A/N:
All characters belong to Konami Takeshi sensei
Seigaku has been changed from a middle school to a high school cos I can't imagine stuff like this happening to kids 13-15 years old…
Scenes may be a little confusing cos I wrote each part corresponding to a specific part of the lyrics
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Hello, good morning. How ya been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never thought I could fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad
---
Three weeks had passed since his chance meeting with Atobe. Tezuka had tried to put the encounter behind him but it was becoming harder and harder to ignore the other man's presence now that they no longer had entire continents between them. Not that it had mattered in the first place. However, if their encounter had taught Tezuka anything, it was that even more than physical distance, what they have now was the distance of the heart. Though he and Atobe were now in the same country, they were no longer on the men they were before.
You have become such a fine man, Keigo. Was it wrong of me to push you away then if this is the result?
Tezuka made his way across the campus, exchanging greetings with his colleagues and students along the way. It was a beautiful sunny day, with still a hint of the cool spring breeze. Somewhere along the far corner of the sky, fluffy grey clouds began to make their way over. If Momoshiro was around he would surely be able to predict the exact time it would begin to rain, the errant thought suddenly sprang into his mind out of nowhere. It also reminded him that Ooishi had mentioned about a gathering tonight at Kawamura's sushi bar to celebrate Kikumaru's and Ooishi's 3rd year anniversary of officially staying together. It never ceased to amaze him how the Golden Pair had managed it – the enormous amount of trust it takes to entrust oneself so completely to another, the certainty of the choice and the strength required to ride through the upheavals of a stigmatized relationship such as theirs. But if miracles could happen to anyone, it should definitely happen for the two of them. Their happiness was visible to everyone around them.
Did I ever have a chance at that happiness?
He had been so sure that he had made the right choice then. So why are you so concerned over Keigo's affairs even after you had parted? The small voice in his head tormented him unmercifully. Initially, when Atobe had began to prove that he was a talent to be wary of, not only in the tennis courts but also in the business world, it had hurt to see pictures of Atobe and his success splashed on the covers of almost all the major magazines, even the German editions. Tezuka had never failed to buy them. It's only to keep track of Japan's economic situation was the reason he would tell himself. It didn't mean anything. However, later on, when Atobe's talents in the business world had become eminent, and focus had turned to his private life, Tezuka learnt to ignore the magazine corners of all the stores he frequented in Germany which more often than not, carried gossip rags filled with Atobe and his endless parade of rich socialite dates (all of which never seemed to last for longer than a fortnight).
Checking the time on his watch, Tezuka noted that there was still ample time to buy a congratulatory gift for the happy couple. He had not been able to be there when the pair had their private solemnization (partially due to his internship but mainly because of the fear of meeting a certain arrogant ore-sama who had returned home after his graduating from the 4-year business course) and he wanted to be sure to choose an appropriate present to convey his regret for the late gift and his best wishes for them.
---
"Saa, Tezuka, are you dating anyone?" Kikumaru bounced to plop down on the seat beside him. The years have not seemed to change Kikumaru at all. Even though he was now 26 years old, he still behaved like the hyper active teenager he was when they had first met.
"Eiji, I can see that you are trying to play match-maker again. Haven't I told you not to poke into anyone's personal business again? I see you have forgotten about the disastrous attempt to match-make Kaoru with one of your colleagues only to realize that Kaoru's straight!" Ooishi scolded Kikumaru, trying to look stern despite obviously losing to Kikumaru's puppy-eyed gaze looking at him in protest of innocence.
"Nnee ne, Syuuichirou, it's because we've found happiness. That's why I'm trying to help everyone find theirs. And how was I to know that Kaoru's straight when he only hangs out with guys?!" Kikumaru pouted prettily at his partner in mock anger.
"I'm sure Tezuka will know when he finds the right person. " Ooishi replied patiently, accustomed to the varied outbursts and of Seigaku's former acrobatic player.
"Eiji –senpai! How about me? If that stupid Mamushi is too dumb to appreciate your offer, I'll take it up happily," Momoshiro added his two cents' worth jokingly into the argument. Despite the years, his rivalry with Kaidoh has not ebbed at all but instead, had progressed to the encompass work, income and girlfriends.
With the exception of Fuji and Ryoma, the entire team had arrived. Momoshiro, Kaidoh and Inui in business suits; having come over from work, Kikumaru and Oishi in their track suits from teaching in school and Kawamura attending to them in his chef's uniform, having taken over the business after graduating from high school. Tezuka sipped his ocha silently at his corner of the table, watching the ruckus that had been a staple in their high school tennis club days. He could not help but feel envy that everyone seemed to have managed to remain a close-knit group over the years. And as it was in the past, Tezuka keenly felt his role as an outsider; leading the team and being respected for his skill and leadership but somehow, unable to totally blend in.
A breath of relief was released when Ooishi saved him from bind of the Kikumaru's question earlier. Besides Fuji, Ooishi was the only other person on the team who managed to scratch beneath the mask which Tezuka wore; and the only person on the team who knew of his past relationship with Fuji. Ooishi was like a rock, never prying and constantly anchoring Tezuka from drifting too far into the abyss of his own inner conflicts. For that, Tezuka would always be grateful.
It was well past 2am when the group cleared from Kawamura's sushi bar. Kikumaru and Ooishi thanked everyone for coming and mentioned organizing another get together when Ryoma returned to town the next month. Tezuka assisted Kaidoh with helping the drunken Momoshiro and Inui into the taxi - those two had decided to challenge all the patrons in the restaurant to see who the best drinker of all was – before heading of in the direction of his home. He was nearing his apartment building when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar silhouette step out from the shadow of the nearb streetlamp.
"Tadaima."