Author's Note:
Hello guys! It has been so long since I wrote a Prince of Tennis fic. I hope you people will like this story. The match of Tezuka Kunimitsu and Fuji Syusuke inspired this of course this is NOT a Yaoi or ShounenAi. Nevertheless, I am still hoping that you'll like it. To all the readers out there, thank you for reading. To my ever-dearest Fuji-kun, thank you for inspiring me.
-Raijutei-no-Babylon-
Disclaimers:
I DO NOT OWN PRINCE OF TENNIS.
Battle of the Captains
"It doesn't matter if I win or lose as long as I've got you with me" –Fuji Syusuke
"I promised we'd win… and I don't break my promises…" – Kunimitsu Tezuka
"I love the way you look at me when I play" – Masato Reika
"I'd rather lose than to see you break" – Okami Raila
"Gather around the court!" Coach Ryuuzaki yelled from the main court. The regulars of both the boys and girls team were standing in the front row of all the club members.
"To all the members except the regulars, club activities will be suspended in a week to give way to the preparations for the upcoming mixed double tournament. Those who wish to have a break can do so… while the ones who choose to stay will assist with the regulars' training program. You may go." Ryuuzaki said, most of the club members left the court but stayed outside to watch and observe, while some remained inside the court to aid the training program for the players.
"And as for the regulars, I will group you into pairs and that will be your partner for the meantime, until 'we' have analyzed the right combinations for each individual." Ryuuzaki said and opened her record book. Everyone exchanged looks.
"As I call your name stand beside your partner," Ryuuzaki said and everyone nodded.
"Momoshiro-Seito" she called the first pair. Momo and Sei stood side by side.
"Kaidoh- Rin".
"Kawamura-Sayo," the two looked at each other and smiled.
"Inui-Miyuki," Miyuki raised an eyebrow and then shrugged before standing beside Inui who was currently taking down notes in his own record book.
"Kikumaru--" Ryuuzaki was cut-off as Eiji stood next to Oishi. Ryuuzaki shook her head. "Not this time Kikumaru… Yelan… you pair up with Eiji." She said.
Eiji pouted. "B-But…" Eiji was about to argue but Ryuuzaki's glare stopped him. He just sighed dejectedly.
"Oishi and Yalen," the two looked at each other and shook hands.
"Ryoma- Sakuno," Ryoma raised an eyebrow. Sakuno dropped her things.
"Grandma!" she exclaimed. Ryuuzaki ignored her and said. "You are playing with Echizen, whether you like it or not. It's high time to show how much you've learned from his private coaching." She said. Ryoma looked away while Sakuno blushed. "You think you can hide it from me? Think again." She added with a smirk.
"Next…" Ryuuzaki flipped her notes to the next page when Reika jumped and attached herself to Fuji.
"Fuji-kun and I will play together, right sensei?" she asked happily.
Ryuuzaki sighed and shook her head. "No, you will not… in fact you and Fuji would be playing apart. Your double is Tezuka, while Fuji is paired with Raila." She said.
"WHAT?!" Reika roared.
Tezuka patted Reika's head and leaned down to her ear level. "Be quiet gaki… or else…" he warned her.
Reika pouted cutely. "But sensei… Fuji-kun and I have been paired before and you praised our duo… why not do the same now?" she asked.
"Because I say so… Indeed, you showed good sportsmanship during that practice game with Fuji as your partner, but we want the best game and our goal is to win so I cannot just settle for good. I hope you understand." Ryuuzaki explained. Reika sighed and nodded.
Fuji smiled at Reika and pinched her cheek. "Do not worry kawaii-chan… the pairings are not yet final. Show sensei what you've got she might change her mind and reconsider your request. For now, let's enjoy the games. I am looking forward into having a match with you and Tezuka." He said.
Reika nodded with a faint blush. Tezuka got in the way and pulled Reika away. "It's training time." He said.
Reika waved goodbye and let Tezuka move her.
Everyone went to talk about their regime for the training as Ryuuzaki dismissed them all.
Back in the faculty room, Ryuuzaki sat on her chair and stared at the setting sun. She sighed.
"I wonder how the games will proceed…" a voice from the shadow said as Ryuuzaki sat in her chair.
"If you are that curious then show yourself and watch on your own." She replied.
"Nah, being the invisible teacher suites me better. However, are you sure about the pairings you've decided?" he asked.
"Most yes, but I am worried about these three pairs… Ryoma and Sakuno, Tezuka and Reika and Fuji with Raila. Ryoma can fill the shortcomings of Sakuno and Sakuno can push Ryoma to his best however, can they open up and become a double's pair like no other?" She said.
"My Ryoma is good at anything… he'll learn if it's the last thing he'd do." The voice said.
"Aren't you too hard on your own son Nanjirou?" Ryuuzaki asked.
"Nope, and he knows it. That is why you didn't hear him complain." He reasoned out.
Ryuuzaki sighed. "I guess so." She said.
"How about the captain and the young brat… what are your worries about the two?" he asked.
"Tezuka sucks at doubles." Ryuuzaki said straightforwardly.
"We don't see him play doubles with as much ease as he shows in singles matches… but I can see he and the little siren are a good pair. I don't know… but something between them binds them together." Nanjirou said.
"Maybe because they are childhood friends and that they grew up together?" Ryuuzaki concluded.
"Maybe… how about the genius Fuji and skater Okami?" he asked.
"Well, Fuji is good with doubles… but Raila is… well, average but she… Raila hasn't opened up. She's still locking her potential as a tennis player." Ryuuzaki said.
"A good push can be a good start. You just have to know the right pieces to play." Nanjirou said.
"What do you mean?" Ryuuzaki asked.
Nanjirou pulled out a video camera from his gi handling it to Ryuuzaki. He hit the play button. Raila was talking to Fuji while Reika was angrily watching the two. Tezuka restrained her while he silently glared at the conversing pair.
Nanjirou fast-forwarded. Reika was clinging to Tezuka after practice and Raila was shaking her head disapprovingly while frowning. Then lastly, the most recent just a few minutes ago Fuji was talking to Reika when Tezuka got in the middle and pulled Reika away; Fuji slightly opened his eyes and glared at the retreating duo.
"I mean that… and these…" he said and threw a couple of stolen pictures on Ryuuzaki's desk. The picture contained mostly the pairs Ryuuzaki had created while three particular pictures caught Ryuuzaki's attention. She picked the three up and smiled.
One was a picture of Ryoma and Sakuno while Ryoma was teaching Sakuno proper swinging. Ryoma was looking at Sakuno with a smile while Sakuno was busy blushing.
Then a picture of Tezuka and Raila standing side by side both with their own rare smiles on their faces, it was taken during the Finals of the Tokyo Tournament where both the girls and boys team got into the Kantou Tournament.
Then lastly, a picture of a flushed Reika and a closed-eyed smiling tensai on a snowy night as he kissed her goodnight.
"Are you by any chance some kind of a stalker…?" Ryuuzaki commented.
"Not really… just a silent observer and accidental paparazzi." Nanjirou joked.
"Well see what happens in a week…" she said.
"Yeah." Nanjirou agreed.
Reika stretched her back and jumped on her bed, she had a tiring day. On top of that, she wasn't able to get Fuji as her doubles partner for the ranking tournament. She wanted to play with him. She glanced at her bedside table and saw a picture frame and smiled.
"Come to think of it… Yuuki-nii… it's as if I am playing with you again. I believe Kuni-chan does know how to play your game. No one in this world can play like you except Kuni-chan. We always wanted to play doubles before… maybe this isn't a bad idea after all." Reika murmured.
A knock from her veranda caught Reika's attention. She looked in the direction of the balcony to find Tezuka standing there. She motioned him to come in and he did. He took the picture frame in his hand and stared at it for a while then he turned to her.
"Reika, in the ranking tournament I want you to play with your all. Play like you would play with your brother." He said seriously.
Reika sat cross legged on her bed. "I always play my best in any of my matches," she countered.
"No, you are wrong… you haven't played your best since Yuuki died. Tennis might not be your true passion but thru tennis you have strengthened your bond with your brother." He said.
Reika didn't say a word. Tezuka placed the frame back on the table and patted Reika's head.
"I will make your and Yuuki's dream come true… just play with all your heart." Tezuka said and left her room for his.
Reika didn't stop the tears that escaped her eyes as she roughly wiped them away and plopped down her bed to weep.
Raila arrived early at the training ground with the belief that she would be alone. She pushed the court gate open to see two figures silently practicing the basics of tennis. Raila smiled at the scene the two were making.
It seemed like the two sensed her, which caused the duo turn her way. The girl blushed crimson while the guy pulled his cap down.
"O-Ohayoo… Raila-sempai," Sakuno greeted her.
Raila nodded and smiled. "Ohayoo! I see you two are up for some training. You can use this court. I'll just use one of the other courts." She said.
Ryoma looked away and nodded. Before Raila could leave the court completely, Ryoma called her, and she turned to him.
"Reika-sempai and Buchou are at the track and field grounds even before dawn. Running to and fro the fields for whatever reason… I have no idea." He said.
That surprised Raila but she didn't show it. Curious, she went to the track and field grounds and true to Ryoma's words, there they were... Reika and Tezuka running side by side around the field.
"Don't you think they look so good together… that if I didn't know better I'd say their bond runs deeper than friendship?" Said a voice from above, Raila looked up to find Fuji Syusuke sitting on one of the tree branches.
"Syusuke." She uttered his name. He looked down on her and smiled then returned his attention back to the two individuals on the field.
"Maybe they are trying to increase each other's stamina for the upcoming match?" Raila asked.
"I don't know… what I know is I don't like what I see… don't you agree?" he said and jumped off the tree and walked away. Raila looked back at the pair and sighed.
Reika huffed as they ran the final lap of their morning training. Tezuka woke her up at three in the morning to train with him. According to him, in order to have the best condition both mentally and physically they both had to train the way she and Yuuki used to train.
Which is impossible for both of them…? She and Yuuki were siblings while she and Kunimitsu are just childhood friends and whoever sees them doing that kind of training would think that 'something' is going on between them. The training included unification of both the psychological and bodily aspects of both individuals. They have to think and act as ONE. Complete synchronization should have both the individuals combined feelings and goal.
It's been two straight days. Reika had transferred to his place for the training. She's sleeping on the same bed as he is, drinking the same water, breathing the same air, eating the same food, reading the same books, writing the same things and practically doing everything together.
Everyone on the team had noticed their extreme closeness especially when Reika was literally attached to him. Even during classes, he would spend the half-day at Reika's class and the other half in his. It was tougher than anything but it was not completely impossible.
It was lunch and he knew Reika was extremely tired from the two days of straight training. Reika yawned.
"Do you want to take a nap? My classes are canceled for the afternoon." He said.
Reika shook her head. "I'd rather spend it training so that we can be over and done with this (training)… I haven't trained this way for three years and it's starting to freak me, out especially with the looks everyone is giving us…" she said with another yawn.
"Do not mind them… they would never understand why we have to train this way." he said.
Reika turned to him. "I don't either… Kuni-chan… I know you promised my brother that you would do everything to fill his place but this kind of training is… I know that we can never synchronize the way Yuuki-nii and I did." Reika said.
I stared at her. "Even now… you cannot accept the role I play in your life Reika… I am Yuuki's representative, not his replacement. I am doing this to fulfill not only yours, but also Yuuki's dream to play a doubles game with you." I said.
Reika looked away. "But our hearts can never beat as one." She reasoned out.
"I know… but we are sharing a common feeling… love. I know you've been in love with Fuji since the day you saw him play during our first year days. And you know best who I care for at the moment." He confessed.
"The only one you have cared for aside from me… I think you don't just care for her, I think and believe… you love her." Reika said with a smile.
"We may not feel the same way for each other, but at least we share the same emotion for someone… that I think is enough to have our final synchronization stage." He said.
Reika sighed and nodded.
It's been four days since the announcement of the double's pairs and only one and a half day remained before the ranking tournament. Fuji and Raila were showing the best condition from the other pairs while Tezuka and Reika had been acting oddly for the past few days.
"I don't have any clue as to why Tezuka-Buchou and Reika sempai have to play two singles game at the same time." Ryoma said when he was done with their practice matches with Momoshiro and Seito.
Momoshiro sighed. "I don't know either Echizen… they are acting extremely weird these past few days… I saw them eating a square meal while feeding each other." He said with a heavy sigh.
"I saw them at the library studying in handcuffs." Kaidoh said from his place. Echizen and Momoshiro looked at him with weird looks.
"Handcuffs?" Echizen asked.
"Yeah… the ones used by the police…" Kaidoh said while turning red.
"Hey, you're not thinking anything perverted Viper... or are you?" Momoshiro asked teasingly.
Kaidoh glared at him. Kawamura, Miyuki, Sayo, and Rin arrived and stood watching the two simultaneous singles match between Kikumaru-Reika and Oishi-Tezuka.
After the first half Yalen and Yelan arrived with Sakuno, they were in their school uniforms already as they had finished their training with their respective partners.
Yalen expect Oishi to get beaten. However, Tezuka was not as fierce as he is in his other games. He was not using his famous Tezuka zone and was rallying with Oishi. 'Is he giving him a handicap?' she thought.
Yelan cheered for Kikumaru as he tired Reika out. The scores were even 6-6.
After never ending rallies… Reika and Tezuka made the same pose striking the ball with an equal stance. The ball got in and it took both Oishi and Kikumaru by surprise.
Reika smiled straightened up and made a thumbs up to Tezuka who nodded and patted her head, they shook hands with Oishi and Eiji.
"That was awesome Rei-chin… you and Tezuka are in complete sync…" Eiji said.
Reika shook her head. "This is only the beginning." She said and clung to Tezuka's neck. "I am hungry!" she whined.
"Mom prepared dinner… let's go home," Tezuka said.
Syusuke watched the final shot with amusement. Tezuka and Reika sure are in perfect sync with each other. He noticed Raila watching nearby and he didn't dare disturb her because he knew that she mirrored his exact feelings at the moment. 'Extreme Jealousy'.
He had been jealous of Tezuka since day one. Not only when it comes to tennis but also his relationship with Masato Reika, Tezuka's surrogate sister or that is what he claims she is. But, after seeing them these past few days, he was starting to doubt their relationship. He knew Reika had her eye on him but it all changed since they started training together… and it annoyed the hell out of him. He even thought Tezuka had the hots for Raila but then again he seemed uninterested this past few days and he knew it was affecting the raven-haired girl too.
He decided to leave the training grounds when he saw Ryuuzaki smirk and shake her head. He approached their coach.
"You find this interesting sensei?" he asked.
Ryuuzaki looked at his way and gave another smile. "I won't say a word Fuji. I am looking forward to your match on Saturday afternoon." She said and left.
Fuji slightly opened his eyes in annoyance. He did have this odd habit of glaring full force at no one when it comes to the brunette. A sound from his left caught his attention, he found a cat, more specifically Ryoma's cat carrying something like a white envelope. Curious he took it from the cat and opened it to find a couple of stolen shots of Tezuka and Reika together in their home and around the school.
Fuji was not the type of person who would publicly show his emotions but this time… he had to be honest… he's starting to see red. His grip on his tennis bag tightened as he tossed the white envelope inside his bag.
On his way home he saw Raila sitting on one of the benches at the nearby park in his neighborhood. He almost had forgotten that Raila lives near his place. He walked up to her only to catch her clutching something in her right hand.
"Raila?" Fuji called her.
Raila looked blankly at his direction. "Syusuke," she murmured.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
"I don't know… I always thought that… somehow, Tezuka liked me more than he liked anyone else, especially when he treated me so kindly. But it seems I have misunderstood his intentions after all. He's got Reika by his side most of the time so of course it is her who he likes and not me…" she said.
Fuji noticed a familiar white envelope in her right hand. He sat beside her and took the envelope, it was the same pictures that he got from Ryoma's cat.
"Where did you get these? Who gave them to you?" Fuji asked, scanning the envelope's contents.
"On my locker. No one was around so I don't know who put it there... unless you consider a cat as one, then Karupin is the only suspect I can say." Raila said without interest.
"Karupin is Ryoma's cat right? I got the same items from him this afternoon." He said. Raila stiffened looking at him.
"What do you mean?" Raila asked.
"Someone is purposely sending us these pictures hoping that it would ruin our game tomorrow afternoon." Fuji concluded.
"It's a damn nice scheme… do you think Reika and Tezuka knew about this?" she asked.
"I believe not… who would want to be spied on… but whoever is doing this must be one smart person. We'll it's either we lose our concentration or we turn the tables and we make our opponents lose their concentration." Fuji said.
The all of a sudden both of them stiffened.
"That's it! In order to win we must do everything and anything, even if it means playing dirty. Tezuka and Reika's concentration is solid so we need to break through it." Fuji said.
"But how do we do that?" Raila asked.
"We do the same… if our hunch is correct about us being special to them, they would be affected by our closeness like we were affected by theirs." Fuji said.
Raila looked up at the sky. "And if they were not…?" she asked.
"It's the risk we have to take." Fuji said.
Raila stared at Fuji and nodded.
"I didn't expect you to make a move on Reika…" she said.
Fuji smiled. "It's high time I do… or she might slip through my fingers without me knowing what I was missing…" he said.
Raila smiled as well. "Yeah."
"And I believe Tezuka is not that stupid to let you go… well, I have known him since first year and I have never seen him care for anyone else like he does you… not even Reika." Fuji said.
"How can you say that? I think Reika is the center of his being." Raila said.
"Something is different about the way he looks at you and when he looks at Reika. When he looks at you… it seems like he sees no one but you… but when he looks at Reika there is a certain longing in his eyes and a tender look to it… the one I used to wear when I look at my siblings." Fuji explained.
"I don't have siblings so I guess I will never understand that feeling." She said.
Fuji's smile widened, "Trust me on this one… although with the recent happenings I am starting to doubt that fact as well… I will take the risk of knowing her feelings using the same charade as she and Tezuka seem to be." He said.
"I am not sure if it's a good idea… but I will also take the risk you are willing to take. I didn't fight for my rights before and that is why I lost the only man I loved, I am not going to make the same mistake twice." She said.
Fuji held his hand out and Raila took it, they sealed the deal with a firm handshake.
Behind the trees, a shadow smiled and aimlessly walked away caressing the sleeping cat in his arms.
"Things will be interesting tomorrow… right Karupin?" he murmured as the cat purred in agreement.
"Now then… it's time to fuel up my idiot son." He whispered sinisterly with an evil grin.
Nanjirou walked home and found Ryuuzaki's granddaughter sitting on the porch. He smiled and approached her; he's just a couple of feet away from her when out of nowhere a flying tennis ball hit him on the head. Karupin whined and jumped out of his arms to the ground and he landed on the ground on his face. Sakuno squealed in surprise.
"What do you think you are trying to do old man?" Ryoma's voice asked in complete disgust.
"You damn brat! What was that for?! I was just going to welcome our guest! You didn't have to hit me?!" he roared.
Rinko sighed and shook her head. "Stop it you two… dinner is served. Join us Sakuno-chan… Nanako-san, please bring Nanjirou's sake." Rinko said. Nanako nodded and brought the sake to the dinner table.
The dinner went as peaceful as expected, only because Rinko had restrained Ryoma from killing his father. Nanjirou teased Ryoma to no end. Ryoma swore his father was a freaking freak.
Ryoma accompanied Sakuno to her place as instructed by his mother. Until they reached Ryuuzaki's place they spoke only a few words, but were quite comfortable in their silence. Ryoma bid Sakuno goodnight and reminded her to sleep well in preparation for their match the next day.
The day everyone had been waiting for had finally come. The air was thick with tension. No one knew the final pairings. Inui and Miyuki arrived earlier than the rest and were warming up when Ryoma and Sakuno also arrived. The next pair to show up was Momoshiro and Seito followed by Kawamura and Sayo and Fuji with Raila. Rin and Kaidoh arrived after Oishi, Yalen, Eiji and Yelan. Everyone was doing their own exercises when Ryoma spoke up.
"Where is Buchou and Reika-sempai?" he asked.
Oishi looked around and sighed. "I cannot believe Tezuka and Reika chose this day to be late… I wonder why?" he whined.
Fuji gripped his tennis racket tightly. Raila patted Syusuke's shoulders and he calmed a bit.
Ryuuzaki arrived and clapped her hands.
"Tezuka and Reika will be late today. We will start the matches right now any questions or violent reactions?" she asked.
Raila raised her hand and asked. "Why are they late?"
Ryuuzaki closed her eyes. "Family reasons," she answered monotonously. "It's not our business to meddle with their personal lives. As I said the schedule matches begin when the bell rings. Morning matches are…," she added.
Raila sighed and remained silent.
"Momoshiro-Seito versus Kawamura-Sayo court A" Ryuuzaki announced. The pairs nodded and proceeded to their assigned court.
"Kaidoh-Rin versus Inui-Miyuki court B" Kaidoh and Inui shook hands before leaving the main court.
"Oishi-Yalen will play against Kikumaru-Yelan" Eiji's mouth dropped open.
"What?!" he whined.
"Let's do our best." Oishi teased Eiji and left. Eiji sighed and sulked before Yelan kicked him and move.
"For afternoon matches, Ryoma-Sakuno pair will play against Fuji-Raila pair." Ryuuzaki said.
"But who will play against Tezuka and Reika then?" Fuji asked.
"The truth is… Reika and Tezuka have been in the middle of one on one match since dawn on the west side court. Reika's father called in and said both of them will be late for the mixed doubles match games… and that they, meaning Reika's and Tezuka's family, wished to watch the match of those two against the best winning mixed doubles pair. I have decided that the winning pairs will have decision matches until only one pair remains standing. It is only at that point that I will let Tezuka and Reika play. I will share with the three of you what Reika's father said and I quote… 'Kunimitsu and Reika are at their peak. Not even the best of the best doubles team can defeat them… you will witness the real meaning of synchronization in mixed doubles'." Ryuuzaki said.
Stunned Fuji, Ryoma, Sakuno and Raila were silent.
"I'd like to see that with my own eyes," a voice from behind said. They turned to see Ryoma's father enter the court.
"That is why I insisted you watch and observe Nanjirou." Ryuuzaki said.
Nanjirou shrugged his shoulder. "I am here to watch this brat son of mine and see if he can withstand a mixed doubles match with his 'I am cool' attitude of his." He smirked at Ryoma.
"I'll make you cry old man," Ryoma said.
"Scary brat," Nanjirou countered.
"For now, Ryoma-Sakuno, maintain your focus and do not allow Nanjirou to ruin your concentration." Ryuuzaki said.
Both freshmen nodded and headed to their locker rooms. Raila and Fuji asked for permission to go somewhere else for meditation.
"Be back before your matches." Ryuuzaki reminded. The two nodded.
When the two had left Nanjirou sat on one of the benches inside the court. "I wonder how good the afternoon matches will be…." He murmured.
"I am sure they would be sensational Nanjirou… I have seen Tezuka and Reika's condition this morning when I coached them. It was more than excellent, even the looks in their eyes were more focused than usual. It's like they are playing differently from who they really are." Ryuuzaki said.
"Sounds fun to me," Nanjirou said.
Raila and Syusuke decided to walk around the park. After a while the two decided to take a rest, Syusuke gave a can of soda to Raila as they sat at a vacant bench.
"What do you think is going on with Reika and Tezuka?" he asked.
"I don't have any clue… they'd been acting extremely out of character ever since the beginning so I cannot say much." Raila replied.
"I haven't seen Reika work this seriously before. When she play tennis, it seems to me that she's holding back something, that something is still a mystery to me… if what Ryuuzaki-sensei said is true then this afternoon whoever will play a match with those two can solve that mystery." Fuji said.
"You want to play with them?" Raila asked.
"Yes," Fuji replied.
"I do too…" Raila said.
Fuji looked at her way and smiled. "That's good to hear. Shall we go back now? I believe most of the games are done by now." He said finished off his soda.
Raila finished hers as well and headed back to the school grounds. When they arrived at the tennis grounds the matches' result were written on the tallying board.
Raila read the results and smiled amusedly. "Looks like the afternoon matches will be interesting as well…" Raila muttered. Katsuo and Horio passed by them and they heard the two freshmen talking.
"Did you see it? Reika-Sempai literally wore a kneepad. She never wears one in any inter-school matches. She only uses them during a real match; do you think this is kind of serious?" Horio asked.
Katsuo nodded. "Yeah, and did you notice… both Reika-Sempai and Buchou are beaten up, looks like they had a tough training." He said.
Raila and Syusuke exchanged looks and they went to the main courts. They saw Oishi, Yalen, Miyuki, Inui, Momoshiro and Seito standing outside one of the courts.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be preparing for your next matches?" Raila asked the three pairs. Oishi turned to them.
"They beat Kawamura, Kaidoh and Eiji's mixed doubles team in less than fifteen minutes using the same play. It's unbelievable…." He said.
"Who? Ryoma and Sakuno?" Raila asked again.
Syusuke pointed at the court, Raila looked inside the court to find Ryoma and Sakuno pair as they lost with six games to zero.
Surprised and unable to believe it, Raila stepped forward and was nearly smashed by a flying tennis ball. Fuji pulled her away and the ball hit the fence with unbelievable intensity.
"I never thought Reika's Lightning Shot could be so massive and powerful at the same time that even Echizen cannot counteract it." Fuji said.
"You didn't witness Reika use Tezuka zone and Buchou use Zero Shiki- Lightning shot, it was incredible." Momo said.
"Oh and Fuji… Tezuka used your triple counter with the same accuracy. While Reika used Raila's spiral shots with closed eyes." Inui said as he closed his record book. "It was impossible for me to calculate their synchronization rate. They are in perfect sync as if they are playing the different opponents as one." He added.
"We have decided to withdraw from this afternoon's matches. If there is a pair who can match up with those two, we think it would be your pair Fuji, Raila." Oishi said.
Inui fixed his glasses and Momoshiro nodded as their female partners agreed as well. Raila and Syusuke exchanged looks. As Ryoma and Sakuno walked out of court D. Echizen turned to them.
"It was supposed to be a practice and warm up game but those two are ruthless… I have never seen a duo as brutal as they are… they really pin pointed our weaknesses and didn't give us a chance to counter back. Be careful." Echizen said. Fuji shook hands with him and gave the young genius a smile.
Ryoma shrugged his shoulder before flopping down under the tree nearby to sleep.
Lunch break was tension filled. Reika and Tezuka ate their lunches as usual, yet everyone was observing them.
Reika yawned. "Kuni-chan, can I nap for a while, I am tired." She said.
Tezuka nodded. "Fifteen minutes, then take a shower and prepare for warm ups" he said.
"Thank you." Reika smiled and leaned on Tezuka's shoulder. They expected Tezuka to toss Reika's head off his shoulder as he usually did, but to their surprise Tezuka moved Reika to rest her head on his lap.
"That surprised me. I never thought Buchou has that kind of side in him…" Momo mumbled.
"Me too…" Kawamura said. "I have known him since freshman but he never dared show this side before." He added.
"It would be much better if you people just shut up," Oishi reprimanded them.
Fuji glanced at the pair and his gaze sharpened. Cracking his eye half-open, he watched them.
Raila hit Fuji lightly on the head. "If you show them your weakness then we lose without even trying. Do you understand?" she said. Fuji knew what she meant, but the hidden emotion behind her irises tells him otherwise. After finishing their lunch, he asked Raila to warm up with him to which she agreed.
After a comfortable warm up Raila and Fuji decided to go back to the locker rooms, they caught Tezuka personally fixing Reika's kneepads and rubber shoes. Reika yawned, Tezuka gave her an energy drink, which she took and drank.
"Ne Kuni-chan… can we really do it? Like before?" they heard Reika asked as she looked up at the sky.
Tezuka straightened from his squatting position holding Reika's face between his hands. "Trust me Reika. I promised we'd win… and I don't break my promises… You just have to play like the way you play before… remember… this is not just your game… it's mine and his as well… this is our game." He said.
Syusuke's balled his fists. Raila held them, her eyes containing her emotions. "Fuji Syusuke, if you break now it'll be over." She murmured.
"I know… I know." Fuji replied.
They decided to leave their post, they didn't see Reika looked at their way at them holding hands. Reika spit out her drink.
"What the---?!" she roared.
Tezuka looked at her weirdly. "What?" he asked.
"I may be imagining things these past few days about Raila and Syusuke-kun's closeness… but I can not be mistaken. I saw them just now! Over there! Holding hands!" Reika said between gritted teeth while she pointed at the bushes.
Tezuka's eyes sharpened. "Really?" he asked.
"Is there a point in lying?" Reika asked back annoyed.
Silence Reigned. Tezuka took a deep breathe.
"It must be a plot." He concluded.
"The hell?! Well then… it's a very good one!" Reika muttered under her breath.
Tezuka pulled her. "Listen Reika, maintain your focus." He reminded her.
"Can you?! The girl--- I mean the only girl you ever liked is lovey-dovey with another man?!" Reika reacted, giving hard emphasis on the world 'only'.
Tezuka sighed. He knew that when it comes to Fuji Syusuke, Reika has a tendency to short-circuit. In a way, she was right, there was a possibility that their focus wavered when they watched the two people whom they held close to their hearts doing a 'couple' act in front of them. Even he wasn't sure he's professional enough to withstand it. Then again, he is Tezuka Kunimitsu and being who he is comes with a huge amount of pride.
"I'd die trying Reika because I am not playing for myself but for the person I looked up too since we were young." Tezuka said. Reika stiffened.
"Did I make my point?" he asked. Reika nodded. However, Tezuka had this feeling that Reika wouldn't make it. Her attention will waver and she'll lose her concentration.
True to his prediction, Reika had been missing her focus and was acting based on her impulses, which was bad. 'Very bad' Tezuka thought. Although their pair was faring well he knew he was missing the beat with Reika. He's losing her over her jealousy and envy. He needs to do something or else all their hard work will be for nothing and Yuuki will be extremely disappointed with them… with him.
It was true that he personally could not contain his own jealousy, but as a professional player he must maintain his focus. Reika however, was an open book and cannot control her emotions which Fuji and Raila could exploit. At first, he thought those two were really into 'that' kind of relationship but the more Reika gets angry the sweeter they act, that gave him a hint and the attempt in pacifying Reika. However, Reika didn't catch his hints and continued to aggressively advance on the pair.
After missing the last shot Tezuka Kunimitsu lost it. His patience snapped. He pulled Reika roughly and slapped her. There was a series of gasps.
"Is this how you are going to play Reika? Is this the kind of game you want to show everyone?! To show him." he asked angrily.
Reika wide eyed, stared at Kunimitsu. "Kuni-chan…"
"For once in your life… act your age! I won't be here forever to be your shield and be the absorber of your bad temper. Grow up!" he yelled.
Unable to hold back, Fuji Syusuke went to where Tezuka and Reika were presently arguing.
"Tezuka, you shouldn't have hurt her." He said calmly.
Tezuka looked at him fiercely. "Mind your own business Fuji," he muttered.
Fuji was shocked. Tezuka never showed anger this aggressively.
"Tezuka, Reika, change courts." Coach Ryuuzaki said.
Tezuka cursed under his breath. "Time out." He said and walked off of the court.
Fuji approached Reika. "Are you okay?" he asked, he was about to touch her when she slapped his hand away.
"Do not touch me." Reika mumbled.
Syusuke's eyes widened instantly. Never in his life had he allow anyone to snap at him like that.
Raila caught him and pulled him to their side of court as Reika slumped her body on a bench, her face hidden under her towel.
After a few minutes, Reika stood up from her bench and walked over to Raila and Syusuke, both instantly tensed.
To their surprise, Reika smiled. "Gomen nasai, Honto ni Gomen nasai." She said bowing at them. Raila and Syusuke exchanged wary looks.
"I shouldn't have acted the way I did… I am sorry. Syusuke-kun, thank you for worrying about me. I am fine. Kuni-chan was right. That play was not what I wanted to show all of you today. In the next half, I'll play seriously." Reika said with a smile.
She had begun to walk back to their courtside when she turned again and gave a "V" sign. "Oh! And Rai-chan… Let's make a bet… If Kuni-chan and I wins, you and Syusuke-kun will go out on a date with us. If you and Syusuke-kun wins… we'll do whatever you want us to do." Reika said cheerfully.
Raila stared at her in shocked silence leaving Fuji to respond. "Deal," he said. Reika's smile widened.
"Sealing a deal without informing me that is cheating Rei-ji…" Tezuka's familiar voice said from behind Reika, Reika yelped and jumped, laughing nervously like a child caught red handed.
Tezuka was drying his hair with a towel. When he removed it from his hair almost everyone gasped. Tezuka's hair was not in its usual neat style, rather it was wild and unruly... ever so slowly he removed his eyeglasses.
"How I hate contacts." He murmured. Reika giggled. "Tie my hair up," she said.
Adding to everyone's surprise, he smiled and carefully tied Reika's hair back. This time it was Raila and Syusuke's turn to feel jealous and envious, but as they planned they were determined not to show it.
Murmurs of how handsome Tezuka echoed around the court. They didn't even notice three foreign individuals watching from the stands.
Reika removed her jacket and cracked her knuckles. "Pay back time." She said, closing her eyes. Tezuka smiled, pulling her to him as he gave her a kiss on the forehead. Raila dropped her racket. Syusuke nearly crushed his bottled water.
"Yuu-nii…" Reika mumbled, her eyes were shadowed.
The whistle to begin the second half was sounded. Raila and Syusuke kept up their charade but this time Reika was calm and her focus was solid. It was as if during the half time Reika and Tezuka changed into different people.
Their playing habits changed and both hadn't used their signature attacks. Reika was not using any of her counter strikes and Tezuka was not using his offensive attacks either. They rarely talked but their movements were extremely synchronized.
"Yuu-nii!" Reika screamed as she smashed the ball to Raila's position, Raila anticipated the attack and countered it using her spiral attack, smiling she knew Tezuka can never counter-back spiral. Raila's eyes widen to see Tezuka positioned himself at the back line and hit the ball with ease.
"What?!" She exclaimed.
Tezuka smirked and combed his hair using his hand. "Too bad."
That shocked Raila. 'Tezuka never taunts his opponents'. "Did he just… am I mistaken or not… Tezuka Kunimitsu mocked me?" she asked aloud. Syusuke shrugged.
Reika jumped at Tezuka's back. "You scared me Yuu-nii!" she exclaimed.
"Gomen ne Rei-ji… your turn," he mumbled.
Reika nodded and jumped off his back. She prepared herself to serve the ball. She smiled and posed. "Ne…Syusuke-kun… This ball will disappear. You always say that line before you serve using the disappearing serve, don't you?" she said.
Syusuke gripped his racket tightly. 'What are you planning to achieve by imitating my move huh Rei-chin?' he thought.
Reika smirked. "Now, try to guess where this ball will land Syusuke-kun," she said, twisting the ball before serving it.
Before they knew it, the ball counted home. Reika and Tezuka earned six games to four. Making them the winner.
"Yatta! We won!" Reika cheered smiling widely. She turned to Raila and Syusuke.
"You both own us a date. Oh and Rai-chan… I am not giving up Syusuke-kun." She said before she got dragged by Tezuka to where their parents were.
"Papa! Did you see?! Did you see?!" Reika said happily.
A teary-eyed Masato Rei nodded. "Hai… I saw it Rei-ji… papa definitely saw it." He said patting, Reika's head, Reika hugged him tightly.
"I was able to play it again… papa… once again…" she cried.
Rei held his daughter tighter. "Yes, your brother would have been proud of you." He said.
"Yuuki-nii… I miss him so much…" she mumbled.
"I bet he misses you as much." Tezuka Kuniharu said. Reika looked at him and wiped her tears.
"I know uncle… I know." She said and hugged the older Tezuka.
"My… my… enough of that drama… I think these people deserve some explanation… they were quite taken aback when my son suddenly became less poised and a lot less stiff." Tezuka Ruriko said, referring to the open-mouthed members of the Seigaku tennis team. Tezuka snorted uncharacteristically.
Reika laughed nervously. Tezuka combed his hair and mumbled "Troublesome".
Masato Rei pulled out a picture out of his pocket and held it them. "Can you tell me what you see…" he said.
Most of the members crowded in on the picture. Eiji reacted first.
"ARA?! There was two Tezuka's!?!" he exclaimed.
"I didn't know you have a twin brother Tezuka-Buchou." Echizen said.
A nerve popped out of Reika's forehead. Tezuka sighed.
"Yeah, they look very much alike… where is he? Why isn't he here in Seigaku…?" Oishi asked.
"Are?! Reika's too small here!" Eiji exclaimed again.
"How cute!" the girls squealed. Two additional veins popped out of her forehead.
The older Masato coughed. "May I have it back?" he asked and took the picture away from Syusuke's inspection.
"There are no two Tezuka's. There is only one Tezuka Kunimitsu." He said.
"But the picture!" Momoshiro said.
Another vein popped. Reika clenched her fists.
"This is Tezuka Kunimitsu and the other one is…" Reika's angry voice cut him off.
"MASATO Yuuki… that guy is Masato Yuuki." She emphasized the surname Masato.
"A cousin?" Inui asked.
Reika glared at him. "NO!" she barked.
"Then… he is your brother?" Syusuke asked.
"Isn't it obvious?!" Reika exclaimed.
"No it's not." Everyone chorused. Tezuka sighed as well as the elders. Reika turned red from anger or embarrassment, no one was certain which.
Reika slumped and sulked. "That is insulting," she mumbled repeatedly.
Tezuka shook his head. "That does it… Reika enough sulking. Whether Yuuki and I looked alike or not… that won't change the fact that he is just my best friend and he is and will always be your brother." He said.
"Where is he?" Raila asked.
Everyone remained silent.
Reika stood up and dusted her uniform. "Dead." She answered.
"He died three years ago, in an accident together with my mother… on the day of one of my Nationals fight." She said emotionless.
"Sorry," Raila mumbled.
Reika shook her head. "Don't be… I had a wonderful match with a perfect photocopy of him today. Kuni-chan played Yuuki-nii's tennis play… our play." She said.
"You mean… that game?" Syusuke asked.
Reika smiled and nodded. "That's it! All explained. Ah! We still have to go on our dates!" she said skipping to the locker rooms.
Raila shook her head. "She sounds too happy." She murmured.
"Too happy for her own good." Tezuka said beside her. "I'll go change first." He said and left.
Masato Rei turned to Fuji and Raila. "I'll leave her in your care and Kunimitsu-kun as well. He tends to get depressed over Yuuki's death. Today is the anniversary of his death." He said.
Fuji and Raila exchanged looks and then bowed at the elder Masato. Tezuka's parents smiled and patted the two young kids.
"Tezuka likes Chinese foods and quiet places honey…" Tezuka's mom said to Raila.
"And he dislikes dark places the most," she murmured in Raila's ear.
"What are you telling Raila, mom…?" Tezuka asked as he returned, wearing his casual clothes already.
"Nothing special son… see you at home," his mom said and skipped to his father's side as they left the Seigaku grounds.
"Do not listen to my mom. She over reacts at times… pardon me… that's most of the time…" Tezuka said.
Raila laughed. "It's okay, I'll just go change." She said and left.
Tezuka and Fuji were now the last remaining people on the court. Tezuka didn't say a word. Fuji sighed and held out his hand, Tezuka eyed it weirdly.
"Congratulations," Fuji said with a smile.
Tezuka accepted his hand but he gripped it tightly. "I suggest you drop that face Fuji Syusuke. If you are angry with me, show it or say so… because I don't intend to work with a person who sees me as an obstruction." He said.
Fuji opened his eyes meeting Tezuka's cold gaze. "You never cease to amaze me Tezuka-Buchou… however; I want to make things clear… Reika is mine." He said.
Tezuka chuckled. "Threatened I see… well, I guarantee you I have no interest in Reika. Not in that way… nevertheless, I have a vow to keep. And not even you can stop me." He said.
"At least, I am sure you're not going to steal what I consider mine. If that is clear between us then we're good." Fuji said, his eyes closed again and his ever-present smile was back.
Tezuka smirked. "You are scary Fuji. Worry not. Though I have to warn you as well, mess not with what is mine and I shall not mess with what is yours." He said.
"Deal." Fuji agreed and excused himself to go change.
Tezuka eyed his hands. "Even though he's not that type, he knows how to grip." He said. "Yuuki, I think you just gave me a headache." He mumbled again.
"Who are you talking with?" Raila asked as she approached Tezuka.
Tezuka shook his head. "No one…" he replied.
They were walking side by side when Raila spoke up.
"You did great today. I didn't expect you to play that way…" Raila said.
"Thank you. Your play was amazing as well." Tezuka said.
"So, Reika's brother is your best friend… Yuuki… what a nice name… it means courage and bravery right?" she asked.
"Yes." Tezuka replied, looking at Raila.
"I definitely saw Yuuki then, within you and Reika during the game. Both of you are ferocious and brave. I envy that kind of emotion. I wasn't brave enough to play that kind of game." She said.
"Is that why you wavered at the last second? You could have returned Reika's serve if you didn't hesitate. Reika purposely minimized the impact of the last serve." Tezuka said.
"That is why I didn't return it." Raila said. "I didn't want to win just because both you and Reika gave us a handicap which is unfair because the first half became a handicap game. If we didn't play dirty Reika's game would be solid and we wouldn't be able to play our game." She admitted.
"Wrong. You and Syusuke just made use of the weakness we were freely showing you, that is how you play a game seriously. Play it both body and mind." Tezuka said.
"You sound like an old man." Raila pointed out, Tezuka raised an eyebrow.
They reached the children's park.
"Kidding." Raila said. "Honestly, when I saw you snap. I said to myself. 'I'd rather lose than (to) see you break'," she said.
Tezuka smiled. "I promised Reika we'd win… just like how I promised Yuuki I'd take his place until Reika's wounds were healed." He admitted.
"Don't you think it's a bit too much already? It's been years since he died and Reika's grown up already." Raila asked.
"You think?" Tezuka asked back.
"What do you mean?" Raila asked again as they sat on one of the park benches.
"The truth… Reika never accepted Yuuki's death. All her smiles and cheerfulness was just to hide what she truly feels. The guilt of causing her mother and only brother's death was eating her up." Tezuka said as he sat beside her.
"It's not her fault. Reika said it was an accident." Raila countered.
"Accident that would never have happened if she didn't force her mother and Yuuki to watch her Nationals game." Tezuka said.
Raila was speechless. Tezuka looked up at the sky. "By the time I arrived at the hospital Aunt Yukiko was already dead while Yuuki was on his deathbed. He begged me to go see Reika's game on his behalf because Reika promised the championship medal for him. It broke my heart that even at that moment all he could think of was Reika. I wanted to blame Reika for being so self-centered but what Yuuki told me struck me like lightning." Tezuka narrated.
"What did Yuuki tell you?" Raila asked.
"He loved Reika more than life itself. That Reika's smile was his life. As long as Reika was smiling, he'd live on." Tezuka said. "That is when he made me promise that I'd take his place in taking care of his little sister because Reika could not live without her big brother. Reika was Yuuki's life as well as Yuuki was Reika's." he added.
"You mean to say…" Raila muttered.
"Reika clings to me not because she likes me romantically… she clings to me because she sees her brother in me, she stick to me as she holds to life. And until she finds her new life, someone who can make her whole again I'll have to keep my vow to Yuuki." Tezuka said.
"Are you not tired?" Raila asked.
"No, it's my choice. Besides, I am not sure if I could stand without Reika's annoying self around. Just like Yuuki, I hold Reika in my heart as the sister I never had." He admitted. "But please, do not tell her… I don't want her blackmailing me," he added.
Raila laughed. "Reika sure knows how to bring out the emotions in you Tezuka." She said.
"You are wrong. I never told Reika anything or showed her too much of what I feel. In fact, you are the only one I have shared my feelings with." Tezuka said.
Raila stiffened and blushed.
"I love Reika as a sister, but that doesn't mean I cannot love someone else romantically. It's just a matter of time before I let go of Reika since I found a really annoying and scary man who wants to take my sister on all by himself." He said with a smile.
Raila didn't respond. She just remained silent as she looked up at the sky.
"Raila…" Tezuka called.
"Hmmm?" Raila responded.
"Thank you," Tezuka said as he bent down to kiss her cheek, but Raila moved her head. "For wh--?!" their lips met and Raila's eyes widened. Tezuka smiled and pulled Raila closer to deepen the kiss.
'Oh well…' Raila thought and succumbed to Tezuka's kiss.
"Wha! Look at that! Sugoi!" Reika mused as she looked around the carnival on her date with Syusuke. Syusuke watched her amusedly.
"Ne Syusuke-kun… can we ride that Ferris wheel?" she asked.
"Whatever you wish," Syusuke replied.
"Oh! I want to ride that one as well!" Reika pointed at the boat like ride. "And that one!" she said, referring to the rollercoaster.
"You sure are energetic, even after your vigorous training with Tezuka." Syusuke said.
Reika nearly tripped but Syusuke caught her in time. "Careful," he mumbled.
Reika laughed nervously as Syusuke patted her head. "Worry not my cute angel. I am here to make sure you are enjoying every second of this night." He said.
Reika smiled and blushed.
They rode the Ferris wheel first, the view was spectacular. As Reika watched the lights below from the top of the wheel, she smiled.
"Yuuki-nii used to bring me here… and I use to fear heights but when I am with him I fear nothing." She said.
"How about now? Are you scared?" Syusuke asked.
Reika shook her head. "Amazingly not." She replied and smiled at the tensai.
"That's good to hear." He said.
"Ne Syusuke-kun… about you and Rai-chan." She asked nervously.
"Nothing is going on between me and Raila. I wouldn't want Tezuka hunting my head." He said.
Reika remained silent. "So Kuni-chan was right, it's all just a plot a play to ruin my play… hidoi…" she mumbled.
Syusuke scooted nearer to Reika and pulled her to sit beside him. "It's not what you think… I didn't… we didn't mean to play dirty. We just didn't have a choice. Either we lose outright or we played the way we did." He explained.
"You want to win that badly?" Reika asked, looking into his eyes.
Syusuke saw emotions swimming in those green eyes. Caressing her face, he closed his eyes. "No… It doesn't matter if I win or lose as long as I've got you with me," he thought, and when he opened them again he stared directly into Reika's eyes.
He saw Reika blushed prettily. 'No wonder Tezuka is overly protective of you… you're too open for your own good.' He thought.
Giving her a kiss on the forehead then on the tip of her nose he smiled at her. "As long as I've got you where I want you to be… beside me… nothing matters." He said. He was about to close the gap between them when their ride halted. Syusuke sighed and just gave Reika a hug.
"Let's go and ride that boat thing you were pointing at." He said. Reika squealed and jumped happily out of the ride.
During their ride in the swaying anchor, Reika screamed her heart out. Syusuke held her tightly and watch in amusement. What interested him more than any ride was the myriad of emotions that swam through Reika's eyes through out the day.
Reika clutched Syusuke's hands in front of the rollercoaster. "I think, I changed my mind, let's not ride that thing anymore… that boat thing scared the hell out of me already…" She said.
Syusuke laughed. "Don't worry, I am right beside you." He assured her. Noticing that Reika still looked unsure Syusuke gripped her hand tighter.
"You trust me don't you?" he asked.
Reika nodded.
Syusuke pinched her nose. "Then let's ride it. I am sure you'll love the feeling" he said.
"Alright…" she mumbled in agreement.
In a few minutes, they were already seated on the rollercoaster and Reika was shaking like a leaf. Syusuke smiled, he knew exactly what would calm his angel. He held her hands between his. "Relax," he muttered.
Reika nodded. As the safety belt was secured the ride began. Reika clutched Syusuke's hand tighter.
Syusuke smiled. "Rei-chin" he called her. Reika looked at him with a forced smile. He chuckled, kissing her forehead then the tip of her nose, she blushed and blinked.
"Close your eyes..." he mumbled. Reika obeyed and closed her eyes.
As the ride began to accelerate Reika could feel her stomach clench in fear. 'Scary,' she thought. But as she felt Syusuke's kiss it felt like all her fears disappeared. Especially when he ordered her to close her eyes. She thought that Syusuke just wanted to help her ease her fear, she didn't expect him to kiss her lips next. She was about to open her eyes but Syusuke held her neck and mumbled in her ears. "Don't open your eyes… just feel it."
Syusuke felt Reika relax into his kiss and driven by need and want he kissed her deeply. Lovingly. 'I might not have said anything yet… but through this… let me share my feelings with her… Reika.' He thought.
Reika didn't know which was more scary… the rollercoaster ride or her emotions at that moment. Emotions and feelings only a certain tensai named Fuji Syusuke could evoke in her. She didn't know how long they were kissing, the next thing she knew the crowd roared in cheers.
They parted ways and watched the ride slow down. Reika blushed red as Syusuke's smile widened. As they descended from the ride silence reigned, but it was a comfortable silence with their hands still clasped together.
"Hungry?" Syusuke asked.
Reika shook her head. "Aunt Ruriko and Papa will prepare dinner for us." She said.
"Want to go home?" he asked, Reika looked unsure. Syusuke patted her head. "We can always go out." He said. Reika smiled and nodded.
As they reached Reika's and Tezuka's residence, which were side by side, Syusuke pulled Reika into a kiss and hugged her tightly.
"I haven't congratulated you for winning. This is my reward for you. You played well. I love seeing you play, more so if you are playing with me." He muttered.
"I love the way you look at me when I play," Reika mumbled.
Syusuke chuckled. "How true… how true." He murmured.
Reika blushed and pulled away from him. "Next time, I'll take you to meet Yuuki-nii, he'll be happy to meet you." She said.
Syusuke smiled weirdly. "I wonder… the surrogate seems to dislike me what about the original?" He said.
"Huh?" Reika asked.
"Forget it. Go in already, they might be waiting up for you. Good night." Syusuke said.
"Good night! I had fun tonight." Reika said and then entered her house.
Syusuke turned to the person leaning against the wall beside him. "Good evening Tezuka-Buchou." He said.
"You sure are a fast worker Fuji. Be careful not to get nicked, it would be very painful." He said.
Syusuke smiled. "Thank you for the advise, but I beg to differ… I wasn't as fast as you think I am… if I were that fast as you said, I would have acted before and not just today… how long has it been since Reika fell for me? Years ago right? And it took me only now to realize that… so I therefore conclude, I am not that fast. However, in your case… well that is… fast." He said.
Tezuka snorted. "Don't think this is over Fuji, Reika is still young. You might have my approval today, but I cannot assure you that Yuuki will approve as well." He said and bid Syusuke good night.
Syusuke smiled while watching Tezuka enter his house. He flipped his mobile phone open and opened a Multi-media message he received a few hours ago from where Tezuka and Raila were kissing.
"How true… this is not over Buchou…" he said and left with a final glance at Reika's room.
"Good night my lovely angel," he murmured.
THE END!
Author's NOTE:
The end at last! LOL. My POT fic update for "The Prince of my Heart Series". May I remind the readers that these fics are all one shots, some stories might be intertwined but not exact continuations. And some information is different from the previous fics. Like the BONUS fic where I killed Reika, but then she was alive in the next chapter, that is because the stories are unrelated. Some are but not ALL. I say this because the next POT fic I will write will have different set of plot than this series of one shots. The next story will contain alternate universe or OCCness. *smiles*