Sasaki Sono’s Internal Monologue

“ Have I ever seen Ryuji as a human? “

Sasaki was perplexed as she sat down on her bed. Taking out her photo album, she looked through them until she landed on pictures of Ryuji and hers as kids.

Turning all emotional, she mumbled, “ This brings back memories, doesn’t it? Our relationship was pretty good back then, so what changed over the years? “

Years before—---------------------

Sasaki and Ryuji have just been introduced to each other by their parents. Ryuji, who was very timid at the time, hid behind his father.

“ Ryuji, now, now—--------”

Showing himself a little, Sasaki introduced herself. “ Nice to meet you, Ryuji. My name is Sasaki and I hope we can get along as friends.

Charmed by her sweet smile, Ryuji came out and finally showed himself to Sasaki. Still as timid as ever, he introduced himself before her. “ My name is Ryuji. Nice to meet you, Sasaki. “ He uttered respectfully and all were in awe of his mannerism.

“ You’re very good with manners, Ryuji. I hope you and my daughter can become friends. “ Mrs. Sono uttered in delight to Ryuji who hid behind his father again.

As days passed, Sasaki would come to visit the Fujimiya Residence whenever she could, all so that she could be with Ryuji. Still awkward around her at first, as time went on, he started relaxing around her, so much so that he started to find her company enjoyable and enjoy spending time with her.

One day, however, when his father asked him, “ How are things between you and Sasaki? Are you getting along well? “

“ Yes, she’s very nice. “ He uttered joyfully to his father who simply stated, “ That’s nice to know because otherwise things might have become problematic. “ He concluded in an enigmatic tone.

Ryuji was very confused at the time, unable to understand what exactly his father was trying to infer.

At one time when they were playing together, some boys approached them and asked, “ Can we play with you? “

“ Yes, of course. “ Sasaki responded delightfully.

“ Good. Come on, guys! “

As the boys joined the group and started playing together, Ryuji who was eager to play with his new friends was suddenly told, “ Could you please stray away from us? “

Not understanding why they were suddenly being so mean to him, one of the boys inferred, “ When we asked to play, we were referring to Sasaki, not you, so get lost. “

!

Hurt by those words that stabbed him like a thousand needles, Ryuji who turned and was about to leave was suddenly retained by Sasaki.

“ Wait, Ryuji! Please, don’t leave. “

Standing, she inferred before the boys, “ If you won’t play with Ryuji, then I refuse to play with you guys. “

Standing her ground, the boys asked infuriated, “ Why are you taking his side instead of ours? Who is he to you? “

Not even hesitating, she inferred before them, “ Ryuji isn’t just anybody you can mess with without dealing with the consequences. He’s the heir to the Fujimiya family and also my friend. Whoever messes with him is messing with me and I won’t stand idly by and watch. “

“ Fujimiya? “

“ He’s Ryuji Fujimiya? Why didn’t you say so sooner? “

“ We wouldn’t have behaved the way we did had we known who he was from the start. “

Having learned of Ryuji’s identity, they suddenly changed their tune toward him. Trying to earn his favors, Ryuji felt somewhat empty and broken.

Even as days passed by, that emptiness couldn’t be voided by anything. Even Sasaki who was at some point an important existence to him didn’t negate that emptiness he was feeling.

“ Ryuji, is something wrong? “ She asked, concerned. “ You seem glum. Did something happen? “

In response to her questions, he inferred, “ Could I speak to you for a moment, Sasaki? “

Looking around, she inferred, “ But, I don’t want to leave our friends playing by themselves. Could it wait until we’re done? “

Turning sad, he uttered, “ Forget about it, Sasaki! It’s not that important. “

Reading his mood, she glanced at the kids eagerly playing and uttered, “ We’ll be right back. You guys keep on playing. “

“ Sasaki, where are you going? “

“ Please don’t leave! “

“ Play with us, Sasaki! “

Seeing as the kids were dragging her with them, Sasaki felt conflicted inside. Trying to explain to them that she would only be gone for a moment, the kids wouldn’t let go of her.

Seeing the situation, Ryuji inferred, “ It’s alright, Sasaki. We can talk later. “

“ Are you sure, Ryuji? “ She asked sternly and he nodded once.

“ Come with us and let’s keep playing. “ She inferred to which Ryuji responded, “ Yes, I’ll join you in a bit. I need to go to the bathroom first. “

“ Alright, don’t take long. “

As Sasaki was dragged away by the kids, Ryuji looked on without a word. Hours later, as the kids went their separate ways, Sasaki came to Ryuji and asked, “ Earlier you wanted to speak with me, didn't you? What was it you wanted to speak to me about? “

—

Staring at her at that moment, Ryuji inferred, “ The kids, could we not play with them anymore? “

“ What? “

Sasaki was shocked by Ryuji’s sudden attitude and reacted. “ What do you mean by that, Ryuji? “

Instead of answering her question, he hypothetically asked, “ Do you enjoy playing with those kids? “

“ Yes, of course I do. “ She nodded without an ounce of hesitation. “ You like playing with them too, don’t you? “

At the sound of that question and observing her emotions at the moment, Ryuji laughed awkwardly.

“ What is it, Ryuji? Why have you suddenly bursted laughing? “

In response, he inferred, “ I was joking with you a moment ago. Did you believe what I said just now? “

Accentuating further, he uttered, “ How could I not like playing with them? When you enjoy playing with them so much, how could I not, am I right? “

In response, Sasaki inferred, “ I thought for a moment you were serious, you know. Please don’t joke like this again! “

“ I won’t, Sasaki. I’m sorry for making such a joke. “

“ It’s alright. “ She uttered. “ Now, let’s go home! “

Turning to leave, Ryuji suddenly uttered, “ More importantly Sasaki, what would you have done had I been serious? “

Turning suddenly, she was about to say something when Ryuji continued, “ Would you have chosen me instead of those kids? Would you, Sasaki? “

Not answering him, she asked, “ Ryuji, are you certain that everything is alright? If yes, why would you ask me such questions? “

Turning glum, he responded, “ I just wanted to know if you’d keep being my friends even after we start high school. “

Getting somewhere, she asked him, “ Why would I stop being friends with you, Ryuji? Where is this coming from? “

Hesitating, he uttered, “ It’s just that you’re so popular with the other kids that I’m afraid that one day I’ll become a background shadow for you to look at, but listening to you, that won’t ever happen, right? “

Grinning slightly, she uttered, “ In our case, that won’t ever happen. We’ll be friends forever, Ryuji. “

Feeling slightly better due to her words, they left for their respective houses. Eight months later, Sasaki and Ryuji were betrothed to each other.

Delighted by the news as it meant they’d be together forever, he welcomed the news with a smile, but the same couldn’t be said for Sasaki who was looking a bit bizarre.

That day when they got home, Sasaki asked her mom sternly, “ Why do we have to get married once we’re adults? “

Confused by the question her daughter asked her, she inferred, “ I don’t understand, Sasaki. I thought you got along well with Ryuji, so what’s the problem? “

In response to her mother’s question, she inferred, “ Yes, we get along well enough to be friends, but that doesn’t imply we should get married to each other once we are of age to do so. “

Stunned, she asked her daughter, “ Are you meaning to tell me that you don’t consent to be with Ryuji? Are you in disagreement with this arrangement? “

“ Yes, I am, mother. “ She hurled. “ If I were to stay with him forever, I’d lose my freedom and there’s no way I’m letting that happen. “

!!!

“ What are you trying to say right now? “

The mother was baffled by her daughter’s words, but the response she got next baffled her even more.

“ I’m so beautiful, so why should I have only one option? If anything, I should have the right to choose among the most eligible bachelors before making my final choice. Wouldn’t you agree, mother? “

!!!

“ Are you thinking of being unfaithful to him by any chance? “ She asked her daughter sternly to which she responded, “ That’s not called being unfaithful but having a little fun. “

At the sound of the response she received, her mother asked her, “ What do you think of Ryuji when you see him? “

“ Hum—--- let me think! “

Taking a moment to think, Sasaki uttered next, “ Ryuji is very adorable, especially when he follows me around. If I have to compare him with an animal, I’d say he’s like a dog that I tamed; My very loyal dog. “

!!!