Okay, so she panicked.
Shizue stared at the closed door as she tried not to think about what, or more specifically who, was on the other side. She knew she had to face Shiraishi someday, but she didn't think it would be so soon! Biting her lip nervously as she stared at the door, a rather bad habit she picked up from her mum, she tried to think of the best way out of this situation.
Maybe she should just walk away and pretend that no one's at the door. Maybe she should just man up and open the door to apologise. Or maybe she should just run and hide in her room and leave it to her mum to face him while making sure that their paths never cross again in the future.
None of the ideas sound particularly promising as a silent sigh escaped Shizue. This was her first day in Osaka after six years and she was already messing up! She dreaded to think what kind of situations she would find herself in the future, if today was any sign. Why was slamming the door in his face her first reaction to Shiraishi Kuranosuke? So much for wanting to make a good impression.
"Shizue-chan," She glanced up to see her mum walking out of the kitchen. "Who's at the door? Was it your grandma?"
Maybe she just hand this to her mum and run for her life now?
"Erm no, well you see-"
A knock sounded from the door.
"Yuko-san?" A voice resonated from other side. "It's me, Kuranosuke, is everything alright in there?"
"Oh my!" Her mum gave a little girlish laughter of delight. "Shizue-chan, why didn't you open the door for Kuranosuke-kun?"
Shizue gave a sheepish small and laughed nervously. "I thought it was a... telemarketer?"
Her mum gave her a fond smile and laughed as she reached for the door. "Don't be silly dear, telemarketers usually just call instead of going to your house!"
The door swung open. An apologetic smile curled her lips as soon as Shizue found herself making eye contact with Shiraishi again, trying not to let her nervousness show though she was pretty sure it wasn't working very well.
"What brings you here, Kuranosuke-kun?"
Nodding at Shizue, Shiraishi briefly returned an amused smile before turning to answer her mum. "My mum baked this cake to welcome Shi...Okuda-san back." He extended a cake box to the older woman with a smile on his face. "Here."
Shizue noticed the slip when he was saying her name, and felt a short pang in her heart when she thought about how he had called her 'Okuda-san' now instead of the old 'Shi-chan'. But then again, she probably lost the right to call him by his name after what she did years ago. She sighed as she tried to gaze subtly at him.
"Oh anyway, it's nice to see you again Okuda-san." Shiraishi turned to Shizue cheerfully.
Shizue felt another pang.
"T-Thanks, you too...Shiraishi-kun."
Yuko glanced between the two curiously. "What's with all these formalities? You two used to call each other 'Shi-chan' and 'Kura-chan' when you were little!"
Shizue's and Shiraishi's eyes met for a while.
"Mum, we're no longer kids anymore." Shizue explained. "Plus, it doesn't really matter..." She turned to Shiraishi with an awkward smile. "...right, Shiraishi-kun?"
"Erm...Y-Yeah!" Shiraishi rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous laugh. "Ah anyway, I have tennis practice so I think I should get going now."
"Aww, so soon?" her mother's face fell. "I was hoping you two could catch up after so long!"
YOU ARE READING
I'm Not That Girl // Prince of Tennis
RomanceIf he was going to be Prince Charming, she prayed fervently that she wouldn't be Cinderella. Dear gods, the fangirls would murder her. Then again, she'd probably be more suited to be the fat little mouse who got itself into too many unfortunate situ...
