Next!
My computer and LJ don't seem to be getting along, so it'll be several different posts instead!
Chapter 2
“Tadaima.”
“Kunimitsu, is that you?”
Tezuka’s mother appeared from the kitchen.
“Did the results come out?”
Tezuka nodded.
“Did you score well?”
“Yes.”
Honestly, even Tezuka was surprised at how well he’d done. With scores like his, he could get into any school he wished. He still wasn’t sure where he wanted to go, however. He’d never been so indecisive before, but he felt that he was being pulled in several directions at once. He had been planning on school in Japan, away from home, but nearby in case something happened. Now though, the university in Switzerland was pulling at him. It was really a great school, and they were giving him an incredible full-ride scholarship to play tennis for them (with the requirement that he maintain a strong grade-point-average; that requirement was one of his favorite parts of the deal - it let him know that this was a demanding school, rather than one who bent the rules to get the best athletes). He’d discovered something on his visit though. He’d always considered himself a bit of a loner, a leader who worked well with a team but didn’t need close personal relationships. However, when he was in Switzerland, his thoughts were constantly turning back to his friends and teammates. The sushi he tried at an eastern restaurant in town wasn’t nearly as good as Kawamura’s, the gymnastics setup at the school would’ve sent Kikumaru into ecstatic cartwheels, and the nutritional “juice and smoothie bars” made him pray that they would never be seen by Inui for fear of city-wide contamination. And more than anyone else, he found himself thinking of Fuji. He would have had a field day with his camera, surrounded as the town was by majestic, snow covered mountains. He would’ve loved the people, too. No matter where he looked, he saw something that made him think of Fuji.
He’d meant it when he said Fuji would like the university. He’d taken an afternoon or two to wander through the town, admiring the unique mixture of older architecture, quaint county-looking homes, and modern business buildings. Wandering the shadow-dappled sidewalks alone, he had almost been able to see his friend’s smile, was almost able to hear his delighted exclamations, calls of, “One moment, Tezuka, onegai!” as he focused his camera on his newest inspiration. In his bedroom, now, he laid back on his bed, closing his eyes and reliving his memories of the quaint mountain town surrounding the university, letting himself remember the paths his feet had followed. It was no good. Even in his memories, he couldn’t remember what had really happened, what his own reactions were. Instead, he had impressions of Fuji’s reactions, what he would have said, what he would have done. He was a tangible presence in his memories of the trip. Moments later, he opened his eyes, expression tightening. When had his friendship with Fuji become so important? When did he start inserting his friend next to himself in memories of everything he did? He didn’t know how he had missed it. He’d been friends with Fuji since they’d met in their first year of junior high at Seigaku, had gotten used to his unassuming presence in the 2nd and 3rd years, and truly begun to enjoy the companionship in senior high - but he hadn’t realized, until now, how much he’d come to depend on his friend’s silent support, constant and undemanding. He had an odd urge to see Fuji suddenly, to see if acknowledging the other boy’s importance would effect their interaction. Would things be any different now?
Tezuka’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Surprised, and half hoping that his thoughts had conjured Fuji himself, he moved to answer the door. Oishi Shuichirou stood on his doorstep, his smile warm and his racket over one shoulder. Tezuka greeted him, glancing around for his friend’s bouncing red-headed shadow, Kikumaru Eiji. Oishi caught the glances and laughed.
“No, Tezuka, Eiji’s not with me. He dragged Fuji out for ice-cream when he got his exam scores. Of course,” he grumbled lightly, “He could’ve told me how he did before running away like that.”
Tezuka blinked at that, before he remembered that Fuji had been working with Eiji to get ready for exams. The little acrobat hadn’t wanted to distract his doubles partner from his own studying, but instead latched onto Fuji, saying “Nya, Fujiko’s the tensai. He doesn’t need to study anyway, so he can help me instead!”
Oishi had seemed a bit saddened, so Fuji had approached him afterward, letting him know that Eiji was trying to help them both out, knowing that Oishi studied best on his own, while Fuji himself learned better when he was teaching someone else. That, combined with Eiji’s enthusiastic hugs, was enough to sooth any of Oishi’s concerns.
It made sense for Eiji to be celebrating with his tutor. Besides, apart from each other, Eiji and Oishi were Fuji and Tezuka’s closest friends. Bringing Oishi into the house, he left him with his mother, who had come out to greet him, excusing himself to grab his racket and tennis clothes.
◄♦►
Eiji bounced along next to Fuji, happily licking his ice-cream cone. His eyes glinted brilliant blue in the sunlight, and the smile on his face told the world that he was having a great day. Fuji walked next to him, enjoying his friend’s happiness. Eiji had worked exceptionally hard for his marks, and it had paid off. His scores were high enough that he could go to university with Oishi, the only thing he had really wanted to make sure of. Oishi didn’t know yet though. He wanted to surprise him, and make him wait a while. He’d been so afraid that they’d be separated when they went off to university. Fuji smiled as his friend made a happy leap, managing not to drop his ice-cream as he began chattering about the kind of apartment that he and Oishi were going to look for. Fuji, listening with a half-smile, was distracted by the familiar thwack of a tennis racket. Eiji must’ve heard it too, because he perked up, turning Fuji in the direction of the tennis courts.
“Nya, Fuji, let’s see who’s playing!”
Fuji laughed as his excited friend tugged on his arm. It was, unfortunately, the one holding his ice-cream cone, and he was almost startled when his ice-cream moved away, just as he was reaching for a bite. Eiji chuckled at his friend, still pulling him along to the tennis courts, although he knew exactly who they would find. Oishi had told him that he’d been going to try and play a set with Tezuka that afternoon, and these were his favorite courts. He wasn’t surprised at all to come out of the trees and see the familiar forms of Seigaku’s previous buchou and fuku-buchou. He turned to look at Fuji, and grinned at the look on his friend’s face.
Fuji Syuusuke knew that even if he lived to be a hundred, he would see very few things more magnificent than Tezuka Kunimitsu on the tennis court. He epitomized power, composure and control, every move deliberate, every shot perfectly timed and executed. His sharp eyes followed Tezuka’s every move until finally, as he was beginning to ready his serve, Tezuka looked up, and their eyes met. Oishi couldn’t help but smile briefly, his look turning serious as Tezuka began to push him even harder.
‘I was wondering when he’d notice them...or rather, him.’
Eiji started cheering for Oishi.
“Nya, Fujiko, which one are you rooting for?”
Fuji smiled.
“I think Oishi has all the fans he needs, Eiji.”
“Yosh! So I’ll cheer for Oishi, and you cheer for Tezuka-buchou, ne?”
Eiji turned back to the game, his grin widening when he heard Fuji’s whispered reply.
“Always.”
◄♦►
He’d felt someone’s gaze pulling at him, and paused before his serve to look up. His eyes caught Fuji’s and held, barely registering the red-head bouncing next to him as he faltered, gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary before he snapped the ball up, sending a vicious serve across the net. Tezuka took a love game, despite the fact that Oishi fought back fiercely. As the last shot flew past Oishi’s racket, he took a step back, breathing deeply.
That was a new experience. While he always wanted to play his best, he’d never wanted to play…impressively before. And Oishi, oddly enough, looked unusually happy about it, because there was a glint in his friend’s green eyes that made Tezuka feel that even though he’d won the set, Oishi had won something even bigger.
“Great game, Tezuka,” he grinned, coming to the net to shake his friend’s hand. “You usually hold back a bit more. If I didn’t know any better,” he teased, shooting a glance at the sidelines, “I would think you were trying to impress someone.”
His eyes and his grin widened when, rather than giving a brief reprimand about always playing one’s best, Tezuka looked away momentarily, almost embarrassed.
“Oishi!”
Oishi turned just in time to catch Eiji’s headlong tumble into his arms. They laughed together.
“Nya, Oishi, sugoi!” Eiji exclaimed. “That was so cool! You and Tezuka-buchou play so well! It was exciting, ne, Fujiko?”
“Hai.”
Tezuka turned to the soft voice at his side. Fuji’s smile greeted him.
“Good game, Tezuka. Even better than the last one we played, I think. You seemed particularly inspired.”
Tezuka merely nodded his thanks, eyes not leaving Fuji’s face. They were both brought back around by the sound of a happy whoop.
“Yosh, Eiji! I knew you would score well!”
Oishi, usually fairly undemonstrative, had caught his partner up in a fierce hug and was whirling him around in gleeful circles. Eiji was laughing, his head thrown back as he held on with all his might. Fuji chuckled, and even Tezuka smiled at the two ecstatic young men.
Slowing to a stop, Oishi lowed Eiji’s feet back onto the ground. Smiling down at his still-laughing doubles partner, he asked, “Does this mean we’re getting that apartment we wanted?”
Watching as Eiji nodded, Oishi caught the redhead’s chin in one hand and gently pressed their lips together.
Tezuka, smile fading into shock, watched as two of his friends started kissing. That was unexpected. Still, he wasn’t as shocked as he might have been. He’d known that there was something between the two that was more than just friendship. Sliding to the side, he saw Fuji watching him. He seemed to be waiting for reaction. Tezuka, in a moment of weakness, wondered how Fuji would’ve reacted if he had tried the same thing. A brief and startling moment of clarity made him realize that if he had learned that Fuji could come with him when he left for school, that they could stay together, he just might have had the same reaction that Oishi did.
Eiji pulled away from Oishi slowly, eyes soft and warm, breathing sighs. He and Oishi turned back to their companions, their faces glowing almost as red as Eiji’s hair as they realized that they had forgotten about their audience. Oishi began to sputter an apology, but was stopped by Tezuka, surprisingly.
“You needn’t apologize, Oishi. Happy occasions are their own excuses.”
He looked down in time to catch sight of shocked blue eyes, glowing in the afternoon sunlight. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, he moved to pack up his tennis things.
“Nya, Tezuka-buchou, you don’t have anything planned this afternoon, Oishi said so. Let’s all go somewhere and get food. All this celebrating is making me hungry! Besides, you haven’t told us about your trip yet!” Eiji’s happy smile was even more infectious than usual.
Tezuka glanced at Fuji, trying to gauge his reaction, but all he could see was the normal soft smile.
“We’ll need to go home first, Eiji. I would like a shower and clean clothes, and I’m sure that Tezuka does, too. Want to meet back at the park entrance in an hour?”
Tezuka nodded and turned to Fuji.
“My mother was hoping you would stop by, Fuji. She had some questions about one of the cacti that you gave her. If you would like, you could speak with her while I get ready.”
Nodding, Fuji waved to Oishi and Eiji and followed Tezuka out of the park.
Chapter 2
“Tadaima.”
“Kunimitsu, is that you?”
Tezuka’s mother appeared from the kitchen.
“Did the results come out?”
Tezuka nodded.
“Did you score well?”
“Yes.”
Honestly, even Tezuka was surprised at how well he’d done. With scores like his, he could get into any school he wished. He still wasn’t sure where he wanted to go, however. He’d never been so indecisive before, but he felt that he was being pulled in several directions at once. He had been planning on school in Japan, away from home, but nearby in case something happened. Now though, the university in Switzerland was pulling at him. It was really a great school, and they were giving him an incredible full-ride scholarship to play tennis for them (with the requirement that he maintain a strong grade-point-average; that requirement was one of his favorite parts of the deal - it let him know that this was a demanding school, rather than one who bent the rules to get the best athletes). He’d discovered something on his visit though. He’d always considered himself a bit of a loner, a leader who worked well with a team but didn’t need close personal relationships. However, when he was in Switzerland, his thoughts were constantly turning back to his friends and teammates. The sushi he tried at an eastern restaurant in town wasn’t nearly as good as Kawamura’s, the gymnastics setup at the school would’ve sent Kikumaru into ecstatic cartwheels, and the nutritional “juice and smoothie bars” made him pray that they would never be seen by Inui for fear of city-wide contamination. And more than anyone else, he found himself thinking of Fuji. He would have had a field day with his camera, surrounded as the town was by majestic, snow covered mountains. He would’ve loved the people, too. No matter where he looked, he saw something that made him think of Fuji.
He’d meant it when he said Fuji would like the university. He’d taken an afternoon or two to wander through the town, admiring the unique mixture of older architecture, quaint county-looking homes, and modern business buildings. Wandering the shadow-dappled sidewalks alone, he had almost been able to see his friend’s smile, was almost able to hear his delighted exclamations, calls of, “One moment, Tezuka, onegai!” as he focused his camera on his newest inspiration. In his bedroom, now, he laid back on his bed, closing his eyes and reliving his memories of the quaint mountain town surrounding the university, letting himself remember the paths his feet had followed. It was no good. Even in his memories, he couldn’t remember what had really happened, what his own reactions were. Instead, he had impressions of Fuji’s reactions, what he would have said, what he would have done. He was a tangible presence in his memories of the trip. Moments later, he opened his eyes, expression tightening. When had his friendship with Fuji become so important? When did he start inserting his friend next to himself in memories of everything he did? He didn’t know how he had missed it. He’d been friends with Fuji since they’d met in their first year of junior high at Seigaku, had gotten used to his unassuming presence in the 2nd and 3rd years, and truly begun to enjoy the companionship in senior high - but he hadn’t realized, until now, how much he’d come to depend on his friend’s silent support, constant and undemanding. He had an odd urge to see Fuji suddenly, to see if acknowledging the other boy’s importance would effect their interaction. Would things be any different now?
Tezuka’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Surprised, and half hoping that his thoughts had conjured Fuji himself, he moved to answer the door. Oishi Shuichirou stood on his doorstep, his smile warm and his racket over one shoulder. Tezuka greeted him, glancing around for his friend’s bouncing red-headed shadow, Kikumaru Eiji. Oishi caught the glances and laughed.
“No, Tezuka, Eiji’s not with me. He dragged Fuji out for ice-cream when he got his exam scores. Of course,” he grumbled lightly, “He could’ve told me how he did before running away like that.”
Tezuka blinked at that, before he remembered that Fuji had been working with Eiji to get ready for exams. The little acrobat hadn’t wanted to distract his doubles partner from his own studying, but instead latched onto Fuji, saying “Nya, Fujiko’s the tensai. He doesn’t need to study anyway, so he can help me instead!”
Oishi had seemed a bit saddened, so Fuji had approached him afterward, letting him know that Eiji was trying to help them both out, knowing that Oishi studied best on his own, while Fuji himself learned better when he was teaching someone else. That, combined with Eiji’s enthusiastic hugs, was enough to sooth any of Oishi’s concerns.
It made sense for Eiji to be celebrating with his tutor. Besides, apart from each other, Eiji and Oishi were Fuji and Tezuka’s closest friends. Bringing Oishi into the house, he left him with his mother, who had come out to greet him, excusing himself to grab his racket and tennis clothes.
◄♦►
Eiji bounced along next to Fuji, happily licking his ice-cream cone. His eyes glinted brilliant blue in the sunlight, and the smile on his face told the world that he was having a great day. Fuji walked next to him, enjoying his friend’s happiness. Eiji had worked exceptionally hard for his marks, and it had paid off. His scores were high enough that he could go to university with Oishi, the only thing he had really wanted to make sure of. Oishi didn’t know yet though. He wanted to surprise him, and make him wait a while. He’d been so afraid that they’d be separated when they went off to university. Fuji smiled as his friend made a happy leap, managing not to drop his ice-cream as he began chattering about the kind of apartment that he and Oishi were going to look for. Fuji, listening with a half-smile, was distracted by the familiar thwack of a tennis racket. Eiji must’ve heard it too, because he perked up, turning Fuji in the direction of the tennis courts.
“Nya, Fuji, let’s see who’s playing!”
Fuji laughed as his excited friend tugged on his arm. It was, unfortunately, the one holding his ice-cream cone, and he was almost startled when his ice-cream moved away, just as he was reaching for a bite. Eiji chuckled at his friend, still pulling him along to the tennis courts, although he knew exactly who they would find. Oishi had told him that he’d been going to try and play a set with Tezuka that afternoon, and these were his favorite courts. He wasn’t surprised at all to come out of the trees and see the familiar forms of Seigaku’s previous buchou and fuku-buchou. He turned to look at Fuji, and grinned at the look on his friend’s face.
Fuji Syuusuke knew that even if he lived to be a hundred, he would see very few things more magnificent than Tezuka Kunimitsu on the tennis court. He epitomized power, composure and control, every move deliberate, every shot perfectly timed and executed. His sharp eyes followed Tezuka’s every move until finally, as he was beginning to ready his serve, Tezuka looked up, and their eyes met. Oishi couldn’t help but smile briefly, his look turning serious as Tezuka began to push him even harder.
‘I was wondering when he’d notice them...or rather, him.’
Eiji started cheering for Oishi.
“Nya, Fujiko, which one are you rooting for?”
Fuji smiled.
“I think Oishi has all the fans he needs, Eiji.”
“Yosh! So I’ll cheer for Oishi, and you cheer for Tezuka-buchou, ne?”
Eiji turned back to the game, his grin widening when he heard Fuji’s whispered reply.
“Always.”
◄♦►
He’d felt someone’s gaze pulling at him, and paused before his serve to look up. His eyes caught Fuji’s and held, barely registering the red-head bouncing next to him as he faltered, gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary before he snapped the ball up, sending a vicious serve across the net. Tezuka took a love game, despite the fact that Oishi fought back fiercely. As the last shot flew past Oishi’s racket, he took a step back, breathing deeply.
That was a new experience. While he always wanted to play his best, he’d never wanted to play…impressively before. And Oishi, oddly enough, looked unusually happy about it, because there was a glint in his friend’s green eyes that made Tezuka feel that even though he’d won the set, Oishi had won something even bigger.
“Great game, Tezuka,” he grinned, coming to the net to shake his friend’s hand. “You usually hold back a bit more. If I didn’t know any better,” he teased, shooting a glance at the sidelines, “I would think you were trying to impress someone.”
His eyes and his grin widened when, rather than giving a brief reprimand about always playing one’s best, Tezuka looked away momentarily, almost embarrassed.
“Oishi!”
Oishi turned just in time to catch Eiji’s headlong tumble into his arms. They laughed together.
“Nya, Oishi, sugoi!” Eiji exclaimed. “That was so cool! You and Tezuka-buchou play so well! It was exciting, ne, Fujiko?”
“Hai.”
Tezuka turned to the soft voice at his side. Fuji’s smile greeted him.
“Good game, Tezuka. Even better than the last one we played, I think. You seemed particularly inspired.”
Tezuka merely nodded his thanks, eyes not leaving Fuji’s face. They were both brought back around by the sound of a happy whoop.
“Yosh, Eiji! I knew you would score well!”
Oishi, usually fairly undemonstrative, had caught his partner up in a fierce hug and was whirling him around in gleeful circles. Eiji was laughing, his head thrown back as he held on with all his might. Fuji chuckled, and even Tezuka smiled at the two ecstatic young men.
Slowing to a stop, Oishi lowed Eiji’s feet back onto the ground. Smiling down at his still-laughing doubles partner, he asked, “Does this mean we’re getting that apartment we wanted?”
Watching as Eiji nodded, Oishi caught the redhead’s chin in one hand and gently pressed their lips together.
Tezuka, smile fading into shock, watched as two of his friends started kissing. That was unexpected. Still, he wasn’t as shocked as he might have been. He’d known that there was something between the two that was more than just friendship. Sliding to the side, he saw Fuji watching him. He seemed to be waiting for reaction. Tezuka, in a moment of weakness, wondered how Fuji would’ve reacted if he had tried the same thing. A brief and startling moment of clarity made him realize that if he had learned that Fuji could come with him when he left for school, that they could stay together, he just might have had the same reaction that Oishi did.
Eiji pulled away from Oishi slowly, eyes soft and warm, breathing sighs. He and Oishi turned back to their companions, their faces glowing almost as red as Eiji’s hair as they realized that they had forgotten about their audience. Oishi began to sputter an apology, but was stopped by Tezuka, surprisingly.
“You needn’t apologize, Oishi. Happy occasions are their own excuses.”
He looked down in time to catch sight of shocked blue eyes, glowing in the afternoon sunlight. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, he moved to pack up his tennis things.
“Nya, Tezuka-buchou, you don’t have anything planned this afternoon, Oishi said so. Let’s all go somewhere and get food. All this celebrating is making me hungry! Besides, you haven’t told us about your trip yet!” Eiji’s happy smile was even more infectious than usual.
Tezuka glanced at Fuji, trying to gauge his reaction, but all he could see was the normal soft smile.
“We’ll need to go home first, Eiji. I would like a shower and clean clothes, and I’m sure that Tezuka does, too. Want to meet back at the park entrance in an hour?”
Tezuka nodded and turned to Fuji.
“My mother was hoping you would stop by, Fuji. She had some questions about one of the cacti that you gave her. If you would like, you could speak with her while I get ready.”
Nodding, Fuji waved to Oishi and Eiji and followed Tezuka out of the park.