Tennis no Ojou-sama: A Prince of Tennis Fan Fiction

CHAPTER 145: A Happy New Year

The night was unexpectedly tranquil despite the celebratory noises here and there from the houses in the neighborhood. Everyone was probably heating up on the New Year's Eve festivities in the comfort of their homes.

As they passed one block after another, Ryoma, who had been dragged out the café by Ryouko, casted his girlfriend tentative glances every three seconds. She had been holding his hand since they got out of the café and she didn't seem peeved by his eavesdropping but he still felt a bit anxious whether he had upset her or not. His usually stoic bronze-gold eyes had been busy darting here and there, like a bunny trying to secure an area for safety.

Ryouko was quite amused by Ryoma's behavior and thus had been keeping silent on purpose for the past five minutes. But even though this anxious Ryoma is adorable, she shouldn't play with his feelings for so long. "Is my face especially pretty tonight or what? You just keep on glancing," she finally said, breaking the ice.

Hearing the teasing tone in her voice, Ryoma heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Stop doing that... I thought you were mad or something," he complained and tightened his grip on Ryouko's hand as a small revenge.

"You deserve it. I thought you trusted me, why would you follow so secretly if you did?" Ryouko said matter-of-factly.

"I told you I trust you, but I don't trust that Monkey King. Didn't you see it for yourself that he can't be trusted? He even held your hand, that sly monkey. I shouldn't have held back and just broke that hand to pieces," Ryoma remarked with loathing.

Ryouko couldn't help smiling and shaking her head. "Don't be like that. Keigo means well. He was seriously trying to help me," she tried pacifying him but got the reverse effect instead.

"Do not say his name. I told you it upsets me when you say his name. Just call him Monkey King," Ryoma snapped with emphasis on the first sentence. "And mind you, he's not trying to help because of you, he's trying to help because he has ulterior motives," he added almost immediately.

"So, were you threatened? Did you think I'll answer yes to his propositions?" Ryouko asked.

Ryoma was silent for a while. He did think for a moment that Ryouko would say yes. The deal was not a bad one. She could get engaged in paper only, and that would serve as a shield from the Elders and their nagging about the plans for her marriage. She wouldn't get as many suitors once it was announced that she has a fiancé so there would be less boys swarming around her as well.

"You thought that I would say yes," Ryouko said in accusation after Ryoma hadn't answered for five whole seconds. "Gosh, I didn't expect you'd doubt me like that. This feels quite vexing," she added and attempted to untwine her hand from his.

Ryoma was quick to act and secured her hand before she could get away. "It's not like that. I was not doubting you, I was thinking that such a deal would be advantageous for you. You're a smart girl, and it would be practical to say yes. So I was kind of surprised when you prioritized emotions and your consideration for my feelings..." he told her.

"Silly... Of course I'll put your feelings first. If we reverse this situation and you're the one who has to enter a fake engagement, I wouldn't have wanted you to say yes. Having a fiancé publicly announced and dating someone else in the shadows, that's just ridiculous and although it might seem convenient, it would hurt both of us eventually. I don't want to risk that happening," Ryouko said and scooted closer to him.

Ryoma's warmth by her side felt so dependable and she smiled. "I love you far too much to risk anything that involves getting you hurt. If you're hurting, I'll hurt as well... So I didn't say yes not just for your sake but also for mine... For the two of us..."