A/N: Sorry it took so long to update this story. Well, now you know what was in the bag(s), but the sadists aren't telling and that might bother the two people who live to collect data and know everything just a little bit. Eh, they will get over it… eventually… hmm maybe they will need therapy. LOL. I really thought long and hard about how Tezuka could convince Fuji of his feelings. Some ideas I came up with were skywriting, hiring a plane to carry a banner, skydiving (ok, I was in a sky type of mood for a while), fireworks, letting him win a match, or getting others involved (well that one might have ended in bloodshed and he might not find anyone willing to help after everything that happened), and I finally decided on something else. Enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter 18 – Tezuka's Proclamation

Time seemed to move slowly as the seconds turned into minutes, and those ticked by one after the other at a snail's pace (and really, maybe even slower than that). Tezuka kept looking at his watch believing that time and progressed, only to find out that no more than a minute or two had moved on since the last time he glanced at the contraption. He tapped it, held it up to his ear (although it was digital, so it isn't like it ticks), pulled out his phone and checked the time there, and then checked his watch again (they matched)… his watch was in perfect working order. Time just wasn't his friend.

The moment his phone alarm sounded, alerting him that it was indeed 6:00, Tezuka felt the anxiety and nervousness increase tenfold. It felt like he was about to play the biggest match of his life, and in a way he was.

Just as the alert went off, he started to scan the area for the one person he was waiting for (and had been for the past hour). Everything was ready; it was only missing one person… Fuji. Where exactly was he? Who knew? There was a part of Tezuka that wondered if the tensai would be late to teach him a lesson or if the blue eyed teen would even show, and he really hoped that he showed; although, no one would ever realize that is what he was feeling by just looking at him. It would take a discerning eye to realize that Tezuka was not as calm as he appeared or that he was anxious and maybe a little scared.

There was one person who would be able to see this and more. One person that probably understood Tezuka Kunimitsu more than anyone else, and sometimes more than himself (and no it was not Inui… though he might tell you that he did): Fuji Syusuke. The tennis tensai stood just in the tree line out of sight from the stoic ex buchou and observed the megane wearing teen for a few minutes before he made his presence known… well more like thirty. He would have gone longer, but he believed Tezuka was already about at his breaking point and would leave if Fuji didn't appear soon. Technically, he was only about fifteen minutes late since he had arrived a few minutes early and watched the former buchou await his arrival very anxiously. Fuji could see the slight shifts in weight, how often Tezuka glanced at his watch, the subtle scanning of the area while arms were crossed over his chest, and the small sighs that were almost hidden from view; all of this told the tensai that Tezuka was nervous and unsure of himself… and as he chuckled to himself before walking up to the other teen, Fuji thought it was rather cute and funny.

Finally deciding to put Tezuka out of his misery, Fuji walked up to him, "Ne, Tezuka, what is this about?"

Eyes finding and focusing on his prey (ok, bad choice of words, but kind of apt), the bespectacled teen answered, "You told me to prove to you that I really had feelings for you, and then you would consider giving me a chance. I am here to prove it to you."

"Saa, by playing me in a match?" Fuji inquired a little hesitantly.

"For a start," Tezuka declared, not letting up on his intensity. He would not lose this match for Fuji's heart… even if he was playing the tensai himself. "You serve," he said as he threw the other teen the ball and stepped onto his side of the court. Everything was ready, now they just had to play and then…

Fuji wasn't sure why he suddenly felt nervous about playing this other teen; they had played a few different matches, and although he had never really won, he had never been unsure or anxious about any of those meetings. Today was different though, and as he caught the ball and stared between it and Tezuka, anxiety was rushing through him like the rapids of a river; however, that was not something the other would ever be privy to. Fuji did want to know how a tennis match would convince him of Tezuka's feelings though as confusion, anxiety, uncertainty took up residence in his body.

Shaking off everything, Fuji grabbed his racket and stood on the other side of the court from the bespectacled teen. It was time to find out what this match had to say. He could tell that Tezuka had something planned, but he honestly didn't know what it could be; thus taking in a deep breath, he served the small green ball.

Back and forth they played the game, neither giving up their serve. It was a close game that brought out the real challenge and gift of the two players. They were using their special moves and tricks to try and one up the other, but there was a counter for almost everything. Just as soon as Tezuka got the upper hand, Fuji would come back. Then Fuji would win, and Tezuka would counter and win. Neither one wanted to concede defeat, but then something happened. A shift of the winds if you will, and Fuji lost his serve when they were tied 5-5, bringing the count up to 6-5… Tezuka had the lead. However, they never finished their game.

Tezuka bounced the ball a couple of times on the ground before he threw it up in the air and served… the serve was powerful and never bounced on the tennis court. It flew over Fuji's head and hit something against the back fence behind the tensai, but the sound was off. It sounded like it hit something instead of the fence.

Whipping around, Fuji looked as a banner unfurled itself from a circular ball he had completely missed when he arrived. It looked like the same object they used when their middle school coach had finally gotten out of the hospital… and it was when Tezuka had returned from Germany the first time. That day the megane wearing teen showed everyone that he was back and ready to fight to win nationals. Today he was showing Fuji he was there and ready to be everything the tensai wanted him to be using the same method as the day he had walked back into his life just the year before; another homecoming in a way. The banner read, "I'm sorry. Germany doesn't have you. Please give me a chance."

The tensai gasped and could feel the sting of tears enter his eyes, but he would not let them fall. He just stood there gaping at the banner and everything it meant, and it was more than the words. Unsure how long he stood there, Fuji heard someone approach him and then wrap a set of arms around him and knew who they belonged to.

"I would have hired a plane to drag the banner through the air, but it didn't seem like a good idea. I just want a chance, and if you decide then that we don't suit, well at least we know we tried," Tezuka spoke softly.

Fuji honestly didn't think Tezuka had it in him to actually do something like this: romantic and caring. The other teen was known for being stoic and not showing his feelings. Hell at nationals, Fuji was the only one that saw Tezuka smile (well besides Inui, who is really just a stalker anyway… hmmm wonder what happened to the video. Maybe it was uploaded on Youtube by the data collector for the world to see that Tezuka really does know how to express himself… shocker), and when he pointed it out, the bespectacled teen wiped the grin off his face.

Leaning into the embrace and laying his head on Tezuka's shoulder, Fuji nodded, "Alright, you convinced me." It was after a few more minutes of silence, staring at the banner that the tensai said, "This doesn't mean you can quit the game though. If you forfeit, I win, and that serve was a fault."

Rolling his eyes, Tezuka kissed Fuji's head and then told him, "I won't miss again." He returned to his side and their match resumed, but this time there was an air of lightheartedness in their play. Tezuka had finally won the match of the heart, and this match was only secondary. He honestly didn't care if he lost in tennis to the tensai that night because he had achieved something greater, and that is all that mattered.