The End of Akira
Chapter 16: Fatigue

A few days later...

Akira always comes home later than usual due to a routine evaluation. It is true that everyone only plays 1 game, but unfortunately Akira matches are always in the last part which is 2 games before the evaluation is completed. Although Akira got the match schedule early, but he could not go home first before all the evaluation activities were completed because that was the rule. So even though Akira's match starts at 8pm he still has to be in the training building from 6pm until the match is over. He even had to sleep 3-4 hours because he had to go to school in the morning.

But Akira never complained. He uses the time he has to watch his other friend's match, so that Akira knows the opponent's abilities and strategizes when meeting them later.

Akira also never skipped or did not do his schoolwork. Akira did not waste any free time to do his job. He managed his time well, only his body had always felt tired these past 3 days.

Morning in class...

The new Akira immediately lowered his head with his hands folded as a pedestal.

"About very sleepy" murmured Akira hiding his face.

"Are you okay?" Hana said just arrived.

"Good morning Hana. I'm fine, just a little sleepy" Akira confirmed his sitting position.

"Did you not sleep last night?" Tanya Hana was sitting on her stool.

"I slept, but only for a moment" Akira smiled.

"What did you do to sleep for a while?" Hana said again.

"Many things I do" Akira said with a smile.

"You are this" said Hana, who smiled. "The spirit of Akira" he said again.

"Thank you, Hana, you are also excited" said Akira who also smiled.

"You look very uninspired, Akira" said Ayano.

Akira smiles. "Good morning Ayano, that's it."

"Exercise?"

"Yes, sort of."

"You really like to practice" Ayano smiled.

"Of course, because I want to be an athlete" Akira smiled.

"Then get excited."

"Sure, thank you."

At rest...

Akira: "Sister, today please pick up Akira at 6 pm. Akira's got club activities first."

Yuki: "Isn't Akira 6 o'clock evaluated?"

Akira: "Yes, my sister."

Yuki: "Are Akira not tired? Permission was his club activities."

Akira: "Can't Sis. Today's first meeting, Akira can't get permission at the first meeting"

Yuki: "But Akira is exhausted, or want permission for evaluation? Let brother say."

Akira: "Don't Brother"

Akira: "When you don't come, Akira won't be able to take the evaluation the next day."

Akira: "Akira's fine, won't hurt"

Akira: "But Akira can't cook for dinner today, sorry Brother."

Yuki: "No need to think about dinner."

Yuki: "Is Akira sure?"

Akira: "Yakin Kak, Akira does not push himself and Akira promises not to trouble everyone like yesterday."

Yuki: "That's not the problem. Sister just doesn't want Akira to do anything else."

Yuki: "Well, that means you guys brought Akira's equipment?"

Akira: "Yes, please."

Yuki: "Okay, I'll see you at 6. Don't force yourself or Brother will be really angry."

Akira: "Akira understands Kak, Akira also does not want Big Brother to be angry at Akira."

Akira: "See you later."

Akira: "Thank you very much Brother."

Yuki: "Sama-sama, spirit!"

Akira: "Ready!:)"

"It looks like Akira is very happy" said Ayano, watching Akira smiling at the phone screen.

"Sister told me to get excited" Akira smiled.

"Sister Akira loves Akira very much yes, I want to have a sister too" Ayano smiled

"Yes, I am very lucky to have such good Sisters as Big Brother Akira" Akira smiled.

"About giving one of your sisters to me" said Ayano, bringing her face closer to Akira's.

"If that.."

"I'm kidding" Ayano said, putting her face away. "I'm sorry" he said with a smile.

"I'm not going to take your brother, so you take it easy. I don't have the right to it" Ayano said. "That's it, get excited today. I'm worried if I see you not excited" he said again.

"I understand, thank you" Akira smiled.

When I go home to school...

"Let's go home Akira" Ayano asked.

"Sorry Ayano, today there's a badminton club activity so I can't go home with you. Sorry" Akira said staring at Ayano.

"Alright, then I'll go first. See you" Ayano said, then left.

"See you, be careful on the road" Akira smiled. He then tidied up his things and put them in a bag.

"Sou let's go home together" Ayano walked over to Sou.

"You go home first, I have business first" said Sou, who was busy putting her books in her bag without seeing Ayano.

"All right, I'm ahead. See you" said Ayano, who was taken by Sou.

"Alright, Akira has to leave now" murmured Akira leaving the classroom.

Akira walked a little quickly to get to the closed field in time.

"Why is it so rushed?" said Sou who was suddenly beside Akira.

"Sou! You surprised me" Akira said staring at Sou.

"Sorry" Sou looked at Akira.

"I have badminton" said Akira smiling.

"Then let's walk together. I also have basketball skills today" Sou said looking ahead.

"Alright" Akira smiled.

Some time later they arrived at the junction of the road leading to the gymnasium, closed field, and football field.

"It looks like we're splitting up here. See you Akira" Sou smiled.

"Yes, see you soon Sou" said Akira smiling. They then go to their respective clubs, Akira to the closed field and Sou to the national game.

"Why is Akira's heart beating like this? Come on, don't be nervous Akira" murmured Akira before entering the closed field.

"Good afternoon" said Akira to everyone there. "I'm sorry I'm late" Akira said again.

"No problem, we haven't started yet" the club chairman smiled. "Sit down first" he said again.

"Thank you, sister" said Akira sitting himself on the edge of the room.

"Alright it looks like everything is present. We will start our first club activities" said the club chairman.

The chairman of the club then opens the event with the welcoming of new members, the introduction of the club from the history of the construction of badminton clubs, structures and club members to the rules at the club. After that, the Chairman explained about badminton to do basic practice.

"We're getting acquainted first maybe? Please start from the left" the Chairman smiled.

One by one the students who were there introduced themselves.

"Include me, I'm Souma Akira class 1A. The reason I joined this club is because I love badminton. Greetings everyone, please help" Akira smiled.

"Welcome to Akira" said the smiling Chairman. "Please next" said the Chairman again.

Everyone who was there introduced themselves to the end.

"So you've been in the sport of badminton for a long time?" Ask the Chairman after the introductory event is over.

Akira then raised his hand in doubt as the other new member no one raised his hand.

"Is it just Akira?" Ask Chairman. Everyone looked confused, staring at each other.

"All right, no problem. Do not be afraid and embarrassed if you are not too expert or even do not understand badminton. I'm not an expert either, so we're both learning. Once again welcome to everyone, hopefully you feel at home at this club" the Chairman smiled.

"Sorry in advance, we forgot to tell all friends that any club activities are required to carry badminton equipment such as rackets and sports shoes. But do not worry for those who do not have it, because we also provide it just not so much. Because today all friends still wear school uniforms, now we learn about the basics and rules of badminton first" said the Chairman again

After the Chairman explained all the basics of badminton, the Chairman again asked "Who has been engaged in badminton before?" 

"I'm Brother" said Akira raising his hand low.

"Can you help me here?" Ask Chairman. Akira nodded in understanding and walked up to the Chairman.

"I will play with Akira so that the explanation is easier to understand. Let's start with the serve, ready for Akira?" Ask Chairman.

"Ready Brother."

The chairman then made a short serve but Akira did not hit and returned the ball.

"Out" murmured Akira stared at the kok below him.

(Did he understand?) The chairman was confused.

"Friends, in a match, in a match, the serve that I did earlier will be declared out and points will be given to the opponent because the serve that I did not reach the white line or it can be said that the ball that I hit did not enter or exit from the opponent's service area. If you receive a service like this, don't get hit because it will be an advantage for us. That way, Akira will get points from my service" explained the Chairman who is considered by all members.

Club activities continued and in the end Akira helped the Chairman of the club to explain all about badminton until the time showed at 5.50 pm.

"Friends seem like enough for today huh. The exercises are held every Tuesday and Friday after school. Thank you for coming, I hope you are at home. You can go home" said the smiling Chairman.

"Thank you brother" said the members in unison.

"Thank you very much, Akira said goodbye" Akira smiled.

"Thank you too, be careful."

Akira then walked quickly out of the building. He even overtook a few people who were in front of him.

"It's about too late" Akira said a little run.

"Wait!" Someone held Akira's arm which made him stop and turn around.

"Sou!" Akira was surprised.

"Why? Any problem? Why so rushed?" Said Sou who was still holding Akira's arm.

"I'm late for training, I have to leave Sou immediately" Akira smiled.

"Here" said Sou, releasing his hand.

"Thank you Sou, see you. Bye bye" said Akira who then ran towards the gate.

"Be careful" Sou said slightly shouting.

"Yes" said Akira who also shouted.

"It looks like Akira is a busy person huh" Sou said staring at Akira.

"Be careful Akira" said Yuki holding Akira's shoulder.

"Well.. Akira. already..Sis" said Akira with irregular breathing.

"But don't run like that either, Akira falls. Let's go up" said Yuki, who is taken by Akira.

"It's about to be late" Akira said in a panic.

"And you said that" said Yuki.

"Unright, Akira should have given permission earlier" said Akira sadly.

"Let Brother ask Coach for permission" Yuki said, taking his phone and quickly calling Coach Akira.

"Hello good afternoon sir, I'm sorry it looks like Akira will be a little late because he just got out of school and on the road a little jammed sir" Yuki said after his phone was connected.

"Like that, sir? Well sir, thank you very much" Yuki said again.

"Okay sir, thank you" he said again before turning off his phone.

"How's Brother" said Akira curiously.

"The evaluation was delayed by 30 minutes because only 3 people had arrived, so we did not have to hurry" Yuki smiled.

"Thank God" said Akira.

"It's quieter?" Ask Yuki again.

Akira nodded. "It's Brother."

"Drink first, Brother has also prepared bread for Akira. In the gym bag there is rice made by Kak Nao, later eaten yes."

"Have you eaten?"

"Already, with Brother Nao earlier" Yuki said smilingly.

"Sorry Brother and thank you" Akira smiled.

"No problem, just focus on what Akira wants to do. We've grown up, we can take care of ourselves so Akira doesn't have to worry. The older brother was worried for Akira" Yuki smiled.

"But-"

"Sister does not accept any reason" Yuki said again.

Akira smiled faintly. "Okay, brother, thank you" said Akira eating his bread.

"Yes Brother."

The training building...

"The spirit of evaluation, may Akira win today's game smoothly like yesterday" said Yuki stroking Akira's head.

"Thank you brother, Akira will try" Akira smiled.

"Come in" Yuki said.

"About going in, brother, thank you. Please also say thank you to Brother Nao. Bye-bye" said Akira running into the training building.

"Spirit!" Yuki smiled. "Hopefully luck is with Akira now" Yuki muttered looking at Akira who was getting further away from his sight.

"It's about to change your clothes, before Coach gets angry" Rena said after Akira walked into the building.

"Well, I change my clothes first" Akira said, then ran to the dressing room. Shortly after, Akira returned and sat down near Rena.

"Tumben once you're late, is there a problem?" Ask Rena.

"There was a club activity at school so I just finished, the streets were also quite crowded so Brother could not overtake him" explained Akira.

"I understand" Rena said while nodding in understanding.

"Tumben once only seven people came, where are the others?" Akira asked when he saw that there were only 8 people in the building.

"I don't know and don't understand. The coach was upset from earlier, scaring me" Rena said, staring at Akira.

"Sorry."

After a long wait, finally the members gathered all together. Naturally, they could not miss the chastisement of a Coach who was already like a speech at a speed that exceeded the speed of light. The fourth day of evaluation begins at 7:30 p.m.

"We compete in the last order again, Akira" said Rena disappointed.

"You're right" said Akira, who was also disappointed.

"It looks like we're going home in the morning, Akira" he said.

"It seems so Rena" said Akira agreed.

"Hah~" a rude gasp sounded from the mouths of the two.

"But I won't lose to you, Akira" Rena said looking at Akira.

"I don't intend to lose to you either, Rena" Akira smiled.

"Hah~" A rude gasp sounded again from his second mouth.

Although Akira and Rena look disappointed and not excited but his eyes remain focused on observing the ongoing game. They occasionally clap when the ball comes in and yell small when the ball is out or about in the net. They seem to enjoy the game.

"About hungry" Akira said, picking up the lunchbox Yuki said.

"You brought the provisions turned out" said Rena.

Akira nodded. "Sir Nao made it, do you want it?" Tawar Akira's.

"Can?"

"Of course, Big Brother made it quite a lot" Akira smiled.

"All right, I'll try. Thank you Akira" Rena smiled.

"Sama-sama" said Akira who was also smiling.

They then shared the food while enjoying the match that was in front of them. Hours have passed and it's time for Akira and Rena's match to begin.

"Let's compete with sportsmanship" Rena smiled.

"Of course" said Akira who also smiled.

"I won't lose to you" Rena said again.

"I won't lose to you either" Akira smiled and the game began.

A while later...

"Come on Akira, 1 more point!" Shouted Akira's friend from the sidelines.

"Let's not lose Rena!" another word cheered Rena.

"Main" said the coach who became the referee.

Rena then performs a serve that is immediately struck by Akira who makes the game complete.

"Today's game was won by Akira over Rena, 25-23 and 21-17" said Coach.

"You are great Rena" said Akira approaching Rena.

"Once again I lose to you" Rena smiled.

"It's okay, we'll meet back at the game tomorrow. Don't be like that, I'm so sad and feeling guilty right now" Akira said, staring at Rena.

"You can't feel guilty or I'll be angry" Rena narrowed her eyes. "A very good game, thank you Akira" said Rena smiling.

"Thank you too Rena" Akira smiled.

"All assemble!" Instructor Coach. "Today's valuation is complete. I'm not going to apologize because it's your fault that we go home in the morning, does anyone object to my statement?" Say Coach.

"No Sir!" Angora yells in unison.

"Good! All right, now call your parents and ask for a pick-up today. If anyone can't pick me up, let me take it. I can not drive all of you because my car can only be for 4 people only" said the Coach who was signed by all members.

"Now it's 3 o'clock, Brother is still awake isn't it?" Akira Mumbled.

"Call first, later if you can't Coach will deliver us" said Rena smiling.

When Akira is about to contact Yuki, there is a call coming in from Papa and Akira picks him up right away.

"What's still a long time? Why haven't you come home?" Papa.

"About just finished Pa" said Akira.

"Alright Papa will pick you up. Just a minute."

"Well Pa" said Akira understood, Papa then decided his call.

"Hows it? Been picked?" Ask Rena.

"Yes, how's Rena doing herself?" Ask Akira.

"I was also picked up, Dad is on his way" Rena smiled.

"Thank God" said Akira, who also smiled.

A while later...

"Papa" call Akira.

"Let's go in, it's cold outside" said Papa, who was followed by Akira.

"Why is it so late? It's morning" asked Papa.

"So the friends arrived late so the evaluation was also pushed back and just finished now" explained Akira smiling

"But it should be continued tomorrow. Good thing Akira's off tomorrow, if not? How's it?" say Papa again.

"Sorry Pa" said Akira.

"No problem dear, this is not Akira's fault" said Papa stroking Akira's head.

Arriving at home...

"About home" said Akira entering the house.

"Live a break yes, it's even time to wake up for some people" said Papa.

"Well Pa, Akira is also very tired. Thank you, good night" Akira smiled.

"Good night, go straight to sleep" Papa said again.

"I think you understand Pa, Akira went upstairs first" said Akira who then went to his room.

After reaching the room, Akira immediately cleansed his body and put himself on the bed. It didn't take long for Akira to enter the dream world.

Her morning...

"Good morning" said Papa, who had just arrived at the dinner table. There are Yuki and Shinji.

"Looks like Akira hasn't woken up yet?" papa said after not seeing the food arranged on the dining table.

"It seems so Pa" said Shinji who was playing his phone.

"Then just order" said Papa sitting himself in the chair.

Yuki then ordered breakfast for everyone at home. Naoya soon got out of his room.

"Who? Where's Akira?" Naoya asks after not finding Akira and the food that is usually available at the dinner table.

"It looks like he's still sleeping, he came home at 4 yesterday" Papa said.

"Hour 4?!" Naoya said in surprise. Shinji and Yuki were similarly shocked.

"Let Nao see first" Naoya said, going to Akira's room.

"Don't wake up, just let Akira sleep. He was so exhausted" Papa said.

"Good Pa."

Tok.dok..

"About, you're in" Naoya said, opening Akira's room door.

"Geez, it seems like his sister is very tired huh" said Naoya approaching Akira who was asleep.

Naoya then checked Akira's body temperature and gently stroked his cheek.

"Thank God, it didn't hurt. Akira has been working hard" said Naoya smilingly looking at Akira who was sleeping fast. He then confirmed Akira's blanket. 

"Beautiful dream" said Naoya stroked Akira's head and then came out of Akira's room.

"Still sleeping Brother?" Shinji asked as Naoya reached the dining table.

Naoya nodded. "It looks pretty tired."

"Let it go, pity him. Let's eat first" Papa said.

They then had breakfast together without waking Akira.

A while later...

"Badan Akira is sick" murmured Akira still closing his eyes. Akira then opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling for quite a while.

"What time is it?" Monologue Akira wakes up.

He then took his phone to look at the clock.

"It's 6:30?! Why didn't anyone wake Akira?!" Akira hurriedly walked into the bathroom.

Akira then quickly changed his clothes and stuffed his books into a bag. After all his business was done, Akira quickly went down the stairs.

Naoya, who had just come from his room, came along a little run to see Akira coming down the stairs quickly.

"about! Do not climb down the stairs while running!" Naoya panicked towards Akira.

"Why didn't Brother wake Akira? Akira is already late Brother" said Akira panicked.

"Where are you going? It's Saturday" Naoya said.

"Saturday?" Akira stopped his steps.

"What's wrong with Akira? Today is Saturday and Akira's school is off" Naoya said with a chuckle.

Akira was silent for a moment. "Hah~" he breathed his coarse breath.

"Let's eat first" said Naoya leading Akira to the dining table.

"Congratulations why is Akira wearing a uniform? What is Akira's school today?" Ask Yuki.

"I forgot it was Saturday" Akira said, which made Yuki and Shinji laugh.

"Did Akira really want to go to school? Must be because there's a Sou?" Shinji laughed.

"There's something" said Yuki laughing.

"Here you go, let's eat Akira first" Naoya said.

Akira just nodded in understanding. He then sat down beside Naoya.

"Where is Brother?" Ask Akira. 

"Papa has an appointment with his friend" Naoya replied, Akira nodded in understanding.

"Aren't you all eating?" Ask again.

"We ate together. I'm sorry you didn't wake you up" Naoya said.

"Sleep on" said Shinji while playing his phone.

"Sorry" murmured Akira starting his breakfast.

"Don't listen to Shin, he is like that" Naoya ruffled Akira's hair.

"Right, don't listen to Brother Shin. Brother Shin always itches if it doesn't bother Akira" Yuki agreed.

"Yuki's right" said Shinji smiling. "How was yesterday? Did Akira win?" Ask Shinji. Akira just nodded slowly.

"Bahh.. Akira has always been great, congratulations" Shinji said proudly.

"Thank God, congratulations Akira" Yuki smiled.

"It's probably the best. Today is still an evaluation, right?" Ask Naoya

"Yes Kak" said Akira nodding.

"The spirit for today as well" Shinji said.

"Thank you, brother" said Akira smiling.

"Have breakfast, rest again. Lack of sleep will make Akira's head dizzy" Naoya said again.

"Yes, Akira understands."