Chapter 3 - Coincide Destination

"Fuji-senpai, who is the person who chatted with you just now? You two seem to be very good friends!" asked the second officer named Nakamura eagerly. A junior pilot who has just graduated from pilot school, he looked up to the young smiling captain very much. Of course, every pilot would like to be as successful as Fuji one day.

"Oh, we are good friends indeed. He was the team captain of the tennis team when we were still in secondary school," answered Fuji causally in his mild voice, not using the superior tone when seniors were talking to juniors.

"So senpai plays tennis as well?" Nakamura was actually very enthusiastic towards this sport.

"Yes, I do."

"Oh great! You know, I have developed an interest in tennis ever since I heard of Tezuka Kunimitsu, one of the very few Japanese tennis players who were able to obtain championship in Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. He is really the glory and pride of all Japanese! I wonder if I can ever play as good as he does one day. I want to see my idol personally some day as well!"

Fuji kept listening to the youth silently, wearing a big smile on his face. "It's a pity that you don't know that you have just met him face to face!" he thought. "Come on," he finally decided to interrupt, "we really need to hurry our steps his time or we will be late."

"Hai!" Blushed a bit, Nakamura poked himself for forgetting his own business. "By the way, senpai," He added cautiously, unwilling to see the person he admired getting angry, "wouldn't it be better if you put on your jacket before we enter the control centre? You haven't even worn your shoulder boards and tie!"

"Ah, how absent-minded I am! Thanks for reminding! I shouldn't set a bad influence to freshmen, should I?" No wonder that Tezuka couldn't recognize who I am! Fuji thought. It was without those accessories which made him as ordinary as any passengers.

After checking the flight data, Fuji led Nakamura to the plane at Gate 58. It was still early before boarding and only a few passengers were waiting there. Fuji was glad not to see Tezuka there. "If the secret is out here, there won't be much fun!"

They arrived at the pilots' desk and found a sliver-haired man, reading a report.

"Nice to see you, Saeki. It has been very long since I rode with you last time," greeted Fuji.

"Hey, I miss you very much!" The vice captain offered Fuji a big warm hug. "You see, we have been dreaming to be a pilot when we were still very young. Even though we both reached our goal now, we were seldom able to fly together! You know how disappointed I was whenever I saw others sitting on the captain seat but not you!"

"You know that I share the same feeling as you, dear old friend. Nonetheless, it is out of our control. I should reflect this to the airline, okay? Tell them that we would like to be arranged to the same shift. I think that this would help."

"Okay. I think that they will take a captain's request more seriously than a vice captain. I have been complaining all the time!"

"All right, all right. Just don't be so furious, can you? Aren't we riding together now?"

"You are right after all, buddy! Anyway," Saeki threw a magazine to Fuji, "this is for you. I especially bought a spare copy for you. Read it before taking off. I go to fetch something to drink." He patted on Fuji's shoulder lightly and left.

The Newsweek Magazine featured in talking about several successful people of the world in this volume. Glaring at the content page of the magazine, Fuji found the title of the article– "Fuji Syusuke - The Youngest Asian Prodigy Captain". He immediately knew why Saeki would give him the magazine. Instead of turning to read his own interview, the title about another person which was just above Fuji's caught his eyes – "Tezuka Kunimitsu – The Perfect Tennis Professional". Once again, Fuji widened his bright smile. "Ne, Tezuka, you always like to stay in front of me, don't you?" He closed the magazine and put it into his briefcase.

"Finished reading?" asked Saeki when he came back with a cup of water, amazed at the reading speed of the tensai.

"No, just want to read it later," Fuji took the cup from Saeki and replied, "Anyway, let's start working. The passengers will be boarding soon. Nakamura, check those sets of button!"

"Hai!"

Turning back to Tezuka's side, he was still figuring out the meaning behind Fuji's word. He has come up with the idea that Fuji might be taking the same flight as he would, but he shortly turned down the idea as Fuji has taken the opposite direction of Gate 58 where he would board the plane when he departed. "What did he mean then?" After hearing the boarding announcement for his flight, he took his briefcase and left the café. On his way to the gate, he brought a magazine for the long flight, thinking that it might be more meaningful than just reading his own books and sleeping. He didn't pay much attention to which magazine he has taken, though.

When he arrived at the gate, he couldn't help trying to find the familiar figure, as he still hoped to catch him. However, even though he made himself almost the last one to enter the gate, he could not find the person he wanted. The flight attendant showed him to the first-class desk. The reason for him riding on the first-class desk was not because he was rich and wanted more luxurious services. It was the fact that he would like to avoid meeting people. Nevertheless, Tezuka regretted for making such a choice this time, as he would like to meet Fuji.

Shortly afterwards, the plane climbed up to the sky steadily. Having not much to do, Tezuka took out the magazine he brought to read. Flipping the Newsweek Magazine, he stopped at the page where he spotted the close-up photo of a smiling face, with the article entitled "Fuji Syusuke - The Youngest Asian Prodigy Captain".

It was just at the same moment when a voice he has just heard not long ago spoke in the speaker, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for choosing to ride with the Nippon Airline. I am the captain of flight SD 328, Fuji Syusuke. Our destination today would be San Franscio. It will take…"

Hearing the fluent speaking of the captain, Tezuka let out a rare smile. "So the mystery is solved." He uttered.