Cody and Mia walked back toward the field.
The noise of the class got louder as they got closer.
"Cody!"
He looked up.
The teacher was staring straight at him.
"What are you doing? Get back on the field!"
Cody froze for a second.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
Mia let out a small laugh beside him.
Cody turned slightly.
His eyes stayed on her for a moment—the way she smiled... light, effortless.
"What?" Mia asked.
Cody blinked, then looked away.
"...Nothing."
He walked back to his spot with the others.
The whistle blew.
"Move!"
A few of the guys groaned as they started running again.
I forced my legs to move.
This is torture.
Time felt slower than before.
Every step felt heavier.
Then—
The whistle blew again.
"Alright, that's it for today!"
A wave of relief spread through everyone.
"Finally..." I muttered under my breath.
Some of the guys dropped to the ground again, laughing and complaining.
I just stood there, catching my breath.
At least it's over.
After school—
Students began leaving through the front gate, talking and laughing as they went.
I walked out slowly, adjusting my bag.
"Hey—Cody, wait!"
I stopped.
I looked around for a second before spotting Kira running toward me.
"...Kira?"
She slowed down when she reached me, slightly out of breath.
"Um..." she hesitated.
Then she looked at me.
"Do you want to... go watch a movie tomorrow?"
I blinked.
"...A movie?"
She nodded quickly.
"Y-yeah... if you're free."
I scratched the back of my head.
"...Sure. Yeah."
I smiled a little.
"Sounds good."
Kira paused.
Just for a second.
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
I didn't think much of it.
But for some reason—
Kira's expression didn't change the way I thought it would.
END OF CHAPTER 15