autumnleaf16

Here it is, the final chapter of Sacrifice up, I think I will put up my Inuyasha one next, just because I want to.

Third year: the bible vs. the genius

They were here again, the last barrier in front of his goal. The difference was that he would be the first to play, instead of the last. This was quite an unusual position for a captain to be in, but he sometimes thought that a team should let their strong players be in the front as well, to ensure that they would have the opportunity of playing.
So his opponent was Fuji Shuusuke, the genius of Seigaku, instead of Tezuka Kunimitsu, the captain. If Chitose was right, then he was at a very dangerous position.
Taking a deep breath, he took out his racquet, looking at the photo of him and Ashita once more. He would go out and try to win because he has done and gave up so much in order to be here.
He would only leave before a match was finished if he lost all conscious and had to be dragged off. He did not do all that he did just to give up when he was at the deciding point.
Oshitari told him that his cousin in Tokyo could control his emotions by closing his heart completely. He wasn’t gifted like that, so he must concentrate on the match by forbidding any stray thoughts to appear.
Unlike many other players, Shiraishi usually play with all his capabilities as soon as the match begins. Doing otherwise was too dangerous, even if he received pleasure in disillusioning or embarrassing his opponents by suddenly catching up- not that he gained any satisfaction from such things.
Fuji Shuusuke was obviously very different from him, and his attitude was irritating him, almost angering him. Why not just play seriously from the very beginning? Instead of making you defeated opponents more bitter at their loss by a comeback, when the result of winning was the same.
It was this that made him speak to his opponent during the game, something that he rarely did. His words were rather cutting, almost bordering on being a taunt.
“Surely you have more then that.” He said rather coldly. “Don’t hold back, use all your triple counters.”
He was able to defeat Fuji’s triple counters because of his knowledge on the rules of tennis. Despite how flash or elaborate his opponent’s tennis was, they were still guided by these same set of rules.
Although, he admitted to himself, playing tennis that way would be much more fun then his perfect tennis. He really did mean what he said to Fuji.

The game seemed very quick until Fuji’s miraculous recovery. Like all those who saw the game, Shiraishi was completely shocked at the evolved triple counters.
Now he couldn’t even hit the ball over the net…as stupid as that sound, he really couldn’t do it!
His first reaction was actually jealousy, instead of worrying about the result. He instinctively felt that it was not fair- that his opponent was a genius, unlike himself. While he admitted that he had some talent towards tennis, it was never something that he could rely on completely.
No, he had to practice so much in order to be this good, but Fuji was catching up with all these long hours of practice within minutes due to his evolved triple counters.
Fuji’s word also angered him greatly. ‘It is my wish to let my team reach the finals of the nationals, so I cannot lose!’ Shiraishi was not sure whether it was the tone or the suggestion of the words that made him so furious. Did Fuji honestly think that his own goal was any different?
All his sacrifices were done for this! To take his team to the finals.
Strangely, these emotions calmed him down, as he was now even more determined to win this match. This was no longer just about scoring a win for his team, it was becoming very personal.
He was battling for his pride as well- he refused to lose to such a person in such a circumstance! He would not let all his sacrifices be in vain, and he was resolved to win in order to show that hard work was just as important as talent. He would not lose just because his opponent suddenly changed his attitude. He must win and prove that actions like Fuji’s- even if he was a genius- has consequences.
Shiraishi’s inner struggles were barely visible as he actually made all these chain of thoughts very rapidly.
Fuji noticed that the captain of Shitenhouji was different then many of his previous opponents from the very start. His current opponent was not cocky or confident, he was simply calm. With the evolvement of his triple counters, Fuji could tell, with some satisfaction, that Shiraishi began to panic, but if he had been less sure about the success of his final counter, then he would have discovered that Shiraishi was no longer panicking, but was focused on studying the ball once more.
The rules were the same, but they were more hidden now.
Fuji finally realized his mistake of underestimating his opponent when the ball was getting considerably higher. He thought that Shiraishi would not be able to remain calm due to such a turn of the tide. After all, he has never seen anyone else who could.
When the ball almost fell to the other side of the net, Shiraishi finally smiled again, even though it was match point for the second time. He was absolutely certain that the game would continue much longer.
He was right, his next swing did send the ball to his opponent’s side of the net.
“The others do not see this, but Shiraishi is just as determined as Fuji. Their desire to win is actually equally strong.” Watanabe stated to his team.

Shiraishi managed to score until the game reached the final stage, when Fuji served the white dragon again. He cursed inwardly at this, even though he probably could work out a counter, but he wasn’t confident that his judgement and first attempt would be accurate.
Nevertheless, he still prepared himself to hit the ball as it descends.
“Out!” the judge broke into a loud shout. “Game set. Win by Shiraishi 7-6.”
Shiraishi was glad that he won but he knew that he would not remain happy once he stepped off the court, when he would begin to think rationally. He won because Fuji’s serve went too far, which was caused by his opponent being too exhausted, and that only happened because Fuji had not play with his maximum potential from the start of the match.
But he was the winner, and for now he was glad of that.
He did not know how he would feel and react if he lost, and he did not want to be a hypocrite by saying that his actions would not alter. Like most people, he did not like losing- especially in this circumstance.
Of course, he would still admit that his opponent was very skilled and shake his hand, but he might not be the one to initiate the process.
He was glad that the members of the tennis club were not gloating, as he was not sure whether he could even take part in their celebration- he only won by chance.
“Hey, the most important thing is that you won.” Oshitari told him.
He forced himself to smile and nod, as this was what he tells his team. As the captain, he was required to act according to his teachings.
But he was obviously not doing a good enough job, as his coach soon approached him, accompanied by the girl wearing a sakura patterned yukata, with her hair tied by a lace-like ribbon.


Author’s Note: I think most people would have worked out what this chapter is going to be about just by looking at the title- which is directly taken from the author’s chapter title. Well, I found this chapter quite hard to write, because it was set within the actual match, so I didn’t know how I could manage the whole tennis thing. But much to my surprise, I do like the result, although it seems quite short compared to the other chapters. My other story, my first prince of tennis fan fiction, is probably directly after this bit, but there will be one more chapter. I did spend sometime wondering whether I should actually change ‘in order to win’ to make it fit in this story, I decided to not do this because I wrote ‘in order to win’ as a one shot, so it will be different if I altered it to put it in this story. I will put in order to win up later, or you can go read it at fanfiction.net

I really do like volume 36 and as I said before, the match between Shiraishi and Fuji is one of the deciding points that make me realize ‘hey I want to read this whole story’. And from that moment Shiraishi becomes my favourite character. So for that alone, I hope I did this chapter alright. But it’s not really about describing the match, but an attempt of Shiraishi’s perspective, how he felt.

As for the people I refer to in regard to not playing their full potential since the very beginning, I’m referring to both Fuji and Ibu- Tachibana mentioned that Ibu tend to like letting the game be 4-0 then suddenly catching up. Perhaps in a way, Aoi Kentarou too, granted that is his strategy but I just feel that it is too risky.


Third year: the last time

The reconciled couple was sitting outside the porch, stealing some time together before Shiraishi heads back to the lodging where the entire tennis club of Shitenhouji was staying in. They were holding hands again, while her head rested on his shoulder.
“I am still a bit worried about Chitose, that will he will change his mind and quit again. The problem is that unlike the rest, he never really seemed to belong. Of course, there are others in the club who are good but…”
“Maybe you will all do such a wonderful job that you would only need to play three games.” Ashita told him optimistically.
“I do hope that and our team is quite strong. I only know that I will definitely be playing tomorrow, as it will be the last time I play my ‘perfect tennis’.”
“Kuranosuke, are you sure?” she tilted her head in order to look at him. “What if…”
“I promise that I won’t have a break down again if Shitenhouji ends up being forth.” He assured her. “Ashita, the reason that I was so stupid last year was because I felt guilty for not using perfect tennis all the time. I still don’t know whether I was right or wrong, but since I did all that I could in order to win this year, I wouldn’t feel as if I let my team down anymore.”
He couldn’t really explain himself but he suddenly kissed her on the lips after he finished speaking- it was the first time he did such a thing.
“Kuranosuke?!”
“We are fifteen now, Ashita. We’ve been going out for a whole year and were friends for a year before that.”
“But still…” she protested, blushing at being kissed for the first time. But she did not draw away, and she even rested her head on his shoulders again.

“So now you know all that Shiraishi did for the sake of Shitenhouji’s tennis team.” Watanabe said softly, as he and Chitose carefully left the couple they were spying on. “So don’t you think that you should play for Shitenhouji one last time?”
“I will.” Chitose promised, still shocked at what was revealed and said to him. He always knew that Shiraishi was very dedicated to the team’s win as the captain, but he never once imagined that Shiraishi would go this far: playing a style of tennis that he did not like at all, devoting numerous extra hours to practising his perfect tennis, and even breaking up with the girl that he seemed to like greatly.
What touched him the most was that Shiraishi did all these for the team, not for himself. Chitose didn’t necessary agree with some of Shiraishi’s actions, to an extent he was placing his team above his love for tennis, but Chitose did feel that he was obliged to play and win for Shitenhouji one last time.
Shiraishi’s goal of taking his team to the finals would not come true, but Chitose was determined to help Shiraishi gain the next best thing: the title of being third.

The order was announced the next morning, just a few hours before the commence of their last match in the nationals.
Kintarou would play singles 3, with Oshitari and Zaizen in doubles 2- a compensation for what happened yesterday.
As for singles 2…it was Shiraishi, and he might very well be playing the deciding match.
Unknown to Shiraishi, his team mates were actually all really determined to win the game against Nagoya Seitoku for his sake. After what Chitose and their coach told them last night, along with additional information from Konjiki and Hitouji, the whole team felt that playing their very best in order to let Shitenhouji be third in this year’s nationals was the only way to repay all Shiraishi did for them.
Even Kintarou was not just playing for himself. Though he really was scared of Shiraishi due to his ‘poisoned hands’, he was fond of his captain as Shiraishi has helped him in numerous ways- from taking him to almost all of their matches, to speaking with his teachers in regard to his homework and test results.
Kintarou easily won his game, and even though Zaizen and Oshitari faced some problems in the first few rounds, they still won in the end.
Shiraishi was very calm as he stepped onto the court, even though this may be the last match of the round. But to him, the match seemed more significant for the reason that it was the last time he plays his perfect tennis, as well as the final match he plays as a member of a team.
He did not like perfect tennis as it was too boring and it robbed him of his enjoyment of tennis. But it would always represent the significant two years of his life when he was the captain of a team.
His future as a solo player was secured as Watanabe told him that he had offers from many tennis clubs in Japan, especially from Osaka, due to his performance in all his three years of junior high school. They would arrange for him to play with other single players on a part time basis, which allows him to continue studying. He would only be belonging in the club, not representing them, so he could play the way that he wanted.
“I have someone from one of the clubs who wants to talk to you after you finish.” His coach informed him.

Shitenhouji did manage to gain third place gloriously with a win of 3-0.
“So this is the end.” Shiraishi said softly as he walked to the cheers of his team mates and the members of the tennis club, to his coach and to Ashita- who was sitting with the team.
“Well done, Shiraishi.” A familiar voice which he has not heard in two years said warmly.
“Captain?!” Shiraishi chocked out- face to face with the one who was his captain, the one who guided him for a whole year by being his doubles partner, as well as the one responsible for him being the captain from his second year.
“It has been a while, Shiraishi.” His captain continued. “I’ve attended every match Shitenhouji was in and I can only say that you are a very good captain, exceeding my original expectations.
“I saw the nationals last year too, and I would have congratulated you then, but the manager of the club I am in had arranged for me to attend a match directly after the end of Shitenhouji’s game.”
“I really wish that you came and talked to me last year.” Shiraishi said with a rather bitter smile. “Perhaps things might end up different.”
“Watanabe-san told me what happened to you and I am truly sorry that you felt I wouldn’t be happy with what you have done. My hope is that you would take Shitenhouji to the nationals and you actually did much better then that.”
“Don’t…don’t apologise. You and sensei might have been the one who set me on this patch but ultimately I was the one who choose to walk that way. The truth is that it is mostly my own fault, because of my pride.” Shiraishi admitted. “As I was the captain in my second year, I felt that I had to do something exceptional. As for my obsession this year…I think it was the fear that others might say I am doing an even worse job.”
“Then know that you have probably succeeded in being one of the best captains in the history of Shitenhouji’s tennis club.” His captain told him sincerely. “But Shiraishi, you have done enough as the captain, it is time for you to do whatever you want.”
“To play tennis the way I like- the way I used to.” He answered very softly. “Sometimes I would play that way again, and it is like a reward, as only then do I enjoy myself. These rare times also remind me why I play tennis in the first place.
He would still be a very good player without his perfect tennis, because he never gave up his old way of playing. His study of the rules in order to develop his perfect tennis would still help him, even if he no longer plays that way.
Shiraishi was not wrong in saying that he had some talent in regard to tennis, and his willingness of working hard to improve made him even better. He also had the advantage of starting at a very young age. The teacher who looked after his class in kindergarten used to play tennis so she taught them the very basic rules, which advantaged him when he began to play tennis properly in elementary school.
He was already a very skilled player by the time he entered junior high school, and his captain’s guidance helped him greatly. The main reason that he turned to perfect pennies was because it would help him to win more, not because it would improve his skills at a drastic level.
“It is best for you to think about all the other offers you will soon hear about, although I do hope that you will join my club.” His captain told him.
“So just enjoy yourself in Tokyo and only worry when you get back to Osaka.” Watanabe said. “Shiraishi…if you would like any advices then I will be very happy to share some.”
Watanabe used to be in one of these clubs until he decided to become a coach. He realized, after numerous victories, that he would receive a greater pleasure in helping young boys to achieve the success he managed.
But he forgot that winning was not always the main thing until it was much too late- when Shiraishi already made up his mind.
“I will like that, Sensei.” Shiraishi said with a smile, understanding that the offer was an act of apology.
Turning to Ashita, he took her hand and he was truly amazed at how everything turned out in the end. Not only could he start playing tennis the way he liked, he finally got the answer he hoped to hear from the captain that he greatly admired and respected. Ashita has also forgiven him completely for what he did to her.
He was happy right now, and he knew that this happiness would stay because his sacrifices taught him much.


Author’s Note: I am kind of sad that this story is finally over. It really was very enjoyable to write, and it was also quite a change from the other stories I was writing about. This story seems, to an extent, deal with the very daily life even though these characters are extraordinary. What I mean is that they are set in our time and perhaps it is not that impossible that there might be people like them (even though some of the tennis is so elaborate that it is just too impossible.) But comparing this to the other fan fiction I have write/wrote: Fushigi Yugi, a story set in an ancient-China world about heroes and everything, Baldur’s Gate, a game that is set in a fantasy world a bit like the middle ages, and in my fan fiction my main character is an assassin, so definitely not really everyday in our world.

A thing that I have really debated on and on is this: should I categorize this story as ‘romance’ as well? Because part of it does have a romantic element- him realizing that he likes Ashita in such a way, their reaction to the break up, and their reconciliation- which suggests that they are progressing in their relationship. (laugh, it seems I have a habit to leave a really long author note as I finishes a story, maybe it is because I know that this is the last time I get to do this.) But ultimately I decided that this story is not focusing about romance, it is about Shiraishi. What happened with him and Ashita is not the focus, but merely one of the things that happened to him. I think I realize this when I wrote the last chapter, he didn’t specifically think of his action of dumping him and Ashita as that is just one of his sacrifice, it is not his only sacrifice. There are other things: playing perfect tennis and spending a lot of hours practicing perfect tennis. But what his captain said to him: “You have done enough as the captain, it is time for you to do whatever you want.” Is something I would really like to say to him.

As I write this story, I almost wonder whether I should change the title to ‘in order to win,’ as I almost feel that I was using that phrase so much more then any other words.

‘Sacrifice’ is finally finished and if you have read it and enjoyed it then please leave me a final comment now that it is finished. This story really is finished as everything has ended, but I have been writing some more one shots focusing on Shiraishi, and some is set after the story line of Sacrifice.