TITLE: Jealous Ryoma

COMPLETE SUMMARY: Ryoma found a mysterious love letter with the sender having initials of R and S. He quickly concluded and he was sure that it was from Ryuzaki Sakuno and made assumptions and expectations here and there – leading Sakuno into a big confusion.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the love letter. I just got it somewhere (hihi!) and of course I don't own POT.

-000-

"Class, as we all know…" as their teacher were saying, "our field trip is nearly coming. Its two weeks after your exams. We are going to visit different shrines in Kyoto. I've decided that we need a buddy-buddy arrangement." The teacher put a box on the table. "I'll give you until tomorrow to choose your partner. Write your names in a piece of paper and put it here. Okay? We will use this box after the field trip and choose a pair who will win a prize. Sound's good?"

"Haiiiiii!" Everyone was excited…except Ryoma, of course – who by the way – was sleeping.

"Sakuno-chan, this is your chance!" Tomoka said excitedly.

"Eh?"

"Go ask Ryoma-sama before anyone else does!"

Sakuno's eyes grew wide. "Tomoka-chan! I-I can't!" She blushed furiously. Just by thinking about it made her heart beat faster.

"You can! I'll help you." Tomoka's determination was absolute.

-000-

…THE NEXT DAY…

Ryoma opened his locker and found a folded blue paper with a rose petal on it on top of his books. He opened it and found out that it was yet another love confession from some fan girl...which he already predicted…or so he thought.

Hey, I've wanted to tell you this for a while…

I have a serious crush on you! You have known me for a while now, I've just been too afraid to say anything… You will probably freak out when you find out who I am!

-R.S.

RS? Hn.

He thought for a person who has initials of R and S. Well, there were two that he knew in their school. Ryuzaki Sumire and Ryuzaki Sakuno.

His eyebrow rose.

No.

It was next to impossible. He read the letter again.

It was impossible for his coach, Ryuzaki Sumire to write this kind of letter for him. It was not like she will have a crush to a first year student, right? He shivered with that thought and erased it on his mind quickly.

Then… He did some deep thinking. Ryuzaki…Sakuno? His eyes grew wide.

Absolutely no. She definitely won't write this kind of letter.

"G-good morning, Ryoma-kun…"

He was so surprised to see Sakuno that he even looked like an idiot for being so shocked as if he had seen a ghost.

"A-ano…Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno cleared her throat. How will she say that she wanted him to be her partner in the fieldtrip? She was so nervous.

Ryoma swallowed hard. He was stiffened and caught off guard. He was so busy thinking that Sakuno might be the sender of the love letter that he didn't hear what she said.

"R-Ryoma-kun…?" Sakuno had an idea that Ryoma was not on his usual self.

"Hn."

"G-gomenasai…" It didn't hide from him that Sakuno blushed. He felt suspicious. "P-please don't think about what I've said. I-I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble." She even bowed many times and she was really embarrassed about something. His eyes narrowed and came up with a conclusion that Ryuzaki Sakuno was the one who put the love letter on his locker.

But before he could ask her about it, she already turned and walked away quickly.

Crap.

-000-

After a few days of sleepless nights, because of that love letter he received from Sakuno, well he already concluded from always thinking about it – about what the letter said, which he had repeatedly reading every time he had a chance to…when he was alone in the roof top or when he was in his room – about what Sakuno's behaviour that day – he fell asleep right after class when the trio and him were the cleaners for the day. His eyes gave in to exhaustion and tiredness.

"Whoever got the highest score in the test will be the lucky one who can ask Sakuno-chan for a date. Clear?" Horio explained seriously, looking at Katsuo and Kachiro alternately while erasing the board.

"Clear!" The two chorused.

"What about Echizen?" Kachiro remembered and looked at Ryoma who was busy sleeping beside them.

"Forget about him. He won't be interested anyway." Horio said in a matter of fact tone.

"Right." Kachiro's doubt flew away in an instant. "It's not like he also likes Sakuno-chan, ne?"

"Un."

-000-

…EXAM RESULT DAY…

"Eh?"

"What?"

Katsuo and Kachiro said in unison as they saw the results.

"Hm! That would be expected." Horio grinned from ear to ear. Just by thinking about having a date with Sakuno made him excited.

The two looked defeated.

"So when are you going to ask her?" Kachiro said, looking so sad.

"Maybe later in the court." Horio answered victoriously, the grin was still on his face.

"It can't be help then. Let's just cheer for him, Kachiro." Katsuo patted Kachiro on the shoulder.

"Right." Kachiro nodded.

After their classes, they went straight to the tennis courts and looked for Sakuno right away.

"Ah, there she is!" Horio pointed at Sakuno who was busy talking with Tomoka.

"How are you going to ask her?" Katsuo asked curiously.

"Are you nervous? You don't seem nervous at all." Kachiro said.

"No. Not at all." Horio answered confidently. "Just wait here and watch me. It will only take five – no three minutes." He added as he walked toward where Sakuno and Tomoka were standing.

-000-

"Hey, Ochibi!" Eiji grabbed Ryoma's cap off his head. Ryoma made a face as Eiji leaned closer and whispered to his ear. "Maybe they didn't notice but I do. You keep on glancing at Sakuno-chan! You! You like her don't you?"

Ryoma's eyes grew wide as embarrassment came to him. He snatched his cap from Eiji and put it on to hide his red face. "What are you talking about, Eiji-senpai? You're talking nonsense." He didn't know where it came from but why did he feel a little guilty although he shouldn't be feeling like that.

Why would I be guilty?

"Woow~!" Eiji faked a surprised expression and teased him. "Your answer is quiet long!"

"Tsk." Ryoma stood from the bench and headed out of the court.

""Oi! Echizen, where are you going?" Momo shouted when he saw him leaving. "We are going to practice after five minutes!"

"Hn." He continued walking.

"W-what? O-oi!" Momo was about to run after Ryoma but he saw Eiji grinning. "Eiji-senpai, what's with that evil smile? You pissed Echizen again." He sighed.

"Momo, peaceee!" Eiji smiled widely and gestured a peace sign.

Momo shook his head.

-000-

"D-date?" Sakuno gasped.

Ryoma heard Sakuno's voice and he automatically stopped walking. She was talking with Horio near the vendor machine and he was heading there. He already saw them earlier but he didn't mind. But then… he heard Horio's voice.

"Yes. On Saturday. That is…if you're free." Horio said, his voice was a little shy.

Ryoma's eyebrow rose and stood still. The two were talking about date?

"A-anou…"

"You see…" Horio interrupted before she could finish her answer and showed her two movie tickets. "I have two free tickets for the cinema on Saturday. I don't have anyone to go with, that's why I asked you. But if you're not free, then I'll just throw it away. It'll be a waste though."

"E-eh? Demo…"

"I heard you like Teppei Koike. Well, he is in the movie and I just thought you might want to – "

"R-really?" Sakuno totally forgot about the date thing and focused on the name of her idol being mentioned.

"Yes. That's the main reason why I asked you." Horio said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Who would believe that? Tsk. Ryoma thought sarcastically. He was definitely sure that Sakuno won't fall for that. And besides, she likes me.

"Oh, you are so thoughtful! A- arigato gozaimasu!" She bowed her head furiously. She was even excited. Horio grinned.

"Ne, ne. It's settled then." Horio said and walked away coolly. "Oh, Echizen." Horio smiled at him and continued walking happily.

Ryoma's eyes grew wide as rage flowed inside him. He continued walking and Sakuno was surprised when she saw him. He looked at her with his eyes narrowed as he walked, passing her.

Sakuno lowered her head instantly as he looked at her. She shivered from Ryoma's gaze. It was so intent as if he was angry at her. She even heard how he used the vendor machine with annoyance.

She felt sad. Maybe he was mad at me because of what I said that day. She didn't know because after that day, she never had a chance to talk to Ryoma anymore. Tomoka did the operation buddy-up-with-Ryoma thing for her. Oh no. She closed her eyes as realization hit her. They were partners in the fieldtrip! How will I face him? She looked at him. He just got his ponta and walking toward her again. What should I do? She swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

She was about to give him a smile but it went like she winced. Ryoma ignored her completely.

She sighed.

-000-

"Ggggggrrrraaaahhh!" Ryoma made another smash.

"Strange." Oishi said, so confused. "Echizen keeps on attacking Momo with smashes since they started playing."

"Ah." Eiji thought for a moment. "Right. He started with a twist serve then drive B. Now all he does is that."

"It's like he is angry at Momo."

"Oi, Echizen! You are not playing for the championship here!" They heard Momo shouted in exhaustion as he ran to catch the ball.

"Grrrraaaaahhh!"

"Argh! I told you this is not a serious match!"

Eiji grinned. "Poor Momo."

-000-

"Tomorrow's the day, right?" Katsuo said, organizing his stuffs. Classes were just over and they were preparing to go to tennis courts.

"Yes! Finally!" Horio answered with a triumphant smile.

Ryoma just looked at them lazily. Not even bothered talking to anyone.

"I'll confess to her after we finished watching the movie. I'll treat her ice cream and we will go for a walk before going home." Horio added, folded his arms together across his chest and dreamily imagined the perfect Saturday ahead of him.

Ryoma's attention got that completely. He looked at Horio gravely.

Did he mean…he'll confess to Ryuzaki? His eyes grew wide at that thought. He just felt thunder and lightning hit him.

"Oh." Kachiro saw Ryoma's gaze toward Horio. "Echizen? Aren't you going to our English teacher? I thought you said you are going to talk to Sensei before going to the court?"

"Ah, yes. Echizen, you're still here?" Katsuo seconded.

The trio looked at him but his glaring eyes never left Horio.

Katsuo and Kachiro looked at Horio then at Ryoma slowly. They felt some tension was rising.

"Echizen?" Kachiro tried to call him carefully.

"Hn." Ryoma cleared his throat and realized how affected he was without him knowing. He walked toward the door, leaving the trio speechless.

He took a deep breath right after he got out of their classroom. He gripped his chest as he felt like something inside him was going to explode. He was suddenly catching his breath.

Why do I feel like this? Crap.

"Eh? Ryoma-kun…?"

He looked up and saw Sakuno standing not far from him.

"A-are you okay?" Her face was full of concern.

He looked at her carefully without realizing his hand was on his pocket, gripping the love letter tightly. He stood straight and walked toward her.

"R-Ryoma-kun…" Sakuno swallowed hard as she looked at him astonishingly. She was confused by Ryoma's actions.

"Ryuzaki." He stopped in front of her. He placed his other hand on her shoulder that made her yelped because of suddenness. He leaned his face closer to hers as he narrowed his eyes. Sakuno's eyes grew wide and she automatically moved her face backward. "Do you – " he paused and thought for a moment if he will ask it or not. Che. Whatever. He wrinkled his forehead. "Do you like me?"

"E-eeehhh?" Sakuno's eyes grew wider and her face blushed feverishly. She felt like falling on the floor. It was as if her strength had vanished in an instant.

Ryoma's intent stare didn't even change. He stared at her face searchingly. This was the first time he looked at her closely like this. Her face was round and her eyes were cute. Her eyelashes were long and curly. Her cheeks were pinkish and so were her lips.

His eyes stopped at her lips. He must be crazy for thinking that her lips looked so soft. And he realized he was even crazier for thinking how will it feels like to kiss Sakuno. He leaned closer and his lips touched hers.

Yes. It is indeed soft. And sweet.

Sakuno couldn't bare the heat she was feeling and she fainted from his kiss.

-000-

AUTHOR'S NOTE: So, how was it, everyone? I totally love it when Ryoma gets jealous! Sorry for ending there :D If you love this chapter, I'll make sure you'll love the next :)

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