Her Captain, The Gamemaster

Don't Look Back

We're all leaving.

I gulp past invisible tears and continue.

'The results from last week's survey state that you all want Hiro Hanasaki from class 2-3 as your leader,'

Said girl began blushing and I recognize her as the bubbly girl who's always surrounded by people; therefore she's loud.

Ignoring the round of applause, I continue.

'The results also stated that Park Mirae from class 2-2, Scarlett Fletcher from class 2-5, LianDuo from class 1-4 and four other students were in the running but all of these students were tied for vice-captain,'

I could hear whispering from the audience and from my team standing behind me.

'After a careful evaluation, I've concluded that LianDuo from class 1-4 will be your vice-captain next year,' I state calmly.

There was a scattering of applause and I felt a tap on my shoulder and turn to see my former teammates grinning at me. 'You totally have a soft spot for her,'

Ignoring those idiots, I turn back around.

'Now that we've finished the selection process, I want to go over a few things,' I re-begin.

I look at LianDuo who had the smallest tears running down her face and I turn away.

'Firstly, I want to hand over this notebook to the new managers, Noelle and Chelsea, both from class 1-2. I hope that you will follow the notes our previous managers have worked hard to maintain,'

I hand over the notebook to the shaking first year.

'Secondly, I want to hand over these to our volleyball team,' I continue, taking out the large red box.

'Over the past three years, these have been collected by me and my vice-captain,' I look at my setter and she nods.

'I hope everyone who walks into this gymnasium will think of us when they see it,'

I untie the small ribbon and pull away the wrapping paper to reveal three large trophies. I hear gasps and whispers from the audience. I clear my throat and continue.

'Over the course of the last three years, the regulars on the team have remained the same and this was the team that carried our school's name all the way to nationals,' I announce in a somewhat strong voice.

The juniors looked at me.

Can I really do this?

*Soo-ah's POV*

I see my friend hesitate and I walk up to her, resting my hand on her shoulder. She didn't flinch when I touched her but I could see her eyes watering slightly as she bowed her head, facing her shoes.

'These trophies are memories of our accomplishments from this team's middle school years. They have been kept by our Captain, Li-ah and me, your Vice-Captain,' 

Although it was my voice echoing through the gymnasium, I could feel the presence of my teammates speaking with me.

'We do not need these trophies,' I declare. 'Mighty as they may be, they will only be shadows of what the third-years will accomplish,'

I sense the triplets' calm and fierce aura and the fire lit deep within Annie.

'These trophies, our accomplishments, will now be your motivation. Uphold the honor of Takeshima Middle School, the voice we have given to you on a silver plate,'

'This is our gift to you, our juniors, as a senior,' I hear Annie's powerful smooth voice from my right.

I turn to my left to see the triplets taking a step forward.