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Author of 47 Stories |
A/N: Regular TeniPuri timeline.
10.17.07
"No way. I refuse," he said flatly, crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly.
Ryuzaki-sensei sighed as she leaned against her desk. Her eyes were fixed on Ryoma's face. "Come on, Ryoma. It's just for a day. This is a favor I ask of you."
Ryoma gave his sensei a look of suspicion. "Sensei, why don't you ask the sempai-tachi? They probably would do a better job and they are probably have nothing better to do."
"But I can't leave her alone with those... people!"
An eyebrow shot up at his coach's reaction. "'People'?"
The old coach blushed and sat back against her chair, looking away. "Well, you can't trust those kids. They'd probably butt in at the wrong moments and ruin her day. And you," she looked back at the young tennis prodigy. "You would most likely stay out of the way while actually doing your job."
"I bet Tezuka-buchou or Fuji-sempai would be perfect for that job."
"I asked Tezuka, yes. But he refused because he said that he had to go to his physical therapist that day. And no, I did not ask Fuji. You should know why." She looked like she just had a horrible flashback before looking at her player. "So, what do you say, Ryoma? Just make this old woman happy, would you?" She gave a sort-of puppy dog look that creeped Ryoma out a bit.
And so, he tried to reconsider the offer. "And what do I get out of this?" he asked.
Ryuzaki-sensei began to think hard before looking up, with a forced look on his face. "Okay, I'll give you the slot against Yukimura-kun of Rikkaidai during the exhibition games."
Hearing this, Ryoma brightened up, but pretty soon he frowned again. "Not good enough, sensei."
She let out another sigh. "Fine. Against Yukimura-kun and Atobe-kun. Now, stop demanding because that's all I can promise. Tezuka'll be mad."
Ryoma smirked victoriously, his eyes cheering. "Aa, sensei loves her granddaughter THAT much, eh?"
She nodded solemnly before shooing Ryoma out. "Now - don't forget! Saturday, pick her up at our house at 8 sharp."
Ding! Dong!
Ryoma pushed the doorbell over and over again, as he heard shouts of, "Just a minute!" and "CUT IT OUT, RYOMA!" Really. He had been ringing the doorbell for ten straight minutes and still, the person he was supposed to see still wasn't ready. What did she have to do, anyway?
Maybe she's braiding that long hair of hers, Ryoma thought with boredom. What a bother. He stopped ringing the doorbell and slipped his hands inside his pockets. That much hair really makes me sick. I wonder how she washes it.
Then, he suddenly shook his head. Was he -- just thinking about HAIR?
I must be really bored and desperate to do this, he thought, looking up at the sky. I wish the day would end--
"Gomen, Ryoma-kun! I made you wait for long!"
Ryoma turned around, with a ready glare on his eyes. And he saw her looking at him apologetically. She looked the same - just a new dress (that didn't even do anything with her stick of a body), some flat shoes, a blush on her cheeks and those two, long, long braids hanging down her back. The same Ryuzaki. But somehow, Ryoma felt uneasy. A queasy feeling rose up his stomach and he felt sick. Maybe it's the hair, he thought grimly. He looked behind the girl and saw their coach giving him an encouraging thumb up. He scowled at her in response. Damn hag.
The two began to walk down the streets, this time, Sakuno leading the way. The walking girl looked back at Ryoma with a smile. "Anou, thank you for agreeing to accompany me for today, Ryoma-kun. I hope I'm not much of a bother..."
Ryoma frowned to himself before muttering, "No problem..."
"... obasan was so worried when I told her that Akito-kun asked me out..." Sakuno blushed. "Um... um...! I'm talking too much, gomenasai!" She bowed. "But still, thank you for coming as my chaperone! It really means a lot!" She gave him a bright smile. "Thank you, Ryoma-kun!"
The boy just pulled down his cap. "Why don't we hurry up? You're already half an hour late."
Sakuno looked with panic at her watch and began running -wobbling- down the street, with Ryoma jogging from behind. What an uncute way to walk, he thought, annoyed.
As they were about to reach the meeting place, Sakuno was more agitated than ever. She began sweating and her face flushed red at the wrong moments. She rearranged her already perfectly-arranged dress over and over and she kept tucking her hair behind her ears.
"And another thing, Ryoma-kun... please don't say anything about how I used to play tennis back before or please don't say anything embarrassing about me to Akito-kun..." she babbled nervously. "And don't bother yourself with---"
Ryoma suddenly placed a firm hand on Sakuno's shoulder. "Look, Ryuzaki." He stared into her eyes seriously. "I am not going to interfere with your date whatsoever. I'm just going to walk far behind and I will keep my mouth shut. Now, do you have any further requests?"
Finally, Sakuno sighed in brief relief. "It's just that... this date means so much to me... and I really like Akito-kun..." She blushed. "...I'm going to accept his proposal to go steady today, so I just want everything to be perfect..." And she smiled shyly. "I sound really weird, don't I?"
The queasy feeling from earlier came back again, but Ryoma pushed it to the back of his mind. "I know." He brought down his hand and slipped it back into his pocket. He gave her a nod. "Good luck."
"Ryuzaki! Over here!"
The two looked behind Sakuno and saw a blue-haired boy waving excitedly at them from a post. (A/N: I envisioned the boy, Akito, to look like Tact Meyers from Galaxy Angels II, and if you want a picture of him just look for his profile in Wikipedia or something.) "Ryuzaki!" he repeated.
Sakuno ran towards him with a smile on her face. When she reached him, she bowed briefly and laughed. "We're even, Akito-kun! Last time, you were the one late!"
Akito laughed and patted Sakuno's head. "You really live for revenge, don't you?" He lifted his head and finally became aware of the third person in the group. "Oh. Who's this?" he asked.
"Anou! That's Echizen Ryoma-kun. He's in obasan's tennis team and she asked him to chaperone me." Sakuno faced Ryoma. "Ryoma-kun, this is Ryuu Akito."
Akito extended his hand for Ryoma to shake. "Yo! Nice to meet you, I'm Ryuu Akito from Rikkaidai."
Ryoma took his hand. "Echizen Ryoma."
"Ah, the name rings a bell. You were the one Sanada-sempai lost to in the regional matches?"
Ryoma nodded. Please stop talking to me, he inwardly chanted. I want to get away from you two as soon as possible.
"I'm a varsity, myself. I play the forward in our basketball team, but we're not as popular as the tennis team so you don't probably know us."
"Yes, I don’t."
Akito laughed at this before looking back at Sakuno. He slipped his arm around her waist and smiled at Ryoma. "Well, take care of us, chaperone-kun!"
For quite a time now, the queasy feeling had taken over Ryoma's digestive system. He felt sick and flu-ish that he wondered if doing this just for two matches was worth it. But somehow, the idea of throwing up on that Ryuu Akito's face seemed gratifying.
What's wrong with me? Ryoma thought as he looked at the couple, who was about ten meters away from him. They were in an amusement park and Akito just bought Sakuno ice cream. Strawberry ice cream. Once, Akito offered Ryoma a soda but he told him to ignore him and he'll buy himself something if he needs it. And besides, he was on a job now and he couldn't have fun with them.
Then, something made Ryoma suddenly stand up and walk over towards the pair.
Ryuu Akito just licked the ice cream left on Sakuno's face. LICKED IT. And no way in hell would her chaperone allow that.
Ryoma stood between them and crossed his arms over his chest.
"What the---?" Akito blurted out in surprise. "What's wrong, chaperone-kun?" Sakuno was staring at Ryoma in surprise as well.
Suddenly, Akito burst out laughing. "OH! Oh... I get it! I'm sorry, I'm sorry... it wasn't decent..." he said as he chuckled. He looked at Sakuno. "I'm sorry, Ryuzaki, but you just looked too cute back there, and I couldn't help but get over-affectionate. I won't do it again."
“...”
"Eh? EH? EHHHH?!" Sakuno said in succession, blushing harder at each 'eh'. Suddenly, she bowed and said, "Please excuse us!" and pulled Ryoma with her.
Once they were alone, Ryoma gave Sakuno a raised eyebrow. He looked away and snorted.
"Ryo-ma-kun!" Sakuno began, her face and neck all red. "I thought you said you wouldn't interfere?"
At the intensity of her voice, Ryoma took a step back. Was this really Ryuzaki Sakuno? The shy little girl who stuttered like there was no tomorrow, who almost blushed herself to death, who always bows her head? And she's shouting at him?
...and was she implying that she liked that he licked her face?
"I'm sorry, but sensei told me that I should keep an eye on what you two do. And what he did wasn't really that appropriate for a first date," Ryoma replied in a measured voice.
"But!" Sakuno protested. "Akito-kun was just being affectionate, and soon we're going to be together anyway, so please, don't interfere anymore, Ryoma-kun." Her eyes were pleading him to agree. "Please, let this day be perfect for me!"
Ryoma let out a breathe of air. A part of him wanted to strangle her to the ground and throw her into a river - because she wasn't making this any easier for him - and another part just wanted him to say yes to her.
And the second one took over.
"Fine," Ryoma looked away again. "I'm sorry, I won't interfere again."
Sakuno gave him a teary smile. "Thank you, Ryoma-kun." And after shaking Ryoma's hand, she ran back to her date, bowing apologetically again.
Ryoma looked back at them and wondered, What's happening to me?
To be continued.
A/N: It's been a long time since I've written a RyoSaku so it feels kinda weird, now that my TeniPuri FP is KiriSaku. But on the other hand, it feels quite nostalgic. After all, I started here. :D I've been conceptualizing this plot for some time and I hope this doesn't get writer's block.
P.S. Go easy on the spelling and grammar, everyone. I only reread this twice and used the built in SnG check in MSWord.
10.19.07
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