Hitomi wo Tojite - Close Your Eyes

by Thyphy

ACT V

'I received your answer. Even when you daydream, you keep your eyes opened.

But if you want to find me, you'll have to close 'em and let my sound be your guide.

If you dare opening them to spy, I'll vanish.

The will to find me, that I could see in your opened eyes, what does it mean? What will you do when you finally reach me?'

It was just his third message and Tezuka felt as if it was something he was waiting for years. He felt his heart beat faster each line. Who was that person that could make him feel exposed? Nobody could ever know it was happening to him. It was a secret between Tezuka and the writer that the stern captain could feel so hopeless.

He closed his eyes as he packed his things to leave the locker room after the afternoon practice. Standing up, he could see male uniforms scattered on the bench. Then, something unexpected hit him: what if the writer was a boy?

Tezuka sat again and opened his mouth since he suddenly felt breathless.

It made sense. It was a boy's locker room after all. No girl could enter and leave a message, unless the girl asked a member of Seigaku to put it into Tezuka's bag and locker. But how would the girl know all those things about him if he never spoke on the classes and was rare of him to divert his always so concentrated gaze from his eternal spot, the way ahead? He could go nuts with that.

Sighing, he lied his back against the wall and closed his eyes.

When one thinks about closing the eyes, the first thought is 'dark', but when Tezuka did, he could see blue and then everything went blank. He realized closing the eyes could be something very relaxing.

He realised that he would just have to play the writer's game.

ACT VI

A new day and a new Tezuka showed up this morning. He would watch all his teammates today. He would discover if the author was a girl or a boy.

The first victim was Momoshiro, because he was very popular among all students. Some girls talked to him, as Tezuka saw, but they never gave him any kind of paper that resembled a letter. Then, it was Kikumaru's time, but he was with Ooishi and Fuji. The tensai noticed Tezuka was looking at them and, as if realizing Tezuka didn't want to be seen, just smiled and turned to face his friends.

It couldn't be Inui - he thought. People was afraid of him, and the same with Kaidoh. The captain decided it could be Kawamura, but when he started to watch him, realized he was too shy to do something like that.

There was only one left. It was Ryoma. Turning on his heels, he walked towards the kohai's group and saw two girls between them. That Sakuno and Tomoka.

-"Ne Tezuka-sempai, want to join us?" - Tezuka jerked when Ryoma talked to him, but then approached them slowly.

The looks he received were just respectful. Nothing like love. It felt a bit awkward, and sensing frustration building inside, he left the group without saying a word, leaving behind six pairs of puzzled looks.

"Ne, Ryoma, is Tezuka-sempai always like that?"

"I don't know. Maybe needed toilet."

ACT VII

Tezuka was so mad he could kill someone. Clueless. It could only mean the author knew how to avoid the buchou's tactics or the person was a boy. His pride wanted the author to be a boy, but he just wanted to find that person, boy or girl.

At practice, the regulars could feel his mood and Ryoma decided it wasn't very clever to ask if Tezuka was ok, even being by his side, as doubles partner.

Inui collected some interesting data from Tezuka and started to arrange the pairs for tomorrow.

"Ne, today we ran more laps than ever. I wonder if you're ok, Tezuka." - Fuji asked. but as usual, it was a question that sounded purposely like a statement, so Tezuka wouldn't feel pushed. He could choose answer or ignore it, and Fuji would leave as if his question really was a random comment.

"I'm ok"

"if you say so."

ACT VIII

'I saw you looking for me. Those beautiful eyes shooting looks on all directions. On everybody.

It's so easy to find me. Just close your eyes and feel me.

I'm prepared for your reaction when you learn who I am. But I want you to know I'm not mocking you. I'm just showing the only way to find me, yet, I see your pride doesn't want my help.

You don't want anyone to guide you.

But in the end, I know you'll let me.'

Third day. Fourth message. Inside his locker

Who was it? Tezuka was so going to slap the writer.

It thrilled him how someone could know him so well. And the closest ones he knew were his teammates. But thinking that over carefully, they weren't THAT close. In other words, he had no clue of who was it. He didn't want to, but he decided the best way to find that person was to let himself be guided. by whoever it was.

"Good morning, buchou"

Tezuka didn't have to turn around. All the players had rather different voices. He didn't have to look and see it was Fuji.

"Good morning, Fuji"

Suddenly, he remembered the line that said 'let my sound be your guide' and it matched with the thought he had right now. Shocked, he turned to face Fuji, but he was already gone to the courts.

To be Continued

weee! I wasn't expecting so many reviews! Thank you!
Well, it's the first PoT fiction I had courage enough to publish, so please, be gentle. But if it really sucks, say it out loud.
Aahn... and the title, well, I know it's a Fuji's song, but I heard it in other music (L'arc-in-Ciel's Milk way) and it was what gave me the inspiration to write this. However, it's a shame the title makes you think of Fuji as the main suspect, hehe... but well, he's a suspect anyway.
'til the next chap!