The Sea of Tranquility (MayuzumiXOCXAkashi)

Part 28

Akashi Seijuro didn't care about the piano at first. He could say he only liked it because his mother was the one that introduced it.

"Basketball..." Shiori said one day, smile was present on her face as she handed the orange ball to the boy that was in awe.

Seijuro had seen this kind of ball a lot of times in the TV, and in some books, but seeing it personally made him realize how big and heavy it was for his small hands.

Like always, Shiori was around, from the moment he learned how to dribble up to the moment he finally succeeded in taking a shot. Compared to the piano, he seemed more interested in basketball.

Gradually, he learned how it worked. Basketball was a game played between two teams of five players. It was interesting. It wasn't just about physical ability, but mental strength too.

He remembered feeling so much happiness and excitement even when it was just him and his mother. What more if he could find teammates to play with? Just imagining it thrilled him.

So he began practicing whenever he could. Shiori supported and cheered from behind. The strict schedules inside the house, the endless lessons and activities didn't seem so hard anymore because at the end of every dreadful activity was something that truly represented the word fun.

However, that was all temporary.

Suddenly, she was gone.

There was no one behind anymore. Even when he finally got teammates he thought had his back, he realized it was just another fleeting moment. Before he knew, they started moving forward. It was only a matter of time and he'd find his self alone again. Was it as inevitable as the death of his mother? Was there anything he could do? Must he watch in silence as the people he cared for leave one by one?

It felt like a slow but constant fear waiting to devour him. He didn't want to lose anyone anymore. What should he do to keep up with his teammates? What must be done for them to stay and be together like always?

'In this world, victory is all that matters.'

He lost the count of how many times he heard it from his father. So, was it the answer? He only needed to win in everything and it would be fine, was it?

When the voice that used to tell him what to do in order to move forward disappeared, who should he seek instead?

—Indeed, victory is all that matters.

And since when did it start? Since when did a voice that sounded like his own start whispering—talking, as if there was someone else inside him?

—Losers are denied. You only need to win.

If Shiori was alive, she wouldn't agree to that.

'Just have fun my dear. Don't worry about the rest.' She would definitely say that instead, but she was no longer here and his teammates were slowly leaving. Where could he get an answer? The uncertainty made him conclude one thing.

Ahh... perhaps the voice is right.

Winning was indeed everything. That way, if he had it, they would not leave and he would not have to be alone.

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The most awaited final match began.

Everyone had already put their bets on Rakuzan High as the winner. It was inevitable given the reputation they held, especially the fact that it was Akashi Seijuro leading the team. He was, after all, the renowned captain of the generation of miracles and the uncrowned generals.