like I don't deserve him at all and he deserve better than me" Sakuno explains. She looks down trying so hard to restraint herself from crying. "And you do know why we're married right?"
An slightly huffed "so, meaning to say, you were more than willing to make way? For them? If ever? That's it? You better start talking to your husband right now to have a better thinking." She said amusingly.
Sakuno lips parted. Of course, even its hurts bigtime if the tennis prince would be happy with her. She will gladly obliged.
Her silence makes An raised her brows, her lips slightly rose in sideways really amused on her "tell that to Echizen-kun and see what will happen next" she said.
"Ha! Seriously Sakuno? You thinking of something like that? Instead of putting walls over your husband here you are... What's wrong with you? You supposed doing anything to secure him not the other way around. He is already yours."
Sakuno smiled. "I don't own Ryoma-kun either, no one own himself aside his, and besides...I should feel grateful to her though, coz someone like her loved Ryoma-kun." She smiled. That's true, she was thankful that someone aside from her love him. He receiving love and surrounded by people who cared at him.
"You know... You were really a good person Sakuno" An said sincerely. "I honestly saw why Echizen-kun married you."
"And Who said your nothing? You have everything! Have you seen yourself in the mirror? Your beautiful. Inside and out. Besides you got the prince of tennis you know! I'm sorry for being frustrated like this" Tomoka mumbled. She seems calm now. "Y'know! I'm doing your part! Since you're so good to be true! Gosh! I have an angel best friend! I'm so lucky to have a best friend like you. Did I rescue a whole nation of Min Dynasty in my previous lifetime?" She laughed lighting up the mood. "But seriously Sakuno, you should be careful" Tomoka warns her, her eyes turn serious "Kurosawa-chan is up to something! I'm pretty sure of it"
"Mou! Don't be like that, she seems nice" Sakuno muttered
"Hah! That's your problem! You always see the best to anyone even on their worst state. I am telling you this, because I am pretty sure, even the kindest person turns into something bad for the one they loved." Tomoka seriously uttered. "My gut feeling never failed me. So be careful"
"Mou!"
"Gosh! I felt like I drained myself. C'mon! Let's go and watch them play. It's almost time of their practice" Tomoka stood up from her seat.
"Right. The manager should always present on their practices y'know!" An seconded giggling
"Uhm. Just go first without me, I will follow you soon." Sakuno smiled.
"You sure?" The two said in unison
"Uhn. I just needed to sorts my thoughts out."
"You're not hiding to Echizen-kun again, right?" An retorted, raising her brows.
"How can I hide from him if we are living in the same house?" Sakuno said.
"Right. But be sure to come huh?"
"of course I will go, I'm their manager"
The two nodded their heads hesitantly, upon walking away, Sakuno stared at their backs, she shifted her eyes on the sky.
'let's clear our head Sakuno! Yosh!'
Or maybe not.
The moment Sakuno see her husband walking in the opposite direction to hers; all her gathered courage vanished in the thin air. Looking at his intense golden eyes staring at her makes her heart beats fast and wanted to runs fast away from him, so she did. She did run away to him. Again.
"Oi... Sakuno"
Sakuno runs fast as she could, although she knew the fact that the tennis prince might catch up on her phase, she still tried her best. Without a delay, she badly wanted to escape from him, running so fast as she could without looking at anything, she did turn to the back side of the tennis locker room, however even before she succeeded doing it, she accidentally tripped on her own making her fell completely in the ground.
"Damn it! Are you okay?" Despite of her aching knee, Ryoma's worried face was the first thing Sakuno notice, she never realized that he was already here in her side, kneeling as he was tending her bleeding knees.
"Damn it Sakuno, what are you thinking?" He hissed, giving her a warning look, she hurriedly looks down sensing how mad he was. Realizing her fault, she opens her mouth to speak, only to be surprise by her sudden floating in the air, she clutches her hand to his jacket, while eyes widening in surprised.
"Mou! Ryoma-kun, someone might see us!" She muttered.
"And do you think I give a damn about that now?" Ryoma retorted. He carried her bridal style.
Sakuno duck her head once again, sensing that is no good on countering him. The tennis prince laid her on the countertop sink carefully. This is the usual place where the regulars always go after their practice. She watches him opening the faucet and carefully damping a clean cloth on her knees; she watches him while he was busy cleaning her knees, she flinched, the pain from getting tripped was started and slowly sinking in to her. Her eyes shifted on her wounded knees, the cut was not that big, but it makes her knee swollen a little.
"Is it hurts?" There is a lace of concern in his voice, though still looks annoyed, his concern was evident on his eyes. "Why are you running away to me again?" He asks accusingly, he stared at her chocolate eyes.
"I am not running away from you" Sakuno mumbled
"Yeah, tell that to the moon wife." He snorted as he continues cleaning her bloody knees. "Listen, I am done with your silence and running away stints. I give you much enough time. Now, we will be going to talk, you won't run away to me again, okay?" He said with finality. Sensing how her reaction changes, seeing how shocked and bit scared she was, his supposedly annoyance quickly vanished. Just like that! Ryoma sighed, he gently caressed her bangs and put it in side, "we will talk once we got home kay?" He muttered in his gentle voice. "For now, let's go to clinic to cure your wounds. It might get infected"
Sakuno nodded her head, she stared at him for a while before he tilted his head on hers giving her a warm kiss on her forehead.
'This is getting duller and duller'
'Nothing is better'
Atobe Keigo, dismissively gesture his hand to stop the musicians on his front. He smirked sheepishly, as he took a drink of his favorite drink. Hiding the dissatisfaction on his face, he laughs out. Nothing is really interesting from him aside to that girl.
Ryuzaki Sakuno.
"Do you want me to look for her?" Oshitari asks, fixing his fake glasses on his eyes.
"Are you kidding me ahn" Atobe Keigo smirked. For the fortune he has, for the connection he has, it's not so impossible to see where she was, but so, he doens't that desperate to look after her. After her flatly rejection on his goodwill, Atobe Keigo knew better at all. Her rejection is her lost. But why he can't get that girl away from his head?
"I heard that she is somewhere here in Tokyo" the Hyoutei genius muttered.
"There is no need to look for her" Atobe shake his head. For some reason, he felt like he will be going to see her. And that would be soon.
.
.
.
"MIYU!" Akira screams, delighted to see her friend. "Gosh! You look prettier!"
" Oh please! Akira, I already brought something for you no need to impressed me!" Miyu smiled
"I love you friend! You're the best!" Akira giggles.
"It's good you finally back Miyu" Akane smiled.
"Likewise. It's so good to finally be here" Miyu muttered
On the other hand, Hikaru stared at her friend, a smile crept on Miyu's lips as their eyes met. She smiled back.
"You! I heard you did something in Seigaku High! So bold Miyu! What U.S brought you?!" Akira teases her friend, "my friend told me the scene you made? Really? You kissed Echizen-kun? Are you finally got back together?" Akira excitedly asks. Making Hikaru brows furrowed, and confusingly look at Miyu at the same time. She wanted to say something, but she was hesitant. Miyu looks at her, smiling.
"Well, I guess it will be soon?!" Miyu announces laughing, making Hikaru looks at her once again, confused.
"Oh! What's wrong with you Hikaru? You are too quiet." Akane asks their friend.
"Nothing, I am just thinking of something" Hikaru muttered, her eyes remain at Miyu who simply rose her brows to her smirking.
.
.
.
"Hikaru!" Miyu runs towards her friend, chasing her. It was the end of their class and they supposed to go on their respective club activities since there is no ballet lesson for this day.
"What is it?" Hikaru asks, she stared at her friend.
"Thank you" Miyu smiled sincerely. "I'm guarding a best place on him, for not to be replace" she uttered.
Hikaru brows furrowed, confused.
"I am following what you have told me." She said in stoic face. "You told me so, right?" She said, leaving her friend alone.
"But if I, were you Miyu-chan, even though you both broke up, get yourself a better place on him to keep him closer to you, after all you love him a lot, right? You know, you have to guard a better place for you not to be replace"
Realizing it, Hikaru looks sadly on her friend.
"Miyu..."
Sakuno was absentmindedly combing her hair in front of their vanity mirror; as her train of thoughts were haywire to nowhere; she was staring at her face. After their dinner together; Ryoma volunteered to wash their dishes, she quickly agreed, telling him that she will going upstairs to shower, but before she could even step her feet outside the dining area, the tennis prince reminds her of their supposedly conversation. She can't never delay it anymore. Despite her resistance to talk about this, Sakuno knew better that her husband won't agree to delay this any longer. Sakuno sighed; her emotions are betraying her, though part of her wanted to give an answered for all questions that lingers on her mind for so long, a big part of her was afraid. She was so scared, for whatever making her scared, she doesn't know anymore. Scared for whatever she will hear? Scared that whatever running on her head was all true? Scared of possibilities that, these all were nothing but borrowed? Scared that one-day Ryoma will take away from her? She doesn't know. She wasn't supposed to feel and think this way, but what if? What if he still loves her? Where should she stand? What she supposed to do? Kurosawa Miyu's sudden existence scares the hell out of her.
The clicking sounds of their bathroom pulled Sakuno on her slumber thoughts, from the reflection of mirror, she saw him, her husband, fresh from a night bath, his slightly damp hair that he was cautiously wiping by the towel in his shoulder. He is wearing his usual sleepwear clothes. He stared at her for a while before finally settling down on their bed. He lean his back to their bedframe, his eyes still looking at her intently. She swallowed hard trying so hard to calm herself.
"Are you done?" The tennis prince asks in his monotonous tone. Sakuno gently nodded her head, she slowly put her comb on the dresser as she stood up completely. Walking towards the tennis prince whom eyes never left hers.
"Come here" he motioned. Sakuno obliged, she seat right in his front, the bed slightly sunk upon her sitting. She saw how his brows raised, his knowing smirked escape from his lips. "Closer Sakuno" he commanded. Sakuno slowly shifted herself nearer to him, to her surprised, the tennis prince pulled her hands, guiding her where she supposed to seat.
"Mou! Ryoma-kun, this is too much" Sakuno blushed tenfold, she was literally seating on his lap. Face to face. Her hands are leaning on his shoulder while she was looking down on him; and the tennis prince was tilting is head to meet her face, arms around on her tiny waist, her two feet on the floor.
"No, this is where you should sit, so I could see your face better" he muttered. For the love of God, Sakuno could literally smell his fresh breath, and shower gel she held her own breathe trying to calm her raging heart. The tennis prince was intently looking at her. She can't help but to feel nervous. They stayed looking at each other's eyes for quite a long time.
"Miyu and I are just friends" Ryoma slowly uttered, his eyes remain on hers, weighing her reaction. "And I'm so sorry if you have to witness that kind of scene" he sincerely spoke.
"I know. You said it so" How ironic is it that her voice was calm despite the erratically beating of her heart. Sakuno smiled bitterly on him, "and I do know she's- she's your ex-girlfriend" she slowly confessed.
Ryoma intently looking at her. "Yes, she is. Our relationship lasted for three years. We broke up because she wanted to focus on her dreams, I let her because I don't want to be a hindrance to her and we decided to remain friends. And I really don't know why she did that" He uttered slowly pertaining to the kiss. "I am planning to talk to her right after we talk, you see... I can't stand us like this. I don't like us having this kind misunderstanding let alone you shutting me out" he added. "And I'm sorry for not telling you about it. I just thought that Miyu is a sensitive topic to you, that's why I never brought the topic to you and waiting for you to asks. But now, I realized that we are both waiting; that's why here... " he paused, he gently caressed her untied hair "I am more than willing to tell everything to you. Tell me what's bothering you. Hmmm... Tell me everything," He gently held her one hand and put it to his cheek.
Sakuno shifted her eyes to his shoulder, she couldn't take the intensity of his stares, it's only a matter of time she realized that she already clutching his shirt.
"Don't shut me out Sakuno, don't run away to me if things getting out of control, if you want to asks something then ask, speak your mind, just don't think of distancing yourself. Does not how it work." He spoke gently. "You see, I am not good at this too, I am not used for any of this but I am trying. This is the first the time I ever felt like this wife. I am new for this; you are the only person who made me like this" he honestly said.
"I'm so sorry Ryoma-kun" Sakuno closed her eyes "I'm so sorry, I-I'm just scared. I'm so scared!" Tears fall in her eyes; it was too late for Sakuno to restrain her tears.
"Hey... Don't cry" Ryoma gently cupped her cheeks, brushing her tears away. "What's making my wife scared? Hmmm... Tell me" He soothes her. Somehow it makes Sakuno calms.
Lost in words, Sakuno stared at him; wondering on how she can properly convey her thoughts on him, wondering if it's really okay to tell him what's really makes her scared. Another tear fell in her eyes, she stared at his golden eyes, her lips quivered from the unspoken thoughts she always has. "I like you...a lot" She gently muttered. She saw how his eyes widen in surprised from what she said. "It's not a secret anyway, I know, you know it too" Tears fell in her eyes upon saying it. "No, I love you a lot Ryoma-kun and that's scares me... Really... I'm so scared to be left alone by you again. I'm so scared that you will realize that she's better choice than I am. I'm scared that you will choose her" For years, Sakuno was never been honest to herself. The truth is, despite of her selflessness to everything concerns him, despite of how willingly she has to give him up to someone else; when he asked too, in the deepest corner of her heart she wanted him all by herself. From the dark corner of her soul, she wishes that she will the only one for him.
Ryoma silently wipes her tears. He looks at his eyes with tenderness. "What makes you think that I will choose her?"
"You see... You only married me because I am engaged to you" Sakuno wipes her tear, she tried to smile.
"Hey, Haven't I told you already that I married you not because of that? I married you because it's you Sakuno. Not because we are bound to get married but it's you." The tennis prince softly uttered
"But you love her" Sakuno said, "you love her Ryoma-kun" she points out. "While me... I really don't know, what am I to you" For where did Sakuno got this courage to asks, she really didn't know. "But, it's okay, you don't have to answer me, okay? I-I settle for what you can give me, you always been good to me and that's enough." She smiled bitterly. "If you realized that it was still her, j-just tell me right away"
Ryoma couldn't fathom a right word to say; his eyes lingered to her. He felt his heart hurt from a sudden thought. Not for himself, but for the woman in his arms. All this time, does she always feel like this? While he was busy building their life together, she was thinking otherwise? While he was seeing their future together, she was readying herself for way out? But hey! there is no way out here Echizen Sakuno! You were tied to me for the rest of your life. Ryoma didn't know, where her uncertainties coming from. Does his affection never reach on her? Does it confuse her? Didn't his feelings for her not properly conveyed? Her growing doubts, her insecurities, her scared, her scattered self, the brokenness of her soul, he's willing to embrace it all. He is more than ready. He is more than please to magnify all his efforts and devotion, to give all the affection he can give; just for her to feel safe in his arms, until she feels secure, until she's freed with her pains and sufferings, until she finally sees her worth, until she's no longer doubting herself and his intentions, until his love for her reach thoroughly to her soul. Even I break myself into pieces just to make you whole. Sakuno, if this is not love, how should I name this emotion?
If only words of affirmation were the only reason why she felt so insecure, what's stopping him to tell her how much he loves her?
"Sakuno..." He trailed, Sakuno stared at him and all she can see was the fondness on his eyes. "Can I kiss you?" The way he asks permission lace with tenderness on his voice. Sakuno was stunned. Slowly, she nodded her head, she closed her eyes at the moment he held her nape leaning closely to his, meeting his lips. This is the only way he knows how to properly convey his feelings to her. This is the only way to tell her how much she means to him. Coz hell, words aren't enough to describe his overflowing love he had for her. His intense emotion he felt for her that buried deep within his soul, that despite of his mind forgetting about her, despite of loving Miyu, he can't love the girl completely was because of his wife. Because Sakuno is the true owner of his heart. His deep-rooted love he felt for Sakuno embedded deep inside him, that every human fiber of him was for her, only for her, longing and yearning for her.
Slowly he brushes his lips to her; the way he moves his lips are full of emotions she can't point it out, it was so pure, tender, and sweet. He held her gently as if she was a porcelain doll easily to break.
"I love you..." Her eyes snaps open from the words she surprisingly heard. Eyes widening like a saucer plate, she stared at him, his sincere eyes make her heart clenched inside her chest; yet ironically, what she felt was because of so much happiness and not because of pain.
"Hey, you are crying again" his finger brush her tears away. "My wife, is such a crybaby" Ryoma sighed.
"I-" Sakuno choked, wasn't so sure what she really wanted to say. "I'm-" another batch of tears fell on her eyes. "Am I dreaming?" She finally speaks. Ryoma gently flickers her on her forehead. "There... Happy?" The tennis prince smirked on her.
"I'm in love with you, Sakuno" so much. That words will never be enough. No words can best describe his deep growing affection he has for her.
"But why?" She asks confused. As if she can believe any of it. As if it was the biggest lie she heard.
"Ha? Seriously?" The tennis prince skeptically asks, his brows furrowed from her sudden question. "What why?" He asks back. He looks more confused than her.
"I am not good enough. You see... I am not even pretty, smart-"
"Shhsss. I don't want to hear any of it. Oh, please Sakuno" The tennis prince put his index finger on her mouth to make her shut. "Stop doubting yourself." He said sternly. "I love you because it's you, Sakuno" he sincerely said. "And I'm sorry for not telling this sooner, coz it turns out I really need to spell it out loud to you. You're too dumb to notice" he narrowed his eyes to her " I realized that my actions weren't enough to assure you." he added. "You see, I am more on actions than words. And you are the only person in this world who can make me talk a lot like this. I felt like I'm doing a speech here" He chuckled lightly. His eyes once again become serious "And I do this thing only to you" he gave a soft peck kiss on her lips "I can do intimate like this... Only to you" he said as he hugs her on her waist and buried his face on the center of her chest. Sakuno automatically clutch on his shoulder. She held her breath. Silence envelops them both. Savoring the moment.
"Ne Sakuno, I am thinking of telling our relationship to our senpai-tachis" he said from the moment of silence they had. He looks up to her, his head was still on her chest. "It's about time for them to know"
"Demo..." She trailed. "What if they don't like me?" She asks, almost whisper, her gazed shifted away.
The tennis prince brows furrowed. "Why don't they like you?"
"You see... They like Kurosawa-san for you" she mumbled.
"They are just like that because they still don't know about you" he explains "senpai-tachis were silly but they are not shallow people. They are just obsessed about my love life that's all"
"O... kay" Sakuno slowly muttered. "But, can we do that slowly? I mean, once I'm ready? If it's okay with you" She asks.
The tennis prince raises his brows, he smirked before putting his face back on her chest. "Fine. Let's do that. Once you're ready" he answered.
They remain on that position for so long; Sakuno gently brushing his hair with her fingers as he wraps his arms more to her waist, she watches him as his breathing become rugged and uneven.
"Ne Sakuno" the tennis prince calls her in his rough voice.
"Hmm?"
"I want to kiss you again" he spoke raspy. Her hand that keeps touching his hair paused from a while " but I don't want to scare you for things I might do once I taste your lips again" his voice somewhat struggling. He tilted his face, meeting her eyes. She saw the fire igniting on his beautiful golden eyes. His eyes scream danger and yet, she felt not alarmed.
"You know... You can kiss me... Every time you w-want" she said, meeting his eyes turns darken in each word she uttered.
She saw a dangerous smirked from his lips before he finally crashed his lips on hers.
Unlike earlier, there is no sign of gentleness the way he claimed her lips. Their lips dance in the rhythm that she can't even keep up with.
"Sakuno, this is not how you supposed to kiss your husband" a taunting voice escape from his lips in between their kiss.
"Mou! I don't know how to-you are my first y'know"
A satisfied smirked form on his lips "and your only one" he sensually whispered before attacking her lips again. This time it is slower, guiding her on how.
As she finally catches up his phase; their heads alternately switching places from time to time. The sounds of their heated kisses envelop their room. The slurping sounds of their tongue's sparks like a blazing forest fire.
On how and they ended up switching places, they didn't know. Sakuno was already underneath him; the heat on his eyes were evident. His face screaming of unadulterated desire.
"I'm giving you a time to stop me wife" he uttered dangerously, when she didn't response, a loop sided smirk crept on his lips before he finally pulled out his shirt away on his body revealing his bare chest on the sight. Sakuno blushed seeing the sight of her husband; Ryoma quickly gets her arms and encircled it on his nape as he attacks her lips once again. Their exchange of kisses became more needy, more deepen and demanding. They shared and slurped each other's mouth like there's no tomorrow. The sound of their tongues fighting against each other and the train of saliva whenever they both let go, mix once again once they kissed again, as if they don't want their lips to be abandoned by each other.
His hand started roaming around on her body, on how he successfully unbuttons the first two buttons of her button-down pajama, she didn't know. Her brassier was completely visible on his view, feasting on what he was seeing Ryoma's eyes became darker than before, his penetrating gaze makes her feel a shivering cold in her spine. She looks away blushing completely.
He started kissing her again with urgency, his kisses travelled down on her neck, to her collarbone and back on her lips again, giving her wet and needy kisses in between, the traces of his fingers roaming around inside of her button-down pajama giving her ticklish feeling whenever his hand touches her stomach up and down, it gives an unfamiliar feeling in between her legs. His hand momentarily pauses as he finally found what he was looking for; his little touches on her under boob as if teasing her on something.
"Nghh.." weird noise came out from Sakuno's mouth. Ryoma started to put his hand under her brassier and started caressing her bosom. Another weird noise came out on her mouth as her back arched from a newly found sensation she felt. Abandoning her lips, his kisses travelled down to her neck once again, down to the collarbone while his one hand busy fondling her hardened peak.
"Nghh.. Ryoma" Sakuno can't helped but moan his name, this newly sensation she was feeling was too much for her to bear. For some reason she wanted more.
Ryoma can feel the stiffness of his muscle right in between his legs. The aching of his thing that screams to be unleashed is evident; yet, he wanted to take everything slow. His lips found her bosom, still wearing her brassiere on, he started teasing her noticeable hardened peak, he gently bit the other side of her peak against her brassier, making his wife moan. Ryoma couldn't take it anymore, eager to have a taste of her bosom, he unclasps her brassier ready to-
"RYOMA! What the hell you were thinking?! Leaving the doors downstairs ope-"
Everything happens so fast, just before his father could properly saw them; just how fast his signature cyclone smash; Ryoma quickly pulled his wife's button-down pajama to cover herself completely, his body to shield her and one hand quickly grabs a pillow on his side and launched it directly on his father's face.
"BAKA OYAJI! GET OUT!"
*Covers mouth* again for my minor readers kindly skip the last part Hahahaha. Don't try this at home, okay?! Kidding
But anyways another update before the weekends. Yep, let's make a happy moment first before the heartbreak! Haha .. TBH, I'm still not ready for it though. I hate seeing my babies to struggle! Hahaha... Just by imagining their future struggles it makes my heart ache.
Just a trivia, this chapter is not supposed to be part of the following chapters that I already sorted out. (Yep, they are all compiled and just add some scenes in each chapter whenever my mind works. I am a random frustrated writer. Hahahaha) Yet upon deleting some files, I saw this and I really don't have a heart to disregarded the whole thing since I really love Tomoka and An's scenes here. Oh! It's so nice to have someone like them as friends, right? Someone who completely supports you all the way. Ryoma's confession is not on my plan here. Really. My hand and mind make a perfect collaboration this time. Sometimes, I really hate my impulsiveness. Hahaha.
Enjoy reading. Thank you so much for supporting this fanfic of mine. I honestly read your feedbacks and it really made my day *insert happy tears here* You all guys giving me so much inspiration to write (though I know I have so much lacked in terms of writing) Hope to find time to make a quick response! See you for the next chapter. I already made some scenes out there and hopefully I able to finished it.
