Envie De Voyager

Old Evanescence First Chapter Drafts #2

It was terrible timing, but a buried memory was forcefully brought into my view, completely overriding the image of what was in front of me with a familiar scene. 

Two boys laughing together in their backyard, sharing a moment of brotherly love. Not a soul around to see the scene; the afternoon Sun and the black-and-white ball in their hands their only witnesses. An oath between brothers on a beautiful day."

It was the day when I first met Soccer.

That morning, I had thought that it would be a regular day. Being only three years old at the time, I knew little beyond the main portions of my father's grand Estate. I hadn't gone outside, the kitchen, or even the backyard. I was always kept indoors and in very few rooms, but I barely minded because I hardly knew much beyond that routine. Eat three meals, take a few baths, play here and there, and listen to my brother's stories — these were the components of my day.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

One Summer day, my brother came home with a jubilant grin. While he was told by my father not to involve me in his sport, he had forgotten this order out of utter joy. He barged into my room, his clothes muddy, and holding a slightly beaten ball in his hands. That time, I was quite fond of colours, and I could not understand the appeal of a black and white ball. Why play with something that does not seem to flash?

"Hey, Suabara! I got a story for you today, and it's much better than the rest!"

"Huh?"

"I scored five goals today!"

I only tilted my head in confusion, as I knew not what a 'goal' was. Noticing this, he cheerfully explained to me the sport. This was my introduction to the sport that I would eventually love for the rest of my life. Of course, I was still confused on how it was played, but my brother was quick to remedy this. He sneaked me outside to the backyard, which I was then seeing for the first time. Before this, I was scared of the outside, as father always told me that the world was a cruel place, its vastness housing much chaos and discord. My brother however, showed me his own vision of the world.

The world was much bigger than I had realised, and much more vibrant. I was entranced by the beauty of it all.

But nothing in this new view was as eye-catching as the soccer ball, which my brother dribbled on the grass. He was incredibly skilled, the ball completely dominated by his will, directed by his movements. There were times when he would kick it a little too hard, but he would always run up to it, and gain control over it.

Even though the world had showed me its expanse, my brother revealed to me that even in a large world, control could be maintained. That this world of possibilities need not be as wild and untamed as my father stated. That even someone like me could take control of things as long as I treated it like a soccer ball, whatever my brother meant by that statement.

"Now, let me show you my Hissatsu technique!"

"What's that?"

"A Hissatsu is a special move. It's supposed to take your feelings and turn it into something amazing!"

"Like what?"

"I'll just show you! This is Kiba's Super Special Hissatsu Technique Number One! Swirl Helix!"

I will admit, I was amazed. Even though the shot was just the ball going at a greater speed, it set the foundation for his actual Swirl Helix later on. And since this was my first time witnessing all this, I had no standards, nor any expectations. It was his own skills that set those standards, and I longed to be like him.

"I want to be like you someday, Kiba-nii!"

"Haha, of course you do. I'll be watching you, okay? Practice in your room, then show Dad how much you love it."

"I will! One day, I'll make something even stronger than your Squirrel Felix!"

That was the day I committed myself to soccer. A little too quick, but it was to be expected from a child. Even if I did mispronounce the Hissatsu. Even if I had no idea how to kick a ball. Even if I was short. I made it my goal to reach Kiba's level, and stand on equal footing as him one day. The charm of Soccer had me enamoured beyond my rational thinking.

"I look forward to that! Here, take this ball."

"Why?"

"Passion is something that exponentially grows with time."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You'll know when you're older. Maybe when you're older than me. But you will know, if you keep playing."

"I won't let you down!"

"I know you won't. Now, show me your kick!"

Original Prologue. This was the most recent, as far as I can remember. This prologue details how Suabara learned to love soccer—actually, it is applicable to the current version of Suabara to some degree. I will likely have a rewritten version of this appear in the actual book.