He hasn't even started teaching, and I'm already bored out of my mind.
Makoto stretched his arms, the stiff fabric of his blazer pulling slightly at his shoulders.
He slumped forward on his desk, his eyes half lidded.
The sharp ring of the bell echoed through the room.
Chairs scraped against the floor as students headed for the door, their conversations spilling into the hallway.
Makoto shoved his hands into his blazer pockets and strolled out of the classroom.
"Uh... M... Makoto, wait up!"
A timid voice called from behind.
Makoto let out a slow breath before glancing over his shoulder.
And here comes the other pain in my ass.
His eyes landed on Shino, who stood there fidgeting nervously.
"What do you want this time?" he asked.
Shino hesitated.
A small, nervous smile appeared on his face.
"S... So, um... would you maybe... want to join the basketball team with me? I... I mean... you're really good at it. You'd... make the team so much stronger."
Makoto's expression hardened.
Silence settled between them.
"No thanks."
He started to walk away.
"B... But..."
Shino clenched his hands.
"You probably haven't heard from the upperclassmen, but I quit basketball over a year ago," Makoto said.
"B... But... you played with us today, and... you actually looked like you were enjoying it."
"..."
Makoto's jaw tightened.
"What the hell do you know? You don't know anything about me!"
The classroom fell silent.
A few students stopped in the doorway and looked back.
Others exchanged uneasy glances, whispering under their breath.
Shino took a step back, his eyes widening.
Makoto turned toward him.
"I only played today because I was doing you a favor. That's all."
Shino swallowed and took a hesitant step forward, trying to steady his voice.
"I... I understand, but... couldn't you at least think about it? We really need you."
"No."
Makoto turned away again.
"I'm leaving. Don't bother me again."
Shino watched him walk out of the classroom.
His gaze slowly fell to the floor.
I don't know what to do to get him to join... Why?
"Thanks again! We hope you come shopping here again soon," the cashier said.
Tetsuo nodded politely, lifting the grocery bags with a careful hand.
The automatic doors slid open, and he stepped outside.
The evening air was thick and humid.
"That's everything on the list."
He shifted the grocery bags in his hands.
"Time to go home."
As he rounded the corner, someone bumped into him.
"Oh!"
A girl stumbled back, nearly losing her balance.
"I'm so sorry!"
She quickly bowed her head.
"I wasn't paying attention."
Tetsuo scratched his cheek.
"No... it's my fault. Don't worry about it."
The girl slowly looked up at him.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
"Haru!"
Another girl's voice called from farther down the street.
The girl turned.
"Oh, Saya! You're here."
A girl with shoulder length hair jogged over, slightly out of breath.
"Sorry for being late, Haruko."
"It's okay," Haruko said with a small smile.
"I just got here myself."
The two girls continued talking as Tetsuo quietly walked past them.
Haruko glanced over her shoulder.
Her eyes followed him as he disappeared into the evening crowd.
Her lips parted slightly.
Tetsuo opened the door and stepped onto the wooden floor, slipping off his shoes.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home, big brother!"
Usagi hurried over in an apron, a bright smile on her face.
"I prepared a bath for you, and dinner's almost ready."
"Go ahead and relax."
He nodded once.
Minutes later, he stepped out of the bath with a towel draped around his neck.
He dried his hair as he walked into the dining room.
"Oh, you're done," Usagi said as he sat down.
"I made your favorite today."
She cleared her throat dramatically.
"I present to you..."
She held out one hand.
"The Usagi Special!"
"Curry and rice balls... with some veggies for balance!"
"Thanks for the meal."
He clasped his hands together before picking up his chopsticks.
"So... how was school today?" Usagi asked as she set her own plate beside his.
Tetsuo took a bite before answering.
"It was just like any other day."
Usagi puffed out her cheeks.
"Big brother... couldn't you give me a few more details than that?"
"Um..."
He looked up at the ceiling, adjusting the chopsticks in his hand before setting them neatly on the table.
"I played basketball during gym today... I guess."
"That's great!"
She smiled.
"Oh! Speaking of that..."
"Did you sign up for the basketball team?"
Tetsuo paused.
"I was asked by some upperclassmen..."
"But I turned them down."
Usagi's hands trembled slightly.
"Why would you do that?"
Tetsuo leaned back a little.
"I'm busy."
"I have a job."
"I'm the one making sure we have enough money to pay the rent..."
"...and enough for both of us to stay in school."
His gaze settled on her.
"As long as you're happy and comfortable... that's all I need."
He picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
Usagi stared at him.
Her eyes began to glisten.
"You don't understand, do you?"
Her voice trembled.
"My happiness..."
"...came from watching you be happy."
Tetsuo blinked once, his expression unchanged.
"I remember when you used to play basketball with Dad."
Tetsuo's eyes widened slightly.
"You laughed."
"You cried."
"You shouted."
"You looked so alive."
"I was just a little kid watching from the sidelines..."
"...but those moments meant everything to me."
She hugged her arms to her chest.
Her gaze fell to the floor before slowly returning to him.
"So now..."
"It's the same."
"Your happiness is my happiness."
"Please..."
"Join the team again."
"For yourself."
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
Didn't you come here to change?
"I want you to be happy like you were back then."
"So please..."
"Just join."
"I don't want to be the only one who's happy."
"I want to see you smile every once in a while too."
Tetsuo remained silent.
He looked down at his half finished meal.
"I understand," he said after a long pause.
"I'll give it some thought."
Usagi quickly wiped her eyes, leaving faint streaks on her cheeks.
"Thank you..."
Tetsuo looked at her.
"So... how was your day?"
"Well..."
"I made three friends."
"But..."
"A girl in my class already seems to hate me."
"I see."
He nodded slightly.
"For now, it's best to avoid her."
"Don't let it turn into something worse."
"I know."
She nodded.
"I'll be careful."
Tetsuo stood and picked up his plate.
"I'll do the dishes."
"No!"
Usagi quickly took the plate from his hands.
"Leave them to me."
"You should get some rest."
"Go lie down."
He hesitated before giving a small nod.
"Alright."
"Goodnight, Usagi."
The soft clatter of her footsteps echoed through the house as she carried the dishes toward the sink.
The next morning, Sachiko stood outside the student council room.
She took a deep breath.
Here goes...
She knocked gently on the door.
Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her uniform.
"Good morning. Is anyone here?" she called softly.
"Come on in, Takahashi," a calm voice answered from inside.
Sachiko opened the door.
"I've been expecting you."
Yoshida sat behind her desk, her hands folded neatly in front of her.
"I'm glad you came."
She smiled.
"So... I take it you're interested in becoming a student council member?"
"Yes, I am," Sachiko said as she stepped inside.
Her shoes clicked softly against the polished floor.
"I've looked into the backgrounds of all the first year students," Yoshida said.
"And among them, you stand out the most."
"You're from a respected family."
"You served as student council president in junior high."
"You're intelligent, composed, and people naturally listen when you speak."
Sachiko gave a small nod.
"I believe you're the most suitable candidate for vice president."
"But the position comes with a great deal of responsibility."
"It demands your time, your commitment, and your judgment."
"If you're prepared to shoulder that responsibility..."
"I'd like you to accept the role."
Sachiko hesitated.
She bowed politely, her hands resting at her sides.
"I'd be honored to accept."
"Good," Yoshida said with a nod.
"Now that we've settled that..."
"I have a favor to ask."
"And what would that be?" Sachiko asked.
Hitomi closed her eyes for a brief moment.
"There's a student in your class whose background is almost completely blank his name..."
She opened her eyes.
"Tetsuo Kawaguchi."
Sachiko's eyes widened slightly.
"Despite having no recorded history, he scored perfectly on the entrance exam."
A small smile crossed Hitomi's face.
"Since you're in the same class, I'd like you to learn more about him."
"And if possible..."
"Convince him to join the student council."
"Someone like him could help solve some of the real problems this school faces."
Sachiko's thoughts raced.
Tetsuo? How am I supposed to convince him to join the student council when I can barely say two words to him?
But... I have to do this.
"I'll do my best to convince him."
"I'm counting on you, Sachiko," Yoshida said, holding her gaze.