Prologue
Tennis was my life. Ever since I've been able to walk by myself my father started to teach the basics, I tink that the very first thing I've hold in my hand was a racket and my first words were 'game and set' ...well, not like I can really go back that far in my memories, but long story short I've spent the most part of my life playing my passion. Between macthes and all the different Grand Slam tounaments, winning trophy, doing interviews, training and traveling around the world, my life was full of adventure, thrilling, exciting...I couldn't fathom a better way of living. Being able to go around the world, changing your destination every month and season, from Japan (my birthplace) to Australia, Spain, France, London and pass by New York, where I've spent two years training with one of my father's friend who retired and is now coaching.
I was only fifteen years old when I had my first tournament, soon enough I decided to quit high school and focus on tennis, so I left Japan with my family to go to America and started my training.I quickly made a name in the professional and at twenty three years old I became the number one player. My life was amazing, and there was nothing I wanted more than to keep it the way it was. However, fate had decided something else for me.
Two years ago my career took a different turn and for the worst. It was supposed to be a simple party, not that unusual, it was something that we've done with some friends of mine since forever. We'd drink, flirt, talk about the time back in high school and eventually go home our separate ways. But not that night. That night, I was driving, Momoshiro (one of my upperclassmen and best friend) by my side on the passenger seat. We had too much to drink, we were making a fuss in the car, run a red light and before we knew it, before I could brake, the car coming from the other way crashed with mine. Before I knew it I woke up in a hospital bed, surrounded by my parents, friends and a doctor, with their gloomy and sorry faces. They broke me the horrible new, about how I killed one of my friend because of my recklessness, and then about my legs. Apparently, Momoshiro-senpai died right then and there, while I was taken to the emergency room in a real bad shape, maybe in a critical condition even, but I made it eventually, not without a price though. Two days later, the doctor told me that I'd be able to walk again with some rest and rehab for six month, but unfortunately I had to kiss tennis goodbye, since, my legs were now too fragile to bear my daily training and tournaments. When I heard the news I started to shake, panic. I yelled, asking them to leave me alone, to get lost, and then I broke into tears. In just one night, I lost two things precious to me, my best friend and what I love the most in my life, my passion, my reason to live.
After six months, I was discharged from the hospital and I started to isolate myself. Staying in my appartment, ignoring people's call even my own mother. Eventually she came herself to see how I was doing and lectured me for hours without me caring. She urged me to go out, hang out with my friends like I used to do, but I just let out a snort and replied : « yeah right, and kill someone else on the way or maybe ruin a little more my fucked up life ? », after that she never bothered me again. Nonetheless, I decided to take her advice and hang out alone, only at night. Wandering through the streets, going to some strip club then going back to my condo with a woman in my arms. That became my new routine : strip club, sex and I started drinking too, and I couldn't careless about my life since it was already over. It was worthless... This was my life now, and I wished that the people around me would just let me be, unfortunately, they had other plan.
'' What ?'' I asked my mother bewildered
She threw my tux on my bed and put her hands on her hips, frowning.
'' You heard me,'' she cut off smirking, '' wash up and change. You're going to a miai*.''
* arranged meeting that would eventually end up to mariage