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Chapter 1

Sakuno

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"SA-KU-NO!!" Tomoko chan's voice rang out.

"Hai?" Sakuno said softly

"Let's go to that ice-cream place after school!"

"Gomen Tomo-chan.  I have cleaning duties today!" Sakuno bowed apologetically

"ohh" she moaned.  "Akiko! How about-" and off she went finding a new ice-cream companion.  Sakuno smiled softly and felt a pang of sadness.  Although Tomoko was her best friend, there were things she couldn't discuss with Tomoko, or things that Tomoko didn't consider thoughtfully.  She gathered her belonging and packed them into her bag neatly, left it on the desk and she proceeded to the janitors' room where all the cleaning tools were kept.  She was on gardening duty today so she took the rake out and walked through the school grounds.

'I can't believe high school is the same as junior high' she thought to herself.  Once again everyone was here, bur grandmother was still working at the junior-high school.  But since her high school was only across the road from Seigaku, she still lived with her grandmother, rather than having to live in dorms like many other students.

She walked around the side towards the back where she knew a heap of leaves would be present for her to clean.  On her way there she passed the tennis courts, and as usual, the tennis club were there training.  She stopped for a few moments to admire them.  At the moment they were running with madness.

'I wonder how many laps they're doing' she thought to herself.  Then she caught sight of the captain.  Tezuka Kunimitsu.  As always he stood there perfectly straight and poised, feet slightly apart, arms cross and that never smiling expression.  She saw his gaze shifting over to her, and she gave a slight bow while tightly gripping the rake.  She watched Ryoma kun for a short moment as he ran and ran.  Suddenly this gust of wind blew and her hair and her skirt flew upwards.  Luckily she was able to hold her skirt down so not too much showed.  She blushed furiously as she tried to fix herself. 

"Sakuno!  Let's hurry and clean so we can go home!" Mayu's voice called.

"Hai!"  she stole a glance back at the captain before she ran off red with embarrassment.

***

After she finished cleaning up, she went out to the gardens to sit under a tree, she often sat under.  Everyday was the same, she had to wait until her grandmother finished work to go home with.  So she waited patiently and grew so tired she fell asleep after twirling a leaf between her forefinger and thumb too long.  She lay back and curled up on her right side and slept.

She didn't know how much time had passed but when she was awoken, it was dark and someone was sitting beside her.  She sat up in alarm.

The last strip of the lowering sun was sinking, but it was enough for her to make out who it was.  She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off.

"What are you still doing here Ryuzaki?" the captain said.

"I..I was waiting for my grandmother.  I wait for her to finish everyday." She stammered recovering from her shock.

"Ryuzaki sensei left at mid day today.  She went to Fudomine for some work related reason." He spoke softly.  Well it wasn't softly, but it was quieter and less harsh than when he spoke to his team members.

"Eh?!  Why didn't she tell me?" she stood up and brushed the back of her skirt. 

"Did Echizen not tell you?" the captain rested his right elbow on his raised up knee and rested his hand in his beautiful hair. 

She shook her head. 

"Arigato Tezuka buchoo." She did a quick bow, and ran off towards the school building.

"Where are you going?" Tezuka asked.

"I have to get my bag, I left it in the classroom! I'll be leaving now. Thank you again." she called over her shoulder.