Truth be told, he was still in shock. Surely, fate was playing with him. Of all people in the world, he had least expected Fuji Syusuke to be his wedding photographer.
"You look really well Tezuka, I can't believe we meet again" Fuji admitted as they headed out of the café after discussing the preparations for the wedding.
Tezuka merely nodded at that as remained he stoic. Fuji let out a soft chuckle. "Mou, you haven't change much buchuo, you're still an ice block" Fuji joked. Tezuka eyed him, he couldn't comprehend how Fuji was still able to talk like nothing happened.
He knew how distraught Fuji had been when he rejected the tensai during their middle school and he felt really bad for not contacting him but he had no idea how he should talk to Fuji.
"Ne Tezuka, do you hate me?" Fuji asked suddenly causing Tezuka to stop his tracks as he looked at Fuji.
"What do you mean?" Tezuka asked. He almost wanted to bite his own tongue, of course Fuji would think he hated him because he never made any contact with him while the other regulars were fully aware of everything that happened to him.
No. He did not hate Fuji. He never did hate him.
But what was he suppose to say?
'I don't hate you, but rather I was afraid?'
Hell no.
Tezuka Kunimitsu was not afraid of such trivial things.
He just had no clue how he should talk to Fuji after that rejection.
"I think you know what I mean" Fuji pointed out.
"I… I don't hate you Fuji" Tezuka replied.
"Ne, if that confession from back then bothers you then you shouldn't worry. I mean, it's all in the past now, and I know both of us have alredy move on, so don't worry ok?" Fuji assured as he neared Tezuka.
"Let's just go back to the way we were before, let's be friends ok?" Fuji smiled.
Tezuka merely nodded in agreement as he couldn't seem to utter a response.
Friends?
Oh, so they were back to being friends.
That's fine.
It's not as if he had expected more.
Fuji felt himself tremble. It had taken every ounce of strength to pretend that he was fine and that he had moved on. It was an obvious lie but Tezuka doesn't seem to notice or maybe Tezuka never bothered to notice.
Maybe it was really the best thing to do, to return to being friends again. It should be easier than pretending that he moved on.
Being 'friends' is a lot better than being 'nothing' to Tezuka.
Only 2 more weeks. He only had to endure two more weeks before he can finally say goodbye to Tezuka.
And by that time it will be the ultimate 'goodbye'.
Fuji let out a bitter smile as he walked ahead of Tezuka so that the stoic boy would not see his face.
He felt like a complete idiot. He had been rejected once and he still hoped that Tezuka might like him back one day. Well, fat chance. Especially now, since Tezuka was getting married.
"Would you like to visit Oishi?" Tezuka asked.
"Hmm, sure… their apartment is just a few blocks from here, we could walk" Fuji replied as he snapped out from his thoughts.
The two of them headed to the apartment that Oishi shared with Kikumaru. The two had been living together since they graduated from college. Just like Inui and Kaidoh, Fuji took a quick glance at Tezuka. If Tezuka hadn't rejected him before then maybe they would have also been living together.
Fuji shook his head at the thought. He shouldn't be thinking that way, he did say that they were going back to being friends right?
"Nya! Oishi! Oishi! Tezuka and Fuji are here!" Kikumaru shouted excitedly as he led the two inside their house.
"Wow, it's been a long time Tezuka" Oishi greeted as he saw his friends and lover enter the living room.
"Aah" was the simple reply that came from Tezuka.
"Nya Fujiko, how come you and Tezuka are here together?" Eiji asked curiously. Oishi glanced nervously at Tezuka then to Fuji.
"Saa, remember what I told you? I'm going to be Chiharu Kanzaki's wedding planner, and Tezuka here" he paused "is the groom" he continued with a soft smile.
Eiji's eyed widened in surprise and was about to say something when Oishi interrupted. "Ah, is that so? Congratulations then to the both of you" he chuckled nervously.
"Thanks" Fuji replied still smiling. Eiji took a quick glance at his friend as he stood up and excused himself to make tea, Fuji followed him and left the former captain and vice captain to chat with one another.
"What the hell was that all about?" Eiji asked annoyed. "Ne Eiji, you shouldn't worry too much, it's ok" Fuji assured. Eiji let out an exasperated sigh as he turned to face Fuji.
"Nya Fujiko, I know it's not 'ok'. You've always been like that, you always say you're ok even if you're not" Eiji wailed.
"Well, wouldn't it be selfish of me to think only about my own sake and disregard the feeling of others?" Fuji countered calmly.
Eiji gave his best friend a sad look. "But Fuji, you've always disregarded your own feelings, a little selfishness wouldn't hurt" Eiji insited.
Fuji opened his eyes revealing sad azure crystal orbs with a soft smile on his face that made Eiji flinched.
"I did try once but got rejected and the outcome of that selfishness caused a large barrier between me and Tezuka and now that we're back to being friends I wouldn't want to risk losing him again even if its just for the sake of us staying as friends" Fuji explained.
Eiji felt he lost all reasons as he stared at his friend.
"If that's what you really feel then I'm fine with it, but just a little warning. No regrets" Eiji said.
Fuji nodded in agreement. "No regrets…" he whispered softly.
The two of them headed back to the living room and continued chatting with the other two. They talked mostly about tennis and the wedding preparations.
It was nearly seven pm when Fuji and Tezuka left. They lost track of time due to a wonderful get together with their former teammates. The two of them walked silently but the awkward atmosphere has somewhat ceased between them.
"It's nice to catch up on things ne?" Fuji chuckled softly. Tezuka let out a small smile in response, it was a really nice feeling to be able to talk to his old friends like they used to when they were in middle school.
"I'll take you home Fuji" Tezuka insisted just as Fuji was about to bid him farewell when they neared the bus station.
"Are you sure? I mean… wouldn't it be a bother?" Fuji asked slightly flushed, he knew he shouldn't be feeling that way but he couldn't help it.
"Aah, it's fine. I have nothing else to do anyway and I wanted to make up for ignoring you all these time" Tezuka muttered.
They walked back to the café where they had met that morning since Tezuka's cae was still parked there.
"Where should I drop you off? At your house?" Tezuka asked. Fuji shook his head. "I live alone now, at my apartment… I'll just tell you where to go" Fuji replied.
It didn't took them long to arrive at Fuji's apartment, it was also quite near to the café. "Would you like to have a cup of tea first?" Fuji offered as he stepped out of Tezuka's car.
"No thanks, I shall pass this time since Chi is already at home" Tezuka declined. Fuji felt his spirit sink.
'He calls her Chi…'
Tezuka stared at Fuji's expression and couldn't quite comprehend why he felt bad for turning him down.
"Is that so? It's ok the, see you tomorrow, oyasumi" Fuji smiled softly as he slowly walked away.
"Next time" Tezuka mutterd softly but enough for Fuji to hear.
Fuji felt his heart beat faster as he turned around once more facing Tezuka.
"I'll definitely enjoy a cup of tea with you next time" Tezuka said and gave a curt nod before driving away.
Fuji felt his knees go weak as he placed his hand on the wall for support.
How the hell was he going to forget Tezuka when the man was so sweet? How could he move on when all the bespectacled boy would do was smile at him and he would melt?
How could they be friends when he is well aware that he still loves Tezuka?
Fuji almost felt like crying. Why did he say such a stupid thing such as going back to being friends when from the start he is the one who couldn't do it.
He let out a frustrated sigh as he went to his apartment, he went to the living room and checked his phone for any messages. Most messages where from work but the last message caught his attention.
"Fuji, it's me… ore sama came back to Japan yesterday, how are you? It's been a long time, hope we could catch up some time again, ore sama will be staying a bit longer this time, give me a call when you're hear this"
Fuji gave a soft chuckle. Really, Atobe should have just called him on his cell phone.
Fuji smiled once more, he was really glad Atobe returned. When Tezuka left for America, he and Atobe became closer, it was weird at first, considering that he didn't talk much to the narcissist. But surprisingly, Atobe could be really nice if he wanted to, and he could be a real jerk as well.
But Fuji enjoyed his company, Atobe made him forget about Tezuka. Even if only for a couple of hours.
Tbc.......
Sorry if i had to stop here.., hope you enjoyed it! Plz review ok? *wink* ^_~