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''Don't dress just yet.''
Tezuka turned at the voice, surprised to find it to be Yukimura Seiichi's. Captain of Rikkaidai Fuzoku Chuu. The team they had just taken a trophy from.
The other boy had come closer while Tezuka had been lost in thought, and was now too close for propriety. When he wanted to take a step back however, he found his back hitting the lockers and his body reminding him sharply of the too strenuous match it had just endured.
Yukimura smiled softly.
''Please, I don't mean any harm. I know you had the better players - today. But I also wanted to see how far the damage to your arm and shoulder has gone. I know you won't ask for help from anyone on your team. Neither would I.''
They studied each other. Captain to Captain. Tezuka looked away first.
''It will take a few days, then it should be fine.''
Retrieving a small jar from his tennis bag Yukimura offered it to the other, who eyed it but then took it for closer inspection.
''It's coconut oil. It won't do any harm to your skin and it might help relieve some of the aftereffects of today.''
''Shouldn't you be helping your vice, rather than your rival?''
''Sanada knows there's no chance he will walk properly again soon. And that his trip to a hospital is going to happen if he likes it or not. Yanagi is already seeing to that. You, on the other hand, can be helped without going to such extremes. If barely. You're both too fiery when it comes to a match and I am not too unhappy I did not get to play today.''
Tezuka gave the oil back with an inward sigh. It was true that he would not ask for help from his own team. He knew that logically it was the wrong thing to do, but could not bring himself to act otherwise. Society demanded of him to be nothing but perfect, that was how he had been brought up. And he would honor it to the best of his abilities.
The gift Yukimura offered however, was something he felt he dearly wanted. Even if the why was escaping him, he knew that he wanted it. When he gave a small nod in acquiescence, he saw the other boy's eyes brighten.
''At the end of the corridor is a small rest area. We'll be undisturbed, or at least warned before someone comes too close.''
The room was small but held a couch, on which Tezuka laid himself down face-first without prompt. Not a moment later he could hear a plop and then warm fingers started to knead the oil into his arm and shoulder, then went up to his neck and other shoulder before gently going down his back.
Tezuka moaned softly, not having fully realized how tight his muscles had been over the pain in his arm. He knew that it was just overuse though. Nothing that would continuously harm him in the future if he but rested it for some time.
Yukimura continued to work silently until Tezuka's arm finally eased up and the Seigaku captain forgot to withhold the loud groan of relief.
''Your body responds well to this. You should let someone do it more often.''
And with a last soft stroke along Tezuka's spine he ended his ministrations before cleaning the remnants of the oil off his hands with a towel.
Tezuka found himself unable to get up immediately but could get his body to at least sit up - well, half slouch.
''Thank you.''
Yukimura smiled.
''You're welcome. Though next time I would suggest not needing it this much and just enjoying one for the sake of enjoying it.''
''Again, thank you for your effort. We should get back though. Your team is probably waiting.''
Yukimura laughed very softly and the sound somehow prompted Tezuka to allow himself a small smile.
''I assure you my team is doing none of that sort. With Sanada and Yanagi gone, it normally disperses right away. Besides, losing is not something forgiven easily and they know punishment is on the way. Leaving early will postpone it by a day, so they take that route.''
''I told Oishi to go ahead with the others. We normally meet at Kawamura's Sushi after a win.''
Yukimura's smile brightened.
''I guess that means we both still have a bit of time left then. Maybe we should use it wisely and rehydrate ourselves before you go. There's a small juice bar around the corner that just opened. My treat.''
''Let me find the rest of my uniform first. I'd rather not set a record in girls screeching if you don't mind.''
This time Yukimura laughed outright and Tezuka couldn't find it in him not to laugh as well. His team had won today. His arm felt better due to a massage by someone almost everyone in the circuit wanted. And now he had received an invitation from that same person for even more alone time together. Whatever else would happen, today had already surpassed his so far wildest dreams. For once he couldn't wait what would come next.