autumnleaf16

Isn’t it true that you should do stuff that make you happy when you are in a bad mood? So I will do this, typing up total random stuff because I just want to (in conclusion I’m just justifying the random stuff I will be typing). But on a serious note I am feeling a bit down, it’s one of these days when I kind of feel that I am being chocked, being strangled as I can’t say what I really want to say. The thing is, my mum is going back to Taiwan for about a month so I don’t really want to complain to her, as that will make her really worried. It’s the whole…it’s the least I can do to let her enjoy her trip, by not making her really worried about what will happen if she is not there. But still, that feeling is really uncomfortable.

But anyway, it is announced that prince of tennis is going to release volume 40.5 and unlike 30.5, which just contain drawings, 40.5 is going to have information! Hurray! So we can finally have official information about Shitenhouji (and Higa chuu too but I don’t really care about them). But basically…hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Official information about Shiraishi! I’m so excited! And maybe we can finally know who the heck their mysterious player number nine is! (second greatest mystery to me in the prince of tennis world. First- just what is wrong with Shiraishi’s left hand?) But any way, apparently there’s a list of questions which the reader can answer and the author will probably do the totals or something. Eg. who everyone think is the most scary person. So here is my answer. (I got all this info from a Chinese site)

1- Who you would like to be your boyfriend… (NOTE: The original word used is unisex but it doesn’t translate into English well…)
Definitely Shiraishi Kuranosuke! I always get the impression that he’ll be a great boy friend. He seems very gentle and also sensitive to what other people are feeling in the sense that he will always notice if you feel a bit down. And he just seems really the type of guy who will always be there for you. He is also not someone who is really dull, because the whole poisoned hand thing kinds of prove that he can be humorous. I also think he is very patient (I mean, how can anyone put up with looking after Kintarou is they lack patience?)

But on the other hand, one aspect of his character does bring his mark down. Somehow I think he might actually choose tennis over his girlfriend- as he is the captain and burdened with a very strong sense of responsibility. Although I think he will be really sorry, and that would always be something that make him feel really guilty and painful. I think I really used this idea in my fan fiction “Sacrifice”.

But I think when it come to that situation of, he just really need Watanabe to tell him that he doesn’t need to go that far. That no one is forcing him to make a choice between his girl friend and tennis.

But seriously, if I really am in the prince of tennis world and I can choose, then I would choose Shiraishi without a second thought.

2- Who you would like to be your younger brother…
Kintarou! Although I don’t know how I will be able to control him without any poisoned hands (laughs). But despite him addressing elders without any suffix (which is quite rude) I think he’ll be a really cute little brother (beside, I don’t really like the whole idea of suffixes that are forced). I can also see him immediately standing up for you whenever something happens to you, and yet relies on you to help him out.

Basically, I think Kintarou is one of those extreme people in following the good to my friends and dangerous to my enemies principle.

3- Who you would like to be your elder brother…
Yagyuu, because of the whole gentleman thing, I think that will make him get on really well with you if you are a girl, but not a boy. I am saying that he will make a really good elder brother for a younger sister, but not a younger brother. I think because he is a gentleman he’ll be really courteous to his younger sister, which is good, instead of letting his sister start to feel despair about the opposite sex. And somehow I think he will actually be able to get along with a younger sister due to his characteristic, which would work against a younger brother.

I guess for me, I definitely would rather have this sort of elder brother, who will listen to me and not be really rude in the way boy can be rude to girls. Who would be a very good guidance, very kind and never tease the way some brothers like to do. (This is so hard to express…) But if he is a little brother then you probably wouldn’t like him that much as he’ll seem too aloof.

Also, I can see this what if scene…Person 1 is Yagyuu, and person 2 is his younger sister.
2: “Oniichan! Someone picked on me today…”
1: “Really? Oniichan will handle this.”
Next day…
2: “Oniichan, what did you do to them? Not one of them dared to approach me.”
1: (smiles in a very gentleman manner): “Oh, Oniichan just had a talk with them.)
NOTE: Yagyuu really does have a sister, so I guess I should say I can see the above scene as having happened.

I can also see Shiraishi as being a very good elder brother, and he kind is being one to Kintarou already. He definitely show that he will be a very good one, affectionate to his younger brother, although he would step in to make sure his brother is out of control.

By the way someone the opposite of Yagyuu is Sengoku, although I don’t exactly want him to be my younger brother. But he’ll be pretty cute if he is your younger brother as: “Oneechans’ friends are so pretty!” Friends: “Oh your little brother is such a sweet boy.” As opposed to an elder brother, your friends would be saying this instead: “Her elder brother is such a pervert…”

4- Who you would like to be your tennis coach…
Watanabe Osamu. Because I think he is the type of coach who would cheer for you really enthusiastically if you did something right, and you will feel that he is really sincere (I can see him yelling and screaming in celebration on your behalf), that he really is happy at your success. As well as telling you that “It’s ok if you didn’t succeed, we will keep on trying until you get it right, and you will get it.” I think he will be really encouraging too, he will convince you that you can succeed. In my opinion, this is the best type of coach/teacher.

A really scary thought suddenly enters my mind…Sanada: “(slap) we do not tolerate failures in Rikkai, even if this is the first try!” Seriously, I don’t think he’ll do that but it is just that his whole ‘Rikkai will excel in everything’ can be pretty scary. I was so shocked when I saw him slap Kirihara just because Kirihara lost. (however, on his defence- the other third years certainly all agrees. Heck, Yanagi Renji even literally told Sanada to hit him for losing) so it is not as if he is being a tyrant, quite the opposite really as he make his team mate hit him when he lost.

5- Who you would like to be your tutor in school work…
Niou, I think he will be able to teach you the best way to study, he can probably guess the question of the exam quite well so you will only need to study what is going to come up in the exam, I can also see him helping you to write a good essay with minimum research as he’ll teach you the best way to write it- all the technicality. Basically my believe is this, with Niou as the tutor, you can pass with flying colours without needing to study that much as he will be able to work out the exam so teach you what you need to know the most. Although the disadvantage is that he will probably charge you an unusually high amount of fees and even convince you that this is a low price.

6- Who is the most scary person when they get mad?
I find this question really interesting because I’ve actually got a lot of people…so this is ranked.

Top price goes to Yukimura (not normal for someone to smile that much and if you consider the fact that Sanada is so devoted to him, Yukimura must be pretty scary) Hence I think the real Yukimura is very scary, and what make him even more scary is that we have yet to see this side of him.

Second price goes to Fuji. If you have read prince of tennis then you will know why so I am not going to explain.

Third price- Shiraishi, somehow I always get the impression that he will be another of these people who will be really scary when they finally can’t take it anymore, because they usually are appear so good tempered. I really believe this. Also, I think he has a lot of stuff buried inside him due to this whole responsibility thing and the sacrifice that he made because of this, so this is why I think he will be very scary if he gets really angry. Also, he can put with Kintarou without being angry at all…I mean that is an amazing achievement. So that is why I think he’ll be really scary if he gets mad, as it seems that he wouldn’t get angry unless the situation is really severe, then maybe I should say…all hell break lose? (on the other hand, if he can endure that then I don’t know what would actually make him really angry.) It is really strange but I can see this scene in my head…

A bunch of second/third years in Shitenhouj did that stone in the can trick (you’ll know if you have read volume one.) Then Shiraishi sees this and he’ll walk up to the offender, really calm, then I can see him actually slapping that person, and tell them (in a very chilling tone) “If I catch you doing this again, then I will make sure that you are out of the tennis club”
Don’t ask me why but I can just see that scene in my head…hmm…I almost think that he deserves to move up a level.

7- Who do you think would spoil their kid?
Yuuta- I can see him spoiling his kid due to believing that they are the best in the world.

8- Favourite chapter?
Fuji and Ryoma fans please skip this question.
Genius315-316: I am sorry but I love the whole Shiraishi beating Fuji bit! Because I think Fuji really need someone to teach him a lesson and I think Shiraishi did really well. I also really like Genius 321- when Shiraishi broke the fifth counter as well as when he wins. I am sorry to Fuji fans, (although you shouldn’t be reading this as I made my warning…) I can not forgive Fuji for just turning his back on Shiraishi due to the whole ‘the ball wouldn’t go over the net anymore’. I think that is really rude…I will even say that it is one of the rudest thing I have ever seen throughout the whole manga.

I guess if I have to choose then I will say genius 316 because that includes Shiraishi’s explanation of why he plays perfect tennis. I love that bit…that’s kind of the moment that made me realise this guy will be my favourite character.

9- The line that made you laughed the most?
What Seigaku’s cheer leaders said in response to Shitenhouji’s accusations of Momo and Kaidou being really sneaky by switching masks- “You guys are in no position to say that!” I am sorry, Shitenhouji… I love you guys and I really wish that you guys can be the winner, but Seigaku is right, you guys really are the last people who can say that Momo and Kaidou are being sneaky

10- the technique you most want to play?
Kaidou’s boomerang snake, somehow I just really like the idea of making the ball shoot through the umpire’s chair.

Crazy as it is I decided to write this story, even when I am sure there is nothing going on between these two. But I have been reading some really interesting BL stories. To my friends from school/university: Yes, I actually do read these kind of stuff and now, to a certain extent, I have finally written one.

Summary: Watanabe Osamu forces himself to make an important decision in regard to Shiraishi, and he realizes that his actions in the past three years have actually been much affected by what he feels in regard to Shiraishi. This is a one sided Watanabe/Shiraishi.

Author’s Note: I normally write OC stories and I’ve actually write Shiraishi/OC stories (Sacrifice- which I am still putting on my blog) but somehow I decided to write this story, and the truth is I am not even sure what this should categorize this under. I think I wrote this story because I’ve been reading some interesting fan fictions on one of the communities in Life journal, so I suddenly had this idea.

This is also based on a conversation with my friend- that Watanabe is actually a pretty responsible coach and if Shiraishi is doing what Tezuka do, then Watanabe will actually go up and drag him off the court. I just feel that he would actually do this- which is what I think Ryusaki should have done more then once. This also kind of shows my believe that many captains in the story, will actually do what Tezuka does if they happens to be in such a situation as well.

I am letting Shiraishi and some others calling Watanabe sensei as I am not really sure whether they’ll be calling him Osamu-chan, I mean we’ve only really heard Kintarou call him that and Kintarou is not a good example.
This is a fan fiction so there are obviously changes from the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.


Conflicting wishes

Shiraishi Kuranosuke finally collapsed, yet he still managed to keep a tight grip on his tennis racquet. Gritting his teeth, he prepared to stagger up.
The pain was simply too great, as he immediately fell down again, his free hand clutching to his knee.
“I am still alright.” He stated, although even he was not certain who he was saying this to. “I will finish the game.”
Was it to his opponent that intentionally caused him to be at this situation? Or the team mates who were all yelling for him to stop? Or perhaps his words were directed to his coach, who actually appeared very worried.
“The game will be suspended for three minutes in order for Shitenhouji’s coach to go onto court.” The umpire announced.
“No, I don’t need the game to be suspended!” Shiraishi protested.
“The game will be suspended.” The familiar voice of his coach stated, but his tone was rather alien. In all the three years he worked with his coach, Shiraishi has never heard Watanabe’s voice being anything other then merry and loud.
Right now it was unusually soft and gentle.
“Sensei, I am alright!” Shiraishi began. “I can still…”
Watanabe placed his hand around the boy’s wrist very lightly, but this was enough to make him drop his racquet.
“You are in a much worse position then what I originally believed.” Watanabe pointed out gently. “Shiraishi Kuranosuke, you can barely hold your racquet, let along stand. How can you continue to play?”
“I can still play…” Shiraishi protested once more, but the spasm of pain forced him to leave his sentence unfinished.
“Enough…Kuranosuke.” His coach repeated, unconsciously addressing him by his first name.
“I am the buchou so I cannot just leave my game unfinished! Especially when this game is the deciding one.”
“Shiraishi, don’t play anymore!” Kintarou yelled out, running onto the court, completely ignoring the umpire.
“Sensei is right,” Kenya said, deciding to follow Kintarou. “Even Kin-chan is telling you to stop!”
But Shiraishi shook his head stubbornly. “I can go on. I dreamt of Shitenhouji winning the nationals so I cannot…”
“Then we don’t want to win the nationals anymore!” Kenya snapped. “All we want now is for you to stop. If you go on…you will…you will…”
“You will risk having parts of your body permanently damaged. “Watanabe finished softly. “I should have asked for suspension earlier, but I had no idea that you are injured this bad.
“In fact, this is so like you.” A bitter smile formed on the face that always seemed to be smiling, if not laughing. “You bury everything down so no ever knows how bad you are suffering.
“You play perfect tennis even though you almost hate it, but you never tell this to anyone. You look after the team and club by your self so well and never asked me to help you, even though you wanted it.
“You just have to bear everything yourself, don’t you? Like right now. You kept on saying that you were alright even when you were on the verge of collapsing.”
“No, I can still stand!”
If his coach had not been fast enough then Shiraishi would have been knocked unconscious as he immediately fell forward when he tried to stand up once again. But luckily, his coach managed to catch him, resulting in the boy almost being in his arms, although the circumstance forbids this situation to appear as strange in anyway.
“We forfeit the game.” Watanabe called out, ignoring the protests from Shiraishi.
“It’s alright…buchou.” Kintarou began timidly, stretching up to pat him on the head, what Shiraishi was fond to do to him. Even though Shiraishi’s face was no longer visible, they could tell that he was crying due to the shuddering of his body when the umpire decided to agree with Watanabe instead of him.
“Yeah…buchou was amazing!” Zaizen said sincerely as the rest of Shitenhouji’s tennis team walked onto court.
“We probably wouldn’t even be here if you are not our buchou. You are the one who really helped us to reach here.” Koharu said, while his partner added: “Don’t ever think that you did anything wrong at all.”
“The ambulance will be coming soon.” Kenya informed the rest as he hung up his phone. “They say two of us can accompany him.”
“You boys arrange that.” Watanabe said as he gently handed Shiraishi over to Gin. “Shiraishi, it will be better if Gin carries…”
“He’s unconscious, Sensei.” Gin whispered.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you sit on the ambulance too?” Chitose asked.
“I have something I have to do first.” Watanabe said, and the way his voice suddenly hardened made all the members of Shitenhouji’s tennis team, even Kintarou, shudders slightly.

The members of Rikkai’s tennis club were going to start cheering at their triumph over the same school in the semi-finals when their captain suddenly raised his hand.
“Everyone, remain quiet.” He ordered. “If you have to celebrate then do it when you get back to our lodging.”
“That was certainly very impressive…Shitenhouji.” Yanagi commented. “Especially their captain. They might actually be the winner if he had continued.”
“How can he beat me when he was going to faint?” Kirihara scoffed out.
“He only lost all conscious because he stopped struggling after the game was forfeited.” Sanada stated.
“Maybe we should go and…” the gentleman of Rikkai began.
“Yagyuu, right now our names are all ‘You bastards, stay away’ to Shitenhouji.” Niou said to his doubles partner rather dryly.
Nonetheless they still prepared to stand up and walk to the net- what was expected at the end of the game. But they were halted at half way due to Watanabe, who walked toward them.
“Well, what a pity that Kansai’s champion lost to Kantou’s champion once again.” Watanabe began cuttingly with a very unnatural smile on his face. His words certainly achieved the desired effect, as people were muttering about the result of the Kantou regional again, a sore spot for every member of the Rikkai team. “But since you guys are the winner, don’t you think you should show some curtsey to the ones who lost? Especially you, Kirihara-kun.”
“You want me to apologise?” the young boy sneered with brash confidence due to his most recent victory. “Ha, as if I’ll…”
Unlike the rest, the members of Rikkai’s tennis team were close enough to see the slight sneer that suddenly appeared on Watanabe’s face, just before he raised his hand.
The slap was delivered with such force that it actually resulted in Kirihara being knocked onto the floor.
“Sensei, I know that you are really worried, but please control yourself.” The umpire pleaded.” I would hate to disqualify your school after all this.”
“I apologise then.” He did not sound sincere at all, but he knew that this would be good enough for the umpire.
“Just don’t do it again. The first offence will only result in a warning.” The umpire finally breathed out, before he announced the overall result of 3-2.
What shocked Rikkai was the strength in the slap, since it could definitely rival with Sanada’s punishment for anyone that lost. But the members of Shitenhouji were stunned due to the mere action.
“Sensei…Sensei just slapped someone.” Kenya finally said.
“Yeah…he did.” The infamous joking pair repeated.
Every one of them was completely dumbfounded due to this very uncharacteristic action, as they had never even see their coach scolding someone properly.

As to be expected, Shiraishi’s room was immediately crowded with visitors when the hospital declared that they were allowed. His team mates and following members of the tennis club were naturally amongst the very first crowd, and there were also captains and regulars from other schools.
But his coach did not turn up on the first day. This didn’t really surprise most people as they believed that Watanabe was feeling guilty for not realising the full extent of Shiraishi’s injuries earlier.
This was perfectly understandable, although no one was blaming him, since they all made the same mistake.
Kenya didn’t think that anything was wrong until he went to search for him after the nurse shooed all the visitors away. Watanabe was sitting on one of the shabby benches in the most deserted part of the hospital with an unusually large ring of cigarette butts around him.
“You are going to get lung cancer really easily, you know.” Kenya commented bluntly, sitting down beside his coach, carefully covering his nose with the sleeves of his jacket.
“How is Kuranosuke?” was the reply.
“He’s fine now, although the doctors say that he have to remain in the hospital for a few more days.” Kenya automatically quoted out what he had been told, before he suddenly frowned. “Sensei…when did you start calling him by his first name?”
“Oh, I sometimes do.’ Watanabe said in a seemingly careless manner. “So he is perfectly alright? How is he in the emotional sense?”
“I think he has recovered in that aspect too. But as you said, it is really hard to tell with Shiraishi.”
“That boy can be so foolish.” Watanabe said as he clenched the almost finished cigarette into his fist, almost oblivious to the brief pain.
“He can be stubborn.” Kenya agreed before he moved on to the main point. “But why didn’t you go and see him today?”
Instead of answering, Watanabe lit another cigarette, despite the protest that came in the form of coughing.
“I didn’t let him do what he wanted.” He said after a very long pause. “I know that I should stop him but at the same time I was well aware that Shiraishi was determined to finish the game. That was why I didn’t ask for suspension earlier. I was deciding whether I should allow him to do what he wished, or stop him as I didn’t want him to continue.”
It was the way his voice suddenly changed that made Kenya examine the whole thing with a new perspective-somehow his coach did not seem to b speaking as a teacher anymore.
“I should have stopped him earlier, but I didn’t. That is my fault because I was afraid, afraid that he would hate me for not letting him do what he desired, for choosing my wish over his.” Watanabe repeated again. “This is why I didn’t go and see him. I am not ready yet.”
“Sensei…you would have dragged anyone in that situation off quite sometime ago, but because he was Shiraishi you didn’t.” Kenya finally realised. “That is your real dilemma, isn’t it? Because you care for him so much, you are afraid of being too protective, and so you hardly interfere whenever Shiraishi is concerned.”
“Do you want to send me to jail, Kenya?” his coach asked bitterly, his hand slightly shaking.
“Of course not! But that is the truth, isn’t it?”
Watanabe didn’t even know when the whole thing began- was it at his first meeting with the rather grim and shy boy? Or was it when his tennis skills impressed everyone so much that he was allowed to be a regular, even though he was only in his first year?
Or was it much later on? When he first saw the youngest regular practising all alone in the deserted court, pushing himself to exhaustion due to wanting to be on an equal level with the others.
Watanabe had wanted to hug the boy and tell him that he didn’t need to go this far. But he didn’t, knowing that this gesture would probably scare Shiraishi greatly. When the previous buchou of Shitenhouji asked him why he was staring at Shiraishi throughout the next practices, he was well aware of the possible dangers.
That was why he didn’t voice any protest when the team decided to let the first year be buchou from next year, even though he, unlike these boys, could foresee that it might be a bad thing for Shiraishi. Likewise he didn’t really comfort Shiraishi after last year’s national out of the fear that he would overstep him role of the coach.
So he let Shiraishi do almost everything himself, as well as continuing to play his perfect tennis, even after he discovered what Shiraishi really felt about it.
He was fully aware that people often perceived him as being irresponsible, but he could live with that. Beside, he usually stepped in during dire circumstances.
Usually, not always. Yesterday was an example of his failure.
“But you should still go and see him.” Kenya pressed on.
“I will,” he said softly. “But only when I can control myself.
He must conceal his emotions as he certainly didn’t wish to go jail. Even more importantly, he was too afraid at what the young boy would feel- he knew that Shiraishi was still too young.

“Osamu-chan, what took you so long in visiting Shiraishi? The youngest member of the tennis team immediately demanded, slipping to his normal way of addressing his elders.
“Paperwork and all that kind of stuff.” He muttered.
He was trying to make sure that he wasn’t looking at Shiraishi in case he lost control again, but this was pretty difficult, as Kintarou quickly guided him to the seat beside the bed.
“I am sorry for making you do all these extra work, Sensei.” Shiraishi began.
Watanabe quickly waved the protest away. “I should be doing them any way.”
The unusually large pile of food suddenly caught his attention and the captain of Shitenhouji immediately laughed aloud when his gaze followed that of his coach’s.
“Kin-chan insists that I eat these instead, because hospital foods are poison.” He said as he ruffled his kohai’s hair affectionately. “I think he stood outside the door and told every single person that they have to bring some sort of foods or drinks if they want to enter and visit me.”
“Hospital foods are poison.” Kintarou said firmly, before he suddenly screamed. “Was that the poisoned hand?”
“No, it was my right hand.” Watanabe had to smile as he could see that Shiraishi was trying his hardest to not laugh. “But Kin-chan, why don’t you take this cake to the kids at the room beside mine? I have something I need to discuss with sensei.”
“But…”
“Kin-chan,” Shiraishi began, raising his left hand.
This was actually the first time anyone in the school has seen Shiraishi’s left hand un-bandaged. Even though Watanabe knew that Shiraishi’s hand was obviously not poisoned, he was still clueless about the reason of the bandages.
The skin on the left hand was naturally paler due to being bandaged for so many years, but the surprising bit was the numerous long scars on his left forearm.
“I’ll go! I’ll go!” Kintarou all but ran out with the cake.
“He actually thinks that these scars are the result of my trainings.” Shiraishi explained with a slight smile, although Watanabe felt that he was a bit nervous as well.
“What were they caused by?” Watanabe asked, fighting down the urge of taking the boy’s hand into his.
“When I was in elementary school, my neighbour back then had this really scary cat.” Shiraishi began. “I was playing with sparkers when it came across my way and well…it didn’t like being burnt. Since that day I was told to bandage my left forearm until the scars all fade, or, as my mother said, people will think I am suicidal.”
A long silence elapsed, only to be interrupted by the brief of exchange of ‘How are you now?’ and ‘much better’.
“My parents rang me this morning.” Shiraishi suddenly said. “They asked me whether I want them to take me back to Osaka, although I still have to stay in the hospitals there.”
“What did you tell them?”
“That I will return with the rest of my team.” At this he suddenly laughed in a rather boyish way. “I think you might need to convince them that I really was injured in a game. They seem to have some sort of vision of me being mobbed in a deserted alleyway.”
“Shiraishi…” a long pause appeared, but Shiraishi did not try to break it this time, as he understand that his coach need this silence in order to tell him something important.
“Shiraishi, can you forgive me?” Watanabe finally said, his voice barely audible.
“Forgive you for what?”
“For failing you on both accounts.” He admitted. “I didn’t let you do what you really want- to finish the game as there was a possibility of you winning.
“I also failed in the fact that I should have made you get off court earlier- but I didn’t realise that you were injured that bad…” he had to bent his head slightly in order to hide his face with the brim of his hat, as a frown appeared on the young boy’s face.
“Sensei…it seems that I should be the one apologising, as well as thanking you.” Shiraishi answered simply. He was not smiling, but his expression was very warm.
“The doctor told me about what might happen to me if I kept on playing. If I am really lucky then I can come out of the hospital with no side effect, but it is likely that my joints would suffer some negative injuries that would be permanent. I am really grateful that you prevented this by forfeiting the game for me and sending me to the hospital.
“I admit that initially I was angry at you for not letting me continue the game, but the doctor made me realise how stupid that is. If you didn’t do anything then I would have continued pushing myself as I would not know when I should stop. So I apologise for being so ungrateful.”
“But I should have stopped you earlier.” Watanabe began.
“You didn’t know that I was really injured so you believe that you should honour my wish- I thank you for that too.”
It wasn’t just due to that…Kuranosuke, Watanabe thought to himself.
But they were words that still could not be said so he could only nod and take the cup of tea from Shiraishi, was it an offer of gratitude or pardon?
“The tea is a gift from Seigaku’s tennis team.” Shiraishi explained. “Rokkaku’s coach is in the hospital as well, so when he come over to talk to me this morning, he boiled this tea for me.
“I’m really glad to talk to him as he helped me to understand so much stuff. The thing is, Sensei,” Shiraishi began. “There were times when I was really frustrated with you for dumping almost everything onto me, but Rokkaku’s coach made me see that what you did is actually a great compliment. It means that you trust me that much.”
“Or it can simply imply that I am lazy.” Watanabe pointed out bluntly. He didn’t want an idealised image to be built up, because disillusionment was a great pain for both parties.
“But you are a good coach.” Shiraishi said with a firm shake of head at Watanabe’s words. “I now realise that you actually always help me out when I can’t do something. Most of all, what you did yesterday finally made us all know that you really do care about us- that you would do the best for all of us even if we are too idiotic to understand it.”
“Are you really acceptant about every thing then?”
“I’ve done everything I can to take my team to the nationals this year so I can accept that we lost. As for that singles one game… I now see that I did the right thing for my self and my team. I will cause them to be guilty throughout the rest of their life if I destroyed myself for their sake. They’ve all talked to me about this and it is much easier to think once you are off the field, so I am not that unhappy.”
Watanabe ended up staying until the time when all visitors had to leave, although many other people also came to see Shiraishi during this period. He didn’t really know why but he took off his hat and placed it on Shiraishi’s head, almost covering the young boy’s face, when the nurse announced that visiting time was over.
“Let this be the promise that I will come and see you tomorrow morning with gifts.” He declared out.
“And bring food for Shiraishi!” Kintarou reminded him, while both Koharu and Hitouji began to examine their coach’s infamous hat.
Watanabe was glad that Shiraishi’s face was hidden by the hat as his smile might really tempt him to do something that would either send him to jail or get fired, as well as scaring the young boy away. Although it was not as if the boy would accept him when they stop being coach and student, so right now he was merely glad to be beside Shiraishi.
Yet he still smiled slightly as he took a final look at the young boy who was surrounded by many others. No matter what happens, he was happy that he had these three years of memories.

Author’s Note: Initially they were going to play against Higa, so Shiraishi would probably be playing their captain. To be honest, I think if you have to pick some one to like from Higa then it is most likely to be the captain, or at least for me it is. At least he kind of have this sense of ‘doing it for my team’, although he is still quite evil…in the sense of his whole the end justify the means idea. But I changed my mind and decided to let them face Rikkai again, and have Shiraishi facing Kirihara. Technically, I think Shiraishi is much better then Kirihara as Fuji played against Kirihra and won, while Shiraishi beat Fuji. And I think Fuji’s initial skill is better Kirihara’s and since Shiraishi easily dominated the game…but Kirihara is the only person I can see who is not in Higa, to cause this scene. And well, is it possible for Shitenhouji to score two games? Well, I just want to put that in for my fan fiction.

To Rikkai fans who happen to read this, I’m not saying Kirihara is a complete bastard because I don’t think he is like that. I think he just goes psycho when he goes into his red eye mod. I actually believe that he is not that a bad kid. Well, I like to believe that he would actually feel bad after some time have passed. (I’m sure that the scene when he insulted Tachibana in the hospital did not happen.) Also, I actually quite like the scene when Kirihara prevented Sanada slapping Yanagi. I like to think he would actually feel guilty for what happened in this story later on, when he is no longer in his red eye mod, at any rate I am sure the others would feel quite bad about this- that their opponent might have win if it isn’t for the fact that he was deliberately injured. As well as being so injured that he literally fainted on the court.

This is one of the first times my story involves a pairing of the same sex. So please review or leave a comment!!! I mean, I have written a Sukysio Yoru and Ran one but that’s kind of different. Heck, I don’t even know how to categorise this story, cause Watanabe is twenty seven! So if you sort of enjoyed this story, or just want to be kind to me, then please tell me.

The semester is finally going to have lived half of its life, so we get a break of two weeks. Not that it is a break…no, as always it is a fake holiday. I have an essay due the week university start again, then another essay due the week after. So everyone, guess what I’ll be doing. Yes, researching and researching, then writing and writing, then editing and editing. But wait! There will be the break of tidying my notes. (cries) Although I am grateful that we get two weeks of no class, as otherwise it will be quite difficult to get everything done. But still (roll on the ground like a little kid) I want a holiday! (cries again).

Alright, rant done, does it help? I don’t know, but does it help? I don’t know, but at any rate it is good to sort of get it out. I finally finished my two tests this week. To an extent my work load this semester could be much worse. I got two tests done so it means I don’t have to worry about them that much in the term break, and I only have two essays to prepare for. (but still, one essay is 2500 words and is with 50%) But anyway, I sort of celebrated this, well not really, as we weren’t going to that restaurant in there because of me, we were just going there anyway. But with my mum and my sister, we went to a yakiniku restaurant – basically grilled meat. And right now yakiniku just remind me of Genius 341-344 in prince of tennis, the whole Yakiniku competition. And the result of dinner…grilling the meat is pretty difficult cause raw meet is sort of stick and you have to like put it at the right angle, and sometimes it end up being covered onto other parts instead. Basically it’s hard to put it in the right place- although this can indicate that I am not very good at using chop sticks. But this then made think of what happened in Prince of Tennis. Shiraishi’s ‘perfect way of grilling meat’, and my conclusion: Pretty amazing! Sinee he easily put the meat in the right place. Alright, what the heck am I saying? I’ve been reading prince of tennis a bit too much lately, I even wrote this really weird what if scene which I will put up on my blog later on, but it was kind of a stress relief. (Muse: What about your other stories? Why didn’t you write them as a stress relief instead?)

But anyone, moving onto the second part of the entry, a very interesting song. Albatross-sis is sort of reading bleach, I don’t know though, and I can’t really bother to find out. But anyway, she was listening to one of the character songs and she told me this: “the song is being sung in a kansai accent and it doesn’t even sound like Japanese.” Me: “Really, that sort of thing can happen? Me want to listen! Me want to listen!” After Prince of Tennis I love Kansai accents now, I think the correct title is Kansai-bin, I am not really sure. But I love Shiraishi’s voice, especially his kansai-bin. It just sound so nice! I’ve turned into one of Albatross-sis’ friend, Bottle-sis (alias also), who always tend to favour characters with Kansai-bin. So I can’t wait to see the rest of the semi-final OVAs, when the rest of Shitenhouji’s tennis team come out. I actually like Oshitari Yuushi much better in the anime (from the little bits I have watch) because of his accent, although his accent is regarded as being super exaggerated.

But anyway, back to main point, to bleach. The song is ‘Hyori’, sung by Yusa Kouji (遊佐 浩二), and it is a really nice song, I highly recommend people to download and listen to it, especially if you are like me- who have a weak spot for Kansai-bin. As I listen to the first verse of the song…I just cracked up, because you can actually tell that he is singing with a kansai accent, although Albatross-sis says it is probably because he is singing in Kansai. But the song is so nice, although I was told that the character is actually a bastard. But the song is really nice. This is the lyrics, which I got with the song. I don’t know whether the lyric is from, so if the person who translated this happens to read it, please don’t be insulted. I am not doing this on purpose and I will immediately acknowledge you as the translator. And I’ll also put the romanji of the lyrics up.


Hyori
Kokoro ni mo nai koto wa
yuuwahen
Setsumei surun ga
nigate na dake ya
Sou yanen
Sou yanen…

Boku wa tayasuu
ken wa nukahen
dakara mettani
egao igai ni wa narehen
Narehen…

Sono ba Sono toki
Itsumo honki ya
Se yakedo sore wa
kokoro no soko to urahara
Urahara…

Face and back
I won’t say
what I don’t mean
I’m not good
at explaining things
That’s right
That’s right…

I don’t easily
draw out my sword
which is why
I can’t put on any expression other than a smile
I can’t…

At that place, at that time
I always pull out
my actual intention
However somewhere in my heart
I’m inconsistent
Inconsistent…


The seiyuu who sang this song, obviously the seiyuu for the character, is actually in Prince of Tennis as Shiraishi’s coach, well, Shitenhouji’s coach: Watanabe Osamu. And the funny thing is Watanabe is actually based on the character of Urahara Kisuke from Bleach- who basically wears a bucket hat and have a similar attitude. (I kind of wish that he did both role, as that would be kind of funny. But Urahara is voiced by Miki Shinichiro.) But Urahara’s attitude seems to be a “I don’t usually step in until it is really serious” too. But the song is so nice that I am actually in a dilemma, because if Shitenhouji actually get character songs, it is not likely that Watanabe will get one, yet he sings so nicely. (sniff) I almost want him to voice Shiraishi instead, but note, almost. I still like Hosoya Yoshimasa much better.

The third year of this fan fiction is much longer then the other two years, I spent five chapters in doing the third year, while I only spend a total of five chapters in write about the second and first year, so I decided to split the third year chapters into two, the first part will be when he is still in Osaka, while the second part will be when he is in Tokyo.


Author’s Note: In this chapter the rest of Shitenhouji’s team will finally be coming out but they wouldn’t be playing that a large role, and for the sake of the story I’m going to change Kintarou’s arrival. I’m not sure whether he is a new student or not but it seems that he might be, for this story he isn’t.


Third year: the new tennis team

The tennis club started with the arrival of their two new stars: Chistose Senri and Tooyama Kintarou. Chitose was immediately given the credit he deserved as he had already established a reputation for himself in Shishigaku. Tooyama Kintarou was noticed as well, but for to the wrong reason.
Trouble happened only a few weeks after the start of this school year. Shiraishi was playing against Chitose while Oshitari was taking his turn of looking after the first years when the loud scream broke out.
Nodding apologetically to Chitose, Shiraishi broke away from their match in order to investigate.
“Oshitari, what happened?” Shiraishi asked briskly.
He felt much more confident as the captain this year not because of his previous experiences, but because he was the unchallenged captain. Nor did he feel reluctant to demand something from his vice-captain, as they were in the same year. It was not easy to order someone about when he would acknowledge them as his elders in his mere address.
A very frightened first year immediately ran up to hide behind him for protection, his face very pale; he began to mumble something about not wanting to die, as he was only joking.
Turning to the direction that the scared boy came from, Shiraishi almost chocked. The wires of the fence next to Tooyama Kintarou were actually bent outward, and judging by the position of the young boy’s fist, he must be the one that caused this.
“A strength that might be able to rival with Ishida’s,” Shiraishi said.
“So that’s the situation.” Oshitari quickly explained, having finally recovered from his shock as he actually saw Kintarou damaging the fence.
“Well…” Shiraishi’s attempt of establishing authority was stopped by another shout of horror.
Much to their surprise, it was from the seemingly fearless Kintarou.
“Poisoned claws!!!” Kintarou yelled out, pointing to Shiraishi’s left arm. Since the weather was relatively hot, Shiraishi took off his jacket, which naturally left his bandaged left arm completely exposed.
“Poisoned claws?” Shiraishi repeated in puzzlement before he suddenly smiled, as he was remembering his cousins’ reaction when they first properly meet. His aunt had to spend a long time calming them down. He probably shouldn’t scare his cousins with the threat of untying the bandages if he gets really angry, but his aunt was the one who started this in the first place.
Speaking of his cousins, one of them once made him read out this manga about a martial artist who had some sort of poisoned hand that he hide by bandaging it. They ended up spending quite sometime starting at his hand long after he finished reading to them, debating whether it was black or poisoned.
He used to think that the oldest one would soon outgrow this belief, but he might be wrong, as he was face to face with a first year junior high school student who appeared to truly believe that his left hand was poisoned.
This could be a good way to control Kintarou, especially when he was obviously not someone who was easily restraint, and judging by his unusual strength, it was probably wise to have a way to prevent him from going berserk other then asking Ishida to physically do something.
He decided that he would do what he did with his cousins- he went along with their stories without contradicting or openly agreeing with them, so he was not really lying.
“Tooyama, what was said to you is wrong and I will punish him. But you shouldn’t damage school property or threaten him. Do not make me use this,” he said easily with a wave of his hand when the boy in front of him prepared to protest.
The seemingly fearless Kintarou must genuinely believe that Shiraishi’s bandaged hand was poisoned as he nodded with out any further complain due to the threat. The other first year was clearly so relieved at being saved that he would have agreed to do anything that Shiraishi demanded.
“The punishment will be helping me to clean up the tennis clubroom after practice for an hour.”
“You are going to clean up the club room?” Chitose asked in some surprise.
“I always clean it as I am the one that uses it the most.” The captain of Shitenhouji said in a matter of fact tone.
This was his standardize punishment, although he almost considered ordering them to run around the nearby fields, which he heard was what a certain school in Tokyo do.
But the main reasoning behind his action was that he did not want or like disrupting pre-existing schedules. Making them stay behind to help him clean the court and clubroom was quite successful, as most did not like having to remain in the school for the purpose of cleaning. This also gave him more time as his overall cleaning on Saturday afternoons would not take so long.
Of course, he didn’t need to do almost all the cleanings himself, but he believed that he should do most of the proportion as he was the one who used the tennis court and club room the most. Yet he believed that the overall cleaning should be done by others too, since it involved things like cleaning all the lockers and shelves.
This also help him to know some of his own club members more, and it would certainly be interesting to be acquainted with Tooyama Kintarou.

The other first year was still frightened of Kintarou despite the presence of their captain, so he volunteered for the more difficult task of scrubbing the clubroom’s exterior, leaving Shiraishi with Kintarou to divide the inside chores between them.
Kintarou was obviously the very opposite, as he began to chat very intimately upon seeing the school’s past photos and medals within the very first five minutes, not even bothering to address Shiraishi with any suffixes.
“I want to be in the team too!“ Kintarou said, staring at the trophy that proved Shitenhouji being third in the nationals last year.
“Most schools usually don’t let first years be on the team, although…” Shiraishi began, but was forced to stop as Kintarou interrupted him once more. Most would call him disrespectful, but Shiraishi didn’t really mind as he felt that Kintarou was probably like that with almost everyone- so it was not a direct insult towards him.
“Why not? I’m really good, I really am!” The first year protested. “I’ll show you!”
Before Shiraishi even says anything, Kintarou charged out of the room with his precious racquet. Shiraishi gave a slight shrug before he followed with a smile, taking his own tennis racquet.
Kintarou was certainly very bold but was that really a bad thing? He himself lacked the boldness of standing up to rules and if he did not play against these seniors due to chance, he might never have ended up on the tennis team during his first year. Despite his self-doubts about being the captain, he knew that he was an asset in his first year, even if he and his captain lost the match that would have took them to the semi-finals of the Kansei Regional, which would have let them go to the nationals that year.
He certainly didn’t see why a first year should be forbid to try for the team if he was really good, especially if they already had previous knowledge of tennis. Sometimes a first year could easily have played tennis longer then a third year.
He him self started playing at a very young age, although he technically didn’t get any proper trainings until elementary school.
Was telling the truth an act of arrogance? Shiraishi wondered as he just managed to prevent Kintarou from scoring. The younger boy was certainly very good.
He was also gifted with this incredible strength despite being so petite. Shiraishi was aware that if he had not saw what Kintarou did to the fence and prepared himself, then his racquet would have been knocked out of his grasp more then once.
They stopped after the hour passed, and this was one of the few times when he was not bothered about not having finished something that he set out to do. He was also completely unsure about what the result might end up as, it was certainly the hardest challenge he had since the last nationals.
“You do deserve to try for the team.” He said between struggling for breath, although Kintarou did not appear to be affected “I…I’ll work something out.”

After being the captain for more then a year, he had enough experience with his coach to know that the answer to most questions would be “go and do it if you think it is a good idea.”
Nonetheless he still headed toward the coach’s office.
Although some of the regulars on the team last year and the year before that would call their coach by his given name Osamu with an affectionate chan, Shiraishi still tended to address him as ‘Sensei.’
“Let me guess, you are here to tell me that you want to let Tooyama Kintarou try for the team.” Watanabe said easily, showing that he was fully aware of all that was happening.
“Yes, I played a match with him yesterday, and he is very talented.” The captain said. “But I don’t want to do this in a way that will single him out…”
“As you were? Shiraishi, he’s not like you. He is not going to care.”
“This is not just for him, but for any future first years like him or me. After all…” Shiraishi began the result of a night’s pondering. He was really reassuring and explaining to himself as the reaction after his long speech was what he worked out even before he entered.
“Is that what you told the one who was my captain more then a year ago? When he told you that he wanted me to take part in the end of the year match?” Shiraishi suddenly asked rather bitterly, pausing at the doorway. Perhaps it was due to his nervousness at the changes he would soon impose, or maybe it was anger at the seemingly lack of support, that finally made him realize this. “Did you really not know what I did not understand at thirteen, or what my captain did not foresee at fifteen?”
If he was looking at his coach then he would see the strange expression that appeared. If he would not interpret it as guilt, then he could not deny that it was regret.
“But did you not do a good job as the captain last year?” Watanabe quickly asked.
“So Shitenhouji’s tennis team is the most important thing to you- their coach.” Shiraishi whispered.


Third year: Shiraishi’s final decision

Should Shitenhouji’s tennis be his ultimate first priority, since he was the captain? Shiraishi asked himself as he took out his precious photo. He and Ashita had posed for this photo after she received her birthday present from him. He had shyly put his arm around her waist, while she placed one of her hands over that hand of his, and used her other hand to pull the ribbon he just tied onto her hair forward.
“Should I go this far for tennis?”
No, not for tennis, he corrected himself, this is for my team. For my school, and of course, for my captain.
He thought of Ashita’s words to him that evening- she was probably right as he would be quite happy if he was in his captain’s place. But somehow he just couldn’t convince himself of this.
He wasn’t sure whether he wanted to devote himself to tennis completely, since it meant giving up all the others things that he liked: spending time with his cousins, hanging around with his friends, and most of all: being with Ashita.
She once asked him why a captain’s win or lose was so important, when she found him in a rather low mood after he lost a match. He told her that it was because a captain’s action reflected his whole team.
It was also really difficult to lose as the captain because he felt that he let his team down, and things were often worsened by being in singles 1- where his result would determine their overall win or lose.
Most of all, no one really comforts the captain, or even tell him that he was not to blame. He was the one expected to do these things.
His third year team mates last year were all kind, but since he was their captain they easily forget that though his skills at tennis might be better, he was still less experienced in areas like common sense.
Additionally, he felt so bad and even guilty as he did not always use perfect tennis last year, he might have been able to win more and things might be different. But he didn’t take the opportunity of bringing his team further as he did not like the method.
Was he not obliged to act in the interest of his team when he chose to be their captain?
“I own them this.” He finally decided. “So I must do everything I can in order to win this year.”
His decision was finally made, as the last of his doubts were resolved.
“I am so sorry…Ashita. But I have to devote myself to tennis completely, and it is not just to always play perfect tennis.”

Telling his aunt that he probably couldn’t spend much time looking after his cousins this year was less difficult then his other task. An elder was more likely to understand his wish of focusing on his school work and tennis. Although like many adults, they did not believe that in this situation, he would really do all that he said he would.
He wanted to break the news to Ashita in a very mild way, as he truly cared for her. He still wasn’t sure whether he was in love with her, but he knew that she was not just a friend to him. He was very certain of the fact that he liked her the best- and that such liking was probably the closest he was feeling towards love right now.
But he had to break up with her and to delay it would only hurt her more. He finally decided that he would do it the next time he saw her, so he should have the whole of tomorrow to prepare himself.
Those who were close to him and those who were highly skilled in tennis could realize that he was rather occupied during their practice, He was not playing with his usual skills, and everyone in the tennis club knew that Shiraishi was not someone who would do things by half when tennis was involved.
“Did you fight with Tanako-chan yesterday?” Konjiki asked slyly as their captain walked past with the list of the tennis team for this year.
Later on, Konjiki described the glare Shiraishi gave him to Hitouji as ‘ten thousands times more scary then a Medusa’s petrifying stare.’
“Tanako-chan?” Chitose asked curiously as he lined up with the rest in order to hear the results being announced.
“His girlfriend…” Konjiki started speaking, but wisely stopped when he saw Shiraishi turning to his direction.
“….and finally, Tooyama Kintarou.” Shiraishi ended his reading by announcing that those who were not in the team could all go home now.
He managed to arrange some sort of match for the first years and it was actually not as troublesome as he had anticipated, as only less then half of the first years believed that they had the ability to try for the tennis team. He and his vice-captain just had to witness a few matches, before they decided who should be allowed to do what they want.
As Shiraishi had guessed, Kintarou ended up being the sole first year on the team.
He really should have showed more enthusiasm during the reading as his two closest friends in the tennis club were in the team again, while Ishida Gin did succeed in being on the team this year.
“We truly have a very good team,” Shiraishi continued to his new team mates. “This is why we must all work hard in order to reach…Ashita?”
“In order to reach tomorrow?” Chitose, Zaizen and Kintarou repeated in puzzlement at his strange turn of speech. (For those who doesn’t; know, Ashita is also the word for tomorrow, and in her case, she really was named after the word tomorrow, The kanji of her name is the kanji for tomorrow.)
“Ah…Tanako Ashita is here.” Konjiki and Hitouji announced.
“In order to reach the nationals and eventually…” Shiraishi continued, deliberately focusing on his team mates, instead of the person outside the court. Although he was cursing what ever cause that made her come now, especially after his resolve.
He already felt really bad for what he decided to do, but Ashita worsened it by simply holding his hand without any reproach. He almost wanted to just let everything continue.
No, I can’t do that, he told himself before he turned to Ashita. “We need to talk”
“We do.” She agreed with a nod.
“Let’s talk in the tennis clubroom.” This was a very significant decision as these past glories would not fail to remind him about what he had to do.
His resolution wavered once more when he noticed her clothing: it was that sakura patterned yukata- what she wore when she went to the festival with him: their first date, and her hair was tied with the hair ribbon he gave her.
“I thought the karate club is not having any activities this Saturday.” He began, fiddling with his racquet.
“We don’t. But I come to see you.” She said, smiling slightly. “With the exception of our class, we hardly see each other this year. No…it started every since you returned from the nationals. I know that you want to win, Kuranosuke, but aren’t you being a bit too obsessed? Tennis is important, yes, but it shouldn’t literally be everything. You can not play it every single moment of your life.”
“Ashita, I have to make it everything because my goal is to take the team to the finals of the nationals.” He told her. “It is not an easy goal, so I must do almost anything.”
“Kuranosuke…”
“Almost anything and everything, Ashita, I truly like you so much but I have to do what I will do because…”
“Because you feel guilty when you didn’t do anything wrong at all.” She snapped, her hands now clenched together, as she guessed what he would soon say. She did consider whether he would go this far, but she never believed that he would.
Especially when she decided to prevent this by being absolutely understanding and forgiving. She could understand his devotion to tennis and even admire him for it, since she did feel the same thing for karate.
“But to dump me because of this?” she whispered, almost crying. “How…why don’t you count how many hours we actually spend together outside school time? It isn’t much, Kuranosuke, and it is getting less. Nor have I ever demand you to be with me”
“But as long as you are there I will be tempted to spend time with you instead of using that time to practice.” He told her. “This is why I have to break up with you.”
“Kuranosuke, you are an idiot!” in the midst of her anger she had to grab something to prevent her hands being used in the wrong way, and the closest thing happened to be his tennis racquet.
He knew that she didn’t take it and swung it with the intention of hurting him, as she could easily send him to the hospital just by her knowledge of karate. Nonetheless, to be hit in the stomach with a tennis racquet does hurt quite a lot, so he still let out a cry.
This must have made Ashita aware of what she just did as she quickly threw the racquet away and turned to him in great concern: “Are you alright?”
“I am.” He assured her. “But Ashita…”
“Goodbye Kuranosuke,” she interrupted him with a rather cold voice, but tears were actually streaking down her face. “Unless…unless you want to tell me that you were lying, that it was just a joke. It would be a really malicious joke but at least it means that you are not breaking up with me.”
“I would never joke about something like this.” He stated steadily, although his voice was very sad.

Unlike the others, Konjiki and Hitouji did not leave, as they were truly concerned for their friend. They first saw Ashita walking out of the clubroom in tears- she raised her hand to wipe her face with the sleeve of her yukata, but as she was now sobbing so violently, she was actually shaking.
Luckily, she did not notice them at all.
They found Shiraishi half slouching on the ground, half leaning against one of the lockers, his tennis racquet at the other end of the room- as if he threw it there. He wasn’t crying, but his expression was so desolate that they both wonder how he managed to control himself.
“We broke up.” He finally said when they hoisted him up and forced him to sit on one of the benches instead. “And no, I don’t want to talk about it.”
The two very close friends gave each other a quick glance before they nodded, deciding to tell their other friend the truth. To let him know that this was all his own fault would make him feel even worse, but he could only gain forgiveness if he knew what he did wrong.
“Well, it can’t really be that a surprise, can it?” Hitouki began, making his tone as kind as he could, “You guys used to go out once every week, but starting from the holidays you probably only see her outside school on an average of once every month.”
“So you can’t really blame her for dumping you.” Konjiki added.
“She didn’t dump me, although I think it would be better for her if she did.” Shiraishi corrected, his voice very low and he seemed even more upset.
“You broke up with her?” the two of them yelled out in sheer disbelieve.
He nodded, as it was too late for him to reverse this now.
“You idiot!” Hitouji said angrily, “Shiraishi, most girls in her situation would probably have dumped you a few weeks ago!”
“How can you break up with her?” Konjiki demanded at the same time. “Don’t you know how lucky you were? She is so understanding.”
“I did it for our tennis team, I have to take us to the nationals no matter what. And one way to do it is to make sure that I will win my matches.”
Shiraishi staggered up in order to pick up his racquet and return it to its rightful home- which was also where he usually put the photo of him and Ashita. He spent some moments debating whether he should throw it away, but decided against it.
If anything, it would serve as a reminder.


Author’s Note: So what happened to Shiraishi is that during his second year he decided that he would play perfect tennis as that would give his team a more likely chance of winning, and therefore reach the nationals. This year he decided to break up with Ashita because, as he said, she would distract him. And I think it was also because he knew that she might talk some sense into him and therefore he might change his mind.
As I said before, some how I want to make Konjiki and Hitouji his closest friend in the tennis club, I think most would assume that he and Oshitari would be closer and I do think that they are pretty close judging from the manga but I don’t know…for some bizarre reason I just think that he is actually really close with Konjiki and Hitouji.
Many sources say that Watanabe is some times referred to as Osamu-chan, but somehow I’m letting Shiraishi calling him sensei, although I’m not sure whether he does call him Osamu-chan, I only know that Kintarou definitely does, but Kintarou is not a really good example. And Oshitari is referred to by his last name, because I think the only reason he is referred to by his first name in the manga, is due to the fact that there’s another Oshitari in Tokyo, so calling him Oshitari will be too confusing. But since Oshitari Yuushi is probably not coming out in my story, I will be referring to Oshitari Kenya as Oshitari. A side note: I really like the bit the two cousins talk in genius 246/wild 2, because (I’ll use their first name to avoid confusion) while we can sort of understand Kenya- since Kintarou is in his school and team, I can not help but to think about the following in regard to Yuushi: ‘what are you boasting for? Ryoma is not even in your school!’ Which is what Atobe said. 
As I said before, my knowledge of tennis is pretty much zero- if not minus something- so I still don’t really understand why Shiraishi’s perfect tennis is boring or whether he can choose to play perfect tennis or not. I like to think that perfect tennis is just one of the ways he play and that if he doesn’t want to, then he can actually not play perfect tennis and still be really good at tennis, just not as good. As for Ashita’s comment about tennis not being everything, what she means is that he is so obsessed that he seems to be ignoring literally everything else.


Third year: departing for Tokyo

Shitenhouji certainly managed to distinguish them self this year, starting from taking first place in the Kansai tournament again with a clean sweep. This then automatically place them into the nationals.
As the captain of his team, Shiraishi was obliged to go to Tokyo before the rest of the team and club in order to attend a meeting with all the other captains of the teams that would be participating in the nationals.
Everything- ranging from their lodging to permission slips- were arranged, but he was still a bit worried due to one a particular person.
“And make sure that Kintarou can get to Tokyo safely.” He instructed Oshitari one last time.
“Shiraishi, he’s in junior high school! I think he does know how to take the train.” His vice-captain said with a roll of his eyes. “I swear…in regard to that kid you are almost like the vice-captain of Seigaku that Yuushi told me about. Why do you have such a concern for him anyway?”
“Because he couldn’t even label Osaka on the map correctly.” Shiraishi pointed out, placing his luggage down. The two of them had run all the way here with his belongings as a way to use this time as ‘training.’
“You even make sure that he does his homework. Seriously, should you be bothering about that?”
“I shouldn’t, but because he is like…”
“Please don’t say ‘your self’, as nothing can be furtherer from the truth.”
“No, he definitely does not remind me of myself,” Shiraishi laughed out at the absurdity of Oshitari’s words. “But he’s like a younger brother to me-I feel obliged to look after him. A bit like my cousins…”
No sooner had he mentioned them, they appeared and all four tried to grab the two empty seats beside him- yelling out that they want to keep Kuronote-niichan company.
“Well…I better go then,” Oshitari decided, “Say hi to Yuushi for me if you somehow see him and actually recognizes him.”
This was similar to what had happened almost a year ago, only that it was his mother who accompanied him to the train station. She insisted on waiting for the train to Tokyo with him, but in order to not embarrass him, she brought her sister’s four children to make it appear as if she was only there due to his cousins.
But she was unable to get out of work today, like his father, so the task either fell to his aunt or uncle.
The main difference was that Ashita was not here. He was truly glad of his cousins’ presence as they forbid him to think about her due to their numerous chatters.
“Why doesn’t Kuronote-niichan come and see us anymore?” the second to youngest protested, crawling over her sibling in order to hug him by the neck, since she was still young enough to do this.
“I have been very busy due to school.” H e told her.
“But Kuronote-niichan always used to see us in the winter holidays.” Another protested.
“I have to practice tennis because I am going to compete with people from other parts of Japan. But tell me,” he quickly changed the subject, referring to their new babysitter, a cousin from their father’s side. “What is your new neechan like?”
“She is mean!” the youngest finally sobbed out. “I want Kuronote-niichan or Ashita-neechan!”
The oldest one quickly tried to hush his siblings upon seeing Shiraishi’s changed expression, as children were actually very perceptive.
“But doesn’t Ashita-neechan like Kuronote-niichan anymore? Or don’t you like her anymore?” one of them still asked. “Otherwise, why can’t we talk about her?”
“I…I still like her, but she is angry with me because I…” Shiraishi began, knowing that he would have to explain to them soon enough as she accompanied him on this job too often.
“Is it because you haven’t been visiting her?” one of them said.
“I guess that is one way of putting it.” He muttered. “Oh, the train will be here in five minutes…”
“Kuronote-niichan, you should make her stop being angry with you by spending a lot of time with her,” the second youngest continued, not releasing her hold on his neck. “That is how we will stop being angry with you for not coming to see us.”
That will only work if she doesn’t hate me now, Shiraishi thought sadly.
They still shared a desk, but what had once been something that they were very glad of, had become something that they both dread. Going to class and sitting together was very awkward as she usually refused to look at him, let along speak to him. Because he was rather young he did not understand that this might be a sign of her still caring for him, his actions still hurt her as she still likes him.
Nor did he know how he should react. He could not pretend that nothing happened, but he didn’t want to hurt her again.

Ashita was about to go home when she suddenly remembered that she hasn’t brought all the things her siblings asked her to buy. Perhaps they purposely gave her this errand of buying a month’s supply in order to keep her occupied, as today was the day Shiraishi was departing for Tokyo. About a year ago, she was waiting for his train with him. She could still remember how nervous he was.
She hoped that his cousins would be with him, to prevent him from brooding too much. She still cared for him greatly as she still liked him.
Her siblings had been paranoid about her ever since Shiraishi broke up with her, and she could not blame them, as her mother had showed them that what you felt at fourteen might never go away.
As for their reaction to him…
“His action is simply something that we cannot understand.” Her sister had whispered to her brother when they thought that she was finally asleep, after having spent the whole night crying. “As he is doing what we failed to do.”
“That is true, the reason we gave up tennis after senior high school was not because of our lack of money, or the death of tosan and kaasan. It is because we were not prepared to go that far, to be that devoted to tennis as to make it everything.”
But they failed to understand that his sacrifice was not for tennis, but for his team, Ashita thought as she took the bag from the cashier. She knew him well enough to be fairly confident that he would not be playing his perfect tennis if he was not such a responsible captain. Nor would he dump her in order to improve his skills almost zealously.
“Well, if it isn’t Tanako-chan. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Sensei.” She said politely as she easily recognized Watanabe Osamu by his rather distinguished hat.
Her tone was rather cold as she wasn’t sure if she liked the coach, because she too realized that he should have foreseen what they did not at thirteen: letting Shiraishi be the captain in his second year would have negative consequence as well.
“I don’t have many regrets but one of them is that I did not forbid Shiraishi to participate in his first end of the year match, or help him when he became the captain.” Watanabe admitted. “But Tanako-chan, could any one have foretell that Shiraishi would go this far?”
This was true, as Shiraishi’s desire to win for his team was so extreme that it was almost an obsession. He wasn’t just making it his priority, he was also eliminating anything that might distract him from it.
“Isn’t he leaving Osaka today?” Ashita said, ending her train of thought. “Well…I’m sure that the tennis team will do really well since their captain is so devoted.”
The young girl was obviously still rather reluctant to talk to him, so Watanabe decided to move to the point. This really was a chance meeting, but he was actually going to look for Tanako Ashita the next day.
“Here, take this.” He said as he pressed an envelope into her hand. “This contains a two-way ticket from Osaka to Tokyo, a pass that will let you attend any games in the nationals, and lastly- the address of my aunt-who you can stay with during you time in Tokyo as you will probably not want to stay in the lodge with all the other boys.”
“Why…why are you giving this to me? Kuranosuke…Shiraishi and I are…”
“I want to mend things. I probably played a huge role in what happened to Shiraishi, so I am responsible for what he did to you.” Watanabe admitted. “I can tell you now that Shiraishi still feels the same way about you, he often looks at the photo of you and him when he thinks that no one will notice.”
“I still like him so much too, but what he did to me…”
“Tanako-chan, let me put it this way. Imagine that you are the eldest child who somehow ends up being the only bread winner. You are at an age when you can leave school and make quite some money- but you refuse this as you want to continue studying. As a result, you only earn some money due to a part time job, which is just enough to prevent great poverty. Then you graduate and is offered two jobs- one pays considerably more but requires you to go to a foreign place, which means that you have to leave your boyfriend.
“Do you understand what I am saying?”
“I would take the job that pays more as I would feel that I am obliged to do this as my own want prevented my family from having a better life at that time.” Ashita admitted reluctantly. “But it is still different. Kuranosuke…Shiraishi took his team to the semi-finals of the nationals, as well as being the winners of the Kansai regional’s.”
“But is it similar enough to make you consider going to the nationals in Tokyo?”
“I will think about it.” Ashita decided. “But it doesn’t mean that I will go.”

Once on the train, Shiraishi took out the book that Konjiki, with some help from Oshitari, made for him. It consist brief data of all the captains and co-captains that will appear in the nationals. He first tried to see if there was anyone who was like him- who was also the captain since last year.
He frowned at the names Sanada and Yukimura. While he hoped that Yukimora would be able to recover from his illness, because you would simply wish that for almost anyone, he was not fond of Rikkai at all. How hypocritical it was for them to criticise his own team last year for the mere fact that he was the captain when their three strongest players were in the same year as him.
Not that he could like them this year, if these data was accurate. It was true that he often lecture his team about the importance of winning, and did almost everything he could in order to win, but there was a fine line between expectation and result. He strongly disagreed with the idea of punishing any loses- because there was no one who could never lose.
The same logic prevented him from liking Hyotei. He thought that their method of removing someone from the school team was even more stupid then Rikkai’s vice-captain slapping anyone who lost. Regulars gained their title due to being the best, and to replace them with some one not as good due to a small mistake was extremely foolish.
The ringing of his phone started him because the ring tone was one that he hasn’t heard for more then half a year now- the one that he used for Ashita’s texts and calls.
All she said was ‘Good luck.’, but that was enough for him, especially when she only talked to him out of necessity in class. The last time that she willingly spoke to him was on the day that they broke up.
He didn’t know why she sent this message to him, it was probably not an sign of forgiveness, or even an acknowledgment of understanding. But nonetheless she wished him good luck, and that was enough to make him even more determined.
He would like to give her a very long reply, as there was so much that he wanted to tell her, but that would be going a bit too far. So he simply sent the following to her.
‘Thank you.’

Author’s Note: Well, as I said before, I really think that Shiraishi sees Kintarou as a younger sibling, and like many others, I think that Kinarou’s academic learning is probably not very good- I thought the end of OVA 14 is really cute. Shiraishi’s reaction when Kintarou asked him what does that word mean. “You haven’t really been studying, have you, Kin-chan?”
Note- the conversation with his cousin, since they are quite little (the oldest one is only eleven) I have been trying to give them words that children their age would use.
I think Kawamura mentioned in the OVA that Shiraishi is pretty fast so somehow I can see him receiving some advice from Oshitari and maybe training with him a bit.
Lastly, Shiraishi’s view on Hyotei and Rikkai, I admit- they are my views too. But I don’t think that him saying this is too out of character. He doesn’t punish his team for losing or anything, and the rest of his team all seem to be able to acknowledge defeat well enough. And as I said before, I really don’t think winning is literally everything to him, as he wasn’t that happy about his win to Fuji. If he really thinks that the most important thing is winning, then he would be celebrating hard out. As for what I said about Rikkai, this is in the manga, not in the anime. In the manga Sanada actually hits anyone that lose, but then- his own team mates accepts this too. They think this is right. And Sanada makes his own team mates hit him when he lost. Nor did he take their award in the regional as they only accept first. Sanada is actually portrays as a very different character in the anime- he doesn’t hit anyone and he seems more polite, more likeable.
This is sort of random but Shiraishi give me an impression of one of those people who would be very scary when he loses his temper- as he usually seems so amiable…Maybe a bit like Fuji…

Second year: the start of the year

A list of all the classes was posted right on the door of the school hall, and Shiraishi immediately made his way to it although he knew that he still remained in the same class. But it was not his own name that he was looking for.
Tana…no, that was Tanaka, not Takako. He continued to scan the list, hoping that her name would be there.
Tanako! That was the right last name, but it might be someone else, as her last name was pretty common. Instead of checking if it was her name, he quickly scanned his eyes down the list, to see if there was any other Tanako in their class.
There wasn’t, so he’ll have to do it now.
Tanako…Tanako Ashita.
“Shiraishi, why are you checking the list? You know that you are staying in Class B.” one of his classmates and friends asked him curiously.
“I am just making sure.” He said, causing the other to roll his eyes slightly.
“You are always so careful. Well, there it is, Shiraishi Kuranosuke. Come on, let’s go. I don’t want to be late on the first day.”
“You are always late.” Shiraishi replied back easily, now very cheerful. He was glad that Ashita was in his class this year, as well being relieved due to the fact that he spot her name before his friend came, as he wasn’t sure how he would explain.
Most of his class members were outside the class room, as their teacher believed that the best way to arrange her student’s seating was to line them up in height order before they even enter the room.
He actually saw Ashita even before she even noticed him, she was talking to some girls rather animatedly, laughing. One of them seemed to be one of her friends from Class C, who also might have managed to move up.
They have talked to each other in the holidays, and then used cell phones to communicate since they were both lectured for using the family phone a bit too long. But despite this, they haven’t really gone anywhere together.
She spent most of her holiday working- in the store her sister worked, while he was occupied with looking after his younger cousins. He had no siblings, but his mother’s only sister had four children in total. He liked being able to be a big brother, so he never objected to looking after them, and his aunt even pays him.
Under the careful instruction of their teacher, they begin to line up into two lines, arranged by their height. This ended up letting Ashita and him almost standing right next to each other, since they were of the same height.
“Shiraishi!” she greeted him happily. “I got in the class!”
“I know! I saw your name on the list when I walked pass the hall.”
“Class, class, please be silent as I arrange your seating.” Their teacher announced.
The two of them naturally obeyed this but they both gave the other a smile before they turned away, both hoping that they might end up sitting quite close to each other, if not sharing a desk.
Unlike some of the other junior high schools, Shitenjouki still have their students sharing desks. Instead of using single desks, they use the old fashioned large tables that were shared by two people. (Author’s Note: I guess I just want this for some weird reason, although I think most school in Japan use single desks instead of these ones. They are basically like a large table with a large space for drawers and it is divided in the middle, so because it is really large, you can have two people using it, and it is divided in half. I remember using these desks when I went to school in Taiwan quite some times ago. I just remember how it does kind of help you to become friends with the person who shares your desk.)
They begin to grow more positive as they were sure that the number of people in front of them was the same, and since their teacher rarely alters the order, they probably would end up sitting together for the whole year.
“Next table, Shiraishi Kuranosuke and Tanako Ashita.”
They both gave their teacher a brief nod, as if neither of them really cared about the outcome. Their teacher smiled good naturedly, as she could tell that they clearly want to sit together, since they kept on glancing at the other. But they did not show their relief due to worrying about the reaction of their new class mate. She was quite happy at this, as it meant that there would be one less complaint. Most of the students usually accepted her seating arrangement, but there had been extreme headaches that arose from disagreements.
Shiraishi and Ashita already had rumours attached to their names due to the fact that they often spent time with one another, so many in the class were looking at them. But the two of them were not even looking at each other, as they both seemed to be completely occupied with putting their things into their side of the desk.
“Class, please leave Tanako and Shiraishi alone just because they are being mature, as the rest of you should be.” The teacher announced. “Boys and girls are not that different and should start to mingle together.”
“Yes, sensei.” The class echoed as they finally turned away from Ashita and Shiraishi, more due to the fact that nothing was going on, and their need of sorting out their own stuffs.
Shiraishi scribbled something in his homework diary before he quickly shoved it into her side of the desk.
‘I am so glad that you are in my class, and sitting beside me, I would like us to be closer friends this year.’
A few moments later the homework diary was back in Shiraishi’s desk, only that it contained an extra sentence.
‘Me too.’

A year ago, he had entered the tennis club as a hopeful first year, one among numerous others, but now he was the captain of everyone in this room. Most of the third years smiled at him as he took his new place at the very front, one of the only two in the uniform of the tennis team. Because of this the first years were looking at him with something that was between admiration and reverence.
Overall, it was easier then he expected, he just had to give a pre written speech about the tennis team and club, along with a brief summary of what happened last year. Most of the first years were too lost in their own dreams of fame, while the second and third years were all deeply occupied with the ranking matches that would soon occur.
One thing that worried him was the gossips he accidentally heard from a couple of first years as he instructed them about the right way to hold a racquet.
“I heard that the captain is only a second year student, and was in the school team last year, even though first years aren’t usually allowed to be in the team. Apparently he managed to be in the team as he beat everyone else.”
“You three, don’t talk so much.” Shiraishi quickly interrupted them. “You have to concentrate more.”
“You are certainly famous.” Konjiki whispered as his friend walked past him. “But this will probably work against you.”
“I know.” Shiraishi said as he gestured at a group of second years some distance away. “I suppose I can only enjoy being the captain before the result of the ranking match is displayed. I only hope,” he added, “That nothing bad would happen.”
“Shiraishi! Don’t neglect us!” the only one other then him that was in last year’s team yelled out from the other end. “I might be your elder but you are still obliged to point out my mistakes as you are the captain.”
It was a reminder to both Shiraishi and anyone within hearing range: because the end of the year match made Shiraishi the captain of both the tennis team and the club, everyone was obliged to listen to him- despite any resentment or circumstances.

He felt rather disillusioned when he worked out the result of the ranking matches, he had thought that he would be happily preparing himself to welcome his new team mates for the year, and he should be happy- both Konjiki and Hitouki made into the team, while Ishida was so close that Shiraishi was positive that he would be in the team new year.
But he was unhappy as he realized that he had to be the one to handle the disappointment of those that failed to make into the team, and he realized that there were actually people who resented him in the tennis club because he had been allowed to participate in the ranking match despite being a first year, as well as the end of the year match. This was worsened by the first years who innocently repeated these gossips.
“This is not what I expected.” He admitted out aloud to the empty tennis court.
What did he expect? He thought that he would be accepted as the captain for the mere sake that he won the end of the year match, as all the past captains were, but he could not be deaf to some second years’ complaint that they might be in his position if they had been allowed to participate in the end of the year match…if they had the special privileges that he had.
“That’s all just because last year’s captain likes him, as he played double with the captain.” Someone had purposely said out aloud when he walked past, he probably said more, but Shiraishi was not in the mood to continue listening.
He was not sure what he should do. Should he remind them why the captain allowed him to join the ranking match in the first place? Because he saw Shiraishi winning against the first years, then the second years, and even beating many of the third years. This interested the captain enough to play a match against the first year, and although Shiraishi did not win, he convinced the captain of his potential and capability.
Shiraishi hit the ball with full force as he recollected the boy he had beat before he was noticed by the seniors. Would Oshitari be in his place if he had been the winner that day? At least Oshitari definitely thought so.
Oshitari would probably cause him problems when he announces the result of the ranking match, as Oshitari did not make into the team, while he, being the captain, was automatically in the team. The worst thing, he realized, was that he actually quite likes Oshitari, and if he had not end up in the team last year, they might have become quite good friends.
“I’m not even sure if I want this any more.” He realized. There probably were people who protested against his presence in the team last year, but he never really had to worry about that, as someone else- usually the captain, or a senior on the team, would defend him.
But he was the captain now. The one expected to be dealing with these problems.

Second year: exchanging secrets

He was rather quiet at dinner that night, but his parents did not worry that much, since their son was entering his second year in junior high school, and he was also the captain of the tennis team and club. It was quite natural that he was stressing slightly due to the new pressures that he would have to face.
Still, they decided to confirm this.
“Kuranosuke, the nearby temple is holding their annual festival this weekend.” His mother began tactfully as he obediently rose to help her clear the table after their dinner, making sure that every place was wiped. “Are you going to come with us tomorrow?”
“When have I not gone to it?” he asked curiously. They would always go with his mother’s sister and her family, and after he spent a certain time looking after his cousins he would be allowed to have the rest of the night to himself, spending the money that he just earned.
“Well…since you seemed a bit occupied lately…” she commented, but her son quickly assured her that the cause was simply what she and his father had already guessed.
Instead of returning to his home work, he picked up his cell phone instead, dialling Ashita’s number. They were closer now, and often spend lunch time together. He was now sure that she was not just a friend to him, as instead of feeling embarrassed at the teasing of his classmates, he almost wanted them to be true.
But did Ashita like him as he liked her? Or did he just happen to be the strange friend that she made who happened to be a boy? Were they even close friends?
Excluding their walks to the train station at most days, the only place that they went together was their classes. If they went to the festival together, then wouldn’t that be a development in their relationship?
Friends do this too, he assured himself as he pushed the dial button, so she shouldn’t be that shocked.

This was probably the first time that he would be happy to see his cousins go, Shiraishi thought as the four younger children all cluttered around him. It was not because he didn’t want to be with them, but because he really wanted to spend sometime with Ashita in a place that was not their school, or the way towards the train station.
“Kuronote-niichan,” one of his cousins began, obviously speaking on behalf of all of them, “Can you go to that stall and win the lolly jar for us?”
“What?” Shiraishi almost spat out the water he was drinking, as his cousins were never that demanding. Was the whole world really going crazy just because he wanted to be with Ashita?
“The lady at the stall said that to win the gigantic jar that big,” another one gestured, only to be quickly corrected by a younger sibling, who probably just increased the size by at least three times. “You just have to use a racquet to hit this can some distance away.”
“It’s like tennis isn’t? That sport you always talk about.” The youngest whispered, tugging at the end of his jumper, since he could not be bothered to change this time. “Mummy always says that Kuronote-niichan is really good at it.”
“And you don’t have to pay the entrance fee.” The oldest one added, “We’ve saved up all our pocket moneys ever since we saw the price last year.”
“Ok, I’ll do it.” Shiraishi said simply, as there was nothing else that he could do.

It was strange but he actually felt more nervous then what he had felt at both the ranking and end of the year match. Was it because the consequences of the loss would be so severe? To see his cousins disappointed was worse then simply losing, because if he didn’t manage to get in the team last year he still had next year, and likewise, he could still participate in the end of the year match this year. He did wish to succeed, but he would not have been that miserable if he failed, because it was not a chance that would slip away forever.
But how long would it take his little cousins to get that amount of money again, and would this price still be here a year later? He would attempt again by using his own money if he didn’t already know that his cousins would not accept it.
Young as they were, they were taught very well.
He was starting to understand why the captain had want him to pursue his perfect tennis, because some times you should make sacrifices in order to win due to the consequences of winning, or just losing.
“Please let me get this.” He whispered as he threw the ball into the air.
He must have succeeded as his cousins were soon screaming his name, one of them was even hugging his legs.
“Are they your siblings?” the woman in charge of the stall asked as she handed the jar to him. “What a good brother you are.”
“No, they are my cousins.” He quickly explained.
“Shiraishi?”
“Tanako?”
It was Ashita, although she looked rather different as she was wearing a yukata with sakura patterns instead of their school uniform. But he was more occupied with the fact that she was watching him with a very puzzled expression, instead of the way she dressed
“Is that Kuronote-niichan’s girl friend?” one of his cousins whispered out.
“No, no, I mean yes, I mean no.” Shiraishi began, confused at what he should say. Technically she wasn’t his girl friend, but he wanted her to be.
He saw her frowning once more as she heard his cousins addressing him by their special name for him, so that was what she was bewildered about. For a moment he was scared that her agreement of attending the festival was only in his mind.
“I was going to the place we arranged to meet when I suddenly saw you.” Ashita explained before she turned to the two that accompanied her. “Well, niichan, neechan, this is the person I’m meeting.”
They were obviously the beloved elder siblings that she had talked about, and judging from the way her sister was glaring at him, he was sure that he would not be able to make it home if he accidentally said anything that might make Ashita upset.
But Ashita was smiling at him, so he was certain that she was quite glad to be with him as well.
“She is very pretty, Kuronote-niichan.” One of his cousins giggled and upon seeing her mother approaching to collect them from their elder cousin, she yelled out. “Mummy, look at Kuronote-niichan’s girl friend!”

“I am so sorry.” Shiraishi said once more, when he and Ashita finally managed to be left alone, after her elder siblings’ warning to him and his aunt’s examination of the Ashita in a way that almost seemed as if they were marrying!
“But you family is nice, and I guess they all care for you greatly.” Ashita said. “But why do your cousins call you ‘Kuronote’? I thought your name is…”
“My first name is Kuranosuke but because of this,” he gestured to his bandaged left hand as he explained. He usually unwind the bandages when he get home and only put them back on before he goes to school, or outside during day time, but he didn’t want Ashita to see the true nature of his left hand, even though he was wearing a jumper. “They thought that my name is actually ‘Kuronote’, black-hand, as they think that the skin beneath the bandages is black”
“But why is your left hand bandaged? Every one is curious about that.” She asked innocently.
“That…that is a secret, Tanako.” He said softly.
“Can you tell me?” she asked. “I’ll tell you one of my secrets in exchange, so you can be sure that I wouldn’t tell anyone else.”
“What is your secret then?”
He was sure that he could trust her, but he never told the real reason to anyone ever since that incident in pre-elementary school. Upon seeing that part of his left hand due to a play ground accident, none of his former playmates had wanted to play with him again. Even though his class mates were all at least thirteen now, he was still a bit paranoid.
“A lot of my friends ask me why I always wear yukata when I am not in my uniform.” She began, “That is because I don’t have any other clothes. My parents died when I was very young, and at that time niichan just started university, even though neechan was beginning to work. Because of this we had little money, so neechan and I decided to save money by only wearing yukata since neechan can get cheap fabrics from her job, and make the yukata herself. Neechan is really good at this,” she added, “She made this yukata and isn’t it pretty?”
“Very pretty.” He agreed. This was quite a secret, as every one would probably gossip about her lot if they found out that she was so poor that she could barely afford clothes. “I’ll tell you only if you promise that you wouldn’t be scared.”
Seeing her nod he began, sharing something that he has never told anyone willingly before.
“I have a skin disease on this part of my hand,” he began. “It’s not contagious but…”
“But everyone usually think it is?” she said in a very understanding way, “One of niichan’s pupils had some sort of illness too, and no one would go near him, even though it isn’t contagious either.”
“That’s why I’ve never told anyone this,” he continued, “But what happens is that this part of my left hand can’t be exposed to the sun for a long time, if it does then my skin begin to have rashes and even start to peel.”
“So that is why you cover it up with bandage. But why are you doing it now? Its night time and you are wearing long sleeves.”
“Well…I was afraid that you would see it.” He mumbled. “That part is really pale and…”
“That’s silly,” she interrupted him, although her tone wasn’t angry, just a bit exasperated. “I am not just going to stop liking you because your skin is different from every one else’s.” she scolded
What…what did she just say? That she liked him? But maybe that was only the way that a friend might like another friend.
“You like me?” he repeated dumbly. “Really?”
She gave a nod, although she was blushing now. “I like you, I really do.”
“I like you too,” he told her very shyly, “Ashita…daisuke.”
She nodded once more as she accepted his stretched hands.
“I like you the best too.”


Author’s Note: I thought this chapter was quite fun to write, especially the scene at the festival. To be honest, I initially didn’t thought this would end so long, it’s mainly due to the festival scene. Initially it was just going to be the two of them meeting up and confessing to one another. But I like the additional bit of his cousins, as that is kind of a way to show the development of his character.

In regard to his hand, I know that he used it to scare Kentarou but I really don’t think that he would purposely bind up his hand in order to do that, so I really think that there was something wrong with his hand in the first place that requires him to bandage it up. Well, Oshitari is naturally referring to the Oshitari in Osaka, not the one that went to Tokyo. Just in case although I’m sure that everyone knows.

In regard to what they said to each other at the end of the chapter: daisuke, it means ‘like the best’ and it is usually used by younger children more. So that’s how Shiraishi and Ashita got together and once more I have to point this out: they are very young, only thirteen.

Shiraishi’s name is Kuranosuke but his cousins call him Kuronote because as I said, they thought that his hand is black due to the bandages and sort of mishearing his name when he was first introduced him. I just wanted to do this bit, although I’m not even sure whether anyone would be calling him that later on. But basically Kuronote is like a nickname from his cousins. Kuro means black, while te means hand. So combined together it roughly means black hand.


Second year: to be the captain

As Shiraishi expected, Oshitari and many of the second years who failed to make into the team immediately protested as he read out the result.
“What is unfair about it?” Shiraishi asked, forcing his voice to be rather cold. “You all participated in the ranking matches but did not have enough wins to be it the regular team.”
“Shiraishi is right.” The vice-captain added quickly. “And Oshitari, you will not be in Shiraishi’s place even if you had won against him that day a year ago. I’ve played against you both and I can tell you right now that he is better then you.”
“Then let him proof this by beating me right here.”
“You cannot expect someone, even if he is the captain, to win every single match.” Shiraishi said disapprovingly. “It wouldn’t mean anything…”
“It might show that I only lost to you last year due to chance.” Oshitari retorted back sharply.
Shiraishi has semi-assessed both his and Oshitari’s skills by the result of last years’ end of the year match, and this year’s ranking match. He was probably able to beat Oshitari, but he was not absolutely certain.
“Shiraishi, you probably have to do this,” the vice-captain advised him. “I know that it is not a smart thing but…”
“Given our situation right now, I have to beat him in order to maintain peace for the club and team.” The younger captain acknowledged the truth bitterly.
I have to win, he realized.
This was exactly like the incident in the festival during the weekend. He was in a situation where he would do anything in order to win as the consequences of losing was simply too great.
At least he had his perfect tennis- that should help him.
“Alright,” he finally announced. “But I want everyone to know that this is only happening because after I beat Oshitari last year, I was asked to play with the seniors- which eventually led to the Captain breaking rules for me. What we will do is only allowed,” he repeated again, “because he might easily have been the one in my place. It is only due to my breeching of rules in the first place that allows us to ignore the rules of our school.”
Seeing the nods of agreement from everyone, including the trouble makers, he turned to directly address Oshitari. “If I win, then you will accept me as the captain, but if you win, you will only take my place as a member of the tennis team, and you will play against all the regulars in order to decide who the new captain will be. This is fair isn’t it? Since I had to play against everyone to be the captain.”
“He will only be the vice-captain if he is unable to win against me.” The vice-captain butted in heatedly. “If he fails what you succeeded in.”
“Yes and that too. Oshitari, do you agree?”
The two second years immediately moved into position upon Oshitari’s nod in order to begin the match.
Oshitari, as Shiraishi recollected, was unusually fast. But luckily, this would not hinder him as no matter how fast you were, what you could do with the tennis ball was still limited; and because he studied all the rules of tennis in order to develop his perfect tennis, he was relatively familiar with all of them.
Since Shiraishi was not finding the match that difficult, Oshitari was naturally experiencing the very opposite. He could not understand how Shiraishi was managing to counter his every move despite being much slower then him- it almost appeared as if Shiraishi was foretelling what he was doing.
“Right now, Oshitari relies on his speed too much.” The vice-captain commented. “As for ‘our captain’, it seems that he can predict what his opponent will do.”
“This is because he knows all the rules of tennis much better then us,” the only senior who was in the team last year explained. “He can predict what Oshitari will do quite correctly because he knows how each serve is formed, as well as what the ball will do.
“This is perfect tennis.”

The victory of Shiraishi over Oshitari ensured most people’s obedience, if it failed to gain their admiration and respect. This was one of the first occasions that caused him to wonder about the importance of winning. He also began to feel that he must win every single match since he was the captain, least he was doubted once more.
He started to use his perfect tennis more and more as the year went passed, likewise he was spending so much more time on practising.
However, the real cause happened in the semi-final of the nationals, when they played against Rikkai.
Shitenhouji lost all of their first three matches.
Yes, all three matches were very intense and Rikkai only managed to win by a very narrow margin in each match. But did that matter at all? No matter how close or exciting the matches were, the winners were the winners, while his own team would eventually end up being regarded as only the ones who lost- not the team who might have won, or the team who gave Rikkai their greatest challenge in the nationals this year.
For his team mates’ sake, he participated in their wild celebrations upon their return to Osaka. He even cheerfully told every one that they should all be celebration as they won their last competition in the nationals, therefore taking third place.
It was not as if he was lying, yet he felt as if he was. He believed that he failed his captain- who broke all rules by allowing him to participate in the ranking match in his first year, and then letting him be the captain, as well as spending so much of his own time in teaching him personally.
Was that why he found himself wandering in the empty school instead of going home like everyone else? He spent a long time staring at their latest award and kept on asking himself why he wasn’t happy, before he finally gave up and went out to the tennis court instead.
“You wanted me to be the captain so I could take our team far, because you thought that I have the potential do so.” He said out aloud as he began to serve. “But did I really succeed?”
He began to question whether another person in his position would have done a much better job then him, whether things might have been different if someone else had been the captain this year.
He didn’t notice how hard he was swinging his racquet until Ashita forced him to stop by grabbing the racquet away from him. As soon as he stopped, he realized that his hands were so sore that they were almost limp.
“Kuranosuke, what are you doing?” Ashita demanded, almost screaming at him. “What is wrong with you?”
After a long silence, he told her the only thing that he could think of: “I am practising. But how come you are here?”
“Practising at this time?” she snapped back. “On this night too? And you want to know why I am looking for you?” she continued sharply. “I waited at least an hour for you before I decided to leave and find you.”
At her words, he immediately remembered that they had arranged to go on a date today. How could he forget about this out of all things? And she said that she waited for an hour, so he must have been here for at least two hours.
By now she had forced him to sit down on one of the benches. She then sat beside him with his racquet out of his reach by placing it on her other side.
“Ashita… Are you angry with me?”
“I was,” she admitted, using her free hand to touch his forehead. “But I am worried now. Anyone would be after they saw their boy friend practising tennis as if he was possessed. I almost hope that you are sick, because if you are not, then I seriously don’t know what is wrong with you.”
“I…I just feel bad at the result.” He confessed, as she was the only one that he could tell this too.
“Kuranosuke, our school is third out of the whole of Japan,” she began gently, “You told me that the last time our school was in the nationals was about four years ago and did not even reach the quarter finals. So, why are you unhappy about such a good result?”
“I know that but I just feel that I should have done better. The last captain…”
“Would be so happy at what the team achieved with you as their captain.” She interrupted him, in frustration this time. “It is not as if things will be that different if you are a third year now!”
“I have to practise as I want to be the captain again, Ashita.” He suddenly announced, continuing over her loud protest of ‘are you even listening to me?’ “To redeem myself by taking Shitenhouji to the finals next year.”
“What can you do next year that you haven’t already done this year?” she decided to try a different approach since her previous attempts of reasoning were clearly failing.
“To play with winning as the only purpose.” Shiraishi said grimily. “To ensure that I will win by always playing a tennis that is perfect.”
“But you don’t like playing that way…”
“If I am the captain then it is not just about me, because I will be responsible for the whole team. I am obliged to do anything that would help my team to win. I did not do it this year, so…”
Ashita was torn between wanting to scream at him, or retorting to literally beating some sense into him, as she was just so frustrated right now. She couldn’t understand why he was acting like this! Every one else in the tennis team were really happy at their schools’ achievement- as they should be.
Somehow she ended up clinging onto him instead, perhaps it was because she already guessed the full extent he would go to in order to achieve his goals.
“Last year was relatively good, and until now I am very happy this year due to you.” She said wistfully, upon his puzzled look. “But I think next year will be very different.”

He used his perfect tennis at this year’s end of the year match, and it did help him to reach his goal of competing for the position of captain. Ironically enough, his final opponent was Oshitari Kenya.
Oshitari has clearly used the year to strengthen himself, as he was no longer solely focusing on his speed and his other skills were much better. But Shiraishi himself had changed as well, not only has he decided to use perfect tennis from now on, he actually improved his own use of the tactic, not the actual thing because it was not possible to develop perfection.
But that was why perfect tennis was so boring.
The result of the game caused something that has never happen in the school tennis team before, the captain in one year would be the captain next year as well.
Shiraishi did not gloat in anyway, although he was very glad that he maintained his title. He simply walked to the net and offered his hand to the one that he defeated once more.
“You will be the vice-captain and a member of the tennis team next year.” He stated. “So can we finally put aside all our past problems and work together for next year?”
Oshitari grabbed the hand and shook it without any hesitation.
“You had my respect ever since you won against me at the start of the school year.” He replied back earnestly. “And now you increased it, because I finally realize what a skilled tennis player you are.”
“That’s just because I practice more then anyone else.” He said modestly.
At this reply, most members in the tennis club begin to mutter in semi-agreement. They all know that their captain often remain in the tennis court even after the club finished, while some third years could recollect how they used to see him practising in the early morning of last year. Of course, anyone who wished to join him could do so, but most discovered that they were unable to do that much.
“Let us all do whatever we can in order to go further next year.” Shiraishi announced.


Author’s Note: This is my reason of why Shiraishi have the idea of playing perfect tennis, as I said before, I think the sudden pressure and responsibility have a factor in what happens to him, and I hope that this chapter shows this.
I know that in the actual story there isn’t any 3rd or 4th place for the nationals, or at least it was never mentioned, but I decide to change this- in this story, Shiraishi and his team last year was third. I think it’s quite possible since they gave Rikkai the toughest fight, so they must be really good.

As for Oshitari in this chapter, well…I just decided to use him. So he and Shiraishi had some conflict but this is resolved so they end up as good friends. I don’t know but I think that this is not that impossible. It seems that their school doesn’t have a vice-captain, or at least we were never told. But I like to think that Oshitari being the vice-captain is not that impossible.

By the way: A big presumption that I have in my story: I am presuming that their school is co-ed.

Lastly, in regard to his perfect tennis- I don’t understand anything about tennis and my memories of tennis is that I couldn’t even serve a ball properly when I had to do it in school. I’m not reading the magna for tennis, but for the characters. But what I said about his perfect tennis is my theory, and as I saw someone said online- he was countering Fuji’s tennis by the rules, eg. that was what you are meant to do. So I think to an extent he can kind of predicts some stuff, like I think he managed to get the ‘disappearing serve’ because he knows that the ball is more likely to go that way or something. But it’s not the same as data tennis.

I’ll be moving onto their third year in the next chapter.

Oh my goodness, my desk is like a graveyard for ear phones. I don’t know why but I’ve ended up having a talent for breaking ear phones. It kind of first begun last year, but now my ear phones tend to last only half a year, and I’ve got a bad feeling that it might get shorter. The problem is that it doesn’t just break, it really just half break. Basically one side is fine, while the other side is broken completely. But the fact that you can still use one side make me reluctant to throw it away. Right now I’ve got quite a lot in my desk. WHY!!!!!!!

The weather has been absolutely foul that it is truly unbelievable, I’ve been literally clattering my teeth as I wait for the bus the last few days, while sometimes even walking doesn’t help. It is just so cold. Today…I really made a mistake in what I wore. I recently brought this sort of cardigan and it is longer then a normal one and note- it’s made up of some material that appears as wool, so I thought that it should be quite warm. And I realized today…that cardigan is purely for decoration! I was freezing…

Gosh…university is running the election for the school magazine today so we’ve been getting people trying to advertise them self. And my conclusion…I do not see the point of voting for the editor. I mean, the magazine for our school is absolutely shocking. I mean, to the outside world we probably are the most prestigious university of New Zealand, but um…our magazine…it is shocking. Albatross-sis told me that she once read an article about how the magazine was trying to get strippers to come or something like that. I mean, what a bad representation of university. I’ve flipped it a few times as well, in women’s space (a place in university where women can go to) and there are random magazines. And I mean, they make fun of literally everything, and this really is everything. Gosh…I have even read this article talking about suicide. Describing all the ways you can kill yourself. It wouldn’t have been that offensive if it wasn’t written in a mocking and sarcastic way.

And the candidates for the editorial community…they probably only make me even more determined to not vote. Let’s see, one promise more humour, given it I think what is required is a control on humour. While the other guy…the other guy try to convince that we should elect him because he has basically written for the school magazine and always help up, including appearing on the cover in only his boxer. He even showed that picture to us…

I mean, if people really believe that the university magazine is a reflection of every university students then people are going to think that we are just a bunch of students who somehow made it to university, and spend our whole weekend drinking, with our weekdays in hang over.

I’ve decided to put this fan fiction up since I’ve received some good review about it, and cause lately my blog has been about Prince of Tennis.

Title: Sacrifice
Written at: June 27-July 14 2007
Category: general
Summary: An attempt of examining the character of Shiraishi Kuranosuke. Contains spoilers.

Author’s Note: this story was quite difficult to write because it is about a character who we know very little of- but I wanted to do it, as I think Shiraishi does not get the credit that he deserve. He is actually pretty mature, and he doesn’t really trash talk- unlike many of the others, and he even scolds his team mates for going too far, and his whole reason of playing perfect tennis seem to be due to the sake of his own team, not so much himself. So this is my attempt of exploring his character, my attempt of explaining why he ends up the way he did.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.


First year: the beginning of everything

Smiling widely due to the results of his practice, Shiraishi Kuranosuke began to tidy up the empty tennis club, it was natural that he should do this if he was allowed to use the tennis court when everyone else was gone.
He was also very happy at being in such a great school- most of the seniors in the tennis club were so miraculously nice that he sometime wonder whether that was just part of some long farce.
Not only was the sole first year in the regular tennis team spared from any humiliating entrance ritual, the other members were all very understanding about his wish of doing extra practices in order to be as good as them.
He’ll be having his first proper competition soon and he just hoped that he would perform well enough to not make the captain regret doing the extreme act of putting a first year in the team.
The sky was darker then it should be, as he always timed himself really well- the sky should only be dark when he reached the main street.
The answer was soon apparent, his watch had stopped.
He could only hope that the time was not that late, since the latest rumour was that some delinquents had begun to hang around their school during the late night.
Perhaps he did take too long, as there was a shadow hovering near the tennis court.
Clutching to his precious tennis racquet with one hand and holding his wallet in the other, he decided to run for it. If things get bad then he would throw the wallet- which only contained money now- as a means of distraction. If that fails then he would try and defend himself with the racquet.
Luckily, the person happened to move a bit forward, which allowed him to see them.
It was a girl who was probably the same age as him. The way that her hair was carefully tied back by a ribbon with her uniform worn in the proper way made her rather pretty in a dainty way, and she certainly appeared harmless. She did not look like the images he associated with delinquents: girls with very long skirts or boys in torn and ripped uniforms.
“Hey…” he called out, relieved that she seemed to be as startled of him as he was of her.
“Are you a member of the tennis club?” his nod made her even more nervous as she clutched her hands together. “I wasn’t doing anything bad! I just wanted to look at the tennis court.”
He was now convinced that she wasn’t one of the delinquents he had been warned about so he walked up to her, no longer preparing to break into a run any second.
“Are you a member of the female tennis club?”
“Me? Oh no, I don’t even play tennis.” She answered quickly. “I’m in another club, but I suddenly wanted to take a look at the tennis court because my neechan and niichan used to play tennis here. But how come you are still here when everyone else is gone?”
“I was doing some extra practices.”
“Are the seniors in the club slaving you away?” she asked in horror. “One of the seniors told me that many of the seniors in the tennis club make their new comers pick up all the balls and tidy the room when everyone else is gone.”
“No! The seniors in the tennis club are all really nice!” he corrected her hastily, “I really did want to do some extra practices.”
“Oh, I guess you are like me then. That is why I am still in the school. By the way, which way are you heading to now?”
“The train station.”
“I’m going there too, so let’s walk together! That’ll be safer.”
He naturally nodded, and he suddenly remembered what they had been taught to do at school- which was something that they have both ignored.
“My name is Shiraishi Kuranosuke, I’m a first year in class B.”
“I am Tanako Ashita, a first year as well. I’m in class C.”
And that was how it started.

Even though they had both walked alone in the dark a few times before, the two of them were still rather nervous in the empty school. In order to convince themself that they really were making some progress in walking, they began to ask each other questions in order to show that time was passing.
“I live with my neechan and niichan,” she began. “Neechan works in a department store while niichan is training to be a teacher.”
“I don’t have any siblings but I often have to look after my younger cousins.”
“My worst subject is history.”
“But that’s my favourite and best subject. My worst is…”
They were beginning to lose their initial fears when they spot the three teenagers that leant against the school gate. Judging by the way they were dressed, as well as the numerous swear words that were escaping from them, the two junior high school students gave each other a nervous glance.
They wanted to sneak out, but the three delinquents purposely blocked their way. Shiraishi began to try and unzip his bag as inconspicuous as he could in order to be able to use his racquet as a weapon.
Maybe he could help Ashita to escape by distracting them.
“Well, what have we here?” the leader said casually as he bent down to examine their latest victims. The smoke of the cigarette made the two of them cough and upon seeing this, the three delinquents all laughed maliciously.
“Seems that we captured some snotty kids.” One of them announced. “And this little punk here even have some sort of racquet- must be some rich kid.”
“I am more interested in the girl.” Another began.
Shiraishi never worked out just what exactly happened next. He only knew that he was trying to get his racquet out in order to hit them when he noticed Ashita raising her hand from the edge of his vision.
The next thing he saw was the leader of the gang falling backward, crashing into the school gate.
“Are you…” the other two delinquents began, only to be interrupted by their companion’s angry cursing.
“Just go and get that little bitch!”
They probably did try, but somehow they ended up being punched severely before they too were tossed away, almost knocked unconscious due to the force of the crash.
Taking Shiraishi’s hand into her’s, Ashita began to run in order to leave the three delinquents as fast as they could. Even though she showed herself to be rather capable at protecting them, she was still a little girl.

“I am in the karate club.” Ashita explained, as the two of them waited for his father and her sister to come to the police station. “I’ve been doing karate since I was four.”
“Like me and tennis! I was four when I started too!” this coincidence made them both laugh, but Shiraishi quickly stopped as he recollected that he haven’t thanked her yet.
“Thank you for…” he began sincerely.
“You would have done the same thing.” She interrupted him. “So neither of us should be thanking the other.”
That was when Shiraishi decided that he wants to be good friends with her.

Shiraishi was naturally given a most severe lecture by his parents; his teacher; his coach; both the captain and vice-captain of the team of the tennis club, as well as most of the seniors in the school tennis team for being so careless.
But many of his peers regarded him as a hero due to the spread of rumour.
“Is it true that you beat them all up just by using your tennis racquet?” one of his following first year in the club asked eagerly as they prepared to leave the club.
“No, no, that wasn’t me.” He hastily explained. “It was Tanako Ashita. She wasn’t using a tennis racquet either, but…”
“So a girl had to rescue you? What a sissy.” Someone said.
The tennis club was not perfect, because even though most of the seniors acknowledged Shiraishi’s presence graciously, since he did beat them without displaying any arrogance, many of the first years resented him.
Especially those who were from Class A- they often consider themselves to be superior then him due to achieving a higher grade.
“She…” he began indignantly, angry on her behalf.
“Tanako Ashita is the rising star of the karate club. She has beaten many of the seniors in the club.” The recitation of Konjiki Koharu interrupted all of them. Right now he was the only first year from Class A in the tennis club that Shiraishi did not dislike, since he happened to be the only friendly one. “I doubt that any of us in the tennis club can win against her in such a fight.”
As no one was able to deny this logic, the troublemakers left, taking some satisfaction in shooting them a nasty glare each.
“Do you actually know her?” Shiraishi asked. “Tanako Ashita?”
“No, I just remember a lot of things. I also know where the karate club is,” Konjiki said rather slyly. “You want to go there right? It should be interesting since they are having a semi-competition today.”

Like many inhabitants of Japan, Shiraishi has watched martial arts on TV now and then, but he did not really understand it, especially if there was no commentary. However, he recognized Ashita, and judging from the surprised mummers, she seemed to be doing quite well.
“Her opponent is one of the third years who has competed in the regional last year.” Konjiki explained for both Shiraishi and Hitouji, who decided to come along as well.
As she prepared to leave after having bowed to her opponent, she suddenly noticed the three out of place boys there, they were all carrying tennis racquets but they were obviously cheering for her. Upon seeing Shiraishi, she smiled and waved rather shyly at him.
“Are they your friends, Tanako?” the captain asked curiously as he handed a towel to the younger girl.
“I guess so.” She muttered. “Well…I know the one in the middle.”
“I suppose I can be generous and let you talk to him for about five minutes before you begin to study for the history test. I know, I know,” the captain continued, hushing her protests, “You are thinking that I have no right to make you study. But Tanako, your history mark is simply too drastic, so my duty as a captain includes increasing it.”
“And also because our coach happens to be a history teacher.” The vice-captain added in dryly. “And threatens to not let you compete if you don’t improve.”
Ashita reluctantly grabbed the history text book that the captain held out before she made her way to Shiraishi.
She suddenly felt very nervous, and so was he. This was not unnatural as they were only twelve years old, having only recently left the world where the opposite sex was your greatest enemy.
“Hello Shiraishi, were you watching?”
“I was told that the karate club is having a competition today and remembering what you said, I though it might be interesting…Eh, are you going to the library like this?” he suddenly asked as he noticed the book in her hand.
“Ah…Tanako Ashita’s worst subject is history. In fact, she didn’t even pass the test last month. Her mark was…”
“Who asked you?!” Ashita snapped furiously, while Shiraishi shot him an angry glare.
“For someone with such a remarkable IQ you can be quite dense.” Hitouji commented dryly. “But Shiraishi, isn’t history your best subject?”
“Oh, you did say that!” Ashita recollected. “Do you think that you can help me then? I really have to do better in history.”
He was more then happy to be able to help her in anyway. Even though she did not even want him to thank her about what had happened, he still greatly desired to do something for her.

First year: the captain’s decision

Shiraishi’s first year passed happily enough- he was able to achieve a good enough grade to remain in the same class next year, as well as continuing to distinguish himself in tennis. He played double with his captain in official competitions, but it was clear that he was capable at playing singles too, as he has beaten some of the seniors on the team as the year approached its end.
He had new friends was well, both in his class and in the tennis club. He managed to become good friends with Konjiki and Hitouji, as well as staring to become acquainted with the mostly silent Ishida Gin.
Also, he and Ashita had ended up as rather good friends ever since he helped her to pass her history test, and it seemed that due to the improvement of her history marks, she might actually end up being in his class next year. The two of them would often talk after his practices in the early morning- he was no longer allowed to use the school’s tennis court in the evenings due to the delinquent incident.
That was not a bad thing, as there were less people around in the morning. Many people loved to tease him for spending so much time with a girl. But luckily they never ended up being really serious or harmful.
Right now, the four first years were playing doubles at the rather empty court, as most of the seniors were occupied with their tests. They were all completely unaware of the fact that all the regulars in the team were observing them from the seemingly empty club-room, discussing their future.
“These four will probably all manage to end up being in the team next next year, if not the next year.” The vice-captain said confidently. “Shiraishi will definitely remain in the team all three years.”
“I think he might even become the captain in his third year.” Another third year commented out.
“No,” the captain said softly, “No, I don’t want that. I want him to be the captain from next year. I want to let him participate in the end of the year match.”
“I can accept this easily if he beats me, and the same thing can probably be said for the other second years. Most people accept his presence in the regular team because they played against him and lost. And he probably will have the most amounts of wins in the end of the year match,” the only second year in the team said rather easily, “He have the talent, but more importantly, he have the desire of wanting to excel in tennis and the determination to practice so much in order to achieve this.
“However, do you really think that the first years can accept this? You’ve already give him a lot of privileges by letting him join the team. Since they have not played against him properly, they will not really understand that he deserves these privileges.”
Shitenhouji’s tennis team choose their captain by a match that was held between all the second years that wants to be the captain at the end of each year. There have been times when first years were allowed to join the match due to special permissions from the captain, but they usually did not end up as the captain.
“It is true that this system usually prevents our seniors mistreating the juniors.” The vice-captain began, “but it worsens the relationship within each year. As mentioned, many of the first years are already jealous of Shiraishi. The sad truth is that because we are not abusing him, they can let them self be jealous.
“That is true, you can not be jealous of those who are welcomed into the team by violence and abuse, even if they are having privileges.” The captain agreed. “But I have decided, I will let him be the captain from next year by allowing him to participate in the end of the year match.”
“Are you sure about this?”
Upon hearing this voice, all of the members of the tennis team quickly stood up to greet their coach. Their old coach had decided to leave and his replacement seemed to be a rather unqualified young man with little experience, his rather lazy attitudes worsened the team’s perception toward him. However, he soon proved himself by beating all of the regulars two at once due to his experience.
He also had the tendency of turning up whenever they least expected, as well as appearing when they were sure that he would not.
“Shiraishi is a suitable choice as the captain next year.” The current captain reasoned. “This will be a good thing…”
“For Shitenjouki’s tennis team.” Their coach said. “But for the young boy’s sake, I hope that you will not make him enter the end of the year match.”
“But…”
“Because he is a responsible boy, he should not be made into the captain next year.” The coach repeated once more. “If you make him into the captain next year- and I think we all know the truth, he will beat everyone else- it will profit the tennis team, but it will not be a good thing for Shiraishi himself.
“I am not the captain or even a member of the tennis team, so this choice is yours completely as I do not have the right to interfere. But I hope that you will all think about this very carefully.”

Outside, Shiraishi was still playing tennis wit his friends very happily. There was no other competition left saved for the school’s end of the year match, and since he was only a first year, despite being a member of the tennis team, he did not regard it as something that should concern or worry him.
“I still think this is cheating.” He laughed, picking up the ball that failed to be served across the net. “You two are preventing me from playing properly by doing that!”
“Then maybe we can have a chance to be on the team next year!” Hitouji laughed back. At this he and Konjiki both hugged the other once more.
“So you two plan to beat all the other seniors by making them laugh so much that they can’t play properly?”
“Well…it is a strategy!” Konjiki said. “And since you, who plays double with the captain against other schools, seem to be affected then we probably have quite a good chance.”
Shiraishi was about to try and serve once more when he felt a sudden tap on his shoulders.
“Sen…sensei!” Like most of the members in the tennis club, their coach’s tendency of suddenly creeping out was not something that one could easily get used to.
“Your captain and vice-captain want to talk to you.” The coach said. “I’m not really sure what about though. But for your sake, I hope that it is not something important.”
This was not the first time he spoke weirdly, so Shiraishi didn’t really bother to ponder about his coach’s strange words.

As to be expected, the captain and vice-captain were both standing beside the trophies that represented the school’s past glory. He always paused to admire them and dreamt of seeing his own name there one day so that another in his position years later would wish for what he has done.
“Ah, Shiraishi, we were just discussing your perfect tennis.” The vice-captain began easily.
So that was what they wanted to talk to him about. He had got the idea of seeing what would happen if he played tennis by the rules and only by the rules- to do all that was required without any additional actions. This idea came to him because he never liked wasting much time due to unnecessary gestures, and did have a reputation of doing things methodically.
“The vice-captain told me that you said that you don’t really want to continue experimenting with the idea.” The captain said. “Even though you are playing really well with it, and even succeeded in beating him by it.”
“I don’t like it. I don’t like perfect tennis because it is not fun. It is really boring. Yes, I did beat the vice-captain, and I did feel quite happy about it.” He added rather apologetically. “But I didn’t enjoy the process at all.”
“But surely the result of winning is very important.” The captain pressed on. The two of them were not being unkind on purpose because their own playing style was too different, so they could not understand why a perfection that resulted in winning would be such a bad thing. “Surely some sacrifice is necessary sometimes?”
“Do you mean that the end does justify the mean?” Shiraishi said out aloud, remembering the debate that happened in his history lesion a few days ago. They had to discuss whether a certain lord was right in rebelling against his own brother due to the knowledge that his brother would not be a capable ruler, even though he was a very good man.
But that’s nothing like this, he thought.
“Well, at least think about it carefully before you decide to give it up completely. It really is such a good idea. But that’s not what we want to talk to you about. The main point is this,” the captain decided, finally having made his decision, “We want you to take part in the end of the year match because both of us, as well as many others in the tennis team, want you to be the captain next year.
Shiraishi often believed that he would have refused their wish if he had the chance to go back to that day, as he was forced to learn the full amount of sacrifice that one was required to do in order to be worthy of the title of Captain by the hard way.
But he was only thirteen when the seemingly tempting possibility was offered to him. Not only did he accept it eagerly and happily, he was even secretly hoping that he might win and end up as the captain even though he would only be a second year.
Intelligence was not the same thing as wisdom, so both Konjiki and Hitouji were truly happy for him, while Ishida offered a sincere good wish. Like him, none of them truly understood what the consequence of being captain was.
When Ashita arrived, he immediately told her his news.
“Really?” she said in wonder, immediately clapping her hands. “Then you will definitely be the captain, because I am sure that you will beat everyone else.”
“That’ll be nice but almost all of the second years will be participating.” Shiraishi pointed out, not wanting to be over-confident.
“Then let’s celebrate for the mere fact that you are allowed to take part!”
Laughing, they all agreed, as they could only see this possibility being a good thing.

About a month later, Shiraishi was playing for the title of Captain. The rule was simple- every candidate would play against everyone else, and the two with the highest amount of wins would compete for the title of captain with the loser being the vice-captain.
He did not use his perfect tennis, although he continued to experiment with it due to his captain’s insistence. He was very grateful to all that the captain has done for him so he decided that he should oblige.
The match was very intense and both players were exhausted when it finally ended. Shiraishi just managed to win, the truth was that it might have been better if he didn’t because to be vice-captain when he was only in his second year would still be distinguished enough, and it would not include so many responsibilities.


Author’s Note: Alright, the first two chapters are done, and they are both set in his first year- I guess I’m trying to explain and examine all that has happened to make him the way he ended up as.

Tanako Ashita is an OC, my invention. But she’s not a Mary Sue, I think I just happen to write about OC stories a lot. In my story I’m describing most people by their last name, which is I believe how it is done by the manga, but since Ashita is an OC, I am describing her by her first name- also because I really like her name. However, with the exception of Shiraishi later on, she is addressed by her last name.

Obviously, the way their school chose their captain is my own invention, and I am sure that not all school are really abusive to their juniors. Since both Seigaku and Fudomine have this problem I decided to not make Shitenhouji like that- and I think most of his team members are quite nice to their first and second year so I like to think the way the seniors treat Shiraishi is possible. But then the juniors are not so nice to each other

Well…as I said before, the hard thing about writing this fan fiction is that we don’t really know much about Shiraishi. However, the bit about the meat-eating competition kind of shows that in general he doesn’t like wasting time, and does tend to be methodical. I tried to show this by mention how he always carefully time himself and all that. And another hard thing is that due to the way the characters are drawn it is really easy to forget that they are in junior high- I often have to remind myself of that. So I have tried to show he and Ashita, in these two parts, as very young- almost like children, but it isn’t easy.

I suddenly decided to do this, since I’m not going to really talk about Prince of tennis properly but I thought I might as well talk about Shitenhouji, since they are now my favourite team/school, I even like them better then Fudomine now. I think its cause I really like Shiraishi, and somehow I ended up really liking his school as well now. I guess this is a break from studying, I’m at that really unstable stage, one second I’ll feel I’ll survive, the next second I am so tempted to jump off the cliff (figuratively speaking) so I thought I’ll just do something fun.

Background: Shitenhouji Chuugakkuu (四天宝寺中学校) is one of the rival schools. They are from Osaka, unlike most of the others schools, who are in the Kantou region, if not in Tokyo. According to one site Shitenhouji has been the winner of the Kansai regional for the past two years, since that site is done by a person who really likes Prince of Tennis, and his other stuff are really good, I presume that this information is right. Shitenhouji faced Rikkai in the semi-finals last year, and even though they lost all their three first matches, they were regarded by all as having given Rikkai a much more tough fight then Makinofuji, the school who was runner up last year. (so maybe it was 6-5 or 7-5 instead of 6-0 the whole way.)

Shitenhouji, like Rikkai, ends up being in the top four again this year (unlike the two other schools who were in the top four), where they have to play Seigaku in the semi-final. Unfortunately, they lost in the semi-finals again, although this time it is with a 3-1, instead of a 3-0. I think they had really bad luck last year, because if they managed to meet any of the other two schools then they would definitely have ended up in the finals, but they had to meet Rikkai. I really don’t understand why Konomi-sensei doesn’t let Shitenhouji be the runner up considering that they are actually one of the most distinguished schools in the whole manga. At any rate they are definitely more distinguished then Majinofuji- we only see two of their members for a total of five seconds. Beside, wouldn’t it be more glorious for Seigaku to beat the runner up of last year?

Well, what can I say? I am a fan girl so I really wish that they could have end up in the finals and win, although I know that this is not possible, well, we are all allowed wistful thinking once in a while.
Now, information about the team

Coach/advisor: Watanabe Osamu (渡邊 オサム) [Note- in the Chinese version his name is translated to (渡邊修) since his first name is in hiragana.]

Watanabe is the youngest coach out of all the coaches in the story, he is actually only twenty seven. I was quite shocked the first time I saw him, cause my initial thought: “Oh my gosh, this guy seems really young!” But then I reminded myself that this is Prince of Tennis, where junior high school kids can look as old as university students. So I thought…maybe he’s the opposite, he just looks young. Then I read the manga properly and I was pretty shocked at the fact that’s he really is young, being only twenty seven, I just feel as that he’s at an age where he could still be playing tennis, instead of teaching it.

He seems to be quite laid back, as we often see him joking with the rest of his students. However, he is actually quite a good coach, and in my opinion he might actually be one of the best coaches. I’ve seen sites where people describe Watanabe as being irresponsible, but I don’t agree with this. I think his reasoning is that Shiraishi is doing a really good job as the captain, so he doesn’t really need to interfere most of the time. But the important thing is that he steps in whenever Shiraishi is unable to do something despite being the captain. For example, Chitose actually quits but Watanabe get him back to play for the team by telling Chitose that he have no idea that he quit because he hasn’t accept the resignation form (I got a feeling that he just chucked it into the bin as soon as he saw it. August 19: I was reading a clearer version of the manga, and that is what Watanabe did.). So Watanabe is a rather sly character

What happened in the unofficial singles 1 match between Ryoma and Kintarou also prove that he is a responsible coach. We first see Shiraishi trying to stop them, and then Watanabe actually yells at Kintarou to stop as he realizes that Ryoma is slowing down. I think this shows that Watanabe is actually quite responsible when he needs to be. Judging by the rest of the team’s reaction it seems that whenever their coach interferes, then things are really serious. For me, I think this makes Watanabe a better coach then Ryuzaki-sensei, who just watches Ryoma without doing anything. (That’s one thing I really can’t forgive Ryuzaki-sensei for. Yes, perhaps it will teach Ryoma something but I really think she should have interfered there). Likewise he actually steps onto the court and tells Ishida Gin that he can’t play anymore, instead of letting him continue- and I think Gin might have want to continue. So he’s not a bad coach as he does do his stuff when he needs to.

The only thing I have to complain about Watanabe is that I think he would have done something about Shiraishi’s attitude of ‘I’ll play perfect tennis even if I think it is really boring for the sole reason that it’ll help my team to win.’ I really wish he could have let Shiraishi understand that he shouldn’t be making that big and personal a sacrifice for the team, as to sacrifice his love for tennis. Especially when I feel that Watanabe seem to be a guy that likes to have fun, but I think in this case he didn’t really understand how bad it is, until it is too late, and I do believe he feel bad about what happens to Shiraishi. My own feeling is that he actually feels guilty for letting Shiraishi be the captain in his second year, as he might have guess that this will have negative consequences, as the coach Watanabe probably played a part in that. Unlike many of the other schools, eg.Seigaku, Shiraishi is allowed to be the captain in his second year even though this is not usually done. (Tezuka is probably way better then his captain last year but he was only the vice-captain due to being a second year.) So that suggests that Watanabe does think of the team’s interest, because even though I think Shiraishi shouldn’t have become the captain in his second year (as I believe that caused him to do what he did), it is definitely a good thing for Shitenhouji’s tennis team.

Watanabe’s sense of fashion is…interesting. He wears this long coat and a rose patterned bucket hat with a matching shirt (I’ll put a picture up…), although the OVA alters this- but he still have his hat! His hair in the manga seems to be blond (judging from the character cards), but it becomes red in the OVA. The OVA also differs from the manga by letting us see his face the whole time, in the manga his face is covered by his hat for probably more then half the time. And as someone pointed out, he is initially smoking in the quarter finals, but is chewing onto a toothpick instead in the semi-final. He also has a habit of pressing his hat. (Personally I don’t get why he does that, since it’s not as if his hat is the type that will easily blow away.)

Captain: Shiraishi Kuranosuke (白石 蔵ノ介) [For anyone who is interested, his name is (白石 藏之介) in Chinese, same characters but the kanji characters are written differently in Chinese.]

Since I have already written a +3000 word essay/description on him, I will make this very short and basic (which is pretty challenging!)

Shiraishi is the captain and unlike most other captains the story, he has been the captain since his second year, this indicates that his skills must be really good. In my opinion, he is one of the best captains in the whole story, as he is really playing tennis for his team, not for himself. He plays his perfect tennis even though he says it is the most boring thing in the world- but he believes that his duty as the captain is to bring his team to victory, so he must overrule his own interest. He is also very calm in a match, being able to remain composed and analyze everything. That is why he is able to actually beat Fuji- the first person to ever do so in an official game.

I actually realized something the other day, it seems that Shiraishi only starts to play perfect tennis when he become the captain, due to his sense of responsibility. So this suggests that he must be really good even without his perfect tennis because he become the captain by his normal way of playing. I think this is really sad, because he is doing it not because it would raise his skills drastically, only because it will make him slightly better, and for the sake of his team, he have to make that sacrifice, even if it is just a slight improvement.

Shiraishi is almost always drawn with bandages around his left arm (almost always, as I’ve seen one picture when his hand is not bandaged, although his hand is not really visible in that picture).

Other Team members
Oshitari Kenya (忍足 謙也)
Kenya is the cousin of Oshitar Yuushi, and I think the reason he is always referred to by his first name is to prevent confusion. He first appears at the train station, talking to his cousin about his team. He and Yuushi seem to be quite friendly and close with one another, as they exchange quite a lot of information about what has been happening in Kansai/Kantou. During the semi-finals, Kenya actually says that Yuushi has told him to be careful of Momoshiro from Seigaku. I think he and Yuushi are quite close, although they probably do have some sort of competition with each other.

I really believe that if Shitenhouji has a vice captain, then it will be Kenya. During the Shiraishi/Fuji match, many members of the tennis club were actually treating Kenya as the leader, sine their captain is the one competing. He also yells at them for suggesting that Shiraishi might lose. But for some reason, which I don’t really know why myself, I really think that despite the strong and obvious loyalty he now have towards Shiraishi, the two of them had some past rivalries/clashes that was really bad and serious, which prevents them from being closer friends.

One thing I don’t like about Kenya is that I think his mouth is a bit too big, ie. He talks a bit too much. Although this is not really his fault. The thing is, after I read Prince of Tennis properly, when I read all that is available, I was naturally celebrating this by officially declaring out that Shiraishi is my favourite character, and that I think he’s the best, etc etc. (People does this for their favourite characters). Albatross (alias) then told me that Shiraishi is not that great a guy because she says he actually trash talks really badly, by saying that Fuji is only a genius at Kantou level. Since this was shortly after I read the manga, I couldn’t be sure whether Shiraishi said such a thing, although I was sure that he wouldn’t. For those who know the story quite well, it is Kenya who said this. So I guess for this reason alone, I don’t like Kenya that much. Although I don’t think he is that bad when you consider the situation at that time.

Kenya is probably the fastest player in the story, he is much faster then Kamio, even after Kamio’s sudden improvement. Kenya also calls himself the Speed star of Naniwa (which is another name for Osaka). As a site pointed out, Kenya seems to specialize in doubles, as he plays double for both the two matches he was in. (Well…he was meant to play doubles in the semi final but he steps down to let Chitose play instead. So I think that shows him to be quite selfless.)

Chitose Senri (千歳 千里)
To be honest, I don’t really like Chitose as I really can’t forgive him for quitting the team in the middle of the nationals. Although I feel much better when he ends up as the first person from Shitenhouji to drink Inui juice (well…he is forced to drink it as it is literally shoved down his throat. My guess is that Kenya and Hitouji are the ones responsible.)

I think the difference between Chitose and the rest of the team is that Chitose only joined Shitenhouji some time during the middle of his second year. This is why I feel that he lacks a certain loyalty to the school, and to Shiraishi- as for the others, Shiraishi has been their captain since last year. Chitose use to be in Shishigaku, a school in Kyuushu. He and Tachibana Kippei are probably good friends, but he was accidentally injured by Tachibana in a school match, which cause him to quit the tennis club, then change school, due to the injury of his eye. He recovered enough to be able to play again, but he says that he still can’t see that well with the eye that got injured by Tachibana, still can’t see that well.

Chitose is also one of the few in the story who can go into a state of Muga no Kyoichi. As I said before, Chitose quits after the quarter finals, but he does turn up to watch the semi-finals. Another thing that made me annoyed is that he isn’t actually emotionally involved in the game despite the fact that he used to be in the team at Shtenhouji, and that Shiraishi is probably his friend.

I think the little girl who Tezuka meets in Kyuushi is his sister, not just because she address him as her brother- because you often address any elder with that, although you usually don’t add their name in front if they are literally your brother/sister (well, the version that I have just have her calling him ‘elder brother’ although I think some people say she adds his name in front.) However, the main thing is this: Chitose describes her as his younger sister, you don’t do such a thing unless they really are you sister. So that’s why I think she really is his younger sister.

Chitose is another example of Shitenhouji’s…interesting fashion sense. He tends to wear geta whenever he is off court, even if he is wearing his school uniform.

Tooyama Kintarou (遠山 金太郎)
Initially, Kintarou was going to be the protagonist of the story instead of Ryoma. Because I really like Shiraishi and Shitenhouji, I think this is a big pity, I would love to see them in a position where they are as important as Seigaku.

Kintarou is the rising star of Kansai, just as Ryoma is the rising star of Kantou. However, I find him much more likeable then Ryoma, because he is not so cocky. He is in a way, quite innocent, and I feel he really is like a kid his age- a rarity in Prince of Tennis where you usually have to remind your self that they are only kids.

Kintarou is said to be the strongest player in Shitenhouji (perhaps a bit like Ryoma to a degree?) even though he is only a first year. He is also very strong, despite being as short as Ryoma. He has bent a golf club with his bare hands, as well as beating up a bunch of delinquents after he throws a motorcycle at them. But he only does these acts after these people has wrong him, although his attitude of getting even can be scary since he have the means to do so. In truth, Kintarou is actually quite a friendly person, and he seems to make friends quiet easily. He ate the rice balls that Sakurano made even after it fell to the ground, as well as wishing Ryoma good luck when he first found out that he is competing too.

On the other hand, he tends to address many of his team mates (all older then him) without any suffix, This is regarded as quite rude in Japanese culture. Ie.Instead of addressing Shiraishi as buchou, or senpai, he just calls him ‘Shiraishi’, and he does the same thing with Chitose. Although this shouldn’t be that a surprise as he even calls their coach ‘Osamu-chan’.

Kintarou’s school mark is probably not the best either, as he keeps on mispronouncing Echizen Ryoma’s last name as “Koshimae”, and likewise he misinterprets Kenya’s description of Ryoma. Kenya says Ryoma “has nerves of steel and is very cocky; he'll stare you down with the whites of his eyes", but he interprets this as Ryoma "has a body of steel, his fingers release deadly toxins, and he'll stare you down with his three eyes." Likewise he got off at Shizuoka instead of Tokyo, since he thinks that Mount Fuji is actually in Tokyo- this then cause him to run all the way to Tokyo. He actually gets to Tokyo on time, so I have a feeling that he was probably told to leave earlier then everyone else just in case. (Note- the OVA differs from the manga by making Kintarou arrive in the middle of the nationals, instead of before the nationals.)

To some extent, he is also rather childish. He seriously believes that Shiraishi’s left hand is poisoned, and that if Shiraishi’s left hand touches him when it is unbound- he will die, as he does get really scared.

Kintarou is probably another person in Shitenhouji with a distinguished sense of fashion, he can probably compete with Watanabe. He wears a leopard print top, although he often wears the jacket of Shitenhouji tennis team over it. The only time we see him wearing the proper uniform, the actual shirt, is in the opening ceremony of the nationals. Personally, I think he only did that due to a mixture of threats and possibly bribes from Shiraishi.

Zaizen Hikaru (財前 光)
Zaizen is a second year, the only non-third year other then Kintarou in the school team, so this obviously says something about his skills, Watanabe also describes him as a genius. Not much is known about Zaizen because unlike the rest of the Shitenhouji team, with the exception of their nameless player, we never get to see him play. Zaizen is meant to play doubles 1 in the semi-finals with Kenya, but that match turns into a singles match. To do him credit though, he actually tries to participate, only to be embarrassed since he is unable to do anything. For that incident alone, I feel quite sorry for him. He was probably really eager to play since he must have been the reserve in the quarter finals and not only did he not get to play, he is even embarrassed for trying to.

On the other hand, Zaizen’s character is not really the best. To an extent he is quite rude, but it’s a different sort of rudeness from Kintarou- his comments are deliberately cutting and rather hurtful. He calls Kawamura Seigaku’s burden, and as a result, get told off by Shiraishi (to be honest, that is how I initially remembered him. ‘Oh, that second year in Shitenhouji, the one that got scolded by Shiraishi for being too rude’. But now I feel sorry for him due to the doubles incident.) Likewise he is also quite rude to Chitose, saying that he hopes Chitose will really quite the tennis club, and when Watanabe tells Kenya to not get in Zaizen’s way in the doubles, Zaizen sort of says it wouldn’t matter, because he could still handle it himself.

I think it is quite a pity that his character doesn’t really get to develop, as he seems to be quite an interesting character. One last information about him- Zaizen has a total of five ear piercing, and I think he might be one of the few characters who actually have piercing (but I’m not fully sure about this).

Since he is the only second year in the team, I think he may very well be the captain of Shitenhouji next year. Granted that Kintarou is better then him in tennis, but he probably have more responsibility then Kintarou. If anything, Watanabe will probably want him to be the captain next year, as he will have to do a heck lot more work it Kintarou becomes the captain. But even without that, it is still more likely that Zaizen will be captain instead of Kintarou. Although I think it will not be easy for him, because for the second years this year, Shiraishi has been their captain ever since they got in.

Ishida Gin (石田 銀)
He is the elder brother of Ishida Tetsu, who is at Fudoumine. He is one of the strongest players in regard to strength. Now, about his match with Kawamura… I am in a bit of a dilemma. On one hand I really like Kawamura and I was actually crying in the middle of the match. For me, this is probably the most touching game, even better then the whole Tezuka/Atobe/Sanada ones. I think what also made his match so sad is Shitenhouji’s reaction, I think they are all really touched as well. We first see Shiraishi closing his eyes and turning his head away (I believe this is another moment when he starts to ask ‘why do we do all these things for the sake of winning?’ once more, cause I think that is what he begins to ponder after his match with Fuji), then we see the non-regulars of the team realizing that Kawamura intends to keep on trying, and then we see Shiraishi and Kintarou (along with most other people who we only see in the back ground) standing up to clap for Kawamura as he walks back to the court. The fact that everyone in the court (including all of Shitenhouji’s team and club) stands up to clap for him when he wins makes it even tear wrenching.

But, as I said, there is a but, I can’t help but to think that it is kind of unfair that Gin was winning and would have win, but had to default due to this one shot.

Anyway, during his match with Kawamura, Gin was hitting counters which gave him an advantage, but he stops and hits Hadokyuu again, even though this gives him more of a disadvantage. He does this because he is really touched by Kawamura’s determination, and says that competing with their strength is the best way to show Kawamura his respect for him. I think it is because of this, Gin does not appear as the bad guy in the match, despite what is happening to Kawamura. I think it is interesting to notice that Shiraishi doesn’t do anything about this, even though he would know that this would have disadvantaged Gin. I think that is because of his whole questioning about whether one should just do everything to win; whether it is good to win even if you feel that the win is rather empty; and that the process was really boring.

Konjiki Koharu (金色 小春)
One half of Shitenhouji’s infamous doubles, also known as Naniwa’s Baka couple (that’s according to a site, although I’m not fully sure about this, as I heard that it is a really big insult to call someone ‘baka’ in Kansai, but ok to call them aho. Apparently aho can even be an endearment term.) He and his partners Hitouji Yuuji always have their arms around each other’s shoulder as they were apparently told by Watanabe to not separate unless they are playing on court. I use apparently because Watanabe seems to have no idea that he said this. But regardless of everything, he and his partners are very in sync- knows each other’s movement very well. They would do really stupid things (and I really mean stupid), to distract their opponents.

However, as Shiraishi said, they are not just good at making people laugh. We soon see proofs of this when Koharu is revealed to be a genius, when he analyzes Kaidou’s boomerang snake. He actually has an IQ of over 200, and unlike Inui, everything is recorded in his brain and he remembers them.

Koharu tends to comment on how cute a lot of the others players are, so far there’s Kamio and Kenya, this always result in his double partner threatening him.

Now, the question many people ask is whether they really are gay. My own believe is no, they are just very good friends who enjoys acting this way and playing tennis by doing stupid things. I think they really like joking around in such an extreme fashion for the mere sake that they cam get away with it. Somehow I believe that Shiraishi is actually quite close friends with them, and that he, along with Watanabe, are the only ones in the team other then Koharu and Hitouji, who knows about the true nature of their relationship.

Hitouji Yuuji (一氏 ユウジ) [Hitouji’s first name is in hiragana, like Watanabe. So this is the Chinese version of his name. 一氏裕次]

I wouldn’t be talking about him much because I’ve already talked about him quite a lot in regard to Koharu. Hee is the other half of Shitenhouji’s infamous doubles. Watanabe says that he is the one who studies about his opponent when Koharu is attracting all the attention. This allows him to imitate his opponent’s voice, manners, and even techniques. However, the yakiniku competition shows that there are some things that even he can’t imitate, such as Fuji’s immunity to Inui juice…

Koharu wears a bandana the same colour as the green of Shitenhouji’s uniform.

It is interesting to note that Zaizen, who is quite arrogant, actually admits that he doesn’t want to play against them either.

Mysterious player number nine
When I re-read the Shitenhouji arcs I start to notice that there’s this random as guy who remains anonymous throughout the whole story. He actually accompanies Shiraishi to draw the order for the nationals, but I think the only reason is because of this: in volume 29 Kintarou and Ryoma meets for the first time, and then the rest of the team (excludes Shiraishi) comes out, this does cause a lot of impact. As for Shiraishi, it doesn’t matter if he is not here because he gets to have a dramatic enough introduction by what he said about Tezuka. On the other hand, making him go to draw the order alone is really bad, yet the guy who accompany him wouldn’t be able to come out with everyone else, so Konomi-sensei drew this random as guy- player number nine.

That’s my theory! You do feel a bit sorry for him because unlike Hyotei’s number nine, he doesn’t even have a name. I don’t think he is the vice-captain though, since he doesn’t play at all, it is obvious that his tennis is probably not that good. On the other hand Shiraishi is a really responsible captain so I doubt that they just made a random guy into the vice-captain in order to shove the paper work onto him. (I can see that happening to Seigaku next year, If Echizen becomes the captain, although I personally think it should be Momoshiro=captain, Kaidou=vice-captain. But if Echizen becomes the captain then they’ll probably just randomly select someone and shove the paper work onto him.)

I actually wrote this quite some time ago but I sort of just forgot to put it up completely. It originally started off as a one shot but I someone decided to write a second bit, which kind of sort out the original loose end. Next time I put up a fan fiction it will be my prince of tennis one, especially since I received a really nice review about it.

She had been to many strange places, such as the past, but she felt that this current adventure of hers had took her to the most unusual places any one could ask for.
She went to the underdark after first going through the most insane dungeons she ever been in, and she had met a bunch of winged elves that were cursed to do the opposite or normality. Now, she was in Cania, one of the nine hells. (1)
And to think that all this started because of a theft. Though her weapons and armours were of great value to her, it was the absence of her necklace that made her enter the undermountain. She was a druid, so she naturally hated any place that was isolated from nature.
Yet, there was that one dungeon that she was almost fond of, because it had brought her a compliment.
“Such a person must be mighty and clever indeed, don’t you think?” he had complimented her with an uncharacteristic grin as he saw her. “There can be no room for doubts on your abilities now.” (2)
To complicate matters even more, she was now faced to face with someone she rather not see again.
“Aribeth. Aribeth de Tylmarande.” Raven whispered softly at the beaten figure in front of her. “So we meet again.”
“Do you know this woman?” Valen asked beside her, his hand still holding onto his weapon tightly.
“I knew her.” The hero of Neverwinter said.
“Yes…I seem to know you, but I cannot remember. Why?” Aribeth said in frustration. “Why have all these memories been taken from me?”
“You don’t know boss?” Deekin chimed in. “Boss is hero of Neverwinter and…” (3)
“RAVEN!” Aribeth interrupted the flow of epitaph the bard was prepared to recite by a loud shout of the other’s name. “It is you then.”
“So you remember me, Aribeth? Do you even remember what you have done to Neverwinter?”
“I…” closing her eyes she seemed to try to see something that she only see in her mind, as there was nothing but snow beyond their visions.
“I remember that I betrayed the city, and I remember that you did not. You…you killed me,” but there was no anger or even emotion in her voice, Aribeth simply said this in a matter of fact tone. “Then I somehow ended up here.”
“Raven, should we not continue with our travels?” Valen pointed out. “Time is running even as we dally here.”
“What should I do with her then?” she asked him, her voice barely audible.
Until now, he had never thought that she might actually need someone’s advice. Though she had expressed her doubt and ability, she had handled everything rather well, even the siege.
“I cannot just leave her there, as she was once my friend. But I don’t trust her either, after what she has done.” Raven explained,
“Then we’ll take her with us for now.” He decided for her. “I…I will make sure that she will not harm you, Raven.”
“I think you misunderstand me, Valen. But, Aribeth will come with us.”
“I will not betray you again.” Aribeth said bitterly. “For what reason would I do that now that Fenthick is gone from me forever?”
“I almost envy Fenthcik, despite what happened to you two.” Raven replied instead, her hand automatically moved to grasp her necklace. “At lease you loved him more then you love Neverwinter.”
They walked in silence for a long time because all saw that Raven clearly no longer wished to talk. For most of the time she would be glaring hard at her necklace, occasionally sparing a glance at the sleeping man’s ring, and only speaking when it was necessary to do so.
Valen wanted to ask Raven many things, but he still found himself unable to do so. Perhaps it was due to the distrust he had shown her, which made it difficult even after he apologised. But it was because he was starting to regard her in a rather strange, yet familiar way.
Deekin on the other hand, was too occupied with his songs to notice the strange events. The kobold bard also believed that a person should only tell another person their past when they wanted to.
Aribeth was too lost in her memories as to speak to Raven, she felt that she had to remember before she can ask.
“There was this man who seemed to love you.” Aribeth suddenly said. “I remember him talking to me about you. He was always so worried about you.”
“You remember Aarin?” Raven asked, halting in her path.
“Is that his name? Once, I saw you talking to him, and he gave you something. He gave you that necklace and I remember hearing his words too. Yes, he loved you although he did not dare to admit that yet.
“He was a friend of mine too, that is why I know. Where is he then? Why isn’t he with you?”
“Raven, are you sure you wish to be burdened with the past again?” Valen pointed out urgently. “I did that once and I…”
“But this is not my past.” Raven answered instead, turning away from him to face Aribeth. “Aarin is in Neverwinter.”
“Why isn’t he with you? Does this man not love you enough?” Valen said indignantly.
“He doesn’t love me enough as to abandon everything and go with me, just as I don’t love him enough to tell him that I will wait.” Raven finally admitted, recollecting the last time she saw her lover. “I made a mistake. I do love him that much.”
“So I lost before I even have a chance.” Valen said bitterly. “But Raven, I hold you no blame at all. But yet you never mentioned this man!”
“You never asked me either. I…I left him and began many adventurers without knowing what I really wanted. I tried not to think about him so I never told any one about how I do love someone. Then one day I realized I was actually counting down the time although I refused to admit it.
“There is only one week left. I still love him so much.” She realized. “Perhaps it is seeing Aribeth that forced me to remember everything that has happened in Neverwinter. I think I am like her as well, I try to forget all the unpleasant memories.
“I will go back to him.” (4)

1 All this refers to the hoards of underdark. Why, because that’s the only game in the Neverwinter night series that I have played beside the original campaign.
2 Just in case, the first part is what Aarin Gend says to the PC when she completes Mutamin’s challenge in the Green Griffon Inn. I just really like that bit, when I first saw it I just thought: “Oh that is so sweet!!!” But I don’t know if he says it to a male PC or not, since I only played the game once as a female.
3 I don’t know why I am putting Deekin in as I actually had Nathyrra in my group, and I didn’t keep Aribeth either. And well…the meeting with Aribeth will be very different for the sake of this story.
4 So…a happy every after ending I guess, Raven will finish this and go back to Neverwinter and find Aarin Gend- who will be waiting for her. Somehow it ended up very conversation filled, but oh well, it’s not that bad.

Well…one night I simply couldn’t sleep, which is not new right? For those who knows what I am like. So since I now have a computer that can let me go on line (cheer cheer) I started to surf the net, well, I was reading fan fiction too, I admit. But any way I started to look for stuff about Shiraishi in Chinese sites, since my previous attempts were all limited to English stuff, and it turned out that I managed to find some interesting stuff.

The following are what I got from someone’s site and since it agrees with a lot of other people’s site I presume it is official information, but anyway, since I can only find Chinese ones I thought I’ll just translate them, as it is just the basic words.

Correction: After having been do some site I discovered that the information I found are not really official information, so I guess they are fan information but for some reason a lot of people are like me- thinking they are like real information, so I guess they are almost the unified unofficial information. If you think they are the real ones, then I am really sorry. It seems right now the only official information we have on Shiraishi is his blood type.
I’m still leaving this here because I don’t think I need to take it off, now that I have made it clear this is not official information.

　白石蔵ノ介（しらいし くらのすけ
身高：171CM
體重：52KG
血型：B
生日：1月15日（山羊）
愛好：散步，吉他（初學者）
喜歡的顏色：青色
喜歡的食物：朝鮮泡菜，香蕉
家庭成員：父，母，姐
得意科目：英語
利腕：左右均可
擊球風格：全方位型
父親職業：教師
喜歡的類型：對愛情集中的人


Name: Shiraishi Kuranosuke (romanji)
白石蔵ノ介 (kanji)
しらいし くらのすけ (hiragana)
Shiraishi (白石) (しらいし) Kuranosuke (蔵ノ介) （くらのすけ）
Height：171CM
Weight：52KG
Blood type : B
Birthday : 1月15日
Hobby : walking, playing the guitar (a beginner)
Favourite colour : green
Favourite food : Kimchi, banana
Family member : father, mother, sister
Best subject : english
Handedness : ambidextrous
Play style : all round
Father’s profession : teacher
Taste in girls : one who is devoted to love.

And for fun, I’ll just add my own comments, and kind of talk about my fan fiction too. So if you have no idea what I’m talking about just ignore me. Basically my fan fiction contains my own interpretations.

Name: Shiraishi Kuranosuke 白石蔵ノ介 しらいし くらのすけ
Height：171CM
Weight：52KG (Ok, I know this is manga but still…I am so jealous that this guy can have roughly the same height as me but weight much more less then me! Sigh…real life just isn’t fair…)
Blood type : B
Birthday : January 15
Hobbies : walking, playing the guitar (a beginner) (oh this is so cute, and this is probably one of the most normal hobbies that I have seen. I especially like the guitar part. Apparently the voice actor for Shiraishi can actually play the guitar and he said that during his school times he actually would sometimes go out onto the street and play his guitar, singing songs that he composed/wrote himself.)
Favourite colour : green
Favourite food : Kimchi, banana (I really wonder if this relates to the seiyuu too, as in one of the radios the seiyuu for Shiraishi- Hoysoya Yoshimasa was talking about his first crush. He was at the acting club in his high school, and he was about to eat this banana when this girl (a year older then him) ate it, and upon his complaint told him that: “If you like the banana so much then why didn’t you write your name on it?” According to him, he immediately realized that he likes her.)
Family member : father, mother, elder sister (my own interpretation made him an only child, as somehow I just see him as being an only child, which I think is one reason he treats Kintarou as a younger brother.)
Best subject : English (Well…so I guess he does know what his pet phrase means… My own interpretation is history, I didn’t know why though)
Handedness : ambidextrous (he was eating noodles with his right hand, but using his left hand to eat yakiniku. So I guess this shows that he could have been eating more meet if he wanted to? Using one hand to grill it, while the other hand eats. But he plays tennis with his left hand. I think in tennis he is left-handed)
Play style : all round
Father’s profession : teacher (a bit like Shishido, but Shishido’s father is a primary school teacher, while we don’t know just what grade Shiraishi’s father teach. I always thought that his school marks would be quite good, as he seems the type who will know how to study. The “I’ll study and I’ll study now without being distracted”, as well as knowing what is important, what he should study and prepare for etc. I wonder if the fact that his father is a teacher would support this but then I always remember this little joke about how teacher’s children are not necessary top of the class. The joke involved a teacher asking his student why he is doing so bad at school when his own dad is a teacher, and the student replied: “Well, so and so’s dad is a doctor but he still get sick.”
Taste in girls : one who is devoted to love. (Oh I think he and his girl friend will be so cute, because he sounds like he would be very devoted to love if he asks the same thing. I think Tanako Ashita (my OC) will be the type of girl he would like then, because she is very devoted to love. She was determined to make their relationship work no matter what as she likes him that much.)

And for fun, a what if scenario…not a fan fiction but just a random one related to do with prince of tennis. It relates to Genius 341-344, especially what Shiraishi did in Genius 344 after he had the misfortune of drinking Inui juice. But that was bit, the whole yakiniku competition is one of the first bits in the manga that I read, it had me rolling on the ground. My suggestion: go and read it even if you don’t believe that you will like it because it is just so funny! Even if your knowledge to prince of tennis is pretty much zero. Although it’s more funny if you know who these people are.

But anyway here it is, and I hope that it will make some people laugh. Then I’ll be happy.  () implies action or thoughts.

What if: Watanabe found out what happened at the yakiniku competition.
Watanabe: “Shiraishi-kun! You’ll never believe what I just heard! Apparently you drank some thing last night and actually began to…”
Shiraishi: “I have no idea what you are talking about.” (hurries away)
Watanabe: “It must be true then, judging by your reaction!”
Shiraishi: (Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to have this guy as my coach?)

Extend to…a few months later in Shitenhouji
Watanabe: “Shiraishi, can you take this to my office?”
Shiraishi: “I’m kind of busy now.”
Watanabe: “Really? That’s a shame, I’ll just have to get someone else in the tennis club to do it for me. And of course, I’ll have to tell them about what their serious captain did in the yakiniku restaurant after the semi-finals of the nationals as a compensation.”
Shiraishi: “Actually, I can do it right now.”
Watanabe: “Really? But you don’t have to…”
Shiraishi: “I want to, please let me!”
Watanabe: “Shitenhouji is really lucky to have such a helpful young man as their captain.”
Shiraishi: (@#$%...)

Meanwhile, in Seigaku…
Echizen: “Momo-senpai, Inui-senpai is still sneezing after five minutes.”
Momo: “Someone is probably cursing him for having to drink his inui juice…”

Yeah. I can totally see Watanabe using that as a way to blackmail him sometimes. Although I don’t think he’ll let it go that far. But yes, poor Shiraishi who had no idea that Inui juice would be that bad. I think had he knew the consequences of that cola he would probably grab the first Inui juice, instead of saying “I have a really bad case of stomach ache.” in a really unconvincing way. (But I kind of like that, as it shows that he doesn’t really want to lie. It is just that Inui juice is too powerful- even making him, one of the most responsible captains, to ignore his duty of sacrificing himself for his team by drinking the first Inui juice.)

Perhaps I should try and spend more time on my blog but then I haven’t even written in my diary that often. But anyway, here we are: the last chapter, the epilogue of my fushigi yugi fan fiction: Hidden Secrets. But there is a sequel for this, so if you really like it then I hope you’ll read the next one to, but I think I’m going to put up my prince of tennis ones first.

What happened last time: Yuri and Hotohori are finally united, and now they are going back to the village of Konan, to be married.

Epilogue

The village of Konan was very isolated from the rest of civilization. In order to get there, one had to first take a train ride of two days from Tokyo, and once at the train station of the closest town, they would be met with the cart from the village, which they would ride for about an hour before they finally arrive at their destination.
It was rare for Konan’s inhabitant to leave the village even on a semi permanent base like Ju-An and Ryoen for the sake of further education. Sometimes villagers might go into the town but it was not a common event, as the villagers were self sufficient in growing their own resources. There was only one phone in the village, and that was at the leader’s house for emergency and urgent news.
Three months ago the village received their biggest news of the year: Seishuku, the village leader’s elder son, was engaged a few weeks after his arrival in Tokyo and planed to get marry as soon as he could.
Not much was known about his future bride, other then her name, and the fact that the marriage was delayed because she was still recovering from an accident, so she was still in hospital, where she met Seishuku.
That was why the driver of the cart today was the village leader, with his wife accompanying him. They were both very eager to meet their soon to be their daughter in law. They loved both of their sons greatly, and they had been a bit worried at Seishuku who never showed any interest in girls, that was why they were overjoyed at the news of his engagement.
“What are your parents like, Hotohori…I mean, Seishuku.” Yuri quickly corrected herself.
“We can just say that Hotohori is your nickname for me.” Seishuku said cheerfully, now that he remembered his past life, both names were equally familiar to him, although he preferred the name Hotohori more then Seishuku right now, as that was what Yuri had called him most of the time.
He was truly grateful to be reborn into a life where he was free from the large amount of responsibility that he had as the emperor.
“My parents? I don’t really know if my parents as Seishuku are what Hotohori’s parents might have been if they were just ordinary people.” he began, but was interrupted by the appearance of the cart with his parents on it.
“Seishuku, where is she?” his father called out even before they reached them. “Where is our future daughter?”
“Papa, you are more happy to see her then your own son?” he protested playfully, laughing he swept up Yuri into his arms and ran to the cart, carrying her. “Here she is, your beautiful new daughter!”
Yuri spent the last three months recovering, as she had been in a coma for three years her leg became rather weak due to the lack of use. Seishuku would arrive as soon as the hospital opened, and spend all his time with her until he had to go work, then he would rush here as soon as he finished, and stayed until the hospital close.
With his help, holding her as she began to walk again, she managed to recover completely and be allowed to be discharged from the hospital in three months’ time.
During this time Seishuku told her many thing of his new life, and he assured her that he was so much more happy living as Seishuku, a son of the village leader of a rather small village, instead of Hotohori, the emperor of a vast kingdom.
“This means that I can spend most of my time with you.” He had said happily, stroking her hair. “And I no longer have to worry about a kingdom anymore. I can just focus on you completely.
He also sent the news of their engagement to his village, so they could start preparing for the wedding. Strangely, the wedding date was set on one week after the day she left the hospital. The total time between their reunion in the hospital and their wedding, was the exact same amount of the time that had lapsed between Hotohori’s first meeting with Yuri and their elaborate wedding.
There was one thing she didn’t ask him yet, and that was what his parents were like. Even though Yuri regarded them as already married she still wanted to have the ceremony held as quick as possible, so everyone else would see them as married. Therefore she had been rather worried at whether his parents would allow their son to marry a woman whom to them, he only just met.
Nuriko…no, Ryoen clearly thought that his brother was bewitched. Likewise, Ju-An and Hojen were both shocked at their friend’s engagement. Not that they were condemning her, but she wished that they would stop looking at the two of them strangely.
Their main consol was that one day, hopefully soon, the memories of being Nuriko, Mitsukake and Chichiri would surface.
Seishuku’s parents were certainly not what she expected, but then she was thinking of the parents he had as Hotohori, a distant father bound by his duty, and a mother who was obsessed with keeping her power.
The village leader was in his late fifties, his hair was a hard grey but apart from that there were no more obvious signs that betrayed his age. He still seemed rather strong and he was controlling the two horses with minimum effort. Even though he was the village leader who was held with great respect and reverence in Konan, he appeared just like anyone else in the village with no hint of any airs.
Beside him was the most important woman in the village, his wife. She was only in her early forties, being seventeen years younger then her husband. Unlike Hotohori’s mother she was very friendly and open.
Perhaps the main difference was that both loved their sons and showed the love openly. Jumping down from the cart Seishuku’s father immediately gave Yuri a hug and a loud kiss on her cheeks.
“We are very expressive in Konan.” He said with a wink at Seishuku.
“My son certainly chose a very pretty bride.” Seishuku’s mother said, bidding Yuri to sit beside her. Once Yuri did so she took Yuri’s hand and began to speak to her very affectionately.
“Are you ready to live in the village for the rest of your life, my dear?”
Yuri nodded. “I just want to be with Hotohori, and I think I will like the village.”
“Then we consider you as a very suitable bride for our son.”
The journey back to the village was very pleasant, the family all began to tell Yuri about the nature of their village, and about the upcoming wedding.
Much to Yuri’s shock the whole village had assembled at the gate, eager to meet their future village leader’s bride to be. All of this took her back to the time she had spent in the universe of the four gods once more. Rows and rows of people beside the street, throwing flowers at their new empress. She waved at them, still in daze at her new position…
“Yuri, the village seamstress is waiting for us in your future home.” Seishuku’s mother announced, dragging her back into the real world. “We have to assure that your wedding gown fits.”
“And Seishuku, come with me to pick the jewellery for Yuri.” The village leader said.
“When the village leader or his heir marries, he has the right to pick one of the three jewelleries in Konan to give to his future bride. She would have the right to wear them until she die.” Raising her hand the village leader’s wife showed Yuri the ruby decorated gold bangle on her wrist. “This is the jewellery my husband chose for me.”
The wedding garment of Konan was of the ultimate importance as it was also their funeral gown. Looking at her new reflection in the mirror, it was if she was going back through time.
Her wedding gown seemed identical to the one she had worn the day she became empress. Obviously, the material of this dress was not as fine as the other one, but the style and the embroidery looked completely similar.
“It is such a beautiful dress.” she finally said.
“A bride looks beautiful in whatever she wears.” The seamstress said sagely, “Every single wedding gown in this village is made by my family.”
“As I said, my son certainly chose a very beautiful bride!” her future mother in law said again, smiling with true affection at Yuri.
“I have something I must ask you, and I wish for you to tell the truth.” Yuri began nervously, her gaze slipping down so they ended up staring at the hem of the richly pattered dress. “Are you truly happy with his choice? After all, it is a very quick wedding and an even quicker engagement. I know that is what his brothers and friends all think. But I truly love your son and I…”
Smiling warmly, her future mother in law placed her hand on Yuri’s chin and titled it so that Yuri ended up looking right at her.
“I am very happy for my son. I also understand why you are afraid of other’s disapproval, as we live in a time when we are expected to know our future partner for sometime before we marry them, perhaps it is worse outside Konan, as one reached to the stage that they simply expect their first relationship to fail as few people end up marrying their first lover.
“When I first met my husband I was fifteen, while he was thirty two. It was at one of the festivals and that was the first time I actually met him properly, we danced together and by the end of the dance we know that we want to marry.
“I believe strongly that you are able to recognize the one that you will love forever when you see them. I certainly did, and I believe you and Seishuku have recognized that in each other.”
Smiling with tears threatening to fall, Yuri nodded.
“Now, this gown…” her future mother in law began practically, after giving Yuri an loving pat on the head, making Yuri thought of her two maids with a slight sadness, although she knew they should be able to seek their own happiness. “I think the hem might be a bit too tight here.”
“It is best for her to walk around a bit then.” The seamstress suggested.
Doing so she ended up in the gathering hall of the village. Right in the very end, against one wall, was the statue of Suzaku, identical to the one that she prayed in front of for many days in Hotohori’s palace.
“Suzaku…” Yuri whispered out in wonder as she knelt in front of the statue.
“Has Seishuku been telling you about the many legends we have in this village? He has always been fascinated about these old tales.” the voice of her future father in law said as he approached her. “This is our village guardian.”
“Yes, papa, I have been telling her about Konan’s legends.” Seishuku said, this was not untrue, as when he was Hotohori, he had told Yuri many of Konan’s stories.
Seeing Yuri he choked, if her hair wasn’t untied, then he would have wonder whether he was dreaming again, as she was dressed in the very same way she had the day he made her into his empress in the kingdom of Konan.
“You look so beautiful…” he quickly said, using that as an excuse.
Smiling, his parents excused themselves to let the two of them be alone. As soon as this happened Seishuku went up to Yuri and took her into his arms again.
“Isn’t it strange how everything is the same as it was?” he whispered softly.
“Only that we will be happy for the rest of our life.” Yuri corrected him. “You are not an emperor, and neither Seiryuu nor Suzaku have anymore claim on us.”
Nodding he pulled her closer for another kiss, then he took her hand and put something on her palm.
Looking down Yuri gasped slightly, in her hand was a strand of pearls.
“This is actually one of the village’s treasures.” He told her. “When I saw it, I thought this would be the most suitable thing to give you.”
Suddenly he was a bit afraid, was it possible that this was another trick that fate or the gods were playing? If everything was so similar then was it possible that they would have to suffer again? He could not go through what he underwent as Hotohori when Yuri left him.
He did not see her death but the memory of her death still brought tears to his eyes, along with an unbearable sadness, even when he woke up with her sleeping against him.
Watching him, Yuri realized what he must be thinking. Then she would tell him her news now, instead of at their wedding night as she had originally planned. Grabbing his hand she pressed it against her abdomen.
“Can you feel anything, Seishuku?” she asked with a huge smile on her face.
Bewildered, he shook his head.
Cupping his face with one hand, while the other rested on his shoulders she gently guided his body to move so that he ended up keeling in front of her with his ear resting where his hand had previously been.
“Can you hear anything then?”
Once again, he shook his head.
She leant down to whisper right in his ear.
“I am pregnant.”
“What?!” at this he quickly pulled himself up, for a long time he just stood there and stared at her. Then he finally whispered: “Is…is that really true?”
She nodded, “I think our child will be a month old now. I noticed that everything seemed to be repeating too, but I don’t think it is because we are going to relive everything, including our suffering and parting. I think it happens because we are having the second chance of living our life without the approaching tragedy. We are living the way our life should have been if we were from the same world.”
Half laughing, half sobbing he embraced her tightly, then put his hand on her abdomen again. He was not certain but he swore that the statue of Suzaku seemed to be smiling at them.
He strongly believed…no, he knew that Yuri was right, they would be able to live the rest of their life in happiness.

Author’s Random comment- written in July 8, 2006

So my fan fiction is now officially finished. I guess I just put this up as I feel like it. This is basically my thoughts and all that in regard to this fan fiction, and a bit of my own view in regard to Fushigi Yugi. I just finished cheeking my epilogue and it is pretty late right now, so it will be pretty messy.
Word of warning now: it is very random, very long, and rather pointless most of the time, though it does contain some explanations of how my story ended up the way it is. But basically: read at your own risk of being bored.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you that it is not important!
I managed to obtain Fushigi Yugi from my sister’s friend, and when I start to read it I just got really hooked into it that I finished the whole thing in one day. I think the main reason is that I really wanted to read a romance, and Fushigi Yugi just had it. Miaka and Tamahome’s romance did really touch me, and I ended up really eager in wanting to find out what was going to happen.
My favourite character is Hotohori the moment he comes out. He truly is one of the most beautiful drawn manga character that I have ever seen (and I have a thing for guys with long hair- even in manga world it seems!). But what really touches me is Hotohori’s character. The way he loves Miaka in an unrequited fashion but remains in love with her even though he knows he has no chance. When I read his love declarations to Miaka I was just so touched! It’s the cases of taking out the boxes of tissues.
As I said in the very beginning of my fan fiction, judging from the manga I think he never stopped loving Miaka even though he married Houki, because I think while he regard her with affection, he does not love her the way he loves Miaka.
The one thing about Fushigi Yugi that really annoys me is how Hotohori kind of got shoved to the back ground. In the first few books he was so important, and then after book 7 I think he just rarely get to come out since he had to stay in Konan while the other travel. Likewise in the anime’s opening, he actually appears with Tamahome when all the seven celestial warriors kind of demonstrates their powers (Nuriko lift up a big rock, Taisuke waves his fan, then Hotohori- drawing his sword- appearing with Tamahome after everyone else appears.)
I was on a web site about Fushigi Yugi the other day and the site creator actually like Hotohori the least (Sob, sob, how cruel is that!) I do disagree with that person’s claim of Hotohori not being aware of what is happening, isn’t it the opposite? Hotohori is filled with the whole burden of an emperor and all that.
I came up with the idea of doing a fan fiction when I was just randomly thinking about the story, like many Hotohori fans I feel really sad that his love is never returned. However, I really don’t like the idea of him being with Miaka cause I felt that the author showed Miaka is meant to be with Tamahome since their first meeting,, and I don’t think Miaka can be a suitable empress- even an empress in an eastern world. (I always get the impression that Eastern empresses have less duty then western queens. And in ancient China your birth does not matter that much in you being the empress or an concubine.)
So I came up with the idea of having a Hotohori OC paring, despite Hotohori being attracted to Miaka due to her cheerful nature, I actually had an idea of an OC who is rather depressing and sad, perhaps it is also because I felt that so many Fushigi Yugi fan fictions are so light hearted, that I wanted to attempt something serious to a degree. I guess I want to have an OC who will manage to share Hotohori’s burden due to understanding.
Somehow I decided to make Yuri (at the start she just got called Yuri because I wanted to give her a flower name, and I thought Yuri sounds the nicest) into Miaka’s half sister, because I wanted them to have a connection even though Yuri would be older as she would be the same age as Hotohori. Since Miaka’s dad left them I thought I’ll let Yuri be her half sister, as they couldn’t be that close either. Due to Yuri’s background she became a character who was rather melancholic and longed to be loved yet very sceptical about being in love.
I like Miaka quite a bit but I have to say, she can be quite useless sometimes, and the fact that she and Tamahome often just hide what they really want to say kind of frustrate me a bit. So I wanted to Yuri to be a bit more useful, hence she ended up wielding a sword. And I wanted her to be bit less impulsive then Miaka- which is why she is kind of really sombre.
That is my initial ideas for the fan fiction that remained the same in this version, however the rest of my original ideas were very different. Miaka and Yuri were actually closer then they are in this version, so she actually fell into the book with Miaka somehow. Yui was meant to be in the story too as the priestess of Seiryuu.
What happened was that Yuri was separated from Miaka and she worked in a tavern, and met Hotohori there (escaping from the palace for some reason), and this being a fairy tale romance () he kind of fell in love with her at first sight, and offered to take her with him. Being Yuri she said that she was unsure, she must have more time.
Later on Yuri was found by Miaka and she ended up in the palace. Hotohori made her his personal servant, an excuse for him to be with her. And I was actually going to write the bit in volume one when Hotohori first offered to make Miaka his empress with Yuri in it.
And when they met Tai Yi-Jun Yuri actually helped Miaka to go back by giving up her own right to go back. In this version she really just fell into the book by pure accident, and she had no special purpose in the book.
I suppose I really just wanted to write all the romantic scenes with Hotohori with my OC, to make it no longer an unrequited love. So some of the other scenes I had planed to do were: the mirror image- where the mirror image insulted Yuri, and Hotohori ended up comforting her; a farewell between Yuri and Hotohori when Yuri chose to accompany Miaka and Nuriko to find the rest; the kiss from Hotohori just before they got caught by bandits; the fever bit where Hotohori had to kill her for Shoka to revive her; and the drowning scene where she was the one drowning instead of Miaka.
This version was more cheerful as well, they actually found Chiriko straight away and they just summoned Suzaku straight away and everything ended happily with everyone living. Yuri stayed in Konan as Hotohori’s empress. Although with this version I had the idea of writing about the bits in volume 14-18 as well. I had the idea that what happened was that a civil war broke out in Konan, so Hotohori had to go out, in his absence Yuri felt sick (like the real Houki). Eventually Taka and Miaka came and they discovered that one of the stones was in Yuri, and also one of the person working for the ‘evil guy’ –sorry I only have his Chinese name- was actually one of Hotohori’s brothers.
Obviously my ideas for Hidden secrets changed- I only come up with the title after I typed the prologue. One night I couldn’t sleep so I was thinking about whether I should actually start doing a bit of fan fiction writing when I suddenly came up with a new set of ideas for Yuri. I guess I kind of reversed things. She went to the book herself and met Hotohori and became his empress, and initially she actually gave birth to twins soon after her marriage- a girl and a boy.
In the second version of ideas I decided to let her have the last name of Houki, as she is going to be with Hotohori obviously I can’t have Houki coming out. But Houki is such a pretty name so I really wanted to use that, that then become her title which is really good- it’s certainly elaborate enough.
But what happened was that Yui arrived with Miaka, and Yuri actually saw Yui and she recognized Yui from that world, and she started to feel guilty even before she saw Miaka due to the fact that she hid about her identity. Then she saw Miaka, which caused her to leave the palace. She wanted to find the rest celestial warriors as a way of redemption but she was not the priestess of Seiryuu, she only went to Kutou in her old cloths and hoped that she would be taken to be the priestess as she was just really desperate to save Konan. She ended up calling Seiryuu not because she was destined to, but because she just did.
Initially I was going to put Yui as I thought since Yui won’t be the priestess of Seiryuu, why not have her in the story? But then I couldn’t be stuffed due to the fact that the story is pretty much focused on Hotohori and Yuri.
I also had two possible ends for this new version. One was that Yuri stayed in Konan, but in a coma, until Miaka and Taka returned- where they found a stone in her and therefore woke her up. Or to let everyone be reborn. Although everyone but Miaka and Yui no longer remember what had happened as they were reborn or resurrected.
I was going to write a bit about volume 13-18’s event too, as well as more of their life in the present. Because of this I was actually going to make Nuriko into a girl, as it would be much more easier to write about him/her that way.
When I started to type the prologue up everything kind of changed again, the biggest change is that I decided to make Yuri into the priestess of Seiryuu, this kind of became her destiny all along. I also made their story more tragic- the whole thing about her being barren and all that. Somehow I didn’t end up having Yui in this story other then to read the book. Then there was many things in this fan fiction that just came as I type, completely unplanned. eg. The whole mark on her head, and deciding that the celestial warriors will regain their memories etc etc. but otherwise most stuff remained the same as the ideas I had for the second version.
Originally I never thought I would finish Hidden Secrets this fast but because of the reviews that I got I just feel so encouraged. I spent ages in front of my computer, typing it up and reworking on it. Thanks to everyone who read the story, especially those who reviewed it.
Ok…I have blabbered on for three A4 pages. If you are still reading this thank you very much, you are truly an amazing person, and I am very grateful that you are actually willing to read this. 

What happened last time: Yuri, along with the celestial warriors have all been reborn into the real world, and now, Hotohori and Yuri are finally going to be reunited once more…

Chapter Nine (1)

“Yuri?” Seishuku whispered, staring at the sleeping form of the woman on the bed.
He began to take the first step towards her…

“My name is Houki Yuri,” she said as she stood in front of him as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her lovely eyes made him felt as if he was drowning, he immediately wanted to know all about her…and he wanted to always have him beside her.
He would make her his empress.
“I desire you to be my empress, but I will only wed you if you wish to be my bride. I wish to have your love” He told her. Taking her hand he raised it to his lips, kissing it lovingly, even though she was staring at him in what might be bewilderment and shock.
Frowning slightly she asked him how he could love her when they only just met. He did not know then…he still did not know even now.

Unknown to her he stood at the doorway of her chambers for a very long time, taking delight in watching her. She pulled her hair ribbon off and her hair fall down in masses of raven curls up to her waist, he longed to run his fingers through them, and kiss each single strand.
Suddenly she started to cry, he quickly made his presence known, hoping to comfort her. He would have took her into his arms immediately if it wasn’t for the fear of scaring her. He could tell that she was crying just then as her lovely eyes were slightly red.
She began to cry even as he held her in his arms and muttered soothingly to her, not knowing what to do he carried her in his arms and laid her down on her bed, placing her head in his lap. He wished that he knew how to comfort her.

“I want to start a new life. A life with you.” She whispered shyly, tilting her head up she kissed him before she continued speaking what was the happiest words he had ever heard in his whole life. “I am ready to start a new life, I believe I love you, and I know that you will always love me.”
He returned her embrace and kiss eagerly, almost not believing that this was coming true. It seemed that Suzaku had finally answered his prayer, he was finally loved by Yuri, he would no longer be lonely again as she would always be there.
She carried the bunch of lilies he just gave her as if it was rich jewelleries due to the way she carefully held them. The lilies were only put down when he loosened her dress and carried her to his bed. There they whispered their love again, even as they loved each other physically.

In front of the statue of Suzaku, she was praying with her eyes tightly shut and her hands pressed together, looking at her made him smiled as she seemed like a little girl. As a child he had thought that the priestess of Suzaku would be the one to save him, he had never been more glad to be wrong, as he was convinced that no other woman could be more perfect then the woman about to be his empress.
In the very next day she stood beside him as his empress, he was so happy as he announced this to the whole kingdom. She certainly looked like an empress as well, she wore the fine wedding gown regally and the strand of pearls she wove into her hair resembled a crown.
Yet their life did not remain perfect as he had foolishly expected on their wedding day. The problem of a war worried him deeply as he was afraid that she would be in danger, and somehow she was still not pregnant after two years of marriage. Unfortunately for them, his advisors saw two years as a long enough time.

She knelt in front of the statue again, once again- she did not realize just how long he was looking at her in secret. He saw that she was crying, and even if she was not crying in front of him he could still realize that as he loved her so much.
He too, had started to pray to Suzaku again. He wanted Yuri to laugh and be happy… Not for the first time, he wished that he was not the emperor of Konan, then he and Yuri could live their life in happiness by spending their days with each other’s company, instead of only at the evenings, or at rare afternoons when he was free.

Whenever he could he would spend his times with her. He taught her how to use a sword because he wanted her to be able to defend herself, even thought she was the empress and therefore constantly surrounded by guards. She had been an excellent pupil, but he still felt a slight bit of regret when he stroked her fingers after their practises and sees the scars that were caused by this.
He also taught her how to write, it was a most enjoyable tuition as he could use this as an opportunity to hold her hand. The first thing she asked him to teach her was his name. In one of the lessons he had wrote out a poem on the new fan that he gave her, she had rewarded him with a kiss and from that day on, she rarely used any other fans.
“In the heavens, the stars are twinkling. In the ground, the flowers are blooming. And now, in my universe, my love for you is shining. It won't stop. It won't be stopped. Love, like breathing, is irreplaceable. I'm glad I was born, because I exist for you. I have only one wish: your happiness” (2)
That was his promise to her, that he would always love her.

When he heard that she fainted he rushed out of the court at once. Seeing her lying there unconscious had made him so afraid as for the first time, he thought of the possibility of her dying. What would he do when that hateful day come? It was selfish but he hoped that he would die before her, as he could not be able to live if she was gone from his side even if she only left after being married to him for years, and even decades.

Whenever she cries he wished for nothing but the power to stop her tears, he could not bear to see her cry and it caused him so much pain. Upon her cries he abandoned his question and embraced her instead. He would figure out why Yuri seemed to be so hostile to the Suzaku priestess later.

He had spent many times watching her sleep, he often wake up before her, and he would held her against him tightly as he gazed at her sleeping form. In these occasions he would always offer his gratitude to Suzaku for brining Yuri to him. Sometimes she would be asleep before he finished the business of the state, at these times he would take to her bed and laid her down, gently untying her hair. Content to just watch her.

“Promise me that you wouldn’t leave me, then I will sleep.” He had insisted, even though she was lying right beside him, enfolded in his arms, he had a feeling that she would be gone from him when he woke up. That was why he didn’t want to close his eyes.
“I promise I’ll be there.” She said, and bent down to kiss him again. “I really love you, Hotohori.”

When she was gone everything seemed to empty again, it was worse then his previous years of loneliness before he met her, as now he knew what happiness and pure joy felt like. He never abandoned his duty as the emperor but he would be haunted by the shadows of his memories.
Yuri was the person who made his life the best that it could be, that was why he held onto her so much. If she could not be with him at his sides, then he rather clung onto her memories instead of having nothing.

When they found what they believed to be the seventh celestial warrior of Suzaku he was overjoyed because it meant that Suzaku would be summoned, and Konan would be safe. But his ultimate pleasure came from the fact that he would be with Yuri again, and life would be easier for them.
He dreamt of having children with her, as a ruler he naturally had to have sons, but he greatly desired for a daughter, as he wanted a little girl who would grew up to be exactly like her mother. He could already imagine the pleasure they would have with their children.
“And then it will all be over, and then it can all be put aside: the self-accusations, worrying about the country, and the days of regret and sorrow…” (3)

After all what seemed like such a long time of separation she was finally there again. But she was very different from the woman who was his empress. Usually she would be dressed in red, as that was Konan’s national colour, as well as the colour he often wore. Thus, being the empress of Konan, red was the most common colour in her wardrobe.
Her lovely hair reached up to her waist and she usually tied the upper half up with ribbons or the strand of pearls he had gave her on the eve of their wedding. Sometimes she would hold all of her hair up with the headdresses that numerous past empresses of Konan had wore, almost all of them was decorated with the motif of Suzaku.
Now she was now dressed in the robe that the priestess of Seiryuu would wear, she was wearing blue instead of red. Most all her long hair was gone. It was only up to her shoulder now and it was twisted around a headdress in the shape of Seiryuu’s original form.
But it didn’t matter to him at all. No matter what she did or would do, regardless of who she became, she was still Houki Yuri, therefore she was his beloved empress, the one he loved most in the whole universe.
The most ironic thing was that she did everything for him, as she loved him equally much. Like him, she rather be selfish and die instead of seeing him die, even though she knew what sorrow he would suffer for the rest of his life.
He held onto her and refused to let her go, he could not bear to let her go. It didn’t matter that it was fate or the will of the gods he would never let her go away from him willingly.
“Then take me with you!” he offered. He was an emperor with a kingdom to look after, but he simply couldn’t let Yuri leave as she was more important then that kingdom. If Konan was gone, he would be in pain as it was his duty to protect the kingdom and its people, but he would continue to live, and even create plans to rebuild his country. But if Yuri was gone from him…he did not know he could manage to continue living.
It was unreasonable for him to do that, and he was not unaware of his duty. But how could he even think about his kingdom when what was dearest to his heart was going to be gone from him forever? She was his will to live.
The darkness snatched her out of his arms, he could not see but she left his grip as he felt her moving away from him, going to her own death. Someone was screaming in horror and it was clear that her death must have been painful. But she never once made any sounds, he knew that this was because of him.
Tears were streaking down his cheeks, even thought her death was horrible he still rather see her a last time, he would brave these sights because he wanted to see her until he really could no longer see her.
Seiryuu still kept his promise to his priestess, as he still did not let Hotohori see Yuri’s death even though it didn’t really matter anymore.
“That was our first parting, but then we'll meet again eternally. I'll still exist. The two of us will always live on in my memory...” (4)

He finally reached her bedside, kneeling down he grasped her hand tightly into his. Ignoring everyone else, who- with the exception of Miaka, Taka and Yui, were all staring at him very strangely.
“Yuri,” he whispered, this time his voce was full of emotions as he remembered everything from his past life as Hotohori, Emperor Saihi of Konan, and she had been Empress Houki, his beloved wife. Fate teased them by making her into the priestess of Seiryuu.
They were forced to part because they were from two different worlds, then Suzaku gave this chance for them to be together. He was now in her world and he would never regret giving up his kingdom for her. Konan was left in good hands, so he could pursue his own desires, instead of his people.
All he ever truly desired was to be with Yuri forever when she told him that she loved him back, surely there was nothing that could prevent them from being together again.
She was in a coma because she was waiting for him to come and wake her up.
“Yuri,” he whispered again. “Wake up! I am here now, I finally found you, so wake up!”
He began to cry as he called out her name again, she had died for him, and willingly underwent that hellish pain, it was all because she wanted him to live.
“Yuri, please! Return to me!”
Her fingers moved slightly and her hand slowly shook a bit. Bending down Seishuku…Hotohori began to whisper to her again, raising her hand to his lips as he had done when they first met.
Her eyes opened and she immediately sat up, this violent gesture caused the lines and tubes to be tore off from her body but that didn’t matter anymore, she no longer need them.
Yuri turned to Seishuku and upon seeing him, she threw her arms around him, and he held her against him tightly, whispering her name and stroking her hair.
“Hotohori, you finally came.” She sobbed out. “I’ll never leave you again, I promise.”
“Hotohori?” Ryoen repeated this strange name in confusion. He had never seen this woman before and he was sure that his elder brother never has either. Yet the two of them were holding onto each other as if they were long lost lovers who were finally reunited. (5)
“Seishuku…what…” Ju-An was trying to not splutter due to the bewilderment they all felt. Seishuku had told him that he never knew who their neighbour was, but what he said to her was full of implication that not only did he know Houki Yuri, they also shared a very intimate relationship.
“Seishuku? Is that your name now, Hotohori?” Yuri asked. “It is quite strange for me to call you that, but I think I can get use to it.”
How strange it was to see him dressed in the cloth of the twenty first century…her old world, she would have willingly spent the rest of her life in Konan if it was possible. By the end of her life she still regarded Konan as her adopted country, and referred to this world as her old world.
He was in a pair of faded grey jeans with a very simple white shirt, the neckline slightly decorated by a bit of embroidery. That would be something she must adjust to, like his name. She was so used to seeing him wear the elaborate garments of an emperor, and the simpler peasant’s outfit he would wear when he was teaching her swordplay was still very different from his current outfit. (6)
“I am still the same person, just as you never changed, even when you became the priestess of Seiryuu. Yuri, we must marry immediately so we will be regarded as married in this world as well.” Seishuku said rather practically after another kiss.
At this Yuri laughed and nestled closer to him, ignoring everyone else.
“You always have a strange way of proposal. Yes, I will marry you, although I regard us as already married.”
Right now the two of them did not care about anyone else at all, the only thing that mattered to them was that they were together again after everything that had happened.
Bending down Seishuku kissed her again.
“This time, I swear I will never be parted from you ever again.” (7)


1 As Hotohori/Seishuku walks to Yuri he is basically recollecting many of their past meetings, most of it is probably taken from the first two chapters, some events were from Yuri’s view so this chapter shows these event from his point of view. If you can’t be bothered to read the flashbacks then just jump to end and count up and read from the non-italic part. As it is flashback to the time when he was Hotohori I’ll be using Hotohori’s name for a while, instead of Seishuku. Lastly, the flashbacks are not really connected either.
2 Just reminding every one that this is from a Hotohori character song. This is basically my disclaimer. Not my property so don’t sue me.
3 Another disclaimer
4 Another disclaimer
5 I just had to add this little ironic remark in, because that is what Hotohori and Yuri are.
6 I have this random picture of Hotohori and Nuriko that I found from the internet- I think it’s the cover of maybe their character song or something, but what really interested me about the picture is that they were both wearing modern clothings. Hotohori was basically wearing what I just described in above, while Nuriko was wearing a yellow blouse with dark red pants. By the way page 49 in volume seven shows a picture of all seven of the celestial warriors of Suzaku in modern clothing, posing in front of a car. And I once saw this picture of Hotohori and Miaka, with Hotohori wearing a long brown modern coat.
7 This is my shortest chapter by far, but as I said it is basically a flashback as Hotohori/Seishuku is regaining the memories of his past life. The story is practically finished, but there will be an epilogue, which is just tying up the loose end even more. This is what I meant by a happy happy ending. Because even if she stayed in Konan with him, there would always be the problem of him being the emperor. He could never spend that much time with her as he would like, and no matter what Miaka would not be staying in the universe of the four god. That is why I think the happiest ending for their story is when Hotohori become someone in her world, he is no longer an emperor so he can spend most of his time with her, and she is now truly his first piority.

I can’t believe this but I actually forgot to upload my fan fiction up during the weekends, and the even more unbelievable thing is that I should be able to finish posting this story, and yet I forgot (hit head against the wall). But I might as well start now, I will put up chapter eight and nine up today, and then I’ll put the last chapter (the epilogue) up tomorrow.

What happened last time: Seiyuu is summoned by Yuri and he granted her three wishes: to restore the rightful emperor of Kutou who would end all this war; to let Suzaku be able to summoned; and lastly- to not let Hotohori see her death. Miaka then prepares to summon Suzaku…

Chapter Eight

“As soon as the priestess of Suzaku made her sacrifice, she began to make her three wishes,” Yui continued to read the book eagerly.
She did not know Miaka’s half sister, it was impossible for her to know about Yuri when Miaka herself didn’t even recognize Yuri in the book. But reading about Yuri’s death affected Yui deeply, it was because both her and Miaka did not live in a world where death was common or early. As she was also a young girl, Yui was naturally moved to tears by the death of Yuri and the grieving of her husband.
She quickly turned the page, “Her first wish was to have her half sister, the priestess of Seiryuu, back. Upon her rebirth the emperor of Konan immediately went to take her into his arms, vowing to never let go of her again.
“Her second wish was for everyone in Konan, especially the seven celestial warriors, to be happy, while her third wish was for her to be with Tamahome forever.
“Suzaku said that he could only grant the wishes if both the two men who loved the priestesses would go to the world of the priestesses’, as that was the only way they could be together. Upon their agreement the others all wished to go with them, so they would all be together…”
“And Suzaku granted everybody’s wish.” Miaka interrupted, quoting out the last line of the book.
Miaka changed from the young girl whose greatest worry was the entrance exams, and her ultimate happiness was no longer derived from eating. Smiling, Yui saw that her best friend had finally grew up.
“This is the greatest book I have ever read.” Miaka said softly, as she took the book from Yui. “I think every thing that I had underwent is worth it.”
“Miaka…what about Yuri…”
“My half-sister…my sister is alive,” Miaka quickly corrected herself, “Although I don’t know where she is right now. Suzaku told me to wait for everyone to come together. He also said that as everyone else are reborn into our world, the memories of their past life are all sealed, and it will only surface when the right time arrives.
“Tamahome and I…we will meet again. Just as Yuri and Hotohori will be together again.” Miaka whispered, “I finally understand what real love is, Yui. Through my sister’s action, and Hotohori’s choice I finally understand. I had been angry at Tamahome so many times but now I love him even more for these actions, because he did all these things in the hope that it will be good for me, although I might not be happy due to his actions.”
“Like how Yuri chose to die in order for Hotohori to live. And just like how Hotohori choose to throw everything away in order to be reunited with her.” (1)
The two girls then went back to Miaka’s house and spent the rest of the day searching for any traces of Yuri. Much to Miaka’s surprise she found many photos of Yuri with her, they had not been there when she first entered the book. Although the elder girl still appeared rather melancholic, she was actually smiling in many of the photos.
In almost all of these photos Yuri’s hair was long and up to her waist again, and for most of the time it was tied with a red ribbon, but in some cases she actually used a white ribbon instead.
“Just what are you two doing?” Keisuke muttered as he found the two of them buried in a pool of photos in Miaka’s room.
“Trying to find Oneesan!” Miaka regretted her words as soon as she uttered them, her brother would probably have no idea what she meant.
“You mean Yuri? Why are you suddenly calling her Oneesan, instead of neesan? Anyway, here you go.” Keisuke rolled his eyes as he scribbled something on a piece of paper and then chucked it to Miaka. “You lost the hospital’s address again?”
“The hospital’s address?” Miaka repeated dumbly. “What do you mean, Onichan?”
“Are you getting too stressed with studying?” Keisuke asked curiously. “You should know about Yuri’s situation pretty well, since you witnessed her accident and you visit her at least once every month.”
“What happened to Miaka’s half-sister?” Yui quickly interrupted Miaka, just in case she make any more out of place comments.
“Hasn’t Miaka told you? Well, our half-sister got into a car accident about two and half years ago, Miaka happened to be visiting her that day so she saw what had happened. Yuri and Miaka were always quite close, although she is the same age as me…”
“What? Isn’t oneesan….I mean neesan, only three years older then me, so therefore two years younger then you?” Miaka burst out again. Now that she thought about it, Suzaku did tell her that many things would be changed slightly, was this one of the changes?
She tried to remember Yuri and a lot of memories rushed to her at once. Sneaking into her half sister’s room when her mother was gone; Yuri brushing her hair for her, tying it with her hair ribbons; how she shyly gave her sister a ribbon for her birthday; the hidden note Yuri left for her in the empty room with her new address when she moved out; secretly visiting Yuri in her new ‘apartment’, and lastly, being the one Yuri chose to spend her eighteenth birthday with- that was the day of the accident…
Miaka could now think of Yuri as a sister who was constantly there, not the shadowy figure she had been before.
“I visit her sometimes but not as often as Miaka, as Miaka is closer to Yuri.” Keisuke was explaining to Yui. “But no one knows when Yuri will wake up from her coma.”
“Yui, let’s go now, I’ll take you to my sister!” Miaka felt a slight thrill at calling Yuri her sister in such an affection way, instead of using the more distant phrase.
Watching the quick departure of his sister and her best friend, Keisuke sighed again. Miaka must be suffering from too much pressure due to the exams, it was a shame that Yuri was still in her coma, as the two of them had often discussed their mother’s attitude in regard to Miaka’s studies. At one occasion, Yuri had even braved his mother’s displeasure by attempting to talk to her about Miaka. This was a very brave act as Miaka’s mother still hated the mere sight of Yuri as she reminded him of the woman that had almost caused her marriage to end in the very first year. (2)
Yuri’s mother had been a beautiful enchantress, even though she was approaching her mid thirties when she met their father in a bar. He had been suffering regrets in regard to his new marriage and somehow the two of them ended up as lovers, despite the age difference of almost ten years. (3)
His mother was pregnant first, this made their father realized his folly. But Keisuke often wonder what might have happened if Yuri’s mother was pregnant just a few months earlier, that would make Yuri older then him.
It was not unnatural for the eight year old Yuri to be shunned by the rest of the family due to her late mother’s action, but somehow Miaka had loved their bastard half sister madly, that was why he was quite surprised that Miaka’s best friend didn’t seem to know much about Yuri.
While Keisuke and Yuri never really ended up as close brother and sister, they did become rather good friends due to Miaka being their cherished little sister.

Houki Yuri slept in room 477 with tubes attached to her body to prevent her from falling into a permanent sleep. She had been sleeping for the last two and half years, having had the great misfortune to be hit by a car when she walked out of a shop to meet up with Miaka on her eighteenth birthday.
The nurses that took turn in looking after Yuri were always glad whenever she had visitors, as it was not something that happened often. Because she did not belong to a closely knitted family, or was part of a large group of close friends, her room was usually rather empty from any visitors.
That was why the nurses tried to make-a-do with the rare gifts that she received. The bunch of cranes that her neighbour brought her two years ago still hung above her bed, although most of the originally bright colour cranes faded to a dull white due to being constantly exposed under the sun.
She only had four people who cared about her enough to constantly visit her: her half sister and brother, her neighbour and her landlady.
“Ah, Yuri’s little sister.” The nurse on duty greeted Miaka cheerfully. “You brought a friend with you today?”
“Yes, Yui’s my best friend.” Miaka mumbled, slowly approaching the bed.
Suzaku had gave her many happy memories with Yuri but even that along with Yuri’s rebirth could not wipe out the horror of her death. Miaka still trembled slightly whenever she recollected what Seiryuu did to her sister, in a way that was also the last time she really saw Yuri.
Then Yuri had been reborn, Miaka could not remember much as Hotohori had immediately clung onto Yuri’s body, refusing to let her go again. The way he bent his head down made his loose hair cover up most of Yuri’s sleeping form.
Now, Yuri was only a few paces away. Her hair was long and up to her waist, unbound so that it spread across the pillow, some bit touching her dress.
Her night gown was very strange. The overall colour was sky blue with a picture of a blue dragon embroidered on the front. After a guilty look at the nurse, Miaka took Yuri’s hand and lifted it up slightly, not enough to cause any shift in the tubes, but raising it sufficiently high to examine the sleeve.
The back of the sleeve showed part of a phoenix’s red wing.
“A pretty dress eh? Did you give it to her?” the nurse chatted on, “The back of the gown shows some sort of bird rising out from a fire.”
“It shows Suzaku… I mean, it depicts a phoenix.” Miaka corrected herself quickly, she must be very careful whenever she speak.
Her sister’s face was also older, the body finally caught up with the aging that the mind had.
Kneeling down beside the bed, Miaka held her sister’s hand into her’s tightly.
“I will try and find Hotohori for you, neesan.” She promised the unconscious form. “I want you to wake up and I want to talk to you so much.”

Six months later
He was having that dream again, the same dream that he would have every year on this particular day. (4)
As always he was holding onto someone, a woman. She was always unclad and her flesh would be touching his, but strangely she never aroused any lust, instead he just felt a simple relief at having her in his arms. Sometimes he would touch her hair and it felt rather curly.
Then there would be red lights that filled up the whole room, instead of helping him to see her face, the light actually took her away from him, she would be snatched out of his embrace by someone who he could not see either. The only thing he could make about the other person was that they were surrounded by feathers, as that was what his hands always touched in his attempt of holding onto her.
He had no idea who she was but it was clear that she must be very important to him, as he felt such sadness and depression when she was taken from him.
“That was our first parting, but then we'll meet again eternally. I'll still exist. The two of us will always live on in my memory...” she would whisper this out, almost narrating what had happened, as she stood in the shadows a few paces away. (5)
Initially he could only make out her silhouette: by this time she would be in a dress with some of her very long hair trailing down, and some of it held up.
The only difference about his dreams was that as they repeated over the years, he started to see more and more of her at the end of each dream.
He first saw the hem of her skirt, then he could see most of her dress, the red dress reminded him of the wedding garment the women in his village would wear on the most important day of their life, only that it seemed so much more elaborate then their gown.
He would always try to grab her hand, but it was always in vain, she would be moving away, giving him only a glimpse of herself.
Tonight, he finally saw her face.
For a whole year he had wonder whether he could finally discover what she looked like the next time he had this dream, as in his last dream he could see her whole body up to her neck.
This mysteriously woman had haunted him since his childhood, and he often ended up staring at the girls in the village and wander whether they were that woman, even though he knew she was not in his village, as he would have recognized her at the first sight.
Maybe that was the reason he was not interested in any girls in the whole twenty one years of his life. If he could see that woman, then maybe he could actually find her, perhaps she was the one he was waiting for.
When he saw her face he was stunned, it was because she was so beautiful. He was rather vain, almost too vain for a man, even though his vanity could be justified as he was very handsome- he could even be described as beautiful. But this woman was truly the most beautiful being he had ever seen. (6)
Automatically he stretched his hand out, much to his surprise he actually managed to clasp her hand into his in this dream tonight.
“Hotohori,” the woman whispered lovingly. This was not his name but it seemed so familiar.
“Hotohori,” she whispered again, “I am waiting for you. Come to me, I can only wake up when you come.”
Pressing her lips against his she kissed him very passionately.
“Never forget that I love you! I am yours just as you are mine. Remember our vow and our marriage.”
Instead of being left with glimpses of her, he woke up with the memory of her kiss and the weight of her hand in his own hands.

Rubbing his eyes, Seishuku got up. It took him a few seconds to adjust to his new room, even though by now he had already spent a few weeks here. Somehow he doubt that he could ever get adjusted to being in the city, or stop missing his native village. (7)
Usually he would wake up and mutter about why he had to come to the city to look after his brother- who was now sixteen. Not that he was not fond of his brother- he loved his brother deeply, but he hated to leave Konan- their village, as he bore an equally strong love for the place he would one day be in charge of. Nor was he fond of the crowded city either.
Today though, he was pondering about his dream too much to start his daily routine by complaining. One could not fully blame him, his sixteen year old brother had never needed his elder brother to look after him, saved for the one time he almost splashed paint onto the statue of the village guardian.
After twenty one years he finally saw her face. He was fully awake now, and therefore more rational. Much as he would like to find her, it was almost impossible as he had no knowledge of her saved for a brief image of her face.
Beside, she might just be a fantasy. But the strange bit was why should he dream about her but remain uninterested in any girls? It was certainly not a vision caused by a lack of female company.
The woman in his dream always made him think of the legend of the forth emperor and empress of Konan. As a little boy, his parents had gave him Konan’s legends as his bedtime stories.
Apparently Konan used to be a kingdom, the location, however, was now fully lost, it was a kingdom very similar to ancient China. Apparently a group of people from the kingdom decided to leave and come to Japan instead. Out of homesickness, they named their new village Konan. Many of their village’s traditional practices and folk lore did resemble ancient Chinese culture instead of Japanese rituals. One of it was their wedding ceremony- the bride would wear a red dress instead of a kimono, with a red cloth covering her face during part of the ritual.
It was said that the forth emperor of Konan- the country, not the village, loved his empress so much that when she died, he no longer wanted to live. Apparently she loved him as much as he did, as she killed herself to somehow save the kingdom. Konan was in a war against their more powerful neighbour during their reign.
“Did he die and get reunited with her, papa?” he had asked eagerly.
“Who knows? But it is certain that the people of Konan never saw their young emperor again, and his brother took the role of emperor when the forth emperor disappeared.”
“I hope they get together.” He would always say this at the end of the story.
“I never understand why you are so interested in these old tales.” Ju-An, one of his best friends had once remarked out when he found Seishuku reading old scrolls, eagerly attempting to find illustrations of these figures.
He was now living in a rather small room in an apartment with his brother in the room beside his, and one of his best friends just across the corridor.
On his way to the kitchen, the first thing he saw was the room of his mysterious neighbour. He had been living here for quite some time now but the room across his was permanently dark, and he still hasn’t met the inhabitant yet.
The only thing he knew about his strange neighbour was her name due to the name plague on the door: Houki Yuri.
“A pretty name,” was his instant reaction.
“Quite a pretty woman too.” Ju-An had replied back casually.
“Morning,” Ju-An greeted him cheerfully as he joined Seishuku in the kitchen, his bag was already slung over his shoulder- bulging with his medical textbooks. “How do you find the city now?”
“You know I don’t like it.” he replied dryly, he would give his brother another five minutes before going to his room to wake him up.
“You really are destined to be the future village leader of Konan. Not just because you are the current village leader’s son, but because you truly love our village.”
“Most people don’t want to leave the village, it is just that I happen to be friends with the two odd people who want to leave.” He teased right back.
At this Ju-An laughed good naturedly and shrugged. “I do want to return to the village, but if I want to be a doctor I have to come to study in Tokyo. That’s the reason your brother is here too- to obtain a better education. Hojun is the real weird one.” (8)
“You are so lucky that you weren’t there on his eighteenth birthday. Everyone thought that he was going to ask her to marry him, but instead he announced that he was going to leave Konan the very next day, and did not know when he would return.”
“Was she upset?”
“Of course she was upset, imagine what Shoka felt when you left her. I don’t understand you or Hojun, if you have someone that you love so much then how can you ever leave them?”
Ryoen choose to enter at this moment, dragging his school bag behind him. He was wearing the uniform with little grace as he was still struggling to be awake. Seeing his elder brother and Ju-An he mumbled out some sort of reply before he grabbed the mug of coffee Seishuku just made. (9)
“How is school, Ryoen?” Ju-An asked good naturedly. “Didn’t you complain that you were harassed by this girl on your first day?”
“Not really harassment.” Much to Ryoen’s annoyance a large part of his hair got into his eyes, leaning into the sink, he opened the tap in an attempt to flatten his hair.
Ignoring his elder brother’s laughter, of course. When he was younger his hair had been reasonably long, but unlike Seishuku he could not tolerate the teasing of him being like a pretty little girl with lovely long hair at all. Hence his hair ended up very short.
“That girl in my class, Miaka, saw me and she called me Nuriko, then she hugged me. After all that she said it is good that I’m not cross dressing anymore. What kind of persons says that in a first meeting?”
“You become her friend though, along with…”
“And she also calls Dokun Chiriko. She is crazy.”
At this moment Dokun entered the kitchen, reminding Ryoen that it was time for then to start walking to school. Dokun was the land lady’s son and he had been very happy to become friends with Ryoen. His mother told the two older tenants on this floor that Dokun had few friends because of his rather bookish nature.
“I’m going to be a bit late tonight,” Ryoen suddenly remembered. “Miaka, Yui, Dokun and I are going to the cinemas sometime after school today.”
“What, a double date?” Seishuku teased him.
“Onichan, if you want to worry about that then worry about yourself first.” Ryoen snapped slightly. “And no, I’m not going out with Miaka or Yui! They both have boyfriends from the university.”
The two older men chuckled as they waved the two boys off.
“Ryoen has a point you know, you should be getting married soon. In our village, twenty one is a very suitable age for marriage, especially for the village leader’s son. I’m surprised that your parents don’t pester you at all.”
“My father married in his thirties, so he does not mind.” This made Seishuku think about the woman in his dreams again. She was the one thing that he hid from both his family and his two best friends. No one could understand these dreams, they would just think that it was caused by the natural desire of a young man.
“I better start heading for work.” right now Seishuku was teaching fencing in two high schools. Fencing was one of the traditions the village kept and he had always been the star pupil at that.
“Seishuku, do you want to meet Houki Yuri?” Ju-An suddenly asked.
“Houki Yuri? Our neighbour?”
His friend nodded. “Today is actually her twenty first birthday, ironically it is also the day she got hit by a car three years ago, she is now in a coma, still unconscious. We were friends so I visit her sometimes. She doesn’t get many visitors as she was a very close person, and her family situation is quite chaotic. So I was wandering if you will come with me this afternoon…”
Seishuku nodded. “Of course.”
The two were just about to leave the building when they were halted by their land lady, who told them that they actually have a phone call.
“He said either Ju-An or Seishuku will be fine so…”
“Thank you.” Seishuku said politely to her as Ju-An grabbed the phone.
“Hojun? Hojun! Yes, yes, Seishuku is right beside me. He’s fine, so am I, what about you? You are arriving in Tokyo this afternoon? Really? Yes, of course we want to see you!”
“What about our visit to the hospital?” Seishuku reminded him, he actually really wanted to meet Houki Yuri for some bizarre reason.
“Oh Hojun, we have to go to the hospital first, so do you mind coming with us? Who we are visiting? A friend of mine, our neighbour actually. Yes, oh I see…alright, I’ll see you soon then.”
Putting the phone down he let out a long sigh before declaring: “Seems that the three of us are going to meet up again. It has been very long since we three last talked together face to face.”
“The last time was when we said good bye to you at the train station about six years ago, since you only returned after high school finished, and at that time Hojun already left for his ‘wandering’.”

Miaka was trying to wrap the dress up rather unsuccessfully, eventually Yui sighed and took the wrapping paper to do it for her.
“Shall I just leave this beside her bed?” Miaka asked Yui. “It does feel kind of weird to give a present to someone who wouldn’t be able to open it for sometime.”
“Is that for Taka?” Ryoen asked as he sat down beside her.
“Why will I give Taka a dress?” Miaka snorted. “It’s for my sister, today is her twenty first birthday.”
“You have a sister? I thought you only have a brother.” Dokun pointed out.
“Well, half-sister, and she is actually in hospital as she’s in a coma.” Miaka said sadly.
“Can we come with you?” Ryoen asked. “My mother always tell me that even if a person doesn’t know that you visit them when they are sick or unconscious, their spirit can still appreciate your action.”
Smiling a bit, Miaka nodded.

Keisuki was in the library, busily studying for a test that would start in a few hours when he suddenly remembered what the day was. It was Yuri’s birthday, and it also marked the end to the third year that she spent in the hospital in her coma.
There was no way that he could visit her before the hospital close but if he didn’t do anything he would feel very guilty, and Miaka would also kill him when she find out.
The best way would be for someone to go instead of him. Normally he would ask Tetsuya, but he was doing the same test. As if it was fate, two figures walked into the library, one trying to make the other lower his voice.
“Taka!”
“No, I am not going to lend you any money until you return the amount you borrowed from me a week ago.” Taka said by instinct.
Beside him, his cousin Genro rolled his eyes. It only took the rest of the university a few weeks to find out about his cousin’s obsession with money and come up with the nickname of “The twenty-four hour Bank”. (10)
“As if Genro is better, Shunu?” Taka shot back at once.
“I’m not trying to get any money from you, I’m even giving your money…” Keisuke’s words trailed off at the sight of Taka, who took out his calculator and began to jab the buttons madly.
As usual Genro punched him.
“I’m not returning what I borrowed just yet. Can you two buy some flowers and visit the hospital for me? I’ve got the details on this paper. Basically it’s my sister’s birthday but she is in hospital so…”
“Miaka is sick?” Genro asked in great concern.
Beside them Taka nodded to himself, so Yuri was still unconscious. Unlike the rest of the six celestial warriors, he had both his current and past life’s memory. The moment he saw Miaka, the memories of his past life broke free from their seal.
The first thing he did was to start laughing as he thought about how Tasuki became his cousin and best friend. He was glad of it but it was just something the old Tamahome would never have expected.
“No, my half sister. Yuri…”
“Don’t worry, Keisuke, we’ll go.” Like Miaka, he held onto the belief that Yuri might be able to arouse some memories of the others’ past life.
The seven celestial warriors were finally going to be gathered together again, and Hotohori- now Seishuku, would be reunited with Yuri at last.

“To see Houki Yuri? You are the third group today,” the nurse at the reception laughed out.
“Who else came?” Ju-An asked curiously, “Her sister and brother?”
“Her sister did with her friends,” the nurse said, scanning the record. “Her brother couldn’t come but he sent his friends on behalf of him with flowers. So, what is your relationship with Houki Yuri?”
“I’m her neighbour and these two are my friends.” Ju-An explained.
Seishuku was staring at one of the plants when he suddenly turned due to his friends yelling his name. This sharp turn resulted in him bumping into a nurse, causing her whole file to tumble down.
“I am so sorry,” he muttered as he bent down to start picking up all the scattered paper. “Ju-An, Hojun, I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
“Room 477!” Ju-An said as he and Hojun continued to make their way down the corridor.

“Chi…” Miaka quickly swallowed back her words, she must remember that her friends were no longer using the name they had as the seven celestial warriors of Suzaku, instead, some of them were using their real name, which she did not really know as she never called them that.
“Ju-An, what are you doing here?” Ryoen quickly asked. “And Hojun, you are here as well? I thought you are in China or something?” (11)
“My ship came back to Japan a few days ago.” Hojun quickly explained. “I’m here as Ju-An and Seishuku are visiting their neighbour…” (12)
Seishuku? Could he be Hotohori, Miaka thought eagerly, as Hotohori was the only one missing, everyone else had arrived. If he really was Hotohori then Yuri might finally be able to wake up.
“Where is he?” she quickly asked. “This missing person?”
Seishuku chose to arrive at this very moment. At first he only showed mild surprise at the sight of his younger brother. But then his gaze fell unto the sleeping figure.
“Yuri?” he whispered.
She was the very same woman from his dreams. (13)

1 By choosing to be reborn into Miaka and Yuri’s world Hotohori is obviously giving up his kingdom, but it isn’t that bad as he has participated in the event that will ensure Konan to continue be in peace for a very long time. I’m not sure whether I’ll be showing about what they each said in regard to making their choice so basically in my story, Hotohori could be reborn into this world without being in great guilt as Suzaku told him that one of his brothers would be the emperor with his death, and he would be a fair ruler like Hotohori too.
2 Even though Yuri didn’t age physically in Konan, she would have grew old mentally by two years, so this is why she is now five years older then Miaka, instead of two. Subconsciously Miaka wished to also be able to be closer to Yuri- as that is a form of making her happy Suzaku allowed this, so he basically changed some of the past.
3 Yuri’s mother is actually the older one in the relationship/affair.
4 Depsite being in italic, this bit is not a flashback, but it is a dream.
5 This is from Hotohori’s character song: Sadame no hoshi, as I mentioned in the front, I love this song so I naturally tried to use part of it in my fan fiction.
6 As I said in the front, Yuri is rather pretty but she’s not the new Helen of Troy or anything, most people would probably just think of her as a rather pretty girl. She wouldn’t cause anyone to stare at her and bump into a wall or anything dramatic. Whenever I start to describe her as being very beautiful or like impossibly beautiful, it means that I’m actually showing Hotohori’s point of view, what he is thinking- he loves her so he regard her beautiful to the extreme.
7 I spent quite a long time debating whether I should call the seven celestial warriors by their real name or by the name they have in their role of the celestial warriors. Originally I was still going to use their name as the warriors, but then I thought since Tamahome becomes Taka I might as well give everyone their real name, the only problem is that I’ll have to start calling everyone a different name.  Anyway, thank goodness for Winkipedia, otherwise I’ll never know everyone’s real name- my copy of Fushigi Yugi is in Chinese so… But the thing is some English copies don’t actually give every one’s name in Romanji, but ironically they give it spelt out in the Chinese pronunciation, which is kind of funny, rather ironic. Like Konan should be Konan in romanji, but in the copy of Fushigi Yugi in English that I got out from the library they always refer to Konan as Hong-Nan. That’s why I actually use Tai Yi-Jun as when I got to the bit of her appearance, I just copied the name from the manga I got out. But any way, this is the list of every one’s real first name, in romanji. Their name as a warrior is the first one. I’m just a bit unsure about Hotohori’s real name- as I said the Chinese version translates Hotohori and Seishuku into the same thing.
Hotohori = Seishuku
Tamahome = Taka (apparently this isn’t his real name though, but since it became his real name…)
Nuriko = Ryoen
Chichiri = Hojun
Taisuki = Shunu (also known as Genro)
Mitsukake = Ju-An
Chiriko = Dokun
8 In their new life Hotohori, Mitsukake and Chichiri are best friends, I did this because as I said in my last chapter, I always think that Hotohori will be able to get on more well with the two oldest warriors.
9 It is truly fun to write about them in the 20th century sense, so that’s why I probably get quite carried away. It’s fun as every thing is much more light hearted. Yes, I decided to make Nuriko Hotohori’s brother, and I actually decided to make Nuriko into a boy- well the boy that he would have been if his sister didn’t die. It is really tempting to make him into a girl but then I think about how he actually kind of re-discovered himself and abandoned his sister’s shadow, it just seemed bit mean to let him be reborn as a girl. So he and Hotohori become brothers when they got reincarnated, as that was kind of the only possible way for Nuriko to love Hotohori naturally, and get that love returned.
10 I thought it is so cute how Tasuki and Tamahome become such great friends by the end of Fushigi Yugi, so I want to do this. Making them into cousins and old friends when they can basically continue their banters and all that.
11 Technically Nuriko/Ryoen should not be calling him his name, at the very least he would have to add elder brother at the end. It’s just a Japanese and Chinese thing, it really annoys me though. I’m Chinese by birth but I live in New Zealand now, I’ve been in NZ since I was quite young so it just really annoys that I can’t even call my elder sister by her name because of this tradition, I had to call her by her title of elder sister. Sometimes this really pisses me off as it’s like a way of controlling the younger siblings.
12 Chichiri/Hojun is traveling across the world by doing random jobs.
13 The conclusion I made as I finish typing this is that I got too carried away as I wrote about the seven celestial warrior’s new life. So it seems that this chapter got conveyed into my usual length although half of it is blabbing, but I’m sorry…it was really fun doing this. Since this chapter is pretty long- at the very least it’s long enough, I’ll require another chapter before the epilogue. Word of warning though, Hotohori/Seishuku (I am so not getting used to using their real name) just met Yuri and so the next chapter will consists a whole bunch of flashbacks although it will be modified slightly so it’s not just copy and paste chapter one, copy and paste prologue etc.

I meant to do this for quite sometime, but somehow I kept on not managing. I think I was meant to have done this in April but somehow one thing after another. But I want to recommend a song that I really like. The song is a Spanish song ‘Hijo de la luna’ and it is originally sang by the Spanish band Mecano, the song is written by Jose Maria Cano, one of three in the band.

I really like the song because of the lyrics, which I will put up now.

Son of the moon
Foolish is he who doesn't understand.

A legend tells of a gipsy woman
Who pleaded with the moon until dawn.
Weeping she begged
At the break of dawn
To marry a gipsy man.

"You'll have your man, tawny skin,"
Said the full moon from the sky.
"But in return I want the first child
That you have with him.
Because she who sacrifices her child
So that she is not alone,
Isn't likely to love it very much."

Chorus:
Moon, you want to be mother,
But you cannot find a love
Who makes you a woman.
Tell me, silver moon,
What you intend to do
With a child of flesh.
Son of the moon.

From a cinnamon-skinned father
A son was born,
White as the back of an ermine,
With grey eyes instead of olive --
Moon's albino child.
"Damn his appearance!
This is not a gipsy man's son
And I will not put up with that."

Chorus

Believing to be dishonoured,
The gipsy went to his wife,
A knife in his hand.
"Whose son is this?
You've certainly fooled me!"
And he wounded her mortally.
Then he went to the woodlands
With the child in his arms
And left it behind there.

Chorus

And the nights the moon is full
It is because the child
Is in a good mood.
And if the child cries,
The moon wanes
To make it a cradle.
And if the child cries,
The moon wanes
To make it a cradle.

Note: the translation is not done by me, it is taken from someone’s web site but I can’t remember who, and I’m not even sure whether this is the translation given by the book. So if this is your translation, and you see this, please don’t be angry as to shut off your website because I really am not doing this on purpose. Tell me about it and I will immediately acknowledge you.

I really like this song because it tells what happened in a legend-like way. The child is obviously an albino, but due to people’s attitude and knowledge that time, it was seen in this light. As I listened to the song I can not help but to feel so indignant at the women who suffered accusations when it was not even their fault, I am sure that there have been cases when the birth of a child with blue eyes from parent with dark eyes, caused so much pain for the mother. It just isn’t fair…

The reason I suddenly decided to do this during April is because I suddenly discovered that there’s a French and Italian version as well, so I downloaded and it was really interesting, so I thought that I’ll share this song.

But I actually heard Sarah Brightman’s version first, before I listened to Mecano’s original version, and it took me a long time to decide which version I like the best. The dilemma is this, Sarah Brightman has a much nicer voice, but I feel that she did not really sing it with emotion. It was nice…too nice, just a nice song. The Mecano version, on the other hand, is different. Ana Toroja does not have a voice as nice as Sarah Brightman’s, but she sang the song with much more emotion. So in the end I realize I like Ana’s interpretation of the song better, because I felt touched as I listened to her sing. With Ana’s version you can pity the blameless child with her, because it sounded as if she is very moved by the child’s fate.

In conclusion, a very good song that is very worth listening. The original Spanish version is called “Hijo de la luna”, the French one is called “Dis-Moi Lune D’Argent (and I know enough French to translate it myself!!! Tell me moon of silver, so I guess it means Tell me, silver moon) While the Italian version is called: “Figlio Della Luna.”

i use to modify the date so that thsi blog agrees with my life journal blog but now...i can't be stuffed...

What happened last time: Yuri’s purpose is finally revealed, she is the priestess of Seiyuu, and her destiny is to summon Seiyuu and make three wishes at the exchange of her life. Realising that she have no other choice, she heads toward Kutou.

Chapter Seven

Kutou was very different from Konan, under the harsh rules of the current emperor, as well as many of his predecessors, the people of Kutou were more suspicious of strangers. Many of the people had long lost their ideal and all they cared about was survival.
Yuri felt many stares when she arrived at the capital of Kutou in her outfit, she knew that many would be seeing her as a harlot for walking on the street like this. But nevertheless she must do this.
“I wish to enter the city.” She stated.
“You need a…” the guard began.
“I have it right here!” she moved closer to the guard, pointing to the mark on her forehead. “I had a dream where I talked to this being who called himself Seiryuu and told me that I must go to the palace and see the emperor.”
“That…that is the mark of Seiryuu.” The guard whispered to his comrade beside him. “And she is dressed very strangely.”
“You think she is the priestess of Seiryuu?”
“What is this?” they were interrupted by a voice that clearly rang with authority. Turning, Yuri saw a man in armour riding towards them. “Why are you blocking the gate?”
“General!” one of the guard greeted the man riding with great relief. “This woman claims that she talked to Seiryuu in her dreams and she have the mark of Seiryuu on her.”
“The mark of Seiryuu?” Nakago whispered, grabbing Yuri by the hair he pulled her face toward him to examine her forehead, much to his shock the mark was there.
He smiled slightly, so the priestess of Seiryuu finally came. It seemed that his plans were possible after all. In order for success though, he must first win the priestess to his side.
Jumping down from his horse he quickly knelt down in front of her.
“Forgive me, lady, I thought you were only claiming to be the priestess, for it is not the first time that I have witness such a shameless thing. But I now see that you are truly chosen by Seiryuu.”
“I know little of all this.” Yuri replied back innocently, she quickly decided that not only did she dislike this man, she also could not trust him. “All I have been told is that I must summon Seiryuu as soon as possible.”
“Then I will take you there right now,” he declared gallantly, taking her hand he kissed it first, then helped her to mount onto his horse.
Nakago was going to say something again when he suddenly noticed that there was a faint blue aura surrounding this young woman. There was no doubt then, that she really was the priestess of Seiryuu.
“What is it? I thought you were going to say something?” Yuri asked.
“Yes, I wish to tell you more of Seiryuu.” Nakago was a highly charismatic man and had he met Yuri when she first arrived in this world, then he might actually have convinced her to do all that he said.
He told her about the legend of Seiryuu, but naturally left out the part about the priestess being eaten, just in case she was not a virgin anymore.
“What will you wish for?” he asked her.
“What I would wish for? I suppose I want happiness.” Yuri replied truthfully. “What of you?”
This was his chance.
“Yuri-sama,” Nakago whispered directly to her ear. “I must tell you that our emperor is corrupted. If I can then I would like to end his region. I dream of ruling a fair kingdom…”
Once more he began to try and sway her with his words. By the time they arrived in the palace he was convinced that he fully persuaded her to make his wish for him.
Unknown to him, Yuri never intended to keep any of her promises. What did the breaking of vows matter when she was going to die very soon? Especially if it was a promise made due to another person’s lie.
For the first time she felt fear at the prospect of dying, was she really going to summon her own death? Every thing had happened so fast, discovering that Suzaku could no longer be summoned when Seiryuu told her that she was his priestess. In a way she had just accepted the facts and travelled to Kutou without thinking much.
What do I have to live for? She asked herself again. I just want to be with Hotohori but that is now something that could never be. If I do not call Seiryuu then I would be stuck in this world forever and I will be forced to live for such a long time alone, and even watch Hotohori die.
Death right now is my best option, she said to herself sadly. As I will probably be killing myself soon anyway.
Is death not just one long sleep anyway? She thought of her dear mother again and recollected her death scene, but for the first time she thought of it with a smile instead of bursting into tears.
I’ll be joining you soon, mama. She whispered inside her head. You’ll be waiting for Hotohori with me.
Somehow she knew that she would be reunited with Hotohori after they both died, it seemed that death would grant what life could not give. Even though they lived in two different worlds, death was the same- thus she knew she would see him when he dies. (1)

The ritual for summoning Seiryuu was quickly prepared. Unlike what happened in Konan, the seven warriors of Seiryuu were already all there. Even Amiboshi was present, but due to his fall into the river he had lost almost all of his memory, the only memories he retained were all related with Suboshi only. (2)
“Please remember what I said, Yuri-sama.” Nakago said, he knelt down in front of her and kissed her hand again.
Yuri forced her lip to curl into a smile and soften her gaze as she replied very tenderly. “I understand, I will grant you your wish.” For good measure she added some more compliments. “You are so kind to me by helping me so much! This is the least that I can do as a repayment!”
“The ritual is starting, ‘Priestess’!” Soi interrupted angrily, her eyes glaring very hard at Yuri.
Yuri had already purified herself but she did not feel as if she was pure. Instead, she felt even more contaminated as she had said and done nothing but lies in her dealings with both the emperor and her seven celestial warriors. What happened to her was completely different from Miaka’s experience. Miaka would be loved, or at the very least treasured, by all seven celestial warriors of Suzaku.
But it was truly too late to turn back.
She walked to the altar, dressed in the robe of the priestess of Seiryuu, who she should have been. Her hair was let down and intertwined with a jade headdress that was carved into the shape of Seiryuu’s original form. Even now she rather be the empress of Konan- who she should not have ended up as.
Closing her eyes she threw Kutou’s sacred book into the fire and began to chant the right words. Unknown to her, both the seven warriors and the emperor saw a wave of blue light surrounding her completely.
Unconsciously, one of them took a step toward Yuri, they quickly discovered that this blue light had formed a shield around their priestess.
“Seiryuu, please come to us!” she screamed out, kneeling down with her hands tightly clasped.
And Seiryuu did appear.

Meanwhile in Konan, Hotohori was preparing his army with the aid of all the other celestial warriors, as well as Miaka. Much to many people’s surprise he actually took the news of how Suzaku could no longer be summoned even after Miaka’s attempt of finding the two other deities’ sacred object tolerable well.
“All my life I relied on Suzaku too much.” Hotohori had said rather sadly, after reassuring Miaka that he truly did not blame her at all. “As a result I lose all that I care about. If I had spent time preparing my army first, instead of just focusing on summoning Suzaku then we might have a higher chance of winning. In the same way my obsession with calling out Suzaku caused Yuri to leave my side because she ended up believing that I would hate her for not summoning Suzaku at the cost of her own life.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. All we can do now is to fight to protect all those we love and care about. Whether it be a kingdom, or a person.”
But seeing the appearance of Seiryuu made him deeply shocked.
“Seiryuu is summoned, but how…” he chocked out.
He immediately thought of Yuri, she was from another world, could it be possible that she became the Seiryuu priestess with the hope of saving Konan through that action?
Konan might be safe but she would die…and if she dies…
“I will not be able to continue living.” he whispered.
He was in a great conflict, as he did not know which he wished for more. To have Seiryuu summoned by someone other then Yuri and possibly lose his own life along with his kingdom, or to have Konan saved at the expense of his beloved empress’ life.
“I am a human as well,” he said to himself, “and I am a man in love. If Yuri lives then I will feel guilty about Konan forever, but yet if she throws her life away for Konan I can never be happy again.
“Why do you do this to me, Suzaku? Is it simply not my fate to be happy? Why must I give up one of the two things that are both very important to me, either the woman I love or the country I desire to protect? Why can I not have both? Is it a sin for me to want to have both?”

“Seiryuu, as you requested, I summoned you.” Yuri stated flatly to the god that she was meant to own her allegiance to, she had to force her voice to remain cold as she was fighting back hysteria. She was tempted to start laughing manically due to the fact that she was going to die very soon. (3)
“Are you really willing to do this?” Seiryuu asked.
She nodded, “What else can I do now?”
“I will give you one last chance,” Seiryuu answered instead, his voice suddenly very gentle. “If you want to then I will take you back to Konan. Konan still have a chance of surviving…”
Yuri started to laugh, and this time the hysteria was so much more obvious to detect.
“After all that I have done there is no possible way for me to turn back.” She finally said when she halted the rather pathetic laughter. “I am a very selfish person, I want Hotohori to live although he will be in so much pain due to my death. I want him to live even though he would want to die for my sake instead of letting this happen. I choose to let him live by taking away his happiness.” (4)
She closed her eyes once more and whispered: “I am ready.”
Even though her eyes were closed she could see Seiryuu approaching her, then entering her body though rays of blue light.
“From now on you will see me whenever you close your eyes.” Seiryuu whispered. “And know that I will protect you, even from your own protectors- my other chosen ones.” (5)
The pain she felt was stronger then any physical pain she had ever experienced before. Staggering to the ground she felt tears running down her cheeks, making her already blurred vision even worse, and her body was trembling so badly that she could not even stand up again.
“It is done!” someone called out eagerly.
Was it? Raising her hands she saw that part of her arms was actually covered with the blue scales of Seiryuu. Her body continued to be in that unbearable pain. The best way to describe it might be that it was as if someone was biting her skin, a rather accurate description as Seiryuu would end up devouring her.
“It is done.” She repeated. Closing her eyes she did see Seiryuu standing in front of her as he had promised. He was watching her with a most strange expression on his face, was it because he already knows her wishes?
“You say you will grant me any wish that I make,” she whispered to him, “Even if I wish for Suzaku to be summoned by my half-sister?”
“I will grant it gladly.” He told her.
“Then that will be my first wish.” She said.
Opening her eyes she saw the shocked face of the seven celestial warriors as well as the emperor, so they heard her conversation with their god. If it wasn’t for the shield of Seiryuu protecting her, she had no doubt that she would be killed immediately.
“Why are you doing this?” the emperor demanded angrily. He was seeing all his ambitions of being the over ruler of the four kingdom slipping fast out of his hands. Unknown to him, Nakago was suffering a very similar disillusion.
But Nakago was also cursing his own stupidity, to trust this seemingly naïve woman completely when she turned out to be so devious! She might actually even be a spy from Konan…
Since her game was up Yuri decided that she might as well state her true identity. Smiling very coldly, she savoured in every moment as a triumph of Konan against Kutou.
“I am the priestess of Seiryuu, as I am from another world. But I have also been here for more then two years,” she spat each word out maliciously. “I am also the wife of the Saihitei of Konan, I am the Houkigou of Konan.”
She closed her eyes to face Seiryuu again, to tell him her second wish.
“I wish for Kutou to be a country that will be in peace with Konan, so I want the man who should be the emperor to be emperor.”
“In this way Kutou will be reborn,” Seiryuu nodded with approval. “I can grant you this wish as well, but my priestess, are you prepared to pay the price this wish demands?”
“Is my death not the price I pay to you to have my three wishes granted?” she asked, truly puzzled.
“This wish can be grant through the current emperor’s death, and the death of the rest of the seven celestial warriors, because as long as they live they will be a threat to you and Konan, as well as the new emperor. For this to come true, your hand must be the cause of their death.”
“If I am willing to die,” Yuri laughed sadly, “Then there is nothing else that I will not do. Grant me my wish.” (6)
Her eyes were forced open and reaching to the altar, her hands pulled out a pair of ceremonial swords. The swords were very decorative, but they were still fully capable of killing, as she would soon find out.
The shield around her was dispelled as soon as her hands touched the weapons, Soi and Suboshi immediately charged toward her with their weapons. Without even shaking, her hands drove the two swords into the two warriors’ heart at the same time.
By this time Yuri’s body was controlled by Seiryuu. But even though she could not move, her mind still flinched at the rain of blood that began to shower upon her as he continued with the killing through her body.
After her hands stabbed the emperor, they raised the sword again to severe the emperor’s head. Mechanically, she got on a horse with that trophy and started to ride toward a specific mountain.
Yuri realized that this must be where the rightful emperor of Kutou was hiding even without Seiryuu informing her.
The rebels guarding the entrance to the secret hideaway automatically parted when she stepped down from her horse, she wasn’t sure whether it was due to the mark of Seiryuu on her forehead, or because she was holding the head of the late emperor.
It could also be because Seiryuu made them give way to her. Either way, she didn’t care anymore. When she accepted Seiryuu into her body she was really accepting her own death, what should a person worry about when they were going to die soon?
Then she killed all these people, as it was her wish to Seiryuu. Before, she had gone into a mental shock just because of the killing of a bandit who would have raped her. Now, not so long ago, she had killed many people, some who were good, this knowledge was granted to her when she drove her swords into their hearts.
Nakago had wanted to manipulate her and make himself emperor, therefore destroying Kutou and later on he would wipe out the whole of Konan, the moment that Yuri killed him, she understood what Seiryuu had meant.
Nakago’s kingdom would destroy both Kutou and Konan.
He was the one person she did not regret killing, like the emperor. But many others were innocent, Soi would have been a very gentle and even kind woman if fate had not been so cruel to her. Up to her death, she did every thing for Nakago. (7)
Perhaps she had gone mad, it wouldn’t surprise her if she did. To kill one man had almost caused her to break down, now she had killed eight people. Maybe even more as she was sure that there had been guards who tried to prevent her from continuing her actions.
Seiryuu guided her to the right room, otherwise she would never have been able to find the man who was meant to be emperor, even if her body was walking properly. The hideout was full of bobby traps, secret passages and even fake doors.
If Yuri was in her normal self, she would have been shocked at the appearance of the man who was meant to be the emperor, but right now all she cared for was the complete fulfilment of the second wish, and then make her third wish.
The man who was meant to be the emperor was in his mid thirties, for his father had died at an old age. The main reason he was not expected to be the rightful emperor in this war filled country was because of his legs: he was crippled so badly that he could no longer walk by himself. But even though he was dressed plainly like everyone around him, there was an air of royalty that surrounded him.
Without a word Yuri threw the head to him.
“You are the emperor again.” she said flatly.
Seeing this the “emperor” quickly stood from his seat with the aid of his servants beside him to kneel right in front of Yuri.
“Priestess of Seiryuu…” he began.
“As I said, you are the emperor again,” Yuri repeated emotionlessly, “So go back to the palace and sort everything out. Bring peace to your people, Kutou certainly is in desperately need of that.”
“I will, priestess, and I thank you deeply for doing this. But why have you helped me? How did you even know about me?”
“Seiryuu told me, he also said that you will be a good emperor. One that will end all this war, you will not attack Konan…” at the mentioning of Hotohori’s kingdom her voice was filled with sadness. “If you really wish to thank me then do this: withdrew all your army and promise to never invade Konan ever again. And teach your heir well to prevent all this mess from happening a second time. ”
“I will.” The emperor promised sincerely. “Priestess, since I became the emperor and until I lost the position due my brother’s usurp, I had tried to end the wars Kutou was involved in. I used to love warfare until I lost the use of my legs during my mid twenties. Since then I realize the horror of war. I admit that I was selfish and foolish, to only understand so late. But when I could no longer walk, I realized that so many would be suffering this hellish pain as I have by declaring war. For the first time I experienced the pain of war, and for the first time I discovered my buried conscious.
“I can not bear to have war as I know what these people would suffer, I can no longer inflict such pains on anyone now that I know how painful it is myself.” (8)
“All I want is for Konan to be safe.” Yuri repeated.
“I will arrange the withdrew of the armies and send ambassadors to Konan immediately. Priestess, what will you…”
“I will go back to Konan.” Yuri declared. “I will go and see the Saihitei. I want to see him one last time.”
“But Priestess…”
“I am Houkigou,” she smiled slightly. “Kutou’s priestess is also the consort of Emperor Saihitei. I love the emperor of Konan, so that is why I wish for Konan to be safe.”
In her heart, Yuri knew that this man would be a very good emperor, he would crush any more rebellions if necessary but he would never be like the last emperor, and many of the emperors before them, who sought to control all four empires.
She also knew that Kutou would be reborn under his leadership. Life for the people of Kutou would be quite hard in the next few decades due to the distrust the three other kingdoms held for past actions, but they would be able to live in peace with the rest one day.
This was the vision Seiryuu granted to his priestess. It was like a last gift for her.

She spent the next few days riding to Konan with an ambassador that also served as a protector. She was still in the robes of the Seiryuu priestess and she saw no point of changing them right now.
Her whole body began to be in great pain, the pain of being bitten was still there, and her escort told her that she was very pale now. She couldn’t even go to sleep due to the pain, so they rode without any rest.
They only stopped when they were a few paces away from entering Konan. This was done as she decided to make her last wish to Seiryuu.
Closing her eyes she spoke to the god and prepared to make her last wish.
“I am going to Konan to see Hotohori for the last time. That is not my wish though,” she quickly added, “My last wish is for Hotohori to be happy forever.
Seiryuu was standing right in front of her, that was why she saw the great pity in his eyes very clearly when he shook his head.
“This is one of the few wishes that I cannot grant for you.” He told her gently.
“Why? You said that you would grant all my three wishes!” Yuri protested angrily, almost shrieking like a child.
“You yourself should know why I cannot grant that wish. You must die, there is nothing I can do to prevent that. Do you know why the priestesses all have to be virgins if they wish to live?” at the shock of head he continued softly, “To call out a god the priestesses must give the most important thing they own to the god as the sacrifice. A virgin priestess will give the god her virginity, since you no longer own that, the next important thing you own is your body- your life. (9)
“Because you have to die, I cannot make the emperor of Konan happy. You should know that he can never be truly happy if you are not there.”
“Then what should I wish for?” Yuri whispered brokenly, “I have nothing else that I want which you can grant.”
Very gently Seiryuu approached her and picked her up so that he carried her in his arms. At the sight of the god’s hands she had flinched, as his contact had gave her so much pain during the ritual.
Surprisingly it didn’t hurt at all, it brought an almost familiar sensation, the feelings she had experienced whenever Hotohori carried her like this. Even though her body was still in pain, she felt a bit more comfortable because of the memories of being in Hotohori’s arms.
“That is why I do this,” Seiryuu said gently, “I will take you to your emperor, and then you can make your last wish.”
“Why are you taking me there?” she whispered, by this time she was unable to see anything at all, not even Seiryuu.
“Because you will not be able to last long enough to return to the palace.” (10)

The news of the complete withdrew of Kutou’s army at the borders naturally caused a great shock for everyone. Soon, the news of how Kutou has a new emperor arrived in Konan, but Hotohori and his advisors were still doubting the sincerity of these actions.
“What if it is a trick for us to lower our guard?” Hotohori said to Chichiri, who took the most active part in the discussion at the war council. (11)
“I agree but…”
“HOTOHORI! HOTOHORI!” this loud scream was naturally done by Miaka. Without offering any excuses, she charged in the private chamber and interrupted the discussion.
In her hand was Konan’s copy of the sacred book, the book that had been burnt in the unsuccessful attempt to summon Suzaku.
“How…” Hotohori began in confusion, suddenly, he thought of an explanation. He quickly turned to Chichiri.
“No, Tai Yi-Jun had nothing to do with this.” Chichiri answered before the emperor even asked the question.
“I found this in the temple just then. It might have been there for quite sometime for all we know…” Miaka began.
“That doesn’t matter now. I think we should still try and summon Suzaku, as Suzaku might still be the only way for us to solve all this problem without that much loss.” Chichiri suggested.
Hotohori nodded, he was actually wandering whether it was because of Yuri that this happened.
“Prepare the rituals as fast as possible!” he ordered his people, who were only too glad to that. But before he went to help them, he decided to go to Yuri’s section of the palace again.
Somehow, he had such a strong desire to do so.

Yuri finally woke up in her own chambers again. Staggering up she smiled very sadly as she looked at the surroundings. Hotohori had obviously spent a long time here as many of her objects were moved, but what made her more sad was that he had also tried to put all her things back the way she had left them.
“I am so sorry, Hotohori.” She whispered again.
“Who is in there?” that familiar voice of her two maids greeted her. “Who dares to enter the empress’ chamber?”
Upon seeing her the two girls shrieked and both knelt down in front of her, clutching onto her gown tightly.
“Mistress, what are you wearing…” one finally asked.
“Isn’t that the ceremonial robe of a priestess? But why is it blue…” The other squeaked out in horror.
“This is the ceremonial robe for the priestess of Seiryuu. I am wearing this because this is who I am.” She told them as she gently pried their hand off her dress. Walking to her dressing table she pulled out one of the drawers and took some of her jewelleries out.
“I do not need these trinkets anymore, if the emperor allows this- then I wish for these to be given to you two along with your freedom.”
“But mistress…” they began again.
Bending down she hugged them one last time and kissed them both on the cheeks, before patting their heads in that affectionate way she always used. After all this, they were still more close to her, and more like her sister, then Miaka.
“I release you two from my service and if you wish to then you can leave the palace. With my jewelleries you will be able to live in comfort. You could even help your father to set up a tavern somewhere else. Or perhaps you could get marry soon to a nice man each, I know you two sometimes like to look at the guards.” (12)
“We only want to serve you!” her two maids cried out simultaneously. “Please, mistress, don’t send us away.”
Smiling gently she hugged them again, whispering this to them: “But how can you continue to serve me when I will be dead soon?”
Then she stood up and stepped outside, prepared to find Hotohori. She realizes what she would do now, what her last wish would be.

Hotohori was making his way to the path that would take him to Yuri’s quarters, with Chichiri beside him. The other would forbid him to mope about in her room too much.
He still spent all his free time there, although he rarely gets any time to himself now. It hurt him to not be with her when he was in her chambers, but he felt more pain to not even have these memories there. If he could not be with her, then he would cling onto the memories of her presence.
Miaka would now be donning on the robe of the priestess of Suzaku, while Tamahome and Tasuki would be together- the two young men would be trying to reassure one another. It was strangely how he felt so much more older then them, when there was only a difference of two years. (13)
Chiriko would most likely be reading in the library, hoping to come up with something that could help them, while Mitsukake might be mixing medicines if he was not examining Nuriko.
Nuriko had returned as a very different person. The first thing Hotohori noticed was that his hair was cut very short, and even though he still acted rather feminine at times, he truly appeared as a man. He had mostly recovered from his wounds but upon Mitsukake’s advice, he was still resting most of the time.
When he first saw the woman stepping toward him he thought he was hallucination again. Clutching at his temple he decided that he would go and seek advice from Mitsukake after all.
“Houkigou…” one of the guard yelled this out, automatically kneeling down.
Surely it was not possible…
It was Yuri, but she appeared so different, almost strange! Her beautiful hair was no longer reaching to her waist, instead it barely touched her shoulders. Her face also appeared rather haggard, not that any tiredness or hair cuts would make her appear less beautiful in Hotohori’s eyes.
For everyone else though, it was her outfit that caused the most shock. She was wearing the blue robe of the priestess of Seiryuu.
“You majesty, the empress’ gown…” a guard began.
“I don’t care at all!” Hotohori yelled out, he had recognized her clothing very quickly, but as he himself said, he truly did not care.
He ran to her while she remained completely immobile, her hands dropped to her side lifelessly when she saw him, she then sank onto the ground. As soon as he reached her he knelt down as well so that he could wrap his arms around her, he did all this and then he held her next to his body very tightly. At the first physical contact with her he began to weep, and the sudden damping of his own robe informed him that she was crying too.
“Yuri…why did you leave…do not ever leave again…I will die…I love you…Suzaku can be summoned…you don’t have to go…” he muttered incoherently between his tears.
Yuri said nothing, all she could do was to lean against him and let her tears fall out. After so long and so much, she was with him again. She missed him so deeply…the way he would hold her, the feel of his warm body against her’s, his gentle voice…
But this could not last, the pain in her body was a constant reminder.
Hotohori clung onto her so tightly because he knew that the moment he let go of her, she would be away from him again. Unlike last time, she would go onto a journey that he could not follow just yet.
“I love you, you did nothing wrong at all!” He whispered, kissing her tears away, feeling the teardrops stinging his lips. “Don’t leave me ever again, Yuri. When you were gone from me, I almost died.”
“You know I love you, that is why I left you.” She pulled away from his kisses, but not out of his embrace, that was something she could not give up just yet. Staring past his shoulders, she saw that every one else had arrived. Judging from their looks, they all seemed to have worked out her fate. (14)
Miaka clung onto Tamahome tightly, not wanting to suffer the pain of parting her sister and Hotohori must face, Tamahome returned her hold equally fierce, as he felt the same way.
Tasuki felt a hint of sadness as he looked at them, was this what it meant to fall in love? To suffer this much? Beside him, Chichiri and Mitsukake were both thinking of their partings with their own lovers.
Chiriko could not bear to look at Yuri at all. He was remembering his first meeting with her once again, her pleading for him to go to the place and find the priestess. The worst bit was not because he didn’t go straight away, but because he lied to her by saying that he would go. Perhaps he might have prevented his emperor’s pain, and his empress’ soon to be death.
Nuriko arrived too, deep in his heart he always knew that Hotohori would never love him even if he was a woman since the day he attended the emperor’s wedding. It was obviously that Hotohori was deeply in love with the woman whom he just crowned as his empress. But yet he had continued to hope foolishly.
Now he realized that he truly lost. Hotohori would not be with anyone else even when Yuri dies.
“Hotohori,” Yuri said again, looking deeply into his eyes. “I love you, always remember that. My time is running out…I did become the priestess of Seiryuu. I did it for Konan but it seems that this has been my destiny all along. Fate must have found it fun to toy with us. Making me arrive in Konan and falling in love with you when we could never be together during our life.”
“No!” he yelled out, pulling her to him once again. “Do not die, Yuri, I will do anything for you…”
“But there is nothing you can actually do for me.” she stroked his face lovingly, her fingertips touching his tears even as her own tears continued to fall. “I have to die, there is nothing anyone can do to prevent that, not even the gods themselves.
“My first wish was for Suzaku to be able to be summoned by Miaka, and it seems that Seiryuu granted it to me. Next I wished for Kutou to be at peace with Konan, this was granted by the death of the emperor. I can promise you that the new emperor of Kutou truly wants to have peace with Konan.
“As for the third wish, I had asked Seiryuu to let you live the rest of your life happily, but he said that he cannot grant it…”
“I cannot live with any happiness if you die, Yuri.”
“I am such a selfish person, Hotohori.” Yuri whispered, “I rather see you live and be sad, instead of dying but be happy. I had a chance, Hotohori, to turn away from all this madness. But I refused, because no matter what I cannot be with you as I am from a different world, so I rather go on this path. I cannot stand the idea of seeing you die before me…” softly she began to explain everything.
“That is why I choose to call out Seiryuu and save both kingdoms in the process. But the pathetic truth is that I actually don’t really care about Kutou or even Konan, I only did it so you will be safe. I think I only love Konan so much because you are the emperor, and you love your kingdom. I guess you can say it is always you that I love, not Konan.” Raising her hands the sleeves fall down to reveal the large parts of her flesh that were now covered with scales. “As I said, my time is running out.”
“You cannot leave me, Yuri, you know that I will die if you do so. You still don’t believe me, but I truly value you above my kingdom. If my kingdom is gone, I will be sad but I can still manage to continue living as long as you are beside me. But if you die right now…I truly do not know how I can continue living.”
“I know you will be sad, so that is why my last wish to Seiryuu was for you to be happy. But he cannot grant it. I know I shouldn’t come as that will make you more sad but I have to see you one last time…”
“Then take me with you!”
She pressed her hand against his mouth, silencing him, and let him hold her a bit longer, before she withdrew her hand to kiss him. Closing her eyes, she faced Seiryuu for what she now knew to be truly the final time.
“I have only one more thing in my life that I would wish for, Seiryuu, I do not want Hotohori to see my death.”

Hotohori suddenly found his vision gone, there was nothing but darkness stretching before him. He tried to hold onto Yuri but she shook his hold off very easily.
“This is not meant to happen!” he screamed as he felt someone grabbing him, restraining him. Was it Nuriko? It might have been. But he still attempted to fought that strong grip off and run to Yuri although he didn’t know where she was at all.
If she must die, and he could not follow, then at least let him hold her a bit longer; let him embrace and kiss her one more time; and let him be able to spend a last night with her.
But she was gone, torn out of his embrace.
“This is not meant to happen,” he repeated. He had thought that she would be with him again as soon as Suzaku was called out, but now she would be gone even before his own god appears. What was all this for? To meet the woman he loves only to have her snatched from him. What did he do to deserve this cruel torture from fate?
Instead of returning to be with him once again, she arrived to say farewell. It seemed that he only held her for that few seconds in his arms before this blindness took over.
Her death would hurt him, but to not be able to see her before she ended up being devoured by Seiryuu was even worse. (15)
“At least leave me a body to mourn over!” he yelled bitterly. “Can I not even have this?”

Yuri stepped away from Hotohori, although it pained her so much to do it. She had the urge to continue holding him, and she almost asked Seiryuu to kill Hotohori with her, as he had offered. So she would not have to face death alone.
But Konan need their ruler, and Miaka need him to summon Suzaku. Miaka’s own wishes were not grant, and maybe Suzaku could help Hotohori even though Seiryuu was unable to.
She kept her eyes on Hotohori, who was held back by Nuriko as he was trying to make his way to her even though his eyes could no longer see. She would no longer be here when he next see with these eyes.
I am sad at this but I do not regret my actions, she realized, that is how selfish I am.
“Nuriko, marry him.” Saying this still made her cry even more. “Give him the son I can never give him.”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Nuriko snapped, struggling to keep Hotohori under control. “The emperor will never be able to be with anyone else other then you. Beside, I am a man as well.”
If it wasn’t for the current situation then Yuri would have laughed, but her body was in so much pain that she couldn’t even manage that. It was all she could do to not scream, as she did not want Hotohori to suffer more by hearing her cry.
She continued to keep her eyes on Hotohori, remembering his face so that she would not fail to recognize him when they finally meet again...
Strangely she was no longer afraid of dying at all now, the pain became so great that she welcome an end to it by dying. Her only regret was that she had to leave Hotohori now.
Hotohori was the last sight her eyes saw before they lost their ability of seeing when Seiryuu dug his way through her body, causing her vision to blur so much that nothing was visible anymore.
Seiryuu allowed her to finally find a release from all these pains by dying, then he ate the rest of her corpse. When he stepped out into his human form, there was no trace of Yuri left at all.
Yuri was wise to not let Hotohori see her death, as what the rest saw would haunt them for the rest of their life: the way the body ended up when the god was borne from it- the flesh was ripped with blood splattering everywhere. The devouring almost seemed like a mutation of Yuri’s corpse. (16)
“What is it all for?” Hotohori whispered when he finally regained his eyesight. Taking her strand of pearls out he crushed it between his hands and asked why all this had to happen again.
Seiryuu turned to Miaka, who immediately paled slightly. But she met the god’s gaze bravely, determined to not shame her dead sister, who was his priestess.
“Priestess of Suzaku, it is my priestess’ wish for you to summon Suzaku, and I granted her wish by restoring Suzaku’s sacred book to you. Will you summon Suzaku? Or will you let your sister die in vain?”
“I will summon Suzaku.” Miaka replied steadily.
At that moment, Hotohori finally saw a resemblance between the pair of half sisters.

1 I guess Yuri is one of those Japanese people who does not believe in reincarnation- she’s not religious at all so I guess it’s quite possible that she might just think of death as a long sleep.
2 This is done as otherwise he might recognize Yuri from what he had heard from Hotohori and Miaka. This story has a lot of bit that doesn’t make sense if you think about it, so my advise is don’t think about this fan fiction in too much detail. I guess I’m saying don’t do a ‘this should have happened as that happened, or this shouldn’t have happened if that never happened.’
Basically, the seven celestial warriors of both sidesare all alive in this fan fiction, although some are severely injured. (like Nuriko, Chiriko) Basically those who were meant to die are now all just seriously injured.
3 Yuri’s not going mad or anything but she is getting a bit hysterical after all that happened, mostly it is due to the knowledge of her going to die soon as the price she must pay for summoning Seiryuu. I think that knowledge is enough to make anyone a bit hysterical.
4 The idea of the selfishness of people who are sacrificing themselves for the sake of another was pointed out to me in Tokyo Babylon (by Clamp) through Seishiro’s speech. He has a good point, the sacrificial action at that person’s own expense was done because that person believed it would be better for the other person. Basically Yuri knows that her death will make Hotohori really sad, but she rather let him live and be sad, instead of dying happily.
5 Referring to the seven celestial warriors of Seiryuu, who are meant to be protecting their priestess.
6 In this story what happens is that Yuri will tell Seiryuu her wish, and then confirms that she want it to be grant after Seiryuu talks to her about it.
7 I don’t like Nakago at all even after what happened to him, as I still don’t think that is right. But I rather like Soi. I was really touched when I saw her first meeting with Nakago, especially what she said. And another bit in the manga that made me really sad is actually when Nakago told her that she is not the one that he loves.
8 For the sake of this story, there will be a very idealistic new emperor for Kutou.
9 Obviously that is not the real reason in the manga as to why the priestesses have to be virgins because they still get eaten. But I think this idea will fit in my story, since I said at the front: a woman can still be a priestess even if she is not a virgin (like Yuri), the only problem is that she’ll get eaten by the god. This is my theory of why this would happen: because she can no longer use her virginity as the offer/sacrifice, she have to give up her body instead- which would kill her. This is what will happen to Yuri and this is why Miaka will not die when she calls out Suzaku (Which she will).
10 From the manga it seemed that Yui was undergoing great pain even in the first few days, and it seems the same thing happened to the first priestess. I get the conclusion that the time frame is really short, it seems that the priestess don’t have that long a time before the end up being devoured- even if they didn’t make all their wishes- like the very first priestess.
11 Chichiri seemed to be the one that would understand the most about these kind of stuff along with Hotohori (as he is the emperor). Although Chiriko might be able to help too- provided that the word doesn’t disappear a the most vital time.
12 Just in case anyone forgets, Yuri’s two maids’ father had been a tavern owner, and Yuri had worked in there for a week. The tavern was at a rather bad location, the street it was in was filled with cheap tavern and brothels. Once, Yuri even mentioned how that tavern get mistaken for a brothel sometimes.
13 In my story, Hotohori’s twenty, not eighteen. I really do feel that Hotohori will probably get on way more better with the older of the seven: Chichiri and Mitsukake.
14 They all know the legend and what happens to the priestess if she was not a virgin. Since Seiryuu is summoned, and Yuri appears dressed as the priestess of Seiryuu it is clear that she must be the priestess of Seiryuu, and since they are all aware that she had been married to Hotohori for two years, it is obvious to them that she will die. That is why everyone ends up thinking what they think.
15 He’s basically saying that he want to see her one last time. Even though seeing her die will be painful, he still rather see that as he want to see her until she is gone, until he can no longer see her..
16 When I read about Yui’s death I really have the impression that Seiryuu was borne from her body, hence this part in my story.

I haven’t been doing this for a while so I decided that I will put my fan fictions up every weekend day, as other wise I wouldn’t be able to put them all up, I’ve got way too much stuff that I want to share!

What happened last time: Yuri caught the fever in her attempt to find Mitsukake, but was saved by him, like Tasuke, he promises her that he will join Miaka as soon as she comes. Yuri then decides to wait for the news of Suzaku’s summoning before she returns to the palace.



Yuri had been counting the number of days that had passed since she left Mitsukake and hide away here, at this isolated village near the border. It had been many days now, surely Miaka had enough time to go back to the palace and prepare the ritual.
Suzaku should be summoned already!
“Suzaku, please come to us quickly!” she prayed again.
Instead of travelling back to the capital she had continued to travel away from it until she ended up here. This village was the closest establishment to Kotou in Konan.
She did not know why she came here, instead of starting to go back to the palace. Somehow she had a feeling of dread, even though she was sure that Suzaku would be called out soon.
Since she arrived here, she had stayed in the temple and spent almost all of her days praying to Suzaku.
The people of this village naturally did not know her real identity, they just thought of her as a traveller who decided to rest a little. The fact that she was a woman alone was rather strange, but as she carried a sword they decided that she must be an unconventional woman in every aspect, which was not impossible.
Sometimes she would leave the temple and talk to the local villagers, they were very friendly- even to a stranger like her. She was especially pleased to hear about their views on the emperor. Most of them regarded Hotohori as a very good emperor, and all seemed to love and respect him greatly.
“What of the Empress?” she simply couldn’t resist the temptation to ask them this one day.
“We know little about the empress other then the fact that the emperor loves her very much. If that is the case,” a man had shrugged carelessly, “Then she must be a virtuous woman.”
“I suppose that will always be an empress’ role.” Yuri thought. “I really have no importance other then to bear a son. Unlike Hotohori, no one but him would really care if I die. They’ll just expect Hotohori to elect another.”
Walking out of the temple she saw a bunch of young girls giggling to each other, some were probably only a few months younger then her. As she never told anyone about her marital status, these girls greeted her like a following conspirator.
“Look at this!” one giggled.
A bunch of clay dolls were in front of them with a stack of paper, each girl was holding a pen. Taking a doll Yuri held it up to examine it closer, she saw that it was actually two dolls adjoined together, a man and a woman. (1)
“It’s a lovers doll, do you want one, Yuri?” one offered.
“What are they?” Yuri asked in confusion.
“You write your name on a piece of paper and then stick it onto the girl doll, and then you write the name of the man that you love and stick that onto the boy doll. After you do this, you must bury the lovers doll somewhere in secret.”
“What for?”
“It will let you be with the man you love forever, and make him always love you.”
Taking a pen Yuri followed the instruction.
“And now you just need to bury it…oh!”
The doll made from strong clay suddenly broke apart when Yuri was sticking the names on, the two pieces slipped through her finger and hit the ground, shattering into many pieces.
“Don’t worry about it, there’s bound to be one that will break…” one of the girl said with forced cheerfulness. “We have a lot of spares. This one seems very stable.”
“No, it is alright…” she whispered as she picked the pieces up. “I plan to go back to the temple anyway.”
Why did that happen? Even though it was a childish game she could not help but to feel a hint of fear at what just occurred.

Could it be that I will not be reunite with Hotohori as I had hoped? She thought in shock. Could it be that my betrayal made him stop loving me?
“No! I won’t believe this!” she yelled loudly.
She had to force herself to consider the possibility, after all, she did leave him out of the fear of seeing him hate her. Throughout her journey she kept pretending that everything would be well as soon as Suzaku was summoned.
But what if he was so angry at her that nothing could pacify him?
Closing her eyes she felt tears trickling down again, she had thought that he would forgive her as soon as everything was well but the fear that she was wrong began to erupt.
Maybe that was why she came here, instead of going back to the capital. Because it seemed that until she went back and see Hotohori, she could pretend that he would forgive her and everything would be alright.
“What if…” she whispered these words again.
The only reason she would doubt Hotohori’s love for her was because she loved him too much.
Mercifully, sleep soon took over.

Her dream started very pleasantly. At first she was reliving through her own wedding. She was in that elaborate gown with the string of pearls in her hair, Hotohori was standing beside her, holding her hand tightly.
The faces of the advisors changed to the numerous unknown faces of the people of Konan. The two of them were carried in a litter and she saw many people throwing flowers towards them.
“Wave at them,” Hotohori whispered into her ears. “The acknowledgement of the empress will make them very happy.”
Nodding she did so, and almost wept at the cry of joy that greeted her because of that simple action.
Smiling she turned to Hotohori but unlike her real wedding, he was no longer there. Every thing suddenly disappeared and she was left alone in a deserted room with only a mirror in front of her.
By chance she looked into the mirror, instead of her wedding gown she was now dressed in the garbs of a priestess, the robe she had once saw in some illustrations among the ancient scrolls in Hotohori’s private library.
“Is this what I might have been?” She asked softly, fingering the trailing blue bands…
Blue instead of red?
“The costume of the priestess of Seiryuu? Why…”
“So we finally meet, Yuri, my priestess.”
This was only a dream but she still almost screamed when she saw the figure. Standing only a few paces away from her was Seiryuu, the god of Kutou, the country that was threatening destroy Konan.
“Seiryuu?” she repeated dumbly. “What is all this? Why do you call me your priestess?”
“Because that is what was meant to happen. You arrived in this world almost three years ago…”
‘Yes but I arrived in Suzaku’s kingdom, in Konan...”
“Do not interrupt me again.” the god said, but it was not said unkindly, “There is very little time left in this dream. (2)
“You were meant to arrive in Kutou so you could summon me, but through a twist of fate you ended up in Konan, and even became the empress.
“Remember what happened the day you came to this world! Remember that book that took you here!”

It was the day of her eighteenth birthday but as usual she was spending it alone, she thought about asking some of her colleagues from the office but decided against it, she did not know them that well. (3)
Someone she made herself a recluse, she knew that if she wanted to she could easily mingle with many other young people at her new workplace. There were actually two men who wanted to go out with her.
If she asked them to accompany her, they would gladly do so, but somehow she did nothing. It seemed that she was too paranoid of turning into her mother.
She spent a long time wandering around the town, admiring these fine objects she could not afford to buy just yet. Although she did change into a new dress that she brought this morning, a soft lilac one with that red ribbon in her hair.
Suddenly, without any warning, it began to rain.
The nearest shelter was the library, so she naturally ran in there.
It was in the library when she first felt the book calling to her. It seemed ridiculous even as she recollected years later but that was what she had felt. The voice would grow dimmer when she approached the library, when she tried to leave the voice broke into such a loud scream that she was forced to step back into the library.
Secretly she made her way into the locked room and took the book down. It was the right book because that voice ceased as soon as she closed her hands over the spine of the book.
“The book of the universe of the four gods?” she read the title out softly, “What a strange name for a book.
“This book is about how a young woman receives the power of the god Seiryuu…”

“So I was meant to be your priestess all along, that means I didn’t actually need to leave Hotohori.” Yuri said sadly. “It makes sense though, when I arrived Konan was not on the brink of destruction. But Kutou…”
“Few people knew of what had happened in Kutou. When you arrived the emperor of Kutou was a different man. The last emperor had many children, but when he finally died at a very old age, it was to his youngest son that he gave the country to. Naturally all the others were angry, there was a fierce civil war that ended when the victor among all the other brothers took the throne by force and threw his brother into the dungeon.
“His younger brother, the rightful emperor of Kutou, managed to escape and is now hiding and planning revolts. He would have been a peaceful emperor like your husband- his birth in this war loving country was almost like a miracle. That was why he received the throne, as his father realized that he had a chance of ending the war and corruption that the country had long been tied with.”
“What could I have done if I had I been there?” Yuri asked.
“You would have prevented the usurp, then the Suzaku priestess would never have come as she would not be needed. It is too late to change that now but you must still summon me.” Seiryuu suddenly turned around, and whatever he saw made him frown. “Time is running out, priestess. Come to Kutou as fast as you can and summon me. Otherwise I fear both Kutou and Konan will be destroyed.”
“You would ask this of me? How can you ask me to go and do something that will result in my own death?” she said angrily.
The god met her eyes without flinching as he replied, “I ask this of you in order to save my own life. If Kutou is destroyed, then I will cease to exist.”
Yuri nodded, she did not blame Seiryuu one bit as it was natural for someone to want their life to be preserved instead of another’s.
“I do not wish to die, surely you can understand that if you have the same fear.” She reasoned. “Must I summon you? Can Suzaku not…”
“Unlike you, the priestess of Suzaku will not be able to make the right wish for Kutou. And even if she does, it is impossible, as Suzaku cannot be summoned anymore.” There seemed to be a slight bitterness in the god’s voice.
“Why?” she demanded.
“The emperor of Kutou and his celestial warriors prevented this due to trickery. They stopped all the ways for Suzaku to be summoned.” (4)
“Then I will go to Kutou.” Yuri declared out. “But I am not doing it because I am meant to be the priestess of Seiryuu. I am only doing this because it is the only way to save both Konan and Hotohori.”
“Nonetheless your wish will end up helping Kutou.” He stretched his hand out to her and pressed it against her forehead for a few seconds, before releasing it. “This mark will let everyone in Kutou know that you are my priestess, my chosen one.”
Turning to look into the mirror again, she saw that a picture of a dragon had been imprinted onto her forehead. (5)
“There is one more thing that I want to know.” Yuri called out as she felt the darkness around them beginning to lighten, a sign of the dream ending. “Is this why I cannot bear a child? Because I am not meant to stay in this world?”
Seiryuu nodded. “You cannot stay with him, Yuri. Have you not realized why your appearance changed so little over the two years?”
She sank onto the ground and buried her face into her hands, sobbing openly. So they would force her to leave him no matter what…

Was the dream only a dream? Yuri asked herself as soon as she woke up. Sitting up she saw that she was clad in the plain robe that she had brought instead of the elaborate robes of the Seiryuu priestess.
She was brushing her hair when she remembered the last bit of her dream, automatically her hand rested on her forehead.
On the table was a small basin of water that was meant to be for her toiletries, half-afraid, half-eager, she leant over it to use it as a mirror.
It was there, the mark of Seiryuu, as she guessed it would be.
“I am the priestess of Seiryuu, what an ironic fate.” She muttered bitterly, “I who became the empress of Konan, Suzaku’s country; the wife of one of the seven celestial warriors of Suzaku, was sent here for this purpose!”
She would go to Kutou and summon Seiryuu, as both Konan and Hotohori would be saved. Yuri was fully aware that she would die to achieve this but somehow it seemed that she no longer cared. Because it seemed that either way she and Hotohori must part, so her best option was to make him safe at the expense of her own life.
Kutou was a much more stronger country then Konan, and she knew that when the battle began Hotohori would ride out in the very front. He would willingly die for his kingdom.
There was no way for them to remain together. Even in the unlikelihood of Konan winning she still could not remain here.
Until Seiryuu reminded her of her appearance she had not understand the true significance of it. She was eighteen when she came here, and now at twenty, she still looked exactly the same as she was two years ago. Her hair had been waist length, and it still remained that long even though she never once cut it. (6)
If I stay here I will have to watch Hotohori die before me, and I will outlive him by so many years. I can never give him a child either…
The best thing for me to do is to summon Seiryuu, she realized very sadly. Dying is my best option as I will not be able to live with the pain of being away from Hotohori in that lonely world I had come from, or even just from knowing that he would be making love to another woman and have a child with her!
At that moment, she knew what her three wishes would be.
Perhaps she knew what would have happened all along, as she had took the clothes she wore the day she found the book. Her original reason of taking them was that they might be discovered if she left them in her quarters in the palace.
Now she was not so sure. Maybe it was fate all along.
She put on the lilac dress and then slipped the pair of stilettos on. It felt so strange for her to wear these cloths again. She seemed to have adjusted to the custom of this world a bit too well as she felt that she was dressing too immodestly by wearing a dress that has just one layer, and had no sleeves with the skirt reaching only to her knees.
In the past two years when she was the empress, she rarely wore a gown that did not consists of at least two layers, with the shortest length up to her ankle, and all the sleeves at least reached past her elbow.
“Surely, no one will be able to recognize the Houkigou in this outfit.” She said rather sourly as she quickly cloaked herself. “Even the whores in brothels wear more then me right now.”
Closing her eyes she began to plait her very long hair, then she grasped the braid in her hand tightly, must she cut this too? She was only the empress, not the emperor, so it was not likely for anyone in Kutou to recognize her when no one in Konan did.
But what if they did and used her as a hostage…no, she could not endanger Hotohori in anyway. Her greatest wish was for him to be happy, and only Seiryuu could grant it now.
Taking the dagger she sliced it through the braid neatly. Watching it fall to the ground she had an urge to cry again.
She had always been vain of her long hair since her childhood, it was something that connected her with her dead mother. When she tied her hair with the ribbon in the same method her mother had taught her, she could pretend that it was her mother’s fingers that were weaving through her hair.
When she was a child she had been forced to cut her hair once. Miaka’s mother had demanded so: “If I must have that whore’s child in my house then at least make her cut her hair so she doesn’t look like a clone of that whore!”
Her hair ended up as short as a boy’s and she spent many days crying herself to sleep, holding the braid in her hand. Her vanity towards the length of her hair was not because of the result of her appearance, it was because by having long hair she could bear her mother’s death more easily.
Her mother’s hair was like her’s in everyway: the length, texture, style. When Yuri’s hair was short she was so afraid that she would forget how to tie her hair the way her mother taught her that she practised with her only doll every single day and night until her hair grew long enough again.
By that time, her father had moved out so Miaka’s mother had no way of making Yuri cut her hair again.
Then in Konan, Hotohori had always been fond of touching her hair, and he had often told her how beautiful she looked with her long hair.
“I should give this to him,” she said to herself as she picked the long braid up. Her hair now only reached to her shoulders, to make her looked even more different she swept it into a high pony tail, securing every single strand with the white ribbon.
Later on, when she looked at her reflection in the river she had to admit that she looked very different from Houkigou. But this woman wasn’t Houki Yuri either.
She was someone else, this Yuri was not an empress or the lonely girl who clung onto her mother’s memory for many years. She was a young woman who no longer cared for anything else now, as she knew that her life would soon end.
This Yuri was the priestess of Seiryuu.

1 These dolls came out in volume five and I just suddenly thought it’ll be a good idea to write about this, even though Nuriko said it’s played by girls in the city, I think it is possible that it might have been done by girls all over the country.
2 I really don’t think that Seiryuu is a cruel god although he did ate Yui. But technically the priestesses were meant to make that sacrifice, so the point it, I’ve made Seiryuu into quite a kind god as well, a bit like Suzaku. I think it’s just the current king of Kotou who was cruel, and I guess some of the warriors of Seiryuu. (on a side note I actually like Soi quite a lot.)
3 This whole italic bit is a flashback. Yuri used to work in various jobs at her early and mid teens, a few months before her eighteenth birthday she got a job as an O.L, office lady.
4 Presuming that by this time the warriors of Seiryuu also took the two other sacred objects of the two other gods.
5 When Yui was calling out Seiryuu she had a picture of a dragon on her forehead, I tried to see if Miaka had a picture of a bird on her forehead when she first called Suzaku but I haven’t find it yet. But anyway, later on in Kutou, Yuri was escorted to the palace immediately due to that mark.
6 Another thing I understand now as I re-read the manga is the time difference thing. Before, I actually thought that if someone stayed in the universe of the four gods for two years, they will age by two years although when they return to the outside world, only six months would have passed. Apparently what would happen is that even though someone (eg Yuri) stayed in the book world for two years, she would only physically age as if two months (outside world time) had passed.

Well…here it is, as I mentioned in the previous entry. A sort of character analysis, mini essay? Like the one I did for Hotohori, only that this is about my favourite character from Prince of Tennis, as well as the character responsible for making me read the story properly. I have read random funny bits from the story before but I didn’t really plan to read the whole thing, but when I read Shiraishi’s match against Fuji (his main moment of fame) I kind of decided: ‘ok, I’ll read the whole thing.’ It is also his match that made me realize: ‘Hey, the tennis bit won’t actually be that bad.’

Basic data, Shiraishi Kuranosuke is a third year student, the captain of Shitenhouji (a junior high school in Osaka). His school was in the nationals last year and reached the semi-finals. Even though they were beaten by Rikkai completely, they lost all three of their first match. (the school who was champion last year and the year before that), it is agreed that they gave Rikkai a much tougher game last year in the semi finals, then the school who actually was runner up in the finals. Shitenhouji is probably the strongest team in the Kansai region, since they actually won the Kansai tournament this year and last year with a clean sweep.

Because Shitenhouji is in Kansai, the majority of the Kantou schools (which is most of the schools in the story) doesn’t really know how good Shitenhouji or their captain is. Also, Shiraishi didn’t get to play in the nationals last year, against the match with Rikkai (which was an excellent opportunity for him to display his skills to the Kantou players) as he was in singles 1 (the most important position), which is the fifth person to play. As a result he didn’t get to play so his skills are a mystery to almost all of the Kantou players. (note- Tezuka seems to know about Shiraishi’s skills as he warned Fuji that Fuji should be on his guard.)

Not much is known about Shiraishi (although I think he is an example of how much stuff you can find out about a character if you really try to seek information), he only appears in Volume 29 of the manga, when all the captains were there to draw their orders for round one of the nationals. There, he made a comment about how Tezuka seems more capable this year, as well as saying that it might be Seigaku this year. (I still am not sure whether he means that Seigaku will be the winners of the nationals, or merely indicate that his school will possibly play against Seigaku.) The next time he comes out is when the schools were walking in the procession, then in Volume 31, where he and most of his team mates were watching Seigaku’s match with Higa. But he doesn’t properly come out until Volume 35- when his team played Fudomine- even though he didn’t get to play again. He was in singles 1 and his team won all three first matches. Then Volume 36…kind of his…his turn to shine? Most of volume 36 basically consists of his match with Fuji. After his match he then kind of fades, since he isn’t a major major character, although he did participate in the meat-eating competition, and he is shown to be watching the finals with a lot of other school, saying that even though Rikkai is most likely to win, he think Seigaku have a chance of preventing Rikkai from winning the nationals three year in a role.

As I said before, Shiraishi is the captain of his team, and the interesting thing is that he was the captain in his second year too, as well as having the prestigious position of playing singles one. Judging from this I think it is quite reasonable to conclude that he was in the school team since his first year as well. If he was allowed to be the captain in his second year, I think it is highly likely that his school would have been lenient enough to let him join the team in his first year. And in a lot of schools there are people who were in the team ever since their first year, although most captains in this story only become captain in their third year (but Tezuka was vice-captain in his second year and I think Yukimura might very possible have been the captain from his second year too). I personally think that it is the fact that he was captain in his second year that played a large part to the forming of his character. Perhaps the sudden responsible was too heavy, making him too responsible a captain with the interest of his team in his heart in such an extreme fashion, or perhaps it is merely because unlike the other third year captains, he have to face another year with the result of his actions during the time he was captain.

Shiraishi plays perfect tennis, I don’t understand anything about tennis so I will just take the following from wikipedia: ‘Perfect Tennis is the form that Shiraishi uses when he plays any match. Perfect tennis is achieved when one masters every technique in its basic form (i.e. perfect forehand form, perfect overhead form).’ I don’t know whether I am right but it is because he knows all the rules so well that give him advantages in his match against Fuji? In his game with Fuji he was able to counter Fuji’s very fancy attacks, and I wonder whether he can do it because he knows the best way to hit the ball, the behaviour of the ball? Fuji have this serve which he calls the disappearing serve and what happened is that the first time Shirasihi swung his racquet he actually didn’t hit it, as it disappeared, but then he turned around and hit it, I think he knows to go that direction because the ball will go there? But basically he plays by the rules, and only by the rules, he doesn’t use any extra actions, each move is precise and has a direct purpose. He is also said to be quite fast and relatively strong. Because of his perfect tennis, he is also known as the bible of Shitenhouji. (Fuji’s coach actually says that Shiraishi and Fuji’s skills are equal.)

The reason I say that Shiraishi is too responsible a captain is because he is, to an extent, letting the interest of his team outweigh his love for tennis. However, Shiraishi doesn’t actually like perfect tennis, as he describes it as the most boring thing in the world, but as he is the captain of the team, he have the responsibility of doing whatever it takes in order to score a win for his team, because no mater how much fun and exciting the match is, if your team doesn’t score three wins in total then you will be out of the race. No matter what happens, if you lose then you lose. I know that you can argue that giving up his own pleasure is not that big a deal but I feel it really is. Like most of the characters in this story, he loves tennis but he has to play it in a way that he doesn’t like. I think for a boy his age, that is a really admirable feat. Also, it must be painful to do something that you find really boring over and over again when you know that you can actually do it in another way that is fun.

So because of this realization, and most importantly because he is the captain, he believes that he is obliged to use perfect tennis in order to let his team be more likely to have three wins, and therefore continue to the next round. Interestingly enough, he actually told Fuji that his tennis is very “cool”, only that it has too many extra movements. I think that is actually a sincere compliment in the first half, as I believe that Shiraishi would like to play tennis that way if he could. I believe that if he was not the captain…when he stops being the captain, then he would actually begin to play the way he used to again, the way that he enjoyed. So what makes him such a noble character is that he is doing it for his team, not for himself.

Shiraishi also seems a rather mature person, as he actually doesn’t really trash talk at court, in fact he hardly talks during the game. I think it is partly due to his character- he just doesn’t do that, and in his case it might also be due to the fact that talking can waste some energy. I think the most extreme thing he said is that “you can’t struggle anymore, the game will soon be over,” given the fact that he was on the point of winning, and that a few moments ago his opponent was lying on the ground, I think it was justified enough. And his words like “Don’t hold back, use all your triple counters” is not really an insult either, it really is just like saying bring it on. One of the bits that I really like is when Shiraishi scolds one of his team mates for going a bit too far with his taunting. “Be careful with how you speak.” As it shows what a nice person he is. And I noticed that he doesn’t really seem to criticise their opponents, as he tends to praise his team mates instead- by saying how good they are. It is also quite clear that he is the captain, and in the match in Fudomine, we see him telling him team mates to go and do their best, to do whatever it takes to win. Interestingly enough he also forbid Kintarou to bother Chitose when Chitose said that he quits, even though he must know that this would weaken his team.

In his match against Fuji, due to Fuji’s miraculously recovery and evolved triple counters, Shiraishi began to face difficulties. However, he does not give up and even if he panicked, it was only for a short duration. He just kept on trying to analyze Fuji’s serve in order to somehow break it, and he manages to in the end. As Fuji said: “I’ve never seen any opponents who can remain as calm as he is in such a condition.” I think this is because he refuses to give up, he did all these sacrifices and to give up now would make them all futile, I remember thinking that he probably wouldn’t give up or leave the court before the match end unless he was dragged away.

Shiraishi seems much more skilled then almost all of his other team mates, as he recognizes Fuji’s white whale/dragon for what they are immediately. Also, he actually seems to understand what Chitose’s Pinnacle of Great Wisdom is, unlike many of his team mates, who were rather confused. I suppose he should be, since he was the captain since his second year. He also has a very detailed knowledge about almost all his team mates.

Even though Shiraishi says that the most important thing is to win, and that he will play perfect tennis even though he doesn’t like it- because it will help him to win, he doesn’t really seem to fully believe this. A very interesting to notice is that in Volume 37- which starts by announcing his victory, he doesn’t actually appear that happy. I think this is due to him knowing that he sort of won by chance, he probably could have won more gloriously, but the game was ended in his favour due to Fuji’s ball being out. One of his friends then reminds him that the most important thing is that he won, and at this he finally smiled slightly and said “That is true…” Although I think this might just be for the benefit of his team mates. Perhaps he is also rather bitter about the fact that his perfect tennis has give him yet another victory, because every time he wins a match with perfect tennis, he is tied to it even more, it is the ever present reminder that he have to do this, even though he does not like it. He also admits that his match with Fuji would be much better if Fuji had played as well as he did in the middle since the beginning, suggesting that he does like to have a good game, instead of just winning.

As for his match with Fuji, the really interesting thing is that Shiraishi and Fuji are like polar opposites. As mentioned before, Shiraishi plays the way he does in order to win, to score a win for his team, even though he doesn’t like it. Fuji, on the other hand, enjoys playing tennis when he sees his opponent pushing themselves to their limit- which I personally think is rather sadistic. He basically just do enough to let his opponents push themselves to the limit, and as a result, he doesn’t play with his full potential. This is acknowledged by Shiraishi during the middle of the game. I think the main problem with Fuji is that he is a genius, so he never has to try that hard. Others…they probably have talent in tennis but it is not something that they can rely on completely. Personally…Fuji really annoys me, especially since he is so smug at times. But I think this became his downfall in his match against Shiraishi, because he got so confident that his final counter ‘Gate keeper of Hecatonchires’ can forbid Shiraishi hitting the ball over the net, he didn’t realize that Shiraishi has start to counter it until it was too late. (to be honest I can’t remember the last time I so wanted to hit someone with a tennis racquet so much when Fuji did his “Your ball won’t go over the net anymore” to Shiraishi and just turned away when Shiraishi was still serving). In the end, the game reached a tiebreak and Shiraishi won because Fuji’s final serve went out, and I think this is because Fuji let the game dragged out too long so he got really tired. And the cause of this was he didn’t give his full potential in the very beginning. I think when Shiraishi asked Fuji whether he think tennis is so easy that he can just afford to change his attitude in the middle of the game, he is really speaking for many other people- as well as the readers, not just for himself. Why is that Fuji is allowed to do this, I’m sure that if most other people did what Fuji did, then they would have lost.

To be honest, I really wish that Shiraishi could win more gloriously, but well…Fuji is a really popular character and there are already a lot of people on forums who complain about this. I mean…Fuji have it pretty lucky, if you ask me. Officially he only lost due to chance, and his opponent is very worthy. Shiraishi actually never said anything overly rude, and he even went up to shake Fuji’s hand immediately afterward- telling him that he is really good. I mean, it is not as if Fuji lost to someone like Kirihara. But Shiraishi, with his win against Fuji, becomes the first person to defeat Fuji in an official match. Although I admit, if the opposite thing happened then I would be doing what Fuji fans are doing, I would be complaining that it shouldn’t be like that- that this is unfair.

Ok…a bit off topic but the match of Shiraishi and Fuji is a really important bit to Shiraishi’s character, and the two of them are very interesting comparisons. Shiraishi is drawn in a very interesting way, his left hand is bandaged. This is never explained why, but Kintarou (the first year in his team) believe that this is because his left hand is poisoned. Shiraishi certainly plays along with this idea, although we don’t see him actually telling Kintarou that his hand is poisoned, Shiraishi would just begin to unwind his bandages and threatens Kintarou with death in order to make him do something, or not do something. We have actually never seen him unwinding the bandages completely, as he usually manages to gain Kintarou’s cooperation very easily. His first proper appearance is in Volume 35, when Kintarou tried to challenge Echizen to a match, instead of watching their other team mates. Once Kintarou left, he apologised to the Seigaku team. “Sorry for causing you guys problems.” The funny thing is that Momoshiro and Ejie seems to sort of believe this, as they both stared at Shiraishi with a rather frightened expression, and Momoshiro even mumbled out: “Poisoned hands…” this then made Shiraishi laugh and tell them that it is only a way to manage Kintarou. But because he seems the type of person who will never waste time, in the meat-eating competition he would put pieces of meat on the grill whenever someone took a piece to eat to make sure that no time is wasted, so I really think that there is something wrong with his left hand in the first place.

Despite using his hand to threaten Kintarou with death, Shiraishi actually seems to be quite fond of him, I think he really treats Kintarou as a younger brother. For example, in volume 30, as they watch Seigaku playing Higa, he is actually ruffling Kintarou’s hair.

Lastly, either there is a slight inconsistency, or Shiraishi is ambidextrous. During his match with Fuji, he uses his left hand most of the time, occasionally using both hands to hold the racquet. This suggests that he is left handed, but before the meat-eating competition, he and his team mates were eating noodles, and he was actually holding his chopsticks with his right hand, but later on in the meat-eating competition- we only see him using his left hand to hold the chopsticks.

Wow…this is getting to be quite a long essay- if only I can write my school essays as fast and as easy. But the above information are all from the manga, as the manga are the original. So, now, OVA parts.

To be honest I was quite worried that Shiraishi is going to end up being very different in the anime/OVA, as I have bad experiences with characters that I like in the past. Eg. Shuro from Ayashi no Ceres becomes totally random while Fushigi Yugi…let’s not go there. And prince of tennis is especially alarming because one of their other characters got this huge as sudden transform. So I was quite nervous as I watch the OVA, not that I could be assured because I didn’t get to watch a subbed version until some times later. Even though the people in the OVA looks really good, and his school’s tennis uniform is so much better. (although I’ll be really angry if I really like his coach, because I think his coach looks more evil in the OVA. I mean, he is quite a sly character in the manga, but he didn’t look evil.)

But much to my relief, the OVA didn’t ruin Shiraishi’s character, or dehydrate his role. I actually really like the extra scenes of him which they added, because they are very to character, which are not in the orginal manga. Shiraishi’s team mates were talking about how good Shiraishi is and his coach then recollected how he once walked pass the tennis court one evening/night when he saw Shiraishi there, all alone, practising. And it seems that he was pushing himself almost to the point of exhaustion, as he was actually panting- barely standing. But then he picked up his racquet once more and resumes practising. I really like what his coach then said: “Everything is the result of hard work.” Because this is true, and I think it reminds us that he is very different from Fuji. I think he has talent, but unlike Fuji it is not something he can rely on that much. I also like what Shiraishi did after the match against Fudomine, he clasped his two team mates on the shoulder and told them “well done”. This is what the captain should do, even if his team mate is really capable, so I think he is definitely one of the very good captains. Although a great pity is that even though the OVA convey the idea that he is playing perfect tennis for his team, even if he doesn’t like it, they didn’t specifically mention that this is because he is the captain, burdened with duty and responsibility.

The OVA also convince me that he treats/regards Kintarou as a little brother, because of the way he acted and spoke with Kintarou. I feel that it shows an elder brother’s exasperation of ‘What have you done this time?’ instead of a captain thinking ‘I’ve got to take responsibility for him.’ Perhaps it is also the fact that he would use his hand to threaten Kintarou, and his promise to Kintarou that they will be able to play against Seigaku if they win against Fudomine is more like a coax, instead of a logical reasoning. He and Kintarou also did the preview of OVA 15- introducing it, basically characters would kind of talk about the next episode as we see preview of the next episode. It is so cute, especially the last line!!! This is what happened.

K: It’s finally our turn to come out! Wait for me with a washed neck. (I think the last line is often a slang for fighting)
S: Kin-chan, this isn’t fighting. It’s tennis, tennis. (although I often think the story is like fighting, all the elaborate moves etc…)
K: Doesn’t matter, it’s all the same. Koshimae, be prepared! (Koshimae is Kintarou’s incorrect way of pronouncing Echizen’s name)
S: Sorry, Kin-chan, but it’s my match first.
K: What did you say? But no, never mind. Ok, go Shiraishi! Next episode: Houkou. Actually, what does Houkou mean?
S: You haven’t really been studying, have you, Kin-chan?
Shiraishi’s tone through out this is like a fond exasperation, quite elder brotherly…

My sister and I were talking about prince of tennis when she suddenly said “if I can ask Yuuta a question then it would be why he have this cross on his forehead.” So somehow we ended up playing this game, in which we lists out all the important characters and say what we will say to them if we can.

Speaking of prince of tennis I feel that I should also mention that I finished my prince of tennis fan fiction!!! So please go and cheek it out on fan fiction.net. It’s called ‘Sacrifice’ and it is about Shiraishi Kuranosuke. There just aren’t enough fan fictions about him. And it is quite different from the rest of the stuff I have been writing. For one thing, it actually isn’t romance focused. Although there is romance, it is merely just one of the things that have been happening, not the main focus of the story. It’s an examination of Shiraishi’s character- kind of explaining what happened to him during his years in junior high school to make him the character that he is in volume 36. Ok…next time I’ll type a mini essay/character review on Shiraishi.

Note: there are some people who have doesn’t have their name in Japanese in brackets, and instead have their name in romanji in brackets, that is because they are the advisors/coach. I’m sure that I have everyone’s name write but I did often have to get the Japanese name from one site, and the names in romanji from another site, so do forgive me if I did anything wrong.

Seishun Academy Middle School
Echizen Ryoma (越前 リョーマ): “You really, really, really need to work on your first impression skills.”
Tezuka Kunimitsu (手塚 国光): “You really need to do something about the tensai in your team.” “I know that you are very focused on tennis, but don’t you think you should do something about the seigaku support? Isn’t it quite bad when Shitenhouji (a school from Osaka) seemed to have more people then you guys cheering for them in the semi-finals in Tokyo, when your school is actually in Tokyo?”
Oishi Shuichiro (大石 秀一郎): “What did these psychology tests reveal about Seigaku?”
Fuji Shusuke (不二 周助): “If you still don’t play seriously after what happened in your match with Shiraishi, then you really deserve being slapped by someone like Sanada” “I would have thought that what happened with Kirihara in the regional would have prevented what happened in the semi-finals of the nationals.”
Kikumaru Eiji (菊丸 英二): “It’s all very well to be good at tennis, but you should probably study a bit more.”
Kawamura Takashi (河村 隆): “Your last match is one of the most touching part in the whole manga. It made me cry.”
Inui Sadaharu (乾 貞治): “Didn’t you pre-taste the blue vinegar before hand?”
Momoshiro Takeshi (桃城 武): “Do you honestly think the Shiraishi’s hand might be poisoned?”
Kaidoh Kaoru (海堂 薫): “You should really reveal this other side of you more often.”
竜崎 スミレ (Ryuzaki Sumire): “Can a few decades really make you look so different?”

Fudomine Middle School (市立不動峰中学校)
Tachibana Kippei (橘 桔平): “You truly are an amazing person, but how come you are not my favourite character?”
Kamio Akira (神尾アキラ): “I agree with Tachibana and Ibu, you should really change the line ‘going with the rhythm.”
Ibu Shinji (伊武深司): “You need to change your attitude and stop doing a 4-0 thing in the beginning.” “You think too much, people don’t fall just to gain sympathy.”
Ishida Tetsu (石田 鉄): “How come you are in Tokyo, while your brother is in Osaka?”
Sakurai Masaya (桜井雅也), Mori Tatsunori (森 辰徳), Uchimura Kyousuke (内村京介): “I really like Fudomine so I am really sorry that I don’t really remember you guys.”

St. Rudolph Gakuen (私立聖ルドルフ学院中学校)
Akazawa Yoshirou (赤澤吉朗): “It’s a shame that Mizuki make your school’s reputation really bad, as you are actually a very good person. It takes great courage to admit that you are wrong, and even greater courage to disclose what you did wrong.”
Mizuki Hajime (観月はじめ): “I usually don’t approve people playing with their opponents by letting them win in the very beginning, but you deserved it.”
Fuji Yuuta (不二裕太): “It must be hard to live with such a brother like Fuji.”
Yanagisawa Shinya (柳沢慎也): “You really do look like a duck.”
Kisarazu Atsushi (木更津 淳): “You can probably grow your hair now.”
Kaneda Ichirou (金田一郎): “Well done for saying what you said to your captain.”

Yamabuki Middle School (私立山吹中学校)
Minami Kentarou (南 健太郎): “You really should try to show that you are the captain- otherwise everyone is going to think that Sengoku is the captain instead.”
Sengoku Kiyosumi (千石清純): “Please remember the main point of your purpose when you visits school.” “One day you are going to cause another school to really dislike Yamabuki by you cheeking out that captain’s girlfriend.”
Dan Taichi (壇 太一): “Good luck with next year.”
Akutsu Jin (亜久津 仁): “You almost fully redeem yourself by turning to Kawamura’s match in the semi-final’s.”
伴田幹也 (Banda Mikiya）: “Even though it is really good that you want to use tennis to help Akutsu, don’t you think you should consider the effect this will have on the others in the team?”

Hyotei Gakuen (私立氷帝学園中等部)
Atobe Keigo (跡部景吾): “Do you really have to have such an elaborate entrance every single time?”
Oshitari Yuushi (忍足侑士): “What were you boasting to your cousin for? Kintarou is in his school, but Echizen isn’t in your school.”
Shishido Ryo (宍戸 亮): “Your hair cutting scene is truly touching.”
Ootori Choutarou (鳳 長太郎): “What are you doing to do next year when Shishido enters senior high school?”
Mukahi Gakuto (向日岳人): “I think you are the person who should have your hair cut, not Shishido.”
Akutagawa Jiroh (芥川慈郎): “Just how many hours of sleep do you have per day?”
Hiyoshi Wakashi (日吉 若): “I really don’t like you, but at least you are not as bad as some others.”
Kabaji Munehiro (樺地崇弘): “Have you ever thought of saying something other then ‘usu’?”
Taki Haginosuke (滝 萩之介): “I think my liking of you increased after you offered to have your hair cut in the OVA.”
榊 太郎 (Sakaki Tarou): “I am never going to forgive you for what you did with Shishido.”

Rokkaku Chuu (市立六角中学校)
Aoi Kentarou (葵 剣太郎): “Try to change your technique as it is too risky.”
Saeki Kojirou (佐伯虎次郎): “How come you are friends with Fuji, as you seem a nice person all the time.”
Kisarazu Ryou (木更津 亮): “You will never be remembered if you don’t play in any match.”
Amane "David" Hikaru天根ヒカル: “If you honestly can’t tell jokes then please don’t tell them…”
Kurobane Harukaze黒羽春風: “It must be difficult for you having to hear Amane’s joke all the time.”
Itsuki Marehiko (樹 希彦): “Eh…what would you do if you ever have a blocked nose?”
Shudou Satoshi (首藤 聡): “I really don’t think that you have done anything that bad to be only remembered as ‘the guy in Rokkaku Chuu who is always the first person in his school drink Inui juice’”
オジイ(Ojii): “Just how old are you?”

Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku (私立立海大附属中学校)
Yukimura Seiichi (幸村精市): “Can you just please tell us what you are really like?”
Sanada Genichirou (真田弦一郎): “You should at least take the award in the Kantou regionals, I am sure that others might want the award even if you don’t.”
Yanagi Renji (柳 蓮二): “I would have thought that you would be more likely to be the vice captain then Sanada.”
Kirihara Akaya (切原赤也): “You really need someone to give you a good beating.”
Niou Masaharu (仁王雅治): “I think I actually almost like you when I saw you slap Sanada so hard.”
Yagyuu Hiroshi (柳生比呂士): “I thought being a gentleman involves being perfectly honourable.”
Marui Bunta (丸井ブン太): “I really want to see you choke on your bubble gum one day, and see if you can continue being smug.”
Kuwahara Jackal (ジャッカル桑原): “I think I only remember you as much as your seiyuu did- which isn’t much.”

Shitenhouji (四天宝寺中学校)
Shiraishi Kuranosuke (白石蔵ノ介): “You have done enough as the captain, it is time for you to do whatever you want.”
Chitose Senri (千歳千里): “You should at least not quit in the middle of the nationals.”
Oshitari Kenya (忍足謙也): “Can’t you not talk so much?”
Zaizen Hikaru (財前 光): “You completely deserve being scolded by Shiraishi for what you said about Kawamura.”
Ishida Gin (石田 銀): “You should be glad that you ate that really spicy sauce, as that can’t be worse then Inui juice.”
Konjiki Koharu (金色小春), Hitouji Yuuji (一氏ユウジ): “It seems that you guys have a similar attitude like Shiraishi about doing all it takes to win, but how come we feel the completely opposite about you guys.”
Tooyama Kintarou (遠山金太郎): “I think you are much much more likeable then Echizen.”
渡邊オサム(Watanabe Osamu): “What do you use to do before you arrived in Shitenhouji?” “Don’t you think that you should have a talk with Shiraishi about his attitude, since he is the captain, only the coach can help him.”

Higa Middle School (比嘉中学校)
Kite Eishirou (木手永四郎): “The end does not justify the means.”
Hirakoba Rin (平古場 凛): “You are actually one of the pretty good looking guys in Higa, so it is quite a big pity that you are one of the people who tries to hit the other team’s coach.”
早乙女晴美 (Saotome Harumi) “you don’t know tennis at all, do you?”

Well…I haven’t up update for ages, (blushes) but…well, a lot of you haven’t either- (looks at Satsuki-sis) Not that I am giving any names. (whistles innocently.) But anyway…what has been happening. Horrible exams that I some how finished, I mean, I have no idea what I have done but at least I survived, and I am not even sure how I have survived. Ok…I am just blabbing now but...post-exam stress.

What else…it’s my birthday yesterday. A very important date. :0 Anyway…I have received presents. One of it is a borders voucher so I can probably buy another manga. Yeah…I’ve got quite a collection now. Well, for someone like me it is an impressive collection. I have all eighteen volumes of fushigi yugi, two volumes of Ayashi no Ceres, two volume of Rose of Versailles, all seven volumes of Tokyo Babylon and Volume sixteen of X. So what should I add to my collection? And albatross-sis gave me the cutest bunny rabbit toy. Ok…that kind of sounds wrong but it really is cute. Due to having recently read Prince of Tennis we decided to give it a name that is from prince of tennis. (see below for explanation). I rather call it Shiraishi, as Shiraishi is my favourite character from Prince of Tennis, but well…it ended up being called Fuji. (Because the bunny’s eyes are closed, like Fuji’s eyes most of the time.)

Well, as mentioned above, I have been reading prince of tennis. Yeah, before I used to think my sister is crazy for reading of tennis because: “I mean…what is the point of reading a manga that is about tennis?” but then my sister begin to show me the funny bits and it was really funny and I began to realize that it is not just about tennis, it is also about character development and these kind of stuff, it really is a good manga. Although it does have a lot of tennis too- I usually just skip these parts. But I will actually recommend this manga, it can be funny, but it can actually be really touching at parts. For example, there are all these scenes where the characters are asked why they do this, and the characters are all very interesting. Some people want to have a good game because this is the last time they will play; other people wish to win because they simply want to do the very best; other people play tennis because they enjoy what they feel as they play tennis; while others might play the way that they do because they want to win for the sake of their team, even though they don’t really enjoy playing tennis that way; or maybe they want to do their very best because they see that as a way to repay back all the effort their captain spent on them. So I think one of the very interesting points of prince of tennis is that they have such a large diverse cast of characters. Well, I might as well give the plot. The plot is very simple, Echizen Ryoma is the protagonists, and he is part of the Seigaku school team, and the story focuses on how the team plays various other teams in order to reach their goal: the nationals. Hence the large range of characters, I am not going to do a prince of tennis review because that is too troublesome. But it can be a very touching story (I was actually crying at one of the matches cause it is so touching…)

Totally random facts for anyone who knows the story: my favourite character is Shiraishi Kuranosuke from Shitenhouji, my second favourite character is Kawamura Takashi from Seigaku, but my favourite school is actually Fudomine. I'll talk more about this some other day.

So…big as apology to albatross-sis for thinking that she is crazy to read prince of tennis, since I thought it is just all about tennis. Actually the tennis bit can be quite bizarre…you’ll know if you have read any of the tennis bit. But my sister seems to have got me quite into it, I’ve been listening to prince of tennis songs and some of them are really nice. I do quite like it. I really hope that my favourite character can have character songs too, although albatross-sis says that they probably will because any character who is important enough will be able to have singles. I really want to see the new prince of tennis OVA properly because that is when my favourite character will finally come out on…TV? (The curse of liking a not very important character, he first came out in volume 29 and then 31 but his first proper appearance really only begin in volume 35). I’ve watched the OVA episodes he appears in on your tub (having had an attack of insomonia), although there was no translation but I don’t care!!!

Ok…so that’s enough today, just random thoughts. I will try to continue my weekly fan fiction entries on my blog. By the way I’ve finally put up my Genbu Kaiden fan fiction on fan fiction net. I’ve got quite a lot of fan fictions now.  I think about fifteen.

I must…update my blog more often.

Gosh…the first day of university have started and to an extent I am almost rolling on the ground like a little kid… “I don’t want to go back to school! I don’t want to go back to school!” I guess not everything change with age.

Well…being a year older certainly haven’t stopped me from doing stupid things again, like drinking…I swear, I seem to do this once a year, for me that is pretty bad a trend. But basically it was my friend’s birthday and so I naturally went!!! I am not sure exactly what happened cause I was so sure that I wasn’t drinking much, but before I knew it I was at the tipsy stage, the world has not moving but it look as if it was going to. I wasn’t sure how but I somehow seemed to have ended up walking to my friend’s sofa and just laid there for about an hour in this half sleep-half awake trance. But I guess I am lucky, I don’t really embarrass myself when I get drunk, I just seem to crawl into somewhere and sleep, and since the party I go to aren’t really…they are really private, with just my friends from high school, it doesn’t really matter if I get drunk/tipsy.

But anyway…maybe one of my friend foresee that this might happen to me as she gave me a cushion for my birthday- which for anyone who wants to know, was at the first of July.


once more...to make sure...
四天寶寺中學
遠山 金太郎 Tooyama Kintarou（1年）（CV：杉本優）
關西的超級新星，大阪代表四天寶寺中學的1年級新生，在關西大賽打倒了去年亞軍，牧藤學園的王牌萩。還有在全國大賽八強賽三兩下就打倒了的跟越前勢均力敵的不動峰的伊武，一直把越前的姓氏念成Koshimae。擁有一身能把高爾夫球桿給弄彎、打架打的過一大堆不良高中生與體格強壯的大人的怪力，而且還有一身能從靜岡縣跑步跑到東京去的一身體力，他的實力比四天寶寺裡的任何一個人都還要強。同隊的千歲稱他為：「最接近天衣無逢之極限的人」。
慣用手：右手
拿手絕招：野生兒網球
白石 藏之介 Shiraishi Kuranosuke（3年）（CV：細谷佳正）
大阪代表四天寶寺網球社的隊長，球技乾淨俐落、無懈可擊。人稱網球的聖經，追求完美的網球。在全國大賽準決賽的第三單打中與青學的不二周助對決，不但将不二壓制的死死的，還破解了三大回球和第四回球打到了白石的賽末點，接著被開始求勝的不二和進化的三大回球給一點一點的追上，接著由于不二的第五種回球百臂巨人的守護，一直无法将球回击过网。随着不断的尝试，白石的回击一点一点的上升，而到了不二的賽末點，白石的球終於越過了球網破解了不二的第五種回球。最后，白石赢得了抢七决胜局，以7比6打贏了不二。
慣用手：左手
拿手絕招：完美網球
口頭禪：嗯嗯嗯，痛快絕頂
千歲 千里 Chitose Senri（3年）（CV：大須賀純）
跟不動峰的橘桔平一起被稱為九洲雙雄的男人。
慣用手：左手
拿手絕招：無我境界的才華橫溢之極限、神隱
忍足 謙也 Oshitari Kenya（3年）（CV：福山潤）
跟冰帝學園忍足侑士是同年的表兄弟，在速度上比不動峰的神尾彰還快，自稱自己是大阪的浪速之星。
慣用手：右手
拿手絕招：速度
石田 銀 Ishida Gin（3年）（CV：高塚正也）
不動峰的石田鐵的哥哥，波動球的師範代，波動球的威力遠遠勝過自己的弟弟。全國大賽準決賽在第二單打中與青學的河村隆對決。河村連續使用衝刺波動球，銀按順序用了一百零八式之中一到二十三式的波動球，將河村不斷的打飛到觀眾席上去，還將河村打出去的衝刺波動球不斷的變成了普通的球，形成了一面倒的局面。在局數5比0，40比0銀的賽末點的情況下河村打出了和銀的四十式波動球威力相當、而且還帶有震動的波動發球，讓銀無法化解掉這一球。銀的手臂骨頭斷了，所以只能棄權比賽。
慣用手：左手
拿手絕招：一式到一百零八式的波動球、波動球發球、波動球無效化
金色 小春 Konjiki Koharu（3年）（CV：內藤玲）
慣用手：右手
拿手絕招：搞笑網球、IQ網球
一氏 裕次 Hitouji Yuuji（3年）（CV：熊淵卓）
慣用手：左手
拿手絕招：搞笑網球、模仿
財前 光 Zaizen Hikaru（2年）（CV：荒木宏文）
慣用手：左手