"I knew it! He's cheating on you!" - Shiraishi
Everything seemed perfect.
Atobe has been neutralized and his whole gang seemed to have understood as well that bullying Fuji just isn't worth the time anymore. Fuji didn't know what Atobe told them. Things just suddenly got peaceful.
And he liked it.
But not everything.
They might have found peace in the absence of the annoying diva. However, Tezuka started to find more excuses as well to stay late at school, go on a group meeting, attend a seminar, do an interview...and so on. Fuji understood how busy his fiancee is. After all, his deadline for his thesis is drawing near, and as what Fuji knew, Tezuka's still 75% complete with it. Of course he understands that.
But sometimes, he can't get off the feeling that something's going on apart from what the other was telling him. Call it gut feeling or paranoia, but Fuji knew what he feels. And it's telling him that Tezuka's being partly dishonest. His doubt only thickened when the other straightly lied to his face about fetching a friend from the airport when in truth he was at Yukimura's house. How did he know? Shiraishi told him.
His friend happened to be driving around Yukimura's neighborhood. Apparently, Shiraishi's new girl lives somewhere nearby. He was dropping her at her house when he saw Tezuka enter the Yukimura residence while on his way home. Fuji argued how he might have been mistaken. His friend's reply was in a form of photo - of Yukimura ushering Tezuka in. He doesn't want to jump into conclusions without asking his fiancee. But when he asked and Tezuka lied, Fuji lost the courage to bring out what he knew.
He trusts Tezuka. But until when? More importantly, how long has Tezuka been lying to him?
"I knew it! He's cheating on you!" Shiraishi exclaimed as he slammed a fist on the table. Fuji found the reaction a bit exaggerated. They were enjoying lunch at a fast food chain just near his friend's condo unit. Fuji had wanted to make their meeting more private - at some place where they won't easily be recognized. But Shiraishi insisted, arguing that he's hungry and his car ran out of gasoline. Fuji wouldn't have minded taking the public transport. He uses it everyday. But he knew Shiraishi doesn't. And so they settled at the nearest shop where they can eat and talk.
"We don't know that," Fuji snapped. "And stop making it sound like he's at fault."
"You're in denial, Syusuke. He's dating someone else in front of you and you refuse to see it."
"Shiraishi," Fuji said with a sigh. "Tezuka must have his reasons."
"Of course he has!" Shiraishi beamed, this time drawing attention from other people. Fuji glared at him - a silent warning to keep his voice down. "But you never know if he's telling you an honest reason," his friend continued in a whisper.
Fuji knew he has a point. The fact is, Tezuka lied once. Maybe more, and he wasn't aware. It bothered him. He wanted to ask his fiancee directly. But it scared him. What if Tezuka admitted to what Shiraishi has just accused him of? He didn't even want to consider the possibility.
"So what now? You didn't just call me to talk, right?"
The blue-eyed boy nodded. "I need your help."
Shiraishi frowned at him. "Why do I get this feeling that I don't have a choice?"
Fuji shrugged.
"Are you sure Fuji's fine with this?" Yukimura asked, staring at Tezuka in curiosity. They were at a fancy restaurant - the best in town, actually. It's a world-class dining place that usually catered to VIPs and foreign guests. The high-end prices of their goods remains the number one reason that discourages locals to frequent at the place. The only person Yukimura know who frequent on this area was Atobe.
A waiter arrived before Tezuka could answer him. He carefully placed their meal on the table, bowing respectfully after to take his exit.
"He didn't know."
Yukimura gaped. "You lied to him?" he asked in disbelief. "Kunimitsu...that's so stupid."
Tezuka sighed as he placed the table napkin on his lap. The bluenette did the same. "It's not like I wanted to lie, okay? But he can't know."
Yukimura gave him a look and nodded. "Let's eat before the food gets cold."
Shiraishi slowly pulled over the restaurant's garage. This whole set-up is getting complicated. First, he agreed to help Fuji spy on Tezuka. That, he can deal with. What are friends for? But for some reason, a certain Sanada Genichirou got a sniff of what they are doing and decided, without waiting for their approval that he is coming with them. Apparently, he also had some relationship issues with Yukimura and the number one on his list of suspects is Tezuka Kunimitsu.
To be honest, Fuji didn't want him around. One because Shiraishi clearly was on edge at the thought of a certain student council officer on board his car. Two, because Fuji want this whole spying activity be kept a secret. Having Sanada around would mean that Yukimura might be alerted of their presence. Fuji doesn't like that. At the end of the day, the Humanities professor is still his friend. But they're here. There's no turning back.
"How certain are you that Tezuka's here? This place is quite...luxurious," Sanada commented, surveying the restaurant's facade while inside the car.
"Are you implying that he can't afford?" Shiraishi asked, annoyance becoming evident on his voice. "He's got a silver Sedan and he owns a condo unit thrice the price of mine. Of course he's here."
Fuji sighed. "Let's get in."
Shiraishi eyed him, uncertain. "Are we like...dining in?"
His friend looked back. "Yeah."
Sanada tapped Fuji's shoulder. "I don't have cash."
"I'll take care of it."
Sanada and Shiraishi gave him a look as if he said something weird.
Fuji nodded. "My sister made a reservation. She's paying."
Shiraishi slammed a hand at the driving wheel. "Cool! C'mon! Let's eat," he said, turning off the engine and pulling out the car key. He slid out. The other two followed him.
"You're still hungry?" Sanada asked him.
"I am."
Fuji rolled his eyes. "You just ate a box of donuts on our way here, where do you place all the carbs?"
Shiraishi grinned as he made an act of tapping his biceps. They started walking up the brick landing leading to the restaurant. They were welcomed by a lady who lead them to the table Yumiko reserved. Another waiter took their orders before retreating to get it. Fuji scanned the place from his point of view. He intentionally asked his sister to reserve a table where he can see most of the other seats. So far, he didn't see any sign of Tezuka, or Yukimura. Somehow, he felt releived.
"I don't see them," Sanada said.
"It's because we don't know if they're here. These are all assumptions," Fuji said, taking a sip at the service water offered to them. Sanada conceded.
"I'll bet a thousand dollars that they're here," Shiraishi said. Fuji looked at him in interest. His friend frowned. "Oh my goodness, you didn't see it?" he asked, looking at his two companion like they're too stupid to realize what he know.
"See what?" Sanada asked.
"Tezuka's car. It's parked close to mine,"
Fuji glared at him.
"What? I saw it!"
Sanada heaved a sigh. "Cars can look the same. Don't be stupid."
Shiraishi's patience snapped as he darted an annoyed look at the student council vice-president. "Oh yeah? And do I look like I'm being stupid when I say that that the car's plate is ZX3-4713?"
Sanada was confused so he look at Fuji for answers.
"Tezuka's plate number," he muttered. Sanada fell silent.
They all remained silent until their food arrived. Shiraishi didn't care to invite them as he started digging in to his share. Sanada started eating slowly after. Fuji on the other hand, has completely lost his appetite. He excused himself and headed to the comfort room. He needed to recollect himself. He spent a minute or two inside the men's lavatory which was located at the second floor of the restaurant. When he thought he was feeling calmer, he stepped out.
That's when he saw them.
At first he didn't understand. Tezuka and Yukimura was sitting across each other. Judging from the half empty plates in front of them, Fuji concluded that they've been here for quite some time. His thoughts reeled for possible explanations, trying to control the growing panic inside him. He remained glued at his position, silently staring at the scene that unfold before him.
Then, he saw Tezuka straighted up, looking straight at Yukimura. He was saying something, but Fuji wasn't that close to hear it. What he saw next made his chest tighten. Tezuka held Yukimura's hand on the table. He saw the Humanities professor smile, a visible blush crossing his beautiful, pale face. Tezuka said something that made Yukimura chuckle and Fuji had to tear away his gaze away from them to breathe. He knew he should go. But a part of him was telling to stay. He swallowed hard and looked back. Yukimura was saying something as he placed a hand on top of Tezuka.
Fuji draw a deep breath, trying to suppress whatever it is that he's feeling. Apparently, his self-control wasn't that refined.
A tear fell down his eyes. He wiped it harshly with a hand. But not before Yukimura made a sideway glance at his direction.
The reaction was instant. A confused look, shock, and then panic.
Of course Yukimura would panic. They were just caught. By no other than the person whom Tezuka and he were trying so hard to hide from.
Tezuka must have caught Yukimura's reaction for he turned back, eyes meeting Fuji's. He immediately pulled his hand away from Yukimura and stood up.
Fuji stepped back, and then turned on his heels to get out of there. He was barely aware of Sanada and Shiraishi's presence when he walked past them in a hurry, without any word or even glance. Sanada frowned and followed his retreating figure. Shiraishi paused eating. A moment after, they saw Tezuka half-running his way to follow Fuji.
Sanada quickly understood what was going on. He stood up and went on the direction where they other two just left, leaving a stunned Shiraishi. The basketball varsity player stared at the place where Sanada just go and then to the front door where Fuji and Tezuka exited. He looked down at their table, with Fuji and Sanada's food untouched.
"Hey!" he called out. A waiter who was passing nearby walked towards him. "I was wondering if I can take these home," he said, pointing at the food on the table.
The waiter stared at him for a second or two, apparently not used to guests bringing home leftover food. "Absolutely, sir."
SY: You've got a lot of explaining to do on the next chapter Tezuka-sensei...c'mon...tell me so I can write it.