Writer's Note: This is the last part of the arc: there are four parts to it. If you do decide to review, at least have the courtesy to sign in and allow me to answer any and all accusations.
Shattered
Continuity: 066/100
097 – Writer's Choice
Summary: Atobe speaks with Oshitari.
Author's Notes: There's just something interesting about a protective Atobe.
Disclaimer: Characters are owned by Konomi Takeshi, and whoever did the anime. At any rate, it's not me.
Yuushi: Warning
"Atobe-san, Oshitari Yuushi is here to see you," his secretary said at the door, and Keigo looked up long enough to beckon his former teammate further into his office before turning his attention back to the urgent paperwork before him.
Oshitari was watching him when he looked up again and set his pen down. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting," he said. "Thank you for seeing me."
Oshitari nodded. "What is this about?"
"Kikumaru," Keigo said, and smirked at Oshitari's startled look. Granted, he hid it fast enough, but Keigo knew his tensai well enough to see it.
"What about him?" Oshitari asked warily.
"I heard you had a nice date," Keigo said, and Oshitari smirked. "Do you remember the rumors we heard just before graduation?"
Oshitari nodded slowly, realization in his eyes even before Keigo spoke again. "They were true." He let that sink in a little. "I've lost Kikumaru once; I don't want it to happen again."
"You think I would…." Oshitari started, and Keigo held his hand up, stopping the other man's words.
"I'm not saying that," Keigo said. "I don't know how skittish he's likely to be. Just…." He paused, choosing his words with care. "Move slowly. As long as his work is good, I'm happy. He starts looking haunted again – and I find out you're the reason – I will take steps. It was hard enough to replace him the first time; it would be near impossible now."
Oshitari was quiet a very long time. "Are you this protective of all your employees?" he asked, but there was no mocking tone in his voice.
Keigo smirked. "Ask Kikumaru how I found out he worked for me," he said.
"I will," Oshitari said. "And… the rumors?"
"You might try Oishi Syuichiro if you want confirmation of their truth."
Oshitari nodded. "I should have thought of that." He stood. "I've got a lunch date, but I'll keep that in mind." He bowed and left the office.
Keigo watched him go, and let himself smirk when the door closed. He didn't think Oshitari would spook Kikumaru if the situation were normal.
It was anything but normal.
Continuity 067/100
Prompt: 065 - Passing
Summary: Eiji meets Fuji by accident.
Author's Notes: I figure if Fuji is stalking him, Eiji won't see most of what is going on.
Yuushi: In Passing
Eiji slipped into the coffee shop Oishi had recommended, stepping into line even as he studied the menu board above the front counter. He'd nearly decided on something when he heard a voice he really wished he hadn't.
"Eijiko. How are you?"
Heart in his mouth, he looked down to find himself staring at Fuji. "I'm good," he managed, hoping it sounded casual. "You?"
"Glad I ran into you."
His former boyfriend's eyes were still closed; Eiji was glad of that, at least. "Oh? Why?"
"It's been a while since I've seen you, that's all."
The lady at the counter cleared her throat, and Fuji turned around to give his order. Gathering his thoughts the best he could, Eiji found what he'd decided on, and gave his order to the next person available. Unfortunately, Fuji's order was done before his, and the blue-eyed man stood between him and the door, waiting.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Eiji walked toward the door. "Can't stay?" Fuji asked, almost playfully, as he started by.
"No," Eiji said. "I was just passing by; I'd just heard this place was really good, and I thought I'd check it out."
Fuji nodded. "Have a good day," he said, and moved away from the door to sit down.
Eiji let himself out, wondering if that had been coincidence, and if so, what might it mean?
Continuity 068/100
Prompt: 002 - Middles
Summary: Eiji makes a decision.
Author's Notes: Not sure what I was thinking.
Yuushi: Caught
Eiji felt caught. He sat on the bus, holding the coffee in his lap, and wondered why he felt so torn.
He'd really enjoyed himself on Monday with Yuushi; it had been a while since he'd had that much fun on a date - well, dinner with Oishi when Kippei couldn't make it was different! - and the last time… Well, that was barely worth remembering, except for the friendship that had come out of it.
But Fuji always made things complicated. Eiji felt… pulled, a little, which was weird. Why would he still feel something that would pull him toward Fuji? It was just strange, and wrong.
He felt caught in the middle, stuck between his past and a possible future, and it was frustrating. Why was he caught? He'd been trying to let Fuji go for how long now?
So... he did, just closed his eyes, let out his breath, and let go of the last of the wishes he might have had regarding Fuji.
He had someone else. For now.
Continuity 069/100
Prompt: 087 - Life
Summary: And so, Yuushi's tennis career comes to an end.
Author's Notes: Just a cute scene between them. I'd planned this long before I actually got to the prompt.
Yuushi: Forced Retirement
The TV showed a couple of very disturbed… no. Wrong word. Yuushi and Mukahi looked like they were losing their best friend. Eiji sat on his couch in front of the tv, his elbows braced on his knees, his phone held to one ear. "They look like they're dying," Oishi said on the other end.
"It does. It looks painful," Eiji agreed. "Can you imagine, though? Even if it is your own decision, it can't be easy. It wasn't easy when we had to, in High School, you know?"
"No, it wasn't," Oishi said, but Eiji knew he meant a different time, when he'd graduated from college and had decided not to play any more. "Do you know what they're going to do now?"
"No." Unaccountably, Eiji blushed; there was no way he was going to tell Oishi about Yuushi's comment about finding someone and spoiling them rotten. He'd already said enough about his first date with the other player.
"Ah, Kippei's home. I'll talk to you later."
Eiji hung up and watched the news conference a little longer, wishing there was something he could do to get that devastated look off Yuushi's face.
He didn't know of anything; he could call Atobe and get Yuushi's number - he still didn't have it, something he was going to rectify if this relationship was going to keep up - but he wasn't sure how much the other man would want to hear from him that night.
Finally, he turned the TV off when he realized the questions were just repeating themselves and the manager of the double's team was going to end the conference soon. Searching out a CD, Eiji found something slow and quiet, and went into the kitchen to make tea.
He was just sitting down when there was a knock at the door; when he opened it, his jaw nearly dropped. "Yuushi. Come in."
Yuushi looked even worse in person than he had on the TV, his shoulders slumped as he stepped into the apartment. "Do you want some tea? I just put it on," Eiji said softly, taking the taller man's arm and leading him to the couch.
"No," Yuushi said. "Thank you."
Eiji had him sit down, and then, after a moment, sat down next to him, wrapping his arms around him. "It looked like it was hard," he said after a moment, and reached up to run his fingers through the other man's hair. "For both of you."
"It was. Even though we were prepared," he said softly. "I…" He trailed off.
"Shh," Eiji said softly. "It's okay."
They sat there for a while, listening to the music, and Eiji listened even more carefully to the breathing of the man beside him.
This was a huge difference between Fuji and Yuushi, Eiji thought, remembering the thoughts he'd had only a couple of days ago. Tennis had meant something to Yuushi; he'd enjoyed playing it, loved it, did his best, while for Fuji it had only been… a hobby he'd been especially good at. He'd never cared.
It made Eiji wonder if Fuji had ever cared about anything.
Yuushi shifted slightly, and Eiji smoothed his hair a little. It was as soft as he thought it might be, and silky as it ran through his fingers. "Thanks for letting me come in," Yuushi said after a moment. "I didn't know where else to go."
"You are always welcome," Eiji said gently, and then he wondered where that had come from. He'd been trying to keep people out of his apartment since he'd moved into this one, and suddenly, he'd invited someone in.
But he knew Yuushi needed some place to be tonight, and he found he was glad the other man had felt comfortable enough with their relationship - young as it was - to come here. It was… comforting.
Finally, though, the former Hyotei tensai straightened up, and Eiji let him go - albeit reluctantly. Yuushi looked at least a little better, and even better when he smiled a little smile. "Thanks," he said. "I'm sorry to intrude on your night."
"I had no plans but to watch your press conference," Eiji said softly. "I don't mind. Honest."
"I think I'll go, though." He reached forward, wrapping one callused hand around the back of Eiji's neck, and pulled him close for another short, chaste kiss. "I cannot tell you how much it meant to me that you'd let me in."
Eiji was a little stunned, to be honest, but only smiled in response. He walked Yuushi to the door, and ran his hand down the taller man's arm to get his attention. "I hope you feel better soon," he said softly when Yuushi turned to look at him.
"I will. Thanks."
Eiji watched him walk down the hall to the elevator, and he gave one last wave before stepping on. Going back into his apartment, Eiji threw out the now-cold tea, straightened the kitchen, and went to bed, ignoring how lonely the apartment was now that Yuushi was gone.
