By Your Side: Part 3

The next day after school, Kirihara bounced over to 's desk as she was packing up. "Ne, -chan?"

smiled at her messy-haired friend. "Hmm? What's up Kirihara-kun?"

"Wanna walk home together?"

paused, thinking, and then shook her head. "Sorry Kirihara-kun. I've got a few things to finish up and I have to report to the teachers about the festival arrangements. So I'll be late going home today. I don't want you to wait for me, so you go ahead, Ok?"

Kirihara pouted for a moment, "Then can we walk home together some other day?"

"Sure."

"Promise?"

nodded with a grin, "Promise."

Kirihara flashed a happy smile. "See you then. Ja ne, -chan."

"Ja, Kirihara-kun."

**********

Yanagi leaned against the school gates and gazed quizzically at Sanada. "Genichirou, just invite her."

"I can't. There's no reason to invite her." Sanada spoke without looking at the Master.

The other boy sighed and shook his head, "Genichirou, you are denser than a brick wall sometimes. It's obvious that you like her and it's almost as obvious that she likes you."

"What happens if you're wrong, Yanagi?"

Feeling the need for some aspirin when dealing with his uncooperative fukubuchou, Yanagi tried once more, scribbling something onto a sheet of paper and handing it to Sanada. "Look, this is her phone number. If you decide that it's a good idea, call her tonight. Ok?"

Sanada took the small piece of paper and tucked it into his pocket, "Fine. I'll think about it."

Yanagi noticed a figure approaching. "Oh. She's coming, so I'm off. Remember Genichirou, be nice." He added his parting shot before walking away with a soft laugh.

**********

"Oh. Sanada-senpai! What are you doing here?" couldn't stop a blush from painting her face lightly. The last thing she had expected was to meet Sanada at the school gates.

Sanada didn't meet her gaze but instead looked back into the school grounds. "I had a few training schedules that I had to look over with Yanagi."

blinked and looked in the direction that Yanagi had left in just before, "But Yanagi-senpai has left already."

"Well…" Sanada thought quickly and gave the cover story that Yanagi had prepared for him. "He had a sudden phone call and had to go home. I saw you come out of school and thought that I'd wait for you. It is late and the roads can be dangerous for a single person to walk home alone."

"Ahh. Sou ka?" The second year's blush returned in full force. It's so nice of him to think about things like that. And sweet too… thought with a smile.

Picking up his bag, Sanada began making his way from the school, followed him.

The trip was mostly a silent one. really wanted to talk to Sanada but was afraid that he might go cold on her like the last time. brushed her hair out of her eyes and snuck a glance at her tall senpai. She felt content that he was willing to walk her home, no matter that there wasn't exactly a lot of conversation.

Therefore, couldn't help but be startled when Sanada's deep voice sounded in the warm autumn air.

"Have you ever felt like you were inadequate for something?" His voice was quiet but felt every word.

She blinked and looked up at him properly for the first time. found his sharp gaze focused on her. Immediately, her cheeks reddened slightly and she looked away quickly.

Instead, stared at the ground and considered his words. "Yes, a lot of times. I've always wondered if someone else could do a better job. Like last month with the cultural assembly, I felt awful when the last two groups got their schedules mixed up. Anyone could have done a better job."

Sanada stopped suddenly and just avoided a collision by stepping to one side. "Sanada-senpai?"

He turned to look at her, "I thought that the cultural assembly was done very well." Sanada began to walk again and missed the wide eyed expression on 's face and the even darker blush that accompanied it.

They walked on in silence again. swallowed and gathered up her courage, "Anou, Sanada-senpai? Have you ever felt like that?"

Sanada seemed to stiffen for a moment before relaxing again. groaned internally and thought to herself. I've done it again. Why is it every time I talk to him I say stupid things?

To her surprise, Sanada not only didn't take offense, he answered her question. "Often. Every time I'm training with the team, I feel like I'm inadequate to take the place of Yukimura."

didn't say anything in reply; she just watched him and waited.

After a moment, Sanada continued, "Also, I wonder if I work hard enough. I want to make my parents proud and uphold the tradition of my family… Sometimes, I feel like I'm completely insufficient for the tasks that I've set myself."

was touched by the trust Sanada showed her to tell her these things. So when he turned to her with a slight twist to his lips as if he was laughing at himself, she touched his arm gently.

"I think that you're more than enough for those tasks. Sanada-senpai, you're intelligent and hard-working. The fact that you worry about not being able to complete them shows that you can." She tipped her head up and smiled at him without any reservations. "I believe that you always can."

Sanada flushed a little, but it went unnoticed in the sunset. He nodded his thanks and promptly changed the subject. "Do you mind when Niou, Marui and Kirihara call you by your name?"

blinked in confusion. It was completely off the topic from what they were discussing. "No. I don't mind at all."

"Even Yanagi has started referring to you by your given name." Sanada's words were abrupt as if they were forced out.

"Has he?" smiled again. "Yanagi-senpai is very nice isn't he?"

A non-committal sound greeted her statement. She looked up anxiously at Sanada, "Ne, Sanada-senpai, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I was just wondering…"

There was a pause.

"I was just wondering… If you minded if I called you by your name." The last words came out in a rush and Sanada felt his cheeks flush again. He could have winced at how pathetic he sounded.

There was no reply from .

"Ahh…" Sanada began talking again, a little faster this time, "It doesn't matter. It was just something. I thought…"

"I don't mind. In fact, I would like it if you called me ." She was looking at the ground but she didn't sound annoyed or angry as Sanada thought she might.

He might have smiled then. Just a slight movement of his lips upwards. "Ok."

The two walked side by side to 's house. Not another word was said through the rest of the journey.

**********

That night, curled herself up on her bed with her book. However, she couldn't read it. Her mind was on the conversation that she had with Sanada a couple of hours ago. His words kept on replaying themselves in her mind.

"Argh!" dropped the book and lay back against her pillows. "What am I doing?"

Needing something to do, she looked around. Just as she grew desperate enough to try the book again, her phone rang.

A glance at the clock showed 9 pm. Curious at who would call her at this time, picked up, "Moshi moshi."

"-san?"

There was no mistaking that deep voice. almost dropped the phone in shock. "S… Sanada-senpai?"

"Ah. Sorry to call you up so late." His voice sounded slightly uncomfortable.

"Oh. It's no problem. I wasn't sleeping anyway." What really wanted to know was how Sanada had her number.

"Well. I called to ask if you wanted to visit the beach tomorrow morning." Sanada was definitely sounding more uncomfortable by the minute.

Forgetting about the number issue, almost jumped in joy, "Really? I mean, of course. I've wanted to go for ages."

Sanada relaxed a little at her obvious desire to go. "Ah. Then we can meet up there at 6 tomorrow morning."

There was a pause as digested this. "Anou, Sanada-senpai? Isn't that a bit too early?"

Immediately he apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't think for a moment. How about 9 then?"

gave a smile that Sanada could almost see over the phone. "Sure. I'll see you tomorrow then Sanada-senpai."

"Ja ne, -chan."

Before, had a chance to reply, Sanada had hung up. Staring bemusedly at the phone, the second year was in disbelief. It sounded like Sanada had just asked her out.

"No. That can't be it!" flushed a bright red, "He's just asking me there as a friend."

It was then that she noticed what Sanada had called her when he bid her goodbye. Eyes wide, blushed even darker.

She definitely had trouble sleeping that night.

**********

was awake before the sun was up. Her alarm clock read 6 am. Groaning, she rolled over and tried to return to her dreams. But that was all in vain.

Sighing, sat up and decided to get dressed. Hesitating, she tried outfit after outfit but none seemed suitable to her. Finally giving up, closed her eyes and grabbed the first two hangers that she touched.

Looking over the pastel green tank top and modest length shorts that reached past mid thigh, nodded to herself and changed quickly.

Dumping her necessities that included towels and sunscreen as well as ready made lunches for two, ate breakfast and then rushed out of the house, not wanting to be late.

It was only a short walk to the beach. Pleased with herself that she had made it with ten minutes to spare, smiled and waved as she spotted Sanada.

's smile froze in place and she looked on in shock as she spotted the rest of the Rikkai Dai tennis team present as well.

So much for a date.

**********

Niou poked Yagyuu as soon as he saw .

Yagyuu looked up slightly irritated from his latest detective novel. "What?"

"-chan is here…" Niou grinned as he watched Sanada walk over to talk to the second year girl.

Yagyuu sat up from where he was, "Really?" His gaze followed his doubles partner's and he let out a slow breath. "Sanada can be quite dense sometimes. How is it a date when there is an extra six people here?"

Unknowingly, Yanagi was muttering the same thing to himself and scribbling in his notebook. "Genichirou is beyond dense. This was a perfect opportunity and he goes and drags the whole team out."

Sanada wasn't aware of anything that his teammates were muttering. He smiled slightly at and was relieved when she smiled back.

"I hope you don't mind coming out at such short notice." His voice was quiet.

smiled slightly, "It's alright. I needed to get out of the house today anyway. I was starting to feel smothered in there." She looked around at the rest of the tennis team. "I didn't know that you got the tennis team here too."

"Ah." Sanada looked slightly embarrassed. He thought it would have been too forward of him to have just the two of them on the beach. "I thought it was time the team took a slight break and relaxed a bit."

"Oh…" was saved from a proper reply by Kirihara and Marui.

" -CHAN!" Both boys waved and sprinted to her side.

Marui bounced up and down. "Ne, ne, -chan, are you here to play with us today?"

Kirihara snorted and shoved Marui to one side, "Of course she is. Why else is she here?"

Shoving his kouhai back, Marui scowled at him briefly, "Show some respect to your senpai-tachi." He turned back to and grinned, "So, do you wanna play beach volleyball? Or would you prefer to stay here and keep fukubuchou company?"

"Um…" blushed slightly and glanced at Sanada. He didn't look too happy at Marui's insinuations.

Niou appeared on her other side. "-chan…" His voice was smooth and innocent sounding but his smile was anything but.

"Oh. G… gomen Niou-senpai. I… I didn't see you there…" flushed at the very little distance between her and the silver-haired trickster.

Sanada bit back a frown and the urge to pull away from Niou. "-chan?"

If possible, 's cheeks darkened in color. Niou almost laughed out loud in glee because Sanada took his bait.

"H… hai, Sanada-senpai?"

"You said that you were going to show me the tide pools along the shore. Did you want to go now?"

jumped at the chance to remove herself from the distinctly uncomfortable presence of the Trickster and the teasing from Marui. "Of course. I almost forgot."

Kirihara started pouting, "Ne, -chan… Aren't you going to play volleyball with us?"

"I'll be coming back soon." smiled at her friend before looking back at Sanada. "I'm just going to show Sanada-senpai the pools that we talked about last time."

Kirihara sniffed but didn't say anything because Marui had shoved an elbow into his side. Glaring at his red-haired senpai, the second year scowled.

Taking the chance presented, waved at the little group and followed after Sanada, who had started off in the direction of the rocks.

As soon as the two were out of ear shot, Niou cracked up in laughter whilst Kirihara turned to Marui and shoved him again. "Why'd you poke me for?"

"Idiot. Can't you see the wants to hang out with fukubuchou?" Marui laughingly avoided Kirihara's subsequent attempts to hurt him.

This stopped the junior tennis ace in his tracks. He blinked several times trying to comprehend what Marui was telling him. "-chan and… and… Sanada-fukubuchou?"

"Yep. Don't you reckon they look sweet?" Niou had joined their little conversation and spoke with a grin that stretched from side to side.

Kirihara stared after the two figures in the distance. "Umm…"

"Let's follow them!" Marui jumped up and down with excitement.

Niou glanced at him. "Only if you want to run laps for the rest of your life."

"Ah. But that's only if we get caught." Marui dismissed the concern. He grabbed Kirihara's arm and dragged him after and Sanada. "We'll be back soon."

Yagyuu appeared behind Niou. "Are they insane?"

"No. Merely curious." Niou turned and wandered back to their area.

The Gentleman sighed and shook his head. He was positive that Marui and Kirihara would be in for more than just laps this time round.

##########

April 15, 2007
Written by: Linc
Edited by: Rikapyon!