II

"Leanne..."

"Yes, Fuji?"

Silence.

The bunch of news writers in their department had started to arrive, and were already busy doing their own stuff. Fuji of course, had his own. (his suspension has been raised by the way..) But then he thought it would be much convenient on his part if he settle few matters with his editor first. Besides, there was one 'very important' issue he wanted to clarify before anything goes out in public.

"I'm not anymore doing other interviews on Tezuka. Now if 'you' insist on having the info you want, then I'm afraid you have to assign somebody else." Fuji said in a tone that says that he's made up his mind, and further resistance will only be deemed unacceptable.

Leanne looked at him seriously and nodded.

"So unfortunate then. Well I guess I'll just have to ask Mizuki to do it instead."

Fuji nodded in silent agreement. For some reason, he felt worried.

"One more thing Leanne..."

"Yes?"

Fuji cleared his throat.

"Oshitari-kun is better than Tezuka...I mean...You and Oshitari make a better couple." he commented with a slight blush.

Leanne was obviously taken off guard by what he just said. Her face turned red, and the blue-eyed boy pretty well understood why. Just as he was about to go back to his own cubicle, he smiled and turned back to Leanne.

"I saw you yesterday.."

"Fuji..hey how did you-"

"I trust your judgment Leanne, I hope you also do."

and then he left.

"I see." Fuji muttered.

He took a glance at the pieces of paper laid down on Tezuka's desk. Inputs were already written on them - by Tezuka of course. (His wrist was actually healed by then.)

"I thank you for your help, anyway. I'm sure it had been a bother."

"It is, really." Fuji replied almost immediately.

Before Tezuka could say anything else, the door of his room slammed open, revealing a mischievous-looking Hajime Mizuki, adored with his ever annoying devilish glee. He coolly entered the room 'without permission' and settled his eyes on Fuji.

"What are you doing here?" Fuji asked with a frown.

"Leanne sent me here as 'your replacement'. I've heard you 'failed' in this assignment..so disgraceful, Syusuke-kun.." Mizuki said with a grin.

'FAILED?' Fuji angrily thought.

Tezuka remained silent as he stared on Fuji who was silently gritting his teeth in anger.

"Well then Syusuke-kun, if you'll excuse us-"

"I'm going." he snapped, as he quickly headed outside, slamming the door behind him.

Tezuka followed Fuji's retreating figure and sighed.

Boring.

That was how Fuji saw the days that followed after the complicated predicament he experienced with Tezuka. It has also been a week since Mizuki's article about the novelist was released, and Fuji thought it was 'quite' good. Mizuki was after all, a competent journalist. Though Fuji didn't want to recognize that.

When Leanne informed him about her break-up with Tezuka, Fuji didn't quite understand what he felt. It was like a mixture of everything, which he had difficulty in figuring out. He should have been happy for Leanne and Oshitari. But somewhere at the back of his brain, a voice was saying that he must first sympathize on the man who lost the game. - Tezuka.

'Sympathy? Tezuka?'

'Awkward.' he thought.

Tezuka doesn't need anything from anybody. That was what Fuji concluded. Tezuka was strong; Tezuka was independent and selfish; Tezuka can easily get over with it; Tezuka can -

"Fuji." Tezuka muttered as he opened the door and saw Fuji.

Fuji swallowed the lump on his throat.

"I just thought you needed some company." he said with a slight blush on his face, as he tried to look away at the other guy's eyes.

Well, a little sympathy wouldn't hurt him...right?

Tezuka uttered a short 'thanks' before he headed to the kitchen and brought out cans of beer from the fridge. Fuji just raised a brow.

'So he really is upset.' he thought.

The taller guy silently drank his share while Fuji remained fixed on his position across him.

"Leanne...she just...broke up with me..." Tezuka bitterly declared.

Fuji clinched his fist.

His instinct says that he has to say something, and he knew it was out of guilt. For in as much as he want to set aside the idea that he may be at fault, his senses were aware that he was the one who gave Leanne the idea of letting Tezuka go.

"Maybe I did something that offended her...I should've realized that earlier, though."Tezuka added with a bitter smile.

It was unpleasant. His voice, his sad eyes and his bitter smile...It felt like a sharp knife buried deep in Fuji's chest, and even if he's trying to be numb, he knew he's in one way or another affected with the turn of events. He never wanted to see Tezuka this vulnerable. They may have been born enemies or whatever, but still...the sight of a downhearted and broken Kunimitsu Tezuka was one thing Fuji just can't ignore. He has watched him closely ever since he realized that they're rivals. And 'this' sight just felt so ...wrong.

"Fuji..." Tezuka mumbled.

Fuji looked up at Tezuka who was now standing in front of him.

Beauty matched with sadness; it was, for Fuji, the most delightful and at the same time heartbreaking sight he has ever seen in his entire life.

He closed the distance between them and pulled Tezuka into a hug. He felt awkward, alright. But he sensed that it was the only thing he can do, when words refused to come out of his mouth. And he remembered one account of a book he had read saying that 'touch' can sometimes do more wonder than words. He hoped it was true. At least he has something to back up his unusual behavior. Fuji heard Tezuka's sigh as the latter returned his hug.

"I'm sorry." Tezuka said.

Fuji pulled himself away and glanced at Tezuka's face in confusion.

"I was reckless and selfish...and I hurt you...Gomen ne, Syusuke.." he added.

The blue-eyed boy just stared blankly at the taller guy who was so beautiful yet so broken and who was vocally asking for an apology.

"You did annoy me so much." Fuji said.

"Right. And that was because I've stolen you first kiss and made love to you that night."

Fuji blushed as he cleared his throat.

Wow...an upfront confrontation about having sex with a man...few months ago - a complete diversion of topic indeed.

"You really don't have to remind me about that." Fuji said with a slight look of disapproval.

"Oh... I see...I guess you can't really forgive - "

"We were both drunk." Fuji said.

"Right. Still it doesn't change the fact that I-"

"It was an accident then. Period."

Tezuka fell silent.

So Fuji didn't hate him right?

He felt relieved that somehow, their conversation went well, and things has been settled between them. At least they wouldn't be mocking each other's temper like untamed cats and dogs anymore. That sounds...just great, and Tezuka knew he shouldn't ask for more...yet...

"What is it?" Fuji asked as he noticed Tezuka's intense stare at him.

"Nothing."

Fuji smirked.

"You're not that difficult to read, Tezuka. Just in case you don't know."

"Really? Then tell me what I'm thinking." Tezuka challenged.

Fuji sighed. Here they go again...teasing each other and opting to make the other one back off. He returned Tezuka's gaze with his piercing ones.

'I'll never lose this time.' he thought.