Ginban Kaleidoscope:Volume1 Prologue
Prologue
Figure skating's Grand Prix Series, Skate America.
A certain......singles skater, possessing supreme beauty and extraordinary style, suffered the crushing loss of placing 10th place out of 12 people.
Of course, for someone like me to whom that happened----no one has prepared any formal interviews. All the same, I find myself surrounded by a crowd of people.
Just about all of them are Japanese. Most are reporters from regular papers and sports papers, something you wouldn't normally see. If this were last year, it would be unthinkable that they would spring up in an arena in out-of-the-way Colorado.
......once every 4 years, this phenomenon appears.
During the Olympic season----the slang name for this winter.
"Sakurano-senshu, a word about this time's results."
"It's unfortunate. I am already unable to reach the finals. Even though that is where I had been aiming for."
......looking at the reporters' reactions, they are just as I expected. There are many whose faces say, 'I don't understand what she's talking about, but whatever.'
"And regarding being ranked 10th out of 12 people?"
"Again, it is as I just said."
......what are the finals?
Don't you have the guts to ask me that directly?
As I look on with a sigh, the guy who asked the previous question is inquiring of the reporter next to him.
Excuse me. What exactly did she mean by finals......?
I'm telling you, you could have found out without so much whispering.
"What about its effect on the Olympic selection?"
"I would imagine that certainly there will be no beneficial effects."
......the answer ended up sounding more careless than I had intended.
Certainly there will be no beneficial effects.
"Shitou-senshu will be participating in the German competition. Does that worry you?"
"No, since I prefer to focus on myself..."
Ah, this won't do. If I say such inflexible things, I'll be lumped with those people who are dissatisfied with what they have.
"But won't you worry? Or rather, do you really think you won't?"
......Director Mishiro's scowling face floats into my thoughts. That and Coach Takashima's confused expression......
I couldn't care less about the former, but I need to find and explain to the latter. That I had felt worse than anything in my life until now.
Well, it's a fact that things ended up like this, so it would be obvious that I hadn't been feeling well.
"During today's free program, I believe there were 4 mistakes. About those?"
"It can't be helped that I made mistakes. During a performance, all one can do is remember not to be influenced by them. Besides, I made 5 mistakes, not 4."
......each time I answer a question, the atmosphere here grows grimmer.
But it can't be helped. I'd love to get back to my hotel and forget everything in sleep, but here I am, trapped in this dimly lit hallway, as if I'm an idol who's been caught having an affair. At the least, can't they ask more sensible questions?
"What was the cause of today's loss?"
......thank you. For coming out and saying it. That was actually sensible.
"It's hard to say what the cause was. Perhaps today was an unlucky day. I also think the late start in yesterday's short program may have spilled over a little."
"I believe things turned out the same way during last season's World Championships. Are you doing any sort of mental training?"
......well, you force me to remember unpleasant things. It seems you did a bit of preparation.
"Not particularly. I don't believe you can get quick results mentally......"
Ahh, somehow it's suddenly grown tiresome. I'll end this after answering the next question. Then I'll go back to the hotel, take a shower, and get to bed.
"It has been pointed out before, but why don't you smile during performances?"
"......probably because I am technically inexperienced. Skating while smiling is harder than you all think."
To be honest......that's not quite how I truly feel.
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