"So that was it? You were horny and 'he' came in, and you simply found the opportunity so worth it?"
"Yes."
"That's bullshit."
"I don't care."
Fuji fought his sister's deadly glare. He knew it would come to this, and he had to admit that he felt proud of himself for being so prepared for this confrontation. If his sister was planning to declare war against him, he's very much willing to put up a good fight.
"I could still understand if it's Tezuka that you're wasting your time with, but with a stranger? Go to hell." Yumiko said, glare fixed on her brother's, who was comfortably leaning at the railings of their balcony.
"Corrections. First, Tezuka was, is, and will never be a waste of time. Second, Sanada was not a stranger. Try mistaking those facts again nee-san, and I'll let you eat your words." Fuji warned.
"You wish." Yumiko challenged.
"We'll see."
They glared at each other for another long moment before Fuji sighed. He understood how Yumiko felt about what happened, but what he didn't approve was the over reactive repulsion of his sister to Sanada. Sanada Genichiro was kind and respectful; more respectful than any person Fuji met. It just so happened that he became one of his fancy, which in most cases, turns out to be a bit dangerous.
"You better do something about your attitude Syusuke. I don't want to see you kneeling down for another man again. You're not a slut, for crying out loud!"
Fuji just shrugged and ignored his sister's words. He instead headed towards the door and went out their house.
"Don't you think the practice ended a bit early today?" Jackal asked their data master while they were packing up their things inside their club room.
Yanagi nodded. "To be exact, we're dismissed 23 minutes and 5 seconds earlier than usual." he said.
"Is it natural?" Jackal asked, feeling slightly amused by his own curiosity.
"Under the circumstances, I'd say we're having some sort of issues here, though I'd rather not talk about it in public."
Jackal was about to say something when Yukimura went inside the room, fresh from running laps judging from the sweat that were trailing down his forehead and neck. His stoic expression indicated that he's not in a very good mood for any confrontation, and any unnecessary noise will be dealt with accordingly.
Realizing the situation, Jackal went on stuffing his racket on his duffel bag, before bowing in front of their captain and uttering a short goodbye.
"Say it." Yukimura said when he noticed how Yanagi's closed eyes lingered on him.
"Is something wrong?" the data master asked.
Yukimura glanced at his direction. Yanagi understood what it meant.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I just thought I can help-"
"Nothing's wrong Renji. Now why don't you mind your own business."
Yanagi nodded before gathering all his things and heading out.
Yukimura didn't want to be rude. He knew Yanagi was just concerned with the welfare of the team. But he was really not in a good mood to be kind. He's pissed off with nothing in particular plus the fact that his vice-captain seemed to be not in a good mood as well. Anyone who's not getting the support he needed in times like this will of course be out of their system.
The bluenette inwardly cursed himself. The team obviously has nothing to do with his personal life. He should at least try his best to set aside his personal problems from that of his responsibilities as the tennis captain.
Before he could do more damage to his self-confidence by blaming himself for everything that was happening, Yukimura has found himself dialing the number of his vice-captain. As expected, Sanada answered on the first ring.
"You left early. Where are you?" he asked.
Few seconds of silence passed before Sanada answered him.
"I….at Seigaku."
"Seigaku?" Yukimura asked, mind suddenly went on remembering the encounter he had with the Tezuka for no apparent reason.
"Yes…There's just something I need to discuss with Tezuka.."
Yukimura closed his eyes and sighed. Sanada couldn't be over with his paranoia, could he?
"Genichirou…..Tezuka and I are – "
"It's okay Seiichi…I came in for a different reason."
Yukimura went silent on that. It's not that he suspected anything suspicious about the two. He knew Sanada very well to think that the only reason he would ever talk with Tezuka in private is when it has something to do with tennis. The thing is, this would be the first time that Sanada would do so without informing him first. Though Yukimura admired the air of independence exuded by his vice-captain, he still couldn't wipe away the thought that somehow, behind his back, the two stoic personalities are talking about something more personal.
"Seiichi?" Sanada asked from the other line when he noticed that the line completely went silent.
"Yes…I see…See you tomorrow then." Yukimura said before hanging up the phone, not waiting for Sanada to say anything more.
He leaned on his locker and let the cold steel carry the weight of his entire body. This day turned out to be very tiring. Perhaps a good dinner and a hot spring bath could do him some favor. He hoped so.
Tezuka waited for everyone on the team to go home before he started packing his own things. He once again checked on his phone and navigated to the recent message he received few minutes ago.
'I'll wait at the cafeteria across your school.'
No matter how hard Tezuka thought about it, he still didn't know why on earth would Sanada suddenly want to talk to him….in private.
He gathered his things and went out.
The stoic captain needed not to search for his guest when he found Sanada's familiar figure leaning on a bench just across the school. He crossed the street and nodded at the equally stoic guy in recognition. They eventually went in the cafeteria without another word. Both knew they have to reserve the talking later.
Tezuka knew it.
Sanada knew it.
They knew it the moment the wind chime of the cafeteria sounded, signaling their entry. They both knew what those glances from the people inside meant, mostly from high school students like them. Everything just felt so obvious, from the group of giggling girls, whispering something at the sight of them both, down to some university students, who lingered their glances at them longer than what's necessary.
Sanada frowned. If he knew this cafeteria would be a bit popular, he wouldn't have minded giving Tezuka few hassles of meeting him somewhere else. Somewhere a bit isolated.
He just didn't appreciate too much attention. In fact, he dreaded it. When he glanced at Tezuka, he knew the other shared the same thought.
They settled at a corner where there were minimal occupants. At least they wouldn't bother looking for their backs, trying to check for stupid eavesdroppers, spying on them. Just like what happened before.
A glass of cold orange juice and lemon juice were all Sanada and Tezuka needed respectively to finally get themselves to the real issue.
"Is there something I can help you?" Tezuka started.
"Yes."
The stoic captain nodded, wondering if Sanada knew the thing that happened between him and Yukimura. Right now, that was the only possible thing he could think of for this sudden confrontation.
"This might not be one of your businesses, Tezuka….But I'd really appreciate it if you take a closer consideration to how your team behaves outside the court." Sanada said, eyeing his drink closely, as if what he just said came out of it.
Tezuka stared at Sanada for the first time, but remained silent for the lack of proper words to say.
Noticing the silence from the other guy, Sanada took a sip from his glass and started to speak once more.
"I'm talking about Fuji."
"Fuji?" Tezuka asked, finally finding the topic interesting…and troublesome. He didn't have any problem with Fuji when it comes to their relationship with other teams before. But this….seemed to be a bit different.
"What is it, Sanada?" he continued.
Tezuka wouldn't want to entertain the thought, but he knew that something as this, which involves a certain Seigaku tensai certainly meant one thing. Danger. What made it worse this time though, was the fact that Rikkaidai seemed to be the subject of Fuji's games.
Sanada swallowed hard. He once again felt like vanishing in thin air. What was he thinking again? Why would he want Tezuka to know what happened between them? Help? Hardly.
"Sanada.." Tezuka muttered, feeling slightly nervous with Sanada's silence and apparent uneasiness.
What is it this time? Did Fuji got into a fight with a Rikkaidai member? Did he punched somebody? Tricked? Fooled?...?...?
"He did it twice, and I thought it's best to let you know." Sanada answered, still slightly unwilling to get down to the specifics.
It was Tezuka's time to swallow hard this time.
Twice?! Was Fuji crazy?! God…Honestly, there are times when Tezuka felt more scared with what Fuji might do than the actual homicide and murder cases he hears on the news every day. At least evidences are present on those cases reported on T.V. In Fuji's case, there are evidences, but those practically don't matter when the blue-eyed genius is the culprit. He's a genius after all. Hiding his tracks was way too simple.
They both settled in silence as they went on organizing their thoughts, weighing which things should be said first, and which should be best kept as a secret. Feeling a sense of responsibility as a team captain, Tezuka spoke out first.
"I have to assume what you're implying meant trouble."
Sanada nodded hesitantly.
Tezuka heaved a sigh. This is it.
"Say it." he urged.
Sanada took another sip from his glass before looking straight at the other guy.
"Fuji….he…it's….he….k-kissed me…." Sanada said, mumbling the last words, hoping to save himself from embarrassment. Thanks to Fuji.
At first, Tezuka thought he just misheard what Sanada said.
But his judgment knew better.
His eyes widened a bit upon the realization of the facts at hand. Fuji kissed Sanada…Fuji did…
"..and what did he do the second time?" Tezuka found himself asking, trying to stay as closer as possible to the real issue.
He saw Sanada's eyes widened, and Tezuka knew by then that Fuji did a deadlier act this time.
"Sanada.."
"…he…I…Tezuka….I don't think….I can tell you….." Sanada manage to say, now blushing by the mere thought of what Fuji did to him on the couch.
Tezuka nodded. Even if Sanada doesn't tell him. He already had the slightest idea of what happened…He had experiences with Fuji before….He just don't know if Fuji went overboard this time with Sanada. He hoped not.
"I understand. I'd talk to him about it…and I'm sorry…..Fuji shouldn't really have done that.."
Sanada nodded.
More silence passed. When it became awkward, Sanada decided to speak.
"I have one question though…" he said.
"Go ahead."
"…..Are you…..dating with Yukimura?"
Tezuka clinched his fists…Oh please…not now…
"No." he answered.
Sanada nodded, a sign of relief visible on his stoic face.
Tezuka didn't know why he felt uneasy with that. He didn't know why he felt nervous with Sanada's reaction. Was he expecting it? Was he…
"…..not yet…" Tezuka added, feeling the need to assure of his real stand on the new issue.
Yes, he was not dating Yukimura now…..but who knows what happens by tomorrow?
Sanada looked at him straight in the eye.
"Not yet…" Sanada repeated.
They hardly talk and see each other. Ironically, they understand their actions more than anybody does, and Sanada felt good on that. When Tezuka gave him 'that' look the moment he asked about Yukimura, Sanada knew exactly what it meant. He need not to ask. He understands Tezuka very well…..much the same as how Tezuka understands him as well.
Walking together silently to the train station, Sanada knew it wouldn't be the last.
Indeed, Tezuka's one of a kind…he always makes words unnecessary yet still convey what he wanted to say.
Cool.
Sanada made a sideway glance at the other guy as they made their way inside the train. Perhaps it was that thing which made Tezuka special..something which he still couldn't understand fully…
He didn't know what entity possessed him, but a smile suddenly crossed his face. When Tezuka looked back at him, he immediately faked a cough and looked away to hide his smile.
Weird…..really weird…
Author's Note:
...
Weird..
Right..something's really weird with Sanada , don't you think?!..(*grins*)
This is the longest chapter so far...but really...it's fun writing this!...There are a variety of points to consider in there..(if you know what I mean...)
Comments? Suggestions?