Echizen's New Rival

Chapter 8: Pain and Confessions 2

Ryoma was awfully quiet as he watched both Sakuno and Rei handle the shopping. It's a good thing that he carried three bags of the groceries or else it'll look as if he just tagged along with them, or at least that was able to convince him. It's not as if she didn't talk to him at all during that period of time. She always did but he just did not know what to say or answer back.

Like this one time, she asked, "Do you like some cake for the party?" she asked, smilingly expecting him to say yes. And he'll nod just for the sake of answering her back.

"What do you like, Chocolate or strawberries?" she'd follow but then he did not really fancy sweet things so he'd just answer, "Whichever," He didn't consider those conversations at all. He wanted to talk to her like how he's been carried away from Rei's wished to do that but he just can't talk to her the way people normally do, you know, ask. In fact, he has never related to any other girls  before and why he is now bothered to do it now.

There are just so many things happening. He noticed it, especially at that time when he touched her lips with his own. It was the first time he felt like a man in wanting, not the tennis prodigy guy who's obsessed with rackets and championships. Even if he did want to talk to a girl, he could have, it's just that, no other girl could ever be like Sakuno. She was different! Sometimes she's shy and reserved but there were times when she speaks up for others and cares openly for everyone. Then she turns shy again and become flustered all over again.

"Yeah… that is so true…" Ryoma heard her say in between giggles. She was laughing, meticulously covering her lips with her palms, her cheeks reddened momentarily as she wiped a tear escaping from the corner of her eye. Echizen felt himself stare at her as his own cheeks flush the same color. His eyes were wide like a child and her laughing figure made him stay there, hypnotized. Her soft and gentle movements began to amaze him.

'W-what is she doing?' he asked himself still gazing at Sakuno from the back- his heart speaking the rest.

Catching another attention from the sides, he saw Rei catering her some help in thebags of food they just bought. He frowned. His eyes fixed at the man who was making her laugh. He pulled his cap down, covering his face and returned his hands back behind his head, making the groceries hit the sides of his shoulder.

"What's wrong with me?" he murmured. Though he would've enjoyed the sight all day, he was disappointed. She was enjoying herself with someone else- and he didn't want to admit it- that someone is a guy with an astounding prince-like attitude. "Just like how all girls want it," he added in the reality's stereotyped scenario just like this one.

'Do you need anything more?" Ryoma called, wanting to break her laugh with whatever that was making her. In return, he got her whole undivided attention but she wasn't the bubbly one who was laughing beautifully that welcomed him, it was her timid, shy and nervous one that met him, looking away and avoiding his gaze. Ryoma felt angry towards her for some reason.

'Why does she always have to do that?' he asked himself, wanting to confront the girl and question her straight out. But he only stayed there and watched. Watched as she nervously answered his question.

"Yeah, we need more stuff…" she finally said. The man sighed but was still  alm about it. "Then hurry up," he said, trying to hide the irritation which he didn't know came from. Sakuno was surprised when she heard that but nodded timely, afraid she'll aggravate him more. Ryoma on the other hand felt stupid. There were several stabs of guilt hitting him everywhere, every time he walked. He eyed Sakuno who didn't seem to get affected and was deliberately looking around for more things she possibly needed to buy.

"So you're jealous?" Rei asked as he went past the man who seemed to be froze with guilt. He frowned again and turned his cap away, carrying his face-filled with truth.