บท 62: Close
Kai was alone in his bedroom that night. Ito was still too injured to return back, and Shido was also in a coma.
The 3rd years were just as strong as the rumours said they were, and this had him worried.
"Yukiko is going to fight that Senjuro guy tomorrow... Will she end up like the others too? Or am I worried that I'll end up like them?"
The brief thought of Yukiko losing crossed his mind, but he immediately dismissed it.
He slapped himself to focus.
Kurenai suddenly flew in from the window, acting a little frantic. Something was bothering him.
"You okay?"
"I've been having strange visions of the past. They weren't very clear, but I can sort of make out what was happening."
With excitement, Kai screamed at him to spill it.
"Calm down, it's not a lot. I was with a man that felt like your father, along with his friend and an infant. We were running from a group of people, but I don't know why."
Kai was a little disappointed, but he was still grateful nonetheless. At least it was something to give him hope for the future.
"Kurenai, do you think dad would've been proud?"
"No."
"Asshole."
Kai immediately fell asleep while ignoring Kurenai who was shouting over him.
Squad 4 barracks
Shido was still asleep in that hospital bed. He still hadn't woken up, but there was one girl watching over him more than anyone else.
Yukiko was sitting by his side, even into the middle of the night. She didn't know why, but she just felt as if she had to come.
"I wanted to be friends with you guys, but I didn't know how. I've never been good at talking to others, or conveying my feelings. But you were the first one to talk to me."
She picked up Shido's hand which was now colder than she remembered. She lightly pressed it against her forehead.
"I'm going to fight Senjuro tomorrow, but I'm not sure if I'll win. I've trained alot since we first fought, but even then... Something about him scares me."
"Please wake up."
There was no response. Eventually she put his hand down, and left the room. She didn't notice Shido's hand move a little after she left.
The next day
The coliseum wasn't as full as it used to be, nor was it as cheerful. Maybe it was because today's result was obvious? The one sided beating the first years had received so far had made that quite obvious.
Today they thought that it would be no different, but Kai thought otherwise, since today's battle would be between Senjuro and Yuki.
Oddly enough, the Kido corps commander was absent. Maybe he too had grown bored?
Before the match started Shunsui had an announcement to give.
"I have been hearing some of the concerns amongst the people, and soul reapers too regarding the conditions that the first years have ended up in. And for that I would like to apologise. It is because of the nature of the tournament which I'm over watching that two first years have had their life put in danger. But I can't just cancel the tournament as it would be unfair to everyone who has participated thus far, which is the first years will be asked to kindly forfeit, and third/second years will take their place."
Some members of the crowd were divided but a great majority of them could agree that this was for the best.
Shiro seeing this, felt trapped. His fear prevented him from disagreeing. Every time he tried to step forward and object, images of Shido in a coma and Ito with a hole in his chest flashed through his mind.
He tried to force himself to the arena but he just couldn't bring himself to move.
On the other hand, Yuki jumped down the middle of the arena, and for the first time expressed her emotions.
"I refuse to forfeit. I refuse to quit now just because everyone else thinks it's dangerous. I left everything behind for what? Just to be told "I can't do this" otherwise I'll get a little hurt? In a battle, age shouldn't matter. I participated in this tournament not just to prove my worth, but to test my will to fight against others, and you all think I'm not good enough, based on what? The failure of others? There isn't one person here who could give me something to work for other than him! I want to fight him with everything I have, and I won't let you all stop me!"
Her speech was valiant, and for it only one person clapped.
"Nice speech, but my decision is still set in stone. This choice wasn't just mine alone, but all the captains of Gotei. I'm sorry, but you won't be fighting anymore."
Yuki herself was about to rush up to him, but a couple of soul reapers stopped her before the situation could get any bigger. Kai could only helplessly watch.
"Why can't I move?? I trained all these months for just for this, so why can't I move??"
Hopelessness.
"I'm scared?"
He was about to give up on everything, but then everyone noticed someone else entering the arena. Ito was covered in bandages and his walking was crooked. He had a crutch to help walk but that only made him slow.
"Since when were the Gotei scared of a bunch of children getting hurt? Your the ones who put us down here to test our worth, and now you think you can just kick them out!? Me and Shido were the failures, not them! Yuki and Kai are much stronger than us, and they will only keep getting stronger but we aren't that impressive at all compared to them. So why are you using us losing as an excuse?? IT'S PATHETIC!"
Even though Ito had lost, even though
he was hurt, he was still arguing for Kai and Yuki. As injured as he was, he was still fighting not just for himself, but for Kai and the other 1st years.
The fear which he felt previously had disappeared as he now jumped down to the center of the Arena.
"I don't want to stop here. I also want to keep fighting. I've already killed someone before, so I'm not exactly scared of dying, but that isn't me just being suicidal. I want to win, I must keep winning because it's the only way I can move forward."
Shunsui looked at Kai and he could see the determination in his eyes as well as his resolve. It reminded him of someone else he knew.
He sighed as he asked the grandmaster,
"These are your students, would you like them to continue?"
Without a hint of hesitation she agreed.
"Well I guess that means we can continue without delay. Someone open up the box."
The crowd was upset at his recklessness but Shunsui didn't give two fucks. The captains also agreed with this decision so there was nothing that could be done about it.
"Ito? Thanks for coming. If you didn't say anything, then I probably would've given up."
"Oh? It's fine-"
He was about to collapse but Kai quickly caught him. As he did, several squad 4 members were rushing out to collect him. Apparently he wasn't meant to leave but he broke out of his medical room just to come.
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