Author Notes: Wow, I update. Sorry for the long wait, but at last I manage to squeeze my idea into words! *feels triumphant* This chapter is not really long but I hope it's long enough, dedicated to my dearest reviewers who (hopefully) are still waiting for my update. Please enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: Not mine, not even Tezuka's family regardless that I invent their personalities and backgrounds. But I do own the plot.
WARNING:
For the entire story: (read in the first chapter)
For this particular chapter: The rating is G but beware of many irrational developments.
Italicized words mean the words are somehow important.
/Italicized words in here/ represent the character's thought, whose thought it is I think you can guess.
'Italicized words in here' are dialogues taken place in the past.
Some Foreword Explanation: I don't know much about schools in Japan and I don't even know whether Seigaku is a public or a private school. Anyway about St. Rudolph, I make that not every students have to stay at the dorm for the sake of this story and Yuuta. Another detail, I may confuse you by calling Fuji not only 'Fuji' but also 'Shuusuke'. I do it randomly, only because I think it will fit better if I use 'Shuusuke' instead of 'Fuji'
Unattainable
Author: SIB
Chapter Eight: When The World Is Going CrazyTezuka's Residence
October 13 – 06:15 a.m.
A hand reached out to the handle of an ornately carved oak door and gave it a light press. The door opened with a slight creak as Fuji Shuusuke stepped out to the cold limestone-tiled terrace. The cool morning air greeted him, intoning the melody of autumn as light streams of zephyr permeated his black uniform. Fastening the last button of his uniform, he inhaled the fresh dewy air with a grace of contentment.
It had been a week since he and Yuuta were settled as a part of the Tezuka household. It could have been awkward, but the warm hospitability shown by the family was all but false and the two siblings found themselves enjoying their new life thoroughly. Fuji went still to Seigaku while Yuuta refused to resign from St. Rudolph and would do anything to attend the school, even if he had to set off earlier from the house in order to arrive punctually. He would run all the way every morning, declaring the excessive miles as a beneficial practice for his tennis skill.
'Next year we will beat Seigaku, Aniki and that's why I have to be there. I will get revenge from that Echizen Ryoma.'
Fuji merely smiled, concealing his joy that his younger brother managed to carry on his dreams for the future.
They were grateful that both had the habit to save money since they reached the age allowed to have their own account at bank. Staying at the Fuji's residence, the older brother had little to spend his money on and preferred to put a tight measure to himself as the pile in his account grew. In the other hand, Yuuta, who had mostly lodged in the dormitory and thus had been granted more free time beyond his mother's scrutiny, risked to take a part-time job once in a while, if his time had allowed him. Their chosen action proved to be worthwhile now as they tried to trouble the Tezuka family as little as possible.
His eyes drifted to the main house, separated by spacious landscape of green lawn from the pavilion he and Yuuta currently inhabited. He was accustomed to large residences with him previously living in the intolerably huge state of the Fuji clan and yet he still wondered why a family with only four members at large needed so much room for themselves.
He figured it out on the third day of his stay. It was nothing unforeseen, but he had to admit it was amusing to know that his captain, and apparently his grandfather too, had an impossibly large range of privacy. Regardless of the fact that the tensai was most likely the only one Tezuka had slept with in the passing month, Fuji must confess that there were still loads of details he had yet to cover about the stoic reserved captain. And as days passed with them constantly lingering at each other's side save at class and night, he managed to learn at least one new fact everyday.
Tezuka's parents were more affable in welcoming the 'guests' of their family. His father, who spent more nights abroad than lying contentedly at his wife's side, promptly accepted their presence unconditionally especially after he formed a sort of soul union to Yuuta in discussing about football. His own son had never set interest in any sport other than tennis, limiting his knowledge only to general knowledge due to his vital position in I2 which forbid him to be uninformed on every single subject life could present. And with the eldest Tezuka only favoring topics he found as dull as old thick dusty books, Yuuta's coming undeniably brought a new refreshing breath to his days.
The mother was no less happy by their coming. Raised among three brothers and two sisters, she greeted them with many expectations that she would once again experience a big happy family whose table had never been quiet. Their table, she said, felt less and less outlandish as each day passed and she was sure by the end of the month her dining table would have been as normal as every common family owned despite the peculiar occupations the men of her family preferred.
Both of the Fuji siblings had decided at least not to burden the gold-hearted woman and yet she refused to receive no as an answer to her demand that the two should join them for breakfast and dinner. Despite the family having two servants and a gardener, she insisted still to cook the meals herself, which no one found the need to object to since her cooking was too good to be declined. It was impudent really, to compare her cooking with take-out burgers and fries.
Fuji still had his promise with I2 to be fulfilled. Regardless the slight discomfort of aiding the opposite side which he had constantly disarrayed before, working there was quite enjoyable in its own weird ways. It was natural for him to guess offhandedly of what would occur next to a chain of fishy happenings although to disclose it to the I2 who was almost a stranger to him could be unpleasant.
But Tezuka had always been there. He would not let his colleagues to make use of Fuji outside his line of sight, knowing that many of them were still suspecting his friend. However, the bit of detail stating that Fuji was previously an assassin was generously kept a secret only to those attending the confidential meeting six days ago and the rest of Seigaku regulars. Even Kamio had approved to do so, if it was indeed the unanimous consensus of the board. It was easier for both sides to work without many intrusive agents fussing over their rather risky decision.
Under such accommodating condition, Fuji had helped the I2 to unravel a number of cases using his uncommon knowledge and experiences. Except for a particular night when he should scour his brain totally to finally find out the pattern of a serial murder involving several elderly men in their community, he and Tezuka usually could arrive at home just in time for dinner. And despite their tight schedule, somehow both still managed to spare a few hours to sharpen their tennis skill. It apparently had something to do with endurance they had trained for many long years.
It was almost perfect, the life he had now, and Fuji couldn't help but to ponder sometimes if he actually deserved the downpour of so much happiness with his past being a murderer.
Oh, his brother deserved it of course. Yuuta was a pure untainted soul who was unfortunately born into a world cramped by no one but murderers, a boy who still had dreams for future to evade his dark past. Yuuta deserved a second chance to embrace life and its jubilation. Shuusuke didn't. Shuusuke shouldn't, and yet was stubbornly trying to taste it now.
As if Shuusuke had put Yumiko-neesan away from his mind.
Shadow still overcame him every now and then as guilt rose, for abandoning his sister and betraying what he had believed all the way. Even if killing was wrong, he could not claim what he was doing now as a right thing either. It was not easy to turn from his usual trait to its absolute opposite.
Faint echoes of footfalls pulled his attention out of the depth of his dismal thought and the smile slammed back into place. Asahara-san, the middle-aged housekeeper, was smiling brightly at him as she treaded her way on the uneven rock-strewn path crossing the green lawn. Folded neatly in her hand was a white shirt with a visible St. Rudolph badge embedded on the face.
"Good morning, Fuji-kun. Early as always?" her warm pleasant voice greeted him once they were close enough.
"Aa, for the tennis club morning practice," Fuji answered in equal sweetness. She was one of the adults who immediately found the smiling boy presence enjoyable and felt no need to restrain herself from showing her fondness palpably. Sometimes Fuji wondered if Asahara-san knew that the polite guy she was beaming genially at had his hands covered with human blood. Would she still smile then?
"Always for tennis, just like Kunimitsu-kun," she commented before shoving the shirt to Fuji's hand. "Just in case if your brother is still short of shirt. Have he managed to get a new one?"
"Ah, yes. He bought two extras yesterday. Sorry for the trouble, Asahara-san."
"Oh, it's nothing. No one can blame him for getting covered in strawberry jam if students start to throw food at each other, above all in an all-boy schools," she replied amusedly, remembering the red irremovable stain on Yuuta's shirt. "Well then," the housekeeper inclined her head slightly, "I still have laundry to take care of. Have a good day, Fuji-kun."
The young man bowed in return then glanced at his watch. His morning practice was due in an hour and so was St. Rudolph's. Stepping back into the room, he called out, a mischievous glint coloured his eyes. "Yuuta, don't spend too much time in front of the mirror. No one will notice if you have a blemish or two."
The teasing had its desired effect as his younger brother instantly emerged from his bedroom, shirt scrappily tucked and face indignant.
"WHO THE HELL SAID THAT I WAS LOOKING AT THE MIRROR!!??"
"Saa, who knows," Fuji replied with a carefree smile. Putting the given shirt on his brother's hand, he stared at the brown-coloured tie and how wrong the knot appeared to his eyes. A brighter smile came into sight as the tensai brought his hand up to mend the anarchism of tidiness, voice laced with amused disapproval, "Tsk tsk, Yuuta, you have been in St. Rudolph for more than four years and still can't tie this properly? Who has been doing it for you all these times then? Your boyfriend?"
"ANIKI!!!" A brilliant crimson flush materialized on Yuuta's face.
"I'll take that as yes," the older brother cut in happily before the other could voice his fury and embarrassment. Lightly he gave a playful tap on the spiky-haired head. "Now get your hair combed and I'll wait for you in the dining room. Ah, and don't forget to bring your wallet again like yesterday. I think you have to take a train if you don't want to be late for morning practice."
"I know! Just get lost already! Baka aniki!" Yuuta slammed his bedroom door close.
Fuji listened amusedly for a while at his brother lamenting his ill luck to have an evil tormenter as a brother before fetching his duffel bag. Teasing Yuuta was of course fun, but he was most pleased to see that his brother was still capable to be annoyed over his disturbing remarks. The look on Yuuta's face when the Solff released him from the I2 penitentiary haunted the older brother ceaselessly.
It was not that Yuuta had received harsh beating or such –in any case, the judicious respected Solff opposed any act of violence greatly. Delimited in a world where murder was legal and allowed, the youngest of the Fuji siblings found himself being despised and treated in a severe degree of hostility due to his work, an issue he had never thought as fatally wrong. The new comprehension was quite a blow as he began to give it a deep thought. It was a good thing that his aniki had arrived before he could drown himself more miserably.
To put some senses into Yuuta's head was nowhere near easy and yet, Fuji managed to do it. At least he was successful to forbid his brother from blaming himself even further by pointing out that it was not his mistake that he had been used as a tool for killing before he could separate right from wrong, nor was the incorrect principle he had believed all the way.
However, the guilt itself had never left the speaking one.
Forcing his smile back to his lips, Fuji slipped out off his shoes and stepped into the main house. Appetizing smell welcomed him as he pushed the door to the dining room open.
"Good morning," he greeted cheerfully, finding only Tezuka's parents at the room. Standing behind the pantry, the mother shot him a loving smile as her husband peeked from behind his newspaper, replying his greeting warmly.
It was a daily picture of morning activities in the household. Rather than a captive who was placed under probation, Fuji felt more like a son in the Tezuka family, especially with the cascade of affection he had never accepted before from a person he used to call 'mother'. His father had passed away before he could comprehend the shape of any paternal love save for the dim memory a three year-old child could preserve. He had never thought much about it until he met Tezuka's father and found the man as loveable as his son, in a fatherly way.
Feeling somewhat misplaced in the blissful portrait of a family, he tried to ease it off by offering his help to prepare the meal. Tezuka's mother had agreed at first, intrigued to learn more about the person her son had fallen in love with, and subsequently found herself pleased by the tensai's aptitude.
'You will make a lovely househusband, Shuusuke-kun,' she had commented, earning an amused laugh from her husband and a stern glare from her son at once.
Fuji wondered what she would say if he told her that it was nothing more than another skill his mother had demanded him to master. A masterpiece of the Fuji Clan had to be able to do at least close to everything.
When he had reached the pantry to help the preparation as usual, the busy woman waved her hand dismissively. "Not today, Shuusuke-kun. You have helped me too often and today I insist you to just sit and enjoy my cooking. Ah, you can help me though," she paused for a moment, eyes gleaming in mischief, "by checking why Kunimitsu hasn't come down yet. It's unusual for him to be this late."
"Hai," Fuji complied, smile widened even more. Yet before he reached the threshold, Tezuka's father had added, voice plainly nonchalant as if oblivious to the implication of his words. "Make sure it doesn't take too long, Shuusuke-kun, or both of you will be late for practice." Then he winked.
Almost frozen in his spot as the ambiguous words dawned on him, the tensai only managed to replied cheerfully, "Ah, hai."
His suspicion was proven correct as a second later both adults were heard sharing a stream of laughter. Fuji's smile curved into a smirk. There was nothing wrong with taking an offered chance, wasn't it? Besides, it would be awfully rude to do the otherwise.
Carefully he treaded his way into the main house. The floor felt cool under his socked feet, warmed only at places where sunlight freely set its ray on the tiles through enormous glass window at the side of the parlor. The house was quiet, yet in a much more enjoyable fashion than his previous home was, where he could sense threat and menace waiting at every corner. Here, it was not provoking shudder but inviting tranquility, which eased a little the heavy weight inside him and placed his heart at evanescent peace. It was probably short-lived and still when he was passing the sitting room, Fuji couldn't help but to feel grateful at this fleeting yet treasured chance to savor the serenity.
His feet made no sound at all as they lapped up through flight of stairs. At the end of the stairs, a bright deserted corridor greeted him, leading to a solitary door standing steadfastly at its farthest end. The last time he visited the room behind that door was at his first night in the house. An unspoken agreement had been made between them to give some space at least for a while, to let both sides and the rest of the families being accustomed with the quite significant change. To allow someone went that deep into their heart, was nothing neither Tezuka nor Fuji had ever experienced before.
He halted before the door, raising his hand to give it some knocks. The steady tap sound rang in the hallway but only silence answered, so he repeated for some more. Still no answer came. Placing his hand on the doorknob, he noticed that it was unlocked and pushed it open.
The bedroom was quiet and unexpectedly bright with sunbeams streaming down from the unveiled window. Navy curtains sleekly lashed at each side of the windowsill, bed neatly made with no visible crease on the coverlet, leaving no slightest trace of disorder in the room. Fuji smiled; the room suggested everything that was Tezuka's. Perhaps it was the reason why he liked being in that room even though he hadn't and couldn't be there often.
The owner of the room was nowhere in sight. Fuji would have simply concluded that his captain had left for an early practice although he had never done so in the previous week, if he missed the fact that the bathroom door was closed. Before he could decide which one to choose among so many devilish plans roaming within his head, the door clicked and opened.
Tezuka walked out of the bathroom, looking slightly surprised by his friend's presence out of the blue. For once, he didn't have his glasses on yet still managed to recognize the dark blur standing at the door as Fuji.
The tensai widened his smile as he said with obvious good cheer coating his voice, "Good morning, Tezuka. Sorry for coming in without your permission but I had knocked and you didn't answer. Your mother asked me to fetch you." Raising his eyebrows slightly, Fuji pulled his face into a mock surprise "You didn't oversleep, did you?"
"I was reading several reports last night," Tezuka reasoned, by the same statement avoiding a direct admission of his rare unpunctuality. It earned him a train of chuckles from the other guy, followed by a slightly regretful sigh.
"Ah, I thought I would finally have the chance to see your sleeping face. It must be cute, right, Tezuka?"
The taller guy only gave him a tart look. Reaching for his black coat uniform folded neatly at the top of the dresser, he informed his friend formally, "The Solff wants you to come this evening, about a case at Hakodate."
Fuji looked at the agent pensively, pieces of information about the recent incidents at Hakodate he had managed to gather from daily paper and seven o'clock news surfaced momentarily. For some reasons, he felt comforted that the particular case seemed not to be one of his family's doings; it made things easier for him to look forward to a more detailed report later. More relaxed, he leant back to the wall, answering lightly, "I understand. But you know, Tezuka," he lifted his eyelids slightly, voice still calm and harmless, "you don't have to escort me every time I need to go there."
The other made no sign that he had heard or understand the light suggestion. Fingers deftly fastened up round yellow buttons on the coat with agility one could possess after years practicing the same skill every morning, eyes still focused at elsewhere but the tensai. Then, almost mechanically, he reached for his spectacles which also on the dresser and settled them on the bridge of his nose. The shorter guy waited until a pair of brown eyes looked up, fixing themselves at his already-closed ones.
"I know."
Perhaps it was the flat tone Tezuka used that his smile stiffened a bit. Still in a cheerful voice, the prodigy responded almost instantly, "Good, you can come home earlier then, or take longer time to practice. I won't get lost alone, even at night."
Another silence occurred and they continued to stare with one still had his eyes shut. Then Tezuka opened his mouth, repeating his unequivocal answer.
"I know."
Fuji should have known than to let his hopes flare too high if Tezuka already had his mind set on something. Blue orbs peeked from behind dark thick lashes, finally signing up for a fair staring-match. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, the Seigaku prodigy studied his captain and his almighty stubbornness, more intrigued than offended.
"You know," he reiterated carefully, watching for every slightest reaction the other would give way. Tezuka remained unaffected as both waited for the other to break the silence first.
For the second time that morning the tensai sighed half-heartedly. His voice, although thickly layered in disappointment, was still unable to restrain bits of amusement from surfacing as his eyes drifted to close once again. Another smile turned up on his lips, admitting defeat and yet stating silent disapproval. "Stubborn Tezuka."
Of course, Tezuka was nothing if not stubborn. The prodigy merely wanted to not make himself a burden to someone he loved and yet Tezuka and his stubbornness...
A hand reached out to his face, fingers ghosted feathery touches on long chocolate bangs, tasting the smoothness of delicate tendrils on their rather hard surface. They moved tentatively, pushing the brown locks from covering a pair of closed eyes as if he could oblige them to open by doing so. Fuji tilted his head slightly at the unusual affectionate gesture, observing the stern countenance soften a bit before hardening again at the sight of his ever-present smile. Tezuka removed his hand to rest at the side of the tensai's ear, lips pursed in displeasure.
"You don't have to smile around me."
The smile widened instead. "But I smile because I'm happy to be around you."
The taller guy couldn't really find a reply to that. At least ninety percent of that smile was faked and yet he knew that his lover was genuinely happy to be with him. But the shadow... there was shadow still in his eyes and voice that made Tezuka felt uneasy. Fuji wasn't as happy as he let others thought he was.
As if alarmed by the sudden invasion, the captain almost backed away when Fuji's hand was lifted to stroke his hair, which was slightly messy yet managed to still look artfully so. At the return of the favor, Tezuka merely put a closer scrutiny on he guy before him. The smile remained the same, frozen on its appropriate place, and yet eyes were still tightly shut, too afraid to tell the world of the fakeness of his smile. His voice echoed in the silence, coloured in faint wistfulness. "Do I look happy to you?"
Fuji stiffened a bit at a finger tracing the fold of his eyelids and subsequently he found himself opening them. The hand dropped to his neck as Tezuka leant in, catching his lips in one quick motion. Their lips met and yet eyes continued to stare, brown met blue in utter silence, flaring intently at each other, seeking for the concealed ones. The kiss was comforting but despite being grateful for the wordless support, Fuji couldn't help but to wonder if Tezuka was actually avoiding giving a clear reply of his query by kissing him. Something in the hazel eyes, however, told him that vocal answer was less than unnecessary. They both knew the answer and there was no need to speak it out loud.
They parted, the two pair of eyes still focused at each other, and Tezuka gave him a look before withdrawing to take his bag. Fuji straightened himself also, glancing around to find the clock inside the room informing them that there was only twenty minutes left before the morning practice began. A smile loomed on his lips as he guessed what their teammates would say at the first ever tardiness of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
Turning on his heels, he walked for the door when a hand patted the back of his head softly as its owner breezed passing him. It was light, yet felt more eloquent than thousands of spoken words. So Tezuka.
This time Fuji was ready to declare that his smile was genuine.
--- ---
Seigaku High School; Tennis Courts
October 13 – 06:09 p.m.
"Ahh, it's already autumn but still so hot!" Momoshiro whined as he and the other regulars entered the changing room after their evening practice, sweat visible streaming down from his disorganized black hair. Flapping his drenched shirt to cool off the damp skin, he sent a reproachful glance at two of his teammates in particular. "They have no mercy at all!"
"You're hopeless, Momo-senpai," a careless voice responded unsympathetically to his protest.
Showering Echizen with indignant looks, the taller guy roared, his index finger was pointed at their captain and the prodigy. "Tell me how to be hopeful if you have them as your opponent!"
"They're not specialized in double," the rookie reasoned logically, still sparing no understanding at all.
"You and Eiji-senpai faced Kaidou, of course it was an easy win! That baka mamushi is worthless, even if he has Taka-san as a partner!"
There was a loud hiss answering his declaration and a brawl would have taken place if Inui and his deep voice didn't step in between the two second-graders. "Your fervor decreased for eighteen percent, Momoshiro, because you were intimidated by the fact that Tezuka and Fuji were your opponents. Oishi sure had a though time to cover so many holes you left opened." The last sentence earned him a modest laugh from their vice-captain as the other part of the Golden Pair joined in with his usual brisk manner.
"Hoi, that's right, Momo! And you're lucky that Inui doesn't punish the losers, nya!"
Before the situation could descend any worse, the tallest regular had decided to read out his report concerning the earlier practice. Adjusting his spectacles, he began, "The practice matches we have just had under the permission of Ryuzaki-sensei are purposed to see more possibilities for double pair. As you have known, apart from Oishi and Kikumaru, we don't have a pair well enough to play double and it becomes a weak point of ours. I was assuming that the winner of each match could be an alternative, but to sacrifice singles by putting Tezuka and Fuji at double is never really an option. We cannot take that risk. As for the second match's winner, Eiji is already a part of the Golden Pair, therefore unless there is something which prevents Oishi from playing, this pair is not an excellent option either."
"Ah, Inui, maybe next time you should try to partner with Kaidou," Oishi suggested, "I think you both did well at the Hyoutei match. You don't have to always be the observer, you know."
"Good idea," the data man scribbled the suggestion on his notebook. If his spectacles were see-through one, the others could have seen his eyes keeping a stare on Kaidou who was slightly blushing at the corner of the room. The interesting little fact was immediately written down too on the special section of his precious book. Very interesting, indeed.
The rest of the changing was spent in the still ongoing words spitting between Echizen and Momoshiro, which was way too exciting to be ignored by a certain acrobatic player. Soon it ascended to a much more riotous wrangle on the topic of whether the involved second-year regular actually knew how to play tennis or not. Tezuka massaged his temple to soothe the breeding headache, cursing inwardly that the troublemakers had wisely waited until the practice was over to have a rowdy quarrel, when they were no longer under his range of law.
"Let's go," he murmured irritably to Fuji who still had a serene smile on his face, partly due to the very amusing frown the captain was wearing. He really should thank the three arguing regulars for always being terrifically successful in annoying their beloved leader.
"Eh? You're going to the HQ again, Fuji-senpai?" Momoshiro looked at him, momentarily stopping from his attempt to strangle the youngest regular.
Excusing himself from the fight, Kikumaru draped an arm on the tensai's shoulders. "You don't have to always follow that old man's words, Fuji! Come on! Come with us to have some burgers! Momo lost and he should pay for us!"
The loud grumble from Momoshiro was instantly eclipsed by a deep admonishing voice. "Kikumaru."
"Nyaah! I forget he's the First Vice!"
Fuji laughed lightly at the grouse and tapped his childlike friend's hand. "Next time perhaps. The matter that needs my help must be quite desperate." Not that he had the right to say 'no' anyway, but he decided to keep the small comment to himself, being an ungrateful one to his already too privileged circumstance. Tezuka, however, stared at him as if his mind was readable.
Placing his fingers on the captain's elbow, he pushed the taller guy outside. "Well then, see you guys again tomorrow," Fuji waved the others goodbye, "we'll be late again if we don't get going now."
Both stepped out of the noisy changing room to the cool evening air, exchanging nothing in form of words as feet began to pace the silent journey. Tezuka was probably being a hypocrite if he claimed the look on his friend's face when he declined Kikumaru's offer didn't bother him, but with Fuji verbal speeches often brought more discomfort than the aimed relief. The tensai had his own way to resolve things and the captain wasn't about to change that unless it served them no good. It was because Fuji was Fuji that Tezuka loved him.
Predictably, the prodigy was the one who broke the silence first. "Are you sure you don't want to come home earlier?"
Tired of the same question inquired over and over again since they began their day, Tezuka made a cheesed off frown across his brow. "Fuji..."
"Hai, hai," the tensai cut in happily, "I just think that you prob-"
It was a rare occasion to find Fuji being forced to stop his speaking unless his mouth was suddenly silenced by the captain, but when he did, the situation must be nowhere near good. The keen agent immediately scanned his surroundings and found the problematic cause in almost no time. Leaning to one of many trees lining the pathway was a guy he had never met before, no doubt a member of the assassin's clan judging from the way the stranger could somehow escape his trained senses. It was hard not to wince at the striking purple blouse he was wearing but the sudden change of Fuji's disposition confirmed his suspicion.
The black-haired guy stirred from his place at their coming, a wicked smile was playing on his lips. Leisurely he approached the two Seigaku regulars who had halted their steps and now were on guard, but not too close to endanger himself. His voice, deliberately dragged and spuriously sweet, filled the stiff silence. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Fuji Shuusuke. Ah, isn't it Tezuka-kun by your side?"
A smile crept up to Fuji's lips as the prodigy answered in equally dangerous sweetness. "How have you been doing, Mizuki-san? Your visit is such a pleasant surprise."
It was obvious that the other guy was disturbed by Fuji's fast aptitude to regain his composure and yet he didn't relent. Another nasty smile appeared to mask his discontent flawlessly, promising more calamities that had yet to be announced. "Excellent, but I'm particularly busy now," he paused, eyes glinting in malice, "your mother has asked me to kill a black stallion."
Whatever the meaning of those words was, it clearly had a great undesirable effect on the tensai. Blue eyes snapped open, showering the contentedly-smiling Mizuki with unrestrained anger as well as tads of shock. Nevertheless, the moment didn't last for long as on the next second Fuji had dashed off, only leaving a faint murmur of 'sorry' to the taller guy beside him.
"Fuji!" Tezuka tried to reach for the shorter guy's elbow but the prodigy was too fast to his own good. When he darted his eyes back at Mizuki, the unwanted guest had gone beyond his sight.
/What the hell was that?/
--- ---
Tezuka's Residence
October 13 – 07:47 p.m.
Tezuka sank himself on a couch in the large sitting room joining the two bedrooms and a bathroom at the pavilion. It was empty since none of its occupants had returned. While Yuuta had clearly informed that he would spend the night at his school to have a night training, the captain had no idea where his friend was. Fuji had gone too long for his own liking and the word 'black stallion' did him no good to enlighten the tensai's uncanny manner that evening.
Being a responsible second-in-command, he had notified the Solff that they would be late but offered no clearer explanation to it. Despite his invaluable helps, Fuji was still not entirely trusted and the First Vice had no intention to make his intentions look even more questionable. He had his own suspicions, but they could wait until the prodigy returned.
Slight but noticeable vibration coming from a cell phone in his pocket immediately caught his attention. Fishing the vibrating mobile out, he pressed its blazing green button without bothering to glance at the caller ID.
"Hai."
The familiar monotonous voice of Atsushi responded to his short greeting at the other end of the line. "I'm reporting an incident, Sir. There was a bombing at 19:16 this evening, located at a small park near Hyoutei High School. It involved a Porsche Carrera GT, colour basalt black, under the name of Atobe Keigo."
Of course. Black stallion.
Straightening his sitting position, the First Vice inquired further, "Casualties?"
"None, as far as we know, other than the Porsche. No life casualty has been reported so far. It seemed that the owner had left the car before it burst but we have yet to find out if it was a mere coincidence or not."
Tezuka was so going to bet until the last bits of his money to declare that it was not; Fuji must be involved in the 'coincidence'. It explained almost every phase of the earlier incident that evening with Mizuki.
"Any suspect?"
As usual, a well-prepared answer had been waiting for him. "We have three agents scouring the crime scene right now, including Shishido Ryo who knows the park fairly well. The info division are already running a quick background check of this Atobe but unless we find a part of the explosive, we can't risk an abrupt guess of the suspect." There was a pause before his reliable subordinate continued in a more guarded tone. "The Solff has been informed once the report came and he has decided to place this case, if it is necessarily investigated, under your authority, Sir."
"Very well. Report to me if more development ensues."
"Hai." Then the line went dead into a steady beeping sound.
The First Vice stared at his small mobile as if judging its almost insignificant weight in his hand. Bombing was not really infrequent these days but the fact that Atobe was the victim could change the whole issue. He had learnt the Hyoutei captain's past with Fuji from the tensai himself and it was possible that the incident had something to do with their relationship. Tezuka could feel the scowl on his forehead deepened. If his calculation was indeed correct, there was more coming, he was sure of that.
His train of thoughts was practically incised by a small creaking sound from the pavilion door. Fuji appeared a second later, mildly surprised by his captain's presence in the sitting room. His black uniform was visibly spoiled with dirt here and there and yet the smile obstinately strapped itself on his lips like an irremovable seal. "Ah, Tezuka. Are you waiting for me? Sorry for run-"
"Go and take a bath first," the taller guy cut his explanation brusquely, brown eyes sharply piercing into covered blue ones. "I have told the Solff that we would be late."
"Aa..." Fuji answered still with a smile and obediently went into his room to take a set of fresh clothes.
The other said nothing when the prodigy once again emerged only to disappear behind the bathroom door. They had many to be discussed but he preferred to set them aside for a while to be brought up later when his friend had overcome the palpable psychological tremor. Any explanation would be long, not to mention unpleasant, and the last thing he wanted to do was putting more strain on Fuji.
Staring blankly to the rhombus-patterned floor, Tezuka listened at the faint splashes of water. For the moment, Fuji was still safe with him, but the whole matter put him far from ease. The heinous glint in Mizuki's eyes insinuated more than what had been revealed, yet to what end, he could not tell. Their actual intention was vague and he found himself hardly believing if the bombing was intended merely to make his friend suffer. Perhaps the clan did have a mission involving Atobe but somehow he knew the thought was there only to prevent himself from thinking the more upsetting one.
Another vibration went through his hand from the black cell phone, averting his thoughts for a moment. Tezuka eyed the word 'Atsushi' inscribed on his screen in astonishment. That was fast.
"Any development?"
"No, Sir, there is another case," the same flat voice answered but Tezuka managed to trace a new tad of anxiety in it. "One of our agents, Momoshiro Takeshi has been shot at 19:58, happened when he was on his way home."
The news chilled his blood at once. "Momoshiro?"
"Yes, Momoshiro Takeshi, one of your Seigaku squad, " Atsushi replied carefully –it was unusual to hear his superior repeating an obvious information– before he resumed to a more technical detail. "The bullet went through his left shoulder and now is being examined. Echizen Ryoma was with Momoshiro when the shooting happened and he immediately took him to Central Hospital."
"I'll be on my way," Tezuka quickly decided and ended the conversation.
"What happened?"
The First Vice was seriously questioning his usually high level of vigilance at the sight of his friend silently standing before the bathroom door. But the admonishing thought was soon forgotten as he took in the significance of his question. Staring deeply into Fuji's emotionless azure orbs, he answered cautiously, aware of the inevitable impact his words would bring.
"Momoshiro was shot."
They continued to look at each other but Tezuka could see fear began to swell in his prodigy's eyes, marring the seamless sapphire. Both knew who was to blame for the two recent incidents, even without any proof, but none of them dared to voice them out loud. It was too painful. Suddenly Fuji remembered the question he had asked to the captain that morning and the dismal thoughts that had been plaguing him all these times. A wry smile crept up to his lips, accepting the inescapable.
Perhaps he seemed happy, even to Tezuka's eyes, but he was sure of one thing.
Shuusuke was not made for happiness.
To Be Continued
Ramblings: Ah, such a perfect place to have a cliffhanger ^^ Sorry if I offend Momo's fans by the shooting. Ah, I forgot to mention this before but I don't make Mizuki the manager of St. Rudolph because it will be too weird for Yuuta who remains studying there. To clarify a thing, I don't really hate Mizuki but I need a character as a villain and he seems fit to be one, especially due to his sense of fashion ^^;; And this chapter may leave so many unexplained things but don't worry, I will explain them in due time.
So, there goes chapter eight. If you find this chapter still has bits of cheerfulness here and there, I guarantee you the next one won't. I've prepared more and more troubles for our tensai... * the author gets smacked for her sadism* ^^ Well, that's it for now. Thanks for reading, hope I made no mistake by writing this one, and please review!
My Replies:
Wings: No, the fic is not going to end soon, hope you don't mind that ^^; Sorry if I confuse you a bit by putting that 'epilogue' word but I didn't mean to implicate that the end was near... As for how the regulars behave as I2 agents, I will show you in the later chapters. Thanks for the review!
Regatto: Really thank you for the encouraging reviews, not only here but in all of my fics! ^^ Sorry if I haven't inserted the angst yet but I will in the next chapter. And the story is not ending yet, at least as long as I still get reviews... My bad for always writing long stories but I hope you can keep up with that. Once more, many thanks!
featherlight: Thanks for dropping a review, very much appreciated! Hope I don't make you wait too long for the update ^^
Cheeseburger of Doom: Ooh, but the moment of peace didn't last for long, did it? ^o^ I can't help but to write angst if it involves these two, they are just plain angsty.
yukuro: There must be some mistakes here because it is ME who fangirl over your writing! ^^ Thanks for the review and the e-mail reply too! I'll try my best to write better for our beloved pairing. And don't mind the long review because my reviews in your fic seemed much longer ^o^
Stardustangel1: Thanks for reviewing again! Tezuka-Fuji is also my all-time favorite pairing too ^^ Hope you like this chapter as much as the previous one!
firefly: Mizuki of course is evil, I kinda like him that way though, so amusing to play with ^^ Glad you like the interrogation scene, hope you find this chapter likeable as well.
Pure Assassin: I hope you don't mean that my last chapter is hard to understand ^^;; Yeah, I guess it's a bit unbelievable to have al the regulars in I2 but it can be interesting too so I have to risk it. Thanks for the review!
whity: Eh? It's not bad? Well, thank you for the support, I feel more confident now ^^ Hail to the best pairing in the world!
maxwell: I guess I don't update as fast as you want but I hope you still like this story. Thanks for the review! ^^
Nekocin: All I can say is that I hope you don't hate this story because of its irrationalities. I've tried to make its as rational as possible but couldn't help to forsake it at some points for my own satisfaction ^^;; I'm glad that you like the Fuji I wrote because he's my favorite character. As for the depressive condition, I need to warn you that this will get more and more depressing so... ^_^* it's up to you to continue reading or not. As far as I can see, with the situation I'm putting Fuji in, the only way to wipe his worries away is by killing him because there is no way he can be completely happy. Anyway, thanks for the review! ^^
Addie: I love your review too, very encouraging... Thanks and hope you like this one too!
Angel-of-Godess: Hoho, I'm not that cruel to kill them (yet). It seems that I let them go to easy, right, but I just can't help it because this is Tezuka-Fuji we're talking about _ I'm glad that you like the interrogation scene and thanks for the review ^^