Right in Front of Your Face
The leaves made soft, rustling sounds. The train from Tokyo to Osaka was going full speed. Tezuka Kunimitsu sat next to his companion reading the latest tennis magazine with Echizen Ryoma on the front cover. Tezuka is now a twenty five year old lawyer in training. He has not changed since his middle school days. He still plays tennis, runs his grandfather’s dojo and works in a law office. So one would wonder why he is on a train to Osaka when all his work and such is in Tokyo. Well it had to do with his companion sitting next to him.

“Ne, Tezuka how’s Echizen-kun doing hmm,” asked his female companion.

“He playing in the US Open again,” replied Tezuka. His friend’s name is . She is twenty five years old with white hair going to her shoulders and green eyes. She isn’t a full Japanese girl but has a bit of French in her as per her odd hair and eye color. works with Tezuka as a lawyer in training at the same firm as him. They met in their second year of college. Contrary to popular belief, Tezuka doesn’t hate girls. He just didn’t find a girl that could interest him. is very smart (except in math which is the reason they met in the first place) and plays baseball, which tends to be the base of all their arguments…Which is better baseball or tennis?

“That’s good for him,” said , smiling. “I’m really glad that you decided to come with me, you need to get out more.” Tezuka did not response. She just rolled her eyes at the stoic man. Silence seemed to overtake the whole train

“Where did you get that sweater,” asked Tezuka, suddenly. had taken a sweater out her bag and put it on. He normally seen every article of clothing she owned.

“Oh Fuji gave it to me,” said , grinning.

“I see,” said Tezuka. He knew very well that and Fuji dated in their last year of college, but broke up and still remained close. It just annoyed Tezuka a little bit that Fuji still randomly gives gifts, just a little bit. And he did not even know why it was bothering him.

“I never told you why I have to go to Osaka,” said . “I’m getting engaged again.” Tezuka stiffened. Another one? How many did she go through already? There was Atobe Keigo, then Sanada Genichirou, then Yukimaru Seiichi, and then it was most recently Oshitari Yuushi. “It’s Chitose Senri.”

“Him,” asked Tezuka, trying not to act out of character.

“I haven’t talked to him since high school. He’s family owns a dojo. It would be good business for my father for us to marry,” said , sighing. “That’s what I’m told. But that’s what I was told about the other four.” Tezuka nodded. Atobe and didn’t work out because Atobe and ’s second cousin Hikari had something going on. Sanada and Yukimaru did not like so they convinced their parents to not to go through with the marriage. And Oshitari reasoning for breaking up the engagement was that ‘her legs were not long enough.’ Pervert.

“Why can’t you choose your husband,” asked Tezuka.

“Because according to my mother I’ll pick someone horrible,” said , rolling her eyes again. “I do have someone in mind though.”

“Really,” asked Tezuka.

“Ah, but he won’t. I know him too well,” said , with a sad smile. He figured that she was talking about Fuji. “Wake me up when we get there.” It took a few minutes then dozed off. Tezuka sighed. He knew why she wanted him to come. Moral support, as usual. Suddenly something fell out of her sweater pocket. It was in Fuji’s handwriting. He was going to put it back when it fell open. Not that accidental kind either, so this was on purpose.

‘ , my dear, dear friend,
I hope you like the sweater; I thought it would look great on you. Anyway I heard about Chitose and your engagement to him from Oshitari. I have a simple solution. Tell ‘him’ how you feel before you actually marry someone you don’t love. Do it! Or I’ll marry you myself if I must. And you know I’ll find a way to make you agree. ^_^
Fuji’

Wait, hold up, she likes someone. Tezuka did not know this; normally he would be the first to know. But she told Fuji first and he actually proposed to her with a sweater. That tensai can be so cunning sometimes. Tezuka hopes that she won’t actually take him up on that offer. Not that he was jealous or anything, it’s just when they get together its hell for everyone else.

“Ne, Tezuka what are you holding,” said , waking up. Ah crap he forgot about how fast she can wake up.

“A note from Fuji fell out of your pocket,” said Tezuka.

“Oh I didn’t know it was in there,” said , clueless. She snatched it out of his hands and read it. “Fuji can be such a tease sometimes.”

“Who is this guy he was talking about hmm,” asked Tezuka.

“Why are you so interested,” asked , looking at him if he had six heads. He was never interested in that kind of stuff before. Suddenly the train jerked forward and abruptly stopped making fall right on top on Tezuka. “Hehe, sorry.”

“Not your fault,” said Tezuka, helping her get off him. He looked at her eyes and then blinked. He could not believe what he was seeing. ‘Why is she looking at me like that? Am I the one she is in love with? No that can’t be.’

“Tezuka,” asked , “are you alright?”

“I’m fine ,” said Tezuka.

“You…you just called me by my first name,” said . “Yes!” She was giggling like a little girl. He surprised himself. He always called her ‘ ’ but nothing else.

“ ---”

“Hey no changing your mind,” said , poking him. “Now you have to keep calling me .”

“Stop poking me,” said Tezuka. Suddenly his phone went off. Someone sent him a text message. It was Fuji.
‘Tezuka do you realize it yet?’
‘What are you talking about Fuji?’
‘That you love my -chan.’
‘She’s not yours and I’m not in love with her.’
‘So you say so, bye.’
“Was that Fuji? What did he want,” asked .

“Nothing important,” said Tezuka. The train was going at a steady pace again and was reading a book, while Tezuka just sat there.

“Tezuka are you ever getting married,” asked .

“…”

“Okay fine what about a girlfriend,” asked , again.

“…”

“You’ll be alone forever,” she said with a huff. “I’ll marry you then if you can’t find anybody.”

“What,” asked Tezuka, realizing what she just said.

“Yeah you own a dojo and it wouldn’t be a bad choice now would it,” said .

“You should marry for love,” said Tezuka, blankly.

“Who’s says I don’t love you,” asked , with a grin.

“Stop playing .”

“I’m serious you know,” said . “Maybe I love you, maybe I don’t.”

“Which is it then,” asked Tezuka, knowing full well that she is playing with him.

“You guess,” said . Tezuka glared at her. He hated when she did that. But wait maybe she did love him…No she was just teasing or was she? “Hey it’s our stop.” Both stood up and began to exit the train. Outside he spotted Chitose waiting along with his little sister Miyuki. Suddenly Tezuka did something very irrational and very unlike him.

“So if you love me let’s tell your father that we are getting married,” said Tezuka, walking ahead of her to get to the other two. “Oh and take that damn sweater off it’s not your color.” was blushing as she ran to catch up with him and she did take the sweater off…



©2007 CrazyGirlOfManyNames