CHAPTER ONE

Tezuka Kunimitsu surveyed the room that was going to be his humble abode for the next 4 years with certain liking. It had a cheery feel to it, with a huge window overlooking the campus lake. Best of all, there was a Sakura tree blooming right outside the window. Tezuka could almost smell the sweet scent wafting through the slightly ajar window.

Not bad at all, Tezuka mused as he disposed his belongings onto the far side of the bed, the one that was situated nearer to the window. Considering this is the first time he ever left home.

It was the beginning of a whole new chapter of Tezuka's life, now that he was a college freshman studying in Todai. Leaving his family behind and moving miles away to a new environment had been difficult for him, given his conservative personality. It would probably take him a while to adjust to his new surroundings and let his guard down.

Knowing he was in for a culture shock later, Tezuka methodically unpacked his things onto the desk at his side of the room. He wondered briefly how his roommate would be like. As an only child, Tezuka never had to share anything with anyone, except during training camps in his middle and high school years.

Speaking about training camps, his eyes inadvertently went to the only two photos he brought with him. One was of his family, while the other was of his Seigaku's teammates during the time they won the National Tennis Championship. A slight smile curved the corner of his lips as he picked up that picture frame. That had been the best year of his life. Everyone looked so happy in the picture, as if they could take on the world.

Looking at each of the Seigaku's regulars' face, Tezuka began to wonder about their future. Would they be able to meet again once they enter working life? Would they be as carefree then? He knew that Inui and Fuji got into Todai as well, though majoring in different fields. Oishi and Kikumaru applied to a college nearer to home. Kawamura did not want to pursue any further study, choosing to help his father run his sushi shop instead.

Everyone is moving on, Tezuka thought a little sadly, missing those times he spent together with his closest friends. He was not one that easily made friends, unlike Fuji, so he really treasured those that managed to worm their ways into his heart. His Seigaku Family.

"Reminiscing much, Tezuka?" a soft, lilting voice broke him out of his reverie. Tezuka looked up and his eyes collided with teasing blue ones peering over his shoulder.

"Fuji? What are..." Tezuka started to ask, but comprehension dawned when he saw the pile of luggage behind his friend. Fuji was his roommate?

"Surprise, roomie?" Fuji asked as he took a seat on the opposite empty bed, propping up a knee. His eyes made a sweeping glance over the room. "Nice place."

Tezuka didn't reply. He was busy taking in his friend's appearance. It had been six months since their graduation day when he last saw Fuji. Few days after graduation, Fuji had flown off to Scotland for an extended visit to his relatives on his mother's side. Apart from the occasional postcards and phone calls, Tezuka hadn't really met up with him until now.

Fuji had changed. He had grown taller and lankier, though nowhere near Tezuka's height yet. If he had to make a guess, Fuji would probably reach up to his chin now.

But the biggest change that Tezuka noticed was Fuji's hair. It was already longish to begin with towards the end of their school days, but it seemed he hadn't cut it at all in the 6 months since he last seen him. Even in a high ponytail, the chestnut mane ended up somewhere near Fuji's shoulder blade. He also sported a light tan, which made his blue eyes appeared all the more vivid.

Fuji looks good, even Tezuka had to admit. Not that he wasn't good looking before. During their schooldays, Fuji's fan club could rival any boy band in Japan. Due to his mixed heritage, Fuji had the facial bone structure that was every sculptor's dream. Coupled with his magnetic blue eyes, he could have any girl eating out of his hand without so much as a wink. And any guy too, for that matter. Fuji's androgynous beauty seemed to span across genders. He was by no means effeminate or sissy. He acted like any other normal guy that Tezuka knew, although a lot of them underestimated him because of his lean built. Inui once commented that Fuji possessed the looks that was beautiful by any standard, be it for male or female.

"I assume you are happy to see me?" Fuji asked when Tezuka remained silent.

Tezuka grunted. "You are, after all, my oldest friend."

Fuji gave a throaty laugh. "If you are going to remind me again of how you 'rescued' me in 1st grade, I'm going to smack you."

Tezuka raised an eyebrow. He had almost forgotten about that incidence. Way before they formally met in middle school, he had an encounter with Fuji when they were seven.

It was in a summer festival fair, and somehow Fuji got separated from his elder sister in the crowd. Seeing all those unfamiliar faces milling about and pushing him around, he got frightened and began to cry. Tezuka, a matured 7-year-old even then, found the sobbing Fuji on the sidewalk and tried to console him. With the pocket money that he meant to save up to buy a tennis racket, he bought Fuji a stick of candied apple and sat with him, holding his hand the whole time, on the sidewalk until Fuji's sister finally found them. Yumiko almost fainted relief, and Fuji was so happy seeing his sister that he ran towards her, all but forgotten about the little boy who had sat so patiently with him on the sidewalk moments before.

It wasn't until years later when during a sleepover, Fuji showed everyone his old photo albums that Tezuka found out that the boy he helped that time was none other than Fuji. Fuji had laughed when he realized it too, calling Tezuka his knight in shining armor. It made an interesting story for their friends, and Kikumaru couldn't stop cooing over how sweet it was.

What Tezuka didn't tell them though, was that he thought Fuji was a girl then whom he considered to be his first love. That would have made an even more interesting story if they ever found out, but not before he was going to be teased mercilessly first.

"How did we manage to get the same room?" Tezuka asked instead, changing the subject.

Fuji shrugged. "Luck, I guess?" He grinned. " You should be glad, Tezuka. I heard from Inui he got roomed in with Oshitari from Hyoutei."

Tezuka nodded. At least something in his new life was familiar. He couldn't begin to express how glad he was that Fuji was his roommate.

"Shall we finish unpacking then, and explore the campus later?" he asked as he returned to his unpacking.

"OK." Fuji's eyes gleamed and he gave Tezuka a broad smile, showing even rows of white teeth. "We are going to have soo much fun now that we are in college."