TITLE: Up There is a Blue Sky
PART: Story Two of Eleven
AUTHOR: Simply Kim
WORD COUNT: 2,974
CHARACTERS:Takami Ichirou. Sakuraba Haruto. Shin Seijurou. Unnamed OC. Mentions of the Ojou White Knights and Kobayakawa Sena.
PAIRING/S:Takami x Sakuraba. Mentions of Shin Sena.
GENRE: Light Shounen-ai/Alternate Universe/Angst/Drama/ (A bit of) Humour
DISCLAIMER/S: never knew anything about American Football until recently, so no, I don't own Eyeshield 21. Just this story. ;
NOTE#1: Blah or Blah is for emphasis. /Blah/is for conversations over the phone or flashbacks (if any). /Blah/ is for the conscience or whatever inner voice there is talking. Blah is for thoughts or random Japanese words.
BACKGROUND MUSIC:
1. Angela - Gravitation
2. Abingdon Boys School – Innocent Sorrow
3. Kirito – Period
4. Blood – Mebious Loop
5. Lifehouse – Everything
6. Lifehouse – Simon
UP THERE IS A BLUE SKY
Story Two: Onward to New Heights
Was here any reason to doubt his abilities?
Not anymore.
Was there going to be any reason to doubt his abilities during the next season?
Yes.
Definitely.
Sakuraba Haruto sighed as he towelled himself. He was sweating profusely now that practice was over. He had been catching ball after ball, wishing to the gods he could catch them forever. There was no way he was backing down when he found his true calling.
But next season was going to be different for him.
Takami-san…Help me…
"You shouldn't be practicing."
Startled, he looked up. A wan smile forming on his face upon recognition. "Yo, Shin." He greeted him casually.
"You shouldn't be practicing." Shin Seijurou repeated, sitting beside him and grabbing one of the water bottles laid out nearby. "You're exhausted."
"I shouldn't, should I? Practicing, I mean." Sakuraba sighed, folding his towel neatly and setting it on his partially opened gym bag. "It's been hard for me since the new quarterback isn't tall enough for the pass. He doesn't even have much arm power. It's difficult to gauge where the ball is going, so all I've been doing is scramble."
Shin stared at him as if he just grew another head. "You're not making sense."
The pop idol (Jari Pro decided to take him back in his own terms) sighed and shook his head, gesturing to his shirt literally dripping with sweat. "I'm exhausted." He declared, frowning. "See?"
The team's current captain tilted his head back and stared at him even more strangely. "I can see that." He allowed, blinking twice before grabbing a fresh towel from the rack and placing it on Sakuraba's head. "That's why I'm saying you're not making sense."
The blonde gave him a level gaze and took off his team shirt, pulling the protector over his head and finally, his undershirt. "Enlighten me." He retorted. Half naked, he started wiping the sweat dripping down and beading from the pores of his skin, wincing as he mistakenly touched the smarting area of his side where he collided with Shin earlier on. "Ow."
"Stop catching the ball." Shin fired back, raising his brows in supplication.
"I'm a wide receiver, in case you've forgotten, Oh-Great-Captain." Sakuraba raised his own brows in response.
"I know."
"That means my job is to catch balls."
"I know."
"…"
"…"
Sakuraba pressed his fingers against his temples and sighed. He looked at him now, eyes pleading. "Shin, just… tell me what I should do, alright? I'm not good with mind games and tactics and all that. Takami-san took care of that last –"
"You should just throw if you can't catch."
"What?! I'm not gonna be quarterback – we're gonna die out there! In a real game!" Sakuraba burst out in shock. It was probably the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard all his life. He couldn't even aim properly!
There was a moment of silence as he waited for Shin to say something. He believed he would be a big help in this problem he was having. After all, the fact that Takami chose him was enough to convince –
"Then I'll get that freshman off the team."
Or maybe not.
OxxxOxxxO
"Ah, so depressing."
It was only a couple of weeks more before his graduation, something he had always been looking forward to ever since he started high school. He had always been looking forward to university and the freedom it offered.
But that was before his last two years on the high school football team.
He sighed and adjusted his glasses, staring absently at the open door of his locker. He could hear the noise outside and knew that the freshmen were being tested on their abilities. They were already preparing for the first season of the next school year.
A small smile stole into his overcast features as he shook his head. No doubt, the new captain, Shin, would be drilling football knowledge into everyone's brains. He would be relentless, and would probably bully the others into putting more effort on practicing.
Of course he wouldn't say anything. Most likely, he'll show them. And that was even worse. After all, no one ever wanted to be around an annoyed Shin while he was training. His eyes were intense and scary, something that would goad them to doing the same. A small sound of amusement escaped from his lips.
Typical Shin.
Even if he was like that, he was pretty effective. That was why he chose him. But since he was friends with Sakuraba, it was…
Sakuraba.
He immediately sobered up and reached out, grabbing a worn football, that single remembrance of the days they practiced together. He enjoyed his very last season because of him.
Fate was cruel, he thought. After more than six years searching for that one person to complement his abilities, he had to let go in the worst possible way.
He was graduating, never to come back and play for the high school team again… never to team up with Sakuraba Haruto again. After all, he wasn't sure if the boy was going to go to the same University. For all he knew, he would be working for Jari Pro after his own graduation.
Solemnly, he toyed with the ball, tossing from one hand to another. It was fun hanging around with him while thinking up plays together. It was unfair that it only lasted a few months. Sighing for the umpteenth time, he shook his head and sat down on the long bench, placing the ball on his lap and staring at it fondly.
Two weeks and he was graduating.
Two short weeks…
"Takami-san?" Startled, Takami snapped out of his reverie and looked up, his legs parting as he got up halfway, a conditioned response. The ball fell on the floor, making a dull thudding noise as his eyes widened slightly when he realised who it was.
Just the person he was thinking of.
Slowly, he relaxed and sat down again, chuckling. "You surprised me, Sakuraba-kun." He grinned before bending and picking up the fallen football.
Sakuraba flushed in embarrassment. "Ah, sorry, Takami-san." Gently, he closed the locker room door, leaning against it as he debated inwardly on what he should do. The silence stretched, and soon, gave way to awkwardness. "Um…" He started, finally, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Are you here to collect your things?"
Takami was toying with the ball again, now squeezing alternately. He looked up and smiled ruefully. "Yes." Nodding, he resumed staring at the contents of his locker. "I was just thinking."
"Thinking?" Intrigued, Sakuraba moved forward and sat down beside him, his eyes too, now glued at the open locker. "About football?"
Takami was somewhat surprised that the other sat down beside him on his own accord. Before, there was still distance between them, and if not invited, he wouldn't even be caught sitting this close.
Maybe, without them realising it, they had become closer.
"That too." He allowed, tilting his head toward the younger boy's direction. "But mostly about the future."
"Hmm…" Sakuraba mused. "Must be pretty deep."
"Kind of." Takami laughed, adjusting his glasses. "I was thinking of what would become of me after graduation." He turned towards him and raised his brows upon finding he was staring back inquisitively.
"Why?"
The bespectacled boy blinked in astonishment. "I'm entering university… after that; I'm going to be a part of the workforce. Of course I'm a bit worried."
Now it was Sakuraba's turn to blink. "Well, I know that, Takami-san, but I was thinking why you are even troubled about something like that. I mean, sure, it's worrisome, but it's going to be fun too, right? After all, you're at the top of your class and –"
"I was thinking on whether or not I should join the football team there."
Silence.
"So it is about football." Sakuraba asked, baffled. "Why not?"
Takami sighed. Again. Adjusting his glasses, he smiled weakly. "I don't think I'm fit to be a member of the university's football team." He could feel another question coming and immediately elaborated. "I have an injury that hampers my movement and my vision isn't exactly good. I'm not as strong and focused as Shin."
"Nobody's as strong and focused as Shin."
He chuckled. "Well, yes, but I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from, Sakuraba-kun."
Takami didn't know if Shin was rubbing off on Sakuraba or he just looked that way when mulling over things. The younger boy blinked at him. Twice. And then leant forward earnestly, features a picture of concentration and need for enlightenment.
He looked like Shin when faced with a digital camera... or a GPS… or a remote control for the team's eighth television set (All of which he broke – seven previous sets. By himself).
"Takami-san…" Sakuraba started. "You should be a part of that team."
"Even with the rest of the 'Golden Generation' there to mock me?" He raised his brows in question. "Even if I get benched during my entire first year of playing?"
Sakuraba nodded.
It seemed the former quarterback developed a penchant for sighing these days. He sighed. Once again. And frankly, he lost count on how many times he did inside the locker room alone. "Why?"
"Because you're good at what you do. You're a great quarterback, Takami-san. You shouldn't quit so easily." Came the quiet response. "If I quit before, I may not have improved this much. We would never have become a duo on the field. Our times spent together are some of the happy memories I have of high school."
Takami considered those words, the tone they were delivered in piercing through his heart. There was a lonely quality in it, as well as helplessness. With a fond smile, he let go of the ball and let it fall to the floor.
Quietly, he reached out and laid a warm hand on the other boy's head, his skin prickling at the familiar feel of those soft waves of sun-kissed hair.
"I'll think about it." He finally acknowledged. "But…"
"Takami-san, you should really consider –"
Takami chuckled, standing up and pulling a cleanly folded football team shirt from his opened locker. "But let me remind you, Sakuraba-kun… before you say cool things like that, try looking a little decent first." He said with a teasing smile, handing it to him.
Sakuraba stared at the shirt, confused. However, when his elbow accidentally touched his aching side, he remembered the reason why he went into the locker room in the middle of afternoon practice.
"You should have told me that earlier, Takami-san!" He sputtered, flushed and very much mortified.
He needed to get a new shirt.
He was half-naked.
OxxxOxxxO
Sakuraba panted, plopping down on the field in exhaustion. Nearby, his worried underclassman hovered, offering him a towel – which he accepted gratefully.
"Are you alright, Sakuraba-senpai?" The boy fidgeted, brows knitted with both guilt and anxiety. "I'm sorry…"
Startled, he gazed at him, raising his brow in question. "Why are you saying sorry? You didn't do anything wrong."
"Well, senpai, you see, you're making this… suffering expression whenever we're practicing… so I know I'm the reason why… I'm really sorry…" Came the shaky response, followed by a sniffle.
"That's not good, Sakuraba-kun, making your kouhai cry."
Takami smiled down at both of them, and at that moment, the past flashed back all at once, making him realise it was now his turn to suffer – like how this senpai did – when he felt inadequate and useless.
A pang of guilt tugged at his heart.
He was being unfair.
Looking at them now, looming over him… one worried and the other reproachful, he realised he had been looking at everything in a very negative angle.
They were different people, with different habits, and different ways of expressing themselves.
The younger boy was a nervous kid, someone who lacked self-confidence, just as he himself was like before. He wasn't tall, and he was a very mediocre player, but his hands were fast, so his throws, although not powerful, was almost like lightning. Sakuraba had to admit that if it was not for his affinity on following Shin and Sena's running during their small contests on their free days, he would never have followed the movement of that zipping ball.
Takami Ichirou, on the other hand, used his height and tactics to his advantage. He filled everything he was lacking with his other strengths so as just not to fall far back against his own team mates. He was tall and his throws had power. Each time he caught the ball, his hands stung because it spun. He could throw passes only he and very few other people could catch
However, when he thought about it, these two had something in common as well.
They both needed him.
No matter how insignificant he was compared to someone as capable as Shin, these two still needed him.
Taking a deep breath, he struggled to get up, and to his amusement, the other two took each of his arms to help him, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Or maybe they just liked him better than they liked the other members of the team, which was why they seemed to be so comfortable with it.
Whatever the reason was, it didn't matter.
"Thanks." He smiled reassuringly at the younger boy. "I'm just tired, is all. No need to worry…"
"But it's my fault –"
"Not really. Actually, it's kind of mine." Sakuraba responded good-naturedly, fluffing his hair in an effort to console him. "I'm still adjusting to your passes. Soon, we'll be a great team, I swear. So let's both work hard, okay?"
"Yes, Sakuraba-san!" The boy's eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically. "See you tomorrow then!" And he went off, happier than all those days they interacted before. Seeing something like that made his heart feel lighter… as if a heavy burden was lifted from his shoulders.
No matter what they say, our team is strong. He mused, excitement thrumming in his veins as his eyes scanned the scattered members packing up after a long afternoon. We are strong.
"Somehow, I'm jealous."
Startled, he turned to the one left, still standing, with him amidst the chaos of post-practice vigour. The clanging of protectors and screeching of the ball bins were loud and they pierced through his ears, but for some reason, Sakuraba could hear Takami clearly.
Perfectly.
"Jealous?"
Takami smiled down at him, squeezing his arm that he didn't relinquish. It was warm, and imprint of its finger seeped deep into his aching muscles, down to his trembling bones. It didn't seem so, but Sakuraba was sure that if that supporting hand wasn't there, he would keel over.
"Yes. Jealous." He repeated, eyes straying to the vast horizon the wide field provided. "It's going to be a good season for all of you here."
"You're going to have one too, Takami-san." Sakuraba grinned, his eyes following his gaze.
The sky was a pale shade of purple now.
Night was approaching.
OxxxOxxxO
Am I really going to have a good school year ahead?
"It would be nice to have this kind of sky forever, don't you think so?" Takami mused. "Recently, I've been wishing time would stop so I could stare up at this same horizon as long as I live."
There were a few moments of silence before Sakuraba responded.
"Wouldn't that be boring, Takami-san?"
At that, his insides felt like they were being scorched. "Boring?" He repeated quietly, tearing his eyes away from the gradually darkening sky and focusing on the familiar dimly lit planes of the younger one's smiling face.
"Yeah." Sakuraba's eyes softened. "If we all stay like this forever, then there would be nothing more to look forward to now, right?"
Takami was stumped.
Was this really the same Sakuraba Haruto who cried his snot away just months ago? Was this the same Sakuraba who had once shorn off his hair and started growing a goatee just to prove he could be just as much a man as they all were? Was this the same Sakuraba who needed his guidance so much, he spent his entire free time following him around like an overgrown puppy?
A huge bubble of mirth started rising from his throat, and soon enough, he was snickering. This wasn't that Sakuraba at all. This was someone who had grown so much that he, his pseudo-mentor can't keep up.
"What?" Came the defensive reply. "What's so amusing, Takami-san?"
He was Sakuraba but he wasn't.
And this kind of contrast, this kind of progress, was something he would definitely be looking forward to tracking.
"You know what, Sakuraba-kun, you're right." He murmured finally, when his laughter subsided. Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the darkened heavens, now seemingly decorated by lights that had just been turned on, illuminating the football field.
"I am?"
He nodded, eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "It wouldn't be exciting, would it?" The hand that held Sakuraba's arm slid down until it grasped the latter's warm hand completely. Then he moved, facing him fully and holding up their clasped hands.
He could see his cheeks redden, but he didn't try freeing himself. Instead, Sakuraba nodded silently and linked his fingers with his, something that made butterflies dance in his stomach in answer.
"Then I won't wish it anymore." He allowed, smiling. "But I'm looking forward to seeing you at the university after you graduate."
"I plan on going anyway." Sakuraba grinned back. "Then we'll be the perfect team again. We'll be unbeatable!"
"I'll train, just like you do… no, even more."
"As much as Shin?"
At that, Takami let go of his hand and whacked him playfully on the back of his head.
"Don't push it."
ENDE
A/N: Ah, I'm so in love with these two :) Hope you enjoyed this. Feedbacks are greatly appreciated!