DISCLAIMER: I still don't own anything. My memory would forever lack the bliss of owning them.
A/N: Hi everyone! It's the first chapter! Hope you would all enjoy this. If you would like to suggest or comment, please do so. I'm hoping for your reviews. Writers like it when readers tell them what they think about their work, I'm no different from that. Anyhow, here's the story! Enjoy reading!
I remembered some years ago, that I woke up with the smile I rarely wear; a smile of anticipation. I've just arrived from my hometown in Chiba and got transferred to my new school, Seishun Gakuen. It was too bad that I have to leave my childhood friend, Saeki, but I forced myself with the thought that it's time that I get myself some new friends.
I was piqued with interest as I ate my breakfast that I barely noticed that my family was giving me words of tender encouragement and joy. I remembered rushing out of the door, nearly toppling as my perfectly good coordination went faulty as I forgot the uneven ground in front of me. I was brimming with excitement that I nearly forgot to say goodbye to my family.
I trudged the way to my new school, which I became accustomed with over the weekends. I have literally been going over there just to satisfy my interest.
The moment I saw the students wearing the same uniform as mine garner in numbers, I knew that this is the moment that I've been waiting.
Class was exciting, as far as I remember. My new classmates were ogling at me with curiosity and amazement. Maybe it was because of my effeminate face or my closed eyes. One of my classmates, named Eiji Kikumaru, declared that I am his best friend over lunch period. It was only my first day but I already had a best friend. I had all the unexpectedness more than I've bargained for. I thought the surprise was going to end right there but I was wrong.
Eiji dragged me to his tennis practice that afternoon after school. I mentally slapped myself for not bringing my tennis racket with me, seeing the members on action had woken my desire to play. I asked my best friend if I can join the club. He told me to inquire to Yamato-buchou before he went and started practicing swings with other freshmen. I was left to manage on my own. My eyes scanned the scene before me, the club was good, and the captain seemed to be kind and responsible.
That's when I caught sight of a freshman picking up balls on the corner, while eyeing his senpais who were playing a match. In my eyes, I knew he looked different from the others that I've seen so far. In a small yet dignified frame, I sensed that there was something more to him than meets the eyes.
I never noticed how my eyes remained fixed solely on him when the captain approached me and asked me if I want something. That's when I told him that I wanted to join the tennis club. I saw him beam at me kindly and beckoned me to follow him. While he was barking an order to the fukubuchou, my eyes strayed over to that boy again, who was now with Eiji and the other freshmen, silent and alone in the corner, swinging his racket with such precision and skill that I nearly forgotten that Yamato-buchou was already calling me.
From that moment on, my eyes never left his sight.
From that moment on, I've preoccupied myself with his uniqueness.
From that moment on, he became my goal.
The Lapse of Oblivion
CHAPTER 1: FORGOTTEN
xXxXx
The rain last night got worse. The sun was barely shining its brightness when Tezuka stirred from his sleep, while outside the sky weep its tears dry. Opening his bleary eyes, he stared in front of him and let out a huge yawn. As he sat up, he felt suddenly shaken. A feeling of unease crept up on his spine. Shaking his head to forget that sudden feeling, he went to the bathroom and got all fixed up and dressed.
Just when he was fixing his things, he let out a sneeze. He remembered that he and Echizen played a match last night. The first year requested him for a match and it later turned out to be a birthday present for him. He almost forgot that it was his birthday today, if it weren't for that sneeze he let out. Ironically, the weather outside lamented his birthday instead of lifting his spirits up. The sense of melancholia dawn into him and he almost forgot that he needed to eat breakfast.
He wondered how the day would go; presumably the morning practice would be cancelled, as well as the afternoon practice. His birthday meant chaos; the whole tennis club would be ganging up on him and his fan club would be much too delighted to join in the fun.
But yet again, that sudden shaky feeling disturbed him. It was as though something would be likely to happen. Unconsciously, he gripped his bag rather tightly. What's wrong with him? It's as if he gained some sixth sense without him knowing about it.
Annoyed, he forced himself to think about today. It's better to be on guard because if his birthdays come that involves that certain tensai, it would mean tremendous trouble. But why does the feeling of that unease seem to be more pronounced as he go over his thoughts for the day?
The rain outside continued it's progress, as he made his way down. The smell of his breakfast awaiting him wafted on his nose. He caught sight of his mother smiling down at him.
"Kunimitsu! Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks, okaa-san."
He glanced around and caught sight of his father and grandfather sitting on the table. They greeted him the same way before silence fell and they ate a humble meal to celebrate Tezuka's birthday. His family knew him like the back of their hands; they knew he preferred simple celebrations and not extravagant ones. He doesn't like parties and would never socialize if he goes to one. Well, maybe except when he's with the team. And for that he was grateful that his family respects his odd preference.
"Kunimitsu, you would be returning home late again later I presume?"
Tezuka nodded. He almost forgot that his team had planned a sushi party at Taka-san's place later. Of course, his team would always plan something for him even if he assures them that he doesn't need one. They are just so insistent that he had to give up resistance.
"Have fun then dear."
He gave another nod and a word of thanks before he stood up and paused, suddenly sensing another foreboding feeling as anxiety crossed his face for a moment.
"Is something wrong son?"
His eyes flickered to his father, shaking his head convincingly.
His mother didn't look convinced though, she followed her son to the door, extending her hand to give him his umbrella.
"Take care, Kunimitsu." Her tone was worrisome, as Tezuka has noticed it. He gave a reassuring nod and left. His mother stared, still bothered by the fact that her son was oh so disturbed better yet on his own birthday.
"What's wrong, Ayana?" She turned to face her husband, shaking her head in genial manner, hiding the anxiety inside her.
"It's really nothing dear, it's just…"
She looked up, as if to surrender her anxiety, with worried eyes.
"It's as if something's off…"
xXxXx
Fuji descended down the stairs, stifling a yawn. The day felt oddly important but Fuji can't find anything significant other than tennis practice and the usual class. The rain outside poured down, but it didn't affect his usual cheerful disposition. In fact, he would prefer rains more than anything, he didn't know why. At the foot of the stairs, he saw his sister, Yumiko cross the hall and flashed him a smile.
"Syusuke, good morning!"
"Good Morning, Nee-san." His voice remained the same but Yumiko felt a bizarre aura from her brother.
Yumiko waited for Syusuke to burst out like he usually do especially that this was his captain's birthday but weirdly, she heard none as her little brother started on his breakfast.
Just wait a minute here; something was really off, her brother never slipped out a word about Tezuka the entire time. Normally, he would joke about something connected to the stoic captain and when it was Tezuka's birthday, he would blab endlessly about his plans to surprise the boy. He was even worse than a fan girl when he rants about his captain.
But what possible reason could shut him up right now? Did they have some sort of fight or something? It can't be, they are the best of friends and he knew his brother wouldn't allow some reason for them to fight. Is he merely ignoring the fact that it was Tezuka's birthday? That reason is absurd, knowing her brother; he would rather forget his own birthday than that of his friend.
But why so blank? So silent? So naturally blank?
"Syusuke?"
She watched as her brother turn to face her.
"Yes, nee-san?" a familiar nonchalant voice wafted her ears, no hint of indifference.
"I was wondering—"
She felt her words got choked up when those eyes of her brother opened up.
Fuji stood up, heading over the couch to grab his tennis bag and head back to Yumiko to say goodbye.
"Ne, I'll see you later, nee-san." His eyes stared at his sister, who was looking stony in front of him. It made him wonder what has gotten into her; maybe she forgot something at work and just remembered it.
Not waiting for a reply, he merely smiled and shut his eyes back to its usual look and headed to the door.
But before he shut the door behind him, he heard his sister call out after him, "Syusuke, say happy birthday to Adult-kun for me, ne?"
Wondering who garnered such funny pet name from his sister, he answered back a reassurance before leaving.
Yumiko felt totally shaken, the look on those stunning eyes of her brother sent chills on her spine. It was a look she never anticipated to ever see to those beautiful eyes, a look she never would have imagined seeing.
Syusuke's eyes bear a look of dead emptiness.
xXxXx
The rain probably hindered the swarm of girls, who always attempt to ambush him on his birthday, and it made him much comfortable. As he neared the gates, he saw his team, save for Fuji, coming towards him, led by a very ecstatic Kikumaru. He wondered what had kept Fuji for coming early today to greet him and probably tease him.
"Buchou~! Practice is cancelled! We could celebrate your birthday all afternoon nya!" Kikumaru was practically shrieking because the rain muffled his booming voice a little.
The other Regulars greeted him too, with smiles from their faces.
But Tezuka subconsciously searched for one smile he knew he was longing.
xXxXx
Tezuka wondered where in the world Fuji was. He checked the tensai's class earlier on but was told that he didn't arrive yet. The captain can't help but feel the anxiety flood his mind. He stood outside his classroom a few minutes before the bell in the hope of seeing the tensai.
Then, from the corner of his eyes he saw Fuji walking in a brisk pace probably because the bell was going to ring any minute now.
Subconsciously, he prepared himself for any greetings or queries that Fuji might give him now. But much to his surprise, Fuji didn't even take notice of him and went on walking ahead as he passed the startled Tezuka.
"Fuji."
With surprised eyes, he watched the tensai halt and turn to face him with his normal smile on and a look of pure innocence etched on him. Tezuka felt that unease he felt earlier on crept up slowly.
"Hi. Good Morning." He turned to his heels and continued his hurried walk, leaving Tezuka looking as though Fuji slapped him.
It was weird enough that the tensai was late for no apparent reason, he never was once tardy in his entire stay at Seigaku; but what was even weirder was Fuji greeting him as if, as if he didn't know Tezuka. Helplessly hoping that this was one of his pranks, he still felt shuddered by what had happened.
The bell rang, jolting Tezuka out of his thoughts. Casting another glance to the place where Fuji had just greeted him, he sighed and entered his classroom, abandoning the unease he felt for a while.
xXxXx
Fuji turned his head slightly to see that the stoic-looking boy had sauntered off in his classroom. Intrigued by how the unfamiliar boy knew his name, he came to the conclusion that maybe he just heard about a certain tensai named Fuji and got the nerve to talk to him. The boy looked somewhat disappointed with his reply, as if expecting more from him. But an unsettling feeling dawned in him, somewhat bothersome, as if he knew who that boy was.
Shaking the thought off, he entered his class, greeted by the familiar, warm beam of smile from his best friend, Eiji.
xXxXx
A/N: Reviews again! Tell me what you think about this chapter! Thanks for reading! I'll update again next week!