Letting go

by akiyume kye

Disclaimer: Until the day I become Takeshi Konomi, I will not own pot.

Pairings: TezuFuji

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Chapter 5: Fuji's Struggle

Practice began after school had ended, but still, Kikumaru could see no sign of his best friend.

Though playful as he was, he knew that something was wrong. It wasn't like Fuji to miss school.
And even if he did, the first person he would inform was him, of course.

Frowning, he trudged over to Oishi and complained to him about his day.
His partner smiled and reassured the red head that everything would be fine, that Fuji would be all right.

But deep inside, the motherly Oishi wondered if it was true.

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All the tennis club members gathered in the court and waited for Tezuka's instructions for the day.
"50 laps!" came the command.
Many groans were heard as everyone set off to complete their laps before anymore was to be given.

The buchou found himself easily irritated and cranky that day, but he could not control himself much longer.
The tensai still hadn't come.
And it was affecting him, no matter how much he tried to deny the fact.

He looked to his left, then to his right. Still, there was no Fuji.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, he slumped down onto a bench and stared into space.

Fuji… where are you?

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"Nya! Fuji!" the red head cried out when he saw the tensai.
Fuji flashed his usual smile and waved back to Kikumaru.

But his face was unusually flushed and he was sweating profusely.

Bear with it, just bear with it a little longer. He kept chanting to himself.

Wiping off the sweat from his face, he put down his bag and took out his racket, acting as if nothing was wrong.
Yet unknown to the world, he was breaking down inside.

Maybe a game or two, that was the most that he could spare.

Thank goodness everyone has finished running their laps, Fuji sighed in relief.

As he made his way to the courts where the regulars were practicing, he prayed that everything would go smoothly that day…that he would be able to hang on till practice was over.

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But he was wrong.

He knew that it was going to be yet another torturous day when he saw Tezuka approaching him.
Fuji braced himself.

"Where have you been? Do you know how late you are?" the buchou lashed out angrily at him.
Do you know how worried I've been? He had almost said, but decided to let it go.
Besides, he shouldn't have to worry for someone who had rejected him, should he?

The tensai smiled at him and simply replied, "Gomen ne, I overslept."

"Fine. Then go run 200 laps now."
Having given the order, Tezuka walked off.

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Echizen and Momoshiro were trying hard to control their laughter when they heard that Fuji had to run 200 laps. Echizen had always been the one to run more laps because he came late most of the time.

But for the tensai, this was a first.

Or perhaps, his last.

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He didn't argue. He didn't even try.
It would be futile.

Fuji took in a deep breath and began to run around the courts.

1 lap, 2 laps, 3 laps…
I'm doing fine, nothing's wrong, I can do this.

10 laps, 15 laps, 20 laps…
He was panting hard, his vision blurring, his legs threatening to give way.

Still, he continued to run.
He wouldn't stop.

Because if he did, he would lose…

To himself.

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The buchou watched from afar as Fuji continued with his laps.

He smirked.

Horror then bit into him as he grew stunned by his reaction.
How could he have found pleasure in seeing the one he loved most struggling to complete his laps?

He should stop it. He should stop this nonsense.

No regular or member had been asked to run 200 laps at a go before.
Was he out of his mind when he gave Fuji the order?

Fuji had to stop. He had to stop him.

But he found himself immobile as he watched the tensai complete yet another round.

Run, Fuji, run. Maybe this is the price you have to pay for breaking my heart.

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It was the 70th lap, and Fuji was still running.
His footsteps were gradually slowing down, and his breathing had become so hard that everyone in the courts could hear him as he ran.

Oishi frowned.
200 laps was a ridiculous amount to complete, but still, Fuji was one of those who could finish running a hundred laps without even panting hard.

He watched as the tensai continued to run, or rather, as he tried to run.
Fuji was running in a zig zagged manner, and his face devoid of any color.

The fukubuchou could not stand it any longer as he watched Fuji struggle lap after lap.
He rushed out of the court, abandoning his game and leaving a surprised Kikumaru standing alone in the court.

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He could barely make out the path before him anymore. The world was spinning around him and he could hardly breathe.
I need to take my medicine.

Sweat had thoroughly soaked his regular's shirt and the wind that was blowing left the tensai in chills.
Medicine… where is my medicine?

His legs were wobbly and his movement unsteady. He put out his hand to hold onto the net surrounding the courts for support.
Medicine! I need it…now!

But he couldn't stop.
Not yet.

Because Tezuka would know that something was wrong if he did.
Because if he stopped, he might let out the secret that he had hidden for so long.

No, he had to continue.
He had to sustain.

Maybe, just maybe, he could last till the last lap.
Keep running, just keep on running.

I can do this.

I hope I can…

To be continued…

How is this chapter? Do let me know. Thanks.

Spoilers: Will Fuji collapse before he finishes his laps? Or will he be able to scrap through the 200 laps in time? What happens when he finds out that he forgot to bring his medicine that day? Will the truth finally be let out? Or will he cover up yet again?

Thanks for all your reviews minna-san!