A/N: Dialogue spoilers for ep 10 of shin, because I'm an anime bitch. Also spoilers for the Tezuka-Yamato match in general.
Tezuka plays Yamato-san the very next day. Even with the rejection, Atobe feels a familiar thrill shoot through him at the prospect of watching Tezuka play. It may be more than admiration, but Tezuka's form is pure strength and grace in a way no one can match for Atobe.
Atobe can tell the moment it starts to go south. Tezuka's skeletal system practically flashes before his eyes, and Atobe sees the incoming damage. He feels it in his own joints, a kind of sympathy pain that sprints through him for the briefest of moments.
"Tezuka! Don't push yourself too hard! What'll you do if you hurt your arm again?" The words slip out unbidden, but Atobe absolutely means them. Their win in these matches is not worth Tezuka's future: Atobe is sure of this. What he is not sure of is when he started caring more about Tezuka than victory.
As if queued, Tezuka grips his elbow. It doesn't look bad, and Tezuka's stoicism can cover much of the pain. That doesn't stop Atobe from seeing how quickly Tezuka's arm is approaching its limit.
Before Atobe can protest again, Yamato-san begins to speak. His words aren't loud, but the stands are deathly silent. Atobe hears every syllable. Then Yamato-san pulls up the sleeve of his jersey to reveal a gruesome surgery scar. Atobe winces just looking at it, but the sympathy pain hits Tezuka far harder. Even when his shoulder was at breaking point, Tezuka did not look this way: eyes wide, mouth dipped open, so completely paralyzed. He is, Atobe realizes, seeing one path of his future. Atobe's stomach churns.
"Tezuka!" he calls, almost desperate. Tezuka looks over his shoulder, expression still open and wounded. Atobe continues, "You're not the only one who can be a pillar. Have a little faith in us."
Tezuka swallows. "Everyone. . . will you let me enjoy tennis a little more?"
It is a request that Atobe has no business refusing.
When he throws himself back into the match, it is a spectacular sight. Tezuka is practically an illusion, a phantom returning invisible balls, hitting back at every one of Yamato-san's weak spots.
Tezuka, you… Atobe can sense the gate unlocking before it even happens. The aura pouring off Tezuka shifts. It is unlike anything Atobe has ever witnessed. The strength behind his teni muhou no kiwami is blinding: Atobe can hardly keep himself from grinning like a maniac. His heart feels ready to burst, witnessing this glory from such an incredible man.
It is then that Atobe knows what he must do when the match ends.
As Tezuka and Yamato-san shake hands, Atobe waits just off court.
"You want to go to Germany, don't you?" Atobe already knows the answer. "Go and become a professional already."
"Atobe…" Tezuka's expression is shocked, wide open. Atobe smirks.
"I'll follow you soon enough." The words' full meaning come through. Then, Tezuka graces Atobe with the greatest gift he has ever received: a look of fiery determination and a smile. Atobe feels his heart flip three ways to Sunday.
Perhaps, just perhaps, things will be all right.