***Chapter 21 - Rehabilitation ***

Over the next few days, I watched the Nationals at Wakabayashi's house. His brother joined us on the Sunday, but when he was back at work on the Monday, we were left alone, except for their housekeeper, who stayed mainly out of sight.

I helped Wakabayashi down the stairs, and we watched the games in the room with the large television. He brought a pen and notebook down with him. I smiled when I saw it, as I knew he had taken what I had said previously to heart. We made notes on each of the other teams about their playing style, strengths, weaknesses, and key players. We watched the Nankatsu games carefully, and noted improvements that our team needed.

"Tsubasa is really pulling the team together. He's really improved as a player, and also as a leader," I observed.

Wakabayashi nodded, "I'm happy I decided to give him the captain's mark."

I looked at Wakabayashi in surprise. "You gave him your mark? I thought maybe the coach had decided that."

He looked back at me, "I saw him take hold of the game after I was injured. I didn't know how long I'd be away for, but I sensed that it would be more than just a game or two. The team needs a captain. He wasn't really ready yet, but I could see that he could grow into it. You've seen for yourself how quickly Tsubasa can grow and improve. I was sure that he would grow into the captain's role, if he were given the chance. So I asked him to take over as captain. Coach and the team ultimately agreed."

He wasn't sure about the expression on my face, and asked, "Why? Does it bother you that I gave the Captain's mark away?"

I thought about what I was feeling for a moment, then said, "It surprises me that you gave the mark away. I'm not sure I could've done what you did, but it was the right thing to do for the team. That you gave it to Tsubasa shows that you can see something in him that even he doesn't see yet. And it looks like you were right about that too. I'm not bothered by what you did. I am...I am...amazed. It says so much about the kind of person you are. I'm happy, that you did what you did. You're strong enough to recognize strength in others," I said, thoughtfully.

I really was in awe. A feeling of pride swept over me. I really was proud to have him as a close friend. I gave him a big encouraging smile.

His expression changed in front of me. I wasn't sure why. He looked at me with an intensity in his eyes that I had never seen before. It felt like he was looking straight into me...my soul? my heart? What is he looking at? It seemed like we were looking at each other for a long time. I didn't know what to say.

"Rai... I... I think... I think... I'm...in...l.," he started slowly. Then suddenly, he broke his gaze and looked down at the floor for a moment. He swallowed hard, shook his head slightly, and looked up again. But this time, the intensity in his eyes was gone.

I was completely confused now. "Are you...ok?" I asked.

He smiled as he reached for my hand, "Rai Mikami. You are my best friend."

Over the week, his ankle improved, and he could walk again for brief periods. With the summer weather being so warm, we went outside a lot. I loved the garden in their backyard. It was filled with pretty flowers and trees. Beyond the garden was a large stretch of grass, where a full-sized soccer net stood. I looked at the net, and pictured my father and Wakabayashi training. I looked away, and kept to the garden.

In the second week of his rehabilitation, Wakabayashi was able to walk normally again. He was well enough to start light training too. My father was back in town, and I know that in the evenings, he went to Wakabayashi's house to help him work in the gym to get his leg in shape again. I still saw Wakabayashi every day, and despite his insistence that my father never showed up until after dinner, I avoided staying at his house past mid-afternoon. I wanted to be sure I wouldn't run into my father.

The team was doing well at the Nationals. Tsubasa was being true to his word. He'd take the team to the finals. In the few days before the finals, Wakabayashi started to ramp up his training again.

One day, he said, "Rai, let's go outside. It's not too hot."

I followed him as we wound our way through his house toward the back door to the garden. On the way, he picked up his goalkeeping gloves and a soccer ball. Outside, he walked through the garden and onto the large stretch of grass. I stopped at the edge of the grass. He looked back to see me standing there, and trudged back. He took my hand and pulled me to the middle of his field.

"Shoot on me," he said.

I thought back to the last time I tried to shoot a ball past him. That had changed things for us. I had decided to like him once and for all, rather than resent him. Yet the thought of playing with him here, in his backyard, where he trains with my father, still made me uneasy. It is true that I don't resent Wakabayashi. But I still resent my father.

"Come on Rai. Kick the ball. I need to get ready for the finals. You'll have to help me," he called from the net.

Well, I am the only one here. I thought for a moment. He ran back to me.

"Rai. Look. You have to do this. I know you don't like to be reminded of your dad, but the fact is, I've trained in this yard for years. It's a part of me. I want you to know everything about me. I'm not going to hide anything from you. If you're going to be my friend, you'll need to accept me and everything about me. Can you do that?" he looked at me earnestly.

He was right. How could we be close friends yet block certain parts of our lives from each other? I've been open with him, and he's accepted me without question. Why can't I accept all of him?

"Ok. Try not to push yourself so hard. I don't want you to hurt your ankle again."

He grinned and ran back to the net.

It took me a few shots to get used to kicking the ball again. He wasn't challenged much, even in his rehabilitating form. When I was warmed up, my shooting became stronger and faster. My accuracy increased, and I started to spin the ball again. I shot close to 30 times. I was able to get only a few past him.

"Well. Isn't this a dream-come-true for me," I half joked, when one of my shots finally went in.

"Don't get too comfortable with it. My ankle is not quite 100%, but it will be soon, and then I'll shut you out, Mikami" came the reply.

I smiled. I know you will, Wakabayashi-kun, and you'll shut out the opposing team at the National finals too, I thought to myself.