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

CHAPTER 23: Engagement Rings

Sakuno waited by the school gates with a smile on her face. Today, she had her first win at a tennis match. It wasn't that grand. It was just a practice game. And the score was really close. 7 games to 5.

But still, it was her first win. She wanted to tell Ryoma. And also maybe thank Ryouko-san for the advices and training that she gave.

"Maybe... Just perhaps... I'm a bit close to Ryoma-kun now..." She thought to herself.

She smiled again. Then she looked at her watch. Why wasn't Ryoma-kun coming out? It was way past practice. They were dismissed an hour ago. She was wondering where he may be when all of a sudden, she saw him go out from the school building.

But he wasn't alone. Somebody was with him.

Sakuno narrowed her eyes to see more clearly. It was Fujioka Ryouko.

And Ryoma-kun... Ryoma-kun was currently...

Sakuno's heart skipped. He's holding Ryouko-san's hand. They were walking side by side, their hands clasped together.

Startled, Sakuno crouched down and hid behind a nearby bush. The two were coming nearer and then they were passing the gates.

"How's the freshmen's training? Going smoothly?" Ryoma asked.

"Yep. They're doing fine. The senpais should prepare themselves for a shock." Ryouko answered proudly.

"Give me your duffel bag. I'll carry it." Ryoma said.

"It's not that heavy. I can carry it by myself. Stop treating me like a girl." Ryouko replied, annoyed.

"Earth to Fujioka Ryouko. Reality's calling. YOU ARE A GIRL." Ryoma said with much emphasis.

"Oh, shut up." Ryouko answered.

Ryoma laughed.

Then they were out of earshot.

Sakuno stood up and looked at them from a distance. Since when did they become that close? And Sakuno haven't heard Ryoma laugh that way before. It was also uncharacteristic for him to hold a girl's hand.

Sakuno's chest tightened. "Ryoma-kun..." She said sadly.

~~~

"Still as showy as ever... The Fujioka Mansions..." Ryoma commented as he looked at the enormous gates with grand metal decorations.

"Looks normal to me." Ryouko replied. Then she looked at Ryoma.

"What?" He asked.

Ryouko meaningfully looked at their hands clasped together. "My hand." She told him matter-of-factly.

"Oh. Right." Ryoma said and let go. "In you go then." He added as he made a lazy flick with his left hand.

"Even if you don't tell me to, I'll go in." Ryouko said irritably.

"Remember. Settle those things with flowers and the camera." Ryoma yelled after her.

"I know!" Ryouko answered.

"What's with her acting so annoyed? I'm just making sure that she's safe." Ryoma mumbled under his breath as he looked at Ryouko's back which was still displaying a bit of hostility.

He turned around to leave.

~~~

Ryouko narrowed her eyes at her right hand which Ryouma was clasping just a minute ago. Can't he trust her when she says that she can handle herself? That's the problem with boys. They think that all girls need protection.