Public Displays of Aggression
Chapter 43 – Average
[AN: Yo whaddup MTV, welcome to my crib. I call it THE Rare Pair Hell – enjoy your stay. I was going to give Furihata "Defeatist" but I'm not that mean. Also, the boys who are the focus of this chapter are too precious. Someone protect them and cherish them and wrap them up in bubble wrap. They are warm...and soft... like mashed potato.]
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Furihata was unsure of who this person was but he had to be wrong. 'I really am.' he insisted. 'I'm the worst at anything I ever do.'
'Are you judging yourself by the standards of others or yourself?' Kuroko asked.
'Both?' Furihata guessed.
'I would say you are judging by your own, or perhaps the people you shouldn't compare yourself to at all.' Kuroko said.
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He became forlorn. 'I used to struggle greatly with fulfilling other people's standards until I finally reclaimed my abilities and started using them in a way that is constructive. I'm a Pokemon Trainer too but I don't fight too battles. I'm more of a breeder nowadays. It took me a while to decide on that, I just had to meet the right person however. I know I must sound pretentious; why should you listen to me, I'm a random stranger but I'm a random stranger who can sympathise with your plight. Have you ever heard this quote: "If you judge a Magikarp by the way it climbs a tree, it will be stupid forever"? Perhaps, you need to find something you can do that is unique to you. A Magikarp is a genius when it comes to surviving in the worst of circumstances. What's your special quality?'
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The two paused and Kuroko smiled serenely; offering genuinely kind wisdom to Furihata who had stopped crying. Something about what Kuroko was preaching was genuinely resonating with him. 'Thanks but I'm not good at anything.'
'I digress.' Kuroko argued.
Furihata was sceptical. 'On what grounds?' he asked.
'Well,' Kuroko began, 'my special talent compensates for my low presence. I can guess what a person's special talent will be. For example, I feel as though your Pokemon are quite fast, when awake, and can avoid attacks quite well. Similarly, I feel as though if you were to have a Pokemon Ability, it would be like Illuminate. You seem to draw people to you. I hope that gives you a hint as to how you can alter your perception of yourself. I refuse to leave this conversation knowing you still think of yourself as "the worst Trainer" because trust me, I know the identity of the worst Trainer and you are nothing like him.' Kuroko said.
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Kuroko was completely torn off from his train of thought. He was on a new tangent now. 'Saying you that are the "worst Trainer" is an insult to your Pokémon. I get the feeling you really love them and they love you back. I think you need to change, Furihata-kun but I can't tell you how, nor can I tell you to start. I just want you to be aware that if you want to stop being the "worst Trainer" you can start by scrapping anything you are told by that man Shirogane Kozo-sensei. You can disregard anything cruel because it is not true. You are a wonderful person, even if you can't see it. You are not anything like the "worst Trainer" because you attract people; he repels them.'
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'Who did you say you were again?' Furihata asked. He fumbled with his manners. He was aiming to sound polite but he feared he sounded rude.
'Kuroko Tetsuya, member of the Generation of Miracles.'
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Furihata was awed. That sounded implausible. 'What?' he asked. Kuroko's PokeGear started to buzz.
'Excuse me but I think I have to answer this. It was nice meeting you, Furihata-kun. I hope I was able to cheer you up.' Kuroko replied and he got up, wandered away, and put his PokeGear to his face. 'Hello? Kagami-kun? Don't worry; I'm not too far away. You found a spot in the bleachers? Hang on, I'll find you.'
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When Kuroko spoke up until the point of "being able to guess a person's special talent", Furihata had found himself comforted. He had to admit, despite Kuroko's strange features like his blue hair, he seemed pretty average. After that point, Furihata had been lost. He really didn't understand Kuroko's worldview. The "Miracles" of this land were something else entirely, Furihata decided. They weren't normal human beings. Not with their powers, their influence.
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At least he felt better. His cheeks had dried and he didn't feel that terrible weight of being numbingly disappointing anymore. He still felt average though. Kuroko's strange pep talk hadn't helped too much. Furihata had to admit, if he wasn't was the worst Trainer, who was? He was curious to know. Kuroko sounded bitter when he spoke of this guy.
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Furihata watched as Kuroko left. The backstage door was oddly busy even though it was still very early in the day and everyone else who was still in the running were addicted to watching their rivals compete. As Kuroko disappeared, a new person appeared. 'Hello? Are you Furihata Kouki-san?'
'Aren't I Mr Popularity today? Yes, I'm him.' Furihata said.
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The boy approached. They were of similar height and build. Except, this guy was a more attractive and noticeable than him. 'I'm Sakurai Ryou and I wanted to congratulate you.'
'On what?' Furihata asked.
'I thought you were really brave yesterday and even today, the way you kept going on against Momoi-san even though, well, it was a little hopeless. I'm sorry but I overheard you talking to that Kuroko-san and I just wanted you to know that I agree. I don't think you're the worst Trainer.' Sakurai said.
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He crept cautiously towards Furihata and sat on the bench. He left quite the gap and kept his space to himself. 'Oh.' Furihata said.
'I didn't even know Herdier can learn Sandstorm.' Sakurai added. He didn't want the conversation to pause. He didn't know what had come over him but he couldn't let this poor stranger have such a pity party by himself.
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Sakurai looked at the sky. 'To be honest, I don't think I'm all that of a great Trainer either but maybe we can improve... together.' Sakurai said. Furihata glanced at Sakurai furtively. He was quite beautiful, to be honest. Furihata felt blessed that he had managed to attract such a warm-hearted person – people really, including Kuroko.
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'O-Okay.' Furihata accepted and Sakurai met his gaze.
'Thank you.' Sakurai replied. Both boys immediately felt awkward as a result and their faces turned scarlet. This was going to be the start of something sweet and strange.
