Another piece for the 50 Scenes challenge on Live Journal. The prompt was #034 Darkness.
Disclaimer: The Prince of Tennis belongs to Konomi Takeshi.
Despite being a third year in middle school, Shishido Ryou still does not like the dark.
It is not out of fear of the brain eating monster that his older brother had convinced him was living under his bed or any other childhood fears. Rather, it is because he is growing up and the darkness forces him to face things that he wouldn't normally have to deal with in the in the freeing light of day.
The night that Shishido suffered a humiliating loss to Fudomine's Tachibana, he lay awake, lost in his own self deprecating thoughts. "How could I have lost to an unknown like him? How could I lose the spot on the regulars that I worked so hard for?" Shishido was always in control, and despised himself for being so weak and feeling so exposed. Though he was exhausted, the darkness pressed closer and closer and his clouded mind raced. He didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning, when his body was at its limit and exertion finally got the better of him. The ache heightened by the darkness was nearly unbearable, and he spent many nights afterward with the lights on and the stereo blasting his favorite CD, just so he could fall asleep.
When he is up in moving during the daytime he is fine, occupied with school, tennis practice, and any other challenges that come with the variety and spontaneity of life. Shishido is nothing if not strong, and rises to any challenge headstrong and determined to overcome.
But after the day has winded down and Shishido is lying in bed, embraced by infinite, mysterious dark, all the doubts the teen tries to shake off come rising up to the surface. There is no Mukahi to argue with and distract him, no Ootori to smile brightly and reassure him that with a little faith, everything will eventually work itself out.
For in the secretive dark, alone and completely vulnerable, there is no one else for Shishido to face but himself, and the uncertainty knaws away at him.
If you've come this far, thank you very much for reading. As always, reviews and constructive criticism is appreciated.