CHAPTER 9

Saturday, August 16

8:00 AM

Tokyo, Tezuka Household

After the awkward meeting of the two youngsters of the two families, Mrs. Tezuka ushers Phoebe and Kunimitsu out of the house with a list of groceries to buy for dinner and some extra money from Kunimitsu's father, urging the bespectacled boy to take his companion around Tokyo. It was then that Tezuka learned that Phoebe was blind, answering the questions he had about her odd playing style.

Tezuka is now dressed in more decent outing clothes: a pair of beige pants, a light blue collar shirt, and a thin dark blue sweater over with a pair of black tennis shoes. Walking next to him is Phoebe in large red, white, and blue Fila sweater that covers down to her knees, black tights, and a pair of white tennis shoes. Crossing her chest down to her hip is a small purse. Phoebe's hair was pulled into a high ponytail. The boy continues to give the shorter girl beside him side glances, taking in her features only to snap out when she spoke.

"I can feel you staring Tezuka-san. Is there something on my face?"

Tezuka quickly replies and turning away, a light pink tint on his cheeks, "Ah no. Nothing."

Phoebe can tell that the older youth have questions, so she grants him the chance, "If you have a question Tezuka-san, please feel free to ask."

After a moment of contemplating, Tezuka complies, "Were you born blind or…."

Sighing, Phoebe continues walking in silence. Should she tell him? He will only pity her more, but what if he doesn't? Phoebe contemplates the thought and decided to tell the male. The raven head has a feeling that Tezuka isn't a type to yap or pity, but she still has to make sure."

"Before telling you, please don't give me any pity," Phoebe states, "I have had enough of those."

"Of course," Tezuka nods.

Phoebe breathes heavily, "I wasn't born blind. I had gotten into a car accident when I was 7. That day I lost my sight…..and someone special to me."

Though the last part was supposed to be for Phoebe to hear only, Tezuka caught it but said nothing. The two continue on their path to the supermarket to buy ingredients for dinner. Once they made it into the store, Phoebe claps twice and pick up a basket to collect food. Phoebe then asks the older boy to tell her the ingredients. Throughout the time at the market, Phoebe would hear murmurs from other shoppers about she and Tezuka are "a cute couple" or "so adorable". Both teens turn away from the comment and continue with their quest, yet it the comments didn't leave their minds and were stored in the back of their minds.

The pair is now in the fruit section, Phoebe searching around for good strawberries. The stoic captain follows behind the petite lady in silence as she mumbles to herself on what she should make as dessert as a thank you to the Tezukas for housing her and her grandfather for the day. It was interesting to see the blind girl being so resourceful in using her other senses, mostly smell and touch, to determine if the fruit is fresh. Once Phoebe finally decided, the teens made their way to the cashier to pay for the food. Walking out of the store, Phoebe insists she helps Tezuka with the bags, the silent boy was stubborn as steel; not letting her help him. Phoebe pouts as they return to the Tezuka house. After dropping the groceries with Mrs. Tezuka, the woman rushes the young pair out of the house once more, addressing the fact that this is Phoebe's first time in Tokyo and Kunimitsu should show her around. The megane reluctantly agreed and lead the girl to some of his favorite spot in the city.

Along the tour, Kunimitsu and Phoebe reveal to each other some of their interests. Kiyoko (Phoebe) talked about why she moved to Japan and Kunimitsu in return gives his condolences. The emerald green eyed foreigner learned that Kunimitsu is the captain of his school boys tennis and in return, Phoebe told him that she is a regular on the Rikkaidai team. The two internally hope to see each other on the court again. Phoebe talks about her love for sweet, artificial and natural; in which Tezuka note to take her to a Cafe he often goes to. Phoebe then animatedly talks about her "babies" - which Tezuka raise an eyebrow at; her labrador retriever guide dog Loki and her German Shepherd guard dog Bucky. This fuel Tezuka's curiosity and ask Phoebe why aren't they with her. The blind player smiles and said that they had to stay back for check up, but are moving to Japan soon. Facts are shared throughout the stroll and Tezuka finds the younger girl pleasant to hold a conversation with. Phoebe is not only intellectual in subjects about tennis (which Tezuka was satisfied with because he got most of his questions about the female Barnes's style answered), but also outside of tennis. The two discover that they enjoy reading and hiking. Phoebe was quite surprised at how well the older male was able to speak and understand English as the pair had to help a lost foreigner who only spoke English.

Phoebe's tour ends at a small cafe in the park that sits right next to a lake. The quietness of the place calms Phoebe down from her exciting day in the bustling city. Tezuka orders a green tea and a small plain pastry while Phoebe order milk tea and a plate of cream puffs. The pair sit opposite of each other in a pleasant silence, not knowing that a certain light brown hair genius is spying - *cough* - observing and snapping pictures of the said pair.

Well isn't this interesting, the said photographer smirks, I didn't know you like the young and innocent type Tezuka.

Back to the Phoebe and Tezuka, they are conversing about their likes, hobbies, and dislikes again.

"Can I ask about American History," Tezuka questions, "Specifically about the presidents?"

Phoebe answers with a nod, "Of course. I will answer to the best of my ability."

"From what I have learned, many consider President Abraham Lincoln the greatest president. Why is that? Would it not be the first President George Washington as he and the Founding Fathers started the revolution that resulted in America today?"

"Well," Phoebe explains, "From my understanding, Abraham Lincoln was a president that rose from the people. People consider him one of the greatest because he stood for the people and his speeches are phenomenal. I enjoy listening to some of his speeches and debates. President Lincoln is also seen as one of the greatest because he fought for black people's right as well, which was what the civil war revolved around. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments of the Constitution really gave more opportunity for people of all nationality living in the United States and I admire President Lincoln and his administration for doing it. Sadly, he was assassinated. If President Lincoln wasn't killed, I believe he would have done more for the people than winning the civil war."

Tezuka give the girl a small rare smile - not like she can see it - at the answer she gave him. Phoebe continues eating her delectable treats while her ears twitch at every little sound within her hearing distance.

"I'm impressed you know so much," comments the bespectacled boy as he sips his tea.

Phoebe shrugs, "I learn things here and there. I do enjoy discovering new and interesting facts…..Um, can I ask you for a favor?"

"A favor?"

Tezuka becomes more curious as the girl before him blushes pink (he thinks it's adorable but pays no mind to his hormones). Phoebe tucks a stray hair behind her ear and spins the now noticeable plain silver ring with a tiny diamond at the center (very much like a wedding ring) sitting on her middle finger of her right hand. It is a habit for the raven-haired girl to spin the wedding ring that her mother gave her when she is nervous, shy, or embarrass; in this case, it's all three. Phoebe has never done this to anyone outside of her family, but Phoebe thought maybe it would be better to add another friendly face onto her list.

"It's not really a favor, it's just….um….C-Can I...um," the blushing girl stutters, "Can I feel your….face?"

There was a notable silence. Tezuka is stunned at the request and find it odd that she would ask so.

The said companion waves her hand wildly in front of her face, now deep red. "Y-You don't have to! I'm so sorry for asking such an inappropriate question Tezuka-san! Please forget everything you've heard!"

Tezuka then states, "May I ask why?"

Phoebe quickly returns to her habit, spinning her mom's wedding ring around her finger. "W-Well, I guess it is a way for me to 'see' what your face look like. After the accident, all my other senses were heightened and I can use echolocation to determine what the general area look like and if someone is there, but I can't determine any specific details. My touch, on the other hand, is more sensitive and can pick up the details."

"I see," Tezuka ponders.

The small youth fidgets in her seat worried that she had said the wrong thing. Phoebe knows that people in Japan are not as touchy or fond of close contact as in the US, but her extrovert personalities can't help it.

Tezuka then sighs, snapping Phoebe out of her thoughts, "I guess it is alright."

The older male doesn't know what came over him. The only women who have been able to touch his face are his mother. No one of the opposite genders has ever been personally close to him, yet here he is, the Pillar of Seigaku is agreeing to a younger unknown female touching his face. Tezuka feels threatened by this sudden foreign feeling that is allowing the attractive emerald eye girl to place her dainty fingers on his face. Curse teenage stage of growth.

Phoebe offers, "You don't have to if you don't want to Tezuka-san. I was just curious about what you look like."

"No it's alright," The brown hair youth insists as he moves his seats closer to her so she doesn't need to move.

Phoebe can feel him shifts closer to her, his breath fanning her face and a little bit of her exposed neck. Slowly lifting her fingers up, Phoebe lightly ghosts over his face.

"You wear glasses?"

"Yes," Tezuka curtly answers and remove the glasses.

Sitting a few tables away from the pair is the brown hair boy from earlier. The boy with the camera opens his always closed eyes to reveal crystal blue orbs; said eyes now widening as the situation has escalated beyond his belief. From his point of view, Tezuka is now closer to this girl than he has ever been with anyone, even his teammates. The said boy narrows his eyes at the two, and a little smirk makes its way onto his lips as he snaps multiple pictures. Though internally, he is extremely curious as who the mystery female Tezuka has been spending his whole Sunday with.

Back with the awkward pair, Phoebe places her hands on Tezuka's cheeks for the start. She gently slides her fingers down towards his jaws and chin.

"You have very sharp jaws," Phoebe unconsciously comments.

Moving her hands over his lips and nose, Phoebe notes his features which makes the lads turn pink at the honest comments. "Tall nose ridge and soft thin lips."

While the half American female explores his facial features, Tezuka is internally battling his emotions. His hands tighten into a fist and Tezuka is oddly uncomfortable, yet satisfied. Phoebe's finger, though callous, are soft and small. The way her thin digits move smoothly across his face brought shivers down his spine.

Tezuka scolds himself, Get a grip on yourself.

Phoebe continues to move her soft fingers up the captain's blushing face. Grazing over his eyes, Phoebe notices something and pouts.

"What is with guys having long eyelashes," Phoebe puffs. "Tezuka-san, what is your eye color?"

"D-dark brown."

"Hm," hums the blind girl, "Overall, you look more western than I thought. Your high cheekbone, jaw, and nose makes you seem more western and...um serious. Are you sure you are the third year in middle school?"

Tezuka nods into Phoebe's small hands that are still resting on his cheeks. After a moment of silence, Phoebe pulls her hands away as Tezuka pulls his head back.

"L-Let's head back," Phoebe suggests, and the older male quickly agrees.

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Dinner with Tezuka's was pleasant. Phoebe made her famous strawberry shortcake as a 'thank you' to the Tezuka for hosting them, which made Mrs. Tezuka fall even more in love with the petite child. By 9 PM, the grandfather-daughter pair is on their way home, bringing some leftovers for the overworking James Barnes. Kunimitsu is in his room, cleaned and ready for bed. He sits on his desk, writing in his journal about the day and reflecting on it. Thoughts of Phoebe begins to float back into Kunimitsu's mind as he was reflecting.

As a person, Kunimitsu truly admires Phoebe for being strong after everything she had been through and her open-minded character makes her more intriguing than ever. He also noted that on the way home, Phoebe revealed that Tezuka is the first person outside her family to have his face engraved in her mind through her touch. Not knowing why the youth is a little proud to be the first person Phoebe allow to be closer than an acquaintance. Shaking out of his thoughts, Tezuka looks down and realized that he had written most of his reflection about Phoebe. Sighing, the lad closed the book and went to bed.

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Before he could even close his eyes, a beep from his phone catches his attention. Glancing over, he looks at the message sent to him and quickly fume silently while on the inside panicking a little, also reminding himself to assign 100 laps to the sender. The message was a picture of him and his companion sitting at the cafe. Along with the picture was a message:

:: Who is she? ::

- Fuji

Hello everyone, I know their development is a little fast, but like I said before, Phoebe can get along with anyone very easily if she has a common thing with the person. Also, Tezuka's thoughts are not, and I repeat, NOT sexual. The only thing he has ever considered is tennis so talking to girls is not something Tezuka is good at. Furthermore, he only finds the girl adorable and attractive for a young lady. Nothing more. Kind of like puppy love. The interactions they have in this chapter is purely innocent and out of Phoebe's curiosity and Tezuka's fondness of the girl and understand where Phoebe is coming from with her request. Thank you for reading and once again.

Once again, I do not own the Prince of Tennis. I only own my storyline and the ocs.