Let's bring it on! This story is destined to end on the 30th chapter, but if we can do it earlier, then why not?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Prince of Tennis.
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You can't do this."
"That's my decision to make, not yours."
"Running away wouldn't help you forget."
"I'm simply moving on."
Leanne gave her friend a smug look. Few days ago, she heard about Yukimura's decision to quit as Tezuka's editor, and she respected that decision. This time however, was entirely different, and she has no plans on ever stopping her side of the argument unless she knocks some sense to her friend's brain.
"Do you really…" she gestured his hand to Yukimura but stopped midair as she tried to reconstruct her thoughts.
"…Do you really think leaving the country can fix all of these damages? Because I think you're smarter than that, Seiichi." she said.
Yukimura shrugged in surrender. He knew beforehand explaining himself to Leanne wouldn't be easy, yet he couldn't just leave without saying a word, could he?
Leanne, calming her nerves, leaned on her desk. They were inside her office, and thankfully, work for the day's done. Everything else can wait tomorrow after she fixes the situation.
"I just don't understand why you need to leave." she said almost in a pleading tone as she crossed her arms in front of her.
"You'll understand soon enough." Yukimura said.
"Did you tell him about this?" she asked referring to Tezuka who had been out of coverage for the last week.
Yukimura shook his head.
Leanne nodded and sighed.
"…but I do have something ….I want to work on with you, Leanne."
She focused her attention to her friend and eyed him skeptically as if he just confessed something which doesn't appear close enough to something believable.
Yukimura hesitated for a second and then smiled.
"I'd like to talk to him personally before I leave…and I want it to be special."
Leanne raised a brow and bit her lower lip to prevent herself from laughing.
"Are you serious? Doing away with your usual direct, frontal approach, and settling on something sweet?" she asked sarcastically. "Great. Because right now, a classic romantic ploy is all you need to finally aid your broken heart. What a brilliant idea! Genius!" she added, faking an impressed tone, contrary to her obvious disinterest on the subject being raised.
"I'm serious." Yukimura said.
"Of course you are."
"Really Leanne. I know this might be too much but…you're the only one I can rely on right now."
Leanne rolled her eyes. 'Duh.'
She raised her two hands in surrender. "I'm out of this Seiichi. Do what you want. I don't think I can do much more."
Yukimura nodded, as if expecting the rejection all along.
"Alright. Just…do one last favor for me will you? Tell him to come in 'that' place. That's all."
Leanne smirked. "You're impossible."
Yukimura shrugged and smiled. After what he plans to do, he knew everything's going to be alright. He went closer to Leanne and gave her a tight hug. If there's one thing he would miss so much about Japan other than Tezuka, it would be her.
"I'll miss you. You know that right?" Leanne whispered as she buried her face on the hollow of Yukimura's neck.
Yukimura nodded and held her tighter. "Of course. I promise to keep in touch as often as possible."
He pulled away and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye."
Reluctant, Leanne smiled and wished her friend good luck.
She knew things would never be the same.
Tezuka answered his phone in impatience.
"What is it this time?" he asked.
He has been avoiding Leanne's calls for the last two hours, and he's starting to get really pissed off with her. Not only did he have a bad day with his 'new' editor. Leanne seemed to have no plans of ever leaving him alone unless he address whatever stupid concern she had.
"If you answered my calls earlier, this would've been over." Leanne answered on the other line. She didn't know when she started turning bitter to Tezuka. Weeks before, she had been that all too supportive friend for her ex. But seeing how she treats Tezuka now, and the other equally giving her the same attention, things have really changed.
"Look. This is one hell of a day for me. So if you want something, say it now or never."
"Fine. Go to the central plaza at 8pm. No need to bring something. That's all."
"You're crazy if you think I'll go." Tezuka said as he once again busied himself by typing in another page of his novel.
"You have to."
"No reasons."
Leanne gave off a sharp sigh. "Now you listen. Just….please go, okay?..Yukimura will be there."
Tezuka froze.
"I can't answer any of your questions. You have to go yourself if you want to see him."
"Why did-"
But Leanne already hang up.
Tezuka sat frozen on his swivel chair. Yukimura wants to see him. At the Central Park of all places. Surely, there are more private places than a park right? He brought down the phone and looked at the sentences he had written on the new page of his novel.
Suddenly, he doesn't know how to continue.
Fuji received a text message. And as alarming as it may seem, his mind went on wondering why the hell Yukimura was the person who first informed the incident. He paced inside his room and evaluated the right action he needs to take on the situation. He once again looked at the message in worry.
'Something happened. Be here. Central park. It's Tezuka.'
-Yukimura-
So if Yukimura was already attending to whatever happened to Tezuka, what's the point of calling him? And in the Central Park? It doesn't make sense. Finally, Fuji decided to go. If Yukimura was just showing off, then perhaps he needs to see it for himself. Perhaps what Yukimura would want to show will help him reevaluate the course of his relationship with Tezuka.
The worst thing that could happen will be them, breaking up. Still, he hoped it's not the end. He grabbed his coat and key and headed out. The Central Park is just nearby. He will be there in a matter of 15 mintues.
Yukimura glanced expectantly on his silver wrist watch. It's almost time. A tall blonde woman in navy blue collared suit and a plain black knee level skirt called his attention. He nodded and smiled. If he was making the right decision, he'll soon find that out.
Fuji stared wide-eyed at the man standing in front of him. He swallowed hard, and fought the urge to turn back. He was directly staring at Tezuka, who was equally surprised with his presence. Needless to say, Fuji knew what was happening. Yukimura both called them, but he's nowhere to be seen. So it's either he was just late for whatever this appointment means, or he just set them up for this meeting. Either ways, Fuji realized he wasn't really ready to face Tezuka just yet. He need some minutes.
The blue-eyed boy shifted his weight on his other foot and looked away, trying to find whatever is worthy of saying on their present situation.
"Yukimura called you, did'nt he?" Tezuka suddenly asked, startling Fuji. He nodded and pursed his lips.
He didn't like the fact that his boyfriend sounded disappointed by this encounter.
"I see.."
Both remained silent for a couple of seconds before Fuji decided to speak.
"I don't know what's his point, but I think we need to talk."
Tezuka nodded and adjusted the rim of his glasses. The uneasy look on the novelist's face told Fuji that he was not just the only one who was feels awkward with this sudden turn of events.
"Right."
Tezuka ushered Fuji at a nearby bench where they sat side by side. For the first time, Fuji noticed how the park suddenly felt unoccupied. He glanced over his right side and frowned when he realized that indeed, nobody's around.
"I'm really sorry." Tezuka said, zapping Fuji back to their situation. He diverted his look to Tezuka who was staring at nowhere in particular.
"I knew what I was doing." he continued, shaking his head in regret. "Yuki was there….he was kind, and…I'm attracted to him, Syusuke.." Tezuka admitted, finally facing his boyfriend.
Fuji blinked and nodded. "I see."
Tezuka sighed. "..I….don't love him."
Fuji once again nodded, feeling the sudden impulse to shed some tears. His chest started to feel pain, and he realized he had to stabilize his emotions and contain it as much as he can. Tezuka and he were finally talking now. He couldn't bear to ruin the moment.
"I'm sorry." Fuji muttered. "I know I also did something. But believe me, Tezuka. Nothing happened. It was all a coincidence. The thing between me and Shiraishi…it was all in the past" Fuji draped an arm across Tezuka's shoulder, and leaned his head over. "I never meant to hurt you.."
Silence followed, and Fuji knew it couldn't feel better, knowing that things have started to feel fine. He was hurt of course. The memory of what he saw at Tezuka's condo went like a flash back on his memory, illuminating the scene he wished most to remain buried down.
Tezuka's hand held his and brought it to his lips. Fuji closed his eyes, pushing the memory away. He can deal with that later. Right now, what he needs to focus is Tezuka and only him.
"I love you." Tezuka said.
Fuji smiled and leaned closer to his lover. "I'm not letting you go no matter what."
Tezuka smiled in return as he shifted on one side and looked straight on Fuji 's eyes. "So am I."
A block apart from them, Leanne smiled in disbelief; one hand tightly clinched on her black sedan's steering wheel and the other clutching her phone tightly against her ear as the number she dialed continued to ring.
She should have trusted her instincts when it said that something's not right.
"Leanne?" Yuushi answered from the other line.
She heard the soft rustle of water on the background, and realized that her boyfriend was probably on the middle of taking a bath.
"I'm sorry, but I'd like to know if you got something about what I asked."
"Right." Yuushi answered, turning off the shower. "My assistant just confirmed it. Yukimura's on board the last flight to Germany."
'Bastard..' Leanne silently cursed glancing back at Tezuka and Fuji's direction.
"Alright thanks. See you in an hour. Bye."
She threw her phone on the backseat of her car and heaved a sigh. Whatever was Yukimura thinking, it was way too unfair on his part. She slammed her head on her car's lean board and smiled.
'Your kindness sucks, Seiichi.' she thought, as tears fell on her eyes.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Whew!
I'm ending this story on the next chapter! Right. So whatever violent reactions you want to say, say it now…
…It's been a long journey. I can only hope for the best.
Good luck!