Yuujirou: I don't want to hurt Shiraishi either, but it must be done for the sake of the story. Please bear with him. I also noticed you're, most of the time, my first reviewer. Thank you. It makes me happy that you're still supporting each and every chapters. So, for Xmas greeting, a Fuji-flavored candy cane for you -hint, its green- ^^
Rebeccasanfujieijilvr: Fuji's memory will face a twist first. Secret.
Tacuma: Thank you. Your review is so sweet. Yes, he will meet Tezuka in Tokyo. But Tezuka's hometown is actually Osaka and Fuji's is Kyoto. I just want to make that clear. I was hoping to make the baby scene cute, and I'm glad you found it so. Here's an update for you.
Elysis: Shiraishi and Fuji are adorable together. I'm sorry for doing this to Shiraishi. I'm glad you like the baby scene.
Mistitan007: Sorry for the long wait. Twins are so cute with their Father ne?
Devi no kaze: Yeah. His babies are connecting to his dream. A message for Fuji to come home for Xmas!! JK. Saeki doesn't know Fuji is missing. Tezuka was trying to keep Fuji's status secret so the press won't storm the issue since Tezuka is a rich bachelor. Who wouldn't want a piece of information of a hot bachelor, ne? -wink-
AN: Thank you for those who are staying with me. I'm sorry for the long delay, and it won't happen anymore. I am determined to finish this story before Xmas and the good thing is that school is out for me already, so hurray!! Here's a long chapter to make up the time...I hope ^_^
- Chapter 21 -
Shiraishi retreated back to his room after Kazuki left from the earlier incident. Just was he about to settle down on his futon, the door opened. "Kazuki." He immediately pulled his friend into an embrace. "Where did you go?" I thought you left.
"No where. I was going to come back to the bath house, but I met an old lady, and we talked." The side of his head was pressed against Shiraishi's toned chest. "I didn't mean to worry you."
Shiraishi sighed and moved his hand through Kazuki's damped hair. "It's okay, as long as you're here and alright."
Kazuki stayed silent in Shiraishi's arms.
"Earlier--"
Kazuki hastily pressed himself harder into Shiraishi. "I'm tired. Can we go to sleep?" He didn't want to talk about earlier
Shiraishi smiled and forgot the worry he had earlier; wellness came first in his doctorate dictionary. "Alright. We're going to spend another day here, and the following day, we'll head to Tokyo. Sounds good?"
"Hm!" Kazuki nodded enthusiastically and pushed himself out of Shiraishi's arms to prepare for bed.
o0o0o0o
Saeki retreated back to his room after conversing with his grandmother. He sat on the prepared futon and lie back slowly.
It can't be wrong. I'm sure that person is Syusuke, but why didn't grandma know who he is? She should know that we're childhood friends. His minds wandered endlessly for the unasked questions. There was so much he wanted to know right nowwhen it especially concerned his childhood fiend.
Saeki scratched his head and sat back up with a frustrating sigh. He got up and left the room, heading to the reception desk.
"Aoyune." Saeki greeted the young receptionist.
"Saeki-san." She smiled as she looked up. "What brings you here this late at night?"
"Nothing, I want to check the patron book really quick." Saeki moved behind the counter.
Aoyune stood up from the chair and offered it to Saeki. "I'll be back in about ten minutes."
Saeki nodded and Aoyune left. He turned back to the computer screen and opened the patron ebook.
Fuji. Fuji. Fuji. Saeki mumbled in his head as his fingers brushed down the list of names from the ebook. No Fuji.
Saeki frowned and went over the list one more time. ! I swear I saw him, it couldn't be a mirage. He looked at the time on the bottom left of the screen. It was close to midnight. I'll have to call him tomorrow.
Saeki waited for Aoyune to return to her post before heading off to bed.
o0o0o0o
Morning came.
Kazuki's eyes fluttered open and he groaned softly as he sat up groggily. He looked over to the left futon to see that Shiraishi had once again woke up earlier than him. He piffled a yawn before wrapping up.
They went to breakfast as soon as Kazuki met up with Shiraishi back in their room before checking out early that morning. Shiraishi said they have many places that still needed to be visited.
o0o0o0o
Saeki was up since dawn and had been running around on his grandma's errands. He wanted to get back to the onsen as early as he could to catch the patrons who were checking out early that morning on schedule. He wanted to take a chance at meeting up with Fuji.
He stopped at the reception desk, panting for his breath. "Aoyune-has-anyone-checked- out yet?"
Aoyune stared at her boss's grandson confusingly before registering what he asked her. "Oh-ah. Yes. Only 2 people did. Their names are Kazuki and Kuranosuke Shiraishi."
"That's all?" Saeki groaned and sinked to the floor.
"Hai, Saeki-san. Are you okay?" She stood and bended over to see a wear-out Saeki.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Say, does one of them looks…" Would it be weird to say beautiful? Saeki contemplated in his mind.
Aoyune smiled with a glint in her eyes. "Actually, the shorter of the 2 is very feminine, I would say, if that's what you mean."
"Tell my grandma that I have something to do." He said quickly and left the onsen once again.
Saeki ran down the streets, looking and searching at every spot he passed. Why didn't Fuji contact me? Saeki was confused. Did something happen between you and Tezuka? Saeki thought. He shook his head and picked up the pace.
Minutes later, he found himself out of breath. He dug out his cell phone and punched in his childhood friend's number.
He waited and listened, but was disappointed when an automaton said the number was out of reached since a year ago. He punched in Fuji's in-law home number and waited.
"Hello. Tezuki Kunimitsu speaking."
Saeki cleared his throat. "Hello, Tezuka. This is Saeki."
"Ah."
Saeki brow furrowed, finding it odd that Tezuka sounded quite surprised. "Yes, may I speak to Syusuke?"
"He…" Saeki waited patiently for Tezuka to continue his hesitation. "He's no longer with us."
"What!! What- are you talking about? Are you 2 divorced?!" Saeki said outragingly. The passerby looked at him weirdly, but he ignored the glances.
"No! That would never happen.", came Tezuka's immediate reply.
"Then what happened?" Saeki found himself getting impatient for an answer.
"Syusuke. He was in an accident a year ago. I haven't seen him since then, nor have I heard of his…survival."
"Do you mean that you don't know whether he's dead or alive?"
Saeki heard a replied grunt. "I see…Tezuka." Saeki paused. "What if I tell you that I saw Syusuke here in Chiba?"
Saeki heard a loud thump producing from the receiver end, before hearing rustling. Saeki raised his eyebrow. He dropped the phone. Not so typical of Tezuka.
"I…Are you certain?" Saeki could tell how shaky Tezuka became.
"With my life." Well, I didn't see Syusuke close up, but… It went unsaid.
"I'll take the earliest flight. Please hold on to him until I get there."
"I will-" The line went dead. Did he just hang up on me? Saeki looked at his phone to see the call was disconnected. "If I find him." He sighed.
Saeki retreated back to his room in wonder once again, unsuccessfully finding his friend.
He woke up early the next morning, as he had a call from Tezuka in the brisk of dawn, saying he was on his way. Saeki dressed himself before heading off to find Fuji, if luck was on his side. Tezuka was coming in an hour or so.
He ran through the empty morning streets. The stores were setting up for their daily business, so he stopped by a few stores to ask. After a few moment of desperation, Saeki left the sushi store smiling. The sushi chef said he saw someone 2 days ago with the same description Saeki provided.
He looked down his watch. "Got to meet up with Tezuka." He mumbled and took a taxi to downtown Chiba, where the airport located.
The traffic to the airport was unusually heavy that morning. Not only was the street crowded, the sidewalks were packed.
"I'll get off from here." Saeki gave the money to the taxi driver and got off the taxi, decided that tolling on foot was much faster than getting stuck in traffic.
Tourists and natives of Chiba poured on the sidewalks and stores. He couldn't walk normally without being bumped into every steps. Why the hell it is so tight today. I swear--Saeki stopped the cursing when his eyes landed on a man with light brown hair. He immediately recognized the owner of such brilliant shade of hair color as Fuji. "Syusuke!" He yelled above the heads on the street, but his friend made no sign of hearing the call. "Syusuke! Excuse me. Let me through." He inched his way over to his friend, who was waiting for the traffic light.
Suddenly his friend turned around and met Saeki's eyes.
Saeki felt himself smile as he called out the name once again, but it seemed his friend didn't recognized what came out of his own mouth. Thw so-called Fuji turned away and walked across the street when the pedestrian light turned on.
"Syusuke!" Saeki rushed his way over to Fuji, but lost sight once he was on the other side. Damn! Where did he go? Saeki looked down his watch again. Shit, no time. Tezuka. He abandoned his current search to go meet up with Tezuka.
o0o0o0o
"Kazuki! Over here!"
Kazuki turned his head to the voice and a bright smile graced his face. He ran briskly over to Shiraishi, but carefully to not collide into anyone. "Sorry, there were too many people on the street, but I had to get this." He held up a souvenir bag in front of Shiraishi.
Shiraishi took the bag from Kazuki with one hand and the other holding on to Kazuki's left hand. "It's okay, but let's go before the plane leaves without us."
Kazuki nodded and both headed to the check-in.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
Kazuki unconsciously turned his head when he heard a very familiar voice. He searched for the voice that sounded so familiar to his ears, as if he heard it since he was born. His gaze stayed on a tall man with hazel-nut hair and a pair of rimless glasses. The man was apologizing to a woman he bumped into, before heading off in a rush. He must be in a hurry. Kazuki trailed his gaze after the man when Shiraishi spoke.
"What is it?" Shiraishi followed Kazuki's gaze.
"Nothing. Come on." Both continued on their way. Kazuki turned around for one last look as the man disappeared out of sight. He looks familiar, too. I wonder…
o0o0o0o
"Tezuka!"
Tezuka turned his head to see Saeki running toward him. "Saeki, where is he?"
"I don't know. I saw him a while ago, but he disappeared when we crossed the street."
"Then he must still be here somewhere."
"Hopefully. Let's split up. I'll give you a call if he shows up."
Tezuka nodded and headed out. Syusuke, wait for me.
The frantic search turned out to be useless by the end of the day, where the streets were dissipated of tourists and natives. Tezuka met up with Saeki before dinner hour. Tezuka decided he was not hungry, so they settled in a little cafe next to his hotel.
"I'm sure I saw Syusuke this morning." Saeki grabbed his head with his 2 hands, elbow propped on the table. "How could he be gone for such a short time?"
I hope you did. "Did...you see anything different from him?" Is he well? Tezuka was angry, but more dissappointed for being late. He couldn't blame Saeki for loosing Fuji's sight.
"It was quick, but he looked very healthy. You don't need to worry about that. His hair grew a bit, pass shoulder length since I last saw him. And there were his eyes...they were foreigned, looking at me as if it was our first time meeting. I don't know Tezuka. Did something happened to him? Perhaps his memory?" Saeki asked Tezuka with delibrate eyes. He once loved his childhood friends and still cared for him like kinship. He would be sad if something happened to Fuji without knowing.
Tezuka couldn't believed Saeki's words. Although it was a quick speculation of the Doctor, it made sense if Fuji was still alive. And he hoped Fuji was still alive, even if his memories were lost at sea. Better than death itself. Syusuke lost his memories? Is that why he didn't return all this time?
"Tezuka?" Saeki called out to Tezuka, who was sitting still. No emotion was shown, except for his eyes which was gluing to his coffee mug, with storms blazing in his eyes if one could discern closely. Saeki tried again.
"?" Tezuka blinked and looked up at Saeki's puzzled face. "What is it?" He replied calmly with a question.
"Nothing."
They sat in silence as more people left and entered numerously.
Saeki refreshed his thoughts, going all the way back to early morning when he spoke to the Sushi Chef about Fuji's appearance in the city. He suddenly remembered the prize the chef was talking about...Tokyo!
"I just remembered something." His sudden voice called Tezuka to an attention, his eyes waiting for Saeki to speak. "This morning, the sushi chef that I ran into said Syusuke won 2 tickets to Tokyo. Could it be that he left for Tokyo this morning? It makes sense with Syusuke was at the airport and all."
"Tokyo? Are you certain?" Tezuka's eyes slightly widened. He needed to fly to the capital. Tezuka stood up abruptly and left after thanking Saeki for the every bit of information. He needed to take the earliest flight to Tokyo, but there was a tiny problem. It was the season of All-Japan National Tennis Tournament in the big capital city, so people would be booking flights to see the famous sport of Japan.
Tezuka called all the possible flight agencies, but they told him the earliest he can book in advance is a month away. Tezuka couldn't wait that long, so they told him the alternate way, which was waiting at the airport for the spot if someone happened to not show up or canceled their flight. And that, was what Tezuka did. He camped at the airport for the first position of the line.
o0o0o0o
"Wow, we're here." Kazuki said happily as he sucked in a deep breath of fresh night air. The plane was to suffocating for his liking. He didn't know why, but he hated flight. "In Tokyo."
"Yup. Who would've known that we arrived just in time for the tournament." A big grin spread across Shiraishi's face. "I can still remember my young days with tennis a part of my life."
Kazuki chuckled. "Then you must really thank me for winning the tickets." He cocked his head to the side. His soft hair fell over, hanging loosely in the air from his head.
"Then, thank you for enduring all that wasabi."
Kazuki playfully slapped Shiraishi's arm. "It's not as bad as it sounds or you're making it sounds. It was a delectable ingredient for sushi for your knowledge."
"If you say so." Shiraishi tapped Kazuki's nose with his forefinger. "Come on, we should find a place to stay before we become street bums."
"Hehe. Of course, Doctor."
The 2 picked up their luggages and headed to whatever vacant hotels.
o0o0o0o
There had been 3 flights to Tokyo already, and there wasn't any luck. The screen of his cell phone lit up as he pushed a button to check the time. It was 2 am in the morning and the airport was still packed. The tourists must have been on a travel pack because there were huge groups of people waiting for their flights. What a terrible day for Fuji to appear.
He pushed his cell phone into the inner pocket of his jacket and lie back against the back rest of the bench in the waiting area. The next flight would take off at 4:30. Resting his eyes wouldn't be a bad idea until the time.
Morning came and Tezuka's camping became futile. He took a taxi back to the hotel. After a refreshing morning shower, he called home.
"Tezuka Resident. Ayana speaking." His mom greeted through a cheerful voice.
"Good morning, Mother."
"Ah, Kunimitsu. Have you found Syusuke yet? Are you home already? Where are you right now? Is he well-?" Ayana speed through the questionaires like train on tracks.
Tezuka sighed with a little irratation from his voice. Who wouldn't be from sleep deprived and flight deprived in the most urgent situation and then his mother would questioned non-stop? "No, mother. I'm still looking. I'm calling to let you know that I'll be heading to Tokyo the soonest as possible, and I don't know when I'll be able to return. In the matter of time, will you look over Kunisyuu and Mitsusuke?"
"Of course, dear! Well then, I wished you luck and safety."
"Thank you, mother." Tezuka hung up and fell back onto the mattress. Syusuke, where are you? He closed his eyes and dream slowly took over.
Tezuka didn't know how long he was asleep, but he was sure tired as hell. He was only woken from his sleep by an incoming call.
He slid the phone opened without looking at the caller ID. "Hello?" He didn't bother with the formal greeting.
"Tezuka. It's Saeki. Are you in Tokyo yet?"
"No." Tezuka held back a yawn and sat up, rubbing his eyes behind his spectacles. His voice was raspy from sleeping.
"Then I got good news for you! A man resold his ticket to me for the flight at 3 pm. Meet me at my onsen at 11. I won't be back until then."
"Alright, thank you." A relief smile crept to his face. He didn't need to camp at that noisy airport anymore. His stomach suddenly rummble and he just remembered his last meal was a day ago. He called for a meal to be delivered to his room.
o0o0o0o
"It's so crowded here. When will we be next to be seated?" Kazuki groaned at the long line he was in for a French cuisine restaurant. They walked through the streets and this place seemed to have the shortest line. "I'm hungry."
"Be patient, we're almost there." Shiraishi patted Kazuki's back encouragingly.
After more than an hour or so, they finally got something in their stomachs. They headed over to the outdoor mall plaza. There were sports fanatics about the streets, wearing their favorite tennis player's fandoms. Some even tried to dress up.
"Oh look, real tennis players." Kazuki pointed in the direction of the tournament stadium. There were players who dressed in the same uniform, take it they were from the same school team.
"Yeah. You can tell the real ones from the fake ones."
Kazuki chuckled. "True." The dressed-up bunch were lousy, loud, and boastful with no aura of a tennis player. "Tennis sounds fun, ne Kuranosuke."
"Would you like to try?" Shiraishi could tell the fire passion in Kazuki's eyes for the sport.
"Really?" His eyes danced with joy.
"Really. Now let's go buy the rackets and equipments."
So there they were, on a street tennis court, located in a park, not far from the stadium. Kazuki was surprised to find a park dedicated to the sport. They got their gears. Shiraishi went over the rules to Kazuki and they took their sides.
The park wasn't empty. Many players were there, including those in the tournament or not; although the real stars got their own private courts, some prefered public courts.
They were lucky to find an empty court at the end, where most of the professional tennis players played. There were a few bystanders too, but those to watched were tennis data analyst or players themselves in luck of discovering their opponents' weakness.
Kazuki bounced the ball in his left hand, getting used to the feeling before thrusting the ball upward and jumped up to smack the ball to the other side of the court.
The ball flew straight down at Shiraishi's feet. He moved back to hit the ball back to Kazuki. "Nice serve. Very firm."
Kazuki smiled and ran over to hit the ball. They hit the ball back and forth without much effort exerted. Only normal tennis. Of course, Shiraishi won each time. They were on their 3rd set when a pair of tennis players came up to their court. They wore forest green shirts and white shorts, no doubt they were here for the tournament.
"Hey, do you want to play 2 on 2? You guys against us. Just for fun." The taller guy with spiky black hair said.
His friend had orange spiky hair. "What do you say?"
"Kazuki?" Shiraishi looked to the approaching Kazuki. He didn't want Kazuki, a novice, to play against 2 professionals.
"Sounds good, ne?" Kazuki said calmly. He saw a worry expression marred on Shiraishi's face, so he assured the Doctor. "It's for fun."
"Alright." Shiraishi nodded.
"Rough or Smooth?" The orange head asked.
"Rough." Kazuki said.
The racket landed and they got to serve.
Shiraishi stayed at the base line, while Kazuki took the front.
Shiraishi served the ball and it whizzed across the court. Both pairs continued their normal tennis match. The first set ended in favor of the other pair.
"It's okay. They've played for a long time and you didn't." Shiraishi said to Kazuki as they moved to the other side of the court.
"I know."
"Let's tense up this match a bit." The black spike yelled acrosst the court.
"Why not?" Kazuki sent back the challenge. He turned back to Shiraishi. "I want to try some special moves." He had been watching other professionals played in the nearby courts while playing with Shiraishi earlier.
"You need practice for those. In that case, I'll let you see mine."
"Show me!" They got into position and the game continued.
Kazuki's sharp blue eyes opened when the server hit the ball over the net. He didn't get to see the ball before it rolled against the fence. He looked back.
"It's a disappearing serve." Shiraishi explained casually. "We'll get the next one." A glint glowed in his eyes.
As Shiraishi promised, all the serves were returned back to the opposite court. Shiraishi was on the roll. Kazuki was no less, his hits were stronger and faster.
Somewhere in the park, 2 tennis professionals, one a coach and the other a player, sat under a tree sleeping.
Suddenly, the player's cat-like eyes opened as a few people ran by, talking loudly. His eyes squinted in annoyance as their loud voices boomed.
"Come on. I heard Shiga's player is playing against 2 street players, and they're loosing badly to the beginners."
"No way!!"
"I'm serious, their opponents are really strong. I heard one of their opponents used a move he just made up on the spot, called Higuma Otoshi." The 2 ran out of hearing range.
The cat-like eyes widened in surprise when he heard the last 2 words. Higuma...Otoshi. No way. He turned to his sleeping coach and shool his shoulder. "Momo-sempai, wake up!"
"What is it Ryoma? I'm sleeping." Momoshiro yawned and turned away.
"I think Fuji-sempai is till alive." Echizen said softly, not believing his own words.
"Wh-What?" Momoshiro sat up, startled and wide awake. "Did-Did you just say Fuji-sempai-?"
Echizen cut off his coach in annoyance. "Yes, now get up before we miss him."
The 2 picked up their gears and ran toward the direction of the court Fuji would be in. There was a crowd surrounding the end court. Most of the current players also stopped their match to watch the intense match between the 2 Shiga players and street players.
As they made their way over to the crowd, a loud voice screamed, much to Echizen's annoyrance. "Ah!!! It's Echizen-sama!!" The squealed came from a girl, obviously, and half of the crowd drifted their attentions to the newcomers. The crowd parted a way for Echizen and Momoshiro to walk through to the front view of the match.
Both looked at the Shiga players first, who were panting to keep up the score which was greatly in favor of the street players. Their eyes diverged slowly to the other 2. The street players had their backs to Echizen and Momoshiro. They kept their sight on the lithe figure with brown hair on the aggressor line. He could've been mistaken for a girl from the back side.
"Hakugei!"
Momoshiro's eyes bulged out. "Ha-Ha-ku-gei-gei."
Echizen narrowed his eyes and moved with the ball until it landed without being touched by the Shiga players.
"That's one of Fuji-sempai's Triple Encouner." Momoshirio blurted in shock.
Just then the Hakugei player around and smiled brightly. "We won."
"Yes, we did Kazuki." Shiraishi walked over and patted Kazuki's head. "I never knew you were this good."
"I didn't know too. It just came to me naturally."
The Shiga players walked over to their opponents and shook hands.
"You guys are great!" The orange head exclaimed. "Are you both in the tournament?"
"No, we're just playing for fun." Shiraishi shrugged.
"No way, you must be kidding. With skills like that, you can make it to the final!" The black head remarked.
"No. But you both are really good too. I wish you both luck for the tournament." Kazuki said before they parted away. The crowd lingered around and some wanted to approach them, but the intimidating look on Shiraishi's handsome face ward them off effectivelyl, add to his height.
"You must be tired." Shiraishi said as he picked up the tennis bags for both of them.
"Perhaps a little." He took his bags and slung it over his shoulder.
"We should find a place to rest. Wouldn't want a zombie treading on the crowded street. You might get stomped all over." Shiraishi teased, earning a cute glare from his friend.
"I am not THAT tired!"
"Whatever you say, but did you have fun?" They started walking.
"Yep, I did and I'm surprised that we won. I mean-"
"Fuji-sempai!" A capped young man appeared before their path. Beside him was a taller spiky black head male with a stunned expression on his face.
Shiraishi and Kazuki stopped walking.
Kazuki turned his head to Shiraishi in confusion. "Do you know them?"
Shiraishi shook his head. "No."
"Fuji-sempai. Don't say you don't remember your favorite kohai." The taller one said. "It's me. Momoshiro Takeshi and Echizen Ryoma." He patted the capped one's shoulder.
"I don't know who you are." Kazuki said seriously. He didn't know why he was sweating or what the odd feeling he felt was, but his head throbbed to a minimal amount and he didn't like it.
"What do you mean, Fuji-sempai? We haven't finished our match yet." The capped man said. His voice his flat, but sharp.
"You're mistaking me for someone else. I am Kazuki, not Fuji. Sorry, we have to go." Kazuki replied firmly before grabbing Shiraishi's wrist and pulled him along. Kazuki was in the mist of confusion, wanting to get away. He forgot that the 2 could be his chance of knowing who he was, since he lost his memory. It didn't come to his mind.
"What just happened?" Momoshiro's forehead creased. How did their Sempai don't remember them. "Maybe we mistook him."
Echizen tucked his cap down and murmured. "No. I'm sure that's Fuji-sempai. I played against him before."
"If you're definite on your judgment, then let's find out." Momoshiro took off running into the direction Fuji left.
Echizen sighed. "Mada mada dane." He followed his coach.