Chapter 5
After having recovered from shock, Tezuka Ayana gently closed the door as silent as she could and walked giggling towards her room. She just saw her Kunimitsu kissing 'someone' but she could not see the face directly as that person's back was facing the door. She had the urge to peek again but she thought that she might just disturb their private affair. Her little boy is surely growing up so fast… she thought.
Too caught at what they were doing, Tezuka had not even felt the presence of his mother when she entered their home, as his senses were all focused at the boy he was holding tightly right at this moment.
Finally, Fuji broke the kiss, panting lightly as he gently leaned his forehead on Tezuka's broad shoulder. Still wrapped by those strong arms, the tensai looked up gazed on Tezuka's eyes and whispered. "I love you,"
Tezuka's heart thumped frantically as he heard what the tensai just said. As much as he wanted to say something to blue eyed boy, he was trembling so much inside that he couldn't find the right words to say. But what was he suppose to say? The buchou then realized that it all happened too fast, but he surely doesn't deny the great feeling of holding the tensai like this, to feel his lips, and the way Fuji told him that he loves him. And the tensai's gaze to him right now was so strong which proved that he, indeed, was definetly in love with his buchou. Suddenly Tezuka thought of the future. Can he make Fuji happy? Does he really deserve this wonderful man's love?
"Fuji, I…" Tezuka said. "I… Fuji I…" He could not look straight to Fuji.
Seeing Tezuka's confused eyes, Fuji gently detached himself from Tezuka's grasp and looked down. "It's alright, Tezuka. You don't have to force yourself." Fuji looked up and smiled to him again. But his smile…it was…it was not the unique pretty smile he used to like.
You're not yet prepared. But while you're learning to sort what you truly feel and what you believe Tezuka, I'll be right here, loving you while waiting for your answer.
"Thank you for today, Tezuka. I'll be going now, see you tomorrow." With that, he finally turned and walked towards the door.
Because my love could definetly wait. For you.
"No, wait Fuji…"
As tensai looked back, the buchou seemed somewhat relieved, but then words seemed to have totally left him so all he could do was to stare at Fuji.
Waiting for Tezuka to speak, the smiling tensai chuckled. "It's okay, I can wait." Fuji said. "For your answer…. Saa, I'll go now. You don't have to bother I know how to let myself out." With that, the tensai made his way towards the door, and looked back once more to utter again those words to Tezuka. "I love you. Always remember that." Then he gave a smile that Tezuka recognized as the most beautiful.
Feeling somewhat disappointed at his tongue-tied self, Tezuka only stood staring at the retreating figure.
"Kunimitsu! It's dinner time!"
Setting himself before the table, Tezuka caught a glance of his mother and noticed her smiling widely. Ayana, having received his glance, smiled even wider. Bewildered by her mother's expressions, Tezuka only smiled and nodded in return.
The family was having a silent dinner until Ayana spoke. "Kunimitsu, I'm so happy that you've got yourself a girlfriend. I congratulate you." She beamed.
The three men choked at the sudden bluntness. Kuniharu and Kunikazu immediately threw a glance of disbelief towards Tezuka.
"Son, is that true? That you have a girlfriend?" Kuniharu, like Ayana, could not believe his aloof and unsociable son just got a girlfriend.
But Ayana answered him instead. "Yes he does have one, Kuniharu."
"How did you know?" Kunikazu inquired.
"I just saw them studying together, ne Kunimitsu?" She gave him a wink.
Tezuka blinked. Was his mother talking about him and Fuji? But that would mean she was here earlier and might have seen them…
"Oka-san, I thought all of you arrived just now."
"Oh I went home earlier than Otou-san and Kuniharu because I caught a head ache in the midst of the party, so I came home to rest and woke up just now."
"Ah… Souka."
"Kunimitsu sure does know when to hide his girlfriend!" Kuniharu teased.
The whole family taunted further as the implication of Tezuka's flushed face and expression came in.
But then, Tezuka spoke. "That was Fuji."
Ayana stared at him in disbelief. So his son was kissing his friend earlier? But after blinking twice, she only smiled and said, "Well, Fuji-kun looks just perfect for you Kunimitsu."
"Eh…Now that I think of it, Fuji-kun sure does look like a girl, ne Kunimitsu?" Kuniharu said. Then his parents continued to tease him, accompanied by a nod from his grandfather who was eating in silence.
He only gave a tiny smile and looked down at his food. Truly he was glad that his family was happy for him. But still…deep inside, he knew to himself that Fuji wasn't truly his yet.
That night, Tezuka couldn't concentrate on reading his book. As he remembered what Fuji gave him earlier, he quickly closed what he was reading and took the magazine instead. But Tezuka only kept on flipping its pages. He could not focus completely on what he was doing as his thoughts right now, were only filled with a certain blue-eyed boy.
He sighed, and kept all the things in front of him. As he started to recall their tryst earlier, he realized how rough his initial actions were towards Fuji. He probably couldn't blame himself since he finally admitted that he was really jealous when he saw him with Inui. So when the tensai gave him a kiss, he thought that Fuji was trying to play with him and betraying Inui at the same time. So he decided to give him a sweet punishment, after all Fuji was the one who started it. But as the blue-eyed boy made clear that he and Inui were not and will never be together, Tezuka felt like he was slapped as he had realized that he was so stupid for not having asked. Even so, it was true that he couldn't be any happier that moment when they finally shared a gentle kiss.
7:26 Tezuka thought of what the tensai was doing right now. As he shifted his gaze over the phone, it rang, and he was suddenly hit by a bad feeling.
"Moshi, moshi,"
"Tezuka, it's me Inui."
Tezuka tried his best to keep his eyebrows from twitching. "Why did you call?"
"I just want to ask if you know where Kaidoh went earlier."
Tezuka blinked. Why on earth would Inui ask him about Kaidoh? "I don't know. Why don't you ask him instead?" He somehow got irritated.
"He does not answer his phone. So I called his mother instead, she said he was out."
The stoic boy sighed. "I don't know. Good night Inui," Then he shut the phone. He does not want to talk about Kaidoh right now, and Inui must have only been gathering data about his kohai. And he probably just saved himself as he might only utter cruel things to Inui for kissing Fuji last time.
Fuji…
Tezuka went to the bed instead; he just decided to sleep really early. But as he shut his eyes tightly, he immediately sat up from his lying position as the dark vision was instantly filled with images of the tensai. He could not take it anymore and he couldn't wait until morning, so he got up and grabbed the phone.
"Good evening Fuji-san, can I please speak to Syusuke?"
"Oh just wait a moment I'll give the phone to him."
"Hello, this is Fuji Syusuke." Tezuka's heart thumped as he heard Fuji's voice.
"Fuji,"
"Saa…You called, what's the matter?"
"I-I want to see you. Meet me at the park, now." Tezuka tried his best on not to sound so desperate.
"Now? Why?" Fuji was stunned at the sudden demand. And he does not want to lift his hopes yet.
"I think you know why, and yes now." He said. "Please, Fuji."
"Okay, I'll go."
"Thank you, I'll go now too. Wait for me, ne Fuji?"
You don't have to ask. . "Of course,"
As Tezuka went down the stairs, he was then confronted by Ayana who asked him to prepare an herbal tea for his grandfather as his mother said she was busy. Tezuka bitterly obeyed somehow albeit he did not dare to show it, and hastily worked on the needed task instead.
The tensai went earlier as expected. He sat on one of the benches and started humming; he did it as a way of entertaining himself in the cold silent night as he patiently waited for his beloved captain. Suddenly, he heard footsteps.
Tezuka?
"Jackpot! Looks like we're getting a different kind of ecstasy tonight boys! Check out that chick over there," Then the men who came started whistling.
Tezuka hastened his already rapid pace as he was suddenly shot by a very odd feeling.
Fuji got up from his sit as the men surrounded him. There were four of them, and judging by the foul smell of liquor coming from their body, the tensai assumed that they were drunk, and probably mistaken him for a girl.
"Come on sweet heart, we can all do it here!" The three of them caught his arms and body, and held him captive. But the tensai only kept calm.
Idiots, just see if you really got a true jackpot.
"It looks like she wants it too boys!" The leader whistled once more and ripped Fuji's shirt, only to find a flat chest that made him realized that he was fooled. Fuji only laughed at him.
Fueled by Fuji's mocking laughter, the leader then took a knife from his pocket. Fuji's eye widened, he did not know the event would turn out like this. Tezuka, where are you? Fuji's heart thumped nervously as the leader gripped the knife's handle tightly. His earlier calm composure were now very much struggling to escape the three pairs of arms that effectively imprisoned him. Desperate, he called out Tezuka's name.
The man thrust the knife to his stomach.
Now Fuji fell on his knees, he will not die! He will wait for Tezuka and see him for the last time!
Tezuka…I want to see you now, please hurry…Help me! I want to see you… I'm still desperate to be with you. I don't want to die yet, Tezuka!
As the leader raised his arms again to stab Fuji's back this time, he was stopped immediately as he heard someone yelled. And then all of them started running away.
"FUJI!"
Tezuka dashed towards him, and put the tensai in his arms. "Oh my God, Fuji I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Tezuka was in panic. The poor tensai was stabbed because of him! It was his entire fault, for being so slow and stupid, and for making the tensai wait. He immediately wrapped his jacket on Fuji's bleeding stomach as he blamed himself over and over…
"Tezuka…"
"Shhsh… don't speak yet, we'll call for help." Then he carried the tensai right away towards the road and called for a taxi.
As Tezuka positioned himself and Fuji inside the car, he instantly called Fuji's house and told them what happened, and his heart sank more as he heard his siblings starting to panic and then hanged the phone. He was sure that they were going to rush to the hospital right away. And then he heard the tensai whispered his name between his labored gasps.
"Tezuka, am I going to…die?" The tensai could only whisper the words as he felt his energy was slowly leaving him.
"No, no…of course not!" Tezuka tried to sound as gentle as possible. "You're not going to die! Don't think of those things Fuji! Just…just," Tears started to form in corner of Tezuka's eyes "Wait a little more ne…?" His voice was shaking uncontrollably. Fuji had to make it in time to the hospital. "We will get to the hospital soon…"
"I think…I couldn't…wait anymore…Te-zuka…" Then the tensai started coughing blood. "Please…hold…me," And then he weakly reached for Tezuka's hand.
I could only thank God for meeting you…
"I came because I love you, Tezuka…"
Tezuka felt like dying. Seeing Fuji like this is making him die painfully inside. "Hn... Don't worry, we'll get to the hospital soon," Tezuka then brushed the tensai's hair. "Don't give up Fuji."
"What about you…? Do you…love me?" The tensai asked. "Can you…tell me that…you really do? I…just really…want to…hear it…before I, before…I," He smiled weakly to Tezuka.
The captain stared at Fuji and held his face. "Don't speak, you'll lose your energy…"
"Say…my name…too, Tezuka."
For the last time I want to hear you say my name.
I wonder how it will sound like.
And I'm so thankful that you're the last person I will see before I close my eyes.
Your face will definetly be engraved forever in my heart.
So just hold me…
"Just wait a little more…and I'll tell you, just wait ne, Fuji? Promise me…?" He said. "If you get into the hospital, I'll definetly tell you. So be good and wait a little longer,"
"Please say…it now," The tensai started crying. "So…I'll…die in peace…"
Tezuka hugged Fuji tightly, his tears were now uncontrollably flowing from his eyes. He wouldn't let Fuji die! "Just…after we get into the hospital okay? Your family is waiting for you there, to see you alive!"
"Tezuka…please…tell them…that I'm happy…to have them…and I'll definetly watch over them…in heaven…and you too…"
"Stop saying you'll die! You said you'll wait. Promise me, you'll make it…" He kissed Fuji's hand.
"Please grant me my last wish…even if you don't mean it…I only want to hear you say it…before I die…"
Tezuka felt like dying once more. "When we get into the hospital, Syusuke…"
The tensai smiled. "I love you too…kuni-mit-su," Tears continued streaming as Fuji finally closed his eyes.
Tezuka couldn't speak anymore. His mind shut and his body felt numb as Fuji said those words.
But Tezuka could still feel the gentle rise and fall of Fuji's chest, so he pulled the tensai closer to him. "I'm so sorry! God, please don't take Syusuke. Please…wait a little longer Syusuke, promise me you'll wait and hear me say it…" he pleaded. "Don't die,"
Seeming peacefully asleep, the tensai only smiled.
"Syusuke!"
"Aniki!"
Yumiko and Yuuta rushed instantly towards Tezuka who was holding their brother. Yumiko burst into tears as she saw both of them filled with Fuji's blood. There was no time to waste so Fuji was immediately sent to the emergency room. And all Tezuka could do was to slump on a white chair and to wait together with Fuji's siblings, praying that the tensai's life would be saved. He was devastated.
----TF----
"Fuji!"
Tezuka immediately ran after the tensai as he saw his retreating back. "Fuji, wait!"
Fuji stopped and turned towards the boy who was calling him. "What's wrong Tezuka? You forgot something? I thought you're not going home with me today."
"No, I'll go home with you. Always, from now on…" Tezuka then pulled the tensai in a life squeezing embrace and kissed him.
"I love you, Syusuke. I love you, I love you…I"
Stunned at the sudden confession, Fuji tried to release himself from Tezuka's tight grasp. "Te-zuka wait, I can't breathe."
"Let's be together Syusuke,"
Fuji couldn't take it anymore, it was all too sudden but he was happy nonetheless. He couldn't believe that this unexpected thing just happened. After two years of silently watching and loving the buchou, Tezuka was finally returning his love for him.
"I'll take care of you Syusuke, I promise. I won't hurt you, I'll protect you, and I won't make you wait anymore…so please,"
The tensai opened his eyes and smiled. "Okay Tezuka," He said. "I've always wanted to be with you."
"Tezuka-kun wake up," Yumiko patted his shoulders.
"I'm glad," Tezuka smiled at him.
"I love you too you know,"
"I think I know…"
"Tezuka-kun, please wake up. It's already morning. Syusuke is fine now, he is looking for you." Yumiko was now repeatedly shrugging his shoulders.
The next morning Fuji was surprised to see Tezuka standing in front of their gate, smiling. "Let's now go to school,"
The tensai chuckled. "You know, I can go to school by myself Kunimitsu." then he kissed Tezuka's cheek.
"You'll get used to it." Tezuka held his hand as they walked.
Their days together were always filled with love and glee. Both were the only person that existed in each other's worlds. Tezuka just couldn't wish for more…
"What's wrong nee-san?" Yuuta asked.
"Tezuka-kun won't wake up, what's wrong with him?" She asked worriedly
It was Sunday and Tezuka and Fuji were on a date. The tensai was stunned as Tezuka gave him flowers. He never knew that his Tezuka could really be that thoughtful…
"I hope this is enough, the store is closed so I couldn't buy you wasabi-sushi."
The tensai held his hand. "You are enough Tezuka. Can you promise to stay here with me?"
Annoyed, Yuuta grabbed Tezuka's collar and shook him. "Hoi Tezuka-san! Aniki is waiting for you so wake up and go see him!"
"Please stay here, Kunimitsu."
"Of course,"
"Don't be so harsh Yuuta! Maybe he is dreaming…". Yumiko said
"Syusuke…" The two were shocked as Tezuka spoke.
"Of Syusuke…" She added.
"But aniki is looking for him at his room! He was calling him!" Impatient, Yuuta dragged the sleeping boy towards Fuji's room.
"Don't rush Yuuta, be careful!" Yumiko then followed.
In a flash, he was surrounded by a white light. Then suddenly, Tezuka was standing on the end of a bridge which was filled with flowers. He looked ahead and saw Fuji at the other end, waiving at him.
"Come here Kunimitsu!"
"Syusuke…" Tezuka ran immediately towards him. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"
The tensai looked towards the door as he heard someone entered. "Nee-san, Yuuta, Tezuka…" Now Fuji was near into tears as he saw his buchou.
Yuuta then laid Tezuka's body beside Fuji. "Here's your Tezuka, aniki. You go wake him up." Yuuta and Yumiko then left them alone.
Finally, they met at the end of the bridge; and pulled each other to a sweet embrace as the two lovers were finally together.
"I'm still waiting…"
"What?"
"Wake up Kunimitsu. It's morning." Fuji gently whispered to the boy beside him. "I'm still waiting, you told me to, ne? I'm just being a good boy here…"
As he felt a hand brushing his hair, Tezuka opened his eyes and immediately recognized the boy lying beside him.
He wasn't dreaming. He wasn't imagining that Fuji was alive and did survived, and the tensai was still as beautiful as ever, only his skin was paler as he seemed to have suffered from blood loss.
Tezuka broke into a smile and reached for Fuji's hand. "You don't have to wait, ever."
Owari
a/n: Whew! I'm done! Thanks for reading people! Please review ne? I hope you were somehow entertained while reading this fic. I really want to know what you can say about this so that I could learn more on how to improve my writing. And of course, I want to thank those who have read and reviewed the story. Thank you very much!