Author's Notes:

Shedding the Skin seemed to be an appropriate title for a Kaidoh-centric story. It focuses on Kaidoh's improvement as a player, but also details the growth of the other Seigaku players as well. It takes place after anime episode 178 and before the OVA continuation, approximately. This work contains major spoilers to the plot.

Constructive criticism is highly appreciated.

Summary:

"After reflecting on his match with Momoshiro, Kaidoh seeks to be reborn."

Chapter Prologue

Out! Game and match: Momoshiro, seven games to six!

It was a game that he had put his entire being into; he had no regrets. Kaidoh Kaoru was not dissatisfied.

"I lost, Momoshiro."

"You hit back my Super Dunk. Next time, I'll win properly."

It was an inspiring match against his best friend and rival. He had even managed to hit back Momo's "Super Dunk", albeit just slightly out of bounds. Kaidoh Kaoru was not disappointed.

That's why I will definitely defeat you and and grasp the Regular position!

It was the shining proof of the strength of the style he had built from scratch through a combination of simple but exhaustive hard, physical work and an impregnable force of will. Kaidoh Kaoru was not defeated.

Then, why? If he believed in all of these truths, why did he still feel broken?

It might have been that he felt that he did not invest himself in the game entirely. It might have been that he was unable to counter Momo's Sunday punch. It might have been that he lost faith in his own efforts. Despite the variable reason, Kaidoh found himself being crushed from the bottom by the brilliant growth of the tennis skills of his friends and teammates and from the top by the limitations of his own potential.

It might have been the realization that he was just a snake, and the venom of his fangs proved trivial in a world where he can be easily killed by simply being stepped on.


Kaidoh had not really talked to Coach Ryuzaki since his entrance into the club as a freshman. Kaidoh typically avoided talking to anyone that he did not have to. So it came as a surprise to him when the Coach sent a note to Kaidoh's home classroom, summoning the boy to her office. He approached the door with a strange apprehension.

"Kaidoh, I'll make this brief. Quit tennis."

Kaidoh thought that the words would have hit him like a bag of bricks, but they only seemed to be a light slap in the face. Kaidoh almost expected the result, subconsciously aware of the reason behind it, but reflexively replied anyway, his eyes cast at the floor.

"Why should I?"
"I don't want players on my team who don't want to play tennis."

Kaidoh shifted his gaze from the floor to the coach. "That's absurd! Of course I want to play tennis!"
"You can say that, but there's no life to your game anymore. All of the others are driving forward with the same resolve that conquered Rikkai Dai." She brought her finger up and pointed at the boy. "You, on the other hand, are slipping up. You've lost three games in a row now, and two of those games were against non-regulars."
Kaidoh's voice fell flat, and he stared at the floor again. "So? That just means I'm in a slump. Everyone has losing streaks."
"Yes. Everyone has losing streaks. But, despite that, they continue to play with spirit. I've watched all of your recent matches. You neglect to use the most basic of footwork. You ignore the style that you've built for yourself."

Kaidoh remained silent, as he had nothing to object to.

"And most importantly, you don't have the desire to win behind each and every stroke. You don't have the determination you once had. You're just going through the motions."

Kaidoh kept still as a statue.

"I don't want such a worthless player on my team."


"Kaidoh, it's time you became more serious and gave a bit more thought to your studies."

Not particularly in any sort of mood to be lectured by his guidance counselor after just being kicked off of the tennis team by the coach, Kaidoh was loathe to listen to the man's words, but also knew that his guidance counselor was correct.

Mr. Motsuko, a bespectacled man with graying hair, massaged his temples and continued on. "I understand that you did well on the tennis team, but let's be honest. You're not going to become a professional. That kind of talent only comes along once in a century. And even if you had the talent, who's to say that no injury or misfortune should come along your way? Tennis is a relatively dangerous sport; you've seen it and experienced it for yourself. It's an unstable foundation for any kind of future."

"Yeah. I know."
"If you know, then take these." Mr. Motsuko pulled some pamphlets out of his desk and slid them across to Kaidoh. "Do you know what these are?"

Kaidoh eyed the buildings on the brightly colored brochures with reservation. "High schools."
"That's right. I know you're still just a junior, but you should give some thought on where to attend. You're a smart kid. If you study, then you'll be able to get into any prestigious high school of your choice. From there, you can go to college, and pursue a real career."

Kaidoh thumbed through the brightly colored sheets with a mild interest. Each high school was competitive and highly-ranked, but Kaidoh's grades were high enough that he would be able to gain admittance.

"Thanks," came the awkward and begrudging reply.


Kaidoh lay on his bed staring up at the dark ceiling, throwing and catching a spare tennis ball up and down rhythmically. The events of the day paced through his mind as he repeated the exercise that had become so familiar to him.

Quit tennis, Kaidoh.

Focus on your future now.

For years, ever since he met Momoshiro Takeshi, Kaidoh devoted his entire being into playing a single sport. Now, that singular objective vanished from his sight. Was he really that pathetic a person that being booted from the team would send him into such a depression? Was he really so talentless that he could literally do nothing but play tennis?

No – that was not it. Kaidoh Kaoru was not the type of person who would haphazardly base all of his life on something superficial, like being able to play on a team, or being able to play at all. For Kaidoh, tennis was not an obsession. Rather, it was a passion.

Before he discovered tennis through Momoshiro, Kaidoh was a shy and easily frightened boy. By playing tennis, he discovered his own talent, and gained confidence. By building his own style from the ground up, he discovered his own perseverance, and gained strength. By working with the other members, he discovered friends, and gained self-esteem. Since the start of junior high, tennis had helped Kaidoh grow as a person.

And that is why that he resolved to continue it. Because, aware of his own intentions, he chose to continue the path of self-improvement. Because he wanted more confidence. And, most importantly, because he loved to play the game. Someday, he knew that he would have to face reality and pursue a "career", but while he still had his youth, he still had his ambition, and the means to play and re-invest his entire heart in the game.


"Hello? This is Inui. Oh, it's you. You sure are calling late. I guess I could, if it's really urgent. Yeah, I'll be there. No problem. Bye."