So. I have decided to continue this fic with a confusing timeline. Haha. Fun, isn't it? To further clarify, the timeline is shuffled. Meaning, you will read a way behind chapter after just reading one with them dating (ehem-PROBABLY). Lol. I think you get what I mean by that. Well, we shall see.

Without further ado~

Dear, obaa-san. . .

You probably won't even read whole of this letter, but I will do it anyway, since we've been doing this since forever, right? I decided to not call you through Skype to tell all of my latest adventures, but chose to share them to you through this email.

Please don't shut this out yet. I'm just about to start!

Anyway, things have been pretty much rough but smooth at the same time? I mean, my first semester in the university was fine, not too mind-bubbling if I may say. But we do have a special project to be passed on some time around January. I'll be probably needing Ryoma-kun's picky opinion. Again.

How was your Christmas there? Please tell me you didn't just drink wine all day! Mou!
Christmas eve here is quite different, and surprisingly, Ryoma-kun didn't go home to Japan, even if he have the time and money to do so. Well, to each their own, I guess

" You're not going home? " The two housemates decided to spend their last day of work (and study) for this year, sitting at the living room with Ponta cans at the glass table, and watching Home Alone 2 for old times' sake.

The house owner, Echizen Ryoma, was quite sliding from his slouch at the sofa when he grumbled. " Hmm. I'm not. "

Sakuno blinked and shuffled to the left from her seat. " Echizen-san knows you're not coming home? "

Fluffy white Ragdoll kittens entered their vision, jumping up the table and sat down in front of Ryoma's view, to which the player frankly was mesmerized with at that moment." Not yet. " The tennis player immediately grabbed the kittens at one hand. " I'll tell them later. "

He proceeded on grooming the curious little ones with one hand, as they both settled down his chest nicely and enjoying the special treatment.

" So if we're going to stay here for the holidays. . ." Sakuno muttered, and stood from her seat to mute the television. This has the tennis player raising his head to face the chef. " I think we should start planning for Christmas day. "

" You do the planning, I'll just ride along. "

" I'm afraid it doesn't go that way, mister. " Sakuno expected another of his lazy antics, but she came prepared, quickly retreating from the living room to snatch the list pinned at the corkboard and returning to meet Ryoma who didn't move an inch from his position. " I wrote this originally for my own Christmas, but since you will also be here, then we might as well share!" She ended with her usual happy tone.

Of course, Ryoma was not entertained by the bunch of writings he can see at the paper, but he's not actually that insensitive to interrupt her. He briefly looked down at the kittens, who seemed were listening, or watching thereof, to Sakuno.

" Okay, first things first, Ryoma-kun. " She stressed, hoping to catch her companion's attention back at her and not at the kittens. " Why don't we bring the kittens back to their bed? " She concluded, this wouldn't end fast if one, or rather two, of the strongest distractions in this house are within the vicinity. Five minutes of waiting for Ryoma to come back was worth it, when he sat back down with his posture telling her he's ready to listen.

Sakuno smiled. " So, when do you think it's best to visit the grocery store? "

" Wait. I told you, I'm not buying there alone. "

" Hai hai. I'm coming with you, Ryoma-kun. You're going to man the cart as promised, don't worry. " She doesn't want him to start explaining once again his failed expeditions. " The list of groceries are already here, but I have few questions. "

" Shoot. "

" How would you like inviting guests? " She asked slowly, watching Ryoma's expression shifting from bored to contemplating.

The house has been very quiet from the intrusion of only the two and other occasional visitors such as Ryoma's manager or bodyguards so it came so sudden for Sakuno that she paused for a moment when Ryoma faced her and asked. " Do you want to? "

A bit flustered from his unexpected question, Sakuno stuttered. " O-oh! Uh . . . It's up to you, Ryoma-kun. I mean, if you don't like to do it at Christmas eve, we can do it on the morning of 25th. But then, we can . . . cancel the suggestion completely? "

Ryoma had an eyebrow raised, at the downbeat of her voice. " Who do you have in mind? "

" Really? You're not against it? "

Sakuno's eyes twinkled, if possible, at the other's casual shrug.

Ryoma-kun agreed to do a celebration on the Christmas eve. I was so happy! So we did all the preparations.( Well, I did, he just went with me to buy the things. Mou!) But still, I was happy the cake I made was well-made, even approved by Ryoma-kun! He was about to slice some for himself, the moment I turn around, good thing Karupin-san was there to call me.

" Don't forget to bring your sunglasses. "

" Hai hai, Ryoma-kun. It's with me. "

At the morning, a week before Christmas, they agreed upon doing the grocery since the tennis player has to be away for the next week to attend some of their sponsored year-end charity events. Ryoma didn't waste time going along to what Sakuno had for the day, to appease the woman and let him do some tennis practices at the afternoon. Never did Sakuno scold him about it, but Ryoma always assumes she would.

They hopped on Ryoma's silver Maserati Gran Turismo, both wearing their matched sunglasses.

So, upon reaching their destination, Ryoma expected manning the cart, like he does on their Sunday grocery times, just letting the other do her thing, but there was a difference when Sakuno kept on throwing him options after options and not letting him away from her side.

" How would you like the manju filling? Red bean paste or green tea? " Sakuno approached him, showing the two jars, and even briefly explained how they would taste like.

Ryoma blinked. " Uuhh red bean? "

The chef only nodded, placing down two of the containers with red lid and returned to her humming while they went to the next aisle.

She also even considered his random opinions, which she often counters, but apparently not today. One situation would be on the meat they would get. Don't get him wrong, Ryoma is no meat expert. He was only stating the meat cuts he usually prefers at buffets, but Sakuno turned them into her personal liking and only ordered those he chose. Ryoma was quite bewildered by that point, but at least he gets to eat every meat he likes. Plus Sakuno will cook it. He nodded to himself, watching his companion checking her list. He becomes pretty dependent on his chef for his nourishment, but he won't admit it.

Another weird thing was her habit to spy on him, all throughout the shopping. He would check on the freshly picked strawberries displayed at the basket, even tried a piece given to him by the blushing saleslady, and then his chef would target him back on another impromptu interview.

" Is it sweet? " She asked, watching as he munches through the red fruit leisurely.

Ryoma hummed. " Hmmm yum. "

" Should we buy some? I think we should. The cake with strawberries on top actually looks nicer now that I think about it. I'll decorate them with these strawberries you like. "

" Wait that's not- "

" Hello ma'am, I would like to have some of these strawberries please. "

Then the tennis player has no time telling her that it was unnecessary to change the planned cake design, and also the yuzu fillings, and also the wine flavor, just because he particularly tasted them and received good results from him, because when it comes to his whining, the chef suddenly became unapproachable.

Once they settled at the cashier, Sakuno paused to him and smiled. " I'll pay this time, okay? "

Well that was something the tennis player actually have to counter. Surely it was an embarrassing moment that the two chose to banter in whispers at that spot in front of the cashier about who will pay for their groceries, but the cashier only did her work while listening and smiled at them. In the end, the familiar black credit card was swiped, with an arm around the fuming chef, to hold her back. They sure earned the amusing stares directed at them, luckily Ryoma had his hoodie on to prevent them from noticing him.

To say the truce was settled was an understatement when Ryoma has to endure in the car another round of whines from the other, insisting that they turn them around and they shall eat their lunch outside so that somehow her guilt can be rested. They ended up dining at a restaurant where Sakuno searched has a menu favorite grilled salmon dish.

Ryoma did not comment on her preference, but he has always showed his appreciation through short stop-bys at her favorite bakery store.

We prepared for a celebration and invited some of our close friends and some of Ryoma-kun's teammates before. I told you before of Aki-chan and Sheila-san, right? Apparently they did go to their hometown, so I wasn't able to invite them too, or anyone else for that matter. Well, Ryoma-kun's teammates were plenty to spend the fun evening anyway.

" Will all these decorations be enough, I wonder? " A worried Sakuno mused. At her right hand held three red glittered Christmas balls, and on her left arm cocooned the fluffy lazy Himalayan cat.

There were scattered boxes filled with various blemishes, and Sakuno couldn't help mumming her anticipation for this decorating to end anytime now. It was a beautiful morning to waste time on not proceeding with the decorations, but now the chef is pretty regretting her decision of starting without the tall owner of the house at the vicinity. She would have to rely on the tallest chair she could find for the meantime.

" It doesn't matter. We don't want the whole place to be over decorated anyway. " A voice near the corner of living room resounded.

Sakuno bit her lip. " But, Horio-kun. . . "

" You know Ryoma's not one to be fond of fancy shimmering things. " Horio emerged from his spot, carrying one empty box and placing it down beside the others, and grabbed his phone. " Speaking of mister famous tennis player, he's at the lobby already. You sure you can handle everything by yourself? " He asked, watching at her situation atop the chair, and all boxes hovered around.

" Of course! " Sakuno smiled. " No worries!"

The tennis player's manager wished he wouldn't regret his choice of leaving her alone when they come back tonight. He was on his way to gather his set of car keys and coat, hearing another voice which he quite expected already, and came back to a right assumption. Ryoma, who's prepared with all his tennis gears and attire on, didn't wait for him down at the lobby.

He had no time greeting his friend, when he's busy bickering with the lady of the house.

" I said, get down from there. " His tennis player friend was quite livid on his stance, clasping extra hard at the round flat surface where Sakuno was stepping on. Horio has to admit, Sakuno could've chosen to step on a chair that's at least furnished with handles, but no, she chose the danger magnet one.

Sakuno only chuckled and took advantage of Ryoma steadying the chair to lean over and hook the Christmas lights to the curtains.

That ticked Ryoma more.

Horio, in caution, ran to Sakuno's aid as well, but he figured his friend got this, just watching him reprimanding Sakuno to cease at once what she's trying to do.

" Alright, alright. Just one more hook, Ryoma-kun. " Not at all fazed by the warnings thrown to her by the man with arms rounded already at her legs, Sakuno lastly placed the end of the lights. Even the cats were curious of her, for being unreachable for unknown reasons, and were meowing around Ryoma's ankles.

Fully satisfied at her progress, the stubborn chef leaned down with the other's shoulder for support and let Ryoma put her down. She hopped down and sing-songed. " Thank you~" And left a grumbling man to gather the next batch of decorations at the next room.

After watching the heated usual exchange, Horio sighed and pat his friend's back. " Come on. We shouldn't be late. Amie's waiting at the car. "

His friend released a huff, slowly carrying his large tennis bag and jug. " We're going!"

With sounds of hurried light pace, Sakuno emerged back with her kittens on hold. " Okay! Good luck and be safe!" She neared and let Ryoma hover his large hand on the kittens' tiny heads, and waved at Ryoma and Horio's retreating backs.

. . . .

-Part 2. To be continued on the next chapter.

( I know you have lots of question. Who's this, why that, yadda yadda. They will be answered eventually on the next chapters. )

I hope you've noticed by now that this has a future timeline.