𝟸 & 𝟺

-twenty-seven-

Dreams had been vivid, riveting, almost lucid. All the affirmations had been confirmed, the thoughts had been, yet again, spiralling out in around your mind.

The slight idea of being able to, once again, be in the same position of a lifetime was unbelievable. It was the preciousness of being in the moment, knowing the moment that made it that hit more enjoyable.

You remembered that morning, that first morning of the tournament, waking to the serene sounds of the world. It wasn't much, the house had been filled with no other bodies but yours. Your father had left all of his best wishes in a full coffee pot and a sticky note attached to the refrigerator. The sounds of simply gracing down the stairs, opening the door to the house, and gazing out beyond the property line into the new day.

It had arrived. It was going to arrive. Why wouldn't it.

It would be one for the books.

The feeling of waking up on top of the world. Feeling weightless, almost invincible to the rest of life. Being able to continuent such actions with little care, and major ambitions. All the crazy ideas constantly interchanging and passing by.

It felt almost like a dream that never happened. Or a nightmare. That was once a dream.

How it begun like a fairytale. All the bells and whistles chimed as it slowly ascended into the detailed fantasy.

And how one single obstacle took all the peace, took all the joy from what was the dream.

You remembered stepping out onto the pavement, gear in hand and eyes to the sky. How the sun had been beaming since the early morning, still being casted over by the night dome. You set out one step, then another until your feet carried you from the house, down the sidewalk along passed cars and busy people, and around the suburban neighbourhoods.

The sun had been along to guide you the way. It shined within all the edges of your vision, highlighting many aspects of the world you walked upon. The hidden trees had been slowly finding their way, losing their cover and exposing the rawness of their bark. They became vulnerable around this time of year.

Was it weird to think the season change must've done the same to you? Becoming more vulnerable as the season's purpose started to shed all protection till the warmer days?

Seemed rather true, rather blunt.

That's the truth. It's never pretty.

Or protective.

You walked along the fresh, beamed pavement until you reached the edge, intersected with the parking lot. You looked up, beyond the grass and trees, to the building of such grace and glory. Heartbreak and historic moments.

Sendai City Gym.

You looked around the area, tried to spot of anyone else had been taking in the present of such a building, such a place.

Could've been just you. You even looked for people simply entering at that time. No cars had been parked, nor had any of the exterior lights been on.

You went to the front, slowly and cautiously. You placed your hand on the door ever slowly, and pulled back until you heard the click. The click ensured the door was being opened, and hadn't been locked.

You pulled back the door until you were able to slide into the gymnasium. From the doorway, being rather far and heightened by the tall ceilings, the gym and building had seemed enlargened, such as some of the most highly decorated courts you used to play on.

Some in which she used to play on. Some you got to see front and centre, with all the ambition then.

Yet it still remained. It had never left.