Itsuki Daisuke III : Growth from Broken Dreams

"What do I do now, Tanahashi?"

As he cries and sees his tears pouring down just like his dream came down crashing harder than anyone else.

He loves playing basketball on that hardwood court more than anybody else, yet, it was taken from him.

"There's nothing left for me, the goal that I want to achieve since a kid, that dream, it's all gone now."

...

"I want to move forward, Tanahashi, but it's hard to accept everything, especially the one thing you loved has taken away from you."

Trust me, I know that feeling too, Itsuki.

"I can't move forward, Tanahashi, I just can't."

"Why not?"

"I want to be on that court again, helping my teammates, celebrating with them. That's why I fell in love with sports but, sports doesn't love me back. Is there even a way for me to go back?"

...

I don't know what to say...

...

Helping your teammates...

Celebrate with them...

Being part of a team...

Wait a minute.

There must be something.

...

"There's a reason for everything, Itsuki."

He looks at me, tears still pouring from his eyes.

"If there's a reason for everything, there's also a way for everything, Itsuki."

"If you can't play on that court, there's still a way for you to play! There's a lot of stuff there, be a manager, or be a coach, or become a nutritionist, or an analyst, or an owner of a team, or..."

I suggest one thing after another, and the list goes far, until...

He smirked and laughed at me, while his face had some tears left, but I can feel the happiness that he is expressing. I think he finally got it.

"You were crying for a second, now you're laughing at me?"

"I'm sorry Tanahashi, but you're right. There's something for everything."

That's right, there's still hope for the future that he wants. Not as a player, but something different. 

The tears that were pouring down from his eyes had stopped.

"I know it's a long process for you, Itsuki, and you can't still accept what happened to you but there's nothing we can do about it anymore. It's either stop or get somebody to help you to move forward as well."

His eyes, it was drowning in sadness and anger a while ago, but now I see the passion in his eyes.

"I've got it now. Thanks, Tanahashi."

I just nodded at him.

He gives me a pat on the back, "I'll repay you someday."

I smiled at him and asked, "Do you want to go back? Everyone is waiting for you."

He nods and we went back to his house. I texted the others that I had found Itsuki already and we are already heading back to his house. I told them to prepare for his return.

I walked slowly while Itsuki matches my pace.

We are finally in front of the house. I asked, "Are you ready now?" He replied, "Yeah." He opens the door and...

There's a big pop and confetti raining.

"Happy Birthday, Itsuki!"

As Nise, Chiba, Uchida, and Kyouko-san are at the front door.

Itsuki was surprised and showed his appreciation, "Thank you, everyone."

Before going to the dining table, Itsuki explained everything to everyone that happened to him in the past and how he wants to move on. He apologized, "I'm sorry guys for making you all worry for me."

Nise followed, "Don't be sorry, we're friends right?"

Chiba added, "It must be hard for you but keep fighting there, pal."

Kyouko-san cheered, "Whatever you'll be doing, we're going to support you."

Uchida followed, "That's right. Friends naturally support each other, right?"

Itsuki replied, "Thank you, everyone."

We all went to the table and started celebrating. While eating, Itsuki's mother pops out.

"Is Tanahashi-kun here?"

I raised my hand and replied, "I'm here." 

"Can you come here for a second?"

I went to her and she said, "I'm grateful for you Tanahashi-Kun."

Wow, I'm flattered. "Oh, I didn't do that much. There's nothing to be thankful for."

She insisted, "Itsuki has been depressed and has been in denial since he got injured. As his mother, I can understand his pain and hope that I can do something for him, but there wasn't. When I got the call and the homeroom teacher explained to me his suspension, he just locked himself in his room."

Itsuki got it rough, huh?

She continued, "I knew that if he won't ask for help from others, he will just suffer, but I can't approach him, especially if he isolate himself from his parents, so for me, as his parent, I can't express how thankful I am."

I replied, "I can totally understand his pain, he just needs someone to express his frustration and help him. He was in a difficult spot but he needs to understand that if he doesn't ask for help, it will just be tougher for him. If he doesn't explain his situation, no one will understand. If he won't move forward, then I'll be there to help him move forward."

She giggles, "What a friend are you, I thank you for taking care of him when I don't see him."

I replied, "Don't mind it. We are here for him."

She asked, "If you don't mind me asking, how come you understand him? Did you also go through what he went through?"

I replied, "I just know someone who's been in that place."

She understands, "Oh, I see."

I went back to the table and continued eating and having fun all night.

It's hard to overcome problems, let alone share them. You don't want to bother them with your own burdens but it's hard to carry all those burdens as well. There's always a certain someone who will hear you out, and help you with your problems.

...

What about me then?

I wonder...