FIC: The Right Choice [Atobe+?xMizuki]
Author: yumeyana
Title: The Right Choice
Pairings: Atobe+?xMizuki
Genre: Romance and a bit of drama
Rating: PG
Summary: Life is about choices. We all make the wrong ones along they way and some right ones to go with it. Atobe did. Now, it was Mizuki's turn.
Author’s Notes: This is a post-birthday special for Mizuki. I was getting low on the inspiration and it only struck me now. I hope you like this!
Fic Notes: These are thoughts. There are three main people involved. The third person will be addressed as ‘he’. You’ll know who he is in the ending. *winks*
Disclaimers: Tennis no Oujisama and all its characters belong to Konomi-sensei. Only the plot is mine.
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The Right Choice
“You’re the stupidest person I know, Hajime.”
Azure eyes stared up from the drink in his hand and glared at his companion. “I do not appreciate that remark, Keigo. Especially not on my birthday.”
Instead of apologizing to the birthday boy, Atobe merely shrugged. He knew Mizuki would not appreciate it but it was the truth. There was no other word for it. And wasn’t there a saying that the truth always hurt?
“Plus,” the former Rudolph manager said, swirling his glass. “I already know it. I don’t need you to state the obvious.”
He knew it, dammit. He didn’t want to be reminded of it. Not now, not even tomorrow. Especially not by his - he gritted his teeth - best friend.
“It’s ore-sama’s job, Hajime, to remind you of your stupidity.”
Oh, he really was stupid. Choosing Atobe Keigo as his best friend was the stupidest thing he had ever done. They hadn’t even agreed on anything when they first met and they still don’t agree on lots of things.
“I can’t remember hiring you to do so.”
But Atobe continued as if his best friend hadn’t said a thing. “You were scouting for Kisarazu Ryou but you mistakenly chose Atsushi to go to Rudolph. You recruited Fuji Yuuta to Rudolph because you saw his potential. Only to realize later on that you should’ve chosen was Fuji Syusuke.”
Mizuki put his glass down forcefully, splashing the remaining contents on the table. He didn’t care if the other people in the bar looked at their direction. He didn’t want a list of his mistakes as a birthday gift!
“Keigo-“
“And now, you’ve chosen to be alone instead of choosing to be with the one you love. That was really stupid, Hajime.”
He glared at the former Hyotei buchou. “If you care so much about him, then why not just get him? You love him, right?”
This person, Atobe thought, was his best friend. For some weird, unknown reason Mizuki Hajime was it. Perhaps it was because of certain similarities and their ever opposing opinions, but for whatever reason he was his best friend. And because of it, there was no way he would let Mizuki chose the wrong path again. Even if it meant sacrificing himself.
“I let him choose,” he said, rising from his seat. “You or me.”
He was afraid of the answer yet he knew it was something he had to face. “What did he say?”
Atobe smiled sadly, squeezing his friend’s hand. He was getting all mushy. This was what he got from reading Sanada’s novels! He really should ask his friend to write some angst some time and advice him not to pair up with Tezuka on the next novel.
“Otanjoubi omedetou, Hajime.”
And with that, he left Mizuki to his thoughts.
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They were like business partners. Mizuki and Atobe were top fashion designers. He was one of Mizuki’s junior’s long time friend. And he was hot.
All three of them got along well. It was Atobe who had made his interest known first; he had remained silent about his attraction. He and Atobe had dated and he knew had done lots of private things together. And even if it was obvious that the former Hyotei buchou was really in-love, he put his heart on the line for the sake of professionalism.
He was the one who was there for him when they broke up.
Professionalism sucked, he remembered thinking that night. If that was Atobe’s reason then it was stupid, he told him. If he really loved his best friend then he should fight for him.
Little did he know that he should’ve been with Atobe that night, should’ve been there for Atobe and not for him. For it was Atobe who needed Mizuki and his try at comforting, not him. It was Atobe’s heart that was broken, not his. Professionalism was just Atobe’s excuse, not reason.
An excuse to make his heart accept that his heart didn’t beat for him.
Atobe made his choice, painful it might be. And they both knew it was the right one.
“Watching him again, Ha-kun?”
Mizuki glanced at the bar tender, giving him a small smile. “Kiyosumi.”
“He looks hot as always, you know. And he’s got lots of admirers.”
Sapphire orbs refocused on the person dancing in the middle of the crowd. Yes. He was hot. He had always been hot.
“Ha-kun, I know it’s not my business or anything but you’re my friend. Kei-kun sacrificed his heart for you. And you now have to make the biggest decision of your life: let your best friend’s sacrifice go down the drain or choose him.”
There were a lot of decisions he regretted doing. The choices he didn’t analyze first before choosing the right one. The ones that affected his life in a big way. And now…
And now, there was another decision to make.
Even if Atobe didn’t say anything, he felt it. He was the reason why they split up. Because he loved Mizuki and not Atobe.
And when he pursued Mizuki, he reluctantly pushed him away. It wasn’t right, he had told himself. There was this guilt in his heart and he couldn’t erase it.
His choice was to be alone with the knowledge that his feelings were reciprocated and yet they couldn’t be. He was happy that way. At least he knew. At least, he knew.
But was he really happy just looking at the one he loved from afar? Watching the one he loved be consumed in a world of admirers who love him only for his body and nothing else? Letting Atobe’s sacrifice go up in smoke? Was it right for him to disregard what Atobe did for him?
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Hands snaked around his waist, possessively. He didn’t care, he never cared. If this person dancing with him wanted him, then at least for tonight, she could.
He hated this laid-back attitude of his. It was because of it that he had broken Atobe’s heart and had put a small rift in that friendship. He shouldn’t have let Atobe fall for him because he loved Mizuki, even before, and not Atobe.
If only he had taken control of his life before, then Atobe’s heart wouldn’t be broken. Then it would’ve been him and Mizuki dancing here, dancing in life.
He closed his eyes. But this was what he chose.
“Excuse me, but I think he’s mine.”
Cerulean eyes flew open at the sound of that voice. He knew that low tone, usually teasing but missing that now.
The girl stopped dancing yet her hands were still clamped on his body. “Sorry, finders keepers.”
A small, triumphant smile formed on his lips, slowly forcing the girl to remove her hands from him. “The thing is, ojousan, I found him first.”
Shock still flowed on his veins as the girl rolled her eyes and walked away. He could feel Mizuki’s hands snaking around his neck, pulling himself up. He stared at those cobalt eyes, still not believing that this was happening.
“Hajime-“
“I told you Keigo was stupid for letting you go. But guess what?” Mizuki let his lips hover near his - lightly touching. “I was stupid for not choosing you all along.”
He pulled Mizuki closer, lips crashing into his. This was the moment he deprived himself because of that wrong choice. And now that their choice was made - the choice they should’ve made a long time ago - he wasn’t planning on choosing to let Mizuki go. Not in a long time.
“I love you, Kojiroh,” Mizuki whispered in his lips.
Saeki smiled and murmured back, “I love you, too, Hajime. Happy birthday.”
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“Finally, the stupid lover birds make the right choice.”
“How can you tell?”
“They’re happy, baka. Can’t you see that?”
“You’re not.”
“Huh?”
“You we’re implying that right choices were equivalent to happiness, Kei-kun. But you’re not happy.”
Teal eyes softened, tearing his gaze from the couple. “No, Kiyosumi. Not all right choices are equivalent to happiness. At least not to everyone.” And not mine.
Sengoku watched his companion drain the drink from his glass. He wished he knew what to say.
“But I’m happy for them.” He raised his glass. “Give me another.”
He wanted to argue that Atobe was drunk and that he shouldn’t be drowning himself in alcohol. But if this was all he could do for his friend, then he would oblige.
“Coming right up.”
Atobe closed his eyes, a small smile gracing his lips. I’m happy for you, Hajime, Kojiroh.
.o.wa.ri.
31May05
1:45pm
Title: The Right Choice
Pairings: Atobe+?xMizuki
Genre: Romance and a bit of drama
Rating: PG
Summary: Life is about choices. We all make the wrong ones along they way and some right ones to go with it. Atobe did. Now, it was Mizuki's turn.
Author’s Notes: This is a post-birthday special for Mizuki. I was getting low on the inspiration and it only struck me now. I hope you like this!
Fic Notes: These are thoughts. There are three main people involved. The third person will be addressed as ‘he’. You’ll know who he is in the ending. *winks*
Disclaimers: Tennis no Oujisama and all its characters belong to Konomi-sensei. Only the plot is mine.
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The Right Choice
“You’re the stupidest person I know, Hajime.”
Azure eyes stared up from the drink in his hand and glared at his companion. “I do not appreciate that remark, Keigo. Especially not on my birthday.”
Instead of apologizing to the birthday boy, Atobe merely shrugged. He knew Mizuki would not appreciate it but it was the truth. There was no other word for it. And wasn’t there a saying that the truth always hurt?
“Plus,” the former Rudolph manager said, swirling his glass. “I already know it. I don’t need you to state the obvious.”
He knew it, dammit. He didn’t want to be reminded of it. Not now, not even tomorrow. Especially not by his - he gritted his teeth - best friend.
“It’s ore-sama’s job, Hajime, to remind you of your stupidity.”
Oh, he really was stupid. Choosing Atobe Keigo as his best friend was the stupidest thing he had ever done. They hadn’t even agreed on anything when they first met and they still don’t agree on lots of things.
“I can’t remember hiring you to do so.”
But Atobe continued as if his best friend hadn’t said a thing. “You were scouting for Kisarazu Ryou but you mistakenly chose Atsushi to go to Rudolph. You recruited Fuji Yuuta to Rudolph because you saw his potential. Only to realize later on that you should’ve chosen was Fuji Syusuke.”
Mizuki put his glass down forcefully, splashing the remaining contents on the table. He didn’t care if the other people in the bar looked at their direction. He didn’t want a list of his mistakes as a birthday gift!
“Keigo-“
“And now, you’ve chosen to be alone instead of choosing to be with the one you love. That was really stupid, Hajime.”
He glared at the former Hyotei buchou. “If you care so much about him, then why not just get him? You love him, right?”
This person, Atobe thought, was his best friend. For some weird, unknown reason Mizuki Hajime was it. Perhaps it was because of certain similarities and their ever opposing opinions, but for whatever reason he was his best friend. And because of it, there was no way he would let Mizuki chose the wrong path again. Even if it meant sacrificing himself.
“I let him choose,” he said, rising from his seat. “You or me.”
He was afraid of the answer yet he knew it was something he had to face. “What did he say?”
Atobe smiled sadly, squeezing his friend’s hand. He was getting all mushy. This was what he got from reading Sanada’s novels! He really should ask his friend to write some angst some time and advice him not to pair up with Tezuka on the next novel.
“Otanjoubi omedetou, Hajime.”
And with that, he left Mizuki to his thoughts.
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They were like business partners. Mizuki and Atobe were top fashion designers. He was one of Mizuki’s junior’s long time friend. And he was hot.
All three of them got along well. It was Atobe who had made his interest known first; he had remained silent about his attraction. He and Atobe had dated and he knew had done lots of private things together. And even if it was obvious that the former Hyotei buchou was really in-love, he put his heart on the line for the sake of professionalism.
He was the one who was there for him when they broke up.
Professionalism sucked, he remembered thinking that night. If that was Atobe’s reason then it was stupid, he told him. If he really loved his best friend then he should fight for him.
Little did he know that he should’ve been with Atobe that night, should’ve been there for Atobe and not for him. For it was Atobe who needed Mizuki and his try at comforting, not him. It was Atobe’s heart that was broken, not his. Professionalism was just Atobe’s excuse, not reason.
An excuse to make his heart accept that his heart didn’t beat for him.
Atobe made his choice, painful it might be. And they both knew it was the right one.
“Watching him again, Ha-kun?”
Mizuki glanced at the bar tender, giving him a small smile. “Kiyosumi.”
“He looks hot as always, you know. And he’s got lots of admirers.”
Sapphire orbs refocused on the person dancing in the middle of the crowd. Yes. He was hot. He had always been hot.
“Ha-kun, I know it’s not my business or anything but you’re my friend. Kei-kun sacrificed his heart for you. And you now have to make the biggest decision of your life: let your best friend’s sacrifice go down the drain or choose him.”
There were a lot of decisions he regretted doing. The choices he didn’t analyze first before choosing the right one. The ones that affected his life in a big way. And now…
And now, there was another decision to make.
Even if Atobe didn’t say anything, he felt it. He was the reason why they split up. Because he loved Mizuki and not Atobe.
And when he pursued Mizuki, he reluctantly pushed him away. It wasn’t right, he had told himself. There was this guilt in his heart and he couldn’t erase it.
His choice was to be alone with the knowledge that his feelings were reciprocated and yet they couldn’t be. He was happy that way. At least he knew. At least, he knew.
But was he really happy just looking at the one he loved from afar? Watching the one he loved be consumed in a world of admirers who love him only for his body and nothing else? Letting Atobe’s sacrifice go up in smoke? Was it right for him to disregard what Atobe did for him?
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Hands snaked around his waist, possessively. He didn’t care, he never cared. If this person dancing with him wanted him, then at least for tonight, she could.
He hated this laid-back attitude of his. It was because of it that he had broken Atobe’s heart and had put a small rift in that friendship. He shouldn’t have let Atobe fall for him because he loved Mizuki, even before, and not Atobe.
If only he had taken control of his life before, then Atobe’s heart wouldn’t be broken. Then it would’ve been him and Mizuki dancing here, dancing in life.
He closed his eyes. But this was what he chose.
“Excuse me, but I think he’s mine.”
Cerulean eyes flew open at the sound of that voice. He knew that low tone, usually teasing but missing that now.
The girl stopped dancing yet her hands were still clamped on his body. “Sorry, finders keepers.”
A small, triumphant smile formed on his lips, slowly forcing the girl to remove her hands from him. “The thing is, ojousan, I found him first.”
Shock still flowed on his veins as the girl rolled her eyes and walked away. He could feel Mizuki’s hands snaking around his neck, pulling himself up. He stared at those cobalt eyes, still not believing that this was happening.
“Hajime-“
“I told you Keigo was stupid for letting you go. But guess what?” Mizuki let his lips hover near his - lightly touching. “I was stupid for not choosing you all along.”
He pulled Mizuki closer, lips crashing into his. This was the moment he deprived himself because of that wrong choice. And now that their choice was made - the choice they should’ve made a long time ago - he wasn’t planning on choosing to let Mizuki go. Not in a long time.
“I love you, Kojiroh,” Mizuki whispered in his lips.
Saeki smiled and murmured back, “I love you, too, Hajime. Happy birthday.”
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“Finally, the stupid lover birds make the right choice.”
“How can you tell?”
“They’re happy, baka. Can’t you see that?”
“You’re not.”
“Huh?”
“You we’re implying that right choices were equivalent to happiness, Kei-kun. But you’re not happy.”
Teal eyes softened, tearing his gaze from the couple. “No, Kiyosumi. Not all right choices are equivalent to happiness. At least not to everyone.” And not mine.
Sengoku watched his companion drain the drink from his glass. He wished he knew what to say.
“But I’m happy for them.” He raised his glass. “Give me another.”
He wanted to argue that Atobe was drunk and that he shouldn’t be drowning himself in alcohol. But if this was all he could do for his friend, then he would oblige.
“Coming right up.”
Atobe closed his eyes, a small smile gracing his lips. I’m happy for you, Hajime, Kojiroh.
.o.wa.ri.
31May05
1:45pm