Author's Notes: The second in the Unlike Any Other series.

Since Jiroh lacks screen time, I'll give him more fic time. ::grins::

TeniPuri would be mine even in the most optimistic light.

Unlike Any Other : You and Him

I saw through it. I saw through everything, from your first rise to your development and eventually to the attainment of your ultimate dream.

No. It wasn't world domination. It was something deeper than that.

It was how you looked at him with immense care. It was how you gave him a pat, the most subtle of indications that it was more than friendship or the friendly kind of concern you had for him. It was much more than that.

You loved him.

You always have, thought it was only until a few months ago that you fully admitted to yourself that you loved him. You didn't want to accept that you were being controlled by a feeling, that you were submitting yourself into a supernatural spirit.

Yet it was too powerful an emotion.

And so we were left alone after practice one day. You told me about it, and I did not know how to react.

You loved him.

Yet I knew of your feelings even before you told me.

You even described him to me then.

And now I see you looking pensive. You were different from what you used to be.

You probably thinking of him.

And, perhaps, it was because of him that you have changed.

You take a whiff of his scent and it takes you to heaven's pinnacle. You see him and you travel tenfold of the seas you have crossed before. He sits beside you and you can live without second thoughts, not a trace of doubt nor regret, only room for hope for what is to come.

You see the perfection of an imperfect life, a life lived in the shadows and lies of the mask you put on everyday just to show that you are no less than Atobe Keigo.

He fills you with happiness at its highest level. He gives you wings to make you soar to a bigger and higher sky.

What was it that I didn't have? I was good-looking, smart, I could be kind to you.

What more could you have asked?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

Was it his light, his glimmer that made all the difference?

Perhaps that was it. I hit the right button, na Keigo?

You had this light that was innate, a natural sparkle in you. It was too bright, even I couldn't outshine it.

I suppose he did. He also had that natural shine.

Perhaps, when you realized that someone was brighter than you, you were pissed. Even I would be. You began to devise ways on how you could outshine a person who shines more than you do despite not doing anything.

However, you fell for him.

"Jiroh! Wake up!"

Wake up to what? To the reality that Fuji was a formidable opponent? To the truth that you were drawn to his distinct twinkle? To the reality that you loved him?

Your words had so much meaning, Keigo.

"Atobe! Atobe, mite yo, mite!"

"That's why I told you."

Indeed, you knew of Fuji's more than average skills. Indeed, you saw it. You saw everything. With your Insight and inherent talent, Lord knows what else you might not see.

However, there were two things that you did not see.

I loved you.

Jiroh loved you as well.

At times I would think that I saw more things than you did despite my lenses being false and all. And it was true.

But you were exceptional.

You saw things and were blind at the same time.

Jiroh shone, outshone you in spite of not doing anything.

"Jiroh's having fun. I think you should know that more than anyone else, na Atobe?"

You gave a smug smirk. "Aa."

And, perhaps, that was what made you and him unlike any other.

17 November 2004

9:05a