Memories

LXXXVII

PERFECTLY WRONG

'Me and you, we were made to break
I know the truth, but it's much too late'

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Okay okay, last chapter of canon, let's go

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Thalia and Kevin worked seamlessly together, the two switching hands and passing between them and Dan, never letting the ball stay in anyone's possession too long in fear of the Ravens stealing it from them. Berger got around Aaron for a shot on goal, and Andrew wasn't quite fast enough. He slammed his racquet against the wall and the lights flared. Thalia huffed and the next time the Ravens fouled, Wymack sent Nicky and Matt on. Thalia didn't know who was being pulled, but Matt detoured past Dan and she sent Thalia one last look before heading off the court.

"We can do it," Kevin said in French. Thalia turned her head and could see Kevin's hard expression between the slats of his helmet. She nodded to him and turned back to see Matt, Nicky and Neil setting themselves up to work together as three backliners. With a strong defense line, Kevin was right. They had more of a chance now than they did the rest of the night. Kevin and Thalia were tuned to each other's playing styles, and even after months of being apart, they were able to pick up right where they left off.

With five minutes to go, the Raven offense was completely shut out of the goal thanks to the three backliners, and Thalia and Kevin had more chance than ever to head up the court with the ball. Thalia passed to Kevin, and he managed a rebound shot, making the score even. The two tapped sticks as they headed back to the half-court line. 

"Five minutes," Thalia said in French. They'd been yelling it between each other and Neil, using the language to their advantage since Jean was no longer on the Ravens, and neither was Dean, who said he'd learned a little from Jean when he'd taught Kevin. Kevin nodded and headed to the striker position while Thalia held hers in offensive dealer.

The last five minutes flew by, trying to get up the court, attempting shots on goal. When the buzzer sounded, Thalia hardly realised the goal lines were red. Kevin had scored. They'd been tied up with those five minutes left, and Kevin's final score gave them a one point lead. They'd won. The Foxes won.

Thalia took off her helmet and looked at Kevin, who had also removed his helmet and seemed shocked, staring up at the scoreboard. Thalia ran up to him and hugged him. Kevin returned the hug and even though they were both wearing bulky gear, he spun her around on the spot. Thalia grabbed his face and kissed him, Kevin winding a hand around her back. When they pulled away, Thalia smiled, her forehead pressed against Kevin's. Then she heard a shout and turned her head.

It took Thalia a moment to understand what was happening, but then she saw Riko standing over Neil, racquet raised, with full intent to bring it down on top of Thalia's brother's head. But then a stick got in the way and pushed Riko back. Thalia and Kevin sprinted across the court to see Andrew huddled over Neil protectively. The rest of the Foxes stood around the two, but Thalia heard Riko's screams vividly, like she'd heard her own for months. She wanted to turn around and kick Riko in the face - maybe smash his face in like Aaron had done to Drake - but she didn't. 

Dan knelt in front of Neil and shook him. "Neil," she said. Neil dragged his stare to her face.

"Hey," he said. "Hey, we won." Thalia smiled and leaned into Kevin's side.

"Yeah, Neil," Dan said, a laugh in her voice. "We won!"

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"Yay!" Nathalia called and clapped as Riko and Kevin lifted the trophy. The boys had won the championship - again - and their team fanned out on either side of the co-captains. "Yay!" she said again, even when the rest of the applause died down.

When they were allowed off the stage, after photos had been taken, Nathalia rushed over to the boys. Riko held the trophy now, so Nathalia first hugged Kevin. He returned the hug with a laugh, and then Nathalia turned to Riko. He opened his arms for a hug and a smile on his face. Nathalia smiled widely and hugged him.

"I'm proud of you," Nathalia said, and launched into a detailed explanation of how scared the other team had looked, and how they hadn't stood a chance. 

"Why don't you join our team next season, Lia?" Kevin suggested. Nathalia's eyes widened in happiness and her smile grew wider if it was at all possible. She nodded violently and Kevin laughed, putting a hand on the top of her head to stop her from nodding. "Alright then. Piggy," he said, turning around. Nathalia giggled and jumped onto Kevin's back.

"To the ice cream shop!" Nathalia said and pointed over Kevin's shoulder. He started running to the streets, and Nathalia giggled the whole way.

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Thalia and Neil were summoned to the East tower hours after the game had ended and all the interviews had ended. Thalia was nervous, but reminded herself they'd struck a deal with Ichirou, and then gone on to win championships. There was no way Ichirou would kill them now.

Thalia had slight deja-vu as she walked into the room. She knew she'd been there before, but couldn't remember it off the top of her head. Stuart Hatford and someone Thalia didn't know stood in a far corner. Tetsuji and Riko sat on a sofa. Tetsuji was as rigid as Thalia remembered him, and Riko was crouched over. He had his arm in a cast and sling and was looking at the ground. Andrew had broken Riko's arm, and Thalia didn't feel sorry for him.

Thalia and Neil made their way to halfway between Riko and Ichirou, where the older brother was watching the court. Time passed. It was so quiet Thalia could hear someone's watch ticking. Eventually, Ichirou gestured for someone, who placed a gun in his hand. Thalia's throat went dry, but Ichirou walked around the two. Thalia and Neil both turned, and Ichirou knelt in front of Riko.

He spoke in quiet Japanese that Thalia couldn't decipher - her years of learning the language failed her in that moment, as she was focusing on the pounding in her ears. When Ichirou was done talking Tetsuji bent over himself as if he'd been stabbed in the gut. Ichirou turned to Riko, then, who finally looked up.

"Ichirou," he said. No, pleaded. Thalia understood then, what Ichirou had been talking about. Ichirou put a hand against one side of his brother's head and the gun on the other. Thalia stayed quiet, and hoped Neil would too. Ichirou pulled the trigger without hesitation, and blood stained the leather sofa he was sitting on, as well as Tetsuji's back.

Ichirou stepped back and let Riko's body fall. Thalia was elated that Riko was dead, but it only let Ichirou's attention fall on her and Neil again. First, the stranger who'd been with Stuart stepped forward, and Ichirou handed him the gun. He pressed it against Riko's hand, and Thalia understood they were going to make it seem like a suicide. Of shame. Of embarrassment or hurt pride.

Thalia found it funny, almost, that the way Tetsuji had told Riko she'd died, was the way Riko would die. She wanted to smile. To laugh. But Thalia stood, expressionless, next to Neil. Ichirou stopped in front of them. "You have cost the Ravens their coach and captain. Are you happy?" Thalia didn't know why he said Coach. Tetsuji was alive and well. But perhaps Ichirou meant something else. Perhaps he was stepping down. Ichirou likely wanted nothing to do with the Ravens now that they were a failure. Stuart had said he was cutting loose ends. This was one of them, Thalia realised. 

"Your people are safe, as are mine," Neil said, recovering quicker than Thalia thought he would. "Yes, I'm happy." Ichirou's smile was cold and fast, but he looked between the two, and Thalia nodded in agreement to Neil.

"Let them call you by whatever name they like," Ichirou said. "But you will both always be a Wesninski at heart." he flicked his hand like he was swatting a way a fly. "Dismissed."

"Thank you, Lord Ichirou," Thalia said out of respect. She didn't get a response - she wasn't expecting to - but she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. A Riko Moriyama sized weight. Thalia left the east tower with a sigh and a head rested against her brother's shoulder. They were free.