Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis.

My Place

Heath – Solitude

The roof was his place. There was an unspoken agreement between the first year trio, Ryuuzaki Sakuno and her friend that they would leave Ryoma alone when he left for the rooftop – unless there was an emergency.

At least, that’s what happened after Ryoma decided to lock them out on morning.

One afternoon however, when Ryoma came to have lunch at the rooftop, he found Fuji Syuusuke smiling at him at the doorway.

Surprised, he stopped, “Ah, Fuji-senpai,” he greeted, “what do you want?”

Fuji’s smile widened and moved aside for Ryoma to get through.

“Would you like to have lunch together?” he asked, holding up his bento.

Ryoma tried to hide his irritation. “Fine,” he mumbled, following Fuji onto the rooftop – his place. It wasn’t that he was feeling particularly nice that day or that he was afraid of what Fuji would do if he refused. Ryoma simply respected his senpai – enough to at least allow them to share lunch.

As they sat on the pleasantly cool cement, Ryoma immediately began opening his own bento, tearing the lid off and tossing it aside.

“Now, now, Echizen, perhaps you should slow down,” Fuji suggested, next to Ryoma he smiled.

Ryoma glanced at Fuji, raising an eyebrow before continuing. “What are you, my mother?”

Fuji smiled and began his lunch. “Of course not, why would you think so Ryoma-kun?” he asked, in a teasing voice.

The other boy rolled his eyes, not noticing the name change and continued to stuff his mouth full of rice.

When lunch was nearly over, Ryoma spoke again. “Ne, senpai, why did you start tennis?” he asked, remembering what Momoshiro had mentioned a few days earlier of how Fuji’s passion was photography.

Fuji stopped and turned to look at Ryoma.

“Now, that is a good question,” he said, returning to his lunch.

Ryoma let out an angry huff.

“Saa… Maybe it’s because of people like you…” Fuji replied, “people like you make me like tennis…

“Ah… I guess I confused you now. Right, Ryoma?”

Having finally noticed the usage of his given name, Ryoma jerked up. Frowning, he gathered what was left of his lunch and left without another word.

Behind him, Fuji let out a laugh. “Perhaps I should have lunch with him more often…”

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