" No hard feelings Ren, but you're down. " Rick said as he stared at Ren.
They kept a small distance while staring at each other, it was like a cowboy faceoff.
Ren stood there looking at Rick with a calm face. " I always knew it'd come this, I didn't expect it to happen so soon. Tatsuya, aren't you suppose to be on my side. "
Tatsuya's blue eyes were focused as he replied, " I want to see if I've gotten stronger, so no am on the right side. "
" I see, "Ren replied in a serious tone as he adjust his stance. " Well bring it on, I'll crush you both. " .
Rick also adjusted his stance, " ready or not here I come, he said as he threw a ball at high speed.
With a slight tilt of his head, Ren dodged the ball with ease.
A couple of moments back after lunch break. Ren sat staring at the chalk board as he spaced out.
The door opened with force, causing loud bang. " Students it's time for P. E, change your clothes and meet me in the gym immediately. " She commanded as she sat on top of the teacher desk adjusting her tracksuit.
Murmurs among the students erupted as they hurried out of the classroom.
It didn't take more than two minutes as they began to arrive at school gym.
" Wait, what's class B doing here? " A boy questioned as looked at the students from class B stretching.
" It's not just class B, class C is here too. " Another added.
" Oh, I forgot to tell you " the teacher appeared from behind " we are having joint training today. "
Whispers spread among the students, some confused and others excited. Rick looked excited as he approached Ren.
" Boss man... I mean Ren I want to make a bet. "
" I'm not interested. " Ren said as he turned back and began to walk away.
" When I win, I want that small book you always reading. " Rick stated.
Ren stopped mid step he then turned back." Interesting.. " he said, a smirk playing at his lips " and what do I get if I win? "
" I'm not sure. " Rick said his expression wavering a little.
" That's alright, let's just say you'll owe me a non negotiable favor in the future. " Ren suggested as he walked towards Rick. " So what are we playing? "
" A favor, " Rick wondered for a moment. " Sure it's a deal, after some exercises the teachers want us to play a game of dodge ball, I think we should settle things there. "
" Alright, try not bore me. " Ren said before walking away.
Rick smiled in response.
Later during the joint training after a couple exercises the teacher started explaining the rules,
" You know the rules, but here are some for clarity, you have five minutes to take each other out, when you are hit and the ball falls to the ground you out. "
She then continued, " if a ball hits multiple targets and it falls to the ground those students are all out but if caught they're all saved. Also catching a an opponents ball will score you a point which can be used incase the timer runs out. "
Now back to the present, as the dodge ball game had just started.
Rick was throwing balls like a madman eliminating multiple players while missing his target, " how.... Is he dodging everything easily. " He said his breathing heavy.
As Rick was leaning down to grab a ball he thought, ' he's dodge everything without putting in any effort, I lose at this rate. He's not attacking so maybe I should save him for later. '
As he was lifting his head everything slowed down as he saw a ball moving at insane speed a few centimeters away from his face.
He immediately jumped forward and did a front flip while in mid flip grabbed the ball and landed on one knee.
His eyes widened as he felt warmth in his chest, ' wow, only one person who'd throw a ball like that. ' He looked at Ren who was opening his hand and closing it repeated and slowly.
" Hmmm, I guess I'm not in peak condition my strength feels lacking. " Ren stated as looked at his hand.
" Rick stopping throwing balls aimlessly, you won't hit him like that. And our numbers dropping just as much there's are." Tatsuya said as he stepped forward.
" Just follow my lead. " He added grabbing a dodgeball off the ground.
Rick grabbed a ball, his eyes not leaving Ren as he stood by Tatsuya's side, " I don't know, what you're thinking but I'm all for it. "
" Just hit this ball with all strength as soon as someone tries to catch it. " Tatsuya explained, as he threw the ball high up in the air with both creating a very long arc.
Every eye followed the ball as it slowly moved in air, some trying to catch it except Ren stood still with his eyes were focused on Rick.
As the ball was to reach where someone would catch it Rick was already prepared, with a his knee up like a baseball player he threw the ball with incredible strength and speed.
The falling ball reach a skinny looking boy face and he was waiting to catch it, he didn't even get a chance to touch it as the ball hit him from the force of the other ball.
The force pushed the boy a few steps back and the ricochet hit another while the other was about to hit Ren but his even looking that side Ren grabbed it
" You know... " Ren's sentence was interrupted as he saw two balls coming from two sides aiming for his face.
As he noticed them it was like the world slowed down around him and he was the only one still moving freely.
He didn't even get a chance to dodge as he saw two other balls aiming for his feet
He immediately jumped while bending his upper body backwards.
As he was in mid air Rick was prepared and two balls, one aimed at his stomach while the other aimed at the empty space.
' and with that we've got hi.... ' his thought was cut short and felt something hit his stomach and his vision immediately went dark.
The next moment Rick found himself lying down and opening his eyes , " ouuuuch, my head hurts. " He said as he lifted his upper body and sat down.
He looked around and saw he was a small white bed and it had a white curtain acting like wall, he immediately realized that was at the school clinic.
" You're awake, I'm surprised you survived that. " Tatsuya said.
" Tatsuya's, what happened? The last thing remember was that I was about to win. " He asked as he gently squeezed his face.
" Our plan to overwhelm Ren while he was mid air was working but we didn't account for his flexibility and strength. " Tatsuya explained as he sat down.
He then continued. " As he dodged all the decoys and the main ball was about to hit him, he spun and twisted his body and as he twisted his body mid air to avoid the other balls, he used the momentum to kick the ball aimed at his stomach back at you with insane speed, I didn't even register it until it hit and sent you flying. "
" That's the boss man for you, overwhelming and terrifying, I wish I saw it for myself. " Rick said as he stared down his eyes wide and a smile he didn't register playing on mouth.
" Yeah it was a crazy scene to watch, but the teacher didn't care much for it and continue the game which ended up being a one sided slaughter in Ren's favor. " Tatsuya explained.
Later that day as the sun was nearing it's dawn, the sound on the bell ringing signal the end of classes for the day.
As the students storm out there classes, Tatsuya was organizing his books and putting them in his bag pack.
" Tats, that game was insane, you guys play like your lives are on the line. " Aina approached the setting sun reflecting in her golden hair making her glow.
Tatsuya noticed and he felt a flicker of warm in his chest, ' how strange, only my waifu chainsaw maid Maki makes me feel that way. It must have been a fluke. '
" Well yes, it was actually something like that. "
" That's so nice it's good to have friends you get along with so well, I'm almost jealous. " She pouted as he sat on top of his desk.
" What are you talking about you get along with everyone shouldn't i be the one who is jealous? " Tatsuya asked slight hesitation in his voice.
" I get along with everyone but I'm never the one. " She said as her expression darken, " you know it sucks to be everyone's friend but no one's favorite, I don't know if many people feels this, it's like I'm not really alone but never really chosen either. "
She stood up and looked down avoiding Tatsuya's gaze as she continued.
" I'm the one people are happy to see in the group, the one they'll talk to if no one else is around, the one that's nice and easy to get along with....
But when it comes down to it I'm never the person someone someone calls first, I'm not the best friend they can ride or die for, I'm not the person they can't wait to text when something happens.
It's like I'm just... There. Always included but never prioritized, it's so confusing because technically I have friends I'm not isolated but I still feel invincible.
I'll be standing right there laughing with everyone but still feel like an extra in my own life and it hurts, it hurts so much because I can't control it"
" It's like I'm good enough for everyone but not special enough for anyone. "
A moment of silence passed between them, Tatsuya's eyes widened at watch her spill her heart out.
' that's so sad, I want to say something to help her but what should I say, my mind is blank right now and I need to break the silence. ' Tatsuya panicked
" Uhm... " Tatsuya opened his mouth but was stopped as she pressed her finger on his lips.
" What did you think of those lines? " She said and she step back and put her arms behind leaning in with a tilted head observing his face.
Tatsuya eyes widened but this time for a different reason, " lines, what do you mean lines? "
" For the play what else would I mean, don't tell me my performance was that good you actually believed me. " She said, her tone slightly cheerful and her face unreadable.