"That was a nice kick! I could not react at all!"
"...What?"
"I mean I should have blocked it but it was so fast that I could not see it."
Kana was confused but she played along with Eiji.
"No, you were just tired and could not do anything. It was my fault."
As she recalled that moment, she could not help but think that she was harsh with Eiji. Maybe too harsh.
But Kana thought that it is part of the process of being strong. Since Eiji was very gung ho about getting strong, she implemented injuries as part of the training.
Well, she went too far as judged by Jirou.
However, Eiji does not perceive it as harsh. It was more lenient than that. Just a small injury that was to be expected in this treacherous path he treads on.
There was something that Kana felt off about Eiji. Not just one time but multiple times.
Why is he so adamant about becoming strong?
If it is a personal reason then Kana would not pry into his private life. But it still made her curious. She wanted to know more about him.
Apart from his name and favourite meal, Kana does not know anything else about Eiji. He is surprisingly secretive and does not reveal any information about himself so abruptly.
Is he hiding something or does he not want anyone to meddle with his affairs?
Either way, Kana wanted to know. However, right now was not the appropriate time.
Moreover, she had some other stuff to consider.
"Are you really alright? Should you be out of bed so early?"
"Oh well, it still hurts." Eiji gently rubbed his stomach, reminiscing the dangerous kick he received from Kana.
"Then you should be in bed. Why the hell are you standing here in front of me?"
Kana got a little angry. Her voice elevated a tad bit in volume. Jirou's eyebrow raised in curiosity as he has never heard Kana this way.
Through her indifference, there was a small crack of emotion.
He waited to see how their conversation would go.
"I mean, I saw that you were facing injustice."
"Whatever you are talking about, this does not concern you."
"Eh? But I was involved."
"I am being punished for another matter."
"Hm? What could that be?"
Kana glanced at Jirou who was still equipped with his serious mask on.
"I disrespected the Captain."
"EEEHH!?!?"
Eiji was shocked to the core. Immediately, he turned to Jirou and bowed 90° and apologized to him.
"I am sorry for her behaviour, Jirou-senpai! I apologize on her behalf! Ack!"
Eiji did it too suddenly so his stomach hurt. Instead of considering his apology, he was too worried about his injury.
"Oi, are you okay?"
"...That is why you should not force yourself."
Kana approached Eiji and helped him slowly stand upright, adapting to the pain.
At the moment, she thought that this was the right time to get the stuck words out of her throat. Her lips twitched because it was not like her to say things like that.
But it was right for her to say it than not to say it. Her elder sister Akane influenced Kana to think like that.
"I am.....sorry.....for hurting you like that."
"...."
Eiji had his mouth agape with extreme shock. He was more shocked when he find out that Kana disrespected Jirou. Even Jirou could not believe what he heard.
"....."
"....W-What?"
Both the boy stayed silent.
Jirou mockingly laughed at Kana, as if his serious mode was not even there.
"You did not say 'sorry' to me, the President, the Captain of the Karate Club and a Senior to you. But you said it to Eiji-kun?"
"....."
"How cute."
*Whoosh!*
Jirou blocked Kana's swift high kick with ease, unlike Eiji when he was tired.
"Is that how you should act to a senior that is discontent with your behaviour?"
"Ah....sorry.. It was just out of habit."
Jirou sighed and Kana retracted her leg. He wondered how did she still have the energy to execute a quick attack like that.
Is her stamina unlimited?
Eiji butted in and awkwardly asked.
"Jirou-senpai. It is enough already. Let her go home and be done with this. I do not have any problem with her."
Jirou simply stared at him with doubt. Then he darted his look at Kana who was apathetically staring at Jirou.
*Sigh*
He sighed again exasperatingly. He had enough for the day so he wanted to settle this matter as soon as possible.
"Fukuyama-san. One last punishment for the day. Help Eiji-kun go to his house."
"E-Eh? I-I am alright though?"
Kana intervened and added."Yeah, I can go another lap."
Jirou glared at Kana.
"What the hell are you saying!!" Eiji grabbed Kana's arm and pulled her to his side, "She will help me! It is okay!!"
Jirou looked at them turning around while Eiji veered to him one last time and greeted him off.
"See you tomorrow, Senpai!"
".....Next time..." Jirou waved and saw those 2 figures getting smaller and smaller.
Kana was getting dragged by Eiji for not letting her anger Jirou again. That way, she would not let Jirou get a chance of bestowing another punishment upon her.
Hurriedly, they were out of Jirou's sight.
Eiji heavily panted as they reached their club. Kana had to change from her white attire to her school uniform. Eiji on the other already had his white shirt on and his pants. His blue blazer was folded into his bag.
*Pants* *Pants*
"You should have stayed in bed rather than doing all of this."
"As I said, I cannot bear to see someone get punished for things that they did not do in the first place. It is all my fault."
"....How can you be not angry at me for causing so much harm to you?"
Kana was truly puzzled at Eiji. Normally, anyone would get somewhat angry and irritated with someone who hurt them. However, what about Eiji?
He replied,
"You did not cause me harm Fukuyama-san. I only see those pain as the necessary requirements in becoming strong like you. Besides..."
".....Besides?"
Eiji fidgeted like a little girl about to confess his love. His cheeks flushed red and it felt like the pain in his stomach was non-existent.
Kana observed him with a death glare, incomprehensible of why he was acting so irritatingly like that.
But those next words of his,
"I believe in you, Fukuyama-san."
...It changed something in Kana. Her eyes widened a little as she showered her sights on the blushing Eiji.
Everything around him became free of black ambience. It was like Eiji was more in the spotlight.
Kana envisioned it like someone different has really come into her life. Her doubts became as clear as day.
And that made Kana's end of her lips lift.
What Eiji was seeing was something so alien that it made her freeze in place.
"Is that so?"
Kana tilted her head and the thin smile she had, captivated Eiji completely.
'What is this...?'
It was like endless time has passed. Light embraced her gently and the wind caressed her with delicacy as her short hair got swayed so elegantly.
Eiji was truly enthralled. So enthralled that he could not hear Kana at all.
"Oi Kisano!!!" She snapped her finger near her ear which made him finally recover from that state he was in.
"What has gotten over you?"
"E-Eh? I-I was....."
"Spit it out." Kana reverted to her annoyed expression.
Eiji blurted out the first and truthful thought that he was contemplating about.
"I did not think that y-you were capable of having such a beautiful s-smile..."
"....."
Eiji's heart clenched and soon was aware of what he just spouted. He was about to take back what he said, that is when Kana suddenly turned her back towards him and went into the locker room for the club.
"I will be right back." She left and made Eiji wait.
"Did I.....make her angry?"
Little did he realize that Kana was smiling, out of his sight.
.....
"Ack!"
He was to fall over but Kana caught him. She put one of his hands over her shoulder and grabbed his back.
"Haha...Sorry for the trouble."
"I should be the one to apologize."
"Are we really going to go through this again?"
Kana did not want to get lectured by Eiji so she stayed silent. She supported the not so well Eiji to the station. She does not know the exact location of his house but the train he was going to take made her believe that it was quite some distance to her house.
It was pretty late too as the sun was just over the horizon. Their families would get worried, especially for Kana as she heard a vibration in her skirt's pocket.
She took her phone and checked who was calling.
'Annoying Onee-chan' It read.
She heaved a tired sigh. Eiji noticed who was calling but did not say anything. She answered the phone.
"What is it?"
"Where are you? You are late." Harue's impatient voice could be heard.
"Club activity was late too."
"Are you coming home now?"
"Yeah, I might be coming a bit late since I have to do something first."
"....."
Harue paused and asked a specific question to Kana.
"Should i come? Who are you with?"
Straight to the point, Kana pondered for a bit before answering him. She hesitated at first however in the end, she gave in to him.
"With.....my friend."
".....Fr.....i.....en....d.....???"
After a short while, Kana's ear met with a traumatic experience.
"REALLY!?!?!?!"
She instantly put the phone away from her ear. Even at that distance, he heard her brother's astonishment.
"ARE YOU SAYING THE TRUTH!?!? WHO IS HE!? WHO IS SHE!? THE SAME AGE AS YOU!?! HEY TELL M-!"
*Tap*
Kana cut him off and put it in her pocket. It vibrated again but she ignored it.
"Quite the worrywart sister you got..." He awkwardly engaged in a conversation about that phone call.
"Worrywart, more like annoying."
"Haha...."
Though she said that, he still detected the sibling care on the other side of the phone.
They both got on the train and went to Eiji's house.
.......
"I'm home."
Kana muttered as she entered her house. She had already escorted Eiji so she decided to go to her home. Eiji was worried about Kana going so late but she reassured him because she is strong.
Anyway, she took off her shoes in a disorderly manner.
Just when she was about to sit on the couch, Harue suddenly sprung out of nowhere.
"Congratulations!!"
".....For what?"
"On making your first friend!"
"You are exaggerating."
She proceeded to sit on the couch but she got blocked off.
"Try these small puddings I made."
The puddings on the plate moved smoothly whenever the plate was in motion. Kana knew it was delicious so it would not hurt to try.
As she grabbed one, the fluffiness was immeasurable. That is one good point of the pudding's texture. She took a bite and it quickly melted in her mouth.
"....."
"How is it?"
".....It is good."
"Is that so. Hehehe~"
She finished one and was about to grab another when suddenly, Harue inquired about her friend.
"What about your friend? What's his or her name?"
She abruptly stopped her hand. She dodged Harue and walked fast towards the bathroom.
"Kana? Where are you going? At least tell me the name of your friend!"
"I don't even want to talk about him!"
"'Him'? So it is a boy?"
"I-I don't know."
She closed the door with force and hid in the bathroom. Harue has never seen her act like this. He smiled and was expectant of the future she would have.
"Isn't Nee-chan coming late recently."
He lingered his gaze towards the entrance door, waiting for her older sister Akane to return home.
It could be her work or some problems that may occur outside but oh well, he can always ask her about it.
"O-Onee-chan! Bring me my underwear!"
Harue veered to the bathroom and grinned at Kana's clumsiness. It was never seen before so it was fun to indulge in this novel experience.
And by the way,
"It's Onii-chan!!!"