Waiting for that Promise

3rd Chapter: The Story You Don't Know

But things rarely go well for her. As she went to the kitchen to cook a quick breakfast, there he is in the table. Eating his petty excuse for breakfast. Sure, some people could go with cup ramen and Ponta for breakfast, but should Echizen Ryoma, world-renowned tennis star eat those kind of food for breakfast?

“O-Ohayo, Ryoma-kun.” she made her presence known.

“Ohayo.” he casually greeted.

"Ano, Ryoma-kun, are you eating your breakfast?” Sakuno can’t help but ask the obvious.

He looked at her curiously, an eyebrow turned up, as he slurped on his noodles.

“What of it?” Ryoma replied, “If you also like ramen, you can get yourself a cup by the counter.”

Truly, said kitchen counter had an extra can of cherry Ponta and two cups of sealed ramen.

"Oh. But Ryoma-kun, isn’t that breakfast not quite good enough?" she felt genuinely concerned. The boy didn’t reply, probably also aware of the fact.

Sakuno could (probably, but not quite) stand Ryoma having a girlfriend, but she definitely can’t accept that with all those built-in cooking equipment in the kitchen, all he could whip is a cup ramen and a can of soda. Even if the gods of cooking forgive such atrocity, she can’t.

Without hesitation, she immediately approached him to snatch the half-eaten cup ramen in front of her. A different kind of bravery surged in her that didn’t really consider what the boy may have to say.

"No need to eat this." Sakuno declared, if Ryoma had absolute confidence in his tennis, then she does too, in the kitchen, “I’ll make you something better, Ryoma-kun.”

Her boldness that morning continued to puzzle him. He can only look surprised at the girl’s change of character. Still, he felt the need to say something realistic. The real truth behind his breakfast.

“I don’t have anything except Ponta in the fridge."

For a moment, he thought that she would give up. But she only gave him a knowing smile, as if she’s already aware of his circumstances.

"I thought so,” she replied, “But don’t worry about the ingredients, I have them.”

She then rushed back to one of her unpacked boxes in the living room. She coaxed out a small bag of rice and some other packed japanese ingredients and condiments.

“It’s great that obaa-chan made me bring some ingredients to cook, just in case.”

“Ryoma-kun, would you be okay with miso soup and tofu?” she asked as she washed the rice.

He can only nod in reply and stare intently at Ryuzaki Sakuno’s confident back as she used the kitchen counter to actually cook. She navigated through the pots and ladles, kitchen knives and chopping boards. He has never had any recollection of using anything from that kitchen except the thermos for hot water and the fridge, so it’s a different kind of feeling, seeing her working.

Only about 15 minutes passed, and he can smell the delicious soup and freshly cooked rice. Ryoma assumed that the half cup ramen he’s eaten can make him feel full, but the moment Sakuno laid the dishes in front of him made him feel hunger. It has been a while since he had japanese food, after all.