Chapter9: Grenade
I'd catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I'd jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh, I would go through all this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for ya, baby
Ryoma didn't sleep a wink. After the sudden photo she posted last night; Ryoma couldn't find himself asleep, no matter how much he tossed and turned on his bed, no matter how much he counted sheep's, angels, crickets and even played tennis in late midnight; his body, soul and mind were fully wide awake. And thanks for certain bunny who is the main perpetrator of everything. The tennis prince fights the urges of going to her late at night just to have an answer he was looking for.
'What was that?!' surely, that bunny really knows how to play her cards pretty well on him. Surely, she knows really how to play him using her tiny fingers. Damn! And it's effective.
However, smile slowly spread on his lips, just thinking about it, that she took a liberty on her own freewill to posted something on her profile makes his heart jumps in so much joy. And that is not just something, take note, it was the photo of them together while walking hand in hand. He stared once more on her post that earns of hundreds of reactions now. Call it 'gay' but he doesn't give a fuck about it. Jeez. He didn't even aware that she took a photo of them together.
To think that a single photo can make his day whole even without starting it yet. So, fucking gay!
"Ohayo!" Ryoma greeted with extra enthusiasm today. He seated right in front of his brother who busy feeding his son, Shin.
"Ohayo uncle!" Shin bashfully greeted him, with his messy face from eating he smiled widely to him, showing his one-seat apart teeth.
Ryoga who was so astonished with his brother once in a blue moon good mood glance with his wife wondering, just like him Shana simply shrugs her shoulder.
"Seems like our brother is in such good mood" Shana said in cheerful voice. The husband-and-wife duo took a quick glance on each other grinning.
Ryoma who sense her teasing tone early in this morning shrugs it off. He was too happy to pay attention in their daily teasing routine.
"Nah! Nah! Now I wonder, what's making my ototo happy" Ryoga quickly followed. Yet, Ryoma didn't pay any glance on him, and continue eating his food in silence while humming in between.
"Oh! Ryoma, you woke up early" Rinko, who just came in went straight to the table, wearing her office attire. She seated in the corner followed by their father who seems just woken up from sleep.
"Nah, seishounen... I thought your class is later at 9a.m? It's only 6:30 son" Nanjirou asks in the middle of him stirring his coffee.
"Got something to do early" he answered in his unusual cheery tone. Making his father and own mother blinks at the same time.
Rinko who looks so surprised for her son unusual cheery behavior glance at her husband, just like her, Nanjirou seems astonished, his eyes bulging in his socket looking at his youngest son.
"Got to go mom." Ryoma quickly stood up on his seat as long as he glances on his phone. He hurriedly kisses his mom temples as he bid goodbye. "Bye Shin, see you later" he said as he jogs on the door. Leaving his family in wonders if the sun rises in west this day.
"I think there is something wrong in our youngest dear" Rinko tilted her head.
"Oh!" Shana almost jumps and squeaks on her seat as she saw something interesting on her phone. Smiling brightly, she handed her phone to his husband who just like her smirked in the process while both of them look on her phone.
"I think I know what makes chibusuke so happy today" Ryoga smirked.
"Mom, see this" Shana stood up handling her phone to her mother-in-law. She still grinning like a child.
Rinko raised her brows, she took a glance of her phone and saw a screen shot photo of a post made in a social media platform of a certain girl named, Yukimura Sakuno. From the screen shot photo, a shadow of a guy and a girl walking while holding hands. There is nothing special in the caption anyway, and Rinko couldn't even see the connection of why her youngest is in his good mood except for...
As if she realized something, Rinko eyes widens in fraction and look at her daughter-in-law grinning face.
"Yes mom. That's the girl Ryoma-san likes!" Shana announces as if she read what's on her mother- in- law mind in a tone like she wins a lottery.
"Who? Who?" Nanjirou who seems pique his interest jumps in. He stole the phone on his wife hold and look on the photo.
"Well Aoi-chan seems stalking her account last night when coincidentally she posted that! Aio-chan took a quick screenshot and send it in our group chat" Shana muttered giggling. "Well, all of the girls were pretty curious about this girl that's why they started stalking every possibly person can point her. Luckily, they are friends in facebook."
"So, is this Ryoma and that girl Sakuno?" Rinko asks curiously.
"I think so..." Shana shrugs still giggling "it seems like they start dating or something?" she squeaks once again.
Rinko smiled while sipping her coffee. But why does the young lady's name ring a bell in her ears? Where did she hear that name anyway? Shrugging her thoughts, Rinko continue sipping her coffee. It seems that spring finally came to her youngest. Time runs so fast, indeed.
Sakuno blinks seeing the tennis prince seating on the hood of his car, arms crossing on his chest and looks so dashingly handsome in early of this morning.
"Uhmm ... Your class is 9 am right?" Sakuno asks.
"Yep." He answered with a shrug. "I just pick you up and sleeps later in library" he smirked.
Sakuno pouted her lips. "You always doing that, library is a place supposed to read books y'know. Not a sleeping place" she quickly reprimanded him.
"Heh, I couldn't sleep last night. And who's fault does you think to blame?" He boyishly tilted his head. Heading towards to the passenger seat to open the car's door for her.
"Mou!" Sakuno mumbled, she glances at him, trying her best to give him her glare only to receive a snickered coming from him.
"But I am really curious" Ryoma side glance on her, he gently tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "What's with that post?" He asks.
Sakuno licked her lips as she blinks. She felt her cheeks burned as she looks at him. She took a deep breath, whenever the certain prince looks at her like that, her heart keeps a doki doki sounds inside her chest. She looks away.
To answer his question, she doesn't know either. It was her first time doing it so. For years have passed, the only thing she did was to post something only by herself. She never had a chance to share anything online in fear that the person she post might don't like the idea. However, last night she found courage of doing so. She didn't regret it though; although she received lots of comments online asking for who is he, or is he is her boyfriend or even her brother Seiichi, knocks on her door earlier this morning asking if they were exclusively dating now. She felt the liberation to do something she felt she's free to do. She wanted to expressed how happy she really was.
"You said to come slowly" she whispered enough for him to hear, still looking outside the window not wanting to meet his penetrating gazed.
"Damn. Don't do that..." He spoke.
Sakuno eyes widen in fraction, she turns her head and meet his eyes. There is a spark of interest the way his golden eyes looks at her. His expressive beautiful eyes she admired most were looking at her intently as if it deeply sinking through her. She blinks, trying to get hold of the erratic sounds of her heart.
"Should I delete it?" Sakuno asks, "Gomene, if I post it without your consent." She looks at him apologetically.
"No! I mean... It's okay bunny. You can post any picture of us together whenever you want it. You can do anything you want. I am exclusively yours anyway." He chuckled. "It just that..." He paused; his body was leaning on the steering wheel looking intently on her. "You making me fall so hard and deeply to you" he said with captivating smile enough for her to skip a beat.
Sakuno who couldn't take the fast beating of her heart, hits his shoulder. Her face looks like a beat redden tomato, blushing so hard she looks away avoiding his intense gazed. "Mou! Just drive now Ryoma-kun, I am going to be late"
Ryoma chuckled, seeing how she cutely reacted. Satisfied he started the engine of his car; little did they know a pair of brown eyes looking at them from the window.
Yukimura Miura, sipping elegantly on her wine glass, as she keeps staring outside. Her beautiful face tilted, despite of her age, she still beautiful as her younger years.
"Emi" she called in full authority.
"Yes madam..." The head nanny bowed her head.
"Who's that guy? It seems it's not the first time he comes here" her sweet delicate voice lace with curiosity.
The head nanny freeze, she slightly flinched. She stared at her master's face; seeing how she looks calm yet smiling like that, the same smile she often does whenever she wanted to do something, sends shivers on the head nanny. Knowing her for years ever since she was a little child; the head nanny knew better. She was up to something not good.
"She's young miss friend" The head nanny clenched her hands together, although she didn't want to say it, she doesn't have any right not to answer, she still values her job here, she couldn't afford to lost her job most especially now. She still needs to be in her young miss side.
"Friend?" Miura chuckled humorously. The way she muttered the word is like it was the most absurd thing she heard.
The head nanny clenched her teeth. She felt an ominous feeling about it.
"Does my husband know about that guy?... Oh..." She raised her hand gesturing not to answer anymore. "Of course, he knew this, there is no way that my husband didn't knew anything about this" she muttered talking alone to herself.
Miura knew better, her own husband will do anything to protect that child.
"Haaaaa! Hahahahahhaa!" She laughed like an evil witch. "Too cute. My daughter didn't need a friend, right?" She said with conviction. Her face distorts for some reason.
The head nanny eyes wavered from what she heard; how could she, the young miss own mother could possibly be like this merciless to her daughter? Her daughter, who didn't do anything but love her. How possibly this woman in her front was so heartless? Emi felt so sorry for Sakuno. She doesn't deserve any of this.
"He seems familiar. Where did I saw that guy? I think I will be so busy in my daughter." She shakes her head leaving the nanny behind.
"More than a friends, but less than a lovers"
That's how their relationship shifted drastically. For days have passed; As if, both of them mutually concur the advancement of their relationship without giving a proper label of what they had.
They were almost acting like a couple but they are actually not. They both holding each other hands that become a habit every time they saw each other; Ryoma simply drooping his arms on her shoulder that she even didn't mind at all. The always went 'out' every night without a missed become a 'date' to them. They wouldn't even seem without each other's presence! They always together except from whenever they attend their classes. And the extra affection they showed to each other were not simply as friends. It's more than that. And they both knew that. That they already crossed the thin line between friendship and lovers. Though none of them open ups the topic yet.
For days passed, the exceeding teases they receive from their friends were still there and only intensified, if they would ask them what they 'real score' really were. None of them both would confirm or deny anything.
As if they are in between.
As if they are in almost- relationship.
"Is he courting you already?!" Tomoka asks in the midst of her confusion between their relationship.
They were having their 'besties time alone' right here near the soccer field.
"No?" Sakuno blinks. Not so sure of everything aside from she was so happy right now.
"Perhaps in mutual understanding?" An asks brow creasing.
Sakuno couldn't answer, how she supposed to answer something that she herself didn't know?
"Haaaa! What is this Sakuno? Are you both in no label relationship now?" Tomoka huffed, glaring her best friend. "Flings? Just flirt, flirt like that? An almost- relationship?"
Well, if you think about it clearly, they were really in that kind of relationship. But wait… what does she knows about relationship anyways?
"You two talked right?" Tomoka asks her patience seems getting thinner in each seconds passed.
"Of course!" Sakuno answered
"Then, why don't the two of you talk about your relationship to each other? Is that a forbidden topic to the both of you?!" An asks in bewilderment. "He is not asking you to court you? Or both of you having some sorts of misunderstanding?" An asks without stopping. "I mean like, for him he was already courting you but for you he still not? Like that! Coz if you going to asks us, it seems that way!"
Sakuno blinks, she stared at her friends face astonished.
"Haaaa! Sakuno, don't you think how dangerous no label relationship is? What is this flirt now, goodbye later? I am not saying that Ryoma-sama is that kind of guy. I know he was serious to you. I can tell. Just the way he looks on you. What am I saying is? Are you ready for that?! It is so hard to move on in a relationship that didn't even exist in the first place and worst you don't have any right to complaint since there is "no us" on the both of you. Just pure flirting! " Tomoka exclaimed. "You do know I experienced it first-hand right?" She muttered in sad voice.
Yes, even her best friend, Tomoka was known from her strong, fierce and bright personality; once in her life, just like a normal young girl she fell in love too. However, their story didn't end up good. Well, it didn't start up well to begin with. That's one of the reasons why she choice to study in Seigaku University to finally let go the love she never had in the first place.
"I don't want you to experience the same way knowing you came into messy one-sided love!" Tomoka mumbled softly. "But I trust Ryoma-sama with this!" She huffed. "But come on! I am getting frustrated here you know." She added.
"That's right! That's right! Make it clear!" An winks.
"Mou! Ryoma-kun you're not funny!" Sakuno hits his shoulder. She glared at him once more, before finally opening the car's door.
The tennis prince did the same, as he opens his door, he went on the backseat to get some of Sakuno's art materials. Right after the school ended, they went straight to the mall to buy some of her art materials and ended up playing some fun games in amusement arcade. It was her first time going in that place. Ever since she met Ryoma; she honestly experienced a lot of first times with him. And Sakuno couldn't deny the fact that she enjoys all of it.
It was a fun experienced. They tried different games like basketball, ping pong, bump cars, tennis game and even step dance. They even tried the claw machine; however, they couldn't get any of stuff toys inside; feeling so heartbroken, Ryoma ended up playing a shooting game, which on Sakuno's surprised, the tennis prince was so good on it, he shoots every target without any missed one.
"Uhm. Thanks" Sakuno mumbled. In her arms, she was hugging a huge pink teddy bear that the tennis prince won as a prize in shooting range.
The tennis prince smirked; they were about to walk right towards the gate when an unexpected voice calls Sakuno
"Sakuno, did you just get home, honey?" Miura soft and sweet voice rings on Sakuno's ears making the young lady frozen from her spot. As if buckets of ice poured down her whole body, a cold and shivering feeling engulfs her whole being. Seeing the friendly smile of her own mother, yet behind her innocent smiles hiding the true meaning of that piercing eyes.
"Oh... You have a visitor" Miura smiled sweetly to them.
.
.
.
"I finally had a chance to meet you, Echizen Ryoma" Hiru, Sakuno's father said with smile.
All of them seating in the long dining table, on how they ended up having a 'peaceful' dinner together; Sakuno couldn't grasps what is happening. Just in a snap, her mother asks the tennis prince to joined them in dinner. As if it was a great opportunity for her mother to humiliate her, Miura smiles from her ear to ear. Just the mere thought of her mother, scorn her in front of Ryoma makes her stomach churned. Sakuno didn't want him to know the truth; the truth on how her mother loathes her and hates her existence.
"Thank you for inviting me Sir and Ma'am" Ryoma answered in polite manner.
If it is a normal day, Seiichi would love to tease the boy, seeing how he acted in polite manner far from his usual cocky and bratty personality he knew. However, seeing the pale face of his younger sister, as if she was thinking of the same thing, he was thinking right now. Seeing the satisfied face of their mother, Seiichi knew better.
Their mother was the sole reason behind this, she was plotting something against his sister again. From the moment she asks their father to go outside the mansion for walk at the same time his younger sister went home, up to her asking the tennis prince to join them for dinner. As if she planned everything in advance. Seiichi sighed.
"You were in the same school with Sakuno?" Hiru asks in friendly tone.
"Yes sir, I am taking International Studies" he answered.
"Oh. You planned to be diplomat or something?" Hiru asks again, delighted.
"Not really. I am just really into foreign cultures and such. I love to travel that's why. And I honestly enjoyed studying and learning different Foreign Language at the same time." Ryoma answered with a shrug.
"So, if you just going to travel around the world, don't you think it's kind of excessive that you study something like your course? No offense but... It's just a waste that you couldn't use your course in more efficient way."
"Miura" Hiru called his wife attention.
Ryoma smirked. "It's okay sir, ma'am is right. To be honest, my mom concerned about that too. She almost strangles me thinking how lousy my reason was. She was kind of worried. I guess all moms are like that" he said nonchalantly.
Hiru laughed. "Hahaha. I can't imagine that. But your too popular. I guess somehow, you are prepared for your future."
"You think of highly on me sir" Ryoma smirked. "But yes, I do have plans, that's why I choose this course too. I want to gain global perspective, it's a big plus factor if I gain knowledge about economics, political and even social dynamics of other foreign countries, taking and adapt new cultures, embrace differences and broaden my horizon for my future goals. It's a win-win situation for me, I did what I enjoy most at the same time I will meet my goals" he said.
"Oh. I guess you really think thoroughly of your plans. And by the way, just call me uncle, after all, you are my daughter's friend" Hiru smiled. "I am really surprised when I heard that my daughter knew you. I am actually a fan of you. From your father down to your brother. It's too bad both of them retired early" Hiru said warmly. "Are they still actively playing?"
"Thank you" Ryoma answered, his eyes diverted to Sakuno who seems not touching her food "Yes. Oyaji and aniki stills active. Both my father and brother teach my nephew on how to play tennis." He answered, he looks once again to Sakuno who seems not paying attention on her food, she was just seating there. Sakuno was not on her usual self. Getting her attention, the tennis prince gently taps her arms using the back of his hand.
Sakuno gasps lowly on his gesture, all eyes were directly at them, most especially her mother who simply raise her brows.
"Hey, you are not eating" he mumbled softly. He stared at her worriedly. "Are you okay?" He asks.
"I heard that you lived in U.S for almost 7 years." Miura asks getting his attention, she wipes her lips with napkin, as she smiled to Ryoma giving her warning stare to her daughter that Sakuno was the only one knew.
"Yes ma'am." Ryoma answered, he briefly glances at her before he looked back on Sakuno, now she was starting to eat her own food.
"So, how's life in U.S? You were so popular tennis player, and it's not surprising if girls flocking around you. Girls who were much sophisticated, classy, elegant and gorgeous. You must see a lot of beauties. And at your age, with that kind of looks, wealth and fame. You will never lose a collection of girls. A guy like you won't settle for less."
Sakuno trembled by just listening to her mother. She looks down meeting her hands that is slightly shaking.
Ryoma smirked, the same smirked he always used whenever he wanted to provoke his opponent in the court. "Yes. I meet a lot of beauties outside Japan. They definitely just around the corners." He shrugs.
The corners of Miura's mouth lifted. Sakuno looks down.
"But Why would I settle for less if I already found the best amongst them?" He looks directly at Sakuno.
Sakuno eyes widen in shocked. She blinks seeing how he was intently looking at her. Even Miura gasps softly. Hiru who was staring at them slightly smiled, same as Seiichi who lifted his glass hiding his ghost smirked.
"I won't deny it, and I know both of you have an idea about this. I like your daughter" Ryoma said looking directly to Miura without any hesitation at all "a lot." He emphasizes. "And I seriously want our friendship to advance in another level, only if she allowed it" Ryoma stared at Sakuno. "That's why I want to formally asks on your permission and to inform you both. Sir... Ma'am, I want to court your daughter officially" he muttered in serious voice.
Making Sakuno literally gasps. Even the head nanny who was standing behind her masters. Seiichi smiled. He admired this cocky brat's guts. Miura who seems taken aback shuts her mouth. Hiru who seems very please smiled broadly. Silence envelops the whole dining. As if what he said is like a grenade bomb literally blasted on them
"Well... What can you say about this Sakuno?" Hiru asks her daughter.
Sakuno who still shocked, gape, she blinks like a fish, forgetting how to breath.
"Bunny... Breathe" Ryoma whispered. He chuckled seeing how she looks so astonished. She blinks before finally letting out a deep breath.
"To be honest, I don't see anything wrong if you want to court our daughter. But the decision lies on our daughter, if it's okay with her then it's okay with me too" Hiru smiled saving his daughter who seems forget how to speaks.
"Don't you think it's early for that?" Miura said after she regain her composure. "I mean, it's not that long when you two meets." Her long lashes flutter.
"That's why I am asking for permission. I want to show my sincerity and clear intention towards her. Only if she allows me to do that." He answered. "I am not in hurry anyway, she can take her time to think if she allows me"
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.
.
"Hey!" Ryoma calls out on her attention. right after the dinner, Sakuno couldn't look at him in the eyes.
Sakuno looks at him briefly before she settled her eyes on the ground, blushing like a red tomato.
"Are you mad? Did I make you uncomfortable again?" he asks. "I'm sorry if I didn't seek for your permission first, and jumps out straight to your parents. It's just that…" I hate seeing you like that. Ryoma sighed. He couldn't open up the reason why he did that. Although he roughly guesses everything, he still wanted the story to come out right in her mouth.
"No, I am not mad… I am just… so shocked." Sakuno mumbled.
"I honestly wanted to asks you today. I've been planning to asks you anyway for the days passed and it ended week already. But since the order kind 'a messed up, let me us you again, bunny." Ryoma said. "Can I court you?" he asks seriously. "I know I always tell you that I will wait for you bunny" he sincerely said. "I still am… I will patiently wait… I just want a proper label of what we have. If it's courtship or what. I just… don't like the idea of us doing all sorts of these without any label to put between us" Ryoma muttered seriously. "I am an old-fashioned guy bunny. I don't do almost- relationship. And I honestly don't want to put you in fling category." He chuckled. "it's either let me court you or not"
"Ryoma-kun…"
"You can take your time to think. You don't have to answer right away" He muttered. "If you think I am getting fast, then I am willing to step back, bunny. I told you. I will wait for you. I am willing to do anything you want. Coz I am exclusively yours, bunny. I'm all yours." He muttered, he holds her hand and put on his cheek.
Sakuno stared at him, this kind of "situationship" they have, she wanted to put an end of it. Slowly she smiled.
Right, let's end this.
"Okay. I allow you to court me" she said softly smiling at him as he gently put her free hand on his cheeks cupping both of his cheeks this time.
-End of chapter 9-
To be continued…