Tezuka could have predicted that Eriol would walk right up to Fuji. He also
\n could have predicted the sweet smile that would grace Eriol’s face
\n when said meeting occurred. He had not, however, predicted that Fuji would
\n smile and greet Eriol as if the man were an old friend. Eriol didn’t
\n turn around to look at Tezuka as he explained, “One recognizes one’s
\n own nature in others. It’s what allows one to survive in the world,
\n Mitsu-chan.”<\/p>\n
\nAs the rest of the boys had already drifted over to see who the interloper was,
\nTezuka was quite aware that they were all giving him nervous or questioning looks
\nat the nickname. Tezuka crossed his arms. “This is my uncle, Hiiragizawa
\nEriol. He insisted that he meet all of you.”<\/p>\n
\nEchizen walked right up to Eriol and eyed him openly. Eriol returned the look
\nwith a sweet smile so reminiscent of Fuji’s that Momo and Kaidou both backed
\nup hurriedly. Echizen, seemingly undisturbed by this, nodded decisively and said,
\n“Echizen Ryoma. It’s nice to meet you.” With that, he headed
\noff towards the courts, leaving most of the group staring after him.<\/p>\n
\nEriol frowned slightly as he watched Echizen’s back, then began snickering
\nquietly. By the time Fuji managed to give him a questioning look, he schooled
\nhis expression back to a polite smile. “Oh,” responded to Fuji’s
\nlook, “Someone in his family knew an angel, that’s all.” Eriol
\nrefused to say more on the subject, even when Tezuka asked, later.<\/p>\n
\nTezuka didn’t actively begin to worry until Eriol pulled Oishi away from
\nthe group and sat him down on a bench. Everyone else had returned to normal practice,
\non threat of laps, so Tezuka couldn’t watch what was going on between his
\nrelative and his friend. It was only when he noticed the odd looks Oishi was giving
\nhim upon his return to the courts that Tezuka decided that he never wanted to
\nknow.<\/p>\n
\nAfter practice, Eriol appeared to have magically vanished, because Tezuka refused
\nto believe that Eriol was hiding up in the tree that Echizen habitually napped
\nunderneath. When Echizen walked up to pat Tezuka comfortingly on the back, Tezuka
\nwas unnerved enough to mutter something under his breath.<\/p>\n
\n“What did he say?” he heard Fuji ask Echizen as they went to change.<\/p>\n
\n“I’m not sure. Something about plane tickets to Zimbabwe.”<\/p>\n
\n“Ah.”\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eriol visits Seigaku, much to Tezuka’s dismay.