Chapter 4

After I open my eyes I find myself in the old library.I checked my watch to see the time.It was 3:50.I still can't remember anything.The only thing that I can remember now that I fainted here and the door of the library was locked from the inside.I completely forgot from my mind that I have to meet with Asagi kun.I only got 10 minutes left in my hand.I quickly open the door of the library and started to run towards the main gate at the campus. When I reached to the main gate I saw Asagi kun was waiting for me.He then noticed me running and say,"Sukomi san why are you running at a highspeed?" Then I reached towards him and say in a tired voice,"I was just coming down from my classroom,I didn't check my watch to see the time so I got late.Did I let you wait for me for a long time?"

He then would smile and put his hand behind his head and say,"No it's alright.I barely reached here a moment ago.So....Sukomi san shall we go now?"

"Yes."

When we were walking in the streets I noticed that Asagi kun was a bit taller than me.

"Asagi kun are you in any club activities?"

"Well...."

I saw that Asagi kun was in a bit of depressed when I asked him that question.

"Asagi kun,I am sorry for asking this question!"

He immediately looked at me in a surprised way and said, "Sorry? Why are you apologizing for?"

"No I thought it was a little bit if rude to ask you that question."

"It wasn't rude.Sukomi san."

"Then?"

"I was just remembering some things of my past."

"Did you recall any bad memories?"

"No it's not the bad memories that I would say.To be more precise and honest it was the best time of my life."

I was a little bit of excited when Asagi kun said that.

"Asagi kun can you please tell me about those best times of your life."

"OK.Then listen.In my middle school I was just like every normal students and I wasn't interested at any club activities at that time until I met with an upperclassmen.He was at the basketball club.He was very friendly and kind enough to teach me how to play basketball.But after finishing my learning he graduated. But I still go on.I would get myself in the basketball club.I practiced day and night everyday.I focus everything on basketball. This game had became my passion.In the third year I was the captain of our club.I was able to become the ace but not only the ace,I became the #1 Ace in the whole town.Our basketball team was a very dominant team.For some basketball fans it was like a dream team to be in.We were the overall best basketball team in our school's basketball team history.I was an aggressive ace who would take down anyone who would come infront of me.All the students and the players called me by the name,'The Emperor'.We were undefeated and unbeatable. But it wasn't for too long.In our last match before the graduation we had a match against Seikatsu High.In that match I was prepared to give every bit of my energy I had because it will be the last match in our third years.So there was a intense pressure we had to undergo through.At the last quarter when the ball were passed to me I could feel that everyone's frustration and sufferings were riding in my shoulders.I can say that moment was the best defying time in my basketball career.I would hold the ball tighter than ever,I could see my sweat running from my body more than I can imagine.I dribble around the court to find a position to score,it was hard to cross four players at once but somehow I managed to cross and when I was about to score a basket..then a player outta nowhere stopped me from scoring.But he couldn't did it because I had the height advantage but he chose the other way around,he pushed me hard from scoring the basket.And that time I was in a disbelief for a moment like how could he do it so relentlessly.And for that big push I would hit the ground hard.But just landing would have been fine but it was whole lot worse.I accidently put my right elbow first when I landed and that fall was devastating.Before I can imagine anything I already knew that my elbow was broken.And for once in my life I felt so much disappointed that I don't want to recall that memory again.I was pissed off at myself the most but I failed as an ace.I let my team down and that was the thing that were surrounded in my brain.My tears wouldn't even come out from my eyes, all my emotions were just abandoned at that moment.Then my team has to play that match with all by themselves,without an ace.I told my team one last time to give everything you had at the very last moment of the match.The player who pushed me also had to leave the court for doing a foul,but he wasn't the ace player he was just a defender."

"And that means that the opposite team won the game?"

"Yes.That's what they thought because when I left the court they were already assured that this was a must win match for them.But it was a big mistake that they could never correct.Because my team wasn't a weak team! They knew how to deal in this situations,they were more calm than ever.My leaving of court wasn't the loss we had but it was another opportunity for my team to prove themselves that they can win the match without their ace.And so became the ace all by themselves.And we would win the match victoriously but......"

"But then what happend?"

"My career as a basketball player would come to an end.Because my right elbow was goodly damaged that I thought it would be.And after that match I had to retire from my basketball team because of my injury.When I still think about it I still want to play one last game.But.....in reality I can't play basketball anymore."

I saw that Asagi kun put his head high and looked at the sky and said to me,"My time as a basketball player has come to an end."

After hearing him say that I just couldn't stand still.I holder his hands and he looked at me in a surprised way.

"Eh! Sukomi san why are you holding my hands so tightly?"

"Asagi kun!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"I want you to promise me something."

"Sure! I will try my best."

"I want you to promise me that one day you will again start playing basketball."

"But why?"

"Because I know in deep inside you still like basketball more than anything."

"Sukomi san,why are you forcing yourself?"

Then I couldn't say any word to him.His face became black.I wanted to hold his hands but he refused.

"Asagi kun?"

"Don't!"

"I know I might like basketball but there are times when you can't like your favourite things anymore. And there is no certainty that when my elbow will be fully recovered. And if I still come back to play basketball then I can't be that person that I once were.It will be like seeing a shadow of my old self.And will be there anything that I can gain from it?"

'Then I saw Sukomi san in a bit of emotional state.I think she really meant me to play basketball once again.'

"Asagi kun,it's not right to forget the things you love so easily."

'Then Sukomi San would start running off.I know I might have hurt her.But still I never wanted to make her cry.Oh my god the situations just got so worse. I also don't want her to leave me here all alone.'

"Sukomi san! Please wait.Don't go........"

'She didn't turned around at me.I really fucked things up.What a drag.This day is just getting worse.Now I have to apologise to her.'

'Even the sky is overcast with clouds.And it's started raining. Wow! What a marvelous day!'

'I wish a thunderstruck would struck down at me.And now all my clothes are drenched.Now even an umbrella that I can use.It feels like 666 has come real in my life.