Oh. My.

It totally wanted to write a story like this; it's been floating around my head for a while, but I couldn't have written it better than this. You even depicted the Taki vs Shishido match the way I would have wanted it, with Taki taking the first game then Shishido making an epic comeback.

The only thing I can say is, You rock.

This rocked, seriously.

This is well-written and I love that you don't rush things. I like how this is real, like it can totally happen, and how Shishido is growing up and learning to be a good friend.

I'm really glad I found this, and I hope I can read more from you.

This story, well, I like it a lot. It brought out the meaning of friendship really well... And, it really had hints here and there about the Silver Pair... Generally, I enjoyed the story a lot!

wow...this is impressively good. Both are really within character. Nice. I really liked this. No words to describe how much I liked this. XD

Very well written!! I didn't move at all until I finished the story! Keep up the good work!!

Wow, just... wow. Um, okay, first of all, hi. I had kept my eyes glued to the screen, reading and reading until I have finished it. Out of Defeat was wonderful. It was nice, relaxing and calming yet so thrilling to read. And your ending, it was perfect. Everything was. I hope that I could see more from you. =)

This was a very good ending. For what you set out to do, that is, tell the story of how Choutaru and Shishido became doubles partners, this story is just about perfect.

I'd like it if you could write more about these two though. I seem to have grown really fond of the Silver Pair, but there isn't a ton of good fics out there for them.

Happy Writing.

Wow. I'm horrible at reviewing.

Anyway. I've decided that what I enjoyed most about this fic was its subtlety. It's rare to find a piece that gets things said and done without sort of shoving them in your face or highlighting them in neon. It was obvious what was going on, but in a real life sort of way. This could actually happen. Most fanfictions could not. I also really enjoyed the fact that while it had the slight suggestion of romance, especially toward the end, it wasn't taken over by it. Usually when you see "Silver Pair" what follows is a bunch of fluff, but this was actually /just/ "Silver Pair." Refreshing!

Favorite line: "Loss was always a possibility, but for them, there would be no more defeat."

Aoijfasd. I love that. I can't even say why. I just do.

That cake-museum comment's going to be stuck in my head for a long time. Too endearing! The ending with Shishido's introspective musings were expected and predicable, but it was a nice, soft end to the fic. Kinda too soft, though. I wish it was able to win /while/ the Silver Pair was feeling triumphant in-game. A fierce, exciting, cut-off ending would've been more preferable (it wouldn't have been a cliffhanger anyway since you're following the anime so closely!), but in the end they lost to Inui-Kaidoh, right? Bah...still, there's the epilogue to wrap things up!

Otherwise, the true highlight of this chappie...I think it was Shishido's cutthroat and clear analysis of the Oshitari-Mukahi pair. Like when Atobe mentioned their failings before his match with Shishido, I was impressed that you're able to go into shrewd specifics with other characters as well. I really liked it, and it reminded me of FallingSilver's "Head Over Heels" fic that's essentially your fic's storyline--but focusing on the Oshitari-Mukahi pair. Ironic thing is, those two were forced to change and better themselves in their tennis because of their defeat to the newly formed Ootori-Shishido pair and the subsequent Momoshiro-Kikumaru loss!

In any case, this fic was...truly a delight. Truly. It really got me thinking about these two seriously and it even inspired me a bit in my own writing. I'm so glad I was able to find this fic.

The Ootori goodness oozes out in this chapter...along with some very unexpected but very nice-as-pie character development for him! All the little things totally snagged my attention and made me fall head-over-heels in love with these guys again...the locker room dialogue, the little piano room scene, THE CAP GIFT...even Hiyoshi's surliness and his endearing mutterings!

I'm quite fond of Shishido, you know, especially after he had that awesome revelation about finally feeling "one of the team." His past hair was stupid anyways...

One word: Glorious. Why only glorious? Because this is the spectacular spiral down to the final events...because THIS is not my last review of the day. Not by a long shot!

The Atobe demanded match was a delight, but I like the subtleties in the first scene that sets the stage for their glorious double pairing...they gotta learn to work together after all. Nice slight show of Shishido's insecurities as well. 'Shishido's tennis' is so open and sincere, just like how brutally and self-deprecatingly honest he was with himself before his match with Atobe.

And...the beginnings of Shishido's Rising Shot! Yes!

Finally got around to catching up with this fic. It's fricking awesome, you know. BTW, I noticed the oneshot epilogue to this fic! And in Oshitari's POV? I can't wait to read it.

Also, have you ever seen the PoT Nationals OVAs? Seigaku goes to the nationals and one of their major opponents is Hyoutei. Hyoutei, meanwhile, is mentally psyched out for the match because of Seigaku's already proven prowess and PWNness and of their former defeat...but they finally come together as a real /team/ when each member meets up unconsciously at the tennis court where they lost to Seigaku for the first time in the series. The highlight of my day with the Nationals? Silver Pair vs. Golden Pair...and this chapter TOTALLY TOTALLY made me nostalgic for that episode.

BUT I DIGRESS! I distinctly remember that Atobe-Shishido-Ootori scene where Atobe tells him his only chance to get back on the team is through doubling with Ootori...I guess you did watch the National OVAs. Or if you hadn't, you've pretty much gotten Atobe's shrewd character in the bag if you happened to thought up of that match scene on your own.

I think you've done a very, very good service to the fandom community by writing this piece. I am so very thankful.

ZOMG that was intensely good. I mean, I was expecting Silver pair fluff, but I got better. It's Shishido maturing as a tennis player and a friend. :3

kay! This is me! And I actually have read it this time!

I have to agree with everything! The hyotei regulars can be annoying sometimes!

This is such a great story, and I hate to see it go! NO!

WAAH! It's over! How can it be over! It can't be! I won't believe it.

But i'm not going to waste my time talking about things that AREN'T TRUE! I'm gonna go read your other story.

Bye.