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

Author : SIB

Chapter 5 : Friend or More Doesn't Matter

"They are a lot more than last year," Ryuzaki Sumire concluded. After Seigaku's winning in the prefectural tournament, more and more students and reporters were coming to the tennis court. Beside her, Inui opened his data book.

"Increased a lot, it's true," he approved, "and they are doing better now, right Ryuzaki-sensei?"

She nodded while observing the regulars who were practicing singles. "They have learned much from these last tournaments. I bet they'll get stronger for the national's."

"I guess so," he turned to the courts, "Kikumaru gained more stability than before and believe it or not his reflexes are getting better."

"Amazing, isn't it?" Oishi and Momoshiro joined them. They had finished their own match which ended with Oishi's victory with 6-4. "It's a great advantage for me as his partner."

"You know, actually I begin to think he has no bone at all," Momoshiro said when at the same time Kikumaru twisted his arm for nearly 360 degrees in order to returned Kawamura's shots. "Taka-san is also adding more power in his shots. What great senpais I have!"

"Echizen is doing good too, beside he's a fast learner. Kaidou has mastered the Boomerang Snake pretty well and he can make our freshman very busy. Hmm, another interesting data. Look, it seems Eiji and Taka have finished."

"Mattaku, I'm lost," Kikumaru broke in with a desperate sigh, while Momoshiro attempted to take the racket from Kawamura's hand who was shouting loudly about victory and burning shots. "I guess I have to be more serious next time."

"You mean, you were taking it lightly just now? No wonder you loose," Oishi gave a comment which replied by Kikumaru with sticking his tongue out.

"Eiji, I'm sorry," suddenly the good Kawamura appeared with a guilty expression in his face. "Ano, I didn't mean to hit the ball that hard, but..."

"Just so you know, he wasn't that nice at the court," Kikumaru grumbled to Oishi who tried hardly to suppress his laugh, before turned again to his ex-opponent. "Ne, you have to show your best, right? Don't feel bad about that. If you win, it means you win, period."

"But, are you alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine, why?"

"Just as a note, if you're fighting someone like Kawamura or perhaps stronger, be careful of your hand. You turned it upside down that I worried you'd hurt the muscles of yours. I wonder how your bone took the strength of his shot," Ryuzaki-sensei reprimanded.

"Lots of practice, of course," Kikumaru replied lightly. "But thank you, I'll remember that, Sensei."

"By the way, what about your score?" Inui asked.

"It's 8-6."

"Good, it's only a little gap," Momoshiro commented. "Anyway you played a great game."

"Then you should see our captain," said Oishi.

Ryuzaki-sensei smiled seeing the match. "He gains his old-self back, that's why he's doing better and better. I wonder what has changed him."

"Maybe the question is not what, but who," Kikumaru snickered evilly to Oishi.

"Really?" Momoshiro was surprised. "I've never thought that guy is capable in falling for someone! Who is she?"

"Just wait and see," Kikumaru winked at him.

"They are awesome," Oishi commented, "you cannot tell easily who's winning this match."

"You can't expect less from Tezuka and Fuji," Inui murmured slowly. "Look, that shot will be difficult to be returned."

Kikumaru shook his head, "If only you know Fuji. He's serious now." In the exact second, the guy hit Tezuka's ball perfectly.

"This will be a long match," Ryuzaki-sensei sighed while diverted her gaze to another court. "They seem to get into trouble too. Time, Oishi?"

"We still have fifteen minutes before break."

"Don't worry," Momoshiro said calmly. "I think I can see now who will have the victory there."

"Well, our baby won't give him any chance! Kaidou seemed to lost his control over the ball now!" Kikumaru commented enthusiastically.

Inui flipped his book open, "7-5 isn't it? Kaidou's ability is increasing too, last time he lost for 3-6."

Now, when the only sound was from the last court, all attentions were poured down into their captain's match. Around them, other audiences were also busy both taking pictures and writing down something or merely watching.

"Wow, he can be that persistent if he want to," Momoshiro praised, "and our captain doesn't seemed to give up so easily. Ryuzaki-sensei, what do you think if the match hasn't overed yet in...now two minutes left?"

"It will, look."

Tezuka managed to trick Fuji and the prodigy couldn't take his last chance. He looked at the ball which crawled slowly along the ground before eventually stopped moving. "I loose again, ne?"

"Too bad, Fuji," Kikumaru threw a towel to his approaching friend. "But I'm sure you'll get good grades in Ryuzaki-sensei's opinion!"

"Sou da, but you have to beware to that kind of trick, Fuji. Cool off and don't get provoked of going to the net, especially if you're playing someone like Tezuka. Stay at the baseline, you'll be able to catch every balls."

"Hai, Sensei," Fuji nodded but then looked at his winning captain, "Anyway Tezuka's still better than me. He even could hit my swallow return once."

"It hadn't been a swallow return. He had hit the ball before it touched the ground, Fuji," Oishi encouraged.

"Fine, fine," Ryuzaki-sensei gathered them around. "All of you, I must admit I'm impressed with your progresses. I hope you'll be better and better until the tournament begins. Now take a break and we'll have another practice that Inui have prepared after that."

"Only to remind you, guys, I'll gladly serve my favorite juice for anyone late, including the non-regular," Inui threatened calmly and the rest of the members quickly dazed out.

"Is it that scary?"

* * *

"What the hell he's thinking?" Kikumaru grumbled while washing his face. "Do you think he has ever tasted it by himself?"

"I'm sure he has, or how can he know the taste is suitable or not," Fuji answered, wiping away the water drops.

Kikumaru promptly made a face, "But that's not a problem to you, Fuji. I really don't know how in the earth you can actually like his juice!" Fuji just smiled secretively.

"Ah, I just remembered I have to return the library book today or I'll get a fine! How much time left, Fuji?"

"You still have 13 minutes. Go now!"

"OK! See you later!" he ran off to the changing room.

Fuji was strolling to the court when a bunch of high school guys blocked his way. He looked up and recognized them as sophomores from Ezumi High School.

"Well well well, look, here is Fuji Syusuke, our prodigy," one of them mocked slightly. "What do you think, Matsuo?"

The other appraised Fuji for a second before retorted, "One, weak. Two, frail. Three, easy."

"I see," the first one was back in line while the other guys laughed at it. He stared at the extra-ordinary calm Fuji and said, "I have a propose for you."

"We have been watching both you and your brother for some times. We actually wanted Fuji Yuuta, but seeing the last match, the way you defeated Mizuki, we think we're interested in you. As you know, our school is the first-seeded for the High School's National Tournament and I know you've been honored that we're inviting you to enter Ezumi. So come before the registration is closed."

They were preparing to leave, when Fuji broke in, "So, you're asking me to enter your school?"

The high school guys looked at him in anger, "Giving you a chance is a better word, brat! You're pretty lucky to enter my school!"

Fuji stared at him for a moment before closing his eyes again, "Sorry but I have to reject your invitation."

Another guy spat in distaste, "This arrogant brat needs some refreshments. Feeling great, huh?"

Suddenly he sent a punch to Fuji's face who amazingly succeeded in avoiding it with a slight smile on his lips. The guy clenched his fists before preparing to hit him again when unexpectedly, firm fingers held his wrist tightly.

"What the hell-"he looked back and saw the Seigaku's captain observed him coldly.

"Do you have a problem with our regular?" he asked slowly, still pressing the other's hand.

"It's alright, Kimura. Let's go," the first guy glared at Tezuka then turned away. Kimura set his hand free before following his own captain.

Tezuka glanced at the walking parties then looked at his friend. "Ezumi's. What do they want?"

"Nothing," Fuji replied composedly. "They were only asking me a few questions."

"With giving you a hit?"

"A little out of control, they were. I'm fine anyway."

The captain stared at him with annoyance, "That's it. Your that kind of attitude can bring you some trouble, Fuji. What if something did really happen? You're worrying me, you know that?"

No one spoke for a moment, then Fuji smiled, quite amazed, "Really? You worried about me, Tezuka?"

Tezuka promptly looked away before Fuji could catch any reaction. He only murmured a "Let's go" then headed to the court. The shorter guy observed his leader for a moment before shrugged hopelessly and catching him up.

* * *

"I'm absolutely sure he added more than vegetables into that disgusting liquid! It was getting worse than before!"

"He won't give anything that may risk our health," Oishi tried to calm his partner.

Kikumaru shoved his Seigaku's uniform into his bag before turned to Oishi, "It's not about how dangerous it is, Oishi, but the taste! Really, I will make him drink his own juice someday!"

"How? He's out of reach since he's the manager," Fuji commented.

"Can't we do something about this?" Kikumaru shrank to the bench helplessly, "If everyday I have to drink that..."

Kawamura poked his head from behind the locker door, "But, Eiji, it makes us try harder and practice more seriously. You know that's his true intention."

"Hai, hai," he stood up and took his bag. "Geez, I have to go now or I'll be late. See you guys tomorrow!"

"Wait!" Fuji stopped him, "do you forget?"

Kikumaru looked at his friend, slightly hurt, "Of course I remember! How can I forget something that important?"

"Ok," Fuji smiled mischievously, "do not disappoint her or I'll kick you."

"And you, don't threat me with such a calm voice! It's twice scary!"

"Actually, where are you going?" asked the bewildered Oishi.

"A date!" Kikumaru dazed out from the room.

"A date??" he turned to the still-smiling Fuji. "He's going on a date?"

"Un," the brunettes nodded. "With my sister."

"Nani???" Kawamura broke in with a surprised tone, "you mean, Eiji is going out with your sister, Yumiko-san?"

"Uh-huh."

"He never told me a single word about that!" Oishi protested, suddenly feeling odd. Fuji just shrugged, still keeping the secret.

"Fine, fine, I'm going now," the vice-president turned away, annoyed with his unknown about his own best friend. He didn't realize, his captain was staring at him in a weird expression or Fuji looked at him with a guilty feeling.

How in the world I don't know Eiji is dating somebody, moreover Fuji's sister!? He walked silently to the school gate. I thought he would tell me everything...well, maybe not everything, but at least this problem he can tell me. I can help him-

Another weird feeling filled him, different from the angry one. Help him? How? I don't need to do anything else since he has already dated her. But didn't he trust me to tell this? Wait a second, do I really want to know about this? Of course! It might hurt me... hurt? How could it hurt me if he's telling me about this? It means he trusts me...but maybe yes, it will hurt-

"You will bump into that pole, if you still ignoring the way you're going, Oishi," A calm voice broke his train of thoughts. He snapped his head up and realized how drowned himself in his mind that he didn't aware Tezuka was pacing beside him. Suddenly he felt a hard material was slammed into his face and he fell backward.

"I've warned you," the even tone didn't falter a bit, but however the owner helped pulling him up.

"Thanks, Tezuka. I'm thinking about something."

The captain said nothing, didn't mean to push his vice-president. However, Oishi wasn't in the mood of talking. They walked in silent for a several minutes before Oishi bumped into another pole.

"You must be thinking something as important as the end of the world," Tezuka commented while sticking his hand out to the dizzy Oishi. It was odd that the always-be-composed guy could behave so recklessly. "Fine, what happened, Oishi?"

The other waved his hands in desperation. "I have no idea, why the hell I'm so bothered with such a simple thing. I really don't know..."

"It wasn't simple," Tezuka surprisingly answered, "who won't be disappointed if their own friend doesn't trust them? But you must know we have some limitations even between best friends. Several matters might not appropriate to be told."

"But Fuji knows about it!"

"She's his sister, Oishi. Of course he knew. Or...it is not the only problem?"

Oishi was startled by the sudden words. He absorbed every syllable of it until finding the statement was completely true. It wasn't the main complication for him. Of course he deplored Eiji's distrust but as a matter of fact, maybe he was afraid to loose him, his friend of very best.

"You're right as usual," he smiled sadly to the captain. "But still I don't know what to do. Just let everything flows, I guess."

"Love doesn't have to possess."

Love?

It is not love.

Or is it?

He pondered for a second. Who was Eiji for him, what role he played in his life? The inseparable propinquity amongst them, the synchronized harmony between only both of them, what did those mean? Trust, the most important comrade for loyalty, he believed they had fully gained it. In the other hand, an adherent of love was jealousy. Could jealousy break a loyalty?

"I'm going this way," Tezuka's voice brought him back from the deep of his mind. Oishi simply nodded and just following his captain's back with his eyes. Should he say a thank you?

Suddenly the strides were stopped. "By the way, thank you for your help last weekend. I'm sure you won't forget to tell Kikumaru that I'm also thankful to him." And the paces continued.

Last weekend? Was he speaking about the date? If he said thank you, did it mean his plan and Eiji's had worked?

A smile was formed on his countenance. They were succeeded! And suddenly he realized a small but important thing. This was their plan, only by two of them it was arranged. A simple kind of mischief but they had their times together in there. How could he ever forget those moments? Eiji dating somebody didn't bother them. Well, a bit maybe, but they are still friends, right?

With a lot lighter heart, he resumed his way home. Now he can sense the warm ray of sunset touched his face. Eiji is his friend and still a part of their golden pair. He will be a partner that Eiji can trust and will always loving him no matter what.

Because love doesn't have to possess.

TBC!!!!

For any Eiji-Oishi fans don't hang me! It was only the beginning and you know they are the golden pair! I will surely not let anyone, including Fuji's sister bothering them ^_^