Tokyo Lights

Disclaimer: PoT can cause people to get giggly for no reason at all.
Author's Notes: There's a structure to it, I swear. Omigosh, OTRFK novel #2 is coming out on July 28th. The wait is likely to kill me.
Special Thanks: To Reddwarfer for catching another one of my mistakes (ack) , and Nanachibi for seconding it. I'm verifying my information with two sources next time. (sigh)

Apartment 37A

"Aniki?" Yuuta's voice sounded hesitant over the phone.

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise."

"Today's the 29th."

Fuji smiled. "So it is."

"Oneesan's sending her customary fruit cake."

"I'll be sure to thank her when I get it."

"And Obaasan thinks you'll get cold this winter, so she's sending a sweater," Yuuta continued.

"How thoughtful," Fuji replied. "I'll treasure it always."

The list went on as Fuji's younger brother catalogued each item Fuji should expect to receive from each family member, immediate and extended. Gifts ranged from new oven mitts to a leather bound edition of The Aeneid.

By the time Yuuta reached cousin Aiko, he had run out of family members and there was an awkward pause as he steeled himself for what he really called to tell Fuji.

Yuuta took a breath.

"AndIalsowantedtowishyouHappyBirthdaySyuusuke."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't quite catch that," Fuji said innocently. "Do you mind repeating what you just said?"

"I said," Yuuta said, gritting his teeth, "Happy. Birthday. Syuusuke."

"Once more?" Fuji said encouragingly. "For posterity's sake."

There was another pause and this time, Fuji anticipated the dial tone.

Apartment 38A

It had been decided weeks ago that for Fuji's birthday, Oishi, Eiji and Tezuka would surprise the tensai and take him out to dinner at Fugu--a hot new sushi place in the heart of Tokyo.

Tezuka's task was a simple one: to unobtrusively lure Fuji out of the apartment by any means necessary.

"Fuji," Tezuka said abruptly, looking up from his textbook. "Let's go out tonight."

"Where?"

"Out."

"Why?"

"Because I want to take you somewhere," Tezuka said impatiently.

"Will it just be the two of us?"

"Yes."

"Like a date?" Fuji asked sweetly.

Tezuka sighed. There was only one way to stop these questions.

"Yes… like a date."

The light-haired boy beamed and disappeared into the bedroom, while the bespectacled boy buried his head in his hands.

There would be no living with Fuji after this.

Apartment 39A

"Nyah, I dare you to eat it, Fujiko."

"Eiji!" Oishi scolded. "It's entirely too dangerous for Fuji to be eating blowfish. What if it was prepared incorrectly? He could die!"

The red-head looked thoughtful. "I'll give you this if you eat it," he said pulling out a box from underneath his chair.

"Eiji!" Oishi frowned. "You can't tempt him with his own birthday present."

"Says who?" Eiji pouted. "I bought it, didn't I?"

Oishi looked at Tezuka pleadingly, hoping that the former tennis captain would put an end to this madness.

Tezuka, in turn, was wholly engrossed in reading the menu.

"I'll do it," Fuji announced cheerfully. "I've always wanted to know what it tasted like, anyway."

Oishi threw up his hands in defeat.

Apartment 40A

"I had a great time, tonight."

"As did I," Tezuka agreed.

"I hope we can do it again, sometime," Fuji said smiling softly.

"Hn," Tezuka grunted.

They were both standing in the front of the apartment, yet neither made a move to go inside.

For some reason, Tezuka was having a hard time meeting Fuji's gaze.

He settled on studying the scuff marks on his shoes.

"Tezuka."

At the sound of his name, the bespectacled boy looked up.

And that's when Fuji leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on Tezuka's lips.

As they came apart, Tezuka wondered if the tingling he felt was from the kiss, the blowfish, or a combination of both.

Perhaps a second kiss was needed to make sure.