A Good Error
Prince of Tennis © Konomi Takeshi
AU, YAOI, a bit of Fantasy
Summary: When Fuji received his punishment, Tezuka received his gift. It was the start of their fleeting dream. AU.
A/N:
- No gender bending
- Even though 'Greek myth' will be mentioned, nothing of sorts in this fic is connected to Greek myth, or anything Greek in that matter :)

I - False Impression

The night was like any other—cold, and even colder because it was winter, and was always the peak time for exhaustion to leach into his bones after busy work. There was lesser time for himself these days. Even his weekends were consumed for unfinished documents and that wasn't even enough. For the coming Christmas season, their company, Tokugawa Co., assumed extra work for a yearly charity project. This year Tezuka Kunimitsu was assigned as the chairman for the committee, so he had to split time wisely for his other position, of which was directing the administration department.

Tezuka had been very, very careful. Promoted for the high profile position four months ago, and only at 27, it had made his parents so proud, his co-workers somehow had expected it, even the CEO Tokugawa Kazuya was expecting a lot. Thus he gave all reasonable effort to adjust, but still, being a director made him feel suicidal sometimes, if the mountain of stress he was receiving was sure to burn his body lifeless any moment anyway.

And then the result of the random, fish-bowl selection among department heads for the yearly charity work committee chairman turned out to be him.

And everyone was just too busy to have consideration that he was still adjusting on his current position and relieve him.

Tezuka dug his gloved hands into the hollow pocket of his black coat. He hastened his long strides to make it for the last train schedule and before the freezing cold granted snowfall to catch up on his way to his apartment.

Announcement:
The last trip will be changed from 11 pm to 10:00 pm for an inspection.

It was 10:30 pm. Damnit, he cursed to himself. Off to traffic, then...

Tezuka loosened up upon the drawing sight of his apartment, which without any lights opened, was pitch black, something expected because he lived alone. It was 12; he couldn't wait to collapse on his bed.

Walking to his garage to open the front light, Tezuka found himself tripping over something that had blocked his way.

"What the—?" As lights came, Tezuka was equally surprised and afraid at the sight in front of him, although his face remained stolid, he definitely was. Who wouldn't be? There was a person on his garage, lying prone on the cement between his dysfunctional motorcycle and the wall. Tezuka immediately noted a petite body that was covered with a single, large piece of thin, white cloth akin to Greek myth gods, but most parts were dirtied to brown. He also noted that the person was pale, but not so pale to pass as dead.

He breathed and calmed down.

Tezuka would have thought it was a grisly ghost, if he believed in such. Right now he only wondered how the body was tolerating the cold with its get up.

Getting to his feet, Tezuka reached for something convenient - which happened to be an umbrella - and nudged the person on the shoulder. No response, but Tezuka heard a small cry which stirred pity from him. The word charity came to his mind. Tezuka momentarily forgot his exhaustion and started collecting the muddy body into his house.

"Inui,"

"It's past 12."

"There's an emergency. Hospital's far and I'm tired. I know you'd be awake." Inui Sadaharu, a former tennis club mate, was a doctor now. Everyone else from the team practically managed different living aside from Echizen who expectedly remained in the sport. He knew because when time permits it, they set reunions along with the rival teams to catch up on things and, of course, to replenish their favorite sport.

"Hmm..." Inui scribbled information as he assessed the body on the sofa fixedly.

"I didn't see major injuries so I thought I didn't have to bring her to the hospital." Tezuka said. "Is that right?"

"You needed first aid, and she's not dying, so yes."

"Well... while you are busy checking, I'll just go buy her some clothes."

"Buy her?"

"Don't expect me to have female clothes."

"My bad," Inui chuckled. "Make it fast though."

"Hn."

Tezuka found yet another reason to credit 24-hour variety shops other than buying a late meal. He entered the ladies' section and searched hastily, hoping he wouldn't bump onto someone curious to ask his purpose on the female wardrobe section. Not that he was ashamed, it was better to be safe from scandalmongers. He really had enough interrogation of his non-existent love life...

"No major injuries as you said. Only small abrasions, some cuts and bruises, normal vital signs..." Inui flipped his notebook. "She's pale so I took blood samples. I'll explain the results tomorrow afternoon."

Tezuka was unconvinced. "She's unconscious."

"She's just sleeping."

"No other problems?"

"I didn't do complete physical assessment, Tezuka. Not without her consent." Inui adjusted his glasses. "I'd still suggest you bring her to the hospital. Have her bones examined just incase, to make sure nothing is broken. And you see, with her face she might be a victim of uh, but I hope not, rape. I'm not the right person to check on that."

"Oh." Tezuka was suddenly worried, lest his generosity get mistaken for something bad as rape. "I think I'll contact her family."

"Here, referral papers. It's all set. I'll be going then." Before he exited, Inui paused and turned to Tezuka who was escorting him behind. He patted Tezuka's shoulder. "Even though it kills you, the charity chairman position suits you well, Tezuka." He chuckled. "You'll have good karma in the end. I can feel it."

Tezuka made a tiny smile, a thing he did only on appropriate times. "Thank you, Inui."

Now aided with a towel and a basin of water, Tezuka started wiping the dirt off from the exposed parts of her body. Her body is really thin. Did she have enough food to eat? He couldn't give her a tub bath—that alone was atrocious, if not getting accused of sexual harassment if ever she wakes up.

Upon clearer view, Tezuka was stunned at the rare beauty in front of him. She was definitely one of those types that lured beasts out of men. And with her tattered appearance, dumped callously on his garage, Tezuka hoped Inui's theory wasn't true.

Much as Tezuka disgust over the muddy clothes seeping germs to her skin, he didn't have the heart to undress her so he waited. He readied the new clothes aside and decided to prepare the bathroom.

When he came back, he was surprised to see the girl awake. Her knees was pressed to her chest and appeared obviously lost in his living room.

Tezuka caught her attention by clearing his throat. The girl lifted her head and pored over him.

"Here, I brought this for you." Tezuka started, handing a paper bag. "Clothes. You cannot stay dirty like that. I'll talk to you later when you finish your bath."

"Where am…"

"I'll lead you to the bathroom."

"Where am I? Bathroom?" The girl muttered as she gazed around the white tiled room. "He told me to take a bath here… Ah yes, the section of a house where one takes a bath is the bathroom."

She continued walking around, taking time to touch all things as if she'd never seen them before.

"This must be the human bathtub, but this one bigger and rounder than what I saw on books. The water smells so nice too." She dipped his hands on the tub, feeling the warm water. Then she removed her clothes and finally immersed herself in the pool of liquid.

"He said these are my clothes. What are these little things?" She held up a piece made of two patches with two straps. "Strange little piece of cloth. How can this cover my body?" She placed them aside, dug inside the paper bag and found another. "I saw a human wearing this one… hmm…" Quite struggling, she managed to fit the dress. Smiling a little, although it was a sad smile, she thought it wasn't that bad as she found her reflection on the mirror.

Now wearing a straight peach dress with a large heart and strawberry print on front, she came out from the bathroom, looking as fresh as ever.

Tezuka was even more stunned. Her fresh beauty was indescribable that he was at loss for words. He didn't mind the flat-board chests at all. And there seem to have enchanting specks in her cool blue eyes...

"Thank you very much. I was thinking how kind-hearted you are. I'm so glad to meet you. You even gave me something to wear. I don't need the smaller clothes though, this one is perfect. Here."

Smaller clothes? Tezuka looked inside the bag and found the bra and underwear she was supposed to use. "You're not wearing them?" He eyed her as if she was crazy. After the trouble and humiliation of finding the smallest size...

"Yes. What am I supposed to cover with that anyway?"

Tezuka was dumbfounded, so underneath that dress was blank? She must be kidding. He tried to fight the heat that was creeping up to his cheeks.

"Anyway... how is your body feeling? Are you hurting somewhere?"

"No. I feel cool actually. Thanks for the bath, Mr... What is your name?"

"Tezuka Kunimitsu."

"It's nice to meet you Tezuka. I'm Fuji Syusuke." She bowed at him. "I like your name. You seem to be a really nice man." She smiled.

"...Hn." Tezuka was still thinking about the impropriety of her lack of undergarments. He coughed neatly. "Well then. Would you like to explain your situation, yes? I found you on my garage and I called up a doctor to check. You seem to be in a normal condition. Did you, by some means, try getting into my house?"

There wasn't even a hint of guilt. She only cocked her head to side, confused. Tezuka tried not to be distracted.

"Speak. Or do you want me to call the police?"

She looked offended. "I am not a criminal."

"Then explain. Where did you come from? What brought you here? Where is your family?"

"You wouldn't understand where I came from. And I have no family."

Tezuka sighed. She could've said she didn't want to tell him. Not many people trust easily anyway. And it was better if he stayed out whatever her business was. She didn't seem to be a rape victim either. "At any rate, now that you feel better, I'll walk you to your home. It's dark." He handed her a coat. "Wear that. Let's go."

"Wait."

"What?"

"I don't have a home."

"To your relative's home, then,"

"Didn't I tell you? I have none." The girl said. "It is my first time in this world—"

"What?"

"—I mean this town!" Fuji chuckled nervously.

Tezuka raised a cynical eyebrow. "You are in Tokyo."

"City, then. Ahaha. I forgot. So, can I just live here, Tezuka?"

"What?" Tezuka was starting find the word silly.

"Can I live here?" She repeated simply, a smile on her lips. The flash on her blue eyes told Tezuka that she wasn't joking. "Please?"

Firstly, she crashed on his garage like a grubby ghost. Secondly, she made him call up a doctor in the middle of the night and buy girly things. Thirdly, she told him she didn't like underwear. And finally, she was bluntly asking him if she could live here?

"No."

Immediately, her face fell. Tezuka almost wanted to take back what he had said and agree. But what did he know about this girl? She could be a thief, or a murderer, if he was dumb enough not to suspect her otherwise.

And the idea of having a total stranger pleading to live with him was enough to clutter his neurons... and by a woman at that. Their encounter was probably one of the most bizarre phenomenons in his life.

"Listen, Fuji Syusuke, what you are asking is... improper." Tezuka chose between absurd and ridiculous, but he didn't want to offend or embarrass her. "However, I'll let you stay for sleep. It's 3 am. By daylight, you're free to leave." He explained flatly.

She was silent and obviously looked disappointed. Her eyes were on the floor and the paper bag handle was crumpling under her tight grip. Tezuka had wondered why, it was his house, so it's just natural that she has to leave, right?

"I'm sorry... I understand." Fuji muttered dejectedly.

"Hn." Tezuka was starting to feel a little relieved. He was glad that it was Saturday tomorrow. "I'll accompany you tomorrow, don't worry." But her expression didn't change. Her uncanny behavior didn't make sense to Tezuka. If she happened to be a real thief, there's nothing of value she can take from his house anyway, except his wallet, which he made sure to be hidden well later. If she happened to be a murder, she couldn't kill him either since he had black belt on several martial arts his grandfather had taught him.

"It's settled then. Fuji Syusuke, I'll prepare your futon on the living room. You can eat while waiting." He led their way to the kitchen.

"...Okay..." Fuji replied. "By the way, you kept calling my whole name. Call me Fuji or Syusuke."

Tezuka suddenly stopped as if he was shot by something.

"Tezuka?" Fuji stared at him, looking utterly cute with her confused eyes.

Wait a minute... "Fuji Syusuke... as in Syusuke?"

"Yes."

"You're a male?"

"Yes."

Tezuka blinked, almost at loss for words again. "Are you sure?"

"Wha—?" Fuji furrowed his brows. "Of course!"

Blood drained from Tezuka's face and he suddenly wanted to hide, or have someone pop out right there to laugh at him and tell him he how stupid he was, although in real life no one had ever done such things at him, but he felt the need to hear it for the first time.

"They tell me I look like a girl though." Fuji peeked at him. "Something wrong?"

Starting from their odd rendezvous up to Fuji's dress and their conversation, things were just totally out of place. He would like to say yes and fix their misunderstandings but he thought he would just do them later because he terribly needed sleep now before exhaustion finally kills him. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong."

"Really?"

"Ah."

To be continued

Random: Ack. ShinPoT and the PairPuri fanbooks FTW! I believe everyone is reading it too, yes? I do hope so~ Eventhough there's not enough panel for them yet, (character spoiler alert) I'm already loving Tokugawa Kazuya, Irie Kanata, Krauser and Yamato-Buchou.

Please review!