A boy from Class 1T waved Tetsuo over with one hand, the towel on his neck slipping a little as he tried to keep it balanced.
"Hey, Tetsuo...can you bring these hurdles to the storage room?"
He shifted his weight, the towel sliding against his collarbone as he adjusted it.
"We need to cool down for our last session, and you know how scary Hayami-sensei is."
His fingers tapped lightly against the hurdle beside him.
"Plus, you can run faster than anyone here, so you won't be late."
Tetsuo let out a short breath and gave a small nod.
"Okay...I guess."
He reached for two hurdles, the metal cool against his palms as he lifted them.
A bit of rust scraped loose under his fingers when he adjusted his grip, and he started across the field with steady steps.
The sun pressed down on him, warmth gathering at the back of his neck and sinking through his PE uniform.
His shirt clung to his back, still damp from the earlier drills.
When he made his first trip into the storage room, a heavier air settled around him.
The space carried the scent of old rubber mats, dried sweat, and the sharp, metallic odor of worn sports gear.
He moved without a sound, slipping in and out of the room as he set each hurdle in a clean line along the far wall.
Each trip back showed fewer waiting outside.
Dust gathered on his palms and settled beneath his fingernails.
He brushed it off with short taps against his thighs, though the rough texture stayed on his skin.
After several trips, he lifted the last two hurdles into his arms.
A faint ache spread through his shoulders from the repetition, and he shifted the weight once before stepping inside.
He set the final hurdles onto the stack, the metal giving a dull clatter as they settled.
A short breath left him, and he brushed his palms together, the dust coming off in small patches.
"That should be all," he murmured, his voice carrying lightly through the still room.
He turned toward the exit, the floor giving a soft echo under his steps.
I need to return to class. There isn't much time.
As he neared the doorway, the sound of rubber soles striking the concrete reached him in steady beats.
The door eased open with a low creak.
Sachiko stepped inside with a box of equipment held tight against her chest.
Her arms stayed tense from the load, and she lowered her knees slightly before setting the box down.
It touched the floor with a small, dull thud.
A quiet breath slipped from her as she stayed in that lowered position, her hair sliding forward and hanging over her face while she held her balance.
"There we go… that should be the last one."
Her voice came out soft, partly muffled behind the loose strands of hair.
As she straightened, her hair shifted back from her face.
Their eyes met for a moment.
Her breath caught, and her eyes widened when she recognized him.
Tetsuo…
Tetsuo's expression remained unchanged.
He shifted his weight slightly and moved to walk past her without a sound.
She stepped sideways before he could pass, her shoulder pressing against the doorframe.
Her hand reached back, and the door closed with a firm click behind her.
The narrow space placed her directly in front of him, their distance reduced to only a few steps.
Tetsuo looked at her with the same steady, unreadable face, his posture still.
"This is good timing… I have been wanting to talk with you."
A small smile formed on her lips as she brushed her palms lightly against her shorts, the fabric giving a faint rustle under her hands.
Tetsuo came to a stop a short distance in front of her, his face unchanged and his posture straight.
"Move. You are in the way."
"Sorry… but I cannot do that."
Her voice held steadier than before, her fingers tightening slightly at her sides.
"It feels like you have some kind of problem with me, and I do not even understand the reason."
"We should talk about it now… Tetsu-kun."
Her tone slowed, and a faint, tired sadness settled in her eyes as she remembered a boy's smile from long ago.
He looked at her without a shift in expression, his breathing even and controlled.
"I will say it one more time. Move. We will be late for class."
"I will… after I speak with you."
Her breath tightened slightly as she held her ground, her fingers curling in against her palms.
Footsteps carried through the corridor again, their rhythm clear against the concrete floor.
A voice rose from outside.
"Naomi, here is the key. Please lock the storage room quickly."
Miyu's tone reached them through the doorway, the metal key giving a light jingle.
Naomi's answer followed, her voice moving closer as she shifted her weight.
"Alright, I will come now."
A quiet hum slipped from her as she turned toward the storage room, her steps light against the floor.
I need to hurry and change for class. Hayami-sensei is really scary… I would hate to be on her bad side.
Sachiko's eyes widened, and her head turned sharply toward the sound outside.
A small flinch ran through her shoulders.
Oh no, wait… Naomi is coming. If she notices I am in here alone with Tetsuo, she will talk about it nonstop. I cannot let her see us like this, or she will take it the wrong way and tease me forever…
Her breathing tightened as a faint panic spread through her chest.
"Come on, Tetsuo...let's hide."
Her voice came out in a rushed breath as she reached forward.
Her fingers wrapped around his wrist, her grip warm and tense with urgency.
"Hey—"
The word slipped out under his breath, low and restrained, but she had already pulled him behind a tall shelf stacked with balls, cones, and jump ropes.
The space behind it was tight, forcing their bodies close as she pressed him in against the shelf for cover.
The back area was dim, dust gathering more heavily on the floor and the wooden frame.
The air felt warmer there, held still without circulation.
A thin cobweb brushed against his shoulder.
His muscles twitched once, and he lifted his arm slightly to shake it off.
The door creaked open.
"I thought I heard someone inside…"
Naomi's voice drifted in, her steps shifting lightly across the floor.
A short pause followed, then the scrape of metal against metal reached them, followed by a small click.
The door closed again.
The lock turned.
A small breath slipped out of Sachiko, her shoulders easing.
That was close…
The moment the tension left her body, she became aware of how near she was to Tetsuo.
Their arms brushed lightly, their faces only a short distance apart.
Heat rose in her cheeks at once, and she pulled back in a quick, awkward motion, her shoes scraping softly against the floor.
"S-sorry…"
Her voice came out small as she lowered her gaze, her hands tightening around the hem of her shorts.
A second passed.
Then another.
Color drained from Sachiko's face.
She hurried toward the door, her steps sharp against the floor, and grabbed the handle.
Her fingers twisted it again and again, the metal turning stiff under her grip.
The knob didn't move.
"You're kidding… Naomi! Are you there?"
Her voice rose as she struck the door with both palms, the impact echoing through the small room.
Tetsuo stepped out from the dim space behind the shelf, brushing the dust from his sleeves with slow, controlled movements.
He stopped a few feet from her.
"No one will hear you. It is already too late."
His tone stayed flat, steady, without any change.
"Everyone is already in class. We cannot leave until track practice begins and they open the storage door."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Until then, we are... stuck here."
Back in the main building, the classrooms stayed calm.
The low sound of teachers' voices drifted through the corridors, mixed with the faint scrape of pencils and the occasional cough breaking the still air.
"Where in the world is Tetsuo…? Homeroom is about to finish. Hayami-sensei is going to give him trouble tomorrow for sure."
Noboru lowered his voice as he spoke, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk while he leaned back in his chair.
Naomi glanced at the empty seat beside her, her pen tapping lightly against her notebook.
A small crease formed between her brows.
Sachiko never misses class. Not even once. Did the student council pull her away? That has to be it… right?
She shifted her gaze to Tetsuo's seat, the quiet rustle of her uniform sleeve brushing against the desk.
But Tetsuo is missing too—eh? No way. Don't tell me they're skipping together…
Her eyes widened, and she straightened in her chair before letting her shoulders drop.
No, no. Sachiko can't even talk to him properly. There's no chance she would skip with him. I'm jumping to conclusions again.
A small, relieved smile tugged at her lips as she settled her pen back onto the page.
At the front of the room, Hayami-sensei closed her planner with a soft thump, the faint sound carrying across the rows of desks.
She brought her hands together in a light clap, the motion crisp enough to draw every pair of eyes forward.
"Alright, everyone, we will continue the discussion about the trip for next year. For the expenses, Rie and Shino will handle the accounting. When the time comes, the two of them will take responsibility."
The final bell rang, its sharp tone cutting through the classroom.
Shino turned toward the back of the room, his chair giving a quiet scrape as he shifted.
"Noboru, do you know where Tetsuo went?"
Noboru let out a short breath through his nose and reached for his bag, the strap sliding across his palm as he pulled it up over his shoulder.
"I have no idea. And don't look at me for that kind of thing. I don't keep track of him. But… it isn't normal for him to miss class."
"Oh, that's right. Makoto, you coming?" Noboru called out as he stepped into the hallway, his shoes brushing lightly against the floor.
Makoto slowed only for a moment, his hands settling deeper into his pockets as he continued forward.
"I will pass. I have things to take care of," he replied, his voice even as he walked away without turning back.
"Suit yourself. Nanaho is going to be angry," Noboru whispered under his breath, his eyes following Makoto until he disappeared around the corner.
Inside the basketball gym, sneakers scraped across the floor, and the steady thud of the ball echoed through the wide space.
Nanaho stood near the sideline, a whistle hanging loosely from her fingers as she raised her voice toward the court.
"Hayato, listen carefully. After Liam steps to the top of the free-throw line, pass the ball to him. Noboru, set a screen and then move out to the top of the three-point line. Understand?"
Hayato tightened his grip on the ball and shifted his weight forward before pushing off the floor, dribbling past half-court with Takahiro closing in on him.
Noboru sprang into motion first, brushing past Shino with a sharp sidestep.
He rushed forward and planted his feet, creating a solid screen against Takahiro.
Hayato slipped through the space and fired the ball to Liam, who took two firm strides toward the free-throw line.
Yukio's focus stayed on Hayato for a beat too long, giving Liam room to cut into the paint.
He rose upward and dunked the ball cleanly, the rim shaking from the impact.
Nanaho brought her hands together in two firm claps, the sound carrying across the gym.
"Good work, everyone. That was a strong run. That is all for today—go ahead and head home."
"I can't believe Tetsuo didn't show up today. I wonder if he's alright."
Yukio pulled a towel from the bench and ran it across his face, the fabric rustling against his skin.
"It's not normal for him. He is always here, always on time," Liam replied, his breathing still heavy as a bright smile settled on his face.
"Also… Makoto didn't show up either," Hayato said while sliding off his soaked headband, drops of sweat trailing down his wrist.
"Yeah. I expected him to be here, but Noboru told me he was tired and went home," Takahiro answered, stretching his shoulders with a slow roll.
Yukio let out a quiet breath, his brows lifting.
"What surprises me more is how relaxed Nanaho is about all of this."
Nanaho's smirk sharpened as she rested one hand on her hip, the faint snap of her whistle cord tightening under her fingers.
"Just wait. That slacker Makoto is going to face the consequences."
A cold breath escaped her throat, steady and deliberate.
Skipping practice without warning? He has the nerve to pull that stunt? Fine. I will break every ounce of laziness out of him. The moment he steps onto this court, I am dragging him into drills he has never experienced. He will run until his legs shake. If he slows down, I will double it. If he talks back, I will triple it.
Her eyes darkened, the muscles in her jaw tightening.
I will not allow a single member of this team to lose discipline. Makoto is going to regret today more than anything he has done this month.
The whistle in her hand creaked softly as she clenched it.
The next practice will be unforgettable—for him.
Yukio rubbed the back of his neck, his voice dropping as he glanced toward Nanaho's expression.
"Looks like I spoke too soon…"
Hayato shifted his stance, the heel of his shoe tapping once against the floor.
"Yeah. Her face tells everything."
Liam let out a soft breath, a small smile forming as he watched Nanaho from a distance.
"I prefer when she smiles. She looks cuter like that."
Noboru crouched beside the bench, pulling his shoes from the floor and sliding them into his bag with a quiet rustle.
"May God protect you from whatever
hell is waiting for you, Makoto," he whispered under his breath.
Back in the storage room, the air stayed warm and unmoving, the quiet pressing against the walls.
Sachiko leaned against the shelf, her arms drawn tight across her chest.
Her fingers tapped lightly against her elbow, the rhythm uneven from her nerves.
Tetsuo sat a short distance away on an overturned crate, his posture steady, his gaze lowered toward the floor.
He hadn't shifted in a while, and the room held only the faint sound of their breathing.
Both of them had given up on the door some time ago, and the silence settled again between them.
Sachiko shifted her weight and stole a glance at him, her stomach tightening with a mix of unease and guilt.
Her fingers pressed lightly against her arm, the fabric of her sleeve bunching under her touch.
I finally got him alone… but I don't know if he will even speak to me.
No… I won't ever get another chance like this. I have to know the truth.
Her hand tightened against her chest, the fabric gathering under her fingers as she drew in a small breath and finally opened her mouth to speak.
"Listen… Kawaguchi, I'm really sorry that you ended up missing class. That wasn't what I meant to happen."
Her voice dropped to a softer tone as her eyes shifted away, her fingers brushing lightly against the side of her thigh.
Tetsuo kept his eyes on the floor, his posture still.
His hands stayed on his knees without the slightest shift, the quiet stretching between them for several long moments.
"It's not your fault. You reacted before you thought about it," his voice left him without emotion, steady and low.
Sachiko pressed her back tighter against the wooden shelf, the cool surface touching through her T-shirt.
Her legs felt unsteady, but she pushed herself forward anyway.
The faint scuff of her sneaker echoed in the small room.
"Kawaguchi… I really want to know."
Her fingers curled against her thigh as they trembled, the fabric bunching under her grip.
She took another small step, breath tight in her chest.
"Please… talk to me. Why are you ignoring me?"
Her voice slipped out thinner than she meant.
Her throat tightened, and she swallowed hard, the sound quiet but sharp in the still air.
"Did I do something that bad?"
Her eyes lowered, lashes trembling as she tried to steady her breathing.
"I don't even understand what I did. I've been thinking about it this whole time, and it won't leave me alone. So… please."
Her toes shifted on the dusty floor.
"Just tell me."
The words escaped with a small tremor, hanging between them.
Tetsuo lifted his head slowly.
The small movement stirred a bit of dust in the still air.
His eyes stayed steady on her, the expression unchanged.
He drew in one quiet breath, his shoulders rising only slightly.
"You really do not remember what happened, do you?"
His hand moved to the back of his neck, fingers pressing lightly against the skin there.
The motion was slow, almost absent-minded.
"…Fine. I will tell you."
Sachiko's eyes widened.
Her heart dropped, and she drew in a small, uneven breath.
She stepped back on instinct, her shoulder brushing lightly against the shelf behind her.
Her fingers twitched at her side, and she tried to keep her breathing steady.
"What do you mean… Kawaguchi?"
Sachiko's voice thinned slightly as she searched his face.
A faint tremble caught in her throat.
"I would never say something that horrible about you."
Tetsuo's gaze stayed fixed on the floor for a moment before he lifted it.
His hands tightened slowly, his fingers folding into his palms until the knuckles stiffened slightly.
"You didn't say it to my face," his voice stayed low, steady, "but I heard you and your friends talking about me… and about my little sister. All of it was behind my back."
A faint breath left him, the kind that came from holding something in too long.
His shoulders barely shifted.
"Back then, I was still naïve. I believed the help you gave us would always continue."
His jaw tightened for a moment.
"I learned the hard way that it wouldn't. And I… suffered because of it."
Sachiko's lips parted, the breath she pulled in trembling as it reached her chest.
The weight of his words settled on her shoulders, tightening everything inside her.
Her eyes blurred, moisture gathering before she could stop it.
"Please… it wasn't like that."
Her voice broke on the first word, thin and uneven.
She lifted a hand slightly, fingers shaking.
"Let me explain… please."