Chapter 2: Confidant
A few months passed and it was time for some counseling.
Mr. Mastumoto called the students one by one in the counseling office. It was Sakuno's turn. Even though she did not turn over any paper, Mr. Matsumoto made sure that he can have a talk with her.
"So, Ryuzaki-san. What are your plans in the future?" he asked. Sakuno sighed. She knew that she would have to give an explanation.
"I-I'm not going to college, sir," she closed her eyes, ready for some scolding. She knew that people around her expected her to go and study culinary because she's skillful with cooking. But she had to think realistically and do what is best for her situation from now on.
Her answer shocked Mr. Matsumoto.
"Eh? Why? Wouldn't you like to learn more about cooking? And someday work professionally in a five-star restaurant? That's your dream, right?" he watched the girl fiddle on her cardigan. He knew how Sakuno loved creating something that would impress her classmates and teachers. She has always been the most creative with dishes, as far as he knows. It would be a waste of talent if she does not continue on the ideal path.
The girl was having a hard time giving a reply, so Mr. Matsumoto continued.
"Sakuno-chan. I'm sure your grandmother would want you to reach your dreams. Why don't you want to go to college?" he asked. Sakuno was hesitating to tell him that it was about the money, and how she doesn't want to stay at the Echizens for a long time.
"W-Well," she scratched her head as she looked down on her blank paper. It made her stomach churn, almost having an anxiety attack in front of the teacher. She felt pressured to lay out her whole plan to others.
"Anyway," Mr. Matsumoto sighed. There's just no prying over the girl at the moment. Having lost her grandmother and house, he understood that she was in a state of undetermined decision. "How are you fitting in with the Echizens?" he changed the subject in hopes to break the ice and give the girl some time to think about her decisions.
Sakuno perked up and happily reported that they've been nothing but welcoming. The teacher nodded in satisfactory.
"Good to hear that, then. Tell you what," he began to arrange the papers on his hands. "I'll give you more time to think about it. This is for your own good, okay? You can come to me when you come up with an answer," he gave Sakuno's paper back to her.
"Thank you, sir," she bowed and left the room. As she was walking in the hallway, she passed by Ryoma, who was heading to the counseling room.
"Ryoma-kun," she bowed slightly, and the boy nodded in acknowledgment. Sakuno was used to the fact that the prince doesn't say much, but when he was comforting her, Ryoma would tell her many things that she never imagined would leave the prince's haughty mouth.
I wonder what Ryoma planned for his future...
She continued to head back to their classroom and go home. She was supposed to wait for him, but the boy informed her that morning that practice will end late, so she better go home without him to which the girl agreed.
The walk home was lonely. Sakuno avoided the street of her and grandmother's house because she was sure she would cry when she sees it, so she turned to the alternate route going to the Echizen house.
After months of cohabiting, she still felt conscious about some days where she and Ryoma would dine on the same table, often sit in front of the television, and she would offer him a beverage every time he and his father played tennis in their backyard. There was still awkwardness between them. But it was okay, since she doesn't plan on staying forever.
"Ryoma-kun, would you like a cold drink?" Sakuno peeked through the back door where the boy is currently hitting some balls on the wall. He stopped swinging his racket and caught the ball swiftly.
"Thanks," he was now used to Sakuno giving him drinks or something every once in a while. It was like having a second mother, but he would never tell her that.
The two sat by the bench while they sip Ponta. Sakuno couldn't help but shudder as the cold wind caressed her skin.
Ryoma noticed this and grabbed his jacket.
"Wear this," he handed it to the girl. She blushed but accepted his offer and Sakuno immediately felt the warmth of the jacket. She could never imagine moments like these can happen in his entire life. It made her giddy.
"Thank you, Ryoma-kun,"
After a while of silence, she remembered that she wanted to ask him about his college plans.
"Ryoma-kun, what are your plans for college?" she started.
"Tennis, of course," he drank the soda and crushed the can with his hand.
Of course... Sakuno thought. Tennis was his entire life, and she cannot imagine other things that will become his next priority.
Nevertheless, Ryoma continued to share his mind to her.
"Other than that, I plan to spend my free time in a university somewhere. Study something else, to kill time," he said that with such bored tone, like studying was the most menial thing a person would do. Instead of feeling annoyed, Sakuno was impressed at the boy's happy-go-lucky nature. Although he never needed to study much because he's a genius at everything. What she wouldn't give to have a brain like his.
"And you?" Sakuno did not expect him to ask her, too.
"Oh, I'm... thinking of not... going to college," she confessed. Her heart beat faster. If it was a wise decision, she doesn't know. And sharing this to a level-headed person might get her a scolding.
"Why not?" he inquired calmly. It was none of his business, he just felt the need to prolong the conversation.
"Well, I don't feel the need to. I can just start working after graduation," she smiled. Ryoma looked at her eyes and he could see the determination she has. Sure, many people choose to work right after, like Kawamura-senpai and Momoshiro-senpai. They were having the same pleasure as those who chose to enter college like Fuji-senpai and Oishi-senpai. But he wondered if it was really what Sakuno wanted, or just being forced to give up on her own dreams because of the tragedy? Ryoma was not one to dwell on such matters, it's just, his mind becomes restless whenever he saw her smile which is not the same genuine smile she had before her grandmother died. Being his occasional friend, Ryoma felt the urge to make sure that she doesn't regret any decision she would make.
"You sure?" he asked. Sakuno blinked at him. It was not like Ryoma to ask twice or thrice about her. She felt her cheeks burn as they stared at each other's eyes. The moon helped the atmosphere as it shines above them.
"Y-Yes, I can do it," she assured him with one last smile. Ryoma was not convinced but paid no mind to it. After all, a girl's mind is the hardest to change.
This time, it was Ryoma who was sitting at the dinner table, watching the clock. It is now seven in the evening and Sakuno is still not home. It has been like this for almost a month, and it was getting his attention lately because the girl would always leave first after school, and she won't be home until dinner time. When Rinko asked her about it, she told them that she was studying at school.
Of course, Ryoma knew she was lying, but he told himself never to pry into other people's lives. Whatever Sakuno is doing this past month, Ryoma couldn't care less. He's not the type of guy who meddles in other people's business. But what if she gets into trouble walking on the dark streets? Wouldn't her safety be the family's responsibility? He would never expect such concern from his father. But his mother and Nanako, well, Sakuno had dismissed their query with the same ridiculous lie.
Thinking that his coach would haunt him in his dream, Ryoma got up and walked out of the kitchen. Rinko, hoping that his son would do something about Sakuno's odd behavior, peered through the door and watched him.
Ryoma grabbed the phone and dialed the number written on one of the sticky notes that Sakuno had placed by the corkboard prior to moving in. He impatiently waited for the person to answer it.
"Hello?" he heard the girl's voice.
"Do you know where Ryuzaki is?" he got straight to the point. The girl on the other line squealed. He knew too well how annoying the conversation would be and he was instantly regretting it.
"Ryoma-sama! You're searching for Sakuno, eh? I knew it! I knew it!" she continued to make flirtatious remarks about him and Sakuno that it made his ears hurt.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know where she is, right?"
"Oh, yeah, but she told me not to tell you,"
"But you're going to tell me, right?"
"Of course! I would never hide Sakuno from you, especially when you're looking for her so willingly! I can feel your energy, Ryoma-sama. So, I'm going to help you!" she happily declared. Ryoma shuddered. Conversations with girls are always weird and icky.
He almost chuckled on how stupid the exchange is. He never really had the time to get to know this classmate of his, mainly because she's too annoying to be around. But she's not that bad, willing to help a classmate and all.
After talking to Tomoka, Ryoma learned that Sakuno has been going to a restaurant near the train station. The girl didn't mention what Sakuno has been doing and just told him to go see for himself. So, he decided to go out that instant to head over there.
He might as well go to the doctor tomorrow, too. His ears hurt after that phone call.
"Welcome!" she greeted a few customers who entered the small noodle restaurant.
Sakuno has been working part time every night after school. She barely had any sleep, and not enough time for her homework. Still, she pushed herself to work in order to save more money so she can relieve the Echizens of the burden. She never told anyone but Tomoka, she's the only one who would understand, after all. The others would surely stop her if they learned the truth.
It was almost time to get off work, so she finished all the dishes and told her manager that she's done for the night.
"Good work, Sakuno-chan," Mr. Arata, her manager, praised her.
"Good work, Sakuno-chan," she heard Atsushi, her co-worker, said in the kitchen.
"Thank you, boss. Thank you, Atsushi-kun! See you tomorrow," finally, she thought. A good four-hour sleep would suffice.
Sakuno walked back home with a smile on her face. She did not notice a certain young man following her at a great distance. He watched her count her fingers, as if calculating something.
"I can pay for this month's tuition fee! I can also deposit on grandmother's account. That way, I can at least save for rent in the future," she smiled to herself, feeling proud that she somehow manages to keep her finances in line.
Ryoma put his hands in his pockets as he kept his distance from her. At least she'd walk home safely.
When she arrived home, Rinko welcomed her but with a hint of worry in her face.
"Sakuno, can't you just study at home? You're making me worried," hearing this, Sakuno's heart ached a little. She mentally hit herself for lying to such a good person.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Rinko. I needed to focus this month," she bowed and started to walk up the stairs. Feeling the tiredness of her body, she musters up the remaining energy she has to be able to go up in her room.
"You're not eating dinner?" the older woman asked.
"I already ate, auntie. Thank you for the offer," she smiled weakly, keeping her tired eyes from closing. She needed rest but homework is more important right now. She doesn't even have time to take a bath.
Sakuno continued to go upstairs.
"Do you know where Ryoma might have gone?" she heard Rinko ask. Ryoma's not home? She spun around and walked back downstairs.
"He's not here?" she asked the obvious question. Rinko shrugged. Just then, the door flew open and revealed the boy they were looking for.
"I'm home," he announced as he took off his cap and ruffled his hair. Sakuno stared at him.
"Ryoma! Where have you been?" his mother scolded. The Nationals are over, so he didn't have a reason to stay out so late anymore.
"Visited Momo-senpai," he simply said. He didn't want to tell them about Sakuno.
He watched her through the restaurant's window that night. She would make mistakes here and there, but the manager and her co-worker complimented her. It was weird but they must've understood that she's still an inexperienced girl, so he felt relieved that she was not suffering as much.
The least he could do right now is to let her keep her secret from others, and to walk her home secretly. That way, his conscience of being responsible for the girl would ease up.
Tomoka was annoyed. In the middle of the night, her phone was ringing continuously. She could not imagine who the hell calls a person this late? She rubbed her sleepy eyes and finally grabbed the receiver.
'Who the heck-" she wanted to scream but was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Don't tell her I know," the boy whispered. Tomoka shuddered.
W-What is this? someone's threatening me? Are my siblings here? Who got kidnapped?!
Tomoka couldn't utter a word because of fear. Then, the call ended.
"What was that?!" she dropped on the floor, looking completely pale.
Horio and the others noticed that Sakuno's head almost banged on her desk. She was falling asleep in class.
Since Ms. Takahashi is currently teaching, nobody dared to doze off. She's only the scariest, most strict teacher in Seigaku. Nobody, not even the prince, was allowed to look bored in her class or the whole class will be punished.
Ms. Takahashi was writing something on the board, completely oblivious from Sakuno's snoozing form. Tomoka sat the farthest from Sakuno so she couldn't do anything, as well as the freshmen trio. They were all at the edge of their seat trying to wake the girl up without being spotted by the terror teacher.
After a while, she finished writing and was about to turn around. By now, all the students were nervous. Even a single sound would anger the teacher. Her rule in class is that she's the only one permitted to talk, unless one is questioned.
"Okay, who among you have the brain to answer this? Show of hands-" she spun around almost instantly and looked at the boy who suddenly stood in front of her.
"R-Ryoma Echizen, what are you doing?" she stared nervously at him while he reached for the chalk on her hand.
"I'll do it," he said. Mr. Takahashi was weirded out. She tried to look around the class to see if anyone else was scared of the prince's sudden behavior, but Ryoma only blocked her gaze with his head, being the same height with her, heels and all. Whether she turned to the right or left, there his head will be. Is he seriously playing with her right now?
The boy kept his gaze locked with Ms. Takahashi until she turned around to follow him to the front. By now, their other classmates have successfully woken up the sleeping Sakuno. As if on cue, the rest of the class sighed in relief in unison, while Sakuno rubbed her eyes, watching the prince answer the complicated equation up front.
While Ryoma wrote numerous numbers and formula, Ms. Takahashi's glared at him, almost piercing a hole in his head. She hated the boy ever since she got the job of being the math teacher in place of Sumire.
He was too conceited for his own good.
Lunch time came and the students started laying out their bento on the table.
Tomoka stretched her arms out. Math was finally over. It was nerve-wracking, what Ryoma did. It made the whole class tease him. She momentarily wondered if the boy actually did it on purpose to help Sakuno. If that is true, then he really actually cares for her. It made Tomoka smile mischievously.
Anyway, she decided to approach Sakuno to invite her to the cafeteria, but a hand pulled her arm suddenly. The boy swiftly whispered something in her ear, it made the hair on her arm stand up.
"Don't tell her I know, okay?" Ryoma said. Then, he left.
Tomoka blinked. So, it was Ryoma-sama who called last night. That creepy voice she heard at three in the morning?! Wow, that was awesome.
"I won't!" she yelled happily, realizing that the prince had approached her willingly. Ryoma winced at the loud voice even though he's almost downstairs. A loud-mouthed girl she is! But he appreciated Tomoka's loyalty and helpfulness that it brought a satisfied smile on his lips.
Turning around, she helped Sakuno up. The poor girl has been so tired almost every morning. She knew everything about it and it's killing her that she can't do anything to help Sakuno.
"Sakuno, let's go eat. Then, you can sleep in the clinic, okay?" Tomoka said.
"Okay, thank you," Sakuno answered with a weak voice.
Afternoon practice.
Ryoma kept his pace with hitting the ball on the wall. Even though club activities are over, winning the Nationals and all, he still went every day after school to keep tennis engraved in his body. His focus was broken by the voice of the one girl he could never stay in a room with. Really, must they interact several times this week?
"Ryoma-sama!" Tomoka ran over to him and tried to catch her breath. Ryoma grumbled as he slowly turned around.
"Sakuno's not feeling well. Can you walk home with her today? I guess she won't be going to work today," Tomoka said worriedly.
Ryoma paused. It was evident earlier that day that Sakuno looked sick, that's why he did that embarrassing thing to save her ass. Frankly, he was humiliated after class since all their classmates made fun of him. He acted like he didn't care but honestly, the shame was creeping up his butt.
"I will call her work and tell them she's not coming. So, you take care of her, okay?" the girl started to run without waiting for his answer, but immediately paused and turned around. Ryoma blinked. Is there something more?
"Isn't it nice, Ryoma-kun? We're working together now! It's my first time being friends with a boy, and to think that it's you!" Tomoka beamed at him. What a shallow girl, Ryoma thought. But it didn't change the fact that she's helping Sakuno with her struggles, as what he did.
She's not bad.
"Whatever..." he muttered as he waved a hand to her. Tomoka's face soured, but she was used to the boy's snobbish nature, so she let it go.
"Also, thanks for earlier. You sacrificed your dignity to save Sakuno. Funny as it was, you did a really good job, Ryoma-sama. Thanks," then she exited the courts.
Ryoma's eyes softened. As socially challenged as he can be, he recognizes pure kindness in Tomoka. Sakuno sure is lucky to be friends with that kind of person. She reminds him of Momo-senpai.
Sakuno sat by the entrance of the school. By that time, only a few students can be seen around campus, and the sun has started to set.
She rested her chin on her palm as she waited for Tomoka to return. She said that she needed to do something first, but that was thirty minutes ago and she's feeling dizzy from the heat. Sakuno has been working nonstop for quite a while and she knew she needed to take it easy if she wants to survive. It was making her depressed for some reason. Living in this world really does drain you, and doing it alone makes it worse.
A few minutes later, she noticed that a silhouette of a boy was headed toward her. Sakuno's vision was blurry because of sleepiness but she immediately recognized who it is.
"R-Ryoma-kun?" she stood up. A slight headache crept into her head she almost stumbled. The boy, now in front of her, grabbed her bag, it surprised Sakuno.
"Let's go home," he said before he started walking out of the entrance. The girl blushed at his sudden actions of service to her, it surprised her, but she still followed him. They haven't gone home together in a while ever since she started her part time job. Almost a month, she thought.
Sakuno smiled as she watched Ryoma try hard to walk beside her while her bag was flung on his shoulder. Sometimes, she wondered if he doesn't mind being seen with her at all. It's not like he was the one who told her to keep it a secret, but it would create issues for the both of them if anyone would see them going in the same house. More than her being the target of rumors and bullying, it would still be Ryoma's life that will ultimately be ruined because of her connection with him.
Being a pro comes with a lot of baggage. It's almost like being an idol. One has to maintain a perfect image, being fit and good-looking, and most especially, single. It dawned on her that Ryoma never was one to care about such things. He only had tennis in his mind, anyway. But still, having a huge fanbase or support really boosts a person's chance at success, and being seen with a girl would be a huge scandal for the prince.
She tried to lag behind him to create at least some distance between them, but every time she does, Ryoma would wait for her. Sakuno did not understand, and she just gave up. Competing with this guy will be futile.
Anyway, she enjoyed the walk home, and for some reason, it gave her strength for another day. After all, Sakuno missed times like these with him.
To be continued.