Tezuka was surfing the net when an alert popped into his screen indicating that he got an e-mail. He opened his mailbox only to find his inbox overflowing with birthday messages and greetings. He scrolled down the screen looking through the names of the senders; he was looking for a certain name hoping to find an e-mail from him. Tezuka sighed. Of course he won't get one from him; he was the one who left him after all.

…oOo…

It was Tezuka's 14th birthday today yet he seemed like it was just an ordinary day. There were greetings and gifts here and there from various fan clubs but he just shrugged it off politely as if uninterested. Fuji noticed this of course, being Tezuka's friend, so he tried to talk to him.

"Saa…nice day isn't it?" Fuji asked Tezuka while approaching him on the rooftop. Tezuka was surprised; he was thinking a lot lately that he often found himself unfocused.

"Aah…" was the only reply.

"So what's bothering you?" Fuji asked after an awkward silence, sensing Tezuka's reverie.

"Huh?" was the only thing he managed to say, obviously occupied with something else.

"Wow that was un-Tezuka like." Fuji said amused.

"Hn."

"So what's bothering you?" Fuji asked. Tezuka didn't reply nor even move so Fuji just kept silent. Moments later a strong gust of wind passed through them revealing Tezuka's glassy eyes that were previously covered by his hair. Fuji saw and started to look into Tezuka' eyes. Tezuka took note of the concern in Fuji's eyes and thought that maybe, just maybe he can finally trust someone.

"My father beat me again…" Tezuka started to share his problems with Fuji, finally realizing that he can't hold such emotions alone anymore.

"Again?" Fuji asked confused.

"Aah…he always hit me especially when he's in a very bad mood. He always says that I shouldn't waste my time with tennis, that it will just give me problems. He said I should focus myself on my studies more…"

"But you're one of the top students here, what more could he ask more?" Fuji said surprised that Tezuka has a problem like that.

"Probabaly a lot more, but I don't care I'm used to that pressure anyway, he even wants me to study abroad. I mean I tried to stop playing, my mind keeps on telling me to stop and just follow him and study but my heart won't agree with me. My heart belongs on the court, I belong here. So when I said that to him he just started to hit me and things got worse when we lost the family business. That's when he started to get drunk and hit me everyday. I got used to it anyway so it doesn't matter to me that much anymore but…" Tezuka trailed being for the first time. "Just when I thought that maybe, maybe just this once he would stop since it's my birthday, but he didn't , he even said that I don't deserve to celebrate my birthday, so when I heard people greeting me a while ago…I don't know I just…" Tezuka continued tears now threatening to fall from his eyes. "All I wanted was for him to just greet me, is that too much to ask?" Tezuka added softly. Fuji patted him softly on his right shoulder knowing that if did that to his left it would hurt.

"Saa…now that I think about it, I haven't even greeted you…gomenasai…" Fuji said. "Ne, I'll treat you to make up for it." Fuji offered trying to cheer Tezuka up.

"No, it's okay thank you." Tezuka refused politely.

"Ne, I won't take no for an answer." Fuji insisted cheerfully.

"Thank you." Tezuka said sincerely.

"Fuji." Tezuka called as they were walking out of the school.

"Hn?"

"Promise me you won't tell anyone about my problems okay?" Tezuka said.

"Why? Are you insecure?"

"Maybe, but I'm more of afraid than insecure"

"Why?" Fuji asked confused.

"Do you promise?" Tezuka asked instead of answering Fuji.

"Okay…okay…but do promise me something Tezuka…" Tezuka was now looking at him curiously. "Promise me that you won't show your emotional side to others than me okay?" Fuji smiled playfully. "I want to be the only one to see the other side of the Tezuka Kunimitsu, it makes me feel…special." Tezuka was now stunned, he never thought of it that way. "And don't worry if you dad won't greet you a happy birthday every year cause I promise that I will, even if you don't want me to, because you're special to me…"

"Thank you." Tezuka said as he smiled for just a second but long enough for Fuji to see.

…oOo…

Tezuka sighed as he remembered that promise. He thought that it won't matter to him that much but now it did.

"You've got mail." The alert signaled. Tezuka clicked on the message and read.

TO: Tezuka Kunimitsu

FROM: Kikumaru Eiji

SUBJECT: Happy birthday, buchou

Nya, buchou, I'm so sorry for the late greeting. It's just that we're busy and all. Sorry! Happy birthday once again! We miss you so much! Though I think Fujiko misses you more. OoOps…gotta go!

Eiji

P.S. I got your e-mail from Oishi I know you don't want us to know your contacts but don't get mad at him, I insisted, nya!

Tezuka found himself smiling. He missed that big ball of energy from Kikumaru. He missed everyone. He missed Fuji. Didn't Eiji just say that he missed him too? Wait, that shouldn't matter anymore right?

Tezuka then clicked on the compose button and replied.

TO: Kikumaru Eiji

FROM: Tezuka Kunimitsu

SUBJECT: Re: Happy birthday, buchou

Thank you and don't be sorry, it's still my birthday here in London. Effects of International Date Line I suppose. As a matter of fact I'm just waiting for my friends here. I don't know how they got me to celebrate my birthday anyway. It's not like I want parties or these sorts of things. Oh well I think I need this break too. Say hello to Oishi for me. Ja

Tezuka

P.S. I'm not your captain anymore, unless you want laps?

This e-mail was a bit longer than any of his other e-mails but it's okay, they haven't been in contact for months now after all. Tezuka looked at his watch, they shoul be here by now.

"Kunimitsu, let's go the rest are waiting for the man of the hour!" His friend, Bob called over him.

"Coming!" Tezuka replied as turned off his computer.