[Prince of Tennis] [Oshitari/Mukahi] [#8 The Space Between Us]
Title: Tsuki to Houshi
Author: samurai_jun
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Pairing: Oshitari/Mukahi
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, possible OOC
Disclaimer: Not mine
Chapter 8- Space
“Are you okay?” Oshitari signed.
When Mukahi had grabbed his head, the silent tensai began to worry if he had a headache or something worse. Headaches were common now in days among college students, but why here when they had no studying to do? Oshitari went over everything that he knew about Mukahi trying to find the solution to the problem.
“Tsuki?” Mukahi said.
The word had triggered something in his mind. He had given his name as Tsuki before, but that was in junior high, and to only one person. Wait, no, it couldn’t be…
Houshi?
“Are you Tsuki?” Mukahi asked in a quiet voice.
Are you Houshi?
The pieces slowly became together as Oshitari realized Mukahi as his first love, but…
Could it be, that Houshi survived the…
“Are you, Yuushi?” Mukahi demanded grabbing his shirt. “Are you Tsuki? I need to know!”
Oshitari nodded his head. He couldn’t lie to the redhead no matter how horrible the past was. Instantly, Mukahi shoved him to the ground.
“Why did you do that!?” he demanded. “I can’t believe you did that to me! I was in love you, you idiot, and you went and slept with someone else!” Oshitari tried to stop Mukahi, but the redhead kept going. “And now you’re saying that you care, that you respect me! I don’t believe you!”
Gakuto, no-
Oshitari grabbed Mukahi by the arm and tried his best to say that what he saw wasn’t true, but once again, it came out as a croak. He tried and tried, but in the end, Mukahi still didn’t believe.
Gakuto, please, you’ve got it all wrong! I do care!
Finally, the redhead slapped him across the face with his free arm. “Let go, Oshitari,” Mukahi said with an icy glare. “I can’t trust you anymore than I could after you did that.” With that, the redhead turned and left Oshitari on the empty dock on the verge of tears.
Why?
-X-
Oshitari didn’t go back to his apartment knowing that Mukahi wouldn’t speak to him anyway. He stayed on the empty dock staring at the sky as the sun left and the moon began to rise. The silent tensai noticed with a little amusement that the moon was by itself tonight. There were no stars in the sky, not even its special one.
I guess even the moon has arguments with its star, but does it always come back?
An image of a certain redhead popped into his head. Oshitari stared at the wooden planks beneath him. He truly did care for Mukahi, but he wouldn’t force him to like him, like how Kurotori did.
If only he didn’t do that to me…
-X-
“Stay away from me, Oshitari, I don’t want to hear it.”
Oshitari felt like curling up and crying somewhere. He had tried several times to make up with Mukahi, but it only ended in cold shoulders or an icy order to stay away or else. It was already a week he was beginning to give up in ever making up with the redhead. It didn’t help with the fact that Mukahi moved all of his things out and was now searching for an apartment. To think that they were getting along fine until Mukahi remembered everything about them.
What hurts the most is that… it wasn’t what it seemed.
Oshitari felt a tap on his shoulder and looked up to see Jirou leaning over where he was sitting. “Are you okay?” the sleepy student asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he signed.
“You don’t look fine, you look like someone just died.”
Oshitari exhaled slowly and scooted over to let Jirou sit next to him. “Gakuto can’t trust me anymore.”
“Eh? Why not? I thought you two were best friends. Not to mention that you’re living together. What happened?” Jirou asked.
The silent tensai hesitated to tell Jirou because it was a personal thing, but he couldn’t tell anyone else, and he wanted to tell someone his problems at least even though it seemed rude. So, he told Jirou everything that happened last week. The sleepy student watched silently and understanding not saying or signing anything.
“Haven’t you tried making up with him?” Jirou asked.
Oshitari gave him a nod. “He still won’t believe me. I’m starting to give up-”
“No.” The silent tensai stared at the sleepy student. “Don’t give up, Oshitari. Look, I’ve known you for a long time and I know that you really do love Mukahi. If he doesn’t love you back, that’s fine, but you should at least tell him.”
Jirou…
“Have you told the person you love your feelings?” he signed.
“Yes, but he didn’t take them seriously. This is why I’m telling you, Oshitari. Mukahi, I believe, does seem to like you even after that incident. In my opinion, one truly loves another for their heart, not their body.”
-X-
Oshitari closed the door to his empty apartment and dropped his bag on a nearby table. It had been a week since Mukahi remembered everything and he still couldn’t get over it. He wanted to take Jirou’s advice, but Mukahi would probably be even more mad at him. After all, that’s what Kurotori did to try get the redhead to stay rooming with him.
The silent tensai tried his hardest to study for the upcoming test, but it was hard to concentrate. Mukahi kept occupying his mind whether completely or only in the back of his mind. Normally, one would say that it was an excuse, but this time, it was truth, and he couldn’t deny it no matter how much he wanted to bring Mukahi back. Finally, he gave up and plopped down on his bed.
I’ve read a lot of romance novels before, but my own romance story turned out to be different than all of them. I guess no romance story is ever the same…
It was then, an idea sprung in Oshitari’s head. This had happened many times before when he was in junior high and high school before his father suppressed his dreams of becoming a romance novelist. After he got away from Osaka, he had writer’s block, so he eventually gave up in ever writing a novel at all. After all this time, it was coming back.
Oshitari ran to his desk and flipped his laptop open. Opening a new document on his desktop, he began typing rapidly all the emotions of experiencing first love, and hanging onto it.
-X-
Despite his depression over Mukahi ignoring him, Oshitari was so excited of finally breaking his writer’s block. For two hours, he did nothing but type up a storm. If he couldn’t vent out his emotions on someone, then he will in a story, something that he did a long time ago. He decided to make the romance straight since not many people in the community appreciated gay stories. The characters were Satomi and Ruiko, two childhood friends who gave anonymous names. It was his story, only with some things arranged, so it was fictional in a way.
When he had slowed down and stopped typing, he was still too excited to fall asleep, but in the end, sleep and Oshitari found each other with him thinking about something that he had lost before.
-X-
“You seem better today, Oshitari,” Jirou said. “Did you make up with Mukahi?”
“No, but I seem to have gotten over my writer’s block,” he signed.
“Really? That’s great! So, what kind of sap are you writing now?” Jirou asked with a grin.
“Secret,” was all Oshitari signed with a smirk.
“Mou, you’re mean!”
-X-
Oshitari watched carefully as the professor explained more about ear diseases. He was suppose to study this last night, but the professors knew that he was deaf and mute, so they didn’t pay any mind in asking him a question.
Despite the exciting discovery he made, the depression about Mukahi moving out and not talking to him was starting to take its toll. He didn’t recall eating anything yesterday, and possibly, the day before. He felt tired, but he forced to keep his eyes open as he took notes. Slowly, the pencil slipped from his fingers. He put his head on the table and closed his eyes.
-X-
He woke up later in the infirmary with a wet cloth on his forehead. How he got there and how long he was there, he had no idea. All he could recall was that he fell asleep in class. When he woke up, he saw Jirou.
“Hey, how do you feel?” he asked.
“‘How do I feel’?” Oshitari signed confused.
“Well, when you fell asleep in class, the professor didn’t notice at first until about halfway through the class. He would have shouted to wake you up, but seeing as you can’t hear, we tried shaking you awake, but we couldn’t. Taki even tried pouring cold water on you. In the end, we thought that maybe you were sick or something, so we brought you to the infirmary,” Jirou explained.
Oh, so that’s why I’m here. “How long have I been out?”
“A few hours. Hang on, I’ll alert the nurse.”
As Jirou got up, Oshitari noticed that Jirou had another bruise. This time, he could tell that the sleepy student had been choked because the bruise was in the form of a handprint. Not only that, but the fresh smell of expensive cologne was in the air. Oshitari could only think of one person who would be able to afford that.
Atobe…
“Good news! You can get out of here within a few minutes!” Jirou said walking back with a cheerful grin.
“Jirou, why are you still with Atobe even after all that he’s done to you?” Oshitari signed suddenly. “Don’t lie.”
The sleepy student suddenly lost his cheerfulness and started to see his shoes more interesting. “Because I love him. I don’t want to lose him.”
“No, you don’t love him. If you did, you would tell him to stop choking you and talk it over.”
“How would you know!?” Jirou said now starting to get angry.
“What do you think I’ve been trying to do with Gakuto for the last week?”
-X-
Oshitari was released from the infirmary a few minutes later. He left campus on his own since Jirou said that he had to see Atobe or something will happen. That boy shouldn’t hang around him too much. It wasn’t healthy both physically and emotionally.
The silent tensai approached his apartment and opened the door checking the mailbox on the way. There were some letters for bills, another letter from school, and one envelope that he never saw before. Putting down the other envelopes, Oshitari opened the single envelope and pulled out the few sheets of paper folded inside. The papers were photocopies of something judging from the black eyes. Oshitari recognized the handwriting instantly.
Dad…
His hands started shaking as he read what the papers were. They were scans of a form for a special program for the deaf and mute in Nagasaki. It included surgery and then speech therapy for several months.
Dark eyes widened. His father was actually doing this for him? After all he did including running away? It didn’t make sense. Still, he could feel excitement swell up within him. He could finally regain his hearing and be able to hear what everyone sounded like! Oshitari was actually excited to go.
Then he remembered that it was in Nagasaki. Not only was he going to miss several months of school, but he was also going to miss Mukahi, whether the redhead ever forgave him or not.
“Stay away from me, Oshitari, I don’t want to hear it.”
Oshitari had to choose now whether he should take the program or not. He truly did want to go, but he didn’t want to leave Mukahi on a bad note. His eyes narrowed in determination.
I’ll go, but not until I talk to Gakuto.
TBC…
Author: samurai_jun
Fandom: Prince of Tennis
Pairing: Oshitari/Mukahi
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, possible OOC
Disclaimer: Not mine
Chapter 8- Space
“Are you okay?” Oshitari signed.
When Mukahi had grabbed his head, the silent tensai began to worry if he had a headache or something worse. Headaches were common now in days among college students, but why here when they had no studying to do? Oshitari went over everything that he knew about Mukahi trying to find the solution to the problem.
“Tsuki?” Mukahi said.
The word had triggered something in his mind. He had given his name as Tsuki before, but that was in junior high, and to only one person. Wait, no, it couldn’t be…
Houshi?
“Are you Tsuki?” Mukahi asked in a quiet voice.
Are you Houshi?
The pieces slowly became together as Oshitari realized Mukahi as his first love, but…
Could it be, that Houshi survived the…
“Are you, Yuushi?” Mukahi demanded grabbing his shirt. “Are you Tsuki? I need to know!”
Oshitari nodded his head. He couldn’t lie to the redhead no matter how horrible the past was. Instantly, Mukahi shoved him to the ground.
“Why did you do that!?” he demanded. “I can’t believe you did that to me! I was in love you, you idiot, and you went and slept with someone else!” Oshitari tried to stop Mukahi, but the redhead kept going. “And now you’re saying that you care, that you respect me! I don’t believe you!”
Gakuto, no-
Oshitari grabbed Mukahi by the arm and tried his best to say that what he saw wasn’t true, but once again, it came out as a croak. He tried and tried, but in the end, Mukahi still didn’t believe.
Gakuto, please, you’ve got it all wrong! I do care!
Finally, the redhead slapped him across the face with his free arm. “Let go, Oshitari,” Mukahi said with an icy glare. “I can’t trust you anymore than I could after you did that.” With that, the redhead turned and left Oshitari on the empty dock on the verge of tears.
Why?
-X-
Oshitari didn’t go back to his apartment knowing that Mukahi wouldn’t speak to him anyway. He stayed on the empty dock staring at the sky as the sun left and the moon began to rise. The silent tensai noticed with a little amusement that the moon was by itself tonight. There were no stars in the sky, not even its special one.
I guess even the moon has arguments with its star, but does it always come back?
An image of a certain redhead popped into his head. Oshitari stared at the wooden planks beneath him. He truly did care for Mukahi, but he wouldn’t force him to like him, like how Kurotori did.
If only he didn’t do that to me…
-X-
“Stay away from me, Oshitari, I don’t want to hear it.”
Oshitari felt like curling up and crying somewhere. He had tried several times to make up with Mukahi, but it only ended in cold shoulders or an icy order to stay away or else. It was already a week he was beginning to give up in ever making up with the redhead. It didn’t help with the fact that Mukahi moved all of his things out and was now searching for an apartment. To think that they were getting along fine until Mukahi remembered everything about them.
What hurts the most is that… it wasn’t what it seemed.
Oshitari felt a tap on his shoulder and looked up to see Jirou leaning over where he was sitting. “Are you okay?” the sleepy student asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he signed.
“You don’t look fine, you look like someone just died.”
Oshitari exhaled slowly and scooted over to let Jirou sit next to him. “Gakuto can’t trust me anymore.”
“Eh? Why not? I thought you two were best friends. Not to mention that you’re living together. What happened?” Jirou asked.
The silent tensai hesitated to tell Jirou because it was a personal thing, but he couldn’t tell anyone else, and he wanted to tell someone his problems at least even though it seemed rude. So, he told Jirou everything that happened last week. The sleepy student watched silently and understanding not saying or signing anything.
“Haven’t you tried making up with him?” Jirou asked.
Oshitari gave him a nod. “He still won’t believe me. I’m starting to give up-”
“No.” The silent tensai stared at the sleepy student. “Don’t give up, Oshitari. Look, I’ve known you for a long time and I know that you really do love Mukahi. If he doesn’t love you back, that’s fine, but you should at least tell him.”
Jirou…
“Have you told the person you love your feelings?” he signed.
“Yes, but he didn’t take them seriously. This is why I’m telling you, Oshitari. Mukahi, I believe, does seem to like you even after that incident. In my opinion, one truly loves another for their heart, not their body.”
-X-
Oshitari closed the door to his empty apartment and dropped his bag on a nearby table. It had been a week since Mukahi remembered everything and he still couldn’t get over it. He wanted to take Jirou’s advice, but Mukahi would probably be even more mad at him. After all, that’s what Kurotori did to try get the redhead to stay rooming with him.
The silent tensai tried his hardest to study for the upcoming test, but it was hard to concentrate. Mukahi kept occupying his mind whether completely or only in the back of his mind. Normally, one would say that it was an excuse, but this time, it was truth, and he couldn’t deny it no matter how much he wanted to bring Mukahi back. Finally, he gave up and plopped down on his bed.
I’ve read a lot of romance novels before, but my own romance story turned out to be different than all of them. I guess no romance story is ever the same…
It was then, an idea sprung in Oshitari’s head. This had happened many times before when he was in junior high and high school before his father suppressed his dreams of becoming a romance novelist. After he got away from Osaka, he had writer’s block, so he eventually gave up in ever writing a novel at all. After all this time, it was coming back.
Oshitari ran to his desk and flipped his laptop open. Opening a new document on his desktop, he began typing rapidly all the emotions of experiencing first love, and hanging onto it.
-X-
Despite his depression over Mukahi ignoring him, Oshitari was so excited of finally breaking his writer’s block. For two hours, he did nothing but type up a storm. If he couldn’t vent out his emotions on someone, then he will in a story, something that he did a long time ago. He decided to make the romance straight since not many people in the community appreciated gay stories. The characters were Satomi and Ruiko, two childhood friends who gave anonymous names. It was his story, only with some things arranged, so it was fictional in a way.
When he had slowed down and stopped typing, he was still too excited to fall asleep, but in the end, sleep and Oshitari found each other with him thinking about something that he had lost before.
-X-
“You seem better today, Oshitari,” Jirou said. “Did you make up with Mukahi?”
“No, but I seem to have gotten over my writer’s block,” he signed.
“Really? That’s great! So, what kind of sap are you writing now?” Jirou asked with a grin.
“Secret,” was all Oshitari signed with a smirk.
“Mou, you’re mean!”
-X-
Oshitari watched carefully as the professor explained more about ear diseases. He was suppose to study this last night, but the professors knew that he was deaf and mute, so they didn’t pay any mind in asking him a question.
Despite the exciting discovery he made, the depression about Mukahi moving out and not talking to him was starting to take its toll. He didn’t recall eating anything yesterday, and possibly, the day before. He felt tired, but he forced to keep his eyes open as he took notes. Slowly, the pencil slipped from his fingers. He put his head on the table and closed his eyes.
-X-
He woke up later in the infirmary with a wet cloth on his forehead. How he got there and how long he was there, he had no idea. All he could recall was that he fell asleep in class. When he woke up, he saw Jirou.
“Hey, how do you feel?” he asked.
“‘How do I feel’?” Oshitari signed confused.
“Well, when you fell asleep in class, the professor didn’t notice at first until about halfway through the class. He would have shouted to wake you up, but seeing as you can’t hear, we tried shaking you awake, but we couldn’t. Taki even tried pouring cold water on you. In the end, we thought that maybe you were sick or something, so we brought you to the infirmary,” Jirou explained.
Oh, so that’s why I’m here. “How long have I been out?”
“A few hours. Hang on, I’ll alert the nurse.”
As Jirou got up, Oshitari noticed that Jirou had another bruise. This time, he could tell that the sleepy student had been choked because the bruise was in the form of a handprint. Not only that, but the fresh smell of expensive cologne was in the air. Oshitari could only think of one person who would be able to afford that.
Atobe…
“Good news! You can get out of here within a few minutes!” Jirou said walking back with a cheerful grin.
“Jirou, why are you still with Atobe even after all that he’s done to you?” Oshitari signed suddenly. “Don’t lie.”
The sleepy student suddenly lost his cheerfulness and started to see his shoes more interesting. “Because I love him. I don’t want to lose him.”
“No, you don’t love him. If you did, you would tell him to stop choking you and talk it over.”
“How would you know!?” Jirou said now starting to get angry.
“What do you think I’ve been trying to do with Gakuto for the last week?”
-X-
Oshitari was released from the infirmary a few minutes later. He left campus on his own since Jirou said that he had to see Atobe or something will happen. That boy shouldn’t hang around him too much. It wasn’t healthy both physically and emotionally.
The silent tensai approached his apartment and opened the door checking the mailbox on the way. There were some letters for bills, another letter from school, and one envelope that he never saw before. Putting down the other envelopes, Oshitari opened the single envelope and pulled out the few sheets of paper folded inside. The papers were photocopies of something judging from the black eyes. Oshitari recognized the handwriting instantly.
Dad…
His hands started shaking as he read what the papers were. They were scans of a form for a special program for the deaf and mute in Nagasaki. It included surgery and then speech therapy for several months.
Dark eyes widened. His father was actually doing this for him? After all he did including running away? It didn’t make sense. Still, he could feel excitement swell up within him. He could finally regain his hearing and be able to hear what everyone sounded like! Oshitari was actually excited to go.
Then he remembered that it was in Nagasaki. Not only was he going to miss several months of school, but he was also going to miss Mukahi, whether the redhead ever forgave him or not.
“Stay away from me, Oshitari, I don’t want to hear it.”
Oshitari had to choose now whether he should take the program or not. He truly did want to go, but he didn’t want to leave Mukahi on a bad note. His eyes narrowed in determination.
I’ll go, but not until I talk to Gakuto.
TBC…