Title: Searching for a Pillar
Author: Luce Red
Series: The Prince of Tennis
Disclaimer: characters and the concept 'the pillar of Seigaku' are the property of Konomi, Jump, Shueisha and their affiliated parts
Notes/Rating: some gratuitous Japanese.  Overuse of ellipsis. General.  Exaggerated and perhaps OOC.

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When Yamato-buchou had asked him to become the pillar of Seigaku, Tezuka had been aware of a feeling of trepidation at receiving this great responsibility.  He saw, like Yamato-buchou, how important it was to have someone who would be capable and willing to give all for Seigaku, and he was afraid he couldn't do it.  The responsibility was comfortable but heavy on his shoulders, but he couldn't give it away.  No, he really couldn't.  He had tried.

Oishi: "You... you know I'll support you in anything, Tezuka!  But you're the strongest player on the team, and you should be the pillar.  Really, all the others look up to you already.  You're a legend on the junior tennis circuit!  Who else could be the pillar?  I'm quite happy that you considered me, I'm more than happy to be your vice-captain.  (Pause.)  Besides, I don't want to do anything that excludes Eiji.  You know we have a chance to go to the nationals this year, and he'll be disappointed if I agree and left him out."

Kikumaru: "You're joking, right?"

Inui: "I appreciate the fact that you thought of me, Tezuka.  However, I have other plans.  I'm going to be quite busy drawing up personal training plans and analyzing the tennis of our opponents in the nationals. Frankly, I prefer to work in the background.  Thank you, however... (Pause.)  By the way, did you know that if you bend your elbow by another 5 degrees, you can improve the accuracy of your serves by 20%?"

Kawamura: "Te... Tezuka-san.  Thank you for thinking of me, but I can't do it.  I want to concentrate on improving my own tennis.  As you know, this is my last year of playing tennis..." (Pause) "BUCHOU! YOU'RE THE BEST PERSON FOR IT!  GO FOR IT, BUCHOU!"

Fuji: "Tezuka-san, I'm afraid you have misjudged my character.  I'm only interested in the tennis, not in becoming a leader." (Pause)  "Besides, aren't you afraid that I'll scare away all the members?"

Momoshiro: "Me?!" (Pause) "Me?!" (Pause) "Me?!"

Kaidou: "Buchou?!" (Pause) "Buchou?!" (Pause) "Buchou?!"

(One year later.)

Ryouma (panting too hard and feeling faint at the glint of sunlight reflecting off Tezuka's glasses): "..."

Mission accomplished, Tezuka thought, adjusting his glasses thoughtfully.

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Luce (redacanthus@yahoo.com)