Hey, sorry it took so long! It's quite long this time. Sorry, I got carried away. . . .anyway pls. ENJOY!!
Chapter 4
"I win."
"Che." He pulled his cap lower to hide his irritation of losing. He stood up and went to the net for the handshake.
Fuji did the same. Ryoma almost stopped halfway when he remembered his part of the deal. He was going to kiss his senpai again. He thought of excusing himself, but he was a bad liar and it would make him look bad by being a coward. No, he's no coward!
'Better get it over with.' he stopped as he reached the net and waited for Fuji on the other side.
He looked into those icy azure eyes and closed his eyes waiting for his punishment. After a few seconds, he wondered why he felt nothing on his lips and opened his eyes. Fuji was back to his closed eye look and was grinning innocently. Just one questioned look from Ryoma made him understand what the younger boy meant.
"I did tell you to kiss me. You would initiate the kiss not me."
"Eh?" 'What's the difference? It's still a kiss.'
Fuji wasn't moving from his spot and leaned closer. Ryoma's heartbeat rose again. His vision was concentrated on Fuji's lips. It wasn't that bad when Fuji kissed him, so what's the difference? He gulped for a second and was about to move in until he heard yelling. He jumped away as he noticed a crowd coming their way.
"Fujiko, Ochibi!!" it was hard to choose from the two but he decided to glomp Ryoma. "You're early."
Unfortunately for him, what he did earned him a devilish grin from Fuji.
"Fuji, Echizen, ohayou." Oishi raised a hand as greeting.
"You're so slow, Oishi." he teased. "Right, Fu- " he let go of Ryoma and scurried to Oishi as he saw the look Fuji was giving him. It was like he was planning how he'd kill him. 'What did I do?!'
"Ohayou, senpai-tachi." Ryoma finally greeted when he can finally breathe. Oishi just laughed weakly at the scene he was in.
One by one all of them came and Tezuka initiated the start of morning practice. Somehow, everybody saw how distracted Ryoma was. When they asked each other of what could be the problem, no one had a clue. Even Fuji just gave an innocent smile and said he had no idea. But Tezuka could swear he heard Fuji chuckle. Momo was his practice partner again and he was sick of Ryoma being sluggish from time to time. Some shots were out while others were too weak and easy to return. He had enough.
"Echizen, stop! Man, I had it with you. Really Echizen, did you lose a match again or something?" he knew it was different from the case before the nationals but what he hated from Ryoma was not seriously taking his matches with him, even though it's just practice.
"Is anything wrong with Echizen? It's like a replay before the finals in the Kantou Tournament." Kawamura went to the small group of regulars who were also holding a conversation about the kouhai. The group was composed of Eiji, Fuji, Oishi and Inui.
"That's right! Did O-chibi lose again or something?"
"Fuji, you were the only one with him the whole time. Do you know something?"
"Sorry, Oishi, but I don't have a clue." he faked a worried face that only his best friend would notice
'Liar!' Eiji told himself. But he knew if he told them Fuji's feint, he'll encounter unexplainable things ahead.
"Hm. . . . . Ii data."
"Have you figured something out?" Oishi quickly lightened up
"No, but I can gather some personal data about him if I stick around. Maybe some deep dark secret."
Inui flashed a grin that made Eiji hide behind Oishi and Kawamura behind Fuji. Fuji revealed his icy blue eyes that warned Inui.
"Inui, be careful. Something might happen behind your back." Fuji also flashed a grin but unlike Inui's he gave off an aura much like of a demon. This time Eiji, Kawamura and even Oishi was hiding behind Inui, whose sweat dropped. After that, Fuji expression went back to it's former self and flashed off his angelic smile.
"What's wrong, you guys? It's like you've seen a ghost." Fuji asked innocently
'More like a demon!' echoed in their minds.
"I don't tolerate slacking off, even for a few minutes. The five of you, 20 laps around court!" Tezuka suddenly appeared at their back.
They did as instructed. Fuji felt someone looking at him. He knew it was his favorite kouhai. He was about gladly to flash the boy a big smile just to get another cute reaction, but when he looked at Ryoma, he saw confusion and doubt. It was so cute, but Fuji couldn't help but feel there's something wrong.
Morning practice comes to a close. The day went smoothly, well, except for Ryoma and Fuji. Both couldn't help thinking about each other.
Lunch Break: Ryoma's part
'Fuji-senpai. . . . . . wait!! Why am I thinking about him?! What do I feel about him? '
"Yo, Echizen! You're here on the rooftop as always." Momo came rushing with a handful of food.
No response. It seems as if he didn't hear anything. Okay, Momo was getting worried for his best friend.
"Echizen, if it was because of this morning, I'm sorry."
"Ah, Momo-senpai, when did you get here?" he said sounding as clueless as ever.
"You. . . . . . . . . forget it. Anyway, everyone has been talking about you, are you alright?" Momo took the liberty to seat in front of Echizen and started eating.
"Momo-senpai"
"Hm?"
"What do you think of Fuji-senpai?" Ryoma's comment made Momo accidentally spat out what he was eating.
"WHAT?! What is this all of a sudden?"
"Just say what you think of him." Ryoma was getting closer, forcing Momo to answer.
"Well. . . . . . . Fuji-senpai is very unpredictable and scary but his tennis is awesome."
"Really?" Ryoma gave a look of disbelief.
"Don't tell him I said that, okay!? And what is the deal with you, asking this all of a sudden?"
"It's nothing." Ryoma just stopped there and continued eating his lunch. Momo felt something strange. One thing for sure, Echizen was acting abnormally because of Fuji.
"Echizen, let me ask you this. What do you think of Fuji-senpai?" this made Ryoma cringe.
"What I think?"
"Yeah, and don't lie."
"I think he's also unpredictable and scary. . . . . . . ." Momo gave him a look that meant he was serious ". . . . . . . selfish. . . . . . and . . . . . .sadistic . . . . . . ." he smiled at himself as he continued ". . . . . but . . . . . so warm and secure . . his smile is pleasant . . . . his presence is so comfortable . . . . my heart beats so fast . . . . . . . I go red for no reason . . . . . . and . . . . . . I can't stop thinking about him."
"Don't you mean you like him?" Momo (hiding feeling of jealousy) said right after Echizen's last word. Ryoma was taken aback by this words but thought to himself. He said too much of Fuji. Was that how he really felt? He said it so freely.
"I like him?"
Somehow, Momo can't stand that look in Ryoma's face. Before he knew it, he pulled Ryoma and leaned to kiss him.
'It's different. Momo-senpai, I don't feel anything.' To Ryoma it resembled nothing like their kiss, his and Fuji's. He gently pushed Momo away. "Gomen, I . . . . . don't. . . . ."
"Scared ya, huh? Now, do you know if you like Fuji-senpai or not?" he faked a helping tone.
"Momo-senpai. . . . . ."
"Sorry for doing that all of a sudden. You just needed a bit of a push to know the truth about yourself." He joked
Lunch Break: Fuji's part
'Why did he have that look? Is it because he still doesn't know what he feels? Or maybe. . . . . . . . . .'
"Fujiko! Let's eat together! My lunch is cream croquettes, nya!"
'. . . . . . maybe. . . . . he doesn't have feelings for me.'
"Fuji!!"
"Ah, Eiji, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong? Mou, since morning practice you've been spacing out. Didn't you hear the bell? It's already lunch time!" Eiji dragged his chair front of Fuji and started eating. He took out Fuji's lunch for him. He didn't like this. Fuji was always happy-go-lucky, well, in a different, unique kinda way, but seeing a serious Fuji is a bit frightening.
"Fuji, you're spacing out again. It's not like you to think too much. You're emitting a disturbing aura."
"Ah, gomen, did you say something?"
'Mou!!' "I said you should start eating! Lunch break is almost over. Fujiko, really. First, Ochibi-chan and now you. Is depression contagious? What's wrong with you guys, nya?"
"Sorry. . . . ."
The bell rang. . . . .
'Ryoma. . . . . . maybe. . . I am scared. . .'
Back to Ryoma. . . .
The bell rang. . . . .
"Well, that's the bell. Echizen, you should go ahead. I'll clean up a bit."
". . . . Okay. . . ." he did went and at the moment he closed the door, he leaned on it. "Liar. . . ." he murmured before continuing to go down the stairs.
There was no afternoon practice. The two decided to meet near the street tennis court. Ryoma didn't like to meet there because troublesome Gyokurin players or maybe some Fudoumine ones might see them but it would be fun to play tennis there after school.
Finally the last class today. Ryoma couldn't wait to meet his senpai. The more he made himself understand his own feelings the more he wanted to see his senpai. Just a few more minutes. . . . . darn, why is it so slow. When the bell rang, he waited for some to go ahead. It would be embarrassing to look all excited; he had a reputation to keep. While waiting for almost everyone to go home, he stared down the window.
'The sakura blossoms are blooming nicely.' That comment made him blush and feint a cough. 'Listen to me. I'm like an idiot smitten by puppy love.' He looked outside again 'Syuusuke. . . . .' he was still having a hard time trying to say the tensai's name.
--
Right after morning practice, Fuji told Ryoma to call him Syuusuke. Ryoma was still in deep thought that time so he just nodded. Fuji on the other hand was a bit saddened by that reaction. He misunderstood it. He thought Ryoma said 'whatever' in his thoughts or something.
--
Ryoma hurriedly went after Fuji when he saw the tensai leaving the school grounds already. The classroom was almost empty anyway.
"Echizen-kun, where are you going? We're on duty together today." Their class rep, Yayoi, said.
"Gomen, I have to hurry. Something important came up."
Yayoi blocked the door. "If you're so in a hurry just help me finish cleaning so we can finish earlier." She gave him a broom. Ryoma had no choice but to comply
--
'I guess he isn't coming. . . . . .' Fuji became all depressed now but he still wanted to wait there.
"Ah, Fuji, why are you here?"
"Oh, Taka-san, nothing really. I'm just waiting for somebody."
"Okay." Kawamura continued to walk home. When he went to a corner, he was pulled in.
"Yo, Taka-san, want to watch with us?"
"Eiji?" he also saw Inui, Oishi, Momo, and Kaidoh. "What are you guys doing?"
"O-chibi's love confession, nya! It'll be fun."
Somehow, Momoshiro was unable to keep it to himself.
"Eiji! We shouldn't be here. It's their personal affair. It's not good to spy on them like this. What if they see us? It'll be embarrassing for them and might avoid each other. Especially Echizen, since he's still new to this."
"Just like Oishi, his worries are far more in depth." Inui kept on watching Fuji while Kaidoh and Momo start fighting again. Once, they were almost heard, or so they thought they were almost heard because of the juniors' bickering. Inui started forcing his juice on them and warned them that one more sound, it's one picher for both of them.
"Mou, where's Ochibi-chan?" Eiji was staring to get irritated because Fuji was starting to look like he was giving up.
"According to my data, Echizen is on duty today." Inui should have kept his mouth shut because as he said this all glares were on him.
"Why didn't you tell us that from the beginning?!" everyone said in chorus
Eiji looked back were Fuji was waiting and saw he was gone. "This is bad, nya!! Fuji left!"
"Maybe Echizen isn't coming?" Kawamura said maybe to tell them they should leave.
"We should go get Echizen! Fuji maybe scarred emotionally. It'd be bad if Fuji gets all depressed. What if he can't get over this? We need to straighten thing up for them."
"I agree with Oishi-senpai!" 'Echizen. . . . .' Momo went on ahead and others following his lead.
The moment they were out of sight, Ryoma came running, panting and sweating. He used a shortcut but was slowed down by some burglar. He had no choice but to help the old lady. The empty sight he saw made him drop his bag.
"Did he left already . . . . . . ?" He decided on waiting, maybe just maybe Fuji just had something to do for a while and then come back.
After half an hour it started drizzling. Ryoma didn't mind it. It was just raining weakly. The rain suddenly poured heavily but still Ryoma didn't mind. If he were to move from his spot, he was afraid that he will never be able to face Fuji again. It was cold. . . . . too cold. He was soaked. All of his things were soaked but he still wanted to wait
--
"It's raining so hard, nya!" the redhead trying to cover his head with his hands while running towards home
"Eiji's right. Fuji and Echizen might already be home. We might catch a cold or develop a fever." Oishi also left
"Besides, who's stupid enough to stay out in this heavy rain?" Kaidoh said
'Echizen, did you really go home already?' Momo had a bad feeling. He made sure to call on Echizen's house first when he gets home.
--
An hour passes. . . . . Momoshiro calls but he was told Echizen wasn't home yet. His cousin sounded close to tears. Ryoma's mom and dad were in America for a while so Nanako and Ryoma were left home alone.
"I have no idea where he is."
'Echizen, where are you?!' he thought. He remembered about Ryoma and Fuji's meeting. It can't be. . . . . only someone crazy would think of. . . . . . . wait. . . . . . crazy person. . . . . yeah, he is kind of crazy. . . sometimes.
"I think I know where he is. Please leave it to me!"
--
"Syuusuke."
"Nee-san, what is it?"
"It's raining hard."
"Huh?"
"No regrets?"
"Nee-san?"
"The rain will take something from you."
Fuji knew it was another fortune. It was always right. Well, not like he's not used to lose something anyway. He went up to his room and looked outside.
"It's pouring heavily." He got a text message from Momo. Momo rarely text him. It said. . . . . . . .
Echizen isn't home. Senpai, it's possible he's waiting. . . .
The moment he thought of what his sister said he suddenly thought of a green-haired prodigy. Is it possible?! He quickly went downstairs and took an umbrella before going outside. "Nee-san, I'm going out for a bit!"
--
'Ryoma, I'm sorry. . . .' he was just a few more blocks from their meeting place. Although he saw his object of affection, he didn't like what he saw. . . . . . Ryoma was kissing . . . . . . .
"Tezuka. . . . ." he murmured as he unknowingly let go if the grip of his umbrella.
TO BE CONTINUED . . . . . . . .
--
N/A
Okay, it's getting a bit hectic but you'll find out what happened in the next chapter. And if anyone is wondering about that Yayoi girl, I just made her up. Anyway, I won't be able to continue Sleeping Beauty and Joint for a while. I'm migrating! I'm so busy with processes and preparations. Next time, I'll do the RyoMitsu version of this and a short RyoEiji fic. Look forward to it! See ya!