File 2: Ever Since that Day…
Disclaimer: Konomi Takeshi-san still owns everything about The Prince of Tennis.
Foreword: I was depressed because I couldn't purchase that thing I want to purchase… and yah, I thought of discontinuing this and start my MomoLovesEiji masterpiece, but obviously, I changed my mind until the last minute, heheh.
By the way, the lyrics written on the first file was from "Thank you for…", a song sung by Echizen Ryoma.
Warning: Fuji angst? Hmmm...
Seishun Gakuen.
I myself decided to enter this private school, despite its distance from my home. It was not because of its flashy features or anything. I was not after its popularity as one of the greatest schools on Kantou district and the school where the Samurai Echizen Nanjirou attended before.
It would be an adventure, and besides...
I never expected that I would be meeting him there again...
A fated encounter, I guess...
--
Our story actually started at the month of Summer Festival, where my family and I went to the nearest shrine in our area to celebrate. I was with my older sister and a younger brother, and together, we went to see different stalls and stores build inside the shrine grounds.
One funny moment happened, and that's when I got lost; I had loosen my hold to my sister and even before I knew it, I was already alone in the midst of thick crowd.
I never knew that getting lost was troublesome, but since I was confident while I'm on my own, I settled not to give up and continued my search to reconcile with my family.
It was already noon and I couldn't walk anymore. I sat on a stone bench and stared on the continuous flow of people passing before me. It was seemed endless and though I was not on its middle, I felt so small and I suddenly sulked.
Just then, I heard a hard sigh on my side. I immediately shifted my sight and saw this boy sitting centimeters away from me. He looked exhausted, with his slow pants and sweaty face.
Just when did he get near me? I never sensed his approach that time.
Maybe he noticed that I was staring so he looked at me as well.
I blinked afterwards as I observe his face more. Big deep blue cat-like eyes, flipped red hair, fair complexion and a little band-aid on his left cheek. He also blinked at me, but suddenly grinned, which gave me some chills.
But those chills faded when he chuckled at my reaction and said, "Hoi!"
Strange expression, but it gave me a little hint that he wasn't a bad guy after all.
He told me his name, and shook hands with me; and that meant we're already friends, then nonchalantly opened that he was also lost, with a smile.
Seemed that he was not worried about his condition- since he could still smile with it- so I felt a little alarmed with it. How could someone enjoy such situation?
I tried explaining my side, telling him to stop smiling and that we should go see the lost and found corner to seek help for us.
But he kept smiling.
In addition to that, he once told me this:
"Worrying won't do any better. Keep the positive energy and just relax."
That was easy for him to say, but it was hard to ride on his optimism, especially when we were already spending hours sitting there.
Minutes later, out of the blue, he noticed the near tennis courts at our backs, and he even stood at the bench to see it clearly. (A/N: Shrines in Japan are somewhat elevated and so, Eiji saw the tennis courts located below the shrine.) I didn't want to continue trusting his happy mode, but he suddenly took my hand, inviting me to see the view. As we watched those ant-like players rallying, his blab about his interest in the sports moved on. I also loved tennis so our stories went in exchange, until I suddenly forgot about my situation. My anxieties was changed with laughter and cheers. I was no longer depressed, and he did save me from it.
His wonderful optimism lifted my spirits, and I was happy...
Later on, we got the chance to see the wonderful fireworks that signal the closure of the festival. As the sparkle lights painted the starry night sky, I always side-glanced at his shiny smile, and somehow I managed to adopt that kind of smile- the one with no worries and carefree...
In the end, my sister had found me on our location, and she was so worried. She thanked him for he had accompanied me long enough, but he said it was nothing, and that he knew his way home. Holding on to my sister's hand tight, I waved him goodbye, and seconds later, I saw him facing the other direction- maybe he would try to go home out on his own.
Months went on, and I was already in middle-school. I thought that I wouldn't be able to meet him again, since I decided to attend Seigaku. I don't know if it was coincidence or fate, but I again met him there, and the best part, we were classmates. I never expected for that moment, but that made my heart smile, and I was glad...
As time passed by, I'd learned more about him- his personality, behavior and attitude- and we were drawn closer.
An incident happened, and to brush my depression off, I invited him to enter the tennis court to play with me, though I got no permission from my seniors. We got caught, and scolded us, but I didn't expect him to be defensive and answered on my senior back.
Ever since then, he decided to join the tennis club. I was clueless about his intention, except that I do know that he's interested in the sport-
... and that's when my world began to shatter.
It was only a week after he had registered, but he was already blabbering about that "doubles-kun". His stories about him and his 'boring' play style suddenly became a constant subject of conversation, replacing those old happy ones. They even got closer, and even before I knew it, they already formed an agreement to be a doubles pair, until he could defeat doubles-kun in an official match.
While he was happily sharing those moments they had with me, I always showed him my smile I copied from him. I even went on cheering on him, copying those he did on me before. But deep inside, I was crumpled, like a trash.
Deep within me, I knew it hurt so much, but I went on supporting him, filling myself with positive energy, just like he said before.
True that we got apart on our second year, and my attention diverted to someone else somehow...
... but now that we're again joined in one the same classroom, how could I ever repair that closeness that had been scratched off from us?
Am I still feeling insecure, since he and Oishi had been officially partners for two years now?
Am I feeling awkward to let him know that the Dream Pair could have been the best among any pairs ever formed?
...
Maybe...
Even so, I'm still happy.
I can still see those smiles.
I don't want to take them away from his lips.
Besides, worrying won't do any better. I'll just keep this positive energy, and relax.
Eiji is still my best friend.
My most precious friend.
And watching his back would be the best contribution I'd do for him to be infinitely happy...
--
The notebook was closed, and Eiji couldn't help but to wipe his tears away. He put the note back under Fuji's desk and paused to stare at the empty chair before him. He suddenly closed his fist, followed by his eyes.
Minutes later, he went back to his own chair to pick his things up and left their classroom, with a smile.
--
Toki wo koete ikeru hazu sa ima
Azayaka ni utsushidasu
Mirai wo kimi no kokoro no keshiki wo
Soshite tabidatsu kono michi ni furisosogu hikari no naka
Ashita e mukatte aruki dasou koko kara bokura
More Author's Notes:
Right now we have to go to exceed time,
Vividly moving future is your heart's scenery
Futhermore, we will set a trip on this road in the pouring light
From now on we'll start walking to meet up with tomorrow
-Departures by Aozu and Cap to Bin
--
And one thing, why does Fuji has a diary?
How did Eiji find that private note?
And how would I end this one?
On my next update, hahaha.
