To crack a nut

Title : To crack a nut ( Chapter 6 )
Disclaimer : I’m just playing with them for a bit. They do not belong to me and I do not make any money out of this or them. This is written for pure entertaining and enjoyment purposes.
Fuji’s point of view.
Authors note : I’m sorry if my writing style has changed a little. It tends to happen to stories that go on hiatus for long periods of time. But it’s a long, well, not really long but longer than the others have been so I hope you enjoy them. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The ambience of the small café at the end of the block was what made me keep coming back rather than their food because, honestly, the meals they served just didn’t do it for me. Rather, it reminded me of the few occasions Mitsu-chan had ventured into the kitchen and tried to surprise me with breakfast in bed only to have it blow up in his face. In the end, instead of being pampered, I had to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the kitchen. He left a huge mess behind for me. Since then, I banned him from ever setting foot into the kitchen to try cooking. I suggested he go out and buy breakfast next time. It would save me lots of cleaning detergent. But nevertheless, it did bring a smile to my face as he tried being sweet. It’s the thought that counts, no?

My thoughts returned to the recent happenings. Our relationship was having a few setbacks but saying that would be an understatement. In actual fact, what really is going on? Is this an issue of trust? Do I doubt Tezuka’s love for me? No. I don’t. I do believe he loves me with all his heart. That I know for certain but, would the ex captain of Seigaku be willing to have a secret lover? If he does, what does that person have that I don’t?

Frustrated, I took a sip of my black coffee and peered out of the side window and looked outside on the sidewalk as the bitter liquid spread over my tongue and a shiver ran down my spine. I loved the way coffee seemed to give life to your being; it just woke you up. An older couple was taking a slow stroll down the street hand in hand. The old lady was laughing at something her husband had said and hugged his arm even tighter as she patted it softly. Even after aging so, you could see the affection they had for each other though not elaborate. I wondered if the brown haired man and I would ever get that far. I licked my lips and pondered a little longer.

If just for an instance I do accept the fact that Kunimitsu has a lover, the next logical question that would follow is why. Why would he need to have someone else if he already has me? Could it be he is dissatisfied and if he is then, with what? Is it my looks? I turned around and looked into one of the mirrors on the wall used to give the illusion of space; making the café look bigger than it really was. I opened my eyes fully and looked at myself then formulated the conclusion that looks was probably the last reason he would go in search of someone else. He wasn’t that shallow and besides, it was not as though I was hard on the eyes at all. In reality I was quite the looker. I don’t mean to toot my own horn but toot toot.

The next possibility was, sex? Were things between us getting boring? Well maybe, since we have been together since high school. Doing the same thing over and over again could be a tad dull but we could try new things if that was the issue. I’ve never been a coward and would have welcomed the idea of toys or whatever else there is if only I thought Tezuka would entertain the thought off experimenting with any of those. I have always thought he wasn’t the type to want to try such kinky things but maybe I have been a little narrow minded now, haven’t I. Is that it? Does he want to spice up the sex but is too embarrassed to say anything about it? I shook my head and frowned. He wouldn’t just be in it for sex. Kunimitsu isn’t the type to have casual sex with anybody. He hadn’t wanted to have sex with me until his 17th birthday for crying out loud so this isn’t something casual for him. It wouldn’t just be physical.

By now I was fuming with confusion and had an awkward look plastered on my face. The waiter by the counter had thrown me a few uneasy glances but each time I look his way he would offer me a small smile then quickly move his attention elsewhere. The sandwiches I had ordered early were left untouched on the table. I just couldn’t stomach anything at this moment, much less eat. However, coffee seemed to help me function. It always put me in a better mood while at work and my currently pink haired assistant never failed to fetch me a cup each morning. I smiled as I thought of the ball of energy that greeted me each morning as I stepped into the office. You just couldn’t stay mad at him no matter how annoying he was at times.

The buzzing of my cell phone grabbed my attention from my thoughts and I fished it out of my coat pocket. I flipped it open and read the message that had just arrived in my inbox. It was from Tezuka. How quaint. The brown haired man normally disliked texting and would have called instead. Did he still think I was upset and would not answer his calls? I have done so before so that was possible but he should have tried at least. I left out a sigh as I read on and discovered I was going to have dinner alone tonight. He was going to meet up with a friend from the States.

Did he even know anyone from America? Why didn’t he even mention that to me? Could this be the guy that he’s been hiding? I slammed my fist on the table just so irritated with myself I could hit me. There I was again, doubting him. Didn’t I just tell him I believed he loved me and he shouldn’t worry at all? I have to mean what I say or everything would be a lie.

I tried coming up with something to fill the empty slot in my schedule tonight. I was in actuality looking forward to spending a nice quiet evening with Tezuka but I guess that would just have to wait. Besides, it isn’t as though his friend from the States comes down everyday so it isn’t that big a deal. But then I really didn’t want to spend the night alone. I thought for a moment before flipping my mobile open again and scanning through my phonebook until I found the name then pressed the green button.

~*~*~*~

I was standing in front of the dressing table combing and styling my hair when the cell phone on the night stand buzzed to life and signified I had received a message. It was from my date for the night and he was already downstairs. He said it would be too much of a hassle to drive two cars and since he didn’t stay that far away, he offered to pick me up. I reached for my cologne and applied some on before buttoning up my light blue shirt and buckling my black jeans. I gave myself a one up in the mirror and decided I didn’t look too shabby. Hell, blue always brought out my eyes.

I made my way to the lift and took it down to the ground floor. I walked out of the building and was about to pull out my cell phone when a sleek black car pulled up in front of me, the window winding down.

“ Need a ride? I’m about 98% sure you do.” A man with black frames inquired as he popped his head out of the car window and smiled.

A chuckle escaped my lips as they curled into a grin. “ Evening, Inui-kun.” I opened the car door and hopped in. I buckled up in my seat and made myself comfortable before turning to look at the man in the driver’s seat. We had not seen each other for quite sometime due to the fact that we were both working and because Tezuka and I had crazy schedules, the only free time we had was normally spent together, until now.

“ So, to what occasion do I owe this lovely surprise to?” Inui pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, just like Kunimitsu does.

“ Eh?” I cocked my head to one side.

“ Why aren’t you with Tezuka tonight?” He didn’t wait for my answer but instead pulled the car onto the road as we drove off to our destination.

“ Must I always be with him, Inui-kun? And what about you, isn’t Kaidoh jealous you’re spending some quality time together with the sexy Fuji-senpai?” I chuckled as Inui’s cheeks burned a slight pink at the mention of his relationship with the younger man. Like us, they had liked each other since high school but never got together until their last year of high school which was such a shame because all of us thought they looked adorable together.

~*~*~

Inui pulled into the entrance of the restaurant and we moved to make our way out of the car. I greeted the burst of fresh air with a small smile and felt more relaxed than I did the entire day. I turned to my right to see the ebony haired man running up to my side after handing the keys to the parking jockey. I grinned as I noticed how good Inui looked tonight. Maybe Kaidoh was a good influence after all. I remember seeing Inui at our High School prom. Inui was being so prim and proper because he had gone with Kaidoh and the kouhai insisted he at least dress up. Tezuka gave me a slight frown when he saw the look of approval I gave Inui. Back then and even now, it was nice to know that even the stoic buchou could get jealous once in a while.

The waiter of the restaurant opened the doors for us and another waitress dressed in a simple black dress with a headset attached to her oddly small ears. We were seated somewhere in a corner booth which gave us some privacy. The ambience in the popular French restaurant was not too elaborate and I adored it because there was a strict dress code and any rowdy behavior would not be tolerated. It was a “ we take no bullshit ” policy and sometimes I just wished more places inforced in instead of worrying about the woes and loosing their customers. But maybe it was because they were fairly established enough to have that sort of standard.

The both of us placed the orders for our main meals as she brought us our drinks. Inui had ordered a bottle of French wine which he was recommended by a friend of his. I nodded, trusting the data collector’s taste and instincts especially when he reassured me by saying it would 75% taste good. It was hard not to chuckle when faced with such information. Wanted or unwanted.

A casual conversation about work was started when something caught my eye. A figure that looked had the resemblance of Tezuka from the back was seated about four tables away from us. Dressed in none other than a purple dress shirt that looked exactly like the one I saw in the batch that I had picked up from the dry cleaners a couple of days ago. Odd. I tried not to think of it so much and realized Inui had become silent. Probably because he realized my mind was somewhere else.

“ I’m sorry Inui, what were you saying?”

“ You see him don’t you?” I tensed up at the mere implication of Inui’s words. The taller man took off his glasses and began to wipe them, redirecting his attention somewhere else.

“ I beg your pardon?”

“ Tezuka.” Inui motioned in the direction of the man dressed in purple with his back to us.

“ I’m sure it’s not him. He dislikes this place. He wouldn’t come here.” I said, more to myself than to Inui. Maybe I needed that reassurance that Mitsu-chan wouldn’t come here when he refused each time I requested to come here. He was always firm in his decision, even I couldn’t change his mind so, he just wouldn’t. Would he?

“ I saw him the moment we walked in.” I felt my throat began to tighten and as though there was a lump there.

“ Inui.. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“ It wasn’t my place to.”

“ Sokka.” I turned my gaze down and concentrated on the studs of my jeans.

“ Do you want to leave?”

“ Eto.. There is no reason for us to leave. No, we’ll stay and have our dinner.” I tried giving him my most convincing smile but somehow at that moment, my heart hurt too much to even try.

At that moment a waiter came over and served us out appetizers. My attention went from the steamy onion soup to the back of Tezuka’s head. The only thing I wanted to do right now was walk over there and pour the hot soup on him. Maybe then he’d get the wake up call he needs. Or is it I who needs one? Are these signs or signals before the final break up? Is this why our relationship has been so topsy turvy? I let out a long sigh and I took my soup spoon and began to stir the warm liquid. From across the table, Inui wore such a helpless yet concerned expression that made me feel just slightly better. At least someone cared.

Seated down in the booth, I felt so powerless. It dawned on me that if I did make a scene, I’m sure it would be covered by in the papers tomorrow, and if not the main papers then those gossip magazines. I can see the headlines now, “ Gay lover tries to bash boyfriend when he’s caught cheating.” I scoffed at the very idea and decided it wouldn’t help any of our careers right now. Besides, what would the gay community say. It would just make them look bad!

“ Syuusuke, are you sure you don’t want to go somewhere else? I know this great place down..”

“ NO!” I cut him off and spoke much too loud. Occupants of several tables around us turned to look at the odd sight of two man having dinner together, one looking concerned and the other pissed off.

“ Gomen. I mean, no thanks. It’s okay. I’m fine.” I rephrased my sentence and for that moment really pitied Inui for having to be the one sitting across a very difficult me right now.

I received a nod in response as Inui began to drink his soup silently. He was probably wishing he wasn’t here right now and instead should’ve just stayed home and had a quiet evening with his Kaidoh. Moments of silence was passed between us as I kept turning to look at Tezuka. I wondered if he had noticed our presence yet. Then an idea came to me. Should I? It would be rather impulsive but, what harm could it do?

“ Syuu, I recommend that you don’t use the excuse of walking to the bathroom and back here again just to see if Tezuka realizes that you’re here.”

“ And why not?” I inquired honestly curious because to me, that plan seemed bullet proof.

“ Because Tezuka would 78% not realize your presence and I don’t want to have to deal with a even more pissed and frustrated Fuji.” Well, I guess it just wasn’t Inui proof. I wanted to prove him wrong but I knew when and when not to mess with Inui’s predictions. They were almost always correct.

“ Then, what should I do?”

“ Go and say hello. It would only make sense.” Inui cleaned up his soup bowl and wiped his mouth with the napkin before he spoke.

Why didn’t I think of that before? Of course it made sense, it was logical!

I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to muster up the courage to go over and say hello. But I couldn’t. What would I say? What will I say? Many a times my mouth shoots before my brain even processes the thought and that’s always dangerous.

“ Inui, I can’t!” God, I sounded like a girl freaking out right before she confessed to her first love.

“ then don’t.” There’s the reassuring best friend.

“ I’m going to.”

“ Good luck.” It was irritating how he answered me. I felt like reaching for the candle holder and clobbering his head. How unfeeling could he be? Though he is probably rather annoyed with how indecisive and unreasonable I’m being.

Discreetly I checked my reflection in Inui’s square frames before eyeing Tezuka’s table again. This time I looked at the man he was with. Not too bad looking really. It was not that obvious the first time you laid eyes on him but if you looked closely you could see the extra angular features, very much different from ours. He had a nice build, slightly bigger than Mitsu-chan with silky ebony hair that had been gelled up for the evening. He was rather fair with creamy white skin and green eyes to top it off.

Finally I got up from the table and made a beeline towards the brown haired man. Each step felt weighed down like a ton and I dreaded the awkwardness that could result from the conversation. But it was too late to turn back now, or I could just slip pass them and walk towards the bathroom. I turned back to see Inui watching me and through those lenses I could feel him rooting me on to just get it over with.

I was now a mere two feet away from him. I watched as my arm reached for his shoulder and I tapped him. The brown haired man turned around instantly with a frown on his face only to have his eyes shoot wide open as he saw me.

“ Tezuka, what a surprise.” I tried to smile instead of glaring daggers at the man across him.

“ Syuu..suke..” He seemed alarmed, confused and was that displeasure I saw? No, I could’ve read wrongly. I must have.

“ Well well, if it isn’t the popular Fuji-san. Kuni, you never mentioned that he would be coming after all.” The man on the other side of the table began to speak as he folded his arms across his chest. I honestly couldn’t read him, and that scared me.

Kuni?! Where the hell does he get off nicknaming my Tezuka? Bastard.

“ After all?” I said through gritted teeth.

“ Yeah, I’m glad you accepted my invitation, though you’re rather late. We’ve almost finished our main course.” He gave me a smile then we both looked at the man dressed in purple.

“ Ano, Jake, this is Fuji as you know. Syuu.. Fuji, this is Jake. He’s the friend from the States that I told you about.” Kunimitsu’s voice was rather unsure of himself which was odd for such a confident person. It wasn’t like him.

“ Jake? Wow. That’s great. But I’m actually here with another friend though I was surprised to see you two here. I had no clue.” Jake looked like he was about to say something but clamped up in the end.

“ A friend?” Tezuka squeaked out.

“ Mmm. I’m here with Inui-kun. He was nice enough to have dinner with me, since I didn’t have plans.” I smiled sweetly before excusing myself and then turned to walk back to the table Inui and I shared.

“ Syuu, I’ll see you at home, right?” I had my back towards Tezuka when he asked me such a thing with such insecurity, it made my heart hurt. It was like my heart had not only received papercuts but now it was like a whole spear had gone straight through it.

One question did indeed flash through my mind at that moment; Does he doubt my love?

By the time I reached the table, Inui had somehow predicted the outcome of the situation and had settled the bill. He gave my back a conforting rub before escorting me safely out the door before I broke into tears on his shoulder.

And to think I didn’t want to make a scene.

____________

How was that? I’m sorry I keep taking so long for an update. Gomen gomen! But real life is really hectic nowadays. I’m glad I finally finished this chapter though writing chapter seven is going to prove a challenge. I just can’t decide which way I’m going to take this story. It has already taken on a life of its own and gone far far far away from the original plot I had in mind. Bah! I’m just going to stop ranting. But anyways, thank you for reading! Please be kind and review it if you have the time. It always makes me very happy to receive them!! Have a good weekend!