A/N:
All characters belong to Konami Takeshi sensei
Seigaku has been changed from a middle school to a high school cos I can't imagine stuff like this happening to kids 13-15 years old…
Scenes may be a little confusing cos I wrote each part corresponding to a specific part of the lyrics
---
Hello, good morning, how you do?
What makes your risin' sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new
---
So, he's back. It was unmistakable. That unique shade of light brown hair was gently ruffled by the wind. It reminded Atobe of the times when that familiar, tousled look greeted him with a gentle kiss every morning. A sharp pang of pain struck him in that instant.
It's over. We've both moved on. At least that was the truth Atobe had been trying to convince himself of. His pride would not let him admit anything else. The former buchou who had 200 players under his command was now the president of a Fortune 500 company. If anything, he could not afford to doubt his decision now anymore than he could then.
"Osashiburi. It's been a long time, Atobe." That low, husky baritone which had called out his name with rapturous delight in those long summer nights still had the ability to make a shiver run down his spine in remembrance. Damn you, Tezuka.
Fixing his trademark haughty glare in his eyes, Atobe inclined his head in acknowledgement to the only man who had been able to fell him to his knees. But Tezuka had never known that. If Tezuka had known and was still able to walk away those years ago, he was never the man Atobe had thought he was. Tezuka was always too kind for his own good. And kindness, as Atobe painfully discovered, was never enough for a man like Atobe. It was all or nothing at all. No one should settle for less.
"It's been awhile, Tezuka. Are you back for good?" It was polite conversation. Atobe could handle that. Hell, he had been doing it with senators, business partners who though he was simply a lucky brat born with the proverbial silver spoon and the women who had flitted in and out of his life. It was all in a day's work. He could be nonchalant and cool about this.
"Ah, I will be back for a short period of time at least. I've taken up the position to be the interim lecturer at our alma mater's affiliated university here in Japan. Probably a minimum of 6 months or longer if I decide to take up the position permanently." Tezuka replied with a slight smile on his face.
"You're now a lecturer on Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation? Congratulations. I guess you owe it to me for breaking your arm that time." Atobe referred to the final time they had competed against each other which had resulted in Tezuka seeking medical attention in Germany. It was a bittersweet memory to the both of them. They were each other's strongest opponent and greatest motivator, both in life and tennis, relentlessly pushing to other to their limits. Ultimately, Atobe had reached his breaking point.
"Okagesama de ne. I won't deny it but you played a great part in making me realize that there are more to life than tennis. Are you still playing?"
"It's more a recreational pastime to me now. From Hyotei , only Yuushi is still playing competitively it seems. Ryou and Choutaro gave up playing doubles a couple of years ago due to Choutaro's wrist injury and Ryou was not interested in competing as a single player." Atobe, gave an uncharacteristic, wistful smile when he spoke of his former teammates. The direct use of their names spoke volumes of his close relationship to the men.
"What about you?" Atobe casually inquired.
"Competitive tennis was never what I wanted. But speaking of competitions, I've met up with Ryoma earlier on when he was in Germany on tour. We've played a game and he's in even better form than ever. I won't be surprised if he wins the grand slam this year. "
"That's good to know. But I won't discount Yuushi for giving Echizen a run for his money. He seems to be in top form too." Atobe glanced at his watch just as his phone rang. "Ah, sumimasen. I will be right over," Atobe replied to the caller with a slight deferential tone in his voice.
"You seem busy. Let's catch up some other time." Tezuka said before Atobe could use the call as an excuse to leave. Atobe was in no actual rush. Letting those people from Mikatsushi Industries cool their heels in his office would make negotiations to buy over their company go much smoother. However, Atobe did not trust himself to retain his composure in front of Tezuka for any longer. He would find somewhere else to while the remaining hour of before meeting Mikatsushi Industries.
"I am sorry. We'll catch up some other time then." Both men parted ways with those words. Each cognizant of the fact that they had not exchanged contacts at all.