Chapter 7: Photo Album

February 26

No one among the Seigaku regulars can rival the anxiousness now felt by it's vice captain. Being the worrywart of the nine of them, Oishi Syuuichirou was obviously the one most nervous about giving Fuji something. When he thought of an idea, he quickly shoves it away in fear that Fuji might not like it, or that it is too simple for such a special occasion. He even asked help from his doubles partner, but Eiji proved to be of no help.

He realized this when he talked to him in the canteen. He drew the acrobat away to the restroom, and away from Fuji and Echizen.

"...What was that about?" The freshman asked irritably. He won't be at the location if he wasn't dragged by the Dream Pair.

"Saa. Maybe they have to do something private in the restroom. But... Is a public area alright for such things?"

Echizen blushed. "Fuji-sempai!"

Fuji chuckled, ruffling the freshman's hair. "Ara, are you thinking about something not applicable to your age, Echizen-otouto?"

Now the freshman's day became worse. "Baka Oyaji..." He mumbled.


As Fuji continued teasing his "younger brother", let's go to the bathroom, where the Golden Pair is not doing such a thing whatever you people thought of, but are just talking in private... in the cubicle.

"Oishi! What are we doing here nya?"

"Eiji, I need your help! It's already midday and I still didn't have an idea what to do!"

"Hoi?"

"Today's my day!"

"Ah!" Eiji realized. "So that's why!"

"Yes! Now please, could you help me?" To the vice captain's surprise, Eiji just wagged his finger.

"No, no, Oishi! You shouldn't cheat on your report in English!"

Oishi sighed. This is pointless.


At the end, he was stil very, veryworried. It was just class dismisal, and Oishi still threw all of his ideas away. In the end, he decided to ask help again, but not to Eiji, but to his English teacher.

Shizuko-sensei looked stern, but she was a kind woman. She was the best person to ask advice about, proven by Inui's data itself. Praying that Inui's data doesn't lie, Oishi nervously went to Shizuko-sensei.

"Ah, sensei..." He started.

"Oishi-kun! How nice to see you!" Shizuko-sensei beamed, which gave the vice president more confidence.

"Nice to meet you too, sensei. Um... I have a problem..."

"Fire away."

"Well, I have a friend whose birthday is at February 29, and it only happens once every four years, right?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"Well, 8 of us decided to give hiim a really special gift. We decided that starting 8 days before February 29, each of us would give something to him. It's my turn today, and I have no idea what do to..."

"Hm..." The teacher pondered. "You would individualy give something to him?"

"Yes, sensei."

"What are his interests."

"Well... He likes spicy food, and cacti... and he also likes photography..."And watching people suffer.

"There you go: photography. Why don't you give him a photo album?"

Oishi's heart sank. It was too simple. "A photo album?"

"Yes, probably containing your memories with him, or his memories in Seigaku. It's not the material thing itself that counts, but the memories that go with it."

Oishi looked like he could kiss her. "Thanks a lot, Shizuko-sensei! It sounds perfect for him!"

"He'll take anything from you, I'm sure. As long as you put your heart into it. Remember, it's the thought that counts."

"Of course! Thanks again, sensei!"

"Anytime, Oishi-kun."

After that, Oishi ran. Only Inui has all of those pictures, and he is running out of time...


"Fuji?"

The genius looked back at the perspiring vice captain. Tennis practice just ended with a doubles match with the Golden Pair against Inui and Kaidou. The former won 7-6, but the latter proved to be a real challenge.

"Yes, Oishi?"

"Um... Do you have a minute?"

Fuji chuckled. "Need help concerning the tennis club?"

Oishi blushed. "N-No! But can I borrow you to the lockers?"

"Sure. I think I won't miss the bus at this time."

The two then walked, as Fuji the good scenery. The setting sun was an alluring sight and the trees swaying with the gentle breeze gave it a cslming tone. Oh, if I only had my camera... Fuji thought.

When they reached the lockers, Oishi instructed Fuji to close his eyes. The genius heard a lot of ruckus before the vice captain instructed him to open his eyes again. When he did, he saw himself facing a leather book with the words "Photo Album" written elegantly in gold.

"A photo album? Thanks, Oishi." Fuji smiled as Oishi gave it to him. However, his reaction turned into suprise as he saw the first pictureit – the image of Fuji and Tezuka, when they were in the 1st year, proudly wearing their regular jerseys for the first time.

When he turned a page, it had more images of him, some accompanied with someone else. The first images was when they were in their first year. After a few pages was at their 2nd year. Eiji, Oishi and Inui were now also wearing the jerseys, and the images now included Momo and Kaidou, sometimes presenting them as bickering over some simple incident.

Finally, it included all of the current regulars, sometimes joined by familiar figures. There was that image where everyone was in bliss (even Tezuka), Echizen holding the Nationals trophy up high, but that wasn't the most touching of them all. It was that memorable image of all of them in the mountains. It was their first group picture... and Fuji was the one who captured it.

"Oishi..." He muttered, daintily touching the last picture. He then put on his mask and turned to Oishi. "Thanks a lot, Seigaku no mama."

"Fuji!!" He replied, blushing.

The genius chuckled. "Just kidding. But I really appreciate this. I thank you for it."

Oishi smiled. There was no need to worry after all. It's always the thought that counts.


Disclaimer:Tennis no Oujisama was created by Takeshi Konomi.

...Inui is really desperate for Fuji's data, isn't he?