Title: And It Comes to An End
Author: Tressa
Rating: K
Genre: Friendship
Disclaimer: I don't not own the Prince of Tennis or any of the characters associated with it. They're sole property of Konomi-sensei. I'm merely borrowing them for a bit.
Summary: Finally, after all those years, Echizen Ryoma comes back to Japan and Fuji Syusuke is ready to finish what they had begun.
POT
Fuji Syusuke waved goodbye to the bus driver as he stepped off the bus before adjusting himself to his surroundings. It had been a fabulous two weeks, he had to admit. With the beginning of a new school year approaching, he was beginning to think that his break would be a little less than interesting.
All that changed when they received word Echizen Ryoma was coming back for a brief holiday. Needless to say, his idea of a boring break flew out the window with that announcement.
Bringing himself back to the present, he began his search for the apartment building he had been directed to. He would really have to thank Momoshiro for the directions to the residence of Echizen's cousin.
His tennis bag bounced against his back as he continued along. He hoped Echizen had enjoyed his vacation time here. The road to the pros was no doubt a difficult one, and while he had full confidence that his kouhai would do well, vacations were always a necessary thing. He himself was just glad their rookie had decided to come back to Japan.
"Here it is," he murmured to himself, finding the building. It didn't have a doorman, but had a secure door. Smiling genially at the people who passed to and from the building, he glanced at the slip of paper again before pushing the intercom button. Echizen's cousin was wise to live in a building that required a key to get in.
There was a beep, then a female voice came over the system. "Hello?"
"Hello," he called cheerily, picturing the older woman leaning close to the intercom in her apartment. "Is this the residence of Meino Nanako-san?"
"It is." Her delicate voice came over the speaker hesitantly. "Can I help you?" Fuji wondered briefly if it was because he hadn't introduced himself yet or if it was because perhaps his kouhai had been hounded by the press. Not wanting to worry the older woman any longer, he pressed the button again.
"Ah. I'm a friend of Echizen's. My name is Fuji Syususke." A pause. Then a click.
"Please wait. I'll fetch Ryoma-san." Her voice wasn't hesitant any longer. She couldn't be that trustful of a virtual stranger asking for her cousin. Leaning on the wall to the side of the intercom, he sighed. Maybe Echizen had mentioned him and she recognized the name. Or maybe she was simply going to ask him. So many possibilities and none of them really worth dwelling on.
It was only a few seconds when the intercom clicked again. This time, it was low male voice that still had a youthful tone. "Fuji-sempai?"
"Echizen!" he exclaimed happily. "I'm glad I found the right place. You might want to let your cousin know that I'm not the press nor am I a stalker. She sounded a bit worried."
There was a pause. "I don't know, Fuji-sempai. You sometimes could be considered a stalker."
Any respect that might have been attached to that honorific dissipated with the last statement. "Maybe I am," he responded, adding a hint of mystery to his voice. Most people were fun to play with. Tezuka was not one of them. Echizen definitely was. "But only to people who are worth my attention. You should feel flattered."
He heard a scoff over the intercom. "What do you want?" There it was. The lingering question.
"Well, you're flying back home tomorrow. I thought we could do something this evening before you leave." He shifted his bag on his shoulder. "Can I come up?"
Another pause and he felt any hope slipping a bit. It was something they had started during their time at Seigaku. It was only when his kouhai had returned to America did Fuji realize he had missed his chance. Fate was kind to him, though. And he decided not to tempt it. This was something that he had to do before Echizen left. There was always that possibility that he would leave and never come back and the closest Fuji would ever be to him after that was through the television and the internet.
Which wouldn't be good at all.
"Nanako says come on up." Echizen's voice broke into his thoughts before the door clicked, allowing him passage.
Meino-san's apartment was small, but clean and neatly organized. A pillow and a blanket folded on the small couch was evidence of where his kouhai had been sleeping and he waved away any and all apologies concerning his kouhai's forgetfulness in straightening up the couch.
They chatted for a bit, he very much enjoying Meino-san's conversation and enjoying more the cautious look Echizen was giving him. It was only when Meino-san quickly got up to prepare drinks did he finally turn his attention to the younger boy.
"I see you have a lot of things you're taking home," he commented, pointing to a large pile of souvenirs piled in a corner. "You sure you'll have enough space? And bags?"
"I know you didn't come all the here to ask me about my packing." There was wariness to the younger boy's tone and Fuji briefly wondered if that was all his kouhai remembered about him,
"That look doesn't suit you Echizen." Every so deliberately, he reached beside him and ran his fingers over the seams in his tennis bag. He could feel Echizen's eyes watching him and he allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "I was wondering if you would be willing to accompany me somewhere this evening."
"Where?" Blunt, as usual. He laughed.
"Let's finish the drinks that you're cousin is preparing and then I'll show you."
It was something he had to do, after all.