[Twice. That's twice. If this was best two out of three--which maybe it became, when they tried again--even then he would have lost.]
Ah.
[For a few moments, that's it. A quiet noise, a blank expression. Then the giggling starts, bubbling up out of him, as impossible to stop as the tide. It's gone. He's not lucky anymore. He's not talented anymore.
Relief floods through him, enough that he's dizzy with it. And then guilt, because that's not how he should feel, this isn't good, this makes him absolutely useless, even less of a stepping stone than he was, not worthy of his former Super High School Level title. The giggling turns into laughter, but the mania doesn't quite roll him under like he's used to. He tries to cover his mouth and is startled to find his hand coming away wet. He has no idea when he started crying. Somewhere in his wildly churning thoughts he's embarrassed.]
no subject
Ah.
[For a few moments, that's it. A quiet noise, a blank expression. Then the giggling starts, bubbling up out of him, as impossible to stop as the tide. It's gone. He's not lucky anymore. He's not talented anymore.
Relief floods through him, enough that he's dizzy with it. And then guilt, because that's not how he should feel, this isn't good, this makes him absolutely useless, even less of a stepping stone than he was, not worthy of his former Super High School Level title. The giggling turns into laughter, but the mania doesn't quite roll him under like he's used to. He tries to cover his mouth and is startled to find his hand coming away wet. He has no idea when he started crying. Somewhere in his wildly churning thoughts he's embarrassed.]