Deep Snow
The week flew by quickly, the chill of winter snow finally hanging in the air. Snow had begun to fall lightly that Friday after school, and because of the weather problems, practice for Seigaku's tennis club was canceled for the day. Even so, the many of the "dedicated" Regulars showed up, whining and complaining still of course, in the clubroom that afternoon.
Inui flipped through his notebook cheerfully, humming to himself. Ah, what a fun day it had been. He smirked to himself at the data he had recorded. He had successfully trapped several unsuspecting people under the mistletoe and their respective reactions were priceless.
Kawamura and Ryuzaki-sensei had come in at the same time, but when Inui mentioned the mistletoe, he received a sharp fwap in the head by a very angry teacher. So that had been a failure.
Next had been Arai and Horio. From the moment the two club members' jaws had dropped to the floor in shock of what they had to do, Inui wished he seriously had a video camera. He should probably borrow one from Fuji next time. Next time…ha…haha… Oh, there would definitely be a "next time."
"Ne, Kikumaru-senpai, why is Inui-senpai laughing like he's drunk?" Echizen asked dully, walking past his laughing senpai without much emotion on his face.
"Who knows," Kikumaru said, shrugging, his racquet bag bouncing on his shoulder. "I'd say that juice of his finally got to him."
"Hn. Sounds reasonable enough to me."
"Ne, Ochibi," Kikumaru said suddenly to the younger boy, staring up at the ceiling. "Have you seen Fuji or Tezuka around lately? They've been disappearing a lot by themselves recently. It feels like Fuji's purposely avoiding me or something… Do you think I've made him mad?"
A frown formed on Echizen's face. He was still angry with Momo-senpai. It put him in a bad mood. Why the heck was Kikumaru-senpai telling him this? Sighing, he shrugged it off. Of course, it was just the way Kikumaru-senpai was. With his carefree attitude, the redhead could really trust just about anyone… "I dunno, Kikumaru-senpai. I don't think Fuji-senpai's avoiding you. Maybe…mou, well I don't know! Maybe Fuji-senpai is dating Buchou."
"Eh?!" the redhead exclaimed in surprise, snapping his head around to look at his kouhai. "Do you really think so?!"
"I said I didn't know, Kikumaru-senpai," Echizen repeated, his frown deepening. "Weren't you the one who said they were disappearing a lot together? Hn, then again, it may be just another one of Fuji-senpai's plots…"
"I hope it's like you said," Kikumaru whispered quietly, his head dropping. Closing his eyes, he sighed. "I'd never be able to stand it if Fuji ever deserted me. Oishi, now too! Oishi's been acting so awkwardly around me ever since yesterday! Ochibi, you're the only one I can talk to now."
Echizen blinked at his senpai. The redhead seemed distressed, angry, accusing all at once, and yet still managed to pull it off as being "cute." Yawning lazily, Echizen rubbed his eyes. "Kikumaru-senpai, I really think no one's avoiding you. Oishi-senpai looks a little sick anyway."
"Oishi…is sick?" the redhead asked, his expressions softening. A smile suddenly appeared on his lips. Kikumaru latched himself onto the younger boy. "Waaaah! Ochibi, you're so perceptive! I'm glad I talked to you! How did you know Oishi was sick?"
"That's what you get for eating so much ice cream in the winter, Kikumaru-senpai," Echizen replied, straightening his hat after Kikumaru-senpai had glomped him. "I'm surprised you're not sick too. Kikumaru-senpai, you really let Oishi-senpai spoil you all the time."
"I guess that's one of the reasons I like Oishi so much," Kikumaru replied sweetly, a gentle smile on his face. Twisting his hands together, the redhead flushed pleasantly. "Oishi always lets me be a kid. He doesn't expect me to be any different from how I want to be…and…I guess that's what really makes me happy."
Echizen suddenly felt that he should have just shut up and not said anything to begin with. Frowning slightly, the short boy muttered, "I was just making a statement, Kikumaru-senpai. I didn't really want to hear your sappy love story. I bet you could write a novel just on things that make you happy."
"Most of them involving Oishi, that is, of course," Inui piped up, appearing out of nowhere, apparently regaining his composure after laughing randomly by himself in the corner. Clicking his pen, the tall third year grinned to himself and flipped through his notebook. "Aa…as the data says, 86% of things that make Kikumaru happy involve Oishi."
"Inui!" Kikumaru wailed, waving his arms in front of his face in utter embarrassment. "Wah! You're both teasing me too much!"
"…4% involves Fuji and 10% everything else," Inui concluded with a nod, ignoring Kikumaru's outburst completely. The tall third year absent mindedly flipped through his notebook, quickly scanning the redhead's data. "Yes…that's about right."
"Ne, Inui-senpai," Echizen piped up suddenly, pointing towards the clubroom door. "Kaidoh-senpai and Kawamura-senpai just walked in."
"Oh, really now?" Inui asked with a pleased look on his face, adjusting his glasses before heading towards the door. "Ah, Kaidoh. Aren't you just my favorite test subject?"
Kikumaru's eye twitched, but Echizen merely shrugged. "That's Inui-senpai for you. That pervert."
"Thanks for walking me home today, Tezuka," Fuji said with a sweet smile as he stood outside of his house. Eyes opening to glimmer wickedly, the shorter boy asked with a smirk. "Should I give you a goodbye kiss to thank you?"
Tezuka looked sharply and warningly at the smirking boy. He couldn't believe he was actually doing this. Helping Fuji with one of his crazy, sadistic ideas had to mean there was something wrong with him. That, or just maybe Fuji was right. Tezuka just couldn't seem to say no to that sweet smile he loved so much…
"You've been doing a lot of kissing lately, haven't you, Fuji?" Tezuka grumbled to the shorter boy. "Weren't you the one that said that sometimes too much experience was troublesome?"
"Yes, but there's another saying I believe in," Fuji said cheerfully. "Heard of it? 'Practice makes perfect.' It'll be a rematch next time you and I are under that mistletoe again."
"Excuse me, 'next time,' Fuji?" Tezuka asked, raising his eyebrow. "What makes you so sure there'll be a 'next time,' huh?"
"Aaaw… Tezuka, you're saying that like you don't want it," Fuji said teasingly, lifting a finger to tap Tezuka's forehead lightly. Winking at the taller boy, Fuji blew him a kiss. "Be a good boy until I see you tomorrow, ne, Tezuka? We can start with our idea for Oishi and Eiji too."
"It was not our idea, Fuji!" Tezuka yelled uncharacteristically after the retreating boy, a blush spreading across his face. "It was completely yours!"
Fuji smiled serenely to himself as he walked through the front door of his house. He would never get tired of teasing Tezuka. Even if he would be punished, it was worth it to see Tezuka's adorably flushed face. Why Fuji thought so, was even unknown to himself. He just seemed unable to go on for a day without seeing Tezuka's face…
Sighing inwardly, Fuji opened the door and bent over to take his shoes off, closing his eyes. Placing his shoes next to each other neatly, Fuji stood up straight again. Someone was standing in front of him. He blinked. And blinked again. And again…
"Well, did I surprise you, Fuji? Didn't you get my letter at school? I'm pretty sure it was sent correctly," the visitor said with a grin.
"It's not that," Fuji replied, a wide smile spreading across his face as he walked towards his visitor. "You're just early, is all. Good to see you again, Saeki. Nice of you to come and visit."
Smiling at the shorter boy, Saeki patted his shoulder. He laughed. "You're still just the same as always, Fuji. So you did get my letter at your school then. I was hoping to get a few of your friends riled up about your 'secret admirer.'"
"Then I can safely say you succeeded, Saeki," Fuji said with a laugh. Smiling mischievous, he went closer to the other boy, placing his arms around his waist. "You certainly got Eiji with your letter. So then…ready to accept responsibility? I had no idea you loved me so much, Kojirou…"
"You really are cruel, Syusuke," Saeki said with a smirk, playing along with Fuji. He threw his arms around the shorter boy dramatically and looked straight into his eyes. "How could you ignore my feelings like that, Syusuke? You know how I suffer every day I'm so far from you."
Fuji smirked back.
The door opened and closed again with a shuffling of feet as Yuuta took his shoes off. He blinked at his brother with their friend's arms draped around him messily.
"Yo," Saeki said cheerfully with a carefree smile, lifting a hand from Fuji's waist to wave at the younger boy.
Sighing, Yuuta shook his head and walked past the pair. "Aniki! Saeki! Do you two always have to flirt all the time? It's kind of embarrassing!"
"Yuuta," Fuji said with delight, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He didn't bother moving his arms from around his childhood friend. "I didn't know you were coming home today. Did you know Saeki was coming?"
"No, I didn't," Yuuta said flatly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Nice to see you again, Saeki."
Laughing, Saeki nodded his head at the now blushing Yuuta. "Nice to see you again too, Yuuta. We must be an embarrassment to him, Syusuke."
"Really, you shouldn't be so embarrassed," Fuji called after his retreating brother with a grin. "This is our house anyway. There's no witnesses!"
"Mou…and you wonder why I don't like to come home, Aniki! Jeez…" Yuuta muttered, staggering up the stairs, his eyes closed in annoyance. Truth be told, he really should have been getting used to it by now. After all, Aniki and Saeki always did the same weird little scene whenever they saw each other. Was Yuuta the only one who really thought it was weird?
Sighing, Yuuta plopped on his bed. "Maybe I should just stay at school for the next few days. Aniki and Saeki are going to be flirting again…agh, and in public too! And I thought they'd be tired of it by now after all these years…"
"So what kind of new scheme are you up to now, Fuji?" Saeki asked with a grin as the shorter boy handed him a cup of warm tea. "Wasn't that your tennis team captain walking you home? The Tezuka Kunimitsu?"
"Yes, it was," Fuji replied with a laugh, sitting down next to his friend. "But what makes you think I'm up to something?"
"Because you're always up to something," Saeki said, smirking as he sipped the tea. "Care to let me in on it? I'm actually rather interested in your methods of torturing your loved ones."
"Very funny," the other boy replied, his blue eyes opening. "The way I work isn't torture. I'd call it…strategic planning that will eventually benefit them in the near future."
Laughing, the taller boy smiled warmly at his friend. "Very typical of you, Fuji. Now are you going to tell me what you're planning with Tezuka? Or is it just that you finally dumped me for someone else?"
Chuckling lightly, Fuji replied, "Well, if you really must know… I have these two friends who act like they're married, love each other to death, and still are completely clueless about it."
"Another matchmaking attempt, Fuji?" Saeki asked, his smile widening. Typical Fuji. So, so typical… "Sounds interesting. I'd help you if I could, but it may be a better idea to leave it to you."
"Actually…" Fuji started, ideas stirring in his head. He smiled sweetly up at his friend. "I think there is a way you could help. You remember Eiji don't you? That cute redhead acrobatics player on my team…"
The winter winds were picking up again when Echizen left Seigaku that afternoon. He had left a little later than he had expected. The first year had decided it was better to wait until Inui-senpai was satisfied with all the mistletoe madness in the clubroom before leaving, otherwise he might end up in another embarrassing situation. Although it was kind of amusing to see Kaidoh-senpai and Kawamura-senpai kiss each other. Of course, Kaidoh wasn't extremely pleased about it and ended up trying to strangle Inui with his headband, which resulted in a little more disturbing information in Inui's data book that supposedly wasn't supposed to be found.
Momo-senpai hadn't shown up at all, Echizen noted a bit angrily. Kicking a rock in his path, the first year frowned at the ground. Why should he care whether or not that idiot of a senpai showed up? Practice was cancelled after all. There was really no reason for any of them to show up at all. But still… "Stupid Momo-senpai."
"What are you mumbling about, Echizen?"
Ooh. Speak of the devil.
"Nothing. Are you following me, Momo-senpai?" Echizen asked dryly, speeding up. He wanted to make it clear to his senpai that he hadn't forgiven him that easily. Forgive him for what?
"Oh, come on, Echizen," Momoshiro called after the younger boy, jogging to keep up with him. Sighing, he asked, "You aren't still mad about the mistletoe thing with Eiji-senpai a few days ago are you?"
Oh yeah.
Kicking another rock, Echizen denied it completely. "No. I don't know what you're talking about. Why would I be mad at you for kissing Kikumaru-senpai so easily without even a fight. Or maybe you didn't want to fight. After all, Kikumaru-senpai really is cute, isn't he?"
"Echizen! You're being too unreasonable! It was either that or drink Inui-senpai's juice!" Momoshiro complained, beginning to feel slightly annoyed. "I'm sure you would have done the same thing. I heard you kissed Mamushi, didn't you? Well, you don't see me yelling at you for it, even though it really made me jealous as—!"
Echizen stopped walking at once, making his senpai crash into him. An awkward silence hung between them. Turning around, the first year stared up at his senpai with large eyes. "Care to repeat that, Momo-senpai? Did you say you were…jealous?"
"…no…"
"You did."
"No, I didn't."
"Stop acting like a kid, Momo-senpai, I heard you!"
"Y-Yeah…well, you started it!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Di—…never mind," Echizen sighed, turning around again. "Arguing with you is pointless. So…were you jealous me or Kaidoh-senpai? Who would have guessed it. You must really have loved Kaidoh-senpai all along, ne Momo-senpai? After all your years of rivalry, it was really out of love…"
"Stop that, already, Ryoma!" Momoshiro finally burst, reaching out to pull the shorter boy to face him. The older boy's eyes were fiery. "Are you really so blind?! Don't even joke around! I don't love Kaidoh! The one I love is obviously you!"
"…"
"…I…cannot believe I just said that out loud," Momoshiro muttered, slapping his forehead. Glancing to the side, he smiled crookedly at the younger boy. "I'm sorry. I should have said all that. I mean… I'm sure you've got a pretty girl you already like. Like that one girl with the long pigtails… You must think I'm a pervert, huh? What's wrong with me? Liking you like this. It's almost pathetic the way you plague my every thought… You must really hate me, because you really are killing me with the way you're ignoring me now."
"I…don't hate you…" the younger boy muttered, his cheeks growing warm as he remembered that his senpai had called him by his first name. How was I supposed to know? How was I supposed to understand this feeling that burned in my chest, even when I fell into the deep snow? Stupid Momo-senpai. Why does it have to be you that makes me feel this way?
"Well…you obviously do hate me…"
"I said I didn't."
"But it's obvious you do!"
"Momo-senpai, if I said I didn't, then I don't!"
"You obviously hate me, otherwise we wouldn't even be arguing right now!"
"We're arguing because you're being an idiot!" Echizen exclaimed, looking up to stare his senpai in the eye, his cheeks still flushed. "Stop saying that I hate you, because I think it's obvious that I love you too! That's the stupid reason we're fighting at all! I…"
Momoshiro blinked at the younger boy, his own cheeks tinting red. "Echizen… Are you…really serious about what you're saying? Don't make fun of me, because I was serious when I said what I said about you."
"Are you stupid?" Echizen muttered, lowering his head and averting his eyes from his senpai's gaze. "Don't make me repeat myself, Momo-senpai. It's just…"
"Echizen…" Momo started, his violet eyes beginning to glimmer. If this really wasn't some cruel joke, then this would most definitely be the best Christmas present he could ever receive.
"What happened to calling me 'Ryoma?'" Echizen muttered, his blush darkening. Lowering his head and pulling the brim of his hat down as well, the younger boy slowly went to stand in front of his senpai. Shyly, he leaned forward onto the older boy's chest.
Blushing, Momoshiro slowly brought his hands up to the other boy's slim shoulders. Stuttering, he muttered, "R-Ryoma?"
"…it's cold…"
A look of understanding crossed the older boy's face and a smile slowly found its way to his lips. Tilting the boy's head up, Momoshiro bravely leaned over to kiss the fiery younger boy's sweet lips. "Can I hold you then?"
"…I'll think about it," Echizen said with a smirk, unconsciously snuggling into his senpai's embrace. "Don't forget though, Momo-senpai. If you kiss Kikumaru-senpai again, I'll really hurt you."
"I had no idea you were the jealous type, Ryoma," Momoshiro said cheerfully, tightening his hold on his kouhai. "You're so cute. Can I kiss you again?"
"Where's the mistletoe?" Echizen asked dully, not looking up from his cozy spot in the older boy's arms. He hid his smirk.
"Do we really need one?" Momoshiro asked seriously, looking down at the top of the boy's head. He pulled away gently to lift the boy's face again. "Can I kiss you, Ryoma?"
"Pervert."
"Is that a no?"
"…"
"Merry Christmas, Ryoma…and happy birthday too…"
--
A/N: u.u; aaw… looks like I didn't make it in time for Christmas, everyone! Sorry ;_;
I had to leave early _;; I suffered through a 14 hour flight to China on Christmas Eve *sob*
O_o; but then, I *did* enjoy freaking all the people on the plane out by singing happy birthday to Ryoma-sama in four different languages…out loud. xDD oh… fun…
Ack. There's so much I want to write, but I want update this fic faster too! T_T;; what to do?????
Anyway! Much MomoxRyoma fluffy stuff this chapter! ^_^;; kinda to make up being late for his birthday, I guess… (seems I'm late with everything -_-)
Oh! Thank you to all the reviewers! x_X; you are all true Tenipuri fans! Everyone knew it was Saeki who sent that corny letter I wrote o.o; *throws around the cookies she promised*
*cough* _; ok, enough of my idiocy…
Next Chapter: Fuji's plan starts! (…which was seriously delayed throughout this chapter…) What roles do Tezuka and Saeki play? Who else is going to be Inui's mistletoe victim?! xD
(did anyone else hear that the PoT anime was coming to an end in 2004? O_O;;; I thought it never ended! Would have made me happy if it didn't ._.; )
Please review if you can spare some time! Happy New Year!! ^.^;