2009, June 12th
There was once an ancient riddle: which came first, the chicken or the egg? While science has proven it to be the egg, a lifetime was spent grappling with this question. Yet it took a second chance at life and the transformative power of fire for Arisugawa Akari to truly understand its significance.
Akari realized that sometimes, to begin anew, one must first let go of what was in order to widen one's horizons to the many possibilities that could be. The flames that consumed her old life cleared the way for growth, forcing her to confront her identity. In that crucible of change, she discovered that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning, just as the egg precedes the chicken.
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Wee-woo!! Wee-woo!!
The firetruck's siren blared incessantly as firefighters rushed to do their duty, their movements a flurry of urgency. Neighbors shouted, desperately trying to help, while bystanders murmured in hushed tones, the scene charged with tension. Yet amidst the chaos and noise, Akari lay limply on the auxiliary stretcher beside the ambulance, her body feeling heavy and detached from the frantic world around her.
Akari stared wordlessly at the smoke curling into the sky, her gaze empty and distant. Two medics worked diligently to administer first aid, tending to the burns and cuts she sustained during her rescue. Their concern grew as her lack of reaction to pain suggested possible nerve damage. They carefully ensured that no step was overlooked, determined to provide her with the best chance of healing in the days to come.
"Poor girl, she rushed in right after arriving from school, and no one could stop her. The fire was too strong; it was too late," one of the nearby aunties murmured, her heart aching for Akari's injuries. She winced involuntarily as the medics cut away the bloodied sock from Akari's injured leg. "I hope she'll be okay."
"T-then, the parents… d-did they…?" Another voice gasped, disbelief evident as she struggled to process the tragedy. Just that morning, their neighbors had been vibrant and full of life, excited about their long-awaited week off. Now, the atmosphere was heavy with dread.
"D-did they not make it?" someone else choked back tears as the grim reality settled over the crowd like a dark cloud.
In that moment, they all felt the same crushing thought: What will happen to Akari?
They were unaware that Akari could hear their whispered fears, yet she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the orange-tinged sky above. She knew that deep down, at the heart of that raging fire, lay the remnants of the place she once called home.
It had only been a few months, but to her, it felt like a lifetime. That space, filled with laughter and warmth, was now reduced to ash and smoke. Home. Even with its imperfections, it had been hers, and the loss weighed heavily on her heart.ha
That was Home.
She watched in utter helplessness as her home burned to the ground, the flames consuming everything in their path. At that moment, she didn't even register the pain from her severely injured left leg, a wound sustained when she rushed inside, desperate to find anyone who might still be there. A burning beam had fallen upon her, and in those harrowing seconds, her fate was sealed. A fireman had pulled her to safety, but the damage was done.
So much had changed in just a few months. What was once a life filled with hope and warmth now felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by loss and chaos.
Akari had always been an average student, her academic ranking fluctuating between 50 and 75 out of over a hundred peers in her year. This placed her far from elite schools like Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High School or Shiratorizawa Academy, which only accepted students with impressive credentials or athletic scholarships.
While she had dabbled in various sports during her elementary years, participating as a temporary member rather than committing to one, she lacked the accolades that would have qualified her for a scholarship. Despite her active involvement and some experience, it was clear that without a focus or distinction, she wouldn't meet the standards set by those prestigious institutions. In the end, it was all about the rankings, and she had none to show for her efforts.
So, Akari enrolled at Yukigaoka Junior High School resigned to the idea that it would be just another mundane year in her ordinary life. However, everything changed when two persistent teammates approached her, urging her to join the volleyball team as a permanent member.
Once she committed to the female volleyball team, her progress in the sport was remarkable. With her focus now directed solely on volleyball, she could feel the dream of becoming a champion draw closer. But that dream was abruptly shattered when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of her first athletic meet.
The defeat hit Akari hard, leading her to doubt her abilities and question whether she truly belonged on the team. Just when she felt herself sinking into despair, her orange-haired cousins rallied around her, offering support and encouragement that helped pull her out of that dark place.
Last month, as a second-year student and the newly appointed Ace of the volleyball team, all hopes for becoming champions rested on her shoulders. And this year, against all odds, they finally achieved it!
Now, riding the adrenaline of their hard-fought victory and gearing up for the first semester's final exams next month, Akari felt a surge of excitement. Having just turned 13 a few months ago, she was eagerly looking forward to spending the weekend with her parents and the upcoming summer break. She and her teammates had grand plans to hit the beach, where they would not only celebrate their win but also try their hands at beach volleyball—a new twist on the sport she had grown to love.
But then disaster struck, hitting her like a truck out of nowhere, threatening to upend everything she had looked forward to.
Overwhelmed by the weight of her emotions, Akari felt tears begin to spill down her cheeks. She raised both arms to cover her eyes, biting her lip to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape. In that moment, her instinct to maintain even a shred of dignity pushed her to appear strong, even if just for a fleeting moment. Yet, she couldn't pinpoint exactly what she was crying about. It was a swirl of grief, loss, and confusion, and in the end, all she could do was let the tears flow, her heart heavy with the burdens she could no longer contain.
Her silent sobs stirred even the experienced medics beside her, causing them to tear up as they silently vowed to provide her with the best care they could offer. The aunties and bystanders who heard her muffled cries felt a deep swell of compassion and sorrow for this poor child. They couldn't help but think that, were they in her position, they would have crumbled under the weight of such despair.
What should I do now?
What could I do?
These questions echoed in her mind, amplifying her sense of helplessness. At that moment, all she could feel was the profound ache of loss, the uncertainty of the future pressing down on her like an unyielding weight.
I don't know.
Mom... Dad...
I don't know anymore.
As those thoughts spiraled through her mind, Akari began to feel dizzy. Lowering her arms, she stared up at the smoke-filled sky, wondering if the haze was affecting her. But instead of clarity, her vision started to blur and spin, the world around her warping in a disorienting dance. Just as panic began to set in, a sharp headache seized her, its intensity overwhelming.
Before she could comprehend what was happening, darkness engulfed her, and she fainted, alarming everyone around her. The medics sprang into action, urgency etched on their faces as they rushed to stabilize her, the murmurs of concern growing louder in the chaotic atmosphere.
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Author's Note:
This was originally just a trial run of a "what if" using Haikyuu as a test for a larger fanfic that I've been contemplating, one that would incorporate 'all' possible sports anime and manga.
But as I developed my original character inserted in Haikyuu, I found myself adding elements from other series, and poof! It turned into something much bigger than I initially intended.
If you enjoy how this has unfolded, then welcome to the team! I can't wait to share more with you all!