Thanks to Ayumi Uchiha for beta-ing this chapter!
Happy Birthday
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
Chapter 9 – Inui Sadaharu:
The humming of the computer's central processing unit sounded in the void of a room. A nearly quiet "click", and "tap" of the keys were subtly heard. Fingers tapped on along with the humming.
Inui Sadaharu was again locking himself up in his room, trying to interpret various data and discover new recipes for his juice.
Everything was dead silent.
But then, the comforting silence was interrupted when the ringing of his cell phone was heard. Its deafening tone resonated all throughout the room.
Inui Sadaharu spun around from facing his computer due to his previous work and reached over his bed, taking the phone at hand.
Why was his phone placed on his bed? That, readers, is a mystery even Yanagi can't uncover. He looked at the caller ID, with his eyebrow raised, as he read that the caller was "Kirihara Akaya".
He flipped the phone open and answered, "I'm sorry Kirihara-kun. I'm quite busy at this moment. Call back later," he rapidly stated, not even giving the other line a chance to speak.
On the other line, Yanagi Renji stood while staring at the phone. Without a change in his expression, he closed the phone back into its locked position and handed it over to Kirihara.
"Akaya. Here. Thanks, but he didn't answer," Yanagi said in monotone.
Kirihara nodded, but on the inside, he felt glad that the Seigaku scientist hadn't answered. Who knew what kind of person was Inui if he and Yanagi were friends?
Definitely the weird, sadistic kind.
Yanagi seemed to be thinking as he stood next to Yukimura and Sanada during practice. He was supposed to watch the other members for anything "highly significant and suspicious signs" but…
He suddenly looked up and turned to face Yukimura.
"Seiichi, would you mind if I borrowed your cell phone?" he asked. Yes, his eyes were still closed, in case you wanted to know.
Yukimura smiled and slipped the mobile into Yanagi's hand. "But Renji, go elsewhere to speak."
Yanagi smiled and nodded, running off to speak under a tree.
He held the mobile tightly in his hand and dialed the familiar numbers, anxiously waiting for the voice on the other side.
"As much as I'd like to speak to you, Yukimura, I can't right now," Inui's voice spoke suddenly.
"I—"
Without waiting for Yanagi to speak, Inui hung up. Of course, he didn't really know it had been Yanagi. Yanagi frowned. What could the Seigaku data player be doing that required too much of his attention that he forgot his own birthday?
Maybe he would try again later…
--
Inui Sadaharu continued typing on his computer just after turning off his cell phone.
I should buy snails tomorrow. But are they available in supermarkets? Hmm, maybe I can just gather them... Where can I get snails? he thought to himself.
--
"You want us to call Inui-senpai?" Momoshiro asked, blinking at the Rikkai data player's sudden question and appearance.
Yanagi shook his head. "No, I meant..."
"Echizen! Stop stealing my fries!" He reached for the stolen potatoes.
Echizen smirked and stuck a fry in his mouth. "Mada mada dane."
"I meant...I wanted to borrow your cell phone," Yanagi replied, mentally adding in their data. "I had forgotten mine at home and well… I'm already in Tokyo..."
Momoshiro blinked once more and glanced at Echizen, who was seated beside him, stuffing himself with the burgers he had bought. "Oi, Echizen! Did you even hear a word he said?" he admonished, nudging the first year.
Echizen coughed and choked on his burger. "Momo-senpai! Don't do that when I'm eating!" he growled, wiping the excess food off his cheeks.
Momoshiro rolled his eyes. This kid… "Alright, here, use my cell phone then," Momoshiro said, addressing Yanagi and handing over the mobile.
Yanagi smiled. "Ah, thank you…" he replied, accepting the cell phone and dialing the number.
"Beep, beep! The number you have dialed is not in service. Please hang up and try again later... or in a few years," Inui, who was obviously trying to sound like an operator, said.
A twitch was now visible on Yanagi's forehead. Why isn't he answering? he thought.
Perhaps the Seigaku data man hadn't predicted Yanagi's calls?
He sighed, ending the call and handing the mobile back to Momoshiro. "Thank you, Momoshiro," he thanked him. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the fast food joint.
"What was that all about?" Momoshiro asked, raising an eyebrow. He stared after the running third year for a while before averting his gaze onto his burger – which had magically disappeared.
"Oi, Echizen! Did you see my burger?" he growled.
Echizen looked up innocently. "What burger are you talking about?"
--
The door bell rang. Yanagi stood outside, looking mildly frustrated. Of all the times… He cursed, noting that no one was answering the door. Just when he was about to turn around and walk away, the door opened.
"Ah, Renji?" Inui asked, his voice denoting a small hint of surprise.
Yanagi smiled, relieved that Inui was there. "Hello there, Doctor."
Inui smiled too, though he was still confused why Yanagi came to see him. "Come in. What are you doing all the way here in Tokyo?" he asked, shutting the door behind him.
"Just visiting," Yanagi answered.
"Ah! It's Renji-kun!" Inui's mother greeted, surprised. "It's been a while!" She walked over to him and pulled him into an embrace.
Yanagi nodded. "Ah, it has…"
Inui smiled as his mother released his best friend. "Let's go up to my room."
Inui's mother grinned. "I'll get something for the both of you!" she declared, "...just like old times!"
Yanagi followed Inui up the stairs, as he surveyed the house. Things hadn't changed… Just what his data had predicted…
--
"So, why did you really come here?" Inui asked, sitting down on his chair once more. He threw a couple of green notebooks off his bed and motioned for his friend to sit.
Yanagi sat on the bed and noticed that Inui still places his cell phone on his bed. He really hasn't changed...
He smiled. "Don't tell me you actually forgot," he teased.
"Your birthday? Of course not, Renji. In fact, I have your present under the bed," Inui answered, going back to his work.
Yanagi felt like slapping his forehead. But of course he'd never do it! Come on, he is Yanagi Renji.
Nevertheless, he bent down and dug for his present. He picked it up and surveyed it. "Thanks," he replied, noting the dust covering it.
When Inui just replied a soft "Hn", Yanagi decided to just get to the point.
"Actually, I'm here for your birthday," he stated.
Inui stopped typing.
He looked up as he racked his brain for any bit of remembrance. "Ah, almost forgot…" he smiled sheepishly as he realized.
"Happy birthday," Yanagi smiled. No, his eyes were not closed right now. He opened them for 3.804748 seconds, as Inui estimated.
"Thanks, Professor," Inui replied. "Oh! Do you by any chance have some snails at your home?" he added.
"What for?" Yanagi asked, confused.
"Just think of it as your birthday present for me." Inui grinned evilly.
Yanagi sweat dropped. 'He really hasn't changed', he thought wistfully.
Oh, well... At least he's not a member of Seigaku's Tennis Club.
Author's Note: I have never really known Inui's character very well so please forgive me if Inui or Yanagi are too OOC. Gah, and I know it's uberly late. ((shot for misuse of German)) And so, please sit patiently and await the final chapter of this story and Momo's segment!