It's recess time at Seigaku. While all of the students were enjoying their
lunch or chatting about their weekend, a small group of students gathered
in an empty class room.
"Tezuka said nothing happened," Oishi said, looking unconvinced, "Atobe said the same. But I can't help feeling something's off. Do you think something happen to Tezuka?"
"Duh... That's obvious. Didn't you see the bruises on his chin?" Kikimaru exclaimed.
"He seemed ok though. His movement is stiff, as if he is in pain every time he shifts. And he seemed to be more close off than usual," Momoshiro joined the conversation, "But other than that, he looks fine?"
The other regulars looked at each other.
"Do you think we should go ask him again?" Oishi asked anxiously, "to find out exactly what happened?"
"I think we should leave the guy alone." Fuji suddenly said.
"I agree!" Momoshiro nodded, "Remember when Ryoma was beaten last time? The kid kept insisting he fell from the stairs!"
"Don't bring me into this." Ryoma grumbled.
"Yeah, Tezuka and Ryoma are so much alike it's not funny! Tezuka probably just wanted to handle this by himself." Kikimaru nodded. "If Tezuka decided he wants to let us know, I'm sure he will tell us."
"It would have been a good opportunity to gather good data though." Inui flipped his notebook, "Maybe we should be nosy. . ."
"Leave the guy along, Inui!" Kikimaru laughed.
"Ok. . . if that's what you guys think." Oishi said uncertainly. He couldn't help feeling the others were taking this too lightly. Still if all of them felt this way, then perhaps he shouldn't butt in on Tezuka. After all, Tezuka was an intensely private guy who preferred to keep things to himself.
X X X
Tezuka stared out of the window, not paying attention to what the teacher was teaching. For once, he couldn't care less about the lessons.
His mind played back the encountered with Oishi and others earlier in the morning. He didn't think they believed him. But none of them forced the issue. He was glad for that.
Now he only had Atobe to deal with. If only that guy would leave him alone as well. . .
Tezuka's eyes narrowed slightly. He will be meeting Atobe later. The guy wanted to "walk him home". To protect him? Tezuka didn't know if he should laugh or cry. It's too late for that. Something inside of him shattered into pieces yesterday when he was . . .
BANG!
The whole class was shocked into complete silence, including the teacher. They looked at the tennis club buchou who just slammed his fists on the table.
"Te. . . Te . . .Tezuka. . .?" The Math teacher swallowed hard. He was always nervous in front of this "perfect" student. "What. . . Is something wrong?" He quickly scanned through the Mathematics computation written on the board. The calculations seemed to be correct. . .
Tezuka closed his eyes briefly, well aware that he was the center of attention. Forcing himself to calm down, "I apologized, sensei. Please continue."
X X X X X
It had been a month since the incident. Tezuka reminded himself. He preferred to completely wipe out the unpleasant memory, but as he was unable to do so, he settled for locking that memory away and simply referred to it as "that incident" when he did think about it inevitably.
True to his word, Atobe had been accompanying him home everyday after school.
It was very strange to say the least. In the past, the only other person whom he sometimes took the same train home was Oishi. He had never had anyone waiting for him after school and walked home together.
Atobe had not mentioned a word about the incident since then. The guy would merely wait for him at Seigaku's side gate; an entrance that's seldom used by students. Tezuka was glad for that. Atobe wasn't exactly low profile. There would surely be rumors stirred up if Atobe had been seen waiting for him every single day.
Approaching the gate, Tezuka raised his eyes slightly and saw the familiar figure waiting for him just outside.
"Busy day?" Atobe asked good naturally when Tezuka reached the gate.
"Nothing overwhelming." Tezuka shrugged.
Atobe smiled. He joined the other by his side and started walking. As usual, he was the one doing most of the talking. He chatted about nothing in particular. Once in a while he received a comment or two from the quiet Seigaku Buchou.
While talking about some new restaurants in town, Atobe stole a few glances from Tezuka.
//He seemed to have lost some weight. Has he been eating properly?//
He suddenly recalled the private conversations he held earlier with Tezuka's doctor (who also happened to be his uncle): "Your friend is strong, but the more he pretends to be ok, the harder it will be on him later. It will have to come out sooner or later. He had been hurt both physically and emotionally, it's not that easy to get past. He needed someone he could trust to pour out his hurt and healed from there."
//I wish I'm that person for you, Tezuka.// Atobe thought sadly, knowing Tezuka probably didn't trust him as far as he can throw him.
//Maybe I should tell Oishi or Fuji. They were Tezuka's teammate and seemed to be quite close to Tezuka.// The rational side of him analyzed. However, another side of him argued.
//This might be my only chance to get Tezuka. Now I'm the ONLY person who knew, so I'm the ONLY one who can offer support. Support leads to trust. Trust leads to friendship. Friendship leads to Love.// Atobe thought selfishly.
//I'm sorry Tezuka. It might not be best for you, but . . . I will use whatever means necessary to make you mine. //
Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't even realize Tezuka was talking to him.
"Are you ok? You seemed to have zoned out for a minute there."
"I'm fine." Atobe smiled, but his cell phone rang before he could continue.
"Hello?"
Atobe answered the phone and looked at Tezuka.
"We have him."
Slightly puzzled, Tezuka asked, "Who?"
"The person who hurt you."
X X X X X
"Ahhhh~~~~ No~~~~"
Screams of agony could be heard far outside of an old abandoned warehouse.
Tezuka stopped dead in his track.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to." Atobe looked at Tezuka. The other guy was paled but his hands were curled into fists; there was a gleam of madness burning in the slanted eyes behind the glasses. Without uttering a word, Tezuka walked towards the warehouse.
Two men in black suits were standing guard in front of the warehouse.
"Atobe-sama," They greeted and opened the door. Tezuka rushed in, with Atobe closely behind.
There were about 10 to 15 men inside. All of them bowed when Atobe came in. One of them pointed towards the corner, "We have found the men you were looking for."
"Tereda." Atobe looked at one of the tied men. The youth looked up at the mention of his name with a fearful expression and curled into a tighter ball; there was blood on his face and shirt. Turning towards Tezuka who had gone completely expressionless, Atobe said, "Looks like he had been 'worked through' quite thoroughly."
"That's not good enough." The deep voice uttered those cold words.
Tezuka walked straight towards the trembling human ball.
Picking up a iron bar on the floor, Tezuka aimed for Tereda's head. Powerful enough to kill.
"Stopped it, Tezuka!" Atobe was stunned at the violent outburst. He grabbed Tezuka's wrist before the iron bar connected. "You're going to crush his skull!"
"So?" Tezuka struggled against the hold; his mind driven half-mad as he was completely blinded with fury and hatred. When he wasn't able to get out of Atobe's grip, he started kicking the youth on the floor. He got a few good kicks at the stomach before Atobe forcefully pulled him away.
"This is not you, Tezuka!"
"What do you know about me?" Tezuka spitted those words out like venom, "I want revenge. He deserves to die!"
The warehouse was silence except for the terrifying sobs coming from Tereda. "OK, if that's what you want." Atobe turned to one of the guy standing beside him, "Give me a gun."
"Atobe-sama, are you sure?" The yakuza hesitated.
"Give it to me," Without looking at Tezuka, Atobe continued, "I will kill him for you, Tezuka. I don't want YOU to turn into a murderer. He is not worth that."
Pointing the gun at the whimpering youth, Atobe prepared to pull the trigger.
"Wait." Tezuka closed his eyes tiredly; his energy drained, "He deserves to die . . . but he is not worth turning you into a murderer either. . . Atobe. . ."
X X X X X
"Now that Tereda and the others had been 'taught the lesson', I guess I don't have any excuse to accompany you home everyday now, do I?"
Outside of Tezuka's house, Atobe asked with a smile.
"I supposed. . ."
Atobe's face was a careful mask of indifference, but his shoulders sagged visibly upon hearing the answer.
"Can I ask you out sometimes?" Atobe abruptly blurted out.
"Ask . . . me . . . out . . .?" Tezuka repeated, his voice too soft for Atobe to tell if he was repulsed by the idea or not.
"Yeah," Atobe gave Tezuka a hopeful look, "Would you go out on a date with me?"
Tezuka said nothing, but gazed up at him.
"I . . . This might not be the best of timing. . . but I. . ." Atobe swallowed hard. He had never been so nervous in his life, "Ever since our match. I think . . . I might have fell in . . . fell something for you. I like you, Tezuka."
There. He had said it. He's prepared for any response. . . anything . . .
"I'm leaving for Germany on Friday."
But that.
Germany. Friday. Today is. . . Thursday? "Germany? You're going to Germany tomorrow? For what?" Atobe exclaimed.
"For treatment of my arm." Tezuka answered, "And to get away. From all that happened here."
"For how long?"
"Could be half a year, could be longer than that."
"You didn't even tell me?" Atobe gave a humorless laugh. "We walked home together everyday and you didn't even mention it to me that you're leaving for Germany?"
//Face it. You're nobody to him.// Sad, but true.
Giving himself over to impulse, Atobe swung both of his arms over Tezuka, bringing him into a tight hug. He felt Tezuka tensed for a second and then surprisingly relaxed in his embrace.
"Just let me hold you for a moment." Atobe whispered hoarsely, "I like you. Tezuka. I like you so much. If only you will give me a chance. One chance. . . to be together. . ." Atobe's fingers twirled in Tezuka's soft hair. "Just once, can I kiss you?"
A hand pushed against his chest, steadily applying pressure to separate them.
Releasing Tezuka at last, Atobe sighed, "I guess I know your answer. "
"49 30-201256"
"WHAT?"
"That's my contact number at Germany." Tezuka explained. "You may . . . call me, if you want to."
Atobe was quiet for a moment, then he broke into a smile.
"Hn.. . ." Carrying himself in his usual composed, confident way, Atobe raised an eyebrow, "Does that mean you accept my 'courting'?"
"You can say that." Tezuka answered levelly. "As for your question earlier, shouldn't that happen after a relationship has developed?"
"My question earlier?" Then Atobe remembered. His smile widened into a grin, "Hopefully by the time I see you next time, we will be at that stage." Atobe's finger touched lightly against the other's lips.
"You know, I think I will be taking a vacation to Germany soon. . ." Waving a goodbye, Atobe muttered, "Thanks for taking a chance on me . . ."
END
"Tezuka said nothing happened," Oishi said, looking unconvinced, "Atobe said the same. But I can't help feeling something's off. Do you think something happen to Tezuka?"
"Duh... That's obvious. Didn't you see the bruises on his chin?" Kikimaru exclaimed.
"He seemed ok though. His movement is stiff, as if he is in pain every time he shifts. And he seemed to be more close off than usual," Momoshiro joined the conversation, "But other than that, he looks fine?"
The other regulars looked at each other.
"Do you think we should go ask him again?" Oishi asked anxiously, "to find out exactly what happened?"
"I think we should leave the guy alone." Fuji suddenly said.
"I agree!" Momoshiro nodded, "Remember when Ryoma was beaten last time? The kid kept insisting he fell from the stairs!"
"Don't bring me into this." Ryoma grumbled.
"Yeah, Tezuka and Ryoma are so much alike it's not funny! Tezuka probably just wanted to handle this by himself." Kikimaru nodded. "If Tezuka decided he wants to let us know, I'm sure he will tell us."
"It would have been a good opportunity to gather good data though." Inui flipped his notebook, "Maybe we should be nosy. . ."
"Leave the guy along, Inui!" Kikimaru laughed.
"Ok. . . if that's what you guys think." Oishi said uncertainly. He couldn't help feeling the others were taking this too lightly. Still if all of them felt this way, then perhaps he shouldn't butt in on Tezuka. After all, Tezuka was an intensely private guy who preferred to keep things to himself.
X X X
Tezuka stared out of the window, not paying attention to what the teacher was teaching. For once, he couldn't care less about the lessons.
His mind played back the encountered with Oishi and others earlier in the morning. He didn't think they believed him. But none of them forced the issue. He was glad for that.
Now he only had Atobe to deal with. If only that guy would leave him alone as well. . .
Tezuka's eyes narrowed slightly. He will be meeting Atobe later. The guy wanted to "walk him home". To protect him? Tezuka didn't know if he should laugh or cry. It's too late for that. Something inside of him shattered into pieces yesterday when he was . . .
BANG!
The whole class was shocked into complete silence, including the teacher. They looked at the tennis club buchou who just slammed his fists on the table.
"Te. . . Te . . .Tezuka. . .?" The Math teacher swallowed hard. He was always nervous in front of this "perfect" student. "What. . . Is something wrong?" He quickly scanned through the Mathematics computation written on the board. The calculations seemed to be correct. . .
Tezuka closed his eyes briefly, well aware that he was the center of attention. Forcing himself to calm down, "I apologized, sensei. Please continue."
X X X X X
It had been a month since the incident. Tezuka reminded himself. He preferred to completely wipe out the unpleasant memory, but as he was unable to do so, he settled for locking that memory away and simply referred to it as "that incident" when he did think about it inevitably.
True to his word, Atobe had been accompanying him home everyday after school.
It was very strange to say the least. In the past, the only other person whom he sometimes took the same train home was Oishi. He had never had anyone waiting for him after school and walked home together.
Atobe had not mentioned a word about the incident since then. The guy would merely wait for him at Seigaku's side gate; an entrance that's seldom used by students. Tezuka was glad for that. Atobe wasn't exactly low profile. There would surely be rumors stirred up if Atobe had been seen waiting for him every single day.
Approaching the gate, Tezuka raised his eyes slightly and saw the familiar figure waiting for him just outside.
"Busy day?" Atobe asked good naturally when Tezuka reached the gate.
"Nothing overwhelming." Tezuka shrugged.
Atobe smiled. He joined the other by his side and started walking. As usual, he was the one doing most of the talking. He chatted about nothing in particular. Once in a while he received a comment or two from the quiet Seigaku Buchou.
While talking about some new restaurants in town, Atobe stole a few glances from Tezuka.
//He seemed to have lost some weight. Has he been eating properly?//
He suddenly recalled the private conversations he held earlier with Tezuka's doctor (who also happened to be his uncle): "Your friend is strong, but the more he pretends to be ok, the harder it will be on him later. It will have to come out sooner or later. He had been hurt both physically and emotionally, it's not that easy to get past. He needed someone he could trust to pour out his hurt and healed from there."
//I wish I'm that person for you, Tezuka.// Atobe thought sadly, knowing Tezuka probably didn't trust him as far as he can throw him.
//Maybe I should tell Oishi or Fuji. They were Tezuka's teammate and seemed to be quite close to Tezuka.// The rational side of him analyzed. However, another side of him argued.
//This might be my only chance to get Tezuka. Now I'm the ONLY person who knew, so I'm the ONLY one who can offer support. Support leads to trust. Trust leads to friendship. Friendship leads to Love.// Atobe thought selfishly.
//I'm sorry Tezuka. It might not be best for you, but . . . I will use whatever means necessary to make you mine. //
Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't even realize Tezuka was talking to him.
"Are you ok? You seemed to have zoned out for a minute there."
"I'm fine." Atobe smiled, but his cell phone rang before he could continue.
"Hello?"
Atobe answered the phone and looked at Tezuka.
"We have him."
Slightly puzzled, Tezuka asked, "Who?"
"The person who hurt you."
X X X X X
"Ahhhh~~~~ No~~~~"
Screams of agony could be heard far outside of an old abandoned warehouse.
Tezuka stopped dead in his track.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to." Atobe looked at Tezuka. The other guy was paled but his hands were curled into fists; there was a gleam of madness burning in the slanted eyes behind the glasses. Without uttering a word, Tezuka walked towards the warehouse.
Two men in black suits were standing guard in front of the warehouse.
"Atobe-sama," They greeted and opened the door. Tezuka rushed in, with Atobe closely behind.
There were about 10 to 15 men inside. All of them bowed when Atobe came in. One of them pointed towards the corner, "We have found the men you were looking for."
"Tereda." Atobe looked at one of the tied men. The youth looked up at the mention of his name with a fearful expression and curled into a tighter ball; there was blood on his face and shirt. Turning towards Tezuka who had gone completely expressionless, Atobe said, "Looks like he had been 'worked through' quite thoroughly."
"That's not good enough." The deep voice uttered those cold words.
Tezuka walked straight towards the trembling human ball.
Picking up a iron bar on the floor, Tezuka aimed for Tereda's head. Powerful enough to kill.
"Stopped it, Tezuka!" Atobe was stunned at the violent outburst. He grabbed Tezuka's wrist before the iron bar connected. "You're going to crush his skull!"
"So?" Tezuka struggled against the hold; his mind driven half-mad as he was completely blinded with fury and hatred. When he wasn't able to get out of Atobe's grip, he started kicking the youth on the floor. He got a few good kicks at the stomach before Atobe forcefully pulled him away.
"This is not you, Tezuka!"
"What do you know about me?" Tezuka spitted those words out like venom, "I want revenge. He deserves to die!"
The warehouse was silence except for the terrifying sobs coming from Tereda. "OK, if that's what you want." Atobe turned to one of the guy standing beside him, "Give me a gun."
"Atobe-sama, are you sure?" The yakuza hesitated.
"Give it to me," Without looking at Tezuka, Atobe continued, "I will kill him for you, Tezuka. I don't want YOU to turn into a murderer. He is not worth that."
Pointing the gun at the whimpering youth, Atobe prepared to pull the trigger.
"Wait." Tezuka closed his eyes tiredly; his energy drained, "He deserves to die . . . but he is not worth turning you into a murderer either. . . Atobe. . ."
X X X X X
"Now that Tereda and the others had been 'taught the lesson', I guess I don't have any excuse to accompany you home everyday now, do I?"
Outside of Tezuka's house, Atobe asked with a smile.
"I supposed. . ."
Atobe's face was a careful mask of indifference, but his shoulders sagged visibly upon hearing the answer.
"Can I ask you out sometimes?" Atobe abruptly blurted out.
"Ask . . . me . . . out . . .?" Tezuka repeated, his voice too soft for Atobe to tell if he was repulsed by the idea or not.
"Yeah," Atobe gave Tezuka a hopeful look, "Would you go out on a date with me?"
Tezuka said nothing, but gazed up at him.
"I . . . This might not be the best of timing. . . but I. . ." Atobe swallowed hard. He had never been so nervous in his life, "Ever since our match. I think . . . I might have fell in . . . fell something for you. I like you, Tezuka."
There. He had said it. He's prepared for any response. . . anything . . .
"I'm leaving for Germany on Friday."
But that.
Germany. Friday. Today is. . . Thursday? "Germany? You're going to Germany tomorrow? For what?" Atobe exclaimed.
"For treatment of my arm." Tezuka answered, "And to get away. From all that happened here."
"For how long?"
"Could be half a year, could be longer than that."
"You didn't even tell me?" Atobe gave a humorless laugh. "We walked home together everyday and you didn't even mention it to me that you're leaving for Germany?"
//Face it. You're nobody to him.// Sad, but true.
Giving himself over to impulse, Atobe swung both of his arms over Tezuka, bringing him into a tight hug. He felt Tezuka tensed for a second and then surprisingly relaxed in his embrace.
"Just let me hold you for a moment." Atobe whispered hoarsely, "I like you. Tezuka. I like you so much. If only you will give me a chance. One chance. . . to be together. . ." Atobe's fingers twirled in Tezuka's soft hair. "Just once, can I kiss you?"
A hand pushed against his chest, steadily applying pressure to separate them.
Releasing Tezuka at last, Atobe sighed, "I guess I know your answer. "
"49 30-201256"
"WHAT?"
"That's my contact number at Germany." Tezuka explained. "You may . . . call me, if you want to."
Atobe was quiet for a moment, then he broke into a smile.
"Hn.. . ." Carrying himself in his usual composed, confident way, Atobe raised an eyebrow, "Does that mean you accept my 'courting'?"
"You can say that." Tezuka answered levelly. "As for your question earlier, shouldn't that happen after a relationship has developed?"
"My question earlier?" Then Atobe remembered. His smile widened into a grin, "Hopefully by the time I see you next time, we will be at that stage." Atobe's finger touched lightly against the other's lips.
"You know, I think I will be taking a vacation to Germany soon. . ." Waving a goodbye, Atobe muttered, "Thanks for taking a chance on me . . ."
END
