Disclaimer: I don't own Ginban Kaleidoscope and the characters mentioned in this story.
Author's notes: Hey there... it's me again promise to make this short... I just want to say thanks to you.. Great news.. I would want to continue this fanfic... so heads up and enjoy and watch out for some twist and turns here... and thanks for the reviews guys.
Chapter 2: Off days
Tazusa thought of her day-off from training and headed out to the mall on her own. "What was it in the news about Pete? Of course what am I thinking, the guy is dead. Maybe it was only my mind playing tricks on me now…"
Going to the places that she and Pete went before in their date (movies, restos, etc). Just reminiscing those days that had once within her reach. Suddenly she yelled "YOU'RE SO UNFAIR!!!!" People around her stared at her. With a stoned face she didn't mind them and walked away. People whispering "isn't that Tazusa Sakurano the Olympic skater?" As a crowd started to gather, she disappeared just around the corner. Way to go.. just make a scene there.
Sitting at an ice cream booth alone. Staring at her ice cream melting away slowly. She seemed to have no appetite at all. She kept on thinking about the news and the dream she had. Is there some connection with it? I am going out of my mind. If I continue on this I would end up in the nut house..
She slapped herself "wake up Tazusa, can't you accept he's gone? He's gone…. He's gone… Closing her eyes and tears starts to form. She decided to head home now.
Silent in her ride home. A group of media man awaits her in the gates. As stepped out of the cab. Questions shoot from different direction. Each reporter trying to go near her just for a short review. As things as ever so chaotic, Tazusa replied "I have no comments to say to you… so get out of my way." She hurriedly entered the mansion and felt relief once more.
"I'm home." She said.
"Oh, hey sis." Yoko greeted her happily. "You looked great in this, the best performance you have given."
"You are watching that again? Don't you ever have anything better to do anymore?" As she joined Yoko on the couch, thinking of the day Pete disappeared after her finale.
"Hey, sis…" Watching her sister at peace with herself, she sat quietly and continues to watch her for a moment. "I better get dinner ready."
Tazusa stood. "Wait up… Let's do it together." Just to keep her pre-occupied for the moment.
Dinner was great. She helped with the dishes.
"Hey, Sis." Yoko breaking the silent.
"Yes?" Tazusa replied after
"Is there something wrong?" Yoko asked worriedly
"What do you mean?" Tazusa trying not to sound hysterical.
Concerned looks from her sister, coach and Hitomi.
"Well you see..." as sweat starts to form on her brow, and having trouble to find the right words.
...ehem... ehemm.. the coach suddenly spoke breaking the tension building in the room.
"Tazusa, can I have a word with you." the coach trying to sound formal "The Olympics is now over, and you know that I asked Hitomi to marry me." While holding Hitomi's hands caressing it as he goes on.
"Yes, I know." Tazusa was relief by the thought.
Hitomi spoke.. "I would be honored if you will be maid of honor."
"Oh, that.. Yea, sure I loved to be one." Tazusa smiled for the first time. "I better head up now."
Leaving the kitchen and she went up immediately to her room grab her book and started reading. Emotionally exhausted she fell asleep immediately resting her head on the wide open book.
Hey it's a stunt plane... It looks familiar…
Amazing... I wanna try that someday. I want to be with the pilot in that plane. Feeling the cool breeze of the wind.
Maybe in there I can feel what Pete was talking about. The excitement and the thrill.
It's flying really low, may be it will land in awhile?
Perhaps I can ask the pilot if I can join him in his next flight.
But isn't it going fast and hard?
Suddenly it crashed.. BOOOMMM!!!
Oh, my God!!!Surprised by what had just happened
The impact made the fiery black smoke filled the air. She couldn't see a thing. It was pitch black wondering where did the plane crashed. She kept on moving forward thinking if she is near the crash site. Maybe she can go and help. The person might need help.
Then a wide staircase appear in front of her leading to nowhere but ascending towards a bright light. She went on. Leaving the dark fiery path, taking one step at a time. Each step her heart pounded harder… What will I find at the end of this? Where am I?
Suddenly a voice came. "Alone I see."
Tazusa stopped in the middle. "Yea?? Who is this?"
But there was only silence
"I demand to know who you are." she called once more.
"You don't need to know who am I. You shouldn't be here. You can't find what you seek here. Now return." The voice said.
What I seek?? "Wait… I want to ask something.." She started to run towards it but she seemed to go no where. "Hey!! Wait!" She started to shout. Persistent as she is. She continued to run. The steps beneath her vanished. She felt so heavy like somebody is pulling her down. As she plummets she screamed again "Wait!!!!"
She woke up and hurriedly sat up. Panting hard and sweating cold. Just another dream.
Tazusa was surprisingly doing well in her school and done some catching up with Mika and some of her classmates. Trying once more to fit in like nothing happened. She would often daydream about her last performance in Torino. Skating with Pete was like heaven to her. Her refuge, she thought.
Mika noticed Tazusa she startled her. "You're deep in your thoughts.."
"Ha? oh yea..." Tazusa regaining her posture.
"Sorry to disturb you like that. Are you alright? It seems your really stressed out lately." concerned in her eyes.
"Oh... It's nothing really." trying to sound happy. How I wish that I can tell you all that had happened Mika. I really do. But I simply can't. This is my burden alone.
"Don't worry Tazusa, just don't forget that I am here cheering for you all the way." with sounds of encouragement from Mika
Tazusa smiled and kept silent.
After school, she went to the rink. Just in time for her training. Doing some warm-ups and drills just to be on the safe side. Then she started to do some routines. She started to skate faster gaining some momentum for a double lutz. Her landing was off. She made a lousy recovery.
"Hey! Don't think that the Olympics is over it's time for you goof up a lot. Wake up now." the coach yelled angrily.
Darn... "Okay!" Tazusa answered back. Okay now Tazusa.. focus now. It's just you now.
She made a jump, followed by some footwork, then go into a spiral on a curve, transition into running threes, into another jump, followed by a spin, and ended with some fancy footworks. She almost nailed that routine.
Darn girl... "Come on!!! Focus!!" What's wrong with her? she got sloppier after the Olympics. She did well then. "Come on Tazusa show me what you got!!!" the coach started to be irritated.
"Okay!" Tazusa yelled after. I know I need to focus. Lets try one more time.
Doing the same routine. Tazusa went on the sides catching her breath. Exhausted from her training.
"Tired already?" coach sigh. "Very well just cool down. Practice is over for today."
Tazusa didn't argue and headed to the locker room.
What's wrong with that girl? After the Olympics she wasn't the same. Worried thoughts from coach.
Miss Mitsuhara stepped up behind coach Takashima. "So what's wrong with her now? She isn't upto it I see."
"No, It's not like that." coach defending Tazusa.
"Just stopping by and hope she improve better in the next competition" Ms. Mitsuhara turned her back and left.
Coach bowed and thank her.
In the locker room...It's been a week now but the lost was too much. It's not just losing Pete but losing myself as well.
I made it through school and my performance during practice didn't live up to my expectations.
Pete doesn't want this happening to me. Now he is gone, I must stand. I must fight and continue on.
This will make him happy even from out there.
Facing life differently now. Pulling each strength, confidence and self-esteem to continue on her dreams and thinking the same time she is carrying Pete's dreams as well in her journey in life.
To be continued...
What's next??...
As she continue to swim in her despair, trying to stand once more. Grabbing every chance she has to gather herself. Where's Pete you say? Find out next In the Other Side.
End notes:
Sorry the chapters are depressing… I guess it's not what you expected from this chapter. Maybe the next would. So just hang in there and wait for the next. I am having a hard time to surprise you with the next. Hopefully it will be a good one. So I want to hear from you about your thoughts. Much appreciated. How to make this story live up to your expectations?