Chapter Text
In the dim light and muffled sounds, Sendoh senses the darkness, not seeing nor hearing anything around him. The water fills each part of his body, with no end in sight. The pain and sorrow remain, with no answers to be given. His hand lifts, the soft whisper escaping his lips, 'Help', though the answer stays hidden in the depths of the depths.
As the water fills his lungs, he is resigned, having no control over the outcome. The darkness and silence remain his only companionship.
The empty day seemed hopeless, filling Sendoh's mind with silence and despair. The bed seemed like a prison, trapping him with his own sorrow. The food did not appeal, as he could not escape the sinking reality of his own failures.
At this point, Sendoh felt broken, hopeless, and unworthy of the love he was given. His mother tried to comfort him, but it only worsened his feelings of guilt and remorse.
The win had seemed so close, but it had slipped out of their grip like a shadow in the night. The heartbreaking moment haunted Sendoh with a flood of memories filled with guilt and disappointment. Uozumi had to give up on his dreams to continue the family legacy, and Sendoh saw the pain and sadness in Ikegami's eyes when they crossed paths days after his retirement.
The look he saw engraved itself deep inside him, leaving a scar of guilt and regret. It remained long after that day, a constant reminder of his own failure.
A small part of Sendoh couldn't help but wonder... what if he had done something different? If he had, would his teammates have been able to continue their careers with a little more optimism?
And Maki, his beloved. In a moment of anger, Sendoh yelled at Maki. He pushed Maki away, not knowing how his actions would affect the one he loved.
Sendoh knew he shouldn't have done that, but he did. In his jealousy over Maki's success in the tournament, Sendoh could not control himself. This action showed his darker side, one of which Sendoh was ashamed of.
He sank deeper and deeper. This action was selfish and unjust, but he had given everything to others. Selflessly. Closing his eyes to the darkness around him, he prayed that forgiveness would find him as he thought back to his loved ones. To his mother, Maki, his family and his friends whom he loved.
"Forgive me... all of you."
Even though reports were filed after Sendoh's sudden disappearance, nothing came after that. He was nowhere to be found. All his familiar places, fishing spots, the forest near his home, and even his own basketball courts where he used to play were searched in vain.
But then... Maki found his own Sendoh, with a lifeless body resembling his, confirming the worst fears everyone had.
At that time, Maki was on his way home, walking next to his friends. They were discussing the previous day's basketball practice. As Jin made a quick trip to the convenience store, the rest of the gang stayed close to the fishing spot where Sendoh loved to go sometimes.
That's when Maki saw a body floating in the distance. As everyone got a closer look, they recognized it - it was Sendoh's lifeless body, near his fishing spot.
Maki's feet were the first to react as he saw the floating body. Unaware of the fact that his clothes would get soaked, he jumped into the water as the lifeless body drifted away from him. In an attempt to reach the body before it drifted too far, Maki frantically swam after it but his efforts seemed like a losing battle.
Maki has been an expert swimmer ever since he was a child, but in this moment, as he saw the lifeless body drifting away, he suddenly lost control of himself. Despite his lifelong experience in the water, Maki's efforts did not yield successful results. In the brink of drowning, it took the teamwork of his teammates, Takasago and Muto, to rescue him.
The authorities were brought on the scene shortly afterwards. Moments later, the body was successfully brought back to the surface. When Maki saw the deceased body, he couldn't take his eyes away. His precious love, Sendoh, was gone from his life permanently.
The sight of Sendoh's lifeless body caused Maki to recoil in disbelief at first, but the realization soon consumed him and he broke down in tears.
Maki's heart broke a second time as he witnessed Sendoh's mother's devastated reaction on seeing her son's lifeless body. Tears filled her eyes as she asked, "Shin... What happened?"
The sight of Sendoh's mother suffering such immense pain and sorrow, and seeing how her son's death affected her, truly broke Maki's heart into pieces.
A sea of flowers was placed on all over Ryonan's basketball court and his favourite fishing spot. A tribute to their dear friend and beloved captain. No practice were held due to the death of their teammate for a whole week.
Maki took some time to grieve as well. The feeling of the last kiss they shared before Sendoh's demise still remained on Maki's lips. Maki was given a single small chance to kiss Sendoh's forehead for the last time before Sendoh were laid to rest.
Occasionally, Maki would find himself standing in front of Sendoh's once familiar home. Sometimes, Sendoh's mother would invite him to come inside, perhaps to reminisce about the times he spent with their son.
"We've been discussing about moving to a different place," Sendoh's mother said, a bit of sadness showing on her face. "The loss of Akira seems to have taken a toll on all of us," she continued. "His little siblings are also having a difficult time understanding his absence and we think it would be best if we started life anew somewhere else," she stated, as a gentle breeze blew through her hair and a small sigh escaped her lips.
Maki was drawn to the living room where two innocent small twins were having fun and playing. The two were around three and had no concept of the tragedy that had taken place and that their brother was now missing. Their innocent curiosity and laughter had brought a small smile to Maki's lips but at the same time they felt the familiar sting of sadness deep inside him.
A few weeks later, the house that once filled with laughter and the sound of family was now empty. The sight of the once lively home gave Maki a moment of realization. It was perhaps time for him to move on as well. Even though he still visited Sendoh's family after they moved from their childhood home, it was different now. Life was changing.
Yet, even with the passage of time and the empty home... the memories would never die. Sendoh would forever be a part of Maki's life and he would always cherish those moments.
On the occasion of his graduation ceremony, Maki made a quick trip to Sendoh's grave. There were no words he could say to express his feelings. Instead, he untied his tie and placed it on the tombstone, a final nod to his beloved Sendoh.
"I will always wait for you, my love," he whispered, turning to leave.