Catalyst
Ryoma has known Tezuka for nine years.
The first year, Ryoma did his best to beat Tezuka, and he does, in the end.
It takes the next three years just to break his resolve, three years to get him to open up.
Four more years to completely understand him, because Ryoma doesn't do understanding, and because Tezuka is so utterly beyond him.
Nine is a multiple of three, which is good luck, either way you look at it, and this is the number of years Ryoma has known Tezuka when he finally sees:
All these years, and just one question:"Did you love him?"
Ryoma has known Tezuka for nine years, but none of them matter now.
-fin-