Disclaimer: I will own Prince of tennis!...in my next life

Chapter 13: Memoir of Beethoven

"Be ready by 7." Tezuka firmly stated, his glasses gleaming in the sunset.

I nodded and disappeared behind my gates while he did the same. What was my plan for tonight? Finish the rest of the homework. I have to be careful not to do too much though, I feel a bit light headed.

Saturday night…

"Coming!" I yelled out as I grabbed my purse. I opened the door and there, I found my stoic neighbor, as handsome and as ill-tempered as usual. It's a shame how his appearance doesn't match his qualities…

"Hi Tezuka-Kun, Thanks for inviting me to the concert!" I said while we walked towards his parents' car, which was parked outside my gate.

"Unh." Was all he said, but he gave me a questioning look as he glanced at what I was wearing. True, this is summer but today I didn't feel too well so I wrapped a scarf around my neck and gloved up on my hands.

"Oh, my parents are afraid I might catch a cold since it is during the night. Besides, the concert is at Rose Ball right?" That place is out in the open. At least I'm prepared for the cold.

He also gave another look at the empty cement area where my parents' cars are usually parked.

"My mom is working overnight today because there are extra patients at the hospital and my dad is going out with some new business partner." I answered instantly, hoping to satisfy his wonders. He nodded and opened the door to his black Mercedes.

The car ride was not very joyful since the chauffer seemed to be as grumpy as his young master and you know typical Tezuka, doesn't talk much at all. I was fine with this since I my head was starting to throb with some pain.

There were thousands of people at the Rose Ball, and we received free light-up star shaped pin so the whole Rose Ball was sparkling beautifully. It looked as though Tinkerbell has sprinkled her golden powder on the field.

Thanks to the exclusive tickets, we got sit in the top box and had the perfect view. The concert started with Beethoven's symphony number 5. I already saw people yawning and lying down using the empty seats. Too rude I thought. The middle aged man next to me yawned, "Oh my gosh, my boss asked me to come watch this, he should consider more for the people that doesn't like music. It'll just serve as a lullaby for me."

Then he turned to me, "Shouldn't girls like you stay at home to do something more exciting?"

I smiled, "True, this concert may not appeal to many people my age but I find the music soothing and it's beneficial in that it develops my imagination."

"How so?" the man asked as though he asked a teacher, "Because if you notice the uses of instruments and the change of dynamics…" I contradicted him of his Boring Theory by the end of the conversation.

Tezuka couldn't help but eavesdrop. It's not eavesdropping, he denied. I'm just hearing the conversation because she's right next to me. Tezuka convinced himself. Besides I have to make sure she's not arguing with someone right? Not like she would ever do but…

He was surprised Mina actually enjoyed the concert. Like the man next to her said, most girls in junior high school had no interest in these things. They mostly cared about boys, hanging out with friends and beautifying themselves. There's nothing wrong with it, that's just the way it is. But Mina's different. She seems to take advantage of everything she can to get something out of it. Yeah…that's why she's always taking copious notes in classes but…(Flashes back to when he saw her studying at her 10 inches thick notebook compared to his two pages of notes…) And why am I analyzing her?!

"That was great!" I commented, taking Tezuka's arm as to not to lose him in the army of people.

Her hands are strangely warm…Tezuka thought as she took his arm. Or maybe I'm warm? he took his free hand and felt his cheek, which was ice-cold.

"You're not feeling well, are you?" I was surprised at his sudden declaration. I thought he was going to say something about me grabbing his arm.

"I'm fine." I smiled, but of course I knew I was feeling a tad bit dizzy. I just didn't know someone was so quick to catch that.

In the next second, I think he practically dragged me to the car, I could barely remember.

"I'm really fine, Tezuka-Kun," I whined as he hauled me into my house after I opened the door. But Tezuka is Tezuka, he is not known to be a follower.

"Where is your thermometer?" he questioned right away and I pointed at my drawer.

He immediately opened it and stared at the drawer which was filled with countless medicine bottles and pills. He lost no time in finding the thermometer and forced my mouth open.

He's worse than my doctor…I smiled at his rough medical care, since he was always known to be calm at all times. He gave me a look that seemed to say "I wouldn't be smiling now if I were you," and placed a hand over my forehead.

I knew she didn't feel well at the beginning…why didn't I do anything about it before? Tezuka thought as he gathered a blanket around her.

The thermometer rang and the tall boy snatched it out of my mouth before I was able to raise my hands.

"41.5 degrees Celsius," he glared causing me to smile guilty, And she said she was fine. (Normal is 36 degrees Celsius)

"Tezuka-Kun, don't worry I'm fine, I usually just take these pills," I said pushing him away gently and approaching my drawer wobbly.

Tired of my evasiveness, he finally picked me up and dropped me on the bed.

"Which pills did you say?" he turned to the drawer, unaware that my temperature rose at least 2degrees.

"The white bottle with the red capsules." I answered, finally giving up in persuading him to go home. Besides, my 41.5degrees was coming into effect.

The authoritative figure handed me the bottle and a cup of water. I gulped it down reluctantly and pulled the comforter over my neck. I expected Tezuka to finally head home but he didn't.

I looked at him questioningly, "I'll stay with you until your parents come back." It was his turn to interpret my gaze.

"Don't bother," I said instantaneously, "I told you, my mom has to work overnight and I'm sure my dad will return sometime tomorrow." But I regretted saying this immediately as Tezuka repeated, "I'll stay with you until your parents come back."

I should have lied…I thought, but of course that wouldn't work either.

For a long time, he sat beside my bed, occasionally staring out the window but he didn't move an inch.

I was used to being alone most of the time but having company wasn't bad.

I gazed at the stern but beautifully sculpted face as he continued to watch over me. We began a staring contest as the silence continued.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" he questioned, unable to stare at me in silence no longer, "Because I'm not sleepy?" I pointed out, laughing feebly, "But I'm resting."

"Tell me a story, Tezuka-Kun." I requested, hoping to break the silent period, "Your story, Tezuka-Kun." I added as he got up to fetch a book from my giant book shelf.

He slowly sat back down and the moment of silence began again. I thought he decided to just proceed watching over me but to my astonishment, he began to talk in his deep baritone voice.

"There was a traveler that sought to cure pain and catastrophes of this world..."

I smiled in content as I pulled up my comforter higher. His story is infused with his quality, It seems to define who he is: curious, intelligent and rebellious.

Before he was able to finish I had fallen asleep. His deep voice was soothing and gave me a sense of security. For a minute or so, Tezuka watched over the sleeping figure, unaware that his expression was softening as time passed by.

Oh, I have to call my parents. Careful not to wake Mina, Tezuka exited out the room lightly.

"…No, I'm not sure what time I will be home. Yes, I'm fine. Bye, mother." He was finally able to end the conversation with his mother and head back upstairs.

Mina was still sleeping soundly but he noticed she was breathing more heavily. Maybe she's in a deeper sleep? But as he got closer to the sleeping beauty, cold sweat was dripping down her blushing face. He took a hold of her hand which was burning hot now. He ran back down to call his mother, "Mother, will you please come over? I think Aizawa-san is getting worse. I think we need to call a doctor now."

In a second, his mother had rushed over and they were both gazing down on Mina.

"Yes, I think we need to call a doctor, and her parents if possible." But emergency contact numbers were nowhere to be found and Ayane Tezuka was forced to call her doctor over.

"Kunimitsu, go take a shower and eat dinner." She ordered when she came back to the bedside. Her son stood still for a moment, "Now, Kunimitsu, I'll take care of Mina-Chan so you take care of yourself." Ayane was surprised, her son never failed to follow her rules and order, is he maturing now? Not that her son was immature, the more correct way to put it maybe, is he more caring now? Tezuka nodded finally and after casting a last glance, he headed towards his own house.

"Dr. Yamaguchi, I've been waiting for you," Ayane greeted as she held the door open to let a middle aged man with a lab coat on, "I apologize to have called you at this time, but there is a patient upstairs."

The doctor nodded and followed the female into a girl's bedroom. They hurried toward the patient since the breathing was similar to panting now.

"…high fever. Need injection" the doctor muttered and reached into his first aid box to set up the syringe.

"Mina-Chan, Mina-Chan." Ayane called. I think it's better if she knows she's receiving a shot, if not she might wake up screaming.

I was barely able to open my eyes. Light headed and blurry visioned, I wasn't clearly able to make out who the figures were.

"Mina-Chan is it?" the doctor said while taking my left arm out, "I need to give you an injection so that your body can cool down a bit." What he said didn't register in my mind but the doctor didn't need my permission anyway.

I just felt a small pinch and I fell asleep just a moment later.

"Mrs. Tezuka, are you her guardian for now?" Ayane nodded, "Did her parents tell you any of her condition?" To this, she shook her head.

"It appears that she seems to be suffering a high fever but…I'm not sure if her or her parents are aware that she has leukemia." Without waiting for a response, he continued, "For now, her fever will go down and she will be able to recover, however, she needs a bone marrow transplant fast. Her bones are starting to deteriorate." Ayane clearly knew the effects of leukemia. That's the same disease that Lily had... "The best that you can do is watch over her, try to keep her body temperature cool and persuade her to eat something so that she can take this." He uttered as he handed the dumbfounded lady a bottle of amoxicillin. Exciting her trance, Ayane thanked the doctor and walked him to the door. She bowed one last time and headed upstairs to find Mina with her eyes open.

"Mina-Chan how are you feeling?" But even without asking, the injection seemed to have an effect as her face was only slightly red and her breathing was normal.

"Better, thanks so much oba-chan" I replied, my voice husky. I guess my tonsil is a bit swollen. I tried to sit up to get a bottle of medicine when Ayane's hands pressed me back down.

"Whoa, just because you feel a bit better doesn't mean I'll allow you to walk around, you have to rest." Ayane added smiling, "What do you need?"

"I'm sorry to trouble you oba-chan," I said apologetically, "I wanted to get a bottle of amoxicillin in my drawer. My throat seems to be swollen a bit."

She nodded and opened the drawer. Unfortunately, I forgot that I was supposed to prevent anyone from looking into the drawer.

Ayane saw countless pills of every color and capsules of all sizes and countless business cards. She gazed at the world of medicine and picked up a business card, it was printed Hayami Shou, Chemotherapist.

I, on the other hand, was getting too dizzy to put together what the middle-aged woman was doing.

"Ne, Mina-Chan," Ayane began as she handed me the bottle but she shook her head when I looked up questioningly.

"Thank You so much." I took the bottle carefully and began to screw the cap off, "Oh Oba-Chan, it'll be better for Tezuka-Kun to stay away from me for awhile. I might infect him."

This is it…I must do it…she already knows her own condition, Ayane pushed herself, the countless medicine bottles confirmed that Mina has leukemia. What's wrong with talking about what she already knows?

Ayane took a deep breath, "Ne, Mina-Chan…" she began hesitantly, "Do you have any unusual health condition?"

I froze for a second, but looking at her expression, I understood that she knew my condition.

"The doctor recognized your symptoms and suggested that you find a bone marrow donor as soon as possible. I'm sure you already knew?"

"Yes, I did…" I answered quietly, "Since when?" she questioned me like a lawyer nailing a defendant.

"After I moved here, like 2 months ago." I avoided her eyes, the eyes that seemed to reach down beneath my soul. I was truly afraid of my emotions that may be dug up if I was questioned further.

She said no more however, and I was thankful for it. She sat by my side and held my hand as if my mom would have done.

"Is it painful?" she asked a moment later, "Having such health and you seem to hide it from the world."

I didn't want to answer any more questions, I felt like she was trying to pry my heart open, "I'm used to it," I answered with a smile, "I like to keep things to myself, because I'm afraid of being judged by others. I know that's cowardly but I want to convince myself that there's no such things as disadvantage. I want to live life to its full extent using my abilities and without any intervention." Ayane smiled and said no more.

I regretted what I said; I don't even know if it made sense to her. Seems like my heart was just blabbing the emotions that I trapped ever since I was born I felt vulnerable since she seemed to have penetrated my barriers. Occasionally she put her hand on my forehead to feel the temperature and pretty soon, I fell asleep.

"Oh, you were here?" Ayane commented as she found her son nestling on the sofa.

"How is she?" the poker faced son asked his mother, "She's fine. As long as she gets a good rest she'll recover by tomorrow. It's up to you if you want to stay or not. I think I'll go back now."

Her son just stayed in the same position as she headed toward the door.

"You have many similarities with Mina-Chan." She added as she opened the door.

Question marks were etched all over Tezuka's face as he watched his mother closed the door.

I hope this was interesting enough…Thanks for the reviews!! You guys are such sweeties!! I hope you can do the same for this chapter too!!