[One-shot] Lonely (Prince of Tennis)
Title: Lonely
Characters: Tezuka Kunimitsu. Passing mention: Fuji, Oishi, and Kikumaru.
Rating: Gen
Summary: The occasional bout of loneliness is something Tezuka copes with.
Notes: Set in canon-verse. The first fic written on my new eMac. Hooray for change!
It's much easier to deal with loneliness when one isn't lonely.
The thought settles slowly on Tezuka, its gradually insinuating tendrils creeping across his consciousness. He isn't aware of it at first, until suddenly the ache in his chest expands, and he feels the weight settle on him.
Tezuka recognizes it, this vague feeling of dissatisfaction. He knows what one should do in situations such as this--seek human contact, and socialize. But Fuji is busy with Yuuta, the brothers having a rare day out that has Fuji calling Tezuka to cancel today's study session, smiling so happily Tezuka can see it over the telephone. He understands. Fuji seldom gets to speak to Yuuta, after all, and brothers should be happy together.
Tezuka wonders why he does not have a brother of his own. The question had never mattered when he was a child; why it should matter now perplexes him. It would be selfish to ask for one, now, he thinks, shaking his head. Besides, this is most certainly a momentary whim. Siblings--children--are a lifetime commitment. Being captain has taught him this much.
He considers calling Oishi. Oishi is usually happy to study at the library, where Tezuka gets less work than usual done while Oishi tells him about his plans to improve the tennis club's teamwork and motivation. They usually end up having dinner at Kawamura Sushi, because it is halfway between Tezuka's and Oishi's house. But Oishi is over at Kikumaru's today, helping his tennis partner with a science project. Considering Kikumaru's family, it is likely Oishi will be staying the night. By then Fuji will be free. Besides, Oishi has recently shown a preference for Kikumaru's company to Tezuka's. Tezuka is not jealous. He understands, again. It had to happen, sooner or later.
Standing, Tezuka walks to the bookshelf, where his faithful McBain books sit. They are somewhat used-looking, and he fingers the paperback spines gingerly, wondering if he should tape them, whether it will make them last longer. Perhaps he should have bought the hardcover editions, but every spare yen goes towards his beloved sport. One book is removed from its space on the shelf, and Tezuka settles on the bed, curling his legs up beneath him and to the side.
***
The book is an old favorite, and it has provided him with enjoyable hours of reading in the past. After ten minutes, though, Tezuka understands that this evening is not destined for any of those hours. He has learned to choose his battles in life, and this one he concedes. The book re-joins its comrades on the shelf.
The sports center stays open until 10 pm on Saturdays. If Tezuka leaves now, there will probably be an empty ball machine when he arrives. He opens his wallet, counts the money inside, and knows he can afford two hours, after which he will need to stop and return anyway, or there will be no hot water for his bath. Shaking his head, he picks up his tennis bag. Tezuka doesn't need to look inside to know that his tennis rackets are inside, or that he has a fresh change of clothes. He never allows himself to forget things like that.
The bag's comforting heft weighs on his shoulders. He goes downstairs, nods to his mother, and tells her he will be back later. Then he bows to his father and his grandfather, tells them his destination, and leaves, locking the door to his house as he goes. The bus station is not far away, the sports center only four stops down the route. Fuji will be over tomorrow instead, and they'll be working on their homework together. Tezuka will not be lonely then.
Until then, there is always tennis.
Comments loved. o(^-^)o
Characters: Tezuka Kunimitsu. Passing mention: Fuji, Oishi, and Kikumaru.
Rating: Gen
Summary: The occasional bout of loneliness is something Tezuka copes with.
Notes: Set in canon-verse. The first fic written on my new eMac. Hooray for change!
It's much easier to deal with loneliness when one isn't lonely.
The thought settles slowly on Tezuka, its gradually insinuating tendrils creeping across his consciousness. He isn't aware of it at first, until suddenly the ache in his chest expands, and he feels the weight settle on him.
Tezuka recognizes it, this vague feeling of dissatisfaction. He knows what one should do in situations such as this--seek human contact, and socialize. But Fuji is busy with Yuuta, the brothers having a rare day out that has Fuji calling Tezuka to cancel today's study session, smiling so happily Tezuka can see it over the telephone. He understands. Fuji seldom gets to speak to Yuuta, after all, and brothers should be happy together.
Tezuka wonders why he does not have a brother of his own. The question had never mattered when he was a child; why it should matter now perplexes him. It would be selfish to ask for one, now, he thinks, shaking his head. Besides, this is most certainly a momentary whim. Siblings--children--are a lifetime commitment. Being captain has taught him this much.
He considers calling Oishi. Oishi is usually happy to study at the library, where Tezuka gets less work than usual done while Oishi tells him about his plans to improve the tennis club's teamwork and motivation. They usually end up having dinner at Kawamura Sushi, because it is halfway between Tezuka's and Oishi's house. But Oishi is over at Kikumaru's today, helping his tennis partner with a science project. Considering Kikumaru's family, it is likely Oishi will be staying the night. By then Fuji will be free. Besides, Oishi has recently shown a preference for Kikumaru's company to Tezuka's. Tezuka is not jealous. He understands, again. It had to happen, sooner or later.
Standing, Tezuka walks to the bookshelf, where his faithful McBain books sit. They are somewhat used-looking, and he fingers the paperback spines gingerly, wondering if he should tape them, whether it will make them last longer. Perhaps he should have bought the hardcover editions, but every spare yen goes towards his beloved sport. One book is removed from its space on the shelf, and Tezuka settles on the bed, curling his legs up beneath him and to the side.
***
The book is an old favorite, and it has provided him with enjoyable hours of reading in the past. After ten minutes, though, Tezuka understands that this evening is not destined for any of those hours. He has learned to choose his battles in life, and this one he concedes. The book re-joins its comrades on the shelf.
The sports center stays open until 10 pm on Saturdays. If Tezuka leaves now, there will probably be an empty ball machine when he arrives. He opens his wallet, counts the money inside, and knows he can afford two hours, after which he will need to stop and return anyway, or there will be no hot water for his bath. Shaking his head, he picks up his tennis bag. Tezuka doesn't need to look inside to know that his tennis rackets are inside, or that he has a fresh change of clothes. He never allows himself to forget things like that.
The bag's comforting heft weighs on his shoulders. He goes downstairs, nods to his mother, and tells her he will be back later. Then he bows to his father and his grandfather, tells them his destination, and leaves, locking the door to his house as he goes. The bus station is not far away, the sports center only four stops down the route. Fuji will be over tomorrow instead, and they'll be working on their homework together. Tezuka will not be lonely then.
Until then, there is always tennis.
Comments loved. o(^-^)o