The sun hung bright over Seigaku High, casting golden rays that danced through the colorful decorations lining the school grounds. It was finally the day of the much-anticipated school festival, a time for laughter, camaraderie, and, for some, a chance to gently nudge the boundaries of friendship into something more.
Within Class 3-1, chaos buzzed with electric energy. The room was alive with the aromatic symphony of sizzling food as Sakuno, Tomoka and other girls busy preparing for the foods, while the guys busy serving and taking orders. Horio, Katsuo, and Kachiro scurried around like little bees, inviting passersby to experience their well-decorated café. The vibrant colors of their kimonos added a touch of elegance to the otherwise bustling atmosphere, each student wearing their attire with a mix of pride and nervousness.
"Look who's here!" Horio announced, spotting the former tennis regulars approach. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Senpai-tachi!" he called enthusiastically, waving his arms like a flag. The former regulars- Momo, Eiji, Kaidoh, Fuji, Inui, Takashi and Oishi grinned, warm nostalgia swelling in their hearts at the sight of their juniors so invested in creating memories of their own. Ryoma, who still helped serving the food looked at them.
"You guys look great!" Momo said, eyes twinkling as he admired their outfits.
Horio rubbed his neck. "Thanks!"
"Let's see what you're serving," Oishi chimed in, turning to the menu. They placed some order.
"Senpai, why not come watch the performances later?" Horio suggested eagerly. "Echizen is the male lead!"
"Really?!" Eiji exclaimed, leaning forward in surprise. "We'll definitely go-nya!"
Eiji flinch at the rough treatment of a cup being set down on the table. He looked up to see deadpanned Ryoma.
"Don't come," Ryoma muttered, frustration bubbling within him. He didn't want the senpai to see him on the stage.
Inui adjusted his glasses and nodded sagely. "99.9% chance we'll be there," he declared, earning chuckles from everyone.
Momo slipped a tennis racket in Takashi's hand, made Takashi's spirit lifted up. "Burrrrnnniiiggg! We will go watch the performance!"
Momo put his hand on Ryoma's shoulder. "Don't be shy. It's not everyday we can see you perform on the stage." Ryoma just gave bored look to him.
Just then, Tomoka emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands and announcing, "Alright everyone, it's showtime! Act performers, get ready!" Excitement surged through the class, and they exchanged good-luck wishes before heading to the gym for the performances.
As they settled in the gym, the air hummed with anticipation. Ryoma sat with Sakuno, Tomoka, Horio, Katsuo, and Kachiro, while the former regulars took their place among the esteemed audiences. The gym lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd.
Ai and Ume, who sit nearby waved them. Tomoka and Sakuno waved them back, and whispered 'good luck' to them.
Tomoka took a ball in a box to decide which turn their performance is. She showed to her classmates, while grinning that they their turn will be the fourth.
The MC stepped up to the microphone, his voice booming through the air. "Thank you for joining us at Seigaku High's festival! Let's kick things off with our first performance from class 3-5!"
The class from 3-5 performed their amazing magic trick made the audiences tinted with awe. As the magic act unfolded, Ryoma stole glances at Sakuno, his expression softening when he noticed her wide-eyed wonderment. Thunderous clapped echoing the gym as the performers finished their turn and bowed towards the audiences.
Soon, class 3-2, Ai and Heisuke stepped onto the stage, guitars in hand. An electric charge flowed through the room as Heisuke strummed the chords, his deep voice blending perfectly with Ai's melodic harmonies. The music became much more perfect with the sounds of drums and piano alongside them.
They sang their first song, "Koiiro by Mosawo."
Tomoka leaned over to Sakuno, catching Ryoma's eye. "Ookami-kun looks handsome when he sings, doesn't he?" she whispered, grinning. Sakuno smiled and nodded.
Ryoma merely grunted, a small frown on his brow as jealousy bubbled in his chest. As the song progressed, they noted how Ai and Heisuke shared shy smiles, their chemistry palpable and infectious.
Ai and Heisuke transitioned seamlessly into their second song, "Anone," their voices entwined like threads weaving a tapestry of youthful dreams and unspoken feelings. A collective rush of emotion surged through the audience, and even the former regulars found themselves captivated.
Their performance ended with thunderous applause, and Ryoma found himself clapping, too, the rhythm pounding in sync with his heart. Ai, Heisuke and their classmates bowed, satisfaction lighting up their faces.
The next act from class 3-4 was just as amusing—a comedy skit that left the audience roaring with laughter.
With each act, the atmosphere overflowed with joy. The former regulars reminisced in the background, making cheerful banter, while Ryoma caught glimpses of Sakuno in her candid moments of laughter. Each smile she offered pulled him closer to a realization he could no longer ignore.
When it was finally time for class 3-1, Ryoma, Sakuno and the others take the stage, nerves ignited a fire in their belly. They gathered backstage, exchanging words of encouragement and last-minute adjustments to their outfits. Ryoma slid his fingers back through his hair, make his hair more neat.
As they stepped onto the stage, the lights engulfed them. Every pair of eyes in the gym focused on them, and despite the initial rush of panic, they tried to be calm.
Sakuno's heart pounding, she took a deep breath and bowed deeply at the waist, followed by Ryoma and the other classmates.
Akari, serving as the poised moderator, spoke with a voice that wove dreams into reality. The spotlight fell on Sakuno, dressed in resplendent pink, embodying the noble princess whose life teetered on the edge of danger.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a noble princess," Akari began, her words painting vivid images in the minds of the enthralled spectators. "She was the sole survivor of her family, forced into a life of hiding as bandits relentlessly pursued her."
As she continued, Horio, portraying the ruthless bandit leader, stepped forward, his sinister presence chilling the air. "Where are you, princess? I will make sure to catch you!" he growled, his eyes glinting with menace.
Sakuno squealed and fled, her distress palpable even in this controlled environment. The audience held its breath, captivated by her plight.
"The princess keep running away the bandits, but one day she was caught and it seemed like all hope was lost." Akari spoke again.
Horio hold Sakuno's arm as she struggled to free herself. "Let me go!"
Horio snickered and said, "it's been so long we searched for you, princess. Now you want me to let you go? You are so troublesome."
Just then, Ryoma burst onto the stage, wielding a wooden sword with the grace of a master swordsman. "Let her go."
Horio laughed and said to Ryoma, "and who the hell are you?"
"I am the one who will put an end to your reign of terror!" he proclaimed, igniting a wave of anticipation among the audience.
Horio laughed mockingly, "In your dreams!" With that, a flurry of action erupted, each clash of wooden swords ringing out like thunder. Ryoma displayed unmatched skill, moving with blinding speed, defeating the bandits one by one until only Horio remained. The audience erupted into applause, exhilarated by the spectacle.
As the dust settled, Sakuno and Ryoma locked eyes, a momentary connection blossoming between them amid the chaos. However, Ryoma, ever the lone wolf, turned away, but Sakuno kept following him.
Ryoma stopped his track and said, "You shouldn't follow me," he admonished, a hint of warmth in his voice.
"But I have nowhere to go," Sakuno replied, determination surging within her. With a sigh, Ryoma softened slightly, "Just make sure you walk fast."
The performance unfolded, weaving a tender romance amid perilous adventures. Despite Ryoma's attempts to distance himself, Sakuno felt drawn to him, captivated by his bravery and strength. Days of travel together brought them closer; their hearts beat in rhythm, intertwining like vines on an ancient tree.
Stopped his track, Ryoma hold both of Sakuno's hand, his demeanor calm yet resolute, declared, "There's a village in the north that can keep you safe. We should go there."
"But fate had other plans. As they neared the safety of the village, darkness swooped in. Bandits surrounded them once more, eyes glittering with malice." Akari continued.
Ryoma fought valiantly, every swing of his sword filled with purpose, but this time, the odds were stacked against him. He scooped up Sakuno, carrying her bridal style, and dashed away from danger.
Yet, just as they thought they had escaped, one last bandit lunged at them. Horio, back in action, loomed like a storm cloud, casting shadows on their hopes. "I won't let you live!" he snarled as he charged towards Sakuno.
In a heart-stopping moment, Ryoma saw the threat to Sakuno and threw himself in front of her. "Princess!" The audience gasped, caught up in the raw emotion of impending doom. Ryoma cried out. The stage froze in time as the air thickened with tension.
When the shattering blow came, it echoed like a death knell. Ryoma staggered, pain etched across his handsome features, yet he retaliated, driving his sword into Horio, who feigned death, collapsing dramatically to the floor.
Sakuno knelt beside Ryoma, tears streaming down her face as she cradled his head in her lap. "Musashi-san!" she choked out, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She brushed her fingers over his cheek, longing for him to awaken. "Please, Musashi-san, you promised we would stay together until the end. Don't leave me."
As the audience watched, tears filled their own eyes, moved by Sakuno's anguish. The delicate weight of the moment hung in the air, connecting souls beyond the confines of the stage. Akari, the moderator, watched in awe, recognizing the authenticity of the emotions being portrayed.
Ryoma's voice faltered but was steady, "You should continue this path without me. I want you to start anew with peace."
Sakuno still cry, "it would be meaningless without you."
Ryoma put his hand on her cheek, wiping her tears. "I love you, princess."
Horio, who still lay down, feigning death, opened his eyes. 'Huh? I never heard Echizen said this line in the rehearsals.'
Sakuno's eyes widened and her gaze become soft, as she heard that line from Ryoma. Sakuno's heart ached. "I love you too," she whispered, their foreheads touching as the world around them faded away. It was a moment that sparked something unexpected in the hearts of everyone watching—the power of love, transcending even death.
The audience remained transfixed, some sobbing quietly, enchanted by the bittersweet expression of love and loss. As Ryoma released his grip on her hand, signaling his departure, the stage darkened momentarily.
Akari smiled at the backstage and continued, "Heartbroken, the princess vowed to never marry and to wait for her beloved samurai in the afterlife. And so, she lived out the rest of her days in solitude, longing for the day when she would be reunited with her true love once again. The end."
The audience erupted into applause, a celebration of their heartfelt storytelling. Then, as if shaken awake, the performers re-assembled and bowed together.
As applause echoed through the venue, Tomoka turned to Sakuno, pride gleaming in her eyes. "Good job," she whispered, brushing her fingers over Sakuno's arm, grounding her back in reality.
Sakuno glanced at Ryoma, who met her gaze with a smile that held a promise of connections that ran deeper than any script. They shared a silent understanding, two hearts beat in sync, full of hope for the future.
As the last echoes of laughter faded from the classroom, the sun began to creep over the horizon, spilling soft hues of orange and pink across the sky. The air was thick with the scent of cleaning supplies and lingering excitement from the school festival. Most students had already made their way home, but two remained behind, immersed in a quiet moment that would shape their futures.
Ryoma sat on a desk by the window, his legs swinging slightly, gazing out as the world began waking up. It was almost dawn, and the horizon glowed with the promise of a new day. He leaned back, lost in thought, while Sakuno meticulously organized the remaining chairs and wiped down the surfaces. Even amidst the clutter, her spirit shone brightly, and Ryoma couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth radiating from her presence.
Tomoka poked her head through the door, her bag slung over one shoulder. "I'm heading home now! Don't stay too long, you two!" she teased, waving goodbye with an infectious smile. As she disappeared into the morning light, Sakuno lingered for a moment before turning back to Ryoma.
"Don't you want to go back home, Ryoma-kun?" Sakuno asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
He shifted his gaze away from the vivid sky to meet her eyes, filled with concern and curiosity. "Just wait a bit," he replied, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Without waiting for his response, Sakuno pushed a nearby desk closer and sat beside him, leaning her head against his shoulder. The contact sent a gentle rush of warmth through them both, igniting a flicker of intimacy that had been long brewing between them.
"There's only left few months before the school ends," Sakuno said.
"Yeah," Ryoma agreed, though the weight of unspoken words hung heavy between them.
Sakuno hesitated, then added, "I saw a catalogue in your room… are you going there after graduation?" The question hung in the air like a delicate thread, weaving their fates together.
Ryoma fell silent, his breath catching in his throat. After a heartbeat, he nodded slowly, saying, "Yeah."
"What's with the pause?" she probed gently, her brow furrowing in concern.
He turned to her, capturing her hand in his, fingers brushing tenderly against her palm. "Are you really okay if I go?"
Sakuno blinked, taken aback by the gravity of his question. She playfully tapped both of his cheeks, a gesture that had always made him smile despite the heaviness of the moment. "What are you talking about?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"I probably won't be in Japan for at least three years," Ryoma confessed, the words tumbling out like stones dropped into a still pond, sending ripples through the serene atmosphere.
Sakuno inhaled sharply, processing the reality of his departure. Her heart raced, but the determination in her eyes burned brighter than any uncertainty. "I told you I'm okay with it. You must go there. That's your dream. Besides," she continued, her voice steady, "I will go watch your tournament if you join any."
He just smiled.
"Ryoma-kun," Sakuno interjected, her tone firm yet tender. "I'll study hard too while you're studying there. When I'm ready, I'm planning to go to US too. So can you wait for me?"
Her words were a lifeline, pulling him from the depths of anxiety. Ryoma's lips curved upward, a genuine smile breaking through the apprehension that clouded him. "Sure."
"It's a promise." Sakuno challenged, her eyes sparkling as she extended her pinky finger.
Ryoma smiled, wrapping his pinky around hers in a gesture that felt like sealing a pact between souls. Their smiles widened, the simplicity of the moment igniting hope for the future.
Sakuno wrapped her arm around his, resting her head comfortably on his shoulder again, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat match the silent promise they had just forged. They sat in companionable silence, soaking in the tranquility of dawn, the world outside awakening to life, oblivious to the magic unfolding between the two of them.
