Letting Go
by LusciniaeCantus
Disclaimer: Tenipuri owns my soul, hardly the other way around.
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If you love something, let it go...
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Fuji knew better than anyone what it meant to let go.
He'd let go of Yuuta, on a bright sunny day with a smile and a "Call home sometimes." And then stood watching Yuuta's stiff back walk to the car, get in and shut the door with a decisive thud. He'd watched as Yumiko waved goodbye—he'd waved back with equal cheer— as she pulled out and drove Yuuta away to his new school.
He'd let Eiji go when the other no longer needed, or wanted, Fuji to keep him under his wing. Oishi was a good partner for him, Fuji knew, and he'd let Eiji go with another smile and a blessing. "Saa, don't forget to write," he'd told his best friend.
A hundred passing glances, a thousand petty words and insults from jealous sempais, a million and one dreams, hopes, and opportunities—Fuji let them all go. For the one standing right front of him. He'd hoped, but never really expected, to be able to keep a tentative grip on this one dream.
But eventually, inevitably, he'd woken up.
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"I received a letter from an American tennis college."
Silence. Fuji felt his smile tremble around the edges and bit down hard on it. He managed, as he always did, to steady it. "I see."
"They've offered me a scholarship. It's the best training academy in the world."
"I see."
"Fuji…"
"That sounds like an opportunity you can't let go of."
"… Aa."
"Good luck."
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"Good luck, Tezuka."
"I'll call."
"I know."
They stared at each other for several long seconds. Fuji averted his eyes first.
Tezuka reached out for his hand, but only managed to grasp his fingertips. "I have to go."
"Yes. I understand." His smile was melting and Fuji wondered, briefly, why.
"I'll talk to you later then. Ja." He turned and their fingers lost their faint, fleeting contact.
"Good-bye. Sayonara."
And Fuji let go.
Comments much appreciated.