Dream Of Life

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Early Sunday morning Seraphim called me. Shewas very upset because she learned that I passed the manuscript without lettingher see it. After I explained everything she cooled down, then she asked me tomake a promise that I'll show it to her next time.

The following days, schooling was back tonormal. We didn't even make any single training nor did I receive a callconcerning the manga. My anxiousness for the result was killing me. Wait it'snot yet even the end of the month! "I need to be patient about the result." Isaid calming myself down while I was walking home. I felt more excited for theresult about the manga than the Inter high.

Before the end of the week Yuto-san andAkemi-chan told me that there will be a training camp for the basketball inpreparation to the coming Inter high.

Eight days later, the day of the opening ofthe Inter high came. Lined-up in the stadium of Akihabara are players of teamsrepresenting each school of Tokyo district. Crowds of spectators were all overthe stadium anxiously waiting for the games to start.

During the training camp we considered everysingle thing needed to do in order to enter the preliminaries. I wasn't thatfocused during the one week training camp. First of all because Seraphim woulddisturb our training excusing me just to ask how was the training going? Nextwas because I got the question about the result in my mind bugging me!"Nevertheless, I will not waste my training!" I said to pump myself up whilewaiting in line.

"Gyosei vs. Seijo- Gakuen" The officialsannounced after the opening ceremony. As the starting team to play the openingof the Inter high we gave the crowd an amusing game, defeating Gyosei to a96-83 point game. With this fans all over the district had great expectation toour next game.

"Don't be so relaxed just because we got agood start. Don't let your guard down. Unexpected things happen, so be preparedfor the worst." After some words of our captain we headed out of the lockerroom, to join the crowd watch the other games for the rest of the day. I wassurprised that Seraphim were there. Handing me a sports drink, "You look coolwhile playing basketball during that last game" she told me. My face turned tored hearing those words. "Hey why are you here by the way? Don't you haveclasses?" I asked changing the topic. Laughed then smiled at me but she did notanswer my question. Instead she told meto focus on the game and study the ball movement, patterns of attacks anddefense and special movements of the players. Given that one them will be ournext opponent.

It's the fourth day of the Inter high and thegood news was that our team got past other teams. Winning eight games straightwithout losing. Two games per day was a bit tiring but our training, effort anddetermination to win paid off.

Before we knew it, were already in thefinals. The last step before entering the regionals. Though the first two teamswith the best performance are chosen to play in the regionals we devotedourselves to be the top all over our district.

Dribbles to the left then between the legsand back to the right. Number four, Yuto-san our point guard got passed betweentwo defenders. Shot clock's running down, five seconds remaining in the lastquarter of the Inter high district finals. Number four passed the ball tonumber five, which was me but then I was trapped. With the clock winding downto three I got no choice but to make a move.

With a spin then fake the defender guardingme was outbalanced, enough for me to make an off-balanced shot from the threepoint line. The fans rose as they watched in anticipation. Hoping that the ballwould go in, disappointingly it bounced off the rim! Luckily I was fouledbefore the buzzer.

I went to the free throw line to make threeshots. The spectators were cheering out loud hoping that our team would win andtake the throne as the top of Tokyo district. "The shots were good! The shotswere good! We're going to overtime!" Roared by the crowd.

After minutes break the Over Time gamestarted. Makoto-san, our center player rose up high and grabbed the ballpassing it to Naoki-san our team captain. From Naoki-san to Yuto-san, then witha sick ankle breaker he got passed over three defenders. Throwing the ball nearthe rim, I grabbed the basketball and finished it with a monstrous three –sixtyslam.

With the favor with in us the game continued,three minutes remaining when Fujiyama-kun got sprain in his hamstring. I got nochoice but to replace him as the center for I'm the next tallest guy in ourteam. Due to the absence of the iron heart of the team, we became short-handed.

Our opponents rallied to tie the score. Aminute later they caught up with us and even got passed over us with the scoreof eighty-six to eighty four. " We needed a three pointer." Captain Naokikyouhei said. Manager Akemi-san, Seraphim-san with our teammates were there cheeringus that we didn't lose hope.

Finally the last moments came, five secondsremaining. The defense was so tight that we can't make an opening. Chojiro-sandrove down the court and shook two defenders. Three seconds left he made a spinthen passed the ball to me enough to make a pick and roll.

With the defenders in confusion, Kyouhei-sangot an opening, making a fade away shot from downtown. One second left and"eeeeeennnggg." Whistles had been blown then the stadium was stormed withapplause from the spectators. "We won the finals game! 2x" were the only wordsI could hear.

After the awarding, with our hearts filledwith joy and contentment we headed home, with one goal in our mind. TheRegionals!

Walking home after the victory party my phonerang. "I've got good news for you Tychicus-kun" Hearing the voice I realizedthat it was my editor. I got excited about the news. "so what do you got forme?" I asked. "Congratulations! Yourentry, Street Basuke" was second place in the contest rating questionnaire andin addition to that your series will be running in the NEXT magazine." She toldme.

In my excitement I was not able to speak. Irushed going home as if I was not tired of the day's game. I wanted to share myachievement with my sister so I decided to call her, then I realized that myeditor was still on phone. Explaining to me everything about running the seriesI learned that I've got a long way ahead of me before reachingserialization. But then I digested it asa challenge to conquer success.

"Working until you've done something yourhappy with is good because it's something you chose but don't forget thosearound you who are giving you their support." These words of my sister made meremember that I had someone to give my appreciation to.

Ending my conversation with my sister, Iinvited Seraphim-san, Fujiyama-kun and Yuto-san to a barbecue house downtown tocelebrate to celebrate our victory over the district finals and for gettingsecond place in the rating questionnaire. "Never thought that you're makingmanga Gai-chan, you really are a hardworking guy are you." Yuto-san said thenindulged all the meat that we're grilling.

The feeling was overjoying that I enjoyed therest of the night, reminiscing the experiences that I encountered and how Iovercome struggles and obstacles upon reaching this moment of my life. "Successis more enjoyable if you really worked hard for it." I whispered as I closed myeyes to sleep.