Man, I so needed to start working on this story or I might have been working on it during the tennis season, which would make me work even slower. So I plan to finish this fic in two weeks, if possible. I really don't want to be in the middle of a match and suddenly can't recall the score (which I do normally, but that's beside the point) because I'm thinking of something new to add to the story. I think my coach might try and kill me. Just kidding, just kidding.
Dedicated: To my loyal fan squishythejellyfish, sorry it's taken me so long to start on your story.
Summary: Sequel to Chigiri, Promise. Ryoma returns and the high school life plays out. Pillar Pairing, with side Fujicest.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, nor any characters in this fic. And I do not own the small section at the beginning that you see, it's from a Harry Potter doujin (Yah, HP) called Love Songs by Mitugu Fujii/G-ZERO.
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If only I could pass these feelings to you too. If I whisper love enough, the future I will live doesn't seem so terrible. I'll say plenty "It's all right" to you. If everything has been thrown away, if you can't survive on your own, "you can rely on me." Because I will become the boy who can make you believe it. And so, I always want to listen to these love songs with you.
"Tezuka-bouchou..." The two boys were just looking at each other.
"Kunimitsu is fine to call me by, Ryoma." It was just the two of them, the rain coming down. It was such a fitting scene, love being seperated and the sky crying for them. Ryoma was the one who moved, clinging to the elder boy. The now freshman wrapped his arms around the smaller boy.
"I don't want to go." The rain was dripping down his frame, both boys getting soaked, but ignoring it.
"I don't want you to go." Dirty golden orbs looked up at the older boy. There was a slight pause before their lips met in a fleeting kiss. It couldn't remain long, for Tezuka's cell phone went right off. Tezuka had to take it, the caller being his mother. As soon as he shut his phone, he noticed that the other boy was gone. "Ryoma..."
The parting hurt more than either had thought it would. Ryoma wouldn't leave his room, not even for dinner. His father intruding some time later, to find his son caught in a haze, running a high fever. This was dealt with and the fever was gone by morning.
The airport was packed, many people going places for Christmas and New Years. For him, he was leaving for America. The school year was over with, so he would be leaving. He was surrounded by his teammates, who were all hugging him and paying a lot of attention to him. Two years felt like it would be forever.
"It's so unlike Tezuka to not be here to say goodbye to O-chibi-chan (Little guy)." Kikumaru had Ryoma in a hug, cuddling the younger boy while pouting.
"He sends his farewell, Ryoma. He called me this morning and sounded terrible." Oishi had the floor. He wouldn't be there had Tezuka ordered him to go, otherwise he'd be looking after his sick friend.
"Saa... That's horrible." Fuji tugged Ryoma from Eiji's embrace to hug him. "Make sure to keep playing tennis, Echizen, and keep in touch with us all."
"I will Fuji-senpai." Ryoma wiggled away from the hug to get his hair ruffled by Momoshiro. "Momo-senpai..."
"You be good, Ryoma." Momo gave a thumbs up. "And make sure to come back quickly." Ryoma nodded as his plane was called. Everyone looked miserable.
"You'll be back before you know it. And we'll be waiting." Taka and Kaidoh seemed to be thinking the same thing as they spoke in unison.
"Yah."
"Saa... Echizen. Here, a reminder of everyone waiting for you to return." Syuusuke was holding out a picture towards Ryoma. Arai had taken it for them not that long ago. It had him in it, Fuji, Kaidoh, Inui, Tezuka, Momo, Taka, Eiji, Oishi, Sakuno, Tomo, and Coach Ryuzaki. A small smile played across the youth's lips at seeing Tezuka's hand on his shoulder. He could still recall Tezuka pulled him close to him in the picture, it's why his face looked a little shocked and a little like he was laughing. Many were laughing, making funny poses, or, in the case of Momo and Kaoru, picking a fight in the picture.
"Thank you." Ryoma tucked it away into his carry on bag. He gave a bow and a wave before following his parents to go board the plane that would remove him from the scene for two years.
In two years time, things had changed so much. A confession of love didn't stop Tezuka from dating the elder Fuji brother, who liked taking Tezuka out to rub it in Yuuta's face. There was a small love between the two, but it was only that, small. It was more out of interest than love, both were lonely and needed another. Tezuka constantly check his phone for messages from Ryoma, Fuji constantly tracking Yuuta's whereabouts with his own phone. Whenever Tezuka would comment that Fuji was stalking his brother, the other would counter with that he was being a good elder brother and making sure his brother remained out of trouble. Their relationship turned back to friendship, it ending mutually, and Fuji was content with having his brother back at his side. Tezuka still waited.
Two years time struck Ryoma hard. He was depressed going back to the sixth grade for a couple months. He mainly spaced out and didn't pay attention. The teachers didn't push him, but scolded him for his lack of using english. For the first couple months back, Ryoma never picked up his racquet. No matter what, he couldn't be motivated to play until he got a text from Oishi wishing him well and hoping he's doing well in tennis. It reminded Ryoma that he would fall behind if he didn't practice and keep his game up. As summer break ended, Ryoma was back playing tennis, and played out tennis for his middle school till the day he left. He was more awaiting the day he would play for high school with all his friends. He wasn't apt to make friends in America, he didn't want to. He had friends, and they were all waiting for him.
"I leave for home in a week." Tezuka read the text message to the close group at morning practice. Syuusuke was cuddling his little brother, who had been more caught up in the conversation than to notice the unwanted affection from his elder brother.
"We should throw him a party." All eyes moved to Momo.
"Yah. The day after break. To clebrate his return." Eiji was all for the idea.
"I'm sure if I ask my dad, we can have a party at the shop." Everyone broke out smirking, except Yuuta, who couldn't understand why everyone liked the idea, and Kaoru, who didn't smirk unless given good reason to.
"Me and Yuuta can get cake. Tezuka can get a present from all of us. Momo can get music. Eiji and Oishi can work on party supplies. Inui should prepare Inui juice for a welcome back. And Kaoru can get candies and other little treats." Fuji seemed to tell everyone what they were doing, and no one objected. Yuuta could only feel his brother being a little feared.
"I'll talk to my dad tonight." Taka nodded.
"How much should we pitch in, Fujiko-chan?" Fuji began to think.
"How about 514¥? (roughly $5)" The group nodded, and it was agreed. The plan for Ryoma's party was set in motion. Taka's father welcomed the party and said he would close early for them. So everything was sent into motion. The arrival of Ryoma would come soon enough.
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A new fic started. And it's actually enjoyable. Not that I don't enjoy pillar pair, I think Fujicest is my main specialty. Anyway, R&R
Next Chapter: Ryoma returns back to Japan, but is life like how it used to be? And how will he settle into life back in Japan and a new school. And what about his relationship with Tezuka? Stay tuned.
