Disclaimer: Nothing of Prince of Tennis is mine. What's mine is just the plot and my OC Character:)
A/N: I need to wait for my holidays before I can continue properly with my Tulips story, so I thought I will just write a short story to entertain my writer's longing;) This is not much, and I do apologise if Fuji seems a bit OOC! The story didn't quite turn out the way I imagined it would be, but I guess it's fine with me=) I hope you all will enjoy reading it. reviews are as usual appreciated and while constructive criticism is accepted, not too harsh please! haha, I'm still a little "fragile" when it comes to writing. thanks dears:)
And so, this is, Fuji Syuusuke, in love-
Name: Fuji Syuusuke, 不二周助
Birth date: 29th February 1983
Occupation: World- renowned Photographer
Interests: Reading Classics, Playing Tennis and Billiards
Personality Traits: Gentlemanly, Talented, Charming, Protective, and at times, a little Sadistic
Physical Appearance: Has extremely attractive brown hair, captivating cerulean eyes, sharp and slightly boyish features. Also, he has an impeccable dress sense. Overall: Irresistible:)
Favorite Food: Anything with wasabi in it, Fuji apples, Pastries
Favorite Countries: Japan (of course!), Italy, Korea and Singapore (couldn't resist ;))
Favorite Movies: The Lake House, Love Actually, The Interpreter
Eligibility Status: Rich, Humble, Good-looking, what's not to love about Fuji Syuusuke?
: #1 Most Eligible Bachelor
--
So, you might ask, what on earth is the Fuji Syuusuke participating in a match-making event?!
--
First off, he didn't come willingly. He was dragged here actually, by a hyper active ex-teammate with the name of Eiji Kikumaru. Seriously, who can really turn down the pleadings of Eiji, especially when he has that 'innocent' look on his face? No matter how much he dislikes such events; even Fuji is not so cruel as to reject his friend. But, believe me; boy did he try to get out of the almost impossible-to-do-so situation.
Fuji tried calling every single ex-teammate from the previous Seigaku Tennis Team, but the moment he mentioned the taboo word of 'Eiji', all of them hung up on him. Tezuka did not even bother answering the call, clever really. It was as if everyone but him knew what Eiji was up to. Where have his perceptive qualities gone?
As Fuji resists the overwhelming urge to sigh once more, he attributes his lack of attentiveness to the fact that for the past few weeks, he had been up to his neck in his photography work; flying to several countries to gather materials for his upcoming exhibition, and that has really put him out of the loop concerning the current interests of Eiji. And here he is, trying to console himself by saying that at least he can just treat it as a catch-up session with Eiji.
--
"Fujiko! Why are you in a daze? Nya, the event is going to start soon, aren't you excited??" Looking over at how pleased Eiji seems to be, Fuji cannot help but be glad that at least one of them is looking forward to the event. Eiji probably treats the event as a social-binder; a way of getting to know more people. Working as a counselor (well, Eiji does have this innate ability to cheer people up: P), Eiji is probably more interested in getting to interact with different types of people than really being match-made.
'Oh well, since I'm already here, I might as well try not to entertain thoughts of running out of this place and leaving Eiji to work his charms alone' Fuji replaces the slightly strained look on his face with his usual smile and tries to think of the event in a more positive way. 'Well, I can try to capture the feelings of the people here; their experiences can help in building up my photography techniques…Photography is about people anyway.'
--
Today's match-making event is held at this Paris-style café near the heart of Tokyo, and to tell the truth, the café does have a wide variety of appetizing pastries, and their drinks are pretty decent. If there is nothing much to be gained out of this, at least Fuji knows that both of them will be able to enjoy the treats served by the café. 'Now if only I can just order what I want, and just sit out there in the alfresco area to enjoy the breeze while having my cake and tea.'
Fuji glances longingly at the array of cakes, cookies, meringues, brownies, and at the menu while listening half-heartedly to the host of the event. 'I'll just get Eiji to summarize the instructions later…' As Fuji glances around, he realizes that apparently the company in charge of the match-making event today has taken the liberty to reserve the whole café for the event itself. For today, the turn-out of 'hopeful participants' is quite good.
"…and so whenever you hear a soft tinkling of bells, it's time to switch partners. There are 20 couples today, and the ladies will get to choose where they want to sit later, while the men will be the ones going from table to table today." After the short introduction by the female host, Fuji hears a general consensus of agreement and a soft tinkling of bells signified the official start of the event. "Come on Fuji, while the girls select their tables, we're suppose to collect the list with the girls' photos on it to tell us in which order are we supposed to meet with them." Eiji grabs the arm of Fuji and again drags him over to the counter where the lists are being handed out. 'Here we go then…'
--
Misaki Tomoyo. That is the first lady Fuji has to look for. As Fuji looks around the room, he sub-consciously wishes that the lady in question has decided to sit out there in the alfresco area. But just as he is about to head out to check, he notices her partially hidden in the right hand corner of the café. 'Alright then, I'll just have to hope the next one has the wisdom to choose to sit outside…'Fuji walks gracefully over to her and very graciously introduces himself before sitting down. The lady seated in front of him smiles and introduces herself in return.
After the first five minutes, Fuji is already contemplating excusing himself to purchase something to eat, for Misaki-san turned out to be a really talkative person who seems intent on dominating the whole conversation. Alternating between an almost hysterical state of giggling and shooting off words at a speed too fast for comprehension, Fuji wonders how the event selects people to join. 'Maybe it's just random, or they really just accept everybody who is single.' Thankfully, the bell saves him. In an almost abrupt manner, Fuji hurriedly stands up from his seat and politely thanks Misaki-san before walking away as fast as possible without seeming like he is running for his life. 'Thank Kami-sama I survived the first…wait, does that mean I have nineteen more to go?'
Looking down at the list he was given, Fuji notes with a critical eye that the next person he is supposed to see is a lady currently in her fifties. 'Are there absolutely no limits to the people allowed to join this event?' Normally, Fuji wouldn't mind socializing with people twice his age, but at a match-making event? 'Impossible. I'm getting myself some tea and something with lots of sugar. Eiji can just work his charms alone. Anyway, he seems to be doing well'. True enough, as Fuji strides over to the counter to order, he notices the wide smile on Eiji's face as he is seemingly entertaining the lady he is currently seated with. 'No wonder he's Eiji…'
Fuji smiles and shakes his head in an absent-minded way and decides on having a cup of Earl Grey tea along with a slice of New York Cheesecake. While balancing his purchases nicely, Fuji heads out of the café and proceeds to sit down at a table a way off from the main doors of the café. He figured it would be best not to attract attention.
In his haste to sit down to enjoy the view and his treats, Fuji failed to realize that there was already someone's belongings on the seat next to him, and he realizes it when the owner of the said belongings started to approach his table. "Gomen, I didn't realize someone was already sitting here." Looking at the lady in front of him, he notices how she has also decided to buy a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
--
"Iie…it's fine, I can just shift over to another seat." Smiling at the guy dressed in semi-formal clothes in front of her, Yuki Rie thinks of what a coincidence it was that out of all the tables in the alfresco area, this attractive guy decides to sit at hers. But before she can collect her things however, said guy has already stood up to take over the cup and plate in her hands before motioning for her to sit down opposite him. "No no, it's my fault, and if you don't mind, we can just share the table."
Setting her things down on the table, Fuji smiles back at her and hopes that she will accept his invitation. She does and after a short while, the both of them are settled comfortable enough to start off a conversation. They quickly got to know each other's names, and after giving the general descriptions of themselves, they just went on to talk about all sorts of things which interest them. And after a while, the two of them lapsed into a comforting silence, not at all awkward, and just started to listen to the soft music coming from inside of the café.
--
As Rie cradles the warm cup of Darjeeling tea in her hands, she muses on how easy it was to talk to Fuji-san, and how neither of them felt compelled to walk back in to the café to continue with the match-making event; both of them are just willing to stay here and bask in the warm afterglow of the sunset. Speaking of which, the sunset that they shared just now was one of the more brilliant ones.
Light rays of light streaking out into the large expense of the sky, the deep orange glow of the sun slowly sinking down below the horizons and the gatherings of the dark purplish blue clouds. It was such a picturesque moment. "The last, smouldering streak of sunset fire…" Unconsciously Rie quotes out of a book she read some time ago. "Banville?" In surprise, Rie looks over to Fuji who just gave the name of the author of the book she quoted from earlier.
As if in answer, Fuji replies that he happened to read the book in a bookstore once. "So why are you here at this match-making event when you're not even inside mingling with the rest?" After getting to know Yuki-san since just now, Fuji has been extremely curious to know more about her and wonders why she doesn't seem at all interested in what is going on inside the café.
"My friend's the host for today's event, and she just asked me to participate in it as one lady backed out of it at the last minute, and if I don't participate, there will be an odd number of people. So yes, that's why I'm here." Grinning at Fuji, Rie reaches over to try out the cheesecake Fuji ordered after he offered it to her earlier. "Not bad…the cheese is of quite a good quality, and the biscuit base is really good." While holding up her fork, Rie motions for Fuji to try some of the chocolate fudge cake the café is famous for. "Try it, it's great".
--
And so, the two of them just sat there, feeling the cool, inviting wind blowing lightly against their faces, feeling like they have known each other for more than just a while, and contented in just soaking in each other's presence. "Yuki-san, will you be participating in the next match-making event organized by your friend?" Just after the last tinkling of the bells is heard, Fuji ventures to ask his question. Rie turns over to look into his eyes and smiles sheepishly before answering his question with one of her own, "Will you?" In reply, Fuji raises his cup of tea before saying, "Till the next one then." Both of them smile as they lean back onto their chairs and ponder on how the evening didn't turn out so bad after all.
How is it? :)
For those who happen to read my other stories too, especially Tulips, I'm thinking of coming up with a preview while waiting for my holidays to come. what do you all think, should I?
Anyway, have a blessed good friday and awesome easter sunday!