RP Log: Fuji and Eiji

[tensai_in_tokyo]

Who: Kikumaru Eiji and Fuji Shuusuke
When: Wednesday night
Summary: Fuji and Eiji reunite at the convenience store.



Fuji wandered down the aisle, looking at the labels on the shelves of the refrigerator unit. Wasabi ... wasabi ... wasabi ... there! Fuji reached up ... only to find that the shelf was empty.

The tensai looked around, but the other sandwiches were all run-of-the-mill normal sandwiches. Egg. Chicken. Tuna. Sausage. Fuji sighed. Did he want a sandwich after all, then? Maybe he should have cooked after all, but he was tired from the flight and the trip back to his apartment, and he really didn't feel up to cooking. Perhaps he could try the chicken? But the egg sandwiches looked fresh. But ooh, those tuna sandwiches might go well with wasabi tea ... Fuji stayed in front of the sandwiches, lost in thought.

Eiji sighed as he waved to the now familiar check out girl on his way in. He had coached till five, volunterred for three hours and he still had papers to grade. He was tired and STARVING. The gummy fruit snack that Kunal-chan's mother had brought to practice just didn't satisify a man who hadn't eaten since eleven am when it was nine pm that night. He went straight to the convience foods aisle with his handy hand basket and stopped dead in his tracks. It couldn't be...not after all this time....nope!

The red head couldn't seem to stop himself from asking softly, "Fuji-kun?"

Fuji paused in mid-contemplation of the egg sandwiches. That was a very familiar voice. The last time he'd heard that voice, its owner had been shouting cheerful goodbyes and waving wildly from the other side of Immigration, red hair bouncing up and down. Was it really ... Fuji turned, and beamed happily.

"Eiji!" His basket on the floor, forgotten, Fuji turned to his best friend from high school and braced for the glomp ... that never came.

Eiji made himself hold back. Fuji had been the one to cut HIM off not the other way around. Unanswered emails, no calls, no letters...nothing. He hadn't realized he was still angry till now. But he wasn't going to lash out. That was silly and chilidish. you didn't need to do that when you were an adult. You simply didn't do it. He smiled politely at Fuji and nodded.

"It's.....it's been awhile Fuji-kun. It is good to see you are well and still alive...." Eiji said softly again. His friend had grown up on him. He couldn't bring himself to look into his eyes yet...so he focused on the basket, "Fast food Fuji-kun? I never thought i would see you eating like...me."

" ... It's good to see you too, Eiji ... you're looking well." Disappointed, Fuji still understood immediately why Eiji hadn't greeted him in the usual manner. It had been his fault, he'd cut himself off seven years ago, and now even his best friend--well, it was probably ex-best friend, Fuji thought sadly--was treating him like a stranger.

Fuji tried not to droop too visibly, but he was tired, and it had been a long flight, so his control was perhaps not as good as one would have liked it to be. He tried to keep up the conversation, though. "I just got back from England, and I'm too tired to cook." Fuji congratulated himself, his voice didn't sound that sad after all ... right?

"England? Moving away...again? Or are you just visiting?" Eiji was determined that he was NOT going to react to the sad tone in Fuji's voice. He wasn't darn it...he was stronger now. He had grown up. He had done it withough the help of his...former best friend. Gods that hurt his heart to think of Fuji as no longer his best friend. But he had PROMISED to come back....to write....to let Eiji know he wasn't DEAD. He hadn't. Eiji had moved on.

"After airplane food you should know better than to eat sadwiches....you never handled heavy stuff after flying." Eiji's eyes scanend the shleves expertly and he handed Fuji his old favorite instant noodles, "Wasabi flavored...right?" His tone didn't sound too...hopeful? Nostalgic? Sad? Eiji mentally shook his head and waited.

"No, I'm back to stay," Fuji said. Eiji had even remembered Fuji's quirk about flying from that time when they'd gone to visit Tezuka during his rehabilitation, ten years ago. Fuji felt absolutely guilt-ridden. Seven years was a long time not to talk to your friend. He couldn't help but smile as Eiji handed him some wasabi instant noodles. He'd missed Eiji's friendship a lot.

Taking a deep breath, Fuji made sure he got Eiji's attention. " ... I'm sorry, Eiji. I have no excuse, but I'm very, very sorry."

Eiji nodded slowly, "I...I suppose I just thought that when you came back I would get a call...or at least my folks would. THey have all my contact information since I moved and all..." Internally he was screaming at himself to leave. Fuji was sorry. THat was lovely. Good for him. But was Eiji feeling any better? Not so much...

He grabbed his selections and nodded to Fuji, "I...I thought..." He shook his head, "Thank you. I hope that...you found whatever it was you needed. I am glad you are home Fuji-kun."

"I'm sorry," Fuji said, taking a hold on Eiji's sleeve in the worry that Eiji would leave before Fuji got a chance to really apologise. "I was ... a coward. I thought you would hate me for not keeping in touch, and ... I guess I really have no right to ask for your forgiveness, but ... I hope you'll find it in you to forgive me, Eiji."

Oh dear god, this was retribution, this was payback ... this was all his fault for hiding from Taka and the rest of Seigaku in the first place. Even Eiji didn't want to talk to him anymore, and it was all his own fault. What did this teach you, Fuji Shuusuke? Never hide from your problems! said his inner voice mockingly, and Fuji's soft smile wavered. "I'm sorry," he said penitently, letting go of Eiji's sleeve. "But I really hope you'll forgive me, or at least let me try to make amends and be friends again."

Eiji smiled, but it wasn't the overly gleeful one Fuji would remember. It was calmer, more settled...mature. He nodded, "I do forgive you Fuji-kun. I would want the same of you if I had left and not contacted anyone letting people think I was dead for so long." He shook his head, "I am sorry now. that was bitter and cruel. I had no right to say those things to you Fuji-kun."

He looked at Fuji and smiled again, "I am teaching at Fudomine now....and coaching tennis. You should come by for lunch one day if you arenm't...if you aren't too busy that is. And wouldn't mind eating at my desk..."

Fuji couldn't help but hug Eiji in delight, chuckling happily. Eiji had grown up, yes, and the tensai couldn't help but miss the old Eiji that overflowed with energy, but older Eiji had a smile that, instead of inspiring mischief, seemed to inspire trust and some sort of peace instead. From what Eiji said of his chosen career, it sounded like he'd found something he liked to do a lot.

"Fudoumine? It must be strange to see Seigaku on the other side of the courts," Fuji said with a smile. He took everything from both of their baskets and motioned for the clerk to scan everything. "Are you eating properly?" Ryuuzaki-sensei had a bento most days, if Fuji remembered correctly. Eiji had liked to cook, but teaching must be a hectic job.

Eiji tried to pay for his things but the lady had rung them through with a grin, "I do eat properly. But I had practice that ran over....then I had volunteer hours with the free kid's tennis clinic....and I still have papers to grade. My bento was HOURS ago and I am not wanting to cook when I get home." He whipped out his credit card and paid before Fuji had a chance.

"It is odd to see those colors when I am in Fudomine's colors. But you do what you do right? Besides, I love my kids and my team is ranked number two this year....we are doing well...."

Fuji tried to get the bill, but Eiji had been faster than he was. "Maa, Eiji," he protested, then gave up with a chuckle. "Saa, next time, I'll buy you some burgers," the tensai offered with a smile.

He listened happily to Eiji talk about Fudoumine's tennis club. Eiji seemed genuinely proud of those kids. Ah well. "As long as you're happy, Eiji," Fuji said, meaning it.

Eiji nodded, "I am happy...." He looked at Fuji out of the corners of his eyes, "Are YOU happy Fuji....Fujiko? DID you find what you were looking for...?"

Fuji shrugged, smile still in place. "I was, and I will be. Still looking," he said, not meeting Eiji's eyes. Until he figured out what he really wanted, and actually sorted out his feelings, Fuji knew he wasn't likely to go anywhere or offer anyone anything special. And he had enough of these on-again off-again crushes to dare think of anyone else in any way other than platonically for a while. Eiji was a friend expressing concern, and for that, Fuji was very grateful.

Eiji looked at Fuji and made a descion, "Come on...you are coming with me." He grabbed their bags and thanked his regular check out girl and tugged Fuji behind him all the way to his car, putting the bags in the back seat and unlocking the door, "You do know what a car is right Fuji-kun? They did have them where you were?" His voice was light and teasing and for a moment Eiji let himself believe that nothing had changed between them.

He sighed, "You have to OPEN the door so you can get in Fuji-kun....and people said you were so smart in high school..."

Fuji blinked, shaking himself out of his reverie as he realised he'd been dragged outside and was now standing in front of what was probably Eiji's car. He burst out laughing as Eiji's words registered. "Maa, I went to college in a rather quiet little town, I think they were still using horses and carriages," he said impishly, grinning at his friend, because right now, Eiji was his best friend once more.

Opening the door, Fuji got in and waited for Eiji. "Where are we going, Eiji?" he asked, curious. He had no idea what Eiji was planning. It was rather exciting, really.

Eiji sighed, "I don't trust you to not eat. You will go home look at it and then go to bed." He said pulling out of the parking lot, "So we are going to my place so I can watch you eat. THen I will take you home so you don't fall asleep on the bus. You know you will. Because that is what you do..."

Eiji didn't look at Fuji, he didn't want to remember that they weren't kids anymore. FOr now it was just him fluttering over Fuji....just like he always had...

Fuji laughed again, a happier laugh, and he leaned back against the seat back. "I do eat," he said, leaving out the words most of the time. "And I normally ride the train nowadays." Though Eiji's right, I might fall asleep on the train, Fuji thought with an internal grin. But it was just like Eiji, to whisk Fuji off and make sure Fuji was being well cared for. Just like Eiji.

Eiji pulled into a parking lot of a nice condo complex and got out of the car, "Come on Fuji-kun." He led the way to the door and shot a look over his shoulder to make sure Fuji was coming, he unlocked the door and held it open, "COme on...I am hungry...."

He didn't think about taking Fuji into his place. He didn't think. It was easier to deal with this if he didn't.....

Fuji got out of the car, momentarily stunned. For a teacher, this was a rather nice place to live. Eventually he registered that Eiji was waiting impatiently. "Coming, coming," Fuji said, smiling, grabbing the bags that were left and following Eiji. He didn't even register that he was going into Eiji's place, at night, and that Eiji didn't have tons of his siblings around.

Eagerly, Fuji stepped over the threshold into Eiji's apartment, and he was not disappointed. "Maa," Fuji said admiringly, "I didn't know Fudoumine paid so well, this is lovely."

Eiji shrugged and toed off his shoes closing his door behind him, "When my grand parent's died there was money and I make plenty at work I suppose. More comes in than goes out. I suppose that is a good thing though hmmm?"

He looked at Fuji and sighed, "Come to the kitchen and we will boil you some water..."

Fuji chuckled and followed obediently, marvelling at how well everything was tidied. "I should hope earning more than you spend is a good thing, Eiji," he said with a chuckle. Trying to be helpful, the tensai looked for the kettle. Where did one put the kettle, anyway? Spying it, he picked it up, and shook it a little. No water sloshing inside. Eiji was really very neat in the kitchen. Taking it to the tap, Fuji started filling it.

Eiji leaned against the counter and watched amused as Fuji just sort of made himself at home in his kitchen. In reality it had played itself out many times in the past. They had always seemed to be in a kitchen. His parent's, Fuji's. or whomever else's home they had invaded. It shoudn't surprise him that Fuji was so at him with all of this.

"So, how have you been?" Eiji asked, trying to sound casual as he unloaded the bags.

Fuji turned off the tap and inspected the stove. He tried it experimentially, and was happy to find Eiji had a self-igniting gas stove. Placing the kettle on, Fuji set it to boil, and then moved to lean against the counter where Eiji had been. He remembered so many times in their high school years, both junior high and senior high, when they had spent time together like this in a kitchen. Mostly Eiji's parents' kitchen, while Eiji rushed around making some sort of sweet or other, and made dire threats to Fuji when Fuji suggested some sort of change or other to the recipe.

"Mmm," Fuji said in response to Eiji's question, and had to think about it a while. "I've been better, but certainly been worse. What about you?"

Eiji moved quickly and efficiently prepping his own meal and Fuji's. He moved around the leaning man in his kitchen and sighing mentally. It just felt odd having Fuji there again. He wasn't sure it if it was good or not. But he knew it was most definitely odd. He knew it ws silly but he still had their high school grad picture on his fridge. Well, it was a recent addition one of his sisters had found it a few months back and he had never quite gotten it put away.

They were grinning at the camera and Eiji could still tell you how warm the sun was that day and what the air smelled like.

"I am doing good...." EIji said with a weary grin, "Who wouldn't be when they love their work."

Fuji smiled, a warm smile that actually reached his eyes. "It's wonderful that you love your work. I like what I do, too." And he did. Photography was both art and science, and sometimes counterintuitive, but every time Fuji picked up a print that had been done perfectly and was fixed just so, he felt that rush of pride.

He sniffed the air happily, inhaling the aromatic scent of wasabi ramen. There was something familiar about this. They'd done this often, cooked ramen together in the kitchens of whoever's house they were in at the time. Fuji watched the steam rise from the bowls, following it upwards ... then seeing past the steam to the pictures on the fridge.

He walked over to the fridge, and fingered the high school graduation picture. They'd looked so happy. " ... Ne, Eiji, do you sometimes miss those days when tennis and school was all we had to think about?"

Eiji grinned, "In a way school and tennis are all I still worry about Fuji-san." He smiled, "Those were the best days though....I miss them sometimes. I miss everyone..." He shrugged and handed Fuji his ramen. "Here you go...."

Eiji moved with his own ramen to the kitchen table, "Have a seat...."

Fuji tried not to pout at the -san added to his name. Warming his hands on the bowl, Fuji joined Eiji at the table, pulling in his own chair. "Most of them are around. Yanagi Renji--if you remember him, he was from Rikkai--organised a get-together sometime in January. Quite a lot of us showed up." You didn't, Fuji thought, wondering if Eiji had received an invitation.

Eiji blinked, "Really? I am sorry I missed it. I was in the process of moving then you see and if I DID receive one it was more than likely lost in the shuffle. I am sorry to hear that I missed it. Perhaps there will be another one in another ten years. I will try and make that one..."

He shrugged again, "With my schedule I dont' get out alot and if they aren't in my classes, work in Fudoumine or something along those lines I more than likely don't see them. WHich is sad."

"So you have been around since January hmm? Must have been nice to know you were alive...."

"I'm sorry," Fuji said penitently. Eiji hadn't forgiven him and was just tolerating him at the moment for old times' sake. "I just ... didn't dare. I know you may find it strange, Fuji Shuusuke a coward ... but I just couldn't bring myself to contact you and find out you were mad at me and didn't want anything to do with me."

Fuji couldn't bring himself to meet Eiji's eyes. If he did, Fuji knew he'd see anger and disappointment and betrayal in them.

Eiji snorted, "You are a coward and an idiot if you think any of us -- me especailly. Fuji I was worried sick. Then I figured you no longer remembered and I tried to stop worrying....I haven't stopped yet."

He went back to muttering under his breath about friends who needed a swift kick in the rear, and not in the fun life affirming way....

"I never forgot any of you, least of all my best friend, Eiji," Fuji said softly. "I'm sorry I put you through that, Eiji, and ... I'll understand if you want me to leave." He sank lower in his seat, finding something extremely interesting about the untouched ramen before him.

Eiji rolled his eyes, "I am so sure..." Not that he was going to believe him....nope....not at all....

But it didn't stop him from WANTING to...

"I wouldn't lie to you about this, Eiji ... and I'm very, very sorry," Fuji said, wishing he could sink further into his chair. "At least give me the chance to repair our friendship, to make amends for my behaviour ... please?"

"Why? Fuji, you are...WERE my best friend now I find out that not only did you LEAVE for seven years with no word but you have been back since January...still with no word. You are free to try but gods...."

Eiji just shook his head with a sigh and ate some more ramen.

Fuji could only hang his head in shame. "I'm sorry. I ... guess I'm not really welcome here, am I?" Fuji lifted his head, the old hiding smile back in place again, and he could feel nothing but emptiness inside. Eiji hated him, really hated him ... better not to make Eiji angrier, then, and just leave. So Fuji smiled his brittle smile at Eiji, hiding all the pain inside. It was all his fault, all his fault for being absolutely stupid seven years ago. He'd been making up for that mistake since, and it seemed as if some rifts he'd made through that one mistake were irrepairable.

Fuji stood, trying not to stumble. "I ... thank you for the ramen, Eiji," he said softly, and turned away, preparing to leave instead of torturing Eiji with his presence any longer. "I'm really glad you're doing okay ... and I'm really really sorry."

"See....there you go again taking the easy way out and leaving. You are good at that aren't you. Instead of fighting it out you are going to go and run away." Eiji stood up and moved over to him, "The Fujiko I knew would have fought with me, the Fujiko I knew would know that I know his smiles and their hidden meaning better than anyone. SO find that Fujiko ...."

"That Fuji didn't understand what he was doing, didn't see the real consequences of his actions. He--I hurt too many people ... I shouldn't be allowed to continue to hurt them, no one deserves that" he said, heatedly, glaring at Eiji.

Then Fuji realized what he'd just done, and backed off immediately, dropping his gaze as the guilt washed over him again. He couldn't fight someone he owed so much to, someone he'd wronged so badly. Fuji just couldn't find it within him to continue to face up to Eiji, because it was all his fault. Even if he wasn't really smiling anymore, Fuji's eyes were still closed. Eiji didn't need to see the loneliness and the pain.

Eiji sighed, "Look me in the eye and let me see YOU then Fuji...and don't shrink down...."

Eiji touched his shoulder and pulled him into a hug, "I am sorry I guess I just gave up thinking about what I would do if you were to come back....I ddin't think I would be this angry. I am sorry too Fujiko."

Looking up, Fuji dared a glance into Eiji's eyes, really looking now. The acceptance he saw in there caused Fuji's throat to constrict a bit, and he stood there, stunned, until Eiji drew him into a hug.

It had been so long since Fuji had been hugged by anyone ... he hugged back, clinging to Eiji, and burying his face in Eiji's shoulder. "You had every right to be angry. I'm sorry, Eiji, and I'll make it up to you somehow," he said softly in Eiji's ear, glad that Eiji was at least willing to renew the friendship again.

Eiji sighed and just held Fuji. Maybe this time would be even better...it coudn't be worse than being abandoned by your best friend. SO he led Fuji to the couch and sat on it and just held him.

"Okay...tomorrow it's your turn to treat me okay? You bring lunch to the school and we will eat okay?" Eiji rested his chin on the top of Fuji's head, "How does that sound Fuji?"

Fuji chuckled, and smiled even though Eiji couldn't see him. "It sounds wonderful, Eiji," said Fuji, and he was happier than he had been in ... well, a very, very long time.