Author's Note: This is a Golden Pair fic which will become a part of a short series, assuming I get my rear in gear and get the last bits done. Part one is pretty much just fluff - a WAFF fic if you are familiar with that term. I plan to build it to a more adult relationship when they are a little older, but for now they are young and becoming good friends. Also, I mention Sengoku very briefly even though I was far too lazy to care or check and see if he was known to them before their third year - so if that is innacurate, it's a shame.
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, Konomi Takeshi does, and I will make no profit from this work.
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"Golden Friendship"
Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis, Konomi Takeshi does, and I will make no profit from this work.
____________________
"Golden Friendship"
“But you can call me Eiji.”
What had been intended to be a way to keep his enemy close, turned into a friendship that could only be described as golden. Sure Oishi was plain, but his lack of intricate or interesting playing style was made up in his observational skills. And patience. Eiji hadn't really known Oishi before that time about a year ago when he had been quite peacefully handed his hide in a singles match against the quiet boy, but he had figured that Oishi was just that sort of person. He, Kikumaru Eiji, was a happy-go-lucky sort who always wore a smile, while Oishi Suichiro was a shy, kind-hearted young boy who wore his heart on his sleeve. Maybe it was inevitable that they would become friends. They were two halves of a whole, only they didn't realize this until much later in their tennis playing career – and their time as friends.
“Did you want to have a match with me?”
They were currently on their way home from Saturday morning practice with the Seigaku tennis club. Oishi looked first at his best friend and then to where the red-head was pointing. Public tennis courts, empty save for the sound of a lone player practicing against the wall.
“Sure,” Oishi had been wondering when Eiji would challenge him again. Less and less it seemed to be occurring, which was a major contrast to the near begging every other day when they first started playing together. Oishi never asked Eiji why he had decided to stop insisting on the challenges, he figured he knew his doubles partner well enough to understand otherwise. Eiji was maturing, in a tennis perspective that is, and he was giving himself more time.
Standing on the court with the net between them, Oishi suddenly felt a bit weird. It had been a while since they had faced off like this. But Eiji was grinning like he always did so Oishi was quickly put at ease. “Your call.” The blue eyes sent a joking challenge.
“Rough.” He had already fallen into his usual, calm rhythm. The racket twirled, fell: rough.
“You sure you haven't been hanging around Sengoku?” Eiji teased while he tossed his friend the ball. Oishi chuckled, returned a counter statement, and then prepared himself at the base line. Eiji was crouched and ready to go, but his eyes weren't entirely determined yet.
“Don't hold back on me, Eiji!” Oishi sent his clean serve with a smirk. He wouldn't hold back. He wouldn't let Eiji win a match, not so long as he could help it.
It was probably around this time that Oishi realized just how important Eiji's friendship was to him. Having the bouncy, bubbly acrobat next to him at almost all hours of the day (sometimes even into the night) had become pleasant. Now that he knew Eiji he didn't want to let go of their bond. While they volleyed and, holding true to their words, gave it their all, Oishi thought he would like to keep working on their bond and test the limits of true friendship.
And from the other side of the court, panting as the fourth game was won by his partner, Eiji was thinking something similar. Oishi was his goal, that was the same, but now he wasn't aiming to take the boy's place on his pedestal, but to join him. Oishi was his precious friend, the person who listened to him no matter what he had to say and helped him with the homework he didn't get. Oishi didn't get annoyed by his childish mannerisms, even though he was rather mature for his age. In Oishi Eiji had found not a great enemy, but an even greater friend.
“You really aren't holding back! I though this was all just a game!” Eiji was preparing to serve, and Oishi was more than pleased to see the determination he'd been looking for enter the blue eyes.
“Then show me yours!” Oishi countered, not looking nearly as tired as Eiji did right then. It was true that the exuberant red-haired boy had improved on his stamina over his time with the tennis club, but he still had some ways to go.
“Game. Set. Match.” Oishi grinned at Eiji, seeing the stupefied look on his partner's face at the winning drop volley.
“No fair!” He cried. Eiji collapsed onto the ground, his shoulders drooping a bit. “How do you always know when to use that?” He pouted while watching Oishi approach the net.
“Well,” Oishi picked up the net and quickly ducked under it, “I know you.” He smiled down at his partner.
Eiji was silent for a bit then he let out a whoosh of air with a chuckle. “That's so like you, Oishi.”
The brunette offered a hand with a puzzled look. “What do you mean?” He helped Eiji to his feet, and when they were eye-to-eye Eiji gave a dazzling smile.
“What you just said: “I know you”. It's just the sort of thing you'd say.”
Oishi blushed, “is it? I never even realized...”
Eiji laughed. He didn't need to say anything, the joyful outburst said far more than words could ever portray. Oishi began to laugh too, and the two boys laughed until they were quite breathless, then laughed some more. The lone tennis player had long since left, and the friends were alone on the court.
When they finally settled down Eiji lifted his fist for Oishi to bump with his own. “Hey, you wanna go get some sushi from Taka's dad's restaurant?”
“Shouldn't we go home and clean up first?” Oishi spoke reasonably with his gentle smile.
“Oh...well, I guess that would be a good idea. Hey! Why don't you just come over to my place? Wouldn't that be easier?” Eiji was already dragging Oishi by the arm, heading for his house.
“I-I don't want to...”
“My family will be happy to see you, Oishi. Even if you did come over last Sunday for dinner.” Eiji added just as Oishi had opened his mouth. He went to speak again but once more Eiji was faster, “You're my best friend, Oishi, it would be more weird if you didn't come over all the time, wouldn't it?” Eiji turned his large, innocent eyes to Oishi.
Oishi blinked, “how did you know what I was going to say?”
Eiji grinned, “I know you.”
