* Tezuka Kunimitsu Moves *
by: WhiteGloves
*Everyone keeps moving forward!*
Fuji and Tezuka heads their way in different roads!
How do we bring back that which has been separated!?
Enjoy Reading!
A tall, bald man with a strong bulky body left the tennis court late that night, carrying a racquet with his face drowned in sweat. He left with an old man in a suit wearing a hat but before they left the room completely, the old man looked back, to that lone Japanese man wearing glasses who was standing tall in the court near the net. He too, was breathing hard and his face was filled with lines of sweat. On his hand was another racquet with the ball at the end of his court line.
It was just another vigorous training for Kunimitsu Tezuka.
"Right then," said a female voice with the name tag on her chest that read 'Schulz', as she went back towards her table and took a pen. She was the doctor in the infirmary of Tezuka's training quarters where we find him also sitting on the stool opposite her, "check up's done, but you shouldn't be pushing yourself any more today. See that? It's already sunset. No more training for you. You know as much as I am that training the body without rest is suicidal. Understood, Tezuka?"
"Yes," the man answered quietly, his breathing now back to normal. He looked at the window where the orange sun shone right back at his own glasses. Silently, he left the infirmary after thanking the doctor, his mind still on his training. Truthfully speaking there was nothing that could sway his determination to train now that he was here. His life since coming to that place had all been about living his dream while leaving everything behind. His road to becoming a professional has just been realized and there was no way for him to stop.
Stop he did in front of the vending machine he found at the hall way. In the long while that he had been staying there, Tezuka had learned the ropes and cope with it and his new life style. Still, there were some things he still couldn't get used to, like missing his favorite afternoon tea and the view of the mountains from his room. It was lucky however, that there was this vending machine. It was his favorite vending machine that sold even foreign drinks since the school itself was filled with foreign people. Now that Tezuka scanned the selections, it was to his amusement to find his favorite tea drink and went for it. Then his eyes fell on the white and green can beside it that red wasabi cola he hadn't seen there before.
"There's even a wasabi cola," he said out loud as he turned on his right side expectantly— "Fuji."
But all there was— was an empty space. The tall Japanese man paused in confusion, but then remembered that that man he was calling wasn't there and all that greeted him was silence.
Quickly, he turned to the vending machine and took the can before turning away in absolute silence.
It wasn't even the break of dawn yet we see the same Japanese man jogging along the empty street in a steadfast manner as if nothing could distract his concentration. He jogged along the side street, jogged along the park till his feet brought him at the side of the sea where the sun was found rising.
When he returns to his dorm he's gonna have to finish some school reports he was tasked to do. Staying in Germany wasn't at all just about camping and playing with the ball. He too had to do some proper education. People around him told him his school records were already stable but still that wasn't any reason for him to slack off.
You're already so good at everything, Tezuka.
His friend's familiar voice sounded so close it made the tall man stop and freeze—
Distraction completely came when the first glint of sunlight hit his spectacles, and Tezuka had to look up to stare at the rising sun in the middle of the sea.
Oh.
The view was so hypnotizing, he let it immerse in his mind and let the cool breeze of the air hit his face. The sun came to view and continued to shower itself to the world. And all the while Tezuka thought absentmindedly—
How he missed home.
Sighing to himself and wiping his face with a towel already on his shoulders, the lone man turned his head and continued his daily routine; his heart was swelling but his eyes were determined to finish this short goal of his—to finish jogging in the morning. He can't get distracted now.
"What's with all the book?" said the German librarian in her deep accent as Tezuka carried it pass the circulation counter where she was sitting. The Japanese man turned a look at her quietly and found her smiling for they knew each other well enough and were fond of each other. If there was one thing Tezuka liked about his studying time, it was the number of books of different language in the library section. There were few Japanese literature there, but it would always amuse him to find some that was familiar. He didn't bring any from home.
He placed all the books he was carrying on an empty table and opened the notes he had taken on his advance class that morning. Everything was of numbers which really needn't any translations—numbers themselves speak on their own.
Then come his notes for language. Tezuka's English was already good and what he was practicing now was German. Without looking up from his book, he reached a hand on the pile of books ahead of him and tried to search for a dictionary he was sure he took from a shelf.
"Let me borrow your dictionary, Fuji."
He was looking at the book so intently that it took him time to realize what he had just said.
Momentarily frozen, the bespectacled man slowly looked up opposite him and had to find an empty space yet again. Tezuka straightened on his seat and quietly stared at the spot.
Tennis ball went back in forth inside the court— fast and powerful.
"That kid's in top form." Said the same old man in suit carrying a cane as he watched nearby together with the pro tennis player captain, Volk.
"You think so, Sir Siegmund?" Volk said without taking his eyes off the Japanese player, "To me it looks like he's distracted again. I can't have him like that."
"Oh? Still, I think the kid is being humble."
Volk's eyes glinted. "I think so too. Where and when he plans to show us everything is just a matter of time."
And they watched as Tezuka smashed the ball with ease, sweat drops sliding on his face.
When the practice match was called off, the tall man nodded at the captain who gave him a signal to rest. Tezuka then went towards the bench where his water jug was and took a few good gulps before sighing down his exhaustion.
"Here, Tezuka."
A towel was handed to him.
"Thank you, Fuji."
"Hm?"
Tezuka froze again, distracted, and had to look at the person who gave him the towel. He half expected Fuji's face to be there smiling up at him like he usually does but it was to his disappointment to find his doctor from the infirmary who was looking up at him questioningly, Dr. Schulz, standing there instead.
The doctor blinked again and gave him a sour look.
"Hey, what's with that upset look, huh?"
She laughed when he explained everything to her in front of the vending machine where he offered to buy her a drink.
"Of course I know him," she said when he finished inserting coins to the money slot, "you've mentioned him a couple of times to me. Isn't he your close friend back in Japan? And you've called his name accidentally many times around me too so there's no need to apologize about it."
The more Tezuka felt bad and apologized more.
"What would you like?" he asked instead after looking at the selection again. Then his eyes fell on the wasabi cola and had the urge to choose it for his own. When he got the can, the doctor looked at it curiously and opted to have the same—
"Is this that delicious?" she asked upon opening the can lift with Tezuka giving her a look—
"Ah... that..." he started but was too late as she had already taken an enthusiastic chug.
Tezuka had to wait ten minutes for her to come out of the wash room after that—when she did she looked so spent and had to endure a few more minutes of silence—and finally had to buy a chocolate bar which was already on the vending machine stand.
And Tezuka had to apologize again as they stood side by side overlooking the window.
"How can you drink that?" she asked with a suspicious look at the wasabi cola that the tennis player was drinking. The tall man glanced down at her, and then at the can before giving a small smile.
"I know someone who mixes drinks a lot worse than this."
"Ughh..."
"And I know someone who can drink it all as if they were merely pure water."
The doctor stared at the Japanese player in wonder. "It's that Fuji guy, isn't it?"
Tezuka turned a look at her and found that she was smiling up at him.
"I notice because you have that smile. You really miss him do you?"
"I guess..."
"It's not a 'guess'." She patted him on the shoulder, "you feel something for him don't you?"
Tezuka did not speak but closed his hand on the soda can with a silent look on his face. He had noticed it since arriving here, how he had desperately tried to cling on his dream, all the while clinging on the memory of that person who was like a shadow to him. How had he gotten this far while trying to ignore the fact that he wants to see him eludes him also. But the more he tries not to think about it, the more his mind would wander on that man's very being... the more his chest would try and want to escape from his reality of denial... the more his emotions for that person strengthens...
I want to see him...
"Why not try and call him?"
Tezuka's eyes won't meet hers. How many times had he told himself to do so and just how many times did he deny himself the very idea? Hearing Fuji's voice...
"Tezuka," her soft voice was gentle and just had to look at her. He found her giving him a look—a look that reflects a person's whole regret in life—appearing on that gentle face he had often see to look for advice—the wise woman who had been so cheerful and full of life—looking at him with such sad eyes. "You don't want to lose that person... and you don't want to regret it later in your life. I'm the same as you... I worked for a dream... focused on it so hard that I..."
There was a brief pause and Tezuka had to close his eyes for he knew her expression. Then after awhile he felt her hands on him and pressed it in support.
She was much older... much wiser... and in the end, all she had for him was her smile once again as she said, "If you don't want to feel this way forever then you should be the one to make the move... fate will not move for you... you're the one set it."
Tezuka held his phone in one hand inside his dark room with Dr. Schulz' expression embedded on his face. To know such a woman whose expertise doesn't only lie on her profession but also on the reality of life had its impact on him. What was his goal again? What were the important things for him?
Before knowing it, he had dialled a number and held the phone close to his ears. He knew well it was dawn back in Japan and that he might still be sleeping... but he had to...
The phone on the other side rang.
All the while his heart was also ringing and beating loudly.
Tezuka didn't realize he had stopped breathing until the phone on the other side was picked up and that familiar voice spoke so close to him he would have thought he was standing close by.
"Hello?"
His heart which had been beating wildly on his chest—the one that has been beating so furiously while he ignores it—suddenly found its calm.
"Fuji..."
There was a pause and the spectacled man could swear he saw Fuji's expression of surprise on his mind's eye.
"Tezuka? Is that really you?"
"Yeah."
There was a great pause between the two, as if a shared silence was already enough to ease both hearts. To ease Tezuka's heart.
"You called less I thought you were busy," Fuji noted and in the silence Tezuka was drinking in the sound of his voice, "why did you call all of a sudden? Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine," the former captain said in the middle of his room's silence, "It's fine now. I heard your voice."
"Well now," Fuji's voice sounded close to chuckle, "did you call just to hear my voice?"
"Yeah." He was being straight forward but like what was said, he didn't want to regret anything anymore. "Fuji, could you keep on talking... I want to know everything that has happened to you."
"Isn't that unfair?" he still sounded humorous, but Tezuka could hear a tinge of worry in his tone, "I'll be telling you about me... how about you? Will you do the same?"
"I will. Just let me hear your voice."
Fuji paused. Tezuka thought he himself must sound so desperate. But then it was enough said for the genius as he began talking while the former captain's head was filled with memories of him and the people around them. He told him he had already started training at U-17 camp again, how he was chosen as one of the representatives of Japan for the middle schoolers. How it was Atobe who was their captain...Oishi was chosen too and how he and Eiji plan to be on the same highschool after all. How Momo was doing well with Kaidoh, and Ryoma still absent from everything although he too was chosen. Inui was still doing his hobby of punishing everybody that was not chosen and just last night those who were not chosen tasted the same drinks.
"That reminds me, there's a wasabi cola here."
"Really?" Fuji sounded thoughtful, "I heard those colas are meant to taste the same but not exactly the same thing. It's lighter than the actual one."
"That's what I thought when I drank it. Still the people around here find it to be strong."
And told him about the scene with his doctor running towards the washroom. Fuji laughed upon hearing the story and accused the former captain of being mean. Tezuka didn't mind sounding cruel, as long as he could hear his laughter so near his ear.
When Fuji's chuckle had subsided did Tezuka open his eyes in the dark.
"You sound like you're having fun. I'm glad to hear that."
"Yeah... but it's still different if you're here. I miss you a lot."
It was like an icy cold water was poured down Tezuka's head. It seed to his skin, to his very bone until it felt like it had reached his heart where it froze him... and had to reach a palm on his face.
"Me too. Fuji."
He was sure Fuji was smiling and cursed himself why he can't see it personally.
"You know," Fuji's voice came again, "I've been meeting with Atobe a lot."
A flash of his rival appeared on Tezuka's face and the reaction was a knee jerk.
"Why?"
"Well, I think it's the same for both of us but he won't admit it. Come to think of it, it was Atobe who was with me ever since you left the camp. Did you ask him for a favour back then? He's been sticking his head on my business ever since that day. I kind of feel practically closer to him. We've been talking a lot lately about you..."
"Why?" his question was adamant.
"I don't know... maybe the same lost?"
"You haven't lost me. I'm still here."
Fuji gave a long pause this time and Tezuka endured it to the point that his eyebrows were contracted. Then he realized the meaning of his words and had to sigh for Fuji never spoke a word again so he repeated it and this time in a much softer voice.
"I'm still here, Fuji."
"Yeah..."
He sounded unconvinced. Tezuka wondered if Fuji thought he was actually gone forever.
"Fuji..."
"Hm?"
"I want to see you."
"Me too."
"I want to be with you."
"...?"
"But I don't know how..." this came out of his lips like a helpless plea, in a tone of hopelessness. He wanted to achieve his dream yet he didn't want to completely let go of that person. So he really doesn't know... he buried his face on his palm.
"I guess... even you can completely break down at times like this," came the genius' gentle voice from the other end, "I never thought I'd see the day you would tell me you don't know how to do something, Tezuka, since you're so good and confident at everything."
"I want to be with you."
"Yet you still want to be there? Even I won't know what to do with you." He laughed sincerely and Tezuka had to smile in spite of himself for their situation sounded so ridiculous even to himself. "By the way, Tezuka?" the genius went on sounding uncertain, "everything you're saying right now is confusing me...I know you're not one to speak so bluntly about feelings but just now..."
Tezuka straightened on his room and tried to clutch a hand on the nearby table.
Regret? There was no regret in coming after his dream... just that...
"I don't want to lose you."
It took awhile for his message to sink in even to himself. But then an easy feeling started to flow inside him, like something which he's been denying himself was let loose. And just now he said the words that were ever on his mind after leaving Japan. After leaving everything. He thought he was prepared to leave everything behind but not this. Not him.
"You're being awfully selfish, Tezuka and I don't know if I should return your feelings in kind." Fuji's sudden response made the tall man glance sideways at the phone. "I mean, you did leave me here."
"Then... do you want me to go back?"
"For you to even consider that?"
"Do you doubt me?"
"Then do you doubt me too?"
"Fuji—"
"I've been thinking that this is not the right time to tell you this Tezuka but you started it," Fuji's voice had gotten a lot quieter. They were both completely awake, both attentive and listening to one another with closeness not even the vast ocean could hinder, "It has always been one sided or so I thought... our feelings for each other. But I was afraid to tell you this, especially now... because if I did—I don't know if it will send you flying back here this very instant or you'll just brush me off. I've been thinking that I should tell you after you return as a professional... still I don't know how you will respond to me. Until now. I have... and still am... in love with you."
Tezuka was glad his room was dark. He was glad he was alone in his room for then he could feel the heat over his face, down to his body. And the urge to see him in person kicked him in so bad he really wanted to fly back—
"Tezuka, I'll be waiting."
"!?" the captain looked up, startled.
"For your return."
"Fuji?"
"But not until you fulfil your promise... to become a professional player. I won't accept you until then."
He clenched his teeth. He closed his fists. Everything was beginning to get clear in sight again. Everything was going back to their places... Tezuka opened his eyes with a new glint of determination.
"I'm sorry for my selfishness."
"Yeah," Fuji replied in a soft note, "in turn, I'm sorry for distracting you. I am distracting you back there too much huh?"
"You can tell?"
"Well, you've put up with it until now, I don't blame you."
"Do you still meet Atobe?"
"That can't be helped since we're both here... huh? Tezuka, don't tell me...?"
"Atobe is Atobe. He has his way with people's hearts."
"Like Atobe would even—"
"He would and it's not just him I'm worried about." Tezuka gave a sigh at this fact for Fuji was always the first to realize about other people's circumstance but was pretty slow when it comes to himself, "I shouldn't have left you in that place by yourself after all."
"What's that? Why does it sound like I'm going to be taken from here?" there was a hint of amusement on his voice that Tezuka actually didn't like for the genius was taking things likely.
"Fuji, I want you to take care of yourself in there and wait for me faithfully, you hear?"
"Faithfully—what?" his burst of laughter was so sudden it made Tezuka's serious features disappear.
"Just promise me you'll be fine... until I come back again."
There was a pause as the genius try to collect himself again and then—
"I should be saying the same. Tezuka, take care of yourself for me."
"It's a real pity we're talking over the phone."
"I feel the same."
"I... want to kiss you."
"We should have done that when you're here but since you're too slow witted in romance, "Fuji gave an exaggerated sigh, "Suffer."
Tezuka chuckled.
"I'll be returning to Japan next month for the last issues of my papers... please be by my side then."
"Okay. And I guess you're fine with this? Our promise?"
"Tezuka closed his eyes, "Yeah."
"I'm hanging up. Shiraishi's waking."
"Don't get too closed with that person either."
"Jealous?"
"I am."
Fuji gave a loud sigh from the other side that got the former captain looking at the phone again.
"Are you okay?"
"You should have said all of those things while you're here... you're driving me crazy..."
Tezuka bowed his head. "As you to me."
"I'll wait for you so return safe. Trust me."
"Plenty."
"You're some sweet talker now?"
Tezuka smiled and added, "Fuji."
"Yeah?"
"You are destined for me. Remember that."
And the phones were hung up after that and Tezuka was left standing in the middle of his room again in his darkened room. It wasn't just awhile ago when he was feeling confused and frustrated... now who would have thought promises could make his heart feel certain—rejuvenated.
That it was one thing to hold his dream for himself... and that it was another when someone was with him holding the same dream all throughout the course. How powerful can one person make the other?
With ease at his heart and determination in his head, Tezuka Kunimitsu moved forth.
"What's wrong, Volk?" asked the old man in suit as the two stood together again watching their players play late that afternoon with the usual eyes on the Japanese talent who was vigorously having a match practice at the moment.
"That kid...Tezuka," the captain of the Germany representatives said with eyes focused on the man. "Has he really been playing like that from the start...? No... something's changed."
"Hmmm?" the old man blinked and stared at the bespectacled man before giving a smile. "I told you he was being humble."
"Hmmp." Volk's eyes narrowed, "He should have shown this much since the beginning. What a scary kid."
And Tezuka continued on hitting the ball with face too focused yet fresh. The thing that haunted him since arriving there has finally been dealt with and now he was moving forward again but this time it wasn't him alone. Fuji was with him. They'll never be separated no matter how far.
"Great job, Tezuka!" shouted a woman's voice and Tezuka looked up to see her near the bench together with the old man and the captain. He gave her a smile and went on practicing.
And Dr. Schulz gave a sigh of satisfaction.
"Seems like he was able to deal with his issues. Isn't it better to do things without holding back?"
Volk looked at her but was then distracted when Tezuka played at a sudden pinnacle—
And everything was wiped in the court because of this lone man's stunning talent.
"We really should have him in the team already, Volk!" insisted the old man while the captain remained starring at Tezuka who was wiping the sweat off his face.
Yet Tezuka could careless of the people around him for in his mind—he was in the game. And in his heart—there was this person urging him to move forth, supporting him at all cost. He fears nothing now. He felt like nothing could stop him at all. Fuji will definitely wait for him.
A smile played at the corner of the man's lips as he raised his racquet to his opponent with voice deep and eyes glinting—
"Come!"
-The End-
A/N: On my first draft Tezuka wasn't as happy as this with Fuji since I had in mind to put this out as a prologue to a sequel (Fuji X Atobe I mean *King's Apple sequel*) but then a certain someone told me Tezuka's suffered enough^^ so all we need is a tezufuji love in here!
And yeah, considering how he's been working hard in Germany nah...?
Thanks for reading!
