*King's Apple*
by: WhiteGloves
"You won't feel it till I show it.
My love is 'Ecstasy'."- Shiraishi
*Aha! What a surprising change this is!
Rooting for Shiraishi (too)!?
Hear, hear that King-sama!
And that glasses guy whose prowess in love is yet to be known!
He'll appear to take his ZONE in this love triangle soon so let's continue this-
-drama/fluff/romance/love/action packed-
in this next
King's Apple chapter-
XII
A morning tea set Atobe in a good mood even though his back was still sore. It was just half past six in the morning and here he was in the cafe, sitting by the veranda where the air was filling his nostrils with morning breeze. He did not like moving a lot for the pain was still there but then... so what? He wouldn't seriously complain about that trivial black spot on his beautiful skin. He was way above that.
The King took his tea cup with his delicate hands, tipped it on his waiting lips and closed his eyes as he took a sip.
The day was to be appreciated even the tea he could not compare to his favorite one. For then he was drinking it with that person. Atobe looked across the table to the brown haired Seigaku genius who was sipping his own tea quietly.
Atobe watched him closely with one hand on his chin and felt several weeks have returned. He could remember those days he and Fuji shared the same table when they were still 'together'. Or would he really call that being together? If he was not mistaken, Fuji described that to be 'playing along because he, Atobe, was confused'. And that he, the Seigaku genius, really was not that serious after all.
Atobe stared and kept a close eye at the genius while pondering over this idea.
How to change his mind? He thought deeply.
Fuji noticed the King's stare and lowered his cup.
"Is there a problem, Atobe?"
Atobe paused for a moment and then closed his eyes dismissively.
"Nothing really,"
"Hm? Is your back still painful?"
"Back?" Atobe turned and sipped on his tea quietly, "it's a wonder you're worried about that simple thing. Don't worry, I woke up this morning with the pain gone."
"Really? I'm glad to hear that," Fuji smiled and then looked up at the sky.
"It's nice, isn't? To have a morning peace like this once again. I can't help but remember those days we would sit here together."
Atobe's sharp ears were quick to catch on and he stared up at the brown haired player in disbelief.
"You remember them?"
Fuji looked at Atobe quietly.
"Of course. It happened didn't it?"
"It did," Atobe leaned his back on his chair, "but I don't remember why we shouldn't continue it now."
Fuji looked taken a back for a moment as he gaped at the King and then managed a small smile.
Here was Atobe being frank and bold all again. Fuji couldn't remember ever having such a persistent suitor. Especially not from this guy.
"Atobe..." he smiled easily but left his words hanging. The King noticed it and leaned his right arm on the table with that serious face of his.
"Now, Syuusuke, look here..."
A canned coffee was placed down the middle of the table between the Seigaku genius and the Hyotei captain. Surprised a little, the two looked up to find Shiraishi gazing at them both with a placid expression on his face.
"Ohayo, Fuji-kun." He said in his usual self as he occupied the vacant sit, "it's nice to see you doing well."
We've just seen each other this morning in the room, Fuji thought with a little smile at his roommate.
Atobe seemed to be thinking the same as he gave the Shitenhouji captain a look of deepest disgust.
"Can't you see we're having a private talk?" he shot at the other captain with one eyebrow raised, "you can't just barge in with us every time you feel like it."
"What's got you all so worked up?" Shiraishi threw at the King with a dead expression as he opened his coffee can, "Fuji-kun's my roommate and I can talk to him whenever I want to, nah, Fuji?"
Fuji felt Atobe's eyes shot through him and felt a sweat drop at the side of head.
"A-ahh..."
Shiraishi looked gloatingly at Atobe who kept a firm face.
"Tse... whatever you say, doing this kind of thing is an eyesore. It's pathetic."
Shiraishi frowned. Then he turned to Fuji with a straight face.
"You're really incredible, Fuji-kun. How can you stand this guy when you're exactly different?"
Atobe's eyebrows reached his hairline.
"This bastard..."
"Oi, oi! Isn't it too early to kidnap our Fuji?" said Kikumaru as he appeared in the cafeteria seconds later and walked toward Fuji with a bright smile, "I was planning to have a chat with him too!"
"Eiji?" Fuji said in wonder as the acrobatic Seigaku member jumped behind him and wrapped his arms around the genius' neck—making both Atobe and Shiraishi stare at the interaction, "I'm surprised you're up early."
"Yoho," Eiji happily said, "I went down to your room the first thing but Yukimura said you're already down here. Anyways, would you come with me for a sec? Inui said it's important he talks to you now."
"Inui?" Fuji repeated looking curious, then he got up and turned to his companions. "I'm sorry but would you guys excuse me for awhile?"
Atobe and Shiraishi watched as Kikumaru took the Seigaku genius along quietly.
"Those two..." Shiraishi started with an uncertain frown.
"Don't be ridiculous," Atobe said as he quietly took a sip on his cup, "you'd be a fool to think there's something going on between this two. If you're to worry about anyone you look right up ahead of that red guy."
The Shitenhouji captain looked at the Hyotei captain abruptly.
"Are you referring to yourself? I didn't think you'd really have that much confidence."
Atobe looked at him but didn't speak. It was clear the King had something on his mind but whatever it was he refused to say another word. Shiraishi merely give him a frown and then stood up.
Atobe didn't mind him going, but then he noticed the Shitenhouji captain stop on his tracks and looked back at him.
"Hey," Shiraishi started with a quiet look, "you better not do anything funny with Fuji-kun... I will not let you."
Atobe gazed at the other captain and then lowered his cup with a challenging smirk on his face.
"Right back at you."
Shiraishi gave the King a look for a moment, before continuing on his way, not seeing Atobe clench his tea cup with a dark look on his eyes.
Meanwhile, Fuji and Kikumaru were both walking along the corridor when the red head turned to his close friend.
"They're really both coming at you, aren't they? Both those captains?"
Fuji turned to his friend and then looked ahead again.
"It looks that way."
"What do you mean it looks that way? Fuji—you're not that dense to know they're really serious, right?"
"Of course."
Kikumaru seemed taken aback at the sudden answer that made him stop walking, and then followed the genius suit again.
"So? Who do you like more?"
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
"I'm asking you who you're choosing."
"Eiji... it's too early to decide for that."
"You mean you're going to let them wait for you till you're ready?"
"That's not it at all..." Fuji frowned, "I already told you before... I'm not worth those twos affection..."
It was Eiji's turn to frown.
"Have you told them that?"
"I have... Atobe, at least..."
"Hehh... you amaze me sometimes, Fuji... you've already rejected them yet they're still coming at you... to think they'd get this far—I wonder how Tezuka would feel knowing two captains are going after you teeth to teeth."
The Seigaku genius looked sideways to his friend, and then asked quietly—
"Has Tezuka contacted you guys again?"
"No," Eiji put up a thoughtful face, "and we weren't able to contact him again either. Our last conversation was about if everybody was doing okay... he didn't say much as I've told you before..."
Fuji lowered his eyes.
"Yeah...?"
Eiji saw the effect of what he had said and instantly stopped, looking frantic.
"I—I mean, we weren't able to really have a good talk considering Inui called us abruptly because you were involve with the mess with the highschoolers so I don't think Tezuka meant any harm done, haha..."
Fuji's gloom was very apparent, it made the acrobatic player bit his lip. But as quick as it came, it was also quick to go as the genius smiled quietly and turned to his friend.
"Of course... come on, Eiji, Inui's waiting for us."
The genius increased his pace, making Kikumaru stride to catch up with him.
And still, the Seigaku acrobatic player could feel that gloomy shadow in the presence of his friend.
Fuji...
Inui set down a glass filled with a sad color of gray looking liquid inside.
All the Seigaku members stared at it with disbelief on their faces.
"I-Inui senpai..." Momoshiro started with a chilly expression on his face, "w-what the heck is that?"
"More importantly..." Oishi went on with the same expression, "when did you have the time to do that?"
"It is true I had a hard time finding a place to do this considering there are plenty of hidden cameras around but," Inui's eyes flashed in delight as he smiled, "it cannot change the fact that my advanced 'penaltea' has also reached the highschool level modification."
"What's that mean?"
"It means it was improved more to our body level since entering this camp. It's been awhile since we last did this."
"But Inui-senpai—there aren't any more games to play for this 'penalty'!" Momoshiro went on sounding outraged, "and the camp's almost done with! What's the point in making that?"
"It's true that the camp is almost finished," Inui pushed his glasses back at the bridge of his nose, "and it is this fact that urged me to do this tea."
"What do you mean?" Kawamura slowly asked as the others backed away from the data master as he took the glass into his hands. Echizen literally fell back as he was pushed by Momoshiro's backside.
"It means," Inui said just as the door opened and in came Kikumaru and Fuji, "that those who failed to reach the top are all going to take this as their penalty—in short—those who were not chosen as one of the First Stringers."
"EHHHh?" cried everyone else except Echizen who gave out a sigh of relief. Kikumaru blinked at Inui and then at the tea and cried as well.
"Whua—what the heck is that?!"
"And what are you sighing there for you traitor—!" Momoshiro said as he grabbed the first year by the collar.
"I'm not gonna drink it," Kaidoh said stubbornly but one look from his megane senpai sent him to stop muttering.
Fuji looked at everyone else and then smiled as he understood the situation.
"This is nice... it feels so nostalgic..." he whispered.
Oishi looked at Fuji and then scratch his head.
"Oh well, it can't be helped... aside from Tezuka, you were really the other lone member that can withstand the level in this camp, Fuji."
"Yeah, that's right," Kawamura piped on with a serene smile on his face, "our Fuji's really one of the best... of course, our Echizen too. Both of you do your best in this Foreign expedition in Germany."
He tapped Echizen's shoulder who shrunk away from the spot light from his senpais.
Fuji stared at his team mate and then gave a smile.
"Thank you, everyone... which made me think—is this juice our celebratory wine?"
"NO!"
The genius tinkled a laugh and then watched as everyone talked at once.
But then the shadow went back to his eyes as he saw his reflection on the opposite glass cabinet. He could see himself perfectly—yet he could also see another person.
"Is there a problem, Fuji-senpai?" Echizen asked as he stood behind the Seigaku genius.
Fuji turned to Ryoma and blinked for a moment, before giving his usual smile.
"Do your best over there, Echizen."
Echizen stared at Fuji with his unblinking stare and then watched his senpai move over the other side of the room.
"What's up, chibbi?" Kikumaru asked as he noticed the first year looking after the genius, "did Fuji say anything to you?"
Echizen blinked, and then looked away.
"Not really. Fuji-senpai's just being his old self telling others to do their best while he takes it cool."
"Huh?"
"Everyone," Oishi then called as their noise subsided, "there will be a meeting after breakfast at the West Hall again so don't be late, especially those who are included in the Foreign Expedition, understand?"
"Yeah!"
"And after that meeting you will all go back here to drink this tea, understand?" said Inui's voice.
No one was yet ready to answer.
After breakfast, players started coming to the West Hall group by group with unusual noise and chatter. Everyone knew it was all about the foreign expedition and even though most were not included; it didn't stop them hoping for any last minute changes. It was also about time for the camp coaches to tell everyone what would happen after the camp was over so everybody started coming early for the meeting.
Keigo Atobe was already waiting outside the West Hall after breakfast for Fuji Syuusuke when the Hyotei club caught his attention.
"Eh? King?" Gakuto called as he and the others hurried to meet their captain, "were you waiting for us here?"
"Ahn?" Atobe raised an eyebrow with arms crossed, "you think I would wait for you guys?"
"Eh... it was just a thought..." Gakuto's voice faltered as he blinked at his captain.
"Then what are you doing here?" Hiyoshi wanted to know as he stared at his captain with fixed eyes.
Atobe straightened up but didn't say anything. He looked at Kabaji who nodded at him and prodded everyone to enter the hall.
"Ehh—wh—why are you pushing us, Kabaji?"Jiro exclaimed as he felt a force behind him.
"Uz."
"What 'uz' are you talking about—ehhh!" Taki cried out in surprirse too.
"Fine—we're entering," said Choutarou's calm voice but as he walked he gave his captain one last look and saw that Atobe was now talking to Oshitari, "really... those two..."
Oshitari was looking at Atobe with a little frown on his face.
"Atobe," he started sounding monotonous, "don't tell me you're waiting for him here?"
The King leaned his back on the wall and tightened the crossing of his arms.
"Is there something wrong with that?"
Oshitari's glasses hid his eyes but it was apparent he was bothered of the King's actions by how his eyebrows contracted.
"To even do this kind of thing... I can finally say I really can't understand you... tell me then, Atobe... what percent do you think you have now to that Seigaku genius?"
Atobe glanced sideways at the Hyotei genius with a calm expression.
"75%."
Oshitari's glasses flashed for a second.
"I see... so you're really that high up? And you've realized this when?"
"Just right after that incident with the highschoolers, of course." Atobe smirked and then his eyes glinted as he finally saw Fuji coming with the rest of the Seigaku team. "I'm surely reaching him," the King said with a smile, "it's not as impossible as you think it is... not for me at least..."
"Hmm..." Oshitari looked behind him too and saw the Seigaku team walking closer, "it's true that you've managed to climb that high up like it was a natural thing for you... but I'm telling you—sooner or later you'll feel your feet slowly being dragged down again...and you'll realize that your efforts were all in vain... because that truth is..."
Atobe's eyes turned sharply at his teammate just as Fuji and the others noticed them.
"Atobe?" the Seigaku genius said as he blinked at the King and Oshitari. That was when the genius noticed Oshitari's icy look at him that made him taken aback.
What?
"Hyotei?" Momoshiro blinked at Atobe and Oshitari, "what are these guys hanging around the door for?"
"It certainly is none of your business," Oshitari muttered as he pushed his glasses back and walked away.
"Eh?" Momoshiro blinked, and then realized too late that he was snubbed, "EHH? Oi you bastard—!"
"Pathetic slow-Momoshiro," Kaidoh muttered, making the dunk smasher turn against him with gritted teeth.
"You guys..." Oishi sighed as the two started arguing.
"We're going ahead of you guys," Atobe said as he took Fuji by the elbow, "we don't have time sorting out this kind of trouble. Let's go, Fuji, this meeting is for us."
Fuji wasn't able to reply as he was taken by Atobe, leaving the Seigaku members staring at them all.
"He says that but..." Kawamura said slowly.
"He forgot one person here..." Inui turned to Echizen who coolly looked away.
"It doesn't matter." He muttered.
"You're probably just too small," chuckled Kikumaru, making Echizen sulk and follow his senpai suit.
Atobe and Fuji were able to enter the hall a minute later.
"What are you doing outside with Oshitari-kun?" the genius asked as he turned to Atobe who was just standing behind him.
"Hm?" the King looked down at the genius, "it's nothing important. Why?"
"Hmm...nothing really..."
"Hm? What's this? Are you jealous?"
Fuji opened his eyes and saw the King giving him a light flirtatious smile.
"Atobe, you..." the genius replied back, smiling a little just as the people around started gathering closer. Fuji felt Atobe's arm around his shoulder when it became too crowded at the center of the hall. The genius looked at the hand on his shoulder and then up at the King who was watching him too.
That was when the King noticed Fuji's hair... behind that brown hair would be Fuji's neck...
Atobe felt his lips drying.
"Really, taking advantage of the situation," said a familiar voice behind them.
Atobe and Fuji turned to see Shiraishi walk toward them. Atobe frowned at Shiraishi but didn't remove his hand from the genius. The two stared testily at each other as if measuring both their worth.
Fuji, who had grown accustomed to the two, started and watched the Shitenhouji captain rounded on his other side and tapped the King's hand away from his shoulder.
"That won't be needed on this side," the Bible tennis player said with a dull look at the King.
Atobe had never looked so displeased.
The two stared transfixed at one another while the Seigaku genius was in the middle.
"You two..." he started with a troubled look just as Atobe's eyes glinted but both were stopped as Coach Saito entered the stage.
"All right, everyone," he called on and it was unnerving how the hall had become suddenly silent, "I think everybody is aware that this meeting is for the First Stringers but that doesn't make my message solely for them. With that case as it is let me inform everyone that a week from now our ending ceremony will take place. That means all of you who will be left behind will have only a week worth of training to become even stronger. I don't think anyone is willing to let go of those precious times yet. We'll still hold a regular match up for rankings even after the First Stringers have left this week and I'm glad to tell you all that we have an entire week's menu for everybody."
"He's being ambiguous," Yanagi muttered from Fuji's left.
"Damn, not being in the First Stringers still sucks," Kirihara muttered looking away from the stage.
Sanada kept his eyes on the stage with Yukimura beside him.
"There is still a question about the number of First Stringers they will take in," the Rikkaidai captain said quietly with arms crossed. Sanada gave a curt nod and then frowned as he noticed someone walk up the stage.
"Now, for our First Stringers," Saito went on with glinting eyes, "we don't have any more to tell you guys, but all the middleschoolers part of the First Stringers Foreign Expedition group will have to leave this afternoon toward their destination."
All the middleschoolers stared at the coach.
"Seriously?" Kikumaru blurted out looking astonished, "that fast?"
"To Germany already by this evening, huh?" Shiraishi said while Atobe quietly took in the message before looking down at Fuji. It was then to see a genius with an astonished expression.
It made him frown.
Fuji?
The genius stared at the coach in disbelief.
I'm not fit in to continue this... I...
Fuji headed toward his dormitory with clouded eyes. This was the second time he was upset about a news about Germany. What was wrong with that country, he wondered.
To hear that they were already on their way toward the place where Tezuka was... the genius felt his chest aching.
It was not just about what he feels toward Tezuka anymore... it was also about his tennis.
Fuji knew he couldn't face Tezuka the way he was right now. His tennis has never improved—he knew it, he could feel it—it was still the same tennis that couldn't be victorious... and what more the moment Tezuka left, deep inside him he knew he has given up his tennis.
I'm not fitted to face you now... I'm still that pathetic sort you left me that day... while you are soaring there I am here going down by my own... Tezuka... I...
Fuji clenched his fist. That was when he noticed someone waiting for him at the end of the corridor. Fuji continued on his way till he recognized the guy... it was Atobe's teammate... the guy who was looking at him icily this morning...
Yushi Oshitari, the Hyotei so called genius.
Fuji stopped walking as Oshitari's eyes fell on him.
"I knew you'd return first than the others," the Hyotei genius started quietly as he faced Fuji with a calm demeanour.
"You have something to tell me?" Fuji answered back quietly as the Hyotei member lingered by.
"You can say that," Oshitari dropped all pretences as he continued, "I just wanted to have a clear look of that infamous Seigaku genius that has swayed our Hyotei's King into a servant."
Fuji's eyes widened. Oshitari pushed his glasses back at the bridge of his nose.
"Though it is true Atobe would never let me hear the end of this if he finds out I spoke with you but it's a load off my shoulder so allow me to say... I don't think you're fitted for Atobe. No... to be more precise, I don't think you're fitted for anybody at all except Tezuka Kunimitsu."
The genius stared as Oshitari continued-
"Well, at least that is what your actions are all telling me... and I know you know it too. You only want to be with Tezuka... since that is the case I suggest you avoid Atobe from now on."
"!?"
Fuji couldn't move a muscle as he heard this. Then his mind started processing why it was difficult to suddenly agree with the Hyotei genius? To avoid Atobe... was such as easy task... Fuji was suddenly struck by the idea.
He could feel his heart hammering at his chest while Yushi Oshitari glare at him like a well known enemy. But then—
"You do not have any authority over me to say that," he said firmly.
Oshitari's eyes narrowed a little.
"Of course," the Hyotei member walked straight to Fuji with hands on his pocket, "but all the same, if you cannot deal with your emotion with Tezuka-kun, I suggest you stop using Atobe as your fall back. Or any person for that matter... you're smart, aren't you, Fuji-kun?"
He walked pass Fuji quietly.
"I'm not telling you what to do with them but your decision would be vital for my king," the megane guy continued, "and it would be vital for you too... because once you lost Atobe, you can never have him back."
Lost... Atobe?
Fuji suddenly felt empty as this flashed through his mind.
Oshitari knew he made his point clear and left the genius standing there rooted on the spot. He knew he had to make a move, otherwise things will change when they go to Germany. He was not there to see what will transpire after all.
With this in mind, he turned the corner to his left—only to find himself face to face with the Shitenhouji captain who was looking at him with a startled expression. It seemed like Shirashi heard everything.
Oshitari looked struck for a while and for a moment he didn't know what to do. But then he gave a sigh and walked pass the Shitenhouji captain—but not after leaving his word—
"I told you— you were too far behind, Shiraishi-kun."
And left everything at that.
Now let's all have you stir in motion... the Hyotei genius thought with a glint on his glasses.
Shiraishi closed the dormitory door behind him and looked over to Fuji's bed.
It was empty.
But then he could hear the shower on their bathroom and knew the genius must be in. He must drowning himself in there after that megane's words...
Shiraishi's eyes lowered and he remembered everything he heard...
So the reason Fuji-kun broke up with Atobe in the first place was... Tezuka-kun?
Shiraishi remembered the former Seigaku captain in his mind's eye and felt his fist clenching.
What am I thinking? Against Tezuka-kun I am... nothing...
For quite some time, the Shitenhouji captain stood on his ground quietly with only the drone of the shower in the background. He had never liked anyone before but now that he did it was quite a confusing feeling... what do you do when the person you like likes someone else?
Shiraishi bit his lips.
Just then—a phone started ringing.
Shiraishi turned to Fuji's bed and saw the light coming from there.
The Shitenhouji captain stared at the ringing phone and then at the shower. Fuji doesn't seem to hear it. Shiraishi stared at the phone again and decided it must be important to be answered. Quietly, he took it from the bed and unconsciously clicked the answer button.
The voice at the end of the phone surprised Shiraishi for then he recognized it...
What is this guy doing... calling at times like this?
"Hello? Fuji? It's me, Tezuka."
Shiraishi's eyes widened.
"Tezuka...kun?"
"?" Tezuka on the other side sounded sharp, "who is this?"
"It's me, Shiraishi Kuranosuke," the Shitenhouji captain replied with eyes clouding.
This guy... this guy was loved by Fuji...? Well, it was possible since they shared history together but then... Tezuka left his side... so why was Fuji still...? And does this guy know?
"Ah... Fuji's roommate and Shitenhouji's captain, isn't?"
"Yeah..."
"I see...where's Fuji?"
"In the shower... I answered it for him..."
"I see..."
Silence filled the air and Shiraishi was reminded that this must be an international call which means it must be pretty expensive. He then wondered why Tezuka would call from such a far place for Fuji-kun.
Shiraishi's eyes windened. Could it be...?
"Tell him I called then, Shiraishi," the former captain said sounding distant already.
"Hey, Tezuka-kun... you don't mind do you?" came Shiraishi's voice.
"Hmm?"
"You don't mind if I... if I fall in love with Fuji-kun, right?"
"...!?"
Shiraishi didn't know what expression Tezuka was making nor what Tezuka was feeling. All he knew was that there was an extremely alarming silence between them... Does Atobe even know Fuji likes Tezuka? Well—it's possible since he is Atobe... but the King never backed down from Fuji, right? So what reason would make him back out, too?
"Why are you telling me this?" came Tezuka's abrupt reply from the other side, "it has nothing to do with me."
"Well, you're the one who's close to him after all...so... is it okay?"
"I still don't understand... why you would tell me this..."
"I see..." Shiraishi's eyes lowered down, "in that case..."
Just then, the bathroom door opened and Shiraishi saw Fuji come out in his blue jersey.
"Shiraishi-kun?" Fuji said as he noticed his roommate while rubbing his wet hair with a towel, "Did you want to use the bathroom? I'm done..."
Then the genius noticed Shiraishi holding his phone.
"Is that my phone?" he asked, blinking.
Then Shiraishi moved swiftly toward the genius with the phone at hand—and he made sure Tezuka would hear...
"Fuji-kun? Can I kiss you?"
Fuji was unable to reply as he found his chin hooked by the Shitenhouji captain's hand and the next thing—felt Shiraishi's lips next to his. The Seigaku genius' eyes widened.
W-what...?
And the phone was left on in both captain's hands.
Walking along the corridor toward Syuusuke's room, Atobe was surprised when his shoelace suddenly snapped into two.
The King frowned.
"This is one of my best shoelace," he muttered.
*.*.*
~TBC~
A/N: No PRESSURE Tezuka!
Thanks for Reading! :D