愛していると言ってくれ
Title: 愛していると言ってくれ (AKA: Say You Love Me/Aishiteiru to itte kure)
Summery: Five years after high school, Syuusuke has somehow entered into a relationship with Eiji, who heart is still longing for Oishi’s acceptance. However, the appearance of Tezuka and Oishi, after a weekend stay in Furano, for a reunion with the Seigaku regulars, causes Syuusuke to grow desperate in his love with Eiji. Is it because he has truly come to love the once acrobatic player? Or is it because of Tezuka’s reappearance that is leaving him so clueless and desperate? (The pairings may end up as the following, although there’re no promises: Dream Pair, Golden Pair, or Fuzuka.)
Word Count: 3404
Notes: This is the re-done version of "Pretend You Love Me." I just didn't like the fact that I had written them in highschool, and, also, because of the lack of plot for the other one. However, I do have a plot for this one, so everything should be nice and happy for me now. (-^o^-) Sorry, if this bothers anyone~!
Tennis no Oujisama © Konomi Takeshi, Jump, Shueisha
Summery: Five years after high school, Syuusuke has somehow entered into a relationship with Eiji, who heart is still longing for Oishi’s acceptance. However, the appearance of Tezuka and Oishi, after a weekend stay in Furano, for a reunion with the Seigaku regulars, causes Syuusuke to grow desperate in his love with Eiji. Is it because he has truly come to love the once acrobatic player? Or is it because of Tezuka’s reappearance that is leaving him so clueless and desperate? (The pairings may end up as the following, although there’re no promises: Dream Pair, Golden Pair, or Fuzuka.)
愛していると言ってくれ
Chapter One
また
- - -
- - -
“You’re leaving?”
Everything, at that single moment, suddenly felt empty and worthless to Fuji. He had stood away from Tezuka’s warmth and had simply stood on his own, feeling himself grow cold as he spoke. Outside the sun was being completely hidden, shielding itself under clouds as rain steadily began to pour outside. In all irony, his mind held enough sadistic sarcasm to whisper about the irony of the rain and how, as they were needed for nature, they fell freely, breathing life into earth; yet, being a human, he couldn’t let those tears flow as freely, for it showed a sign of weakness, even in love.
A numbing sense washed over him when he didn’t hear Tezuka answer him quickly enough, turning around, he chuckled laughing behind his hand while his other hand reached over and pulled the blinds closed, hiding away the rain. Pausing in his laughter, he stared at Tezuka for a moment, a well practice smile upon his lips. He was sure he saw concern flickering within the other male’s eyes, for he watched Tezuka take a step towards him, hand reaching for him. However, Fuji pulled away, his body jerking from the sudden need of contact, wanting the pain to disappear.
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Fuji whispered, glaring at the hand which had dropped back to Tezuka’s side. “No, not with all the merits you’ve been getting lately. ‘You’re so great, Tezuka-sama!’ ‘You’ll reach the top one day, Tezuka-sama!’”
“Syuusuke…” Tezuka tried, inching towards him again.
“Don’t call me that!” he shouted, slamming his fist into the wall nearby. The pain awoke his numbing spell and he found it so incredible that tears formed on their own, tears which he hid with laughter. His crackle seemed to scare Tezuka more, the bespectacled man, rushing towards him, grabbing him by the shoulders as he tried to shake Fuji out of it. Fuji did stop though, shakily, he cradled his hands and released a hidden whimper. “Don’t touch me…”
“You’re hurt,” Tezuka said flatly, moving to look at the hand.
“I’m not in pain,” Fuji denied, moving away once more.
“Don’t be foolish, Syuusuke. We have to have someone look at--”
“Do you not like me acting this way, Tezuka?” He felt the hand throb as he watched a pained look come over Tezuka by the mere mention of the other man’s surname. However, despite that, a smile snaked its way onto his lips. “Do you want me to be happy, Tezuka? To wish you well and pretend that the past three years have been nothing to me? That you and I simply have used one another in the past years?”
“No,” Tezuka answered. However, Fuji ignored this, continuing on.
“Did it matter to you, Tezuka? Do you have another lover?” Fuji snapped, glaring reproachfully towards the other man. Secret whispers of the past years were taunting him, things Tezuka would whisper to him as they made love or when they were alone together. He watched Tezuka attempt to open his mouth, looking shocked by the last statement but Fuji didn’t let him. “I’ve been with you for three years, Tezuka. Why am I the last one to always find something new about you?”
“Syuusuke, we’ve been over this,” Tezuka said, “It’s not that I--”
“Then what about today?” Fuji whispered. “Wasn’t I the last one to know that you’re leaving? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“I wanted to spend my last day with you, as you,” Tezuka countered, taking a cautious step forward, glad to see that Fuji didn’t move away this time. “I didn’t want you upset over this--”
“You’re leaving tonight!” Fuji snapped, walking up to Tezuka and shoving the man with his unharmed hand. “How can I not be upset by this? You’re moving to a country where I can’t even speak to you!”
“Syuusuke... Why are you so convinced that we won’t see each other after this? Why do you think I’ll leave you for someone else? Do you have that little trust in me?” Tezuka asked, grasping onto Fuji’s shoulders. However the smaller male pulled away and walked away, moving towards the door. “You… have that little trust in us?”
Blinking furiously, Fuji turned back around with a small smile. “Unfortunately, it seems we both do, Tezuka,” Fuji whispered, slowly meeting Tezuka’s eyes. “Good bye, Tezuka…”
- - -
- - -
Jacob Fedding paused before a small group of people and because curiosity got the better of him, he moved towards the picture they had grouped around, wondering what it was that had caught their attention. There soft mutters of excitement and awe were blocked out as Jacob got a clear view of the picture, his heart somehow stopping as he peered at it. Within the picture was a young redhead, naked except for a mere blanket which was barely covering his waist. Sitting in a crouched position, it looked like he was trying to fit into the picture, cramped by the lines of the portrait.
The redhead’s hand was touching the picture almost as if he were reaching out of it, wanting to be free once more. However, the thing that caught Jacob’s eyes most was the model’s eyes. It was blank and peering towards its viewers, looking as if he was staring at you but yet, it wasn’t as if his eyes were locked on you as well. It was almost as if the redhead was through with begging with you, as if he wanted nothing more but for you to leave--and yet, his hand, if his hand weren’t pressing against the picture…
“Uncle, are you all right?” a hand clamped down onto his arm.
Surprised, he peered down at his arm and gave a shaky laugh. How could a picture entrap him so much that he started to reach out for it? “I’m sorry,” he apologized letting his arm down and peering down at his niece. She smiled warmly before snaking her arm around his and leaning her head onto his arm. “Do you know who took this picture? It’s brilliant.”
“Hmm,” she answered, “the artist is Syuusuke Fuji, a young man who moved back to Japan a few years back. This was his last piece he sent me before he returned home.”
“Oh, do you know who the model was then?” Jacob asked, looking back into the almost lifeless eyes.
“Unfortunately,” she frowned, “Syuusuke never told me that. However, he works with different people it seems. Although, this man is mainly his main model, he also used other people.”
“Ah, I see,” Jacob said. For a moment the both of them simply admired the picture before the elder man sighed, a heavy feeling weighing against his chest. “This picture is so powerful, even for a photograph. Do you see it, Jessica? The look in his eyes… it’s as if he’s given upon us. Yet, his hand, Jessica, do you see it? It’s like his subconsciously reaching out for us.”
A smile returned onto his niece’s lips. “Yes, it’s almost as if his lost something,” she mused along with him, “as if he’s lost something that brought life into his eyes. Almost as if he’s lost his innocence, don’t you think Uncle?”
Jacob looked over at her and nodded, his hand hitting together. “Exactly!” he exclaimed before peering at the photograph, still stunned. “It’s brilliant, Jessica, absolutely brilliant. I lost my breath when I first saw this picture, did you know that?”
“Yes, me too,” she whispered, “I did with everything Syuusuke did.”
“Is there more of his work here?” Jacob asked, still staring at the photograph.
Another smile snaked its way onto her lips before she looked up and nodded, slowly pulling her Uncle around the corner. “This whole area is Syuusuke’s,” she said, waving her arm to show the small collection.
Only seven pictures were against the wall, four of them carrying a different model from the redhead. Passing by each one, Jacob noticed that small groups of people would be there for a period of a time, sometimes not moving from their spot. However, he did notice that Syuusuke Fuji did have a familiar theme through out all his pictures: lost innocence.
- - -
- - -
Sometimes, Momo felt like a real idiot.
After opening the door to the fridge and finding it empty, a strong longing to smack him self upside the head came and yet, he had no energy to do so. This was how he felt everyday after work, and despite being around smiling faces everyday, he’d come home and feel a strong sense of bitter longing, enough to make him curl up in bed before waking up and going through the whole day once more. Closing the fridge door with a strong thud, he turned around and leaned back onto the machine, his stomach growling. It was a petty thing to think about at the moment but, at that moment, Momo really wished he had enough money to spend to buy some burgers.
Then again, the thought of burgers caused even more bitter nostalgia to rise, images of nights before this floated in and out of his mind until he finally pushed himself away from the kitchen. Moving to his living room, he lied on the two year old green couch, stretching enough so that he’d become comfortable in that position. Sitting there, he began to think of ways to feed himself and, be able to pay for the bills before the end of the month.
Perhaps, he should find change around the house, enough to buy a power bar or something. He crossed that thought out quickly however; the thought of moving around his apartment and looking under the furniture for loose changed made him even more tired then he already was and that was simply thinking about it. Maybe he should try calling Eiji? After all him and Fuji always loved to have him over once in a while--especially after work, where he and Eiji would tell stories about the kids in daycare.
As he sighed, his stomach growled and actually clenched.
“All right, all right,” he muttered to his stomach as he sat up high enough so that he could reach for the cordless nearby, “we’ll call Eiji-senpai.” After dialing the number and talking shortly to Eiji, he was surprised that the older male was hoping if he could stay the night, he even offered to bring some food for Momo if he wished. Hanging up, he stared at the phone for a moment, wondering if Eiji had gotten into a fight with Fuji. That thought seemed right enough and, with that thought in mind, Momo stood up and began to move towards his closet, ready to set things up for when Eiji would be sleeping over.
To be honest with him self, Momo considered the fact that he might be nervous as he walked to his room, things for Eiji in his arms. It was, honestly, the first time he would have someone in his apartment for the last two years. Also, just because Eiji and he were close at work, it still didn’t prove close enough so that they would talk after it. Scratching the back of his head a bit, he frowned before chuckling softly. “This is definitely different,” he muttered softly before hearing the doorbell chime.
The moment Momo opened the door; he was shocked in his place.
“Yo, Momo-chin,” Eiji said, grinning before titling his head slightly and looking back down, another tear rolling from his eye. Laughing slightly, Eiji wiped his face before looking back up at Momo and lifting up the bag in his hands. “You’re hungry, right? I brought some ramen for us to make!”
“Oh, yeah,” Momo said, stepping aside as Eiji walked in before taking off his shoes, “Ah, you can sit on the couch if you want, I’ll go boil the water.”
Grasping the bag from Eiji’s hands, Momo moved towards the kitchen quickly, barely catching Eiji falling onto the couch with a soft sigh. Shaking his head slightly, he pulled out the two plastic bowls from the bag before placing them on the counter, frowning slightly. It was probably most definitely a fight, Momo mused turning on the fire before standing up straight again. Why did Eiji come to him though? Although, he had to admit, this was the first time he heard of the two of them fighting. Usually Fuji would always have good things to say about Eiji and vice-versa and, although it seemed that they were a weird couple, it somehow ended up working out, didn’t it?
Then again, Momo thought, couples do break up. A bitter longing hit him once more, and his eyes moved towards the small bookshelf, where a photograph from five years ago sat. Closing his eyes for a moment, he pictured the faces perfectly, especially the one that had stood next to him that day… Opening his eyes again, he sighed, kicking himself inwardly for getting so lost in thought before moving towards the living room once more.
Finding that Eiji was asleep on the couch already, Momo sat on the chair nearby, deciding for what seemed like the hundredth time that he hated nighttime.
- - -
- - -
Oishi smiled as he stepped out the post office, his head titled up towards the sky as he breathed in the fresh air. Looking back down before him, he paused in taking a step forward, his smile growing slightly more as his eyebrows inched together in a confused state. Before him stood his best friend since junior high, however, that wasn’t the fact that had surprised him the most. In fact, it was the other man that was standing besides him with a smirk on his lips as he tugged on the bill of his hat as a greeting.
“Echizen,” Oishi whispered, jogging down the steps before patting the man on the shoulder before peering at the other man besides Echizen. “Is this why you suddenly decided to call me and ask where I was, Tezuka? It’s certainly a nice surprise.”
Tezuka offered a small smile while adjusting his glasses slightly. “Yes and no,” Tezuka answered, nodding towards the building besides them, “Did you send them?”
Oishi grinned, nodding. “I just gave them to Erica; she thought it was funny how the letters were all perfectly shaped like a tennis racket. Do you think they’ll be coming?”
“Well,” Echizen breathed out, stuffing a hand in his pockets, “judging from the fact that we haven’t seen anyone in five years, it’ll be hard to know, huh?”
“True,” Oishi said, nodding with a slight frown.
“But,” Echizen continued, looking at Oishi, “that might make them want to go even more, right Oishi-senpai?”
“Hmm, maybe,” Oishi answered．Oishi looked up at the two of them, a smile playing on his lips as he pointing towards his right, his thumb pointing the way. “Want to head to eat somewhere? I’ll pay.”
“Oh,” Echizen said, smirking once more, “Are you sure you can pay, senpai? I mean you’re just a college student after all, right?”
After Oishi’s eyes widen for a moment and his cheeks tinted a hint of pink, Tezuka sighed before firmly hitting Echizen on the back of the head, causing the younger boy to glare at him while smiling slightly. “Sorry, Oishi,” Tezuka apologized with a slight bow, “He just wants to treat you. You have to excuse he’s rude ways while you can, I’m afraid that they’re still a problem.”
Looking back and forth between Echizen and Tezuka, Oishi laughed before putting his arms around both of their shoulders. “Well, anyway,” Oishi said, looking towards the sky once more, “We should go, shouldn’t we?”
Smiling as well, the two of them answered “yes” before they took off towards a restaurant named Careful in English.
- - -
- - -
“Nice bruise,” Fuji commented, smiling serenely as Saeki came into the room, narrowed eyed and clutching his cheek. Sitting on the couch, he offered his friend a water bottle and two pills for pain relief. Saeki took the offer with a soft grunt before stuffing the pills in his mouth and grumpily handing Fuji back the water bottle as he did so while Fuji grasped the bottle, he’s smile fell before he opened it for Saeki and handed it back, the other male drinking greedily from it.
“I wouldn’t have gotten it if it weren’t for you,” Saeki muttered softly as a retort to Fuji’s comment, while re-closing the water bottle and throwing it onto the chair nearby. Fuji watched Saeki smile in his comfort, before leaning over and pinching the bruised cheek causing him to yell out in pain while pushing away Fuji’s hand. “That hurt, you bastard!” Saeki snapped, moving slightly away from Fuji who smiled once more.
“Ah, did it?” Fuji questioned, titling his head slightly. “I guess you can call that pay back for trying to sleep with me on the night I have a fight with my boyfriend.”
“Pay back, is that what you call pay back, Fuji?” Saeki snorted, rubbing his poor cheek. “Besides, it’s not my fault. You’re the one who came to me and, also, wasn’t it in high school when you were upset over Te--”
Fuji’s hands were suddenly at his throat and, despite the situation, Saeki smirked. “Don’t you dare, utter his name in front of me,” Fuji snapped, releasing Saeki’s neck before taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes. “Besides, the only reason why we were together that night was because--”
“Eiji was with Oishi,” Saeki finished in a bored tone. “Yes, I know. I’ve known ever since the first time you told me! Remember, the morning after that night?” Saeki laughed “God, I never felt more like an idiot then I had at that moment. ‘I’m sorry, Saeki. I was just desperate in my own needs.’ Sometimes, Fuji, you can be a real ass, you know?”
Fuji opened his eyes once more and gave a ‘Don’t-Kid-With-Me’ stare before brushing away his brown locks, frowning. “I know,” he finally admitted, “however, it’s not for the reason that you’re thinking of.”
Saeki gave a slight smile before nodding; he reached over and patted Fuji on the shoulder watching as his past rival offered a slight smile before drifting back into thought. “Ah man,” Saeki groaned standing up with his arms over his head as he stretched. “All this depressing stuff is getting me hungry! Hey, Fuji, want to head out and eat something?”
Fuji’s eyebrows rose slightly. “You want to go outside with that bruise on your cheek? People will think you’re a yakuza if you do.”
Saeki frowned before crossing his arms and titling his head to the side, grinning. “Think I’ll get laid if I such up my eyebrows and scowl a bit more?” Saeki mirrored what he said and Fuji laughed slightly before getting up.
“You wish,” he answered before breathing in. “Let’s go downtown then, I’m pretty sure that no one should be there this early in the morning.”
Saeki grinned before winking at Fuji. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for,” Saeki agreed before grabbing his cell phone and heading out, leaving Fuji in the room alone for the moment. Reaching into his pocket, Fuji pulled out his own cell phone and checked if he missed any calls or messages that night. Luckily, there was one message from Eiji and it seemed he had sent it around midnight, a few hours after they had fought. Opening it, he read the words twice before shaking his head, a slight smile on his lips.
Closing the phone, the words “Fuji no baka!” disappeared from view.
- - -
- - -
Ｅｎｄｉｎｇ Ｎｏｔｅｓ：
１．Sorry for everyone who liked the other version better. In my opinion, it was quite messy and by re-writing it, I'm more satisfied with it.
２．Just in case anyone is confused, Momo and Eiji both work at a daycare/kindergarden school. I don't know too much about working at places like these so it probably won't be mentioned much.
３．また means "mata" which can mean "again"
４．I'm hoping, with all my heart, that everyone is happy with this version as I am~!! (-^o^-)
５．HAPPY HOLIDAYS~!
Summery: Five years after high school, Syuusuke has somehow entered into a relationship with Eiji, who heart is still longing for Oishi’s acceptance. However, the appearance of Tezuka and Oishi, after a weekend stay in Furano, for a reunion with the Seigaku regulars, causes Syuusuke to grow desperate in his love with Eiji. Is it because he has truly come to love the once acrobatic player? Or is it because of Tezuka’s reappearance that is leaving him so clueless and desperate? (The pairings may end up as the following, although there’re no promises: Dream Pair, Golden Pair, or Fuzuka.)
Word Count: 3404
Notes: This is the re-done version of "Pretend You Love Me." I just didn't like the fact that I had written them in highschool, and, also, because of the lack of plot for the other one. However, I do have a plot for this one, so everything should be nice and happy for me now. (-^o^-) Sorry, if this bothers anyone~!
Tennis no Oujisama © Konomi Takeshi, Jump, Shueisha
Summery: Five years after high school, Syuusuke has somehow entered into a relationship with Eiji, who heart is still longing for Oishi’s acceptance. However, the appearance of Tezuka and Oishi, after a weekend stay in Furano, for a reunion with the Seigaku regulars, causes Syuusuke to grow desperate in his love with Eiji. Is it because he has truly come to love the once acrobatic player? Or is it because of Tezuka’s reappearance that is leaving him so clueless and desperate? (The pairings may end up as the following, although there’re no promises: Dream Pair, Golden Pair, or Fuzuka.)
愛していると言ってくれ
Chapter One
また
- - -
- - -
“You’re leaving?”
Everything, at that single moment, suddenly felt empty and worthless to Fuji. He had stood away from Tezuka’s warmth and had simply stood on his own, feeling himself grow cold as he spoke. Outside the sun was being completely hidden, shielding itself under clouds as rain steadily began to pour outside. In all irony, his mind held enough sadistic sarcasm to whisper about the irony of the rain and how, as they were needed for nature, they fell freely, breathing life into earth; yet, being a human, he couldn’t let those tears flow as freely, for it showed a sign of weakness, even in love.
A numbing sense washed over him when he didn’t hear Tezuka answer him quickly enough, turning around, he chuckled laughing behind his hand while his other hand reached over and pulled the blinds closed, hiding away the rain. Pausing in his laughter, he stared at Tezuka for a moment, a well practice smile upon his lips. He was sure he saw concern flickering within the other male’s eyes, for he watched Tezuka take a step towards him, hand reaching for him. However, Fuji pulled away, his body jerking from the sudden need of contact, wanting the pain to disappear.
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Fuji whispered, glaring at the hand which had dropped back to Tezuka’s side. “No, not with all the merits you’ve been getting lately. ‘You’re so great, Tezuka-sama!’ ‘You’ll reach the top one day, Tezuka-sama!’”
“Syuusuke…” Tezuka tried, inching towards him again.
“Don’t call me that!” he shouted, slamming his fist into the wall nearby. The pain awoke his numbing spell and he found it so incredible that tears formed on their own, tears which he hid with laughter. His crackle seemed to scare Tezuka more, the bespectacled man, rushing towards him, grabbing him by the shoulders as he tried to shake Fuji out of it. Fuji did stop though, shakily, he cradled his hands and released a hidden whimper. “Don’t touch me…”
“You’re hurt,” Tezuka said flatly, moving to look at the hand.
“I’m not in pain,” Fuji denied, moving away once more.
“Don’t be foolish, Syuusuke. We have to have someone look at--”
“Do you not like me acting this way, Tezuka?” He felt the hand throb as he watched a pained look come over Tezuka by the mere mention of the other man’s surname. However, despite that, a smile snaked its way onto his lips. “Do you want me to be happy, Tezuka? To wish you well and pretend that the past three years have been nothing to me? That you and I simply have used one another in the past years?”
“No,” Tezuka answered. However, Fuji ignored this, continuing on.
“Did it matter to you, Tezuka? Do you have another lover?” Fuji snapped, glaring reproachfully towards the other man. Secret whispers of the past years were taunting him, things Tezuka would whisper to him as they made love or when they were alone together. He watched Tezuka attempt to open his mouth, looking shocked by the last statement but Fuji didn’t let him. “I’ve been with you for three years, Tezuka. Why am I the last one to always find something new about you?”
“Syuusuke, we’ve been over this,” Tezuka said, “It’s not that I--”
“Then what about today?” Fuji whispered. “Wasn’t I the last one to know that you’re leaving? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“I wanted to spend my last day with you, as you,” Tezuka countered, taking a cautious step forward, glad to see that Fuji didn’t move away this time. “I didn’t want you upset over this--”
“You’re leaving tonight!” Fuji snapped, walking up to Tezuka and shoving the man with his unharmed hand. “How can I not be upset by this? You’re moving to a country where I can’t even speak to you!”
“Syuusuke... Why are you so convinced that we won’t see each other after this? Why do you think I’ll leave you for someone else? Do you have that little trust in me?” Tezuka asked, grasping onto Fuji’s shoulders. However the smaller male pulled away and walked away, moving towards the door. “You… have that little trust in us?”
Blinking furiously, Fuji turned back around with a small smile. “Unfortunately, it seems we both do, Tezuka,” Fuji whispered, slowly meeting Tezuka’s eyes. “Good bye, Tezuka…”
- - -
- - -
Jacob Fedding paused before a small group of people and because curiosity got the better of him, he moved towards the picture they had grouped around, wondering what it was that had caught their attention. There soft mutters of excitement and awe were blocked out as Jacob got a clear view of the picture, his heart somehow stopping as he peered at it. Within the picture was a young redhead, naked except for a mere blanket which was barely covering his waist. Sitting in a crouched position, it looked like he was trying to fit into the picture, cramped by the lines of the portrait.
The redhead’s hand was touching the picture almost as if he were reaching out of it, wanting to be free once more. However, the thing that caught Jacob’s eyes most was the model’s eyes. It was blank and peering towards its viewers, looking as if he was staring at you but yet, it wasn’t as if his eyes were locked on you as well. It was almost as if the redhead was through with begging with you, as if he wanted nothing more but for you to leave--and yet, his hand, if his hand weren’t pressing against the picture…
“Uncle, are you all right?” a hand clamped down onto his arm.
Surprised, he peered down at his arm and gave a shaky laugh. How could a picture entrap him so much that he started to reach out for it? “I’m sorry,” he apologized letting his arm down and peering down at his niece. She smiled warmly before snaking her arm around his and leaning her head onto his arm. “Do you know who took this picture? It’s brilliant.”
“Hmm,” she answered, “the artist is Syuusuke Fuji, a young man who moved back to Japan a few years back. This was his last piece he sent me before he returned home.”
“Oh, do you know who the model was then?” Jacob asked, looking back into the almost lifeless eyes.
“Unfortunately,” she frowned, “Syuusuke never told me that. However, he works with different people it seems. Although, this man is mainly his main model, he also used other people.”
“Ah, I see,” Jacob said. For a moment the both of them simply admired the picture before the elder man sighed, a heavy feeling weighing against his chest. “This picture is so powerful, even for a photograph. Do you see it, Jessica? The look in his eyes… it’s as if he’s given upon us. Yet, his hand, Jessica, do you see it? It’s like his subconsciously reaching out for us.”
A smile returned onto his niece’s lips. “Yes, it’s almost as if his lost something,” she mused along with him, “as if he’s lost something that brought life into his eyes. Almost as if he’s lost his innocence, don’t you think Uncle?”
Jacob looked over at her and nodded, his hand hitting together. “Exactly!” he exclaimed before peering at the photograph, still stunned. “It’s brilliant, Jessica, absolutely brilliant. I lost my breath when I first saw this picture, did you know that?”
“Yes, me too,” she whispered, “I did with everything Syuusuke did.”
“Is there more of his work here?” Jacob asked, still staring at the photograph.
Another smile snaked its way onto her lips before she looked up and nodded, slowly pulling her Uncle around the corner. “This whole area is Syuusuke’s,” she said, waving her arm to show the small collection.
Only seven pictures were against the wall, four of them carrying a different model from the redhead. Passing by each one, Jacob noticed that small groups of people would be there for a period of a time, sometimes not moving from their spot. However, he did notice that Syuusuke Fuji did have a familiar theme through out all his pictures: lost innocence.
- - -
- - -
Sometimes, Momo felt like a real idiot.
After opening the door to the fridge and finding it empty, a strong longing to smack him self upside the head came and yet, he had no energy to do so. This was how he felt everyday after work, and despite being around smiling faces everyday, he’d come home and feel a strong sense of bitter longing, enough to make him curl up in bed before waking up and going through the whole day once more. Closing the fridge door with a strong thud, he turned around and leaned back onto the machine, his stomach growling. It was a petty thing to think about at the moment but, at that moment, Momo really wished he had enough money to spend to buy some burgers.
Then again, the thought of burgers caused even more bitter nostalgia to rise, images of nights before this floated in and out of his mind until he finally pushed himself away from the kitchen. Moving to his living room, he lied on the two year old green couch, stretching enough so that he’d become comfortable in that position. Sitting there, he began to think of ways to feed himself and, be able to pay for the bills before the end of the month.
Perhaps, he should find change around the house, enough to buy a power bar or something. He crossed that thought out quickly however; the thought of moving around his apartment and looking under the furniture for loose changed made him even more tired then he already was and that was simply thinking about it. Maybe he should try calling Eiji? After all him and Fuji always loved to have him over once in a while--especially after work, where he and Eiji would tell stories about the kids in daycare.
As he sighed, his stomach growled and actually clenched.
“All right, all right,” he muttered to his stomach as he sat up high enough so that he could reach for the cordless nearby, “we’ll call Eiji-senpai.” After dialing the number and talking shortly to Eiji, he was surprised that the older male was hoping if he could stay the night, he even offered to bring some food for Momo if he wished. Hanging up, he stared at the phone for a moment, wondering if Eiji had gotten into a fight with Fuji. That thought seemed right enough and, with that thought in mind, Momo stood up and began to move towards his closet, ready to set things up for when Eiji would be sleeping over.
To be honest with him self, Momo considered the fact that he might be nervous as he walked to his room, things for Eiji in his arms. It was, honestly, the first time he would have someone in his apartment for the last two years. Also, just because Eiji and he were close at work, it still didn’t prove close enough so that they would talk after it. Scratching the back of his head a bit, he frowned before chuckling softly. “This is definitely different,” he muttered softly before hearing the doorbell chime.
The moment Momo opened the door; he was shocked in his place.
“Yo, Momo-chin,” Eiji said, grinning before titling his head slightly and looking back down, another tear rolling from his eye. Laughing slightly, Eiji wiped his face before looking back up at Momo and lifting up the bag in his hands. “You’re hungry, right? I brought some ramen for us to make!”
“Oh, yeah,” Momo said, stepping aside as Eiji walked in before taking off his shoes, “Ah, you can sit on the couch if you want, I’ll go boil the water.”
Grasping the bag from Eiji’s hands, Momo moved towards the kitchen quickly, barely catching Eiji falling onto the couch with a soft sigh. Shaking his head slightly, he pulled out the two plastic bowls from the bag before placing them on the counter, frowning slightly. It was probably most definitely a fight, Momo mused turning on the fire before standing up straight again. Why did Eiji come to him though? Although, he had to admit, this was the first time he heard of the two of them fighting. Usually Fuji would always have good things to say about Eiji and vice-versa and, although it seemed that they were a weird couple, it somehow ended up working out, didn’t it?
Then again, Momo thought, couples do break up. A bitter longing hit him once more, and his eyes moved towards the small bookshelf, where a photograph from five years ago sat. Closing his eyes for a moment, he pictured the faces perfectly, especially the one that had stood next to him that day… Opening his eyes again, he sighed, kicking himself inwardly for getting so lost in thought before moving towards the living room once more.
Finding that Eiji was asleep on the couch already, Momo sat on the chair nearby, deciding for what seemed like the hundredth time that he hated nighttime.
- - -
- - -
Oishi smiled as he stepped out the post office, his head titled up towards the sky as he breathed in the fresh air. Looking back down before him, he paused in taking a step forward, his smile growing slightly more as his eyebrows inched together in a confused state. Before him stood his best friend since junior high, however, that wasn’t the fact that had surprised him the most. In fact, it was the other man that was standing besides him with a smirk on his lips as he tugged on the bill of his hat as a greeting.
“Echizen,” Oishi whispered, jogging down the steps before patting the man on the shoulder before peering at the other man besides Echizen. “Is this why you suddenly decided to call me and ask where I was, Tezuka? It’s certainly a nice surprise.”
Tezuka offered a small smile while adjusting his glasses slightly. “Yes and no,” Tezuka answered, nodding towards the building besides them, “Did you send them?”
Oishi grinned, nodding. “I just gave them to Erica; she thought it was funny how the letters were all perfectly shaped like a tennis racket. Do you think they’ll be coming?”
“Well,” Echizen breathed out, stuffing a hand in his pockets, “judging from the fact that we haven’t seen anyone in five years, it’ll be hard to know, huh?”
“True,” Oishi said, nodding with a slight frown.
“But,” Echizen continued, looking at Oishi, “that might make them want to go even more, right Oishi-senpai?”
“Hmm, maybe,” Oishi answered．Oishi looked up at the two of them, a smile playing on his lips as he pointing towards his right, his thumb pointing the way. “Want to head to eat somewhere? I’ll pay.”
“Oh,” Echizen said, smirking once more, “Are you sure you can pay, senpai? I mean you’re just a college student after all, right?”
After Oishi’s eyes widen for a moment and his cheeks tinted a hint of pink, Tezuka sighed before firmly hitting Echizen on the back of the head, causing the younger boy to glare at him while smiling slightly. “Sorry, Oishi,” Tezuka apologized with a slight bow, “He just wants to treat you. You have to excuse he’s rude ways while you can, I’m afraid that they’re still a problem.”
Looking back and forth between Echizen and Tezuka, Oishi laughed before putting his arms around both of their shoulders. “Well, anyway,” Oishi said, looking towards the sky once more, “We should go, shouldn’t we?”
Smiling as well, the two of them answered “yes” before they took off towards a restaurant named Careful in English.
- - -
- - -
“Nice bruise,” Fuji commented, smiling serenely as Saeki came into the room, narrowed eyed and clutching his cheek. Sitting on the couch, he offered his friend a water bottle and two pills for pain relief. Saeki took the offer with a soft grunt before stuffing the pills in his mouth and grumpily handing Fuji back the water bottle as he did so while Fuji grasped the bottle, he’s smile fell before he opened it for Saeki and handed it back, the other male drinking greedily from it.
“I wouldn’t have gotten it if it weren’t for you,” Saeki muttered softly as a retort to Fuji’s comment, while re-closing the water bottle and throwing it onto the chair nearby. Fuji watched Saeki smile in his comfort, before leaning over and pinching the bruised cheek causing him to yell out in pain while pushing away Fuji’s hand. “That hurt, you bastard!” Saeki snapped, moving slightly away from Fuji who smiled once more.
“Ah, did it?” Fuji questioned, titling his head slightly. “I guess you can call that pay back for trying to sleep with me on the night I have a fight with my boyfriend.”
“Pay back, is that what you call pay back, Fuji?” Saeki snorted, rubbing his poor cheek. “Besides, it’s not my fault. You’re the one who came to me and, also, wasn’t it in high school when you were upset over Te--”
Fuji’s hands were suddenly at his throat and, despite the situation, Saeki smirked. “Don’t you dare, utter his name in front of me,” Fuji snapped, releasing Saeki’s neck before taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes. “Besides, the only reason why we were together that night was because--”
“Eiji was with Oishi,” Saeki finished in a bored tone. “Yes, I know. I’ve known ever since the first time you told me! Remember, the morning after that night?” Saeki laughed “God, I never felt more like an idiot then I had at that moment. ‘I’m sorry, Saeki. I was just desperate in my own needs.’ Sometimes, Fuji, you can be a real ass, you know?”
Fuji opened his eyes once more and gave a ‘Don’t-Kid-With-Me’ stare before brushing away his brown locks, frowning. “I know,” he finally admitted, “however, it’s not for the reason that you’re thinking of.”
Saeki gave a slight smile before nodding; he reached over and patted Fuji on the shoulder watching as his past rival offered a slight smile before drifting back into thought. “Ah man,” Saeki groaned standing up with his arms over his head as he stretched. “All this depressing stuff is getting me hungry! Hey, Fuji, want to head out and eat something?”
Fuji’s eyebrows rose slightly. “You want to go outside with that bruise on your cheek? People will think you’re a yakuza if you do.”
Saeki frowned before crossing his arms and titling his head to the side, grinning. “Think I’ll get laid if I such up my eyebrows and scowl a bit more?” Saeki mirrored what he said and Fuji laughed slightly before getting up.
“You wish,” he answered before breathing in. “Let’s go downtown then, I’m pretty sure that no one should be there this early in the morning.”
Saeki grinned before winking at Fuji. “That’s exactly what I was hoping for,” Saeki agreed before grabbing his cell phone and heading out, leaving Fuji in the room alone for the moment. Reaching into his pocket, Fuji pulled out his own cell phone and checked if he missed any calls or messages that night. Luckily, there was one message from Eiji and it seemed he had sent it around midnight, a few hours after they had fought. Opening it, he read the words twice before shaking his head, a slight smile on his lips.
Closing the phone, the words “Fuji no baka!” disappeared from view.
- - -
- - -
Ｅｎｄｉｎｇ Ｎｏｔｅｓ：
１．Sorry for everyone who liked the other version better. In my opinion, it was quite messy and by re-writing it, I'm more satisfied with it.
２．Just in case anyone is confused, Momo and Eiji both work at a daycare/kindergarden school. I don't know too much about working at places like these so it probably won't be mentioned much.
３．また means "mata" which can mean "again"
４．I'm hoping, with all my heart, that everyone is happy with this version as I am~!! (-^o^-)
５．HAPPY HOLIDAYS~!