Disclaimer : All charas here belong to Takeshi Konomi-sensei. Do not sue me.

Author : SIB

Chapter 2 : A Night Tryst

The night was getting high. Seigaku Junior High was silent except for chirps of crickets. It was dark despite the full moon and blinking stars, but a corner of the area was bright. The lighting of their tennis court was still on. Tezuka Kunimitsu stood alone amidst of scattered balls. He was panting after a hard self-training, but no satisfaction in his eyes.

No...not yet...

That Echizen had challenged his skill. Everytime he saw the freshman played, he had the urge to surpass his amazing technique. He could deal with twist serves and perform them as well, but what he wanted was a perfect service, a much better one than twist or kick. Until now, his efforts were only ended in vain.

He tried to remember every single movement the boy had made and every detail he had learned. His mind's solutions were to add more power or even combining it with Kaidou's snake or Fuji's swallow return.

Fuji. Thinking about his swallow return brought a lot of unnecessary feelings to him. The thought grew wider, not only on his technique but also gestures, visage, voice, and others which he would call disturbing. The accident that involved Kawamura the day before was also not leaving no track in his mind. Helplessly tried to shove away the hindrances, he resumed practicing.

"Ne Tezuka, if you play that way, even I can beat you easily."

His heart stopped a moment, for not only it was in the middle of the night and his surroundings were dark, but also it was the voice which had filled every corner of his mind.

"Fuji." Even he was surprised how calm and stoic his voice was. What is he doing here?

"Un," the figure behind the entrance came closer, "why?"

"What?"

"Your shot. It wasn't your style."

"I guess it's up to me which style I should use?" Inwardly, he cursed himself for not being able to be nice. This was Fuji standing in front of him.

He caught a glimpse of hurt feelings before the other guy shut his eyes and smiled apologetically.

"Sou da ne. It isn't my business. Sorry for interrupting, Tezuka. Anyway, Ryuzaki-sensei asked me to tell you, don't push yourself to hard. She's right, I think."

No one moved for almost ten seconds before at last Fuji spoke again. "Gomen, I'll go now. See you tomorrow."

Before the slender guy could vanish from his sight, Tezuka felt his lips parted and a name slipped out easily, "Fuji, wait a minute."

The other turned around, faced him again. Inquiry loomed in his eyes.

"What do you mean with even you could beat me easily-"

"Simple. You were not concentrating at all. If you lose that, other can easily take advantages of it."

"Concentration..." he pondered for a second. It was ironic to remember that the one who reminded him about keeping up concentration was also the guy who had a role of destroying it.

"One more thing," Fuji broke his thoughts. A gentle smile spread upon his face. "Just play as you are, captain. I understand of making someone for references, it's good, but why have to copy him? You are Tezuka Kunimitsu, not anybody else. That's why you're great."

There was a battle in his heart whether to listen or just shut his ears and continue attempting the perfect serve. Tezuka could only stared thoughtfully to the blue orbs. They drowned him so deep, nevertheless he could not decipher any from thousands feelings there. So intricate, although it seemed simple to just accept the way he was. At last he managed to say something.

"How long have you been there, watching me?"

"I guess it's also none of your business," the prodigy answered playfully, "but I'll answer it anyway. Let's see... a half an hour maybe?" Suddenly his smile faded a bit, "Does it offend you?"

Instead of giving an answer, he shrugged and said, "I think you're better leaving now. It's late of night."

"O..K.." Fuji simply responded. Then he stepped forward and gave him a pat on the arm before heading back. "So do you, Tezuka. Ja ne!"

So Tezuka was left alone again with his thoughts. He decided to loosen up and try again but with his own self swinging the racket. It was a little bit difficult since he has used to play as somebody else. The ball hit in hard, straight but lethal. Although he didn't use any difficult techniques, this is for the first time in a very long time he felt that he made a perfect one.

TBC!!!

I hope Tezuka wasn't a lot ooc this time. Anyway, I 'made' him this way and it wasn't quite far from what I imagined bout him.

Chapter 3 : The naughty boys have plans!!