"I'm not going to be your boyfriend, Fuji. If that's what you wanted to ask me. Genichirou 's my boyfriend."

Tezuka had been dreading the confrontation but it had to happen. Thankfully, Fuji seemed to be taking his defeat in stride. Then again, Fuji was many things and had his own mask. Tezuka had heard the expression "still waters run deep" and thought it applied to the tensai. Ironically, they were by the water fountain at Fuji's request.

"Fine. Rivals it is." Fuji's tone was fierce and brimming with raw emotion. Tezuka couldn't help but wish he was that impassioned during a tennis match, even when it wasn't Tezuka across the net.

"And best friends," Tezuka added. He didn't want there to be any misunderstandings. "Fuji, I…"

Fuji interrupted him, "As long as you're happy, Kunimitsu."

"Why don't you try Yukimura again?" Tezuka suggested. If it were anyone else the sound of Tezuka's voice would be timid.

The look Fuji cast Tezuka before speaking was borderline pouting, "I'd rather not." Fuji crossed his arms and then uncrossed them so they fell at his sides. "Nah, we're too much alike."

"Ah." That made Tezuka think about his own similarities with Sanada. It was so typically Fuji that even when they talked about Fuji's relationship, they wound up thinking of Tezuka's. "Still, that's not enough for me."

Fuji shot a smile Tezuka's way. Tezuka had never seen the smile on his face before so he wasn't quite sure of its meaning. "Saa. I guess that's why you're the captain. Anyway, because you broke my heart, you now owe me."

"Name it," Tezuka replied. The thought of being in Fuji's debt wasn't a happy one.

"Let me leave practice early," Fuji replied at once.

"Done."

Fuji headed to the locker rooms. He left first, before Tezuka could.

Tezuka sighed again, something he'd been doing a lot lately. He got a text five minutes later:

Lover boy is here. Wants to meet you by the front gate. Don't be careless, Mitsu.

Xoxo – Shu

"Hello Genichirou." Tezuka walked over to his boyfriend. Boyfriend. They'd decided it the previous night over the phone.

"What are we?"

"Excuse me?" Sanada asked, confused.

"In terms. Friends, lovers.."

Sanada really didn't want to call themselves lovers and said as much.

"Why?"

"I think Fuji is going to ask, and I need to tell him what we are. Fuji always needs a reason."

"I understand." Sanada did too; he had two such people as his best friends.

"Kunimitsu." Sanada inclined his head. "Did you talk to Fuji?"

"Aa. Everything is fine now." Tezuka answered. It was more or less the truth.

They walked around the school grounds. It was after school and no one was around. Not that Tezuka cared all that much. They held hands, keeping the clasp loose.

"You're sure about this?" Sanada asked Tezuka, his voice quiet.

Tezuka answered him honestly, "Not at all. But it feels right."

They looked down at their intertwined fingers.

"What are you doing here? I thought it was my turn to visit you," Tezuka probed for Sanada's reason for coming.

"I wanted to surprise you. Did it work?"

"Aa." Tezuka's mask cracked a little and Sanada could see a hint of a smile.

"Can I kiss you?" Sanada asked suddenly. They had come to a stop in front of the tennis courts, where the Seigaku tennis team was still training.

Tezuka tensed for a moment, obviously aware it was a test. He hadn't told anyone about them. Not that he was ashamed-he wasn't- Still, no time like the present, Tezuka supposed. His shoulders relaxed. Rather than answering, he kissed Sanada.

Sanada coiled an arm around Tezuka's waist. Sanada knew Fuji wasn't a real threat anymore, but still. Fuji was a tensai, a little precaution never hurt.

"Fuji went to the locker rooms," Tezuka said as they broke apart.

"Oh," Sanada felt foolish and a tad guilty. "Sorry." Sorry he'd thought Tezuka hadn't known what he was up to.

"Gen, you never have to apologize for kissing me."

"Sor-" Tezuka kissed him but had to stop because Sanada was vibrating.

"Your phone," Tezuka gestured. He looked around to see his teammates and underclassmen alike gaping at him. He gave him a Look and they immediately started running laps. Good, Tezuka thought, as he saw the Regulars also running.

"Ah, Seiichi. What's the matter?" Sanada spoke into the phone. "What?"

….

"No, Seiichi. He doesn't want to." For some reason Sanada looked sheepish, a fact which amused Tezuka greatly.

…

"What do you mean, it was my suggestion? I never said-"

…

"That's not what I meant when I said it. What? Yes, I do know that you're the captain. Fine."

Sanada met Tezuka's eyes and through it he conveyed the message: Sorry, but Seiichi won't stop until he gets what he wants. Sanada wordlessly held out his phone.

Tezuka took it and said into it, "Yukimura?"

"Ah! Tezuka-kun! I was just wondering if you'd fancy a match." Yukimura sounded unnaturally cheerful.

Tezuka frowned slightly. "Are you suggesting I go to Rikkai Dai?"

"Oh, not at all. I wouldn't inconvenience you like that. No-"

The end of a tennis racket butted gently at Tezuka's back.

"I came to you," Yukimura said sweetly. Tezuka heard the voice in his ear and from behind him.