Wanting a change of pace I wrote this little bit because its kinda what I'm feeling now because my friends and I are going separate ways it feels like and I can imagine this for Ryoma. OOC warning I think and of course I don't own the awesomeness of Prince of Tennis.
Age is But a Number
I hate that phrase, Age is but a number. Yeah right. Age is everything. Time is everything. Time is the present, future, and past. I want to live now not then or later. Then was alone and dark. Later is blank and lonely. But now is warm, bright, and friendly. Here I have friends, friends who like me for things other than tennis. Ones who will hug you despite your claims of not needing them. Who relies on you and encourages you to follow your heart. And right now my heart is telling me not to let go.
The years end is coming to a close faster than I ever imagined. The season is changing and cooler air is breathing down our necks. I don't wish for this to be over. In just a few short months you'll be gone. Only 3 of us remain out of our inseparable team and still then they too will leave. I'll be alone by myself once more. But then of course after that we are together again back to where we started. Happy and laughing, joking and smiling, playing and being together. Then history repeats itself and I fine myself back to the very beginning. I don't like this never ending pain cycle.
The reason I never talked much or returned those hugs and touches was simply because I hadn't a clue what to do. In America things like what you do just doesn't happen anymore. Never before had I met people as strange and loving as you guys. You'd risk arms, legs, wrists, and shoulders just to all reach a common goal. And through watching you all I found that it was my goal as well. Striving for the Nationals and being Japans #1 team that was now all of our mission and we will and did succeed. Of course I don't regret winning but how I do miss those days of training till we could barely stand or going on trips that some how in the end made us better at tennis. We all were there enjoying our time together and basking in the glory of winning another game.
All good things come to an end? Ain't that the truth.
What is happening right now in the present will forever and always stay within my aching heart. Graduation day creeps ever so closely and watching as each one of you takes your last steps here across that stage makes me want to burst out. Tears and smiles go around mostly from the overly emotional bunch but I give a true smile that I haven't in so many years. Laughter goes across the room as its the most emotion they've ever seen. Joining in and savoring the last bits of happiness I have left I say my goodbyes and leave. Leaving without saying where I'm going is normal for me, well at least for what they think is normal of me.
Don't worry friends I'll return and we'll all be together again. A team, a family once more.