andersenmom

Title: “Fun for Everyone” – Ace of Base, Never Gonna Say I’m Sorry
Rating: G
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Character: Kisarazu Ryou, to Kisarazu Atsushi, Table 10b, 08: Sweet
Author's Notes: In response to this letter from Atsushi, by skyangel2009. No, I’ve never had treacle tart, but I have read the ingredients. Check it out on Wikipedia if you don’t believe me.


Atsushi,

Oh, wow. I understand exactly what you meant – what possessed me to think I could understand English in this setting?

I like snail mail, because then I have something to hold in my hands, something… that won’t get lost when the computer gets upgraded, you know? Might have something to do with picking up calligraphy at school, I guess. It’s too bad I can’t use it here as much.

I hadn’t thought of the whole storage thing with the suitcase – and the chances of me actually going somewhere long enough to need a suitcase is laughable. My school backpack will do just fine. Thanks for the idea, though.

Your living conditions don’t sound so… fun. I don’t know whether to hope they leave you alone or to hope they help you!

Oh, it’s so true! I still get it all backwards. Well, their backwards. But one thing hasn’t changed: I still get hit on. By guys. Who back away as soon as they realize their mistake – wearing a cap doesn’t seem to deter them. What, did I get pretty when I went to college?

I stole your idea of recording the lectures; it has helped some, and slowly, I’m starting to get the hang of this whole English thing. Of course, every time I think that, something else comes up and I just stare at the person who spoke to me, trying to process what they’d said, and how in the world am I supposed to answer something like that?

Atsushi, that ribbon? You still have it? Are you insane? Well, naturally, or you wouldn’t be studying in Italy (no, I’m not claiming I’m sane. Must be in the DNA). And you don’t have to be on the beach to be a lizard. Just in a lot of sun. Try just laying there and letting it warm you once or twice. It’s lovely. And impossible here. It’s cold, and rainy, and…

But I found some courts! Free ones, like the street courts you told me about in Tokyo. And tennis is the same, no matter what language, and no matter that they laugh when I say something not quite English – because I can still beat most of them. They always seem so surprised to lose. To me, I should add. I guess they never believed Japanese could play. I wish I could introduce them to some of the really good players on the Junior High Circuit sometimes.

I found a group to study with; I actually spend most of my time with them. There are six of us total, and it’s fun. We went to a pub last night; my job was to make sure everyone got home. We had a dessert – it was called teacle tart – and it was incredibly sweet. I didn’t have more than a bite, and from the way they all laughed, I must have made a face. Seriously. It was awful.

They said they have something else to let me try tonight; and one of these days, I’ll cook something for them. Provided I can find a place that has the right ingredients. You might get a panicked email for a recipe at some point in the next two weeks.

I hope you’re well.

Ryou


Kisarazu Ryou