#especially once the “perfect court” went pro if he had forced them to return to Edgar Allen

[shouts-into-the-void]

The more I think about it, the more I really want to know how Tetsuji managed to keep the fact that the Ravens are a cult under wraps, considering that even Neil was having trouble functioning normally after only 2 weeks.

Like, it isn't even the physical abuse that causes the biggest problem. It's the 16 hour days, inability to do anything other than exy, social isolation, and the dictated nutrition and choices. They learn none of the skills that a typical young adult learns in college- cooking, cleaning, time management, money management, networking, etc. Not all of the Ravens can be rich enough that that sort of thing just doesn't matter. They basically get dropped into the world after college with no idea how to get a place to live, feed themselves, pay bills, or anything required of an adult and with no support network to help.

And including the physical abuse, all of these athletes suddenly have to have a miriade of health problems due to over-exercise, lack of sleep, violent playing styles, and I'm assuming physical abuse from Tetsuji and/or Riko.

All of these athletes are apparently signing with pro teams and there can't be that many that they only have one or two athletes a piece. We know from Lucas that the drastic change to their personalities is very noticiable to anyone who did know them and they're mentally unstable enough to off themselves after being forced to leave the campus, so how has no one noticed that all of the players that get signed from this one college team are barely functional, incredibly mentally unhealthy, and insanely violent?

[therainroguefanfiction]

❉ 139 Dreams (Kunimitsu Tezuka) Misinterpret

📑 Table of Contents

Genre: Fluff, Angst, Romance ☁

Word Count: 1,894 ☁

Pairing: Reader x Tezuka ☁

World: Anime, Prince of Tennis ☁

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

During the U-17 camp, Tezuka was contacted by the German national tennis team. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to go pro, and he had worked his ass off for it. Tezuka had long since earned this chance, but he was sitting on the fence, unsure if he should accept. Why? Because he’s the buchou of Seigaku and his teammates come first. He never wanted to let them down, and he had made the promise that all nine of them would finish the U-17 camp together. There was also another reason, though, and that reason was you.

You had been dating since his second year and you had quickly become his world. He loved you dearly, even if he didn’t do a good job of expressing that. The thought of leaving you behind tore him apart. He knew you would encourage him to go, so he didn’t tell you. You were completely in the dark.

You sat beside Choutarou, handing him an ice-cold bottle of water. He accepted with a kind smile. Ever since Niou and Ryoma were kicked out of the camp, you had gotten quite close to Hyotei’s kind second year and he was grateful to have the distraction since his best friend had been sent home as well.

“Y/N!” Atobe came stomping up to you, annoyance written on his face. You internally sighed, wondering what he was going to bitch about now.

“Yes?”

“You have some nerve,” his brow twitched in annoyance. “How can you act so nonchalant?!”

“What the hell are you on about?”

“Are you really okay with Tezuka giving up this chance for you?” He paused but continued talking before you could question him. “He’s giving up a chance to go pro because of you and you’re sitting here without a care in the world!”

“I – ”

“Atobe, it’s time for your match,” Yuushi called from the top of the bleachers. The purple-haired king sent you one last glare before turning around and walking away.

You looked at Choutarou with wide eyes, “Is… is that true?”

“I don’t know, senpai.” He frowned, “Maybe you should talk to Tezuka-san.”

“Yeah…” Your head was reeling as you looked for the brunette. This wasn’t the first time he had hidden something from you. When his arm was badly hurt, he never once said anything to you and you ended up being the last person to find out. Now he had the chance to go pro but he hasn’t told you that either… did he not trust you?

The boy in question was finishing up his scheduled match for the day, so you waited nearby with a towel and a bottle of water. When he saw you, he smiled for a fraction of a second before returning to his usual stoic mask, wrapping the towel around his neck.

“Kunimitsu?”

“Hmm?”

You frowned at the ground, unsure how to ask without making him suspicious. “Has anything exciting happened lately?”

He was silent for a moment, contemplating whether he should tell you. “No,”

You felt your heart drop, but you forced a smile. “I see~ I was just curious. It’s so hard to keep up with everyone is doing.”

He smiled again, so faint that it was barely noticeable. His hand rested on top of your head. “Don’t overwork yourself running around trying to take care of everyone. It’s not your job.”

“I know, I just want everyone to be happy…”

He pressed his lips to your forehead. “I need to practice for my next match. Do you want to come?”

Normally you would have said yes, wanting nothing more than to spend as much time with your busy boyfriend as possible, but your heart was heavy and you had some thinking to do. “Sorry, I promised I’d help Marui with something.”

He nodded in understanding and you went in separate ways. You branched off from the path to the main courts, heading towards the woods instead. It was peaceful and quiet, the perfect place to think over everything.

You knew that Tezuka had strong feelings for you. Why else would he express his feelings for you? It wasn’t something he did to just anyone, but… something was blocking him from fully trusting you and being honest with you. He was so talented and hard-working, he deserved to go pro and you knew that it was his dream. For him to give that up so easily because of you without even telling you about it… You just couldn’t let that happen. Tezuka is stubborn, though, and you knew talking to him about it would just be a waste of time, especially since he didn’t want you to know to begin with. You knew what you had to do.

‘I have to break up with him,’ your heart skipped a beat painfully at the thought. You loved him so much, but you had to think about what was best for him since he was too busy thinking about what was best for everyone else. ‘If I break up with him, he won’t want to stay because of me…’

You knew it would be painful and hard, but you had made up your mind.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

The next day, you waited for Tezuka to finish his daily training. You offered him a towel and a bottle of water, but no smile. He immediately realized that something was wrong.

“Can we talk in private?” You asked, not meeting his gaze. You caught Fuji frowning out of the corner of your eye but you did your best to ignore it.

Tezuka nodded, following you away from the group. You made sure no one was around before taking a deep breath and facing him.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while and… I want to break up.”

His lips tugged down and surprise flashed through his eyes, but his expression didn’t change. “This joke is not funny, Y/N.”

“It’s not a joke. I… I’m not happy in this relationship. It feels dead-end.”

His fists clenched at your words. Dead-end? Is that really how you saw your relationship? Clearly, he felt stronger about it then you did. “I see,”

“Are you.. angry?”

He lowered his head, pushing up his glasses. “No, I’m not angry. You can’t help how you feel.”

Your heart was breaking, and you knew his was, as well. “I’m sorry, Kunimitsu…”

“It’s okay, Y/N.” He pressed a kiss to your cheek before walking away.

As you watched him walk away, you felt tears streaming down your face. What had you done?

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

A couple days passed of awkward glances and whispered rumors about what had happened, but neither of you said a thing. Because you shared the same friends, things were awkward and you found yourself isolated by your own choice. Being by yourself was easier than dealing with questioning looks as they tried to figure out what had happened between the two of you, not to mention how Atobe was now following you around demanding to know why you had broken up. Things remained this way until Tezuka’s match against his old captain, Yamato.

After the match ended and Yamato had successfully convinced Tezuka to follow his dream, Atobe stood up, gaining everyone’s attention.

“Ahn, does Ore-sama have to do everything around here?” He scowled, placing his hand on his hip. “You,” he pointed at you and then to Tezuka, “And you, are you really going to leave things like this, huh?”

You looked down at your hands, uncomfortable at the sudden attention you were receiving.

“Atobe,” Most people didn’t catch the hint of warning in Tezuka’s voice, but you could hear it clear as day. Tezuka didn’t get angry often, but he didn’t like it when people meddled in his relationship. Not like that stopped Atobe.

Atobe raised a brow at him before turning to you. “You have nothing to say? You were just telling me how much you love him and how cool it would be to marry him.”

Your cheeks flushed, “Keigo!” Why did you ever trust him with something so embarrassing? You could just feel Tezuka’s gaze on you.

He huffed, folding his arms. “Speak up, we’re listening.”

Yuushi looked between you and him, a look of discomfort on his face. “Maybe you should let it go, Atobe.”

“Ore-sama refuses,”

“I figured as much,” he sighed, sending you an apologetic look.

You bit your lip, hands fisting around your pants. This situation was overwhelming. You stood up, glaring at Atobe who returned the gesture. “You wanna know so bad, huh? I broke up with Kunimitsu to protect him!”

Atobe scoffed, “What kind of logic is that?”

“He was going to turn down the chance to be pro because of me, what did you expect me to do?!” You snapped. “Breaking up with him was the only way to ensure that he would take the offer!”

A warm hand rested on your tight fist and your body reacted to the familiar touch by relaxing just a bit. “How did you know about that?” Tezuka asked, softly.

“Atobe told me that you were giving up going pro because of me.”

His eyes narrowed at the king who had frozen at the news.

“I didn’t even know you had gotten the offer. You didn’t tell me, I had to find out through Atobe…” You sighed. “Why don’t you trust me, Kunimitsu?”

“It has nothing to do with trust,” he responded softly, uncurling your fingers so he could lace them with his own. “I didn’t want to worry you, Y/N. Nothing was definitive, I was still thinking it over.”

You frowned at him. “That’s what comes with being in a relationship, Mitsu. You have to be honest with each other, whether it worries them or not!”

He nodded, taking a deep breath as his hand clutched yours tighter. “I know, I’m sorry. I promise to tell you everything from now on. Forgive me?”

You bit your lip to stop your smile. “I’m sorry, too. I should have confronted you instead of acting like I didn’t know.”

“Ahn and Ore-sama saves another relationship!” He ran his hand through his hair, looking smug.

You deadpanned at him. “That’s pretty bold since this is YOUR fault.”

His expression dropped and he twitched for a moment before regaining his composure and walking away laughing obnoxiously loud.

“That guy is nuts,”

Tezuka nodded in agreement, pushing his glasses up.

“So… are we cool?”

He smiled, this time not bothering to hide it as he pressed a chaste kiss to your forehead. “Yes, we’re cool.”

You returned the smile, “Send me lots of pictures from Germany, okay?”

“I will,”

“Kiss already!” Kiku laughed and you suddenly became aware of all the eyes on you.

You buried your flushed cheeks in Tezuka’s chest, his arms wrapping securely around you.

Despite how annoying Atobe was, you had to be grateful towards him for what he did. Because he misread the situation, he acted in a way that forced the truth to come out. If he hadn’t, you’re not sure you ever would have found out about the offer for him to go pro. You’re going to miss him like crazy, but you’re happy that he’s following his dream.

“I’m proud of you, Mitsu.” You mumbled, smiling into his tennis shirt.

He patted your head lightly, a silent thank you.

☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ: *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: . ☁

📜 Read more by checking out my masterlist 📜

[knbfanfic]

Takao makes sure to lose touch with Midorima after high school because he was in love and it hurt. He had tried confessing once but Midorima shut him down. But it was clear that Midorima knew what Takao wanted to do but wanted things to remain the same. But Midorima found himself full of regret and longing since Takao left. 6 years after high school, at Aomine and Momoi's wedding Kagami lets slip to Midorima that Takao is now with Izuki and that Mr & Mrs Aomine will be their new neighbours...

//Oooh why do I feel like this one might hurt a bit? Lets go~Phew this got rather long so I’m using the usual read more tag. //

((With Takao sick and unable to attend the wedding, the oblivious ace of Seirin returned from America encouraged by the new bride the tsundere and the hawk meet again… But can six years of distance and pain really be overcome over one night?))

                         ~.:.~Flashback to Team Graduation Day~.:.~Following Shuutoku’s tradition after the final game the seniors had to leave the team, and take the remaining time to study and prepare for school. There were quite a few seniors who had remained even though they didn’t get much play time, thanks to the talented rookies only one or two players in the same year as Midorima and Takao got to even be on the bench normally. There was a small party to see off the seniors, then a spartan drill lead by the third year regulars before they were freed. Everyone had split up, and as normal the former ace and point guard were together. There wasn’t really anyone around so he built up the resolve and stopped walking. Takao’s intent wasn’t missed by Midorima who was concerned at the moment the hawk faced him.

Midorima had looked at Takao with eyes full of confusion and disdain, he hadn’t been attracted to anyone that he was aware of, basketball was the thing that took all his time so he recoiled from Takao saying “Shin-chan… Since we’re going to be graduating soon I wanted to tell you something. After all, I don’t want to regret anything after we leave. So hear me out.” His smile was more fragile than normal, but that probably escaped the ace at that moment. The ravenette had taken a breath and looked up at him “I like you, I fell for you pretty hard somewhere along the line… We spent so much time together I didn’t even realize at first… But I can’t ignore it since I noticed… I really like you a lot.” The unchanging expression of shock changed to something similar to hurt and very similar to disgust, Midorima shook his head “…Takao… I…. That’s not something I can do…”

He refused to cry in front of him, and waved it off. The hawk had smiled and nodded “Of course… It’s not fitting for someone from a lineage like yours to be with a guy… I get it~ I just had to say it.” He had glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled wryly to himself “Right… I was supposed to meet my sister soon, I gotta run Shin-chan. See you around.” Turning on his heel he left Midorima reaching toward him hesitating, he could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t know what to say… Things between them had been so precious to him, to both of them he thought, and he wanted to protect that.

Takao might not have been a track star, but when he needed to he could run. And right that moment all he needed to do was run, so he did, leaving his bike at school he bolted off campus heading to a park no one went to anymore. He couldn’t get Midorima’s disappointed and disgusted looks out of his head. Tears were burning in his eyes by the time he got to the park, he threw himself at the ground back to a fence separating the weeded park from a decrepit basketball court.

              ~~A few weeks later~~ Shuutoku Graduation day~~

Graduation day at Shuutoku was always a grand affair, there were so many students and so many athletes continuing on to greatness. The hawk and the tsundere would have probably been standing together if things hadn’t cracked… Takao built up his resolve and after they graduated from the team, confessed to the former ace, who hadn’t taken it well. Takao knew that Midorima was bad with expressing his emotions to begin with, but the disgust that had seeped out made the forgiving hawks heart shatter.

Midorima was surrounded by people trying to recruit him last minute, family and team members who were congratulating him. That day Takao was glad to be part of the shadow family, he slipped out of the press of people after he got his diploma and a couple photos for his family. He avoided the buzz and slipped off campus for the last time like a shadow in the night. He’d lost weight from pushing himself to study, he enrolled in a nearby school knowing that Midorima wouldn’t be going someplace so small he was relieved. As he was aimlessly walking the street a familiar voice had called out to him with a bad joke “Ah! It seems birds of a feather do flock together! An eyesore has appeared!” Perhaps it was the memories from playing Seirin over the years, or maybe it was because he did feel a kinship to the eagle, maybe he just finally lost it… But the tears started falling again and Takao had tried to escape. Izuki had noticed something was wrong and caught him without meaning to at first, and brought him somewhere to talk.

~~ 6 years later ~~

Takao was bundled up in fluffy pajamas decorated with little eagles, he had a facemask on eyes red from lack of sleep and fever. Still he managed to joke “Jeez Shun… Everything will be untied if you stay like this.” With his trembling hands he fixed Izuki’s tie smiling under his mask. Gently he leaned his forhead to the other’s shoulder when he finished “You have to go for both of us… Momoi would kill me otherwise, especially since they’re moving into the apartment across the hall… We can’t just be flighty neighbors” Izuki couldn’t help but laugh at the bad joke and gently kissed Takao’s cheek before helping him back to the bed, his fever was insane. Honestly Izuki wanted to stay and look after him, but Takao would force himself to go if he’d attempted to do that, so there was an impasse. Takao’s little sister was going to drop by around dinner to make sure her brother ate some porridge, since she was attending university nearby she stopped in sometimes.

Reluctantly after tucking his little hawk into bed and putting a cool cloth on his head the eagle headed out with a sunset colored gift bag in hand. The pink and the blue colors had been so perfect for Aomine and Momoi’s wedding gift that the two birds had picked it before they decided on the gift itself. As Izuki headed to the reception hall to drop it off he crashed into Kagami. They chatted and walked to the venue for the wedding together, it’d been a while since Kagami left for America, he came back since Momoi made sure to invite him. After all who would skip inviting on of her husband’s best friends and rivals to their special day. Izuki caught Kagami up on everything he knew about, how Akashi was sponsoring different basketball events as he took over for his family. About how Midorima and Takao hadn’t talked since school, and how he didn’t know what the green miracle was up to but that he was seeing Takao. About how Kuroko became one of the most diligent preschool teachers around, despite his disappearing act. About Murasakibara opening a sweet shop, Kise was staring in films and on television now. Most of them still played ball in their free time as well, Kiyoshi had gone to America to get the best treatment for his leg. The coach and Hyuuga finally got together, they took over the sports gym and barber shop so they alternate what needs to get done. Kagami filled him in of what it was like abroad, how Alex was doing, about having met Nijimura the former captain of the miracles and such. After they arrived and took their seats they settled in to watch the wedding unfold, it was stunning how gorgeous Satsuki had gotten, she was glowing. With Kuroko and Kise standing behind Aomine and Riko behind Momoi everything was radiant. No one believed Daiki could be so gentle as he lifted the veil over his new wife’s face, there were plenty of cheers and tears as the two promised their lives to each other.

Hours later at the reception Izuki was apologizing to the Ao couple for Takao’s absence, he offered to help them move their gifts back to the apartment from the hall as well so they wouldn’t be late for their flight. While they chatted Kagami spotted a rather miserable looking Midorima, it seemed like he had taken the road of being a doctor. Midorima’s eyes had swept over the crowd a few times, appearing rather sad, drawing Kagami over to him without knowing it. They chatted about their professions, since Midorima over exerted himself in high school he had damaged some of the muscles in his arm. To help younger athletes avoid similar injuries he took the path of medicine, he heard a lot about Kagami playing pro overseas. They chatted a bit about the past and Kagami realized how much he was missing Takao, since Izuki-san hadn’t mentioned that Takao didn’t want to see the carrot he didn’t see any harm in telling him how the hawk was doing. Midorima’s hand curled around the small plush bird in his hand and he trembled slightly thanking him, then he dipped out to take a call from his job. Kagami wandered off to catch up with the others and congratulate the couple. Kagami was stunned to learn that the cake was made by Murasakibara, and the catering was done by Mitobe and Kogenai who now ran a catering company.

As the night was winding down Midorima saw Izuki helping Daiki and Satsuki and offered to help, since he had driven down in case he had to leave for the hospital. The blue-pink pair smiled and left Midorin and Izuri to handle the gifts so they could go on their short trip since it was only a few days. Satsuki handed Midorima the key smiling saying “If you could set things up Midorin I’d appreciate it~ You can leave the key with Izurin afterwards” She hugged the two and dragged Aomine away. It was her consideration, even Izuki couldn’t help but sigh. Good intentions pave the road to hell they say, her intentions were so pure no one could argue. Maybe her name should have been Shiroki instead of Momoi. Even Midorima was surprised by the obviousness of her intentions and looked somewhat apologetically at Izuki. After everything was loaded into the car he drove to the parking lot designated for the building and helped carry the gifts upstairs, between the two of them it took about three trips to get everything inside up to the third floor and into the apartment. It would take Midorima a few hours to sort everything and unpack it for them. He was probably going to be house sitting for the newlyweds for the night, Izuki couldn’t help but pity the awkward doctor. Midorima had taken out his phone and was searching for nearby restaurants, after all he’d have to eat something and probably buy toiletries or something. Granted being a doctor he likely had a stash in his car incase he had to stay out overnight.

Taking pity on him Izuki steeled himself and smiled “Why don’t you come over and eat dinner with us… Takao might be sleeping though, he caught a pretty bad cold when he was out doing his last photography exhibition shoot, he was trying to get the perfect photo for Aomine and Momoi’s wedding gift and he fell head first into the ice cold ocean… He’s been recovering for about a week now… I don’t know how he’ll take to it though, after all when you’re sick it’s hard to hold anything together…” Midorima hesitated and Izuki could see the internal struggle, he clearly regretted hurting Takao back then and missed him… Izuki couldn’t help but wonder just how much.

After a bit of coaxing and deliberation Midorima followed Izuki across the hall to the apartment the bird pair shared, they took their shoes off at the entrance of Aomine’s and Midorima just used slippers to cross over since he had to come back to unpack anyway.His little bird plushie was snuggled into his breast pocket since he’d needed both hands to carry that insane amount of gifts. Izuki was startled to see Takao sitting curled up in a ball hugging a deco pillow on the sofa sound asleep. It seems his sister had come and helped him eat, but then had to leave. She left a note on the coffee table ’Sorry Shun-nii, Kazu refused to lay back down and I have a lecture tonight for astronomy so I couldn’t argue! so I bundled him up before I left. He seems to be doing a bit better, his temperature is coming down! Good luck!’  Midorima had frozen in place seeing the hawk, although he had clearly aged, with that mask on and the flush from fever he looked nearly identical to how he was in high school. Izuki stroked Takao’s hair and murmured quietly so Midorima wouldn’t hear “Kazu, wake up love, we have a visitor if you’re up for it… An old friend of yours.” Takao’s eyes fluttered open tiredly and even with the mask his overjoyed smile was obvious on his face as he released the pillow and wrapped his arms around Izuki’s neck pressing his forehead to the eagle’s much cooler one mumbling tiredly “Shun you’re home… I missed you…” He affectionately cuddled for a moment and Izuki stroked his hair smiling, he was really cute like this. A few moments after he finally woke up he froze his steel eyes showed something that startled Izuki, they were full of fear when he noticed Midorima. He returned to hugging the pillow causing Izuki to almost lose his balance as he caught himself of the sofa, stroking his hair he said “Kazu, Midorima is unpacking for Momoi… I invited him over to eat so he doesn’t have to go to a restaurant… Is that okay?” The eagle was concerned seeing his lover so startled, he regretted his choice more seeing him visibly tremble. Midorima was about to say he’d go out after all when Takao’s voice finally responded “I-it’s fine…. Shin-chan probably still hates eating out… Especially alone… He finds people too noisy… And he got teased a lot back then…”

Both Midorima and Izuki were surprised by the answer, but the hawk wasn’t looking at his former teammate he was staring at the tie he fixed for Izuki earlier. Izuki kissed Takao’s forehead and nodded “Alright love, would you like some ice cream to eat with us? Your throat sounds sore.” Takao nodded and looked at his lover clearly nervous. Izuki whispered to him again “It’s okay Kazu, I’m not going anywhere… If you can’t take it anymore just call for me.” Reluctantly he nodded as he watched Izuki pull back and stretch glancing at Midorima smiling “Sit down for a bit, relax I’ll make us something light since it’s late.” Izuki the headed into the kitchen which was separated by an island toward the back of the large room.

Midorima sat in the chair closest to the exit, he smiled almost tearfully at Takao as he was the first to break the silence that spread between them “It’s been six years… Have you been doing well?” Takao was startled that Midorima took the initiative to break the silence and nodded. “I graduated from the same school as Shun with a business degree and a photography certificate… I’ve been doing photography for a few years and playing ball with a local team…. I’ve been together with Shun for about five years now…” Squeezing the pillow tighter to his chest he almost whimpered out “How have you been Shin-chan… I haven’t seen you since graduation…” Midorima blinked smiling kindly nodded “I finally finished my doctorate, I’ve been practicing progressive medicine since I hurt myself a bit in our last year from over exertion. I’ve been busy with my family as well, my father wants my assistance frequently. At the last alumni team meeting the senpai were asking about you, they asked me to pass their contact information to you if I got the chance as your number changed from back then…. I’ll be sure to leave it with Izuki-san for you so you have it when you’re feeling better… You know Miyaji-san has always been a worrier, and he was concerned that you were missing.” A small warmth took the edge of fear out of the hawk’s eyes hearing about their former seniors. The eagle in the kitchen making them fried rice relaxed a bit, this was going better than expected… Though they were rather formal with each other, clearly those two ex-best-friends didn’t know what level of distance to have anymore…

The two had small conversations, about the seniors, photography, their little sisters, their old friends, nothing substantial. This continued over the meal, they ate at the coffee table since Takao probably shouldn’t sit in a dining chair trembling as he was. Izuki sat beside Takao with a cushion between them at the hawk insisting that he might still be contagious. Slowly the eagle was dragged into reminiscing about Seirin and Shuutoku in the past, how him and Takao had hooked up and so on. The pace changed slightly when Izuki went to take the dishes into the kitchen after turning down Midorima’s offer to wash them. Swallowing his pride Midorima gave Takao the little bird plushie that had been his lucky item and said “I’m glad you’re doing well with Izuki-san Takao… Since you left back then I was worried… I didn’t want things between us to change… I loved you…. But you were like a brother to me, I didn’t know how I should respond… I couldn’t handle thinking I might lose you… But because of that, my selfishly believing that nothing would change… I did lose you… I won’t stop by anymore since it’s obvious you don’t want to see me anymore… Thank you for being my best friend and partner in the past… Stay well Takao” After that Midorima had thanked Izuki once again for inviting him and disappeared across the hall, locking the door and unpacking for the newlyweds. Before dawn Midorima had already left, leaving an envelope with the senior’s contact information with the key the the Aomine apartment in Izuki and Takao’s mailbox.

Takao was in shock for a few days and ended up getting more sick from stress, it took Izuki a few days to calm the hawk down and soothe him back to being himself. True to his word they didn’t see Midorima again, but Momoi promised he was doing well. Aomine accidently let it slip that the tsundere had gone on a vacation to recover from a heartbreak. That was the end for them. It was just as jagged as their start… A perfect ending for an imperfect pair, maybe once the hurt was gone once the nightmares of disgust and distance stopped plaguing them they’d be able to attend one of the alumni meets together, instead of one going by day and the other by night… A true light and shadow story. The hawk plushie sits in the bottom of a shoe box in the box with Takao’s Shuutoku things that Izuki refuses to throw away, knowing one day his lover might really regret it.

[prolifeproliberty]

How Single-Payer Healthcare Kills: The Charlie Gard Case Study

If you haven’t heard, Charlie Gard’s parents announced they will no longer fight to have him treated for his illness. They have surrendered because so much time has passed, and in that time his condition has deteriorated. Had they been allowed to take him to the United States for treatment when they first wanted to, or even any time during the months that followed, he would have had a great chance. Many doctors who specialize in Charlie’s condition, including leaders in that field, wanted to treat him and said his case was promising. However, because the courts and the hospital refused to let him go, he is now past the point of no return. Time was of the essence, and the courts wasted time until it was gone.

What does this have to do with single-payer healthcare? That’s the system the U.K. has. Some would like us to follow their lead. Here is how that system has effectively killed Charlie Gard (barring a completely miraculous recovery):

Doctors earn less. Under single-payer healthcare, the government takes over. In order to make the costs manageable, doctors are paid lower salaries. Now, most doctors in America make a lot of money. This isn’t about whether they get paid “enough” to meet their expenses. It’s about whether they are paid enough to keep them in the country.

Doctors leave. The highest-skilled doctors, the leaders of the various fields, the experts. They will leave. Other countries will offer them higher salaries, better conditions. Others may leave the system, choosing to work in private practices and accept only out-of-pocket fees from wealthy patients. Others may leave the profession for something that is less demanding or better paying. Still others may never enter at all, realizing the government-regulated salaries will not make their years of school and massive debt worth it in the long run.

The system overloads. With more patients than ever and fewer doctors, plus the inefficiency of any government-run program, we encounter a shortage of medical care. This results in long wait times for routine procedures, or even just for a check-up. Patients like Charlie with time-sensitive conditions may not see the right specialist until it is too late. Just like we saw with the poor management of the VA hospitals, patients may die waiting for care.

Innovation grinds to a halt. With the leaders of medical innovation moving to countries that offer better working conditions and salaries, and with remaining doctor prioritizing efficiency and standardization in order to see as many patients as possible, medical progress will become stagnant. Hospitals in a country with single-payer healthcare cease to be state-of-the-art. They fall behind on new treatments and procedures. 

Patients leave. Or they try to. Those with complex conditions requiring skilled specialists, who can afford it, will head to other countries to find those specialists. They’re not in the local hospitals. They were driven out by bureaucracy and stagnation.

This is where Charlie Gard comes in. His parents knew that doctors in America had treated similar conditions and were willing to treat Charlie. All they asked was for permission to try. They were denied, first by the hospital, then by the courts. Why?

The hospital first said the treatment was futile. Charlie was too far gone. We know this to be false based on the reports of other doctors who examined Charlie and his scans. The treatment had a reasonable chance of working. Then they said he wouldn’t be able to survive the trip. Both of these arguments make no sense, as the alternative was to let him die. Even when doctors in America offered to send the treatment and protocol to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Charlie was, they still refused. They went back to claiming it was futile, and was only prolonging Charlie’s suffering. Only all medical evidence said he wasn’t in any pain or suffering in his current condition. 

Why, then, did they refuse? A few reasons:

Single-payer systems offer no incentives to save lives. Lengthy hospital stays and complicated treatments are a drain on the system. To the bureaucrats, a patient with a severe condition and a low chance of recovery looks like a waste of resources. Better to say the condition is irreversible and untreatable.

Single-payer systems offer no incentives for patient-centered care. In order to keep up with demand for care with a shortage of doctors, single-payer systems turn to a maximum-efficiency model. Patients receive standardized, one-size-fits-all care, whether or not it’s what they need. Giving Charlie Gard an experimental treatment doesn’t fit in that model.

Losing patients to other countries makes the system look bad. When patients start leaving the country to seek high-quality care, the international community is forced to recognize that the system has failed, and that other systems with less government involvement are leading medical progress. This can exacerbate the problems mentioned earlier, especially the problem of doctors leaving the system. If you are specializing in your field, and you realize that patients in your field are leaving to go elsewhere for care, where will you go? As doctors leave or lower their standards to keep up with demand, wait times increase and patient care suffers. 

Once again, patients find themselves in a system where anyone outside the very wealthy receives either substandard care or no care at all. Except now, their incomes have been slashed to pay for this poor or nonexistent care, and they are no longer given the choice to leave. Now, bureaucrats are deciding who gets life-saving treatment and who dies while waiting to see a specialist. Courts drag out appeals until time runs out. 

Your rights are gone. The government now controls your life: your income, your health, your freedom. 

Charlie Gard is a victim of government-controlled health care. Let him be the last. 

So what system do we need instead?

In a free market health care system, efficiency and patient-centered care go hand in hand. Hospitals and doctors compete for patients, causing them to seek the perfect balance of price and quality. Innovation thrives, as the most innovative hospitals and the doctors who can treat rare and complicated conditions attract patients from all over the world. Hospitals also compete for skilled doctors, offering the salary and benefit packages that recruit and keep the best of the best. 

America has not had a truly free-market health care system for a long time, if ever. We have struggled for a long time with insurance companies that lobby the government for programs, subsidies, and regulations that keep them in business. 

A true free market system would eliminate insurance from everyday healthcare decisions. Insurance would mean for health care what it currently means for home owners and car drivers. You don’t use your insurance to pay for every car repair. You use it when something terrible and unexpected happens, like a crash or theft. In the same way, health insurance would be for emergencies. Hospitalizations, accidents, severe illnesses like cancer. 

For everyday expenses like checkups and regular medications, health savings accounts (HSAs) and out-of-pocket fees would be the way to go. Doctors and clinics would have to publish their prices and make the case for patients to choose them. Patients wouldn’t be limited by networks, but would be free to choose the doctors and providers who can best meet their needs, both in quality of care and affordability. In this market, doctors, clinics, and hospitals would actually have to price their services competitively and affordably, and could no longer rely on insurance-negotiated fees their patients know nothing about. 

The result would be higher-quality, more affordable, more accessible care without the expensive taxpayer-funded government control. 

Now, you might be wondering how clinics would lower their fees while still paying doctors competitive salaries. There are two keys to this. One is tort reform. Protecting doctors from frivolous lawsuits would reduce the cost of malpractice insurance (or eliminate the need for it altogether). This reduces the doctor’s expenses, allowing them to keep more of their money. 

The other is reducing federal funding for college tuition subsidies. Yes, you heard that right. Reducing subsidies. Because of subsidized tuition and loans, universities know they can charge ridiculously high tuition and still have more applicants than spots in each year’s freshman class. How? Because students know they can take out subsidized loans, and apply for schools with tuition rates that will leave them in massive debt. If the school raises their tuition, students simply qualify for more federal aid and subsidized loans.

If these subsidies are removed, universities will have to do the same thing that hospitals and clinics have to do in a free market system: compete. If students can’t rely on FAFSA, they will choose the college that offers the lowest tuition (or the best scholarships). Students will also have to make more financially sound decisions about the type of higher education that is right for them. Maybe two years of community college and transferring to a 4-year school. 

Maybe a community college certificate that gets them a job that pays a decent salary. The average salary for an ultrasound technician is $67,530. That’s a 2.5 year program at my local community college for a career that pays way more than what I make as a public school teacher with a 4-year degree and a teaching certification. 

Maybe a trade school or apprenticeship in a career they would really enjoy. Maybe no college at all, but instead self-teaching a skill like programming, which opens the door to very lucrative job opportunities. 

The 4-year liberal arts university is no longer the golden ticket to the middle class. Instead, it’s saddling my generation with huge amounts of unnecessary debt without providing a clear career path in many cases. It therefore increases the burden on the rest of society. College graduates have less disposable income and higher salary needs, and yet are faced with fewer available opportunities with their 4-year degree. 

What common thread runs through this giant rant? Federal involvement in the market. Taxpayer-funded programs intended to help those in poverty have only fed the poverty cycle, placing unnecessary barriers in front of those who were already at a disadvantage. 

Free the markets. Let taxpayers keep their income. Give this generation a choice in where their money goes. 

[shervonfakhimi]

The Razorback Renaissance Plus Observations From Auburn-Arkansas

To say the basketball program here in Fayetteville, Arkansas is an afterthought would be a stretch, but that also isn’t to say that basketball reigns supreme. If the launch of the XFL and it’s 3.3 million viewers is any indication, the nation-wide addiction of football has long matriculated in the state as its primary focus, along with the perennial powerhouse baseball, but it is about time to start to the basketball team. And fans are beginning to take notice.

I went to the Razorbacks hoops game against the 11th ranked Auburn Tigers (more on this in a second), and the buzz of Bud Walton Arena was electric. And rightfully so. This 2019-20 team is the most fun Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team I can remember watching. The team is not filled with many guys capable of creating their own shot from all three levels of the court (Mason Jones is really the only one), yet coach Eric Musselman has still managed to get big-time performances in big spots from Jones, fellow potential NBA draft pick Isaiah Joe and go-to glue-guy, to the extent that type of player exists, Jimmy Whitt Jr. Musselman plays to the strengths of his players; Joe has shot 212 3s before injuring his knee, while Jimmy Whitt, a midrange assassin and Shaun Livingston doppelganger in terms of style of play, has only shot one. Offense can be hard to come by with only one player shooting above 35% from 3 (that being big man Adrio Bailey, shooting 40% on only 20 3s on the season), but Musselman is not afraid to get creative to help kickstart the offense. When they can, they push it at will in transition. He’s trot out lineups with two big men on the floor together; Muss will play lineups with no big men at all. That’s important their defense has not suffered under just about any circumstance or lineup Muss decides to play. According to kenpom.com, Arkansas’ defense ranks 13th in the country in defensive efficiency. Jimmy Whitt is the linchpin that holds these lineups. Whether he’s guarding a guard on the perimeter or jostling with a big man to deny post position, his competitiveness on the defensive end matriculates across the team. They dig for steals, they rotate and recover, switch when necessary, and take charges (for what it is worth, they rank 21st in the country in steals per game). This is not only great to see for this year’s team, but for the future as well.

This year is a bit of a transition year for the Hogs. This is the first year of Musselman at the helm after taking over for Mike Anderson. Not only is he implementing a new modern style of play for the state of basketball today, but he’s also instilling a culture for the players of tomorrow. This is especially important because one of the best Razorback recruiting classes of all-time is coming into the fold next season. Montverde Academy star and Little Rock native Moses Moody (part of what some say is one of the best high school teams ever) is the headliner, alongside fellow Arkansas natives KK Robinson, Davonte Davis and Jaylin Williams. Musselman has gotten the most of a team without a lot of premier talent; all four of these players are in ESPN’s Top 100. On top of that, transfers Connor Vanover (California) and JD Notae (Stetson) will all be eligible as well, and there’s a non-zero chance both Mason Jones and Isaiah Joe forego the NBA to make a run next season. Guard Desi Sills will probably be back as well. Next season is the first one Musselman can really mold into his own image and will have plenty of talent and versatile players to do so with.

This year’s Hogs team is a very good team. They don’t have a loss by double digits and multiple losses in overtime. They’ve won big games on the road over Indiana and Alabama, a couple of tournament-caliber teams. That isn’t to say they’re a perfect team; offense can be a struggle and they seemingly have to make a choice between speed on the perimeter to push it in transition or size for rebounding purposes. But they’re an NCAA tournament-caliber team and have routinely pushed or beaten similar teams this season; they had a lead late vs Auburn but blew it, they led Kentucky with seven minutes to go, they lost by two on the road against LSU, they beat Indiana (part of a loaded Big 10) on the road, they held potential lottery pick, Kira Lewis Jr., in Tuscaloosa, Arkansas spanked a solid Tulsa team at home. They recently slipped up in Missouri and don’t have much wiggle room for losses like that in the future, but also have games against Florida and LSU upcoming, games they can certainly win. 

Before the season started, as I was heading back to my car after class, I bumped into Mason Jones. I tried to play it cool and let him be, but after asking him what floor to press in the elevator we were entering, I couldn’t help myself and tell him that I was excited for the season and the arrival of Coach Musselman. I distinctly remember him telling me ‘You’re gonna love Coach Muss!’ I wished him and the team (and his brother) good luck on the season once we arrived to our destination and went on from there to go to three games so far this season and catch the games when I could and record them to watch later when I couldn’t. Watching them this season, Arkansas has proven they can play with anybody and are not scared of anybody, partly why this season has been fun for me. But next season can be even better and foreshadow a very bright future for years to come. Something special is brewing here. It’s time to start paying attention.

Takeaways from Auburn-Arkansas

Isaac Okoro Is a Pro

Mason Jones was the best player on the floor last Tuesday after he dropped 40 points, but Auburn’s Isaac Okoro was very impressive in his own right. He’s projected to be a lottery pick by many, and after watching him live, you very much could see why. No one scored on him. I’m actually serious; I don’t think anybody scored on him. He’s strong, quick and tenacious defensively, unwilling to concede an inch. I’m not sure why Bruce Pearl did not have Okoro guard Jones all game long, but when he did, he shut him down. He was fantastic all game, both on the ball and off the ball defensively. He’s not the best shooter percentage-wise but hit two of four from deep to add to his 14 point night. OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors may be a good comp for Okoro. There is a lot to work with here. If he adds a consistent jump shot to his game he’s going to return on the investment of a team that drafts him in the first round.

Mason Jones Is Too

Jones struggled when guarded by Okoro, but not when anybody else was on him. He put 40 points on Auburn’s head, scoring from everywhere on the floor. He’s got a mean step-back to his game. He’s a violent, physical driver willing to absorb contact (he shot 16 free throws in this game). Arkansas lets him go iso a bit (because they don’t have a lot of other options) and he’s proven time and time again he can create his own shot (this was his fifth 30 point game this season) and be fairly efficient (he has a 51.4% effective field goal percentage this season). But that doesn’t mean he isn’t unselfish either. With a condensed floor, he is often forced to give the ball up and is not afraid to do so. He’s adept at moving without the ball as well, often finding open spots along the three-point line to help himself get better looks. It’s time he gets more attention from NBA draft folks because he often carries this team when they don’t have much working as he did against Auburn.

Auburn’s Guards Have Cojones

Samir Doughty and J’Von McCormick, man. These dudes got some stones to them. Any time Arkansas would begin to separate, one of these two would hit a big shot to keep it fairly close. McCormick hit a huge three in the last 2 minutes of regulation to get Auburn its first lead in a very long time. Both hit big free throws in overtime to clinch the game (especially more important when you consider Mason Jones missed a free throw late in regulation that could’ve won Arkansas the game rather than go to overtime). McCormick followed that up by hitting another game-winner against LSU on Saturday. Auburn is not a perfect team, but these guards are the types of guards who can help propel a big run in the tournament. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to face them.

Solutions for Arkansas Spacing

With Isaiah Joe sidelined for the foreseeable future, Arkansas needs to find ways to navigate through their spacing woes. That isn’t to say they didn’t have these issues when he was playing as well, but they were easier to navigate because of the type of shooter Joe is and how well and far he can shoot it from. His presence alone creates so much attention for the defense to free up some holes for Arkansas’ guards whose strength does not come from their jump shot. On Saturday against the Missouri Tigers, these issues couldn’t be more apparent as Mason Jones struggled and they dropped another game in overtime. Jones only went 3-14 from the field and the Hogs as a whole shot 3-14 from three. Perhaps a solution could be to run more pick and rolls with guards to try to force a smaller guard to be mismatched against Jones? Maybe Adrio Bailey should be camped in the corner and hope his limited sample size of being a 40% shooter from three is legit? Maybe someone buried on the bench is known as a shooter and should get more run? I’m not sure, but something needs to change to help the offense. Two weeks ago, Arkansas was an 8 seed in ESPN’s Joe Lunardi’s bracketology. They’re now a 10 seed after this slip-up against Missouri. They need to figure something out soon or they’re going to play themselves on the other side of the dreaded bubble.

That’s it for this. If anyone wants to catch a game, I’ll be going to the LSU game in Bud Walton on March 4th. I’ll see you all then. Thanks for reading. Go Hogs!

[rosiep66]

"POLDARK" Series Two (2016) Episodes One to Four

"POLDARK" SERIES TWO (2016) EPISODES ONE TO FOUR Following my viewing of the 1975 series, "POLDARK" and its adaptation of Winston Graham's 1950 novel, "Jeremy Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1790-1791", I decided to view Debbie Horsfield's recent adaptation of the same novel, spread out in four episodes during its second series. Needless to say, my experience with this adaptation of "Jeremy Poldark" proved to be a different kettle of fish. Series Two's first episode began a day or two after the final scene of Series One - namely Ross Poldark's arrest by the local militia for instigating a riot between his tenants/employees and the citizens of another town, who were salvaging the goods from a shipwrecked ship. The ship happened to belong to a noveau riche family named Warleggan and one of its members, one George Warleggan, went out of his way to ensure that the law would charge Ross with the crime. To make matters worse, Ross and his wife, Demelza Carne Poldark, had to endure the death of their only daughter from Putrid's Throat. At the beginning of the second series' Episode One, Ross faced one of his old nemesis, the Reverend Dr. Halse , in court in order for the latter to determine whether Ross would stand trial for his crime. Considering the two men's previous clashes, it was not surprising that Halse ordered Ross to stand trial during the next assize in Bodmin. Not only that - audiences were treated with an energetic scene between star Aidan Turner and former Poldark leading man, Robin Ellis. After Ross returned to his estate, Nampara, he set about getting his business in order. Meanwhile, Demelza tried to encourage him to seek help or patronage in order to ensure his acquittal. Being an incredibly stubborn and self-righteous ass, Ross refused. Demelza was forced to go behind his back to seek help from the judge assigned to his case and a wealthy neighbor named Ray Penvenen. Needless to say, Demelza failed to gather support from both men. Her cousin-in-law and Ross' former love, Elizabeth Chynoweth Poldark attempted to acquire George Warleggan's help by arranging a meeting between the men at her husband's estate, Trenwith. She also failed, due to Ross' unwillingness to speak to the latter. George's major henchman, Tankhard, managed to recruit Ross' former farmhand, Jud Paynter, to testify against Ross. Although Jud had intially agreed to testify, he changed his mind at the last minute, while on the stand. Due to a rousing pro-labor speech, Ross was acquitted by the end of Episode Two. During those first two episodes that focused on Ross' trial, other events occurred. His close friend, Dr. Dwight Enys met Ray Penvenen's flighty niece, Caroline Penvenen during the azzis and election in Bodmin and sparks flew between the pair . . . despite the latter's arrogant demand that he treat her pug. Francis, while in despair over estrangement from Ross, Verity and Elizabeth, attempted suicide in Bodmin and failed, due to a falty pistol. Elizabeth also appeared in Bodmin for the trial. Although she had appeared to support Ross, she and Francis ended up reconciling. Unfortunately, I was not pleased by this development. I wish Elizabeth had never forgiven Francis, since he had never bothered to offer any apology for five to six years of emotional abuse and the loss of his fortune and their son Geoffrey Charles' future. Unless I am mistaken, Elizabeth never really forgave Francis, despite his "new lease on life", following his suicide attempt. Good. I never thought he deserved it. I have read a few articles and reviews of the episodes that covered the adaptation of "Jeremy Poldark". While everyone else seemed impressed by the hullaballoo over Ross' trial, I felt more impressed by the third and fourth episodes. One, I was never that impressed by the trial storyline in the first place. Due to Ross' social standing as a member of the landed gentry, I suspected he would be acquitted, when I first read the novel. Unless he had committed murder (against someone from his own class) or treason against the Crown, I never really believed he would be convicted. If Ross had been a member of the working-class or middle-class, chances are his closing speech would have guaranteed conviction of the charges made against him. By the way, was that a closing speech? Or was that merely a speech inserted into Ross' own testimonial? I hope it was the latter, because he seemed to possess a barrister who barely said a word. And if I must be brutally honest, there was an aspect of the first two episodes - especially Episode Two - that I found disappointing. I had been more impressed by the 1975 adaptation of Ross' trial, due to its strong ability to recapture the atmosphere of an assize during the eighteenth century. I never sense that same level of atmosphere from this latest adaptation. Showrunner Debbie Horsfield seemed more intent upon creating tension over the possibility conviction. In a way, this seemed appropriate considering that the story should matter. But would it have hurt for Horsfield to add a little color or flavor in her portrayal of the Bodmin assize? For me it would have made up for my disinterest in Ross' trial. While many complained about the "dullness" of Episodes Three and Four, I found it interesting. Once Ross and Demelza dealt with his arrest and trial, they were forced to deal with the aftermath of their daughter Julia's death. While Demelza openly faced her grief, Ross finally got the chance to focus his attention on dealing with his possible financial ruin. But in doing so, he ended up emotionally distancing himself from his wife. It was easy to see that the honeymoon was over for Ross and Demelza. Like many couples in real life, they found it difficult to deal with a child's death, which they were forced to face after Ross' acquittal. And like many couples, their relationship suffered, due to their grief. Although Demelza had discovered she was pregnant, Ross made it clear that he was not ready to deal with another child before she could reveal her news. I have to commend both Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson in conveying the growing estrangement between Ross and Demelza with great skill and subtlety. And I suspect that they benefited from Debbie Horsfield's writing, who managed to capture this roadblock in the couple's relationship without turning it into an over-the-top ham fest. Both Episodes Three and Four also focused on Ross' financial problems. Many critics seemed uninterested in this turn of events. Apparently, they were more interested in watching Ross and Demelza behave like "the perfect couple". I was not bored. It was interesting to watch an upper-class landonwer deal with looming poverty without the benefit of securing the hand of an heiress. You know . . . like aspiring politician Unwin Trevaunance. And what many had failed to point out was that the Nampara Poldarks' financial situation was a result of Demelza's matchmaking efforts for Verity, Francis' resentment and anger, and George's malice. The die was cast in Series One's eighth episode and the consequences reared its ugly head in Series Two. Ross and Demelza were bound to face these consequences sooner or later. Worse, Ross found himself dealing with a vindictive George Warleggan, who was finally able to purchase enough shares to assume control over Wheal Leisure, Ross' mine. I never understood why Demelza had kept her fishing trips (to provide food for Nampara's larder) a secret from Ross. Personally, I thought she could have informed him that someone needed to fish to prevent them from starving, due to their money problems. If Ross had dismissed the idea, then I could have understood her need for secrecy. But knowing Ross, he probably would not have supported the fishing trips or bothered to find someone to provide fish for Nampara's inhabitants. He could be rather stubborn and proud. And I must admit that I did not care for how Debbie Horsfield changed the circumstances behind Demelza's last fishing trip. Instead of allowing her to reach shore on her own, while going into labor; Horsfield had an angry Ross come to her rescue and carry her ashore:

It looked like a scenario from a second-rate romance novel. And I found it a touch sexist. Ugh. Other matters threatened to endanger Ross and Demelza's marriage even further. One, Demelza seemed to have become the center of attraction for men like fellow landowner Sir Hugh Bodrugan, who has set his eyes on Demelza ever since the Warleggan ball back in Series One; and the Scottish-born militia officer, Captain McNeil, who happened to be one of Ross' former military comrades from the Revolutionary War. Mr. Poldark seemed unaware of Sir Hugh's attention, but did not seem particularly thrilled by Captain McNeill sniffing around his wife. Yet . . . he did nothing. Two, Ross gave permission to allow a smuggling ring led by a Mr. Trencomb to use the cove on his beach to store their stolen goods. Fearful that Ross might face arrest again and this time, prison, Demelza expressed her disapproval. However, she seemed relieved that Ross and Francis had finally made their peace following their estrangement over Verity Poldark's (Francis' sister) marriage to a former alcoholic sea captain in Episode Three, thanks to Elizabeth's machinations. In fact, she was more than happy to attend Francis' harvest ball at Trenwith. What she did not like was the conversation she had overheard between Ross and Elizabeth, later that evening. A part of me was fascinated by Ross' bold attempt to seduce Elizabeth. Especially since it featured some excellent acting from both Aidan Turner and Heida Reed. Another part of me felt disgusted by his actions. Ross had not merely flirted with his cousin-in-law. He made a strong effort to seduce her . . . after her husband had retired to his bedroom, upstairs. Fortunately, Elizabeth put a stop to his action before it could get any worse. Interesting consequences resulted from Ross' attempt at seduction. It finally led Demelza to reveal her pregnancy to Ross . . . who did not seem particularly thrilled. And although Demelza seemed willing to dismiss her husband's behavior, her cool attitude toward Elizabeth during their encounter in the woods seemed to hint that she seemed willing to place most of the blame on her cousin-in-law. In other words, Demelza seemed willing to use Elizabeth as a scapegoat for Ross' indiscretion. Or . . . perhaps Ross' attempt to seduce Elizabeth had simply increased Demelza's insecurity. After reading several articles on this story arc, I was . . . not particularly surprised that most fans and critics had ignored this little scene between the two cousins-in-law, especially since Demelza is such a popular character and Elizabeth is not. Many years have passed since I last read "Jeremy Poldark". But I do not recall such a scene in the novel. What made Horsfield add it? Was this the producer's attempt to portray Demelza in a more ambiguous light than she did in previous episodes? Or was this an attempt to set up Elizabeth as partially responsible for an upcoming event in a later episode? I have no idea. I am confused. Many fans seemed thrilled by the budding romance between Dr. Dwight Enys and heiress Caroline Penvenen. Personally, I found it rather interesting . . . and romantic in a way. Both Luke Norris and Gabriella Wilde seemed to have a strong screen chemistry. My problem with this relationship is that I am not a fan of Caroline. I never have been. I have the oddest feeling that although she may be in love with Dwight, she also regards him as something new or different that she wants to acquire . . . or collect. Her constant requests for his medical services and her assistance in acquiring oranges to help him deal with an outbreak of scurvy strikes me as seductive foreplay on her part and nothing else. However, the reunion between the Nampara and Trenwith Poldarks resulted in two positive consequences. Following the loss of Wheal Leisure, Ross recalled Mark Daniels' (one of the saga's two wife killers) claim of discovering copper inside his family's other mine, Wheal Grace and managed to convince Francis in investing in the mine. And the latter invested the six hundred pounds that he had received from George Warleggan for exposing the Carnmore Copper Company investors (the majority of whom were indebted to the Warleggan Bank), back in Series One. Speaking of Francis' six hundred pounds, I am confused about something. When George Warleggan learned about Francis' investment in Wheal Grace, he vindictively revealed to Ross how Francis had acquired the money in the first place. Naturally, Ross lost his temper and the pair engaged in a brawl. But I could have sworn that Ross had figured out Francis' betrayal of the company ever since he learned about Demelza's meddling in Verity's love life around the same time that Carnmore Copper Company had folded. The sequence from Episode Eight seemed to hint this. Unless I had misread it. Judging from Ross' reaction to George's revelation in Episode Four of this season, apparently I did. However, I need to re-watch that Series One sequence again. George's revelation of Francis' betrayal did give Ross the opportunity to manipulate the latter into finally accepting Verity's marriage to Andrew Blamey in a very clever scene that featured first-rate performances from both Kyle Soller and Aidan Turner. As for that brawl between Ross and George . . . the scene sizzled from Aidan Turner and Jack Farthing's performances. And many fans and critics cheered over Ross emerging victorious over his nemesis. However, I noticed that George made that victory difficult for Ross to achieve. I guess George's boxing lessons proved to be beneficial after all. Some have expressed confusion over why George went through so much trouble to bring down Ross. Perhaps these fans had forgotten Ross' rude and insulting response to George's genuine offer of condolences over young Julia's death near the end of Series One. Not only had Ross dismissed George's sympathetic overture, he also insulted the latter's cousin Matthew Stinson, who had drowned when the Warleggans' ship foundered. Apparently George never did. It was nice to see Ruby Bentall as Verity Poldark Blamey again . . . even though her presence in the production was diminished in compare to Series One. Verity served as a reminder of Francis' unwillingness to accept her marriage to the former alcoholic (and wife killer) Captain Andrew Blamey . . . which I can understand. Episode Three (or was it Four) featured a minor story arc that featured Verity's problems with her stepdaughter, Esther Blamey. I must admit that it was not that difficult to understand Esther's hostility. Her father had killed her mother in a fit of alcoholic rage (during an argument). Although he had served a few years in prison, he was released, managed to rebuild his profession as a sea captain and marry a woman from an upper-class family. If dear Esther was seething with inner rage over this series of events, I honestly could not blame her. However, her brother James, a midshipman in the Royal Navy, seemed more than willing to accept Verity. Oh well. I have one last topic to discuss . . . Jud Paynter. As many know, Jud was bribed by George Warleggan's minion, Tankard, to testify against Ross about the riot on the beach. Instead, Jud refrained from doing so once he had reached the stand. In retaliation, George hired a couple of thugs to give him a beating. Only they went too far and nearly beat Jud to death. I say nearly, because for some stupid reason, everyone from his wife Prudie to both Ross and Demelza believed that Jud had died. No one had bothered to check his body to see whether he was alive or not. I have liked this little story arc. Mind you, it revealed that Jud had taken money from George to testify against Ross. But the whole "poor Jud is dead" routine struck me as completely ridiculous and hard to believe. I alway enjoy Phil Davis' portrayal of Jud and even Beatie Edney gave a rather funny performance in this story arc as the "grieving" Prudie Paynter. But I still dislike this story arc. Yet, I am grateful that Horsfield did not allow it to stretch out over a long period of time, as the producers of the 1975-77 series did. Thank goodness for some miracles. I might as well be frank. I am not really a fan of Winston Graham's 1950 novel, "Jeremy Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall, 1790-1791". For me, it seemed like a transitional novel. It concluded the story arc that began with Ross' arrest for inciting a riot and it set up the Poldark/Warleggan family drama that eventually exploded in Graham's next novel. I realized that Debbie Horsfield and the cast did all they could to make this adaptation of "Jeremy Poldark" work. There were some scenes that I found interesting - especially in Episodes Three and Four. But I must be honest . . . I did not find it particularly captivating. How could I when the source material had failed to captivate me, as well?

[junker-town]

A Celtics team 5 years in the making

The Celtics finally went for it. Now what?

Take a trip down the rabbit hole of Danny Ainge’s transaction page on Basketball-Reference once more for old time’s sake. Explore that page long enough, and it will reveal a nonlinear method of rebuilding from scratch filled with endless possibilities.

Remember that Keith Bogans’ shell contract begat Abdel Nader and that Tayshaun Prince was briefly a Celtic. Recall the one that haunted Sam Hinkie; Jordan Crawford for Philly’s heavily protected first pick that became a pair of inconsequential seconds.

Pour one out for the time Ainge used a cap exception to secure a late first-rounder that got Isaiah Thomas. Raise one final toast to the time he picked up Jae Crowder in the Rajon Rondo deal.

You should also take a moment to remember all the deals that never happened: a bushelful of picks to move up in the draft to take Justise Winslow, trades for Paul George and Jimmy Butler that broke down on various draft nights, and not getting Kevin Durant in free agency.

“It never goes the way everybody wants it to go, you know?” Ainge said with a slight chuckle during training camp.

Take one last look around because those days are suddenly over. What had been an endless series of moves spiraling into nebulous directions has suddenly come into clear focus. The end result is a core featuring Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford with as many as five rookies and nine other new additions to integrate into the lineup.

Even in the hyperdrive reality of the modern NBA when roster turnover is inevitable, the Celtics offseason was extreme. Not that it was completely unexpected.

“I loved our team last year,” Ainge says. “I had a blast. I really enjoyed it. I knew we weren’t a championship team with the Warriors and the Cavs, but I thought the team achieved all they could.”

Ainge pushed back at the suggestion that last year’s group had run its course, but nevertheless he went into the offseason looking to acquire veteran star power. He made a run at George on draft night, then turned his attention to Hayward in free agency. That, in turn, necessitated trading Avery Bradley for Marcus Morris to balance the cap ledger. And that was supposed to be that. Until Kyrie Irving became available.

The blockbuster deal for Irving involving Thomas, Crowder, and the last of the vaunted Brooklyn picks was announced in late August, traditionally the quietest part of the NBA calendar. It was stunning in that teams that compete in the conference finals simply don’t trade key players to one another. It was also stunning in that Ainge had finally traded away his most prized asset to forge a completely new team.

Some of it was opportunity; players like Irving don’t usually become available. Some of it was timing with key contracts coming due. And some of it was uncertainty over Thomas, who is hoping for a late December return with the Cavs from a hip injury. All of it just kind of happened.

The Celtics believe that they are better-positioned for the future with a clearer cap situation. They think they’ll be better in the postseason with two elite playmakers along with Horford, and they think their young players are ready to step into larger roles. In other words, this is really who they are for the foreseeable future.

“There will always be changes and we’ll have to tweak it but yeah, we have no intention of blowing our team up again next summer,” Ainge said. “That’s for sure.”

But who are they? Nobody really knows. Of all the contenders that made wholesale changes in the offseason, none is as opaque as the Celtics. To begin to understand them, we need to start with the question of identity.

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

If you compare Irving’s career numbers with Thomas’ from the impartial distance of a spreadsheet, they look remarkably similar. Both are scoring point guards who utilize a high number of possessions and both have issues on the defensive end. They are both certified All-Stars and elite scorers. Beyond the data, though, you’d be hard-pressed to find two more different players.

Irving has always been basketball royalty, a top recruit at Duke who went first in the 2012 draft. He is sleek and skilled, a ball-handling virtuoso and brilliant shooter who slips between cracks and unspools textbook perfect jumpers. He plays with the easy confidence of a can’t-miss prospect who once made the biggest shot of an NBA season.

For all of his gifts on the court, Kyrie has been a cypher off the court for most of his career. He shocked many with his trade request (who would want to leave LeBron James?) and seems perpetually unbothered by the prospect of leading a franchise in pursuit of a championship. Beyond his dabbling with the flat-earth society as a means of challenging social constructs, there is little that we know about Kyrie Irving.

Thomas, on the other hand, plays with the vengeful hellfire of a man scorned. The last pick in the same draft class the year Kyrie went No. 1, the All-Star that coaches wanted to bring off the bench, the little guy who challenges the giants by going right through them, Thomas exists to prove others wrong. You never have to guess what he’s thinking because he’ll tell you right to your face.

He personified the character of the 2016-17 team perfectly. Like Thomas, many of the players had been overlooked and undersized. They played with a snarl and a chip on their shoulders that even their detractors — and there were many — could appreciate their effort.

“Last year our identity was a feisty group of kids that played really hard. But we did rely on Isaiah a ton.”

Pull back from the raw emotion that team engendered to the safer distance of the salary cap sheet, and the trade makes logical sense. Kyrie is younger and under contract for one more season beyond this one, when he has a player option. If you commit to him, you are securing the prime years of his career.

And yet, by trading Thomas and Crowder, as well as Bradley, you are also exchanging your hard-earned persona for a blank slate.

“Last year our identity was a feisty group of kids that played really hard,” Ainge says. “But we did rely on Isaiah a ton.”

That but is the biggest reason for all the change. When Thomas was out of the lineup, the Celtics struggled to score. While Thomas performed magnificently in the postseason, those team-wide offensive shortcomings were magnified, especially by the Cavaliers, who blew them out in five games while Thomas was sidelined by his hip injury.

That weakness was first addressed by signing Hayward, a seven-year pro coming off his best season right in the prime of his career. He gives the Celtics offense flexibility the team hasn’t enjoyed since Paul Pierce was still roaming the Garden floor. Together with Horford, who is a skilled playmaking big man, the Celtics now have multiple options where before they were limited.

There was still the dicey matter of Thomas’ hip, and that’s where it gets complicated.

Could they have gone into this season without one of their most important offensive players for at least the first few months? That question stopped being rhetorical the moment Irving became available.

Irving’s arguably the best one-on-one player in the game and has proved capable of taking over playoff games all by himself. Ainge refers to him as a “born basketball player,” and adds that, “Kyrie has proven that on the biggest stages against the best players in the world he’s one of the elite players.”

To make the deal, Ainge had to not only part with two of his core players, he also had to throw in the highly valued and much-discussed Brooklyn pick. Ainge caused a few ripples among the hardcore faithful when he suggested that he had a responsibility to Horford and Hayward to put the Brooklyn pick on the table in trade talks for Irving.

“Here we are asking those guys to come in with an opportunity to win and they did,” Ainge says. “They chose us over other teams because they believed that we’d do what it took to win. So it’s hard to recruit free agents and not do all you can to win. I did feel like there was some responsibility to those guys.”

Viewed from that perspective, Ainge’s methods come into an even sharper focus. Horford doesn’t sign without a stable environment already in place. Hayward might still be in Utah if he didn’t think the Celtics were a viable contender. And Irving may not have been so anxious to join a team without those two already on the roster.

As much as cap space and tradeable assets, this is how contenders are built and maintained in the modern NBA. Loyalty at the top of the NBA food chain is as much between players as it is between teams, and Ainge has tried to turn the Celtics into a destination for stars to consider.

What he’s looking for now is continuity, which sets up an interesting experiment this season. How do you get a team with 11 new players to perform as one?

The Celtics don’t have a captain, which isn’t that surprising. They haven’t had one since Rajon Rondo was traded. If there is a central figure in the locker room, it’s probably Horford. He’s not a forceful personality the way Kevin Garnett was a culture change unto himself. Horford, rather, is a stabilizer.

“I want to help our guys in any way I can to make them better,” Horford says. “Just be a good example for them and making sure I’m challenge them on the court and we’re growing as a group. Everybody wants to label one guy as a leader, but I feel like we have many leaders on this team. That’s the way to do it. When you have a locker room with only one leader, you should worry.”

Horford pointed to Irving’s championship experience and Hayward’s professional example. He cited Marcus Smart’s vocal contributions. He noted Jaylen Brown’s precocious development and veteran big man Aron Baynes, who provides toughness and savvy.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

That’s a good start, but chemistry is not easily sourced, nor is it easily gained. It’s one thing to assemble the pieces of the puzzle, and it’s quite another to execute on the court. Through the course of their one season together, Horford and Thomas were able to develop a dynamic that fueled their offensive possessions. Now he needs to do it again with Irving and Hayward.

The frantic pace of player movement has accelerated this team’s learning curve, and all three understand that it largely falls on them to rewire the team’s approach. No one is under the impression that it will take place overnight, least of all Brad Stevens who is tasked with organizing a structure around which all the new pieces can become whole.

“It’s like a brand new job,” he says.

Stevens has simplified some of his concepts and impressed upon his coaching staff the need to remain flexible and malleable to adjustments when needed. He’s been impressed by how quickly his team has picked up its defense, which requires trust and communication. For Stevens, this is not about X’s and O’s. It’s about creating a framework for his team to find itself.

“All that stuff happens when you’re focused on winning,” he says. “All the other stuff about spending time together, we’re eating meals together, and we’re going to be around each other for a long time. That’s not just what it’s about. Do I know what the guy next to me does well, and can I put him in position to do that? Everyone’s intent is already good.”

What is it that makes Brad Stevens so darn good? His after-timeout plays are so nifty that my colleague Tom Ziller has dubbed him the Michael Jordan of the Whiteboard. His offenses are heavy on player motion and rely on crisp, unselfish passes out of their actions. His defenses cover up weaknesses and utilize strengths. When you look at a Brad Stevens team, you see a well-coached team. All that is true, but it still doesn’t get into the heart of the matter.

“Brad’s one of the greatest coaches because he allows you to go out there and play and be you,” Marcus Smart says. “He doesn’t try to make you anything else but you, and he allows that. He puts you in the right places to have success.”

Few players need to be themselves more than Smart, who is blessed with a competitive streak that mandates playing time. He will guard anyone. He will go after loose balls and tough rebounds and play with an edge to the point of recklessness. There will always be a place for someone like that, but he has been defined in the minds of many by his weaknesses.

Smart’s primary issue is his shot. He’s a 29 percent three-point shooter for his career and unless that improves, teams will continue to exploit that hole in his game. When he was struggling last March, Stevens told Smart that he had confidence he would make them when the game was on the line. Smart hit 39 percent of his threes during the postseason.

“The bottom line is he needs to know that we think that too,” Stevens says. “I believe in Marcus. He’s a winning basketball player.”

His other weakness was his weight. Smart was carrying around 240 pounds during the playoffs, and his conditioning was becoming an issue. In the offseason he shed 20 pounds thanks primarily to an overhauled diet...and thus was born Skinny Marcus.

“It’s what you eat,” Smart told me while munching a post-practice banana. “It defeats the purpose to go be in the gym for two, three hours and go home and eat a burger.”

Skinny Marcus has been the talk of training camp, draining threes in the first preseason game and becoming a vocal leader for a defense that relies on switching as much as any team in the league. He wants to become a more complete offensive player, getting into the paint to create for his teammates and earning trips to the free-throw line. Stevens approves, of course, but he’s not taking any credit for it either.

“You can lead people in certain directions as much as you want, but ultimately it’s got to be their decision,” Stevens says. “That’s why I respect Marcus so much. He made that call.”

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Much of Stevens’ approach is culled from the book Mindset by Carole Dweck that advocates fostering an environment focused on learning and improving. Mindset has gained extensive currency in education settings and has naturally filtered down to coaches who have shed the rigid old paradigms of the past.

There may not be a more perfect example of this philosophy on the Celtics than Brown, the second-year forward who surprised many with his season-long contributions.

“I just want to be the best version of myself,” Brown says, echoing many of Mindset’s themes. “That’s going to help the team. I just tried to push myself this summer and get uncomfortable. Working on things I’m not as good at, grind on those things, make myself uncomfortable so that I’m comfortable when I get into a situation in a game. Without being uncomfortable, you won’t grow.”

The defining moment of Brown’s rookie season came in the first round of the playoffs after the Celtics had inexplicably lost the first two games of the series at home. Stevens needed to shake up the lineup, and he went with veteran swingman Gerald Green over Brown. Green got hot in Game 3 and salvaged the season, but it was Brown’s willingness to keep himself ready that made the biggest impression.

“That would have debilitated most 19-year-olds,” Stevens says. “They would have been done for the season. But Jaylen was antsy to help against Washington.”

Brown returned to the rotation against the Wizards and stayed there throughout the playoffs. He took on LeBron in the conference finals and expressed zero fear. It wasn’t always pretty, but he competed. Over the summer, he put himself through a 28-day workout fast where he didn’t eat or drink water from sunup to sundown. He’s also incorporated meditation into his routine.

“You have to train your mind like you have to train your body,” Brown says. “Anything you can do to get as uncomfortable as you can, try to persevere through as much pain as you can to work yourself as hard as you can mentally. That will push your mental strength.”

When Brown came into the league, there were unsourced whispers that he was too independent of a thinker. Stevens literally scoffed when I brought this up.

“One of the things I really appreciate about Jaylen is he’s got a curious mind,” he said. “He wants to learn. He wants to grow. Setbacks don’t define him. He’s not afraid to make mistakes.”

The Celtics will rely heavily on Smart and Brown this season, along with third-year man Terry Rozier and rookie Jayson Tatum. Beyond them, the deeper ends of the rotation are a curious collection of rookies and veteran journeymen. Some of the rookies are old, like Daniel Theis, the 25-year-old German who turned pro at the beginning of the decade. Some of the veterans haven’t played much in the league, like Shane Larkin, who earned his stripes in Europe.

Whatever issues the Celtics will have this season, the expectation is that Brad will fix it. That the perception runs counter to everything he values is beyond his control, which means that he doesn’t spend a lot of time worrying about it.

“I think we have a chance to improve as much as everybody from where you start and where you end, and we need to focus on that,” Stevens says. “In March, we should look much different than we do right now.”

And then what? And then we will finally see this grand design for what it is and what it can be. It took five years to manifest itself. A few months of the season shouldn’t be too much to ask before we have any idea if it will work.