Chapter23: Cruel Intention

"Anger begins with madness

But ends up in regrets"

"Neh, Sakuno when will be our next visit with Aunt Nami?" The tennis prince asks his wife as he was lying on the ground, making his wife's lap as his own personal pillow.

It was their lunch break; and during breaks they spend their two-hours together here at the back building of the dining hall. There is nothing especial in this place; aside from that, this is a deserted place and only few people came along. It was a perfect place for them to have some time alone together away from everyone.

"Before our school resumes Ryoma-kun" Sakuno answered with light voice, she was busy brushing her husband hair using her hand.

"Hmmm... " The tennis prince answered. "I'm so excited to meet our kids" Ryoma mumbled. He stared lovingly on his wife face.

"Me too, Ryoma-kun" Sakuno smiled genuinely.

"How about we visit Osaka right after the camp? You see... We still not visiting our parents and grandparents. We ought to deliver the great news, right?" He beams. However, it's not just the reason why, earlier, Ryoma receives some news about other rumors spreading throughout their school blog. It's about Sakuno and him going out in the hospital. Speculation about Sakuno's pregnancy spreads widely, receiving a lot of criticism, insults and even malicious comments from left to right. And to make matters worse, the school heads requesting for their presence to clarify the issue.

Fortunately, Rinko took a quick action about it. And taking legal actions to investigate who's behind it. Now, the only thing that the tennis prince needs to do is to clarify the issue once they back. For now, all he needs to do is to make sure that none of this will comes on his wife ears. Haaa! Sure, someone is behind of it. Ryoma was certain that someone really wanted to ruin his wife. But why? From the taken pictures that now been shut down on the blog; it was obvious that they been followed. But whom? And why?

And why the tennis prince felt that his family knew about this?! They sure hiding something. And what was that? Why they need to shove him away? His gut feeling telling him something. And he didn't like this kind of ominous feeling he felt.

To ease his growing tension, he kissed his wife pigtailed hair. He needs to calm down, So Sakuno will not worry about it. For now, whoever doing all of this, he needs to make sure that they won't touch his wife.

But what is this uneasy feeling? What is he missing? At the back of his mind; warning bells keep ringing on the back of his mind saying that there is a danger.

'Our parents and grandparents' Sakuno smiled warmly to her husband, hearing it coming to him feels like something warm touches her heart. "Okay... Let's do that Ryoma-kun" she answered.

"Right, let's do that wife" He muttered. "And I am just kind' a thinking of modifying the room next to ours into nursery room. We should start putting new colors in the wall. Yellow perhaps? It's kind' a refreshing in eyes. Then let's start buying stuffs on our kids too." He excitedly muttered. Trying to eradicate those thoughts in mind. Ryoma was in all smiles while saying his plans to his wife. "It would be great to buy things in pair to our kids."

"Mou! Don't you think it's too early for that?" Sakuno asks. "You see... We still not know our babies' gender."

"And so? Let's buy unisex colors. And kaa san told me, we supposed to enroll in some maternity yoga class, it's a good exercise for you and let's attend to prenatal classes. She said she can recommend one to us. You see... I think it's a better idea. What do you think?" The tennis prodigy asks, his eyes sparkles as he speaks.

Sakuno can't help but smiled, seeing how he seems very excited in the blessings that will come to them makes her heart warm in so much joy. For just couple of months, they will welcome two wonderful kids that are fruit of their love. Although it was too early, Sakuno couldn't help but feel so excited. She can't wait to hold her twins in her arms. She will love them dearly. Despite of her lacking in many things, she will definitely take good care of them. And love them more than her own life.

"You see..." Sakuno started. "I plan to stop from studying for a while once our babies come" she smiled. "I want to personally take a good care of our kids" she mumbled in happy tone.

"Sakuno... You don't have to do that, wife... You see there is a lot of online classes offering now and I honestly thinking of taking online classes with you. You don't need to sacrifice your studies; I will help you. We're both in these wife" he muttered seriously. For Ryoma, Sakuno doesn't need to stop her own dreams just because she got pregnant and become a mother.

Yes, once their children come in this world, their lives will change drastically. Taking care of a baby will never be learn in overnight, he was aware that it's not easy, not only one but twins that they were talking about. Plus, they were both zero inexperience on handling a child let alone both of them were still studying. However, Ryoma was determined. Despite his lack of knowledge of everything he was determine to learn and to do his best. He was willing to do anything for his little family. As long as they were together, they can overcome everything.

"Mou! It's not sacrificing, Ryoma-kun. I am doing this because of love. You see, I found something bigger dreams than my initial dream. And that's our kids." Sakuno happily said, gently touching her belly.

Ryoma smiled, he put his one hand on her nape and gently pushed her head meeting his, he kissed her lips. "Me too. Before, it is only tennis and defeating opponents. But now, it's you and our kids. You were my biggest dream. Sakuno. I love you."

Sakuno eyes soften hearing those. This time, she leans her face to his, giving him a kiss.

"Sleep now Ryoma-kun" Sakuno mumbled after a long passionate kiss. From almost two weeks had passed, she noticed her husband sleepy eyes, as if he was deprived from some sleeps. That is why whenever they are alone together like this, she makes sure that he will sleep at least until the break is over. Gently humming a song; Sakuno smiled seeing how effective it was to him.

The tennis prince didn't answer, he was slowly closing his eyes, he sighed as he trying his best to fight back his own drowsiness, yet slowly his eyes close for a good nap.

"Sleep well, my husband" she mumbled, kissing his forehead.


"Echizen is planning to live in U.S. I think" Momoshiro said.

Miyu, who was about to opens the slightly open door paused, she remains standing outside listening to them.

"Sou na! They are going to migrate again?!" Kikumaru senpai asks in desperate voice.

"I think it's a better choice, Eiji. If everything didn't come out good, once Echizen announced everything. Don't you think it's a better idea?!" Oishi senpai muttered.

"Yes... I think that's the good decision too. After all, Echizen's main priority is always Sakuno-chan, right?" Kaido senpai give his opinion.

'What are they talking about?' Miyu peek more on the open door, she saw all the Seigaku regulars there.

"I agree with Echizen's back up plans, we don't know how people will react once they heard about the news." Fuji muttered.

'Syusuke' Miyu mumbled inside her head. She leans more to the door.

"Demo!"

"Don't you think Echizen's fans in our school will leave Sakuno-chan alone? Now that there are another issue keeps circulating around our school again, they won't let her go." Fuji added.

"Mou! Who's that anonymous source anyway? Why they attacking Sakuno-chan?" Eiji mumbled in annoyed voice.

Miyu eyes widen, a wide smile escape on her lips realizing what they were talking about. 'That stupid girl made her move finally!' Of course, it supposed to happened. Now that Kaede did the great job of doing what she asks for, everything will fall into its right places. Finally...

Now, Miyu was too excited to see her reaction once she found out.

"It's just lucky that we are still in vacation and we are here at summer camp and none of those rumors spreading in the entire campus comes in Sakuno's ears." Oishi sighed in relief.

Miyu snorted. Since when the senpais become this close to that girl?! To think that they concerned on her!

"Echizen asks the girls to keep this secret to Sakuno for a while not until they found the culprit behind this" Kaido answered.

"Echizen's parents were both enrage about this. I heard Rinko-san will take proper measures to ensure that everyone behind this will pay" Inui muttered.

"And that's right! They being too mean!" Kikumaru voice lace with so much madness. "To think that they will write something so awful like that!"

"Demo but I am really curious... How come they had a copy of her medical records? It something supposed to be confidential right?" Fuji asks.

'Medical records?' Miyu creased her eyebrows. What medical records they are talking about?

"That's right. It seems like it someone working in the clinic leaks the information. But ... The question is why?" Inui mumbled.

"Based on Echizen, the doctor was their family friend, so there is no way she will leaks the records even her life is in the line. So, it's only means that one of her staffs do so" Kaido speculated

'doctor?' '

'records'

What are they talking about? Miyu who started to get confused, furrowed her brows more. What did Kaede done? Or is it Kaede who did it?

And a face of a man flashed on her mind. The same man she meets before the day of the camp. Now she remembered that he handed a brown envelope to her, and since she was in hurry, she didn't get a chance to look what's inside and directly give it to Kaede.

Does it connected to what they are talking about?

What's inside of that envelope?

Curious she leans more on the door

" Let's just wished for the best to Sakuno-chan and Echizen" Tezuka mumbled seriously. "For now, all we can do is help them in every possibly we can" he added.

"Demo! Demo! How about our niece or nephew? Mou! No fair! I want to see Ochibi's baby!" Kikumaru stomped his feet. "If they go in America, we will never able to see the baby! Mou! That's unfair!" Kikumaru whines like a child.

'baby?!' Miyu gasps upon hearing their conversation, heart thumping so loudly inside her chest. Miyu steps her feet backward holding her mouth to restraint her sobs.

'She is pregnant?'

'They having a child?'

She blinks, her breathe rags as she felt like breathing become difficult, big droplets of tears stream down her beautiful face.

"No! That can't be!" She mumbled with trembling lips.

'child'

'It supposed to be theirs!'

'It supposed to be hers!'

"Oh! Break is over! Let's go! Let's go!"

As she heard the voices coming outside, Miyu hurriedly wipes her tears as she runs out the corridor. Little did she know, Hikari was standing at the corner of the corridor, silently watching her with eyes full of tears as well.


"Is Miyu okay?!" Akane asks the moment they went to the corridor. After they ate their dinner, they decided to stroll around. Worried for her friend who refuse to eat, and pretending to sleep in guise of not feeling well. Miyu seems not fine, not physically but emotionally not okay.

"Let her be for a while" Hikaru mumbled.

"Hah! I guess asking her to come with us is not a good move huh? You see... All Miyu witnessed was... Them being lovey-dovey. I just really can't understand it. How Echizen-kun fell head over heels on that bitch! It's irritating and fustrating at the same time." Akira exclaimed angrily.

"Haa! You are not alone dear, lot girls in here were irritated to her also. Have you heard? They talking about her all the time" Akane shrugs.

"Poor Miyu... It's all that bitch fault!" Akira angrily hissed.

"And why it's Ryuuzaki-chan fault?!" Hikaru asks in calm voice. "Did ever crossed your mind that none of this is her fault?" She points out.

"Haaa! Hikaru-"

"It's not Ryuuzaki-chan fault if Echizen-kun love her so much." She butted in. Not giving her friends to speak. "Much, more than Miyu..." She muttered. "Let's faced and accept that fact. Echizen-kun move on. He loves someone else. Let's all moved on too."

"Haaaa! You are just saying that because you were not the one who is hurting! How could you say so lightly about moving on?! Don't you have any idea how hurt Miyu was?! Ohh please... Hikari, stops talking as if you understand!" Akane rebutted, fuming mad.

"Haaaa! And that's it?! Just because Miyu was hurting we supposed to get mad at someone who is innocent?! Oh, c'mon Akane!" Hikaru lost her own temper.

"And how come she was innocent?! It was clearly that she stole Echizen-kun away! Miyu and Echizen-kun were supposed to be back, but she steals him!" Akane mumbled.

Luckily, there are no people in the corridor and only them. Or that's they thought, from the distance; An, Tomoka and Tohru were all frozen listening to them.

"And how sure are you that Ryuuzaki-chan steal him away? What's make you think that she really did that?" Hikaru glared back at her friend. "We didn't know the whole story! So, stops taking sides just because you only know Miyu's sides! You were all just blinded by the fact that it has to be Miyu and Echizen-kun! That they must be! You set that kind of mindset on your minds! You can't accept the reality that Echizen-kun found someone else! That he is capable of loving someone else! Because you all thinking that he can't! And now he found someone else you were getting mad at Ryuuzaki-chan, you just wanted to point fingers to someone to blame! To pour your frustration an anger! Please... Let's help Miyu to move on. But not like this. We are not helping her by instigating hatred towards Ryuuzaki-chan. " Hikaru litany said. "Miyu... She needs us but not in this way" tears verging in her eyes as she speaks.

"Haaaaa! Hikaru, I don't really know if you really our friend! I can't go out with you around." Akane walks out; Akira who shakes her head looking so disappointed to her friend followed, leaving Hikaru alone.

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"Haaaaa! To think that they acted like this?! So childish!" Hikaru was standing in front of their room door which locked. After the heated argument she had with her friends, she decided to cool off her head by strolling around alone. Little did she knows; that her friends were capable of being this petty. How she expected it by the way? For her friends, she was a villain who couldn't understand her own friend's pain.

But hell, she did. She knows the depths of Miyu's pain. She badly wanted to help her. But not like this. Miyu should learn to accept the fact that everything between her and Echizen-kun were over. They couldn't go back together. The story between them already ended.

"Where do I sleep now?" Hikaru mumbled. She sighed, she started thinking of going in the receiving area. It's quite chilly out there but tolerable since the sofa is too soft and big.

"You need a room to stay? You can stay in our room"

Hikaru almost jumps in surprised seeing the smiling face of Honda Tohru. Ryuuzaki Sakuno's friend from her home town Osaka. Honda was smiling so brightly; her personality was mixed of Tachibana's and Osakada's only that she wasn't loud unlike the two.

"Gosh! You scared me!" Hikaru exclaimed. Her heart almost jumped out on her chest. What she was doing late at night here?

"I'm sorry I just saw you standing there. You see I went out to the boy's dorm to deliver some latenight snacks. Did they lock the door?" Tohru asks looking at the door.

"Uh... No, they just ..."

"I'm sorry but we heard it earlier. You don't have to deny the obvious." Tohru chuckled. "And thank you..." She mumbled. "For standing out for my best friend. Thank you for defending her"

Hikaru blinks. "It's nothing. I know Ryuuzaki-chan was not in fault. And she's a good person"

Tohru smiled. "I'm glad. We know how your friends despise Sakuno. It's given and we don't take it against your friends. Thank you for not thinking the same way they are. Hearing you earlier stood up for my best friend is much means to me." Tohru smiled again. "You see... Everyone detest Sakuno just because she's with Ryoma-san, she was misinterpreted by everyone. And Sakuno knew it also. However, despite the critisms she gets she still smiles and never get mad to anyone. Sakuno is always like that. She always looks for someone's goodness. She always looks on their bright and positive side " Tohru mumbled. "That's why thank you."

"I know, what I mean is... I can see that" Hikaru said awkwardly. "She is a nice person. I can see why Echizen-kun loves her"

Tomoka eyes soften looking at her. "C'mon! Sleep with us" she smiled once again before pulling her hand. "The others were waiting inside"

"Oh! Tohru, you came back fast!" Tomoka beam seeing the young lady, not even surprised on Hikaru's pressence.

"Oh! Hikaru-chan! Come on let's eat." Sakuno smiled sweetly at her she was busy munching mochis in hand while on her front bunch of pudding were aligning in one line.

Hikaru blinks, it was already past midnight, however they are still eating merrily and wide awake.

"Oh! Don't be surprised! Ryoma-sama had a habit of making Sakuno's fat." Tomoka laughed, seeing how she looks so surprise.

"Sit down and let's eat" An waves her hand. "Tohru came out to give some in the boys room. It's too many that's why we share some." She added.

"Uhmmm... Thanks" Hikaru mumbled slowly.

"Oh! Come on don't be shy!" Tohru said, she smiles as she handed her mochi, strawberry slice cake, yogurt and pudding. It's all sweet that make sure will ruin her daily diet.

"Don't worry it's less sugar." An reassured her. "You see... Sakuno is not allowed to eat food with too much sugar intake." She giggles, but it sounds more teasing on her ears

"Mou! An-chan!"

"Oh Jeez! We don't have an idea that Ryoma-sama is your personal dietician" Tomoka chuckled.

"Mou! Not you too Tomo-chan!" Making the three girls laughed.

That night, Hikaru found herself laughing with them.


"Are you okay?" Hikaru asks Sakuno who keeps throwing up in the bathroom, it was her third day sleeping in their room.

After the heated confrontation she has with her friends; Hikaru's friends didn't bother to talk to her. And she didn't either. For Hikaru, she didn't do anything wrong. She just stood up from what she thinks is right. It was up to her friends if they think otherwise. Hikaru was too fed up on their childishness. That's why Hikaru decided to stay in Sakuno's room for a while which much more delight by them since they have another 'friend' to be with.

"Uhmmm..." Sakuno nodded her head, she hurriedly wipes her lips and smiled on her. "Gomen, did I wake you up?" She said wiping her own tears from throwing up

"No. I'm already awake. You sure, you are, okay?" Hikaru started to get worried, for three days she spends here, she took notice her habit of throwing up every morning. And their habit of eating late at night whenever Echizen-kun knocks secretly on the window to give them foods.

For three days, Hikaru felt how light and comfortable with them. They laughed, talks randomly topics and even teases each other's. She learned how easily to be gotten along with them.

"Uhm.. I'm okay. I will just take some tea to calm my stomach and I will be fine" Sakuno mumbled with smiles.

Hikaru who just staring at her side, she stood up near on the window and took notice of someone walking in hurry wearing a hood.

'Miyu?!' Hikaru blinks. Even on the dark Hikaru knew that it was Miyu. On the way she walks and built of body, Hikaru was certain it was hers. But where did she go and she looks in hurry? From where she went out, it looks like she went from gym or kitchen? Since the pathway she took directed to that way.

But why she will go there? Sure, Miyu is a body fit freak but it's too early to go in gym not to mention it still close at this hour. And it's impossible for her to go in kitchen, since Miyu has zero knowledge when it comes to kitchen stuffs.

But why she looks so nervous and in hurry?

Did something happen?

"Sakuno, you alright?" Tohru who just woke up on her bed quickly went on her side. Cutting on her reverie, Hikaru turn her head back to them.

"I'm fine "

"You should drink your tea" An spoke from their back, yawning, she hurriedly went to their coffee table preparing her tea.

Hikaru watch Sakuno as she seated right next to An. She gently brushes her long wavy hair with her fingers.

"Don't worry, she's okay" Tohru uttered seeing the distress in her eyes.

"She doesn't look like to me" Hikaru mumbled, Sakuno looks really pale on her eyes

"Oh! It's already time! Mou! I forgot that I prepare for the breakfast!" Sakuno stood up on her seat.

"Just drink this first! "An strictly ordered her. "Or you want me to call Echizen-kun and he will be the one to make you drink this?" An threatened her. "You surely making excuse now Sakuno!"

Horrified, Sakuno quickly sit down "Mou! It's taste awful" she pouted her lips. "I really don't like the taste!"

"Heh, that's for your own good" An chortled. "Drink this up and go later"

"You sound like Ryoma-kun" Sakuno pouted her lips.

"Too bad, Sakuno-chan! He entrusted me this for you" An winks teasing her more.

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After drinking her morning tea, Sakuno, together with Tohru and Hikaru were laughing altogether when they headed to the kitchen. As they step their feet inside, everything happens so fast, something slippery in the floor scattered but before they took notice of it-

Thud.

"Ryuuzaki-chan!"


"Aaahh!" Ryoma stretched his body after waking up on his bed, still seating on his bed. Eyes still sleepy, the tennis prince rubs his eyes.

From the upper deck of the bed, he could literally hear his Momo senpai's snoring.

"You still asleep?" Fuji Yuuta asks. He was seating on the window pane reading something.

Bam!

Heavy footsteps on the corridor followed by the loud banging sound of the door caught their attention. Horio, who looks pale as sheet of paper, breathing so heavily as he gasps from some air to breath. Still catching his breath, he stared horrified towards the tennis prince.

"Echizen! Ryuuzaki-chan! Ryuuzaki-chan is..."

Ominous feeling engulfs his whole being, as if bucket of cold waters pour down to him, Ryoma quickly stood in his bed as he runs fast, without waiting for Horio to speak.


Okay. Let's cut this short. I realized that every chapter took me for about 10k words per update. Hahha... So loong! That's why I decided to cut short every update. Hahha Anyways. This is chapter 23. Just a little cliffhanger for the next chapter.

Just a short story telling - I am so happy right now, since I found my long lost USB baby! Hahaha... Well, that USB was too important to me since all of my written stories from the past were all stored there. Luckily, it's still okay. And I am so happy that I could continue my last stories I made way back before... It made me so heartbroken since there is a story, I made that I badly wanted to finished. It's my personal favorite! Yep. I wrote stories in different platforms. And I am planning to used one of my one-shot there as Ryosaku's. Well, I just needed to change the settings and characters.

But anyways, I hope you like this chapter. Thank you for patiently waiting.