Disclaimer: Not mine, but the plot and OC.
…Wishing for red roses for all of you from your special someone on St. Valentine's Day…
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Phantom Love
By Moribayashi
Part One
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"Okay then, I'm done checking. Don't forget to lock the door when you leave."
"Aa."
"See you tomorrow, Tezuka," slinging his tennis bag onto his shoulder, Ooishi's hand was ready at the doorknob.
"Good night, Ooishi," Tezuka replied.
Smiling, Ooishi took one last look at his teammate before closing the door.
Absently registering Kikumaru's chatter dying away behind the door, Tezuka finally let out a sigh. The afternoon practice was over. The tennis clubhouse that was full of hormone-driven teenage boys during the day was now vacant in the early evening. Looking at orange rays of sunlight penetrating the windowpane, Tezuka absorbed the comfortable silence. After one hell of a busy day, this was what little time he could spare to just sit and enjoy the peace, before going back to reality.
Closing his eyes, the bespectacled boy took a deep breath, and glanced at the awaiting stack of papers on the desk. One hand moved to drag the top bundle down on the vacant space in front of him, his other hand blindly reached for his mechanical pencil on the left side, and Tezuka was ready to wrap himself with club paperwork/homework. Being able to focus solely on the matter at hand had always been one of his fortes that determined Tezuka's success as Seigaku Junior High model student/Student Council president/Tennis Club captain, and a peaceful and quiet surrounding was always more than welcomed.
Except that Tezuka didn't feel all that peaceful with his surroundings as of late.
He wasn't sure why, but it had been happening for quite some time, where he was having uncomfortable feelings that was slowly distracting his focus; like what he was experiencing right now. These feelings were weird, causing the hairs on his nape to stand at some point, and he found himself looking over his shoulder a couple of times. You know, just to make sure that no one was around. Not that anyone really was around.
Of course, having the ability to fully control his teenage hormones and act calm, collected and reasonable, it was only natural that Tezuka chose to side with the idea of shrugging away the weird feelings and continuing with the mounting paperwork. Yet he found it getting harder to do, especially in the last few days, where he was forced to take deep, calming breaths before going back to whatever task he was doing.
There were times when he thought that maybe working somewhere else, like in the student council office, would do something for his focus. So off he went, and he ended up with the result that was as nagging as an itch on the back. The weird feelings wouldn't go away, as if they stubbornly remained somewhere beyond his conscious.
All these creepy feelings would stop only after he reached home.
Looking at his watch, Tezuka realized that it was already 6.15. He had to hurry home so that he wouldn't be late for dinner. Standing up, he gathered his papers and put them into his locker. Checking out the clubhouse once again, he heard the faint dripping sound coming from the shower stall's direction. It must be the broken tap again. Tezuka made a mental note to consult with school's cleaning service guy sometime during school breaks tomorrow.
In the shower stall, Tezuka placed a large bucket under the broken tap so that the water wouldn't go wasted. Satisfied with the result, the bespectacled boy calmly headed back to the changing room, grabbed his tennis bag, turned off the lights, locked the door and went straight home.
Once he was on the train, Tezuka finally let out the breath he had been holding. Being in the crowd where most people didn't bother to even look at each other in the face, the stoic boy hung his head low and let down his guard a little. Staring at his hands, Tezuka realized belatedly that he had been shaking. Swallowing hard, he tried to pull himself together and directed his thoughts at whatever it was that came into his sight…
…Including a big breasted office lady in a bright purple fur coat and thick make up. Normally, Tezuka would subtly direct his eyes elsewhere. But this time, the sight was more than welcomed. He figured he'd rather have this than whatever it was he had just seen in the clubhouse.
Tezuka could've had sworn his eyes caught a glimpse of a figure that didn't belong to him in the mirror by the sink in the empty shower stall.
-.-.-.-.-
It was a sunny afternoon.
While the first and second year students of Seigaku were busy with their club activities, the third year students were busy with textbooks, preparing for the Senior High school entrance exam.
As usual, Tezuka took the opportunity to immerse himself in his homework. Only this time, he did it in his class instead of the clubhouse. Ever since that night, he decided to bring his schoolwork home. But seeing that the sun was still high, he thought he could make an exception. He figured it was safe enough to do it in the classroom, what with students passing by the corridor just outside the windows.
Alas, it looked like this time Tezuka's focus didn't have quite a long lifespan either.
Slowly brushing the nape with his palm, the bespectacled boy took a deep breath. This was getting too much. Yet he decided to endure a little more, at least until his Biology essay was done, and then he would leave straight home.
"Saa… Tezuka, are you busy?"
Thank the Heavens for the unexpected distraction.
"Fuji."
From behind the classroom door, Fuji's brown head popped up.
"Am I disturbing anything?"
"No. Come in."
Smiling cheerfully, Fuji sauntered in.
"Ah, homework… living up to the model student role, eh?" peering into the paper, he commented.
"Just trying to have a good use of my time," if anything, Tezuka wasn't one to be easily provoked by Fuji's remarks. "And I'm not a genius like you," he countered calmly.
Fuji's smile morphed into a grin. "Now you made me feel guilty again, Tezuka."
The soon-to-be ex-teammates spent their afternoon in silence. Tezuka was glad that this time, it was back to the old comfortable silence. The kind he often had with Fuji around, at least when the other boy wasn't in his prankster mode. Soon, Tezuka was back with his essay, while Fuji was staring at the window. Or sometimes at the other boy, whichever suited his moods.
"Ne, Tezuka, is everything okay on your side lately?"
Glancing up from his book, Tezuka met Fuji's cerulean eyes.
"Aa," he answered carefully.
Looking into the earthen eyes, Fuji nodded. "That's good."
Leaving the other boy with his homework again, Fuji's eyes wandered back to the window, while scratching idly on his notes.
-.-.-.-.-
Half an hour had passed, and Tezuka decided that it was time to go home. He asked Fuji if the shorter boy wanted to walk the station together.
"Sure," Fuji smiled cheerfully.
"I'm off to the restroom first. You coming?"
"Nn… think I'll meet you at the gate. I… forgot something," Fuji wrinkled his nose playfully.
Nodding, Tezuka headed out of the classroom.
Once he was alone in the classroom, Fuji put down his pencil. Raising his face, which was calm as ever, the honey haired boy opened his mouth, and said,
"Alright, what are you doing to him?"
Eyes fully opened, Fuji glanced to his left. "Arizawa Chiyoko… was it?" he continued, piercing blue orbs fixed on an empty spot a few chairs away from where Tezuka had sat.
Unseen to naked eyes, a figure was materializing itself on the exact spot at where Fuji was staring. It presented itself as a girl, with long, jet black hair, pale skin, and slender body. She was wearing a Seigaku girls' uniform. Around the age of 14, the girl looked fine and beautiful, should one ignore a disturbing fact that her whole body was transparent.
A complete see-through, like that of a hologram.
"I knew you could see me," when she finally responded to Fuji's queries, her voice was quiet, and there was something echoing about it. "Yes, Fuji-kun. My name is Arizawa Chiyoko."
"And you're…"
"Yes… I'm the dead girl from class 3-5."
A thickening silence, and yet Fuji's expression didn't waver from the revelation.
"Why are you following Tezuka around?"
-.-.-.-.-
So that was it all about.
Along with approximately 75 percent of the entire female population of Seigaku – numbers courtesy of Inui Sadaharu – Arizawa Chiyoko was head over heels with Tezuka Kunimitsu, Seigaku's proud model student/Student Council president/Tennis Club captain. And along with 88 percent of the total population of Seigaku, she was planning to confess her feelings to said model student/Student Council president/Tennis Club captain on the upcoming St. Valentine's Day.
However, no one would've had guessed that 19 days prior to D day, the life of Arizawa Chiyoko had come to an end, as she had become a victim to a hit-and-run case. The car accident had caused her unfortunate death, leaving one wish unfulfilled, which seemed to keep her soul from going to the other world and ended up wandering the school.
"So what is it that you're planning to do now?" Fuji's face was completely serious, which was as rare as a gemstone. He had closed the classroom door so that no one interrupted their conversation. Not that someone would bother to say anything had they caught Fuji mumbling to an empty spot. And not that he himself would care, either.
At his query, Arizawa Chiyoko was silent for a moment, before she glanced up at the other teen, determination was all over her white face. "I'm still going to confess to Tezuka-sama."
Fuji tilted his head, eyes never leaving the hologram figure in front of him. "I suppose you're aware of the chance it being reciprocated is probably… not too promising?" his asked slowly and carefully.
"Yes."
"And the fact that you're recently… deceased… and that Tezuka could barely see you?"
"Yes, well… I thought he has seen me once. I mean, in this state…" Arizawa trailed off.
Fuji's eyebrow was raised. "He has?"
The girl-spirit frowned a little. "Sort of… I'm not sure… but I've been following him everywhere so I think he's caught a glimpse of me in the clubhouse shower stall."
Now Fuji's eyebrows were both raised. "You stalked him to THE SHOWER?"
"N-no! That's not what it seems…" Arizawa stuttered. Her pale, ghostly face turned slightly red, something Fuji had first thought impossible. "I… I never see him… undressed. I wouldn't even dare to see you guys changing jerseys."
Fuji hid his amused smile. "No, I didn't feel your presence when we were changing jerseys." This had turned unexpectedly fun.
Arizawa looked relieved.
"So how are you going to confess to Tezuka, now that you're… well, in this state?"
"Actually… now that someone is able to see me, I was wondering if you could do any help…"
Oh yes, this was getting more interesting. "And that is?"
Taking a deep breath – or so Fuji assumed – Arizawa looked the teen genius straight in the eye.
"I was wondering if you could lend me your body so that I could confess to Tezuka-sama."
And this time, Fuji couldn't help it when his expression wavered just a tiny bit.
-.-.-.-.-
That night, Fuji sat on her sister's bed, leisurely asking if it was safe to let a poor wandering schoolmate's soul occupy his body for, say, 20 minutes?
"Shuusuke, I will only say this once, so listen to me closely." Fuji Yumiko, the eldest of the Fuji siblings, also the one gifted with a strong ESP, took a good long look at her younger brother, before she continued. "To let your body become a medium for a wandering spirit, even only for a split second, is not something to be taken lightly. Unlike what is described in the movies, the process was not easy, and far from enjoyable because your soul is literally ripped off your body. You see, in theory, body and soul are two separate elements. But when a living being is born, the body and soul fused and become inseparable."
"So that's why dying looks hurt," Fuji mused.
"Exactly, and when your soul fuses back with your body, you will feel like you're lying under tons of bricks, before things get back to normal. And it's not just that. When your soul is parted from your body, you must have something to hold on to, like an amulet or the sort. Souls are non 3-dimensional, they are so light that they're easily carried away like the wind does a feather. Hold on to something, or the slightest breeze will separate your soul from your body forever.
"Now, last but not the least important, I know she was a friend to you when she was alive. But you must be very careful that this wandering spirit wouldn't do anything such as taking over your body, because really, who knew how far a girl would go in the name of love?"
Taking her words into consideration, Fuji finally got up from her sister's bed, his smile was real and sincere. "Thanks, Nee-san."
-.-.-.-.-
"Promise me you'll go back to where you belong once you're done with your confession."
"I promise."
"Promise me you'll give my body back to my soul."
"I promise."
"Promise me you won't by any means hijack it and leave me wandering the school forever."
"I promise, Fuji-kun...!" Arizawa replied in exasperation.
Of course, one needed as much time as it took to convince oneself that it was okay for one's body to be possessed by a wandering spirit.
"So are you going to help me?"
But Fuji didn't seem to have that much time.
"Fuji-kun…"
Taking a deep breath, Fuji finally opened his cerulean eyes and fixed them at Arizawa's purple ones.
"I swear I'll haunt you for the rest of eternity should you dare break your promise."
Arizawa's face was literally glowing.
"Thank you, Fuji-kun… you have no idea how much it means to me."
At the sight, Fuji's gaze softened. "I know how you feel, Arizawa-san, or else I won't do it."
Chuckling, the girl-spirit nodded. "Alright then, you can call me Chiyoko," she said, baring Fuji the warmest smile he had ever seen.
Smiling back at her, Fuji idly thought that although he didn't get the chance to know Arizawa more than just a girl from class next door, he had the feeling that she must've had been fun to hang out with during her short lifespan.
The thought brought a slight pang of regret to his heart.
-.-.-.-.-
"Fuji, don't tell me you're on drugs."
Fuji rolled his eyes, and sighed. "No, Tezuka. I'm not on drugs."
"Is everything okay with your brother?" there was the faintest glint of concern in that stern gaze.
"Yes, Yuuta is fine, and thank you for asking. Listen, Tezuka, I'm not high nor am I delirious. There's a ghost following you around school."
Tezuka's expression was anything but wavering. But Fuji knew better.
Finally, Tezuka dropped his stare.
"How do you know?"
"I saw her."
Tezuka's eyes shot back. "…Her?"
"Aa, we had a long talk. She said you saw her in the clubhouse shower stall," the words came out of Fuji's lips easily, as if they were talking about the weather, and he deliberately ignored the visible tense on the other teen's shoulders.
Tezuka had long found out that Fuji was gifted with the ability to see otherworldly creatures. Now that he knew what he'd seen in the clubhouse was not just some trick of his tired mind, he wasn't sure if he was to feel relieved or scared.
"Ne, Tezuka. Did you know a girl named Arizawa Chiyoko?"
Tezuka's earthen eyes slowly widened.
"She was from class 3-5," Fuji continued. "About 2 weeks ago, she was killed in a car accident right in front of our school-"
"I know who she was," Tezuka cut in, not wanting to hear the rest of the story now that his mind had done its math. He had had a suspicion that the figure was somewhat familiar.
Fuji raised one eyebrow. "Ah, so you know her."
"Of course I do. I put her condolence news on the school's bulletin board," despite the calm he was struggling to keep, Tezuka's face was loosing blood.
"Ne, isn't that great, Chiyoko-san? Who've ever guessed that the brick wall here actually knows you?" Of course, it seemed to naked eyes that Fuji was talking to an empty space in front of him. But Chiyoko was actually there, and she was currently blushing madly at his tease.
Tezuka's alert was blaring. "Fuji… who are you talking to?"
"Chiyoko-san," Fuji replied cheerfully.
"You mean… she's here?"
"She's standing right next to you."
Tezuka froze.
Then he did something very un-Tezuka like.
From his present position which was facing Fuji about 3 feet away, he swiftly moved to stand next to the smiley boy's side, all within seconds.
Fuji nearly burst out laughing. "Tezuka, that's rude!" he scolded playfully, then turned toward the previous empty spot. "You have to forgive him, Chiyoko-san, he rarely gets to be with girls."
Amidst the frantic beating of his heart, Tezuka managed to send his trademark glare at Fuji, and was about to order him 20 laps around the court when the captain reminded himself that Fuji might as well be the key to get him out of this ordeal.
Chiyoko only smiled. "That's okay Fuji-kun, I'm happy with just watching Tezuka-sama this close."
"Well, I got the feeling you'll do more than that," Fuji winked.
"So Fuji… what is it that… Arizawa-san wants from me?" Tezuka asked as he managed to slow down his pulse a little.
"About that…" Fuji paused, then turned towards the empty spot again. "Ne Chiyoko-san, will you excuse us a moment? I think Tezuka and I need to speak in private."
"Sure, Fuji-kun, I'll be around. Ganbatte!" Chiyoko waved cheerfully, then disappeared from Fuji's ESP radar.
"I'll do my best," Fuji' smile was equally cheerful.
-.-.-.-.-
"Tezuka, are you alright?" Fuji was looking at his tennis captain.
"Is she gone?" Tezuka calmly asked.
"Yes."
Tezuka hung his head low and let out a long sigh.
"This must scare you off, ne?" Fuji smiled sympathetically. "Don't worry, she means no harm to you. The truth is, Chiyoko-san used to be your fangirl when she was alive. On St. Valentine's Day, which is 4 days from now, she was supposed to confess her feelings to you. Too bad, the car accident had taken her life, so it leaves her soul wandering the school with unfulfilled wish."
Tezuka closed his eyes. Of all the things that happened in his life, this might be the most bizarre. Not to mention the most frightening.
"So now you're planning to make it happen?"
"If that'll help her rest in peace…"
"How?"
Fuji glanced at him. "There is one way… that is to let her enter my body so that she can confess to you."
Tezuka raised his head. "You mean like… being possessed?"
Fuji tilted his head, "Sort of."
A goosebump was running along Tezuka's spine.
"What's the other way?"
"There is no other way."
Silence for a while.
"Well?" Fuji looked at the bespectacled boy expectantly.
Tezuka stood up. "Count me out," he said, and started packing his school bag.
"What…? Why??"
"Fuji, this is all too weird." There were so many things that Tezuka Kunimitsu could handle. Ghosts and spirits simply weren't among them.
"But Tezuka, she needs help."
"Then find some other way to help."
"I told you, this is the only way. We can't just-"
"Fuji-kun… what's going on?"
Turning around, Fuji saw Chiyoko materialized herself on the back row chairs. Confusion and worry were all over her face. "Fuji-kun, why does Tezuka-sama look upset?"
"Ne… Chiyoko-san…"
"He doesn't want me to confess to him, does he?" Chiyoko concluded, her purple eyes drooped with sadness and soon, tears fell down her bloodless cheeks. "Tezuka-sama must be scared of me… Tezuka-sama must hate me… What am I gonna do now?"
Fuji went by Tezuka's side. "Tezuka, please think about it. This is the only way for her to find her peace, and we're the only ones who can help her."
"I'm out of here." Tezuka slung his bag and walked towards the door.
At the sight of her idol striding out the classroom, Chiyoko freaked out. "Tezuka-sama is leaving… He's leaving! Tezuka-sama…! Fuji-kun! You must stop him!"
Looking back and forth at his schoolmates, Fuji was raking his brain.
"Fuji-kun!"
Fuji chased the other boy, his hand reaching up to stop Tezuka from opening the door. "Tezuka! Wait! Let me explain-"
Then it happened so fast.
Panic stricken, Chiyoko decided to take the matter into her hand. Like a wind, her soul flew past rows of chairs towards the two boys by the door. Within seconds, she was right on Fuji's side, and entered his body unexpectedly. Totally unprepared, Fuji's soul was thrown out of his body, so hard and fast that the boy was screaming in pain.
At the same time, the feel of a hand on his shoulder had made Tezuka halt. Turning around, he saw Fuji's body jerking forwards violently as the boy let out a loud gasp. His face was twisting in what looked like so much pain, and yet nothing came out of his opened mouth. Then Fuji's eyelids fluttered close.
"Fuji!!"
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TBC.
Mori's Notes:
I wrote this sometime in February 2006. Severely outdated, but I hope you still enjoyed it and please review. It helps gearing up my writing muse.
Thanks for reading. ;)