Missing Words

Part One

They were living their dream. They were in the finals. It was singles three and Fuji was standing on the court facing a tall guy who was standing at the other side of the net.

“I heard they call you a prodigy.”

“…” So what?

“You know, I’ll but an end to this today.”

“…” I wanna see you try.

“Soon people will awake realizing what weakling of a player they worshiped so far. What weakling of a player your even weaker brother worshiped so far.” He evilly grinned at the smaller boy.

“…” Say what you want about me, but leave my brother alone!

“Looks like you don’t bother to answer me at all.”

“…”

“So it’s true, what they say? You really can’t talk?”

“…” It took you quite some time to realize that.

“I think that’s quite ironic, isn’t it? Somebody who’s not even able to talk is considered a prodigy.”

“…” I never asked anybody to call me a prodigy!

He spat out looking curiously at Fuji. And Fuji looked back, but he didn’t smile the way he usually did. Instead he simply looked at him with his deep any mysterious blue eyes wide open. When his opponent didn’t talk any further he turned around walking towards the base line.

I hope you didn’t bet about beating me, because I’ll never let somebody as rude as you win against me. I won’t hold back at all.

The match was a short one and Fuji never let him score at all. He had never played so serious before. Winning 6:0 the whole team cheered proudly for their friend. “Ah, Fuji you did great!” Kikumaru Eiji was hugging his friend screaming in joy. “Na, Eiji, stop bugging him.” “Nya, Fuji doesn’t mind, right Fuji?” Fuji answered him with a smile. While Kaidoh and Inui were already standing beside their coach on the court, Tezuka nodded slightly at Fuji making the small boy smile even wider.

Thanks for watching, Tezuka-san. I’m well aware of the fact, that you wouldn’t want me to thank you. You’d tell me it was your duty, because you’re the captain after all. But I’m happy anyway. As I always am… I wish I could tell you about the way I feel. Well, I could write it down of course, but what sense would that make. He’d never reciprocate my feelings.

Fuji’s smile faded a little and he freed himself from his friends embrace. Taking his place beside their captain.

I mean he would never like somebody who can’t express what he things in words without writing down everything. He was always quite, but whenever he wanted to talk he was able to do so.

In the end Seigaku won the nationals. They took the bus home and one after one left the group.

“Well, here we go, Fujiko-chan.” Fuji waved goodbye at the rest of the team and followed his friend. “I won’t be able to walk you home today, Fujiko-chan.” Curiously Fuji looked up. “Hitomi asked me to spend the evening with her and now I have to hurry to be there in time. Is that ok for you?” Fuji nodded, giving his friend a reassuring smile. “Thank you.” He hugged Fuji goodbye and walked off.

“Syusuke?” Yumiko peaked around a corner seeing who had just entered the house. “I’ve already been waiting for you. How did you do?” Fuji showed her his thumb up smiling brigthly. “Great! Did Seigaku win the nationals?” Again thump up. “Wow! Listen, mum and dad are visiting Yuuta at St. Rudolph, so we’ll have the whole evening for us! I thought we could have dinner downtown today.” Fuji nodded. He brought his bag into his room and walked back meeting his sister in the hall waiting for him.

We haven’t done something together for quite some time, Nee-san.

After having had dinner they walked a little through the streets. “Isn’t that one of your friends?”

Hu?

Looking up Fuji saw Kawamura and his girlfriend holding hands. They talked with low voices and now Hitomi tiptoed giving Kawamura a short kiss on his cheek. From the way her lips moved, Fuji could tell, that she had just confessed her love to one of his best friends.

She confessed her love. She’ much braver than I am. I could never do that… It would be ridiculous if I was standing in front of him writing down what I feel for him, while he looks over my shoulder waiting for me.

Fuji took his sister’s hand pulling her into the direction of the parking lot. He didn’t want to spy on his friend. And he didn’t want to see them flirting happily with each other.

“Syusuke? Ok, I see. We’ll go home.”

Lying in bed at home he could hardly keep himself from thinking.

Why? Why do I have to be so different? And just because I am, my mum won’t ever stop treating me like a child. I bet Yumiko had wanted to visit Yuuta as well, but instead mum made her stay taking care of me. And even Taka-san treats me as if I was at least 5 years younger. I appreciate it and I like the way they care, but I cannot be a boy for all my life. And why is that? It’s all because I don’t talk. Maybe if I try hard enough… Don’t be foolish Syusuke, not even the doctors could tell why I never did…

Yawning he finally asleep.

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