© 2014 Gold
Title: Beyond: A Tribute - Part 16
Author: Gold
Disclaimer:
1. Prince of Tennis is created by Konomi Takeshi. This work is a piece of fanfiction and no part of it is attributed to Konomi-san or any other entity holding any legal right associated with and arising out of Prince of Tennis . It was written purely out of fanservice and it is not to be used for profit or any false association with Konomi-san or aforesaid entities.
2. Selected lyrics are part of the song Nakama by Ketsukeishi. Lyrics in kanji are credited to the website and lyrics in romanji and the English translation are taken from jpopasia, where kind souls have translated it.
Notes:
1. The verses in this chapter are lyrics found in various parts of the song Nakama by Ketsumeishi. I remember watching the PV on television in May 2010, Kyoto.
2. I thought very long about whether this chapter should be posted here, or separately under Chapters That Didn't Make The Cut For Tomoka's Book . Something like that. But it's here, so... okay.
3. The formatting is not ideal due to formatting limits here.
楽しい時だけが仲間じゃないだろ オレ達は
共に悔しがり 共に励まし合い 生きてゆく笑顔の日々を
tanoshii toki dake ga nakama janaidaro oretachi wa
tomoni kuyashi gari tomoni hagemashi ai ikite yuku egao no hibi wo
We aren't only friends during fun times.
During painful times we'll encourage you together back to happy days.
How are you, Tezuka? I would never have imagined that tennis could have brought so many of us together, even after all this time. The bonds of old are still there and strong, Tezuka, stronger than I could ever have imagined. I take much comfort from this and I think you will, as well. Stay strong and take good care of yourself. – Tachibana Kippei to Tezuka Kunimitsu
Glad to know you're recovering, Yukimura. I hope that the temporary diet devised by Yanagi and Inui is fine. They'll start on customising diets more specifically once the physicals are completed. Things will get better from now on. Don't overstretch yourself. Take care. –Tachibana Kippei to Yukimura Seiichi
Sanada, how are you? I'm glad to hear that Yukimura is improving. It's excellent news. Everything's fine over here. Don't forget to let us know if you need anything. – Tachibana Kippei to Sanada Genichirou
Shinji, how are you? How is everyone over there? We're all fine here. Take care and work closely with the others. It's at times like this that our strength is all the greater when we combine our forces. You remember, in school, the lesson that we learned about how a single arrow is easily broken, but many arrows banded together are impossible to break. We are the many arrows, forty arrows banded as one. –Tachibana Kippei to Ibu Shinji
Hai, Tachibana-san. I remember that you taught us that lesson, but I've forgotten it over the last few years. Out here, it's hard to remember that when tennis is a solitary game. Not selfish, just solitary. It's the nature of the game. I've seen players who walk round with hatred on their faces, gearing themselves up before matches to hate their opponents, and that's how they make themselves mentally stronger to win. That's why they don't care even if they hurt their opponents to win. But Tachibana-san, if I've to stoop that low, I'd rather quit tennis. That isn't tennis; it's street fighting. And the reality of pro tennis is that it's in a gladiator's arena. We don't play as a team; we play for ourselves. We don't win at the same level, and sometimes we don't even play in the same tournament. And even if we do, we're not playing together. We're playing separately and many times, we're playing against each other. We don't train together, not all of us, because our schedules are different and it's better that we have other players from other countries as training partners. Now Tezuka-san's matter has brought everything to the surface. I wish that this had not happened to Tezuka-san, but I think at least things will be better now, although if you ask me, none of these should ever have happened at all. Atobe-san is involved, so that can only be good for us. – Ibu Shinji to Tachibana Kippei
Shinji... thanks for sharing this with me. I think we knew about this before, in the U-17 camp years ago, and later in the time of the Dream Team. But we all thought if we were stronger and more skilled, and understood tennis better, we'd be all right. That obviously isn't enough. Modern-day tennis gladiators need support too, Shinji. – Tachibana Kippei to Ibu Shinji
Hai, Tachibana-san. – Ibu Shinji to Tachibana Kippei
Hi, all. Hope you're doing fine. We've been getting a ton of fan packages, including international ones. Kinda cool, really. Your fans are nice. Your families say they've run out of space, so we've been using one of the conference rooms as storage space. Hope Atobe doesn't mind, haha. We put Atsushi and Ryou – that's the Kisarazu twins – in charge. They're quite fastidious and very reliable. Everything duly and truthfully documented, delivered and run like clockwork. Not like some other scummy management agency we know. – Saeki Kojirou to Tezuka, Yukimura, Sanada, Echizen, Kirihara, Kaidoh and Ibu
Hey, Three Musketeers, hang in there! Things are looking lucky! All of us, who are awesome like you've never known, will rescue you! Soon. – Sengoku Kiyosumi to Tezuka, Yukimura and Sanada
I'm so happy to hear that you're getting better! Tachibana-san and Oshitari-san are running the show, but Yanagi also has a very big hand in it. Don't worry about us, we're all fine. We're doing our best. It's cool, really. We've even managed to get in a few games of tennis! Atobe's tennis courts are world-class, but I wouldn't expect any less. Take care and get well soon. – Jackal Kuwahara to Yukimura Seiichi
We're counting on you. Take care of Yukimura. We'll take care of things over here. – Jackal Kuwahara to Sanada Genichirou and Kirihara Akaya, separately
How are you? The hospital garden looks in severe need of a makeover. You should see the ones I've designed in Kyuushu. – Shiraishi Kuranosuke to Yukimura Seiichi
I'm getting better, thanks. Yes, I don't like it. But it's not the garden's fault. You must send me photos of the gardens you designed. Did you win anything? –Yukimura Seiichi to Shiraishi Kuranosuke
Yes, I did win a couple of prizes. Get well. Then come and see my gardens for yourself. Maybe one day, we can design one together. – Shiraishi Kuranosuke to Yukimura Seiichi
I think that's a great idea. –Yukimura Seiichi to Shiraishi Kuranosuke
Did you ever think, Atobe, that one day we'd be here, doing this – building this? Some day, maybe twenty years down the road, we'll be really proud of this. – Oshitari Yuushi to Atobe Keigo
Of course not. Ore-sama is not sentimental. – Atobe Keigo to Oshitari Yuushi
Atobe says he is not sentimental. – Oshitari Yuushi to Shishido Ryou
Stuff and nonsense, he's the most sentimental of us. – Shishido Ryou to Oshitari Yuushi
Isn't it amazing when we agree on something? – Oshitari Yuushi to Shishido Ryou
Yes. – Shishido Ryou to Oshitari Yuushi
You wound me. – Oshitari Yuushi to Shishido Ryou
:E - Shishido Ryou to Oshitari Yuushi
どうしようもない時は俺らだろう
共に越えただろう? やってこれただろう?
周り見ろ いるぜ 多くの仲間
言葉はいらね 気持ち届くのだから
doushiyou monai toki wa orera darou
tomoni koe tadarou? yatte koreta darou?
mawari miro iruze ooku no nakama
kotoba wa irane kimochi todoku no dakara
During those times that can't be helped we're there, right?
Together we'll pass through, right? We'll come around.
Look around, you have lots of friends.
No need for words, because your feelings are conveyed.
Tezuka, how are you? Things are all right down here. I'm in charge of food. It's like old times again. I was asked to be the head of the supplies team, because there are so many of us. It's like being at an all-Japan tennis camp, but with luxury facilities. It's quite overwhelming, but we are managing quite well. I like working with the Ishida brothers. It's fun, although under these circumstances I suppose it's not really right to be having fun? – Kawamura Takashi to Tezuka Kunimitsu
It's fine, Kawamura. Don't worry about it. –Tezuka Kunimitsu to Kawamura Takashi
Really, Tezuka? – Kawamura Takashi to Tezuka Kunimitsu
Truly, Kawamura. –Tezuka Kunimitsu to Kawamura Takashi
OKAY! – Kawamura Takashi to Tezuka Kunimitsu
How is Oishi? – Fuji Syusuke to Kikumaru Eiji
Still worrying over Momo. T_T It's really weird. Momo disappearing, I mean, not Oishi worrying. _ – Kikumaru Eiji to Fuji Syusuke
Don't worry. Things will look better in the morning. – Fuji Syusuke to Kikumaru Eiji
Morning feels very far away. – Kikumaru Eiji to Fuji Syusuke
Yes, it has been dark for so long now. – Fuji Syusuke to Kikumaru Eiji
When will the morning come? – Kikumaru Eiji to Fuji Syusuke
Soon. Make use of the night? ^_^ – Fuji Syusuke to Kikumaru Eiji
I'm trying to be serious here! – Kikumaru Eiji to Fuji Syusuke
Kaidoh. Please provide Kirihara-kun with all due assistance in his latest endeavour (something Renji requires, I believe). Many thanks. By the way, how is the new diet shaping up? – Inui Sadaharu to Kaidoh Kaoru
Hai, Inui-senpai. The new diet takes a little getting used to. Most of the others are still reacting to it unfavourably. – Kaidoh Kaoru to Inui Sadaharu
I am delighted to hear that. Ii data. You said 'Most of the others…' Exactly who has had no trouble with the new diet? – Inui Sadaharu to Kaidoh Kaoru
Tezuka-senpai and Sanada-san. They're not exactly fine, I think. Just... able to bear with it. – Kaidoh Kaoru to Inui Sadaharu
Tsk. I will work on refining the new diet. Thank you, as always, for your most valuable feedback. – Inui Sadaharu to Kaidoh Kaoru
Genichirou, your grandfather is arguing with Tezuka's grandfather again. For your necessary action, please. By the way, I have received your message. I have instructed Akaya accordingly. – Yanagi Renji to Sanada Genichirou
Tezuka, your grandfather and Genichirou's grandfather are at it again. Due to the current matters requiring my devoted and undivided attention, I regret that I do not have time to intervene. I trust that you and Genichirou are aware of this situation and will attend to your respective grandfathers. – Yanagi Renji to Tezuka Kunimitsu
Welcome back to Japan, Yagyuu. I trust that you had an excellent flight. Marui is at Arrivals. – Yanagi Renji to Yagyuu Hiroshi
Thanks, Yanagi. Akutagawa Jirou's with me. We were on the same flight. It was a pleasant surprise. –Yagyuu Hiroshi to Yanagi Renji
I'm sure it was. That's why Marui's there. Niou will pick you up. See you later. – Yanagi Renji to Yagyuu Hiroshi
Masaharu is late. –Yagyuu Hiroshi to Yanagi Renji
I believe Atobe's security team is responsible. They've been having a little fun with Niou. Petty fun, but still fun nonetheless. – Yanagi Renji to Yagyuu Hiroshi
You said I was to meet Yagyuu, not Akutagawa Jirou! – Marui Bunta to Yanagi Renji
Is there a problem? – Yanagi Renji to Marui Bunta
Not anymore. Niou socked him for being way too genki and attracting too much attention to us. At least Akutagawa's quiet now. – Marui Bunta to Yanagi Renji
Please charge Akutagawa-san's medical bills to Niou's name. – Yanagi Renji to Oshitari Yuushi and Shishido Ryou, separately
WHAT? This had better be good! – Shishido Ryou to Yanagi Renji
Don't worry. Akutagawa-san is not seriously injured. Just out cold. Niou wouldn't seriously injure him. – Yanagi Renji to Shishido Ryou
Any injury is not good, dammit! – Shishido Ryou to Yanagi Renji
Thanks for the notification. I presume that Jirou is not badly hurt. Otherwise, Niou can expect years in (penal) servitude. By the way, was there really any need to tell Shishido? – Oshitari Yuushi to Yanagi Renji
There is an 89.69 percent chance that you have presumed correctly. Shishido is overreacting. – Yanagi Renji to Oshitari Yuushi
Good to know. You were having fun at the expense of Shishido, I presume. May I ask what the chances are of my having presumed that correctly? – Oshitari Yuushi to Yanagi Renji
I regret to say that I currently do not have any data on that. – Yanagi Renji to Oshitari Yuushi
Echizen! How are you? I'm so sorry I can't be there! I'm in Hawaii for a month! I'm on holiday with my family and they won't let me leave! But I've triumped over them – I'm on the web publicity team! The fans are totally, totally amazing with their wonderful support. Of course, there are people who don't believe Tezuka-san, but Saeki-san says they don't understand what Tezuka-san is like, or else they wouldn't say those things. Well, it's cowards who make personal attacks 'cause they can't find anything else to say! – Aoi Kentarou to Echizen Ryoma
I'm fine. Thanks for everything. – Echizen Ryoma to Aoi Kentarou
You're so cold! Hey Echizen, I heard about Momoshiro-san… don't worry. It'll be okay. He'll turn up. – Aoi Kentarou to Echizen Ryoma
Thanks. – Echizen Ryoma to Aoi Kentarou
Mou… still so cold. =_= – Aoi Kentarou to Echizen Ryoma
Sorry. I didn't mean to. I've got a lot on my mind, I guess. – Echizen Ryoma to Aoi Kentarou
It's okay, it's okay! I was joking! You're not a great talker. I get it, honestly. Seriously, Echizen, how long have you known me? – Aoi Kentarou to Echizen Ryoma
Too long. – Echizen Ryoma to Aoi Kentarou
Yeah, see? You still make fun of me after all this time. And I'm okay with it. I get to make fun of you too! That's what good friends are for! – Aoi Kentarou to Echizen Ryoma
Hey, Echizen, it's me. How's it going? – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma.
Okay. – Echizen Ryoma to Fuji Yuuta
Ok. I heard that you and Kirihara had a bit of a disagreement? You guys okay? – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma
Yeah, we're good. Who told you? – Echizen Ryoma to Fuji Yuuta
Aniki, of course. – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma
I should've known. Fuji-senpai knows everything. – Echizen Ryoma to Fuji Yuuta
I agree, it's a pain. – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma
How does he get to know things? Does he read tarot cards? – Echizen Ryoma to Fuji Yuuta
No, it's my older sister who reads tarot cards. I don't know how aniki knows and I don't even wanna know. – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma
Maybe you're right. Some things are best left in the dark. – Echizen Ryoma to Fuji Yuuta
Hey. I can ask my older sister to read the cards, you know. For Momoshiro, I mean. I can ask her for you. He's your best friend, isn't he? – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma
Thanks, but it's okay. Thanks. – Echizen Ryoma to Fuji Yuuta
Okay, then. If you change your mind, let me know. – Fuji Yuuta to Echizen Ryoma
How are things? – Hiyoshi Wakashi to Kaidoh Kaoru
Fine. Thanks for asking. How aboutyou? – Kaidoh Kaoru to Hiyoshi Wakashi
Not too bad. Tell Echizen I said hi. – Hiyoshi Wakashi to Kaidoh Kaoru
Will do. Has Zaizen arrived? – Kaidoh Kaoru to Hiyoshi Wakashi
Just. Did you hear from Hirakoba? – Hiyoshi Wakashi to Kaidoh Kaoru
No. – Kaidoh Kaoru to Hiyoshi Wakashi
He's still got the bad habit of not checking his 'phone. By the way, I heard that Echizen and Kirihara had a fight? – Hiyoshi Wakashi to Kaidoh Kaoru
I don't think it was a fight. They had a disagreement and lost their tempers. They're both fine, no grudges held. – Kaidoh Kaoru to Hiyoshi Wakashi
That's good to know. We don't need any of that right now. – Hiyoshi Wakashi to Kaidoh Kaoru
I agree. – Kaidoh Kaoru to Hiyoshi Wakashi
Hey, Shinji! How are you? Did Tachibana-san tell you? A lot of things are happening here. I feel like the world is going crazy. Nothing seems right and it feels like I'm walking in a giant fog right now. An-chan asks how you are. She's worried about you too. We all are. See you soon! – Kamio Akira to Ibu Shinji
Hi Akira, I'm fine. Tachibana-san told me about forty arrows… is that what you mean? Does that mean there are forty of you? I tried counting, but I don't know how many people are actually at Atobe's. Where is the location, anyway? Is it at Atobe's summer cottage, the one that's really a mansion? I heard Ohtori talk about it once with his doubles partner – I forgot his name. Ohtori plays the violin really well, I remember. Hiyoshi sent me a recording of Ohtori playing something pop on the violin… I think it was by Yui. By the way, thanks for sending me Yui's Holidays In The Sun. I didn't know that you like her songs. I think they're not too bad, although it feels very far away. I miss Japan a lot. – Ibu Shinji to Kamio Akira
Japan's the same, Shinji. Come back soon, before you play the next tournament. An-chan insisted I send you Yui's CD. She likes Yui's songs, especially the summer albums. I thought it would be something you might like. I prefer something faster, though. Kenya-san says he'll recommend something with really fast beats. – Kamio Akira to Ibu Shinji
Oh, Oshitari Kenya-san is there? Seems like everybody's at Atobe's house. It must be crowded. – Ibu Shinji to Kamio Akira
Eh…Shinji, it's Atobe's house. ATOBE's house! There's plenty of space. Tokyo Dome can probably fit in here. With space for Yokohama Arena, I bet. – Kamio Akira to Ibu Shinji
Whatever happens, if anything, Atobe, at least we can make this new management agency our finest legacy. – Tezuka Kunimitsu to Atobe Keigo
... agreed. – Atobe Keigo to Tezuka Kunimitsu
お前 笑う日 俺らも笑おう
泣く日あるならば共に語ろう
そうしてここまでやってきたから
誰 何言おうが 俺たちは仲間
omae warau hi oreramo waraou
naku hi arunaraba tomoni katarou
soushite kokomade yatte kitakara
dare nani iou ga oretachi wa nakama
On days you laugh, we'll laugh too.
If there are days you cry, we'll talk.
Also, because we've come this far,
no matter what people say we are friends.