Chapter Eighteen – Together

"Do you know what will happen to Harris-san?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm not sure if I care what she does now." Tezuka replied, leading the way onto the tennis court.

"But, Tezuka."

"Practice is cancelled for this afternoon. We have the courts to ourselves. No one is here and no one can bother us." Tezuka said. "Let's just play a game."

"Why do we have to play a game?" Miyako asked. "I think we all played enough tennis over the week."

"But not alone." Tezuka reminded her. "And we don't have many chances to play against one another like this."

Miyako sighed. He was so serious that he'd even changed his shoes.

Her Father was late picking her up so Tezuka offered to hang around as he would be walking home anyway. Though the sky was turning shades of gold the school was still open as teachers and other clubs were still around, but in sight of the tennis Regulars returning the tennis practice had been cancelled. She flattened the tank top she was wearing and pulled her skirt down a little as she played with her racquet a little. She'd tied Kiba up to the fence by a grass field where the puppy was now sleeping, cooling down after a hectic and exciting week.

"Are you ready?" Tezuka asked.

Miyako walked onto the court and nodded. "Whenever you are."

Tezuka served and they played a few matches – but by the end of it they just played randomly. Neither kept track of the score or the rules. They just played around. And to Miyako's surprise Tezuka began to laugh as he played.

She had to smile wider – he had changed completely. He'd gone from a stoic gaze that downright scared her and turned it into a bright and happy smile that made her heart pound. She wondered if there was anything else in the world that would ever be that glorious.

The ball hit the net and rolled away, but neither cared.

She giggled a little, walking up to the net, swinging her racquet carelessly at her side. "Maybe we should go and wait by the front gate now, Dad might arrive soon." She suggested half heartedly. "We shouldn't keep him waiting."

Tezuka nodded as he walked up to the net as well. "It was a good game." He said, offering her a hand.

"Game?" Miyako asked, shaking his hand. "It was just a muck around session." She corrected him playfully.

Tezuka smiled warmly, staring deep into her eyes. And his racquet was suddenly on the ground. It clattered until it was still.

"Tezuka…" Miyako said, looking at the racquet and then back to him. "You dropped your ra – "

With the hand he held he pulled her right up to him, looping that arm around his neck and pressing his lips tenderly against hers. Though her eyes flashed wide with surprise, the smarter side of her looped her other arm around him, careful of the racquet she still held, and pulled him closer as her eyes slid shut. His hands found her back and tugged her right up against him and the net. Annoyance ripped into her as the net separated them, but she didn't mind in the slightest as he tilted his head to the side and ever so slightly parted her lips with his.

Her racquet hit the floor and she dug her fingers deep into his hair, inhaling deeply.

All of the hidden feelings. All of the repressed feelings. All the time wasted on waiting and the pain that followed it. The intensity of his passion fused with her need for him. It created a kiss like neither of them had imagined.

And finally they parted, but they were still pressed as closely as possible to one another, panting slightly.

Miyako stared into his eyes and he stared right back. To her slight amusement his cheeks were flushed a dark tone as he panted lightly, trying to catch the breath she had stolen. But he smiled, leaning his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry that I made you wait so long."

"I'm not complaining." Miyako whispered, tilting her head to lightly kiss him again.

. : . : . : .

"Fujiko, what are we waiting for?" Eiji asked, completely bored as Fuji intently watched the pair play tennis.

"Oh, you will see." Fuji replied, holding a camera ready.

"How do you know that something is going to happen anyways?" Eiji demanded.

"He told me."

"What? Tezuka told you?" Eiji asked, not believing his ears.

"Well, not in as many words. All he said was 'all of the obstacles have diminished'." Fuji replied. "And I can only assume that he's not going to hold back anymore." As he spoke the pair met at the net and shook hands.

And with a gasp of delight from both of the spies, Fuji snapped a shot of his best friend's first kiss.

. : . : . : .

"And what are you so giddy about?" Tamie asked suspiciously as her daughter stepped into the house, kicking off her shoes in a dazed fashion. She gasped. "Did something happen on the camp?"

Miyako smiled. "No, not really."

"'Not really'?" Tami demanded. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Miyako eyed her Father carefully as he pulled in her bag and then leaned in to whisper softly. "He kissed me." She hissed softly.

Tamie squeaked quietly, also careful of Naoko, who was heaving Miyako's bag up the stairs. "Where and when?" She asked in a whisper.

"Well, we got back from the camp, and Dad was late so he took me to the empty courts and we played a muck up game for a bit, not really playing matches or anything. And then when we finished we met at the net to shake hands and well…he kissed me."

"What? Instead of shaking hands?" Tamie asked.

"It was more of an excuse to pull me closer." Miyako admitted, flushing as she remembered the moment.

Tamie squeaked excitedly. "I'm so happy for you, Miya-chan."

"Thanks Mum."

"So, how was he?"

Miyako flushed. "I'm not answering that." She said and made her way up the stairs.

"Aww, but Miya-chan!"

"No!" Miyako's phone suddenly buzzed in her pocket and she looked at the caller ID and smiled, answering it. "Hey Tezuka. Couldn't you wait at least an hour before calling me?"

"I couldn't wait any longer."

Miyako laughed as she walked into her room and shut the door soundly behind her. "You're a just a little bit hopeless." She informed him.

"Perhaps, but I suppose that's what feeling this way means."

Miyako blushed a little. "You're a hopeless romantic too, I see."

"I hope so. I'd never want to disappoint you."

. : . : . : .

The weekend took longer to pass than she normally thought to be possible. There were no opportunities to see him until Monday – and even then she might not even see him until the afternoon.

She sighed as she lightly flicked her pencil up the desk and waited until it rolled back to her before she flicked it up again.

"Miya. You're dazing off again." Kara said lightly as she moved her chair and sat at Miyako's as she always did for lunch.

She sat up, slightly shocked as she realised that she'd missed the lunch bell.

"Why don't you just go to see him?"

"No way. Harris-senpai will be there." Miyako said.

"Didn't you hear?" Kara asked.

"Hear what?"

"She's been expelled. They found out that she organised some kind of horrible prank at the camp. What was the prank?" Kara asked, remembering that Miyako had been there.

Miyako shuddered at the memory. "A swarm of crabs."

Kara made a disgusted sound. "Gross."

"Yeah. In my cabin."

"Are you serious? It was your cabin?"

Miyako nodded. "It scared the pants off me and Tezuka had to practically carry me out of there. And Fuji-senpai carried Sakuno-chan out too."

"Oh my gosh. She has some nerve."

"Well, she's paying for it anyway."

"Hey, Miyako-san! You have a visitor!"

Miyako looked up at the fellow classmate's call. Sakuno was standing at the door, smiling brightly to her second year friend. "Sakuno-chan." Miyako greeted, running over to the door. "How are you?"

"I'm well, and you?" Sakuno asked.

"Fine." Miyako replied. "What can I do for you?"

"Well…um…I just wanted to ask you for your help."

Miyako smiled at the flush on the girl's cheeks. "Sure thing. Come on in."

Sakuno followed Miyako to her seat and when Miyako turned the seat in front of her desk around to face hers, Sakuno sat in it.

"Kara, this is my friend, Sakuno-chan." Miyako said. "Sakuno-chan, this is Kara."

"Nice to meet you." Kara greeted.

"You too." Sakuno greeted back, a little shyer than Miyako had seen her.

"So, what do you need help with?" Miyako asked.

Sakuno sighed and pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket. "I found this in my desk this morning."

Miyako opened the letter and frowned. "Do you have any idea who would want to send something like this to you?"

Sakuno shook her head.

"Let me see." Kara said, taking the note to read it. "Pfft. This person clearly has nothing better to do with their time."

"Does Ryoma-kun know about it?"

Sakuno nodded. "He's confused too – but he went to see Fuji-senpai and Tezuka-senpai to ask them about it."

"Is he there now?" Miyako asked.

Sakuno nodded.

"Okay, let's go and see them." Miyako said, grabbing Sakuno's hand and leading her out of the chairs. "I won't be long, Kara." She called as she dragged the girl out of the classroom and down the hallways.

It was a horrible reason to see him, but it was a reason nonetheless and if anyone knew how to handle this kind of thing then it was Tezuka. After all, he'd only just finished dealing with something much the same.

Miyako reached the door to the third year classroom and knocked on the doorframe when she was unnoticed. "May I see Tezuka-senpai?" She asked – adding the honorific in the purpose of being polite and hiding their close relationship.

Tezuka, along with Fuji, Eiji and Echizen looked up from their circle on the other side of the classroom. He stood up and motioned the girls to join them.

"What do you think they can do, Tezuka?" Miyako whispered when she reached the table.

"The summer is almost here, so there's every chance that after the summer there won't be any kind of problems." Tezuka replied. "I'm glad that you came to see me." He added to Echizen and Sakuno. "But I think that for the moment you should ignore this note and just be happy being together. If the problem worsens – especially after the holidays – then I suggest that you contact your teacher."

The younger pair nodded.

"Did you ever contact your teacher?" Miyako asked suspiciously.

"No – because it was worse before I had the chance."

Miyako rolled her eyes. "Easier said than done, I see."

"You have no idea." Tezuka replied, sitting down. "Will you be at practice this afternoon?"

Miyako nodded. "Of course I will."

Tezuka smiled warmly. "I'm glad to hear that."

Miyako only smiled back.

For the time being they were keeping their relationship to themselves – at least until they could get used to it. But once Miyako glanced at Fuji she knew instantly – he knew. She narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to comment. But he only smiled.

"How are you today, Miyako-chan?" Fuji asked casually.

Miyako smiled. "I'm well, thank you."

. : . : . : .

As the summer break rolled around Miyako managed to get herself out of the house nearly every day. She used the excuse of walking Kiba to get down to his house and they would walk somewhere together and at times find a street court to play some tennis on. From time to time they would meet up with the other Regulars – Yori joining them more often than not.

And it didn't take long for Miyako to notice the ever so subtle hints that Kaidou had definitely asked her out.

Miyako and Tezuka however were able to keep their relationship well hidden – they just acted the same as they did before, refraining from holding hands or being too close to one another. It was easy. Even though both of them knew that there were no secrets that could be kept from Fuji – who kept looking at him, waiting for something to happen.

"This is getting harder and harder." Miyako said softly as they parted from the group to head home. "I swear we're gonna slip up just once and he will definitely see it."

"Of course he will." Tezuka said, taking a hold of her hand. "That's just the way Syusuke is. He notices the things that people do. It's natural to him."

"Still, it's a little awkward knowing that he will know. That he already knows is worse enough."

"He knows that we want to keep it quiet though and he's honouring that." Tezuka reminded her. "He's a spy, not a gossip."

Miyako giggled lightly. "So, when do summer practices for the next tournament start?"

"Next week." Tezuka replied. "They'll be longer than normal, so I hope you don't mind being without me for those four hours a day."

Miyako shrugged. "As long as I have the chance to see you at least once every day, then I don't mind."

He smiled and gently kissed her hair. "I'll see you later."

Miyako nodded and walked up the path towards her front door. "Bye."

She closed the door behind her and sighed, slipping her shoes off and Kiba came to greet her.

"Hey girl." Miyako greeted, petting the dogs head and wincing a little at the slight pain in her left elbow. "What the heck?" She mumbled, feeling the bone gently, but shrugged as the pain didn't continue. "Must have just been a little muscle cramp. Come on girl, let's go find Kaiya."

Miyako found the small girl in the lounge room, playing with her cat by the large scratching post.

"There you are."

Kaiya looked up and giggled excitedly as she ran and leapt into her older sister's arms. "Miya-neechan~! How was your date?"

Miyako laughed. "It wasn't really a date, Kaiya. The other boys were there too." She said, placing the girl down and walking with her over to the scratching post to play with the kitten like feline. "Have you been taking care of my little sister, Kohana?" Miyako asked the feline, who meowed in reply and rubbed her head against Miyako's knee.

"She's been a good kitty~." Kaiya replied. "Mummy's hanging out the washing, by the way." She explained.

Miyako smiled, pet the cat, the dog and gently touched Kaiya's hair before standing up and walking to the backyard, where her Mother was indeed hanging out a load of washing. Without needing to be asked, Miyako walked over and began to help.

"Oh, Miya-chan. How was your outing?" Tamie asked.

"It was good." Miyako replied.

"Was he sweet?"

"As always, but we were with everyone today."

"Miya-chan, has he even kissed you again?"

"No." Miyako replied. "We've never had the opportunity or the reason."

"Opportunity I agree with, but reason? Why would you need a reason?" Tamie asked.

Miyako laughed. "Tezuka's the kind of guy that won't do something unless there is a reason. I guess he kissed me that one time in place of trying to gush out some mushy spiel about finally being able to ask me out. Even to me that kind of thing sounds elementary and it certainly isn't Tezuka's style. And besides, our relationship is based off our personalities, the fact that we actually have things in common – not anything physical."

"Well, you two are certainly different to me and your Father."

Miyako panicked, holding her arms up in a cross. "Don't need to know!"

Tamie laughed. "All I'm saying is, I'm actually proud of you. A lot of kids your age who are in relationships only look for the physical side of the relationship and focus on the getting to know each other bit later. In the end that's what ends them. The way that you and Tezuka-kun are going I have every reason to believe that you will last."

Miyako smiled warmly, looking at her hands that were folded over in front of her, holding a shirt. "You really think so?"

"I know so." Tamie replied. "But I'm sure that there will be a time when all you'll want is him – and I mean his body – and you won't be able to deny it. Even to yourself."

Miyako cried out again, throwing the shirt she held at her Mother. "Stop talking about that stuff!"