Mutual Lessons
by weirdlyyours
When Tezuka first lays eyes on Echizen, he sees petulance, arrogance and talent; so much talent that Tezuka knows that this year is Seigaku's year to win Nationals. He sees Echizen as his successor. He will be the next pillar of Seigaku, Tezuka vows and is willing to let him on the Regulars because Echizen will win and win and win.
--
Echizen is injured against Ibu Shinji during the match against Fudomine, and Tezuka is horrified. He thinks of his elbow and how he can never truly play his tennis because there is always a risk that it will shatter his arm. And then he will no longer have tennis.
The sensible thing to do is to agree with Oishi and tell Echizen to not set one foot on the court until his eye heals. Tezuka thinks of the chances for Nationals gone and the talent wasted if Echizen is careless.
However, Echizen is unpredictable as usual; but maybe if Tezuka had known him better, had seen beyond his tennis, he would not have been so taken aback when Echizen wipes away the blood with his sleeve, looking as if he would murder anyone who gets in between him and the court.
In that moment, when Tezuka recognizes that Echizen is willing to bleed all over the court for a tennis game, he realizes just whom he has chosen as his pillar. He realizes that this boy and his pride will win more than just Nationals for Seigaku--for Tezuka. He realizes Echizen can change tennis with his own two hands if he wants. At the same time, Tezuka knows that Echizen plays tennis only to defeat his father.
Tezuka decides he needs to stop being selfish when he watches the half-blinded boy on the courts; still mocking, still proud, still strong. He decides that he can risk his arm if Echizen is willing to risk his eye for this game.
--
His feet step onto the court beneath train tracks and Tezuka's only goal is to push Echizen further and spur him onto greater heights so that he will win because he loves the game like Tezuka loves the game.
What seems like hours later, when Tezuka has given Echizen his parting message, has seen Echizen on his knees, has been awed by the infinite possibilities when Echizen plays tennis; Tezuka is willing to give anything for the boy.
--
He ends up giving everything for Echizen in the match against Hyotei, and knows Atobe is pleased because he thinks that passion is for him and disgruntled because of Tezuka's ruined shoulder.
As Echizen completely demolishes Hiyoshi, Tezuka's shoulder shoots horrible daggers of pain through his body, but Tezuka does not notice the ache in his arm. He only sees Echizen and the way his eyes flash gold when he does Drive B after Drive B after Drive B. He only cares that Echizen is doing this for Tezuka, not for Seigaku or for his father, and finds that destroying his shoulder is worth it.
--
Before he departs for Germany, he leaves Seigaku in Echizen's hands because he is confident that those hands will bring Seigaku to victory, with or without Tezuka. He is not sure Echizen understands though, and demands a match because Echizen understands tennis.
He tells Oishi his arm doesn't hurt--it does--but the only thing that matters is the fire in Echizen's eyes and the fluid grace of Echizen flying across the court.
Echizen will do well, and Tezuka leaves without regrets.
--
When Tezuka lays eyes on Echizen again after Germany, he sees petulance, arrogance and talent; so much talent that it burns pleasantly when Echizen presses his body against Tezuka's and shows him that he has not only learned how to love tennis.