First Step
“Welcome!”
Echizen Ryoga entered his usual after-school hang-out, a local café adapted from American culture. He sat on his usual table after ordering his drink, and then waited.
He saw many familiar faces going in and out, being a regular customer, he knew who was knew and who was not. But he eyed one particular face with interest. The tennis player saw her here everyday, a usual visitor, just like himself. Though they went to this café everyday, they don’t know each other’s name, much less actually know the other.
“One caramel cappuccino for Ryoga! [1] ” As he heard his name, the teen walked up to the counter to claim his drink.
After a few minutes of talking to a few people and harassing his younger brother through his cell phone, he found his eyes traveling to the girl at the other side of the room.
Maybe its time I talk to her, he thought. I mean, I can’t let a pretty girl like her go unnoticed. He grinned, and was about to get up from his seat when the lady at the counter called.
“One vanilla cappuccino for Yuki!”
“Yuki-chan, eh?” Echizen murmured before completely deciding he was going to introduce himself to the girl.
As read her book, she felt a presence approaching her. A guy, she noted, before looking up at the young man’s face.
He grinned, she was a lot cuter up front. “Yo. Echizen Ryoga, desu. Yoroshiku, Yuki-chan.”
stared at the handsome stranger before laughing a little. The tennis player rose an eyebrow, “Something funny?”
“Nothing really, Echizen-san.” She smiled at him before smirking. “It’s just that, ‘Yuki’ is not my real name… It’s just some sort of penname, I guess.”
“Eh?” The dark haired boy blinked. “It’s not? Then what is, Kawaii-chan?”
Her mouth twitched at the nickname. ‘Kawaii’ wasn’t something people would usually describe her as. Well, not in front of her face, at least. “Not telling.”
Ryoga sat on the chair opposite her, “Ah~? Why not?”
“One, I don’t even know you…” started.
“Echizen Ryoga.” He interrupted. She ignored his reply.
“Two, we just met.”
“You don’t see me being so sensitive about giving away my name to some stranger.”
“And three, I don’t know what your true intentions are.” narrowed her eyes.
“Geez! Is it so wrong to try to make a friend in a café? Seriously, you’re too paranoid…” Ryoga sighed before taking a good look at the female in front of him once more. “…and an eye candy.”
“And you’re a pervert.” The girl crossed her arms. “I’m not giving away my name just like that, Echizen-san.”
He rolled his eyes, “Pft. Fine.” Ryoga took his cup and stood up. “I guess I have to call you ‘Kawaii-chan’ from now on, then.”
was about to protest until she realized that Ryoga had already left the building.
She sighed. Echizen Ryoga was quite weird.
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Ah, Kawaii-chan is at the café once more. “Yo.” The high school student greeted.
She looked up from her homework and saw the same guy from yesterday. “Echizen-san.” She nodded in acknowledgement.
“Mind if I join you, Kawaii-chan?” He asked, even if before waiting for a reply he had already sat down.
It was like this for a few days, at first, they were quiet, well, was. Ryoga always had his end of a conversation it seemed. But gradually, the young got used to the other’s presence and everyday, they would meet at the café.
The one nicknamed ‘Kawaii-chan’ was one hard egg to crack, the dark haired teen thought one time. He had learned a lot of things about her, from what she liked to what she thought was irritating. But one thing he hasn’t found out about her was her name.
But Ryoga wasn’t one to give up. If he had anything in common with the renowned prince of tennis, Echizen Ryoma, it was their limitless determination.
And he knew that this determination would pay off, somehow.
So one day, after being dismissed early from school, he headed for Kawaii-chan’s own high school.
Well, that was the original plan at least. It wasn’t until he saw a bunch of talented guys playing tennis at the nearby street courts when he totally forgot about it.
At the end, he lost track of the hours and by the time he finished playing he realized that he should be heading for the café now.
Ryoga mentally slapped himself.
-------------------
When Echizen got there, he saw ‘Yuki.’ But she wasn’t alone. She was with a guy. And he just happened to overhear their conversation.
“You should drop by for dinner again tonight, okaa-san would like to see you again.” The boy, around his age grinned. “She’s rather fond of you, -chan.”
, so that was her name.
She laughed, “Maybe I will. Thanks for the invite, Narashi.” Kawaii-chan, or rather, smiled.
Narashi stood up. “I better get going. Dinner starts at 7, okay?” The boy gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Bye!”
“Bye.”
Ryoga didn’t enter the café that day.
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He didn’t know why he didn’t want to go in after seeing what happened. He thought about it last night, but only ended up with a stomach full of oranges and a very confused Ryoga.
Echizen Ryoga wanted to hit himself with a tennis racket.
He stared at the one-storey building, contemplating whether to go in or not. The café was where they met and started their friendship, and he hoped, just hoped, that it wouldn’t be the place where the will end… whatever relationship they have now.
So, preparing for the worst, he went in.
Ryoga was relieved to see with no company. Very relieved.
She seemed to have noticed his arrival for he waved cheerfully, “Ryoga-san!”
He smiled, from Echizen-san to Ryoga-san, it was surely a sign that they were getting close. Remembering something, he grinned. “Mada mada daze, -chan…”
’s eyes widened a bit at the mention of her name. He found out her name! “But-” She pouted. “Who told you that?!”
“Ah~… I just overheard it yesterday, from your… boyfriend…” His grin faltered. He was just teasing her, yet he felt a small painful tug.
“Boyfriend?!” She furrowed her eyebrows, thinking. Then gaped. “You mean, Narashi?!”
Ryoga narrowed his eyes a bit. “Yeah…that guy.” He tried to pull back his scowl. He was so not jealous.
Before he knew it, burst out laughing. “You idiot! He’s not my b-boyfriend!”
He blinked. “What?”
“Narashi is my cousin. I wouldn’t date him!” She grinned at the taller boy. “Besides, I like someone else.”
“Phew. I thought for a moment there I wouldn- ” He stopped. “Wait. You like someone?!”
The girl stood up, and fixed her skirt. She looked at the athlete in the eyes. “You know why I always go here, Ryoga-san?”
“Uhm…” He thought. “You like the food? The drinks?”
She giggled at his reply. “No. I was hoping to meet someone. A guy, more specifically.”
“Ah.” He gave a nod. “So, did you meet him?”
“Hmm…” She hummed. “Yeah. I’ll tell you one thing, he’s really handsome.” winked.
He frowned. So she’s really interested in this guy, isn’t she? “Then why do you still go here?”
Her smile became a grin in a second. “Because it’s the only place I meet him, this café.”
Echizen swore his heart skipped a beat. Maybe there was hope…
“Ryoga-san~ Guys are supposed to be making the first move, right?” She looked at him. “Do you think he’ll mind if I ask him out first?”
“Eh?” Ryoga stared at her. Is she serious? He sighed. Sometimes, he just didn’t understand her right. “Don’t you think it’ll be a bit awkward?”
“No.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Do what you want. But if you embarrass yourself here, don’t come near me.” He turned to leave the cafe and was about to exit the door until she spoke up.
“That’s mean, but okay.” stepped forward. “Ne, Ryoga-san.” The older teen stopped; his ears ready for whatever she was going to say, and heart hoping for some sort of confession.
He gulped, before responding. “Yes?”
“Will you go out with me?”
Ryoga smiled. The day he had first step foot in this café, he had secretly hoped to meet someone special. Apparently, his wish came true. He took a deep breath before facing the person he had longed to meet.
“Sure.”
[1] - In Philippine branches of Starbucks, they ask for your name and write in on your cup, so they know it’s your order.
©Karu