School had just ended. All the tennis members rushed over to the tennis court for a short meeting.
"Everyone gather!" An authoritative voice boomed.
Everyone hurriedly gather neatly in front of their stoic captain, as noiselessly as possible.
"We don't usually have training on the first day of school. However, I would like to remind everyone that the ranking match will begin in February. Therefore, I advise everyone to not slack off and lower your guards. The courts will be open today for anyone willing to train. Also, today the regulars will be having a friendly match with St. Joseph. I would like the regulars to observe carefully how they play and learn from them. With that, I shall dismiss everyone!"
"Tezuka really have this captain feel uh... everyone all listened to him with such respect... as expected of Tezuka." Fuji commented, with his forever smiling face.
"It's our Tezu-chan buchou after all nya~! Right, Oishi?" Kikumaru seconded.
"Well, it feels that everything will be well organised with Tezuka around. Seigaku Tennis Club is in good hands!" Oishi smiled slightly.
Kunimitsu flinched. He is not too sure about that.
Fuji saw it. He could sense the growing uneasiness in Tezuka. He could almost feel the pain Tezuka is going through. His eyes were always on him, and he could see the microscopic changes in Kunimitsu's facial features. The slightly opened mouth. His eyes widening briefly. The inconsistent, uncontrolled breathing. Those dark mournful pupils. He saw it all. He felt it all. All of his micro expression, Fuji is able to see it all. Only Fuji. No one else.
Everyone all thought they knew who is Tezuka Kunimitsu. Their stern, stoic and disciplined captain. Their respectable and highly skilled captain. But no one really knew him. They only saw the Kunimitsu after that incident. But only Fuji knows. Only Fuji knows the Tezuka Kunimitsu in the past, the Tezuka Kunimitsu in the present and most certainly, the Kunimitsu in the future. Only Fuji knows the real Tezuka Kunimitsu. His desires. His wants. His needs. And what he lacks.
Tezuka Ryoma.
…..
The regular had changed into their jersey and are now waiting for the bus to arrive. They started to get really bored and started having small conversations among themselves, while purposefully excluding Tezuka. No one really dared to approach Tezuka, not when he is emitting such dark and dangerous aura. Fuji was the only one who seems to not mind the thick ominous aura and went ahead and strike and conversation with him.
"So what have you gotten for Ryoma this year?" Fuji asked Tezuka.
"A new tennis racket." Tezuka replied.
"What? That's such a waste-" Tezuka shot him a death stare.
"Sorry.."
Fuji could understand the sorrow in Tezuka's heart. Tezuka had keep blaming himself for that incident. From that day onward, Tezuka started to hate himself even more with each passing day. He felt that he should not be enjoying life here, while his brother's life has been cruelly taken away. He felt so guilty about the incident, about failing to meet all his promises to Ryo-chan.
However, still, it had already happened 7 year ago, Tezuka should learn to let it go. Fuji is worried about Tezuka's unhealthy obsession with the late Ryo-chan. No matter what, spending hundreds of hard-earned money on a racket for him is too much. It is not like Tesuka have lots of pocket money to begin with. The Tezuka household is very strict about with the upbringing of the kids. No matter how rich and affluent they are in terms of status, money, or power, they will never spoil their child.
The pocket money Kunimitsu received monthly is only sufficient for his daily needs, with some surplus to spend on some emergency needs. In order to purchase such an expensive racket, he had to juggle between 3 jobs, his school work and the heavy responsibility as the team captain. His eye bags are bulging and his face is drained. It's so obvious that he is lacking of rest. All other members knew that something is wrong but they do not know what it is. They are hoping that their seemingly strong captain will just soften up and tell them. And they are still waiting.
Fuji had caught Kunimitsu skipping meals several times to save up more money to buy a better racket for Ryo-chan. As much as Fuji is worried, he also feels disappointed with Kunimitsu. He thought that Kunimitsu will be able to stay strong and move on. But no matter how strong he may seem, he is actually a very weak person, Fuji realised recently. But that will not stop Fuji from caring and staying with him. No matter how disappointing Tezuka can be, Fuji had sworn to himself that he will always be by his side and will never leave him, supporting him until one day he is able to leave Ryo-chan's shadow, and live his life for himself. It doesn't matter if Kunimitsu will never love him as much as how he loved Ryo-chan. With so many admiring girl fans, it will be no surprise if one day Kunimitsu ends up with one of the girls. As much as Fuji is hurting inside, with the knowledge of these cold bare facts, it will not stop him from staying beside Kunimitsu. Beside Kunimitsu, it's not like there are any other options for Fuji as well.
"After this match shall we all go out and eat? I know of a great restaurant near St. Joseph, let's go there!" Momoshiro asked.
"Let's go nya~!"
"Hmph..sounds like a good idea!"
"It will be a good data for my 'Best restaurant in Japan' list, I will go"
"pssss...okay."
"OKaii!"
"Tezuka, Fuji, you going?" Oishi gingerly asked.
"We have something on after this." Tezuka replied coldly.
"Oh..well, too bad then.."
Fuji's heart slightly fluttered at the mention of the word 'we'. It made him feel special and belonged to Kunimitsu. No, that's not right, he is not supposed to harbour such feelings for him… As wrong as it might be, Fuji can't help but feel slightly secure in his position beside Tezuka at the moment. That's right, Tezuka Ryoma is already long gone. He belongs to Kunimitsu's history. At the moment, right now at least, it shall be Fuji instead. Fuji felt a bit jealous to be the second choice, but at least the first choice is no longer a viable choice. In the present, the word 'we' shall mean Fuji and Tezuka. Fuji have to learn to be content with that.
"7 years just passed like that uh, Tezuka?" Fuji whispered to Tezuka.
No response.
...
Hi friends! I know that Ryoma's birthday is on the 24th of Dec. But to facilitate the flow of this story, let just set it as the beginning of the school year.