Alright...sweet moments for lovely Yukimura and Tezuka here...
...and a doze of headache and emptiness for anxious Sanada and Fuji...
(..I'm not a spoiler!^_^)
DISCLAIMER: (I realized the importance of this just now...) Prince of Tennis was, is, and will never be mine! (But I ALWAYS KEEP THE FAITH THAT IT WILL SOMEDAY BE!)
He never had any sleeping problems before. He exercises well, eats well and maintains a healthy way of living as far as he was concern. If there was indeed something unhealthy about him, that would be his sex life. But he seriously believed that was not a big issue. And definitely not the reason why he can't sleep now no matter how hard he tries.
Sanada marched down towards their kitchen, careful on his every step to make sure that he doesn't create any unnecessary noise. The last thing he would want to happen would be waking up his parents and letting them find him drinking a can of cola in the middle of the night.
"Cola on midnight? What the hell are you thinking?"
Sanada flinched and immediately placed back the drink he just got from the fridge. He stood straight and faced the owner of the voice.
"Ma..." he said.
"You're not sleeping yet." his mother commented, eyeing him with her sharp and intimidating gaze.
Sanada's mother exuded an aura of superiority which would give anyone the impression that she was some kind of an elite, strict, and demanding boss. Her long, black hair which should have shown signs of aging now, hang lose and silky, still with its natural glow back when she was in her early 20s. Her usually pursed, thin lips, which has its natural shade of pink made her look a decade younger than her original age. Contrary to Sanada's tan skin tone, her mother actually had a fair complexion matched with her hazel brown eyes, which he had always associated with that of Tezuka's.
Faced with his mother's elegance and grace in her evening dress, Sanada felt like a small kid caught stealing a piece of candy on the kitchen table.
"I….I'm finishing an important document for school." he lied. Never would he tell his mother that he can't sleep due to a certain blue-eyed tennis genius, who was plaguing his mind ever since he left his house the other day. Never.
"An important document."
"H-hai….Just…writing down our National line-up for tennis."
His mother tilted her head and examined him closely.
"Well…I'd say you look more like someone who just got off from bed. And you're writing down something? With the lights off? I suggest you give me a more convincing argument if you ever plan on lying to me again. Now go back to your room." she commanded.
Sanada gulped as he wordlessly followed his mother's order. If there was one person who scares him more than how Yukimura does when pissed off, that would be her.
"Genichirou…." his mom called out.
Sanada turned back. "H-hai…"
"I'll bring you up a cup of tea. Turn on your lights."
Sanada nodded. "H-hai.."
"I can't sleep." Yukimura said with a smile as he pressed his phone closer to his ears.
"I'm still awake." Tezuka's voice came from the other line.
"Are you even aware what time is it now?"
"I am.."
"And?"
"And I don't feel sleepy yet. You?"
A sigh escaped from Yukimura's lips as he thought of an answer. It's true that he can't sleep. But that's only because he's talking with Tezuka right now. It doesn't mean he's not sleepy at all. In fact he doesn't have any more strength to move from his current position. Afternoon practice had drawn out all his energy.
"How can I sleep when I can hear you.?"
Tezuka frowned.
"…and that means?"
"I love hearing your voice. That's all. So please keep talking."
The spectacled man smiled.
"I don't want to keep you up so late. Get some sleep now. I'll see you some time soon."
"No, wait..please..I still want to hear you."
Tezuka shifted from his own position on his bed and folded his arm under his head.
"Seiichi.."
The response he got was a groan of protest from the other line. If Tezuka didn't know him too well, he would've been worried by now. But that's fortunately not the case at all.
"What?...I love calling you by your name." he said with a small smile gracing his usually pursed lips.
"Really?"
"You don't believe me?" Tezuka asked now fully smiling. He knew they sound so….weird and cheesy….but he didn't really care. He loves the conversation.
"Maybe….but do you know where my name would sound best?" Yukimura teased. This time, both of them were aware that they are slowly traveling into a certain destination that would surely make their nights hotter than usual despite the fact that snow's slowly building outside.
"Tell me.." Tezuka urged.
Yukimura smiled and sank deeper on his pillow.
"…on bed…with you calling my name over and over and over again...while you-"
"Alright. That's enough Seiichi. I know it."
The bluenette raised a brow, but at the same time smiled in excitement.
"Oh…"
"Right."
The line went temporarily dead, but both knew they're just sorting out their thoughts.
"Tezuka.."
"I'm here.."
"How do you feel?"
"About what?"
"Right now."
The Seigaku captain thought for a while before he stood up.
" Actually,..I think I need to turn the air conditioner in full blast."
Yukimura smiled.
"Go ahead."
Tezuka immediately went back to bed after he adjusted the volume of his room's air conditioner.
"Seiichi, I think you really should sleep. We have games tomorrow, just in case you forgot."
"I know. Alright. For now we'll have to sleep. See you tomorrow."
Tezuka nodded.
"Sure."
Fuji turned the last page of the book he was reading. It was a mystery novel written by Brad Meltzer entitled Dead Even, and he had to admit, it somehow fascinated him how the story turned out. He originally isn't into mystery novels, though he loved it in films.
He sighed in resignation and checked his digital clock on the bedside table. It was already 1 a.m., and they're scheduled to play against Fudomine on their first match that day. Fuji knew he should feel at ease, for he was more than confident that they could handle the other. Not that he was underestimating Tachibana's team. He just knew they're stronger than the latter.
He finally closed the book and placed it on the bedside table. If he decides to write a story now, he knew he would do no mercy to his characters. They'll end up dead sooner than necessary. With the current mood that he's in, he was almost tempted to get a piece of paper and pen, and make his own tragic ending with Meltzer's version of Dead Even.
Almost.
Instead, he closed his eyes, and prayed for lady sleep to come over. Fuji knew this night will be one of the most agonizing night he could ever have. He hoped no more than to get some real sleep soon and more on to face the next day with a fake smile, knowing that he'll once again stand on the same court with that of his beloved, who always breaks him apart.
And for the second time that evening, Fuji allowed his tears to fall down in a silent cry.
Authors Note:
I know right.
Fuji's been through a lot. But what can I do? He makes a very good subject for tragic fancies! But who knows, things might change next time!
Stay tune!