Author's Notes: Aa... First of all, thank you for such wonderful reviews. You have given me the will to continue with this. Then, I know some of you still are wondering who Fuji will end up with. So, I will not let you wonder any longer. I present to you the last installment to this supposed-to-be-one-shot-that-turned-longer-than-expected fic.
Part Six: Game, Set and Match – The Sun, The Sea, The Earth and The Moon
It had been a week. Seven grueling days of not hearing from Fuji Syusuke and he didn't like it one bit. He thought that it was just because the tensai was too busy. He thought that the school might have been giving them too much work. But Oishi was able to chat with him on his MSN and his fukubuchou had more responsibilities than Fuji! Even Kikumaru had time to be online!
He sighed, opening the cup of mango flavored yogurt. He opened his computer and waited for his desktop to load. Eating a spoon of yogurt, he logged on to his MSN messenger, hoping that there was a message from his beloved tensai.
Earth eyes narrowed. There were no messages. It had been seven days, six hours and eleven minutes. And he was starting to sound like Inui.
He put another spoonful of yogurt in his mouth. Oishi and Kikumaru always directed all subjects in another direction when the discussion swayed to the tensai. Perhaps, it was now time to write to Fuji and initiate something.
Another spoonful. But the thing was, he was never good at initiating a conversation.
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
Hey, Tezuka.
Tezuka stared at the monitor for a moment before realizing that a savior has come.
Tezuka says:
Saeki. Ii timing da.
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
Boring MSN name as always. Ii timing? Naze?
Tezuka says:
Have you heard anything about Fuji lately? It has been seven days since he last sent a message through my cell phone, called me or left a message here.
It was Saeki's turn to stare at the monitor. He knew that it would eventually come to this – that's why he went online, right? So why was he hesitating now?
Tezuka says:
Saeki?
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
Sorry, Tezuka. Did you ask Oishi and Kikumaru already?
Tezuka says:
Yes. However, they reroute the subject elsewhere.
Tezuka says:
Saeki. You know something.
Yes. The same old Tezuka, he thought. Always sure of what he says.
Tezuka says:
We're friends, right?
There was another pause. The fukubuchou was suddenly stumped. Tezuka was right. They were friends now, not too much of rivals anymore. Although sometimes, it felt a little bit more, Saeki was sure that 'friends' was already the term they shared and not 'rivals'.
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
Yeah, we are. ::smiles::
A small smile formed on Tezuka's lips, the first since Fuji last sent him mail. Somehow, although he was surprised himself with the way he had said it, Tezuka thought that it was only fitting that they were friends and perhaps, if he stretched far enough, not rivals anymore.
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
About Fuji... He's been acting strange lately.
Tezuka says:
Strange? What do you mean?
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
Well, to anyone else he might still be the smiling tensai but there's something akin to confusion in his eyes.
Tezuka says:
Confusion? Why?
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
I don't know. It's like he's torn between something.
Fuji's confused? Tezuka thought. But what was the tensai confused about?
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
Tezuka... no matter what happens, I'll be right behind you.
Kojiroh's the man ('coz he's hot and cool at the same time) says:
You have my support.
He was online again, waiting for some miracle that Fuji would drop him a message. So far, he was unsuccessful. He was eating another mango-flavored yogurt again – since when had he grown fond this anyway? – while browsing through his mails when his cell phone rang.
"Hello. This is Tezuka."
"Tezuka!" came Oishi's lively voice from the other line. "How have you been?"
"Oishi. I'm fine. How about you?"
"Fine, fine. The team's doing well, too, however I have some doubts that we can win against Rikkai. The good thing was, the game was cancelled due to the bad weather."
"More practice is needed then," he said, resuming his captain-attitude and leaving the emotion-capable Tezuka behind.
"Exactly. Ryuzaki-sensei and I arranged that the match be delayed for a week so that we can have a special training session – a training camp. What do you think?"
"That's good. Train as hard as you can. Remember that our goal is –"
"I know. To reach the Nationals and win it," Oishi continued with a resolute voice. "And we shall be waiting with an open singles one position for you."
"Aa."
"Ja ne, Tezuka."
"Ja ne."
He put the phone down and ate a spoon of yogurt. A week-long training camp, he thought. He hoped that it would produce big results even if he thought that a week was too short for a training to beat Rikkai. He knew the strength Rikkai had even without their captain. However, the strength of his team was still a formidable one especially with Echizen and Fuji on the team.
Fuji...
What's happening to you?
His train of thoughts were disrupted by a computerized tone that indicated that someone was online. He quickly opened it up and saw that his hopes were once again shattered. It wasn't Fuji. It was Inui.
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
Tezuka. There was a 90 chance that you would be online at this hour.
Tezuka says:
Inui. It's nice to hear from you.
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
Nice, Tezuka? That was something I never expected that you'd say. Well, perhaps a 50 chance.
Tezuka says:
Inui. How is Fuji?
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
Ah. There was a 100 chance that you would be asking me that since neither Eiji nor Oishi has spoken about him. And our enigmatic tensai has been enigmatic more than ever.
Tezuka just had enough of Inui's speculating and probabilities. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. And what exactly did Inui mean that Fuji was more enigmatic than ever?
Tezuka says:
Inui, go straight to the point.
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
If you want however, my data is incomplete regarding Fuji's mysteriousness. All I know is that he often stares out in the open and is often alone. I, personally, haven't talked to him since we watched the game Fudomine had against Yamabuki.
Tezuka says:
If your data regarding Fuji is incomplete, what then is your reason for contacting me? I presume this has nothing to do with the club and yet is something of value to me.
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
Yes, Tezuka. In that aspect you are correct. It has nothing to do with the club and yet you will be interested to know that Echizen has developed quite an interest in Fuji.
Tezuka stared at the monitor. What did Inui exactly mean?
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
This interest, as I have observed, started when they played against each other in that practice game held in May. At first, I thought it was because he just found out that Fuji was really strong despite that slim and small body of his. However, this interest gradually became something more than wanting to defeat an obstacle. Echizen's purpose now is not only to defeat Fuji but to get his heart as well.
Inui paused and looked at what he had written. It was unlikely for a man that stuck to the facts to be saying those kinds of words but he was only human. He could feel whatever his data couldn't perceive. And he very well felt what Echizen was feeling.
After all, wasn't he in the same position?
However, it wasn't himself he was concerned about right now. It was how Tezuka would react.
Though the buchou would deny it several times, he had not been blind as to how special Fuji was for Tezuka. Fuji's feelings, however, was something that came at a later date.
Tezuka says:
And Fuji? How does he react to this?
Inui Sadaharu ::Data Man:: says:
Now here's what's peculiar. There are times that he responds to Echizen's favor. Yet there are times that he just smiles and ignores the advances with a confused and frustrated look in his eyes after our freshman has left.
There was it again, Tezuka thought, Fuji's confusion. Did it mean that he was actually considering Echizen?
"Atobe. Can I call in a favor?'
Atobe smirked. "Now this is rare. If you weren't Ore-sama's friend, I wouldn't consider it. But since you are, I will. What is it that you want, Tezuka?"
Honestly, he didn't know what pushed him to do this but there was no other person who could do it. Only Atobe was right for the job.
"Can Hyotei have a practice match against Seigaku?"
"Whatever for, Tezuka?"
"A preparation for their match against Rikkai. I want to know how much Echizen has grown as well as the others," he replied. "And I know you are the fitting choice since you went against Sanada last year, didn't you, Atobe?"
It was only fitting also, Tezuka knew, to praise Atobe (so little it may be) to soften him up a bit.
"Since you put it that way, Tezuka, then I will grant you this one request."
Can you look out for Fuji, too? Tezuka wanted to add. Instead, he said, "Arigato. Sorry for imposing on you."
"The game with Echizen ended in a tie. But no one knows what would've happened if the game continued."
"Aa. Sorry for imposing on you once again, Atobe."
There was a laugh from the other end of the line. "I don't think Echizen's match was the one you wanted me to report."
"What are you implying?"
"I'm implying about Fuji and the way he reacted towards Echizen's game with me and the way that brat reacted in Fuji's game with Oshitari."
Tezuka knew he had no chance of denying it. "Go on then."
"Echizen's really interested in that tensai of yours. He was watching that game with Oshitari with so much intensity. Fuji, on one hand, seemed very disturbed with the measures I took to test your kohai."
Tezuka was silent. Had Echizen already won? Had he lost to the freshman? Had he lost Fuji already?
"Tezuka? Daijoubu ka?"
"Aa..." was all Tezuka said, still drowned in his thoughts.
Tezuka was his friend and although he would never admit it out loud, he cared greatly for his friends. He was bothered with the other buchou's silence. Supposedly, he thought, he didn't have to be alarmed or anything. After all, Tezuka had always been the silent type. However, there was something wrong about that silence.
"I'll be visiting you after the finals."
Tea eyes shot up, Atobe's statement waking him from his reverie. "Why?"
He couldn't very well say that he was concerned, can he? He was Atobe Keigo and Ore-sama was never concerned with such trivial things. Well, he did but he would never admit it.
"I miss Germany. And besides, won't you be happy to be graced by Ore-sama's presence?"
"Hn." There was no escaping this one, he knew. "It will a pleasure then."
"Of course it will."
"If you are coming here, can you do me another favor?"
A snicker from Atobe. "Asking too many favors now, are we, Tezuka? Ok. Since Ore-sama feels generous today, I will give in to a favor. What's it?"
Tezuka rolled his eyes. "You know Rokkaku Chu's fukubuchou, Saeki Kojiroh?"
Atobe paused for a while, searching his memory bank. "Tall, bleached hair?"
"Silver hair, Atobe."
The Hyotei buchou blinked. Tezuka was too particular about this person, he thought. "Silver then. What of him?"
"Can you bring him along?"
Tezuka knew that the favor he was asking was outrageous. But if his insufferable friend was visiting him, might as well bring someone who he could get along with.
Atobe was shocked, to say the least, but he didn't show it. There was something happening that he didn't know and he wanted to know what it was.
"Fine. I will do what I can."
To say that a silent and a looking-out-in-space tensai was a nice thing since his sadistic side wasn't unleashed, was a big lie. For Kikumaru and Oishi, who had seen Fuji like this for the past few days, they would rather have their resident sadist be sadistic again rather than how he was now.
"How long has he been there?" asked Kawamura, coming from behind the Golden Pair.
"Thirty minutes and twelve seconds," replied Inui who came out of nowhere.
Kikumaru knew he was supposed to be surprised but he wasn't. He was too concerned with what was happening with his best friend lately to concern himself with something usual as Inui sneaking up on them.
Usually, the best friends sat through lunch together but lately, the tensai would disappear somewhere and just appear a few minutes before the break was over. The acrobatic player had dragged Oishi to find the tensai when it happened the first time. They found Fuji in a secluded spot of the school, near a pond (1). He was just standing there, playing with his necklace.
"Up to now, I am still wondering who gave that necklace to him," said Oishi.
"Nyah Oishi, it came from Tezuka."
Inui blinked. Not even he figured that out. "Why do you say that, Eiji?"
"Every time we talk about Tezuka, he suddenly smiles sadly and plays with that necklace of his. Nyah it's so obvious I thought that you'd notice that, Inui!"
The data collector adjusted his glasses. "I was rather preoccupied with figuring out what was causing Fuji's unusual behavior."
"What have you figured out?" Kawamura asked, curious.
"Well, according to my data, twenty five percent of this is caused by Echizen's advances and twenty five percent is due to the necklace that – according to Eiji – Tezuka gave. The other fifty percent is Fuji's confusion, emotions that seem alien to him – that are now causing mayhem in his usually calm self."
"Nyah Ochibi's been really headstrong about this even if he knows how Fuji feels about Tezuka."
"The question is," Kawamura said. "Is Fuji still feeling the same way for Tezuka?"
Oishi sighed. "I think he still does but he feels something for Echizen somehow. Perhaps that's what's causing his confusion."
Inui closed his notebook. "This is the first time that we can actually read Fuji. And yet, we still can't help him."
"Nyah I feel bad. He's my best friend and all."
Another sigh from their temporary captain. "But there's nothing we can do, Eiji. This is something Fuji has to decide for himself. Let's just hope that he's going to be happy with whoever he picks."
Kikumaru nodded. Fuji...
"It's really nice of you to bring me to Germany with you," said a smiling Saeki. "And in your private plane nonetheless."
Atobe flipped his hair. "Only the best for Ore-sama of course. And it's not as if I can say 'no' to Tezuka nowadays."
"Tezuka? You mean it was Tezuka who asked me to come?"
The Hyotei buchou nodded.
"And the reason you couldn't say 'no'..."
"I am concerned with what has been happening to him lately. He seems more silent the usual and I think you're the one who knows what's happening." Aquamarine eyes traveled to meet cerulean ones. "What has been happening to Tezuka, Saeki?"
There was a sigh that escaped the fukubuchou. "It's about Fuji. He hasn't contacted Tezuka in a long time and there's something happening to him. It's like he's not even feeling the same for Tezuka anymore."
Now this was curious, Atobe thought. "But you love Fuji, too, don't you? Why are you helping Tezuka?"
"Yes, I do. But I guess I know I'll always be just his best friend. I will never have his love. And Tezuka and I don't consider each other as rivals anymore."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I don't know how it happened exactly but we're friends now. And I like it."
Atobe stared at the Saeki, using his Insight on him. There was something about this whole affair that he was missing. But ore-sama never misses anything...
"Young master Keigo, Saeki-san, please put on your seatbelts. We shall be landing in a few minutes."
"Thanks," Saeki said as Atobe just nodded.
Perhaps the missing piece in this puzzle lies in Tezuka...
Tezuka was waiting for them in front of the rehab center when they arrived. There was a curt nod of recognition as Atobe stepped out of the limousine.
"Atobe."
"Tezuka. How nice to see you."
"Atobe, how the heck did you get a car like this?!" Saeki exclaimed as he got out. "A limo with your hair color... WOW is the only word for this."
"Ore-sama deserves only the best, Saeki."
There was a chuckle. A chuckle that Tezuka knew oh-so well.
"Yo, Tezuka! Hisashiburi!" Saeki greeted with a big grin.
Tezuka's features softened, a small smile on his lips. "Hisashiburi, Saeki."
Atobe raised an eyebrow. Ahn? What is this? A smile on my friend's lips? Even ore-sama has never produced such results before. And all Saeki did was to grin at him...
"Will you not let us in, Tezuka? I have the video of the Rikkai matches."
The usual Tezuka was back. "Suman nai. Let's head to my room. We can watch it there."
"Ne, Tezuka," said Saeki, putting an arm around the buchou as Tezuka lead the way. "Do you have something to eat? I'm starving."
"There's yogurt in the refrigerator..."
"Hontou? Mango ones?"
"Mango ones, yes."
"Yeah!"
Really, Atobe thought, this was getting way too peculiar. Saeki's way too close to Tezuka's private zone and yet he does nothing. Plus, that mango-flavored yogurt... as far as I know, Tezuka doesn't eat yogurt...
Saeki did not want to watch it again. He didn't want to see the way Kirihara hurt his best friend in the sport they loved so much. He didn't want to see the look on Fuji's face as he was temporarily blinded. He did not want to see how much determination Fuji had because this guy hurt Echizen Ryoma. (2)
Yet, there was something he didn't want to see, too. The look on Tezuka's face as they watched the video Atobe brought.
The hurt, the frustration, the anger in those eyes. Saeki knew that if Tezuka was present in that match, he would've shouted Fuji's name.
Cerulean orbs closed. He did not want to see any of it.
Atobe watched everything. He watched the match. He watched how Tezuka reacted to the match. He watched how Saeki reacted to Tezuka's reaction.
He could feel the pain coming from Saeki. The pain of hearing his best friend shouting in pain. The pain of remembering how it took place. The pain of seeing Tezuka pained.
He could feel the frustration, the anger emanating from Tezuka. The frustration of not being there for the one he loved. The anger of being in Germany, far from where he knew he was needed. The combination of both.
Atobe felt them all.
"Atobe..." came Tezuka's voice.
He tried to remain as unaffected as he could but when he met those tea-colored eyes, he could not just stay unaffected.
"I need to go home."
The Hyotei buchou understood. If he was in Tezuka's place and Jiroh was hurt like that, could he have stayed in Germany a second longer?
No.
"We can use my private plane."
"Yumiko-neesan, this is Kojiroh. Is Syusuke at home?" asked Saeki.
The moment they had gotten off the plane, Saeki had whipped out his cell phone and called Fuji. After several tries and there was no one answering, he called the Fuji residence. Luckily, the eldest of the siblings was there.
"Hello, Kojiroh. It's been a long while. I'm sorry but Syusuke's not at home."
"Do you know where he is?"
Tezuka was straining his ears to hear the exchange as they waited for Atobe's car to arrive. The Hyotei buchou had gone to an appointment he said he couldn't miss. However, Atobe said, they could use the next car that comes. He had called in advance and his chauffeur would gladly be of service.
"He went out an hour ago. He said he was going to play tennis."
"Do you know where?"
"He mentioned the street courts, I think. He was with Mada Mada-kun (3) when he went out."
"Mada Mada-kun?" Saeki echoed.
Coffee eyes shot up in recognition. "Echizen."
The fukubuchou glanced at Tezuka. "Echizen?"
"Yes, I think that's the name of the boy," Yumiko said at the other line.
"Thanks, neesan. Sorry for bothering you."
"Not at all, Kojiroh. Ja."
Tezuka was done hiding his curiosity. "What did she say?"
"She said he's out in the street courts with 'Mada Mada-kun'." The car arrived. "How the hell did you know that Mada Mada-kun was Echizen?"
The chauffeur bowed after he alighted from the car. "Tezuka-sama, Saeki-sama. Douzo."
"To the street courts please," said Tezuka when they settled in. "It's easy, Saeki. Echizen's favorite phrase is 'mada mada da ne'. Fuji's neesan would pick that up if she's seen Echizen."
"But how could she have? Yumiko-neesan doesn't visit Fuji in Seigaku. She's either at work or at home."
A heavy sigh. "That could only mean that Echizen has been to Fuji's house."
Twist spin smash.
Higuma Otoshi.
Deuce.
Echizen smirked. He would win this game.
Fuji tossed the ball up in the air and served. He will not lose.
Drive B. Advantage Echizen.
Tezuka and Saeki stared. There, just a few meters away from them, was Echizen and Fuji, playing tennis. They could not move. There was something in that game that pinned them on the ground.
Disappearing serve. Service ace. Deuce.
Another serve. Rising. Rally. Kisarazu Atushi's smash-looking drop volley.
Advantage Fuji.
Saeki's eyes widened at the loss of the silver necklace that usually hung around Fuji's neck.
"Come on, Syusuke! I don't think you're serious enough!" cried Echizen from the other side of the court.
Sea eyes opened. "Saa... calling me by my first name now, Ryoma?"
The freshman scowled. "Shut up and serve."
A chuckle. "If that is what you wish."
Another serve.
Rally.
Tezuka wanted to take his eyes off the game. He wanted to shut his ears. He did not want to see Fuji looking at Echizen like that. He did not want to hear how Fuji spoke the freshman's name. He did not want to hear Echizen speaking the tensai's name.
Yet, he could not close his ears. He could not close his eyes.
And tears had threatened to fall.
Drive A.
Tezuka zone – Fuji's version.
Saeki bit his lip. He turned to Tezuka. He did not know what to do. He did not know what to say.
Or if should do anything or say anything at all.
Hakugei.
Game, set and match won by Fuji, seven games to five. (4)
"Che. You won again," Echizen said as they shook hands.
Fuji smiled, softer than he usually did. "Saa...Ryoma. You'll have plenty time to beat me."
The smaller of the two grabbed the tensai's shirt, their faces only inches apart. "Be ready to lose next time."
The tensai just smiled before placing a quick kiss on Echizen's lips.
"FUJI! I TOLD YOU NEVER TO DO THAT IN PUBLIC!"
And Fuji chuckled again.
All Tezuka could do was close his eyes as the one he loved walked away, hand-in-hand, with another person. He closed his eyes and tried not to let his tears fall.
If only he could close his heart as well so he would not be able to feel the pain of losing Fuji.
He had lost to Echizen.
He had lost Fuji.
He felt cold. There wasn't any sun anymore. The sun had set to meet the sea and the earth was left alone in the darkness – cold.
Then suddenly, there was something warm that wrapped around his left hand. He opened his eyes and saw that it was a hand intertwined with his own.
Saeki's hand.
Azure eyes met auburn ones. No words were spoken. Saeki squeezed his hand and smiled faintly.
When the sun said goodbye to the earth and went with the sea, it did not leave the earth alone in the darkness of the night. For there in those shadows shined the moon, giving light to the sun-deprived earth.
Tezuka's eyes softened, message delivered and understood. He squeezed Saeki's hand and let the tears fall.
Somewhere along the road, Tezuka thought, they had become more than rivals for Fuji's heart.
They had become friends.
And perhaps, Saeki mused, somewhere in the course of that friendship, they had become more to each other.
The earth will never be alone. Even without the sun – and even only with its borrowed light from the sun – the moon will shine for the earth to let it know that it will never be alone.
Wasurenaide hitori ja nai yo... (5)
And perhaps someday, both thought, they would get to erase their fears and open their hearts again...
... perhaps even to each other.
-Owari-
::29Oct04:: ::04:09p::
1 Based on the episode wherein Momo doesn't attend the club and Echizen sees him there.
2 I took the manga version of the Fuji vs. Kirihara match where one of the reasons why Fuji chose to play with Kirihara was because of the unofficial match he had with Echizen in the street courts.
3 Taken from the song 'Daisuki na Kimochi'. I presume Yumiko was talking about Echizen since he is the only character that says it often enough.
4 A continuation of the Fuji vs. Echizen game in 'More than Gravitation'
5 A line from the Get Backers opening theme 'Yurago Koto Nai Ai'
Author's Notes: I know. I know. I know. I wanted a TezuFuji too and yet I couldn't do it because this was the companion story to 'More than Gravitation' which ended as a FuiRyo. Atobe had to make an appearance and comment he had regarding Jiroh – that was a connection between this and 'More than what they could see'. Inui's and Momo's connection will come later.
Yet, my love for TezuFuji will always remain on top of everything else. So stay tuned for more TezuFujis to come. ::smiles::
Thanks to all the people who took time to read this and to the people who took time to review it.
Thanks, Reeza for listening even late at night to my endless ramblings about this.
Now, I shall leave POT for a while to finish my CCD fic. But I shall be back!