We didn't leave Kawashima's until late afternoon. During the rest of the time there, I kept silent, every few minutes glancing in Fuji's direction. But he gave no inclination that anything had happened between us. In my daze, I agreed to accompany Tezuka to buy new tennis strings before heading home. Not that it made much of a difference to me.

As we travelled to town, my mind kept filling up with Fuji. I didn't even realize Tezuka was talking to me until he nudged me, saying that this was our stop. We walked to the shop in silence as I was lost in my thoughts again. Tezuka probably knew something was wrong, but he gave up asking when he realized I wasn't listening to a word he said.

It was only when we reached home that I recovered from this afternoon's events.

"Tadaima." We chimed as we walked through the front door.

Tezuka's mum had already finished preparing dinner. Tezuka told her that we had eaten a lot at Kawamura's and probably would be unable to eat anymore for dinner. However she insisted we try some of the food anyway. I offered to set the dinner table as Tezuka went to call his father.

"So how was your day?" Tezuka's mum started off dinner conversation with her usual question.

Tezuka recounted the day's activity with great detail, leaving me stunned and speechless. After all I had spent my whole day with him, and there was definitely nothing to add to his report. Instead I broached the topic of helping out more at home, after apologizing for all the trouble I had caused ever since I moved in and also for imposing on the Kunimitsu family.

"Of course you can help Asami-chan. Why don't you start by helping me prepare bentos in the mornings from now onwards?"

"I would be glad to!" happy that my suggestion had been so easily accepted and even welcomed. Then again, it was to be expected, I didn't want to become a free-loader in their house.

At the same time, I told her about the sleepover at Ryoma's, explaining how far back Ryoma and I went. She had no objections, but was also worried whether it would be safe and all that. I tried to ease her worries, but there was no removing a mother's anxiety.

Thankfully Tezuka changed the subject to what we would be doing over the summer holidays, which was less than a month away. They would be training for the Nationals with a weeklong training camp, and of course trainings almost every day. Add to that Tezuka's cram school as he started preparing for university exams, since he wouldn't have much time after the nationals. Naturally his parents were happy with his plan, although they wished that he would spend less time on tennis and more on studying. When the subject of studying came up, it inadvertently was directed at me. I put on my best smile and promised to study hard for the upcoming exams.

The exams were the week before summer holidays began, which meant that I didn't have much time to study. I had been trying my best ever since I started school, but in a society like Japan's where academia was everything, I would probably require divine intervention to attain the results Tezuka's parents wanted. In a bid to appease them, Tezuka told them I was studying VERY hard, and that the next day we would have a study session in preparation for the exams. I agreed readily, I would have agreed to anything to get them off my back. Tezuka's parents were nice, but parents were parents, and they like all other Japanese parents placed too much importance on grades.

Before turning in for the night, I went over to Tezuka's room to talk. He was hard at work studying even though it was close to midnight.

"Thanks Tezuka, I really didn't know what to say back then with your parents."

"It's okay. Just try your best, they shouldn't be expecting too much from you, since you just started school and all."

"No, I should try at least. Although I must admit I never was very good at studies, and I'm being compared with the best student in school. I really appreciate all the help you've been giving me though. If there is anything I can help you with, like English or something, you can always ask me too. " My voice grew softer towards the end, since I was quite sure he would never ask me for help, besides a good number of the story books on his shelf were in English.

I smiled and said my goodnights.

Before I left, apprehensively, I asked about Fuji.

"What about Fuji?"

"Like what kind of person is he and stuff? I mean you guys are pretty good friends right?"

"He's a good friend, reliable, a very good tennis player, determined, gifted, the list goes on."

"Right."

"Why?"

"Nothing. I was just talking to him today and..." I wasn't sure how to complete the sentence.

"You like him?" Tezuka asked frankly.

"No!" I said hastily. "Not like that. It's nothing. I should really be going to sleep. Don't stay up too late. Goodnight." I exited hurriedly, my face burning.

I didn't like Fuji, I just didn't understand what had happened between us. That was it. Really.

A/N: final fantasy out tomorrow, so before I start my gaming, thought it was best if posted this up. Hope you like it. And um...*asks sheepishly* reviews would be nice?