Disclaimer: ...

Note: many details this time, and this chapter is much longer than past chapters. Does my English still suck?

Enjoy^^

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Chapter 5: Clear – Details

Eiji blinked his eyes. What the hell was she talking about? What's autism? What's PDD-NOS? Questions shot through his head. He didn't understand anything at all.

"Let me tell you." The psychiatrist saw the confused look on his face. "Autism can be heritable, but in your case it arose spontaneously. You're not the only one who has autism. There are many people all over the world who have it. You are smart, but your social abilities aren't very good. You don't know how to react to expressions, you don't see the difference between a joke and a serious conversation. Do you understand a little?"

Eiji nodded. Little by little his situation became clear.

"There are many kinds of autism, but I would call you a high-gifted boy with PDD-NOS," the psychiatrist continued. "You can describe that as an intellectual disability. You can never recover from that, it's something you have to deal with it. It is necessary to let the people close to you know about autism, like your teachers and classmates. They will understand you when you tell them about your disabilities. Trust me," she said when she saw Eiji's scared look. "It will help you for sure. I'm sure many people think you are weird. Well, I think you try to act like them, but you can't. I give you a hint: act like yourself. How did you used to be?"

Eiji looked at his mother. He didn't remember.

"You were always bouncing and chattering," she said. "You acted childish, but we love that."

Eiji smiled.

"That's a part of autism too," the psychiatrist reacted. "People who has autism are acting childish or like adults." (I was acting childish too, my mother and the psychiatrist said to me. Well, I must admit that XD)

"Does he need any medication?" Eiji's mother asked.

"In his case it isn't necessary," the psychiatrist answered. "He just has to accept it and has to learn how to deal with it. I think he has passed through the hardest part already, now everything will become easier."

"I will contact his school about it," Eiji's mother nodded and stood op. "Thanks for your help."

"You're welcome." The psychiatrist shook hands with Eiji and his mother.

They left.

"Relieved?" Eiji's mother looked at her son.

"Sort of," he answered. "Well, I already know who I'm going to tell first about this."

His mother didn't ask who. She knew Eiji would do this on his own.

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The next day there were no matches, but Eiji went to Seigaku. He saw the first years cleaning some courts and picking balls. Many second and third years were doing some practices and the regulars were having a meeting in school. Oishi was looking outside when he saw Eiji. It seemed he was looking for someone. Oishi wondered who.

Then Eiji saw Ryuzaki-sensei.

"Ano," he said and Ryuzaki-sensei turned around, "do you know where Fuji is?"

"He has a meeting with the other regulars right now," she answered. "They will be ready in ten minutes. Shall I bring you to him?"

Eiji nodded and followed the coach inside.

The regulars came outside the classroom wen Ryuzaki-sensei and Eiji arrived.

"Fuji, there is somebody who wants to talk to you," Ryuzaki-sensei said.

They all saw the red-haired third year and were a little surprised.

"Is it about tennis?" Fuji asked.

Eiji shook his head. No, it was something different. Totally different.

"We wait outside, Fuji," Oishi said.

Ryuzaki-sensei and the regulars left, except Fuji.

"Well, come in," he said.

The two walked into the classroom. Fuji sat down on a chair, while Eiji was still standing.

Silence.

"What do you want to say?" Fuji said friendly.

He knew Eiji wanted to tell him something special. Eiji wasn't a boy who would ask for him.

"Ano," Eiji started, "first I want to apologize."

He saw the surprised look on Fuji's face.

"When we had to make a report for biology, you where right," Eiji told. "And since yesterday I know the cause."

"Is it something psychically?" Fuji asked.

"Well, I think you can call that, but I should say it as a intellectual disability," Eiji answered. "I have autism, a kind called PDD-NOS."

He told Fuji what he heard from the psychiatrist. Fuji nodded.

"I understand," he said. "Well, that's a relief, isn't it? Now you know why you had those problems."

"I'm kind of happy with that," Eiji said and looked outside, to the blue sky.

"Do you want to become my friend?" Fuji suddenly said.

Eiji looked surprised at him.

"Eh? Are you serious?"

Fuji nodded.

"I will help you," he said. "I'll tell the regulars, in case you become one. The chance is there, you haven't lost any matches yet."

"That's right," Eiji nodded.

"Let's go then!"

The two left the classroom and went downstairs.

I felt very happy when Fuji asked to be his friend. He truly understood my feelings, I had known it all the time. He knew there was something about me, and he was right. I'm happy to know what it is.

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I'm sad, because this story is coming to an end. I think there will be two more chapters left. I'm writing another story, "The Haunted House", and a third one of PoT is coming up (about Eiji – again).

Requests are welcome, if you like.

Please review!

~Rie-chan~