Dsiclaimer: I'm not good enough to own pot

Chapter 4

At about midnight, all the guests left except for my parents and I since we were helping the Tezukas clean up. After I placed the last dishes inside the sink, I collapsed on the sofa. Tezuka seated himself next to me right after.

"Aizawa san does your feet hurt since you're wearing heels?" he questioned with a stoic expression but with concerned eyes.

"Oh no I'm used to it thanks. But I feel a bit light headed. It must have been too much music for one day." (Sticks out my tongue) "Oh by the way Tezuka kun did you like dancing?"

"Yes if I don't have to lead my partner."

"(Laughs) then you should dance with Kikumaru kun or Fuji Kun. They're great! (Mischievously) maybe if they have the chance, they'll even want to carry you up."

" …I like to feel stabilized." It was amazing how we can carry on a normal conversation even if we've only known each other for a month. When he's at school, he seems like an emotionless rock

"Hey you two. Having fun?" Mrs. Tezuka popped out from the back of the couch.

I smiled while her son quickly looked away.

"Aizawa san(meaning my parents) please try this wine that I received from France before you leave. (Hands two margarita cups to my parents)" mr. Tezuka announced with this extremely deep tone.

"Oh while we have our adult time, Kunimitsu dear, show Mina chan around the house." Mrs. Tezuka motioned for Tezuka to leave.

Tezuka got up and he waited for me to follow. He walked up the red velvet stairs and entered the first room we encountered.

"(He held open the door for me to enter first) This is my room."

It was plain yet neat and tidy. Blue sheets, white wall, no decorations, cabinet filled with books.

"(Laughs) If you led me to this room without telling me who's room it was I would have been able to guess it was your room. I can feel your characteristics: straightforward, serious, and hardworking."

"Oh how cute!! How old were you at this age?" I said when I caught a sight of Tezuka in his younger years.

" …About 9." He answered as though he was embarrassed.

" Haha the same Grumpy looking Tezuka kun. Do you ever smile for pictures?"

" Rarely…(Walks out to the veranda)"

"(Follows him) Wow you can see all the stars here!! If you turn off the light it must feel like you're part of the sky."

Just as I said that he turned off the light.

"Now that you mentioned it I never tried that. I look out the veranda sometimes but I never stay for long to enjoy the scenery"

Even if it was dark, his tennis court and swimming pool were visible. Then I noticed something when I stared our straight from his veranda.

"Wow my room is straight across from yours!"

I recognized my pile of books and a teddy bear that showed through my window.

Hmm I feel too close to Tezuka kun. I need my personal space!

We stood for awhile on the veranda staring at the colorfully lit city and the sky. I was really glad Tezuka talked a lot more than we first met. Hopefully, as time passes by, he can talk to me comfortably as though he was talking to a family member.

When Tezuka and I walked down the stairs, my parents stood up to leave.

"Thank you for the fun we had today, (Bows)" my mom thanked them graciously. Her face was a bit pink since she wasn't used to drinking,

"No, the pleasure was ours. Thank you for coming over today." Mrs. Tezuka replied very traditionally.

"It was a pleasure meeting you. Your son is a mature gentleman, hard to find sons like him these days." Dad added while he patted Tezuka on the shoulder and his eyes fell on me.

"Mina, are you all right? You look pale. You better rest right away when you get home." With that he picked me up bridal style.

"Sorry I think I reached my limit for today. Thank you for today and happy birthday oba chan."

The next morning I woke up with a slight headache but other wise I was fine. It was a sunny Sunday morning and on a beautiful like this what to do better than homework? Please don't vomit at this….Also if I have time I should study for the test that's on next Monday. Homework sure takes a lot of concentration so when I heard a knock on my door I was ready to jump out of my skin.

"You can come in!!" Who can it be? Neither mom nor dad knocks on the door. I found Tezuka sheepishly opening the door.

"Hi Tezuka kun.You can come in next time without knocking. The sound startles me." I greeted him warmly.

After yesterday, talking to him seemed easier than before, he must have lowered his barriers a bit.

"Aizawa san, how are you feeling?"

"Oh I'm fine sorry about yesterday. Is oba chan here also?"

"Yes my mother came over saying something about baking pastries with your mother."

"Have a seat on the couch or something. I'll bring tea over."

"Oh you started on the math homework that's due in 4 days?" he inquired as he strolled over to my desk.

"Yes because I have time and this way I can study for the test that's on next Monday."

"Aizawa san, do you mind if I work on it with you?" I was astonished since he seems to be an independent person.

"Of course not but Tezuka Kun you're so smart, it's not like you need my help or anything."

"(smiles) But studying with helps me to concentrate more and I don't understand how to do #32 but seems like you've done with it already."

He smiled again. He seems like a different person when he smiles. And that smile petrifies me…

"I'll go get my belongings." My longer robotic friend said as he walked out the door.

(Sighs) This is going to be one uncomfortable day.

In just about 5 minutes, Tezuka came back with the resources needed to do homework of all subjects. Since my desk was long, I pulled an extra chair into my room and seated him next to me. We started working quietly and asked each other questions when we weren't sure of the answer. Being with Tezuka wasn't that uncomfortable except when our hands or elbows bumped in to each other, talk about needing personal space... Having him working in my room helped me concentrate more since I couldn't daydream. After about 2 hours, I had finished one week of homework for all classes and I was ready to take a break I stretched my arms out, (my arm missed Tezuka's head by about 3 inches though he did not see it) and I moved closer to him to see what he was working on.

"Tezuka kun what are you working on?" I questioned curiously, wanting to know what the genius, (I think the top students in my class are Inui and Tezuka) was working on.

Just as I said that, I saw that he was barely starting on a literary composition due tomorrow.

"(Laughs) Tezuka kun you're such a procrastinator!!!" I exclaimed confused whether to be amused or shocked.

"Yes I'm well aware" he replied emotionlessly.

"Mina and Tezuka kun do you guys want any snacks?? We're done!!" my mom called from the bottom of the stairs.

"Ok I'm going to get us something. You have to stay here Tezuka kun until you finish that!!!"

"… (Continues working)"

I smiled and went out the door. I was rooted to the floor when I approached the kitchen. What I saw on the plates were gorgeous.

" …Mom, are these edible? They look too pretty to be eaten…"

"heheheh I knew Mina would like it. Yes they're edible. They're mochi shaped into the traditional princess doll set. Also with food coloring, fruits, red beans…" mom went on and on about ingredients, not noticing that she lost me on the first item she listed.

The mochis were beautiful and so fragile looking that one mortal touch seems like it would be destroyed.

"Mina Chan try one. We made them for you and Kunimitsu to enjoy."

"But oba chan eating them would seem like we're cannibals. They seemed infused with life…" I added dramatically, and the two women fell into hysterical laughter.

"Just a middle school girl but she's capable of giving such a high complement. (Ruffles my hair) we're glad you like them. But we would like you to taste it too." Tezuka's mom insisted.

So I tried a small bishop shaped mochi which contained mung bean paste inside.

The taste was as good as the appearance.

"I'm going to take some up to Tezuka kun. He's busy with his literature homework."

"Oh you guys are doing homework? What a Mina thing to do…Don't bother Kunimitsu kun ok?" my mom warned me as I gently grabbed a couple of mochi.

After I grabbed a plateful, I headed upstairs. When I opened the door, Tezuka was staring at my framed pictures on the desk.

"Tezuka kun I brought snacks. I guess you're taking a break already??"

I placed the plate down on an empty space on the desk and looked down on to his composition book.

"Yikes! They're already done?" I stared at him with incredulous look. That composition would have at least taken me one whole day. I started to read his composition, hoping that I could criticize it since it was done in such a short time. However, this was TEZUKA's composition not KIKUMARU's. It was one of the well done compositions that I have ever read.

"Wow such beautiful composition. You're a natural born genius!!" I exclaimed.

Tezuka grinned and picked up a mochi.

"Ahhh wait! (holds his hand from putting the mochi near his mouth) Savor the craftsmanship shown on the mochi first."

" …Probability that ingredients contain sugar 80, food coloring 5 and red bean 15. (laughs)"

"(laughs hysterically) wow you sound exactly like Inui kun!"

Watching him laugh and smile made me feel warm inside. It's as though I can feel the ice within him melt.

"Aizawa san is there something on my face" he gave me a puzzled look since I was smiling at him.

"Nope. I just hope we become close friends." I sincerely said while I extended my hand. "Yes I hope so too. (Takes my hand and shakes it.)

"Oh yeah Aizawa san are you going to do any more work?"

"No I think I'm done for today. Are you done?"

"Yes I'm done, (I raised my eyebrow) yes I'm sure I'm done. Did you want to play tennis for awhile?"

"Sure!! Let's play on my court." I replied happily like a dog waiting to get a bone.

So he went back to his house to get his racket and change while I did the same. I walked out on to the court and Tezuka came a minute later.

"Did you want to rally or did you want to play a match?" I questioned as I bounced the ball up and down.

"Let's rally first and play half a set."

"Ok which? (Spins the racket)"

"Smooth" Tezuka said while he adjusted his strings.

hmm I want to see how he serves first "I take this side you serve first."

Tezuka's hits were powerful even in just a rally. His hits forced me to run side to side and due to the slice spin he added to his strokes, the ball seems to be running away from me as I was about to hit it.

Wow even if she's a girl she's very consistent and her hits aren't simply flat like the other girls I see at our school. Yudan sezu ni ikou. Tezuka thought to himself.

"Aizawa san did you want to start yet?"

"Sure!" Ahh this is not going to be easy. (Notices Tezuka playing with his right hand) Ehh wasn't he writing with his left hand earlier?

"0-0 Love all first service." The baritone voice rang throughout my court. Just when I thought he raised his arm, he hit a pinpoint accurate corner serve. I was no touch aced

"15-love first serve." Another corner serve. This time I touched it but my racket was blown away.

"Are you okay Aizawa san?"

I nodded and grinned. "Yup. Great serves!" I really like challenges. I'll get this serve

"30 love." Another corner but I managed to get it this time, giving the ball a counter spin but it went back straight to him.

He motioned for a drop shot so I ran up to the net just as I saw him his racket lowered more than his usual backhand. I hit a forehand toward his deuce side but mysteriously, the ball went back straight to his face. Before I knew it, he hit a lob and I was too late to go back.

"Deuce."

This time when the serve came, I sliced it to give it an under spin but Tezuka saw this and ran up and hit it into the open court.

"Game. Change court."

We both walked toward the bench on the side to get a drink of water.

"Tezuka kun you're great! Was it just me or the ball kept going back to you?"

"Oh that was Tezuka zone. I added a slice spin so that eventually all the balls start coming back to me."

"Wow…(grins devilishly) I hope I can score at least one point from you…"

Her words are humble but her expression betrays her…she's definitely got some tricks up her sleeve. Yudan sezu ni ikou! Tezuka may seem emotionless but he is understanding.

Time to check his reflexes I thought as I hit a bullet speed flat serve that is about 196 mph.

Her serve is better than most guys…Tezuka's mind flashed as he watched the ball scurry past his foot.

"15-love. Hmm I wonder if he likes a bit of under spin (Hits a fast slice spin)"

"This is also a good serve but it is easy to anticipate the direction of a slice serve since it only heads for the right hand corner (Hits it back cross court)"

"I won't let it end it here. (Runs to the corner and motions for a drop shot in the middle of the court) His cross court shot is heavy!"

I watched as Tezuka ran up to the net in amazing speed and scooped up the drop shot.

But I was already waiting for that shot and smashed into the open court.

"30-love. Now for a gift from me (Hits a twist serve)"

"Hmm her stance was different this time." Tezuka thought alarmingly. The ball spun once continuously when it hit the ground.

Just as Tezuka was wondering why the ball was not bouncing up, the ball sharply rose up 90 degrees, barely missing his face.

"hmm his reflexes are awesome…other people usually got hit in their faces. 40 love."

I hits another twist serve and earned another no touch ace.

So the game turned out to be a tie 3-3. Tezuka couldn't return my twist serve and I couldn't break his Tezuka Zone. Sun burned and sweaty, we rested on the bench.

"Tezuka kun you didn't have to give me a handicap…"

"Hmm?" He questioned, a bit alarmed that she noticed it.

"Aren't you left handed? You were writing with your left earlier."

"Uh…she found out already?"

"Thanks for being polite but I can learn more if I lose 0-3 rather than tie 3-3."

"Oh no that smile looks a bit disappointed. I'm sorry but my arm seemed a bit tired from working on homework."

"I'm sorry we shouldn't have played today then."

"Kunimitsu! Mina chan! Are you two done yet?" Tezuka's mom called out as she popped her head out the window.

Mina: Oh yes oba chan we're coming!

So without another word we headed back to our own homes.