Undercurrents

Author’s notes: Not sure if this is a good idea, but I had always wanted to continue the “nearly TezukaxEiji” story of When it Bends. Hopefully this doesn’t disappoint…

A TezukaxEijixFuji story

“Tezuka san, please sign here.”

“Tezuka san, should we settle on this vendor for the contract?”

Kikumaru Eiji looked on with amusement at the scene in front of him. This was the usual morning rush hour episode, where everyone basically scrambled to get everything ready for Tezuka’s approval. Tezuka responded to every request promptly and gave clear directions for all the questions asked. This was typical of the department head, thought Eiji with a smile on his face. Tezuka Kunimitsu, the young and capable star of their company, was respected by all. Always fair and decisive, almost everyone wanted a chance to work with him.

Eiji had thanked his lucky stars countless times for the chance to be in Tezuka’s team for the past one and a half years. Though Tezuka was a demanding superior, he was willing to teach and share his knowledge with his team. It wasn’t just about his willingness to share that made Tezuka outstanding. Every single team member mattered to the stoic man, and he showed it through his own ways. He recognized each and every one of them, and took great pains to make sure that their career paths were well taken care off. Almost everyone in his team had been well rewarded for their efforts.

“Hey, Kikumaru, what are you dreaming about? Tezuka san is looking at you with a slight frown on his face,” A colleague whispered to Eiji, breaking his train of thoughts.

Eiji blinked and quickly looked up. Tezuka had already started to walk back to his room, but Eiji didn’t miss the expression on his boss’s face. Then the phone rang.

“Kikumaru, please come to my office.”

Before Eiji could answer, the line was cut. Bracing himself for a lecture, Eiji took a deep breath before making his way to Tezuka’s room.

Tezuka glanced up at his subordinate and motioned him to close the door and sit down.

“Did I make a mistake?” The redhead asked hesitantly. Tezuka didn’t look very happy.

“Tezuka san?” The silence was making Eiji nervous.

The department head frowned and searched for the right words to say. Then, he sighed and decided to ask his question outright. If it was some other team member, Tezuka would have found it much easier to state his opinion. But this was Eiji.

“Why did you reject the position?”

Eiji avoided Tezuka’s eyes and tried to speak in a light tone. “I don’t think I am ready for it. I’m still new in this company, and still have a lot to learn, and...”

Tezuka cut him short. “This isn’t about the length of your service in this company. It is a very good opportunity for you.”

Eiji pasted a smile on his face. “I know. But I’m not ready. Please give this chance to someone else.”

Tezuka leaned back against his chair and studied his subordinate’s face. This opportunity to move to a branch company was rare and offered a good chance to grow and advance in the organization. Tezuka was fully aware of Eiji’s capabilities and thus recommended him for the position. However, he did not expect the redhead to reject the position right away. Tezuka wondered if there were other reasons for his decision. Somehow, he wasn’t convinced by Eiji’s explanation.

“Are you worried about something? It will be a new environment, but…”

Eiji stopped Tezuka. “I really appreciate your intentions and I am very grateful. Please, Tezuka, let me stay here a little longer. I promise you that once I feel ready, I will request for a transfer.”

Knowing that Eiji was just as stubborn as he was, Tezuka spoke no more and Eiji quickly left his room. However, he decided to hold the position for a while longer and then made a mental note to talk to Fuji, to see if the genius could help persuade his friend to take up the job. It was perhaps somewhat strange that he was going to such lengths for the redhead. But Eiji was truly capable, and Tezuka felt that he deserved the chance. There was also another reason – Eiji seemed troubled and tired recently, and Tezuka attributed it to the increasing stress in the work environment. The pace at the branch office would be more beneficial to the redhead. Tezuka closed his eyes momentarily to gather his thoughts. He did not wish to see Eiji tiring himself out or suffer a relapse again.

Eiji let the forced smile slide off his face the moment he sat down at his desk. He understood Tezuka’s intentions and reasoning, but he didn’t understand why he seemed so insistent on sending him to the branch office. It was difficult answering the bespectacled man’s questions without revealing his true feelings. How was he supposed to let Tezuka know that he didn’t want to leave because he wanted to stay here with him?

Fuji stirred his iced coffee as he watched Eiji look aimlessly out from the café’s window. There was nothing to see outside, as it was pitch black. The redhead obviously had some things on his mind.

“Tezuka called me today,” the brown haired man said softly.

Eiji turned his head and looked quizzically at his friend. “What for?”

“He asked me if I knew why you rejected the position at the branch office.”

At Fuji’s reply, Eiji’s expression changed and he turned away again. “Give me a break, Fuji. I don’t want to discuss this matter again.”

The exasperation was clear in Eiji’s tone, but Fuji detected something else as well.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Fuji placed the stirrer down on the table. “Won’t you even tell your best friend?”

“Fuji, please. I’ve already told you the reason a long time ago.” Eiji was very tired. What was Tezuka doing? Why was he so eager to send him away?

“There’s something more, right?” Nothing could escape the genius’s perceptiveness. He knew about Eiji’s feelings, and though the redhead had never admitted it, it was clear as day to Fuji.

“There’s nothing else. I am not ready to lead a team. Full stop.”

By now, Eiji’s tone was tinged with anger and Fuji knew that he should not pursue any further. With a gentle smile on his face, Fuji reached out to pat his friend’s hand. “Ok, ok, don’t get so worked up. It’s not good for your health.”

“I’m sorry for losing my temper, Fuji.” Eiji felt bad for venting his frustrations on his best fried. “I’m glad you are always here for me. What would I do without you?”

Fuji chuckled. “You can pack me along where ever you go. I’m not that heavy.”

Eiji broke into a wide smile. “Great, now I have a portable Fujiko at my disposal!”

The pair laughed and continued their small talk as per normal. Neither of them mentioned Tezuka again, and neither of them knew that things would change drastically very soon.