The thing about love...

Disclaimer: Konomi-sensei you lucky cow.. As much as I'd love to own the rights to them.. Sigh. Konomi-sensei and the animators crew beat me to it.

Warning: I like boys who like boys, so there. But this only applies to hott and/or pretty guys in animes, like FujiTezuka and MomoRyo etc By the way, that's saying that this fic is shounen-ai.

hitsugayasugar BABYY: I beg your pardon for this chapter because it's a bit mopey and dopey and such.

Chapter 2

If it was one thing he prided himself of other than tennis, it was his ability to remain calm and collected even when he was faced with the most chaotic or disturbing situations. As he reflected on this fact, Tezuka Kunimitsu mentally cursed himself for not showing even the slightest hint of how he felt when he announced his intention of leaving Japan for Germany in two weeks' time. It wasn't as if he didn't care.

No, damn it all! He did care, and he knew his team was sorely disappointed and sad about his impending departure and how coldly he'd announced that fact. But to show any sign of reluctance to leave was a weakness he could not afford. He didn't want his team to remain stagnated at the point of which he left, he needed them to be strong, strong enough to see the team through without him there, strong enough to progress and grow. So, his logical mind allowed him nothing but a seemingly heartless announcement that left his team reeling with shock and hurt, something he refused to let get to him until he reached the solace of his room, where he could be alone, and where he eventually allowed the expressions of his various team mates to scroll, one by one, through his mind.

There was one face that stood out prominently, Tezuka realised as he mentally assessed his team and their reaction to his announcement. One Fuji Syuusuke, resident tensai of the Seigaku team. He stood out from the rest because of his strange reaction, or rather, his lack thereof. But Tezuka thought he remembered seeing something the split second Fuji had opened his eyes when Ryuzaki-sensei helped break the news to the team. It was something that resembled…shock, pain and helplessness all rolled into one. He'd just managed to send a short apologetic look to his friend before that split second was over, then Fuji's eyes were shut and the smile was back on Fuji's face as if that look Tezuka caught had never happened. But it did, Tezuka was sure of it.

It was then that Tezuka jerked awake from his flashback as he realized he was staring only at Fuji the moment the announcement was made, or he would not have caught that look altogether...

/thethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutloveis\

Sitting at his desk that night, Fuji opened the third photo album labelled Seigaku to scan through his precious collection of the memories stored in the form of photographs that he, and others, had taken throughout his five years participating in the various activities of the tennis club. Pausing at one that showed the regulars during his third year at Seigaku Junior High, he noticed once again how everyone seemed to crowd around each other while Tezuka always managed to stand to the side, or the back, unsmilingly trying to look aloof, but failing because of the warm and gentle glint in his eyes, carefully hidden behind his glasses unless one looked properly.

Without trying, Fuji could see through his buchou. He never thought about it often, but he could read Tezuka's moods. One glance and he'd know exactly what Tezuka was feeling. Often, his intuition was confirmed when Tezuka sent him one of those looks that held hidden messages within before giving his usual stern nod that assured Fuji he was right. Of course, these messages were mostly about tennis, usually given during the climaxes of some highly anticipated tennis match involving their team mates. The rest of the time, Tezuka kept himself a close book to everyone.

Maybe it was due to his strict upbringing that moulded Tezuka into who he was today, but Fuji understood him well enough to know that underneath the indifference lay a passionate and fiery fighter that anyone could count on. And Fuji never prodded for more than what Tezuka was willing to give, because he knew it was more than enough. He was grateful that he was counted in the ranks of Tezuka's close friends, because the ones that were shut out remained so permanently.

Recalling how they'd first met and became companions during their tough training sessions, Fuji let his smile reach his eyes as he turned the page of his album only to find a picture of the two of them, aged twelve, Fuji smiling ever so happily, one arm slung over Tezuka's shoulder, while his free arm clutched his tennis racket. Tezuka looked his usual stoic self, but a hint of a smile escaped the stubbornness of his lips as he looked at the camera five years ago.

Chuckling to himself, Fuji wondered what Tezuka was like as a child. "Mnn, imagine a baby boy who didn't cry and pushed helping hands away when he fell trying to walk because he was convinced he could do it all by himself…" Fuji's smile broadened as he tried picturing that particular scenario he was sure occurred when Tezuka was much younger.

Smile fading slightly, Fuji thought back to the moment when Ryuzaki-sensei had made Tezuka's announcement for him. He'd allowed those chaotic emotions he'd felt to run free for just a second before he'd reined them in quickly. But it hadn't been fast enough. He was sure he'd felt Tezuka's knowing gaze fall on him for a second before he shut his eyes and closed off the world to his feelings. And he'd understood that gaze that Tezuka had shot him. It hollered "GOMEN" to his every nerve ending. Tezuka did care. But he wouldn't show it, couldn't show it, for fear that it might crumble his team.

"Ne… everyone's going to think of Tezuka as a cold heartless fellow. I can't allow that to happen, knowing how Tezuka truly feels, how he honestly hates to have to leave…Hmmm, I must help Tezuka show the team that he really cares for them before he goes…" The wheels in Fuji's mind had already begun to turn even as his heart continued to restlessly beat in tune to the reigning emotions in his muddled mind.

/thethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutloveis\

Yawning while dragging himself out of bed, Echizen Ryoma cast a glance at his alarm clock before heading to the bathroom. Realizing what he'd just seen, he did a double take as he looked back at the clock before muttering a loud "Damn it!" while putting on his uniform at super speed. He was late to meet Fuji-senpai, who'd messaged him and the rest of the team the previous night, excluding Tezuka, asking them to gather at the park near his house for an important discussion regarding Tezuka's departure before heading to school. Knowing how "evil" Fuji-senpai was when it came to finding opportunities to make his friends suffer while he watched in sadistic, innocent (NOT) glee, Echizen groaned aloud as he hurried out of the house, thanking Kami-sama that this was not tennis practise and he would not have Tezuka waiting to hound him with twenty laps.

/thethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutlovethethingaboutloveis\

hitsugayasugar BABYY: Hi all! I'm wrecking my mind to harvest enough brain cells to continue this the way I planned it to be... It's not easy trying to stay on track I must say.. Anyway I hope there's actually people reading this and actually enjoying it? I AM encouraged by the reviews, and I really want to finish this story of mine (Gah! there's a long way to go before this is finished. I think. Bear with me folks!), so I will courageously press on!

PS: I really wanna know how you feel about this, so if you've read (you did read this, right? -fingers crossed-), PRETTY PLEASE drop me a review so I have at least an idea of what the audience enjoys yea? sankyuu!