Chapter 23: Deuces and Time-outs
Little Falcon: Alright, so much for my writer's block! Here I am trying to claw my way out, so please be patient okay? Read and review as always…
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
"If you're here then I am now certain of my conjecture," her hands were elegantly pouring tea for the old couple as her mind was somewhere distant.
Mr. Saiga's lips pressed into a thin line as he reluctantly nodded his head while his spouse suppressed a sob. "If you have noticed the things that other people cannot… then you are the only person we can rely on,"
Her chocolate brown eyes narrowed in remembrance as she moved across the ice with her free leg above her hip. As her mind continued to wander, people on the rink as well as mere spectators gaped at the exceptional combination of spins and jumps Sakuno was able to carry-out without a trace of hesitation. Finishing her training with a triple axel, the ice beneath her and around her began to form a vapor that indicated her exhaustion. The sound of cheers and applause woke her up from her trance. Blood immediately rose to her face as she wasn't used to the attention that was clearly dedicated to her.
"You should get used to it, kid," her young manager, still wearing that sleek suit, was waiting for her with a cup of warm chocolate in his hands.
"It's not like I'm doing this for fame and glory," sighed the tired skater as she sat on the bench and began to untie her skates.
A proud smile pulled up on the young manager's lips. This talent that he was currently nurturing never had a bit of arrogance even if she has every right to gloat. In her previous competition, he knew that Sakuno voluntarily stepped down from the Olympics position because of some reason he still can't fathom but the point was he KNEW that Sakuno should've been the one representing Japan right now in Russia! "Well aside from the prize money, those things come with winning, whether you like it or not," he handed her the hot chocolate she grew fond of drinking. "I still don't understand why you have to continue working,"
Midway thru tying her shoelace, she heard her manager's familiar and almost verbatim complaint. "I already quit two of my jobs to accommodate my trainings, I think that would suffice," as was her reply.
With a heavy sigh, the young man watched as Sakuno ran off to her part time job somewhere in some bookstore nearby. I really don't understand why you can't let go of tennis. You may not notice it but sooner or later, these harsh trainings will take effect on your health. Putting on his aviators, he looked back at the skating rink.
Their coach was ruthless more than ever, he demanded Spartan training almost thrice as much as before. He tolerated no weakness and listened to no excuse. Probably because this is the first time that the girl's Tennis team was up for championship or maybe because the boy's Tennis team was at par when it comes to skill with their opponent. Whatever the case maybe, he drove both of his teams to the limit.
Tennis in the mornings, job in the afternoons and skating in the evenings whoever said multitasking was easy? At the end of everyday, Sakuno slept like a log for only four hours and ate only two sparse meals in a hurry.
To everyone's surprise, the championship was delayed by the sponsor just to give way for a formal event in the hotel's grand ballroom. It wasn't compulsory to attend but every talent scout, media as well as renowned players that went out of their way just to see the games are attending so it might as well be an event you'll be crazy to miss. It is an open secret after all that would-be sponsors are more easily persuade by words than by games.
His feline-like eyes lazily coasted over the well-dressed public gathering inside the spacious ballroom. He had just finished talking to three big companies who were eager to support him in his future games, not that he needed any help but who was he to turn away from blessings that come willingly? For the countless time since he donned his sleek black suit, Echizen Ryoma sighed. Clearly, he wasn't a gregarious type; he preferred talking with his racket than with his mouth but that wasn't the reason for his ennui, there wasn't a single person in that room that held his attention… and the only person who can was surely not attending. Again, another long release of difficult breath before he strode off, ignoring several women attempting to catch his eye… and failing splendidly.
The in-house ensemble stopped playing, letting the emcee announce the start of the sponsor's prepared presentation. It was a given that the Ryuugan University students were the star of this number, knowing that it was their Prince who was the master of the party. The lights dimmed and focused on the cleared dance floor where a line of the male Ryuugan Tennis Team was standing adjacent to their female counterparts.
"Ne, who's the Prince's partner?" one woman whispered to her companion as they noticed the space intended was vacant.
It was like a surge of electricity, like a beep in his radar- he knew she's here. As if in cue, the crowd parted to make way for a woman wearing a maroon cocktail dress. A gold ribbon stylishly intertwined from below her breast and allover her torso, accentuating a figure that made every girl in the room arch an eyebrow. The hem just below her knees where her laced stilettos followed the same simple interlacement. Her long wavy hair held in a messy side ponytail by a gold cord. Almost like… no… exactly like a Greek goddess.
Her chestnut brown eyes looked forward but at no one in particular as she glided elegantly towards the dance floor. The only reason I'm here… is because… The music began with soft melody as the dancers stepped forward into their partner's arms in perfect synchronization.
His amber eyes narrowed in disbelief as he watched her back without even sparing him a decent glance and if that wasn't enough, here she was dancing gracefully with another guy! His blood boiled instantly as he saw Toushiro's hands touching her bare back but what made him almost erupt was the way the guy was staring at her- it was as if… as if he was sharing a private conversation with her.
"O-chibi-chan," the acrobatic Seigaku player glanced at the pair and back to their furious teammate. All the other Seigaku tennis team was also baffled and at awe to see her dancing so intimately with the other prince.
Ryoma was the very epitome of self control and self confidence… that was what he thought before. Not until now, not until this.
Only the strong strands of rationality held him back from prying Toushiro's filthy hands away from her. This overwhelming rage only came second to the fierce jealousy seething out of his very being. The moment he saw her never tearing her gaze away from her partner's, his self-esteem cracked followed by immense insecurity. Everything was all so new to him that he could barely understand himself as he remained rooted on his spot, watching the presentation grow into a crescendo.
Although every couple on the dance floor was superb, there was an unseen force that somehow compelled the audience to direct their attention at Saiga Toushiro and his partner. The way moved, the way their eyes were connected… everything they do seemed so perfect it was as if they had practiced the dance several times already. Elegant and passionate. As the melody was about to end, the Ryuugan Prince swept her off her feet, spun her several times before he leaned his face closer to hers.
His temper finally snapped but when he was pushing his way to the dance floor, the lights went out. Upon the return of appropriate lighting, Saiga Toushiro was standing alone and there were no signs of Sakuno anywhere.
10 minutes… I can only stay for that long… Her eyes held those trembling tears as she recalled what the Ryuugan Prince revealed. I'm sorry if for all the trouble I'm causing you… but you're the only one who can help me. Thrice now she's heard the same thing… it flattered and frightened her at the same time.
"What was that about?" She didn't have to turn around. She knew those light footsteps, that intoxicating cool water scent, that baritone voice… that exhilarating presence. Her mind struggled for a way out of this predicament but the confusion was far too severe to mend.
His heart stopped as he saw her tears. "Ryoma-kun… I…" the hesitancy in her voice was like a painful blow to his chest. Suddenly, an immense feeling of dread flooded his consciousness… he was going to lose her….
"You know what… I don't want to know anymore," he shook his head slightly before turning away. He didn't look back or even slowed down because he knew that she wouldn't make a move to stop him from walking away.
"We were the ones responsible for his fake death. It was for his own good," the wrinkles around Mr. Saiga's eyes grew more prominent as he held back his tears. "We don't want him to ruin the reputation he worked so hard to achieve. Its everything to Toushiro… everything,"
"Our son is talented… good at almost everything. He's a great boy… our Toushiro. We were afraid that if he was almost perfect… he'll have flaws somewhere we couldn't see and we were right…" she leaned against her spouse as she stifled her sobs.
"We didn't find that out until he was ten and even so he still showed promise in playing Tennis. His eyes lit up every time he's in a game… it made him normal for a while," the husband continued, his eyes staring directly into hers showing no shame. "You see, our son… is sick…"
Sakuno didn't display any hint of surprise at all. "Multiple personality disorder…" she said quietly. With her medical knowledge, she defined the condition in her head. The existence of two or more distinct personality structures within the same individual, any of which may dominate a particular time. Each personality is a complex unit with separate and well-developed emotional and thought process, behavior and social relationships. The various subpersonalities are usually dramatically different from one another and may or may not be aware of the existence of the others.
The aged couple merely nodded are tears ran down their cheeks. "One time he came home from the University, he started talking about a girl he saw practicing in the park. He kept telling every detail enthusiastically- about how she was so skilled and about how it was a waste that she wasn't playing in a team. Before we knew it, he became stable ever since!"
"But when… IT happened…" Mrs. Saiga's broken voice was barely audible. "He almost didn't make it out alive. When he opened his eyes, we knew that it wasn't our Toushiro. It was his other self… the one that remained dormant all those times. Please understand… we did what we thought was right,"
Because if the Tennis world knew about his mental illness, every great game he played would be forgotten and all that is left is a social stigma of being abnormal. Her chestnut brown eyes flinched in realization as her fists clenched in frustration.
"When I saw his racket in your hands, I knew you were the girl who helped him before…so please… help him again. Bring our Toushiro back… I beg of you…"
She stared after his retreating back until he was gone from her sight and probably gone from her life.
Little Falcon: Only a few more chapters until the end. Happy Holidays everyone! Read and review okay?