Chapter 16: Senpais' Resolve
"Sometimes, there is no next time, no time outs, no second chances. It is now or never"
"Nah, Echizen where are you really going?" Momoshiro asks for the nth time.
"I told you, I am going to meet someone here" The tennis prince muttered uninterested, his eyes focus on the road as they both reach the famous restaurant.
"Masaka?! You're going to a date?" Momoshiro almost shouted making the other customers look at them.
"I am not going to a date senpai! And quit making a scene. I am here for some kind of business" he retorted.
"Business?" Momoshiro whispers. After following the tennis prince and ends up being caught by him, Momoshiro quit hiding under the guise of buying something in the same area. Well, the tennis prince didn't buy his excuse of course.
"Ryoma!" Not far from them, Kei Takashima with a middle age man sited in the table wave his hand.
The tennis prince hurriedly went to them, on his back Momo kept tailing to him.
"Oh. You brought Momoshiro with you" Kei said smirking.
"Yo, Kei-san!"
"Nope. He just made himself a guest though." Ryoma shrugs.
"Nah. Nah. Don't be like that Echizen!" Momoshiro spoke smiling, scratching the back of his head.
"By the way, this is Mori Kaito, the one I am telling you" Kei introduced the middle age man to them. "And this is Echizen Ryoma and his friend Momoshiro Takeshi he is his senior in their tennis club."
"It's so nice to finally meet you in person Echizen Ryoma." Mori Kaito smiled. "I am a fan actually. And nice meeting you too young man" he smiled to Momoshiro.
"Nice to meet you too sir" the tennis prince muttered in polite manner in his straight face.
They all seated after a brief introduction to each other.
"Wanna grab something to eat before we start?" Kei asks the two. He motioned for the waiter to come nearer at their table and give them their menu list.
"Nope. I'm fine with something light to eat, I will eat my dinner at home" of course, together with his wife and her home cook meals. Ryoma took a quick scan of something to eat. He settled for a sandwich and potato fries.
"How about you Momoshiro?" Kei asks. "It's on Ryoma's tab. So, order anything you want" he smirked, scanning the menu list on his palm same goes to Mori-san.
"As I said, this is a good place" Mori-san pointed one of the pictures on his portfolio.
"Hare, you're looking for a house Echizen?" Momoshiro asks, just like the tennis prince, they are both looking on the pictures one by one.
"What do you think about this, Momo-senpai?" He asks, he badly needed an opinion. And it seems his senpai is a perfect candidate for it, since he was here.
"Well, it's really good though. It suits your taste." Momoshiro commented. He smiled.
"This house is perfect based on your description. Are you really sure you only want a single-storey house? I mean, you can have more than that" Mori-san asks skeptically. Of course, for the fortune that he has, he can afford even a two to three storey house.
"Yep, it's safer though" He shrugs. He looks at the interior pictures of the house. For someone like him, who has a wife as clumsy as Sakuno, he couldn't take a risk; she's a total klutz persona. Ladders, complicated structures designs, and troublesome interior, that's a big no, no for him. She can't even walk properly without tripping, much more if they had a second floor! Ryoma can clearly remember all the instances where his wife almost fell on the ladder in their house, imagine his horror and how he almost has a heart attack whenever he almost won't caught or secured her on his arms. Her unusual clumsiness is really something needs badly to be supervised.
"Safer?" Both Mori-san and Momoshiro mumbled, dazed on his unclear words.
"Fine." Mori blinks, seeing how determined the tennis prince was he let out his own opinion "But for a bachelor like you, your taste on houses is so much, more like a family man. Are you planning to have one?" A smile crept on the old man lips.
"Who knows" he answered. His eyes darted on the next picture "Heh, yarujan" he commented, seeing how huge the garden was. Well, that's another thing, right? Soon, they will have their kids on their own. A safer environment is a must, most especially for their future kids. Children is naturally playful and mischievous. It will be safer for his kids and of course for the mother of his children. And surely Sakuno would love this place, the backyard garden is too huge. She will definitely enjoys planting there while looking after their kids running around.
Kei simply chuckled; it was so refreshing to see the tennis prodigy like this. Who would think that the 17-year-old guy like him was already married and totally whipped to his wife? For someone who's only main concern is nothing but tennis; who's future for him is always uncertain, who has no definite plan on his future anyway other than beating all possible tennis player opponent, is now here... Planning his life with his wife, his future he wanted for them, his life decisions. He was slowly making a path for his plans to happen. Until now, his drastically changes were still unfathomable to Kei. He exceptionally changed 360 degrees into something. As if, he wasn't the same Echizen Ryoma or still the same but a better version of himself.
"You going to stay good in US after you graduate?" Momoshiro's inquiry pulls out Kei from his thoughts. He stared at the two youngster whom busy looking at the portfolio.
"Dunno? Not so sure though." The tennis prince uttered. "There is no concrete plan yet anyway" Besides, he needs to asks for his wife's opinion about this matter. He wanted to hear her thoughts about staying in U.S after graduation. He will focus on his tennis professional league but he can't let his wife alone here in Japan. No way he does that! Sakuno should be wherever he was! If they both mutually agreed on it, he plans to stay abroad with her. Sakuno wanted to be a preschool teacher; so, they can enroll in college in some university there, while he was playing in professional league, though he wasn't having any idea of what coarse he would take. But still, he won't let his wife studied alone. He can take any courses anyway, what's more important is, they were together. He won't let any stupid pest lurking around his wife. He will made sure she will be using his surname that time, so that everyone will know she was his! She was an Echizen, his wife. Or if she wasn't like living overseas, he can compromise. If she wants to stay here in Japan, then so be it. He can travel by then anyway in every tournament with her. They can use this house as their vacation house or whenever he has match or whatsoever. Whatever Sakuno wants, she always gets it anyway.
"You really acting differently, Echizen" Momoshiro commented. He stared at his kouhai.
"Huh?" The tennis prince looks at him bewildered
"You seem like preparing for your future" he said chuckling.
"Was it does suppose to be right?" Ryoma asks confused.
"iie, I am just... You see, you are always skeptical about your future plans, what's the sudden change? I mean, it's like I don't know anything about you anymore" Momoshiro uttered. Right, since when it was started? Since when Momoshiro can't figure it out what he was thinking? Though they were the closest, he seems not the same anymore. He can't point out what exactly change to him.
"Huh?" The tennis prince brows furrowed in confusion.
"Nah! Nah! Don't mind me!" Momoshiro laughed.
"You are weird Momo-senpai" He muttered.
"He is not normal right, Momoshiro?" Kei chuckled.
" So, when will I get your decision young man?" Mori-san butted in.
"I will call you right away after I finally made a decision about this" he muttered. Besides, he will talk first to his wife. "Just give me a few days"
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"Nah, Echizen, are you going home after this?" Momoshiro asks, holding a box of cake on his hand, as a little token of appreciation for helping him to decide. They were walking towards the train station. It took time for them before finally bidding goodbyes to Kei and Mori-san who surely has a lot to say. And because the jampack of people around the area they hardly passed through the way.
"Yes" he utters quietly. He badly wanted to go home right now. The lights from the street are surely extra lively now; lots of lanterns hanging from the streets, lively performances and people gathering as if there is a festival being held; however, the tennis prince couldn't careless from whatever being celebrate right now, all he badly wanted was to go home and feel the warmth of his wife.
"But, why did you buy a strawberry cake anyway? You don't like sweets, right?" Momoshiro asked curiously.
"Who knows" The tennis prince yawned. For sure, Sakuno was waiting for him. It was already 8:45 in the evening. Too late for they supposed dinner. He quickly grabs his phone on his pocket and texted his wife, telling his sorry's and not to wait for him and eat her dinner. He felt bad for making his wife wait for him and for not able to accompany her to eat. He hates missing eating together with her.
On the other hand, Momoshiro stared at his kouhai, observing him for a while. He watches him using his mobile phone. A rare case to him, coz he wasn't into phone.
"Ne, Momo-senpai" The tennis prince call his attention. He put back his phone on his pocket before fixing the strap of his tennis bag.
"Nani?" Momoshiro asks; it was so rare to him to call his with this kind of serious tone.
"About me and Miyu, there is no second chance waiting for us" Ryoma started, he stared at him seriously for a while before looking back on the road "I know you and senpai tachis are doing anything just for us to be together again." He stated. Since the tennis tournament finally started, their constant teasing and making way for them to be together all the time became so obvious and frequent. There are few times that they force him to walk her home after their game or make them both sit right next to each other and attempting to bring back their memories when they were in middle school.
Yes, he wasn't that stupid not to notice. It's been weeks since they started doing so. He wasn't born yesterday and Ryoma clearly knew what his senpai tachis thinking and he drafty having an idea for everything. But one thing is for sure, they wanted them be together again. Which is very impossible to happen anyway.
" But just like what I always tell to everyone. We are just friends and it will remain that way senpai. So please stop whatever you all were doing. I don't have any plans on having more than a friend relationship with Miyu again. We are better that way. Friends" he uttered seriously this time he looks at him again, proving his point.
"Echizen..." he muttered slowly. The way he seems really serious makes Momoshiro lost in his own words.
"I will talk to Miyu again to settle things once and for all. And after that, I will explain things to everyone" He added. He can't afford to see the pain on his wife eyes whenever they saw them together, or whenever they are being tease to each other. He can't afford to hurt his wife whether it was unintentional. Clearly, his wife was still having doubts on his feelings to her and still not trusting him enough. He doesn't like that and he badly needs to put this to end. "I don't want to draw a misunderstanding senpai. I can't afford that." he said seriously. "You see... I am no longer have feelings to Miyu, and I am with someone else right now" he confessed.
"." Momoshiro eyes widening in surprised. Lost in words he stared at his kouhai with surprise look on his face
"I know, you are all wondering and asking many questions of how's and why's right now, most especially you senpai" he paused. He stared at his senpai. "But can I ask you to wait a little bit? If it's only me to take into matter, I will gladly tell you everything you wanted to know." However, the tennis prince knew that, this matter was not only concerning for him. He has more concern towards his wife's welfare. He has to respect his wife's decision on making herself ready for everything.
She wasn't ready. She was so scared. That's for sure, knowing how overwhelming these things to his wife, whom still adjusting for everything, for their married life, for her new surroundings and for herself. He can't take a risk of forcing her to talk about them the truth. She has a lot on her plate now"Please wait for a bit senpai. I'll tell you and explains everything to you once it's settled. I owe you an explanation same goes to the other senpai tachis. I have a reason for keeping my mouth shut until now." He confessed. "I have something to protect Momo senpai and I can't afford to lost it no matter what" and that something is his wife.
"You mean...Is it Ryuuzaki-chan?" He finally asks recovering from his senses.
"You see... Senpai, she's everything to me" he smiled genuinely just by imagining his wife's smiling face. "And I don't see any version of my future now without her. I am really happy with her right now" he beams. He looks at him with uncontained happiness, something he never see from him.
Momoshiro eyes widen in fraction seeing the genuine reaction on his face. For years of knowing him, he never thought he would see him in this kind of reaction. More than whenever he played tennis, this side of him he saw for the very first time. Realization hits him hard, slowly he chuckled, he looks at his kouhai and considered younger brother with warm gazed.
"I understand" Momoshiro uttered, the way his kouhai speak those words, seeing how he looks determine, and his priceless reaction. He understands now. Momoshiro came to a conclusion that all this time, he really didn't know everything about his best friend. Echizen surely change. In something he was so proud of.
"Takeshi what were you thinking?" An tiptoed looking sideways towards her boyfriend who was sitting and leaning quietly on the wall looking at the front.
"Nah. Nothing" Momoshiro chuckled. He looks at his girlfriend. "I just realized something" he mumbled.
"Realized what?" An bewilderedly asks.
Momoshiro shrugs, he looks at their front. There, the tennis prince and the certain brunette girl was talking casually. It's their individual practice and it seems Sakuno was giving some pointers to the tennis prince. Ryoma was looking at her intently as he was listening to her. His gaze never lost to her and the way he looks at her speaks volume. For how he didn't realize it sooner, he didn't know. Sure enough, Momoshiro was blinded by the fact that Echizen was only for Miyu. Though he felt sorry for Miyu that he considered like his younger siblings, if time has come, he needs to stand between the two. He will never hesitate to stand behind Echizen's back. Though he didn't elaborate and explain things to him clearly, knowing his best friend, he knows he has his valid reasons for everything. If it's her whom he really likes and makes him happy who was he to stops him for loving the brunette girl?
"Ne An, they really good together, right?" He said, a small smile came naturally on his lips seeing how the tennis prince simply tugs her braid making the latter frown. A smirk formed on his lips as he shrugs before leaving the brunette girl alone. An, on the other hand, eyes widening in surprised. " Sure, my own girlfriend and best friend hiding something behind my back, right An?" He chuckles. Realizing that An knew something about these two. He looks at her, he smiled reassuring that it was okay. He stood up from his sit, "Yare… Yare… hiding something on your boyfriend isn't right… it's not right at all" he jokingly laughed at his girlfriend's priceless reaction.
An literally drop her jaw, still surprise on how he knew it. "You already knew?" She blurts out. Her eyes almost popping out on her eye socket.
"Ah" Momoshiro chuckles. He taps her shoulder before pulling her hand. "let's go and rally some."
"Excuse me" a group of juniors intentionally bumps Sakuno making her things falls on the floor. Slowly, she kneels on the floor to pick her things one by one. She sighed.
It's not new anyway, it was started ever since she became the manager of the team, from their furious gazes and rolling their eyes on her whenever they see her. Things started to get worst when they saw how close she was to the tennis team plus the fact that she receives kind treatment to a certain person, the tennis prince. There are few instances that they saw them together walking towards the pathway of the tennis court or after class. It adds the fuel of their irritation to her. Whenever she was alone, she received their constant bumping on her, letting her things fell on the floor, tripping her or intentionally pushing her which she didn't mind. It was so petty anyway so she let its slide.
"Are you okay Ryuuzaki-chan?"
Sakuno flinched as she heard Kaido senpai's voice, just like her, he kneeled on the floor helping her to picked her things.
"Uhm" she smiled. "I accidentally drop this. I'm sorry, is just I am really clumsy" she said still smiling.
But Kaido knew better, he saw how the juniors bump on her on purposed. He just stared to her for a while before resuming to help her. "Where is Tomoka and Tachibana-chan?"
"They have their own errand to do, one of the sensei asks me to deliver this to her homeroom class. That's why I'm alone" she explains. "Thank you senpai"
"Be careful next time" Kaido mumbled. He watches the brunette girl walks passed by him until she reaches her destination before resuming to his own.
"Semi- finals is around the corner was it, I heard it's Fudomine and Hyoutei this time, the one who win will advance on finals" Akane said while resting from their ballet practice
"Will you watch our team next Saturday?" Akira asks. "Seigaku team might be watching" she shrugs.
Miyu's brows furrowed. Bewildered on her.
"You know, Momoshiro Takeshi's girlfriend? Tachibana An, right? She's the younger sister of Fudomine's captain. I think they will watch and besides it's already given, who will win this time will be their opponent on finals so, they might check it out."
"Right. I heard Seigaku advance in finals now and just waiting for their opponent" Hikaru commented
"I know I watched their game last time" Miyu answered.
"Oh right! You always present on their games" there is a teasing smile on Akane. "Hmmm... So what's the real score? I heard you always with Echizen-kun"
"We will be getting back together that's for certain" Miyu smiled assured for her words.
Hikaru just looks at her friend, a sighed escape on her lips hearing her uttered those words.
"So, what's your plan this weekend? That's the last day of Star festival, isn't it?" Akane asks.
"Yep! I want to celebrate, it's a long celebration anyway but since we have school to attend how about attending this weekend? that's the main attraction" Akira seems really excited.
"I heard there will be a lot of attraction this year celebration! Gosh! I badly wanted to go in Kanagawa! But Chotarou didn't want to!" Akane whined. "Well, how about we all go?" She suggested.
"Yes! That will be great right?! I mean, ask Echizen-kun! This is the best opportunity!" Akira suggested giddily.
"The Seigaku team already has plans about that. Syuusuke told me. They will go this Friday night that's the lantern parade. I guess? " Miyu said.
"Wow. So, you already planned it out huh" Akane teased "okay, let's go this Friday night. We got your back girl!" She giggled.
"Right! Let's wear our best yukata in town" Akira beams.
"Star Festival what's that?" The tennis prince asks bewildered. His brows furrowed and the way he looks at his senpais clearly tell that he didn't have any slightest idea of what is going on.
"Baka ochibi! Star Festival! It's a festival! A festival!" Kikumaru exclaimed.
"And?" Ryoma looks really confused. "I really don't know what you were talking about"
"Haa!" His senpais sighed.
"It's a festival to celebrate the union of two star crossed lovers whom only meet once a year according to legend." Fuji explained briefly to him.
"And what's so important about it then?" He asks skeptical.
"That's why we are going to celebrate!" Momoshiro taps his shoulder "nah Echizen! This is one of most romantic festival! Don't you know that?" He grins.
"Do I look have an idea?" The tennis prince retort
"Na, na! Where the heck you are during these years! It's yearly celebration! Don't you see the lanterns, jampack people and events happening in your surrounding? The festival is already started y'know!" Momoshiro said in disbelief tone for his kouhai.
"Yes, some write their wishes from colorful paper and hang it on the bamboo trees or in colorful lanterns and let it fly to the sky where the stars are. It was a yearly tradition Echizen." This time it's Kawamura who speaks.
"That's why we must all go! Nya! I heard this time it will be a big event! Nya! We should go! There will be a mini concert of chocolate! Fireworks displays and many, many food stalls!" Kikumaru excitedly beams.
"Okay. I get it now." Ryoma muttered. "But I won't go" he said dismissively.
"HA?!"
"Too many people. I hate crowd." He explains in monotonous tone.
"NO! We must go ochibi!" Kikumaru stomped his feet. "It's only once a year!"
"Yadda!" The tennis prince said. "Like what I said I hate crowded places! Ja! I'll go now"
The senpai-tachis watch the tennis prince walks away towards the court.
"Keh! What did you expect to Echizen?! He never really goes in any festival, right?" Horio refuted
"Sou na. Ochibi must go! We told Miyu-chan about our plan!" Kikumaru exclaimed.
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"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Momoshiro asks as he tailed the tennis prince towards the drinking sink. Afternoon practice was already done.
"Yeah." The tennis prince muttered; his eyes roamed around the court simply searching for his wife. He saw her talking to their Inui senpai. He stared for them for a while as he watches her simply bowed her head to their senpai and walks outside. He sighed seeing how she tripped on it's own once again.
"I heard the girls are pretty excited about it though. They plan to wear their yukatas. Don't you want to see her in yukata?" Momoshiro grins.
Ryoma pause, he stared back to his senpai smirking. "Well, that's not a bad idea though, but if I go, I plan to go being with her alone. Mine alone." He said living his senpai behind. He started drinking to the faucet and wash his face.
"Nah. Nah. He's kind' a scary when he is so much in love" he shuddered. "I'm having goosebumps here" he whispers. "Na, Echizen! Wait for me!"
"HA?!" Momoshiro stood up on his sit, lips parted and eyes widening in surprised. His eyes drifted to the tennis prince and Sakuno. Comically shifting his gaze alternately to them. "You mean this two are married? Not dating? As in married? Married? Husband and wife?!" He shouted in surprised.
"Ha! Just so I thought you already knew Takeshi!" An sighed. She places her one hand on her forehead, quickly regretting of slipping her mouth to him. "I thought he knew?" she looks at the tennis prince.
"He just knew about us having a thing but not exactly that part." He briefly explains.
"I thought they were just dating! Dating! Not married! Why?! Why you didn't tell me?!" Momoshiro shouted. It was good thing that, they are alone in the rooftop with the absence of the trio.
"Baka!" Kaido retorted "quit shouting, will you?! Someone might hear you! Bakayaro!" He curses out loud.
"And you knew mamushi?" Momoshiro looks fiercely at his frenemy in disbelief.
"I know it from the start" Kaido said in low voice. He close his eyes.
"WHAT?!" This time it was Tomoka and An whom seem surprised, same goes to Sakuno who was silent since earlier.
"You told him?! And not to me?! I am your best friend!" Momoshiro whine like a child, he looks at the certain prince who seems not minding his whining.
"Haaa... I didn't tell Kaido-senpai okay? He just knew right from the beginning." Ryoma huffed. "Gomen, for hiding this" he stared at his wife who seems really surprised. "It just happens that he knew about us and I kind 'a explain it to him"
"I am the one who ask Echizen to keep this thing to you Ryuuzaki-chan, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable when you know one of your senpais knew your secret." Kaido explains.
"But even so! Why did you hide this to me?!" Momoshiro asks butting in. "And why he knew it first?!" He glared his frenemy, Kaido; he can't take it. He really can't take it that Kaido has the first person whom knew about their secret. It supposed to be him! He is the goddamn best friend!
"Haaa... Baka you are not even listening! I told you that I knew it all along. I saw them. I was planning to keep my mouth shut, but seeing things getting out of their hands, I decided to help Echizen. You do know what I meant right?" He hissed. He was pertaining the gossiped between Miyu and the tennis prince plus the constant pairing between two courtesies of the other senpais, most especially him.
Yes, Kaido senpai extend his hand in order to help, he was the one who told Echizen where is the brunette girl, when she was keeping her distance to him (the time when they have a misunderstanding and the tennis prince chased her). Since that day, he kind' a helping them two. The reason why up until now, the other senpais wouldn't have a slightest idea about them. The reason why they didn't catch them in act was because of Kaido senpai whom simply warns the tennis prince.
"So, what's your plan now?" Momoshiro asks. "Sooner or later senpai tachis might notice that I don't help them now. Y'know, Miyu has still feelings for you"
"Haa... That's why I don't want you to know! But you driving me nuts senpai! You constantly dragging Miyu in every single thing you got! I don't want another misunderstanding with my wife that's why I told you already" Ryoma grunted. He huffed, "just what I told you, I was planning to talk to her." He said staring at his wife, he twirls his finger to her braid. "that's it for now. I'm still waiting for my wife to be ready once I talk about the other senpais. She's still not ready, and I won't force it for that" he stated, looking straight on his wife.
"Kurosawa-chan surely will be hurt, Ryoma-kun" Sakuno softly mumbled.
"Ha? And what you want me to do? Just let this thing pass? Sooner or later, they will know the truth. She will know the truth. I told you I don't have any intention of hiding you" he muttered.
"Demo-"
"Sakuno, she will be hurt whether you tell her or not. Does how it is" Tomoka said. "She has to learn to move on"
"But it is easy to say than to do, y'know. I really don't like anyone getting hurt because of me" Sakuno mumbled, she really feels so guilty about it.
"And besides it's not your fault, they are already broken up when you came in the picture" An added. "And to put it simply, you were already in Echizen-kun's life even before!"
Was it really not her fault? Clearly, Kurosawa Miyu was still in love with the tennis prodigy, she can clearly see it to her eyes. And how she determines to get him back. She can see how she loves him, since they are the same, anyway. They are both in love with the tennis prince. And for some reason, she felt hurt knowing that Miyu would be heartbroken once she knew about them. She really can't stand the fact that someone needed to be hurt for her to be happy. Did she deserve it? Did Miyu deserve to be hurt too? Was it impossible to be happy without hurting anyone? She clutched her skirt too tight. Slowly, a hand caressed on her hand. Ryoma holds her hand. She somehow calmed.
"I'm here Sakuno. I'm always with you no matter what" he said, gently squeezing her hand affectionately.
"Gosh! I feel like dreaming whenever I seeing Echizen like this" Momoshiro mumbled.
"I told you so Takeshi" An mumble. "He is way too different from Echizen-kun we know"
"Na, don't worry love birds. We are here to back you up. Your secret is safe with us" Momo chuckled.
"Gomene, senpai-tachis. Gomene An-chan, Tomoka-chan. If you have to be drag into this. If you have to lie for our sake" Sakuno felt sorry for them, for all people they been lying too. For being so weak that's why they need to lie for her sake.
"Nah! We are not basically lying Sakuno" An winks. "You see, lying and keeping secrets are two different things"
"And we are friends that's the least we can do for you" Tomoka added.
"Echizen we are here. You can count on us" Kaido said.
"Nah, mamushi that's supposed to be my line" Momoshiro hissed.
It was already Friday and everyone was excited for the main attraction of the festival; since it was the last day of school days and the next couple of days will be weekend, a lot of students were preparing for the event. It became the talk of their school. However, for the certain prince it wasn't the case. He really didn't care an ounce of whatever they getting ready too.
"Nah Echizen, are you going?" Horio asks
"Who knows" the tennis prince yawned. He looks straight to the court.
"You should come ochibi! We already talk about this right?" Kikumaru stomped his feet
"That's right Echizen, don't be a killjoy" Momoshiro winks on him, it's his call signed for him to get along with him.
"How about you, Ryuuzaki-chan, are you coming?" Fuji, who was listening to them ask.
"Uh... uhm" she answered slowly, although she already talks this about to her husband, they never really have a plan about this day.
"It's your first time having this kind of festival here at Tokyo, right?" Kawamura asks
"Yes" Sakuno smiled.
"How about in Osaka?" Tomoka asks curiously.
"We celebrate it in the same date as here Tomoko-chan" she answered.
"Oh. So, it was the same? Do you wear Kimonos too?" An asks.
"Yep. Ayame-san always love to dress us up. We always ended up strolling around. Since we are always with the Shitehonji's senpai- tachis we always eating in different food stalls and as the main event, we write down our wish and hang it on the bamboo trees" she happily recalled her memories to her friends way back in Osaka.
"Hmm... So, it was the same with here" An commented.
"Uhm..." Sakuno mumbled softly.
"See? The girls are pretty excited too" Momo whispers to the tennis prince.
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"Kawaii!" Tomoka and An both squeaked on delight seeing Sakuno in her yukata.
"Gosh! Sakuno, I told you! You are so beautiful when you let your hair down" Tomoka squeak.
Mouth parted in surprised, Sakuno stared at herself on the body mirror in Tomoka's room, wearing a black kimono with sakura flower design, she looks somehow dashing. Letting her hair down with half braided accompanied with red ornament in her hair. She was wearing a simple make up all courtesy of An. She can't believe she looks slightly far from her usual attire. The first time she admires herself was when she got married to the tennis prince, and it seems this is the second time. Sakuno was not found of giving herself a compliment most especially when it was from her appearance.
"Gosh! You don't even need a make up to make yourself pretty. See? I envy those long eyelashes! This thin yet pinkish lips" An winks at her. An was wearing a pink kimono with flower designs, her hair was curled slightly with rose ornament on her side bangs. She was pretty cute on her pink lipstick.
"Let's take a picture of ourselves!" Tomoka exclaimed. Wearing a blue kimono, Tomoka seems sophisticated with her French twist hair accompanied with blue ornaments on her hair. Somehow her 'don't mess up with me' make up looks of her, makes her look snobbish at the same time.
"Let's post it later, okay?" An giggle. "C'mon let's go! I'm sure they are waiting for us!"
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"Gah! What's taking them so long?" Momoshiro exclaimed as they all waiting on the shrine.
"Hmp! Girls and their makeovers" Horio grunted in annoyance
"Na, don't be like that, it's rare to see them dress themselves y'know. Besides, Osakada-chan, Tachibana-chan and Ryuuzaki-chan were all beautiful even without dressing up" Oishi complimented.
"Senpai! I agree with the fact that Ryuuzaki-chan and Tachibana-chan are pretty, but not Osakada!" Horio retorted.
"Ha! Do you have any problem with my girlfriend?" Kaido hissed, making the unibrow kouhai of his shuddered in fear
"Gomenasai! Kaido senpai!" He uttered. He looks terrified by the sight of his senpai's angry face. Well, Kaido looks angry always, by the way.
"Haa.. Horio-kun sure know how to dig his own grave" the two other freshmen; Katsuo and Kachirou commented. Sweat dropping in the process.
"Heh, mitte! Mitte Oishi! There is a lot of interesting there! Let's look! Let's look!" Kikumaru jumps in delight. He hurriedly runs towards to his doubles partner, fresh from strolling the area.
"Eiji, where have you been?" Oishi asks, seeing how his partner seems enjoying this festival too much. From his back, Inui was tailing him, unusual sight to see him with the absence of notebook and pen on his hand. Followed by the tensai tennis Funi who smiled creepily upon seeing them.
"Nah! Nah! Ochibi! You should come with us and stroll around! Rather than sulking here!" Kikumaru said.
"Che" the tennis prince refuted, he closes his eyes pretending to sleep as his body was leaning comfortably on the big tree, both hands on the back of his head, he was waiting patiently for his wife. If it's not because of his wife, he would never have any slightest reason to go here. His eyes snaps open as he felt something vibrated on his pocket. 'finally,'
"Nah, do they still not here?" Kikumaru asks looking around.
"Don't worry it's still early. Let's wait for them then" Fuji smiled.
"Echizen, you want to come? We will be going to buy- hare?! Where's Echizen?" Momoshiro asks the moment he saw the tree he was in, is now empty.
"Ha? He was just standing there, right?" Oishi said pointing the same tree.
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'I am here at the cherry blossom tree'
Ryom quickly put his phone back on his pocket after reading her latest reply, almost half running, he hurriedly looks around of any sight of his wife. His trance become slower as he saw a familiar figure of a girl right in front of the Sakura tree. She was there. Facing the tree, slowly she looks on him as if she felt his presence at all. His heart pounded inside his chest when their eyes met, skipping a beat. Eyes widening in fraction as he saw her face clearly even with the wide distance, he felt his face heated up, as he held his own breath, losing strength on his body, Ryoma sit on the ground hiding his blushing face by the brim of his hat. 'damn'
"Are you okay? Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno hurriedly went to his front, closing the distance they had. She bends down looking intently on him.
Ryoma looks away, he put one of his hands on his lips muttering a silent curse under his breathe. "Damn it. You really knew how to torment me" he said in perfect English that Sakuno can't fully understand. Sakuno brows furrowed confused on him.
"Ne," Ryoma muttered, he holds her hair on one hand, looking intently at her this time.
"What is it Ryoma-kun?" baffled on his unusual behavior.
"I hope your slippers are sturdy enough" he smirked, before pulling her hand, and intertwined completely on his. He pulled her as they started half running.
"Matte Ryoma-kun!"
"I am taking you away" He won't let anyone see her like this. He won't let anyone admire how breathtakingly beautiful she was right now. This side of her was only for him to see. Not for everyone else, not when he can't even hold her hand like this and not never when he can't stand right next to her. This sight to behold only to him. Only to him. Ryoma gently squeezes her hand as they both passed through the crowd. He somehow laughed, making her giggles. Both smiling genuinely to each other. Contented to one another.
"Hikaru"
Akane calls her friend whom seem looking for something in the crowd. Hikaru looks at her, surprised for her sudden call.
"What are you looking at?" Akane asks.
Hikaru saw how her friends are looking at her intently including Miyu.
"Nothing" she smiled. She rather not tells anyone; she won't tell anyone whom she briefly saw.
The happy face of certain Echizen Ryoma while looking adoringly and holding a hand of a woman she was very familiar with.
Ryoma and Sakuno were happily walking hand and hand in the long street of Kanagawa; enjoying themselves, they even took a couple of pictures together in each beautiful spot they saw. They tried eating different food delicacies on every stall that they all crossed, feeding each other, trying some fun games and even stops momentarily whenever they saw something that pique their interest without breaking off their intertwined hands together. The constant laughter they shared as they enjoyed each other's company.
"Mitte Ryoma-kun!" Sakuno happily pointed out the group of street dancers. She pulled her husband hand towards the group and happily watch them. They were dancing gracefully in a beat of music. Her awe reaction from stunts they did makes her eyes twinkles. The tennis prince smiled seeing how his wife enjoy this festival. She even mimics their moves making the tennis prince burst into laughter. Much on their surprised, they even force to dance in the middle making them both laughed on how awful they look like.
"You happy?" He whispers. Sakuno tilted her head on him, smiling so sweetly to him.
"Uhm. Arigatou Ryoma-kun" she gently spoke. The tennis prince kisses her forehead. They both laughed as he leans his forehead to her.
"Your girlfriend is pretty" the old man smiled to Ryoma as he handed the Takoyaki on him.
"Uhn. She really is" Ryoma said smiling, he looks at his wife whom sitting on the table. Looking at the sky. "But she's not my girlfriend"
"Oh! I'm sorry, I thought she is" the old man scratches his head.
"She's my wife" he proudly says. His eyes sparkle the way he speaks.
"Ohhh... You both look young to be married, but I understand, I married my wife when I'm the same age like you." He beams. "Here take this" he added some Takoyaki balls on his plate. "Enjoy your night with your lovely wife" he grins.
"Thank you"
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"No peeking Ryoma-kun!" Sakuno tried her best to glared at her husband. They were currently now in the temple ready for their lanterns to be fly on the sky.
"Heh, I am not peeking just curious" he answered chuckling.
"Mou! Just write down your wish Ryoma-kun!"
"What did you wish for?" He asks instead.
"Mou! It's a secret!" Sakuno mumbled.
"C'mon! Husbands and wives supposed not to keep secrets to each other, right?" He stated.
"Mou! I want my wish to come true! If I tell you, it won't!" Sakuno said, hiding her sky light lantern securely. Far away from him.
"Huh? You believe in that?" Ryoma looks at her with disbelief.
"Mou! Just write down yours Ryoma-kun"
"Fine. Fine"
Just a seconds after he wrote down his own wish, the crowd started lighting up their lanterns. Ryoma and Sakuno followed, they lit up their sky lantern and watch it fly high on the sky. Ryoma back hugs his wife, his one arm rested on her waist while the other one securely hugging on her chest. They both watch the hundreds of sky lanterns floating on the sky, it looks like stars dancing freely on the midst of the sky. They both smiled, the sparks on their eyes illuminates the beauty of the lanterns in the sky.
"You think our wishes will come true?" Sakuno asks him, she tilted her head meeting his gazed.
"Who knows," he shrugs, he stared lovingly at his wife. Whether this is true or not. He makes sure that their wishes will come true. And that's for certain.
Slowly, he leans his face to hers claiming her lips. Under the thousands of wishes on the sky, he made an eternal oath of happiness for them.
Ryoma's wish: Wishing for my wife happiness all the time.
Sakuno's wish: Wishing for my husband wish to happen.
They both stared at each other's eye, smiling and locking their lips once again.
"Miyu... Have you already hanged your wish?" Fuji asks as he went to her side.
Miyu smiled, she turns her body to him, before shaking her head. Her gaze went back to the river in their front.
"Are you still upset because Echizen is not here?" He asks watching her reaction.
Upset? Does she? She dresses so beautifully this night, braided her long black hair in single braid, wear make-up and even thinks of what she supposed to say when they face each other this night. She was so prepared, so ready... For him. Miyu clutches her hand that holding the piece of colorful paper on her chest. What's the point of these? What's the point of wishing?
"You know Echizen was not fond of these things, right?" Fuji explains to his childhood friend whom he cherishes so much.
"."
"Miyu" he called her once again when he didn't receive any reply from her.
"Why do I feel like I am slowly losing him?" She whispers in the air. "Did I lose him Syuusuke?" She looks at him, tears fell in her eyes making the tennis tensai eyes widen in surprised.
Knowing Miyu for so long, she rarely cries. No, she never really saw her cry. Despite on how awful her parent treated her; despite the harshness she's been through. And seeing her like this makes his heart shattered. He loves her, despite her loving his kouhai. He loves Miyu and he knows, she will never notice that.
"Miyu..."
"Gomen, I-I should not be crying but- I take it back! I take it back all, I-I regretted breaking up with him." She sobbed, another batch of tears came out on her eyes
Fuji hugs her, he gently taps her shoulder. "Don't cry, Miyu."
"I can't afford to lost him completely, I want him back Syuusuke, please ... I want him back. I can't..."
"We are here Miyu; we will help you. I will help you" Fuji said hugging her tightly. "I promised to bring him back to you"
unbeknownst, Miyu face hardens, tears fell in her eyes yet her eyes scream from something else... And that's hatred.
"Sakuno... Are you sure about this?" Ryoma asks huffing; his breathing was ragged from the intense kisses they both sharing since earlier. He stops momentarily meeting her daze eyes. Her long auburn hair scattered on their bed, her hooded eyes, and flushed face makes her looks sexy as hell.
They are both lying on the bed; him on her above, almost naked, and only their undergarments for their most intimate part were the only thing intact on them. Their clothes scattered on the floor; on how they ended up again in this position they didn't know. They couldn't longer recall how they shared kisses becomes needy and demanding or who initiate it first. They couldn't even recall how they went home on their hotel suite, touching each other's body parts leaving without clothes. As if their body speaks on their own, as if their hearts connected and screaming so loudly, for the love they had to each to unleashed... Finally.
Ryoma stared at her, the fire and desire were visible on his golden eyes, yet, no matter and how badly he wanted this to happen, no matter how hard to stop himself, if she say she still wasn't ready for it, he won't do it.
Sakuno smiled, she stared at his husband before giving her a reassuring smiled. "If it's Ryoma-kun, I won't regret anything" she softly mumbled.
Ryoma smirked, his desire deepens as he looks dangerously right now and just like that, he quickly tore her panty making her gasps, the tennis prince stood up; removing his boxer brief, his glory sprang free, the evident on how turn on he was, was there, standing so proud, protruding, and ready, seemed really thrilled from excitement, the thick vein on his masculinity was evident. Sakuno looks away, she blushed furiously seeing his thing. She quite can't remember how big he was, yet, she was so sure that it seems bigger and thicker than before.
"Don't look away wife" somehow his voice is dangerous as it may sound. "Look at me" he commanded. Face blushing so hard slowly Sakuno looks at him, her eyes widen in surprised seeing how he stroke his lovemaking stick on her front. He smirked. "Look, on how you make me this crazy for you wife" he slowly muttered, while his hand was busy caressing his massive thing "Look on how I will love you" she slightly squeaks, the tennis prince pulled her towards the corner of the bed. The side of his lips rose "on how I will worship and deify you" he said before spreading her legs widely, a long gasp escapes her lips when she saw him, kissing her legs in the center of her most intimate part. "On how I will ravish you"
"Ryoma-ah!" Sakuno cried out loud, as she felt his tongue on her intimate folds licking her. She held her breathe; feeling something unfamiliar yet familiar on her as he started licking, nipping and sucking her folds, something building up inside her, she wanted to reach it. her head starting to spin side by side as tears verge on her eyes. Her body arche; his tongue dig deeper inside her while his one hand caressing her little bud, it was too much to bear.
"Ahh! Ryoma please!" She pleaded, on what she was pleading for, she didn't have any slightest idea now, she was so drowned on the pleasure he was giving her. Seems like he didn't want to disappoint her, the tennis prince started digging for her more, his tongue hardens inside her, licking every part of her folds, digging deeper on her. His finger gently caressing her folds until he put his fingers inside her moving like crazy, digging so deep inside her, as if reaching and searching something on her insides.
"Aaahh!" A loud moan escapes her lips. She never realized that she was holding his hair tightly; her lips started to move on its own meeting every movements of his tongue, guiding him.
Ryoma smirked; he watched his wife intently with her turned on face makes him lost all his control. She has no idea what she's doing onto him; the way she writhed in pleasure while he doing this, her hooded and teary eyes, her turn on and flushed face, the way she calls his name without honorifics while moaning is like music to his ears. All of it, Makes him lost control. This side of his wife he loves seeing and no one could ever see aside from him. Only him. he digs his tongue deeply inside her, adding his two to three fingers on her, making her lost her own sanity, she was so tight, he could clearly tell by his fingers barely occupied her insides, he can clearly hear her cries from pleasure and how she holds his hair firmly, wanting for more.
Ryoma couldn't contain any longer, the throbbing heat inside him wanted to be release; using his free hand, he strokes himself in the same speed on how he pleasures his wife with his tongue and fingers. He couldn't imagine how heavenly feel to be inside her. With few more licked, nipped and sucking on her and few more stroke on himself.
"Ryoma! Ahhhhh!" Sakuno moaned loudly.
They both came. Her, on his mouth sipping every juice she releases like it's his favorite ponta drink and himself, on his own hands. But still he was not satisfied, he stood up, stroking his still fully erected muscle, he smirked dangerously as he positions himself above her, looking intently on her eyes as he gave her a lovingly kiss on her lips.
"I'm giving you one last chance wife, to stop me. " While he was holding an ounce of control of his mind. "I'm willing to stop if you still not ready" he uttered, straight on her eyes. However, Sakuno's response to him was the least he expected, she kisses him on his lips, as if finally giving him what he was asking for. In between their kisses, Ryoma smirked and started deepening their kiss.
"This would be hurt, love" he whispers, he positions himself on hers, gently stroking her and guided himself inside.
Tears verging on her eyes, as she felt him slowly entering her, he was so big, she could literally feel herself being torn in half. She could literally feel how her folds stretch widely now. Ryoma kiss her thoroughly, diverting all her attention on his kisses.
Ryoma closes his eyes intently, brows furrowed as he pushes himself deeper, he felt how narrowed and tight she was for him, he felt he was slowly tearing the barrier between. A moan escape from his lips. Being inside of her is far away from what he always imagines. This is way too far on how he imagines it. It was too good, so warm and addicting. 'Damn it. Too tight. It feels so good'
"Ahhh!" They both moan escape from their lips when he finally entered her fully to the brim, both gasping for air. He can feel his shaft twitch from excitement now that he was finally inside of his wife.
"I won't move until you are ready" he whisper on her; he kisses the side of her eyes were her tears fall. They remain on their position for a couple of seconds before he moves his hips in and out; slowly, testing the waters, looking for any sign of discomfort on her side, yet, however, as she started moaning once again, loudly on his ears after a couple of gentles thrust, he did, Ryoma finally lost it.
He spreads her legs widely, before finally thrusting deeper and harder inside her. He stared at her, he looks like a predator for his prey, he bit his lower lip and continue ravishing her. His thrust was so deep and hard, making a loud screeching sound of bed. Sakuno gasps, her eyes watered for the familiar churning of her insides, her bosom bounce up and down from the intensity of her husband thrust. Ryoma bends himself to her, he started fiddling her bosom, he pinch her bud with his hand while he suck the other like a starve baby. He keeps sucking her alternately. She moaned. His tongue alternately licking and sucking while squeezing her not wanting her bosoms to be abandoned by him.
"These are mine, Sakuno... All mine" he moaned in between his alternately kisses on her bosoms. Surely, he left marks all over her bosom. "You are mine, Sakuno." He said before ravishing her lips. He sucks her tongue while keeps slamming himself inside her. Their kisses were too deep like how his shaft digging and thrusting inside her.
"Ohhh... Ryoma... Ahhh" Sakuno loudly moaned, her hand on her mouth trying to get hold of her sanity, yet, Ryoma took both of her hands and put on the top of her head, holding it and intertwined their hands together.
"Don't hold back, I want to hear you moan my name." He said, still hammering on her. He slammed hard on her, their body dance on the rhythm they only knew. Ryoma thrust so hard on her, in each pushed he did she felt full, making her lost control, and in every pull, he make, it feel like half of her was abandoned, only to find fulfillment once again once he pushed hard insides her.
"Damn it... Sakuno... You feel so good... so good." Ryoma couldn't contain his moans, each of his thrusts were so wild. He thrust wildly inside here like a starve animal. Like there is no tomorrow waiting for him.
"Ahh! Ryoma..."
Seems not getting contented, Ryoma put both of her legs on his shoulder, slammed his hardened muscle inside her, making Sakuno grip her hand on the sheets, wild cries escape from her lips, tears falling on her eyes. As if he found how pleasurable it is on his wife, Ryoma position himself once again and continue ramming inside her like a madman hitting the same spot, she moans aloud.
"Ryoma! Ahh!" He continues thrusting, he holds her waist still ramming inside her, her legs shivers for a familiar feeling building inside.
"Ahh! Ryoma... Please... Slow down" she cried out. Her whole body keeps bouncing on each hard thrust he does. She felt her head hitting the headboard of the bed and still Ryoma didn't stop from slamming her so hard.
"Ahh ... Hah ..." Ryoma huffed, his face mirrored nothing but deep pleasure, his eyes darken as he keeps pumping inside and out of her. His thrust was too powerful, too intense that bullets of sweat forming on his forehead "I can't... Gomen" he panting so hard. He groaned. He keeps thrusting. How can he have slowed down if she keeps clenching inside him like this?
"Ahh... Damn it Sakuno... You making me so fucking crazy!" He moaned so loud. Sakuno could feel him grew bigger inside her as he keeps thrusting so deep and fast inside her. A familiar feeling inside of her becomes more intense, she felt like reaching something, she grips her hand tightly on the bed sheets once again and just few deep thrusts from her husband she came. Her juices glistened on his erect muscle. Ryoma tightens his hold on her waist as he gritted his teeth and slammed hard his shaft on her seeing how she came, he looks up, his eyes were close, lips parted as he slammed once more before finally let his own release, he slowed down still pumping inside her, pouring all his swimmers deep inside his wife before finally pulling himself out to her.
After few seconds of catching their breathe, Ryoma lied down on her, his face was on her neck, gently nuzzling her scent, they could literally feel their own hearts beating. She could literally hear the sound of his breath fanning on her neck.
"I love you Sakuno... I love you so much wife" he said in between of his panting.
"Me too. I love you so much, Ryoma" Sakuno said, she let her tears fell from the mind-blowing lovemaking they shared, and from all contain emotion she has for her husband. She heard him groaned once more as she felt something hard poking on her belly.
"I want you again, wife" Ryoma whispered, but before Sakuno could even react, he claims her lips once again and position himself on hers, connecting their bodies once again.
Okay... And that's chapter 16. (I am so sorry for a messy bed scene) I am planning to finished this first before continuing Ryosaku alphabet. (This story has book 2 that's why) Yep! this one might be consist of 30 or less or something? Dunno. Plus, special chapters. Yep! I already finished writing the special chapters of this story first! Hahaa ...toldya! I am really a random person. I just love how the special chapters it is ... Just a sneak peek, 1 or 2 of the special chapters consists of major what ifs. What if Ryoma didn't forget about Sakuno, what if Sakuno's parents didn't died same as obaachan ... And there's more ... That's it...
I hope you like this chapter. I dedicate this to all readers who support this fanfic of mine since day 1...