Title: Timing
Date: December 15, 2013

So Timing has been moved to the M section! And guess who I added to the character search? Also, sorry I haven't been updating in a while. Exams were killing me, but the next few chapters should go back to the weekly-ish updates! :-)

Tezuka Kunimitsu
Chapter 7

Entering high school brought about inevitable changes.

And Tezuka Kunimitsu was surprised that from out of all the third year Seishun Gakuen tennis regulars, he was the only one who chose to continue to pursue tennis and was currently the freshman ace of the Marei Gakuen tennis team. Inui, who he assumed would have joined as well due to the sheer amount of tennis data the taller boy collected, ended up as part of the chemistry club. Although, that wasn't much of a surprise given the bespectacled boy's beverage enthusiasm.

Then there was the Golden Pair. They've been playing doubles all throughout middle school. And eventually, the pair became a real couple. Tennis and the club no doubt brought them together and was definitely the catalyst to their relationship. They planned to also join the Marei Gakuen tennis team, but on the first day of school Oishi was basically suckered into joining the cultural club. And without Oishi, Kikumaru Eiji spent a week with the tennis club before handing in a formal letter of resignation claiming that it was no fun without his boyfriend.

And although Tezuka was disappointed that Oishi actually enjoyed the cultural club and chose to stick with it, he reasoned that their friendship would never change. They've been best friends the moment they met on his first day at Seishun Gakuen. And sure, their friendship was definitely strengthened by the old Seigaku club and winning Nationals. And he was definitely let down that they wouldn't have a repeat performance now that they were in high school… but tennis didn't make them friends.

At least they were in the same homeroom.

It was funny how everything changed so drastically from a little over half a year ago.

"Did you finish the homework already?" Oishi spun around in his seat, straight after their teacher announced a self-study period.

He cleared his throat, "Yesterday."

"As expected of Tezuka-buchou." Oishi grinned, his old Seigaku title fondly sticking with him despite retiring as the tennis team's captain.

"How about you?" He leaned back in his seat, his arms crossing over his chest.

"I've only got a few questions left." Oishi shrugged.

"You've got plenty of time." He pointed out.

"I really should get started… Oh!" Oishi face lit up, "Guess who I ran into the other day?"

He arched a brow in questioning.

"Kawamura." Oishi replied.

And the image of the usually quiet Seishun Gakuen graduate came to the forefront of his mind.

"After culture club, Ueda, Hamada-kun and I went out for udon in Shibuya and we just bumped into him." Oishi recalled, "It seems like he was doing good. We talked a bit, I asked if he joined the Chosaku tennis club and it looks like he got forced to join the baseball club. Kind of like my situation."

He shrugged. He was never that particularly close to Kawamura Takashi. Had they not been on the same team, they would have been acquaintances at most and he doubted they would have ever shared any conversations or even small talk.

"… I wonder if he still talks to Fuji." Oishi wondered, his voice growing distressingly silent.

And he shrugged once more.

"They were always good friends." Oishi remembered, "I wonder if Fuji said anything to him… Maybe I should have asked him to punch some sense into Fuji instead. He doesn't listen to any of us; maybe Kawamura might stand a chance."

"Hn." He sounded, hoping his lack of proper responses would somehow change the subject.

"Of all the people he had to screw around with…" Oishi released a long sigh, while slowly shaking his head.

"We don't know that." He defended. And he would have like to say he did so, because he was Tezuka Kunimitsu the perpetually fair and righteous Seishun Gakuen graduate who didn't lay false accusations and would always give someone the benefit of doubt. Except… he only did so because he was Tezuka Kunimitsu. Because he had a certain image to maintain. And although he truly did want to believe his own words, there were just too many clues to indicate otherwise…

And he wondered when his feelings for the honey haired brunet changed. In the past he would have thoughtlessly jumped in to defend Fuji Shusuke, regardless if the brunet was right or not. And now... That wasn't right. He was certain his feelings for the honey haired brunet remained intact, proven each time his fist clenched irately when passing by Kikumaru Eiji's cousin in the school hallways. That familiar feeling of jealousy rising in his gut, just like it had in the past when Fuji announced with a beautifully stunning voice that he was dating that childhood friend of his. If anything, Tezuka Kunimitsu was disheartened and his frustrations spent.

Just like how he chose Echizen Ryoma… Fuji Shusuke had moved on too.

Well, it was to be expected.

After all, it wasn't like he had any right to ask Fuji to not see anyone else. So he had no right to get upset or angry. Except… he was. And he had to remind himself again that he was Tezuka Kunimitsu, the former perfect and altruistic Seishun Gakuen captain that everyone looked up to…

… Would everyone be disappointed to find out how brutally selfish he really is?

And he really had to wonder if this was how Fuji had felt after he confessed his feelings in the locker rooms back in their final year at Seishun Gakuen. He wondered how hard Fuji had to struggle when coming face to face with the then spectacular freshman. And it amazed him to realize that Fuji was still able give him the loveliest of smiles when he returned from Germany… And maybe through time or the fact that he was still dating Echizen Ryoma, but Fuji Shusuke managed to move on. As for him… Fuji stayed available ever since his breakup with that childhood friend. And for a while, (as selfish as it is to admit this) it felt like he would always have Fuji in his back-pocket for whenever his fascination for the golden eyed boy came to a close. Except…

Fuji Shusuke is now probably seeing Kikumaru Eiji's cousin.

… And slowly the distance between their worlds grew larger and larger.

He didn't personally know Matsuo Kenta. The only things he knew about the older man came from the mouth of his former redheaded teammate. Matsuo Kenta: Eiji's beloved cousin from his father's side. He was the prized child of the family. An undoubtedly handsome, duty orientated, respectable man. He held a strong composure, so unlike his younger cousin who's emotions were always at the foundation of each and every one of his actions.

In a nutshell, Matsuo Kenta was more than perfect.

And he was more than deserving of Fuji Shusuke's affections.

But Tezuka Kunimitsu couldn't help that ugly feeling building up inside of him once more.

"I hope Matsuo-sensei doesn't get fired. Fuji should know better…" Oishi sighed.

The idea of Matsuo-sensei getting fired would definitely be the final straw for Kikumaru Eiji in regards to former best friends forever Fuji Shusuke. But for him, it only brought about mixed feelings… because although he would enjoy having Matsuo Kenta off the school premises and away from Seigaku's former tensai… didn't that just mean that Matsuo-sensei was willing to risk his career for the honey haired brunet? And didn't it just mean that Fuji Shusuke was just as willing to destroy whatever small chance for reconciliation with his ex-best friend?

"Hey Oishi!" A boy from their class called out, interrupting their conversation, "Ueda-chan and Kira-kun are waiting outside for you."

"Culture club?" Tezuka arched a brow.

"A-ah… Yea." Oishi replied sheepishly, "Sorry, they probably need help setting up the projector for movie night."

"Is Kikumaru going?" He questioned.

"No." Oishi shrugged, "He's not a fan of silent films."

"Hn." He sounded, "Then tell him to join us on the courts, we need a scorekeeper. Inui brought his racquet today, since practice was cancelled."

"Did he?" Oishi's eyes lit up, "It's been a while since we all had a good scrimmage. Too bad I can't make it today… And knowing Eiji… He's just been so moody lately, although we can't really blame him."

"He should join us from time to time, or else he's going to get rusty." He suggested.

"Yea…" Oishi hummed, "… But I don't think he minds. I think he's completely done with tennis."

"Shame." He shrugged.

"All that hard work for nothing, right?" Oishi had a lopsided smile on, "I'll try talking to him. He usually doesn't do anything after school… Well, I shouldn't keep Ueda and Kira-kun waiting."

"Enjoy your movie."

"Thanks."

"Kenta's being such an idiot!" Kikumaru Eiji was fuming from where he sat on the side of the tennis courts, "15-love."

"Good point. Accurate as always buchou." Inui nodded his head in approval, pushing his rectangular glasses higher up the bridge of his nose.

"I'm not 'buchou' anymore." Tezuka replied from across the net.

"I told him that Kono-kun from my class totally spotted them together in the labs." The redhead huffed, as the bespectacled brunet set up to serve.

Service ace.

"30-love." Kikumaru called out, "… And Kenta was all like: I'm just tutoring your friend, we're not doing anything suspicious. Bullshit! … And Fuji's not my friend."

His foot stumbled.

"30-15." The redhead announced.

Inui's glasses flashed, "According to my data, that should have been an easy shot for you to return."

He shrugged, as he got ready to serve once again.

"40-15." Another service ace.

And a smirk fell over Inui's lips, "As expected of Tezuka-buchou."

"And don't get me started on Fuji." The redhead released a half sigh-half snarl, "It's just so frustrating and he's so irritating! My cousin's career is on the line here. And it's like he doesn't even care! He even has the decency to lie to my face and tell me that he's not dating Kenta, when he obviously is. It's like I don't even recognize him anymore! I never knew he could be so selfish, and Ueda-chan agrees with me… 5-1, Tezuka leading."

"I'm really out of practice." Inui wheezed, as he walked over to the side of the court.

"You guys think Fuji's selfish too right?" Kikumaru asked, handing off Inui his water bottle.

He exchanged glances with emerald eyes hidden behind rectangular glasses.

"I suppose." Inui muttered before sipping on his water bottle.

"Buchou?" The redhead arched a brow.

He shrugged.

"My neesan said high school really changes people. I didn't think it would apply to Fuji." The redhead explained.

"Although, shouldn't Matsuo-sensei hold some responsibility?" Inui questioned, "After all, he is the grown up of the relationship."

The redhead hastily stood up, stomping his foot on the ground, "That's my cousin you're badmouthing."

"He's not trying to offend you." He stepped into the gradually heating conversation.

"Whatever. I'm going home." Kikumaru shouldered his book bag before leaving the tennis courts.

"We still have one more set to go." He pointed out.

"Let's just call it your win." Inui replied, "I don't think I'll be able to recover from a 5-1 set up."

He shrugged, his eyes still pointed in the direction where the redhead left.

"They used to be so close." Inui commented.

He turned to spare Seigaku's former data analyst a glance.

"Although, he's not wrong. Anyone in his position would be upset, and Fuji should have been more considerate considering all the times Kikumaru has supported him." Inui remarked in a similar manner as he would have in the olden days, "But it takes two to make a relationship, and Fuji isn't all to blame."

"Kaidoh's lucky to have you." He approved, as he tucked away his tennis racquet in his bag.

"I'm lucky to have him." Inui pointed out, "And although I do find him quite amazing, I would have never thought him to be captain material."

"He controls himself better than Momoshiro, and that quality gains respect from others around him." Tezuka explained.

"True." Inui nodded, "Momoshiro seems to take after Kikumaru. Both tend to be very emotional. Luckily Momoshiro has your Echizen to reign him in, just as Kikumaru… had Fuji."

"I'm stopping by Seigaku to check on their practice. Would you like to accompany me?" He informed.

"Last time I went, Kaidoh was too embarrassed to properly run their trainings…" Inui muttered thoughtfully, "… Count me in."

"I just need to grab a textbook from my locker." He explained.

"I'll wait by the school gates." Inui affirmed.

He nodded while slinging his bag over his shoulder.

It's been a while since he last saw the Seishun Gakuen courts. But that place was like a second home. It was always welcoming and reminded him of simpler times when all he worried about was tennis, the tournaments and Fuji Shusuke… then Echizen Ryoma. And now everything seemed so complicating. Especially with-

"Oh, Tezuka-kun." A voice just an octave lower than Kikumaru Eiji's sounded in his ears, "I thought the tennis club didn't have practice today."

"We didn't." He replied politely, his hand immediately clenching into a fist.

"Then you should get home and study. You're a good kid." Matsuo-sensei had a tepid smile on his face, as professional and upstanding as always. The subtle reminder that he was still a kid, a high schooler still dependent on his parents and unable to make any real changes, confirmed in Matsuo-sensei's words. And this was all so frustrating.

"You should also get going." He retorted, "It's your responsibility to be mentally attentive with students and not tired on a daily basis."

Matsuo-sensei laughed, "Well said Tezuka-kun! I'll hopefully see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." He nodded, watching as Kikumaru's cousin walked down the corridor and eventually disappeared from view.

… And then something caught the corner of his eyes.

Fuji Shusuke was slipping out of a nearby classroom, cheeks flustered and hands trembling as he soundlessly slid the door closed behind him. And the honey haired brunet stopped in his tracks, sapphire-like eyes round and wide as though caught like a deer in headlights.

And Fuji Shusuke was one of those people who grew more beautiful as more time passed. One would think it an impossibility since Fuji was absolutely gorgeous back in middle school. While he was known as Seishun Gakuen's tensai, many also nicknamed him as Seishun Gakuen's goddess for his flawlessly cream coloured skin, those glossed lips and those vividly distinct azure eyes that shone with the brilliance of diamonds. But Fuji was always one to defy the natural order of things. And now the honey haired brunet was impossibly beautiful.

And he could feel that same tug at his heart. That same wonderful attraction.

"T-Tezuka." Fuji stuttered, his surprise clearly evident in his voice.

He offered a nod, recalling that just seconds ago Kikumaru's cousin exited that very classroom.

He took a moment to look the brunet over. Those beautifully swollen lips and that reddish mark below a wonderfully pale collar bone. He didn't need to be a genius to put two and two together.

But it wasn't his problem anymore.

He wasn't Fuji's captain and had no responsibility over him. He wasn't sure if they could still even be considered friends…

And it took everything inside of him to walk past the willowy brunet.

"Wait!" Fuji's soft voice drifted towards him, and despite how badly he wanted to step forward… He just couldn't.

He turned around to see the pretty brunet swaying slightly and chewing his lower lip, like he wanted to say something.

So he waited.

… And waited.

And his patience had run thin, "You're hurting a lot of people. Kikumaru's supposed to be your best friend. And even Matsuo-sensei's job is at stake. If the school finds out about this relationship, he'll lose his job and you'll be suspended if not expelled."

He watched as Fuji opened his mouth, no sounds coming out.

This was all so frustrating, "You should end things."

"I… I can't." Fuji's voice was barely a whisper.

"Why not?" He crossed his arms over his chest. And it felt like all those times he sat Momoshiro and Kaidoh down after one of their arguments, lecturing them on proper conduct. Except this time, he wasn't supposed to be the famed captain.

Fuji didn't reply.

"Then you deserve what's coming for you." He concluded, taking a moment to meet those sapphire-like eyes. And if anything… those once vibrant and captivating eyes were supposed to be hardened… defensive… mocking… apologetic… embarrassed… anything except that. Because Fuji Shusuke was also known to be stubborn to some extent and was always defiant when trying to prove a point. Except… he could see all the hurt exposed in those deeply azure eyes.

No… This wasn't how it was supposed to be. That was right… he wasn't hurt. He couldn't have been. Because it was his own actions that led to this whole mess. He just had to grow up and deal with consequences of his actions. That was right… he wasn't hurt.

… he wasn't hurt.

To be continued.

I know you all hate Tezuka, but I really wanted to portray him not as the perfect captain of Seigaku, but with flaws too. He's still a kid and allowed to make mistakes. Please forgive him for being an ass! I'll try to update soon so this chapter makes some sort of sense... Thanks for reading! Please review and tell me what you think!