What do we mean to each other?


Summary: Tezuka had been very distant when it comes to the aggressiveness of Fuji but things might spice up a little when a guy from a rival school confesses his unrelenting love towards Fuji. The love of which reminds Fuji of his own feelings towards Tezuka. Will Fuji be able to understand his feelings, move on and take the risk with this new guy?

Warning: contains shounen-ai (boy's Love). Read at your own risk.
Disclaimer:
The author does not own the characters, only the plot and the setting.


Chapter 2: Loose chain

It was five in the afternoon, the usual time devoted to club practice by Seigaku's tennis team. At the tennis court, the early birds found themselves doing what they thought would be helpful to their technique and health while the team waited for the team captain's arrival.

At the bench sat Eiji and Oishi, otherwise known as Seigaku's golden pair, discussing further tactics for their next match. At the tennis court, Echizen and Momoshiro played a single match while Inui watched as part of his data gathering scheme. Kaidoh and Kawamura sat at the adjacent benches, checking their rackets for loose strings.

"Where is Tezuka and Fuji?" Ryuzaki-sensei asked.

"Tezuka had some work to do with the Student Council," Oishi replied. "I guess Fuji had to wait for him."

Outside the student council office, Fuji silently leant on the wall next to the door. Just then, the door opened and a face emerged.

"Hey Fuji-sempai, have you been waiting for Tezuka-sempai?" asked a sophomore student.

"Yes, we're almost late for the club practice," Fuji simply answered.

"Oh yeah, he's really into it. You know, about student stuff. Anyway, he is still talking with the cultural officer right now but he will be out in a minute. Guess you have to wait a little longer."

"I've been waiting for quite some time now, waiting a few more minutes won't be too hard." Fuji answered with a smile.

Without reading the underlying meaning of what Fuji had said, the sophomore went out after saying his goodbye to Fuji.

Thinking back, I wonder how long I will be waiting for him. Fuji's thoughts were instantly interrupted by Tezuka's flat tone.

"How long are you going to stand there?" He asked.

"I was waiting for you."

"I know. I heard you talking with that sophomore representative. We'd better head to the tennis courts for the club practice." Tezuka stated as he walked past Fuji, without even establishing eye contact.

Fuji ran slightly to catch up to Tezuka. "Hey, wait up." When he was walking side by side with him, Fuji decided to broach the sensitive topic. "Are you still mad with what happened yesterday?"

"There's no need to do a pep talk regarding the circumstances of yesterday. Let it become part of the past." Tezuka answered flatly.

The words directly hit Fuji. "Are you saying that we should forget all about it?"

"Yes. It never happened." Tezuka answered, eyes still fixed ahead of him. After much thought last night, he had decided to treat the whole matter, and Fuji as well, in a cold and clinical manner. Perhaps by doing this, he could tame Fuji and hope that the other man's feelings would go away after some time.

Tezuka couldn't accept Fuji's love in the first place. Fuji was a man. Moreover, Tezuka himself was a man, and that was what made this a taboo in his book. Fuji was just a friend and a valuable member of the Seigaku tennis team, nothing more.

He nevertheless did not think that Fuji would be able to just let it go.

"Can I take that as an outright rejection?" Fuji's words were gentle but it hit the point directly, almost instantly.

For a moment, Tezuka's voice remained trapped in his throat. He stopped walking but he did not have the courage to look at Fuji. In a soft yet tedious tone, he answered, "You could say that." and walked on ahead.

He could not imagine how Fuji would take it but he wanted to end this right now before it got any further. He did not want a controversy based on his sexuality to begin with.

Fuji let Tezuka walk away. "At least, you were able to say it. I understand." But why did it hurt so much?

Tezuka arrived at the tennis courts alone.

"Ne, Tezuka-buchou, why isn't Fuji-kun with you?" Eiji asked curiously.

Still slightly stunned at the moment, it took Tezuka another minute to give an answer.

"I came directly from the meeting with the student council officers. I haven't seen Fuji since the club practice yesterday." Tezuka lied and then walked directly to the boys' changing room.

"Did… "

…something happen?" Kikumaru asked of no one in particular.

Fifteen minutes later, Fuji walked onto the tennis court.

"Hey, it's Fuji!" Kikumaru blurted out.

Fuji smiled, heading towards the main group of regulars. "There's no need to get so excited."

"Why are you late?" Inui inquired as Echizen and Momoshiro settled for a bench.

"I had something to do," Fuji spoke in a happy voice. "Don't worry, I'll do 20 laps as a punishment," he said and started running around the court.

"But I have this special juice with me," Inui evilly raised a glass of colored liquid. "Well then, who wants to drink this?"

Everyone kept their distance, and even Ryoma and Momoshiro who had been extremely tired suddenly found the energy to back away.

On the other hand, just as Fuji was about to finish the first lap, he saw Tezuka emerging from the locker room, wearing the Seigaku uniform. He is still adorable, but now he can never be mine. Seeing Fuji running around the court, Tezuka immediately looked away and went directly to Oishi.

"How is everyone doing?"

"Everyone is seriously training. Since you are late, you just missed the match between Echizen and Momoshiro." Their coach answered instead. "Why don't you do 20 laps just like Fuji, eh, captain?"

Seeing the rare smile from their coach, Tezuka did not bother to ask why and started doing the 20 laps. The rest of the members watched as Tezuka and Fuji completed their punishment. Being late for tennis practice was most unlike the two of them to begin with.

After five laps around the court, Tezuka found himself running beside Fuji.

Taking the chance, Fuji said in between breaths, "You… don't have to... worry." He refused to look at Tezuka, but instead chose to run ahead.

Tezuka continued to run behind Fuji, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead. You don't have to worry. All he could think about now were the five simple words that Fuji had said.

Is he letting go of me…

that easily?


A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers, one by one I'll try to answer all of you but as of this moment please forgive me if I cannot do that. Anyway, I admit I am having a problem when it comes to diction and grammar, so if any one of you know someone who can check my grammar before I publish the succeeding chapters, let me know, ok? It will be gladly appreciated. Ciao!

-shadowcLite