"Prayer"

Summary: Shiraishi's monologue in his three years of junior high school when he went to pray and make a wish at the shrine on new years day.

Author's Note: I wrote this one shot in celebration of Shiraishi's single "Prayer" when I discovered the title. The story uses the idea of how people goes to shrine on new years day and make wishes.

Complete: March 30-April 1, 2009

First year

I am very surprised to see you here although I shouldn't be, should I? I am sure that a lot of our other school mates are here too.

Konjiki and Hitouji? Oh, you mean Koharu and Yuuji? Are they here right now? I didn't see them.

Who I came with? My parents- what about you?

Your elder brother and sister? Your sister is wearing a kimono? But you…a pity…

I mean…I mean that it would be interesting to see you in a kimono. Because…because I think Tanako-kun will look very pretty…

Well! Let's go and make a wish! I think there is a space there.

Tanako-kun, you looked so thoughtful when you made your wish…you think so? You think that the same can be said of me?

What I wished for? Well, when I was younger my parents told me that it was alright to let one person know so I used to tell one of them. So, we can do that if you want.

You make me feel selfish now, as my wishes are mainly for myself. I did ask for my parents to continue being happy but most of the wishes I prayed are for myself.

Don't worry! I won't run away! I'll still tell you what I prayed for.

I want to be in the tennis club again and I want Koharu and Yuuji to make it too. I wish to be able to win the end of the year match and be the buchou next year and I wish to be able to take the team to the nationals by winning the regional.

I am pretty selfish, aren't I? Even the prayer I made that involved you is really for my own sake.

What about you? Oh, didn't I tell you? I want us to be in the same class next year.

You made that wish too?

Then I am sure that it will come true.

Tanako-kun, let us come here together next year and make our prayers at the same time again. I feel that our wishes will more likely to com true that way.

Then it is a promise.

Second year

A lot has happened in a year, hasn't it?

No…I didn't forget our promise.

Do you still remember the wishes we made that day? What we asked for? We have been quite lucky, haven't we? Most of our wishes came true.

Your brother has a really good job and your sister seem to be doing quite well. We are in the same class, my parents are still very happy and the majority of my tennis related wishes came true.

No, of course I am not upset. I am not that greedy. I know that I can't have all the things that I prayed for. If this site is that amazing then I am sure everyone would be crowding in here!

Alright, I will be truthful with you. I am a bit wistful as I want to win the nationals although I shouldn't be so greedy since I got everyone else- we won the Kansai regional, and we are third in the nationals!

That is a good question, Ashita, and I guess it is only human nature. If we didn't win the regionals then I probably wouldn't be thinking about winning the nationals.

If I have a choice to gain that wish by swapping it with another wish? No, I don't think I would desire such a thing…

Besides, it is not possible anyway.

What?

No, don't worry! It's not as if I am going crazy or anything. Obsessive about winning? That is not fair, I am not really obsessed about winning. Ah, Ashita, it is not good to look like this on the first day of the New Year.

What I wished? Well, I don't think my wish have changed much. I still want my family to be happy and I want to come here with you next year as well.

What I wished in regard to tennis? Well, I want to win the end of the year match again because I think that it will be a bit embarrassing to be buchou this year but not next year as it will imply that I got much worse.

Well yes, I do wish to win the nationals but I think a lot of others will make that wish too.

But what about your wishes? What did you pray for?

See- you want to do well in karate too. It is just the same as me.

Obsessive? I really am not. It is just that I am the buchou so I really don't want to let anyone down.

Third year

This is the last time we come here as junior high school students but I am sure we will come here together in the years that follow as well. I must admit, I am so glad that we are here now because there has been a time when ire ally didn't think that this could still come true.

Yes, I know- it is all due to my foolishness. But I am not that stubborn as to deny the truth- I was a bit too obsessive.

A bit? Well, let me have some dignity!

True…I didn't give you that much dignity due to the way that I said it. But then, don't you think that being hit with a tennis racquet hit quite a lot?

I know, I know! I was joking.

No way! I've seen one of your karate competitions! I am sorry, but I don't love you enough to let you just hit me until you feel better.

Oh no, nothing is wrong. It is just that I suddenly thought of how different thigns are right now compared to the last two years. In the first year I was nervous and hopeful of the year, while last year I was anxious and determined.

This year? I am happy to just be able to joke around with you and being beside you.

Ashita! Don't start to run without any indication (she is embarrassed)

True, you are wearing geta while I am wearing sneakers so it shouldn't be hard for me to catch up with you. But if you suddenly start to run then…

A proper kimono and zori? I am sure you will able to get your wish one day. What? That is your only wish?

Thank goodness that you are joking. Well, you actually looked really serious just then.

Pay back for what I did last year? That is a bit unfair.

Yes, tennis is still part of my prayer but there is no need for you too worry. I am not as obsessive about winning.

Well, I want to do well in tennis and I do still wish to make a name in the tennis world. No, I didn't change my mind about not joining the tennis club in senior high. But out of loyalty I did pray that shitenhouji might do well in the nationals.

Oh, both senior and junior high because Kenya, Koharu and Yuuji all plant o join so I hope they can win the senior high level's nations, and Zaizen and Kin-chan will end up being the captains after me so…

Not yet- I haven't told you my last wish.

Come closer…I'll whisper it right in your ears.