DOUBLE STORY

... And here's chapter 4. A rather Atobe-centric chapter - despite my efforts, hahah - but I could never forget Tezuka, so it's still fairly balanced between the two I think, even if it does lean towards the one I like less. heh

In case you're wondering, there are about 7 more chapters ahead (unless I change my mind); four of which are more or less done, one in progress and two more exist only in my brain.


Chapter 4

Suzume knocked on the door of his study, but got no answer. She knocked again, louder this time. Still no answer.

"Atobe Keigo! Stop sulking and open the door this instant!"

Silence.

She tried the door. It would not open. Rolling her eyes, she took out a key from her pocket and unlocked the door. Atobe was sitting in a high-backed chair, apparently watching the news on television. When she entered, he jumped, startled.

"How did you get in?" he demanded.

"Your mother gave me the extra key. She said you've been sulking far too much these days for a grown man and asked me to do her a favour and get you out of the slumps. She figured you might have locked the door today, so she gave me the key in case. Really… Are you four or twenty-four?"

He said nothing, but looked sullen and turned back to the television. She sat down on the chair next to his.

"What's with you, Keigo? Is this about lunch the other day?"

When he gave no answer, she tried again. "Have you gone deaf? I asked you a question."

"I don't need to answer every single one of your questions. Also, you asked me two questions, not one."

"You're being ridiculous," she said. "It's not that big a deal to have a slight phobia. It's like how so many people are scared of going to the dentist. It's normal. It doesn't make you any less a person. Your friends are still your friends. If we stopped liking you just because you're afraid of something then we wouldn't be good friends at all. Don't be such a child. It's absurd to behave like this."

Atobe's eyes stayed glued to the television screen.

"Oh, come on. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Look – I found out and it doesn't change anything for me. I'm still your friend."

Something in Atobe snapped at the last four words. He turned suddenly to her. "Only a friend, Suzume?"

She was taken aback by the sharpness of his reaction. "What?"

"Why not more than a friend?"

Shock spread across her face, but it was quickly exchanged for as firm an appearance as she could manage. "I've given you that answer before."

His eyes flashed blue fire. "So you have, but I still won't accept your refusal. Why, Suzume? You know how I feel about you. I think you've known even before I admitted it. Don't pretend that you don't care either –"

"I do care! But not in the same way! Argh… Don't you get it? I don't love you in that way."

"And I don't accept it."

Throwing her hands up in frustration, she said, "When are you going to stop this nonsense, Keigo?"

"I'll stop only when you are happily married."

That sounds strangely reasonable, coming from him, thought Suzume.

"To me."

Scratch that.

----------

She got home feeling quite exhausted. Atobe had been difficult to handle. What had made him bring that up again? She thought he had gotten over it already. How long was it going to take him to get it into his head that she didn't love him like that?

Suzume couldn't imagine when or how Atobe had fallen for her, but she wished he hadn't. She didn't want to spoil what they had as friends. Besides, she found it a little difficult to imagine being married to Atobe Keigo. He was fine as a friend. She could talk to him easily, he could be trusted, he could be fun to be with (when not being overly full of himself) and they had enough common interests that they rarely ran out of things to talk about. But to be married to him..! She would have to nag him all the time about his arrogance and it would be a constant battle between his extravagance and her practicality. And that ego! He could be nice, but…

She sighed. Part of her regretted her last words to him before she had walked out of the room. Yet she figured he deserved everything she had said. Maybe that would tell him to drop it, if a straightforward "no" didn't.

----------

Atobe stared silently out of the window that overlooked the back garden, Suzume's words echoing through his mind.

"What on earth makes you think I'd marry you? You're arrogant, self-absorbed, extravagant, overbearing, a show-off and egoistic! You think you have a right to anything you want in the world, you think poorer people are beneath you and you think you can be rude to anyone you wish. You're even rude to my friends! And to Yumi's friends! Do you know how rude you were to Saeki-san? I only wonder that you aren't rude to Yumi too. I couldn't possibly marry anyone who thinks my friends' friends are unworthy to talk to him or something. You love me, you say. But do you really know what that word means? You should try learning a little consideration and kindness before professing that, Keigo. It wouldn't kill you. It'd at least make you sound more sincere."

She probably didn't know it, but it had hurt. And it had cut him deep. It was, he thought, the first time she had ever flung all of it at him at the same time. She had told him before over past years that he was arrogant, that he was wasting too much money on pointless things, that he was a snob, and so on. But she had never said it all at one go before. Nor had she ever tacked on the fact that they were reasons that put her off him.

It felt as though she'd picked up the katana that decorated the shelf in his study and run it through his heart. He hadn't realised he was capable of feeling such sharp, non-physical pain.

----------

Yumi groaned when she saw the model. "Oh goodness… Who did your hair? I thought I asked for a high up-do, not this! Come on." She pulled the model back to the hair and make up room. She called to Suzume over her shoulder. "Suzu! Watch progress while I get this fixed, will you?"

"Got it," replied Suzume, giving her a thumbs-up sign before turning her attention to the shoot in progress. She was pleased with the publicity they were getting for their spring collection. They still had a long way to go, but she thought they were doing pretty well at present. There was their spring line, and also the bunch of custom outfits ordered by various people for Christmas and New Year's events. It kept them both very busy, but she liked the activity. It was good for the business, and it was good for keeping the creativity flowing.

"These hairstylists," grumbled Yumi, coming up to her. "Sometimes they just don't listen! Why didn't we hire Nakagawa again?"

"Because he's on holiday," said Suzume.

"Ergh... Pity." Yumi glanced at the stage where the photographer was instructing another model. "This one's the ninth outfit, isn't it?"

Suzume checked the list she had. "Yup. And we have three more to go, not counting the one you just sent back to Hair."

"Do you think we can finish this today?"

"Seeing that it's already half past three, I doubt it. Not unless we want them to work overtime – and that's not necessary."

Yumi sighed. "So many things to do… Feels like ages since I last saw Syuusuke or Tezuka or Sae…"

"Oh, yes. What's happened to Saeki? Doesn't he come up anymore?"

"Those private lessons he was giving ended. He did say it was only temporary, remember?"

"Ah."

"Was fun having him around so often, though. I miss his zany behaviour already."

"More than you miss having Tezuka around?"

Yumi shot her friend a look before turning her gaze back to the model on the stage. "It's a different thing. And I still do meet him, you know. It's not like I've stopped meeting him completely. Anyway, I'm trying to forget that, okay?"

"Yes, yes. You've told me. But why?"

"Let's just say I'm tired of hoping and wishing for something that's not going to happen," said Yumi, before turning the subject. "Speaking of missing people, I haven't seen your idiot friend Atobe Keigo lately."

Suzume rolled her eyes. "He decided to bring that up again about a week ago and I finally lost it. Told him off rather severely, so he's probably gone into a temporary sulk or something. Anyway I'd rather not see him until he's calmed down and gotten over it."

As far as Yumi could see, Suzume showed no signs of remorse over having told him off or that she felt his absence very much. Still, she did wonder if Suzume actually felt more for him than she realised. She couldn't imagine why Suzume would care for that arrogant man, but twenty years of friendship could probably see past that arrogance. Atobe did have one thing in his favour though – at least he showed his feelings and Suzume knew exactly how he felt about her. In a way it was better than Yumi's own situation, floundering about uncertainly – not knowing whether Tezuka really cared or not, until she overheard those snatches of conversation at that garden party.

----------

"I don't think that amount of alcohol could be very good for you, Atobe," said Tezuka, looking pointedly at the now-empty glass the other man set on the table.

"That's only my third," Atobe said.

"Yes, and if you go on the way you've just downed those first three glasses, it very soon will be more than is good for you."

Atobe ignored him and tipped the bottle over to refill his glass. When he put the bottle down again, Tezuka reached out, took it and placed it on the floor beside his own chair.

"What are you doing?" asked Atobe.

"Stopping you from overdoing it."

"You realise that I can always order another bottle, don't you? You'd have to take it away from me every time."

"If I have to."

Atobe glared at Tezuka. "What gives you the right to stop me?"

"The same right you had to try and play matchmaker for me – none."

Atobe could find nothing to say to that, so he settled for taking another swig. Tezuka wondered if Atobe got this way whenever upset by a woman or if this was just a one-off reaction to Takahashi Suzume in particular.

"You should be grateful I tried to help," muttered Atobe. "I wish someone would help me."

"No, I don't think you really do."

"You're right."

Tezuka frowned. Was Atobe aware that he was contradicting himself? Was he that preoccupied with his fight with her or was this an effect of those three – make that four now – consecutive glasses of whisky? If so, Atobe held his liquor more poorly than Tezuka imagined. He glanced at the bottle on the floor by his feet and felt thankful he hadn't finished his first glass yet.

"I'm not drunk," said Atobe, as though he'd read Tezuka's mind.

"Maybe not, but you seem to be well on your way there."

"So what if I am? I should think I have a right to be. The woman I love just about told me to my face that she hates my guts –"

"She didn't say that, if what you told me is true. She doesn't hate you, she just hates the way you treat other people. And that isn't something that you can't change."

"Oh, shut up. I know that already. I didn't ask you here to give me a lecture."

"So why did you ask me to come here?"

Once more, Atobe gave no answer. Tezuka figured that probably subconsciously, one reason Atobe had asked to meet him was because he wanted to be stopped from going overboard. He felt a headache coming on. As if it wasn't enough that the whole Yumi-and-Saeki thing had been bothering him for the past couple of weeks… Now Atobe seemed to think that Tezuka was his counsellor or something. He suppressed the urge to massage his temples. This was going to be a long night.

----------

Saeki straightened the collar of his shirt and looked over to Fuji. "Tell me again why I'm attending this function?"

"Because Ohtori Choutarou has kindly extended the invitation to you and me."

"And why, exactly? I don't recall ever having much to do with Hyoutei to begin with. You, maybe. But me?"

"Blame Yumi. She's the one who got all chummy with Ohtori's girlfriend and has Atobe Keigo's love interest as a business partner. Thank her for making us acceptable to the ranks of the insanely rich." Fuji looked around for his belt and saw it lying over the back of a chair. "Ah. There it is."

Saeki mussed his hair thoughtfully and then groaned, remembering that he had put gel in it barely five minutes before. "I've just ruined my own hair," he said mournfully, gazing at his reflection in the mirror.

"Don't worry. You're one of those that look better with not-so-slick hair," Fuji said, adjusting his belt. "That's what Yumi always says."

"I suppose that's some comfort." Saeki pushed an errant strand or two away from his face. He picked up his jacket and slipped it on. After running a hand over his hair to smooth it down a bit, he turned to Fuji. "How do I look?"

Fuji glanced at him. "Dashing. And I?"

Saeki gave his friend the once-over and nodded approvingly. "If you were any better-looking, you'd be me. Shall we go?"

"Probably. Hime-sama won't be happy if you're late to pick her up."

"If we're late," corrected Saeki.

"Hey, you're the date, not me."

"What? Since when did I become the date?"

"As of now." Fuji reached for his house keys and walked to the door.

"Oi…"

----------

Yumi gazed around the room. The Ohtori house was not as lavish as the Atobe mansion or even Suzume's own home, but it still reeked of wealth. There were quite a number of people in the large hall, but not as many as there had been at Atobe's garden affair. Good thing too, she thought. Otherwise we'd be like sardines in a can, even though this is a large room.

Saeki let out a low whistle. "Nice place."

"Yeah, it is," said Fuji.

Behind them, a merry voice called out. "Fu-ji! Yu-chan!"

An arm draped itself around Fuji's neck and another around Yumi's shoulders. "You're here at last! I almost thought you weren't coming!"

"Eiji!" they chorused.

"Hehe… Surprised? Oh, Saeki! Hello!" Kikumaru Eiji pulled his arms off Fuji and Yumi before extending a hand to the other.

"Kikumaru-kun, this is a surprise!" said Saeki. "What are you doing here?"

"I was invited, of course. Ohtori-kun went to the same university as me, you know."

"You never mentioned that before," said Yumi.

"I didn't? Aah, gomen!"

"Is anyone else we know here?" Fuji asked.

"Oishi's here with Miyuki-chan," piped Kikumaru, flinging a hand vaguely to one side. "Tezuka too. I didn't see anyone else. Ohtori didn't mention anymore Seigaku either. There's the Hyoutei gang – Atobe and Shishido and all…"

"Makes me wonder even more why I'm here," muttered Saeki.

"Come on – Oishi will want to see you all."

Yumi was delighted to see Oishi and his girlfriend, both of whom she had not seen in some time. In her opinion, Miyuki was one of the sweetest girls on earth and Oishi thoroughly deserved her. But looking at Miyuki and Oishi together sometimes made her own heart ache. They were so happy… It took all her effort to keep herself from turning melancholy, especially with Tezuka around. She decided instead to direct her attentions to Miyuki and Suzume, who had come looking for her.

There was also Saeki, whom she sensed did not feel like he fit in with the crowd very much. She found him standing near one of the doors a little later.

She poked Saeki's shoulder. "Hey. Where's Fuji?"

"He went to look for something else to eat. I think he likes the tuna."

"The ones with wasabi?"

"Yup."

"Just like him." She leaned beside him against the wall. "You all right?"

"Aah. I'm fine." He rubbed the back of his head, disregarding the state of his hair completely. "I should be asking you that, though."

"Huh?"

"I don't know about Suzume-san or Tezuka, but you don't fool Fuji or me one bit. We can tell something's on your mind."

Yumi looked away. "I'll be okay."

"You don't have to pretend, you know."

"But I do," she said a little more sharply than she intended. "What good would it do to look down and depressed all night at a Christmas party? It would upset Sayuri and Ohtori-kun. And Suzume would be worried."

"Well, I'm worried that you're putting undue strain on yourself to keep up the pretence. Fuji says if you don't cheer up, we'll drag you home come 9.30."

She put a hand on his shoulder. "You two are dears, really. And I'm so very glad you're my friends. But I'll be fine - really."

He took the hint and let it go.

"By the way, where's Atobe?" inquired Saeki. "I was wondering why I haven't seen him in this sea of richness."

Yumi laughed at the way he said it, but replied that she didn't know. "Ohtori-kun did say that he was invited, but I haven't seen him here at all." She shrugged. "Maybe he's late or he had a change of plans."

"Ah. Busy man," said Saeki.

Almost as if on cue, the door near them swung open and in walked the subject of their conversation. They were close enough that it was impossible for him to miss seeing them. For a second, he stood fixed to the spot. Then he seemed to shake himself out of it and approached them.

Bowing slightly in greeting, he said, "Hanazawa-san. Saeki-san. It's good to see you here."

Of the two, Yumi regained her wits first.

"Er, nice to see you here too. You're rather late, Atobe-san."

"Yes, I was held up at the office. I informed Ohtori and Nishikado-san that I would be late, though. How is the party so far? I trust you're enjoying it?"

"Rather," answered Saeki. "Ohtori-kun is a good host, even though he has so many guests to handle."

"Indeed. He was always good at that." Atobe glanced round and caught sight of his friends. "Excuse me – I should go and talk to Oshitari and the rest now."

He turned to head towards his friends, but stopped. For about a second, he just stood there, and then faced them again.

"Saeki."

"Er, yes?"

Yumi thought Atobe had a rather odd expression on his face. She couldn't exactly decipher what it was. But his next words made her forget it completely.

He spoke rather slower than usual, and in a careful, hesitant manner. "I – I would like to apologise… For my earlier behaviour."

Saeki just barely stopped himself from taking a step backwards out of surprise. Yumi's eyes widened.

"I'm afraid I was – not very courteous to you – the last time we met."

This time Saeki recovered before Yumi did. "Ah, that's all right," he said, waving a hand nonchalantly, and hoping that he was keeping a straight face. "No need to worry about it."

A measured, crisp nod of the silver-grey head. "I thank you." A nod to Yumi, and another slight bow. "Hanazawa-san. Saeki. I'll see you again later."

Then he turned and left.

"Was that really Atobe Keigo?" asked Saeki after a pause.

"I… Think so." Yumi raised a hand to her lips and stared at some invisible point in space beyond Saeki's shoulder. "But I've no idea what brought that on."

"I'd like to know too."

----------

For once, Atobe felt very self-conscious. He had to keep reminding himself to be civil, be polite, be nice. It wasn't too hard to forget though, since he was also painfully sensitive to Suzume's presence in the same room; it was just hard to do.

It got to the point where Shishido asked him if something was wrong because he seemed stiff and distracted, but he managed to brush the question aside without really answering it.

Someone had turned on music, and jazzy Christmas tunes filled the room. The middle part of the room had been cleared, as someone else had proposed dancing. Ohtori and his girlfriend had gamely led the way, after a little prodding from the rest of them. A few people were on the dance floor now – including Suzume. She was dancing to a lively number with Oshitari, and seemed blissfully unaware of the misery Atobe was feeling.

He itched to go up to them and just cut in (in fact, he thought Oshitari was probably just waiting for him to that), but he didn't know if Suzume would misconstrue it and take it as rude or arrogant of him. In addition to that, he wasn't quite sure how to go about talking to her after that last argument of theirs, even though she seemed to treat him as she always had. So he had to settle to watching from the side, feeling more conflicted with every passing moment.

----------

Tezuka took in the scene in front of him from a quiet corner. There was more than one dark-haired young woman in the place, but his eyes were fixed only on the one whom Fuji had just pulled to dance and was currently twirling round.

A little voice in his head asked, What are you waiting for?

So absorbed was he that he didn't notice another person come and stand beside him.

"Looks fun, doesn't it?"

Tezuka found Saeki next to him. "If you like dancing, yes, I suppose it does."

Saeki's mouth turned up in a quirky sort of smile. "I beg pardon, but are you always this solemn, Tezuka?"

"Usually. That's what everyone else says."

Saeki chuckled. "You should lighten up a little, Tezuka-san. But I guess being serious has its good points."

There was a pause in their conversation as both turned their attentions back to the dance floor.

"I do wonder, though…" began Saeki.

Tezuka said nothing, but waited expectantly for him to continue.

"Are you serious about her?"

It caught him off-guard. He faced Saeki, brown eyes meeting piercing blue.

"Why do you ask?" he finally said, after another pause.

"Because she's a very precious person to me, and I should like to know just what you are intending to do – if anything at all." There was an unusually serious expression in Saeki's face as he spoke, one that quite matched Tezuka's own.

"If it makes you feel any better, I do care for her," Tezuka said.

"Oh? I see." As if I didn't know that already.

Saeki waved to Suzume, who swung past on Oshitari's arm. He wondered why Atobe didn't try to cut in on that dance. He let another few seconds of silence go by before saying, "If you care for her, then why haven't you done anything yet?"

When Tezuka didn't answer immediately, he decided not to give him any time to think up a reply.

"If you don't do something soon, Tezuka-san, I think something of yours – something deeper – is going to break, and this time it won't be your arm that hurts. In fact, it's probably going to hurt a lot more than not being able to play tennis for a couple of months."

"What –"

"I don't know why you're still waiting, but you might lose her faster than you think. There's a limit to how much I can stand. Ah, Fuji!" His air changed immediately from dead serious to cheerful once again, seeing Fuji pass by with the lady in question. "I'm cutting in – it's my turn."

Saeki stepped up to take Fuji's place and cast a swift, meaningful look at Tezuka before catching the music's tempo and whisking Yumi away.

Tezuka was left in the corner with Fuji, feeling somewhat bewildered, and at the same time having the distinct impression that something had changed in the atmosphere. Though he had been taken aback, he didn't miss the challenging tone of Saeki's words or the look that he threw him. A constricted feeling crept around his insides. Was that which had been bothering him about Saeki and Yumi – true?

----------

Atobe's inner conflict had turned into sheer irritation. It looked as though Oshitari was trying to provoke him on purpose, dancing round after round with Suzume. He had even switched with Shishido and that damned flirt Taki before taking a turn with her again. That Oshitari Yuushi was just asking to be murdered one day. No, he couldn't kill him. That would be illegal. And Suzume wouldn't like it. He could buy the company Oshitari worked for and then fire him, though. Or he could…

What was the man smirking at him for now? If Oshitari was going to hand Suzume over to Taki again, he'd – he'd drown him in Ohtori's koi pond. Or the swimming pool. Whichever was deeper. Maybe the koi pond. Ohtori's pool wasn't a large one. Oshitari probably wouldn't drown easily in just six feet or so of water. But then Ohtori Senior might not take well to his prize fish being scared out of their wits.

Atobe was stunned out of his plans for vengeance when, before he quite realised it, Oshitari deposited Suzume in front on him in one elegant move.

"I believe you'd like a turn too, Atobe?" drawled Oshitari, holding Suzume's hand out to him.

Somehow he managed to maintain enough calm to respond – albeit a little stiffly: "If she would allow me to."

"Why would I not?" said Suzume.

She smiled at him and he felt like the world was a wonderful place again. But the next moment the good feeling vanished when he remembered her most recent rejection of him.

He steeled himself as he took her hand from Oshitari and led her to the makeshift dance floor. If you know the problem, you can solve it. Or at least try to. That's what Tezuka had said. He was reluctant to admit it, but Tezuka was right. Very well then. He would do it. He'd be nice to anyone she asked him to be nice to if that would put him back in favour again. He'd make her love him if it was the last thing he did. The only problem was – how, exactly?

At least he was adept enough at dancing that he didn't need to be fully focussed on it to do it reasonably well. After all, he was Atobe –

"Keigo?"

She was looking up at him, a slightly sceptical look and amused smile on her face. "Your mind's not here, is it?"

Unfortunately, I can't get it to be anywhere else.

"I can tell when you're not concentrating, you know," she continued. "I think we've been friends long enough to be able to know that much."

Friends. Oh, how he was starting to hate hearing that word from her, especially in relation to the both of them. Possibly the only thing he hated more than that now was "just friends."

The music picked up in tempo and he let go of her waist to twirl her accordingly.

"What's wrong?" Suzume asked when she returned in a second from the spin.

"I'd rather not talk about it," he said, shortly. "Don't make me answer – please."

If he had been looking at her then, he would have seen the surprise that crossed her face. She had thought of pressing him for an answer – she always believed it was better to talk about something than to keep it pent up inside – but the abrupt way in which he'd replied was different from the usual. The normal way would be for him to mutter something about not wanting to discuss it and then go on with something about how he would deal with it, since he was Atobe Keigo, after all, and then he would change the subject. This was definitely different.

The moderate swing beat that had been playing faded away, replaced by a slower tune. Reflexively, the arm he had around her tightened, drawing her closer to him, steps slowing to match the music. As soon as he did that, Atobe began to regret it. Now she was way too close. It wasn't that he didn't like it… It was just that seeing her like that was almost more than he could take.

He thought she looked amazing. The way the lights of the room cast highlights on her hair, the way her lips curved slightly as she hummed along with the song even while they danced, the smooth sweep and confident set of her chin, and those lustrous eyes so unique in their colour. All he wanted to do at the moment was to lean down and kiss her senseless. But just as with every other time in the past that he had felt that way, he knew he couldn't do it. Not with things as they were.

----------

"Thank you for inviting us," said Fuji, shaking his host's hand. "We had fun."

"That's great," Ohtori said in reply. "I'm glad you came, Fuji-san. Saeki-san too. Oh, Hanazawa-san – going already?"

Yumi nodded. "These two are supposed to send me home. Where's Sayuri? I haven't said goodbye to her yet."

"Ah, she should be with some of her friends. Let me get her for you. I'll be just a moment." Ohtori disappeared back through the door to the hall to look for his girlfriend.

"So, had fun?" Fuji asked Yumi.

She nodded. "Quite. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be here now, would I? You two would have forced me to leave one and a half hours ago." Turning to Saeki, she said, "I told you I'd be all right."

He laughed. "That you did."

Fuji turned at the sound of the door opening and saw Tezuka come out. "Going home too, Tezuka?"

"Yes, shortly. I'm waiting for Oishi and Miyuki-san."

"Going back together?"

"I'm dropping them off at the station."

An idea struck Fuji. "Say, why don't you send Yumi back?" He caught her arm and pulled her forward; ignoring the horrified what-are-you-doing looks she was giving him. "Her place would be along the way from the station to your place."

Seeing that Fuji appeared to be blind to her silent pleas, Yumi turned to Saeki beseechingly.

Sae! Help!

But he merely looked at her, a glint in his eye, and said, "Yea, and you were saying that you were feeling tired, right, Yu-chan? You'd get home faster that way instead of having to go for supper with Fuji and I."

Traitor.

"That's right," said Fuji, trying to inch her inconspicuously further forward, but he found that she had a better grip on the floor with three-inch heels that he had thought she'd have. "I'm sure Miyuki would love your company in the car too, Yu. So, could you take her home, Tezuka?"

"It's fine with me."

"Good! That's settled then!" Fuji let go of her and grinned. "We'll be off now. Say thanks to Ohtori again for us."

"We'll call you tomorrow, Yu," said Saeki. "Good night, Tezuka-san."

Yumi glared at her cheeky friends as they made a hasty exit. Wait till I get my hands on you two, she thought grimly. She changed the glare into an exasperated look when she apologised to Tezuka.

"Sorry. I'd kill them if they weren't my friends. Looks like I have to trouble you again."

"It's no trouble at all," he said. "It's an honour."

Mischief-making friends were relegated temporarily to a back room of her mind at the sight of the rare, small smile of reassurance that he gave her.

----------

Oshitari brought Suzume's overcoat to her. "Found it. Luckily you used this one – otherwise I might not have been able to find your coat in that mess of Gucci and Versace and Issey Miyake and whatnot." He helped her with it, holding the blue coat up for her to slide her arms through the sleeves more easily.

"Thanks," she said.

"How are you getting home?" Atobe inquired, trying not to glower at Oshitari.

"Oh, I sent for the car already. It should be here soon."

"You – " He stopped suddenly and paused for a second before saying, "You take care, okay? I need to go find Ohtori now. Need to talk to him about something." He walked off before Oshitari or Suzume could say anything.

"I could've sworn he was going to say, 'You could've told me – I'd have sent you home!'" said Suzume.

"That's what I thought too," Oshitari said. "That's his usual line."

Suzume threw him a half-grin. "You know that too, eh?"

Oshitari chuckled. "He nearly always says that to you whenever you do this."

"He does indeed."

"But" – Oshitari pushed his glasses up a bit – "he's been slightly strange all night. Have you noticed?"

"Yes," Suzume answered slowly. "I noticed. I don't know what's up with him. He won't talk about it. I tried asking."

"Hmm… I wonder." Oshitari cast a musing gaze in the direction Atobe had gone in.

----------

Saeki flopped down on the sofa, which wasn't quite long enough for him so his legs had to dangle off one end.

"Your sofa's too short, Fuji."

"You're the one that's too tall," retorted Fuji, going to the kitchen.

"Get a bigger apartment already."

"Only if you pay for it."

"Don't you make enough?"

"Not quite. And it's not a good idea to insult your host, you know." The apartment owner walked out with two mugs in one hand and a teapot in another. He set them down on the table. "Tea?"

"No coffee?"

"You drank the last of it when you arrived in the afternoon."

"Hey, I needed it! I went to see a late-night movie with Bane and Dabide last night. Wish we hadn't brought Dabide, though. Him and his puns…"

"Hasn't kicked the habit yet?"

"Nope. Thanks." Saeki sat up and took the tea Fuji offered him.

Both drank their tea in silence for a while, enjoying the warmth of the drinks. Fuji put his mug on the table again.

"By the way, what did you say to Tezuka before you danced with Yumi? He seemed suddenly preoccupied or… Well, just slightly absent, though he was fine for the most part."

Saeki told him. Fuji scratched his chin thoughtfully.

"Nicely done, Sae. I couldn't have thought up better lines myself. I think you really managed to catch his attention there." He grinned. "Maybe now Tezuka will do something. Nice job. You should think about going into acting some time." Fuji started to pour himself some more tea.

Saeki lay down on the sofa again and stared up at the ceiling.

"Fuji."

The slender photographer returned to his chair with another mug of tea, a small wisp of steam rising from it. "Yea?"

"I wasn't acting."

Th-th-th-that's all for now, folks! Thank you for reading!