PoT: Third Watch: Third Watch

[branchandroot]

Fic post from my archive.

Third Watch

When the third years retire from the club, Kirihara has to deal with taking over. Drama, I-3

It was an obvious truth that few, if any, of them could become what Yukimura or Sanada or Yanagi was. Akaya nodded, and raised his voice. "It doesn't matter. What we are is Rikkai. We will win."

Comments

[mica-chan.livejournal.com]

Hey, Emily! I know I've been a little mean in my latest comments, but...well, I don't have a good excuse, so...I just wanted to say I loved this. The situation Kirihara is...how he has to deal with his new team...and I liked that Suzuoki guy a lot.
I really liked to see some good pictures of his new team...

I just have one question (because my memory is the worst). I'm a little lost in the calendar. In which month happened the Nationals? The 3rd years players retired after the Nationals but they still are in 3rd year? Or they alreay are in high school??? Kirihara is still in 2nd year or he alreay are in 3rd year??
I always try to understand this, and people are always explaning to me, but I can't manage myself to really understand. (I'm stupid, I know).
Could you enlight me, please??

[branchandroot]

Glad you liked it! ^_^ I am having a ton of fun with Suzuoki.

*puts on lecture hat*

The Japanese school year runs from April to May, the whole year round, basically. There are three terms, and three breaks. Summer break, the longest, usually runs from mid July to late August. Winter break is usually the last week of December. And Spring break is the last week of May. And just before Spring break the third years graduate, and right after it the new year starts.

As best I can place it, district preliminaries were in April, and Prefecturals were in May. Regionals seem to have run from June most of the way through July. It looks like Nationals will take place in August, probably during the Summer break period.

The thing is, after Summer break (which is when the tennis clubs seem to have a major training push), Winter term starts. And Winter term is when third years are supposed to stop participating in their clubs and study for High School or College entrance exams. Exams take place in February, I believe. So after Summer break, the third years "retire" from the club. This leaves the first and second years. Winter term is when these remaining members form the new team that will play in next year's tournament. Because the tournaments start pretty much as soon as the new school year starts, there's no reasonable way the incoming first years could train up fast enough for any of them to take part, which is why the first years who have managed to be good enough are so remarkable.

So, after Nationals, the third years are still third years, but they are no longer in the club. Kirihara is still a second year, but he is the captain of the newly formed team that will compete as soon as the new school year starts.

It is confusing, if you're not used to a year round system.

[mica-chan.livejournal.com]

Yeah...it's really confusing...but I think this time I could get it (I hope). At least you explained pretty well, so...

I just have one doubt. When Kawamura says in PoT that he will no longer play, he's talking about all High School years? I mean he will really stop play tennis (not just for studies like all other 3rd year Regulars?)?

[branchandroot]

The deal with Kawamura is that he never intended to play tennis in High School. After junior high, he plans to start his sushi-making training so he can work with his dad. So, as soon as he retires from the team, that's it, that's the end. And, from what he says, it sounds like as soon as a team is eliminated from the tournaments and can't advance any further, the third years are expected to retire right then. This is Kawamura's last chance to play competitively, and he wants it to last as long as possible.

[mica-chan.livejournal.com]

Yeah...You cleared a great doubt I had. Thank you so much ^_^