Reaching You 2
by:WhiteGloves
Decided to make a second story~
And so I and Tezuka are together.
If this surprised anyone at all, they expressed their reactions politey.
"It's something expected, isn't?" Eiji told me when I confide to him one time. "You two have been closer than friends for a long time… sometimes Oishi and I wonder when you two will realize it."
"Does this mean you and Oishi-?"
"Us? Nah… we're cool."
But I saw Eiji's cheeks flushed after that.
Other Seigaku members had their say about the matter but mostly it was the same reaction with Eiji. All in all, it was as if nothing was revealed on that day with everyone acting normal. The only person who really had a different view about it was him.
"I thought you would have better taste." Ryoma Echizen told me when he returned so suddenly after a few weeks of absence, "You do know the setbacks in that relationship, don't you, Fuji-senpai?"
"Setbacks?" I asked blankly to him, stopping on fingering the strings on my racket. But he wasn't able to answer for at that moment Momoshiro suddenly dropped a knuckle on the top of his head with a crack.
"Momo-senpai!" complained the boy as he rubbed his head with his hand.
"Talking like you know everything again, huh? Echizen?" Momoshiro said with a raise eyebrow, "Leave Fuji-senpai alone… or you want Captain breathing behind your neck on your first day of return?"
"Indeed?"
Tezuka stood towering behind the two kohai with a sharp look on his eyes.
"What are you two doing here? Go and practice properly, or do you want to go run around the court?" his eyes pierced the two younger members.
"Gah- ahh- we're leaving- I mean, practicing, right, Echizen?-Hey answer, squirt!" Momoshiro nudged Echizen urgently who was standing beside him.
"But why only us? You should also tell that to Fuji-senpai." Ryoma eyed Tezuka bluntly.
"This- kid-" hissed Momoshio while I smiled on the background. "Er- we're going- Captain! Let's go you brat!"
He dragged the unwilling Echizen toward the other side of the court while Tezuka and I watched them. When they were away, Tezuka turned to me.
"That boy's attitude…he should be disciplined."
"You know Echizen," I smiled again, "He gets away with everything. Anyways, Tezuka, I made us both a bento… I hope you wouldn't mind my cooking." Tezuka, after all, is a better cook than I.
Tezuka, seemingly pleased, nodded at me. I look behind him and saw Eiji wink. On the other side of the court I saw Ryoma roll his eyes.
That afternoon I kept thinking about what Ryoma said- about the setback my relationship with Tezuka would have. Of course, it would make a few heads turn and eyebrows raised, but I don't think that was what Ryoma actually meant. Would it mean a game? That if ever Tezuka and I had to play against each other one of us would forfeit for the sake of the other?
"I don't think so." I muttered to myself as we went inside the changing room after the whole day of practice. Everyone was so exhausted again after the non-stop games. Inui's threatening juice drink seemed to be our only motivation to keep on pushing ourselves.
"You said something, Syusuke?" Tezuka asked as we stood in front of our lockers to change.
"Oh, it's nothing." I answered back, absentmindedly grabbing the hem of my shirt and ready to pull it up to change, "I was just thinking of something."
Before I could even raise it up my body, I felt Tezuka's strong, firm hands on mine. I looked questioningly at him and saw that he was looking at me with a frown on his face.
"Tezuka?"
"Don't remove your shirt here. Go change on the men's room."
I goggled at the man towering before me. Did I hear it right? He wants me to change inside the male's room? Why is Tezuka suddenly so concerned about me changing with everyone in the room? We are all male after all.
I had no idea what was wrong with that, I was about to ask him for a reason but the look he gave me was enough to make me follow without question. His piercing gaze made me feel like following him no matter how unreasonable his request was. And so I took my things on my arms and headed out of the changing rooms.
"Fuji?" Eiji followed me with his eyes in wonder, "Where are you going?"
"Men's room." I smiled at him and left the room with everyone's eyes on me.
If that was odd for everyone, that wasn't the last time they saw it.
During every practice game, every free time, even class time, Tezuka was always with me. There was not a moment wherein I was left alone, let alone talk to my sensei about a particular topic I did not understand.
If this has any great effect to anyone, it would be to my 'admirers'.
I suppose when they found out Tezuka and I were together they stopped coming on me from time to time. Some girls would still slip some letters every now and then. To my surprise Tezuka doesn't seem to mind, but when it comes to male handwritings he gets all flustered and shred the letters to pieces.
"He could compete as a national shredder, if you ask me." Inui muttered to me one time as we watch Tezuka coldly shred some male love letters from my locker on Friday noon. "Mind you, he's also been giving me some hard time."
"How exactly?" I asked shrewdly.
"Oh, you know…" Inui said airily, "He would ask me to throw some of my 'special' ingredients for my drinks. I don't think he believed they are good for you."
Before I could even point out that this request from Tezuka probably doesn't have anything to do with me, Tezuka turned to where I was standing. Inui mysteriously disappeared from my side.
"Enjoyed ourselves, huh?" I smiled at him. Tezuka merely shrugged.
"Do you have any plans?" he asked me quietly as we headed outside the locker room to go home. It was as if nothing happened with the letters.
"Yeah," I said, "I need to by some new tape for the handle of my racket."
"Do you want to go and buy it now?"
"Hmm… not really. Maybe tomorrow."
"Let's meet in your house then."
"All right."
It was a casual talk but I know something had changed between us. We just set a date- probably for the sixteenth time since our relationship started. That wasn't the only thing that changed between us. He also takes me home if he has time.
Right now, I guess, he had time because he walked me toward the bus station and clambered after me when the bus came. We sat together and talked about significant stuff like tennis.
"Echizen seemed really energetic." I started smiling.
"Don't he always?" Tezuka answered. "By the way, I want to invite you on my house next Sunday."
"Next Sunday?"
"Yes. Grandmother's birthday."
"Ah. Of course."
"After that let's go to Shibuya."
"Shibuya?"
"Yes. I want to show you something."
"Okay."
My boyfriend liked to set schedules for the two of us and I usually agree with him. Not that I mind being pulled wherever he wanted to go, but that I want to be with him more often.
"See you tomorrow." I told him when I reached the gate of my house.
Tezuka nodded and left after waiting for me to reach the doorstep. I went inside the house to find my younger brother, Yuta already waiting for me on the living room.
"He walked you home, again?" he asked the moment I passed the living room.
"Tezuka?"
"Who else?"
"He did."
"…"
I looked back at Yuta only to see him in deep thoughts.
"What's the matter?"
"Mizuki is worried."
I opened my eyes to look at my only brother.
"Hajime is worried?"
"Yeah… you know him… he said he wouldn't be able to bring you flowers."
Yuta snickered. That was when I realize he was pulling my leg.
"Go back to your dorm," I told him with a wicked grin, "and tell him he can still try."
"Aniki! Why are you so popular?" it was almost a demand from him but I chose not to answer as I went back to my room.
I threw my bag and took of my uniform, before checking on my notes for any home works. I was in the middle of doing my physics when my cell phone rang. I took it and heard Tezuka's voice at the end of the line.
"Tezuka?"
"Yes. It's past seven. Take your dinner."
I looked at my clock and saw that he was right.
"Alright. And you should go and have dinner as well."
"I will. I'm just finishing my last mathematics equation."
"How ironic, asking me to do something you wouldn't do yourself."
"Your health is more important than mine."
"…"
"Go take dinner. I'll hang up."
"Yeah."
I looked at my cell phone and sighed. Tezuka will always be Tezuka.
The next morning I found him already waiting for me outside the doorway. He was wearing a scarf around his neck and he was mostly dressed in blue. I met him up and smiled at him.
"Charming." I teased as we walked slowly toward the subway.
"…"
"Tezuka, are you planning to buy anything?"
"No."
"Hmm… does this mean you only want to be by my side?"
"…"
"Wanna hold hands together?"
Tezuka did not answer but he did offer me his hands. I smiled at him, took his hands and together we crossed the street toward the subway.
"I never liked subways." he told me as we were waiting on the line together with a crowd of people. "There's always a lot of people."
I nodded at him in agreement but we took the subway anyways.
A long trail stopped before us and Tezuka and I entered. The moment we did, we realized how crowded it was. A lot of people were squeezing themselves at each other, bumping each others' shoulders and arms. I wasn't sure where to stand first but Tezuka's strong hands pulled me toward the other side of the trail, almost pressing me next to the window.
"Hold on the pole." he whispered on my ears as the trail started moving. I did as I was told and gripped the silver pole he was pointing at. The next thing I realized, Tezuka had protectively set his arms on each side of my head, and was standing like a body guard around me, his broad shoulder squared so that there was no one who can get near me. When I saw this I couldn't help but feel a twinge of happiness.
"I'm okay," I told him after finally pressing down the joy in my heart. "You can relax."
"Stay there. I don't like how some old guys are looking at you."
I blinked at him and searched around. That was when I realized why he was so protective of me. I saw at least three old guys in suits looking at me longingly. I felt my spine shiver suddenly.
"I… I didn't think this really happens in subways." I whispered to my boyfriend quietly. I did not look up again after that. Tezuka remained standing between me and the dozens of people around. Each stop of the trail on some stations I always hear Tezuka cursing under his breath.
"There are more of them looking at you now… I hate this… That's why I don't like taking the subway with you. Promise me you'll never take a subway when I'm not around."
"You don't have to tell me." I said, "Anyways, I don't think they'll attempt anything against me when you are around like this."
I caught Tezuka's eyes. I saw him blush and look away.
"That's my job." I told him grinning.
Tezuka did not relax until we reached our destination, and when he did, he grab hold of my hand and never let go until we reach the store where I am suppose to buy my racket's tape.
"Fuji! Tezuka!"
We looked around and saw Eiji, Oishi and Takashi walking on the street with their racket bags around.
"You guys," I called with a smile. Tezuka and I waited for them outside the racket shop.
"Having a date, eh?" Eiji winked at me but did not dare look at Tezuka, "Anyways- we were heading toward the park to play some street tennis."
"I see. We were just here to buy some tape." I told them quietly.
"Tezuka, I forgot to give you the letters from Coach Ryuuzaki." Oishi started looking troubled, "She said it was important that you get it…ah… I should have given it to you yesterday…"
"Where is it?" Tezuka asked.
"I left in at school inside the changing rooms."
"Well, we can go there today, Tezuka." I told my lover, glancing at him slightly.
"Yes, I suppose we should if it's really important." He agreed.
"So then, we all have our plans~ see you all later~" Eiji bid us a goodbye and pulled the two away toward the other side of the street while Tezuka and I entered the shop.
"What's the number of your tape handle?" he asked me as we walked toward the aisle where we know by heart the tapes would be.
"14." I told him, looking on my left and saw a couple's keychain with rackets and balls dangling on the end. I inspected the keychain and knew it was a good couple's item when someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I looked up and saw Mizuki Hajime standing behind me with that gloating look.
"Hello, Fuji's brother!" he said to me with that big grin of his, "I do hope you know me!"
"Oh." I watched him uninterestedly and stared back at the keychain again. "It's you."
"Try and look at me when you're talking, at least." I heard him mumble behind me. "What are you doing here? I suppose you are not alone, eh? I heard rumors about you recently-"
"I'm here with Tezuka."
"Tezuka-kun is here? Why didn't you tell me, I must go and say hi…"
And he went off to the other side.
"Syusuke, I found your tape. I'll buy it for you." Tezuka told me seconds later.
"Didn't you see Hajime?" I asked as we paid for the tape and keychain.
"Hajime? Who's that?"
I looked around the shop and saw no one.
"Never mind…"
We went outside and took our lunch on the nicest restaurant around. I ordered some wasabi, steak, dumplings and salads while Tezuka ate his usual vegetable salad with tea.
"Here, look, I got this for the two of us." I told him as we eat, giving him the tennis ball keychain, "I have the racket as its partner."
"Really? Why does it have a partner?"
"It's a couple's item."
I had to smile after that because, be it for my luck, I saw Tezuka blush again.
We walked around the mall, after that. Stayed on more restaurants, took coffee, watched a movie, and seemingly enjoyed ourselves more than we expected. By mid afternoon, Tezuka decided to go to school to take the letters that Coach Ryuuzaki wanted to give him.
"Taking the bus is much tolerable." he told me as we sat inside the bus with his arm around me.
"I guess you are right."
We were comfortably sitting at the back seat when voices from the front row caught my ears. I looked around curiously and saw two familiar people who own the voices.
"Ryoma-kun… Are you sure you don't mind if I sit with you?"
"I don't mind. Unless you want to sit behind me?"
"N-no…beside you is okay…"
Sakuno and Ryoma are having a date? I caught a glimpse of Sakuno's red face as she sat down beside Echizen and wondered if Tezuka saw them.
"Did you see those two?" I asked, turning my head to him, only to see that Tezuka was sleeping with his head dropping into a bow. "Tezuka…"
I watched my boyfriend and sigh.
From a far, some people would think that Tezuka is intimidating. Admittedly, he is, but when you look at him closely you would see that he does look like a peaceful person. His face, his expressions… it all draws me too close to him… I really love that angelic look he always has… even when he was awake…
I longed to touch Tezuka's face when I felt the bus stopping. There was a sudden loud voice. I looked up and saw that the driver was frowning and looking at the doorway. Looking more, I saw a man tapping on the bus door with a red face. It was apparent that he was drunk.
"Oi! Open this door!" he called in temper.
"He's drunk!" I heard Sakuno say in a worried tone.
"Stay still." Ryoma instructed her.
The driver gave up and opened the door, allowing the drunken man to enter. As he did I felt Tezuka stir beside me and saw that his sharp eyes were open and alert.
"What took you long to open the danged door?." the drunken man told the driver. A lot of passengers looked at each other nervously.
"Pathetic people," grunted the drunken man, looking from one passenger to the other as he continued to walk on the aisle. "Give me this seat, girl."
It so happened that he stopped in front of Sakuno who was already shaking with fear. As expected, it was Ryoma's drawling voice that caught everyone around.
"Move away, oji-san. This seat's taken."
"You talking to me, brat?"
"Obviously."
"You sayin' something?"
"I told you get away from my girl."
This, above everything, made me open my eyes. Sakuno's reactions were probably the same.
The drunken man eyed Echizen angrily and shouted at the top of his lungs, "You dare-!" and he raised his hands in anger. Ryoma was ready for the attack but it did not came because in a flash Tezuka and I were already behind the man. Tezuka, being a black belter, grabbed the old drunken guy behind firmly and hold his arms crossed.
"This is an act of violation, sir. I suggest you think deeply of what you are doing before you do it, or else you end up in jail." Tezuka always amazes me.
"Captain Tezuka!" Sakuno whispered in awe as Ryoma stared, dumbfounded.
The bus dropped the drunken man on the street after a few moments. The passengers all breathed in relief.
"You didn't have to help out." Ryoma pointed out as Tezuka and I stood up to leave the bus.
"A senpai's job is to look after the kohai of course." I told him, smiling. Ryoma shrugged and touched his cap down to say, probably, a goodbye.
"Thank you!" Sakuno called out sincerely.
"All transportations are really dangerous." Tezuka told me as we walk around the school grounds after a few moments. "I should probably buy a car."
"A car is expensive." I told him as we enter the locker room. We saw a pile of papers on the table near the window. Tezuka checked it while I watch him. I saw his reaction change from expressionless to a frown.
"What did it say?" I asked.
"This is outrageous." He whispered, still frowning. "He's really out of his mind."
"Tezuka?"
Tezuka looked at me, and then pressed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose.
"Some school on West District is asking for a game next weekend."
"Really? Will we go then?" West District's challenge is not something to miss after all.
Tezuka's frown deepened.
"Apparently I don't want us to go there."
"Huh?"
"West District… is where your stalker is from."
I blinked my small eyes- if I could.
"So? We are not turning down a game because of this, are we?"
Tezuka's glasses flashed.
"I'll talk to Ryuuzaki-sensei."
"Tezuka…"
"I told you there are setbacks." Ryoma told me on Monday morning when the whole Seigaku team had a meeting and Tezuka finalize that we would not go.
"I suppose…" I whispered back uncertainly. I watched Tezuka the whole day and wondered what it was that worries him.
"Are you okay?" I asked him as I followed him on the washroom where he was cleansing his face.
"I am." he answered as I passed him a towel.
"Tezuka, you really shouldn't worry about me and that guy from there… He is not harmful."
"That's not how I saw him the last time." Tezuka stood straight and stared at me really hard. "He fell in love with you because of your tennis… and now we are going to his school to play tennis? He tried to attack you. What if he sees you again and his feelings sent him doing some outrageous things…"
I stared at him quietly… I did not honestly think of those things… I didn't think he cared too much about me… Tezuka, this person…
"I understand…" I whispered in defeat after finally realizing what was going through his mind. I approached Tezuka and kissed him lightly on the lips. The man of my dreams blushed furiously as he tried to look in control.
"I know your intentions are purely for me." I said after awhile, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close, "I appreciate the thought, Tezuka… but if you just think about this over again… I just think it's a good practice for Seigaku team… and also, even if that person tried to attack me again, you are there to protect me, right?"
Tezuka eyed me, and then he wrapped his arms on my waist, pulled me closer and kissed me. It was a short kiss- almost too short- and when we pulled apart, he remained staring lovingly at me.
"Of course." he answered in embarrassment and I smiled even broadly.
"So then we will play?"
Tezuka's frown did not vanish.
"This is for the team." I pressed on.
After a few moments of silence, Tezuka sighed and nodded at me. I grinned at him and planted another sweet kiss on his waiting lips.
"By the way, Fuji…"
"Yes?"
"I just want to ask… if you feel like being dragged around too much by me?"
"What?" I blinked at Tezuka with little eyes that I have, "What made you say that?"
Tezuka's eyes shifted on one side, looking uncomfortable.
"I- I just heard some things from other people… said there were setbacks…"
I goggled at him again. Does he mean Echizen?
"I don't feel such thing." I said plainly, with all seriousness I could master because he looked as if he believed whatever Echizen said, "Whenever you do something for me I really appreciate it. Whenever you do something unreasonable, I find it really cute… whenever you tell me to do anything I know you just want to be with me. I feel the same, Tezuka… It's not the feeling of being 'dragged' around or 'setbacks'… it's the feeling of belongingness that kept me with you."
I saw his eyes shine after my words and knew he believed me… Now… how to get back to the brat who made my boyfriend feel this way?
It was a grudge that needs to be solved.
One fine afternoon of the next day, I approached Echizen who was quietly drinking a cup of water from the side of the court.
"Echizen."
"Hn?"
"How's your date with Sakuno the other day?"
"…fine."
"She doesn't seem to impress you know."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I heard she doesn't feel like following you around anymore… after the cold way you treat her?"
I saw Ryoma's eyes widen a little. But then he remained calm as usual.
"I don't care."
I shrugged at him and turn my back to leave, but not after I whispered, "She doesn't seem happy with you acting like a prince. She is probably better on her own, don't you think?"
I left the boy standing still on the court side, lost in deep thought. The next thing I know I heard Echizen's voice calling Sakuno loudly from a far.
"Ryoma?" I heard Sakuno's voice. I looked around and saw Echizen dragging Sakuno by the wrist with everyone staring at them.
"He's probably going to confess now, eh?" Eiji said from my left side.
"Ha… I didn't think Echizen could really fall in love with anyone aside from himself." joked Momoshiro. "But this proves me wrong… to drag her like that? He probably couldn't wait till break time."
I smiled after hearing this, knowing for a fact that the team would never let Ryoma forget this day. Meanwhile I spotted Tezuka drinking on his jug near the 2nd court.
"Break time?" I suggested as I gave him my towel. He took it and pressed it on his face.
"Wanna go by my house this evening?" he asked almost hopeful but with that serious expression on his face. "I want to be with you tonight."
It was probably how carefree he was when he said this that made me, above everything else, blush and turn scarlet on the spot. I felt my cheeks flush and knew my whole face must be steaming.
"Yes, I'll go…"
"Syusuke?"
"…yes?"
"I love you."
It was a small whisper, but it tickled not only my ears, but also my heart.
- 2nd END-
Thank you for reading!