Part 4
***
Hi again everyone! Whew! I'm so tired! I played squash and it was so fun! FUNtastic! ^_^ Anyway, thank you very much for all of the wonderful reviews. Yes, I will not say the word "Delete" anymore! How could I delete this story when I dedicate this story to you all, special readers! :) I still hope you like this one!
Special replies to Yaya:
My, that was a hot flame. Oh, so you think I am sick? Well, you know what? Lemme tell ya sumthin'. People who can't open their minds for yaoi or yuri are the one who sick. So you think yaoi lovers are sick. That means you also think that all of my wonderful friends are sick, too???
I AM the author of this story, yet you don't care even though I've warned you. This is MY story, so I can pair the characters with everyone I like. Do you understand how perfect they're meant to be? Don't tell me you're gonna take Fuji all for yourself? Trust me, Tezuka's worth a million times to be with Fuji than to be with you. I understand that if we all pair the bishonen, then who are we, the girls supposed to love? But seriously, do you really think that Fuji (or other TeniPuri character) is perfect to be with YOU than to be with Tezuka?? I, personally, prefer bishonen to have a BOYFRIEND than to have a GIRLFRIEND! But only in anime of course. If you can't open your eyes for this, then you're TOTALLY SICK!! Because you can't see how they needed each other.
Have you ever heard of this:
NO MATTER WHO DO YOU LIKE, LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT. (Ob-session)
You don't have the right to judge people that they're sick, because if you're in the same position as they are, you can't say anything. You didn't know anything, yet you said those things. You know what? Don't even think you know everything about us! :}
And don't think that I'm gonna stop writing yaoi just because of your "fantastic" words. Because I'm sure that all of my friends are and will always support me. *turns to readers* Um… right? ^^;;;
You don't like TeniPuri? Oh, that's so bad… Well I also like Love Hina but that doesn't stop me from liking yaoi. Oh well. I guess talking won't do much…
Oh, BTW, this one is dedicated for you, Yaya. *smirks*
***
"Baka," Yuuta sighed and checked the temperature. "39 degrees. Great. I'm going to face my exam and my brother is sick."
Fuji coughed. "Sorry."
A playful sigh. "Well it was destined for me to fail in the exam though. What do you want to eat, Aniki?"
Fuji tried to assure his brother. "I can cook for myself. Don't worry. Now go on, don't worry about me."
But Yuuta wasn't so sure. "Really? The last time I let you cook, I remember we have to buy new pan. And it wasn't just one. Three pans."
"It's just that I don't want to be a burden to you, Yuuta. It's okay. Your Aniki is going to be alright." *cough cough cough*
Yuuta sweat dropped. "The last time I heard you saying that, I had to take you to the hospital because you fell from the ladder."
"FINE!!", Fuji yelled and coughed. "But really, you shouldn't think about me. What about your exam? You should study for it."
"Yeah…", Yuuta smiled. "I'm gonna take care of my Aniki and study at the same time…"
"Take care?", Fuji frowned. "Oh, I see. I used to take care of you," he giggled. "Now you're planning to pay back?"
"Of course. If I don't take care of you, who will?"
Fuji fell silent. The sight of Tezuka and Eiji appeared in his thought. But it's impossible… No, no way… They hate me now… I just can't… I don't know… I really deserved all of this. What did I do? What did Eiji mean by that? What have I done that made Tezuka off to London?
The prodigy smiled. "Thank you, Yuuta."
Yuuta blushed slightly and hesitated before leaning closer to his Aniki. He kissed Fuji on the forehead softly and felt his lips burning. "Ouch, you're so hot. Now, Aniki, what the hell were you thinking, standing in the middle of the rain yesterday?"
Fuji opened his mouth but didn't say anything.
Eiji…
Instead he said, "Do you have any best friends, Yuuta?"
"Ah… yeah."
"And what would you do if you… hurt them, in any way? It slipped out from your mouth but you've never really meant to said that… All you wanted to do was to let him know that you never like it when he was trying to interfere your life… And you really wanted to apologize, but there's nothing you could really do about it."
Yuuta thought for a while. "Hmm…"
But then again, he didn't really want to know what the answer is. He already knew anyway. Fuji pulled the blanket until it's covering his whole body. "Never mind. Forget it. I'm dizzy… Please leave me alone."
"Ah… if you need anything, just tell me, okay, Aniki?"
"Okay."
"Good night Aniki."
"Ah."
Fuji sighed inwardly. What did I do? I almost slipped it out to Yuuta… I don't want to worry him… I should just think about Eiji myself… Because I'm the one who made mistakes… But, right now I'm just very dizzy… and I'm so tired…
He yawned and within minutes, Fuji fell asleep.
***
"What should I cook for Aniki?", Yuuta pondered for a moment. He opened the cabinets, only to found that it's almost empty. "AH! We almost don't have anything left. I'm going to shop then."
He grabbed his jacket and was about to tell Fuji he's going, but then he took back the desire to knock the door. His brother is sleeping now. He should be just fine. The nearest supermarket wouldn't take a long time.
Yuuta sighed. "I'm going for a while, Aniki…", he said to himself and closed the door.
***
Yuuta looked around as he think hard of what he should cook. We're almost run out of sugar… hmmm… oh, Aniki really like this milk. What should I cook for a sick person? Milk is good, isn't it? And sugar? Aniki really needs vitamins…
Suddenly he heard someone called his name.
"Yuuta-san?"
Yuuta looked up and stared at Oishi. "Ah…"
"I'm Oishi, Fuji's friend," he smiled kindly.
"Ah… I remember you… You're Aniki's friend. The one with the Acrobatic Player with the funny hair."
A vein almost popped on Oishi's forehead. "Hahahaha… yes indeed. He's my boyfriend though. Are you alone? Where is Fuji?"
"He's sick," Yuuta said as he turned around to observe the milk again.
"Sick?"
"Yeah, I don't know why. But it looks like yesterday he's been walking in the rain again."
"Eh? Again?"
Yuuta looked annoyed. "You know, if you're Aniki's friend, you should know much about him."
"Well, I'm sorry, but unfortunately, your Aniki is hard to guessed. The only one who understands him is Eiji. He's your Aniki's best friend. DO you know Eiji?"
A frown.
"The Acrobatic Player you were talking about."
Yuuta shrugged. "Oh."
"So, what did you mean by, again?", Oishi looked slightly annoyed too. Fuji's brother is so different from him. (Author's Note: Actually I make this up! ^_^ Yuuta is more mature than Fuji, I think… and never annoyed people!)
"He likes to clear his minds by walking in the rain. Rain drops kinda pure your soul, he said. Obviously, Aniki is facing a lot of trouble. But he never wanted to tell me, or anybody. He hid them all in his smile. In his forceful smile. Don't you ever realize that?"
Oishi blinked. "Ee… Oh… Yes…"
"So that's it. Satisfied?"
"Ah… Yes, thank you."
"Good. If you'll excuse me…", Yuuta passed Oishi to look for other things he need.
Oishi was left standing there, thinking about what Yuuta had said.
***
Fuji opened his eyes heavily. Damnit, why is it so noisy? Where's Yuuta?
Someone is ringing the bell on his door rapidly.
He forced himself to get up. What a pain. Well, maybe Yuuta's sleeping… he said he's going to study… shouldn't bother him with this kind of thing. He felt his body grew hotter as he tried to walk to the door. "Yes, I'm coming…", he mumbled. He almost stumbled as he passed the couch and safely arrived on the door. "Yes… Geez, would you be patient…"
Fuji opened the door and froze.
It was Eiji.
"Eiji?", he whispered. He's happy and shocked at the same time. "Come in."
"No, it's okay. It'll only take a while," Eiji twiddled his fingers nervously. "Look, Fuji—"
"I'm sorry."
Eiji's eyes widened. "Eh?"
"I'm sorry. I was being selfish."
Eiji looked hesitant and stepped backwards. Fuji looked confused. "I…"
"What's wrong, Eiji?"
"I… I didn't come here for that—" he covered his mouth with his hand. "I… I can't say this now. I'm sorry Fuji. I'll see you soon."
"Eiji!!"
But Eiji had run away.
Fuji was confused and had to lean on the door. "What happened, Eiji? I don't understand…"
The Tensai couldn't take it anymore. His vision became blurry and he felt his body lost his balance and the next thing he knows, his world became all black.
***
"BAKA!!", Yuuta growled. "Do you ever realize that a sick person shouldn't move and have to stay in bed? Thank goodness that I came home before it's all too late! You have a high fever, Aniki!"
Fuji only smiled.
Yuuta sighed. "What were you doing on the door, Aniki? Was someone there?"
Fuji frowned and pressed his lips into a thin line. "No… I was just… It was hot."
"Hot?", Yuuta blinked. "I think right now it's definitely cold…"
"Well, um, I feel hot. So I was like… looking for… some air to breathe."
Yuuta folded his arms on his chest. His Aniki was being weirder. "Okay… whatever. What do you want to eat?"
"I don't know. Anything is fine."
"I see. What about soup?"
"Okay."
Yuuta stood up and went to the kitchen to make the soup. Something DID happen… What's wrong with you, Aniki? Why do you like to hide things away from me? For God's SAKE, I'm your brother… Father and Mother aren't here, and so does Yumiko-neechan. I really have to take care of you, right?
"Oh, that's right. I have to go after this. I promise Mizuki and the others that we would study together for the exam. Are you all right to be alone, Aniki? If there's anything wrong just don't be hesitant to call me."
"Aa. Just go, it's okay. Don't bother me."
Yuuta was really bothered by the word "Don't bother me" but every time he glanced at Fuji, Fuji would turn his back on him and pretended to be sleeping.
"… Okay."
***
Fuji heard Yuuta closed the door. He slowly gained back his senses and looked around. Dark… Yuuta must've switched them off. He slowly sat on the bed and stared at the phone. Eiji… I really want to know what were you trying to say.
Without thinking, he dialed Eiji's number.
It rang two times before someone pick it up.
"Good evening! Eiji is here!"
Fuji felt his mouth suddenly gone dry. He opened his mouth but no words came out.
"Moshi moshi?"
"E… Eiji."
A pause. "Fuji?"
"Ah…"
"Oh…"
Fuji felt pale. "Listen, I'm all alone here. Yuuta isn't home, he's out with Mizuki. If… If you don't mind to accompany me here…"
"Fuji…"
"Please?"
A sigh. "Okay. I'll go to your apartment now."
"That… sounds good."
"Good. See you, then."
"See you."
***
Fuji looked bright as he opened the door. Eiji smiled back at him, and lifted up his right hand. He brought some cakes. "You know you don't have to do that. Come on in."
"I was thinking about bringing you some fruits, but then again I thought we can't eat fruits together. It just doesn't fit. Cakes are better."
Fuji laughed a bit. "Thank you, Eiji."
They both stared at each other for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Eiji."
"I accept it, Fuji," Eiji stepped forward and hugged his best friend. "I was being selfish. You know I'm always like that."
"No, it was me…", Fuji said but decided not to continue. "Just… we're cool, right?"
"Nyaaaa!!", Eiji said like a cat.
"Good… then, do you want to eat?"
***
"Kikumaru Residence."
"Ah, yes, may I speak to Eiji?"
"Oishi-kun?", Eiji's sister seemed to smile.
"Yes, Oneesan. Is Eiji home?"
"Unfortunately, no. He went to Fuji's house, if I'm not mistaken. And it's been like half an hour or less…"
"Fuji's house? I wonder… well, thank you, Oneesan."
"You're welcome. Bye, Oishi-kun."
Oishi hung up the phone and stared at Tezuka. "Hmm? Eiji went to Fuji's apartment. Maybe they're fine now."
"That makes me worried…", Tezuka sweat dropped. "What if Eiji tried to say it to Fuji?"
Oishi's eyes widened. "You know what? You're right. Let's go to Fuji's house."
***
"Hey, what about your fever?"
Fuji touched his forehead. "Getting worse, I think… but it's okay…"
"What do you mean by that? Come on, go to bed, Fuji!"
Fuji stared at Eiji. He laughed a little. "Funny…"
"What's so funny?"
"I remember… him…"
Eiji frowned. "Him?" It can't be Taka-san, right?
"Tezuka…"
The acrobatic player had to lean on the couch because he was so relief. Thank goodness, Fuji. "Really? Why did you suddenly remember him?"
"I remember…"
*flashback*
After practicing, Tezuka brought Fuji to his apartment. Fuji was covered in raindrops, breathing heavily as Tezuka laid him on the couch.
"I told you to stop practicing."
Fuji smiled between heaves. "I… can't. It was so exciting. To practice tennis in the rain… Raindrops kinda pure your soul, ya?"
Tezuka sighed and was about to undress Fuji, but then he hesitated.
"Why are you hesitating?"
Tezuka stared at Fuji. Fuji had opened his eyes. His beautiful blue eyes. Tezuka's felt his mouth suddenly gone dry. "It's…"
Fuji coughed hard and then sneezed twice. Hearing this, Tezuka quickly removed Fuji's wet clothes and hurriedly take Fuji's pajamas. When Fuji was already dressed in his pajamas, Tezuka panicky ran to the kitchen to find some medicine.
Fuji laughed. "Tezuka…"
"What?"
"You don't have to be like that… It's only fever, after all…"
"Only fever?", Tezuka knocked Fuji's head playfully. "Baka! Even fever can be horrible. I'll take you to your room."
"Oh, seriously, it's nothing, Tezuka. And I don't want to go to sleep early…"
"What do you mean by that? Come on, go to bed, Fuji!"
Fuji shook his head but obeyed as Tezuka carried him on his arms. "Tezuka… I feel so dizzy… But I feel comfortable in your arms…"
Tezuka only stared at him.
*end of flashback*
"I kinda feel he kissed me back then… but then again, it must be just my imagination. Fever can makes people hallucinating, right?", and Fuji giggled.
Eiji took this as an opportunity. "Right. Tezuka was so kind to you… You two were really close when we were in Seigaku, right?"
Fuji snapped his eyes open and stared at the ceiling. But somehow, Eiji felt that Fuji isn't scary this time. He looked… confused. "Um… yeah… we were very close back then…"
"I was happy to see you both," Eiji smiled. "We were all really happy back then."
Fuji's eyes looked empty. "We… yeah, we were happy. There were… us… Momo, Echizen, Inui, Kaidoh… and… and… Taka… Taka-san…"
"Yes, and Taka-san. You and Taka-san were very close too."
Fuji closed his eyes in pain. He took a deep breath. "Y—yes…"
"But then, Tezuka left us without saying anything and then you accepted Taka-san's love…"
"A-ah, you're right…"
"Was it just a coincidence? Or Taka-san was planning to confess it to you before Tezuka left? Sometimes I wonder…"
"S-stop… It pained me to think about Taka-san."
"Sorry, Fuji. But I really need to know… DO you have something for Taka-san? Like… you liked him, just a little bit?"
Fuji covered his mouth with his hand and he slowly stared at Eiji. "Eiji… what happened? Did something happen between Tezuka and Taka-san before he left?"
Eiji looked sad and looked away.
"Eiji, please tell me!!"
"Do you really want to know?"
Fuji clutched his chest before deciding to nod. "I'm ready. Now tell me everything."
"Good. First of all, Fuji, Taka-san didn't die in an accident. It was all made-ups. He actually died because of cancer."
***
Tezuka drove the car faster. I'm really worried… Eiji, please don't do anything before we arrived. It's not the time yet. Please…
Oishi glanced at Tezuka silently. Be safe…
***
Fuji couldn't believe his ears. "Wh—what?"
"I told you. Taka-san had blood cancer but he didn't want to let you know. He thought it would be good for you if you didn't know."
Fuji covered his mouth again. He started to breathe heavily. "Wh… what? Taka-san… why?"
"But everyone didn't have the heart to tell you the truth, so we were… keeping it as a secret. Until… we think… someday…", Eiji trailed off.
Fuji's eyes became watery. "What… what? I… I can't… I don't know…"
"Just be honest, Fuji… to me, your best friend, why did you accept Taka-san? You didn't answer it, that means… you…"
"Yes, I didn't like him… at all," Fuji blurted the words as he covered his face with his hands. "But… when Tezuka left, my world was like torn apart and… he was there for me… what I thought was 'at least he didn't leave me like Tezuka did…' and that was it. But… I couldn't stop thinking about Tezuka."
Eiji suddenly hug Fuji. "Fuji, I understand… It must have been hard, for you, right?"
Fuji's tears fell to his cheeks. He sobbed. "Yes…"
Eiji didn't have the heart to go on. "Fuji… Let's just end this."
"No! I wanted to know everything! Tell me more!"
"But…"
"I told you, Eiji. Please… I don't want to blame Tezuka or anyone else… I just wanted to know the truth…"
Eiji sighed and closed his eyes. "Tough yourself, Fuji."
Fuji nodded and strengthens his heart. What could be worse than that?
"Tezuka left because of Taka-san's favor."
***
Yuuta yawned and stretched his body. "That was good! I think I'm ready for the exam…"
"You're going home?", Mizuki frowned. "We were just about to eat outside."
"Ah, you guys go on without me. I have to take care of Aniki."
Mizuki pouted. "Fine…"
Yuuta sweat dropped. "Ee… Mizuki? What's wrong with that pouting?"
"Nothing… it's just that you don't want to spend time with me anymore…"
"That's not it! But I left Aniki alone, and he's sick… I kinda feel responsibility for him. Well then, see you," before going, Yuuta pecked Mizuki on the cheek. "Good night, everyone!"
Mizuki blushed but keep pouting anyway. "Brother-complex."
***
Fuji bit his lips as the tears fell down more. "That's – no way!"
"It's the truth, Fuji."
"NO! That's… that's… that's a lie! There's no way Tezuka would… there's no way…", Fuji cried and covered his ears like a child. Eiji cried too as he tried to calm his best friend down. "Tezuka – no way!!"
"Eiji!"
Eiji turned his head around and stared at Oishi. "Oishi?"
"Eiji, what are you doing?", Oishi grabbed Eiji.
"But – how?"
"The door was unlocked… so we opened it and… that's not it!! What the hell were you doing? Why did you tell him?"
"He asked me to," Eiji defended himself. "He needed to know the truth, Oishi."
Fuji sobbed on the floor and stared at Tezuka. "Tezuka…"
"Fuji. What are you –"
"Why?", Fuji said softly, but demanding. "Why did you… Taka-san… why did you take his favor? Do you hate me?"
Tezuka felt pain. "No… Fuji… No…"
*flashback*
Tezuka was sitting in the class as usual. Someone knocked the door and Tezuka frowned. "Come on in."
Takashi appeared and smiled. "Tezuka, what are you doing?"
The Captain blinked. "Well it's rare for you to be here. I'm done, actually."
"Oh. So, Tezuka, I heard you got the offered to go to London…"
"Well… yes. I don't know if I should take it or not. I don't want to part from everyone… but still, it's good for my future."
"Hmm… tough decision."
"I want to take Fuji with me, but—"
"Forget it."
Tezuka looked up. "What?"
Takashi shook his head, smiling. "I'm sorry. What I meant to say was… please forget about Fuji, Tezuka."
Tezuka's heart skipped a beat. "Forget about… him?"
Takashi looked sad. "The doctor verdict me that I could only live until 2 more years. I have blood cancer, Tezuka. I don't know if I should do my therapy or not… even though it's still the symptoms… but… two years? If I don't take the therapy soon, I could die faster…"
"But, Fuji…"
"I need Fuji by my side…"
Tezuka could only stare at Takashi.
*end of flashback*
"But, when you're with him, Takashi could live one more years… that means he survive for three years. I don't know what happened and suddenly he died. When he was with you, I'm sure he's happy…"
Fuji sobbed hard and gasped for air. "But, Tezuka! You're not thinking about my feelings…"
"I didn't forget about you, Fuji, not a bit, even for a moment."
"But…", Fuji couldn't take it anymore. He passed out and before he fell to the floor, Tezuka caught him easily.
"What happened here?", Yuuta frowned as he walked in. He gasped as he stared at the scene. "ANIKI!!", he jumped and took Fuji from Tezuka. "What did you guys do to him? Dammit, his fever is still high!!"
Yuuta hurriedly brought him to the room. "Aniki, are you alright? Don't worry, Aniki, you're alright…"
Fuji, unsconciously, whispered, "Tezuka…"
Yuuta froze as he heard it and as he realized the tears on Fuji's face.
***
Yuuta closed the door carefully.
"Is he all right?", Tezuka asked worriedly.
"Yes… Tezuka-senpai, right?"
"Ah. Yes."
Yuuta glared at Tezuka. "Tezuka-senpai, I'm not gonna give Aniki to you. Because of you, Aniki had cried… and Aniki had been in pain all this time. I'm not gonna let you to get near to Aniki again. And I mean it."
Tezuka's eyes widened and Oishi and Eiji couldn't believe his ears.
God… I really wanted to hold him… but can I?
~To Be Continued~
Author's Note: OMG that was so damn long! I'm sorry! Are you bored? Or are you satisfied? Sorry about the babbling to Yaya, okay readers? I was mad because she said TeniPuri is bad and she didn't like it and blah blah blah… who cares, I have you guys anyway! Err… right? ^_^ Thank you for reading, I really hope you like it! See you in the next chapter!