Back in the small study, Jin sat with Hitoka as she nervously explained English words and grammar. Of course, he already knew all this stuff, but he acted clueless, nodding along as if every word were new.
"Jin-kun?" Hitoka stopped mid-sentence. She had noticed his mind wandering.
"Ah, sorry." he scratched his head, the earlier 'bump incident' still flashing in his mind.
"I have a question," she said softly.
Jin straightened up. "Hm? What is it?"
"You must really like volleyball… it must be fun to do something you love." Hitoka's voice trailed off.
Jin leaned forward immediately, eyes glinting. "What you really mean is, you've never seriously devoted yourself to anything. You've always felt like a passerby in life. Even now, you want to try being manager, but you're scared of messing up. Excited but timid. Right?"
Every word struck home. Hitoka stared at him like he was some kind of mind reader. "H-how did you know what I was thinking?"
Jin smirked, leaned in close, and stopped his fingers just inches from her lips. "You told me… yesterday."
"B-baka!" she swatted his hand away, face red. Still, the way he had so easily seen through her left a strange feeling in her chest.
"I won't hold a grudge about yesterday," she muttered. "But… don't do it again."
Jin suddenly grabbed her arm and pressed her lightly against the desk. "Who says I can't?"
"Eh!" Hitoka froze, panic all over her face.
They stayed like that for twenty seconds, his face lowering toward hers. She shook her head frantically at first, but then 'just once', she thought it wouldn't be so bad…
The innocence in her expression cracked Jin's act. He burst out laughing and stepped back. "Sorry, sorry. Couldn't resist teasing you."
"B-bad boy…" she mumbled.
Jin's mood shifted, and his tone grew serious. "Hitoka, have you ever wondered why, in your mom's eyes, you 'can't do anything well'?"
"Eh?" She sat back, fiddling with her hands. "Maybe… because I don't really have any talents?"
Jin shook his finger. "Nope. That's not it. The problem is, you've never believed you 'had' to do something. Even a so-called passerby has something they need to do, even if it seems small to others."
Hitoka's breath caught. His words slipped into her heart like a breeze.
"…I really do want to do one thing well…" she whispered.
Jin grinned, grabbed her hand, and pulled her up. "Then tell your mom. Show her your determination."
Before she could react, he was already dragging her out of the study.
"W-wait, Jin-kun! Slow down!" she yelped, barely keeping up. 'Why does this feel like a scene straight out of a shoujo manga?'
Even though Jin's speed was far beyond ordinary, he slowed enough so she could keep pace. Together, they ran all the way to the subway station, where they spotted Madoka Yachi about to leave.
"Onee-san!" Jin called out.
Hearing a familiar voice Madoka turned, surprised. "Jin-kun, Hitoka?"
Panting, Hitoka steadied herself. She glanced at Jin, who gave her a small nod.
"Mom!" she shouted. "Even a passerby has something they need to do! I… I want to be the manager of the volleyball team! And I'll do it well!"
Madoka blinked, caught off guard. Then she smiled faintly. "…Alright. I'll hold you to that."
"Yes!" Hitoka clenched her fists and beamed. "I'll see you tonight for dinner!"
Jin clapped his hands, giving her a thumbs up. Hitoka's smile grew even brighter.
As Madoka turned back toward the station, Jin caught a glimpse of tears shimmering in her eyes. 'Looks like she's proud of you,' he thought.
Just then,
*Ding!*
"Congratulations! Favorability with two girls has exceeded the "friend" threshold (Shimizu Kiyoko & Hitoka Yachi)."
"Hidden Quest Unlocked: Love Story!"