Disclaimer: I don't own The Prince of Tennis.

A/N I'm not really sure this is a very good fic at all. I fail...

The Reason

By squishy the jellyfish

Tezuka always knew that fitting in with his family would be hard work once he told them that he was dating Echizen Ryoma, the boy. Perhaps his parents would approve of it, eventually, but Tezuka couldn't be sure that his grandfather would. The captain deeply idolized his grandfather, and had even developed a few of his traits such as his seriousness and mature behaviour. Even so, his grandfather was a fairly strict man and preferred more of a traditional way of approaching things, especially when it came to sexual relationships. Alas for the stoic male, for he had made his choice and wasn't about to go back on it. At all. Maybe he was doing the wrong thing telling his family…Tezuka repressed the urge to bang his head against a wall. He couldn't go on like this; he needed desperate release, release from the prying eyes of society and release from his grandfather's constant questions about where he was going and with whom.

"Promise?" The shorter male inquired, all the while beaming up at the other.

Tezuka took hold of one of Ryoma's small hands and squeezed it reassuringly. "I promise, I'll tell them…"

The tennis prodigy smirked. "You better," Pulling his hand away from Tezuka's; he punched the man on the shoulder assertively, yet affectionately.

"Ow, brat," Tezuka said as he yanked Ryoma into a chaste kiss.

Tezuka brushed his fingers against his lips as he sprawled out on his bed. Dinner had long passed finished by now and Tezuka still hadn't said anything about his sexual orientation. He stared up at the ceiling and noted things about its appearance, such as: it was white, it was clean, and, was that a mark?

Tezuka shook his head disbelievingly. He was not a child anymore, so stalling was definitely not an option, but as much as he tried, the captain's thoughts kept wandering away from the real issue and instead tempted him to think about random garbage. The vibrations from his mobile jolted him back into reality. Slowly, almost hesitantly, Tezuka sat up, took the phone from his bedside table, flipped it open and raised it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Buchou, it's me."

Tezuka at once knew who it was. It was Ryoma, how did he know? Because nobody but he could pronounce his title quite like Ryoma did. "Ryoma, you don't have to call me that when we're out of practice."

"…Fine, Mitsu, whatever."

Tezuka's brow quirked.

"So…have you told your parents that we're together?"

Tezuka's pulse quickened. Excuses were out of the question and lying? Well, Tezuka was never good at that. "No, I haven't."

"Why not?"

"I'll tell them, just be patient, okay?"

"Fine…" Ryoma's tone sounded somewhat hurt.

"…Ryoma, I promised I would, so I will. I'm just waiting for the correct time," Tezuka said.

Ryoma sighed. "Yeah, yeah I know…I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, at the burger place?" Tezuka asked.

"Ah. I have to go, bye Mitsu," and with that, Ryoma hung up.

Tezuka sighed as he flipped his mobile shut and set it back down on the table. All of this would work out somehow, he was sure of it…the captain took a deep intake of breath and laid back down on his bed. But then…when would be the right time to tell his family of his relationship?

"So…you're really going to Germany?" Ryoma asked sadly.

"Ah," Tezuka replied flatly. The two were standing in a deserted court after all the other tennis club members had gone home. "Is something bothering you, Echizen?"

Ryoma looked slightly fidgety all of a sudden. "It's…it's nothing, really," he concluded as he turned away.

Tezuka frowned. Putting a gentle hand on the shorter male's shoulder, he repeated the question.

Suddenly, Ryoma smirked.

"What's so funny?" Tezuka furrowed a brow when the boy turned back around.

"Just…just a funny feeling," Ryoma said awkwardly.

Tezuka was perplexed. "If this will cloud your judgment during a match-"

"No, no, nothing like that. It's just that…I'm going to miss you."

Tezuka was unsure of what to reply with. 'I'll miss you too, Echizen'? It made the captain feel a little strange.

Ryoma frowned. "Won't you miss me?"

Tezuka opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

The prodigy pouted, "Don't you like me?"

"A-ah…" Tezuka managed to blurt out.

Ryoma smirked somewhat sadistically, nearly making Tezuka shudder. "Then kiss me."

As usual, Tezuka woke early the next morning and had a quick shower before heading downstairs eagerly to have some breakfast. Yes, he was sure of it this time. Tezuka Kunimitsu would tell his parents about his boyfriend now, even if it killed him. He made his way down the hall and found his family in the kitchen come dining room.

"Good morning Kunimitsu," his mother said happily as she went about making breakfast in the kitchen.

Tezuka's father was sitting at the dining table next to his grandfather who was reading the newspaper. "Morning," the two greeted in unison.

"Good morning," Tezuka said politely as he took a seat at the table.

"So, any plans today, Kunimitsu?" His father asked cheerfully as his grandfather merely looked up from the article he was reading.

This was it, the moment he would reveal everything! "I'm going out with-" say it, say it, say it! "my friend from school." The miniature version of Tezuka who was perched upon his left shoulder simply shook his head in disgrace.

"Echiza Ryoma?" Tezuka's grandfather asked as he out down the paper.

"Echizen Ryoma."

"I have some errands I need to run today, so would you like a lift to wherever you were headed?" The old man said before sipping at his tea.

"…Would it, would it be any trouble?" Tezuka nearly stumbled on his words.

The eldest Tezuka shook his head, "No, I'd like to meet this boy anyway, you spend a lot of time with him, so I'm curious as to why."

Tezuka bit back a frown in distaste. Sometimes his grandfather could be very cold indeed. He should just be happy with his decision and be a good and supportive family member. Oh, wait, Tezuka hadn't told them yet…so this hardly applied. The captain remained silent all through breakfast, not breathing a word until he excused himself from the table and went outside to play a brief game of tennis with the wall before he left to meet with his boyfriend.

To be honest, after Ryoma went out on a fishing date with Tezuka, he thought it quite boring, yet serene and warming to the heart. Though he enjoyed watching Tezuka at the arcade-losing horribly-fishing was something they could just relax to. They didn't have to speak, they never had to do anything they didn't desire to, they just…had a good time (even if it did bore Ryoma at times). God, Ryoma even took a liking to hiking with Tezuka, but maybe it was just the fact that the older male was there, always beside him during the trips, Ryoma couldn't differentiate between the two now. The shorter male sighed as he held the fishing pole in between his thighs and leant back against Tezuka's firm chest; this was how life should be; nothing to worry over, nothing to miss. There was just: happiness and love.

At twelve thirty, Tezuka's grandfather told the boy that he was ready to go. The teen said very little as he got in the car, and he also, said very little when they arrived at the burger shop.

"So, where's this friend of yours?" The old man inquired as he parked outside the shop.

"…He should be inside. Thank you for driving me," Tezuka said rather hurryingly as he got out the car.

"Hn…well I'm running late for something, so I'll have to meet him some other time," the eldest Tezuka frowned before waving to the youngest and drove off.

Tezuka felt a pang of relief enter his chest, meeting Ryoma may very well have given his grandfather a heart attack. When he went in the burger shop, he immediately spotted Ryoma; he was sitting in the far corner already eating. The captain strode over to him casually and sat down opposite to the short male. "Hey."

"Hi Mitsu…I suppose you haven't told your family yet?" Ryoma said rather coldly as he put down his hamburger.

"Ryoma…it'll take time, my family are very…traditional and strict."

"Am I not proper?" Ryoma looked hurt.

"You know what I mean…" Tezuka exclaimed tonelessly.

Ryoma frowned, "No, I'm pretty sure I don't."

"It's just that…they'll be more than shocked when they find out."

"Why?" Ryoma asked bluntly, his piercing glare becoming increasingly icy.

"Because our relationship is not what they call traditional."

"Traditional? Why are you putting off telling them? Just tell them and I'll know that you care about me!"

Tezuka frowned, "It's not that easy, Ryoma."

A wet substance began welling up at the corners of Ryoma's eyes, "Are you, embarrassed of me?"

"No, I certainly am not," Tezuka said firmly.

"Then when are you going to tell them?" A thin line of the substance trickled down Ryoma's cheek.

"I…I don't know, but I will," Tezuka replied unreassuringly.

And with that, Ryoma stood, threw some money onto the table and went to leave.

"Ryoma, where are you going? We need to talk this through," Tezuka said as he went after the boy, gently grabbing his arm. The shorter male turned around just enough to make Tezuka see the hurt look on his face. "Ryoma…" he then let Ryoma slip out of his grip and out of the store. A strange feeling washed over him…one that symbolized dread and loneliness. Sadness.

"Wha?! Ochibi and, and-"

"Yep, I know, Ryoma and Tezuka are dating!" Momoshiro exclaimed to his red-headed friend. "And that's why I called a meeting at the burger shop."

"You idiot, what if they come here?" Kaidoh said.

"What's that mamushi? Wanna fight?!" Momo retorted.

"Oi, oi you guys! Momo, keep talking about Tezuka and ochibi!" Eiji whined.

"Yeah, how can you be sure?" Oishi asked.

Momo grinned with pride. "I saw them talking once, Tezuka-buchou even laughed!"

Fuji seemed unconvinced, "Talking doesn't mean that they're dating, Momo."

"No, wait, afterwards I saw them kiss!" Momo shouted.

"What?!" All the Seigaku regulars yelled in unison, even Kaidoh.

"…My data is now completely useless against them…" Inui said solemnly as he put down his green notebook.

"Ah! They're coming, everybody act nor-Eiji! Come back here!" Oishi shouted to his doubles partner as the red-head bounded off to meet the couple on their way in.

"Ochibi! You didn't tell us you were dating Tezuka-buchou!" Eiji cried as he glomped the freshman.

"What?!" Ryoma spat venom as he brushed off the acrobatic player and turned to look at his 'friends'.

Tezuka's glasses were glinting dangerously. By god, he would make them all run laps until they were well past fifty!

Momo had a terrified expression printed all over his face, which basically singled him out to be the culprit.

"Momoshiro…one-hundred laps when training commences tomorrow!" Tezuka ordered.

Ryoma on the other hand, was seething beyond belief.

The day Tezuka went to practice was the day after his meeting with Ryoma at the burger shop. When he arrived there was whispering all around, hell, even the regulars were talking quietly amongst themselves. Ignoring the constant chatting, Tezuka tried to find Ryoma, the night after their fight Tezuka had attempted to call him numerous times, but no one picked up. Tezuka felt worrying feeling growing within him, where was Ryoma? He didn't see him at school, nor did he see him now in the change rooms.

"Tezuka?" An all too familiar voice came from behind of the captain.

Tezuka turned around to meet Fuji. "What is it?"

Fuji's facial expression looked somewhat, sad. "He's gone, don't look for him any longer Tezuka."

Tezuka remained as cold as a rock. "What do you mean?"

Fuji gritted his teeth. "He's gone Tezuka, Ryoma's gone, he's leaving for America for the U.S Open as we speak."

Tezuka took a while to process what the tensai had just said. His eyes widened in shock when the realization finally hit him. The captain sat down on the bench, eyes wide open with distress.

Fuji handed what appeared to be a letter to Tezuka and turned away.

Tezuka immediately opened up the letter. As he did, a searing pain enveloped his heart.

"I love you, Ryoma…" Tezuka smiled.

"I love you too," Ryoma replied before pulling the captain's head down into a kiss.

Oh, god…why did it hurt so much?

"The horizon's beautiful…" Ryoma exclaimed as he sat huddled close to his boyfriend. "Maybe hiking isn't as bad as I thought."

Ryoma took his last look at the terminal before retreating through the boarding area into the plane.

Dear Mitsu

As Fuji-senpai may have already told you, I'm leaving for the U.S Open just as you instructed and hoped for me to do. I thank you for all of your help during the time I spent at Seishun Gakuen, you opened my eyes to how the world truly worked and I admire you for your wisdom.

To be honest, I'm not really sure telling your folks was a good idea, and yet, I persisted. I guess I wasn't really thinking about your wellbeing…I'm sorry, so sorry that I've inflicted that pain on you, I should never had made you choose between your family and myself. It was never your fault that I decided to leave Japan because it was of my own accord. Please forget about me…

Ryoma.

Please tell me!

P.S Should I put up my sequel?

Mini squishy: Nope, you suck. The worst story EVER WRITTEN!

Squishy: Damn...even my little apparation of me disowns me.

Squishy.