Hello everyone! I am back after finishing some other work, I decided to do another RyoSaku piece. As for my draft, I am planning to keep it not more than four chapters. I hope you all will support this just like "Thank Goodness You Passed By." If you have the time, tell me what you think about it by sharing your thoughts in the review section. Happy reading!
"Chapter 1: Setting Things Straight"
The senior prom. It is an event Ryoma Echizen did not want to attend. However, his juniors from the tennis team urged him to go. They said something about it being a once and lifetime thing he should not miss. He had his reasons for not wanting to go. First, the unwanted attention. Even if he is known as a stuck-up guy, after his physique matured, people, especially women took notice of him. It was a headache. Attention at school and the media is indeed annoying.
Due to his rise in the world of tennis, Ryoma went part-time Pro in his first year of high school. His father told him not to rush and go full-time after graduating high school. His mom has another opinion. She wants him to finish college. The matriarch knows that if Ryoma tried hard enough he can manage to get a degree. The question is, who will inspire him to finish a degree?
The safest option was to go with Ryuzaki Sakuno, the male tennis team manager. Ryoma continued to teach her the sport whenever they have the time. She can be considered one of his friends and to tell the truth, many are expecting them to be more than that. Ryoma is frigid but not stupid. He knows the girl sees him as someone special. To him, she is special too, but not to the level that he wants an exclusive romantic relationship with her. They are both too young and the world is too vast. He has yet to conquer the world of tennis by storm. If they do have something that is meant to be, then one way or another, they will find and meet again.
Sakuno has always been a meek girl. She seems satisfied with maintaining the status quo between them. The question though is, if he asks her, the boundaries they set will collapse. Maybe it would be best, to be honest about the situation. If he goes stag, people will bother him. At least with her, he has lesser things to worry about. She would not take it against him, right?
Several scenarios came into his head, first, if she agrees, the girl might not be expecting more right? Since he is going to tell her his motives right off the bat. Second, if she turns him down, well there will be no hard feelings on his part. He completely understands if Sakuno does not want to be used as an excuse. The key is honesty, and Ryoma Echizen has been known for speaking his mind. Now all he needs to do is find a way to ask the team manager about his dilemma.
They have training after class. It would be ideal to wait until she finishes cleaning up the area. They often argued that as a manager she did not need to do those stuff. But the auburn girl would argue that she feels bad leaving their juniors to do the dirty work. In the end, he just let her do what she wants and he goes home ahead. Waiting for each other is not a norm for the two of them. However, Ryoma would drop by the convenience store along the way to get refreshments. Ever since his cousin graduated from college, on weekdays there are no home-cooked meals. His father regularly orders takeout since his mom is busy at work. He only gets to eat homemade food on weekends. The funny thing is, when he finished eating inside the store, Sakuno would pass by. And the two of them end up walking together until they have to part ways.
It looks like today is going to be one of those days. He will ask the question quickly so she can have time to think it over. And if she does ask for an explanation, he already has the answers inside his mind. He could not confront the girl during class hours as this final year they were not classmates. She managed to get into an elite experimental class that aims to produce future science and technology leaders. Sakuno is smart and disciplined, which is the reason she managed to get there. Everyone was thinking she will go into the path of culinary arts because of her cooking hobby. However, she plans to follow in the footsteps of her father, as a pharmacist. But instead of going overseas to work, the girl wanted to stay in Japan. She thinks that the aging population in Japan needs aid to live a happy life. The life of the youth must be preserved to keep their population and stability afloat.
People would tease her that if she wanted more people in Japan, she can start by having a lot of children. Sakuno would laugh off the joke, but despite her timid appearance, she knew that women also have other roles to fulfill in society. Being a mother is wonderful, she wants to become one. And yes, it would be nice to have a big family, but being able to help on a bigger scale is better. She managed to rant about it while walking home with Ryoma. The prodigy would reply that she just does what she wants. It is her life anyway. The auburn girl will nod enthusiastically and say that she will do what it takes to make her dreams come true.
As if on cue, Sakuno came into view as the sun is about to set. Her auburn hair matched the light of the sunset. After middle school, she kept her hair in a bun. It is less messy and mature, that is what people say. As for Ryoma, he would not care either way. But, this hairdo does showcase her cheekbones and since it cleanly clears her face, the light and life in her eyes glow. She has this aura of elegance and grace, despite being clumsy when flustered. However, as a sign of maturity, she seems to be less nervous and stuttering since turning eighteen. The only thing that has not changed is she still gives him a bento for lunch. When they are no longer having classes together, she would let a junior team player who is close to her classroom, take it to him. They only see each other after practice, when Ryoma incidentally comes across her after having a quick meal in the convenience store.
A soft knock on the window sill pulled Ryoma out of his thoughts. The smiling face of Sakuno greeted him. Yeah, it is time for the two of them to go home. He lazily stood up from his seat and went out. He would always walk ahead and she would follow from behind. It's a strange practice but that's how they do their routine. As they were a few meters away from the shop, the prince stopped in his tracks and looked at the girl. His golden eyes bore into her brown orbs. Confident as he is always in front of her, he opened his mouth. "Ryuzaki, I have a favor to ask."
The girl looked at him quizzically and nodded. "If I can help you sure."
The tennis prodigy shrugged. "The dance, I was planning to go stag. But there might be some unwanted attention." His voice is monotonous as always. "I need someone to help me push them away." He looked straight at her as if his gaze can pierce her face.
"So you want me to serve as a distraction?" The girl clarified, looking at him with sullen eyes but with a smile. He nodded in return. The girl sighed and looked at the sky blinking. "Well, this is our final year." She shifted her eyes to him again. "I guess it would not hurt to go together for memory's sake." The answer gave Ryoma a strong sense of relief after the reply. He was not expecting her to say no, but he feels great she said yes. The girl continued to speak. "I am going to do my best to look pretty and not embarrass you." She uttered playfully. "I don't want future photos of the Prince of Tennis circulating the internet that he went to the prom with an ugly date."
He knows she said it as a joke. But why does she have to berate herself in the process? Why does she think of herself as someone subpar to him? Sure he is better in sports and sense of direction. But in terms of socialization, the lady is more advanced than him. She is a great cook and does well with her studies. She overcame her shyness and managed to have a following on her own. The thing is, when they are growing up, a link between grew. However, their physical closeness took a blow after she moved to a different class. He can only see her during tennis practice. And it's fine, they don't have anything in between them. He believes that one day when they part ways, who knows if they can meet each other again. But does it matter? It is okay if they are just both happy in the end. "Stop berating yourself. Who knows you might get more famous than me in the future."
Sakuno chuckles at his comment. "The future is uncertain indeed." Her soft spoke as the sun completely sets and the darkness took over. The atmosphere was chilly and the night breeze made the atmosphere colder. The girl took a deep breath and sighed. He noticed she stopped walking and stared at the sky. The stars began to appear, she must be mesmerized by the glimmering heavens. "Ryoma-kun, the future is uncertain but whatever happens, I pray that you and I will find happiness."
He raised a brow at her statement. "You want us to be happy together?" The prince clarified. Realizing that her words were misinterpreted Sakuno looked at Ryoma. Shock and confusion are written all over her face. What's with that negative reaction? Did she not want to be happy together with him?
"I am sorry that came out the wrong way Ryoma-kun." The girl answered nervously. "What I meant was that we are both happy with whatever we choose in the future." The auburn girl continued to elaborate. She inhaled deeply to calm herself. "Ryoma-kun, we both know I see you as someone special. You may be frigid, but not stupid." Well, that statement was a truth the male thought. "But I know you cannot return my feelings. I am not blind and that naïve anymore." Why were they having this conversation all of a sudden? "This favor you are asking of me is quite unfair." The girl looked at him with stern eyes. "But, I understand why you asked and in a way, I am relieved you think I am trustworthy. Despite, being hung up and annoying you for so long." What the heck is she saying? He never once thought of her as a nuisance before. "Thank you Ryoma-kun for allowing me to be your friend. And as one I will help you."
"Ryuzaki, I never considered you as a bother." Ryoma suddenly felt that he need to explain himself. She should not think that he is taking advantage of her. "If you don't want to, we don't need to do this." He felt wronged all of a sudden. Does she think that all this time the thing they have is nothing? Is he that heartless? And why does she put up with him if she sees him that way? "Ryuzaki, be honest. Do you resent me in some way?"
The girl swayed her head. "I brought this upon myself." The lady answered. "I did not want to regret anything. So I decided to be friends." She smiled meekly. "That is all we can be right?" Ryoma felt paralyzed. He could not acknowledge what the auburn girl said.
"What do you want from me?" Ryoma uttered. He suddenly wants to do something for her. The prince felt he needs to appease her or else he will regret it. "Tell me, how I can make it right." There is an urgency in his voice. "I am not trash. I don't want you to think of me that way."
"Ryoma-kun, please don't jump to conclusions. I am satisfied with what we have. It is just, the favor you are asking for is tricky." The girl tried to explain. "I will be the target of rumors. But I know to deal with it so don't worry." The explanation is still not making sense. "I wanted to tell you what I feel honestly. I am just being honest." Ryoma still looks confused. "I want to spend time with you without expecting anything." Sakuno smiled softly. "So, until the time to separate comes, let's enjoy each other's company okay?"
"I want to set things straight. Ryuzaki, you have no problems with whatever we are now." The man clarified and the girl nodded. "And you have no hard feelings about what happens in the future," Lady confirmed once more. "So we can just continue to be as is?"
"Yes, we can Ryoma-kun." The girl answered back. "We can walk home together if cross paths, go to the prom, help improve the tennis team, and attend events. We can proceed with life normally."
"Fine." The prince replied and browsed his watch. "It is getting late, we better get going." The auburn-haired woman nodded and walked together side by side. They always had a small distance between them when strolling. Ryoma was never particular about how far they are from each other. But today, the gap felt wider. Maybe it was because of their awkward conversation earlier. However, the good thing now is they both know that at the end of whatever they have, they are not expecting anything. It is all about living in the present. "But why bother for nothing?" His inner voice began to question. Ryoma decided to brush it off. Now is not the time and place to think about that. As long as he is in the status quo with Ryuzaki Sakuno, it is fine. She just needs to be beside him for as long as they can. And he should just aim to be the world's number-one player. As long as he pursues and has these things, everything will be alright.
The duo reached the crossroads where they need to go apart. "I'll see you tomorrow at practice Ryoma-kun." The prince stared at the girl. She is all grown up. They do have a significant height difference. Looking at her she looks frail but her eyes show strength. On normal days he would just nod and watch her walk away. But today, he felt the need to speak. "See you tomorrow Ryuzaki." He wanted to say it, because he felt that, if he did not it might not happen the next day. But there will be many days in the future when her presence will be gone. She cannot come to all his games overseas. And Ryuzaki Sakuno will be studying pharmacy. She will be putting herself first. The girl turned her back and walk towards the direction of her home. "Thanks for granting me a favor!" The boy uttered above his usual voice volume. He wanted her to know that he appreciates her. The girl looked back at him over her shoulder and smiled with a nod. Her lips moved but her voice did not reach him. However, based on the movement it seems she said, it's nothing. If it was true, that the favor is nothing to her, then there are no deep feelings involved. They are just two friends helping each other out. Ryoma suddenly felt heavy. He must have been tired from practice, stressed choosing a prom date, and studying for the final exams. He is going to sleep early tonight. And hopefully, tomorrow, he will be energized.