Prince of Tennis SEQUEL announced!

.com/news/2008-10-30/new-prince-of-tennis-manga-to-reportedly-start-in-march

(Sorry, the full link wouldn't paste, so the first half of the above web address is animenewsnetwork with www in front)

Chapter 14

Fuji dropped his head onto his desk, drooling onto the cold surface. It's only Wednesday, and already, Fuji felt like he was going to go crazy. He found himself masturbating more often the last few days, and did so a couple times last night while fantasizing about the stoic boy. Unfortunately, it didn't help quench his desire at all.

Kikumaru watched with extreme worry the tensai drone absentmindedly across from his desk. His best friend now has even darker circles underneath his eyes, and his face looked oddly paler than usual.

"Ne, Fuji, are you sure you're okay?" Kikumaru frowned.

"I'm…not…fine…" Fuji groaned tiredly. Their first morning break had just started in class, and he was utilizing this time to wallow in his situation. Morning practice went on as normal, but by the time they all had to shower, Fuji actually made it a point to shower far away from Tezuka. Normally, he would gladly stand next to the boy to receive a free viewing show. Unfortunately, he was already nearing his limit, and was not confident enough to stand next to his captain without devouring him right there in front of all the regulars. Thus, he actually didn't have a real conversation with Tezuka so far today except for discussions on tennis.

But while Fuji was preoccupied with this, the back of his mind was subconsciously remembering Saeki's words to him.

Don't you find it strange that he has never said it to you?

"What's wrong? You can tell Eiji!" Kikumaru attempted to cheer him up.

Fuji rubbed his eye and sat up straight. "Let's take a walk."

The redhead nodded and followed the tensai out into the hallway to take a stroll amongst the loud chattering students running around them to visit friends in other classrooms.

"Eiji," Fuji began.

"Hm, Fujiko."

"What does Tezuka think of me?" Fuji blinked, surprised at the words coming out of his mouth. That wasn't what he had intended to say.

"Eh?" Kikumaru blinked as well. "Why are you asking that? Aren't you and Tezuka dating?"

"Hm," Fuji paused to himself as the two continued walking.

"Ne, Fuji, did something happen between you and Tezuka?!" Kikumaru asked wide-eyed, stopping in front of the tensai.

Fuji gaped before chuckling in amusement at the cat-like boy standing excitedly in front of him. "No, we're fine. It's not what you're thinking. We are good."

The redhead frowned. "Then, why are you asking such a question? Don't you trust Tezuka?"

Fuji's eyes lit up in surprise. That's right, he trusts Tezuka. Why would he ask such nonsense to his best friend?

"You're right, Eiji. Please disregard my question," Fuji gave his token smile.

Kikumaru furrowed his eyebrows. "Ne, Fuji, are you sure you're all right? You can be honest with Eiji too! You can trust me!"

Fuji laughed. "I do trust you. But really, I'm fine. Don't worry." He paused. Suddenly, he found the redhead staring off in surprise at something behind him. Turning around, Fuji found just in time the tall, serious boy arrive right behind him. "Tezuka."

"Fuji. Kikumaru." Tezuka nodded to the both of them.

"Ne, Tezuka Buchou, Fuji says he's upset."

"Eiji!" Fuji scolded his friend, only to watch the redhead giggle.

Tezuka turned his attention to the tensai. "Is there something wrong, Fuji?"

"No, everything's fine, heh," Fuji quickly reassured him, waving his hand.

"How was dinner with Saeki yesterday?"

Fuji blinked. He looked up and watched those deep, brown eyes look down at him. As though in his imagination, Fuji thought he saw a little bit of anxiety in those eyes he deeply admired.

"It was good. We thoroughly enjoyed the food."

"Where did you go?"

"We want to Apple Tea."

Tezuka winced. "Aa," he calmly responded.

"Ne, I was debating at the café if I should order the barbeque eel over white rice."

Tezuka blinked. "Why?"

Fuji opened his eyes, revealing clear blue orbs and a mischievous smile. "Why, because that is your favorite food there, and if I order it, it would be like having you right there next to me."

Tezuka immediately blushed bright red, completely flabbergasted before recovering. "Fuji!"

Kikumaru giggled along with the tensai.

Tezuka cleared his throat. "Did you do anything else after that?"

Fuji closed his eyes, trying to stifle his laughter vainly before shaking his head. "No. I went home after that."

"Aa." Tezuka lowered his head towards the ground.

Fuji paused, puzzled by this.

"Ne, Fuji," Kikumaru eyed his captain like a Cheshire cat as he spoke to his best friend. "Didn't Saeki walk you home?"

Tezuka flinched.

"Hm, just halfway," Fuji nodded.

Kikumaru giggled to himself quietly as he saw slight annoyance appear in the serious boy's face. He leaned in towards Fuji, covering the boy's ear with one hand as he whispered, "Ne, Fuji. Looks like Tezuka Buchou is jealous. I'll leave you two alone." Winking at the tensai who only looked at him with a surprised and questioning glance, Kikumaru immediately waved goodbye to his teammates and scurried off.

As the two Seigaku tennis players stood in the hallway, Fuji spoke, "Ne, Tezuka, want to come over today?"

Tezuka looked up. "Aa."

Fuji smiled and opened his eyes to reveal piercing, blue orbs. He leaned up and whispered into the bespectacled boy's ear, "Are you ready to give up and beg me?"

Tezuka narrowed his eyes and looked away with an irritated look. "No."

Fuji dropped his smile, slightly annoyed. "You're no fun."

Tezuka turned his head towards the tensai. "And I can clearly see you're losing right now."

Fuji gaped at such an out-of-character attack as Tezuka brushed past him and walked down the hallway towards his classroom. Finally shaking himself to his senses, he turned around and ran after the tall, serious boy.

"Tezuka!" he panted, finally catching up as he slowed down his pace.

"What is it, Fuji?"

Fuji furrowed his eyebrows determinedly. "I'm going to win this challenge."

"Aa," was the serious boy's only short, indifferent response.

Fuji got even more irritated. As the two turned into a rather empty hallway and stopped at a corner away from whatever leftover crowd there were, Fuji complained, "Why don't you have some fun?"

"I don't consider what you did in the student council room fun."

Fuji blinked before snickering. "Oh, but didn't you say you wanted me to take this seriously?"

"Fuji!"

"Hehe."

Tezuka narrowed his eyes disapprovingly.

"Fine," Fuji crossed his arms, looking away with an irritated look. This was getting extremely frustrating. Suddenly, he felt a hand gently play with his hair. Returning his attention back to the front, he saw Tezuka looking at him intently, his long fingers lightly combing through silky, hazelnut threads before fingering the tips and letting the strands slide off. Fuji felt his heart beat excitedly as he stared into those deep, brown eyes. And then, relaxing his stubbornness, he dropped his arms at the unusual gentle look displayed in that face before him.

"Just a few days more, Fuji," Tezuka said softly in a deep voice.

Fuji felt his heart flutter, and at the same time, he felt slightly ashamed for complaining. Looking down as he still felt the lingering touch of those long fingers, Fuji felt his cheeks slightly blush. And then, glancing back up, he said, "Then, give me a kiss." Not wanting to lose this opportunity, he closed his eyes and tilted his head up, pursing his lips together expectantly.

Tezuka blinked multiple times. Looking left and right to find themselves completely out of sight in the corner, Tezuka sighed and slowly leaned forward, trembling nervously as he came closer to those pink, plump lips. He paused a couple centimeters away, hesitating a few seconds, before taking a deep breath and pressing his lips up against soft ones. And then, he found himself pulled in tightly by two hands clasped around his face as he felt the tensai's mouth enclose over his and begin kissing him ferociously. As a tongue began prying for entry, Tezuka quickly pulled himself away, completely flustered.

"Fuji!"

Fuji grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Tezuka glared and quickly began walking away. "I'm going to class," he voiced firmly, pushing up his glasses on his nose.

"Feel free to come back for more!" Fuji called out loudly across the hallway, further embarrassing the tall student council president.

Tezuka shot the tensai another dirty look before walking past a group of giggling fan girls and finally reaching the safety of his classroom.

At Fuji's house that late afternoon, Tezuka greeted the tensai's sister at the front door.

"Oh, it's nice to see you, Tezuka-kun!" Yumiko smiled excitedly. She was just like her younger brother, always smiling and ever so cheerful. A beautiful young woman, it was obvious to observers that great looking features run in the family.

"Aa, I hope you don't mind me coming over."

"Not at all! Quickly, come in!"

As Yumiko stepped aside to let her younger brother and Tezuka walk in and take off their shoes, a voice came down loudly from the top of the stairs.

"Oi, you didn't tell me you were bringing your captain over today!"

Tezuka looked up and saw the other Fuji brother staring at them from the ledge at top.

"Gomen, Yuuta," Fuji chuckled. "I had asked him at school today."

Tezuka bowed apologetically. "I apologize for intruding unannounced."

"Oi, you don't need to do that, Tezuka-san!" Yuuta quickly said. He could always feel the overwhelmingly strong presence of the famous Seigaku captain whenever his older brother brought the tall, serious boy over to their house. It was no wonder that opponents often comment how the moment the captain steps onto the court, the other player already loses his confidence and feels that he had already lost.

"Yuuta, you're so rude! How dare you talk like that in front of Tezuka-kun!" Yumiko scolded, putting her hands on her hips disapprovingly.

"I-I was only joking!" Yuuta defended himself.

Fuji laughed and began walking up the stairs. "Ah, Yuuta, come give your big brother a warm hug. And then, if you be good, maybe Tezuka will hug you too."

Yuuta scowled and turned away, walking back to his own room. "Whatever."

Fuji paused on the stair case, pouting in disappointment. And then, he felt a firm hand land on his shoulder.

"Can I drop off my stuff in your room?" Tezuka asked.

Fuji immediately smiled. "Hm, let's go."

As Fuji continued walking up in front of him, Tezuka watched the back of the tensai's hazelnut-haired head. He was well aware of the tension between Fuji and his younger brother. Wanting to lift up the mood of the tensai, he thought that changing the subject would at least distract him from continuing to be down about Yuuta's attitude towards him.

Once both boys entered Fuji's room, Tezuka dropped his belongings by the desk when he suddenly felt two arms wrap tightly around him and a warm body press up against his back.

"Hm…" Fuji purred, snuggling the side of his cheek against the middle of the strong, broad back.

Tezuka sighed, frowning before closing his eyes and deciding to let himself enjoy the warmth.

"Shuusuke! I brought orange juice for you and your friend!"

Both boys' eyes flew wide open and they pulled apart just as Yumiko stepped into the room with two glasses in both hands.

"Thanks, Neesan," Fuji smiled as both he and Tezuka took the glasses out of the young woman's hands.

"You two be good now," Yumiko winked before walking out of the room and back down the stairs.

Tezuka paused before turning to look at Fuji. "Fuji, does she know about us?"

"I'm not sure," Fuji pondered. "But, knowing Neesan, she's good at figuring things out." Fuji looked up at Tezuka teasingly. "Ne, Tezuka, are you really that worried about her knowing?"

Tezuka narrowed his eyes, not the least amused.

"Okay, okay," Fuji laughed, waving it off. "But, I wonder if she heard you moaning the last time we did it here while she was downstairs in the house-"

"Fuji!"

Fuji laughed even louder as Tezuka became extremely flustered and quickly turned around to gulp down the glass of orange juice.

Sighing at the cool drink and adjusting his glasses, Tezuka turned back around to find the tensai just finishing the orange juice in his hand as well.

Both boys then set their drinks on the top of the drawer case.

Fuji faced the taller boy. "Ne, Tezuka, let's go sit on the bed." Seeing Tezuka look slightly hesitant, Fuji quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, I promise I'll be good." He walked over to quietly close the door.

As the two sat down side by side on the bed, both boys fell into an awkward silence. Normally on a day like this, they would be…doing it. But because of the challenge they had agreed to, the two boys surprisingly found themselves at odds with what to do at the moment.

Fuji glanced to his left at Tezuka and saw the serious boy sitting stiffly with back straight, arms crossed. The stern captain continued to stare straight before him at the wall across. Fuji chuckled, finding this scene so funny yet typical. "Do you want to relax, Tezuka?"

"I am relaxed."

Fuji laughed at such a stoic response. And then, opening his eyes, he reached out his hand and turned the boy's face towards him by the chin. "Then, why aren't you looking at me?" He watched with satisfaction Tezuka's pupils dilate. Fuji's blue eyes flashed as he pushed the other boy on to the bed without warning.

As Tezuka found himself pinned against the bed, he felt a pair of warm lips land on his immediately. But, the kiss wasn't as aggressive as before. Rather, Fuji kissed slowly, deeply, and very, very affectionately. And it took Tezuka's breath away.

Fuji's heart leaped when he pulled himself away briefly and saw the blushing, bespectacled boy staring back up embarrassingly. Smiling warmly, he leaned down and trailed innocent kisses around the corners of the mouth, on the cheeks, and over the forehead. Meanwhile, his hand slowly caressed the taller boy's still hand lying beside him on the bed.

Kissing should be okay. They are allowed to do that. Just innocent kisses, Fuji thought to himself. He could smell Tezuka's aroma as he brushed his nose against the boy's bangs, letting the strands tickle his skin.

And then, he halted, feeling a lump in his throat. He slowly pulled away and looked down at Tezuka looking quite flushed...and sexy. His heart suddenly thumping loudly, Fuji immediately jumped off the bed, threw open the door to his room, and ran down the hallway into the bathroom.

Tezuka blinked, completely puzzled as he heard a loud slam and a click down the hall. Sitting up in bed, he straightened his white-buttoned school shirt and swung his legs back over the edge and waited patiently. His eyes wondered around the room, noting how it was always so clean and neat, and how Fuji's cactus is growing ever so big on the window sill. For a moment, he enjoyed the peacefulness.

"Oi!" Yuuta called out as he passed by his brother's room with an object in his hand and stopped in front of the bathroom door.

"I'm a little busy right now," Tezuka heard Fuji's strange, muffled voice through the bathroom door.

"I need to talk to you now!" Yuuta ordered. "This toy here, why'd you toss it in my room? Wasn't this yours back in grade school?"

"Ah…which one?"

"You know which one!"

Tezuka heard another chuckle.

"Sorry, Yuuta, I thought you'd appreciate it more."

"Why? Wasn't this your favorite toy?"

"Hm, it was." Fuji called out through the door. "But, I got tired of it."

Tezuka suddenly stiffened on the bed, his limbs frozen and eyes enlarged.

One day he becomes intensely infatuated with something, and the next he tosses it aside like a useless toy.

"SHUUSUKE!" Tezuka heard the younger brother pound the door angrily outside. "Stop wasting things like that! Do you not appreciate your toys?"

"Well, if you like it so much, then I did right to give it to you."

"You mean, you tossed it in my room because it was convenient!"

"Hm…You really think so?"

"I know so!"

There was another laughter in the bathroom as Yuuta continued arguing through the closed door.

"Tezuka-kun."

Tezuka nearly jumped when he looked up and saw the oldest Fuji sibling standing in the door way.

"Is there anything else you would like?" Yumiko asked kindly.

"I'm okay, thank you," Tezuka nodded, watching the young woman about to take away the empty glasses.

"Hm, Tezuka-kun, are you sure you're okay?"

Tezuka looked up, surprised by such an odd question. "Aa, I'm fine."

"Really?" Yumiko frowned. "But, just now you look slightly…paler."

Tezuka blinked. "Oh. Really?"

Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open, and Tezuka could hear hurried footsteps out in the hallway heading towards the room he was currently still in.

"Tezuka, what's wrong? Why is Neesan asking you if you're okay?" Fuji panted as he stopped right in front of his sister, a look of worry and anxiety on his face.

Tezuka blinked back blankly. "I'm fine," he replied stoically.

Fuji paused before sighing and turning towards his sister. "Neesan, don't worry me like that! Tezuka is fine!"

Yumiko held her hand up to her lips. "Gomen, Shuusuke. It's just that for a minute there, Tezuka looked upset."

Fuji blinked. "Upset?"

That Seigaku captain of yours…it's as though something's…bothering him.

"Ne, Shuusuke! Now you don't look so good yourself!" Yumiko gasped.

Fuji ignored the comment and immediately walked straight in front of Tezuka before stopping a foot away and leaning forward to look the tall boy straight in the eye.

He furrowed his eyebrows and closely watched that stoic, serious boy stare back at him silently. "Ne, Tezuka, are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine," Tezuka replied in short.

Fuji raised an eyebrow and continued to observe every feature on that what seems to be an expressionless face.

"Fuji, what are you doing?" Tezuka calmly asked.

Unable to discern any unusual difference in the face before him, Fuji stood up straight again and smiled. "Nothing."

Tezuka blinked, puzzled.

"Well, I guess everything seems fine," Yumiko smiled. "I'll take these empty glasses out of the way."

"Thank you," both boys politely answered as the oldest Fuji sibling stepped out and went down the stairs. At the same time, Yuuta past by the room, mumbling to himself in annoyance before slamming his door shut at the other end of the hallway.

Fuji propped himself onto his bed next to Tezuka and cuddled against his arm. "Hm…" he purred once more contently.

"Should we close the door?" Tezuka asked.

"Don't worry, Yuuta's back in his room, and Neesan is going to be preoccupied with her favorite TV show." Fuji wrapped his arms around the side of Tezuka's body and snuggled his nose against the uniform cloth.

Tezuka sighed and looked down towards the tensai, who had released his hold around him now and was grinning up at him. Staring into that smiling face, Tezuka lifted up his left hand and reached over to finger the strands of bangs barely covering the tensai's forehead.

Fuji opened his eyes in surprise, his heart beating rapidly at that handsome face gazing down intensely at him. He felt those long fingers gently lift a lock of bangs upwards, away from his face. For a second, he saw Tezuka open his mouth and then close it, as though hesitating. After a pause, he watched the serious boy quietly take a deep breath, and open his mouth again…

Suddenly, a loud musical sound rang across the room.

Both boys jumped in surprise. Fuji quickly reached out and grabbed the cell phone ringing persistently above his drawer case.

"Hello?"

"Fuji."

"Ne, Saeki!" Fuji grinned, not noticing beside him the bespectacled boy's face suddenly change color.

"How are you doing?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you all preparing well for your next match?""

"Hm, everyone's working really hard."

"Soka."

As Fuji chattered away, Tezuka got up, clearly annoyed, and motioned to Fuji that he'll be back in a minute. Not wanting to hear how excited Fuji sounded talking with the Rokkaku vice-captain, he stepped out into the hallway and turned to his right towards the stairs when something caught his eye next to the wall a few feet away from Fuji's door. Walking over to it and staring down at the object, Tezuka noticed that this must be the toy Fuji's younger brother was complaining about just a moment before. It was a red and blue mini-action figure that resembled one of those Gundam models that are popular in Japan. Clearly, Fuji's younger brother was not interested in keeping it either.

Looking down at it closely, Tezuka noticed that the toy was in a sitting position with its back laid neatly against the clean, white slate. It appeared to be in good condition, and for a second, Tezuka thought what a pity it would be to throw something nice like this away.

The infatuation is only temporary.

Tezuka stared at the toy sitting lonely against the wall.

Once he loses interest in the object of his infatuation…

"Of course you can come over tomorrow! Yumiko will be happy to see you!" Fuji's voice rang jubilantly from inside the room.

Without any forewarning...

The plastic-covered face stared back expressionless, emotionless, and lifeless.

He leaves.

"Tezuka."

Tezuka shook and turned to his right to find the tensai standing outside his door. "Gomen, Saeki just wanted to know if he can come over tomorrow."

"Aa," Tezuka responded.

Fuji's eyes followed downwards at the object on the floor. "Ah, looks like Yuuta doesn't want it after all." He walked over and picked up the toy, glancing at it. He then turned around and headed back towards his room before swiftly tossing it in the trashcan out in the hallway next to the bathroom.

Tezuka shook at the sound of a loud clank as the object hit the bottom of the can.

"Tezuka? Are you coming?"

Tezuka looked up and saw Fuji waiting by the door for him, a smile and a twinkle on his face.

"Let's look at the new photos I took from the photography club this week."

Tezuka lowered his head, pausing for a moment, before lifting it back up again. "Aa." He walked towards the tensai and entered the room.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Tezuka," Fuji smiled.

"Hm," Tezuka nodded, standing outside the front door as the sun was nearly setting completely already. It was already getting late, and he had his school and tennis bags swung over his right shoulder, ready to head home.

"Come anytime, Tezuka-kun!" Yumiko smiled cheerfully.

Fuji reached out and hugged Tezuka, snuggling his nose against the comforting, safe chest.

Tezuka stiffened at this action, feeling the warmth of the small body against his.

"Oh my, my little brother is so fond of you," Yumiko smiled again, lifting her hand up to her mouth.

Tezuka lowered his head, seeing the tensai grinning against his chest. Slightly blushing, Tezuka frowned and lifted up a hand to gently pet the hazelnut head.

Finally, Fuji let go and smiled brightly. "Walk home safely."

Tezuka nodded again. "Good night to you two." He turned around and left, hearing the sound of the door to the house softly close behind him.

Walking in the direction of his home, Tezuka looked up and noticed the sky become a dark, orange hue, with light trails of clouds scatted across the sky. It was quite a beautiful scene, and Tezuka wondered when it would be a good time to take Fuji mountain climbing with him. Unfortunately, they have a match this weekend, so that wouldn't do. Perhaps the following week would be appropriate.

Tezuka neared the end of the street, ready to cross and turn a corner when something suddenly caught his eye. He stopped in his tracks, his expression immediately changing.

"Yo, Tezuka-san," Saeki smiled, lifting up his hand in a greeting.

Tezuka narrowed his eyes, staying silent.

Saeki smirked, his smile turning into an amused one. "You don't like me, do you."

Tezuka only stared back with an icy glare. He walked forward again, ready to pass by the annoying Rokkaku vice-captain.

"You're just another toy."

Tezuka stopped his feet right next to the silvery white-haired boy.

"It's only a matter of time," Saeki smiled steadily, still staring ahead in the opposite direction, "Before he tosses you away."

Tezuka kept his eyes on the street across, not bothering to glance at the Rokkaku boy standing on his left. And then, he proceeded to walk towards the other side of the corner.

Saeki turned around and watched the quiet, bespectacled boy cross the street, face no doubt still serious and cold.

But, that's only on the surface…

"Saeki!"

Saeki blinked and turned around, finding the tall, bushy-haired dark brunette arrive right beside him.

"Ah, Bane," Saeki greeted. Although, Bane didn't look the least bit pleased.

"Stop missing so many practices! I can't keep covering for you!"

"Oh, gomen," Saeki smiled casually, raking his hand through his silvery white strands. He didn't expect his teammate to appear like that before him.

"Are you planning on paying your friend a visit?" Bane crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at his vice-captain.

"Not until tomorrow. I just wanted to stroll by today."

"Then what about him?" Bane directed his attention to the Seigaku captain now disappearing around a corner.

Saeki followed his teammate's gaze. "Ah, Tezuka, he's very…interesting."

Bane blinked and looked at his friend. "What do you mean?"

"Or rather, it's interesting…" Saeki lowered his gaze, his mouth curving into a dim smile, "What doubt can do to even the most respectable of people."

Bane raised his eyebrows before sighing. He turned around and began walking in the direction he came from.

Saeki looked up, seeing the broad back go farther away. "Bane, where are you going?"

"I'm going home. Practice was tiring today," Bane lifted up a hand in a short wave. He then stopped in his tracks for a second and looked at Saeki over his shoulder. "We'll be waiting for you, Saeki."

Saeki blinked, puzzled, as he watched his teammate turn his head back around and calmly walk towards the now darkening night sky.