A Gentlemen's Wager, Chapter 7
Tezuka received his first envelope not long after Seigaku had their match with Jyousei. It contained no letter, but was thick with photographs, each one featuring an elegantly scripted commentary on the back. Many of the photos contained action shots from the game: a picture of a passed out Momoshiro (Accidental juice mix-up. Inui has been running laps), a victorious golden pair (Kawaii, ne? Oishi says his wrist is doing better), and one boy who seemed to stop in the middle of his match to pose for the camera (If only I'd been able to capture Kaidoh's expression during this shot). Other pictures portrayed more everyday items: a seat at Kawamura's restaurant (Saved for when you get back), a photo of something bubbling, steaming, and violently blue that could only belong to Inui (This one is somewhat potent), and several shots of Fuji's cacti (Michelle is doing very well, but Kenneth is late in blooming). There were no shots of the photographer but Tezuka hung some of them around his room. Each photo was unique, striking, and filled Tezuka with a bittersweet homesickness. They were all so quintessentially Syusuke.
Syusuke ... He'd started using the name in his head, though not out loud. Over the phone was not the proper time to take a step like that. Besides, it would only encourage whatever scheme the tensai was up to.
And the tensai was scheming. Tezuka knew because he'd had several weeks of sleep uninterrupted by calls from Atobe asking about his arm and trying to bribe him into a rematch. Syusuke had done something to him, and he wouldn't tell Tezuka what. When asked in their phone conversations, Fuji only said that they had talked and the matter was resolved, but Tezuka could hear the smile in his voice. It was not a resolution smile.
For the moment, the buchou decided to let it be. Syusuke had sworn not to actually harm Atobe, and he trusted him not to break a promise. Tezuka sighed, pinning a photo of the empty clubhouse near his bed (Keeping it tidy for you). Scheming was a hazard when involved with Syusuke, and a small price to pay in the long run. He just hoped Atobe didn't fly out to complain to him when Fuji's plot was revealed.
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Kaidoh was upset about something. His eyes narrowed 12 percent more than usual when he looked at Inui, and his thoughts distracted him from his training, making it only 80 percent as effective as it could be. At the moment, the towel's arc was only 90 percent complete, barely good enough to get the ball into the doubles court, let alone singles. The second year remained silent as usual, but Inui knew he would have to face the matter soon enough. Kaidoh stewing on an issue exponentially affected his temper when the matter finally arose.
"Kaidoh, is something bothering you?" Inui asked.
The towel snapped through the air again. Inui hated bringing this up in the middle of Kaidoh's training. Their time at the river was the highlight of his week, and they couldn't go there more than every three to four days or their chances of catching cold rose 25 percent. Kaidoh's training sessions here were the most effective, and Inui ... well, Inui enjoyed the view.
After another pause, Kaidoh asked, "Did you plant that juice for Momoshiro?"
Inui blinked behind his glasses. He hadn't predicted that question. "During the Jyousei match? No. Momoshiro's inability to read was not a part of my analysis."
Kaidoh nodded, and continued his swing, but now the arc had decreased to 87 percent. Had the answer been wrong? Did Kaidoh not believe him? Kaidoh knew he would never throw a game over something as petty as jealousy. He'd worked with Momoshiro so Kaidoh could debut his Boomerang in the singles court, hadn't he? "Why do you ask?"
Another shower of water droplets. Inui realized their current location was not the most advantageous place for him to hold this conversation. "I heard him and Echizen talking about it. It doesn't matter."
"It was an accident." An amusing accident, but an accident nonetheless.
Kaidoh performed a few more repetitions, then asked, "And the match with Rokkaku. Will we be playing doubles again?" He didn't look at Inui while he spoke, but gazed down the river, his frame rather artistically silhouetted in the sunset. Inui's stomach twisted. Why did Kaidoh have to ask that now?
"Oishi decided Taka-san and Momoshiro should play doubles two. He wants them to learn to control some of their power. You will play singles two again, though there is only a 30 percent chance the match will last that long."
Kaidoh turned to look at Inui, though Inui couldn't see his face well against the backlighting. He seemed about to ask another question, but stopped himself, turning back to his training.
"That's enough repetitions for tonight. You should stretch before we walk home."
Kaidoh complied. He always did when Inui suggested training methods to him. Inui felt another surge of guilt in the knowledge that his kouhai had complete trust in him, but he still had yet to bring up the subject of his past or tell Kaidoh the real reason he had suggested Momoshiro and Taka-san could use the doubles training.
He joined Kaidoh in stretching, but neither spoke. Only after they both stood up did Kaidoh add, "Senpai, you shouldn't blame yourself for the match with Hyotei."
Inui adjusted his glasses. He had to remember not to underestimate Kaidoh's abilities of perception. "It was a lapse in data, Kaidoh. It is more beneficial for you to remain in singles until I can properly adjust my analysis to a doubles--"
"Inui-senpai," Kaidoh interrupted. The interruption itself deviated from Kaidoh's usual behavior. Inui looked down at Kaidoh, who had slung the wet towel around his shoulders. His eyes shuffled from the ground to the river to a tree, never actually resting on Inui. "The data is ... useful ...if it lets you know what's coming towards you, but you need to build your ... your instincts as well." Kaidoh's voice stumbled over the sounds, forcing them out like bursts of water through a dam. At the last word, those dark eyes finally locked on Inui, captivating even while they pierced through him.
Inui found himself stuttering. "I-instinct?"
"The ball went out because your instincts were not strong, even if the data was correct."
"Kaidoh, instinct is an unreliable way to strategize -- hey!" Inui's hand shot out for the notebook Kaidoh had without warning lunged for. He saved it, though just barely. "Kaidoh?"
The mamushi smiled. "You didn't predict that I would do that, did you?"
Inui adjusted his glasses again, now a gesture of annoyance. "No."
"But you protected your data anyway. Instinct. You have it, Inui-senpai. We'll start your training tomorrow."
Inui frowned. "My training?"
"Hai, senpai. It's your turn. Buchou will be back by Nationals, and there will no longer be an empty singles position. I will need a good doubles partner." The sentence seemed to catch Kaidoh by surprise, and he blushed before turning towards his own house, calling, "Tomorrow."
Inui, himself, was still speechless. Kaidoh wasn't angry, wasn't even annoyed. None of the data had an answer for this outcome. In fact, Kaidoh seemed adamant that their neither of their partnerships end anytime soon. And why did Kaidoh seem upset that Inui hadn't intentionally planted the juice? Did he want Inui to feel jealous? The facts didn't add up. Was there some flaw in his analysis, or was Kaidoh right? Perhaps that instinct had been what he and Renji were missing ...
Inui stopped himself. There was still time before that mountain rose up before them. For now, he decided to focus his energy on Kaidoh, and whatever training menu the mamushi would devise.
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A/N: So the updates might be coming a little slower as Buchou and Inui are rather obstinate about things like plot development and making subplots merge. Sigh. I'm a sad fangirl, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Thanks to all my reviewers. Microgirl, the cacti are just for you!