Disclaimer: I do own the characters of PoT
How long has it been since he last saw her?
It was around that time of the year when that accident happened… seven years ago. It has been seven years yet his memories of her were still clear in his mind like everything happened only yesterday.
Tezuka took a stroll along the streets of Tokyo as he watch the people passing his way, minding their own affairs. He just returned only recently from his last tournament in Europe. Things became very busy for him since he became a pro tennis player that having a spare time to have a leisure walk in his home land became a luxury for him.
The sweet smell of freshly made cakes lingering in the air caught his attention. His stomach made a silent growling sounding reminding him that he had not taken anything for breakfast that morning. He followed the smell and found himself standing in front of a cake shop. It was the same cake shop where he and she last ate together.
He peeked through the glass window. His eyes travelled to the table where he sat together that day with her. As if his eyes were toying with him, he saw her sitting on that same seat, waving at him while wearing that same sweet smile of hers. He blinked his eyes several times and when he looked again on that spot, it was empty. Feeling nostalgic, he decided to go inside.
He sat on that seat where he thought he saw her earlier, as he observed the whole shop. The place looked exactly as it did back then: from the tables and chairs, the paintings on the wall, the lightings hanging on every corner— nothing had changed. It still gave off that comfortable ambiance of being at home.
As his order arrived, he recalled how full their table was with all the sweets she ordered. He remembered how her eyes sparkled in delight with all the food laid in front of them. The place reminded him so much of his moments with her… before that accident happened.
His reverie was disrupted by the sound of his phone. It was a message from Heinz, his coach and manager. He scanned through it before he returned his phone in his pocket and walked out the door of the shop.
Outside, he saw a girl looking inside the shop through the glass window the way he did earlier. She tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. Biting her lips, she heaved a sigh. When the girl turned to his direction, time seemed to stop around Tezuka – the girl looked just like her. He doubted for a minute if he was just seeing things but then she smiled at him— it was that same smile that he had not seen for years. It was her.
"What took you so long? I have been waiting for you." Tezuka froze at her words.
Her long hair swayed along with the wind when she ran to his direction… but, to his surprise, she went past him.
"Ahn? Look who sneaked from the airport and asked to be fetch out of nowhere."
That voice.
"I know that you will come for me if I suddenly disappear like that."
Tezuka spin around and saw the girl beside someone he had not seen for a long time.
"Atobe?"
"Tezuka." Atobe had a stern expression when he said his name.
"You know him, Keigo?" Her green orbs turned to him.
Keigo? When did they get familiar with each other?
"Saeri, get in the car." The car Atobe referred to was the black limousine behind him.
Saeri? Is it really her?
"But—" The girl called Saeri glanced at Tezuka but the latter felt something strange from the way her eyes looked at him.
"Father has been worried sick about you. I have to take you home immediately." That was the first time Tezuka heard Atobe not sounding too highly of his self, instead a hint of worry was evident in his voice.
The girl did not argue. For a second, Tezuka saw a mixed expression of anxiousness and dejection on her face before she got inside the car.
"Ore-sama knows that there are questions in your mind right now, but this is neither the right time nor the place for that. Let's meet somewhere later." With that, Atobe returned inside the limousine.
Atobe remained quiet since the car started to move. His legs crossed each other while his head rest against his palm with a finger positioned next to his eye. He continued to watch the scenery outside the window but he was not really seeing anything. His mind was occupied with his encounter with Tezuka earlier.
"Hey."
"Hn?" He replied without letting his eyes leave the window.
"Who was that guy? The one you were talking to earlier?"
"Why do you ask?"
"He seems… kind of familiar."
Atobe's eyes moved from the window to the other person sitting across him. Could she be remembering things now?
"His name is Kunimitsu Tezuka."
"Kunimitsu Tezuka?"
"Does his name ring a bell?"
"I've read an article about him. He's a pro tennis player— a very good one. His last match is all over the sports magazines."
"Is that all you know?"
Saeri blinked twice before she nodded. "I-is there something else that I should know?"
"No. Nothing at all."
The girl sensed that Atobe was hiding something but she did not push the topic further.
"Dad!" the girl ran to her father's arms. Masahiru waited outside the mansion for their arrival.
"How could you run away like that? You made me so worried." The man wrapped his arm around the girl. His attention turned to Atobe who stood behind her. "Thank you for finding her."
"It's not that hard."
"Why do you have to run off like that Saeri?"
"It's Keigo's fault."
"How did it become his fault?"
The girl crossed her arms. "I have to teach him a lesson for not coming for me from the airport." Saeri made a sour face but Atobe did not seem to mind her.
"Hmm, what's this? Are you two having a quarrel already?"
A man with the same silver hair as Keigo appeared behind Masahiro. Despite the friendly smile he wore, he gives an authoritative air around him.
"Father, we're back."
"Atobe-san." The girl bowed slightly.
"'Atobe-san'? That's too formal coming from my future daughter-in-law. I'd rather have you call me 'father'."
Saeri became silent. She chewed her lower lip as her fingers clenched the hem of her dress.
The subject of their arranged marriage made her uneasy since their parents informed them about it. The younger Atobe has been a very good friend to her but that was all there was to it. She and Atobe were caught up in the situation but, unlike her, he handled it better than her. It must be in their blood.
"She must be tired from the trip. I'll take her to her room. Please excuse us." Atobe loosely held her fingers as he led her inside their manse.
She had been in other Atobe mansions located in other countries but she always found herself gaping in awe at the place whenever she walked inside them. And that was only one of the mansions they have in Japan.
"You better get some rest, hn?" Atobe stopped in front of her room. "It will be a shame if you get sick while staying in my house."
Atobe may sound arrogant but Saeri knew him better. He was worried for her. He did not have to show her the way to her room personally. It was their butler's job anyway but he still did. And earlier, he just bailed her out from his father's frequent useless babbling of their relationship.
"Thank you." Saeri smiled weakly at Atobe before she closed the door to her room.
Atobe reached for his phone and typed something before he made his way out of the manse where his limousine waited for him.
Atobe was aware of what Saeri was going through. She had been honest with him since she added him in her list of what she calls friends.
Ever since he was a child, it was instilled in his young mind that he was bound for an arranged marriage with a girl of his father's choosing. He already accepted that fate and readied himself for it. But for Saeri, it was a different case. She was not informed about it until recently and the whole matter came to her as a shock. She understood that the arrangement was no more than a business deal between their expanding corporations... and she disliked the idea. For her, it was a way of using people against their will for the sake of profit.
Unfortunately, Masahiro was known in the business community in his skills in getting his way with people. For reasons unknown to Atobe, Masahiro did a great job in making Saeri agree to the marriage proposal no matter how much she protested.
Tezuka's mind replayed his encounter with Saeri earlier. She has grown into a fine lady. She was more attractive now compared when she was younger that he did not even recognize her at first. But the way she smiled, it was that same smile she wore years back.
What bothered him was the way she acted earlier. It was like she did not know him at all, a complete stranger. How can that be? What happened in that seven years that she was gone? There was only one person he knew that can answer his questions.
His thoughts came to a halt when the black limousine from earlier stopped in front of him. He was waiting for it to arrive after Atobe sent him a message where and when they will meet.
The chauffeur opened the door for Tezuka and gestured him to enter. Sitting alone by the end of the long seat was Atobe holding a glass of wine in his hand while his head rest on his other hand.
"It's been a while, Atobe."
"We haven't seen each other in a long time Tezuka. Make yourself comfortable."
In that instant, a tray of glass and red wine appeared beside Tezuka's seat.
"It is safer for us to talk here, right?"
Tezuka felt the limousine moved. He understood what Atobe meant. It was better for them to stay away from the prying public eyes: with Atobe, known as the youngest head of one of the largest conglomerate in the world and he, being an international tennis player whose sponsors were a number of Atobe's competitors. It may start heedless rumours with their reputations at stake.
"It seems she is a fan of yours."
Tezuka thought of the possibility of who is the 'she' he is talking about.
"What happened to Sae?"
"Getting straight to the point are we Tezuka? It's so like you." Atobe lips curved which, in a moment, turned into a thin line. "Ore-sama doesn't need to give you the details of the accident, hn?"
Tezuka only stared at Atobe as he waited for his reply.
Atobe looked at his reflection in the wineglass in his hand.
"Seven years ago, Saeri's head surgery in America became successful. However, during her recovery, it was found out that she lost her memories— from childhood until the day of the accident."
"The doctors found nothing physically wrong with her. They said that the trauma from the accident might have caused the memory loss. Several experts were called to help her regain her memories but none of them succeeded. It did not help that her father refused to take her back to Japan where she spent most of her time when she was a kid. After she fully recovered physically, her father took her to France to continue her studies."
"France?" So, that's why I can't find her in America. "But how did you know all these?"
"I was with her during her recovery."
Although Tezuka only stared at him, Atobe seemed to read what he was thinking.
"It was my father's order that Ore-sama visit her during those times. Ore-sama was told that her whereabouts should be kept a secret from everyone for her safety. It seemed that her father made some enemies in business that might have threatened her life."
"Her father is a good strategist when it comes to business. It only took him a few years to surpass the net worth of other businesses in whatever field he ventures. For that reason, Father wants to strengthen his ties with him." Tezuka can sense where this conversation will go and he was getting a bad feeling what he was about to hear. "The same reason why Saeri is now Ore-sama's fiancée."
"An arranged marriage."
"It's normal for us to be in an arranged marriage. It's something that peasants cannot comprehend."
"Did she agree on that?"
"Yes."
"Let me talk to her."
"For what purpose?"
No response
"There is no need for you to see her again. If you want to question her decision of agreeing in this arrangement, you will only poison her mind with your commoner's line of reasoning. If you plan to tell her about her past, your past with her, it's not going to work. Ore-sama already told you, she does not remember anything before the accident."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Just give up on her Tezuka. You don't stand a chance."
"Against whom? You Atobe?"
Atobe smirked. "Of course you don't stand a chance against Ore-sama. It's not even a question." Suddenly Atobe eyes turned serious, "But it's not Ore-sama you should worry about."
"You must understand how influential her father, Masahiro Ichinomiya, is. His connections are not limited with the business sector. From what Ore-sama knows, he has connections with several high-ranking politicians and even with the underground society. He can build or destroy your tennis career with just a word from him. It is best that you don't get on his bad side otherwise, not only you can end up getting hurt, but her as well. Think about it. This is not as easy as it was seven years ago."
"Atobe, I need to see her." His tone sounded more of a command than a request.
Atobe's sharp eyes did not leave Tezuka's face as he pressed the intercom button, out of the many buttons, in his arm rest.
"Stop the car."
Tezuka knew. Their conversation was over.
Tezuka found himself sitting an elegant couch in the middle of the spacious room draped with expensive tapestry and luxurious furnishings. No matter where his eyes travel, the whole place shouted how wealthy Atobe was.
The maid served him tea, which remained untouched, on top of the table. Even the teacup justifies the grandeur of the place. Based on its design, it must come from outside the country.
"Um, hi."
He froze as the girl he waited for just entered the room.
Flashback
Tezuka got out of limousine but before he could move a step away, the car window slid down revealing Atobe.
"A board meeting will be held tomorrow," Atobe said. His face continued to face his front. "She will be left with the maids and butlers. She could use a little company."
End of flashback
Her green round eyes peered at him with interest.
Tezuka stood from his seat.
"You must be Kunimitsu Tezuka."
It was really what Atobe told him— she cannot remember him. He was already warned about it but still, it pained him to hear it coming from her.
"Good morning. Sorry for the intrusion."
"No, please, it's fine. Keigo told me you are coming. By the way, I'm Saeri Ichinomiya." The girl offered her hand to shake. "We met yesterday but we were not properly introduced."
Tezuka just stared at it like he was in trance. Saeri tilted her head when he did not take her hand. She slowly moved her hand away but she was surprised when two hands held it all of a sudden.
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking of something." He was surprise himself of his action.
Saeri laughed a little. "It seems so." Her attention turned to Tezuka's hands. "Your hands are warm."
Tezuka suddenly released her hand. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to—"
"No. no. That's not what I meant. Your hand feels nice. I like it." Saeri realized what she said and placed a hand over her mouth. A flush was written on her face. "Um, sorry. I blurted it out just like that."
"A friend of mine said the same thing."
"Really? They say that people with warm hands have warm hearts." Saeri turned to the clock, "it seems you're a little early. It may take a while before Keigo comes home." Saeri wore a thoughtful expression before she turned to him. "If it's alright with you, I could accompany you while you wait for him."
"I don't mind."
Tezuka did not bother to tell her that it was her whom he came to see, but instead, follow her lead to where she takes him. Although he originally planned to talk to her, after confirming that she indeed lost her memories, he did not know where to start.
Tezuka followed after the girl. They walked inside the house passing several rooms.
"Tezuka-san," Saeri broke the silence between them as they walked down the hallway. Her back faced Tezuka as she walked a few steps ahead of him.
The way she address Tezuka made him feel like she was a more of a stranger than a long lost friend. "Have we—" She just continued to look forward as she threw her question. There was a hint of hesitation in her tone. "Have we met before? I mean, before yesterday?"
"Why do you ask?" Tezuka was surprised at the sudden question although he remained his composed self.
"I just thought that maybe we have. So, is it a yes or a no?"
No response.
Saeri stopped and turned to the man behind her, still waiting for his answer. Tezuka, on the other hand, just stared at her. After a long moment of staring at each other, feeling defeated, Saeri heaved a sigh as she held the doorknob next to her. "There is something I want to show you," the girl said as she twisted the gold handle on her hand.
The room they just entered was very spacious that one would consider it an empty room except that several canvases resting on the side of room.
Tezuka followed Saeri as she walked towards the canvasses.
"You made these?"
"Yes. I took short courses in fine arts out of hobby. This room serves as my studio. Currently, I've been working on this one."
Saeri pulled the cloth covering the single canvass on the opposite side of the room.
Tezuka moved next to her to have a better view. It was a portrait. It was not finish yet but the details can already be seen. He cannot help but stare at it, surprised how the person in it looked a lot like him.
"This is?"
"This may sound weird Tezuka-san, but I don't think we first met only yesterday." The girl explained. "I'm remembering the person in this portrait but not very well. Only bits and pieces but I can clearly recall his face."
"Here, I want you to look at this." In her hand was a drawing book. "When I was caught in an accident years ago, my doctor suggested that I took note of the little memories that I can remember. I thought of drawing them instead of writing them."
Tezuka flipped through the pages and saw different images in black and white. The pad was composed of people and places that were pretty much familiar to him. They were sketched roughly but the recognizable details were there. He stopped at an image of a person holding a tennis racket, who looked like him.
"It seems to me I knew you before the accident. Please tell me, what was your relationship with me back then? I want to know."
Tezuka hesitated to speak, however, this time, Sae waited patiently until he gave in.
"You and I… were childhood friends."
"We're childhood friends?"
Tezuka nodded. He was telling the truth. Though he secretly wished that they were more than that, it was the best description he could come up to express what type of relationship they had back then.
Tezuka was surprise when a warm hand extended to his face. "I'm sorry… for not being able to remember."
"It's not your fault." This time, Tezuka placed his hand atop the other person's hand on his face, as if telling her not to worry about it.
From the hand he just touched, warmth slowly spread across the Saeri's body. Suddenly, feeling like she somehow recognized that warmth, she reached back into her memory.
"I have a feeling that I did the same thing to you again. The part of not being able to recognize you and all, yet, you still forgive me just like that." her soft eyes are full of concern for him.
"You… remember?"
"Somehow, I have vague memories of you. I'm just glad I'm now able to meet you for real and not just the 'you' in my memories."
Tezuka squeezed the hand he was holding as his eyes remained fixed on the girl's face. She had no idea what effect she had on him at that moment.
Saeri's heartbeat raced as she watched Tezuka drew her hand near his lips and planted a light kiss on it.
"Tezuka-san."
The way she said his name made him forget the self-control he had been holding since he arrived.
Saeri felt something wrapped around her waist and pulled her forward, closing the distance between her and the man in front of her. Confusion was written all over her face as she stared at Tezuka's sudden change. She knew she had to resist him, push him away from her, but she cannot find the strength to do so. For a moment, she cannot look away, for his eyes were drawing her to him.
"Will you let me kiss you?" His deep voice sounded more of a whisper but it sounded very loud to her ears.
The girl's eyes widen upon hearing his question. Her throbbing heart felt like it will explode any minute. They could feel each other's breath as their faces move closer to each other. Their lips were on the verge of touching but then…
Knock knock
The two froze when a loud knock came from the door. Saeri immediately pulled away. In a moment, their bodies were already paces away. She almost had no time to compose herself when the butler entered the room.
"Milady, lunch is served," the butler said while bowing his head. The way he acted, he did not seem to suspect anything unusual or if he did, it did not show on his expression. This made the girl felt relieved somehow.
"I-I will follow shortly. Thank you."
The door closed leaving an awkward tension between the two.
"Y-you must be hungry," Saeri cannot meet his gaze, "l-let's go." The girl tried to act normal like nothing happened, but deep inside, a mixed feeling of guilt and confusion was taking over her.
Before Saeri could move a step, Tezuka's arms enveloped her shoulders.
"Tezuka-san, who really are you? Why are you doing this?" Saeri could not see Tezuka's face for he embraced her from behind.
"You asked me before, what will I do if you disappear from me. I promised that I will wait for you until you return to me. Now that you're here, I'm not letting you go."
Tezuka's words made her confuse even more. She turned to face him, freeing herself from his arms. "I don't understand. Why would you say something like that?"
"I already told you before about my feelings for you," Tezuka gazed at her gently, "and I will say it again and again if that's what it takes for you to remember."
"B-but this is wrong. I'm already betrothed to Keigo."
"You don't love him."
"You don't know that."
Tezuka remained silent. Internally, he was smiling mockingly at himself. The scene was almost the same as that time he confessed his feelings to her. She was as stubborn as before.
Saeri felt the arms around her loosen.
"I better leave now."
As he took a step towards the door, two hands held his arm.
"Tezuka-san, I—"
"Don't look at me like that." Tezuka moved his hand to her head, stroking her hair. "If I don't leave now, I may not be able to stop myself."
"Then don't stop yourself. Whatever it is that you're holding back, please, I want to hear it." She pleaded.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"You can't just walk away from me like that."
Tezuka suddenly reached out and cupped Saeri's cheeks in his hands. Without a moment to spare, he pressed his lips preventing her to speak further. The girl was too surprise to react and before she knew it, Tezuka already pulled his face away.
"You understand now what I'm trying to tell you?"
Saeri was too dumbfounded to answer. Before she realized it, Tezuka left the Atobe state.
Not even a day had passed since Tezuka's visit but Saeri's head was full of him already. Every corner where her eyes travel, she could see his face. She sighed. She wondered if what he said about them being "just" friends true. If so, why is she feeling this way towards him?
"That's the seventeenth time you sighed since you sat on that chair."
Saeri and the young Atobe were having breakfast on the garden. The former was holding the fork but it was only slicing the food into tiny pieces, not a bite was placed in her mouth.
"I'm sorry."
"What are you thinking?"
"Nothing important."
"Is it because of someone?" Atobe asked as he sipped his tea.
The girl's face turned beet red as her clutch with the fork loosened making it fall to the table.
"It's Tezuka, right?" Atobe said nonchalantly.
"W-why would you think that?"
"It's written all over you face."
"It's not because of Tezuka-san."
"Hn? Really?" Atobe gestured his hand to the butler. The latter handed him a white envelope. "Here," Atobe handed the envelope to her. "You might as well go there to ease your anxiety."
"This is?" Inside was a black card written with the date that day and the time.
"Be sure to be ready by that time. The chauffer will take you to the place I've instructed."
"Where is that place?"
"You'll find out when you get there."
Saeri sighed when she came to the place Atobe told her about. The car brought Saeri to none other than the newly opened amusement park that was owned by Atobe. Before she aligned the car, the chauffer gave her an envelope with VIP tickets inside.
"He still treats me like a child," the girl smiled wryly at the thought as she stood by the entrance gate. "He should have come with me instead." Saeri understood that Atobe was very busy with several projects in their company thus she cannot complain.
Saeri walked away from the amusement park but her bodyguards, who were standing behind her, stopped her.
"I'm sorry Miss Saeri but your father instructed that we take you straight home from here."
"But I don't want to go inside."
"Then, we shall take you home now."
Saeri mulled for a second. She wanted to visit other places without anyone following behind her. An impish smile appeared on her lips.
"I guess I have no choice, do I?"
Without a moment of hesitation, Saeri ran as fast as she could to the opposite direction. With her bodyguards chasing after her, she turned to several corners, hoping to lose them on the way.
After what seemed to be several minutes of running, Saeri sat on a bench to catch her breath. A feeling of relief dawned into her when she cannot see her bodyguards on her tail. She looked around and found herself in a park, much to her surprise. Her attention was caught by the fountain as the spurting water seemed to dance in the midair. A rainbow formed amidst the water droplets glistening under the bright sun. As she sat there fascinated by the scene playing in front of her, someone gave her a light tap on her shoulder.
"Um, excuse me, Miss. If you would be so kind, can you take a picture for us?" A teenage girl asked her shyly.
"Sure, no problem."
The girl handed her the camera and ran back to her friends who were squealing in delight. Saeri put the camera in front of her face… but she stopped when she realized the reason why those girls were very excited. Unconsciously, she put the camera down to see him better. It was Tezuka alright, surrounded by those girls waiting for her signal to take their picture.
Saeri sensed a pricking pain deep in her chest seeing how close those girls were getting to the tennis player. She watched how those girls tried to convince Tezuka to go with them somewhere. She turned her back from them when she caught herself getting furious with their interaction unfolding right in front of her eyes. It was annoying enough that those girls were obviously ogling over him and it was only getting worse seeing that Tezuka did not seem to mind what they were doing.
Her hand rested on above her chest. She cannot comprehend the feeling she was having.
"Am I… jealous?"
She vigorously shook her head refusing to believe her thoughts but then, when she turned to Tezuka's direction again, she cannot deny that a painful feeling swelled up her chest watching those girls getting cosy with him.
"Why would I be jealous? Unless I…" The realization hit her like a glass of cold water just splashed into her face. "Could it be that I'm… in love with him?" She recalled the kiss he gave her, making her heartbeat really fast. The pain she was feeling earlier sank underneath the loud beating of her heart.
She wanted to get away as fast as she could. Her head was in a jam at that moment and it did not help knowing that the cause of it was the man being hit on by other girls and that she was not in the right position to get jealous. She walked briskly away from them without knowing where to go.
Screeeeech
A speeding truck came to her direction as she cross the street. In that instant, it was as if a video of the same event played on her mind. A hammering pain on her head made her unable to move from her spot.
A strong force pulled her from her reverie followed by a feeling of something warm embracing her.
"T-Tezuka-san?" Surprise was all over her face when she came face to face with the person occupying her thoughts moments ago.
"Be careful."
Saeri eyes looked at the direction where she came from and saw the truck driver glared at her before the truck moved again.
"Thank you," she slowly pushed her body away from Tezuka but she wobble as she stood on her feet. Tezuka held her shoulders to keep her on toes. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I'm fine now." She forced a smile.
"You don't look fine to me."
"Just a headache." Her expression stiffened when she heard her bodyguards approaching. "They're already here."
"Who?"
"My bodyguards. I have to go now."
By instinct, she ran past Tezuka, but he caught her hand.
"This way."
Without having time to decide, Saeri followed Tezuka as he led her further inside the park. There was a feeling of nostalgia spreading inside Saeri as they continue to run.
After some time, Tezuka stopped running and so was the girl. The girl bent on her knees, huffing, in contrast with the pro tennis player who did not show even a hint of exhaustion from all the running they just did.
"I don't think they will come looking for you here."
That was when Saeri became aware of the place they were in.
"We're in a cemetery?"
"Yes."
"But what are we doing here?"
"There is someone that you might like to meet here." Tezuka asked as his eyes remained fixed in a gravestone in front of them.
Saeri followed his gaze and read the name 'Midori Ichinomiya' carved on the stone. Etched below the name was the date that day.
"My… mother?" Saeri crouched down and touched the name carved on it. "Is it her?"
Tezuka nodded.
The girl closed her eyes. Silence fell for some time before she stood up, her lips curved upward but her eyes depicted loneliness.
As if the fine weather a moment ago was just a joke, light rain started to fall. Tezuka reached for the girl's hand but she did not budge.
"Thank you very much." She muttered before squeezing back Tezuka's hand. "You made me very happy."
In that instant, her head started hurting again. She clutched her head, her face distorted in pain. When the pain subsided, her vision became blurry and she could feel her surroundings spinning. The girl stumbled forward, surprising Tezuka, as he caught her in his arms. His voice calling her name was the last thing she heard before her consciousness drifted away.
Tezuka watched the girl sleeping figure on his bed. Her breathing was deep and irregular. He placed his hand on her forehead to check if her temperature already dropped, but her eyes suddenly open with the contact.
"How do you feel?"
"My head… it feels light…"
"You have a fever. You better rest." Tezuka arranged the blanket covering her. As he did, two hands slipped behind his nape.
"You're body is so warm."
"Sae, let go of me." It must be the fever talking, Tezuka thought to himself.
"Don't leave me alone."
"You—"
Before Tezuka could react, Saeri already pulled herself up and locked his lips with hers.
"I missed you... Mitchi-kun."
How he yearn to hear from her that name again. It may be just him but the way she said it was very alluring and the intensity of her gaze took his breath away. Tezuka lost the remaining self-control he had been holding. The bed made a creaking sound as he rested his arms on the bed for support, trapping Saeri between him and the mattress. He pulled her close to him, feeling her heat transferring through his body.
The next day
Sunlight seeped through the spaces of the closed curtains. The girl felt it mask the other side of her eyes. She turned to the opposite direction, still refusing to wake up. After a moment, with a yawn, she lifted herself to a sitting position. What entered her field of vision was a room not familiar to her.
Saeri got up and peeked to the nearest door from her. It was a bathroom. She decided to wash her face, hoping that it may help her clear her mind. However, her reflection in the huge mirror caused her to almost scream in shock— the clothes she was wearing were not hers (they were male clothes at that) and visible love bites can be seen on her neck and shoulder. She pondered hard over what happened to her:
Tezuka held her down and drew his face closer to her. At first, he grazed her soft lips gently, lightly like feathers. Every time their lips would part, Tezuka would call out her name over and over again, as if confirming that she was real or he was just dreaming. The sound of his voice murmuring her name resonated throughout her whole body.
The succeeding kisses became longer, deeper, more passionate like he was pouring all that feeling that he had been keeping. She pressed her hand against his chest as she gasped for breath but he caught it with his own and planted soft kisses on her fingers.
He leaned down to kiss her neck, nibbling against her skin. The sweet gentle pain sent shivers through her spin. His fingers traced every inch of her. She let herself become lost with his caresses.
And then, as if she suddenly came to her senses, she became scared. Tears started flooding from her eyes.
Tezuka froze when he heard her muffled cry. He realized that her body was quivering under his touch. He stopped moving his hands and looked at the girl earnestly.
Slowly, he got up and rolled to her side. She was covering her face with her palms. He held her in his arms, gently, like something fragile. Unable to understand what was happening, she simply turned her confused gaze to him. That was when she realized her body was trembling.
"It's alright. I will not do anything until you're ready," a deep voice whispered in her ear while a hand stroked her hair. Her face burned. Feeling embarrassed, she buried her face to his chest, trying to hide her face from him. His gesture made her feel calm, and before she knew it, her trembling stopped.
End of flashback
Saeri turned bright red up to her ear when she recalled the previous night's events.
"How am I going to face Tezuka after that?"
She opened the door to the room only to be greeted by no other than Tezuka. She suddenly forgot to breathe.
"You're awake. I made gruel for you. You better eat this before it gets cold." He placed the tray he was holding on the side table.
"T-thank you." She averted her gaze.
"Your fever seemed to be gone now." She did not notice the distance closed between them as he placed his hand on her forehead. Panic rose from her causing her to step back. Just then, her body started to fall backwards. As she braced herself for the fall, two arms caught her.
"You've been falling quite a lot."
Embarrassed to be in his arms, she rushed to stand up and scrammed back to the bathroom and shut the door.
She cannot bear to face Tezuka especially when she just realized her feelings. She leaned on the door, feeling her body getting hot where he had touched it.
"I-I'm sorry."
Surprised with her attitude, Tezuka knocked on the door to check on her.
"Saeri, are you alright?" His words were kind and full of concern.
"There is something that I have to tell you but I cannot say it in front of you, so can you please listen?"
She took the silence from the other side of the door as a yes, took a deep breath before she spoke again.
"Just talking to you like this makes my heart beat really fast. W-wherever I look, all I can see is your face. And yesterday, when I saw you with those girls, it made me very furious. I-I had this bugging feeling that I don't want to see you with anyone else." She knew she was stammering, but she continued anyway. "And even though I lost my memories, I kept seeing your face on my mind… Michi-kun… I mean Tezuka-san, I think I may have feelings for you."
As she said those words, the door suddenly opened and there stood Tezuka facing her. With his stoic face, she cannot fathom what was on his mind. In the next moment, he yanked her arm and she felt herself topple on his chest.
He tilted her chin to make her look to him. He drew his face closer to her and went on in a soft voice. "Have you regained your memories?"
Still wearing a bewildered expression, the girl slowly nodded.
His fingers brushed the strands of hair from her face. Then, he let go of her hair and stroked her cheek.
"Even though the time passed, some things always stay the same. My feelings for you are just like that— it hasn't change a bit."
"Michi-kun." Saeri's heart fluttered. Blissfulness filled her entire body.
"Can I kiss you?"
"W-why do you have to ask something like that?" She felt like smoke came out of her ears. For a moment, she thought a smile appeared at the edges of his lips.
Her shoulder twitched when his thumb touched her chin, forcing her to look at him.
His face moved closer… close enough for their lips to almost touch.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" His voice was hoarse.
She could feel his breath next to her mouth. Her heart could burst out of her chest any minute. But then, Tezuka's arms wrapped around her, it was gentle and comforting.
"I guess holding you like this is enough for now."
"You— you were just trying to see how far can you go huh?"
"Who wouldn't want to touch the person they love?"
As Tezuka held her, she rested her head on his chest, feeling his warmth seeped to her body. It was a strange feeling yet she never felt so fulfilled at that moment.
She wished she could stay like that with him but all of a sudden, a sound of someone knocking from outside startled them both.
"Michi-kun, someone is on the door."
"Forget him." His embrace tightened refusing to let her go.
"B-but it could be important."
Reluctantly, Tezuka pulled away. When he checked the door to see who it could be, men in uniform rushed inside his room.
"Is Miss Saeri Ichinomiya here?"
Saeri was still wearing Tezuka's clothes when she was brought to the manse by those men.
"Saeri, what the hell were you thinking sleeping in another man's house?!" Atobe's voice roared across the room after the girl was brought before him.
"I had a fever yesterday that's why I can't go home. Tezuka-san helped me recover." Atobe may be his fiancée but rather than that, he was more like an overprotective older brother. His reaction was only a proof how worried he was.
"Then, how do you explain that?" His icy glare was looking through the red mark on her neck. "Did something happen between the two of you?"
Saeri's hand subconsciously covered the love bite on her neck. She almost forgot all about it. She cannot look at Atobe directly, hesitating to speak. There was no use explaining her self anyway. Anything that she would tell him would only sound as an excuse.
"Keigo," Saeri's serious gaze caused Atobe to flinch a little, "let's break off the engagement."
Atobe did not look a bit surprise on what Saeri said. It was more of he was expecting this to come.
"Saeri, have you regained your memories?" Atobe asked as he sat back to his chair.
"Yes. I just thought that the situation may be unfair for you if we continue this."
"You're fully aware that feelings are not an issue in this engagement so you're argument is out of the question. However, if you want to pursue your plan of stopping it, it is not Ore-sama whom you should be speaking to right now, ahn?"
"Is it alright with you? I mean me calling off the engagement?"
"It's your choice."
"Thank you, Keigo!" Saeri rushed and hugged Atobe. Her happy face made him forgot his rage and was replaced by a mixed expression of sadness and relief.
Atobe heaved a sigh. As the girl left the room, Atobe reached for his phone.
"Mr. Ichinomiya, Mr. Keigo Atobe is on the line right now. He said it has something to do about your daughter." It was his secretary.
"Okay, let him through."
The voice on the other line changed after a clicking sound.
"Ichinomiya-san, her memories are back."
"I see. Have she been meeting 'that boy'?"
"Tezuka has nothing to do with this."
"It's no use hiding it from me Keigo. I know. Anyway, look after her for me. I'll take care of 'that boy'."
Masahiro turned off the receiver as he stared outside the window.
Once in a while Tezuka took his breakfast in the café near the place where he practiced. That morning was one of those days. It was nothing out of the ordinary as he read the newspaper while sipping his tea.
"Kunimitsu Tezuka I presume?"
Tezuka's eyes move up from the newspaper to the face of the person standing next to him. He came face to face with the man he just saw from the article he was reading.
Masahiro Ichinomiya.
"It's been a long time since I last saw you. I see you've grown into a splendid young man. I hope you don't mind if I take a seat?"
"Please do."
Masahiro sat across Tezuka: legs stretched, arms crossed, and piercing gaze. There was a mixture of elegance and dignity in his movements. "We met before. Do you remember?"
Tezuka remember it well. It was in the hospital where Sae was taken after the accident. He saw him outside the room where Sae was confined, wearing an expression of a man who seemed to have lost everything.
"I'll go straight to the point. I know what's going on between you and my daughter."
Tezuka did not budge. Since the day Saeri admitted her feelings to him, they had been constantly meeting privately. She even visited him during his practices for his upcoming match.
"Saeri is the most important person for me and I cannot have her be played around by anyone."
"I'm serious about her. She is the most important person for me too."
"Do you love her?"
"I love her more than anything."
"Is that so? I will not hand her to anyone that I deem not worthy of her." There is a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "I heard that you are a talented tennis player. Being a pro at a tender age of sixteen? A promising one indeed. It's only a matter of time before you reach the top." Masahiro rested his chin on his fingers as he placed his elbows on the table. "Are you willing to give up your tennis career for her?"
"Are you making me choose?"
"What if I am?"
Tezuka stared at Masahiro.
"Can't decide?"
"I love your daughter. I can give up anything for her."
Masahiro smirked. "We'll see about that." He left Tezuka alone leaving those words.
"What's wrong?" Saeri asked as she handed Tezuka a towel. He just finished his practice that afternoon.
"What do you mean?"
"You can't deceive me. There is something on your mind. What is it?"
"I was wondering, what made you agree to be engaged to Atobe."
"Well, my father said that he would let me meet my mother in exchange for that. Did my father talk to you?"
"You knew?"
"Not really, but I expected as much from him. I already told him to call off my engagement with Keigo."
"What did he say?"
"He said that he'll think about it, but I have a feeling that he is onto something." Saeri squeezed his hand and smiled, "sorry, I may be thinking too much."
Tezuka did not say anything but he was also thinking the same thing.
"Tezuka, get ready. Only twenty minutes before the game starts."
Tezuka only nodded in response. Nervousness and excitement filled his every nerve. He had been waiting for this for so long. This match will be his stepping stone to make it to the top ten best tennis players in the world. He looked up where Sae was supposed to seat but she was still not there yet.
He got up from his seat when his phone suddenly rang. It was from an unknown number.
"Is this Kunimitsu Tezuka?"
"Yes."
"I have your girl with me." A male voice talked from the other line. "I will send to you the address. Go there. That is if you still want to see her alive." The other line died down immediately. As soon as he removed the phone from his ear, it prompted a message. It had a picture of Saeri tied up and blindfolded. Beside her was a newspaper dated that day and a paper with written address.
Fear and restlessness took over him and he suddenly ran out of the court.
"Tezuka, where do you think you're going?! The game is about to start!" But Tezuka did not take the heed of his coach. All his mind could think was Sae in danger and he had to save her.
Minutes later
Tezuka slammed the door open only to see an empty room. It did not even looked like the room in the picture sent to him.
"Now who do we have here? I didn't think you could leave your match for your girlfriend." A huge man blocked the door behind him.
Tezuka clenched his teeth. "Where is she?"
"Not so fast." Two men suddenly grabbed his arms. "Don't do anything rash if you want to save her."
"If its money you want, name your price."
"No, that won't do. We want something else. Something that is more precious to you." The man pondered for a minute. "How about your ability to play tennis? Your arms perhaps? I think that's fair enough."
"Don't worry, we will not force you. You can just walk away if you don't want to." Another man opened the door for him.
"We are not that heartless so we are not going to kill her." A mischievous grin plastered on the man's face. "But we cannot say that we can let her go unharmed."
It felt like cold water splashed over him when he heard their words followed by a haughty laugh. They were going to take his arms in exchange of her? If he agrees, he may not be able to play anymore. By the looks of it, they will make sure of that. Can he bear that? Tennis was already a part of him. He already knew the pain of not being able to play. It was like having one less reason to live. But what about Saeri? The thought slipped through his mind.
"So, what do you say?"
"Do what you want with me… just don't do anything to her."
Tezuka knew she will not be very happy once she learned that he let them hurt him in exchange of her safety. He could already imagine her furious face. But it did not matter.
One of his men twirled a baseball bat in his hands. He positioned it above Tezuka's left arm waiting for his boss' signal.
"That would be enough." Masahiro stood by the door. He had been watching the whole scene from the other room.
"Boss!" The men inside the room called out to him.
"Release him now."
"Kunimitsu are you alright?" Sae ran to Tezuka's side. "Dad! What's the meaning of this?!"
"Sae." It was all Tezuka could mutter for he was too shock to comprehend what was going on. He was glad to see her safe.
"Leave us." Masahiro continued after his men left the three of them alone. "I apologize if I made you go through something horrible. Consider it a test. But what you did is very courageous, I like it. In exchange, I'm giving you my consent regarding your relationship. I'm also officially cancelling Saeri's engagement with Atobe." Masahiro looked at Tezuka with serious eyes. "I trust her in your hands. Make her happy."
Masahiro walked towards the door but he turned to them again, remembering something. "Before I forget, your match was postponed a minute ago so you don't have to worry about it." He left the two alone.
"I'm sorry about my father. Sometimes, I don't understand what's going on his mind. Are you hurt?"
"You—" Two strong arms held Saeri, making it hard for her to breathe. "You made me very worried." Words were whispered softly in her ear.
"Shush. I'm right here. I will not go anywhere."
"I don't know what I will do if I lose you again."
"Hey," Saeri cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips on his to calm him down. Bewildered expression was on his face as Saeri rested her forehead against his. "It's not so bad to see you panic once in a while." She smiled happily at Tezuka.
"It seems to me that he passed your test?" the senior Atobe held the glass in his fingers while looking at his reflection on it.
"You could say that," a gentle smile appeared on Masahiro's lips, "with flying colours even."
"Tell me, why do you have to go that far?"
"Because Saeri is Midori's daughter. Her mother entrusted her to me. I will not give her to someone who cannot make her his top priority."
"I still believe that my son is a better match for your daughter."
"I can't blame you if think that but," the man threw a knowing look to his friend, "can you let Keigo abandon the Atobe Conglomerate for her?"
The senior Atobe coughed. "Your daughter and the Atobe Conglomerate are two different things."
"I knew you'd say that."
"Hn? But you let him play as her fiancée in your game of charade."
Masahiro smirked. "Well, I have to make 'that boy' feel insecure in some way. And with your son being referred to as the 'most eligible bachelor in Japan', he is the best man to fit the role. And call it a 'business deal'— a few investments in exchange of you agreeing in my 'charade'— it was not a bad deal for us both."
The two men laughed as the clink sound of their wineglasses echoed across the room.
"But 'that boy', what was his name again, Tezuka was it? How did he manage to get your approval?"
Masahiro turned serious. "Let's just say, I saw myself in him when I was younger."
After two years
A lot of reporters gathered at the back area of the stadium, waiting for the tournament's winners to return.
"Hey, where is Kunimitsu Tezuka?!"
"Yes, we would like to ask him a few questions."
Heinz had his hands full with all the questions thrown into him by the reporters about Tezuka's whereabouts. They were getting impatient with Heinz's excuses. After all, he cannot really disclose to them Tezuka's location. It was Tezuka's request to keep it a secret from the media.
Meanwhile:
The door to the room opened with a thud as Tezuka burst inside. On the hospital bed was Saeri, smiling lovingly as she watched the child on her arms. Her green orbs turn to him, surprised how he made it fast from the tournament venue to the hospital. She just saw him on television a moment ago. However, she kept the question to herself when she saw how his eyes were fixed on the child.
"Would you like to hold him?" She gestured her arm, carefully handing him the baby.
Tezuka was caught off guard but did not refuse. A mixed of emotions flowed inside him.
Saeri found it funny how the serious pro tennis player awkwardly held the baby in his arm. It was one of the very rare occasions where he was not able to keep his feelings from showing on his face. It was a picturesque view how his expression relaxed to a tender smile. It made her heart flutter. It always had. She settled her head against the pillow and lifted her gaze to meet his.
"It was a good game."
"You watched it?"
"Of course. What kind of wife would I be if I don't support my husband? But it was your shortest game I've watched so far." A smile hovered at the edges of her lips.
"I really want to end it soon to see you both." His eyes softened while looking at his son.
THE END
(=^.^=)
Thank you very much for all the support.
(Note: As for the third version of the last chapter (Ryoma's ending), I still find it difficult to upload it. T.T)