Published at 25th of August 2019 10:17 pm

Book 1 Chapter 6 - Big Event Coming

This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml

The diving season arrived along with summer. Tomoki wondered whether or not his blood could detect the beginning of its arrival.

He felt bubbly. He felt slightly more red. He felt like speeding up straight away.

It was finally time to show off the painful achievements of practice, and his blood was flowing around his body in wild abandon as if it was floating without a tether. Well, wait, it’s the job of the brain to settle it down. I understand the feeling, but wait a second. You still haven’t chosen your entry event for the competition. If you want to put in new skills, you need more practice, and you have to pay attention to condition adjustment up until the competition.

Amidst this dual role of elevation and tranquility, the MDC’s practice gradually heated up as they turned towards the huge stage that came once a year.

For domestic competitions, the main ones aimed at Tomoki and other middle school students were the Junior High School Championships and the Junior Olympic Cup. Competent divers participated in both, and therefore left good results, so the faces who would appear on the podium were generally already decided. Tomoki, who had never set foot on the podium, intended to only focus on the Junior High Championships this year.

For high school students like Youichi, there’s the Inter-High and the juniors’ category of the Nationals. Also, there was no age restriction for the Japanese Championship, so anyone could participate as long as their entry event met the specified difficulty level. This year, Youichi was scheduled to compete at all three competitions.

If it wasn’t for Kayoko making her radical plans, both Tomoki and Youichi would had just gone through the summer as usual.

_______________________________________________________________

“First, I have a proposal for everyone.”

Kayoko launched the plan, as Shibuki was returning to Tokyo the afternoon of the next day. Not long after basking in the pleasure of her scouting success, she gathered Tomoki, Reiji, Ryou, Sachiya, Youichi, and Shibuki, who were doing dryland training in the training room, to the AV room, and immediately went to the next item of business. Kayoko was constantly on the move.

“I heard it from Coach Fujitani. Apparently, someone’s been saying that I’ve been specially watching over one of you, but what does that mean? Does that mean I’m offering special guidance to one of you? That I’m spending extra time with one of you? If you are dissatisfied with my coaching, please point it out more specifically next time. It’s Just like me telling you to raise your chin by five millimeters, or taking off 0.5 seconds earlier, don’t I always say stuff like that, right?”

Kayoko wasn’t at all perturbed by the matter of the complaints. It also seemed that she didn’t care, at the moment, that they knew she was the granddaughter of the former Mizuki president.

“Leaving that aside, there’s one more thing. Regarding the condition for the survival of the MDC that Coach Fujitani told you about, I’d like to have a more detailed talk about it today.”

The survival of the MDC. In the end, it was the only thing that occupied Kayoko’s mind.

“Anyways, I was going to talk about it one day, but I didn’t want to pressure you all. However, in order for the MDC to survive, we must have the right to represent at the Olympics. If none of you gets it, then this club will be shut down. That’s our reality.”

Kayoko expressed her plain, straightforward thoughts.

Youichi was the one who identified that straightforward ball, and hit it back where it hurts.

“For the survival of the MDC? So, you want us to go to Sydney for the MDC. No, or is it because of your dead grandpa? Or maybe you just want to protect your job?”

Kayoko thought about it for a while with her arms folded, and then smiled.

“Well, it could be for the MDC, for my grandfather, and for my own protection. But, what does that mean to you?”

“What…”

“Well then, listen up, Fujitani-kun. You do want to go to the Olympics, right?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“For whom?”

“…for myself.”

Youichi looked away, and Kayoko nodded.

“What’s important to you is your own feelings, not mine. If you go to Sydney, all the praise and emotions you acquire there are your own. You won’t forget them there. Is there anyone else who wants to talk about this?”

“Um…” Sachiya timidly raised his hand. “There’s no way I’m aiming for Sydney, right?”

“You haven’t dived from the five-meter yet, so it’ll be difficult for you to suddenly represent at the Olympics. So, I think you’d like to go to Sydney with everyone else as their supporter, what do you think?”

Supporter. Although he didn’t know the specifics of that role, Sachiya seemed to like the sound of that. He smiled broadly and nodded.

“What else? If there’s nothing else, let’s go to the main issue.”

And so, Kayoko began to talk about the plan.

“The main issue is our proposition to the Olympics. Frankly, I think that’d be difficult as things are right now. A long career in diving means a lot in a competition, so the JASF (Japan Swimming Federation) would rather play it safe and pick an established diver for a crucial competition. Even though Fujitani-kun is considered strong, he still doesn’t have any overseas competition experience, right? Unless you have something exceptional, middle and high school students like you shouldn’t think you have a good chance at representing at the Olympics.”

So, Kayoko’s cat-eyes shone as she spoke.

“I want you to do something exceptional.”

“Something exceptional?”

“Tomoki-kun, Ryou-kun, Reiji-kun. May I ask you to give up on this year’s Junior High Championships?”

“Eh?”

“Youichi-kun, may I ask you to give up on all three domestic competitions this year?”

“What?”

Tomoki and the others were caught off-guard and worn out by the sudden, extraordinary proposals.

Giving up on the Junior High Championship, which was their target every year?

Giving up on Youichi doubtlessly sweeping the top awards at all three domestic competitions?

It was like saying they could have spring without cherry blossoms, summer without fireworks, autumn without red leaves, or winter without snow.

“There will be a big training camp in Beijing, in August.”

However, Kayoko had good reasons.

“It’s a two-week training camp where promising middle and high school divers from all over Asia gather. The number of participants will be three boys and three girls. There will be a qualifying trial to decide on the members, held at Tatsumi at the end of July.”

“July…”

“The JASF is willing to train Olympic athletes out of the six chosen.”

“!”

“Seriously?” someone let their murmur escape. Someone else also sucked in their breath. Excluding Shibuki, who had begun to doze off in the last row, everyone else’s eyes lit up as Kayoko’s words came back to them.

Asia Joint Training Camp—this time, it was the Chinese diving world that proposed and realized this event, but this was not the first time for the Asian countries to come together to focus on improving diving. There were diving officials from each country who taught traditional coaching methods, and diving exchange students being sent to deepen exchanges. It can be said that Asia was falling behind Europe and the United States, to the extent that they weren’t able to catch with them if they did not do all those things.

Originally, diving began in Sweden, and in the UK, the form of a competition was created, which then spread to the whole world. In order to compete against the Westerners with good figures in the limelight, Asians needed to refine acrobatic techniques that made full use of their smaller body builds, and to pursue a performance of “technique” against the Westerners’ “aesthetics”. China achieved that brilliantly and had climbed up to the top of the world. Through research on making the best of the physical characteristics of the Chinese, and a thorough educational system from early childhood, they were suddenly catapulted to the top of the world. The stereotype of the “Weak Asia” was destroyed through a hard struggle, and the podium of the diving competitions were no longer only for Westerners. It was the beginning of a welcome new era for Asian countries to follow in China’s footsteps.

But, it tended to be an era to prepare reigning champions to trials. Changes in the system of government and the declining leadership accompanying it, new regulations such as age fourteen or less could not participate in the Olympics, the hectic race between the US and Russia—these various factors came together and a gloom began to appear over the Chinese diving world, so after a while diving once again became monopolized by Europe and the US. It was too late after the impression of “Weak Asia” permeated. It had a mental influence on judges at international competitions, and was the root of evil that led them to be disadvantaged at contests. Asia had to become united in order to keep the impression of “Strong Asia”.

This feeling of crisis was lurking behind the Chinese diving world’s proposal of holding a training camp, and all of the Asian countries unanimously supporting it. The training of junior athletes was an urgent proposition for any country.

“It’s unusual for the JSF to announce their participation in the training camp this time and disregarding the extra expenses, so that’s probably a sign of the sense of crisis they feel. After all, it was probably as a result of the pride of being once known as a swimming superpower, though Japan was greedily learning techniques from America until now, there was a point where it turned its back against its fellow Asian country China.”

But, Kayoko sighed while continuing on.

“To be blunt, I won’t be able to say such things. Japan will be completely left behind from the rest of the world as it is. This impatience seems to exceed their pride. Of course, I think that the relationship of trust between Coach Sun and the JSF also had an effect in a big way.”

“Coach Sun…is he famous?”

“Yes, he’s a key figure that pulled the Chinese diving world to where they are now. He visited Japan frequently the last few years and deepened communications with the JSF. He is supposed to be the one to take overall command of this joint training camp.”

“That Coach Sun is…?”

“By the way, I heard that the JSF is also asking him to cooperate as an advisor for the selection of the Olympic representatives.”

A pipe chair squeaked behind Tomoki. He heard that sound every time Youichi fidgeted since the beginning of the talk. Youichi, who participated in a short-term training camp in the US every summer, wanted to go to China if as long as the money and practicing environment were arranged, and wanted to receive direct coaching from that Coach Sun. He had been saying that over and over again like it was his favorite phrase.

“You said that there will be qualifying trials to decide on the members of the joint training camp.”

“Yes, there will be six tickets that will have to be earned.”

“What are the entry conditions for the trials?” Youichi asked without waiting.

“First of all, you have to be a diver in middle or high school. Then, your entry dive has to meet certain degrees of difficulty. Don’t worry, all five of you are clear. However, the qualifying trials will be held four months later on July 29th. We already don’t have much time.”

“July…”

“It’s also close to the Kanto meet of the Junior High Championships. I think it’ll be difficult to make adjustments to participate in both competitions. If you want to join the training camp, you should abandon the Junior High Championships and focus on the qualifying trials. And also, if you want to go to Beijing, you won’t be able to compete in the Nationals or the Inter-High. It’s a dangerous gamble.”

While saying this, Kayoko didn’t relax her firm attitude.

“But, I think it’s worth it. As long as you become one of the six going to the training camp, you’d automatically be able to sell your face to Coach Sun. It’ll be a rough road for all of you to slip into the position of Olympic contender, as you’re all unknowns, but this is the best shortcut there. And next year’s Olympics are so close that we won’t make it in time without a shortcut.”

Abandoning the regular domestic competitions and focus everything on the qualifying trials.

Kayoko was pressing that decision on all of them.

But, not withstanding Youichi, how would Tomoki and the others, who had never participated in the national meet of the Junior High Championship, be able to become part of the chosen six at the qualifying trials, where middle and high school students gathered from all over Japan?

‘There’s four months until the qualifying trials. I will pull all of you up. I’ll promise you that. Of course, you’ll be the ones who will decide.”

Tomoki looked down at his dark feet.

Reiji and Ryou were looking at each other like they were reading each other’s thoughts.

Youichi was staring at Kayoko without moving at all.

Shibuki made little wheezing sounds as he slept soundly.

But at this time, everyone already had the determination in their minds to gamble on the qualifying trials.

Youichi was doing it for his ambition to go to the Olympics.

Tomoki, Ryou, and Reiji were doing it to be the one miracle in a million.

Shibuki was doing it for his contract with Kayoko.

–It was the spring of 1999. They of the MDC were trying to take their first step towards Sydney the following year.

_______________________________________________________________

Tomoki received a second proposal from Kayoko after that day’s meeting.

“Sakai-kun, last year you were only training for the high dive for the Junior High Championships. You passed on the springboard diving.”

Tomoki and Shibuki remained in the AV room, approaching dusk. Casting a sideways glance at Shibuki, who kept yawning as he woke up from his deep sleep, Kayoko talked to Tomoki first.

“Why?”

That was quite a difficult question to answer.

Currently there seemed to be two types of diving: high diving and springboard diving. High diving was diving off of a five-meter, seven and a half-meter, or ten-meter platform, and springboard diving was diving using the elasticity of a one-meter or three-meter springboard.

Tomoki hated springboard diving. He didn’t like the wobbliness, the feeling of the unsteady board beneath his feet, and he couldn’t get used to it no matter what. He was incompatible with the springboard. Originally, he was drawn to diving from the concrete dragon, so if possible, he only trained for the high dive to perform at competitions. He requested that when he was a first-year middle schooler, and Coach Nakanishi had agreed that was one type of strategy as well.

Originally, springboard and high diving required completely different techniques, and since long ago, China had trained distinct specialists for both springboard and high diving. In Japan, where divers were on the lower stratum of athletes, they had the existing condition where only a small handful of influential divers had to bear the burden of many different skills. But in truth, that system of allotments made practice more efficient, and there was the merit of being able to train and aim for just one event at competitions.

“Besides, Coach Nakanishi said it’s okay to do the springboard once I’m older…”

Kayoko unexpectedly agreed with the words of the former coach as he said it back then.

“Certainly, compared with the springboard dive which is used to say things about your career, the high dive is better for young people with their small and springy bodies. If you’re going to bet everything on the high dive for the qualifying trials, I’ll cooperate with you, provided that you single-mindedly bet on a performance of a certain level.”

“Performance of a certain level?”

“The forward 3½ somersaults.”

“Huh?”

“You don’t remember? I talked about it before I went to Aomori.”

Forward 3½ somersaults. That sounds familiar…Tomoki suddenly recalled those inconceivable words.

“Why can’t middle schoolers do 3½ somersaults? Because they are forbidden from diving off the ten-meter at junior competitions. Of course, there are other reasons, but I believe that is the biggest one. But, there are some odd loopholes for this rule.”

“Loopholes?”

“FINA of course had banned elementary and middle schoolers from diving off the ten-meter at competitions. But, that rule only applies to junior competitions. In other words, even elementary and middle schoolers could dive from the ten-meter on the same conditions as the other participants at non-junior competitions. Even so, such competitions are usually at the level of the Japanese Championship.”

“Huh?”

“And the qualifying trials in July isn’t a junior competition…so that means…”

“Wait a minute,” Tomoki interrupted the impetuous Kayoko. “Stop springing that on me so suddenly…the flight time from a seven-meter (1) and a ten-meter is definitely completely different, but it’s not so big that I can do another somersault, right? You can’t do something like 5½ somersaults off a fifteen-meter, either.”

“It’s a bad habit of yours to think something is impossible before you even start it. You never know how something will turn out until you give it a try. Everything starts from now on.”

“From now on…the qualifying trials are only four months away.”

“And the Olympics are only a bit more than a year away. That’s why.”

“That’s why?”

“You’ve certainly grown rapidly these past few months. But, for this moment there’s still a lot of people at the top. At a competition where middle and high schoolers from all over the country are competing fiercely against each other, how will Sakai Tomoki’s diving stand out? With 3½ somersaults. If you decide to count yourself among the very few middle school students who could do a successful 3½, the judges will acknowledge you. That kind of impression always has an effect on the scoring.”

Tomoki felt squashed by that strong gaze pinned on him. She’s serious. This woman is seriously trying to make me do 3½ somersaults.

He imagined excelling at the qualifying trials, able to successfully do 3½ somersaults. That would be an awesome, proud moment. He’d cleanly cutting through the water, and excite the spectators. A storm of applause. An unprecedented pleasure!

Sure enough, next he imagined failing the 3½ somersaults. That would be an extremely awful, disappointing moment. His body swells red from hitting the water, and cold eyes pour into him from the spectator seats. A drizzle of applause. Unprecedented humiliation…

“Are you doing it?”

At the moment Kayoko pressed him to make a decision, his successful self and his failing self disappeared from Tomoki’s head. In that moment, something more instinctual than determination, something unexplainable welled up inside of him, and Tomoki’s head bobbed vertically.

“I’ll do it.”

It might have been the voice of his own body that had had many painful practices up until then. Contrary to his mind, his body wanted to test Tomoki’s potential.

“I will cooperate with you then.”

Kayoko smiled, satisfied, and then turned towards Shibuki, who was still rubbing sleep from his eyelids.

“Okitsu-kun, you too. For the qualifying trials, you will also focus on the high dive, since you’ve never stepped onto a springboard.”

“Please do whatever you want,” Shibuki responded indifferently. “But, don’t forget about our contract.”

“I will keep our promise.”

“It’s a contract.”

After that curt exchange, Shibuki rose like an elephant that had finished its long nap, and quickly left the room. Kayoko’s eyes looked unusually tired as she stared at his retreating figure.

Kayoko and Shibuki. What exactly is the contract between them?

Tomoki felt something like a strange swell of fate as Shibuki left the AV room.

Kayoko had appeared just as the MDC was about to be destroyed, and now Shibuki appeared. Something was going to happen.

Will I be able to go along with that big wave, or will I be left behind?

Three and a half somersaults. That was the new trial imposed on Tomoki.

Everything might depend on its success.

_______________________________________________________________

“Hello, Sakai-kun?”

He hadn’t heard from Miu in a while, and tonight’s was the first phone call in a long time.

“Ah…Miu, I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

After coming out of the bathroom, Tomoki happened to be near the phone and picked it up, and suddenly tilted his head to one side.

Something feels different than usual.

But, he didn’t know what it was.

“It’s been a while, Tomo-kun, are you doing well?”

“The same as usual.”

“Is diving hard for you right now?”

“It’s still the same. Well, nowadays there’s many different kinds of things.”

“Still just different kinds of things?”

Miu’s giggle spilled out of the receiver. It was a sound like a child trying to resist being tickled. If he confessed that he was actually aiming for the Olympics, would this laughter fit that perfectly? Or would it get even stronger?

“I’ll talk about it soon. The more I talk about it, the realer it becomes.”

“Well then, I’ll listen to it soon.”

Miu didn’t pursue it further, and began to talk about things that happened at school and about her friends. But, the thought that there was something strange didn’t leave Tomoki’s head until he hung up.

There was always a forced feeling attached to Miu. The conversation topics she brought up were forced, and she acted with a forced cheerfulness. But somehow, that same forcedness felt different tonight.

“Well, it’s already late, so I’ll see you later.”

After a few minutes of conversation, it was surprisingly Miu who tried to hang up first, but Tomoki quickly cut in with, “Ah, just a moment.”

“Eh, what is it?”

“Is there something going on?”

“What?”

“No…if there’s nothing, then it’s fine.”

There was the brief sound of her breath being sucked in. After a silence of nearly five seconds, Miu finally spoke again.

“There’s nothing at all.”

However, Tomoki was more concerned about the five seconds of silence than her reply.

Something’s wrong.

Something’s wrong.

Something’s wrong.

Even after saying goodbye and hanging up, he felt anxious from that “something” and didn’t move from the spot. Tomoki, who was standing still next to the phone like a faithful dog, headed for the open door with the phone in his hand, when he taken aback to suddenly seeing Hiroya there.

Those first words—Miu, who always called him Tomo-kun, started her phone call tonight with something else.

“Hello, Sakai-kun?”

Share