Ace
Summary: What it really means to be an ace. After the game between Ryonan and Shohoku, another facet of the enigmatic Akira Sendoh reveals itself.
A/N: A break from yaoi! (But not from Sendoh). Can you tell he's my favorite character? He's a deep guy! As for insinuations that he's hentai, those are born out of fangirls' imagination. Right now (^^ only now, haha~) I beg to differ.
It was over.
Maki Shinichi watched the Shohoku players line up beside those from the Ryonan team as they shook hands for a game well played. It had been close, but in the end it was Shohoku that had won. While they basked in the glory of victory, the Ryonan players looked like they were attending a funeral. Judging by their stunned and morose faces, Maki could tell they couldn't believe the outcome. It would sink in in a while. But that wasn't his concern. Maki paid closer attention to a spiky, black head wearing a blue #7 jersey.
How does it feel to lose, Sendoh? He asked silently. Twice? He wouldn't be surprised if Sendoh's calm exterior finally broke. It was expected, after all. Maki couldn't see his face because his back was turned, but he guessed the star player was crying softly to himself. It's too bad, Maki thought, eyeing him sadly. He really played well.
Sendoh turned.
Maki couldn't see clearly from his place, but Sendoh's face certainly didn't register any form of anguish. He walked to the Shohoku players, bowing and mouthing a thank you and congratulations. They all regarded him in silent wonderment, surprised that even now he was in control of himself. Compared to him, you see, the rest of the Ryonan players were not as stoic.
Uozumi wept openly; Fukuda, anguish clearly marring his features, had his face upturned in silent howl. Koshino shook so violently his legs scarcely could hold him up anymore. Taoka-sensei was seated alone on the bench, in complete frustration, face buried in his hands.
Maki watched. Sendoh went to each of them, comforting them with a brief word or a gentle touch, a pat on the back, maybe.
He gave them what they needed most.
Uozumi wept harder; Fukuda managed a bittersweet smile. Koshino held on to Sendoh as if it were the only thing supporting him. Taoka actually looked up.
Sendoh was their calm. He was their hope.
Maki suddenly realized Sendoh couldn't allow himself to break. Not now. Not when his team needed him that much.
Maki could clearly see Sendoh's suffering now. You tried the hardest, so it hurts you the most, doesn't it, Sendoh? And yet...
The spiky-haired player stood firm, almost in defiance to weakness.
You still choose to become Ryonan's ace until the end, Maki thought gravely. It was a burden he knew well. He himself had carried it. But not as heavily as this.
"Yo, Maki-kun, let's go! Awarding!" Kiyota was waving him over.
"Aa, I'm coming."
Sendoh was still there, tall as ever.
Aces never cry, no matter how much it hurts.
Maki got up. Somehow his respect grew deeper for Ryonan's ace, Akira Sendoh. He had earned the title.
*** I thought it was best that the point of view be unbiased so I wanted it limited and coming from a spectator. Since Maki is a perceptive person and an ace himself, he would be the one most aware of Sendoh when others would rather pay attention to Shohoku. I also noticed that in the anime he looked briefly at Sendoh, too. It made me wonder what he was thinking.
^^ Reviews, then?