Date: September 1, 2011

Sorry for the long wait and thank you for those who reviewed! I really appreciate your feedbacks and it's really helping me in writing these next few chapters!

Chapter 4

"Congratulations are in order." Oshitari toasted, "My win over that strange kid who makes those hissing noises, Shishidou's... tie... against the wonderful Eiji, and more importantly our captain's win against Seigaku's captain. With one of Seigaku's best out of the running, we're a shoe in for Nationals!"

"... The hell kind of a toast is that?" Shishidou complained as the trio sat on the furniture set that littered their clubhouse's foyer, long after the rest of the team left after their practice match against Seishun Gakuen.

"A good one." Oshitari retorted, "Although, if I were playing against Seigaku's cute redhead I would let him score a couple points too."

"I didn't let him score some points. He was actually pretty good." Shishidou grumbled.

"And that's the difference between you and me." Oshitari concluded before turning to their captain, "Come on Atobe, what's with you today?"

"I didn't win." Atobe answered. Well, technically he did since his opponent was unable to continue... but it was a default win. And even before then, Tezuka was handicapped from the get go...

"Sure you did. Tezuka forfeited." Shishidou shrugged.

"He didn't forfeit. He just couldn't play anymore." Atobe defended.

"Yea, and you could. So it's your win." Shishidou deducted.

"No wonder you only tied." Atobe huffed.

He was irritated. And although Shishidou contributed to his irritation and he would have loved to have blamed this nasty feeling solely on his teammate, he just couldn't... And just what was this terrible smell?

"Regardless, aren't these the results you wanted? I mean, it's quite certain Tezuka won't be playing at Nationals." Oshitari pointed out.

Atobe shrugged. His navy haired teammate did have a point... Because, yes he wanted to destroy the Seigaku captain on a level that would make the great Daimao proud. And sure, he wanted to completely rip him a new one psychologically by dating his ex and then proceeding to dominate him on the courts so badly that he would never be able to make a comeback out of pure shame... But it just wasn't supposed to end this way... This just wasn't the kind of win he wanted...

... And the more that he thought about it; Tezuka just was never at his best to begin with. And Tezuka may never be in his best physical form or be able to hold a tennis racquet properly ever again... And the thought of that just irritated him more.

"I think I'm in love with Tezuka." Atobe informed aloud.

"... What?"

Oshitari shook his head as though that was the cure to whatever hearing problem the navy haired teen was ailed with, "How did you come up with that one?"

"I'm upset about his injury." Atobe stated the obvious.

"... Are you upset about the fact that he's hurt?" Oshitari questioned slowly.

"Yes." Atobe nodded.

"... Or are you upset about the fact that he will never be able to challenge you in tennis ever again." Oshitari continued to question.

"... Both." Atobe replied, "And stop talking to me as though I'm incapable of understanding basic language."

"Let me start again." Oshitari sighed, "Say Tezuka tripped over his shoelaces and-"

"Sorry, but have you seen his shoelaces? The guy ties them perfectly." Shishidou interrupted (after recovering from mild shock and after finally finding his voice).

"It's just a hypothetical-"

"At least make it realistic." The brunet grumbled.

"Whatever." Oshitari waved his hand around dismissively, "Okay Atobe. So say Tezuka tripped over... a banana peel- Don't you dare Shishidou! Okay, so he tripped. And he injured his knee where-"

"I don't give a fuck." Atobe spouted.

Just what the hell point was his teammate trying to make?

"And what is this terrible stench?" Atobe added.

"I don't smell anything." Shishidou shrugged.

"It kind of smells like a rotten egg and cheese salad." Oshitari described before adding, "Alright, but Tezuka's leg is now permanently damaged and he can't play tennis ever again."

Atobe frowned. That was certainly upsetting...

Oshitari now had an irritating smirk on his face as he concluded: "His injury caught severe gangrene and he dies two weeks later."

"I look really good in black." Atobe nodded approvingly at the thought. A three piece suit would definitely be the best... Along with a nice royal purple silk shirt underneath to- ... Wait. Fuji did point out his excess of purple... But a little, especially a darker shade wouldn't hurt right? It would sort of be hidden under his vest and blazer... Or maybe he should just stick to a dark red. Oh! And Givenchy leather shoes! Hm... Very trendy indeed...

"You're not in love with Tezuka." Oshitari informed.

And Atobe could feel the weight drop from his shoulders, "Really?"

"You're just upset that you've lost a rival. He was someone who always challenged you to improve on your tennis abilities. And now that he's unable to play, you're not sure where to go next in terms of tennis." Oshitari elaborated.

"This is getting lame. I'm going home." Shishidou informed before standing up and shutting the clubhouse's door behind him.

Atobe waited for the door to close, "Nasty that one. A bad tennis player and a bad personality."

"Agreed. He should have felt privileged to have played against the cute Eiji." Oshitari crossed his arms.

"This is why Mukahi continues on and on in that annoying whiny voice of his about Shu's little friend." Atobe pointed out.

"Well, Gakuto should know that I always love-"

"To be honest, I know exactly where I want to be in terms of my tennis prowess." Atobe informed (and brought the topic of conversation back to something remotely interesting), "Because in that game, aren't we just competing against our own endurance and personal skill? For someone of my level, I am my own challenge."

"... You're really special, you know that right?" Oshitari replied... and did he detect sarcasm? ... Probably not.

"Thank you." Atobe graciously accepted the obvious compliments.

"Well, whether you like it or not Tezuka was your rival." Oshitari shrugged.

"Do you not have the capabilities to listen?" Atobe retorted, "Tezuka wasn't my rival. He was a law of physics defying mutant freak."

"... So what's your deal?"

Atobe frowned... Dammit frown lines! Regardless... Maybe the reason why he was upset didn't involve a default win or Tezuka...

The door slammed open, "Hey! I'm back, I just remembered that I'm jogging tomorrow morning with Choutarou and I forgot my sneakers."

"That explains the smell." Oshitari replied in disgust as Shishidou picked up the pair of forgotten shoes.

... Then maybe the reason why he was just so irritated didn't involve anything tennis related... Impossible!

... Or actually...

"As soon as he dropped his racquet, did you notice how his entire team came rushing to his side." Atobe pointed out dryly.

"... Well, if it's any comfort, we would do the same for you." Shishidou muttered as he got ready to leave again.

"He's speaking for himself." Oshitari corrected.

Atobe didn't bother replying. He couldn't care less for his own team. Actually if some kid with ugly butchered up hair, a giant illiterate Shrek, and some annoying redhead came rushing to his side, he was sure his mood wouldn't lighten the least bit. Hell, Jirou would probably collapse halfway through and the last thing he would want to see in that situation would be the curly haired teen's corpse crawling towards him like in some horror movie. It was just... Once Tezuka's tennis racquet hit the pavement, he remembered standing, helplessly, as the entire Seigaku team rushed in to support their captain. And he hated all of it.

"... Atobe?" Oshitari called out with growing concern, "Are you being serious right now? Fine. We would all jump to your side as well. Happy?"

"I'd rather you all jump off a bridge." Atobe snapped angrily. The answer was right in front of him. He had it for a split second before Oshitari stomped in and interrupted his thoughts... Yes. It was that feeling of utter helplessness as he stood on the other side of the net. But it made no sense. It wasn't like he was the one unable to play...

... Unless...

"I'm going to break up with Fuji."


Tying shoelaces should have been an easy task. But looking down, he just didn't like how the bow turned out. Hastily untying them, he fumbled around with the strings once more... Maybe he should get Velcro shoes next time? But he's never had problems tying his shoe laces in the past. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was just unfocused. One bunny ear... second bunny ear, run around the loop and-

"Fuji?"

His head instantly snapped up.

... Oh shoot! The bunny didn't make it through the hole! He returned his attention to his shoe... Yup, he had to start again.

"Here." Tezuka took a seat next to him, taking the laces from his hands and proceeding to tie a perfect knot. Perfect. Like everything that's Tezuka Kunimitsu. So fucking perfect.

"Thank you." Fuji murmured, standing up ready to join the rest of the team on the courts.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Tezuka questioned in a soft voice.

Feeling his chest tighten, he turned around to face his captain... Although, he just couldn't tear his eyes away from those perfectly done shoelaces.

"I want to thank you for yesterday." Tezuka said gratefully.

Fuji could feel his face grow warmer, "I didn't really do anything."

"You were there." Tezuka explained.

"Of course I would be..." Fuji shrugged, eyes still glued on his perfectly tied shoe lace, "You're my captain."

"... Ah." Tezuka nodded, "That's right."

If Fuji had to describe his relationship with Tezuka, it was one of silence and pure understanding. Before they started to date they maintained a silent friendship and of course he would pride himself in being able to discern the barest of expressions of his usually expressionless captain's face. And when they started to date, the situation remained the same. The silent connection they shared, the telepathy they developed and just understanding one another so completely. And when they broke up, nothing really changed. Other than the fact that he couldn't wrap his arms around him or kiss those lips to his heart's content, and while they were dating a second more to their embrace or the extra kiss was never enough because he just loved him that much. And then there was the fact that Tezuka did choose to focus on tennis over him, and all the hurt that came along with that.

... But now their usually comfortable silence was... just so awkward.

"... I haven't told anyone yet." Tezuka started, "I'm... going to leave the country. There's a great rehabilitation centre in Germany."

Fuji could feel his chest squeeze in a very uncomfortable way, "... Germany, huh?"

"Aa." Tezuka nodded.

"You know that's pretty far away." Fuji informed while taking a seat on an opposing bench.

"I'm sorry." Tezuka replied.

"For what?" Fuji offered small smile. Tezuka was the same as always... And it was kind of frustrating, yet endearing at the same time.

"It's kind of irritating." Tezuka pointed out.

And Fuji took a moment to glance up into bronze eyes... Tezuka had that look on his face... The same look he had on when he asked him to meet on the school's rooftop... and then proceeded to break up with him. It was absolutely heartbreaking, but he just couldn't tear his eyes away despite how badly he wanted to stare back down at his sneakers.

"I'm so irritated at myself." Tezuka informed, "I know that if the initial surgery fails, then my arm may get worse. But I just can't not be at 100 percent. I need to go to Germany. But... I'm kind of hesitant of leaving Japan."

And Fuji remained fixated on the way those usually impassive eyes softened.

"It's selfish of me really." Tezuka let out a soft chuckle, "I always assumed that you'd always be by my side. And as bad as this sounds, I'm ashamed to say that I always assumed your world revolved around mine. So when we broke up, I thought you would wait for me. But you didn't. I gave up the most important thing to me over tennis... I'm pathetic."

And Fuji let out that breath he was unconsciously holding in... not really sure what or how he was supposed to be feeling.

"So I have to leave the country for a while. I have to leave those short periods of time we meet in the hallway between classes or at practice. Because I gave up everything for this arm. And now I won't be able to see you for quite some time, as your captain or a friend. I'm going to lose you completely, aren't I?"

Tezuka offered one of his rare smiles, "I really loved you and I still do. But... I guess this was the choice I made."

And Fuji blinked as Tezuka's words dawned upon him, realizing his own situation.

He needed to break up with Atobe.

To be continued.