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Alone in the Art Room

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"Ja Ryuzaki. Mata ne." a group of girls chorused their thankyous' and goodbyes'.  The girls were giggling and talking as they rounded the corner to go downstairs to change their shoes, when Tezuka Kunimitsu came up the stairs.

"Konnichi wa Tezuka sama." A brunette said in a flirty manner.  He simply ignored her and proceeded up the stairs and past them with his hands in his pockets.

"Ouka-chan.  You know he's going out with Ryuzaki now, don't act like that." A girl whispered.

"It doesn't hurt to keep on trying." She said back hautily.

"Ii na.  He's always waiting for her to finish art." Another said wistfully, then, they all proceeded down the stairs, giving him one last look before they left.

He had finished tennis practise on time, and had made his way up here to see her.  He was going to wait for her outside the room in the hallway, but the door was left slightly ajar, and he couldn't help but glance inside.

Inside, she was sitting at her easel working on a piece of artwork.  He liked seeing her like this.  She always looked at ease and peace, and the expressions on her face when she sat and thought about her next movement lured him unconsciously.  He stepped in the room and slid the door shut.

She turned her attention to the door and her eyes lit up.

"Tezuka." She smiled and stepped around the tables to him.  "Finished practise already?" she looked up at him.  He nodded.

"You should head on home, you look tired." She said, taking her pretty handkerchief and dabbing it across his forehead.  "I'm going to be a little while longer."

"Take your time.  I'll wait." He said and turned her around and walked her back to her easel.  She smiled at this.  As she began work again, he settled himself on a large table that was close to where she sat, and observed quietly. 

It looks like she's just starting a new piece, for there were only a few faint lines on it.  But she worked quickly, and soon more strokes were added to her picture, but he knew she was a long way from finishing.  He'd seen her work before, and every time he saw one, he had to admit that it was extremely beautiful.  He wasn't saying it because she was his girlfriend, but because she really had talent, and every piece she did, had such intricate details and depth to them.  After 35 minutes or so, she gave a stretch and stood up.

"I think that would do for now." She said and began packing up.  In the period of time that he sat there, he hadn't uttered a sound nor made much movement to distract her.  She carried her work into a back room and stayed there for a few minutes, then, she came back out and folded up the easel and placed it in a corner.

He sat there silently and watched her, not taking his eyes off her.  She then moved to stand a few feet from him and leaned forward so that her face was inches from his.

"Gokoro sama." She said smiling.  He finally uncrossed his arms and pulled her forward, his arms around her slim waist.  Although he was sitting, he still reached the same height as she was standing straight.

She felt her heart flutter as he closed the little distance between them and pressed his lips to hers.  After being with him for a little over four months, she still felt butterflies and tingled when he looked, touched or kissed her.  It was a feeling she wasn't yet used to, but loved it.

After they parted, both, a little breathless, she stood between his legs with her arms up against his chest, while he still embraced her waist.

"What was that for?" she asked him looking into his eyes.

"Do I need a reason to do that?" he asked.  She shook her head gently.

"It's just that—"

"I like doing that without a cluster of people staring." He said huskily into her ear.  She glanced around the room.  True to his word, no one was around.  For once they were together without the presence of other students.

She giggled remembering one of the days in the early weeks of their dating. 

He had been running late one of the morning practises for some reason or other and hadn't been able to walk her to school.  Of course she didn't mind him not walking with her for a day.  She wouldn't even mind if he couldn't walk her for weeks, because of other important things in his busy life.  But he had run past her, skidded to a stop then turned and jogged back to her.

She had been reading over an English article the class was studying and hadn't noticed him running past.  Was she ever surprised when she heard his heavy breathing.

"Tez-" but he had cut her off and planted a quick kiss on her full lips.  "I'll see you later." He had whispered in her ear with his hand on the small of her back, and obviously oblivious to the people around them, he was off running again.

People around her had stopped walking and turned their attention to the couple.  Some were just staring, some were smiling, and some were too shocked to say anything.  Although she had been in a daze, she felt a little embarrassed at the attention she was getting.

Since that day, they didn't display much more affection that would shock the students to pieces. 

'You're thinking about that day?" he asked his lips brushing up against her ear.

"yeah.."

"Remember what I told you?" he asked

She nodded smiling.

"I don't care what their reactions are, but I guess I could hold back if you find it a little uncomfortable from their staring.  They don't have to understand it, what matters, is that you know how much I love you." He had said.

Since they had been together, he had been extremely honest and open, to the point that it surprised her.  She didn't mind it of course.

He didn't find it necessary to hide their relationship, like most guys would have done, but he also didn't find it necessary to display every aspect of affection in front of people.

So since that day, they hadn't done much more than hold hands in front of others, everything else was saved for when they were alone.

 "Let's go." He suggested.  He stood up and took her hand and they both headed out.

'I wonder if he's still harsh to other people' she thought as they made their way out the school.

"Mata ne, Tezuka buchou." A few tennis members waved good bye to him.  He just nodded at them.  She giggled. 

'Yep he's still the same.'

"Ja Ryuzaki-chan." They chorused.  She waved to them.

Just before they rounded the corner to her house, they stopped there as always to say their good bye. 

After their embrace, she turned to leave but he held on to her hand.

"One thing.  Why did you say 'gokoro sama' before.  I didn't do anything." He questioned.

She smiled.  "Well you sat there, quietly and didn't disturb me for a long time.  I was just going reward you but you beat me to it." She said innocently.  He pulled her close once more and their lips locked.

"There's been a lot of this today hasn't there." She asked running the tip of her finger over his bottom lip.

"It has been four days, you know." He said.  She laughed.

"Mata ne, Tezuka."  She waved good bye and captured that image of him standing with the sinking sun behind him.

'Since I've been with him, everyday has been full of life, love and laughter.'