Chapter18: Play the Game
"The worst feeling ever is not knowing whether you should WAIT or GIVE UP"
It was 3pm, still early yet the sky screams nothing but darkness outside. The weather is gloomy; the leaves of the trees outside started to dance, swaying calmly on the wind. Miyu stared blankly on the window in their school, who would think that the uncolored waters could make the clouds so dark? Enough for everyone to be muzzy and make such pace in hurry. Miyu always dislikes rain. She despises rain. It always reminds her of how lonely she was; it's a reminder on how alone she was whenever she was in narrowed space inside her room, as if something from outside pressing her room together to look smaller than usual. It was a keeping reminder of how empty she was. And yet, how ironically it feels like, she didn't feel the same way now; as she stared calmly outside, she can't find herself hating and disliking the upcoming rain. She felt comforted somehow, as if, for the very first time in her life, something was in her side, ready to be with her, ready to scream and cry out loud for her sake, for the coldness and loneliness she felt inside of her. For the upcoming storm she had to face.
"Miyu" Akane calls her attention, she saw the worried look on her friends faces.
Miyu smiled, "what is it?" She answered calmly.
"Are you sure, you are going alone?" Akane asks. She was really worried for her friend.
It was already two days after that incident happened. However, they were all stuck from that memory of that day; the day they see from their naked eyes the harshness of the truth that the tennis prince was with someone else. It was a hard blown from them, until now they couldn't believe that Echizen Ryoma is dating someone else, not their friend but someone else.
"You know, we can come with you" Akira offered.
Miyu chuckled, "of course you won't do that. I'm okay. I'm going now. He's maybe on his way. Ja" Miyu smiled once again.
They watch her walking away from the corridor of their school.
"I still can't believe it until now!" Akira grunted; she looks dissatisfied for whatever is happening. "What on earth he saw from that girl? She is not even pretty!" She lamented. "I thought they were doing, okay? He always took Miyu home, right? What was that for? Gosh! This is so frustrating!"
"I thought so too. Miyu seems positive that they will eventually come back together. I never see her happy like that. But now, it must be so hard for Miyu." Akane spoke worried. "She is quite positive for them."
Hikaru looks on the empty hall, she half runs towards the direction she took.
"Miyu..." She called, peeking on the staircase handle.
"What is it?" Miyu looks at her seriously, her eyes tell something she can't figure out. Yet, how ironically, it was something she really familiar with. It is the same look on her eyes months ago.
"Are ... You, okay?" She spoke hesitantly.
"I am" Miyu smiled. "Hikaru, I'll be going now." She informed.
"Okay ... Just take care Miyu" she said.
"Of course!" She smiled
Hikaru just watched her friend, 'what are you really thinking, Miyu?' she sighed. For Miyu, Echizen Ryoma is everything. And for her to give him up so easily is something that makes Hikaru wonders. Knowing her friend for so long, almost growing up with her, she knows exactly how persistent and not so easily for her to give up things she really wanted. It's contradicting. She spoke different from what she seems really thinking. For some reason, Hikari started to worry. For sure, Miyu was up to something.
'Miyu, don't do anything stupid! Please"
'Can we meet tomorrow? I have something to tell you.'
'This is Miyu btw'
That was the exact message that the tennis prince received last night. Surprised from her sudden message, Ryoma stared on his phone. Though he has quite had a hunch on whatever they might talk about. It was a good opportunity then, since he really wanted to talk things out to Miyu too. Ryoma was staring outside the window. The sky was dark, it was in the news that upcoming rain is coming; that is why their tennis practice been cut short to prevent them getting into the rain.
'I'm on my way.'
The tennis prince puts his phone back again to his pocket after sending a reply on her, he put his tennis bag on his shoulder, ready to leave.
"Echizen..." Fuji, the tennis tensai spoke, the tennis prodigy looks on his senpai sideways.
"Nani?" He asks, he stared at him for a while waiting for his reply.
"."
However, he didn't receive any response from the tennis tensai, he was just staring at him as if weighing his thoughts.
"I'll be going senpai. Miyu might come first before me" he said. He started walking away from his senpais who surprisingly quiet today.
The opening and closing of the door were the only thing that is heard inside the room. Fuji, who's contemplating to asks his kouhai remains staring at the closed door. When Ryoma told them earlier this morning, that him and Miyu decided to meet today, they all cheered happily, the whole tennis team started to tease him to death, however, seeing how serious he was while looking at them, Fuji realized that it is far from what they are expecting for. Fuji secretly hoping for them to reunite. He was secretly hoping for a second chance for them. He still hoping for them, that their feelings are still the same, since he knows exactly how it feels like when the person you love couldn't love you back. Fuji doesn't want it to happen to his childhood friend. That despite of the warning signs that he notices; that despite the reality slowly unwrapping to him, he refuses to think that his kouhai was in love with someone else and Miyu would be hurt in the end.
"Neh, Fujiko! If you are really worried, why don't we follow them? Nya!" Eiji clings on his shoulder, there is a hopeful glint on his eyes.
"Nah! Nah! Eiji senpai, don't you think it's quite best if we let them?" Momoshiro butt in.
"Mou! What's wrong with you Momochi?! You are the first one who would agree with me, but right now you are the first to disagree?" Kikumaru asks "besides, are you not curious? Nya!" He added
'Curious?' Well, sorts off. But Momoshiro wasn't curious at all, since he a roughly had an idea of what they wil supposedly to talk about.
"C'mon! C'mon! Let's follow them! Nya!
.
.
.
"Hare? That's our senpais right? Where are they going?" Tomoka asks seeing their senpais; consists of Kikumaru, Fuji, Oishi, Inui, Momoshiro, Kaido, Kawamura and even the tennis trio walking slowly like a thief towards the gate of Seigaku High. "What are they doing?" She asks skeptically.
"They seem tailing someone" An said, looking at the direction they were heading to.
"But who might it will be?" Tomoka asks, a goofy grin appears on her lips as a bright idea pops out on her mind, hurriedly, she took both of her friend's hand and pulled them chasing their senpais. "Matte! Senpais!" She shouted out loud making their senpais look at them with horrid looks on their faces, they were hiding behind bushes.
"Osakada-chan! Shut up!" Kikumaru hurriedly silence the young girl.
"Nani? Nani?" Tomoka excitedly spoke, not minding his whims.
"Be quiet!" Horio hissed. They all look at the front, and a sighed of relief escape on their lips knowing that they didn't get the tennis prince attention at all.
"Hare? That's Echizen-kun right?" An said pointing the tennis prince standing in the pedestrian lane.
"Sshh!" Momoshiro said. "An keep quiet!"
"You were all tailing Ryoma-sama?" Tomoka eyes doubled in size. "But why?!"
"I told you to tone down your voice Osakada!" Horio hissed.
"Ochibi and Miyu-chan will going to meet each other! Nya! We want to know why they will meet! Nya! That's why we are going to follow them!" Kikumaru senpai beams happily, seems proud on what they were going.
Sakuno remains quiet, she just stared on her husband's back. Of course, she knew about it, Ryoma already told him about its last night. She fidgeted her fingers; feeling a slightly discomfort on her heart, not because that they going to see each other but because she felt sorry for Miyu. For everything, for the pain she will inflicted on her. She looks down, little did she known that the tennis tensai was looking at her, observing her reactions at all.
"Yabe! This is bad senpai! Echizen will surely notice us when we all go inside of this restaurant!" Momoshiro said upon reaching the restaurant where Miyu and the tennis prince supposed to meet. On the glass wall of the said restaurant, Echizen Ryoma was seating comfortably facing the door, his one cheek was leaning on his hand as he was staring at the door; he slowly turns his head towards they direction, the senpais as well as the trio and the three young ladies ducks their head. Luckily, the bushes around the corners were tall enough to cover them.
"Don't worry, I think I can handle this" Fuji smiled creepily. "I know the owner. Maybe we can ask him if we can enter through the back door" he said.
They all duck their heads as they slowly walk like kittens through the side of the brick wall. Fuji hurriedly dialed the owner's number asking for permission. It turns out that the owner was their family's friend, that is why they smoothly went inside through the back door. Making them all seating comfortably while peeking on the tennis prince through the U-shape long table. Luckily enough, the tennis prince seems so engrossed on looking outside the glass wall or much, more to say, he was a type of person who didn't give a damn thing in his surroundings.
For a seconds, Sakuno completely forgot why they were there, she was so amazed on the interior design of the restaurant. It was magnificently designed; the tables from the center were covered with a U-shape brick barricade serving as a divider on the three sides, it seems like a puzzle, on the first glance. since it was alternately décor on the entire table centers of the restaurant.
"This is the same restaurant Miyu and Echizen frequently going back then" Fuji's voice makes Sakuno awakens from her admiration to the interiors of this place. She looks at her senpai, only to see he was looking at her, as if he was directly telling her the information he uttered.
"This is their dating place?!" Kikumaru covered his own mouth realizing he almost shouted. They all turns around towards the tennis prince direction. Another sighed of relief escaped from their mouths seeing that the tennis prodigy still unaware of their presence.
"Uhm." Fuji answered. "Miyu often told me so. She really likes this place that's why" he added.
"Sugooiii ochibi! Our ochibi really has a taste!" Kikumaru senpai commented bashfully. "Neh! Neh! What do you think they will talk about?" He asks really curious.
"Nah, we don't have any idea at all" Kawamura said. "Echizen refused to give us details right?"
"Miyu-chan is here" Inui senpai informed. All of their heads turn to their direction. They saw how the young lass went towards the tennis prince, she smiled upon seeing him yet the unreadable expression of the tennis prince is visible. He stared at her with his famous nonchalant expression.
"Baka ochibi! You should at least smile!" Kikumaru commented.
"Keh! Echizen always plays cool!" Horio retorted.
Tomoka and An exchange meaningful gazes to each other, they look at Sakuno whom silently staring at them. They watch until a crew went on their table offered a menu to them before finally leaving them. Miyu said something as she started looking at the menu, she laughed bashfully hearing his reply; a smirked crept on his face.
Sakuno felt her heart constrict in pain. Though she knew very well the reason why they decided to meet; this scene folding on her front was the exact picture-perfect scene she always imagined before, they looked perfect together. They fitted each other. That is why, she can't take the idea that she will be the reason of her getting hurt. She was nothing, plain and simple. Unlike Kurosawa Miyu whom beautiful, talented and smart, is it all worth it to hurt this beautiful creature just because of her?
"Sakuno..." An calls her name.
She jolted in surprised, she stared at them and realizing that their attention was on her.
"What do you want?" An asked, she seems worried at the same time. "We already told our order. How about you?"
"Uh" Sakuno didn't even realized that she was the one whom didn't give her order, she stared in the menu roght in front of her in such hurry. Her eyes scan for the menu. Much for her delight; seems all her worries and dreadful thoughts vanished in just a snap of a finger seeing a certain dish in the menu, she was wishing to eat this dish since earlier this morning, her eyes twinkles for so much anticipation, her excitement sky rocket seeing the picture of strawberry mochi with chunks of strawberry itself outside, drizzled with chocolate on top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side; it looks so appetizing and appealing on her eyes that her mouth automatically watered. excitedly, she beams on the crew. "Please! I want strawberry mochi!" She exclaimed, forgetting that she supposed to tone down her voice.
An and Tomoka chuckled, while her senpais blinks on her unusual behavior.
"Make it two please!" She added before pointing using her index finger the tall glass of strawberry shake. "And this and this one" she said pointing a picture of strawberry Nutella sandwich. Making Tomoka and An blinks in surprised.
"Ryuuzaki-chan seems really hungry" Momoshiro chortled, seeing how satisfied and delighted she was.
Feeling embarrassed, and realized what she made, she ducked her head. "Gomene" she apologized. Hiding her blushing face
"Nah, nah! It's fine Ryuuzaki-chan, it seems you really like strawberry that much huh" Kawamura chuckled.
"Uhm. We could share it to everyone though" she shyly uttered.
"Nah! That's okay, you've been yearning to eat mochi since this morning by the way." Tomoka replied. "You are so weird, Sakuno"
"Mou!"
Their attention gets back to their table, scanning briefly for whatever is happening right now, they watch on them as the food started serving on their table.
Minutes passed; their food started to serve on their table too. Their attention is getting divided on the food and to look on the other side, seeing that they seem eating in peace; they settled to eat first too and simply stealing glances on them when they have a chance.
"Mou! I should order this!" Tomoka huffed seeing how appetizing An order was, the latter giggles on her friend.
"You can try mine Tomoka-chan" Sakuno offered her food, she was munching her mochi merrily. Making Tomoka raised her brows seeing that she was already on her second plate of mochi.
"Hare! Ryuuzaki-chan, it's delicious! Nya!" Kikumaru senpai beams as he took a bite of strawberry nutella sandwich.
"Senpai! They are started talking now!" Horio butt in making all their attention went back on the tennis prince table, eyes focus to the two who seems talking casually. "Gah? Can't hear anything, y'know!"
"Of course, you can't hear anything stupid!" Tomoka retorted. She munched her food.
"Fssss"
"Shut it you two!" Oishi, the mother hen said.
Sakuno just stared at them, while she was sipping on her shake, her eyes never leave them.
"I hope I didn't bother anything. Since I ask you to come" Miyu started, she looks at him whom finished on his meals.
"It's fine Miyu." The tennis prince said. "Knowing you, you wouldn't ask me to come for nothing"
Miyu stared at him for a second, did he really truly know her? Did they truly know each other? How come it feels like they were already like strangers to each other? If he truly knew her, how come he never really see her heart? She was hurting right now, can't he that? She blinks, not wanting her unwanted tears to be shed in his front. From three years, they were in relationship for three years, they had a lot of memories together, they spend their days almost together. why it seems nothing from him now?
"And besides, I really wanted to talk to you too. Now it's a perfect time." He uttered nonchalantly.
Silence envelops them both, Miyu looks down, before going here, she decided for everything she wanted to say. However, now that she was here, she didn't know how to start or where to start and or what should she say. It seems like her mind became blank the moment she saw him. Emotionless like usual as if he didn't care. For Miyu, Ryoma is the best thing that happens to her. She really regretted breaking up with him. If only she didn't, none of these might happened between them. They might be still happy like before. She clenched her hands so tight.
"I don't know where to start" Miyu said honestly
"So Do I." Ryoma answered. He stared at her once again. "I am not a conversationalist Miyu" he huffed. Well, that was right. Now thinking about it, why it is so easy to talk long conversation with his wife without a pause? Why it is so easy to tell to his wife everything he wanted to say? He is not a type of person who talk more than 5 words. The only moment he speaks long was when he was force to read an English story right in front of this classmates during recitation. However, whenever he was with his wife, he became naturally talkative. Looking back, Miyu was the first one who always initiates a topic from them, though they always text each other way back before, he naturally answered her with a simple 'yes', 'okay' and 'no'. Though he teases her sometimes, it was his usual 'mada mada dane' phrase of him. Back then, whenever Miyu wanted to knew something, she always asked him, though he gave his best to answer her, it always ended up on a 'one sentence'. He never really shared something to Miyu, he rarely talks about what's really on his mind. And yet, with his wife, he found himself telling anything under the sun.
"I know. You always been like that" Miyu chuckled. "You're too boring to be with" she added jokingly.
"Ha?" Ryoma perplexed; he blinks. "Am I?" He points himself. Miyu laughed hard from his reaction. Somehow, the heavy air between them lessens a bit. "That is not something to laughed about Miyu" he said, smirking.
"You see... It's so hard to think of follow up topic whenever you answered me with 'okay', 'got it', 'uhn, or 'who knows'." Miyu tried to mimic his voice. Ryoma groaned. "It feels like I am talking to an automatic doll"
"Ha! So, you seriously making fun of me" Ryoma retorted.
"But ... You've changed... A lot Ryoma" Miyu seriously said. She looks at him intently. "Ryoma..." She paused. "Do you still remembered what I told you right before we parted ways during our trip with senpais? That I wanted to talked about us" she said looking intently on his golden eyes. "I want us back together, Ryoma" she said in straight and fluent words. "Let's get back together" Miyu said, she looks at him hoping for any reaction; however, there is no readable reaction on his face.
"The truth is... I... I regretted breaking up with you. I shouldn't have broken up with you Ryoma. But you see... I don't have any other choice. You know exactly how I badly wanted my father's recognition. I- I shouldn't put our relationship in the line. I really... Really want you back. I still love you a lot" She said, ommiting some parts on how her own father badly wanted them to break up. Of course, Ryoma shouldn't let known. Not now that her father wants him for her. Finally. They can be together now.
"Gomen"
Miyu held her breathe as she heard him spoke. Her heart clenched inside her chest, it was only one word and yet it was enough for her to crumble everything she exactly hopes for. She was expecting this. Yes, but not to the extent that he will give his answer right away. As if he never did think about it, as if there are no second thoughts about it. Is that all? Is this her price to pay? What she has done? What happened to their three-year relationship? That is nothing to him? And where did her being obedient child took her? Miyu took a sharp intake of air, restraining herself from crying in his front.
"I'm sorry Miyu, but I can't and I won't" he said. "The reason why I wanted to meet you is to finally closed the door between us." He said straight on her eyes.
Miyu smiled, concealing all her pain. She was expecting this by the way. However, on the corners of her heart she was still hoping. "I guess I am really late huh" she muttered. She looks down, she wipes the tear fell on her left eye before looking at him once again. "I am expecting this anyway, yet, I still try my luck." She smiled. "You do really like her" she muttered, though hearing it on her own mouth feels like a knife stabs her heart.
Ryoma flinched from what she spoke.
"I know" Miyu chortled seeing him surprised. "The moment I kissed you when I came back; the worried look on your face when you looked at her" she said. "That time, I know it already. It's a girl's instinct" she held out her own breath. "I confirmed it just a few days ago. I saw you two in the Ginza" she said. "You see, for years of knowing you, I never really saw you like that" she added, she looks on him with sad smile. "You always been an uptight person, as if you have guarded your walls up high. It's so hard to know what were you were thinking. you barely talked and when you do, it was because I ask you. But looking at you that time, I realized how comfortable you are with her, from the way you smile to her, the way you talk to her the way you look at her. As if- she's the only one existing to your world. As if you were a different person" A tear fell in her eyes "And I started to wonder if you do really like me." She laughed without humor
"Miyu... It's not like that"
"I know, I know Ryoma. It's just that I really don't exactly know why I'm still saying this to you, maybe because I'm still stuck on you? Or maybe I was hoping that you will be shaken once you hear me? I don't know. Or this will be my step to move on from you." She smiled bitterly.
"Gomen Miyu..." He spoke sincerely.
"What are you sorry for? For loving her?" She jokily said.
"No. I won't be sorry for loving her. That will never be the case. I am not sorry for being in love with her Miyu. I'm saying sorry for hurting your feelings" he said. "I'm sorry for you thinking that way. For being not good enough for you in the past"
Miyu parted her lips. She stared at him for a while before finally speak.
"Gosh, so this is how it felt to be rejected by you huh" she laughed. "She's so lucky to have you" she mumbled softly.
"Nope." Ryoma smirked. "I am the lucky one to have her" he chuckled. "She's... One in a million" he smiled just thinking about his wife.
And that broke her heart; a pang o jealousy started digging in inside her, she felt her heart ripped inside her chest, she wanted to burst into tears in his front. She wanted it too badly. Seeing by her own naked eyes how he adored someone else that is not hers felt like being pierce by thousands of needles in her chest. Did he make this kind of expression when they were together? She smiled masking all her pain.
"I guess this is the closure we both needed" she said. "We still friends, right? I hope it's okay with...uhm her?" She asks.
Ryoma smirked. "We are friends Miyu nothing changes. And yes, it's okay with her." He added.
Miyu smiled. "Thank you" and sorry Ryoma. Coz, I won't let you go. Never. You are mine to begin with, so I am taking you back again this time.
Miyu was walking aimlessly; right after they talked, they parted ways. Just like that. She stared at the sky, seeing how dark it was Miyu wonders why it still not raining until now? How she wishes that rain will pour down. She badly needed that. She wanted to be comforted, and she was expecting that the rain will do it for her. Miyu stops from walking, ducking her head, she blinks for couple of times trying to hold back her tears.
A pair of familiar shoes came on her sight, she looks up meeting his cerulean eyes. Miyu's eyes widen in fraction looking at him.
"It's okay Miyu." Fuji said. "You can cry. You don't have to hold it back" he gently spoke wiping a tear fall in her eyes "I am here to wipes all your tears away" he said. As if it was an automatic response, Miyu's tears fall freely in her eyes. Fuji hugs her, gently tapping her back. She shut her eyes as she cried helplessly
And as if heavens finally answered her prayer, droplets of crystal water pour down heavily from the sky; in the midst of the pouring rain, Miyu cried harder in Fuji's chest.
"It will be okay Miyu" he softly whispered.
From her eyes closed, Miyu opens her eyes, her eyes mirrored with vengeance, tears streaming down her face, her face hardened with will of desire. 'It will only be okay once I take him back! I will take him away from her. Ryoma will come back to me!'
"Are you okay, Sakuno?" The tennis prince asks worriedly. He stared at his wife, with furrowing brows. It was Saturday morning, yet, it seems she was already tired; she keeps yawning for the nth time now.
"Uhn. I just feel sleepy. That's all" she said as she started eating their breakfast.
"Mou! Sakuno-chan, did you stay awake late at night?" Nanako-neechan asks worried.
"Nanako, don't asked something so obvious. Of course, they both stayed awake, late at night" Nanjirou smirked. He digs in on his own food.
"Oyaji!" The tennis prince complaint.
"Mou! Stops teasing your children Nanjirou" Rinko, beats her husband with newspaper in her hand.
"Oucchh! I didn't say anything weird y'know!" Nanjirou complains.
"Sakuno-chan, I went home at exactly 3 am this morning, I saw in the window that your desk lamp was still open, do you still awake that time?" Rinko asked.
"What?!" Ryoma glared at his wife. "How come you still awake that time, wife?" His brows furrowed. For what he could remember they both sleep late at midnight after doing their 'night activities'
"Mou! I just woke up Ryoma-kun, and can't go back to sleep that's why I decided to do our project to kill time" she said. That's the truth anyway. How could she peacefully sleep when her mind was mindlessly thinking of 'mochi'?! Her eyes widely open that time, her frustration towards eating mochi skyrocket, she felt her mouth literally watering just thinking of mochi. To ease herself, she decided to draw for their project. Trying hard to diverted herself from thinking of 'mochi'. Soft fluffy mochi.
"Haaa! You should go back to sleep after eating" Ryoma uttered seriously, somehow, he felt guilty from it, he didn't realize that she woke up on their bed that time. it seems like he was tired to notice it. Or her scent was all over him that's why he didn't took notice at all.
"Mou! But today is-"
"I know, Sakuno. The game will start at 11am, it's only 7 in the morning wife, try to sleep some more and I will wake you up later" he said gently caressing her side bangs. "Just sleep I'll do wash the dishes" he uttered.
"Ohohoho! That's new my son!" Nanjirou laughed teasing his own son.
"Nanjirou..." Rinko warned.
"Ryoma-san was right, Sakuno-chan. You should rest, it's not good if you get sick." Nanako-neechan said.
"Sou na..." Kikumaru's voice lace with concern, he looks at Miyu whom smiling.
The Seigaku regulars were all shocked hearing the news from her. They couldn't believe from what they heard; Miyu told them so, from her bravely asking for a second chance of their relationship until the flatly rejection of the tennis prince. She didn't miss a single thing, she told everything they talked about, she also gave them a hint of Ryoma liking of someone else now. Of course, she skips and opted the fact of telling of who's the girl was. For Miyu, it wasn't her shoes to tell the person whom the tennis prince dating now.
"So, that's what happened" Oishi said. "Are you okay Miyu?" He asks, he stared at her with concern evident on his face.
Miyu smiled; "I am lying if I tell you all that I am okay, of course, it's not. But I have to move on, right?" She smiled.
"We are all shocked by the news. We thought you both still have a chance." Kawamura uttered.
Miyu smiled. "Gomene, I know you all rooting for us, but it's just like that isn't it? I have to accept the fact that we are just friends. I will be okay senpais. Thank you for helping me all the way." She said bowing her head. She smiled at them, she looks so sad and hurt at the same time.
"We didn't do anything Miyu-chan. But we are hoping for you to be better" Oishi said.
"I am hoping too. Oishi senpai" she looks down, "I just ... But it is alright. At least he was happy now, right? One of us were happy. That's what is important." She said smiling. "I want him to be happy even it means I am no longer the reason of his happiness."
"You're so kind Miyu-chan! Don't worry, both of you were still young, who knows? maybe this is not your time together. Maybe in the future right?" Kawamura cheered her.
"Please ... Kawamura senpai. Don't give me a false hope I want to start anew!" She giggles
"That's right! That's right!" Kikumaru beams. "We still rooting for you both!"
"Thank you senpais... But I really don't want to give myself a false hope."
"Miyuuu!" Not far from them, Miyu's friends were calling onto her. They wave their hands. Miyu waves back. She turns her head back to his senpais.
"I got to go senpais! I might come back later after game, I guess?" She smiled before half running towards her friends.
"Mou! I can't believe this! Ochibi is surely hiding on us, he likes someone else already?!" Kikumaru muttered he put his index finger on his temple thinking. "Who would it be?"
The news was all shocking to them, although they have a rough idea that they talked didn't go well base on how they parted ways that day, they still want to know. Since they were all busy from upcoming finals, they never had a chance to squeeze the tennis prince from some information. Now, hearing it from Miyu, they all felt sad and feel repentant on them. They were together for three years, to think that it will end that way was too bad. They witness their relationship. They witness how they both form a bond together as friends before lovers. They knew how Miyu loved their kouhai, and from what did they saw, he was on her too. And yet, knowing that he was already in love with someone else right now, from months after breaking up was really a mystery for them. Who was the girl he chooses to not reconsider his long-time relationship with Miyu? Was he serious about her? Or just a spur of the moment thing for him?
"If Miyu-chan is telling a truth, it seems Echizen really did moved on." Kawamura said "but why is he hiding it to us?"
"Miyu is telling the truth" Fuji intervened. He seems offended on Kawamura's words. "She is not a type of person who would lie" he added, his cerulean eyes were sharply looking at his friend.
"Waruina, I didn't mean any harm Fuji. It's just that, I don't see anything for Echizen to hide the girl he was dating now" Kawamura uttered.
"Mou! To think that they were broken up just a couple of months. I feel sorry for Miyu-chan" Kikumaru muttered.
"Nah. Nah. Let's not jump into conclusion, we still not hearing anything to Echizen y'know. Let's wait until he opens up this matter to us" Oishi said.
"Demo, I am really curious of who's the girl is... Miyu-chan refused to say it though. Hmmm... Inui! Do you have any idea?!" Kikumaru asks.
"Keh! It must be Ryuuzaki-chan!" Horio retorted. "I am positive senpais! It is her!"
"Horio-kun!" Katsuo stops him.
"Why?! Why?! Echizen is quite obvious giving a hint already!" Horio rebutted.
"Hmmm... Now that you mention it, Ryuuzaki-chan is the first on my list" Inui said scanning his notebook.
"Demo, if it really her, why we didn't hear anything?" Oishi wondered. "Momo will sure tell us if he noticed something"
"Keh! He made an uproar last time that even juniors were talking about it! I just wondering why Momochan-senpai didn't tell anything about that! We are always together! Echizen i kind' a obvious when we are together" Horio added. "They quite a thing I am sure of it!"
"Horio-kun!" This time it was Kachiro who stops him.
"Why are you stopping me?! Tsk. Tsk. Echizen is turning into a player! How come he dated that fast! And if he truly dating Ryuzaki-chan, why did he hide her?"
"That's enough Horio-kun!" Katsuo almost shouted. He glared at him. "Ryoma-kun is not like that!" He was furious. He truly cared about Ryuuzaki-chan! He wanted to shout it out loud. From months of observing them, Katsuo made a conclusion that the tennis prince really cared about the brunette girl. He can see it on his eyes. The way he looked the girl. The way he silently looking out for her. For sure, the tennis prince has his own reasons why he was silent about this and one reason might be because senpais really wanted Kurosawa Miyu for him. He might be protecting Ryuuzaki-chan.
"Oi...Oi... Stops that you two!" Kawamura stops the two youngsters.
"Keh Kachirou! You surely on Echizen side!" Horio refuted.
"I am not taking any sides! Your being too unfair! You attacking Ryoma-kun without hearing his side" Kachirou huffed.
And that's make sense, the regulars became silent fo a while.
"Don't you feel sorry for Kurosawa-chan?!" Horio rebutted. "While Echizen is happy Kurosawa-chan is hurting!" He added.
"Hey! That's enough you two!" Oishi intervened.
"For sure if it's all true, Ryoma-kun has his own reason fo hiding it.
Fuji, on the other hand remains quiet, he was certain that their juniors knew something. He's having the same thoughts exactly like Horio, from silently observing his kouhai; he knew something was really going on between the two. He can't point it out it yet, why They acted like they knew quite knew each other since the beginning. Echizen weird actions started when Ryuuzaki-chan appeared. As if they were hiding something more than the fact that they were dating. But there is something that's not making sense at all for him; he must figure it out. He must know the truth.
"Hmm... Now that you mention it, Momochi stops updating us in everything! Do you think he knows something?" Kikumaru asks. "I really feel sorry for Miyu-chan though"
"Nah. Nah. Stops that, let's not put malice on everything." Oishi butted in. "Let's wait until Echizen speaks up. Kachirou is right, let's wait for Echizen to talk about this"
"Ooiiii!" Kamio of Fudomine shouted from behind. They all look at him; from his back, the Fudomine team was tailing him including Momoshiro with An, Kaido and Tomoka.
At the same time, Tezuka came, wearing his usual stoic expression on his face
"Are you going to observe the game?" Kamio gleefully asks.
"Ah! We were going to watch the game this day" Oishi chuckled.
"It's been a while Seigaku" Tachibana Kippei shake his hand with the Seigaku captain Tezuka.
"It's been a while" Tezuka muttered. "Goodluck on your matches. And don't let your guard down"
"Hare?! Hare?! Where is Sakuno-chan?" The rhythm guy asks, he looks around but there is no sign of Sakuno everywhere.
"Baka! She was still in her house! It's still early you know"
"Ah! I was so excited knowing that Sakuno-chan will watch our play" Kamio said depressingly, his body slumped and turns into jelly.
"I don't see your rookie too." Kippei asks.
"That's not good, I was about to asked him to play a match to me after our game. But it wouldn't be good if he injured himself once again" Ibu chanted.
"Shinji!"
"Now that you mention it, he wasn't here either maybe-"
"Chissu!" Ryoma greeted. He smirked seeing the whole Fudomine team.
"Echizen!" Momoshiro clings his arms on his neck " we were just talking about you!" He grins.
'talking' He wondered. He stared at the whole crowd.
"Nah, say Echizen-kun, do you mind playing with me after match?" Ibu asks
"Shinji!"
"Heh," Ryoma smirked. "Sure"
"Nah! Nah! An-chan! Where is she? Where is she?" Kamio asks. He was eager to see Sakuno. "Ask her! You do have her number, don't you?" He asks gleefully.
"I already did! Can you stop whining Kamio-kun?! Jeez!" An started to get pissed.
"Maybe I should ask for her number? I am truly fired up today. I feel like in my rhythm" he chanted.
"Akira!" Kippei said.
"Kamio-kun I told you to stop it already. She will come! Just wait!" An twitched.
"Saa... It seems you have a thing towards our manager" this time it was Fuji who smiled creepily, his eyes landed to his kouhai, looking for any reaction on him, testing the waters. Yet, he found nothing on his expressionless face.
Kamio blushed hard. He looks away trying to hide his blushing face. Well, that's the truth anyway. He has a crush on Sakuno. From the very first time he saw her together with An.
"Well-" he scratches his face. "Uhm... Seigaku won't mind right? I mean, you have An-chan with you"
'baka Kamio!' Momoshiro's drop his mouth open, he was starting to feel uneasy knowing that Echizen was listening to him. He felt his kouhai's body hardened, though his face remains expressionless, his body rigidly response. For sure he wouldn't be surprised if Echizen throws his signature moves on him.
"Well, we don't mind it at all. Demo- someone might be" Fuji added. Looking straight at his kouhai who seems not budging on his words.
The other Seigaku sweat dropped. They were all sure what is Fuji's doing right now. Their eyes keep alternating between the tensai tennis and the tennis prince. Momoshiro and Kaido who sense what is really going on, blinks. For sure, their Fuji-senpai was trying to caught him on his guard. He knew something. However, for whatever good circumstances, Ryoma was just unreadable, with his expressionless face, you can't point it out what's really going on inside his mind. He was just looking at Fuji with blank expression. Yet knowing him, he might notice it too.
"Sou na... Was she already dating?" Kamio asks, feeling depressed.
"I was just joking! Joking" Fuji chuckled. " We don't really know, but it might help if you ask her directly." He suggested and smiled creepily.
The other regulars sighed deeply. They exchange meaningful glances to each other.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, Sakuno was running towards the tennis park, with heavy breathing, she slowed down panting feeling the heat of summer's sun.
'Mou! Ryoma-kun didn't woke me up!' She was so surprised, seeing the time in their clock. It was already 11:30 am! She was certain that she alarmed their clock on exactly 10am. How come she didn't hear it at all? And to make matters most, her own husband didn't wake her up. Sakuno hurriedly dashed out on their bed.
She looks once again on her wristwatch. Alarmed on how late she was, she started running once again until she reaches the tennis park.
Sakuno paused for a while upon arriving inside of the tennis park, she can literally see the Tennis courts on her vision. Yet, feeling lightheaded, she holds on the post near her. The dizziness she felt started to kicked on her badly. surely the heat of the summer sun and running under the scorching heat were not good combination to her. Her eyes started to get heavy and blurry. Her limbs started to feel like jelly. 'Mou! Get hold of yourself Sakuno!'
Bullets of sweat starting to form on her forehead, she crouches down, waiting for her dizziness faded away. However, her head becomes lighter and lighter. Clearly, she's not feeling good. Now, she started to regret being stubborn, she should listen to her husband at all. He might really get worried if something bad happen to her right now, she felt guilty. 'Ryoma-kun' She slowly look on her phone on her pocket, only to find out that she left it on their home.
"Hey! Ano... Are you okay?" A voice from her front invaded her sense of hearing. Sakuno looks up, trying to get hold on her senses, in her blurry vision, she found a pair of blue eyes.
"Uhn" she tried to smile. She slowly gets up from crouching. However, she lost her balance; everything happens so fast, the last thing she remember was his loud voice shouting, before everything went blank.
Chapter 18 is out. Just a little cliffhanger there. What do you think? I am on my way for chapter 19! Might finished it by a few days. So please stay tuned.
