Chapter 1: Chapter 1- My Normal Life
Maki's P.O.V
Talent is a neat little present, but it's no golden ticket to glory. The real hero is the one who backs themselves to win, no matter what. It's not just the one born with the most pizzazz, but the one who grinds the hardest, drills the longest, and never gives up on their aspirations. We all start from different rungs of life's ladder, but it's our steely resolve, tireless elbow grease, and unbreakable self-assurance that can turn possibility into triumph.
Think about this: not all of us are born with the same silver spoon, but we each hold the key to create our greatness, rise above challenges, and carve a path of achievement uniquely our own. To go beyond those born with natural talent, we must choose to outwork them, pushing ourselves to the brink of our limits. Even if success doesn't come knocking at our door, we'll have scaled our mountain, showcasing the limitless power of grit and hard work.
Today was a monumental day for me, a day I had circled on my calendar for an entire year. I had invested countless hours honing my tennis skills, preparing for the match of my life. But, alas, my opponent proved to be a formidable foe and I fell short of my goal. Despite the sting of defeat, I refused to crumble into a puddle of tears. Instead, I felt a sense of pride for the sweat and grit I poured into my training. I knew that every step I took on the court brought me one step closer to becoming the best version of myself.
After a crushing defeat on the tennis court, I went home in silence, aware of the whispers behind me. But hey, I'm not one to throw in the towel so easily. I refused to let a loss define me. Instead, I'm doubling down on my practice sessions, determined to come back stronger and better than before. Sure, a rematch might seem daunting, but I'm not afraid to take on these talented opponents with a fiery spirit, just like my wise uncle always taught me.
I strolled into the yard, bypassing my house entirely. My uncle was hard at work tending to his garden, beaming with joy. "I'm back," I announced with a grin.
"Welcome home, Maki," he greeted me warmly. "How was your game today? Did you beat Rin?" he asked eagerly.
"Sadly no. That guy has leveled up since our last showdown. Seems like I'm not the only one practicing," I groaned in disappointment.
"Aww, that's a bummer. You've been working your butt off lately," my uncle commiserated, joining me. "So, what now?" he asked, curious about my next move.
"You know me, Uncle. First thing tomorrow, I'm hitting the gym, ready to crush it!" I exclaimed with fire in my belly.
"Love that attitude, kiddo. Win or lose, I'm always proud of you," he said, ruffling my hair. Suddenly, he pulled something from his pocket and placed it in my hand.
"I was going to give this to you no matter what. Keep pushing, Maki, my little pumpkin," he beamed, handing me a hair pendant.
"I will, thank you so much, Uncle! You're the absolute best," I gushed, wrapping him in a bear hug.
Uncle Reo Souken, the one-of-a-kind guy who took me under his wing a decade ago, is truly extraordinary. He just turned 58, but don't let his age fool you - he's still a total boss. He's always insisted on being called "Uncle" instead of "Dad" and has kept his last name a mystery, despite my attempts to crack the case. Something is enchanting about him like he's not entirely normal. For instance, he treasures a family photo of people I don't know, and I've never seen anyone come to visit him, ever. He's a bit of a hermit, tucked away in our estate, and if it weren't for me, he'd be a total mystery to the world.
My dear old Uncle Reo, with his secrets and mysteries, always left me yearning for a glimpse of the truth. Why did he pick me as his protégé, why does he keep his last name under lock and key, and who are those folks in that old family portrait?
After a day of digging in the dirt with my mysterious uncle, we went into the kitchen to prepare my beloved dessert, Strawberry Pie. As we savored each scrumptious bite, a wicked idea sparked in my head. I glanced around at our sprawling abode and couldn't resist having a little fun at his expense.
"This place is massive! Why don't we spice things up and invite a mistress over?" I joked with a sly smile.
Uncle Reo almost spat out his pie as he coughed uncontrollably. "Maki, you're a riot! But at my age, finding love sounds like a chore. I'm loving this peaceful life and don't want to rock the boat with a third wheel," he chuckled between coughs.
I chuckled. "Hahaha, you say that every time. I bet it's because you have no game."
Uncle Reo's face turned slightly red, and he tried to defend himself, but the coughing fit continued. "Then what about you, Maki? I'm still waiting for the day you bring a guy over," he countered.
"Me?" I was taken aback by his question. "Of course you, you're seventeen. I'm sure you have a crush on someone, right?" he insisted.
As I pondered his question, I realized that the only guy I felt romantically attracted to was Rin Crystal, the very person I wanted to defeat in tennis.
"I know most parents don't like the idea of their daughters bringing over boyfriends, but I don't mind it, really," Uncle continued with a playful glint in his eye. "I would even open up one of the soundproof rooms for you two, hahaha."
"That's enough! You already know I don't have a boyfriend. No need to rub it in," I replied, playfully rolling my eyes.
"A girl as cute as you should not rush into a relationship, don't forget that. Also, you could benefit from not looking so serious all the time," he commented with a teasing smile.
"Whatever," I retorted, mimicking a cough just to join in on the fun, and we both shared a laugh.
Our playful banter over dinner was just one of the many ways we expressed our love for each other, and I cherished these moments with Uncle Reo.
Without him, I shudder to think where I'd be today. Perhaps the victim of violence, crushed under the weight of depression or worse, lost to starvation. Every single day, I thank the universe for plucking me from the living hell I called home. My dear Uncle Reo breathed life back into my soul and gave me a reason to strive, a future to chase, and a debt of gratitude impossible to repay.
"Uncle, let's go out tomorrow," I suggested after finishing my pie.
He looked at me, concern in his eyes. "But don't you have school?"
"Forget about school for a moment," I replied. "When was the last time you left this place?" I asked, referring to our secluded estate.
Uncle Reo hesitated, realizing it had been ages since he'd ventured beyond the boundaries of our home. "I like it here," he admitted.
"Sorry, but I won't take no for an answer. We're going out," I insisted.
Reluctantly, Uncle Reo lowered his head and accepted my proposal. "Fine, but just for an hour, okay?"
"Yes!" I exclaimed with a triumphant grin. I knew my uncle loved games, so my plan was simple: first, I'd take him to the nearby arcade, and then maybe we could dine at one of those fancy restaurants.
"Great, I'll make arrangements right away," I said as I got up from the dining table.
Uncle Reo chuckled softly. "What a sweet girl."
As I walked away, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that this outing would be a small but meaningful way to repay the debt of gratitude I felt toward the man who had given me everything.
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