Oishi had been so relieved and happy when Tezuka had appeared at the Pre-National Championship meeting to represent Seigaku. To top it off Ryoma had also made his appearance making their team complete. The happiness slipped from his face a moment as he re-called the game he had with Ryoma the day of his return. He shook his head to clear the feeling away. It couldn't be helped. He remembered with absolute clarity the conversation he had with Tezuka as first years about going to the Nationals. It was their dream and just as Tezuka had sacrificed everything to make this dream, reality, so would he sacrifice his chance to play to make the team it's strongest. As fuku-buchou… Former Fuku-buchou, it was his responsibility to do what was best for the team. He pulled open the drawer of his desk and took out the Seigaku tennis club phone list. He picked up his phone and dialed the first number.
The next morning...
Fuji's eyes shot open and sharp cerulean eyes focused on the friend they had all been waiting for. Kunimitsu Tezuka walked towards the school gates with his school and his tennis bag slung over his shoulder.
"Welcome back Buchou!"
Tezuka flinched at the loud welcome by the whole tennis club and a lot of non-members too.
"Buchou!" Eiji yelled excitedly
Tezuka approached them like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Oishi smiled, "Welcome back Tezuka."
"Arigato everyone." The young captain said as he tried to make eye contact with as many people as he could.
"Ok, off you all go now. Classes are about to start." Ryuzaki-san exclaimed ushering everyone away. When she got to Tezuka she looked up at him and smiled, "Welcome back Tezuka-kun."
"Arigato sensei." He bowed his head.
"Off you go now."
"Hai." He started towards the entrance of the building.
The regulars fell into stride with him for the short walk to the entrance. One by one they bid Tezuka goodbye and excused themselves to go to their respective class until only Fuji remained.
They walked in silence to their first class together.
They took their seats close to the window. Throughout the class Fuji tried to keep a watchful and inconspicuous eye on his captain. His eyes opened when he caught Tezuka staring blankly out the window instead of paying attention to the lesson. Something was different about the captain.
After classes…
Tezuka stepped out of the clubroom and walked towards the tennis courts. He stopped at the entrance and stared at all the players who were currently warming up. Everyone looked full of energy and ready for a hard workout. His chest tightened.
"They're excited to have you back."
Tezuka turned to see Oishi stop beside him.
He looked up Tezuka, "I'm glad you're back."
"Oishi."
He shook his head, "It's ok Tezuka. This is what I can do for Seigaku. It's our dream." He gave his friend a reassuring smile, "Well… Ja ne." He turned to leave.
"Oishi! Where are you going?" The manager is obligated to stay for practices." Ryuzaki sensei called out, her arms crossed across her chest.
Oishi's eyes widened and he motioned to himself, "Manager?"
"Aa." She smiled, "I can't keep and eye on all of them all the time."
He smiled, "Hai! Arigato Sensei!" He bowed.
"That's enough of that! Let's get this practice started." She turned to the captain, "Tezuka."
"Hai."
Oishi joined their sensei and the captain.
Fuji caught the tennis ball in his hand and turned to the entrance of the tennis courts when he caught sight of Tezuka arriving. His eyes opened fully when he saw Tezuka halt briefly at the threshold to the courts. He watched as the captain's eyes lowered to the change in the ground and he stared at it a split second before taking a step on it. When he raised his head again his eyes met Fuji's open ones.
Tezuka looked away.
"Nya Fuji, why are you looking at buchou like that?"
Fuji's eyes closed and his serene smile re-appeared on his face, "I'm interested to know what he learned in Germany."
"Oh! Do you think he's gotten better?"
"Of course. Afterall, he's Tezuka." He said simply. They both turned to look at their captain again. He stood by the fence with his arms crossed as Oishi spoke to him. Occasionally Tezuka would nod.
"Let's play Fuji-kun." Eiji whined getting restless.
"Aa." He turned back to the court.
Once practice started, it was very light. Everyone seemed to be on their best behaviour since Tezuka had not once assigned any laps. Or perhaps he had just been glad to be back he had allowed them to relax a bit. Even when Eiji broke out into a fit of laughter after Fuji had decided to start hitting the ball into the adjoining court at Momoshiro.
To the regulars' disappointment Tezuka had not engaged in any part of the practice. In fact he had hardly said a word until it was time to give the command to dismiss them for the day.
Fuji stood outside the clubroom waiting. Everyone had already gone home. Everyone except Tezuka, which wasn't abnormal since he always locked the doors after the team left. The door finally opened and the young captain stepped out.
"Fuji."
The tensai smiled, "I thought we could walk home together."
Tezuka nodded and turned to lock the clubroom door.
"Practice was good today." Fuji said as they started towards the exit of the school grounds.
Tezuka didn't say anything and they continued to walk in silence.
"Are you fully recovered?"
"Aa."
"So what about a match then?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"National's tomorrow."
"A light rally then?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Homework."
"It never takes you long to finish homework."
Tezuka didn't say anything and Fuji didn't push him. Not right now anyway. Not until he was sure what he was up against.
They stopped in front of Fuji's house.
"See you tomorrow Tezuka."
"Aa." He turned and started down the street again.
Fuji's eyes opened and he watched as the Seigaku captain walked away.
The next day…
Fuji stepped off the court with his ever present smile and walked up to Tezuka after winning his match against Okinawa. His eyes opened.
Tezuka turned and walked away to get his racket.
Fuji watched him.
"What's going on?" Oishi asked joining him. What he had just seen seemed like Fuji was challenging their Buchou.
"We'll find out soon." He said his cerulean eyes continued to watch Tezuka and take in his every movement.
Oishi watched with concern, "Is it his shoulder?"
Fuji shrugged.
"I hope he's ok."
Behind them on the opposite side of the fence, Ryoma lowered his cap to cover his eyes. He glanced to his left where he also watched as Tezuka took out his tennis racket and then head towards the court.
"Singles one. Seigaku's Tezuka vs Okinawa Higa's Kite Eishirou. One Set match.
"Oishi, Fuji. The match is starting." Ryuzaki exclaimed sternly from her position on the coache's bench. Even she was feeling anxious to see how Tezuka had evolved. She had heard news from the team when he had replaced her as coach at the camp for the Japan/American tournament and now she couldn't wait to see for herself.
"Hai!" Fuji and Oishi made their way out of the court and stood on the opposite side of the fence with the remainder of their teammates.
They all watched as the racket was spun and Tezuka won the first serve.
"Love, love. Tezuka to serve." The arbitrator called out.
They watched as Tezuka looked at the tennis ball in his hands. He squeezed it.
"Ii data…" Inui voiced and opened his notebook to scribble furiously.
Fuji's eyes opened. Different. He watched as Tezuka's brown eyes narrowed; sharpened.
He squeezed the ball in his fist then tossed it in the air. His back arched, his arm moved back and his racket head swung back before swooping with a snap back to the front and whipped the ball across the net.
There was a moment of silence. All the on-lookers that had come to see Tezuka play held their breaths.
The arbitrator shook his head, "Uh… 15, love." He called out breaking the silence.
"Tezuka…" Oishi whispered.
"Wha… What happened?" Momoshiro asked shocked.
"Nya.. That's buchou?"
Ryoma stared without blinking.
Fuji's smile was gone. He watched as Tezuka took the ball immediately squeezed it and tossed it in the air again.
"30, love!"
Whispers started to break out amount the on-lookers.
Ryuzaki stared carefully. Kunimitsu Tezuka…
"40, love!"
"Buchou looks scary ne." Eiji whispered.
"Game Tezuka!"
"80 percent improvement in service speed…"
"What!" The regulars all turned to Inui who they had not noticed had pulled out a stop watch and was recording Tezuka's serves.
A loud roar erupted and the regulars all turned to the two players on the court. Okinawa's Eishirou was staring at the tennis ball that had rolled to the side fence with wide eyes. He slowly turned to look at Seigaku's captain. He was standing arrow straight. Waiting.
"What happened?" Oishi asked.
"Tezuka returned the serve easily to the corner. But.. but the bounce…" Kawamura stopped still shocked.
"It bounced at a 90 degree angle towards the side of the court." Fuji finished.
"Eh?" Momo and Eiji voiced.
All eyes rested on Tezuka.
Kite Eishirou served. It was fast.
Tezuka suddenly appeared by the ball. His eyes glanced towards Eishirou then back to the ball as though everything was moving in slow motion and he had all the time in the world to return it. His racket made contact with the ball and it sling-shotted back over the net and to the far right corner. It hit the ground then bounced out to the right at a sharp angle, zooming out of Eishirou's reach.
Talk among the onlookers increased.
Among them Atobe was watching in stunned silence. Tezuka… Strong…
"Game 2-love Seigaku."
The regulars didn't say another word now. They simply watched as Tezuka served ace after ace and return each of his opponents shots uncontested.
"S-Seigaku s-s-six games to love set and match…" The arbitrator said in shock… Okinawa had not been able to gain one point off the Seigaku captain.
Everyone watched as Kunimitsu Tezuka made his way to the net and shook his opponents hand. He nodded and bowed politely out of respect.
Both teams filed onto the court along with their coaches and shook each other's hand. Once it was officially announced that Seigaku had won over Okinawa, Tezuka immediately made his way off the court.
Fuji casually strolled after him and the regulars after him. Ryuzaki sensei watched.
"Ryuzaki sensei." Okinawa's coach approached her. He nodded towards Tezuka's retreating form, "He's amazing."
"Aa." She said and turned to go after her team.
"Oye! Tezuka! You've been practicing!" Eiji exclaimed rushing to his captain's side and draping an arm around him.
Tezuka flinched and pulled away from Eiji staring at him with slightly wider eyes.
The regulars froze. What had just happened?
"Tezuka?" Oishi voiced softly as he took a step towards his friend.
The young captain turned to him and his eyes slowly returned to their normal size and his grip on his tennis bag loosened.
"It's been a long day. Everyone go home." Ryuzaki sensei's voice cut through the thick silence as he stepped into view of the team.
"But Sensei-"
"Now! Everyone go home and rest!" She ordered.
"Hai!" the regulars bowed. When they straightened they looked at their captain one last time and turned to leave.
"Oishi. Tezuka. Follow me."
Ryuzaki started walking in a direction away from all the courts. They walked a ways away from all the courts into a secluded area of the park, "Sit." She ordered as they neared a park bench.
Oishi glanced at Tezuka and when he saw his friend do what he was told he followed suit.
"I see the training in Germany has done you good Tezuka."
"Aa."
She crossed her arms. She too had seen the strange way he had squeezed the tennis ball before serving and the incident with Eiji afterwards. How was she going to bring this up?
She sighed, "Is there something I should know about Tezuka-kun?"
"No."
"Tezuka." Oishi said softly. He was very worried.
"It's nothing Oishi." He turned to Ryuzaki, "Sensei, I have to go home." He said and got to his feet, "Please excuse me." He bowed and then turned and walked away from them.
Oishi got to his feet.
"Let him go Oishi." Ryuzaki said and sat down on the bench, "You can't push someone like Kunimitsu Tezuka."
"Sensei, what do you think happened?"
Ryuzaki shrugged.
"Move over Mamushi!"
"You move baka! Your head is so big-"
"Oye, quiet you two we can't hear." Eiji exclaimed.
"Ugh Tezuka's leaving anyway."
"I'm going home." Ryoma said and straightened from his crouched position and started off.
"Hmm. Ja." Fuji said and also walked away. He quickly strolled towards Tezuka who glanced at him briefly.
"You've improved. Are you planning on re-challenging our Echizen?"
"No."
"Why not?"
No answer.
"What about Atobe?"
"No."
"Why not?"
No answer.
"Tezuka!"
Fuji and the captain stopped walking to see Oishi running towards them, "Thanks." He turned to Fuji, "I need to talk to Tezuka alone."
Fuji nodded, "We'll talk later Tezuka." He said smiling and he walked away.
Tezuka started walking again and Oishi followed him.
"What's going on Tezuka?"
"We're going to win the nationals Oishi." He said simply.
"That has always been our goal since we came to Seigaku hasn't it."
"Aa."
They walked in silence a moment.
"Will you go to that overseas schools after we win?"
"No."
Oishi frowned, "But I hear a lot of professionals come from that school."
They continued to walk.
"Did something happen in Germany Tezuka?" He finally asked.
Silence.
"Tezuka?"
"Germany is the past Oishi. Focus on the Nationals. This is the goal." He turned to Oishi, "Everyone is counting on us." He turned away and continued to walk. Oishi followed feeling confused. There was no excitement at the mention of the nationals. He didn't feel that strong urge to win that he often knew Tezuka felt. It just seemed like it was something he had to do… Like a chore…
That afternoon in Ryuzaki's office
"Good morning Tsuta-sama. This is Ryuzaki, I'm Kunimitsu Tezuka's tennis coach."
"Oh! Hello! How is Tezuka-kun doing?"
"He's improved a lot since he came back. He hardly seems the same."
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that. I asked a former professional player to come and play with him so he wouldn't get bored."
"A professional player?"
"Aa. Kudo Tetsu."
"Kudo-san? Yes I've heard of him."
"He's been very nice. He had even invited other professionals to give Tezuka experience with other styles."
"I see. Did anything happen out of the ordinary while he was there?
"Hmm I don't believe so. Has something happened?"
"Not yet. Is there anyone else who would have worked with him that I could speak to?"
"Aa. Would you be able to hold a moment?"
"Hai."
Arisa-san placed the call on hold and called for her assistant to get Kimi-chan as soon as possible.
The door of her office opened, "Arisa-sama, What is it?" Kimi asked out of breath.
"Phone call from Japan for you. It's Tezuka-kun's tennis coach."
"His tennis coach?"
"Aa." She handed the trainer the phone.
"Hello, this is Maiya Kimi."
"Aa. I'm Ryuzaki sensei, Tezuka-kun's coach. I have a question to ask you."
"Hai. Sure. Is everything ok?"
"I'm hoping so." There was a pause, "Has anything strange happened while Tezuka-kun was there?"
"Umm. No not that I can recall. Has something happened to Tezuka-kun?"
"He's a little different then what we remember. Anything at all?"
"Hmm… Well the only thing I can thing of was he did miss a couple days of practice because he felt sick…"
"Sick? And he missed a few days of practice?"
"Aa…"
Flashback
Kimi pulled out her cell phone from her pocket as it rang, "Hello?"
"Kimi sensei."
"Tezuka-kun?"
"Aa. I won't be at practice today. I'm not feeling well."
"Is everything ok? Is it your shoulder?"
"No. I'm just… not feeling well."
"I see." There was a moment of silence, "I'll be there in a minute Tezuka-kun." And she ended the call, "Excuse me Hitomi-chan. There will be no joint practice today."
She rushed out of the gym and down the hall towards the dormitories. She stopped in front of Tezuka's room and knocked on the door, "Tezuka, I'm coming in."
She heard a soft, "Aa." And pushed open the door. She walked inside. The room was plunged in darkness. Then she saw him wrapped up in his blanket on his bed. She moved to turn on the light.
"Tezuka-kun!" She rushed towards him and pressed her hand to his forehead. He looked a little flushed, "No fever. Hmm"
Tezuka just lay motionless.
"What do you feel?"
"Tired."
Kimi frowned, "Ok you get some rest. Hopefully you're not coming down with something. Do you want something to drink or eat?"
"No."
"Ok. Just give me a call if you need something ok?"
"Aa. Arigato sensei."
Kimi smiled and made sure he was tucked in, "I hope you feel better. Rest now." She turned and went to the door. She turned off the lights then shut the door softly. Once outside she sighed, "Poor guy."
End Flashback
"You said he was sick for a couple of days. How was he after that?"
"Hmm. Well he practiced with the pro the next day but then called to say he wasn't feeling well after. So the next day I just asked Kudo-sama if he could take it easy on Tezuka-kun since he didn't seem like he had anymore energy afterwards. I figured their sessions together was just to competitive."
"Did it help?"
"I guess so. He didn't miss a single practice after that. Although he did seem sluggish sometimes but he usually recovered very fast."
"I see."
"How is he different?"
"We're still trying to figure that one out. Anyway thank you for the information Kimi-san."
"Any time. Please say hello to Tezuka-kun for us."
"Hai. Thank you." Ryuzaki said and ended the call. She stared at the phone. Tezuka sick? And an even worst scenario, Tezuka too exhausted to practice? It didn't seem possible.
Later that same day
"Moshi moshi."
"Tezuka."
"Fuji."
"Meet me outside."
"Fuji…" But the line was cut off.
Tezuka stared down at his cell phone. He sighed and got up from his desk and made his way downstairs and pulled open the door.
Fuji smiled at him, "You might want to bring a jacket. It's getting a little cold."
Tezuka stared. Fuji continued to smile so Tezuka sighed and shut the door part way so that he could reach in the closet for his jacket, "I'll be back soon." He called to the other occupants of the house before stepping out into the darkening day with Fuji.
They started walking.
"Let's get something warm to drink." Fuji suggested as they passed by a coffee shop. They went inside and sat down. The waitress brought them a menu and they quickly placed an order. When she left Fuji leaned back in the booth.
"Did you finish your homework?"
"Aa."
"See. We could have played a match." The tensai said smiling.
Tezuka stared at him.
Those cerulean eyes suddenly opened, "Something happened in Germany."
"Here you go." The waitress returned with their hot chocolate and then left again.
"What happened?"
Tezuka moved to sip his drink.
"Eiji didn't mean anything by it."
"Aa."
"You stopped answering my e-mails."
"I was busy."
"I see." Fuji closed his eyes and that smile appeared on his face as he took a sip of his hot chocolate.
"You looked very good during your match. Were you busy training?"
"Aa."
They sat in silence and enjoyed the rest of their drink.
"We should go." Tezuka said taking out his wallet and placing a few bills on the table.
"Hai." Fuji did the same and the two friends got to their feet and made their way back home.
"I'll follow you home."
"Eh? That's not necessary Tezuka. I'm not that far away."
No response. So they continued to walk until they reached Fuji's home.
"Arigato." His smile faded then and his eyes opened to focus on Tezuka's expressionless face, "If you need to talk Tezuka, I'm always here. Any time."
"Aa."
Fuji nodded, "Good night."
"Aa." He watched as Fuji's eyes closed and the smile reappeared.
"Ja." He gave a curt wave and turned to go in the house.
Tezuka took a deep breath then turned and walked back towards his house.
"Tadaima." He called taking off his jacket and shoes and slipping on his slippers. He made his way up the stairs and went to his room where he quickly got changed then went to prepare himself for bed. When he came back to his room, he turned off the lights then climbed up on his bed pulling the covers tightly around his body he flattened his back up against the wall and stared out at the darkness. His eyes darting onto every dark shape that appeared as his eyes adjusted to the lack of light.
Author's Note:
I haven't seen the Anime or the Manga so I'm not sure how the match actually goes... but for the sake of the story, let's just say Tezuka improved a lot! hehe
Cheers,
CelicaChick.
P.S. Thanks to Rogne for the name of the Higa captain!