Flash Effects

Summary: Before classes start for Fuji, Atobe, and Shiraishi, Fuji finds out something no one can predict. Then, all kinds of problems start popping up.

Warnings: Shounen-ai

Pairings: Shiraishi x Fuji, Tezuka x Atobe, Chitose x Yukimura

Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is not mine.

This chapter is VERY long! I think you guys will like this chapter and the next one. They were really fun to write, too. :D Please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 8:

"So, what are we going to do first, paste the phoenix onto the picture or edit the rain and other stuff out of the picture?" Atobe asked. They were sitting in front of the computer in Shiraishi's room, admiring their work and talking about what to do next. That day hadn't been that busy of a day. In most of the classes, students were working on their projects, and since Fuji's project was on Shiraishi's computer, he just sat and read. Therefore, that night, they weren't really tired.

"I think we should edit the picture first, that way we get a full view of the picture," Fuji said.

"Well, we can always make the layer invisible for the time being," Atobe said.

"But it would be a hassle changing every layer for the bird every single time we want to change the visibility," Shiraishi said.

"Folders?" Atobe said, as if it were the most obvious thing.

"Well…" Shiraishi tried to counter.

"I think it would be best if we pasted the background onto the image to get a general idea of what the final picture will look like. And then we should take the original background and edit it, and then paste the newly edited one onto the background on the phoenix when we're done, and adjust it as necessary," Fuji said.

Both graphic designers looked at him. "What did you mean when you said you didn't know anything about computers?" Shiraishi asked again, as he had done the previous night.

"Well, anyone with a general idea of how any image editing program worked would be able to explain that," Fuji said.

"I'm fine with what he said," Atobe said.

"Same," Shiraishi agreed. "Let's get started, then." They pasted the background image from Fuji onto the phoenix. "The phoenix is a little too big, don't you think?" Shiraishi asked.

"Yeah, but should we make it smaller?" Atobe said.

"There's really no other choice," Shiraishi said.

"I think I know how that happened. When I took a picture of the bird, it fit only on the full screen, and when I took a picture of the moon, it was also full screen, so of course they would be the same size, which isn't proportionally correct," Fuji explained. "Sorry, guys."

"It's okay. You didn't know that you would be using these images for anything, anyway. Let's just save an extra copy of the phoenix, just in case," Shiraishi said. He saved it as a PSD file and went back to the picture. "Is there any way to resize all the layers at once?"

"Yeah, here." Atobe took over the mouse and selected all the phoenix layers with ctrl click. He then used the resize/move tool. "So now we know how big the phoenix is really supposed to be, and we intend to keep it that way, right?"

Shiraishi and Fuji nodded. "So now all that's left is the background editing," Shiraishi said. He went to the other project on the clipboard and clicked it, bringing up the moon image. "I think it's a little too bright because of the light pollution. And the moon is naturally radiant, and it's a little too radiant for my liking."

"It won't be natural, then," Fuji pointed out.

"Well, we already have a phoenix in the picture. I don't think the image is intended to look natural," Atobe said.

"True."

Meanwhile, Shiraishi was increasing the contrast of the different levels so that the difference in the brightness of the moon and the darkness of the sky was greater. Also, more stars could be seen, though the group knew that it would need a lot of work.

"Does it look better?" he asked.

"A lot," Fuji said.

"Now we just have to do the stars, and we'll be done with the stock background. We also have to change it so that the phoenix will look like it's glowing on the background, but we can do that when we paste the background onto the final image," Atobe said.

"Yeah, sure," Fuji said. "I think I'll leave the stars to you guys."

"It won't take that long," both Shiraishi and Atobe said.

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"Syusuke, come here," Shiraishi said. "We want your opinion."

Fuji sat up from his reading position in the bed. He walked over to the computer and took a look at the background. "Wow," he said. "It looks great. I like how you made a lot of the stars different sizes and intensities."

"We just took one star and changed the hue and size a bunch of times to make it look like a bunch of different stars. It isn't really that difficult," Atobe explained. "But we wanted to ask if you thought the number of stars was right or not."

"I think it's perfect. If there were any less, it would look plain, and if there were any more, it would look too busy," Fuji said.

"So we were right," Atobe said. The two graphic designers high-fived each other.

"I'm going to save the background as a different file, then resize it and paste it," Shiraishi said to no one in particular.

When the background was on the photo and the entire thing was done, they stood back to take a look at it. "It looks beautiful. I don't think we could've done any better, even if we had more time," Fuji said.

"I don't think we really rushed ourselves anyway," Shiraishi said. "The teachers gave us a lot more time than necessary."

"It could've been a test to see if we would change it in any way for the worse if we just looked at it too long," Atobe said.

"You always think that way, Atobe." Fuji laughed. "How are we going to get it printed? It's late; do you think the store will still be open?"

"It doesn't hurt to try."

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The three boys walked down the street. It was late, almost ten o'clock, but Fuji knew that if he was with Shiraishi and Atobe, he would be safe. Plus, the shop was only a couple blocks down for the dorm. It was really convenient for the photographers in the school, because they would always be ordering prints and getting new gear.

Fuji, Shiraishi, and Atobe reached the photo shop in time, as they had liked. It looked like they were closing for the day, but they had come in just on time. "Excuse me," Fuji said in his melodic voice. The guy (yes, it was a guy this time) at the counter turned around. He looked like he was in highschool, maybe a junior or a senior. Only a little younger than Fuji.

"Can I help you?" he asked, smiling pleasantly. Fuji smiled, too, and walked up to the counter. Shiraishi and Atobe quickly fell into step with him.

"Before you close up, could you print out one more thing for me?" Fuji asked.

"Sure. What is it that you need printed?" the boy asked.

"Just this one image." Fuji pulled the SanDisk out of his pocket.

"Sure. That won't take too long, then. Just a moment," the boys said and disappeared into the door behind the counter.

"Saa, Kuranosuke, how come we always find ourselves in situations where we just make it in time?" Fuji asked and smiled. Shiraishi held Fuji's hand and squeezed it.

"It is strange, isn't it?" he said. Fuji leaned on to his shoulder and sighed.

"I'm just glad we got this done with. Now the only thing to hope for is our grades."

"That will be a couple days from now, probably. We'll be lucky if we get it by the end of the week," Shiraishi said.

"Then I certainly hope we're lucky."

Atobe glanced at the happy couple. The certainly did look perfect together. They were both pleasant and caring, and both of them loved each other deeply, though they had only been going out for a little while. They looked even better than Tezuka had with Fuji three years ago.

What were these emotions that Atobe was feeling, then? He recognized it as jealousy. Did he still have feelings for Fuji? The fair-haired boy was attractive, of course, but Atobe never knew he could be so mesmerizing. If you thought about him for just one second, he would instantly flood your mind. It was almost like he could control you.

He was truly strong, Atobe thought. He could get anyone to open their hearts to him, but he would keep his distance. Only a select few could get Fuji could open his heart to them, and Tezuka had been one of them. Atobe immediately felt guilty again. Tezuka had been the one that Fuji had opened his own heart and feelings to. But now, looking at Shiraishi and Fuji, Atobe knew that there would be a new relationship. Fuji would definitely open himself up to Shiraishi, and it would be even more than he had with Tezuka. And that would be something Atobe would like to see.

"Here are your prints," the boy said. Atobe looked up again. Shiraishi was carrying Fuji in his arms, since the smaller boy had obviously fallen asleep. Atobe didn't blame him because he was also feeling sleepy. He couldn't fall asleep on the spot like Fuji had, though, since there would be no one to pick him up and carry him. He missed Tezuka.

Shiraishi looked at Atobe for a moment and then looked back at the boy, who didn't seem to be bothered at all by Shiraishi and Fuji. Atobe walked up to the counter, paid, and took the envelope. "Thank you for serving us," he said politely, and they all left the shop.

When Atobe got back to his room, he closed the door and sighed. Shiraishi had the picture currently, and they had all agreed that he would be the one to turn it in. Atobe and Shiraishi had taken a look at it, and it looked absolutely gorgeous. That photography store did some really nice prints.

He really wished Tezuka was there, so that Atobe could show him the picture. Tezuka, he thought, why did I come here when I could've stayed with you? When will I get to see you again?

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Fuji woke up to silence. The sun was just rising over the horizon. He shifted a bit, and the arms around him tightened. He hadn't taken a shower or changed last night, but he felt too comfortable to get up and disturb his boyfriend in the process. He snuggled closer to Shiraishi, who kissed his forehead.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," he said quietly.

"Good morning," Fuji replied.

"You fell asleep in the photo store last night," Shiraishi said.

Fuji blinked awake instantly. "I did?"

"Yep. You were out like a light. I don't understand how you can fall asleep standing up."

Fuji laughed. "I guess I was just so tired."

"I carried you home and put you in bed right away. You didn't wake up once," Shiraishi said. "You're so cute when you're totally letting down your guard."

Fuji smiled. "Thanks." He paused for a moment. "I love you, Kuranosuke."

"I love you, too, Syusuke. I always will," Shiraishi said. "That's a promise." Shiraishi got up and offered to help Fuji up. Fuji took his hand and let him be completely pulled up with no effort on his own part. "Man, Syusuke, I knew you were light, but not that light."

Fuji smiled. "There are a lot of things you don't know about me."

"That I intend to find out," Shiraishi said. He leaned down and kissed Fuji on the lips breathtakingly. After a long pause, he said, "We should be getting ready."

Fuji gasped out a quiet, "Yeah."

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Fuji sat down in his seat calmly. As soon as everyone else in the classroom at taken a seat, the professor started explaining something that Fuji knew he didn't need to pay attention to.

"Fuji Syusuke—" the professor started.

"Halfway down to auto-focus, all the way down to take the picture," he answered simply. He could hear all the chairs turn towards him. He just leaned against his hand casually.

"Yes, that's correct." She kept explaining more things and didn't bother to call on Fuji anymore.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, he heard her start talking about the project. "If your partner has it, just say so, and if you have it, come up and turn it in. Fuji heard her list a bunch of name, but after a while, she finally reached his. Even though he didn't' have the actual project, somehow, he still felt nervous. It was really strange.

"Fuji Syusuke," she finally said.

"My partner has it," he said. Those four words; it was finally over with. The entire project was finally done. The first project of the year had finally been completed, through all the struggles and problems that they had faced. It was over now.

Shiraishi walked out of the classroom to find an excited Fuji running towards him. He held his arms out, picked him up, and spun him around. "What are you so excited about?" Shiraishi asked his boyfriend.

"I'm just happy that this entire thing is over," Fuji said. "After everything that it has put us through."

"I think it was really good for us. Imagine what your relationship with Atobe and Tezuka would be right now if the project hadn't so unceremoniously forced us to talk to them," Shiraishi said.

"Yeah, that's true," Fuji replied. "This project helped me in so many ways. I'll never forget it."

"Me neither. It's the first project of college, and it put you and me, and Atobe, through so much these past couple of days. We had to work really hard to get it done on time, too."

Fuji thought for a moment walking down to the cafeteria with Shiraishi. "I honestly don't think I felt rushed with the project, though. Even though we had a time limit and it was for a grade, of course, I felt relaxed when doing the project. I think it's something in me that makes me feel relaxed when I'm doing something that has to do with photography or when I'm around you."

They continued to walk down the hallway. It was a hallway that was only attached to the building on the two sides and it was on the second floor. The walls were all windows. They saw Atobe standing there, leaning against one of the walls and just staring out the opposing window. When they walked by, he didn't even turn his head.

"What's wrong with him?" Fuji asked after they had reached the other building. "He's been like that all day."

"I—I think I might know," Shiraishi said.

"What is it?"

"You know how you and I are always together? And now with Chitose and Yukimura, too," Shiraishi said. "His boyfriend is Tezuka, who is always on travel or in Tokyo, and they never get to see each other."

"So you're saying that Atobe is…lonely?" Fuji asked. He couldn't suppress a laugh as hard as he tried.

"This is something serious!" Shiraishi said.

Fuji continued to laugh. "I know, I just never thought I'd see him like that. It's funny!"

"Whatever, Syusuke. You knew him longer than I did, anyway."

Fuji smiled and looked up at his boyfriend. "Atobe was always an egotistical jerk who thought so highly of himself and was always surrounded by his team. If his team wasn't around him, he'd have hordes of fangirls or something surrounding him. That's the way it always was. But here, of course his team isn't here, and most of the people in this college are too worried about art and their grades to think of Atobe. There are plenty of other good-looking guys. And that's not what he's used to. Plus the fact that we're always together, and we're always expressing our love for each other makes him feel really lonely because he hasn't seen Tezuka in a long time. And now that Chitose and Yukimura are going out, too…"

"Yeah, what your saying is completely true," Shiraishi said. They walked in silence for only a moment before Shiraishi said, "You want to help him?"

Fuji smiled. "I've been waiting for you to ask that."

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"A picnic?" Atobe said, surprised. He had been seemingly minding his own business, just standing there and staring out the window on the other wall of the hallway, and Fuji had approached him. Well, actually, Atobe thought, he hadn't just been staring out the window. He had been thinking about Tezuka who had been on his mind since day one.

"Yeah, a picnic this Saturday. Is there something wrong with that?" Fuji asked.

"No, I was just surprised," Atobe said, telling the truth. "Why would you want to invite me on a picnic?"

Fuji blinked. "Is there something wrong with that?" he asked again. "We're friends now, right?"

Atobe nodded uncertainly. "…Yeah. I'll come. But who else is coming?"

Fuji thought for a moment. "Actually, you were the first one I asked. But I'll tell you who I was planning to invite. Of course, there's Shiraishi and me, who organized the entire thing. And there's you of course. I was also going to invite Chitose and Yukimura, and Kintarou and Ryoma, since I've heard there aren't any tournaments going on right now. I was going to ask Yuushi and Kenya, too, but Shiraishi told me that they had just moved to their college, and it would be best not to disturb them. I went with what he said." Fuji seemed to think for a moment, raking his mind for any forgotten people. "Oh yeah, I knew there was someone I forgot. I wanted to ask Tezuka to come, too."

Atobe looked at Fuji. It wasn't like him to forget Tezuka. It was as if he had done it on purpose, to keep Atobe waiting. What an annoying person, Atobe thought, smiling at Fuji anyway. "Why are you doing this?"

"Well, I wanted to have a get-together, and we're all friends, you know? I haven't seen Tezuka or Ryoma for the longest time. Just to make up for some lost time."

Atobe stared at Fuji. "Fuji, tell me the real reason you're organizing this. I don't want to hear a lie. It's what you've always told me not to do."

Fuji sighed. "Well, I guess I can't fight with that. I don't know if you would consider this invading your privacy or whatever, but Shiraishi and I just noticed you were acting strange since this morning, and we thought you might be lonely, with me always being with him, and now Chitose and Yukimura, too. You know?"

Atobe stood still for a moment.

"See? I know you'd get mad at me. This is why I didn't—" Fuji was interrupted when Atobe threw his arms around the smaller boy.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

"No problem," Fuji replied. "I just don't want to see you like that. It makes me feel like I've done something wrong." Atobe released Fuji after a while. "Shiraishi is taking care of Chitose and Yukimura right now. I'm going to call Tezuka in a moment. But I'll see you around sometime! And Shiraishi turned in the project." Fuji walked away. "See you Saturday."

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Fuji woke up on Friday. Today was the day that they were supposedly getting the grade on their project. Fuji was so apprehensive to see his grade. Normally, he got good grades, but this was the first grade for this college, and their odd way of grading things. Fuji was, for the first time in a long while, nervous.

He got up from his own bed quietly and put on a new change of clothes. He had recently moved back to his original room, and Shiraishi and Atobe had told him that he was free to switch whenever he liked.

The last few days had gone by pretty quickly to lead up to this day. He had called Tezuka and had successfully convinced him to come to the picnic. It was a get-together and a celebration. Fuji knew that even if his grades disappointed him on this project, there would still be a picnic to celebrate the healed wounds of the past. He couldn't wait for tomorrow. Shiraishi couldn't have picked a better day.

Fuji's first few classes when by in a breeze. He wasn't even listening to them, nor was he paying attention. He just mindlessly walked through the hallways to his classes with his bag, sat down, and stared out the window. He was half listening, though, because once in a while, a teacher would brave calling on him and having him answer the question completely correct when no one else could.

Finally, he went to his photography class. Okay, time to change into listen-mode, Fuji told himself. This was the class. It was finally time for him to receive his grade. He walked in the door, and about half the students were already there, talking energetically about what they thought their grade should be.

"Students," the professor said as she walked in. "I know you guys are really restless about getting your grades, but you have to listen to this little explanation about our system of grading first, that way, you won't be asking any questions later. Some of you may have anticipated this, but our way of grading is the way that the top student will get the best score, and the bottom one will get the lowest. I know, that sounds simple enough for you, but trust me, we get tons of questions.

"It's different, despite what you may think, than a normal grading system that you were used to all throughout high school and junior high. The basic gist of it is this: the higher your project ranks compared to all the other students' projects, the higher your grade. You might have done very well on your project, but there might also be someone in the class who did better than you, so you won't receive the A+. You might've also done well, but many people in the class did better than you, so you'll probably get around a B-C. Don't' be disappointed or discouraged if you don't get the A+ on your first try. There can only be one 'number 1' anyway, and this system is for all the students to try their best to achieve that title.

"But now that the explanations are over with, I'll give you your grades back." The silence in the room turned to a low murmur as students began whispering to each other once again. The professor didn't seem to mind, though.

When the professor passed by Fuji's desk, she dropped the grading rubric on to it. It was filled with comments in red, but Fuji knew it was just to draw your attention to them. These professors were smart. What he was really looking for was on the second sheet of the rubric. He took a deep breath and flipped the page. On the second page, there was his grade, down at the bottom.

Fuji gasped when he saw it. A+?! Did that mean he, Shiraishi, and Atobe were the best in the entire school? At the bottom, the professor had written, Fuji, it is VERY rare for a freshman to get the A+ on their first project. I'm very proud of you three. YOU HAVE POTENTIAL. Don't even forget that, and don't ever let it go to waste. On this rubric, I've written a couple comments for you three. Don't ever waste your talent, Fuji, because it just may get you somewhere…you never know. –Dr. Yamada Kenshi

Fuji smiled. He could wait to tell his friends. He wondered what Atobe and Shiraishi were thinking at that moment. Were they as thrilled as he was? Fuji thought. Of course they would be. They worked as hard on the project as he did. Also, they got the A+ of the school, and they were freshmen! He resolved to ask Dr. Yamada how many other freshmen have gotten the A+ on the first project. He couldn't wait until tomorrow.

This chapter is finally uploaded! Yay! Aren't you guys happy for the three of them:) Of course they had to get the A+...I can't stand sad endings...or even disappointing ones! Maybe you anticipated it, because that's just the way I am. xD;; Anyway, please review!