Summary: A look at Dan Taichi's thoughts on the evening of the Prefectural Tournament's end. Less than an hour after episode 48. One-sided Akutsu/Taichi.
For You
By Ichigo Morino (7/9/03)
It's already getting dark. But that's all right, I guess. My legs are starting to hurt from running and walking. And my eyes sting a bit, even though tears've stopped coming for a while now. My chest hurts.
It's really getting dark, though. I wonder if they're looking for me? Sengoku-senpai told them to leave me alone for a bit, maybe. I'll just sit here under this tree, I don't think I can walk for much longer. It really hurts, my chest.
I can still talk to him, right? Even if he's leaving the tennis club, right? I'll still see him in the hallways, I'm sure. …right? And I've still got his headband. Well, it's mine now. But he gave it to me. Even though it's because he didn't need it anymore. So…so he didn't mind if I kept it.
Akutsu-senpai…why does everyone say you're scary? I don't think you're scary. You're great. You're awesome. I wish you wouldn't leave the tennis club, though. I don't want you to leave…
I think…I think I'm starting to cry again.
Do you really think I have what it takes to aim at being a tennis player, Akutsu-senpai? But…you don't ever "just say" things. Does that mean you're serious? Really…?
Akutsu-senpai! Why do you have to leave? Why can't you stay? You can't always win. People don't always win! But you always won, didn't you? I wonder if it hurt… I wonder if you felt weak…
I wish I could go after you. If it hurt, it isn't fair for you to hurt alone. But I'm afraid. I'm afraid to go after you. I thought that maybe, if I wasn't afraid of you, if I didn't draw back from you like everyone else, then maybe you'd let me be closer to you. But…did that really work? You're leaving the club anyway…
Still, I'm not afraid of you. I'll never be afraid of you…no matter what you do. I'm just…afraid of you getting mad at me. It doesn't look as if you like anything, or care about anything…I wonder if you'll always be like that.
I should wipe some of these tears off, but all I've got is my sleeve and that's getting pretty wet.
Akutsu-senpai, maybe I should stop sounding as if I know you that well. I really don't…I wish I did, though. But it doesn't look like you let people know you. They either do or they don't. And I don't. But I…I wish I did. I wish you'd let me, Akutsu-senpai…
I'll try. I'm going to really try. I'm going to stand on a tennis court and play. I'm going to practice until I collapse. I'll fight.
For you, Akutsu-senpai. So maybe, when I'm good, you'll notice me.
And for myself, too. So maybe I can actually be seen by you. Be noticed. Maybe you'll watch me, if even just for a few minutes. I'll even be happy with a few moments.
I'll see you again. And maybe you'll see me, too. Akutsu-senpai…
~ Owari ~
