Author's Notes: This was supposed to be out yesterday but the file was erased. Anyway, it's here now. Thanks to Yoshiko-chan for reviewing. And yes, Ryoma's gonna make his appearance but I won't just say when. ::grins::

Part Three: Such splendors should be shared

It was a day before he was scheduled to fly to Germany. A day before he'd have to leave the team behind. A day before he'd have to leave Fuji behind.

He sighed. Could he really survive Germany without the tensai's presence?

He looked around, amazed that the place seemed just like it had been when he climbed it with the regulars. It was a very good suggestion from Oishi – a sweet remembrance from his best friend. A small smile appeared on his lips as he remembered Fuji's voice as he stood near him, watching the sun rise.

"It's good that you came."

Yes. It was really good that he came.

Reaching the top, he saw someone standing near the edge. He certainly did not expect someone to be there at – he checked his watch – four in the morning.

Said person suddenly turned around as if feeling his presence.

The ocean and the land met. Eyes widened. Heart beat tripled. Confusions flooded their minds.

"Saeki."

"Tezuka."

What exactly was life playing at?

There was no reaction albeit the shock they were feeling. Not a muscle moved, not a sound was made.

Tezuka, for the first time in his entire life, couldn't regain his composure. He didn't know if he should go on with his plan of watching the sunrise or just simply walk away.

Go or stay? Stay or go?

Then suddenly, Saeki smiled. Waves crashed on the beach, sweeping away the confusions.

And though he did not know why, Tezuka's lips curved into a small smile.

Five minutes till sunrise, Tezuka noted as he stood beside his unexpected companion.

They had been silent since an hour ago when he reached the top of the cliff. He half-expected the silence to be so loud that it would be a pain, but it was the contrary. The silence was comfortable. It was almost like when Fuji would just stand beside him and observe their teammates as if he was the fukubuchou and not Oishi. Those times when the tensai had left his slyness and teasing nature inside his bag. Those times he loved.

Maybe this was one reason why Fuji liked Saeki.

"You're going to Germany, I heard."

Brown eyes blinked out of his reverie and the buchou was thankful that he was regaining his reflexes.

"Fuji told you."

There was a light chuckle, almost like the one Fuji was trademarked for. Well, minus the tease and slyness.

"You sound like Fuji," Saeki said, clearly amused. "Always sure of what he's saying. Not a single doubt in his speculations."

Perhaps, the fukubuchou thought, this was one reason why Fuji liked Tezuka.

Weird, Tezuka thought. Just when he thought that Saeki and Fuji had some similarities, Saeki noted the same with him and the tensai.

"I'll take care of him while you're gone."

Earth eyes met blue ones. The buchou was worried – just a bit – that in Saeki's 'taking-care-of-Fuji project', he might gain ground.

"Daijoubu." Saeki smiled, reassuringly. "I play fair. Let's set aside the rivalry while you're away, ne?"

Tezuka stared at the outstretched hand for a moment before taking it. "Aa."

And the sun slowly rose, painting the sky with its warm glow.

­­­­­­­­­­Tsuzuku...