Chapter 40 Good News

Tezuka looked unwaveringly at Ryoma who in turn was watching Tezuka's stance. They were close, if Ryoma doesn't catch this tennis ball… it will be game over and Tezuka will win. Being on the tennis courts for Tezuka and Ryoma was like fish in water. They are in their element and this was a true earnest battle between two enthusiastic tennis players. Although the main reason why they were out here to battle was for a mere girl whom they have both shared special feelings towards.

Tezuka was watching for the slightest weakness in Ryoma's position while Ryoma was watching for any tricks. Tezuka raised the ball and that instant, the air around the two tingled with static as Tezuka added a significant twist to his drop-shot… the Tezuka Phantom. Ryoma knew it that, it was the end… the moment Tezuka hit the ball with that technique he was done for, because h hadn't been able to return that shot yet.

"Chiz, I will get that shot next time buchou."

Tezuka blinked, he didn't think Ryoma would accept defeat so easily when his mind clicked for the first time since weeks. His eyes glinted with intelligence as he replied

"…Next time we won't bring a girl into this competition."

Ryoma smirked as they arrived at the hospital, he tugged his cap lower. He knew there won't be a woman next time, because with Sakuno there is no second time.

The moment, Tezuka and Ryoma entered the room… the whole team of regulars who were wolfing down their food dropped dead silent. The veterinarian who was not aware of such a dead silence walked in on this atmosphere and asked

"Sorry, I need some more details of the duckling. We would need to make him a tag. What is it's name?"

Tezuka caught the regulars hanging on his every word as he replied, his eyes glinting with amusement although his face was relatively calm and composed.

"Tezuka Kennichi."

When that was announced, the team went crazy as they thumped each other, Fuji smiling and Inui for the first time caught by everyone else.

"…Inui what is that clear drop of water on your cheek?"

"Sweat. 99.99%..."

"LYING! You were worried sick too! I mean, it isn't everyday buchou decided to almost abandon Kennichi alone with Sakuno to Ochibi, sorry Ochibi, no offence."

"Chiz,"

The veterinarian who seemed to e getting affected by the cheerfulness of the team of people he replied in a less somber tone. Unwilling to keep whatever he had a secret any longer.

"…Kennichi is a lucky duckling, just 10 minutes ago, some unknown donor wrote in to donate $1000 for a prosthetic leg."

Tezuka who was suspicious of this, asked

"Sorry? Who is this donor?"

Fuji and Inui looked at each other and instinctively they stuffed a sushi into Eiji and Momoshiro's mouth, causing them to choke in surprise. Fuji clapped his hands together as he replied

"Isn't that fantastic! Kennichi may just really become a track star."

"…I am going to tell Ryuuzaki about this news."

Tezuka knew it sounded suspicious, however, he was way too elated on two things, and that was his son Kennichi is getting back a leg he so terribly lost during Saiyo's terrible treatment. Two… he opened the door to meet two brown eyes glowing in the dark and looking at him, and asking him with those two eyes – 'what is going on?' He gets a chance to say something he may have never dared to in his lifetime if Fuji and Ryoma hadn't did what they did, not to mention the support for his other regulars.

"...What…"

Before Sakuno could ever ask, Tezuka replied in a very calming tone

"…Kennichi's receiving a prosthetic leg, regards to a donor, who donated the said money."

Sakuno's eyes begun to tear, she was so relieved to hear that perhaps Kennichi will not really spend the rest of his life without a leg, because she knew Kennichi was much like every other regular accept he can't hold and swing a racquet, he loved to jog.

"That is… so… it's… great!"

Sakuno ran towards Tezuka, for she was sure he felt the same elated feeling that she felt now when he told her, Kennichi may have a chance to walk by himself. Tezuka allowed her to run towards him and hug him as he returned the hug. Sakuno felt like she was melting in his embrace to realize… SHE WAS HUGGING TEZUKA! The one man she swore she was going to confess to the next second she could.

Embarrassed, she tried to release herself from his own arms when… she was dead sure he tightened it when she tried to wriggle free. Her heartbeat shot up from being elated to almost dizzy… he was holding her and not letting her go. She almost felt as if it was a dream she just stepped into… she'd rather not come back. Gestures like this are rarely misunderstood.

"…Ryuuzaki, I have something to say. And I would prefer we stay in this position as I tell it to you. I also would like you to not interrupt when I am saying it."

Sakuno merely nodded, she was thankful this room was dark and well he couldn't see her blushing so deep red he may think she painted herself red. She didn't know what to expect, but she did expect the regulars to perhaps stumble and fall out of somewhere obviously listening to this.

"…I always thought, I was being irrational and illogical. I felt things that I could not understand when I am around you…"

Sakuno kept silent and listened, but she found it hard to hear him when her blood was pumping up to her ears. Tezuka on the other hand was glad they were alone with Kennichi in this room and it was dark because it was private.

"…but when Kennichi appeared, things started to clear up. I enjoyed every moment of being with you and Kennichi to realize… if anything were to happen to the both of you… I would not have the words to describe what would happen. Because, I could never imagine it… until today…"

Tezuka tighten his hold around her waist even tighter as he tried to speak how he felt. He wanted her to fully understand his meanings. But being the man with a few words, it was rather hard to come to terms with love and the requirement of voicing something he didn't know how to describe.

"To be honest, I wished I never knew these emotions. Because, I didn't want to feel this intensive pain as if I was going through whatever you both have been through…"

Sakuno was about to say something but realized she'd better wait until he finished what he wanted to say. He took all this courage to walk up to her and let her know. Least she could do is listen, and when he was done with his unworthy speech she would tell him otherwise.

" I told Ryoma he should protect you, I was going to give up my guardianship, perhaps the role I played and most of all I was hoping to give you to the person you loved the most."

Sakuno panicked, she tried to wriggle free and see his expression as he refused and held on as he said

"You promised to stay and listen."

"Let me see your face."

Sakuno was worried, she wanted to look him in the eyes and let him know just exactly what she feared of showing him.

"…It took so long to realize and hide and just as long to go around the bend to come back here, without Ryoma or Fuji, I may not have realized what I should have realized sooner."

Tezuka looked down into Sakuno's eyes, their eyes were clear as day since the moonlight peered through the clouds and illuminating their faces. His eyes were blazing with sincerity and honesty… never had she seen such an expression on his face before… It was so heartwarming and it almost shattered her heart at the same time.

"I am in love with you, to the extent where I could not even let you go… I feel it to be crazy and deemed illogical… yet I can understand bits and pieces of it. I don't know if you feel the same way as I do, but I realized I can't walked away and pretend I don't feel the things I do. I had to let you know, I intend to stay beside you and not in front or behind of you… Can I know… how you feel?"

Sakuno saw the look and the way he said it, he was vulnerable and ready to give her the sword and stab him. She only need to say a word to embarrass him, but the fact was, she was Sakuno. To show her his true feelings, and take down the wall they built against each other because of the fear of losing each other forever was overwhelming.

Tezuka saw the look in those warm brown orbs although it was almost as convincing as it seems… he wanted to hear her say it. She looked just as flushed as he was… her eyes had swirls of emotions he never saw, perhaps because they were avoiding each other. Her eyes were also watering and there was a slight quiver on her lips. She looked just as exposed as he was, standing there with his feelings out in the open. The words he said hanging in the air like a warm fog.

"…You are…wrong."

Tezuka felt a horrible twist in his guts, he feel like he would like nothing more than to run outside and play tennis until daylight came to him telling him it was all over.

"…I love you and not Ryoma… I was so afraid that I would cause things to be so awkward between you and me because I was under the impression you may not feel the same way I do. I…I was scared too… scared of losing this the moment you found out."

Tezuka had seen his mother watch soap operas. He found them so cheesy, and the way they looked at each other was not really easily described. He also didn't understand how a girl would say something to make a man's heart sink and then rise again. He understood it all now… because that was what love is.

To hold the one you love in your arms as they cry on your shoulder in joy, the way your heart sinks yet right after that bounces off the ceiling… he knew as long as it was Sakuno and the way she felt about him, to hell if he was not himself anymore. No one is… when they are in love. And that was exactly what happened…

To be Cont.

Ughhhhh… I wished I could just wrap it up like this. But I have a few more things to do.