I Can’t Ignore Her

I just can't ignore that girl, that mysterious girl.

I've always watch quietly from afar.

But it seems that something big is waiting around the corner.

Echizen Ryoma sat down lazily on the roof top balcony whilst drinking a can of Ponta. This place was not only a good hideout; it was also a fine place to watch over a certain girl…

was sitting down by the pond with four other friends. They sat in a circle, with their lunchboxes in the middle, so everyone could share.

“Wow! -chan! Your bento looks great! Can I’ve some?” The girl’s friends asked with good cheer.

just smiled and nodded. “Go on!”

She looked around in all four directions, looking for a certain boy…

+++

Echizen caught the sight of the girl, searching for something. He didn’t know what; he just lay down there, pretending not to be concerned. But deep down, he was a little frantic, he wanted to help, but he was just too stubborn, and a little too shy.

“Ochibi! What are you looking at?” A cheerful voice reached Echizen’s ears. The boy perked up and looked behind his shoulder. Kikumaru-senpai…

“Nothing…” was the reply.

looked up, and caught a glimpse of Echizen, finally, but the boy was already leaving through the door with a red-headed boy.

“Echizen-kun…’ sighed inwardly. She wanted to see him. She wanted to see Echizen Ryoma. But why couldn’t she? Did they have no fate? The only time she saw him was in class.

But she never knew that Echizen had been looking at her, from afar.

Echizen never understood why he did this, but he knew that he couldn’t ignore that girl and that mysterious feeling.

+++

“Ne, Ochibi, what were you looking at?” Kikumaru asked curiously while poking the younger boy’s shoulder. Echizen didn’t really like that.

“Nothing.” He shrugged.

“Were you looking at some girl?” The older boy teased.

Kikumaru hadn’t really meant it, but when Echizen threw an irritated glare at him, the energetic boy couldn’t contain his excitement and started to shower the younger boy with coos and aahs.

“Ochibi’s in love!” He exclaimed happily.

Echizen raised an eyebrow. No, he wasn’t in love with . He denied it. But then again, the boy was too young to understand love, wasn’t he?

“Mada mada dane…” The boy chanted as he walked away.

had heard that. She was about to look for Echizen.

She blushed embarrassedly.

“If only this was true…” she thought to herself.

+++

“Echizen! Echizen! I heard you’re in love? No, you can’t! You must concentrate on your studies and tennis at your age!” the ever responsible Oishi said as the first year tennis player was about to leave the club room for practice.

Echizen stopped in his path. Did Oishi-senpai know as well? That Kikumaru-senpai…

He wasn’t in love with that girl! He pulled his cap down.

He just wanted to watch over her, to protect her if he could.

But he still didn’t understand why his heartbeat increases every time his eyes met hers.

+++

“Heh, Echizen… You’ve a girl that you like!” Momoshiro gave the capped boy a half perverse grin and then smacked him on the back.

So now Momo-senpai knew as well…  That Kikumaru-senpai!

“…”

Was he really in love with ? The boy stared up at the blue sky. He felt a little lost.

Perhaps, he really was in love with her then…

+++

The next day, decided that, she must talk to Echizen-kun, to know him more and stuff. Besides, she thought that Echizen was a great guy, good in tennis, good in sports, good in English. The boy was a little cocky at times, but he was still adorable in his own way.

During break time, she didn’t join her friends; instead she walked up to the balcony

Echizen realized that the girl wasn’t with her friends as usual. He wondered if she was okay. did seem fine in class though.

’s heart kept beating as she walked up the stairs, she felt very nervous. She hadn’t really spoken to Echizen before, since he was always surrounded by Horio-san, Katou-san, Mizuno-san, Osakada-san, Ryuzaki-san or his seniors from the tennis club.

Echizen laid back, wondering if he should change a location and look for the girl.

+++

Just then, the door opened, Echizen turned his head back.

He almost jumped when he saw .

He looked into those eyes, he looked through them.

thought she saw a flush of pink across Echizen’s cheeks.

She shook her head, not believing what she saw.

When she opened her eyes, she only saw that the door was left ajar.

Echizen was shocked; the only thing he could think of was to leave.

chased after panicked.

She missed a step, and fell.

Echizen turned his body as he heard a loud “Ah!”

“ !” He shouted. He didn’t want her injured, he wanted to protect her.

The girl recollected herself, holding onto Echizen’s shoulders for support.

“Thank you…” She smiled sheepishly at the boy.

Echizen heaved a sigh of relief.

looked curiously at the boy and tilted her head.

The boy pulled her closer, “I’m glad that you’re okay…”

felt a soft and warm kiss on her forehead.

She found herself still in Echizen’s arms, feeling him breathe.

She was a little shy, but elated nevertheless.

“You can call me Ryoma.” The boy grinned and left.

“I won’t give up…” He said softly.

heard it and smiled to herself, both hands clasped over her heart.

She closed her eyes.

“Arigatou… Ryoma-kun…”

I won't give up whatever happens.

I won't be beaten by anyone.

I‘ve never gave up.

//Summer. 4 Jan ’05.