Title: Timing
Date: June 24, 2014
Thanks for all the reviews! I promise Tezuka POV next chapter! I miss him too!
Kikumaru Eiji: Part 2
Kikumaru Eiji considered himself a horrible person. Especially after the whole Kenta-Fuji situation and the whole way he handled his breakup with Oishi Syuichiro. And he didn't think it possible for his self-loathing to drop any lower, except… He really was a horrible person.
Because since Fuji Shusuke extended a hand towards him and they were definitely well on their way to repairing their friendship, he found himself at the brunet's (… well, Atobe's) Shirokane penthouse more often. And the fact that they were slowly but surely becoming friends again after what had happened was a definite long-shot and nothing short of a miracle… he really shouldn't ask for anything more. But as much as he hated to admit it, he was always more than a little immature… more than a little selfish. It's what ultimately drove Oishi away and the reason why he was sitting here in the first place.
… And he could feel his self-loathing increase all the more.
"Do you want tea?" Fuji walked up to the roof balcony with a tray at hand.
He tried to give his best guilt-free grin, "A-Ah… Yes. Sure. Thank you."
And sitting on the adjacent wicker patio chair, Atobe Keigo was arching a brow at him.
Now he didn't know what it was exactly, but the former Hyotei captain always gave him the creeps. It always felt like the dark haired teen knew more than he was letting on. And then there were those grey eyes… Well, he assumed they were grey. He found it best not to maintain eye contact with the taller boy for long; otherwise it felt like his soul was going to get sucked out. He couldn't even fathom how Fuji was managing living with this blood-sucking vampire…
"Eiji?" There was slight concern covering Fuji's face.
He blinked, "S-Sorry… I was just thinking…"
"So… no sugar?" Fuji tilted his head, "Although, I suggest a little honey."
"It's fine." He tried to regain his composure, taking a hold of his teacup and taking a short sip. He immediately cringed his face… Just what the hell did he just drink? He glanced down at the swirling red coloured liquid… Oh no… Was Atobe really a vampire? But it didn't really taste like blood… It had more of a strong floral taste. It was terribly bitter.
"Pathetic." Atobe finally looked away to roll his eyes.
"Here's some honey." A faint smile made its way onto Fuji's face.
"Thanks." He found himself grinning sheepishly.
"It's rose tea." Fuji answered his unspoken questions, "The Atobe main house has this amazing rose garden and every year they store away some dried hips and petals. Oh… and you have to try the rose jam. It's delicious."
"I think I'll pass." He took a second sip after drowning his cup in honey.
"Macaron?" Fuji pointed to the small dish sitting on the tray.
He eyed them warily.
"I swear I didn't bake them." Fuji laughed, picking up one that was brightly orange and taking a bite just to prove it.
"I still have nightmares of those muffins." He grinned.
"Hey! I put a lot of effort into those." The brunet continued to laugh.
"I know you did." He could feel his lips curve into a more heartfelt smile.
"Ah…" Atobe sounded as he leaned closer to the honey haired brunet, "You've got a crumb."
And Kikumaru Eiji learned early on that Fuji Shusuke and Atobe Keigo were definitely not dating. Not dating… as in, not having romantic feelings for one another despite acting as if they were in a relationship with their inside jokes and the amount of touching that went on between the pair. Call it intuition, but there definitely felt like there was something more to this relationship playing out in front of him. And call it intuition once more, but a big part of him really didn't want to find out what it was… there was just something about Atobe Keigo that didn't sit right.
"Your stubble's getting prickly." The honey haired brunet's voice was muffled… not that he expected any different, considering the fact that Fuji and Atobe were practically making out.
And as badly as he wanted to look away from the pair, he just couldn't stop staring like he was staring at some bad train wreck. Stay away from that neck vampire…
A loud chime had him almost jump out of his seat.
"Oshitari always has such impeccable timing." Atobe pulled out his cellphone.
And that all too familiar feeling of self-loathing returned.
"He says he's at the door." Atobe enlightened.
"I'll get it." Fuji hummed, standing up once more and making his way back inside.
And he could feel that invasive glare fall over him once more… and shuddered.
"So Kikumaru…" Atobe's tone was always more than a little condescending, with each word spoken in well pronounced syllables as though relishing the own sound of his voice, "… You've been dropping by our home more often."
He directed his gaze to the plate of macarons, "Sorry for intruding."
"No." The current Rakuran Gakuen student council president waved a dismissive hand, "You're Shu's friend. You're welcomed."
"So… Why are you making a fuss?" He didn't like tip toeing around of the real issues at hand.
"Am I?" Atobe arched a brow while pulling out a pack of cigarettes, "I was just making an observation."
"Hey there!" A smooth voice floated over the outdoor roof patio.
And he could practically hear the sound of his own heart beating against his ears.
"You have a lighter on you?" He watched Atobe ask, as the navy haired teen sat down.
"Sorry, I'm not a chain smoker." Oshitari was pouring himself a cup of tea with a certain familiarity, as though he were right at home.
"Right." The dark haired teen was rolling his eyes, "What did you call yourself? A social smoker? You're the worst."
"There's a lighter on the kitchen counter." Fuji chirped.
And he could feel his stomach drop, not wanting to be left alone again with Fuji's worse half. And especially not now with Oshitari Yuushi present… he could feel a swarm of butterflies swell up into his chest. And his eyes met with profoundly azure ones, hoping Fuji Shusuke's mind reading skills hadn't gotten too rusty…
Fuji merely smiled, "I'll just go back and grab it."
… Dammit!
"I'll come with you." Atobe grunted as he stood up.
Now speaking of mind reading skills… Atobe Keigo was directing an infuriating knowing smirk his way. Then that rush of self-loathing returned in waves that were exponentially greater than the last.
"There's no point in two people doing a one man job." Fuji had a small frown covering his face. And he could feel his shoulders perk up… Maybe Fuji's mind reading skills weren't what they used to be, but at least there were some traces of hidden subconscious telepathy. Or so he hoped…
And he could feel the weight of those grey eyes on him once more, "Shu, I think we should give these two a little alone time… if you catch my drift."
He could feel his stomach drop… And he was drowning in self-loathing. Because although he was glad to be friends once again with Fuji Shusuke, he would always be that selfish redhead he was back in Seishun Gakuen. And that redhead wasn't above using his newly repaired friendship with Fuji Shusuke to get to know a certain former Hyotei prodigy better. And sure they met on several occasions… although, always in the company of Atobe and Fuji being their connecting link. And yes, he always found himself laughing, genuinely happy and enjoying the company of a certain navy haired teen… So yes. He did have ulterior motives every time he dropped by Atobe and Fuji's Shirokane penthouse. And yes… he was definitely going to hell.
"Forget him." Oshitari offered a reassuring smile, "Atobe's an ass."
"Tell me about it." He sighed.
Oshitari let out a small chuckled, before taking a hold of one of those macarons.
And he could almost feel his heart skip a beat. To think… he made Oshitari laugh. And it felt like he was on cloud nine, even though he more than certain didn't deserve it. And he had to remind himself that Oshitari had just gotten out of a bad break up after a really long relationship. And he was sitting on a similar boat.
"Unya! Sorry… That must have come across as rude. He's your friend and all…" And he was certain his ears were turning redder than his hair. And he felt like smacking himself against the nearest hard surface… He swore to himself that he would drop that whole cutesy act. And here he was at it again… so maybe there was some truth in the saying: Pretend hard enough and it'll turn into reality. But he really didn't want Oshitari to think of him as cute and childish. He wanted to be taken seriously for once…
"Don't apologize." Oshitari was laughing once more, "When Atobe's an ass, he's an ass. And don't even place me on the same field as him. Although… I'm lying. Even though he's a jerk… I do get concerned about him. More so about Fuji…"
And he could feel the heat transfer from his ears to his cheeks.
"You're kind of cute, aren't you?" Oshitari was wearing an impossibly charming smile.
Although he knew the reason for his smile right now was all because he basically used the only true, real friend he ever had, he still couldn't help but smile. But fortunately, his heart and head weren't connected. Because although his heart was happy, his head knew that this wasn't right. Not where Fuji was concerned, and because he had just gotten out of a really long… perfect relationship. They were the Golden Pair for crying out loud! And sure… it's been a few months since he caught the former Seigaku vice-captain lip-locked with that bitch. Was it really alright to feel this way, especially for another man who was once a rival on the courts and who was also carrying around quite the baggage?
"These macarons are amazing." Oshitari's voice interrupted his thoughts, "… Fuji once tried to make some in home ec. And we thought they would be a touch edible, since Jirou was overseeing him and all. Nope! Fuji and baking just doesn't mix. I don't know how Atobe ate most of the tray…"
"Well, Fuji made me a basket of muffins." He recalled aloud, "They were horrible but… I did manage to eat them all."
Dark blue eyes widened, "Wow! I should take you out for a congratulatory drink!"
And he could feel his blush return on the prospect of a possible, could maybe be considered a date… and for more sincere reasons, "It actually wasn't that hard… Although Fuji and baking really don't mix, he can't seem to give up. I really could taste all the effort. And I know that it took Fuji a lot of courage… This might sound cheesy, but love really makes something taste a lot better."
"Takes a lot of love to eat it too." Oshitari had a soft smile covering his face, "I heard that you and Fuji had a falling out… I'm glad you're both on track again."
"Thanks." He beamed, albeit sheepishly.
The patio door slide open.
"Are we interrupting something?" Atobe had a positively irritating smirk covering his face.
"You're a fucker." Oshitari maintained a straight face, as he bit down on another macaron.
"Language." Fuji was tapping his finger against the arm rest of his chair.
"Sorry mum." The navy haired teen was sporting a more pleasant smirk.
"Oshitari, don't change the subject." Atobe was in the middle of lighting his cigarette, "… So have you asked our little redhead out on a date yet?"
And he could feel himself choke on his honey-bitter-rose tea mixture.
He hurriedly darted his eyes towards sapphire-like ones… hoping this time, the telepathic bond they once shared would work.
"Keigo. You're making our guests uncomfortable."
… Success!
"Well then…" The former Hyotei captain shrugged, "Let's talk about that sushi boy."
"Oh!" Oshitari's eyes widened, "I can get into this topic."
"Me too!" He could feel his grin return on full blast.
"Please…" Fuji's face had turned a nice shade of red, "Taka-san and I are only friends… and yea, I like spending time with him. It kind of feels like I went back in time to when we were teammates again and winning Nationals."
"Way to rub it in, right Atobe-buchou?" Oshitari grumbled.
"It was simpler times." Fuji elaborated.
"Well, he's a good guy." Atobe was looking down at his cigarette as he flicked away some of the ash from the tip, "… maybe you should really consider dating him."
Then a small silence blanketed over them. And he noticed the way Fuji was gazing down at his tea… a small contemplative frown covering that face. He then directed his gaze to the former Hyotei captain who was nonchalantly breathing out another stream of white smoke, before landing his eyes on the navy haired teen sitting next to him. Oshitari had an uncharacteristically hardened look covering his face… and it surprised him. Because there were so many things about the former Hyotei prodigy he just didn't know about… it almost seemed too daunting.
"Well, thanks for the macarons." Then that more recognizable handsome grin returned on Oshitari's face, "I'm supposed to meet up with Shishidou in an hour. I should get going."
"I hope he finds an anniversary present for Chou-chan this time." Fuji smiled, "We went with him the last time and Shishidou just has terrible taste."
"Tell me about it." Oshitari laughed, "So Eiji-kun-"
And he could feel his shoulders perk up at the sound of his name being called out.
"I have some time to kill." Oshitari shrugged, "Need a lift home?"
He could feel those damning intrusive grey eyes fall upon him once more and fought back a shudder.
"Unya! Sure!" He grinned.
"Great!" Oshitari was mirroring his smile, "See you guys later."
"Bye!" Fuji waved.
Needless to say, Kikumaru Eiji was nervous. No… He was beyond nervous, as he struggled to buckle in his seatbelt with trembling fingers. Because for the first time, he was in real close proximity to the navy haired teenager without Fuji or Atobe in the other room. And he could feel his chest squeeze wonderfully…
"Thanks a lot for the ride, nya!" He wanted to die of embarrassment because he got called 'cute' the first time… and he was willing to throw away any shred of self-decency to be called 'cute' again, "I'm kind of amazed you even have a car, since we live in the big city and all and the Eidan… I mean Tokyo Metro is pretty good."
"I can't get used to calling it the Tokyo Metro too." Oshitari murmured.
"Yea!" He chirped, hoping his nervous ramblings would stop as soon as possible, "But you Hyotei guys are so different from us Seigaku folk. Not that what I'm saying is a bad thing or anything, unya… What I mean to say is-"
"You can drop the act."
And his eyes connected with ones that were a few shades darker, his voice promptly locked away behind his throat… finally.
"Sure, every guy likes the whole cat cosplay thing." Oshitari turned his eyes back on the road, "But what I mean to say is… You don't need to put that effort for me."
He opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. And he was still quite shaken up to find out that the object of his newfound affections had completely seen straight through him.
"Sorry… I probably made you feel uncomfortable."
"Just a little…" He had to voice out, now that his poker hand was already exposed on the table.
There was a short silence.
"… It takes a faker to spot another faker." Oshitari offered a lopsided smile, "I cheated on Gakuto."
He blinked.
"Several times." Oshitari chuckled, "… And of course, Gakuto cheated on me too on occasion. I wasn't the perfect boyfriend. In a way, I was a bit similar to you. Gakuto was only attracted to me because I pretended to be all grown up, laid back and just different from all the other guys in our grade. I cheated because I wanted to seem experienced. It was a mistake… because even though he tolerated it, I changed our relationship into something I didn't want. And then Gakuto cheated on me… probably to spite me. But I'd pretend like it didn't bother me, and Gakuto would always come apologizing and crying. It was horrible."
"… Sounds horrible." He couldn't help but mumble.
"It was only a matter of time until Gakuto found someone else." The navy haired teen hummed thoughtfully, "… He's the treasurer of our student council and on the soccer club. I hate to admit it, but he's not bad looking… and he's a good guy. He's honest and a complete donkey who'll drop everything the instant Gakuto comes calling. He's the kind of guy I wanted to be for Gakuto… but I had my own head up my ass and well… It's a bit late, but I knew I screwed up the moment I caught Gakuto cheating and he didn't come apologizing and crying to me like he usually did… I royally screwed up."
And the rest of the ride was in silence, until they came to a stop at his front door.
"Before you go, I just want to apologize again for making things awkward." Oshitari had that same dim smile, "… I should probably write you out a check, since I must have opened up to you more than I usually do with my psychiatrist."
"Don't worry about it." He mirrored the other's smile, "I actually appreciate that you can open up to me."
"You know… You're cuter when you act yourself." That more familiar smirk covered Oshitari's face.
And he could feel the heat rise to his cheeks.
"A lot cuter now that you're nervous and squirming." Oshitari added.
"You're a sadist." He pointed out.
"… I think Atobe's right on this one."
He blinked, "Who's what now?"
Oshitari laughed, "I'm not in any ways perfect. I know I'll disappoint you. But… I like you. I enjoy your company… You're not a bad person, even though you constantly have that guilty look on your face like you hate yourself. And I don't know what happened on your end. I don't know why Seigaku's famed Golden Pair split… but I hope one day you'll feel comfortable enough to tell me everything. I like you enough that I'd rather watch that new movie everyone's talking about with you, rather than spend the day helping a good friend who I actually owe a lot of favours to."
"But Shishidou-kun's-"
"He'll get over it. And Ohtori will love whatever horrendous thing he gets him. They're disgustingly perfect like that." Oshitari shrugged, "… So how about it?"
And he could feel a genuine smile makes its way onto his face.
"I like double butter on my popcorn."
Hachiko was that famous Akita dog who waited faithfully by Shibuya Station for its owner every day. And once together, the pair would routinely walk home. But one day the owner had a cerebral haemorrhage and passed away, ultimately unable to meet the loyal dog at their usual spot. But day after day, Hachiko would wait by the train station until disease and old age joined the devoted Akita with its owner.
In Hachiko's place is a tall bronze statue to commemorate the steadfast, wonderful dog.
"So Hachiko-sama…" Kikumaru Eiji sighed as he leaned against the bronze statue, "It's beautiful out today."
The statue didn't bark.
"I know I'm half an hour early, but Yuushi shouldn't make me wait." He explained to the bronze statue.
Hachiko remained silent.
"Waiting really sucks." He hummed, "I don't know how you did it for nine years."
Well, it wasn't like he was expecting a reply from an inanimate object.
"No offense Hachiko-sama, because you're just amazing and I cry every time I hear your story, but I'm more of a cat person." He explained thoughtfully.
"Kikumaru?"
He instantly jumped away from the bronze statue… Did Hachiko just speak? Although he had to remind himself that this was indeed a statue and not some living breathing animal capable of speech. And talking dogs was a stretch on its own… Although he did see the odd online video of dog's howling in mimicked human words. And… that voice was oddly familiar.
Glancing away from Hachiko, he met with deep forest green eyes.
Then he dipped his head the slightest noting the bitch standing by his side.
No offense Hachiko… although he was pretty sure Hachiko was a male dog.
"Hi… It's been a while." Oishi had a noticeably nervous smile stretched across his face, those green eyes a constant pool of concern ever since their break up. It was sickening… he didn't need the pity party.
"… Hi." He forced his own lips into what must have looked like an awkward smile… it certainly felt awkward.
And he wished more than anything that Oshitari would come sooner. Because Oshitari Yuushi was wonderful… The former Hyotei prodigy was visibly making conscientious steps to not follow his mistakes of the past and was more than considerate. They simply managed to click. And it felt good not having to put on some mask just to be liked. And he could see that Oshitari was relieved too that they can just be themselves while around each other. They were doing amazing. More than amazing actually… And relationship talk aside, Oshitari was tall and good looking. It was easy to spot the navy haired man in a crowd because he was so damn gorgeous and dressed in the newest styles. Not like Oishi…
Actually, Oshitari was taller than Oishi. A definite few inches up there... and down there too. But it wasn't like he could just pull his new boyfriend's pants down to show the world that his new boyfriend was better endowed than his old boyfriend… Unless of course he asked for permission first. And he was certain that Oshitari wouldn't mind… the navy haired man always like a good laugh, especially at the expense of others.
"You remember… Akie." Oishi awkwardly introduced.
"Ueda." He rigidly nodded his head, not really keen on seeing the girl that stole away his first love.
"You look good." The bitch (no offense Hachiko!) had a small sincere smile covering her face, "I-I mean… I'm happy to see you're well."
And a multitude of possible replies came to the forefront of his mind. Because of course he was doing well! He transferred to Bautista Danshikou and was actually in the same homeroom as Momoshiro. Then since repeating his junior year, he was actually focusing in school and was actually getting good grades. He had real friends… not those fakers back at Marei Gakuen. He had a great part time job, and was saving to move out. Potentially with Fuji Shusuke, which was a win-win because even though Fuji couldn't bake the brunet could certainly cook and more solemnly Fuji and Kawamura were going through a bit of a rough patch… so he wanted to be there for the blue eyed brunet. Speaking of, Fuji's worst half was overseas at Harvard so another win to the win-win. And did he mention that his boyfriend was more than wonderful? So yes… He was doing well. He didn't need their constant guilt-inflicted pity. Because he was happy. Kikumaru Eiji was happy.
And he realized something…
He was actually happy.
And it wasn't a competition.
And he could feel his smile loosen into a more genuine one, "So you two are still dating?"
"Uh… Y-yea…" Oishi stuttered, looking down.
"Well, so long as everyone's happy." He shrugged.
And Oishi's widened green eyes met with his own, "Thank you."
He wanted to laugh, "For what?"
"It's just…" The former Seigaku vice-captain was rubbing the back of his neck, "I've always wanted to-"
"You're always such a worrywart." He crossed his arms, "Well, go have fun on your date."
"Really… It was nice seeing you." Oishi offered a soft smile… a tender smile that held all their feelings. Their celebrated victories on the courts. The bitter taste of loss. The joys and struggles. The fear of discovering a deeper relationship, then the excitement that came soon after. The real smiles, the fake smiles. The hurt on both sides. And this final closure…
"Take care Kikumaru-kun." Oishi and Ueda started to walk away.
But then again… He had always been selfish. Selfish to the point of driving away his first boyfriend and losing his dearest friend. Selfish to use said friend as a means to get closer to his now navy haired boyfriend. And said boyfriend did say to be himself. Oshitari also said that it was a lot 'cuter' than the whole kitty talk anyways…
"Oishi, you're a horrible cheater. The fact that we played doubles, that we really knew each other and that you definitely loved me makes you all the more horrible." He shouted across the street.
Those green eyes were wide open and petrified.
"And you!" He pointed to the girl clinging onto his ex-boyfriend's arm, "You need to stop constantly playing the victim and acting like a saint. You're the girl who stole away my boyfriend. You don't get to cry those crocodile tears! I would have respected you more had you stolen away that horrible cheater with pride. But you're pathetic!"
And he must have looked like a mad man, but he couldn't stop the large grin from forming on his face.
Because he was himself… and it was okay. Everything was right in the world, they were happy and he was also happy.
And he could spot smiles forming on both Oishi and Ueda's faces (of course after they got over the whole public shock), smiles that reminded him of the Oishi Syuichiro he fell in love with and the Ueda Akie who had become a quick friend back in high school.
And he smiled all the wider, watching as the pair disappeared into the bustling crowd.
"Sorry I kept you waiting." A smooth voice rang in his ears, "I hope Hachiko-san was good company."
"Hachiko-sama's the best!"
"… Is everything okay?" Oshitari arched a brow, "Because I know you're more of a cat person, although Hachiko-san seriously is the best."
"Everything's perfect."
To be continued.
NOTE: So Eiji and Oishi actually do end things on a friendly note, even though it took some time. I know a lot of you hated Oishi (maybe still do) and Ueda (she's an OC so it's expected?), but I hope this tiny side story redeemed their characters. I just wanted to make them as human as possible, I hope I succeeded? I know a lot of you probably hate me, because Oishi's still with Ueda despite the whole cheating business…
… I'm gonna go get me some macarons.
Please tell me your thoughts on this chapter!
