Disclaimer: I own very little.

A/N: There's most likely going to be a sequel at some point, but for now, this is it.

Chance Meetings

Chapter 4

Atobe was, Kabaji was once again forced to admit, something of a genius. A very self-satisfied and smug genius, granted, but he certainly knew what he was doing. And, most importantly, he was willing to use his genius to aid a friend. Namely, Kabaji himself.

Kabaji would have been the first one to admit he was not very experienced when it came to social relationships. For most of his life Atobe had been practically the only person he ever talked with beyond a few casual words or answering questions in class. Just recently, there had been Dan-kun – and it was obvious he'd already managed to mess up that particular relationship. Clearly, he couldn't do anything right without Atobe's help.

Now, armed with a plan made by Atobe and all the courage he could possibly gather, he still felt quite unsure. Even though it was Atobe's plan, there was still a minimal chance that it could go wrong. And if it went wrong… well, he had no idea what he would do. What he could do.

Dan-kun was sweet and forgiving, right? Surely he would overlook Kabaji's less-than-wise actions. Given his own story he would certainly understand someone else's hesitation… right? Kabaji certainly hoped so.

Fiddling somewhat nervously with his cell phone, he thought of the plan Atobe had come up with. It was quite simple, unlike Atobe's usual schemes – but then, Atobe knew him, both him and his tendency to be rather simple in every sense of the word. Even simply explaining the situation would have been somewhat difficult for him – he wasn't exactly a talker, unlike his friend. The simpler the plan, the better.

Now, if he only dared to go along with it.

Telling himself he had to do this unless he wanted to be alone forever, he slowly dialled a certain number. Raising the phone to his ear, he desperately wished for an answer.

Finally, when he was almost convinced Dan-kun would just ignore his call, he heard a quiet voice from the other end of the line. "…Hi."

"Hello, Dan-kun," Kabaji said, trying his best to sound as normal as possible. "I was wondering whether you would want to join me for an ice cream."

Was that a sob? It sounded like a cough, but it could have also been a disguised sob. Kabaji really wished he'd been as good at reading others as Atobe was. Insight would really come in handy in situations such as this. "I… I'm sorry, Kabaji-san," he finally heard. Dan-kun's voice sounded somewhat strained. "I'm afraid I've fallen somewhat sick and thus can't accompany you."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Kabaji, and he really was – regardless of whether Dan-kun really was sick or not. "Is there anything I can do?"

"…I'm afraid not." Another sob-cough. Oh, this was going worse and worse. "Goodbye, Kabaji-san."

"Wait," Kabaji started, only to realize Dan had already ringed off. For a moment he just stared at his phone, then flipped it shut with a sigh. Apparently it was time for Plan B.

Good thing Atobe had actually taken the time to come up with a Plan B, for otherwise he would have been well and truly screwed, so to speak.

Somewhat nervous though he was, Kabaji walked down the street. It was close to where he had first met Dan-kun, he noticed – well, it would make sense, wouldn't it? After all, he was heading towards the younger boy's home.

It was amazing, really, what Atobe Keigo could accomplish with a couple of phone calls. He'd soon found out Dan-kun's address, which Kabaji hadn't known; they'd always just met on the street courts or some other public place. So here Kabaji was, now, walking down an unfamiliar street, more grateful than ever that simply glancing at a map before leaving had ensured he wouldn't get lost. Such a thing just wouldn't do, not now. Not when it was about Dan-kun.

Adjusting the tennis bag on his shoulder – somewhat lighter than usually – he finally stopped in front of a house. It was a nice little house, nothing large or fancy, just a regular house for an average, friendly family with two kids and a dog. The kind of house one would expect someone like Dan-kun to live in.

Gathering his courage, Kabaji walked up to the door.

Ringing the doorbell soon brought an answer. A very kindly smiling woman that he presumed was Dan-kun's mother opened the door, looking somewhat surprised at the unfamiliar, tall boy standing there. Not as surprised as most people would have been, though. Maybe this was where Dan-kun got his personality. "Oh, goodness, how tall you are! I mean, good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon, Dan-san," Kabaji said, bowing. He wasn't used to talking to people other than Atobe and Dan-kun, not even as little as this was, but he reminded himself he had to do it to see Dan-kun. Such a reminder seemed to make his mind much more agreeable. "My name is Kabaji Munehiro. I was hoping that your son might be home."

"Taichi-chan? Oh, yes! He's been home the whole day," Dan-san informed him. "Do come in, do come in! I'm sure he'll be delighted to have a guest!"

Kabaji complied, swallowing at the thought of Dan staying home from school. What had caused it? Surely he hadn't been that upset about Kabaji's lack of reaction… or had he?

"Taichi-chan's room is upstairs, right next to the stairs," Dan-san told him cheerfully. "He's been a little cranky all day but don't mind him, he'll surely cheer up when he sees you."

Kabaji hoped he could have truly believed so. As it was, though, he simply thanked Dan-san before heading to Dan-kun's room.

Knocking on the door, he got no response. Then, after knocking again, he heard a somewhat weary, "What is it?"

"It's me, Dan-kun." Slowly opening the door, Kabaji stepped in. "I'm sorry to intrude."

Dan-kun was sitting on his bed, eyes momentarily widening as he saw Kabaji before he turned his gaze away. "…What do you want?" he asked, quite unlike his usual polite, cheerful self. Although it was already well in the afternoon, Dan-kun was still in his pyjamas, his hair a mess. It was obvious even to Kabaji that he had been crying, too. Seeing this made Kabaji's heart ache. His thoughtlessness had caused all this?

"…To apologize." Kabaji looked seriously at Dan-kun. "I… when you confessed, I was too stunned to say anything. I'm sorry."

"…It's okay desu." Dan-kun certainly didn't sound like it was okay. "At least… at least I didn't waste too much time pining after someone this time around."

Gods. So Dan-kun indeed thought Kabaji didn't like him. How very wrong he was.

Kabaji should have explained, should have told it wasn't so, but the words wouldn't come – when had they ever come, to Kabaji? Not ever. He'd only ever talked with Atobe, before, and with his Insight Atobe had probably guessed more than listened. Kabaji had never needed words – until now. But he didn't have them.

Trying to think of something, he suddenly remembered another one of Atobe's suggestions. Sliding his bag off his shoulder, he opened it, taking out a tennis racquet – for what else could he have bought for Dan? He'd even wrapped it, somewhat awkwardly to his shame; he'd never had the chance to watch someone skilled wrap a present, and a racquet was somewhat difficultly shaped for wrapping.

"….Um. This is for you. It's the same kind Atobe uses, only a bit lighter." He hadn't known which kind of racquet Dan-kun preferred but had figured that as both Atobe and Dan-kun were all-rounders, Atobe's choice of a racquet would fit Dan-kun's needs well enough.

Dan-kun hesitantly took the wrapped racquet, looking at it uncertainly. He still wouldn't look at Kabaji. Then, very slowly, he started unwrapping it, eyes examining each exposed square inch. Finally, setting the wrapping paper beside himself on the bed, he held the racquet in his hands, examining it closely.

"Perfectly balanced," Dan-kun finally whispered, staring at the racquet. "Of course. Nothing less would do for Atobe-san." He turned the racquet, looking at the end. He saw the letter 'D' there. "Kabaji-san…"

"Dan-kun," said Kabaji, then fell into helpless silence. What could he say? What was he supposed to say? He had absolutely no idea.

Fortunately, it was apparently not needed. Dropping the perfectly balanced racquet on his bed, Dan-kun bounced up to his feet, rushing towards Kabaji. Reaching his arms around Kabaji – or as far as they would go, anyway – he hid his face in the Kabaji's chest. A sob shook his little form, prompting Kabaji to hug him close.

Suddenly Dan-kun drew away, just a bit, and then Kabaji found lithe arms around his neck, drawing him down. He complied without resistance, and suddenly there were lips against his, shy and inexperienced and almost wondering, and it was all he had imagined and more. Hands on Dan-kun's waist, sure and strong, he lifted Dan-kun up to his level, easily holding up his light weight. The kiss grew less hesitant in this new position, less awkward now, and Kabaji was sure this was what pure delight tasted like.

As he finally set Dan-kun down, Kabaji smiled somewhat hesitantly at the other boy. "I like you, Dan-kun," he said, unable to think of fancy words but very much meaning what he said.

Dan-kun smiled back, his face streaked with tears but his eyes shining with joy, and said, "I like you, too, Kabaji-san."

Suddenly Kabaji no more felt lonely at all.