"Dennis, when is he gonna get here?" Emily asked, looking bored. She stroked her long, black hair. She and Dennis are leaning against a wall by the gate of the school.

"I don't know. Maybe he's stuck in traffic. Don't worry, we're just gonna get lunch, that's all." He said. He flashed a smile to Emily. She scoffed. It was the first time she ever felt rebellious against Ryoma ever since they got together. After all the times that she did everything for their relationship, there he sent a text that says he's having lunch with 'a friend'.

"A friend, he says. I know all his friends. I called them all but no one was having lunch with him. That means he's with someone I don't know. Maybe a girl!" she said nervously. Dennis looked at her. All those exes have really messed her up. Emily is a beautiful girl, no one can deny that. She is taller than most girls in campus, smooth skin, perfect teeth, and smart. He doesn't understand why she's getting all worked up about Ryoma having lunch somewhere.

"You know, why don't you trust him a little bit? He's probably tired of all your nagging. Maybe he's just with his club mates, or friends outside our circle? Haven't you thought of that? Don't let your past experiences ruin what you have with Ryo. I'm actually surprised that he's this patient with you. He never raised his voice on you, or even fought with you. Why don't you give him a little space?" he said.

"I've had enough of him! I've decided! I'm going to cheat on him, too!" she stomped her foot on the grass. Dennis rolled his eyes.

"He's not cheating on you. I know him, okay? Just calm down, woman."

"No, you calm down, stupid." she stuck her tongue out to tease Dennis but he didn't bat an eye.

At Sakuno's dorm earlier that day...

It annoyed the hell out of him. Fourteen missed calls in a span of ten minutes. He had plans to have lunch with Emily, but since his family sent a package of tangerines with a note saying that the other box is for Sakuno, he didn't waste any time to deliver it to her mainly because it's going to take so much space in his room, and he was afraid it was going to go bad. He was originally planning to leave as soon as he got here but it was surprisingly hard to decline being invited in her house. Who knows when they would see each other again.

He sighed and started to compose a text message for Emily.

Ryoma Echizen:

Something came up. I'm having lunch with a friend.

"Ryoma-kun. Lunch is ready."

He looked up from his phone and saw the most angelic smile he had ever seen. Food really does make anyone happy. He stood up and took a seat across Sakuno. They quietly shared a delicious Japanese style lunch, much to Ryoma's delight. It really is the best day so far, he thought.

After eating, Ryoma offered to wash the dishes, but Sakuno insisted. She was too hospitable for her own good. So, Ryoma continued watching the sports channel while Sakuno cleaned up the kitchen.

She feels happy today, of course everyone knows why. They're spending time again. Although they barely talk to each other, she enjoys being with him like this. Sakuno smiled, she realized that they look like a married couple, living together, the wife washes the dishes while the husband stands up and opens the bathroom door.

What? He's going to the bathroom, where I dumped all those dirty laundry!

"R-Ryoma-kun, no no no. Don't go in there!"

Crap, I forgot about that! I got to stop him!

Sakuno, whose hands still have dishwashing soap, dashed toward Ryoma, who is holding the doorknob of the halfway opened door. He turned around to see Sakuno desperately trying to reach his arm.

"No, wait!" she exclaimed.

"I need to use the..."

Sakuno grabbed his arm but hers was too slippery from the soap that it slid from his arm onto his waist, accidentally hugging him. Ryoma let go of the door and attempted to catch her. He was hurriedly thinking where he could grab her to prevent her from falling down but there were no other body parts that he's comfortable to touch. That's how they ended up embracing each other.

Sakuno could hear the pounding on Ryoma's chest. It was loud, and fast. She can feel his arms enveloping her all the way to her back, his big hands clutching her apron, while her own hands found themselves holding on to his back.

Ryoma looked down, meeting Sakuno's eyes for the first time that day. It enticed him to move an inch closer, and closer, until his nose can barely touch Sakuno's. Her eyes grew wider as she realizes she can feel Ryoma's breath on her lips. Her heart pounded like crazy that it feels like it's going to burst.

Suddenly, Ryoma's phone started ringing.

He suddenly let go of Sakuno and pulled out his phone from his pocket. Sakuno found her strength to stand up on her own again, and silently slapped herself in the face, trying to snap out of it.

Ryoma looked at his phone before rejecting the call. He sighed.

"Um, sorry. I gotta get going." he said, not batting an eye on Sakuno.

She clenched her chest. She almost immediately knew who it was. It's written all over Ryoma's face.

"Uh, yeah. I'm sorry about the bathroom."

He awkwardly tied his shoelaces while Sakuno pretended to be busy in the kitchen. No one was speaking for about a few more minutes before Ryoma finally bids goodbye.

"Bye." he said.

"Goodbye." she slowly closed the door, feeling dejected. She wasn't sure what happened, but one thing is certain. Her heart could not take any more of that. She's going to die if that happens again. She leaned on the door, waiting for her heart to calm down. Scanning through the house, she spotted the box that Ryoma brought.

Oh, I haven't thanked him for the tangerines!

She opened the door again and found Ryoma standing in front of her. She gasped. Ryoma looked sad.

"Ryoma-kun. Are you alright?"

He slowly took a step closer until he was just inches away from her. Sakuno looked up at him. His eyes looked tired, lifeless. Sakuno couldn't help but reach into his face and caress him.

"What's wrong, Ryoma-kun?" she asked quietly. Ryoma grabbed her hand and pressed it lightly against his cheek. He opened his eyes and looked at Sakuno. She was glowing, her round, brown eyes that Ryoma had never realized looked so innocent, her auburn hair that was still long since their middle school days, her warm attitude that makes him feel protected and loved. It was only with Sakuno that he felt that. Only her.

His phone started to ring again.

"I have to go. Sorry." he walked away, leaving Sakuno dumbfounded. She blinked repeatedly, unable to believe what actually happened.

Ryoma-kun...

Tbc