BP: Hello, everyone! This is the moment you've all been waiting for! Please note, I was trying to watch Beezlebub at the same time as I type this story. Most of the story is in flashbacks, and this is where you'll find our Pakura's background. She had quite an angsty background unfortunately. So, this chapter is dedicated to our favorite (and only) female champion, Pakura!
Mini-Drama
Jude: Alright! Here are the results:
Ryoma- 2 votes
Pakura- 2 votes
Philip: 2 votes
William- 2 votes
Tyler: 3 votes
Derek-1 vote
Christopher- 1 vote
Winner, TYLER!
Tyler: ….My ITM is going to be explained….
William: (laughs) Yes! Mine doesn't need to be revealed!
Ryoma: Yay! Tyler, our best friend, is going down with us! Right, Pakura?
Pakura: Yup! Our favorite artistic champion, Tyler, wins the poll fair and square!
Christopher: Everyone had at least one vote. Except….
Derek: Jude. I didn't know no one loves him
Pakura: Or maybe because they knew he was a playboy.
Jude: Hey! That hurt. And you beat up the girlfriends I bring to the castle as well. You even locked them in the dungeon!
Pakura: That's because your girlfriends intruded in my room and messed up with my stuff without my permission. I never forgot about the time they messed up with my dollhouse, and unwrapped the dollhouse size present boxes that took me 5 weeks to wrap up. They even messed with my dressing table, mind you. They are lucky they are still alive, albeit in a coma.
Jude: They like cute things. Cut them some slack.
Pakura: No.
Ryoma: Anyway, let's get back to the story! Tyler's ITM will appear a couple of omakes later. And so to let you know, the story continues from the omake. Enjoy the story!
Pakura: While the reader is trying to watch Beezlebub, write and read a novel at the same time…..
The next morning, during breakfast, Tyler spoke up. "Huh? Where's Pakura?" The champions stopped eating and looked around. Sure enough, Pakura was missing from the breakfast table. Ryoma thought about the muffled crying he heard in Pakura's room. "I'll go check on her. When Keigo comes in, tell him I'm attending to a few important matters." He got up, and went to Pakura's door. Surprisingly, it was (very) slightly ajar. He pushed the door wider, and an alcohol stench hits his nose. 'Is Pakura concocting medicine that is mainly alcohol?' he thought, and then his eyes landed on broken glass bottles. It was almost certain to be white liquor, he recognized the printing. He found his best friend, asleep on the table, and next to her were empty white liquor bottles! Ryoma ran over to her and shook her awake. "Pakura? Pakura? Oi, wake up!" Pakura lifted her head up, and wiped her eyes. "Oh? Hey, Ryoma. What's up?"
Ryoma frowned at her. "Don't what's up me. Look around you." Pakura did, and mentally slapped herself on the forehead. It seems like the captain has found out her addiction to alcohol. "I only want to ask this…..what has made you like this?" he whispered the question, as if he was desperate, as if not knowing would kill him. Pakura shook her head. "It's no use telling you, you had enough on your mind already." That's when Ryoma put his foot down. "Fine. Let's arm wrestle. If you win, you won't have to tell. If I win, you will tell me everything." Pakura smiled. "Sure." Obviously, Ryoma won, and smiling, he sat down on a chair across form her and said, "Now, you'll have to tell me everything."
Pakura closed her eyes, and began her story:
Pakura (age 5)
A little girl, around age five, was trying to practice throwing knives. She wanted to prove to her family that she was not just a girl. Her parents were disappointed that she wasn't born a male. She just wanted to prove she was worthy of the Goldstein family. She threw one of the knives and missed the target by several feet. She slumped to the ground with a huff. "Man, those things are heavy." she mumbled.
A voice spoke up from behind her. "It sure is, babe." Pakura turned around, frightened. "Who's there?" she said, her voice shaky. A boy, around a year older than her, but he cleared 4 foot 5 already, stepped out. "Now, what would a cute girl like you be doing in this empty training ground alone?" he smiled, leaning in towards her. Pakura backed to the tree trunk. "I'm Josh Richter. Why don't you go over to my place for some fun? I am sure being alone is boring." Pakura shook her head. "No thanks." Josh pressed closer to her, and whispered in her ear. "Come on, I won't hurt you, promise." Pakura watched in horror as he reached out a hand and stripped off her jacket. He laid a hand on her bare arm, and slid his hand up her arm.
That's when Pakura started to scream.
"Leave her alone." said another voice. Before Josh could turn, a tennis ball flew towards him and hit his face, knocking him out. "You alright?" said the boy, holding out a hand. He had dark brown hair and emerald green eyes. "Thank you." said Pakura, taking his hand. He started to walk away. "Er….may…I know your name?"
"My name?" the boy turned back and smiled. "It's Natsuhi Davenport." Pakura looked at the tennis racquet. So he played tennis, huh. Pakura smiled slightly as he walked away.
Pakura (age 7, when she first met Ryoma)
Pakura hit the tennis ball against the wall repeatedly. The ball kept hitting the same spot. She was determined to meet this boy again, this boy that saved her. She had been reading tennis magazines and watching matches on TV so that she could learn some moves. She wanted, no, needed to meet this boy again, even if she has to learn this sport. She missed the ball and the ball flew, and hit a person on the forehead. Pakura ran towards the boy who had fallen. He seemed to be knocked out.
Pakura sighed, and searched him. She found his wallet with a small address card on it. She half-carried, half dragged him to the said address on the card, struggling to carry her tennis equipment at the same time. She knocked on the door, and a woman with a brown bun answered. 'Yes, can I- Ryoma! What happened?" she asked Pakura, as they carried him to the bedroom. "Sorry, auntie, I accidentally knocked him out with my tennis ball." Pakura said sheepishly.
"I'll take my leave now." Pakura bowed, and was about to leave when she heard someone call "Wait!" she turned. It was the boy. "Mum, I watched her practice tennis just now! She had amazing accuracy and strength!" said the boy excitedly.
"Who hits with accuracy and strength, Ryoma?" said a man, walking in. His eyes fell on Pakura "Oh! Look, a guest! Who are you?" Pakura bowed. "My name's Pakura Goldstein, uncle."
"Such nice manners too!" exclaimed the man. "So, who were you talking about just now?"
"Her, dad!" said Ryoma.
"Hmm, really? Let's have a match now, Pakura!"
Pakura smiled. "Anytime."
After the match…
"Ryoma's right. You do hit with strength and accuracy. Who taught you tennis?"
"No one. I learned it just by reading magazines and watching TV."
"I see. How would you like to come by my house every day and train? I can see potential in you?"
Pakura nodded. "Ok!"
Pakura (age 8, first day in tennis club at Bellport Grade School)
Ryoma and Pakura were chatting to each other excitedly. Ryoma waved a hand while talking, and accidentally hit a 10 year old big sized boy. The said boy immediately grabbed his shirt and lifted him up, demanding for an apology. Ryoam smirked, and said, "Why don't we settle this with a match?" The big boy smirked. "Anytime you're ready, half pint."
Of course, Ryoma won 6-0. The boy was so angry he threw his racquet towards Ryoma. But, someone blocked it in time. The boy stepped on the courts and said coldly, "Urquhart, 40 laps around the courts now!" The boy nodded, and went to run his laps. Pakura immediately recognized the boy. It was Natsuhi Davenport.
Natsuhi's eyes fell on her, and smiled. "So, we meet again."
Pakura (age 10)
"Hey, Pakura, did you know?" said Natsuhi.
"Know what?" said Pakura.
"When a person play doubles with another, he and the partner will have a special bond. This bond allows them to understand each other and nothing will keep them apart. They will unite to be one person when they play tennis together. Not only that, they may be able to apply this teamwork in real life as well."
"It sounds cool!" said Pakura.
"Do you want to try it?" said Natsuhi.
"Yeah!" Pakura said, nodding.
"Paku…"
"Yeah?"
"Let's be together….forever…"
Pakura nodded enthusiastically, saying, "Ok!"
Pakura (age 15, the picking of the ITM players)
By then, Natsuhi and Pakura were well known to be the best doubles player in America. They understood each other too well, and can even finish each other's sentences without hesitation.
"Welcome, to the 68th Intensive Tenisa Matches! Our school was lucky enough to be picked to participate in this ITM. Now, ladies first!" said the principal, picking out a name from the glass ball. She opened the paper and read, "Pakura Goldstein!" Pakura went up the stage, trembling. "Now, for the boys!" she picked out the paper from another glass ball, and read out, "Natsuhi Davenport!" Pakura widened her eyes in horror.
They were picked together.
Pakura (age 15, when she was about to be launched to the arena)
"I'm scared, Ryoga." said Pakura, hugging her mentor. "I don't want to go to the launch area. I don't want to play against Natsuhi" She was dressed in her school's tennis outfit, and her tennis equipment is ready. Ryoga hugged her back, and said, "Shh, it's alright, sweetheart. Don't worry, just run when you hear the gong, and observe others from your hiding place. Then, after you gathered enough info, you challenge them, and use the info to your advantage." He kissed her on the cheek. "Good luck, Pakura."
Pakura trembled, and stepped to the launch area. The glass closed, separating her from her mentor. The plate is lifting, sending her to the arena.
Pakura (in the ITM)
Pakura dodged fireballs and ran. She was sure it's a trap to make sure the players get together and fight. She widened her eyes at the person in front of her and tried to change direction, but it was too late. The force field erupted, and she was trapped in with the boy. She had to play against him if she wanted to get out. She didn't want to play against this boy.
Because the boy was Natsuhi.
"I guess this is it, Paku." said Natsuhi. "Let's play all out, and have no regrets." Just then, he coughed. "What's wrong, Natsuhi?" Natsuhi smiled. "Nothing." He wiped his hand on the tree trunk. Unbeknownst to her, there was blood on the spot where Natsuhi wiped his blood on. "Well, I'll serve then."
The match was an intense one. Both of them were trying to find out who was stronger among the two. They were playing against the person that supported them, backed them up, and this time, they did not have each other's backs, because they are playing against the person that had their backs all along. The match was silent, only with the hitting of balls with racquets. Neither wanted to give in.
Finally, Natsuhi won 7-6. Pakura was on her knees, panting. She was about to say something, when something warm dripped on her face.
Drip…
Drip…
Drip…
She took a finger and wiped off the substance. It was BLOOD! She looked up in alarm, only to find Natsuhi coughing out blood. Natsuhi's racquet fell to the floor with a loud thump. The sound it made as it touched the hard ground delivered a dreadful sense of finality. The boy's body followed his racket on the ground. Pakura jumped over the net, and caught him. His hand reached out to touch Pakura's face. "Sing." He whispered.
Pakura composed herself, before singing the first thing she could think up of.
"Natsuhiboshi, Why are you so red.
Because, I had a sad dream last night.
My eyes are red from the tears I've shed.
Swollen as I cried.
Natsuhiboshi, Why've you lost your way?
I'm searching for a love whom I've lost afar.
He can't be found, though I've searched all day.
My sad dreams come once more."
"You have to win." said Natsuhi, giving her wrist an iron grip.
"I will. Going to for the both of us now."
"Live life to the fullest, Pakura."
"Yes."
"Can you do me one last favor?"
"Anything." She said, starting to cry, because she's losing her doubles partner. She hugged him tighter, as if she could keep him here just by hugging him.
"Kiss me."
Pakura leaned forward, pressing her lips to Natsuhi's chilled ones in a sweet chaste kiss. "Please, stay with me." Pakura begged. "I can't…." she sobbed, unable to finish her sentence. Natsuhi smiled, and said, "Always." Then, he closed his eyes, and his cannon fires. Pakura threw her racquet across the court and started crying. They would want her to clear out now, so that they could collect his body, to be cleaned up, redressed and shipped in a simple wooden box back to New Day Academy. She hated the ITM. They took Natsuhi away. But what kept her going was her promise to win.
It's not until she'd won the last match, despite the fact that she had yips, she wouldn't give up, for Natsuhi until she was alone in the room, she allowed herself to break down. To cry. To be weak. To not be Natsuhi's partner anymore.
Tennis isn't the same. The matches she played after Natsuhi's proved it well. There's emptiness on the other side of the court that hasn't been there before. Singles had never seemed so lonely. Suddenly, doubles wasn't for her. And neither was tennis. Because tennis has taken Natsuhi away from her. She felt like she's once more five years old, but this time, without tennis or Natsuhi to save her. She has become lost.
Natsuhi would say it was time Pakura became independent. She didn't have to be his support any longer. Unfortunately, the only thing Pakura wanted was to play tennis against the one who had showed her how tennis and could help her in life, and what it meant to be alive. Some say time will help. But she didn't know if it would help her or not. Because if Natsuhi had never left that arena then neither had she.
After her victory, she had nightmares.
His smile, his laugh, his emerald green eyes, , how she cried, how he held her, how he whispered things softly into her ear, how he looked at her, how he told her they were forever. They all haunted her dreams, torturing her. Because the dreams made them seem close, when really they couldn't be farther away. The dreams made them seem real, when really the only reality she had was one where Natsuhi was dead.
She drank to forget at this point. She did this because of the traumatic experiences and memories of the ITM. Also, because the chances of winning tend to be skewed in favor of the Chess Pieces, she had to watch the players whom she have personally trained as a mentor die.
"I took up the role of president for Natsuhi's sake. I learned how to play the musical instruments he loved so much while he was alive. I lived for his sake, for him. I ran away from home after I won, because I can't stand my family, who is always so controlling of my life. In fact, they even arranged marriage with Josh Richter at some point. After that, you were chosen. I trained you very hard, because I didn't want to lose you too. Ryoga had graduated by the time, and also, I saw no hope on Rachel, the girl who always stutters and she had no sense of direction and her posture was all wrong, so I placed all my hopes on you. I trained you even harder when I realized Josh was inside as well. I needed you to come back alive, to get your revenge. I then forced you to train with me as doubles, because I felt so lonely on the court. One day, there was an explosion in one of the malls, and I heard it killed my entire family. I had no one left. No one needs me here. " Pakura said, wiping the tears off her face. "No one needs me." she started wailing. "God has given me everything, but all I needed was someone to love me! I was so jealous of you! What did you have that I didn't?" She stood up, and shook Ryoma by his shoulders. "No one needs me here." She stopped shaking him and started sobbing. Ryoma brought Pakura to his chest. "I do. I need you. So does the other champions. Right, William?" he shouted to the door. The door opened, revealing the other six champions. The other six, looking solemn, gathered in a circle and gave Pakura a group hug. "We all are family. We love you. We need you" They said in unison. Pakura accepted a napkin handed to her by Tyler. Pakura let out a small smile. "Thank you, everyone!"
As Pakura was dragged over to the karaoke center by her friends, she silently smiled. 'Maybe, they are my family.'
Omake (Poll)
William: Hello, everyone, as you can see, after hearing Pakura's story, she just needed someone to love!
Tyler: That's right! Now, we let you fans vote for her boyfriend!
William: Oh she had some criteria though.
Tyler: 1. He must be older than her
William: 2. They must not be the ones that believe Seigaku's lie
Tyler: Erm…only Rikkaidai didn't believe that big fat whooper of a lie, including some from Hyotei, like Atobe, but he's taken.
William: Well, They can vote for high schoolers right?
Tyler: But Pakura's one of the oldest in our team! I mean, she's the same age as Sanada, Yukimura, Tezuka, Fuji…
William: Don't mention the Seigaku players' names in front of me!
Tyler: Ok, ok. Anyway, do vote in your reviews!
William: The author is aiming for 90 reviews for this story, so she'll update faster if she gets 90 reviews!
Tyler: And do tell us what you think of this chapter!
William: Do note, she was watching Beezlebub, reading and writing at the same time, so it may be bad. Wait, what's that laughter?
Tyler: She's turned back to the funny part in episode 8 , where the boy asked the girl to become the baby's mother.
William: Oh, I love that part, too!
Tyler: Anyway, do vote in your reviews
William: And help make the review number become 90!
T&W: See you in the next chapter!