.viewpoint...
When Tezuka looks at Ryoma, he sees nothing but what Ryoma could be, what he could help Ryoma become, what Ryoma could want to become because of him... Or, at least, that's what he tells himself.
When Tezuka looks at Ryoma, he doesn't notice the way the freshman's eyes would linger fleetingly on his hands, his arms, the sweat beading at his nape -- never his eyes -- and the way Ryoma would smirk as though there was something he knew that Tezuka didn't... Or, if he does, he doesn't show it.
For what Ryoma needs now, more than anything, is someone to look up to, someone other than his father that he would try with all his might to defeat, someone to help him discover his own style of tennis. Other than that? Well, isn't that what the future is for? For now, Ryoma needs his captain -- nothing more...
Tezuka would allow himself to be only what Ryoma needs him to be...
When Ryoma looks at Tezuka, he sees more than his captain or an exceptional tennis player or someone he would very much like to beat. He sees more than hazel eyes and strong arms and the stern expression on the other's face. Because when Ryoma looks at Tezuka, really looks at him, he sees himself and his father and what he really wants so that every time he stands on the court, clutching his racket, and feels those stern hazel eyes watching him, he'd smirk and say to himself, "This is where I want to be."
And later, much later, when he feels the warmth of another's hand on his shoulder, even through the fabric of his shirt, and looks up into those same eyes hinting at something akin to pride; when he hears the words, "Good work, Echizen" and feels the warmth spreading throughout his body like wildfire; and when Tezuka-buchou spares him one of those rare half-smiles that he finds himself returning, he can't help but think, "This is where I belong."
Tezuka puts Ryoma's priorities into order.
.end...