"Kunimitsu" Fuji spoke firmly and cautiously.
"I know." Kunimitsu hissed
"Must Fuji treat him like an idiot? Even he knows that that Echizen Ryoma cannot be his Ryo-chan. He is far too un-adorable, rude to be his Ryo-chan. In the first place, his eyes aren't even green. Ryo-chan has green olive eyes, just like Tezuka. This Ryoma, instead, has dark hazel eyes. And lastly, Ryo-chan is dead. Even Tezuka is not delusional enough to believe otherwise. He's already long dead, many years back, on the exact same day as today.

Wiping away at his tearing eyes, Tezuka motion Fuji to leave. It's a good thing that they get to miss practice and head straight to the cemetery. Not like he could focus on the matches anyway, and he is not ignorant of the fact that his ominous aura has been suffocating his team members lately. Without needing a word to be said, Fuji nodded and silently follows Tezuka's cue. The couple solemnly made their way to the cemetery, taking the same old bus and walking down the same old familiar road. They have already come to this place together for umpteen times, so much so that Fuji could already internalise the roads, the flowers and trees placement in the area. And of course, the tombs. That's what they are here for.

Upon reaching the Ryo-chan's tomb, the melancholic spell on Tezuka seems to break instantly, as the familiar warmth begins to fill his eyes.

"Ryo-chan…. How have you been" Tezuka slowly whisper as his fingers trails the characters etched on the stone, eventually landing on the said person's picture. Tezuka completely drops his stoic and unfeeling mask, and lost control for a moment. em"Only in front of Ryoma…. And perhaps Fuji himself, Fuji thought. A stab of stinging betrayal and disgust mixed together hits Fuji's heart as he allows his over-driven mind to process what's going on in front of him.

Fuji felt betrayed by Tezuka's action. Haven't Fuji always been by his side, haven't he done enough, why could he never able to replace Ryoma- dead and no longer by his side? Why would Kunimitsu always place Ryoma on high pedestal and perhaps Fuji as the second place? At the same time, Fuji felt like a traitor. He had known Ryoma since young, they spent their childhood together, and yet all he could think of right now at the moment is how much he have hated the child, even though he did nothing to earn his ire (and did absolutely nothing to earn Tezuka's favour as well) As he stood there, watching how Tezuka literally grovelled on the ground on his knees, seemingly begging for forgiveness for mistakes that he never did, all Fuji could do is to control his facial emotions and not let any of his disgusting emotions leak through. No, he is not going to let anyone, especially Tezuka, to know about how twisted he is. He has already a bad enough reputation with regards to his personality, and he need not worsen his image any further. Hours ticked by, and Tezuka continues to update the stone about his life, the people he met, occasionally spilling some tears, but overall the session has been therapeutic for him. It's obvious from how Tezuka's expression have gradually softened and by now, he seems like the same old cute and warm boy he was back then. Fuji merely sits there and listen on and on. He enjoyed listening to Tezuka speaking, though he wished Tezuka would speak to him instead of to the stone. But beggars cant be chooser, and to be able to sit near Tezuka like this was already an honour itself.

Finally, Tezuka was done with sharing his life with Ryo-chan, and proceeds with the gift presentation ceremony. He unzips the tennis racket bag and slowly take out the expensive, high quality racket. "Here, Ryoma, is your gift." Tezuka said, beaming with pride. "I have always wanted to gift you this… since you wanted to play tennis so much. So here it is." He placed the racket in front of the tomb. Even though he spent hours earlier on describing to Ryoma his tennis experience, however he was painfully aware that words can never substitute the actual experience of playing tennis. If only he had been more careful back then, perhaps.. Ryoma would be able to play tennis and experience it for himself. His carelessness has robbed Ryo-chan of this experience. Ryo-chan obviously deserved the chance to live like everybody else yet his carelessness have robbed Ryo-chan of his chance…. Honestly he don't even think that he deserves to live. Not when he had indirectly snuff out Ryo-chan's life.

"I hope… you can play tennis up there in heaven… I am sure you would do well. Since you are pretty agile and fast. You will definitely become a good tennis player.. if only… if.. you had the.. chance…"
Tezuka broke down again.
Fuji frantically fished out the 3rd packet of tissue and hurriedly tear the plastic covering open and grab a few pieces of tissue. He knelt down beside Tezuka and wiped away the trails of tears down his face.

"Tezuka…" Fuji looks deep into his eyes. He already have a rough idea what's going on in Tezuka's mind. He pulled Tezuka in for an embrace. Tezuka should move on from hugging cold and inanimate stones to warm living humans. "Tezuka. It's all fate. You aren't God, you cant do anything about it either.

"I could have…. If we didn't… I mean… if we didn't play hide-and-seek…. If only.. I…I…" Tezuka's left hand reached out for his neck, only to be swapped by Fuji.

"Tezuka, no. There's nothing you can do. Accept fate. Accept the past. It's already 7 years, you need to move on, you can stay like this forever, you are still living, you still have a life to live, do you think Ryoma would want his big brother to live like this? Are you being a good role model, Onii-chan?" There was desperation and frustration laced in his voice. 7 years had passed and Fuji still could not help Tezuka out.

"I am sorry Ryo-chan… I am sorry Fuji… I am sorry everyone…" Tezuka choked on his words and tears, his left hand tightening around his right wrist, leaving a red mark behind. Fuji decided to let it be and allow Tezuka to gain some relief from his unhealthy coping mechanism for the time being.

They remained in this position for a while, tightly locked in an embrace, before Tezuka slowly pulled himself out of Fuji's arms.

"I am tired, Fuji." Tezuka weakly whispered.

"Let's go home then."

Tezuka nodded.

"But before that," Fuji lifted up the racket placed on the ground "a pretty racket left like this would soon be stolen. Why not I keep it for you… erm… for Ryo-chan at my place."

Tezuka thought about it for a while before nodding again.

"Thank you Syuusuke. Thank you for everything."

Fuji blinked at the mention of his first name. "You are welcome, Kunimitsu."