BP: For those who wonder why some of the stronger ones are eliminated on the first day, it's because I eliminated them randomly. Whichever name I can think up of, I'll eliminate them first. I'm sorry if you don't like my choice. Also, the final 16, I chose who I like. I had to include Tezuka (because of the plan), Atobe and the Rikkaidai players, and the Two Wings of Kyushu, because I know they are one of the strongest players.
Ryoma knew why they called it the light version of the ITM. First of all, the supplies are provided by the coaches before the event itself (In the real one, they had to FIGHT for supplies), there are no deaths (Lucky them. You will die if you lose three times. They just get disqualified), they fight in a constant environment and condition (They change in the real ITM), and the most important of all, they most likely won't get nightmares from the light version of the ITM because they did not experience the trauma of the true ITM.
"So, I have the names of the champions you are going to face. The matches will last four days, and each champion would have to play a match against their designated opponents for the next four days. For the benefit of the champions, I would show them the list, to make sure they know who their opponents are." She pressed a button on the remote, and the list appeared at the screen.
Yukimura Seiichi - William Anderson (1) and Pakura Goldstein (2)
Sanada Genichiro - Jude Harrison (4) and Philip Robinson (2)
Niou Masaharu - Derek Evans (4) and Philip Robinson (1)
Yagyuu Hiroshi - Christopher McKiddie (3) and William Anderson (4)
Yanagi Renji – Tyler Clearwater (2) and Derek Evans (1)
Atobe Keigo – Christopher McKiddie (1) and Derek Evans (3)
Oshitari Yuushi – Philip Robinson (4) and Tyler Clearwater (3)
Muhaki Gakuto – Christopher McKiddie (2) and Jude Harrison (1)
Oshitari Kenya – Ryoma Echizen (2) and Tyler Clearwater (1)
Shiraishi Kuranosuke – Jude Harrison (2) and Philip Robinson (3)
Chitose Senri – Jude Harrison (3) and Tyler Clearwater (4)
Tezuka Kunimitsu – Pakura Goldstein (3) and Ryoma Echizen (4)
Tachibana Kippei – Ryoma Echizen (1) and William Anderson (3)
Kamio Akira – Pakura Goldstein (4) and Derek Evans (2)
Shinji Ibu – Ryoma Echizen (3) and Christopher McKiddie (4)
Takahisa Kajimoto – Pakura Goldstein (1) and William Anderson (2)
Ryoma raised his eyebrows. At least, he didn't need to go against Keigo. Instead, he had to go against Tezuka, Tachibana, Kenya and Shinji. Coach Mabi said, "Oh, and the number next to the champions' names means what day you are going to have the match with them." Ryoam checked the numbers next to his name. So, it means he's going to play with them in this order: Tachibana, Kenya, Shinji and finally, Tezuka. "So, we will begin tomorrow. Everyone can go back to their rooms now." With that, the teams were dismissed. Ryoma immediately ran to Atobe's side, hugging him in front of everyone, congratulating him for getting in the final 16. Atobe, of course, hugged him back and thanked him. Pakura smiled at the scene, and walked away with her fellow champions, knowing Atobe would catch up later. Unfortunately, she walked past Fuji, and as soon as he saw her, he called out to her. "Hey, Princess!" Pakura groaned. Since when did she allow him to call her Princess? "What is it, Fuji?" she said, making sure to keep her bored tone. Fuji gave his signature smile. "I heard you are going up against Tezuka on the third day. I just wanted to wish you good luck."
"Whatever." she said, walking away.
"Hey, is that they way to treat a person who wished you good luck?" said Fuji.
"I don't see why I need any luck. Your captain doesn't look strong. Are you sure you guys are National Champions?" Pakura shook her head. "Anyway, the champions and I show no interest in you Seigaku regulars, since only one made it to the matches anyway." Just then, Ryoma and Atobe arrived, in time to see Fuji walk away, looking pretty angry. "What's going on?" said Atobe. Tyler shook his head. "Nothing much."
"Anyway, let's go back to our floor." Ryoma suggested. They did, and once they arrived, they went to their respective rooms. Once the door was closed, Ryoma walked towards Atobe, and lied on the bed next to him. They sighed contentedly. "You know, Keigo, I hope you will get in the team. I would love for more opportunities to play against you." Atobe smiled. "Me too, Ryoma." He turned and wrapped his arms around Ryoma's waist. Ryoma responded by turning, and snuggling into the warmth. He sighed as the warmth of Atobe's body is perfect for the air conditioned room. Atobe stroked Ryoma's hair. "So finally, the camp is ending soon." Ryoma nodded. "After the matches, they are going to hold a farewell party for all of us. We are going to have to be prepped again for the party. I can't wait for that day. I mean, so much has happened. Take Pakura, for instance. She arrived here wearing a cold expression on her face, and now, look how happy she is."
"It was thanks to you that they got together though." Atobe pointed out.
"Yeah, I figured it's time to get her to start dating again. After all, even when she is depressed, she had helped me a lot, and I wanted to do something for her in return. I respect her because she's deeply principled. She told me she would rather not have a boyfriend than one who is only using her for money of the fact that she is a champion or for any reason, really, except that he likes her for her, and nothing else."
"And in the end, she got what she wanted." Atobe grinned.
Ryoma nodded. "As I spent more time with her in America, shortly after I became champion and gained the fame, I realized it all boils down to this: The people who were your friends before you gained the champion title are the people who are going to be your best friends no matter what. Because they're the ones who love you for you- you in all your cockiness and arrogance- and not because of what they can get out of you. Weirdly, in some instances, even the people who were your rivals before you got famous can end up being better friends than the people you become friends with after you become famous. Even if everyone now believes me, I still need my friends, more than ever. Because they might just be the only people who are willing to tell you the truth. I realized it's lonely being a champion. Luckily for me, I had fabulous friends before I was the ITM Champion."
Atobe was impressed with what Ryoma said. His mentor is a wise person and she cared for Ryoma despite her indifference towards people who she injures and her sadism when it comes to mentoring. "Your mentor really taught you well." said Atobe, kissing Ryoma on the lips. Atobe felt him nod against his head as he returned the kiss. Since they had one day before the final matches, they may as well just catch some alone time together. Meanwhile, in Pakura's penthouse, Pakura was sharpening one of her knives. "So, you're going against Tezuka on the third day, huh?" said Ryoga. Pakura nodded. She sharpened her knife and said, "I'll defeat him if this is the last thing I do!" she threw the knife across the room, and hit an insect that happened to be crawling up her wall. Ryoga said, "Your knife throwing skills are as sharp as ever!"
Pakura smirked. "It's because of my weapons training I have strength. Not even Tezuka could lift my bow, do you know that?"
Ryoga looked intrigued. "Seriously?"
Pakura nodded. "They tried to steal my bow once, as revenge for Ryoma locking them out of the elevator." Ryoga stifled a laugh. "He can't even lift your bow? That's pathetic."
"Unfortunately, that's true." Pakura shrugged. "Perhaps it's the fact that I trained harder than them. I only cared about training and studying and not my appearance or body shape when I was younger. I mean, you don't have to get expensive clothes. You just have to look good in them. Anyway, I was just like you. I ran away from home."
"You what?" said Ryoga incredulously.
"It's not because I wanted to, Ryoga." She slumped on the bed. "It's because after I won, my mother immediately arranged that I will marry a guy called Josh Richter as soon as I turn 18. I wasn't happy because for all these years, they treated me like the family's shame just because I am a girl, and just before I went out of the house, I mentioned that ITM Champions do get their own houses. When they heard it, they expected me to share it with them because they are my family. As if I'll do that, since they are such horrible people in the first place. So, I slapped my mother and left."
"Wow. By the way, what happened to them?" said Ryoga.
"Well, do you know about the recent explosion of the Manhattan Mall?" Ryoga nodded.
"It turns out, my parents and brother, Blake perished in the explosions. My other brother, Chase, had gotten into drugs and fighting with gang members, and ended up in jail. He died in jail a few years ago. "I'm not sorry they died in the explosions, though I was the only living Goldstein member left. I didn't even get a chance to apologize to my mother for slapping her, but then again I'm not sorry!"
Ryoga went over and sat next to her on the bed. He placed an arm around her shoulder. "You're one brave person, sweetheart."
Brave person? Her? No, she wasn't brave. She was broken, forced to be independent at a young age. What she didn't tell anyone was, she still had not forgotten about Natsuhi. She was empty. All of these people partying around her, and she was empty. Her jet black hair was shining softly in the sunlight. But no amount of makeup could and would hide the deadness in her eyes, the emptiness that overpowered that sapphire blue. She was wearing that blue dress at her post victory interview, sitting next to Gerald.
It was as if something in her brain had disconnected. These people weren't her people. They weren't the people that she needed. She needed Natsuhi.
Right now, she wasn't as broken as she was in the past, it's true, but the memories still linger, haunting her dreams. Whether or not Pakura would get over Natsuhi's death—only time would tell.
"To be honest," Natsuhi confessed, while taking his last breaths in her arms "I hope I can forget about you."
Pakura was fine with that.
She didn't need to be remembered by someone that would disappear soon.
She had been startled to feel moisture collecting in front of her eyes the minute she remembered that piece of memory while she was in the arena, and now she was even more alarmed by the feeling of salty wetness brimming over her eyelids and dripping down her cheeks. "I'm not brave, Ryoga." She whispered. "And I never will be." Ryoga brought her down to his chest while she cried. He knew she was still plagued by the nightmares. No one was free from the ITM after all. It's even worse when you see your loved ones being chosen along with you and die in front of you. "Shh, it's alright, sweetheart." said Ryoga. He leaned in to muffle her cries, making his lips connect with Pakura's. His other palm rose to blanket her other cheek, and wipe the tears on the way. She immediately responded by wrapping her arms around Ryoga's neck.
She made the right choice. She will forget about Natsuhi, and devote everything to Ryoga.
She had made the right choice, she is trying to convince herself that.
"It's all right, sweetheart. I'm not leaving you. Ever." said Ryoga.
She made the right choice, and she knew it.
Back to Ryoma and Atobe…
"So that's how you made it to the Final 16 for the light version of the ITM. But, compared to the real champions of the ITM, you are still Mada Mada Dane."
"Yeah, I know. You sure you are not nervous?" said Atobe.
Ryoma shook his head. "No. I have been training for three years for this moment. I can't wait for the day I am having a match with Tezuka. He will be defeated so fast he wouldn't know what hit him."
Atobe sighed. "Knew you'd say that. But that's what I like about you." He said, before leaning in for a kiss with Ryoma.
Ryoma broke the kiss, and smiled. He really had a wonderful boyfriend, to be standing by his side, even when everyone hates him, and he didn't back down even when his team accused him of 'fraternizing with the enemy'.
His life is perfect.
Omake (William Anderson)
Hi, you all know who I am. I am William Anderson, and some of you may remember me being one of the two victims of Inui Juice (Yeah I know) Anyway, I was picked to represent my school for the ITM. I won at the 66th ITM. My heart was pounding as the circular plate lifted me into the arena. I tried to calm down, as the gong counted down to 0. When the gong sounded, I didn't hesitate as I sprinted for the backpack 20 yards to my left, and then I cleared out. I already had to play with someone from All Hallows High School on the first day. I quickly finished her up, and ran to a safe place.
I usually wait until players are tired out form winning then I challenge them. It's worked so far, because due to their low stamina, they missed easy balls from me. I tried to block out the screams of players as they are electrocuted. I really did, but those screams would still be embedded in my mind forever. I took their supplies and walked away, trying not to look at their corpses. My partner died on the third day, apparently she lost three times. I do not know much about her, other than the fact that she likes to show off her looks and pretty clothes. Well, I doubt anyone would miss her anyway.
Finally, it was the Final Two. I was pitted against a boy from I don't know what school, we were playing and suddenly, we found ourselves sinking in quicksand! Since I was shorter than him, I would be the first to sink completely, meaning he will win! No, I had my family and friends waiting for me back home. I can't afford to die! I tried to remember what I could about quicksand. If I increase the surface area, I will reduce the pressure on the ground, and I will float! I took the position of a dead person, and sure enough, I felt my legs lifting. I crawled out of the quicksand, and watched my opponent continue struggling for life. "Help me…I don't want to die…" he said as his head sunk into the marsh. His mouth was filled with congealed mud, so he couldn't speak. There were some bubbles floating on the surface for a few minutes, then no more. The cannon fires and I won.
We are all doing this only for self-defense. Watching people die in the ITM is a norm. But how many people in Japan would know that?
BP: Yeah, I know it's bad, because I was watching Beezlebub while writing this…again. Well, do review, though. Reviews encourage me to write more!