Disclaimer: I Don't Own Prince of Tennis especially the characters. Nor does the song used here, or even the title itself. I don't have any right to do so. The only thing that I can claim to be mine is my sole idea of writing this story. I used the song because of the inspiration it gave me, not because I'm claiming it to be mine.

A/N: Hi everyone! Here's the third chapter. Thanks for those who gave their reviews. I have really appreciated it. Forgive me if my writing style didn't suit anything, I'm trying to improve myself. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. By the way, is my story angsty? A little bit way over the board? Too dramatic? Or am I torturing Fuji that much? If so, tell me, it's my unconscious habit in writing. I really want to improve this story.


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Ano hi…

On that day…

'I'm leaving, Fuji. Those words were like knives, sharp and lethal. You have already told me you were leaving once, but that was because of your rehabilitation and you promised you'd get back for the team. I took it easily back then, but I still longed for the day you'll come back as the perfect Tezuka Kunimitsu. But now, you're here once again to tell me the words that I dreaded to hear. I'm leaving, Fuji. I'm going to study at Germany. Yes, I felt like dying when I heard your words.'

'I guess nothing I can say or do can change your decision. That's what I've managed to say. I was busy straining back the tears that were threatening to spill out of my eyes. I can only give you my usual smiles and assure to you that we will all miss you, that we were happy that you wanted to pursue your dreams.'

'I was really planning to confess that day. I've already made up my mind by then, but you headed me off by telling me you're leaving. I can't imagine the regret I've felt not speaking out too soon and tell you my feelings.'

'If I tell you now, Tezuka, will you accept and understand me?'

'Are you willing to forgive me?'

'Are you willing to accept me?'

'Sometimes, I wish I hadn't given you a good reason to avoid and leave me because it works like it's the most natural thing in the world.'

'Am I really not too late?'

Fuji decided to go for a walk because he got no reason to stay locked up in his apartment when the weather's this perfect. Deciding that he'd want to visit home, he took a bus and sat for about half an hour, contemplating, before stepping out in the familiar grounds greeting him.

He first took the familiar steps leading to his house. Hoping that Yumiko, Yuuta or his mother was home, he took his house keys and stepped inside.

"Nee-san? Yuuta? Okaa-san? Anybody here?"

No answer came, nobody was home. Sighing, he left the house, locking the door behind him and continued his walk. He really didn't know where he wanted to go, no real intentions except to visit his family. He let his feet take control, his mind wandering on its own.

After about several minutes of unconscious walking, he halted and found himself staring at his old school, Seishun Gakuen. It has been years since he last came here. Smiling wistfully, he went inside and headed to the courts on the side of the school.

A sad smile formed on his lips as he recalled the precious memories he have shared with his teammates in the very courts standing proud in front of him. He remembered the countless times that he'd run all those laps for many reasons and some of them so absurd that he let out a chuckle. He remembered the various match he had back then, of which he would always be victorious except when he would deliberately lose a match just to taste Inui's weird gastronomic concoctions that he love.

In the middle of his reminiscing, he heard footsteps approaching him. And when he turned around, it was Tezuka's gaze that greeted him.

"Tezuka?"

Koko de bokura wa deatte shimatta

Soshite bokura wa kizuite shimatta

Atarashii sekai wo tobira ga hiraita

Soshite mata koko de bokura wa deatta

We ran into each other here

And we both realized that

The door to a new world has opened

And here, we meet again

"Tezuka?"

Fuji stood there with his azure eyes opened with surprise.

"Wha—what are you doing here?" He tried to keep his tone normal as he could but he failed to hide the mock surprise and suppressed irritation when he said that. Tezuka merely gazed at him, trying to conceal how happy he was to see the tensai.

"I guess I should ask the same to you."

"I—just answer me, Tezuka. I asked you first." There was a slight bitterness evident in his voice.

"I wanted to visit Seigaku again, I've missed this place." Tezuka drew nearer, and stood up next to him. Fuji suddenly remembered that they used to stand like this back then, and his bitterness suddenly melted as he fought his growing wanton to tackle the stoic boy right there and then.

"I have the same reason…I missed everything, it's been a long time. I really want things back. If only…"

"Everyone feels the same way Fuji, I do too."

"Ne, Tezuka, we first met here, right on this very court, am I right?" Tezuka smiled as he heard the smile in Fuji's voice despite the wistfulness of it.

"Yes, I remember quite clearly."

Fuji gazed blankly on the court before him, as the memories of that fateful day popped on his mind. He could actually remember how his heart suddenly accelerated, how his breathing got quickened, how his hands sweated in cold and how his face burned red when he caught the sight of the young Tezuka back then. It was also on that very court did they have their first match against each other on his reckless request. Also, the promise that one day they would again have a match. A promise that started their special friendship void of typical definition of what friendship should be. A friendship that is uniquely theirs alone and no one else's.

Tezuka stared blankly ahead, the memoirs of the place silently overwhelming him. The lithe boy beside him must have been feeling the same, for there was a look of reminisced longing on his cerulean eyes.

"Fuji, I—"

"It's funny isn't it? We first met here, have our first and last match here, said our goodbyes here and now we meet again; the same day, same time, same place. Is this what they call fate?"

"I don't know."

"Saa, whatever it is, I really don't care." His voice, suddenly withdrawn, caught Tezuka's attention. Looking at his side, he saw the tensai tracing the steps he walked on a moment ago.

"You're leaving?" Tezuka tried not to sound disappointed, but found it hard not to.

"Yeah, I still have some plans. Nice seeing you here, Tezuka."

"Fuji."

The said boy halted in mid step but didn't look back.

"Are you avoiding me?" he saw Fuji look down, his eyes disappearing beneath his bangs, obscuring any expressions.

"I have no reason to." Then he left, but Tezuka was certain he heard the tensai murmured quietly to himself, "But you are giving me good reason to."

'Am I too late, Syusuke?'

'Was it a mistake coming back?'

'Don't you want me back, Syusuke?'

Oishi noticed how preoccupied Eiji was ever since he went back from his visit from Fuji. The redhead seemed to be spacing out and he wasn't in his usual bouncy self.

"Eiji, is something wrong?" Oishi confronted his lover, worried as always. Eiji's smile vanished to be replaced by a serious look that Oishi rarely seen.

"It's about Fuji…" The acrobatic player's voice was broke and sad. It touched him, how Eiji concerns about Fuji, his best friend. It made him think how lucky Fuji is, to have found such a caring best friend like Eiji, that even if they go to separate colleges, they've never failed to keep in touch and visit each other.

"What happened to him?" Oishi's voice was calm and not probing. Eiji sighed heavily and told Oishi everything Fuji confessed to him. The redhead cried, and Oishi wrapped his arms around him, feeling the sadness Eiji exudes affecting him too.

And the redhead explained everything to Oishi, Fuji's hidden affection for Tezuka that he'd kept ever since they were first year in junior high. Oishi couldn't believe his ears; Fuji had endured everything this long, and no wonder Eiji's very affected.

"You mean he loves Tezuka all this time and hasn't even confessed?"

"Yes, he told me that he tried to forget Tezuka…it must really be painful for him when Tezuka left. Come to think of it, I never saw Fuji for about a week after Tezuka's departure and he never even called me then. I thought he was busy."

"Tezuka never told me about anything."

"So did Fuji, he only told me because Tezuka came back and it pains him again, I told him to tell Tezuka, I dunno if I convinced him though." Eiji fell silent, still sobbing as Oshi poundered what Eiji said. It was to be expected that Tezuka won't tell anyone if he even has feelings for the tensai, even Oishi himself, being Tezuka's best friend were devoid of this.

"Want me to talk to Tezuka?"

"No, don't. I don't know what I'll do if Tezuka tells you that he doesn't love Fuji, Oishi…"

"I guess you're right."

"I'm just worried about Fuji…he's really down, and I have never really seem to see real smile from his face, it's always a strained and fake one." Eiji ceased crying but was still looking very disturbed as he leaned his head on Oishi's shoulder.

"Let's just hope things would be better between them, we can only support them from afar." Oishi tried to sound encouraging, knowing that it's the only option that they both have.

"Yeah, I guess so…We can only hope things will be okay."

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A/N: Reviews!!! Any of the sort would be appreciated. I need more encouragement to continue this story!!