Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ Electronic Love ❯ An Outside Help ( Chapter 5 )

An Outside Help

Fuji didn't know what possessed him today but he actually managed to smile at his buchou and Echizen in the morning practice. It was an achievement, especially considering yesterday's event. But maybe his sister's speech had given him the strength to move on. Tezuka had been the center of his universe for a good three years, but now it's time to put it all behind no matter how painful it was. Finding a new person to fill the gap in his life was the first step. The second one, which he was still unsure of, was moving to another school.

Eiji still openly showed his displeasure about this plan. He had pouted and begged him for five days now. Fuji refuse to relent to his friend this time and didn't show that he actually doubt his own decision.

The rest of the regulars weren't more receptive to the idea of him moving to a rival school. If he proceeds with the plan, Inui said, then Seigaku High tennis club was up for a great challenge from St. Rudolph. Well, at least they didn't whine and pout like Eiji did. They only waited anxiously for him to change his plan.

Tezuka had been quiet through this whole affair. The stoic boy only looked at him as he argued with the other team members while watching the first year practicing their swings on the court. Echizen looked as smug as ever, only commenting slightly that even though Fuji moved to another school it only meant they needed to fight harder to win. Fuji briefly wondered if Echizen was in a relatively good mood because of his date with Tezuka yesterday.

Fuji looked at his buchou's straight face then back to the court. Tezuka still said nothing even after he announced that the practice was over. Fuji deliberately stayed behind, using the chance to stare at Tezuka. He wondered if Tezuka cared at all if he left. Maybe he didn't. Fuji's leaving only meant he must find another player to be Seigaku's second -third, if Ryoma replaced him- pillar. Yes that's probably the case.

Fuji sighed sorrowfully and went to the clubhouse to change. Even though he was prepared for the pain of not being able to be with Tezuka, he was still reluctant to stop being considered as Tezuka's friend. If he moved to St. Rudolph then he would be Tezuka's rival and stop being Tezuka's companion. He wasn't ready for that.

The tensai was tying his shoelace in the clubhouse when a deep timbre voice called him. He almost jumped in surprise, not expecting anyone to be there at all but controlled himself in time.

“Tezuka-buchou.” He acknowledged the second presence with a smile.

“Tezuka.” The bespectacled boy corrected him. He had told them to drop the buchou when the practice was over. But being anywhere near tennis with Tezuka always made him forget.

Fuji's heart beat faster when he realized that he was alone with his crush in the close space. And this was probably the first time in almost a month when Tezuka spoke privately to him. His heart still stung when he remembered the event he witnessed the previous day but fought to keep the pain of betrayal from showing on his face.

“If you're trying to persuade me to change my mind, it wouldn't work.” Fuji found himself saying without even turning to face Tezuka. It seemed like the pain rooted deeper than he thought. His words sounded rather cold and bitter even to his ears.

When Fuji turned back, he saw that Tezuka was slightly taken aback. A glimpse of disappointment appeared on the stoic boy's face, making Fuji wondered what he was so disappointed about. Losing a formidable rival? Not likely. Being in different should give them more opportunity to play against Tezuka. Losing a team member? Most likely. Without him, Fuji knew there was less chance for the new Seigaku High tennis team to win the National Championship. Yes that must be it.

Tezuka only saw him as the prodigious tennis player, or his friend in a few rare occasions Fuji cherished in his life. Tezuka never saw him as a person, as a man, like the way he saw Tezuka.

But still, his heart said in protest, just because he would never see him that way it didn't mean he should runaway from him. And it's true. Fuji could stay in Seigaku, befriend his buchou and then suffer the pain of knowing that he would never be his. This wasn't running away. This was moving on.

Tezuka pushed his glasses up his nose. For a moment he just looked at Fuji, his expression incomprehensible. “Fuji…” He began.

“Ah, gomen…” A voice came from the doorway.

Fuji's heart sank as he saw the person who took Tezuka away from him. He forced himself to smile at the boy despite the homicidal urge he felt. Tezuka loved him, Fuji told himself. He couldn't kill him in front of Tezuka.

“Buchou, Ryuzaki-sensei wants to see you.”

“Alright. Thank you, Echizen.” The bespectacled boy then turned to his smiling companion. “Think about it again, Fuji.”

Having said that, Tezuka left with Echizen. The boy nodded to him slightly with a smirk before leaving with Tezuka. The moment the door closed behind him, Fuji felt the smile on his lips crumbled down. He leant on the locker for support as his eyes started to sting and his body refused to cooperate.

He might be able to be Echizen in a tennis match. But Fuji was well and truly defeated in this game.

*

Surprisingly, the accident in the clubhouse made Fuji more determined in knowing this Prince Charming better. One would've thought that at least he became disappointed and depressed for a while, and he actually did, until he saw Tezuka's stoic face and his ignorance to Fuji. With that, any kind of disappointment was pushed aside and Fuji resolved to move to St. Rudolph and get to know this Prince Charming even more. He just wanted to forget Tezuka at any cost. He had enough pain from him by now.

The moment he arrived home he checked the site to find Prince Charming's message. He sounded confused and anxious. Perhaps Fuji's change of mind was too sudden. Slowly he lifted his finger onto the keyboard. The slender digits remained unmoving there for a while. Genius or not, making a poem isn't an easy task.

In my nature, lying isn't even the second

Though truth isn't always spoken

A promise meant only to be kept

Thus I swear my words could be held

I hope your oath soon to be made

For my words have been said

Your words I long to hear

Your words I will hold dear

His message was quite clear. It confirmed his decision to get to know this Prince Charming and, well, it sounded just like him. There's that slight undertone of desperation, though Fuji wondered if this Prince Charming would notice it.

With a smile, Fuji turned off his computer and started to do his homework.

*

“Ano, Tezuka…”

Tezuka knew that Oishi only stuttered when he was nervous. He turned to his friend slightly, wondering what had made his best friend like that this time. Did something happen to their team? Momoshiro killed Kaido in the shower? Inui poisoned Eiji with his drink? Or worse, Fuji got together with Taka-san and decided to quit tennis to become a sushi chef!

“It's not about the team, really.” Oishi said with a small laugh, easily reading Tezuka's line of thought. “It's something uhm… personal.”

Tezuka's eyebrow rose by two millimeters, a record. It's a pity Inui wasn't there to take note of that. “Is that why you suddenly asked for this study session?”

Oishi laughed nervously. “Well, yes. Though I'm also serious about the study. I need your help for the physic test tomorrow.”

Tezuka hummed and returned his attention to his book, knowing that Oishi would continue if it were important enough. He could sense the vice-captain's nervousness but did nothing to dispel it. Sooner or later Oishi would spill the bean. Tezuka just hoped it were sooner because he really still needed to study for that test.

“My class had this History assignment for today.” Oishi began. Tezuka glanced at him. Was that Oishi's personal matter? History assignment? Tezuka had sort of expected him to rant about Eiji. “But since I was so busy with the tests and… other matters I didn't have time to do research.” Here, Oishi paused slightly. “So yesterday I came to school earlier than usual to do research in the library.”

Tezuka fully turned to his friend. Oishi cringed in apology and fear. “I didn't mean to eavesdrop, really. But I saw you and was going to greet you but then I saw the site and… well, I was shocked. And then Echizen came to greet you and…” Oishi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Tezuka's face might betray no emotion but Oishi knew his friend well enough to know that Tezuka was nervous inside. The vice captain smiled sympathetically. He knew how Tezuka felt. He had felt the same whenever Fuji caught him staring at Eiji too long, though maybe he felt more fear than Tezuka did now. An angry or interested Fuji never meant good omen. It was shocking when he found out that Fuji had encouraged Eiji to make the first move in their relationship. He had thought that Fuji would torment them or something.

Oh, and speaking of Fuji…

“So do you like Fuji, Tezuka?”

Tezuka pushed his glasses up to hide his nervousness and embarrassment. “Yes, I do.”

“For how long?”

“Ever since I know him, I think.”

“Oh. So what are you planning to do now?” Osihi asked calmly though he was hiding amusement inside.

“I plan to convince him to stay in Seigaku.”

“That's all?” Oishi teased. The light blush on Tezuka's face was so cute. Oishi regretted that Eiji weren't here to witness that. His lover was dying to see the moment when the cool calm collected Tezuka blush.

Tezuka glared though his blush deepened slightly. “I want to ask him to be my lover.” He said quietly.

“I don't see you making any move.”

“I have. Through the internet.”

“That explains the site! Does he know it's you?” Oishi asked enthusiastically. Maybe Eiji's hyperactivity had rubbed off on him.

“He hasn't known me yet. I ask him to give me a chance. He had agreed.”

“That's good!” Oishi exclaimed. “I'm glad to hear that, Tezuka. I think it's about time you finally make a move on him. So now what?”

Tezuka cleared his throat slightly. He glanced at the computer on his desk then to Oishi. He knew without shadow of doubt that Oishi was about to offer his help. But despite having plans that would require outside help, Tezuka was still reluctant to involve Oishi in his love life, mainly because of Eiji.

The redhead was Fuji's closest friend and plus, Eiji wasn't very good at keeping secrets. Tezuka wanted to make sure that his identity remained obscure till the last minute. He trusted Oishi. But he didn't trust that Oishi would keep secrets from Eiji.

As if reading his mind, Oishi smiled to his friend reassuringly. “I promise not to tell Eiji.”

Tezuka stared at his best friend for a moment. The he went to his desk to turn on his computer. After a while, he had viewed Fuji's latest reply. He was serious. That's good. Possessive, too. That's so Fuji.

Oishi peered from behind his shoulder. Tezuka allowed him to read Fuji's message. The smile on Oishi's face grew wider and wider as he read each word and line. “Wow.” He said after he finished reading. “That was so…” Oishi shook his head in disbelieve. There wasn't a word to describe the way the two communicate. Wait. Maybe there was. “Unbelievable.”

Tezuka wondered whether he had made a grave mistake or not by telling Oishi. Then he decided that it's too late to take back what he had done and just go with it anyways. Tezuka stared at the computer screen for a while, his mind formulating a response. Without taking his eyes off the screen he called out to Oishi.

“Oishi.”

Yes, Tezuka?”

“I need your help.”

^_^