In My Dreams, I Feel You – First Arc

Please Read: “In My Dreams, I Feel You – Warnings and Disclaimer” (refer to archives) before proceeding to any parts of this story. Thank You! ^_^

 

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The locker room has been quiet for some time. It’s already a quarter before 6:00 pm. More than an hour since tennis practice ended and almost an hour since the last of the members have left the courts.

The faint rays of the setting sun cast a shadow on the slight form sitting on the bench. The orange glow complimented emerald black hair, as the youngest Seigaku regular stood up to return a blue and white jacket back to its resting place in the pigeon hole. His index finger tracing the name written at the inner corner of the right lapel one last time before he hoisted his tennis bag on his left shoulder as he made his way out the door.

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The ball bounced off the racket; its soft thump creating a loud echo in the sudden silence as it hits the ground.

Tezuka’s,…no Buchou’s sudden announcement still hung in mid-air. No one spoke for a while. No one can. Everyone expected that Buchou would have to make at least a “temporary leave” to make sure that his shoulder completely heals. But to go as far as GERMANY?! It was totally unexpected to say the least.

There was an almost tangible tension in the air. First there was silence, and then suddenly everyone started talking: like everyone has something to say.
But out of the 8 regulars present, there are two people who are trying with all their will-power to hold back what they most wanted to say.

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Echizen Ryoma sauntered down the sidewalk, mindless of the busy traffic of people around him. Contrary to his cool exterior, his thoughts and feelings are one big jumbled mess.

“Maybe I should’ve taken up Momo-chan senpai’s offer to go out for burgers.” He muses to himself. After all, he thought, one should never pass up the chance to eat some good food for free.

 

He snaps out of his reverie when he realizes that he has wandered off the road leading to his house and ended up near the Haruno University tennis court.

“Cheh…of all the places to end up in”, he mutters.

The court is already dark and empty. He walks towards the fence, grasping it as he peers inside; as if by looking attentively he would actually see somebody there — an image of a tall, lanky brown-haired Buchou looking directly at him behind rimless glasses.

“Come, Echizen!”

Ryoma could almost hear the Seigaku-Buchou’s voice in his mind. It nearly felt real, that his body actually began to respond. He felt his foot stepping forward, to the direction of the imaginary Tezuka when he came to his senses.

He shakes his head violently, saying “I really should’ve gone with Momo-chan senpai!”

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Fuji-senpai’s game just finished. Echizen was a bit surprised when he found Tezuka-Buchou by his side asking him to get his racket. He followed obediently but when they reached the courts he just had to ask.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I need to warm up, and I want you to do it with me.” Tezuka stated simply.

“Cheh…it’s rare for you to ask to be warmed up.” Echizen retorted.

Tezuka ignored him.

“You know, if you needed me to comfort you before your big match, you only had to ask.” Echizen chided playfully.

Tezuka just looked at him with the same stony expression, before he allowed his face to relax a little as he let out a small sigh. “Ryoma, please not now. I have to focus.”

Ryoma pouted adorably, “Cheh, you’re no fun.”

Tezuka gave him one of his rare smiles (at least as rarely seen by the public), “After the game, i’ll let you comfort me as you wish.”

Ryoma tilted his head to one side, assessing his Buchou. “You wanted me to comfort you after the game, Mitsu? It’s almost like you’re expecting to lose.” He said addressing HIS Buchou by his nickname — which he only uses when they’re alone.

“Of course not, Ryo.” Kunimitsu said matter-of-factly. “But I’m sure I’ll be sore; given that I’ll be playing against Atobe. I’m thinking I could use a bit of comfort in that aspect.” he said cheekily.

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Ryoma turns his back, away from the tennis court, wanting more than ever to reach the safe haven of his room.

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“There it is! Hametsu E No Rondo!” the crowd anticipated in excitement.
It turned out to be a false assumption when Atobe didn’t return the lob with a smash.

“So, your elbow has completely healed.” Atobe said smugly. “That zero-shiki drop you did was perfect. You wouldn’t have been able to do that on an injured elbow. I wonder though, how about your shoulders?”

Ryoma had to steel himself on the court-side bench as he fought down a stream of insults he wanted to fling at the Hyotei-Buchou. Watching the game unfolding before him, nothing would have pleased him more than to beat that arrogant smirk off Atobe Keigo’s face.

“This match is going to be bad.” Fuji said.

“You think so too, Fuji?” Inui said.

Ryoma’s eyes followed the ball as it goes from court to court; his sharp eyes following Atobe’s returns to Tezuka’s hits. He tightened his grip on the sit as he fought to calm his nerves. He’s never one to show any nervousness in front of others after all. Yet a trickle of sweat escaped down his temple when he realized that this was going to be a long drawn out match.

“Buchou…”, he said. “Mitsu”, he said in his mind. “What are you doing? Don’t take the bait! What are you trying to prove? Are you planning to sacrifice your arm? Your future? Just to become Seigaku’s Pillar of Support?! I’m here with you now aren’t I? I have agreed to become Seigaku’s Pillar of Support for you! There are two of us now. Stop trying to take on the responsibility for the whole team. Please! I can’t bear seeing you suffer like this. Enough Mitsu! Enough!!!” Ryoma’s mind screamed.

At that very instant — just like in a bad movie — Tezuka raised his arm to take the last shot that would have sealed Seigaku’s victory, when his body suddenly crumpled to the ground.
Acting as one, all the Seigaku Regulars jumped off the bleachers to run towards their fallen Buchou.

 

All of them except Ryoma who felt his body go numb from shock and couldn’t take a single step forward even if his life depended on it. His face was drained of color, his palms sweating coldly. “Mitsuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!”

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“You were so stupid Mitsu.” Ryoma said to no one in particular as he makes his way out of the Haruno University grounds. “If you weren’t, we wouldn’t be separated now.” Tears started forming in his moss-green eyes. As if in response, a loud rumbling came from the sky, he looked up when drops of rain started to wet his face. Just great, he thought, and he starts to run.