Another 141: Winners and losers

So in the end, Nankatsu lost and Toho won...
Toho won this match, yes...

And winning the winters' nationals 3 times in a row is no small feat. In that sense it's a great
victory... And a huge loss for Nankatsu who were so close to winning...

The players from Shutetsu must be mortified, as they couldn't win the winters nationals the
past 2 years and it slipped right in front of them this year...

It might even seem a bit unfair, as Hyuga's real objective is to play oversea... He didn't even need that
title. On the other hand his confrontation against Tsubasa... Is even. And considering his character... He may even consider that as a huge loss.

Wakashimazu is among the winners too... But his injury will be a lasting one. In the end that victory will
prevent him from playing a long time... If Nagoya Grampus doesn't cancel his contract with him... There's no way they'll let him play before he's healed...

Just like Sorimachi... He managed to hold on until the end but all the things he did probably just
extended the time he'll need to fully recover...

And how is Kira feeling? He couldn't prevent his pupils from getting hurt, emotionally or
physically... He was just a toy, a puppet moved by Roberto Hongo's strings...

If you think about it, the only real winner in all this... Is...

... Oozora... Tsubasa...!!

If we're talking about actually winning something new... Then this match helped him achieve his true
potential. That was his objective from the start. It wasn't winning this tournament.

I understand. Winners and losers aren't always obvious...
...... Yes, something like that...

Just like when you won 3 years ago. That victory made you lose something precious afterwards...
............

INDEED, TSUBASA WAS SAD FOR HIS TEAMMATES, BUT COULDN'T CRY LIKE THEM... BECAUSE DESPITE THAT LOSS, HE ACHIEVED HIS GOAL AND DISCOVERED HIS HIDDEN ABILITIES, HE DID HIS BEST TO HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR DREAM.... BUT AT SOME POINT EVERYTHING WAS IN THEIR OWN HANDS.


AND WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WAS FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY'VE LOST TODAY...


HIM, ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS LOOKING FORWARD, EAGER TO SEE WHERE HIS NEWFOUND ABILITIES WOULD TAKE HIM... HOW FAR HE COULD GO... HOW HIGH HE COULD FLY...


EVEN IF IT MEANT GOING AWAY FROM PEOPLE HE CARED ABOUT... THE HIGHER THE DREAM, THE MORE DEDICATED YOU HAVE TO BE TOWARDS IT...


TWO DAYS LATER, NANKATSU CITY BUS STOP


... Just as I thought, you didn't even wait for the graduation ceremony before leaving...
Wha...? ... Yes, I was afraid that if I saw everyone... And you... I wouldn't be able to leave.

Have you ever... Met someone and felt as if...
As if you knew him forever?

... But I... Must go.
Yeah... I know. Tsubasa...

... Make your dream come true...