Silence. The only thing that was left. There was nothing to say. No one could say anything. I couldn't. Atobe couldn't. The gallery couldn't.
'Game and match. Hyoutei's Atobe, 7-6.'
I closed my eyes. There was nothing more I could do. There was nothing more I could say. I failed. A sharp pang of pain reminded me of my arm. My broken arm. I loosened the hold on the racquet. When I opened my eyes again, I saw disbelief on my teammates' faces. Shock on others. I looked at Atobe. Everything was so still, immobilized. Even the wind stopped blowing, as if feeling it wasn't the right time. His eyes were wide, I could see it clearly across the court. He couldn't believe it either. I swallowed the bitterness of my failure. I deserved it. Such was the way of things. The loser's fate. Slowly Atobe stood up. I could see his every move in slow motion. My vision played tricks on me. Or maybe it was the pain. Along with his movement the world began to come back to life. We stared at each other a while and approached the net without breaking the eye contact. A handshake. His hand was cold, trembling. I wondered if it was from exhaustion or something else. He didn't let go. Instead, he raised our joined hands.
'That was the best match,' his voice was soft, warm even.
I looked at him with curiosity. He looked worried for me. As if I would crumble under the weight of my loss. Was it really that strange for me to lose? Well, it obviously was. But if anyone could win against me, it was him. Atobe Keigo. We stood there a while, just holding hands in the air. When he finally let go of my hand, I could swear his fingers lingered a bit, just touching my skin. I nearly smiled. He really was concerned for me. Or maybe I was imagining things. He didn't look at me while he walked to his bench. But I know he was thinking of me. Feeling me through all his senses. Just as I was thinking of him. Feeling him. Analyzing him. I could feel the eyes of my teammates' on my back.
'Sorry,' I said.
It would be too hard to describe how humiliating it was. They trusted me. I trusted myself. To always be the pillar of support for Seigaku. Captain Yamato trusted me to be able to pull them together and win. To always win. And here I was. A failure. I hated that everything we wanted was now dependent on Echizen's match. He shouldn't bear it. It shouldn't be like this. It shouldn't. I told him to become a new pillar, but it was still too early for him. Though… Maybe… I heard gasps all around. I looked up. He was smirking. But… The ball. Zero-shiki… How did he…? I smiled thinly. No. It is the right time. He is ready. Ready to go on a road to become the pillar in my stead. I looked briefly at Atobe. He was shocked as well. But there was something more in his eyes. The hunger. A challenge. He saw the potential in Echizen. To think a mere freshman could pull Zero-shiki just like that. He truly was amazing. Echizen Ryoma. A deadly poison to his enemies. A never ending surprise to his friends. And he was still on his way to greatness. I smiled again. The ball hit the ground with a loud bang.
'Game and match. Seigaku's Echizen.'
It was time. The pillar has set sail. Now Seigaku will never fall. Because there were two strong pillars supporting its fundaments. No. Not two. Eight.
