After returning from Italy, a few peaceful weeks drifted by.
The cherry blossoms had long since fallen, leaving only scattered petals along the sidewalks as the first semester of Grade 5 began.
As always, Godou, Asuka, and Asahi ended up in the same class once again.
The trio sat together near the window — the same corner they had claimed every year since Grade 4. In Class 5-B, the teacher had stepped out to wait for the next instructor.
Godou turned toward his red-haired childhood friend, who was lying on his desk and gazing out the window.
"Hey, Asahi. Have you decided which activity you'll join this time?"
"Hm? Not yet. Yaaawn~ Why do you ask?" Asahi replied lazily, glancing at his overly energetic friend.
Hearing that, Godou's eyes lit up. "Then how about you join us? And wipe that look off your face — I know what you're thinking."
Asahi's expression clearly said, A pain in the ass… again?
"Come on, man! It's been a while since we played together. Since you don't have any plans, join us this time! The coach told me to recruit you as soon as possible."
"He's still not giving up?" Asahi asked, recalling the coach's ever-grinning face.
"Of course not. He said he didn't want your talent to go to waste, so he's been pestering me nonstop to convince you," Godou sighed, exhausted just thinking about it.
"You're already famous thanks to that amazing hit and your strategy in the last game. Too bad your team got eliminated in the semifinals," Asahi said casually. If I accidentally put in more than ten percent of my strength, that ball might've taken his arm off…
"Exactly! That's why we're making a comeback! And we need your help," Godou declared, leaning forward with shining eyes.
Asahi blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Godou's intensity.
He muttered under his breath, "That's a protagonist for you…"
Godou didn't catch the comment and simply waited for his answer.
Asahi sighed. "Looks like I don't have much of a choice if my friend is asking… Fine, I'll join this time." I'll need some extra training to control my strength.
"Really? Yeah!" Godou grinned and held out his fist. "I'm counting on you, partner!"
Asahi smirked and bumped his fist against Godou's.
"Oh!"
Meanwhile, someone watching from a few seats away sighed softly.
"There they go again… They're really close," she murmured, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
Thus, the incredible baseball duo was reborn — ready to shake the competition once more.
DING~DONG~DING~!
The bell rang, signaling the start of break time. The classroom door slid open as chatter filled the hallway.
Asahi stretched his arms and let out a long yawn, earning a giggle from Asuka.
"You yawn like a cat, Asahi."
Expressionless, he replied, "That's called being relaxed."
"Nah, that's called being lazy," Godou teased.
Ignoring them, Asahi stood, grabbed his lunch box, and headed toward the door.
"Eh? Where are you going? Aren't we supposed to eat together?" Asuka asked, tilting her head.
"Gonna see someone," Asahi replied casually, without turning around.
Godou raised an eyebrow. "Someone, huh? Oh! Don't tell me you're going to see Yuri-chan?"
Asuka's expression sharpened. "Yuri-chan? Wait — you met someone I don't know about?"
Caught off guard by her reaction, Godou waved his hands. "Ah, right! You didn't meet her. That was when you were on vacation with your grandpa. Asahi introduced her to me and Shizuka-chan. She's a shrine maiden apprentice at that temple."
Asuka's irritation shifted instantly into curiosity, her eyes sparkling. "A shrine maiden? Ohh, now I really want to meet her!"
Asahi glanced back with a faint smirk. "She's still an apprentice. But since you're this interested, you two are coming too, right?"
The two exchanged grins.
"Of course!" they said in unison.
The trio made their way down the corridor, their footsteps echoing against the wooden floor.
Asahi stopped in front of another classroom and peered inside.
Near the front sat a girl with short brown hair, quietly reading by herself. She gave off a calm, focused air, completely absorbed in her book.
Sliding the door open, Asahi called out cheerfully, "Yuri-chan! Yoho! Wanna have lunch with us?"
Heads turned toward the doorway. Yuri looked up, momentarily startled, before a soft smile curved her lips.
"Asahi… it's been a while."
"Yeah," Asahi replied as he stepped inside. "You didn't even call me, so I figured you've been busy with training, right?"
"Mm. Summer training lasted longer than expected," Yuri answered with a small nod.
"Mm, mm." He nodded twice playfully. "Then let's have lunch outside. The weather's nice — and I brought Godou too."
He gestured behind him to Godou and Asuka.
Godou gave a friendly wave. "Hello, Yuri-chan. It's been a while."
Yuri smiled gently. "Ah, Godou-kun. It really has been some time."
Asahi motioned toward Asuka. "This is Asuka — our classmate and childhood friend."
Asuka's eyes widened with delight. "Wow! So you're Yuri-chan! You're even cuter than I imagined. A real shrine maiden apprentice, huh? That's so cool! What kind of training do you do? Do you wear the traditional robes all the time? Do you—"
"Okay, stop."
Asahi's calm but firm voice cut through her questions. He lightly chopped her on the head.
"Ah—ow! What was that for?"
"You're making her embarrassed," he said flatly.
Asuka froze when she noticed Yuri's flushed face. "Ah! I'm so sorry, Yuri-chan! I didn't mean to—"
Yuri shook her head softly, smiling. "It's all right. I don't mind."
Relieved, Asuka beamed and reached out to hold Yuri's hand. "You can call me Asuka too. Let's be friends, okay?"
Yuri blinked in surprise, then nodded shyly. "Yes… I'd like that."
"Yay!" Asuka hugged her without hesitation.
Asahi and Godou exchanged amused smiles as they watched the two girls get along so easily.
The group left the classroom together and headed for the courtyard beneath the shade of the cherry trees.
Though the blossoms had long since fallen, a few pink petals still drifted lazily on the breeze.
They sat together on a bench and opened their lunch boxes.
Conversation flowed naturally as they shared stories from their summer.
Yuri spoke softly about her training at the countryside shrine — long days learning purification rituals, meditation, and spiritual discipline under her mentor's watchful eye.
Asuka listened with admiration. "That sounds amazing! I've never met anyone training to be a shrine maiden before!"
Yuri blushed at the praise. "It was… difficult, but rewarding. The peace of the shrine is very different from the city."
Godou listened with interest, nodding now and then. Asahi leaned back, relaxed, a faint smile on his face.
Despite sitting right beside him, nothing about Asahi felt unusual or threatening. His presence blended in completely, like any other classmate enjoying lunch.
Even Yuri, with her keen spiritual perception, sensed nothing out of place.
For once, she saw only Asahi — not hidden depths or lingering pressure — and that made the reunion feel unexpectedly peaceful.
Asahi noticed her gaze and smiled. "Looks like you've been doing well, huh?"
Yuri met his eyes, her expression gentle. "Yes… and it's nice to see you again, Asahi."
Asuka leaned toward Godou and whispered with a grin, "They seem close."
Godou chuckled quietly. "Yeah… they really do."
The four continued to talk and laugh together, their voices mixing with the breeze and the distant chatter of students enjoying their break."}