respectively
"Are you sure you don't need my help?"
Kazusa sat on the living room sofa, looked at Tezuka who was packing his luggage, and asked again.
He will fly to North America early tomorrow morning to begin a multi-week "Sunshine Double" tournament, the two hard-court events with the highest ATP rankings before the French Open. As the second most important tournament after the Grand Slams, its significance is self-evident for Tezuka, who is currently in a period of rapid improvement. Therefore, he and his team need to fly to the United States two weeks in advance to familiarize themselves with the climate and venues and conduct closed training.
Tezuka, who was putting his neatly folded coat into his suitcase, looked up at the sound and his gentle gaze fell on her. Just as he was about to answer patiently, "No need, it'll be quick," as he had done the previous two times, he noticed her staring straight at him and suddenly changed his mind: "Could you please get me a few boxes of energy gels and electrolyte powders from that dresser drawer over there?"
"Okay." Kazusa smiled, put down the documents in her hand, got up and walked to the side table he had mentioned. Looking at the five-tiered chest of drawers, she turned back and asked him, "Kunimitsu, which tier is it on?"
The top layer.
Kazusa opened the drawer, and on the top shelf was a document envelope with a fancy logo. She glanced at the large variant of Atobe, then removed it and saw that the things he had mentioned were neatly arranged. She grabbed some and walked over to Tezuka, handing them to him.
After taking it from him, Tezuka didn't say whether it was enough or not, and casually put it into the compartment of his suitcase.
Then Kazusa stood there with her hands behind her back, motionless.
A smile flashed in Tezuka's phoenix eyes. He stopped what he was doing, patted the soft carpet next to him, and looked up at his quiet lover. "Melodia, come here."
Looking at the position of his palm, Kazusa blinked and turned away.
A little while later she came back with her tablet, sat down on the carpet, and seemed to be continuing to read the paper she was halfway through.
Tezuka didn't disturb her, and the two continued doing their own things as before. They were just a little closer, able to feel each other's reassuring aura.
But even at this close range, Kazusa still couldn't concentrate. Her attention unconsciously drifted away from the screen to watch him sort and organize wristbands and sweatbands, neatly folding jackets bearing club and sponsor logos…
Five weeks isn't a long time, and it's something to look forward to.
Her internship in neurology lasted only six weeks, which was far too short for her. There was so much for her to learn; she needed to absorb the department's knowledge day and night for those six weeks, wishing she could make the most of every single one of her 24 hours.
She was already used to racing against time.
However, the five weeks of separation seemed to stretch on indefinitely.
For the first time, time becomes a paradox in Hezoo: we both hope it can be extended and we also hope it can be compressed.
He Zou carefully felt his own emotions at this moment, which could probably be described as anxiety.
The hands of the watch ticked away as usual.
Not long after, Tezuka put his last piece of luggage into the suitcase.
He Zou watched him quietly.
I watched him zip up his suitcase, stand up, and push it to the door, his movements as swift and steady as ever. As he turned to walk towards me, he took off his glasses and casually placed them on the dresser.
When she stood in front of him, he didn't say anything, but simply reached out his hand to her.
He Zou placed her hand in his palm, and her slightly cool hand was instantly enveloped by his warm palm. He pulled her up from the carpet with a little force.
As soon as she stood still, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and with a gentle pull, he drew her into his embrace.
Smelling the familiar scent, Kazusa looked up at him. In his deep brown eyes, which were fixed on her, a dark undercurrent was already swirling.
It turns out he wasn't very calm after all, which is why he was unusually silent.
While Tezuka was holding her in his arms, Kanade naturally wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed against his slightly tense body, and asked softly with a smile, "Is there anything you want to say to me?"
His body, even his gaze, was embracing her, but he didn't make any further moves, only whispering her name: "Melodia."
"Hmm?" Kazusa tilted her head back, raising her eyebrows as she awaited his next words.
He fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering his words, and the efficiency and orderliness he displayed while packing his luggage seemed to have vanished.
“The competition will last a long time,” he finally spoke, his voice lower than usual, and if you listened carefully, you could hear the unease in it. “There’s also the time difference, so communication may not be as convenient as it is now.”
With a six-hour time difference and busy internships and training, they have very little time to stay in touch.
I knew it would be difficult for him to say more words of reluctance before parting, but seeing that he only said this one sentence in the end, I simply said half-jokingly, "Isn't that perfect? I also need to find time to write my thesis. If I can free up some time with my boyfriend these next few weeks, I can finish it in time for publication. I appreciate my boyfriend's thoughtfulness."
Hearing the relaxed tone of her voice, which seemed to say "just what I wanted," Tezuka unconsciously lowered his eyebrows. He wanted to correct her, but he also felt that what she said was not wrong. For a moment, he could only look at her, hesitant to speak.
That's a rare expression.
He Zou loosened her arms, slid down to wrap her arms around his waist, and then buried herself in his chest, giggling.
Seemingly noticing the mischievous smile on her face buried against his chest, he tightened his arms around her back, the force still gentle, yet carrying a quiet possessiveness.
Kazusa pressed her cheek against his soft loungewear, listening to the steady, strong heartbeat in his chest, and took a deep breath, her nose filled with his reassuring scent. The faint anxiety she had felt earlier seemed to be soothed away in this intimate embrace.
“I’ll watch your game live,” she whispered, burying her face in his chest.
Tezuka shook his head in disapproval: "Don't watch it too late. I'll message you when the match is over." Sometimes the night matches started in the early hours of the morning in Germany, which was her precious sleep time.
“…Okay.” Not wanting him to worry, Kanade changed her words, “In that case, will I wake up to see the news of victory? Just thinking about it makes me excited.”
"Ah." Sensing the trust in her words, Tezuka raised the corners of his lips, gently nuzzled the top of her head with his chin, and solemnly said, "Melodia, I will do my best."
He always does this, making promises with restraint and reliability.
He wouldn't say he would definitely send her the news of the victory, but he would certainly do his best.
He Zou likes his way of expressing himself.
As a medical student who is already aware of his profession, Kanade rarely uses assertions like "absolutely." In fact, doctors often say ambiguous things to patients, such as "it's not certain yet" or "we need to continue to observe." Because doctors are responsible for their words and need to be careful with their language, the only thing they can clearly say to patients is, "I will do my best."
Therefore, Hezou likes the hope and expectation conveyed in this sentence, as well as his seriousness and solemnity.
She couldn't help but gently rub her forehead against his chest.
It's like she's happily being affectionate.
Tezuka didn't know why she was suddenly in a good mood, but this silent little gesture made him feel her rare affection for him. Because it was so rare, the light brush against his chest made him momentarily lost in thought, followed by a strong urge to protect her.
But he said nothing, only raised his hand again and again, gently stroking her long hair, as if responding to her affection.
The two embraced quietly.
The night outside the window grew deeper, and Heidelberg fell silent.
It's very late.
But they didn't let go of each other; every second before they parted was so precious.
After a while, Tezuka loosened his grip on her slightly, cupped her cheek in one hand, and gently stroked the faint blue shadow under her eyes with his thumb—she had made up for the plans that had been disrupted because of him during the night.
Just as he would catch up on missed training sessions, he couldn't tell her, "Don't stay up late."
But I really feel sorry for him.
So this delicate emotion melted into his eyes, and he used his gaze to carefully trace her eyebrows, forehead, nose, and finally rest on her lips.
He Zou saw a trace of restraint in those usually calm phoenix eyes.
“Guoguang…” she reached out and pulled on his collar, calling his name softly.
The whispers of his lover made Tezuka's Adam's apple bob, and then he lowered his head.
First, his nose gently brushed against hers, bringing a slightly itchy sensation, followed by his warm, loving lips covering hers.
At first, he only touched her gently, with careful tenderness, but gradually the gentle touch began to change. The hand that was stroking Hezou's long hair stopped behind her head and pressed her closer to him.
Their lips and tongues intertwined tenderly, telling Hezou that his kiss was focused and passionate.
He must look very handsome when he's engrossed in something.
He Zou quietly opened her eyes, only to be met with his eyes filled with emotion and a smile, which saw right through her little thoughts.
Hezai felt her heart suddenly stop; this unexpected eye contact made her tremble even more than a kiss.
Joy was like a jet of water gushing from a spring, bursting from her heart and reaching her throat, making Kazusa almost close her eyes again, trying to escape from his tender gaze in order to resist such overwhelming emotions.
But she didn't. She held her breath, stuck out her tongue and licked his palate. Taking advantage of his distraction, she pulled back and pressed her lips to his, preemptively accusing him: "You're not paying attention."
"Yes, it's my fault." Tezuka accepted her "accusation" frankly, suppressing the restlessness rising in his body. He gently stroked her back with his palm, calming the slight tremor that she herself was unaware of. His lips remained tenderly kissing her, feeling every breath they shared.
After a long while, as his breathing became increasingly out of control, Tezuka stopped himself.
“Melodia,” he said, his forehead pressed against hers, his breath quickening against her cheek, his low, husky voice whispering in her ear, “I’ll take you back.”
He Zou lowered her eyes, her fingertips twirling around the ends of his hair at the back of his neck, remaining silent for a long while.
Tezuka didn't rush her. He let her lean on his shoulder, adjusted her position to make her more comfortable, and waited patiently and gently for her to speak.
After a long while, Hezou, nestled in the crook of his neck, whispered in his ear, "I don't want to go back."
He tightened his arms around her, gently brushed his chin against her forehead, and responded with a perfectly natural sound:
"good."
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