"That's…not normal." Yuushi again adjusted his glasses and looked over at Keigo who was watching the match intently.
Being over six feet tall and only a seventh grader, the first year definitely qualified for being 'huge'. He stood patiently as his opponent served. The first year easily returned the ball. They began rallying and despite his size, he was fast. His opponent was growing tired and was pulling every trick in the bag to gain the upper hand. However, any effort was thwarted as the first year returned each shot perfectly and in the exact same manner. It was clear his opponent was getting frustrated while he just kept attacking the ball calmly and without emotion.
After a short while, the match was at last over. The first year had won and walked towards his opponent to shake his hand, but the other just brushed his hand away and sulked off, leaving the first year standing alone on the court.
"Well, I'm gonna go home now…" Jiroh finished with a yawn and began to walk away. Yuushi followed behind.
"So, does he make the team?" He asked as he walked away. Keigo continued to stand there watching the first year slowly gather his things and walk off the court.
"Perfect. The team is set…We will be the best." He declared to nobody in particular.
After that, nothing exciting or notable happened so Keigo decided it was time to leave. Everybody had finally finished their matches and were heading home. On his way out, Keigo heard a commotion on the other side of the clubhouse. As he turned the corner he found the source of the noise.
The 'huge' first year was crouching low to the ground as a group of third years surrounded him and began pushing him around.
"Not so tough now, are you?" The speaker was the severely beaten third year. The boy on the ground said nothing and just stared blankly forward.
"What a freak Not only is he a monster, but he doesn't have any emotions either." Another third year said as he kicked at the first year.
Keigo watched with disdain at their behavior. Even though he knew they were not actually harming him physically, Keigo could tell, even with the blank expression, that it was really bothering the first year and hurting more on a mental level. He felt sorry for the first year and decided it was his duty to stop the third years and defend the lower classman. Keigo set down his tennis bag and pulled out his racquet and a tennis ball.
Physical contact was not one of Keigo's favorite means of confrontation. However, he was decent with a racquet and tennis ball. Tossing the ball high in the air, Keigo brought his racquet over his shoulder and smashed it into the back head of one of the third years. The ball bounced off his head and came back to Keigo.
"Who the-…Hey! What do you think you're doing?...Wait, I know you, you're that second year brat who-…"
"Totally crushed you." Keigo finished the phrase triumphant and with a confident smirk. He now knew he had all of their attention. His smirk quickly turned into a scornful frown.
"What kind of pathetic sore losers are you? Are you so low as to feel better about losing by ganging up on an underclassman?" The third years stood speechless at Keigo's sudden lecture. Fortunately for them, Keigo had plenty to say to make up for the loss in words.
"You're supposed to be the models and leaders. Bur right now, you don't even deserve to play on this team. You only show how much of a low-class, uncivilized thug you are." Keigo paused momentarily to make solid eye contact with each and every third year before continuing. "If you had even a small fraction of honor and self-respect, you would have challenged your opponent again and defeated hi on the tennis courts."
As Keigo was ranting and lecturing, the poor first year just sat on the ground staring at Keigo. He had never seen a person who could talk so much and talk so condescendingly to upperclassmen. Most surprising of all, was that Keigo was defending him. It had been the first time anybody took time to stand up for him and consider hima normal human being who had feelings. He became transfixed with Keigo and continued to listen.
"But of course, the only thing you can do is gang up on him, push him around and call him names," Keigo pointed his racquet at one of the third years. "The only monster and freak around here is you." He glared at the third years. Rarely did Keigo get angry, but after watching the third years and their poor antics, he was furious. He was actually surprised at himself for giving such a long and meaningful speech over one little event.
Too surprised, confused, and exhausted from Keigo's little diatribe, the third years gave up and just stormed off, leaving the two boys alone. Keigo put away his racquet and tennis ball and walked toward the other boy.
"Why didn't you stand up for yourself? You're more than capable to stop them." He asked. There was no response from the younger boy. He just sat there staring at Keigo.
"Hm…Gues you're one of those simple, silent types." He still received no response. Despite not hearing an answer, Keigo grew thoughtful and continued to have a one-sided conversation.
"You know, you shouldn't let what they say get to you. It doesn't matter what everybody else says." Keigo was about to continue when he was interrupted by a deep, but quiet voice.
"But…I'm always called that…" Keigo watched the first year surprised more at how soft spoken he was than anything else. The first year trailed off at the end of his explanation, suddenly feeling depressed again. Keigo nodded his head slowly and thoughtfully.
"I see. Yes, I suppose it would get difficult after a while, wouldn't it?" Keigo watched at how the other boy nodded his head in a melancholy manner. "But then again…maybe they're right?" He said thoughtfully. The first year tilted his head slightly to the side, both curious and confused.
"If everybody calls you that…then maybe you really are a freak or a monster…" The first year grew more and more confused by the minute. He had no idea as to why this person stood up for him a few minutes ago, but now says everybody is right.
"But is that necessarily a bad thing?" Keigo paused again to collect his thoughts. "It just means you have something they don't. It sets you apart and depending on how you use it, you can go beyond those normal people who merely fear what they cannot ever hope to accomplish." The younger boy was slowly and gradually beginning to understand where Keigo was going.
"I suppose when people say somebody's special, it's a sugarcoated way of saying, 'you're a freak and a weirdo.'" Keigo glanced at the other boy and received a nod to continue. "It's pointless to say everybody is special. If everybody is special then everybody is normal." He nodded his head in agreement with himself. "Therefore, everybody is not special. Of course, each person has something that is unique to them, but that doesn't mean special. Those who are referred to and considered freaks and monsters are the ones who truly stick out from the rest and earn the title of 'special'…So really, in the end, the ones who make a lasting impression are the ones who step beyond the confines of normalcy and reach the goal of their limitless potential." Keigo stood triumphantly as he finished his speech. The other boy stared in awe at the upperclassman. Never had he witnessed a single person talk so much about one thing.
"Oh, by the way, my name's Keigo Atobe." He stuck out his hand. The other boy stood up and then had to look down to meet the older boy's gaze.
"Munehiro Kabaji." They shook hands and then Keigo grabbed his tennis bag and began walking away. As he was leaving, he glanced over his shoulder and noticed Kabaji was still standing there.
"Go home already." Keigo called out.
"Usu." was the simple response. Keigo chuckled and continued to walk home.