Chapter 28: Reconnection

Sakuno has been busy with her studies and has been doing her best to prepare for an internship in Europe. It's a big opportunity since she will be working alongside artisans, and she will have a lot of experience which is essential to her growth and career.

She was happy, content, and full of motivation. At the age of twenty, she could say that her life is moving in the right direction. All of the sacrifices she has made in the past turned out to be the right ones.

All of them, but one.

She stared at Ryoma's old phone number. She had called him countless times and now that her line got connected, she was beginning to feel hopeful. However, the fact that he rejected the call meant that he must not want to talk to her.

Maybe Ryoma moved on during those years that they were apart and now, her presence in his life has reduced to being a nobody.

But what is he doing now? Did he start playing tennis again? Or did he get married without the world knowing?

Sakuno's mind was in chaos. She grew more curious as time passed by. She tried to search for him on the internet. News, social media, videos, or articles. But all she got was the past news of him, nothing new. There weren't even recent photos of him. Sakuno was beginning to lose the hope that she once felt. The thought that he might already have someone else tore her heart into shreds.

"Ryoma-kun…" she wiped the tears on her cheeks. She regretted agreeing to separate from him, even if they both knew that it had done them good, she still felt like she could have fought for them a little more.

But what can she do? The chance has passed and now, Ryoma was out of her reach more than ever.

She sat on her bed, with only the lamp shedding light on her. A silent sob escaped her lips as she tried to accept the fact that no matter how tightly she holds on, if it's not meant to be, there's no other choice but to let go.

Sakuno was to leave for Europe in a week, and she will have to stay there until she completes her internship. That is her ticket to being a certified chef. That was the dream, the dream that she almost threw away. But the people around her made her realize that it's worth it. Her grandmother would have been proud of her progress and milestones. She felt grateful that she didn't fall and let her friends guide her through the way.

It's just that she couldn't help but be sad about the fact that she may never meet Ryoma again.

As she felt melancholic, Sakuno decided to visit Tokyo where Seigaku stood. The building was still the same, but the students were all strangers now. Of course, how many years has it been when they all graduated? Fresh faces ran laps around the school grounds, and a new set of members managed the tennis club. Sakuno smiled warmly at the students, and as she walked away from the school, she took the familiar road towards the old Echizen house.

Sakuno recalled that Nanako was the last to visit the house and that she only took all the furniture to be sold away. She had no key, but it was okay. She didn't plan on staying too long, she only wanted to look at the house that once sheltered her during hard times.

"It's still the same," she muttered. The iron gate had no lock, so she easily slipped through, but the front door was locked so she didn't try her luck with it.

Sakuno turned her head and saw the yard where all her treasured memories happened.

It was where she shoveled snow and Ryoma was mad at her for doing it. Sakuno chuckled as she recalled how he hid all the cleaning equipment and made her a nasty cup of tea.

The yard was also where he presented her the pastel green bike that she still rode to this day. It was too precious to be thrown away, so she took good care of it, maintained its quality, and used it carefully.

She walked around the house, glancing at the foggy window where she could hardly see the living room, the kitchen, and the hallway.

Sakuno wanted to cry again. The place held so many memories and now that it has become a silent and lifeless place, her heart was breaking.

She sat by the bench that she once shared with Ryoma. They had many conversations about anything. She missed those times when they were barely friends, they were just classmates who happened to live together. As days went by, her love for him grew and grew and before she knew it, the boy had fallen in love with her, as well. She still couldn't fathom how Ryoma liked her when she's just a plain person.

But Sakuno clenched her necklace, the necklace that Ryoma gave her and every time she thinks that she's not enough, a single look at the engraving gives her the affirmation that she needed. She looked at it intently, reading the words for the umpteenth time for years.

"You're… beautiful," she heard a voice from behind.

Sakuno blinked and looked around. When she laid her eyes on the person behind her, she felt tears stream down her face.

She couldn't believe her eyes. Standing with his hands shoved in his pockets the way he did years ago, with a bag slung on his shoulder. His white cap was replaced by a black one, and his hair was longer. He looked different, more mature, taller, manlier, and oh so handsome. But he was still the same in Sakuno's heart.

He was still the boy she loved with all of her heart, body, and soul.

"Ryoma-kun," her lips managed to utter.

"I think those were the words in that necklace," Ryoma looked into her eyes intently, observing her brown eyes, the most beautiful eyes he ever saw.

"Ryoma-kun,"

"What is it?"

Sakuno's legs moved on its own and hurriedly stood in front of him. She didn't care if Ryoma looked surprised, she just felt the urge to embrace him like she had never done before.

As her arms slipped through his jacket and wrapped them around his waist, Ryoma's bag dropped to the floor from the impact, and he dared not to move. Her hug was warm, comforting, and triggered a lot of memories in him.

Ryoma melted in her arms, ignoring the anxiety in his mind and reciprocated her embrace. He enveloped her with his arms, his jacket smelled like him, Sakuno thought. She buried her face on his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart.

They stood there for a few minutes, relishing each other's long overdue reunion. Ryoma wondered how long it has been since he last saw her. It felt like eternity.

Sakuno didn't care how long, it felt like yesterday that she walked out of the hotel room, leaving him behind. She felt regretful and apologetic.

After a while, Sakuno gasped and realized how bold she must have looked. She pulled away from him and stepped back. Ryoma must be startled at her.

"Do you have a key to the house?" He cleared his throat and avoided her eyes.

"N-No…"

"Hm… I was planning to stay here in the meantime," he rubbed his nape awkwardly.

Sakuno felt a shower of overwhelming emotions in her heart. He intended to stay in Japan! But the house is locked and only Nanako has the key now.

"You're not leaving?"

"No,"

Her lips formed the sweetest smile Ryoma had ever seen. He didn't realize that his hand reached for her red cheeks and caressed it lovingly.

"I'm glad that I can see you smile again, and I'm even happier that I'm still the reason for it," he said as his hand dropped on his side, looking at anywhere but her.

Sakuno looked down on her shoes, smiling like a teenager. Ryoma watched the ground awkwardly, a tint of red painted on his own cheeks.

True love has a habit of coming back, usually in the most unexpected ways.

That night, Ryoma decided to walk Sakuno home before he checked into a hotel. He planned to stay for a while before he goes to America to visit his parents. He felt a little guilty for ghosting them, especially his mother. Ryoma can actually imagine what Rinko would do to him when he shows up unexpectedly. It will be the ass-whooping of the year.

Sakuno unlocked her front door and stepped inside.

"Ryoma-kun. I'll make dinner, so please stay for a while," she offered as she set a pair of slippers in front of him. Ryoma nodded, he's against the idea of walking inside a woman's house but he's still hungry so he didn't refuse.

Ryoma looked around her apartment. It was simple, neat, and radiated a responsible owner. He felt comfortable when he sat on her couch. He glanced at the kitchen and watched her back as she cooked. Ryoma noted that she looked like a housewife preparing dinner, like the old days in the Echizen house.

Being a chef in the making, Sakuno did not disappoint him. She prepared Japanese cuisine especially for Ryoma since she remembered that it was his favorite. They shared a delicious dinner while talking about their lives apart for two years.

"I was in China recently for three months. But before that, I went to Thailand, Nepal, and Laos," he told Sakuno of his adventures as they sat at the dining table, sipping hot tea.

"Wow, did they even recognize you?" Sakuno leaned in, looking eager to listen to him. It was rare to hear him talk about himself, and she appreciated that change in him. She could tell that a lot has changed, and he was friendlier now.

"A few, that's why I went to China and found a small town there. I even made new friends,"

"That's great. But what did they say when you left?"

Ryoma gasped. He had just realized that he didn't even say goodbye to Tujun and the others.

"Oh… I don't know. I just left one night,"

"Ryoma-kun, how could you not say goodbye to them?" Sakuno frowned. She felt a little upset. If there's one thing she wanted Ryoma to change about himself is that he shouldn't forget about his friends, and he should give importance to them.

"I-I didn't realize…" Ryoma grew nervous at Sakuno's expression that looked like she was mad about something.

"They must have been upset with you just leaving like that," she muttered.

He remained silent. Ryoma was beginning to think that he was an ass for not informing his friends of his departure. But to his defense, he left right away when he decided to leave. There wasn't even time to pack all of his things.

He heard Sakuno sigh heavily. She felt a bit disappointed at Ryoma's attitude, but she made it her goal to teach Ryoma the ways of friendship and other ethics he should learn.

"Anyway, you need to contact them. Let them know where you are, Ryoma-kun."

"Oh, they didn't have phones so there's no way I could talk to them," he heard Sakuno exhale. He sensed that she was not happy, so he grabbed his old phone in his bag and was going to pretend to send a message to China. But it was turned off, Ryoma thought that its battery might have died.

"It's not on," he uttered.

"Maybe you should charge it," she pointed at the power outlet in the living room. Ryoma nodded and proceeded to plug in his phone. Sakuno cleaned the dining area while he tried to check his phone.

Ryoma smiled as her picture flashed on the screen. He noticed a text message in his inbox and checked it out. His smile only grew wider when he read it.

Sakuno turned around and was curious at what he was looking at his phone.

"Ryoma-kun?" she walked towards him.

"Ryuzaki," he pulled her arm, and she ended up sitting on his lap. He embraced her tightly, ignoring her protest.

"R-Ryoma-kun! What's the matter?" her cheeks burned as she tried to escape from his arms. But his arms were so strong that she ultimately gave up. Her heart was pounding as she stayed still, waiting for an explanation.

"Thanks for remembering me,"

Sakuno was confused. She caught a glimpse of his phone and saw the text message she sent the night that her call got connected to his number.

I miss you, Ryoma-kun. Come back to me.

-Sakuno

It was overwhelming for him to know that she still wanted him back. All this time he thought that he was just another lame guy who wandered around the world aimlessly. He thought that when he let go of tennis, he became a nobody. It didn't cross his mind that Sakuno's love for him was this strong.

He felt so lucky to be loved by her.

Sakuno wrapped her arms on his neck, feeling his head against his body. Even though she could feel a leg cramp from sitting uncomfortably on his lap, she didn't care. Ryoma was worth the leg cramp, he's worth the wait.

She caressed his hair. It was longer, almost a mullet, but he still looked handsome. She touched his ears which turned red and warm.

"D-Do you hate me?" She felt Ryoma froze for a while before his shoulders dropped.

"I hated you," he muttered through her chest, "it hurts less."

"Don't worry, Ryoma-kun. My feelings never changed and I'm still here for you," she blushed and felt the urge to pull away, but she also didn't want to escape from his grasp again.

"Thanks,"

"Are you alright now?" She remembered that Ryoma had done therapy in the past years and wasn't sure if he's all better now.

"I don't know, but I know I'm okay with you,"

Sakuno smiled, tightening her arms around him. Ryoma let his body take over his mind and kissed her passionately. He missed the feel of her lips against his and he just couldn't take it anymore.

Sakuno had captured his heart, and he knew that there's no escape now.

He pulled away.

"Why do I love you this much?" he whispered, their foreheads leaning onto each other. Sakuno chuckled at his question.

"I wonder, too."

Ryoma smiled and his lips crashed onto hers again. Sakuno's hands held his cheeks gently, getting carried away with the sensation that he was sending.

But he pulled away, suddenly remembering something.

"I'm going back to America to play again,"

Sakuno was surprised, but she felt glad that Ryoma was determined to try again. Even if he cut off tennis from his life, she knew that he could never truly hate the sport that made him who he is. But more importantly, he actually really loves tennis.

"Do your best, Ryoma-kun," she smiled.

"That means I can't stay with you,"

"I know… because I'm supposed to leave for Europe in a week," she felt sad all of a sudden. It means that their paths are going to be apart again and who knows when they'll meet again?

She felt tears threatened to fall again. She didn't want to separate from him again when she finally reunited with him. But what could they do? This is the future that they both agreed to pursue back then before they separated. Which of them could sacrifice their career in order to be together?

"I'll come visit you, even if it means I have to board a plane every day," Ryoma looked up at her brown eyes. Sakuno noticed the determination in his eyes.

"You can't possibly do that. I don't want to be a burden to you," she said in a weak voice. What would she do if he falls ill from exhaustion?

"Then how about once a month?" he gestured as if he was thinking hard. Sakuno couldn't help but smile at his persistence.

"Ah, Ryoma-kun. You're still a stubborn kid, aren't you?"

Ryoma smirked, pulling her into him again.

"A kid? How about I show you how much of a man I've become?" he kissed her neck hungrily; it sent shivers down Sakuno's skin.

"Ah! Ryoma-kun!" she stifled a laughter as his lips were tickling her neck. His kisses felt good on her skin, and even though she was laughing at the beginning, as he traveled to her chest, Sakuno grew silent, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. A soft moan escaped her lips when he pulled her top off, revealing her mature body compared to when they laid together in Brazil.

His hand traced her flawless back from her neck down. He was intoxicated at Sakuno's bustier front, her milky white skin, and how she sounded every time he tasted her.

"I love you, Ryoma-kun," she whispered in his ear. Ryoma looked up and saw her gorgeous eyes looking straight at him. Her cheeks were adorably pink, and her hair fell down her shoulders.

"I love you, Sakuno."

Before the day came when Sakuno had to go to Europe, Ryoma stayed in her apartment, and they spent time together to make up for the years they were apart. And when it was time to go, Sakuno and Ryoma stood beside each other in the airport. The other is going to Europe, and the other is going to America.

Sakuno stopped herself from crying too much since she had been crying for days now every time she remembers her internship. Ryoma tried his best to comfort her and make the most out of their time together.

"Keep doing your best out there," Ryoma tapped Sakuno's head. He decided to visit Japan to rekindle his passion, and to hopefully meet her again. The latter has certainly happened, he just wasn't sure how he was going to continue his career with the same enthusiasm from before. But life is all about facing the challenges that come with it, enjoying the process, and focusing on his goal.

What is his goal now? He was still confused.

"You, too, Ryoma-kun," she sniffed, holding his hand. She feared that she might never touch him again when she let go of his hand.

"It's almost time for your flight," he said.

"Then, I'll go," she looked up at the screen displaying the flight details and searched for her own. But she felt Ryoma pull her hand.

"Ryuzaki,"

"Y-yes?"

"I'll keep my phone charged from now on," he pouted. "So… call me anytime."

Sakuno blushed and nodded.

"Y-You can call me, too!" she smiled warmly, but his hand still didn't want to let go.

"When the right time comes, I'll ask you to marry me and have a family together."

Her eyes widened at his statement. Did he actually say that? Ryoma wanted to be with her forever, it was unbelievable. Her? With her?

Sakuno was speechless that Ryoma only smiled before giving her one last kiss for now.

He kissed her tenderly, Sakuno's eyes fell closed. It was warm, full of love.

It was a good decision to come back to Japan after all. He would have these new memories with him as he took on the world again. This time, he's not only doing it for himself, he's going to keep playing and come back to Sakuno.

Because now, he had truly found his home in her.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

― Lao Tzu

To be continued.