Chapter8: With A Smile
Cause in a world where everybody hates a happy ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go round
But don't let it bring you down
And turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song
Ryuuzaki Akihiro
Born: September 20, xxxx
Died: April 24, xxxx
His inspiration lives on in the beauty he left behind
"Sakuno, come here..." A man wearing his square rim eyeglass, smiled; even tired from his work, his face always looks soft and tender, he always wears a smile so bright like a morning sun. Whenever he looks on his only daughter, all those tiredness he felt vanished in thin air. Just like today, raising both of his arms in the air, beaming so brightly, wanting to hug and envelop his arms on his only source of comfort.
Young Sakuno runs off towards her father.
"Papa!" She squeaks in delight. She jumps off on his arms making her father laugh out loud. It was always the typical afternoon to them.
"My beautiful daughter, how's your day? Did you give your obaa chan a hard time?!" He asks in gentle voice.
"Mou! Nooo! I'm a good girl papa! Obaa chan taught me how to bake!" She beams proudly.
"Wow! What a great flower indeed. My daughter is so talented. You really like me" Her father claps his hands seeing her artwork. Teaching her the only thing he knew, his heart felt so much contentment.
"Hmp! It's not a flower papa! It's a pony! Pony!" Young Sakuno cutely glared at her father. Paints scattered all over her cute chubby cheeks and dress. Her little fingers who couldn't properly hold the paint brush, that keeps the paint brush from falling in the ground, however her unwavering dedication to learn was too intense that even his father was so proud of.
"Oh! Gomen! I thought it was a flower." He smiled brightly wiping some paint residue on her face. He kissed her chubby cheeks.
"I love you so much, my daughter" he gently whispers on her, tickling her on her sides.
Those warm smiles, those innocent yet gentle eyes. His face that always smiling despite the lingering longiness. His face who always looks gentle. His soft voice, his clumsy yet gentle movements. His warmth embraced. Her father. The father she loves so dearly.
"Sakuno... My lovely child"
Sakuno blinks her eyes, trying to hold back her tears. She misses him. She misses her father. So badly. So terribly. Sniffing, she looks on his grave smiling so brightly.
"Papa! I'm here!" She tried to make her voice sounds lively. " I'm sorry if it took so long before I finally visit." She said placing his father's favorite astilbe flower in the front. Patience and dedication to a beloved one. Sakuno smiled, knowing the meaning behind her father's favorite flower, she started to understand the reason behind.
"Are you watching me from above Papa?" She asks, "until now, I am still wondering which stars are you now. Can you visit me in my dream so that I will know?" She asks in gentle laugh. Yet, her face started to becomes sad. Even how many times she asks and pray to see her father on her dreams, even how many times she begs heavens to make it happen; it didn't happen. She settled herself on the memories she had on him. Only that, at least, she felt comforted.
In her memory, her father was laughing happily with her. The young her happily chatting to her father. The young her telling stories to her father who happily and patiently listening to her. His embrace that in crept on her mind. His smiles that buried on her heart. In that memory, they are happy.
"Oniichan, d-daddy and mommy treating me so well" she said with a sad smile. Realizing that she was half lying on him again. Makes her sad. She sighed. But she has no intention of telling the truth. On how she felt so awkward until now to her daddy Hiru, who gives nothing but his understanding yet the only thing she always feel was this certain guilty and sorry whenever she looks on her daddy and brother's face. Although they treated her nicely, and there are the only persons who genuinely care for her, she couldn't accept their kindness without feeling remorse. She felt so sorry for them both. Sakuno couldn't even tell how she was so hurt for the awful treatment of her mother. That her mother never failed to remind her that her existence was nothing but big mistakes.
That's why whenever she visits her father's grave, she makes sure that nothing but happy memories she will only share to him. But lying is futile right? If heaven is true, her papa might watch from above. He might know and witness everything. And the mere thought of him watching so sadly in heaven on her makes her feel so heartbroken.
"I missed you so much papa." She spoke. Thick tears fell in her eyes "But, it's okay... Don't be sad for me, okay? You see... I have many friends now aside from oniichan's teammate. They were wonderful people papa!" She smiled wiping her tears. "They treating so well" she sniffs. "And you know, I am studying Fine Arts! For sure I will be a great artist in the future too! Like you" she said, her tears falling in her eyes. "I'm doing well" despite of everything. She smiles.
A warm breeze of summer air embraced her. Sakuno wipes her tears.
"I am going to be okay, papa. So don't worry too much about me. I'm happy now." She smiled genuinely. "I..." She smiled; the tennis prince face crossed her mind. "Papa... You know, I meet someone who makes me happy" she smiled. "He said he likes me papa" she started telling stories about Ryoma to her father.
"He said he will wait for me." She paused. "And to tell you honestly papa, he really makes me happy" she admitted. "And it's started to scare me" she muttered. "I'm so scared papa because I know where my feelings heading too to him." She sobs painfully. "I'm so scared of my own feelings for him" she blinks, her tears fell. "Nothing I love stays with me" she said painfully. "They always leave me alone." she cried. Like you papa.
One by one painful memories visited her
Memory of her dying father flashed on her mind. His final breath while lying in his bed, he was looking at her with sad smile on his face.
Memory of her grandmother walking away to her, leaving her behind crossed her mind. Her grandmother sad face while saying she will come back to her. But didn't happened.
Her mother, who always left her alone. Looking at her with so much disgust on her face and keep telling her that she shouldn't be born.
And Akaya... Who walks away to her for the person he loves.
"What if Akaya-kun is right? What if... He leaves me one day too?! What if he got too tired of me?! I'm so scared... I'm so scared... I don't want to be left alone. I'm so sick of being alone papa." She weeps like a child. "I just wanted to... I just wanted to..." She sobs painfully hard. "Why is so hard to be happy without hurting?!" She cried. "Papa what will I do?! I'm so scared... " Sakuno weeps, her cries echoed, with her body shaking for weeping she hugs herself. "If only you were here papa!"
Another warm breeze of wind envelops her, as if comforting her. As if trying to give the answers she was looking for.
'Damn. I hate family gatherings'
Ryoma muttered under his breath; seating in the long rectangular table, wearing his poker face, playing deaf, not wanting to listen in left and right chattering of his loud relatives. For some reason, the tennis prince wonder where he got his quiet personality. His father's family were too loud people and similarly his mother's relative too.
Ryoma couldn't helped but too looked in his cousins, aunties and uncles' nonstop chatters. Once a month; as if it was some sorts of family tradition followed by generations, the Echizens' have their usual gatherings in the house of the elder Echizen; which is his grandfather, Echizen Naoki.
"Don't you think it is possible?!" Aunt Miu asks, the eldest daughter and second child next to his father. She was a spitting image of their grandmother only her foul mouth differs.
"Of course, Miu. It is." Rinko, his mother answered. They were talking about legal matters which he hardly wanted to pay attention. 'How he wished time would pass fast so that he could go home'
'What does bunny doing right now?' he wondered. The urge of calling her right now intensified. Yet, knowing how nosy and annoying his female older cousins, he pushed back his plan.
"Ryoga, grandson, don't you think it's about time to have another child?" His grandfather asks with all smiles. Hearing his grandfather's voice, the prince hurriedly ducks his head. For some sorts of reason; knowing his grandfather order in category of things, Ryoma has a strong intuition that if his brother didn't answer favorably according to his likings, all the attention will directly be carried to him.
Automatically, the tennis prince found the amused eyes of his brother, Ryoma frowned, as if Ryoga took notice of his action, his brother smirked; the same knowing smirked when he was plotting something hideous plan against him. Goddamnit!
"Ji-chan, Shin is just five years old; don't you think he is too young for that?" Ryoga playful voice followed by teasing remark on his younger brother was evident. Ryoma frowned deeply sensing his evil plan. "Besides we are too busy handling the business that your favorite grandson strongly refuses to handle." He chuckled, he shifted his eyes to Ryoma, "Why don't you asks chibusuke?! I think he might bring some good news" he snickered. Shana, his wife snickered too. Both of them exchanged meaningful glances to each other. 'Great! Husband and wife indeed'
Just like that, all the eyes of their relatives including his parents' curious eyes directly diverted to him.
"Hmmm... What is it Ryoma?" Rinko asks, her all attention was on him. Same as his annoying father who smiling devilishly on the side.
Ryoma frowned, he glared at his brother who seems not bothered at all. He couldn't understand why, whenever their grandfather will ask Ryoga for another kid, his stupid older brother will love to point his annoying finger to him. As if he will magically reproduce! 'Damn aniki'
Playing pretend that he didn't see their annoying stares. Ignoring their curious glances, he hurriedly took the glass of juice in the table, drinking straight for the sake of doing something.
"Ryo-chan?! Why? are you dating someone?" Aunt Kaori asks, she smiled sheepishly, whenever she smiled like that she really looks exactly like his stupid father. Not only in looks but also in their personality. As if, she was the counterpart of his father. Yep, they were both eccentric and ahem... pervs? "Make sure you will hit the home run, okay? Impregnate her fast! Do it regularly to make it happen, you got me?! Or you want me to give you some advice? I can teach you some position, oh! Maybe not. I bet you we're too skilled on that part" she beams. "After all, you are Nanjirou's son"
With eyes widening from surprised; shocked from what he heard, Ryoma spills the juice he was drinking and started coughing, he could literally feel the juice went out on his nose. "Aunt!" He shouted, ears turning red from embarrassment on his aunt bluntness! Okay, Echizens were known for being blunt. He supposed not to be shocked about it. But hey! It's about his bunny she was talking about, right?
"Ohoho!" Aunt Kaori laughed covering her mouth with her fan. "What so, embarrassed about?! Don't tell me, you were still a virgin?" She teases, her eyes narrowed teasingly.
"Shut it aunt!" He hissed frowning. What the hell is wrong with them anyway? Teasing him from being a virgin at his age? Are there some sorts of rule that stated he supposed to be sexually active since he was a guy?! Hell.
"Jeez Nanjirou! Is this really your son?!" His aunt points him using her fan, looking teasingly on his father. As if she was not satisfied on her remarks, he could really hear his older cousins snickering sounds from his sides.
"You really don't know Kaori, I, his own father of that brat keeps wondering too, I am starting to think that my youngest sway in different side" Nanjirou snickered riding his sibling's joke. Making his cousins together with his brother's laughter's boomed inside the dining hall.
Okay. He got it. At his age, he wasn't that open about opposite sex. Not even once his annoying cousins heard news of him liking a girl in the past. He never brought at least a girlfriend not even once. But it doesn't mean he was a gay. He was just really good at hiding stuffs.
"If he really didn't look like the spitting image of our father, I will doubt if he is your son! What a letdown nephew. At your age you supposed to be active, more importantly in between your legs" his aunt Kaori shake her head.
"That's right! That's right!" Nanjirou seconded.
'Here we go again' Ryoma rolled his eyes. He huffed on his seat pretending to cut his meat on his plate.
"Let's thank heavens that our Ryoma wasn't like his father. If he does, don't you think it will cause a lot of trouble?" His grandmother intervened. 'Thank you for that grandmother!' Ryoma wanted to rejoice hoping that, this will be the end of conversation but not.
"Mommy, don't be like that to our Ryo-chan!" Aoi, his Aunt Kaori's only daughter, is like a mini version of hers. She wiggles her brows looking teasingly to him. "So, tell us, who is she?! Is she someone we knew?" She excitedly beams. "It seems you are really dating!" She excitedly exclaimed.
"Who knows" he answered giving her a shrug.
"Ohohoo! So, it's true?! Too bad, I thought you are still available, I have someone I wanted to introduce to you. She has the same age like you. She's pretty, talented and witty. Wanna meet here?!" Mei, his female older cousin wiggles her brows smiling.
No thanks. He just raised his brows, not interested in everything she said, pretending not to hear her at all.
"It's that true Ryoma? Your dating? when did you plan to bring your girlfriend here?! Bring her here next time, grandson" Echizen Naoki, his grandfather said. There is a hint of happiness on his voice "So, we could plan your marriage. That's right! That's right!" His grandfather beams. "Finally! My favorite grandson! Ohohoho! This is a great news, isn't it?"
"I'm just 18 ji-chan" Ryoma muttered under his breath, what marriage he was talking about?! besides the girl he wants to marry will never agree yet. She's not even his girlfriend yet. Not close to be lovers, not to mention she was in love to someone else and until now he wasn't even sure if she started looking at him in different way. The tennisprince sighed. But thinking about it, it's not a bad idea either. Once she fell in love on him, why don't skip the rest and get married instead? Nope. Not that. That's not a good idea. First, they supposed to date at least four years until they both graduate in college. Graduate together and start pursuing their careers together. Travel around the world together. Then proposed to her where the Aurora Borealis located, right! Northern Lights! she really loves anything that connected to stars. that's right! Get married after she was ready, well he doesn't mind a long engagement though; and have a child after a year or two of marriage. That's it! Perfect. Ryoma smirked as he perfectly laid down his life plans in his head.
"Oi! Are you listening?!" Ryoga snaps a finger in his front. A playful smirked plastered on his lips.
"Bring her here Ryoma! I am telling you!" His grandfather nags.
For sure he said many things earlier when he was in the middle of his reverie but he didn't care a bit. He was so busy planning his life ahead with his bunny. Right where was he? That's right kids. How many kids she wants? Uhmm... 2 or 3 perhaps? Whatever... They can have many kids as long as she wanted. Or if she didn't want kids, he's fine with it too. They can live together alone. As long as they were together. They can even take care of pets since she loves animals, right? Then, how about house? Hmmm... It will be nice to build a house near an ocean where they lived together with their children and future grandchildren. That's perfect. It settled now.
"Are you listening? I told you to bring her here!" His grandfather even hits the table.
He just stared at his grandfather smirking; as if provoking him more, of course there is no way he will bring his bunny here without having a proper relationship on her first! They must at least in a relationship! She might run miles if she saw how crazy his relatives were.
"Give your grandson a break dear, I'm sure Ryoma will bring her here in right time" his grandmother and the only sane in the family smiled warmly to him. Thank heavens!
"Haaaa! But dear, Our Ryoga here got married when he was 17!" his grandfather said proudly, as if his brother's marriage at an early age was the greatest achievement his grandchild among his grandchildren did. If he didn't know better, that his mother, Rinko almost got a heart attack when his stupid brother went home one day announcing Shana's pregnancy and his marriage plans.
"Ryoga, which family that girl belong to?" He said without breaking "we will send them a proper marriage proposal" his grandfather muttered seriously.
And that caught him. Alarmed, Ryoma stood up on his seat. "Oi... Ji-chan! Don't!" He shouted, his calm demeanor vanished in thin air and nothing left but cold sweats running down on his face. Okay... Marriage is great but not now!
Being the youngest and only remaining boy grandchild in the third generation of the Echizens' sometimes really sucks. Since his father Nanjirou, was the only son among 4 siblings and, his father's two sons which are his brother and him were the only guy grandchild of his grandfather. His grandfather obsession of continuing and preserving the bloodline is way...way to unbelievable.
"And why? If you are serious to her, don't you think it's about time to asks her hand in marriage?!" His grandfather asks.
"No! I mean... Yes, I am... I'm serious with her ... but our relationship is kind' a messed up! She's not even my girlfriend! I mean... Jeez... Leave my bunny alone! She rejected me, okay?!" He shouted nervously. "She might reject me this time for good if you continue your ridiculous plans! Damn it!" Just thinking about it makes Ryoma literally nervous. Seeing how he looks so flustered and nervous for the very first time makes everyone silent for a while.
There is no way that the youngest Echizen of their family will be this nervous. Even his life is on the line he will never be this flustered.
Silence...
After a long silence, a loud laughter's boomed inside the dining room. As if him, getting rejection was something they needed to celebrate. As if his rejection brings so much joy to them. Damn it!
"For reaaal?!" His female cousins unanimously said. "You?! Got Rejected?!" They shouted in chorus as if it is a so amazing news they heard. Not contented, another earful laughter's followed by them. Ryoma could literally tell that his father's laughter was the loudest amongst them. Damn it.
"Che."
"Nah... nah... who will reject my nephew? Hmmmm" Aunt Mai, his youngest aunt said laughing. She even holding her own stomach from laughing.
"Honto?! Gosh! Ryo-chan! I thought girls will flocked on you. I like her though! Introduce her to us!" Ai, his aunt Mai second daughter said. Her eyes sparkle in so much anticipation on meeting his bunny.
"Nah nephew, how does it feel like getting rejection for the first time?" One of his uncles asks teasingly.
"Nah Ken, it's not my son first time to get rejected!" His oh so supportive mother beams, she even leans both of her hands on her chin. She really seems enjoying this. "Remember, Aki's daughter?" She said smiling.
"Oh! Old hag's granddaughter?!" Nanjiro muttered as if he remembered it too.
"Nanjirou? She's your tennis coach remember! Pay some respect" their grandmother scolded him.
"Keh!" His father scoffed.
"You mean, Aki the painter?" His uncle Ken asks. "What about his daughter?"
" You see, when our Ryoma is young he always teases that child to death. Later on, I found out, that our Ryoma here had a crush on that little girl, he even cutely shouted, back off! I will marry her!" His mother said mimicking his child voice. "But of course, he got rejected flatly. Who would like a guy who keeps teasing me I am sucks in playing tennis? Anyways, she was really good at painting though." Her mother smiled as she keeps visiting her past memories.
"Kaa san! Stop it!" Ryoma frowned deeply. He glared at his mother.
"Hahahaha! Chibusuke, this is my first-time hearing this out!" Ryoga laughed out loud. "It's so funny to think both your first crush and your first love now, rejected you?! What a coincidence isn't it?!"
"Haha. Now that you mention it, I remember that child too Rinko. She always follows Aki with paint brush on her little fingers" his grandmother softly smiled. Remembering the cute pigtailed girl way back then "But, grandson I am so curious about this lady now that your brother is bragging about. I want to meet her" she smiled affectionately. "Can you please bring her here?" She pleaded.
"Baa chan, I told you she's not my girlfriend! It will be very difficult" he sighed.
"Yet..." Shana intervened, her voice sounds teasing. 'The hell. Why, in all time in this world Shin is sleeping now?' How he wished that his nephew will wake up soonest so that his sister-in-law will stop bugging him. "You know baa chan, they were really good together!" She squeaks like a fan girl. "And she's really pretty!"
"What is her name, Shan?" His grandfather intervened, seems no signed of resignation. "What things she like? Should I have gifted her a building? How about a land title? A share in our company perhaps?" His grandfather muttered. "Anything... Just for her to marry my grandson" he said as he was offering a piece of candy.
"Well..." Shana trailed off, she looks at Ryoma with teasing eyes.
"Neechan, don't start with me" he surprisingly said in calm voice.
"Hahahaha. Oh dear, stops it. Let Ryoma handle the girl he likes, okay?" His grandmother said, gently tapping his grandfather's chest.
"Haaaa! I am just helping him! He is an Echizen! An Echizen moves swiftly and faster like a flash!" He boomed. "See how I got your grandmother? Take a look on your father and brother here. Courtship and dating are not an argument here. We didn't even pass on that stage! Jesus! What's taking you so long?" He demanded.
"Haaa!" Ryoma could literally feel his headache from this topic he has on his grandfather.
"Oh gosh! See this!" Ai, who suddenly got their attention squeaks, his cousin handed her phone to their other cousins as if they found something so interesting, they all screams.
"Oh my god! Ryo-chan she's a Fine Arts student?!" Aoi said, scrolling the phone.
"The hell?! How did you know?" Ryoma brows furrowed.
"I saw comment in your post baka!" Aoi beams. "Oh my god! Ai! Look at her profile!" She ordered.
"Che. Stop invading my privacy! Damn it!" Ryoma grunted to his older cousins.
"The fuck?! How this invading your privacy when you posted it in public?! " Aoi rolled her eyes on him emphasizing each word. "See this granny, she gifted our Ryo-chan a painting! Oho! I thought she rejected you? What's with this gift?!" She teased her younger cousin. Satisfied seeing his annoyed expression she beams. "Our Ryo-chan is all grown up now!" She dramatically exclaimed. Damn it! Whether it is a girl or a boy in their family, Echizen's genes were surely inciting people!
"Che."
"Hmmmm... My son seems really into girls who knows how to paint huh" Rinko giggles teasing her own son. "When will I meet my future daughter-in-law?" His mother beams.
'daughter-in-law' hmm... Yarujan. I like it. Satisfied on his mother's remark. The tennis prince side lips raised.
Sakuno sighed for the nth time seeing how swollen and puffed her eyes were from crying. Right after visiting her father's grave, she decided to go home and spend the remaining day in the mall. She didn't want to go home yet. She pursed her lips, putting back her compact mirror on her sling bag. She looks outside the train's door, trying to think of happy thoughts. Seeing the reflection of buildings vanishing in the thin air as the train moves fast as lightning somehow, she felt her mood lifted.
'Ryoma-kun'
Sakuno suddenly thought of him. She lightly leans her head on the door when an arm leans on the door, covering the outside view, with brows slightly furrowing from the person's rudeness, she was so ready to looks up on that person when she smells the familiar manly perfume, she looks up automatically, meeting his sharp golden eyes; eyes grew bigger like a saucer plate, her heart skip a beat, seeing the person she thought earlier, magically appeared and now standing in front of hers.
"Ryoma-kun"
"Neh, bunny I thought you have something to do? Where have you been?" Ryoma smirked boyishly on her. His brows slightly furrowed
Sakuno blinks as if her eyes deceiving her for the moment. She just stared at him dumbfoundedly.
"It's Ryoma-kun" she mumbled unintelligently. As if she couldn't believe for what she was seeing.
"Huh?! Hey! Are you alright?!" The tennis prince asks, cupping one of her cheeks, his fingertips slightly touched the corners of her eyes. There are an emotion runs on his golden eyes for a moment that she couldn't name.
"Uh... I... Uhmm...Yes. I am okay" she smiled "I just went to somewhere... Uhm... Very important" Sakuno mumbled. She looks away.
Ryoma stared at her for a long time before he finally gave her a slight nod.
"You? Why are you here? I thought you have a family gathering?" She asks in the brief silence they had.
"I sneak out. They keep talking nonsense. That's why" he crinkled his nose. His cousins who didn't leave him alone irritates him. They bugged him nonstops to the point that they threatened him that they will go straight to Sakuno if he didn't introduce her next time. Jeez. As if the tennis prince would do that. Okay... This is not the right and perfect time for that. Of course, he will bring her. Once they were officially together.
Sakuno giggled. Seeing his annoyed expression and crumpled face makes her wonder what makes him sneak out and annoyed like that.
Ryoma raise his brows staring at her. He quickly took a glance outside the moment they reach the station. "Neh bunny, want to hang out? I know a good place to visit" he said smirking, "let's visit were everything touches blue" without hesitation and waiting for her to response, he immediately pulled her wrist runs across the sea of people outside the train.
.
.
.
'click'
After got tired of playing around like little children. running around and chasing each other's', playing with sea waves and splashing each other with sea water, collecting shells and even making a sand palace together. They decided to took a break and started taking some pictures randomly together while taking a walk earlier.
"Let see" both now seating in the sea shore, letting the waves splash in their feet. Ryoma and Sakuno excitedly look at the tennis prince's phone that they use to take pictures since surprisingly, Ryoma is better in capturing photos.
"Hahaha! Look at this Ryoma-kun! It's really cute" Sakuno laughed pointing the sea turtle they accidentally bumped earlier. She giggles. as she keeps swiping his phone, her smiles were plastered on her face. They took a lot of pictures together from ocean waves, different rock formation they visited, even trees and clouds. One by one Sakuno keeps looking at the photos, her smiles never faded on her face, until she found herself swiping on her own photos. She paused momentarily, before scanning again. Most of the photos were stolen. One by one, as she looks on her own photo, a sudden heavy feeling engulfs her. In each photo he took of her were all the smiling versions of her. From her simply smiling on the sea up to her running through the sea waves barefooted. He captures the details perfectly, as if he knew pretty well when she will smile, as if all his attention was only to hers. And it scares her. This is the first time, that someone gives all their attention to hers. It was the first time she receives something like this for someone. Her heart constricts painfully; for happiness, for sudden scary feelings and for the feelings her own self started to acknowledge.
"That one. Is captivating." Ryoma smiled, as she stops from a certain photo of hers. It was a stolen shot where she was seating sideways in one rock formation they visited earlier; she was smiling while holding her braided hair in one side.
"Can I post this?!" He asks pointing the said photo. "It's okay if you don't like" he added faster before she could even reply.
"Uh... It's okay. It's your phone anyway" she muttered with force smile.
"But this is your photo" he said with one brow raising proving his point "If you are not comfortable... I won't post it, y'know" he asks softly. Sensing how her mood suddenly shifted.
"Uhm. It's fine... Really... It's just..." Sakuno looks down. "I am just wondering" she whispered slowly.
Ryoma waited for her to speak, looking at her bothered face.
"Until when... You see... I don't see any reason why you even like me" she mumbled slowly her words were incoherent to understand. "Until when you-"
"Oi... Hold up..." Ryoma holds her wrist stopping her for her blabbering. "This is not your new way of introduction on how to reject me again right?! I hope not bunny" he said seriously, there is a hint of nervousness in his voice, and his brows creased as he looking straight on her eyes. Seeing how her eyes wavered, he sighed. "tell me... What's wrong now? Did I make you uncomfortable again? Am I being fast? What's bothering my bunny now? Hmmm..." He asks, tucking the strands of her hair behind her ears. "Tell me honestly, So I could understand..."
Sakuno blinks, she looks at him for a moment before finally avoided his eyes. She looks away, her eyes drifted to the sea, the waves dancing so slowly on her sight. 'How should she supposed to tell it, if she herself couldn't understand it?' she can't even understand herself. For some point, she wanted him to stop pursuing her. But the biggest part of her didn't want too. She badly wanted to accept his affection but at the same time so scared of the outcome. She was so afraid to move forward. She was so afraid to acknowledge her own feelings to him. She was in messed! Everything is so fast! Can he able to understand her? She took a deep breathe, contemplating whether to uttered those thoughts running on her mind.
"If you can't say it right now. It's okay. Take your time. Until you're ready." Ryoma muttered. "You don't need to force yourself. Tell me everything once you're ready" he smiled. "I'm just here."
Sakuno eyes watered, she felt a lump on her throat. She stared at him blinking her eyes trying to hold her own tears. Sakuno found solace in his words. She looks away, letting out the stuffy thing on her chest. A comforting wind touches her skin. She felt comforted somehow. She took another sighed before finally made up her mind.
"I went to visit my father" she started. From her peripheral vision, she saw the tennis prince looks on her. "Uhmm... It's his death anniversary today" she mumbled; pain was evident on her voice. "You see... I am just an adopted child." She tried to smile as she looks at him. "My father died when I was 8 years old." Sakuno muttered, she remembers his dying moments. " he told me to be happy in his death bed. Then after he died, I was left alone with my grandma." She paused; how ironic it seems that visiting those old memories didn't shed tears in her eyes now. "But months later after my papa died, my grandmother left me too." She smiled once again. "She left me in front of the orphanage telling me that she will come back later" she paused. "The funny thing is the later become days... She didn't come back after almost a year of waiting and that's how I ended being adopted by my parents" she muttered. She looks in his golden eyes, and found the depths of emotions she couldn't point it out. No. She knew what those emotions are, but she wanted to denied it. Pain, grief and sorrow that's how his beautiful golden eyes look like. She smiled. "You see... Everyone who said they love me leave me too" she laughed without humor "That's why... If you... If you got tired of waiting... If you find me no longer..." She paused; her eyes blurred from tears. "What I am saying is... Just... Tell me if you... If you going to leave me too...I will understand. I know... I am not a ... " She pause words are hardly to uttered. Her mind becomes messed. Her pent-up emotions messing her up too. Words jumbled inside her head. She couldn't lift her head from tears keep falling on her eyes. "I..."
"Come here bunny" he said softly. He opens his arms widely. When he notices she wasn't moving at all, and only staring at him, he pulled her wrist wrapping her body on his. Enveloping her to a tight hug. He gently taps her back, comforting her. "It must have been hard for you" he uttered, his voice lace with so much concerned.
Sakuno eyes widened in fraction. Yes, it was so hard. For the days she spends in cold dark room alone with no one to comfort her broken heart but herself. It so hard. For days she hoping that her obaachan will come back for her. It was so hard. For the days she spends inside the orphanage without anyone cared about her. It was hard. And after finding a new family to belong too. She still found herself alone. It so hard. And no one really asked her if it's hard. No one really actually cared.
"You are a wonderful person, bunny." He whispered on her ears. "I wished I could take away all the pain." He softly muttered. "You did well bunny." He gently whispered. "You are stronger and braver than you think you are. You really did well. My strong and brave bunny." He whispered repeatedly.
Sakuno blinks, once, twice until she couldn't take it at all. For all those years no one took notice of her pain. For all those years no one saw how she struggles. Tears streams down like falls in her eyes. She cried out loud; bullets of tears keep falling on her eyes and yet as if it was not running out, she keeps weeping like a lost child. Tears keep coming and coming with no signs of stopping but contrary on her tears that keeps rolling down her face, his warm embrace somehow comforting. Aa if he was not only hugging her physical self but more than that. She finally found her place she was yearning for, in his arms.
"It's okay... It's okay now bunny. I'm here. I am always here." He comforted her. He faces her this time cupping both of her cheeks that full of tears. Gently wiping her tears. "The fear you feel inside you, let's work it out together until you can no longer feel scared. Hmmm... Until you are not afraid to receive every affection you can take." He said wiping another batch of her tears. "Take your time. And I am not going anywhere. So please stop thinking that I might leave or get tired of you" he gently pinched her cheeks "I know how hard for you to give your trust, it's okay... take your time. I will never get tired to show you beyond doubt that you can have a little faith on me, okay?" He smiled. "Take your time in everything. I am just here behind you."
Sakuno nodded her head slowly. She looks up on him meeting his golden eyes.
"So, please don't cry. Stop crying bunny"
"I'm sorry for always crying." She said, sniffing. "I am sorry for being me. I know this will be so how hard for you. I'm hard to deal with... I have so much baggage behind me. So..."
"Shhsss... It's okay... I don't mind it all, bunny. You see... You forgot the most important thing in this world" he softly muttered " and that is self-love" he uttered, seeing how Sakuno's eyes wavered, he cupped her cheeks once again. " Love yourself." He touches the strands of her hair that fluttering in the air " let's work everything out little by little. And I don't mind wiping your tears bunny. You can cry as much as you want in my shoulder. I'm willing to wipe your tears... As long it's not him the reason why you are crying for" he smirked. "Now let's eat something delicious to lift up your mood" he beams.
"Thank you Ryoma-kun... For always being here with me... For everything" she said sincerely.
"It's no biggie bunny. Okay... Let's go now before you start crying again." Ryoma smirked. He holds her hand, realizing what he has done, he let go. "Gomen. I didn't mean to hold your hand without your permission" he said, holding his nape, his ears were blushing.
Sakuno blinks, she stared at him and smiled. " It's okay. It's fine with me" She waves her hand, realizing what she said, her face heated up "What I mean is..." Seeing how his lips lifted for a playful smirked. Sakuno couldn't find words to continue her sentence.
"So, you mean to say... it's okay if I ask for permission?" Ryoma's playful tone. "Then, can I hold your hand?" There is an amusement on his face.
"Uh..."
"Bunny, once you give me your permission to hold hands, I might not able to let you go. So, better think carefully." He warns holding his lips that keeps on smiling.
Sakuno blinks. She blushed. "Mou! I told you it's fine." She pouted her lips looking away.
Ryoma chuckled. "Okay, you said so" he shrugs before holding her hand. And started pulling her to walk.
Sakuno gasps softly, her eyes fixed on their hands. The way he holds her hand is way too different than earlier, he not simply holding her hand, this time their hands were perfectly intertwined to each other. Fingers interlocked firmly to one another, not wanting to let go. As they keep walking in silence, Sakuno couldn't help but to take notice of how fascinating and captivating the sight of their shadows together; walking hand and hand. She quietly took her phone out of her bag and captures this kind of moment. A smiled crept on her lips seeing their shadows together perfectly taken on her own phone. This is one of the moments she knows she will treasure for the rest of her life.
Fresh from her evening bath, Sakuno was wiping her long hair with towel when she took notice of notification on her phone. She automatically smiles seeing the name of the sender.
Echizen Ryoma: 10mbmp4attachment
Curious, Sakuno click the attachment file, she seats on her bed waiting for the file to open. Her eyes widened in fraction seeing the tennis prince in the video. It is a recorded video of him.
Ryoma moves in front, seems like fixing the angle of his phone. He seats on the bed, right in front of the camera, wearing his usual simple shirt, his dark greenish hair was tuck on the back using a thin metal hair band, his earrings came and shines on the view. He smirked boyishly hugging a guitar on his arms.
"Hey bunny" Ryoma said, but seeing how uncomfortable he was he adjusted his phone again.
Sakuno can't help but smiled.
"Damn. It's too hard than I thought." He mumbled, scratching his cheeks, his brows furrowed. "Well... Anyways... What am I supposed to say? Damn. Whatever."
Sakuno laughed, seeing how he really looks so troubled.
"I supposed to do this in person but damn. You might find it troublesome if I do this in person, maybe next time?" He smirked. "But anyways... Forgive me for my lousy performance, coz this is my first time doing it so in front of person I cared most." He spoke. " This is for you ...my bunny. The most precious and my most favorite person." Ryoma winks.
And just like that, he started strumming his guitar.
Lift your head, baby, don't be scared
Sakuno was looking intently to Ryoma in the screen, eyes focus only to him. She saw how Ryoma looks intently at him mentioning the word "baby". Her heart skips a beat.
Of the things that could go wrong along the way
You'll get by with a smile
You can't win at everything, but you can try
Head slightly banging on the air, hand gently tapping the guitar he used in strumming, Ryoma looks captivating on Sakuno's eyes.
Baby, you don't have to worry
'Cause there ain't no need to hurry
No one ever said that there's an easy way
Every word he sings as if it was directly delivering the messages to her, makes Sakuno hearts flutters, she smiled. His cocky yet, consoling and feathery voice that gives butterflies in her stomach. She felt like being swayed in a dream-like reality.
When they're closing all their doors
And they don't want you anymore
This sounds funny, but I'll say it anyway
Ryoma's captivating golden eyes stares intently at her from time to time while he sings, he smirked in between as he seems enjoying what he was doing.
Girl, I'll stay through the bad times
Even if I have to fetch you everyday
We'll get by with a smile
You can never be too happy in this life
Every word that couldn't utter by speaking was conveyed through his song, as if giving her assurance. The corners of her eyes watered. Her heart constricts, not from pain but sudden joy inside her.
'Cause in a world where everybody hates a happy ending story
It's a wonder love can make the world go round
Sakuno smiled, she gently wipes her tears. Tears came from happiness.
But dont let it bring you down
And turn your face into a frown
You'll get along with a little prayer and a song
Let me hear you sing it
As the song ended; Sakuno played the video over and over again. She smiled.
Suddenly something came on Sakuno's mind, she started searching something on her own phone.
'don't be scared'
And for the first time in her life, she did something she never did before.
A satisfied smiled escaped on her lips seeing the first ever "post update" she made on her own account.
Posted 10minutes ago. Yukimura Sakuno posted the same photo she stolen taken when they together. The shadow picture of her and the tennis prince holding hands while walking with caption: ️Happiness
Seconds later, reactions bombarded her account.
Heart by Osakada Tomoka, Kurosawa Mai and 145 more.
Osakada Tomoka: OH, my capital G! When is it?!
Tachibana An: I'm about to sleep and this? My heart please! Gosh!
Marui Bunta: and this guy is?!..
Kikumaru Eiji: is this ochibi?!
Momoshiro Takeshi: so young ... So young...
Sakuno couldn't help but giggled seeing their reaction, she was about to log out on her account when a certain comment caught her attention.
Echizen Ryoma: Damn it bunny! Why are you doing this to me?! Now, I badly wanted to see you.
'Me too'
That night, Sakuno couldn't deny it anymore. Yes. She's falling. Falling irrevocably fast to him.
-end of chapter 8-
To be continued...
That's chapter 8... I honestly didn't realize that, this chapter is too long.
Anyways, sorry for not updating my three stories just like what I have mention last update! I realized that yesterday was my birthday. Then what I did for the rest of the day was lying on my bed and stared at my ceiling.
Next chapter is on the way... I honestly no way near. But I promised to update the three stories this week!