Author's Notes: Yeah, this took really long but... **Teehee!
Ashen Chrysanthemum
The soft creak of the bathroom door opening, brought Fuji back from his reverie. He was currently taking his time with the tub. A soft smile ghosted his lips as the figure coming in became clearer.
"Syusuke..." a full baritone yet sexy-as-sin voice can be heard with the accompanying footsteps on the cold tiled floor. Fuji leaned towards to where the voice is coming from.
"Hmm?"
Their bathroom is not exactly so small. They both liked it that way. Fuji particularly liked the giant tub where two people can easily frolic around. "You've been there for 20 minutes already, I don't want you getting sick."
"But it's relaxing." He loved being a child sometimes, especially when he knows he gets what he wants. Closing his eyes again, he laid his body back to the to the tub. "Join me?"
Fuji heard a soft sigh and felt gentle hand caressed the side the side of his cheek. He leaned into the hand and opened his eyes at the same time. "You didn't tell me you were-"
"Well I am so make room for me, will you?"
"Of course" Fuji answered with a salacious smile. He moved forward to make space for him. He felt him get into the tub and then Fuji was pulled against warm chest. His legs caged between the stretched legs of the other. They both sat in comfortable silence.
"Ahh... Should've invited you earlier if you were this comfortable of a backrest instead of the cold tub, Kunimitsu."
Fuji felt a small smile in his shoulder when Tezuka kissed him there. "Something's bothering you." Very Tezuka. Of course he knows if there's something wrong and vice versa. It's as if they were connected by something intangible yet real in mind and in body.
The brunette sighed. "I didn't expect we were in for a big surprise last night. And I worry for Echizen. He isn't himself during practice."
"I know."
"Is that why you're lenient towards him ealier?" Tezuka already knows where this line of questioning is headed.
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"Wasn't."
"We're. And don't you dare deny it. My leg muscles are screaming at me waging war from all the laps while your beloved kouhai gets the 100 racket swing routine" Fuji pouted.
Tezuka made a move to massage Fuji's leg muscles which were now bent in front of the chest smaller man as he hunched over it protectively. "You were getting friendly with that sophomore architect earlier."
He stared incredulously at Tezuka as much as his neck would allow him to. "So that's what the laps were about? You were jealous?! What's wrong with a senpai helping a kouhai."
"Nothing."
"You know not all of us are blessed with god-like tennis talent and sense, intelligence, good looks. He needs guid-"
"HE would be assigned a new trainer tomorrow because YOU'RE mine. " Fuji blinked twice before he sighed. There's no point in arguing. God, this man can be so infuriating but he still looks so damn hot, so he can let it slide... for now.
"Still, you never cease to amaze with that gift of sarcasm you have. Makes me want to believe you're complimenting me."
Fuji smirked a little at that. "Well, I do try to keep up."
He felt the taller man, plant a kiss on his nape before resting his chin on his shoulder. In the span of a minute, he saw things Tezuka never allowed the world to see. Jealous Tezuka. Possessive Tezuka. Playful Tezuka. All gorgeous and all his.
"But will Echizen be fine? He seemed really out of sorts." Of course, they both know what the matter is. Fuji had a theory. But he wanted to know what his lover actually thinks about his kouhai's predicament. "He's too affected, don't you think?"
After a few seconds, Tezuka answered, "Because his mind hadn't revolve on just tennis alone like what he led himself to believe."
"We should talk to Ryuuzaki-chan tomorrow."
"Hn." He wrapped his arms around the smaller boy's slender figure.
"I'm still mad at you." Tezuka knew Fuji would never let go of their previous topic that easily. In the sulking position Fuji's in, Tezuka would easily admit how adorable The brunette is that he can't help but feel a bubble of a chuckle coming.
Apparently, Fuji felt it. Uh oh. "I'm impressed by your audacity to laugh and here I am trying my darnest to stay mad at you" he said with raised eyebrows.
Fuji swiveled between his legs to face him while gently placing his arms on both his shoulders. "You do know what happens when I'm mad right?"
Retracing back her steps from last night, Tomoka fell into deep thought. She wasn't just hallucinating right? That was really Sakuno everyone saw last night. Heck, even Ryoma was stupefied speechless as if that Rikkai-taichou from before got him under his technique...again.
"Ne Tomoka, you're face is getting weird again."
Her eyebrow raised at that. Right. She's with her idiot boyfriend.
"What weird face? And more importantly, why aren't you even concerned about all this?"
Horio scratched his head. "Well, if it really was Sakuno, I'm sure she would've had a reason why she didn't seek us out. The Sakuno I know would rather spend her time worrying for others than letting others worry about her."
Tomoka stopped walking at that.
"W-why... Did I said something wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just that you actually said something that made sense is all."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"
"As expected, you really are a once-in-a-blue-moon genius and a forever idiot."
"Hey you two."
Both of them immediately stopped their when they heard the familiar voice. "Fuji-senpai! Tezuka-buchou!"
Fuji put on his trademark smile. "I guess we were both thinking the same thing ne, Tomoka-chan?"
"Well, we can't just let it be right? She was-is my bestfriend."
"Hmm. And apparently we aren't the only ones thinking the same thing."
Tomoka glanced at Fuji then to Tezuka and back to the brunette. "What do you mean Fuji-senpai?"
"Nothing" he smiled. "Shall we go in?"
Seeing the place at broad daylight allowed them to see just how Korean-inspired everything is, completely different than when it turns into a party zone at night.
Despite the unfamiliar ambiance it gives off, there is still that welcoming feel.
"May I help you?" A young man, probably same age as Tomoka and Horio came out from one of the hidden doors, covered in apron and a cloth covering around his head while holding a mop.
What is with this place and gorgeous guys? Tomoka thought. For a middle-aged man, the chef's visuals were on point last night. Then there was the owner who gave the speech and now this young man. And they speak flawless Japanese too.
"Yes. The head chef actually told us to come by today. We wanted to see ...Hyun Jung?" The name from Fuji's lips sounded different despite the all too familiar face of the girl owning it.
The young man's expression suddenly became guarded. "Do you have an appointment?"
Whoa. Not welcoming at all.
"Young Bi~ya..." a voice called out from the back. "Who're you talk- Oh, it's you guys."
"Hyung, you invited them here?"
"Well, they wanted to greet Hyun Jung... said her singing was great last night" the chef answered with a cheeky grin.
"You know we don't easily let strangers in, what were you thinking."
"Well, this is for her own good. So quit your mother-hen act."
"I'm her bodyguard."
"More like bossy guard. And I'm your brother. And I rank way higher than you so pipe it."
The group didn't know what they were talking about but it seemed like they were arguing. Joo Hoon then turned to them. "She's this way."
Knock knock.
"Hyun Jung~a...your eleven's here."
They heard a muffled voice from what seemed like the office. Opening the door, Joo Hoon motioned for them to go in.
There she was. The girl with the same face. Now the they're closer and can see her better, there was no mistaking it anymore. This is Ryuuzaki Sakuno.
Her head was bowed and is scribbling furiously on several documents. So she wasn't just a singer. The name plate reads manager after all.
"Wel-" the ready smile seemed to have frozen on her face. Sakuno cleared her throat. "Welcome to Crimson Lei, may I be of assistance?" she kept her smile. But it wasn't anything like her smiles before. This one didn't reach her eyes. It screams 'just pure business'.
"Hyun Jung~a, shall I go get some tea?"
"No need" she said as she stood up, went to the front part of the table and leaned backwards in a semi-sitting position. "They won't be staying long."
Although shocked, the chef made a gesture of a small bow and exited the office. "Have a seat."
Only the face bears the resemblance to the girl who once was a part of their group. Everything about her is different, even the air around her is no longer the same. Gone was the meek, docile yet gentle and warm Sakuno.
This woman is so grown up, mature and confident. Everything else Ryuuzaki Sakuno wasn't.
"I take you didn't come here to just praise my singing last night?" And they didn't expect her to be do straightforward. Last night, they weren't so sure since she sang with such tenderness.
Horio gathered his courage on what he felt like the best opening statement. "We-well, you kinda resemble someone we know, so-"
"Ryuuzaki Sakuno" she cut him off. "I know, but the girl you're looking for is long gone" Hyun Jung said with a strange tone of finality.
"And there's no chance of her coming back." At this, Tomoka couldn't help the tears forming in her eyes. Who was this girl and why can she say such mean words?
"You know her right? Because you are her!" Horio placed a hand in his girlfriend's shoulder to prevent her from standing up.
"Osakada-san, I-"
"Tomoka-chan! I was always Tomoka-chan to Sakuno."
Hyun Jung's eyes widened a fraction at this. There it was, the fiery Osakada Tomoka, one of the many people she longed to see. Not that she would admit it though. Exhaling, she then continued, "Yes... Yes you were." The corner of hear lips tugged up in a bitter smile. "And you're right. I am her... Or I was."
All eyes focused on her again as she stared at Tomoka to prove her point. There's no use in hiding when the truth is right there. It's not like she could remove her face. She's got nothing to hide. But she is adamant in making them understand that she's not Sakuno anymore.
"The person you knew... She doesn't exist anymore."
"Pushing you to telling us might be too much, but I think we deserve at least that Sakuno." That authoritative voice. Always seeking to right that's everything wrong in the world.
He and his team have always been the pride and joy of her grandmother."You're right, Tezuka...senpai" she smiled that warmth-less smile again. "I'm never obligated to tell anything. But then again, why not?"
Hyun Jung sighed for what might possibly be the nth time ever since they entered. It would tell anyone who notices that it's not a topic she's comfortable of broaching.
Fuji, sensing her discomfort, tried to dissuade her. "You don't really have to Ryuuzaki-chan."
"It's fine. It's not like something that I've intended to the story to the grave."
"Once upon a time..." she started in a sort of condescending tone, then she cleared her throat. "There was this girl. She was...broken hearted you see. So she did what every coward and spineless creature would do-she ran away."
Forget, physical pain. She'd had loads of that, but nothing can compare to first heartbreaks. Ever. Why didn't they teach that in school?
Hyun Jung moved towards the side tables where expensive liquor was placed. "Brandy? Anyone?"
Everyone else declined politely. This was surely something they were not prepared of seeing. But then if she's the manager of a bar cum restaurant, she must be used to this.
Taking her half-filled glass, she proceeded towards the glass panel overlooking the bar. The one way wall is surely convenient for monitoring things.
"Unfortunately, she ran away to the worst place."
Her back was towards them, so they couldn't see the slightly pained expression she's trying to suppress.
"Her mother and father were currently based in Korea for work. Her mother was half Korean, you see. So it's expected that there would be family there."
But what she expected as a family turned out to be a cold house. Parents were barely home nor were there anyone concerned enough to ask how she is. It felt like it was only a matter of time before everything completely falls apart.
"True to that prediction, they did ended up shoving divorce papers and settlement documents on each other's throats seven months later. Mother got custody of the daughter, father got dibs on the house."
"She said most her businesses takes her to different parts of Korea, so the girl was left in the care of her Aunt and step-Uncle. And take care of her, they did!" The grip on her glass tightened and her knuckles turned white.
"Oh they really did...until... Until the financial compensation for her stopped." She turned around, walked towards the adjacent seat of her guests and sat.
"Apparently, the mother found a new husband-to-be and a plus one baggage in the persona of a little kid- the new husband's kid from the previous marriage of the same shitty ending as hers."
"Learning this, the once gentle step-uncle turned violent and malicious. And the wife turned a blind eye at everything." At this confession, everyone's eyes widened. "Yes, she was molested. It can even be counted as rape, but not to that extent."
They didn't know whether to be relieved. And Hyun Jung just sipped her brandy some more. Placing the glass in front of her, she continued her story.
"The uncle was neck-deep in shit loads of loans and debts from very bad people. As a way to repay and appease them, she was sold to a brothel managed by said group. She's been touched but the front's still a virgin, he says."
Fuji grasped Tezuka's hand at this and the other squeezed it gently in an attempt to provide and at the same time seek comfort. Tomoka covered her mouth as tears freely flowed. And Horio was just plain frozen.
She can't bear to look at them at all so she concentrated her eyes on the ice inside her glass.
"Life was hell. Heck, even he'll seemed a lot kinder that time. Well, what would you expect from a place that sells skin and body for profit." Another bitter smile.
"Then one day, salvation came in the form of a half-dead Onii-san. The girl treated his wounds and nursed him back to health behind the backs and under the noses of the devils. Turned out, he was the second son to a prestigious group. One of the strongest and most stable in Korea, in fact."
She never did expect the guy to turn out as a very important person. But it did seem that she used up her entire lifetime of luck being saved from the shit hole like that.
"The head of the family decided to show his gratitude by adopting the girl. There were instances when she thought she won't survive and yet, here she is... now."
"So... questions?" Everyone exhaled. It seemed that all of them were holding their breaths the entire time.
"Sa-sa-kuno..." Tomoka managed to cry out in between her hiccups of tears. Hyun Jung felt a hand touched her already cold heart. She blinked the tidbits of tears forming its way.
"But what if you came back Ryuuzaki! Coach would've accepted you! She would've take cared of you just like before and it would seem as if you never left!" It was Horio. "Then yo-you w-wouldn't have..." Horio couldn't seem to complete his statement.
"I hope you understand" she started. "I'm not Park Hyun Jung because I'm jaded or cold. I stand by this name with confidence because I owe them my second chance at life."
"And you're telling this to us, why?"
That bitter smile again. "You're not exactly strangers... I'm not angry or indifferent, just...just broken."
"I know I told you this isn't exactly a secret, but I would like for you to keep silent about this from outsiders."
"Of course, you can count on us."
"But if anyone from the previous team asks, you're free to tells them however you want." Incredulous stares followed her as she stood up. "What? I don't really have the time to regale every single one of you with my stories every single time you come. I'm quite busy you know" she said as she tapped the folders on the corner of her oak table.
"Oh and this..." Hyun Jung scribbled something on a piece of paper and gave it to Fuji.
"Ryuuzaki-chan...this..." Hyun Jung have given up making them change how they call her. To them, she would always be Ryuuzaki Sakuno, but at least they understood now.
"Yes?"
"This is..a memorial park."
"I thought you might want to pay my grandmother a visit."
Sakuno, it's good seeing you again.
"Everyone's from Seigaku is at Tokyo U." Tomoka started. She chose to stay behind because she refuses to let Sakuno cut her ties with everyone. She was certain that was what the brunette was trying to do when she spilled everything.
"I heard."
"Horio and me are in a relationship now." A little part of Hyun Jung had to smile at that. She is genuinely happy for the girl.
"Is that so? Good for you." Hyun Jung continued, reviewing the documents. Tomoka moved towards the chair that is near her table.
"How 'bout you?"
"Don't get me wrong. The reason I willingly volunteered my entire life story is for you to leave me alone and so that we can move on with our lives" came the deadpanned reply.
"I know, the old you's never coming back. But, who cares?" Hyun Jung raised her head to meet Tomoka's eyes at that. Her friend was a spitfire, but silent Tomoka means dead-serious Tomoka.
"I believed you would come back and you did. That's all that matters. Sure it took a longer time than expected but still... Whether you're Sakuno or Hyun Jung, I'm still your best friend" Tomoka stated with finality.
Hyun Jung could only sigh.
"Or is it that I'm no longer fitting to become your best friend." Sakuno was living in such grandeur lifestyle now, she can't help but be intimidated.
"It isn't like that" Hyun Jung let out a frustrated huff. "You see Tomoka, it's me who doesn't deserve this warmth, this gentleness..this welcome. I was the one who abandoned everyone and left everyone to worry especially Obaa-chan. I don't deserve your friendship at all."
"What nonsense are you spouting about? What kind of bestfriend do you take me for? I'm not that shallow you know." Hyun Jung had the strong urge to suddenly sweat drop.
"Like I said, who cares?! Now go fetch me that really expensive brandy and spill. We have a lot of catching up to do."
That night, she figured out that she a might have escaped the clutches of death. But things are totally different when it's the clutches of Tomoka. She is yet to develop the best strategy to resist the schemes of her bestfriend. But surprisingly, she felt a warmth in the small of her heart when she was so sure she wouldn't feel anymore.
Somehow it seemed as if she was healing.
Ryoma's eyes strayed away from the window where they were usually glued as the professors drone on about the anatomy of the human brain and cognitive theories essential for business survival. Instead, his eyes were looking straight ahead, at the center of the room, where one lone student stood- transfer student to be exact.
The girl made a small bow. "I'm from Korea. My name is Hyun Jung Park. Looking forward to working with you" she introduced in fluent Japanese.
"Let's see...Oh vacant seat in front of Echizen Ryoma, who coincidentally, is also your partner. Everyone else partnered up, he's the only one left."
"Anou Sensei...I'm quite confused with the partner thing." Her? Partnered with him?
"Oh, it's a requirement for my subject and for your projects." The teacher chipped happily...too happily.
"Projects? So..." she didn't even want to think about it.
"Hai, you'll be working together for the remainder of the term."
Curse Shoujo manga fan gay teachers in frilly violet long tops and equally violet tights!
A/N: Yes, I just made a TEFU scene. And yes, I won't apologize for it! Rejoice TEFU Fandom. But let's be clear, this is a RyoSaku fic.
Reviews?
