Chapter 3 – sudden revelations

Yahoo! Kikumaru Eiji here. I've realize something, something big. I assume Inui already has so much more information than I could ever absorb but yes, he probably knows it too. What I realized…my secret that it. Maybe you have already guessed, from the turn of events but still, it surprised me.

Yes, my secret, maybe it has been finally revealed. When it all happened, I found out. It was already late at night. I was still at school, being the last to finish practice and all. Today's practice was especially frustrating. I kept missing the balls even if I was so eager to hit them. I kept feeling so ticked off because of every mistake I make. What was wrong with me?

I thought about all this as I walked home as usual. My skills were definitely better and I am resolute to become stronger but why am I failing instead? Well, there would be practice tomorrow and I am going to try harder. Very much harder.

So, the rest of the world passed like it never happened-Having dinner, doing homework, sleeping, classes, lunch and finally, club activities. It was doubles practice this time round. Of course I was paired with Oishii and not so surprising was that the golden pair was playing against the 'scary' pair. Inui and kaidoh- the most intimidating pair in Seigaku.

I wasn't surprised, Inui had hinted to me the day before. "I want to experience your playing style Kikumaru, it's gotten interesting." I had laughed it off and retorted with a "you just want to get more data nya!" Inui pushed up his glasses and I saw a small smile before he walked away. It was more of an evil grin but I didn't really care.

What disappointed me even more was that we lost. Yes, we the ones who lost. I had a feeling it was all because of me. My eagerness to win let me lose my concentration. Oishi was the one playing against one of Seigaku's pairs and I didn't help him. It felt as if…I was playing a singles match. I wanted it to be one; I wanted to get all the attention for winning. However, things were not that simple.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized. I had a special ability and I was totally misusing it. At that time, I still didn't get the real point, not just yet. It was soon revealed to me, in a dire situation.

-----

Oishi stared into his fish tank. The sight of fish swimming lazily in his tank calmed his nerves. He was still puzzled by his partner's act of urgency, outburst of frustration and his lost of calm during the game. It was after all…just a game. Eiji had changed a lot since…his skills improved. Was it an urge to be better or simply an act of arrogance? This arrogance would take him nowhere Oishi thought. It would take US nowhere…or was it just something more?

-----

On the other end of town, I was playing against the wall. I just had to get better. No more making silly mistakes, no more fooling around. It was all about winning now for me, winning and winning only. I wanted to be the best and I wanted to win-that was all. Somehow, this reminded me of someone familiar but then I brushed it off as soon as the tennis ball came bouncing right back at me.

"Don't you think Eiji is behaving a little more…competitive lately?" Fuji's soft voice reached Oishi as they walked down the hall. "Yes, I wonder what happened to him. I hope he isn't sick or anything but it seems that he has gotten much better since last time, his skills are so much more refined." Oishi sighed in reply and Fuji smiled his usual nonchalant smile. "Yes, he even returned your ace volley, I am very surprised myself."

The conversation ended, both sides did not have anything more to say. Their team member had just…changed so suddenly and there was nothing to do to change him-or was there?

-----

It was a Friday and I was on my usual routine to check out the music selections at a store near my house. Inui wanted to tag along and I was slightly suspicious at first. He had been following me quite a bit lately and I felt disturbed but since there was company, I didn't mind-much.

It was then everything was revealed. Inui and I were walking along the bridges that lead to the shop. The bridge overlooked a busy road, cars rushing past fumes blowing behind them. We were content to the silence between us but as I was just about to rant about something that had happened in class, it happened.

A bicycle came rushing past. The bridge was rather narrow, and the railing not very high and rather old in sorts. Inui dodged out of the way, and came crashing into me. I lost my balance and found myself grabbing the railing for support. The cyclist didn't stop and continued down the bridge. I saw Inui frown and write something in his notebook. Then he turned to help me up.

"Are you alright Eiji?" he said and stuck out a hand. "Yup, I'm perfectly fin-" my voice stopped sharply. I could hear something groaning-the bridge. Before I could even reach out to grab at Inui's hand. I found myself falling. Grabbing anything in sight, my hands got a hold of the solid bridge. The remaining part of the railing had broken away and was hanging down, still connected to the undamaged bridges.

This can't be happening I told myself, this only happens in animes or some drama show. Then I looked at reality. It was a three story drop down-to the busy traffic and instant death. Inui was already down on the floor, reaching his hand out to me. "Quick, I'll pull you up" he said and I cautiously release a hand's grip on the bridge to grab Inui's hand.

Data didn't lie. However, Inui's data was wrong in the first place. If he had known the chances of saving Eiji were low, he wouldn't have tried. There was already a crowd gathered along the pavements watching as a teenager hung from a bridge.

-----

The moment I let go, I knew it was a wrong choice. I couldn't reach Inui's hand and no matter how I seemed to stretch it didn't work. Then, I started to slip. I immediately planted my free hand on the bridge again but to no avail. My strength was slipping away and then, I found myself falling.

It was only a game…but life isn't a game.

-----

Chapter 3 end