Broken Strings (Prince of Tennis/ slow burn love story)

Part 25

"Good morning Eiji." Fuji greets his friend cheerfully only to blink in surprise when he doesn't react. "Eiji?" he questions as the boy steps away to the other side of the court, completely ignoring him as he starts hitting serves.

Fuji blinks after him in wonder, not understanding the cold shoulder. Did he do something wrong?

"Ah! Good morning Fuji!" Kawamura calls, stepping past him, making Fuji smile after him.

"Good morning to you too Taka-san." he greets, setting Eiji's odd behavior aside for a moment. He'll better ask what is up later.

.........

Fuji sighs. He's been trying to engage Eiji into a conversation the entire day, but without any luck. At first he thought it was because of the fight with Oishi that is causing Eiji to feel down, but when he saw Eiji act like normal to others, Fuji couldn't help but conclude that it has to do with him somehow.

He observed the boy throughout classes, watching as he half-heartedly listened to Ryumi as she tried different ways to subtly remind him about the good things about Oishi.

The second she returned to her seat, her back to them once again, Eiji sighed listlessly, looking pained as he a spared a moment to stare at her back.

So, whatever his friend has against him, has something to do with Ryumi too? Would that be right?

Quite quickly fed up with Eiji's unreasonable behavior, Fuji decides to corner Eiji and get some answers before he can go home after practice.

.........

"Why have you dragged me back here Fuji?! I need to go home you know?!" Eiji asks annoyed, forgoing his friend's nickname, making the brown haired boy frown.

He opens his eyes to pin Eiji with a hard gaze. "That's the first time you have spoken to me today." he points out. "Eiji, I'm not sure why you are acting this way to me, but you're being unreasonable." he shoots.

Eiji meets his gaze with a frown on his own. "Tche. What's so unreasonable about it? It's nothing compared to what you're doing!" he accuses, surprising Fuji.

"And what is it that I'm doing?" Fuji asks coolly, folding his arms over his chest.

Eiji's lips form a thin line for a moment before spitting out what's truly bothering him, "You've been hanging out with Ryumi-chan behind my back. What kind of friend does that?!" he calls out frustrated.

Fuji blinks in surprise. "Hanging out with... Eiji, are you jealous?" he questions, not wanting to sound amused, but he can't help it.

"Mpf! Not jealous! But... You know I...!" he doesn't finish as he opts for clenching his jaw.

Fuji smiles disarmingly. "Saa. You are." he points out, making Eiji fume even more.

Fuji's smile falls, addressing Eiji seriously, "Eiji, I admit... Ryumi-chan is a very special girl. I would be lying to you if I say I don't feel a little attracted to her, but I wouldn't try to date her, despite how I joke about it. I can't, even if I'd like to." he states, making Eiji falter, though he still looks skeptic.

"And why is that?" he asks, still tense.

Fuji smiles again, though this time more gently. "I wouldn't get in the way of a friend." he states simply, making Eiji blink in surprise. It is short lived however when a new frown is etched on Eiji's face.

"But I saw you two together yesterday. You've been getting together often, being real secretive about it too!" he points out.

To his surprise, Fuji doesn't deny it, only nods to confirm it. "We are meeting in secret, but not for the reasons you're thinking about." he explains, making Eiji frown at him in confusion.

"I promised not to tell, and I will keep that promise, but despite that, for the sake of our friendship and to set your mind at ease... wait for a signal. I'll make it so I won't have to tell you." Fuji promises with a nod, before smiling amusedly. "Now, stop acting like a jerk to your friends." he tells him straight forwardly before turning around and leaving Eiji by himself to ponder over their discussion.

.............

The next day, Eiji has found himself to have made up with Oishi, which didn't prove as difficult as the both of them thought. They just had to be their selves.

It must've helped though when finally Momoshiro returned, hanging his head in shame for missing out before Tezuka. And the captain wasn't planning in being lenient. Momo received a hundred laps around the court and a few days of picking up balls before he could start practice again.

Anyway, Eiji and Oishi decided to spend some time together after school to make up for lost time, however, Oishi couldn't help but notice his friend and partner being more fidgety than usual.

..........

"Eiji, what's wrong? You've been looking at your phone every chance you get." Oishi points out worriedly.

Eiji looks up surprised, realizing what he's doing. "Ah! Sorry Oishi. I guess... I'm just a bit nervous." he admits, making Oishi blink in surprise. There isn't much that can make his friend nervous.

"Why...? I someone in the hospital?!" Oishi exclaims wide-eyed, making Eiji wave his hands about quickly.

"No, no! Nothing like that." he reassures, making Oishi sigh in relief.

"But..." the dark haired boy starts. "It's something really important right?" he asks carefully, making the question linger a bit. He hopes Eiji will tell him more about it.

Eiji gnaws on his bottom lip, nodding in reply. "Yeah, I guess so. But... I'm scared it's a bit silly too. I... I got mad at Fujiko for it. But... maybe I shouldn't have. I mean... she can do whatever she wants right?" he half mumbles, making Oishi strain to hear.

He is surprised to hear he had a fight with Fuji. He's one of his best friends. Then again, they had a falling out too.

"She?" Oishi asks, confused by Eiji's mumbling.

Eiji looks away, a blush dusting his cheeks. "Er... Uhm... Y-You know? Erm... R-Ryumi-chan." he stammers.

Oishi stares at him blankly for a moment, making Eiji elaborate. "W-well, I got mad at Fujiko for hanging out so much with Ryumi-chan. And well, he said he couldn't tell me why, but he would let me know how I could find out." he explains vaguely.

"Erm... So... are you mad that Fuji isn't hanging out more with you or... that he is hanging out with Ryumi specifically?" Oishi questions carefully, trying to understand the situation.

Eiji scratches his nose awkwardly, shifting. "Him hanging out with Ryumi-chan." he confesses before sighing and closing his eyes. "Argh! Fujiko was right! I am jealous!" he calls out, quickly hiding his face.

Oishi jumps in surprise before smiling, patting his friend on the shoulder in comfort. "Eiji, do you like Ryumi?" he wonders. He receives a loud sigh in reply as Eiji sinks into himself even further.

"I see." Oishi breathes with a smile, happy for his friend even though it causes him to worry his head off.

A sudden ping makes Eiji's head snap up, his blue eyes on the message on his phone within seconds. His eyes widen. "It's Fujiko." he states, staring at the message:

'Tennis park nearest library. 30 minutes.'

"What should I do?" he asks quietly, unsure now.

"You should go. You'll keep worrying if you don't and Fuji invited you didn't he? It will be okay." Oishi assures him, making Eiji look up at him with uncertainty before it disappears.

"You're right! I'm gonna sort this out! Hoi hoi!" he calls, jumping up. "Ah, sorry for leaving so suddenly Oishi. Excuse me this time." he offers, making Oishi wave it off.

"Don't worry about it. Good luck Eiji!" he tells him, giving him the thumbs up, receiving the gesture in return before the redhead darts off.

Eiji has a bit of a jealous streak here. He's finally coming to term with his feelings too. But what will he do with them?