Pairing: Fuji x Atobe
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis does not belong to me
Part: 9/9
Warning: Few background facts AND sequential orders of events regarding the characters have been altered.
A.N: Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you this is the LAST part.
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"The winner will be Atobe." I declared to the crowd as I throw my jacket in to the sky.
"Atobe !!!!!!"
"Atobe !!!!!"
"The winner will be Atobe!!!!"
"The loser will be Seigaku !!!!"
"The winner will be Hyotei !!!!"
I can hear the Hyotei players going wild and cheering me on but all I did was look over to Seigaku's side and stares at Shusuke right in the eyes. Right now Shusuke's reaction is the only one that I cared about, who would he cheered for?
Tezuka, his teammate and the person that he had admired for years or me?
I swear Shusuke has the best poker face known to man because for the life of me I just couldn't read his facial expression at all. There was something about Shusuke that always made me felt uneasy. When I was blind I would felt tense around him because it felt like he could see through my soul. Apparently years of being away from Shusuke haven't changed his hold on me. I still felt like an open book in front of him.
Shusuke was the only person who can see beyond my mask of arrogance.
I finally got a good look at my opponent, Tezuka Kunimitsu. Tezuka looked like a guy who had the weight of the world on his shoulder. Tezuka's eyes felt cold, almost like he wanted to pierce a stick through my heart. I am not sure why but I sense a strong resentment from Tezuka.
Is it because I am his opponent or was there more to the story? For some reason I don't want to know why Tezuka seemed to felt an instant dislike towards me.
I smiled at Tezuka and said, "Let's have a good match, Tezuka buchou of Seiguka."
I noticed that there are increasingly more players from the other schools showing up as Tezuka got to the court. The jackets showed Rokkaku, Rikkai, Yamabuki and few more. I smiled bitterly at the thought of all these people showing up to watch Tezuka play.
What was it about Tezuka that caused all of them to admire him so much?
What does he have that I don't have?
"Hey, Sanada fukubuchou, do you know that player from Hyotei? He seemed to be mighty arrogant for a newcomer." Said Kirihara.
Sanada look at Atobe and thought for a moment before reply, "Atobe Keigo, I never thought that he would be in this match playing for Hyotei. Last time I saw Atobe, he was still in America but if you watch his game, you will understand. He has every right to be a conceited jerk."
"Hyoutie to serve! The best of one match." Announced the referee.
"Atobe, this is the first time I am playing against you but there is something about you that bothers me." Said Tezuka honestly.
"The feeling is mutual, Tezuka buchou." I reply.
I wasn't surprised to see Tezuka playing this well because he has to be a talent player to have so many players watching out for him. I was right when I said that Tezuka looked like someone who had the weight of the world on his shoulder. But there was something else; I sense a strong force fueling Tezuka's will, a motivation that was pushing him in this match, something or someone that is motivating Tezuka to win this match at all cost.
Who was it?
Who was Tezuka playing for?
"I have completely controlled this game." I said as I hit the ball back to the court.
"That was a good drive volley, Atobe." Said Tezuka as he returned the served.
Tezuka was really something in person. My insight will see through his weakness. The drop shot that goes in reverse when it lands, zero-shiki. The ball hit the net and I can felt my frustration grow.
The referee announced, "Game to Seigaku's Tezuka, 3-2. Change court."
"I think his elbow is fine now." Said Momoshiro.
"Yes." Said Oishi but deep inside Oishi felt uneasy because he wasn't completely sure if Tezuka's injury had completely healed.
I walk over to Coach Sakaki and wonder what he thought of the match so far.
"The opponent has clearly been attacking. It's a plan to make you lose stamina by hitting the ball to the corners and making you run around. He seems to be anxious about winning quickly." Commented Sakaki insightfully.
"Coach, does that mean he is trying to hide something?" I asked with a grin.
"Atobe, don't be careless." Warned Sakaki.
I stared at Sakaki before replying, "I am not."
"Then it's about time you took control of the game." Said Sakaki.
"I am already in control Coach." I stated firmly.
"That is all." Said Sakaki.
"Hey, Oshitari why haven't Atobe used that move yet?" Asked Gakuto.
Oshitari adjusted his glasses and said, "You mean that incredible smash?"
"Yeah, I remember seeing Atobe used it during our last practice at America. Atobe was playing against four opponents. If I recalled correctly, Atobe took out the racket with the first smash and land a hit with the second smash." Said Gakuto.
"Rondo towards destruction." Said Oshitari.
"So why haven't Atobe used his special move yet?" Asked Gakuto impatiently.
"Frankly, I don't think anyone knew what was going on inside Atobe's twisted little head." Said Oshitari.
I can see it. Tezuka is doing well with that arm of his. If it was the usual twenty minute match, nothing would happen but I wonder can Tezuka's shoulder withstand such a long game? I can take Tezuka out of tennis forever if I drag this match on for long enough.
"It looked like it is going to be a long match." Noted Inui.
"Atobe is making the match long on purpose." Said Fuji.
"Why is Atobe making the match long on purpose?" Asked Eiji angrily.
"I supposed Atobe feel like he has to prove something." Reply Fuji as he watches on with an emotionless face.
"Now, let's play without regret." Said Tezuka.
It all depends on determination from now on.
At that moment, Fuji realized something. The one who wanted this long battle to happen from the beginning was Keigo. However, Keigo doesn't know the length of Tezuka's potential and had underestimate Tezuka's ability. Yet, Fuji never expected Keigo to excel at tennis in such a short amount of time and therefore the result of this match was still unclear.
I can't believe this. That Tezuka, he still has this kind of control in the final game. His body should have passed its limit already. What are you going to do Tezuka?
Oshitari grinned and said, "A lob."
"Atobe is going to use that now." Said Gakuto.
I know it was the perfect chance to use my secret weapon, the Rondo towards destruction but I couldn't do it. The first smash will blow away the racket. The second smash will take the point. It was a full proof plan but I couldn't do it because of that look on Shusuke's face, the look of genuine concern for Tezuka's arm.
I can't believe this; Tezuka was actually looking for a long match. I feel like Tezuka was trying to prove something. That was the kind of eyes he has. If I am right about his left arm then only a very strong will to accomplish something can make him do this. Those are the eyes of wanting to attain something.
I close my eyes and made my own death bed.
A decision had been made.
….
"Game set and match. Winner Tezuka 6-5" Announced the referee.
"Atobe, why?" Asked Tezuka as he offered his hand.
I pretend that it was all a joke to me and shook his hand but I couldn't find it in my voice to answer Tezuka's question.
Why?
Indeed why didn't I just destroyed Tezuka's arm for the win? For the glory?
I lost to Tezuka, but that wasn't the worst part. I lost to Tezuka in front of Shusuke. I felt defeated even as the crowd cheers us on. I haven't planned on losing and I certainly didn't want to admit that Shusuke had something to do with me losing.
I saw the look on Shusuke's face when he realized that Tezuka was hurt. We both know that if the match had dragged on there was a good chance that Tezuka's left arm would never be fully recovered.
I don't think I can bear the thought of causing pain to Shusuke or worst yet I don't want Shusuke to hate me. I don't think I can live with myself if I hurt the person that Shusuke had admired since he was little. As much as it pains me I would gladly chose losing over hurting Shusuke.
The crowd begins to thin out and one by one people started to leave. I told Oshitari and Gakuto to go ahead and that I need a few minutes alone. The two gave me a worry look before moving on.
I could hear footsteps approaching me again and I though maybe Oshitari forget something.
"Keigo." Whispered a familiar voice.
I could sense a warm presence near me; with my eyes still close I felt a hug and another whispered, "Welcome back."
I smiled and it all seems worth it again.
"Shusuke, I finally get to see you with my very own eyes."
FIN
A.N: Yay, the actual story is finally finished but I will post a short epilogue soon. I hope everyone was satisfied with the ending. The epilogue will be up either Friday or Saturday.