Authors' Notes: We want to thank all the people who have reviewed. We are so happy that you love what's happening. And we hope that you will like the next ones.
Disclaimers: Still belongs to Konomi-sama, who will have another very Happy Christmas because of the still rising popularity of his anime.
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The Prince of Tennis Christmas Carols
Interlude: Okaeri Nasai
Fuji Yuuta was never the type to be nervous about anything. Sure, he always had blushing-reflexes but that was because he was embarrassed. Embarrassed and not nervous.
But this was something he was nervous about.
He glanced at his band mates. Kikumaru grinned at him encouragingly.
He gulped. Oh well. It wasn't as if would do this again tomorrow or next year, right? He'd better get it over and done with.
He grabbed the mike, hoping that he wasn't trembling. He hated showing any signs of weakness.
"We decided to take a break from embarrassing people, as Tachibana-san would put it." He smiled sheepishly. "So while my band mates take a breather, I would like to call on my teammate, Kisarazu Atsushi-san."
Yanagisawa blinked. Was his partner going to sing?
"Thank you, Kisarazu-san," Yuuta acknowledged as he gestured towards the adjacent seat in front of the other mike. "Eiji-san called him earlier to ask him to do this with me. I want to thank him for saying 'yes'."
"Anytime, Yuuta."
Fuji smiled. It was good to know that his brother was making friends.
"So the next song will be a duet by both of us. We hope you like it," the younger Fuji said, sitting on his own chair. The notes started to fill the air.
Yuuta: I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow
And raspberry pies
And presents 'neath the cactus
The tensai's eyes softened. He had not been expecting to hear that song from Yuuta.
A small smile graced Saeki's lips. It was good to see that the brothers were getting along even if it was only for Christmas. He knew it was taking Yuuta a lot of effort singing that. But hide as he may, the fukubuchou knew that deep down inside, that southpaw loved his Aniki to the bone.
Atsushi: Christmas Eve will find me
Where the tennis balls gleam
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in your dreams
Ryoh shook his head, a smile threatening to slip on his lips.
If there was one thing Atsushi wasn't good at, it was expressing utmost and deep care for his family and friends. But here was his little brother now, singing about one thing that Ryoh wanted for Christmas…
His brother at home.
Yuuta: We'll be spending tonight
Together as long as you like
Atsushi: With every bounce of the tennis balls
We'll be playing all night
Both: And although we know
That this is only till daylight
I'll be with you this Christmas
If only for tonight
The crowd was silent. Some were wiping tears that escaped their eyes, some were just smiling softly. Some were trying not to let emotions get the better of them, some were just casually sipping their drinks. And yet, none were like Fuji and Ryoh…
Who felt all the love from that one song. Who smiled softly at their brothers. Who couldn't find words, their vocabulary failing them. Who let their tears flow, not minding that there were other people in the room.
For Yuuta and Atsushi were correct. It was only momentary, a fleeting moment held in the palm of their hands to be placed in their hearts forever.
Yes. If only for tonight.
-Tsuzuku-