12 Days of Christmas

Three French Hens

Obaa-chan scooted over and placed her arm to my shoulder, "You are just confused. You are bothered of your own fortune this year. You don't really take them seriously so why start now?"

"I think he's changing. He does things I never expected him to do. He notices some thing I do which he does not before."

"Because he starts noticing you now," Obaa-chan grinned at me which made me frown in reply.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Sakuno, just tell him your thoughts," She said ignoring my question, "He can be dense at some things but I am sure he is not with this one."

"I... don't get it."

"Just tell him what bothers you, okay." She said hugging my shoulder tightly. I ended up nodding at her slightly confused at her words. But I understood what she was trying me to do and I couldn't help but smile to it.

"Arigatou, Obaa-chan."

xxx

It was already five when I went to Kawamura's to help him. I already brought the cake I made last night and it was safely stored in their fridge for the meantime. Kawamura-senpai was busy doing his own things while I started aligning the chairs especially for the regulars. As usual, the restaurant was exclusively closed for the party tonight.

They closed it early so we could have all the room by ourselves. The restaurant had been a big part for the team. Win or lose, they would still celebrate afterwards and the father and son were more than willing to welcome their place for the team.

I was really thankful for them.

"It is the time of the year again, huh?" Kawamura suddenly said cutting my reverie in the process, "I can't believe Echizen is leaving again so soon."

"He's... in demand abroad." I just said out of the blue.

"It's feels empty without him around, don't you think?"

I looked at Kawamura-senpai who was cleaning the counter, "You are used of being around him, than... for him to leave the country."

"Aren't you?" Senpai asked me back. Blush appeared to my cheeks when I thought of words to say.

"I get used to. He's... grown accustomed to me now" I bit my lower lip as I looked at him, "Senpai, how do you deal when he's leaving and not seeing him with the team?'

The powerhouse player scratched his head and smiled awkwardly at me, "Well, it's a tricky question indeed. Things aren't the same without him around. I guess I just look forward of seeing him and joining our team again."

"But... what if you feel like... he's leaving for good?" I couldn't help but asked him that. He looked at me surprisingly before replying to my words.

"You are not thinking that, are you?" He asked me as he walked closer to me, "Echizen cannot leave for good. This is where he lives."

"I know that but," I fidgeted with my fingers before I continued speaking, "The other countries can also be his home too."

Senpai observed me for a few minutes before he approached me from where I was standing, "Ryuzaki-san, you just have to believe in him. He cannot forget his friends here no matter where he goes."

I sighed knowing that he was right, "I guess so."

"Are you bothered by it?"

I gave him an awkward smile, "That is what everyone is saying to me, senpai. I guess, I am so easy to read."

"Because you care a lot. And that's already given," He smiled at me, "Just put your faith in him like how you always do when he plays."

Lightened, I eagerly nodded at him. I should trust him. He was Ryoma-kun after all.