[Net King] Pilgrim

Naturally, he was late for the evening party.

Echizen Ryoma called Takeshi Momoshiro in advance and said that he would be there later. By the time Machida took a taxi to the sushi restaurant, it was already more than half an hour behind the agreed time.

The chatter and laughter of cups and chopsticks came through a door, and just before Echizen Ryoma was about to open the door, Machida Kazu stopped him.

He turned his head to look at her suspiciously, but saw her leaning forward without a word, stretching out her hand, pulling his mask up to her chin, looking carefully at his face, and after a long while, she quickly put the mask back on and returned it to its original position .

Echizen Ryoma reacted for a moment, then understood, and couldn't help but tilt his head and draw the corner of his mouth.

When the door of the sushi restaurant was opened, everyone stopped talking and laughing, and turned their heads to look at the door.

The two who had just stepped into the room instantly became the focus.After a moment of silence, there was a loud shout in the room.

The seniors who have been away for many years are gathering on the tatami, and they cast a narrow smile on their eyes.

The elementary school brother and the elementary school girl are together, what I heard before, and what I saw with my own eyes now, the feeling is still different.

What's more, the two are still holding hands.

At this time, Machida was only thankful that he brought a makeup remover cotton when he went out in the afternoon. If someone saw a strange color on Echizen Ryoma's mouth, he would not be able to finish the meal.

He Cun hurriedly got up and walked over, said with a smile, "Come and sit, there is a seat for you."

All the seniors from the tennis club were present, and even the retired coach Ryuzaki was invited. It was a rare dinner, and the warm atmosphere was not diminished in the slightest even after being divided into two tables.

Machida Kazu's hand was always held by Echizen Ryoma, he had already taken off his hat and mask, greeted her, and pulled her over to sit down, so frankly that he made her a little embarrassed.

The interior decoration of the store is refurbished at first glance, and the area has expanded a bit, but the simple and warm style has not changed. It makes people feel that even though the youth is gone, the beautiful characteristics are still preserved.

As soon as the two sat down, Ju Miao came over and grinned: "Long time no see, little ones~ hee hee, I still like to call you like that~"

"Echizen, the call you made was four or ten minutes ago...!" Taocheng pointed to the time on the phone, "Did you run so far away from fans?!"

Machida bowed his head guiltily and took a sip of his tea, deciding to leave this question to Echizen Ryoma.

As a result, when everyone heard the reason for being late, they all said:

"This is the trouble of being a celebrity, let alone dating, even going out together is dangerous..."

"That's right, it's better for Hajime to find another boyfriend..."

Echizen Ryoma: "..."

Senior Gan smiled and took out a large water glass, "Echizen, do you want to try my new achievement?"

"..." Everyone had indescribable expressions, and reflexively moved away from him...

Dashi: "Agan, can you not bring this to the party..."

Machida tugged Echizen Ryoma's sleeve lightly, and asked in a low voice, "I've always been curious, what's in Senpai's water glass?" It made the group of people feel as if they had seen a ghost.

Echizen Ryoma paused with his chopsticks, "...I'll tell you after dinner." Seeing her puzzled, he added awkwardly: "...otherwise I won't be able to eat anymore."

"..." Machida turned his head and ate silently, "...then I'm not curious anymore, it's too scary for me to lose my appetite."

Echizen Ryoma smiled, seeing that the grilled fish on her plate was almost finished, he pushed the untouched portion in front of her, "I'll give you this too."

Machida smiled, "No, there are still many on the table."

"Those put peppers in."

The seniors at the same table looked at each other and couldn't help sighing: "So Echizen is so considerate...?"

Joking and joking are unavoidable, but they are adults after all, and they know how to measure, so they will lead the topic elsewhere after a few jokes.

Fuji Zhousuke, who was sitting at the other table, smiled and looked at Machida Jiu who was concentrating on eating beside him, "Ajiu, do you now have the mentality of a father marrying a daughter?"

"..." Machida took a sip of the soda water in hand, "...Compared to Dad, I am nothing."

Fuji smiled, turned his head, and noticed the girl on the other side. Seeing that her glass was about to bottom out, he asked in a caring tone, "Sakura, would you like some orange juice for you?"

Sakurano Ryuzaki withdrew her gaze from the other table, "...Thank you."

Fuji helped her refill her drink, and said in a gentle voice, "I heard from Mr. Ryuzaki that you are doing an internship in a magazine. Are you doing well?"

"Yeah." She smiled comfortably, still a bit shy, "Although I'm a little tired, I can learn a lot."

"I have a friend who also works there and said that you have great potential and are excellent." He looked affirmatively and spoke with appreciation.

Ryuzaki Sakura paused for a moment.

I wanted to say "thank you", but when the words came to my lips, it still turned into a sentence, "Where, I still have a lot to learn."

She lowered her head and smiled lightly.

For a moment just now, she also wanted to be like that person, who would praise others frankly and sincerely, and accept others' compliments with confidence and humility.

But they are different after all, she does not have her temperament.

Ryuzaki Sakura's expression darkened slightly, and he turned his head to look at the person sitting at the next table.

A refreshing avocado-colored T-shirt, washed old jeans, and a casual and open smile, mixed with a bit of unruly and unsubtle, as dazzling as it was many years ago.

Sakurano Ryuzaki first knew Machida Kazu when she entered junior high school, and after every exam, she could always see her name on the grade ranking on the bulletin board.It is conspicuous, because it has always been in the top three.

She heard her classmates talking about her, and she could recognize her in the school corridor. She hurried a few times, and only remembered her good looks, the kind of very attractive beauty, but it made people feel unapproachable.

But it was the day of the Junior High School Cultural Festival that really made her pay attention to Machida.

In Ryuzaki Sakurano's cognition, Echizen Ryoma has always been puzzled.Since she knew him, she knew it, knew it, and gradually got used to it to comfort herself. His personality is like this, so it doesn't matter even if he can't detect her intentions, just wait a little longer.

But on the day of the Cultural Festival, she suddenly discovered that Echizen Ryoma was not like this.

He may still have a calm personality, but he will take the initiative to care about a girl, ask her when she is depressed, give her his share when she doesn't eat lunch, and smile when she sees her on the stage.

Perhaps even Echizen Ryoma didn't realize that when Machida appeared in sight, his eyes would fall across the crowd and land on her.

But Ryuzaki Sakura found out, and then realized a fact, even though she didn't want to admit it - Echizen Ryoma is not confused, but the person he cares about is not her.

It was also from that day that Ryuzaki Sakura noticed Machida Kazu and knew that she was not difficult to get close to. Although she was proud, she was also very honest. When she stood on the stage, Ryuzaki Sakura thought of standing on a tennis court. Echizen Ryoma on board.

In your own field, radiate light.

When he was in high school, he learned that Echizen Ryoma was injured in the competition. Ryuzaki Sakura once went to the United States with his grandmother to visit him.

Although his attitude towards her at that time was not much different from that in middle school, at least he was always alone, and she thought she still had a chance.

Until later, when she heard from her grandmother that Nanjiro said that Echizen Ryoma was going to study in England, it was almost intuitive, and an uneasy guess immediately emerged in her heart.

Ryuzaki Sakura knew that Machida went to school in England, and the seniors talked about it during the dinner of the tennis club.

Because she was afraid that it would be too late, at the German Open in the summer of the same year, she went to Hamburg as one of the staff members with Echizen Ryoma through the relationship of her grandmother. After the season ended, she finally summoned up the courage to confess.

There was no one in the huge training ground, and Ryuzaki Sakura felt that her heart was also empty, because before she confessed, she still couldn't help asking him, "You are going to England... because of her?" Her voice was a bit difficult, "...Is it because of Machida?"

Echizen Ryoma paused for a moment, as if surprised that she would know, or just because he heard the name.

He didn't answer, just lowered his eyes slowly.But Ryuzaki Sakura caught the emotion gradually filling in his eyes, it was the look that only missing someone would have.

She thought he had forgotten that person, but he hadn't.

It's not surprising that such a person who looks like an elf, Ryuzaki Sakura thought, if the three of them didn't have such a complicated relationship, he would be very willing to get acquainted with her.

She bit her lips tightly, selfishly trying to win the last hope, "...I like you for many years..."

Echizen Ryoma was stunned for a moment, seemingly surprised.

"... Ryuzaki, I'm sorry. Apart from her, there will be no other person in my heart."

Ryuzaki Sakura tried to hold back the tears that welled up.

She knew who that "she" was, and she also knew that Echizen Ryoma's refusal was to give her no hope, because he had no way to respond.

After a while, she shook her head slightly, "You don't have to feel sorry..."

It was her own wishful thinking.

If you wishful thinking, you have to be willing to gamble and admit defeat. *

Ryuzaki Sakura knew before coming to the party that they were together.

She thought she decided to come here, maybe she just wanted to see that he was happy.

Now she is sure.

From the moment the two of them came in, to when they sat down, when they looked at each other, they couldn't tolerate others.

Everyone chatted happily, Machida smiled, and when his gaze inadvertently turned to the opposite table, he happened to meet a pair of clear eyes.

The two paused at the same time.

With recognizable burgundy pupils, Machida quickly remembered who she was.

Her impression of Ryuzaki Sakurano was that she sent snacks to Echizen Ryoma when she was still in junior high school, and later found out that she was the granddaughter of Ryuzaki coach.

Ryuzaki Sakura knew she was rude, but at the moment before the atmosphere was awkward, Machida smiled and nodded to her as a greeting.

Ryuzaki Sakura hesitated slightly.He breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled politely.

At this moment, she felt that she really had a sense of relief.

When Machida looked away, he saw the slightly drunk Senpai Amo with one arm hanging around Echizen Ryoma's neck, talking about his internship experience, and then telling Echizen to play tennis well...

Echizen Ryoma couldn't bear the alcohol-smelling senior, but sat patiently in his seat, listening to his ramblings, and responded with a few words.

Machida couldn't help but smile.

The seniors have all moved to other fields, and only Echizen Ryoma is still advancing in the tennis world.Even so, their friendship continued.

People are indeed leaving in waves, but some people will stay.

For example, everyone in the tennis club; for example, she and Echizen Ryoma.

In the middle of the party, coach Ryuzaki was about to leave first, and before leaving, he asked Echizen to talk alone.

After the coach left, everyone became more active.

Kikumaru picked up the glass and asked Machida if he wanted some sake, but Echizen Ryoma raised his eyes, "She can't drink."

He knew Machida's habit of not drinking, but he could also guess that she would not refuse at this time. It was a rare occasion for a party, and for the sake of friends, she would make appropriate compromises.

The seniors had a smirk on their faces, "Yi can't drink, so why don't you drink it in Echizen?" Then they pre-emptively gave a reason, "It's just you and your family!"

Echizen Ryoma and Machida: "..."

At the end of the noisy party, most people were drunk, leaving only three or two sober taxis to send them back one by one.

Echizen Ryoma Machida left the main group and said he wanted to take a walk along the street.

Walking on the starlit street, she shook his slightly warm hand, sighed and said, "Go back to rest early after drinking, why not take a walk."

During the meal just now, the seniors seemed to have finally seized the opportunity and urged Echizen to drink. Although there was only one glass, Machida was still worried that he would not be able to drink because he used to not drink.

Echizen Ryoma didn't tell the truth after drinking, in fact, he wanted to stay with her for a while longer, so he said duplicity: "Walking sober up." He clasped her hand tightly while speaking.

Machida laughed softly, "Your plan to play golf with A Tao-senpai tomorrow, I think it is going to fail." He was still awake, and A Tao-senpai had fallen asleep just after the party.

"By the way." She remembered what she had asked him before, "You haven't told me your father's preferences, so I don't know what to prepare."

She was going to visit his family next week, but the "information" she got was incomplete.

Echizen Ryoma paused, and said in an indescribable tone, "...he has no preferences."

"how come?"

He sighed, stopped, turned around, gently hugged her into his arms, thought for a while and said, "If I have to say... I want to see that my life is not only about tennis, but also falling in love like ordinary people. I should It's his favorite thing."

Machida recalled the phone call that caused misunderstanding in middle school, smiled, and put his hands on his cheeks, "Should I say that your father's love is too deep, or should I say that you are too late to understand love? "

There was a smile on Echizen Ryoma's face, he didn't speak, just hugged her tightly.

Machida Kazuya cooperated and did not speak again, she knew that Echizen Ryoma actually remembered many things.

She looks indifferent, but actually knows her family very well, including when she was choosing a gift for Sister Nanako, she was not very general about her hobbies, and she was a little surprised by the detail.

The warm temperature on his body, mixed with the faint aroma of wine, made the night extremely gentle.

Machida went to visit Echizen Ryoma's family three days before Nanako's sister's wedding.

Machida Kazuhara was a little worried about the rush of time, and wanted to move forward. After all, it took time and effort to prepare for the wedding, and it was a bit disturbing to visit near the wedding.Echizen Ryoma explained to her that Nanako only had more time this day, and she was worried that she would be too busy to take care of her on the wedding day, so she wanted to see her in advance.

Spring is quiet and sunny, the breeze is not dry.

Machida had been tense since he got out of the car, stroked his clothes and hair, and took several deep breaths.

Echizen Ryoma came around from the driver's seat, holding something in one hand, while holding hers with the other.

Her fingertips were slightly cold, and a thin layer of sweat accumulated on her palm.

Echizen Ryoma glanced at her and smiled, "From my experience, don't be nervous."