Disclaimer: I claim no ownership to Prince of Tennis.
Author's Note: Short and sweet. May be a two-part story. Haven't decided yet. Regardless, I hope you all enjoy!
Echizen Ryoma did not show his love how others might expect. Instead of open cheers (except when forced) and praise, he criticized and simply stood silently in their presence. While many people would find this irritating, the Seigaku regulars had grown to accept his behavior for something akin to normal in their lives. No one tried to change him, just accepted it as part of his personality.
Which explained why everyone had frozen in place when they heard the three most precious words in the entire world come out of his mouth.
"I love you."
They couldn't believe those words had come out his mouth. The reaction, after everyone came out of their initial shock, was immediate.
"Echizen! Do you know what those words mean?" Momoshiro chimed in first.
"So Echizen does know how to express feelings. Interesting data," Inui muttered.
"Um, did you say that right, Echizen?" Kawamura asked meekly.
"Ochibi! Say you love me too!"
"Yadda."
"That's so mean! Ochibi, say it! Say I love you!"
"Eiji! Stop bothering him!" Oishi said.
Fuji merely laughed and smiled warmly at the tennis prodigy.
In the midst of all the chaos, Tezuka finally snapped and ordered everyone to do ten laps around the court. As the group went off to begin their laps, it was then that Oishi pointed out something everyone else had missed.
"Why did Echizen look at Fuji when he said 'I love you?'"
-End?-