Chapter 21

"Tezuka!" called Rei suddenly appearing in front of the boy, "I just got here. Did you wait long?"

"Iie," said Tezuka, "I was here a few minutes ago." Rei brightened. She wore black pants and top and chain earrings.

"Haiyaku," said Rei, "We might miss the show."

"Where are we going?" asked Tezuka though he sounded indifferent.

"It's a surprise," said Rei secretively. The place ended up to be at a tennis tournament. "Do you like it? I thought the regional championships for the men's division would be a nice place to go."

"How did you get tickets?" asked Tezuka, "The tickets for this championship were sold out."

"I called up a few old friends," said Rei casually. The two walked out of the game talking about the skills of each opponent.

"That guy was totally off," objected Rei, "His timing is all wrong. I don't know how he got so far into championships."

"He had good luck in having all the weaker opponents in the last tournament but it was good the opponent beat him," said Tezuka. Rei smiled.

"You know Tezuka," said Rei, "You should talk a lot more. People can get to know you better. Usually you just watch from the higher buildings when everyone else is taking a break." Rei said hurriedly, "Not that I watch you or anything." Tezuka said nothing but glanced at his watch.

"Let's get something to eat," said Tezuka, "I'll treat." The two found themselves in a sushi restaurant. Unfortunately, they were beached in a sea of lovey dovey couples. They were all gazing at each other lovingly. "Do you want to leave?" asked Tezuka blandly. Rei smiled and shook her head.

"Iie," said Rei taking the chair that Tezuka pulled out. She grinned at Tezuka, "For now, let's pretend that we're one of them." Tezuka was surprised when Rei kissed Tezuka lightly on the lips. The two sat down and were about to talk when a boy and girl walked in and sat on Tezuka's and Rei's table. Upon closer inspection...

"Kosuke?!" asked Rei in surpise, "What are you doing here? And with that girl?"

"Oh?" asked Kosuke feigning surprise, "Meet Megumi. She's my date for tonight. Mind if we join you? Thanks!" Kosuke didn't even give Rei time to object. She mouthed an apology to Tezuka who shrugged happy to be interrupted after Rei's kiss. He didn't know how to react. Rei looked at Megumi. She had the ditzy model look.

"Hi," said Rei politely, "I'm Akuma Rei."

"Nice to meet you," said Megumi in a nonchalant voice that everyone knew was fake, "I'm so happy to meet one of Kosuke's friends."

"When did you two meet?" asked Rei.

"Five hours ago," said Megumi with a happy smile. Rei sweatdropped and glared at Kosuke.

"I see you still have your old tastes," said Rei to Kosuke in an icy voice. Kosuke grinned.

"Of course," said Kosuke. By the way Kosuke kept glancing at Megumi and holding her hand and how Megumi kept giggling in random moments, the two were playing touchy feely under the table. "So Rei," said Kosuke, "Have you met anyone that fit your tastes here? I know how picky you get when it comes to men."

"Of course," said Rei in a sarcastic singsong voice that was laced with acid, "You know how quick I work scouting boys off." When the food came, no one spoke. Rei abruptly stood up and put on a forced smile, "I'll be right back." She didn't see Kosuke follow her until the two were alone. "What do you want Kosuke? Here to mess up my life with the stupid stuff you always do."

"Don't you get it Rei?" asked Kosuke in a now serious voice, "After all these years you still don't get that I like you." Rei was shocked into silence. She then made a small laugh.

"Very funny Kosuke," said Rei now amused, "C'mon then. Let's go back to Tezuka and that empty headed date of yours." Kosuke now gave Rei a sad smile.

"Rei, I know you don't have the same feelings for me but if you keep this up, you won't be happy," said Kosuke firmly. Rei's back was turned from him and Kosuke couldn't see that Rei was clutching the door knob tightly in her hand.

"Oh?" asked Rei, "And why is that?"

"You like that tennis Captain Tezuka," said Kosuke, "But you're afraid of telling him your feelings. You'll never get over this obstacle if you keep running." Rei was frozen into place as Kosuke went past her. "I want you to be happy so don't run away anymore."